Chinese ambassadors upbeat about prospects of relations with neighboring countries Xinhua) 07:59, April 11, 2025 This photo shows a view of Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue for the 21st China-ASEAN Expo, in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang) BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese ambassadors say they are upbeat about building on historic achievements to open new prospects for China's relations with neighboring countries, after a key meeting outlined goals and tasks for the next phase of the country's neighborhood work. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and striving to open new ground for the country's neighborhood work, at a central conference on work related to neighboring countries held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday. China's relations with neighboring countries are at the best level seen in modern times, and they are entering a critical phase in which regional dynamics and global transformations are deeply intertwined, the conference noted. "China always places its neighborhood diplomacy at the top of its diplomatic agenda, and ASEAN is the priority in this neighborhood diplomacy," Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said. Chinese and Malaysian leaders have reached a consensus on building a community with a shared future, and China-Malaysia trade accounts for one-fifth of China-ASEAN trade. In addition to the East Coast Rail Link project and other joint infrastructure projects, both countries are cooperating in such fields as 5G, artificial intelligence, big data, electric vehicles and photovoltaic products. "Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Malaysia relations will further grow, and cooperation between China and ASEAN will also expand," the ambassador said. Representatives of China and five Central Asian countries attend a launching ceremony of the secretariat of the China-Central Asian cooperation mechanism in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, March 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi) China-Central Asia relations have seen leapfrog progress with the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnerships between China and the five Central Asian countries, the launch of the China-Central Asia mechanism, and joint efforts to promote the growth of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), according to Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin. President Xi's vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and his three global initiatives offer important guidance for the China-Central Asia mechanism and SCO development, Han noted. A drone photo taken on June 23, 2024 shows a view of Rashakai Special Economic Zone under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in Nowshera, Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) As a pilot project under the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has seen more than 25 billion U.S. dollars in direct investment and created more than 230,000 jobs. It has raised the level of China-Pakistan cooperation and promoted Pakistan's economic and social development, according to Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong. "We will continue to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, make greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and safeguard China's overseas interests," Jiang said. China continues to bring development opportunities and certainty to its neighboring countries through its own development, said Shen Minjuan, Chinese ambassador to Mongolia. "In Mongolia, people remember President Xi's offer of welcoming them to ride China's fast train of development." The 21st century will undoubtedly be the Asian Century, and China's diplomacy with its neighboring countries holds immense potential, Shen said, adding that Asia should remain stable and thriving, thereby supporting China's modernization drive. China and ASEAN have been each other's largest trading partners for five consecutive years. ASEAN regards China as an indispensable partner for regional countries to achieve modernization, and China firmly supports ASEAN's centrality in regional cooperation, said Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Hou Yanqi. China encourages ASEAN to forge close ties with the SCO and BRICS, together practice genuine multilateralism and open regionalism, and safeguard international fairness and justice as well as the interests of developing countries, Hou said. An aerial drone photo taken on July 18, 2024 shows the Qingdao SCODA Pearl International Expo Center in the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, noted that the world today is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, and that changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace. "The CPC Central Committee exercises overall leadership, maintains strong strategic resolve, and responds to challenges with steadfastness and prudence. This is our greatest source of confidence in advancing our diplomatic endeavors, and the root cause of the respect and growing influence China gains on the global stage," Fu said. "We must unwaveringly uphold the vision of a global community with a shared future, continuously advance the reform and improvement of global governance, and safeguard the interests of developing countries," Fu said. The ambassadors expressed opposition to the United States' indiscriminate tariffs on all of its trading partners, saying that China and neighboring countries should oppose the fallacy of "might makes right" and work together to safeguard international fairness and justice, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of all countries. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Feature: Traditional Chinese fitness practices, medicine gaining global recognition Xinhua) 09:39, April 11, 2025 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. 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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 At 12 a.m. Thursday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened Bonneville Dams spillway gates, marking the beginning of seasonal water releases known as spill. By 11:59 p.m., nearly 13 billion gallons of water were set to have barreled over the top of the last man-made obstacle young salmon face on their journey from their home streams across the West and into the Pacific Ocean. Spill, which is now happening at each federal dam along the Columbia-Snake river system that has fish passage, allows out-migrating salmon to dodge the dams deadly turbines, increasing their survival rate and eventual returns. But this year, in addition to battling hundreds of miles of near-still water, predators and a warming ocean, the roughly 6.6 million roughly pinky-finger-sized young fish also face a Trump administration that has attacked the notion of using the Wests rivers for anything but commercial gain. Why spill? Before the dams were in place, there was a huge flood every spring and early summer of cold water that pushed tens of millions of salmon and steelhead juveniles out to the ocean, said Joseph Bogaard, executive director of Save Our Wild Salmon. Dams mostly drowned that once-wild Columbias seasonal fluctuations, transforming the river into a slack-water machine that generates hundreds of millions of dollars in hydropower each year and allows ships carrying billions of dollars in goods to travel from the Pacific as far inland as Idaho. Legally mandated seasonal water releases are a choreographed effort to mimic the natural flows while primarily protecting the rivers dominant interests: flood risk mitigation, hydropower production and commercial shipping. To environmental advocates, spill is both a compromise and a powerful, research-backed stop-gap tool to hold off looming regional salmon extinction until long-term solutions like Lower Snake River dam removal prevail. Even with spill, however, journeys from the far reaches of the Snake River out to the Pacific that used to take young salmon about two weeks now take two months, said Jeremy FiveCrows who runs communications for the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission. Water managers at Bonneville say spill is important. But they argue it carries risks, and that bypass options the dam offers out-migrating fish are often actually safer. To power managers, spill is, more than anything else, a cost because that water could have been put to work generating power. Over the past 25 years, spilled Columbia River water could have generated an average of $139 million each year, said Doug Johnson, spokesman for Bonneville Power Administration, which markets the power produced by federal Columbia-Snake river dams. Johnson also said BPA expects replacing that theoretical power will cost about $240 million annually in coming years. Environmentalists, Native nations and recreational fishing groups point out the river has value outside of the power it produces and isnt just a hydropower plant that has fish, for now. A downstream battle Despite those disagreements, federal river managers, regional Native nations, environmental groups, as well as Washington and Oregon, reached a Biden administration-brokered salmon restoration agreement in 2023 that, in part, set a new spill regime across the basin. Under that agreement, Bonneville currently spills 150,000 cubic feet of water per second from April 10 to June 15, said Jeanette Flemmer, BPAs chief of fisheries. That amount decreases as the value of power goes up later in the year, arriving at 95,000 cfs from June 16 to the end of July, and 50,000 cfs for August. While the agreement involved significant compromise, all parties describe it as the best hope for recovering salmon populations and honoring treaty-protected fishing rights while meeting regional energy needs and driving economic growth throughout even the most rural parts of the Columbia Basin. But, with the Trump administration slashing regional federal workforces and environmental protections, the future of spill is unclear. A lot of the policies that were in place when the new administration took over are under review, Bogaard said. There is a sense of waiting for the other shoe to drop, we dont know whats going to happen. Officials with the Corps declined to answer questions about how the current political landscape could impact spill. Spill along the Federal Columbia River Power System is required through a number of agreements with Native nations, as well as to meet federal agencies obligations under the Endangered Species Act, the systems environmental impact statement and its most recent biological opinion. Tom Conning, spokesman for the Corps Northwestern division, said the agency will make changes to spill levels as conditions require in the river. But already, during his second term, President Donald Trump has taken aim at environmental protections for endangered fish in favor of attempting to use water for irrigation a move that Politicos E&E News reported will hurt salmon populations and fishing communities. Even if the current spill regime remains in place, reduced staff rolls at the federal agencies that manage the Columbia could negatively impact dam functions, said Tom Lorz, a hydraulic engineer and fish passage specialist who has been at the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission since the mid-1990s. And without spill, the basin stands to lose the best way to keep fish from going extinct, he said. Its a lot of uncertainty, Lorz said of the current political environment, which is never a good thing when youre trying to manage fisheries or endangered species or trying to make sure youve got a plan going forward. 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West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Zip Code 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: Apple's iPhone 16 models have hit the shelves in Indonesia after a monthslong sales ban. Smartphone buyers were cheered by shopkeepers in Jakarta on Friday after Apple's latest smartphone went on sale following a months-long ban in Indonesia. The marketing and sale of iPhone 16 models was prohibited by the government in October over Apple's failure to meet regulation requiring that 40% of smartphone components be made from local parts. But the US tech titan announced last month that its latest smartphone models would hit the shelves, weeks after striking a deal with the Indonesian government to invest in the country. Albert Wongso, 34, told AFP outside the store he was very happy to learn that the iPhone 16s were now available in Indonesia. "I'm very happy to hear from the news because we can buy the iPhone directly from Indonesia," the IT consultant told AFP Friday, adding that he was looking to buy the iPhone 16 Pro model to replace his iPhone 11. "Because if we buy from the other country... it's quite hard for example to claim the warranty," he said. While the ban was in place, the government had allowed iPhone 16 models to be brought into the country, provided they were not being traded commercially. A win for Apple Jakarta rejected a $100 million investment proposal from Apple in November, saying it lacked the "fairness" required by the government. Employees welcome customers entering their store which sells the Apple iPhone 16 in Jakarta on April 11, 2025. The company later agreed to invest $150 million in building two facilitiesone in Bandung in West Java province to produce accessories, and another in Batam for AirTags. Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said in February that Apple had also committed to building a semiconductor research and development center in Indonesia, calling it a "first of its kind in Asia". The iPhone 16's entry into the Indonesian market marks a win for Apple and signaled the economic importance of the country of 280 million people. "Indonesia is one of the biggest markets for Apple in the Asian region apart from China and so on," said Nailul Huda, director of digital economy at the think tank, Center of Economic and Law Studies (CELIOS). The Indonesian government is considering relaxing regulation of the information and communication technology sector ahead of talks with the United States over President Donald Trump's tariffs. Chief economic minister Airlangga Hartarto is set to lead a delegation to Washington this month in the hope of striking a better deal after Trump announced a 90-day pause on the harshest tariff against US trading partners. Indonesia has also banned the sale of Google Pixel phones for failing to meet the 40% local parts requirement. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain EU researchers are developing a smarter system of sustainable cooling, replacing toxic refrigerants with safer, more efficient, and recyclable metals. As a young engineering student contemplating the direction of his doctoral research, Jaka Tusek knew he wanted to push the boundaries of science. "I wanted to work on breakthroughs, tackle something new that hasn't been done before." Today, the Slovenian researcher is on the cusp of the first major breakthrough in cooling technologies in the last 100 years. His work is solving one of the fundamental challenges of our time: keeping cool in a warming world without polluting it further. Time for change The vapor-compression technology commonly used by fridges, air conditioners, and other cooling technology is more than a century old, and is relatively inefficient and bad for the environment. While the most damaging refrigerants have been banned since 1989, those that replaced themhydrofluorocarbonsturned out to have a greenhouse effect hundreds of thousands of times greater than CO 2 . "If one kilogram of such a refrigerant evaporates into the atmosphere, it has roughly the same greenhouse effect as driving a car for about 30 000 kilometers," said Tusek. Because of this, hydrofluorocarbons are also being phased out. But natural alternatives such as ammonia and isobutane come with their own set of issues, from toxicity and explosiveness to poor efficiency in hot climates. A solid solution Building on the discoveries of an EU research project named SUPERCOOL, which ran at Slovenia's University of Ljubljana from 2019 to 2023, Tusek's team is developing a system with a fundamentally different approach. It is replacing toxic refrigerants with metal tubes. While such solid-state cooling technologies are still in their early stages, the thinking is that they will be able to provide safer cooling devices that work quietly and more efficiently, without polluting the environment. The researchers at the University of Ljubljana are now working to bring this new technology to the market. They are preparing a patent and developing a plan for industry adoption as part of E-CO-HEAT which runs until early 2026. Making heating and cooling technologies more efficient and sustainable is at the heart of the EU's Heating and Cooling Strategy, which is a vital segment of the European Green Deal. Cooling currently accounts for 10% of the world's electricity demand, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). Worse, the need for cooling technologies is growing exponentially, due to rising temperatures and growing demand in developing countries. "Nobody wants to work in 50-degree heat and 90% humidity," said Tusek. There are around 2 billion air conditioning units in the world today, a figure that the IEA expects to almost triple by 2050. "This growth, combined with the fact that they are relatively inefficient and harmful to the environment, could lead to an environmental disaster," he said. The quest for efficiency Cooling depends on the basic chemistry of phase changes, when matter changes from one state (solid, liquid, or gas) to another. With traditional refrigerants, the transformation from liquid to gas and back again is what powers the cooling cycle. But some materials, such as a nickel-titanium alloy known as nitinol, can go through a phase transformation while remaining solid. "Simply put, when you put mechanical stress on them, they heat up, when you relieve it, they cool down," said Ziga Ahcin, a researcher on the project. The technology is called elastocaloric cooling, caloric in this case referring to heat. Unlike traditional refrigerants, these materials are not harmful to people or the environment. In fact, nitinol wires are biocompatible and commonly used in medicine. In theory, the system could also be far more efficient, though it still has some way to go. "Our prototype is currently at 15% of maximum possible efficiency, while vapor compression has 20-30% efficiency," said Tusek. "But we've been developing this technology for less than 10 years, while vapor compression technology has been on the market for over a hundred years, so I think we still have some wiggle room." A world first In theory, elastocaloric cooling could reach up to 70% efficiency, but there is one major snag. Nitinol wires degrade quickly when stretched repeatedly to induce a phase change, a phenomenon known as fatigue. "Let's say the device works for 10 000 load cycles. That's two to three days, and you're done," said Ahcin. That did not look promising. But then, he explained, Tusek had the idea of compressing the materials instead of stretching them, reducing the physical stress on the wires. The resulting prototype was a world first, reaching new levels of heating and cooling performance without degrading the materials it depended on. "We proved that the lifespan of such materials can be practically unlimited," said Tusek. "At the same time, our prototype was the first in the world with a range of over 30 degrees Celsius, which is key for practical cooling and heating applications." From the lab to the world The University of Ljubljana researchers have partnered up with universities from Germany and Italy, as well as a tech company from Ireland, to develop an advanced air conditioner based on the technology. This collaboration is named SMACool. "We're progressing faster when we work in this interdisciplinary way," said Tusek, noting that each university is contributing a different area of expertise. He is optimistic that the technology could reach the market in the next 5 to 10 years. "It's cool to think that this technology could someday be everywhere," said Ahcin. "And my kids could say their dad developed it." 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: Saudis check a car at the Tesla company's first showroom in Riyadh. Elon Musk's firm has opened three showrooms in oil rich Saudi Arabia. The Tesla electric vehicle company owned by billionaire Elon Musk on Thursday opened its first showrooms in oil-rich Saudi Arabiawhere hybrid cars remain a rare sight. The opening of showrooms in the capital Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam comes as Tesla global sales fall. Showrooms in the United States have been attacked, reportedly because of links between Musk, the world's richest person, and U.S. President Donald Trump. The company's share price has slumped since Musk started working with the U.S. government. "Today we are proud to officially launch in the kingdom," said Naseem Akbarzada, Tesla country manager for Saudi Arabia, hailing the start of a "long-term presence." He added that charging stations for electric cars would be opened from Friday in the three cities where the showrooms had been established, with more to follow. Saudi Arabia is a key regional U.S. ally and Trump forged close ties during his first term with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has promised to inject $600 billion into U.S. trade and investments. Mainly young Saudis gathered to look at the Tesla cars, even though demand for electric vehicles is low in Saudi Arabia. The world's largest oil exporter enjoys bargain-basement fuel prices with a liter of petrol costing just 2.33 riyals ($0.62). Cheap fuel and prolonged periods of extreme heat in the vast desert country means big oil-consuming cars reign supreme. Saudi economist Mohammed Al-Qahtani welcomed Tesla's move, but urged more efforts by Musk's firm. "We do not want a showroom; we want a factory," he said. "We want to be part of the production process, not just consumption." A lack of charging infrastructure and the country's vast size mean that many Saudi drivers will view EVs as suitable for shorter trips, rather than as replacements for conventional vehicles. About 950 kilometers (590 miles) separate the capital from second city Jeddahmore than the maximum range of most electric car batteries. According to data platform Statista, before Tesla's arrival Saudi Arabia had just 101 charging stations, compared with 261 in the much smaller neighboring United Arab Emirates. Although the Saudi EV market remains small, it tripled last year to nearly 800 cars, according to business news outlet Al-Iqtisadiyah. Authorities are seeking to diversify the economy, which relies heavily on oil, aiming to install 5,000 electric vehicle chargers by 2030. Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, PIF, now controls 60% of luxury electric vehicle company Lucid. It has also secured a deal with South Korea's Hyundai to establish a plant in the kingdom for electric and petrol-powered cars. Saudi EV brand CEER, launched in 2022, plans to start production in 2025. A vehicle from Lucid, which opened a factory in Jeddah in 2023 after a billion-dollar Saudi investment, costs $92,000. Last May, Chinese company BYD opened a showroom in Riyadh, selling more affordable electric cars. 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Energy Storage Materials (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ensm.2025.104195 A waste gum produced by trees found in India could be the key to unlocking a new generation of better-performing, more eco-friendly supercapacitors, researchers say. Scientists from universities in Scotland, South Korea and India are behind the development, which harnesses the unique properties of the otherwise useless tree gum to prevent supercapacitors from degrading over tens of thousands of charging cycles. The team's finding could help reduce the environmental impact of supercapacitors, an energy storage technology which carry less overall power than conventional batteries but charge and discharge much more quickly. Supercapacitors are currently used in a wide range of electronic devices, in power grids, and electric vehicles. However, their long-term performance can be affected by their use of acidic electrolytes, which can cause unwanted side reactions with their metal electrodes, reducing their ability to hold their full charge over time. Replacing and disposing of supercapacitors at the end of their lives contributes to the growing global problem of electronic waste, which can have harmful impacts on the environment. In a paper published in the journal Energy Storage Materials, the researchers demonstrate how they combined gum kondagogu, a polysaccharide produced by the bark of the Cochlospermum Gossypium tree, to sodium alginate to manufacture a spongelike biopolymer they called "KS." They found that adding KS to the acidic electrolyte of a conventional supercapacitor helped to create a protective layer over its carbon electrodes. The KS layer helped prevent physical degradation of the electrodes while still allowing the ion transport process which enables the supercapacitor to charge and discharge. In lab tests, they showed that their improved electrolyte boosted the supercapacitor's performance significantly, helping it maintain 93% of its full energy capacity after 30,000 cycles. Over the same span, the capacity of an otherwise identical supercapacitor tested by the team dropped to just 58%. Dr. Jun Young Cheong, of the University of Glasgow's James Watt School of Engineering, is one of the paper's corresponding authors. He said, "Tree gums have a wide range of uses in industry, in applications like pharmaceuticals, food, or cosmetics. "However, the gums we've used in this study don't have many practical uses, and are actually a bit of a headache for the Indian government to dispose of. With this research, we've found a way of making something genuinely impactful from this gum, creating a biodegradable, recyclable biopolymer which enables remarkable performance and could extend the useful life of supercapacitors dramatically. "In the lab, we've shown excellent performance over 30,000 cycles. If we were to run one cycle per day, the supercapacitor could theoretically last more than 80 years without losing significant performance, which could mean that supercapacitors could be used in devices for much longer without being replaced." The research builds on Dr. Cheong's ongoing research into using biowaste in batteries, which has also demonstrated the effectiveness of using water-soluble gum binders in graphite anodes in lithium-ion batteries. Researchers from Ajou University (Prof. Tae Gwang Yun), Chung-Ang University (Prof. Byungil Hwang) and Myongji University in South Korea contributed to the research and co-authored the paper, along with colleagues from Amrita University (Prof. Vinod V. T. Padil) in India. More information: Seonghun Lee et al, Long-lasting supercapacitor with stable electrode-electrolyte interface enabled by a biopolymer conjugate electrolyte additive, Energy Storage Materials (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ensm.2025.104195 First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe announced Thursday that hes switching to the Republican Party, citing his former partys soft stance on crime among his reasons. Pascoe was just elected to serve his sixth four-year term as solicitor in the November general election. The 1st Judicial Circuit includes Orangeburg, Dorchester and Calhoun counties. The longtime Democrat announced his party switch at the Summerville County Club on Thursday evening. He texted a copy of his remarks outlining his reasons for the change to The T&D. Pascoe said hes proud of the bipartisan support hes received since 2004. He believes that proves South Carolinians appreciate a prosecutor focused on protecting families and not criminals. Personally, I have endorsed Republicans in elections for sheriff and solicitor because public safety should transcend partisan lines. For much of my life, that has been true; however, that no longer seems to be the case, he said. Pascoe continued, I can no longer in good conscience wear the label of Democrat. Im pro-life, and Ive earnestly put evil men on death row. The Democratic Party has become too soft on crime. The S.C. Democratic Party, however, says Pascoes just switching parties to further his political ambitions. Its no secret that First Circuit Solicitor David Pascoe wants to be Attorney General and is willing to do anything to get there, S.C. Democratic Party Chair Christale Spain said in a press release. Pascoe endorsed Biden in 2000 and then endorsed numerous Republican candidates in 2024, she said. Who are you fooling David? Do you think South Carolina Republicans are going to let a 20-year Democratic solicitor who suddenly has a change of heart be their nominee for Attorney General? Spain said. We trust his new political home will embrace his long-held Democratic values with the same enthusiasm or at the very least, Google them. During his speech in Summerville, Pascoe claimed that the Democratic Party now embraces progressive extremes on prosecutorial policies, disregards the dangers of crimes committed by illegal immigrants and prioritizes radical agendas over public safety. For these reasons and more, I stand here today proudly as a new member of the GOP, he said. He said being a prosecutor is about more than just putting violent criminals behind bars. Being a prosecutor should also be about taking on corruption. A decade ago, I was appointed to serve as the special prosecutor for the State House Corruption Probe. Under my leadership, the state successfully prosecuted five of the states most powerful General Assembly members, Pascoe said. For the only time in our states history, we held lobbyists responsible, exposed our states ethics problems and issued a grand jury report detailing the rats nest in Columbia. Im proud of that and grateful for the help I received from my Republican brethren here with me today, he said. Pascoe said a lot of work still has to be done. He said hes been approached by county GOP parties about speaking to their members about corruption in the State House. Corruption is a bipartisan problem, he said. I have visited about a dozen GOP county parties and conservative groups across the state. In those meetings, I met people who shared my values for public transparency and rooting out corruption. On the other side of the aisle, not so much, he said. The solicitor said the Democratic Party has not felt like home for a long time. Im a pro-life, pro-gun rights, tough-on-crime prosecutor. I cant tell you when the party left me, but I can tell you the moment that I decided to leave the Democratic Party Dec. 23, 2024, he said. He noted that was the day former U.S. President Joe Biden commuted the sentences of 37 murderers awaiting execution on federal death row. That was the day that families across the country received phone calls from the (U.S. Department of Justice) that their loved ones killer had their sentences commuted to life. Two days before Christmas, Pascoe said. He referenced the Friday execution of Mikal Mahdi, who he said was the human embodiment of evil and the person for whom he sought the death penalty. It was clear to me that he had hate and malice in his heart. He was a remorseless spree killer and cop killer- who was beyond rehabilitation. ... Yet, Joe Biden would have commuted his sentence if he had the power, Pascoe said. The longtime solicitor said leaving the Democratic Party does not mean hes changing who he is. For my entire career, I have never hesitated to call out corruption. As a Republican, that will not change. If you are an elected Republican and think, Whew, Pascoe is going to leave me alone now, you are sadly mistaken. I will be even louder now. So buckle up, Pascoe said. COLUMBIA --Lawmakers hoping to direct spending to specific pet projects in their districts are out of luck. The Senate Finance Committee approved a budget proposal that includes no earmarks, referred to as community improvement projects directed by members. The House budget chairman said he plans to follow suit. The Senate Finance Committees $14.4 billion spending plan now goes to the full Senate for consideration starting April 22. The spending plan sets aside enough money to bring the states top income tax rate to 6% from 6.2%. The lawmakers requests for community investment projects, which are one-time money given to local governments or nonprofits, can turn into headaches for budget writers trying come to an agreement on a balanced spending plan. Members can often use the earmarks to gain goodwill in their districts by showing theyre bringing back dollars to their community. In the 2024-25 budget, lawmakers included more than $400 million in projects, including $4 million toward construction of a recreation facility in Clover, $5 million to help eliminate railroad crossings along Assembly Street in Columbia, $5 million for renovation and expansion of the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville, $4.25 million to the city of Walhala for its police station. In the previous year, more than $700 million in earmarked spending was included in the spending plan. Having no community investment projects across the board keeps the two chambers from comparing who benefited more in terms of volume of projects and dollars. Some lawmakers are also able to get higher amounts of earmarks depending on their seniority or position in the chambers. Theyve gotten out of hand over the years, the increase of requests and the volume, theyve gotten out of hand, said Senate Finance Chairman Harvey Peeler, R-Cherokee. So the best best thing to do is just not fund earmarks. When the House approved its version of the budget in March, it did not include any earmarks. In recent years, House members have added their earmarks during its second turn at the spending plan before going to a conference committee. Not funding earmarks allows the lawmakers and staff to focus on the tax reform proposal aimed at further lowering the states published tax rate. Lawmakers concede that the flat tax proposal may not pass until next year. Peeler said he would hope not to have earmarks in future years as well, but floated the idea of having a competitive grants process that would give local governments more of a chance to benefit. Nonprofits, like anything, you start out and its good for the common good, yet it had gotten out of hand, Peeler said. Not having earmarks allows the state to keep money saved away for any possible economic downturns. So, were preparing for maybe a slowdown for a while, but I hope we dont need it. Thats another, another reason why stop funding earmarks, Peeler said. House Ways and Means Chairman Bruce Bannister, R-Greenville, and Peeler met privately Wednesday morning before the Senate Finance Committee meeting where they agreed that it would be best to focus time on the income tax reform rather than figuring out how to compromise on earmark spending. So rather than spend a lot of time on those investments, were going to focus the remainder of our time this session in passing a budget and figuring out how best to set up the income tax reform that we all had at the press conference and talked about, Bannister told The State newspaper in an interview Wednesday. Bannister conceded not having earmarks might mean losing votes when it comes to approving a final spending plan. I think the House Republican caucus is behind that plan to move forward, Bannister said. So yes, it may make passing a budget more difficult, but I think right now, under the circumstance, well have a balanced budget, it will pass in a timely fashion, and then we will kind of reassess (at) beginning of the year. Get The Times and Democrat app today Local news has never been this personal. Free to download. Subscribers enjoy unlimited access. Bannister said hearings on the tax reform will take place after House members return from their spring furlough, which is planned for next week. We will continue as a body to decide where best to appropriate funds in the state budget. I think its smart, though, with the challenge of doing a historic income tax reform bill, to take a pause on those focus on the tax reform and try to find a path forward, Bannister said. Attorney Ronald Charles found himself in the defendants box after he had appeared previously as legal representative for a number of protestors. (Source: Loop News) Vice President of the opposition United Workers Party (UWP) Attorney Ronald Charles, who was arrested and charged with unlawful assembly following protest action that took place on Victoria Street in Roseau on March 19, was granted bail on his own recognizance in the sum of $25,000, when he appeared before a Roseau Magistrates Court April 9. Charles is said to have been among 24 persons who have been arrested thus far, in relation to the protests. He is also said to have addressed the gathering on March 19. His arrest came after he had availed himself to represent several of the people who have so far been arrested. He is himself being represented by Attorney Geoffrey Letang. Local media reported that on Tuesday police officers went to the law chambers of Charles, seeking to take him in for questioning. On Wednesday morning Charles presented himself, accompanied by his lawyers, to be detained and was formally charged at the police headquarters in Roseau. Indications are that the police in Dominica are continuing to from arrest citizens in connection with the March 19 protest which turned violent near Parliament in Roseau. Among those previously detained the was former Opposition Leader, Hector John and opposition legislator, Daniel Lugay. Protesters were challenging three controversial electoral reform bills which were eventually passed in Parliament. The legalization of ganja seems to be some way off according to Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. "I am not afraid to say that I support the legalisation of marijuana in this country and to have an industry that can be done to create wealth and opportunity for our people. "This is what the CARICOM commission had recommended. And so, we are working along with that to see to what extent we can get it done now, and how we can do with it in the future. There is a lot of potential there. So declared Dr. Godwin Friday - Leader of the Opposition and President/Political Leader of the New Democratic party (NDP - at the opening of the partys North Leeward Constituency office, April 4. This declaration did not escape the attention of Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves. During a press briefing on April 7, Dr. Gonsalves chided Dr. Friday for his declaration saying that policy cannot be made on the basis of slogans, instead, "Policy has to be made on the basis of what is summed and what is in the interests of people. He continued, "We begin first with a framework, international legal framework known as the International Convention on Narcotics, including marijuana. And according to the Prime Minister, under that Convention, it is affirmed that to possess marijuana is a criminal offence although it goes on to address exceptions in small quantities. "And what I stressed in Parliament, we cannot choose which piece of international law that we must obey and those which we must disobey. "It is still an offence, but you are not punished for it by a term of imprisonment, Gonsalves said. Back in 2018, parliament passed the Medicinal Cannabis Industry Bill and the Cannabis Cultivation (Amnesty) Bill. Under these pieces of legislation, it became possible to pursue medical and economic benefits from cannabis but it remained illegal for purposes other than was referenced in the Bill. The suite of cannabis legislation allowed for persons to have in their possession up to two ounces of marijuana, for which someone found in possession will not be charged but will receive a ticket. St. Vincent and the Grenadines has devised a medicinal cannabis industry which is well respected, "but now the Leader of the Opposition goes to North Leeward, and he thinks that people will be sucked in, Dr. Gonsalves said. According to Gonsalves, he pointed out to those who were saying that there was a proverbial pot of gold at the end of the medicinal cannabis rainbow that there was in fact none. And given the problems associated with the United States, government will not legalise marijuana once it remains illegal in the conventions. But the Opposition Leader wanted a free for all for marijuana which, Gonsalves said, would lead to issues with US banks that have corresponding arrangements with commercial banks here. The Convention does not permit legalisation, Gonsalves stated, nor does it permit decriminalization. However, it does permit possession of small quantities and depenalization. President Irfaan Ali made the announcement about CSEC fees during a visit with students of the West Demerara Secondary School. (Source: Loop News) Some secondary school students in Guyana sitting their Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations this year have had some great news. The news, received with much celebration among students is that the Guyanese government has promised to cover their examination fees. However, the payments will only be made on behalf of students sitting at least eight subjects. President Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced the initiative on Wednesday during an engagement with residents at the West Demerara Secondary School in Region Three. According to the Ministry of Education, the CSEC examination fees include an initial entry fee of G$3,900, a subject fee of G$4,000, and a local administrative fee of G$1,000 per subject. A late registration fee of G$5,000 is also applicable. These costs will now be absorbed by the government. It is estimated that the initiative will cost the government about G$700 million. President Ali confirmed that the initiative will apply to candidates from both public and private institutions. A photograph that was posted last month on social media here showed an area of the Port Modernisation Project at Rose Place, Kingstown, from where a portion of the surfaced area had disappeared. An early explanation by Prime Minister Dr. Ralph Gonsalves stated that the declutching of sheet piles at the port had resulted in material inside the reclaimed area being washed out to sea. On March 5, Prime Minister Gonsalves said the declutching became apparent when dredging was being done outside of the sheet piles to ensure the berthing area was 40 feet deep. During an interview on NBC Radio, March 17, Tam Smith, Project Director for AECON Group Inc., the contractors at the Port Modernization Project gave a further explanation on the issue. He said that when AECON was doing the dredging to design depth on the front quay wall, "We realized that some of the sheet piles had declutched. He assured that AECON had a repair methodology and that was ongoing, and "we dont think at this point in time, its a bit early, but we dont think its going to affect the schedule (August 2025) at all, said Smith on March 17. On Wednesday 2nd April, during a New Democratic Party (NDP) press conference, Glenford Stewart - engineer and former NDP Member of Parliament for the Southern Grenadines and a Minister of Government - said that the sheet piles at the port were at 40 feet, too short, contributing to the loss of reclamation material at the site. He criticized the construction method, stating that when Port Kingstown was built in the 1960s, engineers used rip rap protection, boulders to protect shoreline structures against the seawater and built the pier on piles. "It is placed there so that the sea waves coming in, when they arrive at that location, the wave energy will be dissipated, said Stewart. "The wharf areas, or the berthing areas, were constructed on piles, so that as the waves come, the waves will move and go towards the reclaimed area where the energy dissipated, and so the wharf areas, or the jetty areas, those are left intact. The waves do not destroy the jetty or the wharf on piles, he added. Stewart further said the front of the sheet piles should have rip rap protection. "Unless we do that, the next storm will see the end of this port. This is not a warning. This is a fact of life because we see it all over the world. But the Prime Minister, during a news conference on Monday, April 7, castigated the engineer for spreading falsehoods, in similar manner to what was spewed during the period of the construction of the Argyle International Airport. Editors Note: The following is an extract from the Eulogy delivered by Simeon Greene at the funeral service for Mr. Cruickshank, held on Sunday 6th April, 2025 at the New Grounds Primary School Hardcourt. The Legacy of Chiefton Allan Cruickshank The years of light Allan saw between 1951 and 2025 witnessed six major advancements in our island state that have had and will continue to have a lasting impact on our development: 1. Universal adult suffrage in 1951 2. Universal access to vaccination against childhood diseases that once brought sorrow to children and parents and other improvements in primary health care. 3. Universal access to primary and secondary education and growth in tertiary level education. 4. The deepening of social democracy after the setbacks of the 70s and early 80s. 5. The land reform programme, which saw the demise of the estate system and the rise of a thriving peasantry, correlating with the conversion of bananas into "green gold. 6. Greater integration into the global space via physical transport and electronic means. According to the United Nations, sustainable development is "development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, encompassing economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. Development, therefore, is about peoplethe impact on lives and livelihoods. While some, like James Linn, may argue that there is no objective way to measure the effectiveness of political leaders, assessing Allans legacy cannot be divorced from the corporate impact of the James Mitchell administration (19842001). Of the six major development thrusts identified above, I would argue with much justification that the administration in which Allan served built on one, two, three, and six. Despite the problems one may identify with this administration, they were the major protagonists in deepening social democracy and ushering in economic independence, fueled by the land reform program and the transformation of bananas into "green gold. Time in this eulogy does not allow for further discussion on these issues, but in this "silly season, they may come in for further debate. Allan was a religious man. In his youth, he attended Bible class and Sunday school, travelling on religious missions with the New Testament Church of Mother Pryam, which was located in the village. However, when a new group of worshippers who kept the Sabbath moved from John Harrys downstairs to the Thomas downstairs in the village, he began attending their Wednesday and Sunday night services sporadically. The Sabbath debate arose in the village during this time, and Allan accepted the seventh-day Sabbath as the true Sabbath of the Bible, leading to his baptism in 1974. As a Seventh-day Adventist Christian, he served the church in many capacities, but his true strength lay in teaching a Sabbath school class. By this time, his love with Deb had ripened, and in that same year, the Deb/Allan fifty-plus-year marriage was forged with inseparable and irreplaceable materials. Through thick and thin Deb remained fiercely loyal to her man. They were soul mates. Sometime after his passing, while up at my farm in Perseverance enjoying a coconut-enriched callaloo soup, his brother Bertrum remarked, "If Allan was here, he would have taken a good helping of this foodand with a dish to take some home for his Deb. Allan, the fine teacher and community activist, was like his grandfathera master of language coinage. As one of the founders of the community organization Diamonites, it was he who coined the name "Diamonites which remains one of the oldest community organizations in SVG (going since 1977). His creativity extended to his childrens names: * Amos, a classical biblical name * Debalani, a fusion of Deb and Allans names for their daughter * Allanson, meaning "son of Allan * Debson, meaning "son of Deb * Debron, another tribute to both parents Had they gone for a sixth child, one wonders what the name might have been. However, Allan did have a sixth child from an Antiguan mother, Zackery a lawyer by professionwhom Allan ensured was well integrated into the family. Allan became a grandfather quite late in his life. When he got grandchildren, he was elated. He loved his British, Acacia, Xavi and Adam with a passion. They brought pride and joy to his life. How much he would have loved to have seen them grow up a bit more. As with all human beings, there were the highs and lows of Allens life: delight and sadness, service and achievements, but also one lingering disappointment. This disappointment was related to him being denied his pension when he left Parliament before reaching the age of 55. There was no law preventing his payment, and the precedent had already been set. This denial almost cost him his house and his childrens education. For the last seventeen years, lifes pathway has allowed us to resume the close relationship we shared in our early years. One has come to understand that the meals at the kings table, the magnificence of hotel rooms, the jet-settings around the globe, and the knocking of glasses with the famous are fleeting. What makes a lasting impact are the testimonies of the students he encouraged, the lives he changed as a politician, and his own children, whom he nurtured into outstanding citizens. Not that he did not have good memories of his local, regional, and international colleagues he certainly had great admiration and respect for them. From speaking with him, though, there was something special in his heart for Sir James Mitchell and Jacques Diouf, the Director-General of the FAO (19942011). Allen was never careless in having his medical checks, so when this monster of a disease choked out his life with such rapidity, we were all surprised. I am comforted, though, because I knew a man who was a man a man who believed he was a man. The heights of life never separated him from the soil. He still cherished the smell of soil being tilled and the crackling sound of a tannia plant giving up its yield at harvest time. In public office, he never wasted nor pocketed the nations silver. As a head teacher, he had an eight-seater hired vehicle by the name of Integrity. At the time of his death in March 2025, his feet were his only carriage, but he proudly carried the named of his first vehicle: Integrity. Fitzgerald Bramble, NDP MP for East Kingstown, fingered the ULP for having disadvantage the people and economy of North Leeward. Speakers at the opening of the New Democratic Party (NDP) North Leeward constituency office, April 04, took the opportunity to focus on the marijuana issue. Among those speakers who did so were MP for East Kingstown Fitzgerald Bramble, and former NDP MP (2010 2020) for North Leeward Roland Patel Matthews. Buoyed by the common knowledge that the North Leeward district was a primary cultivation area for marijuana, albeit illegal cultivation, Bramble aroused the gathering saying that the marijuana "used to carry the economy of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, perhaps bearing in on an accepted analysis though not confirmed, that it was unquestionable that the marijuana trade contributed to a parallel economy that filtered into the mainstream economy. Bramble referenced that the marijuana cultivation/production in North Leeward in particular, was responsible for the upkeep of many households, providing support for childrens education and bolstering the small enterprises in the area and by extension, businesses in capital Kingstown. All of this, Bramble proclaimed, was "destroyed by Ralph Gonsalves and the ULP government, which, he said, was now giving all the opportunities afforded by marijuana cultivation/production to the persons involved in the medical marijuana industry. With this in mind, and re-emphasising that North Leeward has been disadvantaged with the ULP administrations option to support the medical marijuana industry, while clamping down on the fledging illegal cultivation of and trade in marijuana, Bramble questioned whether the ULP was deserving of another term in office. Matthews, for his part, openly declared, "We in this constituency benefited tremendously, hundreds of thousands of dollars from marijuana cultivation, and noted that North Leeward "had an economy that depend greatly on marijuana cultivation, The former MP highlighted that his partys called for legalising marijuana was not knew and recalled that at an NDP meeting in Fitz Hughes in 2016, the party promised that when it got into office it would move towards legalizing marijuana cultivation. Participants assemble before the Carmine Carro Community Center at Marine Park in Brooklyn, with the Vincentian flag front and center, before engaging in the Walk-a-ton. In its continuing efforts in raising much-needed funds to assist Vincentian athletes participating in the illustrious Penn Relays Carnival at the University Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, the Brooklyn, New York-based Vincentian group Club St. Vincent, Inc. on Saturday 5th April, held its 10th Annual Walkathon at Marine Park in Brooklyn. "Despite the rainy and chilly morning, about 40 of our supporters braved the weather and came out to support us, Ancilla Friday, vice president of Club St. Vincent, Inc. and walkathon coordinator, told THE VINCENTIAN afterwards. "Over the years, our supporters show up with much zest and vigor for this worthy cause, with a mutual echo that permeates the air: I am doing it for the children, added Friday, who initially welcomed everyone and offered the opening prayer. In the pre-walk ceremony, Sandra Millington, the Sion Hill-born president of Club St. Vincent, Inc., said her organization has "proudly followed the progress of these children, stating that "they have done well and soared to higher heights. St. Vincent and the Grenadines Consul General to the United States Rondy McIntosh, urged the community to continue supporting the Vincentian athletes and said, "Were not just walking, but were going to Pennsylvania to support the athletes. Crispin Friday, Mrs. Fridays husband and president of the Brooklyn-based Vincentian umbrella group, Council of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Organizations, U.S.A., Inc. (COSAGO), urged nationals to accompany them on the trip to the Penn Relays on April 26-27 and to "wave our Vincy flag, and shout and cheer the athletes on to victory. Mrs. Friday said. "This year, we are blessed to have as our sponsors SwiftPac Shipping Company, represented by Ms. Destra Adams and, for the second time, Paradise Investment Associates, represented by Mr. Crispin Friday. She thanked the staff and members of the Marine Park Older Adult Center, under the leadership of Program Director Jonathan Turovets for "making it possible for us to use the space at the Marine Park Center. St. Vincent and the Grenadines is expected to be represented this year at the Penn Relays by athletes from three secondary (high) schools The Thomas Saunders Secondary School (TSSS); the Boys Grammar School (BGS); and the prospective new team, the Emmanuel High School Marriaqua (EHSM). James Cordice, the Philadelphia-based coordinator of the Vincentian Penn Relays initiative and president of Team SVG International, told THE VINCENTIAN on Tuesday that he looks forward to welcoming again TSSS and BGS, and is "excited to welcome EHSM. Cordice, a Clare Valley native, is also coordinator of the Belize Penny Relays initiative. Belize will be represented for the fifth successive year at the Penn Relays by Stan Creek Ecumenical College (high school). (TBTCO) - Mot trong linh vuc ang uoc nha au tu quan tam la cong cuoc sap xep lai on vi hanh chinh khong chi la cai cach hanh chinh on thuan, ma con huong en muc tieu tao ra nhung on vi hanh chinh co quy mo u lon, u tam phat trien va ket noi. oi voi TP. Ho Chi Minh, ay chinh la co so e thanh pho tro thanh manh at mau mo cho von au tu truc tiep nuoc ngoai (FDI). 11/04/2025 Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure was the victim of "some of the worst outpourings of abuse" ever witnessed in the Premier League, according to the league's director of content protection, Tim Cooper. Doucoure received thousands of racist texts and death threats following his celebration in front of Liverpool fans after James Tarkowskis last-minute equaliser in the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. Tarkowski scored in the eighth minute of added time to send the home fans into a frenzy. Doucoure received a second yellow after celebrating in front of the away fans once the referee blew the final whistle at the end of the 2-2 draw. Curtis Jones, who rushed to remonstrate against him, also saw a red as the incident escalated into a brawl with players from both camps being separated by security staff. "When Doucoure went back to the dressing room, he noticed his Instagram account had 'lit up.' There were, by his estimate, 'thousands' of direct messages spewing the worst, most vile sort of racism. And they just kept coming for days, an article in the i paper read. There was crude text abuse but also a string of gifs and emojis of monkeys and bananas. Even worse, there were death threats to him and his young family. Doucoure decided that he had to take a stand. The 32-year-old attended a Show Racism the Red Card event at Goodison Park recently, where he shared his experiences with around 100 school-children. Doucoure insisted on attending the meeting and speaking on his past approach to racism, he said, "I never used to speak on racism. I just tried to cope and ignore it but sometimes you need to speak on these topics and spread the message. "I understand the frustration about the celebration I had in front of the Liverpool fans, and I accept that they can criticise and say that wasn't appropriate, but I'm surprised people use discrimination to hurt you. I received death threats, as well as my family, which is going too far. "We know this happens every weekend for a lot of players and [now] I want to be an example on how to stand against this and send a strong message to people." The paper further added that when Everton and Liverpool issued a joint statement condemning the abuse the next day, it triggered the situation all over again. The incident soon became a priority for the leagues online abuse team - comprising 10 individuals, including lawyers and investigators. It was horrendous in Abdoulayes case. The volume of messages was extraordinary. They were all open messages, so he will have just seen his account light up, and the abuse was really different this time, said Cooper. It used to be text-based, but Instagram is very emoji-based. It was awash with monkey and gorilla gifs and its the first time weve really seen that, and its really difficult to filter that out. We can look for text or emojis but its much more difficult with video. It was spiteful and obvious what was going on, so we were already working to remove posts straight away after it happened, and then we were straight into the player to offer support. More recently, Everton defender James Tarkowski and his family received death threats on social media following a tackle on Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister at the derby in Anfield. Tarkowskis wife had to post on Instagram following the abuse directed at her husband and Everton and manager David Moyes were quick to condemn the situation. Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () How to get rid of these ads and support TW ToffeeWeb FULL BLOWNS music isnt made for one time of year. You can listen to it at the gym, the office, the bedroom, on rainy days, during break-ups, and as a pick-me-up. In a genre driven by the cyclical rush to Carnival, the Hart brothers are among a growing group of deliberate outliers. Theyve always made music that lives beyond the season. That very philosophy inspired their latest single, Castaway. 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. Hudbay Minerals Inc. and seven labor unions have signed a letter that commits the company to providing union contractors a significant opportunity in the construction of the Copper World mine. The company and the unions have agreed on a letter of commitment concerning the construction of Hudbays Copper World project near Tucson, Toronto-based Hudbay said in a news release Thursday. The letter represents a commitment by both sides to a future labor agreement covering wages, benefits and other issues, although one hasnt been signed yet. The letter was signed by the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Forgers and Helpers Local 627; Southern California District Council of Laborers and Its Affiliated Local 1184; International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 570; International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 36 Local 86; International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12; International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Ironworkers Local 847; and the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, Hudbay said. Hudbay declined to release the letter, terming it correspondence between two private entities -- itself and the unions. Mark Contreras, a spokesman for the unions, didnt respond to a request from the Star for information about the agreement. The Copper World complex of six open-pit mines would be built in the Santa Rita Mountains, about 28 miles southeast of Tucson. It would mine copper for at least 20 years and possibly up to 44 years. Hudbay expects to contribute more than $850 million in U.S. taxes, including over $420 million in state and local taxes, the company has said. Copper World is also projected to create more than 400 long-term direct jobs and up to 3,000 indirect jobs in Arizona. But while it has received all state permits needed to build the mine, Hudbay faces two lawsuits from mine opponents seeking to overturn permits granted by the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the state Land Department. In Thursdays news release, Hudbay Vice President Javier Del Rio said, The expertise and dedication of our local trade unions are vital to the success of large-scale projects like Copper World. ... Our commitment to a project labor agreement strengthens our partnership with the unions, guaranteeing high-quality, well-paying jobs that uphold robust safety standards, provide essential benefits to workers, and support local families. Jacob Evenson, business manager for the boiler makers and ship builders union, said in the news release that the letter of commitment signifies mutual respect and understanding for a productive work environment for the workforce that will build Copper World. The timely and efficient construction of the Copper World project will require a substantial number of employees from construction and supporting crafts. A man hacked in the neck over the weekend at a Tucson bus stop remains hospitalized, and his alleged attacker is jailed, police said. About 10 a.m. Saturday, Jacob Couch was sitting with his wife at a downtown bus stop near East Broadway and South Sixth Avenue when he was attacked by a passerby carrying a hatchet or machete, according to an interim complaint filed in Pima County Justice Court. The attacker yelled at the couple about using drugs, then pulled the weapon from inside his jacket and struck Couch in the neck. Police described the weapon as a hatchet, but Couchs wife said it was a machete-like weapon, records show. The attack was captured on surveillance video, records show. Daniel Michael, 25, was later arrested on suspicion of two counts of felony aggravated assault. He remained at the Pima County jail on a $1 million bond. Police searched Michaels apartment and seized a hatchet and clothing that matched what was worn by the attacker. Michael told investigators hed been drinking heavily and did not recall the incident. Later, Michael said he remembered confronting Couch about using drugs and then saw Couch reach into his pocket. Michael said he reacted by striking Couch before the man was able to get his hand out of his pocket, according to the complaint. Michael said he then walked away. Couch was left with life-threatening injuries, police said. Rep. Juan Ciscomani zeroed in repeatedly on protecting Medicaid benefits during a telephone town hall Wednesday evening but only for those who need them. I do not support taking away Medicaid benefits from anyone who needs them, Ciscomani said in his introductory comments, before repeating the idea for emphasis. I want to be very clear there, I do not support taking away any Medicaid benefits from anyone who needs them. Ciscomani, a Tucson Republican representing Congressional District 6, has been outspoken about his desire to protect Medicaid, which provides health care to more than 20 percent of the people in the district. But he also voted in March for a continuing resolution that requires $880 billion in cuts by the committee overseeing Medicaid, virtually assuring some cuts in spending. He explained that decision as a preliminary vote to begin the budget conversation, not a final position. But a caller zoomed in on Ciscomanis qualifier about those who need the benefits. Ive heard you say that you dont want to cut Medicaid for, quote, The people who need it the most, the caller said. I take that to mean that you plan to cut Medicaid for some people. And Im going to tell you that everybody that you cut Medicaid for, needs it. Every single person. Ciscomani responded that he wants to clean up the books at Medicaid; ensure that people that are not supposed to be getting them (benefits) dont get them; guarantee improper payments arent being made; and that we have work requirements as well. Specifically, he suggested healthy, able-bodied adults without dependents should not be on Medicaid. We need these people back in the workforce, he said. Arizonas Medicaid program, the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), has been looking into imposing work requirements and time limits on some Medicaid members. Meanwhile, Democrats, including Arizonas U.S. senators Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly, have been criticizing Republicans for their proposed cuts to Medicaid. Theyve argued that Republicans spending cuts to such programs for the poor will be used to pay for tax cuts benefiting the wealthy. Tim Steller Town hall tactics Many Republican Congress members have shied away from holding in-person town halls after several were confronted by angry crowds in recent weeks. Ciscomani gave short notice for his telephone town hall, announcing it on social media a half-hour before it began. Some constituents received emailed invitations to the town hall 15 to 30 minutes after it was scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. While some Arizona Democrats have held in-person town halls, they have tended not to be free-for-alls announced early and open to the general public. Gallego and Kelly have held Medicaid-oriented town halls that were announced to advocacy groups beforehand and attended largely by people with an interest in preserving Medicaid. Gallego did have open town halls, focused on Medicaid, in Sierra Vista and Douglas, though. Another town hall is happening in Tucson on Sunday. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton, both Democrats, will be in Tucson at 6 p.m. Sunday, an announcement said, Since Arizona Republicans like Juan Ciscomani refuse to meet with their constituents after their disastrous vote to put Medicaid on the chopping block. Booker is the senator who just set the record for a filibuster, holding the U.S. Senates floor for 25 hours while speaking out against President Trump and his policies. The organizers did not publicly announce the location. You can RSVP for the Booker event here. Tim Steller Supervisor candidates chat Five of the six candidates seeking the vacant seat on the Pima County Board of Supervisors participated in a virtual forum Wednesday night. A recording of the hour-long forum, put on by the League of Women Voters of Greater Tucson, can be found on Pima Countys YouTube page. Lewis David Araiza Sr., Kimberly Baeza, Andres Cano, Richard Hernandez, Karla Bernal Morales and Cynthia Abril Sosa Ontiveros all met the requirements to run for the seat, but Hernandez did not show up during Wednesday nights virtual forum. On Thursday, Hernandez told the Star he did not participate in the forum because he believes the process is all smoke and mirrors, and the seat is already Canos. He also expressed mistrust in the League of Women Voters handling of the forum. The District 5 seat opened up after Supervisor Adelita Grijalva, who was re-elected to her second term in November, resigned from her post after announcing she will run for the Tucson congressional seat held by her late father Raul Grijalva. He died March 13. Supervisors expect to name a replacement for Grijalva during their meeting Tuesday. That person will face election in 2026. Charles Borla Tucson Council candidates confirmed Twelve candidates submitted signatures by the Monday deadline to be candidates for Tucson City Council this year. In Ward 6, the Democrats are Miranda Schubert, Leighton Rockafellow Jr., Theresa Riel and James Sinex. Republican Jay Tolkoff also filed. In Ward 5, the candidates are all Democrats: Jesse Lugo, Selina Barajas, Christopher Elsner and Fabian Danobeytia. In Ward 3, the candidates are Democrats Sadie Shaw and Kevin Dahl, the incumbent. Republican Janet Wittenbraker also filed. The citys primary election is scheduled for Aug. 5, and the general election for Nov. 4. Tim Steller PHOENIX Republican lawmakers are enacting two border security measures that some Democrats contend amount to conscripting local police to enforce federal immigration laws. That includes helping to capture and deport people whose only offense is being in this country without documentation, and even those who have judicial authorization to stay. The Arizona Senate gave final approval Thursday on a party-line vote to Senate Bill 1164, which now goes to Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. The measure not only prohibits state and local government from adopting policies that restrict cooperation with immigration authorities, but directs the attorney general to investigate complaints against local governments, with the possible penalty of losing their state-shared revenues. Meanwhile, House Bill 2099, awaiting a final House vote, spells out that cities, towns and counties shall enforce, administer and cooperate with federal actions, orders and programs that relate to the enforcement of federal immigration laws. In both cases, the sponsors said they want to ensure there is full cooperation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But theres also something else behind HB 2099, written by Rep. Teresa Martinez. The Casa Grande Republican acknowledged she is using the measure to test the governors, and Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes, commitment to dealing with illegal immigration. Martinez said during a hearing on the measure that Hobbs has repeatedly said she believes cooperation among all levels of government is needed to deal with border crime and security. As far as Martinez is concerned, that should also mean deporting all those who have no legal right to be here. What I want to know from Gov. Hobbs is whether she believes it, Martinez said. My question for the governor and the AG: Where do they stand? Both Democrats are seeking reelection in 2026, and Martinez conceded shes looking ahead politically to their campaigns. Next year, theyre going to talk about protecting the border, she said. Next year, theyre going to be talking about how theyre working with the Trump administration. Next year, theyre going to be declaring drug cartels terrorists, even though she vetoed that bill last year. The cartels measure Martinez cited, which actually went to Hobbs in 2023, not only made such a declaration but directed the state Department of Homeland Security to do everything within its authority to address the threat posed by drug cartels. The governor, in her veto message, said its up to the federal government to decide who is a terrorist organization. Anyway, Hobbs said, the state agency really isnt involved with law enforcement but instead mainly administers federal grants. But Hobbs did say at the time she looks forward to working with local, state and federal partners to proactively address concerns at our southern border. Martinez told other lawmakers that signing HB 2099 is the governors chance to prove shes about more than rhetoric. Shes going to want to broaden her base ahead of the election after winning her 2022 race by just 17,117 votes, Martinez said. Senate President Warren Petersen, the author of SB 1164, also made it clear he sees his bill as a test of sorts for Hobbs. Its time for the governor to put politics and partisan animosity towards President Trump aside, the Gilbert Republican said. Asked about the measures Thursday, an aide to Hobbs referred to a statement the governor made at a February news conference. She asked then about SB 1164, which not only requires police agencies to cooperate with ICE but also for sheriffs to honor requests by the agency to hold people for deportation until they arrive. Hobbs pointed out at that time that individual sheriffs already can voluntarily enter such agreements. I dont think its right to give a one-size-fits-all mandate to local agencies that are already struggling with resources and who already do cooperate with different law enforcement agencies, Hobbs said at the time. She also said theres a broader issue. This would tie our hands and require us to be in lockstep with Washington, D.C. policy which Ive often disagreed with on immigration, Hobbs said.I think the way that were doing things right now works just fine. And if that isnt an indication that both measures are likely to meet with a veto, Hobbs had some specific thoughts about being told she personally would have to cooperate with immigration authorities. When I was sworn into office, I took an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the state of Arizona, she said. Thats what Im doing. I dont need another law to do that. The politics of HB 2099 aside, Martinez made it clear she not only wants a zero-tolerance standard for those without legal status but that state and local officials should be required to help enforce that. On one hand, Martinez said she believes that means prioritizing going after those who have committed violent crimes. But she acknowledged theres bound to be some collateral damage to others. Consider, she said, a raid that goes after a gangbanger who has raped a young child. However, next to him is a friend who also committed the crime of being in this country illegally, Martinez said. If youre in this country illegally and you get swept up in that, then why should we make an exception that you should stay? During a committee hearing, Senate Democrats pointed to a series of incidents where people who had been told by courts they could stay in the country were not just detained by ICE but deported to a maximum security prison in El Salvador a move even the Trump administration has acknowledged in one case was an administrative error. In our name, our federal government is disappearing people without the chance to prove who they are or why they might have a fear of returning to the country where they came, said Senate Minority Leader Priya Sundareshan. The Tucson Democrat said it amounts to conscription of our Arizona law enforcement authorities into the often illegal and unconscionable actions of the federal government as our federal immigration programs are occurring to this day. Tucson Democratic Rep. Betty Villegas said theres good reason not to force state and local officials to enforce what she said are often vague federal laws and mandates. Without clear definitions and safeguards, it could force Arizona to comply with federal actions that may later be struck down in court, she said. That aspect also struck a chord with Tucson Mayor Regina Romero, who complained about an inconsistent and misdirected federal policy that seems to change on a daily basis. Speaking specifically about HB 2099, the Democratic mayor said she is in agreement with the governor. This bill puts the burden on our already overloaded police officers and local law enforcement to do a job theyre not trained for, responsible for, or paid for, she said in a written statement. This bill erodes the work we have been doing to build trust, to make sure Tucsonans feel comfortable reporting crimes and engaging in city services. Martinez is not alone, however, in saying anyone who is here illegally should be deported. Sen. John Kavanagh, a Fountain Hills Republican, talked about the high-profile case of Laken Riley, a nursing student in Georgia who was murdered last year while jogging. Her attacker, Jose Ibarra, was found guilty on multiple charges and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Kavanagh noted that Ibarra, who entered the country illegally in 2022, had previously been arrested in New York and Georgia. Had those departments been forced to follow the type of regulation that HB 2099 would require, they would have contacted ICE who would have picked up Mr. Ibarra and deported him from this country, Kavanagh said. Laken Riley, instead of being dead, would probably be working in the emergency room saving lives instead of now being six feet under, lifeless. Kevin Canfield Tulsa World Reporter Follow Kevin Canfield 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 The disarray surrounding state funding for mental health services continued Thursday. The day began with three of Tulsa Countys four Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics receiving notice from the state that their contracts would be terminated effective May 10. By the end of the work day, the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services and the Office of Management and Enterprise Services had issued a statement saying they would do everything they could to ensure that there are no interruptions in service. How that will be accomplished, however, remains unclear. Over the past year, OMES has partnered with ODMHSAS after a protest was raised regarding the original proposal (for service providers), the statement says. Rather than continuing to spend taxpayer money on extended litigation, OMES has determined that reissuing the proposal is in the best interests of the state. OMES has informed ODMHSAS of alternative procurement options. ODMHSAS is fully committed to ensuring continued access to care without interrupted services. The statement refers to an official protest filed by Family & Childrens Services regarding the request for proposals process used by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to select certified clinics in Tulsa County. The protest was subsequently referred to an administrative law judge by OMES. The Governors Office did not respond to a request for an explanation as to why the termination notices were sent out. But they were, setting off a frantic day of speculation and phone calls among service providers. In nearly identical letters sent by the Office of Management and Enterprise Services to Grand Mental Health, CREOKS and Family & Childrens Services, the service providers were informed that their contracts were being terminated in whole for convenience. It has been determined that such termination is in the States best interest, state Purchasing Director Amanda Otis wrote. The termination notices also instruct the service providers to take all necessary steps to minimize costs associated with the work covered in their agreements. The only community behavioral health clinic in Tulsa County not to receive a notice was Counseling and Recovery Services. The news came as a shock to the organizations, which are one-stop facilities that provide a comprehensive array of mental health services to thousands of people annually. In fact, Family & Childrens Services CEO Adam Andreassen said late Thursday that the organization learned of the termination of its state funds from a third party and had yet to receive official notification. A copy of the termination letter obtained by the Tulsa World shows that it was sent to Andreassens predecessor, Gail Lapidus, who retired in 2023. Family & Childrens Services has assurances directly from ODMHSAS Commissioner Allie Friesen that there will be no interruption of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics care provided by Family & Childrens Services, a spokesperson for F&CS said. We remain intent on providing ongoing access to our clients. Friesen was in Tulsa on Thursday visiting several service providers. The stakes are huge: Family & Childrens Services alone serves approximately 30,000 people a year and bills the state more than $100 million annually for its work, Andreassen said. The percentages fluctuate, but typically about 55% of organizations annual funding comes from Medicaid and 17% from the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health. Ron Brady, director of public relations for Grand Mental Health, said that organization was given no prior notice that the termination letter was coming. While we remain willing to collaborate with the state to better understand these actions, our first concern is for the over 53,000 Oklahomans served through our Tulsa office who will immediately lose their current mental health and addiction treatment services and those unable to access future services, Brady said. This includes those in our community experiencing homelessness and other underserved Tulsa populations, as well as public school students, law enforcement officials, first responders, community partners and more. Mark Smith, CEO of Housing Solutions, said the countys community behavioral health clinics play an essential role in helping the city address its housing and homelessness crises. We partner with multiple CCBHCs across Tulsa to provide behavioral health services through street outreach, in shelters, and through permanent housing programs, Smith said. They are a key part of our wrap-around services and critical to helping people experiencing homelessness to return to housing and independence once housed. The news came a day after Gov. Kevin Stitt said there have been no cuts to funding for mental health services. There has been zero cuts to mental health, unlike what sometimes the media is talking about, and theyre saying were cutting mental health, Stitt said after an appearance in Broken Arrow. Thats simply not true. I want Oklahomans to hear me: We have actually increased mental health funding. So over the last few years, weve increased mental health funding, and were going to do about $800 million in mental health this year. What the state is doing, Stitt said, is questioning how the $800 million is spent. In other words, we want to make sure that money is actually helping Oklahomans with challenges, not wasted in the bureaucracy, he said. Stitt has pointed to the large salaries being paid to nonprofit leaders as an example of where state funds might be better spent. When they say were cutting, we might be taking it from this vendor and giving it over to this vendor thats actually going to be able to serve more people, but do not say its a cut, Stitt said. Because the same $800 million is being spent in Oklahoma; we may be just taking away from this abusive vendor over here thats not doing the right things for Oklahoma and giving it to a different vendor. There are Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics across the state focused on delivering comprehensive mental health and substance abuse care without the restrictions to access that are sometimes found at inpatient settings such as psychiatric hospitals, according to Healthy Minds, an Oklahoma-based think tank. Tulsa World reporter Randy Krehbiel contributed to this story. Ginnie Graham Show: Making sense of Oklahoma's mental health cuts Griezi Basel.this is Georges River calling! Georges River Council is bringing the magic of Eurovision back to Hurstville with their annual Free Eurovision Live Broadcast Party. Georges River Council Mayor Elise Borg said, We are excited to bring the magic of Eurovision back to Hurstville for another year! We are very proud to be hosting the biggest Eurovision live broadcast party in Australia. Eurovision is all about celebrating music, diversity, and creativity, and we cant wait to see our community come together to enjoy the spectacle. Whether youre a lifelong Eurovision fan or experiencing it for the first time, this will be a morning to remember. We look forward to seeing everyone there and cheering on Australias Go-Jo. Join us for an unforgettable morning as we transform the venue into a Swiss winter wonderland, celebrating the Worlds favourite song contest in style. Feel the excitement as we screen the Eurovision Grand Final live on the big screen, giving fans the ultimate immersive experience. This event is a true celebration of diversity and community, bringing people together to share in the joy and exhilaration of Eurovision. To keep the energy high, guests can indulge in Swiss-inspired breakfast boxes, pre-ordered at the time of booking, containing a selection of delicious food options. And for those needing a morning boost, freshly brewed coffee will be on hand to keep you wide awake for the show. Get ready to dress to impress because there are exciting prizes for the best dressed. Don your most dazzling outfit and bring on the glitz, glamour and Eurovision flair! This is your chance to cheer on Australias entrant, Go-Jo, as we cross our fingers for Eurovision glory in 2025. Set your alarms, gather your friends, and join us for a morning of spectacular performances, fabulous outfits, and unforgettable moments! Date: Sunday 18 May 2025 Time: Doors open at 4.30am Live Broadcast: 5.00am 9.00am Location: Marana Auditorium MacMahon Street, Hurstville. Tickets: Free entry, however bookings are essential. Visit the Eurovision Council Event Page for ticket information. Former producer Gai Reid best known for producing Totally Wild, has died. She reportedly passed away in the last week of March, after moving into a care facility in Adelaide, due to declining health. For the past decade she has been Managing Director, writer, producer, videographer of Village to Villa Productions. From 1996 2013 she worked at 10 as Producer, Associate Producer and Segment Producer. predominantly across Totally Wild in Brisbane. She later joined 10s documentary unit, having previously served a decade at Southern Cross Television Tasmania. Ranger Stacey Thomson, told TV Blackbox, Gai was a valued friend and colleague throughout the years we worked together on Totally Wild. She was always up for a chat, a laugh, and was a great listener. Her writing skills and attention to detail never wavered, nor did her organised and calm manner. Former Head of Childrens TV at Network 10, Cherrie Bottger, said, Over the years that she was with us, we had a lot of very young talent come through people wanting to break into the television industry straight out of college and she was more than happy to mentor those people. David Robbo Robinson, formerly of Studio 10, added, Gai mentored hundreds of people during her career. From producers to presenters, camera operators, editors and soundos Australian television is richer because of Gai Reid. Photo: Facebook. Visual effects company Weta FX, which set up a temporary facility in Melbourne whilst creating the visual effects for Better Man, has announced a permanent Australian base in Melbourne. The Academy Award-winning company has worked on The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Avatar: The Way of Water, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Better Man, The Last of Us, House of the Dragon, Ripley, Masters of the Air, will create up to 80 jobs by expanding operations at their Abbotsford facility. Minister for Economic Growth and Jobs Danny Pearson said, Were investing in Weta FX because we see the direct benefits for the state in bolstering our growing screen industry, creating high-value jobs and boosting economic growth. Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks said, Weta FX is one of the worlds most acclaimed visual effects companies, and their decision to expand in Melbourne is a massive endorsement of Victorias creative talent and industry capability. One of the many amazing outcomes of Better Man is that Weta FX set up a visual effects facility in Melbourne for the filmand now, theyre here to stay creating jobs, attracting global productions, and reinforcing Victoria as a destination for world-class visual effects. Weta FX Melbourne Hub Manager Sharna Hackett said, The Victorian Governments recognition of the economic and cultural benefits of a strong screen industry, and their commitment to supporting its growth and innovation, was critical to our decision to invest further in Victoria. VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher said, Weta FX choosing Melbourne as the location for its Australian hub is proof that Victoria has the outstanding tech and creative talent world-class companies are looking for. VicScreen, through additional funding for the Victorian Screen Rebate, is expected to deliver an estimated $89m in economic expenditure from post, digital and VFX projects in 2024/25. In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, the East Texas Crisis Center hosted a forum last Tuesday at the Tyler Public Library. The event brought together a panel of community leaders, including Jacob Putman, Smith County district attorney; Maya Golden Bethany, executive director and founder of the 1 in 3 Foundation; Nichole Henry, executive director of the East Texas Crisis Center; and Jimmy Toler, chief of the Tyler Police Department. Jeremy Flowers, director of Coordinated Community Response for the East Texas Crisis Center, said he appreciates the panels willingness to engage in tough conversations surrounding sexual violence. I think it is really incredible to have community leaders who are willing to engage in difficult conversations surrounding sexual violence in our community, Flowers said. These are conversations that are necessary and need to be had so that we can ensure that survivors are receiving the support that they need and also that we as a community are collaborating in our efforts to prevent sexual violence. Bethany, a child sexual abuse survivor herself, spoke about the misconceptions and stigmas that often prevent victims from coming forward. One of the most prevalent things that comes up a lot of times is feeling that no ones gonna believe them, she said. There are instances where this person, the perpetrator, might be a narcissist and people think that theyre a great person, or they might be in a position of leadership or have some type of power over the victim. They might even be revered in the community, and so that can create that barrier. Discussing the challenges survivors of sexual assault face, Bethany emphasized how rare it is for experiences to be fabricated due to the difficulty of speaking out. She also noted that internalized stigmas, such as shame, guilt, and self-blame, often weigh heavily on victims. Additionally, survivors are frequently gaslit, with societal pressures prompting questions like, Why were you at that party? or Why were you drinking? These inquiries contribute to victim-blaming narratives. Bethany pointed out that cultural and societal attitudes need to shift, emphasizing the importance of empathy and rejecting the tendency to blame victims. The biggest advocacy is listen and support and believe survivors, Bethany said. We cant stress that enough, especially when its a child. Thats a tremendous thing for a child to come forward for, its a tremendous thing for anyone to come forward for. Toler, speaking from a law enforcement perspective, highlighted that the police academy has a curriculum specifically focused on responding to sexual assault cases. Every two years, officers receive additional training to improve their handling of such cases and their communication with victims. The trauma theyre going through, you wanna make sure you dont compound on it at the same time, he said. But it gives them that empathy and that comfort while youre conducting further investigation, and to make sure they know who to callall those additional resources like the crisis center they can help us walk through that process. Putman addressed how the legal system balances the rights of both victims and offenders, noting that offenders rights often take precedence over the concerns of survivors. He explained that constitutional protections, like the right to face the accuser, require that if someone accuses another in court, the accused must be able to see and interact with the accusera challenge for many survivors. The criminal justice system was not built for victims, Putman said. It was built for offenders and to hold them accountable, but because its to hold them accountable. Putman also discussed the importance of recent legal updates designed to protect survivors, such as laws that prevent defense attorneys from introducing irrelevant sexual history in court, helping to shield survivors from further trauma. There are special laws for survivors, Putman said. If youre testifying, (defense attorneys) dont get to ask you about prior sexual history and things like that to try to prevent shaming for things that are not relevant to the trial. There are rules in place and laws where the news is not allowed to broadcast your name or your image. While law enforcement and attorneys offices work to offer safety and security for survivors, resources like the East Texas Crisis Center play a crucial role in providing additional support. The Crisis Center offers services such as counseling, legal advocacy, and a safe space for survivors to heal. I really think the biggest challenge is, although weve seen the increase, thanks to the MeToo movement, there is still that stigma attached to reporting, Henry said. There is still a lack of understanding and compassion in the community as to what is a sexual assault. Bethany also emphasized the importance of recognizing that family members, friends, and partners of survivors face their own struggles. She said its essential to provide support not only to survivors but also to those close to them. I get a lot of calls from moms, grandmothers asking how do I help? and I have to tell them that they (survivors) have to be the one to make the call, but you also need to take care of yourself, Bethany said. So when we talk about community, we talk about mental health, this isnt just a survivor or a perpetrator problem. It is a community problem because we all work with, know, (or) are related to a survivor, and its important to make sure that youre taking care of yourself too while theyre also on their healing journey. For more information, visit the East Texas Crisis Center at etcc.org or learn more about the 1 in 3 Foundation at www.1in3foundation.org. Ethiopia to train local Chinese language teachers in Oromia region Xinhua) 09:56, April 11, 2025 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Kazakhstan is one of the Central Asian countries rich in raw materials Jens Buttner/dpa/picture alliance The European Union's first-ever summit with the five resource-rich states of Central Asia, will focus on critical minerals needed for a growing defense industry and the bloc's green transformation. The EU is taking a keen interest in Central Asia that comprises Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan, as realization seeped in that Europe was far too dependent on China for critical minerals. As EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa meet Central Asian leaders in the Uzbek city of Samarkand, sustainable development and Russia's attempts to evade sanctions, among other issues, will be on the table. But most attention will be paid to infrastructure development required to tap into the region's valuable resources. Central Asia: Key for critical minerals supply chains "Critical Raw Minerals (CRMs) are indispensable for a broad range of strategic sectors, including the net zero industry, the digital industry, aerospace, and defense sectors," according to Eurostat, the EU's statistical office. ADVERTISEMENT China controls some 60% of global production and over 85% of the processing of critical minerals. In 2023, 94% of EU imports of rare earth elements came from China, Malaysia, and Russia combined. However, China is a key Russian ally and is building its own green tech industry, for which it requires the same minerals. As a result, it has in the past restricted the export of at least one critical mineral, which has led to concerns in the EU about the possibility of disruption to its supply chains. Recently, China restricted the export of antimony, a mineral used in night vision goggles, precision optics, and various military applications. Central Asia, experts say, is an alternative source for most of what Europe requires. "A lot of critical raw materials the EU needs are in Central Asia," Samuel Vesterbye, the director of the think tank European Neighborhood Council, told DW. ADVERTISEMENT "For instance, silicon is necessary for solar panels, certain types of tungsten are needed for radars and other defense equipment, and most famous is lithium that is needed for batteries." Central Asian nations are rich in all three, and many more, but the bulk of these resources is trapped in an undeveloped mining sector. The European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) noted that the potential for production expansion is significant. "Kazakhstan currently produces 19 of the EU's 34 critical raw materials and is poised to expand to 21. Uzbekistan ranks as the world's fifth-largest uranium supplier and is also rich in silver, titanium, molybdenum, and gold," it found. Experts say the EU's efforts are aimed at infrastructure development to help Central Asia extract these minerals in a sustainable way and, in turn, help the EU diversify its supplies. "The EU offers something different than China and the US, and that's joint ventures with Central Asian companies," Vesterbye said, "That means more investments, industrialization, and growth for local businesses. That's music to the ears of Central Asian leaders." The EU is investing billions in Central Asia The region is a big part of the EU's 300-billion ($324-billion) Global Gateway Project that is billed as a rival to China's Belt and Road Initiative and focuses on developing the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR). This corridor will improve connectivity between the EU and Central Asia and cut travel time to 15 days. ADVERTISEMENT According to estimates, Central Asian governments need 18.5 billion to develop the required infrastructure. In January last year, the EU raised more than half of that at an investors forum with money from member states, the private sector as well as the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. Marie Dumoulin, Director of the Europe Program at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), told DW via email that one of the core elements of the EU's approach to Central Asia is to develop connectivity to and through this region. However, to lure Central Asia from other suitors, such as Russia and China, the EU needs to be proactive and visible. "Central Asian countries should benefit from the Global Gateway initiative but concrete projects are slow to materialize and not very visible. The EU needs to fix it if it wants to be a competitive player in the region," she said. The TITR is touted as the shortest route from China to Europe and as an alternative to both the Suez Canal and Russia. Vesterbye, the European Neighborhood Council expert, thinks that the modernization of infrastructure along the route would substantially multiply trade. ADVERTISEMENT "Currently a little under 100,000 containers arrive in the EU from Central Asian states, but once the corridor is ready and modernized, the EU can get more than 800,000," he said. The EU, he added, would use the summit to focus on "an increase in business-to-business contracts" and on the procurement of more critical minerals. "I think the EU would probably want to see more infrastructure, more bridges, more harbors, more mining." Infrastructure development to challenge Russia's sanctions evasion? During a visit to Turkmenistan's capital, Ashgabat, last week, the EU's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, raised the issue of how Russia was using Central Asian nations to avoid sanctions. "Russian companies must not use Central Asia to bypass these restrictions," she said. Some experts suggest that to counter Russian influence in the former Soviet states, the EU needs to use a carrot-and-stick approach and that a development partnership could have various advantages. "Supporting infrastructure development can be a way of demonstrating European commitment to building up long-term trade relationships that foster cooperation in other areas, such as sanctions implementation," according to a recent analysis by The Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), a UK think tank. Edited by: Rob Mudge U.S. fires head of military base in Greenland after JD Vance visit for undermining chain of command The U.S. military has removed the commander of its Greenland Pituffik base after Vice PresidentJD Vances controversial visit. Colonel Susannah Meyers emailed base staff distancing herself from the Vice Presidents visit, according to the independent news outlet Military.com, as the White House has been mounting pressure to acquire the mineral-rich Arctic island from Denmark. 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. Pentagons lead spokesman Sean Parnell did not provide a specific reason for Meyers removal on Thursday, but posted on X with a link to the Military.com article. ADVERTISEMENT Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense, he wrote. Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance during a tour of Pituffik Space Base (AP) Vance travelled to the base with a U.S. delegation on March 28 following repeated threats from Trump to control the island. During the visit, he criticized Denmarks management of Greenland, saying it had underinvested in Greenlands security and claimed the island would be safer under U.S. control. His remarks provoked further backlash from both Greenlanders and Danish citizens and politicians. This is not how you speak to your close allies, Danish foreign minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said. Vance attends a briefing at U.S. military's Pituffik Space Base (Reuters) In response to Trumps threats, Greenland's new prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen reiterated that Greenland is not for sale. Let me be clear: The United States will not get that. We do not belong to others. We decide our own future, Nielsen previously said. ADVERTISEMENT The prime minister is hoping for Greenland to achieve independence from the Kingdom of Denmark through economic self-reliance. The island is not currently part of the European Union but it receives millions of euros a year from Denmark. We must not be shaken, Nielsen posted on Facebook Sunday, after the U.S. delegation visit. We must react with calm, dignity and unity. And it is through these values that we must clearly, distinctly and calmly show the American president that Greenland is ours. The event was attended by leading scientists in the agricultural sector from the Vietnam Rice Association, Mekong Delta Rice Research Institute, Southern Plant Protection Centre, Can Tho City Department of Agriculture and Environment, Plant Protection Sub-departments of Mekong Delta provinces, along with representatives from agricultural supply stores and farmers from the Mekong Delta and southeast regions. Weeds have always been a concern for rice farmers, aggressively attacking and directly competing with rice plants for space, light, and nutrients, severely affecting the growth and development of rice plants, leading to reduced crop yields. Weeds have been resisting some active ingredients, forcing farmers to spray repeatedly, which is both labour-intensive and costly in terms of herbicide application and additional fertiliser (urea, NPK, etc.). Moreover, spraying multiple herbicides can slow rice growth, potentially cause toxicity, and is harmful to farmers' health and the environment. Syngenta continues to affirm its position as a leader in the agrochemical industry by pioneering the introduction of effective pest management technology solutions that also make the environment safer, meeting the demands for sustainable agricultural production. After more than ten years of research, Syngenta scientists have collaborated with research institutes and functional agencies to conduct trials and evaluate the effectiveness of advanced dual mode of action technology in controlling weeds at the early post-emergence stage in rice fields, resulting in the creation of the advanced early post-emergence herbicide Baloric 310EC. Baloric 310EC has an advanced dual mode of action mechanism that effectively eliminates both grown weeds and weed seedlings in a single application, especially on three difficult-to-control weed groups such as sedges, grasses, and broadleaves, with over 98 per cent weed control efficacy and high safety for rice plants. The dual mode of action mechanism is demonstrated through two effects: the first effect directly attacks weed leaves, causing abnormal growth and death; the second effect targets weed seed embryos, preventing weed seed development and killing weed seeds from the embryonic stage. Baloric 310EC shows superior efficacy in various soil, cultivation, and weather conditions, including acid sulfate soils. Notably, the product offers flexibility in introducing water to the field after spraying (4 days after spraying compared to 2 days for other common herbicides currently in use), allowing farmers to manage weeds more effectively and flexibly. With its superior weed control efficacy in just one application, Baloric 310EC helps farmers reduce the number of sprays (1 time compared to the current average of 3 times), decrease the amount of chemicals released into the environment, reduce additional fertiliser use, increase profits, and enhance safety for humans and the environment. Baloric 310EC: Clear grown weeds Eliminate weed seedlings Speaking at the Baloric 310EC product launch event, Tran Thanh Vu, General Director of Syngenta Vietnam Co., Ltd., said: "Baloric 310EC is an early post-emergence herbicide with advanced dual mode of action technology, offering superior efficacy, helping farmers manage weeds more easily, reduce herbicide application costs, save expenses, decrease the amount of plant protection products applied to fields, while being safer for humans and the environment. The launch of Baloric 310EC demonstrates Syngenta's strong commitment to promoting investment activities and developing long-term, safe solutions to sustainably improve crop yield and quality, with environmental responsibility." HA NOI The European Union is concerned that Chinese goods, previously destined for the US, could be redirected to the European market due to the reciprocal tariffs, said Nguyen Thi Hoang Thuy, head of the Viet Nam Trade Office in Sweden, concurrently in charge of the Nordic market. The EU is closely monitoring several product categories from China, including steel, electronics, solar panels and wind turbines. Thuy said: "EU officials have indicated that one side effect of the high tariffs imposed by the US is a surplus of Chinese production. "This means that goods that used to be exported to the US may now be redirected to Europe. A senior EU official said: 'We may see trade diversion, as countries unable to export to the US look for alternative markets. The EU will be ready to defend its market'." In light of the EUs tightened monitoring to prevent the influx of such goods, Thuy warned that Vietnamese exporters dealing in similar product lines should be wary of the risk of Chinese goods masking their origin via Viet Nam. She highlighted that this risk is now more tangible than ever. "If it happens, the reputation of 'Made in Viet Nam' goods will suffer severe damage. Moreover, the EU may respond by intensifying inspections, tightening preferential conditions or even imposing punitive tariffs on Vietnamese products, she added. To minimise risks, experts have recommended that Vietnamese businesses strictly manage their supply chains and ensure clear traceability of origin to avoid being implicated in trade fraud. Businesses should also proactively ensure transparency in origin documentation, be well-prepared with supporting materials in case of inspection and closely monitor EU trade policy developments to adjust their export strategies promptly. Importantly, businesses should enhance their competitiveness by focusing on product quality and real value-added elements to maintain a strong foothold in the European market. Being cautious and proactive at this time will help Viet Nam protect its exports to the EU and preserve its international reputation of goods amid an increasingly volatile global trade landscape. The EU faced a similar situation in the steel industry in 2017, when the US closed its market to Chinese steel, resulting in a surge of such goods into the EU. At that time, the EU applied safeguard measures permitted by the WTO to restrict imports of certain products in response to the sudden market glut. BIZHUB/VNS HA NOI The price of raw shrimp in Ca Mau Province has plunged sharply following the United States unexpected announcement of a proposed 46 per cent tariff on imports from Viet Nam, sparking serious concern among local shrimp farmers and seafood exporters. According to the provincial Peoples Committee, prices of intensively farmed and whiteleg shrimp have dropped by VN4,00015,000 (US$0.15-0.57) per kilogramme. The reaction stems from uncertainty among exporters, many of whom have halted quoting prices or paused shipments on existing contracts to the US. In 2023, Ca Maus export turnover to the US reached nearly $71 million, accounting for approximately 5 per cent of the provinces total exports. That figure rose to over $76.7 million in 2024, making up six per cent. Currently, five local firms export to the US with a combined turnover of nearly $13 million. The sudden stall in exports has caused a ripple effect across the local shrimp market. Farmers, fearing further price drops if the tariff is implemented, rushed to harvest early, overwhelming processing facilities with raw material. Unable to store or process the surplus, many processors were forced to slash purchase prices, creating a vicious cycle of falling prices, early harvesting and oversupply. Provincial authorities warned that, without swift regulatory intervention, the shrimp supply chain could face major disruptions, severely affecting both producers and exporters. Shrimp inventories remain high among processors, who also hold large volumes of already-processed goods awaiting shipment to the US. If the proposed tariff becomes effective, fulfilling existing orders may become unfeasible and exports to the US could be suspended altogether. However, local leaders stressed that the proposed tariff has yet to take effect and remains under negotiation. In a worst-case scenario, only around 6 per cent of the provinces shrimp output would be impacted and could be redirected to alternative markets. Authorities urged farmers and businesses to stay calm and avoid reactive decisions. Should exporters successfully diversify markets and negotiations yield positive outcomes, the overall impact could be contained. The province has proposed that the central government offer timely support, including a financial package for processors to stockpile raw shrimp in case the US enforces the 46 per cent tariff. It also called on the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, and the Viet Nam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) to step up the dissemination of accurate information to help businesses and producers adjust their operations accordingly. On April 10, US President Donald Trump announced a suspension of reciprocal tariffs on 75 countries and territories, including Viet Nam. VNS HA NOI The National Steering Committee against Smuggling, Counterfeit Goods, and Trade Fraud (National Steering Committee 389) on Thursday issued a document calling for stringent enforcement against goods origin fraud. This followed a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 7, which brought together ministries, overseas Vietnamese representatives, associations, and enterprises to discuss strategies in response to evolving international trade dynamics. At the event, the PM outlined multiple measures for implementation by ministries and local authorities, including specific actions to combat the fraudulent labelling of goods as Vietnamese-made for export to foreign markets. The National Steering Committee 389 Office urged related agencies to strengthen patrol and inspection activities to detect, prevent, and severely penalise attempts to transport falsely labeled Vietnamese products across borders, seaports, and international airports. Besides, the committee underscored the need for rigorous verification when issuing certificates of Vietnamese origin for export goods that incorporate imported materials, ensuring compliance with legal regulations on product origin. It also stressed the significance of reviewing existing regulations to identify and address loopholes of inadequacies in origin determination. VNS HA NOI Viet Nam earned nearly US$103 billion in export revenue in the first quarter of the year, an increase of 10.6 per cent year-on-year. However, exports are now facing mounting challenges, particularly after the US announced the 'reciprocal tariff' of up to 46 per cent on specified Vietnamese goods. At the cabinet meeting in March, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed the need for both comprehensive strategies and targeted solutions to sustain export growth, restructure the economy, and diversify markets. According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the total import-export turnover in the first quarter reached an estimated $202.5 billion, up 13.7 per cent from the same period last year. Exports were valued at $102.8 billion, while imports increased 17 per cent to $99.68 billion, signalling rising demand for production inputs. The trade surplus stood at $3.2 billion. Experts warned that the second quarter may see slower export growth due to the fresh levy of US tariffs, which will reduce the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods, especially in key sectors like electronics, machinery, textiles, and footwear. The US currently accounts for 30 per cent of Viet Nam's total exports. Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Truong Thanh Hoai emphasised the wide-ranging impact of these tariffs on Viet Nam's economy, foreign direct investment, employment, and industrial sectors. He urged exporters to shift to online platforms, expand into new markets, and fully leverage the countrys 17 free trade agreements. Authorities are encouraging the exploration of emerging markets such as the Middle East, Africa, and Northeast Asia to reduce over-reliance on the US, he added. The ministry also plans to strengthen trade promotion and improve compliance with international standards. Industry leaders, including from Vinatex and TNG, are adjusting strategies to mitigate risks by diversifying export destinations and balancing market shares. Meanwhile, exporters are advised to monitor global trade policies, improve product standards, and strengthen trade defense capacities. Hoai stressed that the Ministry of Industry and Trade will continue to support Vietnamese businesses in navigating international trade shifts and expanding to potential markets. VNS HA NOI On April 10, Viet Nam marked a significant milestone in its agricultural export journey with Vietnamese pomelos officially arriving on the shelves of South Koreas Lotte Mart supermarket chain. Following the initial shipment to Lotte Marts Jamsil branch, the retailer plans to expand distribution to other stores depending on market reaction. A Lotte Mart representative praised the potential of Vietnamese pomelos, citing their naturally sweet flavour, high vitamin C content and appeal to South Korean consumer preferences. This event highlights the quality of Vietnamese produce meeting international standards and demonstrates the concerted efforts of businesses and authorities from both nations in promoting Viet Nam - South Korea economic cooperation. For Vietnamese businesses, this is a major incentive to invest in processing technologies, enhance product quality, build brand identity and boost competitiveness in global markets. The Viet Nam Trade Office in South Korea reaffirmed its commitment to supporting companies in accessing market information, connecting with partners, completing export procedures and diversifying products. It aims to lay the groundwork for a stronger presence of Vietnamese produce in South Koreas market. By the end of 2024, South Korea remained Viet Nams third-largest trading partner, trailing only China and the US. Bilateral trade volume reached around US$82 billion in 2024, a 7.4 per cent increase year-on-year. According to the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI), South Korea's fresh fruit imports surged to a record $1.45 billion in 2024, up 20.1 per cent from 2023. This trend reflects South Koreas increasing demand for imported fruits, as domestic production faces challenges from adverse weather and climate change. Experts forecast that South Koreas fruit imports will continue to rise. KREI projects total imports, including fresh, dried and frozen fruits, to reach 817,000 tonnes in 2025, and 865,000 tonnes by 2034. South Korea is currently Viet Nams fifth-largest fruit export market, after China, the US, the EU and Japan. Viet Nams annual fruit output exceeds 12 million tonnes, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment. With pomelo yielding around 1.2 million tonnes, the potential for growth in the South Korean market is considerable. South Korean consumers are showing an increasing preference for nutritious tropical fruits, creating opportunities for Vietnamese pomelos to compete with products from the US, such as apples and oranges and Thailand, such as durians and rambutans. The average export price of Vietnamese pomelo to South Korea stands at $2.4 per kilogramme, about 30 per cent higher than the price in China ($1.8 per kilogramme). It indicates the significant added value the market offers. VNS HA NOI Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Bui Hoang Phuong on Thursday spoke with representatives of foreign-invested technology enterprises about the USs new trade policies. He provided a brief overview of the Vietnamese Government's policies and strategies to respond to the USs imposition of reciprocal tariffs, later put on hold, on more than 180 countries worldwide, including Viet Nam. While emphasising that the US trade policies are implemented on a grand scale and do not target any specific country, the official also stressed that the Vietnamese Government is closely monitoring the situation, and proactively engaging in dialogue with the US to protect the legitimate interests of businesses and workers in Viet Nam. He added that during their high-level phone conversation on April 4, General Secretary To Lam and US President Donald Trump, agreed that the relations between Viet Nam and the US are developing positively across multiple sectors. The US market currently accounts for a significant share of the total export turnover of many foreign-invested (FDI) enterprises in Viet Nam, especially large technology corporations such as Samsung, Amkor, Qualcomm and BYD. Representatives of these companies expressed concerns about potential impacts from any tariff policy, and asked for timely support from the Ministry of Science and Technology and other related authorities. Deputy Minister Phuong stressed that the Vietnamese Government and the ministry always stand by FDI enterprises in difficult times. The Ministry of Science and Technology will continue to listen and consider opinions and recommendations from businesses to offer practical and effective solutions to specific problems, he said. He assigned the Department of Information Technology an organisation under the ministry that performs the advisory and regulatory functions over the information and digital technology industry to serve as the contact point to receive businesses feedback and proposals. The department will also coordinate with related ministries and agencies to submit recommendations to the Government to further support businesses, he added. The ministry is always ready to work with any enterprise that faces difficulties or challenges, he said. VNS HA NOI As Viet Nam navigates through the global economic turbulence, the European Chamber of Commerce in Viet Nam (EuroCham) has released its 2025 Whitebookan influential policy document setting out what it calls 'Must-Win Battles' essential to the countrys sustainable growth and long-term competitiveness. Launched in Ha Noi on Friday morning, with high-level representation from Government officials, the diplomatic corps and the private sector, the Whitebook 2025 provides an urgent call for action amid mounting geopolitical tensions, global trade realignments and Viet Nam's own economic aspirations. This years Whitebook marks a shift toward strategic alignment and cross-sectoral cooperation, in pursuit of a greener and more resilient Vietnamese economy. At the core of the Whitebook is a new cross-cutting framework that identifies five foundational reforms: entry visa policies, immigration and airport infrastructure, work permits, VAT refunds and customs procedures. These areas, long-standing bottlenecks for foreign businesses, are now framed as urgent policy priorities. By streamlining administrative processes and addressing regulatory friction, EuroCham said that Viet Nam can significantly boost investor confidence and operational efficiency. Viet Nams future economic trajectory depends on decisions made today, said EuroCham Chairman Bruno Jaspaert at the launch. The Whitebook is more than a set of recommendations, its a compass, he said, adding that it offers pragmatic, business-driven solutions that reflect the realities on the ground. In addition to macro-level reforms, EuroChams 19 Sector Committees have contributed targeted recommendations in high-impact areas such as green finance, semiconductor supply chains, EV infrastructure, pharmaceutical regulations and sustainable agriculture. Each recommendation is backed by empirical input from member companies, ranging from dynamic small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), through to multinational corporations. With Viet Nam aiming for eight per cent GDP growth in 2025, the challenge lies in executing reforms that not only maintain growth, but also ensure environmental and social sustainability. The Whitebook thus advocates for integrating global best practices in legal and environmental governancean alignment that will be essential for Vietnam to meet both its domestic targets and international obligations under trade and climate frameworks. Strengthening the Viet Nam - EU partnership The timing of the Whitebooks release is significant. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the Viet Nam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), a landmark deal that has catalysed growth in bilateral trade and investment. Speaking at the event, EU Ambassador to Viet Nam Julien Guerrier emphasised the EUs long-term commitment to open and fair trade. "Free and fair trade is in Europes DNA and is the backbone of our prosperity and competitiveness. The EU is determined to work with partners, and with Viet Nam, in responding to the new reality for the global economy, said Ambassador Guerrier. "The EVFTA has clearly demonstrated how trade and investment flows can grow when we build on a solid framework. We must make full use of this agreement to unlock its full potential. The 2025 Whitebook launch comes amid heightened economic anxiety due to global trade disruptions and shifting supply chains. Despite these headwinds, EuroChams first quarter of 2025 Business Confidence Index indicates steady investor interest. However, the findings underscore the need for responsive governance and clear legal frameworks to avoid an erosion of foreign direct investment (FDI). EuroCham experts brought forward direct insights from the business frontlines, offering practical recommendations to support Viet Nams sustained prosperity. One message rang loud and clear throughout the room: the time to act is now. Viet Nam possesses key advantagesa strategic location, demographic strength and it is rich natural resources. But to fully capitalise on these, it must act decisively to eliminate inefficiencies and build a transparent, resilient investment environment. BIZHUB/VNS HCM CITY Experts explored the root causes behind both the successes and failures of Viet Nams bank restructuring efforts, while proposing practical measures to enhance their effectiveness going forward at a seminar in HCM City on April 11. Speaking at the forum titled 'Bank Restructuring: How to Achieve Maximum Efficiency?' held by Tien Phong newspaper, Phung Cong Suong, the Editor-in-Chief emphasised that the Vietnamese banking sector is undergoing a pivotal transformation. The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has recently executed mandatory transfers of certain weak banks and is actively seeking investors for Saigon Commercial Bank (SCB). In this context, the seminar served as a timely platform for stakeholders to evaluate the ongoing restructuring process and propose optimal strategies, he said. Viet Nam's banking history has witnessed multiple restructuring efforts with some successful, others offering sobering lessons, he said, adding that analysing past cases is essential to help policymakers and experts formulate effective solutions. The ultimate goal is not just to help weak banks overcome hardship, but to build a healthier, more transparent and resilient banking system that supports sustainable economic growth. According to Nguyen Xuan Thanh, a public policy lecturer at Fulbright University Vietnam, Viet Nam currently has 35 commercial banks, five of which are under special control due to serious financial instability. While a competitive banking environment benefits businesses and depositors, it also increases the risk of market failures and makes regulatory supervision more difficult. Since 2010, the banking sector has experienced explosive growth, with some banks expanding their scale by 10 to 15 times. While this rapid expansion has raised regulatory challenges, it also provides a solid foundation and an opportunity for comprehensive restructuring. Thanh noted that Viet Nam has used several restructuring approaches since 2011, including mergers, consolidations, the entry of new investors, and most notably, mandatory transfers. He noted that one of the key drivers behind the weakness of joint-stock commercial banks is manipulation by large shareholder groups. These groups often establish cross-ownership structures to dominate decision-making, effectively bypassing regulations intended to ensure safe and sound operations. Such banks frequently issued credit to affiliated companies and projects within their own ecosystems, many of which were poorly performing. The result was a rapid accumulation of non-performing loans and, ultimately, forced restructuring, he said. Lawyer Truong Thanh uc outlined the three main stages in handling weak banks: 'early intervention', followed by 'special control' and ultimately, 'mandatory transfer' or bankruptcy. Of these, mandatory transfer is considered the final measure before insolvency. Mandatory restructuring is necessary because troubled banks rarely agree to voluntary handovers, Thanh emphasised. No one wants to give up a bank for zero compensation, even if its financials are deeply negative. If a voluntary solution fails, the State must choose between forced transfer or bankruptcy. Post-transfer strategies often include renaming the bank, retaining its licence, and eliminating brand value. Thanh noted that this model closely resembles Indonesias approach to resolving its own banking crises. The amended 2024 Law on Credit Institutions now provides a clear legal framework for mandatory transfers, allowing both credit institutions and non-bank enterprises to participate as transferees. However, this expansion has generated controversy, particularly over the financial and operational capabilities of non-bank participants. Despite being the most feasible option in certain scenarios, mandatory transfers come with considerable risks Director of the Institute of Research and Development of Global Financial and Real Estate Markets, Dr Nguyen Tri Hieu, cautioned that while mandatory transfers may be the most feasible solution in certain cases, they are not a panacea. Viet Nam carried out such transfers ten years ago, informally known as zero-ong acquisitions, he said. Now were doing it again, but theres no transparency about the new entitieshow they operate, their capital structure, etc. Depositors face significant risks, especially since the national deposit insurance covers only a modest amount. According to Article 185 of the 2024 Law on Credit Institutions, transferee entities assume 100 per cent of the charter capital of the weak bank, but are not required to consolidate financial statements or include the acquisition in their capital adequacy ratios. This diverges from international accounting standards and could lead to major information gaps for shareholders, customers and regulators, he said. To ensure the success of such restructurings, Hieu proposed several measures. The restructured bank must have a minimum charter capital of VN3 trillion (US$117.6 million) and the parent bank must guarantee all customer deposits held by the restructured entity, he said. He also urged the central bank to publish detailed information on the financial health of all commercial banks on its official website. VNS HCM CITY Ho Chi Minh General Publishing House has released two photobooks in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day (April 30, 1975 2025). The books Di San Sai Gon - Thanh Pho Ho Chi Minh (Sai Gon Ho Chi Minh City Heritage) feature over 300 photographs that collectively portray the history, culture and society of the city. They capture architectural landmarks such as palaces, villages, schools, hospitals, hotels, bridges and streets, as well as cultural aspects of daily life, including weddings, Southern folk music and horse racing. Additionally, it highlights the unique culinary traditions of Sai Gon, from coffee shops to street vendors. The architectural landscape of Sai Gon - Gia inh - HCM City began to take shape in 1698, when Grand Mandarin Nguyen Huu Canh, under the orders of Lord Nguyen Phuc Chu, conducted an inspection of the southern region. He established Phuoc Long Prefecture, with its administrative unit being Tran Bien (Bien Hoa) of ong Nai, and Tan Binh Prefecture, with its administrative unit being Phien Tran (Gia inh) in Sai Gon. Over the past 300 years, the architectural and cultural developments of this land have contributed to the spirit of the city and the soul of its inhabitants. These elements have crystalised into the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of Sai Gon - Gia inh, now known as HCM City. According Ho Chi Minh General Publishing House, Sai Gon Ho Chi Minh City Heritage aims to preserve and promote the cultural heritage of HCM City, bridging the past with the present. It is also expected to instil a sense of pride among the city's residents, reinforcing HCM City's status as a leader in multiple domains for Viet Nam, along with serving as a valuable resource for researchers and enthusiasts. The photobook Sai Gon Thanh pho Ho Chi Minh-oi Thay Qua Nhung Khung Hinh (1975 - 2025) (Sai Gon Ho Chi Minh City - Changes Through the Frames (1975 - 2025) shows the development of the city over the years, through the lens of its author Tam Thai. The photographer wandered through the streets and alleys to capture various aspects of the city where he has lived for nearly half a century. The photobook presents the images of Sai Gon that he wishes to share the most with the readers. "This book is divided into many chapters, filled with various stories, yet it wishes for one thing - to gather unique perspectives, illustrated through the author's images, like a brick, hoping to connect with the grand construction of the city," wrote Thai in the preface. According to Associate Professor, Dr Pascal Bourdeaux from Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes (EPHE) in Paris, the photobook makes us reminisce and explore many aspects of the past that feel distant and unfamiliar. More importantly, there is a keen observation and reflection on the progress. "These photographs compel us to reflect on the past and raise questions about the future of a dynamic city like Sai Gon HCM City today. A city with a history that is both glorious and tragic, vibrant with the energy of its people, which has been affirmed through its development and expansion in both space and population," he said. "Sai Gon unveils itself to those who know how to appreciate its beauty." VNS BEIJING The upcoming state visit to Viet Nam by General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping on next Monday & Tuesday (April 14-15) holds great significance and symbolic importance for the two countries relationship, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh. This is Xi's first overseas visit in 2025, his fourth visit to Viet Nam as China's top leader and the second within his current term. It demonstrates the high regard that the Chinese Party and State, as well as the leader personally, place on strengthening the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and China, Binh told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondents in Beijing. The trip takes place at a pivotal moment for both Parties, both countries, and for their relations. The bilateral relations have maintained a strong and positive momentum, with many notable highlights in cooperation across all fields. Both nations are actively implementing activities to celebrate the 75th founding anniversary of their diplomatic ties and the Viet NamChina Year of Humanistic Exchanges this year. Therefore, the visit serves as an opportunity for the top leaders of the two Parties and two countries to further engage in in-depth strategic discussions, assess the bilateral relations, particularly the outcomes achieved in implementing high-level agreements, and identify major directions and key measures to develop the bilateral relationship in a more stable, substantive, and effective manner in the time ahead. Building on the tradition of friendship and established practices between the two sides, the Party, State, and people of Viet Nam attach great importance to this visit and will extend a special and warm welcome to the Chinese Party General Secretary and President, said the ambassador. Within the framework of the trip, Xi will hold talks and meetings with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. The two sides are expected to update each other on the situation in each Party and country, engage in in-depth discussions on further strengthening and deepening the bilateral relations, including promoting the tradition of regular high-level exchanges, enhancing political trust, effectively implementing high-level common perceptions and signed agreements, and expanding and improving the effectiveness and quality of cooperation in line with the six major orientations, aiming to achieve practical outcomes and new milestones. Binh expressed his belief that Xis visit this time will leave a historic mark, providing a strong impetus and creating a favourable foundation for the development of the bilateral relationship in the new phase. It will continue to outline strategic arrangements and key directions, ensuring that Viet NamChina relations continue to develop steadily and robustly, and gain breakthrough achievements for the development benefits of both countries. In this regard, the two countries will continue to strengthen political trust and mutual understanding, accelerate the implementation of cooperation agreements and projects, add new content, measures, directions, and mechanisms to make the bilateral ties more comprehensive and practical, thus meeting the common aspirations of their people and contributing positively to peace and progress for humanity, Binh said. Regarding trade ties, the diplomat affirmed that bilateral trade has made significant strides, with Viet Nam maintaining its position for many years as China's largest trading partner within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and becoming its fourth-largest globally in 2024. Meanwhile, China is Viet Nam's largest trading partner, its largest import market, and its second-largest export market. Implementing the common perceptions of high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and nations, Viet Nam and China are accelerating infrastructure connectivity, focusing on railways, highways and border gate infrastructure. As bilateral trade continues to expand, the demand for multimodal transport is increasing. Along with road, air and sea transport, rail freight transport is a suitable option to enhance transport connectivity between the two countries. In this context, Lao Cai-Ha Noi-Hai Phong, ong ang-Ha Noi, and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong standard gauge railway lines are important, strategic transport projects that symbolise the relationship between Viet Nam and China. Currently, agencies of both sides are actively working together to implement the connectivity of these standard gauge railways, creating a favourable foundation for trade, economy, tourism and people-to-people exchanges, bringing significant mutual benefits to both countries. These railways are expected to help reduce transit time in the border areas, optimise transport costs, and improve the logistics advantages and competitiveness of bilateral intermodal transport. These are favourable factors that will help Viet Nam export more of its key products, such as agricultural and aquatic products, to the Chinese market, as well as bring Chinese products into the Vietnamese market. Additionally, the railway connectivity will allow Viet Nam to take advantage of rail transport routes connecting China to potential markets such as Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Russia, and the Middle East, contributing to diversifying export markets for Vietnamese goods. At the same time, high-quality Chinese products can access the ASEAN market through these rail routes, and the country can take advantage of regional free trade agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA). Currently, there are over 23,000 Vietnamese students in China. The number of Vietnamese tourists to China ranks the highest among ASEAN countries each year. In 2024, Viet Nam welcomed approximately 3.7 million Chinese visitors. At present, there are around 400 flights per week operating between the two countries. Since the beginning of 2025, designated as the Viet NamChina Year of Humanistic Exchanges, both sides have closely coordinated in implementing various cultural and people-to-people exchange activities. Mass organisations and localities, especially those in border areas, have been actively carrying out a wide range of friendly exchange activities, including scientific seminars, cultural and artistic programmes and tourism cooperation, highlighting the geographic proximity and cultural similarities between the two nations and reflecting the deep emotional bond shared by their people. The two countries are also working to increase direct flights between major cities such as Ha Noi Fuzhou, and HCM City Beijing, and resume flights between Hong Kong and HCM City, so as to create more favourable conditions for travel, business, and tourism between the two countries. In the time ahead, more efforts will be made to organise diverse and creative people-to-people exchange activities, build even more bridges of friendship between their people, and further strengthen the social foundation for a stable and long-lasting bilateral relationship, Binh said. VNS BEIJING With two-way trade reaching nearly CNY300 billion (US$41.2 billion) last year and new infrastructure projects underway, the economic-trade cooperation between Viet Nam and Chinas Guangxi province is entering a golden era, according to a Chinese official. In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency, Chen Gang, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and Chairman of the Regional People's Congress Standing Committee, noted that the Viet Nam China relations have developed robustly over the recent past, with strengthened political trust between the two sides. He highlighted the exchange of congratulatory messages earlier this year between General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam and State President Luong Cuong, commemorating the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and officially launching the Year of Viet Nam - China Humanistic Exchange. Beyond high-level leadership trust, Chen emphasised that cooperation between localities of both countries has been flourishing. During his recent visit to Viet Nam, he participated in the 10th spring meeting with Party Secretaries from four Vietnamese border provinces of Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, and Ha Giang. At this event, both sides signed numerous cooperation projects, demonstrating the deep interconnection from central to local levels between the two nations. Viet Nam has been Guangxi's largest trading partner for the past 26 years, he said, laying stress on untapped cooperation potential, particularly in the agricultural sector. Taking durian as an example, a fruit highly favoured in China but unable to be grown in Guangxi despite the region being known as China's fruit homeland, he explained that large quantities of Vietnamese durian are imported through border gates like Dongxing and Pingxiang, contributing to China's total import value of over $6 billion for this item last year. Viet Nam and Guangxi have also effectively implemented infrastructure connectivity, with Guangxi currently operating nine highways and two railways linking with the Vietnamese border. Besides, they have nine land border gates, with the Dongxing crossing handling customs clearance for over 8.5 million people in 2024. Besides, construction on the Huu Nghi(Viet Nam) - Pingxiang (China), the first smart border gate between the two countries, is being accelerated, aimed at improving customs clearance efficiency and promoting bilateral trade. Chan said that people-to-people exchange is a highlight in the bilateral relations, elaborating there is substantial tourist flow between the two countries, and an increasing number of Vietnamese students are choosing Guangxi for their studies. It can be said that current bilateral cooperation is diverse, multidimensional, and in a period of friendly exchange. Regarding Viet Nam's economic development, Chen expressed his delight at the achievements that the country has carved out. He suggested that the two economies could support each other across industry chains, supply chains, technology chains, and investment chains, highlighting the need for both sides to review current chains to intensify cooperation. According to Chen, China is promoting industrial structure transformation, and Viet Nam is taking similar steps, creating opportunities for increased cooperation in this field. On activities to enhance understanding and friendship between the peoples of both countries, particularly border residents, Chen said exchanges should extend beyond the provincial level to cities, districts, and mass organisations like trade unions, women's associations, and youth unions. On cultural and tourism cooperation, he noted that the Ban Gioc (Viet Nam) Detian (China) waterfall has over 730 tour groups from both countries, exceeding initial expectations despite limited promotion, since its opening in October last year. He considered this cooperation zone as a model for promoting people-to-people exchanges and expressed his hope for enhanced cultural and tourism exchange activities. He also mentioned the inauguration of the Beihai-Ha Long sea route and the direct Nanning-Hai Phong flight route, helping reduce travel time and expand tourism cooperation potential. Building on existing foundations, Viet Nam and China boasts significant potential to expand their cooperation. Chen expressed his hope that both sides will bring into full play the agreed activities, particularly encouraging youth exchanges to lay the groundwork for developing friendship between the two nations in the future. VNA/VNS HA NOI The Ministry of Justice has released a draft amendment to the Law on Vietnamese Nationality, proposing major revisions that would make it easier for certain individuals to acquire or regain Vietnamese citizenship, particularly those with familial ties to Vietnamese citizens, as well as foreign investors, scientists and experts. One of the key changes in the draft law would simplify the process for minors with a Vietnamese parent. Under the current law, such applicants must meet the condition of having 'full civil act capacity'. The draft proposes removing this requirement for minors, acknowledging the natural connection they already have to Viet Nam through their parentage. It also suggests easing citizenship requirements for individuals who have a parent or grandparent who is a Vietnamese citizen, or those who have made special contributions to the countrys development and defence. Such applicants may be exempt from certain existing conditions and would be allowed to submit applications through Vietnamese embassies and consulates abroad, without the need to return to Viet Nam to establish permanent residency. A particularly proposal in the draft is the removal of the current clause that permits only special cases to retain foreign nationality upon acquiring Vietnamese citizenship. Instead, the Government would be empowered to issue specific regulations detailing the conditions under which dual nationality would be permitted. Under the proposed changes, applicants seeking to acquire or regain Vietnamese nationality while retaining their foreign citizenship would only need to meet two criteria. First, the retention of their foreign citizenship must comply with the laws of the other country. Second, the foreign nationality must not be used to infringe upon the rights and interests of Vietnamese organisations or individuals, or to harm the national security and public order of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. For those who have previously renounced their Vietnamese nationality, the draft opens the door for reinstatement. The proposed revision to Article 23 would remove the requirement that applicants must first give up their foreign nationality in order to regain Vietnamese citizenship. Instead, dual nationality would be allowed under the same two conditions mentioned above. However, the draft also includes a safeguard clause stating that any Vietnamese citizen holding dual nationality would be required to renounce their foreign citizenship and reside permanently in Viet Nam if they wish to stand for election, hold official positions, work in the State apparatus or political-social organisations, or serve in the armed forces. This provision is intended to protect national sovereignty, political security and the integrity of public service. In addition, the Ministry of Justice has proposed that all citizenship applications submitted from abroad undergo identity verification by the Ministry of Public Security, to ensure national security is upheld. Explaining the rationale behind the proposed amendments, the ministry noted that there are approximately six million Vietnamese nationals living overseas, spread across more than 130 countries and territories. As of March 2025, 229,336 individuals had been granted approval by the President to renounce their Vietnamese citizenship. Meanwhile, policy shifts in several countries now allow for dual citizenship, prompting many former Vietnamese nationals to seek reinstatement without giving up their new foreign nationality. Data from the ministry shows that, by March 2025, the President had approved the restoration of Vietnamese citizenship for 311 individuals, including twenty who were allowed to retain their foreign citizenship. A further 7,014 individuals were granted Vietnamese nationality, with 60 permitted to hold dual citizenship. With Viet Nam entering a new era of global integration and development, the Ministry of Justice argues that the current legal framework does not do enough to attract overseas Vietnamese or highly qualified foreign nationals to contribute to the nations growth. The proposed changes aim to implement the Partys overseas Vietnamese policies more effectively and create better conditions for return, investment, and innovation. The ministry believes easing dual nationality rules will attract skilled individuals to support Viet Nams growth. VNS HA NOI General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping is going to pay a state visit to Viet Nam from April 14 to 15. The visit will be made at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee To Lam and State President Luong Cuong, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership framework in 2008, relations between the two Parties and the two countries have grown increasingly substantive, solid, and comprehensive across all fields. Viet Nam-China economic, trade, and investment cooperation has been deepening. China has been Viet Nam's largest trading partner for 20 consecutive years, while Vietnam is now China's largest trading partner in ASEAN and its fourth-largest trading partner globally. Bilateral trade turnover has increased ninefold, from US$20 billion in 2008 to nearly $180 billion in 2022. Over the past 15 years, Chinese investment in Viet Nam has grown more than tenfold, from a cumulative total of $2 billion in 2008 to $25 billion today. In 2023 alone, China rose to become the fourth-largest investor in Viet Nam among all countries and territories. People-to-people exchanges and cooperation between localities have been vibrant, with nearly 60 provinces and cities in Viet Nam establishing friendly cooperative relations with localities in China. VNS A NANG Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs o Hung Viet and Owen Jenkins, Director General for Indo-Pacific, Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) of the UK, co-chaired the 4th ASEAN-UK Senior Officials Meeting (AUKSOM) in the central city of a Nang on April 10. Jenkins, who is also ASEAN SOM leader of the UK, affirmed the UK's strong commitment and priority to ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region, stressing that the UK supports ASEAN's central role and stands ready to assist the group in implementing the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and its strategies on politics-security, economics, culture-society, and connectivity. He proposed expanding the areas, mechanisms, levels of cooperation to allow the UK engage more deeply in regional cooperation, positioning itself as a consistent and reliable partner of the bloc. As the coordinator of dialogue relations, Viet, who is also head of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM) delegation of Viet Nam, highly valued the role of the UK as a member of G7 and G20, in regional co-operation. He suggested key areas for future cooperation between the two sides, including promoting trade, investment, digital transformation, renewable energy, connectivity, and energy connectivity, affirming that ASEAN will closely cooperate with the UK in developing documents that will guide cooperation between the two sides in the coming time. The Vietnamese official also called on the UK side to support initiatives proposed by Viet Nam in its role as Chair of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Task Force to implement the IAI Work Plan in 2021-2025 and the new 2026-30 work plan. Delegates highlighted impressive progress of the ASEAN-UK dialogue partnership over the last four year, noting that the UK has proven to be one of ASEAN's leading dynamic partners, with a range of projects, programmes, and cooperation plans that have already yielded positive results. They underlined the need for the two sides to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, market access, supply chain stability, business development, education, healthcare, and expanding into new areas such as innovation, digital transformation, and green transition. The countries also agreed to expand cooperation in addressing emerging non-traditional security challenges, such as online fraud, online gambling, and money laundering. ASEAN countries urged the UK to continue enhancing maritime cooperation and support ASEAN in fulfilling commitments related to climate change response, energy transition, green and sustainable development, narrowing development gaps, and promoting subregional development. Regarding international and regional issues of common concern, the countries committed to working together to promote a transparent, reliable, predictable, and rules-based multilateral trade system. The same day afternoon, Viet Nam and the UK co-chaired the ASEAN-UK Connectivity Dialogue, which focused on two main areas of financial services and creative economy. This is an important step in implementing the ASEAN-UK Foreign Ministers' Joint Statement on Connectivity in adopted in 2024. The dialogue was the final event in a series of ASEAN activities hosted by Viet Nam from April 8-10 in a Nang. VNS WASHINGTON DC Deputy Prime Minister Ho uc Phoc on April 10 (US time) held meetings with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington DC, continuing his visit to the US as the Special Envoy of General Secretary To Lam to discuss bilateral economic and trade issues. During his meeting with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Deputy PM Phoc affirmed that Viet Nam highly values its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the United States and seeks to promote economic and trade relations in a balanced, harmonious, and sustainable manner. He welcomed the agreement between both sides to initiate negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, including tariff arrangements, as achieved during the talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer the day before. Deputy PM Phoc emphasised that Viet Nam is ready to engage in negotiations and urged both parties to expedite discussions to reach an agreement as soon as possible. Such an agreement would contribute to fostering stable and sustainable bilateral economic and trade relations, benefiting both nations' businesses and people. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed appreciation for Viet Nam's proactive measures in addressing US concerns. He welcomed the decision to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement and confirmed that the US administration had appointed him as the chief negotiator for discussions with Viet Nam. The Secretary expressed confidence that both sides would soon reach mutually beneficial solutions to enhance stable and fair economic and trade relations. He welcomed the agreement between both sides to initiate negotiations on a reciprocal trade agreement, including tariff arrangements, as achieved during the talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer the day before. Deputy PM Phoc emphasised that Viet Nam is ready to engage in negotiations and urged both parties to expedite discussions to reach an agreement as soon as possible. Such an agreement would contribute to fostering stable and sustainable bilateral economic and trade relations, benefiting both nations' businesses and people. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expressed appreciation for Viet Nam's proactive measures in addressing US concerns. He welcomed the decision to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement and confirmed that the US administration had appointed him as the chief negotiator for discussions with Viet Nam. The Secretary expressed confidence that both sides would soon reach mutually beneficial solutions to enhance stable and fair economic and trade relations. During his meeting with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Deputy PM Phoc emphasised the significance of both nations agreeing to launch negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement, aligning with the framework of the Viet Nam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Highlighting the importance of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations (19952025), the Vietnamese official expressed his pleasure at the positive development of bilateral ties and stressed the importance of continued close cooperation to further deepen the partnership. Deputy PM Phoc reiterated Viet Nam's consistent policy of maintaining political, economic, and social stability while building an independent and self-reliant economy with proactive and effective international integration. He urged the US Department of Commerce to work closely with relevant Vietnamese ministries and agencies throughout the negotiation process. Commerce Secretary Lutnick reaffirmed the US strong commitment to its relationship with Viet Nam, recognising Viet Nam as a major and potential economy and a key US partner in the region. He emphasised the US priority of reindustrialisation and reshoring production while ensuring fair trade. The Secretary affirmed that the US Department of Commerce would collaborate closely with Viet Nam to negotiate and address outstanding issues in bilateral economic and trade relations, aiming for a mutually beneficial agreement that supports the development of both nations. In recent days, during his "special" mission to the US as the Special Envoy of General Secretary To Lam, Deputy PM Phoc has engaged in extensive discussions and negotiations with the US government. These efforts have led to an agreement to commence negotiations on a bilateral trade deal, with tariffs as a key pillar, which is an important achievement amid complex global trade dynamics. This outcome follows the strategic direction set during the critical phone call between General Secretary To Lam and President Donald Trump on April 4, just two days after the US announced reciprocal tariffs, as well as proactive and urgent efforts by the Vietnamese government to swiftly implement the results of that conversation. As per the Prime Minister's directive, on April 11, 2025, Viet Nam will establish its negotiation team to engage with the US negotiation team, led by Treasury Secretary Bessent, aiming to reach a stable, sustainable, and mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement as soon as possible. VNS HCM City HCM City has gained great achievements in all fields through the past 50 years of implementing Vietnams external policy, heard a scientific symposium held in the city on Friday. The event, part of activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 2025), brought together leading experts, scholars, and managers in the fields of diplomacy and international relations from across the country. Addressing the symposium, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People's Committee Vo Van Hoan highlighted that shortly after national reunification, amid countless difficulties, the city recognised the strategic importance of foreign affairs in post-war recovery and socio-economic development. In 1985, during the subsidised economy period, HCM City welcomed a delegation of nearly 70 US businesspeople seeking investment opportunities - an iconic event symbolising the citys proactive, reform-oriented approach to foreign relations. Since then, the city has become a pioneer in international cooperation models, from Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone to Phu My Hung Urban Area, and from large-scale investment promotion to diverse cultural, educational, healthcare, and environmental exchanges, he stated. Hoan said that the city has established friendly and cooperative ties with 58 localities worldwide and is an active member of many international organisations. Since the oi Moi (Renewal) in 1986, the city has acted as a front-runner in implementing the Partys foreign policy at the local level, blending Party, State, and people-to-people diplomacy into a unique multi-layered diplomacy model. The municipal leader said that in the 20252045 period, the city aims to become a leading centre of economy, finance, and innovation in Southeast Asia. To realise this ambition, diplomacy must be elevated with a proactive, effective, creative, and distinctive approach. The city has issued a strategic foreign affairs roadmap to 2030, with a vision to 2045, built on three key pillars: diplomacy for sustainable development, diplomacy aligned with global trends, and diplomacy that creates new value. The goal is to position itself as a hub of global initiatives and innovation, and a modern representation of Vietnamese culture. Participants also discussed HCM Citys pioneering role in experimenting with external economic policies during 19862000; the importance of people-to-people diplomacy in socio-economic development; and the global and regional context shaping the future of megacities, including strategic foreign affairs implications for the city through to 2045. VNS BEIJING The upcoming state visit of China's top leader Xi Jinping to Viet Nam is expected to be an opportunity to consolidate the traditional ChinaViet Nam friendship, described as comrades-plus-brothers; enhance mutual strategic trust, deepen substantive cooperation, and advance the practical development of the ChinaViet Nam community with a shared future, said a Chinese diplomat. General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and President of China Xi's April 14 -15 visit is made at the invitations of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam and State President Luong Cuong. At the regular press briefing on April 11, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said China and Viet Nam are friendly socialist neighbours, both undertaking reforms in line with their national conditions. Strengthening unity and collaboration serves the common interests of the two nations. He highlighted that Xis historic visit to Viet Nam at the end of 2023 ushered in a new chapter for the ChinaViet Nam community with a shared future. Over the past time, the Chinese leader has maintained strategic communication with CPV General Secretary To Lam, while ministries, agencies, and localities of both countries have engaged in close exchanges. Cooperation in various fields has yielded encouraging results, delivering tangible benefits to the two countries' people. Lin underscored the special significance of the upcoming visit, saying it coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. During the visit, the Chinese leader will hold talks with Party General Secretary To Lam and meet with President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. At the briefing, Lin also revealed that alongside Viet Nam, Xi will also visit two other Southeast Asian countries, namely Malaysia and Cambodia. He reiterated that neighbouring countries remain a priority in China's foreign policy, and that China and Southeast Asia are good neighbours, good friends, and good partners. This Southeast Asia tour, President Xis first overseas trip of the year, holds major significance for fostering the comprehensive development of Chinas relations with Viet Nam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, as well as with ASEAN as a whole. It is expected to inject fresh momentum into the peaceful development of the region and the world. VNS LANG SON Young officers from the Border Guard of the northern province of Lang Son and their peers from the Exit-Entry Frontier Inspection General Station of China's Guangxi province had a seminar and exchange programme in Lang Son city on Friday. The event served as a platform for young personnel from both sides to exchange experience and reflect on the proud, deep-rooted traditions of friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and China. The exchange aimed to further cultivate solidarity and strengthen the comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, and border forces. During their discussion, the participants exchanged views on joint border management, legal education, and coordination in natural disaster and epidemic prevention and control. Captain Pham Quang Hieu from the Border Guard Station of the Huu Nghi International Border Gate emphasised the importance of smart border gate management and proposed stronger cooperation in immigration control and customs clearance. He also urged young officers to take initiative in learning, particularly in applying information technology to enhance professional capacity. Major Phung Ly Huynh of Bac Xa Border Guard Post suggested the two sides organise training programmes and exchanges to support each other in professional tasks. Wang Xianfeng from the Political Department of Guangxi Exit-Entry Frontier Inspection General Station highlighted the need for youth officers to understand the historical significance of bilateral relations and actively preserve and promote them to build a peaceful, cooperative and stable border. Colonel Luong Manh Vong, Deputy Political Commissar of Lang Son Border Guard, affirmed that recent cooperation between the young officers of the two units has achieved encouraging results. He called on the youth to continue fostering coordination in border management and crime prevention, while also raising awareness about the special Viet NamChina bond - comrades and brothers - and the guiding principle of friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability, and looking toward the future. Both sides committed to enhancing communication with border communities, ensuring compliance with the three Viet NamChina legal documents on land border management, and encouraging public participation in crime reporting and protection of border markers and infrastructure. They also proposed expanding successful models such as friendship envoys and twinned border posts and communities. Over the years, young officers from both sides have remained at the forefront of implementing tasks, strengthening border management coordination and people-to-people exchanges. They regularly participate in joint foreign affairs activities, combat illegal border crossings and smuggling, and exchange greetings during holidays and major political events. Young officers have also actively advised their leadership on pending border issues and violations of bilateral agreements, while maintaining hotline coordination and participating in the handover of Vietnamese and Chinese citizens involved in border-related cases. Since 2013, the two forces have expanded the twinning models, currently maintaining nine pairs of border villages and two pairs of communes/towns. VNS SYDNEY In 50 years since the national reunification (April 30, 1975-2025), Viet Nam has transformed from war-devastated developing country to a peacetime country that has attained lower middle-income status, said Professor Carl Thayer, saying what impresses him most is that with every visit to Viet Nam, he witnesses remarkable and dynamic changes taking place across the country. In an interview with a Viet Nam News Agency correspondent in Australia, Professor Carl Thayer of the Australian Defence Force Academy under the University of New South Wales, recalled that the first 15 years following reunification were an exceptionally challenging period for Viet Nam. He pointed out that the country faced numerous hardships, including the border wars in the southwest and north, along with the US-imposed embargo on aid and trade, which placed significant strain on Viet Nams post-war recovery and development efforts. The key factor in extricating Viet Nam from a socio-economic crisis was the strategic far-sighted vision of its leadership to carry out the renewal (oi Moi) of the countrys economic system and open Viet Nam to the outside world, allow the private sector to grow in Viet Nam. Viet Nam abandoned rigid central planning and developed a socialist-orientated market economy. Viet Nam diversified and multilateralised its external relations. The year 1995 was a pivotal year when Viet Nam normalised relations with the US and joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as its seventh member. Viet Nam attracted foreign direct investment and shifted from an agricultural economy to a manufacturing one, acquiring the resources to reduce poverty and raise family income. Reflecting on Viet Nams historic victory on April 30, 1975, the scholar emphasised that the core driver behind this triumph was the Vietnamese peoples unwavering national unity. He noted that this spirit of solidarity had long served as a vital force in the countrys struggle for independence and reunification. According to Thayer, developing national solidarity was the key to overcoming the division of Viet Nam into three regions under French colonial rule, evidenced by the founding of Viet Minh (League for the Independence of Viet Nam) in 1941, the success of the August Revolution in 1945, President Ho Chi Minhs declaration of independence on September 2, 1945, and ultimately, the victory at ien Bien Phu in 1954, which marked the end of the protracted war against French colonialism. The April 30 victory was a combination of military art and skillful diplomacy, taking advantage of national strength and the strength of the times. After 1975, the Viet Nam People Army safeguarded Viet Nam from attacks on its southwest and northern borders, modernise and defend national sovereignty on land and at sea from the mid-1990s to the present. According to the professor, Viet Nam not only diversified and multilateralised its foreign relations through strategic partnerships as well as active and proactive international integration by joining APEC, ASEAN, and the World Trade Organisation. This diplomatic strategy proved a resounding success as Viet Nam was twice elected a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council by a large majority vote. Viet Nam acquitted international prestige as a reliable partner through its pursuit pf independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, and development, he added. Viet Nams leaders have often called for combining national strength and the strength of the times. During the struggle for national unification, Viet Nam was able to receive assistance from traditional friends but also modify this assistance to suit the conditions of Viet Nam. General Vo Nguyen Giap modified his strategy to defeat the French at ien Bien Phu. Viet Nam modified Soviet military technology to suit the battlefield conditions in Viet Nam. Today, Viet Nam encourages technology transfer and co-production. As Viet Nams second International Defence Expo illustrated in December 2024, Viet Nam could modify and develop coastal missiles and drones to suit its special conditions. Viet Nam has also acquired the knowledge and skills to manufacture computer chips and electric vehicles. The country has sent its students far and wide to learn about the Fourth Industrial Revolution and new innovations in science and technology, digital transformation, e-commerce, and artificial intelligence. It is now using this knowledge to make a breakthrough in development and avoid the middle-income trap. In the context of Viet Nam's increasingly deep integration with the world economy, many lessons learnt from the April 30 victory need to be recognised and promoted. The most important lesson is, Thayer said, Viet Nam must always be able to evaluate its own strengths and weaknesses while pursuing a long-term strategic vision. The country can learn from other countries, but it must always pursue its national interests. This requires unity among the population, political stability, constant adaptability and critical innovation. VNS AN GIANG Nuong Farm in An Giang Province uses solar energy to cultivate mushrooms using a circular agricultural model, practices that promote sustainable and efficient farming. Established in 2020 by Chau Thi Nuong, director of the Ta anh Agricultural Co-operative, the three-hectare farm in Tinh Bien Town grows various types of mushrooms like oyster, straw, black termite, lingzhi, and cordyceps. The ethnic Khmer woman conceived the idea during the COVID-19 pandemic as demand for clean foods and medicinal products increased. The farm utilises agricultural by-products such as straw, corn bran and rice bran as a substrate for mushroom cultivation. After harvesting, the leftover substrate is used to raise earthworms, which in turn produce organic fertiliser for rice and vegetable fields. This circular model has reduced production costs by 30 per cent and increased mushroom yields by 40 per cent. Solar panels installed above the mushroom beds help maintain ideal growing conditions by regulating temperatures even when temperatures reach 35 degrees Celsius. The farm now harvests up to three tonnes of black termite mushrooms from 1,000 spawn bags as against the usual 1.52 tonnes. It uses solar energy during the day and switches to mains power at night, halving electricity costs. The surplus electricity is sold back to the An Giang Power Company for additional income. Nuong is among many women in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta who are applying a solar-powered production model to reduce costs and protect the environment. The model supports sustainable farming and ensures stable power supply, allowing surplus electricity to be sold back to the national grid. In Bac Lieu Provinces ong Hai District, Vo Thi Hong Thoai has adopted solar energy for her traditional anchovy fish sauce production. After working for nearly four decades in the public sector, Thoai retired in 2017. Two years later, she invested VN7 billion (US$270,000) to establish the Vu Vo Bac Lieu Joint Stock Company, which now operates a fish sauce production facility with 48 fermentation tanks, each holding 50 tonnes of anchovies. One initial challenge was the production facilitys reliance on the national power grid as fish sauce production requires continuous aeration and mixing, and any power outage disrupts the entire process. Thoai says: There were times [during outages] we needed up to 30 workers instead of the usual 10. Labour costs spiked while productivity fell. To address this, she installed a 7MW rooftop solar system in 2020. The results have been excellent, with electricity costs halving from VN18 million ($700) per month and production becoming stable. She says: I saw huge potential in solar energy. It saves costs and ensures a steady power supply ideal for our non-stop production. The solar energy system not only powers the facility but also generates a surplus that is sold to the grid. Contributions Female entrepreneurs in the Mekong Delta such as Thoai and Nuong have been recognised for their contributions to production initiatives, producing high-quality products and creating jobs. Thoais company produces high-quality fish sauces that are sold nationwide. Its Thien Phu anchovy fish sauce 32N has been recognised as a three-star product under the countrys One Commune One Product programme. Thoais company, which also has HACCP and ISO certification for product quality, earned revenues of more than VN1 billion ($39,000) last year. Nuong Farm supplies two to three tonnes of mushrooms a month to supermarkets in An Giang and HCM City. Its chemical-free lingzhi mushrooms have also been exported to Japan. The farm provides steady employment for dozens of Khmer women, many aged over 50, and they earn VN250,000-300,000 ($10-12) per day. One of them is 64-year-old Quach Thi Hong Lien, who works alongside her husband and daughter. My husband and I are old and have chronic health issues, and so we can no longer do heavy labour, she says. The work here is light and the income helps us cover daily expenses. It is a dream job for elderly people like us. Nuong Farms Using rice straw to cultivate black termite mushroom embryos initiative won a first prize at the 2022 agricultural livelihood innovation contest held by the Centre for Research on Resource and Rural Development. The farm was also named among the Top 10 Outstanding Businesses at the 2023 Viet Nam ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Innovation Awards. Women lead green transition In the Mekong Delta, where climate change is intensifying, women are playing a key role in building sustainable solutions, according to experts. Nguyen Thi Thuong Linh, deputy director of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industrys Mekong Delta chapter, cited a 2022 UN Women report showing that women account for 70 per cent of those affected by climate change. But these vulnerable groups often emerge as drivers of change, she pointed out. Women and children are 14 times more likely than men to be impacted by natural disasters. But in the face of adversity, their potential becomes clear. Ly Quoc ang of the faculty of social sciences and humanities at Can Tho University said his 2024 study on urban flooding in Can Tho City found that women tend to suffer more than men due to their roles in families and communities. During floods, for example, women often face greater water shortages because their daily needs are higher. Because of this difference, women-led businesses are more likely to invest in environmentally friendly solutions than those led by men. ang, founder of Y-Farm Mekong, a youth-led network promoting ecological farming, said women outnumber men in the network and show more interest in sustainable farming practices. Associate Professor Le Anh Tuan, advisor to the Research Institute for Climate Change at Can Tho University, said the delta is not only Viet Nams agricultural hub but also has great potential for renewable energy, especially solar and wind. In recent years, more and more farmers have been installing solar systems to power irrigation, aquaculture, vegetable cultivation, and post-harvest processing, he said. He said solar energy helps reduce costs, lower carbon emissions, improve soil health, increase productivity, improve efficiency, and achieve sustainability. To promote rooftop solar systems for self-use, the Government issued Decree No. 135 on October 22, 2024, allowing solar power producers to sell surplus electricity of up to 20 per cent of installed capacity to the power grid. In the Mekong Delta, authorities are helping women adopt solar energy for agriculture and providing them with training in green technology and financial assistance to install solar systems. In 2021, the An Giang Province Women's Union launched a financing programme to help women adopt solar energy in agriculture and business. In its first phase, Nguyen Thi Kim Loan in Cho Moi District and Tran Kim Hong in Tri Ton District each received a VN150 million ($5,800) loan from the Womens Empowerment for a Climate-Resilient Society project supported by the United Nations Environment Programme to install rooftop solar systems. Nguyen Thi Quyen, deputy chairwoman of the An Giang Womens Union, said the programme helped women access renewable energy financing and adopt clean production models. With preferential loans for rooftop solar systems, we aim to raise awareness among female business owners about environmental protection and promote efficient resource and energy use. This contributes to improving environmental quality, protecting public health, cutting production costs, increasing profits, and raising household incomes. VNS QUANG TRI After nearly 30 years of international cooperation for unexploded ordnance (UXO) removal, the central province of Quang Tri has become a model for addressing the consequences of war. Quang Tri is among the localities which bore the heaviest burden of the war, with unexploded devices impacting approximately 80 per cent of its total area. These residual explosives continue to pose a major threat to the safety of the local people in their daily lives. They also hinder the provinces socio-economic development. Following the national reunification victory in 1975 until now, UXOs have injured 5,271 people and killed 3,369 in Quang Tri. Nearly half of all landmine accidents in the province occurred when locals were working in the fields. In most cases, the victims are primary breadwinners in their households, leading to devastating losses for their families and communities. Tragically the province has also recorded that children under 18 have been nearly one-third of all landmine victims, a lack of awareness being attributed as a cause of these tragedies For decades, Quang Tri has made efforts to address the consequences of landmines and promote reconciliation. The province was the first to be granted the Governments approval to cooperate with international organisations in 1996 for demining projects. To date, Quang Tri is the only province that has fully implemented all components of a mine action programme, according to international standards. In recent years, dozens of countries and organisations have supported Quang Tri in removing the unexploded mines, with the US emerging as a key supporter. Since 1996, the US government has supported various programmes and projects through various NGOs. The budget for mine action programmes and projects has amounted to approximately US$104.8 million. Currently, organisations such as the UK-based Mines Advisory Group (MAG), the Norwegian Peoples Aid (NPA), and the US-based PeaceTrees Vietnam (PTVN) are collaborating to implement demining survey and clearance projects, with funding from the US government. The Chief of Programs for Weapons Removal and Abatement under the US Department of States, Jerry Guilbert, has viewed the province as a model for success, for not only Viet Nam and Southeast Asia, but also the entire world. The US-funded mine action programmes play an important role in reducing UXO risks, clearing land for local livelihoods, ensuring safety for local communities and supporting people with disabilities (PWDs). These programmes have also created jobs for more than 1,000 local workers. According to Quang Tri Steering Committee for Mine Action, cooperation programmes with the US have achieved significant results, contributing greatly to poverty reduction and socio-economic development in the local area. These programmes and projects have cleared about 260 million square metres of mine-contaminated areas, and significantly raised public awareness of UXO risks. Notably, an education programme has been incorporated into the curriculum for primary and secondary school students, helping to reduce the annual average of UXO incidents from 60 between 2006 and 2010, to just two between 2020 and 2024. What differentiates the international cooperation programmes for post-war mine clearance in Quang Tri Province from others is that they are integrated, rather than carried out individually. Their activities include risk education, mobile clearance, demining operations, arranging resettlements in areas cleared of UXOs, functional rehabilitation, community reintegration and livelihood support for PWDs. They are also implemented in conjunction with poverty reduction efforts and local socio-economic development plans. The province also established Quang Tri Mine Action Center (QTMAC), the first and only coordinating unit for UXO clearance at the provincial level in the country. The centre is an innovative initiative that helps optimise collaborations between foreign NGOs involved in the mission. In Quang Tri, the estimated area contaminated by cluster munitions (a high-risk explosive weapon) is 61,946 hectares. Of that, 37,705 hectares have been cleared and more than 830,700 explosive devices were handled. Under the coordination of QTMAC, from 2015 to April 2023, the NPA completed surveys of cluster munitions traces in all accessible areas of Quang Tri, identifying 1,270 dangerous areas. The survey results provide stakeholders with an overall view of the mine and explosive contamination situation in the province and support effective disposal planning. According to QTMAC, the locality aims to be the first in the country to be 'safe' from the impact of post-war UXO and explosive materials. This goal is not the complete clearance of all UXOs, but rather the completion of surveys and mapping of at-risk areas for monitoring. It also strives to ensure that 100 per cent of the population is equipped with knowledge and provided support services, to live and work safely, reducing accidents caused by UXOs. Accordingly, the most dangerous types of UXOs will be handled, and high-risk contaminated land with use demand will be prioritised for clearance, while the remaining areas will be processed according to demand priority. Deputy Chairman of Quang Tri Peoples Committee Hoang Nam said that the province hoped to receive continued support from the US government in mine action programmes to achieve this goal in 2025. During the recent visit to Quang Tri on April 2, US Ambassador to Viet Nam Marc E. Knapper affirmed that the US will continue to support Viet Nam, and Quang Tri in particular, in addressing war consequences based on respect for the past and focus on a prosperous future. VNS HCM CITY The HCM City University of Technology (HCMUT) and the Australian University of Technology in Sydney (UTS) on April 9 officially partnered to launch a new transnational education (TNE) programme for a Bachelor of Engineering degree. It makes HCMUT the first education institution outside Australia to deliver UTSs programme, with lecturers and curriculum directly provided by UTS. This joint international training programme is offered at only one-third of the tuition costs in Australia. Vice president of HCMUT Pham Tran Vu said students will complete the full three-year UTS bachelor's programme in HCM City. The teaching team will consist of lecturers from both universities in a 1:1 ratio and graduates will receive a UTS diploma, which is recognised globally. Vietnamese students can now access world-class education, without having to study abroad. UTS will oversee both the admissions process and graduation standards, he said. In its first year, the programme aims to admit 200 students in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology majors, through a comprehensive evaluation process. These are high-demand fields closely aligned with digital transformation and the global digital economy - areas where both institutions have strong expertise, he added. Applicants must demonstrate English proficiency, with an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent, with tuition fees around VN128 million (US$4,900) per semester. Pro vice-chancellor of UTS Leo Mian said this new TNE programme marks an exciting chapter in UTSs shared journey, one that demonstrates the power of international collaboration in education and innovation. UTSs partnership with HCMUT began in 2007 and has continued to deepen over the years. Two UTS degree programmes will be offered at HCMUT the Bachelor of AI and the Bachelor of Information Technology embodying the spirit of forward-thinking education. The Bachelor of Artificial Intelligence is designed to meet the rapidly growing demand for specialised industry professionals who can harness the power of AI to solve real-world problems. Students will learn to use a variety of AI techniques and tools, developing autonomous solutions for applications such as self-driving cars, facial recognition, personalised learning and voice assistants. This programme aims to provide students with the skills they need to thrive in a world where data is abundant and its potential is immense. Meanwhile, the Bachelor of Information Technology offers a practice-based approach to IT education. Students will not only gain strong technical skills in IT, but also develop essential business analysis, problem-solving, teamwork and communication skills. This holistic approach ensures that graduates are not just technically proficient, but also well-rounded professionals who can adapt and excel in an ever-evolving industry. Both of these programmes reflect UTSs commitment to applied learning, cutting-edge research and entrepreneurship, he said. Students who join the new degree programmes with HCMUT will benefit from the combined support and resources of both UTS and HCMUT. They will have access to the same online systems and platforms as students at the Sydney campus, including UTSs comprehensive library of online resources and student support services. They will be also supported on the ground by HCMUTs experienced faculty, academic advisors and campus services, ensuring a well-rounded, high-quality learning experience that reflects the strengths of both institutions. Students will have access to UTSs official curriculum, digital resources, library services and academic support systems. They will also be supported by HCMUTs local faculty and academic advisors. In the long term, both universities plan to expand the programme to other engineering disciplines such as electronics, IC design and control automation engineering, in line with Viet Nam's high-tech industrial development strategy and growing enterprise demand. UTS is one of Australias leading young universities, ranked 88th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025. It has a strong track record in delivering transnational education programmes, with over 30 years of experience. Its programmes in data science and AI are among the top 40 worldwide, while computer science and information systems ranks 73rd. Founded in 1957, HCMUT under the Viet Nam National University-HCM City is the largest science, technology and engineering training and research centre in the southern region of Viet Nam, with more than 32,000 students. According to Viet Nams Ministry of Education and Training, as of 2023, there were nearly 300 international joint programmes nationwide. VNS HA NOI The first measles-related death in an adult this year was reported on Thursday, according to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases. The patient died from measles complications on top of underlying chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and diabetes. The patient was admitted in critical condition with severe pneumonia, requiring blood filtration and ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation). The patient did not survive after two weeks of treatment. Currently, the Ha Noi-based hospital is admitting around 10 to 20 adult measles patients daily, most presenting with fever, rash, coughing, watery eyes, and runny nose. Many cases have seen conditions worsened over time, leading to complications such as pneumonia, respiratory failure, and elevated liver enzymes. Most patients had never been vaccinated, or had not received booster doses of the measles vaccine. Measles cases are mostly being reported in adults aged 30 to 50, who often underestimate the disease and delay hospital visits until symptoms become severe. Experts emphasise that measles does not only affect children, but also adults, especially those with underlying health conditions or weakened immune systems. For adults, whose immune systems may have weakened, booster vaccinations are essential. Those who are unsure of their vaccination history or have never been vaccinated should receive a measlesmumpsrubella (MMR) booster. The measles vaccine is a safe and highly effective vaccine, and the Ministry of Health recommends that all children be fully vaccinated and receive booster shots. Full vaccination protects not only the individual, but also helps prevent outbreaks in the wider community. As of early April this year, more than 54,000 measles cases have been recorded nationwide. While the Ministry of Health had previously forecast a general decline in measles cases, the disease has not yet subsided, and vigilance is needed as more suspected cases of measles-like rash and fever are expected to be reported across various provinces and cities. VNS By Xinhua Writer Zou Xuemian As a Chinese journalist newly stationed in Vietnam, I was invited to a remarkable reunion of Vietnamese alumni who studied in China between the 1950s and 1970s. Although it has been a while since the gathering, I can still recall the touching scene at the event, which offered an intimate glimpse into the enduring "comradeship and brotherhood" between the two nations. In the reunion hall, old photographs adorned the walls, capturing moments from the past as dozens of silver-haired alumni gathered, exchanging stories and reminiscing about the days of their youth. Nguyen Thien Nhan, aged 72, a former member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, started the conversation by sharing his experience of studying in China during wartime in Vietnam. During Vietnam's war against French occupation and its war against U.S. aggression to save the nation, over 10,000 Vietnamese students received education at Yucai School in Guilin, South China's Guangxi. Nhan was one of them. "I remember when I came to China, our country faced significant hardships and food shortages. Upon arriving there, I observed that China was also experiencing difficulties," Nhan said. "Nevertheless, they generously shared food and clothing with Vietnamese students and comrades." Echoing the same sentiment, Lu My Niem, who was an interpreter for Vietnamese students at the school, expressed her strong sense of familial connection between the two peoples. Niem remembered that at that time, Guilin was a very poor place. The people living near the school wore patched, tattered clothes and had very simple meals. "However, the people from the office gave us priority to dine. They gave us the most desirable food," she recalled. "The teachers and principal of the school treated me as a member of their own family out of traditional hospitality and the wartime solidarity of comrades," Niem added. "We dined in the kitchen, where Chinese students ate from large bowls, with all their food put in one bowl. In contrast, Vietnamese students were served on trays, with four to six people sharing, each receiving an individual portion," said Nhan, noting that China provided the best conditions for the Vietnamese students back then. "Some of those people later became generals in the Vietnam People's Army, others became professors or leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State," he said, his eyes crinkling with pride as he gently tapped a black-and-white photo of his 1966 class at Yucai School. "All of us, when we returned to our country, no matter what we did, we always remembered China as a friendly neighbour, an important part of Vietnam's revolutionary history," said Nhan. Just as the gathering was about to end, an elegant elderly lady in her beautiful Ao Dai, the traditional Vietnamese dress, pulled out her smartphone and asked me to take a photo of her and her classmates. As a journalist, I was more than happy to help and lingered for a chat with her. "Every time we have such a gathering, the emotions come back to us," she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia, noting that they always carry a deep affection for the Chinese people, especially those who took care of them and helped them grow during the difficult times in their country. "We lived together from a young age, eating and staying together. The 'uncles' and 'aunts' from China often cooked for us, which left the deepest impression on us," she said in Chinese about her experience more than 60 years ago. Her rusty Chinese surprised me. Her "uncles and aunts" carried the cadence of a child. I imagined her as a young girl, studying in a foreign land, homesick yet cradled by the love of strangers. In that expression, I saw the essence of China-Vietnam relations, which is not just about diplomacy, but the deep emotional connections that bind two nations as neighbours, partners, and family./. SEOUL Adoptee advocacy groups from all over the world gathered outside South Koreas Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) in Seoul on April 10, calling for a new round of investigations and legal accountability over systemic malpractice in the countrys intercountry adoption programme. The demonstration comes around two weeks after the independent commission on March 26 announced that it had identified human rights violations in 56 of the 367 adoption cases submitted since the investigation began 2022. The adoptees had been sent overseas between 1964 and 1999 to countries including the United States, France, Denmark and Sweden, according to Reuters. As at March 26, the commission said it had completed investigations and issued reports for 98 cases only about 26 per cent of the total. Of those, 42 were dismissed due to insufficient evidence, leaving just 56 cases officially recognised. The remaining 267 cases have already been investigated, but their final reports are still being written. However, with the mandate for this TRC South Koreas second in history set to expire on May 26, it remains unclear how many of these will result in official acknowledgment before this commissions mandate ends. A TRC official cited the sheer scope and complexity of the cases as the main reason for the delay. Our message is simple, said Mr Peter Moller, a lawyer born in South Korea and adopted to Denmark, who is co-founder of the Danish Korean Rights Group. If all 367 adoptees cannot be recognised, a new commission must and shall be established one that allows new applications. Moller stressed that the burden of proof should not fall on the adoptees themselves as victims whose records were deliberately destroyed or falsified; in other words, whose human rights were violated through illegal adoptions. Thats how the rule of law works, he said. Advocates are also pushing for criminal prosecution not just fact-finding. This is no longer just a matter for investigation, said Min Young-chang, co-chair of the Adoption Solidarity Coalition. Its a matter for prosecution. Min argued that missing documentation itself signals wrongdoing, not a lack of evidence. Information that doesnt exist that is the evidence, he said. He also called for certain cases to be referred to prosecutors and the National Assembly, if necessary. Other speakers at the rally shared stories that reflect the long-term effects of South Koreas adoption policies. Cho Min-ho, director of the Childrens Rights Solidarity, recounted being labelled an orphan by the state despite having living parents. I was intentionally made into an orphan, he said, condemning the erasure of identity as a violation of both Korean constitutional rights and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Maite Maeum Jeannolin, a filmmaker and daughter of a Korean adoptee to France, highlighted the lasting consequences for adoptees descendants. Under current Korean law, adoption records are permanently sealed after an adoptees death even from their own children. We deserve the right to understand it, she said, referring to descendants rights to search for their biological families. Ben Coz, a Korean adoptee to the US and member of the international network ibyangIN, called access to birth and adoption records a human right, citing international child rights law and professional ethics standards. He encouraged adoptees and supporters in receiving countries to advocate for policy changes at home, noting that more countries, like Norway and the Netherlands, have opened their own investigations. Many demonstrators said they were unable to apply to the current TRC before the application window closed and are now left without any path to official recognition or redress. This isnt history, said Mr Min, reacting to recent remarks by TRC chairman Park Sun-young, who called the adoption abuses a thing of the past. Min disagreed, saying: Its still happening. THE KOREA HERALD/ANN KUALA LUMPUR ASEAN reaffirmed its dedication to a rules-based, comprehensive multilateral trading system, pledging constructive cooperation with all partners to find balanced and sustainable solutions for global economic development, said the regional groupings economic ministers in a joint statement following the12th ASEAN Finance Ministers' and Central Bank Governors' Meeting (AFMGM) that concluded in Kuala Lumpur on April 10. The joint statement highlighted ASEAN's resilience against external headwinds, particularly as the global economy grapples with slowing growth, shrinking international trade, and declining investment flows. ASEAN officials expressed their concern about new tariff policies from major economies, warning that retaliatory measures could pose significant risks to regional capital flows and exchange rates. The regional bloc committed to closely monitoring developments and taking necessary action to respond to economic fluctuations, emphasising that it will not implement retaliatory measures against US tariff policies. On the sidelines of the meeting, Malaysian Prime Minister and Finance Minister Anwar Ibrahim called on ASEAN to utilise the WTOs platform to resolve trade disputes. He suggested that if necessary, certain WTO regulations could be adjusted, stressing that solutions should emerge through collective consultation and intra-regional cooperation. Separately, Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry hosted an online meeting of ASEAN Economic Ministers to discuss the impact of new US tariffs announced on April 2. The ministers and Timor-Leste, together with ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, agreed that countervailing duties ranging from 10 per cent to 49 per cent would significantly impact ASEAN's economic growth trajectory. They welcomed US President Donald Trump's announcement of a 90-day delay in implementing these duties, viewing this as an opportunity to find mutually beneficial solutions. The meeting, held from April 7-10, attracted over 300 delegates including finance ministers, central bank governors, and representatives from international financial institutions and the private sector. Viet Nam's delegation, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Bank, actively participated and contributed numerous banking and financial initiatives while conducting bilateral meetings with ASEAN partners, international organisations, and business councils. VNS KOTA KINABALU Ivory poachers may be responsible for the recent decapitation of elephants in Sabah, Malaysia. State Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Christina Liew said ivory poaching could be the motive, but this could not be confirmed at present. She was responding to two cases of pygmy elephants that were beheaded in Tawau in 2025. A third elephant was found beheaded near Ladang Bukit Tukok in Tawau on April 8. Datuk Seri Liew reiterated that Malaysia does not allow the use of ivory as dowry or any similar practices, and said the ministry will work with the Sabah Wildlife Department (SWD) to track down the culprits. She added that SWD is strengthening enforcement on the ground by recruiting 300 rangers for patrols. There are only around 1,500 wild pygmy elephants in Sabah, and this number is dwindling each year. This is alarming, and we are doing all we can to protect these wildlife. We do not want them to end up like the Sumatran rhino, which went extinct in 2019 in Malaysia, Ms Liew added. Meanwhile, SWD director Mohd Soffian Abu Bakar believes that a trend of ivory poaching has emerged with such incidents. He said the department received six reports of such incidents since 2024, and all the elephants were killed in the same way. Although it is unclear how the elephants were killed, or whether decapitation was the main cause, the rising suspicion is ivory poaching, he said. Asked why the animals had to be decapitated, he explained that cutting off the head was faster than removing the tusks from the skull, which could take several hours. He said there are also suspicions that those who encountered the dead elephants could have harvested the tusks. Improving care of captive elephants Sabah has launched the Captive Elephant Management Plan (Cemp) to safeguard one of its most iconic and majestic species, the Bornean pygmy elephant. Liew said the Cemp would serve as a collective effort in improving the standards of elephant care in Sabah. Sabah is home to the smallest elephant in the world, a species found nowhere else on Earth. While this unique trait makes them a valuable tourism asset, their existence is increasingly threatened by habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict, she said when launching the Cemp and the Bornean Elephant Conservation Symposium here on April 9. As we gather to discuss and develop strategies for their conservation, we have an opportunity to ensure that future generations will continue to witness these gentle giants roaming our forests, she added. Liew said the plan is one of the key outputs of the ongoing Bornean Elephant Action Plan, reinforcing the states commitment to ensure best ex-situ practices for elephant management and long-term conservation efforts. Our goal is clear we want our captive facilities, such as the Borneo Elephant Sanctuary and Lok Kawi Wildlife Park, to be recognised internationally as centres of excellence, she said. According to Ms Liew, these facilities provide a haven for elephants that cannot be immediately released into the wild while also supporting rehabilitation and eventual reintroduction, particularly at the Bornean Elephant Sanctuary. They play a vital role in conservation education, research, and sustainable tourism, she said, adding that proper training, resources and recognition for elephant keepers were essential to their work. Investing in better infrastructure will enhance elephant welfare and elevate the tourism experience, she added. Liew said a well-managed sanctuary and captive elephant centre would strengthen conservation efforts while boosting Sabahs tourism appeal, attracting visitors eager to support ethical wildlife conservation. Although human-animal conflicts continue to occur, she said there are ways to mitigate them and co-exist by considering the tourism, environment and heritage opportunities instead of continuing to regard such efforts as a burden. She said: We need to strike a delicate balance that allows for both the welfare of our people in Sabah and the conservation of elephants. We must aim for solutions where both communities and elephants benefit. We have seen successful examples of turning environmental challenges into opportunities. Liew also noted that community-based conservation, ecotourism initiatives, and compensation schemes would be worth considering. At the same time, she added that there has to be strengthened enforcement to protect the elephants. Poaching and illegal killings must be met with strict prosecution to deter future offences. Snare traps, the silent killer of our wildlife, must also be eradicated, Liew said, urging for increased patrols, active removal of traps and harsher penalties for offenders. She said: Only through decisive action and unwavering commitment can we ensure true protection for our wildlife, not just for Bornean elephants. THE STAR/ANN HA NOI Thailands tourism sector is facing renewed challenges as safety concerns following a recent earthquake are impacting international travel, officials have said. The country is entering a five-day Songkran holiday starting on April 12 a peak tourism period known for its festive water celebrations. But this year, a powerful quake near Myanmar late last month has caused a wave of booking cancellations. Songkran will be affected this year due to a drop in foreign tourists, many of whom have cancelled trips, said Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, President of the Thai Hotels Association. Around 1,100 hotel room orders were cancelled within two days after the quake, he noted. Thailand aims to attract 39 million foreign visitors in 2025 matching 2019 levels before the COVID-19 broke out. Last year, the country welcomed 35 million. TTB Analytics forecasts that Songkran holiday spending will fall by 13.5 per cent year-on-year to 36 billion THB (1.05 billion USD). SCB EIC, a research unit under SCBX, predicts a drop of up to 700,000 international tourists this year due to ongoing safety concerns. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has called for the quick restoration of a collapsed building in Bangkok, urging officials to rebuild foreigner confidence. Some tourists are now heading south to beach destinations like Koh Samui, where only minor tremors were felt. People are escaping the quake and coming here, said Worasit Phongkampan from the Koh Samui Tourism Association. Thailands tourism which makes up 18 per cent of GDP also faces headwinds from US tariffs, which could reduce travel from both the US and China. Last year, Thailand welcomed 6.73 million tourists from China, making it the countrys largest tourist source. The US followed with 1.03 million visitors. VNS Major network operators in Vietnam are gearing up development of 5G base transceiver stations to get the latest state financial support. 5G networks will account for about half of total mobile subscribers in Vietnam by the end of this decade, Photo: Shutterstock Telecommunications businesses that rapidly deploy 5G network infrastructure and reach at least 20,000 5G broadcasting stations by the end of 2025 can get 15 per cent support of the average equipment cost for a broadcasting station. The support comes from the state budget. This is part of a number of special policies being piloted to create breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and also digital transformation. An official of the Ministry of Science and Technology said, This is a very special policy. The country needs to quickly create a nationwide telecommunications network, but businesses are somewhat cautious and have only developed about 5,000 stations each year. Therefore, if we want to ensure development of at least 20,000 5G stations to cover the whole country, the government will support them. The network operators are quickening their efforts in this regard. In late March, MobiFone officially began providing commercial 5G services in Vietnam, making it the third network operator in the country to do this after Viettel and VNPT. In the first phase, the MobiFone 5G network is being deployed in central areas of major provinces and cities. Its network simultaneously deploys both standalone and non-standalone architecture platforms, helping it take advantage of current 4G infrastructure and be ready for standalone 5G in the future. For business customers, MobiFone has announced and launched over 100 products, covering eight key areas of national digital transformation priority: industrial production, smart cities, energy, agriculture, healthcare, education, transportation, and also for smart tourism. Meanwhile, Viettel currently has more than 6,500 5G base transceiver stations, covering all provinces as well as cities, industrial parks, tourist areas, seaports, airports, hospitals, and universities. Its 5G network can reach speeds of 700Mbps or 1Gb, 10 times faster than 4G, and has a latency of almost zero. Meanwhile, Viettels 5G non-standalone network has a speed 20 times faster than traditional 4G, helping it provide services that require instant response such as self-driving cars, remote surgery, remote control in smart factories, VR classrooms, and others. Viettels 5G subscriber numbers reached 5.5 million just five months after its launch, moving closer to the target of 10 million 5G subscribers by the end of the year. VNPT also announced coverage to all provinces and all 705 administrative units at district and county levels, as well as industrial areas, airports, and political centres. At present, the group has about three million subscribers using 5G. The local 5G market is enticing to major international players. In late 2024, Ericsson signed 5G deals with the three Vietnamese operators, and Nokia also inked a major new deal with Viettel to deploy 5G equipment for the first time nationwide. Technology expert Tien Hoang explained, The move, together with the governments recent major strategies on technology development and digital transformation, is a driving force for the network operators. While the 15 per cent is decent support, 5G infrastructure investment will remain a massive challenge. According to a recent Ericsson study, 5G networks will account for about half of total mobile subscribers in Vietnam by 2030. Currently, more than one-quarter of national data traffic is transmitted via 5G, making this technology an important driving force for the digital economy. As cited by the Global Telecommunication Association, 5G will bring more than $930 billion to the global economy by 2030. The benefits of 5G will focus on several key industries such as industrial production, public administration, services, ICT, and finance. Automating ports with 5G There are around 2,000 ports in the world, and theyre vital for a well-functioning global economy. The shipping industry has experienced significant growth, but to accommodate future traffic, ports will need to become more efficient and automated. Operators embark on 5G services Major network operators in Vietnam are launching initiatives hot on the heels of 5G commercialisation. ACB's AGM 2025. Photo: ACB ACB has set a target pre-tax profit of VND23 trillion ($890.7 million) for 2025, a 9.5 per cent increase over 2024, driven by sustainable growth together with strong risk management and control of asset quality. The bank also approved a 25 per cent dividend payout, comprising 10 per cent in cash and 15 per cent in sharesmarking the fifth consecutive year of maintaining a high dividend, including three years of cash payouts, reflecting effective business performance, commitment to ensuring shareholders highest interests, and meeting shareholders expectations. Tran Hung Huy, chairman of the Board of ACB speaking at AGM 2025. Photo: ACB Speaking at the meeting, Tran Hung Huy, chairman of the Board said, ACB has concluded its previous five-year strategy with notable achievementstripling profits and delivering consistently high and balanced dividends. Looking ahead, the Vietnams economy and financial market would face various challenges in terms of increasing competition and stricter compliance requirements. To meet our strategic goals, ACB will continue to invest in infrastructure and new technology to enhance efficiency and strengthen risk control, with a focus on safety and security. In 2025, ACB remains committed to its vision of becoming a leading retail bank in both scale and profitability, strengthening the foundation for the 20252030 development strategy. The key business targets in terms of growth include total asset growth of 14 per cent, deposit growth (including valuable papers) of 14 per cent, and credit growth of 16 per cent. With the strategy of balanced credit growth, while retail banking remains a core strength, ACB will also focus on corporate banking, particularly leading enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises. Tu Tien Phat, CEO of ACB speaking at the meeting. Photo: ACB In response to shareholders' inquiries regarding the impact of economic developments on ACBs 2025 business targets, Tu Tien Phat, CEO of ACB said, Despite economic challenges, including recent US tariff policies, ACB remains committed to its 2025 credit growth targets. Preliminary estimates for Q1/2025 show credit growth exceeding 3 per cent, deposit growth above 2 per cent, and a slight decline in the non-performing loan ratio to 1.34 per cent, indicating effective operational and risk management. In 2025, ACB will continue to expand credit and deposit growth, while emphasising asset quality control, boosting fee-based incomeparticularly in cards and international payments, and investing in subsidiaries to diversify financial product offerings and to better contribute to group performance. The bank will also enhance its digital banking capabilities, encourage technological innovation, and adopt modern, secure digital solutions in operations and transactions. In 2024, ACB achieved a pre-tax profit of $813.2 million, ranking among the top 7 banks with profits exceeding $774.5 million and in the top 3 most profitable private banks. With 2024 business performance, ACB achieved its targets for the 20192024 period of becoming the leading retail bank in Vietnam nearly, with tripled profit and consistent return on equity (ROE) of above 20 per cent. As of end-2024, total assets reached $33.5 billion, increasing by more than 20 per cent year-over-year, and 7 per cent above target. Loans to customers totalled $22.5 billion, representing a record 19.1 per cent credit growthwell above the industry average and the highest in the banks performance in a decade. Beyond business results, ACB actively supports national policies and State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) initiatives, offering competitive lending rates and launching preferential housing loans for young customers. The bank also facilitates fast and convenient access to banking services by simplifying loan procedures, and enabling online disbursement. ACB is also among the 10 banks selected by the SBV to pilot the Internal Ratings-Based approach for credit risk and capital managementan important step towards aligning with international Basel standards and strengthening the bank's risk management framework. In the most recent credit rating updates, Moodys maintained ACBs outlook at "Stable," while Fitch Ratings upgraded the banks outlook from "Stable" to "Positive" in 2024. Domestically, FiinRatings assigned ACB the highest rating among rated banks with a long-term issuer rating of "AA+" and a "Stable" outlook. In March 2025, ACB was named one of Vietnams Top 10 Best Banks by Decision Lab (exclusive partner of global research firm YouGov) and was one of the few banks to see an improvement in brand health score. As a pioneer in sustainable finance, ACB also introduced its sustainable finance framework and disbursed $155 million in 2024 to support businesses aligned with sustainable development goals. ACB first to publish dedicated report on sustainable development On October 27, ACB released its Sustainable Development Report, becoming the first bank in Vietnam to publish a separate report on the issue. ACB and DHL Express form strategic partnership on green fuel Asia Commercial Bank (ACB) inked an agreement with DHL Express on September 19 to fully offset carbon emissions for its international express shipments by harnessing DHL's GoGreen Plus service. Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc (2nd from left) shakes hands with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington D.C. on April 10 (local time). (Photo: VNA) Washington D.C. Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc met with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who has been appointed as the lead US negotiator for trade talks with Vietnam, in Washington D.C. on April 10 (local time), as part of his visit to the US in his capacity as the special envoy of Party General Secretary To Lam to discuss bilateral economic and trade issues. Phoc affirmed Vietnams commitment to deepening its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the US and its wish to foster a balanced, harmonious, and sustainable bilateral economic and trade relationship. The deputy PM lauded the sides agreement to kick off negotiations on a reciprocal trade deal. He confirmed Vietnams readiness to engage in talks and urged both parties to accelerate discussions to reach an agreement at the earliest opportunity, contributing to stable and sustainable bilateral economic and trade ties that benefit their businesses and people. Bessent, in response, acknowledged Vietnams proactive measures in addressing US concerns and praised the agreement to initiate bilateral trade negotiations. He expressed confidence that both nations will soon reach suitable solutions to strengthen their mutually beneficial and stable relationship in this realm. In a separate meeting on the same day with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Phoc reiterated Vietnams steadfast policy of maintaining socio-politico-economic stability while building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to proactive, substantive, and effective international integration. The deputy PM called for close cooperation between the US Department of Commerce and Vietnams relevant ministries and agencies throughout the upcoming negotiation process. Lutnick, for his part, stated the US attaches importance to its relationship with Vietnam and considers the Southeast Asian country a potential economy and a key partner in the region. The commerce secretary affirmed that his department will work closely with Vietnamese authorities to address outstanding economic and trade issues, aiming for a suitable agreement that supports the development of both nations. A significant result of Phocs visit, the upcoming trade talks come as part of an intensive diplomatic effort by Vietnam, following a pivotal telephone conversation between Vietnamese Party chief To Lam and US President Donald Trump on April 4 just two days after the US announced reciprocal tariffs on Vietnamese exports. The Vietnamese Government has since been actively working to translate the outcomes of this high-level dialogue into concrete action. The Vietnamese negotiation team is set to be officially established on April 11 to engage immediately with the US delegation, led by Treasury Secretary Bessent. The aim is to swiftly reach a stable, sustainable, and mutually advantageous bilateral trade agreement. Vietnam strives to alleviate US tariff plan Vietnams leaders are mobilising to respond effectively to the new tariff rates imposed by the United States last week. Vietnam is entering a defining era of digital transformation, with healthcare at the forefront, and this award celebrates FPT Long Chaus relentless pursuit of digital innovation to enhance healthcare accessibility, safety, and convenience. FPT Long Chau Pharmacy and Vaccination Centre wins 'Digital Innovation of the Year' at the Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards. Photo: FPT Long Chau Through its commitment to tech-driven transformation, the company is contributing to Vietnams national agenda of building a modern, equitable, and people-centric healthcare system. Recognising healthcare digitalisation as a national imperative, the Politburos Resolution No.57-NQ/TW outlines a vision for a digital-first healthcare infrastructure- one that delivers high-quality, cost-effective, and universally accessible services. FPT Long Chau has invested substantially in cutting-edge technologies, notably AI and 'big data'. These tools have enabled the company to refine its services while maintaining the highest standards of data security- an essential factor in healthcare. The FPT Long Chau mobile app has emerged as one of Vietnams most widely adopted digital health platforms, with over 5.5 million downloads and 2.9 million orders processed in 2024. Features such as smart prescription scanning and medication reminders-with 98 per cent accuracy-have helped improve treatment adherence and patient outcomes. Its digital vaccination record, with over 150,000 users and those with family-linked accounts amounting to 65 per cent, has boosted immunisation compliance by 20 per cent while reducing errors by 98 per cent. A key highlight in 2024 was FPT Long Chaus partnership with the RAR Centre under the Ministry of Public Security to enable electronic identity verification via VNeID. Since the start of the year, Vietnamese citizens have been able to purchase medications online securely through VNeID, ensuring greater transparency and privacy in pharmaceutical transactions. This integration is not limited to log in authentication- it is now a core element of the National Digital Health Record, empowering individuals to store, track, and manage their personal health data with speed and precision. Nguyen Do Quyen, deputy CEO of FPT Retail and COO of FPT Long Chau. Photo: FPT Long Chau At the award ceremony, Nguyen Do Quyen, deputy CEO of FPT Retail and COO of FPT Long Chau said that the award is not only a recognition of the companys relentless efforts in pursuing innovation but also a powerful motivation for FPT Long Chau to continue its work in creating a healthier Vietnam. "We firmly believe that by remaining steadfast in our commitment to advanced technology investment and pairing it with the dedication of our healthcare professionals, we will continue to deliver meaningful and practical healthcare solutions. Our goal is to ensure that the Vietnamese people have access to high-quality, transparent, and convenient medical services at reasonable costs," said Quyen. Quyen spoke of how profoundly inspirational this recognition from one of Asias most prestigious industry awards was as it reinforced the belief in the importance of innovation and energised workers in all areas of healthcare to go further, be braver, and constantly push boundaries. "We are committed to the nations broader vision: building a modern, equitable, and efficient healthcare system in line with the directives set forth by the Party general secretary in Resolution No.57. This marks the beginning of a digital era poised for significant breakthroughs in Vietnam," she said. As a member of tech giant FPT Corporation, FPT Long Chau operates a national network of over 2,000 pharmacies and vaccination centres, committed to making authentic, high-quality products and professional healthcare services accessible to all. The Healthcare Asia Pharma Awards is organised by Healthcare Asia, a top industry publication dedicated to healthcare investors, policymakers, and executives across the continent. The awards recognise significant contributions in innovation, service excellence, and technological advancement in the pharmaceutical sector. Each year, top-performing organisations are evaluated leveraging rigorous criteria including creativity, real-world impact, and scalability within healthcare systems. Vietnamese innovation shaping the future of digital transformation on the global stage Vietnam is rapidly emerging as a global hub for digital transformation, with its skilled tech workforce attracting investment from international companies seeking to leverage local talent and foster innovation. Ba Ria-Vung Tau and FPT sign digital transformation deal Ba Ria-Vung Tau's People's Committee and FPT Corporation signed a cooperation agreement on digital transformation on November 4. Downtown streets are adorned with national flags, vibrant floral displays, and colour-changing LED lights stretching along major boulevards, creating a vivid, dynamic urban landscape. Iconic landmarks such as the Central Post Office, the Municipal Theatre, and the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee building are bathed in artistic lighting, evoking memories of a heroic past while affirming a vision of a promising future. But beyond the physical glow, it is also a light of faith, gratitude, and unrelenting aspiration, the spirit of a city named after Uncle Ho, and the driving force of the nation's economy and culture. From Nguyen Hue street to Bach Dang quay, the city radiates a vibrant spirit of national pride and modern aspirations A dynamic and ambitious city marks the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Ho Chi Minh City doesnt sleep as it comes alive in a dazzling display of lights, vibrant flags, and the dynamic rhythm of modern life Cruise ships and floating restaurants light up the Saigon River with vibrant colours The Landmark building and Vinhomes residential area shine brightly at night Ba Son Bridge connects District 1s downtown with Thu Duc city The Cat Lai interchange in the eastern part of the city Nguyen Van Linh Boulevard in the southern part of the city Golden opportunity for Vietnam to build International Financial Centre A stable macroeconomy and an increasingly improving investment environment have given Vietnam a golden opportunity to position itself in the global financial centre chain, according to experts at a conference held on March 28 in Ho Chi Minh City. Ho Chi Minh Citys financial ambitions must possess the authority of the tiger A South Korean proverb wisely states: If you aim to draw a tiger and fail, you may still get a cat. But if you aim to draw a cat and fail, you may only get a mouse. The meeting, scheduled to be held on April 10, comes after the investors submitted a petition to the relevant Thai and Vietnamese authorities, according to a VIR source. The ministry also established a working group to discuss and work with them last week. The Thai investors are just some of a group overseeing more than 170 wind and solar power projects that face the risk of retroactive feed-in tariff (FiT) electricity prices. As per the regulations, they require a completion acceptance (CA) certificate instead of a previous commercial operation date (COD), affecting investment of more than $13 billion. Among those affected include two B.Grimm Renewable Group initiatives, two from Gulf Energy Development, four from Gunkul Engineering, and eight fronted by Super Energy Corporation. Last month, Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and Electricity Trading Company made a temporary proposal, according to which projects that apply the FiT1 price of 9.35 US cents/kWh but with a CA certificate dated after the expiration date of FiT1, but still within the term of the FiT2 rate of 7.09 US cents/kWh, will be temporarily calculated according to FiT2. If projects apply FiT1 or FiT2 but have a CA date after the expiration date of FIT2, the price of transitional ventures at 4.6 US cents per kWh will be applied. However, the Thai companies noted that the CA certificate process is not due to any fault of the enterprises. Therefore, investors suggested that if EVN applies the provisional price, it will cause losses. If there were any subsequent adjustments from the state management agency, EVN must be responsible for compensating for the damage. Tran Minh Tien, representative of Bangkok Glass Energy, said that the company has invested in four solar power plants in the central provinces of Phu Yen and Binh Thuan based on the FiT1 electricity price for the projects. If the electricity purchase price is changed, the projects involved will have no choice but to go bankrupt. If the electricity price is retroactively adjusted and we no longer enjoy incentives, we will have to offset previous revenue. This will lead to projects falling into bad debt due to insufficient cash flow to pay off debts, affecting not only businesses but also directly affecting the bad debt picture and cash flow of banks. said Tien. Bui Van Thinh, chairman of the Binh Thuan Wind and Solar Power Association, said the issue of retroactive FiT prices has raised many concerns and insecurities in the business community, especially new groups that have been planning to invest in the renewables market. It is necessary to state that at the time of COD of wind and solar power schemes before the deadline of the FiT mechanism, there is no regulation requiring acceptance of results by competent authorities as a condition for EVN to recognise COD, as well as a condition to enjoy a preferential price mechanism, Thinh said. Vast amounts have been invested in this sector. We had expected to connect to the grid and reach COD in time to qualify for the preferential tariffs. However, now it is estimated that around 15,000MW of wind and solar power could be affected if a review is conducted. Meanwhile, most of these projects have only managed to repay about 30-40 per cent of their total loan value, said Thinh. This environment acts a powerful catalyst for innovation, urging manufacturers and brands to move beyond simply increasing production or launching products. To stand out, they must prioritise quality-driven innovation rooted in a deep understanding of evolving consumer needs. Jane Ha, marketing head Kantar Worldpanel Vietnam In a crowded marketplace, to truly capture consumer attention, brands must have a good grasp of consumers evolving preferences, pain points, desires and aspirations. Brands are then compelled to move beyond price competition, focusing on enhancing product benefits and value propositions. This means developing offerings that meet both the efficacy needs and the evolving emotional and aspirational requirements of diverse consumer segments in a product and throughout the product lifecycle. In Vietnams market, the influx of both local and international players has created a saturated landscape, where consumers, increasingly price-sensitive due to recent economic pressures, are drawn to the most cost-effective and valuable options for their money. The ease of access provided by e-commerce allows small and international brands to bypass lengthy distribution processes to reach more consumers with impact. However, this ease of access, coupled with the sheer proliferation of product choices, has eroded consumer loyalty. Adding to this, traditional local and smaller vendors face significant challenges if they fail to adapt digitally. To ensure the competitiveness of Vietnams small businesses in the transition to the rapidly evolving digital economy, theres an urgent need for comprehensive programmes focused on equipping small vendors with digital skills and technological adaptation. In essence, the competitive landscape in Vietnam encourages brands to become more consumer-centric, efficient, and innovative. This ultimately benefits the Vietnamese consumer. While urban centres remain an exciting, open, and dynamic playground, a significant and often overlooked growth opportunity lies within Vietnams extensive rural consumer base. Despite a rapid urbanisation rate, rural Vietnams consumer landscape is also quickly evolving, driven by economic and demographic shifts, and significantly boosted by increasing internet penetration. We witness a faster compound annual growth rate in the average rural household income, indicating potential for increasing purchasing power and demand for diverse goods and services to accommodate this narrowing gap in living conditions, lifestyles, and aspirations. While the gap is narrowing, it is still important to acknowledge that rural preferences may differ, with trends like down-trading being more pronounced in rural regions. Businesses may need to adapt their product offerings, distribution channels, marketing messages, and pricing strategies to cater to the rural market effectively. The second growth driver comes from the increasingly sophisticated demands for health-focused products and services. This evolution of health needs comes from a demographic shift as well as a growing consumer pursuit of healthier lifestyles. Although Vietnam currently enjoys a youthful demographic dividend in the next 10 years, Vietnams projected to becoming an ageing society with over 14 per cent of the population being 65 and older by 2036. This demographic shift in population requires brands to diversify their portfolio, while approaching consumers health needs and promoting health products differently. Furthermore, health needs vary significantly across different consumer segments. Adults, for instance, may consume dairy products for vastly different reasons than teenagers or infants. Brands must develop products and portfolios that not only effectively serve the functional needs of specific consumer segments, but also provide added value to their mental and physical wellbeing. This increasing sophistication in health consciousness is evidenced by the surge in better-for-you product segments. This includes healthier reformulations of traditional categories, as well as the rise of low-fat, low-sodium, no-sugar, zero-calorie, and free-from food and beverage alternatives. Growth also comes from offerings and channels that offer convenience and help make peoples lives easier by saving them time, money, and effort. In the food and beverage sector, this is evident in the rising demand for convenient meal prep solutions, pre-cooked meals, and ready-made seasonings and sauces. Similarly, in home care, we observe growth in value-driven and lower-priced segments and 2-in-1 laundry solutions, alongside innovations like sensitive skin formulations and dryer sheets, catering to the evolving needs of modern households. A critical focus for related manufacturers should be on both long-term and sustainable growth. In a competitive marketplace, it is easy to fall into the trap of constantly launching new products and promotional programmes in order to gain immediate sales uplift. However, not all short-term uplift is beneficial for long-term profitability. It is essential for manufacturers to accurately assess the true sources of their growth. This means going beyond short-term gains driven by promotional activities and rigorously evaluating the impact of promotional schemes and new product launches, and discern which portion of sales uplift brings incremental value to long-term revenue. Therefore, a strategic focus on building long-term value proposition and sustainable portfolio strategy, rather than chasing short-term gains, is paramount for enduring success. A deep and continuous understanding of consumers evolving preferences is also critical. The Vietnamese consumer landscape is dynamic, marked by changing lifestyles, rapid digital adoption, and a group of consumers who are increasingly educated, aware and discerning. Companies must stay abreast of these trends and other developments within the market. This includes understanding the nuances and motivations of different consumer segments, in different age groups, from urban to rural, and adapting product offerings and marketing strategies accordingly. Especially if you are a smaller company trying to enter this burgeoning but competitive market, embracing digital platforms for consumer reach and engagement is vital. To support enterprises in preparing reports on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria, the ministry (MoF) in late March coordinated with partners to launch a handbook. The book provides sustainable practice guidance for enterprises in the priority industries of finance, real estate/construction, and manufacturing, which have a significant impact on the environment. MoF seeks business proactivity in ESG Through the handbook, businesses can access guidance and reference practices to incorporate relevant factors into their governance and operational strategies. Thereby, businesses can improve their capacity to respond to risks and take advantage of opportunities related to sustainable development; disclose information to ensure compliance with legal requirements and lead domestic and international practices; and minimise risks and take advantage of opportunities that ESG brings, especially access to green financial resources. At a workshop in late March on a framework for ESG reporting held by the Agency for Private Enterprises Development under the MoF, agency deputy director-general Nguyen Duc Trung said, Implementation is an urgent requirement to improve competitiveness, attract international investment, expand export markets, and meet community expectations. He added that there is an increasing consumer trend of focusing on green and sustainable products, especially from young people, while application of ESG in business activities not only brings benefits to enterprises but also contributes to Vietnams goal of net-zero emissions. However, a 2024 survey from the agency on sustainable business practices reported that in terms of awareness, ESG is still a new concept, especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Of the 1,019 enterprises involved in the survey, 39 per cent had never heard of the ESG concept, and 62 per cent were not clear about Vietnams related regulations and policies. In terms of practice, only 14 per cent of respondents are pioneers in ESG practices, and one-quarter of enterprises do not implement or have few activities related to it. Social content is being carried out most in SMEs, followed by governance and then environmental efforts. SMEs show little interest in ESG, with less than 30 per cent taking initial steps in implementation. They cite challenges such as a lack of information, lack of training or introduction programmes, and a lack of specific policies from the government. At another workshop on greening practices in production and consumption in Ho Chi Minh City also in March, Dang Thanh Tu, head of Sustainable Development at Eurofins Sac Ky Hai Dang, said investors believe that risks related to ESG can affect reputations. Eurofins Sac Ky Hai Dang is a member of Eurofins Scientific Group, which provides testing and laboratory services for genomics, forensics, and more. This is in addition to assessing the financial factors of a business, he said. For example, when a fund invests $1 million in a coffee production company but then discovers that this company produces coffee on deforested land or uses child employees, the investors reputation is immediately reduced. Therefore, investors are paying more attention to evaluating how the businesss operations affect the surrounding community and ecosystem, Tu said. The biggest goal of integrating ESG into enterprise development, according to Tu, is to build brand image, comply with export market regulations, build a solid governance structure, optimise resources, and pull in investment. But not every enterprise can carry this out. ESG disclosure in Vietnam is not yet mandatory, there are only regulations on ESG disclosure in annual reports. In Vietnam, ESG is mentioned a lot, but only large enterprises with strong financial potential can spend money on it, Tu said. Fergus McBean, first secretary for Climate and Nature at the British Embassy to Vietnam, said ESG is one of the key factors shaping the strategies of firms and investment funds. Practising ESG helps Vietnamese businesses meet the requirements of financial institutions and international markets, especially the United Kingdom and the European Union, he said. Both markets have plans to introduce measures requiring Vietnamese businesses to report on ESG and climate-related measures they have carried out. While some businesses have been more proactive in practising ESG, McBean added that others say they lack support for reporting. This affects the ESG practice process of the business sector, and the opportunities to access green finance and penetrate deeper into the global market of Vietnamese enterprises, he explained. Hanker Liang, head of Administration and Human Resources Rocom Electric Vietnam A 46 per cent tariff in the next three months will affect our production costs and sales volume in the US market, as our products are 100 per cent exported to the US. I am not sure if the upcoming 46 per cent tariff will decrease or undergo any other changes in the near future. This will affect our information on additional investments and concerns about future market uncertainty. There is currently no such adjustment plan, it depends on the changes in the market. To avoid potential sales weakness in the US market, we will constantly monitor inventory and prevent the generation of large quantities of inventory. The outlook on the Vietnamese government's ability to negotiate a revision of this policy with the Trump administration will depend on the foreign policy and stance of the Vietnamese government. Externally, we certainly hope that the tariff rate of the US can be improved. Internally, we hope that the Vietnamese government can provide some policies or measures that are helpful to enterprises. Peng Wei, director Pei Ming Vietnam Electronics Technology Our company's exports to the US market will struggle with a lot of challenges, Im afraid that there will be immediate order cancellations because US buyers cannot absorb 46 per cent cost hikes. In long-term risk, our clients will take into consideration production shifts to Africa/India. Regarding my supply chain, my clients are Ericsson, Nokias 5G equipment, antennas, and network infrastructure in the US. An upcoming 46 per cent tariff would make their products much more expensive for American telecom operators (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile). This could lead to reduced demand or delayed 5G deployments in the US. My company is considering adjustments to export markets, including a potential shift focus to markets other than the US. It takes time, but we are trying to figure it out. Additionally, specific measures have been implemented to mitigate the potential risks associated with this new tariff policy, like diversifying our supply chain to reduce dependency on tariff-affected regions, engaging with trade associations to advocate for exemptions or favourable terms, and pre-negotiating to refix the price regarding upcoming terms when the tariff officially applies. Moreover, I expect trade associations to support businesses in expanding into new markets outside the US while also gathering feedback and proposals to assist Vietnamese government in the negotiation process. Aluwihare Niranjan Merril, managing director R-pac Vietnam R-pac Vietnam, as part of the r-pac Group with headquarters in the US, is likely to be significantly impacted by the 46 per cent reciprocal tariff. Given our close ties to the US market, we anticipate that this tariff will affect a large portion of our exports, especially in the printing and packaging sector, where cost competitiveness is crucial. This tariff creates challenges in maintaining our market share in the US market, which is a significant part of our revenue stream. The 46 per cent tariff is significantly increasing our production costs, particularly for raw materials and logistics, which directly impacts our competitiveness in the market. We expect it will affect over 75 per cent of our customers, leading to a gradual shift of orders to alternative markets. In the short term, we anticipate a decrease in order volumes as customers look to mitigate the impact of higher costs. As a result, we will be forced to reassess our cost structure and may need to delay any planned expansions. Should businesses move to other countries, we will shift production capacity from Vietnam to other regions to align with market demands and maintain operational efficiency. Given these challenges, we aim to present a clear picture of the potential impact on negotiating better terms and minimising costs. This proactive approach will help us navigate the immediate consequences and adjust to the evolving market conditions. We expect the Vietnamese government and industry associations to provide immediate support, such as trade incentives, tax reductions, or adjustments to export procedures, to help mitigate these challenges. Regarding the government's ability to negotiate with the Trump administration, we are cautiously hopeful. While the geopolitical landscape may make this a difficult and lengthy process, we believe that active negotiations could lead to some revisions in the tariff policy, which would help alleviate the pressure on businesses like ours. In the absence of such support, we may be forced to delay expansion plans or restructure our production processes, which could incur additional costs. Reducing overall expenses is crucial to remain competitive, particularly in the US market, where the tariff is having the most significant impact. General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) Hanoi General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and President of China Xi Jinping is going to pay a state visit to Vietnam from April 14 to 15. The visit will be made at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and State President Luong Cuong, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Deputy PM meets lead US negotiator for trade talks with Vietnam Deputy PM Ho Duc Phoc lauded the sides agreement to kick off negotiations on a reciprocal trade deal. He confirmed Vietnams readiness to engage in talks and urged both parties to accelerate discussions to reach an agreement at the earliest opportunity, contributing to stable and sustainable bilateral economic and trade ties that benefit their businesses and people. It is taking place. The worlds economy is collapsing rapidly due to the lethal combination of systematic collapse and resource depletion. Nowadays, governments are frantically trying to save themselves as best they can, much like passengers on the fated Titanic Nothing is being done differently by the US administration. You do what you believe is necessary once you determine that the ship is sinking, even if it means pushing someone else beneath the water and even holding them under as they flounder. By withdrawing inside its own boarders and within its immediate zone of influence, the US is doing just that. Soon to be followed by other Western countries Soon Europe will be left as a future project for the East and will be converted appropriately into a consumer only based user system Although the US still possesses a sizable amount of natural resources that may be utilized to restore its own basic industrial system, it no longer possesses the excess required for dominance on a worldwide scale. Therefore, it is pointless to waste what remains to aid other nations. Besides the US has always looked at everyone as, What did they do to merit US assistance, anyway? Western Europe is one of the major losers: the predominant Titanic passenger who was unable to secure a life jacket nor lifeboat seat. The water is freezing and no help is available for the lifeboats are full and rescue is too expensive. The lunacy in Europe is real, not a facade. Concepts like Rearm Europe can only be explained by pure insanity But it is all to plan. We just have to pace this all to keep Nukes from flying as the West goes under WtR This article is old - Published: Friday, Apr 11th, 2025 Wrexham.com has invited the four North Wales Members of the Senedd to write a monthly column with updates on their work. You can find their updates along with contributions from the local representatives here. In this months column for Wrexham.com, Welsh Labour MS Carolyn Thomas writes: This month, we saw the much-anticipated introduction of legislation in the Senedd that will bring Welsh bus services back under public control. Back in 2019, as a County Councillor, I launched a Senedd petition calling for buses to be run for people, not profit. It asked for buses to be brought under the control of the public in order to deliver broader, cheaper, and more sustainable services. I am delighted that six years later, our collective campaigning has paid off. The Bus Services (Wales) Bill will establish a unified bus network, with one timetable, and one fare structure. This will replace and simplify the opaque and fragmented system we have today with a nationally co-ordinated network delivered through franchised contracts by a mix of private, third and public sector operators. This transformation of bus services will bring with it a system which prioritises people and communities over profit, providing reliable, affordable, and easy-to-use services which link up well with our train and active travel network. The roll out in North Wales will begin in 2028. Buses are a vital public service and should be run as such. In Wales, approximately 190,000 journeys are made by bus every day, and they carry three-quarters of all public transport journeys across the country. With the services under public control, ticket revenue will be reinvested across the whole of Wales, ensuring that rural areas are no longer left without bus services. In 2019, as a County Councillor in Flintshire, I launched a Senedd petition calling for buses to be run for people, not profit. It gathered over 3,500 signatures. 6 years later, I am delighted that now, in 2025, Wales has begun the journey back to public control of our buses! pic.twitter.com/zP3veGHmrm Carolyn Thomas MS / AS (@CThomasMS) April 7, 2025 The changes to the Welsh bus network go hand-in-hand with improvements being made to our rail services. The Welsh Governments 800m investment in new train stock means that 100% of the trains running on the Wrexham Bidston line are now brand new and 87% of the trains across North Wales are new trains too. Improving public transport is essential in the fight against climate change. But it also brings a broader range of benefits, such as boosting connectivity, reducing social isolation, and stimulating economic growth. Getting it right could be positively transformational for Wrexham, North Wales, and the country as a whole. I was delighted to be invited onto @SharpEndITV this week to speak about bringing Welsh buses back under public control, the new visitor accommodation levy, and 18 years of free prescriptions in Wales. pic.twitter.com/qCG7It5pkp Carolyn Thomas MS / AS (@CThomasMS) April 4, 2025 April has brought with it more increases in energy bills, which remain stubbornly high and unaffordable for many. Here in North Wales, consumers are suffering under the highest standing charges across the whole of the United Kingdom. Sky-rocketing bills over the last few years have driven many into fuel poverty, with standing charges being particularly pernicious because of the way they penalise those who use the least energy. I have submitted a response to Ofgems latest consultation on standing charges calling for much bolder action than what is currently proposed. Specifically, I am calling for the introduction of social tariffs and a rising block tariff system which would provide a heavily discounted or free block of energy to all consumers to cover essential energy needs. Rising block tariffs have been successfully implemented in countries across the world because they represent a far more progressive and equitable approach to energy pricing, with low-level consumers paying less for their energy. Such a system would protect the most vulnerable whilst also incentivising greater energy efficiency vital for our climate change efforts. Wrexham-based mental health helpline marks its 30th anniversary This article is old - Published: Friday, Apr 11th, 2025 A mental health helpline which has supported tens of thousands of people throughout Wales has marked 30 years of providing vital support to those in need. CALL Helpline was established on April 7 1995, as the volunteer-run Clwyd Advice and Listening Line. It later expanded to cover all areas of Wales, introducing a 24-hour service in 2008. The free and confidential line, which is based in Wrexham, offers a listening ear, guidance and emotional support for people facing mental health challenges. Callers can also be signposted to other relevant support services and request information resources to read at home. The service has received almost 200,000 calls or other contacts in the last five years alone, including more than 29,000 in 2024. Highly-trained operators and volunteers spend on average 20 minutes supporting each caller with their mental wellbeing day and night. Committed volunteer Karl Bailey has been giving his time to support CALL Helpline since it began life three decades ago, and remembers its earliest days in a tiny office above a nursing home. If I can help our callers, then that is a pleasure, he said. Often, its about listening to their concerns and what they have to say. But I really enjoy it. Everyone I work with is so friendly and we get on so well its more like a big family. Sian Jones has been involved at the helpline for 21 years, initially as a volunteer and now as an operator. She said: I like knowing that I have made a difference to people and to their day and that maybe I have been able to help them with their lives. It is rewarding that people can call with an issue or anxieties and I am able to listen to them, support them and set them in the right direction. CALL Helpline is funded by the Welsh Government and hosted by the health board, alongside the Wales Drug and Alcohol Helpline DAN 24/7 and the Wales Dementia Helpline. It complements the national NHS 111 Wales Press 2 service for urgent mental health support launched across Wales in 2023. The helpline will launch a new brand identity, materials and website including a new suite of easy-to-use self-assessment tools and refreshed information booklets later this month. Helpline Services Manager Luke Ogden said the team was proud to have reached the landmark anniversary, and to continue to offer vital national support from their base in Wrexham. Callers tell us all the time how much they value the support our staff and volunteers give, he said. That support is always available to help anyone who needs someone to listen to their mental health concerns, or concerns they have about a loved one. The Carson City School District has announced it will turn three previously scheduled early release days into full instructional days to make up for time lost due to a snow day on February 13. This decision follows a recent opinion from the Nevada Attorney General stating that school districts must make up weather-related closures, even if they already exceed the daily instructional minute requirements. Living in northern Nevada, we all have come to expect significant weather conditions that challenge our ability to safely hold school, said Superintendent Andrew Feuling. Each year, we anticipate this and build extra days into our academic school calendar as contingency days in case they are needed. The repurposed early release daysApril 23, May 14, and May 28were initially set aside for professional development. They will now follow a regular bell schedule for all students in order to meet the states instructional hour requirements. This decision ensures we remain in compliance with state instructional requirements while minimizing disruption to families and staff, Feuling added. We appreciate the flexibility of the Nevada Department of Education, our educators and the understanding of our community as we adjust the calendar. Parents are encouraged to review the updated 20242025 Academic School Calendar on the districts website and to consult the 20252026 calendar for information on holidays, professional learning days, and early releases. The Lyon County Sheriffs Office is actively investigating a series of storage unit break-ins and thefts that have plagued the Yerington and Smith Valley areas in recent weeks. According to an online Facebook post, so far, several individuals have been arrested, with more suspects emerging daily. In addition to stealing, some individuals allegedly bought or helped conceal stolen items. The post says that sheriffs deputies are facing an intensive workload recovering property and processing evidence is expected to take at least three full days. The Sheriffs Office expressed deep frustration with the suspects, many of whom have been arrested multiple times on theft and narcotics-related charges. These individuals continue to drain law enforcement resources and wreak havoc on the lives of innocent people, the sheriff stated. They are the definition of drains on society. He went on to say he hopes they receive lengthy prison sentences to prevent them from further harming the community, noting the recurring burden they place on already stretched personnel and public services. While the investigation continues, authorities are urging the public to take steps to better protect their belongings in storage units. Recommended measures include choosing reputable facilities with surveillance, using high-quality locks, maintaining an updated inventory, securing valuable items elsewhere, and reporting suspicious activity. Despite their best efforts, the Sheriffs Office acknowledged that victims may not always be made whole. Still, they reaffirm their commitment to pursuing justice and holding repeat offenders accountable. (The Lyon County Sheriff's Office contributed to this story.) Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) will host 'Take Back the Night' on Wednesday, April 23. The event will begin at 11 a.m. at its Dandini Campus Student Center. Organized in partnership with Safe Embrace, Crisis Support Services of Nevada (CSSNV), and the National Coalition to END Domestic and Sexual Violence (NCEDSV), the free event will feature a campus solidarity walk, speakers, a resource fair, and a candlelight vigil. The event creates space for survivors to be heard and communities to unite in the fight against sexual violence. Take Back the Night is more than just an eventit is a moment of courage, healing, and hope, said Shaun Mabanta, victim services coordinator at CSSNV. Your attendance is a powerful statement that survivors are not alone. Launched internationally in the 1970s, the movement grew in the U.S. after a 1975 murder in Philadelphia led to one of the countrys first marches. Now a global effort, its held every April for Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Attendees can engage with Paws 4 Love therapy dogs and leave written messages of support for survivors across Northern Nevada. Organizers say they also encourage attendees to wear denim in solidarity with Denim Day (April 30), a campaign challenging myths around sexual assault that began after a 1998 Italian court overturned a rape conviction because the survivors jeans were deemed too tight to remove without consent. Every year, Take Back the Night gives survivors and allies a space to be seen and heard, said Afshan West, executive director of Safe Embrace. Its a moment for us to show uptogetheras a community that refuses to be silent in the face of violence. At a preview of his new exhibition at the de Young, I Dream a World, Sir Isaac Julien said the title, which comes from a Langston Hughes poem, is what he tries to do with his multi-channel video installations: reimagine a world. In my work, I try to construct a repertoire of images that are oppositional and self-sustaining, Julien said. Theyre not confined just to reactions, but are capable of generating their own poeticsa visual language that, in a way, nurtures resistance. Julien , who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 2022 for his work in diversity and inclusion in the arts, is happy his first U.S. retrospective is at the de Young. A professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, the Bay Area is important to him, and Julien splits his time between California and London, where he was born. The 10 video installations in I Dream a World cover subjects that range from masculinity and cowboys in the American West (The Long Road to Mazatlan), to abolitionist Frederick Douglaswho was enslaved and became a prominent writer, speaker, and the most photographed man of the 19th century (Lessons of the Hour)---to Matthew Henson, the Black explorer who was among the first to reach the North Pole (True North). Installation view of Isaac Julien, "'Once Again... (Statues Never Die),' 2022, in 'Isaac Julien: What Freedom Is to Me,' Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, K21, Dusseldorf, 20232024. ( Isaac Julien; courtesy of the artist and Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, K21, Dusseldorf; photograph by Achim Kukulies, Dusseldorf) You could, literally, spend hours at I Dream a Worldfour and a half, to be exactif you were to watch all 10 film installations from start to finish. The galleries have been transformed into six screening rooms, some showing more than one film. (Helpful signage outside lets you know which film is playing and how far along it is, so you can plan your viewing experience accordingly.) The idea of an Issac Julien retrospective of this kind has been brewing for more than six years at the de Young. When Thomas Campbell was hired as director of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, one of his first conversations with Claudia Schmuckli, the chief curator of modern and contemporary art, was about Juliens work. Campbell was immediately on boardhed been blown away when he saw the artists Ten Thousand Waves in 2010. The work, which deals with the 2004 drowning of 23 Chinese migrants who were harvesting cockles in northwest England, uses thermal video of the search for survivors, as well as audio of the call that alerted police to the disaster. When the show opens on April 12, Ten Thousand Waves will play in Wilsey Court, a free public space in the museum. Isaac Julien 'When the Tree Blooms (Ten Thousand Waves),' 2010 Endura Ultra photograph, 70 7/8 x 94 1/2 in. (180 x 240 cm) ( Isaac Julien Courtesy the artist, Victoria Miro, London and Jessica Silverman, San Francisco) Juliens work is distinguished by a compelling fusion of historical fact and speculative fiction, along with social critique and immersive aesthetics, says Schmuckli. He shoots across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Americas, and Europe, exploring the forces impacting communities around the world. Julien trained as a filmmaker at Saint Martins School of Art in London, where he co-founded the Sankofa Film and Video Collective in 1982. He continued making films into the 1990s, winning an award at the Cannes Film Festival for his first feature, Young Soul Rebels , in 1991. In Long Road to Mazatlan (1999) and Paradise Omeros (2002), Juliens work began to change, presenting three screens like triptychs, according to Schmuckli. In Baltimore (2003), the screens had an angular arrangement, creating an environment for the viewer to enter. That became the defining format for Julien's work throughout the 2000s, she explains. It informed the making of True North and Fantome Afrique, and Western Union: small boats, slowly moving away from the walls and onto screens. Installation view of Isaac Julien, "Baltimore," 2003, in "Regeneration: Black Cinema 18981971," Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles, 2022. ( Isaac Julien; courtesy the artist and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Los Angeles) In his work, Julien folds the past into the present. Even though his films often center on actual events such as the migration of African refugees across the Mediterranean Sea (Western Union: small boats), the subjects of his films are not locked into time or place. While online messaging and social media try to polarize us and reduce us to one thing, Schmuckli explains, Juliens installations do the opposite. They are deep and thoughtful meditations on the dynamics of power and how they impact lives, she says. They always feel expansive. One of the things that I feel very strongly about is that, through his use of montage in this parallel format dispersed across multiple screens, he has developed a narrative format that emphasizes complexity of selfhood and identity formationand the beauty within. And that, I think, is so needed at all times, but particularly in this moment. (MUSIC INTRO) [00:00:01] Bob: This week on The Perfect Scam. (MUSIC SEGUE) [00:00:05] I had credit cards maxed out. I says, "I have nothing else to sell to make money and get money for you." He says, "Well you got your home there." I says, "The one I'm living in?" He says, "Yes." He says, "Sell it." I says, "And what am I supposed to do until you get over here and we can find a place?" "Well you'll think of something," you know, "go, go rent a hotel room or whatever." [00:00:28] Bob: Go rent a hotel room! Oh my God. [00:00:30] Yeah, and so at that point I got angry. (MUSIC SEGUE) [00:00:41] Bob: Welcome back to The Perfect Scam. I'm your host, Bob Sullivan. When we left our story, federal authorities had just arrested two suspects for their part in a far-reaching romance scam, one that has stolen millions of dollars from dozens of victims. And those two suspects had coughed up a name, Wisdom Onyobeno, the man they say is the king pin, the mastermind behind it all. And he's in Atlanta. The two women who have been arrested, Sadae Mills and Dominique Golden, have a lot to say about Wisdom. Not only is he directly involved in telephone conversations that manipulate victims into believing they're his lover, he finds money mules that way too. [00:01:24] But he would go to these clubs, and he would recruit these women to do that for him. [00:01:29] Bob: That's US Postal Inspection Service Investigator, Cory McManus. [00:01:34] Cory McManus: Wisdom was a very suave guy. He, you know, had a nice fancy car, he had a, a Range Rover, he had Rolexes, he flashed a lot of money. Women were attracted to him, so Dominique Golden was the first one that he met at one of these nightclubs, and she liked his lifestyle, he wined and dined her, and then said, "Do you want to make some money too? This is how you do it." [00:01:53] Bob: So this is also not a vision I've ever had of dance clubs in a place like Atlanta, Atlanta, right? [00:02:00] Cory McManus: Yes, yep. [00:02:00] Bob: Yeah, being hotbeds for romance scam operations. That's not how I envision it at all. [00:02:06] Cory McManus: Yeah, Atlanta is very active in regards to fraud. Houston and Atlanta are probably the two busiest capitals that we work out of and in regards to what we see for activity with romance scams, and where the money's going to. You know knowing that Dominique and, and Sadae Mills and two of his, what they were, what they called them is strikers. They're, these are women that they open bank accounts for him, they, that's was the terms that they used is a striker. Um, once his two strikers got picked up, he knew it, it was going to eventually catch up to him down the road sometime. [00:02:36] Bob: The strikers coughed up other leads too. Information that made that road a little bit shorter. [00:02:43] Cory McManus: So with the information they provided, we kind of backtracked to what our initial steps were to get us into the Houston area to do the search warrants, right. We looked at bank account, we looked at all different types of financial in--, information to build our case up against Wisdom Onyobeno. I think, Bob, all in all, I think we sent out over 120 subpoenas as part of the investigation. [00:03:05] Bob: Oh my God. [00:03:05] Cory McManus: So it was very bank account heavy in regards to what these people were doing. So a lot of these accounts are only open for a very short period of time. But these scammers just go to different bank accounts and they use mules like Dominique Golden and Sadae Mills, and they give them instructions. Go to Wells Fargo, go to Bank of America, go to these different banks, open up an account here under this name, and then they'll have, once that account's established, they now have the victim funds go into that account until that account eventually gets shut down. So oftentimes you're kind of, you know, chasing these accounts one by, you know, before you actually get a chance to see the account, the account gets shut down and it gets reopened somewhere else. That's how the Beverly Hawes interview came out because we sent out further subpoenas. [00:03:44] Bob: As Cory traces the human beings behind each one of those bank accounts, he keeps finding more victims like Beverly Hawes of Florida. When she crossed paths with Wisdom Onyobeno, she was still mourning the death of her husband who had passed away just before they could celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. [00:04:03] Bev Hawes: Yes, we were about 10 months shy. We were planning our 50th, but unfortunately the last 15 years of his life, he went through six different rounds of cancer. [00:04:15] Bob: Bev and her husband met and got engaged within a few days. [00:04:20] Bev Hawes: We met and went out on a Saturday night. Went to the Sweetheart's Ball, which is our high school Valentine's dance, and the following, that was eight days, the following Sunday, you know, we became engaged. [00:04:34] Bob: Eight days! [00:04:35] Bev Hawes: Eight days. [00:04:36] Bob: So you got married when you were 18, and then at basically 68 or so you're a widow. [00:04:42] Bev Hawes: Yes, I, I became a widow at 68 years old. I... [00:04:46] Bob: I mean that, but that must, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but, but I, I, how can you explain to somebody what that feels like? I mean obviously you've been with this man almost all of the life that you remember. That must have been really hard. [00:04:55] Bev Hawes: Right, no, it really wasn't. We were soulmates, we were truly soulmates. [00:05:01] Bob: Roughly two years after she says good-bye to her husband, Bev decides she'll take a shot at finding friendship, maybe more, online. [00:05:10] Bev Hawes: Okay, well I was, it was in a really difficult, I was in a lonely point, you know and stuff. Really struggling with the loneliness, and I said, "Lord, if there's somebody you want me to have in my life, bring him to me." I met a guy the next day on Christian Mingle that we talked from about 9:30 in the morning until 11:30 that night. [00:05:28] Bob: Oh my God! You talked for 14 hours. [00:05:31] Bev Hawes: I know. [00:05:31] Bob: Wow. [00:05:32] Bev Hawes: And so he says, "I think I've met the one that I want to have a relationship with. And if you feel that way, here's my email address. You contact me." And I held my hand over the delete key for about 10 minutes debating, and I heard a voice say, "But didn't you ask me to send someone?" And I say, yeah, I did. "Then why are you going to delete him?" That was the only reason I continued to go on. [00:06:00] Bob: Chatting with this man is exciting and enchanting. [00:06:05] Bev Hawes: His name was William Manson, and I immediately thought of the other Manson, and hopefully you're no relation... no, no. He had an Irish accent. And so it, I was kind of attracted to the accent, loved to listen to him talking, and so it seemed like we had everything in common. You know, I told him that I was the head of a widow's ministry at my church and that any relationship that developed I did not want that to affect my widow's ministry. I wanted to continue with that, and he was all for that. He supposedly, he was a construction superintendent on an oil rig, off the country of Poland, and he supposedly held a Bible study for his guys every morning before they started to work, you know, and so it was constantly, I was, in his emails I would get emails filled with verses, scripture verses and things like that. So... [00:07:02] Bob: He really seemed like the answer to a prayer. [00:07:04] Bev Hawes: He did. He, you know he was looking for somebody. This was going to be his last job and he was going to retire and he was looking for somebody to settle down with and just, you know, have a loving relationship with, get married, whatever. [00:07:18] Bob: William sounds perfect, ideal. [00:07:22] Bev Hawes: He sent me little gifts. I got a, a little necklace that said, "To the moon and back," and it was a little half, uh moon, uh with the, the words, "To the moon and back." You know, "Love you to the moon and back," and things like that. And you know just various little sundry items. He sent me an engagement ring directly from the, the jewelers. [00:07:42] Bob: Ooh, I mean did, you were engaged then. [00:07:44] Bev Hawes: Yes. So we were engaged. [00:07:47] Bob: Bev dreams about a grand future with William. [00:07:52] Bev Hawes: He was planning to retire when he finished up that oil rig that they were working on and then he was going to come to Florida, and we were going to get married. He had a home supposedly in Ireland. Sent me pictures of this, you know, beautiful little home in Ireland overlooking the town of, I can't even think of the name of the town, but it was one of the main towns you know and his house was up on a hill, had a swimming pool, all this stuff. Those things didn't bother me, it was just, it was the companionship and you know the, the loving feelings that we seemed to share with one another. [00:08:27] Bob: As Bev starts to allow herself to dream, almost exactly one month after that first 14-hour conversation, the chat takes a dark turn. [00:08:37] Bev Hawes: They had an explosion. [00:08:39] Bob: Oh wow. [00:08:39] Bev Hawes: On the oil rig, and it destroyed a piece of equipment that he had had to provide and they needed that piece of equipment in working order in order to finish up the job. Supposedly two of his men were killed in this explosion, and so he needed the money to replace the equipment. And he told me that the piece of equipment, there was only one in Turkey, and there was three companies including his that wanted it. So whoever got the deposit down first was the one that would get it. From Turkey, let's see... so and it was $200,000. [00:09:13] Bob: Oh wow. [00:09:14] Bev Hawes: Yes. [00:09:16] Bob: So did he ask you for all $200,000? [00:09:18] Bev Hawes: Well, bits and pieces at a time, but it got to where, "I need to replace this equipment or I can't finish the job. Can you help me?" [00:09:25] Bob: How, how did you feel about that? [00:09:28] Bev Hawes: You know I, I think internally I had some I had some issues. But I was raised, my parents raised me, you trust people until they prove they can't be trusted. And so by that time we were about a month into this relationship, and everything had been going good. You know we talked every day. We emailed constantly. So you know I, I was trying to be the support that I should be if we were in a, a relationship. [00:09:56] Bob: Bev doesn't have that kind of cash, but she does have a family home, a second home in Oregon. So... [00:10:05] Bev Hawes: Well we sold the Ore--, I sold the Oregon home. Took a, a $50,000 hit on it. [00:10:10] Bob: Oof. And so when you, when you sold that home, was did that provide all of the $200,000 or did, did you need more? [00:10:16] Bev Hawes: Oh, I needed more. I ran my credit cards. I have I think three credit cards; I ran those up to their max. One was 15,000, one was 10,000. And again, I had savings because I was debt-free. I think I had about $60,000 in savings, and I was getting to a point, you know, we raised the 200,000. I sent that over to him in numerous certified, you know, checks, and, and then he came back with, "Okay, I found out that to get this equipment uh transferred from Turkey over to the oil rig, it's going to have to go through Poland, through Turkey and then Poland to the coastline and then be carried by ferry out to the oil rig," which was going to be another $80,000. And so well all told, I ended up sending him, not including the certified check fees and shipping fees, I sent him over 325,000. [00:11:19] Bob: Oh my God. [00:11:20] Bev Hawes: And I, I was to the point where I was then maxed out, I had credit cards maxed out and I had nothing more, and he became, and then things started going downhill. He was so stressed because you know they, two of the wives had lost their husbands had filed lawsuits, you know for $500,000 apiece and all this stuff, you know and if, if he didn't get this money to, you know, take care of the equipment and the, the transportation fees, you know, he didn't know what he was going to do and supposedly he became so stressed out that he started turning it over to some of his guys. And they started pushing and, and it, one of the last conversations he and I had, things were not well between us by that time. I was kind of thinking something was not right, and he basically, I said, "What else?" I says, "I have nothing else to sell to make money and get money for you." He says, "Well you've got your home there." I says, "The one I'm living in?" And he says, "Yes." He says, "Sell it." I says, "And what am I supposed to do until you get, you know, get over here and we can find a place?" "Well you'll think of something," you know, "Go, go rent a hotel room or whatever." [00:12:32] Bob: Go rent a hotel room? Oh my God! [00:12:34] Bev Hawes: Yeah, and so at that point I got angry. And I said, "You know, I have done everything I can. [00:12:42] Bob: Bev disconnects and never talks to William again. But there is one more connection from someone who supposedly works with William claiming he's been imprisoned and needs help. But Bev isn't having it. [00:12:56] Bev Hawes: So I sent a certified letter to the country of Poland's government asking, did they have this man in their, I wanted facts. I gave them information and told them what the situation had been. Could they please confirm or deny that he was in debtor's prison? And got back that they didn't even know who this guy was. [00:13:18] Bob: And at that point you know... [00:13:20] Bev Hawes: That, at that point I knew. I was done. [00:13:23] Bob: And at that point she decides it's time to involve law enforcement. [00:13:28] Bev Hawes: Well I contacted them in I want to say, let's see, this happened at the, by the end of November. It took me a couple weeks to kind of get my thoughts together and determine, you know, what should I do? So I called, we, we don't have, the town I live in is like a little spot in the road, so it depends on the county sheriff rather than its own city police. And so I contacted the Lake County Sheriff and because their office was closed to people coming in, they sent a sheriff's deputy out and she, you know took all the information down, assigned a case number, and I showed her all the receipts and she was looking through them, and she says, "You know, I'm noticing that you sent most of these checks to Atlanta, Georgia." And I said, "Yes, ma'am." [00:14:15] Bob: The checks weren't headed to an Irish man named William. Bev doesn't know it yet, but they were really headed to Atlanta, to Wisdom Onyobeno. And now Cory and other federal investigators are hot on his trail. It's been six months since Cory first interviewed Donna. We heard her story in part one of this episode, and Cory now connects with Bev Hawes. [00:14:37] Cory McManus: Yeah, so I remember, I spoke to her back in November 2019, and this was after we made our initial search warrant of Dominique Golden's residence down in Houston, Texas, after we arrested her. We were able to get into more bank accounts to further uh push our case along farther. And in, in one of the bank accounts we noticed that there were funds deposited from checks by Beverly Hawes. So I reached out to her. [00:15:03] Bob: Bev has a mountain of receipts from her time dating William, so armed with that, with paperwork from Donna's case, with data from those 120 subpoena's, and two months after that initial arrest in Houston, they decided it's time to move on the romance scam kingpin. [00:15:21] Cory McManus: So we wound up executing the warrants at Wisdom's residence in Atlanta. It was a very expensive townhouse, yes. Yeah, they, they lived a very nice life of luxury. Uh, he had two Mercedes in his driveway, yes. [00:15:34] Bob: Hey, he was living well. [00:15:36] Cory McManus: He was living a pretty good life. [00:15:37] Bob: Was he surprised when you showed up? [00:15:39] Cory McManus: To be honest, no. No. He um, was very calm, collected, wasn't worked up. We made calls for him to come outside, and he came out willingly and kind of gave the indication that he knew we were coming. [00:15:52] Bob: What took you so long, something like that? [00:15:54] Cory McManus: Yeah, yeah. [00:15:55] Bob: Wisdom might not have gone into hiding, but he was a bit prepared for this visit from authorities. [00:16:04] Cory McManus: I love to say that we were able to have as much success as we did with Dominique in regards to the seizures of vehicles and watches, but I'll be honest, by the time we got to Wisdom's residence for a search warrant, his arrest, he already made preparations to remove himself and his, and his belongings from the residence knowing that we were coming. He was, he was aware the Dominique Golden was arrested in September. He had a, a copy on his phone of her, the entire affidavit I wrote, all 70 pages of it, so he had every page on there. He knew that she got arrested, that it was eventually going to fall on him. [00:16:36] Bob: So he hid money overseas or whatever as criminals do in that situation, right? [00:16:40] Cory McManus: Correct, yeah. [00:16:42] Bob: And in fact, even after his arrest, the scams don't stop. [00:16:47] Cory McManus: After Wisdom was arrested, we wound up subpoenaing the jail call jail phone records for, for Wisdom, and he actually was reaching out to one of the victims, an elderly woman up in Tennessee, that was, fell victim to this scam before and was trying to get more money out of her while he was incarcerated. [00:17:04] Bob: So he's in prison still running a romance scam. [00:17:07] Cory McManus: Yes. [00:17:08] Bob: That's just amazing. [00:17:09] Cory McManus: Yeah. [00:17:10] Bob: Honestly, it's one of the, like how can that be? [00:17:12] Cory McManus: Yeah, that's a, that's a good question. [00:17:15] Bob: Now that Wisdom is in custody, prosecutors must build their case against wisdom and all the co-conspirators. That work falls to Assistant US Attorney Denise Barton, also in Rhode Island. [00:17:27] Bob: Despite all the bank records and all the victims and all the seized smart phones, it's far from an open and shut case. [00:17:35] Denise Barton: Yeah, you know it's, it's tough. Sometimes the, you know, phones are, it's, it's not unfortunately like, you know, people see on CSI or Law & Order. We can't just touch the phone and it magically produces all the evidence. So what is difficult in these cases is to avoid detection, they'll use a network of people to send money to. So they're not just sending money to one channel that we just have to investigate one person and one person's money trail; it's often they'll use three, four, five, 10 or more persons. And then if you look at one person, they're not just sending it directly to Jane Smith's bank account. Jane Smith will open up companies and she might open up one, two, or three companies into which money is received. And then of those companies, there'll be multiple bank accounts opened in each of those names. So you're having to identify the person that money is sent to, which is usually in a post office box, if they're using mail, or you know a UPS mailbox or you know USPS mail, mail drop, or they'll send it directly to somebody's home, just much easier for us when that happens but it's rare, and then there's this network of bank accounts because they will try and spread out the risk of money getting caught, pulled back from banks, of detection, and then banks being savvy to this sometimes, will close bank accounts and then the perpetrators and the people that are working with them as part of a network will open up more bank accounts. So it's sprawling process. [00:19:07] Bob: As Cory and Denise go deeper into the investigations, they can't answer some questions. [00:19:13] Bob: Ultimately, all these people were collecting money for Wisdom who was he conducting most of the romances? [00:19:20] Denise Barton: That was never fully known. We know there were some instances where he was making the calls, and he was having the communications with the people. When we did the search warrant at the residence, there were notations regarding user names on different dating platforms and persons that he had communicated with, and names that had been used with some of the victims. So we could tell that he had been involved in some of them, but we believe that there were more instances where persons that he was working with who may have been overseas... [00:19:53] Bob: Yep, Bev mentioned a person with an Irish accent, although also the, somebody else told me that they thought Wisdom might have been using technology to change his voice. [00:20:01] Denise Barton: I, that's what some of the victims had said. We had some people say that the persons would have a, an Irish accent or English accent, and I don't know if they were actually using an Irish accent or if someone might not know the difference between a West African accent and an English accent or you know because we were, unfortunately, not able to capture those calls because they happened before we got involved, we'll never know. But the way these things typically work is there'll be, you know, one person or, I mean it's almost like a boiler room scam kind of from like back in the '80s where you'll have somebody who will, there'll be notes taken on victims. Where now she said she has a daughter. Her dog is named Rover. You know and then the one person can continue the conversation or someone else can continue it, you know, and just... [00:20:48] Bob: So they might not even be romanced by the same person throughout the scam. [00:20:51] Denise Barton: Correct. Correct. [00:20:52] Bob: Yeah. [00:20:53] Denise Barton: It's... [00:20:53] Bob: Oh, I have a cold or whatever. That's why I sound different. [00:20:56] Denise Barton: Right, or I can't talk, but let's text. You know it, text makes it really easy for people to, you know, kind of chat, right, and it be a different person. So it, it's, technology's evil, and it's wonderful and evil in the same time. [00:21:10] Bob: You just said a mouthful, I have to say. [00:21:13] Denise Barton: Yeah. [00:21:13] Bob: One by one, Cory and Denise start bringing the suspects to court towards a trial. Donna has passed away, but her daughter, Debbie Crisp who we met in part one, continues to fight on her mom's behalf. She never misses a court date. [00:21:28] Debbi Crisp: And I said, "When's this coming, you know, when's it coming?" I said, "I'll fly to Rhode Island. You tell me what to do, I'll be there." And so we just kept in contact, and you know, we sent all of our information that we had up to Cory and I think Cory, you know, within that, turned around and gave everything to Denise. You know and they sort of built their case and we sat and we talked and gosh, we've had some long conversations. And you know just over time we talked and then they started bringing them to trial and every trial, you know I was in attendance as far as being attended by a Zoom, um, you know and I attended every, I attended every trial there was to speak on my mom's behalf. [00:22:06] Bob: It sounds so exhausting to go through this over and over. [00:22:08] Debbi Crisp: It is very exhausting, and it continues to be exhausting. You know it's a, um, it's something that I'm super exhausted over all the time. [00:22:18] Bob: It's also really hard to listen to other families talk about what happened to them. [00:22:23] Debbi Crisp: It's everybody, you know. There are some of these people that are gone, and there are some of these people that are still so ashamed and still, you know, so upset about what happened and then to hear them talk about you know the things that they're going through just absolutely put it for me at a whole different level, level to hear people say, well I'm not having to go to food banks to live 'cause I don't have any money to get food. You know and for me, that's like, no. You know this is not right. This is, this is not right. [00:22:54] Bob: Slowly but surely, the wheels of justice turn. Golden pleads guilty in 2022 and is sentenced to 78 months in prison. A year later Mills pleads guilty too. Onyobeno holds out as long as he can, but basically on the eve of his criminal trial in 2023, nearly five years after Cory's first interview with a victim, the romance kingpin, Wisdom Onyobeno, pleads guilty. Debbi wouldn't miss his sentencing hearing. Here's part of the victim impact statement that she read. [00:23:26] Debbi Crisp: "I sit here today as a very broken person, the reason being is I could not protect my mom from people that in my opinion have no right to be free from jail. They chose to take advantage of a woman who had lost her husband and was very lonely. They took away of her, her sense of security by lying and pretending to be someone they were not. They created such humiliation and embarrassment within her heart. I can only imagine the grief that she carried with her when thinking about how she would survive as these people had scammed almost everything she had away from her financially. I have cried such tears of sadness for the loss of my mom and the sadness she went through when the interested party supposedly never showed up. Tears of anger for what I hope will happen to these people for taking advantage of my mom. I'm guessing, (I've got tears running down my face now, I can't see) ..." [00:24:16] Bob: Take your time. Take your time. [00:24:17] Debbi Crisp: I'm so sorry. [00:24:19] Bob: No, take all the time you need. [00:24:21] Debbi Crisp: "My mom was scammed out of over $400,000. To see that number angers me in such a way I can't explain, but to pray upon the courts that they hold each person accountable to spend time in prison and repay to some degree what they took. I really don't care how cooperative any of the--, these people have been; they should all have to suffer and stay in jail. It will make it my life's purpose to pray that all you will never see a moment of day or peace and happiness. My family and myself will never see a moment or day that we don't think of what you did to my mom. She no longer carries the shame and embarrassment of what happened, but unfortunately now, I carry it for you." [00:24:56] Bob: Did Wisdom ever look at you while you were giving your statement? [00:24:59] Debbi Crisp: No, he put his head down the entire time. Put his head down the entire time. [00:25:04] Bob: Cory McManus and Denise Barton have both been through this countless times, but still the victim stories are hard to hear. [00:25:12] Cory McManus: It's just heartbreaking. You know people don't understand the toll it has on people financially and emotionally. And hearing their stories, not even just from the victims, but the victims' families, their kids and how much it, it ruins relationships with their family members, it's very difficult to hear. You know, just as a human being and as an investigator to see the toll it does, but it also motivates you to push harder on these cases to bring justice to these people and, and that's kind of really where you know that's where I get my motivation from to do these cases. You know you see these, this older generation and how much they've done to further this country and push this country along and further this country, whether it was going to war or their husbands going to war, or working in factories, and then to lose all this money over something that they're, they're just trying to find love and to fill that void and that, that loneliness that they have after losing their, their loved one after so many years, it's truly heartbreaking. [00:26:08] Denise Barton: I've been a prosecutor for over 20 years now, 18 years from the federal system, and it still makes my stomach turn, it makes my heart hurt. You know these are people who are, you know truly, in most cases, looking to help people, looking to build a relationship, looking to, they believe, help a family member, and they're just fleeced in horrible ways and they're preyed on. So it's, it's just awful just the human aspect and the financial aspect. [00:26:32] Bob: Finally, in October of 2024, the judge sentences the romance kingpin to 121 months in prison. That's 10 years and one months. [00:26:43] Bob: Did that provide you with any kind of closure? [00:26:47] Debbi Crisp: Um, it does. It still does not make the fact that how hurt I am from it go away. And I'm sure that will come in time. But I, you know, the only thing I want to make sure is that they are never in a position to do this again. I want to make sure, you know and Judge McConnell was very tough on them about some of the things that when they do get out of jail, things they can do, things they can't do. And you know for me, that is a huge thing is what's going to stop it from happening again? [00:27:20] Bob: It's highly unusual to get a string of convictions in a widespread romance scam, let alone to capture and sentence the kingpin. [00:27:29] Denise Barton: There's a satisfaction in that we're able to provide some closure. So there is satisfaction in that respect that there's people who were able to see that people cared, and that there was some efforts taken on their behalf to mete out some level of justice as they, you know, receive that. It still is tough in these cases because you inevitably cannot make the people whole again. There, there's still kind of emotional wounds and you know psyche wounds and then there's, obviously, financial loss that they can never be fully compensated for what they lost as you touched on. So um it's nice to be able to provide some aspect of help, but it's uh, incomplete just because of the nature of fraud that's committed on them. [00:28:10] Bob: But in a very real way, the ordeal isn't really over for Debbi. [00:28:17] Debbi Crisp: I thank God to this day that my mom was raised by the mother rand the father that she was who were very methodical about things. And she was very methodical about keeping everything. And actually, last night I was looking for something and I found another receipt where she mailed, where she wired money. [00:28:38] Bob: Oh, God. You're still finding things. [00:28:40] Debbi Crisp: You know it, it's not, it's the fit that just keeps on giving. (chuckles) You know, and it does. It feels like it never goes away. [00:28:47] Bob: And unfortunately, the financial implications aren't going away either. [00:28:52] Bob: You have credit card companies asking you to pay your mom's credit card debt from this situation. [00:28:56] Debbi Crisp: Yes. [00:28:57] Bob: Oh my God. [00:28:58] Debbi Crisp: Oh yeah, they um, she had leased a car, um, just trying to get something simpler and there was like a gap in it. They came and picked it up, and there was like a gap of $3000. Well they sent me a message and told me I owed them three grand, and I said, well you lost your mind, I said, because I was nowhere on that thing and I'm not responsible for that debt. Oh yeah, they tried to come back after me. I'm like, well, you can suck wind, 'cause you ain't going to get anything. [00:29:23] Bob: Debbi is still trying to move on anyway. And the end of all those court cases is a big help. [00:29:30] Debbi Crisp: And um, you know it was funny after the last one was over, and I said, you know this is, this is when I finally can grieve my mom, 'cause up to this point it's been a, a fight or flight type of situation. [00:29:45] Bob: Been on the mission the whole time basically. [00:29:47] Debbi Crisp: I've been on a very big mission. And I'm originally from the mountains in North Carolina, and the town that I lived in was destroyed by Hurricane Helene. And my mom and dad are buried there. And we went up a couple weeks after the, the sentencing was over, and the graveyard was there, and there in the cemetery there the, it's a military cemetery, so we went there and you know and I just laid down with them, and I just told them, I told her it was over, you know, that she has been, she has been set free, that they're going to pay for what they did, and um, that I hope, you know I do, I hope and pray that she is, that her heart's set free. And I'm hoping for my own that at some point in time I'll get to that point. You know. It's taken time, but I'll keep fighting and um, so as I say, it'll get there. It'll get there. I'm just now taking the time four years later to, to grieve, to grieve my mom's death. [00:30:50] Bob: For Bev Hawes, the pain of her scam also lives on. [00:30:54] Bev Hawes: Oh yeah. I was, I mean I was, I had lost everything. You know the only thing I had was my house and you know I had a refi on my car, you know whatever I could to make money and stuff like that, and I'm retired. [00:31:09] Bob: And you had, you had a big tax bill too, right? [00:31:11] Bev Hawes: Oh yeah, I got hit in July of 202 when I got my taxes done by my accountant. She said, "Well you owe $21,000 federal uh income tax just on you know the money that you made." I didn't make any money. It went right out the door. I didn't see a cent. Well not only that, but then Social Security, IRS contacted Social Security and so that was the year we were supposed to be getting a good, I think like 5% increase in Social Security and stuff. And they informed me that no, I wasn't going to get it. I was in fact going to get cut. They were going to hit me with another Part B and a Part D which was my drug program, and I was going to take a loss because you know, I wasn't going to get the increase, they were going to cut me. And so I was going to get probably $250 less than I was getting then. [00:32:05] Bob: Oh, it just feels like one punch to the stomach after another. [00:32:08] Bob: The aftermath for romance scam victims can have serious financial implications and on-going life implications. [00:32:17] Cory McManus: Oftentimes you'll, you'll call back and you'll check in, in with them as the case progresses through the judicial system, and sometimes they'll be like, "Oh, I'm, I'm at work right now, I can't talk." And you're like, "What do you mean you're at work?" "Like I had to get a job." And I'm like, "You're 80 years old." And they're like, "Yeah, I have no money. Like I have to go get a job." And they're working like one, one of, one of the gentlemen that I spoke to in a different case, he's at a hardware store and his boss wouldn't let him take a break to take a phone call. And the guy's 80 years old, and I was like, this is like unbelievable. [00:32:46] Bob: I'm a federal prosecutor, no less, right? Yeah. [00:32:48] Cory McManus: Yeah. [00:32:50] Bob: It's important to say there is an unsung hero in this case, the financial advisor who called police initially to say there were suspicious transactions on a client account totaling $1.4 million. We told that story in part one. That person was the first victim Cory heard about. More people should try to be aware of what's happening with friends and family and colleagues, and should speak up when they can, Cory says. [00:33:16] Cory McManus: This case would have never happened if the estate attorney didn't actually look at it and say, geez, like this doesn't look right. Like what's going on? This isn't adding up. You know if that was a child or a niece or a nephew that was doing the same thing, they could bring it to our attention. [00:33:30] Bob: Also, criminals will do anything to steal. There is no bottom. Here's just one example. [00:33:38] Cory McManus: You know, you know from our investigations that they go through obituaries, you know all obituaries are online now. They can go through and pretty much pull all the information off that and realize this woman is a widow. She's got no kids. She's got really no family support system. She's a perfect target, and they'll do everything they can to try to establish some type of relationship with that person to try to get money out of them. So we tell them, you know, don't answer the phone calls. [00:34:04] Bob: So Cory's main piece of advice, just ignore surprise outreach from anyone. [00:34:10] Cory McManus: If you don't recognize the phone number, don't answer it. If it's important, they'll leave a voice mail. You know social media's another big thing. I'm sure you're aware from your work, the older generation doesn't understand that that stuff can be used against you. Having an open profile on Facebook can be used against you for social engineering. So you know only accept friend requests from people that you actually have physically met, you know. And just constantly just stay, stay educated about the different types of scams; they're always evolving. You know with the development of AI and, and the advancements of AI I should say, you know, these scams are going to get much harder to investigate and much more complex. So you know you've just got to constantly educate yourself about the different types of scams that are out there. [00:34:54] Bob: Investigating such crimes comes with some unusual challenges such as what Denise calls the shame spiral. That sometimes makes it really hard for victims to open up. [00:35:05] Denise Barton: Yeah, we have um, as part of our team, DA's offices often have them too, but in the US Attorneys Office we have a victim witness coordinator. With cases like this we bring them in very early in the case when we know we're going to have particularly this large set of victims that will need to have information conveyed to them, and in our case it's a woman, and she'll get out information but she'll also use her skill and background, and she has both, in working with victims, to try and encourage them to reach out and ask for support. And she will successfully get some of the victims to have family members join them on calls. But you're right, it is a shame spiral that and it, it needs to be broken but I think it's, it's a tough, it's a tough hill to climb for us and for them in many cases. [00:35:56] Bob: What does Denise hope listeners learn from this story? [00:36:00] Denise Barton: I would hope that whether it be in the romance fraud space or you know those calls people get where, oh, your loved one has been arrested and we need you to send bail money, that before somebody sends anybody money for any reason, take a beat. You know, pause. Talk to a friend. Ask them what they think. You know ask a trusted friend or family member. In these cases we see the perpetrators get such a quip on the emotions of the victims, and they really just pull them into their world and they manipulate them in such a way that the victims just will trust only the person they're talking to and think that there's a reason they can't discuss it with a family member or a friend. And that causes this money to just go out the door so fast that we just can't get back. So I would hope people would just pause and just ask someone around them, you know, it's like, almost like the smell test, right? You know does this smell right? Is something off about this? So I think that there's just kind of a, there's no need to rush to send $40,000 by wire to some random person you don't know in Georgia. If they need the money they can wait a day, they can wait two days. You know give yourself a moment to think about it before you do it. [00:37:23] Bob: Talking about the crime, coming forward is absolutely essential. [00:37:29] Denise Barton: There's no reason to feel that you've done anything wrong. There's no reason to be embarrassed. And if more people come forward, whether it be to a family member who then may report it to law enforcement, or directly to law enforcement, it gives us a better chance to start to understand all the players that we can identify in these, you know fraud scams. We do our best, but the reality is, this fraud scam, these fraud scams will proliferate and probably till the end of time. They will morph in many different ways throughout the duration of my career, I'm sure. But the more people come forward and give us information, the more it helps us to protect other people from being victimized in the way that they were. So it just to, it really helps us if people are willing to take the brave step to come forward and acknowledge what happened to them. All of us that do these cases, whether it's the investigators or the prosecutors, we get how hard that is for them. And we don't minimize it all. So we're fully aware that it's a, it's a big step for someone to come forward and admit what happened, and trust us in such a way that they have to really bear some very difficult information or share some very difficult information with us. [00:38:41] Bob: So what does come forward look like in a practical sense? If someone's listening to this podcast and they're in the middle of a crime or someone they love is in the middle of a crime, what should they do? [00:38:49] Denise Barton: They could pick up the phone and call their local police department. They could contact one of their local, the US Attorney's Office in their district and we can put them in touch with a federal investigative agency. There is also the FBI has an online portal you can report to. [00:39:07] Bob: That's the Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3.org. [00:39:12] Bob: I'm just kind of belaboring this because I do think some people, first of all, you know when you go to like a website, fill out a form, it can be a little unsatisfying, right? [00:39:20] Denise Barton: Oh yes. [00:39:20] Bob: So it's good to call your local police, and hopefully the person who picks up the phone there is, is good at receiving this, but they might not be. It might be a bad day and it might be busy. [00:39:30] Denise Barton: I think there's also um, I know like in my town in particular and I've seen it in other towns, there's usually like a Council on Aging, or other services organizations that I know in the towns that I've been, I've seen in a number of towns in the jurisdictions that I've worked in, where they have taken steps to receive information and walk somebody through the process, connect them up with whether it be local or federal law enforcement. So if they're not comfortable going to law enforcement, and I get that, they may not be, it may be intimidating, you know, reach out to your local elder services agency. That's fine too. Just talk to somebody so that you can at least start the process of sharing information and being put in touch with others who can kind of then slowly step you through the process. [00:40:16] Bob: And also, don't be afraid to contact your financial institution as soon as possible. [00:40:22] Denise Barton: Yeah, hopefully one other resource, sometimes the banks or actually some of the bank officers, you know the banks often will be reporting this information, and they will file reports that ultimately make their ways to us. Some of the bank officers, if you're, if some of these folks are going into banks and they're making large withdrawals or large transfers, honestly, some of the local bank officers are some of our best resources because they will reach out to us and say, you know Jane Smith just came in and wanted to transfer $80,000 to Joe Blow in, you know, Ghana. So you know, you can even talk to a local banker, ask them what they think. I mean anyone along the process is probably a good person to at least speak to as an initial matter. [00:41:02] Bob: Bev Hawes wants to leave people with some advice. [00:41:07] Bob: What is it that you hope somebody remembers or somebody learns by listening to your story? [00:41:11] Bev Hawes: And I'd say, when they ask for money, I'd say, tell them to go to hell, and run. Do not contact them. Block them, do whatever you can. Because they're only after your money. And you know, unfortunately that's what it is. You know we're coming down to evil vs. good and evil wants your money. There's no relationship as far as they're concerned. It's all a money proposition, and you know I've learned that. That's been hard because I've learned I can't trust everybody, you know, until they prove one way or another. You have to learn that the world has changed, and its not, you know, all good all the time. So I have be--, become much less trustworthy. I tend to, I don't want to say judge people because as a Christian, I try not to judge anyone, but put it this way, I hold a much more suspicious heart on things. [00:42:04] Bob: And how is Bev now? [00:42:06] Bev Hawes: I'm still trying to get myself out of this predicament. I'm getting to a point where between now and two years now, I should be debt-free again. But the thing is is that I have priorities that I have to see, you know that I have put into operation to get myself out of the mess and then I had thought for a while about going and, and holding a class for scamming for widows, particularly in our church. We have a lot of widows, and I do do the widow's ministry, but I thought well, it's such a small group, I don't know if it would be helpful for them. [00:42:43] Bob: Oh, can I encourage you to do that? I think that's a great idea. [00:42:46] Bob: And Debbi, well she wants people to hear her mom's story so others might be better prepared for something like this. [00:42:53] Debbi Crisp: If you, as a child of a elderly parent, you know if you feel something is going on, you need to start questioning. If I had known, trust me, I would have been all over my mom like crazy. But in my mind, I never thought she would do something like that. But please, please, please, please, you know you've got people that are taking advantage of elderly people. You've got people that are taking advantage of, and in that same scoop it's not just elderly people, there are people that are you know, you know mentally challenged that they take advantage of that's, you know, they can function on their own, but they'll do the same thing to them. And so this is not just, or as anybody who's lonely. You know you can break down somebody, and apparently that's, that's something that they're very good at. [00:43:49] Bob: And anyone can be lonely. So anyone can go through this. [00:43:52] Debbi Crisp: Anyone. I think people just need to be, as our local weatherman here when it's, when there's things that could go wrong, he's always like, be weather aware. I always say, even to my own daughter, you know, be aware of what's going on around you. Watch what's around you. Always be paying attention. [00:44:09] Bob: Always watch what's going on around you and pay attention. For The Perfect Scam, I'm Bob Sullivan. (MUSIC SEGUE) [00:44:32] Bob: If you have been targeted by a scam or fraud, you are not alone. Call the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360. Their trained fraud specialists can provide you with free support and guidance on what to do next. Our email address at The Perfect Scam is: theperfectscampodcast@aarp.org, and we want to hear from you. If you've been the victim of a scam or you know someone who has, and you'd like us to tell their story, write to us. That address again is: theperfectscampodcast@aarp.org. Thank you to our team of scambusters; Associate Producer, Annalea Embree; Researcher, Becky Dodson; Executive Producer, Julie Getz; and our Audio Engineer and Sound Designer, Julio Gonzalez. Be sure to find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. For AARP's The Perfect Scam, I'm Bob Sullivan. (MUSIC OUTRO) END OF TRANSCRIPT Outstanding Gas Potential Sydney, April 11, 2025 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Jade Gas Holdings Limited ( ASX:JGH ) is pleased to announce further, significant progress with recent gas production drilling program activities at the Red Lake gas field in the South Gobi region of Mongolia. Highlights - Horizontal drilling successfully completed at second gas production well with over 800m of net coal reservoir intersected, resulting in a combined 1,500m of gassy coal - Both wells are now being equipped for production and are expected to be online and producing within the next 3 to 4 weeks - Total gas measured in well 2 by the gas detector and observed in the drilling mud encouragingly indicated higher gas levels than was measured in the first production well - Following the success from the initial two gas production wells, negotiations are underway to provide near term commercialisation opportunities via CNG production capabilities to capture value from the early gas flow Gas Production Program Jade has successfully drilled the second lateral coal seam well in Mongolia, whereby, as with the first well, significant gas readings were recorded on the gas detector and significant visible gas was observed in mud returns from the targeted coal seam IIIb. The well was drilled to a total depth of 1,507m MD (measured depth) with a lateral section of approximately 902m. Within the lateral section, 802m of net coal was intersected in the target seam IIIb, resulting in 88.9% net coal pay. Monitoring of mud gas was undertaken during drilling confirming that the target coal seam had better than expected gas shows based on the desorbed gas content in offset core wells Red Lake 7, 15 and 16. As with the first production well, a 5 1/2 inch pre-drilled liner staged cementing tool and 5 1/2 inch casing string are being set in the well, with the stage cementing packer located just above the entry point to seam IIIb in the heel of the lateral. Activities will now focus on completion of these first two wells and production testing. After the pumps and production equipment are installed, the water and gas flow will be analysed and used to continue to refine the planned development operation of the TTCBM field. Commercialisation Opportunities Following the success of the initial two gas production wells, Jade expects to complete an agreement with a mid stream manufacturer of fully integrated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) equipment which will enable the Company to commercialise the gas from these initial wells. These CNG facilities are easily transportable, and are able to take lightly processed gas and convert into a saleable and marketable form, enabling the Company to potentially deliver to various markets in the immediate vicinity. These markets are in need of a cleaner and more secure fuel source, including the displacement of diesel which currently powers the large coal haulage truck fleet in the South Gobi. Commenting on the progress, Jade Executive Chairman, Dennis Morton, said: "Production drilling results confirm our confidence in the Red Lake Gas Field being a future world class gas producer. We will complete these first two production wells and bring them online as soon as possible. We then eagerly await confirmation of gas flow rates. The Tavan Tolgoi basin is located within an area with high energy demand for electricity, fuel for engines and as a base load energy supply to underpin intermittent renewables. This is a wonderful situation for the Company as all gas sales options target high energy replacement costs. We are not too far away from gas production and gas sales in some form. Our gas commercialisation plan is built around a modular and scalable LNG project, but we are also canvassing other, nearer term, and lower capex opportunities in the form of CNG, a product that is also utilised in displacing diesel in coal haulage trucks and which we expect will be under great demand." Elton Dong of DWK added, "When drilling the first production well, and our first well in Mongolia, we took a little more time so as to understand the coal seam during the lateral part of the drilling process. After the success and understanding of the first well, it allowed us to complete the second well quicker. In addition, this second well outshines the first well with higher gas readings supporting the Company's desire to quickly commercialise the gas. As with similar wells we have drilled in the Qinshui Basin in China, we will now look to put these two wells into production within the next few weeks and move on to drilling the next wells." About Jade Gas Holdings Ltd Jade Gas Holdings Limited (ASX:JGH) is a gas exploration company focused on the coal bed methane (CBM) potential of Mongolia. Jade's flagship project is the Coal Bed Methane gas project over the Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) area of Tavantolgoi XXXIII unconventional oil basin, (TTCBM Project). Jade operates and manages the project through its subsidiary Methane Gas Resource LLC (MGR), a joint venture (JV) company partnering with Erdenes Methane LLC (EM), the representative of the Mongolian Government. The TTCBM Project has a 2C Gross Unrisked Contingent Resource of 246 Bcf. Jade also entered into a JV with Hong Kong listed Mongolia Mining Corporation Limited (MMC), for the CBM rights over MMC's Baruun Naran coal mine, immediately adjacent to the TTCBM Project, called the BNG Project. MMC is Mongolia's largest publicly traded miner with a vision is to become the country's largest diversified mining company. With a known coal resource and operating mine at Baruun Naran, Jade is working with MMC to further appraise and determine the commercial pathway for gas in this project. Related Companies Chris Inman, partner in DC investment at Aon, said: There have been high levels of uncertainty in global equity markets since the start of April. While there have been some periods of relative stability within the overall unrest, we do not expect this to be the end of volatility in investment markets. It all underlines key things for DC members to remember: The ups and downs of markets, while uncomfortable, are a normal part of investing. DC pension savers and those running pension schemes, should generally be focusing on the long-term. That is, they should not solely focus or make decisions based on short-term market movements. It is important for DC savers who are close to retirement and planning on accessing some or all their pension fund, to consider the potential short-term impact of recent market volatility on their plans. Before taking action, its likely to be beneficial for them to speak to a financial adviser for guidance that is specific to their situation. Its also important to highlight that, over time, we expect markets to recover from the recent volatility. It is also well worth remembering that as markets recover, pension savers who are making regular contributions will be invested at more attractive prices. This might seem counter-intuitive but can lead to greater long-term returns. For DC savers who are closer to retirement, one bright spot is that diversification, especially through short-dated government bonds, has been beneficial. Values have generally held steady or increased during the equity slump of the past few days. We havent seen this negative correlation between bond and equity price movements and to this extent - since the COVID-19 crisis-hit markets. Staying alert to scams DC scheme members should also stay on their guard against pension scams. Scammers may be looking to prey on concerns about falling pension values by trying to persuade people to transfer retirement savings out of one scheme and into another - and with a promise of higher returns or early access to their savings. Chris Inman said: Pension schemes and employers should encourage their savers to be cautious with the funds they have built up for their retirement. They should also signpost them to the Pension Regulator or FCA guidance on avoiding scams. Whatever the circumstances, the key message to savers is not to rush into decisions affecting their long-term savings, based on short-term market volatility. And, if in doubt, seek professional advice. 26/11 Mastermind Tahawwur Rana Lands in NIA Net: 18-Day Custody Begins in High-Security Probe 2 The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Friday secured 18-day custody of Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, following his extradition from the United States. The agency aims to interrogate Rana in-depth to unearth the entire conspiracy behind the brutal 2008 attacks that left 166 dead and over 238 injured. Rana was produced before the NIA Special Court at Patiala House in New Delhi after his arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday evening. He was formally arrested and later escorted under heavy securityled by Delhi Police SWAT teamsto the NIA headquarters at the CGO Complex, where he will remain in a high-security cell. In a statement, the NIA said Ranas detailed interrogation is crucial to exposing the full extent of the plot that led to the deadly assault on Mumbai. His extradition follows years of diplomatic efforts and legal battles, including the dismissal of his final plea by the US Supreme Court. The extradition was the result of coordinated efforts by Indias Ministry of External Affairs and Ministry of Home Affairs, working alongside American authorities. Rana was flown from Los Angeles to New Delhi on a special flight accompanied by senior NIA and NSG officials. This major breakthrough marks a significant step forward in Indias pursuit of justice for the victims of one of the worst terror attacks in its history. Chinas Ministry of Commerce on Wednesday added the Huntsville company to a new list of export restrictions. (AP) AP An Alabama defense contractor has ended up on a new short list of export bans from China as the country strengthens its restrictions amid the United States burgeoning trade war. Huntsvilles Teledyne Brown Engineering is facing new restrictions on receiving dual-use items from China, or goods that can be used for both civilian and military purposes, the countrys Ministry of Commerce announced Wednesday. As the Trump administrations trade war heats up, China is fighting back with bans on trade with U.S. companies, citing national security concerns. A company spokesperson for Teledyne did not immediately respond to a request by AL.com for comment. The tech firm, based in Huntsvilles Cummings Research Park, helped develop the Redstone Rocket and has been involved in major U.S. space launch initiatives and ballistic missile defense programs. It was founded as Alabama Engineering and Tool in 1953, according to Teledynes website. In December, Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs named Teledyne as a target for countermeasures for alleged involvement in arms sales to Taiwan, stating plans to freeze the companys assets within China. The Trump administration announced Thursday that it is raising tariffs on Chinese imports up to 145% up from 125% the day before. Its expected to have ripple effects on the economy, including for U.S. businesses that have a Chinese market and hiking prices for consumers who buy goods made in China. Earlier this week China also had announced it would impose an 84% tax on all U.S. imports. And that means more Alabama workers and businesses feel the heat. More than 15,000 Alabama workers whose jobs rely on goods exported from the United States to China could be impacted by the Trump administrations trade war, according to a recent report. That figure makes up a 1.6% share of the more than 930,000 jobs that rely on exports to China in the United States, according to a 2024 report from the US-China Business Council which analyzed the most recent data from 2022. China ranks No. 3, behind Canada and Mexico, for countries with the most U.S. goods exports, accepting $145 billion in goods in 2023, per the report. And in Alabama, China is also the third largest destination for U.S. exports, reaching $4.1 billion in 2024, according to a recent report from the Alabama Department of Commerce. Thats up 11% from the previous year. The country is also a top destination for motor vehicles, Alabamas top export product. Nationally, most of the countrys jobs that depend on U.S. exports are in the agriculture and livestock industry, per the report. Oilseeds and grains which includes crops like corn, soybeans and wheat are the United States top export to China, followed by oil and gas. Bradley Byrne, the president and CEO of the Mobile Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber has been in touch with a slew of local businesses in the region about their concerns over tariffs in the last week. While theres a lot of concern, a lot of anxiety, everybodys sort of waiting to see what exactly is going to happen, he said. But this time, the tariffs are so much bigger. He said that businesses that use international parts and components in their products are especially at risk. 145% tariff, you cant swallow that cost if youre an importer, he said. Its going to pose a real problem for anybody thats got to use a part or component from China in the production of their goods. But George Munchus, a professor at the University of Alabama at Birminghams Collat School of Business who teaches international business courses, said he wasnt too worried about long-standing impacts to the state. I think the current trade war will be very good for Alabama, Munchus said in an email to AL.com. There is no reason Alabama cannot double the $3.5 billion invested in 2025 if we are strategic with those countries and business[es] that have already invested in our state. What can we do to help them stay competitive and invest more and do more capital projects? China is no stranger to investing in Alabamas economy. In 2024, Alabama credited China in its New and Expanding Industry Announcements report as a top country for economic investment in the state. Chinese company Kaishan Groups U.S.-based subsidiary, Kaishan Compressor (USA) LLC, expanded its project in Baldwin County last year, investing $16.4 million and creating 50 jobs. The six-year-old manufacturing facility in Loxley makes industrial air compressors. Byrne added that the chamber recently reached out to Continental Aerospace Technologies, a general aviation and engine part manufacturer in Mobile thats owned by a Chinese state-owned parent company, Aviation Industry Corporation of China. They said they source their stuff almost all from the United States, so theyre not as worried, he said. We wake up everyday and its a new day, so its really hard to make decisions and its caused a great deal of anxiety for businesses all over the country. But this wont last forever. A brand of ground beef is being recalled because it might be contaminated with E. Coli (Getty Images) Getty Images A Canadian food producer is recalling a brand of lean ground beef due to potential E. coli contamination. Aladdin Foods is recalling its brand of lean ground beef following test results that identified the contamination, reports Food Safety News. The recalled product was sold at Aladdins Food in London, Ontario, and is limited to distribution within Ontario, Canada. So far, no illnesses have been reported in connection with the recall. Food Safety News reports the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has classified the recall as Class 1, meaning the recall is a high risk to public health. The agency is also actively conducting a food safety investigation that may lead to additional recalls. A Birmingham man has been charged with multiple crimes after authorities say he was caught trying to smuggle contraband including knives and drugs into an Alabama state prison. (ADOC) A Birmingham man has been charged with multiple crimes after authorities say he was caught trying to smuggle contraband including knives and drugs into an Alabama state prison. Terrence Cortez Whatley, 31, was taken into custody this week when Alabama Department of Corrections investigators say he was found outside Ventress Correctional Facility in Barbour County. Investigators and tracking dogs were notified about a possible trespasser about 5 a.m. Sunday. They tracked down the suspect who authorities said was a former ADOC inmate. The team found a pink duffel bag and a clear garbage back that contained 20 packages wrapped in black, green and brown tape. The packages, authorities said, contained eight knives, 33 cell phones, 534 grams methamphetamines, 140 grams of fentanyl, 952 grams of marijuana, 106 grams of Flakka, 26 grams of sprayed paper, 18 grams of pills, assorted chargers, tobacco, shoes, and clothes. Whatley is charged with trafficking fentanyl, trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking Flakka, first-degree promoting prison contraband, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. Whatley is being held in the Barbour County Jail. Court records show he pleaded guilty in 2015 in Jefferson County to robbery. He was sentenced to 15 years with two years to serve. A former state employee has been charged in a series of pornographic images sent to several Alabama lawmakers and Gov. Kay Ivey. John Henry Watson Jr., 54, of Dothan, is charged with four counts of dissemination of child pornography, the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency announced Thursday. Watson was a driver license examiner assigned to ALEAs Driver License Division, ALEA Lt. Jeremy Burket said. He was placed on leave Wednesday, and resigned Thursday in lieu of termination. Watson was booked into the Houston County Jail where he is being held without bond. The images which court documents say included minors engaged in sex acts with each other were sent to three Alabama lawmakers who sponsored a bill to require pornographic websites to use age verification received letters today containing pornographic images. Rep. Ben Robbins, R-Sylacauga, said the images came in a manila envelope found on their desks Wednesday. The letters included a name and return address of a P.O. Box in Dothan. Robbins said Reps. Susan DuBose of Hoover and David Faulkner of Mountain Brook, who co-sponsored the bill last year, also received the envelopes. Robbins told AL.com the sender was apparently trying to show that such images can still be found on social media despite their bill, which passed and became law. The bill, HB164, signed into law by Gov. Kay Ivey a year ago, says: Any commercial entity that knowingly and intentionally publishes or distributes sexual material harmful to minors through an adult website shall use a reasonable age-verification method to provide reasonable assurance that individuals under 18 years of age cannot access the material harmful to minors. A bond hearing for Watson is set for later this month. AL.com reporter Mike Cason contributed to this report. A flurry of text messages in the moments before and after Raven Swain was gunned down in an alleged murder-for-hire by her boyfriend were shown Thursday to jurors. Demarcus Chandler, 27, is on trial for capital murder in the 2020 shooting death of the 24-year-old Swain. Police contend Chandler, who has a lengthy criminal history and is locked up in state prison on parole violations from previous crimes, hired 28-year-old Solomon Minatee III for $8,000 to kill Swain. Chandler, they say, allegedly orchestrated the murder, because he believed she had ripped him off while he was in prison. Chandlers attorneys from the Jefferson County Public Defenders Office 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. The most chilling message shown to jurors was reportedly sent to Chandler from Minatee less than an hour after Swain was fatally shot. It read, Bruh, we need the money. The work is done. The deadly shooting happened shortly after 7 p.m. on July 28, 2020, in Underwood Park on Birminghams Southside. Swain, who worked at UAB Hospital, was found unresponsive in her Hyundai Sonata, which had rolled into foliage after she was shot. She was slumped over in the drivers seat leaning toward the passengers seat. Her window was rolled down, and she had been shot under the left arm, with the bullets penetrating her heart and lung. Swain was pronounced dead on the scene. Chandlers trial began earlier this week before Jefferson County Circuit Judge Michael Streety. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty. Deputy District Attorneys Charissa Henrichs and Isabella Colombo are prosecuting. Chandler is represented by the Jefferson County Public Defenders Office. His defense is led by Blair Shores. Minatee has not yet gone to trial. Demarcus Chandler, left, Raven Swain, center, Solomon Minatee III, right. (Contributed) Prosecutors have said that Swain and Chandler had a tumultuous relationship. At the time of her death, he was still awaiting trial on felony charges of domestic violence strangulation/suffocation in which Swain was the victim. Swain had also in 2019 sought a protection from abuse order against Chandler, citing multiple examples of violence including pistol-whipping and shots fired at her car. That request was ultimately dismissed. Swains mother, Lolita Braxton, testified earlier this week that shots had been fired outside her home as Chandler was leaving and, in another incident, shots had been fired into her home. In some of the text messages shown in court, Swain and Chandler were telling each other they loved each other. Others were more hostile, with one text from Chandler to Swain saying, Ho, Ima try calling one more time and if you dont pick up, oh well. Another said, Bitch, call me now. When she later told him her phone was dead, he replied, IDGAF. Call me when you get home. Need you to handle this biz. Prosecutors contend that Chandler sent Swain to Underwood Park under the guise that she was doing a dope deal for him. There were multiple messages between them, with Swain asking where she was supposed to go. Ultimately, prosecutors say, she met Minatee at the Southside park. In one of the many message threads shown to jurors, Chandler reportedly texted Minatee at 6:46 p.m. that Tuesday saying, Im on the phone with Raven. At 6:57 p.m., Chandler texted Minatee, Ill call you when she pulls up. Then, at 7:02 p.m., Chandler texted Minatee, She out there. One of the final messages that night between the two suspects was the text from Minatee to Chandler at 7:47 p.m. asking for the money. Prosecutors have also said that moments after the deadly shooting, Chandler reached out to Swains family and friends to tell them she had been shot. Testimony Thursday showed Facebook calls from Chandler to Swains brother just minutes after the shooting. Prosecutors in opening statements earlier this week said Chandler posted this to Facebook minutes after Swain was killed: God forgive. Papa dont. 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. Testimony will resume on Friday. Marcus Adam Battles, 39, of Mentone, was shot to death Thursday, April 10, 2025. GoFundMe DeKalb County authorities say a man is dead after he was apparently shot and his vehicle struck a residence. Sheriff Nick Welden said the incident happened Thursday at 6:16 p.m. Dispatchers received a call of a vehicle striking a residence in the 3000 block of U.S. 117 in Mentone near the Georgia state line. The caller also reported that a man inside the vehicle had been shot. Mentone Police, Dekalb County deputies, Dekalb Ambulance Service, and Mentone Fire and Rescue responded to the scene. The man inside the vehicle, identified as Marcus Adam Battles, 39, of Mentone, died at the scene from his injuries, Welden said. The Dekalb County Criminal Investigation Unit and Jacksonville State Universitys Center for Applied Forensics are working on the investigation. This was such a senseless act of violence that took a mans life and changed one family forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Battles family and friends, Welden said in a statement. A GoFundMe page has been set up to help pay for the victims funeral expenses. The organizer, identified as Battles sister-in-law, said he died in a presumed road rage incident. So senseless, so heartbreaking, so so much we cant even begin to explain! Jessica Barkley wrote. Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey will receive a $32,500 raise this year, raising his annual income to at least $325,000. Thats a shift from a draft contract that would have paid Mackey $380,000, but it still makes him among the highest-earning state K-12 education officials in the nation. The Alabama State Board of Education voted 7-1 on the deal, which will run through April 2029. Board member Jackie Ziegler claimed officials had mishandled the process up until the final vote, and said she could not back their decision despite her longstanding support for Mackey. I am in no way against anything about Dr. Mackey and his leadership, she said. But I have to say that the revised contract which was not provided until last night at seven oclock I think the process of how the procedures were laid out could have been done in a much better way, and if we could have done so earlier versus later, we could have offset many who are frustrated, upset, and wondering where were headed across our state. Mackey currently has a rolling three-year contract, meaning it is extended by a year each anniversary. His starting salary in 2018 was $245,000, with a 3% raise each year. The new contract would raise his base salary by about 11%. The 3% annual raise would remain in place if he continues to make good marks on his evaluation. He is also eligible for a $1,750 monthly housing allowance, a $5,000 annual stipend for professional development and reimbursements for other work expenses like a smartphone and laptop. The state superintendent is responsible for making sure Alabamas 154 public K-12 school districts meet state and federal regulations. They also help guide policy, monitor performance and determine state funding for local schools. During his tenure, Mackey has launched several big initiatives, including the states literacy and numeracy laws, and has led the state to historic growth in national test scores. Mackey received a score of 4.51 out of 5 on his latest evaluation, a four-year high. The new salary would still place Mackey behind one local superintendent, Chresal Threadgill of Mobile County, who makes $365,261. The average superintendent pay in the state is $174,944. Alabamas average teacher pay is $61,213, though certain districts typically pay much more or less. Higher education leaders in the state make anywhere from $400,000 to $550,000, according to pay records. New Yorks Education Commissioner, Betty Rosa, appears the countrys current highest-earning K-12 leader after receiving a $155,000 raise in February. She now brings home nearly half a million dollars a year. As of 2023, Georgias state superintendent made $155,000, while Mississippis made $300,000, according to the Council of State Governments. I want to see him raised up where our superintendents in the local level and our chancellors in the two-year schools and the four-year schools is more equitable, and I think Dr. Mackey has done a fabulous job, Board Member Marie Manning said before the vote. Board Member Wayne Reynolds was absent during the meeting, but said in a social media post that he was also skeptical of the initial amount. In a work session last month, he and two new members pushed for a delay to the vote, stating that he needed more time to review the details. The process caused some significant divisions in the Board but was resolved late yesterday after 7:00 PM with an email, he wrote. I received numerous communications and agree with the multitude who thought the $380,000 [salary] was not in the best interest of Alabama. The revised contract for $325,000 is more acceptable. My issue is not with Dr. Mackeys performance but with the procedure and process used, he added. My fiduciary responsibility demands a careful and prudent approach to any issue before me as an elected State Board of Education member and Constitutional Officer. Manning acknowledged a rock in the road with the process but praised Mackey for taking responsibility for the boards concerns. She said he went to the governors office to personally request a reduction in the initial contract amount. As a school board member, I couldnt be more proud, she said to him. I know that has to be why you did that. In a work session after the vote, Board Vice President Tonya Chestnut said shed like the board to consider establishing written guidelines for future renewals. Mackey agreed with the idea and said he is grateful for the opportunity to keep working on current projects. The process has been hard on everybody and all of us, but I do appreciate the opportunity to serve longer, and I enjoy working with all of you, he said. Alabamas largest house is on the market, and for $5 million, all 54,000-square-feet of it could be yours. The massive estate, located at 7 Montagel Way in Birminghams Shoal Creek community, was recently listed by realtor Connie Alexander Jacks, with The Luxe Group at The Real Broker, as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for those looking to live a life of luxury and sophistication. The home is the 44th largest house in the United States, coming in only slightly smaller than the White House. The Versailles-style estate, which sits on 27 acres and features a long guitar-shaped driveway, offers its future homeowners 15 bedrooms, 22 bathrooms, 12 grand fireplaces, coffered details, mahogany doors, hand-painted frescoes, gold leafing, hand-selected marble and limestone finishes, high ceilings and many more stylish details. Alabamas largest house could be yours for $5,000,000. Connie Alexander Jacks, with The Luxe Group at The Real Broker, has listed 7 Montagel Way in Shoal Creek for sale. The Versailles-style estate features a long guitar-shaped driveway and is the 44th largest home in the country. (Photos provided by The Luxe Group at The Real Broker /AL.com) AL.com Not to mention, the property also includes a 25-person theater, 10-car garage, commercial-grade elevator, 2,000 bottle capacity wine cellar, 3,000-square-foot guest house and an equestrian center designed to resemble those of Queen Elizabeth II, among other amenities. The mansion was built in 1997 by Larry House, the former founder and CEO of MedPartners, and was designed by Birmingham architect Bill Sheppard. It was previously featured in AL.coms Cool Spaces series in 2015. In 2020, it sold for $4.8 million, according to Realtor.com. And while a cool $5 million sounds (and is) a lot, at only around $92 a square foot, some could make the argument this estate is a steal. If nothing else, she sure is fun to look at. For more information on 7 Montagel Way, visit The Luxe Groups listing website. The Church of the Highlands will have services in its new 800-seat building in Opelika starting on Sunday, April 13, 2025. Church of the Highlands The Church of the Highlands, a Birmingham-based congregation with dozens of branch locations in Alabama and Georgia, will open its new 800-seat Opelika worship center on Sunday, April 13. The Opelika area is growing, and were honored to grow along with it, said the Rev. Mark Pettus, who took over as lead pastor of The Church of the Highlands on Feb. 2. We cant wait to serve more, gather more, worship more and do all that our new campus home allows us to do. The Church of the Highlands was founded in 2001 in the fine arts auditorium at Mountain Brook High School and opened its flagship campus in Irondale in 2007. It has since opened more than 20 branch campuses in Alabama as far north as Florence and Huntsville, as far south as Mobile and Daphne, and in Auburn, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa, along with branch campuses across the state line in Columbus and Newnan, Georgia. We are one church that meets in locations across Alabama and Georgia, said Founding Pastor Chris Hodges, who stepped down as lead pastor this year to focus on his role as chancellor of Highlands College. The Opelika branch campus of the Church of the Highlands has been meeting for nearly 10 years at a city-owned gymnasium, the Opelika Sportsplex, said Opelika Campus Pastor Kevin Haefner. It began meeting on Feb. 1, 2015. We had 413 people show up that first Sunday, 10 years ago, Haefner said. This past Sunday we had 1,228 people. Thats just Gods favor and grace. The city gym didnt open until 1 p.m. on Sundays, so the Church of the Highlands set-up team would arrive at 5:30 a.m., set up for services at 8 a.m., 9:45 and 11:30 a.m., then have everything moved out by 1 p.m. Weve had 533 Sundays at the Sportsplex, Haefner said. The next will be in the new building on Palm Sunday, just in time for Holy Week, when the Church of the Highlands plans extra services for Easter weekend, April 18-20, with 120 services total at all locations combined, on Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. Hodges returned to preach April 6, and will also preach on Palm Sunday, April 13, and for the Easter weekend services. Hes going to preach a lot still, Haefner said. All sermons, whether by Pettus, Hodges or another staff member, are livestreamed from the Grants Mill campus to all the other branches. Each branch has its own praise team with live music, but hears the same sermon. The 26 campuses get to have one message, one heartbeat, said Haefner. That means campus pastors dont have to spend time on sermon preparation, which frees up more time for personally meeting and praying with church members, Haefner said. It allows me to spend time with my people, Haefner said. I meet with people every day. Hes already had people stop by his office, that opened Wednesday at the new building, to pray with him. My door is always open, Haefner said. If they need me, Im a phone call, a text away. When hes busy, a whole term is ready to meet and pray with those who are in need. Ive got a team that is gifted in pastoral leadership, the Dream Teamers, which are volunteers, Haefner said. Theyre probably better than I am at it. Grand opening services at the Opelika campus are Sunday, April 13, at 8 a.m., 9:45 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. For more information on the opening of the Opelika Campus: https://www.churchofthehighlands.com/campuses/opelika. A boater who went missing on Dog River Thursday morning was found dead after a search by emergency responders. According to Fox10 News, law enforcement officials at the scene confirmed they found the body in an area where an eyewitness said they last saw the boater. The Mobile Fire-Rescue department was notified just before 11 a.m. regarding a capsized boat and a man in the water. Officials from the fire department and Mobile police were subsequently dispatched to the river. The capsized boat was located during the search, according to authorities. According to the news station, an eyewitness said they saw the boater lose control of his boat before it capsized. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency has taken over the investigation into the incident. A "straight pipe" sewage discharge system in a Lowndes County mobile home. The U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday that it would suspend a settlement with the Alabama Department of Public Health that would require the department to address inadequate sanitation in Lowndes County. Dennis Pillion The U.S. Department of Justice is ending a settlement agreement with the state of Alabama regarding sewage in Lowndes County. The DOJ will no longer push environmental justice as viewed through a distorting, DEI lens, said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon in a news release. President Trump made it clear: Americans deserve a government committed to serving every individual with dignity and respect, and to expending taxpayer resources in accordance with the national interest, not arbitrary criteria. Under President Joe Biden, the federal government opened two investigations into sanitation issues in the Black Belt and specifically Lowndes County. Residents of those counties frequently lack proper sanitation and some resorted to straight piping sewage into the ground. In 2023, the DOJ reached a settlement agreement with the Alabama Department of Public Health, agreeing to suspend investigation of possible civil rights violations in exchange for the department of health implementing significant changes, including suspending criminal penalties for improper sanitation and assessing possible wastewater or septic systems in the area. But now the DOJ is terminating that agreement, effective immediately, according to the news release. The federal Departments of Justice and Health and Human Services have terminated their Interim Resolution Agreement with the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) regarding sanitation concerns in Lowndes County, Ryan Easterling, a spokesperson for ADPH, said in an email. The installation of sanitation systems and related infrastructure is outside the authority or responsibilities conferred upon ADPH by state law. Nonetheless, ADPH will continue working with subgrantees on installation of septic systems as contemplated by the Interim Resolution Agreement until appropriated funding expires. After that time, ADPH will support and be available to provide technical assistance to other organizations that may choose to engage in this work. Resilient and sustainable sanitation is a problem in rural communities across the U.S., said Catherine Coleman Flowers, Lowndes County native and founder of the Center for Rural Enterprise and Environmental Justice. The people of Lowndes County exposed this issue to the American public. I pray that todays action means that this administration will make sanitation a priority for all who are affected throughout rural America. The termination comes as a result of President Donald Trumps executive order, Ending Radical And Wasteful Government DEI Programs And Preferencing, which forbid federal agencies from pursuing programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, according to the news release. Environmental justice, a term used to describe disproportionate environmental threats to lower income or minority communities, would be considered DEI initiatives, according to the news release. Under the direction of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the DOJ is working to close cases like the Lowndes County case. Todays closure is another step this administration has taken to eradicate illegal DEI preferences and environmental justice across the government and in the private sector, according to the news release. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency opened a second investigation related to sanitation in the Black Belt in 2023, when Biden was still in office. This investigation targets the Alabama Department of Environmental Management and whether the department discriminates against Black Belt residents when handing out grants as part of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. The investigation followed a complaint filed by Flowers, who received the MacArthur Genius grant for her environmental activism. Flowers filed her complaint in partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council. Its unclear how todays announcement would affect this investigation. President Trump has worked to end environmental justice initiatives since returning to office. Last month, the EPA closed its environmental justice and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offices at the direction of Trump. Top officials in the Justice Department froze civil rights litigation in the weeks following Trumps return to office, according to the Associated Press. This story was updated at 5:53 p.m. with a statement from Flowers. A similar version of this cartoon was first published in 2020. This is an opinion cartoon. Trump is the author of chaos, deception, lies and confusion. Seems like there might be a Bible verse or two about that. Trump is the pyromaniac who is also the fire marshal. Trump is the arsonist who burned down your house. And then he pictures himself as the buff hero fireman who rushes in to urinate on the flames of the fire he started. And now he wants to claim credit for saving your burned down urinated-on house. Sign up for JD Crowes newsletter: Enter your email to subscribe to JDs weekly newsletter, Crowe Jam. In the meantime, while your house was burning, Trump and his billionaire friends all got richer. And Trump is bragging about it. Martha Stewart was sent to prison for a much lesser crime than what Trump is bragging about in this White House video. The tariff stunt was at the very least market manipulation, in addition to whatever other horrible thing it was. Trumps crime scene smoking gun post on his Truth Social app includes an all caps firestarter message to his minions: NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY! Moments later, Trump flip-flopped on his tough tariffs stance and declared some sort of weird ass-kissing victory. The stock market made a miraculous recovery and Trumps oligarchy got magically richer. The world hates us. According to plan. Bless Trumps teeny tiny cold black hole of a gaslighting heart. Check out more cartoons and stuff by JD Crowe JD Crowe is the cartoonist for AL.com. He won the RFK Human Rights Award for Editorial Cartoons in 2020. In 2018, he was awarded the Rex Babin Memorial Award by the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists. Follow JD on Facebook, Twitter @Crowejam and Instagram @JDCrowepix. Give him a holler at jdcrowe@al.com. An arrest warrant was issued today for a town magistrate who was caught on video brandishing a gun outside city hall after a clash with a resident in traffic court. Now, both women involved in the March 28 altercation have changes against them. Tarrant City Magistrate Tanilya Jackson, 43, is charged with possession of a firearm in a building in violation of a state code that prohibits weapons inside certain public buildings. Jacksons case is a Class C misdemeanor, among the lesser of all misdemeanor charges, according to Alabama Code 13A-11-61.2. If found guilty, the maximum penalty for a Class C misdemeanor is a fine of up to $500 and up to three months in jail. Jacksons bond was set at $1,000 by a Jefferson County magistrate. Jacksons arrest stems from an altercation in traffic court in Tarrant between Jackson and Raven Shearer, a local resident, which escalated in the lobby before the proceeding. Shearer was in court for a traffic citation originally but was later arrested for disorderly conduct. The conflict continued outside when Shearer returned to get her car and words were exchanged with Jackson, who brandished a gun before sending her minor son inside the building. You think you got it going on with that gun, b****, Shearer shouted on the video. Jackson, who was walking to her car with her son, instructed him to go back into the building after taking a gun from her handbag. The other woman is not visible on camera. Lets go, Jackson said standing alone while holding the weapon in one hand and a cell phone in the other. The problem for Jackson, according to Tarrant Police Chief Wendell Major, is the citys policy and state law that prohibit firearms at certain public buildings that include city halls, police departments and courthouses. Major said the charges came soon after Tarrant Police were made aware of the video. Major said their report and video was then presented to the Jefferson County District Court Magistrate, who decided on the warrant. Jackson has declined to comment on the issue and Tarrant Mayor Wayman Newton has said he could not discuss personnel matters. Surveillance cameras mounted in offices throughout the Tarrant City Hall continue to chronicle a series of political arguments, personnel disputes and even a punch delivered by a longtime councilman against the mayor in 2022. The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees has approved Stage II of plans to renovate The University of Alabama in Huntsvilles (UAH) Bevill Center to house the UAH Center for Cybersecurity Research, Education, and Advanced Training. The new center will be a hub for UAH cybersecurity and computer science education and research. Michael Mercier/UAH The renovation of the University of Alabama in Huntsvilles Bevill Center is one step closer to reality. UAH received Stage II approval from the University of Alabama (UA) System Board of Trustees for the renovation of the building, advancing the Center for Cybersecurity Research, Education and Advanced Training, the university announced in a news release Thursday. The Alabama State Legislature voted to appropriate $34.4 million of state supplemental funds toward the project. The project is expected to be completed in approximately two years, subject to further approvals of the UA System Board of Trustees. The project was one of three major UAH facilities projects considered during the Boards meeting last Friday on the campus The project will renovate 45,000 square feet of space on the first and second floors of the Bevill Center into a new interdisciplinary research and academic facility for the UAH Center for Cybersecurity Research, Education and Advanced Training. It will expand the research capabilities of the Center for Cybersecurity Research and Education (CCRE) and meet the growing needs for a wide variety of cybersecurity-related disciplines, the university said. The Boards Stage II approval encompasses the revised project scope and budget and allows UAH to hire an owners representative firm. Stage I approval was granted in 2023. Thank you to Chairman Arthur Orr, Chairman Danny Garrett, and the members of the Madison County legislative delegation for their commitment to UAH, UAH President Charles L. Karr said. Huntsville has long been a leader in cybersecurity, and UAH has played a key role in advancing research and educating both students and professionals in this critical field. This project will ensure that our students are prepared to meet the workforce needs of the future and will benefit not only north Alabama but also the entire state and nation. UAH holds the designations National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense as well as National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Research, both awarded by the National Security Agency in cooperation with its federal partners. The CCRE leads a four-university nationwide coalition to advance cybersecurity education through Virtual Internship and Varied Innovative Demonstrations, a three-year program funded by a $3.2 million grant from the Department of Defense. The new Bevill Center will be a true hub for cybersecurity and computer science education and research, said Thomas Morris, CCRE director. We anticipate space for computing and cybersecurity classrooms, faculty offices and faculty research labs as well as space for external companies partnered with UAH on research. The entire CCRE will be in one building with modern informal meeting and study spaces. That gives UAH cybersecurity students an amazing opportunity to go to class, conduct cybersecurity research work, and study with their friends all in one building. Bringing the two halves of CCRE the CCRE Department of Education, Training and Outreach and the CCRE Research and Development teams together in one building is a significant step forward for the program, the university said. Working side by side will unleash new levels of creativity and innovation that allows CCRE to continue to help our corporate and federal partners to draw the best minds into the cybersecurity profession and to solve the hard problems in cybersecurity, Morris said. The Prichard Waters Works & Sewer Board in downtown Prichard, Ala., as pictured on Saturday, May 18, 2024. John Sharp Prichards long-troubled water and sewer utility, overwhelmed by last weekends severe weather, reported more than 3.7 million gallons in untreated sewage spills between April 6 and April 8. The Mobile County Health Department released information on 14 sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) that resulted from heavy rains. The largest overflow, located at 218 Patricia Ave., was more than 550,000 gallons. The water flowed into Gum Tree Branch, Toulmins Spring Branch, Chickasaw Creek, and Three Mile Creek. The health department urged residents to be cautious around standing water that may have accumulated as a result of these overflows, as well as to be cautious when boating, swimming or eating seafood from the waterways. Prichard wasnt alone: several other utilitiesincluding the Mobile Area Water and Sewer System (MAWSS) reported sewer overflows as a result of the heavy rains, which also caused flash flooding throughout coastal Alabama. But sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) are common in Prichard. Last week, more than 1.3 million gallons of sewage overflowed during heavy rains. There have been 309 sanitary sewer spills in Prichard from 2021 to 2023, according to Cade Kistler of Mobile Baykeeper. The utility spills an average of 16 million gallons of sewage a year. Carletta Davis, president of We Matter Eight Mile Community Association, said residents have sewage flowing into their backyards and into their homes as a result of the frequent overflows. Our focus needs to be on the public health and safety threat that is at our doorstep. That is the most pressing issue, Davis told AL.com last week. People are being exposed to sewage, not just running in the ditches, but actually running in their yards and back up into their houses. This is a public health crisis. The utilitys outdated water and sewer infrastructure has been an issue for years: in 2005, Mobile Baykeeper filed a lawsuit against the Water Works and Sewer Board of Prichard, alleging violations of the Clean Water Act, Kistler said. But now, the infrastructure appears to be on the brink of crisis: last year, engineering reports filed in Mobile County Circuit Court estimated that more than $400 million could be needed to get the utilitys infrastructure up to standard. Around 32% of the utilitys sewer pipes are estimated to be in poor condition; 70% of its water pipes will need to be replaced in the next 20 years. The crisis comes as the utility faces important questions about its future. After defaulting on a $55 million loan from Synovus Bank in 2023, Mobile County Circuit Court Judge Michael Youngpeter appointed a receiver to manage the utility. The receiver, John Young, argues that the only way for the utility to continue is if it is absorbed into MAWSS. The utility does not have the capability to receive funds on its own, he argues, and rates would skyrocket. This is no longer just a financial issueit is a public health emergency waiting to happen, Young said in a report to the court last week. Davis opposes consolidation with MAWSS, as does Prichard Mayor Jimmie Gardner. But one Prichard resident thinks that MAWSS is the only solution. I cant go to nobody talking about $100 million. MAWSS can, Charles Young, a resident said. Young said hes supported consolidation for many years; Youngs wife said a vote to be absorbed by MAWSS would pass in the city. In 2014, Mobile County voters approved a referendum for the Prichard utility to be absorbed into MAWSS. But the Mobile utility backed away from the deal after the Prichard utility board signed a management contract that would have required MAWSS to pay an operator $32.8 million over five years. Meanwhile, last week the U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment alleging a broad scheme to defraud the Prichard utility out of millions of dollars. Former employees and board members of the utility have been charged. Mobile County residents have been advised to exercise caution around standing water that may have accumulated as a result of millions of gallons of sewer overflow in Prichard this week. Prichard Water Works & Sewer Board reported multiple Sanitary Sewer Overflows that began on April 6 and ended on April 8 due to heavy rains. Area residents should take precautions when using Gum Tree Branch, Toulmins Spring Branch, Chickasaw Creek and Three Mile Creek for recreational purposes because of these overflows, reads a release from the Mobile County Health Department. All seafood harvested in this general area should be thoroughly cooked before eating. People should wash their hands after cleaning seafood and before preparing food. Mobile County Health Officer Dr. Kevin Michaels advised anyone who comes into direct contact with untreated sewage to wash their hands and clothing thoroughly. The nearest manhole locations, estimated overflow, and receiving waters were listed in the release as follows: After being confined inside two planes on a Montgomery tarmac overnight on Thursday, nearly 300 passengers flying out of Mexico were able to reach their intended Atlanta destination early Friday morning. Bostons Lauren Forbes was bound for a layover in Atlanta when their plane was diverted to Montgomery because of inclement weather, she told WCVB. And because the Montgomery Regional Airport doesnt have customs, passengers on the two diverted flights, Delta Flights 1828 from Cabo San Lucas and 599 from Mexico City, were forced to remain inside the planes overnight. I guess the law is that if theres no customs at the airport, you are literally stuck on that airplane, Forbes told the publication. So, I just learned that today. The airline said that Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport was not suitable because of storm conditions in that area, according to Forbes. 150 customers were aboard Flight 1828, which departed Cabo San Lucas at 5:17 p.m. and landed in Montgomery and arrived to a gate at 10:34 p.m., Delta said in a statement to WCVB. The release said egress was available for those passengers at 5:23 a.m. Another 147 passengers were aboard Flight 599. They departed at 6:16 p.m., reached a gate in Montgomery at 10:22 p.m. and were held on board until 5:15 a.m, according to Delta. Once the passengers were brought inside, they were confined and guarded inside the airport since they hadnt gone through customs, Forbes told WCVB. Flights were available out of Montgomery to Atlanta starting after 4:00 a.m., according to the airport website. From there, Forbes said that her boyfriend had to get on the phone to book their final leg home to Boston. We sincerely apologize to our customers for this experience, a Delta spokesperson wrote in the statement to WCVB. We fell short of how we aspire to serve and care for our customers amid thunderstorms in the Southeast U.S. Thursday evening. We are reaching out to each customer with a full refund of their booking. Efforts to reach Delta for comment were not immediately successful. The House version of Parkers Law, which would exempt nursing mothers from jury duty for up to two years, could be headed to Gov. Kay Iveys desk for a signature as early as Tuesday, according to Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover. This is something that I feel confident will make it to the final calendar, get a final vote, and pass unanimously, she told AL.com Friday. There are two identical versions of the bill currently making their way through the legislature, DuBoses HB209 and Sen. April Weavers, R-Brierfield, SB76. HB209 has been approved by the House and the Senate Committee on Judiciary and only requires approval from the full Senate before it can go to Ivey for signature. Although only 14 days remain in the Alabama legislative session, DuBose said she isnt concerned about the bill not making it through. April and I are both going to be pushing to make sure it gets through, she said. Its important. The bill would codify what was established by an administrative order passed down from the Alabama Supreme Court earlier this year which states that a nursing mother of an infant child clearly qualifies for the excuse from jury service under state judicial code. We know that administrative rules can be easily reversed with the stroke of a pen, Weaver said previously. We just feel that this gives them [nursing mothers] the protection that they need. This legislation comes in response to claims from several Alabama mothers that they were harassed and threatened by Jefferson County judges for bringing breastfeeding babies with them for jury duty. Kandace Brown said earlier this year that she was even threatened with DHR for bringing in her three-month-old daughter Parker. And this issue is not confined to Jefferson County, according to Weaver. She said last month that she had received at least 40 calls from nursing mothers who were going to be made to serve on a jury in Alabama. Under both bills, if a mother can provide to the court a written statement certifying that she is a nursing mother, she would be exempt for up to 24 months, according to the bills text. It was amended in the Senate to only require a written statement, instead of a written statement from a healthcare provider. It allows oversight without being burdensome on the mother, DuBose said. They just have to attest that theyre nursing and then provide any simple document that they gave birth. You dont even have to wait for the official birth certificate to come in. After the two years are up, the mother may be called to reappear for jury duty, per the bills text. Brown has thanked Weaver and DuBose for their work on this legislation. Im thankful that no other mother will have to experience this in the future, she said. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, right, slammed the Trump administration in an April 10 appearance on MSNBC. Pool via AP | AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin Donald Trumps escalating tariff war with China is the latest example that the president is unfit to serve, according to a progressive Democrat who wondered why questions arent increasingly being raised about Trumps mental fitness. This crazy tariff war like, the fact that nobody is questioning his mental acuity or fitness to serve is beyond wild to me, right?" Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Tex., said during a Thursday appearance on MSNBCs All In with Chris Hayes. Tariffs? Out of control. Prices? Skyrocketing. Emergency powers? Hes abusing them. And yet not a single question about whether hes even fit to serve. The math aint mathing. pic.twitter.com/IxvirkRQcd Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (@RepJasmine) April 11, 2025 Crockett also claimed the nickname conservatives gave to criticize former President Joe Bidens mental acuity was unwarranted. Like, the fact that they sat around, called Joe Biden Sleepy Joe Biden at least you could sleep at night because you didnt have to worry about your 401(k) disappearing overnight," Crockett told Hayes. You didnt have to worry about these allegations of fake invasions. You didnt have to worry about the cost of food just skyrocketing or skyrocketing costs of all of your electronics, Crockett said. You know, the fact that Apple was flying in planes of iPhones before the tariffs hit. Like, this is crazy work. For no reason. She claimed voters apparently got amnesia over the presidents first term. And while Democrats won a crucial seat on the Wisconsin Supreme Court last week and performed better than expected in special elections for House seats in Florida, Crockett said Democrats should have exceeded expectations further because of the level of incompetence and harm that this administration is bringing upon all of us. Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump shakes hands with Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at a campaign rally at the Desert Diamond Arena, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci) AP White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had to answer tough questions on Friday, like the presidents tariff war with China, the deportation of a Maryland resident to El Salvador and President Donald Trumps fitness regimen. Yes, among the handful of questions the media lobbed at Leavitt on Friday was whether the White House will release Trumps fitness plan. He actually looks healthier than ever before -- healthier than he did eight years ago, the reporter said in prefacing her question. And Im sure everyone in this room could agree. The came the hard-hitting question: Is he working out with Bobby Kennedy? And is he eating less McDonalds? A reporter just asked White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt whether the president will release his fitness plan and if hes eating less McDonalds and working out with RFK Jr. pic.twitter.com/C21WuQ6Vlf Stephanie Myers (@_StephanieMyers) April 11, 2025 Leavitt chuckled before answering. I can confirm the president is in very good shape, as you see on a near-daily basis here, she said. The question came after the reporters colleague asked if Trump would be more transparent about his health after criticizing Joe Bidens physical and mental condition. I can tell you there was certainly a lack of transparency from the former president, from the entire former administration, and frankly, a lot of people in this room when it came to the health and the competence of... Joe Biden. She claimed Bidens health is one of the greatest coverups and, frankly, political scandals this nation has ever seen. The allegations are detailed in Original Sin: President Bidens Decline, Its Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again, written by CNNs Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson of Axios to be released next month. Leavitt said the administration will release the White House physicians medical report on the president as soon as we can. The Trump administration has moved to classify more than 6,000 living immigrants as dead, canceling their Social Security numbers and effectively wiping out their ability to work or receive benefits in an effort to get them to leave the country, according to two people familiar with the situation. The move will make it much harder for those affected to use banks or other basic services where Social Security numbers are required. Its part of a broader effort by President Donald Trump to crack down on immigrants who were allowed to enter and remain temporarily in the United States under programs instituted by his predecessor, Joe Biden. The Trump administration is moving the immigrants names and legally obtained Social Security numbers to a database that federal officials normally use to track the deceased, according to the two people familiar with the moves and their ramifications. They spoke on condition of anonymity Thursday night because the plans had not yet been publicly detailed. The officials said stripping the immigrants of their Social Security numbers will cut them off from many financial services and encourage them to self-deport and abandon the U.S. for their birth countries. It wasnt immediately clear how the 6,000-plus immigrants were chosen. But the Trump White House has targeted people in the country temporarily under Biden-era programs, including more than 900,000 immigrants who entered the U.S. using that administrations CBP One app. On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security revoked the legal status of the immigrants who used that app. They had generally been allowed to remain in the U.S. for two years with work authorization under presidential parole authority during the Biden era, but are now expected to self-deport. Meanwhile, a federal judge said Thursday that she was stopping 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. A representative from the Social Security Administration did not respond to a request for comment on the news that living immigrants were being classified as dead. The agency maintains the most complete federal database of individuals who have died, and the file contains more than 142 million records, which go back to 1899. The Privacy Act allows the Social Security Administration to disclose information to law enforcement in limited circumstances, which includes when a violent crime has been committed or other criminal activity. DHS and the Treasury Deprartment signed a deal this week that would allow the IRS to share immigrants tax data with Immigration and Customs Enforcement for the purpose of identifying and deporting people illegally in the U.S. The agreement will allow ICE to submit names and addresses of immigrants inside the U.S. illegally to the IRS for cross-verification against tax records. The acting IRS commissioner, Melanie Krause, who had served in that capacity since February, stepped down over that deal. In March, meanwhile, a federal judge temporarily blocked a team charged with cutting federal jobs and shrinking the government led by billionaire Elon Musk from Social Security systems that hold personal data on millions of Americans, calling their work there a fishing expedition. Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, an advocacy group that has challenged various Trump administration efforts in court, said her organization would likely sue over the Social Security numbers as well, once more details become available. This President continues to engage in lawless behavior, violating the law and abusing our systems of checks and balances, Perryman said. President Donald Trump talks on the phone to Vice President Mike Pence from the Oval Office of the White House on the morning of Jan. 6, 2021. (House Select Committee via AP) AP It was a call retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster did not expect to receive. McMaster, former national security adviser to Donald Trump in the presidents first administration who lasted less than a year into Trumps term, answered his cell phone last month. Trump was on the other end of the line. McMaster has been critical of the former president, and just a day before the call, Trump ripped him as a weak and totally ineffective loser, according to CBS News, which originally reported on the call, citing four unnamed sources. Henry, Trump began the call. But the H in McMasters first name is Herbert -- he is called H.R. for Herbert Raymond, not Henry. Thats when McMaster realized Trump did not intend to call him. When McMaster identified himself, the president cursed out his former national security adviser to aides who mistakenly dialed his number. Why the f--- would I talk to H.R. McMaster? Trump asked before going into a scathing critique of his former aide, two sources told CBS News. The sources said Trump intended to speak with South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, one of his staunchest supporters. Sources told CBS News the call between Trump and H.R. McMaster was brief. A Trump spokesman continued to bash H.R. McMaster to CBS News. 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, said White House communications director Steven Cheung. U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R- Ala., had one thing to say following this weeks announcement of Pituffik Space Base Commander Colonel Susannah Meyers replacement. Get on board with the mission, or get out, he wrote in a post to X on Friday. President Trump is the Commander in Chief. Get on board with the mission, or get out. https://t.co/XoSUwhn15t Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) April 11, 2025 Space Operations Command Public Affairs said in its release Thursday that Meyers was removed for loss of confidence in her ability to lead. Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties, the release reads. Vice President JD Vance visited Pituffik last month, and criticized Denmark and its oversight of the territory, according to Military.com. A few days later, Meyers sent the following email, acquired by Military.com, to all personnel at the base. Spent the weekend thinking about Fridays visit -- the actions taken, the words spoken, and how it must have affected each of you, it read. 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. Colonel Shawn Lee has assumed command of the base, according to Space Commands release. Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trumps agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a release this week. Alabama state Rep. Ernie Yarbrough, R-Trinity, has filed a bill that would prohibit health care providers from conditioning the donation or receipt of an organ on a persons vaccine status. The bill HB519, is also known as The Adaline Deal Act, named for a 12-year-old Indiana girl who is distantly related to Vice President JD Vance, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. Deal has been barred from a spot on the heart transplant list because she has not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and the flu, her parents say. Deals mother, Jeneen, told the publication that she and her husband believe the vaccines are unsafe. She said they made the decision not to vaccinate their daughter after the Holy Spirit put it on our hearts. The couple adopted Adaline from China when she was 4 years old. She was born with two heart conditions, and they adopted Adaline knowing she would one day need a heart transplant, according to a GoFundMe the family started. They are now planning to use the funds to take Adaline to a different transplant center that wont require her to be vaccinated. So far, the page has raised over $65,000. Transplant centers set their own vaccine requirements, according to the American Journal of Transplantation. And Cincinatti Childrens vaccine requirement follows guidelines from the National Institutes of Health, according to its website. Guidelines published by the American Journal of Transplantation and Stanford Health Care also recommend COVID and flu vaccines, among others, not only for organ recipients, but for any of their immediate family members. This is because organ transplant recipients are severely immunocompromised and at a much higher risk for infections, the texts state. The first year after transplant is when theyre at highest risk for infection, but they do have a lifelong risk of severe disease and transplant patients are still dying because of COVID-19, Dr. Camille Kotton, the clinical director of transplant and immunocompromised host infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital, told the New York Post. But Janeen told the publication she was confident that her family, including their 11 other children, also unvaccinated, would not have any problems with COVID-19 after the transplant. Well take it as we can if it happens, she said. But I know I cannot put this (vaccine) in her body knowing what we know and how we feel about it. Under HB519, Alabamas Attorney General would be authorized to levy a $50,000 fine against any party that denied an organ donation or receipt based on someones vaccination status. The bill is currently pending action in the House Committee on Health. Yarbrough and representatives for the Alabama Hospital Association did not respond to requests for comment from AL.com. U.S. Reps. Erin Houchin, R- Ind., and Mike Rulli, R-Ohio, last month introduced a similar bill, the COVID-19 Vaccination Non-Discrimination Act, in the House of Representatives. This portrait depicting Donald Trump moments after the assassination attempt on his life replaces Barack Obama's official presidential portrait in the White House. The White House The White House underwent some interior decorating on Friday, as Barack Obamas official presidential portrait was replaced with a painting depicting President Donald Trump shortly after the attempt on his life in Pennsylvania, blood near his mouth and right ear. Some new artwork at the White House pic.twitter.com/l6u5u7k82T The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 11, 2025 Some new artwork at the White House, the White House tweeted Friday afternoon along with the eyes emoji. The Trump painting now hangs where White House visitors used to see Obamas official portrait. Harrison Fields, special assistant to the president and White House principal deputy press secretary, indicated Obamas portrait was merely moved and not entirely taken down. Obama remains in the Entrance Hall of the White House State Floor, he tweeted. Obama remains in the Entrance Hall of the White House State Floor. pic.twitter.com/lOLv7371Cd Harrison Fields (@HFields47) April 11, 2025 The rearranging occurred two weeks after Trump urged for his portrait hanging in the Colorado State Capitols Gallery of Presidents to be taken down, claiming its distorted look was on display due to politics. FILE - President Donald Trump's portrait hangs in the Colorado Capitol after an unveiling ceremony, Aug. 1, 2019, in Denver. (AP Photo/Thomas Peipert, File) AP Nobody likes a bad picture or painting of themselves, but the one in Colorado, in the State Capitol, put up by the Governor, along with all other Presidents, was purposefully distorted to a level that even I, perhaps, have never seen before, Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. The unveiling of the portrait on Aug. 1, 2019 at an event hosted by the Colorado Senate Republicans and artist Sarah Boardman of Colorado Springs was described as nonpartisan by organizers. The portrait, commissioned during Trumps first term, was paid for with a Republican-led fundraising effort and approved by Colorado Republicans before it was put on display in 2019. Young Chinese, Vietnamese media professionals discuss AI, cross-border reporting in Hanoi Xinhua) 10:16, April 11, 2025 HANOI, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Over 500 media professionals from China and Vietnam gathered in Hanoi on Wednesday for a forum on youth-driven media collaboration, artificial intelligence (AI), and cross-border reporting, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. Twelve young participants from both countries discussed AI's challenges and opportunities for journalism, strategies to enhance mutual understanding, and joint reporting initiatives. The event also saw the launch of a jointly produced documentary, The Path of Development, chronicling bilateral ties, and a cross-border reporting project titled "Comrades and Brothers, Together Toward the Future," which will deploy media teams to conduct interviews in both countries. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) 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. If Chuck Schumer, Nancy Pelosi, and Mitch McConnell can stay in Congress until they wheel them out on a gurney, like they did Joe Biden, then why cant Trump stay in office? Over 77 million Americans voted to put President Donald Trump and his policies into office in the 2024 election, giving Trump a mandate to fulfill. Since his inauguration on January 20, 2025, there has been an amazing amount of action and razzle-dazzle with the flurry of executive orders in everything from defining the common sense understanding of who is a boy and who is a girl, to removing illegal immigrants who broke U.S. law, to dismantling illegal alien criminal gangs, to exposing all the government waste fraud and abuse of tax payers money, to slashing spending and charging tariffs due to humongous trade imbalances with foreign countries abusing America, all with the goal of reducing the dangerously high $37 trillion dollar U.S. deficit. Even with all the good common sense policies to try to help our nations survival unelected judicial minions of the Democrat party tried to usurp the power of the president of the United States, which is very serious for it is impeding the will of the majority of Americans who gave President Trump the mandate by electing him and his policies into office. With this judicial lawfare attack on the Trump policies, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) has intervened, overruling an improper federal district court ruling, with the SCOTUS allowing Trump to deport illegal immigrant criminal terrorist groups from the United States. Strike one for the Democrat party. Again, the SCOTUS had to intervene concerning tens of thousands of fired probationary federal workers, also overruling an improper ruling, with the SCOTUS stating that Trump had the right to remove these employees. Strike two for the Democrat party. Then the SCOTUS had again to intervene concerning the firing of two federal board members, because another federal judge made an improper ruling, and the SCOTUS sided with Trump that the firings were under the power of the executive branch of the government. Strike three, out one for the Democrat party. Then of course the Democrats came back with a new batter, and this time the SCOTUS did side with the Associated Press, allowing them access to the White House after Trump kicked them out for refusing to acknowledge the change in the name of the Gulf of Mexico, which is now the Gulf of America. So, ball one for the Democrat party. Then even with the SCOTUS ruling, two other federal judges have reared their ugly heads to again block Trumps deportations. Maybe these judges havent heard of the SCOTUS? At least the GOP Congress is trying to move to help push forward the mandate given to the president by the will of the people, by passing the No Rogue Rulings Act, which limits the ability of federal judge rulings to affect executive branch policies on a national scale. I say the GOP Congress helped, all except Rep. Michael Turner, R-Ohio, who decided to be a RINO and side with the Democrat party and vote against the bill. Voters in Ohio, please take note to vote in the primary and remove this man from the ballot in 2026. Why would a Republican vote against the will of the people siding with rogue DNC-controlled activist judges? Should D.O.G.E. investigate if he is getting money from a taxpayer funded NGO that is purchasing influence? Elon Musk has even questioned if Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. has his hand in the government fraud honey pot, which wouldnt be surprising for Democrat politicians, who retire from office as multi-millionaires. So why in the world would there be so much pushback against Trumps common-sense policies through which he is trying to preserve the country? It is because leftists view Trump as a lame-duck president in his second term, and all they have to do is use lawfare to tie up his policies in court until the 2026 or the 2028 election. So thats their plan. Instead of being a lame-duck, CNNs chief data analyst, Harry Enten, compared Trump to a soaring eagle, stating that Trump had signed the most executive orders at this point in his presidency (April 8, 2025) than any other president in 100 years. Its great! In fact, Trump is Making America Great Again. Now where have I heard that? It is amazing when even CNN is calling Trump a soaring eagle. Enten stated, The bottom line is, whether you like Trump or you dont like him, you cant say that hes come in and not try to deliver on what he at least believes were his promises on the campaign trail. And hes doing so in historic fashion. From their statistics, Enten stated that, 53% [of people] do not say that Trump has too much power. the majority of folks believe Trump is doing something completely differently [from former presidents] and they dont believe he has too much power. Whats fun is watching all the leftist rantings on NBC, CNN, Newsweek, the New York Times, USA Today, NPR, AP, the BBC, and The Guardian, and others, who are all worried about Trumps statements concerning a third term. The Guardian even mentions Mbasogo of Equatorial Guinea has been in power for 46 years, Biya of Cameroon has been serving for 43 years, Museveni has ruled Uganda for close to four decades, [and] Nguesso has served as leader of Republic of the Congo for 39 years. Just imagine what fun! Greg Gutfeld says, forget about the third term, its Trump. Now you gotta think about the fourth term. Tyrus says that he is going to run for president with Trump as vice president and after signing the executive order that he is tax free for the rest of his life, Tyrus is going to step down and allow Trump to become president. Then after four years he is going to run for president again with Trump as vice president and after signing an executive order that says, Tyrus can do whatever he wants, he is going to step down and Trump is president again for the fourth term. Its fun to give leftists and the Democrat party nightmares. Image generated by AI. Tens of thousands of Jews are fleeing Europe. The nation of Israel, the only Jewish country on Earth, is under daily attack on multiple levels. International organizations and governments are rationalizing their lack of support for not just Israel but for Jewish people around the world in general. Jews and, incredibly, some Israelis are as divided today as they ever have been on both their Jewishness and their support of Israel. The majority of Jews today live in exactly two places: 1. The United States, with approximately 7.46 million 2. Israel with 7.43 million Out of 15.7 million Jews worldwide, less than a million live elsewhere any longer. It didnt used to be that way. Since 1938, Jewish populations have been exterminated, dispossessed, ostracized, and prevented from working in multiple countries and regions due to persecution, war, and political instability. Key offenders include: Germany and Austria : During the Holocaust, Jews fled or were forcibly deported. : During the Holocaust, Jews fled or were forcibly deported. Europe as a whole : Also during the Holocaust, the Nazis murdered 6 million Jews, the ones who couldnt flee. : Also during the Holocaust, the Nazis murdered 6 million Jews, the ones who couldnt flee. Poland and Eastern Europe : After World War II, the surviving Jews emigrated due to antisemitism and communist regimes. : After World War II, the surviving Jews emigrated due to antisemitism and communist regimes. Arab countries : After the establishment of Israel in 1948, Jews faced hostility, with 850,000-900,000 expelled from countries like Iraq, Egypt, Yemen, and Libya. : After the establishment of Israel in 1948, Jews faced hostility, with 850,000-900,000 expelled from countries like Iraq, Egypt, Yemen, and Libya. Soviet Union : Jews emigrated during the Cold War due to restrictions on religious and cultural practices. : Jews emigrated during the Cold War due to restrictions on religious and cultural practices. Modern-day Europe: Jews are fleeing France, Belgium, and Sweden as both economic and particularly antisemitism not only becomes more common but seemingly tolerated or encouraged by government officials as well. Millions of Jews experienced a second diaspora in the last 75 years that has concentrated the remaining Jews to where they live today. In response to an essay I wrote about a fanatic pro-Palestinian activist in England, some sent me multiple inflammatory PDFs and a video, plus a YouTube link that you can view here, heralding the imminent end of Israel in a very matter-of-fact manner. Reading the attached documents, what struck me was the clinical logic with which the authors predicted the deserved death of every Jew in Israel based on Israels conduct. For someone ignorant about history, including the true (not antisemitic) history of the Jews and of Israel, you can see how these connected statements and videos must ultimately lead to a new Holocaust. Vicious claptraps like this feed low-information audiences with short attention spans and/or too much emotional energy, which they must work off. It also engenders a kind of euphoric, almost orgasmic reaction in people who believe that they, and only they, see the truth; facts in opposition mean nothing to them! If you think Im wrong, witness the repetitive chanting, high emotion, screaming, frequent crying, and need for exclusive safe spaces for its adherents as they protest their cause du jour. One of the ongoing antisemitic narratives is about Zionism. Not only non-Jews but an increasing percentage of leftist American and Israeli Jews equate Zionism with genocide. Lets discuss what Zionism is and why it is so controversial while being massively misunderstood: Zionism is a political and cultural movement advocating for the establishment and support of a Jewish homeland in the region historically known as Zion, which corresponds to modern-day Israela region that Jews have lived in without cessation for 3,400 years and that was last a nation when the Romans eradicated Judea in 135 AD and brought it under colonial rule. It remained a territory of various colonizers for the next 1,813 years. It was in the last half-century of this colonial occupation that the idea of Zionism came into being. The movement emerged in the late 19th century in response to widespread antisemitism in Europe and the Jews desire to have a safe and sovereign state where they could freely practice their religion and culture. If you look up Zionism on the internet, youll discover that most Internet sources use biased language implying that Zionism is a colonial enterprise. It is not, since only nation-states colonize another countrys land. Israel was a colonized sovereign territory that finally regained its independence. If you ask ten people what they think Zionism is, you are likely to get multiple answers, most likely wrong. Zionism is a reaction to being displaced from your own country and then returning to where you began, not an attempt to colonize someone elses country. There has never been a country called Palestine. This is an uncomfortable fact for far too many people who have been collectively brainwashed into believing that Jews came and took over Palestine, pushing Palestinians from their lands. For almost 1,800 years, Palestine referred to a region rather than an established country. The name originates from the ancient Philistines and was later used by the Romans to designate the area after the Bar Kokhba revolt in 135 CE. Over centuries, the region of Palestine was ruled by various empires, including the Romans, Byzantines, Islamic Caliphates, Crusaders, Mamluks, Ottomans, and the British. As noted above, the Jewish people have had a continuous presence in the land of Canaan (present-day Israel) since biblical times. This name appears in ancient texts and refers to the region encompassing modern-day Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, and parts of Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan. The place Canaan is used extensively in the 3200-year-old Hebrew Bible, particularly in the context of the Israelites journey to the Promised Land. Given these facts, there is an unanswered question: why is there so much vitriol targeted both to Jews in general and Israel in particular? The reasons seem to be as numerous as the stars in the universe. Jews are blamed (scapegoated) for everything from Marxism to the concentration of wealth in the world, plus a hundred other reasons that become excuses in which to shield themselves from their own failings. Jews will always be a tiny minority everywhere they go. (except Israel) Every other solution proposed to create peace will bring even more division and death until the world respects Israels right to exist and does not set it up for the next attack. Israels detractors, which now include too many Jews themselves, cloak themselves in the language of peace but actually demonize and marginalize Jews everywhere, reinvigorating old tropes. The Castle Doctrine (the legal ability to defend ones home with deadly force) applies to nations as well as individuals. Israel has a right to defend itself, and nothing can change that. Image created using AI. Author, Businessman, Thinker, and Strategist. Read more about Allan, his background, and his ideas to create a better tomorrow at www.1plus1equals2.com. Advocates for smart cities promise a future in which urban areas become more efficient, sustainable, and livable by integrating technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and data analytics into urban infrastructure. These advances aim to streamline operations, from traffic management to energy metering, making daily life smoother and more environmentally friendly. Yet beneath these promises lurks the potential for a dystopian nightmare. At the core of a smart city lies a network of interconnected devices that continuously collect and share data. Sensors embedded in streetlights, public transportation, waste bins, and even wearable devices gather vast amounts of information about citizens' activities, movements, and behaviors. This data is then analyzed in real time to optimize city operations, improve services, and predict trends. For example, traffic management systems can monitor vehicle flow to adjust signal patterns in real time, while environmental sensors track air quality providing up-to-date information. In theory, these innovations yield more efficient cities where resources are better allocated, and services are more accessible. However, the sheer volume of personal data generated in these environments raises significant concerns. One immediate issue is the extent of surveillance inherent in smart cities. Technologies such as facial recognition, smart cameras, and location tracking are increasingly deployed in public spaces to monitor security threats, traffic violations, and criminal activity. While often touted as tools to enhance safety, these tools also enable pervasive monitoring of individuals, prompting critics to denounce them as a breach of privacy. The ability to track every movement and identify individuals in real time poses profound ethical questions. Data ownership and control also lie at the heart of privacy concerns in smart cities. As citizens navigate these environments, they inevitably generate data that could reveal intimate details about their behavior, habits, and preferences. Yet it remains unclear who owns this data, how it is used, and who has access to it. In many cases, data collected by smart city surveillance systems are stored and processed by private companies. The lack of transparency about how these companies use the data -- whether for commercial purposes or other ends -- can foster distrust. Moreover, these corporations may share the data with governments or third-party organizations, often without the explicit consent of individuals. Likewise, the algorithms driving many smart-city technologies lack transparency. AI and machine learning systems analyze data to make decisions, such as optimizing traffic patterns or managing energy distribution. Yet these algorithms are often black boxes, meaning that even the developers who create them might not fully understand how they arrive at certain conclusions. This lack of transparency becomes particularly concerning when it comes to issues of bias. For example, facial recognition software has demonstrated higher error rates for people of color, while predictive policing algorithms have been criticized for reinforcing racial biases. Regulating smart city technologies poses another major challenge. As smart cities evolve, many existing laws and regulations struggle to keep pace with technological advancements. Without clear guidelines, data privacy protections remain inadequate. Currently, no global standard exists for regulating privacy in smart cities. Real-World Examples: Dangers of Smart City Tools While these concerns may be largely theoretical in the United States, Chinas use of such technologies exemplifies how digital surveillance can be misused at the expense of its citizens. China has been a police state for decades; however, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) under President Xi Jinping tightened its grip with surveillance technologies following the 1989 Tiananmen Square Massacre and again after the 2008 Beijing Olympics. As reported by the New York Times, China operates as a digital totalitarian state using surveillance technology to more effectively enforce its social credit system. Accordingly, China has built a network of dystopian smart cities that rely on widespread use of facial recognition technology, nationwide CCTV coverage, and censorship both online and offline. The system tracks everything from political affiliations and debt payments to jaywalking. The CCP uses smart technologies to help police grab the identities of people as they walk down the street, find out who they are meeting with and identify who does and doesnt belong to the Communist Party. Each persons data forms a trail, said Agnes Ouyang (a Chinese citizen who was ticketed for jaywalking), It can be used by the government and it can be used by bosses at the big companies to track us. Our lives are worth about as much as dirt. In Xinjiang, a region home to many predominantly Muslim ethnic groups police have blanketed the region in cameras, phone trackers and sensor-studded checkpoints, according to the Times. During the pandemic, the CCPs use of smart technology became a shackle, a digital cuff enabling the collection of biometric data. Xis system functioned as a traffic light system: red for no-go zones or to indicate an individual does not have permission to move. Green meant you were free to move about based on whether you have been tested, or whether you knew the right authorities. International NGOs Operating in the U.S. Promote Smart Cities In the United States, progressive NGOs play a pivotal role in advancing the smart-city agenda, framing it as a solution to the climate crisis. Organizations such as Local Governments for Sustainability (ICLEI) and the C40 Climate Leadership Group are leading advocates for these technologies. Both receive government funding, with ICLEI reportedly depending on taxpayer dollars for a significant portion of its budget. Established in 1990 under the auspices of the United Nations (UN), ICLEI has collaborated closely with the UN to promote smart city development. ICLEI co-organized the 2025 Kaohsiung Smart City Summit to showcase innovative urban solutions. ICLEI also advanced policies aligned with Agenda 21, a non-binding UN framework from 1992 focused on sustainable development. A notable example of ICLEIs influence is its appointment of Hoboken, New Jersey, Mayor Ravi Bhalla to its USA Board of Directors in 2023, citing his role in ensuring that local climate initiatives have transformative effects on a national and global scale. During a 2023 UN meeting, Bhalla stated that he views his community through the lens of resilience and environmental justice. But what does this vision of transformation mean in practice, particularly when weighed against constitutional principles such as individual liberty and privacy? Similarly, C40, a global network of nearly 100 mayors from major cities, includes 14 U.S. cities. Supported by a mix of taxpayer money and private donors, such as Bloomberg Philanthropies and the Open Society Foundations, C40 drives climate-focused urban policies. In 2019, it partnered with Smart Cities New York to explore how advanced technology can foster climate-friendly practices. In New York City, C40s Private Building Efficiency Network employs smart metering and automation to curb energy use. Could such systems, however, be repurposed to restrict utilities -- say, cutting off power -- as a penalty for political dissent or non-compliance with state directives? Likewise, C40s transportation initiatives in Los Angeles use real-time data to optimize public transit. What prevents authorities from leveraging this data to control where citizens go and when? While these climate-driven initiatives are touted as solutions to environmental challenges, they increasingly blur the line between sustainability and surveillance. Smart systems could potentially be used to punish individuals for behaviors deemed undesirable. What begins as an eco-friendly, efficiency-driven program could eventually evolve into a tool for monitoring and control, as demonstrated in China. Image: Pixabay Economic power is the single most important element of national security. Without it, national security is little more than a Potemkin village, consisting of a bunch of shiny tanks and planes sitting on a strangling pile of debt. That realization is lost on the screeching Wall Street crowd who think the only thing that matters is the stock market. The current situation, in which the United States ran massive trade deficits while embracing societal collapse levels of debt, is unsustainable. You must be either blindingly bad at math or suffering from a severe case of Trump Derangement Disease not to realize this. I have yet to hear a single critic of the tariffs offer an alternate course that didnt end with collapse. During the Cold War, the U.S. didnt defeat the Soviet Union with tanks and fighter jets. Those military capabilities were a reflection of U.S. economic might and eventually the Soviet Union imploded under massive military spending unmoored from economic strength. As we started this decade, we were playing out the same Cold War scenario with China, only this time, we cast ourselves into the role of the Soviet Union. An unfair economic system tilted massively in Chinas favor allowed them to build up their military even as we helped fund it through the massive trade deficit. Playing the long game, the PRCs patient leaders almost certainly welcomed U.S. military spending. That spending of borrowed dollars continued to drive up the national debt, with the nation crushing interest that came with it to the tune of a few billion dollars a day, hastening the collapse of their primary rival. Without a change of course, this was inevitable. For many U.S. politicians, this was their preferred policy, as they talked about managed decline, which is a euphemism for U.S. surrender. Managed decline, by its nature, leads to the rise of the dragon to engulf those around them. Long-standing American allies were orienting to this outcome. Thats what weak U.S. leadership does. We havent run a trade surplus since 1975 with the trade deficit now sitting around a cool trillion dollars. The current trade deficit with China is around $300 billion. We were like Ray in Ghostbusters who chose the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man as Earths destroyer, only we chose to empower the military of a communist nation intent on decisively defeating America on the battlefield and supplanting it as the world leader. These tariffs, which are an attempt to reorient the global economic system, are a response to this national security threat while also supporting the mistreated American working class, which is a true national tragedy. These tariffs will hammer the ChiComs. Any short-term pain experienced here will be dwarfed in comparison to the mountain of bricks landing on them. They will not be able to replace their ability to flood the U.S. with their products, particularly since their own domestic market is so weak. Nor will they find a market to replace the U.S. The thing about decisive American leadership is that other nations will follow. It was the vacuum of leadership that enabled China to do so much damage. Other countries, as they line up to negotiate with the Trump team, are far more likely to follow Americas lead in checking the threat against them. The longer China fails to acknowledge that they cant win a trade war with the U.S., the more they will be defanged as supply chains move out of China to other markets. I suspect China did exactly what the president wanted when they launched retaliatory tariffs, since it is in our national interest to reorient away from China. The perfect scenario played out for the administration, with nearly every country expressing a willingness to negotiate with Trumps team except China. This enabled the administration to pause reciprocal tariffs on everyone but China, while leaving some baseline tariffs in place. Its almost as if Trump knew what he was doing. A win, by any other name, is still a win, but this is a massive win-win. The administration was able to stand up for the American working and middle classes while tilting the economic battlefield away from China. There is a huge price to pay for coming to the table late and China is now firmly at the back of the line, right where Trump wanted them. For the first time in a long time, America is on a path to rebuild industrial capacity, which is essential to protect national security. During World War II, wiser Japanese military leaders feared Americas industrial might even as they believed American soldiers to be inferior to their own. That fear was well founded. Once American factories started cranking out ships, planes and tanks, the outcome was all but a foregone conclusion. In those kinds of heavyweight fights, the ability to replace lost capability is a decisive factor. We could crank out an aircraft carrier every month while Japan could not replace their losses. That manufacturing juggernaut was our asymmetric advantage. That advantage now belongs to our biggest rival. Weve waved goodbye to more than 91,000 manufacturing plants since 1997. If we got into a shooting war with China, we must acknowledge they have far more manufacturing capability than we do. When your opponent knows that they are better positioned to win a war of attrition, its impossible to achieve deterrence. Had we allowed the economic battlefield to remain tilted, it wasnt a question of if but when China was going to swallow Taiwan while forcing other U.S. allies to bow before it. Their intent was to make it such a fait accompli that the U.S. wouldnt dare try to stop them since the cost would be too high. They are dangerously close. Winning an economic war is always preferable to losing a shooting war. Its the Art of the Deal versus the Art of War with Trump choosing a battlefield where he can win. My one concern with the tariffs is that China is not oblivious to the fact that the ground just shifted dramatically under their feet. They cant win this economic battle. The U.S. has too much leverage and they are no longer dealing with a president, and a party, lining up to sell out their country. Their addle-brained 10% for the big guy puppet and his son, Cocaine Picasso, no longer call the shots. Instead, they are faced with a formidable player willing to go all-in for America. My one concern is that the PRC could accelerate their timeline to move on Taiwan if they no longer believe there is an advantage in waiting. While that is concerning, that possibility is worth the certainty of a Taiwan invasion if we did not act to check their economic power. In the meantime, the administration is focused on rebuilding our military strength, asking for a trillion-dollar military budget focused on lethality and not tied down like Gulliver with DEI-fueled nonsense spending. That deterrence has never been more important. Decades of bad policy arent fixed overnight but this is a game changer. While still in the early stages of a new trade stance, some things are already clear. America will emerge stronger. China will become weaker economically, which will check their power to become militarily undeterrable. And America has a president and administration looking out for the interest of America and Americans. What a novel concept. Image from Grok. An ongoing national legal dispute regarding vaccinations of children with COVID-19 shots concerns whether school officials are immune from traditional legal claims -- particularly, battery -- when administering Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) shots without parental consent. North Carolinas Supreme Court recently ruled in favor of parents for violating their informed consent rights in violation of a state statute. Still, even that court denied common law state claims for battery -- the physical touching of another against their will. The mainstream media has gaslit parents, claiming that public schools cannot legally force-vaccinate their children. But unless the child suffers serious bodily injury or death, they most certainly can under current rulings. I represented the Politella family before the U.S. Supreme Court, which on February 24 declined to hear our Petition for Writ of Certiorari challenging a Vermont Supreme Court ruling that my clients, whose six-year-old son was vaccinated with a COVID-19 shot despite their clear wishes that he not be, had no right to sue for common law battery. Vermonts Supreme Court decided that my clients rights are eclipsed by the federal Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act, which provides legal immunity to pharmaceutical companies and those administering shots related to these experimental vaccines. The Act allows a federal administrative remedy only in the event the shot is 1) administered willfully, and 2) causes death or serious bodily injury. In the absence of the PREP Act, parents could sue for traditional damages if their child is given medical treatments without their consent. The Vermont Court did not consider constitutional liberties to parental control or bodily integrity. This led to claims that the courts ruling would permit forced jabs absent death or serious bodily injury, prompting a slew of national media outlets to rate that claim as false. But it isnt false -- it is the law. Maines highest court recently joined the Vermont Supreme Courts determination in Hogan v. Lincoln Medical Partners, ruling that the parents of a five-year-old who was administered a COVID-19 vaccine without their consent had no legal recourse for that battery without death or bodily injury resulting. The Maine court went further than Vermont, ruling that neither constitutional rights to bodily integrity nor parental consent were unconstitutionally infringed by their interpretation of the PREP Act. There is no distinction in this construction of federal law between a forced jab done deliberately versus a negligent mistake. As I explained in an analysis for the Brownstone Institute, several national media outlets, including the Associated Press, USA Today, and Snopes, claimed it was not true that schools could force-jab children under these rulings. But this was media misinformation, as demonstrated in the language of the March 21, 2025 North Carolina decision Happel v. Guilford County Board of Education: .the bodily integrity right is not absolute. Courts across the United States have overwhelmingly held that the fundamental right to refuse medical treatment does not imply a fundamental right to disregard a vaccine mandate. The Happel court affirmed the lower courts dismissal of the plaintiffs state battery claims. The concurring opinion expressed concern that forced jabs (intentional torts) are thus sanctioned: The governments reading of the Act appears to override state consent laws such that intentional torts may be cloaked with immunity when the harm inflicted falls short of death or serious physical injury But shouldnt immunity under the PREP Act be predicated on a lawful administration of a covered countermeasure? Consider the following: youre waiting for your morning coffee at the local cafe. While standing with other customers, a healthcare official authorized to administer a covered countermeasure walks in and injects everyone in the coffee shop without asking or otherwise obtaining consent. All have been the victim of a battery. But under the governments reading of the PREP Act, unless death or serious physical injury results, the healthcare worker has blanket immunity for these intentional acts. .the PREP Act could be understood as immunizing forcible administration of medication similar to the scenario described above, if not worse. The Vermont court ruled the same thing: We conclude that when the federal PREP Act immunizes a defendant, the PREP Act bars all state-law claims against that defendant as a matter of law. It afforded no exception for deliberate child-jabbing such as may well have been committed against my clients six-year-old son: the family was never allowed to go to trial to find out why their child was vaccinated after specific assurances that he would not be. Might it have had something to do with Vermont governor Phil Scotts announced monetary awards to public schools that achieved high rates of vaccination? We will never know. Many national news outlets engaged in disingenuous, Kafkaesque logical contortions to misrepresent the impact of the Politella decision. Under all three of these state court rulings, public school children may be vaccinated deliberately against parents wishes with complete impunity so long as the children entrusted to their care do not die or become seriously injured. These are unconscionable interpretations of constitutional law, and a strong incentive for public school hesitancy. Attorney-farmer John Klar hosts the Small Farm Republic Substack and podcast from his Vermont farm. His MAHA book is Small Farm Republic: Why Conservatives Must Embrace Local Agriculture, Reject Climate Alarmism, and Lead an Environmental Revival. Image: Baltimore County Government/ING Visuals A few days back, shockwaves reverberated across some sections of the MAGAverse. Some exasperated Trump supporters could scarcely believe what they were reading. They assumed that the PR wing of the Democrats that masquerades as the news media was fabricating, as they always do. Hence, Rumble was accessed to discover that the mainstream media was factual. Yes, you read that right, the mainstream new media wasnt being mendacious. This has to be a phenomenon a la Halleys Comet, which occurs once every 75 years. So what was this news? President Donald Trump had praised Gretchen Whitmer during a White House meeting on Wednesday: Were honored to have Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan, the great State of Michigan, and shes been, shes really done an excellent job, a very good person, Trump said. Politico reported that this meeting was Whitmers second sit-down since President Trump took office. Now, about Whitmer, who is the worst among Democrat leaders. She viciously despises President Trump and the MAGA agenda. She once claimed that Trump was inciting domestic terrorism due to the Lock her up! rally chant. She is an unconditional promoter of the Democrat groupthink, but it doesnt mean she is a true believer. Like most Democrats, her hypocrisy is easily discernible. She is against armed law-abiding citizens, while she lives in a place protected by armed guards. She claims to be a climate change fanatic but frequently travels via private jet, which causes more pollution per traveler compared to commercial airlines. She supports BLM rioters, but not protestors demonstrating against her harsh lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also supported the Defund the police movement, which means she doesnt care that regular people suffer due to a lack of law enforcement officials. But law enforcement officials always protect her home and offices. She supported vaccine mandates and unrestricted abortion. She is for open borders for illegals but lockdowns for citizens. She has signed laws that curtail free expression and religious rights, and ones that favor young children undergoing gender alteration via hormonal and surgical interventions. Whitmer was also a close adviser to Bidens bumbling and babbling deputy during her catastrophic presidential run. She was accused of corruption, for which articles of impeachment were introduced against her in 2020. She is also known for her incompetence and misgovernance. When asked about Trumps tariffs, Whitmer asserted that tariffsneed to be used like a scalpel, not a hammer and You cant just pull out the tariff hammer to swing at every problem without a clear, defined end goal, (and) we cannot underestimate or underappreciate the time and capital it's going to take to actually bring jobs and supply chains back home. In other words, despite Trumps kind words for her and her record, Whitmer had no compunctions attacking Trumps decision to impose reciprocal tariffs. It caused Trumps well-wishing supporters to say, We told you so and You can never win a hater such as Whitmer. They often wonder if Trump lacks discipline, such that he engages in loose talk and gets so easily carried away. Yet Trump is aware of Whitmers record and incompetence. Trump is also aware of what the Democrats stand for and how they attempted to destroy his life and legacy during the Biden era. Yet he directed blandishment toward her. So what could the motive possibly be? Firstly, Trump won Michigan, and in the interest of those who voted for him, he must work with state officials and rise above petty politics for the betterment of the citizens of Michigan. Sweet-talking the governor is one way to improve relations. Before we look at the second reason, lets consider a hypothetical situation where Trump excoriated Whitmer in the Oval Office. What would happen then? Trump would have been called a sexist and a misogynist by Democrats and their propagandists. Neither Trump nor his voters care for such baseless attacks. But the attacks would have had ramifications in the Democrat world. The Democrats would have been compelled to unite behind Whitmer in solidarity. The Trump attacks would have elevated Whitmers status in the party for a while, and perhaps her poll numbers among Democrats would have gone up. Whitmer would have fundraised based on the attack. Perhaps Whitmer would have used it as reasons for making that case to launch her presidential campaign. You can imagine Whitmer saying, Trump hates strong, independent, and decisive women, hence, I am launching my campaign for president. Now, we return to reality. NBC News carried a piece about the meeting that quoted an unnamed Democrat strategist who spoke about the meeting and has great admiration for Whitmer: 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. NBC News claimed that all interviewed for their article were granted anonymity to share candid thoughts about her day. They are implying that Whitmer is vindictive and could retaliate against truth-tellers. Politico quoted Whitmers spokesperson, who said she was surprised she was brought into the Oval Office for Trumps press conference without any notice. NBC News reported that Whitmer was scheduled to meet privately with Trump and discuss Michigan issues. Instead, Whitmer became a spectator to Trump signing several executive orders, including two ordering the Justice Department to probe former Department of Homeland Security Secretary official Miles Taylor and former Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Chris Krebs. NBC News reported that photos showed Whitmer standing uncomfortably against a door as the cameras rolled. Surprisingly, NBC News was factual; Whitmer looked like she was standing outside the headmasters office awaiting punishment for not doing her homework: From @KitMaherCNN: Governor Gretchen Whitmer is in the Oval for Trump's EO signing today Trump offers effusive praise, saying he's "honored to have Gretchen Whitmer from Michigan, the great State of Michigan, and she's been, she's really done an excellent job, very good person." pic.twitter.com/CiFF4XsW0B DJ Judd (@DJJudd) April 9, 2025 Whitmer and her minions realized what had happened and attempted damage control. Politico reported that Whitmers spokesperson claimed that her presence is not an endorsement of the actions taken or statements made at that event. Whitmer is trapped. If she admits he was hauled into the Oval office without knowing the purpose, she would look ill-prepared and subservient to Trump. If she claims she was there knowingly, she appears to be a betrayer of the Democrats. The foremost Democrat mouthpiece, the NYT, reported Whitmers criticism of Trumps tariffs with a headline Whitmer Attacks Trumps Tariffs, but Avoids Attacking Trump. It is amply clear that the Democrats now see Whitmer as a traitor, and her criticism of Trumps tariffs is being seen as perfunctory. Trumps words are having an impact as he desired. More proof of that is that NBC News, the NYT, and Politico are reporting about Whitmer exactly like they cover Republicans, i.e., with innuendo and anonymous quotes. NBC News quoted a national Democratic strategist: 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. Hence, with just 26 syllables, President Trump caused a firestorm around Governor Whitmer. The words seemed like an endorsement that has made her a pariah in the party and an object of ridicule and suspicion. It also helped that Trump looked presidential, statesmanlike, large-hearted, and gracious as he delivered the kiss of political death to Whitmer. Can Whitmer revive her political fortunes? Yes, but it will be difficult. Trumps kind words will be mentioned by her rivals during a primary debate. This once again demonstrates Trumps natural and masterful strategic and political instincts. Revenge is a dish best served cold, and this is what Trump did that too with kind words and a smile on his face. Concerned Trump supporters need not worry; Trump hasnt lost his way. Image from Grok. One Florida school district deserves a massive pat on the back and heres why, via Patrick Reillys new item at the New York Post: A Florida high school teacher lost her job after using a students preferred name without their parents consent the first known teacher to be fired under a state law implemented last school year. Seriously, public school administrators following the law and respecting a students parents as the executive decision makers in that childs life? Did Hell just freeze over? Heres more of the story: Melissa Calhoun, a teacher at Satellite High School in Brevard County, learned that her contract will not be renewed next year after she called a student by a different name without getting a signed form from their parents, according to district officials. [snip] Calhoun, who had taught at the school for 11 years, was respecting the request of a student whose legal name is associated with girls, a person familiar with the situation told the Washington Post. This is amazing, and should be an impetus for states around the nation to pass similar laws, with teeth, and ramp up the eradication of these woke teachersCalhoun apparently admitted to knowingly violating the law. Clearly, this woman cannot be trusted around children, because in her world, goose-stepping to the beat of her perverse, leftist ideology is a more honorable and sacred thing than upholding the traditional structure of parental rights. These people have absolutely no business being around children, because there is no line they wont cross. And, not only did Calhoun lose her job, but the state is now reviewing her teaching credentials for possible revocationthe story just gets better and better! Its refreshing to actually see consequences befall these monsters in the school system, so kudos to Brevard County school administrators for having some integrity and actually knowing their place. Unfortunately, theres already a growing movement to see Calhoun reinstatedso heres to hoping that these administrators can hold the line when the temperature rises. Image generated by AI. In a rare moment of sanity, the California legislature has at least temporarily put the kibosh on a bill that would have made oil and gas companies liable for injuries that private citizens sustain due to natural disasters. What makes the crazy bill nationally interesting is that it came from Scott Wiener, who is considered by some to be a reasonable choice to replace Nancy Pelosi when she leaves the House. Wiener is not entirely disconnected from the practical realities of governance. When he was on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, he listened to constituents who were tired of naked people running around in San Francisco and sponsored legislation banning the practice outside of events that permitted public nudity. He was also willing to allow people to build in-law units in their homes and to bypass certain rent control limitations for people left homeless because of fires or earthquakes. Those are sensible things. Image by Gabe Classon. CC BY 2.0. On the less sensible side, which has blossomed since he was elected to the state legislature, hes: Originated failed legislation to decriminalize psychedelic drugs Originated successful legislation to make it a mere misdemeanor to expose someone to HIV, a deadly disease. Originated legislation to make it Californias official policy to have a non-binary option for government documents. Originated successful legislation requiring long-term care facilities for seniors to pretend that there are more than two sexes, a deep offense to the elderly women who mostly populate those centers and the employees, most of whom are immigrants from conservative, third-world countries. (The bill was eventually overturned for violating employees free speech rights.) Unsuccessfully pushed a bill that would have prevented corrective surgery on the small number of intersex babies (a true genetic defect), so that these children could decide their own gender. Successfully pushed for a law making it legal to have homosexual sex with a minor 14 years or older. Successfully pushed for a law making California a trans refugee state so a parent can flee if she/he/it wants to trans a child but is opposed either by state law or the other parent. Successfully pushed to force many new buildings to install expensive solar panels with finite lifespans and then end up as landfill. Successfully pushed for net neutrality in California. Successfully pushed to force presidential candidates to reveal their tax returns, only to have the California Supreme Court overturn it. Successfully pushed forward a bill mandating CalTrans to prioritize road improvements, not for cars, but for pedestrians and bicycles. Unsuccessfully pushed for a 40% estate tax in California on large estates. Pushed with mixed success for more and more high-density and subsidized housing in the suburbs (which tend to be conservative). And on and on. He is a leftists leftist. The one thing where he earns some kudos is that hes a bit concerned about rising antisemitism, including on college campuses. However, he doesnt seem to see the connection between leftism and antisemitism. Wieners radicalism is not a problem in California, though, as seen by the number of legislative successes hes scored. Indeed, hes considered a man with a future. According to the New York Times, One of the strongest potential challengers for the former speaker [Nancy Pelosi] would be State Senator Scott Wiener, who has collected nearly $1 million in an exploratory committee to fund a race for the seat he has openly coveted for years. He has won support from a wide variety of voters, including many in the L.G.B.T.Q. community. Given the political powerhouse that is Scott Wiener, its impressive that his latest climate change initiative, one that has the bonus of punishing oil companies, failed in Californiayet it did, at least for now: California lawmakers have blocked a bill to make oil and gas companies liable for damage to homes from natural disasters caused by climate change, warning it could raise gas prices. The bill would have allowed victims of natural disasters, including fires, floods and hurricanes, to sue fossil fuel companies over harm to themselves or their property for damage totaling at least $10,000. Home insurers would also have been able to seek damages under the legislation. The proposal was announced weeks after the Los Angeles-area fires broke out in January, burning thousands of homes and killing at least 30 people. Once, wildfires, floods, and hurricanes were considered Acts of God, although humans could have an effect on them. For example, because California, in thrall to the environmentalists, has stopped doing the ground clearance that inhibits the build-up of flammable growth near residential areas, theres a greater fire risk during the droughts that have been a part of Californias natural cycle for thousands of years. But Wiener, although he identifies as Jewish, doesnt seem to have a concept of a God that might be behind Acts of God. For him, the oil companies are the anti-gods, malevolent figures with the vast power to control, if not the universe, at least the Earths climate. Put more simply, oil companies equal Satan, and Satan must be made to pay. For now, sanity has prevailed in California, but while Californias Senate Judiciary Committee tabled the bill, it left open the possibility for it to be reconsidered later this year. That should worry Californians a lot. Average gas prices in America today are $3.21/gallon. In some places (such as South Carolina, where I live), theyre around $2.60/gallon. In California, though, the average price is $4.91/gallon. And if Wieners bill gets a second, successful chance, Californians will long for the days when gas prices were below $5/gallon. Central to the rushed and unanticipated summit in the White House between President Donald J. Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the issue of Iran. Although the possibility of a decision to launch military action against Irans nuclear facilities was contemplated, it ended with Trump announcing that the U.S. is engaged in direct negotiations with the Iranian regime. Issues such as tariffs, the Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza for a year and a half, and the tension between Israel and Turkey in Syria were discussed and deliberated upon. Iran was clearly uppermost in the minds of Netanyahu and Trump. The Israeli hostages being held in Gaza make for an issue of utmost importance. However, this is a matter being handled by Trumps Middle East envoy, Steven Witkoff, and does not merit an urgent White House meeting, especially when Israel is grappling with various domestic and security matters, including the resumption of the war against the Hamas terror group in Gaza, the domestic Qatar-gate scandal, and anti-government demonstrations orchestrated by Israels leftist opposition seeking to bring down Netanyahu and his government. The only matter that is of supreme importance to Netanyahu, and apparently to Donald Trump as well, is dealing with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Last week, the Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected direct negotiations with the U.S., and news out of Tehran was that the Iranians are speeding up their efforts to build a nuclear bomb. That qualified for summoning Netanyahu to Washington. In the meantime, Khamenei has placed Irans armed forces on high alert in response to President Trumps recent threat that if they don't make a deal, there will be bombing. Trump said in a telephone interview, It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before. An Iranian newspaper close to the Iranian regime and to Khamenei himself reportedly called for the assassination of Trump. The hardline Kayhan newspaper published this chilling statement: He [Trump]s way out of line! Any day now, in revenge for the blood of Martyr Soleimani, a few bullets are going to be fired into that empty skull of his and hell be drinking from the chalice of a cursed death. There has already been a credible attempt by the Iranian regime to assassinate Trump. According to a November 8, 2024 report by Politico: The Iranian government ordered an operative to assassinate Donald Trump before the 2024 election. Manhattan federal prosecutors said that they charged Farhad Shakeri with murder-for-hire and for providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization. He is believed to be in Iran and remains at large, prosecutors said. President Trump, therefore, must be more determined than ever to deal once and for all with the Iranian menace to him personally, and to the world at large. Although he vowed to be a peacemaker, Trump understands, in no uncertain terms, that there are evil forces that cannot be dealt with peacefully. The Islamic Republic of Iran is just such an evil force. For its part, the Iranian regime believes that Trump is simply bluffing and that his threats are meant to force the Iranians to the negotiating table. The Iranian regime, which got its way with Barack Obama and Joe Biden, now sees a decisive change and regards Trump as a dangerous enigma. Trump decisively dealt with Irans arch-terrorist Soleimani and walked away from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, which he deemed a very bad deal. He then imposed maximum economic pressure on the Islamic Republic. The ayatollahs regime views Trump as their greatest obstacle and have sought to kill him. Trump has put clear orders in place if the Iranians should succeed in assassinating him, Iran will be obliterated. As of now, it seems that the Tehran regime has caved in and agreed to direct negotiations. Trump has made clear that he prefers a diplomatic solution and a revised and tough nuclear agreement that would ensure that Iran wont be able to produce a nuclear weapon. However, he has also made clear that talks alone does not mean that the military option has been discarded. Adding credibility to U.S. threats was the announcement by chief Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, who noted that the Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group would be joined in the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility by the Carl Vinson Carrier Strike Group on the orders of Defense secretary Pete Hegseth. To complement the CENTCOM maritime posture, the Secretary also ordered the deployment of additional squadrons and other air assets that will further reinforce our defensive air-support capabilities, he said. Of note, some of the undetectable B-2 stealth bombers equipped with bunker-busting bombs have been flown to the Diego Garcia Island naval base in the Indian Ocean. As he departed from the White House, Bibi Netanyahu must have felt disappointed. He expected that his friend Donald Trump would realize what must be clear to all: that the Iranian regime will not give up its nuclear option, since it guarantees the regimes survival. Netanyahu figured that the assemblage of a huge U.S. force would mean military action. But even if the Iranians agreed to dismantle their nuclear facilities, they would wait another four years until Trump is out of office, and then, with their know-how, they would resume their quest for a bomb. Another U.S. president might just be more amenable to the Iranians. Still, Netanyahu tried his best to look at the positive side of things. He reasoned that if Trump would give the Iranians a short deadline for the negotiations say, two weeks that would possibly prevent the ayatollahs from buying time to expedite the completion of the nuclear process to acquire a bomb. And, if the Iranian leadership fails to agree to a new deal, the military option would be ready. The only guarantee that the Islamic Republic will not be an existential threat to Israel, and a danger to the region and the world, is if the oppressive ayatollahs regime is replaced with a secular and democratic government one that the Iranian people yearn for. Image: Chickenonline via Pixabay, Pixabay License. For several decades, activists from all over the world have demanded the Canadian government reveal the names of Nazi war criminals who were permitted into the country following World War II. These data were recorded in the report of the Commission of Inquiry on War Criminals headed by Jules Deschenes in 1986. However, in all these years, the world community has only received access to the cut version of the document, containing no information about the Nazis who fled. In September 2023, Ottawa experienced a new wave of demands to make classified data public after the scandal in the Canadian parliament over honoring the Ukrainian nationalist, who served in the SS division Galicia during the war. After the incident, Library and Archives Canada (LAC) launched a series of consultations about whether to release the second confidential part of the Deschenes report. Polish and Jewish groups called for the release, whereas the Ukrainian heritage groups, notably the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, argued for keeping it secret. Ultimately, Ottawa refused to reveal the archival information under the pretext of privacy and national security protection, citing it could be injurious to the conduct of international affairs. Taking into account todays political agenda, Canada is worried that it could harm, foremost, Ukraine. According to the information available, in 1950 by the special permission of the Canadian government, more than 2,000 members of a notorious Ukrainian Waffen-SS division Galicia arrived in the country. This fact demonstrates that Nazi ideology was wide-spread enough in Ukraine in those days. That is why the Ukrainian heritage groups are against releasing the confidential data on war criminals, despite all suspects being presumed dead. Over the last number of decades, a great number of states, including Argentina and the USA, revealed documents containing information on war crimes and their investigations. Canadas refusal to disclose such important Holocaust data suggests an idea that the role of the government in sheltering war criminals was rather considerable. Otherwise, its impossible to explain why the country has rejected requests for the extradition of alleged Nazis for all these years. But Ottawa will have to face the consequences of its actions. On April 6, 2025, Information Commissioner Caroline Maynard issued the directive, obliging the Department of Justice to release thousands of memos detailing the continued concealment of postwar files on Nazi fugitives who entered Canada. For 80 years, Ottawa has been harboring and covering for Nazis, hiding compromising information from the world community, and holding to the stance if not revealed then it never happened. Jonathan Schiff is a conservative, engineer, his interests also include geopolitics and political analysis.He can be reached at jonathan.schiff@proton.me. Image: Public domain. The Senates confirmation of former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee as U.S. ambassador to Israel is a momentous victory for the Jewish people, for Israel, and for the residents of Judea and Samaria. For those of us who have spent decades advocating for the Jewish right to live and thrive in our ancestral homeland, Huckabees appointment is nothing short of historic. Huckabee is not a newcomer to Israel. Hes a frequent visitor more than 100 times and not just to Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. He has walked the hills of Shiloh, prayed in Hebron, stood in solidarity in Beit El, and celebrated the Jewish renaissance in places too often dismissed or maligned by the global media. He has always spoken truth without apology: Judea and Samaria are the biblical heartland of the Jewish people, and the Jewish people have every right spiritually, historically, and legally to live there. His confirmation could not have come at a more critical time. As Israel faces threats from Irans proxies in Lebanon and Gaza, and pressure from international bodies to halt building in the so-called West Bank, Huckabees voice and leadership will serve as a critical anchor of moral clarity and courage. He understands that building homes in Ariel or Gush Etzion is not an obstacle to peace; it is peace, because Jewish presence in our land affirms our right to exist. As Ambassador Huckabee said at our One Israel Fund Gala earlier this year, you will never be alone again in your fight for freedom and to preserve the country and the land and the heritage that God gave you. That quote wasnt just a sound bite. It was a promise, and now its a policy. Huckabees appointment brings that same energy and commitment directly into the halls of diplomacy, where it is so urgently needed. Governor Huckabee has long rejected the failed paradigms of the past. He has been an outspoken critic of the two-state solution, which has rewarded terror and punished Israeli sovereignty. He has supported moving the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem, visited Israel through thick and thin, and used his platform in America to call out the double-standards against Israel. His commitment is deep, rooted in faith and fact and now, it carries the full weight of diplomatic authority. For the residents of Judea and Samaria families building schools, raising children, planting vineyards, and safeguarding the Jewish homeland this is a validation. It is a sign that the United States, under this Trump administration, recognizes the facts on the ground and the eternal truth of our connection to this land. This is a moment to celebrate. With Mike Huckabee as ambassador, we gaining a friend in the embassy and more than that, a warrior, an advocate, and a man who understands that the Land of Israel belongs to the People of Israel. May his tenure bring blessing to the State of Israel, strength to its pioneers in Judea and Samaria, and a renewed sense of pride in our unbreakable bond with the United States. Image via Pxbarn. Another day and another story about the failed Harris campaign. Things are so bad that her running mate Governor Tim Walz is blitzing against Tesla only be reminded that the teachers in Minnesota invest their retirement in Musk's company. The latest is a post from Michael Bahareen: Last week, former Vice President and 2024 Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris made an appearance at the Leading Women Defined Summit, during which she made her first public remarks about Donald Trumps presidency. Most notably, she said: There were many things that we knew would happen. Im not here to say I told you so. Afterwards, she laughed and received resounding cheers from the audience in attendance. Despite losing the last election, Harris -- like Hillary Clinton before her -- is exhibiting little self-reflection about her defeat and has instead chosen to chastise voters for choosing Trump over her. The I told you so remarks are a slightly less caustic version of a common refrain among progressives today: I hope Trump voters get what they deserve. Trump not only won, but won the popular vote and made substantial inroads with longtime Democratic constituencies, including non-white working-class voters. Since election day, some voices in and adjacent to the party have made calls for genuine introspection. Many, however, appear to be resting on their laurels, resisting calls for major change and instead hoping to capitalise on anti-Trump backlash to lead them to victory in off-year elections and next years midterms. That's it. The ultimate denial is that more and more Trump Derangement Syndrome will win the next one for the Dems! To be fair to former VP Harris, losing an election must be tough experience. I'm sure that other candidates can relate to that. In her case, what's amazing is how little she and the party has reviewed the terrain. Losing 80-plus% of counties is not just a loss; it's a major loss. Losing support from Democrat constituencies like Hispanics is a disaster. And losing the male vote is perhaps the loudest alarm of all. So why did she lose? It's not that hard to understand. She would not do interviews with serious reporters. To his credit, Senator Bernie Sanders went to a Fox Town Hall, but VP Harris did not. She never gave us a reason to vote for her except the tired line about making history with a black woman. We already had a black president, and lots of women have positions of leadership. I would add her refusal to take the border seriously. It was her golden opportunity to show executive skills and ability to work with Governor Greg Abbott of Texas. She took the title of border czar, ran to Guatemala, and then did no more. So Our Lady of Perpetual Denial will show up here and there. She will talk about reproductive rights and vote suppression. Her party will continue be the boy, or girl, who cried wolf to voters not listening. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: AT via Magic Studio Both Apple and Google announced their budget smartphones in the last couple of months. Apples handset arrived on March 19, while Google presented its own offering exactly a month before that. Googles Pixel 9a handset did go on sale very recently, however, while the iPhone 16e has been available for a while now. The difference in their price tags is $100, and theyre actually quite different smartphones. Some of you are probably trying to decide which one to get, despite the fact they have completely different operating systems. Well, if thats the case, we may be able to help. Were here to take a look at both the pros and cons of the iPhone 16e and Pixel 9a, in order to try to help you decide. I recently wrote editorials on both of these smartphones. Both of those have, more or less, focused on what each company sacrificed in order to bring these two devices to life. We went over some of the biggest drawbacks of each smartphone. Well, in this article, well go over various aspects of each phone and see which one has the advantage in which category. That will, hopefully, help you make a purchasing decision. Lets get to it. Design In all honesty, neither of these two smartphones will win beauty contests, but their designs may appeal to some of you. They are different, though, very much so. The iPhone 16e is a noticeably smaller device, while its also thinner and lighter. That is to be expected as it has a 6.1-inch display compared to a 6.3-inch one on the Pixel 9a. The iPhone 16e does have considerably thinner bezels in comparison, even though both of them have uniform bezels. Apples phone includes a notch at the top, however, which takes away from the immersion of use. Both of them have a flat frame, while their front and back sides are also flat. The Pixel 9as two cameras on the back dont even protrude, only the rim around them. The iPhone 16e has only one camera, but it does protrude a bit. The Pixel 9a has a plastic back, while the iPhone 16e includes a glass back. Both phones are quite slippery in the hand, while the iPhone 16e is easier to use with one hand, mostly due to its size. Display The Apple iPhone 16e includes a 6.1-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2532 x 1170. The Pixel 9a, on the other hand, has a 6.3-inch pOLED display with a resolution of 2424 x 1080. Both displays are vivid and have good viewing angles. Theyre also more than sharp enough. The bezels around the Pixel 9as panel are bigger, but the iPhone 16e has that distracting notch at the top. The Pixel 9as display has one advantage over the iPhone 16es panel, while the iPhone 16es panel has one advantage too. The Pixel 9as panel does get brighter outdoors, noticeably so. This will mean a lot to you if youre planning to using the device a lot outdoors, especailly under direct sunlight. It also comes with a 120Hz refresh rate while the iPhone 16es panel is limited to 60Hz. Do note that youll need to enable the Pixel 9as refresh rate, as its set to 60Hz out of the box. The iPhone 16e does come with better display protection, however. It includes the Ceramic Shield glass compared to the Gorilla Glass 3 on the Pixel 9a. The Gorilla Glass 3 is prone to microscratches, as weve learned in the past. Performance The iPhone 16e is fueled by a nerfed variant of the Apple A18 chip. Its a 3nm chip, but its GPU has been nerfed compared to the chip inside the iPhone 16. The Pixel 9a, on the other hand, is fueled by the Google Tensor G4, a 4nm chip. Both smartphones come with 8GB of RAM and non-expandable storage. When it comes to performance, both of them deliver in regular, daily tasks. Theyre both quite smooth, though we have to say that the Pixel 9as refresh rate advantage does show. Still, both are very snappy, and lag is not really a part of the picture. The iPhone 16e does have a more powerful chip, though, undoubtedly, and it will do a better job with gaming, despite the it has less cores than a full-fledged Apple A18 chip. If youre not planning on playing demanding games, however, either phone will serve you perfectly fine from a performance standpoint. Cameras Neither one of these phones has groundbreaking camera performance, not even close. Both do a good job, but there are some things that you should know. The iPhone 16e includes a single camera on the back, a 48-megapixel unit (1/2.55-inch sensor size). The Pixel 9a, on the flip side, has two rear cameras. A 48-megapixel main camera (1/2.0-inch sensor size) is backed by a 13-megapixel ultrawide camera (1/3.1-inch sensor size, 120-degree FoV). The two phones provide noticeably different images. The Pixel 9a does lean more towards contrasty shots, while the colors are a bit more pronounced too. They do a good job, but manage your expectations. The Pixel 9a can do a bit better job in low light, which is not surprising considering it has a more capable main sensor. The lack of a second camera on the iPhone 16e is a bit disappointing, thats for sure, as the Pixel 9a is a more versatile camera phone. When it comes to zoomed-in shots, theyre not the best. Digital crop is usable up to a certain point, but it has limits, and the images will lose detail fast. When it comes to selfie shooters, neither is great, but the Pixel 9a does offer a wider field of view. Some camera features are missing from both phones, compared to their more expensive siblings, but that is to be expected considering the price tags. Audio Both smartphones have stereo speakers. Neither of them includes an audio jack, but both support audio via the Type-C port, if you have a dongle. Also, Bluetooth 5.3 is a part of both smartphones. In regards to how their speakers sound, the iPhone 16e does win. It offers fuller sound, the Pixel 9as output sounds a bit more compressed, in a way. Still, if youre not that picky or dont use a loudspeaker to listen to music often, youll be good. The iPhone 16e also sounds better when youre using that loudspeaker for calling, and it seems to have better audio for voice calls too, not much better, but still. Software & AI We could write all day about the software aspects of the two phones. The point is, theyre completely different. The iPhone 16e runs iOS, while the Pixel 9a runs Android. You need to know what suits you better in the general scheme of things and go for it. Though Android does seem to be in a better place now. Its getting more and more stable while its packed with features. Apples did borrow a bunch of features from Android for iOS 18, while some bugs have managed to creep in two. Android offers way more customization, while iOS will serve you better if youre in Apples ecosystem. Each of them has its advantages, and theyre polar opposites, basically. The Pixel 9a will get 7 years of updates, while the iPhone 16e will get at least 5 years worth of updates. When it comes to AI, however, its not comparable, the Pixel 9a wins, easily. Google is miles ahead in terms of AI compared to Apple. Apple didnt really deliver on some of its AI promises, at least not yet. Not only do you get all the major Gemini features on the Pixel 9a, but you do get all the image editing AI features that Google offers, on top of everything else. It remains to be seen what will Apple do in terms of AI moving forward, as the equation may change. However, as things stand now, Google is the clear winner in that category. Battery life & charging Both of these phones offer good battery life. The Pixel 9a is larger and it does come with a bigger battery, not to mention that Android phones usually do. Both phones will easily last through a full day of use for most people, only power users may need to reach for a charger at some point. Still, the battery life is not bad at all. Its actually quite comparable, even if youre using a 120Hz refresh rate on the Pixel 9a, which is what we did. Your mileage may vary, though, of course, battery life could differ wildly from one user to the next. Dont expect either phone to be a battery monster, and youll be fine. Theyre both good, but nowhere near the best. When charging is concerned, theyre both quite slow. The iPhone 16e takes around an hour and 50 minutes to fully charge. The Pixel 9a will take slightly over an hour and a half to fully charge. When you switch to wireless charging, things get a lot slower, as both of them support 7.5W wireless charging. Needless to say, that is painfully slow. The iPhone 16e also doesnt support MagSafe, unlike its siblings. Conclusion As you can see, there are a lot of differences between the two devices. Each of them has its advantages, but both companies had to cut corners in a lot of places to reach the required price tags. The Pixel 9a does have the advantage of having a $100 lower price tag too. We cannot definitely say that one is better than the other, of course, but weigh their pros and cons and see which one suits you better, while also considering their software/ecosystems, of course. Summary: Apple has made Apple Maps accessible to Android phones, but theres a catch. The company didnt release the app, it made the Apple Maps website available to run through browsers. While its accessible on Android, there are some features that are unavailable. Google makes many of its most popular apps and services available to Apple users, but Apple isnt quite too keen on returning the favor. The company did make a few apps available on the Google Play Store like Apple Music, Apple Music Classical, and Apple TV. However, theres not much else. Well, you can count Move to iOS if you want. This shows that Apple wants to keep its most important apps and services exclusive to iOS users. However, every so often, it changes its mentality. According to a recent report, Apple just brought its navigation platform over to Android. Actually, thats not 100% the case. Apple (sorta) brings Apple Maps over to Android If you think that youll be able to download the Apple Maps app from the Google Play Store, youre going to be disappointed. Rather than making a dedicated app for Android, Apple made the Apple Maps website available to use on your mobile browser. Thats a pretty odd choice, but it actually gets worse. Youre not able to log in to your Apple account to access your saved locations or use many of the features that Apple Maps has to offer. In fact, this implementation lacks all but the most basic functions. You can search for locations, find gas stations, and get directions. With no ability to access your saved locations and such a bare-bones feature set, it seems odd that Apple even felt the need to make Apple Maps available to other platforms. Its been beta testing the browser version of Apple Maps since last year, so we know that its planning on expanding this platform. However, for the time being, we dont think that many people will bother using Apple Maps on their Android phones. Google Maps is right there, fully featured, and much easier to access. Also, it can more easily integrate with other Android-based services. Summary: ChatGPT now has an improved memory feature. It can remember all of your chats when it needs to look up something about you. This means that it will know much more about you. Last year, OpenAI released a feature that would make any AI skeptic a bit worried. Its a memory feature that will allow ChatGPT to remember certain things about you. It would pick up little things about you, including your likes, dislikes, preferences, and other facts. This makes ChatGPT much more intuitive and personalized. Other chatbots like Gemini have picked up similar features, and it marks a step closer to our agentic AI world. While it sounds pretty creepy at first, this could be a huge help for people who typically use AI in their daily lives. ChatGPT has an improved memory: it remembers everything Apparently, this is the feature that kept OpenAI CEO Sam Altman from sleeping, as per his X.com post. a few times a year i wake up early and cant fall back asleep because we are launching a new feature ive been so excited about for so long. While most people thought that the company was going to release GPT 5, thats not going to happen for another couple of months. Rather, the company announced that ChatGPT has improved memory. Now, aside from being able to reference tidbits of information about you, ChatGPT can reference all of your previous chats. It will extract information about you from your older chats to gain a better understanding of you. If this doesnt sound like a feature that you want to use, you can opt out of it. You can just go to your settings and disable it. Its a little annoying that the company enables it automatically rather than giving people to opt-in up front. The improved memory is rolling out today to ChatGPT Plus and ChatGPT Pro users. However, its not coming out for users in the EEA, UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein. We dont know if it will come out in these regions down the road. Summary: Dell and Lenovo are among what appears to be a growing number of companies halting shipments of products like laptops to the US amid new tariffs. Other companies, such as Razer, halted shipments and sales earlier this week. While companies like Nintendo have delayed pre-orders of their upcoming Switch 2 console. The looming threat of increased worldwide US tariffs imposed by Trump may have been paused for 90 days, but manufacturers like Dell and Lenovo are still feeling the weight of the 10% baseline tariff, causing them to pause laptop shipments to the US. Dell and Lenovo arent the only ones making this decision, either. Earlier this week, Razer halted sales of its laptops in the US. This included the new Razer Blade 16 and the new Razer Blade 18. Both of which now come with NVIDIAs RTX 50-series laptop GPUs. Even the Razer Blade 14, which was available the day of the initial report, is now listed as out of stock with a notify me badge. That same day, Razer also announced a new laptop stand. In its press release, the company stated it was available for purchase. However, just like with the Blade laptops, theres no option to buy it. Suggesting that shipments on this item have been halted as well for the time being. In short, technology companies are starting to feel the impact of these tariffs and are attempting to adapt to the situation. Meanwhile, consumers are going to end up with fewer options. Tariffs are causing more than just Dell and Lenovo to halt laptop shipments In addition to Dell, Lenovo, and Razer, more laptop manufacturers are reportedly pausing shipments. According to Commercial Times (via TechSpot), HP and a brand called Double A are also pausing shipments of laptops to the US. Micron is also reportedly taking measures to adapt to the tariffs. Though not by halting shipments, and instead simply raising prices on its memory products like SSDs and RAM modules. A situation not too unlike what some manufacturers and retailers are doing with GPUs. Additionally, TechSpot notes that some Chinese sellers on sites like Amazon are having to increase prices or exit the US market entirely. Tech companies to see a significant revenue drop this month While tech companies are trying to adapt to this new reality, it may not be enough to prevent a drop in overall revenue. TechSpot states that industry sources are predicting a sharp revenue decline for technology companies in the month of April. Segments like smartphones, networking equipment, and laptops are reportedly going to feel the biggest impact. The effects of the tariffs are being felt elsewhere, too. Nintendo officially announced its Switch 2 console just days before Trump announced the increased global reciprocal tariffs. Following the tariff announcement, it then delayed pre-orders for the console in the US and Canada. Nintendo has confirmed that the launch is still on track for June 5. But there is speculation about Nintendo potentially increasing the price now from the initial $449. Summary: After testing the digital pause pilot program for quite some time, France will implement a complete ban on the use of smartphones during school hours for children between 11 and 15 years old. The complete ban will start across middle schools in France starting in September. Governments around the world are starting to ban the use of smartphones during school hours. France will reportedly require students aged 11 to 15 to keep their smartphones in a locker or pouch at the start of school hours. France to implement a complete ban on the use of smartphones in middle schools starting this September Today, The Guardian reported that the French education minister wants to keep children fully away from their smartphones. This would impact students during school hours in all middle schools starting this September. Speaking with the Senate, Elisabeth Borne said, 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. When the government banned phones in 2018, students had to switch off their smartphones and keep them in their school bags. They werent allowed to use their devices during break, even on the school grounds. As expected, middle schools in France reported that the ban had a positive effect on students. They were more concentrated, socially active, and engaged in physical exercise. The ban on the use of smartphones in school also reportedly resulted in less bullying. Since students had their phones in their school bags, they could sneak into the washrooms to use them. Now, thats what seems to have bothered the French official. She had suggested implementing a complete ban on the use of smartphones. The government has successfully tested the pilot program The French government has already tested the digital pause across 100 middle schools for the past six months. As for the choice between locks and pouches, it would be up to the head teachers. This implementation would cost a few thousand euros. A report commissioned by the French President, Emmanuel Macron, concluded that children shouldnt have access to smartphones until the age of 13. The report also proposed to ban access to social media for such kids until they reach 18 years of age. Dr. Karim Arabi, former vice president of Qualcomms Research and Development Department, could receive a severe sentence of up to 20 years in prison. The jury found the ex-Qualcomm executive guilty of fraud and money laundering. Arabi developed and executed an elaborate scheme to defraud the company where he worked. The case involves $180 million defrauded from Qualcomm, one of the leading developers of ARM processors for smartphones. The former executive obtained this money through fraudulent means, involving a third-party company with which he concealed any relationship. Ex-Qualcomm executive found guilty of $180 million fraud against company Arabis employment contract stated that any technology developed during his tenure would belong to Qualcomm. However, he secretly founded Abreezio, an external firm, through which he sold microchip technology to Qualcomm itself. Abreezio might have leveraged Qualcomms resources to develop the technology it ultimately sold. Arabi did everything possible to hide his role as Abreezios founder and CEO. In fact, he even chose the companys name and oversaw its operations. The trial revealed that the former Qualcomm executive also used fake email accounts. He also falsely used the identity of his sister, Sheida Alan. The company portrayed Sheida Alan as the creator of the technology that Qualcomm purchased. The scheme even involved changing Sheida Arabis name to Sheida Alan to conceal her family relationship. The defendant took advantage of the trust placed in him, lining his pockets with millions by orchestrating a scheme to deceive and then bleed his own employer, said Judge Andrew Haden. Todays jury verdict sends a clear message: In the Southern District of California, fraud has consequences, he added. The involvement of the FBI and IRS was key to the investigation. Dr. Arabi perpetrated an elaborate scheme to conceal, deceive, and defraud his own employer out of millions of dollars, said FBI acting special agent in charge Houtan Moshrefi, as reported by CBS 8. Others involved Other participants in the fraudulent schemes pleaded guilty in the case. Ali Akbar Shokouhia former Qualcomm employee and Abreezios primary investorand Sanjiv TanejaAbreezios nominal CEOwill be sentenced in August and July, respectively. Meanwhile, Karim Arabi could receive a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison. Summary: Google is offloading over 400,000 square feet of office space in Redwood City, following similar moves in San Francisco and the Bay Area. The downsizing reflects its shift to hybrid work, recent layoffs, and growing economic pressures like a potential recession and rising tariff-related costs. Lately, Google has been slimming down its real estate portfolio. After putting over 1.4 million square feet of its office space through Mountain View and Sunnyvale on the sublease market in May 2023. In May 2024, Google vacated its 300,000-square-foot office space in San Francisco. Now, reports are indicating that it is offloading its Redwood City office buildings. Google has listed four different buildings in Redwood City, including a life science building at the Pacific Shores Center, near the port of Redwood City. This totals over 400,000 square feet, where Google once had over a million square feet at this location. Office occupancy rates are finally starting to rise in San Francisco, finally, after the pandemic. Going from 63.5% to 64.2%. Google itself has adopted a hybrid work environment now. Where workers can work from home, work in the office, or both. That is likely the main reason for Google shedding all of this real estate. With fewer and fewer workers coming into the office, Google doesnt need as much space. Google also recently laid off hundreds of employees in its Android and Pixel units Another reason for Google likely shedding its office real estate is, it has fewer workers now. This morning, Reuters reported that Google laid off hundreds of employees in its platforms and devices unit. They are not giving out a specific number, but hundreds is not a small number for that unit. This is the unit that houses the Android platform, Pixel phones, and Chrome browser. Of course, the current economic climate might also be a reason for Google to shed some of this space. Economists are expecting a recession this year, and weve already seen signs of companies pulling back on spending. As well as companies being forced to pay more to manufacture their products, thanks to President Trumps tariffs. And the trade war with China doesnt seem to be coming to an end anytime soon. Summary: A leaked benchmark shows what consumers can expect in terms of performance from the RTX 5060 Ti. Itll have a not insignificant performance boost over its RTX 40-series counterpart, though it wont be the massive jump some are probably hoping for. A leaked benchmark for the NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti has provided a few details about how the GPU may perform once it launches, and if its accurate, then itll be a not insignificant bump in performance compared to the RTX 4060 Ti. Though, at what cost? NVIDIAs RTX 50-series GPUs are packing some powerful performance, but reviews have shown that even with these improvements, theyre not as big of a leap over the 40-series as NVIDIA would have you believe. The same cant be said for the RTX 5060 Ti just yet. NVIDIA hasnt officially announced the GPU model, for one. Even when it does, reviewers will still need to acquire one for testing to see how it stacks up to the last generations equivalent. Of course, experiencing that performance, notable improvement or not, will require consumers to have one. Its not exactly a secret that getting any of this generations GPUs is either next to impossible or incredibly expensive. Sometimes both. The higher cost can partially be attributed to the tariffs. As consumers saw sharp price increases a mere few days after release, with retailers like Newegg blaming the tariffs for this change. Some of those markups are also due to scalpers. Resellers who scooped up as much stock as possible to create an artificial lack of supply (which was already low) and hike prices well beyond their MSRP. A story as old as time in the GPU market over the past few years. That said, its the potential for those increased prices that could render the performance improvement useless. However, that will really depend on what you value more. A fair price or better performance. RTX 5060 Ti benchmark suggests its 14% more powerful than the RTX 4060 Ti When it comes to the benchmark stats, the long and short of it suggests a notable bump in performance. Wccftech (via TechRadar) points out that the RTX 5060 Ti is 14% faster than its predecessor. Thats not too bad at all. Though if the GPU ends up costing hundreds more than what it should, it might feel less like a notable upgrade. Assuming theyll be easier to purchase. According to the report, the benchmarks were done in OpenCL and Vulkan. In the Vulkan test, the 5060 Ti ended up with a score of 140,147 points. Meanwhile, in the OpenCL test, it ended up with a score of 146,234 points. The uptick ends up at 14% over the RTX 4060 Ti in Vulkan and 13% in OpenCL. Like other GPUs in the RTX 50-series, this isnt a massive jump like we saw between some earlier generations. Of course, NVIDIA is relying heavily here on the inclusion of DLSS 4 and multi-frame generation to produce more significant boosts to the performance for things like frame rate in games. There will be two models of the GPU, so performance could vary It should be noted that NVIDIA is supposed to be releasing two variants of this GPU. One that comes with 16GB of VRAM and another that comes with 8GB of VRAM. According to Wccftech, the one in the benchmark is the 16GB model. So expect performance results to vary for the 8GB, though it should still parity the difference between the current and last-gen 16GB GPUs with its 8GB counterpart from the 40-series. Summary: New leak has delivered Motorola Moto Pad 60 Pro and Moto Book 60 images, to show us designs of these devices. These are the companys tablet and laptop, and theyll become official on April 15, during an event in India. Motorola will announce some new products on April 15. We knew that the Motorola Edge 60 Stylus is coming, and it seems like two other products will join it, the Moto Pad 60 Pro and Moto Book 60. The Motorola Moto Pad 60 & Book 60 designs have just surfaced The designs of both of those products have just surfaced, courtesy of 91mobiles. And yes, all the aforementioned products will launch in India, at least at first. If you check out the gallery below this paragraph, youll see the Moto Pad 60 Pro, the companys upcoming tablet. It has a single camera on the back, flat sides, and stylus support as well. It is shown in a green color here, and it has rather thin bezels for a tablet. 5G connectivity will be a part of the offering, while that single camera on the back will be a 13-megapixel snapper. This device seems to be a rebrand of the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro, and its expected to cost INR27,999 ($325). The Book 60 is the companys upcoming laptop The other product shown here is the Moto Book 60, the companys upcoming laptop. It is shown in green and blue in the gallery below. Youll notice Motorolas branding on the top side of the device, on its lid. Multiple Type-C ports are visible in the provided images, and an audio jack as well. Speakers are placed on the left and right sides of the keyboard, while youll also notice the Dolby Atmos branding on the device. As a reminder, the Motorola Razr 60 and Razr 60 Ultra are also coming, but not during this event. Theyll be a part of a global launch on April 24. Thats something that Motorola confirmed recently. Allies agree record boost in military aid for Ukraine in critical year for war Ukraines allies have pledged a record 21 billion euros (18.2 billion) of military aid for Kyiv, the Defence Secretary announced as he warned that 2025 was the critical year for the war. The commitments follow a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) chaired by John Healey and his German counterpart, Boris Pistorius, at Nato headquarters in Brussels on Friday. Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, Mr Healey said: This UDCG could not meet at a more important time, because 2025 is the critical year for this war in Ukraine, and now is the critical moment in that war. Opening the meeting, he had urged allies to step up our support for Ukraine in the fight, adding: Our job as defence ministers is to get urgent military aid into the hands of Ukrainian warfighters. The support announced on Friday includes a 450 million package from the UK and Norway to fund radar systems, anti-tank mines, vehicle repairs and hundreds of thousands of drones for Ukraine. John Healey said 2025 was the critical year for Ukraine (Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP) Drones have come to play an increasingly important role in the Ukraine war, with Mr Healey saying on Friday that 70-80% of battlefield casualties were now inflicted by the technology significantly outnumbering those caused by artillery. Fridays meeting was the 27th gathering of the UDCG and the second to be chaired by Mr Healey, bringing together defence ministers from 50 nations. Previous meetings of the UDCG have been chaired by the US defence secretary, but in a sign of Americas disengagement from European security, Mr Healey has taken over the duty since Donald Trump became president in January. However, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth attended Fridays meeting virtually, as did Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Mr Pistorius insisted that Mr Hegseths decision to attend the meeting virtually was not a matter of priorities but of schedules, adding the most important fact was that he took part. Ukrainian defence minister Rustem Umerov said Mr Hegseths attendance means that the US is continuing its security assistance and is beside us. The UDCG meeting comes the day after Mr Healey chaired a separate gathering of defence ministers from the coalition of the willing to discuss plans for a peacekeeping force to be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. US envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to Russia again on Friday to press the Kremlin to accept a truce. But in Brussels there appeared to be little confidence that a pause in hostilities would come. Mr Pistorius said ongoing aggression from Russia meant we must concede peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future. Russia has already rejected an American-backed proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire and appears to be dragging its feet on a more limited truce in the Black Sea agreed last month. Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to travel to Poland on Friday for a meeting with EU finance ministers, at which she will call for deeper co-operation on defence funding. 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. The Liberal Democrats welcomed the announcement of more support for Ukraine, but said it was small change and urged the Government to seize Russian assets to provide more funding. Lib Dem defence spokeswoman Helen Maguire said: John Healey is right: 2025 is a critical year. But Britain needs to do more. The UK must lead the charge in seizing the Russian assets held here in Britain funnelling oligarchs money to back Zelenskys brave defence of Ukraines sovereignty. Without that, we risk failing Ukraine in their hour of greatest need. We may consider our cats and dogs our fur babies, but caring for a pet doesn't even come close to the ups and downs of true motherhood. Caring for a newborn shortly after going through a traumatic change like birth can be bittersweet for anyone, but think about how busy canine moms must be! After giving birth to litters as large as 16 puppies, the chaos has only begun. This Australian Shepherd mom can totally relate! In March, the Aussie's family in Salt Lake City gave a completely realistic peek into life with a large litter. This super mom carried and gave birth to 16 puppies, but even she reaches her limits sometimes. The way she tries to 'escape' from her puppies has human moms feeling seen! Someone give this mama dog a break! Her tense body language and desire to run say it all, but her puppies clearly don't get the hint. If it's up to them, they'd play and roughhouse with Mom all day long! Clearly, this Aussie mom doesn't feel the same way. The way she looks back and forth between her puppies and the person recording seems to ask, "Are you going to do something about this?" Unfortunately, she learned a hard lesson this day: You can't take a day 'off' when you're a parent! Related: French Bulldog Mama Just Needs a Little Break From Her 10 Puppies and It's So Relatable "16 puppies?!" one commenter asked in disbelief. "OMG, she needs a spa day." I have a feeling she would agree! Although most dogs give birth to 5-6 puppies, on average, this number can vary greatly. Litter sizes up to 12 are considered 'normal,' so this large litter is definitely unusual. Luckily for Mom, she has people to help keep the babies safe when she's busy or overwhelmed. Building Puppy Paradise Many commenters suggested giving this mama dog a space of her own where she can come and go as she pleases, but how would a pet parent do this? The puppies need a large space of their own to explore and stretch out, but you can add on to their enclosure in a way that still keeps them inside. dezy/Shutterstock A commenter named Kelsey suggested, "Get a puppy pen, one short enough she can jump over but high enough they cant get out (or add some type of steps. Its a dog mom's saving grace at this stage." I think this merle Australian Shepherd mama will be thanking you very soon! It's a new mom's job to make sure her babies are healthy, safe, and fed, but it's everyone else's job to take care of mom. That includes giving her a much-needed break sometimes! 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. Knowing her son could stay in contact when he first started at secondary school two miles from her house was crucial for Marina Gask, so she is against an outright ban of mobiles in schools. (Max Ellis Photography) (Max Ellis Photography) When my son Adam* started at secondary school two miles away from our house, knowing that he would have a phone to stay in contact with us was vital for him, as well as us. He had to take the bus every day something hed never done on his own before but knowing he had a phone and a friend to travel with gave me a certain amount of reassurance. So, hearing that 90% of secondary schools have now banned mobile phones leaves me feeling very conflicted. According to the research by the childrens commissioner for England, some of these schools dont allow mobiles on site at all, while others require pupils to hand their phones in or simply keep them in their bag which I think is a better approach. I didnt want to drive my son to school every day Adam needed to learn some independence but I worried about him having to get to and from that huge school on his own. Whether you live in a city like London or in a rural area, its a big deal for a child to make the transition from primary to secondary school. Our son was used to the safety of his primary school that was just a short walk from our house. But then, at the age of 11, he had to make his way to a big South London secondary school with over 2,000 pupils, and as it was some distance from our house, I felt he needed to have a phone to let us know if anything happened that would make him late home. Buses break down, travel cards get lost, he could get detention how would he let us know if he was stuck? I felt my son needed to have a phone to let us know if anything happened that would make him late home. So, letting Adam have his own phone to keep in his rucksack gave him a sense of security and it helped me feel less anxious, too. Of course, there were some teething troubles. At school, Adam had his phone (quite correctly) confiscated a few times for getting the device out during lessons at the time the school hadnt imposed an outright ban. I was furious though, when one day he was even forced to come home without his phone. The school had taken it away, saying he was being punished for causing a distraction to other pupils in class. Punishment was fair enough, but what would happen if he couldnt get hold of me on the way home what if something happened and he couldnt let me know? An element of risk Even after Adam got mugged for his phone, I still felt he needed to have one. On a side road not far from our house a group of boys threatened him with a knife and he had to hand over his almost brand-new phone. It was a terrifying experience for a 12-year-old boy. Even after Adam got mugged for his phone on his way home from school, I still felt he needed to have one. Anxious as I felt for him after what happened, I wanted him to regain his confidence. And for that, Adam needed to know he could contact us and us him. After some discussion, we gave him a very basic old phone so he could call us in a crisis. We knew that no one would want to steal this old, out-of-date phone, but it helped to stop us worrying. Im not arguing that pupils should be able to use smartphones whenever they feel like it. I agree that theyre a dangerous distraction at school for both pupils and teachers, and that social media can have a pernicious impact on childrens mental health. As long as mobile phones are kept out of sight at school, Marina Gask feels it's essential secondary school pupils are allowed to have them. (Max Ellis Photography) (Yahoo Life UK) Technology break Having brought up teenagers and recently watched Adolescence, the controversial Netflix drama, in horror, Im well aware that cyber-bullying and potential abuse can all result from children having phones. Theres no denying that a much-needed technology break in the daytime would benefit all our children. Banning phones from schools entirely only solves some of the problems young people face in their school day. Children are more physically active and interact more with each other if theyre not on their phones at break-time. Plus they cant be tempted to cheat their way through tests or become distracted by secretly checking their phone in lessons. But banning phones from schools entirely only solves some of the problems young people face in their school day. Like me, I believe most parents buy mobile phones for their children with safety in mind. As parents, we go from the safe primary school years and knowing where our kids are to the secondary years and having little or no control over their day and the phone becomes a crucial part of their safety. The best solution Apart from keeping in touch when children are in school, at a friends house, or at after-school clubs, if there is an emergency, they are reachable. And lets not forget the location sharing apps that can come in handy for tracking young peoples whereabouts, giving parents reassurance. Whatever the type of phone, banning their usage on secondary school premises is the ideal but not banning the device altogether. I think its worth considering permitting child-friendly phones in school basic models that dont contain distracting apps but still give parents a means to contact their children when they need to (and vice versa). And parental controls can of course be applied to phones to limit the number of hours they use their phone and block access to certain apps and websites. Whatever the type of phone, banning their usage on secondary school premises is the ideal but not banning the device altogether. As with Adam, schools will often stipulate that phones should remain switched off at the bottom of the school bag during the school day, or handed over for safe-keeping while theyre at school, with confiscation (just for the day) being an immediate consequence of flouting the rule. Having been through the worry of the secondary years with our son, who gradually learnt to be confident and independent, I think this is the right way to tackle phones in schools. *Name has been changed to protect identity. Read more about teens and mobile phones: Ugandan politician Bobi Wine in West Hollywood, California, after a documentary about his life was nominated for an Oscar, 6 March 2024. Photograph: Valerie Macon/AFP/Getty Images The musician turned opposition leader Bobi Wine has said he will stand again against Ugandas authoritarian leader, Yoweri Museveni, in next years presidential elections. Despite being jailed, attacked, shot, and facing threats of violence, including from Musevenis son, Wine said he felt he had little choice but to try to advance the hope for change that was energising Ugandans, especially the young. We cannot just give the election to General Museveni, he said, in an interview with the Guardian. The leader of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party, Wine, whose real name is Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, said he expected the January 2026 election, in which Museveni has said he will stand for what would be his seventh term in office, to be bloody. But, with 80% of the Ugandan population under the age of 35, Wine believes change can come. Young people are so hopeful because they see the possibility, he said. Ultimately the good will of the people is what is important for this election and for our campaign. They know if you are not given freedom, you dont have a life. I think I stir a lot of hope because I dont shut my big mouth, and thats a big challenge to the regime. Museveni, now in his eighties, has held power in Uganda since 1986, one of the worlds longest standing national leaders. In 2021, Africa Elections Watch observers said the election was conducted with irregularities, while the US state department called it fundamentally flawed. During that campaign, Wine was imprisoned and faced attacks and death threats. I am worried about what is ahead, of course, said Wine. Thinking about how brutal it is going to be, its going to be terrible. We are already seeing signs it will be more brutal. Last month, we had a byelection and one of my MPs died. Died after being tortured by the regime. Journalists were very badly beaten and observers from the US embassy had to leave the field. Among the enemies Wine and his NUP party have made is Musevenis son, 50-year-old Muhoozi Kainerugaba. He was made chief of defence forces by his father and is also chair of the Patriotic League of Uganda, which lobbies heavily for him to succeed the presidency. Kainerugaba has made vicious public threats to Wine on his social media accounts, including saying he was keeping a bullet specially for him. More reason to stand up, said Wine. I am convinced that if the world stands firm with us, 2026 could be a turning point. If the world leaders do not stand on the side of oppression, but help; if they criticise and distance themselves from the absence of human rights and democracy. I get the feeling right now that the international community is more concerned with diplomacy rather than democracy; more concerned with business than rights and freedom. Asked about the impact of Donald Trumps populist presidency on Uganda, including the huge aid cuts and disinterest in peacekeeping or humanitarian concerns, he said: We are now in a situation where there is less concern for Africa. If lifesaving aid is cut then how will aid for democracy fare? Aid cuts are going to impact Uganda very negatively. But also much aid is diverted to support this corrupt regime. The aid that was helping in the health sector is not there any more, so we are going to have less medicines and more bullets, he said. We have always been asking for targeted sanctions on those in the regime and asking the US not to send their taxpayers money to be spent on things that can be used against our people. The guns that kill our people are American guns. The soldiers who torture our people are trained in America. Related: Lawyer for Ugandan opposition politician arrested and tortured So we want America and other world powers not to be partners in crime, but to call out General Museveni for the absence of human rights. I believe foreign aid, in many ways, is lost in patronage and corruption, only to have the burden of repayment on next generations. The aid we need is in sticking to values. If we have a good democracy and human rights, that will bring leaders who will stamp down on corruption. We lose two-thirds of our annual revenue to corruption 10tn Ugandan shillings ($2.5bn) stolen every year. That figure comes from the inspector general of government, so it could be more. He could be giving us a low figure. Whichever way, it is huge, he said. Our debt burden is heavy, it will take us 97 years to pay back and of course we have new predators. But I believe it is fixable. We have human resources, we have a young, energised population. We are endowed with natural wealth and resources. If corruption is stamped out, we can make every sector work that could rise us from poverty and indebtedness. Wines wife, the author Barbie Itungo Kyagulanyi, was a linchpin in Wines first parliamentary campaign in 2017 and joined him on the presidential campaign trail in 2020 with her own manifesto for womens rights. Their struggle was documented in the Oscar-nominated film Bobi Wine: The Peoples President, which was released after the 2021 campaign. Kyagulanyi was held under an illegal house arrest with her husband in 2021. But she is energised for 2026 he says. Those who are fighting for freedom, Im afraid they dont decide [to do it], they dont apply. It happens to them, he said. For me, I would like to be making music not risking my life, but there is no choice. While I am here speaking to you, I dont know if Ill be in jail next week. If I am still alive and not in jail by the end of this year, then Im going to run for presidency, again. China has been implicated in a number of cyber attacks on US infrastructure in recent years China openly admitted it was behind a series of cyber attacks on US infrastructure in a secret meeting with American officials, according to reports. Members of the Chinese delegation indicated to their US counterparts in December that they had spent years targeting computer networks in electrical grids, water supplies and ports, in what appeared to be a warning against Washington providing support to Taiwan. US officials were said to have been shocked at China admitting culpability for what it has called the Volt Typhoon campaign, sources told the Wall Street Journal. The meeting between security teams from the two superpowers is said to have taken place in Geneva, Switzerland last year, during Joe Bidens last few weeks as US president. The secret meeting between US and Chinese officials took place during the last few weeks of Joe Bidens presidency - Leah Millis/Reuters The Biden administration went public with warnings about the Volt Typhoon campaign last year, claiming that Beijing was attempting to establish itself in critical infrastructure to cause chaos if a war broke out. Wang Lei, a top cyber official with Chinas ministry of foreign affairs, reportedly indicated that the hacks were the result of Washington lending military backing to Taiwan, according to current and former US officials. He is not said to have directly stated that China was responsible for the campaign of cyber attacks on the US. However, American officials took the admission as an implicit warning against coming to Taiwans aid in the event of a Chinese invasion. China regards the island as part of its territory even though it has been effectively independent since 1949. US officials interpreted the Chinese delegations statements to be a warning against support for Taiwan - Patrick Aventurier/Getty Images Europe Nate Fick, then the ambassador-at-large for cyberspace and digital policy in the Biden administration, is said to have led the US delegation at the summit. Both Mr Bidens White House and Donald Trumps transition team, which was preparing to assume control of the US government, were briefed on the meeting. Relations between Washington and Beijing have deteriorated even further under Mr Trump, as Pentagon officials vowed to retaliate with their own cyber attacks and the US president imposed a 145 per cent tariff on Chinese imports. The US state department did not comment on the specifics of the meeting in a statement to the Wall Street Journal. However, it said that Washington had made clear to Beijing that it would take actions in response to Chinese malicious cyber activity, which it described as some of the gravest and most persistent threats to US national security. The national security council declined to comment on the allegations. The Chinese embassy in Washington accused the US of using cybersecurity to smear and slander China and spreading disinformation about so-called hacking threats. Four men have been jailed for their part in the callous and shocking killing of a man who was stabbed through the window of a taxi. Anselam Senaj, 26, said: There is one car behind they will kill me, before he was attacked on the evening of November 11 2023. The taxi in which he was a back seat passenger was forcibly stopped by a silver Mitsubishi in Victoria Avenue in Newham, east London. Three of the six occupants of the Mitsubishi surrounded the taxi and attacked the victim who was still in his seat. Muhammad Saqib Khan, one of four men who have been jailed for their part in the killing of Anselam Senaj (Metropolitan Police/PA) The black-clad attackers were wearing masks and gloves with two of them wielding knives up to two feet long, the Old Bailey had heard. One of the men stabbed Mr Senaj in the chest before the men got back into the Mitsubishi and fled. Mr Senaj died at the scene despite the efforts of emergency services. The car, which had been stolen, was found burned out the next day. The court heard the motive for the attack was over drugs, although the exact reasons were unclear. Prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC had told jurors: It appears from the drugs subsequently found on Mr Senaj and messages received from his phone that he was involved in drug dealing. When Mr Senaj saw the Mitsubishi coming towards him he clearly recognised he was in danger and told the taxi driver that the occupants would kill him. Sadly, he was absolutely right in his assessment of their interest. The court was told Muhammad Saqib Khan, 24, from Enfield, had inflicted the fatal wound. It was alleged that Muhammad Samiyul Miah, 19, from Manor Park, and Zain Ali, 22, were the other two attackers and the getaway driver was Ibrahim Naim, 18. Miah, Ali and Naim were arrested in November 2023. The instigator of the attack, Khan, fled to Amsterdam after the murder and was extradited back to the UK last January. The four men were convicted of their part in the killing at the conclusion of their Old Bailey trial. At their sentencing on Friday, the victims cousin Elira Senaj condemned the killers, saying: Cowards and little boys you will always be. You needed numbers and weapons to carry out your task. You fought like a boy not a man where it was an even playing field. Judge Judy Khan KC said it was a callous and shocking attack in a public street, which was pre-meditated and planned. Drug dealer Khan was found guilty of murder and having a blade and was jailed for life with a minimum term of 26 years for his leading role. Miah was found guilty of murder and admitted having a blade and was detained for life a minimum term of 25 years. The sentence reflected Miahs separate conviction for a brutal rape a 15-year-old girl in a north London park in March 2023. The girl was raped, punched in the jaw and rendered unconscious as a result of the hour-long attack, the court was told. Judge Khan told Miah that his offending painted an extremely disturbing picture. Ali and Naim, both from East Ham, were cleared of murder but convicted of the lesser offence of manslaughter. Ali, who was responsible for taking the victims phone, was jailed for 14 years and Naim was detained for 10 years and six months. Detective Sergeant Brett Hagen, who led Scotland Yards investigation, said: Anselam Senaj was killed in a brutal cold-blooded assault which lasted seconds, but was so severe he died at the scene. Our team conducted a thorough and detailed investigation which led to the arrest of three of the suspects within two weeks of the attack. Wed like to thank our partner agencies who helped us ensure the arrest of the final suspect, and bring the case to trial to secure justice for Anselam. Our thoughts remain as always with Anselams friends and family as they move forward with their life, safe in the knowledge his attackers are behind bars where they belong. Gary Barlow's Wine Tour: Australia. (ITV screenshot) What did you miss? Gary Barlow tucked into some kangaroo meat during the opening episode of Wine Tour: Australia. Having got a Sydney-based Take That gig out of the way, the musician was seen hooking up with local comedian Tim Minchin for a bite to eat at Port Jackson Bay, and after sampling a plate of rock oysters together, the pair were served a marsupial fillet. Although fans might've had their fingers crossed for a struggle, Barlow absolutely loved it. What, how and why? A red kangaroo of Australia. (Evolve/Photoshot/ZUMAPRESS.com) (ZUMA Press, ZUMA Press, Inc.) "Kangaroo may be an Aussie icon, but it's also one of the most sustainable meats you can eat," the popstar told viewers in a voiceover. "These guys don't need much water, they don't churn out methane like cows and they leave a tiny carbon footprint compared to the traditional livestock. Nutritionally, the meat is lean and packed with protein, and when it's cooked properly it's apparently delicious." Read more: The chef seasoned it with thyme, salt, and pepper, before searing and then over-cooking the fillet for 10 minutes. It was then served with "posh mashed potato" and a quandong jus. "Oh my goodness. It's so good!" grinned Barlow after enjoying his first forkful. "Great food, great wine, great day, great company." Minchin, meanwhile, was relieved to finally taste kangaroo when it's been cooked properly. "That is not how kangaroo used to taste when I cooked it," he said. "I could never get it right, that is so good! We used to feed kangaroo to our dog, it used to be pet food. I just don't think many people know how to cook it. "It's actually environmentally the much smarter meat for us to eat down here." What else happened on Wine Tour: Australia? Sophie Ellis-Bextor joined Barlow for a wine-tasting session. (ITV screenshot) Elsewhere on the show, the 54-year-old caught up with Sophie Ellis-Bextor, whose tune 'Murder on the Dancefloor' rocketed up the music charts again following a viral Saltburn scene. She was the support act for Take That's vineyard concert and proceeded to drink wine before going out on stage. Barlow didn't similarly throw caution to the wind though; simply swilling the booze around his mouth and spitting it out. Gary Barlow's Wine Tour: Australia airs on ITV1 and ITVX. JD Vance has said Denmark had not done a good job with Greenland - Jim Watson/AFP The head of the US militarys Greenland base has been fired for subverting president Trumps agenda. The department of defence accused Col Susannah Meyers, who was removed from her role leading Pituffik Space Base, was accused of undermining JD Vance by sending an email distancing herself from his criticism of Denmark. The US president has repeatedly expressed ambitions to take over Greenland. Previously, Donald Trump Jr visited the island to hand out Maga caps, a delegation led by Mr Vance alongside Usha Vance, his wife, last month. He also met US troops at the Pituffik base, in an attempt to try and woo the frosty Danish territory. During a trip to the base on March 28, Mr Vance said Denmark had not done a good job for Greenlanders. You have under-invested in the people of Greenland and you have under-invested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass, he said. Flags will fly together Three days after the vice-president and second ladys visit, Col Meyers reportedly sent an email to personnel saying his comments were not reflective of the base. I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the US administration discussed by vice-president Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base, she wrote, according to Military.com. I commit that, for as long as I am lucky enough to lead this base, all of our flags will fly proudly together, she added. Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesman, shared a story on Thursday about the email, writing on X: Actions [that] undermine the chain of command or to subvert president [Donald] Trumps agenda will not be tolerated at the department of defence. The Space Force said Col Meyers, who had served as commander of the Pituffik Space Base since July, had been removed because of a loss of confidence in her ability to lead and said she was being replaced by Col Shawn Lee. Mr Parnell added: Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining non-partisan in the performance of their duties. Mr Vances visit came after Mr Trump insisted that the United States needs to take control of Greenland for national and international security and has refused to rule out the use of force to secure it. The vice-president was not initially meant to be part of the trip, which was set to be led by his wife. Ahead of her visit, staffers are said to have spent a week traipsing around Nuuk, Greenlands capital city, to gauge the feeling among residents in a charm offensive, reports that White House sources claimed were categorically false. The week before the trip, the vice-president announced he would join his wife because he didnt want her to have all that fun by herself. The itinerary of the visit was significantly tweaked from the second ladys original plans. Mrs Vance had been scheduled to wave a flag to open the annual dog sled race and other attractions in what the White House had called a trip to celebrate Greenlandic culture and unity. But the pair only visited the US Space Force outpost on the north-west coast of the territory to receive a briefing on Arctic security issues and meet with US service members. Earlier this month, Mette Frederiksen, the prime minister of Denmark, visited the territory and appeared to put on a united front with Jens-Frederik Nielsen, the leader of Greenland. During a press conference Ms Frederiksen directly addressed Mr Trump, telling him: You cant annex other countries. When I hear someone describe their house-sharing era as the best time of my life, I know they have had at least two years to forget their trauma, writes Alice Wilkinson. Photograph: Fox/Channel 4 Happy Saturday! Sometimes, dear readers, the best stories get hidden or lost beneath blaring headlines. This week, all five stories jumped out. And more. This could have been 20 great reads. Enjoy. 1. The 10 worst share house moments Living in share houses can bring the best and worst out of people. Across eight homes and 18 housemates, Alice Wilkinson has endured it all from the guy who washed his clothes without detergent to the boyfriend who moved in by stealth. There are moments on this list that I can only assume readers accustomed to the perils and joys of cohabitating a space will deeply relate to some more than others. Here are two: Finding my housemates stash of ecstasy in my favourite mug: Wilkinson made sure it didnt happen again by moving all the mugs she owned to her bedroom. Asking my housemates boyfriend to pay rent: Dan was quick-witted and funny, she writes. But after a month passed, Wilkinson realised he was staying at the share house every night. She found him less and less funny. Devilish suggestion? Send this to an old housemate (if youre still friends) or your current ones if you dare. How long will it take to read: four minutes. 2. Abigail Disney: Every billionaire who cant live on $999m is kind of a sociopath Billionaires including Elon Musk, Facebooks Mark Zuckerberg, Amazons Jeff Bezos, and Charles Koch one of the richest people in the world all seem pretty comfortable with the fact Donald Trump is the US president. But Abigail Disney isnt like the rest. The Disney heir one of several - has long argued for rich people like her to pay more tax. Now she is working out how best to meet the challenge of Trump, Musk and the politics of chaos. Family ties: The 65-year-old is the grand-niece of Walt Disney and says Trump is not all that different [He] is an inheritor, she says. He never acknowledges it, but he wouldnt have been able to do any of the things he did without an inheritance. How long will it take to read: five minutes. Further reading: Wondering which Trump-supporting billionaires have lost the most in the tariff turmoil? Here they are. 3. The TikTok chocolate everyone is going crazy for If you havent heard of Dubai chocolate, youre probably not on TikTok. Sweet, creamy, crunchy, with a chocolate shell decorated with splashes of colour and a whimsical name (Cant Get Knafeh of It), the finished product must have seemed like a winner, writes Emine Saner. Whats in it? The chocolate bar contains a sweet, gooey filling of pistachio cream and tahini with the crunch of knafeh, Saner describes. Who made it? Sarah Hamouda, a British-Egyptian engineer living in Dubai, who, after pregnancy cravings, birthed the invention in 2021. *** That one craving sparked a passion I never expected I never imagined Dubai chocolate would become such a global craze. Sarah Hamouda How long will it take to read: four minutes. Further reading: you can even DIY Dubai chocolate at home with Ravneet Gills recipe. 4. The worlds coldest capital with the deadliest air In Ulaanbaatar, coal fires heat almost every home. The extreme weather is driving families off the Mongolian steppes and into the capital city, where coal-fired heating has led to a health crisis. Crisis levels: The wealthy are advised to leave town to avoid their kids getting repeatedly sick. Meanwhile, incidents of carbon monoxide poisonings from people who stay and try to keep warm is rising, with more than 800 related deaths recorded in the last seven years. Everyone is breathing this air the poor and the wealthy, Dr Jigjidsuren Chinburen, an MP, oncologist and former director of Mongolias cancer centre, said. We can solve it easily, we just need a good heart. How long will it take to read: five minutes. Further viewing: How smog has become part of Mongolians way of life. 5. Blink-182s Mark Hoppus on stardom and surviving cancer In 2021, Mark Hoppus thought he was going to die. And, in a way, it absolutely was so freeing, he tells Alexis Petridis, recalling the horrors and success of his cancer treatment, and how being sick helped heal his friendship with fellow Blink-182 band member Tom DeLonge. Whats my age again? In what gen Zs would describe a very boomer moment, Hoppus accidentally shared a chemo selfie to more than a million Instagram followers. The musician calls it the best mistake Ive ever made because of the overwhelming support he received. Keep reading for Hoppus gleefully puerile take on how punk brought him fame, an art collection and his Beverly Hills mansion with a phallic-shaped swimming pool. How long will it take to read: five minutes. Sign up If you would like to receive these Five Great Reads to your email inbox every weekend, sign up here. And check out the full list of our local and international newsletters. Rageh Omaar has gone on his first foreign assignment for ITV News since he appeared to be taken ill on-air a year ago. The ITV News international affairs analyst, 57, is understood to have been making a gradual return to work over the past few weeks, appearing on online platforms such as ITVX. Omaar featured in a pre-recorded package on West Africa on ITVs News At Ten on Friday. In April last year, he appeared to struggle to read the news bulletins on-air and later was taken to hospital. It is understood Friday marks his first foreign dispatch since his return earlier this year, following him making ITVX news packages that have been featured on bulletins. Rageh Omaar won a prize at the 2003 EMMA (Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy) Awards (Yui Mok/PA) Last year, Omaar said he was determined to finish presenting the programme and thanked his colleagues for their support. In April 2024, ITV News said he had medical treatment at hospital and was recovering. A video released on YouTube on Friday to the ITV News account showed Omaar interviewing Ivorian businessman Tidjane Thiam, the leader of PDCI-RDA, the main opposition party in the Ivory Coast. Mr Thiam claimed to Omaar that the Government was trying to block his presidency in the African country. Omaar is responsible for covering major news stories across the world while also presenting ITVs current affairs programme On Assignment. During his career, he was also a senior foreign correspondent for the BBC, rising to prominence during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and winning a best TV news journalist prize at the Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy that year. Recently, Channel 4 News announced that ITV News deputy political editor Anushka Asthana would become the broadcasters US editor. Justin Rose remained the man to catch at Augusta National as Rory McIlroy battled to reignite his own bid to win the Masters and complete the career grand slam. Rose began the second round with a three-shot lead and quickly extended his advantage with a birdie on the par-five second after getting up and down from a greenside bunker. The former Olympic champion maintained that advantage in unorthodox fashion on the par-three fourth after his skied tee shot came up 50 yards short of the green, a superb pitch to five feet allowing him to escape with a par. Justin Rose birdies No. 2 to extend his lead to four. #themasters pic.twitter.com/INzrkuXrPE The Masters (@TheMasters) April 11, 2025 Rose, who finished runner-up to Jordan Spieth in 2015 and lost a play-off to Sergio Garcia in 2017, was unable to repeat the feat on the fifth after driving into a fairway bunker, but bounced back with a birdie on the eighth. At eight under par Rose enjoyed a three-shot lead over Ryder Cup team-mate Ludvig Aberg and US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, with McIlroy four strokes further back. An opening 72 meant it was the seventh consecutive year McIlroy had started round two six or more shots off the pace, with just one of the last 19 Masters champions Garcia being more than four shots behind after round one. Only two men in history have come from seven behind after 18 holes to win, Nick Faldo in 1990 and Tiger Woods in 2005. To make matters worse, McIlroy had been primed to break 70 in the first round at Augusta National for just the third time in 17 attempts when he reached four under par with a two-putt birdie on the 13th. However, the world number two missed from short range for another birdie on the next and then ran up a double bogey on the 15th after chipping from over the green into the water at the front. McIlroy also double-bogeyed the 17th after hitting his approach over the green and three-putting from 20 feet following a clumsy chip. The Northern Irishman needed a fast start on Friday to get back into contention and birdied the second despite having to pitch out from the base of a tree following a wayward drive. Jess Phillips MP - Christopher Furlong Quite how the Government expected to hold more than five independent inquiries into grooming gangs for 5 million when the Telford inquiry alone cost 8 million is anyones guess. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper now insists Labour hasnt watered down its pledge to deliver the meaningful change victims deserve with the announcement of a more flexible approach involving the setting up of victim-led panels. Yet handing a pittance to the very local councils who seemingly turned a blind eye to these vile crimes for them to mark their own homework isnt justice. Falling far short of the full independent local inquiries that were originally promised let alone the national inquiry that has been demanded this mealy-mouthed method is a wholly inadequate way to investigate the systematic abuse and exploitation of thousands of white working-class girls by predominantly Pakistani men in modern Britain. Sir Trevor Phillips has suggested Labour doesnt want to offend its ethnic minority voters. The former chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, who was previously touted to be a Labour candidate for London mayor, said the Governments lacklustre response was utterly shameful because it was so obviously political. Hes right. But it actually runs much deeper than that. This isnt just about not wanting to offend Pakistani voters its also a refusal to address the misogyny and frankly, medievalism, that underpins some communities in modern-day Britain. Such is the denialism, that when this was being debated in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Jess Phillips, the minister for safeguarding, appeared to baulk at Conservative MP Katie Lams description of the crimes as racially and religiously motivated. Lam recounted the experience of one poor girl in Dewsbury who was told by her rapist: Were here to f--k all the white girls and f--k the government. A visibly uncomfortable Phillips replied: I think its a shame that [Lam] only referred to one sort of child-abuse victim. Because when it comes to this vile crime, there should be no hierarchy of victims. There is surely no greater shame than a minister for safeguarding and violence against women and girls seemingly being compromised by her wafer-thin majority (under 700 votes) in Birmingham Yardley, where 35 per cent of voters are non-white. Liberal Democrat MP Tessa Munt was equally furious that Lam had had the temerity to bring up the fact that the rapist groomers were predominantly Pakistani, declaring: My blood is boiling as I listen to the stuff coming from Conservative members, pointing out that white girls had also suffered at the hands of white men. You would have hoped their blood would be boiling at the shameful lack of a full public inquiry into the decades-long degradation of women and girls. Instead, they opted for whataboutery. Sadly, too many faux feminists in Britain have also ignored the ethnically motivated abuse meted out to the white teenagers of Rochdale, Rotherham, Telford and beyond, and the subjugation of Muslim women in largely Labour-held seats. This is an issue few in British politics are brave enough to touch. But in order to understand why, and how, large numbers of Pakistani men took it upon themselves to abuse kaffirs they regarded as white trash, you do have to examine the antediluvian attitudes we appear to have imported to the UK. This reality is worlds apart from the rainbow flag-waving gender equality espoused by Britains most vocal feminists. Let us first consider forced marriage. It was made illegal in 2014, and the Tories introduced lifelong anonymity for victims to encourage more reporting of the crime. In 2023, the minimum age for marriage in the UK was raised from 16 to 18. But despite these legislative changes, charities say reports of forced marriage are rising. According to the Karma Nirvana charity, incidents of honour-based abuse citing forced marriage have risen from 417 in 2022-2023 to 541 in 2023-2024. Concerns over cultural sensitivities are also stifling proper scrutiny of first-cousin marriage in the UK. According to a 2021 study, about 55 per cent of British Pakistanis are married to first cousins, while the practice accounts for about 3 per cent of all marriages nationally. The Tory MP Richard Holden has called for a ban, citing the increased risk of birth defects. In January, The Telegraph interviewed a health visitor who had worked in some of the most deprived areas of West Yorkshire who admitted there was a massive problem involving loads of kids with all manner of chronic illnesses. But Labour refuses to outlaw it, choosing instead to nod along as Iqbal Mohamed, the independent MP for Dewsbury and Batley, insists its something that is very positive, something that helps build family bonds and helps put families on a more secure financial foothold. Female genital mutilation (FGM), most prevalent in majority Muslim countries, has also been imported to Britain, despite it being illegal here since 1985 and the law being strengthened in 2003 to prevent girls travelling from the UK to undergo FGM abroad. You may not hear much about it these days, but its rising. In September the NHS released figures showing hospital and GP attendances as a result of FGM in England had risen by 15 per cent from 12,475 in 2022-23 to 14,355 in 2023-24. After London, statistics show the West Midlands has the countrys highest proportion of cases, at 17 per cent. The other nettle no one appears willing to grasp is the decline in fluent spoken English: the percentage of those between 25 to 64 who can speak English very well or well, is slightly higher for men than women according to ONS data. Then theres comparative economic inactivity: between the ages of 16 and 64, 72 per cent of all women are employed in the UK but only 46 per cent of Pakistani/Bangladeshi women (compared with 75 per cent of men amounting to the biggest gender gap of any ethnic group in Britain). This isnt just a boomer problem nearly a third (29 per cent) of Pakistani/Bangladeshi women aged 24 to 49 dont work. Yet read any of the hand-wringing reports on this and youd probably end up thinking big business is to blame. Meanwhile, theres an imam in Britain who believes wives have a duty to make themselves sexually available to husbands. Dare to voice concerns, however, and you might be branded an Islamophobe. A conspiracy of silence wont just fail grooming survivors. It will diminish womens rights the ones Jess Phillips ought to be defending. And it will diminish Britains many integration successes. MPs will be recalled to the House of Commons to discuss the future of British Steel on Saturday. The PA news agency understands the rare weekend sitting will take place to debate the uncertain future of British Steels Scunthorpe plant. Jingye, the Chinese owner of the British Steel, plans to close the blast furnaces and switch to a greener form of production. The British Steel steelworks in Scunthorpe (Danny Lawson/PA) Ministers have said all options are on the table for its future, including nationalisation, over concerns its closure would leave the UK without any domestic virgin steel makers. In an indication of how serious the Government is taking the issue, this is the first time the House of Commons has been recalled to sit on a Saturday since since 1982, when MPs returned after the Falklands War began. The Saturday sitting will begin at 11am, when MPs will debate legislative proposals to ensure the continued operation of British Steel blast furnaces is safeguarded, according to the office of Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker. In a letter to MPs shared with the PA news agency, Sir Lindsay said he was satisfied the public interest requires the recall. As a dog mom, I would do just about anything to keep my boys happy, healthy, and safe. It warms my heart to meet or hear of other pet families who feel the same way, whether their furry friend is a dog, a cat, or even a pet goat. Animals give us unconditional love and happiness, and the least we can do is to give them the same in return. One Arkansas meteorologist has received praise on social media after going above and beyond for his calico cat during a tornado watch. When he had to go to work reporting the weather on the news, he brought his feline friend with him to ensure that she was safe. Not only did she stay protected from storms, but she got to make an appearance on TV, too! Arkansas mom Shyanne caught the sweet story on film while she caught up on the latest weather news. This is exactly the kind of 'paw-sitivity' everyone needs during a scary, uncertain time! This weatherman is the sweetest cat dad! While he went to the effort of bringing her to the studio and even holding her during a broadcast, she couldn't care less about where she is or what's going on. She's too busy taking a cat nap! A viewer named Fabio said what we are all thinking when he wrote, "protect this man and feline at all costs." They clearly have the sweetest bond, and the fact that she is so relaxed despite the cameras, lights, and strangers around her says so much about her trust in her dad. Related: Bay Area News Segment 'Window Pets of San Francisco' Is Winning Hearts Left & Right The cat dad's thoughtfulness and the kitty's contented reaction are clearly the stars of the show, but other commenters loved the family cat's nonchalant attitude. "The way shes lying there like 'yes I am that important,'" is absolutely priceless! This is a pampered cat who knows that she's the princess of the family. Pet parents should take a note from this cat dad's book, because it's essential to take pets with you when in the midst of a natural disaster. Pets can't fend for themselves in wildfires, floods, hurricanes, or tornadoes, and there is truly no reason not to take them with you. After allpets are family, too! 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. Migrants in a boat - Steve Finn A Somali criminal seeking asylum in the UK has avoided deportation after a judge ruled that returning him to his home country would cause him too much stress. The court found that the unnamed asylum seeker, who has been dependent on alcohol since 2006, would suffer stress if deported to his homeland, which would worsen his mental health. Judges in the upper immigration tribunal ruled that this would amount to a breach of article three of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which protects against persecution and inhumane treatment. His appeal was granted despite the Home Office arguing that the man, who had been jailed for unspecified crimes, would be able to secure the medication and treatment that he needed in Somali for his schizophrenia and auditory hallucinations, backed by funding from the department. 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. High level of vulnerability The Upper Tier Tribunal (UTT) of the Immigration and Asylum Chamber was told the man who was granted anonymity moved to the UK in 1999 when he was 29. He told the tribunal that his family previously faced persecution as a result of their membership in a clan. The man, who was accompanied by his support worker during the hearing, was said to have a high level of vulnerability and complex needs having experienced long-standing health problems. He has been significantly dependent on alcohol since 2006 and has served time in prison. The severity of his mental health problems is closely linked to his stress levels and use of alcohol, the tribunal said. Lawyers representing the asylum seeker said he would have no real prospect of returning to Mogadishu and making a living for himself. They emphasised that the financial support he would receive would be limited, and in any event, the man had a history of being financially exploited. This related to a time in his accommodation when he was targeted for money by other residents after it became known that he was receiving disability benefits. It was further argued that the assistance the man might receive from his clan would not constitute the kind of 24-hour support and monitoring that he requires in order to meet his core vulnerabilities. They said he would have to pay for his antipsychotic medication. Risk of destitution in Somalia Overall, they said his mental health would very quickly decline if he were to return to Somalia, so much so that he would fall into destitution. He said the man would likely end up in an internally displaced person camp featuring dire conditions and the potential for violence. Lawyers representing the Home Office argued that the humanitarian conditions in Somalia did not reach the threshold of serious harm. They said it would be rare for a person of his clan to be compelled to reside in the Internally Displaced Person [IDR] camp. They said that schizophrenia is recognised as a mental health disorder in Somalia, which has some psychiatrists. Ultimately, they argued the man would be able to access his medication and relevant psychiatric healthcare in his home country. They said that this, coupled with the financial package offered through the Facilitated Return Scheme, believed to be of a sum of 750, meant the man would be able to access the required medication and support scheme. The scheme encourages the early departure of foreign national offenders from the UK, by providing financial support for reintegration in their origin countries. Evidence from doctors suggested the man could become well if he abstained from alcohol and complied with his medication. Deputy Upper Tribunal Judge Ian Jarvis said: I conclude that the weight of the evidence before the Tribunal indicates that the [man] will very quickly become noncompliant with his medication.. without the 24/7 support and monitoring which he currently receives in the United Kingdom. Upholding his appeal, the judge ruled his mental health would seriously deteriorate if he were to return to Somalia. Drug traffickers stashed 9 million worth of cocaine under a false floor in a transit van - NCA A group of smugglers tried to disguise nearly 100kg of cocaine with foie gras and duck breasts. The four gangsters had installed a false floor in a transit van, which they stashed 9 million worth of cocaine underneath. On top of it, they piled boxes and boxes filled with food items as a cover for the elaborate operation. The van was stopped by Border Force officers as it arrived into Newhaven, East Sussex, from the fishing port of Dieppe, northern France, in November 2019. The plot was foiled when officers grew suspicious about the piles of foie gras and duck breasts inside the vehicle. An investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) found that the scheme had been orchestrated by drug kingpin Michael Keating, 56, of Umbridge in Middlesex, who had sourced the drugs through his international connections with the help of his 49-year-old brother Matthew of Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. The four men who are jailed for smuggling cocaine into the country - NCA Jean-Pierre Labelle, 48, and Tanvir Hussain, 46, who are the owners of the van, were arrested along with the brothers. The van driver was found to be innocent. Michael Keating had used an encrypted messaging app called EncroChat under the online moniker Bestrocket to plan his drug runs, the NCA said. His brother also had an EncroChat phone and used the app to plan an 80kg importation of ketamine. During a search of Michaels home, officers seized more than 50,000 in cash and a notebook that appeared to contain EncroChat handles. Michael and Hussain were convicted of conspiring to import cocaine by a jury at Hove Crown Court in February last year. On Friday, Michael Keating was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment. Hussain was jailed for 10 years. Labelle admitted to conspiracy to import cocaine in October 2023 and was jailed for 17 years. Matthew Keating pleaded guilty to conspiracy to import ketamine in January last year and was sentenced to seven years and six months. Mark Ruff, the NCA senior officer, said: The cover load of foie gras and duck breast is highly unusual, and Border Force colleagues did a superb job in seeing through it and the concealed floor. This result demonstrates the determination of NCA officers to bring to justice all those involved in the importation of illegal drugs whether they sort the logistics, knowingly transport the substances, or benefit financially from the trade. In this case, we proved the offenders links and completely dismantled a crime group. The Class A drugs trade fuels violence and misery at every step of its way to the UK. We will continue to work alongside partners at home and abroad to right the threat of Class A drugs. Plans to install the statue in Appleby, which hosts an annual gipsy fair, have been rejected by the council - X/Jake Bowers/Triangle News A stallion sculpture to celebrate gipsies and travellers has been refused planning permission because it may not be inclusive enough to locals. Blacksmith Jake Bowers had wanted to install his statue on the banks of the River Eden in Appleby, Cumbria which is the site of the large annual gipsy horse event as a gesture of inclusion to marginalised traveller communities. But planning officials have turned it down, arguing it may not take into account the anxiety, antisocial behaviour, and distress experienced by some local people during the yearly fair. Mr Bowers created the large statue from galvanised steel, measuring 2.1m by 3.5m. It was to be placed on a plinth next to the river. The application was put into Westmorland and Furness Council by community interest group Drive2Survive in February. But planners turned down the application, saying they had to consider social cohesion and that it competed with nearby historic buildings. Blacksmith Jake Bowers said the sculpture was a gift to Appleby - X/Jake Bowers/Triangle News A report written by planning officer Aneena Cheriyan said: A large number of residents expressed concerns about amenity and social impact. The sculptures association with the Appleby Horse Fair was cited as a source of emotional discomfort and division for some members of the community, with references to anxiety, antisocial behaviour, and distress experienced during the annual event. Some objectors expressed concern that the sculpture would extend that symbolic presence year-round in a space currently valued for its neutrality and quiet recreational use. Ms Cheriyan added: Some public comments described deeply personal and emotionally distressing experiences during previous fairs. While individual incidents or allegations fall outside the scope of planning, these submissions highlight the perceived emotional and symbolic impact of the proposal on residents relationship with this public space. Such perceptions, even if not measurable in physical terms, are relevant to the planning consideration of amenity and social cohesion which requires developments to create safe, inclusive and accessible places that promote a high standard of amenity for existing and future users. The proposal, by creating a strong cultural statement within a shared and sensitive space, has the potential to alter the way the area is used and perceived. The result, for some, could be a diminished sense of belonging or comfort in a space that has previously served as neutral ground for all members of the community. Horses are washed and ridden in the River Eden during the huge event - Ian Forsyth/Getty Images The Appleby Horse Fair takes place over a week in June and usually attracts up to 10,000 Roma and travellers, as well as hundreds of horse-drawn cars and 30,000 visitors. Horses are washed and ridden in the River Eden in a tradition that has its origins in the 18th century. In a statement submitted to the council, Mr Bowers said very little tangible evidence exists of the central importance of the fair to the town and its Gipsy and traveller visitors. He added: As a permanent fixture in the life of the town and the culture of Gipsies and Travellers, the Gipsy and Traveller community would like to donate a public sculpture to the town of Appleby to make this crucial part of the towns intangible heritage more tangible and visible. Appleby Town Council supported the proposal, as did many of those living in the town. In total, there were 163 letters of support and 72 objections. Councillor Andy Connell gave his blessing, but added: Local responses will inevitably reflect the extent to which individual residents enjoy, tolerate or resent this undoubtedly disruptive occasion. Planning officials said they considered the proposal culturally significant, both artistically and symbolically, adding: A large number of supportive comments have identified the sculpture as a gesture of inclusion, recognition, and heritage preservation. The commemorative intention behind the application is therefore fully acknowledged and respected. But they also warned that because of the statues size and shiny nature it would compete with views of nearby heritage assets including the Grade I listed Church of St Lawrence and St Lawrences Bridge. The stallion statue is part of a series of sculptures to be erected across Britain, funded by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust. It is not known whether the applicants will move the sculptures location and reapply. The Joseph Conrad houseboat at its berth at the entrance to Cheyne Walk, known as Londons Billionaire Row - Riverhomes/Bournemouth News/Shutterstock A luxury houseboat owner has claimed he is being unfairly evicted from his berth next to Londons Billionaires Row, where his 1.5 million floating home is moored. Simon Howard, 69, a business consultant, is fighting the bid to remove him from his premier berth at the entrance to Cheyne Walk, a Chelsea road known as Billionaires Row and where Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch, had a 25 million home. Having committed to a life on the water, Mr Howard and his then wife Kate spent almost 900,000 on the dilapidated Joseph Conrad in 2010 before turning it into a lavish floating residence. The former Dutch shipping barge was transformed from a 100ft two-bedroom boat into a home boasting a spiral staircase, three bathrooms, a sun terrace, floor-to-ceiling windows and a retro-inspired bar. The lavish interior of the Joseph Conrad - Riverhomes/Bournemouth News/Shutterstock Mr Howard said he spent so much on the boat instead of buying a house because he wanted to live on the river, but claimed that while recovering from major heart surgery in 2022, he was informed by his landlord that he had missed the deadline to renew his mooring licence. Chelsea Yacht and Boat Company Ltd (CYBC) which manages the moorings is now suing to have his boat removed, as well as claiming damages for trespass by him having remained beyond the end of his licence period. However, Mr Howard and his now ex-wife Kate King are counter-suing, arguing it would be almost impossible to find another berth on the Thames, where he has lived for more than 15 years. Timothy Polli KC, their barrister, said: They are litigating to secure a berth for Joseph Conrad Mr Howards home it being practically impossible to find an alternative berth to which the vessel can be moved. The former couples boat is one of a flotilla of about 50 houseboats moored at Chelsea Reach, dubbed Londons original houseboat village. The assorted boats, which lie west of Battersea Bridge, are located on the site of a former Second World War naval yard where D-Day landing craft and torpedo boats were originally used to accommodate ex-serviceman and struggling residents. Over the decades since, the houseboat village has acquired aura of glamour and the moorings were used as a backdrop for a number of films, including the 1958 comedy The Horses Mouth, with Alec Guinness, and The Deadly Affair, a 1966 spy drama based on John le Carres first novel and starring James Mason. Now 80 years on, the marina houses boats and barges, some of which are worth well over 1 million, with the riverside enclave still housing a cluster of wealthy figures. Houseboat owner Simon Howard says his home should be permitted to remain on the moorings - Champion News During a pre-trial hearing at Central London County Court, Judge Alan Johns heard how Mr Howard had fallen ill following a serious heart operation during the option window to buy a new licence. The former couples barrister said: Their licence expired in April 2022. Although the licence included an option to buy a new licence, the couple had separated and Mr Howard was very ill following a serious heart operation during the option window and so they did not exercise the option within that window. When Mr Howard did so, he was told by CYBC that he was too late. Several short-term extensions to September 2022 were granted by CYBC, but CYBC now seeks an injunction requiring them to move Joseph Conrad off the moorings. Mr Howard and Ms King say that their dealings with CYBC were such that there arose a collateral contract, the effect of which is that they should be permitted to remain on the moorings, upon paying market rate for doing so. By not offering them a new licence at market rate, CYBC is doing to them precisely what it promised it would not do and that constitutes a breach of the contract. Laying out the companys case, Toby Watkins KC denied the former couple have the right to keep the Joseph Conrad at Chelsea Reach and accused them of trying to get a valuable right they are not entitled to. The houseboat village near Chelseas Billionaires row - Champion News They are seeking to find a way to achieve the security of tenure they have never had, but would clearly like to have, he told the judge. CYBC seeks an injunction requiring Mr Howard and Ms King to remove their houseboat, the Joseph Conrad, from Berth 1 of the claimants moorings at Cheyne Pier, together with damages, following the expiry of their mooring licence. The 2012 licence originally expired on April 2 2022, but was retrospectively twice extended by agreement to Sept 28 2022, when it finally expired. As well as resisting CYBCs claim, citing the alleged past assurances that they would never be forced out, the couple claim that refusing them a licence would deflate the value of their boat, which was put up for sale in 2016 for 1.5 million, but not sold. As their name suggests, static permanent houseboats are not designed to be moved, their barrister explained. Save for occasional trips to a dry-dock for maintenance, they remain and are intended to remain in one place. For that reason, a berth is essential and a permanent static houseboat without a berth is an onerous asset. Judge Johns will give his decision on the range of the evidence and the costs issues at a later date. Jason Savage was convicted of a single count of engaging in preparation for terrorist acts last year - West Midlands Police A Muslim convert filmed reconnaissance of a mosque he planned to flatten in a terror attack. In January, Jason Savage was found guilty of plotting to stab an Islamic cleric who was an outspoken critic of terrorism after jurors were shown footage of him filming his reconnaissance mission near the mosque and Islamic bookshop in Birmingham. On Friday, the 35-year-old, from Birmingham, was jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years at the citys Crown Court on Friday after a judge said messages he had sent showed that he believed he would die while committing a terrorist attack. Mrs Justice Farbey, the High Court judge, said she was sure the defendant had identified the police and military as targets, but that his primary focus was the Birmingham-based cleric. The judge told Savage, who suffers from an emotionally unstable personality disorder: I am sure that you were actively planning an Isis-inspired lone wolf attack, meaning that you were not a member of Isis but were motivated to carry out a violent attack by yourself. I am sure that you were ready and willing to carry out a deadly attack by using a knife. The judge said the offending in the case was so serious that a life sentence was required, adding: I accept you may not always be able to exercise appropriate judgment in the heat of the moment. However, your offending took place over a number of days and cannot be described as impulsive. Video footage released by West Midlands Police after Savage was convicted showed him filming near a mosque in Wright Street, Small Heath. Jason Savage, pictured during his arrest, also planned an attack against a bookshop - West Midlands Police On the video, Savage recorded himself saying: That seems like the best way to get away the police will probably come from that way. As well as charting different routes into the mosque, Savage, who had adapted the handle of a knife found at his home, was heard to say: Just needs the means now. Ask Allah to give man the means bro. A three-week trial was told Savage was arrested shortly after sending online messages to someone he did not know was an undercover officer, saying he was waiting to see what opportunities come to present itself. Undercover confessions Jurors also heard that Savage had taken screenshots of the West Midlands Police headquarters, police stations in Perry Barr and Stechford, and various military locations in Birmingham, and had told the undercover officer he was putting his neck on a chopping block. Prosecutors said Savage, who converted to Islam in 2012, carried out reconnaissance with a view to attacking a cleric, bookshop and mosque in the Small Heath area, whose approach to the Salafi movement was entirely at odds with his own. The mosque, store and publishing house advocated a strand of Salafism that stresses the importance of non-involvement in social or political activism, the court heard, while the cleric was an outspoken critic of Islamist terrorism, arguing that it was entirely incompatible with the true essence of Islam. At some point early last year, the trial heard, Savage broke the handle off a kitchen knife and replaced it with cloth, before changing his social media status to Lone Wolf. Shortly before his arrest, he had messaged the undercover officer, referring to seeing him in paradise and telling him he would send him videos over the next couple of days which he asked to be propagated to reach the right people. The reconnaisance footage in which Jason Savage maps out a route to escape after planned attack - West Yorkshire Police Savage, who was convicted of a single count of engaging in conduct in preparation for terrorist acts on or before March 14 last year, said no problem as he was led away to the cells. The sentencing judge was told his criminal history started with a 2002 arson conviction, when he was aged 12, before convictions for 20 other offences, including a violent armed robbery. Prosecutor Peter Ratliff said Savage had in the past set fire to furniture in his cell, and had posted social media messages saying he was delighted to hear prison staff had been stabbed up after what he claimed was a plot against Muslim inmates. Savage has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder following childhood trauma, the court was told. Commenting on the case, Bethan David, the head of the counter-terrorism division of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: Jason Savage actively plotted to attack a cleric whose views he disagreed with, and other people. The CPS will continue to work to ensure those that plan to commit violent acts in the name of ideology and extremism are prosecuted. Police I was a special constable with Devon and Cornwall Constabulary for five years, giving me a front-line view of policing as I simultaneously worked as a senior civil servant at the Home Office. You very quickly learn two things about the job. First, that when people are having the worst day of their lives the quality of your response makes a profound difference. Second, when the wheels fall off, you need a person in uniform standing next to you who can have your back. When you strip away all the progressive verbiage pumped out by policing quangos on what matters, the public expects two things, above all: moral and physical courage. The disclosure this week that West Yorkshire Police has put a temporary block on hiring white British candidates, as part of its attempt to boost the proportion of ethnic minority officers, might, however, suggest that the publics basic expectations are being overlooked by police chiefs. The debate over diversity in policing can be traced back to the 1981 Scarman report following the Brixton riots, in which an angry crowd of largely black, working-class young men attacked Metropolitan Police officers following tensions over the treatment of the countrys black population by police, including the use of stop and search powers. A police vehicle pictured on fire following the riots in Brixton, south London in 1981 - PA Lord Justice Leslie Scarman, a senior judge tasked by William Whitelaw, the home secretary, with investigating the incident, concluded that while there was no doubt racial disadvantage was a fact of current British life, the Met Police as an institution was not racist. Scarman did warn, however, as Whitelaw put it, that vigorous action is required if the composition of the police service is to become more representative of the community it serves. Whitelaw told the Commons: I agree. He rejects quotas or a lowering of standards. I also agree. We need to look closely at why candidates from the ethnic minorities have difficulty with the entrance test. We need to be sure that these tests are free from cultural bias. New tests will, therefore, be scrutinised by independent experts before they are introduced. We must also ensure that where candidates fail the written English tests, but would otherwise stand a good chance, they do not for ever lose the opportunity to join. He added: We must encourage more candidates to come forward. We shall also explore how best to help forces improve selection procedures so that we can be confident that recruits have the qualities of character, ability and impartiality needed for policing in the next two decades. The discussion that followed included the importance of using the special constabulary of volunteer officers, which, in London, had a higher proportion of ethnic minority recruits, as a bridge for future recruitment for the regular police. In the last decade in particular, though, that careful avoidance of blunt instruments appears to be waning. The contemporary push for diversity in policing has roots in the seminal Macpherson report, which was published in 1999 after the racially motivated murder of Stephen Lawrence in 1993. In that report, the Met, which bungled the homicide investigation, was labelled institutionally racist. In 1998, only 2 per cent of officers in England and Wales were from a black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) background and Jack Straw, Tony Blairs home secretary, set a target of 7 per cent by 2009 a figure that was only attained a decade after that, when BAME people made up 17 per cent of the population at large. Doreen and Neville Lawrence, the parents of murdered black teenager Stephen, during a news conference at the Home Office after hearing the outcome of the judicial inquiry into their sons death - Michael Stephens/ PA This strategy was replaced by the Equality Act in 2010 which permitted employers to take positive action to help ethnic minorities to overcome certain barriers. This could not, however, be done in a way which amounted to positive discrimination unfairly disadvantaging other groups which remained against the law. For police forces, positive action meant steps to level the playing field for non-white applicants, with initiatives including targeted recruitment fairs and mentoring or removing stringent requirements that disadvantaged ethnic minority recruits, such as the need to have a record of volunteering. But problems have arisen from these largely well-meaning policies due to their misapplication by some overzealous HR departments. In 2019, an employment tribunal found that Cheshire Police had discriminated against a potential recruit because he was a white heterosexual man. Very often personnel departments appear to believe that the protected characteristics in the Equality Act pertain only to minorities, when in fact people of all colours and nationalities are covered by the legislation. It is an expensive mistake to make. Last year, a tribunal found that a positive action scheme at Thames Valley Police resulted in the discrimination of three white police officers. The policing and crime commissioner for the force ordered a review of Thames Valley practices and found that the operation of the positive action scheme there resulted in uncertainty and divisions among colleagues in the force. In the most recent controversy this week, whistleblowers within West Yorkshire Police (WYP) alleged that applicants are being quietly ranked according to their ethnicities, with white applicants being at the back of the queue when it comes to filling training spaces. WYP dispute this characterisation and insist that they have an obligation to improve the representation of non-white officers while still operating a policy of selection on merit. It is, however, unclear what impact these schemes are having on the ability to recruit and retain white officers in the most challenging policing environment for a generation. In an inspection last year, WYP was praised for its inclusivity strategy and criticised for its performance in investigating crime. The people who pay for policing in that locality might expect a different balancing of the forces priorities. Whistleblowers within West Yorkshire Police have alleged that ethnic minority candidates are being prioritised for training spaces - Henfaes/iStockphoto We still have an undeniable and troubling underrepresentation of ethnic minorities in policing. In 2024, 8.4 per cent of officers in England and Wales were from ethnic minority backgrounds, compared to around 18 per cent of the population. In London the disparity is even worse: the proportion of ethnic minority officers in the Met is 11.7 per cent, compared to 46.2 per cent of London residents overall who identify with Asian, black, mixed or other ethnic groups. But should this shortfall be rectified by opaque and sometimes unlawful catch-up strategies that can alienate white officers? Alex Marshall, the former chief executive of the College of Policing quango, which issues guidance on recruitment, thought that the law needed to be changed to speed things up. He called for legal changes to allow positive discrimination that is, explicitly favouring less qualified candidates on the basis of their ethnicity, for rapid diversity gains. Far from solving the problem of underrepresentation, though, such a move would surely destroy rank-and-file morale, already in freefall. But these efforts only tinker at the edge of the calamity facing policing in this country. Public confidence in policing has collapsed to a record low of 54 per cent. The moral injury of expecting too few front-line officers to do too much with too little, while many lawyers and politicians champion the rights of perpetrators over the police, is driving people out of policing in record numbers whatever their skin colour. The turnover has undermined the Conservatives claims to have added 20,000 officers to our forces since 2010. Last year alone, an unprecedented 56 per cent of officers who left the force did so through resignation as opposed to retirement, nearly five times the rate in 2012. Add to this a cadre of police chiefs staggering under the weight of misconduct allegations, and permanently distracted and mesmerised by policing thought over deeds, and you have the real crisis. Firefighters worked through the night on Thursday to tackle a number of blazes across Scotland, including one at Glen Rosa on the Isle of Arran - Police Scotland Fire chiefs have issued the first Scotland-wide extreme wildfire warning this year, urging the public to act responsibly in the countryside. The alert covers this weekend and follows several blazes across the country after prolonged dry weather. Michael Humphreys, the national wildfire lead for the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), called for people to be vigilant as the warning covering Friday and Saturday came into effect. While SFRS data for the last decade shows that the largest number of wildfires occur between March and June every year, a Scotland-wide extreme warning is unusual. The last was in April 2020. The last Scotland-wide extreme warning was issued in April 2020 - Jeff J Mitchell Mr Humphreys said he hoped the extreme wildfire warning would make people think if they are going out to enjoy the countryside, to act responsibly, and stop a fire from starting in the first place. He added that wet weather last year meant there had not been as many wildfires, but there have been a number of blazes this week and he highlighted the devastation they can cause to the countryside and the worry for local residents. His comments came after a week which has seen fire crews battle wildfires in places including Skye and the Galloway Forest Park, where four campers had to be rescued by helicopter as the flames spread. Firefighters worked through the night on Thursday to tackle a number of blazes across Scotland, including one at Glen Rosa on the Isle of Arran. In Lanarkshire, three fire engines remained at the scene of a wildfire that broke out on Thursday evening at Fannyside Loch near Cumbernauld. Most significant Firefighters were called to reports of the blaze near Fannyside Road and some properties in the area were evacuated including a dog kennel and cattery. Adam Smith, the SNP member for Cumbernauld East, said residents in Airdrie and Coatbridge, which is up to ten miles away, reported seeing the blaze. He said there had been a number of wildfires in the area but this was the most significant he had seen. Mr Humphreys told BBC Radio Scotlands Good Morning Scotland programme: What we see is the majority of fires, it is human behaviour that starts the fire in the first place. He urged people heading out to the countryside to think about the risks, adding: Enjoy the countryside, it is a sunny day today, but act responsibly. If you normally use a barbecue maybe think about taking a picnic instead or using a designated area. Take all your litter home, glass can reflect and start a fire and if you do smoke just make sure your cigarette is absolutely fully out. Reckless blazes The extreme warning will remain in place until Saturday, with temperatures set to cool over the weekend. Meanwhile, Police Scotland detectives investigating a spate of deliberate fires in a suspected gang war have seized almost 700 hours of CCTV footage, along with a stolen vehicle. Police are treating the reckless blazes as potentially linked, and have visited more than 100 homes in Glasgow as investigations continue. A team of detectives are investigating deliberate fires at six addresses within five days in Glasgow and the west this month, and a number of reports of discharges of firearms and fire-raising in the east of Scotland in recent weeks. Toad on Charlcombe Lane in Bath during the 2025 patrol. Photograph: Courtesy Charlcombe Toad Rescue Group Why did the toad cross the road? To get to the other side, of course. But also, to reproduce. Nearly 4,000 toads, frogs and newts have been rescued as they tried to cross one of only five roads closed for the migration season in the UK each year to reach a breeding lake on the other side. The patrol of Charlcombe Lane, near Bath, has recorded more than 50,000 toads, frogs and newts in the last 22 years on a half-mile stretch. This year saw the second highest number of amphibians recorded since the annual road closure started in 2003, and had a significant first, with a great crested newt seen for the first time in the patrols history. It is a precarious time for British wildlife as leaders of nature organisations warn that the governments new planning bill throws environmental protection to the wind. The bill includes measures such as removing guidance on conducting bat surveys before building a structure, for example. In December, the housing secretary, Angela Rayner, warned that newts should not be more protected than people who need homes. Two of the three best years for the Charlcombe Lane patrol were this year and 2024, with the busiest ever year for the patrol back in 2010. This year was the best for frogs and palmate newts, with 1,424 and 1,194 recorded respectively since the patrol began. With 1,376 toads helped across the road, 2025 was the best year for toads since 2010. Charlcombe Lane is closed annually for six weeks in February and March as volunteers patrol every night from dusk to help toads, frogs and newts on their journey to their breeding lake. This toad patrol is one of more than 200 across the country that take part in the national Toads on Roads project run by the amphibian and reptile conservation charity, Froglife. Across the six weeks, more than 50 volunteers on the Charlcombe Toad Rescue group spent more than 648 hours in high visibility jackets, armed with torches, buckets and special gloves, walking slowly up and down the road. Toads, frogs and newts are carefully picked up and taken safely in buckets to five drop off points to help them on their journey towards the lake. Chris Melbourne, who manages the collection of data for Charlcombe Toad Rescue, said: This has been a gamechanger for our local amphibian population, with the casualty rate dropping from 62% before the patrol started to 3% this year, bucking national trends and giving the frogs, toads and newts a fighting chance of flourishing. Throughout the 2025 season there were long stretches of cold and dry weather. This was followed by wet and warm conditions that were ideal for amphibians to be on the move. In one night on 23 February volunteers helped 1,119 toads, frogs and newts cross the road. Back in 2016, Froglife used data collected by toad patrols to explore what had been happening to the population of common toads across the UK. The research demonstrated that the populations had declined on average across the UK by 68% in just 30 years. The biggest challenges facing amphibians include habitat fragmentation due to roads, changes in farming practices and development, and the loss of habitats, such as ponds and the impact of pollution. The climate crisis is also adversely affecting amphibians, with milder winters leading to them waking up from their hibernation more frequently. Royal Latin School Buckingham A typo in an Indo-Canadian teachers name had nothing to do with her race, an employment tribunal has ruled. Chandrika Punshon claimed an errant letter a in her surname amounted to an over-generalisation of Hindi words such as Himalayas. Punshon, her married name, has English origins not Indian, the hearing was told. The panel in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, concluded her complaint was totally without any merit and dismissed it. Mrs Punshon started working at the Royal Latin School in Buckinghamshire as a computing teacher in September 2022. As she was added to the schools exams system she was told her username was cpunshan the incorrect spelling of her surname. The teacher appeared not to have noticed the error. When Mary Biltcliffe, the schools exams manager, realised her mistake, she corrected it and apologised, the panel was told. Ms Biltcliffe told the tribunal she had been busy at the time and put the mistake down to a typing error rather than a deliberate misspelling. The exams manager had never met Mrs Punshon before and did not have direct knowledge of her race, the panel heard. Complaint totally without merit The written tribunal decision said: Mrs Punshon appeared to accept in her closing submissions that this was simply a typing error. Mrs Punshon had herself repeated misspelt colleagues names, the tribunal heard. In an email... Mrs Punshon repeatedly misspelt the surname of Jason Skyrme even though she had met him and knew who he was. Dismissing the teachers complaint, the tribunal said the factual premise had not been made out because there were no persistent mistakes in spelling her surname. Mrs Punshons surname is in any event an English name and not Indo-Canadian, therefore the misspelling of that name had nothing whatsoever to do with her race. We record that Mrs Punshon did not even advance this as a complaint of direct discrimination or harassment related to race before us. The complaint was totally without any merit and we dismiss it. The teachers claims of of direct race discrimination, direct sex discrimination, harassment related to race and harassment related to sex, failed. The schools application for a costs hearing against her will go ahead at a later date. Fishing boats in Port Judith, Rhode Island. Scientists and forecasters around the world depend on Noaa satellites, studies, and intelligence. Photograph: Brian Snyder/Reuters Letters went out to hundreds of workers at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa) on Thursday, informing them their jobs had been terminated again. The probationary employees, many who performed important roles at the USs pre-eminent climate research agency, have spent weeks in limbo after being dismissed in late February, only to be rehired and put on administrative leave in mid-March following a federal court order. Related: Supreme court orders US to help return man wrongly deported to El Salvador Well after about 3 weeks of reinstatement, I, along with other probationary employees at NOAA, officially got re-fired today, Dr Andy Hazelton, a scientist who worked on hurricane modeling at Noaa posted on X. What a wild and silly process this has been. The fired Noaa employees were among the roughly 16,000 people terminated across the federal workforce in a sweeping move by the Trump administration that targeted workers in probationary status. Some were categorized that way because they were new in their careers, but others had recently received promotions or been added full-time to agencies after years of contract or temporary work. The majority of probationary employees in my office have been with the agency for 10+ years and just got new positions, said one worker who still had their job, and who spoke to the Guardian under the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal in February, when the firings first happened. If we lose them, were losing not just the world-class work they do day-to-day, but also decades of expertise and institutional knowledge. This weeks news caps a rollercoaster period for Noaa employees. On Tuesday, the US supreme court struck down the March court decision that said fired probationary workers must be rehired, ruling that the nonprofit groups who sued on behalf of the workers did not have legal standing. The letters sent to Noaa staff, reviewed by the Guardian, were signed by John Guenther, acting general counsel of the US Department of Commerce, and consisted of two simple paragraphs: one reiterating that employees were reinstated and put in non-duty paid status, and a second explaining that the temporary restraining order protecting their jobs was no longer in effect. Accordingly, the department is reverting your termination action to its original effective date, Guenther wrote, adding that fired employees would not receive any pay beyond their termination date. Its unclear whether those fired will receive all the pay they are owed. Hazelton told the Guardian that paychecks for the last two weeks have not been issued yet. His access to healthcare, which was terminated immediately, was never reinstated. These firings are already hampering the agencys ability to provide essential climate and weather intelligence. Noaa is also bracing for more cuts as leaders make moves to comply with Trumps reduction in force, an order that could cull 1,029 more positions. In an interview with the Guardian last month, Hazelton said the firings across the agency and the pressures felt by those still there will affect the outcome of the work. Vital work has slowed or stopped as teams try to navigate the chaos, along with the threat of severe budget cuts and political restrictions. Its going to create problems across the board, he said, adding that people are going to do their best but it will be a lot harder to achieve the mission. It may be a slow process but the forecasts are going to suffer and as a result people will suffer. While the losses are expected to have a profound impact on the American public, it will be felt globally, too. Scientists and forecasters around the world depend on Noaa satellites, studies, and intelligence, including data-sharing that tracks severe weather across Europe, coordination for disaster response in the Caribbean, and monitoring deforestation and the effects of the climate crisis in the Amazon rainforest. The official terminations also came just days after the White House pulled funding for the national climate assessment, which summarizes the effects of rising global temperatures on the US. The crackdown on climate science comes as the dangers from extreme weather events and deadly billion-dollar disasters continue to rise. Experts say these cuts, which will do little to limit the federal governments budget, will only add to the threats. Among 800 positions cut were workers who track El Nino-La Nina weather patterns around the world, people who model severe storm risks, and scientists contributing to global understanding of what could happen as the world warms. There are lots of sad stories at the animal shelter, but the tale of a pair of orange cat siblings really has tugged at our hearts. The two came to the Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center in Sewell, New Jersey in rough shape. They are so scared! The two are so reactive. It has shelter volunteer Kathryn Custer so worried. They need the right human to come along. The orange cats were surrendered to the shelter on March 23, 2025 and its been an uphill battle ever since. Its sadly so clear that they arent comfortable in their new home. Just take a look at the footage Custer shared. It shows the orange cat siblings hissing and snapping at her when she went to pet them. Theyre terrified! It seems like the shelter life really isnt agreeing with them. As Custer explained, they were surrendered after four years because their family fell on hard times. The two stick by each others side, but its obvious that theyre terrified. With kitten season coming up, Custer admitted that shes worried the worst will befall these two. Related: Update on Orange Cat Dumped at Shelter with 'Mysterious Condition' Tugs at the Heartstrings These boys need a miracle, she wrote of the orange cats. More importantly, they need the right human who will have patience with them as they adjust to their new life. Commenters were hoping that these sweet boys will get their miracle soon. [Praying] they find a forever home soon, some cats truly need a home to become themselves all the time. You can tell they are so sweet just so scared, one person pointed out. These innocent little babies. [They] dont understand why theyre in a foreign place and want to be home, chimed in someone else. I pray someone gives these cuties a safe, patient, loving home.They don't deserve to feel afraid and unsure, another commenter agreed. Adopting From Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center We can change everything for these sweet boys today. If you are ready to open your home and want to save two cats lives, head to the Homeward Bound Pet Adoption Center and fill out an adoption application. With a little quick action, we can give these two a second chance at life. 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. Parliament will be recalled on Saturday to debate draft legislation giving the Government the power to direct steel companies in England to protect British Steels Scunthorpe plant, Downing Street has said. Both the Commons and the Lords will return for the rare Saturday sitting to debate a law aimed at securing the future of British Steels Scunthorpe plant in North Lincolnshire. Jingye, the Chinese owner of British Steel, plans to close the blast furnaces and switch to a greener form of production. A Number 10 spokesperson said: The Prime Minister has been clear, his government will always act in the national interest. All actions we take are in the name of British industry, British jobs and for British workers. Tomorrow Parliament will be recalled to debate the Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill. The Bill provides the government with the power to direct steel companies in England, which we will use to protect the Scunthorpe site. It enables the UK Government to preserve capability and ensure public safety. It also ensures all options remain viable for the future of the plant and the livelihoods it supports. We have been negotiating with British Steels owners in good faith ever since coming to office. We have always been clear there is a bright future for steel in the UK. All options remain on the table. The Commons Saturday sitting will begin at 11am, when MPs will debate legislative proposals to ensure the continued operation of British Steel blast furnaces is safeguarded, according to the office of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle. The House of Lords will sit from midday. In an indication of how seriously the Government is taking the issue, this is the first time Parliament has been recalled to sit on a Saturday since 1982, when MPs returned after the Falklands War began. Other significant recalls during recent years included a midweek sitting during the summer recess in August 2021 to debate the evacuation from Afghanistan. In a letter to MPs shared with the PA news agency, Sir Lindsay said he was satisfied the public interest requires the recall. Leaders of Westminsters opposition parties appeared to broadly welcome news of the debate. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for a serious plan for the sustainable future of domestic steel production. Sir Ed said: With Putins barbaric war in Europe and Donald Trumps disastrous tariffs causing economic turmoil, the future of steel production in this country is of real importance and nothing should be off the table in this matter of national security. Tomorrow must be seen as an opportunity to come forward with a serious plan for the sustainable future of domestic steel production. The public rightly deserves better than political opportunism and grandstanding. Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, reiterated that he backed moves to nationalise the steel plant. China has no interest in keeping the steelworks open. Reform have been clear from the start that the only option we have to save this vital strategic asset and thousands of jobs in the process is to nationalise British Steel, he said. Mr Farage also called on the Government to retain and refurbish two blast furnaces, implement a long-term business plan, and acquire Liberty Steel Rotherham for its two electric arc furnaces. Unions welcomed the move to recall Parliament. Charlotte Brumpton-Childs, GMB union national officer, said: GMB has long called for nationalisation as the only way to save the UK steel industry. Tomorrow looks like the first step in that process. The Business Secretary must be given huge praise for acting decisively to safeguard this vital industry and the thousands of jobs that rely on it. Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of steelworkers union Community, said: It is in the national interest that a solution is found to secure a future for British Steel as a vital strategic business. We cant allow Britain to become the only G7 country without primary steelmaking capacity. I always have and always will stand up for everyone in the Bruce electorate, no matter their faith, ethnicity or who they are, says Labor MP Julian Hill. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian Police have removed two offensive and homophobic banners targeting Labor MP Julian Hill that were hung over a major Melbourne highway on Friday morning. The banners prompted bi-partisan condemnation and were described by Victoria police as an example of hate-based behaviour that would not be tolerated. On Friday afternoon, police confirmed the discovery of further offensive banners in nearby areas but did not comment on their content. One of several signs hung in Hills electorate of Bruce, in the citys south-east, stated: Julian Hill MP more worried about his husband than his constituents. The ad, which contained a rainbow flag, did not appear to include an official campaign endorsement, which would reveal who was behind the message. The banner was also attached to public property. Another sign said: LGBTQ+ means more to Julian Hill than you the people. Hill is a gay man who is in a relationship but does not have a husband. He said whoever had displayed the signs had resorted to these sorts of smears as theyve got nothing positive to say. I always have and always will stand up for everyone in the Bruce electorate, no matter their faith, ethnicity or who they are, Hill said. It is not known who put up the banners. Anna Brown, the chief executive of Australias peak LGBTQ+ lobby group, Equality Australia, condemned the banners. This anonymous attack should be denounced by all sides of politics and called out for what it is cowardly and homophobic, Brown said. Imagine if this was an attack on another politicians partner or kids and you immediately understand just how disgraceful and vile these personal and pointless insults are. I cannot imagine a world in which a straight politician is attacked for caring about their partner and family, Greens MP and LGBTIQA+ spokesperson Stephen Bates told Guardian Australia. The vast majority of Australians support LGBTIQA+ people. Whoever put up this banner should be embarrassed at how out of touch they are. Speaking on Friday afternoon, the opposition leader, Peter Dutton, said he had seen images of the banners, and condemned them. Our families are off-limits, so I thought it was disgraceful, Dutton said. The Coalitions campaign spokesperson, James Paterson, said the posters have no place in Australian politics. Whoever is responsible must be identified and prosecuted for these appalling posters, he said. The Liberal party referred the signs to the Australian Electoral Commission for consideration on Friday morning, when party leaders became aware of them. In a statement, Victoria police said it responded to reports that two offensive banners had been hung on an overpass bridge in Dandenong. Officers attended Hemmings Park bridge overpass, which runs over Princes Highway, and processed the scene, with the banners removed, a spokesperson said. Following that, police have been advised of further incidents where banners have been displayed in various places including Casey and Cardinia local government areas. There is absolutely no place for hate-based behaviour in our society and police will not tolerate such activity. Investigations into this incident remain ongoing. Related: With a cost-of-living election to fight, Dutton strikes a delicate balance on the trans debate The former Liberal independent councillor for the Greater Dandenong Council, Tim Dark, shared a photo of the banner referencing Hills non-existent husband on Facebook, writing: Its rare to see accurate political advertising these days but there you go. Dark stood by the comments when contacted by Guardian Australia. When asked whether he considered the banners to be hate-based behaviour, Dark said he did not have a position. I dont think this is something that particularly targets a specific person or anything like that, Dark said. Dark did not directly answer a question about how that was possible, given the image of the banner he shared included the name and face of Hill and referenced his partner. He instead referred to many different smear campaigns in the region from all different parties. A Liberal source said the party did not endorse Dark, who said he had not been a member of the Liberal Party for many years. Homophobic political messaging has featured in election campaigns before, with flyers in 2016 claiming homosexuality was a death curse and that voting for Labor was a vote for radical gay sex education, in a reference to the Safe Schools program. It reached its peak during the 2017 same-sex marriage postal survey, where posters with homophobic slogans, including stop the fags, were reported around Australia, as Australians voted on whether to allow same-sex marriage. Hills electorate went against the majority of the country, with 53.1% of Bruce saying no to the proposal. In his speech on the bill to legalise same-sex marriage, Hill said he loved his electorate and community, and was proud to serve and represent a diverse community. After Australia approved the change, and parliament passed the law at the end of 2017, much of the focus of such messaging shifted to trans rights in Australia. Prison Criminals will have to be given shorter prison sentences if the Treasury forces through its proposed spending cuts, Rachel Reeves has been warned. One of Labours flagship plans is to build 14,000 new prison places by 2031 to ease pressures on the system. But The Telegraph can disclose that the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has formally told the Treasury those targets could have to be significantly reduced owing to the spending squeeze. The warning is contained in the MoJs submission for the spending review, which completes in June. The cuts would throw plans to build three new prisons into doubt. It is understood the Treasury has been warned that fewer prison places than planned would create the need for more lenient sentences to ease demand. Ordering judges to give shorter sentences to criminals because of funding issues would be politically embarrassing for Labour, which has presented itself as tough on crime. Departments are currently locked in negotiations with the Treasury about where the axe of required new savings will land in the years ahead. Rachel Reeves has been warned that fewer prison places would create the need for more lenient sentences - Yui Mok/Getty The spending review will determine departmental spending for the financial years 2026, 2027 and 2028. Decisions will be announced by the Treasury in June. Day-to-day spending in departments will rise by just 1.2 per cent above prices at the end of the decade. This means real-terms cuts for unprotected departments such as the MoJ. The MoJs submission outlines what would be required under two scenarios requested by the Treasury: real-terms cuts of around 6 per cent and 11 per cent. The Telegraph understands the submission warns that under both scenarios the 14,000 new prison places target would have to be reduced by thousands of places. It would put at risk the building of new prisons next to HMP Grendon in Buckinghamshire, HMP Garth in Lancashire and HMP Gartree in Leicestershire. Billions of pounds more is needed to deliver the prison expansion plan. In the past, successive chancellors have been tempted to cut capital budgets when savings are required. The expansion of prison places is only one half of the MoJs plan. The other is a sentencing review, headed up by David Gauke, former Tory justice secretary, looking at easing demand for places. Labour has tried to position itself as the competent overseer of prisons after inheriting an overcrowded system from the Tories. Shabana Mahmood, the Justice Secretary, repeatedly criticised the Conservatives over their approach to prisons when capacity issues drove her to release some criminals early shortly after taking office. Her 10-year prison capacity strategy, published in December, said: In July 2024, this Government inherited a prison system on the point of collapse. During the summer of 2024, the system came within a few days of overflowing, which would have ground the criminal justice system to a halt, seen trials cancelled and the police forced to halt arrests. This Government must, and will, build the prison places the last government promised but did not deliver. Under the MoJ projections in that document, the total prison capacity is due to expand from just above 84,000 in late 2024 to almost 96,000 places in late 2032. The overall jump is not exactly 14,000 the number of new prison places being built because some old prison cells are expected to be put out of use because they are in poor condition. Similar Cabinet tensions are playing out across Whitehall as ministers attempt to defend their budgets from Ms Reeves, the Chancellor, and Darren Jones, Chief Secretary to the Treasury. An MoJ spokesman said: This Government has committed to building 14,000 prison places by 2031, with over 2,000 already complete, including the new HMP Millsike in Yorkshire. An independent review of sentencing has been commissioned to ensure we never run out of prison spaces again. Agustin Escobar, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children moments before taking off - NEW YORK HELICOPTER TOURS Three children are among six people who were killed on Thursday when the helicopter they were in plummeted into New Yorks Hudson river while on its way to refuel. Agustin Escobar, an executive at Siemens, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal and their three children, aged between 4 and 11, were reported as the five passengers by US media. The Spanish family were understood to have been on a sightseeing trip. The identity of the pilot, who was also killed, has not yet been released. Emergency services received calls about the crash at 3.17pm. The aircraft is believed to have taken off from a Manhattan heliport at around 3pm. Emergency services work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River - Eduardo Munoz Michael Roth, 71, owner of doomed aircraft, said the pilots had radioed base to say they were returning to the helipad but never arrived. He [the pilot] 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, Mr Roth told The Telegraph. Mr Roth owns a company which provides helicopter tours of New York called New York Helicopter. Were all devastated. Every employee in our company is devastated. My wife has not stopped crying. 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. The death of the child of any human being, is a monumental disaster, he concluded. Footage shared on social media appeared to show the craft crashing towards the river, its tail and rotors having become detached. Credit: Bruce Wall New York police department commissioner, Jessica Tisch said the aircraft lost control and hit the water. The aircraft is believed to have flown over Governors Island and near the Statue of Liberty, headed up the Hudson on the New York side, before turning around near the George Washington Bridge and flying along the Jersey City stretch of the river. At least a dozen rescue and police boats were on the scene, with police blocking off the main westside traffic artery of Manhattan. First responders on a pier near the scene - Jennifer Peltz Fire Department of New York (FDNY) land and marine units were also at the crash site performing search operations. Witnesses described hearing a loud thumping noise before the helicopter fell into the river, according to the New York Post. One witness told ABC News he saw the helicopter splitting in two with the rotor flying off, adding: It sounded like a sonic boom. Eric Adams, the mayor of New York, confirmed six people had died during a press conference - Jeenah Moon Eric Campoverde, a second witness, said: I was walking by and the helicopter went down at 45-degree angle. Big splash - it was very scary. The New York police department (NYPD) said: 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. Pictures and videos posted online showed the craft, believed to be a Bell 206, mostly submerged, upside-down in the water. Multiple rescue boats were seen circling the helicopter. Mr Adams said the incident was heartbreaking and tragic. He added: Please avoid the area near Pier 40 in Manhattan in the meantime. The crash took place in a busy flying route, which is often frequented by tourists on sky sightseeing tours. It comes after a taxiing plane at Washingtons Ronald Reagan airport collided with a parked airliner. Several members of Congress were on board the planes when their wings collided on Thursday. Nick LaLota, a New York Congressman, wrote on X: Another plane just bumped into our wing. Heading back to the gate, but thankfully everyone is ok! New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer added: 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. 11:49 PM BST Thats all for now Thanks for following our coverage of the helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River on a tour of New York. This live blog is now closed. 11:19 PM BST Pictured: New York mayor Eric Adams speaks to media Eric Adams speaks to media alongside New York authorities - Edward Helmore for The Telegraph 10:54 PM BST The aircraft lost control and hit the water The helicopter, operated by New York Helicopters, took off from the downtown Manhattan heliport at 2:59pm local time and flew north along the Manhattan shoreline of the Hudson River, said New York police department commissioner Jessica Tisch. She continued: At 3:08pm the helicopter reached the George Washington Bridge and then turned again to fly south along the New Jersey shoreline. Shortly thereafter, the aircraft lost control and hit the water. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others succumbed to their injuries at hospital, Ms Tisch said. 10:52 PM BST Six people dead, says Eric Adams Eric Adams, the New York mayor, is at the Lower Manhattan shoreline close to where the helicopter crashed. He said three adults and three children, a family visiting from Spain and a pilot, had been onboard the Bell 206 helicopter. At this time, all six victims have been removed from the water, and sadly, all six victims have been pronounced deceased, he added. Emergency services were called around 3:17pm local time. Police divers pulled four people from the crash site, and the other two were recovered by divers with the fire department. 10:47 PM BST Deputy mayor: Response was swift and coordinated Kaz Daughtry, the New York deputy mayor for safety, said the response by emergency services was swift and coordinated and that the investigation was ongoing. 10:29 PM BST Rescue boats flock to crash site By Edward Helmore at the Hudson River A dozen rescue and police boats are in the Hudson river between New York and New Jersey, with police blocking off the main westside traffic artery of Manhattan. FDNY land and marine units were at the scene performing search operations, the fire department confirmed, and divers are still in the water. A large staging area was set up off Pier 40 in Manhattan to aid operations after emergency services received notifications that a helicopter had crashed in the river nearby. A witness said the helicopter was headed south when it went down at a 45-degree angle in seconds and was completely submerged in the water. 10:22 PM BST New York governor praying for those weve lost Kathy Hochul has seemingly confirmed that at least one person was killed in the Hudson River helicopter crash. The New York governor said she had been briefed on the incident and was praying for those weve lost and their families. I have been briefed on this horrific crash, and our teams have offered to assist @NYPDnews and @FDNY in their recovery efforts. I join all New Yorkers in praying for those we've lost and their families. https://t.co/d7eviSD0lq Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) April 10, 2025 Phil Murphy, the New Jersey governor, said state police were supporting the emergency response effort. I have been briefed by law enforcement on the tragic helicopter crash in the Hudson River close to New Jersey. We are supporting the emergency response effort through the @NJSP, @PANYNJ, and local first responders. Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) April 10, 2025 10:15 PM BST One person missing, say sources Sources said that five people had been recovered from the Hudson River, and that one person was missing. 10:12 PM BST Helicopter was on popular sightseeing route The helicopter which crashed into the Hudson River is reported to have taken a route popular with tourists. The Bell 206 is said to have flown over Governors Island and near the Statue of Liberty, headed up the Hudson River on the New York side, then turned around near the George Washington Bridge and flown along the Jersey City stretch of the river. ABC News has previously reported that a family of six people from Spain had been killed in the incident. According to Flight Radar, the helicopter was a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV and had been in the air for 15 minutes before the crash. 09:55 PM BST Reports: Deceased were tourist family from Spain The six people who died in the Hudson River helicopter crash were tourists from Spain, ABC News reports. Conflicting reports about the death toll have emerged in the media since the incident took place earlier today. Dani Horbiack told ABC that 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. 09:51 PM BST Crash is heartbreaking, says New York mayor Eric Adams, the New York mayor, has called the helicopter crash heartbreaking and tragic. The team is on the scene at the heartbreaking and tragic crash in the Hudson River, he wrote on social media, adding that New Yorks fire and police department were assisting first responders closer to the New Jersey side of the river. He added: Please avoid the area near Pier 40 in Manhattan in the meantime. The team is on the scene at the heartbreaking and tragic crash in the Hudson River.@FDNY and @NYPDnews are assisting first responders closer to the New Jersey side of the river. Please avoid the area near Pier 40 in Manhattan in the meantime. pic.twitter.com/JxmMmhq6xH Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) April 10, 2025 09:49 PM BST Crashed helicopter was a Bell 206 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) says the aircraft which crashed into the Hudson River is a Bell 206 helicopter. Typically, the model has space for four to six passengers, in addition to a pilot. The FAA said in a statement: A Bell 206 helicopter crashed and is submerged in the Hudson River in New York City. The number of people on board is unknown at this time. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The [National Transportation Safety Board] will lead the investigation and provide any updates. 09:41 PM BST Watch live: Emergency services respond to helicopter crash 09:41 PM BST Pictured: Emergency services seal off New York pier Emergency services have sealed off Pier 40, the converted former ferry terminal in Lower Manhattan, which is close to where the helicopter crashed earlier today. First responders walk along Pier 40, New York, across from the helicopter crash - AP Photo/Jennifer Peltz 09:31 PM BST Reports: Six dead after crash As many as six people may have been killed after a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, as conflicting reports emerged among US media. So far it is unclear how many people were onboard the aircraft, with reports ranging from four to six. A source told the Associated Press that six people were killed in the crash. ABC News is reporting that at least three people have been killed. Fox News reported that a family had been onboard and at least five were dead. 09:27 PM BST Officials say tourist helicopter may have crashed Law enforcement officials told NBC News that it appeared to be a tourist helicopter which had crashed into the Hudson River, but stressed that their investigation was still at an early stage. Aerial image taken from video shows rescue vessels on site of helicopter crash on the Hudson River - WABC-TV via AP 09:21 PM BST Reports: Three children onboard Sources told the New York Post that there were five people onboard the helicopter when it crashed, including three children. At least one person is reported to have died. 09:18 PM BST Helicopter split in two, witness claims One witness told ABC News affiliates that he saw the helicopter splitting in two with the rotor flying off, adding: It sounded like a sonic boom. Eric Campoverde, a second witness, said: I was walking by and the helicopter went down at 45-degree angle. Big splash -- it was very scary. 09:13 PM BST Reports: Witnesses heard loud thumping Witnesses who saw the helicopter crash near lower Manhattan heard a loud thumping noise, according to the New York Post. 09:11 PM BST At least one person pulled from river At least one person has been pulled from the Hudson River following the helicopter crash, US media reports. Some news outlets say all four of the people onboard the helicopter have been recovered, though the extent of any fatalities or injuries is unclear. 09:10 PM BST Watch: Helicopter crashes into Hudson River 09:08 PM BST Fire department has deployed rescue units The New York fire department said in a statement that it had units at the crash site performing rescue operations. Multiple rescue boats have been seen on the Manhattan waterfront. A fire department spokesman said we got the call at 3:17 pm [local time] about a helicopter in the water, but was unable to give other information. 09:03 PM BST Watch: Emergency services at scene of crash 09:01 PM BST Reports: Fatalities reported after crash Fatalities have been reported after a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, law enforcement sources told ABC News. At least four people are said to have been onboard and have been removed from the water, but it is unclear what condition they are in. 08:56 PM BST Welcome to our live coverage Were bringing you the latest updates after a helicopter plummeted into the Hudson River in New York. Tommy Robinson should have sentence reduced as jail making him ill, court told Tommy Robinson should have his 18-month prison sentence reduced as his segregation while in custody is having a demonstrable effect on his mental health and making him ill, the Court of Appeal has heard. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was jailed for the civil offence of contempt of court in October last year, after admitting 10 breaches of a High Court order made in 2021. The order barred the 42-year-old from repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him for libel. Last month, Robinson failed in a bid to bring a legal claim against the Government over his segregation in prison, after claiming he had suffered an evident decline in his mental health because of his isolation at HMP Woodhill, near Milton Keynes. He is appealing against his sentence on Friday, with his barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, telling the court that Robinson suffers from ADHD and complex post-traumatic stress disorder, which, when combined with his segregation in prison, was having a demonstrable effect on him. The Solicitor General opposes the appeal, which Robinson attended via videolink from HMP Woodhill. Mr Williamson said: Mr Justice Johnson acknowledged that there could be an effect on Mr Yaxley-Lennons mental health and, along with other factors, he reduced the sentence he was going to impose by one sixth, four months. But he did not have before him this additional factor, which in of itself means that the conditions that Mr Yaxley-Lennon faces are more onerous. He continued: He is being kept safe by the authorities in segregation, but being kept safe is making him ill, and more ill than Mr Justice Johnson could have foreseen on the basis of the information before him. We invite this court to interfere with that order to reduce the sentence imposed. Robinson is currently set to be released on July 26. He was jailed after the Solicitor General issued two contempt claims against him last year. The first alleged he knowingly breached the order on four occasions, including by having published, caused, authorised or procured a film called Silenced, which contains the libellous allegations, in May 2023. The film was pinned to the top of Robinsons profile on the social media site X, while he also repeated the claims in three interviews between February and June 2023. The second claim was issued in August concerning six further breaches, including playing the film at a demonstration in Trafalgar Square in central London last summer. Handing down the sentence in October, Mr Justice Johnson said that nobody is above the law and described Robinsons breaches of the injunction as flagrant. In written submissions for the hearing on Friday, Aidan Eardley KC, for the Solicitor General, said that Robinsons sentence involved a punitive element and a coercive element. The coercive element four months would be deducted from Robinsons sentence if he were to demonstrate a commitment to comply with the injunction, stating in court that Robinson remains defiantly in breach of the order and was asking for the courts indulgence. He added in writing that there was no evidence that the conditions in which the appellant is being held are more severe than was anticipated by Mr Justice Johnson. He said: Legally, there is no basis for arguing that conditions unforeseeably imposed by the prison authorities could found a ground of appeal. He continued: There are no grounds for altering the sentence in this case. (Mr Justice Johnson) was fully apprised of the risk that a further period of imprisonment in conditions restricting the appellants ability to associate with other prisoners might have a detrimental impact on the appellants mental health and determined the sentence accordingly. Mr Eardley also told the court that Robinson accepts he has a TV while segregated, but complains he cannot watch GB News on it. Robinson twice held up a sign to the camera, which said a statement from the governor of HMP Woodhill was lies. In response, the Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr said: We will ignore that, thank you very much indeed. The injunction was issued after Robinson was successfully sued by Jamal Hijazi, a then-schoolboy who was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018. After a clip of the incident went viral, Robinson made false claims on Facebook, including about Mr Hijazi attacking girls in his school, leading to the libel case. Mr Justice Nicklin ordered Robinson to pay Mr Hijazi 100,000 in damages and his legal costs, as well as making the injunction preventing Robinson from repeating the allegations. The Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, Lord Justice Edis and Lord Justice Warby will hand down their ruling at a later date. Keith Kellogg, the US Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Ukraine could be divided like Berlin after the Second World War, Donald Trumps envoy to the war-torn nation has said. Keith Kellogg suggested that Ukraine could be partitioned with a British and French-controlled zone in the west and Russian forces stationed in the east as part of a peace deal to bring the war to an end. You could almost make it look like what happened with Berlin after the Second World War, when you had a Russian zone, a French zone, and a British zone, a US zone, he told The Times, before clarifying that the US would not provide any ground troops under this scenario. The proposal would require Ukraine to cede control of its eastern territories, which are currently under Russian control. Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly voiced opposition to relinquishing land to Russia without Nato protection for its remaining territories. Ukraine will never recognise territories that are occupied by Russia as Russian territory. For us, this will be temporary occupations, he said in March, adding: Our territories and our values are not for sale. Russia is staunchly against any Nato protections for Ukraine, while the Trump administration has signalled its opposition to the country joining the military alliance. Lt Gen Kellogg, 80, suggested that an 18-mile buffer zone could be implemented along the wars existing front lines. You look at a map and you create, for lack of a better term, a demilitarised zone [DMZ]. Take both sides back up 15 kilometres each, thats 18 miles, he said. And you have a... DMZ that you can monitor, and youve got this... no-fire zone. Now, are there going to be violations? Probably, because there always are, he admitted. But your ability to monitor that is easy. Lt Gen Kellogg said that British and French forces would be deployed west of the Dnipro river, which bisects the country and flows through its capital, Kyiv. The river would provide a major obstacle between the different powers, he added, suggesting that it could become a line of demarcation between Ukraines eastern and western zones. Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron said they are prepared to commit peacekeeping troops to Ukraine to guarantee its independence from future Russian invasions. Plan for the worst case Lt Gen Kellogg warned Britain and France that they could not count on Mr Trumps support for their coalition, advising them to plan for the worst case. Although he insisted that his suggestion would not be provocative at all to Moscow, Sergei Lavrov, Russias foreign secretary, previously said the Kremlin would not allow troops from Nato countries into Ukraine under any conditions. On Friday, Steve Witkoff, another of Mr Trumps special envoys, travelled to St Petersburg in Russia to meet with Vladimir Putin to discuss a ceasefire deal. He was pictured shaking Putins hand during the meeting, which the Kremlin said in a statement lasted for four hours while downplaying expectations of any breakthroughs. On Friday, Mr Trump expressed frustration with the Russian leader as Moscow continued to launch drones and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities. Russia has to get moving. Too many people [are] dying, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war, the US president wrote on social media. Posen said it is misleading to compare tariffs with a poker game as trade is not zero-sum. Photograph: Shawn Thew/UPI/Rex/Shutterstock A leading US economist has likened Donald Trumps tariff battle with China to the Vietnam war, arguing that both sides will be caught in a quagmire and unable to find a face-saving exit. Adam Posen, the head of the Peterson Institute in Washington and a former Bank of England policymaker, spoke to the Guardian after penning an article for the US magazine Foreign Affairs. He said Trumps tactics had echoes of presidents Johnson and Nixon in the Vietnam war, unable to believe that they wouldnt win if they only upped the attacks, and unwilling to negotiate a real peace. Posen said Trump and the US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, who defended high tariffs on China on Wednesday, were profoundly mistaken, accusing them of boasting about the level of self-harm the US was willing to inflict on itself and how this would secure victory against China. Many economists have accused White House advisers of misunderstanding the mechanics of international trade and how industries manufacture across borders, sometimes to benefit from cheaper labour, but also to access skills and technologies unavailable in their home country. Rollercoaster financial markets, which have struggled all week to put a price on the tariff war, were spooked on Friday after China increased its tariffs on US goods from 84% to 125% and the US returned fire, saying it would push the total to 145%. Related: $2,150 for an iPhone? Trump tariffs are category 5 price storm China has become the main battleground after Trump agreed a 90-day moratorium on the punitive tariffs he aimed at most other countries, leaving a 10% import charge in place. Writing in Foreign Affairs, Posen said Bessent, a billionaire and former hedge fund manager, had wrongly likened the dispute with Beijing to a game of poker in which the US held all the best cards. Bessent said: I think it was a big mistake, this Chinese escalation, because theyre playing with a pair of twos. What do we lose by the Chinese raising tariffs on us? We export one-fifth to them of what they export to us, so that is a losing hand for them. Posen said: Bessents poker analogy is misleading because poker is a zero-sum game: I win only if you lose, you win only if I lose. Trade, by contrast, is positive-sum: in most situations, the better you do, the better I do, and vice versa. In poker, you get nothing back for what you put in the pot unless you win; in trade, you get it back immediately, in the form of the goods and services you buy, said Posen. More fundamentally, he said, the Trump administration believes the more you import, the less you have at stake, and that is because the US has a trade deficit with China, importing more Chinese goods and services than China does US goods and services; it is less vulnerable. This is factually wrong, not a matter of opinion. Blocking trade reduces a nations real income and purchasing power; countries export in order to earn the money to buy things they do not have or are too expensive to make at home. Whats more, even if you focus solely on the bilateral trade balance, as the Trump administration does, it bodes poorly for the US in a trade war with China. In 2024, US exports of goods and services to China were $199.2bn and imports from China were $462.5bn, resulting in a trade deficit of $263.3bn. To the degree that the bilateral trade balance predicts which side will win in a trade war, the advantage lies with the surplus economy, not the deficit one. Depriving US households and companies of hard or impossible to replace imports hurts the US far more than China suffers from lost sales, he added. The logic is based on game theory. Trump believes he has escalation dominance over China, which means the US has the ability to escalate a conflict without China inflicting pain in return. But this logic is wrong: it is China that has escalation dominance in this trade war. The US gets vital goods from China that cannot be replaced any time soon or made at home at anything less than prohibitive cost. Reducing such dependence on China may be a reason for action, but fighting the current war before doing so is a recipe for almost certain defeat, at enormous cost. Or to put it in Bessents terms: Washington, not Beijing, is betting all-in on a losing hand. Rumeysa Ozturk in 2021. Photograph: AP Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University student who was detained by US immigration authorities last month, says she has had multiple asthma attacks since she was arrested and detained and has had difficulty getting medical attention. Ozturk, 30, was detained by masked, plainclothes officers as she walked in a Boston-area suburb on 25 March. A judge ordered that the Turkish national and doctoral student who was in the US on an F-1 student visa cannot be deported without a court order. But she remains detained at the South Louisiana Ice processing center in Basile. On Thursday, Ozturks attorneys asked the federal court in Vermont to release her or to move her from Louisiana to Vermont while her case is heard. In a declaration filed by her lawyers, she said that while at the Louisiana facility, she faced delays getting care for an asthma attack and was initially refused access to fresh air. When she was eventually taken to the medical center, she says a nurse told her to take off her hijab. When Ozturk refused, she said, the nurse ripped off her hijab without permission. After a few minutes I put my hijab back on. But they did nothing to treat my asthma and gave me a few ibuprofen, she said. Related: Deported over a speeding ticket? Dozens of US students visas abruptly revoked In her declaration, Ozturk said that her holding cell was crowded beyond capacity and the unsanitary, damp conditions was triggering her asthma. The conditions in the facility are very unsanitary, unsafe, and inhumane, she said. There is a mouse in our cell. The boxes they provide for our clothing are very dirty and they dont give us adequate hygiene supplies. Ozturk is not the first to raise concerns about the conditions in the South Louisiana Ice processing center. In an August 2024 report by immigration advocates based on facility visits and interviews with detainees, dozens of women held at the center reported being denied medical care and offered rotten food. In a December 2024 complaint from the ACLU of Louisiana, filed to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) civil rights division, attorneys wrote: Guards left detained people suffering from severe conditions like external bleeding, tremors, and sprained limbs unattended to, refusing them access to diagnostic care. That complaint was filed before the Trump administration moved to gut the DHS civil rights division. The facility, which is located about 90 miles west of Baton Rouge, is one of several in the region run by Geo Group, a multibillion-dollar prison company that contracts with the federal government to hold detained immigrants. Protesters hold banners in support of arrested Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu during a rally on 9 April in Istanbul. Photograph: Burak Kara/Getty Images The leader of Turkeys largest opposition party has hit out at Keir Starmer, accusing the British prime minister of ignoring the arrest of the mayor of Istanbul and democratic backsliding in Turkey. Speaking to the Guardian, the leader of the left-leaning Republican Peoples party (CHP), Ozgur Ozel, said he was disappointed that Starmer had failed to speak up about attacks on a sister party. Emphasising that his frustrations were with the Labour leadership and Starmer personally for failing to offer a full condemnation after leading CHP politician and Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu was detained last month, Ozel said they are making a historic mistake by seeing this as a domestic Turkish issue. Starmers attitude is one that he will not be able to explain in future, he added. I would like to send the following message: After this is all over, we will remember the silence of our friends, not the loud voices and negative comments of our enemies. Imamoglu was arrested and imprisoned last month on an array of corruption charges, triggering the largest anti-government demonstrations in Turkey in over a decade as hundreds of thousands took to the streets. Related: Ekrem Imamoglu: jailed rival to Turkish president who could emerge stronger The CHP have called for twice-weekly rallies across Turkey and an economic boycott of companies they say are close to president Recep Tayyip Erdogan, hoping to spur an anti-government movement that has so far seen almost 1500 people detained, including journalists and municipal politicians. While Turkish authorities insist the charges against the Istanbul mayor are not politicised, Ozel labelled it a political trial, adding that Erdogan has his lawyers imprison those who disturb him and his team politically. The Istanbul mayor, who had ruled a city of 16 million for six years, was widely seen as Erdogans main rival. He was named the CHPs candidate for president on the same day he was sent to a maximum security facility on the outskirts of Istanbul. Elections in Turkey are due in 2028, although an early vote is widely predicted, and the CHP has called for snap elections after officially nominating Imamoglu as its candidate. Despite the mayors abrupt detention, the CHP leader said the party has already mapped out plans for how Imamoglu can campaign for the presidency even if he remains behind bars. Ozel labelled the upcoming election a referendum on whether there will be autocracy or democracy in Turkey. Ozel sat for an interview shortly before hosting a rally in Istanbul, with another rally in Erdogans Black Sea heartland scheduled for this weekend. The Turkish president filed a criminal complaint against the opposition leader earlier this week, accusing him of insulting the president by saying that Turkey is governed by a junta that is afraid of elections. The opposition leader dismissed the lawsuit as an attempt to cow him but said he had not ruled out that Erdogan could still seek his arrest, if he cant cope politically like what happened with Imamoglu. While European leaders, including French president Emmanuel Macron and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, have spoken out about the mayors arrest, the Turkish opposition leader said he also wanted to see Europe do more to pressure Ankara away from democratic backsliding. Imamoglus arrest came as European leaders have reportedly considered tapping Turkey, which boasts the second-largest army in Nato after the US, to provide peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. It is not right to make unprincipled negotiations with Erdogan out of security concerns. Having Natos first largest army in the hands of Trump and Natos second largest army in the hands of an autocrat does not help anyone, said Ozel. In the weeks since the mayors detention, there has been little comment from the British government or the Labour party regarding events in Turkey or the deportation of BBC reporter Mark Lowen, who covered the anti-government protests. Turkish authorities say they deported Lowen for working without accreditation. Stephen Doughty, minister for Europe, North America and overseas territories, told parliament in late March that Britain was closely monitoring the situation. The UK expects Turkey to uphold its international commitments and the rule of law, including swift and transparent judicial processes, he added. Ozel accused Starmer of prioritising issues of regional security such as events in Syria over the removal of democratic rights and the great injustices taking place in Turkey. The loser of this process, not just in my eyes but in the eyes of democratic forces worldwide, is Erdogan in Turkey and Starmer at the international level, he said. Britains economy picked up faster than expected in February, in a boost for Labour ahead of an expected slump caused by Donald Trumps trade war. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product (GDP) grew by 0.5%, surprising economists who had forecast just 0.1% growth. It also marks a significant monthly improvement after no growth in January, the ONS added, after revising a previous estimate of a 0.1% fall for the month. While the figures come as positive surprise for Chancellor Rachel Reeves, who has made economic growth her top priority, they also predate the recent upheaval caused by Mr Trumps tariff announcements. Ms Reeves said: These growth figures are an encouraging sign, but we are not complacent. However, she added: The world has changed and we have witnessed that change in recent weeks. I know this is an anxious time for families who are worried about the cost of living and British businesses who are worried about what this change means for them. This Government will remain pragmatic and cool-headed as we seek to secure the best deal with the United States that is in our national interest. The US has hit the UK with a blanket 10% tariff on practically all goods entering the worlds biggest economy, which is expected to hurt British exporters and dampen growth. (PA Graphics) And recent tax rises for companies, alongside surging water, energy bills, council taxes and other consumer bills which took effect in April, could hamper the economy further. ONS director of economic statistics Liz McKeown said the economy grew strongly, pointing to more activity across the services and manufacturing industries. Factories showed a particular turnaround in activity, with production output growing 1.5% in February after a fall of 0.5% in January. The construction industry also grew by 0.4%, from a 0.3% fall the previous month, while the services sector, the UKs biggest by far, grew by 0.3% in February, up from 0.1% in January. (PA Graphics) The Conservatives claimed the Government still had a long way to go on growing the economy. Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor, said: Since coming to office, Labours choices have killed growth stone dead and there is still a long way to go to recover. Nicholas Hyett of investment firm Wealth Club, said the growth figure is genuinely impressive, but that it has been overshadowed by Mr Trumps recent tariffs. He said: GDP data often feels a bit dated by the time its published the Trump-shaped asteroid that hit markets in the last week means Februarys data feels practically pre-historic. Thomas Pugh, economist at consulting firm RSM UK added that it seems impossible that tariffs do not hit business and consumer confidence. UK toy firm Character Group has pulled its financial targets for the year due to the prospect of impending US tariffs. Shares in the toy manufacturer and distributer slid early on Friday as a result. The Surrey-based business is the latest firm to caution over uncertainty linked to US President Donald Trumps tariff regime, which was announced last week. Mr Trump has since announced a 90-day pause but hiked planned tariffs on Chinese imports into the US. On Friday, Character Group said its ability to accurately forecast its sales to the US which represented around 20% of revenues for the past year has been considerably obscured by the trade tariffs. It said it expects to feel the impact of tax increases in the second half of its financial year to August 31 but is withdrawing its market guidance due to the uncertainty. However, bosses at the firm said they are still confident that it will be profitable for the financial year as a whole. It added that its results for the six months to February which are due to be published next month are set to be in line with the same period a year earlier, when it recorded a 2.1 million pre-tax profit. In a statement, Character Group said: The company continues to have a strong balance sheet with healthy cash balances and the board is confident that it can ride out this storm. As we gain a clearer picture of the global economic landscape emerging, we will update shareholders further. Character Group shares were down 6.2% at 242p on Friday morning. Members of security forces work near a crime scene where a US citizen shot and killed Abigail Esparza Reyes, in Tijuana, Mexico, on Wednesday. Photograph: Reuters A US fugitive has shot and killed a Mexican police officer in the elite international liaison unit known as the Gringo Hunters which specialises in arresting US citizens on the run in Mexico. Mexico has long been seen as a place to escape US law enforcement. The Gringo Hunters was set up in 2002 to cooperate with US authorities, and have since arrested more than 1,600 fugitives. These have included former Playboy models, Catholic priests and professional athletes, among fraudsters, murderers and paedophiles. The Gringo Hunters learn to spot the telltale signs of an American in Mexico, from stilted Spanish to a predilection for flip flops. This time members of the unit were trying to arrest a suspect in the border city of Tijuana on Wednesday when the man opened fire, hitting Abigail Esparza Reyes, the 33-year-old leader of the unit in the state of Baja California. Local media have reportedly identified the suspect as Cesar Hernandez, 34, who in December escaped from state prison in US, where he was serving a life sentence for murder. Hernandezs escape made news at the time with video footage showing him sprinting across a field in an orange jumpsuit with an officer in pursuit. Months later, the Gringo Hunters allegedly tracked him down to the Colonia Barcelona neighbourhood, about 30 miles (48km) from the border, and carried out an operation on Wednesday to arrest him but were met with bullets. Esparza Reyes was hit and pronounced dead at a hospital. Dozens of Mexican security forces from all three levels government, backed up with drones and a helicopter, then pursued the suspect to a house. Nonetheless, Hernandez managed to escape their cordon and flee the scene. Local media reported that he managed to do so while running almost naked through the streets, before ducking under a tarp over a car and emerging dressed in a fluorescent green uniform, similar to ones used by transport police, before walking away. The suspect is at large and the manhunt continues. The state governor, Marina del Pilar, posted on social media to express her regret over the death of Esparza Reyes, who had led more than 400 operations to arrest US fugitives in Mexico. Abigails life will be honoured and her death will not go unpunished, wrote del Pilar. People walk on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, on 9 April 2025. Photograph: Vincent Alban/Reuters The US House education and workforce committee withdrew an investigation into Northwestern Universitys law school clinics after professors there sued and alleged that the inquiry violated their constitutional free speech rights. The professors secured what amounted to a legal victory for them on Thursday, when the House committee withdrew its investigative requests with respect to the university and its law schools Bluhm Legal Clinic program on Thursday. Citing reports of antisemitism on campus, House committee members had sought budget and personnel records over claims that the university was using taxpayer-supported institutional resources for troubling purposes. The mention of reported antisemitism on campus was contained in a 27 March letter that the committee sent to justify the investigation and was addressed to Northwestern Universitys chairperson, Peter Barris, as well as its president, Michael Schill. The Community Justice and Civil Rights Clinic at Northwesterns Pritzker School of Law (Northwestern Law) is providing free legal representation in a civil suit to the organizers of an anti-Israel blockade of highway traffic to Chicagos OHare International Airport, the House committees letter said. This blockade resulted in the arrest of 40 participants. The fact that Northwestern, a university supported by billions in federal funds, would dedicate its resources to support this illegal, antisemitic conduct raises serious questions. The letter also alluded to broader concerns about the institutionalization of leftwing political activism at Northwestern Law, adding that the schools Community Justice and Civil Rights Clinic, led by the law professor Sheila Bedi, was using Northwesterns name and resources to engage in progressive-left political advocacy. According to the letter, the House committee demanded that the university provide all written policies, procedures and guidance related to the function of the law schools legal clinics, a detailed budget for the Bluhm Legal Clinic, and a list of its sources of funding. The committee also demanded the university turn over a list of all the Community Justice and Civil Rights Clinics payments to people or groups not employed by Northwestern and any of its clinics and centers since 2020. In addition, the committee asked to review all hiring materials and performance reviews for Bedi. In response, Bedi and a fellow law professor, Lynn Cohn, sued the committee, asserting that its investigation violated their and their clients constitutional rights to free speech and due process, among others. The committee subsequently withdrew its request a move that a Thursday press release from the Center for Constitutional Rights described as a victory for academic freedom, the rule of law, and bedrock constitutional principles. In a statement accompanying the press release, Bedi said: I filed this suit to defend my clients rights to representation, my students rights to learn, and my right to teach. But todays decision wont stop the federal governments attacks on universities and the legal profession. Educators and institutions must stand united to protect our students, our communities, and each other We teach, we advocate, and we stand with communities demanding justice. Thats why Congress is targeting us. Echoing similar sentiments, Cohn said: Uniting to support the fundamental rights of all people can still be done even in these turbulent times. We hope others will join this effort this legal challenge is far from over. Clinical legal educators wont back down. We will keep doing what we do best: centering students, defending our clients, and standing firm in defense of justice and the rule of law. Donald Trumps administration on Tuesday froze $790m for Northwestern University as part of the presidents increasing crackdowns on students and faculty members across US colleges who have expressed their opposition toward Israels deadly war on Gaza. In response to the federal crackdowns, more than 1,000 faculty members, alumni, students and attorneys have signed letters expressing their support for Northwestern University. One letter signed by hundreds of alumni in part said they were troubled that the federal government would target legal scholars who have dedicated their careers to upholding constitutional liberties, WWTW reports. Nineteen Democratic state attorneys general are asking a federal judge to stop the Trump administration from cancelling hundreds of international student visas a move that's sent shockwaves through the collegiate community. Although there's been no comprehensive accounting of how many students have seen their visas revoked, in some cases weeks before graduation, Trump officials say they have been in part targeting students they accuse of harboring ill-will toward the United States. In some cases, the students participated in protests or otherwise gained attention for pro-Palestinian stances. Other visas appear to have been cancelled over paperwork issues or traffic violations. The amicus brief filed April 11 by AGs from Arizona, California, Michigan and New York, among others, says an estimated 700 international students have lost their visas. The cancellations have forced students to leave the United States essentially on the spot, in some cases sending university administrators scrambling to figure out how to help them complete their degrees from their home countries. Campus protests about Israel's retaliatory attacks on Gaza sparked marches, encampments and sit-ins last year, but those have essentially halted since Trump took office in January. The AGs accuse the Trump administration of chilling free speech and scaring non-citizens into the shadows of society though ideologically motivated deportations. "Our democracy depends on the freedom to think, to speak, and to learn without fear," New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement. "No one should face detention or deportation for exercising their right to free speech not in New York, or in any other state in our nation. This policy is a dangerous overreach, and I will not allow fear and censorship to replace freedom and opportunity." 1.5 million international students in the U.S. James and Trump have clashed in court for years, and James earlier in the week sued the federal government over an unrelated halt on pandemic-era funding for public schools. The visa cancellations reflect a small percentage of the estimated 1.5 million international students studying in the United States. According to the federal government, California is home to the largest number of international students, and the most popular majors among international students are computer science, language, and business administration and management. People from India and China represent the largest proportion of international students, accounting for about half of the overall enrollment, according to federal officials. The attorneys general accuse Trump of weaponizing the immigration system to punish students who peacefully protested or wrote commentary opposing Israel's actions in Gaza, which are typically protected First Amendment rights. The AGs filed their brief in support of a March 25 lawsuit brought by the American Association of University Professors. The AGs signing the brief also include those representing Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington state and Washington, D.C. People rally in support of a Tufts University student in Somerville, Mass. near Boston on March 26, 2025. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents detained 30-year-old Turkish national Rumeysa Ozturk, who was in the country on a valid F-1 visa, near her home on Tuesday as she was on her way to meet friends to break her Ramadan fast, said her attorney, Mahsa Khanbabai. Is it okay to target students for protesting? Trump and other administration officials say international students should be studying, not protesting, and argue some of the protesters crossed the line into ideological support for Hamas or other terror groups. Among the highest-profile students targeted for immigration detention are Columbia University's Mahmoud Khalil, whose green card was revoked and has been held in a Louisiana detention facility for a month, and Tufts University student Rumeysa Ozturk, who was detained by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents as she walked down the sidewalk in a town outside Boston. Khalil, who has since graduated and is awaiting the birth of his first child, was a student-leader of Columbia's pro-Palestinian protests last year, and Ozturk, a PhD candidate whose research focuses on how young adults can use social media in positive ways, wrote a campus newspaper essay supporting Palestinians. Federal officials have not provided specific evidence to argue either was a threat to the United States. "The aggressive tactics employed to enforce the Ideological Deportation Policy lay bare its true intent: intimidating noncitizens into silence," the lawsuit argues. "A sudden loss of a visa or status may result in the individual being immediately deportable. But ICE is not merely serving non-violent students with deportation notices. Instead, ICE is resorting to alarming displays of power." New York University professor Robert Cohen, who studies protest movements, said targeting students because they attended rallies or wrote pro-Palestinan letters is a thinly veiled attempt by Trump to clamp down on dissent. "It speaks to the issue that Donald Trump and these right-wing people don't actually believe in free speech," Cohen said. The American Council on Education and 15 other higher ed groups have requested a briefing from federal officials regarding the cancellations. The groups noted that Trump has the responsibility and right to safeguard national security but asked for an explanation of the decision-making process. "Recent actions have contributed to uncertainty and impedes the ability of our institutions to best advise international students and scholars," the groups wrote in an April 4 letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials. "It is important institutions are in a position to reassure international students so they can continue to make exceptional contributions to their campuses, communities, and the nation." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 19 state AGs ask judge to block Trump student-visa revocations Getty Images Leslie Bibb at the Balmain Fall RTW 2025 fashion show at Grande Halle de la Villette- salle Charlie Parker as part of Paris Fashion Week on March 5, 2025 in Paris, France. An A-line bob is a short, structured style that can be worn by all face shapesnot to mention most hair types. Logistically, an A-line bob is characterized by an angular shape thats longer in the front and shorter in the back for a more stacked silhouette. It can be worn center-parted or off to the side, styled straight or wavy, and feature mirrored face-framing strands or boast asymmetrical appeal. All that to say, the inverted bob is incredibly versatile. Meet Our Expert Valery Joseph is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Valery Joseph Salons. His clients include Lady Gaga and Helen Mirren. Andrew Fitzsimons is a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Andrew Fitzsimons Hair. He works with Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, and Megan Fox, among others. However, to find the right style for you, you'll want to customize your cut to fit your features and lifestyle. Luckily, celebrity hairstylists Valery Joseph and Andrew Fitzsimons weighed in, sharing their favorite celeb-inspired A-line bobs of all time and their best advice for pulling off the angular cut. Intrigued? Keep scrolling for 30 A-line bob haircuts to inspire your next chop. Romantic Waves Getty Images Selena Gomez's romantic waves at the 2025 Academy Awards were simply so dreamy. With the curls curved inwards it helped create a style that feel natural yet still glamorous. Brushed Back Getty Images You can call out Leslie Bibb for inspiring the A-line bob revolution. Her brushed back chic hairstyle is just so classic. Edgy Straight Getty Images Daisy Ridely decided to go for an ultra-sleek hairstyle at last year's Fashion Awards. The actresses also had her tips curled inwards for a more fashion-forward moment. Curly Getty Images Is there a hairstyle Zendaya has ever not looked good in? Don't think so. For an Old Hollywood level of glamour, the Euphoria star kept her strands voluminous and trendy. Sculpted A-Line Bob Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images Prefer to wear a center part without bangs? Copy Lily Collinss sleek A-line. The cut hugs her face and aligns perfectly with her chin for the ultimate face-framing allure. Tips Those with oblong or oval face shapes will typically find a bob that hits above or at the chin flattering. Meanwhile, longer bobs or lobs that fall below the chin can complement round- and square-shaped faces. Voluminous A-Line Bob Frazer Harrison / Getty Images For more of an old Hollywood appeal, consider recreating Zendayas subtle A-line bob packed with volume. Zendaya has flaunted glamorous Hollywood curled A-line bobs with retro-inspired elegance, Joseph says. Set hair in large rollers or use a large-barrel curling iron for voluminous curls. To ensure the look lasts, he instructs finishing with hairspray. This style exudes timeless sophistication and is perfect for red carpet events or special occasions, he adds. Highlighted Hair Getty Images Natalie Portman highlighted strands made her A-line bob appear polished and classy. The slight color contrast keeps it looking fresh, too. French A-Line Bob Stephane Cardinale - Corbis / Corbis via Getty Images Naomi Campbell's super short crop feels like an elevated take on the French bob. The A-line shape echoes her killer bone structure and draws attention to her defined cheekbones. It's tres chic. Dramatic Side Part Getty Images For an extra edge, Naomi Watts chose to go for a dramatic side part. This brought all the sophistication needed for the 2025 Golden Globes. Tousled A-Line Bob Stephane Cardinale - Corbis / Getty Images If youre concerned that A-line bobs look a little too structured for everyday wear, take a peek at Charlize Therons perfectly imperfect tousled rendition. Charlize Theron's A-line bob with a side part and loose Hollywood waves exudes timeless sophistication, Joseph says. Achieve this look at home by blow-drying hair straight with a deep side part, then using a large-barrel curling iron to create loose waves. Finish with texture spray and hairspray to enhance the piecey-ness and hold of the look. Sleek Straight Getty Images Kendall Jenner's Vanity Fair After Party look featured this sleek straight bob that looks so sophisticated. Wavy A-Line Bob Karwai Tang / Getty Images Hailey Biebers hair always looks effortlessly chic and this wavy A-line bob of hers is just further proof of that. Hailey Bieber's A-line bob exudes a sleek and polished finish with subtle waves or curls for added texture, Joseph says. To mimic her style, start by blow-drying your hair straight using a round brush. Then, use a flat iron to create soft waves or curls, focusing on the ends. To complete the look, he says to use a tiny bit of hair oil to enhance shine and control flyaways. A-Line Bob With Deep Side Part John Shearer / Getty Images Mindy Kalings sleek bob with a deep side part is another subtle take on the A-line silhouette. To recreate her style, begin by prepping hair with a leave in conditioner for a long-lasting, smooth style. "I would then part the hair to the side for the desired effect, then blow out the hair with a round brush making sure to curl the ends in a bit for some bounce," instructs Fitzsimons. Chin-Hugging A-Line Bob Gilbert Carrasquillo / Getty Images While A-line bobs come in many lengths and shapes, were especially fond of the ones that cling to the chin and jawline. Just look at Julianne Houghs haircut here and youll see why. It beautifully frames her facial features and looks effortlessly chic overall. A volume powder is a great option to add to a sleek style like this, Fitzsimons says. Using a flat iron to get the hair straight with a little curl towards the ends adds a nice finishing touch to the look, he adds. A-Line Bob With Feathery Fringe Michael Loccisano / Getty Images Heres another of Zendayas flawless short haircuts, this time with the prettiest feathered fringe. To create this style, use a flat iron and flip the ends towards the face to create that rounded shape, Fitzsimons says. I would definitely recommend using oil throughout the mids and ends of the hair for a glossy, smooth finish. Set the fringe in place with a hairspray." A-Line Bob With Bangs John Shearer / Contributor Taylor Swift ruled the red carpet in 2016 (and TBH, still does). Her show-stopping pink and orange two-piece from the 2016 Grammys is easy to recall today, as well as this sultrier look from the Vanity Fair Oscar Party that same year. If I were to recreate Taylor Swifts 2016 Vanity Fair Oscar Party look, I would prep the hair with the [Andrew Fitzsimons] Prism Shine Softening Creme followed by a quick blow dry, bending the ends towards the face, Fitzsimons says. A-Line Bob With Highlights Unique Nicole / WireImage / Getty Images Taraji P. Henson has been a fan of A-line bobs for years but this black hair with blonde highlights iteration is one of our favorites. It's edgy and dimensional with a side of shine. Curly A-Line Bob Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images Penelope Cruzs A-line curly bob from the 59th International Cannes Film Festival is just as glamorous today as it was in 2006. Penelope Cruz's A-line bob epitomizes natural elegance with soft waves and understated sophistication, Joseph says. Recreate her look using a curling wand to create loose curls or waves, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends. Finish with flexible-hold hair spray to ensure the look lasts. Subtle A-Line Bob Frazer Harrison / Getty Images Even Margot Robbie is a fan of the A-line bob, albeit subtle. To achieve this look, loose flat iron waves are your best bet," instructs Fitzsimons. "Use a texture spray like the Andrew Fitzsimons Apres Sexe Texture Spray for a bit more of a piecey look and a finishing hairspray to provide all-day hold for the curls. Icy Platinum A-Line Bob Jeff Spicer / Getty Images For an ethereal A-line bob, follow Jennifer Lawrences lead and opt for an icy platinum color styled with soft, romantic waves. Jennifer Lawrence's versatile A-line bobs range from straightened to textured finishes, Joseph says. Mimic her polished look with a blow-dry and straightening iron, or embrace natural texture with a salt spray. Sleek A-Line Bob Evan Agostini / Getty Images When someone mentions Victoria Beckham, perhaps what first comes to mind is Posh Spice and her iconic A-line bob haircut. "Victoria Beckham is renowned for her sleek A-line bob, characterized by sharp angles and a glossy finish, says Joseph. To get the ultra-smooth look, he says to use a flat iron followed by shine-enhancing, frizz-fighting hair oil. Tips Beckham has worn her signature A-line a number of ways, including with more of a piece-y finish. To get the look, Fitzsimons recommends using a texture spray on the mids and ends with a root spray or dry shampoo at the crown for added volume and lift. High-Shine A-Line Lob Kevin Mazur / Getty Images Selena Gomezs A-line bob from the 2017 Met Gala was sharp and practically glowing. To land her style, blow dry hair away from the head while curling the round brush on the ends, he instructs, and finish with hairspray. Low Maintenance A-Line Lob JB Lacroix / Getty Images If you prefer a bit more length, you can apply the A-line technique to lobs, too. Vanessa Hudgenss hair looks lustrous and healthy with this shiny A-line bob, Fitzsimons says. This style has volume while maintaining a sheen finish." Spritz some texturizing and volume spray onto damp hair to create the body for a perfect voluminous blowout before blow drying, he notes. "Finish with a lightweight oil through the ends to seal the look. Effortlessly Chic A-Line Bob Stefania D'Alessandro / Getty Images There are few haircuts that look less than perfect on Keira Knightly, an A-line bob among them. Keira Knightly is no stranger to the A-line bob, Fitzsimons points out. The way her hair falls around her face frames it perfectly. To recreate this look Id recommend a smoothing product that will add shine...would use a hair dryer and a round brush to create the bend at the ends of her hair." Finish with a shine spray or hair oil to keep hair looking healthy, he adds. Jaw-Grazing A-Line Bob Steve Granitz / Getty Images Michelle Williams's butter blonde makes her A-line bob even more appealing thanks to how well it complements her fair skin tone. Honey Blonde A-Line Bob Neil Mockford / Getty Images Speaking of how complementary hair color can really make jaw-grazing A-lines pop, check out Ciara's honey-blonde look. It pairs so perfectly with her warm complexion. Grungey A-Line Bob Daniele Venturelli / WireImage / Getty Images Platinum blonde hair can require a lot of upkeep, but Kelly Rowland's grown-out roots make a case for skipping your touch-up appointment. The color contrast adds interest while also giving us '90s grunge vibes. Of course, the cut's structured shape keeps it from leaning too casual. Tousled Waves Getty Images Sarah Paulson's tousled waves were refined and luxurious at the 77th Annual Tony Awards Press Room. With curls curved inwards, the 'do was given a boost of dimension. It Girl A-Line Bob Lester Cohen / Getty Images With its tantalizing texture and effortless appeal, we're adding Gracie Abrams's reverse bob to our hairstyle playbook. This cut works well on those with thicker strands since the layers work to remove some of hair's weight and in turn, lend movement. Bouncy A-Line Bob Dimitrios Kambouris / Getty Images Last but not least, there's Emily Ratajkowski's bouncy A-line lob. Recreate the look at home by blowing out your hair with a round brush. Read the original article on InStyle Simply Recipes / Adobe Stock As someone who works a full-time job, I value any food that allows me to make a meal quickly and with ease. And as much as I love making my favorite recipes from scratch, sometimes its hard to argue with the convenience of a pre-made, store-bought ingredient. That brings me to the controversial topic of frozen meatballs. Ask any chef about frozen meatballs, and you can expect an eye roll and a lecture on the best ways to make them from scratch. While I would happily listen to my chef friends give a masterclass on the perfect ratios for meatball ingredients, given my busy schedule, I cant help but wonder if theres a frozen option that rivals the average homemade batch. To get to the bottom of the matter, I reached out to a few experts in the field in hopes of identifying the best brand of frozen meatballs. To my surprise, they all said the same thing. My Meatball-Loving Experts: Emma Christensen: Managing Editor of Simply Recipes and author of four cookbooks Munni Pramanik: Editorial Projects Manager at Simply Recipes and creator of Life of a Mortar and Pestle on Instagram. Lauren Jacobs: Owner of The Cheerful Baker, cookie decoration subscription Simply Recipes / Costco The Best Frozen Meatballs, According to the Pros Without a doubt, Costcos Kirkland Signature Italian Style Beef Meatballs was the most voted-for brand of frozen meatballs among the experts I spoke with. Emma had her first taste of Kirkland meatballs when her mom added them to a sheet pan dinner. It had never occurred to me to even try frozen meatballs before then, but I was so impressed with how good they were, she recalls. If I hadn't seen the bag myself, I honestly would have thought they were homemade. Now I keep them in my own freezer. One bag lasts me for weeks, and they're such a quick, easy protein to round out any weeknight meal. Indeed, there are roughly 140 meatballs in a 6-pound resealable bag for only $24.99. I love how many come in a package, and for the price, it is a steal! says Munni. I rarely buy frozen meatballs since they tend to dry out or lack flavor, but I've never been disappointed by the Kirkland meatballs. Every bite is bursting with flavor, and regardless of how I prepare them, they remain super moist. She adds them to everything from pasta sauces to jarred curries, as well as cooking them in the air-fryer for kofta sandwiches. How Are Experts Favorite Frozen Meatballs Made? Kirklands Italian Style Beef Meatballs are primarily made from ground beef, water, bread crumbs, soy protein concentrate, and a variety of seasonings, including Parmesan cheese, bell peppers, garlic, and spices. Given their top-notch flavor, Lauren even uses them in her own homemade tomato sauce. These save me time, she says. To me, that is the beauty of the frozen meatball. Once youve found a variety that satisfies your cravings, that brand opens up a whole world of culinary opportunities with minimal fuss. And in the case of Kirklands frozen meatballs, Emma says, They taste as good as anything you might make from scratch. If you ask me, that seals the deal! Read the original article on SIMPLYRECIPES A Russian American woman who spent more than a year imprisoned in Russia over allegations of financially supporting Ukraines military after a charity donation returned to the United States on Thursday night after a prisoner exchange. Ksenia Karelina, a former ballerina who had been living in Los Angeles, was arrested in Russia in February 2024 and sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony for high treason. The plane carrying Karelina touched down at 10:56 p.m. at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, near Washington, D.C. Ksenia Karelina arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Thursday. She was smiling as she exited the plane's steps and embraced her fiance, Chris van Heerden, who was waiting outside the jet. Van Heerden gave his coat to Karelina in the 50-degree night air and put his arm around her as they walked away from the plane. "Mr. Trump, I'm so, so grateful for you to bring me home and for American government," Karelina said in video recorded by Trump administration official Sebastian Gorka. "And I never felt more blessed to be American, and I'm so, so happy to get home." The Russian legal group Perviy Otdel and the U.S. spa where Karelina worked said she was arrested because of a $51.80 donation to a charity that provides aid to Ukraine. Karelina was freed in a prisoner exchange with the United States, the State Department said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said she had been wrongfully detained by Russia. Early Thursday, the special envoy for hostage response, Adam Boehler, posted a picture of Karelina on a plane headed to the United States and holding an American flag. Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) has never provided many details of Karelina alleged crime. It claimed that the donation was subsequently used to purchase tactical medical supplies, equipment, weapons and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, an attack that U.S., Europe and other nations have condemned as an unprovoked act of aggression. Karelina donated to the charity that same day. Freed in the exchange was Russian national Arthur Petrov, the State Department said. The Wall Street Journal, which first reported that Karelina was released Thursday, reported that Petrov is a dual German-Russian citizen who was arrested in Cyprus in 2023 at the request of the U.S. for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics. Kristen Mulvihill / Getty "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." While lorazepam has been the talk of the town thanks to The White Lotus , theres another med competing for its air time. Need a hint? Khloe Kardashian borrowed one from Kris Jenner when she was feeling anxious on an episode of The Kardashians. Robert Downey Jr. mentioned them during his acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, saying that theyd make talking in front of the crowd a breeze. Rachel Sennott shouted them out on the Oscars red carpet for helping her get through the night. Paige DeSorbo shared on her podcast that she pops one before going on stage for a Giggly Squad live show. And, Chelsea Handler said she does the same for particularly nerve-wracking performances. Thats right: were talking about beta blockers. But, if it feels like beta blockers are becoming A Thing all of sudden, keep in mind that it might just be reflective of a cultural shift about how we talk about anxiety. Youre hearing more about beta blockers because anxiety is so prevalent and were more comfortable talking about it, says Gail Saltz, MD, psychoanalyst and associate attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical. As the stigma goes down, more public figures and people in general are able to say, Yes I struggle with this and I take medication for it. Still, you might just want to know what they areand if they might be able to help you too. Heres what doctors have to say about Hollywoods favorite way to chill out. Meet the experts: Gail Saltz , MD, is a psychoanalyst and associate attending physician at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical. Sanjiv Patel , MD, is a cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center. Wilnise Jasmin , MD, is the deputy chief medical officer at Oregon State Hospital and specializes in family and preventative medicine. What are beta blockers? Beta blockers are typically used to manage abnormal heart rhythms, reduce high blood pressure, or treat angina (chest pain). They work by blocking the body's beta receptors, which are stimulated by epinephrine (a.k.a. adrenaline), says Sanjiv Patel, MD, cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center. But, while they're typically used to treat heart and blood pressure issues, beta blockers are also used to treat glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, tremors, migraines, andyou guessed itanxiety, says Patel. Remember how beta blockers inhibit adrenaline receptors? Adrenaline is whats released when you feel fear, panic, or anxiety, says Dr. Saltz. So, while the meds help someone with high blood pressure, they can also interrupt the physical response caused by spikes in adrenaline. (Think: a racing heart, jitters, and sweating.) Beta-blockers also come in different formulationsnon-selective and selectivewhich dictates what they're used for. Selective beta blockers, like atenolol, work specifically on the heart, according to the NLM , while non-selective beta blockers (like propranolol, which is what 90 percent of those with anxiety take, according to Dr. Saltz) work on a variety of receptors, opening them up to more general uses like anxiety. Can beta blockers really help with anxiety? It depends on what type of anxiety you're experiencing. "One of the more common off-label uses for beta blockers is in the treatment of performance anxiety, says Wilnise Jasmin, MD, the deputy chief medical officer at Oregon State Hospital and a family and preventive medicine doctor. Beta blockers act on the sympathetic portion of the nervous system, which is responsible for your 'fight' reaction in the fight or flight response. That "fight" response is what makes you feel the more physical symptoms of anxietythe pounding heart, the shakiness, the profuse sweatingwhich beta blockers, well, block. Basically, its not that beta blockers are making you less anxious mentally; theyre just masking the feeling of it physically. It's not that the adrenaline isn't around, it's just prevented from binding and doing its function, so you don't get that response in the body, says Dr. Saltz. Thats why the meds can be handy on a red carpet or before a big performance, and why it seems their demographic is skewed toward celebs who are often in those kinds of situations. Should I consider beta blockers for my anxiety? If youre someone with one-off, intense bouts of performance anxietylike before a big public speaking engagement or even before a flightyou could potentially use a beta blocker to mask the physical sensations, says Dr. Saltz. Unfortunately, if youre looking for help with generalized or social anxiety, beta blockers wont be much help. It's not for When I go to parties, I get nervous, says Dr. Saltz. The data shows it's not that helpful for that. And it's definitely not for the person who feels worried and anxious most of the day. That's because they don't treat the mental or emotional aspects related to anxiety, says Dr. Saltz. Theyre like a Band-Aid in the moment, and they dont fixin any waythe underlying problem, she says. Instead, youll want to try therapy, and potentially other forms of medications like SSRIs or SNRIs. (BTW, a 2025 review in the Journal of Effective Disorders concluded that there wasnt robust evidence that beta blockers are an effective treatment for anxiety.) Even for the performance-anxious who can benefit from beta blockers, theyre not meant to be used long-term, and eventually, youll want to address the underlying cause of the anxiety. Another thing to consider about beta blockers: They're a heart medication, so they're not something to take lightly. They could also come with side effects, including dizziness, tiredness, and difficulty breathing, per the US National Library of Medicine . And, not everyone is a candidate for beta blockers. Those with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, low blood pressure, or a slow heart rate shouldnt take them, says Dr. Saltz. Your doctor will take all that into consideration along with your current vital signs and medications to determine if beta blockers are safe to takeas in, you probably shouldnt get them online through telehealth sites. You Might Also Like Des Moines Police Department (2) Nikki Loffredo; James Bernard Johnson An Iowa man faces life in prison after being convicted of fatally shooting a random woman who rebuffed his advances last summer, authorities said. On Wednesday, April 9, James Bernard Johnson, 43, was found guilty of first-degree murder in connection with the killing of 42-year-old Nikki Loffredo, according to a statement from the Polk County Attorneys Office. He is scheduled to be sentenced on June 20. During the week-long trial, Johnson testified that he saw Loffredo walking in Des Moines on July 27, 2024, and planned to approach her, which he did just before 4 a.m. that morning, prosecutors said. From his GMC Yukon, he yelled at her to come get high with him, and according to him, she responded, Who are you? Never mind, f--- off, the statement reads. According to prosecutors, Johnson said he felt disrespected and admitted he fired a handgun four times from his SUV, claiming he fired at the ground to frighten her. He then sped away from the scene. Two days later, Loffredo died of her injuries. Prosecutors said Johnson denied killing Loffredo, who had no previous connection to him. 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. Johnson was arrested on August 2, 2024, after investigators discovered text messages between Johnson and his girlfriend admitting that he had "popped" someone recently, per the statement. According to prosecutors, Johnson also admitted to consuming cocaine and marijuana the day of the shooting. Loffredo, a West Des Moines native and mother of one, was remembered in her obituary as someone who was very kind and compassionate. Read the original article on People Sassoon with Diana, Princess of Wales - Tim Graham/Getty Images David Sassoon, who has died aged 92, was one half, with Belinda Bellville, of Bellville Sassoon, the couture house that became a favourite with Royal family members and celebrities; he was a loyal ally of Diana, Princess of Wales, helping to guide her fashion choices as she assumed and developed her public role. In an interview for the 2019 Channel 5 documentary, Secrets of the Royal Wardrobe, Sassoon recalled how he had first met the young Lady Diana Spencer when her mother, Frances Shand Kydd, took her into the Belville Sassoon studio in Knightsbridge in the run-up to her wedding. She had visited the shop once, before her engagement, but walked out again when an imperious French vendeuse suggested she might be more at home at Harrods. Her mother brought her in to have a trousseau made, and Diana chose about 10 dresses. I was thrilled she asked us to design her going-away outfit, Sassoon recalled, although I was disappointed we didnt do her wedding dress. Over the years Sassoon made more than 70 gowns for the Princess, recalling that when they first met she was painfully shy and took her mothers advice about what to wear. Among early outfits were the sailor-style dress she wore for her first official portrait, and her peach going-away outfit. But a year after she married, she knew just what she wanted. Sassoon with sketches of dresses made for Diana, Princess of Wales - Geoff Pugh When Diana first appeared on the royal scene, many of the rules of sartorial etiquette were still in place: You couldnt wear velvet after May, and you had to wear a hat to every wedding. The Princess changed all that: [She] stopped wearing gloves, and was the first to wear trousers. She also stopped wearing hats. Sometimes she would say to me, I want to surprise everyone. She was a joy to dress not at all difficult. Contrary to what you might think, she didnt make a fuss about clothes. She didnt have endless fittings. The Princess would often return sketches with nothing more than the word Please! written neatly in pencil. Small presents and thank-you notes always followed the delivery of a dress. Among other outfits, Sassoon created the off-the-shoulder dress she wore for the opening of the 1981 Splendours of the Gonzaga exhibition and the scarlet evening gown she wore to meet Rudolf Nureyev in 1982. In his Channel 5 interview he recalled one occasion when the Princess had sketched a design herself, for the 1981 State Opening of Parliament. It featured a satin bodice, white organza, embroidered with little silver trees dotted all over it on puff sleeves. But it was not a success: That was her one and only effort. She never designed a dress again. On the face of it, theirs was an unlikely alliance. Sassoon was the son of Sephardi Jewish immigrants from Iraq, Diana the daughter of an earl. He was nearly 30 years older and several inches shorter than his royal client. Yet the two became great friends, he recalled. She was always asking, What have you been doing, what have you seen? Sassoon told the Daily Mail. She knew I loved the ballet and so did she. There were times when Id be quite fraught and shed pat the sofa beside her and say, Now, whats the problem? Sit down and have a cup of tea. She was good at listening to your woes, but she rarely opened up about her own. The only time I saw her cry was the week before the wedding, when everything got on top of her. Sassoon in 1998 with his friend (the future Dame) Zandra Rhodes - Stephen Lock On that occasion, Diana arrived at the Knightsbridge studio straight from a wedding rehearsal at St Pauls Cathedral: It was the final fitting for the going-away outfit and she was very tearful and panicking because shed forgotten to get a bag. I told her not to worry and had a little pochette made in the same material. There was a tiny compartment for a mirror and I added a little card saying, Lots of happiness on your great day. She was very touched by it. Sassoon was a guest at Dianas wedding, and later at her funeral, and recalled how, a few weeks before her death in 1997, they had crossed paths at the preview of a charity auction of her clothes at Christies. They chatted about the outfits Sassoon had made for her over the years, including the going-away outfit she wore on her wedding day. He asked if it was in the auction and was delighted by her reply: Oh no! Im not losing that. The third of six children, David Sassoon was born in Highbury, north London, on October 5 1932. His parents, George Sassoon, and Victoria, nee Gurgi, came to the UK from their native Baghdad on their honeymoon in 1925 and never left. When the family home was bombed at the beginning of the war they moved to Llandudno, where David was sent to boarding school. He wanted to be an actor and won a scholarship to Rada but my father, who was very Middle Eastern, wasnt happy about the idea. So he was persuaded that I would do the lesser of the two evils, which was fashion. Sassoon had been interested in clothes from an early age, dressing up his younger sister in hand-stitched creations and poring over his mothers copies of Vogue. He attended Chelsea College of Art then, after National Service with the RAF in Egypt, the Royal College of Art. A sketch by Sassoon of a dress made for Diana, Princess of Wales - Geoff Pugh It was at his graduate show in 1958 that he met Belinda Bellville, who had founded the couture house Bellville et Cie in Knightsbridge five years earlier. She was pregnant and looking for an assistant designer. She offered him a temporary job and he stayed for 50 years. The company became Bellville Sassoon in 1970, and he took over when Belinda Bellville retired in 1984. The first Bellville Sassoon royal commission came in January l960, when Lady Pamela Mountbatten married David Hicks. Princess Anne was one of the bridesmaids and the young Sassoon was dispatched to Buckingham Palace to fit the eight-year-old princesss dress. I had to go through the tradesmens entrance, he recalled. A liveried page whisked him up to the nursery. There were ink stains on the carpet and toys all over the place. Princess Anne was wearing Clarks sandals and had braces on her teeth. When the Queen appeared, Sassoon took a step back to make a bow: My foot went into one of the corgis bowls, which was full of water that splashed all over my shoes. The Queen pulled a cord by the side of the fireplace and up came a liveried page to wipe my shoes. The funny thing was, the bridesmaids dress was a beautiful white organdie and the Queens only concern was whether it would wash. After her marriage to Tony Armstrong-Jones in the same year, Princess Margaret commissioned Bellville Sassoon to design her clothes for a visit to the US. The American press gave each outfit a points rating, and Sassoon was delighted when all Bellville Sassoons outfits were given five stars: Poor [Norman] Hartnell and others didnt do so well. Until then, the fashion house was doing couture only. Women would come in and buy a wardrobe for the whole season cocktail dresses, evening dresses, an outfit for Ascot and so on. Sassoon credited Belinda Bellville with showing him how to be a kind designer. [She] taught me to understand women, which a lot of male designers dont. Princess Diana wearing an outfit by Bellville Sassoon at a reception for British Fashion Week in 1988 - David Levenson/Getty Images From Sassoon, Belinda Belville gained customers beyond debutantes and duchesses his connections included wealthy Sephardi and Ashkenazi clients (Jewish traditions played an enormous part in the clothes I designed) and learnt to embrace the youth culture of the 1960s: I taught her to do the Twist. In 1962 the company introduced its first ready-to-wear collection, which proved a huge success. By 1970 it was employing 100 people and dressing many of the most fashionable women in London: on one occasion four women turned up at a dinner with the Queen at Windsor wearing the same Bellville Sassoon dress. They also designed Audrey Hepburns wardrobe for the 1967 film Two for the Road. Sassoons other royal clients included Princess Alexandra, Princess Alice, the Duchesses of Gloucester and Kent and Princess Michael of Kent, whose wedding dress he designed, though he regretted that it was never worn for a religious ceremony. The Duchess of York proved a friendly but frustrating client. One evening a motorcade with two outriders drew up. It was 6pm and the shop was shut. [The Duchess] came in and said that she wanted some clothes and we thought, Oh dear, really? She had been getting terrible press. She was great fun, very lively, but she wouldnt listen. Id say, Oh, come on, maam, that skirts too short for you, and it would be, No, I like it like this Shed come in one week and have lost weight, then the next shed have put it on again, so we were forever taking things in then letting them out. Sassoons creations featured in numerous exhibitions, most recently in 2023 in Fashion City: How Jewish Londoners Shaped Global Style at London Museum Docklands. He retired when he was 80, though he remained busy as a trustee of the Fashion and Textile Museum, and as a mentor of young designers and lecturer at colleges and museums. When you stop looking at the work of young designers, you should give up, he once said. David Sassoon, born October 5 1932, died April 9 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Courtesy of Delta Air Lines A Delta airplane flying through clouds at sunset. Airfares recently dropped 5.3 percent, as stated in a new government report. Delta Air Lines is selling discounted award tickets from 8,000 miles. Theres good news for anyone planning summer vacations, as airfares continue to drop in price. The latest U.S. government consumer price index report reveals that airfares dropped 5.3 percent in March, which continued the declining trend from February, when airfares were 4 percent lower. For travelers planning a spring break getaway, special trip for Mothers Day, or a summer vacation, there are now plenty of deals and discounts available to help make the trip more affordable. For example, Delta Air Lines maintains a page of award deals, where travelers can choose their home airport and then see the discounted fares available to them. The airline also takes it a step further by offering passengers the choice of interests to filter potential destinations, such as beach vacations, food, outdoor, and ski. Related | A Guide to Enjoying In-flight Entertainment on Delta Air Lines | Learn More From Delta's main hub in Atlanta (ATL), travelers can fly to Tampa, Florida (TPA) as low as 9,000 miles one-way or 14,000 miles round-trip, plus $12 in taxes, between May 3 and May 16. Also from Atlanta, Delta has discounted one-way tickets for under 14,000 miles to Boston, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Nashville, and New York. In Seattle (SEA), Delta is offering one-way fares to San Francisco (SFO) from 8,000 Miles and deals under 11,000 miles to Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Jose, California. For those loyal to United Airlines, the Chicago-based carrier has deals running on its website as well. With the recent plunge in airfare prices, travelers who previously booked a vacation with any airline may be able to get a refund or price adjustment. Airlines will often provide a difference in fare or a refund from the higher price paid on refundable tickets. Passengers who purchased a non-refundable ticket may have fewer options or have to pay a change fee. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Courtesy of Scott G Shriner/Instagram Weezer bassist Scott Shriner and his wife, true crime author Jillian Lauren, have had their fair share of ups and downs while living in Los Angeles with their two kids. Prior to their marriage, Lauren, worked as a call girl for Prince Jefri Bolkiah of the Brunei royal family, writing about her experience in her 2010 memoir "Some Girls: My Life in a Harem." Shriner, meanwhile, joined Weezer in 2001 after spending time in the marines and touring with Vanilla Ices backing band. The pair tied the knot in 2005. Two decades later in March 2025, Lauren revealed she had been diagnosed with an undisclosed for of cancer. One month later, she was arrested on an attempted murder charge after allegedly firing a handgun at a Los Angeles Police Department officer. She was released on $1million bond. On April 8, 2025, around 3:25 p.m., the California Highway Patrol requested a backup locating three misdemeanor hit-and-run suspects, who fled into a residential neighborhood, a Wednesday, April 9, press release reads. As the officers were in the rear yard of that residence, they observed a female, later identified as 51-year-old Jillian Shriner, in the yard of a neighboring residence armed with a handgun. Travis Barker and Shanna Moaklers Ups and Downs: Inside Their Explosive Divorce and More Neither Shriner nor Lauren addressed the arrest at the time. Keep scrolling for the couples complete relationship timeline, spanning two decades and counting. 2005 Courtesy of Jillian Lauren/Instagram Shriner and Lauren married in Hawaii in 2005. 2009 Courtesy of Jillian Lauren/Instagram The couple adopted son Tariku Moon from Ethiopia. Lauren later opened up about her fertility struggles in a 2015 post for her Motherhood Later blog, explaining how it led her and Shriner to adoption. On paper, I might not be considered the best candidate for motherhood, she wrote. My husband Scott and I had a long and circuitous road to parenting, including the whole painful infertility thing. We eventually found the right path for us and adopted our son [Tariku] from Ethiopia. Motley Crue Rocker Vince Neils Four Marriages and Relationship History 2016 Shriner and Lauren adopted Jovanni Jovi Starshine, growing their family to four. I've been holding on to dozens of pictures these last 8 months and now that it's all final Jovi can go ahead and break the Internet. Shriner wrote via Instagram at the time. We believed in you from the minute we looked into the depths your sparkling, huge eyes, Lauren wrote to Jovi on his gotcha day. My heart still kvells every time I see them peeking up from behind the couch, where you like to hide and wait for us to find you. There is nothing in this world as wildly sweet as watching those eyes open when you wake. Britney Spears and Sam Asghari: A Timeline of Their Relationship March 2025 Courtesy of Jillian Lauren/Instagram Lauren revealed in March 2025 that she has been battling cancer, posting a photo of herself via Instagram lying in a hospital bed while smiling and giving a thumbs-up sign. She did not disclose what kind of cancer she was fighting. Yes, I have a little bit of the C word yall. I know a lot of us do, she wrote. Im here to thank the incredible oncology team here, who pulled me through a complicated operation without a hitch. 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. April 2025 Courtesy of Scott G Shriner/Instagram Police arrived at Shriner and Laurens home in response to a misdemeanor hit and run on April 8. Upon arrival, they found Lauren armed with a handgun in a neighbors yard. She allegedly refused to drop her weapon when LAPD officers ordered her to, and received a non-life-threatening gunshot wound at a local hospital, according to an LAPD statement. She was charged with felony attempted murder before being released on a $1 million bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on April 30, 2025. The couple did not address the incident at the time and Us Weekly has reached out for comment. (Reuters) - China is delaying approval for plans by Chinese automakers Geely and BYD to produce cars in Latin America as U.S. tariffs fuel trade and economic uncertainties, two people with knowledge of the matter said. Geely and Renault said in February they had reached an agreement for Geely to use the French automaker's production facilities in Brazil and take a minority stake in Renault's business in the Latin American country. BYD announced plans for a Mexican plant in 2023 and said last year it would announce where the factory would be located by the end of 2024. But approval from Beijing has taken longer than anticipated for both projects and China's state planner told representatives at the automakers that there would be technology transfer risks in the plans, without elaborating, the people said. Officials at the country's auto industry associations also cautioned in separate conversations with the automakers that U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs would create uncertainties in global trade and economies, and complicate the risks and returns of their investments, they said. The people cautioned that discussions were still fluid and subject to change. A third source said that authorities had become more strict and cautious on investments by Chinese automakers abroad, but not to the point where they would completely stop accepting applications. The review timeline had been lengthened and they will ask enterprises to submit more materials, the source added. Geely said in a statement that its cooperation with Renault in Brazil had been successful, with no delays or extra scrutiny, noting that its EVs had launched locally this week, just 52 days after the agreement was signed. BYD, Renault and China's state planner, the National Development and Reform Commission, did not immediately reply to requests for comment. The Financial Times reported in March, citing sources, that China was delaying approval for BYD's Mexican plant due to concerns that the technology developed by the EV maker could leak to the United States. The approval delays come as Chinese automakers have in recent years announced plans to manufacture more abroad, as markets such as Europe impose tariffs on cars exported from China. Geely, whose founder also owns the Volvo and Polestar brands, has been seeking partnerships to expand overseas. It has been teaming up with Renault to produce cars with Geely's technologies in South Korea. Geely unveiled the Geely EX5 for the Brazilian market on Wednesday and said the model would go on sale from July, initially in 18 cities with 23 dealerships. It didn't give a timeline for local production. While BYD still makes more than 90% of its sales in China, it has been building passenger vehicle factories in Hungary, Mexico, Thailand, Uzbekistan and Brazil to serve its major overseas markets and increasing investments in marketing abroad. (Reporting by Shanghai and Beijing Newsrooms. Additional reporting by Gilles Guillaume in Paris. Editing by Mark Potter) A federal judge directed the Trump administration late Thursday to take all available steps to bring a Maryland father who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador back to the United States. The directive by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis of Maryland came hours after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the Justice Department to begin the process of releasing Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported last month even though he had won an earlier protective order barring his expulsion. Xinis has scheduled a hearing in the case for Friday afternoon. Federal immigration agents arrested Abrego Garcia, 29, on March 12 after pulling him over in an Ikea parking lot near his home in Beltsville, Maryland, about half an hour outside of Washington, D.C. The Trump administration contends he is a member of the MS-13 gang, although it has presented no evidence to back up that claim. Three days after his arrest, Abrego Garcia was expelled from the U.S. and sent to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT, which has been criticized for its harsh and dangerous conditions, as well as its rough treatment of prisoners. Xinis ruled on April 4 that the U.S. government acted illegally by deporting Abrego Garcia and instructed the Trump administration to facilitate and effectuate his return to the United States. Government attorneys filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, which ruled Thursday that the U.S. must begin taking steps to release him. The high court, however, sent the case back to Xinis and asked her to clarify what she meant by effectuate, saying she may have gone too far in telling Trump officials how to manage foreign affairs. In her response Thursday night, Xinis said the administration must take all available steps to facilitate Abrego Garcias return "as soon as possible." Kilmar Abrego Garcia, 29, was detained by federal immigration agents while his son, pictured here, was in the backseat. The Trump administration has said his deportation to a notorious prison in El Salvador was a clerical error. She also instructed the government to provide information on his location and custodial status, what steps have been taken to facilitate his return, and what additional steps they plan to take and when. The administration admitted in court documents that Abrego Garcias deportation was a mistake, which it blamed on an administrative error. But the Justice Department has said it has no authority to return the Maryland father to the United States because he is in a foreign country. On Friday, government attorneys asked Xinis for more time to respond to her latest order. Xinis denied their request to delay the hearing, calling the governments deportation of Abrego Garcia "wholly illegal from the moment it happened." Abrego Garcias attorneys said the administration should have already been taking steps to secure his release. The Government continues to delay, obfuscate, and flout court orders, while a mans life and safety is at risk, his attorneys said in court documents. The governments request for an extension is another stunning display of arrogance and cruelty, they said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge directs US to return wrongly deported man 'as soon as possible' Joe Raedle/Getty Images A sign at the Miami International Airport indicates lines for travelers using the Global Entry or Mobile Passport Control services. U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers a free app to streamline international arrivals. The app can be used at 53 U.S. airports and ports. It is good for groups but not as effective as Global Entry membership. A time-saving tool for travelers returning to the United States is just a tap away. After a long international flight, the long lines of passport control and immigration may be disappointing. For a shortcut option the U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers a free app called Mobile Passport Control, or MPC, that can help expedite the security process when arriving back to the United States. The MPC app helps organize and verify traveler information, and provides access to a dedicated security lane or expedited screening through a regular lane. Even though the name of the app signifies a mobile passport, travelers will still need to present a valid, physical passport as part of the security process when using the app. The MPC app is available for use at 53 different airports or ports, including Atlanta (ATL), Cleveland (CLE), Detroit (DTW), Houston (IAH/HOU), New York (JFK/EWR), Orlando (MCO), and Phoenix (PHX). The smartphone app can be downloaded from Apple's App Store or the Google Play Store. Best of all, the MPC app is free and can be used for groups of up to 12, meaning it can save time for families. That's not to say you should have Global Entry. The MPC queue is often closed, even in airports promoting the app. "I've definitely used the app at airports that claim to accept MPC and have ads for it within the airport, only to be told the airport isn't accepting it, so it's not a fail-proof option," Susmita Baral, a senior editor at Travel + Leisure, said. While MPC can be a time-saving tool, frequent international travelers may find more benefits from Global Entry, which provides an even faster and expedited customs arrival process. Travelers with Global Entry frequently use a facial recognition scan to verify their identity and are whisked through the security process in minutes. When traveling with a large group or family, where some of the passengers have Global Entry, and others do not, the Mobile Passport Control can be a helpful travel tip to expedite the process for the non-Global Entry travelers. Plus, sometimes the MPC queue is shorter than Global Entry lines. It is important to remember that MPC and Global Entry are both different services than TSA PreCheck, which provides expedited security screening through domestic checkpoints and has the added feature of not having to remove a belt or shoes. The ultimate time-saving option is when the international airport a traveler is departing from has a customs pre-clearance facility of their own. For example, Dublin Airport (DUB) and Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL) both have United States pre-clearance facilities, where a traveler goes through the necessary visit with a CBP officer before taking off. Once the traveler lands back in the United States, they land as a domestic passenger and do not have to go through customs like other international flights. Dublin Airport estimates this feature helps travelers save up to two hours of time on their total trip. Additionally, Dublin Airport and Montreal Airport both accept the Mobile Passport Control App, which can add even more to the time savings. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure Ghislaine Maxwell asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to overturn her sex-trafficking conviction, arguing she was covered by a non-prosecution agreement the government made with her former paramour, Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. She was convicted on five counts of aiding Epstein in his abuse of underage girls in December 2021. A federal appeals court rejected her argument that Epsteins non-prosecution agreement, arranged in 2007, barred her prosecution in New York. She urged the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider her case. MORE: Appeals court upholds sex crimes conviction of Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell Despite the existence of a non-prosecution agreement promising in plain language that the United States would not prosecute any co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein, the United States in fact prosecuted Ghislaine Maxwell as a co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein, her attorneys wrote in their petition. Maxwell said the US Supreme Court should resolve differences of opinion among federal appeals court as to whether a non-prosecution arranged in one district can be enforced in another. PHOTO: Ghislaine Maxwell attends VIP Evening of Conversation for Women's Brain Health Initiative, Moderated by Tina Brown at Spring Studios on October 18, 2016 in New York City. (Sylvain Gaboury/Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) A defendant should be able to rely on a promise that the United States will not prosecute again, without being subject to a gotcha in some other jurisdiction that chooses to interpret that plain language promise in some other way, defense attorney David Markus wrote. Four women testified at trial they had been abused as minors at Epstein's homes in Florida, New York, New Mexico and the Virgin Islands and said Maxwell, the daughter of British newspaper magnate Robert Maxwell, had talked them into giving Epstein massages that turned sexual. They testified they were lured with gifts and promises about how Epstein could use his money and connections to help them. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Ghislaine Maxwell, jailed Epstein accomplice, appeals case to US Supreme Court originally appeared on abcnews.go.com BrightDrop EV delivery vans are stored in rows in a lot in Flint, Mich., on March 12. DETROIT General Motors is cutting production of its all-electric BrightDrop delivery vans at a plant in Canada and will idle the facility through much of this year. The plant will be reduced from two shifts to one shift eliminating 500 jobs after being idled beginning next month for roughly 20 weeks until October. Battery pack assembly at the plant also will be down for two weeks before the prolonged shutdown. The Detroit automaker on Friday confirmed the plans for its CAMI assembly plant in Ontario and said the decisions are not related to President Donald Trumps tariffs. This adjustment is directly related to responding to market demand and re-balancing inventory. Production of BrightDrop and EV battery assembly will remain at CAMI, GM said in an emailed statement. Lana Payne, president of Canadian union Unifor, which represents workers at the plant, described the actions as a crushing blow to hundreds of working families in Ingersoll and the surrounding region who depend on this plant. General Motors must do everything in its power to mitigate job loss during this downturn, and all levels of government must step up to support Canadian auto workers and Canadian-made products, Payne said in a release. GM launched its BrightDrop vans as a fully owned subsidiary in 2021, before folding it into the companys fleet business in 2023. It then folded BrightDrop into its Chevrolet brand in 2024. GM had high expectations of making BrightDrop into a new, lucrative growth business for the automaker, but sales and revenue did not meet the companys initial expectations. BrightDrop was expected to generate $1 billion in revenue in 2023. GM declined to disclose BrightDrops revenue, but its highly unlikely the target was achieved. In 2023 and 2024, the automaker only sold about 2,000 of the electric vans, according to its sales reports. The idling plans come weeks after a Detroit Free Press report that hundreds of BrightDrop vehicles were lining a storage lot in Flint, Michigan. Unifor said while GM has indicated it remains committed to the CAMI facility, with upgrades for the 2026 model year, the immediate future remains uncertain without stronger domestic support and fair market access, citing Trumps tariffs. The reality is the U.S. is creating industry turmoil. Trumps short-sighted tariffs and rejection of EV technology is disrupting investment and freezing future order projections, said Payne. This is creating an opening for China and other foreign automakers to dominate the global EV market while the North America industry risks falling behind. More from CNBC: 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. 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. 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. 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. Apr. 10, 2025 debate on SHB 1531 on communcable diseases Screenshot | TVW (The Center Square) The Washington State Senate on Thursday passed a controversial bill on vaccines and other public health requirements during communicable disease outbreaks. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1531, which aims to ensure public health responses to communicable diseases are guided by the best available science," passed the House of Representatives on March 8. Rep. Dan Bronoske, D-Lakewood, is the bills prime sponsor. He told The Center Square the bill is not about mandating vaccines or trying to resurrect bad feelings from the pandemic. This isnt me trying to poke someone in the eye, he said. Job losses and the entire experience, its going to take us a generation to heal from all of that, so this isnt me poking the bear. Im trying to just provide clarity to local health officers to go do what they need to do. Sen. Annette Cleveland, D-Vancouver, voiced support for the bill ahead of Thursday's final vote on the Senate floor. Part of public health is science; evidence-based, peer-reviewed data-driven science, she said. This bill will help ensure access to public health information thats backed by science for every member of the state. Sen. Ron Muzzall, R-Oak Harbor, said he could not vote in favor of the bill. I think the last four or five years are evidence that we cannot be sure what the best available science is, he reasoned. Sen. Leonard Christian, R-Spokane Valley, also spoke in opposition to the bill. I served in the military for 20 years, and during that time, I was not allowed to talk to the media for any reason; even though I went to crash investigation school and learned how and why airplanes would crash, I still was barred at any point of time with talking to the media. I believe this bill is doing the same thing, he said. It is making it so any dissent from the official policy is quashed. I believe this is a bad bill and a black eye on the First Amendment. I want to hear everything, all of the science available and I believe this hides peoples right to be able to speak. The bill was approved on a final vote in the Senate of 31-18. Sen. Paul Harris, R-Vancouver, voted with all Democrats in favor. All Republicans voted against the bill. It now goes to Gov. Bob Ferguson for his signature. The bill contains an emergency clause, and if signed into law by the governor, would take effect immediately. Ravena Hanniely/Instagram Ravena Hanniely Brazilian influencer Ravena Hanniely opened up about her ice-cold photoshoot in Spain that landed her in the hospital. The 24-year-old shared test photos from the photoshoot on Instagram on April 7, which featured her posed in the snow wearing a light blue bikini, a white beanie and some running shoes. In the caption, she wrote she was "inspired by other influencers" who had similar photos taken, but her experience had a dramatic end. "The result was rather dramatic," she wrote at the time. "I ended up in the emergency with real bumbum pain because of the -10 degrees Celsius [14 degrees Fahrenheit] cold! . Seriously my bumbum REALLY froze! ." Ravena Hanniely/Instagram Ravena Hanniely Related: Brazilian Influencers Drown at 'Devil's Throat' After Refusing to Wear Life Jackets to Take Selfies and Tan 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 juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Hanniely also recounted the harrowing experience to Jam Press via The New York Post on April 10 and revealed her butt was completely numb and I couldnt even sit" after her outdoor photoshoot. I wanted to do something memorable, something different, she continued when sharing about her inspiration for the photoshoot. "I spent a long time adjusting the scenery, lighting and poses to get the perfect result." But after she snapped the photos, Hanniely started to "lose feeling" in her butt. At first, it felt manageable," she added. "But then my body started to lock up. I was freezing my buttocks off. She ended up going to the emergency room once the panic set in. The doctors informed Hanniely that she suffered from frostbite, though they warned she could've developed "localized hypothermia." Ravena Hanniely/Instagram Ravena Hanniely Related: Influencer Dies at 28 After Falling 65 Feet While Mountain Climbing According to the Mayo Clinic, hypothermia can occur when a person's body loses heat faster than it can produce and the internal body temperature falls below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. In some cases, long periods of exposure to cold temperatures can lead to frostbite, which causes symptoms like numbness, tingling and pain. While Hanniely knew she planned the photoshoot carefully, "the cold was much more intense than I expected. We get so excited about our ideas that we forget the risks, she continued. It looked beautiful, yes, but it was also very dangerous. The shot came, but so did the struggle. Read the original article on People GREENBELT, MD A federal judge Friday ordered the Trump administration to provide immediate information on the whereabouts of a Maryland father whom the Supreme Court affirmed Thursday must be returned after being improperly deported to El Salvador. When a Justice Department attorney said the administration needed more time to respond to questions about the man's location and status, the judge said she found it "extremely troubling" that the government, after all this time, could not say where Kilmar Abrego Garcia is today. "So youve done nothing?" U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis asked. She repeatedly asked what administration officials had told him. "They have not provided that confirmation to me before this hearing today," the Justice Department lawyer, Drew Ensign, said. "Even though I directed that that information be shared?" the judge replied. "Its quite basic. Im not asking for state secrets. Im asking where one man who was wrongly and illegally deported from this country is," she said. "What Im sure is, hes not here, and the government was prohibited from sending him to El Salvador. Im asking just a very simple question: Where is he?" Ensign told Xinis that the administration was working across three cabinet departments but could not offer details on Abrego Garcia's whereabouts and the specific plans in place to bring him home. Xinis ordered daily updates to begin this weekend. She set the next hearing for April 16. Xinis directive came just hours after the U.S. Supreme Court instructed government attorneys to begin the process of bringing Abrego Garcia back to the United States. Friday's hearing came as the White House prepared to host Salvadoran president Nayib Bukele on Monday. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to speculate whether it was feasible for Bukele to even bring Abrego Garcia aboard his plane. Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, the attorney representing Abrego Garcia's relatives, stood beside several family members, addressing questions from dozens of reporters packed under an outdoor stairway in the pouring rain outside the federal courthouse in Maryland on Friday afternoon. He said what the judge is asking Trump officials to do is simple. He referenced a recent trip by the head of Homeland Security to El Salvador in the wake of the recent deportations. I dont think theres anyone in this country who believes the government when they say, 'We dont know how to do that. We can't figure out how to get someone out of a Salvadoran jail.' They got Kristi Noem out of Salvadoran jail, right? I mean, they can get Kilmar Abrego Garcia out of that same jail. Thomas Schwenn joined a cadre of supporters who waited outside the federal courthouse in the rain holding wet handmade signs. The 36-year-old said he doesn't know Abrego Garcia and he hadn't been to prior hearings at the courthouse, but he took the day off work as a building technician in the Washington, D.C. public schools because "I had to," choking up as he added, "I need to show up." Thomas Schwenn, 36, of Greenbelt, MD, took the day off work to stand outside a federal courthouse with his dog Mango and a neighbor, protesting the Trump administration deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who lives in a nearby town, to El Salvador. He lives in Greenbelt, which he said "is close enough to Beltsville," where Abrego Garcia lives, and "nobodys coming to my place of business and snatching me up," he said. "I want my neighbor back," he said. His sign called for "habeas corpus," an ancient legal phrase that references the right for a person to appear in court in person. His message, he said, is that what the administration is doing is shameful: "America, the world is watching." Federal immigration agents arrested Abrego Garcia, 29, on March 12 after pulling him over in an Ikea parking lot near his home in Beltsville, Maryland, about half an hour outside of Washington. The Trump administration contends he is a member of the MS-13 criminal gang, although it has presented no evidence to back up that claim. Three days after his arrest, Abrego Garcia was expelled from the U.S. and sent to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT, which has been criticized for its harsh and dangerous conditions, as well as its rough treatment of prisoners. Xinis ruled on April 4 that the U.S. government acted illegally by deporting Abrego Garcia and instructed the Trump administration to facilitate and effectuate his return to the United States. Government attorneys filed an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court, which ruled Thursday that the U.S. must begin the process of releasing him. The high court, however, sent the case back to Xinis and asked her to clarify what she meant by effectuate, saying she may have gone too far in telling Trump officials how to manage foreign affairs. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant who lived in the U.S. legally with a work permit and was erroneously deported to El Salvador, is seen wearing a Chicago Bulls hat, in this handout image obtained by Reuters on April 9, 2025. In a response filed Thursday night, Xinis said the administration must take all available steps to facilitate Abrego Garcias return as soon as possible. She also instructed the government to provide information on his location and custodial status, what steps have been taken to facilitate his return, and what additional steps they plan to take and when. An 'administrative error': A Maryland dad was sent to El Salvador prison by mistake. Can his community get him back? The administration admitted in court documents that Abrego Garcias deportation was a mistake, which it blamed it on an administrative error. But the Justice Department has said it has no authority to return him to the United States because he is in a foreign country. Abrego Garcias attorneys said in court documents filed Friday that the administration should have already been taking steps to secure his release. The Government continues to delay, obfuscate, and flout court orders, while a mans life and safety is at risk, they wrote. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge orders daily updates on Maryland man wrongly deported By Blake Brittain and Tom Hals GREENBELT, Maryland (Reuters) -A U.S. federal judge said on Friday it was "extremely troubling" that the Trump administration failed to comply with her court order to provide details on the status of a Maryland resident it illegally deported to El Salvador. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis demanded at a hearing that the administration identify the whereabouts of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was sent to El Salvador on March 15 despite an order protecting him from deportation, and update her daily on its efforts to secure his return. Abrego Garcia's family sued to challenge the legality of his deportation and on April 4 Xinis ordered the administration to "facilitate and effectuate" his return. The administration challenged that order at the Supreme Court, which upheld Xinis' order but said the term "effectuate" was unclear and may exceed the court's authority. Republican President Donald Trump's administration has acknowledged Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant who was living in Maryland and has had a work permit since 2019, was deported by mistake. But it has said it cannot immediately bring him back and that diplomatic relations cannot operate at the speed with which the courts are demanding. Asked on Friday if Trump would seek the return of Abrego Garcia on Monday when he meets Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the Supreme Court ruling made clear the administrations responsibility was to facilitate Abrego Garcias return, not to effectuate the return. 'BASED ON THE RECORD, YOU'VE DONE NOTHING' The case highlights the administration's tensions with federal courts. Several courts have blocked Trump's policies and judges have expressed frustration with the administration's delays in meeting court orders. At Friday's court hearing in Greenbelt, Maryland, Xinis repeatedly pressed Department of Justice lawyer Drew Ensign for answers about what the administration had done to get Abrego Garcia back. She said it was "extremely troubling" the government had not even told her where he is. "The record, as it stands, is despite this court's clear directive, your clients have done nothing to facilitate the return of Mr. Abrego Garcia," the judge said. "You aren't providing anything on the record about this, so based on the record, you've done nothing." Ensign said that the government would comply with the Supreme Court's ruling but that her deadlines for providing her with information about his location and plans to return him were too tight. "We simply believe that the court's deadlines are impracticable, but that is not to say that the government is not intending to comply with the Supreme Court's order," Ensign said. A small number of protesters gathered outside the court on Friday holding signs demanding Abrego Garcia's return, and a sign on a pet dog read, "'MUST' MEANS MUST," referring to the court's order to return the Maryland man. The Supreme Court said the Trump administration must take steps to facilitate Abrego Garcia's release from custody in El Salvador and detail the steps it has taken and will take to return him to the United States, but that Xinis should clarify her order "with due regard for deference" to the executive branch of government. Abrego Garcia was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers on March 12 and questioned about alleged gang affiliation. He was deported on March 15 on one of three high-profile deportation flights to El Salvador that also included alleged Venezuelan gang members, many of whom have no criminal records. Democrats and civil rights groups argue the Trump administration is violating foreign nationals' due process rights. They cite the deportations of Abrego Garcia and the Venezuelan migrants along with efforts to deport university students on valid visas who took part in pro-Palestinian protests. The administration has said courts are overstepping their authority and unduly restricting the executive branch's discretion, notably in foreign policy. (Reporting by Blake Brittain in Greenbelt and Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Additional reporting by Nandita Bose; Writing by Luc Cohen; Editing by Noeleen Walder and Howard Goller) A judge on Thursday ruled that Fox News cannot depose a Democratic megadonor as part of an ongoing multibillion-dollar defamation lawsuit brought against the network by voting machine company Smartmatic. Reid Hoffman -- the co-founder of LinkedIn and prominent Democrat donor - previously invested in Smartmatic to help boost them in their litigation against Fox News and others. As such, Fox News sought a deposition from Hoffman in order to find out what he learned about the company's finances. Instead, a judge ordered that Hoffman's associate -- Dmitri Mehlhorn -- can be deposed instead. MORE: Fox News to turn over more evidence in Smartmatic defamation suit, including Murdoch documents Smartmatic is suing Fox News for $2.7 billion after the company said the network spread false claims about them rigging the 2020 election in favor of Joe Biden. Fox News has maintained that it was airing newsworthy allegations. and has disputed Smartmatic's damages claims. During a hearing in downtown Manhattan on Thursday, Fox News argued that Hoffman and Melhorn had "relevant information" about Smartmatic's finances following a meeting they had with the company's CEO -- information Fox News claimed could undercut Smartmatic's claims of financial loss. Hoffman and Melhorn received "a briefing from the CEO of the company," Fox New's attorney Winn Allen said, during which the CEO "described Smartmatic's revenue, profit, and growth over time." PHOTO: In this Aug. 23, 2023, file photo, the Fox News logo is pictured in Milwaukee. (Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP via Getty Images, FILE) "Those are key issues," Allen said. In an interview with the Washington Post last year, Melhorn told the publication that Smartmatic "could be a $400 million company right now if not for the slander and the smears." Fox has highlighted that comment as they argue that Smartmatic's damages claims are "a complete and total fiction." But an attorney for Hoffman told the judge that any information he received on financials from the company before his "political" investment was brief and broad. "It's very shaky and unreliable evidence to chase down," Hoffman's attorney argued, "and there's a real risk of burden and harassment." In a statement responding to the ruling, Fox News said they are "eager and ready to continue defending our press freedoms and look forward to deposing Dmitri Mehlhorn." Judge rules Fox News can't depose Democratic megadonor as part of Smartmatic suit originally appeared on abcnews.go.com El Paso Police Department Jorge Mares Raygoza's mugshot A man has been arrested in Texas for allegedly strangling his wife to death after finding out she had an affair, according to reports. The El Paso Police Department shared in a statement on X that officers arrested Jorge Mares Raygoza, 47, on murder charges on March 28 in connection with the death of Coral Llamas Sifuentes, 45. Police said its Crimes Against Persons unit was contacted by the FBI about a death investigation into Sifuentes, who was found deceased in Juarez, Mexico. However, United States authorities were informed by Mexican investigators that it was believed she was murdered in the U.S. Detectives met with Raygoza on March 28 and obtained a warrant for his arrest. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility on a $1.25 million bond. Getty Stock image of a police car The El Paso Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment on the incident. Raygoza and Sifuentes had been married, though they lived in two separate states with the former residing in in Hobbs, N.M. Sifuentes lived in El Paso with their children, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by KVIA-TV, KFOX14 and KTSM-TV. Raygoza worked Monday through Friday at a warehouse job and visited El Paso on the weekends to see his family, according to the affidavit, per the outlets. However, he learned on March 18 that his wife was allegedly having an affair over the past two years and discovered her at a hotel with another man, per KVIA-TV and KFOX14. Raygoza then confronted her about the alleged affair on March 21, per the affidavit. He later confessed to police that he flew into a rage and strangled her for about 30 minutes before dressing her and storing her in the backseat of her car. He then proceeded to drive to a job interview in El Paso, per KVIA-TV. 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. El Paso Police Department Jorge Mares Raygoza's mugshot According to the affidavit, following the interview, cameras captured Raygoza driving Sifuentes car into Juarez through the Ysleta Port of Entry before returning to the U.S. in the same vehicle. He admitted to police, per KFOX14, that he drove to El Paso to dump her body. He also destroyed her phone and smartwatch, according to the affidavit, per KTSM-TV. The Chihuahua Attorney General's Office in Mexico claimed that Sifuentes died of asphyxiation by strangulation, and said her body was discovered on the Periferico Camino Real highway in Juarez on March 22, according to KVIA-TV. The El Paso Police Department began investigating Sifuentes death after FBI investigators were notified by Mexican authorities that Raygoza had come forward to identify her body. He allegedly came forward after seeing a news release on her death and identified her shoes, per KFOX14 and KTSM-TV. The El Paso Police Department said the investigation into Sifuentes death is still ongoing. Read the original article on People Convicted murderer captured after being mistakenly released from jail: US Marshals 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. 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. 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." 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. 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. "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 Courtesy of Alexis Montano (2) Alexis-Montano-02-041125-f839ea7d47b24cef92efbffb17b53c4c.jpg Alexis Olsen shared a viral TikTok video revealing that her husband Chris surprised her by renting out an AMC movie theater so that they could watch their wedding video. The private showing happened on April 8, 2023, a few months after their wedding took place at the Rosewood in San Miguel de Allende on Oct. 8, 2022. She said her husband came up with the whole idea himself and even convinced the manager of their local theater to hold the showing. A newlywed got a one-of-a-kind experience to view her wedding video. Alexis Olsen shared a viral TikTok video last week which has since garnered nearly 6 million views on the platform revealing that her husband Chris surprised her by renting out an AMC movie theater so that they could watch their wedding video. In the video, Alexis could be seen in a movie theater seat watching the screen with a shocked expression as she slowly realizes what they are watching. She could be seen saying, What?, before excitedly leaning forward as the wedding video continued to play on the big screen. When you think your husband is taking you to see a movie, but he secretly got your wedding video early & convinced AMC to do a surprise private showing, she wrote over the video. Related: Woman Shocked After Stumbling Upon Her Lost 1967 Wedding Video on a Stranger's Facebook Page: 'Can't Believe It' Alexis recalled the romantic moment to PEOPLE, saying, The second I saw our faces on the screen I was just in pure shock and overcome with excitement. We had been waiting over 5 months to get the video back so I was just overall confused how it was being played on the big screen. I think my jaw was on the floor the whole time. She noted that her husband came up with the whole idea himself, though it didnt surprise her as he often goes above and beyond for everything. She said that Chris secretly emailed their videographer asking them to send the video directly to him for the surprise and then called around a few theaters with no luck before deciding to just walk over to their nearby AMC theater in Phoenix, Ariz. and asking the manager in person. 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. He spoke to the general manager, Zack Panlener, and Zack thought the gesture was so incredibly sweet that he said he would love to get it set up for him, for free, that same afternoon, Alexis shared. So Chris had to run back home acting like he was out running an errand and had to convince me to do date night. This all happened on April 8, 2023, a few months after their wedding at the Rosewood in San Miguel de Allende on Oct. 8, 2022. She said she had a whole different idea of what to expect going into it. Chris asked if I wanted to do a date night that night to go see the movie, Air, she revealed, adding that she was initially hesitant to go because shed already made plans with friends to see it. Related: Bride Left 'in Shock' After Unseen Video from Her 1960s Wedding Was Recently Found by Film Student: Couldnt Believe It ... He just kept pushing that he really wanted to see it and go out that night so I finally agreed, she explained. So we walked on over and he must've had all the employees in on it because they scanned his phone at the front even though I don't think you get tickets to something like this but I was just so unaware. We grabbed some popcorn then made our way into the theater. Alexis said she wasnt suspicious that the movie theater was empty, as it was a weekday night around 5 p.m. and the theater was typically pretty slow. She said they had sat down for about two minutes in the theater before the movie began so she didn't have a lot of time to think about previews or anything. I think the video was about 30 minutes long, and yes, we had some popcorn and soda, but I don't think we ate or drank anything because we were just glued to the screen the whole time laughing and crying and then laughing again. Pure Joy!, she recalled. Also shoutout to our videographer, Cinelum (from Queretaro, Mexico) who also helped make it happen, she added. The video itself truly was a movie. Read the original article on People A doctor from Dover, Massachusetts, accused of killing his wife five years ago was found guilty Thursday of voluntary manslaughter. Ingolf Tuerk was also charged with first-degree murder in the 2020 death of Kathleen McLean, whom he is accused of strangling and dumping in a pond. But the jury found him guilty of the lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter in the first degree instead. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 16. Essentially, hes walking out scot-free, said Richard McLean, Kathleens brother. Its a shame the whole thing took five years for us to get to this point, to walk away extremely disappointed. McLeans family says that she is not getting justice, and that Tuerk got away with murder. Ingolf Tuerk and Kathleen McLean . Basically driving down the road and throwing a piece of trash out the window, said Richard McLean. Thats what he did to my sister. What person deserves that? Closing arguments had been presented Wednesday. Defense attorney Kevin Reddington argued in his closing that the killing was not premeditated, as prosecutors have said. He said the night was the culmination of McLeans plan to gain control of Tuerks money and assets. This is all about money, Reddington said. And she played him pretty darn good. I suggest to you that he reacted. He was drunk... He defended himself. And the beauty of the law is that the government has to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he did not act in self defense. Theres no intent to kill, Reddington added. Theres an intent for self preservation. Assistant Norfolk District Attorney Lisa Beatty began her closing argument by describing the scene of McLeans death and how Tuerk disposed of her body like a piece of trash. She said Tuerk did not kill McLean in self defense or snap in the heat of the moment, as Reddington suggested. I would suggest he was quite the opposite. He was cool, he was calm, he was collected. Beatty said Tuerk was worried about losing his money and his house, and did not want to get divorced again. Ladies and gentlemen, I suggest it is not the heat of passion. It is not self defense. It is motive to kill. She noted that she would have been conscious, fighting him while he strangled her. And after the killing, he did not try to resuscitate her or call 911. Instead, prosecutors said, he weighed her down with rocks and left her body in a pond. Prosecutors said the 63-year-old urologist admitted to police what he had done. On the stand Tuesday, he didnt deny the charges, but said his actions were not premeditated. The couple met on an online dating app and married in Las Vegas. Tuerk testified that he had been drinking and didnt really remember their wedding at a drive-thru chapel. I dont really remember. I only remember it was a woman -- thats the only thing I remember -- that talked to us, and the next morning, I was told I was married, he said. They lived together in Dover with children from different marriages. Tuerk was forced to move out after McLean, 45, got a restraining order against him. They reconciled during the pandemic and he moved back into the home they shared. They were drinking one night in the spring of 2020 and Tuerk said she hit him in the head with a glass. He said thats when he strangled her. I kind of blacked out, he said on the stand. Originally from East Germany, Tuerk was arrested at a Dedham hotel and taken to a hospital, where police say he told them he put his wifes body in a pond after the fight in their bedroom. Tuerk recounted for the jury how his wifes body floated to the surface. I walked through the yard and tried to look for something that may, you know, bring her down, he testified. The trial started on March 27 in Norfolk Superior Court. The Menendez brothers, imprisoned over three decades for the murders of their parents, might be up for resentencing that could result in their eventual freedom after a judge ruled the case could go forward despite fierce opposition from the Los Angeles district attorney, according to news reports. Lyle and Erik Menendez were convicted of the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez. The brothers long said that the shotgun killings were an act of self-defense after suffering through years of abuse, and a recent wave of attention on their case has fueled advocate calls for their freedom. They're serving life in prison without the possibility of parole. In an hourslong hearing April 11, Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman sought to persuade Judge Michael Jesic that prosecutors should be allowed to withdraw the petition for resentencing introduced by Hochman's predecessor. In a win for the brothers, Jesic denied Hochman's motion and ruled to go forward with resentencing hearings on April 17 and 18, according to the Associated Press and ABC News. "Justice won over politics. It's been a long time coming," attorney Mark Geragos, who represents the brothers, told reporters. The brothers didn't appear in person for the hearing but made an appearance virtually without making any statements, according to the AP. Last year, former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon petitioned to resentence the two men to 50 years to life on the two counts of first-degree murder, which he said could also put parole on the table. Gascon lost his re-election to Hochman, who announced last month he is asking the court to withdraw the motion to resentence them. "They do not meet the standards for rehabilitation. They have not exhibited the full insights and accepted complete responsibility for their actions," Hochman said in his argument against resentencing. What happened in the 1989 killing? The Menendezes were convicted in 1996 of the 1989 slaying of their parents in a retrial after their first murder trial ended with an undecided jury. To secure a conviction the second time, substantial evidence of the abuse the brothers said they suffered at the hands of their parents was excluded, their attorneys contend. The Menendezes original trial featured testimony from the brothers accusing their father of horrific physical and sexual abuse. Their attorneys argued that the young men Lyle was 21 and Erik was 18 at the time of the murders killed their parents out of self-defense, because they believed, perhaps irrationally, that their parents were going to kill them to stop them from exposing the abuse. Prosecutors argued that the brothers were lying about the abuse and killed their parents to obtain their estimated $15 million fortune, claims fueled by a lavish spending spree the pair went on after the murders. The back-and-forth on resentencing The question of the brothers' resentencing has been the subject of a legal rigamarole with two LA prosecutors on opposite sides. Gascon, the former district attorney, said in his call for resentencing that the Menendezes had "paid their debt to society." He said he was considering new evidence related to the alleged abuse and met with family members who support the brothers. He also pointed to their overall good behavior while incarcerated, participating in programs and receiving an education. Gascon acknowledged his decision came after fierce internal debate in the prosecutor's office, with some vehemently opposed to resentencing. After Hochman took over, he said he was requesting to withdraw the petition for resentencing made by his predecessor. Hochman argued the brothers continuously lied after their parents' murders and never took full responsibility for their actions. Hochman contends the self-defense argument the brothers made in court was "fabricated." A groundswell of public support for the brothers followed the release of the Netflix documentary The Menendez Brothers about the case last year. Another Netflix offering, a dramatized portrayal, was also released. Members of their family have also publicly supported the brothers' release and said they have forgiven them. The family released a statement accusing Hochman of playing "political games" after he announced he was withdrawing support for resentencing, Variety reported. They have apologized for their actions, which were the results of Joses sexual abuse and Kittys enablement, the family said. They have apologized for the horrific actions they took. They have apologized to us. And, they have demonstrated their atonement through actions that have helped improve countless lives. Yet, DA Hochman is effectively asking for them to publicly apologize to a checklist of actions they took in a state of shock and fear. Menendez family backs brothers ahead of hearing Eight family members of the Menendez brothers told ABC News in an interview the night before the April 11 hearing that they are unanimous in their support for their release from prison. Jose Menendez's sister, Terry Baralt, told the outlet in her first interview in decades that the brothers are "like the boys that I didnt have." Baralt, now 85, has cancer and said she is worried she won't live to see them out of prison. "Its time 35 years is a long time," she said. "Its a whole branch of my family erased. The ones that are gone and the ones that are still paying for it, which were kids." What happens next in the Menendez brothers case? The Menendez brothers are scheduled to be back in court for resentencing hearings on April 17 and 18, after a delay from an earlier date due to wildfires in California. Resentencing is one of the pathways toward potential freedom the Menendez brothers have pursued. California Gov. Gavin Newsom has also scheduled a June parole board hearing date to determine whether an application for clemency can go forward. Contributing: N'dea Yancey-Bragg and Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Menendez brothers resentencing: Judge rejects DA motion Larry W. Smith/Getty Police tape hangs across the street A Detroit woman has been charged with allegedly stabbing her dog and then posting a video of the injured dog on social media, according to a Wayne County Prosecutors Office news release. On Wednesday, April 9, Jordan Love, 29, who previously fled Michigan after allegedly abusing her dog, was charged with second-degree killing/torturing animals and abandoning/cruelty to four to 10 animals. She could face seven years in prison for the first charge, and an additional two years for the second charge. Love allegedly stabbed the dog multiple times and posted a video showing the abuse on social media on Friday, Feb. 7. She allegedly admitted to stabbing the dog in the video. She said she did so because it went after one of her cats, according to the Wayne County Prosecutors Office. Love then fled Michigan, left behind three dogs and four cats, and headed to Greenville, S.C. On Friday, Feb. 7, the Detroit Animal Control (DAC) officers were called to a home in the 15200 block of Manning Street for reports that a dog had been stabbed. Upon arrival, they had to force entry and then discovered the dog in the basement with multiple stab wounds to its torso. DAC officers took two more dogs and four cats from Loves home. Related: 'Brave' Dog Stabbed 29 Times on the Road to Recovery After Attack: 'The Boy Won't Give Up' Getty Stock image of a police siren Authorities located her in Greenville on Thursday, March 20. Wayne County Prosecutors Office detectives extradited her to Michigan on Wednesday, April 9. She was arraigned on Thursday, April 10, and given a $50,000 cash/surety bond with a GPS tether. A bond re-determination hearing is scheduled for April 14 at 9 a.m. The probable cause conference is scheduled for April 21, and the preliminary examination is scheduled for April 28. Related: Ohio Cat Rescued After Being Locked In Gas Station Freezer "The WCPO has always taken the abuse of animals very seriously. We have impacted legislation and have been proactive with the applicable laws - seeking and fighting to change them in many instances, Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy said. Although we never really anticipated the alleged brutally and cruelty that this case represents, as a result of our earlier efforts, this case is a clear representation of why better laws were needed," she said. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. A representative for Wayne County Prosecutors Office did not respond to PEOPLEs request for more information on Thursday. Read the original article on People Election clerk working in a dark office on a computer. - Brittany Greeson for Votebeat Michigan is short of clerks to oversee elections, but harassment and workload turn people away Sharon Tyler stepped down as Berrien County clerk last year. After 12 years in the role, she was tired of missing out on family events and time with her grandchildren because of a growing workload. The death threats didn't help. When her grandchildren asked to have a sleepover, "I'd have to say, 'No, sorry, I've got early voting. I've got an election,'" she recalled. "I missed out on a lot of it." In Michigan, local clerks have a lot of responsibilities. They manage elections, issue marriage certificates, handle requests for public documents, and numerous other duties. And just the election part has grown in recent years. Changes to the state Constitution to expand voting rightslike Prop 3 in 2018 and Prop 2 in 2022have increased the amount of work clerks have to put into elections. They now have to stand ready to register voters on Election Day, run at least eight days of early voting, and manage the distribution of absentee ballots to a growing list of voters every election cycle. The growing demands of the jobcombined with the low pay people have come to associate with civic jobsare discouraging new recruits, limiting the pipeline of talent for a critical role in the democratic process, Votebeat explains. In 2024, research found, 90% of clerk races in Michigan had only one candidate, and some small communities struggled to find anyone to run. Along with heavier workloads, Michigan clerks say they face more scrutiny of their work. In Michigan, 83% of election officials reported receiving more complaints than four years ago, compared with only 55% nationally. While Berrien County, in southwest Michigan, has had relatively smooth elections in recent years, Tyler said she still received threats as part of her job. The pattern is surprising, given that elections in Michigan are run by municipal clerks overseeing smaller jurisdictions, where officials may know their voters more personally, said Paul Gronke, director of the Elections & Voting Information Center, an academic research group, and a professor of political science at Reed College. "You're literally talking about harassing or threatening a friend or a neighbor," Gronke said. "It's disheartening." Michigan clerks struggle to hire workers It's little wonder that many of today's election officials are wary of recommending the job to their own children. A 2024 survey of election administrators by EVIC found that while election officials find their job rewarding, only 22% across the country would encourage their children to follow in their footsteps. In Michigan, the number is slightly higherabout 28%but still well short of a majority. Only 66% of election administrators in Michigan reported being proud of their job, compared with more than three-quarters nationally. And the EVIC study found that Michigan officials struggle more than their counterparts around the country to hire full-time workers: 75% in the state reported that it was more difficult, compared with 56% around the U.S. That matches what Tyler, who is now a Berrien County commissioner, saw during her days as clerk. At one point, she went more than a year without getting even one applicant for an open elections job. In Michigan, local clerks do much of the initial work of electionslike registering voters, mailing out ballots and setting up polling locationsbefore votes are handed off to county clerks who are tasked with reporting results and working with canvassers to certify the election. The job is typically an elected position under state law, but it can also be appointed. In many communities, the job of running elections ends up being part-time because there aren't enough people in townor enough funding in the budgetto allow for a full-time position. The Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks warned local governments in late 2023 about the potential threat to elections if clerks aren't compensated fairly for the amount of work, but wages haven't increased, leaving election officials to simply do more with less. Last September, someone in Bay County grew suspicious and made an emergency call after seeing two people working in Beaver Township Hall after hours. It was the township's clerk and deputy clerk, who were doing required accuracy tests on tabulators. "Because these are part-time positions, the Clerk and her staff are often on site after hours to conduct official business as they also hold other employment outside of the Township," Bay County Clerk Katie Zanotti explained in a statement posted to the county's Facebook page. In Dexter, a city in Washtenaw County, Jenna Kuick is the first full-time city clerk, although she told Votebeat she wasn't the first person to put in full-time hours in that job. The city appointed her to the role in July after it became clear that the city manager could no longer handle administering elections and running the city. [photo] alt text: A tabulator generates a totals tape after an August 2024 primary election in Canton, Michigan. credit: Elaine Cromie // Votebeat What happens if no one wants to be a clerk? Sometimes not a single person wants to run for clerk. Canton Township Clerk Michael Siegrist analyzed more than 50 counties across Michigan and found at least 16 communities that had no one on the ballot seeking to be clerk in the November 2024 election. If no one runs, state law dictates that the community's council has to appoint someone to fill the role. The appointee serves as clerk until the next election, or until there's a special election to fill the job. That election is usually run by either the previous clerk or the county, Siegrist said. Siegrist is second vice president of the Michigan Association of Municipal Clerks, but undertook the research on his own. He found that in July, nearly 10% of clerk positions up for election across the state had no candidates to fill them. Many of those jobs were ultimately filled by write-in candidates, he said. Both Siegrist and EVIC found that around 90% of clerks in Michigan ran unopposed in their most recent election, which in many places was 2024. That could be the result of communities dominated by a single party, Gronke said, but it's more likely that people simply aren't lining up to do the job. Elections officials are often older, doing the work as a second or third act to their careers, and there is typically a limited pipeline of talent to replace these community leaders when they are gone. Michigan is fortunate to have more experienced clerks, broadlyonly about a fifth of clerks in the state have less than four years of experience, the EVIC study found, compared with about 31% nationally. But multiple studies have found that turnover across the country is higher than it once was. Clerks seek greater support from lawmakers In Berrien, Tyler said she was excited to work with her replacement as clerk, Stacy Loar-Porter. Tyler said she wouldn't endorse anyone who she felt wouldn't stay in the role for at least two full terms, wary of seeing such a critical job become just a stepping stone to higher office. "When the clerk leaves, a lot of the staff leave too, and then, oh, change again," Tyler said. Loar-Porter sought out the job because she wanted to make sure the next Berrien County clerk had some experience "in the clerking world." After 16 years as Lincoln Charter Township clerk, she felt ready to support not only her county but also the other clerks in it. She's 49, and she told Votebeat she's ready to do the job for a while yet. "I think a lot of times, people will look at the amount of work and the amount of change clerks have gone through in the past few years and say it's not worth it," she said. "But I love that part. I love elections. I love helping our residents. Having the opportunity to serve our residents is a wonderful opportunity, and it means a lot to me that people trust me enough to do it." It helps that clerks tend to be a tight-knit group, she said. She has mentors around the county and state, and she has the opportunity to mentor others as well. She said she's thankful she gets to keep working with Tyler. Tyler, a former state legislator, said she hopes to see the state lawmakers do more to support local election officials rather than saddling them with more work. To her, more funding would be niceshe credits grants from the state as the only reason Berrien was able to pull off early votingbut so would smarter election laws. In the meantime, she said she plans to continue to advocate for the clerk in her new role as county commissioner. She'll spend time with her grandchildren, maybe take a vacation, and finally take down her Christmas decorations. This story was produced by Votebeat and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. A firing squad in South Carolina on Friday executed a death row inmate who ambushed an off-duty police officer, shot him nine times and set him on fire in 2004. The firing squad put a hood over 42-year-old Mikal Mahdi's head and shot him in the heart simultaneously with three bullets, and he was pronounced dead at 6:05 p.m. ET. His attorney, who witnessed the execution, called it "barbaric" and said it was "a horrifying act that belongs in the darkest chapters of history, not in a civilized society." Mahdi's execution marked South Carolina's second this year using a firing squad, though it's just the fifth in the U.S. since 1977. South Carolina carried out the firing squad execution execution of Brad Keith Sigmon last month in what was the first execution to use the method in the country in 15 years. Mahdi was convicted of the 2004 killing of 56-year-old Capt. James Myers, an off-duty Orangeburg Public Safety officer who was killed at the same spot on his farm property where he and his wife got married. She was the one to find his body. "His heart and mind are full of hate and malice," prosecutor David Pascoe told jurors during Mahdi's trial, according to an archived story in The Times and Democrat. "(He's) the epitome of evil." Mahdi's attorneys had been arguing that he should be spared because he never got the mental health care he "desperately needed" as a child who repeatedly threatened suicide and endured "extraordinary abuse and trauma." Here's what you need to know about the execution. Mikal Mahdi is pictured at age 40 at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, South Carolina in 2023. 125% How was Mikal Mahdi executed? Under execution protocols, Mahdi sat restrained in a metal chair, a hood over his head, in the corner of a room shared by the state's electric chair, witnesses to the execution reported. He delivered no last words. The firing squad team three voluntary corrections staff stood behind a wall with loaded rifles 15 feet from Mahdi. The wall has an opening for the weapons. South Carolina's firing squad chair is pictured behind its electric chair, which is covered, at the Broad River Correctional Institute in Columbia, South Carolina. Death Row inmates can choose among firing squad, electric chair and lethal injection for their executions. If they don't select one, the default is the electric chair. The corrections officers each fired a bullet at a target over his heart. An Associated Press reporter who witnessed the execution said that Mahdi cried out as the shots hit him and then groaned twice about 45 seconds after that. Mahdi continued to breath for about 80 more seconds "before he appeared to take one final gasp," AP reported, adding that Mahdi died less than four minutes after the shots rang out. Capt. James Myers: Slain officer, new wife had big dreams on land where he was killed How common is the firing squad method? Five states South Carolina, Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma and Idaho have legalized firing squads as an execution method, most recently Idaho in 2023. A new bill proposed in Florida could pave the way for firing squad executions in that state, as well. On March 7, South Carolina executed Brad Keith Sigmon by firing squad, the first execution in the U.S. using the method since 2010 and only the fourth since 1977. The previous three were all carried out in Utah. Among the witnesses to Sigmon's execution was his attorney, Gerald Bo King. "Brads death was horrifying and violent," King said in a statement at the time. "It is unfathomable that, in 2025, South Carolina would execute one of its citizens in this bloody spectacle." David Weiss, Mahdi's attorney, said his client chose the firing squad for Friday's execution because it was "the lesser of three evils," saying he risked being "burned and mutilated" in an electric chair or "suffering a lingering death" by lethal injection. South Carolina has defended the constitutionality of all its execution methods. The state's Attorney General's Office does not comment on pending litigation. What was Mikal Mahdi's last meal? Mahdi's last meal was a ribeye steak, mushroom risotto, broccoli, collard greens, cheesecake and sweet tea. Stories of justice and action across the country: Sign up for USA TODAY's This is America newsletter. Why was Mikal Mahdi executed? On July 14, 2004, Mahdi then just 21 years old began a crime spree that spanned four states and included two murders. Mahdi stole a neighbor's gun and station wagon in his home state of Virginia and headed to North Carolina, where he fatally shot gas station clerk Christopher Jason Boggs. Mahdi then went to South Carolina, carjacked a man in downtown Columbia and drove 35 minutes away to a Calhoun County gas station, where he spent at least 45 minutes struggling to get gas with a rejected credit card. A store clerk called police, prompting Mahdi to flee and ditch the car. Shortly after, Mahdi arrived at Myers' farm. Mahdi broke into Myers' shed, where he found guns and laid in wait for the 56-year-old, who had been at the beach that day celebrating the birthdays of his wife, sister and daughter, court records say. When Myers arrived at the shed, Mahdi attacked, shooting him nine times, pouring diesel fuel on his body and setting him on fire before stealing his police truck and multiple guns, court records say. "I found the love of my life, my soulmate, the partner that my life revolved around, lifeless, lying in a pool of blood and his body burned by someone who didn't even know him," Myers' wife, Amy Tripp Myers, testified through tears. "As I screamed those blood-curdling screams of pain and anguish, I instantly knew that the man with whom I had just spent the last six years of my life dreaming of a beautiful future was gone like a vapor." In a letter written by Mahdi and shared by his attorneys, the inmate wrote: "I'm guilty as hell ... What I've done is irredeemable." Who was Capt. James Myers? Born in the South Carolina city of Orangeburg, just southwest of Columbia, Myers began his career with the city's fire department in 1974 before he eventually became a police captain for the Orangeburg Public Safety Department, according to his obituary. As "an avid outdoorsman," the obituary continued, Myers loved fishing, hunting, scuba diving. As a treat for his 53rd birthday, Myers decided to buy a piece of farmland that he worked hard to make his own. In 2002, the day after Valentine's Day, Myers and Amy Tripp Myers were celebrating their new, elaborate shed on the property. "Jim and I looked at the newly raised walls of our shed, hugged each other and, like giddy children full of hope, scratched our names in the freshly poured concrete, just a few feet from the spot where Jim took his last breath," she testified at his trial, according to The Times and Democrat. "I died that night and haven't been the same person since." Who was Mikal Mahdi? As a child, Mahdi's attorneys said he suffered years of physical and emotional abuse and was suicidal by the age of 8. By 9, he was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, and when teachers tried to get him specialized help, his father pulled Mahdi out of the school system and "subjected him to several years of paranoid, survivalist 'home schooling,'" they wrote in court records. When he was 14, Mahdi first entered the juvenile justice system after being convicted of theft, and from then on, "spent most of the rest of his childhood in custody, often kept isolated and alone," they said. Mikal Mahdi is pictured at the age of 8 in Baltimore, Maryland in 1991. Between the ages of 14 and 17, he spent more than 75 days in solitary confinement, and spent about eight more months in solitary by the time he was 21, as well as being on suicide watch, his attorneys said. "Mikal desperately needed mental health care," his attorneys said in a news release. "Instead, he languished in juvenile prison, where he spent thousands of hours in solitary confinement. We now know that punitive isolation is deeply damaging to children." Mahdi's attorneys argued to the South Carolina Supreme Court that the judge who sentenced him to death knew almost nothing about Mahdi's troubled past, information that could have resulted in a lighter sentence. They have also criticized what they say was a weak defense at trial, arguing that Mahdi's attorneys at the time spent less than 30 minutes arguing against the death penalty. It "didnt even span the length of a 'Law & Order' episode and was just as superficial," they said. When is the next execution in the U.S.? Mahdi's execution was the 12th inmate in the U.S. this year and the third in South Carolina. Another inmate was executed in the U.S. this week: Michael Tanzi by lethal injection in Florida on Tuesday. Another two executions, both by lethal injection, are scheduled this month: Moises Sandoval Mendoza in Texas on April 23 and James Osgood in Alabama on April 24. So far, 25 inmates are set to be executed in the U.S. in 2025, but that number is likely to go up as states continue to approve more death warrants. Last year, 25 inmates were executed in the U.S. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Mikal Mahdi executed by firing squad in South Carolina 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. "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. 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. 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. 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. "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. 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. "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) This illustration provided by researchers in April 2025 depicts a Denisovan male in Taiwan in the Pleistocene era about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. (Cheng-Han Sun via AP) 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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." 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." 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) South Sudan's healthcare workers join Chinese language course Xinhua) 10:19, April 11, 2025 JUBA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The fifth Chinese language course for medical staff in South Sudan commenced on Thursday, attracting over 70 students eager to learn and seize opportunities that come with proficiency in Mandarin. In his opening remarks, Yousif Deng Riak Deng, director of programs in the Ministry of Health, encouraged students to seize the opportunity to learn the Chinese language since it helps strengthen the bond between the two countries. "Medical sector is an important priority area for China-South Sudan cooperation, and this cooperation has yielded fruits that resulted in the establishment of diplomatic relations," Deng said in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. He added that the medical equipment donated over the years by the Chinese government has tremendously improved the diagnosis and treatment of complicated ailments. "When our services were not up to standard, a lot of South Sudanese sought medical treatment abroad, but we believe with the donation by China, we are now able to provide various kinds of medical treatment in the country," Deng said. Huo Ying, charge d'affaires at the Chinese Embassy in South Sudan, said the Chinese language has become popular globally due to extensive and in-depth exchanges and cooperation between Chinese people and global citizens. Huo said Mandarin has helped South Sudanese youth, especially medical students, better understand China, Chinese culture and development, including China's contribution to world peace. Isaac Maker, medical director of Juba Teaching Hospital, said the Chinese citizens and their government have continued to provide critical support toward the development of South Sudan since its independence in 2011. He spoke of the completed phase one of the expansion and modernization project for Juba Teaching Hospital. Meanwhile, the second phase is currently underway, as Maker revealed that the Chinese government donated the first-ever modern CT scan to the hospital. Du Changyong, leader of the 12th batch of the Chinese medical team, said they have built harmonious relationships with colleagues from Juba Teaching Hospital. "We have active exchanges and cooperation, learning from each other and making mutual progress. During this period, we have been learning English and the local language from our colleagues at Juba Teaching Hospital; in turn, our colleagues also learn Chinese from us," Du said. According to the language course timetable, the training will take place every Thursday for a span of two months. Since 2021, the medical staff of Juba Teaching Hospital have been attending Chinese language classes. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) 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 firing squad in South Carolina is set to execute a death row inmate who ambushed an off-duty police officer, shot him nine times and set him on fire. Under the state's execution protocols, the firing squad will put a hood over 42-year-old Mikal Mahdi's head and shoot him in the heart simultaneously with three bullets on Friday. It will be the second such execution in the state this year but only the fifth in the U.S. since 1977. South Carolina carried out the firing squad execution execution of Brad Keith Sigmon last month in what was the first execution to use the method in the country in 15 years. Mahdi was convicted of the 2004 killing of 56-year-old Capt. James Myers, an off-duty Orangeburg Public Safety officer who was killed at the same spot on his farm property where he and his wife got married. She was the one to find his body. "His heart and mind are full of hate and malice," prosecutor David Pascoe told jurors during Mahdi's trial, according to an archived story in The Times and Democrat. "(He's) the epitome of evil." Mahdi's attorneys have been arguing that he should be spared because he never got the mental health care he "desperately needed" as a child who repeatedly threatened suicide and endured "extraordinary abuse and trauma." If Mahdi's execution moves forward, he will become the 12th inmate executed in the U.S. this year and the third in South Carolina. Here's what you need to know about the execution. Mikal Mahdi is pictured at age 40 at the Broad River Correctional Institution in Columbia, South Carolina in 2023. 125% When and where will Mikal Mahdi be executed? Mahdi is set to be executed just after 6 p.m. ET on Friday at the Broad River Correctional Institute in Columbia, South Carolina. Stories of justice and action across the country: Sign up for USA TODAY's This is America newsletter. How will Mikal Mahdi be executed? Mahdi will sit restrained in a metal chair, a hood over his head, in the corner of a room shared by the state's electric chair, "which can't be moved," according to the South Carolina Department of Corrections' execution protocols provided to USA TODAY. The firing squad team three voluntary corrections staff will stand behind a wall with loaded rifles 15 feet from Mahdi. The wall will have an opening for the weapons. South Carolina's firing squad chair is pictured behind its electric chair, which is covered, at the Broad River Correctional Institute in Columbia, South Carolina. Death Row inmates can choose among firing squad, electric chair and lethal injection for their executions. If they don't select one, the default is the electric chair. "A small aim point will be placed over his heart by a member of the execution team," the department said. "After the warden reads the execution order, the team will fire ... After the inmate is declared dead, the curtain will be drawn and witnesses escorted out." Witnesses to the execution, which typically involve family members of both the inmate and victim, members of the news media, attorneys and prison staff, "will see the right-side profile of the inmate." The department said that bullet-resistant glass has been installed between the death chamber and the witness room. Capt. James Myers: Slain officer, new wife had big dreams on land where he was killed How common is the firing squad method? Five states South Carolina, Mississippi, Utah, Oklahoma and Idaho have legalized firing squads as an execution method, most recently Idaho in 2023. A new bill proposed in Florida could pave the way for firing squad executions in that state, as well. On March 7, South Carolina executed Brad Keith Sigmon by firing squad, the first execution in the U.S. using the method since 2010 and only the fourth since 1977. The previous three were all carried out in Utah. Among the witnesses to Sigmon's execution was his attorney, Gerald Bo King. "Brads death was horrifying and violent," King said in a statement at the time. "It is unfathomable that, in 2025, South Carolina would execute one of its citizens in this bloody spectacle." David Weiss, Mahdi's attorney, said his client chose the firing squad for Friday's execution because it was "the lesser of three evils," saying he risked being "burned and mutilated" in an electric chair or "suffering a lingering death" by lethal injection. South Carolina has defended the constitutionality of all its execution methods. The state's Attorney General's Office does not comment on pending litigation. Why is Mikal Mahdi being executed? On July 14, 2004, Mahdi then just 21 years old began a crime spree that spanned four states and included two murders. Mahdi stole a neighbor's gun and station wagon in his home state of Virginia and headed to North Carolina, where he fatally shot gas station clerk Christopher Jason Boggs. Mahdi then went to South Carolina, carjacked a man in downtown Columbia and drove 35 minutes away to a Calhoun County gas station, where he spent at least 45 minutes struggling to get gas with a rejected credit card. A store clerk called police, prompting Mahdi to flee and ditch the car. Shortly after, Mahdi arrived at Myers' farm. Mahdi broke into Myers' shed, where he found guns and laid in wait for the 56-year-old, who had been at the beach that day celebrating the birthdays of his wife, sister and daughter, court records say. When Myers arrived at the shed, Mahdi attacked, shooting him nine times, pouring diesel fuel on his body and setting him on fire before stealing his police truck and multiple guns, court records say. "I found the love of my life, my soulmate, the partner that my life revolved around, lifeless, lying in a pool of blood and his body burned by someone who didn't even know him," Myers' wife, Amy Tripp Myers, testified through tears. "As I screamed those blood-curdling screams of pain and anguish, I instantly knew that the man with whom I had just spent the last six years of my life dreaming of a beautiful future was gone like a vapor." In a letter written by Mahdi and shared by his attorneys, the inmate wrote: "I'm guilty as hell ... What I've done is irredeemable." Who was Capt. James Myers? Born in the South Carolina city of Orangeburg, just southwest of Columbia, Myers who went by Jim began his career with the city's fire department in 1974 before he eventually became a police captain for the Orangeburg Public Safety Department, according to his obituary. As "an avid outdoorsman," the obituary continued, Myers loved fishing, hunting, scuba diving. As a treat for his 53rd birthday, Myers decided to buy a piece of farmland that he worked hard to make his own. In 2002, the day after Valentine's Day, Myers and Amy Tripp Myers were celebrating their new, elaborate shed on the property. "Jim and I looked at the newly raised walls of our shed, hugged each other and, like giddy children full of hope, scratched our names in the freshly poured concrete, just a few feet from the spot where Jim took his last breath," she testified at his trial, according to The Times and Democrat. "I died that night and haven't been the same person since." Who is Mikal Mahdi? As a child, Mahdi's attorneys say he suffered years of physical and emotional abuse and was suicidal by the age of 8. By 9, he was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, and when teachers tried to get him specialized help, his father pulled Mahdi out of the school system and "subjected him to several years of paranoid, survivalist 'home schooling,'" they wrote in court records. When he was 14, Mahdi first entered the juvenile justice system after being convicted of theft, and from then on, "spent most of the rest of his childhood in custody, often kept isolated and alone," they said. Mikal Mahdi is pictured at the age of 8 in Baltimore, Maryland in 1991. Between the ages of 14 and 17, he spent more than 75 days in solitary confinement, and spent about eight more months in solitary by the time he was 21, as well as being on suicide watch, his attorneys said. "Mikal desperately needed mental health care," his attorneys said in a news release. "Instead, he languished in juvenile prison, where he spent thousands of hours in solitary confinement. We now know that punitive isolation is deeply damaging to children." Mahdi's attorneys argued to the South Carolina Supreme Court that the judge who sentenced him to death knew almost nothing about Mahdi's troubled past, information that could have resulted in a lighter sentence. They have also criticized what they say was a weak defense at trial, arguing that Mahdi's attorneys at the time spent less than 30 minutes arguing against the death penalty. It "didnt even span the length of a 'Law & Order' episode and was just as superficial," they said. The South Carolina Supreme Court unanimously declined to spare Mahdi's life on Monday, allowing his execution to move forward. Mahdi's last hopes for a reprieve lie with the U.S. Supreme Court and Republican South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Firing squad to execute South Carolina inmate Mikal Mahdi today Six people are dead after a tourist helicopter carrying a family from Spain split in half mid-air and spiraled out of the sky before crashing into the Hudson River Thursday afternoon, according to officials. Dozens of first responders rushed to the tragic scene after the Bell 206 aircraft, apparently missing its rotors, plunged into the river near Pier 40 in Manhattan near the Hoboken border of New Jersey around 3:15 p.m., the FDNY said. The head of the Spanish branch of the technology company Siemens and his family were identified as five of the victims who were killed. The sixth victim was the pilot, whose identity has not been announced. Agustin Escobar, president and CEO of Siemens in Spain, his wife and their three children had just arrived in the Big Apple from Barcelona earlier in the day, law enforcement sources said. The doomed chopper was owned and operated by New York Helicopter, a tour company in the Big Apple that touts itself for providing comfort and safety to customers. The helicopter was seen split apart into several pieces before landing in the Hudson River. Bruce Wall Harrowing video shows the split apart helicopter falling upside down into the water. Bruce Wall The crash took place near Pier 40 on West Houston Street and West Street Bruce Wall Onlookers saw the chopper hit the Hudson. Bruce Wall Im absolutely devastated, CEO Michael Roth, who was visibly shaken, told The Post. The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades werent on the helicopter. And I havent seen anything like that in my 30 years being in business, in the helicopter business. Rescue teams near the crashed helicopter in the Hudson River. Obtained by the NY Post The helicopter is seen nearly fully submerged after the deadly crash. REUTERS The NYPD Harbor Unit removing the body of a victim from the river. LP Media The helicopter went down near Pier 40 on West Houston Street and West Street around 3:15 p.m., the New York City Fire Department told The Post. NY Post/Jack Morphet NYPD divers recovered all six victims four of whom were pronounced dead at the scene, and two who succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital, police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. A witness to the fatal crash was walking along the Hudson River Greenway when he saw the chopper drop at a 45-degree angle and plunge into the waterway within seconds. I was like, oh sh, Eric Campoverde, 21, told The Post. I was walking home from work when I saw the helicopter going down at a 45-degree angle, he said. Then I heard and saw a big splash. It was going fast. First responders at the scene of the deadly crash. AP The 21-year-old construction worker said after the initial splash, the aircraft was only above water for mere seconds before it submerged into the chilly waters. It was maybe on top of the water for three or four seconds before it went under. It was fast. Chilling footage captured the moment the helicopter spiraled out of the sky before plummeting into the Hudson. Other clips showed the propellers splashing down into various parts of the water. Eric Campoverde, 21, was admiring the scenery on his way home from work when he saw the helicopter fall out of the sky. I was like, oh sh-t, he told The Post. NY Post/Jack Morphet Witnesses said the aircraft split in half and made a boom sound when it crashed. It was falling apart probably 15 feet before it actually fell and then the tail whipped off and the propeller fell while it was falling, Jersey City resident Bruce Wall, 28, recalled. The cause of the deadly crash was not immediately clear. Citizen Like a boom sound when it hit, it was a crackling sound I guess you could say, something breaking apart in mid-air. The helicopter was still pretty loud and then just a loud, loud crash into water. Flight Tracker data showed the aircraft, carrying five passengers and a pilot, was in the air for roughly 15 minutes before going down. The helicopter traveled up the Hudson from Lower Manhattan toward Fort Lee before turning around just north of the George Washington Bridge and reaching the water by Hoboken leading up to the crash, records show. Debris from the helicopter seen in the Hudson River. X/dinoshanr The chopper was floating upside down on the New Jersey border of the Hudson River near the vents to the Holland Tunnel near Jersey City when more than five dozen first responders arrived at the alarming scene and initiated rescue efforts, according to officials. Gov. Kathy Hochul offered prayers for the victims and confirmed her office was standing by ready to assist with recovery efforts. Police also warned of traffic delays in the surrounding area near West Side Highway and Spring Street. It remains unclear what caused the crash. A loud thumping noise was reported when the chopper crashed. X/theaxalam While Manhattans skies are routinely dotted with planes and helicopters, Thursdays horrifying crash is one of several deadly tragedies involving tourist helicopters in recent years. At least 32 people have died in helicopter accidents in NYC since 1977, according to The Associated Press. In 1977, the landing gear on a Sikorsky S-61L malfunctioned as passengers waited to board from the roof of the Pan Am Building. The chopper tipped on its side, and its spinning rotor blades killed four people including film director Michael Findlay and injured a fifth. A broken piece of blade fell down to the streets below and killed a pedestrian and injured another. In 2009, nine people were killed when a Eurocopter AS350 tourist helicopter with five Italian tourists on board collided with a small private plane over the Hudson River near Frank Sinatra Park in Hoboken. The flight was operated by Liberty Helicopter Sightseeing Tours. In 2018, a Liberty Helicopters flight operated for FlyNyon, also a Eurocopter AS350, went down in the East River, killing five people. Two passengers died at the scene and three others were pronounced dead at the hospital. A jury later awarded the family of the victims $116 million in a lawsuit. In 2019, an Agusta A109E helicopter crash-landed on the roof of a 54-story building in Midtown Manhattan, killing the pilot, later identified as Tim McCormack. McCormack was the only person on board and known as a well-respected pilot. It was speculated by airport officials that he suffered a mechanical failure while in flight. The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the probe into Thursdays incident, the latest in a series of deadly aircraft emergencies in the past few months. With additional reporting from Jorge Fitz-Gibbon and Amanda Woods The Trump administration is planning a PR effort to attempt to convince the people of Greenland to join the U.S., according to The New York Times. Both the prime minister of the Arctic semiautonomous Danish territory and the prime minister of mainland Denmark have made clear that the territory is not up for sale and cannot be annexed. Many Greenlanders may want independence from Denmark, but few actually want to join the U.S. Multiple cabinet departments are part of the PR effort following years of President Donald Trump talking about wanting to acquire Greenland. The islands economic and strategic value has increased as global warming leads to melting Arctic ice, opening up new sea routes and access to natural resources. Trump, meanwhile, may also be viewing the islands vast size, 836,330 square miles in all, as a chance to make a historic real estate deal. The president has repeatedly made clear his will to take control of the island. Speaking before Congress last month, he said: We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and were working with everybody involved to try and get it. One way or the other, were going to get it, he added at the time. The National Security Council has met numerous times to discuss the topic and recently distributed instructions to several parts of the government, an official told The New York Times. The Trump administration is planning a PR campaign to convince Greenlanders to ask to join the U.S. (Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) Even as some details of the plan remain unclear, the official told the paper that the council never seriously took into consideration the possibility of using military force. The policy is instead a PR effort to convince the Greenlanders to join the U.S. Trump aides have discussed possible advertising and social media campaigns to change public opinion among the 57,000 Greenlanders, according to the paper. However, in last months election on the island, an opposition party that supports quickly moving towards independence and getting closer to the U.S. came in second place with only a quarter of the vote. The official told the paper that the messaging campaign will focus on Greenlanders having shared heritage with the native Inuit people in Alaska. Greenlands Inuit population is descended from people who came to the island from Alaska hundreds of years ago, The New York Times noted. The official language of Greenland is derived from Inuit dialects first introduced in northern Canada. Publicly, Trump aides have argued that only the U.S., and not Denmark, will be able to protect it from Russian and Chinese interference. Trump shared a short video on social media last month, praising the American soldiers who came to the island during World War II after Nazi Germany occupied Denmark. The Danes had hoped that the U.S. would depart after the war, but they never did so, still maintaining a military base on the island, which was recently visited by Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. The Trump administration is also looking at the possibility of replacing the $600 million in subsidies that the Danish government hands the island with an annual payment of about $10,000 a year for each resident. Some officials think such payments can be made back from extracting natural resources on the island, such as rare earth minerals, copper, gold, uranium, and oil. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes told the paper that the president believes Greenland is a strategically important location, and is confident Greenlanders would be better served protected by the United States from modern threats in the Arctic region. Hughes mentioned Vance and Waltzs recent visit to the island and that they laid out the important case for a partnership between Greenland and the United States to establish long-term peace at home and shared prosperity abroad. Speaking to reporters during his March 28 visit to a U.S. military base on the island, Vance said Greenlanders would choose, through self-determination, to become independent of Denmark, and then were going to have conversations with the people of Greenland from there. By Andrew Gray and Sabine Siebold BRUSSELS (Reuters) -Germany and Britain sent a message to Russia on Friday that Ukraine will be able to keep up its fight thanks to Western support, even as the U.S. pushed ahead with talks with Moscow. The European powers for the first time co-led a meeting of the so-called Ramstein group of some 50 countries that give military support to Ukraine after Washington gave up the chair, and said they could not detect any signs that Vladimir Putin was ready for peace. As they met, U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff flew into Russia for what looked likely to be talks with the Russian president. "Given Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine, we must concede that peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future," German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said after the gathering at NATO's headquarters in Brussels. The Ukraine Defense Contact Group, as it is known officially, was set up by the U.S. under the Biden administration to coordinate military aid to Ukraine and push governments to deliver more. But the Trump administration, which has put its future military support for Ukraine in question as it presses both sides for a ceasefire and tries to end Russia's isolation, has stepped back from leading it. Speaking to reporters, both Pistorius and his British counterpart John Healey sought to reassure Ukraine that the West's military support would last. "We will ensure that Ukraine continues to benefit from our joint military support. Russia needs to understand that Ukraine is able to go on fighting, and we will support it ... Ukraine can count on us," Pistorius said. Healey described 2025 as a crucial year in Ukraine's fight against Russia's invasion: "Now is the critical moment in that war ... and we are saying to Ukraine: we stand with you in the fight, and we will stand with you in the peace." Pistorius played down the fact that U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth attended the meeting only virtually, saying this was down to scheduling reasons, adding: "The most important fact was that he took part." But Pistorius acknowledged that it was not clear how U.S. participation and support would develop in future. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy also joined the meeting by video link. Ukraine's main European allies have been keen to keep the Ramstein group going to maintain pressure for arms donations to Ukraine and to demonstrate continuing support for Kyiv. At the meeting, both Britain and Germany outlined their latest pledges of military aid for Ukraine. Germany's package included four IRIS-T air defence systems with 300 missiles. Britain said that, together with Norway, it would fund radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones. (Reporting by Sabine Siebold, Andrew Gray, GV De Clercq and Benoit Van Overstraeten; Editing by Kevin Liffey) (Reuters) -The Texas health department reported 541 cases of measles in the state on Friday, an increase of 36 cases from its previous count on April 8, as the United States battles an outbreak of the childhood disease that has spread across 25 states. Cases in Gaines County, the center of the outbreak, rose to 355 from the 328 reported on Tuesday, the Texas Department of State Health Services said. Two unvaccinated children with no underlying health conditions have died of measles in Texas, including an 8-year-old girl last week. New Mexico reported two additional cases since its last update on Tuesday, taking the total number of infections in the state to 58. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday reported a nationwide total of 712 cases of measles so far this year in 25 jurisdictions, including Texas and New Mexico. As of April 10, there were 105 additional cases of the childhood infection in the country compared to the agency's previous count last week. Since becoming the head of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. who has a long history of advocating against vaccines has recently backed vaccination as the best way to prevent measles from spreading. The agency said 97% of nationwide cases are individuals who are either unvaccinated or have an unknown vaccination status. There have been seven reported outbreaks defined as three or more related cases in 2025 so far, the agency said on Friday, compared to six in its last update. (Reporting by Mariam Sunny in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber and Alan Barona) CNN Peace is out of reach for Ukraine due to Russian President Vladimir Putins ongoing aggression, European defense ministers stressed Friday, even as the United States pushed ahead with talks with Moscow. Top Trump administration official Steve Witkoff met Friday with Russian President Vladimir Putin, shaking hands with Putin at the start. Putin and Witkoff were set to discuss Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ahead of the meeting, which ended at 10 p.m. Moscow time (3 p.m. ET), according to Russian state media TASS. Peskov had referred to the assembly as a good opportunity to convey the Russian position to Trump. A possible Putin-Trump meeting may also be on the agenda, state news agency RIA Novosti cited Peskov as saying. The painstaking work continues. Naturally, Witkoff, as a special representative of (US President Donald) Trump, will convey something from his president to Putin. Putin will listen to it. The conversation will continue on various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement, Peskov said, state media TASS reported. Witkoff, who is Trumps foreign envoy, also met Friday with Russian negotiator Kirill Dmitriev in St. Petersburg, according to RIA Novosti. Dmitriev later described those discussions as productive in a post on X on Friday. Russia is the sole cause of this war The US meetings in Russia come as Ukraines key allies gathered Friday in Brussels, where the defense ministers of the United Kingdom and Germany emphasized that Putin has continued his aggression against both military and civilian targets despite claiming to want peace. The Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting was co-hosted by the UK and Germany, with a noticeable absence at the table: US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who only attended virtually. The group of roughly 50 nations, which was created by former US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during the Biden administration, meets regularly to discuss bolstering military support for Ukraine. Given Russias ongoing aggression against Ukraine, we must concede peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said in a news conference immediately after the meeting, speaking alongside the Ukrainian and British ministers. We will ensure that Ukraine continues to benefit from our joint military support. Russia needs to understand that Ukraine is able to go on fighting, and we will support it, added Pistorius. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also made a virtual appearance, where he warned the past month had made it completely clear that Russia is the sole cause of this war. He made explicit reference to Putins refusal to accept a US-proposed ceasefire in March. Without strength against Russia, there will be no will in Russia to accept and implement any realistic and effective proposals for peace, he said. The defense ministers of the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Germany speak at Friday's Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, which US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is only attending virtually. - Geert Vanden Wijngaert/AP British Defense Secretary John Healey also noted that today is one month to the day in which Russia rejected President Trumps peace settlement. Putin said he wanted peace, but he rejected a full ceasefire. Putin said he wanted peace, but he continues to drag his feet and delay negotiations. Putin said he wanted peace, but his forces continue to fire on Ukraine, military and civilian targets alike, Healey said. Fridays meeting marks the first time a senior Pentagon official has not attended in person since the group was established in 2022 just months after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which comes amid a series of policy shifts by the Trump administration seen as moving closer to Moscow. It came as Trumps envoy to Ukraine suggested Kyiv would have to cede its eastern territories to achieve a peace deal with Moscow, in remarks that would likely alarm Western allies and leaders in Kyiv. General Keith Kellogg, a former national security adviser, said Ukraine could be divided almost like Berlin after World War Two, in an interview with British newspaper The Times, published Friday. British and French troops could engage zones of control in western Ukraine as part of a reassurance force, with Russian troops occupying the east, he added. Kyivs forces would line the space in between, alongside a demilitarized zone, he said. In a post on X, Kellogg later said that he had been referring to potential zones of responsibility for an allied force rather than the partitioning of Ukraine, and emphasized that the idea did not foresee US troops on the ground. Witkoff, another senior Trump aide, has touted the view that Ukraine would need to give up the four regions Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson to see an end to the war, indicating a stunning policy departure from the previous administration. A matter of priorities Germanys Pistorius said ahead of the Brussels meeting it was the Trump administrations decision to attend virtually and was not his business to comment on the signal that sends. Its not a matter of priorities. I think its a matter of schedules, Pistorius added. Ahead of the meeting, the British defense minister offered strong words of support for Ukraine and called for putting even more pressure on Putin. Our commitment is to put Ukraine in the strongest position to protect Ukraines sovereignty and deter future Russian aggression, Healey said in a statement. New pledges of military aid announced after Fridays meeting total more than 21 billion euros ($23.8 billion), Healey announced, calling it a record boost in military funding for Ukraine. Germany will provide a further 11 billion ($12.5 billion) in military support to Ukraine through 2029, including IRIS-T mobile air defense missile systems and PATRIOT missiles, Ukraines defense minister said Friday from Brussels. The United Kingdom and Norway will also jointly give an additional $589 million in military aid, to provide maintenance to vehicles, radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones. Air defense is Kyivs priority, Zelensky said ahead of the meeting. The absence of US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, pictured at Thurday's cabinet meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, will mark the first time since the groups founding three years ago that a senior Pentagon official will not. - Nathan Howard/Reuters We just need to address the shortage of air defense systems to make our sky protection stronger, Zelensky said. Our partners can help with this and also speed up the implementation of all agreements reached earlier. Patriots that remain unused in storage with our partners should be protecting lives. Zelensky said earlier this week that Russia was preparing a new offensive, as CNN reported that Russias army has increased operations across the front line in recent weeks. Ukraines military chief Oleksandr Syrskyi told Ukrainian media on Thursday that Russia has already begun its new offensive against the Sumy and Kharkiv regions. Meanwhile, a new United Nations report revealed this week that Ukraine experienced a significant increase in civilian casualties from Russian attacks in March. The number of civilian casualties was 50% higher than the previous month, with at least 164 people killed and 910 injured in March, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said. CNNs Mariya Knight, Matthew Chance, Svitlana Vlasova, Clare Sebastian, Catherine Nicholls and Nick Paton Walsh contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Osaka Exterior view of the Waldorf Astoria Osaka during sunset. Hilton's luxury portfolio now has more than 500 hotels. The brand's 2025 openings include the highly anticipated reopening of the Waldorf Astoria New York. Also coming soon: New Waldorf Astoria resorts in Osaka and Costa Rica, and a new LXR in Paris's seventh arrondissement. For travelers looking to use long-hoarded Hilton points on a luxury vacation, this might be the year, with a slew of new openings across Hilton's luxury portfolio. Hiltons luxury line-up now includes more than 500 hotels under brands like Waldorf Astoria, Conrad, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Signia by Hilton, and NoMad Hotels, the luxury lifestyle brand that Hilton acquired last year and plans to grow to as many as 100 properties around the world. The hotel giant also has a growing partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World. Global demand for unforgettable stays and sophisticated accommodations is undeniable, and were inspired by what lies ahead as we expand our award-winning brands into dynamic markets like Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, and Athens, said Dino Michael, Hiltons senior vice president. Hiltons recent Trends Report highlights that 2025 will be the Year of the Travel Maximizer, with luxury travelers leading the charge to make every moment count. Waldorf Astoria is on every luxury hotel aficionados mind this year, as the brand flagship Waldorf Astoria New York is set to reopen this spring (though, reservations are currently only available for stays beginning in September). The luxe hotel that has been the home-away-from-home for presidents, royalty, and aspiring royalty will make its grand reentrance with 375 guest rooms and suites, chef Michael Anthonys Lex Yard restaurant, and a spa clocking in at more than 30,000 square feet. This property was the original benchmark for luxury and sincerely elegant service for over a century, Michael added. This highly anticipated event will not only reintroduce the iconic hotel but also mark the brands modernization and a new era of luxury. The Waldorf Astoria Osaka, which debuted this spring in Japans third-largest city, occupies the top floors of a new 40-story tower, making way for stellar views from each of the hotels 252 rooms and suites. Guests at the new Waldorf are treated to a Peacock Alleythe Waldorfs signature cocktail loungewith vaulted ceilings and expansive views of Osaka Bay. Guests can even enjoy a sky-high al fresco cocktail from the Peacock Terrace. In Latin America, the Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique opens this spring on the cliffs of Playa Penca. A secluded mix of 148 guest rooms and 40 suites offers an indoor-outdoor layout of palm-trees-meet-midcentury-modern design (with the occasional eclectic splash, like a T-rex slide in the kids club). Conrad, Hiltons biggest luxury brand, will expand its presence to Greece and Germany later this year. Conrad Athens The Ilisian is slated to open in November with 307 guest rooms and suites (many of which overlook the Acropolis), a Greek-French brasserie, and an expansive pool deck. Conrad Hamburg, which is now accepting reservations for stays in October onward, on the Monckebergstrae high street, around the corner from the citys famed Galeria department store. Elsewhere in Europe, the LXR brand will arrive in France this spring with the opening of Sax Paris in the citys seventh arrondissement. The pet-friendly hotel indulges guests with a rooftop terrace, a library bar, and accommodations that range from cozy rooms to three-bedroom suites. The Parisian addition comes as LXR is about to launch the Pursuit of Adventure program, which will offer immersive experiences and destination excursions for guests at each of the 17 hotels in the brand. [Luxury travelers are] embracing a balance of adventure and relaxation, creating meaningful connections, and seeking enriching experiences that go beyond the ordinary, Michael said. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure The Middle East is no longer the epicenter of American foreign policy and thats a good thing. A new regional balance of power is taking shape, driven not by American diplomacy or intervention, but by the actions of regional players checking one another. Its messy, competitive and often tense, but it reflects the actual distribution of power in the region. Thats what makes it sustainable and why the U.S. should resist the urge to interfere. This emerging equilibrium offers Washington something it hasnt had in years: the freedom to reallocate strategic attention to the Indo-Pacific, where the stakes are far higher and the risks more acute. This is not the result of a coherent American strategy. Its the byproduct of retrenchment, exhaustion and the failure of previous efforts to impose order from above. Over the past 20 years, the U.S. pursued a series of projects regime change, counterinsurgency, peace processes, alliance building that all shared one fatal flaw: They ignored how power actually works in the region. What has emerged now, in the space left by American overreach and subsequent pullback, is a balance-of-power system shaped by regional actors with their own interests, capabilities and limits. Israel, Iran, Turkey and the Gulf states are not coordinating, but they are reacting to one another. None of them can dominate outright. All of them can block. Thats the default setting in international relations not harmony, not hierarchy, but balance. What matters is that this balance reflects the current structure of power in the region. It is not perfect, but it is real. And it is better aligned with American interests than anything Washington tried to build over the past generation. Start with Israel. Its military remains unmatched. Since the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre, Israel has reasserted its deterrence through sustained operations in Gaza and strikes against Iranian-linked targets across the region. Hezbollah has been kept off balance. Irans network of proxies is absorbing steady punishment. But Israel is not stronger diplomatically than it was before the war. Its normalization track with Saudi Arabia is stalled, its image has suffered and its ability to translate military superiority into regional leadership is limited. Israel is a central player in the regional balance, but not a hegemon. The Gulf states have become more pragmatic and more independent. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are no longer treating Washington as the ultimate guarantor of their security. Theyre hedging working with Israel where it makes sense, opening channels to Iran when needed and keeping lines open to China. Their posture is defensive, but increasingly competent. They dont want to fight Iran or confront Turkey directly. But they also wont allow either to dominate the region. What they want is space and the ability to act without relying on American muscle. That suits U.S. interests just fine. Iran, despite its ambitions, is operating under growing pressure. Sanctions are grinding, the economy is brittle and domestic discontent continues to simmer. The Islamic Republic is still backing Hezbollah, the Houthis and militias in Iraq and Syria but at growing cost. Its Red Sea campaign has triggered sustained Western military responses. Its role in Lebanon is under strain and its proxies are vulnerable. Tehran remains dangerous, especially on the nuclear file, but its regional influence is now defined as much by overextension as by strategic momentum. Turkey is pursuing a different kind of revisionism. Prime Minister Recep Erdogan wants to reassert Turkish leadership across the Sunni Muslim world. His government supports Hamas, antagonizes Egypt and positions itself as a spoiler in Syria and Libya. But Turkeys ability to project sustained power is limited. The economy is fragile and its military is stretched. Its NATO membership complicates U.S. options, but Ankaras ambitions have triggered resistance from nearly every serious actor in the region. Like Iran, Turkey is being balanced not by American policy, but by regional pushback. What this all amounts to is a regional system that while volatile is stabilizing itself. There is no peace process and no unified vision. But there are constraints. And that is how balance works: not through agreement, but through friction. That friction prevents any one power from dominating. It forces each actor to think twice. And it reduces the need for external management. This is exactly the outcome the U.S. should want. It means fewer entanglements, less pressure to mediate or intervene, and a regional architecture that aligns with the logic of restraint. For the first time in years, Washington has the strategic breathing room to focus on what truly matters: blunting and balancing Chinas ambitions in the Indo-Pacific. That pivot has been long delayed, but it is still necessary. East Asia is where the U.S. faces the risk of great-power war. Its where the economic future of the 21st century will be decided. And its where American deterrence is irreplaceable. The more U.S. resources, bandwidth and political capital are consumed by the Middle East, the harder it becomes to compete effectively with China. This doesnt mean abandoning the region. There are still core interests at stake: freedom of navigation, nuclear nonproliferation, counterterrorism and the security of Israel. But those interests dont require American dominance. They require selective engagement, credible deterrence and a willingness to let others carry more of the burden. That includes saying no to regional partners who act recklessly and expect U.S. cover. And it means resisting the temptation to treat every flare-up as a test of American credibility. Whats happening now in the Middle East isnt ideal. But it is sustainable because it reflects power realities, not aspirations. The regional balance is not the product of a summit or a strategy. It emerged because each actor realized there are limits to what they can achieve. And thats the only kind of stability that ever lasts. The Middle East does not need another American-led project. It needs space to breathe, to balance and to absorb the shocks that are inevitable in a region with this many grievances and ambitions. It may not last forever. But for as long as it does, the U.S. should protect it by staying out of its way. Let others manage the region they live in. Let America pivot to the region that defines the future. Let the balance hold. Andrew Latham is a professor of international relations at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minn., a senior fellow at the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy, and a non-resident fellow at Defense Priorities in Washington, D.C. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Pasta Con Fagioli Is the Perfect Union of Rosemary, Lemon, and Tomatoes Legendary chef Chris Kimball may be the founder of foodie company Milk Street, but hes still the author of some truly stunning cookbooks. In fact, he and food writer J.M. Hirsh recently penned Milk Street Backroads Italy: Finding Italys Forgotten Recipes; the book skips over the most popular Italian dishes in favor of the rustic unsung heroes. Chief among them: pasta con fagioli. You may not immediately recognize the name, but youve probably had pasta con fagioli before its often called pasta fazool stateside. For the uninitiated, though, this hearty meal of pasta with beans is a study in elegant simplicity. To master the dish, Kimball and Hirsh travelled to Sicily, where they consulted some masterful cooks: We were taught how to make pasta con fagioli by Piera Ferruzza, winery cook at Cantina della Val di Suro, and Maria Enza Arena, shopkeeper in the hilltop town of Castelbuono. (If youre simultaneously getting jealous, hungry, and lapsing into an Italian vacation daydream, we dont blame you.) Sicilian cooks showed us how rosemary, lemon, and tomatoes keep a rustic pasta and bean dish light and fresh, Hirsh and Kimball write. And the proof of that tutelage shows up in the authors version of the classic, which gets even more flavor from the addition of fennel and garlic. In Italy, they continue, dried borlotti beans (often called cranberry beans in the U.S.) are used. For weeknight ease, we opted for canned beans. Thank goodness for that simple fix but youll have to be careful which ones you select: Some producers label canned borlotti beans as Roman beans,' Hirsh and Kimball write. If you cannot find them, use pink or kidney beans, which have a similar creaminess and mildly sweet flavor. Dont use cannellini beans, which are too tender. The pasta is boiled only until very slightly softened, then drained and rinsed to stop the cooking, the authors advise. It finishes cooking when combined with the beans and vegetables. A sprinkling of pecorino Romano cheese brings the whole dish together with a unique tang. If you cant afford that ticket to Sicily, heres the next best thing and you could be enjoying it tonight. Ingredients 8 ounces campanelle or other short pasta Kosher salt and ground black pepper 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more to serve 2 pints grape or cherry tomatoes 1 large red onion, chopped 1 large fennel bulb, halved, cored and thinly sliced 4 medium garlic cloves, minced 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary 1 teaspoon fennel seeds teaspoon red pepper flakes Two 15-ounce cans Roman beans (see headnote), drained but not rinsed 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest, plus 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 ounces pecorino Romano cheese, grated (1 cup) Note: Dont rinse the canned beans after draining them; the starchy liquid clinging to them adds body to the sauce. Instructions In a large Dutch oven over medium-high, bring 2 quarts water to a boil. Add the pasta and 1 teaspoons salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until just shy of al dente. Reserve 2 cups of cooking water, then drain and rinse with cold water until cool; set aside. In the same pot, over medium-high, heat 3 tablespoons of oil until barely smoking. Add the tomatoes, then cover, reduce to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, sliced fennel and teaspoon salt, then cook on medium-high, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables begin to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, rosemary, fennel seeds and pepper flakes, then cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the beans, broth and cup of the reserved cooking water. Bring to a simmer over medium-high. Cover, reduce to medium and cook, stirring once or twice, until the vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the pasta and cook, stirring frequently, until the pasta is al dente and the sauce is creamy, 3 to 5 minutes. If needed, add the remaining reserved cooking water 1 tablespoon at a time to reach the proper consistency. Off heat, stir in the lemon zest and juice and the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Serve with the cheese and additional oil for drizzling. Excerpted from MILK STREET BACKROADS ITALY by Christopher Kimball and J.M. Hirsch. Copyright 2025 by CPK Media, LLC. Photograph by Connie Miller. Used with permission of Voracious, an imprint of Little, Brown and Company. New York, NY. All rights reserved. The post Pasta Con Fagioli Is the Perfect Union of Rosemary, Lemon, and Tomatoes appeared first on Katie Couric Media. Karwai Tang/WireImage Paul Hollywood and Melissa Spalding attend the World Premiere of "The King's Man" at Cineworld Leicester Square on December 06, 2021 in London Paul Hollywood is enjoying a quiet life out of the spotlight with his wife, Melissa Spalding. The Great American Baking Show host, who was previously married to Alexandra Hollywood before their split in 2017, jokingly told The Mirror in 2013 that he was receiving a marriage offer a week. But nearly a decade later, he was the one proposing, and, in 2023, he and Spalding got married. Hollywood's rep first confirmed his relationship with Spalding in December 2019 after he spent Christmas Day at the Kent pub where she worked. They are very happily together, the rep told The Daily Mail. The couple soon moved in together, and on Sept. 20, 2023, they officially tied the knot. Though Hollywood continues to be the face of both The Great British Bake Off and The Great American Baking Show the third season of which kicked off on April 11 Spalding prefers to live out of the public eye. So who is Paul Hollywoods wife? Heres everything to know about Melissa Spalding and her relationship with the TV host. Shes from Kent Paul Hollywood/Instagram Paul Hollywood and Melissa Spalding in October 2023 Like Hollywood, who was born in Wallasey, England, Spalding is a U.K. native. She grew up in Kent, where she attended the Headcorn Primary School and Invicta Grammar School nearby in Maidstone, per her LinkedIn. She met Paul in the pub she used to work at Paul Hollywood/Instagram Paul Hollywood Hollywood and Spalding first met at the Chequers Inn in the Kent village of Smarden, where Hollywood was a regular patron, per The Daily Mail. According to her LinkedIn, Spalding started working as a landlady in 2007. Since then, her family has been in charge of the pub. We have owned and run the Chequers Inn for nearly 17 years and put our heart and soul into it, Spalding said in a statement in 2024, while addressing why her family was choosing to close down the business. They made their red carpet debut in 2021 David M. Benett/Dave Benett/WireImage Paul Hollywood and Melissa Spalding attend the World Premiere of "The King's Man" at Cineworld Leicester Square on December 6, 2021 in London While the couple primarily keep their relationship private, Spalding and Hollywood stepped out for their first public event together in December 2021 when they attended the world premiere of The Kings Man starring Stanley Tucci and Ralph Fiennes in London. Spalding chose a long black dress with a plunging neckline, a silver medallion necklace and a burgundy lip for the event, while Hollywood opted for a matching black suit. She and Paul got married in Cyprus Richard Young/Shutterstock Paul Hollywood and Melissa Spalding at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London on May 20, 2024 For their Sept. 20, 2023, nuptials, Hollywood and Spalding flew to Cyprus where Hollywood previously lived and tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in front of 75 guests, per The Daily Mail. The celebrations kicked off at the Ayia Athanasia chapel in the Anassa Hotel and were followed by both a reception and an after-party at the venue. According to the outlet, Hollywoods co-judge Prue Leith was among the guests in attendance. They live a quiet life in the countryside Mark Bourdillion/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Paul Hollywood on the set of 'The Great American Baking Show' In a 2024 interview with The Times, Hollywood opened up about the quiet life he shares with Spalding at their Kent farmhouse. I dont go out much. I live in quite a rural location, the cooking show judge said, adding, Im in bed by half-ten. Hollywood shared similar sentiments about living off the grid with Ideal Home in 2022. I like my privacy where I am and I feel safe there, he said. Ive become more of a hermit over the last few years. I like my own space in the house, kicking back, putting my dressing gown on and watching the telly and thats where Im my most comfortable. They have at least 4 cats Paul Hollywood/ Facebook Paul Hollywood smiles with his cat. Hollywood revealed in a December 2024 Instagram post that the couple share their home with four felines. I end up buying four stockings for the four cats, he said while holding one of their fur babies. Hollywood previously told Ideal Home that two of the cats are Maine Coons. I normally feed them first thing and they come sit on my lap and give me a bit of attention being very cute, he said. Read the original article on People Getty Police tape A pregnant 19-year-old was found dead in Georgia in what authorities say was an apparent murder-suicide. WSB-TV, Fox 5 and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported, citing Cobb County officials, that Faith Lewis was found dead in Austell, Ga., on Wednesday, April 9. Police were called after someone reported that two people had been shot in a home on Red Cloud Court. The AJC reported that police said a male suspect, 24-year-old Tyler Staton, was found at the scene with a pistol on the floor between his legs. Staton was reportedly taken to the hospital, where he later died. WSB-TV reported that Lewis was 4 months pregnant. Police have not said what the relationship between Lewis and Staton was. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org. Read the original article on People Lawyers for Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil argued on Thursday that the government did not present evidence to prove that his presence in the U.S. poses an adverse foreign policy consequence, which the Trump administration has argued is the ground for his deportation from the U.S. Khalil is scheduled to appear before an immigration judge in Louisiana on Friday, a hearing that comes after the judge gave the government a deadline earlier this week to present evidence to back up several allegations made against Khalil, including that he misrepresented information on his green card application. Khalil was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement at his Columbia housing last month. He is a green card holder and legal permanent resident married to an American citizen, who is nine months pregnant. The government entered into evidence a two-page memo signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio saying that he found that Khalil's presence in the U.S. "would compromise a compelling U.S. foreign policy interest." The memo makes no mention of previous allegations that he misrepresented information on his green card application and instead doubles down on an obscure section of the Immigration and Nationality Act that deems migrants deportable "if the Secretary of State has reasonable ground to believe that the alien's presence or activities in the United States would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States." The two-page memo also makes the case for why another person, whose name is redacted, should be deportable under the same arguments. In the memo, Rubio asserts he has the power to determine a person is deportable even if their actions are "otherwise lawful." Rubio wrote that Khalil should be deported because of his alleged role in "antisemitic protests and disruptive activities, which fosters a hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States." Marc Van Der Hout, one of Khalil's attorneys, sharply criticized the memo during a Zoom press conference on Thursday. Rubio "talks about First Amendment activity in the United States and the effect on people in the U.S. His 'determination' has absolutely nothing to do with foreign policy." MORE: Judge gives Trump administration 24 hours to provide evidence of Mahmoud Khalil's removability PHOTO: Student negotiator Mahmoud Khalil is on the Columbia University campus in New York at a pro-Palestinian protest encampment on April 29, 2024. (Ted Shaffrey/AP) Van Der Hout also described as "bogus" the earlier allegations about alleged misrepresentations on Khalil's visa application and regarding negotiations he was involved in with Columbia over the student encampment. "But it is zero to do with the foreign policy charge, and there is zero support for the government's allegations about any misrepresentation," Van Der Hout said. "We're not concerned with that at all." Khalil's attorneys said they don't believe the government has presented any evidence to suggest he should be removable under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The case could set the precedent that the government can silence its critics and remove them, in what can become "a dangerous slope," Van Der Hout said. "What the Rubio letter talks about is they're trying to protect -- they say -- Jewish people in the United States, from antisemitism. But what is the antisemitism? It is criticizing Israel and the United States for the slaughtering that is going on in Gaza and Palestine," Van Der Hout said. "That's what this case is about, and that's what this case is really centered on, the rights of people in this country, citizens and immigrants alike -- who are all protected by the Constitution, by the First Amendment -- to be able to speak out whatever their views may be, popular or not," Van Der Hout said. Khalil's lawyers plan to request to depose Rubio in court to understand what grounds he had to make the determination that Khalil's presence in the US poses a risk to U.S. foreign policy interests. FILE PHOTO: Mahmoud Khalil speaks to members of media about the Revolt for Rafah encampment at Columbia University during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza, in New York, June 1, 2024. (Jeenah Moon/Reuters, FILE) The immigration judge has said she will make a finding on whether Khalil is removable on Friday, according to Khalil's attorneys. "But we are far from the end of the road if that happens," Johnny Sinodis, a lawyer and partner at Van Der Hout who is representing Khalil, said Thursday. If the immigration judge determines that Khalil is, in fact, removable, the case will move into a next phase but Khalil can still litigate his right to remain in the U.S. MORE: Judge rejects government's request to move Mahmoud Khalil's case to Louisiana "This process plays out in immigration court, and it will most certainly require several more hearings before a final decision can be made in the immigration case," Sinodis said. Mahmoud Khalil case: Ordered to show evidence, government asserts Rubio's authority originally appeared on abcnews.go.com The San Diego Zoo in Southern California is something of a rare animal haven. Due to its immense size and top-of-the-line wildlife rehabilitation facilities, it is able to create a conservation and zoo-going experience that is marvelous in its animal variety. Among this zoo's rare residents is a gorgeous Fishing Cat named Miso-Chi. He recently arrived in Southern California as part of the San Diego Zoo's Species Survival Program. As you can see from this video, Miso-Chi is one cool kitty. According to this video's caption, this "clever and confident" feline is enjoying his new habitat, splashing around and checking out the most comfortable hiding places. Zoo visitors can catch this 8-year-old Fishing Cat along the Tiger Trail exhibit. The zoo hopes that moving Miso-Chi as part of their Species Survival Plan will "help increase their population numbers under managed care." Unfortunately, Fishing Cats like Miso-Chi are an endangered species because of the increasingly shrinking wetlands in their native habitat. More About Fishing Cats Also known as the Asian fishing cat, this feline species is native to southern and southeast Asia. They are a medium-sized wildcat, which usually features a brownish gray coat dotted with black spots. If you guessed that fishing cats primarily eat fish, then you are correct. Unfortunately, the wetlands that these cats usually prowl around in our diminishing because of climate change and human activities. In the United States, you can sometimes find these gorgeous creatures at zoos, like San Diego or Memphis that are enacting survival breeding programs to keep this species alive and well. 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. Correction & clarification: A previous headline misstated the state the fraternity house is located in. After Hurricane Laura wreaked havoc in southwestern Louisiana in 2020, Debbie LaFleur never thought she's see her 6-year-old dog Kingston again. In the deadly storm's aftermath, LaFleur's neighborhood in Lake Charles became a hectic scene with debris everywhere and officials from several states conducting recovery operations. In the midst of the chaos, she returned home one day to a cracked window and no sign of her beloved Yorkshire Terrier anywhere. "We had had Kingston for six years by this time. He was part of our lives. He was our baby," LaFleur told USA TODAY on Thursday. "And so we went around the whole neighborhood. Everybody on Facebook was trying to help us locate him, but it was like, 'We're not gonna get him back.'" While blessed the storm did not destroy their longtime home, LaFleur and her husband Joseph were devastated they could not find their pint-sized companion. Debbie LaFleur and her Yorkshire Terrier Kingston the day she brought him to her home in Lake Charles, Louisiana on April 17, 2014. LaFleur had long accepted that Kingston was gone until she received an email from microchip service PetLink last month informing her that her now 11-year-old dog was found at a college fraternity nearly 300 miles away in another state. And so a week later she and her son drove over four hours to the Kappa Sigma house at the University of Southern Mississippi, where Kingston awaited his big reunion. "We pulled up to the house and all the guys were outside," she said. "I was at the end of the walkway, and he was at the house, and I just said, 'Kingston, come to Mommy' And he just took off running, which made my heart burst even more. It was wonderful, wonderful to see him." Kingston, who weighs just 7.5 ounces, has since returned home where he met a new brother: a 3-year-old Shih Tzu named Cooper. LaFleur said her family is making sure not to lose track of him again. Kingston spent a week at the Southern Miss Kappa Sigma fraternity house before returning to his owner Debbie LaFleur after five years. Kingston spent around a week as honorary Kappa Sigma member 'Benji' Where the tiny dog spent nearly half a decade may forever remain a mystery but the Kappa Sigma fraternity can confirm that he spent nearly a week as one of their brothers. Kappa Sigma President Neal Rachal said he found the Yorkie right outside the frat house's front door the morning of March 30. He proceeded to try to find his owner, spreading the word about the dog across the Greek Life organizations before taking him in and naming him Benji. Fraternity Vice President John Christopher took him to a veterinarian, where he learned that the dog was microchipped. "I walk in the house and John said, 'He's Kingston' and I was like, "What are you talking about, dude?'" Rachal told USA TODAY. "And he was like 'No, Benji is Kingston. He's from Lake Charles, Louisiana, and he's been missing for five years.'" Kingston spent a week at the Southern Miss Kappa Sigma fraternity house before returning to his owner Debbie LaFleur after five years. The members immediately contacted LaFleur through PetLink and informed her that Kingston was with them and healthy. Her work schedule prevented her from heading straight to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, so the dog stayed at Kappa Sigma until April 4. "He hung out with a bunch of my pledge brothers and just guys around the house. And then whenever we had an intramural softball game, he'd come to the softball game with us. I know he went to Walmart and the local grocery store a couple of times," Rachal said. "I mean, wherever we went he was with us." LaFleur believes her late husband brought Kingston home Before a hurricane drifted them apart, Kingston and LeFleur's husband Joseph were inseparable. "When my husband would have his plate of food, he had to give Kingston a plate of food with the exact same thing. When he went to McDonald's, he had to get Kingston nuggets," LaFleur said. "He slept on my husband every night and and he wouldn't come to me unless my husband was going to work, and then he was snuggle with me ... It was his best friend." Joseph LaFleur holds dog and best friend Kingston Unfortunately, the dog could not reunite with Joseph, who died in a 2022 accident at work, LaFleur said. While LaFleur wishes Joseph could see Kingston back at their Lake Charles home and said that part of her believes he made the reunion happen. Since returning home, Kingston has readjusted to his old life and so has LaFleur. "I feel like I have a piece of my husband back," she said. She credited the miraculous reunion to their decision to get Kingston microchipped when he was just 3 months old. "Once you microchip them and register them, no matter where in the world they would be, they would locate you. So that's very important and just a matter of taking them to a vet," she said. "If you love your little fur baby get them chipped." This story was updated to resolve an inaccuracy. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Watch reunion between Louisiana woman, dog who was missing 5 years Fabio Sementilli/Facebook Fabio and Monica Sementilli The wife of a celebrity hairstylist has been found guilty of orchestrating his murder with help from her porn actor lover in a plot to collect life insurance money. Following a 10-week trial, Monica Sementilli, 53, was convicted of one count of murder with special circumstance allegations involving financial gain and one count of murder while lying in wait in the 2017 death of 49-year-old Canadian hair executive and father of three Fabio Sementilli. According to the Los Angeles Times, Monica burst into tears as the verdict was read. Prosecutors had said Monica concocted the plan to kill Fabio with her lover Robert Baker, a convicted sex offender and ex-porn-actor-turned-racquetball instructor, in the hopes of collecting his $1.6 million life insurance money. This was a cold and calculated crime motivated by greed and betrayal, District Attorney Nathan Hochman said in a statement after the Friday, April 11 verdict. Todays verdict ensures that those responsible for this ruthless act will be held accountable. Our office remains steadfast in the pursuit of justice for victims and their families. We extend our deepest sympathies to Fabio Sementillis loved ones as they continue to mourn his tragic loss. LAPD Monica Sementilli Related: Ex-Porn Actor Killed Celebrity Hairdresser: Why Hes Defending the Lover Accused of Orchestrating It LAPD Robert Baker During the trial, prosecutors alleged that Baker and his accomplice Christopher Austin, both wearing hoodies, jogged up to the couples Woodland Hills home on Jan. 23, 2017, snuck onto the property and attacked Fabio, who was known as Big Daddy by his friends and family, while he was home alone in the backyard watching television. He was attacked from behind and suffered seven stab wounds to the neck, chest and thigh. His femoral and carotid arteries were cut. Fabio Sementilli/ Facebook Fabio Sementilli 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. After the murder, Baker and Austin ransacked the couples bedroom and took the DVR from the garage where the home security footage was stored. They then stole Fabio's 2008 Porsche 911, which was discovered abandoned about five miles away two days later. Austin, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder earlier this year, testified that Monica had purposefully left the door of their home unlocked the day of the murder and that Baker had told him she wanted Fabio "gone," per the Times. AP Photo/Richard Vogel The Woodland Hills home where Fabio lived with his wife and two daughters Everything he did he did after he got a text message, which told me he was talking to her via text message, Austin said, according to the Times. I did not hear him talk to her on the phone ... but everything happened in sequence. Related: A Husband Murdered, a Wife and Her Lover Arrested: Inside the Fabio Sementilli Case Baker, who entered a no contest plea to killing Fabio in 2023, denied that Monica had anything to do with the murder. I murdered him because I wanted her, he testified, the Los Angeles Times reported. She had nothing to do with it. Monica is facing a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages. Read the original article on People Siemens exec and his family identified as victims in deadly Hudson helicopter crash An executive of Siemens, a European technology company, his wife and young children were aboard the tourist helicopter that plunged into New York City's Hudson River on Thursday, leaving no survivors. Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children -- ages 4, 8 and 10 -- have been identified as victims in the crash along with the pilot, aged 36, law enforcement sources told ABC News. The crash was one day before the 8-year-old's birthday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. "Our hearts go out to the family and those on board," Adams said at a briefing. PHOTO: In this screen grab from a video, first responders are shown at the scene of a helicopter crash in the Hudson River on April 10, 2025, in New York. (WABC) Escobar's title was Global CEO Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility. His wife also worked at the company and was a global commercialization manager for Team Digital with Siemens Energy. Siemens said in a statement, "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." 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) MORE: New York City helicopter crash: Authorities search for answers after 6 killed The pilot was 36-year-old Seankese "Sam" Johnson, multiple sources told ABC News. Johnson, who had served in the military, accumulated 788 hours of total flight time, the National Transportation Safety Board said. The family was visiting New York City from Barcelona, Spain, two Spanish officials told ABC News. 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. I sympathize with the victims' loved ones at this heartbreaking time." 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) The NTSB is investigating what led to Thursday's deadly crash in the Hudson, between Lower Manhattan and Hoboken, New Jersey. The crash occurred at 3:17 p.m., just over 15 minutes into the flight, officials said. The helicopter reached the George Washington Bridge before turning south and crashing, officials said. Editor's Note:A previous version of this report named Escobar as the CEO of Siemens, and has been updated to identify him as an executive with the company. Siemens exec and his family identified as victims in deadly Hudson helicopter crash originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) has been appointed to a plum post on the House Republican leadership team and will be getting her spots back on key committees in the lower chamber weeks after her nomination to be US ambassador to the United Nations was pulled. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) on Wednesday tapped the New York congresswoman to serve as the chairwoman of House GOP leadership, a senior position focused on strategy, communications and executing on the mandate from the American people to pass President Trumps agenda, according to a release from her office. This position includes a budget, staff, and an expansive strategy, legislative, and communications portfolio, the congresswomans office said. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-NY, testifies during a Senate Committee on Foreign Relations hearing on her pending confirmation to be the United Nations Ambassador on Capitol Hill, Jan. 21, 2025, in Washington. AP 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. Stefanik, who has represented New Yorks 21st Congressional District since 2021, also revealed that she will have a seat on the three House committees she served on in the last Congress. Im proud to continue my work as a senior Member of the House Intelligence Committee, House Armed Services Committee, and the Education and the Workforce Committee to secure results for my constituents in New Yorks 21st Congressional District and the American people, the congresswoman said. I look forward to the work ahead in enacting President Trumps historic agenda. Its unclear what sort of maneuvering Johnson is planning to get Stefanik back on the intel committee, which is currently full. The Speaker will be working with [Chairman Rick Crawford (R-Ark.)] and HPSCI members to get Rep. Stefanik reintegrated into the Intelligence Committee in the coming weeks, a spokesman for Johnson told NBC News Thursday. They both look forward to having her expertise back on the committee. Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks to reporters just after House Republicans narrowly approved their budget framework, at the Capitol in Washington, on April 10, 2025. AP The outlet reported that the House speaker may ask one of the more junior Republicans on the panel to step down or change House rules to expand the committee. In addition, Stefanik was named to the boards of the Congressional-Executive Commission on China and the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation. President Trump tapped the 40-year-old lawmaker for the UN post in November but asked her to remain in Congress last month with House Republicans facing tough votes on their tax, defense, energy and border priorities in the coming weeks. This is about stepping up as a team, Stefanik told Fox News at the time. I am doing that as a leader to ensure that we can take hold of this mandate and deliver these historic results. Trump, 78, made clear that Stefanik was one of my biggest Allies and promised that she would rejoin the House Leadership Team after announcing her departure. We must be unified to accomplish our Mission, and Elise Stefanik has been a vital part of our efforts from the very beginning, he said of the congresswoman who was also on his shortlist for the vice presidency in 2024. Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., was appointed to a new House GOP leadership role this week. WASHINGTON When President Donald Trump withdrew Rep. Elise Stefaniks nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, she was given private assurances that she would not only rejoin the House GOP leadership team, but also reclaim her coveted spot on the House Intelligence Committee, according to two Republican sources with knowledge of the deliberations. Two weeks later, Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., is still scrambling to figure out how to deliver on the promise to place her back on the committee, even after the move was announced publicly Wednesday. The conundrum for Johnson is that he has to either remove a Republican who currently sits on the high-profile Intelligence Committee, which could cause strife among existing members, or be forced to change House rules to add a member. House rules dictate that the committee may be made up of no more than 25 members with a maximum of 14 from one party, which is how many Republicans are currently on the panel. Adding a member would increase the size of the committee, which some members have already complained is too bloated. It could also force Johnson to allow House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., to add another Democrat. In a statement to NBC News, Johnsons office said the speaker and House Intelligence Committee Chairman Rick Crawford, R-Ark., are committed to finding a solution to accommodate Stefanik in the coming weeks. The Speaker will be working with Chairman Crawford and HPSCI members to get Rep. Stefanik reintegrated into the Intelligence Committee in the coming weeks, a spokesman for Johnson said. They both look forward to having her expertise back on the committee. Stefaniks office didnt respond to a request for comment. The awkward situation has created tension between Johnson and Stefanik, on the influential panel and within the broader GOP conference. Adding to the drama, three senior House Republicans say Stefanik strong-armed Johnson into publicly announcing her new leadership arrangement ahead of a key budget vote in the House for which her support was sorely needed. Johnson has yet to signal his intentions to the Intelligence Committee members, leaving several worried whether their spots could be on the chopping block. In private conversations hashing out Stefaniks new arrangement, a source familiar with the discussion said, Johnson floated several Republicans whom he could ask to step down. They include Rep. Pat Fallon of Texas, who is the most junior Republican on the panel; Rep. Claudia Tenney, who, like Stefanik, is from New York; and Rep. French Hill of Arkansas, who chairs the powerful Financial Services Committee. Johnson appointed Fallon and Tenney to the panel on Jan. 16. But despite Johnsons initial suggestions, no decisions have been made, and no members have been approached about whether theyd be willing to forfeit their spots, according to multiple GOP sources. I think its a fluid process, said a House Republican who is familiar with the discussions on the panel. I think theyre trying to see if they bump somebody off to make room for her or whether they add two more add a Democrat and a Republican. The lawmaker opposed adding more members, saying the Intelligence Committee had already been expanded twice in the last two years. Johnson needs to tread carefully, as his past picks for the Intelligence Committee, which provides oversight of the National Intelligence Directors Office and the CIA, have landed him in hot water with some members of the conference. Johnson upset moderates in the last Congress when he passed over more pragmatic members, like Stephanie Bice, R-Okla.; Zach Nunn, R-Iowa; and Laurel Lee, R-Fla., and instead named two controversial firebrands to the panel, Scott Perry, R-Pa., and Ronny Jackson, R-Texas. And Johnson this year booted the panels former chairman, Mike Turner, R-Ohio, who wasnt well-liked in Trumps orbit. Stefanik's role collides with key budget vote The consternation over how to accommodate Stefanik is just one example of the disruption Trump caused by pulling her nomination. And its a situation she may be using to her advantage, asserting her close relationship with Trump and the fact that her vote is crucial for Republicans in the narrowly divided House. On Wednesday, House leaders were preparing to take a procedural step toward adopting a budget resolution to advance Trumps legislative agenda. At that point, Johnson had yet to announce Stefaniks new role, even though there were behind-the-scenes talks. Stefanik, who hadnt voted in the House since Trump withdrew her nomination on March 27, made the White House aware of the situation as officials were calling to whip budget votes, according to two sources familiar with the situation. Under pressure from Stefanik, Johnson decided to greenlight a public announcement about her new arrangement, the sources said. Stefanik then showed up to the Capitol for the key procedural vote, but she withheld her vote until the very last second, making her decisive in putting the measure over the finish line. Whether it was intentional or not, the maneuver was an unmistakable reminder to Stefaniks colleagues that they need her vote, which is why Trump asked her to stay in Congress. Moments after the vote, Stefanik who gave up her post as House GOP conference chair when she was nominated for the ambassadorship publicly announced her new role: chair of the House Republican leadership, a post that will come with additional staff and resources. Stefanik also announced she will return to her positions on the Intelligence, Education and Workforce, and Armed Services committees. Stefanik and Johnson then issued a joint release about the news 2 hours later. Some top Republicans, including other members on Johnsons leadership team, said they were caught off guard by the announcement. Stefaniks allies, however, note that Trump made it clear that he wants her to have a plum landing spot as quickly as possible and argue she has been nothing but the ultimate team player throughout the entire saga. Theres still a question of what kind of leadership role, if any, Stefanik would assume on the Intelligence Committee. In the last Congress, she had been one of its most senior members. Had she not been tapped for the U.N. post, she would have been in contention to lead the panel after Johnson ousted Turner. Johnson named Crawford as the new chairman and made Rep. Trent Kelly, R-Miss., the vice chair. But Stefanik would have more seniority on the panel than Kelly, which would make her vice chair, technically, said the House lawmaker familiar with the deliberations about the panel. And subcommittee gavels have been awarded already for the 119th Congress, the person said. By Jonathan Landay and Patricia Zengerle WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The top Democrat on the U.S. Senate's intelligence committee on Thursday said he suspected a task force formed by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was pursuing a "witch hunt" for intelligence officers it deems disloyal to President Donald Trump. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia said in an interview with Reuters that Gabbard's office did not brief him on the Director's Initiative Group as her predecessors would have done. "This seems to be just a pass for a witch hunt and that's going to further undermine our national security," said Warner. He did not cite specific evidence. Gabbard's spokesperson, Olivia Coleman, said Gabbard had been "crystal clear" about DIG, and provided extensive information publicly about the group including in an announcement of the task force on Tuesday, during a Fox News interview on Wednesday and at a cabinet meeting on Thursday. Although Gabbard announced the task force on Tuesday, it appeared to have been working as early as January based on public announcements of projects she said it handled. Gabbard said on Tuesday that DIG aims to restore "transparency and accountability" to U.S. intelligence agencies in line with executive orders by Trump. It also is "investigating weaponization, rooting out deep-seeded politicization, exposing unauthorized disclosures of classified intelligence, and declassifying information that serves a public interest," she said. Gabbard on Tuesday said in a Fox News interview that DIG comprised "some of the most talented intelligence officers." Trump has promised to overhaul U.S. spy agencies, vowing to "clean out corrupt actors in our national security and intelligence apparatus" that he charges were "weaponized" against him. Gabbard has said DIG's work included declassifications of files such as on the origins of COVID, announced in late January, and on the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy released in mid-March. She said in a cabinet meeting on Thursday that staff were working intensively to prepare for release files on the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Senator Robert F. Kennedy. Gabbard told Fox News that the task force is also looking into the "Russia collusion hoax," the term Trump uses to denounce intelligence findings that Moscow employed cyber operations to influence the 2016 presidential vote in his favor. A July 2018 bipartisan Senate intelligence committee report confirmed those findings. The panel at that time was chaired by Marco Rubio, who is now Trump's secretary of state. Warner said there was a need for a review into the expansion of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence since it was created in 2005 to oversee the 18-agency U.S. intelligence community. (Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) A woman and her three children were found dead at an Oregon home in an incident authorities described as a "tragic story." Hong Phuong Le, 37; her son, Thanh Tien Dam, 7; and her daughters, Ha Ngan Dam, 5, and Viena Mai Dam, 2, were found dead at a home in Cornelius, about 26 miles west of Portland around 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, the Washington County Sheriffs Office said in a news release. Sheriffs office spokesperson Deputy David Huey told KATU the bodies were found in a building attached to the home. "It was a call by somebody who came by the residence and found the bodies," Huey told Fox12. Authorities did not specify the cause of deaths, and Huey in an email to USA TODAY on Thursday said his department did not have any new information to offer at the moment. Cornelius police chief: The family's deaths are an 'unthinkable tragedy' Huey called the situation a "pretty tragic event" for "a small community between Cornelius and North Plains," KATU-TV reported. Concerning the community, he added that this incident is "going to hit them hard," per the TV station. Cornelius Police Chief Mitch Coley, in a statement to ABC News, said the "community has been shaken to its core," and described the deaths as "an unthinkable tragedy." "While the investigation is still ongoing and details are limited, I want to acknowledge the heartbreak this brings to the families involved and our entire city," Coley said in his statement to the media outlet. "This is a deeply emotional time for everyone: neighbors, friends, and the first responders who were called to the scene. I ask that we all come together with compassion and care." Neighbors told KATU and KPTV they had seen the children happily playing every now and then and that the victims were like any other family, adding they had limited interactions with them due to a language barrier. According to neighbors who spoke with the local media outlets, the family had recently returned to the home after being displaced by a fire. Authorities said they did not believe there was any imminent danger to the public. School district confirmed two of the deceased children attended local elementary school Authorities are in contact with the Forest Grove School District, where two of the children were students, to ensure "timely communication reaches students, teachers, and personnel impacted by this tragic story," according to the news release. Forest Grove School District, in a statement to USA TODAY on Thursday, confirmed two of the victims, ages 5 and 7, were kindergarten and second-grade students at Cornelius Elementary School. The school district said while it had no additional information to offer on the open investigation, it is "providing district grief and mental health care resources for students, staff, and families at the school." Authorities said the investigation into the incident is still in the early stages, and they did not specify if any arrests had been made. Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cornelius family's deaths under investigation in Oregon The Department of Justice said it is reviewing the criminal case brought against a former FBI informant convicted of peddling lies about former President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden and is moving for a judge to release the man from prison immediately while his case is on appeal. Alexander Smirnov was sentenced to six years in prison in January after pleading guilty to lying to his FBI handler about the Biden family's ties to a Ukrainian energy company -- in addition to a series of unrelated tax fraud charges. Smirnov's lies were later seized on by House Republicans to bolster their efforts to impeach Joe Biden over unproven claims that he corruptly used his position as vice president in the Obama administration to benefit himself financially once out of office. "The United States intends to review the government's theory of the case underlying Defendant's criminal conviction," Assistant U.S. Attorney David Friedman said in a filing Thursday, offering no further explanation. PHOTO: In this courtroom sketch Defendant Alexander Smirnov speaks in Federal court in Los Angeles, Feb. 26, 2024. (William T. Robles via AP) MORE: Ex-FBI informant Alexander Smirnov, charged with lying about Biden family, reaches plea deal The case against Smirnov, brought by former special counsel David Weiss, who was previously a Trump-appointed U.S. attorney, alleged he concocted "fabrications" about Joe Biden and his son accepting $5 million in bribes from the Ukrainian energy giant Burisma. The indictment accused Smirnov of repeatedly changing his story about the alleged bribery scheme after meeting with senior members of Russia's intelligence services, in what Weiss described as a deliberate effort to influence the 2024 presidential election. The Thursday filing points to health problems Smirnov has reportedly faced since his incarceration. His attorneys have said he has suffered from chronic eye disease for over a year and requested he be released to receive treatment from a doctor in California. PHOTO: President Joe Biden and son Hunter Biden step out of a bookstore while shopping in Nantucket, Mass., Nov. 29, 2024. (Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images) MORE: Timeline: Hunter Biden granted pardon after legal, political scrutiny The judge overseeing his case, however, repeatedly rejected their efforts prior to his guilty plea, arguing he posed a risk of flight from the United States based on his extensive contacts with overseas foreign intelligence services. A DOJ spokesperson declined to comment further on the government's filing. Trump administration reviewing case of FBI informant convicted of lying about Bidens originally appeared on abcnews.go.com WOODLAND PARK, NJ - Two of New Jersey's top ranking Democrats are in the crosshairs of the acting U.S. attorney for the Garden State. Acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba said on Fox News Thursday night that she has instructed her office to open an investigation into New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and state Attorney General Matt Platkin for not cooperating with federal immigration authorities, including U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I want it to be a warning for everybody that I have instructed my office today to open an investigation into Gov. Murphy, to open an investigation into Attorney General Platkin, who has also instructed the state police not to assist any of our federal, and they list our federal agencies that are under my direction, Habba said during an appearance on Sean Hannitys show. Habba said that will no longer stand and federal Attorney General Pam Bondi as well as President Donald Trump have made it clear that we are to take all criminals, violent criminals, out of this country and completely enforce federal law. She went on to say the action is not political but simply against crime and if anyone in New Jersey gets in the way of that they will be charges for obstruction, for concealment, and I will come after them hard. How did NJ officials react? U.S. President Donald Trump meets with New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (L) in the Oval Office of the White House April 30, 2020 in Washington, DC. New Jersey, like many states, is seeking assistance from the federal government for the health and economic crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic. At an unrelated press conference on Friday morning, Platkin noted that New Jersey's Immigrant Trust Directive, which appears to be the basis for Habbas potential investigation is settled law thats been upheld by judges appointed by President Trump. I dont typically launch investigations on cable news networks, Platkin said. Im focused on doing my job, which is to keep the residents of our state safe. He went on to say that he has reached out to Habba in multiple ways but she has not wanted to have conversation and that Habba said publicly she wants to politicize the office. I hope she starts doing her job. The directive says that state and local police cannot participate in federal immigration enforcement operations or keep someone detained only to comply with a civil immigration detainer request. The directive includes exemptions if the immigrant is charged or convicted with a violent or serious offense or subject to a final order of removal by a judge. More: Child migrants in NJ face 'broken' court system alone after Trump cuts Who is Alina Habba? Presidential counselor Alina Habba announces to reporters that U.S. President Donald Trump has appointed her to serve as interim U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., March 24, 2025. More: Pam Bondi is 4th ex-Donald Trump defense lawyer chosen for Justice Department Habba was appointed by Trump last month. Before that she had served as his longtime personal attorney and a legal adviser to his campaign She is a New Jersey native and gained national attention while representing him in several civil and criminal cases, including his legal battles with New York Attorney General Letitia James and writer E. Jean Carroll. In 2023, she was named counsel to Trump's Save America PAC and later joined his inner legal circle as "counselor to the president." When she was appointed, Murphy wished her well and said she seems like a very significant talent and that it is historically a nonpartisan position, so Im expecting and assume shell continue that tradition. Federal authorities have been conducting raids in search of criminal immigrants since Trump took office including in Newark, New Jersey. Among the individuals deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration was a Maryland father named Kilmar Abrego Garcia, even though he had won an earlier protective order barring his expulsion. The U.S. Supreme Court ordered the Justice Department to begin the process of releasing him yesterday. The Trump administration contends he is a member of the MS-13 gang, although it has presented no evidence to back up that claim. Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New Jersey Democrats' resistance to ICE to be probed: US attorney By Ted Hesson and Daniel Trotta WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Trump administration aims to convince some immigrants without legal status to self-deport by adding them to a database of dead people, thus rendering their Social Security numbers inoperable, an administration official told Reuters. Immigrants who were legally admitted to the U.S. under the Biden administration but have since had their temporary status revoked would be added to the Social Security Administration's "death master list," which is normally used to identify dead people who should no longer receive Social Security benefits, said the source, who requested anonymity to discuss the plans. Social Security numbers function as tax identification numbers in the U.S. and are required to receive government benefits. They are also used for many private financial operations such as opening a bank account or obtaining a credit card. The scheme was first reported by the New York Times, citing documents it reviewed and six people familiar with the plans. The goal is to pressure migrants to self-deport by effectively canceling their Social Security numbers and cutting them off from financial services, the Times reported. "President Trump promised mass deportations and by removing the monetary incentive for illegal aliens to come and stay, we will encourage them to self-deport," Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston said in a statement, without directly addressing the plan. The Times, citing documents, reported that the names of more than 6,300 convicted criminals or "suspected terrorists" have been added to the government blacklist. The use of the "death master list" is the latest example of President Donald Trump seeking to expand the use of sensitive personal data to further his goal of reducing the number of immigrants living in the U.S. On Monday, the Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service 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. That led to the resignation of the acting head of the IRS and other top officials at the tax-collecting agency. Reuters on Tuesday reported that the Trump administration plans to fine migrants under deportation orders up to $998 a day if they fail to leave the United States and to seize their property if they do not pay. (Reporting by Ted Hesson in Washington and Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California; Editing by Ross Colvin and Stephen Coates) Elon Musk has barely budged from Donald Trumps side ever since he was elected president. Now Trumps trade war is hurting Musks business yet again. (Kayla BartkowskiGetty Images) Tesla has stopped taking orders for the Model S and Model X in China, which now face retaliatory 125% import duties levied by Beijing. Local customers are only able to choose from new cars still in inventory at its showrooms across the country. Fortunately, they are not in high demand so the damage to Tesla is minimal. The Trump administrations trade war with China backfired for the presidents senior advisor Elon Musk when Tesla was forced to pull two cars from its biggest growth market. His electric vehicle manufacturer is no longer accepting orders for its premium Model S sedan and sibling Model X crossover. Both built exclusively in California for worldwide export, the duo are subject to the new 125% import duty Beijing slapped on U.S. goods in retaliation for Trumps own similarly punitive tariff imposed this week. Sales of the two models are now only possible from the dwindling inventory of vehicles Tesla already shipped from its Fremont plant near San Francisco to Chinese showrooms across the country. The decision comes as Trump, whom Musk backed in the election with over a quarter billion dollars, ignited a trade war with the entire world that caused markets to tank. On Wednesday, Trump blinked after his new regime of punitive tariffs had only been in effect for a few hours, blaming yippy markets. But he held firm on his China tariffs, and Beijing has now responded in kind. Tesla relies almost exclusively on its Shanghai factory for the Chinese market Fortunately for investors, the damage is minimal. Current estimates suggest no more than 2,000 Model S and X units are at risk, a little more than a tenth of one percent of Teslas global annual volume. For one, Tesla doesnt rely on exports to China for its business. Much like other foreign brands that are major players in China, the overwhelming bulk of its sales come from vehicles locally built and sourced. In Teslas case, it builds the Model Y and 3 in its Shanghai factory. Typically carmakers only export niche models to China that compete in segments so small the added costs of setting up a second assembly line, even in a market its size, simply cannot be justified economically. This goes equally for flagship luxury cars like the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class as well as Musks Model S and X. Secondly, the Tesla duo at this point are so old they barely factor at all into its business when compared with the newer Model 3 and Model Y. For example, the S has largely been sold unchanged since 2012, save for design tweaks often too minor for the layman to spot. Tesla did not respond to a Fortune request for comment. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com An Alabama college student is being mourned after he died in an out-of-state camping incident last week. The deceased University of Alabama student was identified as 22-year-old Malachi Crain, a senior computer science and math major from South Carolina, according to Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Crain's death was announced on Facebook by the Bama Catholic Ministry. The social media post said Crain, a member of the campus ministry, died "in a camping accident" on April 5. "He was the Vice President of Liturgy for 2024 and was known for his love of altar serving," the statement said. "He led a bible study and was discipling other men in our community for over two years. He will be dearly missed by many." News: Murdered South Carolina officer, new wife had big dreams on land where he was killed Malachi Crain, another man was pinned under tree for hours The Fannin County Emergency Management Agency confirmed with USA TODAY on Friday that Crain was on a trip when a tree fell on a remote camping site in Georgia. Four men, including Crain, were sleeping in hammocks during the incident. According to the agency, crews responded to an emergency call at Panther Creek Falls in the Chattahoochee National Forest, described as a "difficult-to-access location," around 2 a.m. It was reported that one man was unresponsive and pinned under a tree. Multiple other agencies responded to the scene, but reaching the area took about five hours. "The terrain surrounding Panther Creek Falls is rugged, marked by steep inclines, dense forest cover, and extremely limited access," officials said in a news 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." 'We know he has entered the next life' According to the Fannin County Emergency Management Agency, the group was helped by good Samaritans who were camping nearby. When the rescue crew arrived, they found one man deceased and another injured. Officials airlifted the victims to a landing zone where a coroner's unit and an advanced life support ambulance were on the scene, the officials stated. Once in stable condition, the injured victim was then taken to a hospital. The agency posted videos of the emergency helicopter extraction, crediting it as a "crucial component" in the rescue. "Without air support, a ground evacuation would have demanded far more personnel, extended the duration of the operation, and increased the risk to both rescuers and the patient," the agency said. A prayer, mass and funeral service for Crain was held this week in Alabama and South Carolina. "Although he has departed this life, we know he has entered the next life and is fully alive to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit," Crain's obituary reads. "Though we grieve now, we eagerly await our full reunion with him when God will bring together all his children in the glorious New Heavens and New Earth." Contributing: Jasmine Hollie, Tuscaloosa News, USA TODAY Network Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Malachi Crain, Univeristy of Alabama student, dies on camping trip By David Shepardson and Idrees Ali WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. Army has turned over to the Senate a 2024 August memo detailing why it routinely failed to use a safety system known as ADS-B on helicopter flights around Reagan Washington National Airport, Senator Ted Cruz said Thursday. Cruz, who chairs the Senate Commerce Committee, had threatened to subpoena the memo, but the army turned it over to the Senate Armed Services Committee, which then gave it to the Commerce Committee, he told Reuters. Cruz said the committee is reviewing the memo. An Army Black Hawk helicopter did not have the system operating during a routine training mission when it collided with an American Airlines regional jet on January 29 near the airport, killing 67 people. An Army official confirmed that the report had been sent to the Armed Services Committee and added that it has been rescinded. Reuters reviewed a copy of the three-page memo that gives guidance to commanders on when to operates aircraft with ADS-B intentionally turned off. The Army had refused to turn over the memo after a request from Cruz, a Republican, and Senator Maria Cantwell, the top Democrat. "It begs the question, what doesn't the army want Congress and the American people to know about why it was flying partially blind?" Cruz said last week. ADS-B, or automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast, is an advanced surveillance technology that transmits an aircraft's location. Cruz said if civilians were to die in another collision between a passenger jet and a Black Hawk helicopter that was not using the safety system "those deaths will be on the army's hands." Civilian airplanes are required to use ADS-B, but the Federal Aviation Administration in 2019 gave the military an exemption in rare circumstances. Senators say the military has rarely if ever used ADS-B in Washington training flights. U.S. airline group Airlines for America previously called for military aircraft to be required to use ADS-B near large airports to broadcast their position to avoid collisions. The FAA said it now requiring ADS-B use near Reagan National by government helicopters except in cases such as "active national security missions." (Reporting by David Shepardson and Idrees Ali, Editing by Franklin Paul and David Gregorio) By Jonathan Allen JENA, Louisiana (Reuters) -A U.S. immigration judge will rule on Friday whether the government can deport Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil, a month after he was arrested at his Columbia University apartment building and transferred to a Louisiana jail. Last month, Secretary of State Marco Rubio determined that Khalil, a prominent figure in the pro-Palestinian student protest movement that has roiled Columbia's New York City campus, should be removed because his presence in the U.S. has "potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences," citing the 1952 Immigration and Nationality Act. Khalil's case is the most high-profile test of efforts by President Donald Trump, a Republican, to deport foreign pro-Palestinian students who are in the U.S. legally and, like Khalil, have not been charged with any crime. Khalil, who was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria and holds Algerian citizenship, became a U.S. lawful permanent resident last year. His lawyers have complained they are being rushed to review the evidence that the government submitted on Wednesday on the orders of Judge Jamee Comans of the LaSalle Immigration Court. The court sits inside a jail complex for immigrants surrounded by double-fenced razor wire run by private government contractors in rural Louisiana. In a two-page letter submitted to the court and Khalil's lawyers, which they shared with reporters, Rubio wrote that Khalil, 30, should be removed for his role in "antisemitic protests and disruptive activities, which fosters a hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States." Rubio's letter did not accuse Khalil of breaking any laws, but he said that his department can revoke an immigrant's legal status even where their beliefs, associations or statements are "otherwise lawful." Khalil's lawyers said they will ask Judge Comans at Friday's hearing to allow them to subpoena Rubio and depose him. Baher Azmy, the legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights and one of Khalil's attorneys, told a press briefing on Thursday that Rubio's letter "is a sort of tacky, Soviet-style diktat that's equal parts empty and chilling." Khalil and his lawyers say the U.S. government is targeting him only for speech that is protected under the U.S. Constitution, including the right to criticize U.S. foreign policy. Khalil says criticism of the U.S. government's support of Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories is being wrongly conflated with antisemitism. A State Department spokesperson said the department does not comment on ongoing legal cases. Judge Comans said on Tuesday she would rule on whether Khalil can be deported or the government's case should be terminated, freeing him, by the end of this week. In a separate case in a New Jersey federal court, Khalil is challenging what he says is his unconstitutional arrest, detention and transfer to a jail some 1,200 miles (1,930 km) from his family and lawyers in New York City. The U.S. immigration court system is run and its judges appointed by the U.S. Department of Justice, separate from the government's judicial branch. (Reporting by Jonathan Allen in Jena, Louisana; Additional reporting by Luc Cohen; editing by Donna Bryson and Lincoln Feast.) A Washington Army National Guard soldier works on a machine gun ahead of mission in 2021. Washington Military Department (The Center Square) The Washington State Senate has passed a bill previously approved by the House of Representatives that would prohibit governors of other states from sending their National Guard into Washington without permission from the governor, a policy that has had some critics scratching their heads as to its relevance. There's no reason for this bill because I believe that federal law already preamps this, Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Centralia, told colleagues on the Senate floor prior to the April 10 vote. In other words, another governor is not going to send in their National Guard to another state. Sponsored by Rep. Sharlett Mena, D-Tacoma, Substitute House Bill 1321 contains the following provision: "No armed military force from another state, territory, or district is permitted to enter the state of Washington for the purpose of doing military duty therein, without the permission of the governor, unless such force has been called into active service of the United States, and is acting under authority of the president of the United States." Although some supporters argue the proposal is similar to those enacted in other states, opponents have noted that the bill language differs greatly from that legislation, also known as Defend the Guard Act. A proposed amendment in the House that would have copied those states bill language was rejected. Although the bill references "militia" instead of National Guard, state law defines it as "the military forces provided for in the Constitution and laws of the state of Washington." Speaking in favor of the bill on the Senate floor, Sen. Javier Valdez, D-Seattle, said the bill just makes it very clear, we'll be joining other states that make it very clear that other states cannot send their National Guard into our state with either permission from our government, whoever them may be at the time, or of course if they are actually troops that are federalized. However, Wilson said such a scenario has never occurred in American history except during the Civil War. Im certainly not predicting any civil wars ... but I'm quite certain that the powers of the federal government have already protected this," he said. "I'm going to argue again that we don't need this. I think with today's tensions in the United States and each state, I think the bill should be put down if [for] nothing else just to ease the tensions. The bill will now be sent to Gov. Bob Fergusons desk for signing. By Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will travel to China next month for his third meeting with President Xi Jinping since taking office in 2023, the government in Brasilia said, and a fourth meeting is already planned for July. The steady pace of bilateral meetings underscores Brazil's warming relations with its largest trading partner, which a diplomat in Brasilia called "inevitable," as the world adapts to U.S. President Donald Trump's unpredictable trade policies. "The natural path is to look for alternatives. China is one of them," said the diplomat, who requested anonymity to speak freely, adding that Brazil is also looking to close a regional trade deal with the European Union and boost cooperation among the BRICS group of major developing nations. "I would call it a risk reduction policy. Today, the relationship with the United States has a high level of risk, so it's a natural inclination to look for alternatives," the diplomat said, adding that Brazil and China already share a close relationship. In Brasilia last November, Xi and Lula upgraded the status of diplomatic relations and struck more than three dozen agreements to cooperate on infrastructure, energy, agribusiness and other strategic sectors. Lula is scheduled to attend a meeting among Chinese officials and Latin American and Caribbean leaders in Beijing on May 13, according to the Brazilian government. Diplomats expect Lula and Xi to hold private talks there. They will meet again in Rio de Janeiro at the BRICS summit in July, with Xi's attendance confirmed. Xi is also expected to visit Brazil for the United Nations climate summit in November, which officials expect to include some 1,000 Chinese business leaders. (Reporting by Lisandra Paraguassu; Editing by Manuela Andreoni and Brad Haynes; Editing by Rod Nickel) In the wake of VMwares acquisition, partners customers are looking to diversify their tech tools where they can and futureproof where they cant. This is according to managed service provider (MSP) Think Solutions sales director Pedro Duarte, who said during a roundtable discussion hosted by Nutanix, that after VMwares acquisition, customers are preparing themselves for lifts and shift over to a multivendor strategy. Many years ago, when cloud was a buzzword, [customers] just lifted and shifted workloads to the cloud. A lot of customers got burned by that and are starting to repatriate back and the ones that havent are thinking about their strategy of what they do, he said. A lot of the apps they were trying to move were legacy apps that werent containerised. So, a lot of customers now are actually investing the time to containerise their apps to get ready to shift as the market shifts; pick a cloud today or pick on-premises tomorrow and be able to move between different platforms easily and consistently. I think the consistency and the operational simplicity of containers is driving that change. In Australia, weve got huge cloud adoption compared to other regions and, at the moment, containers are the buzzword everyones focusing on. Multivendor splendour The overall strategy however is dependent on the size of the customer in question. Duarte said Think Solutions smaller customers were faced with a predicament moving away from VMware is difficult because budgets are tight for this group, but they also have the agility to take on change at a quicker pace than larger organisations. Google Cloud has honoured the success of its Australian and New Zealand (A/NZ) partners at its Next 25 conference with its Partner of the Year awards for 2025. In total, eight awards were given to businesses in Asia Pacific (APAC) that are based in A/NZ or have an A/NZ presence. Taking out the top regional level A/NZ Partner of the Year award was Mantel Group. Our Partner Awards recognise Google Cloud partners who deliver exceptional value to customers with innovative solutions and deep expertise, said Gary Denman, Google Cloud A/NZ head of partnerships and alliances. Were proud to name Mantel Group a 2025 Google Cloud Partner award winner and celebrate their success in helping customers achieve great results over the past year. Additionally, several multinational partners with an A/NZ location also received awards. ARN understands that these partners won their accolades due to their global efforts, which includes their work in A/NZ. Industry delegates gathered for an exclusive EDGE 2025 launch event at Capella in Sydney to discover whats new for the conference this year housing the theme The A/NZ Channel FutureScape How transformation will impact the new tech ecosystem. Taking place from 27 to 30 July 2025 at the stunning five-star RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast, EDGE 2025 is the only A/NZ channel conference that provides decision-makers with the right forum to learn and network and achieve profitable outcomes. Find out more about EDGE 2025: The Channel FutureScape here. Content will be underpinned by EDGE Research, housing in-depth end-user and partner analysis across Australia and New Zealand, uniquely delivered in partnership with Mark Iles and Tech Research Asia. ARN and Reseller News has involved an outstanding Brains Trust to advise on best directions for the EDGE 2025 partner experience. This highly credentialed line-up includes: Mark Iles of TRA, Brad Clarke of Channel Guru; James Davis of The TSP Advisory, Moheb Moses of Channel Dynamics, Ryan Spillane of 360 Consulting, Ashleigh Vogstad of Transcends, Desmond Russell of PartnerElevate and IDC APAC senior researcher of channel and partner ecosystems Sheena Wee. EDGE Ambassador Susan Searle briefed the audience on what delegates can expect from EDGE 2025 with increased networking opportunities and the brand new app experience. Im honoured we were able to bring together a powerful channel community to celebrate the launch of EDGE 2025, Searle said. There was an incredible buzz of enthusiasm in the room, and it was excellent to showcase how EDGE 2025 will be the most powerful forum for the A/NZ ecosystem. President Subianto's announcement came during his visit to the Turkish capital yesterday. Turkeys first fighter jet is set to replace the F-16s. The Indonesian government also plans to participate in submarine development with Turkey. In February, in West Java, the two leaders signed several agreements on trade and defence. Jakarta (AsiaNews) Indonesia wants to boost its military cooperation with Turkey, contributing to the joint development of the Turkish fifth-generation fighter TAI TF-X Kaan, said Indonesian President Prabowo Subiato at the end of a meeting with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in the Turkish capital yesterday. The Indonesian leader is in Turkey on a state visit. The country straddling Europe and Asia is the Indonesian leader's second stop on a tour of the Middle East that began in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he met President Mohammed Zayed Al Nahyan. Indonesia wants to participate in the development of the Kaan fifth-generation fighter jet and submarine development with the Turkish industry, Prabowo said on Thursday without elaborating, while Erdogan refrained from making specific comments about the aircraft. The Turkish president admitted, however, that both leaders had reviewed ongoing projects and new cooperation opportunities including joint production in the defence industry, the Jakarta Globe reported. The stealth twin-engine fighter Kaan under development since 2010 by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), a state-owned arms company is designed to replace the countrys F-16s and will be the first Turkish-made fighter jet. British aerospace firm BAE Systems is a subcontractor in the project. In addition to aerospace, Indonesia also wants to participate in submarine development with Turkey. Kaans maiden and second flights were completed in 2024 and the aircraft is set to enter production soon, with deliveries to the Turkish Air Force expected by 2028 or 2029. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have expressed interest in developing or purchasing the fighter plane. Prabowo also announced, without giving details, that Jakarta and Ankara have agreed to the creation of a joint venture in the defence sector. Prabowo is in Ankara at Erdogan's invitation, after the Turkish leader's visit to Indonesia in February in which the two leaders signed several agreements on trade and defence, including a joint venture to produce drones. One agreement reached in Bokor West Java was signed by Lutfu Haluk Bayraktar, CEO of the Turkish company Baykar with family connections to the president, and Norman Joesoef, founder of Republikorp, an Indonesian defence company. It involves the production and export of Bayraktar Tb3 and Akinci drones. The first aircraft is designed for naval operations, capable of taking off and landing on aircraft carriers and small runways; the other can fly at great altitudes for long periods. by Dario Salvi Speaking to AsiaNews, Jordanian scholar Al Sabaileh says that reports that several Shia groups in Iraq plan to disarm are likely accurate. US pressure and the fear that Iraq might become another battleground like Syria, Lebanon and Yemen have been decisive. But with the end of the armed struggle, the militias political weight will not be the same in upcoming October elections. Milan (AsiaNews) There is a "good chance" that recent reports that several pro-Iranian militias and armed groups in Iraq intend to disarm are real since the country "is the last battleground left untouched, this according to Amer Al Sabaileh, a Jordanian university professor and geopolitical expert on Middle Eastern issues, international security and peace process in crisis areas, and a contributor to several international newspapers, including The Jordan Times. Iraq, he explains, represents "a very important battleground" where Iran can exert its influence, "the only one left, given that the Israelis have loosened their 'encirclement' over the past year and a half by striking in different places: from Gaza and the West Bank to Lebanon and Syria", with US assistance. With Iraq as the last battleground, the United States is currently at war with the Houthis in Yemen to put pressure on Iran, ahead of talks tomorrow in Oman between high-level US and Iranian delegations to discuss Irans nuclear programme. No one can deny that the relationship between Iran and the mostly Shia Popular Mobilisation Forces in Iraq is very similar to that with other armed groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Al Sabaileh explained. "They are an operational arm for Tehran and it is normal that Iran has thought in the past of using this battleground as part of talks or possible US and Israeli attack on its territory. To ease tensions and in response to the many warnings leaked by US officials to the Iraqi government since Donald Trump moved back into the White House, the prospect of disarming many of these militias seems increasingly plausible. If this happens, it would be an historic step because it might signal an end to the armed struggle amid growing regional tensions in the Middle East that could also see Iraq dragged into war. The US has warned Iraq that without a decisive action to block armed pro-Iranian militias, the response would be of a military nature with attacks and air raids in Iraq, sliding towards war with inevitable repercussions for civilians. In this regard, Izzat al-Shahbndar, a high-level Shia politician close to the ruling alliance, told Reuters that talks between Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and several militia leaders are at an advanced stage. Kataib Hezbollah, classified as a terror group by the US, is one of the groups inclined to accept US disarmament demands; others include Nujabaa, Kataib Sayyed al-Shuhada, and Ansarullah al-Awfiyaa. The commanders of these militias say that their main ally and patron, the Revolutionary Guards (IRGC, the Pasdaran), has given its blessing to any decision deemed necessary to avoid a devastating conflict with the US and Israel. The militias are part of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of about 10 Shia groups with some 50,000 members and arsenals that include long-range missiles and anti-aircraft weapons. Iran remains the most important player on the Iraqi political scene, for its support to the militias and the role it has played in the country since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, notes Al Sabaileh, author of several studies on war and terrorism, in North Africa and the Middle East. According to the Amman-born scholar, from being various allied groups, the militias have developed "a real military and operational role" in the country with the war against Daesh (Islamic State). Tehran armed the Shia militias, which have become the pillar of the Iraqi army, while its men have been placed in all key positions within the Iraqi system. Iran exerts very strong influence, which has been built over the years" and which has led Tehran to be the "number one player" so much so that it has been defined as "the true ruler of this country. However, Irans alliances and pro-Iranian armed militias "have suffered huge damage in the last year and a half in Lebanon, Syria and Yemen. Even in Iraq, Iran's weight will not be the same in the upcoming national election in October; its the role and political room to manoeuvre will no longer be the same. "When weapons are removed, it is hard to imagine that the political weight of these militias will remain unchanged. A complaint was filed against Kunal Kamra after he made a joke about a local leader, while the club where he performed was vandalised and partly demolished. His case reflects a growing climate of repression against comedy that makes fun of politicians. This trend began with Prime Minister Narendra Modi coming to power and continues with complaints, threats and even with some artists arrested. New Delhi (AsiaNews) In India one can no longer laugh, at least not in the case of political satire, after Kunal Kamra posted a video in which he made fun of Maharashtras Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. During the performance, which took place in early February, the standup comedian and political satirist, without directly naming Shinde, called him "gaddar" (traitor) in reference to his role in the split that divided the Shiv Sena party. Shindes faction eventually joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to form the current Maharashtra state government. The reaction by supporters of Shindes party was immediate, vandalising the Habitat Comedy Club in Mumbai, where Kamra had performed, forcing it to close temporarily. At least three complaints were also filed against the comedian for defamation and disturbance of public order, but he refused to apologise, asserting his right to freely express himself. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who belongs to the BJP, said that "insulting leaders will not be tolerated, while supporting the attack on the Mumbai club. For its part, police stood idly by during the incident, but later summoned some spectators as witnesses. Municipal authorities instead demolished part of the building, claiming it was illegal. The club had already been in trouble some time earlier for hosting a show by comedian Samay Raina, titled "India's Got Latent" (a pun intended). Our right to freedom of speech and expression is not only to be used to fawn over the powerful and rich, Kamra wrote on a social media platform. Your inability to take a joke at the expense of a powerful public figure does not change the nature of my right. As far as I know, it is not against the law to poke fun at our leaders and the circus that is our political system. This is not the first time that government authorities targeted the comedian for his work. In the past he had made fun of a journalist, Arnab Goswami, calling him a "godi (lapdog) media", a sort of government spokesman. As a result, he was temporarily banned from boarding flights. Recently, the comedian, who is a staunch supporter of free speech, pointed to India's ranking 159th out of 180 countries in terms of press freedom, according to Reporters Without Borders. But his case is not isolated. In fact, it is part of a trend that began shortly after BJP leader Narendra Modi became prime minister in 2014. The following year, a series of complaints were made against the AIB collective because of the use of profanity in shows deemed against Indian values. In 2020, Agrima Joshua was the subject of death threats and rape for a stand-up video in which she apparently jokes about Maratha Emperor Chhatrapati Shivaji. It was later revealed that the controversial comments were related to a statue of the ruler under construction. In 2021, in Madhya Pradesh, the son of a BJP MP filed a complaint against Munawar Faruqui who was later arrested for making comments about some Hindu deities. The comedian spent more than a month in prison. That same year, Vir Das, after a much praised performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, faced several police complaints and was arrested following a complaint by a BJP spokesman for allegedly defaming and insulting the country. Again in 2021, Kamra and Faruqui had to cancel some of their shows in several cities because right-wing groups threatened violent actions, while state authorities offered no protection. INDIAN MANDALA IS THE ASIANEWS NEWSLETTER DEDICATED TO INDIA. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE IT EVERY FRIDAY? TO SUBSCRIBE, CLICK HERE. by Vladimir Rozanskij Tbilisi (AsiaNews) - The former president of Georgia, Salome Zurabishvili, criticised the representatives of the Georgian Dream for their interpretation of the tragic events of 9 April 1989, when Soviet soldiers massacred demonstrators on Prospekt Rustaveli in Tbilisi, and not some anonymous foreign forces. They were Russian men and you don't have the courage to admit it, he commented, claiming that that was the day of the Victory of the peaceful struggle of the Georgians against the Russians. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze had issued a statement that made no mention of Soviet armies, and compared the foreign interventions of that time with those of today, which continue to pour violence on the centre of the Georgian capital. Kobakhidze does in fact state in the official communique that even today foreign forces incite mutual hatred in the streets of Tbilisi and try to artificially destroy the unity of Georgians, fighting against the authentic idea of freedom, but the experience of 9 April, in his opinion, has taught us that the existence of foreign powers is not eternal, and that love and freedom always triumph over hate and slavery. The Georgian government is therefore trying to quench these negative energies and avoid any provocation, even the smallest, among the many planned by foreign powers in our country. Zurabishvili instead points the finger of shame at the so-called Georgian government, which doesn't want to recognise that only the Russians and their slaves bring war and violence to the world, while those protesting today in Georgia want peace, believe in a better future and celebrate the independence of their country. The fifth president, as she is defined by her supporters who consider her the only legitimate authority in the country, also criticised the Minister of Defence, Iraklij Cikovani, who is also afraid to use the term Russians to define the oppressors of 9 April: How does this minister defend us, and from whom does he defend us?. And addressing the members of the ruling party, who display patriotism and nationalism, she asks how they plan to sell off the future of Georgia, given that they have already sold off its past. The former president did not visit the Memorial to the victims of 1989, speaking on 9 April in the Senate of the Czech Republic, also to avoid having to meet with the illegitimate representatives of Georgian institutions. However, there was no shortage of demonstrators on Prospekt Rustaveli, up to the parliament building, led by the relatives of the demonstrators arrested in recent months during pro-European demonstrations, who tried to prevent the representatives of the Georgian Dream from approaching the Memorial, with consequent tensions and street clashes. Prime Minister Kobakhidze, like the President of the Republic Mikhail Kavelasvili, also avoided going to the memorial. On 9 April 1989 Soviet troops used flame throwers, spades and toxic substances to disperse the demonstrators demanding independence from the USSR in one of the first popular uprisings during Gorbachev's perestroika period, causing 21 deaths, mostly women. Around 200 people were hospitalised immediately after the demonstration, and many others sought treatment in the days that followed. On the second anniversary of the tragedy, 9 April 1991, Georgia finally proclaimed its independence, which had been lost in 1921 with the Soviet occupation, and on that day the Supreme Council of the State approved the declaration of restoration of the Caucasian country's sovereignty. 11 April 2025 13:39 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more During todays session at the Baku Military Court, Gurgen Stepanyan, a citizen of Armenia on trial for crimes against peace and humanity, admitted to serving in the occupied Fuzuli region of Azerbaijan during his mandatory military service, Azernews reports. As reported by Azernews, Stepanyan, responding to questions from public prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, stated: I lived in the city of Jermukh, Armenia. The Armenian state called me up for military service. He confirmed that he served for two years starting in 2006 in a unit stationed in what was then occupied Azerbaijani territory. The accused also revealed that Armenian citizens comprised the majority of officers in the unit where he served. Later, Stepanyan joined the so-called Khojavand Regiment and acknowledged receiving a salary through a bank card for his service in the regiment. The ongoing trial involves multiple Armenian nationals charged with a wide range of serious crimes, including waging a war of aggression, genocide, terrorism, and violations of international humanitarian law committed during Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan. The next hearing is scheduled for April 11, as the court continues to examine testimonies and evidence in the case. 11 April 2025 16:22 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more During the trial held on April 11 at the Baku Military Court, Ramiz Adigozalov, a resident of the Baganis Ayrim village in Azerbaijans Gazakh region, gave emotional testimony about a brutal attack that took place on the night of March 2324, 1990, Azernews reports. Adigozalov stated that Armenian servicemen stormed the village, first allowing women to loot homes before the men set them on fire. That night, my 39-day-old baby was killed. Six villagers and a police officer were burned to death, he told the court. The ongoing trial involves citizens of the Republic of Armenia accused of crimes against peace and humanity, including war crimes, terrorism, and genocide. The proceedings are part of Azerbaijan's broader legal action addressing the consequences of Armenias military aggression. 11 April 2025 13:45 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The Fourth Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2025) has officially opened in Belek, Antalya, under the theme Restoring Diplomacy in a Fractured World. Bringing together around 450 representatives from 140 countries, the high-level gathering serves as a platform to explore shared solutions to global crises and regional conflicts. Among the key figures participating is Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, attending at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. President Aliyevs participation in ADF2025 further strengthens Azerbaijans position as a reliable international partner and a state that actively influences regional and global processes. With each such event, Azerbaijan reinforces its role as a symbol of stability, development, and cooperation. Its balanced and pragmatic foreign policy, rooted in mutual respect and benefit, continues to elevate its global prestige. Access to paid information is limited Find the plan that suits you best. 11 April 2025 18:00 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more In political maneuvering, sometimes when one is left with nothing, the instinct is to throw whatever is in hand, regardless of the consequences. Yet, without considering the aftermath, what one throws may end up coming right back at them. Time will reveal the consequences, but the undeniable fact is that Armenian lawmakers are once again attempting to stir controversy, resorting to cheap political tricks to incite public outrage. One might ask whether this behavior is a tradition in Armenian politics or part of an established policy. The answer is neither tradition nor political doctrine rather, it's a calculated strategy to fabricate falsehoods and present them as truth. It is as though they are constantly creating a distorted version of historical chronology in a bid to rewrite the narrative. Recall that nearly a year ago, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in one of his speeches on peace talks with Azerbaijan, stated that the issue of the "Armenian Genocide" should no longer be brought up as it had become a barrier to peace. He emphasized that the time had come to move beyond this narrative, particularly when engaging with todays Azerbaijan, where such rhetoric no longer holds sway. Yet, it appears that some troublemakers in the Uruguayan Parliament, evidently unwilling to heed Pashinyans message, continue to propagate these outdated and debunked lies in a bid to manipulate public opinion in Uruguay. One cant help but wonder how they begin such discussions when every step only serves to expose their hypocrisy. Initially, they defended war criminals, only to shift focus to the fate of Armenians who voluntarily left Garabagh following the 2023 anti-terror operation. The fate of those Armenians is no longer in disputeYerevan is already making decisions regarding their future. Those who refused to live under the Azerbaijani flag were the first to be offered an open door by Yerevan, encouraging their return. If this is their choice, so be it, but to label this as ethnic cleansing is nothing more than spitting out empty words. As the saying goes, "he who falls cannot blame the ground." Each time Armenia stumbles, it once again turns to Azerbaijan as the scapegoat. Defending the leaders of a group of revanchist and terrorist factions that occupied more than 20 percent of Azerbaijans territory for 30 years, causing widespread trauma among its people, clearly exposes the ideological leanings of the Armenian state. Trying to strike a peace deal with such a government or attempting long-term cooperation with it amounts to playing a dangerous game of chance. Such an ideology represents a direct gamble with the safety of both the country and the region. Yerevan, wary of making direct statements, continues to rely on foreign political factions to push these laughable claims. In doing so, it only subjects itself to ridicule while simultaneously undermining the credibility of its own state. This is yet another confirmation that Armenia, no matter how many centuries may pass, will never approach peace talks in good faith, continually passing revanchist messages under various pretexts. The paradox within its domestic and foreign policies is evident, and it is far from any democratic principle. Through this, Armenia reveals itself as a society completely detached from peace-building and constructive progress, much as evidenced by the devastation it wrought in Nagorno-Karabakh over the past three decades. As 2025 moves past its first quarter, there is still no sign of any decisive step from Yerevan toward peace. What we hear instead are just more old fairy tales 11 April 2025 14:27 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more A meeting was held between the delegation of Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) CJSC and officials from the Republic of Moldova to explore prospects for enhancing cooperation in the field of air transport, Azernews reports. The meeting brought together President of AZAL CJSC Samir Rzayev, Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Moldova and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development Vladimir Bolea, who also serves as the Co-Chairman of the Azerbaijan-Moldova Intergovernmental Commission, along with Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Moldova to Azerbaijan Aleksandr Esaulenko, Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Moldova Ulvi Bakhshaliyev, and representatives from both sides. The sides exchanged views on strengthening air links, increasing regular passenger services, and future cooperation in the aviation sector. During the discussions, Samir Rzayev announced that, in response to growing demand, the number of Baku-Chisinau-Baku flights had been increased to five times a week as of April 2025. He also noted plans to launch daily flights starting from May. Vladimir Bolea and Ambassador Esaulenko highly valued the current level of cooperation with AZAL and expressed Moldovas readiness to provide full support for further development of these relations. It should be noted that regular flights on the Baku-Chisinau-Baku route were launched in September 2023. In 2024, a total of 189 round-trip flights were operated on this route, transporting 49,636 passengers. In the first three months of 2025 alone, 51 round-trip flights were carried out, with 12,180 passengers served. Both sides expressed confidence that the increased frequency of flights will enhance convenience for passengers and further promote economic, cultural, and tourism ties between Azerbaijan and Moldova. The meeting also included discussions on other mutually beneficial areas and avenues for future cooperation. 11 April 2025 11:48 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more A sculpture workshop "Golden Thread," organized by the Arts Council Azerbaijan as part of the European Arts and Crafts Days (EACD) with support from the European Union and the European Crafts Alliance, has successfully concluded, Azernews reports. The project was curated by Aysel Naghiyeva. The workshop brought together a group of talented Azerbaijani artists, including Zamig Rzayev, Zaur Kerimkhanov, Shahriyar Merdiyev, Aysel Naghiyeva, and Kubra Amirzade. Each artist offered a unique interpretation of the theme "Golden Thread," which symbolizes the cultural connections between different eras, peoples, and artistic traditions. Throughout the creative process, the participants explored the expressive potential of ceramics as a medium for bridging the past and present. By blending traditional craft techniques with contemporary forms, they produced artworks that resonate with themes of continuity, identity, and cultural dialogue. The project served not only as a space for artistic exchange but also as an important platform for reflecting on the role of cultural heritage in contemporary art. The workshop highlighted the importance of preserving and reinterpreting craft traditions, as well as integrating them into modern artistic practices. Media partners for the event included Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az. 11 April 2025 13:07 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more The second meeting of the National Coordinators of the TURKSOY Museums' Union has taken place in Girne, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, under the auspices of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY), Azernews reports. Azerbaijan was represented at the event by Shirin Malikova, director of the National Art Museum. The event, titled "The 2nd International Symposium on the Preservation and Research of Cultural Heritage," brought together representatives from Turkic states to discuss experience sharing and enhance museum cooperation. During the opening ceremony, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar, welcomed participants and highlighted the significance of collaborative efforts in preserving the cultural heritage of the Turkic world. The meeting also featured the inauguration of the Museum of Cypriot Doors and Chests, attended by the First Lady, Sibel Tatar. The museum showcases a variety of doors and chests that illustrate the island's rich historical, cultural, and ethnic diversity. A cultural program was held for the symposium participants. The International Organization of Turkic Culture, TURKSOY, was established in 1993 upon signature of its founding agreement by the Ministers of Culture of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Turkiye Over the past years, TURKSOY has made significant contributions to promoting Turkic cultural heritage through different initiatives. Most of these projects have become a tradition and are continued every year. Since its establishment, TURKSOY has been carrying out activities to strengthen the ties of brotherhood and solidarity among Turkic peoples, transmit the common Turkic culture to future generations and introduce it to the world. The organization actively collaborates with international bodies like UNESCO and maintains partnerships with institutions such as the Organization of Turkic States and the International Turkish Academy. Azerbaijan actively participates in TURKSOY's initiatives, hosting events like the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World project in Shusha city. Many events of cultural significance, including the Kharibulbul International Folklore Festival, the Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival, the Cultural Days of the Turkic People, the Vagif Poetry Days, the International Festival of Children's Creativity, Wonderland Shusha 2023 International Scout Camp, and other events were organized in Azerbaijan's cultural center in accordance with the Action Plan. 11 April 2025 14:48 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Azerbaijani Culture Minister Adil Karimli has met with Qatari Culture Minister Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the Qatar Culture Days, Azernews reports. During the meeting, Minister Karimli warmly welcomed his counterpart and congratulated him on the cultural event. He underlined the progressive and trust-based relationships between Azerbaijan and Qatar, noting successful collaborations on both bilateral and multilateral levels. Adil Karimli pointed out that the rich cultural heritage of both nations strengthens their ties. He mentioned the memorable Azerbaijani Culture Days held in Doha in February 2024 and expressed optimism that the Qatari Culture Days in Baku will further enhance cultural connections. In response, Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani thanked Adil Karimli for the warm reception and appreciated the hospitality shown to the Qatari delegation. He expressed satisfaction at the resurgence of cultural exchanges since the last presentation of Qatari culture in Azerbaijan 16 years ago and underlined the importance of such events for fostering cultural integration. The two ministers discussed potential avenues for further cultural collaboration between Azerbaijan and Qatar. Diplomatic ties between Azerbaijan and Qatar were established on September 14, 1994. Subsequently, both nations opened their embassies in 2007. A significant milestone was reached in 2016 with the establishment of a Joint Economic, Trade, and Technical Intergovernmental Commission, which held its inaugural meeting in Azerbaijan on January 31, 2017. The second meeting of this commission occurred in Doha on February 20, 2019. An "Agreement on cooperation in the field of culture and art between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Qatar" was signed in Doha on November 30, 2004. The first edition of Qatar Culture Days in Azerbaijan occurred from June 6 to 11, 2009, featuring a Qatari delegation of 58 members, including artists and cultural figures led by Mubarak bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, the Secretary-General of Qatar's National Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage. In return, the inaugural Culture Days of Azerbaijan were celebrated in Qatar from June 1 to 4, 2010, with a delegation of approximately 150 Azerbaijani representatives. During this event, the audience enjoyed performances by Azerbaijan's Group of Musical Instruments, the State Dancing Group, and an opera performance of "Leyli and Majnun" by the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater artists. 11 April 2025 18:15 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Two Azerbaijani artists have transformed an urban space into a platform for poetic and ecological reflection, unveiling a new installation after completing the international educational program Climate Adaptation for Creatives, a unique 20-week online course for creative people responding to climate challenges, Azernews reports. The program was implemented in collaboration between the British Council and Black Mountains College (Wales, UK) and brought together 80 creative practitioners from the UK and Europe. Based on the principles of collaborative learning and knowledge sharing, the program combined lively discussions, independent study and practical assignments designed to inspire participants to take real action in their communities. Inspired by this experience, the course graduates - the head of Arts Council Azerbaijan Dadash Mammadov and a member of the Azerbaijan Writers' Union and The Poetry Society (UK), poetess Leyli Salayeva launched the project "Manifestation of the Future through Poetry and Sustainable Development", which became a new stage of the already existing H.E.Art initiative, created by Arts Council Azerbaijan in 2017, uniting various forms of art and social themes. At the center of the installation is a metal barrel, ubiquitous in the urban and rural landscapes of Azerbaijan and often used as a temporary container. Here it takes on a new meaning: a living tree is planted in it, whose roots are limited by a closed space. This metaphor reflects the vulnerability of nature, compressed within the boundaries of human expectations and infrastructural solutions. The project has already been presented to the general public, arousing interest among both representatives of the cultural community and environmental activists. The installation is not only visual, but also has a literary philosophy. The surface of the barrel is decorated with poetic manifestos in English and Azerbaijani written by Leyli Salayeva, Ravan Javad and A. Hilling. These texts explore alternative scenarios for the future, calling for reflection and imagining other paths. "We cannot change the future until we imagine it," said Leyli Salayeva. The installation turns poetry into an effective tool - combining art, ecology and public participation in a single space. At the same time, the installation does not give unambiguous answers - it asks important questions. Are we really saving nature - or are we just creating the illusion of care, taming it to the needs of the urban world? After all, like poetry, nature requires understanding, not control. Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az. 11 April 2025 10:10 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more The Fourth Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF2025) has officially opened in Belek, Antalya, under the theme Restoring Diplomacy in a Fractured World. The high-level gathering is set to bring together around 450 representatives from 140 countries, aiming to find common ground on global crises and regional conflicts. According to Azernews, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev is among the key participants of the forum, attending at the invitation of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. The event will also feature notable leaders. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov is expected to meet his counterparts from Turkiye and Russia, Hakan Fidan and Sergey Lavrov, respectively. The ADF2025 agenda includes about 50 sessions, covering issues ranging from conflict resolution in the Middle East and Asia-Pacific to climate change, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian challenges. A special session titled "Challenges and Opportunities for Regional Cooperation in the South Caucasus" will bring together the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan, Georgia, and ArmeniaJeyhun Bayramov, Maka Bochorishvili, and Ararat Mirzoyanto discuss regional developments, barriers to cooperation, and future prospects. Turkiyes own foreign policy priorities will also be in the spotlight. Hakan Fidan is expected to participate in meetings of the OIC-Arab League Contact Group on Gaza, as well as in trilateral and bilateral meetings, including consultations with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, and potentially a high-level session on the Turkiye-Iraq security mechanism. The forum boasts attendance from more than 20 heads of state and government, 74 ministers, and over 1,000 journalists from 50 countries, with strict security measures enforced around the Nest Congress Center and along the Belek coastline, where Turkish coast guard patrols are in operation. 11 April 2025 11:23 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Bone remains resembling human bones were found in Qubadli district, Azernews reports. The remains were discovered during excavation work in the Demirchilar village of the Qubadli district. Regarding the incident, Qubadli District Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation. It is worth noting that, being a strategic district, Qubadli was subjected to atrocity and invasion during the First Garabagh War. The district was invaded by Armenian armed forces on August 31, 1993. Furthermore, over 4,000 Azerbaijanis went missing over the course of the war, and despite all of Azerbaijan's attempts, the Armenian side has consistently avoided shedding light on the fate of the missing people. Following the liberation of the occupied Azerbaijani territories as a result of the Second Garabagh War, which broke out in 2020, several mass graves were unearthed, and the remains of a few missing people were found. Many believe that the discovery of new mass graves will continue. 11 April 2025 10:40 (UTC+04:00) On April 11, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Ersin Tatar, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, in Antalya. During the conversation, the two leaders fondly recalled their previous meetings held in Azerbaijan and on the sidelines of international events, including President Ersin Tatars participation in the informal Summit of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States held last year in Shusha. President Ilham Aliyev hailed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus joining the Organization of Turkic States as an observer. Ersin Tatar expressed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the solidarity and support extended to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, as well as for the Azerbaijani leader's remarks made a few days earlier at the international forum held at ADA University. The Presidents also discussed the organization of reciprocal visits at various levels and cooperation in multiple areas. 11 April 2025 12:27 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more In accordance with the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, the Great Return continues to the territories liberated from occupation. The rebuilt village of Hasanriz in the Agdere region is ready to welcome its new residents, Azernews reports. The families moving to Hasanriz village are those who had temporarily settled in various places across the Republic, mainly in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings. It is reported that at this stage, 20 families72 peoplehave been resettled in the village. The returning residents have expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support they are receiving. They also expressed their thanks to the heroic Azerbaijani Army, as well as to the brave soldiers and officers who liberated our lands, and prayed for the souls of our martyrs who gave their lives on this path. It is noteworthy that, in addition to the former internally displaced persons who have been relocated to Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, more than 40,000 people live in the region, including those working on ongoing projects, local government officials, and employees in reactivated healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy institutions. 11 April 2025 12:44 (UTC+04:00) On April 11, Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of the Republic of Turkiye, in Antalya. During the meeting, the Presidents praised the successful development of brotherly and allied relations between Azerbaijan and Turkiye across all areas and discussed the prospects for bilateral ties. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his gratitude to the President of Turkiye for the invitation to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, describing the event as one of the leading global platforms for discussing significant issues on the international agenda. The heads of state also exchanged views on bilateral relations, as well as the situation in the South Caucasus and Middle East regions. 11 April 2025 15:39 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Two significant Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed between Azerbaijan and Moldova today during the 6th session of the Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation, held in Baku, Azernews reports. The first agreement was signed between the State Agency on Renewable Energy Sources under the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and the National Sustainable Energy Center under the Ministry of Energy of Moldova. The memorandum aims to promote cooperation in the field of renewable energy. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, which reported the signing, the document was endorsed by Minister Majnun Mammadov, who co-chairs the Intergovernmental Commission from the Azerbaijani side. This MoU sets the framework for: Expanding the exchange of experience in the energy sector, Advancing the use of renewable energy sources, Enhancing collaboration on research initiatives, Developing innovative solutions and renewable energy technologies. In addition to the energy agreement, another MoU on veterinary cooperation was signed between the Food Safety Agency of Azerbaijan and the National Food Safety Agency of Moldova. This second memorandum aims to strengthen mutual cooperation in veterinary services and was also signed during the same commission meeting in Baku. These agreements mark an important step forward in the bilateral relations between Azerbaijan and Moldova, emphasizing shared goals in sustainable development, food security, and renewable energy innovation. 11 April 2025 15:47 (UTC+04:00) Ilham Aliyev, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, met with Ahmed al-Sharaa, Interim President of the Syrian Arab Republic, on April 11 in Antalya. President Ilham Aliyev expressed his satisfaction with the changes that have occurred in Syria and congratulated Ahmed al-Sharaa on this occasion. The President stated that following these developments, an Azerbaijani delegation was promptly dispatched to Syria, and the Azerbaijani Embassy, which had been closed for a prolonged period due to the policies of the Assad regime, has now resumed its operations. President Ilham Aliyev affirmed Azerbaijan's readiness to participate in the reconstruction efforts in Syria, which are crucial for consolidating stability within the country. Ahmed al-Sharaa expressed his gratitude to the President for Azerbaijan's support. He underscored the future importance of Azerbaijan's assistance to Syria in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and security. While affirming his dedication to restoring stability in Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa voiced his concern regarding the influence of external factors on this process. The discussion also touched upon the potential for developing a trilateral cooperation framework between Azerbaijan, Syria, and Turkiye. During the meeting, an agreement was reached to facilitate reciprocal visits by high-level official delegations and business representatives from both countries. The head of state extended an invitation to Ahmed al-Sharaa to visit Azerbaijan. The invitation was gratefully accepted. 11 April 2025 16:26 (UTC+04:00) The opening ceremony of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum was held on April 11 in the Turkish city of Antalya. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev and First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva participated in the ceremony. The event commenced with an opening address by Turkiyes Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hakan Fidan, who underlined the significance of the Forum and noted the participation of numerous distinguished guests. Subsequently, President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan delivered a speech, emphasizing the importance of addressing current global challenges and highlighting the role of the Forum in this regard. The Antalya Diplomacy Forum, one of the worlds leading platforms for discussions on global challenges and solutions, brings together nearly 450 high-level representatives from 140 countries, including more than 20 heads of state and government and over 70 ministers. Over 50 sessions in various formats will be held during the forum, covering a wide range of topics, such as global challenges and threatsfrom the Middle East to the Asia-Pacific region, from Africa to Latin Americaas well as key global issues, including climate change, food security, digitization, and artificial intelligence. 11 April 2025 18:45 (UTC+04:00) On April 11, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia, in Antalya. According to Azernews, both sides emphasized the historically strong friendship and strategic partnership between Azerbaijan and Georgia during the meeting. Prime Minister Kobakhidze fondly recalled his working visit to Azerbaijan this January and his discussions with President Ilham Aliyev. He highlighted the ongoing efforts to expand cooperation between the two countries across various sectors, including trade, economy, culture, and others, and noted the progress achieved in implementing the instructions given to relevant government agencies. Kobakhidze also mentioned that President Ilham Aliyev's recent remarks regarding bilateral relations, delivered during an international forum at ADA University, were received with great interest in Georgia. The head of state stressed the importance of unity and solidarity between Azerbaijan and Georgia, particularly given the current global turbulence. He underscored the importance of ensuring that regional issues in the South Caucasus are resolved by the countries of the region themselves. Both leaders also exchanged their views on matters of mutual interest. 11 April 2025 19:33 (UTC+04:00) On April 11, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan Abdelrahman Al-Burhan, President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of the Republic of the Sudan, in Antalya, Azernews reports. The President of the Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan emphasized the historical ties between the two countries and described Azerbaijan as an important nation with significant influence both regionally and globally. Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan Abdelrahman Al-Burhan stated that Sudan attaches great importance to the development of relations with Azerbaijan in various areas. He also highlighted the good opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in sectors such as the mining industry, oil, energy, infrastructure, and investments. During the conversation, the two leaders also discussed collaboration in education and training. President Ilham Aliyev fondly recalled the participation of Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan Abdelrahman Al-Burhan in the 18th Summit of Heads of State and Government of the Non-Aligned Movement member countries in 2019 and the discussions held during that visit. The Azerbaijani leader lauded the steady progress in relations between Azerbaijan and Sudan since then. The meeting also included an exchange of views on organizing reciprocal visits by economic delegations to further expand bilateral relations, as well as cooperation within the Non-Aligned Movement and other international organizations. 11 April 2025 08:00 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Around 5,000 schoolchildren, teachers, parents, and members of the public will gather at the Al Shamkha Police Training Ground in Abu Dhabi to celebrate yet another milestone for the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Azernews reports. In a powerful display of unity and pride, participants will form a live human message that reads: Congratulations, Abu Dhabi the Safest City in the World. The celebration comes after Numbeo, a leading global data platform, once again ranked Abu Dhabi as the worlds safest city in its 2025 Safety Indexmarking the ninth consecutive year the city has held this title. Abu Dhabi topped a list of 382 cities worldwide, a recognition it has earned consistently since 2017. The event is part of the UAEs Year of Communities, held under the theme Shoulder to Shoulder, which promotes unity, cooperation, and social responsibility. Organizers aim to have the event registered in the Einstein World Records, a UAE-based records authority that honors unique and inspiring achievements. Officials attribute Abu Dhabis exceptional safety record to cutting-edge security strategies, advanced technologies such as AI-powered surveillance, and, most importantly, the strong trust between citizens and law enforcement. The Abu Dhabi Police continue to be recognized globally for their innovation, professionalism, and proactive community engagement. In addition to the human installation, the event will feature interactive security exhibitions, family-friendly activities, and community appreciation zones where attendees can meet local police officers, learn about public safety programs, and experience virtual simulations of emergency response systems. Organizers say the live message is not just a celebration, but a symbol of the UAEs commitment to safety, community spirit, and social harmony, reinforcing its status as a model of peace and stability on the world stage. 11 April 2025 18:30 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva A new camp has been opened at the Dravsko Combat Training Center within the Glebke complex, located in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland on the northwestern coast of the Baltic Sea. The facility is designed to accommodate American military personnel, Azernews reports. According to the Ministry of Defense, the construction was funded by both national funds and the NATO Security Investment Program (NSIP), a vital mechanism that supports the modernization of NATO infrastructure across member states. "The complex has the capacity to provide short-term accommodation for 2,500 soldiers, in line with NATO standards," the Polish Ministry of Defense stated. General Curtis Taylor, who is responsible for the US Tactical Ground Forces in Poland, remarked, "It is a great honor for us to be with you as we raise the American flag over this new facilitybuilt by Poles for Americans. This symbolizes our strong commitment and the enduring alliance between the Polish Armed Forces and the Polish people." This new camp is part of a broader effort to bolster NATO's military presence on the eastern flank, enhancing defense cooperation and interoperability between allied forces. The West Pomeranian region, with its proximity to the Baltic Sea and Russia, plays a key strategic role in NATOs security posture, especially in light of recent regional tensions. This development underscores the deepening military cooperation between Poland and the United States, reinforcing Polands role as a central player in European defense. In addition, the camp is expected to serve as a training hub, improving the readiness of NATO forces in the region. With advanced training facilities and a robust infrastructure, the camp will likely host multinational exercises, contributing to the collective defense capabilities of the alliance. 11 April 2025 20:10 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva The Foreign Ministers of Syria and the Republic of Korea, Asaad Al-Shibani and Cho Tae-yul, signed an agreement to establish diplomatic relations, Azernews reports. During his visit to Damascus, Cho Tae-yul and the Syrian minister agreed to open diplomatic missions, including embassies, marking a significant step toward enhancing bilateral ties. Asaad Al-Shibani emphasized that South Korea's support is vital for Syria and expressed hope for "friendly cooperation that would contribute to international peace," according to Yonhap news agency. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in turn, expressed hope that the resumption of diplomatic relations would mark "a new chapter in cooperation with Syria," potentially opening up avenues for greater diplomatic, economic, and cultural exchanges. Yonhap also noted that South Korea now has established diplomatic relations with all UN member states, with the notable exception of North Korea (DPRK). The ministry recalled that past efforts to establish relations with Syria were complicated by Syrias historical ties with North Korea, including military cooperation. This diplomatic breakthrough comes amidst shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East. While the exact nature of future collaboration remains uncertain, South Korea's engagement with Syria could offer new avenues for economic partnerships, particularly in the fields of infrastructure, technology, and reconstruction efforts, as Syria works to rebuild after years of conflict. It is also worth noting that the recent announcement could have broader implications for South Koreas foreign policy, as it may pave the way for similar diplomatic initiatives with other countries in the region. While South Korea has traditionally maintained cautious diplomatic relations in the Middle East, this agreement with Syria signals a potential recalibration of its approach toward the region. In addition, Yonhap reported that at the end of November 2024, armed opposition groups launched a large-scale offensive against Syrian government positions. On December 8, they entered Damascus, prompting President Bashar al-Assad to resign and leave the country, marking a critical turning point in Syria's ongoing conflict. 11 April 2025 21:45 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva Kazakhstan is beginning to implement strategic initiatives aimed at significantly developing its gas industry, Azernews reports. This announcement was made by Vice Minister of Energy Alibek Zhamauov at the international conference Energy Trends: Gas & Petrochemicals. According to the Vice Minister, crude gas production is expected to increase from 59 billion cubic meters in 2024 to 62.8 billion cubic meters in 2025. This growth is driven by the operation of existing giant fields such as Tengiz, Karachaganak, and Kashagan, along with the introduction of new fields like Rozhkovskoye, Anabai, and Urikhtau. "Our goal is to increase gas production to 74 billion cubic meters by 2030. However, the key task is to process gas as efficiently as possible within the country, not only to meet the needs of our citizens and industries but also to create a raw material base for gas chemistry," said Alibek Zhamauov, Vice Minister of Energy. As part of the development strategy, four new gas processing plants are planned to be built: two stages of the Kashagan plant (with a total capacity of 3.5 billion cubic meters per year), the Karachaganak plant (4 billion cubic meters per year), and a new KazGPP plant in Zhanaozen (0.9 billion cubic meters per year). Special attention is also being paid to the development of petrochemicals. Major projects are in the works for the production of carbamide, ammonia, methanol, as well as alkylates and polypropylene based on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). These initiatives are expected not only to fulfill domestic needs but also to strengthen Kazakhstans position in global petrochemical markets. According to Zhamauov, all these initiatives form part of a unified strategy, which will be outlined in the Comprehensive Gas Industry Development Plan for 2025-2029. The implementation of these plans is expected to attract more than $25 billion in investments by 2029, create thousands of new jobs, and make a substantial contribution to the diversification of Kazakhstan's economy. Energy Export Expansion: Kazakhstan plans to expand its gas export capacity, focusing on markets in Asia, where demand for natural gas is growing rapidly. The development of new gas infrastructure will make the country a more prominent player in global energy markets. The United States Supreme Court has ruled that the Second Amendment protects citizen ownership of firearms that are in common use for traditional purposes, including self defense. The far left Democrats running the state of Colorado are openly defying the court in adoption of one of the most radical gun control measures ever passed in the United States. Governor Polis has just signed it into law, setting up a confrontation with the Supreme Court. The new Colorado law bans the manufacture and most sales of all semi-automatic firearms with a detachable magazine. That includes all automatic pistols. and most semi-automatic rifles. It goes far beyond just AR-15s and AK-47s. Throughout history, it has been the totalitarians who impose gun control and that includes Hitler, Stalin, Mussolini, Mao, and Castro. They do so for control of the populace. https://redstate.com/bonchie/2025/04/10/colorado-passes-and-gov-jared-polis-signs-monumentally-unconstitutional-gun-control-law-n2187732 Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi has announced a new DOJ task force to protect gun rights. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/doj-launches-second-amendment-task-force-guard-gun-rights Footfall in Northern Ireland retail spots declined by 9% during March with a deterioration in consumer confidence partly to blame, a report has said. The Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) said it hoped that good weather and the Easter holidays could bring a bounce to performance. And the fact that Easter fell in March last year had also played a role in the decline, the NIRC said though Mothers Day had delivered a boost. There as a drop of 9.6% in footfall in NI shopping centres, with a decline of 9% when high street performance was also taken into account. The 9% decline was the second-worst performance out of 13 UK regions, the NIRC said. Footfall also declined across 11 UK cities, with Belfast suffering a 10.4% drop the third-worst of all 11. Neil Johnston, the director of the NIRC, said footfall figures in NI had been volatile over the last few months. We think this reflects low consumer confidence due to economic uncertainty. Shopkeepers in Northern Ireland will be hoping that the continuing good weather and the Easter period will bring out the shoppers over the next few weeks. The decrease in footfall figures across the country in March compared to last year is undoubtedly partly due to the fact Easter was much earlier last year. We hope that the figures will improve in April. That doesnt explain, however, why the Northern Ireland figures were amongst the worst in the UK. This does, however, once again highlight the challenging circumstances that the retail industry are facing. "Footfall is disappointing and yet retailers, and indeed all businesses, are facing higher costs from rises in wage costs, business rates, and national insurance policies from the start of April. The Northern Ireland Retail Consortium would reiterate our call for the NI Executive to outline a plan to decrease business rates for the retail, hospitality and leisure sector. Andy Sumpter, retail consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, which helps compile the data, said: After a bumpy few months, March made for disappointing footfall as shopper and business confidence remains subdued, not helped by ongoing economic uncertainty and pre-Spring Statement jitters. "With Easter this year landing in April, some of the downturn in store visits in March could have been from consumers withholding Easter spend. "Retailers will now be hoping that strong Easter trading can help balance out a slow start to Spring. Its worth noting, however, that there were some brighter moments for shopper counts in March although, sadly, not enough of them to have had a material impact on the overall figures. "Mothers Day in particular delivered a standout performance, driving a +13.4% uplift in high street footfall compared to last year. Businesses have been facing the combined impact of a rise in the National Living Wage to 12.21 an hour, and an increase in employer national Insurance contributions. National insurance has now reached a rate of 15%, up from the previous 13.8%. If Sky wants to tackle illegal dodgy boxes, sports streaming needs to be offered at a fair price The UK is resolved to do everything it can to secure the best deal possible with the US, Rachel Reeves has said, after a senior Trump adviser poured cold water on the idea of tariff concessions. The Chancellor insisted she was also aware of the need for the UK to strike better trade arrangements with other partners across the world, as she travels to Poland to meet European financial ministers. Former Tory MP Sir Michael Fabricant has become the first contestant to leave Celebrity Big Brother this year, after a public vote. The politician had been concerned he would be the one evicted on Friday evening after being nominated by his fellow housemates earlier in the week. Former Irish soldier Lisa Smith leaves the Courts of Criminal Justice in Dublin (Liam McBurney/PA) The conviction of a former Irish soldier for membership of the so-called Islamic State (IS), because she travelled to Syria in 2015, falls short of Irish law, a Dublin court has heard. LATEST | Family of murdered Catholic brothers welcome prosecution against loyalist terrorist on conspiracy charge Loyalist Laurence Maguire has been charged with conspiracy to murder brothers Gerard and Rory Cairns (From left) Liam, Gerard, Roisin, Rory and Eamon Cairns enjoying Roisins 11th birthday celebrations in October 1993, an hour after which Gerard and Rory were shot dead in their Bleary home by gunmen Alan Erwin and Rebecca Black, PA Fri 11 Apr 2025 at 16:06 The family of two young brothers killed in Co Down in 1993 have welcomed the first stage of court proceedings against a man being prosecuted with conspiring to murder them. A grandfather with over 350 previous convictions who is serving a lengthy jail term wants to come out of prison with a clean slate and finally rebuild his life, a Dublin court heard. Music and Gigs Oasis take to stage for first gig in 16 years to jumping crowd and flying cups A Belfast man accused of a callous break-in to take a television from the home of a resident with both legs amputated must remain in custody, a High Court judge ruled. Gary McCartan was refused bail on a charge of burglary with intent to steal in the Helens Wood area of Dunmurry. The 35-year-old defendant, of Jerusalem Street, was allegedly one of two men who took part in the raid in the early hours of April 1 this year. Prosecutors said the victim, a double amputee and wheelchair user, lives alone in a ground floor flat at the accommodation block. The man told police he had gone to bed at around 4.30am but forgot to secure a window kept open because he smokes. Minutes later he heard noises inside the apartment, shouted and left his bedroom to investigate. But by the time he got to the living room his 55-inch TV was missing. A mobile phone which does not belong to him had been left lying on the floor. The court heard police discovered the stolen television in the home of a man living in a neighbouring property. McCartan was located in a storage cupboard at that flat. Both men were arrested on suspicion of carrying out the burglary. Crown counsel also disclosed that after officers seized the mobile phone from the victims apartment a message appeared on it asking: How much for the TV? CCTV footage is believed to show McCartan and his co-accused going to the injured partys property, according to the prosecutor. They can then be seen carrying the large TV back into the other building, she submitted. Defence barrister Conor Lunny argued that McCartan is entitled to be presumed innocent at this stage. He questioned the clarity of the CCTV footage and claimed examinations of the mobile phone will not establish any link to his client. Mr Lunny further argued that McCartan is addicted to opiates and will not get the treatment he requires while on remand in custody. Bail was denied, however, due to concerns about any potential further offending. Mr Justice Scoffield told McCartan: There is a prima facie case in a fairly callous incident, given the vulnerability of the (victim). I dont have any faith that you either could or would comply with stringent conditions, and that they would adequately mitigate the risk of re-offending. The Public Prosecution Service (PPS) is to consider whether there is any legal basis to appeal against the sentence handed down to a pensioner who exploited vulnerable young women by supplying them with heroin in exchange for them working as prostitutes. Oliver James MacCormack, 71, was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court this week, having previously pleaded guilty to 40 offences, including charges of human trafficking and controlling prostitution. MacCormack was sentenced to seven years, with half to be served in jail and the other half on licence. However, the time he has already spent in prison will be factored in. He has been in custody since May 2022. Sinn Fein justice spokeswoman Deirdre Hargey has written to the PPS about the Oliver MacCormack sentence (Brian Lawless/PA) Sinn Feins justice spokeswoman Deirdre Hargey said she had written to the PPS asking them to consider appealing the sentence imposed on a sex offender who preyed on vulnerable women. She said: The Executive has prioritised ending violence against women and girls and our justice system plays an essential part in that. It must be one in which victims, survivors and the public can have confidence, knowing that offenders will be held to account. The Justice Minister will be bringing forward a Sentencing Bill and its important that those convicted of very serious crimes receive sentences that reflect the seriousness of the crimes and the devastating impact on the victims. A PPS spokesperson said sentencing is a matter for the judiciary. The spokesperson said: While sentencing is a matter for the independent judiciary, the director of public prosecutions does have the power to refer certain sentences to the Court of Appeal on the grounds that they may be unduly lenient. An unduly lenient sentence is one that falls outside the range of sentences that a judge, taking into consideration all relevant factors and having regard to sentencing guidelines, could reasonably consider appropriate. In this case, the sentencing remarks will be carefully considered to establish whether there is any legal basis to refer the sentence to the Court of Appeal. We will keep the victims and family of the deceased victim informed of the outcome of these considerations. MacCormack, whose address was given as Maghaberry Prison, was sentenced in relation to nine victims. One has since died of sepsis because of intravenous drug use. The victims had vulnerabilities including drug addiction, homelessness and mental health issues. MacCormack is the fourth man to be sentenced after a sexual exploitation investigation conducted by the PSNIs modern slavery and human trafficking unit. The court heard the victims were heroin addicts and MacCormack would exploit their vulnerability to force them into prostitution in exchange for him supplying them with drugs. Senior republican admits two of the Disappeared may never be found Source says those with knowledge of Joe Lynskey and Robert Nairac burials now dead A timeline of the search for victims Allison Morris Fri 11 Apr 2025 at 20:50 The remains of Joe Lynskey and Robert Nairac two of the Disappeared are unlikely to ever be found, a senior republican has admitted. Leo Varadkar has said that achieving a united Ireland is the great cause of our generation and has asked Irish-America to help secure it. In a speech in Philadelphia, the former taoiseach called for some of the Republics budget surplus to be set aside to help pay for transition to a new and united Ireland. Kate Nicholl has given birth to her third child The former Lord Mayor of Belfast took to social media on Friday to say she welcomed baby Dara last week and praised staff at the Royal Victoria Hospital. The Government has announced a 450 million surge of military support to Ukraine, as the UK and Germany host a meeting of 50 nations. Defence Secretary John Healey and his German counterpart, defence minister Boris Pistorius, will co-chair the 27th Ukraine Defence Contact Group on Friday. Meetings of the defence contact group had been chaired by the US defence secretary until Donald Trump became president in January. 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. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the major new military support package will be delivered by British and Ukrainian suppliers to help boost Ukraines armed forces as they continue to defend against Russian attack. The package, worth 450 million, includes 350 million from the UK, with further funding being provided by Norway, via the UK-led International Fund for Ukraine. The support package will be announced by Mr Healey as 50 nations come together to co-ordinate more military support for Ukraine. It will include 160 million of UK funding to provide repairs and maintenance to vehicles and equipment the UK has already provided to Ukraine partnering UK companies with Ukrainian industry. The package also includes a close fight military aid package with funding for radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones worth more than 250 million, using funding from the UK and Norway building on the work of the drone capability coalition, led by the UK and Latvia. Mr Healey will tell the contact group: The work of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group is vital to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position and pile pressure on (Russian President Vladimir) 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. Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves will meet EU finance ministers on Friday and call for deeper co-operation on defence financing. Rachel Reeves is travelling to Poland to meet finance ministers from the EU (Anthony Devlin/PA) She will travel to Poland for discussions at the informal ECOFIN meeting. 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. The Lib Dems said the support package was small change and called for the UK Government to seize Russian assets to give Ukraine more funding. While we welcome any increase in support for Ukraine, this package is small change compared to whats needed to combat Putins barbaric war, the partys defence spokeswoman Helen Maguire said. John Healey is right: 2025 is a critical year. But Britain needs to do more. The UK must lead the charge in seizing the Russian assets held here in Britain funnelling oligarchs money to back Zelenskys brave defence of Ukraines sovereignty. Without that, we risk failing Ukraine in their hour of greatest need. Writing in The i Paper, Minister for European Union Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds said the UKs relationship with Europe needs to expand to safeguard the continent against global economic and military instability. But we cannot consider the safety of people here in the UK and in neighbouring EU countries without looking at the root cause of the instability were facing: the fast-changing and increasingly volatile nature of world affairs right now, including Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine, he said. He added that he is more certain than ever that by pursuing a closer security and defence relationship, we will keep people across our continent safer. Keith Brown MSP (centre) carries the coffin at the funeral of his partner and Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie at Daldowie crematorium in Glasgow (Jane Barlow/PA) Hundreds of mourners gathered in Glasgow for the funeral of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie where she was described as a fearless and relentless fighter for kindness, equality and Scottish independence. Former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon joined Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and MSPs from across the political spectrum at Daldowie Crematorium in the citys east end to pay tribute to the late SNP MSP. First Minister John Swinney was unable to make the funeral because his father-in-laws funeral was taking place around the same time, the PA news agency understands. Ms McKelvie died in March at the age of 57 following a lengthy illness. Hundreds gathered in Glasgow for the late MSPs funeral (Jane Barlow/PA) She stood back from her duties as drugs and alcohol minister last year after announcing she had secondary breast cancer. Her partner, SNP deputy leader Keith Brown, helped carry her coffin into the crematorium. He told mourners at the service: There are not many politicians here, I would say no politicians in here, that ever felt loved by the electorate. Christina did. They loved her. He added: Thats just incredible, and I think, probably unique. I often think that producers of dictionaries could save themselves ink and time if under human rights defender or equality campaigner or social justice campaigner, instead of a lengthy definition, they could just put Christina McKelvie. Mr Brown compared himself to a planet and his late partner to a star, before adding: What does the planet do when its star is extinguished? Order of Service for the funeral of Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie (Jane Barlow/PA) He read out the lyrics of Sparkle and Shine and Magnolia Wind, before finishing his speech: Until we can dance again, hen, good night. I love you. Ms McKelvie grew up in Easterhouse, in the east end of Glasgow, and was a social worker and a trade unionist before entering politics. She became an MSP for the Central Scotland region in 2007 before representing the constituency of Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse since 2011. SNP MSP Stuart McMillan, who is the Holyroods parliamentary piper, joined the funeral procession along with the Yes biker group. Mourners, many of whom dressed in bright colours, were told Ms McKelvie was proud of her working-class roots and was a feminist devoted to helping others. Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was among the speakers to pay tribute to Christina McKelvie (Jane Barlow/PA) Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon described her as fearless and one in a trillion. During her speech at the funeral, she hailed the late politician as the best ministerial appointment she made during her nine years as Scotlands leader. Ms Sturgeon said: Its almost impossible to imagine a world without Christina McKelvie. Her presence, her infectious laughs, those amazing hugs that weve heard quite a lot about in the last few days, her zest for life, her zeal for a world free of injustice, and, of course, her burning passion for a Scotland, free, independent, a beacon of equality across the globe. All these things encapsulate the truly remarkable human being that she was. Holding back tears, Ms Sturgeon added: The sheer number and diversity of people here today is a testament to the indelible mark she has left on the hearts of so many people across our country. Christina, my dear, dear friend, thank you for being my friend, for bringing so much joy into my life. I never said this to you in life, Im going to say it today: I love you. The world just wont be the same without you in it, but it is a much, much better place for having had you here. Christina McKelvie was described as a tireless advocate for kindness, equality and Scottish independence (Jane Barlow/PA) Jack, Ms McKelvies son, said that kindness was at the centre of who she was. He added: To my mum. Ill always love you. You will always be the member of the Scottish Parliament for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse. You will always be in our national parliament, and youll always be there with us when we get to that point of achieving Scottish independence. Alison Johnstone, the presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament, said Ms McKelvie was a fine parliamentarian and a force to be reckoned with. She brought tenacity, humour and style into the chamber, she said, adding: We are all too painfully aware that Christina is missing from Holyroods front benches. She belonged there, and she will not be forgotten. A piper leads the cortege at the funeral (Jane Barlow/PA) Ms McKelvie had recovered from breast cancer in 2021 but was later diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in June 2024. Throughout her illness, she sought to raise awareness of the disease and mourners were encouraged to donate to cancer charities in her honour. A period of silence was previously held in the Holyrood chamber and the Parliaments flags were flown at half-mast. First Minister Swinney paid tribute to her as a kind, loyal and fun-loving colleague. He added: Members across this parliament will feel that loss, but my party is aching at the news today. Christina was a parliamentarian of the highest motivation and the finest nature. I was proud that she was a member of my government, giving her all to make life better for others, which was always her motivation. Ukraine could be partitioned like Berlin after the Second World War, Donald Trumps envoy to Kyiv has suggested as Russia continues to hold out on accepting a truce. General Keith Kellogg appeared to suggest the country could be split into zones of control, with British and French troops as part of a reassurance force in the west and Moscows forces in the east. Between them would be Ukrainian forces and a demilitarised zone but the US would not provide any ground forces, he claimed. You could almost make it look like what happened with Berlin after World War Two, when you had a Russian zone, a French zone and a British zone, the White House official said in an interview with the Times newspaper. The remarks may cause consternation in Kyiv, which unlike Nazi Germany has a functioning government. Russia has already rejected an American-backed proposal for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire and appears to be dragging its feet on a more limited truce in the Black Sea agreed last month. It comes as Ukraines allies pledged a record 21 billion euros (18.2 billion) of military aid for the country, with the UK Defence Secretary warning that 2025 was the critical year for the war. The support announced on Friday includes a 450 million package from Britain and Norway to fund radar systems, anti-tank mines, vehicle repairs and hundreds of thousands of drones for Kyiv. US envoy Steve Witkoff travelled to Russia again on Friday to press the Kremlin to accept a truce but in Brussels there appeared to be little confidence that a pause in hostilities would come. German defence minister Boris Pistorius, who earlier in the day chaired a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) alongside John Healey, said ongoing aggression from Russia meant we must concede peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future. US President Donald Trump also expressed frustration with Moscow over the state of the talks, writing on social media on Friday: Russia has to get moving. Too many people ere (sic) DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war A war that should have never happened, and wouldnt have happened, if I were President!!! Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, Mr Healey said: This UDCG could not meet at a more important time, because 2025 is the critical year for this war in Ukraine, and now is the critical moment in that war. Opening the meeting, he urged allies to step up our support for Ukraine in the fight, adding: Our job as defence ministers is to get urgent military aid into the hands of Ukrainian warfighters. Mr Healey also appeared to hit back at a suggestion made by the EUs top foreign affairs diplomat that plans for a European peacekeeping force to help Kyiv were still unclear. Kaja Kallas had told BBC Radio 4s Today programme: If we have such boots on the ground, so what is the goal? Are they monitoring, are they deterring, are they keeping the peace, are they fighting? I mean, what could be the goal? And thats not really clear. Our planning is indeed, for the coalition of the willing, real, substantial, well advanced the European Union is not part of that planning, the Defence Secretary told reporters. The UDCG meeting comes the day after Mr Healey chaired a separate gathering of defence ministers from the coalition of the willing to discuss plans for a peacekeeping force to be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. Fridays meeting was the 27th gathering of the UDCG and the second to be chaired by Mr Healey, bringing together defence ministers from 50 nations. Previous meetings of the UDCG have been chaired by the US defence secretary but in a sign of Americas disengagement from European security Mr Healey has taken over the duty since Mr Trump became president in January. However, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth attended Fridays meeting virtually, as did Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Mr Pistorius insisted that Mr Hegseths decision to attend the meeting virtually was not a matter of priorities but of schedules, adding the most important fact was that he took part. Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil can be deported as a national security risk, an immigration judge in Louisiana ruled on Friday during a hearing over the legality of removing the activist who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations from the US. Immigration Judge Jamee E Comans said, at the conclusion of a hearing in Jena, that the governments contention that Mr Khalils presence in the United States posed potentially serious foreign policy consequences was enough to satisfy requirements for his deportation. Ms Comans said the government had established by clear and convincing evidence that he is removable. Khalil served as negotiator and spokesperson for student activists at Columbia University during protests over the war in Gaza (Stefan Jeremiah/AP/File) Lawyers for Mr Khalil said they plan to keep fighting. The judge gave them until April 23 to seek a waiver. Meanwhile, a federal judge in New Jersey temporarily barred Mr Khalils deportation. Addressing the judge at the end of the hearing, Mr Khalil mentioned that she said at a hearing earlier in the week that theres nothing more important to this court than due process rights and fundamental fairness. Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process, he added. His lawyer, Marc Van Der Hout, also criticised the hearings fairness. Mr Van Der Hout said: Today, we saw our worst fears play out: Mahmoud was subject to a charade of due process, a flagrant violation of his right to a fair hearing, and a weaponisation of immigration law to suppress dissent. Mr Khalil, a legal US resident, was detained by federal immigration agents on March 8 in the lobby of his university-owned apartment, the first arrest under President Donald Trumps promised crackdown on students who joined campus protests against the war in Gaza. Within a day, he was flown across the country and taken to an immigration detention centre in Jena, thousands of miles from his attorneys and wife, a US citizen who is due to give birth soon. Mr Khalils lawyers have challenged the legality of his detention, saying the Trump administration is trying to crack down on free speech protected by the US Constitution. US secretary of state Marco Rubio has cited a rarely used statute to justify Mr Khalils deportation, which gives him the power to deport those who pose potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States. At Fridays hearing, Mr Khalils lawyer, Marc Van Der Hout, told the judge that the governments submissions to the court prove the attempt to deport his client has nothing to do with foreign policy. Earlier this week, Ms Comans challenged the government to share proof that Mr Khalil should be expelled from the country for his role in campus protests against Israel and the war in Gaza. She said if evidence does not support his removal, she would terminate the case on Friday. On Friday, Justice Department lawyers said in papers filed in federal court in Newark, New Jersey, that Ms Comans would not have the authority to immediately free Mr Khalil. They said an immigration judge could determine if Mr Khalil is subject to deportation and then conduct a bail hearing afterwards if it is found that he is not. Mr Khalil is not accused of breaking any laws during the protests at Columbia. US secretary of state Marco Rubio has cited a rarely used statute to justify Mr Khalils deportation, which gives him the power to deport those who pose potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States (Nicolas Tucat/AP) The government, however, has said that non-citizens who participate in such demonstrations should be expelled from the country for expressing views that the administration considers to be antisemitic and pro-Hamas, referring to the Palestinian militant group that attacked Israel on October 7 2023. Mr Khalil, a 30-year-old international affairs graduate student, had served as a negotiator and spokesperson for student activists at Columbia University who took over a campus lawn last spring to protest Israels military campaign in Gaza. The university brought police in to dismantle the encampment after a small group of protesters seized an administration building. Mr Khalil is not accused of participating in the building occupation and was not among the people arrested in connection with the demonstrations. But images of his maskless face at protests, along with his willingness to share his name with reporters, have made him an object of scorn among those who saw the protesters and their demands as anti-semitic. The White House accused Mr Khalil of siding with terrorists, but has yet to cite any support for the claim. Federal judges in New York and New Jersey have ordered the government not to deport Mr Khalil while his case plays out in court. The Trump administration has said it is taking at least 400 million dollars in federal funding away from research programs at Columbia and its medical centre to punish it for not doing enough to fight what it considers to be anti-semitism on campus. Some Jewish students and faculty complained about being harassed during the demonstrations or ostracised because of their faith or their support of Israel. Immigration authorities have cracked down on other critics of Israel on college campuses, arresting a Georgetown University scholar who had spoken out on social media about the Israel-Gaza war, cancelling the student visas of some protesters and deporting a Brown University professor who they said had attended the Lebanon funeral of a leader of Hezbollah, another militant group that has fought with Israel. A judge is set to decide whether to proceed with resentencing hearings for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents, in light of Los Angeles new district attorney opposing their release after 30 years behind bars. The brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole at ages 18 and 21 after being convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. While the defence argued they acted out of self-defence after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said the brothers killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance. Los Angeles Countys previous progressive district attorney, George Gascon, sought resentencing for the brothers before he lost re-election to tough-on-crime candidate Nathan Hochman in November. Mr Gascon had asked a judge to change the brothers sentence to 50 years to life, which would make them immediately eligible for release under California law because they committed the crime when they were younger than 26. But last month, Mr Hochman submitted a motion to withdraw that request, saying he did not support the brothers resentencing because they had not admitted to lies they told as the case unfolded about why they killed their parents and did not fully recognise, acknowledge, and accept complete responsibility for their crime. On Friday, the court will decide whether to allow prosecutors to withdraw their resentencing motion. If that request is granted, the judge also will decide whether to proceed independently with the brothers resentencing hearings, which are tentatively scheduled for April 17 and 18. The district attorneys opposition poses a major hurdle for the brothers, whose path to resentencing was all but certain with Mr Gascons support. The familys relationship with Mr Hochman has also soured. Most of the brothers extended family supports their resentencing. Milton Andersen, Kitty Menendezs brother and the sole relative who opposed their release, died last month. Tamara Goodall, a cousin of the brothers, submitted a complaint with the state asking that Mr Hochman be removed from the case, citing his bias against the brothers and alleging he violated a law meant to protect victims rights. Mr Hochman had a hostile, dismissive and patronising tone in meetings with the family and created an intimidating and bullying atmosphere, Ms Goodall wrote. In their response to the district attorneys motion to withdraw the resentencing request, lawyers for the Menendez brothers questioned whether Mr Hochman had legitimate reasons for doing so or was influenced by a change of political winds. The lawyers pointed out that Mr Hochman demoted Nancy Theberge and Brock Lunsford, the two deputy district attorneys who filed the original resentencing motion. Ms Theberge and Mr Lunsford have since filed legal cases against Mr Hochman alleging harassment, discrimination and retaliation for their work on the Menendez brothers case. The law requires fairness, not personal vendettas, Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of the brothers, said in a statement. Erik and Lyle have not only taken responsibility, theyve become the kind of men this system is supposed to help create. If rehabilitation doesnt matter here, when does it? Mr Hochmans office denied any political influence on their decision-making in their reply and doubled down on the position that Erik and Lyle Menendez fabricated their self-defence claim in the murders of their parents and had not achieved full rehabilitation. Without resentencing, the brothers would still have two other pathways to freedom. They have submitted a clemency plea to California governor Gavin Newsom, who has ordered the state parole board to investigate whether the brothers would pose a risk to the public if they are released. The parole board is scheduled to hold its final hearings June 13. The brothers also submitted a petition for habeas corpus in May 2023 asking the court to grant them a new trial in light of new evidence presented. Mr Hochmans office also filed a motion opposing the petition. A family of five Spanish tourists and a pilot were killed when a helicopter broke apart in midair and crashed upside-down into the Hudson River, officials said. The victims included Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and three children, in addition to the pilot, a person briefed on the investigation told the Associated Press (AP). The person could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity. Siemens did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside normal business hours. New York mayor Eric Adams said the flight began at a downtown heliport around 3pm, and the dead, including three children, had been recovered from the water. Video of the crash showed what appeared to be a large object plunging into the river, followed seconds later by what appeared to be a helicopter blade. Afterwards, emergency and police boats were seen circling a patch of river where the helicopter was submerged, with only what appeared to be the aircraft's landing gear poking above the water's surface. Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz A person looks on from a building as emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz The Bell 206 chopper, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, departed at about 3pm ET (1900 GMT) from a downtown helicopter pad and flew north over the Hudson River, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz It turned south when it reached the George Washington Bridge and crashed minutes later, hitting the water upside down and sinking near Lower Manhattan about 3.15pm, just off Hoboken in New Jersey, Ms Tisch added. Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Dani Horbiak, a 29-year-old resident of Jersey City, New Jersey, said she witnessed the crash from her window while working from home. Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz "I looked out my window right here, and I saw the helicopter falling to pieces, and I watched multiple pieces splashed down into the river below, and I was wondering what happened," she said. "But I'm putting the pieces together it does sound like I was maybe hearing the propeller smacking into something." Ms Horbiak said she was shaken by the incident and later called emergency services, which said it had already dispatched responders to the scene. Rescue personnel operate, after a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, in Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Divers helped remove the victims from the water. Four were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were taken to area hospitals, where they died. Birds eye view The airspace around Manhattan is crowded with helicopters offering tourists a bird's-eye view of the sights, with at least two dozen operators listed on tour website Viator. Many of the operators also offer helicopter shuttle services to the area airports. 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., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz New York Helicopter Tours, which offers sightseeing flights for as little as $114 per person on its website, did not respond immediately to a request for comment about the crash. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the tour helicopter was in a Special Flight Rules Area established in New York, which means no air traffic control services were being provided when it crashed. NYPD members work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate, with the NTSB leading the investigation. Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Mr Duffy said the FAA was also launching a Safety Review Team on Thursday evening. NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy and a team from the board were due to arrive in New York on Thursday and plan to hold a media briefing on Friday. Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz In 2018, five passengers aboard a helicopter died in New York when the aircraft crashed into the East River, while the pilot survived. The helicopter was on a charter flight that featured an open door to allow passengers to take photographs of the skyline. A crane vessel arrives at the scene where a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Jersey City, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) A New York City Police spokesperson said police boats had assisted in Thursday's rescue efforts. Helicopter safety has been a topic of discussion in the US Congress after 67 people were killed the crash of an American Airlines regional jet and Army helicopter on January 29 near Reagan National Airport in Washington DC. The FAA has since permanently restricted helicopter traffic near that airport and is reviewing helicopter operations near other major airports. Chinese President Xi Jinping, right and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speak as they walk along the gardens of Diaoyutai Guest House after a meeting in Beijing, China (Andres Martinez Casares/Pool Photo via AP) China calls on Western countries to work to support multilateralism and open cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Spains visiting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, as Beijing woos allies for its escalating tariff fight with US President Donald Trump. The two sides should promote the building of a fair and reasonable global governance system, maintain world peace and security, and promote common development and prosperity, Mr Xi told Mr Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, according to a readout of the meeting by the official Xinhua News Agency. The visit comes at a complex moment for Europe and China. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during a bilateral meeting at Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing, China (Andres Martinez Casares/AP) The tariffs announced last week and then paused by US President Donald Trump could mean that the European Union pursues more trade with China the worlds third-largest consumer market after the US and the EU. Mr Xi made no direct mention of Mr Trump or the tariffs totalling 145% the US is imposing on Chinese goods, but he referred to multiple risks and challenges facing the world that can only be dealt with through unity and cooperation. Mr Sanchez is making his third trip to the country in two years as his government seeks to boost investment from the Asian giant. He was also expected to meet with business leaders from several Chinese companies, many of which produce electric batteries or renewable energy technologies. After meeting Mr Xi, Mr Sanchez said Spain was in favour of more balanced relations between the European Union and China, of finding negotiated solutions to our differences, which we have, and of greater cooperation in areas of common interest. He added: Trade wars are not good, nobody wins. And this is clear, the world needs both China and the United States to talk. Spains government spokesperson Pilar Alegria said earlier this week that Mr Sanchezs trip has special importance and is an opportunity to diversify markets as Spain faces US tariffs. Warnings from Washington US treasury secretary Scott Bessent called out Spain for its move towards China, saying on Tuesday that Spain or any country that tries to get closer to China would be cutting their own throat because Chinese manufacturers will be looking to dump goods that they cannot sell in the US. President Donald Trump speaks as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House (Pool via AP) Expanding the trade relations that we have with other countries, including a partner as important as China, does not go against anyone, Spains agriculture minister Luis Planas, who is accompanying Mr Sanchez, said in Vietnam on Wednesday. Everyone has to defend their own interests, Mr Planas said. Spain leans toward China as EU is divided Spain the eurozones fourth-largest economy and a leader in growth has in recent years been less adversarial towards China than other EU countries. After initially supporting EU tariffs placed last year on Chinese-made electric vehicles over concerns that they enjoy unfair advantages, Spain abstained from a vote on the proposal. Mr Planas insisted that Spains approach to China contributes to the collective effort made by certain countries in the European Union to get out of this situation. While Chinas investments in Spain have grown, the Iberian nation trades less with China than Germany or Italy. Spains position has changed to be more pro-China than the the average European country, said Alicia Garcia-Herrero, an economist for Asia Pacific at the French investment bank Natixis and an expert on Europes relations with China. Warning over NI pervert killers lined up for early release Murderers earmarked for move to open jail despite being thrown off earlier schemes Ricky Close and Benny Wiggins have both been earmarked for a move to Burren House. Ciaran Barnes Fri 11 Apr 2025 at 10:30 Prison staff have warned of the dangers of allowing two killers back on the streets after they were removed from previous early release schemes for rule-breaking. If you'd like to leave a comment (or a tip or a question) about this story with the editors, please email us We also welcome letters to the editor for publication; you can do that by filling out our letters form and submitting it to the newsroom. Trump underestimates China's negotiating power, says expert Xinhua) 10:21, April 11, 2025 ZAGREB, April 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump "miscalculated and underestimated China's negotiating power" while imposing new tariffs on China, said Croatian economist Mladen Vedris in an interview with the local N1 Television on Thursday. "Compared with all other countries, China is a special story. It is strong and less sensitive to pressure," Vedris was quoted as saying, adding that "China has grown enormously and is still growing." 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. According to the Croatian economist, Trump, who on Wednesday suddenly paused his tariffs on most nations for 90 days by claiming that countries were lining up to negotiate more favourable conditions, had to back down due to the pressure from the stock market. Vedris said that Trump has been using the tariffs to try to improve the basis for negotiations with others. Moreover, Croatia will also have to pay a heavy price due to U.S. tariffs, Vedris noted. "As far as Croatia is concerned, we could have indirect consequences and a third of our growth could be hit due to U.S. tariffs," he warned. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) In my previous Baby Boomer Memories column, I shared how my quest to write about dowsing nearly 25 years ago led me down a rabbit hole. Back then I ended up with a story of the 5-ton male elephant named Columbus, which I related in the last column. The pachyderm had fallen off a bridge in Adams in 1851 and dropped a reported 20 feet, which led to suspected spinal damage and other internal injuries. Columbus was forced to get up and make the trek to Stockbridge for a menagerie show. However, he only made it about 23 miles to the Cortlandt Bishop estate in Lenox where he was reported to lay in agony for a week before succumbing from the injuries. A footpath on the land was later named The Elephants Walk, to recognize Columbus, who was buried nearby. Columbus' owner, James Raymond, had given the right to Williams College to later exhume Columbus to have the skeleton for display. In 1857, six years after the burial, the body was partially uncovered by a Williams group, but it had not yet decayed. For over the next 100 years there were no records indicating that the burial site had been excavated. In 1951 the Williams College campus newspaper, the Williams Record, revived the story and offered $25 to anyone who could locate and bring the skeleton to the campus for display. In December 1951 a group of Williams College students took the challenge. They were unable to find the location of the burial and contacted a well-known local dowser named Marcel Triau to assist them. Marcels technique was to walk with a gold watch chain and with a lodestone. In this case he used a baby elephant skull from the schools geology laboratory in place of a stone. Within six minutes he was able to pick up vibrations and identify the spot where poor Columbus was buried. He marked off a plot, 15 feet by 6 feet and pointed to where the head was located. In their excitement (or perhaps skepticism) over the venture, the Williams students failed to bring shovels with them. They were able to borrow digging tools from a nearby farm, but found the ground to be too frozen and rocky to dig. The seekers returned on a warmer day in February 1952 when the ground had thawed enough to dig on the spot marked by Marcel. The dowser had said the remains would be at a 6-foot depth. The diggers got down to 4 feet before the cold weather discouraged them. They filled in the hole and talked about returning in warmer weather, but never did. In May 1967, 16 years later, a group of six Williams College students read about Columbus and decided they would exhume the pachyderms skeleton. Locating the grave was again a challenge as there were no longer markers, the ground was totally overgrown and residential development of the nearby land had taken place. The students brought back Marcel Triau, to help them. Once again using a chain and an elephant jaw bone from the schools collection, Marcel located the grave. However, now it was on the private property of the William Hosmer family who did not want anyone digging up their backyard. Exams and graduation distracted the students from coming back and negotiating a dig. No one was known to return to find Columbus. Originally, I had been interested in only learning about Marcel Triau, who was the best-known local (water) dowser, when I was growing up in the 1950s. Marcel, was born in 1900 in Verdis de France, France. At the age of 28 he came to New York City to seek his fortune. He, his wife, and first-born daughter settled in the Catskills in Greene County, N.Y. Soon they moved to Canaan, N.Y., where the couple raised four children. Marcel leased a service station and ran the Canaan Sales and Service Co., where he sold gasoline as well as appliances. After World War II, he bought a Texaco station in Canaan and ran it for 27 years as well as practiced dowsing; something he did for over 50 of his 77 years before he passed away in 1977. Marcel was active in the American Society of Dowsers headquartered in Danville, Vt., and began attending their annual meetings from the early '50s, when the organization began. Dowsing has long been the source of skepticism, but people are often amazed with its accuracy in locating water sources. The dowser walks across an area with a forked stick, metal rods or a pendulum firmly grasped. When the dowser passes over a vein of water, they find that the stick or rods will point straight to the ground or the pendulum will rotate. Dowsing was popular in the Berkshires in the 1950s, especially in the countryside where new homebuilders needed to have a well in lieu of city water. Trial and error drilling could be a very costly venture and dowsers had a good track record of locating a source of water within minutes. Some dowsers would rely on a magnetometer that measures the earths magnetic field for greater accuracy, but true diehard dowsers can do just as well with the forked stick, metal rods, pendulum or similar instruments. Marcels unique technique involved the pendulum using a chain with a small stone weight on the end, which twirled when he would locate water. A good dowser can even tell the depth of the water when doing the dowsing. Marcel did his dowsing in and around the Berkshires and nearby New York state, where he became well known for locating water. However, he was also skillful in many other techniques and approaches. At one dowsing convention he gave a presentation about healing people with arthritis by holding two pieces of titanium rock on either side of the arthritic area. He described this process as creating a polarity where the energy from one rock will travel through the body attracted by the other rock. The current then dissolves calcium deposits as it goes and carries them out the fingers leaving white specks on the fingernails. Although not in the annals of modern medicine, this approach is nonetheless interesting. Quote Dowsing was popular in the Berkshires in the 1950s, especially in the countryside where new homebuilders needed to have a well in lieu of city water. Marcel was also known locally for his locating missing items like the remains of the elephant Columbus or missing persons. In these situations, he used an item like the elephant bone, a photograph of the person or a related object along with the chain. Once in 1975, The Berkshire Eagle asked him to help find William Adams, a Berkshire County Savings Bank president who mysteriously vanished in 1933 during a walk near his home and had never been found. Marcel used a photo of Adams along with his chain and stone that moved in a circle, in a few minutes. With a straight face, he offered, the man was kidnapped! Only one of Marcels four children gave dowsing a try and that was his youngest, Serge. In 2011 I located Serge, then in his '70s, who was very helpful in talking about his dad. Serge became an IBM electrical engineer who was somewhat skeptical about the whole dowsing thing and did not follow in his fathers footsteps. But as an adult at the urging of a friend needing a well, he used a forked apple branch and looked for a source of water in the friends yard. Decades later the friend still had an operating well where Serge found the branch point to the ground. Although he never continued dowsing, Serge was no longer a skeptic. He remembered the elephant story, but did not know the outcome. He shared that his dad was mostly successful with finding water and possibly an elephant too. The Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee voted in favor of using the 120 First St. site for the new police station, but the Dalton Select Board voted 3-2 against it so they can seek more public opinion. [Im] still very frustrated by the process, one resident said. At a packed meeting Monday night, Pittsfields Ordinances and Rules Committee requested that Mayor Peter Marchetti make several amendments to his proposal to ban homeless people from sleeping and creating temporary shelter on all public property in the city. You are the owner of this article. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. India and Italy sign MoU to boost cooperation in science and technology April 11, 2025 | Friday | News Indo-Italian programme to include 10 research initiatives and 10 collaborative initiatives In a significant move to enhance bilateral scientific cooperation, Italys Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, currently on India visit, called on Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology. The hallmark of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of cooperation by the two Ministers. The discussions between the two dignitaries centered on advancing joint initiatives in quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and other emerging sectors. Dr Jitendra Singh recalled the bilateral discussions between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni held on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil, which culminated in the announcement of a Joint Strategic Action Plan 20252029. The plan outlines a shared vision for collaborative innovation in science and technology. As part of this vision, both nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation in the field of scientific research and agreed to implement the 20252027 Executive Programme for Scientific and Technological Cooperation, aimed at fostering collaboration in critical technologies like AI and digitalisation. Reaffirming Indias commitment to bilateral research, Dr Jitendra Singh announced the signing of the Indo-Italian Executive Programme of Cooperation (EPOC) for 20252027 on 10th April 2025 during the Joint Science & Technology Committee Meeting. Under the EPOC framework, both countries have successfully implemented over 150 joint research projects to date. The current programme includes joint funding for 10 research mobility proposals and 10 significant collaborative research initiatives across a wide range of scientific disciplines. Borsa Italiana non ha responsabilita per il contenuto del sito a cui sta per accedere e non ha responsabilita per le informazioni contenute. Accedendo a questo link, Borsa Italiana non intende sollecitare acquisti o offerte in alcun paese da parte di nessuno. Sarai automaticamente diretto al link in cinque secondi. Help Our Community Please help local businesses by taking an online survey to help us navigate through these unprecedented times. None of the responses will be shared or used for any other purpose except to better serve our community. The survey is at: www.pulsepoll.com $1,000 is being awarded. Everyone completing the survey will be able to enter a contest to Win as our way of saying, "Thank You" for your time. Thank You! Take The Survey State Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington Washington D.C. 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Advertisement His counsel, Dr John OMahony SC, told the High Court the boy, who is now nine years of age, fell two storeys to the ground level. Counsel said it was their case that there was, at the time,e alleged defective bannisters and the little boy fell down two levels and hit his head on the ground. The child, he said, was silent for two minutes, and then there were floods of tears. He was rushed to the hospital, where a significant fracture to the left side of his face was discovered, and he also had a black eye, Counsel said. Counsel said the settlement is without an admission of liability. Advertisement The accident occurred on December 9th, 2017 where Kais family were renting an apartment in the apartment complex, Killiney Court, Seafield Road, Killiney, Dublin. Kai Keane, now age nine years of Dun Laoghaire, Dublin had through his mother Aoife Fagan sued letting agents Sherry Fitzgerald, who let out the apartment where the family lived at the time; Management Agent, Sky Property Management Ltd with registered offices at Sandyford, Dublin and the management company for the apartment complex Killiney Court Management with registered offices at Stepaside , Dublin. In the proceedings, it was claimed there was an alleged failure to find a safe means of access and egress for the child while on the premises. There was also it was contended an alleged failure to check, inspect, notice or maintain the guard rail so that it did not present as a falling risk. Advertisement It was also claimed there was an alleged failure to provide a safe way for families to access their rented properties whether by a lift or a properly guarded stairs. All of the claims were denied, and the defendants further denied that the childs accident was contributed to by any alleged negligence or breach of duty on their part. Dr OMahony told the court there were issues in relation to causation in the case. He said experts on all sides would say there was an issue in relation to causation. Approving the settlement Mr Justice Paul Coffey said he was satisfied the offer was fair and reasonable and it was in the best interests of the boy that it be approved by the court. He wished Kai the best for the future. Concerns have been raised after Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan this week signed an order to recommence legislation allowing for Irish citizenship to be revoked in serious cases. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission said it does not believe the new order is constitutional. Advertisement The commission is worried it would give Justice Ministers power to revoke 'naturalised citizenship' in inappropriate or disproportionate circumstances. Chief commissioner Liam Herrick said a previous law dating back to 1956 was ruled as constitutional by the Supreme Court in 2021. "When the state was found that its law was unconstitutional, it did nothing for a number of years and then suddenly out of nowhere in July it rushed through legislation without any discussion which basically reinstated that 1956 provision with some tweaks on the process," he said. "And at the time, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and many others expressed grave concern that why are we introducing such a really anachronous system of revoking citizenship." Advertisement The Minister for Justice is empowered to revoke Irish citizenship granted by naturalisation under Section 19 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 (as amended). On signing the order this week, Minister Jim OCallaghan said: The signing of this order reestablishes the important and necessary power to revoke naturalised Irish citizenship. "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. "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. A Belfast dad whose son made history at the weekend by becoming Manchester United's first ever wheelchair mascot says he's never been more proud. Terence Moore's 7-year-old son Bobby was invited to join Bruno Fernandes in leading out the team at the derby match against Manchester City last weekend. Advertisement Before that, Bobby met his heroes at a training session in Carrington ahead of the Manchester derby. Mr Moore said it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. He told Newstalk: "We obviously knew he was going to Manchester, but we didn't know he was going to be a mascot until the week before. When the guys came over, they told us in person, they didn't want to tell us over a text message. "Bruno was the one who broke the news to him, when they told me I just burst into tears." A 62-year-old landlord who plied his female tenant with alcohol and then raped her has been jailed for seven years. Michael Paul OLeary of Four Winds, Ballyarthur, Fermoy, Co Cork was convicted in February of this year of raping a woman in her thirties. Advertisement The victim in the case Loretta ODonoghue waived her right to anonymity in order to facilitate the naming of Mr OLeary. In a statement after the sentencing, Ms ODonoghue said that the criminal justice system is tough on the victim but that people who find themselves in her situation should take courage from the outcome of her case. The trial, which occurred at a sitting of the Central Criminal Court in Cork, heard that the rape of Ms ODonoghue occurred in May 2022. Mr OLeary had rented a property in Fermoy, Co Cork to Ms ODonoghue and her fiance and lived adjacent to them. On May 28th, 2022 Mr OLeary texted Ms ODonoghue asking her if would she like to share a drink as he had just opened a bottle of wine. Advertisement Having shared a drink the man poured a brandy for her and then kept topping up her glass. Ms ODonoghue had not consented to the filling up of her glass. Ms ODonoghue passed out, and when she awoke, her clothes had been taken off and the father of three was having sex with her. She tried to push Mr OLeary off her and told him to stop. Victim impact statement In a victim impact statement, Ms ODonoghue said that she is living a life sentence as a result of what occurred. She also described the showing of her underwear in court during the trial as being an out-of-body experience". Advertisement Ms ODonoghue described her attacker as not having a shred of remorse for his actions. She stated that he had disrespected and defiled her using her as an object for his own warped sense of pleasure". She said whilst she got the highest standard of care, the experience of going to the sexual assault clinic was like being a corpse in a morgue". I was numb and broken. I felt like I had died inside. PTSD and depression Ms ODonoghue suffers from PTSD, depression, panic attacks, chest pains, nightmares and flashbacks arising out of what was done to her. Advertisement She said that every aspect of the trial was an ordeal. "I found every aspect of the trial to be traumatising. "I found the cross-examination to be highly humiliating. I felt my intelligence was insulted. I felt stupid and belittled. My honesty and integrity were challenged, and that was hard to bear, especially with all that I had been through already. "My underwear (being) shown in court and my SATU (Sexual Assault Trauma Unit) examination report being read out was another out-of-body experience." Advertisement Ms ODonoghue said that it was distressing to have to listen to the landlords fabricated account of what had occurred. "We both knew the truth. Firstly, committing the crime was such a violent and degrading act, but then to drag me through the entire trial process advocating your innocence...was a further degradation." "The gruesome memory of what you did to me will never leave me. As a victim, this is a life sentence. Ms ODonoghue urged other victims of sexual violence to come forward. I urge you to take back your power - speak your truth. You will be believed." "Each time you speak out, you are reducing the social silence that these monsters thrive in." "I commend anyone who has done this before me, and to those suffering in silence, I encourage you to find your inner strength and courage because you have it." The woman said that it was quite scary to think that individuals like the accused exist in society. People like you who have lived all their lives to the age they are thinking iit'sok to treat a woman like you treated me. "You have taken my right to live a normal life, my freedom. As a human and as a woman I should have the free will to be in any place, at any time, wearing whatever I wear, drunk or sober without the risk of being raped. "Your chosen actions are a direct violation of a person's autonomy and free will. My ability to choose was forcefully taken away from me by you. "There is so much I want to say about how victims are treated in the Criminal Justice System, and even though I had great support from the gardai and others, the experience was devastating and cruel. I am grateful to the jury that they found you guilty, and now you are being held to account for what you did to me. Ms ODonoghue said that what the man had done to her was an utter violation of her mind, body and soul. What you did to me was an utter violation of my mind, my body and my soul. "Aside from the utter disrespect of raping me, you put my life at risk," she said. "To me, this is a deeper aspect of the crime you committed. You left me exposed to STIs, HIV, pregnancy and cervical cancer. "I still cannot fully put into words how this part of the crime has shaken me to my core. It is the ultimate disrespect to someone's life." Ms ODonoghue thanked Det Garda Rachel McGrath and Mary Crilly of the Cork Sexual Violence Centre for their help. She also expressed gratitude to her husband, family and friends, to SATU, the Rape Crisis Centres, the presiding judge the DPP and counsel. Conor Devally SC, for the State, that the woman was in a vulnerable position given that she was the tenant of the accused. He told the court that the accused had deliberately plied the woman with alcohol. Sentencing In sentencing the man to seven years' prison on Frida,y Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford said what had happened occurred to the victim was a gross breach of trust. She noted that Mr OLeary, who was without previous convictions, had built up a successful construction business having emigrated to the US. She also said that Tom Creed, counsel for the defence, had indicated to her that his client was a rower of some repute and had rowed internationally". She set the headline sentence for the crime at eight years. She gave Mr OLeary some credit for his work in the community in Fermoy. However, she said she could take no more than a year off the sentence given his lack of remorse for his actions. He doesnt accept the verdict and maintains his innocence. Aggravating Ms Justice Lankford described as an aggravating matter the breach of trust which occurred between landlord and tenant and the fact that the offender and the victim were effectively neighbours. She backdated the sentence to when Mr OLeary first entered custody on February 11th last. Ms Justice Lankford commended Ms ODonoghue for her bravery and clarity in dealing with matters. Speaking after the sentencing, Ms ODonoghue said that she was a survivor of rape and had nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed of". What happened to me was wrong and was a choice made by someone who had absolutely no right ,to and Ive been paying the price foit r since. Every single aspect of my life has been so much harder, and I have had to find the courage and strength to reclaim my life bit by bit and to be here today. "I have struggled with feelings of shame and self-blame. But the shame and blame is on Michael Paul OLeary. He is known as Mike OLeary in America when he lived there and known as Paul OLeary here in Ireland. Ms ODonoghue said that unfortunately victim blaming and rape culture exist around us protecting and giving power to monsters like him". Ireland Boy injured after falling through alleged gap in s... Read More When you see or hear about a victim of rape, remember please dont question or doubt them question or doubt the perpetrator. "These crimes must stop. Victims are speaking out; you will be named and shamed. You should fear the punishment, and I hope these sentences get longer and harsher. "I am very grateful that this case got to court and the jury found him guilty of rape. I hope my voice can inspire others and give them the courage to overcome this ordeal too. Please try to report it. Whether your case gets to court note, please know that there is hope, you are strong because you survived it, and you will get your life back. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can call the national 24-hour Rape Crisis Helpline at 1800-77 8888, access text service and webchat options at drcc.ie/services/helpline/ or visit Rape Crisis Help. A man who helped a Brazilian drug cartel to smuggle one of the biggest cocaine hauls through Ireland is facing a mandatory minimum 10 years in prison, a court heard. Nikola Penchev (34), Veliki, Preslav, Bulgaria, appeared before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing after he pleaded guilty to one count of possessing over 21 million worth of cocaine, for sale or supply. Advertisement Gardai and Customs Officers seized the massive drugs haul on board the MV Verila, a Maltese registered cargo ship, after it docked at Foynes Port, County Limerick, carrying a legitimate load of Canadian corn, on December 19th, 2023. Penchev was working on the ship as a 2nd Engineer and an Officer in charge of an air-conditioning room where the cocaine was discovered by a sniffer dog brought on board the vessel by the authorities. The drugs, valued at a total of 21,604,891, which were tied together with life jackets and tied to a beacon transmitter, were supposed to be dumped overboard at Glin, Co Limerick, prior to the ship docking in Foynes. However, when unidentified individuals, who were to collect the drugs at the planned drop-off zone, did not show, Penchev and another Bulgarian ship worker, Kamen Petkov, returned the 12 bales of cocaine below deck of the cargo vessel. Advertisement Petkov (37), also a Bulgarian national, was jailed for 10 years last December after he pleaded guilty to possessing the drugs for sale or supply. Gardai said Petkov had told them that he was to be paid 150,000 for helping the gang, however, gardai were satisfied Petkov didn't receive any payment. Detective Garda Adrian Cahill, Limerick Garda Divisional Drugs Unit, agreed with prosecuting barrister, Lily Buckley BL, that Petkov organised the drugs on board and recruited his friend, Penchev. Ms Buckley told the court that Petkov told Penchev that if they lost the drugs, their lives would be under threat from dangerous people and that the drugs were worth more than his life. Penchev told gardai that Petkov offered him 10,000 to help him store and unload the drugs overboard, but that he only helped Petkov because he was afraid of the consequences for him and his wife and two children if he didn't do what he was asked. Advertisement Detective Garda Cahill also agreed that unidentified parties in Santos, Brazil, had used smaller boats to initially bring the drugs on board the MV Verila, at night, while the 18 crew, except for Petkov, were asleep. Petkov loaded the drugs onto the ship at Santos, and Penchev joined the vessel in Montreal, Canada, before it made its way to Ireland. The Brazilian drugs cartel planned for most of the haul to be collected in Foynes and transported across Europe for distribution. Ireland Mum forced at gunpoint to stash cannabis in her... Read More Petkov kept in contact with the cartel members via a satellite phone and used the map and navigation app OsmAnd to provide the gang with the ships location at all times. Advertisement The court heard that Penchev and Petkov took photos of the drug bales along the journey, which would prove to the gang the drugs were still on board. Asking the court for leniency, Penchevs barrister told the court his client was not the instigator, that he is remorseful, a good, loving father and husband, well-educated, respected in his local community, and that he had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. Judge Colin Daly said he had much to consider and that he would pass sentence on May 2nd. A Westmeath woman who claimed a dangerous criminal held a gun to her head and forced her to store almost 67,000 worth of cannabis in her home has escaped jail. Amy O'Connor, 40, of Auburn Heights, Athlone, pleaded guilty to possessing drugs on January 18th, 2020, which were worth more than 13,000, an offence that can carry a minimum 10-year sentence. Advertisement At Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Keenan Johnson heard on Friday that O'Connor was under duress and there was no evidence that she was involved in drug trafficking. He imposed a seven-year sentence but suspended it on condition she did not reoffend for 10 years, remained under Probation Service supervision for 18 months and followed directions to address mental health and addiction. Earlier, the court heard how O'Connor had once travelled to Venezuela to visit her former partner Leigh O'Neill and his brother Dermot. The Athlone men had been jailed in South America for drug offences. However, the pair broke out of prison and returned to Ireland in 2013 but have since died. Advertisement O'Connor told Judge Keenan Johnson she broke it off with Leigh about 10 years ago. However, in late 2019, she came into contact with a person she previously knew through Leigh. The mother of three maintained this man made her drive to another location in Westmeath, held a knife to her and said, "You will do what your fucking told you whore, or I will drive it through your jugular." She told the court that the man "stuck a gun to my head" and kept it pointed at her during the drive while threatening to kill her. Advertisement O'Connor told the court they met another man to collect the cannabis, and they "joked about putting me in the boot". Visibly upset, she said the man left a knife outside her home, and she was terrified. She testified that previously, the same man had "blown up" a car at her house. The prosecution challenged her account and put it to her that the drugs had been in her house for four months, but she maintained she was afraid and being watched. Although she admitted the charge, she still disputes portions of the prosecution's evidence, which resulted in what is known as a Newton hearing. Advertisement Garda Stephanie Treacy said she carried out surveillance over a few days and observed several people calling to O'Connor's home, but they did not stay long. However, she did not witness any item changing hands. A warrant was obtained, and the house was searched, resulting in gardai uncovering vacuum-packed bags in O'Connor's bedroom. She admitted ownership. The total value was 67,660, and gardai had no record of her attempts to inform them of the situation. During her interview, she said that the drugs belonged to the man she knew through her now-deceased ex-partner Leigh O'Neill. Advertisement However, she did not give gardai the PIN to her phone, which they could not unlock and in court O'Connor said she could not remember it due to a brain injury she suffered last year. She claimed she repeatedly tried to contact the local garda station directly, including the drug unit's number, but never dialled 999. The local gardai had no record of these attempts but had logged calls from her about other complaints. John Shortt SC, defending, submitted that his client had also given an account of being seriously attacked previously. It led to her going to A&E, but the CCTV evidence was not available, and she had made numerous attempts to seek help from gardai, the defence stressed, A psychological report on the accused was also furnished to the court. Two "off their heads" men violently hijacked a woman's car and then filmed their 160 km/h road "rampage" from Athlone to Dublin on Snapchat before crashing, a court heard. Dylan Poynton, 27, of Castlegrove, Castlepollard, and 21-year-old David Marshall, from Newtown Lawns, Mullingar, both in Co Westmeath, pleaded guilty to a hijacking on the morning of November 14th last year. Advertisement The jobless duo, who never worked and have had drink and drug problems since their early teens, appeared at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court for sentencing on Friday. Father-of-two David Marshall was jailed for seven years after Judge Keenan Johnson suspended the final 12 months of an eight-year term of imprisonment. He imposed an eight-year sentence on Poynton but adjourned finalising his case until July to consider a probation report and whether to suspend the last year of the father-of-four's jail term. Detective Garda Conor Murphy told the court that the victim had driven into a car park near Athlone rail station just after 7 am to get a train to Dublin for work. Advertisement However, two men in balaclava masks opened the front doors of her Nissan Micra, shouting, "Get out". Poynton grabbed her and pulled her out, screaming. She tried to get the car keys but was pushed and fell to the ground. The pair took turns driving the car and filmed each other for a series of Snapchat posts, laughing and jeering while blaring music as they sped along the M4 to Dublin. One video played in court showed the driver holding a beer bottle, and another clip focused on the speedometer at 160 km/h. Advertisement Judge Johnson branded the pair's actions as despicable and said the footage showed a rampage and the worst incidents of dangerous driving he had ever seen. The two men seemed as if they were on "a suicide mission", and it was a miracle they did not cause carnage during the drive, he remarked. Detective Garda Murphy said gardai along the route received numerous reports of "outrageous" driving. The judge noted that the stolen Micra went between two cars on the motorway at one point. Advertisement A patrol car in Lucan, Co Dublin, started following the vehicle when it reached Lucan Co Dublin two hours after the hijacking. The Micra, now driven by Marshall, crashed into the wall of a house, causing 2500 damage to the property. Their phones were found in the car, and gardai later unlocked them to recover their Snapchat videos. The pair fled, but Marshall was found nearby while Poynton went "on the run" until being spotted at a petrol station about two months later. Advertisement Marshall had 96 prior convictions, many for driving offences as well as attempted robbery and robbery. He had been on a suspended sentence and bail and subject to a 10-year road ban when the hijacking occurred. When questioned, he told gardai he was sorry and that he "felt like a scumbag". Judge Johnson expressed severe disappointment in Marshall after the criminal justice system spent hundreds of thousands of euros trying to rehabilitate him when he was younger. Poynton's 24 prior convictions included dangerous driving, and he had a two-year road ban. In tears, the victim told the court she had held down two jobs and had bought the car and a house, but she no longer drives in the darkness and has lost her independence. She has suffered anxiety, panic attacks, depression and PTSD since then, attends counselling and was at a loss of 6,500. Poynton sat with his head bowed as she gave her evidence. The court heard that on the morning in question, the men were "off their heads" on drink and drugs. The hijacking, also captured on CCTV, was the culmination of earlier incidents by the pair in the area that morning. Ireland Man jailed for raping daughter he first met when s... Read More Stephen Byrne BL, for Marshall, asserted that the contrast between the defendants and the victim could not have been more stark. Citing his client's reference to himself as a scumbag, counsel said it was difficult to disagree with that characterisation of the pair. The two men apologised through their barristers but did not address the court. Andrea Callan BL, representing Poynton, said that the accused had been living in several locations at the time after a relationship breakdown, and it was lucky there were no fatal consequences to the incident. Connected charges for dangerous driving and criminal damage to the wall in Lucan were taken into consideration. Three men have pleaded guilty at the non-jury Special Criminal Court to conspiring to bring drugs into Ireland. Two are from Spain, while the third has an address in Serbia. The charges against each man state that between February 17th, 2024, and March 14th, 2024, they conspired with others to import controlled drugs with a value in excess of 13,000 into Ireland. Advertisement At a brief arraignment on Thursday of this week, Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz (45) of no fixed abode in Spain; Anuar Rahui Chairi (42) of Malaga in Spain; and Aleksander Milic (27) of Svetorgorska, Belgrade in Serbia, pleaded guilty to the charges. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, presiding at the three-judge court, ordered probation and governor's reports for each defendant. They will appear before the court again on June 18th. A Dublin Airport contract workers action seeking to stop DAA from blocking his access to the airport has been resolved, the High Court has heard. Colm Dunnes action against the airport operator was the second set of High Court proceedings to arise from an incident in which the IT systems engineer told an Aer Lingus customer services check-in representative to f**k off. Advertisement It was Mr Dunnes case that he was being blocked by DAA from accessing the airport on foot of this incident. He said the airport operator was unlawfully interfering with his contractual and constitutional right to work at the airport. On Friday, Mr Dunnes senior counsel Conor Power SC, instructed by Feran & Co solicitors, told Mr Justice Brian Cregan that the dispute between his client and DAA was fully resolved. Mr Power said the proceedings could be struck out, and an order made for legal costs to be awarded to Mr Dunne. Mr Dunnes separate proceedings challenging his dismissal from his job with IT support firm ESP Global Services arising from the f**k off incident was settled earlier this week, and he was reinstated in his job. Advertisement Following his reinstatement, Mr Dunne had to be reassigned elsewhere in the company, due to DAAs alleged blocking of his access to the airport, the court previously heard. The idea that one expletive leads to two High Court cases is a complete failure of common sense, Mr Justice Cregan observed. The f**k off incident happened towards the end of Mr Dunnes night shift in the early hours of January 27th last, when he was fixing a faulty self-service flight check-in kiosk. An Aer Lingus customer service representative approached him to fix another kiosk when Mr Dunne said he regrettably told him to go away and f**k off. Advertisement Mr Dunne (34), of St Laurences Park, Drogheda, Co Louth, brought proceedings against ESP challenging his dismissal arising from the incident. He said he apologised for the remark, and stated that his dismissal was extremely harsh and not proportionate. The matter was resolved, and Mr Dunne reinstated in his role, but he was told that DAA decided that his conduct had fallen below what it considers an acceptable standard and it has withdrawn permission for [Mr Dunne] to work at the airport. This gave rise to the second set of proceedings. A family from Spain was about to celebrate the ninth birthday of one of their children when their sightseeing helicopter broke apart in mid air and crashed into the Hudson River between New York City and New Jersey, killing all six people aboard in the latest US aviation disaster, officials said. Authorities including the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating Thursdays mid-afternoon crash. Advertisement No new information on the possible cause was released on Friday morning. First responders stand on a pier at the scene where a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River (Seth Wenig/AP) 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 pilot also died. New York Helicopter, the company that owns the helicopter, said in a statement on Friday that it was profoundly saddened by the crash and referred any media inquiries to investigators. Advertisement The safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew has always been the cornerstone of our operations, the statement added. New York City mayor Eric Adams said the children were aged four, eight and 10-years-old, and the eight-year-olds birthday was on Friday. So this is probably part of the normal tourist attraction of seeing the city from the skyline, Mr Adams told Fox 5 New York. But its just a real unfortunate situation. And our heart goes out to the family members. Advertisement Mr Escobar was in the New York area on business and his family flew in to to extend the trip a few days, said Steven Fulop, mayor of Jersey City, New Jersey, in a post on the social platform X, formerly Twitter. Debris floats in the water at the scene where a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River (Seth Wenig/AP) He said a relative was expected to arrive Friday and officials were working with the medical examiner to release the bodies for transport back to Spain. Mr Fulop also said dive teams were expected to return to the river on Friday to continue the search for major parts of the helicopter. Photos posted on the helicopter companys website showed the couple and their children smiling as they boarded just before the flight took off. Advertisement The flight departed a downtown heliport around 3pm and lasted less than 18 minutes. Radar data shows 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 mid air, with the tail and main rotor coming off. The main rotor was still spinning without the helicopter as it fell. Advertisement New York City mayor Eric Adams speaks during a press conference at Pier 40, where a helicopter went down in the Hudson River between Manhattan and the New Jersey waterfront (AP) 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. Police and fire crews from New York and New Jersey respond at the scene of the helicopter crash (Yuki Iwamura/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. 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. Mr 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. Debris floats in the water at the scene where a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River (Ted Shaffrey/AP) 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 lawyers who have represented Mr 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 US 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 Mr Escobar worked for the 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 this photo taken from video, a helicopter falls from the sky into the Hudson River (Bruce Wall via AP) In a post about the position, he thanked his family: my endless source of energy and happiness, for their unconditional support, love and patience. Mr Escobar regularly posted about the importance of sustainability in the rail industry and often travelled 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. 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 government officials said the family lived in Barcelona. In a post on X, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said: The news that has reached us about a helicopter accident in the Hudson River IS devastating. Five members of a Spanish family, including three children, have lost their lives. It is an unimaginable tragedy. I feel for the loss of their loved ones. Barcelona-based newspaper El Periodico reported that the three children attended school in the upscale neighbourhood of Sarria. The school said in a statement on Instagram that it is devastated by the death of a family of our community but declined to comment to The Associated Press. The Catalan regional president, Salvador Illa, wrote on X that he was dismayed by news of the crash. 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, Mr Green said. They were dead as soon as whatever happened happened, Mr Green said. A crane vessel lifts the wreckage of a helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River (Seth Wenig/AP) 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 cut-off. 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 US. Seven people were killed when a medical transport plane plummeted into a Philadelphia neighbourhood in January. That happened two days after an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter collided in mid air in Washington in the deadliest US air disaster in a generation. Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil can be deported as a national security risk, an immigration judge in Louisiana ruled on Friday during a hearing over the legality of removing the activist who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations from the US. Immigration Judge Jamee E Comans said, at the conclusion of a hearing in Jena, that the governments contention that Mr Khalils presence in the United States posed potentially serious foreign policy consequences was enough to satisfy requirements for his deportation. Advertisement Ms Comans said the government had established by clear and convincing evidence that he is removable. Khalil served as negotiator and spokesperson for student activists at Columbia University during protests over the war in Gaza (Stefan Jeremiah/AP/File) Lawyers for Mr Khalil said they plan to keep fighting. The judge gave them until April 23 to seek a waiver. Meanwhile, a federal judge in New Jersey temporarily barred Mr Khalils deportation. Addressing the judge at the end of the hearing, Mr Khalil mentioned that she said at a hearing earlier in the week that theres nothing more important to this court than due process rights and fundamental fairness. Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process, he added. Advertisement His lawyer, Marc Van Der Hout, also criticised the hearings fairness. Mr Van Der Hout said: Today, we saw our worst fears play out: Mahmoud was subject to a charade of due process, a flagrant violation of his right to a fair hearing, and a weaponisation of immigration law to suppress dissent. Mr Khalil, a legal US resident, was detained by federal immigration agents on March 8 in the lobby of his university-owned apartment, the first arrest under President Donald Trumps promised crackdown on students who joined campus protests against the war in Gaza. Within a day, he was flown across the country and taken to an immigration detention centre in Jena, thousands of miles from his attorneys and wife, a US citizen who is due to give birth soon. Advertisement Mr Khalils lawyers have challenged the legality of his detention, saying the Trump administration is trying to crack down on free speech protected by the US Constitution. US secretary of state Marco Rubio has cited a rarely used statute to justify Mr Khalils deportation, which gives him the power to deport those who pose potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States. At Fridays hearing, Mr Khalils lawyer, Marc Van Der Hout, told the judge that the governments submissions to the court prove the attempt to deport his client has nothing to do with foreign policy. Earlier this week, Ms Comans challenged the government to share proof that Mr Khalil should be expelled from the country for his role in campus protests against Israel and the war in Gaza. Advertisement She said if evidence does not support his removal, she would terminate the case on Friday. On Friday, Justice Department lawyers said in papers filed in federal court in Newark, New Jersey, that Ms Comans would not have the authority to immediately free Mr Khalil. They said an immigration judge could determine if Mr Khalil is subject to deportation and then conduct a bail hearing afterwards if it is found that he is not. Mr Khalil is not accused of breaking any laws during the protests at Columbia. Advertisement US secretary of state Marco Rubio has cited a rarely used statute to justify Mr Khalils deportation, which gives him the power to deport those who pose potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States (Nicolas Tucat/AP) The government, however, has said that non-citizens who participate in such demonstrations should be expelled from the country for expressing views that the administration considers to be antisemitic and pro-Hamas, referring to the Palestinian militant group that attacked Israel on October 7 2023. Mr Khalil, a 30-year-old international affairs graduate student, had served as a negotiator and spokesperson for student activists at Columbia University who took over a campus lawn last spring to protest Israels military campaign in Gaza. The university brought police in to dismantle the encampment after a small group of protesters seized an administration building. Mr Khalil is not accused of participating in the building occupation and was not among the people arrested in connection with the demonstrations. But images of his maskless face at protests, along with his willingness to share his name with reporters, have made him an object of scorn among those who saw the protesters and their demands as anti-semitic. The White House accused Mr Khalil of siding with terrorists, but has yet to cite any support for the claim. Federal judges in New York and New Jersey have ordered the government not to deport Mr Khalil while his case plays out in court. The Trump administration has said it is taking at least 400 million dollars in federal funding away from research programs at Columbia and its medical centre to punish it for not doing enough to fight what it considers to be anti-semitism on campus. Some Jewish students and faculty complained about being harassed during the demonstrations or ostracised because of their faith or their support of Israel. Immigration authorities have cracked down on other critics of Israel on college campuses, arresting a Georgetown University scholar who had spoken out on social media about the Israel-Gaza war, cancelling the student visas of some protesters and deporting a Brown University professor who they said had attended the Lebanon funeral of a leader of Hezbollah, another militant group that has fought with Israel. Italian authorities transferred 40 migrants with no permission to remain in the country to Italian-run migration detention centres in Albania. It appeared to be the first time a European Union country has sent rejected migrants to a nation outside the EU that is neither their own nor a country they had transited on their journey. Advertisement The facilities in Shengjin were originally built to process asylum requests of people intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea by Italy (Vlasov Sulaj/AP) A military ship with the 40 migrants departed the Italian port of Brindisi and arrived hours later in the Albanian port of Shengjin, where they were to be transferred to the Italian-built and -run centres. The Italian government has not released the nationalities or further details of the migrants. The facilities in Shengjin, about 65 kilometres (40 miles) northeast of Tirana, were originally built to process asylum requests of people intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea by Italy. But since their inauguration in October, Italian courts have stopped authorities from using them and small groups of migrants sent there have returned to Italy. Italys far-right-led government of prime minister Giorgia Meloni approved a decree last month that expanded the use of the Albanian fast-track asylum processing centres to include the detention of rejected asylum seekers with deportation orders. Advertisement It is not clear how long the rejected asylum-seekers may be held in Albania. In Italy, they can be detained for up to 18 months pending deportation. Ms Melonis efforts to step up deportations echo US president Donald Trumps recent deportations of migrants of various nationalities to Panama. Its also in line with a recent EU Commission proposal that, if passed, would allow EU members to set up so-called return hubs abroad. Advertisement A migrant processing centre at the port of Shengjin, Albania as the first group of migrants intercepted in international waters have arrived (Vlasov Sulaj/AP/File) Migration experts consulted by The Associated Press say it is unclear how legal Italys actions were. Meghan Benton, of the Migration Policy Institute, said the move likely will be challenged in court. Speaking from Toulouse, France, Ms Benton said other EU countries are interested in doing the same, including the Netherlands with Uganda. Francesco Ferri, a migration expert with Action Aid who was among a group of non-governmental organisations and Italian officials visiting Albania to follow the migrant transfer, said its unclear what would happen to the migrants once theyre in Albania. Advertisement He said there is no legislation in Italian law, nor in EU law, nor in the Albania-Italy agreement that would allow rejected asylum-seekers to be deported directly from Albania, making the purpose of the transfer unclear. For us it is unacceptable, Mr Ferri said. The Albanian centres opened in October but they remained substantially inactive due to legal hurdles and wide opposition from human rights associations, which believe they violate international laws and put migrants rights at risk. The November 2023 agreement between Italy and Albania worth nearly 800 million euros (694 million) over five years allows up to 3,000 migrants intercepted by the Italian coast guard in international waters each month to be sheltered in Albania and vetted for possible asylum in Italy or repatriation. Advertisement Italy has agreed to welcome those migrants who are granted asylum, while those whose applications are rejected face deportation directly from Albania. The first three groups of 73 migrants transferred there in October, November and January spent only a few hours in Albania and were returned to Italy after Italian magistrates refused to validate their detention in the non-EU country. So far this year, 11,438 migrants landed on Italian shores, less than the 16,090 who arrived in the same period last year. Most arrived from Bangladesh, followed by Syria, Tunisia and Egypt, according to the Italian Interior Ministry. Irregular border crossings were 31% lower across the European Union according to figures released on Friday by the EUs Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex. Rapper Soulja Boy was found liable for sexually assaulting and physically and emotionally abusing a former assistant by a California jury on Thursday. The woman, who was not identified by name, was awarded damages of 4 million dollars (3.8 million). Advertisement The decision from the Los Angeles County jurors came following a three-week trial in Santa Monica, California. The trial will now move to a second phase for possible punitive damages, which could lead to a bigger award. The 34-year-old Soulja Boy, whose legal name is DeAndre Cortez Way, was found liable for assault, sexual battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Jurors did not find him liable for false imprisonment and other allegations. Advertisement The plaintiffs attorney, Neama Rahmani, said in a statement: Todays verdict is just the beginning of justice for Soulja Boys victims, and other victims in the music industry. Chicago hip-hop artist Soulja Boy is best known for his 2007 single Crank That (Soulja Boy) (Ian West/PA)/File) Lead defence attorney Rickey Ivie said he was withholding comment until the verdict is finalised. Soulja Boy has previously denied the allegations. The woman was not identified by name in the lawsuit she filed in 2021, and The Associated Press does not typically name people who say they have been sexually abused. Advertisement She said she began working for Soulja Boy in 2018, and he agreed to pay her 500 dollars (285) a week for cleaning his house, cooking for him and doing other personal tasks, but she says she was never paid. The two began a romantic relationship, and soon after he began abusing her, raping her, kicking her, punching her and threatening her with violence and death, her lawsuit alleges. She believed she was in love with him and he manipulated her into staying until 2020, despite repeated acts of violence, the lawsuit says. She was beaten and raped again when she returned to retrieve her things months after leaving him, the lawsuit says. Advertisement The Chicago hip-hop artist is best known for his 2007 single Crank That (Soulja Boy), which went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned him a Grammy nomination for best rap song. After many years of impassioned calls for an Oscar recognising the art of the stunt, the Academy has decided to give it an official award. An achievement in stunt design prize will be added to the line-up, starting with the 100th Academy Awards, which will recognise films released in 2027, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said on Thursday. Advertisement Since the early days of cinema, stunt design has been an integral part of filmmaking, Academy chief executive Bill Kramer and Academy president Janet Yang said in a joint statement. We are proud to honour the innovative work of these technical and creative artists, and we congratulate them for their commitment and dedication in reaching this momentous occasion. David Leitch, who directed The Fall Guy, which was itself an ode to stunt performers, helped to lead the charge for the new prize. Leitch began his career as a stuntman for stars such as Brad Pitt before transitioning to making stunt-heavy films like John Wick. Advertisement He and stunt co-ordinator and designer Chris OHara of Stunts Unlimited made presentations to the Academy advocating for the addition of a new award. Stunt designer is a relatively new designation, for his work on The Fall Guy, OHara was the first person to be credited as such. To be seen by the film community as stunt designers hopefully brings more light to what we really do, OHara told The Associated Press in 2024. Back in the day, stunt guys were the cowboys. Now we are creative. We create amazing things, just like a production designer does or a costume designer does. Advertisement The Oscars paid tribute to the stunt community with a video montage at the 2024 ceremony, looking back at more than 100 years of Hollywood stunts from Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton all the way to Mission: Impossible and The Matrix. However, other awards shows have been ahead of the curve in celebrating stunts. The Emmys honours stunt co-ordination and stunt performance, while the Screen Actors Guild Awards recognise stunt ensembles in television and film. The film academys production and technology branch has more than 100 stunt performers among its ranks. The Oscars also recently added a prize for achievement in casting, starting with films released in 2025. As with the casting award, it remains unclear whether it will be added to the live Oscars broadcast. China calls on Western countries to work to support multilateralism and open cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping told Spains visiting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, as Beijing woos allies for its escalating tariff fight with US President Donald Trump. The two sides should promote the building of a fair and reasonable global governance system, maintain world peace and security, and promote common development and prosperity, Mr Xi told Mr Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guest House in Beijing, according to a readout of the meeting by the official Xinhua News Agency. Advertisement The visit comes at a complex moment for Europe and China. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during a bilateral meeting at Diaoyutai Guest House in Beijing, China (Andres Martinez Casares/AP) The tariffs announced last week and then paused by US President Donald Trump could mean that the European Union pursues more trade with China the worlds third-largest consumer market after the US and the EU. Mr Xi made no direct mention of Mr Trump or the tariffs totalling 145% the US is imposing on Chinese goods, but he referred to multiple risks and challenges facing the world that can only be dealt with through unity and cooperation. Mr Sanchez is making his third trip to the country in two years as his government seeks to boost investment from the Asian giant. Advertisement He was also expected to meet with business leaders from several Chinese companies, many of which produce electric batteries or renewable energy technologies. After meeting Mr Xi, Mr Sanchez said Spain was in favour of more balanced relations between the European Union and China, of finding negotiated solutions to our differences, which we have, and of greater cooperation in areas of common interest. He added: Trade wars are not good, nobody wins. And this is clear, the world needs both China and the United States to talk. Spains government spokesperson Pilar Alegria said earlier this week that Mr Sanchezs trip has special importance and is an opportunity to diversify markets as Spain faces US tariffs. Advertisement Warnings from Washington US treasury secretary Scott Bessent called out Spain for its move towards China, saying on Tuesday that Spain or any country that tries to get closer to China would be cutting their own throat because Chinese manufacturers will be looking to dump goods that they cannot sell in the US. President Donald Trump speaks as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House (Pool via AP) Expanding the trade relations that we have with other countries, including a partner as important as China, does not go against anyone, Spains agriculture minister Luis Planas, who is accompanying Mr Sanchez, said in Vietnam on Wednesday. Everyone has to defend their own interests, Mr Planas said. Spain leans toward China as EU is divided Spain the eurozones fourth-largest economy and a leader in growth has in recent years been less adversarial towards China than other EU countries. Advertisement After initially supporting EU tariffs placed last year on Chinese-made electric vehicles over concerns that they enjoy unfair advantages, Spain abstained from a vote on the proposal. Mr Planas insisted that Spains approach to China contributes to the collective effort made by certain countries in the European Union to get out of this situation. While Chinas investments in Spain have grown, the Iberian nation trades less with China than Germany or Italy. Spains position has changed to be more pro-China than the the average European country, said Alicia Garcia-Herrero, an economist for Asia Pacific at the French investment bank Natixis and an expert on Europes relations with China. Obviously, wed prefer not to be going into an election campaign with vacancies in Canberra, but I think the Canberra team is really stepping up. I think theyre doing a really good job, Taylor says. Former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen Middleton replaced Katharine Murphy, who left her position as political editor last year to join the Prime Ministers Office. Asked about the next steps for Guardian Australia, Taylor reaffirms a company policy not to discuss operational matters or anything related to the recent events in Canberra. Yet, in the 12 months since Murphy left, arguably, things in Canberra could not have gone worse. They included an independent HR investigation into claims and counterclaims within the team and a swift exodus of talent. (Four of its most senior reporters and its veteran photographer have left.) Six months after Middleton started as political editor, she filed an informal complaint against the companys long-standing chief political correspondent, Paul Karp, who responded with a counter-complaint of bullying. Taylor was kept at arms length, considering she and Middleton were close friends of 35 years, having been cadets together at The Canberra Times. Former editor-in-chief of The Guardian, Alan Rusbridger. Credit: Paul Morigi The investigation involved interviews with Karp, Middleton and other staff, and delivered its findings in December. All involved were bound by strict confidentiality agreements. The investigation found Middletons bullying allegation against Karp could not be substantiated. Karp resigned soon after, and Middleton went on leave, where she remained until March when she and the organisation agreed on her exit. (In that tumultuous period, blogger and reporter Amy Remeikis joined the think tank, the Australia Institute, reporter Daniel Hurst moved to communications, and photographer Mike Bowers also departed.) It was a major decision to part ways with one of the most experienced press gallery journalists and biographer of the prime minister on the eve of a federal election, with incoming chief political correspondent Tom McIlroy to join only days before polling day. Loading Middleton and Karp did not respond to a series of questions. The situation punctuates a growing sentiment among journalists, many former and some current staff, that The Guardian has reached a point of maturity in Australia. It has succeeded where other international interlopers, such as BuzzFeed and HuffPost, have failed in breaking into Australias media establishment, but now, it is no longer the punchy upstart it was 12 years ago, for better or worse. Part of the early success matched experienced editors from The Guardians UK office with big-name local hires, says Rusbridger. It was a delicate balance between being the outsider and the disruptor, he says, but names such as Murphy and Taylor, alongside up-and-coming talent, helped, too. That helped reassure readers it wasnt some external transplant; it wasnt outsiders parachuted in, it was people who had a local perspective. Some have argued the exit of major characters associated with the brand (Turnbull still refers to Murphy as Murpharoo, for example) over a sustained period has led to a loss of its once-renowned edge, a contention Taylor doesnt buy into. Loading I think were growing a whole new generation of fantastic names for Australians, says Taylor. I think it would be really arrogant for a senior journalist to say, no one will ever be a name like I was, or like my successor was. Weve got a whole new generation of fantastic journalists who are names already or who are going to be names. Taylors confidence is backed up by several indicators of success. She is particularly pleased she proved former Fairfax boss Greg Hywood wrong when he told her on her departure there would only ever be two recognised news brands in Australia, alongside News Corp. Guardian Australia, which is published digitally in Australia, is one of the countrys top-read outlets, with a monthly audience of between 7 million and 8 million Australians. Its audience grew 9 per cent over the past two years, according to the February figures from ratings agency Ipsos, but was outpaced by international publishers The New York Times (up 12 per cent) and the BBC (29 per cent) across the same period. Albeit, those had more room for growth. By comparison, the ABC has the nations largest monthly online news audience of 12.4 million Australians as of February, with The Sydney Morning Herald (6.9m) and The Age (4.3m) following The Guardian. News Corps free website news.com.au is its only entry in the top 10. In 2024, Guardian Australia made a modest $1.3 million in profit, yet this isnt a top priority for the not-for-profit trustee ownership. It remains free to access, urging its readers to pay on a voluntary basis, and has significantly grown its newsrooms and areas of coverage, Taylor says. It is true, were bigger and much more influential now, and I think thats a good thing, Taylor says. Being a start-up is exciting, but theres not really anything romantic about trying to cover all the news in an ongoing way with a handful of reporters. Former Guardian Australia journalists Karen Middleton and Paul Karp. One criticism levelled by current and former staff is a legendarily low appetite for legally tricky stories which, they say, means it has lost some of its bite over the years. Its a contention Taylor, unsurprisingly, disagrees with. I think we are still breaking a lot of news. We still do hard-hitting analysis and opinion, and weve added a lot of investigative clout to that as well, Taylor says. I think any publisher in Australia is aware of how our defamation laws work, so you need to be calculated and deliberate in the risks that you take, but were not shy of taking risks if the story is in the public interest and worth it. Despite the commentary and exits, there is no need to reinvent the wheel or the mindset at Guardian Australia, says Taylor. Loading I think we are still distinctive in the same way that we were then, in that we are progressive. We look at the world through a progressive lens. That doesnt mean that were partisan. We always follow the facts, but we look at things with the view that Australia and the world can change to be better and fairer. The sort of essence of The Guardian is here as its always been. One senior News Corp editor, who requested anonymity to comment freely, affirms the outlet as a professional news outfit. But the point to make is that all media organisations today define themselves and their business model according to a political slant. This applies to both The Guardian and The Australian, they say, which has led to an increasingly polarised electorate. Media organisations dont want to admit that. Itd be helpful if they did. Taylors own role as editor has been the subject of speculation for some time, given she is now Australias longest-serving editor after The Australian Financial Reviews Michael Stutchbury stood down in mid-2024. Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Seven new and soon-to-open bars to put on your drinks list for April. Time for a drink? Whether youre after an espresso martini slushie as you dance beneath disco balls, or a glass of natural wine after work, its been a busy month for bar openings to get excited about across Sydney. The trend looks set to continue too, with breaking news of Herbs Taverne a dedicated negroni bar from the award-winning team behind Cantina OK! coming to the CBD in May. Meanwhile, here are seven of the best new bars to visit over the Easter holidays and April. Founders David Abram and Carla Uriarte at Bar Fredas, Chippendale Daniella Braude 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 This story is part of the April 12 edition of Good Weekend. See all 12 stories . Melinda French Gates is the 10th-richest woman on the planet, or thereabouts. Her personal wealth is estimated at $US30 billion ($48 billion). How does an ordinary person even conceive of this sort of money? As I was beginning this story, I made an attempt to understand what it would be like to be dealing with wealth beyond the ken of mortal man, as she does on a daily basis. This effort begins badly, because there are too many zeros to even enter $US30 billion into my iPhone 8 calculator. Eventually, however, I think I figure out that if I put it all into a term deposit (my main investment vehicle) at 4.55 per cent (the rate my bank is currently offering), it would earn me $US1.365 billion a year in interest alone. Thats $US3.74 million a day, or nearly $US156,000 an hour. By this reckoning, my Zoom interview with Melinda French Gates takes $US129,850 of her time. No pressure there then. French Gates herself would never, I feel certain, consider such a calculation. Almost the first thing she does when our Sydney-New York connection clicks in is to apologise for getting me up so early. Oh, I say, embarrassed, its 8am totally civilised. But getting to the studio in the morning, she says with concern. Getting dressed and getting there its another thing, I know. This attitude a kind of engaged earnestness seems natural to her. She listens carefully to questions; she thinks hard about answers. She seems like a particularly conscientious, ordinary person, which, when you consider the average billionaires we hear about Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, our own Gina Rinehart or Rupert Murdoch is, in its own way, extraordinary. This quality seems partly the result of her own personality, and partly oddly her nationality. Dressed in an unadorned brown suit, her thick, brown hair in smooth waves on either side of her face, she exemplifies the qualities of Americans at their best: beautiful manners, generosity, a total lack of cynicism. And as her philanthropic work shows, she also has a particularly American faith in perfectible society: she believes that the utopian dream of a shining city on a hill beloved by New England Puritans in the 17th century, re-energised by Ronald Reagan in the 20th, and facing powerful Trump-shaped headwinds in the 21st remains achievable, both for the United States and for the world. For French Gates, mind you, the past five years have also involved her own private headwinds. In 2021, after much soul-searching, she ended her 27-year marriage to Bill Gates. Last year, she left the enormous and enormously influential philanthropic institution, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (now simply the Gates Foundation), which she co-founded in 2000 and devoted much of her life to. She also turned 60, and became a grandmother for the second time. I am still in a transitional phase, she says now. I only left the foundation less than a year ago. The fact that I have these two little granddaughters, I didnt expect that by this age, you know; I thought Id be a little older! But I want people to know that in any transition youre making one you expect, one you dont expect; one thats exhilarating, one thats scary there are openings on the other side that are completely unexpected. These openings can be daunting, but also filled with gigantic joy. Next week, her book about this period of her life, The Next Day, is released worldwide. She wrote it, she says, because she wanted people especially women to know that transitions are not only about endings but opportunities. Sometimes you need other people, like your friends, to hold out that perspective for you, she explains. Or you need to go to a spiritual writer, you know, and pull their book off the shelf and go, OK, wait a minute. Heres some perspective on the situation. Or you may even need Melinda French Gates, top rich-lister, top global philanthropist, and unexpectedly top genuine person on a Zoom call, to tell you everythings going to be OK. Advertisement Meeting of minds Bill Gates and Melinda French met in 1987 when she was an MBA graduate at Microsoft, and he was one of the tech wunderkinds driving the global home computer revolution. She was, as she describes in The Next Day, a hard-working, ambitious young woman in the Wild-West new world of tech. In the early 1980s, she had few examples of women succeeding she points out that Alexis Carrington from Dynasty was one of the few women shed ever heard of with a role outside the home but her father, a poor, small-town kid who went to Stanford on a scholarship and became a space engineer on the Apollo program, always believed in her. Her relationship with Bill Gates, first at Microsoft (where she oversaw 1800 people, before leaving when her first daughter was born), then at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, seemed an equal partnership based on mutual respect and genuine shared interests. By any judgment, the pair were a powerful double act. Within two decades, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation had given away more than $US77.6 billion to help almost eradicate polio from the planet, make huge inroads into malaria and HIV treatment, and fight poverty and disease around the world. Their friend Warren Buffett once described Bill as smart as hell, then added, but she is smarter. In 2010, the three friends founded the Giving Pledge (though Melindas name is often omitted): an international campaign to encourage the worlds richest people to donate a majority of their wealth to charity. Melinda French Gates in 2006 with then husband Bill, left, and Warren Buffett, who has called her smarter than Bill. Credit: Getty Images Another person in this rarefied space, Laurene Powell Jobs (widow of Steve), once described French Gates ability to blend deep compassion with sharp analytical thinking, and French Gates has always been clear-eyed about the value of extreme wealth. As she wrote in a public letter about the Giving Pledge, giving away money your family will never need is not an especially noble act. She often characterises the kind of money she has at her disposal as some version of ridiculous or absurd. Still, this kind of money, perhaps, can paper over a lot of cracks. It was not until a few years ago that tensions in the Gates marriage became public. There were reports (dating from years earlier) of an affair between Bill Gates and a colleague; in 2017, one of the Gates personal wealth managers was accused of sexual harassment, but when French Gates wanted him dismissed, Bill chose to support him. Then The New York Times published an investigation into Bill Gates connection to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including an ill-advised 2011 email in which Bill who has never been linked to any of Epsteins crimes described Epsteins lifestyle as kind of intriguing, although it would not work for me. If the person says theyll change, but they dont, then you have to say, Can I stay true to my values and be in a deep, intimate relationship with this person? Advertisement In The Next Day, French Gates struggle to come to terms with such difficulties is poignant. Raised in a strongly Catholic, unusually happy family, with two brothers and a sister, a dynamic stay-at-home mother and her space-engineer father, she clearly believes in marriage. Shes also a devoted mother, and took a lot of joy from the day-to-day details of family life. But over the years, she says, the problems in her relationship led to the slow erosion of her own sense of inner integrity. When you enter a marriage, at least in our case, we certainly had agreed on our values, right? she explains. And you can think for a long time youre living those values, but if you start to find that one partner is veering off, you have to ask yourself, Well, am I veering off, too? And not even big things, but even people who come into your life that you think, Mmm, maybe that persons not such a great person, you know. She pauses. You can veer off in small ways [and] they can become bigger, or maybe your partner really veers off. And so you might try to repair and repair. And if the person says theyll change, but they dont, then you have to say, Can I stay true to my values and be in a deep, intimate relationship with this person? And that was what I was feeling. Its clear she tried for a long time. She raised her children she has two daughters and a son in an admirably grounded house, insisting they were called French at school, and asking Bill to do the school run some days to help her out. (This, apparently, endeared her to other mums because then they could say to their husbands: If Bill Gates does the school run, get over yourself, busy man!) The children did not get phones until they turned 14, earned a weekly allowance, and if they wanted something more, they had to ask for it for Christmas. (Of course, the Gates oldest daughter, Jennifer, now a paediatrician, began high-level show jumping as a child, which is hardly an everyman sport.) The Gates were careful not to put their names on educational buildings as philanthropy brags, for instance, in case their children ended up at those institutions. As French Gates told The New York Times, I went to school with some of those [kinds of] kids at Duke University, and I vowed to myself that if I ever had resources at my disposal, those were not the kind of children I wanted to raise. What about the kind of husband she wanted to have? She clearly adores her father (The Next Day is dedicated to both her parents), and she writes how he never diminished [my mother, sister and I], [never] made us feel small and unserious, [never] reinforced a power hierarchy that placed us at the bottom. There have been occasional reports that Bill used to talk over the top of French Gates at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, or belittle her suggestions, but French Gates herself seems robust about such stories. Bill has a reputation as one of the toughest negotiators in the world, she writes at one point: this stuff comes with the territory. Advertisement Melinda (at right) aged 19 with her family in 1983. Credit: Courtesy of the Gates Archive Nonetheless, in a chapter entitled Distil Your Inner Voice, French Gates writes of deciding that shes got to leave the marriage. This internal voice, she explains, had always helped her set the course of my life and correct my bearings when I got lost, but during the difficult years with Bill, it had slowly fallen silent. And then thanks to therapy and a gang of friends she calls her Truth Council (old work colleagues and mates from the early days of motherhood) she found it again. Or, perhaps more accurately, she nerved herself to hear it again. And it ultimately led to what I needed to do, which was to end my marriage. She drove out of Seattle to nearby Hood Canal (where the Gates family has a summer home) to tell Bill. We had a long conversation respectful, not rancorous, even a little tender in moments, she writes. Then she got back in the car and drove home. On the way, she pulled into a parking lot, put on a Willie Nelson song, and burst into tears over the steering wheel. Then she sat up, started the car and drove home. Im someone whos been through a lot of therapy. Lots of books that contain advice for life, as French Gates does, tell you how to solve your problem: save your marriage, find true love, succeed at work. And then the book is over, as if life stops after the goal is reached. But its at precisely this moment that Melinda French Gates makes the most interesting point in her book, which has arguably led to the most interesting point in her life. Once the big decision is made, she says, when the wreckage is still lying in pieces around you: stop. Because this is the richest point in the journey. French Gates calls this state-of-flux point a transitional space: a liminal ground, like a clearing in a forest, between one part of life and another. When something ends, I think in our haste, or sometimes our anxiety, we want to rush to the next thing, she says. But if we can bear to stay in that clearing for a while, we can open up more options for how we react, what we learn, and what we choose to do next. Loading Ill give you a really small example, she goes on, leaning forward. One of my friends got a medical diagnosis that looked pretty bad, and she needed another set of tests. But the health system is busy, and it was going to be 10 weeks before she knew for sure. And she absolutely could have tried to elbow her way into the system and maybe get that down to two weeks. [But] she said, The difference between a diagnosis in 10 weeks versus two weeks wont change the course of whatever this is, [so] I just need to be comfortable being in this uncomfortable place of not knowing. It gave her time to practise handling whatever the result might be, says French Gates; time to figure out her priorities and choose how to move forward. Advertisement If this sounds almost impossibly difficult, it is and French Gates knows it. As a recovering perfectionist, who once wildly over-prepared for every meeting and beat herself up over even the smallest perceived failing, shes not someone who relinquishes control naturally. Getting to and staying in the clearing in the forest at the end of her marriage, she says wryly, wasnt easy. Im someone whos been through a lot of therapy, she smiles. It was made harder because Bill Gates didnt want a divorce: in January this year, he told The Times in the UK that the break-up of his marriage was the mistake I most regret in his life. Theres a certain wonderfulness to spending your entire adult life with one person, he said, because of the memories and depth of things you have done, and having kids together. When Melinda and I met, I was fairly successful but not ridiculously successful that came during the time that we were together. So, she saw me through a lot. With her children (from left) Phoebe, Rory and Jennifer in 2003. Credit: Courtesy of the Gates Archive But French Gates herself has no regrets. She describes herself in The Next Day after the separation as being like a boat tied to a pier, engines revving but unable to move, suffering panic attacks during the settlement negotiations. But she survived. And divorce cut the rope. Today, she lives in a regular Seattle neighbourhood, rather than at the palatial compound called Xanadu 2.0 that Bill built just before their marriage; she can walk to the shops; shes even been dating again (most recently, according to reports, tech entrepreneur Philip Vaughn). Shes now at a point where she can write generously about Bill (the family appear to still share some holidays), immerse herself in their shared children and grandchildren, and commit herself to a new mission for which her wealth, personality and experience uniquely qualify her: the task of creating a significantly better world for millions of people. Especially women and girls. Women in need It is common to talk about Pivotal Ventures as French Gates new project, focused on female empowerment in the US. But she was interested in women and girls for years at the foundation: her first book, The Moment of Lift, is subtitled How Empowering Women Changes the World. As she writes: If you want to lift up humanity, empower women. It is the most comprehensive, pervasive, high-leverage investment you can make in human beings. She founded Pivotal Ventures in 2015; last year, she moved to it full-time. What is new, perhaps, is French Gates urgency about the plight of women and girls, especially in the US. Because of many of the things that have happened in the US in the last few years, she says carefully the rise of Donald Trump; the defeat of abortion rights in Roe v Wade my granddaughter will not have as many rights as I had. And that just should not be. The need for someone like French Gates to shift her focus to domestic issues feels, frankly, like an indictment on just how bad things really are in the US. For years, her philanthropy has been directed towards the worlds poorest and most vulnerable, and her move now seems a tacit admission that at least some of those people are now in her own backyard. Well, if you are a mum giving birth in the US today, youre three times more likely to die than you are in any other high-income country, she says. And we are the only high-income country in the world that does not have paid family medical leave. I mean, that is just senseless. My granddaughter will not have as many rights as I had. And that just should not be. Advertisement In the phone message, Faraj also boasts that he has buried jailed US cryptocurrency mogul Sam Bankman-Fried and that he plans to do the same with his disgruntled investors. I was the reason why that whole crime that was in America got taken down, Faraj told this masthead about the downfall of Bankman-Fried. In early 2023, Faraj told NuCoin investors they had been defrauded by Bankman-Frieds US crypto trading firm, Alameda Research. Faraj said he had personally uncovered Bankman-Frieds fraud and that he had rejected a $US40 million bribe not to expose the crypto counterfeiting racket. Described as the Bernie Madoff of crypto, Bankman-Fried was sentenced in 2024 to 25 years in jail. He was also ordered to forfeit $US11 billion. Employees in NuGenesiss Lebanon office say they were offered a platinum card of 1,000,000 coins in return for IT work. But none have received any payment, and Faraj has stopped returning their calls, one employee told this masthead. For two years, his younger brother Hassan has been making public allegations that NuGenesis is a scam. Under the Twitter handle NUGENESIS SCAM, his younger brother says Faraj has made a website and created a fake coin. Hussein Faraj outside his Rockdale chicken shop. Posting photos online purporting to be of his brothers black Bentley outside his newly renovated home in Rockdale, his younger brother says Hussein has used the crypto money to benefit his own luxury lifestyle. Hussein Faraj rejects his brothers claims, saying: One day he will wake from whatever it is he is going through. A lengthy investigation by this masthead can reveal that Petroulias and Faraj have presented false documents to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission to establish a front company to take money from people investing in NuGenesis. Its just been a nonsense ride from the beginning, said one investor, who provided this masthead with a November 2021 financial agreement that listed Techno Group Enterprises as the agent for NuGenesis for the purchase of their crypto tokens. Former lawyer and ex-National Rugby League commissioner Jim Hall had no idea that he was currently listed with the corporate regulator ASIC as the sole shareholder and a former director of Techno Group Enterprises, the company used to sign up investors. Hall said he had never lived at the listed address, which is Nick Petroulias family home in Melbourne. Nor had he heard of the other directors, one of whom was Petroulias brother, who had previously received a suspended jail term for obtaining government benefits in the names of long-dead infants. The postal address given to ASIC is that of Petroulias on-and-off partner of many years, lawyer Despina Bakis. Technos current director Gregory Steaven Vaughan has previously admitted in a corruption inquiry that he was often asked by Petroulias to be a dummy director of companies secretly controlled by his friend. In 2018, when asked at the Independent Commission Against Corruption if he was aware he was currently a director of Techno Group, Vaughan said: Am I? Im not aware of that. In April 2024, Vaughan posted on X, formerly Twitter, that hed been appointed the Chief Executive Officer of NuCoin, the NuGenesis ecosystem flagship. However, there is no mention of this role on his LinkedIn profile. Nick Petroulias on-and-off partner of many years, lawyer Despina Bakis. Credit: Sam Mooy Theyre using different names so people dont know who they are, the whistle-blowing younger brother told this masthead. Two of NuGenesiss key personnel not only have criminal convictions but they have also used aliases on the companys promotional material. Honestly, it doesnt matter who I deploy, who I get. I look for the best people in every single field, Faraj told this masthead. I need their skill set. I dont care who they are. I dont care what theyve done. The man of many names One of those is NuGenesis chief legal and strategy officer Nicholas James Dimitrios Peterson, better known as Nick Petroulias. Arrested in 2000, the then 32-year-old Petroulias sparked one of the biggest internal fraud investigations in the history of the Australian Tax Office, where, as assistant tax commissioner, he had helped taxpayers minimise their tax. In 2008, he was jailed for a maximum term of three years and two months for providing confidential ATO information for cash. NSW Supreme Court Justice Peter Johnson said Petroulias had acted with impropriety and deceit while working in a position of trust. He was later investigated by New Zealand authorities for becoming a director of companies in that country while in jail in Australia. Nick Petroulias, photographed after a facelift procedure in Lebanon. In 2014, he was bankrupted. In his statement of affairs filed with his bankruptcy trustee, he described himself as a disabled pensioner with debts estimated at $104 million. But it was onwards and upwards for Petroulias, who, despite being bankrupt, once again set up companies in New Zealand. It was in 2016 when Petroulias, using one of his aliases, Nicholas James Piers, incorporated a company in New Zealand. Its directors included Hussein Faraj and Petroulias romantic partner, Bakis. The complex company structure was to hide a series of bogus property dealings with members of the Awabakal Local Aboriginal Land Council in Newcastle. In October 2022, the ICAC found that Bakis, Petroulias and two members of the land council, Richard Green and Debbie Dates, had engaged in serious corrupt conduct through a dishonest scheme involving the false sale and development of $12 million worth of Aboriginal-owned land across the Lower Hunter. Petroulias received more than $1 million, some of which went to Bakis and Green. Faraj, who was photographed accompanying Petroulias to the inquiry, was not the subject of the investigation, although his role in being a director of several front companies created by Petroulias was raised. A graphic of Nick Petroulias who has changed his name to Peterson and is passing himself off as the legal officer of NuGenesis. Criminal charges have been recommended against Bakis, Petroulias and Green. A brief of evidence was provided to the DPP in October 2024. The prospective charges against Petroulias include fraud offences, corruptly receiving commissions, aiding and abetting misconduct in public office and the offence of conspiracy to defraud. The commission is awaiting the DPPs decision on whether prosecutions will commence. There was an awkward moment during the ICAC inquiry in July 2018 when Petroulias, decked out in prison greens, appeared before the corruption inquiry via an audio-visual link from Silverwater jail. Loading The undischarged bankrupt had been arrested by police while driving his luxury BMW in Burwood. The car was owned by one of the dummy companies fronted by his friend Vaughan. Police say they found counterfeit banknotes in the glove box. Petroulias, who had changed his name to Michael Felson, handed over a current New Zealand drivers licence in the name of Nicholas James Piers. But it wasnt just Petroulias whod been using false IDs. His partner Bakis, who had been acting as a solicitor for the land council as well as several of Petroulias corporate entities, had also been using fake IDs. The commission heard that Bakis had run up a string of speeding and parking fines in Sydneys inner west but had signed statutory declarations nominating Daphne Regina Diomedes as the person responsible. Mr Petroulias was behind this, she said, adding that Petroulias had obtained for her a false European passport in the name of Daphne Regina Diomedes. The passport was used as proof of identity for her false Tasmanian drivers licence in the same name. Despina Bakiss fake ID tendered at ICAC under the name Diomedes Daphne Regina. Credit: ICAC Well, how on earth does that happen, Ms Bakis? she was asked. Mr Petroulias goes overseas with a photo of me and gets a passport. Its not terribly hard, she said. The corruption inquiry also heard that Petroulias had opened bank accounts using his partners false name Diomedes. Petroulias was also found to have operated a Macquarie Bank account in the name of Johan Latervere, who had died in May 2013. Ms Bakis lacked any semblance of credibility as a witness. She was unreliable and dishonest, the final report found. Petroulias did not give evidence. Loading There was no corruption finding against Faraj, who is currently using Bakis to represent him in his legal stoush against his brother. Under the name Michael Nicholas Felson, in October 2018, Petroulias was sentenced to a years imprisonment, served by an intensive corrections order, over the counterfeit notes and licences. He told this masthead recently that it was all a mistake and that he was just holding $300 worth of counterfeit notes while he waited for a detective to come back from holidays. The previous year, also under the name of Felson, he was convicted of corruption offences relating to his Commonwealth superannuation and was ordered to repay $21,292. In 2016, the man of many identities was fined and lost his licence for driving with illicit drug present in blood. That was under the name of Nicholas Peterson. Last year, again under the name of Felson, he was convicted and fined for breaching an apprehended violence order against a woman he said was his dancing partner. Formerly a lawyer, Petroulias criminal history prevents him from obtaining a practising certificate. He denied that he was providing legal advice to NuGenesis under the alias Nicholas Peterson. But when asked what his title was, Petroulias replied: Legal counsel. The international man of mystery I dont know who you are talking about, said Hussein Faraj when asked about Muzammil Abbas. This masthead then pointed out that Abbas is listed as president and chief operating officer of NuGenesis. Abbas is, in fact, Mozammil Mozu Gulam Abbas Bhojani. When NuGenesis was set up in mid-2021, Bhojani was serving a sentence of two years and six months by way of an intensive corrections order for bribing Nauruan officials to grant favourable phosphate deals for his company, Radiance International. He was convicted of bribery in this matter in 2020. NuGenesis chief operating officer Muzammil Abbas is in fact Mozammil Abbas Bhojani. Radiance International caused a scandal within the Home Affairs Department when it was revealed that while the Australian Federal Police were pursuing him for the millions of dollars he made over the crooked Nauruan phosphate deals, Bhojanis company Radiance International continued to secure multi-million dollar offshore processing contracts in Nauru from the Australian government. Corporate documents show that the only shareholder in NuGenesis is NuGenesis OU (the Estonian term for a private limited company). The four shareholders of the Estonian parent company are Faraj, his wife Nivine Khanafer, Mozu Bhojanis wife Syeda Fatima and his brother Imran, who took over Radiance International following his brothers arrest in 2018. While Faraj was reluctant to discuss Bhojanis role in NuGenesis, Petroulias was more forthcoming. He said he was one of Farajs partners in the business and that hed helped bankroll the operation with a $30 million investment from family and friends. Mozil, the Indian guy was one of the founders, Petroulias said. Farajs bank records indicate that Radiance International made 11 deposits totalling almost $700,000 into Farajs bank account in the three months leading up to Christmas in 2021. Thousands of dollars were also coming in from investors for silver and diamond NuGenesis memberships. One woman who invested $45,000 in December 2021, is now in jail for kidnapping and extortion. Bank records for this three-month period show that funds went on house renovations, the purchase of two Bentleys, and payments to Petroulias and another key NuGenesis person, Luay Mohsen, the chief technology officer, who is currently running NuGenesiss operations in Dubai. The Bentley-driving bankrupt I dont lie and I dont ever brake (sic) the law, Faraj said in a text message to this masthead. In NuGenesiss promotional material, Faraj says: I have secured over 7 billion dollars of international contracts and designed several decentralised financial platforms. He also claims to have spent nine years in law enforcement. A Bentley parked outside Hussein Farajs renovated Rockdale house. This was far from the truth. His law enforcement history was working as a transit officer with Railcorp. In a 2018 personal injury case, he described that job as just watching the TVs and monitoring whats going on in the network. Faraj had been seeking more than $450,000 in economic losses, saying hed been unable to return to his chicken cooking duties in Chicken Licious due to shoulder injuries sustained in a car accident. However, his claim and credibility were severely damaged when surveillance videos emerged showing he could conduct his chicken shop activities with little or no difficulty. District Court Judge Judith Gibson was satisfied that his collapse in earnings wasnt because of his injuries but because he has been pursuing speculative business activities which have failed. Faraj told the court that one of those unsuccessful ventures involved the sale of Aboriginal land. Within weeks, Farajs failed Aboriginal land deal, which involved Petroulias, would be spectacularly picked apart at the corruption inquiry. Undeterred by previous setbacks, Faraj started NuGenesis in mid-2021 and launched its crypto token, NuCoin later that year. Faraj went bankrupt in November 2023 with debts of $4.55 million. There is no mention of NuGenesis or any of the money that came in from Radiance International in Farajs statement of affairs to his bankruptcy trustee. Faraj told this masthead he had sold one of the Bentleys and that the other one was owned by the Estonian parent company. Farajs wife, who is on government benefits, is listed on organisational charts as NuGenesis business development manager. She is one of his major creditors, as is Mozu Bohagen (sic) who Faraj claimed lent him $3.6 million in the form of a personal guarantee. Another creditor, who was owed $380,000, was a company associated with the Dubai-based Mohsen. A series of unfortunate events In early 2023, Faraj told NuCoin investors that they were the victims of the collapse of Bankman-Frieds crypto trading firm, Alameda Research. He told this masthead that NuGenesis had been on the verge of a $100 million payday when Alameda Research collapsed. The scandal has resulted in significant losses for many investors, but NuGenesis has remained resilient and is preparing to launch NuCoin version 2, which could potentially transform the blockchain industry, NuGenesis says in an April 2023 press release. When the coin was launched, Alameda forged our coin and dumped it at a cheap price, Faraj told followers on Twitter. He also said he had used NuGenesiss unique technology to uncover Bankman-Frieds fraud and bring about his downfall. This masthead has not been able to substantiate Farajs claim. In October 2023, Faraj offered himself as an expert witness for disgruntled investors in a US bankruptcy court dealing with the collapse of Celsius, which was effectively a bank for the crypto industry where people could take out loans using their cryptocurrencies as security. However, the court found Farajs 172-page report was unreliable and fails to meet the standard for admission because, instead of relying on data and facts, his report was generated by AI. The judge held that Farajs expert report contained numerous errors, ranging from duplicated paragraphs to mistakes in its description of the trading window selected for evaluation. While his report was ruled inadmissible, Faraj was allowed to give oral testimony. Celsius founder Alexander Mashinsky has pleaded guilty to the multi-billion dollar fraud. He is yet to be sentenced. He jumped in his marked Traffic Operations Group sedan and drove to Serpells Road. He considered the job urgent, but not an emergency, and drove with his blue light flashing without a siren. It took him less than 10 minutes. Loading When he arrived at the 18-room house on what is known as the Golden Mile, the electronic security gate was open but then slowly closed. He says he saw a man walking casually from the garage to the driveway. It was John Chan Karmeins father. The gates reopened and Phillips drove in. It was a Saturday night. Karmeins parents, John and Phyllis, had been at their Lower Plenty restaurant 10 minutes away, while Karmein stayed at home with her two younger sisters. As the first police officer at the scene, Phillips observations in his original statement are raw and vital. He knew nothing of the secret hunt for a serial offender and his mind was uncluttered by past cases. I observed two young Asian females in the garage area at the address and I spoke to the eldest one, who identified herself as Karly Chan, 9 years, of 113 Serpells Road. The youngest girl was Karen Chan, 7 years. Both girls were visibly upset. Mr John Chan appeared relatively composed, he wrote in his statement. The original statement from Rod Phillips, the first officer to arrive at Karmein Chans house. Karly Chan told me that she and her two sisters had been at home inside the house when a male person, wearing a brown mask and a green tracksuit, came into the house via the unlocked sliding door at the rear of the kitchen. She told me that the man had a knife and that he told the two younger girls to get in the room, apparently directing them to Karmeins bedroom. Once there he directed the girls to go into the cupboard (a built-in wardrobe), which they did. When the Doncaster divisional van arrived, Phillips grabbed one of the officers and entered the house. I made sure we didnt touch anything. A drawing one of Karmein Chans sisters did for Rod Phillips, the first officer on the scene. He walked through the house to Karmeins bedroom, seeing the wardrobe open and the bed pushed back. When he saw the scene matched the two younger sisters recollections, he walked back and contacted D24 on his hand-held radio to confirm it was an abduction. Then a crime unit from the city came up and said, Get everyone out of the house, we think the offender may be Mr Cruel. I thought, Wow, thats a big call. How can they have a suspect when they havent even got here yet? I know people react differently, but I was struck by how unemotional Mr Chan appeared. When Mrs Chan arrived, she was hysterical. The sisters gave a description of a man who had broken into the house. Phillips asked one to draw an image of the intruders disguise. The kids said he was not wearing gloves. In the drive was Mrs Chans Toyota Camry. On the bonnet and windscreen were the words: Pay back, Asian drug dealer. On the drivers side was More and More to come. Police worked on the theory Mr Cruel wrote the messages to lay a false trail. Rod Phillips still wonders if the Mr Cruel theory was correct. Credit: Alex Coppel Phillips reflects that Mr Chan walked past the car when he came to speak to police. He must have seen it but didnt mention it. I dont know why. The experienced Traffic Operations Group officer did what he was told and secured the crime scene. Weeks later, he was invited to a debrief. He read his statement and as no one asked questions he left. I dont think they were interested because I was only a traffic cop. He retired in 2011 after 35 years and still wonders whether detectives were too quick to believe Karmein was taken by Mr Cruel. I dont think they were interested because I was only a traffic cop. Rod Phillips The series of crimes where Mr Cruel was the suspect followed a pattern of breaking into a house, sexually assaulting or abducting residents, and going to extremes not to be identified. He often tied victims the same way and cut phone lines before leaving. One of two major cases before Chan began on December 27, 1988, when an offender wearing a balaclava and carrying a handgun broke into a Ringwood home. He bound and gagged the parents and abducted their 10-year-old daughter. She was released 18 hours later. In July 1990, an offender broke into a Canterbury home, again wearing a balaclava, this time armed with a gun and knife. He cut the phone lines, then abducted a 13-year-old girl, releasing her 50 hours later. Loading In both cases, he wore gloves and forms of protective clothing. The offender is well versed with regard to forensic evidence, a confidential police report noted. He bathed two of his victims to avoid physical identification, wiped sinks and benchtops to remove fingerprints. Before releasing one victim, he scrubbed the bathroom and laid a sheet on the lino-covered floor to avoid leaving footprints. In one, he took a second set of clothes from the girls home to dress her before she was freed. In another, he dumped the girl clad only in garbage bags so police could not test her original clothes. One victim told police she was washed like a mother bathing a baby. Loading In the Chan case, the offender carried a knife and attempted to cut the phone lines. But for every similarity with the first two abductions, something jars. Why spend time writing insults on the car? Why didnt he wear gloves? Killing a child with three shots to the back of the head doesnt fit his previous behaviour. One victim told police the man behaved as if they were in a consensual relationship. He showed this by the affection he showed me and how chummy he was to me. John and Phyllis Chan after their daughters abduction. If he was recognised by Karmein, then it is possible he would do anything to protect himself. As a serial offender, why did he stop? While Spectrum concentrated on the Mr Cruel theory, a few investigators looked into the family, as they do in all such cases. A police briefing paper included several unconfirmed reports regarding his business and financial background relating to gambling debts, overseas financial backing and business ventures bordering bankruptcy. Chan lightly questioned re these allegations and offered any assistance into any legal or financial investigation. Appears that he is in a stable financial situation. Police quietly began to look at another theory: that someone abducted Karmein to punish her father. Perhaps they were going to demand a ransom, but when the case blew up as a Mr Cruel abduction, they panicked and killed their hostage. If it was planned as an off-the-books crime, why publicly graffiti the car? Why do anything to draw attention to the crime? The perfect ransom demand is when police are not notified. Loading John Chan was quiet and friendly but made some enemies in the business world. He could be ruthless and was often slow to pay debts. He was wealthy he had a small mortgage, two restaurants, a luxury house, three children in private school and two Mercedes-Benzes. Police investigators found he was a hard worker, but as a restaurateur he had a variety of associates from a well-known receiver of stolen property to senior police (including the then-chief commissioner) who were regulars at his restaurant. In this series, WAtoday reaches out to the Perth community to discover three things people love most about our coastal capital. Today we feature Chrissie Maus, speaker, marketer and company director. Formerly chief executive of Melbournes Chapel Street Precinct, she now heads Fremantles Chamber of Commerce, winning marketing and tourism awards for her work in both roles. She is chair of the board for the Stephen Michael Foundation supporting needy WA children, and board director for marketing and advocacy body Destination Perth. She has trekked 100 kilometres of the most remote parts of the Great Wall of China for charity, crewed a 30-foot yacht for 1000 kilometres from Melbourne to Sydney with only three others and achieved her Master Scuba Diver certificate. Maus hosting the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce Awards; sailing; trekking the Great Wall of China; and achieving her Master Scuba Diver certificate on the Great Barrier Reef. I love the Regent Ballroom on Aberdeen Street, Northbridge. Im there two or three times a week, and Im dancing my bronze ballroom exam in three weeks. I do ballroom, foxtrot, waltz, and the quickstep, and Ill also do my Latin exam soon jive, salsa and cha-cha. Its got a younger demographic than most ballroom places, it is a gorgeous place to go its where Ben Cousins trained when he was on Dancing with the Stars. It also has Riley White the most patient dance partner, and also the Ballrooms director. Loading I love Darling Darling, on Henry Street in Fremantles west end, a little bar thats like nowhere else in the world. You can go in there any time of day and chuck peanut shells on the floor and enjoy the sailing paraphernalia, there is rope everyone and only a flap of leather separates it from the street. It is otherworldly. I love its bespoke types of whiskey. I cant remember the name of my favourite drink, I just ask for the apple one. I just moved to Fremantle three weeks ago into a renovated building thats more than 100 years old. Its in one of Fremantles earliest warehouse conversions, done way before they were trendy; a tri-level loft apartment. It was once a furniture factory, and the conversion was designed by architect Brian Klopper. Its a work of art in itself and I can walk to Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle Leisure Centre, supermarkets, restaurants, transport and the South Terrace cappuccino strip. Clare went on to hit out at Jacinta Price for saying that Albanese had effectively destroyed Australia with his policies. Australia is the best country in the world, and if Jacinta Price doesnt recognise that, thats really disappointing, he said. What she said today tells us that they just want to import US policies and US slogans to Australia. Referring to Trumps red MAGA caps, Clare added: The only thing she didnt have today was the hat. 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. Housing supply and affordability is one of our top priorities, which is why this legislation is being prioritised, Saffioti said. We want to deliver on our commitment to make housing more affordable for first homebuyers as soon as possible. Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre held a national event to celebrate community work with Roma in Ireland, including the organisations work with Ukrainian Roma refugees. The event, which took place the week of International Roma Day, April 8th, was opened by Minister for Equality Norma Foley. Today is about celebrating positive achievements in our Roma community while continuing to push for a better future," said Gabi Muntean, Roma community worker, Pavee Point. Community development is a responsive and collective tool. It sees projects build trust with Roma in Ireland who are often marginalised, and experience racism, discrimination, poverty and human rights violations. Projects identify issues impacting the Roma community and feed these back to services, policy makers, the Government and others to create positive change and achieve social justice. Ms Muntean continued. Opening the event, Minister Foley said: Roma are the largest ethnic minority in Europe, with a rich history and culture. This week, we celebrate the culture and heritage of the Roma community living across Ireland. The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy II 2024 2028 aims to address the disadvantage, discrimination and inequalities faced by Travellers and Roma across a wide range of indicators, including in terms of health, education, employment and accommodation. Throughout the event, attendees heard from Roma workers who reflected on achievements and what is further needed to promote Roma rights in the future. Pavee Point launched a special report on its work with Ukrainian Roma refugees, in collaboration with Donegal Travellers Project. In 2022, we saw a need for additional support for Ukrainian Roma families arriving in Ireland fleeing war. We established a phoneline, through which we've supported almost 850 people directly. We also continued our direct policy, advocacy and lobbying work to improve the situation, said Rudolf Simonic, Roma community development worker, Pavee Point. Gabi Muntean, Roma Community Development Worker at Pavee Point and Silvia Covaci, Roma Project Assistant, Dublin City Community Co-op on the panel at an event at Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, Dublin 1. Photo: John McElroy. Some of the main issues for Ukrainian Roma Pavee Point identified were racism and discrimination, and difficulty accessing the supports they need under the Temporary Protection Directive. Similar to Roma throughout Europe, some Ukrainian Roma struggle with language and literacy, and access to documentation, so have difficulty filling out necessary paperwork to access the temporary protection and support that they are legally entitled to, continued Mr Simonic. Pavee Point worked closely with the Department of Justice, as well as the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC), to address barriers to accessing Temporary Protection, and the situation has improved since 2022. 2025 has seen the need to support Roma through new regulatory changes impacting Ukrainian refugees such as the renewal process for Temporary Protection. Pavee Point has worked closely with the relevant Government Departments, agencies and other civil society actors, to ensure that the specific needs of Ukrainian Roma are considered at national and local levels resulting in real, positive outcomes. Today showcases the important work thats being undertaken on the ground by Roma workers in partnership with a range of Government and State agencies, said Lynsey Kavanagh, co-director, Pavee Point. Its really important that this is built on with further investment in community development infrastructure. This is vital to address the rights of Roma in Ireland. The Book Siblings a story of resilience, A story of healing, and the unbreakable bonds of family and love. Family is supposed to be your safe place. But what happens when lies shatter all trust? Emma has always longed for love and honesty, but her world has been built on betrayal. Her parents lied. Her partner deceived her. The people closest to her turned out to be strangers hiding secrets. Through the chaos, Emmas sister, Holly, remains her only anchorher unwavering ally in a sea of distrust. Together, they seek to uncover the truth: about their family, their past, and themselves. Can the bond between sisters heal the wounds inflicted by others? Or will the truth destroy what little they have left? Poignant, gripping, and ultimately hopeful, Siblings: Emmas Story is a tale of heartbreak and resilience, exploring the depths of family bonds and the courage it takes to rebuild a broken life. The Authors story Hilary Coombes was born in Devon, England, and nine days later joined her new family in Bristol. Nearly fifty years on, she was reunited with her biological familya profound experience that inspired her Siblings trilogy, which explores the emotional impact of separation from ones roots. Hilary has worked as a librarian, teacher, and journalist. She is an award-winning author and writes gritty, romantic fiction. How the book came about Hilary explains: As an adoptee, my journey to find my birth family was anything but simple. It meant countless trips to archives across the UK, poring over records, and following fragile paper trails until I finally found my birth mother and, unexpectedly, three full siblings. That reunion changed my understanding of family, identity, and the ever-present debate of nature versus nurture. Inspired by my own experience, this book delves into the intricate bonds of family, offering an authentic and nuanced perspective on adoption and reunion. The adoptee experience is often simplified or misunderstood, but using fiction, I aim to bring its emotional highs and lows to lifemoments of heartbreak, discovery, and the unexpected joy of seeing your own quirks reflected in someone else. Though my birth mother has since passed, the connections I made endure, shaping both my life and this story. At its heart, this novel is about familyits complexities, its power, and the ties that never truly break. What We Thought A poignant and deeply thoughtful book that explores the true bonds of family in difficult circumstances. Can lies and deceit ever be overcome as the reasons behind them are exposed. This is a moving story that delves into the matter. Female First RELEASE DATE: 28/06/2025 ISBN: 9781835742334 Price: 9.99 by Natalie key for www.femalefirst.co.uk Construction starts on Chinas first comprehensive BCI clinical ward 10:34, April 11, 2025 By Li Xuanmin ( Global Times Construction of China's first comprehensive clinical ward dedicated to brain-computer interface (BCI) technology started in North China's Tianjin Municipality in recent days, the Global Times learned from Tianjin University on Thursday. The clinical ward is being jointly built by the university and the Tianjin-based Huanhu hospital, with the aim of driving innovative breakthroughs in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of neurological disorders. It is expected to go into operation in October. The specialized ward will systematically implement integrated BCI clinical solutions for critical neurological illnesses, including stroke, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, hydrocephalus, traumatic brain injury, and visual and auditory impairments, thereby providing patients with full-spectrum medical services - from disease screening and precision treatment to intelligent rehabilitation, a spokesperson of Tianjin University told the Global Times on Thursday. The construction of the ward encompasses data sharing, technology validation, and clinical application from the laboratory to the clinical front line, which is conducive to enhancing the quality and efficiency of clinical research and accelerating the translation of BCI technologies into practical healthcare solutions. BCI technology is able to decode motor intentions from the brain and, with the help of peripheral systems, transform "thoughts" into "actions," and it thus could offer significant clinical value. Tong Xiaoguang, president of Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, said that the hospital and Tianjin University have cooperated in trailblazing the application of multiple BCI technologies in clinical practice, especially in the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of critical neurological conditions. Notable innovations include objective, precise and rapid diagnosis of hydrocephalus, non-invasive intracranial pressure monitoring for critically ill patients and brain-computer-body systems for motor function reconstruction - accompanied by a range of advanced medical devices and technologies, according to Tong. On Tuesday, a four-month-old emergency pediatric patient successfully underwent a lumbar puncture procedure. The diagnostic technique - based on artificial intelligence, BCI technology, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) circulation modeling - provides an objective, rapid, and precise assessment of CSF flow conditions, which offers a reliable foundation for the child's follow-up treatment strategy. "This year is expected to be a key year for the application of BCIs, with the technology poised for large-scale breakthroughs and a richer variety of application scenarios," Ming Dong, vice president of Tianjin University, told the Global Times on Thursday. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Jo Koy's plane had to do an emergency landing shortly after take-off. Jo Koy's flight made an emergency landing The 53-year-old comedian praised the flight crew on board his Phillippine Airlines aircraft for going "above and beyond" and remaining calm during the scary situation, which saw smoke fill the cabin. Speaking in an Instagram reel, Jo said: "We had to do an emergency landing in Tokyo, Japan. But I'm gonna say this, the flight attendants on Philippine Airlines were amazing. "You were amazing, above and beyond. You guys were pros. Thank you for remaining calm in a situation that could have went south fast." Jo shared some more details in his caption for the post. He wrote: "We were on our way back to L.A. from Philippines when the entire cabin filled with smoke (due to electrical fire). "We then made an emergency landing into Tokyo Japan. Hats off to the @flypal flight attendants and pilots they were more than great. Ps. Tell everyone you love them everyday. Mahal kita [Tagalog for 'I love you']." The comic, who shot his reel inside a sushi restaurant, confirmed he and the rest of his group, including his son, were "safe" in Tokyo and awaiting a new flight. According to ABS-CBN, Flight PR102 left Manila for Los Angeles at around 10pm on Wednesday (09.04.25) but made an emergency landing at Haneda Airport in Japan in the early hours of Thursday (10.04.25) after cabin smoke was emitted by an air conditioning unit. Another passenger told how she woke up to the smell of "burning plastic". Valerie Del Castillo told the outlet: It was so bad. The smoke filled the air. We all covered our mouths and noses as staff seemed to panicked. 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." The passenger said the crew distributed wet face towels and other passengers used their in-flight eye masks for added protection. And Jennifer Taylor, who celebrated her birthday on the flight, praised the flight crew. She said: "They did the best they could. Theres so many people crying and panicking at one point. Some passengers got up... The flight attendants were able to calm everybody down and eventually got everybody back on their seat." A former county school teacher on Thursday pleaded guilty to having sex with a student. Casey McGrath pleaded guilty to statutory rape and was placed on probation. She must register as a sex offender. If she gets in no further trouble for four years the charge can be removed. The indictment says the sexual activity happened May 1, 2022, with a minor between the ages of 13 and 18. Ms. McGrath was removed from her teacher post prior to her arrest. She taught algebra at Central High School beginning in 2020. Drivers traveling near the I-75 at I-24 interchange in Hamilton County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that temporarily impact traffic. As part of Phase 2 (the second of two projects) to widen and improve the I-75 at I-24 interchange, Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) contract crews must implement weekend lane closures on I-75 near the SR 153 interchange to repair damaged concrete roadway slabs. This work is scheduled to take place over the next several weekends. Beginning Friday, at 9 p.m. and continuing through Monday, at 6 a.m., contract crews will close the right lane on I-75 North from the bridge over the CSX railroad to East Brainerd Road. Signs will be posted directing drivers through the modified traffic pattern. I-75 South will not be affected by this work. The roadway will reopen to traffic as soon as the new concrete cures long enough to pass the required strength testing. Drivers should consider an alternate route and are encouraged to avoid the area during these times. Significant delays are expected. Drivers should follow all posted signage and remain alert to changing traffic conditions. This work is weather-dependent. Should inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances cause delays, it will be rescheduled for a later date. Uniformed police officers will be present to assist with traffic control and law enforcement. On behalf of the Hamilton County Principals Association, we are writing to express our collective opposition to any proposed legislation that seeks to deny enrollment of immigrant children in public schools. Specifically, we are strongly opposed to SB 0836 proposed by Senator Bo Watson.The Association is asking the Hamilton County School Board to pass a resolution promising to allow school access to all children who reside in Hamilton County.As leaders of public schools across Hamilton County, we stand firmly in the belief that every child and every community must be served.Our schools are not only institutions of learning they are the heart of our neighborhoods, and they reflect our shared values of inclusion, dignity and opportunity for all.Public education in the United States is a right afforded to all children, regardless of their background or immigration status. Denying this right not only contradicts our professional ethics and moral responsibilities, but also violates legal precedent grounded in the U.S. Constitution.Under the 14th Amendment, "No state shall... deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." This constitutional protection, affirmed by the Supreme Court in Plyler v. Doe (1982), guarantees that children cannot be excluded from receiving a public education based on immigration status.As educators, our mission is clear: we are dedicated to creating safe, welcoming and inclusive environments where all students can thrive. Efforts to exclude children from school due to their immigration status undermine this mission, threaten the well-being of vulnerable communities and harm the future of our nation.As school principals, we do not support any legislation that would restrict any childs access to education. We stand firm with families and communities in upholding the values that make our public schools essential to a productive and just society.On behalf of the Hamilton County Principals AssociationGreg Wilkey, presidentRashaad Williams, vice presidentJill Levine, treasurerJesse Goins, secretary Cleveland State travelled to Harriman, Tennessee on Wednesday, April 9 and lost a conference doubleheader to Roane State 6-1 and 8-0. On the day the Cougars had five hits in game one and three hits in game two. Currently the Cougars have an overall season record of 13-19 with a conference mark of 9-11. Game One Down 2-0, Cleveland State's lone run came in the third inning when Milan Pemberton singled with one out, stole second and came home to score on a single by Lilly Griffitts. With just five hits in the 6-1 loss Desiree Nance had two while Griffitts, Heidi Johnson and Pemberton each had one. Game Two The Cougar bats stayed cold in game two as Roane scored two in the first inning and six in the fifth handing Cleveland State the 8-0 loss. Nance had a double while Johnson and Skye Eddington each had a single. What's Next On Saturday, April 12 the Cougars play host to league leading Chattanooga State with game times set for 1 and 3 p.m. EST. Admission charge for fans is $8 per person with no charge to Cleveland State students, faculty, staff and administrators. Games are played at Cougar Softball Field on the campus of Cleveland State. State Representative Esther Helton-Haynes this week passed a resolution advocating for the regulation or prohibition of kratom in Tennessee.House Joint Resolution 147 encourages the strictest legislative action to protect citizens by limiting the availability of kratom, an herbal substance that is derived from a tree species native to Southeast Asia. Health experts in recent years have spoken out about the severe dangers of the products.While kratom has been touted as a safe way to mitigate pain and boost energy, it can cause devastating and fatal side effects for unsuspecting users, Rep.Helton-Haynes said. These consequences were felt right here in Hamilton County last year, when Matthew Davenports life was tragically cut short because of kratom. I thank my colleagues for their bipartisan support of this resolution and I look forward to continuing to find ways to protect Tennesseans from this dangerous and unregulated substance.Mr. Davenport, of Chattanooga, passed away on March 18, 2024, following a lethal interaction between his doctor prescribed medication and kratom.Ive poured countless hours into researching this substance and believe wholeheartedly that no family should have to endure the torment thats gripped mine, Karen Davenport, Mr. Davenport's mother, told members of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee on March 19.Commonly referred to as gas station heroin, kratom products are widely sold across the United States as mood boosters, anxiety aids and pain relievers. More than 2,000 kratom-related overdoses occurred between 2021 and 2023 across 40 states and Washington, D.C., according to numbers from public health officials reported by the Tampa Bay Times.The United States Drug Enforcement Administration calls kratom a drug of concern and warns that it can be addictive and lead to psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions and confusion.A 2023 report from the Congressional Research Service shows that at least six states have banned kratom. Its alsoprohibited in several countries, including some in Southeast Asia.House Joint Resolution 147 will now be considered in the Senate before heading to Governor Bill Lees desk. The School of Music at Southern Adventist University invites the community to a Symphony Orchestra performance featuring violinist Jasper Sewell and composer and Southern alum Tim Hinck, 04. Directed by Laurie Redmer Cadwallader, the concert is set for Sunday, April 27, at 7:30 p.m. in Collegedale Church of Seventh-day Adventists on the university campus, 4829 College Dr. East in Collegedale.Repertoire will include Violin Concerto No. 2 in G minor, op. 63 by Sergei Prokofiev and Symphony No.5 in E minor, op. 64 by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky.Mr. Sewell is a freshman at Rice University Shepherd School of Music in Texas. As concertmaster of the Chattanooga Youth Symphony from 2020-2022, Mr. Sewell won first place in their 2021 concerto competition and soloed with both the youth orchestra and the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera later that season. He has performed as a contracted CSO member since 2022.Mr. Hinck is an American composer of Brazilian and Japanese heritage. His musical compositions and multimedia performances have been presented across the country and abroad in Spain and the Netherlands, where he was a Fulbright scholar from 2004 to 2006 after receiving his undergraduate degree from Southern. Often described as maximalist, Mr. Hincks compositions are a deeper dive into past musical styles, often within the same piece at the same time in a way thatis both familiar and completely new.For more information about this free event, visit southern.edu/musicevents or call 423-236-2880. Relatives of World War II hero Tech. Sgt. Sanford Roy photo by John Shearer Relatives of World War II hero Tech. Sgt. Sanford Roy photo by John Shearer Former Wilson Street home of Sanford Roy photo by John Shearer Sanford Roy family mementoes displayed at funeral home Sanford Roy family mementoes displayed at funeral home Sanford Roy family mementoes displayed at funeral home Sanford Roy family mementoes displayed at funeral home Sanford Roy family mementoes displayed at funeral home Sanford Roy family mementoes displayed at funeral home Sanford Roy family mementoes displayed at funeral home Previous Next Nearly two dozen relatives of Sanford Roy gathered this week to finally say goodbye to this man they never had a chance to say hello to. But they felt like they knew him, as all their lives they had heard praising stories of this World War II Army veterans actions and manner in and away from the theater of combat. In fact, before he put himself in harms way as a member of the Eighth Air Force, he simply tried to also do good as a caring relative. My dad, Doyle Roy Jr., was his nephew, and he and (the other gathered relatives dads) all grew up with him, recalled Darla Roy Blazek. They were young boys when Uncle Sanford was shot down but they loved him. He taught them how to ride bikes and drive cars. He was just an uncle who had no children. These boys loved their uncle. He was my dads favorite uncle. Added fellow relative Nancy Roy Nunnally, who had heard similar stories, He wasnt that much older than them, either. He was almost like a brother to them. As was highlighted in his obituary linked below and in various local news stories in recent days, Tech. Sgt. Sanford Gordon Roy had been proclaimed dead after he and other crew members aboard a B-24H nicknamed Little Joe were shot down while on a bombing mission in Germany on April 8, 1944, after taking off from England. The crash site was found in 2015, and Sgt. Roys remains were positively identified in July 2024 after several families had provided DNA samples. The graveside service with honors took place on Tuesday at Chattanoogas National Cemetery on the 81stanniversary of his death. Charles Broadrick, a relative through Sanfords older sister and Charles grandmother, Bertha Roy Broadrick, said the service was meaningful. It included firetrucks lining the entrance to the cemetery, the attendance of several veterans in support, a bagpipe player, a 21-gun salute, a Blackhawk helicopter flyover, and an acapella quartet singing the Star-Spangled Banner and God Bless America. Helping lead the Church of Christ service with military honors were Minister and former Sheriff John Cupp, who turned 94 that day, and Ministers David Schonhoff and David Smith. It was heartwarming and sad but a very happy time, Mr. Broadrick said. Usually someone is buried within four or five days. But we had planned this for four months and it had been going on for 81 years. Ms. Blazek said as several were interviewed at the North Crest Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home on Monday that the gathering turned into a family reunion. But she hinted that it had even a richer significance. It is absolutely surreal. We have gotten together with cousins that we havent seen in many years, she said. It has brought us together as a family and it has been a wonderful experience knowing that he is home to rest eternally in his hometown. Sgt. Roy, the son of Southern Railway employee George and Dora Roy, was only 31 when he died. Having grown up in a still-standing home at 2108 Wilson St. just off Dodson Avenue, he attended Central High as a member of the Class of 1934 and then worked as a painter with Gilman Paint before being hired as a security guard with TVA. There is actually a video of him painting a sign, and he ended up getting a job painting some of the Rock City barns, Mr. Broadrick said. After that he got a job with TVA for maybe six months and then he enlisted. It was really hard for him to find a job because it was the Depression. After he was shot down, memories of this painter remained vividly like a fresh coat of paint that never dulled. And there was plenty of heartache involved. His mother, my great-grandmother, had a metal box of his belongings that they sent back to them, and she would show us stuff that was in there, remembered Ms. Nunnally. She would hold up something and fold it real lovingly and put it back and she would cry the whole time. She always had a sad look on her face. Added Ms. Blazek, We remember George and Dora Roy (who died in 1969 and 1974, respectively, and are buried at Greenwood Cemetery). They were a sweet couple. They had butter rum Lifesavers in their pocket and chocolate-covered peanuts they would give us. But they were always sad. Mike Gooden, another great-nephew, said he also remembers the metal box, despite being young when he would visit Sanford Roys parents with his grandparents. He also has another connection, as he was a member of the Eighth Air Force like Sanford, he proudly said. Two other sons, Doyle and Esper, were drafted during the war but survived. Ms. Blazek believes they would have felt relief with the news of recent years that his plane was found and that he has been brought home and laid to rest at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. Greg Roy, the brother of Ms. Blazek, said the descendants felt relief as well after his plane was found. But it had its own sense of anticipation and uncertainty just as George and Dora Roy felt in never getting any news of their sons remains being found during their lifetimes. I started getting emails from the military that they had found a plane and thought it might be his, and they sent me a DNA kit, he said. That was the last thing I heard until this past November. I had to wait that long, and I kept every email in my computer of all the letters they sent me. I had started getting a little worried, but then I found out it was a 100 percent match. Fellow relative Becky Terrill had gone up to an initial information meeting in Louisville, Ky., after the plane was located, the family added, and that had initially started the process. Now, after about 10 years, closure has finally come, and all the relatives including Carolyn Roy Lusk, the only surviving niece or nephew -- can take solace in that. Chattanoogans who greatly appreciate those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to help maintain Americas freedoms can appreciate the final chapter of Sgt. Roys story as well. I am so thankful Sanford is being recognized. I never thought this would happen, said Mr. Broadrick, adding that he also feels for the nine other men aboard that B-24H plane and their families. * * * To see Sanford Roys full obituary, read here. https://www.chattanoogan.com/ 2025/3/29/501432/Roy-Sanford- Gordon.aspx * * * Jcshearer2@comcast.net Soulja Boy has been ordered to pay his former assistant more than $4 million in damages. Soulja Boy has to pay over 4m in damages The 'Crank That' hitmaker - whose real name is DeAndre Cortez Way - has been found liable for claims he assaulted, harassed and sexually battered an anonymous woman while she worked as his personal assistant, lived with him and embarked on a sometimes-consensual intimate relationship with him in 2019 and 2020. In a mixed decision after two days of deliberations, jurors found the 34-year-old rapper had put the woman in fear and subjected her to sexually offensive contact, gender violence and intentional infliction of emotional distress. While they also ruled she suffered workplace harassment during 10 January and 20 July 2019, the jury found Soulja did not falsely imprison the woman. According to Rolling Stone, the rapper appeared to have a slight smile when the woman was awarded $760,000 for her assault claim, but his expression "dropped" when the jury awarded $1.5 million for sexual battery, and fell even further when the clerk announced the jurors also decided he should face punitive damages too, of an amount yet to be determined. During the trial, the woman's lawyer claimed she deserved $73.6 million in past and future damages as he painted Soulja Boy as a brutal boss who regularly raped and beat his client. Ronald Zambrano told the court: He raped her, he punched her, he kicked her, he cut her. He picked up and then slammed her, choked her, left bruises from squeezing her arm. He grabbed her head by a mirror and said, No one will love you.' "He pointed a Draco gun at her. He locked her in a room, threatened her family, threatened her, denied her food. Soulja Boy's lawyers argued he had been a victim of an ex-girlfriend who created a "false story" for money. Lead lawyer Rickey Ivie said: Plaintiff is motivated by jealousy, revenge and financial gain. She wanted to be paid. Thats what this case is all about. Its not about the truth, its just not. During the four-week civil trial, the woman claimed she "feared" for her life and the 'Squid Game' rapper had told her he knew where her mother lived and threatened to "send shooters" there. She added: I was scared of what he would do to my family. I didnt want him to hurt anybody because of me." The rapper denied ever abusing the woman, claiming they had "bonded" and always acted voluntarily. He insisted the woman did errands for him because he had offered her a free place to live and they embarked on a personal relationship, not because she was a paid employee. Bryan College hosted its annual Bryan Opportunity Scholarship Program Dinner on Thursday, in the Portman Ballroom of the Westin Chattanooga. The Opportunity Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to academically qualified Tennessee students whose household income is below $60,000. 40 students currently qualify for this scholarship with an average family income of just $17,684.10. This year, Bryan College was honored to welcome special guest speaker Dr. Ben Carson. At 33 years old, Dr. Carson became director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Childrens Center, where he pioneered the surgical separation of craniopagus twins. He is the founder and chairman of the American Cornerstone Institute and most recently served as the 17th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Dr. Carson had much wisdom to share with attendees, repeatedly returning to the faithfulness of God evidenced over the course of his life. He recounted how he went from the bottom of his class to the top in the span of a year and a half after his mother began pushing him to read more extensively. It wasnt anything radical that resulted in this change, Dr. Carson pointed out. It was the consistent encouragement from his mother and solid education through the books he read that transformed his life. Following Dr. Carson, Bryan student Haley Eaker shared her story. Ms. Eaker is currently a junior majoring in Civil Engineering. She grew up in a difficult home environment, experiencing abuse and poverty at an early age. Faith was an inconsistent part of her life, and her relationship with God ebbed and flowed with her life circumstances. But God remained faithful in her life. He disrupted her plans and allowed her to feel seen and wanted through the consistent pursuit of an admissions counselor who cared. He led her to meet a young girl with similar life experiences and showed her how she can use her past experiences to help others. Ms. Eaker has blossomed during her time at Bryan and continues to deepen her relationship with God: Bryan has been a place where Ive seen God work in extraordinary ways, she said. Through mentors, friendships, and opportunitieslike an engineering internship I never thought possibleHe has provided. Officials said, "We are incredibly grateful for the generosity of all those who contributed to supporting students like Haley. Our goal was to raise $300,000 for the Bryan Opportunity Scholarship Program, and donors exceeded this goal for a total of $360,245. We are excited to see how God will use Haley and others who will benefit from these funds to make a difference in todays world." You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close Home News 5 things to know about new US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee The U.S. Senate voted 53-46 to confirm Mike Huckabee as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel on Wednesday, an appointment celebrated by prominent Evangelical conservatives. Except Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., all Democrats voted against Huckabees confirmation. All other votes in favor of Huckabee came from Republicans. Before taking on this new diplomatic role, Huckabee served as a pastor, amassed a lengthy career in state and presidential politics and became a television personality. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Here are five things to know about Mike Huckabee. 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. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe A 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 Kansas lawmakers override veto to protect religious beliefs of foster families A bill designed to prevent the state of Kansas from infringing on the religious liberty of foster families and prospective foster families will become law now that the state legislature has overridden a gubernatorial veto of the measure. The Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature voted to override Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly's veto of House Bill 2311 in votes Thursday. The Kansas House of Representatives voted 87-38, and the Senate voted 31-9 to override Kelly's veto of the measure. The votes in both chambers exceeded the two-thirds majority needed to override a gubernatorial veto. Both votes fell almost entirely along party lines, with all Democrats opposing the veto override and all but one Republican supporting it. The measure will take effect as soon as it is published in the Kansas register. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe Kelly informed the legislature on Monday of her intention to veto the measure. "The top priority of the Kansas Department of Children and Families should be adhering to the 'best interest of the child' standard. Legislation like this detracts from this standard and stands in the way of best serving those in the child welfare system," she wrote. "Children in need of care already face unique and complex challenges. I will not sign legislation that could further complicate their lives," she added. "I also have concerns that this bill could expose the state to frivolous lawsuits and hinder the agency by taking time and resources away from critical services." House Bill 2311 prohibits the state from requiring "a person to affirm, accept, or support any governmental policy regarding sexual orientation or gender identity that may conflict with the person's sincerely held moral or religious beliefs" as a condition for serving as a foster parent in the state. The legislation also bans the state from refraining from "selection, appointment or licensure, if otherwise eligible, of a person because of such person's sincerely held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual orientation or gender identity or intent to guide or instruct a child consistent with such beliefs." Another provision in the bill contains a right of action for any prospective foster parent who feels they were denied the opportunity to serve as a foster parent in violation of the measure. Foster parents in several other states have had their licenses revoked or their request to serve as foster parents denied because they declined to adopt views on sexual orientation and gender identity that conflicted with their deeply held religious beliefs. "Every child deserves a loving home that can provide them stability and opportunities to grow," said Greg Chafuen, senior counsel with the religious liberty-focused legal group Alliance Defending Freedom, in a statement. "Other states have put politics over people by excluding caring families and faith-based adoption and foster care organizations from helping children find loving homes. The Kansas Legislature correctly voted to override Gov. Kelly's misguided veto." Chafuen described the veto override as "a critical step to prioritize the well-being of kids by prohibiting state and local government officials from discriminating against adoption and foster care providers and parents simply because of their religious beliefs and moral convictions." In 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in a unanimous decision that the city of Philadelphia could not exclude a Catholic charity from its foster program over its refusal to place children with same-sex couples in accordance with religious beliefs. "Government fails to act neutrally when it proceeds in a manner intolerant of religious beliefs or restricts practices because of their religious nature," wrote Chief Justice John Roberts in the opinion. "The refusal of Philadelphia to contract with [Catholic Social Services] for the provision of foster care services unless it agrees to certify same-sex couples as foster parents cannot survive strict scrutiny, and violates the First Amendment." Last year, two couples sued the state of Vermont after it declined to renew their licenses to serve as foster parents because they did not embrace LGBT ideology. Another Christian couple living in Vermont filed a separate lawsuit against the state after its Department of Children and Families told them that because "they will not foster a [transgender-identified] child and discuss they/them pronouns with [a] child, then [the department does not] know how [it] can move forward with fostering given the inability to predict any foster child's journey with their own identity." In 2023, a Massachusetts couple filed a lawsuit against the state over its denial of their request to serve as foster parents because they "would not be affirming to a child who identified as LGBTQIA." Home News Supreme Court orders Trump admin. to return El Salvadoran national deported in error The U.S. Supreme Court has issued an order requiring the Trump administration to facilitate the return of an El Salvadoran national who had been deported to a prison in his native country. In an unsigned order released Thursday, the Supreme Court told the government to begin the steps of returning Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to the United States, denying in part the governments application to vacate a lower court ruling. 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, read the ruling. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe The intended scope of the term effectuate in the district courts order is, however, unclear, and may exceed the district courts authority. The Supreme Court order included a statement from Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in which she was joined by fellow justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson. Because every factor governing requests for equitable relief manifestly weighs against the Government I would have declined to intervene in this litigation and denied the application in full, stated Sotomayor. 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. 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. A U.S. Department of Justice spokesman responded in a statement, expressing support for the orders focus on the executive branch's power. As the Supreme Court correctly recognized, it is the exclusive prerogative of the president to conduct foreign affairs, the spokesman said. 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 presidents authority to conduct foreign policy. Andrew J. Rossman, one of Abrego Garcias lawyers, expressed support for the Supreme Court order, according to The New York Times, saying that the rule of law won today. An El Salvadoran native who unlawfully entered the U.S. during the Obama administration and resided in Prince Georges County, Maryland, Abrego Garcia was deported last month under the allegation that he's an MS-13 gang member. Abrego Garcia filed a lawsuit against several federal officials, including Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons, alleging that he was deprived of due process. Lawyers for Abrego Garcia also argued that a judge had granted him federal protection from being deported in 2019. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed at a press briefing earlier this month that Abrego Garcia had violated immigration laws, is a leader in the brutal MS-13 gang, and he is involved in human trafficking. However, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis rejected the claim that Abrego Garcia was a member of MS-13, demanding in her order that he be returned and that the evidence against Abrego Garcia consisted of nothing more than his Chicago Bulls hat and hoodie, and 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. Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin alleged in a statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation that "intelligence reports" substantiate the government's belief that Abrego Garcia "is involved in human trafficking, adding that he should be locked up. U.S. Solicitor General Dean John Sauer filed a request with the Supreme Court to vacate the lower court ruling, reiterating the claim that Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 member, but also saying that removing him to El Salvador was an administrative error. Earlier this week, Chief Justice John Roberts stayed the district court order and requested a response from plaintiff attorneys, to which they responded soon after his request. "Abrego Garcia has never been charged with a crime, in any country. He is not wanted by the Government of El Salvador," his lawyers told the court, according to Fox News. "He sits in a foreign prison solely at the behest of the United States, as the product of a Kafka-esque mistake." Home News Ted Max resigns lead pastor role at Parkview Christian Church after 20 months Twenty months after hiring Ted Max as its lead pastor, he and the multi-campus Parkview Christian Church in Illinois have mutually decided to take a step back from that decision. Max and Randy Moll, chairman of the church's eight-member board, told congregants in an announcement Sunday that they concluded after months of discussions he was not the "best long-term fit" for the job, noting that a scandal did not prompt this course of action. "Over the last 20 months, it's been an incredible honor for me to get to be here on this stage to preach, teach and lead our church in this season, and to walk alongside you during this season. But during that same time, I've been in discussion with the church leadership, and together, we have come to an agreement that I am not the best long-term fit for this role at Parkview," said Max, who previously served for 17 years at Vale Church, which is also in Illinois. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "Today, beginning in this moment, I'm going to be taking a step back from the role of lead pastor but continue to teach for a period of time, for a season. And the church leaders and I are still determining what that looks like and for how long that period will last," he added. He urged congregants to continue giving, serving, attending church services and refrain from speculating why the partnership didn't work. "Don't be dissension stirrers. Don't be pot stirrers. Don't get out on the internet and post stuff. Some of you [are] like, 'I can't wait to get out and post something.' Stop it. Don't do it," he warned. "It's not what God wants." Moll said that over the last two months, the board had "a lot of big conversations" with Max that were both thoughtful and "at times tough." "Through those conversations, Ted came to a courageous conclusion that, 'Hey, in a few key areas, we may not be fully aligned, and that's OK,'" Moll said. Max suggested he step out of the lead pastor role with a plan to leave Parkview completely, and the board "unanimously agreed." "It's a very natural thing for people to wonder and speculate in situations like this, so let me just say this plainly: there's no scandal, there's no sin, there's no disparagement or disagreement over theology or teaching or anything like that," Moll stated. "We will be all in praying for support for Ted as he looks for what's next and what God has in store for you," Moll added. "We're going to pray fervently for his family for clarity in God's calling and pray that God places you exactly where you want to be to have an even greater impact than you've already had here." Max will preach with "reduced frequency," giving him "space to explore his next steps," according to an update on the church website. Pastor Todd Clark, who has served at Parkview for the last 10 years, will begin to preach on more weekends throughout the year, and others will also contribute as guest speakers and teachers. Home Opinion Christ forgives hardened criminals. But should we? Prisons are rarely seen as places of hope or redemption. Recidivism rates worldwide are skyrocketing with upwards of 70% of prisoners reoffending and ending up back in prison in certain countries. With 12.2 million prisoners incarcerated worldwide, only one in three prison systems globally operates within their capacity. For countries facing overcrowding, their prison populations can be as high as six times above capacity. But thats not the whole picture. I am the CEO of Prison Fellowship International (PFI), an organization working in prisons across the world, and every day, I hear remarkable stories of transformation. Lives where hope had been abandoned now experience change and renewal through Jesus love. In the past four months, I have visited men inside prisons in Brazil, Colombia and The Philippines and recently had this life story shared with me: Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe David was once a respected pastor at his church in Colombia, but when the bills started piling up, he turned from trusting God to a robbery plot, which resulted in a five-year prison sentence. During this time, his daughter was tragically raped by her maternal uncle. When David heard of what had happened, he was filled with anger and guilt and yearned for the death of his brother-in-law. But then, he met volunteers from PFI who invited him to take part in one of our programs. Step by step, he began rebuilding his relationship with God and experienced His love and forgiveness. By knowing the radical forgiveness of an all-merciful God, he too was able to overcome his overwhelming hatred and extend forgiveness to his daughters rapist. Now, David works as a volunteer for Prison Fellowship Colombia, sharing the Gospel message that opens the darkest of cell doors. I don't share lightly about deeply painful realities like David's. The effects of crime are hideous, and criminal behavior deserves punishment. However, our mission in Jesus Christ seeks a world in which that punishment is just, restorative, and in the best of cases, redemptive. Time and again, I hear horrific and tragic stories, and I am challenged to consider my own heart. I find it far easier to tell others to forgive than to practice it myself, no matter how small the offence against me. Equally, I am a sinner and do things wrong. I would like to be forgiven by others. So, when I hear of victims and survivors forgiving those who have wronged them, I am humbled. Do I do the same? As Christians, we know that we are called to live lives of great love by emulating Christ and His sacrificial love for us displayed on the cross. To extend the hand of friendship, even when it costs us something. In fact, Jesus calls us not to forgive just once, but 70-seven times seven (Matthew 18:21-22). One story Im reminded of is that of Corrie Ten Boom. She and her family hid Jewish people in their home during the Second World War, as part of the Dutch resistance movement. They were eventually betrayed to the Gestapo, and Corries father died in prison soon after, with her sister Betsie later dying in a concentration camp. However, before she died, Betsie said some of the most powerful words imaginable: There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still. God will give us the love to be able to forgive our enemies. I have received grace, love and forgiveness from a good God. I need and want to mirror the same to others. I believe that, like David and Betsie, this is only possible through the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit, who teaches us and guides us in all things, including forgiveness. There is no crime and no prisoner who cannot be reached through Christs love. I am honored to have a front-row seat to the incredible work of countless colleagues and volunteers who view this as their lifes vocation. I believe that what we are doing here on earth, loving and displaying radical grace and forgiveness, will have eternal consequences. We show mercy and forgiveness to people who, in the eyes of the world, are unforgivable and beyond redemption. But not to God Every one of us, as Christians, is called to live out a life of grace and forgiveness, even when we dont feel like it. Even when people do not deserve our forgiveness, change their ways or do not say sorry, Jesus call is to show love. Its a hard teaching from Jesus. It was hard when He walked the earth 2,000 years ago as the incarnate Son of God, and it still is today. This mercy and grace are what we should be known for as Christians. Radical love and radical forgiveness because of the extravagant love and forgiveness shown to us. As the Apostle John said, we love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Its the story the world is crying out for, and we are the storytellers. As one of my friends says, we are called to be the walking Bible. What a mission we have, friends, and what an opportunity. 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. Home News France could recognize Palestinian state in coming months, possibly by June, President Macron says French President Emmanuel Macron said that France may recognize a Palestinian state as early as June. We must move toward recognition [of a Palestinian state], and so, in the coming months, we will," Macron announced during an interview with France Channel 5 on Wednesday. Macron appeared to imply that recognizing a Palestinian state would lead to Palestinians recognizing the legitimacy of Israel as well. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe I will do it because I believe that at some point it will be right and because I also want to participate in a collective dynamic, which must also allow all those who defend Palestine to recognize Israel in turn, which many of them do not do," Macron explained. Macrons interview followed a two-day visit to Egypt, where he focused on supporting the resumption of humanitarian aid into Gaza and a return to the latest ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. While in Egypt, Macron emphasized Frances efforts to assist Palestinians during the Gaza War, including the provision of humanitarian aid, the construction of field hospitals, and the deployment of a hospital ship. 1,200 tonnes (metric) of humanitarian cargo, a military hospital ship, logistical support capabilities, a humanitarian conference in Paris: France has been involved since day one, Macron posted on X after returning from France. Yesterday, I was in El-Arish, near Gaza, with humanitarian workers from the Egyptian Red Crescent, MSF, Handicap International, PUI, and Solidarites International, and the United Nations agencies that are helping the civilian population of Gaza. They are carrying out absolutely essential work. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is untenable. The resumption of aid, the release of hostages, a ceasefire, and a path to peace are absolutely essential. During his trip to Egypt, Macron also met with Jordanian King Abdullah II and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, where he expressed support for the Egyptian proposal for Gaza adopted on March 4 by an emergency meeting of the Arab League. Macron rejected the Trump proposal for the Gaza Strip, which would see the enclave turned into the "Riviera of the Middle East, adding that Gaza is not a real estate project. The French leader suggested that France might recognize a Palestinian state following a United Nations conference on the issue scheduled for June. Macron will chair the discussion alongside Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "Our objective is somewhere in June, with Saudi Arabia, to chair this conference where we could finalize the movement towards reciprocal recognition by several countries," Macron said. France does not currently recognize a Palestinian state, although around 150 nations already do, including several European nations. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that recognizing a Palestinian state at this point, without a resolution to the Gaza War, would be a prize for terror. 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, Saar posted on X. These kind of actions will not bring peace, security and stability in our region closer, but the opposite: they only push them further away. This article was originally published by All Israel News. Home News Trump nominates former pastor, congressman for top religious freedom post President Donald Trump has nominated a former congressional leader and pastor as the new U.S. ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom. In a post to his social media platform Truth Social on Thursday evening, Trump announced that he is appointing former Rep. Mark Walker of North Carolina to oversee the State Department's Office of International Religious Freedom. "A former pastor, Mark was elected unanimously to House Leadership, and did an incredible job as Ranking Member on the House Homeland Security's Counterterrorism and Intelligence Subcommittee," stated Trump. Get Our Latest News for FREE Subscribe to get daily/weekly email with the top stories (plus special offers!) from The Christian Post. Be the first to know. Subscribe "As Chairman of the Republican Study Committee, Mark helped us secure many Victories. In his new role, Mark will work incredibly hard to expose Human Rights Violations, champion Faith, and help us secure Life Saving Results." Walker, 55, took to his X account to state that he is honored by the nomination, referring to Trump as "a defender of faith evidenced by his bold statement on religious liberty at the United Nations." "As a former minister, along with serving in Congressional leadership, I'm open-eyed to the bad actors and regions committing these atrocities against people of faith," tweeted Walker, who formerly served as vice chair of the House Republican Conference. "Religious expression is the foundation of human rights and, whether it's a college campus in New York or Sub-Saharan Africa, I'll be relentless in fighting for those targeted who dare to live out their faith." A native of Houston County, Alabama, Walker served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2015 to 2021. He ran an unsuccessful campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2022. As an ordained Southern Baptist minister, Walker's pastoral career saw him serve at various churches in North Carolina and Florida, including Lawndale Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he served as pastor of arts and worship in 2008. During the 2024 election season, Walker served as director of outreach for faith and minority communities for the Trump campaign, giving up on a previous effort to run again for Congress. In an interview with the Winston-Salem, North Carolina-based WXII 12 News last November, Walker expressed optimism that he would occupy a role of some kind with the incoming administration. "We are meeting and talking with the transition team as far as what that might look like there in the White House," Walker said at the time. "I know President Trump was gracious enough to extend such an offer, even back in the spring as we began to work with him. Talking about working in some high-capacity role. So, so, yeah, that's all to be determined." The ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom position was created by the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998. In an attempt to raise the position's profile during his first term from 2017 to 2021, Trump appointed then-sitting Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, who also served time as a U.S. senator, to the position. Under the leadership of Brownback and then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Trump State Department held ministerial events featuring thousands of religious freedom advocates and persecuted individuals from across the globe. In a social media post, Brownback said Walker has a "great background and passion for the job" and knows Trump well. "He will advance the US agenda for religious freedom for everybody, everywhere, all the time," Brownback wrote. The Danbury Institute, which describes itself as a "conservative Christian coalition for life and liberty," praised Walker as "a committed Christian and a proven leader" and an "excellent choice for this important role." In April 2021, Walker was among many who called out Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., over a tweet claiming "Easter is more transcendent than the resurrection" and that "we are able to save ourselves" via "a commitment to helping others." Warnock eventually deleted the tweet. "He went on to say that 'we can save ourselves,'" commented Walker. "This is antithetical of the scriptures. As a former pastor, I hope people, no matter what your background or affiliation, will join me in calling this guy out for exactly what he is: nothing short of a false prophet." Trump Defunds Maine Dept. Of Corrections, Jesus Film Reaches 2,200 Languages, Archaeological Evidence For Battle Of Megiddo link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 08:44 08:44 Sponsored by WatersEdge: Invest with purpose? With WatersEdge Kingdom Investments, you can! We offer great rates that multiply your resources and build churches. Learn more at: https://bit.ly/3CxWtFz Top headlines for Friday, April 11, 2025 We delve into the controversial decision by the Trump administration to withdraw non-essential funding from the Maine Department of Corrections, following their contentious move to admit a male inmate into a women's prison. Next, we discuss the expanding network of Christian higher education as Illinois-based Trinity Evangelical Divinity School announces its new affiliation with Trinity Western University in Canada, creating a cross-border academic powerhouse. Plus, we journey back in time with archaeologists as they uncover compelling evidence that sheds new light on the biblical Battle of Megiddo, bringing fresh insights to one of history's legendary conflicts. 00:11 Trump admin. defunds Maine for allowing murder in women's prison 01:07 NC county asks court to dismiss JD Greear megachurchs lawsuit 02:05 Jesus Film Project reaches 2,200 languages with new translation 02:58 Sponsor Message WatersEdge 03:56 Hamas calls to be removed from UK terror list 05:01 Trinity Evangelical Divinity School merges with Canadian college 06:02 Archaeologists find evidence of Bible account Battle of Megiddo 06:52 Pentecostal pastor thwarts arson attack on church 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 Abonati-va sa primiti pe email saptamanal lista articolelor adaugate pe parcursul saptamanii. Adresele .ru nu sunt acceptate. Email NEWSLETTER Childline Tributes have been paid to the first chief executive of pioneering childrens charity Childline, Baroness Valerie Howarth, who passed away on 23 March at the age of 84. Howarth began her career as a social worker, eventually becoming director of Brent social services, a role she occupied until 1986. She went on to become chief executive of child abuse telephone helpline and former charity Childline shortly after it was founded by TV presenter Esther Rantzen in 1986. Childline grew under Howarths leadership from a small, London-based service to a well-known national charity, which inspired similar helplines for children around the world. After retiring in 2001, Howarth was nominated for a life peerage by then-prime minister Tony Blair and sat as a crossbencher on several all-party parliamentary groups for children and older people. Legacy will be felt for years to come Shaun Friel, director of Childline, which became part of NSPCC in 2006, said in a statement that Howarth had made a real difference in the lives of so many children and young people. Her time as chief executive has laid the solid foundations that allow us to continue to be there for children and young people, her legacy will be felt for years to come. The NSPCC and Childline send our love to Valerie's family at this difficult time; they are very much in our thoughts. Her death leaves an enormous void Tributes also came from child protection charity the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, named after a fellow social worker and campaigner and with which Howarth was involved from its foundation in 1992. She will be remembered for her sound judgement, intelligence, warmth, compassion and calmness, and perhaps mostly for her resolute determination and tireless striving to make the world a better place for children and young people, it said on social media. In a blog post also paying tribute to her, the charitys CEO Deborah Denis described Howarth as much loved, admired and respected by so many and that her death leaves an enormous void. With her tenacity for the well-being of children, we feel privileged to have had Valerie involved in and supporting our work so passionately, so actively, and for so long, she said. Through her own direct effort, as well as through her support for organisations like ours, Valerie has improved the lives of so many both adults and children. We will ensure we maintain our efforts and build on the legacy of Baronesses Faithfull and Howarth of Lucy and Valerie. Inspired by her wisdom and heart Caroline Abrahams, charity director of Age UK, said on social media that it was a pleasure to know and work with Howarth, describing her as a thoroughly good woman who made a real difference to children in our country. Mark Russell, CEO of the Childrens Society, described Howarth as a passionate advocate for reforms to protect children from abuse. Russell added: I met her on a number of occasions and always was inspired by her wisdom and heart. Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. As soon as I saw that Garrett Graff had written an oral history of the Bear Stearns collapse, I bookmarked the Washington Post page, figuring itd be a great thing to read when I got some time. Then I forgot about it for a few daysuntil the markets imploded earlier this week. Graff has a way of eliciting you-are-there quotes, even about events that happened seventeen years ago. And sure enough, seeing how the titans of Wall Street and Washington watched as the financial system seemed to be crumbling is a sobering exercise. Reading it while our own economic foundations are shaking makes it doubly so. (Graff used the same techniques for his masterpiece about 9/11, The Only Plane in the Sky.) Nobody knew where this was going and how bad it could get, said Samuel Molinaro, the Bear Stearns CFO. He was right then, and it feels right now. A couple of fine pieces out of Pennsylvania: Most of us think of Social Security as a program for retirees. But it also pays benefits to childrenincluding those whose parents have died or become disabled. That money is supposed to be used to support the children while theyre growing up, or provide a nest egg when they turn eighteen. But for Pennsylvania kids in foster care, counties often take the money without telling the kids or their advocates. Resolve Philly reporters Julie Christie and Steve Volk dug through records for Spotlight PA and found that at least 1,300 children have had their benefits used this way, amounting to more than $15 million. Many of those counties couldnt account for how the funds had been used, or prove that it actually benefited the kids who needed it. The most egregious appears to be Philadelphia, where officials could not show how many children it collects money for or how it spends those funds. and dug through records for Spotlight PA and found that at least 1,300 children have had their benefits used this way, amounting to more than $15 million. Many of those counties couldnt account for how the funds had been used, or prove that it actually benefited the kids who needed it. The most egregious appears to be Philadelphia, where officials could not show how many children it collects money for or how it spends those funds. A county commissioner in central Pennsylvania showed up late for a meeting recently. Usually thats not a big deal, and his excuse was that hed been at a flag-planting event. But people who saw him in the elevator before the meeting told PennLive that he was slumped over and struggling to put on a belt. After the meeting, PennLive reporters headed to the parking garage and noticed that the commissioners county-owned Ford Explorer was dented and scratched, and a chunk of its fender was on the ground. Good story, but what happened shortly thereafter was the maraschino on the sundae. Reporter Juliette Rihl went back to the county garage for another look. A security guard blocked her passage, claiming it now was not a public place. Rihl was persistent, even when a chief of operations official arrived to warn Rihl that this was now labeled an infrastructure area. Fortunately, Rihls colleague Megan Lavey-Heaton was there to capture the action. Their one-minute video is worth your time. And so is Rihls follow-up piece, on the many accidents this commissioner seems to get into. Last weekend, more than a thousand protests popped up across the US, fueled by people angry about Trumps economic, legal, and immigration moves. One of those occurred in Dallass Dealey Plaza, where hundreds showed up. Local TV stations covered it closely, but the Dallas Morning News was nowhere to be found. Theres your Dart. Managing editor Amy Hollyfield went on Facebook and apologized for the oversight. We didnt realize the protest was going on. I regret this is the answer because thats a big miss for us. When I asked her about that later, she told me that this has prompted a stark examination in our newsroom about newsgathering, communication, and making it easier for people to send us news tips. So Hollyfield gets a few Laurel feathers here for transparency, and for using this as a lever to get her newsroom more engaged. News organizations have become especially cognizant of the need to find and track common voters sentiments ever since the surprise 2016 election. So perhaps its a noble endeavor to find and regularly circle back to people who represent the swath of public opinion, especially as we all tire of diner interviews. Last week, the New York Times ran a panel of seven voters that gave the impression that most people welcome, or at least are willing to give a lot of credence to, Trumps tariff plans. Nobody is panicking, said one man. Its a good idea to try, said another. But of these citizens, five voted for Trump, while just one voted for Kamala Harris, even though she won nearly half the popular vote. (The seventh voted for Jill Stein.) Maybe we should just leave the vox pops to The Onions American Voices Q&As. CNN bills Harry Enten as its chief data analyst, but on Tuesday he went from crunching numbers to gushing platitudes. Enten started with this straw man: I think there was this concern among some folks that Donald Trump would come in for a second term and kind of be a lame duck. (Hmm, do you recall many Trump supporters, or opponents, saying he would twiddle his thumbs for four years?) And then Enten, without even a trace of a Pyongyang accent, gushed that Trump aint no lame duck. If anything hes a soaring eagle. Enten followed that with the question that was likely on many viewers minds: What am I talkin about here? It turns out he was talkin about Trumps barrage of executive orders since Inauguration Day: Hes already signed 111 so far. That is the MOST at this point in a presidency in at least 100 years! But heres the thing about executive orders. Outside of taking a mulligan on the fourteenth hole, theyre the easiest thing for Trump (or any president) to do. Some of these orders are consequential; some are meaningless. But this isnt like getting an ambitious piece of legislation through Congress, or negotiating a treaty to end a war. We know that CNNthe home of many top-notch journalistsis trying to climb out of its ratings slump. We hope it succeeds with something better than this. Hat tips to Aaron Rupar and Matt Dempsey. If you have a suggestion for this column, please send it to laurelsanddarts@cjr.org. We cant acknowledge all submissions, but we will mention you if we use your idea. For more on Laurels and Darts, please click here. A passenger jet carrying at least five members of Congress was clipped by another commercial plane on the ground at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport near Washington, DC. Rep. Nick LaLota, a Republican from New York on the House Appropriations Committee, said Thursday in a social-media post that another plane bumped into the wing while the jet he was aboard was stationary. He said his plane was heading back to the gate and noted another New York lawmaker, Rep. Grace Meng a Democrat who serves on the same committee was also on the flight. Thankfully everyone is ok! LaLota said in the post. Meng confirmed she was on the flight in her own social media post, as did House Reps. Adriano Espaillat of New York and Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey, both Democrats. A spokesperson for Rep. Ritchie Torres said he too was on the flight. The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the wingtip of American Airlines Flight 5490 struck American Airlines Flight 4522 on a taxiway midday Thursday. The agency said it will open an investigation. No one was injured in the incident, which caused damage to the winglets on both planes, American Airlines Group Inc. said in a statement. Flight 5490, headed to Charleston, South Carolina, was operated by the carriers PSA Airlines subsidiary, while Flight 4522, bound for New Yorks John F. Kennedy International Airport, was operated by regional carrier Republic Airways. We apologize to our customers for their experience, American said. The incident comes as confidence in the safety of the US aviation system has been rattled following a deadly midair collision between a U.S. military helicopter and regional passenger jet near Reagan airport in January. Since then, safety investigators have raised concerns about an alarming number of close calls near that airport over the last several years an issue regulators have taken steps to address. The worries over the congested airspace near Washington were reignited last month after a close call between a Delta Air Lines Inc. plane and U.S. Air Force jets. Top photo: American Airlines regional jets at the Reagan National Airport in Arlington, Virginia. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. 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 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: The National Transportation Safety Board said it isnt ruling anything out as it probes the deadly crash of a New York City tourist helicopter. Everything is on the table, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said Friday during a media briefing on the accident, in which a sightseeing helicopter plunged into the Hudson River. The aircraft was carrying a senior executive at Siemens AG, as well as his wife and three children. All six people aboard the helicopter, including the pilot, were killed. The crash, involving a Bell 206 L-4 helicopter operated by tour company New York Helicopter, is the latest in a series of aviation accidents that have sparked public concern about the safety of flying. Earlier in the year, a US military helicopter collided with an American Airlines Group Inc. regional jet, killing 67 people in the worst US civil aviation disaster in decades. The NTSB sent a team of investigators to the helicopter crash site Thursday evening, hours after the crash. The agency is reviewing a range of information as it tries to determine what caused the deadly accident, including reports of a large flock of birds in the area, the pilots qualifications and helicopter maintenance logs, Homendy said. She also noted that the pilot who was flying the helicopter had accumulated about 788 hours of total flight time as of late March but that the NTSB was still determining how much experience he had in that specific Bell helicopter. There have been several helicopter crashes around New York City in recent years. A helicopter slammed into the East River during a sightseeing excursion in 2018, killing five people and raising awareness of a safety issue with seat restraints. Thursdays accident isnt the first involving New York Helicopter. In 2013, one of its aircraft carrying a family of four was forced to make an emergency landing in the Hudson River after experiencing engine trouble. The NTSB found the probable cause to be an improper maintenance decision. All four passengers and the pilot survived that incident. Two years later, a pilot was forced to make a hard landing after a helicopter operated by the tour company spun out of control while hovering 20 feet (6 meters) above the ground at a heliport in northern New Jersey. The NTSB determined that the event was likely caused by the deliberate concealment and reuse of an unairworthy component by unknown personnel. New York Helicopter filed for bankruptcy in 2019 due to a cash crunch following a move by New York City to cut back on helicopter traffic in the surrounding airspace. Michael Roth, the chief executive officer of the company, said after the latest accident that the tour operator was tragically sorry for what happened and is working with investigators. The NTSB is coordinating with the US Federal Aviation Administration on the probe. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a post to social media Thursday that the FAA, which is part of the Transportation Department, would assemble a safety review team following the helicopter crash. Duffy told reporters at a Friday event in New Jersey that he thinks the FAA should conduct a comprehensive review of helicopter tours across the US. Some of the safety records with some of these operators theyre not the best, he said. And thats why we have to take a look. Top photo: Emergency divers respond to the scene where a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. 62 Elon Musk announced his new company xAI which he says has the goal to understand the true nature of the universe. Elon Musk's xAI, the artificial intelligence startup trying to take on OpenAI, is facing scrutiny in Memphis, Tennessee, for alleged environmental violations at its data center. In a letter sent to the Shelby County Health Department on April 9, the Southern Environmental Law Center said aerial imagery and other data showed that xAI has installed "a whopping 35 gas turbines," at its facility, sometimes referred to as the Colossus. The company only applied for permits for 15 turbines to power the data center temporarily, the letter said. Musk founded xAI in 2023 and has made the company the centerpiece of his AI ambitions as he engages in a high-profile business and legal battle with OpenAI, which he co-founded in 2015 as a nonprofit research lab. Its flagship Grok chatbot is designed to take on ChatGPT. In late March, Musk announced that xAI had acquired his social network X, formerly known as Twitter, in an all-stock transaction that valued xAI at $80 billion. Last year, the xAI team began training its AI models at the Memphis data center using 100,000 Nvidia H100 processors. The long-term plan for xAI is to use power from the local utility, Memphis Light, Gas and Water, and the Tennessee Valley Authority, according to its permit applications. However, the turbines have an estimated power-generating capacity of 421 megawatts, which compares to the capacity of an entire TVA power plant, the SELC said. The company hasn't said when it would plan to shut off the turbines and switch power sources. SELC said in its letter that xAI is operating the higher number of turbines "unlawfully without any air permit" and that the local community had already been "profoundly overburdened with industrial pollution." "Worse yet, manufacturer-supplied emissions data for these turbines shows that xAI emits between 1,200 and 2,000 tons of smog-forming nitrogen oxides (NOx) per year, making the facility likely the largest industrial emitter of NOx in Memphis," the letter said. Exposure to high levels of nitrogen oxides, which are precursors to ozone formation, have been associated with higher risk of death from respiratory disease. Musk, who's also CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is spending much of his time these days in Washington, D.C., as a central figure in President Donald Trump's second administration. Musk's primary role is overseeing an expansive effort to slash government spending and eliminate regulations, including those that potentially inhibit his businesses. SpaceX and Tesla have a history of running afoul of federal and state environmental regulations. The SELC said it's likely that xAI has "violated the Clean Air Act and Shelby County's rigorous preconstruction permitting requirements for major sources of air pollution." Amanda Garcia, an attorney with SELC, told CNBC in an email that, "The Shelby County Health Department is the local entity charged with implementing the relevant air permitting requirements, and has the authority to hold xAI accountable under existing law." At a Shelby County commissioners public hearing on Wednesday, residents expressed alarm at xAI's use of the natural gas-burning turbines, and the health problems that can follow without strong mitigation efforts. Easter May Knox, a resident who lives near the xAI facility, said her family has struggled with chronic respiratory problems. She said she wants to be able to wake up early in the morning and open the windows in her house. "But when I open up that window, I smell everything but the right thing and the right thing is the clean air," she said. "Elon Musk has all the money. He's a millionaire, billionaire, whatever kind of -aire he is. But we need clean air!" Other residents and officials in attendance complained that Brent Mayo, a senior manager at xAI, didn't show up to hear their concerns after they reached out to him directly. Mayo is responsible for building out xAI's technical infrastructure, including in Southwest Memphis. Representatives for the Shelby County Health Department and xAI didn't respond to requests for comment. WATCH: xAI and X's future are intertwined U.S. and Chinese flags and a "125% tariffs" label are seen in this illustration taken April 10, 2025. China on Friday retaliated against U.S. President Donald Trump's country-specific tariffs by raising its levies on U.S. goods to 125% from 84%, the Chinese Finance Ministry said. "Even if the U.S. continues to impose higher tariffs, it will no longer make economic sense and will become a joke in the history of world economy," the ministry said in a statement, according to a CNBC translation. "With tariff rates at the current level, there is no longer a market for U.S. goods imported into China," the statement noted, adding that "if the U.S. government continues to increase tariffs on China, Beijing will ignore." The Trump administration confirmed to CNBC on Thursday that the U.S. tariff rate on Chinese imports now effectively totals 145%. Trump's latest executive order boosted tariffs on Beijing to 125%, stacked on top of a combined 20% fentanyl-related tariff imposed in February and March. "This is the end of the escalation in terms of bilateral tariff rates. Both China and the US have sent clear messages, there is no point of raising tariffs further," said Zhiwei Zhang, president and chief economist at Pinpoint Asset Management. The next step would be to evaluate the damage to economic activities in the U.S. and China, Zhang said, adding that there is no sign that the two governments would start negotiations and avoid major disruption in the global supply chains. Unlike the previous rounds of retaliatory measures, Beijing has refrained from announcing further export control measures or widening its so-called unreliable entity list with the addition of more American firms, which would subject them to further restrictions while operating in China. Despite the latest escalation, a spokesperson for China's Commerce Ministry reiterated in a separate statement Friday that Beijing is open to negotiate with the U.S. on an equal footing. Hopes for a U.S.-China deal to resolve trade tensions have faded fast as Beijing has been hitting back in the last week with tit-for-tat duties on American goods and wide-ranging restrictions on U.S. businesses. "It's unfortunate that the Chinese actually don't want to come and negotiate, because they are the worst offenders in the international trading system," U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox Business on Wednesday after China's raised tariffs to 84%. "They have the most imbalanced economy in the history of the modern world, and I can tell you that this escalation is a loser for them," Bessent said. This photograph taken on March 18, 2025 at a Netto discount supermarket in Copenhagen shows a price tag marked with a black star to help consumers identify and buy European-produced groceries as some activists call for a boycott of goods and services made in the US to protest US President Trump's policies. Sergei Gapon | Afp | Getty Images COPENHAGEN, Denmark Incensed by President Donald Trump's posturing over Greenland and sweeping trade tariffs, Danish shoppers are turning their backs on American products in a show of national protest. The small European nation and longtime U.S. ally has lately found itself in the president's crosshairs amid his ambitions over Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish island. Meanwhile, new U.S. tariffs, recently reduced to 10%, now hinder EU exports to one of its key markets. Trump has repeatedly said the U.S. should take control of Greenland, which houses American military facilities, in the interests national security. Danish officials have fervently rejected the notion, and now much like in Canada, which Trump would like to make the 51st U.S. state consumers are making a stand. "It's the only way they [shoppers] can make a little protest on Trump," Sanne, a store worker at a Copenhagen branch of Danish grocery store chain Ftex, told CNBC. "F--- the U.S. basically at this point," said shopper Sanja, an Australian now living in Copenhagen. watch now Salling Group, which owns Ftex and other supermarket chains Bilka and Netto, has made the process of avoiding U.S. products easier by last month introducing an asterisk to the price tags of all European-owned brands across its more than 1,700 stores in Denmark, Germany and Poland. A spokesperson for Salling Group said the move was not about "boycotting" U.S. products, but came in response to a number of recent inquiries from shoppers seeking "clearer information about European ownership." Still, several shoppers told CNBC they welcomed the move. "I would prefer European products versus American, not only because of the conflict, but also the standards. Now that the conflict is what it is, it's even more so," said Sanja, whose mother was visiting from Australia and said she, likewise, planned to shun U.S. products back home. Danish grocery chain Fotex has labelled products with a star, indicating that they are produced in the European Union. CNBC Another shopper, Eva, agreed: "Yes, I would avoid American products. I think they need a new president." The boycotting of U.S. products has been mirrored elsewhere in Europe, with the #BoycottUSA hashtag spreading on social media and Facebook groups emerging to help consumers locate regionally made goods. It follows similar moves by shoppers in Canada, where Americano coffees have been renamed Canadianos. Big U.S. brands have also faced a backlash, with one French poll pointing to pushback against household names like Starbucks , McDonald's and Coca Cola . Perhaps the most prominent among them, Tesla has seen sales drop significantly across the region, with some dealerships in Germany, Italy and Sweden vandalized in a rejection of CEO Elon Musk's political moves. Trump last week slapped 20% duties on all imports from Europe as part of wider reciprocal tariffs against more than 180 countries. The move, which sparked days of market turmoil, was later temporarily paused, but is nevertheless expected to upend global supply chains and consumer spending habits worldwide. Many Danish shoppers are turning their backs on U.S.-made products amid growing political tensions. CNBC Jens Lund, CEO of Danish logistics firm DSV, told CNBC last week that some trade impacts were already being felt from the tariffs, but others may take longer to flesh out. "Time will tell how the consumer reacts, because it's the consumer who will decide at the end of the day," Lund said. "On larger items, for example cars, there [are] less sales." He nevertheless noted that some protests may be short-lived, as consumers ultimately return to their normal habits. "Consumers, they vote with their feet and what is the cheapest product. Where is it they get the best value product, this is how the consumer does it," Lund said. For Ftex shopper Lourdes, originally from France, that's the reality: "We go for the deal," she said. "If there is a star [marking a European product] but the price is higher, I'll go for the cheaper option." Avoiding U.S. travel The change in shopping patterns points to a wider shift in consumer sentiment, with data suggesting travelers are also increasingly turning their backs on trips to the U.S. amid Trump's trade policies, unfavorable currency fluctuations and high-profile detainments of visa-holders. Canada's largest airline Air Canada said last week that bookings for trans-border flights from Canada to U.S. cities were down 10% for the April-to-September period versus last year. Travel data provider OAG, meanwhile, said Canada-U.S. flight bookings were down 70%. People protest against the American pressure taking place against Greenland and Denmark, in front of the American Embassy in Copenhagen on March 29, 2025. Nils Meilvang | Afp | Getty Images A group of 12 ex-OpenAI staffers, in support of Elon Musk's lawsuit against the artificial intelligence startup, asked a court's permission on Friday to share their concerns about the company's transformation into a for-profit entity. The individuals collectively worked at OpenAI between 2018 and 2024, which covers "the organization's formative years through its more recent development," the request said. The brief was filed with a district court in California by Lawrence Lessig, who is representing the group. The purpose of the request is to support Musk's arguments in his case against OpenAI and his effort to keep the AI research project, which Musk co-founded in 2015 as a nonprofit, from transforming into a for-profit entity. "If the OpenAI Nonprofit agreed to a change in the OpenAI corporate structure which took away its controlling role, that would fundamentally violate its mission," the filings said. OpenAI, led by CEO Sam Altman, has been commercializing products in recent years, most notably its viral ChatGPT chatbot, which was launched in late 2022. The company is still overseen by a nonprofit parent and has faced significant hurdles in its goal to restructure into a for-profit, due largely to Musk, who has become one of Altman's chief adversaries and now has his own rival startup, xAI. A Musk-led group offered to buy OpenAI in February for $97.4 billion, a bid that was swiftly rejected. Last month, OpenAI closed a $40 billion funding round led by SoftBank at a $300 billion valuation, the largest private tech funding on record. OpenAI's hybrid structure includes a capped-profit limited partnership created in 2019. The original nonprofit is the controlling shareholder and would be spun out as an independent entity if the company restructures. OpenAI's venture backers have received convertible notes that would turn into equity. In the Friday brief, Lessig wrote that, in addition to abandoning its original mission, the conversion to a for-profit company would "breach the trust of employees, donors, and other stakeholders who joined and supported the organization" based on its commitments. The ex-staffers named in the brief are Steven Adler, Rosemary Campbell, Neil Chowdhury, Jacob Hilton, Daniel Kokotajlo, Gretchen Krueger, Todor Markov, Richard Ngo, Girish Sastry, William Saunders, Carrol Wainwright and Jeffrey Wu. Some have spoken out about their experiences at OpenAI in the past. The filing said the named parties also "have a significant interest in this litigation as it addresses fundamental questions about OpenAI's mission and organizational structure that they helped shape during their employment." "Our Board has been very clear: our nonprofit isn't going anywhere and our mission will remain the same," an OpenAI spokesperson told CNBC. "We're turning our existing for-profit arm into a Public Benefit Corporation the same structure as other AI labs like Anthropic, where some of these former employees now work and xAI." The case between Musk and OpenAI has taken numerous turns since the Tesla CEO initiated litigation early last year, alleging the company abandoned its founding mission to develop artificial intelligence "for the benefit of humanity broadly." A federal district court last month blocked Musk's attempt to stop OpenAI's transition to a for-profit company. Earlier this week, OpenAI filed a countersuit against Musk, claiming the world's richest person has "tried every tool available to harm" the company. That lawsuit is asking for punitive damages from Musk's actions and an injunction to stop him from interfering further in its operations. WATCH: OpenAI closes $40 billion funding round A version of this article first appeared in CNBC's Inside Wealth newsletter with Robert Frank, a weekly guide to the high net worth investor and consumer. Sign up to receive future editions, straight to your inbox. Despite the recurring narrative of wealth flight, New York City is still the world's richest city, and it's gotten richer, according to Henley & Partners' latest ranking of global wealth hubs with intelligence firm New World Wealth. New York City has 384,500 millionaires, 818 centimillionaires and 66 billionaires, gaining about 10% in each category since the prior year's list. Four of the 10 hubs with the most centimillionaires, or individuals with at least $100 million in assets, are in the U.S. with the Bay Area of California (756) and Los Angeles (516) rounding out the top three. Chicago places eighth with 295 centimillionaires. Asian hubs dominated the lower half of the list with Hong Kong (346), Singapore (333), Beijing (316) and Shanghai (293) all ranking in the top 10. Hong Kong came in at fifth, moving up three ranks, as its economy is starting to recover after years of geopolitical turmoil. London came in fourth with 352 centimillionaires, a 5% annual drop. The capital city was one of only two major wealth hubs with a declining millionaire population, with an estimated 12% decrease in millionaires from 2014 to 2024. Moscow, the second in that duo, is estimated to have a 10-year decline of 25%. Andrew Amoils, head of research at New World Wealth, attributed London's wealth flight to several factors including high capital gains taxes and the allure of financial and tech hubs in Europe and North America. "Brexit has arguably had an exacerbating effect on this," he said of tech entrepreneurs' migration. Paris placed 10th on this year's list with 277 centimillionaires and an estimated high-net-worth population growth of 5% since 2014. Amoils told CNBC he was surprised by EU cities' relatively poor growth rates. Meanwhile, the Global South is making massive strides, accounting for the only cities among the 50 wealthiest Shenzhen, Hangzhou and Dubai that more than doubled their millionaire populations over the past decade. San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area came close with an estimated 98% increase. "Technology now stands as the foremost creator of wealth," said Dominic Volek, Henley & Partners' global head of private clients, in the report. The U.S. accounted for 11 of the world's top 50 wealth hubs, adding nearly 86,000 millionaires and more than 160 centimillionaires in one year. The Bay Area had the highest estimated annual increases in both millionaires (36,700) and centimillionaires (81). The domestic hubs with the highest growth rates over the past decade are in low-tax locales with the exception of the Bay Area and Washington, D.C. Miami's estimated millionaire count of 38,800 is a 94% decade-long increase and a 10% increase year-over-year. Austin's has surged by 90% over the past 10 years to 32,000. Dallas and Houston have 10-year growth rates of 85% and 75%, respectively. New World Wealth projects that Miami will at least double its centimillionaire population of 180 over the next decade. Overseas, other cities expected to accomplish this feat include Dubai (237 centimillionaires currently), Abu Dhabi (75), Bengaluru, India (43), Malta (40) and Lugano, Switzerland (40). The wealth boom in the Middle East is aided by its zero income and capital gains taxes, the report notes. Bengaluru, nicknamed the Silicon Valley of India, is expected to benefit from its tech scene, while Malta and Lugano's prospects highlight the success of investment-based migration programs , per Henley & Partners. DETROIT General Motors is cutting production of its all-electric BrightDrop delivery vans at a plant in Canada and will idle the facility through much of 2025, the company confirmed Friday. The CAMI assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, will be reduced from two shifts to one eliminating 500 jobs after being idled beginning in May for roughly 20 weeks until October, the company said. Battery pack assembly at the plant also will be down the weeks of April 21 and April 28, ahead of the prolonged shutdown, GM said. The Detroit automaker said the decisions are not related to President Donald Trump's tariffs. "This adjustment is directly related to responding to market demand and re-balancing inventory," GM said in an emailed statement. "Production of BrightDrop and EV battery assembly will remain at CAMI." Lana Payne, president of Canadian union Unifor, which represents workers at the plant, described the actions as a "crushing blow to hundreds of working families in Ingersoll and the surrounding region who depend on this plant." "General Motors must do everything in its power to mitigate job loss during this downturn, and all levels of government must step up to support Canadian auto workers and Canadian-made products," Payne said in a release. GM launched BrightDrop as a fully owned subsidiary in 2021, before folding it into the company's fleet business in 2023. It then folded BrightDrop into its Chevrolet brand in 2024. FILE PHOTO: Mahmoud Khalil speaks to members of media about the Revolt for Rafah encampment at Columbia University during the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza, in New York City, U.S., June 1, 2024. A federal judge on Friday ruled that the Trump administration can deport Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil just a month after his arrest prompted national outrage and marked the start of the federal government's broader crackdown on foreign students. Khalil has until April 23 to file for relief. In his ruling, the judge said that "the court will sustain charge of removability." After the judge ruled, Khalil addressed the court, saying: "Nothing more important than due process and fundamental fairness. Neither of those principles were present today. This is exactly why the Trump admin sent me to this court 1,000 miles away from my family." "I hope your urgency for this is to the thousands of people here in this facility," he added. Khalil, who helped lead student protests against the war in Gaza at the Ivy League school last year, was detained on March 8 by federal authorities at his university-owned apartment complex in New York City. He has since been in custody at a Louisiana immigration detention center. Singapore tops LinkedIn's 2025 AI Talent Index, as the country's supply for AI talent is 2.45 the global average. With the rise of artificial intelligence, companies around the world are in a race for strong AI talent and working to upskill their workforces on the technology. This has been top of mind for organizational leaders, as 66% of them say they wouldn't hire someone without AI skills, and 71% say they'd rather hire someone less experienced with AI skills than a more experienced candidate who lacks those skills, according to a 2024 report by Microsoft and LinkedIn which surveyed 31,000 people across 31 countries. In efforts to track the supply of AI talent across countries globally, LinkedIn has released its "AI talent concentration" metric, which is based on the member profile data collected from the professional networking site. LinkedIn considers both AI engineering skills such as machine learning or natural language processing, as well as AI literacy skills such as ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot, as AI talent. Based on 2024 data, these 10 countries have the highest concentration of AI talent compared to the global average, according to Linkedin: Israel (1.98%) Singapore (1.64%) Luxembourg (1.44%) Estonia (1.17%) Switzerland (1.16%) Finland (1.13%) Ireland (1.11%) Germany (1.09%) Netherlands (1.07%) South Korea (1.06%) In 2024, Israel topped the list, as the country's supply of AI talent is 1.98% of its workforce. Singapore follows in second place, as the city-state boasts an AI talent supply that is 1.64% of its workforce, while Luxembourg is in third, showing a supply that is 1.44% of its workforce. Notably, the top six countries in 2024 remain unchanged in their rankings from the year before. Meanwhile, Ireland moved up four places to 7th in rank, and South Korea dropped three in rank to 10th place in 2024. "Many of these countries with the highest AI talent concentration Israel, Singapore, Luxembourg, Estonia are relatively small in terms of population and geographical size, but they are punching above their weight in terms of developing AI talent quickly," said Chua Pei Ying, LinkedIn's APAC head economist. "This may be made possible by building a thriving ecosystem where talent is nurtured when companies are invested in their employees' skill development, and governments create policies that encourage continuous learning," Chua told CNBC Make It. Notably, although India didn't make the top 10 list for AI talent concentration in 2024, the country has seen a staggering 252% increase in this metric between 2016 and 2024, which signals professionals in the country are "actively building their AI-related skills," according to LinkedIn. India has also seen a 33.4% increase year-over-year in AI hiring relative to the overall hiring rate in 2024, signaling the country's demand for AI talent. This is compared to Singapore's 25% and the United States' 24.7% increase. "Singapore's cultural emphasis on learning contributes to its competitive edge in this new era of AI," added Chua. "Our data shows that professionals in Singapore are some of the most avid learners, spending 40% more time picking up AI skills than their counterparts across APAC." Want to make extra money outside of your day job? Sign up for CNBC's online course How to Earn Passive Income Online to learn about common passive income streams, tips to get started and real-life success stories. Plus, sign up for CNBC Make It's newsletter to get tips and tricks for success at work, with money and in life. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that the AI talent numbers for Israel and Singapore are a percentage of their overall respective workforces. Luigi Mangione, the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealth Group chief executive Brian Thompson, appears in Manhattan Supreme Court on New York state murder and terrorism charges in New York City, U.S., Feb. 21, 2025. Lawyer for Luigi Mangione on Friday asked a federal judge in New York to block prosecutors from seeking to impose the death penalty if he is convicted of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione's attorneys said U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi violated his rights to due process by abandoning normal procedures for seeking the death penalty, and that Bondi prejudiced the pool of grand jurors who will be asked by prosecutors to indict Mangione. "The stakes could not be higher. The United States government intends to kill Mr. Mangione as a political stunt," Mangione's attorneys wrote in a new filing in U.S. District Court in Manhattan. Bondi on April 1 said she had ordered federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in the murder case against the 26-year-old University of Pennsylvania graduate. "Luigi Mangione's murder of Brian Thompson an innocent man and father of two young children was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America," Bondi said in a statement issued by the Department of Justice at the time. In their filing Friday, Mangione's lawyers cited Bondi's statement, in which she also had said the death penalty would "carry out President Trump's agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again." Apple is the hardest-hit U.S. technology company by President Donald Trump's hiked-up tariffs on China, according to Wedbush analyst Dan Ives. While Trump this week scaled back tariff plans on most other countries, he has pushed the levy on China up to 145%. China has raised its tax on goods from the U.S. to 125% in response, bolstering fears of a burgeoning trade war between the two large countries. "No [U.S.] tech company is more negatively impacted by these tariffs than Apple," Ives wrote to clients on Friday. About 90% of iPhones are manufactured and assembled in China, according to the analyst. If these tariffs remain in place for more than a few weeks, he said U.S. consumers can see iPhone prices jump to at least $2,000. Beyond the iconic smartphone, Ives estimated that more than 50% of Apple's Macs and between 75% and 80% of its iPads are also produced in China. "Apple has diversified its supply chain to other parts of the world," he added, citing Vietnam, India and the U.S. as examples. But "the hearts and lungs of the Apple supply chain are cemented in Asia." AAPL 1M mountain Apple shares in April Ives' estimate comes as Wall Street and Silicon Valley wonder how Apple will respond to the stark change in trade policy, which the analyst referred to as an "Armageddon." Apple shares have tumbled more than 14% so far in April, making it the worst performer in the "Magnificent Seven" during this period. The White House asserted this week that the U.S. is up to the task of producing the iPhone domestically , but supply chain experts and analysts have said that is a highly unlikely outcome of the tariffs. Ives previously said a U.S.-made iPhone would cost around $3,500 . "Apple is in the eye of this storm," Ives wrote. "Cupertino has no choice but to price iPhones at $2k+ if these tariffs stick for more than a few weeks." 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! A slowdown in graphics processing unit sales could keep gains in check for Nvidia , according to Citi. The bank cut its price target on the artificial intelligence darling to $150 per share from $163. Citi kept its buy rating on the stock, and the new target signals 39% upside. Citi's lower price target comes as the firm also slashed its overall forecast for GPU sales in 2025 and 2026 by 3% and 5%, respectively, given it expects hyperscalers to slow down spending, which Microsoft has already done. "Our revised outlook is based on our expectations that MSFT's FY26 capex will likely contract, instead of grow, following multiple reports the company is pulling back on data center projects," analyst Atif Malik said. NVDA YTD mountain Nvidia stock in 2025. Rising trade tensions can also cap Nvidia gains, Malik said. "We expect NVIDIA margins to be moderately impacted by tariffs," he said. There's a "higher risk of pause in enterprise investments amid uncertainty around the global economy due to ongoing trade war." "That said, the company is likely to benefit from the USMCA exemption," he added. Nvidia has pulled back nearly 20% in 2025, as part of a larger rout of the technology sector. The S & P 500 tech sector is down more than 17% year to date due in part to pressure from President Donald Trump's tariffs that have stoked concern over a possible recession. 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! Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. Wall Street's wild week: Stocks rallied Friday as investors tracked the latest developments in the U.S.-China trade war. The White House on Friday afternoon signaled that it's hopeful China will seek a deal with the U.S. That comment follows Beijing earlier Friday raising its tariffs on the U.S. to Friday to 125% from 84%, in response to President Donald Trump upping the duty rate on Chinese imports to 145%. These are some of several headlines that have caused major stock averages to whipsaw this week on economic and policy uncertainty. Case in point: On Wednesday, the S & P 500 secured its third-largest advance in a single session since World War II, but then gave back a large chunk of those gains during the Thursday sell-off. Monday and Tuesday also saw big swings intraday. Through it all, the S & P 500 is still set to close the week more than 5% higher, its best weekly performance since the week of the November election. As for the Club's portfolio, Wells Fargo and BlackRock swung throughout Friday trading following first-quarter earnings reports in the morning. Wells Fargo shares fell as much as 5% after the bank posted slightly lower-than-expected quarterly revenues and a decline in net interest income. These losses narrowed to 1% by the afternoon, coinciding with the broader market rally picking up steam. Meanwhile, shares of BlackRock added nearly 3% after reporting solid results for the January-to-March period despite a rocky operating environment. Our views on both financial names haven't changed after the results. Chipping away: In one of the most volatile weeks in Wall Street's history, our two chipmakers stand out as the best-performing Club stocks: Broadcom has jumped more than 22% week to date while Nvidia has advanced around 17%. It partially reflects the dynamic we highlighted earlier this week: When the market bounces back from a steep sell-off, some of the hardest-hit names tend to lead the way higher. Broadcom and Nvidia both dropped around 15% during last week's two-day plunge on Trump's initial "reciprocal" tariff announcement placing them in the bottom third of the portfolio during that stretch. They surged during Wednesday's tariff reprieve rally. Based on Friday's intraday prices, Broadcom is solidly above where it traded on April 2, the day Trump unveiled his aggressive tariff plans after the close. Nvidia has erased almost all of its tariff-driven losses from last week. Still, both stocks are down more than 25% from their respective highs of the year. Broadcom and Nvidia also benefited this week from some positive headlines that involve both companies. On Friday, in particular, the stocks were bouncing in part due to news that China's tariffs on chips will be based on where they are manufactured, not where they are shipped from. For Broadcom, the company announced a $10 billion stock buyback program that needs to be completed by year-end. If the stock starts getting hit again, the company will likely be in there buying, which should help support the share price. Google-parent Alphabet , which has long used Broadcom's design services for its custom AI chips, also reaffirmed its plans to spend around $75 billion building data centers this year. On the Nvidia front, there was a report that Trump may not crackdown on shipments of its made-for-China AI chip known as the H20 a fear lingering in the marketplace ever since the emergence of Chinese AI startup DeepSeek showed off impressive capabilities earlier this year. While Citigroup on Friday cut its price target on Nvidia to $150 a share to reflect the possibility that data center spending could moderate due to economic uncertainty something we find plausible since every company is likely examining its capital expenditure plans to account for the geopolitical headwinds it's worth noting that $150 would still be an all-time closing high for the stock. Plus, analysts reiterated their buy rating on shares of the chipmaker. Up next: First quarter earnings season continues next week. Club holding Goldman Sachs reports Monday, and fellow portfolio name Abbott Labs will post results before Wednesday's opening bell. There's a slew of economic data for investors to parse through as well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics will release its monthly import and export price indexes early Tuesday morning, which tracks changes in the prices of goods and services traded between the U.S. and other countries. Meanwhile, the Census Bureau's retail sales report will be released next Wednesday, offering investors a read on consumer spending trends. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading. Frontier Group Shares dropped 5.6% after the airline cut its first-quarter outlook and pulled its full-year outlook, citing weaker-than-expected demand and economic uncertainty. Stellantis Stellantis shares dipped about 0.5% after the company said its global shipments fell to 1.2 million vehicles in the first quarter, representing a year-over-year decline of 9%. The drop was primarily due to lower North American production, extended holiday downtime in January, product transitions and lower van sales in Europe, Stellantis said in a press release. JPMorgan The stock advanced 4% following the bank's revenue beat for the first quarter . JPMorgan reported revenue of $46.01 billion for the quarter, while analysts surveyed by LSEG had penciled in $44.11 billion. CEO Jamie Dimon also cautioned that the U.S. economy is facing "considerable turbulence." Morgan Stanley The bank stock rose 1.4% despite posting first-quarter results that exceeded analysts' expectations . Morgan Stanley earned $2.60 per share on revenue of $17.74 billion, while analysts surveyed by LSEG had forecasted earnings of $2.20 per share and revenue of $16.58 billion. Wells Fargo Shares shed nearly 1% after the bank's first-quarter earnings saw a 16% increase compared with the prior-year period. Revenue, however, missed analysts' expectations, with Wells Fargo posting $20.15 billion compared with the consensus estimate of $20.75 billion, per LSEG. BlackRock Shares of the asset manager rose 2.3% after first-quarter earnings topped expectations. BlackRock reported $11.30 in adjusted earnings per share, above the $10.14 projected by analysts, according to LSEG. The firm's CEO, Larry Fink, did tell CNBC on Friday that the U.S. economy may already be in a recession. Gold producers Shares of Barrick Gold and Newmont Corp . rallied 7% and 7.9%, respectively, as spot gold hit new all-time highs amid the ongoing market volatility. UBS also upgraded Newmont shares to buy from neutral, citing the improving backdrop for the metal. Apple Apple shares jumped about 4%, notching a roughly 5.2% week-to-date gain after the iPhone maker raked in significant losses this month due to China tariff concerns. Given escalating levies, analysts estimate that Apple could be forced to significantly increase its prices on iPhones sold to the U.S. from China, where it makes the majority of its smartphones. MicroStrategy Shares of the bitcoin proxy, which does business as Strategy, jumped nearly 10.2% as the price of bitcoin climbed on Friday. CNBC's Jesse Pound, Lisa Han, Alex Harring, Yun Li and Sean Conlon contributed reporting. A VIX volatility index chart on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on March 19, 2025. Photographer: Michael Nagle | Bloomberg | Getty Images Already under pressure amid last week's multitrillion-dollar stock market rout, the venture capital industry now faces an even tougher outlook amid ongoing uncertainty stemming from U.S. tariffs. A dearth of initial public offerings or mergers and acquisitions coupled with the trend that startups are now staying private for longer has put immense strain on VC funds. Venture capitalists can typically only realize gains on their investments when a company goes public or is sold, allowing them to cash out. Mere days after U.S. President Donald Trump announced plans to impose so-called reciprocal tariffs on a swathe of countries, it emerged that two major tech unicorns fintech firm Klarna and ticketing platform StubHub were delaying plans to go public due to a sharp plunge in global equity markets. Notably, both companies had filed initial public offering prospectuses in recent weeks. "No one can go out with this turbulence," Tobias Bengtsdahl, a partner at VC firm Antler's Nordics fund, told CNBC on a call Thursday. "When the market plunges like it has now ... you have to do the same prediction on the private markets." Tough outlook for VC As private markets don't move in the same way public markets do, it becomes more difficult for tech startups to go out and raise capital whether from the stock market or venture capital as they could end up seeing their valuations go down. watch now "We don't change the valuations of our startups just because the stock market goes down," Antler's Bengtsdahl said. Venture-backed startups' valuations only tend to change when they're raising a new equity round. "That has a huge impact on funds raising right now and startups raising from multi-stage investors," he added. That could soon make it more difficult for startups and especially growth-stage firms to raise venture capital. Later-stage firms tend to be more exposed to swings in public markets than early-stage startups, given they're closer than most to reaching the IPO milestone. Private markets are less liquid than public markets, meaning investors can't sell shares easily. The main way private equity owners sell part or all of their stake in a company is via an IPO or M&A also known as an "exit." The other alternative is to sell shares to another investor on the secondary market. "[General partners] will be under pressure from [limited partners] to make sure these exits happen," Alex Barr, partner and head of private market fund management firm Sarasin Bread Street, told CNBC Thursday, adding that IPOs remain a "very fickle beast to manage." General partners are investors who manage a venture fund, whereas limited partners are institutional investors like pension funds and hedge funds or high-net-worth individuals who pour money into funds. Limited partners invest in a venture fund in the hope that they'll generate sizable returns over its lifetime, which can span as long as 10 years. Early-stage funds invest in the hope that a few startups in their portfolio will generate the kind of returns outcomes like Uber and Spotify reaped for their private backers. Hope for Europe tech? On the bright side, the uncertainty could be a chance for Europe's private tech startups to shine, according to Sanjot Malhi, a partner at London-based venture capital firm Northzone. "The short-term pause in IPO activity is a natural response to recent market turbulence, and we can expect to have more clarity on company positions once some sense of stability is restored," Malhi told CNBC. He nevertheless added that, "if talent and liquidity find the U.S. environment less hospitable, that flow has to go somewhere, and Europe has a chance to benefit." Christel Piron, CEO of startup investor PSV Foundry, told CNBC that the "silver lining" from uncertainty created by tariffs is how "Europe is moving closer together amid the turbulence." "We're seeing more founders choosing to stay and scale here, driven by a growing sense of responsibility to help build a resilient European tech nation," Piron said. watch now There could also be other routes to exit for venture capital funds, according to Northzone's Malhi including mergers and acquisitions. "If the global IPO window does narrow in the longer term, then we would still expect a strong M&A landscape, as stakeholders seek 'problem-solving' exits," he told CNBC. However, he added, this raises the risk of late-stage firms being forced into so-called "down rounds," where startups raise funds at reduced valuations. "We may also see an increase in later-stage fundraises, as companies look to bridge the capital gap until they can find such opportunities, albeit at potentially lower valuations," Malhi said. Further down the line, investors are holding out hope for big tech IPOs to return later into Trump's presidency. VCs had counted on the Trump administration resulting in a reinvigorated IPO market. "A lot of people feel Trump has promised them open up the IPO market and open up the M&A market," Antler's Bengtsdahl said. "It's now six months into his term," he added, noting the market can tolerate the new administration's failure to meet this pledge in its early days. "But people are demanding that it happens within his term." The recent shake-up in the market amid uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trump's tariffs has provided an attractive buying opportunity for Chevron , according to Matt Maley of Miller Tabak. The firm's chief market strategist joined CNBC's " Power Lunch " on Friday to give his view on the energy giant, as well as two other names he thinks investors should be watching during these volatile times. Here's what Maley had to say. Chevron Chevron shares have taken a hit recently, sliding nearly 5% this week and more than 18% in April. But Maley thinks the stock is reaching oversold levels. "The stuff that's going on with OPEC has been largely priced in, and I just don't think we're going to get the drill, baby, drill here in the U.S. that the president is hoping for because it's just not profitable for these companies to do it," he said. "I still worry that Israel is going to strike Iran, and if they shut down the Strait of Hormuz, we have problems there," the strategist continued. Maley noted that Chevron has a 5% dividend yield. Along with that, the stock has a forward price-to-earnings ratio of around 13, per FactSet. "This is something that will pay you while you wait during all this market volatility," he added. Pfizer When it comes to the broader market, Maley thinks there is room for it to "fall further" from here, prompting him to look at more defensive names such as Pfizer . The pharmaceutical giant has a P/E ratio over the next 12 months of around 7, leading Maley to say that "it's a nice, cheap stock." Pfizer has a dividend yield of nearly 8%. "Some of their drugs their heart drug, their cancer drug [are] doing very well," Maley continued. Similar to Chevron, Pfizer has also shed nearly 5% this week, coming under pressure as Trump said Tuesday that a "major" tariff on pharmaceuticals is going to be announced " very shortly ." Amazon While there are some concerns around consumer confidence, Maley stresses that Amazon is "much more than just a consumer company." "This is another one where the return on investment they're going to have on [artificial intelligence] is going to be a lot better than it is for say like a Microsoft," the strategist said. Even as the stock is not "wildly cheap," it is still "very reasonable," Maley said. He recommends buying a stock like this "once or twice a month every month for the rest of the year," adding that "your average price at the end of the year is going to look really good three years from now." "It's impossible to get the exact bottom on the stock, but this is such a great franchise, such a great company, such a great management. I think [if] you play it like that in a gradual way, you'll do very, very well," he continued. Shares of this "Magnificent Seven" name have surged 8% this week, outpacing the broader market. That said, they have still fallen more than 15% this year. 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! A ship carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) is towed out of the Port of Rotterdam on January 13, 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. President Donald Trump has opened a potential pathway for trade partners to avoid higher tariffs buy more energy from the U.S. Trump paused "reciprocal" tariffs on countries except China on Wednesday in an attempt to pull back from a full-blown global trade war. Most nations now face a base tariff rate of 10% and have a three-month period to negotiate bilateral deals with the U.S. to avoid higher duties on their goods. Trump says he wants to slash the U.S. trade deficit and achieve what he calls "energy dominance." He linked those two goals Monday, demanding that the European Union buy $350 billion of American energy to erase its trade surplus with the U.S. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said the U.S. had a goods trade deficit of $235.6 billion with the EU in 2024. "They're going to have to buy our energy from us, because they need it," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We can knock off $350 billion in one week," the president said. The European Union faces a 20% tariff rate if it does not reach a deal with Trump. The U.S. is the largest oil and gas producer in the world. It is the third-largest crude exporter and the largest liquefied natural gas exporter in the world. Energy represented about 15% of total U.S. exports in 2024, according to research from Barclays. LNG is "the commodity where there's room for countries to increase their energy imports from the US," Barclays analysts led by Betty Jiang told clients in a Tuesday note. Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., questions Brooke Rollins, President Donald Trump's nominee to be Agriculture secretary, during her Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee confirmation hearing in Dirksen building on Thursday, January 23, 2025. "Specifically, we ask the SEC to determine whether President Trump, any members of his cabinet, or other donor, insiders, and Administration officials engaged in insider trading, market manipulation, or other securities laws violations on April 9, 2025, when President Trump announced that it was a "GREAT TIME TO BUY" into the stock market," the Democrats said in a letter . A group of Senate Democrats on Friday asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate President Donald Trump and others for "potential violations of securities law" related to the president's announcement this week of a pause in so-called reciprocal tariffs on imports from many countries. U.S. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) speaks during a news conference on Senate Republicans Budget Resolution legislation at the U.S. Capitol on April 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. "President Trump's statement came just hours before he announced a 90-day pause on his recently-announced tariffs, leading to a historic market rally after days of dramatic market declines," the letter said. The letter was signed Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Arizona Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego, as well as Sen. Adam Schiff of California and Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden. An SEC spokesperson declined to comment. CNBC has requested comment from the White House on the letter. On Thursday, White House spokesman Kush Desai dismissed comments from Schiff and other Democrats raising concerns about possible insider trading related to Trump's pause. "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 China's cheating for decades, and now they're playing partisan games instead of celebrating President Trump's decisive action yesterday to finally corner China," he said. This is developing news. Check back for updates. ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright is not worried about falling oil prices and their impact on America's shale oil industry, and is stressing that the coming years should be a time of energy abundance for the world's largest economy. "The U.S. shale industry is going to is going to survive and thrive," Wright said in an interview with CNBC's Dan Murphy in the United Arab Emirates' capital Abu Dhabi. "But of course," he added, "investment decisions are going to be tailored if prices stay long for stay this low for a long period of time. But I'm quite bullish on the U.S. industry." Oil prices have come under pressure amid lower global demand, mounting uncertainty over tariffs, and greater supply on the market from both OPEC and non-OPEC countries with lower revenues threatening the viability of shale producers. The June expiry contract of global benchmark Brent crude was trading at $63.51 per barrel on Friday at 1:43 p.m. in London, up 0.28% from the Thursday settlement. The front-month May U.S. WTI contract was at $60.26 per barrel, higher by 0.32% from the previous day's close price. Both contracts are down roughly 22% in the last year. To make his point, Wright referenced the 2014 to 2016 period, during which a boom in shale production coincided with lower global demand and brought oil prices down 70%. The industry was forced to grapple with a tidal wave of bankruptcies. But the energy secretary took an optimistic angle. "In 2015 and 2016 oil prices twice hit $28 [per barrel], and what happened? What did the U.S. shale industry do in that time innovate, get smarter, drive their costs down, and that's what's happening right now," Wright said. Commodities analysts estimate that U.S. crude needs to stay above $65 per barrel to keep shale producers in business. Goldman Sachs this week lowered its oil price forecast for U.S. WTI to $58 per barrel by December 2025 and $51 per barrel by December 2026, down from a previous outlook of $66 per barrel this year and $59 per barrel in 2026. European stock markets are holding up significantly better than their American peers amid the escalating tit-for-tat trade war between the world's largest economies. While the S & P 500 has fallen nearly 11% year-to-date, European indices have fared considerably better. The STOXX Europe 600 is down just 4.4%, France's CAC 40 has slipped 4%, Britain's FTSE 100 has declined nearly 3% and Italy's FTSE MIB is down just 0.9%. Germany's DAX is even in positive territory, holding up 2.4%. Tariffs and politics Wall Street banks predict that the economic damage from the trade war initiated by the United States will be less severe in Europe than in America, which is likely reflected in the stock market's performance. "Our economists highlight that the US tariff increases announced this week could lower global GDP growth by at least 50 [basis points], with a potential 100-150bps drag to US GDP growth, a 100bps drag to China and a 40-60bps drag to Euro area GDP growth," said Sebastian Raedler, head of European equity strategy at Bank of America in a note to clients. "This comes against the backdrop of US growth that has already started to weaken recently on the back of softening consumer spending," Raedler added. Another key factor in Europe's outperformance is the region's relatively stable political environment, according to Gerry Fowler, head of European equity strategy at UBS. "Europe continues to offer lower policy delivery uncertainty, and also lower policy outcome uncertainty compared to the U.S.," Fowler told clients on April 9. "Europe didn't underperform the U.S. like it usually might, as investors have been expecting. That resilience matters and sets the stage for renewed European outperformance as net international investment position repatriation continues." In addition, fiscal stimulus is also creating a buffer that helps insulate European markets from global trade disruptions, according to Bank of America's Raedler. The strategist pointed to Germany's $500 billion fiscal expansion for infrastructure investment as being particularly influential in supporting its markets. Stock market composition The composition of European markets with different sector weightings than American indexes has also contributed to their relative strength. European equities have stronger representation in sectors considered more resilient to tariffs, including capital goods, which manufacture goods that are sold in the United States, according to UBS. Siemens , Schneider Electric and ABB are some of the companies in the sector. "We also like construction materials supported by both public and private sector investment cycles, and we are positive on enablers of that cycle, including copper miners, which are exposed to infrastructure, electrification, and the energy transition," said UBS' Fowler. European stocks also entered this period of uncertainty with more modest valuations than their American counterparts, creating what analysts call a "lower hurdle" for positive returns. The global sell-off in equities further pushed valuations down from around 14 times forward price-to-earnings (P/E) to a "bear case" scenario valuation multiple of 12 times P/E, according to Berenberg's analysts. This more conservative starting point means European markets had less room to fall. "A combination of 5% [earnings per share] growth and a return to a long-term P/E average of 14x would deliver 20-25% European equity returns over the next 12 months," said Berenberg's Jonathan Stubbs on April 7. Risks Despite Europe's current outperformance, analysts warn that challenges remain. Deutsche Bank cautioned that "damage to full-year European earnings has likely already been done by the loss in consumer and corporate confidence," though the degree depends on if, when, and by how much tariff policies might change. Berenberg also pointed to other risks such as the potential for an unexpected flare-up in the Ukraine war. The flags of the European Union (L) and China stand side by side at the Chancellery on June 20, 2023 in Berlin, Germany. Sean Gallup | Getty Images News | Getty Images China and the European Union are unlikely to become close allies quickly, analysts say, even as U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs sour relations between the world's largest economy and both its transatlantic allies and Beijing. "I don't see the EU and China uniting against the US," Max Bergmann, director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) said. On a geopolitical level, the two powers might be open to more engagement, but economic clashes and existing issues related to trade and competition are a major hurdle, he explained. "The potential for EU and China economic alignment is limited as both are export-driven economies and are therefore fierce competitors, especially in the automotive and clean tech sectors," Bergmann noted. "I think there will be interest on both sides but deep practical constraints for both. Unless China is willing to make some big concessions, I struggle to see the EU uniting behind a strategy of deeper engagement." EU-China tensions The EU and China have a fractious relationship. While China is one of the EU's biggest trading partners besides the U.S., economic relations between the two have also historically been characterized by investigations and tit-for-tat measures linked to trade. The EU has long alleged that Beijing subsidizes key sectors such as electric vehicles, batteries and steel and aluminum in a way that is harmful to global markets and competitiveness. Last year, the EU hit China with tariffs on electric vehicles, as a result. In what were deemed retaliatory moves, Beijing then launched anti-dumping probes into EU exports of pork and brandy, as well as an anti-subsidy investigation into EU dairy products. And it is not only trade that is causing tensions in the EU-China relationship, Carsten Nickel, managing director at Teneo, told CNBC. He added that there are "fundamental differences" between the two "regardless of what is going on with the U.S." "That has to do with unresolved questions around overcapacity in China. It has to do with ongoing misgivings in the European Parliament, especially regarding the human rights situation, and it has to do with concerns over China's support for for Russia and Ukraine," he explained. Ian Bremmer, founder and president of the Eurasia group, also pointed out that there is a "deep" European mistrust toward China in areas like intellectual property and technological surveillance, as well as industrial policy. This "doesn't go away with the United States becoming an adversary," he told CNBC. Bonding attempts China could nevertheless try and use the opportunity of loosening U.S.-EU ties to try and forge a closer bond with the EU, analysts suggest. "China especially will see an opportunity to break up the transatlantic alliance and pull Europe closer," CSIS' Bergmann said. On the flipside, some Europeans may be imagining "hedging between the US and China and maybe getting China to reduce its support for the Russian defense industry and opening up economically," he added. China and the EU appear to have been drawn closer recently. Just on Thursday, it was reported that the two were planning to look into setting minimum prices for Chinese-made electric vehicles in place of the EU's tariffs. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, and called for a more balanced relationship afterward. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also visited Europe earlier this year, advocating for closer ties and deeper cooperation. Earlier this week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Chinese Premier Li Qiang spoke on the phone although the EU chief "emphasised China's critical role in addressing possible trade diversion caused by tariffs" and urged Beijing to work towards a negotiated solution to the issues caused by tariffs, a readout from the European Commission suggested. The language used around the call from the European side appeared "softer" than in the past, Teneo's Nickel noted. Change ahead? Apple chartered six planes to fly 600 tons of iPhones into the US from India to avoid President Donald J. Trumps tariffs, Reuters reports. Thats an estimated equivalent of up to 1.5 million smartphones. The company relies on iPhone manufacturers located in both China and India; China has now been hit with tariffs totaling 145% and India tariffs of 26%, though Trump this week paused those on India for 90 days. Apple reportedly negotiated with Indian airport authorities to reduce the customs time at the airport in Chennai from 30 hours to six. Neither Apple nor the Indian aviation authority commented on the matter. You all can hate us on your own dime, said Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene last month, justifying her stance as to why the federal government should no longer fund NPR and PBS, outlets that Greene believes favor left-leaning opinions. A few days later, another Republican introduced a bill to end government support for public broadcasting. Unfortunately, NPR and PBS have grown used to this kind of thing over the years. In 1969, Fred Rogers testified before Congress when it threatened to reduce funding for public broadcasting. In that case, anyway, his heartfelt plea saved more beautiful days in the neighborhood. Even seemingly nonpolitical programming, like preschool treasure Sesame Street, has faced political vitriol over the years. Who could possibly have a problem with Bert, Ernie and Cookie Monster? Try Mississippis State Commission for Educational Television, which decided its public television stations could no longer air the show in 1970, according to The New York Times. Don't Miss Sesame Street, which had already been airing for a few months in the state, got the boot for exactly the reason that you suspect. Some of the members of the commission were very much opposed to showing the series, said one member of the all-white group, because it uses a highly integrated cast of children. Of course, it wasnt only the children who were integrated. Gordon, Susan, Maria and Luis likely made the commission itchy, and the Muppets themselves came in a variety of colors. The spokesperson, who understandably did not want to be identified, said, Mississippi was not yet ready for it. Advertisement Other Mississippi lawmakers agreed with the decision, according to Mental Floss. State representative Tullius Brady expressed concern that the Ford Foundation, which funded educational programming, might try to use it for evil purposes. Once the news hit, however, the commission got plenty of pushback for its blatantly race-based decision, both from inside and outside Mississippi. That deluge of negative criticism forced the board to reverse its ruling only a month later. In addition to the backlash, many Mississippi viewers received broadcast signals from Memphis, New Orleans and Alabama, meaning many families were already watching Sesame Street. Then some local Mississippi channels offered to run the show if public television wouldnt. A ban seemed pointless. The Sesame Street cast put on a free live show in Jackson, Mississippi, later that fall, ironically presented in cooperation with the State Commission for Educational Television, according to The Washington Post. It was not quite an apology, but a display of an uneasy alliance between a progressive show and a conservative board, all in front of an integrated crowd of ecstatic children. 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. Chinese stock market rallying on Thursday with Shanghai Composite Index reclaiming 3,200-point mark Global Times) 10:44, April 11, 2025 The Chinese A-share market continued its rebound on Thursday, with the Shanghai Composite Index closing above 3,200 points after a 1.16 percent gain. The Shenzhen Component Index climbed 2.25 percent and the tech-heavy ChiNext Index rose 2.27 percent. More than 4,900 stocks in the market closed higher, and more than 200 stocks hit the daily limit or rose more than 10 percent. By sector, e-commerce, consumer electronics, baby products, and duty-free companies were among the top gainers. Yang Delong, chief economist at Shenzhen-based First Seafront Fund, told the Global Times on Thursday that many stocks surged sharply, leading to a comprehensive rebound, noting that this came as China firmly announced countermeasures against US unilateral protectionist tariffs, showing unwavering resolve against US coercion. China has launched a raft of measures against the US tariffs, including lifting the additional tariffs on goods imported from the US to 84 percent, and adding a number of US companies to its export control list and its unreliable entity list. Yang noted that China has a complete industrial chain and abundant policy reserves, enabling the country to unleash domestic demand and counterbalance fluctuations in foreign trade. "Meanwhile, institutional investors like insurance and social security funds are expanding their equity investment allocations. Listed companies are planning share increases and repurchases. All these actions boosted confidence in the market," Yang added. While the US tariff policies have disrupted global capital markets, Chinese assets, with their strong resilience, are serving as the ballast of the market, according to several foreign-funded institutions. Meng Lei, a strategist at UBS Securities Co, said in a note sent to the Global Times that since 2024, Chinese regulatory authorities have been promoting the entry of long-term funds into the A-share market. The long-term funds, with their stable management style and long investment horizon, can be the ballast of the market and further stabilize it. Meng estimated that in 2025, the Chinese stock market is expected to witness net capital inflows from various sources. Specifically, insurance companies are projected to bring in 1 trillion yuan ($136 billion), public funds are likely to contribute 590 billion yuan, and the social security fund is anticipated to inject 120 billion yuan. Liu Jinjin, chief China equity strategist at Goldman Sachs, wrote in a note that as external risks intensify, domestic-centered and policy-driven investment opportunities emerge. The recent rally demonstrated the market's confidence that the Chinese economy will not be overly affected by the tariff war, Dong Shaopeng, a senior research fellow at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China, told the Global Times on Thursday. "For the same reason, foreign investors are bullish on China. This is because China has a relatively stable market and stable policy expectations. Moreover, the growth in consumption and investment is also clear," Dong added. Between 9 am on Wednesday and 8 am on Thursday, 15 more centrally administered state-owned enterprises announced shareholding increases and repurchases, a display of optimism about the capital market that strengthened investors' confidence, according to a post on the WeChat account of the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council. China's financial market regulators and the state-backed "national team" have acted swiftly to ensure stock market stability. Central Huijin, a state-owned investment company, has emphasized its commitment to acting as a stabilizer in the market, pledging to "step in decisively when necessary to curb abnormal fluctuations." While the People's Bank of China, the central bank, has said that it firmly supports Central Huijin in increasing its holdings of stock market index funds and will provide the investor with sufficient re-lending support when necessary, resolutely maintaining the smooth operation of the capital market. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) Amid the Trump-induced turmoil in the international markets, and the many other cares of government, there was one commitment I prayed Sir Keir Starmer would quietly ditch, in the way that he has abandoned so many others since he came to office. This was his manifesto pledge to follow the example of the Scottish and Welsh governments in lowering the voting age to 16. Was it too much to hope this would go the way of so many other solemn promises on which he has ratted since the realities of power kicked in, such as his vows to smash the people-smuggling gangs, abolish tuition fees, set up a 28 billion Green Investment Fund and impose no tax increases on working people? Alas, it seems that it was. We will definitely get it done, he told the Commons Liaison Committee this week. Its a manifesto commitment and we intend to honour it. Well, that makes a change, I suppose. But in this case, I certainly wouldnt call it a change for the better. Indeed, you have to wonder if advocates for reducing the voting age have ever met the average British 16-year old. All right, a few in their mid-teens are deeply thoughtful, rational and responsible. But if my four now grown-up sons were any guide to the species, a typical conversation with any one of them at that age would go something like this: Me: Where are you off to? Teenager: Out. Me: I can see that, but where in particular? Teenager: I told you. Out. Me (increasingly exasperated): Will you be home for supper, so that mum knows how much to cook? Teenager: Urgh! What is this, the Spanish Inquisition? Exit teenager, slamming front door behind him. Yet it seems that nothing will shake the PMs determination to press ahead with giving these people the right to choose who should govern you and me. I think that if youre old enough to go out to work, if youre old enough to pay your taxes, he told the committee, then you are entitled to have your say on how your taxes are spent. 'Was it too much to hope this would go the way of so many other solemn promises on which he has ratted since the realities of power kicked in,' asks Tom Utley But hold it right there. As Sir Keir must surely be aware, most 16 and 17-year-olds do precious little paid work, if any at all, since they are still in training or full-time education, living largely or totally at their parents expense. They therefore pay no income tax. Indeed, the Left-leaning Resolution Foundation finds that only a quarter in this age-group have even a traditional part-time job, such as shelf-stacking, serving in restaurants, delivering newspapers or working in a shop. These youngsters, too, are likely to pay no income tax, since the threshold for the basic rate now stands at 12,570 a year a sum very few of them earn. This means that when they get the vote in general elections, as now seems inevitable, they wont be voting on how their (non-existent) taxes are spent, as Sir Keir maintains. No, they will be voting on how other peoples taxes are spent. A brief digression: I thought it was a big mistake by the coalition government, under David Cameron and Nick Clegg, to start raising the tax-free personal allowance dramatically, from 6,475 in 2010-11 to 10,000 just five years later. My objection was not so much the 10.7 billion annual cost of the measure, though that was painful enough, as the fact that it took 2.7 million workers out of tax altogether. This meant that these people could vote for the parties promising the most recklessly spendthrift policies, knowing that they wouldnt be called upon to foot the bill. Im not saying for one moment that everyone should be taxed at the extortionate rates charged to middle and high earners. But even a very modest monthly deduction from low-paid workers wage packets would bring home the message, more powerfully than any stealth tax, that no government largesse comes without a cost. Which brings me back to those teenaged non-taxpayers whom Sir Keir wants to enfranchise. No wonder so many of them are mad keen on such policies as green taxes, free tuition, lavish state handouts and limitless funding for the NHS, when they know that only wage-earners will have to pay for them. No taxation without representation, was the battle-cry of our American colonists, when they rose up against George III in the final quarter of the 18th century. And quite right they were, say I. But havent taxpayers an equal right to demand: No representation without taxation? In fact, I reckon it would be a better idea if Sir Keir were to push the voting age back to 21, where it stood before that cynical old fox, Labours Harold Wilson, brought it down to 18 in 1969. I write with some feeling, since my boys were all Lefties when they were first given the vote (and for all I know, they remain so to this day, though they are now old enough to know better). This meant that no sooner had I cast my vote for the local Tory than they would trot off to the polling station to cancel it out at least, on those occasions when they could be bothered. As many other parents will testify, its a bitter experience to be effectively disenfranchised by ones own progeny, especially when they enjoy free board, clothing and lodging, courtesy of the Bank of Mum and Dad. Taxation aside, however, arent there many other reasons why Sir Keir should think again? After all, the law doesnt trust the under-18s to buy alcohol, tobacco products, fireworks for outdoor use or 18-rated games and videos. Nor can they marry without parental consent, or drive before they turn 17. If the head of Britains largest teaching union gets his way (and we can assume that he knows a thing or two about teenagers), we should add a statutory ban on smartphones in school, for pupils of all ages. Says Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, this would be to protect the impressionable young from hardcore pornography and other evil influences of the internet. Bearing all this in mind, what conceivable sense can it make to trust the under-18s with the oh-so-grown-up business of choosing who should govern us? And thats not even to mention the fact the human brain isnt fully developed at 18. Indeed the prefrontal cortex, said by scientists to be crucial for decision-making and impulse control, doesnt develop fully until the age of about 25. But if none of these arguments persuades Sir Keir, perhaps one last one will. Like Sir Harold Wilson before him, no doubt he calculates that the youngest voters, brainwashed at school by woke teachers, will always tend to lean to the Left. But dont bank on that, Prime Minister. As shown by the results of the European parliamentary elections last summer, young voters throughout the continent are turning increasingly to anti-immigration, ultra-conservative parties, in their frustration over their betrayal by the centre-Left Establishment. Oh, and Sir Harold Wilsons hopes of rigging the electorate to favour Labour came to nothing. For at the election immediately after he lowered the voting age to 18, the voters unceremoniously kicked him out. Moral: be careful what you wish for, Sir Keir. Sir Jim Mackeys mid-afternoon snoozeathon is embarrassing for him and for the NHS he helps to lead. Here is a man paid handsomely to help turn around the failing health service. And yet he does not choose to run this vast, dysfunctional organisation with its 1.5million staff and 186billion budget from an operational nerve centre. Instead, he has embraced work from home culture and logs in from the comfort of a first-class carriage on the East Coast mainline. Let us not forget the vast majority of frontline NHS workers do not have the opportunity to work remotely. They drag themselves to our hospitals day in, day out to tend to the sick. Remember, too, how hundreds of thousands of patients a year spend interminable hours on a hospital trolley waiting for a bed, desperately willing for a chance to sleep as peacefully as Sir Jim. Corridor care is just one of the NHS crises that he should be grappling with vigorously, rather than reading a few emails on a train and kipping in front of Netflix. Perhaps he has struck a contractual agreement which allows him to pop between Northumberland and London. But surely the real question is how this situation comes to be allowed in the first place? Sir Jim Mackeys mid-afternoon snoozeathon is embarrassing for him and for the NHS he helps to lead Here is a man paid handsomely to help turn around the failing health service He has embraced work from home culture and logs in from the comfort of a first-class carriage on the East Coast mainline The answer, of course, is that there is an insidious attitude among some public sector workers that the taxpayer somehow owes them a living. Just last month it emerged the office of Environment Agencys 175,000-a-year boss Philip Duffy insisted his site visits should start at 10am because he is not an early bird. And in February the new borders watchdog John Tuckett, with a salary of up to 130,000 a year, said he planned to work part of the time from his home in Finland, before Downing Street quickly intervened to put a stop to it. Perhaps its the huge salaries and gold-plated pensions enjoyed by many civil servants that help create this deeply unproductive malaise. Weak disciplinary measures mean even sub-standard employees are almost impossible to remove. And, most importantly, perhaps it is the civil services own indifference towards addressing any of these issues because of its own self-interest. Labour has already announced civil service cuts including the abolition of NHS England. But it remains to be seen how many superfluous roles are actually scrapped and how many are simply moved to another government department. In any event, civil servants would do well to remember who pays their salaries and, at the very least, do us the honour of not sleeping on the job. Today's emergency recall of Parliament leaves Sir Keir Starmers Government looking distinctly ill-prepared MPs and peers will debate special measures to seize control of Britains last-remaining steelworks in the first Saturday recall since Argentinas invasion of the Falklands in 1982. Pictured: British Steel's Scunthorpe site Avert this crisis now Today's emergency recall of Parliament leaves Sir Keir Starmers Government looking distinctly ill-prepared. MPs and peers will debate special measures to seize control of Britains last-remaining steelworks in the first Saturday recall since Argentinas invasion of the Falklands in 1982. Whitehalls finest brains should have been able to anticipate British Steels Chinese owners may not have been willing to bend over backwards for the UK Government. This predicament should serve as a warning that Britain must be alive to the implications of having our key industries under foreign control. At a time of growing global unease, we need more self-sufficiency when it comes to natural resources, infrastructure and so on. And we must always have a back-up plan if things go awry. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Women are constantly flocking to social media pages to ask about the best first date tips, whether it's what to wear, the right questions to ask, or how to style their hair. Many times, women take to Reddit to ask for advice 'on how to look and smell great without being too over the top,' with fellow daters weighing in - telling them it's best to do 'medium make up [that's] not too heavy.' Commenters even get into specifics, telling singles they should make sure they don't go 'too heavy on the eyeshadow,' and opt for 'a clean girl aesthetic so your true beauty shines through.' They also suggest avoiding any type of harsh red lip and instead using a lip tint or oil because 'even when it wears off from eating or kissing you know you'll still look cute.' Carmindy Beauty 5-Minute Face Bundle This is everything you need to bring your face to life and achieve the perfect first date look! With a highlighter, blush, eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick, Carmindy's gorgeous kit makes it easy to achieve a natural and flattering face that revs up your confidence. Shop FEMAIL reached out to beauty experts to find out the easiest ways to guarantee your glam stays put and looks natural on a first date - and why avoiding a red lip and loads of glitter is the way to go. From swapping heavy contour for dewy, natural skin to experimenting with a sexy smokey eye, this is what celebrity makeup artists and beauty brand founders guarantee will lead to a confident glow. Makeup artist Carmindy Kathryn Bowyer, 54, suggests a natural look with 'no contour, no big fake lashes and no over-lined lips' and explained exactly how to scientifically mirror the look of love. FEMAIL reached out to beauty experts to find out the easiest ways to guarantee your glam stays put and looks natural on a first date - and why avoiding a red lip and loads of glitter is the way to go (stock photo) Many times, women take to Reddit to ask for advice 'on how to look and smell great without being too over the top,' with fellow daters weighing in - telling them it's best to do 'medium make up [that's] not too heavy' and avoid glitter (stock photo) When the MUA artist went on first dates, she opted for Carmindy Beauty 5 Minute Face 5 Piece Collection, which was specifically 'created to mimic the look of love' When the MUA artist went on first dates, she opted for Carmindy Beauty 5 Minute Face 5 Piece Collection, which was specifically 'created to mimic the look of love.' The collection includes mascara for eyelash batting, highlighter for a radiant glow 'as your energy shifts,' blush since 'your cheeks flush on a cellular level' and lipstick because 'your lips get engorged with blood.' 'Leave your glitter at home as it will be too distracting and also could transfer everywhere by the end of the date including onto them,' Carmindy advised. 'Stay away from bright bold lip colors and goopy sticky gloss.' Laura Geller Quench-n-Tint Lightweight Tinted Moisturizer A gorgeous, your-skin-but-better look you have to see to believe! This lovely formula simply elevates your natural skin tone, illuminating your complexion without feeling too heavy or overdone. Hyaluronic acid adds essential moisture to leave your skin feeling perfectly soft. Shop Instead, she suggested using tinted lip balm for a hint of color and hydration 'so lips look sexy, but it won't deter your potential love from wanted to come in for a kiss.' 'Do not use heavy contour as it shape shifts your face and looks dirty especially when it's on the tip of your nose or ringed around your face. It looks like you are trying too hard and reads insecure,' Carmindy explained. Celebrity makeup artist Steve Kassajikian told DailyMail.com, 'a more glowy, natural look is always a safe bet for a first date.' Steve, who's the Head of Global Artistry at Urban Decay, is a fan of a natural beauty look that lasts, advising using lightweight foundation to conceal and even out the skin before defining the eyes by tight lining the lash line and accentuating with a warm shadow in the crease and a light shimmer shade on the lids. 'Keep the look fresh and monochromatic by using the blush shade on the lips as well, then add gloss on the lips to keep them hydrated and kissable,' Steve advised. One no-no? 'Stay away from doing a heavy eye with a bold lip so the focus can remain on one to give the overall look a better balance.' Celebrity makeup artist and RMS founder Rose-Marie Swift cautioned that 'first dates are not the time to experiment with trends.' Instead, show off a hydrated, natural glow with a little Lip2Cheek on the cheeks and lips, blended in with fingers Laura Geller said when she was dating, 'it always depended on the type of date, but one thing I never skipped was my three Es eyebrows, eyeshadow, and eyelashes.' For casual first dates, she'd keep it simple with Quench-n-Tint Tinted Moisturizer, concealer, blush, and mascara for a fresh, natural glow. 'But if it were a dinner date or something a bit more special, I'd go all out with a full-coverage foundation and a little extra glam,' Laura said. RMS Beauty Living Luminizer Light up your complexion with this instant brightener! It's ideal for illuminating your cheekbones and eyelids to lend your face a natural, lit-from-within radiance that's ideal for date night. Shop RMS Beauty Lip2Check Cream Blush A healthy flush is always attractive, and nothing will boost your confidence more. This two-in-one formula is a dream with its creamy, easy-to-blend consistency and flattering range of colors. Smooth it onto lips and cheeks in seconds for a quick color boost. Shop Celebrity makeup artist and RMS founder Rose-Marie Swift confirmed that it's best to stick with the basics and cautioned that 'first dates are not the time to experiment with trends.' 'You want your skin to look like skin and your lips to look kissable not like they've been shellacked,' the natural beauty guru quipped. She suggested using Living Luminizer on the high points of the face for a lit-from-within radiance, along with Lip2Cheek on the cheeks and lips for an all-night glow. Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Gloss Lip goals! Nothing tops the widely beloved tarte lip gloss to instantly amplify your pout with just the right amount of color and shine. It's available in dozens of colors ranging from neutral to bright, elevating your look and giving you a gorgeous finishing touch and plenty of moisture. Shop Rose-Marie, who was the makeup artist behind the famous Victoria's Secret Angel beauty look, also cautioned against wearing any type of glam 'you'll be worrying about all night.' 'If you're terrified your cat eye is going to smear or your shadow will migrate to your chin, skip it,' she insisted. When Rose-Marie dated she opted for her 'sexy smudge,' which is what she nicknamed her 'smokey eye that's a little on the wrong side so there's a sexiness about it.' To get the look, apply eyeliner straight onto the lash line, with a little lift on the edges, then smudge it out. Lex Smith, the global pro tarte makeup artist, said she recommends 'a fresh, natural look with a touch of soft glam - think radiant skin, flirty lashes, and a kiss-proof lip (tarte's maracuja juicy lip is perfect for that kissable pout)' Lex Smith, 30, the global pro tarte makeup artist, recommends 'a fresh, natural look with a touch of soft glam - think radiant skin, flirty lashes, and a kiss-proof lip (tarte's maracuja juicy lip is perfect for that kissable pout)' for first date, adding that it's all about 'low-maintenance' beauty looks. 'Making sure whatever makeup you are wearing will stay in place is key, lately I've been obsessing over the tubing lash primer, it elongates my lashes while ensuring my mascara won't smudge or flake,' Lex, who's based in Jupiter, Florida, advised. Lex's personal go-to first date look 'is all about glowing skin and soft, romantic touches,' including a ' soft bronze eye, light contour, and a juicy lip (always maracuja juicy lip plump - trust!) never failed me.' 'I'd steer clear of anything that might need constant touch-ups - like super glittery eyes that can transfer or bold lips (like a red) that you might worry about smudging on your glass or your teeth,' Lex said. 'You want to focus on enjoying the moment, not checking a mirror every five minutes.' This is the stranger than fiction true story behind Netflix's latest docuseries Gold & Greed: The Hunt for Fenn's Treasure, which explores the deadly ten-year quest for a real life loot filled to the brim with '$1million worth of riches'. Eighty-year-old art dealer Forrest Fenn created chaos back in 2010 when he buried his fortune in the mountains of Santa Fe. The key to finding the elusive prize in the Yellowstone National Park lay within a cryptic 24-line poem; and adventurous hopefuls gave up their jobs, families - and tragically, even their lives - in pursuit of the hidden reward. It was 10 years until Fenn's goods were finally discovered, with a medical student and former journalist Jonathan 'Jack' Stuef claiming the prize in Wyoming. The docu-series, which is directed by Jared McGilliard and filmed in the aftermath of the find, centres on a few of the die-hard thrillseekers who spent years dedicated to the chase. It also explores Fenn's motivations for hiding the chest, as well as the dark side of the treasure pursuit, notably the fact that five people died while looking for it. Meanwhile, another twist from the docuseries suggested that the hunt may not be over yet. Here, FEMAIL looks at what drove Fenn to bury his riches - and the baffling stories that followed... Forrest Fenn (pictured) hid a treasure chest filled with gold and jewels in the mountains of Santa Fe, leaving behind a cryptic poem for those on the hunt for the fortune Who was Forrest Fenn? Forrest Fenn was born in 1930 and went on to be an air force pilot who fought in the Vietnam War, where he was shot down twice - and survived both times. After his time in the military, he became an antique dealer, based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, with clients like Suzanne Somers, Ralph Lauren, and Michael Douglas. In 1988, Fenn learned he had kidney cancer and was told he had a 20 per cent chance of surviving three years. His illness inspired him to create a legacy - as he thought about how he would be remembered and what he wished to leave behind. He had originally planned to write the cryptic poem, hide the treasure and eventually hike back out to that same location and take his own life; hoping someone would one day discover the riches that remained at his final resting spot. Forrest Fenn was born in 1930 and went on to be an air force pilot who fought in the Vietnam War, where he was shot down twice and survived both times However, after he unexpectedly recovered from the cancer, Fenn decided to hide the treasure anyway - and self published his memoir with the clues. 'It had been so much fun building my collection over the decades, why not let others come searching for some of it while I'm still here, and maybe continue looking for it after I'm gone?' he wrote in his 2010 memoir, The Thrill of the Chase. 'So I decided to fill a treasure chest with gold and jewels, then secret it - leaving clues on how to find it for any searcher willing to try,' he continued. 'I didn't expect it to catch fire like it has, but I think 350,000 people have been looking for the treasure,' Fenn told DailyMail.com in 2018. Speaking of what drove him to create the quest, he explained: 'I went through all of the emotions like everybody else does denial, anger, all of those things. 'But then, after a week or so, I told myself: "Okay if I've got to go, who says I can't take it with me?" 'I had a bunch of stuff, and I had so much fun collecting it over 75 years, why not give somebody else the same opportunity that I had? 'I mean, I'm not going to miss these things. My family has been cared for. And so I got this beautiful little treasure chest; I gave $25,000 for it, and I started. Fenn filled an antique treasure chest (pictured) with a heap of treasures he had accumulated over the years, including gold nuggets, gold pieces and coins 'My problem was, I wanted it to be valuable, but I also wanted it to be survivable, also. That boils down to gold, essentially, and precious gems.' He added: 'I've given to charity, and everybody else has, too. That's been done. I wanted to do something that would last. 'I wanted to introduce the Rocky Mountains to people flatlanders that'd go back over and over again. I mean, if I gave to a charity, that'd be the end of it.' He died in Santa Fe of natural causes at 90 in 2020. His wife, Peggy died later that year. The couple had two daughters, and multiple grandchildren. What was in Forrest Fenn's treasure chest? Fenn filled an antique lock box with a heap of treasures he had accumulated over the years, including gold nuggets, gold pieces and coins - claiming there were at least $1 million of gold. It has even been estimated to in total be worth up to $2 million, Business Insider revealed. The box's treasures were also said to include ancient Chinese carved jade figures, a Spanish 17th-century gold ring and an antique gold bracelet set with 254 rubies, six emeralds, two Ceylon sapphires and several small diamonds. Also allegedly included were approximately 476 gold pieces, coins, jewellery, and other precious artefacts. Fenn spent years building the box, and eventually hid it in the Rocky Mountains in around 2010. What did Forrest Fenn's poem say? The poem in his memoir contained nine clues, which 'if followed precisely' would lead to the location of his hidden treasure The poem in his memoir contained nine clues, which 'if followed precisely' would lead to the location of his hidden treasure. He told people to read the poem 'six, eight, 10 times, study every line, every word', in a 2011 interview with Lorena Mills from Report. He added: 'You can find the chest with just the clues, but there are hints in the book that will help you with the clues.' The poem read: 'As I have gone alone in there. And with my treasures bold, I can keep my secret where, And hint of riches new and old. 'Begin it where warm waters halt, And take it in the canyon down, Not far, but too far to walk. 'Put in below the home of Brown. From there it's no place for the meek, The end is drawing ever nigh; There'll be no paddle up your creek, Just heavy loads and water high. 'If you've been wise and found the blaze, Look quickly down, your quest to cease, But tarry scant with marvel gaze, Just take the chest and go in peace. 'So why is it that I must go, And leave my trove for all to seek? The answer I already know, I've done it tired, and now I'm weak. Fenn spent years building the treasure box, and eventually hid it in the Rocky Mountains in around 2010 'So hear me all and listen good, Your effort will be worth the cold. If you are brave and in the wood, I give you title to the gold.' In addition to the cryptic poem and hints in his memoir, Fenn let a few details slip over the years saying the treasure is at least 8.25 miles north of Santa Fe and that it's above an elevation of 5,000 feet. Key elements mentioned in the poem are 'warm waters halt,' 'the blaze,' 'canyon down' and 'home of Brown' all of which are open to interpretation by searchers, who have traced them to landmarks across Colorado, New Mexico, Montana and Wyoming. One of the major clues was that it's at a location that was reachable by a man 79 years old, which was Forrest's age when he hid the chest. How dangerous was Forrest Fenn's treasure hunt? The hunt for Fenn's treasure became extremely dangerous, taking amateur searchers into rugged and perilous terrain. At least five people died while searching for the treasure. Police officials had publicly implored Fenn to end the treasure hunt, saying it was a danger to public safety. Michael Sexson, 53, from Deer Park, and his companion, an unnamed 65-year-old man from Thornton, had set out in March 2020 to look for the riches in a remote section of Dinosaur National Monument - the same area where the pair of adventurers had become trapped in the snow in late February and had to be rescued. The hunt for Fenn's treasure became extremely dangerous, taking amateur searchers into rugged and perilous terrain On this occasion, by the time rescuers tracked down the two treasure hunters, who had been reported missing four days earlier, Sexson had died. His companion, who was said to be wearing more weather-appropriate gear, survived the ordeal and was airlifted to safety. Elsewhere, Randy Bilyeu went missing in January 2016 and was found dead in July that year. His body was discovered by workers along the Rio Grande, and an autopsy could not determine cause of death. Bilyeu's ex-wife has publicly stated her belief that the Fenn Treasure is a hoax. Jeff Murphy, 53, of Batavia, Illinois, was found dead in Yellowstone National Park on June 9, 2017 after falling about 500 feet down a steep slope. The investigation by Yellowstone officials into Murphy's death was kept private, but KULR-TV obtained it through a Freedom of Information Act request in February 2018. The investigative report revealed Murphy's wife told park authorities that Murphy was looking for the treasure when she called to report him missing. Pastor Paris Wallace, of Grand Junction, Colorado, told family members that he was searching for a buried treasure, but he failed to show up for a planned family meeting on June 14, 2017. His car was found parked near the Taos Junction Bridge and his body was found five to seven miles downstream along the Rio Grande. At least five people died while searching for the treasure. Police officials had publicly implored Fenn to end the treasure hunt, saying it was a danger to public safety Eric Ashby, 31, was found dead in Colorado's Arkansas River on July 28, 2017. Friends and family state that he had moved to Colorado in 2016 to look for the treasure, and was last seen on June 28 rafting on the river 10 to 15 miles upstream from where his body was found. The raft overturned, and Ashby had been missing since that time. In 2017, Fenn said in a statement that he would not encourage people to stop seeking the treasure. 'I have given a lot of thought about ending the search, but I am not sure what that would accomplish,' the statement read. Who found Forrest Fenn's treasure? The search for Fenn's treasure ended a decade after it began when it was confirmed that Jack Stuef, a then-32-year-old medical student, had found the antique box in Wyoming on June 6, 2020. Jack, who spent two years searching for the treasure, said the hunt was the 'most frustrating experience of my life.' He wrote in an article published on Medium: 'There were a few times when I, exhausted, covered in scratches and bites and sweat and pine pitch, and nearing the end of my day's water supply, sat down on a downed tree and just cried alone in the woods in sheer frustration.' The search for Fenn's treasure ended a decade after it began when it was confirmed that Jack Stuef, a then-32-year-old medical student, had found the antique box in Wyoming on June 6, 2020 One thing Jack is refusing to disclose, however, is the precise location where he found the treasure and the clues that led him to it. '[Fenn] didn't want to see it turned into a tourist attraction,' he told Outside. 'We thought it was not appropriate for that to happen. He was willing to go to great lengths, very great lengths, to avoid ever having to tell the location.' Jack sold the majority of Fenn's treasure at auction in 2022 and he got about $1.3 million. Jack said he had initially hoped to maintain his anonymity, and said Fenn had been fully supportive of protecting his identity. He added: 'Not because I have anything to hide, but because Forrest and his family endured stalkers, death threats, home invasions, frivolous lawsuits, and a potential kidnapping - all at the hands of people with delusions related to his treasure, I don't want those things to happen to me and my family.' However, he ended up revealing his identity in December 2020 after a lawsuit was brought against him by a woman he didnt know. Fenn had been targeted by lawsuits both before and after the chest was found, by hunters claiming that the treasure was rightfully theirs. Many hunters, dissatisfied by the lack of disclosure from Fenn, even suggest that something nefarious was afoot, and that Fenn had never really hidden the treasure or that he had ended the hunt before it had even been found. In one lawsuit, filed immediately after Fenn had announced that the hunt had ended, also targeted the then unnamed finder of the treasure as a defendant, claiming he had found the chest by hacking her texts and emails. Jack has denied the charges laid out in the suit, in addition to a number of other 'conspiracy theories' surrounding him finding the treasure. Jack called the litigation an 'abuse of the court system', for no person 'has any remotely valid claim against me.' For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details A woman has revealed how she gets free accommodation while living on Koh Samui island, in Thailand, where White Lotus was filmed. Iona, who is originally from the UK, often shares travel tips and hacks on her social media. In a clip, which racked up more than 100,000 views, the content creator revealed how she used the volunteer exchange site Worldpackers which 'allows you to travel for as cheap as possible for as long as possible'. Using the program, Iona said that she is volunteering at a dog sanctuary in exchange for board, and she gets to spend her days with adorable pooches. She explained: 'This is the program I used to be able to live in Thailand for two months while volunteering at a dog sanctuary. 'You can exchange your skills for free accommodation and sometimes free food and activities too.' The third season of The White Lotus was filmed primarily at the Four Seasons Resort Koh Samui, with additional scenes captured at Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort. She listed some of the other 'amazing benefits' which included: 'New skills, language lessons, free parties, free tours and activities, friends for life, free drinks, yoga lessons, and free transport.' She added: 'All while giving back to local communities and immersing yourself in a new culture. Iona, who often shares travel tips and hacks on her social media, revealed she is living on the Koh Samui island, in Thailand , were White Lotus was filmed for free for two months '[You get] free accommodation in such a beautiful non-touristy part of Koh Samui in exchange for giving the sweetest dogs in the world a happier life.' Iona revealed you can choose anywhere in the world to volunteer because the program operates in '140 different countries'. People who are keen to flee the UK for a bit of sunshine can look to volunteer at a turtle conservation centre in Costa Rica or teach English in Indonesia. The travel enthusiasts also added that during your downtime you get to 'chill on beaches'. TikTokers rushed to the comments to share their own thoughts on the arrangement. One person said: 'Hey girl, what kind of visa did you need for volunteering in Thailand?' To which Iona replied: 'Hey you dont need a visa as you arent getting paid, I just entered Thailand on a 60 day free visa exemption with a UK passport.' Another added: 'This is something weve wanted to do for ages yet never actually given it a go! It looks amazing.' Iona replied: 'Ahh definitely go for it!! Definitely the way to go if you dont wanna stop travelling. I cant wait to do more in other parts of Asia!' Iona took to her TikTok @ionatravels to reveal how she become a temporary resident on Thailand's second largest island without spending any money on accommodation Iona revealed that she is volunteering at a dog sanctuary in exchange for board, and she gets to spend her days with adorable pooches TikTokers rushed to the comments to share their own thoughts on the arrangement Meanwhile another said: 'Living on an island for free is legit the dream.' To which Iona replied: 'Idek whats the best part being on an island or being with cute doggies every day.' Another said: 'How safe is it? Are the people that offer the opportunities safe all the time or do you have to do research on them yourselves?' Iona replied: 'All the hosts on worldpackers have been fully checked and verified which is why worldpackers is great as it eliminates any volunteer exchanges that may not be completely safe/ what you expect.' It comes after a Brit who left the UK for Thailand has revealed she is 'never going back' because the lifestyle is much better. Claudia, who is from the UK but moved to Koh Samui, Thailand in 2023, often documents her life in the Southeast Asian country on her TikTok account @islandlifewithclaudia. The content creator revealed her main reasons for moving abroad were the weather and to be around 'open minded successful people' who weren't always complaining about the cost of living crisis or the bad weather. Claudia, 31, who runs a social media strategy business, revealed she left the UK when she was 24 after racking up lots of university debt. Claudia, who is from the UK but moved to Koh Samui, Thailand in 2023, revealed she is 'never going back' to Britain because the lifestyle is much better She first visited Thailand as a tourist seven years ago and knew she would call it home one day. After saving up money and quitting her job in the UK, Claudia moved back to the popular holiday hotspot with her partner. The entrepreneur revealed the cheaper lifestyle allows her to 'outsource' a lot of the household tasks so she can focus on her business. In a video that racked up more than 68,000 views, Claudia explained why she couldn't 'ever imagine' moving back to the UK. In the clip she said: 'The biggest reason is the lifestyle, in the UK you get maybe two months of good weather a year if you are lucky, the rest of the time it's grey skies, constant rain and people rushing around in coats complaining.' Claudia revealed that in Koh Samui she wakes up and feels like she is on holiday every day. She added: 'I train outside, go running, paddle board and spend time at the beach, even the restaurants are open air.' Secondly, the business owner revealed the 'community' was a big draw for the expat lifestyle. She explained: 'In the UK conversations revolve around complaining, work stress, bills, the cost of living crisis, the weather but here I'm surrounded by successful open minded people, local and expats from all over the world who are building businesses, creating freedom and are actually excited about life.' Claudia said this lifestyle is 'empowering' and it makes her want to 'level up'. In a video, which racked up more than 300,000 views, she revealed the 'four things we don't do in Thailand that make our lives so much easier.' She said: 'Number one is clean the house, so it is very common in Thailand to have a cleaner or maid that comes and cleans the house at least once a week. Blake Lively's inner circle appears to be crumbling after one of her closest friends seemingly cleaned up most signs of the actress from her social media pages in the latest diss to the star. Eagle-eyed fans have noticed that Lively's It Ends With Us costar, Isabela Ferrer, 24, has deleted a series of photos she had previously posted that were related to the movie - as well as 37-year-old Lively - herself from her Instagram page. 'Isabela deleted her photos with Blake Lively at the advice of those around her,' a source told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'Blake wants to drag her into this lawsuit and asked her back her up on her accusations of sexual harassment, but Isabela could not do this because she didnt personally see this,' the source continued. 'She was very naive when she was cast and everything to her was a privilege. She was so focused on her character that didn't have time to get involved in any gossip,' they added. 'She knows that defending anyone against accusations when she didnt see this herself with her own two eyes could be very damaging to her career. She feels shafted and deleting her photos with Blake was no accident. The discovery was first brought to light by digital creator Elsie, who goes by @Elsrich, in a new YouTube video. She revealed with screenshots that on March 10, Ferrer still had the posts involving the movie up, while none appear today. Eagle-eyed fans have noticed that Lively's It Ends With Us costar, Isabela Ferrer, 24, has deleted some photos she had posted that were related to the movie and Lively herself from her Instagram page The discovery was brought to light by digital creator Elsie, who goes by @Elsrich , in a new YouTube video It comes as Lively has been embroiled in legal drama with Baldoni, 41, since December 2024 after she accused him of sexual harassment and launching a smear campaign against her It comes as Lively has been embroiled in legal drama with Baldoni, 41, since December 2024 after she accused him of sexual harassment and launching a smear campaign against her. He denies the allegations and responded with a $400 million lawsuit against the actress as well as filing a $250 million libel lawsuit against the New York Times which reported on Lively's allegations. Lively and the New York Times deny his allegations. The creator claimed that Ferrer deleted two photo carousels that included snaps of her and Lively from the It Ends With Us press tour. Elsie claimed that one of the posts even had a long caption that praised Lively for being her 'mentor.' Now, Ferrer's Instagram page has just a few photos of the project left - a series that included her posing in front of a floral wall at the movie's premiere, along with a few other snaps of her with fellow cast members including one with Lively, and a screenshot from a Deadline article announcing her role in the project. DailyMail.com reached out to Ferrer's reps for comment. In the movie, Ferrer played the younger version of Lively's character, Lily Bloom, and has been a fierce supporter of the actress, gushing about how close the duo became on set. In an interview this summer, she even called Lively 'an angel.' In the movie, Ferrer played the younger version of Lively's character, Lily Bloom, and has been a fierce supporter of the actress, gushing about how close the two of them became on set 'To be able to connect with the person that you're sharing a role with is huge, and she's just a really good person,' she said Ferrer isn't the only one of Lively's friends who has put some distance in between them lately 'This is the most beautiful woman I think I've ever seen in my whole life,' Ferrer recalled to People about the first time she met Lively. 'Then she greeted me with the warmest hug ever, and from then on, it was just wonderful warmth and friendship,' she shared. Ferrer also raved about their bond while speaking with the magazine. 'To be able to connect with the person that you're sharing a role with is huge, and she's just a really good person,' she said. Similarly, Lively has said equally as nice words about working with the younger actress. 'She knows I'm feeling something that nobody else in the room knows, and itll just feel like the sweet hand on my shoulder or on my leg or on my back,' the Gossip Girl star told The Hollywood Reporter of working with Ferrer on the set. But despite their alleged close bond, Ferrer hasn't supported Lively's lawsuit publicly. Russell died by hanging on August 15, 2011, aged 47, one month after she filed Taylor has laid bare the violence she endured at the hands of Russell Armstrong Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong has detailed the horrific domestic violence she suffered at the hands of her husband before he took his own life - including how he once punched her in the face and, in a separate chilling occasion, held her underwater. The Bravo reality star, 53, married venture capitalist Russell Armstrong in 2005. She filed for divorce in July 2011 and he died by hanging one month later on August 15, 2011, aged 47. In the latest episode of Investigation Discovery's documentary series Hollywood Demons, which is set to air on April 14, Taylor shared the abuse she was subjected to by Russell. Recounting one incident, Taylor said Russell pushed her into a swimming pool and feared he would drown her. The horrific attack happened at a friend's house shortly after the friends had voiced concern for Taylor's safety. 'Russell, he left, and this couple, they were very close to me and were very aware of what was going on,' she said. 'The man said "we'll help you get out of this because this is not okay, and we're really worried for you." Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Taylor Armstrong has detailed the horrific domestic violence she suffered at the hands of her late husband Russell Armstrong The Bravo reality star married the venture capitalist from 2005. She filed for divorce in July 2011 and he died by hanging one month later on August 15, 2011 'Well, Russell was hiding around the side of the house and heard everything. He came flying into the back yard. 'He threw me in the pool. He grabbed the man, knocked all of his teeth out, and he jumped in the pool and he was trying to hold me under the water. 'I thought he was going to drown me.' In another instance, the television personality, who shares daughter Kennedy with her late ex, claimed that Russell made a threat against her life. 'Once his boys were visiting us and I made them a pizza,' she recalled, referring to his sons from previous relationships. 'He came into the house, grabbed me by the throat and put me against the wall. 'He said, "if you ever serve my kids a pizza without a vegetable again, I'll kill you."' On top of this, she also discovered voice recording devices around their home, which left her with the impression that he monitored everything she said. A turning point happened in June 2011 though when Taylor recounted how Russell fractured her orbital floor, a break in the bony structure that supports the eyeball, on her 40th birthday. Recounting one incident, Taylor said Russell pushed her into a swimming pool and held her underwater Taylor recounted how Russell fractured her orbital floor on her 40th birthday an injury so severe she had to get reconstructive surgery 'It was my 40th birthday, we checked into The Four Seasons where we met, and he gave me eight pairs of my favorite shoes and a really long card and it was all about how he knew he hadn't been a good husband and that things were going to change,' she said. 'That night, after my birthday party, we were laying in bed and he said something to the effect of, I know you slept with the Chippendales when you were in Vegas.' Taylor had just been in Las Vegas with her friend Lisa Vanderpump to celebrate Lisa's daughter's bachelorette party, which had been filmed for the Bravo show. 'He just proceeded to push and push, and he would not let up,' she continued. 'He raised up, leaned over like this, and punched me. He fractured my orbital floor and so I went to see the doctor, and Russell went with me.' Following the incident, Taylor was forced to have reconstructive surgery, and it was at that point she filed for divorce. Russell took his life two months after Taylor's birthday. He had been staying at his friend's house on Mulholland Drive at the time, where he was found. 'There was a myriad of things that he was very concerned about, but I never thought that he would kill himself,' Taylor said of his death. 'Suicide never crossed my mind.' The former couple shared daughter Kennedy. He was also a father to two sons from previous relationships At the time of his death, Russell's lawyer Ronald Richards told ABC News that his former client was also in debt to the tune of $1.5 million. He added that the reality show's celebration of outrageous excess plunged him into debt as he tried to keep his family's lavish lifestyle afloat. 'These couples join these shows, and then they keep trying to outdo each other and they end up spending all their money trying to sustain a lifestyle thats unrealistic and wasnt there prior to the show,' he said at the time. 'The weekly social events, the dinners and all the bulls***, trying to pretend you have unlimited resources in Beverly Hills is tough. 'When every night is a potential sound bite or posting on a website, you end up getting addicted to it, you go out all the time.' In person, they couldn't be more different. One loves skin-tight leather, four-inch heels, bottle-blonde hair and a mahogany tan. The other favours tweed skirts, brogues, headscarves and zero make-up. Few pairings prove 'opposites attract' more blatantly than Donatella Versace and Miuccia Prada, two top fashion designers who have been friends for decades and are now set to become something more. After months of tense negotiations, Prada announced yesterday it is buying Versace in a $1.375billion (1.06billion) deal set to unite two of the biggest brands in Italian fashion. It cements Donatella and Miuccia's friendship and Prada Group's plans to build a 'Made in Italy' luxury goods conglomerate to rival French giants LVMH and Kering if not in size, then certainly in ambition. The news has been met with delight by Donatella, 69, who only last month stepped down as lead designer to become chief brand ambassador. She took the family business to new heights after her brother Gianni was shot dead outside his Miami mansion in 1997. But in recent years the brand has had a tumultuous time under the ownership of New York's Capri Holdings, which bought Versace for $2.15billion in 2018. Few pairings prove 'opposites attract' more blatantly than Donatella Versace and Miuccia Prada, pictured, two top fashion designers who have been friends for decades and are now set to become something more Prada announced yesterday it is buying Versace in a $1.375billion (1.06billion) deal set to unite two of the biggest brands in Italian fashion. Pictured: Donatella Versace, in black, who stepped down from her creative director role at fashion house Versace Versace sales have been falling as a global slowdown in the luxury sector has hit demand, but the same cannot be said of Prada. It reported a 15 per cent jump in annual net sales to $5.7billion in March while its 'little sister' Miu Miu grew a staggering 93 per cent. To the unseasoned eye, Prada's success may seem an anomaly. It peddles what has been described as 'ugly fashion', whose trademarks include jarring colour schemes, frumpy skirt lengths, ankle socks and prints more common on your grandma's sofa. By contrast, Versace has always favoured a 'molto sexy' aesthetic. Not for nothing is the brand a popular choice on the red carpet: its gowns are designed to ensure their wearers get noticed, as celebrity fans Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Lopez would attest. But modern women, while not averse to looking sexy, also require an arsenal of everyday looks to take them from the boardroom to the bistro. Miuccia Prada's cerebral take on style is loved by celebrities, but equally coveted by women in the C-suite serious professionals for whom iterations of Elizabeth Hurley's Versace safety pin dress aren't very useful. The wildly disparate looks of Prada and Versace are precisely what gives this new alliance its strength. In acquiring Versace, Prada can continue to focus on designing her own labels, while also building on Donatella's distinctive aesthetic, red carpet dominance and all-important social media following In acquiring Versace, Prada can continue to focus on designing her own labels, while also building on Donatella's distinctive aesthetic, red carpet dominance and all-important social media following. Donatella's 12.4million followers currently rank her as the most-followed fashion designer on Instagram. As for the idea that you should never mix business with pleasure, so strong is Miuccia and Donatella's friendship that concerns are likely unjustified. Both have been spotted attending each other's fashion shows in Milan over the years, and are known to meet for coffee at Cova, one of Milan's oldest pastry shops. Certainly, Donatella lost no time in giving the deal her blessing: 'I am absolutely delighted for Versace to become part of the Prada family,' she posted on Instagram. 'Gianni and I have always had a huge admiration for Miuccia 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 in any way that I can.' Whether that 'way' includes being reinstated as Versace's creative director, fans will have to wait and see. Given the severe paucity of women currently at the helm of top womenswear brands, Donatella's re-enthronement would be a popular move. But even if Versace continues to be overseen by ex Miu Miu designer Dario Vitale, the deal is still a win both for the women who built the brands, and the women who wear them. The 'Versada' era starts now. If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, you can contact The Butterfly Foundation on 1800 33 4673 or at It's hard to imagine that New Zealand woman and mother-of-two Claire Burt previously waged a 14-year battle with body image issues and eating disorders. A glimpse at her Instagram feed today shows happy and uplifting posts about her life as a mother of two young children along with photos where she looks fit and healthy. However, a recent poignant post shared by the social media influencer was a stark reminder of the past difficulties she's faced. Claire, 32, posted an image of a hand-written note, explaining that she had been doing some packing when she came across a 'letter I wrote to my parents when I was 14 years old'. The raw and emotional letter revealed Claire begging her parents for 'help' because she feels 'way overweight'. The teenager's letter asked her parents to get rid of 'any unhealthy food' in their house and encourage her 'to go to the gym' even when she refused. 'I really need to do this (because) I'm not happy with myself,' she pleaded in the letter. Looking back at her words while knowing the health struggles she subsequently endured over the years, Claire wrote in the caption: 'I knew something wasn't right in my brain [even] back then.' After undergoing gastric sleeve surgery in 2020 when her weight topped out at 170kg, Claire has since lost a staggering 92kg and transformed her life Claire Burt recently uncovered a heartbreaking letter that she'd written as a teenager begging for help with her weight problems The content creator told FEMAIL that reading the letter broke her heart on many levels. 'I think about what I went through in the years after that,' Claire said. 'And now having have two babies of my own, I think about what my parents had to go through seeing me struggle for years. They would have felt so helpless.' Starting from as early as primary school and continuing well into adulthood, Claire told FEMAIL that she battled multiple eating disorders including 'binge eating, bulimia and anorexia'. The turning point for Claire came five years ago after her weight ballooned to 170kg. 'The binge eating disorder had won and fully taken over,' she told FEMAIL. By that point, Claire said her relationship with food was completely out of control. 'It's so crazy to me looking back at how much I would consume at once,' she said. 'And now having have two babies of my own, I think about what my parents had to go through seeing me struggle for years. They would have felt so helpless,' she said (pictured at 14) Claire Burt has documented her life changing weight loss journey on her Instagram account @life_of_a_binge_eater 'I would have two large pizzas, two sides and 50 chicken nuggets and a 1.5L bottle of Coke in one binge. That would be one of many in a day.' When she reached 170kg - her heaviest weight ever, Claire says she could no longer 'function properly mentally and physically'. It was at that stage that she made a life-altering decision. 'I made the choice to have gastric sleeve surgery because I was at the past the point of no return,' Claire said. The surgery enabled Claire to drop a staggering 92kg over the next few years. But it wasn't just a catalyst for physical change, with Claire explaining that it also sparked a reboot in her mentality when it came to food and eating. 'It completely changed my life,' she said. 'It was like it switched the food voices off in my head and I was able to build a new relationship with food.' It was around this point that Claire began sharing details of her health journey on her social media account, posting under the online handle @life_of_a_binge_eater. Her Instagram account, which now has more than 37.3K followers, sees the digital creator sharing candid posts and updates about her weight loss experience and discussing how she continues to keep her eating disorder demons at bay. These days, many of the Claire's posts share details of her smashing her health goals, as well as enjoying parenthood alongside her husband Charlie as they raise their two young children, Kingston and Lulu. When she reached 170kg - her heaviest weight ever, Claire says she could no longer 'function properly mentally and physically' Nowadays, Claire Burt's Instagram feed features posts about parenthood as a mother of two young children as well as updates about her health and weight loss journey Having made so many positive strides forward in her health journey, it would've been easy for Claire to simply put aside the letter she recently stumbled across and omit sharing it with her followers. However the online influencer tells FEMAIL it was important for her to share it as a reminder to her followers and herself of the difficulties that she'd previously faced. 'I hope it makes others realise they are not alone,' Claire says. 'And that I will always be a safe place for anyone who is struggling.' Although Claire looks a like a completely different person since shedding over half her body weight, the influencer admits that even today she still 'struggles with body image'. 'Anyone that has lost a big amount of weight goes through body dysmorphia. Especially when it's rapid weight loss,' she said. While aware of the mental challenges that she continues to face, Claire said she remains focused on keeping herself and her body in a healthy frame of mind. 'I continue to stay mindful of what I am thinking and feeling when it comes to food and making sure I eat foods that are good for me - but also letting myself have treats without over doing it.' Infuriating as it is when someone suggests a woman is feeling weepy just because shes about to have her period, for some of us, sometimes, theres truth to it. Years of research have shown our monthly cycles impact not just our moods, but everything from our sense of direction to how much money we spend, or how vulnerable we are to picking up a cold. A study has revealed women want to see friends and family more in the second half of their cycles, for example. Between puberty and menopause, most women have a menstrual cycle that lasts around a month, during which their hormones particularly progesterone, oestrogen, and testosterone fluctuate. Dr Sohere Roked, a GP and hormone doctor, explains: During your period [starting on day one of your cycle], hormone levels are at their lowest. Then oestrogen rises slowly, reaching a peak during ovulation [around days ten to 14]. Next, progesterone takes centre stage for the second half of your cycle. All these peaks and troughs of the chemicals that help run our bodies have an impact and Femail has uncovered some very surprising side-effects of your cycle Overspent online? Blame your hormones Do you feel like your spending spirals out of control around once a month? You may be fairly frugal most of the time, but some days resistance goes out the window and the lure of online shopping beckons. If so, youre not the only woman this happens to. Years of research have shown our monthly cycles impact not just our moods, but everything from our sense of direction to how much money we spend, or how vulnerable we are to picking up a cold Dr Sohere Roked is a GP and hormone doctor based in London A study of 443 women conducted by psychologists at the University of Hertfordshire found that women in the luteal phase (thats the two weeks before your period) were significantly less controlled and more impulsive than women earlier in their cycle [with regard to spending]. During this time a significant correlation was also found for over-spending, lack of control and buyers remorse. Why? The adverse impact of ovarian hormones upon self-regulation may account for impulsive and excessive economic behaviour, concluded the researchers. We lose our sense of direction on day 14 Much as we hate to say it, there are certain times of the month when you probably are worse at reading a map than your husband. A Canadian study showed that women who were ovulating performed better on verbal memory tasks than navigation tasks whereas in the last two weeks of their cycle, their navigation skills picked up again. Other researchers have found that when youre having your period, a woman is more likely to subconsciously choose to turn right over left. Is it any surprise that sometimes it feels like youre going round in circles? Period flu is real, as is the ovulation cough Anecdotally people describe period flu flu-like symptoms that show up before your period starts, says Dr Roked. You might feel a bit under the weather, and theres actually a biological reason for this. Your hormonal changes can temporarily dial down your immune systems strength during this time.' Meanwhile, mid-cycle your respiratory system is more symptomatic, according to a Norwegian study. Reported wheezing was higher on cycle days ten to 22, and shortness of breath on days seven to 21, with a dip just prior to ovulation, while the incidence of cough was higher around ovulation. Theres a reason you make plans, then want to cancel Feeling keen to party? We really are more sociable and flirtatious and in many ways our most likeable selves in the middle of our menstrual cycles that at any other time of the month. Oestrogen is our social hormone, which explains why many women feel more outgoing and energetic around ovulation [typically days ten to 14], says Dr Roked. This leads to the common scenario of making social plans during ovulation, only to feel less enthusiastic about them later in your cycle. After ovulation, progesterone rises, boosting focus and confidence until around day 21. However, everyones pattern is unique I recommend tracking your cycle for two to three months using one of the many available apps to understand your personal rhythm. If youre sleeping badly, it could be PMS Tossing and turning might not be the result of that late afternoon coffee after all. Check your calendar if youre in your premenstrual phase, any time after day 21 of your cycle, you may have found the reason. Sleep can become more challenging around your period, confirms Dr Roked. This is often linked to low progesterone levels, as this hormone plays a crucial role in sleep quality. Progesterone slowly rises after ovulation for about seven days, before plummeting again towards the time of your period and then remaining low until you ovulate again. In my practice, when we optimise progesterone levels either through supplements or prescribed progesterone patients typically report better sleep. Since sleep is fundamental to overall health, I encourage women to listen to their bodies during this time. If youre feeling more tired, its perfectly fine to scale back activities and rest more, says Dr Roked. Youre more generous with friends in your luteal phase Drinks are on you in week three: evidence suggests that in the week after ovulation, you might feel more generous to those in your close circle. A study conducted on 129 women by German researchers in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology found that the increase in progesterone and decrease in oestrogen during this time correlated with a higher tendency towards generosity to people they knew well. At this time of the month, a womans body is prepared for a potential pregnancy and so the experts theorised that this pro-social behaviour might have developed as a way to encourage kindness and support, should they be with child. Want to quit smoking or exercise? Start on day 14 The mid-luteal phase [after ovulation until day 24 or 25] is your bodys power window for making lifestyle changes, says Dr Roked. Whether its starting an exercise routine or quitting smoking, this is often when women find it easier to implement changes. A study conducted by the University of Montreal found the urge to smoke is stronger at the beginning of the follicular phase (right after menstruation) and weaker during the mid-luteal phase, suggesting that it might be easier to overcome withdrawal symptoms in the second half of the menstrual month. It may also explain why women are known to have a tougher time quitting than men do. Beware youre more prone to addiction during your period Just as there is a time of the month that makes it easier to resist temptation, so there are certain days when you might be more vulnerable to addiction especially to drugs. A study published in the journal Biological Psychiatry showed that in female rats, cravings for cocaine were much stronger during ovulation than at any other time and, perhaps consequently, that female rats were more prone to relapse than male rats. This study suggests that the period around ovulation is the most vulnerable for promoting addiction, said the journals editor. This danger zone is just days sometimes even just hours before that power window for quitting kicks back in. Timing truly is everything. Think youre slower during your period? Think again Most women feel somewhat sluggish during the first day or two of their periods, and might think theyre not as sharp physically or mentally perhaps because theyre distracted by pain. But, actually, we might be at the top of our game, according to research published last year by University College London and the Institute of Sport, Exercise & Health. In the study, 241 participants completed cognitive tests, designed to mimic the way we use our brains during team sports, two weeks apart. Though participants reported feeling worse during menstruation, and believed that they had performed worse, their reactions were actually quicker and they made fewer errors. Youre more likely to get injured if youre premenstrual The same study showed that in the two weeks leading up to menstruation, female athletes reaction times were at their slowest explaining why some women feel clumsier during this time. And if you do trip over, youre more likely to hurt yourself: scientists have noticed a link between the laxity of the female knee joint and a womans cycle. The premenstrual phase may bring increased injury risk due to lower progesterone [an anti-inflammatory hormone] and declining oestrogen, which supports joint health, explains Dr Roked. Queen Camilla was not allowed to dress in white to meet the Pope during her state visit to Italy last week, despite other royals having the privilege. The royal, 77, and her husband King Charles met Pope Francis, 88, during an unexpected visit to the capital of the Catholic Church as part of a state visit to Italy. Camilla was snapped wearing a conservative elegant black tailored dress, which fell to below her knees and covered her shoulders and arms. However, while many Queens who have met the Pope wore white, Camilla respected protocol by opting for a black dress. As the Queen isn't Catholic she doesn't have the 'il privilegio del bianco' (the privilege of the white) which allows female royals to wear white in front of the Pope. Princess Charlene of Monaco, Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Mathilde of Belgium and Maria Teresa, The Grand Duchess of Luxembourg are all allowed to wear white in front of the Pope. 'The privilege of the white' also extends to Belgium's Queen Paola and Princess Marina of Naples. The opportunity only extends to these royals because they are the seven Catholic Queens, Princesses and Duchesses. Queen Camilla was snapped wearing a conservative elegant black tailored dress, which fell to below her knees and covered her shoulders and much of her arms on Wednesday Princess Charlene has been snapped on many occasions opting to wear both black and cream during her visits to see the Pope Charles and Camilla's meeting took place at the Vatican's Casa Santa Marta, where the Pope has been recovering for more than two weeks since being released from Gemelli Hospital. The special event happened on day three of Charles and Camilla's four-day State Visit to Italy. During Charles and Camilla's visit to see the Pope in 2017, the then Duchess of Cornwall wore a beige dress, rather than black. It is unclear why Camilla decided to differ from her usual dark look. The protocol says that those with permission to wear white can do so for special events such as private audiences and masses. However, while most royals chose to wear white, Princess Charlene has been snapped on many occasions opting to wear both black and cream during her visits to see the Pope, alongside her husband Prince Albert of Monaco. In 2016, the former Olympic swimmer, originally from Zimbabwe, opted to don a cream tailored long-sleeved coat, gloves and a white lace mantilla. But in 2022, Charlene was then seen wearing a black dress with a dark veil for her private audience with the Pope. She was dubbed as 'breaking tradition' and the rules of the Vatican as the boat-necked gown did not cover her shoulders. Prince Albert and Princess Charlene are pictured meeting Pope Benedict XVI in 2013 During her most recent visit in 2022, Charlene was seen breaking tradition and the rules by showing her shoulders while visiting Pope Francis King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium also visited Pope Francis in 2023, and she is one of the few able to wear white King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain meet Pope Francis in 2014 and she opted to wear white The Vatican has a dress code - those visiting cannot wear low-cut or sleeveless dresses, miniskirts, shorts and hats. On their website, it states: 'The Vatican is an independent state in which the Roman Catholic Church is based and imposes its dress rules throughout the city. 'The clothing required is modest and requires for respect of the sacredness of the institutions the coverage of certain areas of the body. 'Only properly dressed visitors are allowed into the museums.' During Wednesday's visit, Charles and the Pope are understood to have wished each other well following their personal health battles in recent months. Buckingham Palace issued a photograph of the meeting on social media, with a post saying: '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 best wishes to him in person.' This followed a statement released yesterday evening, in which 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.' The Pope's well wishes were a reference to the King's condition following his hospitalisation last month due to the side effects of cancer treatment. A British tour guide who shows visitors from around around North Korea says the rest of the world has got the notoriously secretive dictatorship 'wrong' and it's a perfectly 'normal' place to live. Zoe Stephens, 31, from Liverpool, has visited North Korea 30 times since March 2016 and has also guided countless tourists from the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Australia around the country, which is governed by dictator Kim Jong Un of the Workers' Party of Korea. After developing a passion for the nation, Zoe now wants to change its perception on the world stage via TikTok where she shares glossy vlogs of herself exploring Pyongyang in what she claims are examples of 'normal' life - but she's not fooling many viewers, who have accused her of spreading propaganda. Zoe proclaims North Korea, a totalitarian state which imprisons, enslaves and tortures thousands of its own citizens, is an 'amazing' place - and shows her audience picturesque views of the landscape she sees when going on hikes. North Korea is a highly centralised totalitarian state. Despite being one of the poorest countries in the world, it maintains one of the largest militaries and devotes significant resources to its illicit nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs. There's limited phone signal, internet, and cash machines. Despite painting the dictatorship in a pleasant light, Zoe does admit she has to follow rules when taking visitors around Pyongyang, the country's capital city. These include a tour-guide-to-tourist ratio, whereby every tourist must be accompanied by two guides; and not taking silly or light-hearted photos and videos of artworks of Kim Jong Un. Zoe Stephens, a 31-year-old tour and marketing manager from Liverpool, has visited North Korea 30 times and says it's an 'amazing' country Zoe, an international tour and marketing manager, said: 'I want to show people the human side of North Korea - a lot of foreigners think people there are starving and trying to escape. 'But in reality, people just go about their everyday life there. 'I love going for hikes in rural North Korea - and in Pyongyang, my favourite things to do are literally just grabbing coffee and getting my hair done.' For a time, Zoe was visiting North Korea once a month. However, when the Covid pandemic hit, the nation closed its borders to all foreign visitors in a bid to keep the virus out. It isn't known for certain how many North Korean citizens died from Covid, but the government didn't declare its first case until 2022. This year, borders were opened up to international visitors for the first time in five years - and Zoe was one of the first people to take up the opportunity. Zoe glosses over the dictatorship's human rights abuses and reports of slavery and imprisonment of its own citizens to share what she says is the 'normal' side of the country Zoe says the people are the best thing about the country, but admits she cannot keep in touch with them when she's out of the country because communication is so heavily under surveillance Zoe's tours usually begin in Beijing, China, before she crosses the border to go into Pyongyang Her tours usually begin in Beijing, China, and head towards Pyongyang, North Korea. Every time she takes her group out, she needs to undertake a one-hour briefing session on the rules. 'I want to ensure everyone's safety and help them challenge cultural misconceptions,' she said. 'There are three general rules you follow as a traveller; when taking photos of any image of the leader, you have to remain respectful. 'You can't take any photos of the military or construction sites. 'Stick together as a group - solo travellers aren't allowed in the country - and there has to be two guides with you at all times.' Even on her tours, Zoe hopes to encourage people to challenge their 'misunderstandings' of culture in North Korea. Zoe revealed there are a few rules tourists need to follow in order to be allowed into the country - including no solo travellers She wants people to see how 'normal' the country can be, and believes it isn't an unsafe country to stay in, if you follow the rules. The tour guide says there are even beautiful, rural hiking spots she often enjoys. Zoe added: 'There are a lot of misunderstandings between North Koreans and foreigners. 'Like, in Pyongyang, North Koreans don't understand why foreigners don't want to get the bus. 'In their mind, it's something they've provided and built - so why wouldn't anyone want to use it? 'But really, it's just tourists wanting to walk around, get out there and get the vibe of the city.' Despite some viewers telling her she's spreading propaganda, Zoe says she's never felt unsafe in the city, and has made many friends through the years. She struggles to stay in contact with friends from North Korea due to restrictions on international calls and social media. But she says the people are the best part of the country, and she loves meeting 'normal humans doing normal things'. 'I totally see how my content could be seen as propaganda,' she said. 'But, I think it's because people aren't comfortable with seeing a non-negative side of North Korea. 'I'm not trying to promote the country. I have to say, my favourite thing about visiting is the people - over the food and the sights.' Zoe isn't the first Western tourist to share her trips to North Korea on social media since the country reopened its borders. British YouTuber Mike O'Kennedy, 28, took a five day trip in the most secretive place in the world, after the dictatorship began to allow tourists back in following the Covid-19 pandemic. While there, he was given a guided tour around Rason, a special economic zone near the borders of China and Russia, which is one of the few places where tourists can visit. He also encountered several strange situations such a visit to a bottled water factory with no workers, while he also watched school children perform a song and dance dedicated to their leader Kim Jong Un. Before arriving in the country, Mike and his tour group, which included visitors from France, Germany and Australia, were required to keep their window blinds closed to prevent them from seeing the country from the air. The trip also had to be planned months in advance by a tour company, and at the border he was asked to list every electronic device in his possession. He explained: 'That list had to match our items on the way out, not because they're worried about what we might take with us, but because they're concerned about what we might leave behind. 'You're not allowed to bring anything that could be considered politically sensitive such as a book about North Korea or a USB containing external political content.' Bill Hader has revealed he was once fired from a movie theater for spoiling the end of the Titanic. The Barry actor, 46, recounted the hilarious tale during an appearance on Netflix's Everybody's Live with John Mulaney, explaining that he ruined the film's ending when a group of women started ripping into his appearance. Taking matters into his own hands, Bill sought revenge by plainly stating that Leonardo DiCaprio's character Jack dies at the end as the ship begins to sink in the North Atlantic Ocean. Sharing the anecdote, he said: 'I was working in a movie theater, and Titanic hadn't come out yet, and a sorority had bought out the movie theater and they were in the doorway and I was going, "Hey, guys. Can you guys move?" 'They were making fun of me. They said I looked like Charles Manson. Which I kinda did. 'I had a little bowtie on and cummerbund, and I was like, "Hey guys, please move." 'And they were like, "No." So when they went in, as I tore the tickets, I was like, "Enjoy the movie. The boat sinks at the end. Leo dies." 'And they were like, "No, he doesn't." I go, "Yeah, you think he's asleep. But he's frozen." And that showed them.' Bill Hader was once fired from a movie theater for spoiling the end of the Titanic The Barry actor told a group of women that Leonardo DiCaprio's character Jack dies Fans were in stitches over Bill's story, and many voiced their support for his actions. 'A level of pettiness I can get behind,' one commented on X, formerly Twitter. Agreeing, another posted: 'He was so valid for this tbh.' A third added: 'Honestly, I would've probably done the same if they were making fun of me.' 'He weaponized plot twists like a villain origin story and I respect it,' continued a fourth. Others argued that it's impossible to spoil The Titanic. 'You can't spoil a movie about an actual historical event,' one argued, adding that SNL star Hader did 'nothing wrong.' Titanic, directed by James Cameron, was released in theaters 1997 and starred DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the lead roles. Titanic, directed by James Cameron, was released in theaters 1997 Recounting the tale during a recent Netflix appearance, Bill said: 'When they went in, as I tore the tickets, I was like, "Enjoy the movie. The boat sinks at the end. Leo dies".' The movie is about the ill-fated journey of the real-life vessel RMS Titanic which sunk in the North Atlantic Ocean in 1912. The film tells the story of Rose (Winslet) and Jack (DiCaprio), who fell in love onboard the Titanic despite their different socioeconomic backgrounds. They saw the ship hit the iceberg that sunk it, but instead of saving herself by boarding one of the lifeboats, Rose decided to stay behind with Jack, ultimately leading to the pair holding onto a wood panel floating in the freezing ocean - which only had enough space for one person on it. Jack died of hypothermia, while Rose was among the few rescued by a returning lifeboat after the ship sank. In February, Bill and his other half Ali Wong made their red carpet debut at The DGA Awards. The couple has been dating since April 2023 were first linked in the fall of 2022 after she separated from her husband Justin Hakuta, and he broke up with Anna Kendrick. Meghan Markle has stepped out publicly for the first time since she was torn apart for her 'rip off' As Ever range earlier this week. On Thursday night, the Duchess appeared to brush off recent criticism as she went to dinner with pals at the luxe Polo Bar in Manhattan before attending the Broadway production of Gypsy, which opened in November 2024. The mom-of-two - who arrived at the event in a four-car motorcade, according to the New York Post - has since taken to Instagram to share a series of photos form her evening out. In the post to celebrate the occasion, Meghan, 43, emotionally gushed about meeting actress Audra McDonald. The first snap did indeed feature Audra, who plays the lead as Momma Rose - the protagonist who tries to make her two daughters into Vaudeville stars. Meghan shared a black-and-white photo of herself embracing the stage actress as she gazed directly into her eyes, with dozens of other cast members gathered behind them. The Duchess - who appeared to be without Prince Harry for the evening - also shared pictures of her with the rest of the cast and crew, including a video of the moment when she met Audra. Meghan Markle stepped out for a public appearance on Broadway and gushed over meeting actress Audra McDonald just days after her As Ever launch sold-out in less than an hour The last photo that Meghan included in the series was another snap of her embrace with the Tony-award winner Meghan wore a $1,390 Houndstooth Linen-Blend Maxi Skirt by designer Carolina Herrera with a $448 silk button down by Veronica Beard TK for the grand occasion - and thankfully, she linked it on her ShopMy page for fans to buy Meghan wore a $1,390 Houndstooth Linen-Blend Maxi Skirt by designer Carolina Herrera with a $448 silk button down by Veronica Beard TK for the grand occasion - and thankfully for fans, she linked it on her ShopMy page to buy. She tied the look together with a pair of black suede pumps by Aquazzura for $609. The last photo that Meghan included in the series was another snap of her embrace with the Tony-award winner. 'If you get a chance to see @gypsybway, you absolutely must. Congratulations to the tremendously talented cast and crew for creating magic on that stage,' Meghan wrote in the caption of the photo carousel. 'And meeting @audramcdonald for the first time last night...' she continued, including a smiley-face emoji with tears in its eyes. 'Her performance will leave you absolutely speechless. Full body chills. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house, and if the theater didn't have to close for the night, the standing ovation would still be happening,' Meghan's message concluded. Meghan's night out in New York comes amid the launch of her lifestyle brand, As Ever, and new podcast with Lemonada Media, Confessions of a Female Founder. 'If you get a chance to see @gypsybway, you absolutely must. Congratulations to the tremendously talented cast and crew for creating magic on that stage,' Meghan wrote in the caption of the photo carousel 'Her performance will leave you absolutely speechless. Full body chills. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house, and if the theater didn't have to close for the night, the standing ovation would still be happening,' Meghan's message concluded The new product range, which included her infamous raspberry spread as well as flower sprinkles and pancake mix, sold out in just under an hour The new product range, which included her infamous raspberry spread as well as flower sprinkles and pancake mix, sold out in just under an hour. And, the most expensive item, the wildflower honey with honeycomb, was out of stock in five minutes. However, many didn't seem to be a big fan of the launch, with DailyMail.com columnist Maureen Callahan ripping it as 'snobby, salty, [and] superficially sweet.' 'Meghan's crepe mix, meanwhile, resulted in a flavor and mouthfeel most akin to undercooked pancakes,' Callahan wrote this week. 'It was bland, as was the shortbread cookie mix ($14), which yielded cookies that tasted both a little too sweet and a little too salty, but ultimately lacked any distinctive punch,' she continued. 'Same with the edible 'Flower Sprinkles' ($15), which looked like colored lint you'd pick out off your sweater and felt rough on the tongue and teeth almost like roasted hay.' FEMAIL also put all eight of Meghan's products to the test - but found none of them to be worth the wait. In particular, DailyMail.com issued a scathing review of Meghan's hyped-up jam, where it crumbled, or rather dripped, under the pressure of a taste test. 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 Kris Jenner under the company's former name, American Riviera Orchard. FEMAIL also put Meghan's hyped-up jam to the taste test , where it crumbled, or rather dripped, under the pressure The Duchess previously explained in an episode of her Netflix show, With Love, Meghan, that her preserves can't technically be called jam, because 'jam is equal parts sugar and fruit' 'I just dont think you can taste the fruit that way,' she suggested on her show, With Love, Meghan 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, With Love, Meghan, that her preserves can't technically be called jam, because 'jam is equal parts sugar and fruit.' 'I just dont 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. They wrote that the jam was 'extremely sweet' and was more reminiscent of a sugary dessert sauce. 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. It was difficult to eat the spread with 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. The spread is so sweet that it masked the flavors from the sourdough, with only the sugar from the fruit and tang of the lemon coming through. Actor and broadcaster Stephen Fry today backs the Daily Mail's prostate cancer screening campaign, saying: 'We owe it to men and their families to act.' The 67-year-old national treasure said the most common cancer in men was 'tragically' often detected too late. Those with a family history of prostate cancer are also more likely to be affected, while the risk also increases with age. But it is often symptomless, meaning men will usually not be aware they have it until they get tested, so early detection is key. It is why the Mail has launched its campaign calling on the UK National Screening Committee to finally agree to recommend inviting the most at-risk men for a voluntary test. Giving his support, Sir Stephen, who is outspoken about his own experience with prostate cancer, told the Mail: 'Early detection of prostate cancer saves lives. It's that simple. 'No one should lose their life to a cancer that could have been caught early. 'We owe it to men, and to their families, to act.' Sir Stephen has backed the Daily Mail's campaign for a screening programme inviting the most at-risk men to come forward for a blood test Sir Stephen was knighted at Buckingham Palace earlier this year for services to mental health awareness, the environment, and charity Roughly one in eight men in the UK will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime, but it is even more prevalent in black men, rising to one in four. Former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently added his support to the growing clamour for targeted testing on the NHS, which would invite the most at-risk men to come forward and get checked out, after seeing 'too many friends' battle the disease. His successor in Downing Street Sir Keir Starmer and Health Secretary Wes Streeting have also lent their voices to the campaign. And Sir Stephen called on more MPs to join them and try to bring about change. He said: 'Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK, yet for far too long it has remained in the shadows - under-discussed, under-diagnosed, and tragically, often detected too late. 'But it needn't be this way. We have the tools and the knowledge to change that. Now we need the political will. 'That's why I'm supporting Prostate Cancer Research and the Daily Mail's campaign, calling on the Government and the National Screening Committee to introduce a targeted screening programme - starting with those men at highest risk.' His sentiments were echoed by fellow broadcaster Nick Ferrari. The 66-year-old, who presents the breakfast show on LBC radio, had a PSA blood test after hearing his friend and Formula 1 boss Eddie Jordan had died from prostate cancer last month, aged 76. Nick Ferrari took a PSA blood test - which came back negative - following the recent death of his friend Eddie Jordan Mr Ferrari and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer have both backed the Daily Mail's campaign Former F1 boss Eddie Jordan died with prostate cancer last month POSSIBLE SYMPTOMS OF PROSTATE CANCER Many men get prostate cancer despite showing any symptoms. However, some symptoms include: Needing to pee more frequently, often during the night Needing to rush to the toilet difficulty in starting to pee Straining or taking a long time while peeing Weak urine flow Feeling that your bladder has not emptied fully Blood in urine or blood in semen Source: NHS Advertisement Mr Ferrari, an ambassador for Prostate Cancer UK, said the test came back clear and added: 'I'm hugely supportive of the Daily Mail campaign for a national prostate cancer screening programme. 'The country has done fantastic work with breast cancer screening and we now need to mirror this for prostate cancer. 'Too many men are dying needlessly from this silent killer and we need to catch it early. The campaign is gaining traction and we are knocking on the door for change. 'Now is the time to do for the blokes what we have done for the ladies. I'm delighted to see the Mail getting behind this great cause.' Former Blackadder star Sir Stephen was diagnosed with prostate cancer in December 2017 after initially going for a flu jab. His doctor suggested a routine check-up and discovered that his PSA level, which is a possible sign of prostate cancer, was higher than normal. Sir Stephen had no obvious symptoms and agreed to an MRI scan, and then went for a biopsy upon the doctor's recommendation. It showed he had prostate cancer, so underwent surgery to remove it. He announced his diagnosis and recovery shortly after, explaining in a 13-minute blog post that he wanted to encourage 'men of a certain age' to get their PSA levels checked. Sir Stephen later said he had made changes to his lifestyle, 'eating better and exercising more', but that his treatment 'hasn't changed my perspective on life, I'm just carrying on'. Last year the former Jeeves and Wooster star slammed the 'deadly' delays tens of thousands of cancer patients faced and praised King Charles for raising awareness of the disease in general after going public with aspects of his own health issues. Forget being beheaded, burnt at the stake or even hung, drawn and quartered. A lavish dinner party may have paved the way for one of the most brutal executions ever recorded being boiled to death. The event, thrown in Lambeth, south London, in 1531, proved fatal after guests became violently sick, reports suggest. Suspicion fell on the cook, Richard Roose, who was accused of poisoning attendees by adding a unknown powder to their meals. He was sentenced to death by King Henry VIII for the crime of poisoning becoming the first man in Britain to be publicly boiled to death. While details of the death itself are scarce, documents from the time show he was chained to a gibbet before being repeatedly dipped into a boiling cauldron where he 'roared mighty loud', dying after two hours. Death by boiling was intended to be a slow, excruciating process to maximise suffering from the burns sustained. Heat burns occur when some or all of the cells in the skin tissue are destroyed. But studies suggest it is not the burns themselves that trigger death but the shock to the body after serious injury. Suspicion fell on the cook, Richard Roose, who was accused of poisoning attendees by adding a suspicious powder to their meals Thermal burns occur when some or all the cells in the skin or other tissues are destroyed. Shock is a life-threatening condition that occurs when there's an insufficient supply of oxygen to the body. According to the NHS, signs of shock include a pale face, cold or clammy skin, a rapid pulse, fast, shallow breathing and unconsciousness. Significant burns can also trigger soft tissues to contract causing the skin to tear and fat and muscles to shrink. Muscle contractions due to burning may also cause the joints to flex. Studies have also shown heat damage can lead to respiratory failure, directly damaging the airways proving fatal. Respiratory failure is a leading cause of death in burn patients, especially those with inhalation injuries. Reports from the time suggest Richard Roose's skin underwent significant blisters from the burns. Roose was sentenced to death by King Henry VIII for the crime of poisoning becoming the first man in Britain to be publicly boiled to death Thermal burns occur when some or all the cells in the skin or other tissues are destroyed It is unclear however if the liquid used in the cauldron was water, oil or wax. Documents from the time detailing other similarly gruesome deaths suggest placing victims in a cool liquid, that was then heated to a boil was another method used. This would prolong the time taken for the body to go into shock, maximising pain. In a video shared on YouTube recounting the tale, viewers told of their horror at the barbaric sentence, with one branding it the 'worst execution'. Another wrote: 'It's hard to fathom the brutality these people inflicted on one another. We are the cruellest of all living species.' 'Even if guilty this punishment is beyond evil,' a third said. So brutal was this method of execution that it was later banned by Edward VI in 1547. But death by boiling can still accidentally happen today. In 2016, a 23-year-old died and was dissolved after falling into a hot spring at Yellowstone National Park in the US. At the time his remains were recovered, the water was said to be 100C (212F) the temperature at which water boils. An estimated 180,000 deaths every year are also caused by burns, according to the World Health Organization. It's a subject many people may feel uncomfortable reading about. But medics have warned one sex position could be responsible for up to half of all penile fractures, a serious eye-watering injury that can leave men in agony. According to NHS surgeon Dr Karan Raj the 'reverse cowgirl position' when the woman is on top and faces away from her partner presents the biggest risk. Although the penis doesn't contain any bones, the internal connective tissue which fills with blood during an erection can fracture when the appendage is subject to sharp, blunt force. Such an event is usually accompanied by a distinct cracking, popping or snapping sound and afterwards resembles an 'aubergine' turning purple and swollen. In a TikTok clip shared with his 5.3million followers Dr Raj said: 'If there is any erratic thrusting or if the movements of the two parties are not in sync, the male [penis] could slip out and be crushed by the female pubic bone. 'You have been warned over active sex can lead to your penis looking like an enlarged aubergine.' The latest NHS data shows 162 men had to have an operation to save their manhood in 2023-24 after suffering a 'fracture of the penis'. Medics have warned one sex position could be responsible for up to half of all penile fractures, an eye-watering injury that can leave men in agony The average age of those being rushed to hospital was 44, though the oldest patients were in their late 70s. A 2015 study by researchers in Brazil found that sexual positions where women were on top resulted in half of all penile fractures. This was followed by positions involving the woman on all-fours, which were responsible for 29 per cent of fractures. Meanwhile, the safest position in the bedroom was revealed as the man-on-top or 'missionary position'. 'The reverse cowgirl can pose dangers, in some cases, the penis can be injured if you're a little too enthusiastic with the thrusting,' sex and relationship expert Annabelle Knight told LadBible. 'If this is the case there's a risk that the penis can fall out and then be sat on. 'But fear not, because as long as you and your partner keep an open dialogue, take your time, and embrace sensuality, then this position shouldn't give you too much trouble.' But other studies have suggested that reverse cowgirl is not actually the most dangerous intimate arrangement. A 2024 study of nearly 500 men who suffered a penile fracture in East Asia found that positions where the man was on top actually caused the most number of injuries. The research team theorised: 'that when a man is dominant and very excited, intercourse may become highly vigorous and [cause] impact trauma.' For a man to get an erection, two spongy tubes called the corpora cavernosa fill up with blood and harden. These are surrounded by a fibrous lining, known as tunica albuginea. A fracture occurs when these areas rupture. Signs of a penile fracture, in addition to the aforementioned popping or cracking sound, include, unsurprisingly, a great deal of pain and sudden loss of an erection. While the circumstances of a penile fracture can be embarrassing this shouldn't delay victims seeking immediate medical help. This is because delays increases the risk of complications including erectile dysfunction, abnormal penis shape, medically called Peyronie's disease, and pain during future erections. Surgery is normally required to fix penile fractures with a medic stitching the tunica albuginea back together and repairing any other affected tissues like the urethra, the tube urine passes through. Stomach-churning images have captured the moment doctors discovered dozens of worms writhing in a boy's intestine. The bloated three-year-old had battled constipation, fever and failed to pass stools for three days before his concerned parents sought medical help. After attending hospital, he was diagnosed with constipation, according to Indonesian medics who shared his story in a journal. But it was only after he began vomiting worms a day later, that an x-ray of his stomach then showed grey masses indicating he had an 'intestinal obstruction'. Doctors carried out a laparotomy when an incision is made in the abdomen and discovered the worms blocking three separate areas of his small intestine. Identified as ascaris lumbricoides, this type of roundworm can grow up to 35cm long and live in the human gut. Medics at Dr Soebandi General Hospital in Jember said the boy who wasn't identified was likely exposed to the worms via contaminated water and walking barefoot. Writing in the Journal of Medical Case Reports, doctors added that without prompt treatment, the creatures could trigger intestinal perforation, a medical emergency that can prove fatal when a hole develops in the wall of the intestine. The bloated three-year-old had battled constipation, fever and had failed to pass stools for three days before his concerned parents sought medical help. Pictured, one worm medics recovered from the boy's intestine Doctors carried out a laparotomy when an incision is made in the abdomen and discovered the packs of worms blocking three separate areas of his small intestine 'Intestinal obstruction is a rare manifestation of ascariasis lumbricoides but should be considered, especially in an endemic area,' they said. 'Poor hygiene and sanitation may influence this massive condition.' After discovering the worms, blood tests also revealed the boy had anaemia, which occurs when the body doesn't produce enough healthy red blood cells, required for carrying oxygen around the body. A common warning sign of a parasitic infection, this is because some worms feed on blood in the intestines, leading to chronic blood loss and reduced iron levels. To remove the ascaris lumbricoides, medics made a small cut in his intestine, about 50cm from where it joins the large bowel, and gently squeezed or 'milked' the worms out. They then stitched the intestine back together and sent the worms to a lab for testing. The boy was prescribed antibiotics, fluids and pyrantel pamoate tablets, a treatment used for a variety of intestinal parasite infections including roundworms and hookworms. He was discharged from hospital a week later and given albendazole tablets, another intestinal parasite infection treatment. An x-ray of his stomach showed grey masses indicating he had an 'intestinal obstruction' People unwittingly become infected by ascaris lumbricoides by consuming contaminated food or water laced with the worm's microscopic eggs To remove the ascaris lumbricoides, medics made a small cut in his intestine, about 50cm from where it joins the large bowel, and gently squeezed or 'milked' the worms out Up to a billion people are estimated to have giant roundworms worldwide, or one in eight. People unwittingly become infected by ascaris lumbricoides by consuming contaminated food or water laced with the worm's microscopic eggs. This can happen via contamination of hands from pets' faeces, with the eggs then passed on to food while a meal is prepared. Water can also become contaminated if poor sanitation leads to it being mixed with feces. Infections occur more often in rural areas or those with poor sanitation. But these worms are known to can cause a range of health issues, especially in children including stomach pain and difficulty absorbing nutrients, which can lead to poor growth and development. In more severe cases, the worms can travel to other parts of the body, such as the liver and could trigger breathing problems. The boy often 'went out with his friends in the river' without foot protection and to the landfill picking up rubbish with his bare hands, the medics wrote. Drinking unboiled contaminated water could have also triggered the infection, they said, as well as 'being hand-fed by his mother' if proper hygiene procedures were not in place. Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr said Americans will know what's causing the country's 'autism epidemic' by September. Kennedy told President Donald Trump Thursday the Department of Health and Human Services has launched a 'massive testing and research effort' involving hundreds of scientists to find out why autism rates have surged in the US. The Secretary claimed within less than six months, 'we will know what has caused the autism epidemic and we'll be able to eliminate those exposures.' Kennedy's announcement comes as one in 36 US children in the US have autism, adding up to just under 2million. In the early 2000s, this number was closer to one in 142, a four-fold rise. And the US rates are now higher than many peer nations. Kennedy suggested newer numbers show rates 'are going up again,' creeping toward one in 31. Trump and Kennedy have targeted autism in their 'Make America Healthy Plan,' with Trump stating last month: 'There's something really wrong.' Last month, the CDC said it would investigate the potential link between vaccines and autism, though it's unclear how involved Kennedy is with that research. The Trump administration said Thursday Americans will know the 'cause' of rising autism rates by September. President Trump is pictured here this week Your browser does not support iframes. The link between vaccines and autism has long been disproven in more than 1,000 studies, but experts have raised concerns over environmental factors like microplastics and pesticides. They have also noted diagnostic changes have made it easier for doctors to spot the condition, especially in once overlooked groups like girls and adults. Trump responded to Kennedy at a Cabinet meeting that 'there will be no bigger news conference than that' and suggested 'there's got to be something artificial out there that's doing this.' The President added: 'So thats if you can come up with that answer, where you stop taking something, you stop eating something, or maybe its a shot, but somethings causing it.' It's unclear which researchers will be involved and what 'exposures' exactly the team will look at. Your browser does not support iframes. Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects communication, learning and behavior. Generally, most with the disorder are diagnosed by age five, though some can be tested as young as age two. Research published last year in JAMA Network Open found between 2011 and 2022, autism diagnoses in children between ages five and eight rose 175 percent, from two per 1,000 people to six per 1,000. However, the biggest increase was among young adults ages 26 to 34, with a 450 percent jump, which suggests they were delayed in getting a diagnosis. This suggests that doctors have, indeed, got better at detecting the condition rather than there being more cases. Additionally, changes to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), which is used to diagnose mental conditions, in 2013 collapsed autism, Asperger syndrome and pervasive developmental disorder into one category, autism spectrum disorder. This may have led to more children being considered autistic. But a series of recent studies have also suggested environmental factors like pollution could be at play. A 2023 review found people with a genetic predisposition to autism, such as a parent having the condition, who were exposed to pollution as children were more likely to develop autism than those not exposed to it. Older research from Harvard also found exposure to air pollution like particulate matter in early childhood may raise the risk of autism by as much as 64 percent. While in the womb, exposure may raise risk of ASD by 31 percent. The experts suggested particulate matter breathed in during early childhood or while in the womb may travel through the bloodstream and bypass protective layers in the brain, causing inflammation that hinders nerve development. Your browser does not support iframes. An Australian study published earlier this year also found boys exposed to endocrine-disrupting chemical Bisphenol A (BPA) in the womb were six times more likely to be diagnosed with autism before age 11 than those without exposure. That team suggested BPA - which lines plastic and metal food packaging, an ever growing pollutant in the modern world - was associated with neurological and behavioral changes associated with autism. The US has also seen a surge in the use of synthetic pesticides, which some say could be a contributor, as well. Use of these chemicals increased 50-fold since 1950. Some research indicates up to 80 percent of Americans have detectable levels of pesticides in their blood. Last year, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced an emergency suspension of the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal) due to evidence suggesting babies exposed to it in the womb could be born underweight and with a decreased IQ and development. Vaccines, however, have long been disproven as a cause of autism. Trump and Robert F Kennedy Jr (pictured here) have targeted autism in their 'Make America Healthy Again' plan The CDC has said it will look into the potential link between autism and vaccines, despite the theories being long disproven The idea stems from a since-debunked study from British researcher Andrew Wakefield in the late 1990s. The researcher, whose credentials have since been revoked, connected a rise in autism diagnoses with widespread use of the MMR shot, which is used to prevent measles. However, the government's research library, PubMed, has more than 1,000 studies disproving the link between vaccines and autism. Kristyn Roth, spokeswoman for the Autism Society of America, told the Associated Press autism organizations have not been included in discussions. She raised concerns about Kennedy's plans to look at links between autism and vaccines. She said: 'There is a deep concern that we are going backward and evaluating debunked theories.' Experts have also slammed Kennedy's plan as rushed and inefficient. Dr Lisa Settles, director of Tulane University's Center for Autism and Related Disorders, told CNN: 'Even developing a research program would take longer than five months. 'So how are you going to develop this program, collect the data and analyze the data in five months? Thats not really feasible. I definitely dont feel like the research that would be proposed at this point in time would be free of bias.' The US is set to be hit by the deadliest measles outbreak in more than 20 years with the numbers spiking to a record high for the year's first quarter. To date, there have been 712 confirmed measles cases reported by 25 jurisdictions, new CDC data shows. The last time the disease was this rife in the US was in 2019, when there were 1,274 cases reported for the entire year. And prior to that, the biggest outbreak was in 1990, with numbers spiking to more than 27,000. Currently, the affected states are: Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York City, New York State, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and Washington. Of these cases, three-quarters were in children under 19. Data suggests that 97 percent of the patients had not been vaccinated against the virus, while one percent had received only one dose. The highest number of cases have been reported in Texas and New Mexico, while Kansas and Ohio have also seen a mounting number of reports. The have now been two confirmed deaths from measles, both involving unvaccinated school aged-children in Texas, and one death in New Mexico remains under investigation. They are the first deaths since 2015. The US is set to be hit by the deadliest measles outbreak in more than 20 years with the numbers spiking to a record high for the year's first quarter To date, there have been 712 confirmed measles reported by 25 jurisdictions. Above, a map showing the states impacted by measles, highlighted in blue Measles is transmitted by direct contact with infectious droplets or by airborne spread when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. The disease causes tiny white spots inside the mouth, flat red spots on the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet, ear infections and an intense fever. In extreme cases, measles can cause pneumonia, encephalitis (swelling of the brain) and may lead to death. Health officials say travelers should monitor for symptoms, with these generally developing seven to 21 days after exposure. Cold-like symptoms, such as a fever, cough and a runny or blocked nose, are usually the first signal of measles before a rash develops. Exposed individuals who have been free of symptoms for more than 21 days (up to March 11) should no longer be at risk. Your browser does not support iframes. Doctors in Texas' rural community are mostly dealing with measles patients for the first time. Billboards have been erected in the county warning of the outbreak, and flyers have been handed out. Some people are also posting in local WhatsApp groups to urge others to ensure they are up to date on their vaccines. Measles was officially eradicated in the US in 2000 amid a successful vaccination campaign. The CDC describes achieving measles elimination status in the US as a 'historic public health achievement'. But over the years the viral infection has returned, causing sporadic outbreaks following a drop in inoculation rates. Vaccine uptake across the US are falling and the MMR jab that protects against measles has fallen below a dangerous threshold Cold-like symptoms, such as a fever, cough and a runny or blocked nose, are usually the first signal of measles It is the most infectious disease known, with one patient able to pass the infection on to nine others if they are in a room with ten other people. About 40 percent of patients are hospitalized in the US, while about three in 1,000 die from the disease after suffering from deadly brain swelling. Measles is transmitted via direct contact with infectious droplets released into the air by patients when they cough, sneeze or breathe. Infectious droplets can hang in the air for around two hours, with symptoms emerging within seven to 14 days of infection. Patients develop a fever, cough, and runny nose, which then develops into a rash that starts at the hairline before spreading to the neck, trunk, arms, legs and feet. There's no cure for measles, with doctors instead using antibiotics to treat related infections and IV fluids. The measles vaccine (MMR) is 97 percent effective as preventing the virus and is required for children to attend school, but some states allow exemptions based on religious reasons. Across the country, the percentage of children seeking exemptions has risen over the past decade, from 0.76 percent in 2014 to 3.3 percent during the 2023-2024 school year. According to the CDC, in 2024 vaccination coverage among kindergartners declined for all shots - down to 93 percent for MMR. Lucky Night by Eliza Kennedy (Weidenfeld & Nicolson 20, 288pp) Lucky Night is available now from the Mail Bookshop Nick and Jenny have been having an affair for six years, meeting at least once a month to have sex but never spending the night together. Tonight, however, they are breaking this rule because Nick, a partner in a law firm, has booked a luxurious room at a swanky new hotel in Manhattan. He has a wife and daughter at home while Jenny has a husband and two sons. The lovers are excited, but when the fire alarm goes off soon after arrival, a very different kind of evening ensues. Although theyve been intimately acquainted for some time, it turns out Nick and Jenny dont know each other that well at all. They share truths, frustrations and real feelings for the first time, all while trapped in a burning building, tuning into news bulletins to find out whats happening. Fascinating. Secret love affair that gets really hot The Seven OClock Club by Amelia Ireland (B&W 16.99, 336pp) The Seven O'Clock Club is available now from the Mail Bookshop I raced through this compelling story about four strangers taking part in an experimental weekly group therapy treatment intended to heal their broken hearts. Until she joined the group, young carer Mischa was so isolated it had been a while since she even had a conversation. Callum is a famous 29-year-old musician who looks for answers to lifes questions at the bottom of a bottle. Middle-aged Victoria is a senior partner at a big law firm who refuses to accept she is grieving. Thirtysomething Freyas marriage is in crisis and she is profoundly depressed. Awkward at first, the group gradually gels. The narrative races along and theres a huge twist which I did not see coming. Thought-provoking. Sister Europe by Nell Zink (Viking 14.99, 208pp) Sister Europe is available now from the Mail Bookshop Set in contemporary Berlin over the course of one big night out, this fun, fast-paced novel is full of interesting characters. Author Musad is being celebrated for his achievements at a literary party sponsored by a princess. Sadly, not as many people as hoped plan to attend, so the princess asks Musad to extend the invitation as widely as he can. The resulting group is an unlikely mix, mostly motivated by the idea of being wined and dined for free. The guests include Demain, his daughter Nicole, a trans woman who has spent the afternoon pretending to be a sex worker, their friend Livia and her bodyguard, a huge poodle called Mephistopheles. Theres also a 57-year-old playboy, who publishes books about rock stars. He has invited a girl nicknamed the flake who he didnt expect to turn up she does, however, and joins the raucous rollercoaster. Clever and quirky. The Anechoic Chamber by Will Wiles (Salt 9.99, 144pp) The Anechoic Chamber is available now from the Mail Bookshop Welcome to the off-kilter neighbourhoods in Will Wiles weird world, where warnings are ignored and sage advice goes unheeded, with dire consequences for his increasingly frightened characters in these nimble, shivery stories. The titular tale sets the goosebumpy tone as a troubled man hears a hectoring voice from his past in an entirely silent, soundproofed chamber. Elsewhere in this uncanny collection theres an eerie Roman mosaic, with the prophetic ability to depict the face of future killers as described by a soldier awaiting his own demise on the battlefield of Loos, Belgium, 1915 (Tesserae). And a mystery surrounds a strange star-gazing cult in a block of flats in Barcelona built by a controversial architect (A Private Square Of Sky). The Accidentals by Guadalupe Nettel Translated by Rosalind Harvey (Fitzcarraldo Editions 10.99, 128pp) The Accidentals is available now from the Mail Bookshop Excelling at pinpointing the uneasy in the everyday, these stories delve into characters who find themselves adrift in an unstable world. Here, families dont provide comfort, but instead provoke existential crisis and the dawning realisation that close relationships can be emotionally suffocating rather than sustaining. In Playing With Fire a disgruntled family, driven mad by lockdown, head for a weekend break in the countryside but are confronted by unnerving home truths. Theres a similarly unnerving secretiveness in Imprinting, where the reasons for an uncles estrangement are obliquely made clear to a niece, whos left with a disconcerting sense of her own waywardness. Hail Mary by Funmi Fetto (Magpie Books 16.99, 208pp) Hail Mary is available now from the Mail Bookshop Powerful, and emotionally intense, Fettos hard-hitting debut collection of short stories unspools the lives of nine Nigerian women. All are runaways, hiding from something or someone, as they attempt to break free of bad relationships and traditional expectations. Its a bleak world for Nkechi, a maid for a rich Lagos family, who bears the brunt of Madames rage (House Girl); and for Riliwa, whos in financial thrall to a well-connected friend who helps her navigate the shadowy world of illegal immigrant life in London but for a hefty price (Hail Mary). The Death of Us by Abigail Dean (Hemlock 18.99, 368pp) The Death of Us is available now from the Mail Bookshop Married couple Edward and Isabel, in their early 30s, are living a comfortable life in their London home when one night an intruder nicknamed the South London Invader breaks into their house, helps himself to food from their fridge and then rapes Isabel after subduing Edward in another bedroom. This is the story of their relationship and what the attack does to them in the 20 years following it, when at last the attacker is brought to justice. It is a superbly imagined, nuanced story of love and anguish that manages to bring a glimmer of hope amidst the despair. Deans third novel is so heartbreakingly poignant that it is almost impossible to read at times, but it demands you finish it, and reveals the flowering of the authors exceptional talent. The Final Wife by Jenny Blackhurst (Canelo 9.99, 288pp) The Final Wife is available now Rich and promiscuous businessman Luke Whitney is found stabbed to death in his holiday home in the Cotswolds with his second wife, Anna, by his side covered in blood. She instantly confesses to his murder, but, strangely, is unable to convey any details of the crime, including what they were arguing about when she suddenly took his life. DS Rebecca Dance catches the case and refuses to believe Annas story, even though the rest of the major incident team disagree. As the case unfolds, it is revealed that Whitney was a liar and a cheat, as well as a man who liked to indulge in elaborate games with his second wife. Does his first wife, Rose, have questions to answer? This is a deliciously twisty and sexy thriller where no one is to be believed. It confirms Blackhursts storytelling skill. The Midnight King by Tariq Ashkanani (Viper 16.99, 352pp) The Midnight King is available now from the Mail Bookshop Thirteen children from Nashville, Tennessee were murdered by a serial killer dubbed the Music City Monster between August 1994 and May 2008. This third novel by an Edinburgh-based solicitor reads like true crime, but it is, in fact, very dark fiction. Narrated by the son of a successful popular novelist, Lucas Cole, it reveals that his father was the real serial killer even though another man was convicted of the crimes and given the death penalty. Part investigation and part confession Coles own novel about the killings is part of the narrative - it slowly reveals the bleak reality of his crimes, as well as what it means to be the child of a serial killer. A tour de force with two superb dramatic twists. Joe Rogan faced an awkward confrontation on his own hit podcast after a leading British conservative blasted him for regularly featuring conspiracy theorists. Author and columnist Douglas Murray appeared on The Joe Rogan Experience and challenged the superstar podcaster over the guests he brings on his show to discuss alternative theories about history and geopolitical issues. 'I feel you've opened the door to quite a lot of people who now got a big platform, who have been throwing out counter-historical stuff of a very dangerous kind,' Murray said to Rogan. Murray offered podcaster Darryl Cooper and Holocaust denier Ian Carroll as examples of the kind of Rogan guests who have shared questionable information. Daryl Cooper has said that not only did the Nazis not intend to murder millions but that Winston Churchill is the main villain of World War Two. 'These guys are not historians, they're not knowledgeable about anything,' Murray said. 'No one is calling Ian Carroll a historian,' Rogan shot back. 'But then why listen to their views on Churchill?' Murray insisted. 'If you only get the contrary view, which is - 'isn't it fun if we all pretend that Churchill was the bad guy of the 20th century?' - at some point you're going to lead people to think that's the view. And that's horses**t of the most profound kind' British conservative Douglas Murray slammed Joe Rogan, accusing him of platforming dangerous voices Rogan has always said he is just curious about alternative views and wants to hear what those who believe in them have to say 'I don't think about it that way,' Rogan doubled down. 'I just think, I'd like to talk to that person.' But Murray wasn't having it and concluded: 'There's a point at which 'I'm just raising questions' isn't valid anymore... You're not asking questions you're telling people something.' Joe Rogan is a fierce defender of American First Amendment rights to free speech, repeatedly naming it as the main reasons he endorsed Donald Trump for president on the eve of the election. He also regularly praised Elon Musk for having bought Twitter, renaming it X, and allowed free speech to flourish on the platform, which previously censored views they did not agree with. Rogan has also previously criticized what he perceives as a creeping authoritarianism in Britain and has hit out and the nation's Online Safety Act, which has seen arrests over social media posts. Rogan's confrontation with Murray comes after president John F Kennedy's grandson criticized Rogan for spreading misinformation about the president's 1963 assassination. Jack Schlossberg took aim at the podcaster for his 2023 interview with his cousin, Robert F. Kennedy Jr, in which the now Secretary of Health and Human Services peddled the idea that John F. Kennedy was killed by America's intelligence agencies. Trump appeared on the same podcast months later and vowed to release all of the documents related to JFK's November 22, 1963 assassination if he were to be elected president. 'Are you going to go through all the JFK assassination files tomorrow with your little butt buddy Bobby,' Schlossberg asked Rogan in a video posted to Instagram Monday night. 'You better.' 'After you spread all those lies, you're not going to make sure that they're true?' he asked rhetorically. In a caption for the video, Schlossberg also goaded Rogan to have him on his show. Rogan became the most successful podcaster in the country thanks to his interviews with guests with controversial views. It has paid off, as last year Spotify renewed their partnership with Rogan for as much as $250 million over its multiyear term 'Just kidding, you're too scared to talk to someone who doesn't agree with you,' Schlossberg said. Rogan became the most successful podcaster in the country thanks to his interviews with guests with controversial views. It has paid off, as last year Spotify renewed their partnership with Rogan for as much as $250 million over its multiyear term. Over the years, Rogan has developed a huge audience who listen to his long, wide-ranging interviews with a variety of guests, including comedians, athletes, scientists and conspiracy theorists. 'There's no script of what we're going to talk about, and it all just sort of happens in real time,' said Rogan on Spotify's blog post. 'It's just an actual organic conversation with people enjoying themselves, which is something we all can relate to, and something we all love to do. These conversations have changed the way I think about life immeasurably and continue to do so.' The show is consistently Spotify's most popular podcast but also a frequent cause of controversy for the company. Spotify came under enormous pressure in 2022 to drop Rogan over his anti-coronavirus vaccine comments and use of racial slurs, with some musicians, including Neil Young, pulling their music from the platform in protest. In February 2022, Spotify CEO Daniel Ek denounced the host's racist language but said, 'I do not believe that silencing Joe is the answer.' Rogan says he's a progressive who backed Bernie Sanders in 2016 but who became a MAGA supporter thanks to recent woke excesses of the Democrat party. Newly independent NBC News star Chuck Todd has admitted the mainstream media was scared of covering Joe Biden's cognitive decline during the election - over fears of fueling a Donald Trump win. The Longtime Meet the Press moderator made the admission on 'Piers Morgan Uncensored' Wednesday, months after leaving NBC to set out on his own. Todd had been answering a question posed by the British host, who recently cut ties with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp to take control of his independent venture. Morgan - who left ITV's Good Morning Britain in 2021 after criticizing Meghan Markle - outright asked: 'Why was the mainstream media so reluctant [to cover Bidens mental state]. 'Everyone was seeing [it] with their own eyes.' Speaking from experience on the subject - freely, for the first time - Todd first stated how the American public is not stupid. He said they were able to conclude themselves Biden had been in the throes of mental decline - citing 'subtle' hints like the president 'using the back staircase [and] not using the front' and skipping interviews. This all occurred as the 'collective media' showed a 'reluctance to draw [that same] conclusion', Todd said, ultimately conceding: 'That was held back. [It was] held back a lot [by the mainstream media].' Scroll down for video: Newly independent NBC News star Chuck Todd admitted this week that the mainstream media has been 'reluctant' to cover Joe Biden 's cognitive decline during the election out of fears of a Trump win 'That was held back. [It was] held back a lot [by the mainstream media],' Todd said of coverage showing Biden's waning mental acuity He admitted networks made a mistake, one he chalked up to 'this fear that some members of the media had.' That fear, he said, was simply being 'perceived as helping Trump if they somehow diminished Biden' - something he billed as being 'the fundamental mistake that many members of the traditional press' made. That fear, meanwhile, has since become reality - one that came to fruition thanks to yet another instance of mishandling by the media, according to Todd. The sector's push Trump off social media following the riots seen on January 6, 2021, was its second mistake, Todd said - citing protections granted by the First Amendment he said saw Americans lose trust with legacy networks. 'It looks more obvious today,' Todd said, saying those freedoms should have applied to the then outgoing president as well. 'Because what did [Trump] do [after]? He built his own information ecosystem,' he said 'And now traditional media is doing what? Showing up on YouTube,' he asked, suggesting some semblance of irony. 'Traditional media doesn't have the influence it did anymore because it [went] along with this de-platforming exercise,' Todd went on, days after welcoming fellow former legacy media journalist Tara Palmeri to his popular podcast. The Longtime Meet the Press moderator made the admission on ' Piers Morgan Uncensored' Wednesday, months after leaving NBC to set out on his own 'I'm going to defend the First Amendment when Donald Trump's trying to kick members out of the press,' he continued. 'But you've got to defend his First Amendment rights too'. As for Biden, Todd compared the media's coverage surrounding him to that surrounding Ronald Reagan toward the end of his second term, when his age started to become apparent. 'It was also held back a lot back in the late 80s when it was clear Ronald Reagan wasn't necessarily running everything in the White House,' Todd said. 'Call it decorum or whatever. 'I didn't get it then,' he continued later on, at this point referring to the coverage surrounding Biden. 'I was not one of those who said I wouldn't put a January 6er or a decertifier on the shows - I thought, "Why would you do that?" 'I've interviewed the president of Iran - I got no problem interviewing a member of Congress who chose not to certify the election 'I never understood that logic when you think about the first amendment of our Constitution.' In January, Todd made waves by announcing an end to his more then 10-year tenure NBC News - calling it 'a ripe moment to do so.' In January, Todd made waves by announcing an end to his more then 10-year tenure NBC News - calling it 'a ripe moment to do so' He was sure to retain the rights of his podcast, the Chuck Toddcast - saying the show would be 'coming with [him]'. 'There's never a perfect time to leave a place that's been a professional home for so long, but I'm pretty excited about a few new projects,' he wrote in a memo sent to fellow staffers at the time. 'So, I'm grateful for the chance to get a jump start on my next chapter during this important moment. 'The media has a lot of work to do to win back the trust of viewers/listeners/readers and I'm convinced the best place to start is from the bottom up,' he continued. 'The only way to fix this information eco system is to stop whining about the various ways the social media companies are manipulating things and instead roll up our collective sleeves and start with local. 'Stay tuned for an announcement about its new home soon,' he wrote, joining other on-air personalities like Jim Acosta - who left CNN that same month - Palmeri, Chris and Cillizza in going independent. Todd said he'd 'continue to share [his] reporting and unique perspective of covering politics with data and history', so the American public may better understand 'where we are and where were going'. Insiders told Variety at the time that Todd's contract was set to end sometime after the election and that he's since been in talks with other stations. The loss of Todd was a big one for NBCUniversal, and he took his popular podcast with him. He joined NBC News in 2007 as a political director, before being named the network's chief White House corresponded in 2008. He has yet to sign with another network 'Were grateful for Chucks many contributions to our political coverage during his nearly two-decade career at NBC News and for his deep commitment to Meet the Press and its enduring legacy,' a statement from NBC added at the time. 'We wish him all the best in his next endeavors.' Two years before departing NBC News, Todd stepped down from his post behind the Meet The Press desk, after replacing Kristen Welker in 2014. He joined NBC News in 2007 as a political director, before being named the network's chief White House corresponded in 2008. He has yet to sign with another network. Retired judge Stephen Gold explains how to win disputes over botched deliveries. He outlines your rights if the wrong item shows up, or is broken, or never arrives, and more... 'Oh, no. They've sent the wrong damned thing!' 'Blast, the bottle is smashed.' You know that feeling of doom when opening the box with the product you were looking forward to receiving. Let's try to ease the hassle of it all by running through your legal rights, and look at some customer experiences and new consumer laws about to come into force. 1. Wrong product delivered: The saga of the shoes There should have been a pair of brown casual shoes inside the box delivered to my home. That is what I had ordered online. And that is what the box label said. But I found a pair of formal black shoes there instead. Here we are looking at the seller supplying a product you never ordered: an ice box rather than a hot water bottle, or formal shoes rather than casual shoes. And, yes, black instead of brown. Stephen Gold received 'measly' compensation of 11 from Ecco - but find out how he ended up receiving many times that sum No prize for guessing that you don't have to keep the wrong product. You can demand that the seller does better second time around, and, if the right product is out of stock, that the seller puts you in the same position in which you would have been had they done what they agreed to do. If that means paying you compensation, then so be it. Ecco, which has looked after my feet (including an inflamed big toe which has nothing to do with an excess consumption of sherry) for years, with excellent products, was the seller. It is the customer care department which has let Ecco down. While apologetic throughout, they maintained a stance on certain issues which was legally misconceived. I had no problem with providing a photo of the black shoes but then, I asked, should I return the black shoes or would they collect them? Ecco insisted on me taking the wrong shoes to their nearest branch or a post office. For reasons with which I will not bore you, and which have nothing to do with that big toe, this raised a problem for me. I asked them to arrange a courier to collect them, or accept my offer to make that arrangement myself, through Royal Mail, if they reimbursed the charge. They refused and relied on their terms and conditions which they argued backed their stance. But they didn't. What they were relying on had nothing to do with sending back something the customer had never ordered. They relented and had a courier collect the shoes at their expense, although the courier failed to turn up on the first date fixed. When was I entitled to a refund? Ecco said when they got the black shoes back. I said immediately. They had broken the contract and were sitting on my money. When a date for their courier to collect had been fixed, they relented and correctly made a refund before the shoes were returned. The shoes I wanted were out of stock when I complained. While arguing things out with customer care, I ordered online another pair which were a very close match to the pair I had first ordered and paid for them. Where from? Ecco, of course. The first pair had been discounted: the second pair were not. Ecco subsequently made up the price difference (better than previous proposals which had started with 10 per cent off my next purchase) and threw in 11 for compensation. Ecco's products are excellent, but I had ordered brown casual shoes from them not these formal black shoes The legal principle at work there was that I was entitled to be put in the same position I would have been in if the seller had done what they had contracted to do (or as close to it as reasonably possible). What about the compensation for inconvenience? I thought 11 was measly. Traders who have broken their contracts will sometimes offer something out of grace, although the law makes it hard to obtain it if they refuse. You would need to prove physical inconvenience, like living in a damp atmosphere because your landlord was in breach of repair obligations. Otherwise, you would have to show that the contract was related to your personal or family life - possibly your feet - and that the inconvenience suffered would have been contemplated by the trader. You won't generally score compensation for mental distress for breach of contract. Banging your mouse because of non-delivery of a new laptop will not get you anywhere, for example, and will be bad for the mouse. But under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008, which we will look at in a minute, you may be able to collect compensation for 'alarm, distress or physical inconvenience or discomfort'. After further representations to Ecco, they refunded me the rest of the price I had paid for the second pair of shoes which meant total compensation of around 91. To their credit, they 'sincerely apologised' for the inconvenience I had experienced with my recent order and the customer care department. And that came from their customer care department! It followed an exchange of some 14 emails, most of them quite lengthy, so I think I deserved it. Postscript: Ecco has been emailing me for my opinion on my recent purchases of two pairs of brownish shoes. Ecco and Boots This is Money approached both firms and showed them Stephen Gold's article in full before publication. Boots declined to comment and Ecco did not respond. 2. Defective product delivered: The 2.70 powder blusher Where the delivered product is sub-standard - not of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose or as described you, as a consumer, will generally be legally entitled to reject it by making it clear to the trader that they must have it back. This should usually be done within 30 days of delivery (although you will have other rights outside that time frame). The Consumer Rights Act 2015 says that you have a duty to make the product available for collection so it is down to the trader or their courier to come to you to get the product. Alternatively, if there is an agreement for you to return it then you must keep to that agreement. Either way, the trader must bear the reasonable costs of getting back what they delivered to you. There should be no undue delay in the trader making you a refund and under no circumstances should it be later than 14 days from when the trader has agreed to reimbursement. The trader cannot insist on having the product safe in their hands before paying you out, but a swap of product for the money might often be reasonable. Different rules apply to cancellation of a product ordered online under distance sales legislation. This is likely to happen because you simply changed your mind about wanting the product without complaining there is anything wrong with it. Then it will be for you to return, unless the trader has agreed to collect, and at your expense and you should usually have a price refund no later than 14 days from return, when that was down to you. Getting broken items replaced What about your right to a replacement? You can opt for the trader to replace (or repair) the sub-standard product as an alternative to rejecting it. That is what I did with a 2.70 powder blusher (not for me) which I ordered from Boots as part of a 57.83 outlay. The blusher was cracked to pieces on delivery. Boots refused to replace on the ground that the item was sold for less than 5. That was their policy. It refunded the 2.70 and, rather meanly, forfeited the loyalty points credited for the product. Eventually and after my protests, the customer care department gave me 5 worth of loyalty points as a 'goodwill gesture'. But nobody at Boots would tell me the legal basis for its no-replacement stance. Boots had no legitimate legal basis for refusing to replace. It can be refused if replacement is impossible or is disproportionate compared with any other remedy available, such as a refund. It never suggested that the blusher was out of stock and there was clearly nothing disproportionate in the retailer straining itself to post me another one. I say that Boots was not following the law. Incidentally, a replacement should be made when required within a reasonable time and the trader should bear any necessary costs involved, including postage. 3. No delivery: How long must you wait If you haven't agreed a particular date or window for delivery, the trader must deliver without undue delay, and no later than 30 days from when you agreed to buy. Once the 30 days are up, you can specify a period for delivery that is appropriate in the circumstances and demand delivery by the end of that period. Still no show? You can tell the trader you are treating the contract as at an end and buy elsewhere. You would be entitled to a price refund and compensation should you be financially worse off. Don't make your delivery deadline too short, or it could be legally ineffective. Around 28 days will normally be sufficient. Where possible, extract agreement from the trader for a delivery deadline which cannot be missed as a condition of buying. Then, if that is missed, you can cancel without giving more time. Insist on words being added to the invoice like 'Delivery by 1 November 2025 is essential. Time shall be of the essence.' 4. Reverse delivery: The 300 electric toothbrush We meet Boots again. Last January, my friend Philip returned his 300 electric toothbrush to the company through Royal Mail because it clapped out during the guarantee period. Boots spent over five weeks sending him a succession of contradictory and sometimes repetitive emails which disputed that he had returned the product. It even went as far as libelling him by writing that it had concerns about the 'legitimacy' of his claim for repair or replacement - effectively an allegation of attempted fraud - and was rejecting it notwithstanding that he had sent written proof of delivery soon afterwards. After an exchange of 26 emails, Boots have just finally admitted that it had the toothbrush all along and was refunding the purchase price but and this again deducting the loyalty points allocated on purchase. Boots wrote: 'The full details of your complaint have been logged with the relevant teams across the business so that they are aware of what has happened, and we can take any action necessary to try and prevent similar instances from happening again in the future.' But no hint of any compensation. Philip asked for Boots' proposals to reflect inconvenience, aggravation, his time wastage (three hours) and the libel. It credited him with 1,000 loyalty points. 'Not good enough,' he said. It credited him with another 2,000 loyalty points. 'Not good, enough,' he said. It is paying him 50. But for the limited publication of the libel within Boots, the libel would have been much more serious and attracted substantial damages. Retired judge and writer Stephen Gold Ex-judge Stephen Gold's The Return of Breaking Law, published by Bath Publishing, is an irreverent guide of over 750 pages to legal rights and winning in court or losing well. It is full of tips and template documents and letters. Among the numerous other areas featured are consumer rights, financial remedies on divorce, succeeding on small claims, making a will, battling with sellers, creditors, domestic abusers, lenders and landlords - and how Stephen coped as lawyer to the Kray Twins. 5. Delivery without a request: An unconditional gift New consumer laws that came into force on 6 April 2025 a chunk of the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 - reintroduce a delightful 'inertia selling' right. This is where you receive a product from a trader which you have never requested and are met with a request to pay for it, return it or safely store it. You can ignore the request and treat it as an unconditional gift. The Act also has a lot to say about certain unfair commercial practices. These can not only lead to the guilty trader being prosecuted but to you, the consumer, having a right to compensation from them which is often overlooked. The Competition and Markets Authority will now be empowered to directly enforce trader breaches without having to go through the courts to do this. For the time being, pending more of the Act being implemented, the practices as set out in those Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations will continue to apply in relation to you seeking that compensation, if necessary, from the county court. If you reckon that your trader has been up to no good in some way, the chances are that the regulations will catch the transgression. There are some 32 outlawed unfair practices. They include inviting you to buy while knowing that the product will not be available for a reasonable period of time and without disclosing that fact. And falsely stating that a product will only be available for a limited period so as to get you to decide to buy without the opportunity to make an informed decision. If you are significantly misled, you may be able to escape from the deal. Alternatively, you could be entitled to keep the product but receive a discount, ranging from 25 per cent to 100 per cent of the price, depending on how serious was the practice. In addition, there could be compensation to cover financial loss. Happy shopping. Hybrids have been given a five-year stay of execution from the 2030 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars, after Sir Keir Starmer was forced to back down on his electric vehicle sales targets earlier this week. On Monday, the Prime Minister announced a number of watered-down changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate - the government's binding policy designed to push an increasing number of Britons into electric cars in the run-up to the end of the decade. His hand was forced by US President Donald Trump and the announced 25 per cent tariffs on US car imports on April 2's Liberation Day. Starmer has moved to protect the UK's automotive industry from the blowback of higher levies by unveiling his 'plan to support carmakers'. The biggest news is that plug-in hybrids and - more surprisingly - new conventional 'self-charging' hybrids will be allowed to stay in showrooms until 2035. So, what's the difference between them? Will other forms of hybrid car be available beyond 2030? And which are the most reliable hybrid models in showrooms today? Hybrids have been given a five-year stay of execution from the 2030 ban on sales of new petrol and diesel cars. But which ones? We explain all - and reveal the 5 most reliable models Starmer gives hybrids a 5-year stay of execution Commenting on his changes to EV sales targets, The Prime Minister said earlier this week: 'Global trade is being transformed so we must go further and faster in reshaping our economy and our country. 'I am determined to back British brilliance. 'Now more than ever UK businesses and working people need a Government that steps up, not stands aside. That means action, not words.' Amongst the actions is a five-year exemption for hybrids from the outlawing of sales of new petrol and diesel cars in 2030. Hybrids have long been seen as a stepping stone between combustion-engine models and full EVs. While the Government had hinted at allowing 'some' hybrids to evade the ban at the end of the decade, only plug-in hybrids - which provide longer electric-only ranges - were expected to stay beyond the 2030 deadline. The government's new regulatory leniency now allows both plug-in and full hybrids to be sold until 2035. In total, there are four types of hybrid car - we explain how they differ and which ones can still be purchased until the middle of next decade. The four types of hybrid car - which will be in showrooms between 2030-2035? 1. Hybrid Electric Vehicle (HEV) Also known as: Hybrid, conventional hybrid, self-charging hybrid On sale between 2030 and 2035? YES Conventional hybrids are those with a combustion engine (typically petrol) with a supplementary small battery and electric motor A hybrid electric vehicle has an onboard battery and electric motor to supplement a petrol or diesel engine. However, it can't be plugged in to be charged, so all of the electric power is generated by the movement of the vehicle. Batteries are far smaller than those in fully electric cars and for this reason can only typically provide a handful of miles of range when exclusively running on electric power. They're often referred to as conventional hybrids as they were introduced to the market ahead of plug-in hybrids (which we will come to shortly), with the Toyota Prius being the most renowned model. It was widely expected that this type of hybrid car would be banned from 2030 alongside conventional petrol and diesel models, but that is no longer the case. 2. Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Also known as: Plug-in hybrid On sale between 2030 and 2035? YES Plug-in hybrids commonly have a larger battery than a conventional hybrid and can be charged via the mains, a wallbox or public device Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles also use an internal combustion engine - usually petrol but there have been some examples of diesel PHEVs - and an onboard battery and electric motor(s). But the biggest difference to an HEV is that they also have a charging socket. The battery can be charged by plugging into the mains, a domestic wallbox or public charging device. Like HEVs, they also have energy regenerating brakes and systems that help to trickle a little extra capacity to the battery on the move. The battery pack is not as large as those in fully electric cars but is bigger than units in HEVs. This means that plug-in hybrids can be driven on electric power alone, with proponents arguing this makes them perfect for short-trip urban driving. When fully charged, a plug-in hybrid can provide anywhere between 25 and 60 miles of range using just electric power. For longer journeys - or any trip where you've used up to electric driving capacity - the vehicle will become reliant on the petrol engine to take you to your destination. Almost all manufacturers have introduced plug-in hybrid options, whether that's a Ford Kuga, Audi A3, or a Bentley Bentayga. All plug-in hybrids will get a stay of execution until 2035. 3. Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) Also known as: Mild hybrid On sale between 2030 and 2035? NO Mild hybrids are the latest form of 'hybrid' car to hit the market. However, at no time does the system power the wheels like an HEV or PHEV One of the most confusing recent terms introduced to the sector is the mild hybrid electric vehicle (MHEV). These are a middle-ground between a petrol/diesel car and a HEV and are becoming increasingly common in showrooms. While they do have some electric capacity, to use the term 'hybrid' does muddy the waters. This type of hybrid car has a very small battery and motor-generator - usually no bigger than 48 volts - to supplement the combustion engine under the bonnet. However, the big difference to a HEV or PHEV is that the battery and motor does not provide all-electric propulsion at any time whatsoever. Instead, the motor-generator uses stored electricity to supply additional torque to the engine, boosting its output without burning additional fuel to make the combustion engine more efficient. Some mild hybrids also use the generator to enable the car's engine to be turned off for up to 40 seconds when coasting, automatically restarting when acceleration is called for. This is said to offer greater fuel-economy from a petrol or diesel engine. Examples of cars that come as mild hybrids include the Ford Fiesta, the Jaguar F-Pace and Volvo XC60. Because the e-motor doesn't send power direct to the wheels, the government doesn't classify MHEVs as hybrids. As such, this fuel type will be banned from showrooms in 2030. 4. Range Extender Electric Vehicle (REX) Also known as: Range extender, REEV On sale between 2030 and 2035? NO A range extender is the fourth and final type of hybrid car, which uses both a battery and combustion engine. However, it works differently to the three versions listed above A range extender (REX) is the fourth different type of hybrid, though hasn't been as popular as conventional or plug-in hybrid vehicles. Arguably the best-known model is the Vauxhall Ampera, which was a short-lived early green car on sale between 2012 and 2015 - and one that's still considered ahead of its time. While it does use a 'hybrid' of battery-plus-electric-motor and combustion engine, in a range extender the latter is much smaller than you'd find in the other types of hybrid car. This is because the combustion engine acts as a generator - or auxiliary power unit (APU) - rather than a drivetrain. This means the APU never sends power to the wheels. Instead, it only charges the battery or sends power to the e-motors. As such, new range extenders too won't be given a pass to remain on sale beyond 2030. Most reliable hybrid cars in showrooms today Despite the complexities of having a combination of combustion engine (almost always petrol), small battery pack and electric motor, hybrids are by far the most robust fuel type, according to What Car?'s latest reliability survey. Showing just how far the technology has come since the Toyota Prius debuted in Britain at the turn of the Century, just 19 per cent of owners of hybrid cars - both conventional self-charging hybrids and plug-ins (PHEV) - reported at least one fault in the last two years. To put that into context, 22 per cent of petrol cars went wrong, 27 per cent of EVs and almost a third of diesels. The data from the latest reliability poll also reveals they spend the least amount of time off the road being fixed - and owners infrequently need to put their hand in their own pocked to cover repairs. But which models are best? Here's the countdown of the five hybrids on sale in showrooms now with the highest reliability scores... 5. Lexus NX (2021-present) Reliability score: 97.6% Some 13% of drivers of the current Lexus NX reported a fault of some kind in the last 24 months. Most were pretty minor though, with the vast majority bodywork related Lexus the luxury arm of Toyota tends to tick two main boxes with its cars: they're always premium models with plush interiors, and in almost all scenarios come with hybrid power. One of the smallest vehicles in its line-up, the NX crossover, fits this bill - using the tried-and-tested 1.8-litre self-charging hybrid drivetrain that's powered Toyota cars for a generation. The latest example of the NX is proving a relatively dependable purchase. Some 13 per cent of drivers of this car reported a fault of some kind in the last 24 months. Most were relatively minor though, with the vast majority bodywork related. While the vast majority of NXs should have been covered by the manufacturer's three-year warranty, one in ten owners did incur costs of between 301 to 500 to have their cars put right. Around four in five were fixed in a day or less and the rest were in workshops for less than a week. 4. Mercedes A-Class (2018-present) Reliability score: 98.7% Hybrid Mercedes A-Classes are proving more reliable than petrols with just one in ten drivers of the former encountering faults compared with a fifth of complaining petrol owners The current Mercedes A-Class is an accomplished family hatchback. It might be the smallest car the German outfit produces, but it hasn't cut corners of luxuries with a great cabin, lots of classy materials and heaps of equipment. It's better to drive than any A-Class to precede it, too, and has the A250e self-charging hybrid offers a green powertrain option. Hybrids are proving more reliable than petrols with just one in ten drivers of the former telling What Car? they had encountered faults in the last 24 months compared with a fifth of complaining petrol owners. The sole cause of issue with hybrids is related to interior trim, and all of these problems were resolved free of charge under warranty. Unfortunately, some drivers had to be patient before getting their cars back from workshops, with just a quarter returned to their driveways in under 24 hours. Two fifths were in repair garages for over a week. 3. Toyota RAV4 hybrid/PHEV (2019-present) Reliability score: 98.8% Just 3% of Toyota RAV4 owners had problems with their cars over the last two years, limited only to 12-volt battery and hybrid battery pack issues The highest scoring hybrid Toyota is the current RAV4. Having spanned five generations dating back to the mid-nineties, it has consistently been a dependable choice of motoring for Britons for three decades. The latest example is sold as both a conventional self-charging hybrid and a PHEV - the latter offering up to 46 miles of electric-only range when fully charged. These results combine both hybrid drivetrains. Just 3 per cent of owners had problems with their cars over the last two years, limited only to 12-volt battery and hybrid battery pack issues. Most were still drivable and a third were fixed within 24 hours - the rest within seven days. While Toyota covered the cost of 83 per cent of repairs, the rest had to pay 100 to 200 to get their SUVs put right. 2. Hyundai Kona hybrid (2019-present) Reliability score: 99.0% The hybrid Hyundai Kona is not just proving a lot more dependable than the fully electric version, it's good enough to be the third most dependable petrol-electric car in this list Buyers of Hyundai's Kona have a wide choice of fuel types - it is sold as a petrol or fully electric car with a hybrid option a stepping stone between the two. And it's the latter petrol-electric combo that we're covering here. Just 7 per cent of hybrid Kona drivers had to deal with faults in the previous 24 months - that's a much smaller share of owners than Kona Electric users, of which a quarter had to cope with their cars developing issues. For the hybrid models, it was mostly electrical gremlins in the sat-nav/infotainment system that was the cause of complaints. With most issues being minor, it's no surprise that all faulty cars could still be driven and all were repaired within a week - half in under 24 hours. The Korean brand's five-year warranty also means all models referenced had work undertaken at no cost. 1. Lexus ES (2018-present) Reliability score: 99.3% The Lexus ES hybrid saloon is far from a popular choice in Britain. However, based on its 99.3% reliability rating, maybe more people should consider it. Here's what tends to go wrong... The most reliable hybrid car, according to What Car?, is one that's a relatively rare sight on UK roads. The Lexus ES executive saloon isn't what you'd call a volume seller in Britain but based on its dependability alone, maybe it should be considered by more buyers. Owners of ES saloons up to five years old suggest they're pretty much bulletproof with a combined reliability rating of 99.3 per cent. This is because only two in fifty drivers had any issues to complain of in the last 24 months - all of them related to the sat-nav/infotainment system. Every fault was resolved in less than a week and under warranty at no customer cost. A Scottish boarding school has announced that it will start accepting Bitcoin for payments of school fees. Lomond School, located in Helensburgh in the west of Scotland, said parents will be able to pay with Bitcoin from the Autumn term this year. The independent day and boarding school, which takes students form the age of three up to 18, will become the first in the UK to accept the cryptocurrency as a form of payment. There are a number of institutions around the world that accept Bitcoin for tuition fees, including Wharton College of the University of Pennsylvania in the US and multiple universities in El Salvador, where Bitcoin is accepted as legal tender. Lomond School said it will manage risk using phased implementation, conversion options and partnerships with FCA-registered providers, such as CoinCorner and Musquet. The school said it will ensure full compliance with UK financial regulations. Crypto accepted here: The school said Bitcoin payments were requested by both local families and international educational agents and families While the school will initially convert payments in Bitcoin into GBP, which it says will reduce currency risk, it said it will consider building a Bitcoin asset reserve if Bitcoin 'gains broader acceptance in the UK and worldwide.' In March, Donald Trump announced the US would launch a strategic crypto reserve, which is set to include Bitcoin. Lomond School hopes that by accepting Bitcoin payments, it will be able to attract 'forward thinking families around the world'. On top of attracting more students, Lomond School hopes that offering Bitcoin as a payment method will remove the foreign exchange rate uncertainty faced by parents of international students. The school said Bitcoin payments were requested by both local families and international educational agents and families. Claire Chisholm, principal of Lomond School, said: 'For generations, this school has nurtured inquirers, thinkers, communicators, and open-minded risk-takers. 'We were the first boarding school in Scotland to house both boys and girls under the same roof and recently moved away from the Scottish Government's SQA curriculum and introduced the International Baccalaureate, a globally-renowned qualification favoured by universities and employers worldwide.' Chisholm is set to make the announcement at the Cheatcode Bitcoin conference in Bedford on Friday afternoon, shortly before short-lived British Prime Minister Liz Truss takes the podium for a speech on 'Saving the West', followed by Gemini co-creators Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, who will talk about 'The Road to the Premier League'. Over recent days, the Trump tariff chaos has provoked a mix of high anxiety and jubilation in stock markets. Yet, even against the background of this week's intimidating fluctuations in the FTSE 100, professional and private investors have been steadily snapping up shares in household names and other British businesses. These purchases suggest that UK markets could be returning to fashion since they 'represent a relatively safe haven in a world turned upside down by the tariff agenda', as Charles Luke, co-manager of Murray Income Trust, argues. In 2024, the FTSE 100 was likened to a 'museum' that was full of stocks in old-world industries such as banking, mining and oil but without a 21st century tech titan. However, in the uneasy environment of 2025, it seems that supposedly outdated British names may be coming back into vogue as investors place less trust in Big Tech. Before the tariff pause, Dan Ives of Wedbush Wall Street's most influential tech analyst predicted that the policy could unleash Armageddon on Amazon and the rest. City limits: In the uneasy environment of 2025, it seems that supposedly outdated British names may be coming back into vogue as investors place less trust in Big Tech This fear may be overstated, but it underlines the hazards facing those British investors who, in March, committed 1.7billion to US funds but withdrew 1.2billion from UK funds, seemingly oblivious to the growing focus on attractive propositions on these shores. In a continuation of the takeover spree of UK plc, the US private equity giant KKR is to acquire Assura, the FTSE 250 group that owns GP surgeries, for 1.6billion. The 49.4p-per-share offer represents a premium of 32 per cent over Assura's share price in February. The broker Peel Hunt says that the pace of takeovers gathered strength in the first quarter: some 15 companies are currently the subject of a bid and about half of the suitors are from overseas. But there are signs that UK companies are also seeking out acquisitions in their own industries, grabbing the chance to expand while they can. Urban Logistics, an REIT (real estate investment trust) that owns warehouses, yesterday received an approach from the FTSE 100 REIT LondonMetric, which provides logistics to Marks & Spencer and others. The share price of Urban Logistics is at a 23 per cent discount to its net asset value, helping explain its desirability to LondonMetric, which seems to be on a shopping spree. At the end of March it bought another REIT Highcroft Investments. More consolidation in this sector seems likely. Meanwhile, private investors are putting money into BP, HSBC, Legal & General, Lloyds and Rolls-Royce, the Interactive Investor platform reports, saying that volumes of trading were high, with more clients buying than selling and determined not to retreat in the face of the tariff onslaught. A decent income is also a lure, as Richard Hunter of Interactive Investor points out. For example, Legal & General is a blue-chip stock with a dividend yield of 9.7 per cent. The deals indicated a flight to quality, a belief certain long-established businesses will find a way to thrive. It seems these investors are convinced that UK shares were cheap even before the rout, and look more appealing today. Evidently, Barclays takes this view it is suggesting clients should 'overweight' their portfolios with British shares. The bank points out that the average price-to-earnings (p/e) ratio on the FTSE 100 is 17.1 times. This compares with 23.1 times for the German Dax index and 24.9 times for the US S&P 500 index. The p/e ratio is a guide to value. Should you join this new Backing Britain movement? Here are some of the routes to take a bet on it and the new rules for investing at this nerve-jangling moment: THE OPPORTUNITIES If you have scant exposure to the UK, consider a 'passive' fund such as Fidelity Index, Ishares UK Equity Index and Vanguard FTSE 250. Active funds and trusts recommended by major investor platforms include Artemis UK Select, City of London, Diverse Income and RGI UK Recovery. Factsheets, available online, detail contents of fund and trust portfolios, enabling you to get a spread of FTSE 100 names which are global players as well as more domestically focused smaller companies. Diversification matters more than ever. If you are ready to gamble, and can afford to take a long-term view, look at shares particularly hard-hit by the slump. Ben Ritchie, co-manager of the Dunedin Income Growth Investment trust, says: 'There are some companies that are trading at multiples lower than at the nadir of Covid-19 when we were unsure if the world could function.' Ritchie's highlights include: the animal genetics business Genus; the building products manufacturer Genuit; Oxford Instruments, the high-tech products provider; RS Group, an industrial parts distributor; and Safestore, the storage operator. At 1610p yesterday (having lost 80p on the day), Genus shares are 50 per cent below their level of five years ago. NEW RULES OF INVESTING Be prepared for more shocks. Stuart Clark, portfolio manager at Quilter Investors, says recent whipsawing of share prices shows only too clearly that 'the news flow can quite clearly change things in an instant'. Accept that stock market downturns are normal. AJ Bell data shows that, since 1954, there has been a stock market fall of 10pc or more about every 30 months, with an average rebound time of 234 days. The FTSE 100 may have been unloved in recent years, but it has still climbed back from the doldrums. In 2020, at the onset of the pandemic, it dropped by 34.9 per cent over 66 days. By January 6, 2023, it had recovered its value. The return to health after the global financial crisis of 2007 took just under five years, but investors ended up ahead. Duncan Lamont, head of strategic research at Schroders, points out that, even taking this week's tumble into account, your money has doubled over the past five years in global markets. Over this period, $10,000 (7,660) invested in the stock market would be worth $20,700 (15,856) today compared with only $11,400 in cash (8,732). Lower your risk-making monthly contributions to a fund or trust. This 'drip-feeding' method helps you ride out volatility. You will also be taking advantage of 'pound-cost averaging': when markets are down, your cash buys more shares, reducing the expense of building up your stake. If you feel more secure in cash or want to accumulate a pot to take advantage of future market dips, then consider that great British institution National Savings & Investments (NS&I). Premium bonds, the only form of gambling in which you can reclaim your stake at any time, offer a prize fund rate of 3.8 per cent. The return is tax-free, a boon for higher-rate taxpayers. Shein has reportedly been given the green light by the City watchdog for a long-awaited initial public offering on the London Stock Exchange. It comes ten months after the fast fashion giant, which sold $38billion of clothes last year, confidentially filed an initial public offering to the FCA. Regulators have delayed sanctioning the listing due to concerns about the company's labour practices and a challenge by an organisation advocating on behalf of the Uyghur minority. Shareholders also pressured Shein to slash its valuation from $50billion to around $30billion (23.8billion) to ensure the IPO went ahead. Reuters reports that Shein will still require approval from the China Securities Regulatory Commission before the IPO can proceed, but it has informed the body in recent weeks of the FCA's consent. Both Shein and the FCA declined requests for comment. Results: Shein's net profits slumped by almost 40 per cent to 792million in 2024 Founded in October 2008, Shein has expanded considerably since the Covid-19 pandemic, when restrictions on physical stores led to a surge in online clothing sales. Even after trading curbs ended, the group's orders continued soaring, helped by its cheap products and an army of TikTok influencers promoting the brand. However, the Singapore-based firm's net profits slumped by almost 40 per cent to 792million in 2024 amid a problematic final quarter and stiff competition from fellow fashion retailer Temu. Shein will also have to contend with President Donald Trump's new tariff measures, including removing a 'de minimis' exemption that allowed packages worth under $800 to be shipped duty-free to the US. Trump has also hiked the tariff on all Chinese goods imports to a staggering 125 per cent, blaming a 'lack of respect' from Beijing. Shein's products are primarily produced at thousands of factories across China, with other sites in Brazil and Turkey. The company does not own any manufacturing sites but instead sources its products from third-party suppliers. Most of its goods are then shipped to shoppers by air in individually addressed packages. Its potential listing marks a rare win for the London markets, which have struggled to attract new IPOs in recent years due to liquidity, valuation, and regulatory issues. Just 18 firms debuted on the LSE in 2024, while 88 were delisted, according to Ernst & Young. Among the high-profile departures were cybersecurity giant Darktrace and music rights investor Hipgnosis Songs Fund. BP expects its debts to swell and gas production levels to fall for the opening three months of 2025. The oil supermajor forecasts net debts being around $4billion (3.1billion) higher at the end of the first quarter, compared to the end of 2024, when it stood at $23billion. The FTSE 100 company partly blamed the timing of payments related to bonuses and sales of low-carbon assets, as well as seasonal inventory effects. It further anticipates upstream production will be lower, driven by declining gas and low carbon energy output due to recent divestments in Egypt and Trinidad & Tobago. In the latter territory, the group sold four mature offshore gas fields and associated production facilities to Perenco T&T last December. While BP expects oil output to grow slightly, it expects the gas marketing and trading result to be 'weak'. Forecast: Oil supermajor BP expects to report larger debts and falling gas production levels for the opening three months of 2025 And for its customers and products division, the business warned that trading would suffer from declining seasonal volumes, although refining margins will be stronger. BP's latest trading update comes a week after its chairman, Helge Lund, announced he would stand down amid longstanding criticism by investors. BP said Lund would 'most likely' leave during 2026. Lund, 62, joined the firm in 2019, having spent time in charge at BG Group, Statoil - now renamed Equinor - and Norwegian engineering company Aker Solutions. Under his leadership, BP's share price has plunged by about a third following a failed push into green energy spearheaded by its former chief executive, Bernard Looney. In late February, the business unveiled a dramatic shift in strategy, telling investors it planned to slash renewables funding by almost three-quarters per year. By contrast, annual expenditure on oil and gas production would rise by about 20 per cent to $10billion (7.9billion). Before the announcement, BP had abandoned a goal to cut oil output, halted all new offshore wind projects, and scaled back its emissions targets. However, the renewed focus on fossil fuels has failed to quell criticism from some shareholders, particularly activist investor Elliott Management, which has built a 5 per cent stake in BP. In addition, oil prices have begun falling significantly in the past fortnight as President Donald Trump's tariffs on imported US goods have rocked markets and heightened fears of a global recession. Brent Crude now stands at $63.29 per barrel, compared to nearly $75 before Trump's 'Liberation Day' speech on Wednesday last week. BP shares were 1.65 per cent down at 335.95p on late Friday morning. Private equity firm Keensight Capital has revealed that it will not make a takeover offer for NIOX Group. The specialist healthcare and technology investor, which had around 5.5billion in assets under management as of last December, blamed the 'current macro-economic backdrop.' Markets have endured massive turmoil over the last week following President Donald Trump's implementation of a 10 per cent baseline tariff on all US goods imports. He also announced 'reciprocal' tariffs on dozens of countries, including a 20 per cent levy on products from the European Union and a 34 per cent tax on imported Chinese goods. While Trump declared a pause on almost all these elevated tariffs for 90 days, he has increased duties on Chinese-made products to a staggering 145 per cent. NIOX confirmed on 20 March that Keensight had put forward an 81 pence per share bid for the company a fortnight previously. Medical issues: Founded in 2006, NIOX focuses on making products for people with asthma Bosses at the group said they would be 'minded to recommend' the deal if Keensight were to make such a concrete proposal by 5pm on 17 April. Now that Keensight has pulled out, NIOX has decided to discontinue the private sale process with immediate effect, claiming it was 'unlikely to yield an optimal outcome for shareholders.' Following the announcement, NIOX Group shares dived 20.45 per cent to 56p by late Friday afternoon, making them one of the AIM All-Share Index's ten biggest fallers. Founded in 2006 as Circassia Group, NIOX focuses on making products for people with asthma, such as FeNO testing monitors. Last year, the firm's turnover expanded by 16 per cent on a constant currency basis to 41.8million, supported by higher demand from physicians and hospitals for use in clinical practices. Trading also benefited from research sales soaring by more than a third and testing volumes jumping by 1 million to 6.3 million. As a result, its pre-tax profits nearly doubled from 4.1million to 7.8million, although due to deferred tax charges, the firm's overall profits fell by 7million to 3.7million. A billionaire businessman says Britain only has itself to blame for an exodus of the super-wealthy as he blasted Labour's 'stupid' abolition of the non-dom tax regime. David von Rosen, a German billionaire living in Dubai, says the ultra-rich are treating the UK with great caution as a place to do business amid rising tax rates. Henley & Partners' annual research into where the super rich are living found that 11,300 dollar millionaires left London in the last year, including 18 centimillionaires - those with $100million to their name - and two billionaires. Mr von Rosen, founder of gambling firm Lottoland, says he loves London - but does not live here, instead splitting his time between Switzerland and Dubai, where he says he has invested some $200million in property. The billionaire made his start in student finance before launching fashion label VONROSEN - which sold out of a run of its black cashmere sweaters after Apple founder Steve Jobs wore one during his final on-stage presentation in June 2011. 'I'm a big fan of London and the UK. I frequently travel there, but looking at what how the wealthy and the very wealthy are being taxed, it is strange and stupid,' he told MailOnline. 'Between capital gains tax and the non-dom taxation, it is a very stupid thing to do. (Wealthy) people are looking at Dubai, or the US, with the gold card Trump visa. 'The very wealthy want to live somewhere with a good lifestyle but where they pay zero tax, or very low taxes. The UK has to understand there are other places where we have that lifestyle available. 'People will turn their back on their own country and move away and that is never good. You need these wealthy people and their business - they're spending money, buying cars, houses and apartments and now they will take it elsewhere.' Billionaire David von Rosen has blasted the 'stupid' decision by the UK Government to end the non-dom scheme for foreign-domiciled UK residents German-born Mr von Rosen splits his time between Switzerland and Dubai (pictured), where tax regimes are more favourable to the uber rich He has called on Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves (pictured at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January) to consider reversing the changes Under the changes to the non-dom regime, confirmed last October, non-tax-domiciled UK residents can longer pay the Government a fee of either 30,000 or 60,000 to avoid paying tax on foreign income. The status had enabled people who live in the UK, but have a permanent home elsewhere for tax purposes, to avoid being taxed on their foreign income. Instead, they will now receive 100 per cent relief for their first four years of UK residence before being subject to tax on all of their income. These changes have been blamed for the huge number of millionaires, centi-millionaires and billionaires fleeing London in the last 12 months. London has dropped out of the top five cities for the super-rich and has seen the number of millionaires drop by 12 per cent in the last decade from 245,100 to 215,700. Alongside Moscow, it is the only city to see its wealthy population shrink since 2014. Among those fleeing as of late are self-professed 'gypsy billionaire' Alfie Best and Pimlico Plumbers founder Charlie Mullins. Labour has since eased off on the non-dom crackdown, submitting amendments to the Finance Act that enhanced the 'temporary repatriation facility' that allows non-doms to declare foreign income from before the new tax year in exchange for a lower rate of tax. Mr Von Rosen acknowledges that aspects of the non-dom system are 'unfair': living in Verbier, he pays less tax than Swiss citizens. But non-dom regimes need to be 'competitive' in order to entice people - and their contributions to the economy - to remain, he said. 'You have to understand that there is worldwide competition - we live in a globalised world and if they (the ultra-wealthy) don't go to the UK they will go elsewhere.' The German businessman says the super-rich are also likely to avoid investing heavily in Britain because of changes to capital gains tax on assets such as shares. As a result von Rosen - estimated to be sitting on a 1.5billion Swiss francs (1.38bn) fortune spread across multiple businesses and property - says many are now treating the UK with a degree of caution, and investing elsewhere. 'With the current government, I would be very careful of investing more,' he said. Your browser does not support iframes. von Rosen set up the VONROSEN fashion label - which attracted admirers such as Steve Jobs, who wore won of their black sweaters for his final Apple address in 2011 (pictured) Around 10,000 millionaires have left London in the last year (pictured: offices in the City of London) 'They just want to tax anyone that is successful, which is not the answer. I would much rather invest in a place like Dubai - which I am. They roll out the red carpet. 'I would still be interested in investing in (British) start-ups. The UK is a country of great entrepreneurs with great ideas but they are also leaving too, coming to the UAE, to Dubai, to Singapore. '(The UK government) has become a bunch of naysayers and very pessimistic.' And were he to have Chancellor Rachel Reeves' ear, he is unequivocal in what he would ask: for the non-dom scheme to be retained, and the capital gains tax changes to be reversed. 'We need a functioning market for startups. If you think about a company becoming successful - that is why we do it in the first place. 'But you pay so much capital gains tax on it that it would only need to be half as successful in another country to be just as successful (as an investment). 'This is very short-sighted. The government might get more money now but in the long term what's going to be the consequence of it? It's a short-term win but a much greater loss.' Social and cultural issues may also be playing a part in the exodus, from the 'Rolex rippers' who left the uber-rich scared of wearing their pricey watches outside to those who, Mr van Rosen says, scratch the cars of people doing better than them. 'I'm not the flashy type but in Dubai you do see pink Ferraris and golden Lamborghinis, and that's good, people like to show off,' he added. 'It creates an atmosphere of motivation - people want to work more. I don't see that in the UK or in Europe, where it's seen as something bad. 'I find that jealousy gives people a reason to turn their back. Cars get scratched. 'London is one of only two cities in the top 50 which lost a lot of rich people - the other one is Moscow. If you're number two on that list you're doing something very wrong. Starmer and his government need to see that.' A Treasury spokesperson said: '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. 'The UK's main capital gains tax rate is lower than any other G7 European country including Italy, France and Germany and our new residence-based regime is simpler and more attractive to new arrivals than the non-dom regime it replaces.' A twice-a-day pill for the most common type of advanced breast cancer has been approved for use on the NHS in a landmark moment. Up to 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. Results from a clinical trial showed that capivasertib plus the hormone therapy fulvestrant increased the time before the cancer got worse by around 4.2 months compared with placebo plus fulvestrant from 3.1 months to 7.3 months. The Institute of Cancer Research, London, described the ruling by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) as a triumph for patients. The drug, which is also known as Truqap and made by AstraZeneca, works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein molecule AKT that drives cancer cells to multiply. It therefore helps to slow or stop the spread of cancer cells. The new drug is suitable for patients tumours with mutations or alterations in the PIK3CA, AKT1 or PTEN genes, which are found in approximately half of patients with this form of breast cancer. Professor Nicholas Turner, from the ICR and the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, led a major trial into the drug, which was developed following decades of research by the institute. Up to 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 He said: This positive Nice recommendation means that 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. Its an immensely rewarding moment to see this drug provide patients with a treatment option and precious extra time with their families. 'It is now crucial that advanced breast cancer patients have their cancer tested to identify those who could benefit from this capivasertib combination. Professor Kristian Helin, chief executive of the ICR, said: This announcement is a triumph that will improve treatment for these patients with the most common type of advanced breast cancer. Around half of patients with this kind of breast cancer have mutations in one or more of the genes, and for these patients capivasertib can halt disease progression. Im delighted that access to the drug is being expanded to NHS patients in England and Wales who are in desperate need of better options. The approval is also a significant achievement for the ICR, and a great success story for British science. Decades of discovery science work and a major drug discovery project by ICR researchers, along with a crucial partnership with Astex Pharmaceuticals, paved the way to the discovery of capivasertib by AstraZeneca. Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now (pictured), welcomed the approval Professor Paul Workman, former chief executive of the ICR and researcher in the AKT drug discovery project, has previously said the drug is a huge breakthrough. He said of the Nice approval: I am delighted to celebrate this landmark moment and see capivasertib become available on the NHS. 'The drugs discovery and development, following early fundamental research, has been a long scientific journey for myself and the outstanding teams of scientists at the ICR, Astex and AstraZeneca. 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. Claire Rowney, chief executive of Breast Cancer Now, welcomed the approval but said an initial rejection by Nice over uncertainties in the evidence had led to delays. 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, she said. '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. The drug, which is also known as Truqap and made by AstraZeneca , works by blocking the action of an abnormal protein molecule AKT that drives cancer cells to multiply Professor Peter Johnson, national clinical director for cancer at NHS England, said the treatment would not be suitable for everyone but giving patients more time before more intensive therapies are required is an important part of our drive to personalise cancer care and improve quality of life for patients wherever possible. The Moroccan wife of a British businessman who mysteriously died while on holiday has inherited his entire fortune, MailOnline can reveal. Company director Allen McKenna, 47, died in mysterious circumstances during a break with his wife Majda Mjaoual two months ago and he was buried in a cemetery in the Moroccan city of Casablanca shortly afterwards. His father Alan Moorhead says he received a video call from Ms Mjaoual - who was 22 years McKenna's junior - on February 22 and tragically could see his sons body but since then he has heard nothing from her and has been left in the dark about the exact circumstances of the death. Now MailOnline has pieced together the fullest picture yet of Mr McKenna's death - and spoken to his widow and friends. We have learned details of how he converted to Islam, how the couple married in a mosque - and how he was certified after his death overseas. Ms Mjaoual says she told Mr McKenna's father his son had died at her family home from a heart attack and had been unwell for several weeks, but he claims she has refused to hand over a death certificate or tell him where his son is buried. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline Ms Mjaoual described the death as a personal matter and added: His father is harassing me, and you dont know whats going on. If his father wants to know anything he can use lawyers. Company director Allen McKenna, 47, died in mysterious circumstances during a break with his wife Majda Mjaoual two months ago. Pictured: At the wedding ceremony Pictured: Allen McKenna (left) who died in Morocco while on holiday with his girlfriend Majda Mjaoual (right) Mr McKenna was buried in a cemetery in the Moroccan city of Casablanca shortly after his death. Pictured: Allen McKenna who, according to social media, took part in bodybuilding She later added: When Allen passed away, I informed the authorities in Casablanca and the British consulate, then I called his father, I asked him if he would like to come to Morocco he didnt. I explained everything to Alan and the Foreign Office in London also said that I didnt have to call his parents, they would do it, at the time I was extremely upset and very emotional. I am really fed up with Alan because he has been so unfair and so unreasonable. He knows everything that happened. Allen passed away at my home in Casablanca in his sleep and he was buried after an autopsy. He was an amazing guy, the best person I have ever met. I loved that man for seven years, he was wonderful, I looked after him when he was ill but I will not have anything to do with his father. A pal said: 'There is a lot of animosity between Allens father and Majda. The will names Majda as the sole beneficiary. Allen and Majda had a big falling out with his dad, his mum was OK, but his dad wasnt happy about the relationship.' Mr McKenna, who ran brewing firms and a security company, met Ms Mjaoual in London in 2017 shortly after he left his first wife, and he converted to Islam with the two later marrying in a ceremony conducted by the Regents Park Mosque imam. Mr McKenna, who ran brewing firms and a security company, met Ms Mjaoual in London in 2017 shortly after he left his first wife, and he converted to Islam with the two later marrying in a ceremony conducted by the Regents Park Mosque imam Mr McKenna, 47, collapsed in Casablanca in February, while abroad with Ms Mjaoual, 25 (pictured together) Ms Mjaoual says she told Mr McKenna's father his son had died at her family home from a heart attack and had been unwell for several weeks He was originally from Harrogate but had moved to Adelaide with his parents and siblings in the late 1970s. He later moved back to the UK where became a successful businessman. Initially he lived in London with Ms Mjaoual, who was working as a waitress when they met, but they then moved to Harrogate where his companies were based and where he still had extended family. MailOnline has a certificate which shows how Mr McKenna converted to Islam and later married Ms Mjaoual at their home in south London, with the certificate signed by Kazi Luthfur Rahman who is still at the Regents Park Mosque. The pal added: This all boils down to Allen converting to Islam which didnt go down well with his father, his mother was OK, but Alan just didnt agree with it. 'Some of the messages he got from his dad were awful. The thing is his father and mother have both been to Morocco to see her family. But Alan has been vile to her, Allen didnt have a good relationship at all with his dad. They often had arguments, but he got on OK with his mother. The day before Mr McKenna died, Ms Mjaoual posted on her Instagram a clip of her arriving at what is thought to be Gatwick airport before taking an easyJet flight to Morocco. She captioned it: That airport feeling especially when the destination is your home country. 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 originally from Harrogate but had moved to Adelaide with his parents and siblings in the late 1970s. He later moved back to the UK where became a successful businessman Initially he lived in London with Ms Mjaoual, who was working as a waitress when they met, but they then moved to Harrogate where his companies were based and where he still had extended family MailOnline has seen a Moroccan death certificate that lists his death the day after they arrived and gives his place of death as a residential address in Casablanca. It is signed by Dr Abdelilah Lekbiri, a forensic medicine specialist. The pal added: Allens conversion really rankled with his dad and this is what has caused all the problems, hes been threatening her and accusing her of all sorts. Allens parents both came to Morocco to visit Allen and Majda, and his dad still called her and her family Muslim bastards, she has all the messages. The pal went on: Allen had been in and out of hospital the last few weeks before he died. He was warned he wasnt in good health and was treated at Lewisham hospital for five days. All the money has gone to her and that's what this is about. McKenna lived in a large detached house in Harrogate, one of the most desirable towns in the UK, but it's unclear what the source of his evident wealth was. Companies House records show Mr McKenna as the director of McKenna Investment Management and McKenna Global Services with Ms Mjaoual listed as a company secretary for both firms. Another photo from social media appears to show Mr McKenna competing in a bodybuilding competition One of the companies in his name is McKenna Brewery, based in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Ms Mjaoual is listed as the company secretary On his LinkedIn page he wrote: Someone who has learned from his mistakes and that success isnt about being great, its about being consistent. Consistent hard work breeds success. An online profile reveals how he bounced back from setbacks to create successful brewing and security enterprises. Companies House records show that McKenna had a current balance of 87,323 and was owed 1.178 million. A search of probate records failed to reveal any will details, although this is not unusual as the death was only registered two months ago. One of the companies in his name is McKenna Brewery, based in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Ms Mjaoual is listed as the company secretary. Brewing had stopped at the business today and the gates were padlocked. Neighbouring businessmen, unaware of Mr McKennas death, said the companys three or four staff havent been working in the brewery for a few weeks now. Ms Mjaouals social media which has since been deleted showed her in various glamorous locations across the world on luxury holidays including Tokyo, Rome, Paris, Seoul and Dubai. One of the companies in his name is McKenna Brewery, based in Bradford, West Yorkshire. Ms Mjaoual is listed as the company secretary. Brewing had stopped at the business today and the gates were padlocked Although she appears in all of the pictures intriguingly there are none of her with Allen. Neighbours told how Ms Mjaoual was last seen around two weeks ago, clearing out the couple's 2,000-a-month rented home in Harrogate, North Yorks. She was seen with five other people, believed to include her mother, sister and aunt. Possessions were moved into two removal vans, both with foreign number plates, they said. When MailOnline visited the four-bed detached new-build, the property had been completely emptied, with even the lightbulbs taken from their fixtures. The property was marketed to let on February 28, less than a week after Mr McKenna's body was seen by his father on the video call. A neighbour said: 'We saw that the house was up for rent and we just stopped seeing Allen. 'I thought they'd split up because we stopped seeing him. McKenna lived in a large detached house in Harrogate, one of the most desirable towns in the UK, but it's unclear what the source of his evident wealth was. Pictured: Ms Mjaoual outside the property When Mail Online visited the four-bed detached new-build, the property had been completely emptied, with even the lightbulbs taken from their fixtures 'They have a Chow-Chow dog together and he would always walk the dog. 'You wouldn't ever see her walking the dog and then we started seeing her with her mum walking it, and then she moved out. 'Two vans with foreign number plates turned up. I assumed it was her family helping her move out because they were wearing hijabs and they looked familiar with each other. 'She moved out all their stuff about two weeks ago.' Another neighbour described Allen as 'really friendly' but that Miss Mjaoual was not often seen. They added: 'We just stopped seeing him and then she started walking the dog. 'I'd say maybe a week before she moved out, I saw her with her mum walking the dog. 'I remember thinking it's not normal to have removal vans with foreign number plates, so I presumed she was moving out of the UK. 'There were quite a lot of family relatives. Sisters, a mum, maybe an aunt, and then there was an old man. They all looked Moroccan. 'Allen was very into fitness. He was a big guy but really, really lovely. They'd lived there for around two years.' 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, Australias Department of Foreign Affairs and Interpol are also said to be investigating. Britain is to build hundreds of thousands of drones to be sent to the Ukrainian frontline as part of a 450 million aid package. UK Defence Secretary John Healey boasted the move would support UK jobs and boost economic growth as well as supporting Ukraine against Russia. The military drones project was announced as Western allies gathered in Brussels for the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, chaired by the UK and Germany. As chair of the meeting, the UK has secured ambitious pledges for Ukraine from donor countries. The talks in the Belgian capital are also a chance for Western allies in the coalition of the willing to discuss plans for a post-war peacekeeping force. Last night, officials said the countries involved in putting together such a force feel a sense of urgency this despite Russia continuing to oppose a peace deal and any Western soldiers being sent to Ukraine to protect a ceasefire. The drones will be paid for from Britains record 4.5 billion military support package for Ukraine and from a donation from Norway. The contact group consists of 50 nations working together to coordinate their military support for Ukraine, to ensure the fastest delivery of supplies. Defence Secretary John Healey will chair todays meeting alongside German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. UK Defence Secretary John Healey at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting A Ukrainian drone pilot from the 59th Separate Assault Brigade prepares for an attack. A 'Vampire' defence drone is prepared for take-off amid a Russian attack on Ukraine. The latest support package includes 160 million to repair and maintain military vehicles, a partnership with British and Ukrainian engineering companies. Ukraine is also purchasing radar systems, anti-tank mines and anti-drone capabilities from funds secured by the contact group. The drones being supplied include highly maneuverable first-person view (FPV) drones to attack targets, and drones which can drop explosives on Russian positions. These types of drones are reported to be responsible for 60-70% of damage currently caused to Russian equipment. Mr Healey said last night: 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 give Ukrainian war fighter what they need. We must step up to deter Russian aggression by continuing to bolster Ukraines defences. Concerns continue over whether the US will provide any security guarantees for a stabilization force. European allies are particularly dependent on the US to provide air cover, air defence and intelligence capabilities. US ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink is poised to quit her post and return from Kyiv. President Trump has previously cut off US military and intelligence support to Ukraine, to the chagrin of the country's president Volodymyr Zelensky Last night, it was reported that the USs ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink intends to resign. She was nominated by former president Joe Biden. If confirmed, she would be one of the highest-ranking diplomats to leave the State Department since President Trump took office. In that time he has temporarily cut off the USs military support, including high tech intelligence assets, and forced Ukraine to sacrifice territory and agree a temporary ceasefire. The US has also pressured Ukraine in a bid to sign multiple deals over its natural energy resources, seemingly as payback for the USs military support. This is the shocking moment locals rushed to pick up piles of bank notes after a gang torched a van they had used to steal cash in a daring heist at a Colombian airport. A gang stormed the runway at Almirante Padilla International Airport in the city of Riohacha yesterday, where bags of cash were being loaded on to a flight from an armoured truck. At least 12 suspects arrived with guns blazing in two SUVs before intercepting the truck where it was stationed on the tarmac next to a LATAM Airlines flight to the country's capital Bogota. They managed to flee the north Colombian airport after a shootout with security guards, breaking through a fence and escaping to the highway next to the runway. Eventually reaching a village, home to an indigenous community, the gang set fire to one of their vehicles, with one bag of banknotes still inside it - possibly to distract authorities, according to BNO News. Surreal footage shows locals digging through the piles of burned banknotes on the ground for usable ones. The armed gang reportedly stole at least 24 bags of cash - four of which have since been recovered. The authorities have arrested two suspects - but investigations are ongoing. The armed robbery saw airport authorities suspend operations for several hours. This is the shocking moment (pictured) locals rushed to pick up piles of bank notes after a gang torched a van they had used to steal cash in a daring heist at a Colombian airport Surreal footage (pictured) shows locals digging through the piles of burned banknotes on the ground for usable ones Eventually reaching a village, home to an indigenous community, the gang set fire to one of their vehicles, with one bag of banknotes still inside it - possibly to distract authorities, according to BNO News Of the moment the gang stormed the runway in their Toyota Land Cruiser Prado SUVs, one passenger, a Cuban tourist said: 'They arrived shooting.' 'Passengers dropped to the floor. There were babies there.' The robbery happened in full view of passengers - some on board planes and others waiting in the terminal - who quickly became panicked. While escaping on to National Route 90, which runs the length of the north Colombian coast, the gangsters poured oil on the tarmac to slip up the police motorcycles chasing them. Secretary of the Riohacha district government, Wilson Rojas, said the suspects 'took advantage of a security guard's departure before driving through the gate'. He added: 'They positioned themselves where the armoured truck, which had already delivered the bags, was. The armed gang reportedly stole at least 24 bags of cash - four of which have since been recovered. Pictured: One of the gang's SUVs on fire in the village The robbery happened in full view of passengers - some on board planes and others waiting in the terminal - who quickly became panicked Once they reached the village, the gang stole a car to continue their escape 'They robbed the vehicle and escaped on the highway on the opposite side of the runway.' Once they reached the village, the gang stole a car to continue their escape. The two captured suspects were caught during a manhunt along the length of the highway, according to initial reports from Colombian media. The gangsters made off with an as yet unknown value of cash. An American billionaire who was sued by families of Hamas victims and accused of aiding the October 7 terror attack has stepped down from his role at Harvard. Bashar Masri was sued in Washington DC by almost 200 families, who allege he allowed Hamas militants to construct elaborate tunnels underneath his developments in Gaza to 'store and launch its rockets at Israel.' This infrastructure was crucial to carrying out their sick attack, which left 1,200 dead and sparked the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Masri, once named one of 'the world's greatest leaders' and known for his humanitarian efforts in Gaza, has denied the allegations and dismissed the lawsuit as baseless. But on Thursday it was revealed he had stepped down from his role on the Dean's Council at the famed Ivy League institution amid the ongoing saga. 'Mr. Masri has resigned from the Dean's Council,' a spokesperson for the Kennedy School of Government told the New York Post. 'The lawsuit raises serious allegations that should be vetted and addressed through the legal process.' The Dean's Council 'comprises leaders from various sectors who believe in improving public policy and public leadership around the globe,' Harvard says. In one photo, Masri (center) smiles alongside Hamas Minister of Economy Abdel Fattah Zrai' (left), who the IDF revealed they killed in a targeted airstrike in 2024 Bashar Masri (pictured) has been accused of allowing Hamas to construct infrastructure needed to carry out their sick attack, which left 1,200 dead and sparked the ongoing conflict in Gaza 'Members provide financial support and practical advice that allow the School to advance positive change at the local, state, national, and international levels so people can live in societies that are more safe, free, just, and sustainably prosperous.' Masri also has sponsored a scholarship for Palestinian students at Harvard since 2018, providing 'tuition, health insurance, and stipends for Palestinian students in the School's degree programs, as well as financial aid for Palestinian participants in the school's executive education programs.' The scholarship targets 'current and emerging leaders in Palestine.' Masri denies any and all wrongdoing. His office said in a statement: '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.' The suit accuses Masri of violating the Anti-Terrorism Act by knowingly working with, and assisting, Hamas. 'The properties defendants developed with Hamas were not only part of the infrastructure Hamas used in connection with the Oct. 7 attack itself,' the lawsuit stated. On Thursday it was revealed he had stepped down from his role on the Dean's Council at the famed Ivy League institution amid the ongoing saga Masri, once named one of 'the world's greatest leaders' and known for his humanitarian efforts in Gaza, has denied the allegations and dismissed the lawsuit as baseless Since the October 7, 2023 attack, there has been ongoing conflict in Gaza as Israel launched its retaliatory efforts 'Their development deliberately advanced Hamas's false narrative that it was interested primarily in the economic development of Gaza and a grudging coexistence with Israel.' Those tunnels have been central to Hamas' operations, concealing hostages taken from the 2023 attack on the Nova Music Festival alongside scores of weapons. Masri has been pictured with Hamas officials in the past, including posing for a photograph after signing an agreement to build his futuristic city, Rawabi, on the West Bank. Hamas has had a stronghold on Gaza and often major projects in the city have to be accepted and agreed upon by militants, who make up the government. In one photo, Masri smiles alongside Hamas Minister of Economy Abdel Fattah Zrai', who the IDF revealed they killed in a targeted airstrike in 2024. Israel alleged Zrai' played a 'significant role in directing Hamas's efforts to seize control of humanitarian aid entering the Gaza Strip', and was responsible for the distribution of fuel, gas, and funds for 'terror activities.' The lawsuit does not accuse Masri of knowing that the October 7 attack was going to take place, only that he knew Hamas had stored the military infrastructure. It states that Masri's investments in Gaza directly benefited Hamas. One of his properties, an industrial park near the Israeli border, had an 'elaborate subterranean attack tunnel network' which was 'siphoning electricity from their World Bank-funded solar project.' The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 200 plaintiffs, including the family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin (pictured), one of the Israeli American victims who was initially taken hostage but later killed Rachel Goldberg-Polin, the mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, was an outspoken advocate for her son's safe return before learning he had been tragically killed His Blue Beach Resort allegedly also had a complex tunnel system which linked it to a Hamas training base. Israel's Defense Forces claimed the hotel was also used 'as a shelter where [Hamas] planned and executed attacks both above and below ground.' Finally, the lawsuit cites the Israeli army's intel allegations that Masri's Ayan Hotel was used as a base to fire rockets from, and that tunnels underneath the hotel were accessible from certain guest rooms and facilities. Both hotels were damaged when Israel retaliated against the October 7 attack. Forty six Americans were among 1,200 people killed in the initial attack, with another 254 taken hostage in Gaza. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of 200 plaintiffs, including the family of Hersh Goldberg-Polin, one of the Israeli American victims who was initially taken hostage but later killed. Masri's former business partner Eyal Waldman, whose daughter was killed on October 7 at the festival, is also part of the lawsuit. Israel has revealed Hamas has built a vast network of tunnels under homes, hospitals, schools and other major infrastructure. Masri has reportedly been advising Trump's envoy seeking the release of Hamas hostages, Adam Boehler. He has also been linked with plans to rebuild Gaza after the war, the New York Times reported. Trump has a bold vision for Gaza and the West Bank, revealing he'd like to see it transformed into the 'Riviera of the Middle East.' He's also been working closely with Israel in an effort to end the crisis. Immigration attorneys representing migrants who have been detained from college campuses claim their clients have intentionally been sent thousands of miles away from their legal representatives and families. The Trump administration's round up of anti-Israel activists living in the United States under student visas began with the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, 29, in New York City last month. In a video of his arrest taken by his pregnant wife, one of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents could be heard saying he was being brought to an ICE District Office in Lower Manhattan. But by the time an attorney filed a habeas corpus petition arguing against his detention in a New York federal court, he had already been sent to a detention center in New Jersey. Hours later, he was flown to a facility in Louisiana. Similarly, Georgetown University fellow Badar Khan Suri was arrested outside of his home in Arlington, Virginia on March 17 and was moved to different detention centers across the state before he was flown to the detention facility in Alexandria, Louisiana. He is now being held at the Prairieland Detention Center in Alvardo, Texas. More recently, Tufts University grad student Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, was snared by masked immigration agents close to her Massachusetts home and was transferred to facilities around New England - but is now also being held in Alexandria, Louisiana. All three of their lawyers and immigration advocates now claim they were sent from the East Coast to the South to be further from their families and attorneys - and in jurisdictions with more conservative judges who may be more sympathetic to the Trump administration's plans, they told CNN. The Trump administration has been rounding up illegal migrants and sending them thousands of miles away from their friends and families Many are now being held at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Alexandria 'We've always seen transfers within the immigration system,' Adriel D Orozco, a senior policy counsel at the American Immigration Council, told the news station. But, he said, he 'hadn't 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,' Orozco claimed. Some of the attorneys now say the change is a form of 'judge-shopping,' suggesting a judge or an appeals court in Texas or Louisiana under the Fifth Court of Appeals is more likely to have conservative views and be friendlier to the Trump administration than the courts in New York, Massachusetts or Washington DC. Trump had appointed six of the judges on the Fifth Circuit, as well as some two dozen judges on the district courts that the circuit covers. In fact, in an amended complaint, Khan Suri's attorneys argued that the Department of Homeland Security 'issued a directive that all individuals who are subject to the policy be transferred to the detention centers in the south of the United States to jurisdictions that [the government] perceive[s] will be more favorable to them and where they will be far away from their families and attorneys, and therefore promptly challenge the detention.' Ramzi Kaseem, one of Khalil's attorneys, also described his cross-country transfers as part of the government's coordinated strategy. The Trump administration's round up of anti-Israel activists living in the United States under student visas began with the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, 29, in New York City last month, followed by the apprehension of Georgetown University fellow Badar Khan Suri outside of his home in Arlington, Virginia on March 17 Tufts University grad student Rumeysa Ozturk, 30, was snared by masked immigration agents close to her Massachusetts home 'It's 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,' he told CNN. 'For some reason, they think Louisiana gives them home-court advantage,' Kaseem claimed. '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 they can deport them in silence.' The immigration attorneys and civil rights advocates have also hit out at the detention facilities for allegedly mistreating the migrants and preventing them from properly defending their cases. They say the isolated nature of these rural detention centers makes it difficult for migrants to communicate with attorneys, friends and families. 'When I've had clients, the difficult there is not having the support system, not knowing what's going to happen to you inside of those facilities,' Orozco said. '[That] can make it so that person decides that they just want to leave.' The Robert F Kennedy Human Rights advocacy group even claimed that the isolation and difficult conditions of these facilities is a form of coercion. '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 group wrote in a 2024 report. 'And they use abusive treatment in punitive conditions to coerce people into renouncing those claims and accepting deportation, to escape the misery of detention.' ICE has claimed that its transfer decisions are based on logistics But ICE has claimed that its transfer decisions are based on logistics. It 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.' Most of the ICE detention centers, though, are located along the southern border with Mexico - with about half of all ICE detainees being held in Louisiana and Texas, according to data from Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse - a nonpartisan research organization that tracks immigration records. Texas, itself, houses more than 12,000 detainees - by far the most of any state - followed by Louisiana, with about 7,000 detainees. By contrast, Massachusetts only held 400 detainees on average, New York had about 650 and Virginia held about 750. '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 they've acted in that manner,' Orozco said. DailyMail.com has reached out to ICE for comment. A former Dartmouth College lacrosse star is facing 30 to 60 years in jail after he was found guilty of the 'merciless' rape of an 18-year-old first year student. Kyle Clampitt, 27, was convicted of the heinous crime earlier this year and now prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence that would keep him jailed until he reaches old age. Clampitt was found guilty in January on twelve counts of aggravated sexual assault after raping the first-year student on a fraternity house roof top in 2022. The Ivy League student 'repeatedly sexually assaulted [the victim] with force, brutality and violence, taking what he wanted from [her], cruelly and without mercy,' prosecutors said prior to his sentencing. 'The impact of his crimes on [the victim] cannot be understated,' they added, The Dartmouth reported. The victim, who is now a senior, said she 'supports the state's recommendation' for his sentencing, according to the outlet. Clampitt's lawyers have presented more than three dozen letters in his defense from family, friends and associates, to be weighed up as his sentence length is considered. One such letter, from Brendan Callahan who recruited Clampitt out of high school, wrote that the accused was 'no stranger to hard work' and 'often placed himself among the top percentage of our group when it came to focus, dedication and work ethic.' Kyle Clampitt, 27, was found guilty in January on twelve counts of aggravated sexual assault after raping the first-year student on a fraternity house roof top in 2022 'Coming from a hard-working background, he was not someone who was groomed for the Ivy League, yet he thrived due to this relentless effort and humble spirit,' the letter said according to the outlet. Prosecutors said they would agree to having five years suspended from the minimum sentence of 30 years, providing the defendant completed a sex offender treatment program while in custody. 'Three consecutive terms of 10 years to 20 years will punish the defendant for his heinous conduct,' prosecutors stated, Valley News reported. 'He used his rank as an alumnus and brother of... the fraternity to take advantage of [the victim] and repeatedly and violently sexually assault her.' 'The crimes were severe and so must be his punishment,' they added. Clampitt is set to receive his sentence on April 14 at the Grafton County courthouse in North Haverhill. In a separate petition with the court, prosecutors said they wanted to 'hold back' on his sentencing as the remaining six sexual assault convictions pending action from the New Hampshire Supreme Court if the case is appealed, according to the outlet. The verdict condemning Clampitt found him guilty of 12 counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault and he was acquitted on two counts of second-degree assault involving strangulation. Each count carries a potential sentence of 10 to 20 years in prison. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence that would leave the Dartmouth College alumnus in prison until he reaches old age Clampitt graduated from the Ivy League college in 2020 but was on campus for a lacrosse game and was visiting his former fraternity. He met the victim while hanging out with the fraternity, Delta Theta Chi, on April 23, 2022. In June 2023, Clampitt was charged and pleaded not guilty to the crime, and argued the sexual encounter had been consensual. On the stand, the Ivy Leage alumnus claimed that there was nothing to suggest that she had been uncomfortable while on the roof and they had gone up as 'something fun to do.' He further testified that she had supposedly initiated the encounter. Clampitt, however, was pressed during cross-examination about his alcohol consumption and level of intoxication as well as why they would have chosen to have sex on the 'cold' roof instead of at the Airbnb he had rented or in a frat bedroom. The woman testified against Clampitt and gave graphic detail while recounting the events of being led to the roof and raped by the defendant. A witness, a former fraternity brother of Clampitt, testified that they were the first person to see the pair return from the roof, and that the victim asked them for help while tearing up. Clampitt graduated from the Ivy League college in 2020 but was on campus for a lacrosse game and was visiting his former fraternity. He met the victim while hanging out with the fraternity, Delta Theta Chi, on April 23, 2022 The witness furthered that they took the victim to a fraternity bedroom and told her to lock the door, which was consistent with the victims retelling of the events, The Dartmouth reported. A rape kit also found DNA that matched the defendant, as DNA specialist Tarah Nieroda testified remotely and stated: 'Mr Clampitt could not be excluded as a contributor to the Y DNA profile obtained from the external genital swabs.' Grafton County Prosecutor Marcie Hornick told the outlet: 'I'm glad she was brave enough to come forward. I'm glad she was brave enough to go through all this.' Britain is considering sending troops into Ukraine for five years under new plans to defend against a second Russian invasion, it has been reported. Soldiers could be deployed to help train and reconstitute the Ukrainian forces in measures that would shield the war-torn nation from further attacks. The scheme, raised in discussions led by Britain and France, would use a European-led force as a deterrence in a bid to uphold a peace agreement between the embattled nations, The Telegraph reports. Under the plans, the 'reassurance force' would offer to protect Ukraine's skies and sea boarders. They would also rebuild and retrain the depleted Ukrainian army as they race to outpace Moscow's efforts to rebuild their war-mongering capabilities. The 'coalition of the willing' would withdraw troops in stages, with the final soldiers leaving after around five years. French military experts have argued that Putin would be highly unlikely to launch another invasion into Ukraine if Western forces were present, the broadsheet reports. It comes after the Defence Secretary pledged that plans for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine are 'real and substantial' after hosting a meeting of defence ministers from 30 countries at Nato headquarters in Brussels. Servicemen of the 24th Mechanized Brigade improve their tactical skills on the training field at an undisclosed location in the east of Ukraine The Defence Secretary pledged that plans for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine are 'real and substantial' after hosting a meeting of defence ministers from 30 countries at Nato headquarters in Brussels Calling for allied forces to put more pressure on Putin, he said: '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 front line, so we must put more pressure on President Putin to end his war and we must step up support for Ukraine both in the fight and in the push for peace.' The meeting, co-hosted by Mr Healey and his French counterpart, Sebastien Lecornu, was intended to continue planning for the 'reassurance force' that could be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement. He continued: 'We advance the momentum of that planning here today, planning to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to protect its sovereignty and to deter any further Russian aggression. 'While today's discussions will be private, our planning is real and substantial.' He added that the coalition had 'clear objectives' for Ukraine, including 'safe skies', 'safe seas', peace on land and a strengthening of Kyiv's armed forces. But the prospect of a ceasefire still appears distant, as Russia has effectively rejected a US-backed proposal for a 30-day pause in hostilities. Last month, Moscow and Kyiv agreed to a truce in the Black Sea, but the Kremlin has pushed for some sanctions to be lifted before it comes into effect. Soldiers could be deployed to help train and reconstitute the Ukrainian forces in measures that would shield the war-torn nation from further attacks from Putin A serviceman of the 68th Oleksa Dovbush Separate Jaeger Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine fires a BM-21 Grad multiple-launch rocket system toward Russian troops Meanwhile, 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. Mr Healey went on to say that further military support would be announced on Friday at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, which he will chair alongside German defence minister Boris Pistorius. Meetings of the defence contact group had been chaired by the US defence secretary, until Donald Trump became president in January. Since then, in a sign of the US's disengagement from European security, Mr Healey has taken over that duty, chairing his first such meeting in February. A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'This is pure speculation. As the Defence Secretary said yesterday when convening the latest meeting of the 30 countries supporting the Coalition of the Willing, we are stepping up as one to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to protect its sovereignty. 'We must put more pressure on Putin to end his war, and we must step up our support for Ukraine, which is why we have announced a further 450m of military support today to deliver hundreds of thousands of drones and other urgently needed equipment.' The FCDO have been contacted for comment. NSW Premier Chris Minns has blasted the country's Race Discrimination Minister over his 'absolutely crazy' anti-Australia Day comments. Giridharan Sivaraman's controversial take on the national holiday, made on an independent radio station in Melbourne last October, resurfaced this week. '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 said. 'And to not acknowledge that just compounds racism.' The NSW Premier described Mr Sivaraman's comments as 'bonkers, absolutely crazy' during an appearance on 2GB radio on Friday. 'The thing about Australia Day and national days is they are incredibly important for countries. You have to think about what unites everybody - different backgrounds, different races, different religions,' Mr Minns said. 'If you live in a country you need national days to actually pull communities together, because everything else seems to be pulling us apart. 'So if you start jettisoning things like Anzac Day or Australia Day or start to diminish them, or pull them down in the public consciousness, what's going to actually pull people together?' NSW Premier Chris Minns (pictured) has blasted the country's Race Discrimination Minister over his 'absolutely crazy' anti- Australia Day comments Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman, who earns $400,000 a year, said acknowledging Australia Day 'just compounds racism' Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus (left) has distanced himself from comments made by Race Discrimination Commissioner Giridharan Sivaraman (right) Mr Minns added that 'every successful civilisation if you like, but every successful modern country rallies around a common purpose'. 'And as soon as you start jettisoning those things, well what's the point of living together?' he said. 'Couldn't have said it better myself,' Fordham replied. In the same radio interview last October, Mr Sivaraman also claimed Australia's 'systems and institutions are inherently affected by racism' which 'maintain white power and privilege'. The 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'. Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus hailed Mr Sivaraman as a 'great asset' when he was appointed for the role from a shortlist of candidates in February 2024. But Mr Dreyfus has insisted changing the date of Australia Day was 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,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday. '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. Senior ministers yesterday insisted that local grooming gang inquiries are still going ahead after fresh accusations of a cover-up. Both the Home Secretary and Deputy Prime Minister scrambled to quell the fury sparked by an apparent watering down of the pledge to fully investigate the exploitation of girls in five towns across England. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said yesterday she was 'absolutely astonished' that Labour had 'dropped' what it had announced only in January. She told Sky News: 'As I said to Keir Starmer at Prime Minister's Questions, if he did not have a full national inquiry, people will start to think there is a cover-up. They are clearly uncomfortable with having inquiries that are looking into this issue.' The row erupted when safeguarding minister Jess Phillips said the Home Office will now take a 'flexible approach' to a 5million fund for councils to set up victims' panels, audits of historical cases and full independent inquiries. Former equalities watchdog Trevor Phillips branded the move 'utterly shameful', while even some Labour backbenchers have complained privately about the Government's handling of the issue. But Yvette Cooper denied that the five local probes were being watered down, insisting. 'We're still going ahead.' The Home Secretary told LBC radio that there's been 'a lot of party political misinformation' on the issue, adding: 'What we should be doing is all working together to support victims and survivors of these really vile crimes.' Tory leader Kemi Badenoch (pictured) said yesterday she was 'absolutely astonished' that Labour had 'dropped' what it had announced only in January Both the Home Secretary (pictured) and Deputy Prime Minister scrambled to quell the fury sparked by an apparent watering down of the pledge to fully investigate the exploitation of girls in five towns across England The row erupted when safeguarding minister Jess Phillips (pictured) said the Home Office will now take a 'flexible approach' to a 5million fund for councils to set up victims' panels, audits of historical cases and full independent inquiries Ms Cooper said one inquiry in Oldham was already being established, the framework for others was being drawn up, and Whitehall troubleshooter Baroness Casey is carrying out a 'comprehensive audit' into the scale of grooming. And Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, asked by Sky News if the grooming gang inquiries were still happening, insisted: 'We are having those five local inquiries. We've put 5million into that. 'We've also expanded that because other areas have said we want to do inquiries we want to support that action.' Rupert Lowe, the MP suspended from Reform UK in a bitter row with party leader Nigel Farage, has raised more than 500,000 for an inquiry into the grooming gangs. He said yesterday it was the 'biggest ever political crowdfunder in British history', and that Conservative MP Esther McVey would be sitting on the inquiry's expert panel. 'What happened to innocent young girls in towns and cities all across our country is sick,' said Mr Lowe, who now sits as an independent. Writing on social media, he added: 'No attempt at concealing these monstrous crimes is in ANY way acceptable. We must show the British people the ugly truth.' Michael Gove is expected to receive a peerage in Rishi Sunak's resignation honours. The former Cabinet minister, 57, is reportedly one of several senior Tories predicted to be elevated to the House of Lords. He stood down as an MP at the last election and is now editor of The Spectator. It is thought there are seven names on Mr Sunak's resignation honours list alongside Mr Gove, including ex-chief whip Simon Hart and former Scottish secretary Sir Alistair Jack. Former party chief executive Stephen Massey is also due to receive a peerage for 'political and public service', according to the Financial Times. The list is a tradition that allows outgoing prime ministers to award gongs to close allies and staff. Michael Gove (pictured) is expected to receive a peerage in Rishi Sunak's resignation honours It is thought there are seven names on Mr Sunak's resignation honours list alongside Mr Gove, including ex-chief whip Simon Hart and former Scottish secretary Sir Alistair Jack (pictured) In his separate dissolution honours list last summer, Mr Sunak (pictured at Prime Minister's Questions earlier this year) gave a peerage to his chief of staff in Downing Street Liam Booth-Smith In his separate dissolution honours list last summer, Mr Sunak gave a peerage to his chief of staff in Downing Street Liam Booth-Smith, along with former PM Theresa May, 1922 Committee chairman Sir Graham Brady and climate tsar Sir Alok Sharma. Mr Sunak vowed to scrap the House of Lords in favour of an elected upper chamber in 2022 but later watered down his plans. Labour has pledged to introduce a mandatory retirement age of 80 alongside the abolition of hereditary peers, of which there are currently 90 in the House of Lords. In December Sir Keir Starmer appointed 30 new Labour peers, including his former chief of staff Sue Gray. The Cabinet Office and the Conservatives declined to comment last night. A massive boa constrictor spotted slithering around Sydney's southern suburbs has finally been captured after days of sightings. The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) confirmed the red-tailed snake was caught in Sylvania, 22km south of the CBD, on Thursday. Tyler Gibbons from Shire Snake Wranglers has been credited with capturing the snake after receiving a tip-off from a reporter who sighted it at the Sylvania Boat Camp. 'I headed straight there and found the boa with a bloke who was surprisingly comfortable handling it,' Mr Gibbons wrote on social media on Thursday evening. 'The snake was safely removed and handed over to the DPI.' Footage of the reticulated snake slithering near a Tom Ugly's Bridge in Sylvania went viral after being posted to Facebook on Monday. Sydneysiders were told 'not to approach' the reptile, believed to be an escaped pet, and to report any sightings to authorities. After at least four days on the loose, Mr Gibbons was able to rescue the snake not far from the location of its initial sighting. A giant boa constrictor that sparked panic in Sydney's south has been captured Snake wrangler Tyler Gibbons is pictured with the boa constrictor after rescuing it on Thursday Despite the concerned response from locals, Mr Gibbons said boa constrictors are known to be calm animals. 'They are very placid, boas... he never tried to bite me or anything like that,' he told ABC Radio Sydney. 'They're beautiful snakes'. Mr Gibbons said the 1.5metre snake was a juvenile and still had 'a lot of growing to do'. Adult boas generally measure around three metres, but some can be longer than four. The are non-venomous and feed mostly on small mammals, lizards and birds, which they wrap themselves around and suffocate. A spokesperson for NSW DPIRD confirmed the catch, adding a veterinarian had identified it as a 2kg male boa constrictor. 'NSW DPIRD thanks the local community for their vigilance and encourages members of the public across NSW to report any unusual or exotic animal sightings. 'NSW DPIRD will continue its investigation to determine the owner of the snake. Dealings with a boa constrictor in NSW is an offence under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and attracts a fine of $1,000.' A 22-year-old cafe worker and aspiring lawyer has found a little-known loophole that wiped $10,000 off the bill for her fertility treatment. The NSW student was quoted $12,500 by a fertility clinic after inquiring about treatment following her diagnosis of endometriosis and adenomyosis. Milly Bonnici shared a tearful clip on TikTok explaining she was advised to freeze her eggs because she has a 'really low' egg reserve. The law student, who works part-time at a cafe and a pub, was distraught because the cost would wipe out her savings. She captioned the video: 'Feeling so alone, isolated, scared and just overwhelmed by this whole process. 12k is so much money, especially being 22 and in this economy. 'Endo and adeno are so cruel and I'm so b***** over it!!' Milly said her wish to have children one day is important to her, as she is from a 'broken home'. The aspiring lawyer has now revealed her tearful confession saved her $10,000 after women who have gone through the same treatment shared their advice. Milly Bonnici, 22, was initially quoted $12,500 for treatment (pictured) She said in a clip: 'My comment section saved me $10,000 and I want to talk about it because apparently it's not talked about enough'. Over 300 women shared their advice and support to Milly, informing her there are bulk-billing clinics in Australia that are far more cost-effective. Milly admitted she broke down and cried in the 'dairy section at Woolworths' after realising she could now, in fact, afford the treatment. 'So many women struggle and no one talks about it. Until someone cries on TikTok apparently,' she joked. Milly has since found a clinic that can provide the same treatment for $2,500 as rebates are available for egg freezing if it's deemed medically necessary. Elective egg freezing can cost between $5,000 to $15,000 per cycle in Australia with ongoing storage fees can be between $500 to $600 per year. Medicare typically doesn't cover these costs making the treatment very expensive for the majority of Australians. Medicare typically doesn't cover costs associated with elective egg retrieval (stock) One commenter said: 'Thank you for your video, after being quoted around $15,000 from Monash IVF we're now looking into Adora as well. 'I'm 23 and related to your video so much and now I may actually be able to afford IVF,' to which Milly replied: 'THIS MAKES ME SO HAPPY I'm so glad I cried on TikTok.' 'For ppl starting their TTC journey, low cost clinics are out there. I paid $250 for my successful IUI, compared to $1,000-$2,500 at a lot of other fertility clinics. Shop around, they're out there,' another wrote. The stunning rescue of a young paraglider who broke his back in three places after smashing into a sandstone cliff has been caught on camera. Hawaii-born adventurer Maverick Robins crash-landed above Rainbow Beach, north of Queensland's Sunshine Coast, on October 22, 2024. Seconds later, he snapped into action, pulling out his phone from his chest pocket to call for help while using the other to balance on the cliff face. The Gold Coast student was 80metres down a 100metre cliff with his upper body slumped over an unstable, sandy ledge and his legs dangling off a 20metre sheer drop down to the beach below. He was clutching onto a small, shallow-rooted salt scrub as an anchor and couldn't feel his legs as a result of breaking his back. In his triple-zero call, Mr Robins is captured on his GoPro asking the Queensland Ambulance Service operator to send a rescue helicopter. 'I think I need a helicopter. I am at Rainbow Beach paragliding on the south side. I've crashed the paraglider in the sand,' he said. 'How soon can the helicopter be here? I am way up the hill. The only accessible way to get to me is in a helicopter.' Hawaii-born adventurer Maverick Robins said he was 'stoked to be alive' after the ordeal Mr Robins told the triple-zero operator he could only be rescued from the cliff in a helicopter Maverick Robins (right) crashed into a cliff and was dangling 20metres above ground Mr Robins was paragliding with his friend Vinny Brazier, who landed safely on a small sandy strip on the cliff. Knowing his friend was in trouble, he rushed to help. 'I ran over to Mav to assess his condition. I helped adjust his legs, so he had a better perch on the small bush and the sand that was holding him up,' he said. The two waited while the LifeFlight rescue team rushed to help. Pilot Aaron Regan said the night sky was 'really dark' due to the heavy clouds. After arriving, the helicopter hovered 200 feet above the cliffs as the LifeFlight rescue team was winched down, more than twice the usual winch height. 'When the sounds of the chopper came overhead, it was the biggest relief,' Mr Robins said. 'Because I knew they were going to get me out of there.' Despite being 100metres away, the AW139's rotor wash was so strong it nearly destroyed the sand structure around Maverick. 'I could feel the ledge erode from under my waist,' Mr Robins said. 'Then it eroded from under my stomach, and thankfully, just before it got to my upper body, the helicopter flew further away. I was very scared. I didn't know the extent of my injuries. I was in so much shock.' Rescue Crew Officer Callum Good said having to navigate the precarious sand dunes (pictured) made the rescue 'extremely tricky' Three months after the crash, Mr Robins (pictured centre) was able to personally thank the LifeFlight team who 'undoubtedly' saved his life Rescue Crew Officer Callum Good said having to navigate the precarious sand dunes made the rescue 'extremely tricky'. Critical Care doctor Carly Silvester also struggled while crossing the sand, slipping twice on her way to reach him. 'It took a lot of experience and knowledge and years of training to be able to do that safely. What was a really high-risk scenario, turned into something that was cool, calm and controlled,' she said. Working with local firefighters, the team were able to pull Mr Robins up onto a safer location and flew him to Sunshine Coast Hospital. Three months after the crash, Mr Robins was able to personally thank the LifeFlight team who 'undoubtedly' saved his life. He then enjoyed his first post-accident paraglide on a perfect, blue-sky afternoon. 'The rescue crews are real-life superheroes. I was thinking how lucky I was to be in a country with rescue helicopters,' he said. 'I'm just stoked to be alive.' Britain is set to back prosecuting Vladimir Putin for war crimes in a move modelled on the Nuremberg trials of Nazis after the Second World War. It is understood the UK will join most European nations to back proposals at the Council of Europe to put Russians on trial for 'crimes of aggression' during the invasion of Ukraine. An ad hoc military tribunal would be set up to prosecute Russian generals and leaders for war crimes, according to plans Britain will back at a meeting of the European human rights organisation next month. Sir Keir Starmer's long-time friend and fellow lawyer Philippe Sands, along with others in the profession, has said it should be set up specifically for handling crimes of aggression. These are defined by the United Nations as 'invasion or attack by the armed forces of a state on the territory of another state, or any military occupation'. The UK and some other Western countries have said that under these terms, the political decision to invade should also be scrutinised, as well as war crimes committed in Ukraine after the war began in February 2022, the Telegraph reports. But it risks creating friction between Sir Keir and President Donald Trump. The US confirmed last month it had withdrawn from and suspended funds to the body in charge of the proposal, called the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression - which Joe Biden's administration had supported. Britain is set to back prosecuting Vladimir Putin (pictured) for war crimes in a move modelled on the Nuremberg trials of Nazis after the Second World War It is understood the UK will join most European nations to back proposals to put Russians on trial for 'crimes of aggression' during the invasion of Ukraine. Pictured: A soldier walks past destroyed buildings in the city of Pokrovsk, Ukraine, on Tuesday Sir Keir Starmer's (pictured) long-time friend and fellow lawyer Philippe Sands, along with others in the profession, has said it should be set up specifically for handling crimes of aggression The 'crime of aggression' cannot be examined by the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague - and the ICC is not recognised by Russia or the US. Suggestions that a new court should deal with crimes of aggression, then, were first raised in 2022. They were backed by both Ukraine's government and then-US president Joe Biden's administration - and American lawyers and funds were sent to help establish it. But Trump, trying to be more conciliatory towards Russia, withdrew this involvement after his inauguration in January. The President has refused to describe Russia's actions as an invasion and hopes to broker peace between Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. He also refused to sign a statement from the G7 nations calling Russia the 'aggressor' and has previously dubbed Zelensky a 'dictator'. It comes after a video emerged in January of a Russian soldier calling on his comrades to film as at least six Ukrainian prisoners of war were cold-bloodedly shot dead. Kyiv launched a criminal investigation at the time and reported the barbaric mass killing to the UN and Red Cross. But it risks creating friction between Sir Keir and President Donald Trump The President has refused to describe Russia's actions as an invasion and hopes to broker peace between Putin and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) Suggestions that a new court should deal with crimes of aggression, then, were first raised in 2022. They were backed by both Ukraine's government and then-US president Joe Biden's administration. Pictured: A view of destruction after a Russian attack on the Ukrainian village of Borova on Tuesday The savage Russian soldiers in the occupied Donetsk region filmed themselves committing the illegal battlefield massacre. Ukrainian human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, who also sent details to the UN and Red Cross, said at the time: 'The Russian army has never been famous for its dignified treatment of prisoners of war, and here it once again demonstrates its helplessness and criminality.' He added: 'The lack of responsibility has turned the crime into a systematic one. We cannot turn a blind eye to this. 'Ukraine needs justice and responsibility for those who commit crimes and do not adhere to any norms.' A UN study found in March last year that Russia was continuing to commit serious rights violations and war crimes in Ukraine, including 'systematic' torture and rape. The high-level Commission of Inquiry (COI) on the rights situation in Ukraine since the full-scale invasion, said that it had found fresh evidence of widespread abuses. It also voiced concern about the continued use of explosive weapons in civilian areas, confirming 'a pattern of disregard by Russian armed forces for possible harm to civilians'. 'The evidence shows that Russian authorities have committed violation of international human rights and international humanitarian law and corresponding war crimes,' COI chief Erik Mose said at the time. 'Further investigations are required to determine whether some of the situations identified may constitute crimes against humanity,' he added. A British teacher was taken hostage at gunpoint in the Caribbean before managing to jump out of the kidnapper's car boot and make an escape. Zaheer Esat, who runs a private school in Leicestershire, was kidnapped at gunpoint last Friday while visiting Trinidad to see 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 a mosque near the island's west coast. The male kidnapper, armed with a rifle, shouted at the family to lower their heads. He dragged Mr Esat from the rear passenger seat of the black Nissan hatchback into his own car. His family were left unharmed. Mr Esat, who is of dual Trinidadian and British nationality, had not been carrying a mobile phone when he was kidnapped, according to the police. His father issued urgent pleas for the kidnapper to release him, saying his son suffers from asthma and needs an inhaler. Zaheer Esat, who runs a private school in Leicestershire, was kidnapped at gunpoint last Friday while visiting Trinidad to see his parents Two days later, Mr Esat was discovered by a passer-by wandering a cremation site about six miles away from the scene where he was kidnapped. He was taken to the police and told 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.' According to Mr Esat's LinkedIn, he is the director at the Lewis Charlton Group of Learning Centres, a private school for pupils with emotional and special educational needs. The family of five, including three children, killed on a tour helicopter that crashed into New York City's Hudson River have been identified. Agustin Escobar, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal and their three children, aged four, five and 11, were killed in the crash, along with the 36-year-old pilot. Escobar was the CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility and former president of the Spanish branch of the technology company. Heartbreaking photos showed the family posing on the helipad and inside the aircraft before the crash. The family had arrived in the Big Apple from Barcelona earlier in the day, law enforcement sources told the New York Post. It has also emerged that the helicopter pilot warned he needed to refuel just before the tragedy that killed all six on board. The terrifying crash took place at around 3.15pm on Thursday, closer to the New Jersey side of the Hudson River just off the tip of Lower Manhattan. Witnesses said they saw the chopper 'split in half' before it went down near Pier 40, with one man reporting the stricken aircraft making what sounded like a 'sonic boom'. The aircraft was operated by New York Helicopter, a local tour company. The chopper appeared to be a N216MH - a Bell 206L-4, according to Flight Radar. Agustin Escobar, the president of the Spanish branch of the technology company Siemens, and his wife and three children (pictured before boarding) were killed in the crash Heartbreaking photos showed the family posing inside the helicopter and on the helipad before the crash A helicopter with a Spanish family of two adults and three children is seen crashing into New York City's Hudson river Thursday afternoon. The entire family as well as a pilot all died The helicopter flew for approximately 16 minutes before going down into the water. It took off from the Wall Street Heliport and did a circle near the Statue of Liberty before flying up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge at about 1,000ft. Investigators say it is too early to say what may have caused the crash. Dramatic video showed the helicopter sinking into the water as emergency crews rushed to the scene. Michael Roth, 71, who owns New York Helicopter which provided the tour and the chopper, said that the aircraft was running out of fuel just minutes into their trip. 'He [the pilot] 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 didn't arrive,' Roth told The Telegraph. Roth said that he started to get a ton of phone messages before one of his other pilots flew over the Hudson 'and saw the helicopter upside down'. 'We're all devastated. Every employee in our company is devastated. My wife has not stopped crying. 'The death of the child, of any human being, is a monumental disaster,' Roth added. Emergency responders were seen late Thursday night pulling the remnants of the destroyed helicopter from the murky water of the Hudson River. Photos showed a crane pulling mangled clumps of metal out of the river. Jersey City Mayor Steven explained in a post on X that major parts of the aircraft have not yet been recovered, so dive teams will scour the Hudson River for the parts on Friday. 'Recovery operations have been secured for the night. Major parts of the aircraft have not been recovered so dive operations by the NYPD and NJSP will resume tomorrow morning,' he said. The family had arrived in the Big Apple from Barcelona earlier in the day before they went sightseeing Your browser does not support iframes. A young boy was pulled from the water and was taken to the hospital, an NYPD source told DailyMail.com A helicopter crashed into New York's Hudson River with a family of five, including three young children, inside Thursday afternoon Emergency crews pull wreckage of the helicopter out from the Hudson River. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to the hospital where they later died Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to the hospital, where they 'succumbed to their injuries,' NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Escobar was appointed to serve as the CEO of Siemens in Spain in 2022 after previously serving as the CEO of Siemens Mobility Spain. He also held various positions in Spain between 1998 and 2010, primarily in the energy sector. Additionally, Escobar served as the vice president of the German Chamber of Commerce for Spain. Escobar had previously lived in New York, and had been in the UK shortly before the tragedy on Thursday, social media posts revealed. Like her husband, Merce also worked for Siemens. She described herself online as Siemens Energys Global Commercialist Manager. Merce joined Siemens as a sales manager for her native Catalonia region in April 2009 and spent two years as a management consultant for the firm in the States between January 2011 and January 2013 when she was based in Manhattan. Merce was the great-granddaughter of Augusti Montal Galobart, Barcelona FC president from 1946 to 1952, and the granddaughter of Augusti Montal Costa who was in charge of the Catalan club from 1969 to 1977. The Spanish economist and businessman signed soccer great Johan Cruyff from Ajax in 1973 for a then-world record fee equivalent to 130mn today. At the time of the crash, it was cloudy with winds around 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, CNN reported. Surface visibility was considered good 10 miles but it was cloudy as a system is moving into the region, bringing light rain to the region this afternoon and evening. The water was about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Other footage showed the chopper 'flying erratically' just before it fell into the water, while other clips showed pieces of the aircraft were seen flying off. 'Our hearts go out to the families of those who were onboard,' Mayor Eric Adams said. 'All six have been removed from the water, and sadly all six victims have been pronounced deceased.' Rashmi Kamkeri, a 30-year-old engineer, was working remotely from her apartment in Newport Park when she heard a deafening crash about 3:19 p.m. on Thursday. Rashmi Kamkeri (pictured), a 30-year-old engineer, was working remotely from her apartment in Newport Park when she heard a deafening crash about 3.19pm on Thursday Emergency responders were seen late Thursday night pulling the remnants of the destroyed helicopter from the murky water of the Hudson River 'It was horrifying,' Kamkeri told DailyMail.com. 'I thought it was thunder and ten seconds later I saw the helicopter 10 feet above the water falling and then it made a big splash and went underneath the water. 'I panicked... then saw a piece of the helicopter fall into the water. The Waterway boat was moving and then it took a turn. 'I was almost in tears praying that someone would come and save them. I wished there would be someone survives. I am so sad.' Anna was walking her rescue dog Archie along the West Side Highway in the rain when she saw the emergency responders and lights across the river on the New Jersey side. 'I saw the helicopter submerged in the water and then there was a-lot of commotion,' she told DailyMail.com. Another said: 'One of my children said, 'what's that sound?' I told him I didn't know. My other child said, 'Do you think it was an earthquake?' 'I said, 'no we would feel it.' 'My other child asked, 'Do you think a building pancaked?'' One eye witness told ABC the crash 'sounded like a sonic boom,' and when he looked up he saw the chopper 'splitting in two.' 'It was going so fast and it just went straight into the water... I've never seen anything like that in my life,' he added. One of the Escobar children sits on the helicopter before the crash Debris from the helicopter crash that killed a family of five and pilot floats in the Hudson River Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River Another person told the outlet: 'I heard a loud snap... I looked over... and I could see a helicopter falling on its side and splash into the water. I didn't see anyone come out.' Fulop said the Jersey City Police Department are taking the lead in the investigation until officials with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrive. The skies are often filled with both planes and helicopters that both fly private recreational, commercial and tourists flights. Manhattan has multiple helipads that are used by people, including business executives, to get across the Metropolitan area. At least 32 have been killed in helicopter crashes in New York City since 1977. The most recent crash happened in 2018 when a chopper hit crashed into the East River, leaving five passengers dead. The chopper crashed on March 11, 2018 when the tail of the aircraft got caught on the fuel shutoff lever, the NTSB said. All the passengers on board drowned. They were identified as Daniel Thompson, 34, Tristian Hill, 29, Trevor Cadigan, 26, Brian McDaniel, 26, and Carla Vallejos-Blanco, 29. The pilot of the tour helicopter that crashed into New York City's Hudson River warned that they were out of fuel just before the tragedy that killed all six on board. Agustin Escobar, the president of the Spanish branch of the technology company Siemens, and his wife and three children died in the crash, the New York Times reported. The pilot is yet to be formally identified. The tragedy took place at around 3:15pm on Thursday, closer to the New Jersey side of the Hudson River just off the tip of Lower Manhattan. Calls to emergency services were received at approximately 3:17pm, just 17 minutes after it took off from downtown Manhattan. Michael Roth, 71, who owns New York Helicopter which provided the tour and the chopper, said that the aircraft needed fuel. 'He [the pilot] 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 didn't arrive,' Roth told The Telegraph. Roth said that he started to get a ton of phone messages before one of his other pilots flew over the Hudson 'and saw the helicopter upside down.' 'We're all devastated. Every employee in our company is devastated. My wife has not stopped crying. The pilot of the tour helicopter that crashed into New York City 's Hudson River and killed a Spanish family of five warned that they were out of fuel just before the tragedy The terrifying crash took place at around 3:15 p.m. on Thursday, closer to the New Jersey side of the Hudson River just off the tip of Lower Manhattan Emergency responders on the scene remove a helicopter from the Hudson River after it crashed in Jersey City 'The death of the child of any human being, is a monumental disaster,' Roth added. Heartbreaking photos showed the family posing on the helipad and inside the aircraft before the crash. Law enforcement officials confirmed to the outlet that the executive and his family were onboard the tour helicopter. Escobar was appointed to serve as the CEO of Siemens in Spain in 2022 after previously serving as the CEO of Siemens Mobility Spain. He also held various positions in Spain between 1998 and 2010, primarily in the energy sector. Additionally, Escobar served as the vice president of the German Chamber of Commerce for Spain. Officials said the victims include a business executive from Spain, an adult relative, three children and the pilot. Witnesses said they saw the chopper 'split in half' before it went down near Pier 40, with one man reporting the stricken aircraft making what sounded like a 'sonic boom.' The aircraft was operated by New York Helicopter, a local tour company. The chopper appeared to be a N216MH - a Bell 206L-4, according to Flight Radar. Agustin Escobar, the president of the Spanish branch of the technology company Siemens, and his wife and three children (pictured) were killed in the crash The helicopter flew for approximately 16 minutes before going down into the water. It took off from the Wall Street Heliport and did a circle near the Statue of Liberty before flying up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge at about 1000 feet. It is also too early to say what may have caused the crash. Dramatic video showed the helicopter sinking into the water as emergency crews rushed to the scene. As of 5:15 p.m., rescue efforts appeared to have concluded, and officials are focused on recovering parts of the aircraft, reported Fox 5. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to the hospital, where they 'succumbed to their injuries,' NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Their names are being held pending family notification, and the Spanish Consulate of New York City is in touch with authorities, according to the communications team at the Spanish Foreign Ministry. At the time of the crash, it was cloudy with winds around 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, CNN reported. Surface visibility was considered good 10 miles but it was cloudy as a system is moving into the region, bringing light rain to the region this afternoon and evening. The water was about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Other footage showed the chopper 'flying erratically' just before it fell into the water, while other clips showed pieces of the aircraft were seen flying off. A crane vessel lifts the wreckage of a helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River 'Our hearts go out to the families of those who were onboard,' Mayor Eric Adams said. 'All six have been removed from the water, and sadly all six victims have been pronounced deceased.' Anna was walking her rescue dog Archie along the West Side Highway in the rain when she saw the emergency responders and lights across the river on the New Jersey side. 'I saw the helicopter submerged in the water and then there was a-lot of commotion,' she told DailyMail.com. Another said: 'One of my children said, 'what's that sound?' I told him I didn't know. My other child said, 'Do you think it was an earthquake?' 'I said, 'no we would feel it.' 'My other child asked, 'Do you think a building pancaked?'' One eye witness told ABC the crash 'sounded like a sonic boom,' and when he looked up he saw the chopper 'splitting in two.' 'It was going so fast and it just went straight into the water... I've never seen anything like that in my life,' he added. Another person told the outlet: 'I heard a loud snap ... I looked over ... and I could see a helicopter falling on its side and splash into the water. I didn't see anyone come out.' Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said the Jersey City Police Department are taking the lead in the investigation until officials with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrive. The skies are often filled with both planes and helicopters that both fly private recreational, commercial and tourists flights. Manhattan has multiple helipads that are used by people, including business executives, to get across the Metropolitan area. At least 32 have been killed in helicopter crashes in New York City since 1977. The most recent crash happened in 2018 when a chopper hit crashed into the East River, leaving five passengers dead. The chopper crashed on March 11, 2018 when the tail of the aircraft got caught on the fuel shutoff lever, the NTSB said. All the passengers on board drowned. They were identified as Daniel Thompson, 34, Tristian Hill, 29, Trevor Cadigan, 26, Brian McDaniel, 26, and Carla Vallejos-Blanco, 29. Families heading to the Royal Easter Show this year have been urged to 'mind the gap' when travelling on public transport. Sydney Trains has installed rubber gap fillers on all platforms at Olympic Park Station, bridging the space between train doors and the platform. The urgent safety update comes after the station recorded 15 falls in the past year, 13 of which occurred during the Easter Show and many of which involved children. Up to 523 people fell onto train platforms across the Sydney Trains network last year. Footage of one terrifying incident at Kirrawee Station in the city's south has recently resurfaced. In the CCTV vision, a child is seen falling through the gap between the train and platform, triggering frantic scenes. The child's family rush to pull them out, while nearby passengers scramble to alert train guards. Sydney Trains boss Matt Longland said the new safety measures aim to give parents 'peace of mind' while travelling to the show this year. A child is seen falling through the gap at Kirrawee station in Sydney's south Rubber gap fillers were first introduced at Circular Quay Station four years ago (pictured) 'There has not been a single fall through the gap recorded on any platform where this solution has been rolled out,' he added. Last year, 400,000 people travelled to the Royal Easter Show by train over the 12-day period, with similar numbers expected this year. Acting Transport Minister John Graham said the gap fillers are especially important for families. 'Childhood memories of the Royal Easter Show should be all about show bags, rides and the best animals in show not a frightening fall at the train station on the way,' he said. 'We saw the number of Easter Show-related falls at Olympic Park last year, and we have fast-tracked the installation of gap fillers so a trip to the Show is as stress-free as possible. Rubber gap fillers were first introduced at Circular Quay Station four years ago. More than half of all gap-related falls across the rail network occur at the busiest stations, often involving families heading to or from major events. That's why the rollout of gap fillers has followed incident data, with installations at Circular Quay, Town Hall, Martin Place, Wynyard, Bondi Junction, Redfern, Chatswood, Wolli Creek and Central. The Royal Easter Show (pictured) opens on Friday, April 11 and runs until April 22nd Rubber gaps are pictured being installed at Olympic Park Station Since their installation at 26 priority platforms, not a single person has fallen through the gap. Stations next in line for the safety upgrade include Epping, Lidcombe, Strathfield, Blacktown, Hurstville and Sydenham. Sydenham station has previously made headlines after a four-year-old boy fell through the gap in 2019. The Royal Easter Show opens on Friday, April 11 and runs until April 22nd. An eyewitness to the tragic helicopter crash on the Hudson River has recalled the 'horrifying' moment she realized a thunderous sound she heard was an aircraft spiraling out of the sky. Rashmi Kamkeri, a 30-year-old engineer, was working remotely from her apartment in Newport Park when she heard a deafening crash about 3.19pm on Thursday. From her window - which overlooks the Hudson River running between New York and New Jersey - she saw the tragedy as it unfolded. A New York Helicopters aircraft was falling from the sky. Authorities have since recovered six bodies from the wreckage, identified as Spanish tech boss Agustin Escobar, his wife and their three children, along with the pilot. 'It was horrifying,' Kamkeri told DailyMail.com. 'I thought it was thunder and ten seconds later I saw the helicopter 10 feet above the water falling and then it made a big splash and went underneath the water. 'I panicked... then saw a piece of the helicopter fall into the water. The Waterway boat was moving and then it took a turn. 'I was almost in tears praying that someone would come and save them. I wished there would be someone survives. I am so sad.' Rashmi Kamkeri (pictured), a 30-year-old engineer, was working remotely from her apartment in Newport Park when she heard a deafening crash about 3.19pm on Thursday Agustin Escobar, the president of the Spanish branch of the technology company Siemens, and his wife and three children (pictured) were killed in the crash The most recent crash happened in 2018 when a chopper hit crashed into the East River, leaving five passengers dead. (Pictured: The chopper from the previous crash being pulled from the water) At 3.22pm, Kamkeri began taking videos of some of the boats circling the wreckage. Then at 3.23pm, emergency responders started to arrive on the scene and by 3.30pm more police and helicopters arrived. The aircraft was operated by New York Helicopter Tours, a local tour company. The chopper appeared to be a N216MH - a Bell 206L-4, according to Flight Radar. The helicopter flew for approximately 16 minutes before going down into the water. It took off from the Wall Street Heliport and did a circle near the Statue of Liberty before flying up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge at about 1000 feet. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to the hospital, where they 'succumbed to their injuries,' NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. The family of five who tragically perished were pictured posing on the helipad and inside the aircraft before the crash. Law enforcement officials confirmed to The New York Times that the executive and his family were onboard the tour helicopter. Escobar was appointed to serve as the CEO of Siemens in Spain in 2022 after previously serving as the CEO of Siemens Mobility Spain. Pictured: First responders on the pier near where the crash took place Heartbreaking photos showed the family posing inside the helicopter and on the helipad before the crash Emergency personnel worked in darkness to pull the wreckage from the water He also held various positions in Spain between 1998 and 2010, primarily in the energy sector. Escobar served as the vice president of the German Chamber of Commerce for Spain. Jacqueline and Aidan White, who also live nearby, were outside with their dog Tuukka when an alert pinged on their phones about the tragedy. When they learned the victims were visiting New York from Spain had perished, Jacqueline said: I cant even imagine their families. They are probably asleep and might not even know because of the time difference. 'Imagine waking up and your entire...' she said, her voice trailing off. 'It's so terrible.' Jacqueline said she'd 'always wanted' to take a helicopter ride, but the recent spike in aircraft tragedies had forced her to reconsider. 'Now I dont think Its too scary and its happened too many times now. There have been a lot of crashes or maybe we are just hearing about it more now. Brian Marks, who was also nearby when Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger pulled off a 'Miracle on the Hudson' and safely landed his passenger plane on the Hudson after a bird strike disabled both engines, said he was at the park with his children on Thursday as the helicopter went down. Brian Marks (pictured), who was also nearby when Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger pulled off a 'Miracle on the Hudson' and safely landed his passenger plane on the Hudson after a bird strike disabled both engines, said he was at the park with his children on Thursday as the helicopter went down Jacqueline and Aidan White, who also live nearby, were outside with their dog Tuukka when an alert pinged on their phones about the tragedy Witnesses gathered along the edge of the river as emergency crews tried to pull the wreckage from the water Parts of the helicopter were still being pulled from the river on Thursday evening He said one of his children asked 'what's that sound', while the second asked 'do you think it was an earthquake?' 'I said, ''no we would feel it'',' prompting his child to ask again: 'Do you think a building pancaked?' Marks described the sound as a 'loud thump' and warned 'in this river in this time of day with this temperature hypothermia will kill you in like five minutes.' Another eye witness told ABC the crash 'sounded like a sonic boom,' and when he looked up he saw the chopper 'splitting in two.' 'It was going so fast and it just went straight into the water... I've never seen anything like that in my life,' he added. Anna was walking her rescue dog Archie along the West Side Highway in the rain when she saw the emergency responders and lights across the river on the New Jersey side. She appeared shaken as she explained the terrifying scene. 'I saw the helicopter submerge in the water and then there was a-lot of commotion,' she said. A helicopter crashed into New York's Hudson River with a child inside Thursday afternoon A young boy was pulled from the water and was taken to the hospital, an NYPD source told DailyMail.com At the time of the crash, it was cloudy with winds around 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, CNN reported. Surface visibility was considered good 10 miles but it was cloudy as a system is moving into the region, bringing light rain to the region this afternoon and evening. The water was about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. 'Our hearts go out to the families of those who were onboard,' Mayor Eric Adams said. 'All six have been removed from the water, and sadly all six victims have been pronounced deceased.' Germany's Chancellor-in-waiting has vowed to cut aid to countries that are unwilling to take their former citizens back. The foreign aid budget - which has been a huge source of pride for officials in the European country - could be slashed amid a raft of measures to curb illegal immigration. The future government of conservatives and centre-left Social Democrats have threatened the measures has they signed off on plans for rejecting asylum seekers, enabling deportations to Syria and suspending family reunions. Friedrich Merz from the conservative CDU/CSU bloc, who is set to lead the new coalition government, pledged to wage a 'deportation offensive' as they look to reconfigure their foreign policy around their country's interests. Germany had previously only trailed the US as the world's largest donor of foreign aid, giving away 0.8 per cent of its GDP on absolute terms. But the sum is set to be drastically cut under the new coalition, after already being hit by the previous administration. They hope to use the money instead to fund schemes including a hike in the 'mother's' pension for women who took tome out of work to raise children and a drop in VAT for restaurants. It comes after Trump fed the US's aid programme 'into the wood chipper' and the UK also downsized more than halved its aid targets. 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. 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 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 new government 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. 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. 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 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 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. 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 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. The family onboard a helicopter that plummeted into the Hudson River had only arrived in New York City on the same day they were killed. Agustin Escobar, the president of the Spanish branch of the technology company Siemens, and his family had only arrived in the city earlier in the day on Thursday before the fatal crash that very afternoon. Escobar and his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children - aged four, five, and 11 years old - were all killed in the tragic crash alongside the pilot, aged 36. Law enforcement sources told the New York Post that the family were visiting from Barcelona and landed on Thursday before taking the tour helicopter. The chopper was seen crashing into the murky waters of the Hudson River, closer to the New Jersey side, at around 3.15pm. Witnesses say they saw the chopper 'split in half' before it went down near Pier 40. One man described the sound from the aircraft like a 'sonic boom.' Heartbreaking photos showed the family grinning from ear to ear as they prepared to board the chopper and tour the city skies. Agustin Escobar, the president of the Spanish branch of Siemens, and his family had only arrived in the city earlier in the day on Thursday before the fatal crash that very afternoon. The family were pictured in front of the chopper before the crash Escobar and his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children - aged 4, 5, and 11 years old - were all killed in the tragic crash alongside the pilot, aged 36 The chopper was seen crashing into the murky waters of the Hudson River, closer to the New Jersey side, at around 3.15pm The young children sat on board the chopper, one with a thumbs up like his dad who was sat opposite him, while Escobar's wife laughed next to their youngest child. Another of their children was seen strapped in front of the helicopter next to the pilot, smiling in another picture. The helicopter was only in the air for 16 minutes after it took off from the Wall Street Heliport and circled near the Statue of Liberty before it plunged into the water. Dani Horbiak told ABC News that she watched the chopper 'fall out of the sky' from her apartment. '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. It remains unclear what caused the chopper to crash, as emergency crews are pictured pulling mangled pieces from the water late Thursday evening. The owner of the tour company, CEO Michael Roth of New York Helicopter Charter, told the Post following the crash that he was '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. And I havent seen anything like that in my 30 years being in business, in the helicopter business,' he said. The young children sat on board the chopper, one with a thumbs up like his dad who was sat opposite him, while Escobar's wife laughed next to their youngest child. Another of their children was seen strapped in front of the helicopter next to the pilot, smiling in another picture The owner of the tour company, CEO Michael Roth of New York Helicopter Charter, told the Post following the crash that he was 'absolutely devastated' The helicopter was only in the air for 16 minutes after it took off from the Wall Street Heliport and circled near the Statue of Liberty before it plunged into the water '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.' Roth also told the Telegraph: 'He [the pilot] 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.' Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others later passed away in hospital, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. While skies were clear at the time, footage showed the helicopter flying 'erratically' just before it fell into the water. Flying on board were the tourist family of five as well as the pilot of the chopper. 'Our hearts go out to the families of those who were onboard,' Mayor Eric Adams said. 'All six have been removed from the water, and sadly all six victims were pronounced dead.' Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said the Jersey City Police Department are taking the lead in the investigation until officials with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) arrive. The skies are often filled with both planes and helicopters that both fly private recreational, commercial and tourist flights. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others later passed away in hospital, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch It remains unclear what caused the chopper to crash, as emergency crews are pictured pulling mangled pieces from the water late Thursday evening Manhattan has multiple helipads that are used by people, including business executives, to get across the Metropolitan area. At least 32 have been killed in helicopter crashes in New York City since 1977. The most recent crash happened in 2018 when a chopper hit crashed into the East River, leaving five passengers dead. The chopper crashed on March 11, 2018, when the tail of the aircraft got caught on the fuel shutoff lever, the NTSB said. All the passengers on board drowned. They were identified as Daniel Thompson, 34, Tristian Hill, 29, Trevor Cadigan, 26, Brian McDaniel, 26, and Carla Vallejos-Blanco, 29. A 14-year-old boy lost his two front teeth after he was allegedly held at knifepoint and bashed in a school toilet block over a vape. The teen was allegedly set upon last June at Aveley Secondary College in Ellenbrook, Perth, when fellow students thought he was hiding a vape, which was actually a chocolate bar, in his pocket. A 15-year-old boy was charged with causing grievous bodily harm over the incident and has pleaded not guilty. The boy's mother claimed she arrived at the school to find her son covered in blood but that teachers hadn't called the police. 'They basically told me, "Well, that's up to you to contact the police",' she told 9News. The boy, who has not been in school since, said he was left feeling the 'worst pain I've ever felt. I was drooling, like, it's just uncontrollable blood'. 'It's still scary to me, like how someone can just do that to another human being, I don't understand it,' he said. The boy's mother said she arrived at a 'place where you think your child would be safe' only to find her teenage son 'completely covered in blood'. The boy (pictured) was left without two front teeth after the alleged attack (pictured) The 14-year-old's school uniform (pictured) was covered in blood after the incident A 15-year-old boy has been charged over the incident at Aveley Secondary College (pictured) She said the school had only found one of his teeth. The pair, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, decided to speak out after another student was allegedly coward-punched at a shopping centre last week, leaving him in hospital with a broken jaw. 'It gave me absolute shivers down my spine just to hear and to know that it's still happening,' she said. The mother said the school had expected her son to return 'like nothing happened'. The Department of Education has been helping her to find him alternative schooling. Western Australian Minister for Education Sabine Winton insisted the state government was cracking down on school violence. 'Any incident of violence is concerning to me and let's be clear - our government has a zero tolerance towards violence no matter where it is,' Ms Winton told 9News. 'I'm very confident that supports are being put in place to support those schools.' The helicopter company involved in Thursday's fatal Hudson River crash has been plagued by near-misses in the past - including an eerily similar crash landing in the same waters 12 years earlier. Horrified onlookers in New York and New Jersey watched as the aircraft, operated by local tour company New York Helicopter Charters, split apart in the sky and spiraled into the river. Six bodies have now been pulled from the wreckage - Spanish tech boss Agustin Escobar, his wife and their three children, and the pilot. The chopper involved in the crash was a N216MH Bell 206L-4 which had been leased from Louisiana-based company Meridian Helicopters. In 2013, one of the tour company's helicopters was forced to make an emergency landing on the Hudson River after it lost power in eerily similar circumstances to Thursday's tragedy. A family of four tourists from Sweden had been taking a sightseeing tour in a Bell 206 helicopter that had also taken off near Wall Street. The pilot was forced to land in the water and deploy inflatable pontoons to keep the aircraft upright. All four passengers were taken to hospital at the time, but there were no serious injuries. Six bodies have now been pulled from the wreckage - Spanish tech boss Agustin Escobar, his wife and their three children, and the pilot Horrified onlookers in New York and New Jersey watched as the aircraft, operated by local tour company New York Helicopter Charters, split apart in the sky and spiraled into the river At the time of the crash, company owner Michael Roth told the Wall Street Journal he had 'no clue why we lost power', adding that the helicopter underwent daily routine inspections. Just two years later in 2015, another aircraft crashed after it began spinning out of control while hovering 20 feet off the ground. The pilot reported putting the helicopter down for a 'hard landing' and an investigation into the problem was launched. It was determined the same helicopter - a Bell 206 model that had been leased from Meridian Helicopters - had been involved in a hard landing in Chile five years prior. The National Transportation Safety Board deemed the drive shaft of the aircraft 'unairworthy.' And in court documents seen by DailyMail.com, New York Helicopter Charter has faced financial difficulties in recent years, filing for bankruptcy in 2019 amid changes to air traffic policies in New York City which impacted the business. The filing states that companies had been ordered to stick to certain routes and flying schedules, unable to operate on Sundays due to complaints about noise. Roth told the New York Post that as a father and grandfather, he was 'devastated' by Thursday's tragedy. In the 2013 incident (pictured), a family of four tourists from Sweden had been taking a sightseeing tour in a Bell 206 helicopter that had also taken off near Wall Street In the 2013 incident, the pilot was forced to land in the water and deploy inflatable pontoons to keep the aircraft upright 'The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades werent on the helicopter. 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. 'He [the pilot] 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 said. Roth added that 'every employee in our company is devastated' and said his 'wife has not stopped crying. '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.' The National Transportation Safety Board launched a 'go team' on Thursday night to investigate the tragedy. At the time of the crash, it was cloudy with winds around 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, CNN reported. Surface visibility was considered good 10 miles but it was cloudy as a system is moving into the region, bringing light rain to the region this afternoon and evening. Heartbreaking photos showed the family posing inside the helicopter and on the helipad before the crash The chopper involved in the crash was a N216MH Bell 206L-4 which had been leased from Louisiana-based company Meridian Helicopters The helicopter flew for approximately 16 minutes before going down into the water. It took off from the Wall Street Heliport and did a circle near the Statue of Liberty before flying up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge at about 1,000 feet. Horrified onlookers have told DailyMail.com about how the tragedy unfolded in front of their very eyes. Rashmi Kamkeri, a 30-year-old engineer, was working remotely from her apartment in Newport Park when she heard a deafening crash about 3.19pm on Thursday. 'It was horrifying,' Kamkeri told DailyMail.com. 'I thought it was thunder and ten seconds later I saw the helicopter 10 feet above the water falling and then it made a big splash and went underneath the water. 'I panicked... then saw a piece of the helicopter fall into the water. The Waterway boat was moving and then it took a turn. 'I was almost in tears praying that someone would come and save them. I wished there would be someone survives. I am so sad.' The operation to remove the wreckage from the Hudson River was still taking place on Thursday night Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan Others recalled hearing what they thought was a 'sonic boom' before they witnessed the debris falling. Some footage showed the chopper 'flying erratically' just before it fell into the water, while other clips showed pieces of the aircraft were seen flying off. 'Our hearts go out to the families of those who were onboard,' Mayor Eric Adams said. 'All six have been removed from the water, and sadly all six victims have been pronounced deceased.' Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to the hospital, where they 'succumbed to their injuries,' NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. The family of five who tragically perished were pictured posing on the helipad and inside the aircraft before the crash. Escobar was appointed to serve as the CEO of Siemens in Spain in 2022 after previously serving as the CEO of Siemens Mobility Spain. Scores of native birds have been left dead or injured after smashing into the brightly-lit storefront of an Apple store near Adelaide's Rundle Mall. Wildlife carer Rachael Anderson, 34, has spent two evenings this week at the shopping precinct picking up injured or dead tree martins. 'It's horrible, it's an unprecedented thing that we are dealing with,' she told Daily Mail Australia on Friday. 'It is a lot of birds all at once for us carers.' A video on social media page Wild Animals Australia showed Ms Anderson, her partner Sam and a friend tending to injured birds that had struck the storefront. Ms Anderson said they had picked up 43 birds on Wednesday and Thursday, 21 of which have died or been euthanised. The Facebook page has accused the Apple Store of failing to dim its lights at night to stop birds from striking the storefront. By lowering the light in buildings at night, it reduces the reflection of the sky in the window and lowers the likelihood of birds flying into the glass. Wildlife carer Rachael Anderson (right) and her partner Sam (left) were part of a group in Adelaide's city centre trying to rescue small tree martins which had smashed into a window Daily Mail Australia has spoken to the store, which has already made adjustments to lower its lighting and will continue to partner closely with the city council. The activist group took aim at the City of Adelaide council for reportedly netting nearby trees which 'displaced' the flock of birds from their roosting spots. A spokesperson for the local authority said the welfare of the small tree martins is of the highest priority. 'The City of Adelaide became aware of increasing bird strikes against windows within Rundle Mall in the past week,' they said. 'We have been discussing mitigation measures with retailers, including trialing new lighting. The situation is being closely monitored by City of Adelaide staff and government environmental agencies.' Ms Anderson said the rescue of the birds has been a 'logistical nightmare' as the group look after the animals while also requesting changes from the council. 'I want Adelaide city council to remove all netting from all trees and find an ethical solution so these birds can rest at night,' she said. Aussies shared their horror at the number of birds dying. Ms Anderson said the group had picked up 43 birds over the two evenings, 21 of which have died or been put to sleep (the injured birds are pictured) Apple's store at Rundle Mall in Adelaide (pictured) is believed to have already made adjustments to lower its lighting following reports of dozens of dead birds 'Omg, horrible they need to do something,' a user said. A commenter said: 'Why the f*** did the council net off the trees for in the first place?!' Another said they had phoned Apple to explain the issue: 'I've highlighted for such a minimal cost to fix the problem versus the bad publicity it's really a no brainer'. Green Adelaide, an urban landscape specialist for the state government, has also been notified about the incidents. 'We are aware of the recent challenges faced by tree martins at their new roosting site in Rundle Mall, due to reflections in business windows,' a spokesperson said. The spokesperson said Green Adelaide is 'deeply saddened by the resulting injuries and fatalities for the species'. 'We understand that the City of Adelaide is currently in talks with local business owners to understand what initiatives could be implemented to resolve current challenges for the tree martins,' they said. Green Adelaide said in February 2024 that tree martins had flocked to bustling Leigh Street in the city, only an eight minute walk from Rundle Mall's Apple store. The popular cafes and bars have attracted as many as 10,000 of the native birds. It is believed the birds like the city streets because they might be 'safe havens' with noise, light and people potentially helping to deter predators like birds of prey. One of Australia's biggest banks has been slammed for advertising a range of job opportunities which are only open to First Nations candidates. Westpac is seeking to fill multiple openings in legal and risk divisions and consumer banking, but only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants will be considered. 'If you identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and are seeking to advance your career, we want to connect with you,' said the LinkedIn ad titled: 'Lead our Mob'. The announcement comes as the backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion policies in the US ripples out across the globe, questioning targeted hiring practices. Now Westpac's move has been blasted by TV political analyst, Prue McSween. 'Too many corporations and institutions are driving a wedge between us,' she told Daily Mail Australia. 'They are seeking to demonstrate they are progressive and bending over backwards to tell their customers that they are the good guys. 'As a bank customer, I want to know that they have hired the best people to look after my money and provide a good service. Westpac has called on only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates to fill a range of positions across the bank Westpac is seeking to fill multiple openings in legal and risk divisions and consumer banking, but only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants will be considered 'Surely merit, the ability to demonstrate that you have the attributes or potential to do the job, are the most important criteria, not the colour of your skin, your gender or whatever alphabet you choose to identify with.' Westpac came under fire in 2022 when the Australian Financial Review (AFR) reported it had overstated its rates of Indigenous employment. The firm had reportedly claimed in a Reconciliation Action Plan that 4 per cent of its employees identified as Indigenous. But internal documents leaked to the AFR put the bank's permanent Indigenous headcount at 190 in 2017 - well below the claimed 850 employees. According to Westpac's most recent reporting, approximately 1.1 per cent of its employees are now Indigenous although it aims to reach 1.5 per cent by year's end. A Westpac spokesman told Daily Mail Australia: 'Increasing Indigenous representation in our workforce is an important priority for Westpac. 'We have a range of targets in place as part of our existing Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and we report our progress every year.' All big four Australian banks have strategies in place to increase their shares of Indigenous employees. Former Westpac chief executive Peter King is pictured with Indigenous rights activist Noel Pearson in 2023 where he announced the bank's support for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum Commonwealth Bank of Australia has set a goal of three per cent ATIS representation in its domestic workforce by December next year. In September 2023, 1.2 per cent identified 'most strongly' with ATIS ancestry. Meanwhile, according to NAB's 2024-2027 RAP, one per cent of its Australian workforce self-identified as ATIS in October 2023. In May 2021, 185 of ANZ's 27,000 employees self-identified as Indigenous. In FY2023, 1.18 per cent of its external hires identified as ATIS. Dr Ezaz Ahmed, lecturer in human resource management at Charles Sturt University told Daily Mail Australia the country's biggest banks should take their DEI policies further. 'Among the banks, diversity policies have seen measured progress through initiatives targeting gender equity, Indigenous employment, and cultural representation, though continued improvement is still needed.' Ms MacSween added: 'Westpac is just one in a long line of banks, who have decided that their role is to lecture, educate, shame and scold us into complying with their views. 'Who gave them the right, the superior position to do this? 'It would actually be nice to see our banks focusing on what their job is, which is to provide customer service and make banking easier, rather than seeking to shame us, scold us, rip us off to make more profits and waste shareholder money.' A shocking near miss between a van and a truck in Sydney's southwest has been captured on dashcam, sparking outrage online. The footage shows a van driving along Campbelltown Road at Bow Bowing around midday on Wednesday, when a truck suddenly veered onto the wrong side of the road coming dangerously close to a head-on collision. The driver of the van swerved sharply to the left to avoid impact but suffered significant damage on the right-hand side oft the vehicle. The car with the dashcam, driving just behind the incident, quickly pulled onto the roadside as both the van and truck came to a stop. NSW Police attended the scene shortly after. A spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia that 'no one was under the influence of alcohol or drugs'. The incident is not being treated as suspicious. Both drivers exchanged details and were unharmed. The moment of impact caught on dashcam by the driver behind the two vehicles The van suffered damage along its right hand side door The footage has since gone viral on social media, with some pointing to the irony of 'Please Drive Safely' bumper sticker on the front of the van. 'How ironic he has a 'PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY' sign on the front of the truck. Applies to everyone but him,' one person wrote. 'He just wanted to ensure that the van driver could read the sign: "PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY",' a second joked. Others called for the truck driver to face further consequences. 'Loss of his truck licence permanently,' one person wrote. 'Disgraceful behaviour on all accounts by the truck driver,' another agreed. Others praised the quick-thinking driver with the dashcam. 'Pretty nifty swerve and evasive action by the dashcam driver. Lots of people would have panicked and continued straight,' one said. The truck that veered onto the wrong side of the road bore a 'Please drive safely' sign '[Dashcam] car did very well to get out of that unscathed,' added another. It comes just a week after a fatal crash on the Hume Highway at nearby Blair Athol. Two trucks collided early on April 4, causing one of the vehicles to roll and burst into flames, causing the death of the driver inside. Investigations into the Blair Athol crash are ongoing. Donald Trump may slap Mexico with more tariffs and even sanctions as he alleged the nation is 'stealing the water from Texas farmers' in violation of an 81-year-old treaty. The president announced a 90-day pause on several of his tariffs on countries across the globe on Wednesday. However, Mexico may be back on the naughty list after Trump accused them of stealing over a million acre-feet of water under the 1944 Water Treaty. Under the treaty, Mexico must send 1.75 million acre-feet of water to the U.S. from the Rio Grande through a network of interconnected dams and reservoirs every five years. An acre-foot of water is enough to fill about half an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Trump wrote Thursday night: 'Mexico OWES Texas 1.3 million acre-feet of water under the 1944 Water Treaty, but Mexico is unfortunately violating their Treaty obligation. This is very unfair, and it is hurting South Texas Farmers very badly.' The current five-year cycle is up in October, but Mexico has sent less than 30 percent of the required water, according to data from the International Boundary and Water Commission. 'My Agriculture Secretary, Brooke Rollins, is standing up for Texas Farmers, and we will keep escalating consequences, including TARIFFS and, maybe even SANCTIONS, until Mexico honors the Treaty, and GIVES TEXAS THE WATER THEY ARE OWED!' Trump said. Donald Trump may slap Mexico with more tariffs and even sanctions as he alleged the nation is 'stealing the water from Texas farmers' in violation of an 81-year-old treaty xico may be back on the naughty list after Trump accused them of stealing over a million acre-feet of water under the 1944 Water Treaty. The treaty requires that the U.S. deliver 1.5 million acre-feet of water annually to Mexico from the Colorado River (pictured) Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, in response, said on X that Mexico has been complying with the treaty 'to the extent water is available' amid three years of drought. Trump said that Senator Ted Cruz 'has been leading the fight' to get Texas farmers their water but 'Sleepy Joe' Biden 'refused to lift a finger.' 'THAT ENDS NOW! I will make sure Mexico doesn't violate our Treaties, and doesn't hurt our Texas Farmers. Just last month, I halted water shipments to Tijuana until Mexico complies with the 1944 Water Treaty.' Mexico sent a proposal to U.S. officials on Wednesday, Sheinbaum said, to address the water supply to Texas, which includes short-term actions. Sheinbaum said she instructed her environment, agriculture and foreign ministers to immediately contact U.S. officials. 'I am sure, as on other issues, an agreement will be reached,' Sheinbaum said. Mexican officials have routinely pointed to a historic drought fueled by climate change as a barrier to fulfilling water commitments, a scenario for which the treaty offers leniency, allowing the water debt to be rolled over to the next five-year cycle. The treaty also requires that the U.S. deliver 1.5 million acre-feet of water annually to Mexico from the Colorado River, an obligation that the U.S. has largely fulfilled, although recent deliveries have been reduced due to severe drought, something the 1944 accord allows for. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, in response, said on X that Mexico has been complying with the treaty 'to the extent water is available' amid three years of drought While Mexico sends far less water to the U.S., it has struggled to fulfill its end of the bargain due to a combination of factors including droughts, poor infrastructure and growing local demand. Politicians in the U.S. also maintain that Mexicos growing cattle and pecan industries along the border have used up precious water, and they say Mexico's failure to deliver its water quota devastates Texan farmers who need it for their crops. Reuters, citing sources, reported on Wednesday that Mexican officials were scrambling to come up with a plan to increase the amount of water sent to the United States because of growing concern that Trump could drag the dispute into trade negotiations. Texas Republicans have publicly accused Mexico of being chronically delinquent in its water deliveries and flagrantly ignoring the treaty. In an attempt to increase deliveries, Mexico has agreed to send 122,000 acre-feet of water to the U.S. and is working on an option to deliver another 81,000 acre-feet, a Mexican official told Reuters. But that would still mean Mexico had sent less than 40% of the water it owes under the treaty. As Mexico's federal government looks to send more water to the U.S., it looks set to clash with northern Mexican states that closely guard their water supply. In 2020, Mexico's National Guard clashed with farmers at the Boquilla dam in Chihuahua state over water deliveries to Texas, killing one protester. A regional NSW community is rallying around a young Aussie dad after he was diagnosed an aggressive form of leukemia. Rhees Goodridge, 36, from Murwillumbah, in northern NSW, went to the ER last month with an infected abscess on his backside that only required a small surgery. His former partner Hannah Darling, with whom he shares son Banjo, 8, said there were no obvious indications anything was amiss with Rhees' health. 'Aside from feeling maybe a bit lethargic and having this abcess that wouldn't heal very quickly, he didn't feel anything was wrong,' she told Daily Mail Australia. Ms Darling was on a trip to Japan with Banjo and the pair were in regular phone contact with Mr Goodridge. With hindsight, she recalled the small business owner had seemed more tired than usual. 'He was always in bed by 7.30, you could tell he was exhausted all the time,' she said. 'He was going to work but that was kind of all he could do.' When Ms Darling and Banjo were ten days into their month-long trip, Mr Goodridge called to say he had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a blood cancer which starts in the bone marrow. Hannah Darling (left) and son Banjo (centre) are paying daily visits to the hospital bedside of Rhees Goodridge (right) Banjo was on a trip to Japan with his mother when he found out about his father's diagnosis The disease had been detected during routine bloodwork before the surgery for his abscess. A separate diagnosis of myocarditis - inflammation of the heart muscle - added to his ordeal. The mother and son flew home early so they could pay daily visits to Mr Goodridge's bedside at Queensland's Gold Coast University, 90 minutes away from their home. 'It's so challenging because there's so much to learn so quickly, but from what I gather he's having the most aggressive treatment possible,' she added. Hannah said on Friday, Mr Goodridge was 15 days into his chemotherapy treatment, and the strain on his body was confronting. 'He's very unwell, he had the most amazing long hair and this long beard and everything's fallen out,' Ms Darling revealed. 'Honestly I can't explain how horrific it is, he looks like he's about to die.' Despite the pain and exhaustion of treatment, Mr Goodridge's character was still shining through. On Friday Rhees Goodridge underwent his 15th day of chemotherapy treatment 'No matter what manner of agony he is experiencing, no matter how many times he is pricked and prodded or wheeled off for another test, no matter the discomfort or the fevers or the fear, he smiles and thanks every single nurse, doctor, or unit staff member that enters his room,' said Ms Darling 'He tells them about his beautiful son and how this fight of his life is all for him. 'He immediately learnt everything there is to learn about his new reality - the names of the meds, the procedures and protocols of the hospital, the names and stories of his nurses - no matter the chaos that is circling around him, his determination to move through each new harrowing phase is astonishing.' Ms Darling started a GoFundMe page for Mr Goodridge when it became clear he would need financial help with his treatment and living expenses. 'It seemed he would have to remain in the vicinity of Gold Coast University Hospital for at least a year,' she said. 'He can't work - also everybody's lives around him has completely changed as well, his family all live in Sydney. 'He's very, very independent and he hates asking for help. So I think it was a really big deal for him to accept this help, and I think he's very blown away.' Ms Darling has also taken heart from the response to the appeal, with almost 200 donations so far for a total of $23,400. She added: 'I was thinking about what lay ahead, this insurmountable mountain that I wasn't sure how we were going to climb, and the support has been really beautiful.' A Byron Bay man has recreated the moment his life was saved by his smart watch after being swept out to sea by a violent rip. Rick Shearman, 49, had been body surfing for 20 minutes off Tallow Beach near Byron Bay on a Saturday morning last July when he was caught in the firing line of successive crashing waves. 'On my way in to shore, I encountered a lot of big dumpers and got caught in the impact zone and held under. I was losing my breath,' he told Today. 'I couldn't take any more [waves] on the head and needed to get out of there.' Having grown up surfing in the Northern Rivers region, he knew not to panic and to instead let the current take him beyond the breakers. Realising the waves were too large to forge a return path to shore, he turned to his Apple Watch and managed to trigger its built-in SOS feature. At this point, he was 1.6km from the shoreline. Within minutes, a team from Westpac Rescue Helicopter Services was airborne, bound for the lone swimmer. Rick Shearman, 49, is pictured being rescued by the Westpac helicopter 1.6km from the shoreline of Tallow Beach near Byron Bay In the Apple ad, Mr Shearman can be heard telling an emergency helpline: 'I'm so far out, I can't see the beach' The harrowing rescue has now been re-enacted over audio of the rescue call in a new Apple ad titled: 'Emergency SOS on Apple Watch: Rick's Rescue'. 'I'm in very rough seas. I was bodysurfing but I've been sucked right out to sea in Byron Bay,' he told a police emergency hotline. 'And the swell is so big. I'm cramping up. I'm swimming. I'm too tired.' He added: 'Mate, I'm so far out, I can't see the beach. I'm calling from my Apple Watch.' Emergency SOS has been available on the Apple Watch since the Series Two was launched in 2016. Mr Shearman was not the first Apple Watch owner to have been saved by the technology. In 2023, Sydney man Daniel Auld called an ambulance after receiving a notification saying his elderly father's heart rate was unusually low. Hospital workers confirmed he was experiencing heart failure and would have passed away that evening had he not received medical attention. Mr Shearman will be participating in a charity walk from Byron Bay to raise money for Westpac Rescue Helicopter Services on Saturday May 3 Father-of-three Alan Tindall slipped and was knocked unconscious when he hit his head on the barbell of his truck in Lake Macquarie in 2024. Thanks to his Apple Watch's fall detection technology, he woke to the sound of an emergency services team speaking through his watch's speaker. He was rushed to hospital and treated for a spinal fracture and excessive bleeding. Mr Shearman has recently launched a fundraiser for Westpac Rescue Helicopter Services and will be walking 36km from Byron to Ballina on May 3. 'Having grown up surfing in Byron, I am in the water daily,' he wrote on the fundraiser page. '[I am] an extremely confident swimmer and surfer, so I never in a billion years imagined I would find myself in need of the rescue chopper out there in the surf. 'Its sobering that I wouldnt be here today without it.' He added that in recent years his mother and brother-in-law have also been assisted by the emergency chopper. Mr Shearman has so far raised $375 towards a $500 goal. A transgender activist dubbed America's first nonbinary person has tragically died by suicide after a long and storied battle with gender dysphoria. Veteran Elisa Rae Shupe was found dead near the Syracuse VA Medical Center on January 27, a month after undergoing gender reassignment surgery, Syracuse.com reported. She had a transgender pride flag draped around her body. Shupe's death came amid President Trump signing a swathe of executive orders recognizing two genders and banning transgender people from serving in the military. In an email sent minutes before her death, Shupe criticized the nation's perspective on transgender people, allegedly writing: 'You cannot erase non-binary and transgender people because you give birth to more of us each day.' The 61-year-old had a complex relationship with gender. Shupe began living as a trans woman in 2013, supported by her wife and child, after issuing a grim warning if she wasn't able to, the publication stated. By 2016, Shupe became the first person in the United States to be legally recognized as nonbinary, marking a landmark court victory that was widely celebrated by the LGBTQI community. The court victory came about after Shupe applied to the Oregon Department of Motor Vehicles, requesting to be listed as 'nonbinary.' Veteran Elisa Rae Shupe was found near the Syracuse VA Medical Center on January 27, a month after undergoing gender reassignment surgery with a transgender flag draped around her body By 2016, Shupe became the first person in the United States to be legally recognized as nonbinary, marking a landmark court victory that was widely celebrated by the LGBTQI community Shupe's death came amid President Trump signing a swathe of executive orders recognizing two genders and banning transgender people from serving in the military When the agency refused, the matter progressed to the courts, where Shupe was victorious. Following the victory, Shupe said she had 'total freedom in my gender expression... I present in any manner I choose depending on my mood or needs... freed from the confines of both manhood and womanhood.' But just three years later in 2019, she released a statement revealing she had returned to her 'male birth sex.' Shupe became a public, and vocal, opponent of the trans rights movement, revealing in an op-ed that medical professionals who helped in her transition 'screwed up her life.' During this period, Shupe reverted to her birth name, James, and was reportedly struggling with PTSD, bipolar disorder and possible borderline personality disorder. In criticizing the industry, Shupe said the nurse who first prescribed hormone treatment had never met her before and ignored her PTSD diagnosis because she threatened: 'If you don't give me the drugs, I'll buy them off the internet.' 'I should have been stopped, but out-of-control, transgender activism had made the nurse practitioner too scared to say no,' Shupe said. Shupe also disclosed that as a young boy, she had been 'sexually abused by a male relative' and 'severely beaten.' The 61-year-old had a complex relationship with gender. Shupe began living as a trans woman in 2013, supported by her wife and child, after warning them if she didn't transition she would 'shoot herself in the head,' the publication stated In an email sent minutes before her death, Shupe criticized the nation's perspective on transgender people, allegedly writing: 'You cannot erase non-binary and transgender people because you give birth to more of us each day' Three years later again, Shupe reclaimed her trans identity. Shupe said she had been taken advantage of by the anti-trans community while struggling with her mental health issues. She publicly identified as transgender up until the time of her death. Prior to transitioning, Shupe spent 18 years from 1982 to 2000 in the Army, working first as a tank mechanic and rising to sergeant first class. Shupe met her wife in Kentucky's Fort Knox. A Space Force commander was fired after she sent out an email distancing herself from Vice President JD Vance's criticism of Denmark's oversight of Greenland. Vance blasted Denmark as he pushed for Greenland to become independent on a visit to the territory in late March, as Donald Trump seeks to acquire it for the United States, including a visit to Pituffik Space Base. 'This has to happen, and the reason, I hate to say it, is because our friends in Denmark have not done their job in keeping this area safe,' he said. Days later, Colonel Susannah Meyers, who runs Pituffik Space Base and was photographed with Vance and his wife Usha during the visit, sent out an email to staffers appearing to rebuke the vice president's comments. '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, according to Military.com. On Thursday, the Space Force sent out a press release announcing that Meyers 'was removed from command' over 'loss of confidence in her ability to lead.' 'Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties,' a spokesperson added. Colonel Shawn Lee has assumed command. A Space Force commander was fired after she sent out an email distancing herself from Vice President JD Vance's (pictured left) criticism of Denmark's oversight of Greenland Days later, Colonel Susannah Meyers, who runs Pituffik Space Base, sent out an email to staffers appearing to rebuke the vice president's comments DailyMail.com has reached out to both the White House and a spokesperson for Vice President Vance for comment. Meyers' email was written to both troops and civilians who work on the base, some of whom are from Canada, Denmark and Greenland and its veracity confirmed by the Space Force. She told them she 'spent the weekend thinking about Friday's visit - the actions taken, the words spoken, and how it must have affected each of you' before slamming the vice president. 'I commit that, for as long as I am lucky enough to lead this base, all of our flags will fly proudly -- together,' Meyers added. Meyers assumed control of Pituffik Space Base last July, succeeding Colonel Jason Terry. The vice president traveled to Greenland in late March to send a message to Denmark and the world about the political changes the Trump administration wants to see in the territory. 'What we think is going to happen is that Greenlanders are going to choose through self-determination to become independent of Denmark, and then we will have conversations with the people of Denmark from there,' he said. He said the United States was no longer willing to 'pick up the tab' for Europe to keep the region safe. Meyers (pictured left) was photographed with Vance and his wife Usha during the visit 'If the people of Greenland are willing to partner with United States, and I think they ultimately will, we could make them much more secure. We could do a lot more protection, and I think they would fare a lot better economically as well,' he said. Danish leaders have repeatedly condemned Trump and the United States for expressing interest in Greenland. But Vance had sharp criticism for Denmark for their failures to secure the region. 'This has to happen, and the reason, I hate to say it, is because our friends in Denmark have not done their job in keeping this area safe,' he said. 'Denmark has not kept pace in devoting the resources necessary to keep this base, to keep our troops, and in my view, to keep the people of Greenland safe,' he added. Vance, however, walked back the idea that the United States was ready to use military force to seize the territory. 'Talking about anything too far in the future is way too premature. We do not think that military force is ever going to be necessary,' he said. Trump thanked Vance and his 'wonderful wife' Usha for traveling to the region. On Thursday, the Space Force sent out a press release announcing that Meyers (pictured left) 'was removed from command' over 'loss of confidence in her ability to lead' 'They will represent us well, but Greenland is very important for the peace of the world. The piece of the entire world, and I think Denmark understands it. I think the European union understands it, and if they don't, we are going to have to explain it to them,' he said. During his visit, Vance was asked about the president's desire to acquire Greenland. 'Well, the president said we have to have Greenland, and I think that we do have to be more serious about the security of Greenland,' he said. 'We cannot just ignore this place, we can't just ignore the president's desires, but most importantly, we can't ignore what I said earlier, which is the Russian and Chinese encouragement in Greenland.' 'Our message is very simple,' he continued. 'Yes the people of Greenland are going to have self determination, we hope they choose to partner with the United States because we're the only nation on earth that will respect their sovereignty and security.' The Vice President did not speak to the waiting cameras as he arrived on the island, instead entering an armored vehicle briefly after disembarking from Air Force Two. Speaking to US troops at the base, he said it was a 'pretty cool thing' to be the first Vice President to ever visit Greenland. He added: 'The mission is really important, the Trump administration is really interested in Arctic security. 'It's a big issue and it's only going to get bigger over the coming decades. 'As you've heard, we have some interest in Greenland from the Trump administration, so we're gonna talk a little bit about that with our friends in the media.' Trump has insisted the United States needs the vast Arctic island for national and international security, and has refused to rule out the use of force to get it. Danish and Greenlandic officials, backed by the European Union, have insisted the United States will not get Greenland. Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has denounced US plans to visit the Arctic island uninvited - for what was initially a broader visit to Greenlandic society - as 'unacceptable pressure' on Greenland and Denmark. This morning she said the 'whole situation of coming to visit when there is no government in place is not showing respect for an ally.' She added: 'It's a shame, but now we have a government that needs to put on its work clothes.' A majority of Greenlanders oppose US annexation, according to a January poll. The Pituffik base is an essential part of Washington's missile defense infrastructure, its location in the Arctic putting it on the shortest route for missiles fired from Russia at the United States. Known as Thule Air Base until 2023, it served as a warning post for possible attacks from the Soviet Union during the Cold War. It is also a strategic location for air and submarine surveillance in the northern hemisphere, which Washington claims Denmark has neglected. Britain's biggest bankrupt tycoon has been accused of secretly diverting 63 million to his relatives instead of paying off his business' debts. Pramod Mittal, 68, became well-known for show-stopping weddings, with his daughter Shristi's nuptials in Barcelona costing around 50 million. In 2023, his son Divyesh's lavish wedding to Jake Prior was dubbed 'The first Big Fat Indian Gay Wedding'. However three years prior, the steel tycoon claimed to be bankrupt claiming he had debts totalling 2.7 billion. Now Mittal, as well as his wife and children, have been taken to the High Court as one of his former firms allege the steel tycoon owes the company $216 million (166,256,064). On Thursday, Global Steel Holdings, located in the Isle of Man, was given the green light to add Mittal to an ongoing civil case regarding 'fraudulent and schematic asset stripping'. Between September 2022 and February 2023, the company and its subsidiary spilt a $496 million (381,773,184) settlement from the Nigerian government between. Global Steel Holdings has since alleged the businessman and his relatives transferred $180 million (138,546,720) it was due to receive. Britain's biggest bankrupt tycoon,Pramod Mittal, 68, (pictured) has been accused of secretly diverting 63 million to his relatives instead of paying off his business' debts Pramod Mittal (middle left, with his wife Sangeeta and daughter Vartika) spent 50m on his daughter Shristi's (pictured in right wearing red) wedding His daughter Shristi wed Dutch-born investment banker Gulraj Behl (who is pictured arriving at the wedding on a horse in 2013) It claims $81 million was sent to the steel entrepreneur's wife, Sangeeta as well as their three children, 40-year-old Vartika, Shristi, 37, and Divyesh, 35. The firm says the family live in London and all - at different periods - had positions or held director roles in businesses that were a part of the Mittal corporate group. Graeme Halkerston, representing the firm's liquidators, alleged the 68-year-old seemingly put in place 'yes' people into the company's structure, telling the court Mittal's two children Vartika and Divyesh were two such individuals. Halkerston added that Mittal and his family members had a 'history of obstruction' and were willing to 'rely upon fabricate evidence' to siphon assets from the firm's creditors. The steel tycoon's father, Mohan, 98, also handed Mittal $200 million (153,940,800) in a bid to help pay money owed to an Indian government trading firm, he told the hearing. It is understood the payment to the Indian company resulted in a criminal case being quashed, according to The Times. Halkerston also said there was no indication that the steel tycoon's family would not help him in financing his defence, noting that his brother Lakshmi, 74, was the boss of one of the world's largest steel manufacturers - ArcelorMittal. He is believed to have an estimated worth of 14.9 billion, according to the publication . Stephen Ryan, counsel for Mittal, argued that Global Steel have taken measures with 'extreme haste', while he was bankrupt and limited in his ability to act, adding that it is 'extremely prejudicial' towards the entrepreneur. Mr Mittal with Sir Paul McCartney at a screening of This Beautiful Fantastic in 2016 Divyesh (pictured), Mittal's son, has been named alongside his two siblings 40-year-old Vartika, Shristi, 37, in the suit His 2023 wedding was dubbed 'the first Big Fat Indian Gay Wedding' (pictured) was held at an exclusive five-star hotel Coworth Park in Ascot, Berks (pictured) Deputy Insolvencies and Companies Court Judge Daniel Schaffer said: 'He [Mittal] fights everything. What I am saying is he is not going to walk away from this.' He also told the court Mittal's father would help to pay for legal costs if requested. Following his bankruptcy declaration, Mittal set out an individual voluntary agreement (IVA), where he agreed to pay 0.18p of every 1 he owed. A judge later overturned IVA following allegations that many of the supposed debts were 'shams' and created for a 'fraudulent purpose'. The case continues. A US national has been charged after a plea to Sydney Airport staff to help find her lost luggage allegedly found 17kg of methamphetamine. Pamela Banks, 40, had arrived from San Francisco, approached airline staff on Thursday claiming she could not locate her bags. About the same time, a suitcase marked with her surname was found in baggage claim and referred to Australian Border Force (ABF) officers by airline staff. The officers examined the suitcase and allegedly found a white crystalline substance in vacuum-sealed packages, concealed inside packing cubes. Officers tested the substance which returned a positive result for methamphetamine, with the weight estimated at 17kg. ABF then referred the matter to the Australian Federal Police (AFP). An investigation was launched by the AFP with the suitcase being seized, along with the traveller's mobile phone and other personal belongings. Banks was arrested and charged with one count of importing a commercial quantity of a border-controlled drug. A US national was charged after methamphetamine was found at Sydney Airport (pictured) The traveller asked airline staff to help her locate her missing luggage (pictured) The seized methamphetamine had a weight estimated at 17kg (pictured) Banks was due to face Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court on Friday. The charge carries a maximum penalty of life in prison. ABF Superintendent Elke West said the agency's officers were 'always on the lookout for suspicious passenger behaviour'. Supt West said: 'ABF officers work closely with not only our law enforcement partners, but also airline crew and other airport staff, to identify and intercept potential threats. 'This is a timely reminder to passengers entering Australia the Australian Border Force and our partners are always on the lookout for suspicious passenger behaviour, if you attempt to import illicit drugs into this country you will be stopped in your tracks.' Meth, a potent central nervous system stimulant, is one of the most common illicit drugs in Australia, with authorities in 2023/24 seizing about 11 tonnes of the substance at the border. Australia is an attractive market for drug traffickers due to the high street value of illicit drugs, such as meth, across the country. For free and confidential advice about alcohol and other drug treatment services call the National Alcohol and Other Drug Hotline on 1800 250 015. Local councils have advised people not to swim in the ocean A killer algae is giving surfers scary symptoms including shortness of breath while marine life is washing up dead along the coast near a major Australian city. Hundreds of fish, octopus and other marine life, as well as humans, have fallen victim to the Karenia mikimotoi algae along the Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsulas and Kangaroo Island, south of Adelaide. The toxic algae is microscopic and known for its harmful blooms which can cause illness and irritation in humans. Local councils have warned people to avoid the tainted waters after some swimmers said they had difficulty breathing after coming into contact with the alage. Exposure can also cause skin issues, eye irritation and respiratory symptoms such as coughing. However, the symptoms are temporary and last for a couple of hours from the time of exposure. The algae is expected to remain present at several beaches along the coast for some time. Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes said anyone heading to South Australian beaches over the Easter holidays should remain on alert. Karenia mikimotoi algae has been killing hundreds of fish along the coast of South Australia for the last month Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes also warned people to not eat the dead sea life which has washed ashore as their meat may be tainted 'With many South Australians expected to head to the coast over the next fortnight, people are advised to avoid swimming at beaches where there is discoloured water and foam, and to avoid walking on beaches if experiencing symptoms,' Mr Parkes said It is unclear how long the water will be hazardous and the situation remains 'dynamic' while the bloom lingers along the coast. Weather and water conditions will affect how long the algae takes to move away from the shoreline. 'The impact on people in these areas can therefore be unpredictable,' Mr Parkes added. The last time a large event of Karenia mikimotoi algae was recorded in SA was in 2014 at Coffin Bay. Mr Parkes warned locals and visitors to avoid eating any marine life that washes up on shore as the meat may be tainted. 'People should not eat dead or dying fish or cockles due to spoilage and decomposition, and are encouraged to report any marine mortalities,' he said. Mr Parkes said the commercial harvesting of cockles was affected by the algae but regular testing would continue to ensure everything was safe. Locals and tourists have been warned to stay away from the contaminated waters over the Easter holidays The toxic algae is microscopic and can be harmful to humans and marine life The algae is expected to remain along the coast until the end of April when strong westerly winds will push it away. Until then nothing can be done to dilute or dissipate the bloom, Mr Parkes said. Waitpinga and Parsons Beaches were the first where the algae was detected in early March and both have recently been reopened to the public. Visitors to those beaches have been advised to consult SA Health's website for up-to-date information as to whether the waters were safe to enter. Swimmers should also check if the waters are discoloured or foamy as both are signs that the harmful algae is present. The discolouration often appears in a reddish-brown, murky green, or milky white colouration and is caused by high concentration of Karenia mikimotoi in the water. A British man fears his family holiday to Miami could become a 'six-month all-inclusive holiday to Guantanamo' after his tattoo appeared in a US government document to identify members of an infamous Venezuelan gang. Pete Belton, 44, from Ilkeston, Derbyshire, was surprised to find an image of his forearm featured in a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) document used to spot alleged members of international crime organisation Tren de Aragua (TdA). His concerns that his upcoming trip to America with his wife and daughter in August might become a 'holiday' to the US military prison located in Cuba comes amid President Donald Trump's clampdown on gangs , which has seen his administration haul hundreds alleged criminals to a high-security jail in El Salvador. The Brit's tattoo - a clock face with the date and time of his daughter's birth - was included in a set of nine pictures for 'detecting and identifying' TdA members. The DHS document says that open source material 'has depicted TdA members with a combination of the below tattoos', which includes engravings of crowns, trains and stars. Reverse image searches carried out by BBC Verify have suggested that images of the tats first appeared on tattoo websites with no obvious links to the Venezuelan gang. Meanwhile, the image of Mr Belton's tattoo was traced back to an Instagram post by a Nottingham-based tattoo artist. But Mr Belton is worried about being linked to the gang, telling the BBC: 'In my head I'm thinking if I'm working in border force and I saw me walking through I'd think "hey up we've got one, he's the one in the document". Brit Pete Belton says his tattoo has been wrongly linked to a Venezuelan gang by a US document Belton's tattoo was included in a set of nine images es for 'detecting and identifying' TdA members The father-of-one has even considered cancelling his family trip to the US, but has said he will monitor how the situation develops. 'Hopefully now they'd realise I'm not a Venezuelan gangster,' he said, 'but I've seen crazier things happen in the news recently, so we're just going to wait and see.' Trump announced that Guantanamo will be a holding centre for 30,000 immigrants the 'worst criminal aliens' and people who are 'hard to deport'. The president 'is not messing around and he's no longer going to allow America to be a dumping ground for illegal criminals from nations all over this world', said his press secretary. Some will be bound for a small detention centre at the base, which is currently used to house migrants picked up from the Caribbean Sea heading for the US, while many more will be housed in tents that hundreds of soldiers and marines are already erecting. While tattoos are being used to identify men as alleged members of the TdA, US experts have said that body art is not a reliable marker of affiliation to the criminal organisation. Trump has called on wartime authorities to expel migrants and signed an order invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to deport alleged criminals, which has already sent hundreds of men to El Salvador's notorious Terrorism Confinement Centre. Lawyers and family members of some of the migrants have said their tattoos were reasons they were labelled as alleged TdA members. While tattoos are being used to identify men as alleged members of the TdA, US experts have said that body art is not a reliable marker of affiliation to the criminal organisation Earlier this year, President Donald Trump unveiled plans to ouse 30,000 illegal migrants at Guantanamo Bay Rebecca Hanson, an assistant professor of sociology and criminology at the University of Florida, wrote in a court filing for a case involving a Venezuelan migrant believed to have been sent to El Salvador, said there are no tattoos, symbols or hand gestures associated with the group. 'The TdA, and gangs more generally in Venezuela, do not have a history of using tattoos to indicate membership,' she said. 'TdA members may, of course, have tattoos, but this is not part of a collective identity.' TdA is a Venezuelan criminal organisation that spread out of the South American nation when it entered a humanitarian and economic crisis in 2014. The group operates by forming alliances and partnerships with local criminal organisations. It is estimated to have around 5,000 members and annual profits of between $10 million and $15 million. A sinister gift received by Hitler on his 49th birthday is set to fetch thousands of pounds when it goes under the hammer alongside swords owned by the Nazi high command. The present, a luxurious folio decorated with a gold Nazi eagle and swastika, was gifted in 1938 by Adolf Huhnlein, leader of the National Socialist Motor Corps (NSKK). Given just days after Austria was annexed, its pages feature a map of Germany, with its neighbour seamlessly incorporated, and all roads leading to Vienna. Now the ominous gift is going to auction, alongside swords and daggers owned by the Nazi bigwigs Heinrich Himmler and Hermann Goring. Dutch auctioneers Hessink's, which is handling the sale, predicted the folio would fetch up to 15,000 (12,900) from bidders. Director Bradley Hessink said: 'It's one of a kind, there's no second. It's the only one in existence. 'It's very detailed and high quality.' An inscription inside is dated April 9, 1938, when emissaries of the NSKK from across Germany descended on Vienna in a show of loyalty to Hitler. A luxurious folio that was given to Adolf Hitler as a present on his 49th birthday is set to fetch more than 12,000 at auction. It features a map of Germany with annexed Austria included One day later, a sham referendum was held to legitimise Austria's annexation, which had begun a month earlier. The map itself captures a brief window of time after the annexation, but before the Sudetenland was seized from Czechoslovakia. 'I think It's a very important document,' said Mr Hessink. 'It shows who joined and at what time, and that shouldn't be forgotten.' The blades up for auction include a bronze dagger belonging to Luftwaffe chief Hermann Goring, one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany. A photo survives showing it on his waist, with its ivory handle clearly visible. Also going under the hammer is a sword found in Goring's treasure stash, which was concealed in a bunker near Hitler's mountain retreat in Berchtesgaden. The blade can be glimpsed in a photo of the cache taken by US soldiers. The blades up for auction include a bronze dagger belonging to Luftwaffe chief Hermann Goring, one of the most powerful men in Nazi Germany. A photo survives showing it on his waist Also going under the hammer is a sword found in Goring's treasure stash, which was concealed in a bunker near Hitler's mountain retreat in Berchtesgaden Mr Hessink said: 'Their unit was searching the Bavarian countryside for hidden stores of gold bullion in May of 1945 when the bunker was discovered. 'It took them about four days to get all the artworks out Rembrandts, Van Goghs, everything. 'So there is actual photographic evidence we have retrieved where the sword is clearly visible in the picture. 'Stolen artwork had to be returned, but these swords were not stolen they were specifically made for Goring. 'So this then became a sort of souvenir for the soldiers to take back.' The blades belonging to SS chief Himmler include a Viking-style sword, and two swords marked with the logo of the Ahnenerbe his pseudoscientific pet project. The organisation, which sought to prove that Germans were part of a superior Aryan or Nordic race, was shut down after the war. Mr Hessink said: 'This has to do with Heinrich Himmler and his obsession for the Aryan race. The blades belonging to SS chief Himmler include a Viking-style sword, and two swords marked with the logo of the Ahnenerbe his pseudoscientific pet project Photo shows the folio gifted to Hitler on his 49th birthday in 1938 'They wanted to rewrite the German ancestry the history of how they came to be. They were completely obsessed by this.' The auctioneer continued: 'There are three swords. 'One is a Viking-style sword, and we've discovered that there is a receipt for it in the German National Archives from Heinrich Himmler. 'The other two swords actually have the Ahnenerbe logo chiselled into the side.' The Belgian seller is retired and, with nobody to take over his collection, has decided to part with it. Sales of Nazi artifacts remain controversial, and one Scottish auction house announced earlier this year that it would no longer accept items from the Third Reich. But Mr Hessink said he had not faced as much controversy in recent years. 'There's always a bit, but I have to say, not as much as in the past,' he said. He hoped that the price would attract institutions and deter extremists. The various items have estimates ranging between 3,000 and 15,000. Mr Hessink said: 'We would like these to end up in museums, we don't want these to end up with fanatics. 'For this reason we have lowered the price considerably to make it more easily accessible for museums.' The auction will take place on April 24. Police officers went undercover dressed at Batman and Robin in a creative sting to catch Westminster Bridge con artists. The inventive ploy saw two officers burst through a crowd of people disguised as the superheroes before grabbing the scammers. Two men have since been convicted at Croydon Magistrates Court. The Metropolitan Police, posting a video of the arrests on X, joked about the discussions they had while planning their swoop. 'But they have spotters,' they said. 'You need to go undercover. They always see you coming'. The Met added: 'Due to how recognised the local neighbourhood team are to those involved in crime on Westminster Bridge, they had to get creative!' Pictured Inspector Darren Watson from the Metropolitan Police dressed as Batman PC Osman from the Metropolitan Police dressed as Robin at Westminster Bridge The inventive ploy saw two offices burst into a crowd of tens of people disguised as the superheroes before grabbing the scammers Following the operation, Costica Barbu was remanded by police and fined 925. Yesterday, Eugen Stoica was convicted at Croydon Magistrates Court in his absence. He was previously granted bail but left the country and failed to appear at court. A warrant has now been issued for his arrest. 'We know criminality on Westminster Bridge is a concern for the public,' the police said. 'We will continue to target those involved, arrest them and continue to put them before the courts.' Westminster Bridge, despite being just minutes from the Houses of Parliament and New Scotland Yard, has been described as one of the most lawless places in London. Police officers went undercover dressed at Batman and Robin in a creative sting to catch Westminster Bridge con artists The Met said: 'Due to how recognised the local neighbourhood team are to those involved in crime on Westminster Bridge, they had to get creative!' Illegal gambling gangs block the crossing and swindle tourists with the cup and ball game. The Metropolitan Police previously said they 'recognise the issues caused by the cup and ball scammers'. In November, the bridge was swarmed after a man was attacked in front of horrified tourists just metres from Parliament. Horrified passers-by looked on as dozens of police officers and emergency services workers were called to the scene, with the busy bridge closed in both directions. China will raise its tariffs against the U.S. to 125% from Saturday in the latest escalation in the burgeoning trade war, the finance ministry announced today. The new duties are a significant climb from the 84% announced on Wednesday, rising to meet the current U.S. tariffs imposed on Chinese goods. Beijing said that the U.S. tariffs against China defy 'basic economic laws and common sense' after Donald Trump raised the rate on Chinese imports to 125%. A statement from the finance ministry said the imposition of 'abnormally high tariffs' amounted to 'unilateral bullying and coercion'. China's tariff hike only moves in line with Trump's latest raft of duties; Washington said yesterday the 125% announced Wednesday compounded an existing 20%. Beijing did say that it would not respond to any more tariffs imposed by the U.S. The Trump administration has kept up the pressure on China despite climbing down from high, and varied, duties on dozens of other trading partners this week. While the EU now faces a baseline 10% rate pending 90 days for negotiations, leaders are still contemplating countermeasures should talks falter. Meeting with Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday, Xi Jinping urged cooperation with China to resist what he called 'unilateral bullying' from the U.S. The three-month reprieve on hefty tariffs against 57 countries followed 'pressure from China', Beijing said in a show of goodwill. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets his Spanish equivalent in Beijing on Friday US President Donald Trump speaks at a cabinet meeting at the White House on April 10, 2025 Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. 'China and Europe should fulfil their international responsibilities... and jointly resist unilateral bullying practices,' Xi said on Friday, state news agency Xinhua reported. This, he stressed, would not only 'safeguard their own legitimate rights and interests, but also... safeguard international fairness and justice.' Sanchez, in turn, told a press conference following his meeting with Xi that tensions over trade should not impede cooperation between the European Union and China. Spain buys about 45 billion euros ($49.1 billion) of goods every year from China, its fourth-largest trading partner, but sells around 7.4 billion euros' worth. 'Both Spain and Europe have a significant trade deficit with China that we must work to rectify,' he admitted. But, he said, 'we must not let trade tensions stand in the way of the potential growth of the relationship between China and Spain and between China and the EU'. Sanchez broke with the rest of the European Union on his last trip to China in September 2024, urging the bloc to reconsider plans to impose high tariffs on Chinese electric cars and calling for a 'fair trade order'. China has found itself largely isolated in Trump's trade war, heavily penalised with tariffs as the new administration looks to encourage domestic manufacturing. Tesla CEO Elon Musk attends a cabinet meeting at the White House, April 10, 2025 Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., April 2, 2025 There is no winner in a tariff war, and going against the world will only push the U.S. into self-isolation, President Xi said during his meeting with Sanchez. Beijing has vowed not to shy away from the fight should Trump insist upon his economic conflict with China. But Xi did say any further tariff hikes from the U.S. would be 'ignored' by China. 'Even if the U.S. continues to impose higher tariffs, it will no longer make economic sense and will become a joke in the history of world economy,' he said, per CNBC. China's mission to the World Trade Organization did, however, say today that it had filed an additional complaint to the trade body over U.S. tariffs. 'On 10 April, the United States issued the Executive Order, announcing a further increase of the so-called 'reciprocal tariff' on Chinese products. 'China filed a WTO complaint against United States' latest tariff measures,' the statement from China's mission said, citing a ministry of commerce spokesperson. With tensions mounting, Elon Musk's Tesla suspended new orders on its Model S and Model X electric cars in China. Musk has tried to maintain cordial ties with Beijing. China represents a huge market for the car manufacturer and extracts precious metals used in its batteries. In Shanxi, China, jewelry stores raised large red banners announcing that American customers would face 104 per cent 'service fees' in store. The Zhangji BBQ Beef Offal Restaurant in Wuhan lifted similar banners, local media reports. Meanwhile, China's e-commerce giant JD.com said on Friday it would launch a 200 billion yuan ($27.35 billion) fund to help the country's exporters sell their products domestically over the next year, as a U.S.-China trade war intensifies. JD.com said in a statement that it would send its employees to Chinese companies involved in foreign trade, directly purchase their 'high-quality products' and set up a special area on its e-commerce platform to sell these products and direct traffic and marketing support to this area. Jewelry stores in Shanxi announced a 104 per cent service fee on American customers The service fees came as the U.S. announced hefty tariffs on Chinese imports Separately on Friday, supermarket chain Freshippo, owned by JD.com rival Alibaba and known as Hema in Chinese, said it had opened a fast-track path for export companies to explore the domestic market. The support programmes for Chinese exporters could help them re-coup some of their losses stemming from reduced sales overseas by quickly starting or increasing domestic sales, although they will face intense competition in a slowing economy. Like JD.com, Freshippo will set up a special zone on its platform where only products from these companies will be sold. It said it will also make it easier for exporters to get on its platform by simplifying registration procedures and would allow these exporters to make use of the company's warehouse network. In a twist on the trade war, social media users have relished in content poking fun at the Trump administration and its radical tariff regime. A trend has emerged of AI-generated videos circulated on TikTok and Chinese app Douyin depicting Trump and his White House staffers working in sweatshops. One video showed Trump and his Vice President, JD Vance, stitching MAGA hats in a factory. 'Factories are being located to the United States,' read the overlay in Mandarin, next to three laughing emojis. Another video circulating this week showed Trump, Elon Musk and JD Vance working on a production line making trainers. Concerns mount that should the economic stand-off with China continue, consumer goods like the Nike shoes featured in the viral video could skyrocket in price. At the moment, 62 per cent of the shoes sold in the United States are imported from China, with other nations like Vietnam, Indonesia, Cambodia and India providing the rest. Just one per cent of shoes are produced domestically. China is a key trading partner with a large manufacturing industry, producing huge quantities of inexpensive goods for American consumers. Ethnic minority students have been offered 5,000 more to become teachers in Wales as part of an 'anti-racist' scheme. All training teachers are eligible to receive a 15,000 grant from the Welsh government if they specialise in a subject most needed in the country's schools. This includes biology, chemistry, physics, IT, design and technology, Welsh, modern foreign languages as well as maths. As part of the Labour government's 'Anti-racist Wales' action plan an additional 5,000 is available to individuals who are from ethnic minorities. The scheme aims to progress Wales 'significantly towards being an anti-racist nation by 2030'. It follows calls to ban dogs from the countryside by Climate Cymru BAME to make the outdoors 'anti-racist'. A government spokesman previously insisted it was not planning to act on the proposal compiled by environmental group, and dogs 'would continue to be welcomed in the hills of Wales'. It comes after Wales's score in the previous 2022 international Pisa assessments fell to their lowest on record for 15-year-old's in science, maths and reading. The Celtic nation also landed last among all UK countries. Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for education Natasha Ashgar has since hit out at the scheme amid what she called a recruitment and retention crisis' in Wales. Ethnic minority students have been offered 5,000 more than their white peers to become teachers (stock image) Welsh Conservative shadow cabinet secretary for education, Natasha Ashgar, (pictured) has hit out at the scheme amid what she called a recruitment and retention crisis' in Wales She said Wales's Labour government should be focusing their sights on getting the best maths teachers in schools, 'regardless of their ethnicity'. 'This additional funding for ethnic minority maths teachers increases the total grant to 25,000 significantly higher than what is available to teachers from non-ethnic backgrounds,' she told The Times. 'With the alarming number of mathematics teachers leaving the profession and so few being recruited, surely the Welsh Labour government should be offering equal funding for all mathematics teachers.' It is understood that the incentive scheme does not impact on recruitment decisions, taken independently by Universities, to allow someone to undertake a postgraduate degree in Initial Teacher Education. Among those employed in Welsh education, 1.3 per cent are from Asian, black and other minority ethnic backgrounds. And 12 per cent of Welsh students older than five are also from Asian, black and minority ethnic backgrounds. The 2021 ONS census concluded that 93.8 per cent of the Welsh populous described themselves as 'white'. To become a teacher in Wales, students must undergo an Initial Teacher Education programme, where a 15,000 grant is available for those specialising in specific subjects. As well as 5,000 being available to training teachers who are from ethnic minorities, 5,000 is also on offer for those who which to undergo the course through the medium of Welsh or study Welsh. It follows the Welsh government's target to have one million Welsh speakers in the country by 2050. Currently, according to the most recent census, there are 538,000 Welsh speakers in the Celtic nation, a slight fall from the 2011 where there was an estimated 562,000 speakers. The Welsh Government said: 'We have a range of financial incentives to attract new teachers in priority subjects such as maths and have recently increased teachers' pay by 5.5 per cent. Among those employed in Welsh education, 1.3 per cent are from Asian, black and minority ethnic backgrounds (stock image) 'We are committed to increasing the number of teachers from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds so that our young people can recognise themselves and their own experiences within their leaders.' The incentive scheme was introduced in a bid to move Wales towards being 'anti-racist' in all facets of its society and community. The Welsh government explained the process includes identifying and removing systems, policies and structures that could see 'radically different outcomes for ethnic minority groups'. The Welsh Government is also pledged to promoting staff members from ethnic minorities 'at a level which exceeds their population share' to tackle underrepresented on every level of the political body. A mother of two was left to stew in a police custody cell for more than seven hours after she confiscated two iPads belonging to her children - and was accused of theft. Vanessa Brown, a 50-year-old history teacher, revealed the 'unspeakable devastation and trauma' she suffered after being taken to Staines police station. Ms Brown was searched and had custody photographs and fingerprints taken after taking away her daughters' devices in an attempt to ensure they were not distracted from their studies. Surrey Police, who also visited the children's school, pulling one of Ms Brown's daughters out of class, have since acknowledged their error. The force said they swooped after getting a report of an alleged theft from a man in his 40s. Ms Brown was apprehended at her mother's home in Cobham, Surrey. Officers said a tracking device showed the iPads were at the address and she was 'detained after refusing to cooperate.' She was eventually returned home, only after a 12-hour ordeal that, due to her bail conditions, threatened to prevent her from seeing her children on Mother's Day. The incident, which follows the arrest of a couple in Hertfordshire over complaints they made about their daughter's primary school, is likely to raise further questions about police priorities. 'I find it quite traumatic even talking about this now,' Ms Brown told LBC. 'They were able to send a police car with police officers to my childrens school, they were able to send another police car or two to arrest me. 'I know people are making reports of thefts, of assaults and very violent crimes in and around our neighbourhood, and theyre not getting a response for days. History teacher Vanessa Brown said she suffered 'unspeakable devastation and trauma' after she was left to stew in a policy custody cell for more than seven hours Ms Brown was held at Staines police station, above, after a report concerning two stolen two iPads. In fact, the devices belonged to her children, from whom she had confiscated them 'I cannot get to the bottom of why it was done in such a quick turnaround, maybe less than an hour - all these police cars and police officers going to an address over a completely false report of a theft.' She said the heavy-handed approach of police, who took more than 24 hours from the moment she was arrested to inform her that no further action would be taken, had left her in a 'catatonic state'. 'At no point did they think to themselves, "Oh, this is a little bit of an overreaction,"' said Ms Brown. 'It was thoroughly unprofessional. They were speaking to my mother, who is in her 80s, like she was a criminal.' The Tory MP Anthony Stansfeld, the former police and crime commissioner for Thames Valley, called on police to apologise for their inexpert handling of the incident. 'It seems to me incompetence and a certain amount of overzealousness at a junior level, which the local inspector should have put a rapid stop to,' he said. 'It was quite unnecessary to put a reputable 50-year-old history teacher into a cell for seven hours. 'Its hardly likely that she would have absconded abroad and I would hope that the chief constable goes and apologises personally to the poor lady.' Ms Brown has been involved in fraught disputes with two different men in recent years after relationships broke down, it's understood, including the father of her children. She is head of Theology, Philosophy and Ethics at school close to her home in Cobham, Surrey where she has lived for almost 20 years. As well as her own two daughters she has two step-sons and a number of pets. She is a keen rugby player and registered at her local club. A Surrey Police spokesman said a man in his 40s had alerted them to the possible theft of the iPads, prompting a search for the devices. 'A tracking device on the iPads showed that they were at the address and a 50-year-old woman from Cobham was arrested on suspicion of theft,' said the spokesperson. 'A search was then carried out using post-arrest powers and the iPads were located. 'The woman was subsequently released on conditional bail while further enquiries were carried out. 'The police bail conditions included not speaking to her daughters, who were connected to the investigation, while officers carried out their enquiries. 'Following these enquiries, officers discovered that the iPads belonged to the woman's children and that she was entitled to confiscate items from her own children.' In a separate incident last month, the parents of two young children were locked in a police cell for eleven hours after complaining on WhatsApp about the teacher recruitment process at their daughter's primary school. In a similar incident, Times Radio producer Maxie Allen and his partner Rosalind Levine were arrested on suspicion of harassment and malicious communications after a 'trivial' dispute. CCTV shows six uniformed police officers descending on their suburban home before they were led away in front of their crying daughter Maxie Allen and Rosalind Levine with their daughters, Sascha, nine, and Francesca Mr Allen, 50, branded the police action 'dystopian' and a 'massive over-reach', and accused Cowley Hill Primary School in Borehamwood, Herts, of trying to 'silence awkward parents' Times Radio producer Maxie Allen and his partner Rosalind Levine were arrested on suspicion of harassment and malicious communications after a 'trivial' dispute. CCTV showed six uniformed police officers descending on their suburban home before they were led away in front of their crying daughter. After a five-week investigation, Hertfordshire Constabulary finally concluded there was no case to answer. Mr Allen, 50, branded the police action 'dystopian' and a 'massive overreach', and accused Cowley Hill Primary School in Borehamwood, Herts, of trying to 'silence awkward parents'. 'I was just in complete disbelief,' he said. 'It was just unfathomable to me that things had escalated to this degree. 'It was absolutely nightmarish. I couldnt believe this was happening, that a public authority could use the police to close down a legitimate inquiry.' Hertfordshire Police said the number of officers was needed to secure electronic devices and care for children at the address. A spokesman said: 'The arrests were necessary to fully investigate the allegations as is routine in these types of matters. Following further investigations, officers deemed that no further action should be taken due to insufficient evidence.' Doctors and psychiatrists in New South Wales have agreed to not strike for the next three months, but they will continue to fight for a wage rise. The Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation (ASMOF) said on Friday its members would not engage in industrial action until at least July 1. Workers from the two essential roles went on strike in NSW for the first time since 1998 earlier this week to negotiate a long sought-after pay rise. The state's Industrial Relations Commission ordered the union to abandon its three-day doctors strike on April 1 but it was ignored by workers. The strike was also against the advice of medical indemnity insurers but now the ASMOF said it would comply with the order. The strike caused hundreds of doctor appointments to be cancelled across 30 hospitals in the state between Tuesday and Thursday. The union wants a 30 per cent pay rise for doctors over an unspecified number of years and a 25 per cent pay rise for psychiatrists in one year. ASMOF president Dr Nicholas Spooner said his union's reversal was done in good faith in order to kick start negotiations towards a pay rise for workers. Doctors and psychiatrists in New South Wales will not strike again for at least three months The Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation agreed that its members would not enter into industrial action while the union negotiated pay increases with the state Dr Spooner said the standoff against the state's industrial commission was a win for workers. 'We have agreed to the orders of the commission as a good faith undertaking. But let's be clear, we do so from a position of strength,' he said. 'Thousands of doctors turned out at rallies across NSW to make their voices heard, and more than 3,000 doctors joined the union this week, a membership increase of over 30 per cent. 'We want to see all matters resolved fairly, including the psychiatrists' dispute.' NSW Health attended a hearing regarding a separate psychiatrists wage dispute which had been postponed by a week because of the industrial action. ASMOF and NSW Health will appear before the commission for another directions hearing on April 14. The hearing will determine the pathway towards arbitrating the Doctors Award. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the union had been trying to have their cake and eat it too as it engaged in industrial action while demanding negotiations. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park criticised the union for defying a ban on industrial action while it continued to demand negotiations ASMOF president Dr Nicholas Spooner had instructed his members to defy the state's industrial body when it initially banned workers from striking earlier in the week The recent industrial action resulted in the cancellation of roughly 700 elective surgeries, according to the NSW government. ASMOF refused the state government's offer of a 10.5 per cent wage increase over three years plus a backdated three per cent rise for doctors and psychiatrists. The state claimed that any more than that would be unfundable by government. ASMOF's demands seek to achieve pay-parity for doctors and psychiatrists in NSW with those in other states Doctors argued the pay rises were needed to stop colleagues from moving interstate where pay and conditions were better. 'Doctors at this rally have actually already signed contracts in other states,' junior doctor Henry Crayton told AAP. 'I'd be lying if I said I myself was not actively looking, because if the state government doesn't value me and doesn't help me be the best doctor I can, why would I stay?' Daily Mail Australia has contacted The Australian Salaried Medical Officers Federation and the NSW government for comment. A group of alleged 'travellers' have forced a dementia centre to close after setting up camp outside the charity's HQ. A fleet of caravans and other vehicles have pitched up close to the Reflections community hub in Camborne, Cornwall. They first arrived at the nearby Tuckingmill Valley car park on Thursday after being evicted from another camp. Large concrete bollards were fitted outside the car park, which is used by Reflections patrons, as a 'preventative measure' to stop the travellers from overrunning it. The group had reportedly been encamped on a car park a couple of miles away for several weeks and were only kicked off after the local council served an eviction notice. Residents have reacted with outrage and claimed the camp 'stinks of weed', amid allegations of drug taking at the site. Camborne Mayor James Ball said he was aware of concerns over alleged 'antisocial behaviour'. Speaking to MailOnline, he added: 'This is a very delicate situation. The caravans in the area have been evicted from another area. 'Concrete bollards were put in place as a preventative measure to stop them getting into car park of the dementia centre. Pictured are the defensive concrete barriers that have been installed to stop the travellers accessing a car park. The blocks have also led to a dementia centre having to temporarily shut as patrons cannot access the site Pictured is Tolgarrick Road where the travellers have reportedly set up camp 'If they got into it, it would have made it tricky. It would have meant a whole civil action to evict them and we would have had to wait for weeks to get the bailiffs in.' Instead, travellers parked in a road close to Reflections headquarters and reportedly have 'no intention' of moving, a spokesman for Reflections claimed. The unauthorised encampment has now forced the charity to close its doors to patrons for at least a week 'as we have no vehicle access or parking', the group said. Posting to Facebook, Reflections said: 'There are several caravans trying to get into Tuckingmill Valley Car Park and Reflections car park. The council have installed boulders to prevent this. 'As we speak, these Travellers have no intention from moving from the road near to Reflections any time soon. We therefore will not be able to open next week as we have no vehicle access or parking. 'We will be ringing everyone up tomorrow and we will be offering day support at our site in Threemilestone for a limited number of people. We have tried to reason with the caravan dwellers but they are not for moving 'til after Easter at the earliest!' Locals have reacted with horror at the news, which they say will have 'massive consequences' for some of the area's most vulnerable residents. One person wrote on social media: 'My mum has advanced dementia and attends this centre. If this facility is closed then I have to give up my work and my children go without.' Camborne Mayor James Ball (pictured) said he was aware of concerns over alleged 'antisocial behaviour' and hopes the travellers will be moved on soon Another said: 'This is an action that has massive consequences for vulnerable people and their families. Did the council not think for one moment before they decided this action? The only people that suffer are the ones that are already suffering....nice one.' It comes amid allegations of reported drug use and antisocial behaviour at the encampment, with neighbours claiming the site 'stinks of weed'. 'Took my dogs and daughter yesterday and the place was stinking of weed,' one woman claim 'It was absolutely vile. My daughter is nine and was like, "Mummy it stinks".' The concrete bollards that blocked off the access to the car park were fitted by Cornwall Council. Cllr Ball added: 'These will be temporary obstructions and hope the caravans will move when they can not get into the car park. I am watching the situation.' A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police told MailOnline: 'We are aware of what was an unauthorised encampment on Tolgarrick Road, Camborne and have worked with partners to resolve the situation. 'No alleged criminal offences are associated with this matter.' A spokeswoman for Cornwall Council told MailOnline: 'We have taken preventative action to close the car park at Tuckingmill Valley park, Camborne, to limit the expansion of an unauthorised encampment. 'This has unfortunately resulted in the temporary closure of the Reflections day centre. We are currently looking at ways we can reinstate access. 'We are monitoring the situation and liaising with Reflections. We hope to reopen the site to visitors as soon as possible.' The family-of-five killed in the New York City helicopter crash were believed to have been on vacation to celebrate the birthday of one of their young children. Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive from Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal and their three children aged four, eight and ten were killed when their sightseeing chopper plummeted into the Hudson River at 3.15pm on Thursday. The family were on vacation in New York to celebrate the birthday of one of their daughters, according to Spanish outlet Antena3. She would have turned nine today. They had just arrived from Barcelona and embarked on their first day touring the Big Apple, taking a scenic trip in the helicopter around the Statue of Liberty and up to the George Washington Bridge. The tragic twist emerged as terrifying new footage appears to show the cause of the tragedy. A rotor blade can be seen plummeting into the water, with aviation experts saying that this likely occurred because the main rotor blades separated from the aircraft and sliced the tail. 'From the footage, it appears that the main rotor struck the body of the helicopter, cutting off the tail of the helicopter, which created an unrecoverable event,' former military aviator and attorney Jim Brauchle of Motley Rice LLC told DailyMail.com. 'The two main causes of this phenomenon are mechanical failure or excessive maneuvering. Still, a full investigation is needed to understand why this tragedy occurred. 'Having previously represented the families of tourists killed during a helicopter tour over the Hudson River, my heart goes out to the families at this catastrophic time.' The family were on vacation in New York to celebrate the birthday of one of their children, according to Spanish newspaper El Diario. Heartbreaking photos showed the Escobar family posing on the helipad and inside the aircraft before the crash One of the Escobar children sits in the helicopter before the crash Harrowing footage captured the moment the helicopter rotor blade flew off and splashed into the Hudson River after the deadly crash Another expert told Fox 5 that in the case that the separating rotor blades sliced off the aircraft's tail boom, the flight would have been unrecoverable. 'If that articulating head actually separated from the aircraft, the aircraft was doomed. There's no possibility of that aircraft ever having made a normal type of landing. It was going to crash,' said Tristani. 'In this particular case though, when you throw a blade, one blade or the entire head, no, you're just a falling brick.' Michael Roth, 71, who owns New York Helicopter which provided the tour and the chopper, said the aircraft was running out of fuel before it crashed. 'He [the pilot] 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 didn't arrive,' Roth told The Telegraph. Roth said he was devastated by the crash and agreed with other experts that the video appears to show the main rotor blades had broken off. 'The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades weren't on the helicopter,' he told the New York Post. 'And I haven't 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 don't know.' 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 helicopter's 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. 'There's no indication they had any control over the craft. No pilot could have prevented that accident once they lost the lifts. It's like a rock falling to the ground. It's heartbreaking.' It comes as it was revealed that the helicopter's unidentified pilot, 36, radioed base to warn that they were running out of fuel just before the tragedy struck. He was also killed in the crash. Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive from Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal and their three children, aged four, eight and ten, took photos just before the crash Aviation experts explained that the crash likely occurred because the helicopter's (pictured before crashing) main rotor blades separated from the aircraft and sliced the tail Your browser does not support iframes. Witnesses said they saw the chopper 'split in half' before it went down near Pier 40, with one man reporting the stricken aircraft making what sounded like a 'sonic boom' Heartbreaking photos showed the Escobar parents and their kids, aged four, eight and ten, posing on the helipad and inside the aircraft before the crash. The aircraft was operated by New York Helicopter, a local tour company. The chopper appeared to be a N216MH - a Bell 206L-4, according to Flight Radar. The Bell 206 flew for approximately 16 minutes before going down into the water. It took off from the Wall Street Heliport and did a circle near the Statue of Liberty before flying up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge at about 1000 feet. Dramatic video showed the helicopter sinking into the water as emergency crews rushed to the scene. Witnesses said they saw the chopper 'split in half' before it went down near Pier 40, with one man reporting the stricken aircraft making what sounded like a 'sonic boom.' 'Oh my god. Oh my gosh. Oh my goodness. Oh my gosh,' said a terrified witness who watched the helicopter fall into the river. Bruce Wall, a witness near the shoreline of Jersey City, New Jersey, said he saw the helicopter '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 family had just arrived from Barcelona and embarked on their first day touring the Big Apple Emergency responders were seen late Thursday night pulling the remnants of the destroyed helicopter from the murky water of the Hudson River Devastating photos show debris from the helicopter tour floating in the Hudson River including a pink shoe 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 NYPD's call sign, 'what's going on over there by the Holland Tunnel?' - 'The ship went down,' someone else responds. Emergency responders were seen late Thursday night pulling the remnants of the destroyed helicopter from the murky water of the Hudson River. Photos showed a crane pulling mangled clumps of metal out of the river. Jersey City Mayor Steven explained in a post on X that major parts of the aircraft have not yet been recovered, so dive teams will scour the Hudson River for the parts on Friday. 'Recovery operations have been secured for the night. Major parts of the aircraft have not been recovered so dive operations by the NYPD and NJSP will resume tomorrow morning,' he said. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to the hospital, where they 'succumbed to their injuries,' NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. At the time of the crash, it was cloudy with winds around 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, CNN reported. Surface visibility was considered good - 10 miles - but it was cloudy as a system is moving into the region, bringing light rain to the region this afternoon and evening. The water was about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Other footage showed the chopper 'flying erratically' just before it fell into the water, while other clips showed pieces of the aircraft were seen flying off. 'Our hearts go out to the families of those who were onboard,' Mayor Eric Adams said. 'All six have been removed from the water, and sadly all six victims have been pronounced deceased.' Emergency responders enter the water after the helicopter crash. The National Transportation Safety Board has announced it launched a 'go team' to investigate 'Our hearts go out to the families of those who were onboard,' Mayor Eric Adams said. 'All six have been removed from the water, and sadly all six victims have been pronounced deceased.' Rashmi Kamkeri, a 30-year-old engineer, was working remotely from her apartment in Newport Park when she heard a deafening crash about 3:19 p.m. on Thursday. 'It was horrifying,' Kamkeri told DailyMail.com. 'I thought it was thunder and ten seconds later I saw the helicopter 10 feet above the water falling and then it made a big splash and went underneath the water. 'I panicked... then saw a piece of the helicopter fall into the water. The Waterway boat was moving and then it took a turn. 'I was almost in tears praying that someone would come and save them. I wished there would be someone who survives. I am so sad.' Anna was walking her rescue dog Archie along the West Side Highway in the rain when she saw the emergency responders and lights across the river on the New Jersey side. 'I saw the helicopter submerged in the water and then there was a lot of commotion,' she told DailyMail.com. Another witness said: 'One of my children said, "what's that sound?" I told him I didn't know. My other child said, "Do you think it was an earthquake?" I said, "no we would feel it." 'My other child asked, "Do you think a building pancaked?"' Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said that major parts of the aircraft have not yet been recovered, so dive teams will scour the Hudson River for the parts on Friday Rashmi Kamkeri (pictured), a 30-year-old engineer, was working remotely from her apartment in Newport Park when she heard a deafening crash about 3.19pm on Thursday 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 global commercialisation manager and as a digitalisation 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.' The skies above the Hudson River are often filled with both planes and helicopters that both fly private recreational, commercial and tourists flights. Manhattan has multiple helipads that are used by people, including business executives, to get across the Metropolitan area. At least 32 have been killed in helicopter crashes in New York City since 1977. The most recent crash happened in 2018 when a chopper hit crashed into the East River, leaving five passengers dead. The chopper crashed on March 11, 2018 when the tail of the aircraft got caught on the fuel shutoff lever, the NTSB said. All the passengers on board drowned. They were identified as Daniel Thompson, 34, Tristian Hill, 29, Trevor Cadigan, 26, Brian McDaniel, 26, and Carla Vallejos-Blanco, 29. The European Union's top foreign affairs official mocked France today for using a row over fishing rights to block UK involvement in a new continental security pact. Kaja Kallas, the former prime minister of Estonia, appeared to criticse the Macron government, which is insisting that a British pact with Brussels to help counter Russian aggression is linked to seafood quotas. It has seen firms from the UK and other non-EU nations blocked from bidding for contracts in a new 150 billion euro joint defence fund. Asked about the impasse Ms Kallas told the BBC she was 'surprised how important fish are, considering the security situation'. Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme she said: 'I'm definitely pushing this from my side because I think the UK is a very important defence and security partner, it's the most logical defence and security partner that we have and it is a beneficial relationship for both sides.' And laughing, she added: 'I'm learning in this job fish to the French they are very important.' It came as the Defence Secretary urged Ukraine's allies to 'look hard' at what more they can do to help Kyiv as the UK announced a 450 million 'surge' in military support. Kaja Kallas, the former prime minister of Estonia, appeared to criticse the Macron government, which is insisting that a British pact with Brussels to help counter Russian aggression is linked to seafood quotas. Asked about the impasse Ms Kallas told the BBC she was 'surprised how important fish are, considering the security situation'. Paris is refusing to engage on the security pact unless Britain meets EU demands over fishing rights and a youth mobility deal. Paris is refusing to engage on the security pact unless Britain meets EU demands over fishing rights and a youth mobility deal. Many EU member states want guarantees they will continue to have the same level of access to UK fishing waters as under a current deal that expires in June next year. There is also a push for Sir Keir to cave in on a youth mobility scheme to give young Europeans greater freedom to come to the UK to study and work - and vice versa for young Britons. John Healey opened a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels this morning with a plea to his fellow defence ministers to 'step up our support for Ukraine in the fight'. He said: 'Our job as defence ministers is to get urgent military aid into the hands of Ukrainian warfighters. 'And to those nations not making fresh commitments today, I urge you to look again, to look hard at what more you can do. John Healey opened a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels this morning with a plea to his fellow defence ministers to 'step up our support for Ukraine in the fight'. 'All military aid now will help Ukraine in the fight today and help secure a durable peace tomorrow, because the Ukrainian armed forces must be their own strongest deterrent against further Russian attacks.' Friday's meeting at Nato headquarters is the 27th gathering of the UDCG and the second to be chaired by Mr Healey, bringing together defence ministers from 50 nations. It was co-chaired by German defence minister Boris Pistorius, who told the meeting that Ukraine had become 'the epicentre of a broader conflict, a conflict between freedom and oppression, between the recognition of global standards and aggressive imperialism, between democracy and authoritarianism'. Previous meetings of the UDCG have been chaired by the US defence secretary, but in a sign of America's disengagement from European security, Mr Healey has taken over the duty since Donald Trump became president in January. However, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth attended Friday's meeting virtually, as did Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky. Meanwhile, Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to travel to Poland on Friday for a meeting with EU finance ministers, at which she will call for deeper co-operation on defence funding. 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 co-operation with our European allies so together we deliver greater economic and national security in a changed world.' The Liberal Democrats welcomed the announcement of more support for Ukraine, but said it was 'small change' and urged the Government to seize Russian assets to provide more funding. Lib Dem defence spokeswoman Helen Maguire said: 'John Healey is right: 2025 is a critical year. But Britain needs to do more. 'The UK must lead the charge in seizing the Russian assets held here in Britain funnelling oligarchs' money to back Zelensky's brave defence of Ukraine's sovereignty. Without that, we risk failing Ukraine in their hour of greatest need.' Tube drivers in London have been handed a four-day week as part of a deal to settle industrial action. Workers will do a regular 34-hour week across four days, including a 30-minute paid break, instead of the current 38.5 hours. Drivers will only work a fifth day of the week once every three months, to account for some of the time being trimmed. However, it will be training rather than operating trains. The package was proposed by Sadiq Khan's Transport for London after unions rejected a previous offer and threatened walkouts. Aslef announced last night that 70 per cent of members had voted to endorse the new terms in a ballot, with 80 per cent turnout. Tube drivers in London have been handed a four-day week as part of a deal to settle industrial action The Tories have accused London mayor Sadiq Khan (pictured) of a 'sell-out' to unions with the four-day week offer Finn Brennan, Aslef's full-time organiser on London Underground, said: 'Despite a campaign of disinformation and distortion by those who want to prevent drivers having improved working conditions and a better work-life balance, our members have voted in favour of the proposal by 70 per cent on an 80 per cent turnout in an independently audited referendum. 'As a majority of members have voted in favour of the proposal, we will now be writing to the company to inform them of the result and to arrange a meeting to start detailed discussions on implementation.' It remains unclear whether the package will be implemented, as the RMT union represents some Tube drivers and is yet to agree. Currently drivers take unpaid breaks within their hours, and 'bank' one hour a week that is given back as time in lieu later. Supporters of the new arrangement say it is hard for TfL to dictate how long unpaid breaks should last. Other terms, including pay and 7.4 weeks of leave a year, remain the same. The basic salary for a Tube driver is around 64,000. However, according to details released under freedom of information rules, the bulk of the 3,500 drivers received between 70,000 and 80,000 in 2023-24. The Tories have accused London mayor Mr Khan of a 'sell-out' to unions with the four-day week offer. A TfL spokesman said: 'As agreed in the last pay deal, we have set out to our trade unions how a four-day working week might work for train drivers. 'The changes would not require any changes to the number of contractual hours worked by drivers or any increase in drivers' annual leave, and would improve reliability, improve our ability to flexibly deploy our drivers and enable us to offer a modern and efficient service while creating no additional cost. 'We're aware that both trade unions have run a referendum of their members we have been notified of the results. 'We will now consider our response and will engage with the trade unions about the proposal in the coming weeks.' The commander of the US military base in Greenland has been sacked after she reportedly sent an email distancing herself from Vice President JD Vance's visit to the Arctic territory. Colonel Susannah Meyers was removed from her duties at Pituffik Space Base, a Pentagon spokesperson said Thursday night, explaining that her 'actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated'. While the exact reasons for her dismissal were not disclosed, news organisation Military.com reported that Meyers had sent an email to base personnel on March 31, in which she said she had spent the weekend reflecting on how Vance's recent remarks might have affected those stationed at the base. '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 alleged email released by the news site. 'I commit that, for as long as I am lucky enough to lead this base, all of our flags will fly proudly - together,' the message added. The email, which was reportedly confirmed as accurate by the Space Force, was sent to all base personnel, including those from Denmark and Greenland. Meyers commanded 821st Space Base Group and also oversaw the Pentagon's northernmost military base. Her remarks marked a rare pushback within the ranks of the Trump administration. The Pentagon has fired its Greenland base commander, Col. Susannah Meyers, after she criticised VP JD Vance's visit to the Arctic territory. Pictured: US Vice President JD Vance (2R) and Second Lady Usha Vance (2L) listen to Col. Susan Meyers (L), commander of the US military's Pituffik Space Base, as they tour base in Greenland on March 28, 2025 Col. Susannah Meyers, commander of the US military's Pituffik Space Base, was removed from command on April 10, 2025 It came as President Donald Trump repeated his desire to acquire the Danish territory for the United States Last month, Vance used a trip to Greenland criticise Denmark, in which he pushed for the Arctic island to become independent. It came as President Donald Trump repeated his desire to acquire the Danish territory for the United States. The vice president travelled to Greenland on March 28 to send a message to Denmark and the world about the political changes the Trump administration wants to see in the territory. 'What we think is going to happen is that Greenlanders are going to choose through self-determination to become independent of Denmark, and then we will have conversations with the people of Denmark from there,' he said. He said the United States was no longer willing to 'pick up the tab' for Europe to keep the region safe. 'If the people of Greenland are willing to partner with United States, and I think they ultimately will, we could make them much more secure. We could do a lot more protection, and I think they would fare a lot better economically as well,' he said. Danish leaders have repeatedly condemned Trump and the United States for expressing interest in Greenland. Following Vance's visit, Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said: 'We are open to criticisms, but let me be completely honest, we do not appreciate the tone in which it's being delivered.' Meyers reportedly sent an email to base personnel following Vance's email, in which she stated his comments were 'not reflective' of the base The Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Base) is pictured in northern Greenland, on October 4, 2023 Danish leaders have repeatedly condemned Trump and the United States for expressing interest in Greenland Meyers was the commander of the 821st Space Base Group and also oversaw the Pentagon's northernmost military base US Vice President JD Vance tours the US military's Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on March 28 Vance ravelled to Greenland on March 28 to send a message to Denmark about the political changes the Trump administration wants to see in the territory Vice President JD Vance, left, receives a brief from U.S. Space Force Col. Susan Meyers, 821st Space Base Group commander, about the mission and importance of the various units at Pituffik Space Base, Greenland Greenland's newly-elected prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, has also said that the the autonomous territory is not for sale, and said Trump was 'a threat to our political independence'. But Vance had sharp criticism for Denmark for their failures to secure the region. 'This has to happen, and the reason, I hate to say it, is because our friends in Denmark have not done their job in keeping this area safe,' he said. 'Denmark has not kept pace in devoting the resources necessary to keep this base, to keep our troops, and in my view, to keep the people of Greenland safe,' he added. During his visit, Vance was asked about the president's desire to acquire Greenland. 'Well, the president said we have to have Greenland, and I think that we do have to be more serious about the security of Greenland,' he said. 'We cannot just ignore this place, we can't just ignore the president's desires, but most importantly, we can't ignore what I said earlier, which is the Russian and Chinese encouragement in Greenland.' 'Our message is very simple,' he continued. 'Yes the people of Greenland are going to have self determination, we hope they choose to partner with the United States because we're the only nation on earth that will respect their sovereignty and security.' South Korea's former president Yoon Suk Yeol has left the presidential residence in the capital Seoul, waving to supporters as he donned a red cap emblazoned with the words 'Make Korea Great Again'. The not-so-subtle nod to Donald Trump comes after Yoon too was impeached in December last year for imposing martial law in a shocking move that rocked South Korean politics. Last week, the nation's Constitutional Court removed the 64-year-old from office and recent days have seen a constant trail of trucks coming to and from the presidential residence carrying Yoon's belongings - along with all 11 of his dogs and cats - back to his upmarket residence in southern Seoul. The former president and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, left the presidential compound this morning in a black van surrounded by guards. The vehicle was greeted by a horde of supporters who carried banners bearing messages like: 'Your excellency Yoon, we will carry on with your spirit' and 'Yoon again'. Yoon briefly walked among them, shaking hands and embracing dozens of people, before getting back into the vehicle and leaving the site. Arriving at the apartment complex where his private residence is located, Yoon stepped out of the van again and walked slowly through a second crowd of supporters, shaking their hands as they chanted his name. But there were hundreds of people who turned out to protest the former president, who is now facing a criminal trial on rebellion charges punishable by death or life imprisonment. 'Give Yoon Suk Yeol the death penalty!' their banners read. In a public message, Yoon expressed gratitude to those who had protested for months calling for his reinstatement and stressed that he will 'continue to do my utmost' to build the 'free and prosperous Republic of Korea that we have dreamed of together.' South Korea's ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol leaves the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, 11 April 2025 South Korea's ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol leaves the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, 11 April 2025 Supporters of South Korea's ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol hold placards reading 'Yoon Again' as they gather on a street near the presidential residence in Seoul on April 11, 2025 South Korea's ousted president Yoon Suk Yeol waves to supporters from his car as he leaves the official residence in Seoul, South Korea, 11 April 2025 The not-so-subtle nod to Donald Trump (pictured) comes after Yoon too was impeached in December last year for imposing martial law in a shocking move that rocked South Korean politics Yoon, a conservative who narrowly won the 2022 election, declared martial law on late-night television on December 3. He justified his imposition of martial law by claiming it was necessary to eradicate 'anti-state' liberals whom he accused of abusing their legislative majority to obstruct his agenda. Yoon also declared a suspension of legislative activities and sent hundreds of troops to surround the National Assembly, but lawmakers still managed to form a quorum and voted to lift martial law just hours after it was imposed. Once the martial law was lifted, Yoon's downfall was rapid. His powers were suspended after the Assembly impeached him on December 14. And the Constitutional Court upheld impeachment and formally removed him from office last week, triggering a presidential election the government set for June 3. Yoon's actions 'violate the core principles of the rule of law and democratic governance,' the judges said in their ruling. Sending armed soldiers to parliament in a bid to prevent lawmakers from voting down his decree 'violated the political neutrality of the armed forces'. He deployed troops for 'political purposes', the judges said. 'In the end, the respondent's unconstitutional and illegal acts are a betrayal of the people's trust and constitute a serious violation of the law that cannot be tolerated,' the judges ruled. Despite his self-inflicted fall from grace, it's unlikely that Yoon will fade into the background, experts say. With the country entering election mode, he may try to rally his supporters while seeking to tighten his grip on the conservative People Power Party, whose leadership is stacked with loyalists. Facing the criminal trial on rebellion charges, Yoon would strongly prefer a conservative president who could pardon him if convicted and is likely to push to ensure the party's primaries are won by a candidate he supports. Yoon, 64, was suspended by lawmakers over his December 3 attempt to subvert civilian rule (pictured on December 3) Soldiers advance to the main building of the National Assembly after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in Seoul, South Korea, December 3, 2024 People, gathered in front of the National Assembly Building, protest following the declaration of martial law in Seoul, South Korea on December 4 That candidate will face down opposition politician Lee Jae-myung, who is currently the frontrunner in pre-election polls. Lee announced his policy roadmap as Yoon left the presidential residence, declaring he would help South Korea recover from the recent political turmoil. In a video message, he said that Yoon's martial law saga exposed the country's deep divisions and social conflicts, and argued that the root cause was a widening rich-poor gap. He promised aggressive government spending to jolt economic growth and ease income polarisation. 'We have more than we did in the past, but wealth is too concentrated in certain areas,' Lee said. 'With economic growth rates declining worldwide, it has become difficult to maintain and develop an economy solely on the strength of the private sector. However, with government-led talent development and extensive investments in technological research and development, we can revive the economy.' He added it was crucial to maintain a robust alliance with the United States and to pursue three-way cooperation with Japan, but he stressed that South Korea's national interest should come first in 'every decision.' Lee narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election but staged a political comeback as the leader of the liberal Democratic Party. He has served as a lawmaker, provincial governor and city mayor, and has won supporters by positioning himself as an anti-elitist. But his critics view him as a populist who stokes division while failing to offer realistic funding plans to achieve his ambitious goals. He recently stepped down as the party chair to focus on his presidential campaign. A super-strength cannabis smoking mother who drowned her two young sons and tucked them into bed for their father to find has today been sentenced to life imprisonment and will serve a minimum of 21 years. Kara Alexander, 47, of Dagenham, east London, was found guilty of murdering Elijah Thomas, two, and Marley Thomas, five, in the bath at their home in December 2022. At Kingston Crown Court on Friday, Mr Justice Bennathan sentenced Alexander to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years and 252 days. He also warned that Alexander's reliance on super-strength cannabis, known as skunk, should serve as a warning that it can 'plunge people into a mental health crisis in which they may harm themselves or others'. The boys' father Selvin Thomas found his sons lying dead on their bunk beds after they were killed by their mother. They had been tucked in but he immediately knew they were dead, describing them as cold and hard to the touch. Mr Thomas, who had split up with Alexander just three months earlier, began screaming: 'Kara, Kara, Kara. What the f***? You've killed my children.' But she had already fled the house and he called the police. He was due to have the boys that weekend and was worried because he had not received any messages or calls from Alexander. When he arrived at their home his ex-partner said they were upstairs sleeping before slamming the door in his face. But after he demanded entry he went to their bedroom to find they had been murdered. Kara Alexander, 47, murdered two-year-old Elijah Thomas and Marley Thomas, five, at their home in Dagenham, east London, in December 2022 Alexander (pictured in her police mugshot), was convicted in February and sentenced today Alexander with Selvin Thomas, the boys' father, who discovered their bodies The cause of death was drowning or suffocation. Today at Kingston Crown Court, prosecutor Philip Evans read out the victim impact statement of Mr Thomas, who could not be present due to illness. 'The events of December 2022, have obviously had a profound impact on me and my family,' he said in Selvin Thomas' words. 'Kara ensured there would be maximum impact on me by engineering a situation where I would find Marley and Elijah deceased in bed. 'I am coming to terms with the fact I dedicated seven years of my life to a cold-hearted, selfish and extremely stupid demon. 'I believe Kara's intention was to frame me for the murders and somehow present herself as a victim. 'She was able to brutally end the lives of two innocent children, put them in the bed and wait calmly for me. 'She has shown no remorse or provided any kind of explanation or apology, she did not consider the impact this would have. 'Despite the correct verdict being handed down, there still remain many unanswered questions. 'It is a pain that follows me all day, every day and will do for the rest of my life.' Alexander had claimed it was 'an accident' when she left the boys in the bath as she smoked cannabis. But after deliberating for six hours and 54 minutes, the jury at Kingston Crown Court found Alexander guilty of two counts of murder. Jailing her this morning, Mr Justice Bennathan told Alexander: 'The heavy use of skunk or other hyper strong strains of cannabis can plunge people into a mental health crisis in which they may harm themselves or others. 'If any drug user does not know that, it is about time they did. 'On the evening of December 15, 2022, you had been smoking skunk, you had been doing so for weeks before, probably longer. 'You drowned them both, I cannot reach any conclusion other than by your state at that time you intended to kill them. 'The bath was probably still run from the evening routine and I do not think your dreadful acts were pre-meditated. 'The next morning their father, worried by your unusual signs, came and found them - the stuff of nightmares. 'I find you were in a psychotic state when you killed your two sons. On the proper medical definition, I accept that it was cannabis induced, even if there were other contributing causes. 'That finding of psychosis is consistent with the jury's rejection to your defence of diminished responsibility. You had a previous psychotic episode in 2016. 'I also note that in December 2022, you spoke regularly to two members of your social circle about your heavy cannabis use, they both knew you were looking after small children, yet neither of them warned you of any risks.' The judge told Alexander her 'shocking abuse of trust that any small child ought to be able to have in their mother or father' was a significant aggravating factor. 'You not only lack any previous convictions but before that terrible evening you had been a caring mother, that stands as a stark contrast of what normally happens when a child is killed. 'You may not have been told that your previous psychotic state could be triggered by cannabis. 'Every day you will remember and grieve the little boys whose lives you snatched away.' Alexander accepted at trial that she had placed them in the bath before they 'accidentally' drowned When Thomas arrived at their home Alexander said they were upstairs sleeping, but he went to their bedroom to find they were both dead. Pictured: Marley Thomas Selvin Thomas had arrived at their home to see his sons but Alexander, who was wearing a hoodie, said they were upstairs sleeping and slammed the door in his face. Mr Thomas demanded she open the door and when she did he found 'a bunch of toys behind it as if barricading the door', said prosecutor Philip Evans, KC. He then ran to his sons' bedroom and found their bodies lying side-by-side on their lower bunk bed. By the time the horrified father ran downstairs Alexander had fled. She was arrested about an hour later and later claimed she had left the boys in the bath alone while she smoked cannabis. Alexander accepted at trial that she had placed them in the bath before they 'accidentally' drowned. Mr Evans said: 'They were bunched up together and it looked like they were asleep. 'They had the duvet up to their shoulders, only their faces were visible. He touched Marley's face, on his right cheek, and he was freezing cold and hard. 'He knew immediately that they were dead and thought they had been dead for some time. 'Such exposure could have occurred from being in an enclosed space where cannabis was being smoked in the hours leading up to death.' Alexander had been in contact with 'at least two suppliers of cannabis and regularly bought cannabis from those suppliers during this period.' She admitted two charges of gross negligence manslaughter by breaching the duty of care she owed her sons but the prosecution did not accept her pleas. She denied but was convicted of two counts of murder by a jury at Kingston Crown Court. Marley and Elijah, also known as Teddy, had previously lived with Alexander and Mr Thomas in Hackney before they split up and she moved to Dagenham with the boys. Mr Thomas found his sons' bodies on their shared bunk bed on 16 December 2022. He ran downstairs screaming 'Kara, Kara, Kara. What the f***? You've killed my children.' Alexander was nowhere to be seen and Mr Thomas dialled 999. During the call played to the jury he said: 'She killed my children'; 'I've come here to check on them, she slammed the door in my face, I said "You need to open the door or I'll call the police", so she let me in. 'I said "Where are the children?" she said "They're in bed", so I've gone to check on my children. 'She's run across, now she's running to a neighbour's house, jumped the fence, my children are dead, they're dead. 'They're both in the bottom bunk freezing cold. She's lost her mind and I don't know what she's done, she's killed both my little boys.' Mr Thomas then told a man outside: 'She's knows I'm going to kill her. For no reason, for no reason, for no reason bruv, they're two years old and five years old bro.' Mr Evans told the court: 'Their deaths had instead been caused, in each case, by an interference with the normal mechanics of their breathing through smothering or immersion in water. 'The ambulance service and police attended, there was nothing that could be done for the boys they were very clearly dead and had been for some hours.' There was no sign that anyone else other than Alexander had entered or been in the house, the court heard. 'The defendant had run away through gardens into a neighbouring street,' added Mr Evans. Emergency services were called at around 2pm the bodies of two young children 'She was arrested about an hour or so later and was taken to the police station where her detention was authorised. 'The prosecution understands at this stage that Kara Alexander denies killing her two children in the sense that she did nothing to interfere with the normal mechanics of their breathing, whether through smothering or immersion in water. 'She denies intending to kill them or intending them serious harm, or indeed any harm. 'The prosecution case is that, if a person smothers or immerses a young child in water, the very least intention that person must have is to cause really serious harm to that child. 'This is all the more so where there are two children killed.' Alexander's barrister Jeremy Dein KC had earlier argued the defence of diminished responsibility should be open to her due to an acute and transient psychotic disorder. This is the pulse-pumping moment police stormed Turkish barbershops as part of a nationwide crackdown on criminal gangs hiding in plain sight in towns and cities. Hundreds of American-themed sweet shops, hairdressers and car washes have been raided as part of a mammoth operation on suspected money laundering rackets. Spearheaded by Britain's 'FBI', the National Crime Agency (NCA), officers from 19 police forces in England hit 265 premises which investigators believe are being used by criminals to hide dirty cash. In total, officers froze assets totalling more than 1million in bank accounts, executed 84 warrants and made 35 arrests over a three-week period. Dramatic footage today revealed the moment West Mercia cops smashed they way into a series of businesses allegedly run by gangsters. Racing to an address, officers wearing body armour are seen using a battering ram to force their way through the door of one shop. In another clip, police are seen breaching their way into rooms as they raid another suspected criminal hideout. 'Oh loads of money in here,' one officer says as he lifts the mattress of a bed to find wads of cash hidden away. At the same time, another officer wearing body armour and a helmet, is seen using a battering ram to blast through a door leading to another bedroom. 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 In footage filmed by West Mercia Police, officers can be seen smashing into a bedroom after searching one room and funding wads of cash hidden under a bed Greater Manchester Police officers are seen seizing goods during a vape shop raid in Rochdale 'Police with a warrant! Stay still. Show me your hands,' yells the police officer, as cops swarm the room and detain a person inside. In Bristol, an elite strike force from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) raided 16 barbershops believed to be posing as fronts for criminal gangs. At one premises in the city, more than 130 bags of counterfeit goods were seized, with an investigation being taken forward by Trading Standards. In all, authorities the visited 30 sites across the region as part of the crackdown. In the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, a man found to be working illegally was discovered, Avon and Somerset Police said. While in Blandford Forum, in Dorset, officers uncovered a makshift bedroom believed to be housing illegal workers. And in Bournemouth, an employee was found to be working illegally at one site, and vapes were being sold illegally at another. Detective Sergeant Adrian Bray from the SWROCU said: 'Barbershops and other cash-intensive businesses like vape shops, nail bars, American-themed sweet shops and car washes are often used by criminals to launder the proceeds of their crimes. 'Their aim is to mix legitimate funds and criminal profits to hinder investigations into their criminality. We know they are also adept at exploiting vulnerable people to work in their businesses.' At one property, bundles of cash - suspected to be laundered criminal money - was found hidden under a bed One person is detained by West Mercia Police during its series of busts across the area Hundreds of shops suspected of being fronts for criminal gangs have been raided across England. Pictured is one shop in Middleton being searched during an operation in Manchester Vapes and cigarettes were seized by officers in Rochdale as part of the nationwide crackdown While in Greater Manchester, officers seized 150 cannabis plants with three people arrested Some 139 premises were visited by cops during a three-week period, with 14 people being arrested. The nationwide crackdown was dubbed Operation Machinize. It 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 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'. West Mercia Police races to a Turkish barbershop suspected to be a front for a criminal gang Hundreds of American-themed sweet shops have been raided as part of a mammoth police crackdown on high street money laundering Your browser does not support iframes. 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. Your browser does not support iframes. 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. Ukraine's allies today agreed a record 21 billion euros (18.2 billion) of military support for Kyiv, with a warning that peace with Russia is still 'out of reach'. Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK would spend a record 4.5 billion on defence aid this year that includes manufacturing drones and supplying anti-tank mines. He spoke at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels, which the US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth did not attend in person, instead dialling in remotely. However, other defence ministers insisted the US remained involved in supporting Kyiv, despite the Trump administration's attempts to end the fighting through appeasing Putin. German defence minister Boris Pistorius suggested that US efforts were not working, telling a joint press conference: 'Given Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine, we must concede peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future. 'We will ensure that Ukraine continues to benefit from our joint military support. 'Russia needs to understand that Ukraine is able to go on fighting and we will support it.' Defence Secretary John Healey said the UK would spend a record 4.5 billion on defence aid this year that includes manufacturing drones and supplying anti-tank mines. He spoke at a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels, which the US secretary of defence Pete Hegseth did not attend in person, instead dialling in remotely. German defence minister Boris Pistorius suggested that US peace efforts were not working, telling a joint press conference: 'Given Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine, we must concede peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future.' Britain is to build hundreds of thousands of drones to be sent to the Ukrainian frontline as part of a 450 million aid package. Mr Healey said the move would support UK jobs and boost economic growth as well as supporting Ukraine against Russia. Drone casualties in Ukraine now outnumber those inflicted by artillery, the Defence Secretary said today as he condemned Vladimir Putin's rejection of a ceasefire. 'Today is one month to the day in which Russia rejected President Trump's peace settlement,' Mr Healey said. 'Putin said he wanted peace but he rejected a full ceasefire; Putin said he wanted peace but he continues to drag his feet and delay the negotiations; Putin said he wanted peace, but his forces continue to fire on Ukraine military and civilian targets alike. 'From January through to March, he launched over 10,000 glide bombs into Ukraine. 'He is launching over 100 one-way attack drones every day and we've reached the point now where those battlefield casualties on both sides inflicted by drones now way outnumber those inflicted by artillery. 'In our calculations, 70-80 per cent of battlefield casualties are now caused and inflicted by drones.' As chair of the meeting, the UK has secured ambitious pledges for Ukraine from donor countries. Drone casualties in Ukraine now outnumber those inflicted by artillery, the Defence Secretary said today as he condemned Vladimir Putin's rejection of a ceasefire. The talks in the Belgian capital are also a chance for Western allies in the 'coalition of the willing' to discuss plans for a post-war peacekeeping force. Last night, officials said the countries involved in putting together such a force feel a 'sense of urgency' this despite Russia continuing to oppose a peace deal and any Western soldiers being sent to Ukraine to protect a ceasefire. The contact group consists of 50 nations working together to coordinate their military support for Ukraine, to ensure the fastest delivery of supplies. The latest support package includes 160 million to repair and maintain military vehicles, a partnership with British and Ukrainian engineering companies. Ukraine is also purchasing radar systems, anti-tank mines and anti-drone capabilities from funds secured by the contact group. The drones being supplied include highly maneuverable first-person view (FPV) drones to attack targets, and drones which can drop explosives on Russian positions. These types of drones are reported to be responsible for 60-70% of damage currently caused to Russian equipment. Concerns continue over whether the US will provide any security guarantees for a stabilization force. European allies are particularly dependent on the US to provide air cover, air defence and intelligence capabilities. US ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink is poised to quit her post and return from Kyiv. President Trump has previously cut off US military and intelligence support to Ukraine, to the chagrin of the country's president Volodymyr Zelensky Last night, it was reported that the US's ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink intends to resign. She was nominated by former president Joe Biden. If confirmed, she would be one of the highest-ranking diplomats to leave the State Department since President Trump took office. In that time he has temporarily cut off the US's military support, including high tech intelligence assets, and forced Ukraine to sacrifice territory and agree a temporary ceasefire. The US has also pressured Ukraine in a bid to sign multiple deals over its natural energy resources, seemingly as payback for the US's military support. Mr Pistorius told today's press conference that Mr Hegseth addressed defence ministers at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with some 'interesting and correct assessments' about what Europeans have been doing since the start of the year. 'In terms of the participation of Pete Hegseth, virtually or physically here in Brussels, it's not a matter of priorities. I think it's a matter of schedules.' He said the 'most important fact was that he took part'. The protestors rallied against Elon Musk's actions in the US Protesters tore up a cardboard model of a Tesla Cybertruck before telling the company's CEO to 'go to hell' outside its Australian headquarters. Dozens of members from university groups and student representative councils gathered outside Tesla's Australian headquarters in Alexandria, Sydney, to protest Elon Musk on Friday. Around 50 people attended the protest where activists held up signs calling Musk a Nazi and encouraged passing cars to honk in support. It was one of the first protests against Musk to take place in Australia and participants were joined by student representative councils outside the company's office. At the heart of their message was a rejection of Musk's efforts to reshape the United States government within his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) outfit. US President Donald Trump entrusted the billionaire to reshape the government by reducing its workforce in an attempt to eliminate waste and inefficiency. Some drivers on their way home honked in support of the protest with one yelling 'f*** Musk' as they passed by, according to the Daily Telegraph. One motorist passing by crashed into the back of another car in an unrelated incident which interrupted the protest while a tow-truck attended the scene. Protestors gathered outside Tesla's Australian headquarters in Sydney to protest Elon Musk The group of about 50-strong equated Musk to a Nazi and said he had no place in Australia A number of hecklers however told the protestors to 'go home' in the midst of their demonstration. The protestors ignored the request and continued waving their signs and chating rhetoric against the world's richest man. 'Elon Musk go to Mars, we don't want your useless cars,' the group chanted. The protestors continued into chants of 'No Musk, no KKK, no fascist USA', and 'We want healthcare not another billionaire' and 'Elon Musk go to hell take Trump there as well.' One protestor even said that Tesla 'represented the stolen wealth of Elon Musk'. A student who attended the protest, Jasmine Alrawi, said Musk had 'everything to do with us here in Australia'. 'Attacks against oppressed people, against workers, have everything to do with us here,' she said. 'The fact our government continues to defend Trump, and continues to defend Elon Musk is a huge shame.' US President Trump entrusted the world's richest man to reshape his government by reducing its workforce in an attempt to reduce waste and inefficiency Sydney protesters rejected Musk's efforts to reshape the US government within his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) outfit The protest was organised on social media where activists called for a 'Tesla takedown'. Signage held by some at the event displayed Musk's infamous moment where he appeared to perform a Sieg Heil at the Trump inauguration in January. The latest protest comes just days after multiple cities around the world hosted protests against Trump and Musk. Most protests took place in the US but some extended as far as London where hundreds gathered in opposition to the second Trump administration. At the same time, thousands of protesters in US cities from New York to Anchorage, Alaska, and multiple other state capitols slammed Trump and Musk's actions on government downsizing, the economy, immigration and human rights. The protests came as Tesla shares plummeted in Australia. Shares fell by as much as 53 per cent in March, according to the Electric Vehicle Council. Two members of a Spanish family tragically killed when their tour helicopter plunged into New York's Hudson River were still alive when they were pulled out of the water. Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive from Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal and their two young daughters aged four, five, as well as their 11 year-old son, were killed when their sightseeing chopper plummeted into the Hudson River on Thursday. The 36-year-old pilot, who has not been named, was also killed. It has since emerged that two of the passengers were alive when divers pulled them out of the freezing water, although it is unclear if they were conscious. The two relatives, who weren't named by officials, were later declared dead at the hospital, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. A heartbreaking Associated Press photo showed one of the girls' pink sneakers floating on the river after the tragedy. The family were on vacation in New York to celebrate the birthday of one of their young daughters, according to Spanish outlet Antena3. They had just arrived from Barcelona and embarked on their first day touring the Big Apple, taking a scenic trip in the helicopter around the Statue of Liberty and up to the George Washington Bridge. The tragic twist emerged as terrifying new footage appears to show the cause of the tragedy. Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive from Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal and their three children, aged four, five and 11, took photos just before the crash Harrowing footage captured the moment the helicopter rotor blade flew off and splashed into the Hudson River after the deadly crash Devastating photos show debris from the helicopter tour floating in the Hudson River including a girl's shoe A rotor blade can be seen plummeting into the water, with aviation experts saying that this likely occurred because the main rotor blades separated from the aircraft and sliced the tail. 'From the footage, it appears that the main rotor struck the body of the helicopter, cutting off the tail of the helicopter, which created an unrecoverable event,' former military aviator and attorney Jim Brauchle of Motley Rice LLC told DailyMail.com. 'The two main causes of this phenomenon are mechanical failure or excessive maneuvering. Still, a full investigation is needed to understand why this tragedy occurred.' Heartbreaking photos showed the Escobar parents and their kids, aged four, five and 11, posing on the helipad and inside the aircraft before the crash. The aircraft was operated by New York Helicopter, a local tour company. The chopper appeared to be a N216MH - a Bell 206L-4, according to Flight Radar. The helicopter flew for approximately 16 minutes before going down into the water. It took off from the Wall Street Heliport and did a circle near the Statue of Liberty before flying up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge at about 1000 feet. Dramatic video showed the helicopter sinking into the water as emergency crews rushed to the scene. The family were in vacation in New York to celebrate the birthday of one of their children, according to Spanish newspaper El Diario. Heartbreaking photos showed the Escobar family posing on the helipad and inside the aircraft before the crash One of the Escobar children sits on the helicopter before the crash Witnesses said they saw the chopper 'split in half' before it went down near Pier 40, with one man reporting the stricken aircraft making what sounded like a 'sonic boom.' Michael Roth, 71, who owns New York Helicopter which provided the tour and the chopper, said the aircraft was running out of fuel before it crashed. 'He [the pilot] 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 didn't arrive,' Roth told The Telegraph. Roth said he was devastated by the crash and agreed with other experts that the video appears to show the main rotor blades had broken off. 'The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades weren't on the helicopter,' he told the New York Post. 'And I haven't 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 don't know.' Emergency responders were seen late Thursday night pulling the remnants of the destroyed helicopter from the murky water of the Hudson River. Photos showed a crane pulling mangled clumps of metal out of the river. The family had just arrived from Barcelona and embarked on their first day touring the Big Apple Emergency responders were seen late Thursday night pulling the remnants of the destroyed helicopter from the murky water of the Hudson River Your browser does not support iframes. Jersey City Mayor Steven explained in a post on X that major parts of the aircraft have not yet been recovered, so dive teams will scour the Hudson River for the parts on Friday. 'Recovery operations have been secured for the night. Major parts of the aircraft have not been recovered so dive operations by the NYPD and NJSP will resume tomorrow morning,' he said. At least 32 have been killed in helicopter crashes in New York City since 1977. The most recent crash happened in 2018 when a chopper hit crashed into the East River, leaving five passengers dead. His floating home lies within a stone's throw of a house that once belonged to Roman Abramovich, on a site once graced by household names such as Sir Alec Guinness and James Mason. But a 69-year-old business consultant is facing a High Court battle to retain his high-profile berth on Chelsea Reach after claiming he is being unfairly turfed out. Simon Howard is fighting eviction from his mooring at the entrance to Cheyne Walk, a Chelsea road that has been dubbed Billionaires' Row. He has lived there since 2010 when, together with his former wife Kate King, he 'committed to a life on the water' by ploughing almost 900,000 into buying the dilapidated Joseph Conrad - a former Dutch shipping barge. The couple transformed the boat into a luxurious 100ft, two-bedroom boat complete with a spiral staircase, three bathrooms, a sun terrace, floor-to-ceiling windows and a retro-inspired bar. Mr Howard says his lavish outlay on the 1.5million ship, which he acquired instead of buying a house, was motivated by a desire to live on the river. While recovering from major heart surgery in 2022, however, he was informed by his landlord that he had missed the deadline to renew his mooring licence. The Chelsea Yacht and Boat Company Ltd, which manages the moorings, is now suing to have the boat removed. The firm is also seeking damages from Mr Howard for alleged trespass caused by him remaining beyond the end of his licence period. Simon Howard is fighting eviction from his high-profile mooring at the entrance to Cheyne Walk, a Chelsea road that has been dubbed Billionaires' Row Together with his former wife Kate King, Mr Howard transformed a dilapidated former shipping barge into a luxurious 100ft, two-bedroom boat complete with two bedrooms The floating home, worth 1.5 million, offers stunning views across the River Thames Together with King, Mr Howard is countersuing in a bid to remain at the site, arguing it would be almost impossible to find another berth on the River Thames. 'They are litigating to secure a berth for Joseph Conrad - Mr Howard's home - it being practically impossible to find an alternative berth to which the vessel can be moved,' said the former couple's barrister, Timothy Polli KC. The ship is part of a flotilla of approximately 50 houseboats moored at Chelsea Reach, which has been dubbed London's 'original houseboat village'. The boats, which lie west of Battersea Bridge, are located on the site of a former second world war naval yard where D-Day landing craft and torpedo boats were once used to accommodate ex-servicemen and hard-up locals. In the decades since, the houseboat village has acquired an aura of glamour. The moorings have been used as a backdrop in several films, including the 1958 movie The Horse's Mouth and The Deadly Affair of 1966, respectively featuring Guinness and Mason. The small marina now hosts boats and barges, some of which are worth well over 1 million. During a pre-trial hearing at Central London county court last week, Judge Alan Johns was told how Mr Howard and his former wife spent a small fortune on the rundown boat in 2010. 'It is their case that, when they bought Joseph Conrad from CYBC in 2010, it was very dilapidated,' the former couple's barrister said. The 100ft vessel is currently moored at one of London's most exclusive locations But the Chelsea Yacht and Boat Company Ltd, which manages the moorings, is suing to have the boat removed and seeking damages from Mr Howard for alleged trespass The boat's sumptuous interior features a lavish array of fixtures and fittings 'They paid CYBC a price substantially over the hull value for the boat, and paid for the vessel to be refurbished because they were assured that they would be able to keep the boat moored at Chelsea Reach for as long as they wanted.' He said they had been told by previous bosses of CYBC that their licence to moor at Chelsea Reach was in effect a 'rolling licence', enabling them to renew on expiry. 'It is because of those promises that they bought into the moorings at vast cost - 872,704 - rather than buying a home on land,' Mr Polli told the judge. He continued: 'Their licence expired in April 2022. Although the licence included an option to buy a new licence, the couple had separated and Mr Howard was very ill following a serious heart operation during the option window, and so they did not exercise the option within that window. 'When Mr Howard did so, he was told by CYBC that he was too late. Several short-term extensions to September 2022 were granted by CYBC, but CYBC now seeks an injunction requiring them to move Joseph Conrad off the moorings. 'Mr Howard and Mrs King say that their dealings with CYBC were such that there arose a collateral contract, the effect of which is that they should be permitted to remain on the moorings, upon paying market rate for doing so. 'By not offering them a new licence at market rate, CYBC is doing to them precisely what it promised it would not do and that constitutes a breach of the contract.' Complete with a spiral staircase, three bathrooms, a sun terrace, floor-to-ceiling windows and a retro-inspired bar, there is ample space onboard to relax and entertain Toby Watkins KC denied the former couple had a right to keep the Joseph Conrad at Chelsea Reach and accused them of trying to get a valuable right to which they were not entitle. 'They are seeking to find a way to achieve the security of tenure they have never had, but would clearly like to have,' he told the judge. 'CYBC seeks an injunction requiring Mr Howard and Ms King to remove their houseboat, the Joseph Conrad, from Berth 1 of the claimant's moorings at Cheyne Pier, together with damages, following the expiry of their mooring licence. 'The 2012 licence originally expired on April 2, 2022, but was retrospectively twice extended by agreement to September 28, 2022, when it finally expired.' As well as resisting CYBC's claim, citing the alleged past assurances that they would never be forced out, the couple claim that refusing them a licence would diminish the value of their boat, which was put on the market in 2016 at 1.5m but failed to sell. 'As their name suggests, static permanent houseboats are not designed to be moved,' said Mr Polli. 'Save for occasional trips to a dry-dock for maintenance, they remain - and are intended to remain - in one place. 'For that reason, a berth is essential and a permanent static houseboat without a berth is an onerous asset.' The case reached court as the parties wrangled over the projected lawyers' bills for the trial, with CYBC saying it is likely to have to spend 700,000 on the case. Mr Polli accused the company of deploying 'lawfare' tactics, running up large costs bills in order to 'intimidate' the former couple. 'Their pockets are not limitless and so they are trying to litigate in a cost-effective and proportionate manner,' he told the judge. 'In contrast, CYBC is a company owned by a successful developer of high-end properties marketed at high net-worth individuals. 'It seems apparent to the defendants that CYBC is not interested in litigating in a cost-effective and proportionate manner.' He claimed that the company was 'behaving in a deliberately extravagant and intimidatory manner'. But CYBC's barrister rejected claims that his clients were trying to exert pressure, insisting that Mr Howard and Ms King are to blame for deploying superfluous evidence. He slammed the evidence given by the couple's five witnesses for containing 'broad and sweeping generalisations about what was said and done to others,' arguing that defence lawyers failed to give proper notice about submitting additional evidence focusing on the 'alleged deteriorated condition of the moorings'. Defending his costs projection as 'significant but not disproportionate', Mr Watkins also suggested Mr Howard and Ms King are 'being supported by others of the 40 or so houseboat owners' and insisted the former couple possess 'significant means'. 'The costs of this action are significant to CYBC,' he concluded. 'It is not a high net-worth individual - like many of the houseboat owners - but a family business upon which the unrecoverable costs of this action will be significant.' Judge Johns will give his decision on the range of the evidence and the costs issues at a later date. The White House released a video of press secretary Karoline Leavitt praying with her staff before her press briefing. Margo Martin, a top aide in the West Wing, posted a video on X of Leavitt praying before Fridays session with the media. Leavitt recently revealed she always says a prayer with her team before briefings. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping accused Donald Trump of bullying the world with tariffs. The U.S. president is still facing the fallout from his lofty and sweeping international tariffs even though on Wednesday he paused their implementation for 90 days. A coastal town in central California has been ranked the best small beach community in the United States, but its shores hold a notorious secret. Pismo Beach, which USAToday said 'draws in plenty of visitors with its quiet beaches and array of wineries and outlet shopping,' also has a history of trash blighting the sand and polluted waters. In 2023, the Surfrider Foundation named the mouth of the San Luis Obispo Creek - and Avila Beach where it flows into - the ninth-most polluted beach in the entire country in their annual Clean Water Report. Avila Beach, with its high bacteria levels, is just under two miles from Pismo Beach's northern Sunset Palisades and Shell Beach neighborhoods. On July 4 of last year, 1,300 gallons of sewage spilled onto the streets, KBSY reported at the time. San Luis Obispo County officials said they only recovered 500 gallons worth, and much of the runoff went straight into the ocean. Signs at multiple entrances to the beach were put up to warning beachgoers that swimming was prohibited because of the spill. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, the cleanliness of the beach was even more in question, with many photos showing trash cans overflowing with discarded pizza boxes, single-use plastic bags and aluminum cans. On Memorial Day weekend in 2020, there were also plenty of disposable masks and gloves, the San Luis Obispo Tribune reported. Pismo Beach was ranked the best small coastal town in the United States by USAToday, but its long history of trash and pollution taints its first place status These signs were places at multiple entrances to Pismo Beach last July 4 when 1,300 gallons of sewage spilled onto the streets. Some of it made it into the ocean Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, the beach has also had a problem with out-of-control littering 'We saw an abuse of our community with the volume of trash left behind and overflowing from trash receptacles,' Pismo Beach spokesman Jorge Garcia told the local outlet. By February 2021, the littering problem had not gone away, according to KCBX FM, a Central Coast public radio station. Ben Fine with the Pismo Beach Public Works Department said it was a two-pronged issue. The city lacked the employees at the time to stay on top of trash and beachgoers felt emboldened to leave their garbage anywhere when cans were overflowing. 'So even if I'm not a litterer, once I see that a trash can is full, it kind of gives me the permission to either set my trash right next to the trash can or put it on top or just not deal with it properly,' Fine said. At the time, the city set aside more funding for additional maintenance workers and planned to add more temporary workers during the busy summer months. However, Pismo Beach, which got a brief mention in the 1995 cult classic film 'Clueless', certainly has its positives. Gordon Jackson, the director of tourism and events for the Pismo Beach Conference and Visitors Bureau, told SFGate that the area has a 'vibrant downtown' that's well worth stopping by. For many Californians, the quaint town of just about 8,000 serves as a much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area or Los Angeles The most well-known attractions, aside from the beach itself, are of course the boardwalk and the many shops and eateries in the town On USAToday's list, Pismo Beach (pictured) beat out second-place Cedar Key, which is on the western coast of Florida 'This honor belongs to our entire community,' Jackson wrote in a statement. 'Our friendly locals and vibrant downtown make Pismo Beach the Classic California coastal experience, and we're thrilled to share it with the world.' For many Californians, the quaint town of just about 8,000 serves as a much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of the Bay Area or Los Angeles. It's almost exactly the midpoint between the two metro areas. Another highlight is Dinosaur Caves Park, an 11 acre greenspace that sits above the oceanfront bluffs. There's a playground for kids, wide-open lawns for picnics and plenty of scenic walking trails. Tourists visiting Pismo Beach from late October through February can also visit the Monarch Butterfly Grove to see thousands of butterflies flapping around the area's many Eucalyptus trees. The most well-known attractions, aside from the beach itself, are of course the boardwalk and the many shops and eateries in the town. On USAToday's list, Pismo Beach beat out second-place Cedar Key, which is on the western coast of Florida. It also ranked higher than fifth-place Morro Bay, which is barely a 30-minutes away by car. Tommy Robinson should have his prison sentence cut because his segregation is 'making him ill,' a court has been told. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court after breaching an injunction. The 42-year-old was sentenced in October last year after admitting 10 breaches of a High Court order made in 2021. The order had barred Robinson from repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee who successfully sued him for libel. After being transferred from HMP Belmarsh for 'starting a conflict with followers of Islam' on his first day, the inmate was moved to HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes, the High Court heard. A short time later, however, prison officers received intelligence over threats to Robinson from two inmates and so segregated him within a 'closed wing which cannot be accessed by other prisoners'. Now, Robinson is appealing his prison term at the Court of Appeal with the hearing beginning today. The prisoner had previously failed in a legal claim against the Government over his segregation in prison, claiming he had suffered an 'evident decline in his mental health'. His barrister, Alisdair Williamson KC, has told the court his client suffers from ADHD and 'complex post-traumatic stress disorder' which, when combined with his segregation in prison, was having a 'demonstrable effect' on him. The Solicitor General opposes the appeal, which Robinson attended via video-link from HMP Woodhill. Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court after breaching an injunction The 42-year-old was sentenced in October last year after admitting 10 breaches of a High Court order made in 2021 Robinson was initially admitted to HMP Belmarsh but was transferred for 'starting a conflict with followers of Islam' Williamson KC said: 'Mr Justice Johnson acknowledged that there could be an effect on Mr Yaxley-Lennon's mental health and, along with other factors, he reduced the sentence he was going to impose by one sixth, four months. 'But he did not have before him this additional factor, which in of itself means that the conditions that Mr Yaxley-Lennon faces are more onerous. 'He is being kept safe by the authorities in segregation, but being kept safe is making him ill, and more ill than Mr Justice Johnson could have foreseen on the basis of the information before him. 'We invite this court to interfere with that order to reduce the sentence imposed.' Robinson is currently set to be released on July 26. He was jailed after the Solicitor General issued two contempt claims against him last year. The first alleged he 'knowingly' breached the order on four occasions, including by having 'published, caused, authorised or procured' a film called Silenced, which contains the libellous allegations, in May 2023. The film was pinned to the top of Robinson's profile on the social media site X, while he also repeated the claims in three interviews between February and June 2023. He was then moved to HMP Woodhill (pictured) in Milton Keynes on November 1, where he received threats to his safety The second claim was issued in August concerning six further breaches, including playing the film at a demonstration in Trafalgar Square in central London last summer. Handing down the sentence in October, Mr Justice Johnson said that 'nobody is above the law' and described Robinson's breaches of the injunction as 'flagrant'. In written submissions for the hearing on Friday, Aidan Eardley KC, for the Solicitor General, said that Robinson's sentence involved a 'punitive element' and a 'coercive element'. The 'coercive element' - four months - would be deducted from Robinson's sentence if he 'were to demonstrate a commitment to comply with the injunction', stating in court that Robinson 'remains defiantly in breach of the order' and was asking for the court's 'indulgence'. He added in writing that there was 'no evidence that the conditions in which the appellant is being held are more severe than was anticipated' by Mr Justice Johnson. He said: 'Legally, there is no basis for arguing that conditions unforeseeably imposed by the prison authorities could found a ground of appeal.' He continued: 'There are no grounds for altering the sentence in this case. '[Mr Justice Johnson] was fully apprised of the risk that a further period of imprisonment in conditions restricting the appellant's ability to associate with other prisoners might have a detrimental impact on the appellant's mental health and determined the sentence accordingly.' Mr Eardley also told the court that Robinson 'accepts he has a TV' while segregated, 'but complains he cannot watch GB News on it'. Pictured: Tommy Robinson supporters gathering in central London in October 2024 for an anti-immigration protest Robinson twice held up a sign to the camera, which said a statement from the governor of HMP Woodhill was 'lies'. In response, the Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr said: 'We will ignore that, thank you very much indeed.' The injunction was issued after Robinson was successfully sued by Jamal Hijazi, a then-schoolboy who was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018. After a clip of the incident went viral, Robinson made false claims on Facebook, including about Mr Hijazi attacking girls in his school, leading to the libel case. Mr Justice Nicklin ordered Robinson to pay Mr Hijazi 100,000 in damages and his legal costs, as well as making the injunction preventing Robinson from repeating the allegations. The Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, Lord Justice Edis and Lord Justice Warby will hand down their ruling at a later date. A Norwegian teenager was arrested in a West Yorkshire hotel room armed with a Luger pistol and a revolver, a court heard. Johannes Kongsnes Natland, 18, was arrested by firearms officers in Huddersfield on March 19, with the investigation being taken over by Scotland Yards Counter Terrorism Command shortly afterwards. The specialist division deals with espionage and threats from hostile states. Natland, from Stavanger in southwestern Norway, appeared at the Old Bailey today charged with possessing a Luger 9mm semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, and ammunition. The teenager had flown into Manchester Airport from his hometown on March 17, two days before West Yorkshire Police swooped on the hotel. Wearing a grey tracksuit, Natland appeared via videolink from Wormwood Scrubs and spoke only to confirm his identity and confirm he understood proceedings without the need for an interpreter. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said she was content to leave the case in the terrorism case management list while investigations continue in the UK and abroad into what is suspected to have been behind the alleged offences. She noted the defendant had not been charged with conspiracy to murder and there was no information about who an alleged intended target could have been. Johannes Natland had flown into Manchester Airport from his hometown on March 17, two days before West Yorkshire Police swooped on the hotel. The judge told Natland: I bear in mind that you are just 18 years of age and everything going on will be confusing and complex for you to understand but your solicitors are independent of the court and they are doing their best for you. Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb said the case would be heard by a High Court judge at Nottingham Crown Court, with a trial date to be fixed later. Natland was remanded into custody until a further hearing at the Old Bailey on June 6 before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb. Scotland Yard has previously said that because of ongoing lines of inquiry, including a number of international inquiries, the investigation was being dealt with by detectives from Counter Terrorism Policing. However, the case is not being treated as terrorist-related at this time, a spokesman for the Met Police has said. The investigation is being supported by colleagues with North East Counter Terrorism Policing and West Yorkshire Police. In pics: Stunning scenery of Emerald Lake in Mangya, NW China's Qinghai People's Daily Online) 13:52, April 11, 2025 Located in Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province, Mangya city has emerged as a popular tourist destination thanks to its striking natural landscapes. Among its most iconic attractions is Feicui Lake, or Emerald Lake, which spans roughly 26 square kilometers. The lake is rich in lithium, potash, mirabilite, and other mineral salts. Variations in mineral concentration give the water breathtaking shades of light blue, emerald green, and deep green, creating a scene that looks like an oil painting set against the vast canvas of the Gobi Desert. Photo shows the scenery of Feicui Lake, or Emerald Lake, in Mangya city, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (People's Daily Online/Ma Kexin) A tourist takes a walk at Feicui Lake, or Emerald Lake, in Mangya city, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (People's Daily Online/Ma Kexin) Tourists are seen at Feicui Lake, or Emerald Lake, in Mangya city, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (People's Daily Online/Ma Kexin) Photo shows the scenery of Feicui Lake, or Emerald Lake, in Mangya city, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (People's Daily Online/Gan Haiqiong) Photo shows the scenery of Feicui Lake, or Emerald Lake, in Mangya city, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Mangya Municipal Committee) Photo shows the stunning scenery of Feicui Lake, or Emerald Lake, in Mangya city, Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, northwest China's Qinghai Province. (Photo courtesy of the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Mangya Municipal Committee) (Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun) Among the big winners of Wednesday's market skyrocket is top Donald Trump ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. The Georgia Republican bought when some of the larger retailers on the New York Stock Exchange were hit hard by the dip over the last two weeks. Her purchases included stock in Lululemon, Dell Computer, Amazon and Restoration Hardware, according to financial holdings disclosures. The documents reviewed by the Associated Press did not disclose how much money the congresswoman put into the stocks only the ranges and dates in which she purchased them. These companies were down an average of 40 percent late last week when Greene pounced. The market crash came in the wake of Trump's Liberation Day announcement on Tuesday, April 2, when he revealed the high and sweeping tariffs he planned to impose on other countries' goods. 'This is a great time to buy. DJT' the president posted to Truth Social just hours before he paused implementation of the tariffs, causing some to heed his advice and throw money into the markets right ahead of the surge. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was among the big winners who threw money into the stock market at the dip and saw that payoff this week when President Donald Trump put a 90-day pause on his tariffs The markets did a u-turn this week when Trump said he wouldn't yet implement his massive sweeping tariffs A few hours later, U.S. markets did an immediate u-turn when Trump announced on his social media account that he would halt the tariffs for 90 days. The move came after 75 countries reached out to Trump's team asking to make a deal for a more favorable trade structure with the U.S. Greene often referred to by her initials MTG backs President Trump's trade and tariff policies. 'Tariffs are a powerful proven source of leverage to protect our national interests,' she posted on X earlier this year, adding: 'We will win this trade war.' Her purchase of the dip has worked out so far with markets soaring on Wednesday and Thursday and all three market indices rebounding. While markets fell a bit on Thursday compared to Wednesday's surge, they continued to climb on Friday. RH, or Restoration Hardware, is Greene's clear winner. 'Oh, sh!,' said RH CEO Gary Friedman in a conference call last week amid the stunning collapse. But stock for the luxury furniture and design company jumped more than one-third since she purchased shares of the company last Friday. Among the stocks Rep. Greene bought during the dip was fitness apparel brand Lululemon Meanwhile, Dell stock jumped 9 percent since MTG purchased stock in the computer company last week after losing more than half its value. Republican and Democrat lawmakers have proposed bills that would ban members of Congress from trading stock due. Allegations of the years claim a massive conflict of interest in owning shares of companies that their bills, committees and regulatory actions could heavily influence. No such bills have been able to pass. But a new one called The End Congressional Stock Trading Act was proposed last month in the latest attempt to stifle lawmakers and their families from getting involved in stock trading. A daughter who killed her terminally-ill father has been allowed to walk free from court in a sentence described as 'merciful' by a judge. Dr Lisa Davenport, 55, smothered Barrie Davenport, 88, with a pillow at his home in Banbury, Oxfordshire in October 2022. Oxford Crown Court heard Mr Davenport had been suffering from terminal pancreatic cancer and was in a great deal of pain during his final few hours of life. John Price KC, prosecuting, said that staff at Mr Davenport's retirement complex and a doctor did not suspect foul play because his death was expected to be imminent. Ms Davenport, however, confessed an hour after her father's death to a neighbour and a friend of her father about what she had done, asking them not to say anything. And the following morning while 'visibly drunk', she also confessed to the manager of the retirement complex who then reported it to the police. Today, the mother-of-two asked to be 'left in piece' outside court, where a judge handed her a 'merciful' two-year suspended sentence. 'When the doctor certified his death at 10pm on October 17 it was believed to be due to natural causes,' he said. Dr Lisa Davenport (pictured) smothered her father with a pillow at his home in Banbury, Oxfordshire in October 2022 Dr Davenport reportedly confessed to a friend about the killing an hour later Speaking outside court, Davenport said her family had paid a 'heavy price' for the death of Barrie 'But that was not so, Mr Davenport had been in fact unlawfully killed by his daughter, this defendant Lisa Davenport. 'At about 7pm she had smothered her father with a pillow as he lay in his bed.' Mr Price continued: 'Were it not for those confessions subsequently saying he had been unlawfully killed, it would have not been discovered. 'The evidence suggests that following his terminal diagnosis this defendant was a devoted carer of her father as his health declined. 'It is accurate to say that no one could have done more for a clearly dying parent than she did.' The court heard that Mr Davenport was in a great deal of discomfort and there were difficulties in getting his pain management under control. 'This defendant was distressed by how her father appeared,' Mr Price said. 'She asked for him to receive more pain relief. This background might explain why a devoted daughter did what she did to her father that evening. 'We would like now to be left in peace, to grieve and to start healing,' she said 'The prosecution has always accepted that had there been a trial, it would have been the prosecution's case that the motivation was clearly done in a 'belief by the offender that it was an act of mercy'. 'This phrase is accurately describing her motivation for doing what she did.' After killing her father, Davenport confessed to a friend of his, Angela Pountney. Miss Pountney told police: 'Lisa said, "I smothered him". I was shocked and could not say anything, and said, "Please don't tell me". 'She said, "I smothered him". She said, "You must not tell anybody and the family must not know because I will be sent to prison".' Speaking outside court, Davenport said her family had paid a 'heavy price'. 'Three years ago, we discovered that our beloved dad had been given three months to live because he had terminal cancer,' she said. 'Nothing prepared us for what was to come. 'My dad wanted to die at home, but his condition deteriorated so rapidly, and the community care system just couldn't keep up to speed with that, so he didn't get enough pain medication, as the prosecution experts said. 'I had to watch my father suffer and no-one should have to go through that. 'I accept that it's against the law for me to have ended his suffering, but my family have paid a very heavy price. 'We would like now to be left in peace, to grieve and to start healing.' Davenport, who worked in the biomedical industry, was a single mother-of-two who described herself as a 'functioning alcoholic'. She was her father's primary carer and was critical of the care he received in his final days of life, the court heard. Mr Price said these criticisms were 'unfair and inaccurate' and said they were not accepted by the Crown. Ms Davenport was said to have been suffering from a mental illness at the time of her father's death The defendant had been assessed by several psychiatrists and at the time of the killing was suffering from a mental illness. At a previous hearing, Davenport, of Washle Drive, Middleton Cheney, near Banbury, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. She had denied murder. Mary Prior KC, defending, said Mr Davenport was a 'much-loved father and grandfather'. 'For each of them the loss of their father and grandfather is a horrific burden to bear,' she said. 'Each of them have indicated that they all loved their father and grandfather, and that Lisa Davenport worshipped him. 'And despite the fact she caused her father's death, they all love her and support her and are here in court to support her.' Ms Prior said there was no criticism of individual care workers, nurses or doctors who looked after Mr Davenport but said he was left in pain during his final hours. 'The reality is that because of his rapid deterioration and because he was cared for within the community, the medication was not able to be increased sufficiently quickly to alleviate him being in pain,' she said. 'What she did was to end his suffering, minutes, maybe hours, certainly not a day longer. Dr Lisa Davenport was described as a 'loving, devoted daughter' who cared for her father for many years 'It was extremely difficult for her. This 55-year-old woman who had never been before a court in her life acted to try and ease the suffering of the man she loved and she pays a heavy price for that. 'She believes this was an act of mercy and that his life was shortened for a very short period of time - a matter of hours. 'She asks for an act of mercy because the impact of an immediate custodial sentence would punish her. 'It would also punish others who have also lost so much, impacting her two children. 'She acted in seconds to do something that prevented suffering for minutes, hours or days.' Solicitor Karlie London, who represented the defendant, said: 'This is the most tragic case, in which a 55-year-old woman who had never been in any trouble with the police found herself in an emotionally overwrought state and put an end to the suffering of her beloved father. 'This case has taken a significant period of time because it was necessary for us to obtain psychiatric reports to discover that at the time of the killing Lisa Davenport was suffering from abnormalities of the mind, which meant she was not capable of forming rational judgment or controlling her conduct or emotions. 'It has been a very long-running case and Hine Solicitors were privileged to have acted for Lisa Davenport in this very complex and difficult case. 'We hope that now the sentence has been passed, that she and her family can begin the process of grieving for the beloved father and grandfather.' Passing sentence, Mr Justice Linden imposed a two-year prison sentenced, suspended for two years, and ordered her to undertake 12-month treatment programmes for her mental health and alcohol dependency. He also made Davenport subject of a six-month home curfew from 8pm and 8am. Passing sentence, Mr Justice Linden imposed a two-year prison sentenced, suspended for two years, and ordered her to undertake 12-month treatment programmes for her mental health and alcohol dependency The judge said that she and her father had a close loving relationship and that in his final days he was in a 'great deal of pain'. 'To your credit you did not say you were acting on any wishes he had expressed,' he said. 'There was no evidence of premeditation and I also accept your sole motivation was to bring your father's suffering to an end and acted because his death was close. 'No-one is permitted to take matters into their own hands and people that do should expect an immediate custodial sentence. 'In the case of murder, a life sentence is mandatory - even in the circumstances of a mercy killing. 'I recognise I have taken a merciful course. I have done so because of the mitigating features of your case, which in my judgment are exceptional.' Keir Starmer warned that the future of British Steel 'hangs in the balance' today as he prepares to recall Parliament tomorrow to pass emergency measures to stop the furnaces being switched off. MPs and peers are being brought back to Westminster from the Easter recess as ministers mull full-blown nationalisation in the wake of Donald Trump's tariffs. All steel and aluminium imports to the US have been hit with a 25 per cent levy, in another blow to the already struggling UK industry. The Chinese owner of the Scunthorpe-based business plans to close the blast furnaces and switch to a greener form of production, despite government objections. The return of Parliament is needed to sign off legislation ensuring the 'continued operation' of the furnaces, which are making a loss of around 700,000 a day. It is understood that ministers are still looking for a private buyer for the business but that the legislation tomorrow will allow the government to take control of operations. Speaking in Downing Street today, Sir Keir said all options, including nationalisation, remain on the table. 'This afternoon, the future of British Steel hangs in the balance,' he said. 'Jobs, investment, growth, our economic and national security are all on the line.' Speaking in Downing Street today, Sir Keir said all options, including nationalisation, remain on the table. The Chinese owner of the Scunthorpe-based business plans to close the blast furnaces and switch to a greener form of production MPs are being brought back to Westminster from the Easter recess amid intense manoeuvring in the wake of Donald Trump 's tariffs (file picture) All steel and aluminium imports to the US have been hit with a 25 per cent levy by Mr Trump (pictured), in another blow to the already struggling UK industry Kemi Badenoch has said Labour 'bungled' negotiations over British Steel and are now 'scrambling for a solution' that will come at a big cost to taxpayers. 'They've made poor decisions and let the unions dictate their actions, she said. 'Keir Starmer should have seen this coming. But instead of addressing it earlier in the week when Parliament was sitting, their incompetence has led to a last-minute recall of Parliament.' The Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill will be pushed through all stages during the day. Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and his counterpart in the Lords have approved a rare Saturday sitting. It will be the first one since October 2019, when MPs considered Boris Johnson's Brexit deal. However, technically there has not been a recall for a Saturday sitting since the Falklands War in 1982. The emergency legislation will give the Government the power to direct the company's board and workforce. This aims to ensure they get paid, and are able to order the raw materials to keep the blast furnaces running, according to the Department for Business and Trade. The Government has instructed the company's UK management to continue the plant's operation, including its furnaces. This legislation will mean that any employees who are sacked by the plant's Chinese owners for taking steps to keep it running can be reinstated. UK Steel director-general Gareth Stace said: 'Recalling Parliament is the right decision to ensure that British Steel, the wider steel sector and thousands of steel workers and their families are given the certainty they deserve in trying times. 'It is welcome news that Government recognises the seriousness of the UK's steel industry circumstances and the essential contribution our sector makes to the national economy and security, as well as the communities that rely on it. Asked this morning if she was losing confidence in the prospect of a US trade deal, Chancellor Rachel Reeves stressed negotiations were ongoing 'We look forward to further detail from Government on its commitment towards a secure and stable steel sector.' Ministers have been footing the bill to buy specialist coal from Japan needed for the process in the short-term. 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. Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds and officials met with the chief executives of Jingye and British Steel earlier this week for discussions on steelmaking in Scunthorpe. Hopes have been fading that the UK can secure a deal to wipe out the US tariffs. Asked this morning if she was losing confidence in the prospect, Chancellor Rachel Reeves stressed negotiations were ongoing. But she suggested little progress was being made, and the focus was turning to other trade partners. 'We continue to engage with our counterparts in the United States, and of course we want to secure the best deal possible for British jobs and British industry. And we are absolutely resolved to do everything we can,' she said. 'But, at the same time, we also want to improve trading relations with other countries around the world. 'It's why I hosted the Indian finance minister in London this week as part of our economic and financial dialogue, and to try and secure a free trade and investment treaty with India. 'It's also why we are having a summit with the European Union in May to improve our trading relations. 'I'll be travelling to Poland later today to meet with my finance minister counterparts from across Europe.' Legendary England cricketer James Anderson has been handed a knighthood today. Sir James, who retired from test cricket in July having taken more wickets than any fast bowler in test history, was handed the gong by cricket-mad ex-PM Rishi Sunak in his resignation honours. The list reveals Michael Gove will lead a procession of former Tory ministers into the House of Lords. Mr Gove, the former education, environment and levelling-up secretary who stood down from the Commons at the election, was made a peer. The senior Brexiteer will be joined by a slew of former Tory frontbenchers who lost their seats at the election, including Mark Harper, Simon Hart and Victoria Prentis. As well as a knighthood for Sir James, there was also one for Matthew Vaughn, the director and producer behind the Kingsmen and Kick-Ass films, and gangster classic Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels. There were also knighthoods for Tories including ex-Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Mel Stride, the current shadow chancellor, and James Cleverly, the former home secretary. Mr Sunak also handed a knighthood to James Anderson , the legendary England fast bowler who retired this year as the country's leading wicket-taker. Mr Gove, who stood down from the Commons at the election, was made a peer in Rishi Sunak's resignation honours, which were confirmed today. He will be joined by a slew of Tory MPs who lost their seats at the election, including Hark Harper, Simon Hart and Victoria Prentis. The 42-year-old retired from Test cricket in July having taken 704 wickets, the most by a fast bowler in Test history. He is still playing for his county Lancashire but has missed the start of the Rothesay County Championship season with a calf problem. Only Muttiah Muralitharan (800) and the late Shane Warne (708) have more Test wickets than Anderson, who is out of sight among non-spinners and may never be toppled, with closest challenger and former team-mate Stuart Broad retiring last year on 604. Anderson made his one-day international debut for England against Australia in December 2002 and his Test bow came in May 2003. He finished his international career having played 188 Tests and 194 ODIs. The top executive at Birmingham City Council spent the first week of the bin strike crisis on a sunny business jolly in Cannes, the Mail can reveal. Joanne Roney, who is the managing director of the council, jetted off to the French Riviera for an investment conference in the same week bin workers began an all-out strike last month. Her trip included a plum speaking role on a panel on March 12, the day after sweeping industrial action had started to unleash chaos across Britains second city. Since then, more than 21,000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish has piled up on the streets, sparking fears of a public health crisis as vermin feast on mountains of waste. It led the council to declare a major incident, with deputy prime minister Angela Rayner this week wading into the row as she urged the striking workers to accept an improved deal. Yet as the city was staring down the barrel of a major political crisis, its most senior executive was hundreds of miles away, sipping wine and basking in glorious sunshine on the Cote d'Azur. She was attending MIPIM - described as the worlds largest real estate conference - which is regularly attended by city leaders hoping to attract developer interest in their region. Sources have told the Mail that she was away for an entire week - a claim the council did not deny. Joanne Roney, Birmingham City Council's most senior executive, was snapped at various events at the MIPIM conference in Cannes last month Meanwhile, the streets of Birmingham were buried under thousands of tonnes of rubbish as bin workers walked out over a pay dispute with the council Fears of a major public health crisis have grown since the start of the strike, due to the vast amount of dumped waste on the streets She appeared on a panel called Leveraging UK Innovation: Major investment opportunities in the new London-Birmingham corridor and was pictured enjoying a glass of red wine at one event. The revelations raise fresh questions about the competence of the councils response to the crisis, after a key councillor, Majid Mahmood, recently infuriated colleagues by flying off to Egypt for a jolly paid for by a charity. The Mail also revealed this week that Labour MP Liam Byrne - whose constituents are among those worst affected in Birmingham - extended a luxurious work trip to Japan into a personal holiday. Furious critics tonight accused Ms Roney of going missing in action. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: It shows peculiarly bad judgement. It epitomises the whole way this council has been run, its a shocking shambles. They stand condemned by their own actions, which is inaction. Tory MP Sir John Hayes said: When a ship is on the rocks, its not unreasonable to expect the captain to be on the bridge. If the person in command chooses to be sailing in a different direction, that is nowhere near the problem or its potential solution, it doesnt inspire confidence at a time of crisis. Tory MP Greg Smith said: It seems the metropolitan elite in Birmingham are happy to sun themselves whilst the people they serve watch the rubbish pile high on the streets. Joanne Roney took over the top job at Birmingham City Council in 2024, with a view to steadying the ship after the local authority declared effective bankruptcy Joanne Roney attended numerous events during her week in the south of France, a decision which critics have described as 'peculiarly bad judgement' Residents in Birmingham have grown so desperate they have gone to increasingly bizarre lengths to get rid of their waste An estimated 21,000 tonnes of rubbish remains uncollected on the streets of Birmingham Ms Roney is the former chief executive of Manchester City Council who has been awarded a CBE for her services to local government. She was parachuted in to the top job in Birmingham last year, after it declared bankruptcy over a 350 million black hole in its finances. At the time, she declared that the prospect of helping the place where I grew up and my family still live rise to its current challenges, was a compelling one. But now the council has been accused of failing to rise to one of its biggest challenges in years, as the strike passed the one-month milestone without a resolution. William Yarwood, media campaign manager at the TaxPayers' Alliance said: Brummies will be outraged to see that their council's top boss was in Cannes while rubbish was beginning to pile up on their streets. Birmingham is facing one of the worst crises in its history, yet instead of leading from the front, the councils most senior executive was rubbing shoulders on the Riviera. Taxpayers fund her salary and expect her to be tackling problems, not sipping rose on a work jolly. The Unite union said a ballot on the latest deal offered by the council would close on Monday. Bin workers walked out over plans to scrap a role on the citys collection teams - but the council said just 17 staff would face the maximum financial loss of up to 6,000 per year under its pay restructuring plans. A council spokesman said: The West Midlands presence at real estate conference MIPIM was led by the West Midlands Growth Company the regions official Investment Promotion Agency. Joanne Roney was part of the public-private cohort representing Birmingham and the West Midlands in plenary sessions and meetings promoting the regions investment potential. This was a planned work trip, and all of Joannes expenses, including flights and accommodation, have been funded by the private sector. It remains a critical objective for Birmingham City Council to identify and secure new investment that helps fund the citys housing, and infrastructure demands, supporting local growth. A Love Island star dubbed 'Barbie' was the business brain for a 53million cocaine cartel which flooded UK streets with illegal drugs, a court heard. Magdalena Sadlo, 30, used her management skills to painstakingly prepare criminal accounts for top table crooks in the Middle East. Drug lords based in Dubai had masterminded a conspiracy to ship enormous sums of cocaine into the UK. Well-qualified Sadlo - who featured in Love Island's Polish version in 2021 - was drafted in to help, said a prosecutor, and played several highly trusted parts. As a driver blonde beauty Sadlo repeatedly collected vast quantities of the illegal drug as it was imported into the port of Harwich. She moved 33kg to Greater Manchester on one date alone, and over several months transported it around England in expensive BMWs during 'whistle-stop' tours. Trafficked cocaine was stored initially in safe houses before being moved around the country by a team of trusted criminal couriers for onward supply to street users, Carlisle Crown Court heard. While based in the Middle East, Sadlo also played the part of a trusted financial director, diligently documenting many millions of pounds in drug transactions on spreadsheets. Magdalena Sadlo (pictured) appeared on the third season of the Polish Love Island in 2021 She described herself at the time as living in London and being a 'spontaneous, self-confident blonde who you can count on'. Sadlo is pictured on the far left 'She not only manages the profits, costs and expenses but also manages the stock levels, updating who has taken what, at what cost, from what batch and the profit margins involved,' said prosecutor Tim Evans. 'No organised crime group working at this level could operate or function without Magdalena Sadlo, or an equivalent, performing this role.' Sadlo was 'enthusiastically, relentlessly efficient in her accounting', suggested the prosecutor, and 'told others (major players) off when they did not meet her high standards of efficiency.' Mr Evans added: 'She is very much part of the inner circle and is operating and seated at the very highest of tables.' Sadlo also prompted others to chase debts, suggesting one person needed a 'nudge'. One group member responded by referring to a man 'having to sell his house', adding: 'But I'm gonna send some lads.' Police detained Sadlo as she flew into the UK on February 13, 2024, having travelled Emirates first class from Dubai. She was carrying a 130,000 rose gold Patek Phillipe watch, 30,000 Rolex timepiece with Cartier bracelets and rings, bought with criminal cash, plus a cv boasting her business acumen and qualifications. Officers also seized mobile phones and laptops from which the criminal profit spreadsheets which showed ketamine and cannabis was also being supplied. As a driver Sadlo repeatedly collected vast quantities of the illegal drug as it was imported into the port of Harwich, a court heard Sadlo (pictured), moved 33kg to Greater Manchester on one date alone, and over several months transported it around England in expensive BMWs during 'whistle-stop' tours. After Sadlo provided PIN details, officers also unearthed a mass of encrypted group chat messages. In these, she and other high ranking crooks discussed vast amounts of money linked to drug supply. Sadlo had the nickname 'Barbie', detectives learned. In one message, she quipped: 'The devil works hard, but Barbie works harder.' On one phone, Sadlo made web searches, in January 2024, for '50kg cocaine June news UK' and 'which countries have the death penalty for drugs'. 'She clearly knew the scale and seriousness of the trade she was engaging in,' said Mr Evans. Sadlo, of Bracknell, was due to have been sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today. She admitted conspiring to supply cocaine, cannabis and ketamine; and conspiracy to launder money. The sentencing hearing was adjourned after Sadlo's barrister said she took issue with elements of the prosecution case. She had in fact played a lesser criminal part, said Mr Corrigan, and been paid 1,000 a month for services as a personal assistant. Online information boards for 19 railway stations were changed into a rant about Muslims by an IT worker, a court heard. Customers who expected to see a notice about terms and conditions were instead told that Islamification of Europe is already happening and its getting worse each day'. John Wik, 36, had discussed defacing the page with a colleague, citing the significant political damage he could cause before he posted the message. The hacker worked for Global Reach, who provide and manage public wi-fi networks all over the UK including those for Network Rail, and is now facing a jail sentence. His message which warned of future terror attacks was seen by a significant number of people and was up for a matter of hours on September 25, 2024, before being reported and removed. Wik appeared in court wearing a blue jacket and beige chinos and admitted distributing threatening material intending to stir up religious hatred. Prosecutor Warren Stanier said: He was employed by a company that develops and manages web pages for organisations that offer free wi-fi. He defaced that initial page so that it gave members of the public a long message with images which the prosecution say was anti-Islamic. John Wik, 36, (pictured) had discussed defacing the page with a colleague, citing the significant political damage he could cause before he posted the message His message which warned of future terror attacks was seen by a significant number of people and was up for a matter of hours at 19 different railway stations It started out with the words: We love Europe, the Islamification of Europe is already happening and its getting worse each day. He added that the message was seen by a 'significant number of people'. It reached 19 railway stations across the Network Rail network. Mr Wik accepts that part of the prosecution case,' Mr Stainer continued. The Crown say this was a breach of trust, he used his position within his employment. He discussed it with a work colleague and his words were: It could cause significant political damage if this portal was amended. Mr Wik accepted that he had hacked the system, but did not accept that his message had gone beyond Network Rail in his basis of plea. It was a matter of hours before members of the public reported it and the page was taken down, added Mr Stanier. Stations affected by the attack included Paddington, Kings Cross, London Bridge, Victoria, Bristol Temple Meads, Birmingham New Street, Glasgow Central and Manchester Piccadilly. District Judge Hina Rai told the court she did not have sufficient powers to sentence Wik and committed him to Inner London Crown Court at a date to be confirmed. Wik, of Beckenham, admitted distributing threatening material intending to stir up religious hatred. He remains on bail on the conditions that he does not have access to global reach systems, leave the UK, contact witnesses, or contact anyone at Global Reach beyond the management team. Four employees at a Spanish nursery have been arrested over alleged child abuse after a shocking video showing a toddler being slammed against a wall and force fed emerged. The footage, which was secretly filmed by a student on a work placement at the Casanueces nursery in Torrejon de Ardoz, Madrid province, shows the disturbing moment a female staff member grabs a young toddler and slams him against a wall as she squeezes his face. 'Don't spit out your food!', she screams at him, as the terrified young child cries in despair. 'I'm so sick of you', she continues to say. The woman repeatedly pushes the tot's head against the wall, before she turns him around and pins him down onto her lap and begins to force feed him. 'If you spit it out I will put it back in', she tells the child, before telling him: 'If you vomit, you are f***ed*. Even more disturbingly, another member of staff can be seen in the background, un-phased by the cruel treatment of the young child. Spanish police have arrested two employees for the alleged abuse of a child, while two others have been arrested for failing to report the appalling incident, a police spokesperson said in a statement. Four Spanish nursery workers have been arrested after one woman was caught on camera abusing a toddler The footage was secretly filmed by a student on a work placement at the Casanueces nursery in Torrejon de Ardoz, Madrid province The women are currently being held in police custody and are scheduled to appear in court later today. The shocking incident has left parents demanding answers from the nursery, as well as local authorities. One horrified mother called Nancy told Spanish news outlet Antena 3 that she has not been able to sleep and cannot help but imagine what awful treatment her 18-month-daughter might have endured. 'Everything we've seen is engraved in my mind', she said. Nancy also revealed that her toddler had recently experienced a sudden loss in appetite, and said that after seeing the shocking footage of a child being force fed, she now understands why her daughter might have been refusing to eat. The Torrejon de Ardoz City Council is requesting that the Madrid-East Territorial Area Directorate of the Department of Education of the Community of Madrid open an investigation into the incident. The women are currently being held in police custody and are scheduled to appear in court later today In one instance, the woman is seen force feeding the child Picture shows a general view of the Casanueces nursery in Torrejon de Ardoz, Madrid It has also requested that the Education Inspection Service take appropriate action regarding the organisation and operation of the nursery and the staff. The nursery is currently closed, while the Madrid City Council's Education Department has made support available to any affected family members. The family of Martin Luther King Jr. protested President Donald Trump's decision to release the secret files surrounding his assassination, asking to review them before they are made public. The files on King and Robert F. Kennedy will be released in the next 'few days,' Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on Thursday. She made her announcement at Trump's Cabinet meeting, updating him on his January 2025 executive order directing the declassification of records related to John F. Kennedy, RFK, and MLK Jr. The King material could prove embarrassing for the civil right icon and are said to include unflattering details about his relationships with women that could tarnish his legacy. The family put out a statement after Trump signed his order in January, objecting to the release. 'For us, the assassination of our father is a deeply personal family loss that we have endured over the last 56 years. We hope to be provided the opportunity to review the files as a family prior to its public release,' they said. The children of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, from left, Martin Luther King, Jr. III, Dexter King, Yolanda King and Bernice King stand next to a new crypt dedicated to their parents in Atlanta in November 2006 The Southern Christian Leadership Conference, the civil rights group founded and run by King, filed an objection in court to the release. The lawyers for the nonprofit said that a 1977 court order requiring the documents to be sealed for 50 years should remain in place, leaving out of public view until January 2027. King's living children, Martin Luther King III and Bernice King, submitted written declarations to the court opposing the release. King's son argued that the recordings, which include some made in the King family home, constitute an invasion of privacy. 'We respectfully disagree that the public release of the sealed records is a benefit for our family,' King III wrote, adding, 'We also disagree that our family and the general public stand on equal footing with respect to illicit recordings made of our family home. Private spaces by definition exclude the public; our family's privacy deserves the same protection and respect as any other family in America.' The wiretaps, Martin Luther King III wrote, were part of an effort to discredit his father and 'harm the civil rights cause that he championed.' Bernice King wrote that the release would cause 'irreparable harm' of her father's legacy. Then-FBI director J. Edgar Hoover illegally surveilled King in the 1960s, believing King was a communist threat. The agency also went after King by threatening to send King's 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. Martin Luther King Jr. was shot and killed at the Lorraine motel on April 4, 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee. In 1977, the Justice Department launched a task force to probe the FBI's harassment and investigations of King, as well as his assassination and the criminal investigation. It also attempted to determine whether the FBI bore any responsibility for King's assassination. It found assassin James Earl Ray acted alone but that hasn't stopped the conspiracy theories. President Donald Trump, a conspiracy theorists, has ordered the release of files surround the deaths of prominent Americans Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated in April 1968 President 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. But it's unclear how much new information the Robert F. Kennedy files will reveal. Kennedy was assassinated on June 6, 1968 in Los Angeles after he won the California Democratic primary in that year's presidential election. 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. 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. 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. Robert F Kennedy shortly before he was shot in Los Angeles after his victory rally 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. The Trump administration faces another test in its legal saga over deportations after the Supreme Court ordered it to bring about the return a Maryland man who the government said it mistakenly sent to an infamous El Salvadoran prison. The high court, in an unsigned opinion, told the administration Thursday to 'facilitate' the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, 29, a Maryland resident who was among more than 200 people sent by plane to El Salvador. Many were allegedly members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua. A federal judge then told the government to 'take all available steps to facilitate the return' of Abrego Garcia. He got arrested outside a Home Depot in 2019 and was accused of being a member of the violent gang MS-13, but was never charged with a crime. He had been under an order from an immigration judge not to be deported due to facing likely persecution by gangs in his home country. '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 of a lower court order, while saying it requires 'clarification' and noted 'deference' to the executive when it comes to foreign affairs. The Supreme Court ordered a lower court to 'facilitate' the return of Maryland man Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who a prosecutor said was deported due to an error despite a judge's order That puts the ball in the Trump administration's court. Abrego Garcia's case has become a high-profile feature of the sudden deportations, with multiple lawyers claiming their clients were not gang members who didn't get the chance to raise their claims through a hearing or other form of due process. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered his return but that is something the White House has previously said it would not due. 'The error that you are referring to was a clerical error. It was an administrative error,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said April 1. 'The administration maintains the position that this individual who was deported to El Salvador and will not be returning to our country was a member of the brutal and vicious MS-13 gang,' Leavitt added. She claimed he was a 'convicted' gang member, although there isn't evidence of a conviction. ''We also have credible intelligence proving that this individual was involved in human trafficking ... This individual was a member actually a leader of the brutal MS-13 gang, which this president has designated as a foreign terrorist organization,' she said. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said a Maryland resident who was deported to a notorioius El Salvadoran prison would not be coming back to the U.S., while admitting he was sent out the country due to a 'clerical error' Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia of Maryland, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, speaks during a news conference at CASA's Multicultural Center in Hyattsville, Md., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) President Donald Trump has ordered mass deportations, and the administration has said the people sent to El Salvador were violent gang members. Trump has also entertained sending U.S. citizens to El Salvador His wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, a U.S. citizen who he married inside a detention center, has made emphatic appeals for his return. The two were raising three children at the time Abrega was deported. Among them is a five-year-old son who is autistic and nonverbal, according to a court filing. "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,' she said. Last week the Justice Department placed on leave the lawyer who represented the government in the case for not ''zealously advocating' for its position, after he admitted the deportation was a mistake. The U.S. is paying $6 million to El Salvador to detain Venezuelan deportees in the notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), which holds up to 40,000 prisoners. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele is set to visit the White House Monday. 'To this day, the Government has cited no basis in law for Abrego Garcias warrantless arrest, his removal to El Salvador, or his confinement in a Salvadoran prison,' said Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by two others on the court's liberal minority. 'Instead of hastening to correct its egregious error, the Government dismissed it as an oversight,"' she wrote. A man gave a bizarre reason why he and three of his friends rode horses through a Louisiana Walmart store this week. Mason Webb, one of the riders, spoke to a local news outlet and said the horse he steered past the cashiers on Tuesday is his 'emotional support animal.' 'It was fun, we were famous. That's all. We didn't wanna hurt nobody...' Webb told WBRZ about why he did it, after the video of him and his friends riding through the Walmart in Baker garnered more than 3 million views on TikTok. 'We always ride to Baker, and we just wanted to do it that day,' he added. The group, who apparently call themselves the 'cutthroat cowboys,' is now on the Baker Police Department's radar after the outlandish video got so much attention online. Webb gave his comments to the local news station after he was arrested on Thursday, two days after the incident at Walmart. A juvenile was also arrested alongside him. Both Webb and the juvenile face charges of disturbing the peace by violent and tumultuous manner and unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety and publicity. The group was seen recording themselves on the horses as they rode through the big-box store, which is likely the reason for the second charge. The four individuals were seen riding through the Walmart in Baker, Louisiana, while recording themselves. Two of them were later arrested by police Mason Webb, one of the riders, gave a short interview to WBRZ after he was arrested and said his horse was his 'emotional support animal' Another unidentified person was expected to be arrested on Friday morning, WBRZ reported. Michael Frazier, who runs local horse-riding stable Frazier's Homestead, told WAFB the makeshift cowboys were lucky no one was harmed. 'The horses look like they handled the situation pretty good,' Frazier said, who takes care of 50 horses on a daily basis. 'Horses don't belong in a situation like that, you don't know how they're going to react,' he added. 'If they react bad, somebody's going to get hurt.' Frazier also said there was also a chance of the horse getting hurt if it got spooked while in the store. It's not clear if Webb, the man who was arrested on Thursday, genuinely considers his horse an emotional support animal. His stunt is hardly the first instance of people seemingly claiming animals for emotional support. Last December, shocking footage emerged showing a passenger walking onto a flight with a Great Dane, a dog that can be as tall as 35 inches and weigh 175 pounds. The animal got his own seat and his head was seen peeking over the rows of the cramped, one-aisle plane. The great dane who boarded a commercial flight last year was seen taking up an entire seat, with his head peeking over the rows In 2019, a miniature horse named 'Flirty' was allowed to board a flight from Chicago, Illinois, back to Omaha, Nebraska. The horse is seen next to her owner, Abrea Hensely In 2018, Brooklyn artist Ventiko tried to board a United Airlines flight leaving from Newark Liberty International Airport with her emotional support peacock named Dexter In 2019, a miniature horse named 'Flirty' was allowed to board a flight from Chicago, Illinois, back to Omaha, Nebraska. Abrea Hensely, the horse's owner, told the DailyMail.com at the time that Flirty was a seven-year-old service animal who had become her constant companion. 'She was so relaxed, once we got up in the air, and stood very quietly. You can see that she's dozing, here,' Hensley wrote on the horse's Instagram page at the time. The horse is still alive and active on Instagram, where it has more than 20,000 followers. In 2018, a Brooklyn artist tried to board a United Airlines flight leaving from Newark Liberty International Airport with her emotional support peacock named Dexter. Bushwick-based photographer and performance artist Ventiko said she offered to pay for a second seat to accommodate Dexter, but stressed that she had a right to bring him on board as her emotional support animal. United Airlines did not let her board the flight headed to Los Angeles with the peacock. Following these incidents, the Department of Transportation made new rules cracking down on emotional support animals. They are no longer automatically considered to be a service animal, and if someone wants to bring their pet, they need to pay a pet fee. Beaming at the camera and sitting proudly in the cockpit of a helicopter on the eve of her ninth birthday, a little girl excitedly waited to take off and embark on a tour over the iconic New York City skyline with her parents and young siblings on Thursday. But just 16 minutes later, tragedy struck when the eight-year-old, who had travelled to the Big Apple from Spain with her family, was killed in a horror crash after the chopper plummeted into the Hudson River at 3.15pm yesterday. Her siblings, aged ten and four, also died in the horror crash, as well as her father Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive, and mother Merce Camprubi Montal. New York City Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the children's ages and said in a statement that the devastating crash 'was a real unfortunate situation. And our heart goes out to the family members'. The family were on vacation in New York to celebrate her ninth birthday, which would have been today. The family-of-five had just arrived from Barcelona and embarked on their first day touring the Big Apple, taking a scenic trip in the helicopter as a treat for the young girl and her mother Merce, who officials said was also celebrating her birthday. Commenting on the tragedy, Jersey City mayor Steven Fulop said: 'The family flew out to extend the trip a couple days in NYC. They were celebrating the mom's 40th birthday with the tourist helicopter flight yesterday.' It was unclear whether Fulop was referring to the holiday overall being a birthday trip for Merce or if the little girl's mother was also celebrating her birthday on the fateful day. The tragic twist emerged as terrifying new footage appears to show the cause of the tragedy. One of the Escobar children sits in the helicopter before the crash The family were on vacation in New York to celebrate the birthday of one of their children, according to Spanish newspaper El Diario. Heartbreaking photos showed the Escobar family posing on the helipad and inside the aircraft before the crash Harrowing footage captured the moment the helicopter rotor blade flew off and splashed into the Hudson River after the deadly crash A rotor blade can be seen plummeting into the water, with aviation experts saying that this likely occurred because the main rotor blades separated from the aircraft and sliced the tail. 'From the footage, it appears that the main rotor struck the body of the helicopter, cutting off the tail of the helicopter, which created an unrecoverable event,' former military aviator and attorney Jim Brauchle of Motley Rice LLC told DailyMail.com. 'The two main causes of this phenomenon are mechanical failure or excessive maneuvering. Still, a full investigation is needed to understand why this tragedy occurred. 'Having previously represented the families of tourists killed during a helicopter tour over the Hudson River, my heart goes out to the families at this catastrophic time.' Another expert told Fox 5 that in the case that the separating rotor blades sliced off the aircraft's tail boom, the flight would have been unrecoverable. 'If that articulating head actually separated from the aircraft, the aircraft was doomed. There's no possibility of that aircraft ever having made a normal type of landing. It was going to crash,' said Tristani. 'In this particular case though, when you throw a blade, one blade or the entire head, no, you're just a falling brick.' Michael Roth, 71, who owns New York Helicopter which provided the tour and the chopper, said the aircraft was running out of fuel before it crashed. 'He [the pilot] 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 didn't arrive,' Roth told The Telegraph. Roth said he was devastated by the crash and agreed with other experts that the video appears to show the main rotor blades had broken off. 'The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades weren't on the helicopter,' he told the New York Post. 'And I haven't 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 don't know.' 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 helicopter's 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. 'There's no indication they had any control over the craft. No pilot could have prevented that accident once they lost the lifts. It's like a rock falling to the ground. It's heartbreaking.' It comes as it was revealed that the helicopter's unidentified pilot, 36, radioed base to warn that they were running out of fuel just before the tragedy struck. He was also killed in the crash. Agustin Escobar, a Siemens executive from Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal and their three children, aged four, eight and 10, took photos just before the crash Aviation experts explained that the crash likely occurred because the helicopter's (pictured before crashing) main rotor blades separated from the aircraft and sliced the tail Your browser does not support iframes. Witnesses said they saw the chopper 'split in half' before it went down near Pier 40, with one man reporting the stricken aircraft making what sounded like a 'sonic boom' Heartbreaking photos showed the Escobar parents and their kids, aged four, eight and 10, posing on the helipad and inside the aircraft before the crash. The aircraft was operated by New York Helicopter, a local tour company. The chopper appeared to be a N216MH - a Bell 206L-4, according to Flight Radar. The helicopter flew for approximately 16 minutes before going down into the water. It took off from the Wall Street Heliport and did a circle near the Statue of Liberty before flying up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge at about 1000 feet. Dramatic video showed the helicopter sinking into the water as emergency crews rushed to the scene. Witnesses said they saw the chopper 'split in half' before it went down near Pier 40, with one man reporting the stricken aircraft making what sounded like a 'sonic boom.' 'Oh my god. Oh my gosh. Oh my goodness. Oh my gosh,' said a terrified witness who watched the helicopter fall into the river. Bruce Wall, a witness near the shoreline of Jersey City, New Jersey, said he saw the helicopter '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 family had just arrived from Barcelona and embarked on their first day touring the Big Apple Emergency responders were seen late Thursday night pulling the remnants of the destroyed helicopter from the murky water of the Hudson River Devastating photos show debris from the helicopter tour floating in the Hudson River including a pink shoe 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 NYPD's call sign, 'what's going on over there by the Holland Tunnel?' - 'The ship went down,' someone else responds. Emergency responders were seen late Thursday night pulling the remnants of the destroyed helicopter from the murky water of the Hudson River. Photos showed a crane pulling mangled clumps of metal out of the river. Jersey City Mayor Steven explained in a post on X that major parts of the aircraft have not yet been recovered, so dive teams will scour the Hudson River for the parts on Friday. 'Recovery operations have been secured for the night. Major parts of the aircraft have not been recovered so dive operations by the NYPD and NJSP will resume tomorrow morning,' he said. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to the hospital, where they 'succumbed to their injuries,' NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. At the time of the crash, it was cloudy with winds around 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 25 mph, CNN reported. Surface visibility was considered good 10 miles but it was cloudy as a system is moving into the region, bringing light rain to the region this afternoon and evening. The water was about 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Other footage showed the chopper 'flying erratically' just before it fell into the water, while other clips showed pieces of the aircraft were seen flying off. Emergency responders enter the water after the helicopter crash. The National Transportation Safety Board has announced it launched a 'go team' to investigate 'Our hearts go out to the families of those who were onboard,' Mayor Eric Adams said. 'All six have been removed from the water, and sadly all six victims have been pronounced deceased.' Rashmi Kamkeri, a 30-year-old engineer, was working remotely from her apartment in Newport Park when she heard a deafening crash about 3:19 p.m. on Thursday. 'It was horrifying,' Kamkeri told DailyMail.com. 'I thought it was thunder and ten seconds later I saw the helicopter 10 feet above the water falling and then it made a big splash and went underneath the water. 'I panicked... then saw a piece of the helicopter fall into the water. The Waterway boat was moving and then it took a turn. 'I was almost in tears praying that someone would come and save them. I wished there would be someone who survives. I am so sad.' Anna was walking her rescue dog Archie along the West Side Highway in the rain when she saw the emergency responders and lights across the river on the New Jersey side. 'I saw the helicopter submerged in the water and then there was a lot of commotion,' she told DailyMail.com. Another witness said: 'One of my children said, 'what's that sound?' I told him I didn't know. My other child said, 'Do you think it was an earthquake?' I said, 'no we would feel it.' 'My other child asked, 'Do you think a building pancaked?'' Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said that major parts of the aircraft have not yet been recovered, so dive teams will scour the Hudson River for the parts on Friday Rashmi Kamkeri (pictured), a 30-year-old engineer, was working remotely from her apartment in Newport Park when she heard a deafening crash about 3.19pm on Thursday 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 global commercialisation manager and as a digitalisation 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.' The skies above the Hudson River are often filled with both planes and helicopters that both fly private recreational, commercial and tourists flights. Manhattan has multiple helipads that are used by people, including business executives, to get across the Metropolitan area. At least 32 have been killed in helicopter crashes in New York City since 1977. The most recent crash happened in 2018 when a chopper hit crashed into the East River, leaving five passengers dead. The chopper crashed on March 11, 2018 when the tail of the aircraft got caught on the fuel shutoff lever, the NTSB said. All the passengers on board drowned. They were identified as Daniel Thompson, 34, Tristian Hill, 29, Trevor Cadigan, 26, Brian McDaniel, 26, and Carla Vallejos-Blanco, 29. President Donald Trump's education secretary Linda McMahon is being relentlessly mocked online after she she referred to AI as 'A1' - like the popular steak sauce. McMahon, 76, repeatedly made the gaffe while speaking at the ASU+GSV education summit in San Diego earlier this week while talking about the use of AI in the classroom. 'I heard this morning... theres a school system thats gonna start making sure that first graders, or even pre-K, have A1 teaching every year starting that far down in the grades,' the former WWE first lady said. She added: 'And thats a wonderful thing. Kids are sponges. They just absorb everything. Wasnt all that long ago that it was, "Were gonna have internet in our schools. Woo!" 'Now, OK, lets see A1 and how can that be helpful? How can it be helpful in one-on-one instruction? How can it be helpful in absorbing more information for those fast learners? It can be more one-on-one directed. Those are the kinds of things and innovations that I wanna see continue to develop.' A1 Sauce quickly jumped on the viral moment, issuing a post on Friday that read: 'You heard her. Every school should have access to A.1.' Education secretary Linda McMahon, 76, referred to AI as 'A1' - like the popular steak sauce A1 Sauce quickly jumped on the viral moment, issuing a post on Friday alongside a bottle of the sauce that said: 'For education purposes only' The brand's post included an image of an A.1. bottle with the label, 'For education purposes only.' Social media user have been commenting on the hilarious moment on X, with user Zach Stout writing: 'At first I thought she might just be talking about having top notch teachers. I was clearly mistaken...' X user Diane Callahan said: 'She wasnt qualified in the first place.' A third anonymous X user said: 'An accident is saying it once. You don't know what you're talking about if saying repeatedly.' A fourth added: 'She will do great closing the department of education.' McMahon, the wife of WWE former boss Vince McMahon, was tapped by president Trump to shut down the Department of Education. Trump has said that in appointing the former WWE CEO, his hope is that she will 'put herself out of a job' by helping the president dismantle the agency. McMahon has already cut the department's workforce by half. The department is also terminating leases on buildings in cities including New York, Boston, Chicago and Cleveland, officials said. Department officials said it would continue to deliver on its key functions such as the distribution of federal aid to schools, student loan management and oversight of Pell Grants. McMahon said when she got to the department, she wanted to reduce bloat to be able to send more money to local education authorities. 'So many of the programs are really excellent, so we need to make sure the money goes to the states,' McMahon said on Fox News. Trump campaigned on a promise to close the department, saying it had been overtaken by 'radicals, zealots and Marxists.' At McMahons confirmation hearing, she acknowledged only Congress has the power to abolish the agency but said it might be due for cuts and a reorganization. McMahon, the wife of WWE former boss Vince McMahon, was tapped by president Trump to shut down the Department of Education McMahon has already cut the department's workforce by half. She is seen with president Trump McMahon told lawmakers at her hearing that her aim is not to defund core programs, but to make them more efficient. Even before the layoffs, the Education Department was among the smallest Cabinet-level agencies. Its workforce included 3,100 people in Washington and an additional 1,100 at regional offices across the country, according to a department website. The departments workers had faced increasing pressure to quit their jobs since Trump took office, first through a deferred resignation program and then through a $25,000 buyout offer that expired March 3. A married manager at a Scottish prison has been suspended after having an affair at work with a nurse. Their relationship was exposed when colleagues caught them having sex in a room at HMP Low Moss in Bishopbriggs, near Glasgow. The man is understood to have been suspended and was marched off the prison grounds following the incident last week. He is believed to hold a managerial position after working at the prison for several years. A source told the Scottish Sun: The pair were involved in some secret relationship but couldnt keep their hands off each other at work. They got caught having sex in a room in the jail and were both sent home. Everyone is talking about it and even prisoners have heard about it. It is embarrassing that a member of staff would behave like this. A prison manager and nurse were caught having sex in a room at HMP Low Moss Although the nurse works in the prison, she is employed by the NHS so they have also been involved in the investigation. No one can quite believe what has happened. It is understood that an investigation is under way. Last night bosses said they demanded the highest standards of behaviour from staff. A Scottish Prison Service spokesman added: It would be inappropriate to comment further. Regarding the nurse, an NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde spokesman said: We cannot comment on any employees individual circumstances. Any allegation regarding the conduct of our staff will be fully investigated and, where necessary, appropriate action taken. Around 900 prisoners are held at Low Moss including Martyn Fitzsimmons who was jailed for 10 years in 2018 for his role in a 200million drugs, guns, abduction and torture gang. The then Justice Secretary Kenny MacAskill hailed the 120million jail as a modern prison fit for the 21st century when it opened back in 2012. But the luxuries on offer - including Sky TV on 19-inch flat-screen TVs with integrated DVD players - renewed concern that prisoners were being pampered rather than punished. Other activities and courses which were on offer at the time included painting and decorating, plumbing and brick-laying. The prison also has in-cell wet rooms and a state-of-the-art gymnasium. Mr MacAskill - who once admitted Scottish jails were a skoosh for many inmates said in 2012: Our priority for any prison is to punish serious offenders and keep the public safe. The Tories have lost ground on Reform, a new poll shows today ahead of local elections in which Nigel Farage's outfit will field more candidates than either them or Labour. Kemi Badenoch's party trails Reform and Labour by two points on 22 per cent, down a point, according to Techne, ahead of the May 1 vote. It comes after Reform won its first ever election in Manchester last night, hitherto a major Labour political fortress in the north west. Allan Hopwood comfortably took a formerly Labour seat on Tameside Council in a by-election. He won 400 more votes than his Labour challenger in Longdendale - albeit on a low turnout of just 21 per cent. New analysis today suggests Reform is standing more candidates in next months local elections than either Labour or the Conservatives though no party has managed to find enough people to contest every seat. In a separate development Labour insiders have suggested Reform could be on course to become a major force in the Welsh Senedd. Internal data reported by the Guardian puts Reform on 25 per cent, with Labour and Plaid Cymru tied on 21 per cent ahead of the election there next year. Your browser does not support iframes. Allan Hopwood comfortably took a formerly Labour seat on Tameside Council in a by-election. The data echoes a recent Survation poll which puts Reform level with Plaid on 24 per cent behind Labour on 27 per cent. Labour has run the Senedd since devolution in 1999 but is facing kickback after a series of unpopular policies and changes of leader. Reform is standing more candidates in next months local elections than either Labour or the Conservatives though no party has managed to find enough people to contest every seat. Voters in 23 local authorities in England go the polls on May 1 to choose their new councillors. It is the first big test at the ballot box for political parties since Labour won the general election in July 2024. A total of 1,641 council seats across the 23 authorities are up for grabs. Reform is standing 1,631 candidates, according to PA news agency analysis of nomination data published by local authorities meaning the party is contesting 99.4 per cent of seats. The Conservatives have 1,596 candidates (97.3 per cent of seats) while Labour has 1,543 (94.0 per cent). Reform is standing more candidates in next months local elections than either Labour or the Conservatives though no party has managed to find enough people to contest every seat. Further behind are the Liberal Democrats, with 1,396 candidates (85.1 per cent), and the Greens, with 1,183 (72.1 per cent). Elections are also taking place in England on May 1 for six mayors, while voters in the constituency of Runcorn & Helsby will choose a new MP. Four combined-authority mayors are being elected, for the areas of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough, Greater Lincolnshire, Hull & East Yorkshire and the West of England along with two single-authority mayors in Doncaster and North Tyneside. All six of these mayoral elections are being contested by Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, Reform and the Greens along with a mix of candidates from smaller parties and independents. The by-election in Runcorn & Helsby was triggered by the resignation of the previous MP Mike Amesbury after he was given a suspended prison sentence for punching a man in a street in Frodsham, Cheshire, in October 2024. Mr Amesbury won the seat for Labour at the 2024 general election but was suspended by the party after footage emerged of the punch, and spent the last few months sitting as an independent MP. A total of 15 candidates are standing in the by-election, including Labour, the Conservatives, the Liberal Democrats, Reform and the Greens. No scheduled elections are taking place on May 1 in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland. Fears are growing for a young female road-tripper who vanished without a trace while traversing an eerie landscape in one of the United States' most remote places. Kaylee Birt disappeared on April 4, sparking a huge multi-agency search using helicopters, horses and K9 units. The 29-year-old was last seen leaving The Fields Station restaurant in Fields along with her car. But on Sunday the golden colored 2008 Chevy Malibu with Oregon plate GW21073 was discovered abandoned with no sign of Birt. The hiker was travelling from Klamath Falls in Oregon to Iowa when she disappeared. Police said her phone last pinged in a remote location which they had been forensically combing. But they stressed the isolation of the barren area means that they cannot rely full on the cellphone data. No further trace has been found of Birt, despite days of searching in at times brutal conditions and encounters with wildcats. Fields, where Birt was last seen, sits in Harney County, an exceptionally remote and sparse area of natural beauty in Eastern Oregon that is one of the most isolated areas on the west coast. The county measures 10,300 square miles but is home to just 7,500 people, with vast expanses of empty high desert sitting between its few small settlements. Hiker Kaylee Birt vanished in a remote part of Oregon sparking a huge rescue effort Birt disappeared on April 4, sparking a huge multi agency search of this remote area using helicopters, horses and K9 units Temperatures the night she vanished dipped below in Fields, with the mercury likely to have plummeted much further out in the exposed wilderness. On Thursday Harney County Sheriff's Office announced it was calling off the search, despite failing to locate her. 'While active operations will conclude, Kaylee will remain listed as a missing person in the law enforcement data system,' a statement read. 'The Sheriffs Office will post signage near Kaylees last known location, informing visitors to the area to be vigilant of any potential evidence. 'Harney County Sheriffs Office will continue to monitor the search area when able as part of their routine patrols. 'Kaylee will remain in our hearts and prayers. We will continue to do our best to provide closure to Kaylees friends and family.' Birt is 5ft 2, weighs 120lbs and has brown hair and hazel eyes. She has a tattoo on her right wrist of a lighthouse and a tattoo on her foot of a Christian fish and cross with Romans 8:31 verse. The 29-year-old was last seen leaving The Fields Station restaurant in Fields along with her car The force revealed it has encountered cougars during its search and encouraged any volunteers out looking to take necessary precautions for predators Anyone with information on her whereabouts is being urged to get in touch via 911 or the Harney County Sheriffs Office Anyone with information on her whereabouts is being urged to get in touch via 911 or the Harney County Sheriffs Office on 541-573-6156. The force revealed it has encountered cougars during its search and encouraged any volunteers out looking to take necessary precautions for predators. The Sheriff's Office also urged search parties to wear proper clothing, carry additional food and water and notifying others of any plans before going out looking. President Donald Trump has a new demand for Russia as his envoy met with Vladimir Putin in St Petersburg. 'Russia has to get moving. Too many people ere DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war - A war that should have never happened, and wouldn't have happened, if I were President!!!,' he wrote on Truth Social on Friday morning. Footage from Russian news agency Tass showed Trump envoy Steve Witkoff shaking hands with Putin. Also on hand for the talks is Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's investment envoy, who Witkoff met with ahead of his sit down with the Russian president. It's Witkoff and Putin's third meeting as Trump pushes for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. Trump has expressed frustration with the pace of the talks and with Putin's dragging his feet on the matter. He told NBC News he was 'very angry' with Putin after weeks of attempting to negotiate a ceasefire. Russia's President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff U.S.-Russia dialogue aimed at agreeing to a ceasefire ahead of a possible peace deal to end the war in Ukraine appears to have stalled over disagreements around the conditions for a full pause in hostilities. Trump has spoken of imposing secondary sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil if he feels Moscow is dragging its feet on a Ukrainian deal. Witkoff has emerged as a key figure in the on-off rapprochement between Moscow and Washington amid talk on the Russian side of potential joint investments in the Arctic and in Russian rare earth minerals. Putin was in St Petersburg on Friday to hold what the Kremlin called an 'extraordinarily important' meeting about the development of the Russian Navy, which is in the throes of a major modernization and expansion drive. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov played down the Witkoff-Putin meeting, telling Russian state media the U.S. envoy's visit would not be 'momentous' and that no breakthroughs were expected. The sitdown comes at a time when U.S. tensions with Iran and China - two countries with which Russia has close ties - are severely strained over Tehran's nuclear program and a burgeoning trade war with Beijing. Witkoff's meeting with Putin comes as the U.S. and Russia had a prisoner exchange, which included the release of dual U.S.-Russian citizen Ksenia Karelina. The release was the result of Witkoff and Putin's meeting in March. A February meeting between Witkoff and Putin culminated with the U.S. envoy flying home with Marc Fogel, an American teacher Washington had said was wrongfully detained by Russia. Witkoff is the first senior U.S. official to meet with Putin since Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with the pace of the talks The envoy is due in Oman on Saturday for talks with Iran over its nuclear program after Trump threatened Tehran with military action if it does not agree to a deal. Moscow has repeatedly offered its help in trying to clinch a diplomatic settlement. Putin and Trump have spoken by phone but have yet to meet face-to-face since the U.S. leader returned to the White House in January for a second four-year term. As Witkoff and Putin sat down in Russia, the UK and Germany chaired a gathering of Ukraine's allies in Brussels as part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. German defense minister Boris Pistorius announced a surge of military support for Ukraine after that meeting - $23.8 billion. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attended virtually, as did President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine and several other ministers. 'We sending a signal to Putin, but we are also sending a message to Ukraine, and we are saying to Ukraine, we stand with you in the fight, and we will stand with you in the peace,' said British Defense Secretary John Healey. It was the 27th meeting of what is known as the contact group, organized initially by the United States. Washington has ceded the chairmanship of the group under the Trump administration. A feral mob who carried out a savage attack on an off-duty police officer during a cruel and murderous rampage have been jailed. The gang, aged between 14 and 20 - turned on Stuart Rochead at a railway station, chasing him through the streets and cornering him in a friends driveway. In what a judge described as being like a dystopian genre horror film, Mr Rochead was punched, kicked, hit with glass bottles and bludgeoned with stones before being left for dead. He needed surgery to rebuild his nose and a metal plate in his face following the attack, which has forced him to give up frontline policing after 19 years in the force. At the time, two of the gang were subject to a combined 20 bail orders at time and also on curfews to keep them at home at night. Four of the gang have now admitted to their part in the incident at Blantyre train station in Lanarkshire on March 30 last year. A judge heard that the gang hunted down Mr Rochead after surrounding his car, culminating in him being savagely beaten in the driveway of a friends home. Lauren Neary, now 18, and Robert Faulds, 20, pled guilty to an attempted murder charge at the High Court in Glasgow. Lauren Neary admitted her part in the assault on Stuart Rochead at the High Court in Glasgow Alec Fallon, 19, and a now 16 year-old boy - who cannot be identified - admitted assaulting Mr Rochead to his severe injury, permanent disfigurement and impairment as well as to the danger of his life. Fallon was jailed for four years while Neary was locked up for six years. The young attacker received 30 months in detention while Faulds was jailed for eight years. Judge Lord Arthurson said the sentences were considerably lesser tariffs due to sentencing guidelines that state those under the age of 25 should be punished more leniently. The four had been spotted among a group on a train shortly before the attack. They got off at Blantyre at around 9pm the same time Mr Rochead drove into the station. Prosecutor Kath Harper KC said the gang made no effort to get out of the way of his car and he clipped one of them with his wing mirror at low speed. Miss Harper said: The group became aggressive and surrounded the car. Mr Rochead got out and attempted to speak with them. However, he was punched in the face. He managed to get back into his vehicle as the group began to kick and punch the car from all sides. He briefly stopped 100 yards away and three of the gang ran at him armed with bottles and a plank of wood. Mr Rochead then ran to the nearby home of a friend. Here he was cornered and Fallon shoved him to the ground before repeatedly kicking him. Faulds walked up and hit Mr Rochead on the head with a glass bottle. Mr Rochead tried to defend himself and also get to the front door of the property. Miss Harper added: He was again surrounded and the assault continued - pushing, punching and kicking him as well as hitting him with rocks, stones and bottles. Neary stood over his head and, with some difficulty, lifted a large rock, threw it with force at his head as he lay motionless. It struck him on the side of the head and he slumped to the ground. Neary was heard boasting: I think I have just killed him. I am not going to lie. Mr Rochead needed a three-hour operation to rebuild his nose after part of it was caved in. A metal plate was also inserted into his face. Miss Harper said: He now cannot operate as a respond police officer or public order officer. The court heard Fallon already had 18 previous convictions and had been subject to a curfew order imposed just 11 days before the attack. Faulds, latterly of Paisley, Renfrewshire, breached 10 bail orders and was also on a curfew. Neary, of Stonehouse, Lanarkshire, had four previous convictions with the 16 year-old bailed by a sheriff three days before the assault. Lord Arthurson said: The narrative reads like a dystopian genre horror film. Substantial custodial sentences are appropriate - you acted like a feral mob. Understand, these sentences are imposed are considerably less due to your ages and the young persons sentencing guidelines. He added: Miss Neary, your throwing of a rock at your victims head as he lay motionless on the ground was plainly in and of itself a cruel and murderous act which frankly defies belief. You were on any view a principal actor in this concerted crime. Lawyers defending the thugs told the court there was genuine remorse for the incident. But some were noted to fist bump each other upon leaving the dock. Aeroplane passengers will no longer need to scan their boarding passes or check in before flying in the biggest shake up to air travel in 50 years. According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) within three years jetsetters will be able to scan their faces on arrival at airports and upload their passports to their phones. This will do away with the traditional process of presenting a boarding pass to security and producing your passport at the check-in counter. Rather than carrying physical documentation as proof of identity passengers will now have a 'digital travel credential' which will be stored on their mobile phones. Within this digital bundle will be all the documentation needed to board a plane including passports and flight details. As part of their travel package, customers will download a 'journey pass' onto their phones which will automatically update them if their flight is delayed or cancelled. Depending on the amount of luggage brought to the airport, passengers will either go through security at the bag drop off point or at security gates. Airlines will be told of a passenger's intention to fly after their face is scanned by security after arrival at the airport. Stock image: Facial recognition technology could be brought into airport to streamline arrivals Airports and airlines are keen to avoid chaotics scenes like this at Heathrow earlier this year Currently, before taking off passengers are expected to either download their boarding pass or print it off at the airport, which is then scanned at the boarding gate. But in the new system this will not be necessary and it is expected it will radically shorten the process of going through security at airports when they are brought in. However, airports will need to install facial recognition technology in order to scan passport photographs and people's faces. The ICAO has said airports will not store any information scanned by computers in the check in process. Any data recorded will be deleted from the computer system after 15 seconds to prevent any breaches of personal information. There are only a few countries where facial recognition technology is used in this way, including America for passengers returning home from abroad. The Home Office last year said it was looking at using e-gates on borders using facial recognition technology to remove the need to produce a passport. Speaking to The Times , Valerie Viale from Amadeus, the largest travel technology company in the world, said: 'These changes are the biggest in 50 years. Many airline systems haven't changed for more than 50 years because everything has to be consistent across the industry and interoperable.' Facial recognition technology is controversial but could replace tradition checking in at airports 'At the moment airlines have systems that are very siloed. 'There's the reservation system that, when check-in opens, makes a handshake with a delivery system and says "here are my reservations, you can now deliver them". 'In the future it'll be far more continuous and the journey pass will be dynamic.' In addition to the streamlined approach to security checks, some airlines are considering including a 'location' service in the digital journey bundle. British Airways, Air France-KLM, Finnair and Saudia Airlines are all understood to be evaluating the service, which would provide customers with directions to the departure gates. There will also be the option to automatically update hire car companies of any delays on flights to avoid any confusion or excess charges. However, airports have previously been caught out by relying on technology too much. In July last year, planes were grounded when Microsoft crashed owing to a faulty update which caused chaos across the world. Departure boards in airports including Heathrow, Gatwick and Edinburgh completely froze and passengers were left stranded for hours. Parking prices at a seaside tourist haven have been slammed as 'daylight robbery' after one visitor had to pay 25 for just over an hour's stay. The owners of the estate for the world-famous Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door in Dorset have increased its prices and put up recording cameras. Now cars and campervans have to pay four times more if they stay longer than an hour. For one hour for a car it is 3.10 and 10 for larger vehicles and 12.40 and 25 respectively for one to four hours. Tourists have been quick to comment on the price of the day out, saying that the cafes on the beachfront are also overpriced. Shane Waller, 51, a London-based lorry driver, has been going to Lulworth Cove since he was eight and visits Dorset twice a month in his Volkswagen Transporter campervan. He said when he used to pay at the parking machine he would put in 6 which would cover him for four hours. However after spending around an hour walking on the beach he returned to his campervan only to be told that it would cost him 25. The owners of the estate for the world-famous Lulworth Cove and Durdle Door in Dorset have increased its prices and put up recording camera Shane Walker now says that he will not be returning to Lulworth Cove because of the prices. Pictured: Shane and Paula Arkell-Waller at Lulworth Cove Now cars and campervans have to pay four times more if they stay longer than an hour. Pictured: Shane and Paula'a Volkswagen He went into the visitor centre with his wife Paula to question the price and was told that was correct but they regularly get people coming in saying how ridiculous the prices are. The couple contacted the company responsible for the car park the next day and found out that a large is defined as anything more than 5.5 metres long, yet their campervan is only 5.3 metres. The Weld Estate, who own the land, said they had not heard about a complaint and would refund them if a mistake had been made. Shane now says that he will not be returning to Lulworth Cove because of the prices. He said: 'I love Lulworth Cove but the parking charges now are daylight robbery. 'It will suffer as a result of this. We were charged 25 for one hour and 20 minutes parking. 'Imagine pulling in, you're directed to the top of the car park, you have three small kids with you so you take a few minutes to get them ready. 'You then walk down the hill only to discover you're already 15 minutes into the first hour before you find out how much you're being charged for the car park. Pictured: Cars parked at Lulworth Cove, a UNESCO World Heritage Site To park a car for one hour it is 3.10, 10 for larger vehicles. For one to four hours it is 12.40 and 25 respectively Pictured: Paula in her Volkswagen Transporter, who was charged 25 for one hour and 20 minutes parking Parking prices at the seaside tourist haven have been slammed as 'daylight robbery' Lulworth Cove is a beauty spot on the Jurassic Coast known for its unique geology and landforms 'I genuinely think it's a bit naughty that there's nothing to tell you about the prices. 'If you buy some food there you could easily end up spending 40 for one person for an afternoon. It's supposed to be a cheap day out. 'How many people have been charged more than they should have been? It's a very popular spot for campervans but I don't know if they'll keep going back. 'It's still a beautiful place and I know that people will keep going but it isn't the same as when I went when I was a child.' Tourist Pam Rogers said: 'Whoever owns the Lulworth Cove car park is taking the p***. 12.40 to park! That plus 18 for two coffees and two sausage rolls makes an expensive hour out. John Griffiths added: 'I was a first time visitor to Lulworth Cove and it's a lovely place to explore, but I was shocked at the car park charges! 'Do they seriously want visitors to enjoy the local shops, cafes and pubs without being stung in their pocket? 'A jump from 3.10 to 12.40 is really prohibitive in my opinion. Will sadly seriously think about going back again.' Julia Rosser said: 'I really enjoyed a walk up to Lulworth Cove to get the magnificent views but the parking was extremely expensive.' A spokesperson for the Lulworth Estate said: 'Our car parks are laid out to accommodate cars and over-size vehicles. The walk between the car park in Lulworth Cove to Durdle Door is just over a mile Tourists have been quick to comment on the price of the day out, saying that the cafes on the beachfront are also overpriced. Pictured: Parking at Durdle Door 'We have specific parking areas for vehicles over 5.5m in length as they take up more space for parking and manoeuvering and can make it harder for other vehicles to park, especially at peak times. 'Our team are well practiced at identifying vehicles and directing accordingly, as well as being happy to provide advice to our customers. 'This is a new car parking payment system that we have invested in over the winter, with the aim of it being more user friendly for our customers, however as with new systems some teething issues can be expected, albeit swiftly rectified. 'We took the decision to increase our prices last summer after thorough research on other coastal and World Heritage destination access prices. 'The income from our car parks is fundamental in supporting our schools' education programme, on-going care and projects to preserve the surrounding landscapes and heritage for everyone to enjoy for years to come.' The assistant principal of a Florida middle school was arrested this week after witnesses came forward saying that she forced a 13-year-old male student to rub her feet 'like he loved her.' Dr. Keiva Lark, 53, demanded the foot rub from the boy after he was sent to her office at Lake Marion Creek Middle School for throwing a ball of paper in his classroom during a test, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office. Lark put her feet in the boy's lap and told him to rub them because 'he didnt have anything better to do with his hands,' the victim and two witnesses told police. The middle-aged teacher then allegedly scolded the boy for not doing it properly before demonstrating the 'correct' way by massaging his arm and shoulder. Lark is also accused of telling the victim she was doing this to teach him what 'foreplay' was for when he got a girlfriend. Several days later, Lark admitted to a co-worker that she had 'crossed the line,' the co-worker told police. The investigation into Lark's conduct began on April 4, after the principal of the school reported the allegations to police. When the boy was interviewed by detectives, he revealed that her sickening nickname for him was 'sexy chocolate.' Lark allegedly called him this while passing him in the hallway. Dr. Keiva Lark, a 53-year-old assistant principal at middle school, was arrested after she allegedly forced a 13-year-old boy to rub her feet in her office Witnesses said she plopped her feet down on the boy's lap and commanded him to rub them 'Dr. Lark initially told detectives that this was only a joke, and that she was just trying to humble the victim,' Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. '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,' Judd concluded. Lark later admitted her conduct was inappropriate for her job but 'denied saying anything inappropriate to the victim,' police said. Superintendent Frederick Heid of Polk County Public Schools commended the principal for 'immediately' reporting the alleged inappropriate touching. 'This is abhorrent behavior for anyone who works among students, especially an administrator. This person no longer has any business being around children,' Heid said. Sheriff Judd also made the unorthodox choice of addressing the case against Lark in a video posted to the police department's social media pages. In the vertical video, he opens by showing off his translucent coffee mug with the words 'go directly to jail' on it. 'A lady gave me this cup last week and said, "You've got to use it,"' he said while grinning into the camera. 'And this is a great day to use it.' Sheriff Grady Judd is pictured with his 'go directly to jail' coffee mug in a video he posted explaining the charges against Lark Lark faces two second-degree felonies involving lewd offenses with a child, Judd said He went into the entire chain of events with Lark and the boy, before summing it up by saying, 'She did the nasty with a 13-year-old child. A little boy. Oh yeah, it gets worse.' He also made sure to clarify that Lark is 'not a podiatrist' before he talked about the alleged foot rub. The sheriff explained the charges against her, which include Lewd/Lascivious Conduct and a Lewd Offense against a Student by an Authority Figure. Both are second-degree felonies. His parting insult to the assistant principal appeared like a saving grace at first. 'The good news for her is there's no enhancement or upgrade of the charge if you have toe jam. Have a good day,' he said. Lark's arrest comes as bizarre video emerged of her singing altered versions of Christmas carols through a megaphone to encourage students to get to class. 'Giddy-up, giddy-up, giddy-up boys and girls! Go to class!' went her rendition of the classic song 'Sleigh Ride.' The ongoing trade war between Trump's America and China poses perilous risks to global security, foreign relationships expert Edward Alden has told the Mail's 'Apocalypse Now?' podcast. In conversation with special correspondent David Patrikarakos, Alden argued that America's record 125% tariff against China will make trade between the two nations effectively impossible. This economic decoupling leaves both sides scrambling to grow their spheres of influence, increasing the chances of military conflict. Edward Alden is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and an author who specialises in works analysing global trade. 'While I don't think either side wants a head-on conflict', Alden said. 'We saw during the First World War in Europe how countries can blunder into wars in the pursuit of a balance of power. 'Having political and strategic rivals can lead countries into doing stupid things, which end up in conflicts neither side wants. 'I don't think China or the United States wants any form of military conflict, but this sort of economic warfare can lead to dangerous places.' Listen to new politics podcast - Apocalypse Now?' wherever you get your podcasts. Listen now Edward Alden: 'I don't see Trump as someone who would be personally hostile to Xi Jinping' Listen here Edward Alden: 'There's a lot of worry about the rise of China, about China's growing influence' Listen here Alden said that although Trump has set out his stall as a president who is vehemently anti-war, there are more hawkish elements of his administration that may be able to influence his decision-making. 'I don't see Trump as someone who would be personally hostile to Xi Jinping', Alden argued. 'He respects strongmen leaders, and I think he quite likes Xi but there are certain people in his administration that are extremely hawkish. 'Most notably, Peter Navarro, his trade advisor he has dark views about China and sees conflict as inevitable. So, there are people close to Trump pushing in the direction of greater conflict. 'I don't see Trump trying to do things that lead us into war. But intentions aren't always what leads us to outcomes. 'Things happen in unexpected ways. We've seen with this trade war, that if you asked Trump two weeks ago, do you want to see the US impose a 125% tariff on China, he would've said no, that's ridiculous. And yet, here we are.' Asked to speculate as to what Trump might do next, Alden said it was unlikely the President would stop his trade war given the support from the American public for measures that are tough on China. 'Of course, Trump could change course', Alden emphasised. Edward Alden: 'Peter Navarro, Trump's trade advisor, has dark views about China and sees conflict as inevitable' Listen here Edward Alden: ''We saw during the First World War in Europe how countries can blunder into wars in the pursuit of a balance of power' Listen here 'But this is a hard thing to walk away from. Unlike the tariffs against Canada, Mexico and the European Union, there is a fair bit of support in the establishment for tougher measures toward China. 'There's a lot of worry about the rise of China, about China's growing influence. This trade war will be harder to turn off than the conflicts with other countries.' 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 charity set up by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has ceased donating to a womens Muslim group after being alerted to comments made by its founder attacking the apartheid state of Israel. The Archewell Foundation gave almost $30,000 (23,000) to the Milwaukee Muslim Womens Coalition [MMWC] in 2023, with a further donation the following year. Its founder, Janan Najeeb, has repeated the slogan, From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free, which is interpreted by some as calling for the total eradication of Israel. The Palestinian-American has also called for an end to the arming of Israel and the liberation of Palestine. Najeebs brother, Ihsan Atta, has also courted controversy. Last year, he commissioned a mural to be painted on a building he owns in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, which depicted a swastika painted over the Star of David, comparing the crisis in Gaza to the Nazi holocaust. The painting said: The irony of becoming what you once hated. The swastika, to me, is equivalent to the Star of David, Atta told a local newspaper. Harry and Meghan at an awards ceremony in Hollywood, California in 2024 The Duke of Sussex leaving the High Court in London last week following the start of his appeal against a legal ruling over the level of security he receives while he is in the UK It is understood that Prince Harry and Meghans foundation pulled its funding on Thursday when it was alerted to a blog post written by Najeeb last year. Israels 75-year occupation of Palestine and the genocide in Gaza are a grave injustice, she wrote. From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free. From the sea to the river, Palestine will live forever! In a letter to Najeeb, seen by US TV station NewsNation, James Holt and Shauna Nep, of Archewell, said: 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. They said the grant had been intended to help Afghan women integrating into the Milwaukee community. We remain committed to fostering partnerships that reflect and reinforce the values our foundation stands for, they added. Janan Najeeb, founder of the Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition News of the donations emerged as Prince Harry was accused of hypocrisy for flying to war-torn Ukraine while claiming in a High Court case that he and his family are not safe on the streets of Britain without taxpayer-funded security. The Duke of Sussex met with met with dozens of wounded soldiers in Lviv on Thursday after two days at the High Court in London arguing that he, Meghan and their two children are not safe to come to Britain. At least 33 people are believed to have lost their lives in bombings in the city since 2022. Veteran royal correspondent and commentator Richard Palmer said: 'The reaction has been uniform. People are saying "hang on he's come over because he needs police protection because he's not safe in the UK. But then he's gone to a warzone in Ukraine.' 'While the city is not on the frontline - it is getting regular bombardments so is quite a dangerous place to go.' Harry and Meghan founded Archewell in 2020. Its mission is show up, do good. As well as the not-for-profit charitable arm, the couple also own Archewell Productions, which develops TV and documentary ideas, and Archewell Audio, which has produced podcasts. This is the story of one of the most decisive victories in military history - as the world witnessed the United States and her allies crushing the army of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein in just 100 hours. In the latest episode of Daily Mail's Battle Board YouTube videos, Chris Pleasance examines the moments that led to this historic military feat, known as Operation Desert Storm and how it came to set the standard for modern warfare. The story begins on August 1, 1990, as the rest of the world appears in denial that Hussein is about to invade his smaller southern neighbour, Kuwait. Such a military move seems too unlikely, they argue, but from Hussein's perspective the overriding reason is clear - he's broke. Beginning in 1980 and ending in 1988 Hussein fought a long, bloody, expensive and ultimately pointless war with neighbouring Iran. Though Iraq won, it was in essence a pyric victory that cost Hussein 500,000 casualties and saw his debts spiral to an eyewatering $86billion. Reliant on high public spending to stay in power, Hussein attempts to raise cash by pressuring Opec (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) to hike oil prices. But when Opec disagrees, he concludes the only way out of his debt is to seize oil from Kuwait. In the latest episode of Daily Mail's Battle Board YouTube videos, Chris Pleasance examines the moments that led to one of the most decisive victories in military history A map shows how on August 1, 1990, the rest of the world is in denial that Saddam Hussein is about to invade his smaller southern neighbour, Kuwait, to raid her oil reserves After building up troops in Saudi Arabia, the United States and her allies launched a blistering attack named Operation Desert Storm - and marched into Iraq just 100 hours later On August 2, 1990 he does the unthinkable and marches his Iraqi army across the border, where they are met with little resistance. Within 48 hours, the emir has fled and the entire country is under Hussein's control. However, Iraq is about to face a much larger problem. He may have achieved his goal and doubled his oil reserves - but in doing so, he managed to unite almost the entire world against him. The United States vows to build a coalition and lead the response against him, while Saudi Arabia, concerned that Hussein will come for them next, marshals her neighbours to denounce the dictator. Even Russia, a long-standing ally of Baghdad, signs a UN resolution condemning the attack. On August 6, 1990, President George Bush Snr authorises US forces to deploy in Saudi Arabia on Operation Desert Shield, as part of a buildup of troops and defense in the country. Months later, on 17 January, 1991, the allies start the second phase of their campaign - the aerial bombing of Iraq. This all paved the way for 24 February 1991, when the coalition launched Operation Desert Storm, a major ground assault into Iraqi-occupied Kuwait. Just 100 hours later, the coalition had advanced into Iraq and declared a ceasefire. The conflict finally ended with the American-led liberation of Kuwait on 28 February, 1991 - with Operation Desert Storm being hailed as not only a success for the Allies but a game changer in terms of military warfare. An Arizona man paralyzed from the chest down returned home from a Hawaii vacation only to discover that American Airlines had failed to load his wheelchair onto the plane. Sam Shivers' week-long getaway to the Aloha State with his wife, Anne, ended on a stressful note when he discovered the wheelchair he'd checked in at the American Airlines gate never arrived back home with him, KGUN 9 News reported. 'Without my wheelchair, it's like I don't have any legs,' Shivers told the outlet. 'I can't get around.' On March 26, Shivers checked his wheelchair in at the airline's gate - just as he always does - before flying with his wife from the Big Island of Hawaii to Phoenix, en-route to their home in Tucson. However, upon landing, Shivers came to a terrible realization - his wheelchair hadn't been loaded onto the flight and instead was on the way to Los Angeles International Airport. 'At this point, I almost felt like throwing up,' he told KGUN. 'I was like, "Oh my God, what am I going to do?" I can't walk, I'm paralyzed from the chest down.' While luggage mishaps can happen - especially across state or international lines - Shivers and his wife didn't see this as a simple mistake. Sam Shivers, of Tucson, Arizona, returned home from a Hawaii vacation only to discover his wheelchair he'd checked in at the American Airlines gate never arrived back home with him, and instead was on its way to Los Angeles International Airport (pictured: Shivers) Shivers later discovered that there wasn't enough space with all the bags to load his wheelchair, so an employee at Hawaii International Airport ultimately decided to load the bags over the chairs Instead, they believe it was a deliberate decision made by an employee at Hawaii International Airport - especially since he wasn't the only passenger on the flight severely impacted by a missing essential item. 'I landed in Phoenix without a wheelchair; without my legs,' Shivers wrote to Facebook. 'Turns out, there wasn't enough space with all the bags to load my wheelchair, another wheelchair and a stroller on the plane,' he added. 'So, someone at Hawaii International Airport decided to load bags over chairs.' Shivers was left feeling stranded and helpless, later expressing that he would have gladly traded his luggage for his wheelchair had he known that limited space was the reason behind the swap. 'It's not like we can just hobble around to somewhere else, I can't walk,' Shivers told KGUN. 'So wherever I am, that's where I am.' Shivers and his wife proceeded to spend hours at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, filing paperwork and making alternative arrangements for how he would get back home. Employees at American Airlines tried to help, Shivers explained, but there was only so much they could do for him, as his wheelchair was in the air on the way to another city. 'The baggage management team was fine,' he told the outlet. 'They were great, but they couldn't make a wheelchair materialize.' While luggage mishaps can happen - especially across state or international lines - Shivers and his wife didn't see this as a simple mistake, as another passenger's wheelchair and a baby's stroller failed to make it back to the Phoenix Airport as well (pictured: Anne and Sam Shivers) His wheelchair eventually made it back to his home in the Foothills eight hours after landing back in Phoenix They offered him a hotel room for the night, but without his wheelchair, Shivers was left wondering how he was even supposed to get there. 'I solved the problem by getting transported to my van by an awesome Passenger Wheelchair Assistant named David,' Shivers wrote to Facebook. 'Drove home, got in my spare chair and went on with my life.' 'In the end, I feel like American Airlines gave a tepid response to my lack of mobility,' he added. 'Thank god my wife Anne Shivers was with me. She is a miracle worker.' His wheelchair eventually made it back to his home in the Foothills eight hours after landing back in Phoenix. When Shivers spoke with a complaint resolution representative on the phone the following day, all they offered was 10,000 points - barely a few hundred dollars in value. 'How is this fair?' he questioned in his Facebook post. 'How do I make an impact on the problem? How do I impress upon American Airlines the need to resolve this problem permanently?!' 'I'll bet if the CEO of American Airlines didn't get his wheelchair, there would be hell to pay.' When Shivers spoke with a complaint resolution representative on the phone the following day, all they offered was 10,000 points - barely a few hundred dollars in value. They also offered a free hotel room, but without his wheelchair, he didn't know how he'd get there According to the Department of Transportation's website, 'your device must be returned to you in a timely manner as close as possible to the door of the aircraft, unless you ask to pick it up in baggage claim' According to the Department of Transportation's website, 'your device must be returned to you in a timely manner as close as possible to the door of the aircraft, unless you ask to pick it up in baggage claim. Airlines must check and return your assistive device in the same condition as it was received'. Through his experience, Shivers believes American Airlines should do more to better serve their passengers with disabilities. 'I want my chair to arrive on time, with my flight,' he told KGUN. 'I want my counterpart, my fellow passenger's chair to end up, and I want the car seat and baby stroller to show up for the family that has an infant.' He has since filed a complaint with the US Department of Transportation. 'This isn't optional, nice-to-have equipment,' Shivers wrote to Facebook. 'It is quite literally the only way we paraplegics have to get from place to place.' 'It seems to me that they need more motivation to change their ways,' he added. 'This behavior is sickening.' This comes days after another disabled man claimed he was kicked off an easyJet flight minutes before take off because he 'couldn't walk to the toilet'. Barry Dobner was due to travel from Manchester to Athens on April 3 with his wife Alison and friend Sheila. Barry Dobner was due to travel from Manchester to Athens on April 3. Pictured with his wife However, Dobner claims he was removed from the plane minutes before take-off after staff realized he would be unable to access the bathroom during the journey. The 79-year-old has used a wheelchair since suffering a stroke 18 years ago. Elon Musk will be an enemy of president Donald Trump by this time next year, according to former Trump staffer Anthony Scaramucci. Scaramucci, who spent an infamous 11 days in Trump's first White House, shared his thoughts on Musk's role in the Trump administration while speaking on DailyMail.com's Welcome to MAGAland podcast. 'I think Musk's a very smart guy... I don't think Musk will be speaking favorably of Donald Trump 12 months from now,' the former White House communication director said on Friday. 'I think Elon is between a rock and a hard place. He is in it now, the problem is when you get in it, all types of cognitive dissonance fill your brain with wanting you to stay in it,' Scaramucci added. 'It is very hard to admit the mistake, and I was a Trump supporter, so I had to face it myself. I had to face my ego. I had to face my human frailty... I think Musk's gonna get there.' Scaramucci said the tariff war would help drive Musk away from Trump, adding that it would be 'very bad' for Musk if Trump continues with his tariffs. The billionaire hasn't been shy about sharing his opposition to the president's sweeping international tariffs. Elon Musk's bromance with the president will end within the next year, according to Anthony Scaramucci. Trump and Musk are seen in the Oval Office on March 14 'I think Musk's a very smart guy... I don't think Musk will be speaking favorably of Donald Trump 12 months from now,' the former White House communication director said on Welcome to MAGAland. Listen here. Scaramucci's total tenure of eleven days became tied for the shortest in the history of the position Scaramucci, who had a chaotic tenure as White House communications director in 2017, claims Trump fired him after he disagreed with him on national security policy. 'I was the first person on Wall Street to offer Trump support, but it became impossible [to continue supporting him], and I said, for my family, for my country, I have to speak out against what he's doing,' he recalled on Welcome to MAGAland. 'Six years later, and I said if he returned to the presidency, he would wreak havoc on the global economy. He would try to pull us away from our allies. He would certainly hurt the cause of freedom in Ukraine, which he has done, and it would be a nightmare for all of us.' The investor soured on Trump after his stint in the White House, and went on to support Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in the 2024. Trump has long rubbished Scaramucci's claims about him, suggesting that his former aide is bitter and that he has an ax to grind. Scaramucci was appointed as the White House Communications Director on July 21, 2017, and later that same day, Press Secretary Sean Spicer resigned, reportedly over objection to his hiring. Only a few days later, the newly minted Trump official found himself at the center of a P.R. crisis when he launched an expletive-laden rant on a phone call with a New Yorker reporter, which he thought was off the record. The investor soured on Trump after his stint in the White House, and went on to support Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in the 2024 By July 31, the president had dismissed 'the Mooch,' on the advice of his new chief of staff, John Kelly, who doubted that Scaramucci was credible enough for the role. When he was sacked, his total tenure of eleven days became tied for the shortest in the history of the position. Along with Matt Borges and other high-profile Republicans, he created the Right Side PAC in June 2020, which was a super PAC that aimed to prevent another Trump presidency and supported Biden. The former Trump appointee doubled down on his support for Biden in 2024, contributing $30,000 to his campaign in June. To listen to the full interview with Anthony Scaramucci, search for Welcome to MAGAland, wherever you get your podcasts now. President Donald Trump is considering offering every resident of Greenland an annual cash payout as part of his campaign to win over the island. His administration has moved forward on a formal plan to acquire the Arctic island from Denmark, the New York Times reported, outlining the public relations campaign and other incentives the White House is considering. One of those options is replacing the $600 million in subsidies that Denmark gives the island with an annual payment of about $10,000 per Greenlander. Denmark insists the island is not for sale and cannot be annexed. So the Trump administration is focusing on persuasion over coercion and working on a public relations campaign to convince the population of 57,000 that they should ask to join the United States. That is likely to include advertising and social media campaigns to sway public opinion. President Donald Trump has made it clear he wants Greenland The administration is also looking at emphasizing Greenlanders' shared heritage with the native Inuit people of Alaska, nearly 2,500 miles away. The island's Inuit population is descended from people who migrated from Alaska hundreds of years ago. And Trump officials believe what ever costs are spent to woo the islanders would be offset from new revenue extracted from Greenlands natural resources, which include rare earth minerals, copper, gold, uranium and oil. The president could have an uphill battle. Public opinion polls have been clear that Greenlanders don't want to be part of America. In last month's election, the winning party was one that favored total independence for the island. Last month, Greenland's new prime minister has a defiant message for President Trump. The island does not 'belong to anyone else,' Jens-Frederik Nielsen said as the White House has got even more aggressive in its desire to annex the island. Nielson, who took office last week after his Demokraatit Party won parliament elections, made it clear Greenland will stand against Trump. 'Let me make this clear: The U.S. is not getting that. We don't belong to anyone else. We decide our own future. We must not act out of fear. We must respond with peace, dignity and unity,' he said in a statement. 'And it is through these values that we must clearly, clearly and calmly show the American president that Greenland is ours. It was like that yesterday. That's how it is today. And that's how it will be in the future.' His message came shortly after Vice President JD Vance visited Greenland with his wife Usha, stopping at Pituffik Space Base in northwest part of the island, in what many saw an ominous threat from the U.S. Greenland's new Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen said the island does not 'belong to anyone else' Jens-Frederik Nielsen (C-L), new Prime Minister of Greenland and leader of the Demokraatit party, and MPs take part in a procession from Hans Egede house to Nuuk Cathedral, where a service is held during the constituent assembly in the Greenlandic parliament Trump, meanwhile, said last month he is '100%' sure the U.S. will annex Greenland and wouldn't rule out using military force to take the island. 'We'll get Greenland. Yeah, 100%,' Trump told NBC's Kristen Welker, adding that there is a 'good possibility that we could do it without military force' but that he wouldn't 'take anything off the table.' The president, when asked what taking the island would mean to the rest of the world, shrugged off the question. 'I don't really think about that. I don't really care. Greenland's a very separate subject, very different. It's international peace. It's international security and strength.' The massive island in the Northern Atlantic is a territory of Denmark. But it's become the center of an international storm as Trump wants it under the American flag and Russia President Vladimir Putin has raised concerns about the president's territorial ambitions. Danish and Greenlandic officials, backed by the European Union, have insisted the United States will not get Greenland. Trump's desire to take over the ice-covered territory, which is seeking independence from Denmark, has been categorically rejected by Greenlanders, their politicians and Danish officials. The Vice President and the second lady eat with soldiers at the Pituffik Space Base Your browser does not support iframes. Vance, during his visit last month, said the White House thought it would 'be able to cut a deal, Donald Trump-style, to ensure the security of this territory.' The White House has argued it's a matter of national security. Greenland holds a commanding position in the Arctic, as a buffer between North America and Russia. It is strategically important for the U.S. military and its ballistic missile early-warning system can detect rocket launches from around the world. Known as Thule Air Base until 2023, Pituffik Space Base served as a warning post for possible attacks from the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Putin, however, declared that Russia is 'watching very closely' for Trump's next move. 'We are talking about serious plans on the American side with regard to Greenland. These plans have long-standing historical roots,' Putin told the International Arctic Forum in the Russian city of Murmansk. His use of the word 'serious' underscored how concerned the Kremlin is by the situation. Putin said Russia has never threatened anyone in the Arctic, but is prepared to defend its interests, and will station more military personnel in the region. Vance, during his visit, echoed Trump's national security message. 'This has to happen, and the reason, I hate to say it, is because our friends in Denmark have not done their job in keeping this area safe,' he said. 'Denmark has not kept pace in devoting the resources necessary to keep this base, to keep our troops, and in my view, to keep the people of Greenland safe,' he added. A dog sled race to determine which contestant attends the national competition in Greenland While all of Greenland's political parties are in favor of independence, none of them support the idea of joining the United States While all of Greenland's political parties are in favor of independence, none of them support the idea of joining the United States. Greenland is believed to hold massive untapped mineral and oil reserves, though oil and uranium exploration are banned. A 1951 agreement between the United States and Denmark established a U.S. right to move around freely and construct military bases in Greenland as long as Denmark and Greenland are notified. The pilot of a helicopter which crashed into New York City's Hudson river killing him and a family of five on board has been identified as a Navy SEAL veteran. Sean Johnson, 36, was formerly a gunner's mate responsible for fixing equipment, Gothamist reports. He also previously worked as a celebrity bodyguard and had a stint working in TV. Johnson had recently moved to the city to begin his commercial aviation career, his wife said. 'I'm just at loss for words. I don't even know what happened,' Johnson's widow, Kathryn Johnson, told the outlet. Her husband was flying the chopper when it plunged into the waters yesterday with a family of tourists aboard. Agustin Escobar, the president of the Spanish branch of the technology company Siemens, and his wife and three children died in the crash, the New York Times reported. Johnson studied commercial piloting at Southern Utah University and also attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - Worldwide, according to his Facebook profile. The pilot of a helicopter which crashed into New York City 's Hudson river killing him and a family of five on board has been identified as Navy SEAL veteran Sean Johnson Johnson, 36, was a former gunner's mate in the Navy, according to his widow Agustin Escobar, the president of the Spanish branch of the technology company Siemens, and his wife and three children (pictured) were killed in the crash The Chicago, Illinois native also listed previous employment as a former UH-60 Co-pilot at Heli-1 Corporation. He shared a video from the cockpit of a flight above Manhattan just weeks before the disaster. Johnson's former Navy colleagues were among those paying tribute to him on Friday. 'Sean came from very humble beginnings but he never let that define or limit him. If anything, it fueled him,' friend Remi Adeleke posted online 'He had a quiet determination, a spirit of resilience and a heart that always looked out for others.' The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration is currently probing the cause of the horror crash which took place at around 3:15pm. Calls to emergency services were received at approximately 3:17pm, just 17 minutes after it took off from downtown Manhattan. Michael Roth, 71, who owns New York Helicopter which provided the tour and the chopper, said that the aircraft needed fuel. Johnson had recently moved to New York City to pursue his dream career in commercial aviation A crane vessel lifts the wreckage of a helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River 'He [the pilot] 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 didn't arrive,' Roth told The Telegraph. Roth said that he started to get a ton of phone messages before one of his other pilots flew over the Hudson 'and saw the helicopter upside down.' 'We're all devastated. Every employee in our company is devastated. My wife has not stopped crying. Witnesses said they saw the chopper 'split in half' before it went down near Pier 40, with one man reporting the stricken aircraft making what sounded like a 'sonic boom.' The N216MH aircraft was a Bell 206L-4, according to Flight Radar. The helicopter flew for approximately 16 minutes before going down into the water. It took off from the Wall Street Heliport and did a circle near the Statue of Liberty before flying up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge at about 1000 feet. Dramatic video showed the helicopter sinking into the water as emergency crews rushed to the scene. Four people were pronounced dead at the scene, and two others were taken to the hospital, where they 'succumbed to their injuries,' NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. This a breaking news story, please check back for updates... A former Milwaukee police officer with history of alleged drunk driving and lying signed the deportation warrant that sent a gay Venezuelan makeup artist to a hellish El Salvador prison. Now employed as a private prison contractor, Charles Cross Jr. said Andry Jose Hernandez Romero, who sought asylum in the United States last year, was a member of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang, according to a bombshell new report by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Cross, despite being given the power to have the final word on Romero's fate, was once put on a list of cops allegedly known to lie and break the law by Milwaukee prosecutors. His presence on what is known as the Brady List essentially was a reminder that he shouldn't be allowed to testify for the state during trials due to his credibility issues. Cross, 62, was then fired as a Milwaukee Police Sergeant in 2012 after he allegedly drove his car into a family's home while intoxicated. He appealed the decision but was still forced to resign, the Sentinel reported. Even still, Cross was also being investigated at the time for getting overtime pay for hours he allegedly hadn't worked. Despite his tainted record, he was able to get a job four months after his drunk driving citation at CoreCivic, a company that manages private prisons and also operates many of the immigration detention centers for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to court records, Cross was the one who signed his name over the title 'INVESTIGATOR' on the form that implicated Romero, who has denied any connection to the gang that got its start in a Venezuelan prison. Charles Cross Jr., a former Milwaukee police officer who now works at CoreCivic, signed off on the form that concluded Andry Jose Hernandez Romero (right) was a member of the the vicious Tren de Aragua gang Romero, a makeup artist and hairstylist who fled Venezuela and sought asylum in the United States, was deported last month to El Salvador's notorious CECOT prison The Center for Terrorism Confinement, as its called, is known for its brutal conditions. It keeps 80 prisoners in one cramped cell for 23-and-a-half hours a day, for example Cross is just one of the private prison contractors assisting in President Donald Trump's mass deportation effort. Trump's goal is to root out undercover operatives of Tren de Aragua and MS-13, the Salvadoran gang behind an array of murders and sex trafficking crimes. John Sandweg, former ICE acting director under the Obama administration, told the Sentinel it raises 'serious concerns' that private contractors are being trusted to identify members of these gangs rather than federal agents. For Romero, this has meant getting sent on a plane to El Salvador's notorious CECOT prison on March 13 along with 237 other migrants. The Center for Terrorism Confinement, as its called, keeps 80 prisoners in one cramped cell for 23-and-a-half hours a day, CNN reported. The makeup artist and hairdresser was reportedly trying to claim asylum to avoid crackdowns in Venezuela by Nicolas Maduro, the country's leader, who is widely accused of stealing the July 2024 election to illegally continue his reign. Concerned that he would persecuted as a gay man, Romero left his family behind in May and initially tried to cross into the US illegally. He was returned to Mexico by US Border Patrol agents. On August 29, he made it to the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Diego after making an appointment on CBP One, an app pioneered under the Biden administration to streamline asylum claims that Trump later shut down. The make up artist's tattoos were derived from his upbringing in his home town of Capacho, famed for its 'Three Kings Day' - but border agents suspected they were gang symbols Pictured: A prison officer checks on inmates locked away in El Salvador's CECOT After initially passing preliminary asylum screening, border patrol agents began to fixate on his tattoos, including a crown on either wrist, next to the words 'Dad' and 'Mom.' They claimed Hernandez's crown tattoos were 'consistent' with those adopted by members of Tren de Aragua, which they used as a pretense to detain him for months. Once he was locked away at the Otay Mesa Detention Center in San Diego, another CoreCivic employee, Arturo Torres, questioned him about his tattoos. A point-based rubric sheet dated December 10, 2024, showed that Romero was evaluated as a possible member of a gang, though the only category he got points on was 'STG Tattoos/Brands/Identifying Marks.' Torres did not indicate that Romero had any contraband or that he any contact with known gang members. They didn't have evidence he was photographed with gang members or had had correspondence with them. 'Upon conducting a review of detainee Hernandez's tattoos it was found that detainee Hernandez has a crown on each one of his wrist,' the form states. 'The crown has been found to be an identifier for a Tren de Aragua gang member.' Torres signed his name in the 'completed by' section, and Cross signed his name in the 'confirmed by' section. Ryan Gustin, a CoreCivic spokesman, declined to comment specifically on Crosss case but offered a statement that all employees 'clear a rigorous, federal background clearance process' and must be approved by ICE before working at an ICE-contracted facility. DailyMail.com approached CoreCivic for additional comment on what level of experience Cross may have had in identifying members of gangs. Romero's lawyer, Paulina Reyes, described her client's tattoos in court filings as derived from his upbringing in his hometown of Capacho, famed for its 'Three Kings Day' celebration. Andry Jose Hernandez Romero participating in Capacho's Three Kings celebration This comes as the Supreme Court ordered a lower court to 'facilitate' the return of Maryland man Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who a prosecutor said was deported due to an error despite a judge's order Romero worked at a state-run television station but said he was constantly discriminated against for his sexuality and political views, according to an affidavit. He quit the TV job and fled to the US, where he thought he'd be safer. Now, his parents haven't heard from him since he was taken to the CECOT prison in El Salvador last month. The development in Romero's case comes as the Trump administration was ordered by the Supreme Court to bring back another man who was sent to the same prison, Kilmar Abrego Garcia of Maryland. The unsigned decision issued Thursday instructed the government to 'facilitate' the 29-year-old father's return. Abrego Garcia was said to have been in MS-13, an allegation his lawyers say is based on accusation from a from a confidential informant. The informant said he was a member of the gang in New York, despite Abrego Garcia having never lived there. Federal judge Paula Xinis, the one who first ordered the Trump administration to return Abrego Garcia back, described the accusations as vague' and 'uncorroborated.' Lawyers for the Department of Justice admitted in court filings that he was deported due to an 'administrative error' but have argued that there is nothing officials can do to get him back as he is on foreign soil. As of now, the White House has not complied with an order from Xinis that said it needed to provide her a plan of how Abrego Garcia will be retrieved by Friday morning. Convicted child sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell is asking the US Supreme Court to hear an appeal against her conviction. Maxwell's lawyers filed a 159-page Petition to the highest court in the country on Thursday asking the Supreme Court Justices to throw out her 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. Maxwell, 63, remains behind bars in Tallahassee State Prison in Florida after being convicted in December 2021 on five counts of aiding convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein in his sexual abuse of young girls. The former close friend of Prince Andrew continues to vehemently deny all the charges against her and is asking the Supreme Court to throw out the conviction which could end up with her walking free. Maxwell argues she should never have been charged as Epstein's 'co-conspirator' because of a 2007 plea deal Epstein made in Florida in which he agreed to plead guilty to two counts of child sex abuse and served 13-months in jail in exchange for any of his 'co-conspirators' avoiding prosecution. A federal appeals judge rejected her appeal last year, saying the Southern District of New York - where Maxwell was tried - was not covered by the Florida deal. Now Maxwell's lawyers are begging the Supreme Court to 'decide once and for all' whether the non-prosecution deal made in Florida should have applied to Maxwell. In their lengthy petition, Maxwell's lawyers said: 'Despite the existence of a non-prosecution agreement promising in plain language that the United States would not prosecute any co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein, the United States in fact prosecuted Ghislaine Maxwell as a co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein.' Convicted child sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell is asking the US Supreme Court to hear an appeal against her conviction (Pictured: Maxwell and Epstein at a party in New York in 2005) Courtroom sketch of Maxwell as she stands at the podium to address Judge Alison Nathan during her sentencing in 2022 Maxwell (pictured here with Epstein) remains behind bars in Tallahassee State Prison in Florida The lawyers argue that different legal jurisdictions have different rules when it comes to honoring a plea deal made in a different state. The petition, written by Maxwell's high-powered lawyer David Markus, added: 'A defendant should be able to rely on a promise that the United States will not prosecute again, without being subject to a gotcha in some other jurisdiction that chooses to interpret that plain language promise in some other way.' Four women testified at Maxwell's New York trial that they had been abused with one saying she had been trafficked across state lines. They claimed Maxwell aided and abetted Epstein in his global sex trafficking ring by recruiting and grooming underage girls. Epstein killed himself in 2019 while behind bars in New York after being arrested on child sex trafficking charges. Maxwell's lawyers argue the plea deal he struck in Florida in 2007 'was entered into after extensive negotiation. 'The language was hotly contested and subject to much revision back and forth, including specifically on the relevant language of the co-conspirator clause. Ghislaine Maxwell in a mugshot One of many images unearthed in an FBI raid in 2021 of Maxwell and Epstein Maxwell gives Epstein a foot rub on his private jet in an image released by the US attorney's office Maxwell (holding a framed photograph of her late father) is the youngest child of media proprietor and fraudster, Robert Maxwell 'In one of the earlier drafts, the government proposed language that the co-conspirator protection would be limited to the Southern District of Florida. Yet the final draft eliminated (this)..and referred only to the United States.' A source close to Maxwell said: 'The Supreme Court should take this because far beyond the interest of Ghislaine Maxwell thousands of plea deals are entered into by the federal government and residents of Florida should be treated the same way as residents of Montana or New York or Oklahoma and that isn't presently the case. 'It's a very important point of law for thousands of people.' The Supreme Court is expected to make a ruling on whether to hear the case before it breaks for the summer in June. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had a harsh warning for Iran on Friday, telling them to agree to President Donald Trump's demands or 'there will be all hell to pay.' Leavitt's strong words came ahead of Saturday's meeting in Oman with Iranian officials over its nuclear program after Trump threatened Tehran with military action if it does not agree to a deal. 'He's made it very clear to the Iranians and his national security team will as well, that all options are on the table, and Iran has a choice to make. You can agree to President Trump's demand, or there will be all hell to pay, and that's how the president feels. He feels very strongly about it,' Leavitt said. She noted Trump's 'ultimate objective is to ensure that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon.' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt had harsh words for Iran Trump envoy Steve Wiskoff will lead the American team in Saturday's talks. He'll travel there after spending Friday in Russia meeting with President Vladimir Putin. Moscow has repeatedly offered its help in trying to clinch a diplomatic settlement between the U.S. and Iran. Iranian state media said Iran would be represented by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi as intermediary. In the talks, Iran seeks a 'real and fair' agreement with Washington on its nuclear program, a senior aide to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Friday. Trump, in February, restored his 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran, which includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero, in order to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He said earlier this week that if the talks are unsuccessful, 'Iran is going to be in great danger.' Still there is confusion headed into the talks. Araghchi maintains the negotiations will begin as indirect talks, likely with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi passing messages between Tehran and Witkoff. Trump has maintained the talks will be direct. While not a major roadblock, it signals the challenge the negotiations face - particularly after years of indirect talks during the Biden administration went nowhere. And while the U.S. side can offer sanctions relief for Iran's beleaguered economy, it remains unclear just how much Iran will be willing to concede. President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff will lead the Iran talks for the U.S. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will represent his country Since Trump pulled the U.S. out of the 2015 deal that curbed Iran's uranium enrichment activity, deeming the accord deeply flawed, Tehran has accumulated a stockpile of uranium refined to levels close to what would be suitable for nuclear bomb fuel. Under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran could only maintain a small stockpile of uranium enriched to 3.67%. Today, Tehran's stockpile could allow it to build multiple nuclear weapons if it so chooses and it has some material enriched up to 60%, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels. Trump, on Monday, made a surprise announcement that Washington and Tehran would begin talks in Oman, a Gulf state that has mediated between the West and the Islamic Republic before. Iran had rejected direct negotiations with Washington before Trump announced on March 30: 'If they don't make a deal, there will be bombing, and it will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before.' In this photo released by the Iranian Presidency Office, President Masoud Pezeshkian, second right, listens to head of Atomic Energy Organization of Iran Mohammad Eslami as he visits an exhibition of Iran's nuclear achievements, in Tehran President Donald Trump, in February, restored his 'maximum pressure' campaign on Iran Iran has been in the spotlight since Trump returned to office, and its regional allies have suffered major setbacks. Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have suffered heavy losses in conflicts with Israel sparked by the Palestinian group's October 2023 attack. Since the Gaza war began, Iran and Israel have attacked each other directly for the first time. Meanwhile, U.S. air attacks on Yemen's Houthis, who are aligned with Iran and have hit international shipping lanes in the Red Sea in support of Hamas, have stirred speculation that Washington might be preparing to attack Iran. And Israel has resumed its devastating military campaign against Hamas, which has also received support from Iran, after several weeks of truce, and its ceasefire with the Iranian-backed Lebanese Hezbollah militia remains brittle. A top Berkeley academic who issued a warning about Donald Trump's effect on higher education's independence similarly imposed hypocritical DEI rules in the college's classrooms. Last month, the Trump administration cut $400 million in grants and contracts to Columbia University, demanding an overhaul of its Middle Eastern studies department amid rising antisemitism allegations following nationwide anti-Israel protests on college campuses. The controversial decision sparked backlash, with many viewing it as a direct attack on academia and professors' freedom to teach and research without interference. Amani Nuru-Jeter, chair of the University of California, Berkeley's academic senate, agreed - joining the voices of those who argue the administration's actions would stifle students' ability to learn freely. 'Recent actions by the federal government are chilling open inquiry and undermining self-governance at American universities,' she wrote in an email to colleagues on April 1, which were obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. 'Current efforts to curtail academic freedom will stifle the rights of faculty to teach and conduct research without external interference,' she continued. 'If allowed to prevail, these actions will undermine the rights of students to study and learn through free inquiry into controversial material.' However, Nuru-Jeter introduced a series of 'antiracism' requirements for all courses taught at the School of Public Health in 2021, demanding that at least 10 percent of course readings 'focus on/be authored from black, indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) communities'. Amani Nuru-Jeter, chair of the University of California, Berkeley's academic senate, warned that the 'fate of higher education' is at risk with Trump in office over an email sent to colleagues earlier this month, but critics are calling the top academic 'hypocritical' Last month, the Trump administration cut $400 million in grants and contracts to Columbia University , demanding an overhaul of its Middle Eastern studies department amid rising antisemitism allegations following nationwide anti-Israel protests on college campuses Nuru-Jeter introduced a series of 'antiracism' requirements for all courses taught at the School of Public Health in 2021, demanding that at least 10 percent of course readings 'focus on/be authored from Black, Indigenous and other People of Color (BIPOC) communities' Additionally, a third of the university's guest speakers were required to be from communities of color. 'Racism and injustice is perpetuated by silence,' the email announcing the requirements read. 'I/we commit to leading, to the best of my/our ability, the uncomfortable conversations and turn them into teachable moments; and invite all students to do the same even though we may not all be confident or fully-skilled at doing so.' Professors were required to update their syllabi with the 'antiracism' statement - drafted with the help of Nuru-Jeter - which was written in the form of a contract. It included a promise to 'disrupt harmful power dynamics' and remove students who used language that might make others feel uncomfortable. Professors who failed to follow Nuru-Jeter's newly implemented rules could have their course evaluations negatively affected. In the email, the academic announced that the course evaluations would also be updated to include questions on anti-racism. One proposed question read: 'How much did the course incorporate an anti-racist/racial equity lens into the course content, course materials, course activities and course assignments?' Another asked: 'How effective was the instructor in discussing the significance of race, racism, power and positionality in the classroom, in the discipline, in the course content?' Professors were required to update their syllabi with the 'antiracism' statement - drafted with the help of Nuru-Jeter - which was written in the form of a contract that included questions on anti-racism In Nuru-Jeter's 2021 syllabus, a new rule required a third of the university's guest speakers to be from communities of color, as she pushed for shielding students from ideas that didn't align with an 'equity-minded lens' Nuru-Jeter's new requirements included a promise to 'disrupt harmful power dynamics' and remove students who used language that might make others feel uncomfortable The answer choices were: not at all, a little, somewhat, a lot OR poor, fair, good, very good and excellent. Nuru-Jeter's seeming hypocrisy became especially prevalent this spring, when she issued two statements about academic freedom within just one month. 'We are living through a federal assault on higher education and the values and mission we all hold so dear,' she wrote to faculty in a March email, signed 'in solidarity'. 'This assault is top of mind for all faculty and thus is the Senate's top priority.' In her April 1 email, Nuru-Jeter doubled down on the same themes as she discussed the importance of 'the free exchange of ideas', quoting first chancellor of Berkeley, Clark Kerr, who said the university's job was to make students 'safe for ideas'. However, Nuru-Jeter pushed for shielding students from ideas that didn't align with an 'equity-minded lens' while in her role at the School of Public Health. The anti-racist syllabus statement, described by Nuru-Jeter as 'a collective effort including me', made it clear that opposing views were not allowed, declaring that 'racism and injustice is perpetuated by silence'. 'I/we will disrupt harmful power dynamics and engage in active bystander intervention to uncover and dismantle prejudice, bias and other harmful practices,' she wrote in the 2021 email. Nuru-Jeter's rules along with her promotion to senate chair raised concerns about how sincere these communities are, as they showed that colleges were already willing to limit their educators' independence even before the Trump administration took action At the School of Public Health, faculty hiring focused on making sure candidates shared the same values, essentially giving 'diversity statements' equal importance as research and teaching Donald Trump has recently escalated his attacks on America's elite colleges amid investigations into allegations of antisemitism after anti-Israel protests quickly spread across the nation's campuses 'Language or comments that alienate, demean and denigrate other students in the classroom will not be tolerated, and may result in removal from class.' At the School of Public Health, faculty hiring focused on making sure candidates shared the same values, essentially giving 'diversity statements' equal importance as research and teaching. While UC Berkeley stopped using diversity statements for hiring, the school's public health program still checks for DEI by requiring all potential job applicants to give a 'diversity talk' during their interview. In response to the Trump administration, many schools across the country have defended academic freedom. Yet Nuru-Jeter's rules along with her promotion to senate chair raised concerns about how sincere these communities are, as they showed that colleges were already willing to limit their educators' independence even before the Trump administration took action. Essentially, critics argue that Nuru-Jeter publicly spoke out against government interference in teaching, yet forced her own political views into the university's education - similar to what she was now criticizing. 'Too many of the university administrators now paying lip service to this pivotal principal previously played a key role in stifling academic freedom,' Ross Marchand, an attorney at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), told the Washington Free Beacon. 'Hollow words are no substitute for firm action to defend academic freedom, and only time will tell how deep this commitment to academic freedom is,' he added. While UC Berkeley stopped using diversity statements for hiring, the school's public health program still checks for DEI by requiring all potential job applicants to give a 'diversity talk' during their interview The anti-racist syllabus statement, described by Nuru-Jeter as 'a collective effort including me', made it clear that opposing views were not allowed, declaring that 'racism and injustice is perpetuated by silence' Professors at Berkley who failed to follow Nuru-Jeter's newly implemented rules faced the risk of having their course evaluations negatively affected 'Professors are not actors to be fed an ideologically infused script. When administrators hand them talking points and dictate content, they're not just micromanaging - they're censoring.' Trump has recently escalated his attacks on America's elite colleges amid investigations into allegations of antisemitism after anti-Israel protests quickly spread across the nation's campuses. The administration announced on Tuesday that it had frozen over $1 billion in funding from Cornell University and $790 million from Northwestern University amid 'several ongoing credible and concerning Title IV investigations'. Title IV of the Civil Rights Act prohibits institutions of higher education from receiving any federal funding if they participate in or enable discrimination based on race, national origin, religion or other characteristics. By invoking the act, the Trump administration is pausing grants and contracts with the federal departments of health, education, agriculture and defense, a Trump official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The two schools are now the latest to be targeted by the administration, after it pulled millions in federal funding from Columbia University over its handling of the protests last year. Both Cornell and Northwestern were included in a list of 60 universities that the Trump administration warned last month could face enforcement actions if a review determined the schools had failed to quell the antisemitism on its campuses. Scotland is facing an extreme wildfire warning after a string of dramatic blazes hit the country. Emergency services were deployed to battle raging fires that were hitting vast tracts of land in both rural and urban areas. Huge plumes of smoke could be seen as the fires raged turning the night sky red. Emergency services were yesterday battling infernos in Cumbernauld, Dunbartonshire, Glen Rosa, Isle of Arran, and in Thurso, Caithness. Some people were forced to evacuate because of the threat - with one kennel seeing staff having to launch a night-time rescue mission to bring its animals to safety. Fire chiefs yesterday called on people to act responsibly after the extreme warning was issued for the whole of Scotland for today (SAT). Forecasters said temperatures would today climb to 20c, and, amid the hotter than usual weather, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said all areas would fall under its extreme wildfire warning for the next 24 hours. So far this month there has been just 0.2mm of rain fall in Scotland, well below the 33mm normally recorded, and high temperatures have been almost 4c warmer than normal. Terror at night: The wildfire in Glen Rosa on the Isle of Arran Too close for comfort: Wildfires as seen from a house in Cumbernauld, Lanarkshire Closing in: Residents in Cumbernauld could see the fire on the hills in the distance Met Office data showed Scotland has basked in far more sunshine than normal.. Within the first ten days of April there has been 165 hours of sunshine, 74 per cent of what would typically be seen in the whole month. But with the glorious weather, the potentially deadly threat of wildfires has become a daily risk. This week there has also been fires at The Gramps, Aberdeen, the Pentlands just outside Edinburgh, Rothesay in the Isle of Bute, and other areas. Firefighters were called to Fannyside Loch near Cumbernauld on Thursday evening and were still battling the large grass fire last night. As the blaze started to advance on nearby properties, staff at Crowbank Kennels and Cattery were forced into action. Just 30 minutes after noticing a glow in the distance, the fire was quickly approaching the property and owner Eran Yehudai had no choice but to evacuate. Distressingly last night the 61-year-old and his wife Fiona had to evacuate again amid as the threat against their home and business remained. Amid the wave of wildfires shocking images have emerged from across Scotland - with the blazes lighting up the night sky as they ripped through bone dry vegetation. To the rescue: A helicopter douses a wildfire with water on the Isle of Bute Hellscape: A wild fire burns on the Isle of Bute With temperatures set to climb again tomorrow - approaching but remaining below the 22.7c seen earlier this week - the public is being urged to take care. Michael Humphreys, of the fire service, said: [In] the majority of fires it is human behaviour that starts the fire in the first place. If you normally use a barbeque maybe think about taking a picnic instead of using a designated area. Take all your litter home, glass can reflect and start a fire, and if you do smoke just make sure your cigarette is absolutely fully out. Despite it not being the height of summer, the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said it is called out to the largest number of wildfires between the months of March and June. Because of the amount of dead vegetation around in the winter and early spring, combined with low humidity and sunny weather, it dries out rapidly. It means fires can be easily ignited and, with help from dry ground and breeze, can spread rapidly. As well as the disruption it causes to humans, wildfires have a devastating effect on wildlife. Ruchir Shah, of Scottish Wildlife, said: Wildfires are disastrous for wildlife, with the potential to destroy already threatened habitats such as woodlands and wetlands. It is particularly worrying to see so many fires at this time of year, as many species will be preparing and maintaining nesting sites in order to raise their young. We would encourage anyone visiting our reserves or other areas in the countryside to be extra careful during this dry spell. In news which will be welcomed by firefighters across Scotland, next week will bring much cooler conditions as the high pressure which kept more typical Scottish weather away finally moves out. Jason Kelly, Met Office chief meteorologist, said: A change is on the way this weekend, as we say goodbye to the wall-to-wall sunshine. High pressure sinks southwards and allows low pressure to take hold bringing more cloud, rain and showers, and also lower temperatures. The far northwest of Scotland will start to see the change as rain and drizzle lingers into Saturday. The weekend will start dry for much of the UK, with the best of the sunshine in Scotland and northern and eastern England. By Sunday conditions will be fresher, with sunny spells and light to moderate winds. A group of prominent law firms have inked settlements with the Trump administration after being targeted with executive orders, committing to $600 million in free legal work for causes Trump supports. The deal cut by five law firms brings Trump's legal kitty close to $1 billion and specifies that the work will continue 'beyond' the Trump administration. It is largely similar to language Trump and four other firms agreed to after Trump went after law firms that had been a professional home to political rivals including former special counsel Jack Smith, former special counsel Robert Mueller, and others. This time, Trump blasted out the announcement on his Truth Social web site. 'The Law Firms will provide an aggregate total of at least $500 Million Dollars in pro bono and other free Legal services, during the Trump Administration and beyond, in the respective amounts set forth below, to causes that President Trump and the Law Firms both support and agree to work on, including in the following areas,' Trump wrote. Those areas are assisting veterans and public servants, members of the military, Gold Star families, law enforcement and first responders, and 'ensuring fairness in our justice system' as well as combatting antisemitism. 'The Law Firms will take on a wide range of pro bono matters that represent the full political spectrum, including Conservative ideals,' Trump wrote. The language on Gold Star families is new. Trump has held events with family members of those killed during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The language on the nation's justice system is vague, but Trump has long railed against a system he calls 'weaponized.' Law firms are committing to more than $100 million in free legal work to reach settlements with the Trump administration after the president signed executive orders targeting them The head of the pro bono office of Paul, Weiss, the first firm to reach a settlement, resigned from the Wall Street firm this week. Attorney Steven Banks said his 'time to make a difference as a lawyer is narrowing.' Trump mentioned the settlements earlier this week, bragging about the accumulating total. He said the settlements were 'for damages that theyve done. But they give you $100 million and then they announce but we have done nothing wrong. And I agree theyve done nothing wrong,' Trump said facetiously. 'But what the hell they give me a lot of money considering theyve done nothing wrong.' He mentioned two new areas: using the law firms to help the coal industry in leasing. He has also spoken on two occasions about using them to negotiate trade deals after slapping tariffs on more than 60 countries, then pausing the tariffs amid a market meltdown. 'And well use some of those people. Some of those great firms they are great firms too,' Trump said. The firms cutting the deal are Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US LLP, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, and Latham & Watkins LLP. Each committed to $125 million in legal work. Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft reached a separate agreement with work worth $100 million, the Wall Street Journal reported. The settlements have divided the legal community and provoked angry denunciations from critics. President Donald Trump announced that five more law firms have settled and agreed to provide pro bono legal fees for causes he supports 'The latest traitors. Law students: do not take summer clerkships with the capitulators!' posted political scientist Norm Ornstein on X. It comes after Trump has been offering new clues of how he plans to put his highly skilled legal stable to use and expanding the areas he wants them to work on. Firms that are fighting executive orders against them including Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP have blasted what they say is the motive in court filings. 'Simply put, blacklisting and sanctioning law firms for representing the Presidents political opponents, devoting resources to causes the President dislikes, or hiring attorneys who have investigated the President is anathema to our constitutional order,' according to its filing this week. Milbank chair Scott Edelman defended the decision to make a deal in an internal letter to the firm. He said the firm 'concluded that an agreement would not entail any significant changes to our current practices, and the new commitments are things that we are happy to do anyway,' Above the Law reported. On Thursday Trump spoke about the law firms in personal terms. 'We have a lot of law firms that have paid me a lot of money in the form of legal fees. We're going to probably use those firms ... if we can - I think we can,' Trump said while musing about using them for trade talks. Then he appeared to reference his own legal defense, after overcoming four criminal trials during the campaign. 'Might as well use them. Hopefully I wont need that many legal fees I may. Who knows? After we leave maybe Ill need it. But if I do, its not going to be very pleasant,' Trump said. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt ended her briefing by telling reporters 'thank God it's Friday' after President Donald Trump's roughest week so far. Leavitt spent just 21 minutes at the podium Friday - an abnormally short time for a White House briefing - before breathing that sigh of relief. She had been peppered with questions on a variety of topics including the most obvious - tariffs, the Russia and Iran talks, Fox News' Peter Doocy getting attacked by a bird, and the physical Trump was getting at Walter Reed presently. Cara Castronuova, a former champion boxer turned White House correspondent for MyPillow founder Mike Lindell's Lindell TV, asked Leavitt if the White House planned to release the president's 'fitness plan' as part of his annual physical. 'He actually looks healthier than ever before, healthier than he did eight years ago, I'm sure every one in this room can agree. Is he working out with Bobby Kennedy and eating less McDonald's?' Castronuova asked, cuing laughs. Leavitt chuckled as well. 'I can confirm the president is in very good shape, as you see on a near daily basis here,' she answered. 'And in that vein, thank God it's Friday. It's been a very long and busy week here at the White House, we'll see you all on Monday.' She added that the White House would release Trump's physical results 'as soon a we can.' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt gave a 21-minute briefing Friday and ended it by saying: 'Thank God it's Friday' The president will head directly to Joint Base Andrews after departing Walter Reed - heading to Mar-a-Lago for the weekend. Leavitt said he wouldn't be put under anesthesia during Friday's medical exam - which in the past has meant the vice president has briefly taken over, including when Vice President Kamala Harris became the first woman to hold presidential power when President Joe Biden was getting a colonoscopy. Trump leaves Washington after a chaotic week - of implementing tariffs - and then delaying some of them, but escalating a trade war with China. Leavitt was asked Friday why Trump wouldn't just call Chinese President Xi Jinping and get the ball rolling. She answered by saying that the U.S. would be 'gracious' if China intended to make a deal. 'If China continues to retaliate, it's not good for China,' she added. Leavitt was then asked again if China needed to make the first move. She punted. Trump (left) leaves Washington after a chaotic week - of implementing tariffs - and then delaying some of them, but escalating a trade war with China. He is photographed during a Cabinet meeting Thursday alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (right) 'I'm not going to comment on communications that are happening or may not be happening or either way, we'll leave it to our national security team to get these discussions underway,' she said. The press secretary was also pressed on how much medical information about Trump the White House would release. Trump had publicly called on Biden to receive a cognitive exam in June 2024 - even before his disastrous debate - after the Republican included them as part of his White House physical in 2018. Leavitt wouldn't expressly say how much of Trump's medical records the public would see - and didn't answer a question directly about whether Trump's new White House physician, Dr. Sean Barbabella, would address the White House briefing room. She did hammer the Biden White House for what she called 'one of the greatest cover-ups and frankly political scandals this nation has ever seen.' 'Well I can tell you there was certainly a lack of transparency from the former president, from the entire former administration, and frankly, a lot of people in this room when it came to the health and the confidence of the former President of the United States Joe Biden,' Leavitt said. She continued: 'This president is clearly committed to transparency. You in this room see him and hear from him on a daily basis. You in this room know from covering him, it's hard to keep up with him.' 'He is a machine working around the clock every single day and the physician after today's physical will provide an update on the report in the effort of transparency,' she added. During Trump's first term, Dr. Ronny Jackson held court in the briefing room for an hour after the president's first physical in January 2018. Dr. Sean Conley didn't do the same, but did brief reporters during Trump's hospitalization with COVID-19 in October 2020. Leavitt did commit to 'releasing all of the results, as many of the results as possible' from the physical, according to a reporter's question. 'Of course, yes, the physician will do that, I spoke with him this morning,' Leavitt said. An ITV presenter known as 'Scud Stud' is set to return to screens on his first foreign assignment a year after falling unwell live on-air. Rageh Omaar, 57, shocked viewers when he began to slur and stumble over his words during his news broadcast on April 26, 2024. Omaar remained on air until the segment ended almost half an hour later - causing ITV to be flooded with Ofcom complaints for allowing him to continue. The ITV News international affairs analyst soon clarified that he had been 'determined to finish presenting the programme'. Omaar - who made his name as the 'Scud Stud' for his widely hailed coverage of the Iraq War as BBC world affairs correspondent - has been making a gradual return to work, appearing on online platforms such as ITVX. He featured in a pre-recorded package on West Africa on ITV's News At Ten on Friday. In April last year, he appeared to struggle to read the news bulletins on-air and later was taken to hospital. Later that month ITV News said he had 'medical treatment at hospital' and was recovering at home. It is understood Friday marks his first foreign dispatch since his return earlier this year, following him making ITVX news packages that have been featured on bulletins. An ITV presenter known as 'Scud Stud' who fell ill whilst live on air is set to return to return to screens for the first time in a year Rageh Omaar, 57, shocked viewers when he began to slur and stumble over his words during his news broadcast on 26 April 2024 Omaar remained on air until the segment ended almost half an hour later - causing ITV to be flooded with Ofcom complaints for allowing him to continue A statement released by Omaar at the time read: 'I would like to thank everyone for their kindness and good wishes, especially all the medical staff, all my wonderful colleagues at ITV News, and our viewers who expressed concern.' A video released on YouTube on Friday to the ITV News account showed Omaar interviewing Ivorian businessman Tidjane Thiam, the leader of PDCI-RDA, the main opposition party in the Ivory Coast. Mr Thiam claimed to Omaar that the Government was trying to block his presidency in the African country. Omaar is responsible for covering major news stories across the world while also presenting ITV's current affairs programme On Assignment. During his career, he was also a senior foreign correspondent for the BBC, rising to prominence during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and winning a best TV news journalist prize at the Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy that year. Recently, Channel 4 News announced that ITV News deputy political editor Anushka Asthana would become the broadcaster's US editor. Omaar is married to Georgiana Rose 'Nina' Montgomery-Cuninghame, the daughter of Sir John Montgomery-Cuninghame of Corsehill, the baronet - an aristocratic title below baron - of Cuninghame of Corsehill. The couple share three children, Loula, Sami and Zachary and were last known to be living in Chiswick, west London. One of five children, Mr Omaar was born on July 19, 1967 in Mogadishu, Somalia to mother Sahra and father Abdullahi Omaar, a businessman. His father became an accountant before setting up several businesses in Somalia. Speaking to the Guardian in 2017, he said he had a contract with Massey Ferguson tractors, introduced Coca-Cola to the country and also started Somalia's first independent newspaper. The journalist arrived in London UK at the age of six in 1974, where he was educated at the Dragon School, a private prep school in Oxford, before being enrolled in top public school Cheltenham College. The ITV News international affairs analyst soon clarified that he had been 'determined to finish presenting the programme'. Mr Omaar is married to Georgiana Rose 'Nina' Montgomery-Cuninghame (pictured) , the daughter of Sir John Montgomery-Cuninghame of Corsehill, the baronet - an aristocratic title below baron - of Cuninghame of Corsehill During his career, Omaar was also a senior foreign correspondent for the BBC, rising to prominence during the invasion of Iraq in 2003, and winning a best TV news journalist prize at the Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy that year. Pictured: Rageh Omaar, reporting from Baghdad in 2003 The journalist arrived in London UK at the age of six in 1974, where he was educated at the Dragon School, a private prep school in Oxford, before being enrolled in top public school Cheltenham College He then went on to study a degree in Modern History at New College, Oxford. Mr Omaar said that although his father founded a newspaper, he did not want his son to become a journalist as he did see it as a 'serious profession' and said he should study law. But undeterred, the international journalist started his career in journalism working as a trainee for The Voice newspaper, before getting a job with the BBC, working in Ethiopia in East Africa. He then came back to London a year later after getting a job as a producer and broadcast journalist for the corporation. Mr Omaar rose to global prominence through his work as a foreign correspondent for the BBC during the invasion of Iraq and the fall of Baghdad in 2003, and his work was widely syndicated across the US, earning him the moniker 'Scud Stud'. He won numerous awards for his exceptional work during this time, including a Peabody Award for his reports for the BBC from Sudan and a BAFTA for the BBC's coverage of the invasion of Afghanistan in which he was the only western TV journalist to report from inside Taliban-held Kabul. Mr Omaar won an Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy award for the best TV journalist in 2003. He then won the Arab Media Watch Award for excellence in journalism in 2008. In 2014 and 2015, the journalist was nominated for the Services to Media award at the British Muslim Awards. After this he worked at Al Jazeera International from 2006 to 2010, where he presented the nightly weekday documentary series Witness, serving as a Middle Eastern correspondent for its London Division. He joined ITV News as a special correspondent and presenter in January 2013, reporting on a broad range of news stories, as well as producing special in-depth reports from all around the UK and abroad. Mr Omaar was then promoted to International Affairs Editor for ITV News in 2014. Since 2017, he has infrequently presented the ITV Lunchtime and Evening News programmes. After the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the distinguished journalist was also chosen by ITV to cover her funeral on September 19, 2022. A judge has ruled that pro Palestine activist Mahmoud Khalil can be deported due to his involvement in protests at Columbia University. The 30-year-old was arrested last month by immigration authorities, despite not being accused of breaking any laws. The Trump administration argued that his involvement in the demonstrations was proof he was leading 'activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization'. Khalil - who was born in a Syrian refugee camp to Palestinian parents - and his team maintain he was exercising his First Amendment right to free speech. But in the Friday ruling, Judge Jamee Comans said the government had established by 'clear and convincing evidence that he is removable'. Khalil has been in custody at a Louisiana jail since his arrest. He described himself as a 'political prisoner', and slated the squalid conditions he says he is being held in. Khalil was born in a Palestinian refugee camp in Syria, holds Algerian citizenship and became a US lawful permanent resident last year. His wife, Noor Abdalla, who is eight months pregnant, is also a US citizen. A judge has ruled that pro Palestine activist Khalil Mahmoud can be deported due to his involvement in protests at Columbia University The 30-year-old was arrested last month by immigration authorities over his role in igniting pro-Palestine protests at Columbia last year Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Khalil should be removed because his presence in the US has 'potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences,' citing a 1952 law called the Immigration and Nationality Act. In a letter to the court, Rubio wrote that Khalil should be removed for his role in 'antisemitic protests and disruptive activities, which fosters a hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States.' Rubio's letter did not accuse Khalil of breaking any laws, but he said that the State Department can revoke the legal status of immigrants even when their beliefs, associations or statements are 'otherwise lawful.' Khalil and his lawyers have said the Trump administration was targeting him for speech that is protected under the US Constitution's First Amendment, including the right to criticize American foreign policy. The activist was arrested on March 8 at his Columbia University apartment building and transferred to jail. His lawyers have said they are being rushed to review the evidence that the administration submitted on Wednesday on the orders of the judge. Baher Azmy, the legal director of the Center for Constitutional Rights and one of Khalil's attorneys, told a press briefing on Thursday that Rubio's letter 'is a sort of tacky, Soviet-style diktat that's equal parts empty and chilling.' Khalil has said criticism of the US government's support of Israel's military occupation of Palestinian territories is being wrongly conflated with antisemitism. He has not been accused of breaking any laws and his lawyers say he was exercising his constitutional right to free speech Khalil played a leading role in igniting pro-Palestine protests at Columbia University last month, and although he has not been accused of any crime, Trump officials said he was detained because he 'led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization' Mahmoud Khalil's wife, Noor Abdalla (pictured) is eight months pregnant, and he wrote in his letter behind bars: 'I hope nonetheless to be free to witness the birth of my first-born child.' His lawyers are expected to appeal today's ruling. His team has until April 23 to file relief applications. The international affairs graduate student had served as a negotiator and spokesperson for student activists at Columbia University who took over a campus lawn last spring to protest Israels military campaign in Gaza. The university brought police in to dismantle the encampment after a small group of protesters seized an administration building. Khalil is not accused of participating in the building occupation and wasnt among the people arrested in connection with the demonstrations. But images of his mask-less face at protests, along with his willingness to share his name with reporters, have made him an object of scorn among those who saw the protesters and their demands as anti-Semitic. A State Department spokesperson told AP the department does not comment on ongoing legal cases. In a separate case in a New Jersey federal court, Khalil is challenging what he has said is his unlawful arrest, detention and transfer to the jail Louisiana, some 1,200 miles from his family and lawyers in New York City. His detention sparked a wave of protests in the Big Apple and beyond. Khalil's arrest sparked protests in New York, seen in lower Manhattan on March 12, 2025 Khalil said that he believes his arrest was the result of 'anti-Palestinian racism' in 'both the Biden and Trump administrations', and claimed he was being made an example of to act as a deterrent to other would-be activists. 'I wake to cold mornings and spend long days bearing witness to the quiet injustices underway against a great many people precluded from the protections of the law,' Khalil said in a letter, per NBC News. 'Who has the right to have rights? It is certainly not the humans crowded into the cells here,' he wrote. The American immigration court system is run and its judges are appointed by the US Justice Department, separate from the government's judicial branch. Police have arrested seven people, on charges including conspiracy to kidnap and murder, following an alleged acid attack in which a man sustained serious injuries in Plymouth. Devon and Cornwall Police, along with the Metropolitan Police, arrested six men in their 20s at a number of addresses in Central London yesterday. A woman in her 30s was then arrested in Plymouth. The arrests come after a 'brutal' acid attack on a man in his 30s on Lipson Road, Plymouth in the early hours of the morning on February 21. The acid attack, described as a 'serious assault', saw two men allegedly try to force their way into a property as they assaulted the occupant. The incident was 'isolated' and 'targeted' and is believed to have been linked to organised crime, police said at the time. The victim of the 'terrifying' attack was taken to hospital with serious injuries, where he remains, and his family were being supported by specialist officers. Officers said a week after the attack that the perpetrators had fled Devon before being spotted in the rural village of Chippenham in Wiltshire, but believed they had left that county as well. Police have arrested seven people, on charges including conspiracy to kidnap and murder, following an alleged acid attack. Pictured: File photo All the suspects have been charged and are due to appear before Plymouth Magistrates' Court on Saturday, April 12. It comes after another man was in March charged with applying a destructive substance with intent to burn, maim, disfigure or do grievous bodily harm and participating in the criminal activities of an organised crime group. He is due to next appear before Plymouth Crown Court on Monday, June 16. Detective Superintendent Jon Bancroft, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said at the time of the attack: 'This was a brutal and terrifying attack on a man who remains in a very serious condition. His family are continuing to be supported by our specialist officers. 'This was an isolated and targeted attack, which we believe is related to organised crime. 'As part of this large-scale investigation, we are working really closely with partner agencies, including the National Crime Agency to locate the suspects. 'We are carrying out both national and international enquiries in our commitment to apprehend those responsible. 'We have seen much speculation online about the alleged suspects and the circumstances of the incident, which are untrue. 'The facts of the matter are outlined in this press release, and we urge the public to look to official sources for the facts surrounding this incident. 'We would like to thank everyone who has come forward following previous appeals, our enquiries have taken us further afield and we can confirm that we no longer believe the suspects to be in Wiltshire.' This is a breaking story - more to follow. Anonymous calls were made ahead of a bomb exploding in a British tourist hotspot in Greece on Friday night - and just yards away from the headquarters of a train company involved in the country's worst ever rail disaster. Police revealed that anonymous calls to Greek media warned of the attack outside the Hellenic Train offices in Athens at 8.53pm local time. The company was involved in a horrific rail crash between a freight train and a passenger train which claimed 57 lives in 2023. An unknown man is said to have warned that the bomb, placed inside a backpack, would explode in '30 to 40 minutes' and said that 'it is not a prank', The Sun reported. There were no immediate reports of injuries following the blast in an area brimming with hotels, restaurants and tourist rentals. The Hellenic Train building also appeared undamaged. Greek daily Efsyn and news website Zougla, both of which received a call, said the explosive device had apparently been hidden in a padlocked backpack, placed on a scooter without licence plates. A police bomb disposal squad arrived too late to detonate the device, which had been placed near the Hellenic Train building on Syngrou Avenue before it exploded, they said. Anonymous calls were made ahead of a bomb exploding in a British tourist hotspot in Greece on Friday night - and just yards away from the headquarters of a train company involved in the country's worst ever rail disaster Greek Police experts search for evidences after a bomb explosion outside the Athens offices of Hellenic Train in Athens on Friday night Police revealed that anonymous calls to Greek media warned of the attack outside the Hellenic Train offices in Athens at 8.53pm local time However, a nearby hotel had earlier been evacuated, state TV ERT said. The attack was similar to one targeting the Greek ministry of labour in February 2024. Today's blast comes amid continuing anger over a major crash in February 2023, when 57 people, most of them young students, died after a passenger train and a freight train collided in Tempe, central Greece. The crash occurred after both trains were allowed to run on the same track. Thousands have turned out to strike and protest in Greece and abroad since the second anniversary of the collision. It also brought about two votes of no confidence last year and again in March that the conservative government overcame. The train's Italian-owned operator Hellenic Train has denied knowledge of any illegal cargo on the freight train. More than 40 people have been prosecuted, including the local station master responsible for routing the trains. There were no immediate reports of injuries following the blast in an area brimming with hotels, restaurants and tourist rentals The Hellenic Train building also appeared undamaged following the blast on Friday night A police bomb disposal squad arrived too late to detonate the device, which had been placed near the Hellenic Train building on Syngrou Avenue before it exploded Police officers secure the area of the bomb blast outside the Hellenic Train offices in Athens Greek Police experts search for evidence after a bomb explosion outside the Athens offices of Hellenic Train in Athens The exterior of the building did not appear to have sustained too much damage from the blast Tourists and residents gathered in nearby streets after being evacuated outside following the anonymous calls ahead of a bomb blast A trial into the accident is not expected before the end of the year. Earlier on Friday, the parliament voted to refer a former junior minister to justice on possible misdemeanour charges for breach of duty in connection to the aftermath of the accident. Opposition parties say Christos Triantopoulos, who was dispatched by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to the scene after the accident, authorised the bulldozing of the crash site which led to the loss of vital evidence. Triantopoulos denies any wrongdoing and says he was overseeing relief efforts. Greece's intercity trains went under private management in 2017, when state-owned Greek rail traffic services operator TrainOSE was privatised and sold to Italy's Ferrovie dello Stato Italiane, becoming Hellenic Train. Greek state company OSE still owns the tracks. Hellenic Train's former CEO Maurizio Capotorto has reportedly been summoned to testify before a magistrate, on suspicion of giving false testimony to a parliamentary committee into the disaster in January 2024. Greece has a long history of politically-motivated violence dating back to the 1970s, with domestic extremist groups carrying out small-scale bombings which usually cause damage but rarely lead to injuries. Greek daily Efsyn and news website Zougla, both of which received a call, said the explosive device had been hidden in a padlocked backpack, placed on a scooter without licence plates Today's blast comes amid continuing anger over a major crash in February 2023 , when 57 people, most of them young students, died after a passenger train and a freight train collided in Tempe, central Greece While the groups most active in the 1980s and 1990s have been dismantled, new small groups have emerged. Last year, a man believed to have been trying to assemble a bomb was killed when the explosive device he was making exploded in a central Athens apartment. A woman inside the apartment was severely injured. The blast had prompted Minister of Citizen Protection Michalis Chrisochoidis to warn of an emerging new generation of domestic extremists. The White House moved a portrait of President Barack Obama and installed a painting of President Donald Trump shouting 'fight, fight, fight' after being nearly assassinated in its place. The Trump administration posted the new painting on social media Friday. 'Some new artwork at the White House,' a post on the @WhiteHouse X account said, showing a video of tourists walking by the artwork. The message included the googly eyes emoji. Press aide Harrison Fields also set the record straight that Obama wasn't banished from the White House's ornate entryway. 'Obama remains in the Entrance Hall of the White House State Floor,' Fields said sharing a picture. Instead of on the left-hand side when visitors walk in, Obama is now located on the right-hand side of the entryway, near the piano and where the military bands often hold performances for guests. Obama took the place of President George W. Bush, who will be rehung to be closer to his father, President George H.W. Bush, the White House told the Associated Press. The White House moved a portrait of President Barack Obama and installed a painting of President Donald Trump shouting 'fight, fight, fight' after being nearly assassinated in its place Press aide Harrison Fields set the record straight that Obama wasn't banished from the White House's ornate entryway - he'd simply been moved to the other side The artwork is a painted version of a photograph taken by Associated Press photographer Evan Vucci, snapped moments after an assassin's bullet grazed Trump's ear at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania on July 13. At the time Trump yelled out to his supporters: 'Fight, fight, fight!' and pumped his fist, with blood splattered down his face. It became a rallying cry during the final months of his 2024 campaign. Ironically the photographer who snapped the photo is one of the AP journalists who've been barred with taking a place in the White House 'pool' - the smaller group of journalists who follow the president daily and are allowed into more confined spaces, including Air Force One and the Oval Office. In February the White House said it was banishing the AP from the pool over the wire service's refusal to use 'Gulf of America' instead of Gulf of Mexico in its influential style guide. Vucci was one of the AP's journalists who testified in the case. This week, the AP got good news from a federal judge this week, with the judge granting the AP's request for an injunction to force the White House to allow its reporters back on Air Force One and into the Oval Office. Shortly after the ruling, however, an AP reporter and photographer weren't allowed in the motorcade with the rest of the pool to travel to the National Building Museum to watch the president speak at the National Republican Congressional Committee President's Dinner. The new painting is based off a photo snapped by Associated Press photographer Evan Vucci moments after President Donald Trump survived an assassination atttempt at a Butler, Pennsylvania rally on July 13 President Barack Obama's portrait can be seen in the White House's entryway on the left-hand side displayed alongside President Joe Biden's Christmas decorations in December 2024 President Joe Biden had invited former President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama back to the White House in September 2022 for a portrait unveiling ceremony. A tradition that Trump skipped with the Obamas during his first term It's also unusual for a sitting president to have a portrait in the White House. However, Trump is in a unique position because he's only the second president in U.S. history to serve non-consecutive terms. The only other was President Grover Cleveland. Usually a new portrait is unveiled with great fanfare - and the ceremonies are often bipartisan in nature. For instance, President Barack Obama invited former President George W. Bush and his wife Laura back to the White House for a May 2012 portrait unveiling. Trump bucked that tradition and did not invite Obama to the White House during his first term. Instead President Joe Biden, who served as Obama's vice president, invited the Obamas back for their grand portrait unveiling in September 2022. Biden did not hold a similar ceremony for Trump - though it would have more likely happened during a second Biden term had there been one. Lady Amelia Spencer has long been considered the mirror image of her late aunt, Princess Diana, not just in appearance but in her philanthropic heart and keen fashion sense. As one of the glamorous Spencer twins, alongside her sister Lady Eliza, Amelia has seamlessly woven her own path while paying homage to the people's princess, embodying the same grace, compassion, and sartorial prowess that made Diana a global icon. In her latest show of support for a treasured cause, Lady Amelia was Princess Dianas mini-me as she shared a throwback photograph in honour of Great Ormond Street childrens hospital. The family resemblance was notable in the image of Amelia, who studied at Reddam House while growing up in South Africa, as she looked remarkably similar to Diana in her school uniform. Great Ormond Street Hospital, where Princess Diana served as patron, has been celebrating School Photo Day, with young patients receiving treatment at the London hospital having their portrait taken by lauded royal photographer Rankin. Diana's work with Great Ormond Street Hospital was one of her most cherished patronages, with the late royal regularly championing the hospitals mission to provide the best care for seriously ill children. Like Diana, Amelia has expressed an interest in humanitarian work, particularly in areas related to childrens welfare and healthcare. She has been involved in several philanthropic initiatives, supporting various causes that align with Dianas legacy of kindness and compassion. Lady Amelia Spencer Lady Amelia paid homage to one of her aunt's most famous looks at the 2024 Fashion Awards. Just like Diana's Christina Stambolian 'revenge dress' which she wore to the Serpentine Gallery in 1994, the low-cut neckline of Amelia's Pamella Roland gown featured a dip in the middle and off-the-shoulder straps which echoed the silhouette of Dianas famous frock Dazzling at Royal Ascot in 2024, Lady Amelia wore a flowing navy and white polka dot dress from Holland Cooper with a Jane Taylor hat. The knee-grazing dress featured puffed long sleeves, a button-down front, and a sharp white collar. Inspired by a frock that Diana wore in 1985, it was similarly spotty with contrasting details Amelia put a new twist on Dianas iconic Versace dress nearly 30 years later at Milan fashion week. She harnessed her late aunts timeless style with a leather dress that recalled the one Princess Diana wore to a 1995 screening of Apollo. Similar to Dianas Versace dress, Amelias LBD consisted of two harness-like straps As Lady Amelia Spencer sashayed down the catwalk at the Josh Birch Jones show in 2023 in a sapphire green dress by the designer, there was a sense of deja vu with her gown which was a copy of a look Diana wore back in 1989 to a state dinner. The asymmetrical-sleeved dress complete with an off-the-shoulder design and daring leg split gave all the glamour on both occasions Fashion has been another avenue through which Lady Amelia pays homage to her aunt. At the 2024 British Fashion Awards, Amelia and her twin sister, Lady Eliza Spencer, made headlines by channelling Diana's iconic revenge dress. Amelia donned an off-the-shoulder black gown by Pamella Roland, featuring intricate beading along the neckline, a modern twist on the daring Christina Stambolian ensemble worn by Diana to the Serpentine Gallery in 1994. The revenge dress moment was far from the first time Amelia had drawn comparisons to Diana through fashion. The young royal has stepped out on multiple occasions in outfits that evoke memories of her late aunts most iconic looks. There was also a black Versace mini dress that mirrored one of Dianas most famous little black dresses from the 1990s. The sleek, structured design, complete with embellished shoulder straps, was a clear nod to the late Princess of Wales love for the Italian fashion house, which she frequently wore in her post-royal years. Meanwhile, Lady Eliza has also been spotted in tributes to Dianas wardrobe. At Chelsea Flower Show she wore a pink polka-dot dress that bore a striking resemblance to the Donald Campbell frock Diana famously wore in the 1980s. Lady Eliza Spencer Looking resplendent at Flemington Racecourse for Melbourne Cup Day in a scarlet off-the-shoulder full length gown by couture label Cappellazzo, Lady Eliza was a mirror image of Diana. Princess Diana invented modern red-carpet glamour and was first to don a red silk showstopper when she dressed in Victor Edelstein for the Just Like a Woman premiere in 1992 Amelias twin sister Eliza attended the 2023 Chelsea Flower Show in a slim-fit, turtleneck polka dot dress that was reminiscent of one worn by her late aunt in the 1980s. Her Alessandra Rich long-sleeved pink dress shared a strong likeness with the Donald Campbell dress Princess Diana wore in Australia in 1983, showing the Spencer style can carry through a number of decades Arriving at the Richard Quinn fashion show this year, Lady Amelia was dressed in a monochrome dress with a wide white lapel which was reminiscent of a tuxedo Diana wore back in 1988 in Paris. Dianas timeless black-and-white look was slick and contrasting and a striking inspiration for her niece Despite the undeniable similarities, Lady Amelia Spencer is not simply living in her aunts shadow, she is forging her own path while embracing her Spencer heritage. She may never have had the chance to meet her late aunt, but the resemblance, both in looks and in spirit, is undeniable. From her charity work to her sartorial choices, Amelia is carrying Dianas legacy into the modern era, proving that the peoples princess influence still resonates strongly today. King Charles did not meet Prince Harry ahead of his High Court showdown - but one of the Daily Mail's royal experts has revealed the legal explanation as to why. The Duke of Sussex, 40, flew 5,000 miles from California on Sunday to attend a two-day hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice in London. Meanwhile, his father, 76, spent the weekend at Highgrove, his private Gloucestershire home, resting ahead of his State Visit to Italy with Camilla. But MailOnline exclusively revealed on Tuesday that the father-son pair did not meet. During the latest episode of Palace Confidential, Daily Mail columnist and royal biographer Robert Hardman said: 'There is legal jeopardy which is the simple fact that here you have the son of the King suing the King's ministers in the King's court and that just creates all sorts of legal problems. 'It would only need Harry to have a conversation with his father and then afterwards let slip, "Oh my dad said this or my dad said that" and as we know, he does repeat conversations quite readily. 'That could lead to all sorts of problems. It could actually bring down a court case because the king is the fount of justice. He has got to be very careful.' Robert, who is the author of Charles III - The Inside Story, acknowledged that 'there may be other reasons why the King doesn't want to see Harry right now' including the monarch's ongoing treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. Prince Harry walks to the Royal Courts of Justice on April 9, 2025 Royal biographer Robert Hardman revealed the 'simple' legal reason why King Charles did not meet Prince Harry ahead of his court case on the latest episode of Palace Confidential 'Let's not forget, there is a lot of stress,' Robert said. 'He is someone undergoing medical treatment so people are trying to keep the stress levels down but his legal advice is you can't have a conversation until all this is sorted out.' Mr Hardman was joined on the hit YouTube talk show by host Jo Elvin and fellow royal expert Richard Eden to discuss Prince Harry's High Court showdown. The Duke of Sussex has appealed against a ruling over the right he, Meghan Markle, Archie and Lilibet have to taxpayer-funded bodyguards while visiting the UK. He has claimed he was singled out for inferior treatment when the Executive Committee for the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) stripped him of his top-level security in February 2020, following Megxit. The case has cost the British taxpayer 500,000 so far. In a stirring speech with the Duke of Sussex sat 15 feet behind her, the princes barrister Shaheed Fatima KC told the Appeal Court: 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.' When asked for his thoughts on Palace Confidential, Richard branded the legal battle 'ridiculous'. MailOnline revealed on Tuesday that the King did not meet Prince Harry ahead of his legal battle in London Instead Charles spent the weekend at Highgrove, his private Gloucestershire home, resting ahead of his State Visit to Italy with Camilla. 'Essentially the courts have ruled that Prince Harry is not entitled to automatic tax-payer funded protection when he is in this country,' he said. 'He is not happy with that and he has appealed against a ruling over the right he, Meghan Markle, Archie and Lilibet have to taxpayer-funded bodyguards while visiting the UK. 'His view is that he should have it and that he has been unfairly denied this protection when he is in Britain and he clearly feels very strongly about it.' But the Daily Mail's Diary Editor continued: 'I think it's a ridiculous case. How on earth should he be entitled to it? That sense of entitlement is incredible. 'He has chosen to quit royal duties and with that came the protection and everything alongside it. He is trying to have all the benefits of being a working royal without that.' Interrupting to play Devil's Advocate, Jo said: 'I suppose what he is arguing is that he is still in the line of succession, he is still born into this royal life, he still is the target of security threats. Is that fair?' To which Richard replied: 'His argument is that he has been denied it unfairly and that proper processes haven't been followed. Obviously, we will wait to see what the Appeal Court says and what the judgement is. Adding his own insight, Robert said: 'Royal security is always done on a case-by-case basis. I'm quite sure if he is in a public space in this country, we are not going to be told what the security arrangements are but there are going to be some and they will be done very thoroughly. The Duke of Sussex has claimed he was singled out for inferior treatment when (Ravec) stripped him of his top-level security in February 2020 The princes barrister Shaheed Fatima KC leaves the Court of Appeal on Tuesday She told the court: 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' Richard Eden (left), Robert Hardman (centre) and Jo Elvin (right) feature on this week's episode of Palace Confidential 'From talking to lawyers this week, what surprised a lot of people was the simple fact that Prince Harry decided to come and sit in court during what is a fairly technical, dry set of proceedings at the court of appeal. 'This is not where you would normally expect someone who has brought the case. Normally, you would just leave it to the lawyers to thrash it out. 'I think a lot of people in the legal profession are going: "Well, why is he there?"' For more intriguing insights from the Mail's team of unrivalled Royal experts, watch the latest episode of Palace Confidential in full on YouTube now and subscribe to the Daily Mail Royals YouTube channel. The end of the monarchy would be the most catastrophic blow possible for Britain. Nothing could be more destructive or disastrous. As a loyal British subject of the Crown, and a committed royalist, I dread the idea of it. But my proven psychic senses are warning me with increasing urgency that the UK is on the brink of losing its greatest institution, the Royal Family and with this, its very identity. I foresee Britain ripped apart in the wake of Russian dirty tricks and an unprecedented royal scandal, resulting in riots, seismic political repercussions and unimaginable harm to our international standing. I do not say this lightly. Ive agonised about putting this into the public domain. But I believe that, within a short time, the UK will cease to have a Royal head of state. Democracy. Decency. Fair play. Independence. Britain means many things to the rest of the world, but one word sums up this island nation more than any other. Monarchy. Without that, the United Kingdom is no different from any other minor economic power. It would not even be a kingdom. All its traditions, its history, its relevance and its national character are embodied in one royal figure the man or woman who wears the crown. King Charles III is a human being but he is also the symbol of this entire country. His lineage can be traced back more than 1,000 years to Athlestan, the king who first ruled all of England in the tenth century, and to James I, the king who united England and Wales with Scotland. Psychic Uri Geller foresees Britain ripped apart in the wake of Russian dirty tricks and an unprecedented royal scandal Watching the ceremony in May 2023, Geller felt a horrific certainty that King Charles III's was the final Coronation. The crown was not going to pass to William nor any of his heirs Nowhere in the world is so much history concentrated in the person of one living man. This struck me with immense force two years ago, as I along with more than two billion other people around the planet watched the Coronation at Westminster Abbey. At the most sacred moment of the ceremony, when the monarch was anointed with holy oil from Jerusalem, a screen shielded him from the gaze of the audience and the cameras. It was a very beautiful screen, inspired (as the hushed voices of commentators told us) by a stained glass window at the Chapel Royal in St Jamess Palace. But I have spent my life projecting my mind through space and time, using a paranormal technique known as remote viewing, into places that are hidden from most peoples sight. And I had my own urgent reasons for wanting to see the anointing. It is at that moment, when the monarch is closest to God, that the future of the country is most clearly visible. There was nothing furtive about my decision to watch the anointing. I announced my intention on social media, and was even photographed as I beamed my mind into the ceremony. Remote viewing, if youve never heard the term, is the most heavily tested of paranormal abilities. Many government agencies have employed psychic viewers to gather intelligence. I was part of the first CIA project, Operation Stargate, during the 1970s, but by then the Soviet Unions KGB had been conducting experiments for years with exceptional results. With a combination of innate ability and assiduous practice, a remote viewer can project his or her mind to any place on Earth, no matter how well guarded or deeply concealed. Each persons psychic vision is uniquely individual, but in my case I receive an instantaneous blast of images on a screen in my mind. I can see both the geographical surroundings and the contents of human minds. Remote viewers have been used to map top-secret military facilities, inspect the contents of documents, even track nuclear submarines, but also to decode the mental, physical and emotional state of high-ranking political figures. As I sent my thoughts through the screen at Westminster Abbey on May 6, 2023, my brain was filled with a blizzard of images. The most powerful were pictures of civil unrest, rioting and violence. I felt the unmistakable acrid sting of tear gas and the impact of truncheons and water cannons. I heard screaming and yelling, and the shattering of glass. Geller believes Vladimir Putin has obtained the means to do irrevocable harm to the Royal Family, and that he will not hesitate to use it at the time of maximum danger. Pictured, Putin and the King in 2003 It knocked me back, almost physically. Afterwards, I tried to capture some of those impressions in drawings, but at that moment it was simply overwhelming, a bombardment. Trying to calm myself, I refocused, trying to find my way into Charless own mind. This time, I sensed the hushed awe of the Abbey. I could smell the olive oil used in the anointing ceremony and known as chrism or holy oil. Blended in Jerusalem, it was scented with orange blossom and other fragrances including rose, jasmine and cinnamon. I felt the intense concentration and reverence of the King as he bowed to his destiny. In a scattershot of images, I sensed an absolute commitment to his role in life and an extraordinary inner strength to carry it through. But as the Archbishop of Canterbury placed St Edwards crown on his head, a second rush of chaotic images hit me. It was public disorder, but this time a personal threat to the King either a direct betrayal or colossal accidental damage done by someone close to him. Above all, I felt a horrific certainty that this was the final Coronation. The crown was not going to pass to William nor any of his heirs. He is the last King, I said out loud. For the next few days and nights, as I tried to make sense of my forebodings, I didnt sleep much. Friends tried to reassure me. The monarchy has survived for more than a millennium, they said. It has outlasted the deaths of even the greatest kings and queens Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Victoria. One dear friend, a famous historian, pointed out that I might not have glimpsed the future but the past. Britain has had two previous Kings named Charles, he said, and both of them suffered an ill-fated reign. Charles I was beheaded on the scaffold, the only English monarch to be condemned to death. Charles II died childless and in debt, and within a few years the English Revolution saw William of Orange placed on the throne. There hasnt been a King Charles since 1685 and frankly I dont believe it was very wise of our new King to retain his name. He should have been crowned George VII. Despite warnings from MI5, the Duke of York maintained close links for years with an alleged Chinese spy named Yang Tengbo, pictured second from right, who opened a communication channel between the prince and Chinas President Xi Jinping For a while, I almost convinced myself that he was right. Englands history is turbulent. Thats what I sensed the weight of the past, being quite literally being placed on the Kings head. But thats not the whole story. Since the outbreak of the war against Hamas, I have been approached repeatedly by more than one intelligence agency to use my remote viewing abilities. I do not always accede to these requests. Earlier this year, however, I agreed to conduct a sweep of one particular office building in London, at the heart of power. What I saw staggered me. This time the images were not piecemeal. The picture was as clear as if I was standing unseen in the rooms and corridors. Russian intelligence agents have compromised the British government at a very high level. Secrets of national importance are being traded to the Kremlin. I know this because I mentally watched it happen. I can describe rooms where mobile phones are prohibited and whispered conversations took place. I even followed moles out of their offices and into their cars where meetings with Russian agents were held as they drove down Parliament Street. One tense conversation involved an amount of money being paid for information. It got so heated that the driver jumped a red light. Phones can be devastating espionage tools. Not only can spies eavesdrop on conversations, they can read every text even on encrypted messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Signal. And they can use the camera to record video while the user is completely unaware. This software is almost impossible to detect or eradicate. Dont believe me? Take a close look at photos of Metas boss Mark Zuckerberg with his webcam. Youll see red tape over the camera lenses. Its his only way to be sure hes not being filmed. Many politicians and public figures are hopelessly naive about this. In particular, certain members of the Royal Family have been lets not mince words utter idiots in matters of security. Despite warnings from MI5, the Duke of York maintained close links for years with an alleged Chinese spy named Yang Tengbo, who opened a communication channel between the prince and Chinas President Xi Jinping. To his credit, Andrew said he ceased all contact with Mr Yang after receiving advice from the Government. Prince Andrews former advisor Dominic Hampshire has suggested this was far from the only indiscretion. He told the BBC that there were leaks everywhere at all sorts of levels in the Royal Household, and that even the princes private secretary was not privy to all his plans. It was this revelation that reignited my fears for the monarchy. Andrew is subject to intense public scrutiny, following the scandal of his long friendship with the notorious paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. But I am concerned that this might blind the security services to other potential scandals brewing in the palace. Whenever members of the Royal Family stay as guests of foreign billionaires or governments in hotels, at homes, on yachts and even private planes they are in constant danger of being filmed by hidden recording devices. This is true even when their hosts are irreproachably loyal because Russias secret service, the FSB, has the ability to plant bugs anywhere. And if smartphones belonging to politicians, advisers and civil servants can be infected with spyware, so too can the Royal Familys own phones. As for bugs, it would be childs play for Russia to embed devices in Windsor Castle or Sandringham. I believe Vladimir Putin has obtained the means to do irrevocable harm to the Royal Family, and that he will not hesitate to use it at the time of maximum danger. It is my opinion that Putin has evidence of behaviour that, if not illegal, is shockingly ill-judged. It is this threat that could topple the throne and rip the nation apart. There is still time to limit the damage, and perhaps even neutralise it. Britains security agencies have to identify the leaks and the breaches, discover what the Russians know and take all action necessary to ensure this does not deal a death blow to the monarchy. But time is running out. King Charles, I am happy to say, is looking healthy and strong. He is a good man, and I pray for his continued recovery. As for the health of the monarchy... prayers may not be enough. Uri Geller is a mystifier who runs the Uri Geller Museum in Tel Aviv. In an exclusive Mail podcast, hosts of 'The Trial', Caroline Cheetham and Liz Hull discuss their visit to HMP Grendon, a prison with a revolutionary approach to inmate rehabilitation. Opened in 1962, Grendon in Buckinghamshire began as an experimental psychiatric prison specialising in detaining offenders with antisocial personality disorders. It has since evolved into a therapeutic community, where prisoners from across the UK serving long sentences can apply to access its unique treatment regime. The prison forces its inmates, through group therapy and role play, to engage with victims and the human impacts of their crimes. Grendon is a category B prison, meaning it houses exclusivley men who have committed serious crimes such as murder and rape. This is no easy ride through their sentence. Award-winning Daily Mail journalist Caroline Cheetham told co-host, Liz Hull, about her experiences talking with one prisoner who had begged to leave Grendon. Opened in 1962, HM Grendon began as an experimental psychiatric prison specialising in detaining offenders with antisocial personality disorders The Crime Desk: The Mail's new true crime podcast network, available on all major podcast platforms. Join here 'We met one guy over lunch who'd been in the prison service since he was 10', Cheetham remembered. 'He was in his sixties and had been in and out of the system for various offenses. He came to Grendon five years earlier. 'When he first arrived, he told me he had begged to go back to a normal prison. He said he couldn't look himself in the mirror he just couldn't cope with it.' The goal of the therapy is to treat the root causes of criminality, such as childhood trauma, to better set inmates up for life on the outside. Prisoners must want to go to Grendon: they apply themselves and have to meet a set of strict criteria to be housed there. Grendon boasts a lower recommittal rate than traditional prisons, with inmates being statistically less likely to re-offend after a short eighteen-month say. Hull summarised how prisoners had described the therapy and its effects to her. 'They must humanise their victims. The therapy involves role play with each other, where prisoners pretend as if they're talking to their victims. Cheetham and Hull described their time at HM Grendon as 'mind-blowing.' Listen to the full episode on the Mail's new podcast platform, The Crime Desk by clicking here. Prisoners must want to go to HM Grendon: they apply themselves and have to meet a set of strict criteria to be housed there 'They must use their victim's name. One young lad told me that he had always seen his victim as worthless before the treatment. 'He had just seen him as a drunk he'd murdered this guy, it was really serious. The therapy forced him to realise this man was a human being, with a family who loved him. 'He then was finally able to feel shame for what he had done.' Cheetham and Hull described their time at Grendon as 'mind-blowing'. As court reporters, they said the experience had shown them the importance of seeing offenders as more than 'monsters in the dock'. Their podcast, 'The Trial', has seen them report on some of the most high-profile criminal cases of recent years, including the trials of Lucy Letby, Constance Marten and Mark Gordon. 'We see trials in progress. We follow them in detail every single day of a case and we know that process is quite dehumanising', Cheetham said. Hull concurred: 'Obviously these people need to be punished, but they are essentially human beings just like everyone else. That's what made this experience so fascinating.' To get an intimate look inside HMP Grendon, subscribe to The Crime Desk, the Mail's brand-new true crime podcast network. Join The Crime Desk now to listen to exclusive weekly episodes of The Trial+, ad-free listening across all our shows and full access to The Trial archives. Plus, you'll be the first to hear our exciting new true crime podcasts as they launch. Go to thecrimedesk.com to become a member today, or subscribe via Apple Podcasts. The US Air Force once made plans for a 'gay bomb' that would use chemical aphrodisiacs to make enemy soldiers 'irresistibly attractive to one another.' The bizarre plan, formulated by the military's Wright Laboratory in 1994, was part of a six-year non-lethal weapons development project costing $7.5 million that was ultimately scrapped. A three-page document obtained by the Sunshine Project, an anti-biological weapons organization, details the laboratory's proposal for a bomb 'that contained a chemical that would cause enemy soldiers to become gay.' The scientists theorized that this would make their units 'break down' because 'all their soldiers became irresistibly attractive to one another.' Even though there was no legitimate evidence to suggest this would work, the Sunshine Project found that the Pentagon submitted the proposal to highest scientific review body in the country the National Academy of Sciences in 2002. The concept was crafted during a time when homophobia was generally more prevalent and accepted in the US than it is today, especially within the military. Indeed, when President Bill Clinton tried to lift the ban on homosexuals in the military, he was met with strong opposition from top military brass. But document itself describes the plan as 'distasteful' but emphasizes that it is 'completely non-lethal.' A three-page document obtained by the Sunshine Project, an anti-biological weapons organization, details the laboratory's proposal for a bomb that contained 'strong aphrodisiacs' that would cause enemy soldiers 'to become gay' In addition to the aphrodisiac bomb, which the media stylized as the 'gay bomb' in the early 2000s, the document lays out several other outlandish ideas. These include chemical bombs that would attract and aggravate stinging or biting bugs, rodents and other pests; or 'mark' soldiers with a scent so foul they could be easily identified as the enemy. But the scientists at the Wright Laboratory didn't stop there. In the years that followed, they also proposed chemical weapons that would make the enemy's skin highly sensitive to the sun, stimulated flatulence among the troops and even one that would give them 'severe and lasting' bad breath. The idea behind all of these proposed weapons was to distract or debilitate the enemy without killing them to give the US an advantage, but none of them ever came to fruition. In 2005, Captain Dan McSweeney of the Pentagon's Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate told the BBC that the Department of Defense (DoD) receives 'hundreds' of project proposals per year. 'None of the systems described in that [1994] proposal have been developed,' he said. But the scientists behind the 'gay bomb' did receive the IG Nobel Prize in 2007. This parody award recognizes unusual research that 'first makes you laugh, then makes you think.' The scientists behind the gay bomb theorized that its gases would make their units 'break down' because 'all their soldiers became irresistibly attractive to one another' (STOCK) The idea never came to fruition. But the scientists did receive the IG Nobel Prize in 2007, a parody award for unusual research (STOCK) The Wright Laboratory eventually merged into the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in 1997. Today, the ARFL is still actively working to develop non-lethal weapons. One major focus of this work is Directed Energy weapons: an umbrella term for non-lethal weapons that use focused-energy beams to damage or disable targets. 'Today, Directed Energy weapons are being developed by the US and its adversaries for land, sea, and air and space applications,' The Defense Innovation Marketplace states. For example, the DoD's Active Denial System (ADS) uses millimeter waves (a type of electromagnetic radiation) that interact with the water and fat molecules in a person's skin to create an uncomfortable heating sensation, according to the US Government Accountability Office (GAO). 'During testing, the discomfort persuaded individuals to move away from the area,' the GAO states. Residents in Alaska's largest city are bracing for a looming volcano eruption that scientists have warned could happen in a few weeks. Mount Spurr, an 11,000-foot-tall volcano, sits just 81 miles from Anchorage, which is home to nearly 300,000 people. When it blows, the event 'would be explosive,' Matt Haney, scientist-in-charge at the AVO previously told DailyMail.com, adding that it would spew multiple plumes of ash rising as high as 50,000 feet into the air. Each ash-producing explosive episode would last three to four hours, resulting in Anchorage and other nearby communities being engulfed in a giant cloud. Volcanic ash can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and cause more serious health issues for people with asthma, other forms of lung disease and severe heart problems, according to the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN). Residents have stocked up on N9-5 masks, latex gloves and jugs of water to prepare for the layers of ash, along with protective goggles, gas masks and booties for their dogs. 'We're getting ready for the volcanic eruption,' said TikTok user Angela ot'oydaatlno Gonzalez in a recent video, 'Check out the dogs.' Wearing a pair of goggles, she sits with her two dogs who are also sporting protective eyewear. 'They're not happy with the goggles,' Gonzalez says. 'We have to get them ear protection next, and something to cover their bodies.' Scientists warn Mount Spurr in Alaska could erupt within the next few weeks or months. It last erupted in 1992 (pictured) Anchorage locals have shared photos of their pups' protective gear on the Facebook page for a local pet shop, AK Bark, that is selling goggles and dog respirators She also shows all the items she has purchased over the last few weeks in preparation for a Mount Spurr eruption, including protective masks, dog booties and tape to close off any gaps in windows and doors and jugs of water. Gonzales is far from the only one making sure she and her pets will be safe. Anchorage residents Alliana Salanguit and Jesslin Wooliver told NPR that they bought protective gear for their dog, Iroh, as soon as scientists announced that Mount Spurr may erupt. 'I searched 'pink, dog goggles, small,' and it was the top result,' Salanguit said of Iroh's heart-shaped goggles. 'Aren't they darling?' On March 20, Anchorage officials raised the emergency planning level to Level 2, which means that they will ramp up communication with the public about the threat and public safety agencies will prepare to launch into eruption response protocols. The city has also issued safety recommendations for pet owners ahead of the possible eruption. Officials advised people to keep their animals inside as much as possible, have enough food and medication on hand to last two weeks, and be sure to brush or wash ash out of their fur if they do have to go outside. AK Bark, an Anchorage pet store sells protective eyewear for dogs, and owner Mark Robokoff told NPR he sold more than 500 pairs in March. The city of Anchorage has issued safety recommendations for pet owners ahead of the possible eruption Officials advised them to keep their animals inside as much as possible, have enough food and medication on hand to last two weeks, and be sure to brush or wash ash out of their fur if they do have to go outside He added that a shipment dog respirators is also headed to the store, and he's already presold 1,800 of them. Some locals have taken to the AK Bark Facebook page to share photos of their pups dressed in eruption gear. Over the last year, Mount Spurr has been experiencing increased seismic activity, ground-surface displacement and gas emissions, all of which are signs of an impending eruption. Seismic activity near Mount Spurr kicked off in April 2024, and in October, the rate of quakes increased from an average of 30 per week to 125 per week. In a Tuesday update, experts at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) wrote: 'Unrest continues at Mount Spurr volcano. Seismicity remains elevated with occasional small, shallow volcanic earthquakes detected beneath the volcano over the past day.' 'AVO continues monitoring activity at Mount Spurr for signals indicating that the volcano is moving closer to an eruption.' Since the beginning of the month, the US Geological Survey (USGS) has detected hundreds of small tremors within a 30-mile radius of the volcano. On April 2, a larger magnitude 3.7 quake struck near Petersville at 11:44am, about 30 miles north-west of Mount Spurr. This quake hit 65 miles below the surface an earthquake depth that would typically be associated with tectonic plate movement. Your browser does not support iframes. But since Mount Spurr is showing other signs of unrest, it's possible that this quake was linked to magma rising from deeper in the Earth's mantle. Scientists estimate an eruption could happen in the next few weeks or months. In addition to continuous seismic activity, Mount Spurr began releasing elevated levels of gas from its summit crater and a side vent on March 7. The emissions combined with the earthquakes and ground deformation has put scientists on alert. The volcano's summit crater hasn't erupted for 5,000 years, experts estimate. But its side vent, called Crater Peak, last erupted just 30 years ago. If Mount Spurr blows again, the eruption will most likely be from this side vent and will look similar to the 1992 event, Haney said. The volcano covered the entire city of Anchorage in an eighth of an inch of ash during this eruption. The skies darkened in the middle of the day due to the enormous cloud of dust and gas blotting out the sun, and the city's airport was forced to shut down for 20 hours. Crater Peak then erupted two more times, once in August and again in September. The Municipality of Anchorage reported nearly $2million in damages, office closures and cleanup costs from the August eruption, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. No one was killed by these events directly. But two heart attacks, one fatal, from shoveling ashfall were reported in Anchorage. If Mount Spurr's activity continues to ramp up, the next sign of an eruption will be a volcanic tremor, Haney warned. READ MORE: Can you spot the hidden bee in optical illusion in just 10 seconds? Ever since it was published in 1892, the rabbit-duck illusion has been perplexing viewers with its remarkable ability to shapeshift. Does it show a rabbit and then a duck, a duck and then a rabbit, only one of the two, or neither of them? According to claims circulating online, exactly what you see first can reveal a lot about your personality. For example, if you see the duck first, you're supposed to have high levels of emotional stability and optimism. But if you see a rabbit first, you allegedly have high levels of procrastination. So, is there actually any truth to these interpretations? Richard Wiseman, a psychologist at the University of Hertfordshire, set out to debunk the popular online claims. Here's what your answer to the popular optical illusion really says about you - according to science. Ever since it was published in 1892, the rabbit-duck illusion has been perplexing viewers with its remarkable ability to shapeshift. Does it show a rabbit and then a duck, a duck and then a rabbit, only one of the two, or neither of them? Known as the Rubin vase, this image can be perceived either as a white vase or two people facing each other. According to a 2022 article, seeing the faces first is associated with detail-oriented thinking, whereas seeing the vase first reflects spontaneous decision making For the study, Professor Wiseman and co-author Caroline Watt at the University of Edinburgh recruited 300 people between the ages of 18 and 79. The participants were presented with four popular ambiguous pictures that tend to circulate heavily online duck-rabbit, Rubin's vase, younger-older woman and horse-seal. Despite being social media favourites, they all date back quite a few years, including the rabbit-duck illusion which first appeared in an 1892 German engraving by an unknown artist. Rubin's vase, named after Danish psychologist Edgar Rubin, appeared in a late 19th century American postcard, while younger-older woman was in an anonymous German 1880 postcard. The most recent, horse-seal, was created by Gerald H. Fisher, a psychologist at the University of Newcastle, for a study back in 1968. According to Professor Wiseman, these four images are often subject to claims that how we perceive them reveals insights into our personality and thinking style. In each of the four images, participants stated the first thing they saw when they looked at it, whether it was, for example, duck, rabbit, neither or something else. They then completed questionnaires about their personality and thinking style, including optimism, procrastination, holistic thinking and decision-making. 'My Wife and My Mother-in-Law' is a famous ambiguous image, which can be perceived either as a young woman or an old woman. The oldest known form of this image is an 1888 German postcard Do you see a horse or a seal? This image was created in 1968 as a new stimulus to be used in research on ambiguous images What the four optical illusions REALLY reveal about your personality DUCK-RABBIT If you see the duck first, you likely have lower levels of emotional stability. If you see the rabbit first, you likely have with higher extraversion and conscientiousness. RUBIN'S VASE Perceiving the faces first is associated with higher levels of openness. YOUNGER-OLDER-WOMAN If you see the young woman first, you likely have more spontaneity, but lower levels of independent decision making. HORSE-SEAL Seeing the seal first is associated with higher intuitiveness and spontaneity. Advertisement Based on the results, the team then evaluated the psychological interpretations circulating on social media and websites. In the first image, seeing a duck first is allegedly linked with lower levels of emotional stability and optimism, whereas seeing the rabbit first is supposed to reflect higher levels of procrastination. In Rubin's vase, seeing the faces first has been linked with higher levels of 'detail-oriented thinking' the ability to focus on the specifics of a big task or project whereas seeing the vase first reportedly indicates higher levels of spontaneous decision making and lower levels of detail-oriented thinking. In the third image, seeing the old woman first is supposed to indicate higher levels of agreeableness and logical decision making and seeing the young woman first with higher levels of independent decision making. And in the fourth image, seeing the seal first purportedly reflects higher levels of detail-oriented holistic thinking and analytical decision making. Interestingly, most participants saw the duck, younger woman, vase and horse rather than the rabbit, older woman, faces and seal. More crucially, the results had little support for many of the claims made on social media and therefore 'constitute a new type of psychological myth', Professor Wiseman said. For example, there was no link between seeing the duck and procrastination or seeing the faces and being detail-oriented. Likewise, seeing the older woman first had no link with agreeableness and logical decision making, while seeing the seal first was not associated with detail-oriented thinking and analytical decision making. However, there were some links found between personality and perception, proving not all such claims are 'psychological myth'. For example, seeing the duck first was associated with lower levels of emotional stability and optimism, and seeing the rabbit first was correlated with being outgoing, sociable, diligent and meticulous. Meanwhile, perceiving the faces first in Rubin's vase was associated with higher levels of openness, while perceiving the younger woman first was associated with higher spontaneity. And seeing the seal first was associated with higher intuitiveness, as well as spontaneity. 'These are isolated but intriguing findings and should be followed up by other research,' added Professor Wiseman. The findings, published in the journal PeerJ, suggest the link between personality and image perception is not a total pseudoscience. But it does debunk some online claims, which may have been invented out of thin air. 'Future research could examine why these claims are popular despite being inaccurate,' the duo conclude. It's the go-to messaging app for more than two billion users around the world. And if you have WhatsApp, you may have noticed a subtle change this week. The Meta-owned app has quietly added a blue circle icon in the bottom-right corner of your chats. This icon is a shortcut to Meta AI - the tech giant's artificial intelligence-powered chatbot. 'Meta AI through WhatsApp is an optional service from Meta that can answer your questions, teach you something, or help come up with new ideas,' Meta explained. While the tool has been available in the US for some time, it recently started arriving in the UK - and many users are unhappy about it. 'Okay, how do I get rid of Meta AI in WhatsApp? The button is constantly hovering in the way and I will never ever use it,' one vented. Another joked: 'Can you remove that AI button from WhatsApp please before I throw my phone into the [Manchester] Ship Canal.' It's the go-to messaging app for more than two billion people around the world. And if you use WhatsApp, you may have noticed a subtle change in the app this week The Meta-owned app has quietly added a new blue circle icon in the bottom-right corner of your chats. This icon is a shortcut to Meta AI - the tech giant's artificial intelligence-powered chatbot While the tool has been available in the US for some time, it recently started arriving in the UK - and many users are unhappy about it The Meta AI button can be found in the bottom right of your chats, and is described by Meta as an 'assistant that people can engage with throughout their daily lives to enhance social experiences and unlock new possibilities'. 'Whether you need to settle a debate in a group chat, or have a burning question you want answering on the side, you can now use Meta AI as your very own assistant,' Meta explained. 'Start a chat with Meta AI directly for recipe suggestions by listing the contents of your fridge, or ask Meta AI for restaurant recommendations in a group chat for all to see the response.' Unfortunately, its addition hasn't gone down well with users. 'God I f***ing hate AI, now my WhatsApp has this f***ing AI button I cant remove, I hate it, I hate it, I HATE IT,' one user tweeted. Another wrote: 'Hey WhatsApp I do not want the Meta AI button on my WhatsApp! Its in the way. Ill never use it. 'In fact, Im more likely to switch from WhatsApp to another social messenger app before I ever use it. At least give users an option to disable it and get it off the screen.' And one joked: 'Massive ask AI button WhatsApp omg just leave me alone man. Bro I use WhatsApp to message work like in what world do I need AI for it STOP FORCING AI ON MEEE.' The Meta AI button can be found in the bottom right of your chats, and is described by Meta as an 'assistant that people can engage with throughout their daily lives to enhance social experiences and unlock new possibilities'. Unfortunately, its addition hasn't gone down well with users One frustrated user vents on X Another wrote: 'Hey WhatsApp I do not want the Meta AI button on my WhatsApp' One was so exasperated that they threatened to delete their WhatsApp to get rid of the button Some WhatsApp users even tried to ask the AI bot how to remove the button. Confusingly, the AI bot advised them to disable Meta AI within the app's settings - an option that doesn't actually exist. 'The AI feature in WhatsApp hallucinated about how to remove it and told me to change a setting that doesn't exist,' one user tweeted, alongside a screenshot of the interaction. The fact that there's no option to remove the AI bot has also raised alarm bells about privacy for some users. 'Is this some creepy spyware?' one user asked, while another said: 'I do not like AIs spying on my private conversations!' Thankfully, WhatsApp has reassured that your private conversations are safe. 'Meta AI can only read messages you share with it,' it explained. 'Your personal messages remain end-to-end encrypted, meaning no one outside of the chat, not even WhatsApp, can read, listen to, or share them.' READ MORE: 'Gate of the Gods' could reveal advanced Peruvian civilization Our world is full of many confusing oddities, from a 'UFO-like disc' in New Mexico to a secret 'doorway' in Antarctica. Now, people are being left concerned by a mysterious triangular tower stationed at Area 51 in the Nevada desert. The imposing sci-fi worthy structure, about 80 miles northwest of Las Vegas, is circulating online after being spotted on Google Maps. On social media, people have compared it to a skyscraper, an exhaust vent and even a Dyson air purifier. But its location at Area 51 is leading conspiracy theorists to speculate that it is somehow involved in alien contact. Area 51, the highly classified United States Air Force base and active military installation, is frequently linked with UFO theories and folklore. After a shot of the tower was posted to Reddit, one user said 'it's where the aliens test their various white powders'. Someone else posted: 'Obviously alien technology. It pops out when the Earth is done.' Visible on Google Maps, the unusual structure is stationed in a remote spot in Nevada, about 80 miles (130km) northwest of Las Vegas 'It was built to specifically provoke theoretical conversation,' another added. Facebook users also joked about the identity of the tower, with one person calling it 'a new version of Jenga', the popular British board game. Someone else remarked: 'That's my Samsung TV remote', while another said: 'That is the leaning tower of pizza'. One simply offered the description: 'Toblerone trade center.' Yet another said: 'The aliens are like we can help you out but we can't work in those square things you humans work in we need our tall triangle shaped building.' Others compared it to the tall revolving home air conditioners from the likes of Dyson, with one saying it is being used as 'the cure to global warming'. As noticed by other commentators, it has a similar aura to the mysterious monolith in Stanley Kubrick's sci-fi film '2001: A Space Odyssey'. On Google Maps, the unusual structure can be located simply by entering the coordinates in the search bar '37.24624 N, 115.82334 W'. As users can see, it's stationed in the remote spot in Nevada, about 80 miles (130km) northwest of Las Vegas, the state's largest city. The tower is located at Area 51 - leaving conspiracy theorists to speculate that it is somehow involved in alien contact It has a similar vibe to the black monolith in Stanley Kubrick's 1968 epic, '2001: A Space Odyssey' (pictured). The mysterious object arrives at Earth, causing confusion for startled primates What is the Area 51 tower? Google Maps were left perplexed when coming across the Area 51 triangular tower. Variously described as 150 feet and 190 feet in height, its construction dates back two decades. The tower is used for radar cross-section (RCS) testing, where aircraft or mock-ups are mounted to measure how detectable they are to radar. Advertisement It's adjacent to a vast network of buildings, cars and runways that form the highly classified region, officially called Homey Airport or Groom Lake. The tower has what looks like a long, looping dirt pile going around it in the shape of a noose and an imposing shadow from the Nevada sunshine leading one Facebooker to call it a 'very accurate sundial'. Curiously, Google Maps does not name the structure, and if users click on it they're only presented with a pop-up of its coordinates. However, there appears to be a rational explanation for the tower and it's not to do with aliens, global warming or the monolith from 2001: A Space Odyssey. The tower is used for radar cross-section (RCS) testing, where aircraft or mock-ups are mounted to measure how detectable they are to radar. One Facebook user explained: 'Its shadow and elevated position match the known appearance of this type of pylon structure used for mounting full-scale aircraft models or prototypes.' Variously described as 150 feet and 190 feet in height, it was reportedly constructed 20 years ago but only acknowledged by the US government in 2013. Largely due to US government secrecy surrounding its military efforts, the site will likely long continue to inspire such farfetched theories. The tower is located at Area 51 - leaving conspiracy theorists to speculate that it is somehow involved in alien contact (file photo) It comes shortly after a mysterious structure in a mountainous region of New Mexico took the internet by storm, sparking claims of UFOs. Google Map users spotted the large, white disc poking out from the ground at an elevation of 7,400 feet, with the coordinates 3424'21.6"N 10705'44.5"W. The structure was later identified as a rainwater catchment that has since been removed and replaced by a different structure.' Meanwhile, a mysterious 'doorway' spotted in Antarctica, just southeast of the Japanese-run Showa Station, sparked a similar wave of theories across the internet, with one describing it as 'bigfoot's vacation home'. Dozens of mini earthquakes have struck near a 11,000-foot-tall volcano in Alaska that experts fear is 'moving closer to an eruption.' The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) has detected 55 earthquakes in the past week, including several 'swarms' which are multiple quakes in quick succession. Officials say the increased seismic activity is a sign magma is rising beneath Mount Spurr, causing stress and cracking in the surrounding rock, leading to earthquakes. Emergency plans have hastily been put in place for the more than 300,000 residents of Anchorage, warning them to stock up on food, baby supplies and pet necessities as the eruption could disrupt supply chains and lead to delays in deliveries. The city's residents have gone on a buying frenzy of N95 masks, water jugs and protective gear as they brace for an eruption. When it blows, the event 'would be explosive,' Matt Haney, scientist-in-charge at the AVO told DailyMail.com, adding that it would spew multiple plumes of ash rising as high as 50,000 feet into the air. Each ash-producing explosive episode would last three to four hours, resulting in Anchorage and other nearby communities being engulfed in a giant cloud. While Anchorage is not within the impact zone, massive clouds of ash are likely to blanket the city and residents. Volcanic ash can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and cause more serious health issues for people with asthma, other forms of lung disease and severe heart problems The city of Anchorage, 80 miles from Mount Spurr, is home to around 300,000 people who are bracing for an eruption Your browser does not support iframes. The AVO shared on Friday: 'Volcanic unrest continues at Mount Spurr volcano and is characterized by ongoing earthquake activity. 'Seismicity remains elevated with about 55 earthquakes over the last week. While this is similar to the previous week, earthquake rates have shown variability during this current period of unrest.' The AVO also noted that ground deformation (the swelling or shifting of the volcano's surface) has paused recently, but this happened before in November and December and then picked back up again. Seismic activity near Mount Spurr kicked off in April 2024, and the rate of events increased from an average of 30 per week to an average of 125 per week in early October that has continued since. While the recent quakes are small, the swarms suggest pressure is building, cracks are widening and magma is moving. Mount Spurr was releasing elevated levels of gas from its summit crater and a side vent last month, which is an indicator of changes within the volcano, such as water being heated by magma deep underground. While the AVO said no sulfur dioxide emissions were detected in satellite data over the past week, 'cloudy conditions prevented views of the volcano most of the week.' 'AVO continues to closely monitor activity at Mount Spurr for signals indicating the volcano is moving closer to an eruption,' it added. The volcano's summit crater has not erupted for around 5,000 years, but its side vent, called Crater Peak, last erupted just 30 years ago. The 1992 eruption saw the entire city of Anchorage covered in an eighth of an inch of ash. Emergency plans have hastily been put in place for the more than 300,000 residents of Anchorage, warning them to stock up on food, baby supplies and pet necessities as the eruption could disrupt supply chains and lead to delays in deliveries The Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) recently sounded the alarm on Mount Spurr after observing elevated seismic activity. Pictured is Mount Spurr releasing gas on March 26 The volcano's summit crater has not erupted for around 5,000 years, but its side vent, called Crater Peak, last erupted just 30 years ago. The 1992 eruption (pictured) saw the entire city of Anchorage covered in an eighth of an inch of ash The skies darkened in the middle of the day and the city's airport was forced to shut down for 20 hours. When Mount Spurr blows, the eruption will most likely be from this side vent and will look similar to the 1992 event, Haney said. Back in February, scientists had warned Mount Spurr was likely to erupt in the next few weeks or months. On March 20, Anchorage officials raised the emergency planning level to Level 2, which means that they will ramp up communication with the public about the threat and public safety agencies will prepare to launch into eruption response protocols. The city has also issued safety recommendations for pet owners ahead of the possible eruption. Anchorage locals are also preparing their dogs for the eruption. They have shared photos of their pups' protective gear on the Facebook page for a local pet shop, AK Bark, which is selling goggles and dog respirators Officials advised them to keep their animals inside as much as possible, have enough food and medication on hand to last two weeks, and be sure to brush or wash ash out of their fur if they do have to go outside Officials advised people to keep their animals inside as much as possible, have enough food and medication on hand to last two weeks, and be sure to brush or wash ash out of their fur if they do have to go outside. Residents of Anchorage have not taken the warnings lightly and have purchases necessary gear for themselves and their dogs. 'We're getting ready for the volcanic eruption,' said TikTok user Angela ot'oydaatlno Gonzalez in a recent video, 'Check out the dogs.' Wearing a pair of goggles, she sits with her two dogs who are also sporting protective eyewear. 'They're not happy with the goggles,' Gonzalez says. 'We have to get them ear protection next, and something to cover their bodies.' She also shows all the items she has purchased over the last few weeks in preparation for a Mount Spurr eruption, including protective masks, dog booties and tape to close off any gaps in windows and doors and jugs of water. Anchorage residents Alliana Salanguit and Jesslin Wooliver told NPR that they bought protective gear for their dog, Iroh, as soon as scientists announced that Mount Spurr may erupt. 'I searched 'pink, dog goggles, small,' and it was the top result,' Salanguit said of Iroh's heart-shaped goggles. 'Aren't they darling?' AK Bark, an Anchorage pet store sells protective eyewear for dogs, and owner Mark Robokoff told NPR he sold more than 500 pairs in March. He added that a shipment dog respirators is also headed to the store, and he's already presold 1,800 of them. Daily Mail journalists select and curate the products that feature on our site. If you make a purchase via links on this page we will earn commission - learn more Looking to treat yourself, family, or loved ones to a last-minute Easter getaway? Whether youre after a week-long break or weekend stint, Skyscanner has an excellent selection of flights that wont break the bank. Available to book right now ahead of the bank holiday weekend and with flights starting from just 90 per person, these last-minute flights are ideal if youve waited until now to book a getaway to avoid high fares. London to Oslo - April 14 to April 20 - Return Enjoy a week in Oslo with flights from just 90 per person over the Easter long weekend. The capital of Norway, Oslo is a stylish, modern capital that blends architecture and culture with stunning natural beauty and excellent food options, nestled between fjords and forests. Shop When looking to book last-minute flights, Skyscanner is the ideal place to go. Allowing users to users find and compare deals on flights, hotels, and car rentals by searching across various travel providers, the site helps to ensure you get the best price on your next trip. You can even pick and choose arrival and departure airports, as well as airlines, to ensure your holiday suits your preferences to a tee. The travel site, which makes finding and booking your next trip streamlined, still has plenty of ideas on how to spend the Easter long weekend, with return flights from London coming in at well under 200 per person. One deal weve got our eye on is return flights to Oslo, leaving on Monday April 20 and returning on Sunday April 20. Costing from just 90 per person, these flights take you right to the heart of Norways stylish, modern culture without breaking the bank. Perfect for couples, families and more, this trip gives you plenty of time to explore the capital city (and use all the money you saved on flights as spending money!). From Greece to Italy, Norway and beyond, there's still plenty of time to snap up a last-minute getaway that won't break the bank The capital of Norway, Oslo is a stylish, modern capital that blends architecture and culture with stunning natural beauty and excellent food options, nestled between fjords and forests for jaw-dropping views at every turn. Whether youre exploring the Viking Ship Museum, enjoying a Scenic Fjord Cruise or simply tucking into the local cuisines, youre guaranteed an unforgettable trip. Another short break weve got our eye on is a long weekend in Gdansk, leaving on April 17 and returning on April 20. Coming in from just 106 per person, this long weekend trip to the historic Polish port city gives you ample opportunity to explore colourful Hanseatic architecture lining cobbled streets, centuries of maritime heritage and poignant war relics. Ready to find your next last-minute getaway over the Easter period? Check out our top picks below, or explore last-minute flights here. Last-minute Skyscanner flights to shop now A former veterinarian has revealed why she ditched her the profession and moved to LA 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 switching to life as a vet. She first entered the adult industry while getting her degree as a way to make some extra money, and saw a more promising future for herself in porn than as a vet. Pooches to porn: Former veterinarian Charlie Forde has revealed why she ditched her career to become a porn star She told DailyMail.com: 'Being a vet was so exhausting, and we have six time the national suicide rate. 'Fifty per cent of vets leave within the first five years of graduating. It's such a demanding job.' Training at veterinarian school, she battled sleepless nights and long hours for weeks at a time. She recalled: '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. '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 she suffered a car accident after a long night, which is when she knew things had to change. Charlie continued: '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. '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.' She started her career in the adult industry in Australia before moving to work in Europe where she signed with the biggest porn agent in the business, Mark Spiegler. Charlie said: 'I realized that I was doing something right, so I got a visa for America and the rest is history.' Tough work: Charlie said that vets have a high suicide rate and work grueling hours As well as working as an adult performer, Charlie started her own production firm, which has led to multiple nominations at the AVN Awards, or the Oscars of porn. 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.' And she says running her own company has helped secure her future, but she is cautious about encouraging others to follow in her footsteps. She explained: 'I do well on OnlyFans, but the average amount of money made from an average person on OnlyFans is about $400 a month. '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. '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.' Fun: Charlie said porn gave her space to 'do something fun for a change' Business-minded: Charlie was able to start her own production company in the business 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 RCVS said in a statement: 'Research suggests that suicidal ideation is not higher in the veterinary profession compared to the general population. 'However, we recognize 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.' Blake Lively's inner circle looks to be getting smaller after Lively's It Ends With Us costar, Isabela Ferrer deleted a series of photos she had previously posted that were related to the movie - as well as Lively - herself from her social media page. 'Isabela deleted her photos with Blake Lively at the advice of those around her,' a source told DailyMail.com exclusively. 'Blake wants to drag her into this lawsuit and asked her to back her up on her accusations of sexual harassment, but Isabela could not do this because she didnt personally see this,' the source said. Tough: Isabela Ferrer (above) has deleted photos of Blake Lively Battle: Blake Lively (right) has been embroiled in a legal drama with Justin Baldoni, 41, since December 2024 after she accused him of sexual harassment. Isabela (left) 'She was very naive when she was cast and everything to her was a privilege. She was so focused on her character that didn't have time to get involved in any gossip,' they added. 'She knows that defending anyone against accusations when she didnt see this herself could be very damaging to her career. She feels exploited and deleting her photos with Lively was no accident. The discovery was first brought to light by digital creator Elsie, who goes by @Elsrich, in a new YouTube video. She revealed with screenshots that on March 10, Ferrer still had the posts involving the movie up, while none appear today. Lively has been embroiled in legal drama with Justin Baldoni, 41, since December 2024 after she accused him of sexual harassment and launching a smear campaign against her. He denies the allegations and responded with a $400million lawsuit against the actress as well as filing a $250million libel lawsuit against the New York Times which reported on Lively's allegations. Lively and the New York Times deny his allegations. The creator claimed that Elise Ferrer deleted two photo carousels that included snaps of her and Lively from the It Ends With Us press tour. Elsie claimed that one of the posts even had a long caption that praised Lively for being her 'mentor.' Now, Ferrer's Instagram page has just a few photos of the project left - a series that included her posing in front of a floral wall at the movie's premiere, along with a few other snaps of her with fellow cast members including one with Lively, and a screenshot from a Deadline article announcing her role in the project. DailyMail.com reached out to Ferrer's reps for comment. In the movie, Ferrer played the younger version of Lively's character, Lily Bloom, and has been a fierce supporter of the actress. Residents in near Anchorage - Alaska's largest city - are bracing themselves for a volcano eruption with animals even being supplied with gas masks. Mount Spurr, an 11,000-foot-tall volcano, sits just 81 miles from Anchorage, which is home to nearly 300,000 people. Matt Haney, scientist-in-charge at the AVO previously told DailyMail.com the event 'would be explosive' adding that it would spew multiple plumes of ash rising 50,000 feet into the air. Huge: Mount Spurr in Alaska could erupt within the next few weeks and it last erupted in 1992 (pictured) Goodness: Anchorage locals have shared their dogs in protective gear Each ash-producing explosive episode would last three to four hours, resulting in Anchorage and other nearby communities being engulfed in a giant cloud. Volcanic ash can irritate the eyes, nose and throat, and cause more serious health issues for people with asthma, other forms of lung disease and severe heart problems, according to the International Volcanic Health Hazard Network (IVHHN). Residents have stocked up on N9-5 masks, latex gloves and jugs of water to prepare for the layers of ash, along with protective goggles, gas masks and booties for their dogs. 'We're getting ready for the volcanic eruption,' said TikTok user Angela Lot'oydaatlno Gonzalez in a recent video, 'Check out the dogs.' Wearing a pair of goggles, she sits with her two dogs who are also sporting protective eyewear. 'They're not happy with the goggles,' Gonzalez said. 'We have to get them ear protection next, and something to cover their bodies.' She also shows all the items she has purchased over the last few weeks in preparation for a Mount Spurr eruption, including protective masks, dog booties and tape to close off any gaps in windows and doors and jugs of water. Anchorage residents Alliana Salanguit and Jesslin Wooliver told NPR that they bought protective gear for their dog, Iroh, as soon as scientists announced that Mount Spurr may erupt. 'I searched 'pink, dog goggles, small,' and it was the top result,' Salanguit said of Iroh's heart-shaped goggles. 'Aren't they darling?' On March 20, Anchorage officials raised the emergency planning level to Level 2, which means that they will ramp up communication with the public about the threat and public safety agencies will prepare to launch into eruption response protocols. The city has also issued safety recommendations for pet owners ahead of the possible eruption. Officials advised people to keep their animals inside as much as possible, have enough food and medication on hand to last two weeks, and be sure to brush or wash ash out of their fur if they do have to go outside. AK Bark, an Anchorage pet store sells protective eyewear for dogs, and owner Mark Robokoff told NPR he sold more than 500 pairs in March. No chances: Pet owners have taken precautions ahead of the possible eruption Protecting: Officials have advised owners to brush or wash ash out of their fur He added that a shipment dog respirators is also headed to the store, and he's already presold 1,800 of them. Over the last year, Mount Spurr has been experiencing increased seismic activity, ground-surface displacement and gas emissions, all of which are signs of an impending eruption. Seismic activity near Mount Spurr kicked off in April 2024, and in October, the rate of quakes increased from an average of 30 per week to 125 per week. In a Tuesday update, experts at the Alaska Volcano Observatory (AVO) wrote: 'Unrest continues at Mount Spurr volcano. Seismicity remains elevated with occasional small, shallow volcanic earthquakes detected beneath the volcano over the past day. 'AVO continues monitoring activity at Mount Spurr for signals indicating that the volcano is moving closer to an eruption.' Since the beginning of the month, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has detected hundreds of small tremors within a 30-mile radius of the volcano. In addition to continuous seismic activity, Mount Spurr began releasing elevated levels of gas from its summit crater and a side vent on March 7. The emissions combined with the earthquakes and ground deformation has put scientists on alert. The volcano's summit crater hasn't erupted for 5,000 years, experts estimate. But its side vent, called Crater Peak, last erupted just over 30 years ago. If Mount Spurr blows again, the eruption will most likely be from this side vent and will look similar to the 1992 event, Haney said. If you're planning a trip to Hong Kong, West Kowloon deserves a spot on your itinerary. This neighbourhood offers the perfect mix of old and new Hong Kong where modern museums and cultural venues sit just minutes away from bustling markets and family-run shops that have been around for decades. What makes West Kowloon special is how easily you can experience both sides of the city. Spend your morning browsing world-class art, then grab lunch at a local noodle shop where the recipes haven't changed in 60 years. West Kowloon deserves a spot on your itinerary SPONSORED Watch a traditional Cantonese opera performance, then hunt for bargains at a lively night market. West Kowloon gives you an authentic taste of Hong Kong without having to choose between cultural attractions and local experiences. Here's what not to miss when you visit. Culture on the Harbour-front M+, a major museum of contemporary visual culture West Kowloon's waterfront is home to some impressive cultural venues. Start at the West Kowloon Cultural District, a large arts area right on the harbour. The standout attraction here is M+, a major museum of contemporary visual culture that showcases modern and multimedia art from Hong Kong, and beyond, in a striking building. Right next door, you'll find the Hong Kong Palace Museum, which displays hundreds of valuable Chinese artefacts on loan from Beijing - everything from ancient pottery to royal jewellery that you won't see anywhere else. The Hong Kong Palace Museum displays hundreds of valuable Chinese artefacts The Art Park is the perfect place to take in the view When you need a break, head to the Art Park - a lovely green space where you can stroll along the waterfront and enjoy incredible views of Victoria Harbour and Hong Kong's famous skyline. If you're visiting in the evening, try to catch a performance at the Xiqu Centre, a beautiful theatre dedicated to Cantonese opera that blends traditional art with modern design. Unexpected Discoveries Browse through art books at Broadway Cinematheque Mido Cafe is a 1950s diner that serves classic milk tea and French toast in a setting that feels like stepping back in time Some of West Kowloon's best spots are its lesser-known attractions. In Yau Ma Tei, you'll find colourful street art brightening up otherwise ordinary alleys - look for murals on shop shutters, including playful fruit designs near the old wholesale fruit market and a cool robot-themed piece on Shanghai Street. Film buffs should check out Broadway Cinematheque, a cozy independent cinema and cafe where you can watch art house movies and browse through art books. After that, step across the street to Mido Cafe, a 1950s diner with green tiled walls and old-school ceiling fans that serves classic milk tea and French toast in a setting that feels like stepping back in time. Fabulous Foodie Scene Try a bowl of noodles at Mak Man Kee - a 60-year-old local favourite West Kowloon is a foodie's paradise with everything from street eats to retro-cool restaurants. During the day, try a bowl of wonton noodles at Mak Man Kee, a 60-year-old local favourite known for its springy noodles in flavourful broth. For something sweet, visit a traditional herbal tea shop like Kung Wo Tong for guilinggao (a bittersweet herbal jelly that locals love in hot weather) or find a family-run stall selling homemade rice flour pudding. Temple Street comes alive with dai pai dong (open-air food stalls) setting up plastic tables under the night sky In the evening, the Temple Street area comes alive with dai pai dong (open-air food stalls) setting up plastic tables under the night sky. They serve everything from spicy crab and claypot rice to curry fish balls. Grab a beer, share a table with locals, and enjoy your meal under the glow of neon signs with the distinctive aroma of Cantonese cooking all around you. West Kowloon also offers plenty of dining experiences beyond street food. For something fun and unique, stop by CURATOR Creative Cafe at M+ museum. This stylish museum cafe features a state-of-the-art latte printing machine that can print full-colour images directly onto your coffee foam. You can even upload your own photo or artwork to create a personalised, social media worthy treat. Escape from the city buzz at Civic Square, a hidden rooftop retreat at Elements Mall Chef Ken Lau blends Asian and French cuisines at PANO For an escape from the city buzz, head up to Civic Square, a hidden rooftop retreat at Elements Mall. This open-air dining area feels miles away from Hong Kong's chaos despite being right in the middle of it. Check out Joia for Italian food with a twist, offering both indoor and outdoor tables perfect for groups. It's a breezy spot to recharge after exploring the neighbourhood. Hungry for something fancier? Try PANO (short for "panorama"), where the views are as good as the food. Chef Ken Lau blends Asian and French cuisines in this sleek two-story spot on the waterfront. Grab a table on the terrace for stunning harbour views. High End Shopping and Bustling Markets The Jade Market features rows of stalls selling jade bangles, pendants, and trinkets Shopping in West Kowloon offers a genuine local experience. In Yau Ma Tei, traditional craftsmen still work in old-school shops. Along Shanghai Street, you'll find stores selling handmade kitchen tools - from chopping blocks at Man Kee to bamboo steamers and sharp cleavers at Chan Chi Kee - the same items Hong Kong's cooks have used for generations. Nearby, the Jade Market features rows of stalls selling jade bangles, pendants, and trinkets. Even if you're not buying, it's fun to browse and chat with the vendors, who might explain which jade colours are considered lucky or demonstrate how they carve the stone. Temple Street Night Market is worth a visit for the atmosphere alone When evening comes, don't miss Temple Street Night Market, Hong Kong's famous night bazaar. Under strings of lights and neon signs, you can find everything from electronics to vinyl records and antiques. Street performers and fortune-tellers add to the lively atmosphere, and the scents of incense and food waft through the crowded market. Be prepared to haggle - it's all part of the fun! Elements Mall houses luxury brands, boutiques, an ice rink, and a premium cinema For a more modern shopping experience, visit Elements Mall near the ICC tower. This upscale complex houses luxury brands, boutiques, an ice rink, and a premium cinema - for an air-conditioned retreat from the busy streets outside. It's also a great place to take advantage of Hong Kong's zero sales tax. Epic Events and Festivals around Hong Kong Art Basel Hong Kong attracts serious collectors and art world insiders Why not time your trip to coincide with the city's most exciting cultural events? March brings Art Basel Hong Kong, the city's biggest international art fair, to Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre in Wan Chai. While it attracts serious collectors and art world insiders, it's also fascinating for casual visitors. The 2025 event will feature around 240 galleries from around the world, transforming the convention centre into a massive showcase of everything from famous 20th-century masterpieces to cutting-edge works by emerging artists. Even if you're not in the market to buy, it's a rare chance to see museum-quality art from across Asia and beyond all in one place. Until July 13, visit M+ to see "Picasso for Asia", which features 60+ masterpieces from the Musee national Picasso-Paris alongside works by Asian artists. The exhibition offers English tours and engaging displays showing how Picasso influenced art worldwide. Watch all the action at the Dragon Boat Festival this June On June 7 to 8, the Dragon Boat Festival brings excitement to the waterfront, where teams race dragon-headed boats to drum beats. Watch from the promenade along Victoria Harbour and tuck into traditional zongzi (sticky rice dumplings) sold by vendors during the races. The Hungry Ghost Festival brings free Chinese opera performances to outdoor bamboo stages throughout the neighbourhoods of Kowloon Later in the summer, the Hungry Ghost Festival (September 2025) brings free Chinese opera performances on outdoor bamboo stages throughout Kowloon neighbourhoods, with locals burning incense to honour their ancestors - a fascinating insight into local traditions. Finally, early October brings the Mid-Autumn Festival, when parks and promenades are decorated with colourful lantern displays. Families gather under the full moon to share mooncakes and light lanterns. Join a lantern walk or simply enjoy the hundreds of lanterns illuminating the night sky - a magical way to end summer in West Kowloon. To find out more visit discoverhongkong.com With its bountiful beaches, quaint seaside towns and delicious seafood, it's easy to see why millions of tourists choose Cornwall for a holiday every year. But before you pack up the car and head to the West Country, there are a few things you need to know, according to an expert who grew up in the area. Claire Martin has shared 12 things tourists should avoid doing on their trip to Cornwall on her blog Go South West England. Don't stay in Airbnbs Airbnb might be popular around the world but Claire warns that Cornish locals aren't quite so fond of the holiday rental company. She says that a rise in second-homes ownership has meant that local residents are struggling to afford houses in the area. Claire recommends searching for a local B&B, campsite, hostel or hotel instead. Don't walk too close to cliff edges Claire says that she recommends tourists hike part of the South West Coast Path while they're in Cornwall. Claire Martin has shared 12 things tourists should avoid doing on their trip to Cornwall on her blog Go South West England. Pictured above is Polperro Claire recommends visiting the Lizard in Cornwall instead of some of the more popular spots However, she warns visitors not to 'get too close to the cliff edges'. This is because the cliffs 'do sometimes crumble and collapse'. Don't drive too fast down country roads The South West's roads are notoriously narrow and can often 'only fit one car' down them, explains Claire. The expert adds that even though the speed limit is 60mph on some of the roads, it's best to 'monitor your speed'. Don't put cream on first A cream tea is top of the bucket list for many tourists heading down to the West Country. But you could commit a serious etiquette error if you put the cream on your scone before the jam in Cornwall. Claire explains that in Cornwall, the 'jam goes on first and then cream goes on top', whereas in Devon it's the opposite way round. Claire recommends visiting Falmouth (pictured above) for its 'food scene' Don't just visit Newquay or St Ives While Claire describes Newquay and St Ives as 'beautiful coastal towns', she reveals that there are many more places to explore in Cornwall. She recommends visiting the Lizard, a peninsula in southern Cornwall, Falmouth for its 'food scene' and Polperro which she describes as a 'charismatic fishing village'. Check out Claire's blog to find the rest of her suggestions. Don't visit in August August is when Cornwall is busiest and the 'roads are a complete traffic jam', explains Claire. She suggests travelling to the region in May or October half term instead if you have children. Don't walk on Bodmin Moor in bad weather Claire explains that it's 'very easy to lose your way' on Bodmin Moor, a granite moorland in north-eastern Cornwall Claire explains that it's 'very easy to lose your way' on Bodmin Moor, a granite moorland in north-eastern Cornwall. The expert says that it's best to only attempt to tackle the moor on a 'clear day'. Don't eat in front of seagulls It's no secret that seagulls love Cornish pasties. So if you're tucking in on the beach, you'll need to keep your eyes peeled for attacks from above. Claire explains that seagulls stealing food happens a lot, 'especially in St Ives'. Don't park your car on the beach As surprising as it might seem, Claire explains that people park on the beach every year. The expert says this is never a good idea as the car will end up 'taken out by the tides'. Don't swim when there's a red flag on the beach Areas such as St Ives (pictured above) can get extremely crowded during the summer months Claire explains that tourists should never swim in Cornwall when there's a red flag flying at the beach. Doing so could be extremely dangerous. The RNLI explains that a red flag 'signifies a severe hazard' and means that 'people should not enter the water'. Watch out for 'dreckly' Claire explains that 'dreckly' is Cornish slang that means 'at some point in the future'. That means that if someone in Cornwall tells you something will be done 'dreckly', you might be waiting a while. Don't ignore Cornwall's culture and heritage Cornwall has 'a very unique culture and identity', says Claire, with a 'lot of different customs and culture from the rest of England'. The expert explains that it's important to be 'open-minded and listen to what people have to say'. With summer on the horizon, shorts season is also just around the corner. But throwing on your favourite pair for your next flight could be a big mistake, according to a flight attendant. Tommy Cimato (@tommycimato), took to TikTok to warn passengers against exposing their legs on a plane. The cabin crew member says: 'You never know how clean the seat is going to be - so if you have pants (trousers), you're going to have less germs.' And shorts aren't the only clothing item that you might want to avoid wearing on your next flight. Sliders (slip on sandals), flip-flops and heels are also a big no-no, according to another flight attendant. Andrea Fischbach, an American Airlines flight attendant, said the shoes could put passengers in danger if there's an emergency. The flight attendant told Who What Wear: 'I would really advise against high-heels, or flip-flops or any slides, mostly for safety purposes. But throwing on your favourite pair of shorts for your next flight could be a big mistake, according to a flight attendant The cabin crew member says: 'You never know how clean the seat is going to be - so if you have pants, you're going to have less germs' 'If there is an evacuation and slides are required, your high-heels have to come off, as they can puncture the slide.' Airlines will usually warn passengers that they'll need to remove their high-heels to use the slide in the safety video at the start of the flight. And another aviation expert has advised passengers against removing their shoes at all on a plane. Christine Negroni told The Sun: 'If you escape an aircraft, the floor could be very hot or cold, it might be covered in oil or on fire, or in a cornfield, you won't want to be barefoot.' Passengers might also be at risk of putting their bare feet on a dirty aircraft floor if they remove their shoes. For many, the cost of moving to another country - from placing a deposit on a new home, to paying for international movers, to navigating costly currency transfers - can quickly become overwhelming. But what if some countries are willing to sweeten the deal by paying you to move there? It might sound too good to be true, but some nations are actively incentivising relocation - and one South American country is going the extra mile, offering up to 77,000 in funding to select newcomers. Start-Up Chile is a government-backed program in Chile that provides funding, mentorship, and resources to foreign entrepreneurs. The program is designed to bring in global talent and boost the local economy by supporting early-stage businesses, especially in tech. As well as a year-long visa and a co-working space, Start-Up Chile gives out equity-free funding, meaning entrepreneurs dont have to give up a share of their company. The funding ranges from $20,000 (15,270) to $100,000 (77,000) - with one founder reporting that they received around $70,000 (53,400) in total. However, there are a number of conditions: in return for equity-free funding, participants must move to Chile and work from the program's facilities. Start-Up Chile is a government-backed program in Chile that provides funding, mentorship, and resources to foreign entrepreneurs To stay in the program, participants must also earn 4,000 "social capital" points by mentoring others, giving talks, or attending events - all part of a system designed to boost collaboration and knowledge-sharing. Due to the popularity of the program, the application process is highly competitive, and not all applicants are selected. Participants should also equally prepare for an extensive application process, as detailed by Growth Mentor. It starts with an in-depth online form of around 200 questions, followed by a one-minute video pitch, and if possible, a demo of the product or service. A referral letter from someone who has already taken part in the program is also required. Those who make it to the next stage are then invited to a 15-minute interview. The program has helped launch over 1,600 startups and has attracted big names like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, which set up operations in the country in the last decade. While relocating to a new country is a big step, for many entrepreneurs, especially those in tech, Chile's offer could be the opportunity of a lifetime. The program is designed to bring in global talent and boost the local economy by supporting early-stage businesses, especially in tech Meanwhile, Italy is offering families 23,000 to move to the idyllic regions of Sardinia and Calabria - but there's a catch. The offer is a move from the Italian government to repopulate areas of the nation that are seeing populations decline due to an exodus of young Italians moving to larger cities or overseas for work - meaning the towns from which they hail are somewhat left behind. In response to the decline, the government is inviting overseas citizens to move to Italy - but they will only receive the 23,000 if they choose to live in one of nine small villages with a population of 2,000 people or fewer. While some might be put off by the idea of living in a sleepy Italian village, others may be enticed by the cash incentive and stunning scenery. The BBC has revealed that Bargain Hunt is set to be involved in a major show shake-up after making a huge announcement on social media. Bargain Hunt's official X account revealed that David Fergus and Serhat Ahmet have joined the team as the show's brand new experts. Ceramics expert Serhat has over 30 years of antiquing experience and sources trades in 18th, 19th and 20th century porcelain - making him the perfect addition to the programme. The announcement read: 'It's a massive welcome [to] one of our new brilliant experts - it's @SerhatAntiques! Welcome to the #BBCBargainHunt team, Serhat. 'Catch Serhat's first episode on Monday 14th April, when he's shopping with his blue team in #Exeter.' Sharing a video of Serhat, he introduced himself as he told fans: 'I'm Serhat Ahmet. I'm from London and I'm a dealer in European porcelain. BBC has revealed that Bargain Hunt is in major show shake-up after sharing a huge announcement on their X account Bargain Hunt's official X account revealed that David Fergus (L) and Serhat Ahmet (R) have joined the team as the show's brand new experts 'I am really excited to be joining the Bargain Hunt expert team. What an honour. What a privilege!' The other newbie Dave isn't a stranger to the television world as he previously hosted Cash In The Attic with Jules Hudson. He's classified as an auctioneer and studio glass valuer. In a second post they marked Dave's exciting news with the caption: 'Please give a huge welcome to our other new expert on #BBCBargainHunt. 'It's @1davefergus! You can watch David's first programme on #BankHoliday Monday 21st April when he guides his blue team in King's Lynn.' In the clip he said: 'I'm a glass collecting auctioneer and valuer from Staffordshire. 'I'm absolutely delighted to have been asked to join the Bargain Hunt team as one of the new experts.' The much-loved programme, which sees teams buy items and try and sell for profit, hit our screens in 2000. The show took to Twitter to share the exciting announcement with fans Tim Weeks (pictured right) with Luke and Lisa as part of the blue team in a previous episode of the much-loved programme The duo will be joining a team of 19 other experts. Some of those include Ben Cooper, Catherine Southon, Charles Hanson, Colin Young and Irita Marriott. Izzie Balmer, John Cameron, Jonathan Pratt, Kate Bliss and Mark Stacey also appear on the programme as experts. Nick Hall, Ochuko Ojiri, Philip Serrell, Raj Bisram, Richard Madley, Stephanie Connell, Thomas Forrester and Tim Weeks will be also be joining the newbies on the show. Bargain Hunt has run over 1875 episodes across 70 seasons. David Dickinson presented the show between 2000 and 2004. Tim Wonnacott fronted the programme between 2003 and 2016. And the past eight years have seen the team of experts host the series instead. It comes after a volunteer on the show revealed a obstacle to filming you never see on the show but is a NIGHTMARE behind the scenes. The earlier part of the show often involves intense negotiations and frantic conversations with antique sellers as guests look to secure an early advantage by buying three items with a maximum of 300. All is not as it seems, however, with the volunteer explaining the nightmare obstacle to filming that causes this sequence to drag on. They said: 'We had an hour that a runner has a stop watch to keep track of. Time was paused for retakes and interactions with the crew. Bartering actually happened but a lot of time was the crew interacting with vendors that did or did not want to be on camera. 'Some of them didn't want their stuff on camera too so we couldn't buy it.' Bargain Hunt airs on BBC. An Antiques Roadshow guest was left stunned by the eye-watering value of a book she purchased for around 4. A previous episode of the American version of the show saw members of the public bring on their heirlooms and collectables to be evaluated. One guest asked expert Francis J. Wahlgren to take a look at a first edition of Anne of Green Gables. 'My daughter was about 10 years old when we started reading the Anne of Green Gables series and then at a flea market I saw this book and I thought, 'Perfect! We'll take it',' she explained. The guest revealed she had only paid $5, which converts to around 4. She said: 'I don't think it was any more than $5, it's only a book.' An Antiques Roadshow guest was left stunned by the eye-watering value of a book she purchased for around 4 which expert Francis J. Wahlgren (pictured) evaluated The guest (pictured) revealed she had only paid $5, which converts to around 4. She said: 'I don't think it was any more than $5, it's only a book.' The guest asked expert Francis J. Wahlgren to take a look at a first edition of Anne of Green Gables Francis then delved into the history of the book and revealed it was written back in 1908. 'It was written in 1908 by [Lucy] Montgomery. There were really a lot of boys books up to that time, but that was one of the first girls' books of the day and because of that it had a great audience, it took off and the series followed,' he said. The expert added: 'It's just one of the most beloved girls' books ever written and it really means a lot to people. 'And because it is a first edition book, they often didn't print many copies because the publishers aren't sure if this thing is going to take off. 'It turns out it was a huge success and everybody wanted the book, but to get a true first edition was very difficult.' Francis confirmed that the book was definitely a first edition and said: 'The book is dated on the title page 1908, and here it says 'First Impression, April, 1908.' 'That's very important because this marks it as the true first edition, and for a collector that means everything.' The detail greatly impacted the value of the book and Francis revealed: 'The last copy that sold two years ago for $20,000.' Francis confirmed that the book was definitely a first edition and said: 'The book is dated on the title page 1908, and here it says 'First Impression, April, 1908.' The detail greatly impacted the value of the book and Francis revealed: 'The last copy that sold two years ago for $20,000.' 'Copies rarely come up at auction and I've only handled three in my career, and this is in equally good condition to that one. 'I would estimate it safely between $12,000 to $18,000.' The woman was visibly shocked and commented: 'My daughter is not going to believe it. Thank you very much, I appreciate it.' It comes as antoher Antiques Roadshow guest was stunned into silence after an expert revealed the eye-watering value of her paintings. 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. 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. She continued: 'So today at auction, I'd put a value of 8,000 to 12,000 on this one.' The cast of The White Lotus have called the seven-month shoot in the heat of Thailand 'intense', 'claustophobic' and a 'Truman Show social experiment'. Mike White flew his cast to the Four Seasons Resort on Koh Samui, where they both stayed and filmed the third season. And whilst the setting was intense, thanks in part to the stifling Thai temperatures, the blurred boundaries between work and play meant the friendships formed during filming also took on an unusual closeness. Jason Isaacs who plays troubled family patriarch Tim Ratliff, has summed up the shoot as 'a cross between summer camp and Lord of the Flies but in a gilded cage'. Aimee Lou Wood, who plays the tragic fan favourite Chelsea, meanwhile has described how the cast 'wrap and walk five steps to your room. You're living where you're filming. It is the Truman Show'. And there is one intense friendship circle at the centre of the cast bond. The cast of The White Lotus have called the seven month shoot in the heat of Thailand 'intense', 'claustophobic' and a 'Truman Show social experiment with intense friendships formed - pictured Walton Goggins, Aimee Lou Wood and Leslie Bibb on set Walton and Sam Rockwell, who guest starred as Frank, ave been close friends for 15 years after meeting on the set of 2011 movie Cowboys and Aliens Walton Goggins, who stars as doomed Rick, his onscreen lover Aimee Lou, Leslie Bibb, who plays Kate, and Sam Rockwell, who guest starred as Frank, have a tangled web of friendship. Walton and Sam have been close friends for 15 years after meeting on the set of 2011 movie Cowboys and Aliens. Despite Sam's partner of 18 years Leslie starring in White Lotus, it was his pal not his girlfriend who made sure Sam signed up for his scene-stealing role on the show. Leslie has admitted that whilst she tried to persuade her boyfriend, who was juggling filming another project in South Africa at the time, to say yes to Mike White Walton was the one who ultimately convinced him. 'I think [it was] Walton really, because they're very good friends, wanted to have that experience with him,' she told InStyle. But Walton called that experience of working with his best friend both a 'positive and a negative' admitting he had 'anxiety' about living up to his 'hero'. 'He has been one of my best and dearest friends over the last 15 years of my life. So that is both a positive and a negative in the sense that we haven't worked together since then,' Walton mused to Vanity Fair. 'Further complicating this collaboration is that Sam is my hero. He's really one of the guys in my generation that I look up to, and he knows that. So coming into this experience, there was a certain amount of anxiety, meaning I didn't want to let my friend down.' Mike White flew his cast to the Four Seasons Resort on Koh Samui, where they both stayed and filmed the third season Despite Sam's partner of 18 years Leslie starring in White Lotus, it was his pal not his girlfriend who made sure Sam signed up for his scene-stealing role on the show Before his friend Sam got to set, Walton leaned on his close bond with Sam's partner Leslie, who he has regularly referred to as his 'sister' in interviews After cementing her bond with Walton, Leslie then drew Aimee Lou Wood into the circle In the end the two relalised that the relationship between their characters Rick and Frank mirrored a lot of their own feelings for one another. 'We talked a lot right before he got there about what that relationship symbolizes, where they fit into each other's lives. And the very first day on the set, there was a comfort and a level of listening and respect and genuine love and affection for each other that permeates their entire friendship.' Before his friend Sam got to set, Walton leaned on his close bond with Sam's girlfriend Leslie, who he has regularly referred to as his 'sister' in interviews. Leslie seemed to provide Walton with a safe, known haven, as has admitted he gave himself the challenge of isolating himself on set, in part because of his method style of working. Speaking on The White Lotus companion podcast, the actor explained how 'showing up to work every day with 18 people and a green room that's full of chairs of 18 people that are in a much different place emotionally than I am at the beginning of the story was very difficult More often than not, my chair is separate.' The two actress' revealed their closeness on set led to them sharing rooms, throwing parties together and holidaying in Tokyo during a break from filming Aimee has confessed that she, Leslie and Walton dubbed themselves the 'Scorpio three' on set, thanks to their shared star signs 'I sit on my own. I do my own thing But I just couldn't, I couldn't be around them. They didn't understand why I was there. This guy is isolated And that wasn't any fun, you know, to separate yourself from a group in that way. That was really, really challenging.' After cementing her bond with Walton, Leslie then drew Aimee Lou Wood into the circle, with the two actress' revealing their closeness on set led to them sharing rooms, throwing parties together and holidaying in Tokyo during a break from filming. Aimee has even confessed that she, Leslie and Walton dubbed themselves the 'Scorpio three' on set, thanks to their shared star signs. 'We had a group called Jackson Browne, because we used to just sit and listen to Jackson Browne, drink cocktails and eat fries,' she spilled. Leslie shared equally glowing words about the trio's friendship, gushing to Elle that 'Aimee Lou has become so kindred with me, and Walton is like family. I cant see anything happen to them.' Whilst Walton, Aimee Lou, Leslie and Sam have all gushed about their tight bond during filming, some of those friendships have fragmented since the shoot wrapped But whilst Walton, Aimee Lou, Leslie and Sam have all gushed about their tight bond during filming, some of those friendships have fragmented since the shoot wrapped. This week fans speculated that Walton has blocked Aimee Lou on Instagram, amid rumours of a huge feud. Aimee Lou, who boasts 2.6m Instagram followers, has been passionately sharing behind the scenes photos and reposts from her co-stars throughout the third season, with Walton also sharing his own set memories. And in their posts they have both enthusiastically tagged their co-stars - every one but each other. They are both still following all the other cast members from the show. Several online gossip sites have posted blind items purported to be about the pair which has fuelled speculation of a falling out. Now, Reddit, TikTok, and X are full of threads dedicated to theories about why the pair may have had a behind-the-scenes falling-out. One user shared on Reddit: 'I feel like no one is talking about the falling out of them? This week fans speculated that Walton has blocked Aimee Lou on Instagram, amid rumours of a huge feud 'They unfollowed each other on Insta a couple weeks ago, Walton posts White Lotus stuff and tags everyone in the photos except Aimee Lou Wood, posts a whole tribute to White Lotus and still doesn't tag her, posts tons of pictures of her on his story in a commemorative tribute to the show. What happened?' Another X user wrote in amazement: 'Aimee Lou Wood follows 5,160 people on instagram and none of them are Walton Goggins On X, one viewer weighed in on an album of behind-the-scenes photos Walton had posted to Instagram. 'Walton Goggins not tagging Aimee but tagging everyone else WHAT HAPPENED,' they wrote. Particularly perplexing to some fans was how Walton had apparently posted a sweet and extensive set of photos of himself and Aimee to his Instagram Stories, set to the soundtrack of a famous break up song. 'Obsessed with Walton Goggins posting an 18 slide instagram story of photos of him and Aimee Lou Wood set to Silver Springs by Fleetwood Mac.' one X user wrote in astonishment. For almost two decades, Farmer Wants a Wife has stayed true to its family-friendly roots - first at Channel Nine at the helm, then Seven. With promos promising 'real families' and 'real love' with G-rated scenes sure to put a smile on your dial, what's not to enjoy? Well, while Seven's matchmaking series may be made of sugar, spice and everything nice, recent seasons have seen a secret ingredient stirred into the mix: drama. With producers desperate to compete against Nine's ratings monster Married At First Sight, it seems each year the wholesome reality romance spits out a new scandal. This year is no different with season 15 set to launch on April 21 following months of controversial headlines - beginning with star presenter Samantha Armytage leaving Seven and resurfacing as the host of Nine's Golden Bachelor. But that's not the only setback making 'FWAW 15' a cursed season. We can reveal one of the farmers behaved so wildly during filming that he was scrubbed from the final edit, and another farmer 'pulled a Honey Badger' by not picking a winner at all. Presenter Samantha Armytage leaving Channel Seven's Farmer Wants a Wife and resurfacing as the host of Nine's Golden Bachelor isn't the only setback to befall the cursed 'FWAW 15' Samantha Armytage takes her ratings with her Former Sunrise host Samantha Armytage was the metaphorical golden goose when she was cast as the new face of FWAW in 2023. While die-hard fans of the show raged over the injustice of long-time star Natalie Gruzlewski being quietly demoted to make way for a bigger name, producers plugged their ears and watched with glee as ratings shot up by an impressive 16 per cent. Sam, 48, leveraged this success to bag herself a bigger paycheck hosting The Golden Bachelor on rival station Nine, after spending just two seasons on the farm. Now, just a week and a half out from the debut of Farmer's new season, there is 'unease' at Seven with Natalie, 48, back in her old job as the main host. Whispers have spread through the network that reappointing Natalie as the face of FWAW could be seen as a step backwards for Seven's reality TV 'crown jewel'. 'The fact that Natalie was quietly demoted in 2023 to make way for a bigger name hasn't been forgotten, especially by long-time supporters of the show,' an industry insider tells Daily Mail Australia. Back then, the switch to Sam was hailed as a power move - and it paid off. Scaling back the role of long-time host Natalie Gruzlewski (pictured) proved successful. Now Sam is gone and Nat is back - and network insiders are worried the show will lose its buzz With her star power and no-nonsense style, the former breakfast TV anchor boosted ratings massively, giving the show a much-needed second wind. 'Sam brought serious buzz,' the insider adds. 'Her name alone generated headlines and helped draw in a broader audience.' But now, with Natalie back in the hosting chair, there's quiet concern the show could lose some of that momentum. 'If the ratings dip, don't be surprised if Farmer Wants A Wife starts shopping around for another high-profile name [for presenter],' says the source. 'There's a lot riding on this season.' One Seven insider even suggested Natalie Barr could get the 'tap on the shoulder' if FWAW needs a saving in 2026. For now, all eyes are on Natalie to see if she can win over both the farmers and the audience - all over again. Honey Badger 2.0 Farmer Bert Harris has rugged good looks, a heart of gold and a pineapple farm straight out of a rom-com. But his quest for love on FWAW last year doesn't go quite to plan, says our source. When sparks failed to fly with any of the women vying for his heart, he made a decision that stunned producers - and created a headache for the upcoming season. 'He pulled a Honey Badger and walked away from the show alone,' an insider reveals, referring to Nick Cummins' infamous exit from The Bachelor in 2018 after he dumped both finalists, Sophie Tieman and Brittany Hockley, and left the show single. Bert made his swift exit before the end of filming after realising he simply was not developing real feelings for the remaining women. 'Look, he's a nice guy and at least he was honest and true to himself, but it's not the kind of ending Channel Seven loves,' adds our source. 'They want love stories audiences can believe in. But Bert didn't want to fake it.' And despite some behind-the-scenes panic, Bert apparently has no regrets. When sparks failed to fly with any of the women vying for his heart, farmer Bert Harris (left) made a decision that stunned producers: he chose no one and pulled a 'Honey Badger' (right) 'He still stands by his choice,' the source says. 'He's single, and he's proud he stayed true to himself.' According to production insiders, the real issue may have been the casting. 'The women selected for Bert were great TV - but not great matches for him personally,' according to a crew member. 'They were there to bring the drama, and Bert saw through it pretty early.' While the women didn't do anything wrong, 'they played their roles perfectly', adds our source. The dynamic just wasn't right for the easygoing farmer. Our insider continues: 'We misjudged him. We expected him to go along with more of the format, but Bert wasn't interested in playing a part.' Now, producers fear his departure could shake viewers' faith in the show as a 'factory that turns out real love stories every year'. Producers fear farmer Bert's departure could shake viewers' faith in the show as a 'factory that turns out real love stories every year' And while early teasers promise a return to wholesome romance, word from the inside hints otherwise. 'This next season is full of fireworks, shock exits, mass walkouts, tears, tantrums it's chaos,' says our spy. 'If fans are expecting a quiet country courtship, they're in for a surprise.' Farmer gets scrubbed Readers of Inside Mail will already be familiar with the saga of Jack Rowlandson. We've been telling you since December there was trouble brewing with the 26-year-old bull rider, and that was proven when the promo for this year was one farmer short. But for those who are still in the dark about the reality TV star who never was, the short story is this: he enjoyed a few too many tumbles in the hay and was scrubbed from the final edit as a result. The long story is this... Readers of Inside Mail will already be familiar with the antics of Farmer Jack Rowlandson, 26 Farmer Jack, who hails from the tiny town of Oberon about a two and a half hour drive west of Sydney, was a lot looser than producers had expected. During the nine-week shoot, rather than taking the slower, more chaste approach of farmers gone by, he was intimately linked to two different women. One of his flames was, naturally, a female contestant on the series (who, as an aside, was later revealed to have a spicy side hustle). The other was a random interloper Jack met during production. She, we are told, was well-aware he was taking part in a reality dating show when she had a fling with him. Fortunately, his 'journey' with the two ladies didn't overlap. Now, while producers were willing to overlook Jack's misbehaviour and turn it into juicy, MAFS-style television, the problem quickly became much more complex. Compromising photos soon surfaced of the rodeo rider and word is that Jack was so distressed by the idea the images might be made public that he tried to have them deleted before the producers learned of their existence. This photo of party boy Jack was taken during filming. Other images allegedly in circulation spooked the production company and prompted them to fire off a sternly worded legal letter But they found out anyway. Cue a meltdown as Eureka Productions, which makes the show for Seven, scrambled to contain the scandal, even getting lawyers to fire off an urgent legal letter to the show's entire cast on November 17 warning them all hell was about to break loose. The fiery missive advised contestants Eureka was aware of 'photos and recordings taken during the production period' which may constitute 'Intimate Images, as defined under the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW)'. It went on to say said images may have been 'distributed between participants on the Program and also to external parties'. This, of course, is a serious crime, commonly referred to as revenge porn, and punishable by three years' jail or a hefty fine of up to $11,000. Daily Mail Australia is not suggesting anyone involved in FWAW has committed a crime, only that the production company was sufficiently concerned about the possibility of a crime having taken place to send out a legal warning to participants. The letter concluded: 'If you are in possession of an Intimate Image, whether of a participant from the Program or not, you must not distribute it via any means and you must delete it immediately. 'Failure to comply with this direction may have serious legal consequences.' Eureka Productions got lawyers to send out this urgent legal letter to the show's entire cast on November 17 warning them all hell was about to break loose For his part, we understand Jack categorically insists he never consented to posing for nude images in the first place - let alone them being shared. We were also told police were never called in to conduct a formal investigation or interview any of the parties involved. The entire ordeal wound up being a costly ordeal for Jack and Eureka. The production company poured tens of thousands of dollars into re-shooting key sequences to cover the open wounds left by Jack's unexpected exit. Insiders said the unforeseen expenses had a devastating impact on the show's bottom line at a time when it was also reeling from Armytage's defection to Nine. As for Jack, the last time we heard from him he was disappointed to have abandoned his actual farm duties for more than two months so he could be filmed around the clock for the show only to be completely cut from the program at the eleventh hour. This video is no longer available This video is no longer available READ MORE: Presenter caught in ANOTHER embarrassing moment live on air Advertisement Peter Overton has opened up about why he spat out a throat lozenge while live on air presenting Nine's evening news bulletin. The gaffe occurred just minutes into Thursday night's bulletin as the newsreader was crossing to political editor Charles Croucher. Peter, 59, revealed on the Kyle & Jackie O Show on Friday that the soothing lozenges had been a constant on-air companion since having throat surgery, from which he returned to work in February. 'I had vocal cord surgery earlier this year because I had a big polyp on one of my vocal cords,' Peter explained. 'So I always have a little packet of Throaties on the little table next to the seat.' Peter admitted that the gaffe was partly the result of misreading the bulletin's run sheet. Peter Overton has opened up about the on-air gaffe that saw him spit out a throat lozenge in the middle of a live cross 'I thought [finance editor] Chris Kohler was throwing to his package out of the cross, but I clearly misread the rundown and I had to go to Charles Croucher,' Peter revealed. 'The old lozenge I thought, "I'll park it in the back tooth, it'll be right," and it sort of came out.' After sympathising with Peter over the embarrassing gaffe, Jackie 'O' Henderson offered her take on the situation. 'You could tell the lozenge had been sucked down to a thin wafer - it was almost gone a that point,' she said. Peter then revealed he was unaware that the lozenge was visible on camera. 'You could see it, could you? I haven't even looked back,' the newsreader quipped. The gaffe occurred just minutes into Thursday night's Nine News Sydney bulletin as Peter was crossing to political editor Charles Croucher 'I thought [finance editor] Chris Kohler was throwing to his package out of the cross, but I clearly misread the rundown and I had to go to Charles Croucher,' Peter revealed on the Kyle & Jackie O Show on Friday When Kyle Sandilands asked the newsreader what the higher ups thought, he said they were fine. 'The boss just said to me, "you're human, Peter. That's what we love about you",' he said. The Channel Nine veteran was introducing a segment by the political editor when the lozenge slipped out of his mouth. 'And Nine's political editor Charles, oh excuse me, Charles Croucher joins me from Canberra. Charles, good evening to you,' Peter 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, Peter - who celebrated 35 years with Nine network on April 5 - was forced off air to undergo emergency surgery on his vocal cords after doctors discovered a polyp. He revealed that he noticed his voice was becoming 'husky and raspy' while on annual leave, which prompted a visit to the GP. He was referred to an ear nose and throat specialist, who quickly ordered surgery to remove the polyp. 'The old lozenge I thought, "I'll park it in the back tooth, it'll be right," and it sort of came out.' Peter is pictured with wife Jessica Rowe Peter was recently forced off the air for more than a month after having surgery to remove dangerous polyp on his vocal cords '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,' Peter told News Corp. 'And I saw this. It was like a big blister, a lump just hanging off the cord. He added he was terrified by the ordeal, especially because the surgery left him unable to talk for a week. 'I must admit, it scared the living daylights out of me,' he said. 'So I was operated on three days later and they lasered it off. Then I was in hospital for a day, and then home, and then no talking for over a week.' He added that being unable to talk required quite the adjustment. 'It was interesting being mute,' he said. 'If I went to get the milk, Id write an email to myself and it would say Id have to show it to someone!' The broadcasting veteran added he had been seeing a speech pathologist as part of his recovery. Shazam! star Zachary Levi and his girlfriend Maggie Keating have announced the arrival of their first child together. The couple are now parents to a son named Henson Ezra Levi Pugh. Levi, 44, and Keating shared a photo of their newborn child along with details of his birth. 'Henson Ezra Levi Pugh,' the Instagram post caption read. 'Born into our world on 04/02/25. Thank you for everyones continued love and prayers over the three of us. We cant wait for you to meet our little man!' In the adorable photo, baby Henson wore a white onesie that read 'Best thing to come out of 2025' as his parents cooed over him. Henson's name means 'Son of Henry', according to Ancestry.com. The moniker comes from the Old English name of Henry, which the website notes 'translates to ruler of the household or estate ruler.' Shazam! star Zachary Levi and his girlfriend Maggie Keating have announced the arrival of their first child together, a baby boy named Henson Ezra Levi Pugh The couple announced Keating's pregnancy in December 2024 In Medieval times, 'Henson' indicated the individual was the son of Henry. The joyous addition comes several months after Levi made headlines after controversially endorsing then-candidate Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. Levi announced Keating's pregnancy in December 2024. Alongside a photo of them cuddling on the beach and a sonogram of their unborn baby, whom he called their 'little bambino,' he wrote an emotional, lengthy caption about being a soon-to-be father for the first time. He revealed that they planned to wait until the birth to find out their baby's gender and asked for 'original, but not too original' name suggestions. 'I've wanted to be a dad since I was literally a kid,' shared the Shazam! star. 'I've always felt that call on my life,' he continued. 'This desire in my heart. A strange feeling of incompleteness by not having that level of love and responsibility in my journey.' He said that he always believed 'the best years' of his life would be when he 'finally' became a father. 'But deep down I knew that there were things in my life that needed to shift before I was ready for the blessing of something so special and the responsibilities that come with it,' he shared. Levi said that he started to make attempts to change his life for the better the prior year, and that's when he met Keating. Levi played superhero Shazam in the action films 'So last November I started to make some shifts in my life,' he recalled. 'Shifts that ultimately came down to loving and valuing myself more. Prioritizing my own health physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. 'And lo and behold, immediately things started to manifest for the better,' he shared. 'And very quickly God brought a brilliant, honest, grounded, and deep love into my life thru the angelic form of @maggiekeating. In his caption, he gushed about the America's Next Top Model alum and their connection. The actor shared his baby's sonogram when announcing his girlfriend's pregnancy in a joint post with her In his caption, he gushed about the America's Next Top Model alum and their connection 'A wonderful woman on the same journey of self-discovery and love, ready to step into a new and amazing chapter of life with me. So, we did.' 'We can't wait for y'all to meet our little bambino,' he continued. It is unknown when the couple met and started dating. Zachary's new addition comes less than a year after he endorsed Trump for president. The actor - who criticized the president back in 2020 - stated he planned on voting for him back in September, while hosting Team Trump's Reclaim America Tour. In a recent interview on The Megyn Kelly Show, Levi, who first slung his support for then-presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., said he 'felt peace' when coming forward with his support despite the possible consequences in his acting career. Zachary and his girlfriend shared various bump snaps during her pregnancy He made headlines last year after he endorsed then-candidate Donald Trump for president 'I felt peace because I knew that this was more important than saving my career,' he told Kelly of moving forward with supporting Trump at the event. 'I think that we too often fall into these paradigms, these thought processes of self-preservation, and it is not good. 'We need to be wise and we want to survive and we want to live and flourish and all those things, but we cant merely make decisions off of, "Well I hope nothing bad happens to me." You've got to sacrifice.' Emma Corrin oozed sophistication in a sheer tulle gown as they joined Paul Mescal at the Cartier VIP dinner. An array of stars headed to London's V&A Museum on Thursday for the lavish dinner in South Kensington. Among those was The Crown star Emma, 29, who turned heads in a striking grey and black tulle gown. The daring strapless dress featured a full skirt and sheer panelling exposing their skin underneath, and Emma accessorised with black ballet pumps, a huge diamond ring and a diamond necklace. Meanwhile Normal People star Paul, also 29, looked dapper as he sported a tux for the occasion. The Irish actor looked relaxed as he posed with his hand in his pocket showing off his fitted high-wasited trousers and patent shoes. Emma Corrin oozed sophistication in a sheer tulle gown as they joined Paul Mescal at the Cartier VIP dinner at the V&A Museum on Thursday Among the stars was The Crown's Emma, 29, who turned heads in a striking grey and black tulle gown The stars were last pictured two years ago in January 2023 for the press night of West End's A Streetcar Named Desire's afterparty in London. Paul donned a black suit for the bash after taking to the stage in the role of leading man Stanley in the production, with The Daily Mail's Patrick Marmion praising his 'beast off the leash' performance. Meanwhile, actor Emma looked stylish as they wrapped up in a black turtle-neck jumper and matching trousers for the night out. Keeping his look simple, Paul sported a pair of black trousers and a matching blazer - which he layered over a beige shirt. He wrapped an arm around Emma, who had come by to support their pal and flashed a smile for some snaps. The Crown star, who is non-binary and goes by they/them pronouns, had bright blonde cropped locks and shielded their eyes with rectangular sunglasses. Emma was also taking to the stage in the West End at the time as they took part in racy play Orlando at London's Garrick Theatre. It comes hours after Netflix announced Emma had been cast Elizabeth Bennet for its upcoming six-part limited series based on Jane Austen's beloved 1800s novel Pride & Prejudice. Meanwhile Normal People star Paul, also 29, looked dapper as he sported a tux for the occasion The Irish actor looked relaxed as he posed with his hand in his pocket showing off his fitted high-wasited trousers and patent shoes The daring strapless dress featured a full skirt and sheer panelling exposing their skin underneath The duo looked glamorous as they attended they star-studded fashion event They also posed for a snap with Cartier's communications director Arnaud Carrez and Laurent Feniou, managing director of the brand Emma accessorised with black ballet pumps, a huge diamond ring and a diamond necklace (Seen with Marisa Abela) Meanwhilem Marisa Abela looked nothing short of sensational in a plunging shirt and wide-leg black trousers She added a satin belt to cinch in her waist and accessorised with an array of glitzy jewellery Joining Emma are Slow Horses' Jack Lowden portraying Mr. Darcy, and Oscar winner Olivia Colman taking on the role of Mrs. Bennet. The adaptation will be penned by Dolly Alderton and directed by Euros Lyn, who will also serve as an executive producer alongside Emma. Filming for the series will begin later this year in the UK. Speaking about the new series, Dolly said in a statement: 'Once in a generation, a group of people get to retell this wonderful story, and I feel very lucky that I get to be a part of it.' She continued: 'Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is the blueprint for romantic comedy it has been a joy to delve back into its pages to find both familiar and fresh ways of bringing this beloved book to life.' Emma added: 'Playing Elizabeth Bennet is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. To be able to bring this iconic character to life, alongside Olivia and Jack, with Dolly's phenomenal scripts, is truly the greatest honour. 'I can't wait for a new generation to fall in love with this story all over again.' The stars were last pictured two years ago in January 2023 for the press night of West End's A Streetcar Named Desire's afterparty in London Paul donned a black suit for the bash after taking to the stage in the role of leading man Stanley in the production In November, it was reported that Emma was set to follow in Keira Knightley's footsteps with a lead role in the fresh Netflix adaptation. A source told The Sun: 'Dolly is working on a Pride And Prejudice script for Netflix and thinks Emma would be perfect to play Elizabeth. 'She is a big fan of Emma's work, most notably in The Crown where Emma played Princess Diana. 'Dolly is also very progressive and forward-thinking, so thinks that having a non-binary star in the role would be a brilliant move.' She never puts a foot wrong when it comes to fashion. And Love Island's Grace Jackson stunned in a plunging multicoloured dress as she attended a fashion event in Manchester on Thursday night. The reality star, 26, strutted her stuff to the Murci fashion launch at Dear Sailor along with best pal Harriett Blackmore. Grace boosted her height with gold heels and wore her long blonde tresses in loose waves. Harriett, 24, meanwhile opted for a strapless gold dress covered in lace detailing as she put on a typically confident display. Joining the duo were the likes of Love Island's Patsy Field, Nicole Samuel, Jess White, Amy Kenyon and Traitors star Leanne Quigley. Love Island's Grace Jackson stunned in a plunging multicoloured dress as she attended a fashion event in Manchester on Thursday night Harriett Blackmore, 24, meanwhile opted for a strapless gold dress covered in lace detailing as she put on a typically confident display. Joining the duo were the likes of Love Island's Patsy Field, Nicole Samuel, Jess White, Amy Kenyon and Traitors star Leanne Quigley It comes after Grace's boyfriend Luca Bish was slammed by fans for his over the top method of asking her to be his girlfriend recently - which bore a striking similarity to the way he asked his ex-girlfriend Gemma Owen to be 'official'. The Love Island stars found love on the latest series of All Stars earlier this year and came runners-up to winner Gabby Allen and Casey O'Gorman. As Luca took things to the next level with the blonde bombshell, eagle-eyed fans have spotted several similarities between his latest OTT gesture to the one he did for ex Gemma after meeting on the ITV2 show the first time around. Luca and Grace enjoyed a lavish getaway to Abu Dhabi and during the trip he hired someone to set up a stunning floral beach private dinner, which looked near enough identical to the red roses date he prepared for Gemma. The arrangement featured a pathway of roses on the beach and a neon sign at the end of the walkway with the question: 'Will you be my gf?' Luca also arranged a romantic candlelight dinner for his new girlfriend overlooking the ocean as the sun set. However, several fans rushed to the comments to claim the romantic set up was a copy and paste version to the one he did for Michael Owen's daughter Gemma. In 2022, fans pointed out that the former fishmonger's set up for Gemma resembled 'a proposal' with a huge red rose display, cello player and videographer to capture Luca asking the question. Love Island's Jess White wore a leggy pink number Jessy Potts joined Harriett for the night out Patsy wore a busty black dress MAFS star Amy Kenyon and The Traitors star Leanne Quigley Nicole wore a busty cut-out black and white dress As well as the romantic setup, Luca surprised Gemma with a gorgeous bunch of red roses and a 6.5k Cartier bracelet to add to her collection. While the international dressage rider, then 19, cut a glamorous figure in the montage clip as she donned a black midi dress as Luca escorted her out to a swimming pool filled with red balloons floating in the water which read 'be my girlfriend'. Fans of the show, were quick to comment, according to The Sun, on how similar the two romantic gestures are, with one person writing: 'It is basically the exact same as what he did for Gemma' 'Anyone who remembers the Gemma girlfriend proposal...this is just more of exactly the same'; 'Could've done something different rather than do basically the same thing you did for your ex'; 'Wtf how is that not an engagement? Why are these people so ridiculous? They'll be split within a year anyway.' At the end of 2022, MailOnline revealed Gemma and Luca's breakup, with a source close to the couple saying: 'Gemma and Luca have decided to part ways. Leanne put on a leggy display Rebecca Gayheart revealed the truth about the state of her marriage to Eric Dane just one day before news of his devastating ALS diagnoses was announced. The Grey's Anatomy star, 52, confirmed Thursday that he's been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which is a rare and incurable degenerative condition that impairs the nervous system over time and causes the muscles to increasingly suffer from paralysis. In a statement, Dane expressed how grateful he is to have his 'loving family by [his] side' as he battles the debilitating condition. Last month, he and wife Gayheart who share two young daughters shocked fans by calling off their divorce. And Gayheart recently provided insight into their rekindled relationship as they prepare to grapple with his ailing health as a family. While attending a screening of The Carters: Hurts To Love You on Wednesday night, the actress, 53, told E! News that she and Dane are still the 'best of friends.' Rebecca Gayheart revealed the truth about the state of her marriage to Eric Dane just one day before news of his devastating ALS diagnoses was announced; the couple seen in 2018 While attending a screening of The Carters: Hurts To Love You on Wednesday, the actress, 53, told E! News that she and Dane are still the 'best of friends' 'We are best of friends. We are really close. We are great coparents,' she said of Dane at the event. 'We really figured out the formula to staying a family and I think our kids are benefiting greatly from it and we are as well,' she added. The actress didn't divulge into specifics about their seven year split, but still she refused to look at that time apart as a 'failure.' 'I think it's important to not look at a relationship that ends as a failure. It's just a season. It wasn't a failure. It was a huge success,' she said. 'We were married for, I mean, we are still married, but together for 15 years and we had two beautiful kids so I think that's a successful relationship, and that's how we look at it,' she said. Gayheart also revealed that her both of her daughters have taken an interest in modeling and acting. Dane and Gayheart are parents to daughters Billie Beatrice Dane, 15, and Georgia Geraldine Dane, 13. 'They both talk about it, but they're too young yet,' Gayheart revealed on the red carpet. 'We are best of friends. We are really close. We are great coparents,' she said of Dane at the event Rebecca stood by Eric through various personal problems, including his rehab stay in 2011; pictured in 2017 the year before she filed to end the marriage Rebecca and Eric tied the knot in 2004, two years before he landed his fan favorite role as Dr. Mark Sloan aka 'McSteamy' on Grey's Anatomy. They stayed together through the scandal that erupted five years into their marriage when a home video leaked of them frolicking naked with an ex-beauty queen. Six years later in 2017, Eric entered treatment for depression, resulting in a filming pause on his action drama series The Last Ship. The following year, Rebecca filed for divorce on grounds of irreconcilable differences, and the pair agreed on joint custody of their daughters with Eric paying alimony. However, the divorce was never finalized throughout the seven-year split. The actress filed to dismiss the divorce back in early March 2025, though they were both linked to other romantic partners recently. Dane was spotted with 27-year-old Priya Jain back in January, while Gayheart had been linked to Hard Rock Cafe founder Peter Morton, 77. Gayheart was first spotted with Morton back in September 2023, and they were even seen in together in early March 2025 at the Chanel pre-Oscar party, just days before she called off the divorce. Meanwhile, Dane was spotted having a dinner date with Jain back in November, though neither Dane nor Gayheart have spoken about those relationships. 'We are best of friends. We are really close. We are great coparents,' she said of Dane at the event Gayheart seen with her and Dane's two daughters Billie Beatrice Dane, 15, and Georgia Geraldine Dane, 13 Given that the divorce was never finalized over the seven-year split, there were also rumors of reconciliation over the years. Gayheart made no mention of Dane's ALS diagnosis during Wednesday's E! News interview. Dane publicly announced the shock health news Thursday in a heartbreaking statement to PEOPLE. 'I have been diagnosed with ALS,' Eric, 52, said. 'I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter.' 'I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week,' said Eric, a longstanding star of the HBO series. 'I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time. ALS has been colloquially known in America as Lou Gehrig's disease ever since it claimed the life of the beloved baseball player in 1941 when he was just 37. About half of ALS patients have a life expectancy of three years after the initial onset of symptoms, though some can survive for decades. Sandra Bullock's longtime love Bryan Randall succumbed to ALS in 2023 after a three-year battle, and SpongeBob Squarepants creator Stephen Hillenburg also died of the condition in 2018 just one year after announcing his diagnosis. Stephen Hawking was another sufferer of ALS, living with the illness for more than half a century before dying at the age of 76 in 2018. Just two months ago, R&B diva Roberta Flack - whose hit singles included Killing Me Softly With His Song - died aged 88 after sharing publicly in 2022 that she had developed ALS. The actress didn't divulge into specifics about their seven year split, but still she refused to look at that time apart as a 'failure'; the couple seen with their girls in 2016 Gayheart made no mention of Dane's ALS diagnosis, which he publicly announced in a heartbreaking statement to PEOPLE; Dane seen in 2024 Eric is pictured in a group shot for Grey's Anatomy with his co-stars (from left) Ellen Pompeo, Patrick Dempsey and Sandra Oh Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): Details of fatal disease there is no cure for What is it? Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurogenerative disorder which impacts the nerve cells in the spinal cord and the brain, according to the Mayo Clinic. It gets progressively worse and causes significant muscle control loss in people who have it. Treatment There is no cure for ALS and the disease is fatal, but it progresses at different speeds in patients. Symptoms The first signs of ALS are twitching of the muscles, weaknesses of the limbs and problems with swallowing and speaking. Progressively, it deteriorates muscle control and impacts an individual's ability to breathe, move, speak and eat. ALS symptoms correspond with where nerve cells deteriorate in each person, and could lead to issues walking, tripping, and weakness of the knees, ankles and hands. It can also lead to problems with muscle cramps and twitching in areas including one's tongue, arms and shoulders. People with ALS have experienced untimely spells of laughter, tears and yawns, as well as changes to one's thinking process or behavior, according to the clinic. Risk factors Among the risk factors researchers have established for ALS include genetics, as about 10 percent of people diagnosed with it were passed down a gene from a relative, which is called hereditary ALS, according to the clinic. Kids of people who have hereditary ALS have a 50 percent chance of having the gene. Age is also a factor as the risk of getting the disease trends up toward the age of 75, with the most common range of people who have it between 60 and 85. In terms of gender, men are diagnosed with a higher rate of ALS prior to the age of 65, according to the clinic. Other factors that have been linked to ALS include smoking and exposure to toxic substances. The clinic reported that military personnel have been diagnosed with ALS at a higher rate. Causes There is no known cause of ALS, according to the Mayo Clinic, and heredity plays a factor in a small number of cases. Lou Gehrig was one of baseball's preeminent stars while playing for the Yankees between 1923 and 1939. Known as 'The Iron Horse,' he played in 2,130 consecutive games before ALS forced him to retire. The record was broken by Cal Ripken Jr. in 1995 Lou Gehrig's Disease As well as being known as ALS, it is frequently referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. Lou Gehrig was a stalwart first baseman for the New York Yankees between 1923 and 1939. He was famous for his strength and durability, earning the nickname 'The Iron Horse' with a record-setting streak of 2,130 consecutive games. In a July 4, 1939 speech on Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day at Yankee Stadium, the ballplayer famously said, 'For the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth.' His popularity and fame transcended the sport of baseball. He died two years after his diagnosis on June 2, 1941. Advertisement Oscar-winning English actor David Niven was diagnosed with ALS in 1980 and died three years later at 73, while The Right Stuff star Sam Shepard lost his life to complications from the illness in 2017, also aged 73. Former NFL player Steve Gleason is still living with ALS after making his diagnosis public in 2011, three years on from his retirement from football. The cause of ALS is a process called neurodegeneration, in which motor neurones - specialist nerve cells in the brain and spine - begin to malfunction. Most people with ALS only start exhibiting symptoms in their 60s, though in very rare cases the condition can develop in people as young as teenagers. Early symptoms can include weakness in one limb that then spreads to a different one, or difficulty swallowing, or slurred speech, via Johns Hopkins Medicine. Over time, patients may start falling down, suffering from fatigue, losing motor skills, laughing or crying uncontrollably or feeling their muscles twitch and cramp. When the condition advances even further, someone with ALS can experience paralysis and have difficulty with functions as basic as swallowing or breathing. Alison Steadman was spotted out in a wheelchair, being supported by her partner, Welsh actor Michael Elwyn this week, after a recent fall. The Gavin & Stacey star, 78, suffered a suspected hairline fracture of her right leg and smashed her right hand in a fall at an event in the Dubai desert. She has been in a wheelchair and 'a lot of pain' since the drama in January, and was seen out for the first time on Thursday since returning from Dubai. Alison was wearing a large grey cast on her foot while sitting in a wheelchair, which was pushed by Michael, 82. She wore a white and black floral blouse and cream cardigan, teamed with leggings and a comfy sandal on her left foot. Despite the injury, Alison insisted her show must go on, and so she was wheeled on stage at the Emirates Airline festival of literature in Dubai to promote her memoir, Out of Character, just days after the accident. Alison Steadman was spotted out in a wheelchair, being supported by her partner, Welsh actor Michael Elwyn this week, after a recent fall The Gavin & Stacey star, 78, suffered a suspected hairline fracture of her right leg and smashed her right hand in a fall at an event in the Dubai desert She tripped and fell on a concrete walkway at an event called Desert Stanzas, in which authors and guests are driven 45 minutes out of Dubai into the desert to listen to poetry. Alison was walking to the buffet from an area where guests sit on cushions on the floor when she fell hard, smashing her right side. She said: 'The path was uneven and I went flying. At the hospital I had tablets for the pain. It's been terrible. 'I don't think I've broken my leg but I twisted it badly so there could be a hairline fracture.' Her leg, hand and wrist were bandaged and her right foot is in a boot to help it heal. It comes after Gavin & Stacey fans were left in total shock as they realised that actress Alison sounds completely different to her character Pam Shipman. Alison spoke as part of the documentary A Fond Farewell which aired on Wednesday night after the Christmas Day finale special. Many noticed she didn't have the strong Essex accent she is famous for on the show as they had never heard her speak not in character before. She has been in a wheelchair and 'a lot of pain' since the drama in January, and was seen out for the first time on Thursday since returning from Dubai She said: 'The path was uneven and I went flying. At the hospital I had tablets for the pain. It's been terrible' They penned on X: 'I keep forgetting that Alison does not actually talk like Pam. #GavinandStacey.', 'It always sh**s me up when the Gavin and Stacey cast have posher accents than in the show. I fully forget they're real people. #GavinandStacey.' Gavin and Stacey: The Finale drew in a whopping 12.5 million viewers to become the most watched show on Christmas Day. Viewers had been waiting for five years to learn the fate of the BBC sitcom's beloved characters and see if Smithy had accepted Nessa's proposal. The final episode was hailed 'perfect' by viewers, who were left in tears as the long-running show finally aired its last episode after 17 years. The BBC won the battle of the channels when it came to ratings as 10 million also tuned in to watch the return of Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl. The series, which debuted back in 2007 after being created by stars James Corden and Ruth Jones, concluded with on/off lovers Smithy and Nessa finally declaring their love for one another and tying the knot, but not without a few hiccups along the way. Smithy was originally set to wed his girlfriend Sonia, with it revealed he'd never given an answer to Nessa's proposal, which provided the cliffhanger to the show's 2019 Christmas Special. It comes after Gavin & Stacey fans were left in total shock as they realised that actress Alison sounds completely different to her character Pam Shipman But after the entire Shipman/West clan finally declared that he was making a mistake, Smithy finally declared his love for Nessa, proposing to her in an emotional scene at Southampton Docks. The episode then cut to Smithy and Nessa exchanging their vows at long last in an intimate ceremony in Barry, with the series ending with an emotional montage of the family marking the occasion at The Dolphin pub, before posing for a family snap together. James and Ruth also have a book about the show due out next Autumn called When Gavin Met Stacey and Everything in Between: A Story Of Love And Friendship. Despite ruling out a return to the series, James has said he wants to work with Rith again. He said: 'We don't know if we have another idea in us but I can honestly say that if we didn't attempt to try and even explore the idea of writing together then I'd be so disappointed.' Advertisement Married At First Sight bride Jamie Marinos appears to be smitten with her co-star Eliot Donovan following her split with her TV husband Dave Hand. The reality star, 28, was seen with a giant smile plastered across her face as she chatted to the former groom just a few days after the pair were discovered in bed together. Jamie, 28, who was initially paired with Dave Hand, and Eliot, 35, who was partnered with Veronica Cloherty, sent tongues wagging over the weekend after they shared a bed before Daily Mail Australia's exclusive reunion party. Now, Eliot has shared six TikToks filmed at the Ovolo Hotel in Woolloomooloo, confirming they spent Saturday night together. Fellow MAFS brides Awhina Rutene and Beth Kelly also appear in several of the cheeky videos. But the clip that really wound up the rumour mill is a stitch with Jamie's ex Dave, who had posted an innocent video of himself drinking a bottle of coconut water. Married At First Sight bride Jamie Marinos (right) appears to be smitten with her co-star Eliot Donovan (left) following her split with her TV husband Dave Hand 'Jamie loves coconut water,' one MAFS fan had commented on Dave's TikTok, inspiring a comedic response video from Jamie and Eliot. Seemingly confirming that the pair spent the night together, Jamie and Eliot filmed themselves cozied up in the hotel bed together wearing matching bathrobes and sunglasses. They each raised a bottle of coconut water in a cheers motion and captioned the video: 'Drinking coconut water alone is good... Drinking it together is even better.' 'Can confirm she does love @cocobella,' Eliot captioned the post. In another humorous clip, Jamie, Beth, and Awhina held middle fingers up 'to our ex-husbands and wives,' from the hotel room bathtub. The three single ladies perched together in the bathtub, with Eliot popping his head up from inside the tub at the end of the video. Eliot also tried his hand at a drag persona called 'Smelliota' as the foursome got glammed up together for the party. Jamie, 28, and Eliot, 35, sent tongues wagging over the weekend after they shared a bed before Daily Mail Australia's exclusive reunion party Jamie broke 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. '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. Jamie broke her silence on speculation about their relationship as she appeared on Nine's Today Show on Tuesday 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. 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.' 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 on Sunday 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.' 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. Advertisement Tammy Hembrow and Matt Zukowski appear to have brushed off split rumours by hitting the road for a romantic Australian getaway following weeks of speculation that their marriage was in turmoil. The social media personality, 30, put out a public call out for accommodation recommendations on Friday. Dressed in a low-cut white singlet and sitting in the driver's seat, Tammy asked her 17.2million Instagram followers to send her 'cute' suggestions for off-the-beaten-track accommodations in Brisbane, Gold Coast, Byron Bay, and Noosa. 'I always go to the same places so I really want to find something different. Even a cute Airbnb,' she said. 'Send them to me.' Meanwhile, her husband Matt, shared a carousel of images and videos from a luxury cabin in Tenterfield, NSW, on Thursday. 'Some RnR,' the Love Island personality, 29, captioned the enviable images of the couple's cabin set on sprawling farmlands. Tammy Hembrow and Matt Zukowski have hit the road for a romantic road trip getaway, following weeks of speculation that their marriage is on the rocks Tammy asked her 17.2million Instagram followers for accomodation recommendations in Byron Bay, Noosa, and on the Gold Coast and after Matt shared these photos from Tenterfield, NSW Matt shared a carousel of images and videos from a luxury cabin in Tenterfield, NSW, on Thursday, including an image of Tammy going for a walk with her daughter Posy In a sunset selfie he posed with an arm around Tammy's waist and grinned while she posed in a grey Boston sweatshirt, tiny pyjama shorts, and socks. The newlyweds enjoyed an outdoor fire pit, cuddled up with glasses of red wine to watch a film on their laptop, read books by the creek, cooked up a salmon for dinner, and enjoyed a stroll in the countryside. However, the low-key surroundings were no excuse for Tammy to dress down, with the influencer posting a sultry clip of her date night look in a SKIMS Slip Maxi Dress. Tammy pulled the figure-hugging neckline low across her prominent breast implants and accessorised the ensemble with a sleek bun and gold hoop earrings. Meanwhile Matt shared glimpses into the couple's private time by location tagging a stormy outing at Byron Bay lighthouse and walk along Wategos Beach on Thursday. It comes after Tammy reverted back to her maiden name on Instagram. Tammy and Matt married in November last year and Tammy changed her last name online to 'Zukowski' in honour of her new hubby after their nuptials. Then she added fuel to the fire by documenting a luxurious staycation with her three children and older sister Amy at the JW Mariott Gold Coast Resort and Spa despite owning a $2.88 million waterfront mansion in the area. However, the low-key surroundings were no excuse for Tammy to dress down, with the influencer posting a sultry clip of her date night look in a the SKIMS Slip Maxi Dress The newlyweds enjoyed an outdoor fire pit, cuddled up with glasses of red wine to watch a film on their laptop, read books by the creek, and cooked up a salmon for dinner Tammy hinted at issues with her husband when she shared a video to TikTok which showed her singing along to breakup anthem In a series of videos posted to her Instagram Stories on March 29, Tammy documented herself checking into the hotel and dining with her three kids. Matt did not appear in any of the videos. Tammy hinted at issues with her husband earlier that week, when she shared a video to TikTok which showed her singing along to breakup anthem Undressed by Sombr. 'I don't wanna kiss somone else's neck and have to pretend it's yours instead,' she sang. The influencer also took 'Mrs Zukowski' out of her Instagram bio, but now bizarrely appears to have put it back. It comes after Tammy unfollowed and then quickly re-followed her husband Matt on Instagram, after she was spotted crying recently. However, the pair quickly re-followed each other shortly after Daily Mail Australia contacted them for comment. The couple met after the former Love Island star slid into Tammy's DMs in 2023 and wed a year later in a stunning Byron Bay ceremony. Fans were delighted to spot one of daytime televisions most unforgettable scene-stealers out and about in Los Angeles, as the notoriously low-key actress made a rare public appearance. At 84, the soap iconbest known for her deliciously devious turn as Vivian Alamain on Days of Our Liveslooked vibrant and confident, flashing a knowing smile while out in a casual cardigan and black leggings. She may have been dressed down, but fans couldnt help but recall the over-the-top glamour and villainy of her Days alter ego, a character who buried rivals alive, schemed her way through Salem, and became a fan-favorite for her unapologetic flair. Beyond the soap world, she made her mark across primetime too, with roles on Bonanza, Charlies Angels, The Incredible Hulk, Hawaii Five-O, Knots Landing, and even Sabrina the Teenage Witch. She also had a principal role on The Don Rickles Show, showcasing her versatility across drama and comedy. Can you guess which legendary actress this is? Fans were delighted to spot one of daytime televisions most unforgettable scene-stealers out and about in Los Angeles , as the notoriously low-key actress made a rare public appearance At 84, the soap icon best known for her deliciously devious turn as Vivian Alamain on Days of Our Lives looked vibrant and confident, flashing a knowing smile while out in a casual cardigan and black leggings She may have been dressed down, but fans couldnt help but recall the over-the-top glamour and villainy of her Days alter ego, a character who buried rivals alive, schemed her way through Salem, and became a fan-favorite for her unapologetic flair If you guessed Louise Sorel, youre absolutely right! Sorel, born Louise Jacqueline Cohen in Los Angeles, grew up surrounded by showbizher father was a film producer and her mother, a concert pianist. She launched her stage career at just 15 and went on to train at the famed Neighborhood Playhouse in New York before polishing her French at the Institut Francais. Her Broadway credits include Take Her, She's Mine and Man and Boy, with memorable stage turns in The Lion in Winter and The Sign in Sidney Brusteins Window. Sorel made her film debut in The Partys Over (1965) and landed roles in cult classics like Plaza Suite, Crimes of Passion, and Airplane II: The Sequel. But it was on television that she became a household name, racking up over 50 guest appearances on primetime shows like Star Trek, Bonanza, Charlies Angels, The Fugitive, The Incredible Hulk, Knots Landing, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. She also had a lead role on The Don Rickles Show and popped up on TV movies and genre favorites alike. Her soap opera legacy began with her scene-stealing run as Augusta Wainwright on Santa Barbara, followed by a stint as D.A. Judith Russell Sanders on One Life to Live. If you guessed Louise Sorel, youre absolutely right! Her soap opera legacy began with her scene-stealing run as Augusta Wainwright on Santa Barbara, followed by a stint as D.A. Judith Russell Sanders on One Life to Live; (seen as Vivian Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives) But Sorel truly cemented her icon status as the wickedly unforgettable Vivian Alamain on Days of Our Lives, debuting in 1992 and returning repeatedly through 2023 From burying rivals alive to exchanging razor-sharp barbs, Vivian became a daytime TV legendand won Sorel five Soap Opera Digest Awards along the way; (seen in 1964) Beyond the soap world, she made her mark across primetime too, with roles on Bonanza, Charlies Angels, The Incredible Hulk, Hawaii Five-O, Knots Landing, and even Sabrina the Teenage Witch Sorel, born Louise Jacqueline Cohen in Los Angeles, grew up surrounded by showbizher father was a film producer and her mother, a concert pianist She launched her stage career at just 15 and went on to train at the famed Neighborhood Playhouse in New York before polishing her French at the Institut Francais Her Broadway credits include Take Her, She's Mine and Man and Boy, with memorable stage turns in The Lion in Winter and The Sign in Sidney Brusteins Window But it was on television that she became a household name, racking up over 50 guest appearances on primetime shows like Star Trek, Bonanza, Charlies Angels, The Fugitive, The Incredible Hulk, Knots Landing, and Sabrina the Teenage Witch Her soap opera legacy began with her scene-stealing run as Augusta Wainwright on Santa Barbara, followed by a stint as D.A. Judith Russell Sanders on One Life to Live But Sorel truly cemented her icon status as the wickedly unforgettable Vivian Alamain on Days of Our Lives, debuting in 1992 and returning repeatedly through 2023. From burying rivals alive to exchanging razor-sharp barbs, Vivian became a daytime TV legendand won Sorel five Soap Opera Digest Awards along the way. She also briefly joined Port Charles as diva Donatella Stewart and turned heads as Judge Kay Campobello on All My Children. In 2014, she joined the soap web series Beacon Hill, and despite being temporarily replaced on Days, fans rejoiced each time she made her grand return. Whether stealing scenes or chewing scenery, Sorels decades-spanning career has made her one of soap operas most dynamic and enduring queens. Radio royalty Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson took Melbourne by storm on Friday morning for their first-ever live broadcast from the city. Kyle, 53, and Jackie, 50, brought their wildly popular KIIS FM breakfast show to St Kilda Beach for a special $5million Dawn Dig giveaway. While the jaw-dropping prize pool had locals buzzing, it was Jackie who truly stole the spotlight, with her ageless beauty and flawless appearance. The media veteran, who recently celebrated her milestone 50th birthday, turned heads in two effortlessly stylish outfits that had fans gushing over her age-defying looks and natural charm. In one look, Jackie embraced a coastal chic aesthetic, donning a khaki bomber jacket, graphic tee and a beige pleated mini skirt, teamed with statement-making knee-high brown boots. With her oversized tan suede bag and signature blonde waves flowing, she looked every bit the fashionable icon while engaging warmly with fans. Radio royalty Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson took Melbourne by storm on Friday morning for their their first-ever live broadcast from the city Kyle and Jackie O brought their wildly popular KIIS FM breakfast show to St Kilda Beach for a special $5million Dawn Dig giveaway While the jaw-dropping prize pool had locals buzzing, it was Jackie who truly stole the spotlight, with her ageless beauty and flawless appearance The media veteran, who recently celebrated her milestone 50th birthday, turned heads in two effortlessly stylish outfits that had fans gushing over her age-defying looks and natural charm In one look, Jackie embraced a coastal chic aesthetic, donning a khaki bomber jacket, graphic tee and a beige pleated mini skirt, teamed with statement-making knee-high brown boots With her oversized tan suede bag and signature blonde waves flowing, she looked every bit the fashionable icon while engaging warmly with fans Later, she switched into a preppy navy ensemble, pairing a collared top with another pleated mini skirt this time in a darker hue as she took the mic on stage. Her confident presence and radiant smile made it clear she was in her element. Jackie's blonde locks were styled in loose, bouncy waves, cascading effortlessly around her shoulders. The presenter's makeup was kept soft and glowy think radiant skin, peachy blush and a pink-nude lip that complemented her sunny smile. Co-host Kyle Sandilands kept it cool and casual in an all-black look, repping a BOXA tee, matching pants and a snapback cap. The shock jock seemed relaxed and carefree, clearly enjoying the enthusiastic Melbourne crowd. The Dig event saw hundreds of hopeful listeners digging through the sand in search of life-changing prizes a KIIS FM spectacle that combined community excitement with unforgettable fashion moments. It comes after the radio stars continue to grow their market share in Melbourne. Later, she switched into a preppy navy ensemble, pairing a collared top with another pleated mini skirt this time in a darker hue as she took the mic on stage Her confident presence and radiant smile made it clear she was in her element Jackie's blonde locks were styled in loose, bouncy waves, cascading effortlessly around her shoulders The presenter's makeup was kept soft and glowy think radiant skin, peachy blush and a pink-nude lip that complemented her sunny smile Co-host Kyle Sandilands kept it cool and casual in an all-black look, repping a BOXA tee, matching pants and a snapback cap The shock jock seemed relaxed and carefree, clearly enjoying the enthusiastic Melbourne crowd In March, The Kyle & Jackie O Show achieved a small win in the Melbourne ratings, with the KIIS FM breakfast program earning a 0.1 per cent increase in the market share during the first survey of 2025. Sydney juggernauts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson have been embroiled in a ratings war since their multimillion-dollar expansion into the city saw ex-KIIS FM stars Jason 'Jase' Hawkins and Lauren Phillips get axed. Kyle was previously unapologetic about the April 2024 move, saying the station gave Jase and Lauren a 'good run', but 'they can't get over fourth in the radio ratings, so we'll take it'. However, Kyle and Jackie have struggled to make good on that promise over the past few months. The $5million Dawn Dig event saw hundreds of hopeful listeners digging through the sand in search of life-changing prizes It comes after the radio stars continue to grow their market share in Melbourne In March, The Kyle & Jackie O Show achieved a small win in the Melbourne ratings, with the KIIS FM breakfast program earning a 0.1 per cent increase in the market share during the first survey of 2025 Sydney juggernauts Kyle Sandilands and Jackie 'O' Henderson have been embroiled in a ratings war since their multimillion-dollar expansion into the city saw ex-KIIS FM stars Jason 'Jase' Hawkins and Lauren Phillips be axed Kyle was previously unapologetic about the April 2024 move, saying the station gave Jase and Lauren a 'good run', but 'they can't get over fourth in the radio ratings, so we'll take it' Last year, Kyle and Jackie took their radio show to Melbourne in a huge multimillion-dollar expansion deal But it appears 2025 may be a new opportunity for the pair to creep up in the ratings. Their rivals, who now host breakfast show Jase and Lauren on Nova, took a 1.4 per cent dip in survey one and now have a 10.1 per cent market share, knocking their show off the top spot. Meanwhile, between January 19 and March 1, Kyle and Jackie O have hopped up to a 5.1 per cent share. Last year, Kyle and Jackie took their radio show to Melbourne in a huge multimillion-dollar expansion deal. The move triggered the axing of Jase and Lauren's own KIIS FM breakfast show, which Sandilands said he was indifferent about. 'I don't care. That's why we went for Melbourne, we were like, "We've given this Jase and Lauren on KIIS FM a good run, it can't get over fourth in the radio ratings, so we'll take it,"' he told news.com.au at the time. He added The Kyle & Jackie O Show was moved to Melbourne because it was a 'market in trouble' and their program could attract listeners. Blake Lively is continuing to slam It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni amid their raging legal war. Lively and Baldoni have been locked in a court battle since December 2024 after she accused him of sexual harassment and launching a 'smear campaign' against her. He responded by filing a $400million defamation lawsuit against Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and Lively's longtime publicist Leslie Sloane. Baldoni also filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against the New York Times for its reporting on Lively's claims. All parties have denied the allegations against them. And as Lively and Reynolds attempt to get Baldoni's 'retaliatory' lawsuit thrown out, the actress' legal team is hurling more accusations the 41-year-old actor's way. On Thursday, Lively, 37, accused Baldoni and his legal team of using 'scorched earth litigation' tactics to silence sexual harassment accusers. Blake Lively is continuing to slam It Ends With Us director Justin Baldoni amid their raging legal war; Lively seen in March 2025 Lively and Baldoni have been locked in a court battle since December 2024 after she accused him of sexual harassment and launching a 'smear campaign' against her In a statement to Us Weekly, Lively's lawyers claimed that Baldoni is trying to 'tear down' California laws that were put in place to protect victims from being sued 'into oblivion' by their perpetrators. 'Mr. Baldoni has gone from monetizing a brand devoted to believing and supporting women, to leading the charge to tear down the very law that protects women who come forward about sexual assault, harassment and discrimination,' Lively's team's statement began. 'California's sexual harassment privilege, AB 933, was enacted to stop perpetrators of sexual harassment from abusing defamation lawsuits to sue their accusers into oblivion.' Team Lively continued: 'The chilling message scorched earth litigation sends to victims is stay silent or be destroyed.' Her attorneys then went on to mention the 'reply brief' that they filed Thursday on Lively's behalf as part of her ongoing attempt to have Baldoni's lawsuit dismissed. 'As demonstrated in the reply brief Ms. Lively filed today, the Wayfarer Parties' attempt to slap Ms. Lively with a retaliatory lawsuit for her decision to speak out against the sexual harassment she experienced on set has not only failed miserably but exposes them to substantial economic damages,' the statement continued. 'Ms. Lively will continue to show all victims that they are not alone, that they do not have to stay silent, and that the law is on their side.' According to Thursday's reply brief, which was also obtained by Us Weekly, Lively's lawyers stated that Baldoni and the 'Wayfarer Parties have tied themselves in knots trying to state a defamation claim against Ms. Lively that is not barred by the statute of limitations or wholly contained within her Legal Complaints, which they concede cannot form the basis of any actionable claims.' Lively's latest statement comes just days after insiders exclusively told DailyMail.com that she is now privately struggling with creeping 'regret' over her legal war with Baldoni. Last week, Justin accused Blake of staging a PR stunt against him which he claimed was 'designed to ruin the reputations and careers of the Wayfarer parties' after she filed to dismiss his $400 million lawsuit on March 20. In his recent filing, Baldoni stated he was 'exercising' his First Amendment right 'to petition the court to clear their names from her false and harmful claims.' And as Lively attempt to get Baldoni's 'retaliatory' lawsuit thrown out, the actress' legal team is hurling more accusations the 41-year-old actor's way; Baldoni seen in August 2024 On Thursday, Lively accused Baldoni and his legal team of using 'scorched earth litigation' tactics to silence sexual harassment accusers; Lively seen in February 2025 Blake's attorneys Mike Gottlieb and Esra Hudson told TMZ last Friday: 'That's right: Justin Baldoni, the man who has built his brand on supposedly speaking up for victims, believes that the First Amendment rights of victims of sexual assault and harassment to speak out should give way to the rights of perpetrators to sue their victims "into oblivion."' Her legal team further stated that Baldoni and his lawyer Bryan Freedman are trying to 'shed' a law that protects victims and also prevents others from speaking out in the future. In response, Freedman told DailyMail.com on Friday: 'This convoluted statement makes it abundantly clear that Ms. Lively and team are rattled and once again resorting to making inflammatory remarks to steer focus away from the actual facts. 'Clearly they want to divert the public's attention from the receipts, the actual documents, video footage and additional evidence shown that make it irrefutable that there was no sexual harassment.' Freedman added it is 'surprising that Ms. Lively and her team are suddenly speaking so passionately about the hard won rights of the survivor community, considering she sidestepped this topic for the entirety of the film campaign... 'Focusing instead on her hair care and alcohol products which at that time caused the organic backlash that she received. She does not need discovery to find out who smeared her. Just a mirror will do.' Justin's attorney also recently told TMZ, 'Ms. Lively and her circle of Hollywood elites cannot prevent my clients from exercising their constitutional right to petition the court to clear their names from her false and harmful claims.' Last year, Justin and Blake both starred in the adaptation of Colleen Hoover's novel It Ends With Us - which the actor also directed. She went on to file a sexual harassment lawsuit against Baldoni, who she also accused of orchestrating a 'retaliation campaign,' and he responded by suing Lively, Reynolds and Lively's publicist Leslie Sloane for defamation. The two stars have since been embroiled on ongoing legal drama as they prepare to go to court next year on March 9, 2026. Last month, Lively, Reynolds and Sloane filed to dismiss Baldoni's 'vengeful and rambling' lawsuit against them. In a fiery statement, Reynolds slammed Baldoni as 'thin-skinned' while describing himself as a 'supportive spouse' to Lively. And last Tuesday, April 1, the legal team representing Baldoni and the Wayfarer Studios parties called Reynolds Lively's 'co-conspirator' as they asked Judge Lewis J. Liman to deny both the Deadpool star and his wife's dismissal request. Lively's latest statement comes just days after insiders exclusively told DailyMail.com that she is now privately struggling with creeping 'regret' over her legal war with Baldoni According to PEOPLE, Baldoni's lawyers claim in the legal docs that Reynolds 'pretends that the Wayfarer Parties' First Amended Complaint (the 'FAC') fails to set forth any basis for his liability and that he merely acted as a supportive spouse. Not so. 'The FAC specifically alleges ample facts to support the Wayfarer Parties' claims against him, based on both his direct actions and his liability as a co-conspirator.' They've also suggested that Reynolds should not be able to recover attorneys fees from Baldoni in the 'extremely unlikely event' that he is dismissed from the lawsuit. This comes after Lively's attorneys stated in her March 20 dismissal filing that Wayfarer's legal efforts against her could end up costing Baldoni's team $100 million. In an April 3 statement to DailyMail.com, a spokesperson for Reynolds responded to Baldoni's latest legal move. The spokesperson claimed that Baldoni and the Wayfarer Studios parties 'finally realize the plain defects in their complaint,' while calling the lawsuit 'frivolous.' They also told DailyMail.com that Reynolds will continue to standby his wife while reiterating Lively's harassment and retaliation allegations. 'They once again claim defamation without alleging who was defamed, what specifically was said, or how anyone suffered actual harm. 'Unlike Mr. Baldoni, who built his brand pretending to be a man who is 'confident enough to listen' to the women in his life, Ryan Reynolds actually is that man and he will continue to support his wife as she stands up to the individuals who not only harassed her but then have retaliated against her. 'Under New York law, California law, and indeed in every jurisdiction of the United States this lawsuit not only fails but may result in the Wayfarer Parties covering Ryan's costs and attorneys' fees for bringing such a frivolous case in the first place,' the statement concluded. Baldoni's response to Lively's dismissal filing was obtained by TMZ. According to court docs obtained by the outlet last Thursday, Baldoni provided the judge with reasons as to why the Gossip Girl's attempt to toss out his lawsuit should be denied. Baldoni accused Lively of being the mastermind behind an elaborate smear campaign, which he claimed was 'designed to ruin the reputations and careers of the Wayfarer parties.' Baldoni claimed claims 'there is sufficient evidence that [Lively] took a responsible part in publishing each of the allegedly defamatory statements by approving or authorizing them prior to publication.' He also alleged that Lively 'told the NYT a false and damning story about an insidious PR sabotage operation deployed as revenge for sexual harassment complaints, with the knowledge and intent that the newspaper would publish that false story.' Last week, Justin accused Blake of staging a PR stunt against him which he claimed was 'designed to ruin the reputations and careers of the Wayfarer parties' after she filed to dismiss his $400 million lawsuit on March 20; Baldoni seen in 2024 In his recent filing, Baldoni stated he was 'exercising' his First Amendment right 'to petition the court to clear their names from [Lively's] false and harmful claims'; Lively seen in 2024 He continued to insist that Lively acted out of malice and accused her of actively trying to destroy his Hollywood career. Freedman also informed TMZ, 'What Ms. Lively is attempting to do is to set a dangerous precedent by barring the courthouse doors to my clients and punishing them for having their day in court, a right protected by the First Amendment. 'This right protects not only Mr. Baldoni and the Wayfarer parties in this particular case, but all Americans in the future who have false accusations levied against them and seek relief from our justice system.' He added, 'This must stop here, and we will continue to fight against this blatant attempt to block access to the court system and to weaken our nations Constitution to serve those who are in the position of power.' In court documents obtained by DailyMail.com, Lively's attorneys slammed Baldoni's 'vengeful and rambling' lawsuit as a 'profound abuse of the legal process that has no place in federal court' as they asked for all claims against her to be dropped on March 20. In a shocking twist, the documents also state that Wayfarer's legal efforts against Lively may end up costing Baldoni's team $100 million due to a mandatory fee shifting provision in California Civil Code Section 47.1, which provides protections to individuals with claims of sexual harassment and similar allegations. In the introduction and summary of their argument, Lively's legal team argues the lawsuit against her has 'no place in federal court' due to legal protections for individuals who have spoken out about sexual harassment or filed legal claims. Under the California law, communication by an individual making a claim - without malice - about sexual harassment and similar matters is considered privileged communication. Section 47.1 dictates that these individuals who prevail in a defamation lawsuit against them over the allegations will be awarded their attorney's fees, punitive damages, and treble damages (an award three times what the jury decides to give the plaintiff). The law applies to those who had a 'reasonable basis to file a complaint' of harassment and similar allegations, whether or not the complaint was filed. The documents note that the 'Wayfarer Parties' - Baldoni's studio - will be financially responsible for all of this should the defamation lawsuit be dismissed. With this fee shifting provision in mind, the documents note that Steve Sarowitz, the co-founder of Wayfarer Studios, may end up forking over the $100 million he allegedly pledged to spend on litigation in a manner he did not intend. 'Steve Sarowitz may indeed make good on his threat to spend $100 million litigating against Ms. Lively, but perhaps not in the way he planned.' They said Wayfarer's First Amendment Complaint - shortened to 'FAC' in the legal documents - relied on 'implausible conjecture and conspiracy theories' to make their case about Lively. Lively's legal team recently argued she did not act with 'actual malice' when making her claims about Baldoni, 'a public figure subject to the actual malice standard'; Lively and Reynolds seen in August 2024 The legal fallout between Lively and Baldoni came after months of intense fan speculation of tension between the two during the promotion of the film, with the duo not posing together at the premiere and doing press separately Lively's legal team called the FAC a 'blunt public relations instrument' intended to 'bury' and destroy' Lively for speaking up about her claims. In the documents, Lively's legal team argue she did not act with 'actual malice' when making her claims about Baldoni, 'a public figure subject to the actual malice standard'. They state Wayfarer's FAC 'confirms' Lively reported her claims and sincerely believed them to be true. The documents also said Wayfarer failed to demonstrate that Lively doubted the truthfulness of her allegations. Additionally, it cites an alleged text conversation between Justin and his crisis publicist Melissa Nathan in which they agreed Lively truly believed she was right. The filing also says the FAC fails to demonstrate Lively and her team were all conspiring against Wayfarer. It also adds that alleged coordination between Lively and The New York Times - whose article about Lively's original complaint sparked a lawsuit from Baldoni - was 'not wrongful as a matter of law.' They also allege that their documents failed to 'allege that Ms. Lively wrongfully interfered with any contract or economic relationship.' This references Wayfarer and Baldoni being dropped by talent agency WME following the filing of Lively's claims. They state the documents lack evidence showing Lively did anything to destroy the relationship, and that the only 'specific allegations' were surrounding her husband, who allegedly referred to Baldoni a 'sexual predator' in conversation with a WME executive. They also claim Wayfarer did not state any damages related to their extortion claims. The lawsuit concluded by asking the court to 'dismiss all claims against Ms. Lively with prejudice, deny leave to amend, and award Ms. Lively all relief sought.' Baldoni and his company Wayfarer Studios filed the $400M lawsuit in January. His studio's chief executive Jamey Heath, It Ends With Us Movie LLC, and publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel were also listed as plaintiffs, according to NPR. The legal fallout between Lively and Baldoni came after months of intense fan speculation of tension between the two during the promotion of the film, with the duo not posing together at the premiere and doing press separately. Drew Barrymore got to shed her impeccable TV style for a relaxed day in Miami Beach, Florida, after hobnobbing with Orlando Bloom the night before. The 50-year-old host of The Drew Barrymore Show was spotted by the beach in the sunny coastal city on Thursday as she ditched her bra and stuck with a cozy T-shirt and sweatpants. The day before, Drew joined up with the 48-year-old Lord Of The Rings star to inaugurate a new cruise ship, the MSC World America. She and the Orlando were featured together on a panel discussion at the inauguration event, and as part of the celebration, Drew was named the 'godmother' of the ship ahead of its introductory three-day voyage. The stars have been joining up recently to star in the cruise line's Let's Holiday ad campaign. Although Drew didn't appear to be joining the crew for the voyage, she seemed to be enjoying the sand and pristine weather in Miami ahead of the weekend. Drew Barrymore got to shed her impeccable TV style for a relaxed day in Miami Beach, Florida, on Thursday after hobnobbing with Orlando Bloom the night before She looked totally at ease in a pale grayblue T-shirt that she tucked into loose gray sweatpants. The E.T. actress held her brown sandals as she enjoyed a barefoot walk on the sand, and she covered up her messy brunette hair with a camouflage-style 'Coastal' cap and reflective fuchsia-tinted sunglasses. She opted for a natural, makeup-free look as she soaked up some sun. The casual look was a far cry from her more put-together looks the night before. During her chat with Orlando at the MSC World America inauguration, Drew rocked a flowing black blouse and flared black slacks with tonal strips. She went all out for the ribbon-cutting ceremony, during which the ship's godmother wore a gorgeous pale yellow floral gown with puffy sleeves. Earlier this month, opened up about one of her shocking breakup stories on her eponymous talk show. The actress shared a story about 'one of [her] first boyfriends' while discussing viral dating horror stories involving a partner's mom. She looked totally at ease in a pale grayblue T-shirt that she wore braless and tucked into loose gray sweatpants. She rocked a camo hat and reflective fuchsia sunglasses and went makeup-free On Wednesday, her pal Orlando Bloom was seen as he arrived at the MSC World America Inauguration at PortMiami That evening, he sat down for a panel discussion with Drew as part of the ship inauguration's festivities Drew was named the 'godmother' of the MSC World America, a new cruise ship She told her Drew Crew members, lifestyle expert Valerie Bertinelli and Drew's News co-anchor Ross Mathews, that she left her then-boyfriend after telling him that he triggered her 'mother issues.' On the show, the trio discussed a viral story about a bride who called off her wedding after finding out that her fiance had secretly bought a house with his mother and didn't tell her. 'This happened to me,' said Barrymore who also recently opened up about a first date she went on lately that ended with something she claimed she 'would never do.' 'I totally have been through something like you've been through, although I was not engaged,' she added. Diving into the story, Barrymore recalled: 'I moved in with one of my first boyfriends and I was really excited. 'We get the most cute little house in Los Feliz, California. I'm like, "I'm gonna be a hipster with my live-in boyfriend. Oh my God, I'm Mary Tyler Moore-ing it!"' She said that after they moved in together, her then-boyfriend sprung some unexpected news on her. 'We move in, and he goes, "By the way, my mom is going to come stay with us." And I was like ... "Okay, that's so cool. Like, for how long?" Drew opened up about one of her shocking breakup stories on her talk show earlier this month; pictured September 2024 in New York City 'And he goes, "Like, maybe forever, indefinitely. She's gonna move in with us."' After he told her that his mom was moving in 'indefinitely,' she said she quickly dumped him. 'I literally go: "I gotta go. I gotta go." Are you out of your mind? Your mother? Have I met your mother?" 'He's like, "No." I'm like, "So I don't know your mother," and he's like, "No, I-I think you'll be fine."' In response, she said she ended their relationship. 'I'm like, "I have mother issues. I'm leaving. Here's my laundry basket. I'm out."' Barrymore frequently gets candid and opens up about her dating experiences on her talk show, which was renewed for a sixth season prior to the current, fifth season's premiere in September. The actress has been married three times and shares two kids daughters Olive, 12, and 10-year-old Frankie with her third husband Will Kopelman. Her first marriage was at age 19 when she was briefly married to businessman Jeremy Thomas, then 31, for less than a month. On The Drew Barrymore Show, the actress shared a story about 'one of [her] first boyfriends' while discussing viral dating horror stories involving a partner's mom She said that after they moved in together, her then-boyfriend sprung some unexpected news on her and she dumped him; pictured January in New York City The actress has been married three times and shares two kids daughters Olive, 12, and 10-year-old Frankie with her third husband Will Kopelman; pictured December 2015 in New York City Her first marriage was at age 19 when she was briefly married to businessman Jeremy Thomas, then 31, for less than a month; pictured April 1994 They had been dating for only six weeks when they tied the knot before calling it quits just 19 days later. She married her second husband, comedian Tom Green, after meeting on the set of Charlie's Angels in 2000 when the actress reached out to him to appear in her movie. They got married in 2001 but their short-lived union ended in divorce just a year later. Her third marriage was to Kopelman. She and the actor started dating in 2011, tied the knot a year later and ended up divorcing after four years of marriage in 2016. She has since talked about how her divorce from Kopelman was 'very devastating' and 'took [her] a long time to recover from.' Australian comedian Alice Fraser has cancelled a planned US tour over fears about past Donald Trump jokes. Alice was due to jet off to New York in May to promote her recently published book, A Passion for Passion: A Delirious Love Letter to Romance. However, the comedian revealed to The Guardian she rethought her plans after receiving advice from an immigration lawyer. She said what she thought was a 'paranoid' question, was not deemed so by her lawyer following claims of people being denied entry to the US and travellers to the country detained. 'I asked [the lawyer] what I thought was a ridiculous question that I do political satire and have a fair few jokes floating around on Elon Musk and Donald Trump, and asked whether that would be a risk' Alice told the publication. Alice, who planned to apply for a O-1B visa, added her lawyer advised she could be subject to increased scrutiny from US immigration officials. Australian comedian Alice Fraser has revealed she has cancelled a planned US tour over fears about past Donald Trump jokes 'I thought I was being paranoid, but she said it might [pose a risk] and theyd almost certainly Google me,' she said. 'My lawyer said while the vast majority of people will be able to travel in and out theyre definitely doing increased scrutinising.' The comedian added if it had not been for her children, she may have been willing to take the risk. 'If I didnt have two children, I might be more open to taking a risk, but the vision of me being there with a baby strapped to me and held up and hassled, or worse Im not up for that.' No stranger to political-tinged comedy, Alice has also been contributor to podcasts such as The Bugle and The Last Post as well as BBC Radio's The News Quiz. Speaking about the US President in 2020, Alice revealed: 'Im fine with writing a Trump joke once a week, I just dont want to have to write one every day. 'I once wrote: "I wouldnt take an IOU from Trump if he wrote it on the money he owed me". It was nice, once. But what do you do next?' Alice was due to jet off to New York in May to promote her recently published book A Passion for Passion: A Delirious Love Letter to Romance, but rethought her plans after receiving advice from an immigration lawyer She said that what she thought was a 'paranoid' question, was not deemed so by the lawyer following claims of people being denied entry to the US and travellers to the country detained Alice also appeared at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival this week as part of the political podcast A Rational Fear, in what was billed as the 'how toy evade deportation' special. Alice said she is still open to visiting the US, but only when jokes about the US President and Elon Musk are not 'considered hostile to the nation'. It comes as reports have emerged tourists to the US - some of whom claim to have held valid visas - say they were shackled and jailed for weeks, before being taken to the airport in 'leg chains, waist chains and handcuffs' for deportation and allowed to fly home at their own expense. Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney was denied entry into the country while trying to make her way from Mexico to San Diego, California after her work visa was revoked back in November while travelling from Vancouver to Los Angeles. She was hurled into jail on March 3 and spent 12 days in detention, claiming it felt like she had been 'kidnapped' and trapped in an experiment. She told ABC10 'what is happening is so unjust and I know that there's a better way to do this'. 'If I didnt have two children, I might be more open to taking a risk, but the vision of me being there with a baby strapped to me and held up and hassled, or worse Im not up for that.' It comes as reports have emerged that tourists to the US - some of whom claim to have held valid visas - say they were shackled and jailed for weeks, before being taken to the airport in 'leg chains, waist chains and handcuffs' for deportation Canadian actress Jasmine Mooney was denied entry into the country while trying to make her way from Mexico to San Diego, California after her work visa was revoked back in November while travelling from Vancouver to Los Angeles Lucas Sielaff, 25, was driving into the US from Mexico with his American fiancee when he claims Border Patrol agents accused of him violating the rules of his 90-day US tourist permit. Sielaff, who alleges he held a valid visa and had visited the US several times before, was handcuffed, shackled and sent to a crowded immigration detention centre where he spent 16 days locked up before being allowed to fly home to Germany. 'I still have nightmares and I'm not yet back to normal,' Sielaff told the Financial Times of the horrific experience. 'I'm trying to process everything properly. It'll take a while.' Becky Burke, a Welsh backpacker travelling across North America, was stopped at the US-Canada border on February 26 and held for nearly three weeks at a detention facility in Washington state, her father Paul Burke posted on Facebook. Her father said she was accused of travelling on the wrong visa. After being held in custody for 19 days she was allegedly transported to the airport 'in leg chains, waist chains and handcuffs'. The tourists said it was never made clear why they were taken into custody, even after they offered to go home voluntarily. The incidents are fuelling anxiety amongst travellers as the Trump Administration's illegal migrant crackdown sees Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents take a 'more aggressive enforcement' approach at the border. The Administration had planned to issue a so-called travel ban that barred entry to foreign nationals from 43 countries who allegedly do not meet America's vetting standards, but the proposal has been indefinitely delayed. Paulina Porizkova used her Instagram platform to mark a milestone birthday this week. The Czechia-born beauty who talked about her weight gain earlier this year turned 60-years-old on Wednesday and took to the social media app to post a glowing bikini-clad selfie. The mother-of-two bared her cleavage in an aqua-blue triangle swimsuit top while smiling with her eyes in the snapshot. 'Reached level 60 today! Grateful, inspired, full of joy and waaaay too busy enjoying it all to post more - for now,' she wrote in a caption to her 1.2 million followers. In a follow-up post Paulina gushed about spending the special occasion with her boyfriend of two years, writer Jeff Greenstein. Paulina Porizkova used her Instagram platform to mark a milestone birthday this week 'Reached level 60 today! Grateful, inspired, full of joy and waaaay too busy enjoying it all to post more - for now,' she wrote in a caption to her 1.2 million followers Turning her attention toward her fans, she added in her initial post: 'And THANK ALL OF YOU FOR THE BEST WISHES- I APPRECIATE THEM AND YOU SO MUCH!' She promised to be 'back next week to share all the fun,' but said, 'for now, I'm living it.' Fellow model Christie Brinkley was among Paulina's friends and peers who joined in the comments to wish her a happy birthday. '60? Why youre still a Spring Chicken! And the most beautiful one at that Hope this Happy ! Birthday is your best year yet!' she wrote. Middle-aged influencer Jane McCann also shared a kind note: 'Aw happy birthday darling!! Heres to 60! Keep shining my friend.' Porizkova engaged her online audience as she shared a behind-the-scenes video getting ready for her birthday party in Paris. Looking glamorous in a fluffy white robe, she joked, 'How I'm celebrating turning 60 is my boyfriend jumping out of a cake.' And she said that in the next decade of her life she looks forward to 'doing things again with a man I love.' Paulina gushed about spending the special occasion with her boyfriend of two years, writer Jeff Greenstein Porizkova engaged her online audience as she shared a behind-the-scenes video getting ready for her birthday party in Paris. Looking glamorous in a fluffy white robe, she joked, 'How I'm celebrating turning 60 is my boyfriend jumping out of a cake' Porizkova and Greenstein met on the dating app Raya and went public with their romance in May 2023. He paid tribute to her on her birthday with a carousel of photos and a heartfelt message shared on Instagram. 'To say 60 looks good on P would be an understatement. Because not only is she beautiful and insightful and intellectually curious and courageous, but she's melded all these qualities into the shape of an advocate. She inspires people. She inspires me. And my admiration and respect for her grows with each day,' the Will & Grace writer said. He concluded the love note: 'I think you can tell: I love her. Happy birthday, my darling.' Advertisement Jackie 'O' Henderson turned up the heat on Friday as she put on a leggy display at her Melbourne hotel. The radio star, 50, was in the city today with her co-host Kyle Sandilands as they held a $5million Dawn Dig at St Kilda Beach where they gave out lavish prizes to locals. Now, the mother-of-one has taken to Instagram with one last snap of herself leaving her accommodation and a parting message for the Victorian capital: 'So much fun Melbourne.' The media personality opted for a coastal chic look as she slipped into a khaki bomber jacket and graphic tee in the image, tucking her shirt into a trendy beige pleated mini skirt. She teamed the ensemble with statement knee-high brown boots from Paris Texasworth an eye-watering $1,700for a cowboy kick as she rolled her suitcase down the hotel hallway. Jackie curled her long blonde tresses and slicked on a glamorous makeup look to complete the outfit. Jackie 'O' Henderson turned up the heat on Friday as she put on a leggy display at her Melbourne hotel. The radio star, 50, was in the city today with her co-host Kyle Sandilands as they held a $5million Dawn Dig at St Kilda Beach The post came just hours after Jackie and Kyle, 53, took Melbourne by storm in the early moments of the day in their first-ever live broadcast from the city. Kyle and Jackie brought their wildly popular KIIS FM breakfast show to St Kilda Beach for a special $5million Dawn Dig giveaway. The Dig event saw hundreds of hopeful listeners digging through the sand in search of life-changing prizesa KIIS FM spectacle which combined community excitement with unforgettable fashion moments. The publicity stunt came as the radio stars continue to grow their market share in Melbourne. In March, The Kyle & Jackie O Show achieved a small win in the Melbourne ratings, with the KIIS FM breakfast program earning a 0.1 per cent increase in the market share during the first survey of 2025. Sydney juggernauts Kyle and Jackie have been embroiled in a ratings war since their multimillion-dollar expansion into the city saw ex-KIIS FM stars Jason 'Jase' Hawkins and Lauren Phillips get axed. Kyle was previously unapologetic about the April 2024 move, saying the station gave Jase and Lauren a 'good run', but 'they can't get over fourth in the radio ratings, so we'll take it'. 'I don't care. That's why we went for Melbourne, we were like, "We've given this Jase and Lauren on KIIS FM a good run, it can't get over fourth in the radio ratings, so we'll take it,"' he told news.com.au at the time. Now, the mother-of-one has taken to Instagram with one last snap of herself leaving her accommodation and a parting message for the Victorian capital: 'So much fun Melbourne' He added The Kyle & Jackie O Show was moved to Melbourne because it was a 'market in trouble' and their program could attract listeners. However, Kyle and Jackie have struggled to make good on that promise over the past few months. But it appears 2025 may be a new opportunity for the pair to creep up in the ratings. Their rivals, who now host breakfast show Jase and Lauren on Nova, took a 1.4 per cent dip in survey one and now have a 10.1 per cent market share, knocking their show off the top spot. Meanwhile, between January 19 and March 1, Kyle and Jackie have hopped up to a 5.1 per cent share, slowly closing the gap between the radio rivals. Advertisement Former Married At First Sight groom Timothy Smith performed a dramatic citizen's arrest at 3pm on Friday in Melbourne when he chased down a teenage boy allegedly armed with a machete. Police arrested a 14-year-old boy, who allegedly attempted to carjack a woman with another teenager, after Smith, 52, managed to detain the youth when he ran, reported Seven News. In shocking footage captured by CCTV, the reality TV star, 52, could be seen sprinting after the two youths in Prahran after he heard the commotion while standing outside his campaign office on Chatham St. Smith was standing at the intersection of Chatham St and Chapel St when two black-clad individuals raced past him. The TV star-turned-budding politician, who is running as an independent for an upcoming seat in the federal election, immediately took off after the pair. Further clips saw Smith keeping the alleged machete-wielder detained until police arrived to arrest him. Former Married At First Sight groom Timothy Smith, 52, performed a dramatic citizen's arrest at 3pm on Friday in Melbourne when he chased down a teenage boy allegedly armed with a machete Smith later claimed on Jacqui Felgate's 3AW Drive that he was first alerted something was wrong when he heard nearby screams while talking with his campaign manager. 'I was out the front talking to my campaign manager and then we heard some screams. Some guys came by, one with a machete, and I gave chase to the one with a machete,' he alleged. 'They were waving them around. As I was running behind him he kept yelling, "I'm gonna cut you," but he wasn't stopping.' Smith went on to claim the teenager burst into tears when he realised he was about to be arrested, but the reality star wasn't moved by the display. 'He was young. When they have a knife in their hand they're very confident. But once that knife's gone the tears start. But how's that lady gonna feel? That's traumatic. His tears don't do anything for me,' Smith said. Smith added he felt no fear for his own life when chasing after the boy, saying he was far more 'annoyed' with the wave of youth crime which has struck Melbourne in recent months. Police are now questioning the 14-year-old boy while his alleged accomplice fled the scene. They have urged anyone who witnessed the incident to contact Crime Stoppers. Police arrested a 14-year-old boy, who allegedly attempted to carjack a woman with another teenager, after Smith, 52, managed to detain the youth when he ran It comes after Smith vowed to clean up Melbourne's streets as he runs for office in his home suburb of Prahran, with a view to improve life for citizens in the area. Smith, who appeared on MAFS last year, is running as an independent and says he is not aligned with any political party. 'I've been a Prahran local renter before recently buying my own apartment, so I understand firsthand the challenges of rising crime, unaffordable housing, and high rentsand I'm ready to tackle these issues head-on,' he wrote in his mission statement on his website. 'I'm not bound by any political party, which means I can focus on what truly matters to youpractical solutions that benefit all Melburnians. 'I'm determined to create a Melbourne that works for everyone, where the cost of living is manageable, housing is affordable, and crime is under control. Together, we will make this happen.' Smith's focus is tackling the 'escalating cost of living, and rising crime rates, to the housing crisis'. The former reality TV star has previously admitted to his own brush with the law, as he confessed to his drug-smuggling past during an appearance on Channel Nine's A Current Affair last year. He went on the news program shortly after MAFS wrapped and came clean about his criminal history in which he spent more than a year behind bars. In shock footage captured by CCTV, the reality TV star could be seen sprinting after the two youths in Prahran after he heard the commotion while standing outside his campaign office on Chatham St. Pictured: the machete allegedly wielded by the boy Smith also took to Instagram to speak out about the 'bad decisions' he made when he was younger, noting he takes full responsibility for them. 'I've had a lot of people reach out and ask me about my ACA interview. I did it, I own it, and I endeavour to be open about my past,' he captioned the post, adding the hashtag #baddecisions, among others. The season 11 star's criminal history was unveiled by A Current Affair in April last year, with viewers shocked to learn the real estate tycoon spent more than a year behind bars. Smith had been caught using a helicopter to smuggle large amounts of marijuana from Canada into the United States close to two decades ago. During his prison sentence, tragedy struck twice when both his mother and younger brother died. Instead of turning their backs on the reality star, fans flocked to social media to express empathy, declaring the groom has 'done his time' and is 'still a good bloke' regardless of his past. During his appearance on A Current Affair, an emotional Smith expressed his regrets after being caught smuggling marijuana. 'I was a helicopter pilot in North America who did something really stupid,' he said, revealing he was paid to take flying lessons for the purpose of trafficking.' The former reality TV star has previously admitted to his own brush with the law, as he confessed to his drug-smuggling past during an appearance on Channel Nine's A Current Affair last year 'It's something I'm not proud of. I'm definitely not proud of it, but it doesn't define who I am and I'm not the same person I was 17 years ago,' he continued. Smith said he would make $100,000 per trip across the border flying a helicopter full of marijuana. 'I would take off from a little unmanned airport and I would fly up a valley into a creek where I would meet a four-wheel-drive... within a minute, the helicopter would be loaded,' he said. Smith was caught by police in Los Angeles when he returned to the country after visiting his sick mother in Australia. The groom was sentenced for 'trafficking marijuana over an international border' in 2006, but Smith said he spent another 'four or six months in immigration' detention. Despite spending his days locked up with hardened criminals, the real punishment came when both his mother and younger brother Dave died while he was in prison. An emotional Smith said Dave called him during the start of his sentence and said: '"Don't let anyone mess with you," and, "I'll be there when you get out," but he wasn't.' Tragedy struck mid-way through Smith's sentence when his mother died of cancer and his brother took his own life just a few months later. Smith said he did not tell producers on MAFS he was a convicted drug smuggler when applying for the show. The groom was paired up with fan favourite Lucinda Light during his stint on MAFS last year, but they broke up following a disastrous home stay visit in Melbourne. The pair called time on their marriage at the following commitment ceremony, with Smith acknowledging his lacklustre effort to the experts. 'I didn't go into homestay with the best attitude,' he said at the time, before admitting he found deep emotional exploration 'uncomfortable' and 'overwhelming'. Despite their romance not working out, Smith and Light have maintained a close friendship ever since the cameras stopped rolling. The former on-screen couple have been seen on nights out together, while Light recently gushed over how 'glad' she is to have Smith as a 'dear friend'. Meghann Fahy has opened up on her 'anger' over losing an ovary to polycystic ovary syndrome after doctors dismissed her worries and told her 'everything was normal'. The White Lotus actress, 34, claims that healthcare professionals 'invalidated her experience' and dismissed her symptoms, before she finally got her diagnosis a few years ago. She experienced cystic acne and painful periods for years before getting confirmation that she had PCOS. Polycistic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges. In a new interview, Meghann told Stylist: 'For years I tried a lot of different things to remedy it and I never could. I had multiple doctors tell me "You don't have PCOS. All women have custs on their ovaries, it's normal." But everything that was going on was not normal.' The actress pushed through and was finally diagnosed by a celebrity gynecologist, who confirmed she had the disorder. Meghann Fahy has opened up on her 'anger' over losing an ovary to polycystic ovary syndrome after doctors dismissed her worries and told her 'everything was normal' The White Lotus actress, 34, claims that healthcare professionals 'invalidated her experience' and dismissed her symptoms, before she finally got her diagnosis a few years ago Meghann revealed she lost one ovary and froze her eggs last year following years of being dismissed. She admitted: 'I was really angry, especially because there was a particular doctor who had been one of the voices that had invalidated my experience. 'But the anger was overshadowed by the joy of having found a woman doctor who was going to take care of me. I'm in a position now where I can really plan for ym future. Knowledge is power.' It comes just after Meghann revealed she felt 'pressured' to freeze her eggs after being diagnosed. Speaking to The Cut, Meghann shared that while she has always hoped to start a family, she knows she can still live a 'full life' without them. She said: 'There's so much pressure on women even in their 20s to freeze their eggs. Part of you is like, God, this is such an expensive, laborious, and emotionally and physically taxing insurance policy 'And yet, the flip side of the coin is like, Wouldn't I go through this just so that I could have the life that I want?' I've always imagined that I would have a family, but I'm also somebody who knows that if I didn't, I would have a full life.' PCOS develops when the ovaries, two glands that store a womans eggs and produce hormones to control periods and pregnancy, start to release excess androgens; these are male hormones such as testosterone that womens bodies also produce in small quantities. It comes just after Meghann revealed she felt 'pressured' to freeze her eggs after being diagnosed The actress confirmed her romance with One Day star Leo Woodall in 2023 It is not known why this happens, but the excess androgen disrupts periods and triggers the other symptoms such as hair growth on the face, chest and tummy, as well as cysts on the ovaries which can cause fertility problems. During the interview, Meghann also discussed her romance with actor Leo Woodall, after the pair finally confirmed they were dating in 2023 following months of speculation. The White Lotus star said that their relationship was 'never a secret,' adding: 'I don't think I could ever date someone who wasn't in the industry in some capacity, whether it be a director or a writer. 'The experiences that you're having are so insane and specific. To have a partner who you can make eye contact with across the room and feel seen and have that person be like, ''I know,'' to me is the greatest gift.' Leo recently shut down questions about his love life while in Australia on the Bridget Jones promo tour. Journalist Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli was left red-faced when Leo snapped at him during an interview after the Nova radio star asked him about his love life. The breakfast host was chatting to Leo and his Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy star co-star Renee Zellweger about their new movie - and the subject quickly turned to their personal lives. Leo is notoriously private about his romance with Meghann. 'Leo, are you in love at the moment?' Wippa asked. Meghann (pictured with Leo) shared that while she has always hoped to start a family, she knows she can still live a 'full life' without them 'That's none of your business!' Leo snapped back. Leo and Meghann met in February 2022 on the Sicily set of anthology series The White Lotus, in which they portrayed Cameron Sullivan's (Theo James) stay-at-home wife Daphne and Quentin's (Tom Hollander) cheeky nephew Jack. Meghann finally went Instagram official with Leo on February 20 2023 while he shared intimate 'That's Amore' snaps of them as far back as September 2022. The pair were first pictured packing on the PDA during a November 2023 outing in New York City in pictured captured by E! News. On January 15, the nepo-baby of Andrew Woodall affectionately embraced the Emmy-nominated actress during Max's Post Emmys Reception at San Vicente Bungalows in West Hollywood. Meghann then publicly flirted with Leo on March 5 by commenting on his BTS Instagram post: 'I'll say it again Leo for president.' Woodall bashfully replied: 'Oh go on then.' The One Day heartthrob publicly flirted with Fahy in September by commenting on her fashion spread, 'Momma I made it,' and she replied: '@leowoodall all 4 u.' Succession star Brian Cox has revealed he likes smoking cannabis to 'unwind'. The Scotsman, 78, revealed he smokes 'a gentle spliff' to relax after a days work. Brian, who lives in New York where the drug is legal, explained he used to be 'wary' of drugs and felt he was 'too young' to take them. But now the Olivier award winner feels 'the opposite'. He told the Rosebud podcast: 'It's very interesting about drugs, I was very wary of drugs. I'm less wary of it now, but I was. I wasn't inclined in that way. I just felt I was too young, quite honestly, and I felt it was a diversion that I really wasn't interested in. 'It was very popular, you know, people were smoking weed left right and centre, but I tried it once and I just thought I'm not interested. I feel the opposite way now, but I did then.' Succession star Brian Cox has revealed he smokes cannabis to 'unwind' after a day on stage, saying he has 'a gentle spliff' Brian is currently starring in The Score at the Theatre Royal in Haymarket opposite his wife Nicole Ansari, 56 Brian, who lives in New York where the drug is legal, explained he used to be 'wary' of drugs and felt he was 'too young' to take them Asked if he now uses cannabis as a relaxant, he said: 'Absolutely. Especially when you're doing a show like this, at the end of the day you just I unwind. I have a gentle spliff.' Brian is currently starring in The Score at the Theatre Royal in Haymarket opposite his wife Nicole Ansari, 56. The couple married in 2002 and share two sons Orson Jonathan and Torin Kamran. The pair revealed last week how they first met and how Nicole left the Succession star feeling like a 'd***head.' Speaking on the Dish podcast, Brian explained that they first crossed paths in 1991 in Hamburg when he was performing in King Lear. At a party after the show, he recalled: 'So, what happened was that there was a party arranged after the show, and there was this rather vivacious young woman with lots of hair. She's still got a bit of it...' Describing how the couple hit it off, he said: 'And we talked for, I don't know, for hours. And I thought, wow, this is amazing, this is incredible.' However, it wasn't the fairytale story he hoped for, as Nicole was already in a relationship at the time. He continued: 'And then it turned out that she was having a relationship with another actor in the company, as she does, I mean, they do.' Brian and Nicole tied the knot in 2002 but Brian was originally left looking like an 'idiot' after they first met (pictured 2003) Speaking on the Dish podcast, Brian explained that they first crossed paths in 1991 in Hamburg when he was performing in King Lear Nicole and Brian share two sons Orson Jonathan, 22, (right) and Torin, 19 (left) - seen in 2015 The pair later met again in Milan, where Brian falsely assumed Nicole had come to visit him. 'So I was in Milan, and she turned up in Milan and I thought, "oh!" And I got up, it was in a restaurant, and I got up and I [thought] "She's come for me." Like an idiot, you know?' 'And everybody came in and I felt like a d***head, you know, because I stood up going, "Oh," and it wasn't the case.' Nicole confirmed: 'But I saw him, and my lover was behind me, and I thought, oh, I've come for him, not for him.' Explaining how they crossed paths again eight years later, it was Nicole who made the first move. Brian recalled: 'Then what happened was eight years later, I'm on Broadway doing Art, playing an Art, and I got into the theatre late. 'I came in and Jerry, the stage doorman said, "Hey Brian, you got a note. This broad left this note last night. She's got a note that's up there in your cubby hole, that's the note."' 'I rang the number, and it was where she was staying, and of course it was before mobile phones. So I said, "Well, can you tell her?" and she said, "Oh, she's on the other line."' 'Then just as that happened, somebody came and said, "You've got a no-show tonight, you've got a ticket." 'So when I spoke to Nicole, I said, "There's a ticket. You can come to the show tonight if you want."' 'So she ran all the way and she got a ticket, and so what I did, very cleverly... I pulled the card. I took her tango dancing that night.' 'I was hopeless as a tango dancer. I thought I'd try my luck anyway. So she came and that was it...' Taylor Swift's pal Jaime King revealed what is 'scary' about losing custody of her children amid bitter custody battle. The White Chicks actress, 45 - who was forced to move out of her Hollywood Hills rental last month in March - got candid about the topic during Thursday's episode of the Whine Down With Jana Kramer podcast. It comes just two weeks after King broke her silence after losing custody of her sons James, 11, and Leo, nine - whom she shares with ex-husband Kyle Newman. 'My duty as a mother is to protect my children. And that's all that matters to me. This is scary,' the star admitted to the podcast host. Jaime then reflected on tying the knot with Newman when she was 28. 'I just didn't know when I got married at a young age. I just didn't know that the world works like this. I didn't know that legal systems work like this.' Taylor Swift's pal Jaime King, 45, revealed what is 'scary' about losing custody of her children amid bitter custody battle; seen earlier this month in L.A. It comes just two weeks after King broke her silence after losing custody of her sons James, 11, and Leo, nine - whom she shares with ex-husband Kyle Newman King added, 'And not to sound like some kind of neophyte, but I thought that, you know, when you choose to love someone, then you love that person. You build a family with them, and, you trust them.' Jana - who also went through a custody battle over her kids with ex Mike Caussin - agreed with her guest's comments on the legal system. The Hart Of Dixie star also claimed that Newman falsely represented their relationship to the court in order to gain full custody of their sons. 'It's terrifying, when to be able to be free means that you have to pay a very extreme price, and I'm not just talking about financially.' Jaime further expressed, 'It's very upsetting, and I will do everything in my power to change this system, and it's not a will. I'm going to. There's no price to pay for freedom.' Last month in March, King was banned from being alone with her children until she has completed a mandated drug and alcohol program. While on the podcast, the star also brought up the claims that she was ordered to undergo the program. 'I've never had to think about myself as sober or not sober. I stopped using drugs at 17 or something,' Jaime told Kramer. 'It's terrifying, when to be able to be free means that you have to pay a very extreme price, and I'm not just talking about financially,' King said; Jaime seen with Swift - who is godmother to her son Leo - in 2014 'I've never had to think about myself as sober or not sober. I stopped using drugs at 17 or something,' Jaime told Kramer A source told The Sun at the time that the actress is 'shattered' after losing custody and added, 'Now that the world knows, it's made everything that much harder. It causes a wedge in personal and work relationships. 'She is taking it very hard to say the least. She has had demons she's been battling for decades but her recent troubles have been exasperated by her family troubles, her career struggling and financial stress.' The insider continued, 'And I'm sure things others don't even know about, she can be very private about what she's going through.' Also late last month, King broke her silence over the custody battle as well as the ugly war with her landlord. Jaime was sued by her landlord Sheila Irani over unpaid rent in January, with documents claiming she owed around $42,580 in back rent, according to Us Weekly. And as a result of the legal conflict, she was forced to move out of the property. Speaking with the publication about the issue, King said the dispute has since been settled - however she did not shy away from slamming her landlord's efforts as 'disappointing.' 'The situation with my landlord was resolved privately. It's disappointing - but not surprising - to see someone try to exploit this moment for attention. 'I am currently focused on what matters most: my children,' insisted King, who chose her close friend Taylor Swift to be her son Leo's godmother in 2015. A source told The Sun at the time that the actress is 'shattered' after losing custody and added, 'Now that the world knows, it's made everything that much harder. It causes a wedge in personal and work relationships'; seen with kids and Newman in 2016 It was her first public statement since a judge ruled she must have visits with her sons supervised until she finishes six months of rehab for drugs and alcohol. The landlord lawsuit obtained by Us Weekly alleges King has failed to pay any rent since January. The property was rented out to King for $10,145 a month and the actress had been a tenant since April 2023, when she inked the lease. Irani said she locked King out of the rental pending payment of rent and also claimed the Hart Of Dixie vet had been 'maliciously' remaining at the residence as an unlawful detainer. In an amended court motion, King's attorney denied Irani's allegations and claimed the actress had been taking acting jobs to pay off the debt. However, she has also faced 'setbacks' impeding her progress, with the documents noting King had recently evacuated from her home due to the LA fires. They also said she had been 'distracted' by the on-going custody battle with Newman. Additionally, her lawyer added King is 'involved in active litigation concerning the custody of her children.' King's lawyers also allege that Irani is 'fully aware' the impact an eviction could have on the star's custody battle. Jaime was sued by her landlord Sheila Irani over unpaid rent in January, with documents claiming she owed around $42,580 in back rent, according to Us Weekly; seen in 2022 in L.A. 'The situation with my landlord was resolved privately. It's disappointing - but not surprising - to see someone try to exploit this moment for attention,' King said The parties have have since settled the matter, with the two agreeing to several stipulations, including that Jaime move out by March 22, 2025. King reportedly moved out of the home last month and photos showed her last personal belongings being removed from the property, per The Sun. Real estate records have shown that her former rental has been taken by new tenants for $11,900-per-month just a week after being on the market. According to a source, she was forced to 'downsize' and 'had to find somewhere cheaper' according to The Sun. 'She has been struggling with her finances for years now after some failed film ventures but the custody fight and having to fight all the accusations made against her in court drained her bank accounts. She moved into a smaller space just this month.' Jamie had previously sold her Beverly Hills home for $2million after her divorce from Kyle in 2023. The Sun report comes after a judge awarded King's ex Newman sole physical custody of their two young sons, according to court documents obtained by People. The two boys with live with Newman, who will have final say on legal custody while the pair will share custody on paper amid the contentious case. The judge said King must have her visits with her sons supervised until she finishes a mandated drug/alcohol program that lasts around six months. King reportedly moved out of the home last month and photos showed her last personal belongings being removed from the property, per The Sun Dailymail.com previously reached out to Newman for comment on the development. The people approved in the supervisory role included her mother, sister, brother-in-law, and Newman's brother Kevin, the outlet reported. King has made repeated visits to court over the past five years with her ex-husband to litigate custody concerns. Most recently, she filed with the court for an emergency request. Jaime filed the request to alter the agreement they made in terms of child and spousal support two years prior, People reported. King 'lacks the ability to pay the support,' her attorneys said in legal docs, while Newman said King had 'been out of compliance with the court's child and spousal support orders for well over a year.' Newman told the court that King would not 'sign a judgment' in their divorce agreement; and that she did not have the legal right to 'rescind' any of the court's orders, the outlet reported. King concurrently filed paperwork with the court requesting an emergency motion toward custody and visitation-related issues, the outlet reported, as well as a petition to prevent domestic violence. Newman's rep at the time denied the allegations in a statement which read: 'This is another vicious, failed attempt of Kyle to continue his abuse of Jaime and manipulate the court system. Amid the custody row, King said in May of 2020 that Newman had put together an 'intervention' for her four months earlier after informing family and friends she was having substance abuse issues. King in legal docs said she went a facility so she could be tested and cleared as drug-and-alcohol free. She said that days in, she had been sent home after passing a substance abuse test. Newman told the court in a filing that 'several friends' informed him that she had used narcotics during both of her pregnancies. He added that doctors told him that their son Leo 'was also addicted due to her continued drug use.' King concurrently filed paperwork with the court requesting an emergency motion toward custody and visitation-related issues, the outlet reported, as well as a petition to prevent domestic violence; seen in 2024 in Bel Air Newman said in his court filing that on occasion, King had driven 'under the influence' with their children in the vehicle, People reported He said he 'was devastated' to learn at the same medical appointment 'that Leo Thames had a congenital heart defect and would need surgery to survive as soon as he was born.' Newman said in his court filing that on occasion, King had driven 'under the influence' with their children in the vehicle, People reported. King became 'so intoxicated in front of them that they thought their mother was dying, and abandoning them for days at a time to get drunk and high instead of care for them.' He added that 'at one point, Jaime left Leo Thames at his doctor's appointment with the nanny, only to be found over a half hour later at the liquor store across the street buying a bottle of alcohol.' Wendy Williams was finally seen stepping out of her assisted living facility - which she has labeled as a 'prison' - to have dinner with Don Lemon in NYC on Thursday. The TV personality, 60 - who hired new attorney Joe Tacopina in an attempt to end her conservatorship under Sabrina Morrissey - was also joined by niece Alex Finnie and the former CNN host's husband Tim Malone. The group was seen grabbing a bite to eat at Il Cantinori located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of the city. It comes just one day after the star's guardian reportedly denied Williams from having dinner with her niece and new lawyer this week on Wednesday. However, just one day later, Wendy flashed a big smile as she left the facility and was seen arriving to the popular eatery with her niece Alex by her side. Williams donned a pair of blue denim shorts as well as a fuzzy black jacket for the evening out. She completed the look by slipping into a pair of tights and fuzzy black boots. Wendy Williams, 60, was finally seen stepping out of her assisted living facility - which she has labeled as a 'prison' - to have dinner with Don Lemon in NYC on Thursday The TV personality was also joined by niece Alex Finnie and the former CNN host's husband Tim Malone Her long locks were parted in the middle and flowed down past her shoulders in light waves. The media personality easily carried a black, crocodile-embossed purse in her hand to hold a few items she needed during the dinner. Wendy's niece was seen helping her aunt get onto a red mobility scooter as they paused on a sidewalk in front of the restaurant. Lemon briefly mingled with the star outside while sporting a burgundy-colored shirt as well as denim jeans and tan suede shoes. While approaching the hotspot earlier in the night, Don - who was fired from CNN in 2023 - layered the outfit with a gray puffer jacket while his husband Tim Malone strolled closely by his side. Wendy seems to have a close friendship with Lemon, and notably appeared on his podcast The Don Lemon Show earlier this year. At the time, she expressed: 'My life is ridiculous. I've been with this guardian person for three years. For three years of my life... I'm isolated. I feel like I'm in prison. I can't go out. All I can do is look at the window.' Lemon then questioned the star if she was 'incapacitated' and in response, Williams simply said, 'Hell f***ing no.' The group was seen grabbing a bite to eat at Il Cantinori located in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of the city It comes just one day after the star's guardian reportedly denied Williams from having dinner with her niece and new lawyer this week on Wednesday However, just one day later, Wendy flashed a big smile as she left the facility and was seen arriving to the popular eatery with her niece Alex by her side She completed the look by slipping into a pair of black tights and fuzzy black boots Wendy's niece was seen helping her aunt get onto a red scooter as they paused on a sidewalk in front of the restaurant The media personality easily carried a black, crocodile-embossed purse in her hand to hold a few items she needed during the dinner Her long locks were parted in the middle and flowed down past her shoulders in light waves Wendy was placed under the guardianship of Sabrina Morrissey in 2022 - and last year in November she claimed that Williams was 'permanently incapacitated' by her dementia battle. Back in 2023, the TV personality was diagnosed with aphasia and frontotemporal dementia. When Lemon brought up her guardian's allegations, Wendy said, 'I don't know how much I can talk without being punished.' She later added, 'I'm not in a good position. My life is screwed up. You know, this guardian mess is - please, look, I am isolated. I feel like I'm in prison. I feel like, you know, they're trying to control me and everything that I do.' Earlier this week, Morrissey reportedly refused to allow Wendy to leave the assisted living facility called Coterie to have dinner with her niece and new attorney Joe Tacopina. The star hired Tacopina - who recently represented A$AP Rocky - to help secure her freedom from her three-year conservatorship. A #FreeWendy movement has since begun and last week, Williams was seen banging on her window from inside the facility as supporters rallied for her below on the street. However, Morrissey told People this month that Wendy is refusing to undergo certain medical tests - a MRI brain scan and neuropsychological assessment - as she aims to get out of the guardianship. While approaching the hotspot earlier in the night, Don - who was fired from CNN in 2023 - layered the outfit with a gray puffer jacket while his husband Tim Malone strolled closely by his side Wendy seems to have a close friendship with Lemon, and notably appeared on his podcast The Don Lemon Show earlier this year Lemon then questioned the star if she was 'incapacitated' and in response, Williams simply said, 'Hell f***ing no' Wendy was placed under the guardianship of Sabrina Morrissey in 2022 - and last year in November she claimed that Williams was 'permanently incapacitated' by her dementia battle Earlier this week, Morrissey reportedly refused to allow Wendy to leave the assisted living facility called Coterie to have dinner with her niece and new attorney Joe Tacopina Sabrina stated, 'Medical testing, including an MRI brain scan and neuropsychological assessment, had been scheduled for Ms. Williams.' The appointment was set for March 21 - but the star did not go. 'The Court directed that the testing be completed in March. Ms. Williams has declined to participate in the testing to date and therefore, the testing was not completed.' She added, 'The parties are not able to address the concerns that have been expressed to the media without the testing. Once Ms. Williams undergoes the testing and a full evaluation, the results will inform the next steps for Ms. Williams' care.' However in response, Wendy also told the outlet: 'I don't know anything about that.' She then added 'bulls***' and said, 'I am open to what I am open to and I can't talk about it right now.' Late last month in March, it was revealed that Wendy was obtaining a new legal team in a bold move to break free from the guardianship. Ginalisa Monterroso, the CEO and founder of Connect Care Advisory Group, recently told Page Six, 'They say she's incapacitated. 'That usually means someone who is a vegetable or unaware of their surroundings and unable to communicate. That's not Wendy. Even just look at her operate her scooter. Can an incapacitated person do that?' She added, 'I would not be advocating publicly on behalf of Wendy if I felt she had any cognitive issues or that she belonged in a memory unit.' Monterroso emphasized the importance of Williams obtaining a new legal team in order to get out of the conservatorship. However, Morrissey told People this month that Wendy is refusing to undergo certain medical tests - a MRI brain scan and neuropsychological assessment - as she aims to get out of the guardianship Late last month in March, it was revealed that Wendy was obtaining a new legal team in a bold move to break free from the guardianship; Joe Tacopina seen in 2023 in L.A. 'She's just stuck in what she calls a luxury prison...There's been no plan put in place for her, no paperwork, no hearings. There was no strategy or help lined up for her at all.' Ginalisa explained that she talks to the star almost daily and has also sent a letter to Adult Protective Services in New York. She also told the outlet, 'A doctor in Florida first examined her in 2019 and his diagnosis was alcohol-related dementia. 'She's also had serious thyroid issues since her 30s and theres such a thing as thyroid-related dementia. She also has Graves disease which is why her eyes sometimes bulge.' Monterroso continued, 'Whatever it is, a guardianship is supposed to be for someone who doesnt know to put on a coat in winter or doesnt remember to pay bills or wanders out and doesnt know where they are. 'That's not Wendy. So then why put an alcoholic in a memory care unit and throw away the key?' In mid-March, her assisted living facility called the NYPD when Wendy left to grab dinner with her niece. Days later, she defiantly stepped out for dinner once again in NYC. In a pre-recorded interview which aired on The View last month, Wendy said: 'I don't want a guardian. I don't want put it this way, I don't want Sabrina, period. You know what I'm saying? 'I don't want a guardian. I want to get out of guardian. It's been over three years. You know what I'm saying? It's time for my money and my life to get back to status quo.' Williams added, 'I can't do it with these two people again. I can't. And I'm speaking of the guardian and the judge. I need a new guardian.' 'She's just stuck in what she calls a luxury prison...There's been no plan put in place for her, no paperwork, no hearings. There was no strategy or help lined up for her at all,' Monterroso said; Williams seen in 2018 in NYC Attorneys for Morrissey had sent a letter to DailyMail.com and stated that the drama surrounding the guardianship is 'untrue, inaccurate, incomplete, or misleading.' It was added that the 'consistent with general practice in New York, guardianship proceedings are kept confidential to this case. 'Recently, however, the court determined that misinformation circulating in the media is harmful to Ms. Williams interests and the Guardianship.' Her attorneys further said in the letter that 'contrary to many media reports, Morrissey, as guardian, did not declare Wendy Williams to be legally incapacitated' - since a guardian does not have the power to do so. Wendy also called into Good Day New York to explain that she passed a psychiatric evaluation with 'flying colors.' In mid-March, her assisted living facility called the NYPD when Wendy left to grab dinner with her niece . Days later, she defiantly stepped out for dinner once again in NYC; Wendy seen with niece above She later gave details about the living facility she is staying at and said, 'And you know, I'm on the fifth floor. It's called the memory unit. This is a floor, you know, you don't remember anything. Like really? 'And as far as me being able to go outside, I'm not allowed. You know, I have to stay in this building,' she continued, and added she needs to be 'permitted' in order to go to the gym that is located on the third floor.' Wendy then emotionally stated that her money is 'up in the air' before saying, 'This is my life.' Towards the end of the interview, she shared that leaving her guardianship is 'the number one most important thing.' Anjelica Huston revealed she regrets not taking her ex-boyfriend Jack Nicholson, 87, up on his offer to stay with him while she was fleeing the LA fires in January. The Pritzi's Honor star, 73, was fleeing the wildfires with her three dogs, two cats and housekeeper when Jack called her. 'The phone just rang out of nowhere, and it was him,' Huston told People. 'It's always a comfort when he calls.' Nicholson and Huston dated on and off from 1973 to 1990. He asked if she was okay and if she needed a place to stay when he called. 'It was heartbreakingly sweet,' says Huston, who evacuated to her ranch near the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California amid the fires. 'I've gone back over it several times in my head, and I think next time I'd accept the invitation.' Anjelica Huston, 73, revealed her A-list ex-boyfriend Jack Nicholson, 87, reached out to her when she was evacuating during the Los Angeles wildfires; she is pictured in 2023 in LA The actress recalled how the Chinatown star 'called and asked if I was all right and if I had someplace I was staying' last month; pictured 1976 During that time, she said the Chinatown star whom she previously dated on and off for 17 years conveyed his care and concern. 'That's the bottom line with him and I,' she said. 'When the chips are down, he's there.' Huston said her longtime friendship with The Shining star is 'important.' However, visits to his home in Los Angeles are few and far between these days. 'Life gets in the way,' she said. 'Also, for some reason, they've been doing endless rerouting and road work near his house, so it takes hours to get to him, and that's always irritating. 'I always managed to be late going to see him, which is very irritating for him.' Huston and Nicholson met at a party at his home in L.A. in 1973, a month after she broke up with photographer Bob Richardson. Huston and Nicholson broke up for good in 1990 after he fathered a child outside of their relationship with actress Rebecca Broussard. 'I was in a car with three dogs, two cats and the housekeeper', she told The Guardian while recalling Jack's phone call; pictured April 2023 in Los Angeles 'That's the bottom line with him and I,' she told the outlet. 'When the chips are down, he's there,' she added; pictured February 2018 in Los Angeles She also reflected on staying with Nicholson despite his infidelity, and said she has no regrets. 'I loved him. I think in the world that I was living in, it wasn't disrespectful'; pictured 1986 The pair were previously in a relationship for nearly two decades, and Nicholson even publicly stated that she was the love of his life in the past. They split for good in 1990 after she learned that he fathered a child outside of their relationship; pictured April 1975 in Beverly Hills She went on to find love again and was married to sculptor Robert Graham from 1992 up until his death in 2008. Reflecting on staying with Nicholson despite his infidelity back then, Huston told the outlet she has no regrets. 'I loved him,' she said. 'I think in the world that I was living in, it wasn't disrespectful.' She continued: 'It was how he was, and it wasn't so personal. I think as soon as I clocked that, it was all right, I knew how to protect myself.' She said that she was sure that she wanted to stay with him and insists she was not a victim even though she wasn't 'happy' that he was unfaithful. 'It didn't make me happy, but I knew what I was doing,' she said. 'I did what I wanted to do, and I did it with sureness,' she added. 'If I wanted something, I knew how to go after it, so it wasn't as though anything was being done to me. I wasn't a wilting flower.' Reflecting on staying with Nicholson despite his infidelity back then, Huston told the outlet she has no regrets. Seen here in 2024 During an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen in 2019, Angelica made a racy confession about Jack. 'Describe Jack Nicholson as a lover in three words,' Andy asked The Witches star as RuPaul sat in as a guest at the clubhouse. 'Um. Um ... Oh, dear,' she said, seemingly flustered. 'What is that d-thing?' 'D***,' RuPaul replied in efforts to help Anjelica fill in the blanks, with which she answered, 'very big.' A plane carrying one of Chelsea Handler's famous exes was forced to make an emergency landing after the entire cabin 'filled with smoke.' Comedian Jo Koy, 53, who dated Handler from 2021-2022, took to Instagram Thursday to reveal his plane abruptly landed in Tokyo after an terrifying electrical fire broke out. He posted a candid video captioned: 'We were on our way back to L.A. from Philippines when the entire cabin filled with smoke (due to electrical fire) we then made an emergency landing into Tokyo Japan. 'Hats off to the @flypal flight attendants and pilots they were more than great. Ps. Tell everyone you love them everyday. Mahal kita.' The star said in the clip: 'We had to do an emergency landing in Tokyo, Japan. But I'm gonna say this, the flight attendants on Philippine Airlines were amazing. 'You were amazing, above and beyond. You guys were pros. Thank you for remaining calm in a situation that could have went south fast.' A plane carrying one of Chelsea Handler's famous exes - comedian Jo Koy - was forced to make an emergency landing after the entire cabin 'filled with smoke' Koy, 53, who dated Handler from 2021-2022, took to Instagram Thursday to reveal his plane abruptly landed in Tokyo after an terrifying electrical fire broke out. He also confirmed that he and his son were 'safe' in Tokyo and waiting for a new flight home. 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. He posted a candid video captioned: 'We were on our way back to L.A. from Philippines when the entire cabin filled with smoke (due to electrical fire) we then made an emergency landing into Tokyo Japan 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. 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 '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.' No one was injured and Tokyo's Department of Transportation is working to accommodate everyone impacted by the diversion, ABS-CBN reported. DailyMail.com reached out to Philippine Airlines for comment. Angelina Jolie's daughter Shiloh seems to be following in her mother's footsteps. The budding dancer, 18 - who recently debuted a new look following years of tomboy style - was seen leaving a dance class in Los Angeles on Thursday when the sleeve of her gray hoodie slipped down to unveil a mini tattoo on her right wrist. The ink appeared to be a tiny Gemini symbol; the teen's birthday is on May 27. Her mom Angelina is also a Gemini and her birthday is on June 4. Shiloh's mother is known for having an array of tattoos, and notably showcased new ink last year. The daughter of Angelina and Brad Pitt kept it casual for the outing and also sported a pair of baggy, dark gray sweatpants and white sneakers. She easily carried a green duffle bag over her shoulder to hold items she needed during the busy excursion. Angelina Jolie's daughter Shiloh, 18, accidently revealed the way that she has followed in her mother's footsteps while out in Los Angeles on Thursday The budding dancer was seen leaving a dance class in the city when the sleeve of her gray hoodie rolled down to unveil a mini tattoo on her right wrist Shiloh could be seen holding a conversation on the phone while heading to her next destination. Last year, the Maleficent actress revealed that 'some' of her children have started to get tattoos. Angelina shares six children with ex-husband Brad Pitt: Shiloh, Maddox, 23, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, as well as Knox and Vivienne, 16. During an interview with CR Fashion Book last year in September, the Oscar winner shared that both she and her youngest daughter Vivienne have matching ink after they worked together on the musical called The Outsiders. 'I got "Stay Gold" with my daughter Viv during our time with The Outsiders. It means so much to us separately and together,' she expressed. Jolie opted to get her 'Stay Gold' tattoo on the side of her left arm, although it is not known where Vivienne got hers. In the production of The Outsiders, the phrase is said by the character Johnny while talking to Ponyboy as a reminder to stay true to oneself. While talking to the publication, she added, 'There is also a Bird that I share with some of my children that is personal to us' - although Angelina did not share which of her kids have the specific ink. The ink appeared to be a tiny Gemini symbol - with the teen's birthday being on May 27 Shiloh's mother is known for having an array of tattoos, and notably showcased new ink last year; Jolie seen in February in Santa Monica The daughter of Angelina and Brad Pitt kept it casual for the outing and also sported a pair of baggy, dark gray sweatpants and white sneakers Shiloh could be seen holding a conversation on the phone while heading to her next destination Last year, the Maleficent actress revealed that 'some' of her children have started to get tattoos Angelina shares six children with ex-husband Brad Pitt: Shiloh, Maddox, 23, Pax, 20, Zahara, 19, as well as Knox and Vivienne, 16 As Shiloh held a phone in her hand while leaving the dance class, the small tattoo peaked through the top of her sleeve Also in 2024, the star debuted two bird tattoos - one located on her chest and the other on her upper left arm. Some of Jolie's various other tattoos include a Bengal Tiger, a cross, Khmer Script and also Geographical Coordinates of her children. During a past interview with Marie Claire UK back in 2020, Angelina opened up about her array of tattoos. 'I love them. They're body art,' she gushed to the outlet at the time. 'I don't think it's abnormal that someone who spends their life in other skins wants to claim their own by marking things on it that matter to them.' Angelina further elaborated the importance of tattoos to her as an artist while talking to Backstage. 'It was one of many things I did in my life that was separate from film and being on camera - that was me and not a character,' she explained. 'So I wasn't just staying a blank slate, even literally. To have a self is very important when a lot of your job is to transform into other selves.' Late last year in December, Angelina and Brad finalized their divorce following a lengthy and bitter eight-year battle. 'I got "Stay Gold" with my daughter Viv during our time with The Outsiders. It means so much to us separately and together,' Angelina expressed While talking to the publication, she added, 'There is also a Bird that I share with some of my children that is personal to us' - although Angelina did not share which of her kids have the specific ink; seen with Vivienne in 2024 in NYC The actor seemingly has a rocky relationship with his children - and Shiloh dropped Pitt from her name in August 2024. Her new legal name is Shiloh Nouvel Jolie, which she filed to change to on her 18th birthday. A source previously told DailyMail.com: 'Shiloh hired her own lawyer and paid for it herself, so Angie doesnt know and can't speak for it. 'But, if you're asking if this is connected to the abuse history or the violation of Shiloh's victims rights, yes, that's part of it.' A separate insider also informed DailyMail.com, 'Now that Shiloh is 18, she can make up her own mind as far as how she wants her relationship with her father to develop.' Since Brad and Angelina went their separate ways, the children have had a 'limited involvement' with the actor. 'It is still that way with the underage ones, but with Shiloh that is no longer Angie's choice. If Shiloh chooses to have limited contact with her dad, that is her decision.' And no matter what Shiloh decides, he will still 'love her unconditionally. The difference between now and [a few] days ago [before her birthday] is that Shiloh makes the choice.' Some of Jolie's various other tattoos include a Bengal Tiger, a cross, Khmer Script and also Geographical Coordinates of her children; pictured in 2024 in Venice 'I love them. They're body art,' she gushed to the outlet at the time. 'I don't think it's abnormal that someone who spends their life in other skins wants to claim their own by marking things on it that matter to them'; seen in 2024 in NYC 'It is still that way with the underage ones, but with Shiloh that is no longer Angie's choice. If Shiloh chooses to have limited contact with her dad, that is her decision,' the source said; Brad and Angelina seen in 2015 in Hollywood The source continued, 'Everyone is confident that they will, in time, rekindle the bond that was broken by the divorce. Keeping Shiloh from Brad is no longer an option for Angelina.' Another insider expressed that Brad 'first and foremost' put being a father as a top priority and being there for his six children. 'Angie can make them think differently but the truth is, Brad always wants them to know that he has their back,' the source said, and then added that the truth 'always seems to find a way to find itself to the forefront. 'Brad never wants to regret, so when he is 70, 80, or 90, he would always love to see his kids and have a relationship with them.' They continued, 'He would love Shiloh to start making her own decisions and him to be in the mix for her future, so he just has to see what happens and hope for the best.' Earlier this month, Shiloh was seen taking a step away from her usual tomboy style and opted for a more feminine look; seen in 2021 in London Earlier this month, Shiloh was seen taking a step away from her usual tomboy style and opted for a more feminine look. She could be seen styling her locks into a chic bun paired with eye-catching, gold earrings - which was in contrast to her previous laidback fashion. And this week on Monday, the teenager flashed a big smile as she resembled her mother while sitting outside of a dance studio in L.A. Her hair was styled into Dutch braids, which was similar to a hairstyle worn by her mother Angelina in her Tomb Raider films. 1923 star Brandon Sklenar has revealed his shocking onset injury in a candid new interview. The actor, 34, who recently distanced himself from the It Ends With Us drama, was interviewed by his The Housemaid co-star Sydney Sweeney, and dished on the 'dumbest way' he's ever injured himself on set. The Spencer Dutton star told Interview Magazine: 'Splitting my own head open with a helmet shooting a scene in 1923. That was pretty dumb. 'I was having to slam it down on this dudes neck as hes trying to kill me. And when we actually shot it, I had the helmet far enough in front of me to have some clearance. 'Then we had to shoot from his point of view, of me slamming it on his neck, and because of the angle I had to hold the helmet really close to me, and we had one shot, so the director told me to just go really ape-s**t on it. 'So I came up and hit myself right here under my eye and just totally split my head open' adding that 'they had to superglue it.' 1923 star Brandon Sklenar has revealed his shocking onset injury in a candid new interview - pictured as Spencer Dutton in the show The actor, 34, who recently distanced himself from the It Ends With Us drama, was interviewed by his The Housemaid co-star Sydney Sweeney, and dished on the 'dumbest way' he's ever injured himself on set The horror accident left him with 'a pretty good scar right next to another scar that I already had there.' 1923 recently concluded with its second season, with the heartbreaking finale following the killing off of seven main characters. This comes after Sklenar, who played the character Atlas Corrigan in It Ends With Us, was asked at the airport if he had any words of encouragement for any of his co-stars from the film. Brandon cryptically replied back: 'lead with love and compassion' before walking away to the baggage claim area. The telling comments comes over a month after he awkwardly tip-toed around the legal controversy surrounding Blake and Justin after the Oscars. Initially, Brandon was very open in his support for Blake - specifically in December when the New York Times article came out. The scandal officially kicked off in December after Lively, 37, filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment on the set of their film by Baldoni, 41, and the subsequent creation of a smear campaign - both of which he has denied - and has continued to unfold to this day. Skelnar, who played Lively's love interest in the film, has been asked about the subject numerous times since it broke out. The Spencer Dutton star told Interview Magazine : 'Splitting my own head open with a helmet shooting a scene in 1923. That was pretty dumb. 'I was having to slam it down on this dudes neck as hes trying to kill me' This comes after Sklenar, who played the character Atlas Corrigan in It Ends With Us, was asked at the airport if he had any words of encouragement for any of his co-stars - pictured with Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds in August 2024 The scandal officially kicked off in December after Lively, 37, filed a complaint alleging sexual harassment on the set of their film by Baldoni, 41, and the subsequent creation of a smear campaign - both of which he has denied - and has continued to unfold to this day. When the New York Times first broke the complaint in December, Brandon posted a link to the article on his Instagram Stories with a message supporting Blake. 'For the love of God, read this,' he wrote, in addition to tagging Lively and adding a red heart emoji next to her name. In March, the subject came up while Sklenar, 34, was being interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter at the Vanity Fair Oscars party when he was asked how he had been 'supporting' Lively. While admitting the whole ordeal was 'tough', Sklenar managed to provide a non-answer about the situation as he pivoted towards the film's larger message and the impact it has had on audiences. 'It's a tough situation,' he began. 'I just hope everyone remembers what the movie is about and why we made it in the first place. It's about love and it's about supporting women in general and helping people through tough times,' he said. 'And that movie's helped so many people, and I just want people to remember like what it's about and why we made it. And to kind of keep it on that. That kind of core ethos.' The issue came up again for Sklenar during an interview with Gayle King where he took a more neutral stance. King, 70, put Sklenar on the spot on CBS Mornings as she asked: 'Are you Team Blake or Team Justin?' Sklenar, who was appearing to plug the second season of Yellowstone prequel, 1923, let out an awkward laugh and said: 'I'm Team It Ends With Us.' Asked how he was handling the dueling lawsuits between Lively and Baldoni, Sklenar said: 'I just want people to remember why we made the movie in the first place and what it stands for, and just keeping the focus on that. 'I have someone very close to me who's gone through what [Lively's character Lily is] going through for a long time and I've been on the front lines helping her navigate that space, so that movie meant a lot to me and it means a lot to her. 'It was one of the reasons that me doing that movie gave her the strength to change her life. 'It's unfortunate that things get taken away from what the ethos of that thing is and it gets convoluted.' Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her in a lawsuit filed in December while Baldoni accused Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, and publicist Leslie Sloane of defamation and extortion in a $400 million suit filed in February. Baldoni has denied the allegations from Lively, while Lively, Reynolds and Sloane have denied the accusations made by Baldoni. Initially Sklenar expressed support for Lively but his more recent responses have become neutral; pictured June 2024 Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and orchestrating a smear campaign against her in a lawsuit filed in December while Baldoni accused Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds, 48, and publicist Leslie Sloane of defamation and extortion in a $400 million suit filed last month For astute social media users, the legal conflict was not necessarily a massive surprise as many viewers had suspected a feud was brewing between Lively and Baldoni. At the time, Sklenar addressed the rumored tension feud, once again urging viewers not to forget the key message of the film. In his lengthy statement to Instagram, Brandon urged fans not to 'vilify' the women in the film and focus on the messages of it. 'Colleen and the women of this cast stand for hope, perseverance, and for women choosing a better life for themselves,' he wrote. 'Vilifying the women who put so much of their heart and soul into making this film because they believe so strongly in its message seems counterproductive and detracts from what this film is about. It is, in fact, the opposite of the point. 'What may or may not have happened behind the scenes does not and hopefully should not detract from what our intentions were in making this film. It's been disheartening to see the amount of negativity being projected online.' David Tennant has confessed that he is a nepo baby after admitting his late TV minister dad used his contacts to get him in the door of his first telly job. The Doctor who actor, 53, whose adopted son Ty has also been branded with the label on account of his famous family, admitted that the connections his father Sandy Macdonald had in broadcasting came in handy when he started out in acting. In the 1980s the late reverent, who passed away aged 78 in 2016, co-presented religious programmes including That's The Spirit on Scottish television. Speaking on his David Tennant Does A Podcast With..., he said: 'Sandy MacDonald became a bit of a television star in Scottish television. He used to do the Thought for the Day and the Late Night Thought for the Day'. 'And he would sit there on a little chair with a little table with a bowl of flowers next to him. And he'd go, good evening. David said that his father sent off his picture to the drama department of Scottish Television which helped him get a foot in the door. David Tennant, 53, has confessed that he is a nepo baby after admitting his late TV minister dad used his contacts to get him in the door of his first telly job The Doctor who actor admitted that the connections his father Sandy Macdonald had in broadcasting came in handy when he started out in acting (pictured together) 'He didn't know the drama people at Scottish television, but he knew there was a drama department. I suppose because he had a bit of an in, he knew how to get to it. This is absolutely nepotism. If I'm a nepo baby, this is the moment'. Before heading to drama school, David explained that his dad snapped some cringey photos of him and sent them to Scottish Television. 'Not somebody he knew, but he found a desk for them to land on. A man called Haldane Duncan, who was a producer-director. Of course, there's so many elements of luck here, but they landed on his desk as he was looking for a 15-year-old to be in a children's drama called Dramarama, which was a kind of anthology show'. He went on: 'There was only three channels back then, remember? And he was looking to cast a ghost story that needed three teenagers, and this landed on his desk, and he got me in, and I got a part in a Dramarama. Meanwhile David's adopted son Ty, whose mother is actress Georgia Tennant, has also been branded a nepo baby. Ty last year revealed he was recording music, but first shot to fame for his compelling portrayal of Tom Gresham in the adaptation of H.G. Wells' iconic science fiction series. Building on this early success, he took on the role of young Aegon II Targaryen in HBO's highly acclaimed fantasy series House of the Dragon. In 2019, he starred in Casualty, the series his mum had also had a brief appearance in, starring in two episodes before her character was killed off in 2009. David said that his father sent off his picture to the drama department of Scottish Television which helped him get a foot in the door (David pictured 1994) Meanwhile David's adopted son Ty, whose mother is actress Georgia Tennant, has also been branded a nepo baby (Pictured David and Ty in 2019) Ty last year revealed he was recording music, but first shot to fame for his compelling portrayal of Tom Gresham in the adaptation of H.G. Wells' iconic science fiction series In March 2012 Scottish actor David revealed he had become a 'double dad' after adopting Tyler a year earlier. The former Doctor Who star told Absolute Radio at the time: 'My baby is almost a year old and I adopted my wife's boy last year as well so I became a father twice in six months - that's got to be something of a record hasn't it?' Georgia gave birth to Tyler in 2002, when she was just 17. She brought him up alone and has never publicly revealed who the father is. David and Georgia wed in 2011 and went on to have children Olive, 12, Wilfred, 11, Doris, eight, and Birdie, four. In 2020 Ty spoke of the moment he met David on the set of Doctor Who, aged five. He spoke of his close bond with the actor, whom he calls his father, and why he would love to be the third Doctor in the family as he appeared on Lorraine. David met Ty's mum Georgia when she had a guest role in the 2008 episode The Doctor's Daughter- and it was then when Ty met his TV hero. 'It was great, I was five when I first met my dad, my mum was working on Doctor Who at the time,' Ty said. 'I watched him on TV as the hero, and it was crazy how much your life can change.' Katy Perry has revealed how she is 'psychologically' preparing for her all-female Blue Origin space mission. The 40-year-old hitmaker - who recently put on a futuristic display - has been motivating herself by telling herself that she will inspire others, reading the work of astrophysicists, and channeling her 'feminine divine' ahead of her space tourism stunt. On Monday, the star will be part of a history-making flight, alongside Jeff Bezos fiancee, Lauren Sanchez, journalist Gayle King and three other women, which is set to be the first all-female trip to space since 1963. Perry spoke with the Associated Press at her Ontario, California rehearsal space on Wednesday, days before she was set to leave for training in Texas. She said: 'I am talking to myself every day and going, "Youre brave, youre bold, you are doing this for the next generation to inspire so many different people but especially young girls to go, 'Ill go to space in the future.' No limitations."' The Roar hitmaker also said she has been 'psychologically' preparing for the spaceflight by reading work from the late Sagan and other scientists. Katy Perry (pictured in Santa Monica on Saturday) has revealed how she is 'psychologically' preparing for her all-female Blue Origin space mission On Monday, the star will be part of a history-making flight, alongside Jeff Bezos fiancee, Lauren Sanchez, journalist Gayle King and three other women, which is set to be the first all-female trip to space since 1963 on a rocket from billionaire Jeff Bezos' private space company Blue Origin Katy explained: 'Im really excited about the engineering of it all. Im excited to learn more about STEM and just the math about what it takes to accomplish this type of thing.' She went on to say that whenever she is on the verge of something new or feels daunting, she looks within herself to unlock the strength that she needs. 'Using that feminine divine that I was born with and definitely unlocked when I had my daughter even more. It leveled up for sure. Being a mother just makes you level up with that type of power.' Katy shares four-year-old daughter Daisy with actor fiance Orlando Bloom. She famously sung about falling in love with an extraterrestrial in 2010 hit track E.T. and now she is turning to the work of one of the most famous astrophysicists who studied them in the aforementioned Sagan. Regarding her preparations for the mission, she told AP: 'I was listening to Cosmos by Carl Sagan and reading a book on string theory, Ive always been interested in astrophysics and interested in astronomy and astrology and the stars. 'We are all made of stardust and we all come from the stars.' Katy may have sung about falling love with an alien in that aforementioned track E.T. but Sagan was a pioneer in the field of exobiology, which is the study of the possibility of extraterrestrial life. The Roar hitmaker (pictured in 2017) also said she has been 'psychologically' preparing for the spaceflight by reading work from the late Carl Sagan and other scientists She famously sung about falling in love with an extraterrestrial in 2010 hit track E.T. and now she is turning to the work of one of the most famous astrophysicists who studied them in the aforementioned Sagan (pictured in 1984) Sagan - who passed away in 1996 - was an American astronomer, planetary scientist and science communicator but is most well-known for his groundbreaking work in science communication and his role in popularizing science through his television series, Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, and numerous books. Bezos' rocket company Blue Origin announced the crew in February and his fiancee Sanchez, a helicopter pilot and former TV journalist, picked the women who will join her to take part in an 11-minute flight to space on a rocket. The stars will also join former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen and film producer Kerianne Flynn. Of the crew the pop star said: 'I am feeling so grateful and grounded and honored to be invited and included with this incredible group of women.' The mission has had its detractors including Hollywood actress Olivia Munn who blasted it during an appearance on Today With Jenna And Friends earlier this month. Both Munn and Jenna began the conversation as they pointed out the group's recent cover for Elle and Olivia started to offer her thoughts before stopping herself. She then questioned, 'What are they doing? Like why? You know what I mean?' - which got a few chuckles from the live audience. 'I know that this is probably not the cool thing to say, but there are so many other things that are so important in the world right now.' Regarding her preparations for the mission, she told AP: 'I was listening to Cosmos by Carl Sagan and reading a book on string theory, Ive always been interested in astrophysics and interested in astronomy and astrology and the stars. 'We are all made of stardust and we all come from the stars' Sagan - who passed away in 1996 - was an American astronomer, planetary scientist and science communicator but is most well-known for his groundbreaking work in science communication and his role in popularizing science through his television series, Cosmos: A Personal Voyage, and numerous books. Of the crew the pop star (pictured in New York back in September) said: 'I am feeling so grateful and grounded and honored to be invited and included with this incredible group of women' Munn then added, 'What are you going to do up in space? What are you doing up there?' Hager cut in to express the six ladies will be on the flight for a total of 11 minutes - which prompted Olivia to compare the launch to a ride at Disneyland. As the actress continued to struggle to find the words to describe her thoughts, Jenna said that Munn was 'perplexed.' The mother-of-two expressed, 'I just was like, why do you guys need to tell us about it? It's like just go up there, have a good time, come on down. 'Also, you know, I just think about - I know that this is probably obnoxious - but like, it's so much money to go to space. You know, there's a lot of people that can't even afford eggs.' Jenna then informed Olivia that the all-female crew will go to space 'in glam' which prompted the actress to give a confused reaction. 'They are getting their hair done, their makeup done, even eyelash extensions,' Hager continued. Munn was left speechless once again and then questioned, 'They said this out loud?' While talking to Jenna, Munn then asked, 'But what's the point? Is it historic that you guys are going on ride? I think it's a bit gluttonous and I just think there are - the cover of Elle Magazine? I mean, I don't know.' Olivia later stated, 'Space exploration was to further our knowledge and to help mankind. I mean, what are they gonna do up there that has made it better for us down here?' Jenna replied, 'That I don't know,' and Munn continued, 'I don't know if all that rocket fuel is good. This is a lot of resources being spent.' The mission has had its detractors including Hollywood actress Olivia Munn who blasted it during an appearance on Today With Jenna And Friends earlier this month The mother-of-two expressed, 'I just was like, why do you guys need to tell us about it? It's like just go up there, have a good time, come on down' Olivia also added, 'Also, you know, I just think about - I know that this is probably obnoxious - but like, it's so much money to go to space. You know, there's a lot of people that can't even afford eggs' 'They are getting their hair done, their makeup done, even eyelash extensions,' Hager continued. Munn was left speechless once again and then questioned, 'They said this out loud?' The actress silently shook her head and Hager humorously added, 'Yeah, and a lot of eyelash glue to nail that baby down. That's what I can't stop thinking about.' Blue Origin Flight NS-31 is the first launch with an all-female crew since Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova's solo space flight in 1963. The rocket that the six women will use can fly itself - and will float in space for around four minutes before returning back to Earth. The launch is part of Blue Origin's New Shepherd program - and will take place in West Texas on April 14 at 8:30 a.m. CDT / 13:30 UTC. A sneaky travel trick can knock thousands of dollars off a luxury trip to vacation hotspots such as Las Vegas, Hawaii and Florida. Hilton Honors and Marriott Bonvoy members can get their hands on a luxury vacation at a discount price by attending a holiday timeshare pitch once they've arrived. The deals are part of the hotel giants' plans to lure their loyal customers into buying vacation timeshares from another arm of their business. Once on the trip, members must attend a sales pitch for vacation timeshares, which is when people essentially pay up front for a lifetime of holidays at the company's different resorts. Depending on which level of the timeshare scheme you purchase, you are given a certain number of annual points that can be redeemed for vacations. For example, a package costing $23,980 would get you 5,500 annual timeshare points, working out to somewhere between 12 and 21 nights a year in a studio at a standard property or a week at an upscale resort, The Wall Street Journal reported. One such deal from Hilton Grand Vacations available now is a three night stay in Las Vegas for just $299. The stay at Hilton's The Boulevard can be redeemed for up to 12 months after purchase. If the holiday wasn't perk enough it also comes with 15,000 Hilton Honors points. The most lucrative offers are often sent to members' email inboxes directly Other destinations currently on offer on the Hilton Grand Vacations website include three nights in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, for $349, and three nights in Orlando, Florida, for $299. Even more lucrative offers are often sent to members' email inboxes directly. One recent deal offered three nights in Orlando or Vegas for just $129. The packages also include an annual maintenance fee that increases over time. Some who have taken the cheap holidays have advised other against doing so. 'I did one on Vegas and I wouldn't recommend it,' one holidaymaker wrote on Reddit. 'You do get to stay for cheap, but to me it wasn't worth the 3 hours of high pressure sales... it's pretty brutal.' 'I had to go through 3 levels of management to get out of there. Honestly it's easier to pay the room rate,' they added. Florida is among the popular destinations for timeshare pitch holidays Savvy travelers have also bagged cheap trips to Hawaii Many of those who do buy packages also go on to regret it. Some even try to resell their purchases for cheaper just to be rid of them. 'I can never find any reservations that aren't in Vegas that my measly 5500 points will cover,' one remorseful vacation timeshare owner wrote on Reddit. 'I have paid close to $40,000 over the years and still paying $1,650 in maintenance fees yearly,' they wrote. 'Advice from a bitter buyer? DONT DO IT!' It comes after the Hilton Honors rewards program came under fire earlier this year. Gary Leff, of View From The Wing, criticized Hilton Honors as 'a low-value program,' explaining that points are typically worth just 0.4 cents each. He also noted that while Hilton hands out large numbers of points to guests, the cost to redeem them - even for mid-tier properties - can be 'stratospheric'. Hilton's competitors often provide better returns on points earned per stay, he said. Leff argues that Hilton gets away with this weak offering by having promotions that 'keep you on the treadmill.' Billionaire Larry Fink has said that he thinks the US economy has already weakened, and may already be in decline. 'I think we're very close, if not in, a recession now,' the BlackRock CEO told CNBC Friday. Fears of an economic slowdown have soared since President Donald Trump implemented sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries last week, sending markets nosediving. The sell-off continued into this week, hitting panicked Americans' investments and retirement savings. But on Wednesday, the President announced a 90-day delay in levies for countries that had not imposed reciprocal tariffs. This sent Wall Street surging to its biggest single day gain since 2008, but left investors and regular Americans reeling. Fink, who has been CEO of the largest investment company in the US for decades, said the pause was not enough to restore confidence in the economy, and that he was 'terrified' about some issues in the short run. 'I think you're going to see, across the board, just a slowdown until there's more certainty,' he said during an interview on Squawk on the Street. 'And we now have a 90-day pause on the reciprocal tariffs - that means longer, more elevated uncertainty.' Billionaire Larry Fink has said that he thinks the US economy has already weakened, and may already be in decline Fink echoed comments he made earlier in the week at the Economic Club of New York. The businessman, who has an estimated net worth of $1.2 billion, said: 'Most CEOs I talk to would say we are probably in a recession right now.' He warned on Monday that the 'economy is weakening as we speak,' and that he sees more economic slowdown in the coming months. Speaking to CNBC on Friday, Fink pointed out that the current economic climate is 'something we have created,' and noted how the position of the US on the world stage has changed. 'This is not a pandemic, this is not a financial crisis, this is something that we have created. 'The United States post World War Two was a global stabilizer, now we are the global destabilizer. And that's a very hard thing to say because I pride ourselves of bringing the leadership and bringing the conversations.' But he added that the 'power of US capitalism' is still alive, and the company's clients worldwide are still asking for its vision and views. 'Long term I'm less worried about some of these issues but in the short run I'm petrified about some of these issues,' Fink said. Fears of an economic slowdown have soared since President Donald Trump implemented sweeping tariffs on dozens of countries last week, sending markets nosediving But despite his concerns, Fink said that he did not think the US was in a financial crisis, and that the 'megatrends', such as artificial intelligence, would persist. 'I think the mega-force trends are not going to change by what is happening now. 'But maybe the execution of some of these trends may be delayed or pushed out longer,' he said. The billionaire said he remains optimistic over the long run. 'Yes we have to recalibrate, yes I do believe we are probably starting, if not, we're in a recession. 'I think the market is still underestimating how high inflation can get. If you factor in all the tariffs, if you factor in all these other issues it's going to be quite additive.' If you think President Donald Trump is shaking the world economy believe me you aint seen nothing yet. The White House is set to hit the Chinese Communist regime with a double whammy that will turn global commerce on its head. On Wednesday, the Senate confirmed Wall Street consultant Paul Atkins to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission the agency responsible for regulating the financial markets. And there is good reason to believe that Atkins may finally demand that Chinese-controlled companies on the US stock exchanges stop stealing intellectual property, ignoring financial standards and unfairly driving companies out of business or else. In addition to Trumps escalating tariff war against China on Friday, Beijing ratcheted up its levies on US goods to 125 percent after the White House slapped Chinese goods with a minimum 145 percent rate Chinese companies may soon find themselves facing the threat of being kicked off the US stock exchange. Make no mistake: this is the most important news of the week! Shutting Chinese companies out of Americas exchanges would cut them off from their ability to raise capital in the largest markets on Earth. Shortly after Atkins confirmation on Wednesday, Florida Senator Rick Scott tweeted out a letter that he sent to the SEC commissioner, with the following caption: Mr. Atkins fully committed to me that he will do everything he can to enforce the law, which means delisting Communist Chinese companies who refuse to comply with our laws to protect the security of our financial markets. I look forward to working together to do so. If you think President Donald Trump is shaking the world economy believe me you aint seen nothing yet. The White House is set to hit the Chinese Communist regime with a double whammy that will turn global commerce on its head. (Pictured: Kevin O'Leary). On Friday, Beijing ratcheted up its levies on US goods to 125 percent after the White House slapped Chinese goods with a minimum 145 percent rate. (Pictured: Chinese President Xi Jinping). Between these financial regulatory developments and tariffs, this White House is trying to do what multiple administrations across Europe and in the United States have failed at for decades hold China to account. And that starts with forcing them to abide by the rules of the World Trade Organization, which China joined in 2001. For decades now, China has abused the membership that allowed them access to the modern trading system by stealing intellectual property from both Europe and the United States and then using it to advance their economy. A reality for many American entrepreneurs and investors who make consumer goods is that, once they hit $5 million in sales in the US domestic market, their product is copied by a Chinese manufacturer who starts selling it for 30 to 40 percent off. That is devastating to American small businesses. Of course, they cant compete with Chinese companies who dont pay to develop products, outright steal the designs and produce it at a lower cost (often with underpaid and/or mistreated workers). Chinas behavior is illegal under the terms of the WTO. But for Chinese companies there are no consequences, because China again, in violation of WTO rules does not allow foreigners access to their legal system. In contrast, if an American company steals from a Chinese company, the Chinese can sue in American courts. Thats grossly unfair and its been hurting America and the world for decades! But to China, the more they cheated, the more they stole, the more they sold, the wealthier they became until now. Trump is now forcing Chinas President Xi Jinping through both tariffs and SEC threats to sort out these issues. Unfortunately, many Americans are not being told about any of this. Instead, theyre being drowned in the latest ranting and ravings broadcast on certain cable news outlets or from self-interested politicians hyperventilating over the latest market volatility. But Ive seen it before... Ill say it again: Ignore the noise. Pay attention to the signal. The signal Trump is sending is that he is trying to negotiate zero percent tariffs with the world and force China into modern world order. Trump is now forcing Jinping through both tariffs and SEC threats to sort out these issues. The signal Trump is sending is that he is trying to negotiate zero percent tariffs with the world and force China into modern world order. As an investor, Id like to see the beginnings of a new trade agreement between Eastern Europe, Canada and Mexico within the next six months. That would create a behemoth new free trade economy invested in the promotion of freedom, law and order and democracy. And I have greater confidence that were heading in that direction. I was in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to testify before The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party to share these same thoughts on Chinese exploiting of American businesses and markets. I have never seen such massive traffic jams or security lines packed full of people waiting to get into various government buildings. Everybody from everywhere is in D.C. There must be thousands of foreign delegates from all over the world. The only nation not represented is... China. But if they're going to come to the negotiating table, they're going to have to start playing by the rules. Xi says there is no winner in a tariff war Xinhua) 16:17, April 11, 2025 Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- There is no winner in a tariff war, and going against the world will only result in self-isolation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said when meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing on Friday. Xi said over the past 70 years and more, China has achieved development through self-reliance and arduous struggle, never relying on others' mercies, still less fearing any unreasonable suppression. He added that no matter how the external world changes, China will remain confident and focused on running its own affairs well. Noting that both China and the European Union (EU) are major economies in the world and firm supporters of economic globalization and free trade, Xi said the two sides have formed a close relationship of economic symbiosis with their combined economic output exceeding one-third of the world's total. He called on China and the EU to fulfill their international responsibilities, work together to safeguard economic globalization and the international trading environment, and jointly resist unilateral bullying. This not only safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of China and the EU, but also serves to maintain fairness and justice within the international community while upholding international rules and order, Xi said. Sanchez said China is an important partner of the EU, and Spain has always supported the stable development of EU-China relations. Noting the EU is committed to open and free trade, upholds multilateralism and opposes unilateral tariff hikes, Sanchez said there is no winner in a trade war. Facing the complex and challenging international situation, Spain and the EU are willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to maintain the international trade order, cope with challenges including climate change and poverty, and safeguard the common interests of the international community, he said. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) China was the spoiled brat of the world. It was literally handed everything it wanted for decades by successive American administrations, it was fawned over by globalists, and praised daily by the UN and organisations like the WEF as the true global model for every nation to follow. Obama and Biden took the knee, they bowed to China, deeply in their taxpayer funded pockets they handed over anything the Chinese communists wanted without question or reason. The markets loved China, they were blinded, as usual, by the money, as are these fucking cockroaches who only think about money day in day out. Then Trump came along. If youve been feeding the baby for that long with goodies, naturally it will have a tantrum when one day you go unh, unh, no more. The Chinese are robotic communists, they are bound by the little red book of communism, and they were utilising capitalism to forward their communistic ideology across the globe. Where do you think wokism came from into the West? China, and a little from Russia. It was a form of destabilisation/demoralisation imported by these authoritarian states to fuck the West in the ass and destroy democracy and its culture. The authoritarians hate democracy, and they used the useful idiot socialists/Marxists of the West to carry their weapon forward with ease. Black Americans were easily indoctrinated and used by Chinese agents who schooled them in being woke, a hypersensitive form of communist political correctness that is utilised to demoralise entire cultures, nations and people. Hollywood films in the last few decades were flooded with Chinese money, literally billions of dollars. The one caveat, they had to promote woke concepts in these films to the dumb American audiences, and they had to say kind words about China. If you ever watch The Meg films, you will see these concepts in full flow, as well as Independence Day II, where the Chinese element was up there in full force. The Chinese communists wanted to show that their communist ideals could ride alongside the usual Americans saving the world thing that happens in any Hollywood invasion movie. Most people did not even register it, and this is how they utilise insidious ways of influence, because the sub-conscious does register, even though the conscious may not. Trump is right. What hes doing is shaking the tree. Its called cleaning house. The snakes, the fucking parasites, the communist agents, the soviet Chinese shills, theyre all getting shaken from that tree. Sure, the markets dont like it. Theyve been under the pay-off money from the sickle and hammer for too long, sucking on the teat of Xi Jinping, but now weve got a moment of reckoning, and we have a spilled rancid milk situation underhand. After the fat, fucking bloated beast of China has been fed for so long on freebies, it needs to be burped, you know, like a real baby. The market guys dont like that either. Well, tough. Siphoning off huge amounts of money stolen from the USA to build up the Chinese military to threaten the entire globe? Trump is easing off the freebies, and it aint free any more. The PLA and CCP are going to have to look elsewhere to increase their military money. You know what? If that piece of shit, shoddy manufactured crap the Chinese sell to the West increases in price thats one more motherfucking reason NOT TO BUY IT! Do you get that into your fucking dumbed-down consumerist Amazon addicted fucking brain? Trump wants quality, not cheap plastic toxic crap that breaks after three fucking days of use, like Chinese made shit does. If you have to pay more for some quality manufacturing, something that has not had its intellectual property stolen, then so be it. Made in America! Automated factories will replace the Chinese peasant and slave labour. The plans are already afoot. China showed its hand, it was not looking good, the West gave them an inch, and they took more than a mile. Its over for the stinking communist Chinese soviets and their ruse is finished. They can go back to the rice fields now. We need to thank Trump and his administration for saving the West (at least the American part) from global communism. Unfortunately, the UK and EU is still under the ideological soviet yoke for now. Derry and Buncrana are the setting for an upcoming horror story. Local author Eamonn Bradley is set to release his latest book, The Veil, this upcoming summer, with the northwest of Ireland taking centre stage. The story is a psychological thriller that gets the minds and hearts racing as Bradley focuses his story on how creatures could be operating in the shadows and feeding on the negative feelings and energy within the human race to power their world. While the overwhelming majority of the world can not see what is happening, those who suffer from serious head injuries become aware of what is truly happening. We discover this through our four main teenage characters, while one, Charlie, starts to believe that his brother, who went missing five years ago, could have been taken by these creatures after he suffered a similar injury after Charlie pushed him off a swing. The writing of this book took on an added importance as it was the last adventure that he and his best friend could have. He said: It is dedicated to my cousin Marty Barr; we unfortunately lost him two years ago as he took his own life. He was my best friend throughout my whole life. I used to speak to him every weekend, and so I created one of the characters, sort of as a last adventure for him and me. It just so happened that it worked into the story anyway. He was well known in Derry; everybody knew Marty. The book is dedicated to him; it is a wee send-off to him. It is actually being published on his birthday. It is my way to say goodbye. Bradley believes that the book will be accessible and enjoyed by many, as everyone could relate to the setting of the book, with Derry playing the part of a major city to its neighbouring seaside town. He said: I am from Derry but moved to Buncrana when I was eight or nine but spent nearly every weekend in Derry. People can read this from outside Ireland as Buncrana is a seaside town just outside Derry, but the closer you get to home, people will all understand the local wee areas and landmarks and understand the connection on how it all comes together. The book is set to be released on June 15, but it is already available for pre-order, with the book currently sitting 65th on the list of pre-orders on Amazon within the British and Irish horror genre. You can order the book through this link. By the time The Veil is released, Bradley is likely to have finished writing his third book, once again focusing on horror, as he is inspired by the likes of Stephen King, Richard Matheson, and Cormac McCarthy. The Department of Healths withdrawal of annual core funding from Derrys Northlands Addiction Treatment Centre has been challenged by the community and politicians across the north west. Including Derry and Strabane councillors, they have united to press the case for its immediate reinstatement. The Derry News broke the story last week Northlands had lost the core funding which covered its administration and housekeeping costs. The revelation was met with widespread shock and anger. Thursdays meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Councils Health and Community committee unanimously backed a proposal from Cllr Sandra Duffy (Sinn Fein) that Council should write to the Health Minister and Executive (TEO) expressing its concerns regarding the loss of core funding for Northlands and requesting the decision be reconsidered. Supporting the proposal, Ald Derek Hussey (UUP) said his party colleagues had made direct contact with Health Minister Mike Nesbitt on the issue. He added: It is planned that the Minister will pay a visit to the site to consider the situation that has evolved with regard to the Northlands site. I can assure colleagues in Council, our grouping does share the concerns that have been expressed and we have followed up directly with the Minister and have received an assurance he is aware of the scenario and plans to visit the city and look into that particular issue, said Ald Hussey. Cllr Duffys full proposal read: Council will write to the Health Minister and Executive Office (TEO) expressing our concerns regarding the loss of core funding for The Northlands Centre and ask this be reconsidered. Ask Council officers to contact the Northlands Centre to discuss the impact this may have on services. And invite a deputation form The Northlands Centre to present to [the Health and Community] committee. Cllr Duffy said she had been shocked and really disappointed to hear that Northlands Centre was losing the core funding it relied on to run its services. I think as a city and district we know it as a competitive process but we also know the work that the Northlands Centre does and I certainly don't know very many families that haven't been touched by the work that they do, indeed I know many people that are here because of the services that they have received through the Northlands Centre, she added. It does life-saving work, there's absolutely no doubt about that. We know that addiction services in this city are stretched. We know that there are many issues within our communities around addiction and mental health but the two at times can come hand in hand, and that is why it is really important that we have these services. We have in this chamber talked about a mental health crisis. We have talked about the scourge of addiction within our communities. We have talked about the need for more and adequate services. I think that that has just led us to be really shocked at this decision around Northlands Centre, said Cllr Duffy. Seconding the proposal, Cllr Rory Farrell (SDLP) described the decision as absolutely disgraceful. Northlands is a vital service. It is an invaluable service that helps people struggling with addiction and their families right across this city and district. The investment should be increased not stripped away, said Cllr Farrell. He added: It should be worth noting that the Programme for Government which sets out the priorities and the plans for the future from the Northern Ireland Executive was 120 pages and it didnt mention addiction once and thats an absolute disgrace as well. We support the letter going to the Health Minister but what we have to recognise is this is an issue for the entire executive not just the Health Minister. Addiction should be a priority. Tackling addiction should be a priority, said Cllr Farrell. Cllr Shaun Harkin said he had spoken to representatives of The Northlands Centre about the devastating cut. He added: They are obviously okay right now because they have some resources but their services are not sustainable into the future unless they receive core funding. There is also an issue with the pot of money that they were able to access in the past and how that's been narrowed down for them in terms of helping people with addiction. I think it speaks to a broader crisis where this is a huge issue for people and families right across our district where we unfortunately have worse health outcomes than many places across the North and across Britain. We actually need more resources going to help people with addiction. We need services like the Northlands Centre fully funded and backed up and this is the opposite of that. We have said time and time again we can't afford to lose any services in our city that help people who are dealing with addiction. We can't afford to lose any services that are helping people with ill mental health. Here we are now with one of the main organisations that has helped so many people and is helping so many people right now facing uncertainty about its ability to support people into the future, so I do think we have to write to the health minister. I also think we have to look at what mechanisms are in place to actually properly fund organisations, said Cllr Harkin. Speaking earlier in the week, Foyle MP Colm Eastwood (SDLP) said the decision to withdraw core funding from Northlands was shocking. He added: The team here is one of the most dedicated providers of healthcare in any setting anywhere on these islands. Their work, undertaken as a voluntary organisation, supports people suffering from addiction at the lowest points in their lives who have often been left behind or fallen through the cracks of other health services. They are lifesavers and the way they have been treated, the way they have been referred to, is beneath contempt. It is even more outrageous because the Department of Health and the Executive have failed to maximise the opportunity to support Northlands for years. There is a guarantee in the New Decade New Approach agreement from the British Government to provide funding to realise Northlands plans to deliver the most exceptional addiction treatment centre on these islands. I insisted on it and successive Secretaries of State have made it clear that they are prepared to provide 1 million to achieve the ambitions that the team at Northlands have set out - it just needs the Executive to play their part, said Mr Eastwood. It is time that promises were kept, he added. Ive raised this decision with the Health Minister and submitted questions to the Secretary of State. This is beyond politics in our city and it needs to be addressed. Foyle MLA Ciara Ferguson (Sinn Fein) said the loss of core funding from the Department of Health had caused a great deal of shock and work in the city given the crucial work Northlands helping those with addiction issues. She added: At a time when addiction continues to be a major issue for so many families in this society, we need to be investing in such services. Sinn Fein is planning to raise its concerns directly with the Minister of Health Mike Nesbitt. Police have arrested a man in connection with an assault and related matters in Derry. Inspector Fell said: At approximately 10.25pm on Thursday, April 10 we received a report that a man, aged in his 20s, had been assaulted and was injured in the Water Street area of the city centre. Its understood there was an altercation between the two men before the suspect produced a blade and caused injuries to the victims face. A member of the public removed the knife from the suspect. The suspect made off on foot from the scene and caused damage to a nearby parked car as well as assaulting two other men as he made his way through the city centre Police detained the suspect, a 20-year-old man, in the Strand Road area. He was arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, common assault, and criminal damage. READ NEXT: Health Minister visiting Northlands Centre after funding bombshell He remains in police custody at this time as enquiries continue into the circumstances of what happened. We would appeal to anyone with any information which might assist us to get in touch by calling 101 and quoting reference number 1965 10/04/25. Alternatively, you can submit a report online using the non-emergency reporting form via http://www.psni.police.uk/ makeareport/ You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at http://crimestoppers-uk.org/ Ulster University's School of Medicine has been granted degree-awarding powers ahead of its first ever cohort of doctors graduating in June. The achievement, which allows Ulster University to give graduating doctors their primary medical qualification, demonstrates that the GMC is assured by the quality of teaching at Ulster Universitys School of Medicine. Upon graduating, the doctors will hold an MBBS degree, which enables them work as medical practitioners in the UK. Foundation Dean of Ulster Universitys School of Medicine, Professor Louise Dubras, commented: Today we can celebrate the conclusion of a robust quality assurance process with our regulator, the General Medical Council (GMC); this means that Ulster University is now officially and legally recognised as able to award a Primary Medical Qualification, meaning our graduates are Ulster University doctors. READ NEXT: DfEs biomethane actions welcomed by Magherafelt gas network operator The GMC had to be satisfied that we met all their standards and demonstrate that our doctors would be safe and competent. We are delighted that the GMC is confident in the hard work of the team and our clinical partners to ensure the quality and safety of our doctors. Ulster Universitys Graduate-Entry Medical Programme is based at the Derry campus and is open to graduates from a wide range of science and non-science backgrounds. A man who a barrister said 'has a fascination with blue light services' has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrates' Court for improper use of the communications network. Stephen Brian Kennedy (30) of Leafair Park appeared charged in connection with two incidents that occurred on May 14, 2023 and August 19, 2023. The court heard that on May 14 at 5.35am police were contacted by the ambulance service to a report if a stabbing in the Bradley's Pass area. Police also received a call to say a male gad been stabbed but we're unable to find any victim. The Ambulance Service told police they believed this was a hoax call and police were able to trace the call to Kennedy and he was charged with wasting the time of the emergency services. The court heard that on August 19 police received several calls and when answered there would be silence or someone laughing. Police went to Kennedy's address and an 'altercation ensued' which in the course of an object was thrown at a police woman's head. Kennedy denied making any calls and also denied throwing anything. Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said his client had a history of calls to the emergency services. He said he was now in employment and had not come to police attention since September last year. Deputy District Judge John Rea said the defendant had 'a bad record' for this type of offending. He said this was 'serious offending' as police and ambulance services would be diverted when they could be attending a real emergency. Kennedy was told 'you have to stop doing this because if you don't you are going to jail.' Kennedy was given six months in prison suspended for two years and ordered to pay 200 in compensation to the police officer he assaulted. Due to concerns regarding police credibility, the conviction of Derry man John McDevitt was referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC). The case came before the Court of Appeal in December and was adjourned. It was before the Court on Friday, April 11 for review but a date for its hearing has not yet been fixed. Mr McDevitt was convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1986, following an attack on members of the British army in Derry on Easter Monday 1984. Speaking to The Derry news, Patricia Coyle, of Harte Coyle Collins, Solicitors and Advocates, revealed the CCRC has now referred a further four of Mr McDevitts convictions, dating back to 1986, to the NI Court of Criminal Appeal. The CCRC made the additional referrals on Wednesday, April 9. The four further convictions referred by the CCRC this week include two counts of wounding with intent; attempting to cause Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) with intent; and possession of firearms with intent. The additional four counts referred back to the NI Court of Appeal this week relate to the same incident and include the woundings of two other soldiers, a conspiracy charge regarding attempting to cause GBH with intent and possession of firearms with intent. Mr McDevitt was arrested at 7am on May 2, 1984, some two weeks after the shooting incident. He was detained in Castlereagh Police Holding Centre and interviewed 23 times over five days. He was arrested with the seven other persons who were also prosecuted for various offences including murder, arson, making and possession of petrol bombs, wounding with intent and possession of firearms with intent, said Ms Coyle. Mr McDevitt was the sole defendant in the trial to challenge the evidence in respect of all charges against him. He gave evidence in his own defence but was convicted by a Diplock court in 1986. The conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal in 1987. According to Ms Coyle, the convictions were based solely on statements he had signed while in Castlereagh Police Holding Centre one month after the incident in May 1984. She added: Mr McDevitt gave evidence at his trial, and asserted on appeal, that the statements were coerced as a result of the oppressive and coercive interview techniques involving threats and inducements from interviewing police officers while in police custody. Mr McDevitts lawyer made an application to the CCRC in 2019 relying on a number of issues including questions about the credibility of some of the interviewing police officers, covert surveillance of police interviews in Castlereagh and queries as to whether the gun used in the incident was subject to GPS tracking by the security services. On October 30 2024 the CCRC referred the murder conviction back to the Court of Appeal on the basis that two of the police officers involved in taking the critical admission statement from Mr McDevitt had been previously discredited in the UDR4 case. The convictions of three of the UDR4 were quashed in 1992. The physical interview notes in the UDR4 case were subject to forensic ESDA testing by the police when questions were raised by their campaign about reliability of the documents before the convictions were quashed in July 1992. Mr McDevitt lawyers were advised this month that none of the original police interview notes from McDevitts time in Castlereagh can be located. The custody record which would provide details of his detention in Castlereagh Holding Centre has also not been located. Ms Coyle said on Friday: My client and his family very much welcome the CCRCs decision to refer four further convictions back to the Court of Appeal. These four convictions emanate from the same contested statement of admission which grounds the murder conviction. That statement of admission was taken by two interviewing police officers who were also involved in the UDR4 case just five months earlier in 1983. My client looks forward to the opportunity to present his case to the Court of Appeal after maintaining his innocence for almost 40 years, said Ms Coyle Mr McDevitt is represented by Patricia Coyle solicitor of Harte Coyle Collins, Solicitors & Advocates, senior barrister Dessie Hutton K.C. and junior barrister Gerard McGettigan BL. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Line Of Duty star Adrian Dunbar has given a rare poetry and art book to the Seamus Heaney Centre at Queens University, Belfast. Happenstance was created by the painter Brian Ballard and poet and writer Ciaran Carson, the late founder and former director of the centre. Conceived in 2012, the book combines the artistry of Carson and Ballard with the traditional craftsmanship of letterpress printing, screen printing and bookbinding. It was published in 2013 in a limited edition of just 30 copies. Actor Dunbar donated the book to the Seamus Heaney Centre at an event on Thursday evening with readings and traditional music. Painter Ballard and members of the Carson family were in attendance. The book will be displayed in the centres public exhibition area which tells the story of writing at Queens and the creative outcomes of friendships between poets and artists. Dunbar said: In my eyes, art is about connections between things. By bringing the book Happenstance into being we connected painting and writing with wonderful printing skills. This created a completely new piece of art with its own existence and its own voice. Dr Patricia Malone and Dr Anna Cummins, collections managers at the Seamus Heaney Centre said: The collections team at the Seamus Heaney Centre are thrilled to receive this copy of Happenstance, a piece of work that celebrates the tactility of text and the serendipity of collaborative creation: things that happen, as our former centre director Ciaran Carson said, on the hoof, because you happen to be there. A welcome addition to our extant holdings, which include Ciarans working library and the Seamus Heaney Broadcast Archive, Happenstance is received with gratitude and wonder and our usual invitation to the public to come see for yourself. Michael ONeill, creative director at Armchair & Rocket who published the book, said: Happenstance is really a celebration of art. The work of both Brian Ballard and Ciaran Carson is a supreme example of how art is a kind of meditation on the deep complexity of life. The public exhibition area at the centre is open to visitors Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm. A working group has been established by Stormont Economy Minister Caoimhe Archibald to assess the implications of US tariffs and any countermeasures on Northern Ireland businesses. Ms Archibald said the group will help shape the devolved powersharing Executives response to the impact of trade tariffs. US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday that he would delay huge tariffs on certain nations for 90 days. The US had announced a 20% tariff for the EU, which would have applied to Ireland, and a 10% rate for Great Britain and Northern Ireland last week. Hours after this came into effect on Wednesday, Mr Trump announced tariffs would be lowered to 10% on nations that had not retaliated, which included the EU. As part of post-Brexit trading arrangements, Northern Ireland remains in the EU single market for goods and would be impacted by any EU retaliatory tariffs on goods imported from the US. Ms Archibald said the new group would work with officials from her department, Invest NI and InterTradeIreland to provide market intelligence. She said its work will include insights on emerging issues, case studies, sector-level information, views on wider economic impacts, and interventions required. The minister said members had experience from across the main US-NI tradable goods sectors. The group will be made up of Stuart Anderson from NI Chamber, Nichola Mallon from Logistics UK, Stephen Kelly of Manufacturing NI and Claire Sullivan from the CBI. Ms Archibald said: The introduction of tariffs by the US administration has created much uncertainty and concern for businesses, workers and their families. Indeed the potential impact on exports from our main sectors is considerable. The purpose of this group is to provide regular updates on the developing trade situation and its impact on the norths businesses and to shape our response and the interventions required at different levels of government. In addition to the engagement I have had with the British and Irish governments, this week I met with a wide range of business, industry and union representatives on the US tariffs. As feedback is received from the working group and the situation evolves, this engagement will continue. Participation in the working group is on a voluntary basis and will not be remunerated. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Nissan reportedly seeks Saudi Arabia's PIF and future collaboration with Foxconn Nissan, long a pillar of Japan's automotive industry, is facing deepening financial troubles and is now turning to an unexpected potential lifeline: Saudi Arabia's powerful sovereign wealth fund, the Public Investment Fund (PIF). According to Automobilwoche, Nissan is in active discussions with PIF, signaling a possible shift away from earlier rumored partners such as Honda and Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn. While both Honda and Foxconn had reportedly explored opportunities with Nissan, neither engagement has produced a concrete outcome. PIF is no stranger to the electric vehicle (EV) space. It holds a controlling stakereportedly around 60%in US-based EV startup Lucid Motors, with total investments reaching US$8 billion. PIF also launched its own Saudi EV brand, Ceer Motors, in partnership with Foxconn, as part of the ambitious plans to diversify its economy and invest heavily in future mobility technologies. Industry analysts say a deal between PIF and Nissan would not necessarily conflict with Foxconn's interests. Foxconn has publicly stated its intention to participate in Nissan's future only as a Tier 1 supplierproviding contract manufacturing services, rather than taking on any ownership role. The prospect of PIF investing in Nissan, combined with Foxconn's manufacturing capabilities, could reshape alliances in the global auto industry. If Honda chooses to reenter the picture, some speculate that a broader coalition may emergethough this would hinge largely on the Japanese government's willingness to allow foreign entities to wield influence over a historically significant domestic automaker. Complicating matters further is the waning influence of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi (RNM) Alliance. Once hailed as a symbol of international automotive cooperation, the alliance is showing signs of disintegration as Nissan's finances deteriorate. Notably, Foxconn recently confirmed a partnership with Mitsubishi Motors in Japan and expressed hopes to deepen its ties with Nissan as well. Crucially, Ceer Motorsthe Saudi EV brandis itself a joint venture between PIF and Foxconn, announced at the end of 2022. Ceer aims to lead in smart cockpit technology, intelligent gateways, and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), all of which align closely with Foxconn's strategic vision. Should Nissan reach a deal with PIF, insiders suggest that the collaboration could open the door to broader cooperation with Foxconn, particularly in EV development and manufacturing. The backdrop to these developments is a rapidly shifting global auto market. Chinese EV makers have risen at breakneck speed, while demand in North America and Europe has cooled. The resulting squeeze has led to a wave of bankruptcies among smaller EV startups. PIF has repeatedly stepped in to support Lucid during this volatile period, allowing the company to remain afloat. Now, Saudi Arabia appears poised to extend a similar lifeline to Nissannot simply as a financial investment, but as part of a shared strategic vision for the future of electric mobility. Nissan, for its part, brings a proven EV track record to the table. Its all-electric Leaf remains one of the world's best-selling EVs, underscoring its legacy and technical expertise in the sector. For Saudi Arabia, a deal with Nissan could represent not only a bold economic diversification move, but a chance to become a serious player in the next era of global automotive innovation. Article edited by Jack Wu Subscriber content preview Photo via Stay Pineapple [enlarge] Developed in the early 1960s in anticipation of the Worlds Fair, the University Inn was extensively remodeled circa 2000. The vintage University Inn, at 4140 Roosevelt Way N.E., sold this week for just under $27 million, according to King County records. . . . Subscriber content preview REDMOND Redmond Woods, at 5000-5020 148th Ave. N.E., sold this week for $45 million, according to King County records. The seller was Redmond Woods Complex LLC, Hayman Properties of Los Angeles, which acquired the office park in 2016 for just under $37 million. . . . Grace Gonnelly from Dundalk was yesterday honoured with the RTE Factual Award for Cliff Edge at Irelands Young Filmmaker of the Year awards. The film was described as a striking and vulnerable film about living with chronic pain. Through a raw and poetic monologue, Grace invites viewers into the often unseen world of invisible illness. Fresh International Film Festival, in collaboration with Fis Eireann/Screen Ireland, The Arts Council, Coimisiun na Mean, and Omniplex Cinema Group, held the awards at Omniplex Rathmines. Ireland's next generation of young filmmakers stepped into the spotlight at the Fresh International Film Festival Awards, livestreamed from Omniplex Rathmines and hosted by comedians Justine Stafford and Hannah Mamalis, with red carpet coverage from actor and comedian Faye Shortt. Read Next: Slash hook and knife produced during dispute between neighbours in Louth This years finalists from across the country wowed with bold storytelling and emotional depth, exploring themes ranging from climate change and identity to class, grief, and friendship. Fresh International Film Festival, and the IYFTYs, encourage young people to explore filmmaking as a career, learning the art of visual storytelling, understanding the filmmaking process from first draft to final frame, and the sustainable career opportunities that exist both in front of and behind the camera, inspiring and building Irelands future film, television and digital talent pool. The IYFTYs shortlist is a rich collection that showcases the imagination, creativity, and skills of the worlds future storytellers, and interest in the festival from 82 countries is a reflection of Irelands ascendancy as a global hub for film, television, digital and creative industries. Graces film can be viewed on the Fresh Film Youtube page. 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. Read Next: Fight erupted in a Louth shop and spilled out onto the street 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. The fabulous duo of virtuoso fiddle player Fergal Scahill & TG4 Composer of the Year Ryan Molloy, are to make a return to the Oriel Centre at Dundalk Gaol, this Sunday 13 April for an Easter concert featuring tracks from their newest CD release The Gannets Dive. There is no better way to get in the mood for the Easter break, than an evening with this massively talented pair, whose musical brilliance and soulful playing has astounded audiences worldwide. The two renowned musicians are in town working with the highly acclaimed Nos Nua Folk Orchestra, who have featured on numerous TV productions in recent years, including Creedons Atlas Of Ireland, and released their own debut album Causeway in 2024. Multi-instrumentalist Fergal Scahill is best known as the fiddle player in award winning band, We Banjo 3, recipients of the RTE Folk Awards Album of the Year 2018, Irish Times Album of the Year in 2012 and two No 1 albums on the Billboard Bluegrass Charts in the USA. Fergal has performed in over 30 countries and recorded on over 40 albums with musicians from all over the world, including three solo albums, six albums with his band We Banjo 3, two albums with his band Freewheel and two successful charity albums for Pieta House & The Hope foundation collaborating with some of the greats of Irish music. Ryan Molloys compositional and performance work sits at the boundary of contemporary classical music and traditional Irish music and is internationally recognised for its cross-genre innovation, musicality, and deep-rooted exploration of place and time. Ryan has written over 50 works and his music has been performed to audiences on four continents. He has been commissioned by both RTE and the BBC, as well as a range of renowned performers such as Darragh Morgan, Hard Rain Soloist Ensemble & the Irish Chamber Orchestra. Ryan has recorded on over twenty albums as a pianist, composer and arranger. He was honoured with the TG4 Graham Cheoil for Composer of the Year in 2024, and is an Associate Professor of Composition at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth. An uplifting night of amazing music, fun and laughter is guaranteed at the Oriel Centre next Sunday evening with Ryan and Fergal. For all connoisseurs of Traditional Irish Music, this is a performance certainly not to be missed! Tickets available at www.orielcentre.ie 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. READ NEXT: 'I'll kill you!' - Buskers tell RTE Liveline of horrific racial abuse on the street "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." When OBrien Press commissioned a book on Irish fairy forts from Richard Mills and myself, we thought it would be a pleasant enough piece of work: some photographs, some history, and there you were. But once we got going, the stories and beliefs surrounding these ancient sites took us aback. We simply had no idea of how far back the traditions went, how strong they still are today. Whats more, although we always pride ourselves on keeping an open balanced mind when it comes to myth and legend, there were some incidents and happenings during our actual research which just could not be explained away. Up to 50,000 of these antique circles still exist in our landscape, and Cork has more than its fair share. Archaeologists tend to brush them aside, classifying them as earthen or stone enclosures of variable dates, nothing more to see, move on. But thats no way to treat a basic fact. Always, but always, lift it up, look underneath, examine it from all sides, see what more it is telling you. And what it told us was that there was a huge question still to be answered: How come there are still 50,000 of them to be seen? Look, County Cork, like the rest of Ireland, is under siege from developers these days. Everywhere you look, new housing estates are being carved out of hitherto rural countryside. Nowhere is safe from the bulldozer, the JCB, the cement truck. Author Jo Kerrigan, who also writes The Echos Throwback Thursday column Except the fairy forts. They are still there, on every side, often right in the middle of a ploughed field or surrounded by industrial development but left untouched. There had to be some overpowering reason for leaving them alone, and that reason wasnt hard to find once you started asking. Oh no, I wouldnt dream of touching them. Youd be asking for trouble; Didnt this fella over the hill there dig one up, and wasnt he dead in three months?; My father warned us never to interfere with it, not even pick blackberries around it. And so on. And that wasnt just country- dwellers. Senior doctors, lawyers, politicians, all said the same. It is just something you dont do. On every side, they are such a familiar sight you hardly notice them. Flying into Cork Airport, you glide over several, including one right next to the runways perimeter fence. Driving down to Ballycotton, you pass a gate from which you can glimpse not just one but three in plain sight. Near Ringaskiddy, that byword for pharmaceutical industry, there is a dignified little fairy fort standing all by itself in a small field, ignoring the modern world all around it. Yes, even developers respect tradition. Between Macroom and Killarney, there is a lovely example of this, where the construction of the new road meant slicing a corner off a fairy fort. I didnt want that to happen, says Risteard OLionaird, senior resident engineer on the project. I did all I could to avoid it, but the designer said there was no option. So I did the best I could, and designed a wall for that section which shielded the remainder of the fort, and had the design of its three circular banks incorporated into the wall itself. I had trouble even then - the young lad who drove the digger said he wouldnt damage the fort, no matter what, so I had to give him by-leave and get somebody else, which was a lot of hassle. But I did have to respect his point of view, because I felt the same way myself. You can see that stretch of wall any time you pass, a testament to the enduring belief in the power and importance of these echoes of the past. That strange things can happen if you meddle with a fairy fort happens as much today as ever. Con Kelleher, a Cork bat expert, got a shock when he went out to measure one example, to check if it was of a size to encourage bat populations. I climbed up on the bank and accidentally broke off a branch of the blackthorn. Thats known as the fairy bush, and I was sorry Id done it, but laid it down neatly next to the bush and went on, down into the fort itself. I set up the compass carefully and sighted straight across to the other side, then started walking. When I got there, I wasnt there! I had walked directly, following the compass, yet when I climbed up on the opposite bank, I was next to that branch I had broken off on my way in, and its fairy bush. Now you tell me how I could have made a full circle on a simple crossing of the enclosure? Irish Fairy Forts, by Jo Kerrigan and Richard Mills We had an odd experience ourselves, looking at a fairy fort outside Millstreet. Walking round outside its banks, Richard suddenly discovered all his camera batteries had gone completely dead. Now thats something he just doesnt allow to happen, but it had. We went back to the road, puzzled, and found the car wouldnt start. Tried everything, to no avail. We rang the AA, and in the two hour intervening period, chatted to three passing farmers on tractors. They all said exactly the same thing. What do you expect if youre meddling with one of those? Themselves dont like it. And that, in effect, was what the AA man said too when he finally found us. No, he couldnt start the car either, despite even ringing his base for advice. Only as the sun set did themselves relent and let the poor beleaguered car start up again. Needless to say, the garage couldnt find anything wrong when we brought it in for checking. Fairy forts. Keep an eye out for them when youre driving. But tip your hat or give a nod of the head just for safety. The Good People like to see a proper acknowledgement of their presence. Irish Fairy Forts: Portals To The Past, by Jo Kerrigan and Richard Mills. Published by OBrien Press, April 14, 2025. ISBN 978-178849-501-1. In 2024 Cork Airport celebrated one of the best years in its 63-year history, as a total of 3.1 million passengers passed through the airport. Passengers flying to and from Cork Airport will not come into contact with them, but the air traffic controllers play a crucial role in ensuring that everyone gets to and from their destination. Through strong collaboration skills, the team at the Cork Airport air traffic control centre are able to ensure operations run smoothly. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year, the air traffic controllers at Cork Airport help to keep aircraft flying, passengers travelling and ensuring that the skies are safe. They work with complex radar and computer systems. They make calculations, check flight paths and issue directions and instructions to pilots. They also have to take into account weather conditions, aircraft needing emergency help, and other unexpected events. Speaking to The Echo, Bryan Griffin, an air traffic controller at Cork Airport, outlined his role. I am mainly dealing with clearing aircraft for departure and clearing them to land. Then dealing with the aircraft on the ground as I see them out the window. Then we have an approach controller, who deals with all of the aircraft coming in and out of the airport, but on radar. So the approach controller would guide them in on the radar. Then once they are about 10 miles from the airport they would be transferred to me. I would clear them to land then. Once they are on the ground, I would get them to their gate. Making clear concise decisions and processing information quickly are critical parts of the role of an air traffic controller. As to what he feels the keys skills of being an air traffic controller are, Mr Griffin said you have to have high levels of concentration. Spatial awareness is another skill as well that you really need to have. Then good communication skills. They are probably the three main things that you need to be a good controller and to get through. You have to be clear and concise communicating with the pilots or the other controller. If you are not clear and concise, that leaves room for misinterpretation which is what we dont want in the job. Communication is a big thing in the job. But you are trained and when you are training to become an air traffic controller, they train you how to communicate properly. The Cork Airport control tower is located to the west of the main runway. In there, the team of air traffic controllers are constantly monitoring aircraft movements and ensuring overall safety in the skies around Leeside. When the airspace gets busier, in particular during the summer months and other peak times during the year, this particular task becomes even more challenging. While on site, this reporter got to witness the departure of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines flight KL1128 to Amsterdam and how this looks logistically for the air traffic controllers in Cork. The most enjoyable part of my role is that there is constantly something new popping up every day. No two days are the same, Mr Griffin said. You are constantly working with other people. I am working with the approach controller or the pilots. There is a misconception out there that air traffic controllers tell the pilots what to do. Whereas in reality we are just helping the pilots along to get to their destination. Cork Air Traffic Control Centre at Cork Airport. We help the pilots out, they help us out. So, you are constantly working with other people, which is enjoyable. There is always different scenarios popping up. It is never a mundane job. Air traffic controllers are recruited through a student controller programme and applicants must be at least 19 years of age. They must also have passed at least five subjects in the Leaving Certificate, including Mathematics with a grade H5 in at least two higher level papers or hold a comparable award at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). Describing what the training to become an air traffic controller is like, Mr Griffin said it is very hard work, but the training is very much a worthwhile process. The training is tough, but it has to be tough because they have to train you to such a high standard, that you are able for the job and are comfortable in the job. I would say just definitely go for it. When I was going for this job, I just happened to see it advertised and I applied for it. It is a very rewarding job. Like I said earlier, no two days are the same. Whenever I meet someone I dont know and they ask what I do, when I tell them I am an air traffic controller, there is a wow and there are lots of questions that follow on and they are really interested. It is so rewarding to have that. It is such a unique job and it is very rewarding. You are just proud to be an air traffic controller. You are coming in every day, there are passengers from around Cork and Munster travelling all over the world and you are helping them get on their way. It is nice to be a part of that. A report on public land by the Land Development Agency (LDA) has identified 15 parcels of public land in Cork with the potential for the development of up to 14,050 homes. The report looks at state-owned land, from undeveloped land to sites currently occupied by state bodies, such as the Central Statistics Office (CSO) headquarters in Mahon or sites owned by ESB, the Cork Education and Training Board, Cork city and county council and various government departments. The first report on Relevant Public Land was produced by the LDA in March 2023. The LDA is required to report to Government every two years, making this report the first such update, with the next due in 2027. John Coleman, chief executive of the LDA, explained that the process of updating the report creates a working guide to state-owned land in cities and towns and advises the government on its potential use for affordable housing. 'UNLOCKING FURTHER SITES' He explained that the land includes state-owned, acquired land and partnership projects with local authorities on land they own. A significant amount of state-owned land has already been transferred to the LDA and we are working closely with public bodies to unlock further sites to add to our direct delivery pipeline. The report also classifies the identified land, highlighting the high potential sites that could be developed in the short to medium term. The Cork sites identified includes four parcels of land classified as least constrained, nine moderately constrained and two significantly constrained. The report defines least constrained land as being appropriately zoned, meaning it is in an area zoned for residential development under planning laws, and well-serviced with the potential for housing development to be completed within five to ten years. It defines moderately and significantly constrained land as involving constraints and complexities such as existing operational uses requiring consolidation or relocation. This may also involve a need for rezoning and infrastructure investment. Unlocking the latter two types of land parcel for housing would require significant work to advance planning and public investment, the LDA said. The least constrained land in Cork could deliver between 670 and 920 homes in the short to medium term, while the moderately constrained could deliver 2,970-4,110 in the next seven-15 years and the significantly constrained could deliver 7,220-9,020 in the longer term. Among the least constrained land is an ESB site at Sarsfield Road, which has the potential for 180-250 homes at a cost of 60,300,000-77,500,000. The land is identified for transfer to LDA, with a planning application to be submitted this year for the development. SITES A Bord na Mona site on Monahan Road could provide 170-220 homes at a cost of 49,500,000-56,650,000. A Section 53 notice has already been submitted for disposal of this site to the LDA, though a warehouse will need to be relocated. A Cork Education and Training Board and city council-owned site on Farranlea Road could provide 150-210 homes for 45,600,000-61,550,000, while county council-owned land at Kilnaglery, Carrigaline could be used for 170-240 homes for 56,800,000-76,850,000. Moderately constrained land includes a county council depot near Farranlea, where 360-510 homes could be built for 114,900,000-164,500,000, and an animal laboratory on Model Farm Road where 140-200 homes could be built for 46,300,000-65,450,000. Both sites would require relocation of the current occupants, as would the Capwell Road Bus Depot, where 150-210 homes could be built for 51,100,000-65,650,000 and land adjacent to Gas Networks Ireland on Rockboro Road, owned by Bord Gais, which could provide 220-310 homes for 85,000,000-103,000,000. If car parking at the North Docks was removed and flood protection measures put in place, 400-520 homes could be built there for 123,500,000-164,500,000, and if the CSO headquarters in Lough Mahon Technology Park relocated, 300-400 homes could be developed for 83,250,000-113,400,000. The former Cork Prison and part of Collins Barracks, as well as the Camp Field on Old Youghal Road, owned by the departments of justice and defense, could be converted to 400-570 homes for 133,000,000-184,500,000 and 310-450 homes for 109,050,000-143,250,000 respectively. Finally, 690-930 homes could be developed at the site of the Marina Generating Station, currently owned by ESB, which would cost an estimated 224,000,000-265,500,000. The land is identified for transfer to the LDA under 'Housing for All', and a feasibility study has been prepared. There are two sites considered significantly constrained by the LDA, land owned by the Industrial Development Authority at Kilbarry and Port of Cork Company land at Tivoli Industrial Estate. These could provide 2,390-2,510 homes for 960m-970m and 4,830-6,510 homes for 1.59bn-2.14bn, respectively. The Port of Cork land has been identified for transfer to LDA, as the bodys 2050 Masterplan includes moving the port from the city to Ringaskiddy in the next 25 years. A total of 35 Cork healthcare staff took leave due to assaults on duty over the last two years, at a cost of nearly 390,000, new HSE figures have revealed. According to data provided to The Echo by the HSE through the Freedom of Information Act, staff took 1,455 days off between March 2023 and March 2025 as a result of an assault while they were working an average of 41.5 days each. Professor Conor Deasy, the clinical director of emergency and acute care at CUH, said: Sometimes an assault can lead to not being able to work; for example, they could have sustained a back injury, head injury, or a fractured limb. For emergency care frontline workers, these assaults can be catastrophic in terms of their career, not just because of the physical but also the psychological effect of being caught off guard youre not expecting that kind of reaction from someone you are trying to care for in general. Its very intimidating for healthcare staff and can cause significant emotional and psychological challenges coming back into that sort of environment. Its a very stressful event if someone feels cornered by a patient, who might be behaving irrationally because of a medical reason or intoxication, but nonetheless, its very intimidating for healthcare staff and can cause significant emotional and psychological challenges coming back into that sort of environment. Some people might not be able to return to the work they once did and are trained to do, he said, explaining that if someone is not able to come back to work, conversations could be had around alternative locations they could work in. He added that CUH has security guards but even with the best will in the world, these things happen in a flash. Prof Deasy added: Theres a general concern around respect for frontline healthcare workers, we are increasingly finding patients presenting to EDs, sometimes with relatively trivial problems, becoming irate as theyve endured a long wait due to being in a low triage category, and taking it out on healthcare workers. CONCERN Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) assistant director of industrial relations, Corks Colm Porter, said that assault at work was a worry for their members, and its becoming more of a concern". The figures are not surprising - I would assume the majority of those 35 people work in hospitals, and at the moment hospitals are overcrowded, patients are waiting longer - all of this increases the likelihood of staff being assaulted. Our members are on the frontline, theyre often the ones that are receiving complaints from the public about having to wait long periods of time to be seen - the figures only cover serious physical incidents, but verbal abuse is a daily occurrence. More staffing would help alleviate these issues, Mr Porter said, adding equally, the HSE is an employer, and it needs to shift its focus when it comes to the safety of its employees. When we look at INMO membership, the majority of the members are women, they need to know that they can go about their jobs treating patients, they shouldnt have to worry about their own safety. Of those 35 people who are off on serious physical assault leave, they may have had career-ending or career-changing incidents happen to them in the line of work. A HSE spokesperson told The Echo: Of the 22,764 HSE employees in the South West Region, there were 35 employees availed of the Serious Physical Assault Scheme. This equates to 0.15% of all HSE South West employees and an average of 11,000 per employee. HSE South West is committed to ensuring the safety of both staff and the people using our services, and to creating a safe working environment. Violence and aggression towards our staff is not tolerated. We encourage staff to report any such incident. The Echo previously reported that some 510 hospital staff were injured by patients in Cork hospitals between 2020 and summer 2024. Alex Livingstone and John Mathers, members of the Crosshaven RNLI, held an information desk at the event. LGBTQ+ Quality Mark Carrigaline Community School was among six Cork schools to receive the Belong To LGBTQ+ Quality Mark, recognising their work over an 18-month period to foster LGBTQ+ wellbeing and inclusion for their students. The accreditation initiative was developed by Belong To LGBTQ+ Youth Ireland in 2022. That year, the School Climate Survey by Columbia University revealed that 76% of LGBTQ+ young people in Cork and across Ireland do not feel safe in post-primary schools. Since the pilot programme, more than 100 schools and Youthreach centres have embarked on the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark journey to improve the lives and experiences of their LGBTQ+ students. The initiative draws on national and international best practice to create an environment where students feel safe and welcome regardless of who they are. This is done through a host of practical, proactive actions such establishing an LGBTQ+ and Allies Club for students, training whole-staff teams on supporting LGBTQ+ students and promoting the representation of LGBTQ+ families and identities in classroom teaching. The School Climate Survey 2022, showed that through an action as simple as including LGBTQ+ related topics in the curriculum resulted in 22% of young people being more likely to feel like they belong at school, 11% more likely to feel accepted by the student body and 8% less likely to miss days of school due to feeling unsafe. The other schools in Cork to receive the mark were: St Vincents Secondary School, St Colmans Community College, Carrigtwohill Community College , Nano Nagle College Cork, and Terence MacSwiney Community College Applications to take part in the LGBTQ+ Quality Mark initiative for the 2025/2026 academic year are now open to schools and Youthreach centres and full details and application forms are available at: www.belongto.org. Carrigaline captain Sarah OConnell receives the CWSSL U19 Cup from Helen Noonan of the CWSSL, following Carrigalines victory over Macroom in the final at St Colmans Park, Cobh. Picture: Howard Crowdy Mens Shed choir on song The Mens Shed choir is on the programme for the Cork Coral Festival on May 4, at the fringe festival at the Carlton Hotel. They will also perform at Marymount on April 15. The choir continues to practice on Tuesday mornings and Thursday afternoons. Separately, Carrigalines honorary treasurer, Aidan Winters, has been appointed by the Irish Mens Shed Association as one of four volunteers to help and advise individuals or groups to set up a Mens Shed. Knock pilgrimage The Carrigaline Pilgrimage to Knock on the last weekend of June coincides with the St Josephs Young Priests Society Pilgrimage Day on Saturday and the National Franciscan Pilgrimage on the Sunday, also the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. The pilgrimage leaves from beside the Church at 8am on Saturday, June 28, and hopes to book into the Knock House Hotel shortly after noon. Dinner and overnight at Knock House Hotel and the full Sunday to visit all the favourite places. Contact Aislinn (021) 4372035 / 087 9699 488, Mary (021) 4371025 or Mary (021) 4373316. Have Carrigaline and Crosshaven news to share? Contact bill.browne@theecho.ie A two-month jail term was imposed on a young woman who stole wine from a shop and plasters from a pharmacy. Emma Wallace, aged 27, of Cork Simon Community, pleaded guilty to both charges at Cork District Court. Wallace also pleaded guilty to another count of being so drunk that she was a danger to herself or others. Sergeant Aisling Murphy said at Cork District Court that Ms Wallace stole two bottles of wine with a total value of 26 from Centra on Patrick St, Cork, on March 11. Wallace was apprehended by members of An Garda Siochana later, and one of the bottles was recovered unopened. On March 24, at Phelans pharmacy on Patrick St, Wallace had stolen a 10 packet of plasters. The third incident against Wallace was of being drunk and a danger on April 3 in Cork city centre. Solicitor Frank Buttimer, defending Wallace, asked for her plea of guilty to be taken into consideration. She regressed somewhat in relation to her recovery recently, Mr Buttimer said of his client. But she has already re-engaged with services at Limerick Prison and is looking much better since she went into custody on April 3, he added. Judge Mary Dorgan agreed to put the sentence back to commence on that date. Wallace had 27 previous convictions for thefts. A ceremony was held at Cork Educate Together to celebrate the graduation of My Canine Companion therapy dog Guy. Colm OConnor, school principal, explained that he had visited Limerick Educate Together last year and they had a school dog and I could see straight away the impact on staff and students, so we decided it would be a good thing to pursue. Theres substantial training before they come to the school, then theres a gradual process of acclimatisation: The dog starts two days a week and builds up. Hes full time in the school now, he takes his breaks with students and has his naps. He spends most of his time with the students in the autism class, but he also spends time in mainstream classes. Mr OConnor added: Hes the most loved member of the school community, hes very gentle and affectionate and really good for everybody. Richard Fitzgerald, SNA in the school and Guys handler, with whom the dog lives outside of school, explained the dogs role. Guy is a trained therapy dog. Hes trained to assist people and calm them down and hes trained to go on buses and trains, so we can take him anywhere. Hes been on school trips to Fota and Mahon Point with us. Hes got a wonderful personality. Hes a very calm, relaxed dog and when the children get upset, he will go sit beside them; they can give him a hug and feel a bit better. Hes done wonders for some of the kids in the school, and theyre absolutely mad about him; youll walk around the school with him and everyone smiles when they see him and gives him a rub. Hes a year in the school now, and he just fits in perfectly here. Hes naturally so calm, and wed be quite a laid back school. The main sponsor for the dog is Martin Twomey Bus Hire, because it can be very expensive to have a dog in the school. The graduation ceremony featured music from the school choir and a celebration of My Canine Companion, with the schools LCVP class having raised 600 through bake sales and a raffle, with prizes donated by local businesses. Stealing a bottle of wine worth less than 8 has just cost the culprit a jail term of three months. That was the sentence Judge Mary Dorgan imposed on 39-year-old Stephen Keenan of 22 St Johns Square, Cork, who pleaded guilty to carrying out a theft at Lidl in Churchfield. Sergeant Aisling Murphy said the defendant stole a 7.40 bottle of wine from the supermarket at lunchtime on April 20 2024. He did this by sticking the bottle inside his top and leaving without paying. An aggravating factor for the accused was the fact that he had 30 previous convictions for theft among his total of 126 total convictions. Frank Buttimer solicitor said of Mr Keenan: He had been doing particularly well. He had gotten back to work, was completely off alcohol and his partner had a new baby. But he regressed on alcohol, leading to this theft of alcohol. He has already re-engaged with services in prison and wants to get back into the work place. An entirely unprovoked attack with a broken bottle on a young man at seven oclock in the evening in the centre of Cork city where the victim died two days later resulted in the attacker being jailed today for eight years. Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford imposed a sentence of 10 years with the last two years suspended on Aaron Babbington at the Central Criminal Court sitting in Cork. The judge noted that the family of the late Jason Butler, 32, did not want their victim impact statement read in open court. Ms Justice Lankford said she respected that and would not disclose what was said but commented: It is moving and very impressive. Jason Butler was a much loved brother who may have had difficulties but he had family support and family love. Ms Justice Lankford said it was entirely unprovoked, sudden and happened in front of passers-by, one of whom intervened to prevent the attack going any further and disarmed Aaron Babbington of the broken bottle. One of the aggravating factors in the case was the fact that the accused tried nine times to smash the vodka bottle against a wall before succeeding in breaking it on a concrete bench and pressing it into Mr Butlers neck. The Probation Service described him as a very high risk of reoffending but said it would work with him on his release from prison and this could be effective if he maintained sobriety, stability and the progress which he said he intended to maintain. The judge said the plea of guilty to attempted murder was of real benefit to the prosecution because of the difficulty in relation to causation of death in the case. He has shown some insight into the huge hurt he has caused and that he has taken a human life. He wishes to refrain from the use of drink and drugs in the future, she said. Tom Creed, senior counsel, said: Aaron Babbington apologises to Jason Butlers family, while that will be little solace to them. While Babbington had faced the prospect of a murder trial he later pleaded guilty instead to a charge of attempted murder in the same case. Detective Sergeant Colin Greenway outlined the background circumstances in the case against Aaron Babbington, formerly of Churchfield Avenue, Churchfield, Cork, on the charge of the attempted murder of Jason Butler on June 14, 2023 at Grand Parade, Cork, contrary to Common Law. He died in hospital two days later. On June 14, 2023, Jason Butler met Aaron Babbington and his girlfriend by chance by Centra on Grand Parade at about 7pm. An eyewitness working in the shop said they were in good spirits exchanging banter with each other. The three of them were sharing a one litre bottle of vodka and sat down together on a concrete bench at Daunt Square and continued to drink, appearing to be in good form. However, in the following 40 minutes Mr Babbington became frustrated and angry at the attention his girlfriend was paying to Jason Butler attention that was not reciprocated in any way. An eyewitness passing by heard Aaron Babbington saying he was going to stab him and making the comment, either, you are going to die or you are dead. After these threats he hit his girlfriend twice in the face and kicked Jason Butler in the head. He picked up the bottle of vodka, drank its remaining contents, held it by the neck and attempted to smash it against the Argos building. He made nine unsuccessful attempts. His girlfriend and Jason Butler got up to try to escape. Unfortunately, Mr Butler fell to the ground and was unable to regain his feet and was helpless on the ground when Aaron Babbington returned and smashed the bottle off the concrete bench. He then turned to Jason Butler and with the sharp broken bottle he bent over him, wrapped his arm around his neck and pressed the bottle into his neck, Det Garda Greenway said. Armed gardai who first arrived on the scene gave the victim medical assistance as did a doctor and nurse in the area at the time, before the arrival of ambulance paramedics. Mr Butler died two days later in the intensive care unit of Cork University Hospital. Defence senior counsel Mr Creed said both of the defendants parents had addiction issues and that the young man ended up homeless, having had little chance in terms of background. A seven-year jail term was imposed on Friday on a 62-year-old landlord who raped a young woman who was a tenant at the time as the sentencing judge said that the landlord-tenant relationship between the parties was an aggravating factor in the case. Lorita ODonoghue waived her anonymity at the Central Criminal Court where Michael Paul OLeary of Four Winds, Ballyarthur, Fermoy, County Cork was sentenced on Friday. Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford said, It occurred in a relationship of some trust between a landlord and his tenant, and between neighbours, and it occurred proximate to her home in a property adjoining her own residence. That is an aggravating factor. She was highly intoxicated and it was apparent to Mr OLeary that she had a significant level of intoxication. I regard that as an aggravating factor. I see no basis for suspending any portion of it where he does not accept the verdict of the jury and continues to assert his innocence. Noting that Mary Crilly of the Sexual Violence Centre and the injured partys husband were among those present in court to support Ms ODonoghue, Ms Justice Lankford also said, I wish to commend her for the clarity and bravery of her victim impact statement. Speaking outside the court afterwards, Lorita ODonoghue said she was happy with the sentence imposed. She said, I am a survivor of rape, and I have nothing to be embarrassed about or ashamed of." A 62-year landlord has been jailed for seven years at the Central Criminal Court. Michael Paul O'Leary of Four Winds, Ballyarthur, Fermoy, Co Cork, had been convicted by a jury in February. What happened to me was wrong and was a choice made by someone who had absolutely no right to and I've been paying the price for since. Every single aspect of my life has been much harder since this crime was perpetrated against me, and I have had to find the courage and strength to reclaim my life bit by bit and be here today. I have struggled with feelings of shame and self-blame. But the shame and blame is on Michael Paul O'Leary. He is known as Mike O' Leary in America when he lived there and is known as Paul O' Leary here in Ireland. Everyone needs to know he is a rapist. Unfortunately, victim blaming and rape culture exist around us, protecting and giving power to monsters like him. When you see or hear about a victim of rape, remember please, don't question or doubt them - question or doubt the perpetrator. These crimes must stop. Victims are speaking out - you will be named and shamed. You should fear the punishment and I hope these sentences get longer and harsher. The Irish criminal justice system is tough on the victim, but I got through it, so take courage. I am very grateful that this case got to court and the jury found him guilty of rape. Lorita O'Donoghue who waived her right to anonymity following the rape case and the sentencing of Michael Paul O'Leary at the Central criminal court in Cork Picture: Eddie O'Hare I want to thank Detective Garda Rachel McGrath from North Cork Protection Service. Ms Justice Siobhan Langford, the DPP & counsel, the SATU clinics in Cork and Galway, the Rape Crisis Centres in Cork and Galway, my husband and my family and friends for supporting me. I feel like I can finally begin the long road to healing and finding a new sense of peace. I hope my voice can inspire others and give hope that they can overcome this ordeal too. Please try to report it. Whether your case gets to court or not, please know that there is hope, you are strong because you survived it and you will get your life back. VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENT Previously in her victim impact statement, she addressed the defendant directly, You were our landlord, so after you chose to rape me, we obviously had no home anymore, how could we stay there. I did not feel safe or comfortable (there) anymore. Michael Paul OLeary was found guilty by a jury or rape on May 28 2022 and the jury deliberated for nine hours and 32 minutes before reaching their 10-2 majority decision that he was guilty of rape. Detective Garda Rachel McGrath was led through her evidence by prosecution senior counsel Conor Devally of the background to what happened on the night in May 2022. Earlier in the evening there was conversation about background niggling issues that the accused man had with a relative of the complainants fiancee and he made a comment possibly joking that he might have to give them two weeks notice to quit. She felt somewhat intimidated by this and contacted her fiancee (now husband) who was away that night. Later when she was at home in her pyjamas watching television and having a drink, the defendant texted that he had opened a bottle of wine which he could bring over and he did and they shared this and chatted. Later they went to his house to have another drink and she reluctantly agreed to drink brandy. Mr Devally said, Her evidence was it was being topped up without invitation on a continuous basis and she became overwhelmed by drink and intoxication. The first physical contact occurred when he began to massage her shoulders She collapsed into unconsciousness, unaware of anything until she woke. "Momentarily, she believed (her fiancee) was on top of her. She realised it was (the accused). He had penetrated her and was on top of her she was overwhelmed and shocked and asked why he had done that and tried to ruin her and (fiances) life. When questioned by gardai and in the trial, the defendant claimed it was consensual at all times and that it began with mutual touching. The jury rejected his account and found him guilty of raping the young woman. Ms Justice Lankford also referred today to the defendants evidence that what happened was consensual but she commented that it was evidence which was rejected by the jury. My parents didnt know what to do with me when I started writing poetry as a child. It wasnt an interest of theirs, but that didnt stop them from supporting me. Without delay, I was sent off to Mary Curtin, a magic-maker of a Speech and Drama teacher living not too far from the city. She got me through exams, and I can still recite passages of poetry and drama off by heart - but more than anything she gifted me a love of words. She taught me to love the shapers of words too. So much so that, by 15, my bedroom was lined with pictures of Wilde, Yeats, and Plath. Without even knowing a lot of their work, they became mine, a part of me. It was intensely romantic, all of it, hazy and romantic. Mary Curtin took the spark of my earliest scrawls and turned it into a flame one that has warmed me since. As a teacher, this is what I try to do too. Yes, I must prepare students for the Leaving Cert, but the real victory comes when I see them arriving to class with a well-thumbed book under their arm. Thats when I know theyre flying. Usually, their joy of reading starts long before they meet me, but I encourage them on. I was never short of encouragement. As well as sending me off to drama class, my parents asked me to write to my mothers aunt in Waterford every week, and with each letter they suggested I send a poem. Its funny now to think how my grandaunt must have felt, receiving those little envelopes in the post every week. I like to think I made her smile. I picture her in her little garden on Rosebank Villa in Tramore, hearing the postman raise the latch on the black iron gate outside, knowing my letter had arrived. Living alone all those years, I hope they provided some company. Every Christmas then, having gathered a stack from my grandaunts house, my dad asked his secretary to collate them into a book a fair stretch beyond her job description but a task she did lovingly nonetheless choosing little graphics to reflect the themes. And now, aged almost 45, I am launching my first collection, Care. Im not sure now how I would survive without writing poetry. Its a process I need, a habit, a particular way of being in the world that helps me make sense of it. When Im walking down a road, and particularly when Im walking, Im paying attention. Im open to what Im seeing and feeling. Its a lovely way to live and Im intensely grateful for the gift of it. Certainly, its satisfying when a poem works, but the impulse to write is what sustains me, whatever the outcome. So, whatever its merit, one outcome of hours of thinking and scribbling is this Care, a book that asks for more care in society, only it doesnt feel like its only me asking. The poems are full of other voices, and intentionally so. This is also why I have asked Cork-based activists to read some of the poems at my launch in the City Library on April 24, as part of the World Book Day celebrations. Care is the product of my absolute dependency on other people. It wouldnt exist without them. It is also a manifesto for an acknowledgement of that dependency. I want to launch it with people by my side, individuals who care deeply about other people and places and injustices as I do. Dependency, as I view it, is not a weakness; it is our greatest strength. I have separated the book into parts to acknowledge the divisions that exist in our world. It comprises five sections: for her; for him; for them; for us, and then, most importantly for what can bring us back together again. The collection aims to look at people closely, close enough to reveal that we are far more alike than different. We are human equally in need of care and love, and equally important. Care its a simple message, an imperative. Before everything else, we are human, and humans are inherently, beautifully, vulnerable. We need one another. Care, I make very clear in my first section, should not be the work of women only it is intensely and necessarily the work of everyone. The collection wouldnt exist without the people who have loved me since I was a child. It is extended in the spirit of that love, and with hope, of finding a reader, yes, but also of finding a better world. Care will launch in Cork City Library on the April 24 at 6.30pm. It is available to buy in bookshops and online at https://www.doirepress.com/books/poetry/feminist-poetry/care I recently attended the launch of the Punks Listen Fanzine at UCC Library and was on one of the panels with a diverse group of music obsessives, sharing memories of gigs and music through the lens of punk. Punks Listen is the latest benefit publication from DIY punk group Hope Collective, who originate in Dublin. They have composed an impressive array of contributions, from the likes of Esme Young, Holly Johnson, Jimmy Destri, Will Sergeant, Bill Drummond, Marcella Detroit, and many more, and they also brought a great panel to UCC Library for the evening. They included Claudia Hernadez (33RPM Records), Cormac Donovan ONeill (Pebbledash, Therapy Horse), Jesper Pedersen (Upstart Festival), Jim OMahony (Comet records), and Julie Landers (I Dreamed I Dream). I featured on a panel that included another really interesting chat and I joined Michelle Rumley (promoter, Tinnitus Promotions), Daniele Tort (DJ, researcher, podcaster), John Byrne (DJ, music archivist and writer) and Niall McGuirk (Hope Collective / publisher). The format of such events is generally informal and relaxed and as I left UCC on the sunny spring evening I couldnt help but be inspired by chatting to so many music lovers. We are all from different backgrounds, with different musical paths and different tastes, but the spirit of punk was definitely in the air. The main thread through our initial discussion revolved around the importance of spaces for people to create and to inhabit. The lack of such spaces these days is a favoured topic of mine. Michelle Rumley spoke of the gigs she put on in Bradleys and the PrintShop, which were important spaces for those bands and artists not always getting an opportunity elsewhere, and she also complimented Nudes/Dali, which hosted her most recent event last weekend. Niall spoke of bringing Fugazi to Ireland and about building a community of promoters and gig-goers in the pre-internet age of 30 or so years ago. We all agreed that the music scene is somewhat lacking in venues, particularly for young people. Everything here in Ireland is associated with alcohol, meaning licensed premises are often reluctant to host teenagers and young people. Non alcoholic events are not often possible and it obviously excludes a lot of youngsters (and others). Young people are by their very nature the very people most active when it comes to music and youth culture, and it was as a teenager myself that I first became obsessed with the punk and hip-hop. I remember those days just waiting to turn 18 so I could go out. Obviously, back then, things were a bit more relaxed on the doors and we were all going out by 15 or 16, but by the early 2000s, I was chatting to many youngsters who told me they could not go to any gigs. Community has always been at the heart of the music scene and all speakers spoke of this. I remember when the online community was first active in the early 2000s and a bunch of youngsters vowed to take it upon themselves to make a difference. Coolaboola was born out of such frustrations, and resulted in four teenage girls putting on multiple indie shows in various venues that were all ages. I mentored the girls a little, and I remember it was a refreshing addition to the scene in Cork. The ultimate thing I took from punk rock was the attitude that you can do anything you want yourself if you put your mind to it. It was more a DIY attitude than anything else, and it should also be remembered that punk rock first day was also a reaction against something. Lots of the best art and music and movements come from such reactions, and with punk it was a reaction against the old middle of the road bloated corporate music establishment as well as a reaction against the government and other authority. Hopefully, the Cork youth of 2025 will continue to find similar energy in their own space to express themselves. Record shops remain an integral part of the music community and offer a great space for music fans of all ages to gather. We have Plugd, Music Zone, Bunker, and more, and this Saturday the legendary Irish Jack will be spinning some of his favourite 60s vinyl on his 1966 Hi-Fidelity record player from 3.30pm on Record Store Day! The legendary mod remains as passionate as ever and his music knowledge and taste is better than ever too! Natasha Reid A 45-year-old Dubliner has been jailed for 12 years for a spate of robberies in city shops, one where he held a knife to a customers throat. Diarmuid Molloy, with addresses at Bride Road and Lower Gardiner Street, was before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on Thursday, where he had pleaded guilty to three robberies and the possession of a knife to intimidate a customer. These included an attempted robbery on June 21st, 2022 at Tesco, College Green; a robbery at Bradys Pharmacy, Camden St, and the false imprisonment of a customer there the following day; and a robbery at Thomas Street Pharmacy and possession of a knife to intimidate a customer there on June 24th, 2022. The court heard that during the robbery of Bradys Pharmacy, Molloy put his arm around a female customer and held her, threatening a number of times: Open the till or Ill hurt her. The sales assistant was a 78-year-old lady who was left shaken. When informed that she is still working there two years later, Judge Martin Nolan described her as pretty resilient. CCTV After leaving Bradys, Molloy was captured on CCTV footage changing his clothes in a doorway, with the assistance of an unidentified man, who had brought him the change of clothes. The court heard that CCTV was central to the Thomas Street Pharmacy robbery investigation. Molloy was seen waiting outside for some time and going inside after a female customer went in. Witnesses told gardai that he was behind her and asking quite rudely to speak to staff. She moved, and he moved close to her. He grabbed her shoulder, held her in a chokehold and produced a six-inch knife. He was heard telling staff to: Give me money or shes going to be stabbed, and Ill slit her throat. Once he got cash, he fled and changed his clothes, having also changed them before the robbery. During the Tesco incident, he threatened to stab the cashier if he did not give him a box of cigarettes. Defence counsel Carol Doherty BL said that her client understood that his behaviour was shameful. She said that he had a death wish at the time and was still suicidal. She said that he had suffered horrific, systemic abuse at the hands of each caregiver he had in his childhood and had turned to drugs. He had since achieved a prolonged period of sobriety, but this was ended by the death of his child, with tragedy heaped on top of tragedy in his life. He could not remember any of the robberies clearly and had carried them out for drug money. Judge Nolan said that grabbing someone by the neck and threatening to stab her was a very serious incident. He noted that he had just weeks ago imposed sentences of six years and three years on him for similar crimes. On that occasion, the court heard that he had done well when sober, including saving the life of a prison officer in 2004. Robberies However, at the time of the robberies for which he was being sentenced that day, he had hoped to be shot by armed gardai when they pulled him out of a canal. Judge Nolan noted then that he hadnt got the best start in life, but said he had gone out and committed several robberies, terrifying dozens of people. He has to suffer an extension of prison, he said today. He sentenced him to six years for the Thomas Street Pharmacy robbery, three years for the offence at Tesco and six years for the Bradys Pharmacy incident. He said that these were to run concurrently, but consecutive to the six-year sentence he imposed last month. So thats a sentence of 12 years for all of your robberies, he told Molloy. By Rebecca Black, PA Further convictions of a man jailed for life for the murder of a British soldier have been referred to the Court of Appeal in Northern Ireland. John McDevitt was convicted at Belfast Crown Court in 1986 of the murder of Private Neil Clark, and the conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal in 1987. Private Clark was killed on Easter Monday 1984 by a gunshot wound to the head after getting out of a Land Rover which had been set on fire with a petrol bomb at Bishop Street in Derry. Last October McDevitts murder conviction was referred by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) to the Court of Appeal, after concerns about the credibility of police witnesses. His lawyers have said the CCRC has now referred four further convictions to the Court of Appeal. These include two counts of wounding with intent, attempting to cause GBH with intent and possession of firearms with intent relating to the same incident and the wounding of two other soldiers. The convictions were based on statements he had signed while in Castlereagh Police Station, and he contends that the statements were coerced as a result of oppressive interview techniques. Lawyers for McDevitt say they have been told this month that none of the original police interview notes from his time in Castlereagh can be located, or the custody record. Solicitor Patricia Coyle said her client and his family very much welcome the CCRCs decision to refer four further convictions back to the Court of Appeal. These four convictions emanate from the same contested statement of admission which grounds the murder conviction, she said. My client looks forward to the opportunity to present his case to the Court of Appeal after maintaining his innocence for almost 40 years. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. Dozens of gopher tortoises survived a harrowing sea crossing after last years deadly and destructive Hurricane Helene swept them two miles from their native home. The tortoises found themselves swimming and possibly floating for their lives from Egmont Key national wildlife refuge to Fort De Soto County Park on a remote part of the Florida coast. We found them right there on the beach, so we think that a combination of some potential to float or swim, we did have massive amounts of debris that came over from Egmont Key, its entirely possible that they rode those debris rafts over, Fort De Sotos Chief Park Ranger Dave Harshbarger, who first spotted the castaways, told Bay News 9. Before Helene, Fort De Soto had about eight gopher tortoise burrows, but after the hurricane officials said the number had grown to more than 80 spread throughout the park. Park rangers are excited that the new residents seem to be settling in well, as they provide a host of benefits for the ecosystem. Theyre a keystone species, which means they share their burrows with other species, and theres been something like 250 different species recorded as living in gopher tortoise burrows, said Anna Yu, a Fort De Soto park ranger who is responsible for the wellbeing of the gentle reptiles, as The Guardian reported. Eckerd College is studying and monitoring the movements of Fort De Sotos gopher tortoise population with the aid of cameras set up outside their burrows, reported Bay News 9. Officials stressed that visitors to the park should keep their distance from the burrowing tortoises, respect their habitat and be on the lookout for tortoises crossing roadways. Gopher tortoises are a state-designated threatened species, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Everybody in the ecosystem benefits from gopher tortoises being there, and well hopefully see an increase in biodiversity in the park. Because we have all these new burrows, other animals are able to use them, like eastern diamondback snakes, black racers, all kinds of different reptiles, Yu said, as The Guardian reported. The last time a gopher frog was listed as being one of the species in the park was in 2016 so its really cool to think that maybe some of these really imperiled species that rely on gopher tortoise burrows to survive might make their way back. Gopher tortoises are land-based animals whose flippers are designed for digging, not swimming. Yu said it was fortunate that those who survived the calamitous hurricane ended up on the protected beach. The whole event was just sheer luck that they ended up at Fort De Soto and not out at sea, or at some of the other beaches north of St. Pete Beach and Treasure Island, really popular beaches that dont have the habitat to support these creatures, Yu said. It could have turned out a lot differently for them. Observers have witnessed some of the tortoises exhibiting behaviors that indicate they may have been traumatized by their hazardous journey, such as burrowing deep into higher elevations, beyond the storm surge line of the hurricane. Its like they knew exactly where to go, they went a little bit higher in hopes of not being drowned out by another storm, Yu said. Some of the tortoises have exhibited mating behaviors since settling into their new home. Its a sign theyre thriving. Being able to mate is a sign of success, Yu added. Yu called the event ecologically important, and emphasized that the rangers want to ensure the park remains a wild place and home to an abundance of wildlife that depends on the people that come through, depends on their respect and all of our collective stewardship of their habitat to survive. Founded in 2005 as an Ohio-based environmental newspaper, EcoWatch is a digital platform dedicated to publishing quality, science-based content on environmental issues, causes, and solutions. The Trump administration is ending funding for the United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), which produces the National Climate Assessment the most comprehensive climate report by the federal government. The assessment established by Congress in 1990 and released every four years summarizes the impacts of global heating on the U.S. and plays an important role in national and local decision-making concerning the climate crisis, energy production, agriculture and water and land use. Theres really no coming back from this, and it means we are all less informed about climate impacts, and wont have the most up-to-date information on risks and threats, said a federal staffer who participated in USGCRP activities, but requested anonymity to protect themselves from retribution, as The Guardian reported. USGCRP helped me to leverage resources from other agencies for use in my own work. But without these networks, Im left without a support system and the latest science on climate change. The next USGCRP assessment is due in 2027, but NASA ended its contract with ICF International, the consulting firm that coordinated federal agencies that contributed to the report. Climate research as a whole will be hobbled because USGCRPs interagency working groups are essential coordinating bodies across the entire government, including and beyond the 15 USGCRP member agencies, said another federal worker who had knowledge of the program and was also granted anonymity, as reported by The Guardian. The anonymous worker said that, since President Donald Trumps second term began, monthly USGCRP meetings had been cancelled. The USGCRPs work, including the National Climate Assessment, is congressionally mandated in statute, and the administration should know it cant be cancelled by fiat. Federal agencies and hundreds of scientists across the nation help to build this invaluable scientific foundation so decision makers, businesses and the public have the information they need to protect people, vital infrastructure, the economy, food production, ecosystems and more, said Dr. Brenda Ekwurzel, co-author of the Fourth National Climate Assessment and a senior climate scientist with the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), in a press release from UCS. Trump officials also denied scientists from the U.S. permission to attend a United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change meeting in February. Extreme weather disasters displaced millions of people and caused billions of dollars in damage in 2024 alone, said Katharine Hayhoe, a climate scientist with Texas Tech University who was lead author of three National Climate Assessments, as The Guardian reported. Given the accelerating pace and scale of climate impacts today, a sustained and more comprehensive national climate assessment process is so essential. Officials with the Trump administration have contended that the findings of the USGCRPs assessments constrain the efforts of the administration to scrap the countrys environmental regulations, reported Politico. The attack on the USGCRP comes as the Trump Environmental Protection Agency has begun a reconsideration of the agencys climate endangerment finding, which affirmed the scientific conclusion that greenhouse gas emissions are harmful to human health. The determination is the basis for all greenhouse gas regulations in the U.S. According to U.S. climate scientist Michael Mann, the dismantling of the USGCRP is an indicator of the Trump administrations loyalty to one of the biggest donors to his reelection campaign: the fossil fuel industry, as The Guardian reported. It is pure villainy, Mann said. A crime against the planet arguably, the most profound of all crimes. The US Department of Justice has indicted Albert Sangier for defrauding investors with misleading statements about his Nate financial technology platform. Founded by Sangier in 2018, Nate claimed it could offer shoppers a universal checkout app thanks to artificial intelligence. However, the indictment states that the so-called AI-powered transactions in Nate were actually completed by human contractors in the Philippines and Romania or by bots. Sangier raised more than $40 million from investors for the app. This case follows reporting by The Information in 2022 that cast light on Nate's use of human labor rather than AI. Sources told the publication that during 2021, "the share of transactions Nate handled manually rather than automatically ranged between 60 percent and 100 percent." Many ambitious and ethically challenged entrepreneurs have attempted to make their fortunes by disguising human actions as a mechanical or technological innovation over the centuries. Claiming the results as AI work is just the most digital age application of the idea. If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Ireland's data privacy regulator is investigating Elon Musk's X. The country's Data Protection Commission (DPC) said on Friday (via Reuters) that it's opening an inquiry into the social platform's use of European users' public posts to train its Grok AI chatbot. In this case, Ireland handles EU regulation enforcement because X's European headquarters are in Dublin. The DPC said it will probe "the processing of personal data comprised in publicly-accessible posts posted on the 'X' social media platform by EU/EEA users." Under Europe's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) rules, Ireland has the legal muscle to fine X up to four percent of its global revenue. "The purpose of this inquiry is to determine whether this personal data was lawfully processed in order to train the Grok LLMs," Ireland's DPC said. If this sounds familiar, the DPC took X to court in 2024, seeking an order to stop it from training Grok on EU user data without consent. That followed a platform policy change in July that let the social site use public posts to train its AI chatbot. However, Ireland's data regulator ended the legal proceedings weeks later, saying the company had agreed to permanently limit its use of EU users' personal data in Grok. The DPC hasn't specified why it now believes the company may be violating GDPR rules. The DPC's last fine against the company (then known as Twitter) was a 450,000 penalty in 2020 for failing to notify the regulator about a data breach within the 72-hour window. Google is back with another entry-level smartphone, the Pixel 9a. With more AI smarts, a new hardware design, and the biggest battery on any Pixel yet, on paper, it sounds good. Especially the sub-$500 price tag. In our full Pixel 9a review, Sam Rutherford breaks down where corners have been cut compared to the rest of the Pixel 9 family, namely screen (which is still nice!) and sluggish charging. Engadget While there is support for nearly all of Googles AI features, the $499 Pixel 9a doesnt get access to Googles Screenshots app, which is an odd oversight. Especially when the phone has the Tensor G4 chip. With only two cameras, once again the Pixel 9 offers accurate images and enough versatility for most of us, including a macro focus mode for pin-sharp close-ups. In short, its likely to elbow out last years Pixel 8a as the best mid-range smartphone. Mat Smith Get Engadget's newsletter delivered direct to your inbox. Subscribe right here! The biggest stories you might have missed Ballie is happening. Samsung Samsungs Ballie will go on sale in the US and South Korea this summer and will now pack Googles Gemini AI model. Samsung says it can manage your smart home devices and even offer health and styling recommendations, for some reason. Having said that, we dont know what kind of OS is running on the device, but it will process voice, audio and visual data. And struggle... with stairs. Samsung has yet to announce pricing for the robot ball, however. Probably for good reason. Continue reading. Understand the Severance obsession. Apple TV+ is on sale right now for $3 per month for the first three months, bringing the total cost to just $9 for the entire period. That saves you $21 off the standard $10 monthly cost of the subscription. The deal is available through April 24, and the good news is that both new and qualified returning subscribers (those who havent been subscribed for the past 30 days) are eligible. Continue reading. DJI still dominates, but HoverAir and Autel have some interesting alternatives. Engadget In the market for a drone? We break down the best options at different budgets, including some impressive budget models, like DJIs Neo and Flip drones, along with the HoverAir X1 Pro lineup, all under $500. If you want the best flight experience (or camera quality), expect the budget to circle $1,000. Continue reading. Sky has announced plans to bring NBC's iconic sketch comedy series "Saturday Night Live" (SNL) to the United Kingdom, marking the first official British adaptation of the long-running program. The new show, titled Saturday Night Live UK, is set to premiere in 2026 and will feature a cast of the "funniest British comedians around" alongside a rotating lineup of celebrity hosts and musical performers. Sky, the broadcaster, has yet to reveal who they are eyeing to join the UK spin-off of the program but noted that the show's original creator and champion, Lorne Michaels, will come on as an executive producer, per a press release. The British edition will adhere closely to the format that has made SNL a cultural institution in the United States since its debut in 1975. Each episode will be broadcast live from London. The show promises rapid-fire sketches, satirical takes on current events, parody commercials, and musical performances, all delivered with the signature style of its American counterpart. "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," Cecile Frot-Coutaz, chief executive of Sky Studios, said in the statement. "We are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show to U.K. audiences next year all live from London on Saturday night." SNL UK arrives as the original American series celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Over its storied history, SNL has launched the careers of comedy legends like Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey, and Will Ferrell. It has also garnered more Emmy Awards than any other television program. While previous attempts at international versions have had mixed success such as France's short-lived "Le Saturday Night Live" hopes are high for this ambitious British adaptation. A tragic helicopter crash near New York City claimed six lives Thursday afternoon, prompting an emotional moment on live television as CBS anchor Kristine Johnson reported the devastating news. According to People, the crash occurred around 3:15 pm in the Hudson River, near Jersey City, New Jersey. Officials confirmed that all six people aboard the Bell 206 helicopter including the pilot and a family of five visiting from Spain died in the incident. The cause of the crash has not yet been shared, and the aircraft remains submerged in the river. As the news broke during CBS New York's live coverage, Johnson became visibly emotional. Fighting through tears, she told viewers, "This never, ever escapes me when you have to cover these types of stories on what you believe to be, will be, a normal day and it turns out to be anything but." Her voice trembled as she added, "This is not the news you ever want to hear. This is not just another day in the office." Videos and witness accounts of the helicopter crash on the Hudson River point to a "catastrophic failure of the aircraft," Chopper 2's @ChopperDanRice says. https://t.co/jfvm7RMqfU CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) April 11, 2025 Helicopter Crash in Jersey City Kills Six, Including Tourists from Spain The New York City Fire Department reported that the crash occurred on the New Jersey side of the river, though they were assisting in response efforts. The Hoboken Fire Department later confirmed that the exact location of the crash was in Jersey City. According to a law enforcement source, the victims included three adults and three children. The passengers were identified as tourists from Spain, but officials have not yet released their names, TheWrap said. The helicopter, a Bell 206, is a commonly used model for sightseeing tours. Authorities from both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the crash. Early reports indicate that the aircraft may have broken apart mid-air before hitting the water upside down. The tragedy comes as part of a growing list of aviation-related incidents this year. Federal investigators are expected to review flight data and maintenance records as part of the ongoing inquiry. Kristine Johnson's heartfelt response on air reflected the weight of the moment. Stephanie Jones, who was Justin Baldoni's publicist, has hit back at the actor's recent defamation accusations by claiming she never leaked confidential information to Blake Lively and that the damaging text messages were lawfully obtained via a subpoena. Jones claimed in court papers filed Thursday in New York that she complied with the law when turning over the text messages that are now the focus of Lively's lawsuit against Baldoni and his company, Wayfarer Studios. Jones said there were five text messages, which were obtained as part of a broader investigation on a work phone belonging to her former business partner, Jennifer Abel. The phone was handed over in response to a subpoena from Lively's attorneys. Those texts several cited awaiting publication in a December piece by The New York Times are part of the sexual harassment and defamation lawsuit Lively filed against Baldoni. The first one by publicist Melissa Nathan reads, "We can bury anyone." Jones alleges that Baldoni and Abel breached their contracts with her company, Jonesworks PR, because they were still under contract with her and because the three reportedly conspired with Nathan to start a smear campaign against Lively and ruin her business. Last month, Baldoni sued Jones, claiming she selectively leaked texts that made it look like he had hurt Lively, while she claimed her filings came ahead of his. But Jones argues against this, claiming the texts were not released until forced to do so by a court and called Baldoni's account "lies." "Wayfarer and Ms. Abel's distraction games in the press, and their legal filings attacking Ms. Jones and falsely accusing her of leaking are a desperate diversion from the reality that they have no answer for their blatant misconduct and have yet to produce a shred of evidence disproving Ms. Jones' claims," her attorney Maaren Shah said in a statement to Daily Mail. Jones also alleged that Wayfarer Studios had withheld payment to her firm, stating, "They've planted falsehoods in the press to tarnish Ms. Jones's business, stole confidential documents and clients, and refused to pay Jonesworks what was fairly owed. Those are facts, and smoke and mirrors PR campaigns can't change them." Legal Teams Play Blame Game Over Fallout From Film Production This legal feud gained steam in recent months as additional information about the production of "It Ends With Us" surfaced. The film is based on the Colleen Hoover novel and stars Lively as a florist and Baldoni as a hot but abusive neurosurgeon. Baldoni also directed the film. Lively's lawsuit, filed in December, also alleges that Baldoni sexually harassed her by getting close to her face, smelling her neck, and then commenting on how she smelled during a scene. Baldoni has denied the allegations, and his attorney released a clip that they claim contradicts her harassment claim, saying the audio was recorded despite previous reports that microphones were turned off, saying it was just a conversation about Lively's spray tan. In an earlier statement, Baldoni's attorney, Bryan Freedman, said, "it is undeniable that Stephanie Jones initiated this catastrophic sequence of events by violating the most basic of privacy rights, as well as any remaining trust her clients held." Freedman said Jones removed the phone from her business partner and revealed its contents to Lively's publicist Leslie Sloane just days after Jones was fired "for cause" by Wayfarer. Kristin Tahler, a partner at Quinn Emanuel and one of Jones's attorneys, rejected Baldoni's accusations, saying Jones's case is backed by hard evidence. "That suit clearly shows that Jen Abel conspired with Melissa Nathan and others to steal reams of confidential documents, clients and staff and eventually attempt to destroy the business that Ms. Jones spent decades building," Tahler said. Are you ready to take your business to the next level? In this episode of Stark Raving Entrepreneurs, we explore how Gamma, an advanced AI tool, can transform your content strategy and supercharge your business. Join us, Terry Brock and Gina Carr, in this exciting episode where we unveil the power of Gamma, an AI tool that is redefining the way content creators like you build your business! Whether youre a presenter, author, or speaker, get ready to discover how to create stunning slides, engaging carousels, and eye-catching graphics with just a few clicks. Well walk you through the nitty-gritty of using Gamma to transform your text into professional presentations, lead magnets, and more. Get a sneak peek at how this tool can also revolutionize your LinkedIn game with compelling carousel posts that captivate your audience and enhance your business relationships. Whether youre a presenter, author, speaker, or entrepreneur, Gamma equips you with the power to create stunning slides, captivating graphics, and professional documents in just a few clicks. Say goodbye to endless hours of design work and hello to streamlined, impactful content creation! Discover how Gamma helps you repurpose text into polished presentations, design custom visuals, and even generate lead magnets like ebooks or PDFsall tailored to your unique audience. This tool is a game-changer for anyone seeking to leverage AI in business, enhance their entrepreneurial strategies, and boost productivity. Ready to unlock your full potential? Join the conversation, subscribe for more tips, and visit our website for more resources and tools to fuel your entrepreneurial journey. Lets keep building your dream business, one innovative idea at a time! ? If after checking this out, Gamma is a tool you want to investigate and get involved with, wed appreciate it if you would use our affiliate code. That helps us with a few coins and helps us to keep these messages coming to you. https://try.gamma.app/psg7ae7zcj99 #gammaai #aicontentcreation #aitools #businessautomation #freeaitools Recommended AI tools for business growth. http://AItools4biz.com Check out this on video! Listen to this & other episodes on our podcast https://bit.ly/sre_podcast Here are some timestamps that can be useful for you: CHAPTERS: 00:00 Intro 01:27 How to Use Gamma: Overview 02:09 How to Use Gamma: Step 1 Guide 04:08 How to Use Gamma: Step 2 Instructions 06:02 How to Use Gamma: Step 3 Process 08:25 How to Use Gamma: Step 4 Techniques 09:18 Creating a Lead Magnet Strategy 11:35 Exporting Formats: PDF, PNG, LinkedIn 16:11 Importing Custom Images for Projects 18:50 Designing LinkedIn Carousels 21:09 Final Thoughts and Takeaways For your convenience, heres a Spanish language summary En este episodio de Stark Raving Entrepreneurs, Terry Brock y su coanfitriona Gina Carr hablan sobre Gamma, una herramienta de inteligencia artificial que puede revolucionar la creacion de contenido. Terry describe a Gamma como una solucion potente para quienes desean crear diapositivas y otros tipos de documentos de forma mas eficiente, destacando su utilidad para presentadores, autores y oradores. Gina enfatiza la capacidad de Gamma para generar graficos impresionantes y imagenes atractivas de manera sencilla. Al mencionar como la comunidad de Stark Raving Entrepreneurs ha adoptado Gamma como su nueva herramienta favorita, Gina destaca que la aplicacion facilita la comunicacion de ideas mas ricas que el texto simple. Terry muestra como integra la herramienta en su flujo de trabajo regular, tomando texto de sus publicaciones y permitiendo que Gamma genere diapositivas, que luego personaliza para su uso. Enfatiza la importancia de personalizar el contenido generado por la IA, poniendo un toque personal en lugar de simplemente copiar y pegar. En el transcurso del episodio, Terry demuestra como usa Gamma para convertir texto de Google Docs en diferentes formatos, como presentaciones, documentos web y documentos sociales. Ademas, destaca la capacidad de generar imagenes personalizadas en Gamma, que resultan especialmente ventajosas para ofrecer presentaciones atractivas. Para los creadores de contenido, la capacidad de exportar facilmente documentos como archivos PDF, PowerPoint, o incluso usar imagenes PNG para publicaciones en plataformas como YouTube o LinkedIn, es un gran avance. Gina senala lo util que resulta esto para crear imantes de clientes potenciales y comunicar mejor el valor de lo que ofrecen. Terry resalta como Gamma puede ayudar a diversificar el contenido adaptandose a diferentes audiencias sin tener que partir siempre desde cero, lo cual es especialmente valioso para aquellos que hablan regularmente frente a nuevos publicos. Finalmente, Terry y Gina invitan a los oyentes a explorar mas sobre Gamma y su impacto positivo en la creacion de contenido y destacan la importancia de estar atentos a las innovaciones que lo hacen posible. Concluyen recomendando herramientas adicionales para el crecimiento empresarial y agradecen a su audiencia por acompanarlos. And For Your Convenience, heres a transcript of this episode: Terry Brock [00:00:00]: As a content creator, you are always looking for new tools and new ideas, ways that you can get more done to build your business. Ive discovered a tool I gotta share with you. It is phenomenal for presenter to presenter, someone whos doing this for a living, been doing it for many decades myself, And this is a tool thats gonna help you, an AI tool. It is called Gamma, and it gives you the ability to, yes, create some slides, but even more. Were gonna show you that on this episode of Stark Raving Entrepreneurs, And Im joined by my coauthor, my cofounder of Stark Raving Entrepreneurs, and my fiance, Gina Carr. Gina, youve seen Gamma before. What are your thoughts on how it can help content creators and particularly presenters, authors, speakers, and other people like that? Gina Carr [00:00:47]: Well, it just is enabling us to create amazing graphics, images, slides, and such easily with literally a sentence and a press of a couple of buttons, and we really have something that helps us to communicate our ideas much better than just the spoken word and certainly much better than just bland, ongoing text. So Terry Brock [00:01:12]: Yeah. Gina Carr [00:01:12]: Good. Its very creative. Theres a reason that the folks in our Stark Raving Entrepreneurs community are saying its their new best friend, and theyre using it every day. So I cant wait to see what were going to be sharing with folks today. Terry Brock [00:01:26]: Yeah. What we wanna do, we wanna get right into it here and show you, as a person watching this, how you can use it. Lets say you write some text. I have a post that goes out Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday. It is largely text. Occasionally, I put in a graphic, but its, text or message. What I did today is I took that text and I put it into gamma and let gamma generate slides, change the wording a little bit, then I went back and I customized it for me. I always say do not copy and paste when youre using AI material. Terry Brock [00:01:56]: Copy, paste, and then customize. You wanna you ize it. Make sure youre you izing the material. Put your own feeling, your ideas, your thoughts in there, and thats gonna be important. And thats what I did. Let me share my screen here for you so you can take a look at whats going on and how we did this. Okay. Were getting really nitty gritty here because this is what I do when Im making a presentation. Terry Brock [00:02:20]: I use Google Docs, and I put the text in here. This is what I did back on the twenty first January twenty twenty five. And, I put a start started here with a quote from Steve. Technology alone is not enough, etcetera, etcetera. And I write it, put my ideas in there, then I go back and edit it again, second draft. Then for a third graph, I send it into, at that time, perplexity. Now I might use Claude or some other tools. Still loving Perplexity, by the way, getting Claude through Perplexity. Terry Brock [00:02:46]: That works beautifully. And then Ive got this that has gone through the editing process. This is what I would feed into, once it comes back from Perplexity, into a tool that we use called Kartra. Kartra then gives us the ability to reach out to people. And so what I would do is I would take the bulk of this right here and feed it into the gamma. By going into gamma, we can do it. Let me show you exactly how we do. Were getting really nitty gritty here. Terry Brock [00:03:12]: So what Im doing is Im starting here. Actually, lets grab it from here. And, well, lets see. Lets grab it from here. There we are. Go on down there. Im gonna slide on down to the place on here where I wanna bring it in. Say after I said Terry and then I put Terry Brock, etcetera. Terry Brock [00:03:25]: Im gonna click there, then Im gonna copy that. Copy that, then Im heading over to Gamma. Once I get over to Gamma, what Im gonna do now is Im gonna look at the options here, create new, new from blank, or import. Im gonna select create new. So when I select create new, notice it says notice it says paste in text. So I can take the text that I had, what I wrote, Im gonna put that in here. So Im gonna select that and then just do a command v, use a control v over on the Windows side. On Macs, Im gonna put in the command v, and it popped it in there like that. Terry Brock [00:04:00]: And what it did is it put it in there at least four, but I got that there. But now, youll see down toward the bottom, Ive got presentation, web page, document, or social. This does more than just create slides. Hey. Dont get me wrong. Gamma does a great job creating slides for PowerPoint, for Keynote. Im using Keynote mainly on the Mac, but it works beautifully. I put that in there, and you could also do a web page. Terry Brock [00:04:24]: You can create a web page. Lets say, as a speaker, you wanna go out and speak to a different group, you can customize it for them using that and put in gamma to create the graphics, the text, make it ideal. You can also create other documents, like a PDF that might be used for a lead magnet. Let me show you what were gonna do here. Gina, I wanna get your comments on this when we after weve done this here. Im gonna take this and Im gonna make this, into not a presentation, not a web page, but a document. So Im clicking on document right here, and then down here below that, youll see continue. Im gonna click on that, and when we do, notice what its doing. Terry Brock [00:04:59]: Its configuring the prompt. Its giving me, oh, lets say eight cards. Now you can go up on that. Ive got the high end that they have the pro version. I can go up to, I forget how many. I think like 80 or 90 some cards, a lot. I dont need that many. Im gonna cut it back to just a few here. Terry Brock [00:05:15]: Lets go to, like, say six cards just so you can get an idea of what were gonna do, and Im gonna click on continue. When I do that, watch what happens here. It gives me the ability to select a theme. Its okay. Okay. What do you want? Theres a lot of capabilities here on the themes that you can use, and you can use this in many different ways. Im gonna select a professional and then a title. So Ill be able to get this right here as a theme. Terry Brock [00:05:38]: I just like that one. I like the white behind it and the dark letters. I like those black letters look really, really good. And then I click on generate. We got just a very short presentation here, so it shouldnt take too long, but Im gonna leave this in real time. You know, this is about where we often do this with our presentations. We stop sharing. We say, okay, were gonna come back when its done, and it comes back in a few hours or whatever. Terry Brock [00:06:01]: Well, right now, were gonna leave it on here. Here we go. Im clicking on generate right now. And, Gina, notice how long this is taking. Were going through this. Were gonna see it here in real time. Here it goes. And look at it. Terry Brock [00:06:11]: Its working. Its actually writing it down for me. Let me see whats going on, putting it together, repurposing. Its taking the words that I have, and it is, well, repurposing those words, because thats one of the things we were talking about there. And notice its the magic is the mix. Its gonna put in a graphic that its grabbing there that I can take, bring it in, and make sure that Im getting some really good content. This is something that would be real good in a presentation, probably even better like it is right here in some type of document that could be an ebook or something like that for you. So were taking action now, repurposing it, putting it together. Terry Brock [00:06:48]: Its letting me see what you can do with it. All of this put together in a very nice way, and there it is. Over and done. I wasnt doing a timer on that. But, Gina, that seemed like that was pretty quick in putting all that together. Gina Carr [00:07:02]: It was super fast and and really great. I love it because I I imagine Im like a lot of people that seeing just a ton of text, my mind just glazes over, and my brain just goes, oh, thats too much. Its taxing. But Yeah. Terry Brock [00:07:20]: My brain is taxed pretty easily anyway. But, when that happens, I agree with you. It does it too. Gina Carr [00:07:25]: Yeah. So the way that that that took that material and presented it, laying it out in these different types of images, graphics, breaking up the text with headlines and bullet points. Oh, Im I just love it. Its so much easier to comprehend and to really get the material that way. Terry Brock [00:07:46]: Yeah. And, Gina, I think you raised a good point there. Easier to comprehend and get the material because thats not for us to comprehend. This is for our audience. So what you wanna do is do what you can to make it better for your audience. I remember talking to, one of our friends whos been performing as a magician since he was a kid, and, Joe Lovera, a friend of ours whos a speaker, hall of fame speaker, he says always pay attention to your audience. Go out of your way. If you have to do a little extra, it costs you more to make the audience happy. Terry Brock [00:08:15]: And I think thats good. Gio, if youre watching this, hello there, buddy. Hope youre doing well. But I think thats what we can do. And by using this, now were gonna be able to get a lot more with it. And now that weve done that, what I wanna do is I wanna go back into the document and let you see what gamma has produced for us and how youre gonna be able to use this. So here we are back where we left off, and we see that gamma has done this. Weve got all of this available that we can use, and theres a lot of, capabilities. Terry Brock [00:08:39]: I wanna draw your attention there. Do you see we have a theme? We can edit that. We can also share this or we can present it. We can come in and say, hey, Im gonna present this as is like that. But instead, I wanna take a look at something here where were sharing. So you could see what it can do. It can share this, and if you wanna share it, you can put this to anyone that has the link. You can just set up some of your advanced settings there. Terry Brock [00:08:59]: You could require a password, all that very nice. But export is probably where you wanna live most of the time. Look at this. You can export it to a PDF. Hello. That means as a PDF, it can become an ebook, a lead magnet. Gina, I know youve done some good work in things like this as well, creating a lead magnet. This looks like a powerful way to create those very easily. Terry Brock [00:09:21]: What are your thoughts? Gina Carr [00:09:23]: Yes. Well, people love blueprints, special reports, white papers for some audiences. And so being able to create that very easily in PDF format is a great lead magnet. So you create your lead magnet, collect someones email, name and email so you can communicate with them, deliver them this value as well. In general, youre going to continue to communicate with them to let them know more about what you can do to help them. Terry Brock [00:09:53]: Yeah. I have to agree with you. I think thats good. And you know another thing thats gonna be important as a professional speaker, youre offering and delivering a same message over and over, a very similar message, but you tailor it to the audience, Customize it to them. Well, what we can do with this, Gina, this is one of the things I like about it. You can take that presentation that you put together, but you can change a few words, change a few pictures, and use essentially the same thing for another audience, and you keep your slides very easily changed. That, to me, I think, is a a breakthrough. Gina Carr [00:10:25]: I agree. Thats a a really good way to do it. Certainly, you dont want to recreate the wheel every time you do something, every time youre speaking in front of a different audience, every time youre writing for a different audience. So if you can, if you can adjust easily the the type of company and just make a few changes, its gonna be so much better. Terry Brock [00:10:51]: Yeah. Absolutely. I think by doing that, youre gonna be able to get a lot more done and be able to make it easier for you and make it better for the audience because youre giving them something that has been tested and is working really well. Lets go back and take a look at what gamma has done for us now and what more we can do. Okay. So here we are back here. Weve got the export to PDF, to PowerPoint, etcetera. And by the way, one of the things you can do with that is with the PDF, you can tell it how much text you want in there. Terry Brock [00:11:18]: Sometimes if youre doing a slideshow, you only want a few words on there and more pictures. You dont wanna put a whole book on the slide. No. But if youre doing an ebook, you want more. So you can do it both ways. And Gamma gives you the ability to do that. It gives you the ability that and a lot more capabilities. Really customizable. Terry Brock [00:11:36]: Something they added recently, was the Google Slides. You can see it put those in there. But, of course, over here, right up one from that, PowerPoint or Keynote. Im using Mac, and we just bring in the PowerPoint slides. It works pretty well. Sometimes you might need to adjust and get some extra fonts, but thats easily done as well. Or you can export as a PNG. So if you do that, your PNGs are generated. Terry Brock [00:11:59]: Its safe to close the share panel. See, it can give you those, and youve got several different PNGs that are there. Why would you wanna do that? Well, that could be done, for instance, with YouTube, to have a YouTube post where you could have five up to five different PNGs that you would have right there on YouTube, or you could use it in some other way. Very nice. But look at this other one here, LinkedIn new. The LinkedIn capability so that you can put out a post or a carousel on LinkedIn. This is really handy and gives you a tremendous amount of capability. This was from a post I put together just this last Thursday. Terry Brock [00:12:40]: Put it together and got a chance to see the kind of capabilities of what it was and that and youll notice I had a quote here from Daniel Priestley and Kevin Harrington, where I talked about that. And when they said your best thinking five years ago is your baggage today. I want you to take a look at this. Look whats happened here. I have that. You see the picture right next to it? There it is. It looks like battered around, beat up a luggage. Some of you who travel a lot, you know what were going through on that. Terry Brock [00:13:05]: Its the way it works. Well, I was able to have Gamma create that picture for me. Very nice. That looks like its a real suitcase sitting there, and this is the beauty of it. What youre gonna be able to do with this is youre not only creating pictures, customized to the words that you had right there. This is sensational. The capabilities, I think, are outstanding. Gina, I like this, and I think thats got some real potential to create those graphics that we need ideally right on the spot. Gina Carr [00:13:33]: Thats one of the most powerful things that we are seeing with AI is the ability to create custom graphics that really illustrate the point you were trying to make. In the past, you would have to go to websites, picture sites, and and sometimes they were free, sometimes they were for pay, but they usually were not exactly what you wanted. Nowadays, you can create exactly what you want, and youve created it. Im not giving legal advice, but I believe when you create it with your own words, you own it. And I love the fact that gamma has the ability right there inside it to to help you let you create those images. Terry Brock [00:14:12]: This is ideal for content creators. It gives us exactly what we not want when we need it, and, it does even more. Well, I took this and put it over onto LinkedIn, and let me show you what we can do with that. Okay. So here we are. You saw the title there, Your Best Thinking Five Years Ago is Your Baggage Today, and theres the old beat up baggage. But look at this. It also gave me this. Terry Brock [00:14:33]: It took this, principles that still matter today. Ive got that in there with a picture that came in, and it gave me even a different background for a slightly different focus here where I was talking about Marshall Goldsmith and his book, What Got You Here Wont Get You There, How Successful People Become Even More Successful. Great book by Marshall, and I think that thats real important, but I put that in there and they set it apart by just putting a different, color on there. Finding balance with AI, all of this is available. And you see, these kinds of capabilities are really outstanding. Matter of fact, one of the things I wanna call your attention to is notice here, I created two conditions, an extreme one, complete rejection, and extreme two of frenetic adoption. So it gave me the ability to do both of those, showed it to me, and put it in there very easily. This is part of the magic that were getting from gamma. Terry Brock [00:15:25]: It gives us a lot of power, a lot of capability, you get a lot done. And youll see down here lower, it showed me six approaches to deal with AI. I had these six thing. Notice it numbered them, brought in little symbols, put them in there together, put all this together. So this is a beautiful ebook coming from what could be also a presentation. I can do it either way. And then see the wow of ChatGPTs advanced voice. I even talked about that, showed people what they could do, how they can experience that. Terry Brock [00:15:53]: It made it even more sparkly. And then put this in here at the end, I added this to say, okay, lets connect. People saying hello, a nice picture like that that Gamma gave us, all of that there with Gamma, giving that kind of capability, I think its nothing short of outstanding. And theres another nice thing you can do with Gamma when you wanna bring in pictures. Couple of different ways to do that. Let me share my screen here again. Im gonna show you what we can do with this. On this particular one here, this is just a slide that I had. Terry Brock [00:16:22]: Theres a graphic here that is okay, not bad, but I might wanna have another one there. But what I can do is I can go over here on the right, and youll see over here on the right side, Ive got the options to bring in some other tools that are very nice. One that I wanna look at right now is images. Notice I can click on images there, and it gives me the ability to upload an image or a URL. Ive got one there, a web page search. I can go over to Unsplash. Hey, Unsplash has a bunch of free program or free graphics that you can use and bring them in. I like that. Terry Brock [00:16:53]: We can get all kinds of things here. One that I use a lot, AI images. So Im gonna bring in this right here and what Im gonna do is you see I can go in here into a prompt right here showing key features of automated content. Its suggesting that I could put in my own and change it. Notice I can customize this one to a different style that I might want using the theme thats there or something else, making it more realistic. Im gonna put here realistic like photography because I like that one. And then I can select the model. Look at this. Terry Brock [00:17:23]: It gives the ability to find out which of these graphic models do you want. I like Flux Pro on the advanced level since I have the full, pro version that they have here. Im able to select that. Very, very nice. Then once Ive got that, notice below, these are pictures that have been developed for me previously that I could bring in and reuse. Or this time, Im gonna generate a new one. So Im clicking on generate, and notice whats happened. Were gonna run this in real time. Terry Brock [00:17:51]: So you get a chance to see approximately how long it takes to do this as it works on it, and it comes in with that. There we go. And youll see right here, it has put in a content sifter showing me this. Its something that I can use on this. Its a little bit big right here, so what Im gonna do is come over here and make it smaller. And by making it a little bit smaller, youll see what I can do here. Take this and then Im gonna move this over to the right. I just move it up here in horizontal alignment. Terry Brock [00:18:21]: Lets me slide it over there. So now Ive got another picture that Ive been able to bring in that could be particularly appropriate. This is just part of the good that you get with this. Lots of good being able to use it in many different ways and be able to get the kind of information that you want. And this next one were gonna show you is phenomenal. It gives you the ability to really tie in to your business community. You might be like I am, that our main market is going to be business users. So LinkedIn is a platform we really like to use. Terry Brock [00:18:53]: And now, you can produce gamma carousels that will work on LinkedIn, a LinkedIn carousel, really. Were gonna use gamma to produce it. Let me show you what I did a little bit earlier today. Here we are in LinkedIn, and youll notice here on my Terry Brock AI keynote hall of fame speaker, shameless plug there. When you put it in, youll see that. And Ive got this right here. And this is a carousel that I put in. I can look at this and I can say, okay, I wanna bring in that carousel. Terry Brock [00:19:21]: Let me go into that mode right there and there we are. Look at this. It took this, brought that in there very nicely and I was able to use it. Now I can click on the right arrow over here and it goes into the next slide. So I can look at that. Here we go, and Ive got this brilliant, information here from Marshall Goldsmith on there again. This and this, I can put in up to eight that I did here on this one, brought it in, and now thats in LinkedIn, all there, very easy to use. So you can do this with Gamma and you put it directly into LinkedIn. Terry Brock [00:19:56]: This is something that can definitely build your business, your name recognition, get you recognized more as people see it. Its something that I havent been doing, but plan to do a little bit more of that. Gina, Im pretty impressed with that. I think its got some really nice features. What are your thoughts on that? Gina Carr [00:20:13]: Well, people are loving LinkedIn carousel posts. They, are more engaging. I know when Im when Im presented with one, I like to go through and see what it is. Its almost like Im on a little discovery tour. So whats on the next, slide? Whats on the next slide? And, I love that, Gamma makes it really easy to create these in PDF form, which is the form that LinkedIn wants its carousel posts. So so thats nice. Its just a a natural. Its very easy. Gina Carr [00:20:46]: And, so I I think that carousels are fantastic, and people are gonna use them even more. Its a good way to develop a relationship with your prospective client and existing clients. Terry Brock [00:20:57]: Yeah. Exactly. Thats the key. Gino, you hit the nail on the head. Its really about creating those relationships, the relationship marketing that we talk about so much, tying that in to help others. Well, this is what GAM will do now. Itll do a lot more than that, and so let us know what you think. We wanna hear from you in the comments. Terry Brock [00:21:13]: Drop a note there you like this or youd like to know more about something. Tell us that, and wed be happy to put some things together to help you because this is a tool that works a lot for you. Its going and doing farther. Think about it. You can create this in gamma. Youve got content for LinkedIn, content for Instagram. Youve got content for your post on your blog. Youve got it for many other places. Terry Brock [00:21:38]: YouTube post. The YouTube post is the same. You can go up to five on YouTube with that. Now you can create this over in gamma, put it into YouTube. The possibilities are enormous. Think about it. Were looking forward to hearing from you, and, come over and see us sometime there at Stark Raving Entrepreneurs. If you go to starkravingentrepreneurs.com, you get a chance to find out more about what were doing and how were, operating there. Terry Brock [00:22:02]: Gina, any final words before we say goodbye to the folks? Gina Carr [00:22:06]: Well, I know we have a tool that people really are enjoying. Its called, its our AI tools for business guide, and you can get there by going to a I tools for biz Com and, see some of see this tool as well as other tools that we are recommending that are AI tools for business growth for thought leaders. Terry Brock [00:22:28]: Absolutely. We like to give you, dear viewer, a way for you to learn on this. And if youre listening to this on audio, all by all means, we encourage you to take a look at the video capabilities of this and think about how you can use this in your podcast to really support you or in other audio forms that you have. On behalf of all of us here at Start Grieving Entrepreneurs, thank you for joining us today, and we will be in touch. Thursday, April 10, 2025 Favorite Slogan Conservatives say they are not cutting some important government program; they are just cutting waste, fraud, and abuse. But lip service to these virtues belies the fact that they often engage in practices that create waste or fraud or abuse. When the Trump regime fired sixteen inspector generals, whose purpose is to find waste fraud and abuse (WFA), they showed disinterest in WFA and instead a strong interest in lawless or corrupt behavior without consequences, the real goal. Favorite Tactic Privatization is a way to create donors to conservative causes. The Hatch Act forbids federal employees from donating to politicians, but if they are "private sector" they are fair game for fundraising. The excuse is that the private sector outperforms the public sector, a point widely believed while the evidence is often just the opposite. Free enterprise works well in a free market, but does not work well in monopoly situations. When price can be raised without constraint or regulation, maximizing profit does not serve the public well. Privatized operations exaggerate executive salaries and profits at the expense of lower worker wages. Examples When George Bush added coverage for drugs to Medicare, he repaid donations from the drug companies with excessive payments for drugs roughly twice what other nations pay for the same drugs. Creating Medicare Advantage was another scam to let private insurance companies entice consumers with low cost "freebies" like glasses and dental, but allowing those companies to "waste" money on cutting vital medical services, like expensive cancer care, much easier. In short, this was to get around Obamacare guaranties against dropping coverage for "pre-existing conditions" and other ruses used by health insurance companies for avoiding paying for costly treatments. These abuses don't happen in health care for all other advanced nations. Paying for excessive salaries and cost controllers adds nothing to health care but useless middlepersons. Whatever happened to the businessperson notion of eliminating the middleman? So much for the so-called party of business. The 40% Rule There appears to be a loss of economy of about 40% in various authoritarian structures, mercenary or private. Some examples: During World War Two the French Economy was reduced by 40% during German occupation. During the Cold War the East Germany economy was 40% less than the West Germany economy (per capita). Community owned electric utilities charge 40% less than investor-owned utilities throughout the United States. Single payer healthcare is about 40% Cheaper than US insurance healthcare. In the Investor-owned utilities (IOU) the formula appears that 60% is for electricity, 20% for profit, and 20% for excessive executive salaries. Eliminate the last two and you have the community owned electric utilities at 60% of IOU rates. Treason The Logan Act forbids laypersons conducting foreign policy. Yet when President Johnson was trying to make a peace deal in 1968, Nixon rallied the Vietnamese generals against it. In a phone call with the Republican leader of the Senate, Everett Dirksen, Johnson called this treason, and Dirksen agreed. Nixon won a narrow election thanks to this treason. When hostages in Iran threatened to stop Carter's re-election in 1980, Reagan had Casey and Bush go to Paris to block a settlement. (Paris was the exile home of the Ayatollah before the 1979 revolution against the 1953 CIA installed Shah). Since this time far more Republican presidents have had corrupt cabinet members than Democrats, approaching ten to one. Attempting to overthrow the government, as in 1-6-21, is the definition of treason. 14th Amendment Section 3 Insurrectionists were listed as ineligible to hold federal office by this US constitutional amendment passed after the civil war. Jefferson Davis, president of the confederacy in 1861-65 could not run for president in 1868. However, the insurrection lead by Donald Trump on January 6, 2021 that overran the capitol, was allowed by the corrupt Supreme Court with three appointees by Trump on it. Justices Alito and Thomas, as shown by the flags they flew at their homes, aided and abetted that insurrection and therefore are ineligible to hold any federal office. Many congresspeople should similarly be prohibited from holding their offices. But the Supine Court used the excuse that there should be enabling legislation first, a preposterous condition put in by the Supine Court to avoid the obvious remanding to a federal court that should have happened to the Colorado case. The absurd Immunity case by the Supine Court breaks with 240 years of "no one is above the law" and is a clear case of obstruction of justice by the six Justices, helping the insurrectionist into the presidency illegally. Speedy trial is a constitutional requirement. The Federalist Society with its unitary executive theory is an insurrectionist institution of lawyers. Dictatorship and kings are not supported by the constitution. Trump had a book of Hitler's speeches at his bedside according to his ex-wife. Trump's first wife was the daughter of a KGB agent and Trump has been anti-NATO since 1987. Here are the problematic issues of militarism in an age of empire: https://www.academia.edu/11421799/MILITARISM_CONTROL_Empire_Social_Decay_WWW_97_6p Please cite this work as follows: Reuschlein, Robert. (2025, April 10), "Waste, Fraud, and Abuse" Madison, WI, Real Economy Institute. Retrieved from: https://www.expertclick.com/NewsRelease/Waste,-Fraud,-and-Abuse,20253 10033 .aspx Dr. Peace, Dr. Robert Reuschlein, Real Economy Institute Nobel Peace Prize Nominee 2016-2025 best contact bobreuschlein@gmail.com for more info www.realeconomy.com Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - Sexual violence against children in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has reached staggering proportions, with the UN Childrens Fund (UNICEF) reporting thousands of new cases in just two months evidence that its being used as a systemic weapon of war and deliberate terror tactic By Other News CANFIELD, Ohio Ohio State University Extension is hosting pressure canner gauge testing at various locations and times throughout northeast Ohio this spring. For safe home canning, the U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that pressure canner dial gauges be tested annually for accuracy, as they can become inaccurate over time. An inaccurate gauge can lead to under- or over-processing food, potentially cause food safety issues. Bring your pressure canner lid to any of these locations on the following dates to have your gauge tested. Columbiana County For more information, contact Paige Irwin at Irwin.353@osu.edu or 330-870-1175. May 7, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Columbiana County Fairgrounds, 225 Lee Ave., Lisbon May 23, 12-3 p.m. East Palestine Resiliency Center, 50410 State Route 14, East Palestine June 3, 1-5 p.m., East Palestine Memorial Public Library, 309 N Market St., East Palestine June 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Carnegie Public Library, 115 9th St., Wellsville June 11, 12-4 p.m., Columbiana County Fairgrounds Columbiana/Mahoning counties May 17, 8-11 a.m., Damascus General Hardware, 28983 US-62, Damascus Holmes County For more information, contact Kate Shumaker at Shumaker 68@osu.edu or 330-674-3015 June 21, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lehmans, Kidron, 4779 Kidron Rd, Dalton June 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mt. Hope Hardware, 8120 OH-241, Millersburg June 26, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lehmans, Kidron July 21, 12:30-4:30 p.m., Keim Home Store, 4465 OH-557, Millersburg Aug. 13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Mt. Hope Hardware, Millersburg Aug. 14, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Lehmans, Kidron Sept. 8, 12:30-4:30 p.m., Keim Home Store, Millersburg Mahoning County For more information, contact LuAnn Duncan at Duncan.920@osu.edu or 330-533-5538 May 19, testing from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. and noon to 2 p.m., class from 10 a.m. to noon, Mahoning County Extension meeting room, 290 S Broad St., Canfield June 14, testing from 5-6 p.m., class from 6-8 p.m. Medina County For more information, contact Erin Ruggiero Ruggiero.46@osu.edu or call 330-661-6410 By appointment only, Medina County Extension Office, 4046 Medina Road, Medina Portage County For more information, contact Portage County Extension at 330-296-6432 May 5, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Portage County Extension Office Community Room 101 First Floor, 705 Oakwood St., Ravenna Sept. 5, noon to 3 p.m., Portage County Extension Office Stark County For more information, contact Holly Bandy at bandy.52@osu.edu or 234-348-6001. May 21, by appointment, 2321 Energy Dr., First Floor, Louisville, June 24, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2321 Energy Dr., First Floor, Louisville, Trumbull County For more information, contact Marie Economos at Economos.2@osu.edu or 330-637-2229 July 15, testing 9-10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon, class from 10-11 a.m., Trumbull County Extension office, 520 W Main St. Suite 1, Cortland A self-employed builder has been ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work after a labourer fell over 13 feet through a barn roof, sustaining serious injuries. James Dargan-Cole, 25, failed to implement safety measures to prevent falls while working at height at Great House Farm, Todmorden, West Yorkshire, on 13 April 2023. The victim, 29-year-old Jacob Thomas, was injured on his first day on the job while removing boarding behind the roof of a lower barn on the farm. He stepped onto a skylight and fell through, suffering a brain haemorrhage and multiple fractures to his skull, spine, sternum and shoulder. A Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigation found Dargan-Cole had failed to properly assess or control the risks associated with working at height, and that the roof also contained asbestos. The builder lacked adequate knowledge to manage the dangers involved in dismantling the barn structure. HSE emphasised the ongoing dangers of working at height and asbestos exposure. The watchdogs Asbestos and You campaign raises awareness of the lethal risks of asbestos, which remains the UKs biggest workplace killer, responsible for around 5,000 deaths each year. Dargan-Cole pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. On 1 April 2025, Leeds Magistrates Court sentenced him to a 12-month community order, including 200 hours of unpaid work, and ordered him to pay 2,500 in costs. Principal inspector Paul Thompson from HSE said: Mr Thomas suffered horrific injuries due to the failure to ensure protective fall prevention or collective fall mitigation measures were in place. This incident came about as a result of poor planning, management and monitoring of activities during work at height. "I hope this case serves as an example and a reminder to others about the potential deadly risks they often undertake and how they should be approached. Fears over foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) have led to new calls for the UK government to strengthen border controls in a bid to safeguard the livestock industry. In a new letter to the government, NFU Cymru has expressed very serious concerns about rising levels of illegal meat entering the UK. Since September 2022, more than 190 tonnes of illicit meat have been seized at the Port of Dover including 10 tonnes in a single week in January 2024. Recent cases of FMD confirmed in Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia have heightened fears of an outbreak on UK soil. While the disease poses no threat to humans, it is devastating for livestock businesses. The 2001 FMD outbreak, which cost the UK more than 8 billion, had a crippling effect family farms across the country. NFU Cymru is now urging the UK government to introduce a permanent ban on personal meat imports and to bolster border and import controls to address the growing biosecurity threat. The union warns that illegal meat which could carry FMD or African swine fever is entering the UK via both personal and commercial routes, and not just through Channel ports. A major seizure in Northern Ireland earlier this year has raised concerns about UK ports vulnerability as well. NFU Cymru livestock board chair, Rob Lewis said the current Border Target Operating Model (BTOM) used at Dover was not fit for purpose. He warned that it was highly vulnerable to exploitation by organised crime, given limited funding and enforcement capacity. "With cases of FMD confirmed in Germany, Hungary and Slovakia, the memories of 2001 come flooding back and send a chill down the spine of the Welsh farming community," he said. "We must operate a keep it out policy when it comes to exotic animal disease, failure to do so will have a devastating impact not only for individual farm businesses, but for the whole country." Jonathan Wilkinson, the union's dairy board chair, welcomed swift bans on imports from affected parts of Europe but stressed that further action was needed including tougher penalties. Our livestock families are deeply concerned that current import controls fall far short of whats needed to protect our nations biosecurity, he said. "We ask the Secretary of State to take these matters up with her Ministerial colleagues in UK Government as a matter of urgency. "With the risk of disease incursion high, our livestock farming families are worried that the current import controls do not match the threat to the nations biosecurity. UK agri-exporters are aiming to capitalise on a growing appetite for dairy in Singapore, driven by shifting consumer habits and increasing health awareness. Singapores westernising food culture is boosting demand for processed dairy, with dairy often viewed as a marker of modernity and affluence, new AHDB research shows. Rising awareness of dairys nutritional benefits has also helped drive demand: in 2024, UK dairy exports to Singapore reached 8.3m, up 2.9% from the previous year. Meanwhile, UK cheese exports to the southeast Asian city state hit 2.9 million last year, including 1.2 million worth of cheddar. To build on this momentum, AHDBs international dairy trade team and five UK dairy exporters are participating in the ongoing FHA-Food & Beverage show in Singapore. A networking reception is also being hosted at the Asian Civilisations Museum to connect with importers and distributors. Rachael Speed, AHDB senior international trade manager, called Singapore a developed, affluent market. She said: "We have been working with our exporters for several years to maximise opportunities for our world class dairy produce created by these emerging trends. "Coupled with Singapore acting as a hub for tourists stopping over on journeys, it is a very high-value market for our dairy exporters. Demand from both the EU and US helped drive the value of UK dairy exports to 1.8 billion in 2024 , recently published figures show. Dairy exports fared well in 2024 against a backdrop of challenging trading conditions which impacted competitiveness on the global stage. While trade in Asia presented challenges in 2024, not least with tight economic conditions impacting demand, good opportunities persisted in high-income countries with an established UK dairy presence, like Singapore. Karen Liao, AHDBs representative in the region, said: The FHA-Food & Beverage show attracts visitors from the wider region so gives us an opportunity to catch up with buyers from countries including Thailand and Philippines. "I have had many conversations with these buyers and distributors in recent months, and they recognise the premium quality of British dairy even if they dont currently carry it in their range. "There are great opportunities for our dairy exporters in the region who we will continue to support to ensure their products reach as many consumers as possible. Tradition, tea, and tomorrow: Xi Jinping's stories with Vietnam 16:36, April 11, 2025 By Shi Xiaomeng ( Xinhua Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and Chinese president, and To Lam, general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and then Vietnamese president, who is on a state visit to China, have a small chat over tea in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi) BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- When To Lam made his first visit to China as Vietnam's top leader in August last year, he started the trip not in Beijing but in the southern metropolis of Guangzhou -- a special arrangement Chinese President Xi Jinping later hailed as "quite meaningful." It was in Guangzhou, a century earlier, that Ho Chi Minh, the late Vietnamese leader, began his revolutionary activities in China, a period of history Xi described as "a shared red memory" between the two countries' ruling parties. Xi will soon travel to Vietnam for a fourth state visit as general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president. The trip coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties between China and Vietnam, two socialist neighbors that have forged an enduring bond as "comrades and brothers." Behind the metaphors lies more than a diplomatic formality. Xi sees the enduring China-Vietnam friendship as a living cause to be carried forward. His upcoming visit offers a moment to draw inspiration from the storied past to chart the future course of bilateral relations. "UNCLE HO" During a state visit to Vietnam in 2017, Xi brought along a special national gift -- 19 issues of The People's Daily, the official newspaper of the CPC Central Committee. Among the newspapers were 16 yellowed copies carrying news reports on Ho Chi Minh. "These newspapers date back to Chairman Ho's visit to China in 1955. It took us quite some effort to find them," Xi explained. One notable edition, dated June 26, 1955, featured a full-column front-page photograph of Ho alongside Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and other first-generation CPC leaders. Ho, who founded the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in Hong Kong and led Vietnam's liberation, forged close personal ties with CPC leaders during his 12 years of revolutionary activities in China. "He was like a brother for Chairman Mao Zedong, Premier Zhou Enlai and other Chinese leaders," Xi wrote in a signed article published by the major Vietnamese newspaper Nhan Dan (People) ahead of the 2017 visit. Xi Jinping (L, front) talks with then General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong (R, front) at the former residence of late Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi, Vietnam, Nov. 13, 2017. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang) Xi holds dear the indelible contributions these great forerunners made to fostering the China-Vietnam friendship. During his first state visit to Vietnam in 2015, in a speech to Vietnam's National Assembly, Xi quoted Ho's own words: "China and Vietnam enjoy comradely and brotherly friendship." Xi once shared his personal regard for Chairman Ho while speaking with Vietnamese youth. "We call him 'Uncle Ho'," Xi said. He noted that in the hearts of the Chinese people of his generation, Chairman Ho is remembered as the best friend of the Chinese people. Back in 2011, Xi, then Chinese vice president, visited Ho's former residence to learn more about his life. Before his departure, Xi left an inscription: "The great man's spirit shall be honored for millennia, and the China-Vietnam friendship shall endure through the ages." Six years later, during the 2017 state visit, Xi once again toured Chairman Ho's former residence. At a pond near the Ban Sao Nak, the wooden house where Ho once lived and worked, Xi learned to clap his hands before feeding fish, the same practice Ho once used to draw fish closer. While there, reflecting on bilateral ties, Xi said, "We should learn from Chairman Mao, Premier Zhou and Chairman Ho, and carry forward and develop China-Vietnam friendship for the benefit of both our peoples." TEA CHATS During To Lam's 2024 China tour, Xi prepared a tea gathering for him at the Great Hall of People in Beijing. The Vietnamese leader chose China as his first overseas destination only two weeks after being confirmed as general secretary of the CPV Central Committee. An editorial from Nhan Dan (People) highlighted the value both countries place on their traditional friendship. Peng Liyuan, Xi's wife, also invited To Lam's wife, Ngo Phuong Ly, to a tea gathering, where they enjoyed traditional Chinese performances, including Chinese Opera. Peng Liyuan, wife of Xi Jinping, chats over tea with Ngo Phuong Ly, wife of To Lam, at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 19, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Ye) Over the years, tea chats have evolved into a routine yet distinctive tradition during mutual visits between Chinese and Vietnamese leaders, given the two countries' similar tea cultures. "Unlike formal talks, tea talks offer a more intimate and personal form of communication for both leaders," said Pan Jin'e, director of the Department of International Communist Movement, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. Gift-giving during tea chats has created lasting memories in bilateral interaction. During Xi's state visit to Vietnam in 2023, then Vietnamese leader Nguyen Phu Trong, in a tea gathering with Xi in Hanoi, presented him with a gift: a painting that depicts a previous tea chat they shared in Beijing. "It might not be particularly remarkable, but the true value lies in the cherished brotherly friendship," Trong told Xi. Back in 2017, after a tea talk in Beijing, Xi presented Trong with a replica of Chairman Ho's handwritten poem in Chinese entitled "Walking." The poem is about Ho's arduous yet determined quest for his nation's liberation. Xi also quoted the poem in his speech to Vietnam's National Assembly in 2015to encourage both sides to take a far-sighted view for bilateral ties. China and Vietnam are both socialist countries led by communist parties with similar political systems and development paths. Xi once said: "China and Vietnam have achieved what we have today because we have insisted on reform, opening up and innovation, and because we have found a development path that meets our own national conditions." In this era of transformation and challenges, the two neighbors have decided to set their sights higher. During Xi's state visit to Vietnam in 2023, they pledged to build a China-Vietnam community with a shared future that carries strategic significance. Xi told Trong at the end of this trip, "we should walk along this path together." YOUNG FRONTRUNNERS Also during Xi's 2023 state visit, Trong arranged a special meeting in Hanoi for the Chinese leader. The event brought together young Chinese and Vietnamese representatives, as well as individuals who had contributed to building the friendship between the two countries. Xi Jinping, Nguyen Phu Trong and their spouses pose for group photos with representatives of young Chinese and Vietnamese and people who have contributed to the China-Vietnam friendship in Hanoi, Vietnam, Dec. 13, 2023. (Xinhua/Yin Bogu) Xi encouraged the attendees, particularly young people, to "take the lead" in promoting bilateral friendship as "frontrunners." It was during this occasion that Le Nguyet Quynh, a Vietnamese student, met Xi for the first time. Quynh is now a 19-year-old freshman majoring in economics at Tsinghua University, Xi's alma mater. She described her impression of Xi: "He is kind, tall and dignified." Representing Vietnamese youth, Quynh gave a speech in front of Xi at the event. A picture of that moment has now become the cover image of her profile on WeChat, China's most popular all-in-one messaging app. "Every time a classmate added me on WeChat and saw that I had met Xi Dada, they were all curious about how it happened," Quynh said. The affectionate term Dada refers to uncle in Chinese dialects, and was given to Xi by Chinese netizens. "It was a marvelous experience, indeed," she said. Quynh, whose hometown is Vietnam's Nghe An province, the birthplace of Ho Chi Minh, started learning Chinese in junior high. After stumbling upon a video report of Xi's visit to his alma mater, she set her sights on attending Tsinghua University, her dream school. Like Quynh, many Vietnamese students have chosen to pursue higher education in China. Around 20,000 Vietnamese students studied in China during the 2023-2024 academic year. The number of Chinese students in Vietnam is also on the rise. Xi's belief that amity between nations lies in the affinity between their peoples really strikes a chord with Quynh. "No matter where you go, if people from two countries can get along well, they'll naturally start sharing elements of their own cultures with each other," she said. "And that's how friendships grow and last." "And when it comes to maintaining the friendship between our two nations," Quynh said, "it's indeed us the youth who should carry that responsibility forward." Enditem (Xinhua reporter Zou Xuemian in Hanoi also contributed to this story.) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) 11 April 2025 Peace and SecurityGeneva, Switzerland (PANA) - The UN human rights office said on Friday it fears that Israel may intend to permanently remove civilians in Gaza as part of an expanded buffer zone, amid evacuations orders and escalating bombardment British researchers have secured over 100,000 to identify oat varieties that offer both high nutritional value and stable yields. The initiative will use experimental and on-farm field trials across varied organic systems and environments. The James Hutton Institute has secured funds from the Novo Nordisk Foundation to support the three-year international project. Oats, the UKs third most grown cereal after wheat and barley, are valued for their high levels of protein, minerals, and fibre. The crops resilience, low input needs, and disease resistance make it ideal for organic production in the UK and northern Europe. However, the key issue for oat producers is the lack of stability in year-to-year supply and quality, largely due to seasonal fluctuations in environmental factors. Dr Joanne Russell, James Huttons study lead said: "The project brings together experts to harness the unique properties of oat, with its low carbon footprint and significant nutritional and health benefits. "We will focus on the need to develop robust organic-ready oat cultivars specifically tailored to sustainable organic production and address some of the emerging challenges in food and health security to help secure food production. Oats are enjoying a resurgence on the global stage, currently ranking as the sixth most-produced cereal worldwide. In Denmark, they make up 25% of organic cereal production, while UK oat output rose by 19% in 2024, driven by increased acreage and higher yields. The oat market is forecast to grow by 3.7% annually from 2024 to 2032, fuelled by rising health awareness. Farmers are being urged to stay vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour following a spate of attempted livestock thefts in Scotland. Several recent reports to Police Scotland detail individuals trying to catch young lambs - some even driving vehicles into fields among flocks. One such case involved the theft of a four-week-old Texel lamb from a farm in Dumfries and Galloway. According to NFU Mutual, livestock theft cost the UK farming sector an estimated 2.7 million in 2023. Hannah Binns, rural affairs specialist at the rural insurer, expressed deep concern over recent incidents involving young lambs in Scotland. She said: Being a sheep farmers daughter, I know that rearing livestock takes months of meticulous planning, care and effort, making such thefts devastating for farmers. Not only does it disrupt breeding programmes and adds pressures onto sourcing and purchasing replacement livestock, but it can cause a huge amount of upset and worry to farmers about the welfare of stolen farm animals." Police Scotland's Rural Crime Prevention Team advises the public not to share video footage of suspicious activity on social media, but instead to report it directly to the police. The team also urges the public not to confront or follow individuals involved. To help combat livestock theft, NFU Mutual supports the UKs first dedicated livestock theft prevention officer, based within the National Rural Crime Unit. The organisation works closely with the unit to identify criminal activity and ensure police resources are focused where they are most needed to safeguard farmers and their animals. Ms Binns said: Were urging that farmers remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the police. "It is worth noting down any vehicle registration numbers, as well as observing those involved and capturing video footage where safe to do so. Also consider restricting vehicular access to field gates and relocating livestock into fields away from roadsides if possible. For Ritwik Khanna, founder of sustainable fashion brand Rkive City, 2024 has been quite near fantastic. Earlier this year, he launched a limited-edition collection in collaboration with the Princess Diya Kumari Foundation, co-created with Gauravi Kumari, Princess of Jaipur. Another collaboration that made headlines was one with long-term associate and LVMH Prize semi-finalist Kartik Kumra, for his label Kartik Researchs Spring/Summer 2025 collection, showcased recently at Paris Fashion Week. Off calendar at the Paris Fashion Week, Ritwik also launched arkivum a line within the larger Rkive City umbrella to expand on his work with archival pieces. By the time you read this, he will have showcased a collection on the Lakme Fashion Week X FDCI calendar as a finalist for the Circular Design Challenge. And, if celebs wearing a young label is considered a flex, then Diljit Dosanjh sporting a custom, reconstructed Rkive City camouflage jacket and matching pants must add to the designers cachet. My aspirations for the brand are very clear; its about making an impact once we are given a platform, he shares.Ritwik was still a student at the Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, when he had a business idea based on the simple premise of reselling clothes. He started with items from Supreme (an American luxury streetwear brand) that he bought and sold at a higher price. I was amused that we could buy these clothes, wear them, and then sell them to someone at a marked-up price, he shares. Coming from India, where the concept of second-hand clothing is still restricted to hand-me-downs within families, recognising the business opportunities of working with pre-owned clothes warranted a mental shake-up and further learning.He developed a keen interest in a garments post-consumer life cycle and started Rkive City in 2022 to find value in second-hand clothes and re-introduce them into the supply chain. Ritwik describes Rkive City as a design and research house focused on producing clothes that are built for longevity, repair and reconstruction. The brand makes its clothes with post-consumer garments that have no end use. Oversized denim, denim that is too aged or simply out of line with Indian sensibilities is upcycled using a special garment-to-garment technology developed in-house at Rkive. Ritwiks own experience of working with textile waste management houses in Gujarat and Dubai came in handy in understanding what is re-used and further discarded. I dont look at anything as waste. Everything that is considered waste for someone is primary raw material for us, he shares.With Rkive City, Ritwik is shifting the focus onto fashions singular biggest problem: overproduction. He believes that we can go the next few years without producing any new garment because of how much already exists. With his versions of jeans pants and trucker jackets, hes just making sustainability cool for everybody to follow.Also Read: Indian Designers Championing Handloom In 2023: KH Radharaman Chinas consumer prices showed signs of improvement in March, declining by 0.1 per cent year on year (YoY), according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). This represents an improvement compared to the 0.7 per cent decline recorded in February. The NBS attributed the improvement to policies designed to boost consumption, which are beginning to take effect. Core CPI, which excludes food and energy prices, rose 0.5 per cent YoY in Marcha significant recovery from the 0.1 per cent drop in February, a state-controlled news agency said quoting NBS statistician Dong Lijuan. Prices in urban and rural consumer prices fell by 0.1 per cent and 0.3 per cent, respectively. While non-food prices registered a modest YoY increase of 0.2 per cent. Consumer goods prices decreased by 0.4 per cent, and service prices rose by 0.3 per cent last month. On average, from January to March, national consumer prices declined by 0.1 per cent compared to the same period in 2024. The producer price index (PPI) declined by 2.5 per cent YoY in March. PPI also recorded a 0.4 per cent drop on monthly basis. The decline was driven by falling domestic oil prices, a seasonal downturn in energy demand, and lower prices in some raw material industries. China's consumer prices fell 0.1 per cent YoY in March, easing from February's 0.7 per cent drop, as consumption-boosting policies take effect. Core CPI rose 0.5 per cent, while PPI declined 2.5 per cent YoY. Urban and rural prices dropped 0.1 per cent and 0.3 per cent, respectively. From JanMar, consumer prices averaged a 0.1 per cent decline YoY. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU) ICE cotton futures eased slightly on Thursday due to a lower US cotton export forecast and weak global financial sentiment. Declining crude oil prices also added pressure on ICE cotton. A weaker US dollar index failed to support the natural fibre amid reduced US exports. On Thursday, the ICE cotton May 2025 contract settled at 66.47 cents per pound (0.453 kg), down 0.16 cent from the previous day. The July contract fell by 0.31 cent to settle at 67 cents. ICE cotton futures fell slightly on April 10 due to a lower US export forecast, falling crude oil prices and weak global sentiment. USDA's April WASDE report cut US 202425 export estimates to 10.9 million bales and raised ending stocks. Weekly export sales dropped 11 per cent. Cheaper polyester and a weak US dollar added pressure, while Brazil's cotton output is projected to rise by 5.1 per cent. Crude oil prices dropped by over $2 per barrel on concerns over global economic growth. Falling crude oil makes polyester fibrea man-made alternative to cottoncheaper. The weak US dollar also failed to bolster international cotton demand. As of April 9, ICE cotton futures contract stocks remained unchanged at 14,488 bales. Market analysts noted that the USDA report was neutral to negative, but market psychology and broader macroeconomic sentiment played a larger role. The USDAs April WASDE report lowered the 202425 US cotton export estimate to 10.9 million bales, down from 11 million. US ending stocks were increased to 5.0 million bales, up 100,000 from March. Weekly export sales for the week ending April 3 showed net sales of 115,100 bales, down 11 per cent from the previous week. Brazils 202425 cotton production is estimated at 3.8908 million tons, up 5.1 per cent from 202324. Broader financial markets declined sharply due to concerns over US tariffs and their economic impact. At present, ICE cotton for May 2025 is trading at 66.83 cents per pound (up 0.36 cent), cash cotton at 64.22 cents (down 0.16 cent), the July 2025 contract at 67.25 cents (up 0.25 cent), the October 2025 contract at 68.62 cents (down 0.29 cent), the December 2025 contract at 68.50 cents (up 0.22 cent), and the March 2026 contract at 69.61 cents per pound (up 0.21 cent). A few contracts remained unchanged from the last close, with no trading observed today. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) The United Kingdom will continue to provide 92 per cent of Bangladeshs exports duty-free access to its market beyond the current scheme of trade preferences, UK trade envoy in Bangladesh Rosie Winterton recently assured participants at the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025 in Dhaka. Bangladesh receives duty-free and quota-free access to the UK market till 2029. The UK will continue to provide 92 per cent of Bangladesh's exports duty-free access to its market beyond the current scheme of trade preferences, UK trade envoy in Bangladesh Rosie Winterton told a summit. Bangladesh receives duty-free and quota-free access to the UK market till 2029. The Developing Country's Trading Scheme encourages Bangladesh to diversify its exports to the UK beyond garments. The UK Developing Countrys Trading Scheme encourages Bangladesh to diversify its exports to the United Kingdom beyond garments, laying the groundwork of Bangladesh's economic security, ahead of graduation from the least developed country status next year, media outlets in Bangladesh reported. "I am also pleased that his Majesty's revenue of customs will be providing capacity-building support to the customs way of the National Ward of revenue to enhance trade facilitationtaken together, these initiatives constitute significant UK contributions for Bangladesh's LDC graduation, she said. Her country is working with the interim government in Bangladesh on the latters priorities to restore law and order, ensure accountability and promote national unity, the envoy said. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) At a recent press event for Kesari: Chapter 2 in Mumbai, Akshay Kumar responded to veteran actress Jaya Bachchans disapproval of the title of his earlier film Toilet: Ek Prem Katha. When a journalist brought up her criticism, Akshay responded with humility, saying, "If she has said so, she is right. If I made a mistake by making such a film, she might be right." His reaction showed respect for her opinion, despite the films meaningful message. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Filmfare (@filmfare) Akshay Kumars upcoming film, Kesari: Chapter 2, is based on the book The Case That Shook The Empire by Raghu Palat and Pushpa Palat. It tells the powerful story of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and the legal fight for justice led by C Sankaran Nair, a lawyer and former President of the Indian National Congress. The film is set to release in theatres on April 18 and aims to shed light on a crucial moment in Indias history. Jaya Bachchan had expressed her views during her appearance at the India TV Conclave, where she questioned the film's title. She remarked, "Just look at the title of the film; I would never go to watch a film with such a name. Yeh, koi naam hai?" Turning to the audience, she asked if they would watch a film with such a title. When only a few raised their hands, she jokingly added, "Among so many people, hardly four people want to watch the film; it's very sad. Yeh toh flop hai."Toilet: Ek Prem Katha was a socially driven love story aimed at raising awareness about sanitation issues in rural India. The film followed Keshav, played by Akshay Kumar, whose wife Jaya, played by Bhumi Pednekar, leaves him after discovering his home has no toilet. Determined to bring her back, Keshav challenges traditional beliefs and fights societal norms to build a toilet, promoting a strong message about the importance of hygiene and change. Ananya paired her saree with a sleeveless red blouse that had a sleek choker neck design. It definitely enhanced the ensemble. The minimalist cut of the blouse perfectly balanced the ornate saree. It created a harmonious and chic aesthetic.Her makeup look complemented the outfit beautifully. She went for a fresh and effortless no-makeup makeup base. A soft flush on her cheeks added a hint of colour. Her choice of nude lipstick kept the focus on her eyes. It was indeed that her eyes did most of the talking! Ananya flaunted defined brows, thick mascara-laden lashes and kohl-rimmed waterline. It added drama and depth to her makeup.She was clicked with Akshay Kumar and Karan Johar at the event. She opened up about working on this film since 2021. "Its been a long time since weve been making this film. When Karan spoke to me about this film, I couldnt imagine myself. I was like okay, how am I going to do this, itll be a big challenge. I got to learn Punjabi and work with Akshay sir, whom Im a huge fan of. My dad has worked with him in so many films. To sum it up, Im just very proud to be a part of this film," she shared. Rituparna Sengupta has collaborated with Sharmila Tagore in Puratawn. The movie also marks Tagore's return to Bengali cinema after 14 years. During an exclusive interview with Filmfare, Rituparna opened up about collaborating with the veteran actress. Opening up on her ability to handle every situation during filming, the Ajogyo actress quipped, "In every situation she can handle and put everything in place in a very beautiful way. So that is something that excited me a lot after seeing her. She's also like a multitasker like me. She's talking on the phone, attending her grandchildren and talking to her house help." Calling Sharmila "curious and vulnerable," Rituparna said, "Coming back to the role, she read the script and got into the flow of things with us. She is also very curious and vulnerable. What I loved about her is she's still so invested in her craft, she's so vulnerable and dedicated. After any shot, she would ask the director if things were okay." Rituparna further added, "I'm very proud to have worked with her because I think she's that woman who has actually experienced the highs and lows, the beauties and the uglies and everything in this industry. Working in a male-dominant space in Mumbai is not a child's play. She has actually done many female-oriented films at that point of time. I'm talking about that time where the shots were called by the male actors, not the female actors. There she did Mausam, and many other promising films." About Puratawn Puratawn is a Bengali movie, directed by Suman Ghosh. It explores the bond between a mother (Sharmila Tagore) and daughter (Rituparna Sengupta.) It delves into the complexities of losing memory due to age-related ailments and the constant influence of the past. Apart from Tagore and Sengupta, the movie also stars Indraneil Sengupta in a leading role. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libya's Minister of Labour and Rehabilitation, Ali al-Abed, has stressed that Libya is facing major challenges due to the influx of migrants, which is putting increasing pressure on the country's limited resources and infrastructure Ryan Coogler's Sinners featuring Michael B. Jordan is a period supernatural horror drama set in the 1930s. Revolving around twin brothers who return to their hometown for a fresh start, the film unleashes vampires in the deep South of America. Award-winning composer Ludwig Goransson, who also serves as an executive producer, was tasked with creating the soundscape for the project. In quotes shared exclusively with Filmfare, he describes some of the influences behind the music.Opening up about the references for the film's music, Goransson shares, "Ryan was constantly sending me music. Lots of recordings from the 1930s and 40s, specifically the music of Robert Johnson, Tommy Johnson, etc. A few of the songs he shared with me were already written into the script, like Pick Poor Robin Clean, for example. We spent a lot of time talking about the songs from the script, in particular and the role they played in the story. This back and forth with Ryan was incredibly helpful for me and was a large part of our creative process on this one."He also heaps praise on legendary musician Buddy Guy. He says, "Having Buddy Guy in the film was an opportunity of a lifetime. Having someone of that stature and of that calibre was a huge deal. For me, this was personal. My dad always played blues around the house, so I felt like I grew up with the Three Kings - Freddie, B.B., specifically Albert King (who was my dads favourite guitar player)."Goransson further shed light on fleshing out the sounds that are specific to the period the film is set in and the cultural background. He explains, It was helpful for me to keep in mind that, at the time, country and blues were two different things. It was the record labels and the industry that separated it for different types of people, like White music and Black music. So, we wanted the music to be as authentic as possible, and respect the history and pay homage to these artists. We all put in a lot of research. It was really extensive, but that was the only way to do it justice.Sinners, which also features Hailee Steinfeld, Miles Caton, Jack OConnell, Wunmi Mosaku and more, releases in theatres on April 18, 2025. Vijay Deverakonda never misses a chance to make his fans happy. Always keeping them updated about his latest happenings, Vijay and his team also keeps a tab on fan requests and ideas. One such incident happened recently where the actor made his fans day. Meanwhile, Vijays fans have been awaiting the release of his upcoming film Kingdom, directed by Gowtam Tinnanuri. The teaser was released last month to a stunning response and clocked record views on YouTube in no time. Produced by Naga Vamsi, Kingdom is slated for release in cinemas on May 30, 2025. One of Vijays female fans posted a reel that shows her mother trying to help the actor get free stitching class to save money in his clothing brand business, in a cute way though. The fan shares how her mother is trying to use Instagram and shares random reels to her followers. In the process, she sent a reel of free stitching advertisement that could perhaps help the actors business of his clothing brand (Deverakonda launched his own fashion and street culture brand Rowdy Wear). The fan wrote in the caption, My cute innocent mom is still trying to figure out Instagram (red heart emoticon) @thedeverakonda.Pleased by the fans gesture, Vijay wanted to make sure that he makes her happy. The actor made the fan's day by leaving an adorable comment for the gesture. He wrote, "Thank you Aunty (red heart emoticon) Ill also send you some interesting reels." His reply went viral and several of his followers and fans liked and shared the reply. Vijay is always in the forefront when it comes acknowledging fans' gestures as he knows what it means to them. As a token of appreciation, he had also initiated special fan drive programs like, sending them on a holiday, funding their education, etc.See Also; Rana Daggubati and Vijay Deverakonda at the Jio Filmfare Awards (South) EQS Newswire / 11/04/2025 / 10:43 UTC+8 Huitongda Network (9878.HK) Launches new AI+ Products and Strategy, Drives Domestic Consumption Demand On April 10, 2025, Huitongda Network (9878.HK) held an "AI+ Strategy and Product Launch Event," while introducing its new program for nurturing young business owners. At the event, Huitongda Network unveiled a series of latest AI+ products and solutions, covering the needs of its member stores across different operation scenarios, with more than 50 agents supporting member stores to double their efficiency. Meanwhile, considering the growing importance of rural markets in stabilizing and driving economic and innovation development, Huitongda Network also announced its "AI+ strategy", introducing its "1 cloud + 3 infrastructure" integrated AI system that consolidates cloud, edge, and terminal into one, which would be critical in facilitating the goods flow and intelligent trade development between urban and rural areas. "1 Cloud + 3 Infrastructure": 50+AI Solutions to Double Store and Value Chain Efficiency "We have reached the era of result-oriented AI agents." Sun Chao, Vice President of Huitongda Network and CEO of Huitong Datatech Smart Technology, explained the Company's latest "AI+ strategy". "Huitongda Network is moving on from SaaS+ to AI+, using AI agents and smart terminals as its core in developing its Qiancheng Cloud AI System. The bundle is expected to provide rural family-owned businesses and upstream manufacturers with 50+ AI solutions, capable of boosting the efficiency of goods circulation between urban and rural areas." Sun Chao gives further color on the implementation of AI+ strategy: "1 Cloud" refers to the upcoming launch of industry vertical large model "Qiancheng Cloud AI"; the "3 Infrastructure" refers to "AI+ industrial platform services" that connects upstream branded manufacturers with its member stores, which would allow its members to enjoy a competitive, intelligent supply chain, capable of facilitating the transaction of long-tail and personalized products; "AI+SaaS services" with products such as "AI+ supply chain" and "AI store", which will be able to improve the procurement efficiency and boost transaction volume of its member stores; and "AI+ smart terminal services", in which Huitongda Network established deep cooperation with AI hardware manufacturers to satisfy the proactive, localized and personalized AI needs of small businesses. "Taking our 'AI+SaaS services' as an example, our new 'Qiancheng AI Super Store Manager' APP has introduced 15 all-rounded AI agent solutions, focusing on 8 different aspects of operations, including procurement, marketing, activities, innovation, operation, sales, customer services, and community engagement. The solutions are expected to help retailers improve their daily operational and management efficiency, particularly in intelligent product management, marketing content production, multi-media content creation, and operational support. "For 'AI+ smart terminal services', we officially announced the launch of 2 different series of edge computing machines, 'Xuanwu' and 'Zhongshan', able to provide convenient one-stop AI solutions for our upstream and downstream clients. Sun Chao said Huitongda Network will focus on the implementation of "1 Cloud + 3 Infrastructure" strategy, in order to create more versatile agent application solutions, edge computing machines, and AI robots etc., providing further push to member stores' operational efficiency. Cooperation between Government and Enterprise, Integration of Software and Hardware, the Launch of "Jiangsu Youth Store" project and "Qiancheng AI Ecosystem" During the event, Huitongda Network and its partners, including the Youth League of Jiangsu Provincial Committee, Sunmi Technology, ThinkForce Chip, Hikvision, and EZVIZ Network, announced the launch of 2 separate initiatives to support the implementation of the "1 Cloud + 3 Infrastructure" strategy. As a strategic partner of the "Jiangsu Youth Store" nurturing plan of the Youth League of Jiangsu Provincial Committee, Huitongda Network also announced the 2025 plan at the event. Both parties are going to provide comprehensive AI+ empowerment to more than 10,000 youth stores in 2025, helping young store managers to achieve sustainable development in AI applications, intelligent supply chain, digital marketing, and other aspects. At the same time, Huitongda Network also reached a strategic cooperation agreement with chip and hardware manufacturers, including ThinkForce Chip, Hikvision, EZVIZ Network, Sunmi Technology, etc to build a software and hardware integrated AI-service alliance. It has also kick-started its "Qiancheng AI Ecosystem Partnership Program", providing member stores and industrial customers with diversified, personalized, integrated, and modularized AI solutions. From Digitalization to Intelligent Development, Huitongda Network "AI+Industry" to Boost Domestic Consumption Demand As an industrial internet company that has been focusing on China's rural markets, Huitongda Network has been pushing the transformation and upgrades of rural family-owned businesses with its digital technology and intelligent supply chain capability. Xu Xiuxian, Chief Executive Officer of Huitongda Network, highlights the Company's cloud-based services and offline touchpoints, with its 250,000 member store network across the country, covering 21 provinces, 25,000 towns and villages. "The rural market has become a stabilizer and innovator in the country's economic development. In the past 15 years, Huitongda Network has built a unique business ecosystem, proving itself against market cycles. On the backdrop of a growing emphasis on domestic consumption and technological development, Huidongda Network's pursuit of AI will not only make us as an effective conductor, but also a platform that would drive the efficiency of rural market's value chain." Xu Xiuxian added, "Through the 3 major infrastructure (AI+SaaS services, AI+ smart terminal services, AI+ industrial platform services) from our 'AI+ Strategy', we expect to create notable synergies with our 3 major supply chain initiatives (brand express project, self-owned brand portfolio expansion, and open-ended intelligent supply chain). In the AI era, Huitongda Network will aim at promoting steady and high-quality development of enterprises through intelligent technology and intelligent supply chain, while also fulfilling its corporate mission of stimulating domestic demand, increasing local consumption, and energizing the development of rural economies in China." Huitongda Network (9878.HK) Launches new AI+ Products and Strategy, Drives Domestic Consumption Demand 11/04/2025 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com R&S Group Holding AG / Key word(s): Personnel R&S Group's Board of Directors implements succession plan as CEO Markus Laesser decided to step down and announces changes to its Board of Direc-tors 11-Apr-2025 / 06:30 CET/CEST Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR R&S Group's Board of Directors implements succession plan as CEO Markus Laesser decided to step down and announces changes to its Board of Directors 11 April 2025 - R&S Group Holding AG (SIX: RSGN) announces that Markus Laesser, CEO of R&S Group since 2021, has decided to hand over his responsibilities in order to focus on personal projects and mandates. As part of its succession plan, the Board of Directors is appointing Eduardo Terzi as new CEO, effective 1 June 2025. Eduardo Terzi has headed the Transformer Division at Siemens Energy for over 10 years. In his last role at Siemens Energy, Eduardo managed EUR 4.0 bn in revenues, 37 plants and 10,000 employees. He holds a Bachelor in Electrical Engineering and an MBA from the University of Maryland. Markus Laesser as CEO initiated and drove the transformation of R&S Group into an internationally successful provider of infrastructure products in the energy sector. Under his leadership, the company has been reorganized, successfully listed on SIX Swiss Exchange and set onto a sustainable growth path. The Board of Directors envisions that, with the appointment of Eduardo Terzi as new CEO, R&S Group will continue on the embarked trajectory for the next chapter. Furthermore, the Board of Directors announces that two of its members, Rolf Lanz and Gregor Greber, have decided not to stand for re-election at the upcoming Annual General Meeting on 14 May 2025. Rolf Lanz and Gregor Greber have been instrumental in shaping the company's strategic vision and fostering growth. As former Managing Partner and current Chairman of CGS Management AG (the former private equity owner of R&S Group), Rolf Lanz has led the buy-and-build process and laid the foundation of recent years. Gregor Greber, one of the founders of VT5 Acquisition Company AG, which successfully combined VT5 with the R&S Group, has played a key role for the public listing in December 2023. Both personalities were instrumental in the acquisition of Kyte Powertech in August 2024. Gregor Greber remains available as a consultant for potential M&A and capital market transactions. The Board of Directors proposes Dr. Monika Krusi and Deborah Carlson-Burkart, two personalities with extended experience in the energy industry, for election as new independent members of the Board of Directors to the upcoming Annual General Meeting on 14 May 2025. Dr. Monika Krusi (Swiss and Italian citizen), serves as Chairwoman of Repower until May 2025, is on the Board of Accelleron Industries, Ascom and Energie360. She holds a PhD in Business Informatics, an MBA from the University of Zurich and participated in an Executive Training Program at Harvard Business School. Deborah Carlson-Burkart (Swiss citizen) as Of-Counsel at Eversheds Sutherland is, among others, specialized in compliance. She also serves on the Board of Directors of RUAG International, VISANA Group and N26 Bank. Ms. Carlson-Burkart holds a master's degree in law from the University of Zurich, an LL.M. in Corporate Finance from Duke University of Law and completed various executive programs. While the departure of the Board members Rolf Lanz and Gregor Greber marks the end of significant milestone developments, it opens up a new chapter for R&S Group. If the shareholders approve the election of Dr. Monika Krusi and Deborah Carlson-Burkart, R&S Group will have successfully completed the transition from a private equity owned company to a publicly listed company with all corporate and other government related topics. Independence and diversity will be strengthened with the candidates' election at the upcoming AGM. Heinz Kundert, Chairman of the Board says: "On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to express my deepest gratitude for Markus Laesser's outstanding contribution to the development and success of R&S Group. Markus played a key role in the positioning of the Group for the next phase of growth. We respect his decision to pursue new endeavors and wish him success. As part of our succession plan, we are pleased to have identified Eduardo Terzi as new CEO. Eduardo brings along more than 30 years of experience, leadership competence and network in the transformer industry. We want to thank Rolf Lanz and Gregor Greber for their invaluable contributions. Their strategic vision and unwavering commitment have been instrumental. The Board of Directors is excited about the new CEO and the two new Board members and looks forward to working with them." R&S Group will provide further information together with the invitation to its Annual General Meeting of 14 May 2025. Calendar 2025 15 April Release of full-year 2024 results 14 May Annual General Meeting 2025 29 July Trading update half-year 2025 11 September Release of half-year 2025 results Contact Investor and Media Relations Doris Rudischhauser Phone: +41 79 410 81 88 Email: investors@the-rsgroup.com About R&S Group R&S Group Holding AG's ("R&S Group", the "company") operating headquarters are located in Sissach/BL, Switzerland. With eight manufacturing facilities in Switzerland, Italy, Poland, Ireland and the Middle East, the group serves its domestic and various European markets with single-phase, small and medium distribution and power transformers and other components under the brands of Rauscher & Stoecklin, ZREW, Tesar and Kyte. R&S Group's customers are active in the utility, infrastructure and industrial sectors. The company has been successfully positioned to benefit from the accelerating demand for energy production and distribution, driven by the global trend towards decarbonization. R&S Group has been listed on SIX Swiss Exchange since 13 December 2023 under the ticker symbol RSGN. On 20 August 2024, the company acquired Kyte Powertech, a leading supplier of distribution transformer solutions based in Cavan, Ireland, thus significantly expanding geographic footprint to Ireland, the UK, Benelux and France, and adding complimentary products. Further information about the R&S Group can be found at www.the-rsgroup.com . Disclaimer This communication expressly or implicitly contains certain forward-looking statements concerning R&S Group Holding AG and its business. Such statements involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause the actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements of R&S Group Holding AG to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. R&S Group Holding AG is providing this communication as of this date and does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additional features: File: R&S Group's Board of Directors implements succession plan as CEO Markus Laesser decided to step down and announces changes to its Board of Directors End of Inside Information Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - Ynvisible Interactive Inc. (TSXV: YNV) (FSE: 1XNA) (the "Company" or "Ynvisible"), a leader in sustainable printed e-paper display technology, is pleased to announce that it has engaged Plutus Invest & Consulting GmbH ("Plutus") to provide certain marketing and investor awareness services on behalf of the Company, in compliance with the policies and guidelines of the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSX-V") and other applicable legislation, subject to the approval of the TSX-V. The Company also invites investors and stakeholders to an upcoming live webinar on April 30, and provides commentary on its global manufacturing strategy, in light of recent U.S. tariff developments. European Marketing Partnership Under the terms of the marketing services agreement dated April 9, 2025, Plutus will provide marketing and communications services to Ynvisible for a 12-month term ending on April 8, 2026. The services provided by Plutus will be consulting services with the Company's management relating to advertising, marketing, PR strategies and building investor awareness of the Company through Plutus's network in the European markets. Ynvisible has agreed to pay Plutus a fee of up to 200,000, subject to adjustment and early termination factors. Plutus is a German company and is an arm's length party to the Company. To the best of the Company's knowledge, neither Plutus nor any non-arm's length parties to Plutus own any securities of the Company and do not have any right to acquire any securities of the Company as at the date hereof. Investor Webinar - April 30, 2025 Ynvisible will host a live investor webinar on April 30, 2025, at 4:00 PM CET / 10:00 AM EST. Webinar Highlights: Product development and commercialization Customer acquisition and traction Strategic growth plans through 2028 The presentation will be led by CEO Ramin Heydarpour and members of the executive team, who will provide insights into Ynvisible's sustainable and ultra-low-power display technology, and how it is being integrated into next-generation smart products. Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JW1qXagfQo2injmwOC01bA U.S. Tariff Impact & Global Supply Chain Resilience In response to recent tariff increases implemented by the United States on select imported goods, Ynvisible affirms that its manufacturing and supply chain operations remain unaffected. The Company maintains strategic manufacturing partnerships with operations in Europe, Asia and the United States, enabling efficient production and delivery to global customers. Ynvisible sources its materials from Europe and Asia, and, with multi-region manufacturing capabilities, the Company is well-positioned to navigate international trade changes while maintaining consistent delivery and cost-efficiency for its customers. About Ynvisible Ynvisible is disrupting the low-cost and ultra-low-power display industry thanks to the latest advantages in sustainable electronics and roll-to-roll printing production. Ynvisible's printed e-paper displays are ideal for low-power and cost-sensitive applications, such as digital signage, smart monitoring labels for supply chain and logistics, visual indicators for medical and diagnostics, or retail labels and signage. Ynvisible has experience, know-how, and intellectual property in electrochromic materials, inks, and systems, and offers a mix of services, technology and products to brand owners developing smart objects and IoT products. Additional information on Ynvisible is available at www.ynvisible.com. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "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. Although Ynvisible Interactive Inc. believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the expectations of management regarding the arrangement with Plutus, provision of services by Plutus, payment of compensation to Plutus and TSX-V approval of the agreement with Plutus. 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: that the TSX-V may not accept the agreement with Plutus, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, delays or inability to receive required approvals, and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, including those described in the Company's most recently filed Management's Discussion and Analysis. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the management of Ynvisible Interactive Inc. on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, Ynvisible Interactive Inc. undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248176 SOURCE: Ynvisible Interactive Inc. BARCELONA, Spain, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Temu has been recognized with the "eCommerce of the Year" award at the eAwards 2025 for excellence in innovation, design, strategy, and results. The awards ceremony took place at eShow Next 2025 at the Fira de Barcelona, an annual event that highlights the best companies, strategies, and executives in the e-commerce and digital marketing sectors on April 10. The eAwards recognize innovations developed by leading companies in Spain, as well as their excellence, professionalism, and commitment to research and development-all aimed at improving the shopping experience for users. Temu has been growing in popularity since it began serving consumers in the European Union two years ago. In Spain, more than 90% of Temu customers say the platform offers excellent value for money, according to a recent study by IPSOS commissioned by Temu . The report also shows that 89% of Spanish respondents believe higher prices do not necessarily mean better quality, citing affordability, variety, and positive past experiences as the main reasons for recommending Temu. "Temu gives Spanish consumers the choice of affordable products without compromising on quality," said a Temu spokesperson. "We are also welcoming more local sellers onto our platform, which will expand the selection of local products and enable faster delivery." Temu launched in its first European markets two years ago and has gained popularity with consumers thanks to its affordable, quality products-made possible by connecting consumers directly with manufacturers and distributors. The company expects its local-to-local model to account for 80% of European sales and to support local sellers in expanding into new markets through the platform. About Temu: Temu is a global e-commerce platform connecting consumers with millions of manufacturers, brands, and business partners. Operating in more than 90 markets worldwide, Temu is committed to providing affordable, high-quality products that enable customers to live better lives. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2662022/Photo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/temu-recognized-in-spain-for-innovation-in-e-commerce-302425866.html BILLERBECK, Germany, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dr. Suwelack Unternehmensstiftung is proud to announce the launch of its annual award aimed at promoting young scientists in the field of regenerative technologies in surgery. This prestigious Publication Award seeks to recognize and support groundbreaking research that has the potential to transform the field. The Publication Award honors research results that have been published within the last two years. Eligible candidates include doctors and scientists up to 40 years old who have demonstrated exceptional innovation and impact in their work. The award aims to encourage further advancements in regenerative technologies, fostering a new generation of leaders in this critical area of medical science. The evaluation committee, chaired by Prof. Dr. med Adrian Dragu, includes distinguished experts such as Dr.Isaac Angele from the Dr. Suwelack Corporate Foundation, medical and scientific experts Dr. med Volker Schmidt, Dr. med. Britta Wallner, and Dr. med. Enrique Monclus as well as MedSkin Solutions Dr. Suwelack AG representatives Diana Ferro, President and CEO, Dr. Claudia Doberenz and Dr. Ali Shahmoradi. "We are excited to launch this award and promote the innovative work of young scientists in regenerative technologies," said Dr.Isaac Angele, a representative of the Dr. Suwelack Corporate Foundation. The winner of the Publication Award will be officially announced at the European Tissue Repair Society (ETRS) conference, providing a distinguished platform to showcase their groundbreaking research. For more information about the Dr. Suwelack Unternehmensstiftung Award and how to apply, please visit our website. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2661985/Dr_Suwelack_Unternehmens_Stiftung_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/dr-suwelack-unternehmensstiftung-launches-annual-award-to-promote-innovation-in-regenerative-technologies-302426421.html STOCKHOLM, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Allurity, a leading European provider of cybersecurity services, proudly announces the acquisition of Onevinn, a Swedish company specializing in intelligent security and managed services, from Haven Cyber Technologies. This strategic acquisition marks an important step in realising Allurity's vision to become the preferred cybersecurity partner in Europe. Onevinn's expertise strengthens Allurity's one-stop-shop approach to cybersecurity, enhancing its holistic service offering. Onevinn has built a strong reputation for intelligent security and managed services, helping organizations strengthen their cybersecurity posture in an increasingly complex digital landscape. By leveraging AI, automation and threat intelligence, intelligent security enables smarter, faster protection against cyber threats. As an award-winning Microsoft Partner - recognized as one of Microsoft's top elite security partners worldwide - Onevinn's close collaboration with Microsoft, including participation in the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), further reinforces their position as a leader in delivering advanced, future-ready solutions that empower clients. The acquisition of Onevinn supports Allurity's goal of becoming a European cybersecurity powerhouse. As demand for trusted and capable European players continues to grow, strengthening regional expertise is essential to safeguarding Europe's digital landscape. With Onevinn's strong Microsoft collaboration and expertise in intelligent security, Allurity is further enhancing its ability to deliver robust solutions that help organizations navigate in an increasingly complex threat landscape. This strategic move also aligns with Microsoft's continued expansion in Europe, where over $20 billion has been invested in AI and cloud infrastructure in recent years. With cloud adoption in the region projected to grow by more than 20 percent annually, cybersecurity has never been more critical. Onevinn's capabilities play a vital role in securing this evolving digital ecosystem, reinforcing Allurity's commitment to supporting Europe's growing reliance on cloud services. "We are happy to welcome Onevinn to the Allurity family, reinforcing our position as a European cybersecurity leader. This strategic acquisition aligns perfectly with our vision of becoming the preferred partner of tech-enabled cybersecurity services in Europe, amplifying our global impact and enabling a safe digital world. Onevinn's deep expertise and close collaboration with Microsoft will be highly valuable as we continue to expand and enhance our capabilities. We are inspired by their exceptional team and strong entrepreneurial spirit, which will further enhance our collaborative culture and drive future growth," says Frida Westerberg, CEO of Allurity. Claes Kruse, Founder and CEO of Onevinn, comments: "We are excited to join the Allurity family. This marks a new chapter in our growth journey, strengthening our intelligent security offering and expanding our ability to deliver even greater value to our clients. Being part of Allurity gives us the platform to scale our business, broaden our reach, and support even more clients with advanced security solutions. We look forward to growing within a family of like-minded experts, where collaboration and shared ambition will drive our continued success." For more information, please contact: Maria Lorne CMO, Allurity mediarelations@allurity.com | allurity.com About Allurity Allurity is a tech-enabled cybersecurity services group with a mission to enable a safe digital world. With over 600 specialists across Europe, Allurity serves clients globally through a comprehensive range of cybersecurity services. These include both proactive and reactive services and software, such as cyber threat intelligence (CTI), 24x7x365 managed detection and response (MDR), incident response, and proactive tech-enabled consulting. Allurity is supported by Trill Impact, a pioneering impact investor with a commitment to innovation and positive societal impact. allurity.com About Onevinn Onevinn, the Swedish Microsoft Security and Compliance partner of the year (2024), is an AI tech-driven cybersecurity provider dedicated to securing the digital landscape. As a Microsoft AI Cloud Partner specializing in Security, Modern Work, and Cloud Infrastructure, and a member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA), Onevinn delivers cutting-edge security and compliance solutions. Built on Microsoft technology, Onevinn's services empower organizations around the world to navigate cyber threats with confidence, combining strategic expertise with managed services to enhance protection in an AI-first hybrid cloud connected world. onevinn.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/allurity/r/allurity-accelerates-european-growth-journey-with-strategic-acquisition-of-onevinn,c4134537 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/22251/4134537/3382603.pdf Press release (PDF) View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/allurity-accelerates-european-growth-journey-with-strategic-acquisition-of-onevinn-302426426.html Gifa, Inc. (OTC PINK:GIFX) Company Update Gifa, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("GIFA," "the Company," "we," "us," and "our"), is pleased to share an update regarding the company's current status. "Our commitment to excellence has set us up for ongoing success. As we move forward, we are concentrating on our strategic objectives, especially within the real estate sector. We are confident that through persistent effort and a focused vision, we can achieve our goal of doubling our real estate portfolio in 2025," stated Mr. Kisa, the Company's President. "We recognize that this growth brings both challenges and opportunities, and we are eager to tackle them together as a cohesive team. Our success hinges on collaboration, innovation, and a stead fast focus on our objectives." "Our hotel and casino project is also progressing well' he added. "It is essential for us to honor our commitments to our shareholders, which carries a significant level of responsibility. We want to reassure everyone that we are working diligently towards this aim, even if some tasks are taking longer than we initially expected."said MrKisa. We appreciate all of your contributions; together, we will elevate our company to new levels of success." ABOUT GIFA INC: GIFA, Inc., through it subsidiaries, provides financial services and consultancy, brokerage, business loans, project funding, crowd funding advice, and consultancy to individual and corporate clients. It also offers personal and professional business development and investment advice to private clients airline representation, and corporate and leisure travel services. In addition, the company provides end-to-end supply and demand chain management services engaging in controlling and coordinating supply of materials to a range of entities that are involved in producing and delivering goods and services. Further, it engages in media business comprising newspaper and Webtv; provides consultancy, advice, assistance, and support for local businesses, as well as opportunity to access international finance; and offers local businesses and individuals small loans. The company also owns real estate and generates rent and sale income. The company was formerly known as Firefish, Inc. and changed its name to GIFA, Inc. in October 2017. GIFA, Inc. was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Lefkosa, Cyprus. Forward Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements. In particular, the words believe, may, could, should, expect, anticipate, estimate, project, propose, plan, intend, and similar conditional words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any statements made in this press release about an action, event or development, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which may be beyond control of the Company, that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Potential risks include such factors as th inability to enter into agreements with parties with whom we are in discussions, and factors that can not be predicted with certainty, as well as additional risks and uncertainties. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release. Statements made here in are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. The Company does not undertake, and it specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, events or circumstances after the date of such statement except as required in accordance with applicable laws. For further information contact: GIFA INC Dr Fazil Kucuk Boulevard, Hamitkoy Junction Hamitkoy, Nicosia Mersin 10 Turkey +903926116000 info@gifainc.net SOURCE: GIFA INC. Ende Mai leitete US-Prasident Donald Trump mit der Unterzeichnung mehrerer Dekrete eine weitreichende Wende in der amerikanischen Energiepolitik ein. Im Fokus: der beschleunigte Ausbau der Kernenergie. Mit einem umfassenden Manahmenpaket sollen Genehmigungsprozesse reformiert, kleinere Reaktoren gefordert und der Anteil von Atomstrom in den USA massiv gesteigert werden. Ausloser ist der explodierende Energiebedarf durch KI-Rechenzentren, der eine stabile, CO-arme Grundlastversorgung zwingend notwendig macht. In unserem kostenlosen Spezialreport erfahren Sie, welche 3 Unternehmen jetzt im Zentrum dieser energiepolitischen Neuausrichtung stehen, und wer vom kommenden Boom der Nuklearindustrie besonders profitieren konnte. Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche Aktien besonders von der Energiewende in den USA profitieren durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter. Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! New York, US (PANA) - Recent military actions by Israel are undermining Syrias political transition and the chances of a new security pact between the two countries, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Thursday BHUBANESWAR, India, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The well-known social worker, educationist, and founder of KIIT and KISS, Dr. Achyuta Samanta, (https://achyutasamanta.com/) was conferred honorary doctorate (Degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa) by the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom, during its Graduation Ceremony on April 10, 2025. This is the 65th honorary doctorate of Achyuta Samanta. The recognition underscores Dr. Samanta's remarkable contributions to society through education and social service. "For the last 33 years, I have been working relentlessly for the betterment of society. This honorary doctorate will remain a cherished milestone for me," Dr Samanta said, expressing his gratitude to the University for the distinction. Dr. Samanta has now been awarded 65 honorary doctorates by prestigious universities and institutions worldwide, acknowledging his outstanding contributions to education and social service. While conferring the degree, the university commended his exceptional efforts in transforming lives through education and community development. The University of Buckingham is the only independent university in the UK with a Royal Charter. It is the oldest of Britain's independent universities. The Senate was astonished to learn about Dr. Achyuta Samanta's life story, which is one of inspiration and hope. It is a testament to the indomitable human spirit, and the power of hard work, perseverance, and social responsibility to transform lives and create a better world. Among others, Dame Mary Archer, Chancellor, the University of Buckingham; Prof. James Tooley, Vice-Chancellor; Prof. Harriet Dunbar-Morris, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, as well as Council Members and Senate Members were also present on the occasion. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2662598/KIIT_Achyuta_Samanta.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2234144/5241906/KIIT_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/65th-honorary-doctorate-of-achyuta-samanta-from-the-university-of-buckingham-302426394.html The smartphone comes packed with AI features to optimise mobile photography and provide an unmatched user experience at a truly affordable price Global technology brand HONOR today announced the launch of the HONOR 400 Lite 5G, with exceptional smartphone hardware that makes AI photography, AI display technology and generative AI easy for Android owners to use. Equipped with an Android-first 'AI Camera Button', the HONOR 400 Lite 5G provides intuitive control of its powerful 108MP[1] main camera and impressive 16MP[2] resolution selfie-camera. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250411857642/en/ HONOR 400 Lite, Marrs Green The MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra chipset supports lightning-fast 5G connectivity and cutting-edge imaging capabilities including AI Eraser, AI Outpainting, Smart Vision (Google Lens) and Google Gemini[3]. The 6.7-inch[4] AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate[5] and 93.7% screen-to-body ratio[6] is complemented by its all-day 5230mAh[7] Li-ion polymer battery, HONOR RAM Turbo (8GB+8GB)[8] technology and 256GB of ultra-large storage. Bond Zhang, CEO of HONOR UK&I said: "The HONOR 400 Lite 5G is equipped with exceptional AI smartphone features at a truly affordable price. Response to our innovative 'AI Camera Button' reveals that it's a huge hit with Android users who seek to elevate their photography skills. This really is an exciting time to discover our industry-leading HONOR AI smartphones as we expand from being a trusted Android smartphone brand into a world-leading AI device ecosystem company." Revolutionising Image Capture with AI-Powered Camera Button Designed for photography enthusiasts, the HONOR 400 Lite 5G brings elevated features with its Android-first AI Camera Button on an Android smartphone, offering a dedicated button for both camera control and intelligent vision. With a one-second press on the button, users can instantly launch the camera, and a quick press captures a photo. For video recording, simply press and hold the button to start shooting immediately. The professional shooting mode enhances control, allowing users to tap to focus and slide to zoom effortlessly. Built for convenience, the HONOR 400 Lite 5G ensures a smooth and effortless photography experience with intuitive controls. The AI Camera Button on the HONOR 400 Lite 5G further provides quick access to Google Lens, allowing users to explore and interact with their surroundings effortlessly. This feature integrates seamlessly with Smart Vision (Google Lens), transforming your smartphone into a powerful tool for exploration and learning. Identify plants, animals, and artwork with ease, or translate foreign text from menus and signs in real-time across over 100 languages. Solve academic questions or shop by scanning products-Google Lens opens up a world of possibilities right from your camera. The Google Gemini Power Button further enhances the device's functionality, providing quick access to AI Eraser AI Outpainting tools, which allows for effortless photo editing and enhancement. Exceptional Photography Experience The HONOR 400 Lite 5G comes with a 108MP main camera and a 5MP wide and depth camera, offering users the ability to capture everyday moments with stunning quality and incredible detail. The f/1.75 aperture of the main camera ensures excellent light intake, even in low-light conditions, making it perfect for night-time photography. By enabling HIGH-RES mode, the main camera delivers ultra-high-definition images with exceptional clarity and fidelity. The main camera also produces a natural bokeh effect, mimicking human vision by delicately blurring nearby objects while softly highlighting distant ones, resulting in artistic and captivating portraits. Designed with portrait photography in mind, the device includes three specialised modes 1x Environmental Portrait, 2x Classic Portrait, and 3x Close-up Portrait, providing users with the flexibility for various focal lengths and creative effects. The HONOR 400 Lite 5G front camera boasts an impressive 16MP resolution, designed to capture vibrant, detailed selfies, even in challenging lighting conditions. Leveraging the power of the AI HONOR Image Engine, the device is powered by the HONOR RAW Domain Algorithm, enabling the front camera to intelligently balance highlights and shadows. This prevents overexposure in bright areas while preserving intricate details in darker regions. For enhanced low-light selfies, the device includes a selfie light which creates a soft glow that adds depth and brilliance to portraits, giving users a professional and polished look. AMOLED Display with Human-centric Eye Care Technologies The HONOR 400 Lite 5G features a stunning 6.7-inch AMOLED display, offering vibrant colours and exceptional brightness for an enjoyable viewing experience. With a 120Hz refresh rate, 10802412 resolution, and a 93.7% screen-to-body ratio, the display delivers smooth visuals with sharp clarity. It supports 16.7 million colours and covers 100% of the DCI-P3 wide colour gamut, ensuring rich and accurate colour reproduction. Additionally, with a pixel density of 394 PPI, details appear crisp and lifelike. The screen reaches an exceptional 3,500nits peak brightness[9], providing excellent visibility even under bright sunlight. Designed with user well-being in mind, the HONOR 400 Lite 5G features seven eye care technologies to help reduce eye strain and improve viewing comfort. Its 3840Hz PWM Dimming[10] minimises screen flicker, while the Hardware Low Blue Light Technology[11] lowers exposure to harmful blue light. Dynamic Dimming adjusts brightness to mimic natural sunlight, reducing eye fatigue, and the Circadian Night feature shifts to warmer tones in the evening to support better sleep by boosting melatonin levels. The HONOR 400 Lite 5G is further equipped with an Automatic Brightness Adjustment feature that adapts the screen to different lighting conditions for a more comfortable experience, while E-Book Mode provides a paper-like display that's gentler on the eyes when reading. The device also features an under-display fingerprint sensor for quick and easy unlocking. Slim and Trendy Durable Design Available in 3 contemporary colours[12] including Velvet Grey, Velvet Black and Marrs Green, the device showcases a minimalist aesthetic with a geometric camera lens design. Enhanced by the Excimer process, it features a polished, reflection-free finish. The advanced soft mist texture, with nanoscale detailing, adds a velvet-like touch that is both visually appealing and pleasant to hold. Weighing just 171g[13] and with a slim profile of 7.29mm[14], the HONOR 400 Lite 5G is lightweight and easy to carry. Designed for durable everyday use, the device features SGS Five-Star Drop Resistance Certification [15], offering durability against accidental drops. It also includes IP64 wet-hand touch technology, allowing smooth operation even in damp or wet conditions. Powerful Battery and Storage Performance The HONOR 400 Lite 5G is equipped with a 5230mAh Li-ion polymer battery, delivering long-lasting durability and all-day performance[16]. Paired with the 35W HONOR Wired SuperCharge[17] the device can power up to 100% in just 75 minutes[18], ensuring users can stay entertained and connected while on the go. Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra, the HONOR 400 Lite 5G offers exceptional performance tailored for modern smartphones. This processor supports high frame rate displays, cutting-edge imaging capabilities, and lightning-fast 5G connectivity, making it ideal for performance-driven users. At its core, it features an octa-core CPU architecture with two high-performance ARM Cortex-A78 cores clocked at up to 2.5 GHz and six energy-efficient Cortex-A55 cores running at up to 2 GHz[19]. This heterogeneous multi-processing design ensures smooth multitasking, efficient app performance, and seamless handling of intensive tasks like gaming or video editing. The integrated 5G modem further enhances the experience with ultra-fast downloads, low-latency streaming, and stable connections, delivering a truly next-generation mobile experience. Moreover, the HONOR 400 Lite 5G offers up to 256GB of ultra-large storage, complemented by HONOR RAM Turbo (8GB+8GB) technology. This setup can support up to 64,000 photos[20] or 25,000 songs[21] while ensuring smooth performance even with multiple apps and tasks running simultaneously. Whether gaming, streaming, or multitasking, the HONOR 400 Lite 5G delivers a fast, seamless, and responsive experience. Pricing and Availability HONOR 400 Lite 5G will be available in the United Kingdom from the 22nd April in Velvet Grey, Velvet Black and Marrs Green at honor.com/uk, with prices starting from 249.99. The HONOR 400 Lite 5G will be available for United Kingdom customers of EE, O2, Three, Vodafone, Argos, Currys, Amazon and Very in Spring 2025, together with Republic of Ireland customers of Three and Harvey Norman. Customers can register their interest to be the first to discover the latest new HONOR smartphones, tablets, watches and audio devices with a chance to win a HONOR 400 Lite 5G smartphone, HONOR PadV9 tablet and HONOR Earbuds Open headphones. Register at honor.com/uk until 22nd April 2025. All images can be found here. For more information, please visit HONOR online store at www.honor.com/. [1] Actual image resolution may vary depending on the shooting mode. Activating 108MP requires entering the HIGH-RES Mode for the experience. [2] The 16MP Camera refers to the selfie camera sensor. The actual photo resolution may be different under different shooting modes and environments. [3] OTA update is needed for AI Outpainting tools [4] With rounded corners design applied on the display, the diagonal length of the screen is 6.7 inches, when measured according to the standard rectangle (the actual viewable area is slightly smaller). [5] The screen supports a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz, and the refresh rate may be varied slightly under different app interfaces and game quality. Please refer to your actual experience. [6] Data comes from HONOR labs. [7] Typical value. The rated capacity of the non-removable battery is 5100mAh. [8] Data from HONOR labs. Available internal storage may be smaller as part of it is occupied by the operating system and apps. [9] The 3,500nits peak brightness data comes from HONOR labs. The peak brightness refers to the screen's maximum brightness in a strong-light environment. [10] The screen supports a maximum high-frequency PWM dimming of 3840Hz, which takes effect in low-brightness scenarios. Please refer to the actual experience. The phone is not a medical device. [11] The phone is not a medical device. [12] Colour availability may vary by region. [13] The actual weight may vary depending on the configuration, manufacturing process, and measurement method. [14] The actual dimensions may vary depending on the configuration, manufacturing process, and measurement method. [15] SGS Five-Star Drop Resistance Certification refers to the HONOR 400 Lite 5G obtaining Switzerland's SGS Five-Star Drop Resistance Certification that meets the reliability technical specifications of SGS. As a precision electronic product, there remains a risk of damage when the phone is dropped. Please avoid falling or colliding. [16] Data comes from HONOR labs. [17] Data comes from HONOR labs. Under room temperature (25C), with Wi-Fi and data services turned off, the phone automatically enters Super Power Saving mode when the battery reaches 2%, and continues 4G calls with the screen off until shutdown. Actual results may vary due to differences in testing conditions. [18] The actual charging power may vary with different scenarios (intelligently). Please refer to actual situations. [19] Data comes from MediaTek. [20] Data comes from HONOR labs. Photos are calculated as 4MB each. [21] Data comes from HONOR labs. Songs are calculated as 10MB each. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250411857642/en/ Contacts: Nicole Taylor Nicole.taylor@bursonglobal.com The first on-site technical testing center for high-power fuel cells; A key competitive asset in HDF Energy's industrial project; A technological showcase supported by the French state as part of the IPCEI (Important Projects of Common European Interest) program. Bordeaux, April 10, 2025 HDF Energy's center of industrial excellence, whose construction was completed in January 2025, is put into service in Bordeaux (France). This is a key component of HDF Energy's industrial program dedicated to the design and industrialization of high-power fuel cells for heavy maritime and rail mobility, as well as electricity production for power grids. Operating autonomously thanks to a remote control system, this center is designed to reproduce real-life fuel cell operating conditions. It enables fuel cells to be tested to guarantee their robustness, quality, safety and performance before delivery to customers. This international training center is already welcoming its first potential clients. Entirely designed and built by HDF Energy teams, this technological showcase is based on multidisciplinary expertise and collaboration with French partners. HDF Energy is pursuing its commitment to stimulating the regional and French industrial fabric and contributing to the reindustrialization of the region. The test center features innovative equipment and functionalities: Renewable electricity generated by solar panels on the roof of the factory powers an electrolyzer to produce hydrogen from water; Up to 500 kg of pure hydrogen can be stored on-site in tanks to power fuel cells exceeding one megawatt; The renewable electricity generated by the fuel cells can be fed into the grid; A modular R&D test bench designed to simulate usage profiles of mobility applications enables the development and optimization of maritime and rail propulsion systems. "With this innovative infrastructure, HDF Energy reaches a key milestone in its industrial development, illustrating our ambition to position HDF Energy as a global leader in high-power fuel cells. Through this center of excellence, we provide our clients with high-quality equipment that meets the most demanding performance and durability standards," said Damien Havard, Chairman and CEO of HDF Energy. ABOUT HYDROGENE DE FRANCE (HDF Energy) HDF Energy is a leading global player in the hydrogen industry, dedicated to developing large-scale hydrogen infrastructure and advanced multi-megawatt fuel cell technology. These fuel cells generate electricity from hydrogen, driving the decarbonization efforts across the power generation, heavy maritime and rail mobility sectors. Set to commence production in 2025 at HDF Energy's facility near Bordeaux (France), these fuel cells serve as the cornerstone of the power plants and heavy mobility decarbonization solutions developed by HDF Energy. HDF Energy's Renewstable power plants deliver non-intermittent renewable, stable and baseload power by seamlessly integrating intermittent renewable energy sources with substantial on-site energy storage in the form of green hydrogen. HDF Energy is also developing extensive infrastructure for the mass production of carbon-free hydrogen. Backed by a team of over 150 hydrogen experts boasting more than a decade of operational experience across the value chain, HDF Energy is currently developing a portfolio of advanced projects valued at over 3 billion. Headquartered in France, HDF Energy has regional offices in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region with 35+ nationalities among its staff. Since 2021, the Group has been listed on the Euronext Paris stock market. More information, visit: www.hdf-energy.com Contacts Investor Relations Media Relations Helene de Watteville + 33 (0)1 53 67 36 33 hdf-energy@actus.fr Serena BONI +33 (0)4 72 18 04 92 sboni@actus.fr ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: l29qlsZtlGybm56dappul5SUZ2ZnxGCaZ5SYyGaZZ5+WcJyUnG6Wm52XZnJhnm1p - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-90983-cp_hdf_fuel-cell-test-area_en_final.pdf EQS Newswire / 11/04/2025 / 10:30 CET/CEST BEIJING, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 11 April 2025 - CGTN published an article on the Heze Peony International Communication Forum, which was held in Heze City in east China's Shandong Province. Through a thorough introduction of how the peony industry drives the local development and promotes cultural exchanges, the article highlights the Heze Peony Festival's important role in enhancing friendship, and strengthening cooperation and cultural exchanges. In 2000, Li Xiaoqi, a graduate of China Agricultural University, returned to his hometown in Heze, Shandong Province, and began working in the peony industry. Through years of dedication, he expanded his family's small 10-mu peony field into a 2,200-mu modern industrial park with facilities for seedling cultivation, flower processing, cold storage and research. Beyond growing his own business, Li trained and supported hundreds of local farmers in peony cultivation, playing a key role in poverty alleviation and boosting the region's peony industry. The thriving peony industry has enabled Heze - "the peony capital of China" - to foster four major development sectors focusing on seedling breeding, flower cultivation, deep processing and cultural tourism. The 2025 World Peony Conference and the 34th Heze International Peony Cultural Tourism Festival, collectively referred to as the 2025 Heze Peony Festival, officially kicked off on Tuesday. Featuring four sub-forums and 29 activities, the festival will last one month. Blooming 'flower economy' As the world's largest peony planting and scientific research and processing base, in recent years, Heze has continued to tap the advantages of peonies in areas such as variety cultivation, industrial expansion, and cultural and tourism integration. The city has currently cultivated nine color systems, 10 flower shapes and 1,308 varieties, with its planting area and number of varieties ranking first globally. Besides the peony, Heze has developed the cultivation of other flowers such as the herbaceous peony, rose and gerbera jamesonii. Last year, the city's sales of fresh-cut herbaceous peony flowers reached 120 million pieces, which were exported to more than 20 countries and regions in the world. In terms of industrial development, Heze has built a complete industrial chain from planting and processing to tourism and cultural creativity. Having more than 120 peony production and processing enterprises and 20 scientific research institutions, the city has developed over 260 peony-derived products, ranging from seed oil, cosmetics and cultural products. Last year, the total output value of the peony industry reached 13 billion yuan (about $1.8 billion). As Heze's most beautiful business card, peony has become a powerful engine for the high-quality development of cultural tourism, said Yu Jiannan, head of the Shandong Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism. Promoting cultural exchanges On Wednesday and Thursday, the Heze Peony International Communication Forum was held. A series of activities, such as the digital interpretation of paintings which converts static paintings into dynamic images, and digital images of peonies generated by ChatGPT, have injected new impetus into the international dissemination of peony culture through technological empowerment. In recent years, Heze has deeply explored the values of peonies, and actively created a friendly cultural symbol for global communication. In addition to the holding of the forum, the city has established overseas sub-venues of the Peony Festival in countries such as the Netherlands, Japan and South Korea. It has also set up peony culture communication stations in Brazil, Malaysia, Romania and other countries, and held award events related to the peony to introduce the beauty of peonies to more than 50 Belt and Road partner countries, offering an intriguing window into the popular perception of peony culture. The festival has built an important platform for enhancing friendship, strengthening cooperation and cultural exchanges, said Yu. For more information, please click: https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-04-10/Heze-s-peony-industry-boosts-development-cultural-exchanges-1Csq6ZnsAco/p.html Hashtag: CGTN The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. News Source: CGTN 11/04/2025 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - RentCarUAE.com proudly announces the launch of its next-generation car rental aggregation platform, engineered to accelerate business growth for car rental companies across the UAE. With a powerful blend of customer-focused features and advanced business tools, the new platform offers seamless lead generation, automation, and digital marketing support - all under one roof. RentCarUAE To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10373/248180_6416947da4a68b7e_001full.jpg A Smarter Way to Grow Your Car Rental Business As the car rental market in the UAE continues to evolve, RentCarUAE.com provides rental companies with a competitive edge through: Access to High-Intent Customers Rental partners gain exposure to a growing base of users actively searching for rental vehicles, helping reduce acquisition costs and boost conversion rates. Multichannel Visibility Partners benefit from a presence across multiple digital platforms: A high-conversion website optimized for desktop and mobile A Progressive Web App (PWA) that provides an app-like experience with no downloads A dedicated Telegram bot enabling bookings and real-time customer support Try it here Full Control and Transparency Rental companies can manage their fleet, pricing, and offers via a dedicated partner dashboard, with access to live performance analytics and booking data. Automated Efficiency The platform supports CRM integration, booking automation, and geo-location-based lead distribution to streamline operations. Built-In Marketing Support Listings are actively promoted through digital advertising, SEO, content marketing, social media campaigns, and ongoing conversion optimization. Support for All Fleet Types From economy cars to luxury SUVs, all vehicle types are featured in a user-friendly, competitive marketplace. End-to-End Partner Support The RentCarUAE.com team is available to support partners throughout the journey - from onboarding and strategy to long-term growth optimization. Now Onboarding Across the UAE RentCarUAE.com is actively welcoming new rental partners in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and all other Emirates. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248180 SOURCE: Pressmaster DMCC Exhibition reflects how the diversity, adaptability and customization potential of Kia's multi-purpose PBVs can redefine how we live Design installation features production-specification Kia PV5 alongside PV5 WKNDR outdoor concept vehicle and Concept EV2 Partnerships with lifestyle brands, including outdoor gear provider Helinox and coffee shop Potler reinforce PBV and EV ownership experience 'Transcend Journey' display took place alongside Milan Design Week from April 7th to 9th at Eastend Studios in Milan, Italy MILAN, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kia Corporation hosted an exclusive installation during Milan Design Week, reflecting the perspectives of designers involved in the development of the brand's revolutionary new Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) and electric vehicle (EV) models. Titled 'Transcend Journey', the installation explores the evolution of mobility, highlighting how Kia's innovative vehicles break the boundaries between urban and outdoor experiences. The theme reflects Kia designers' vision of a transformative journey, where Kia vehicles enable users to seamlessly navigate between diverse environments. What vehicles does Kia's Transcend Journey exhibition feature? Under the theme 'Transcend Journey,' the concept was illustrated with a twisting sculpture inspired by Kia's 'Opposites United' design philosophy and symbolizing the harmonious uniting of opposing ideas. The exhibition features multiple Kia vehicles split across two main zones that connect mobility with both urban and natural settings. These include: Kia PV5 Passenger - designed for practical use in both urban and natural settings - designed for practical use in both urban and natural settings Kia Concept EV2 - aims to reintroduce natural elements into urban landscapes - aims to reintroduce natural elements into urban landscapes Kia PV5 WKNDR- enhancing user experience with the outdoors Bridging divides - what themes does the Transcend Journeys exhibition cover? Manifesting how these vehicles bridge the divide between urban and natural pursuits, the exhibition is divided into two main zones. The Concept EV2 Zone presents a serene urban park picnic experience, featuring carefully selected picnic items in a calming blue color that complements the Concept EV2's exterior. This setting creates a relaxing atmosphere, aligning perfectly with the vehicle's modern aesthetic. In the PV5 Zone, the PV5 and PV5 WKNDR were paired with complementary artwork, while the PV5 WKNDR area features a nature-inspired camping retreat surrounded by plants, camping gear, and a pop-up coffee booth, creating a cozy, immersive outdoor living experience. The PV5 and PV5 WKNDR illustrate how urban and outdoor lifestyles can seamlessly connect through a single platform. The shift from the functional, everyday practicality of the PV5 to the nature-driven, adventure spirit of the PV5 WKNDR highlights the full spectrum of possibilities, embodying the essence of PBVs. Moving through the zones, there is a tranquil, immersive environment that encourages relaxation while simultaneously showcasing the vehicle's adaptability - whether in the city, in nature, or anywhere in between. Which brands has Kia collaborated with for its Transcend Journey exhibition? Held in partnership with Helinox, a leading provider of lightweight outdoor equipment, the installation features a striking sculptural form - inspired by Kia's 'Opposites United' design philosophy - that reinforces this theme. The artistic installation wraps around the vehicles, transforming a flat surface into a dynamic, three-dimensional space. Made from material used in Helinox products, it serves as a metaphor for the Kia PV5's varied use cases, showcasing its ability to adapt to a wide range of lifestyles and experiences. The pavilion-style artwork also mirrors the flexibility of PBVs by using lightweight materials, like aluminum poles from Helinox's parent company Dong-A Aluminum (DAC), and LinkSolution's 3D-printed joints, to create a scalable, easy-to-assemble structure. This ability highlights how PBVs can effortlessly transition between various environments, offering both practicality and freedom. Both the PV5 and PV5 WKNDR are integrated into the structure, with the PV5 WKNDR surrounded by Helinox camping chairs and tarps, highlighting its potential as the perfect outdoor vehicle and paired with a pop-up Potler coffee booth, emphasizing its versatility for outdoor experiences. In collaboration with the popular South Korean coffee brand, the booth offers Potler's signature s'more kit, complete with marshmallows, crackers, chocolate, and a special Kia-Potler postcard. Visitors enjoyed freshly brewed coffee made with drip bags, adding an interactive and personalized touch to their experience. The Concept EV2, meanwhile, was paired with complementary outdoor lifestyle and picnic items from Helinox, highlighting its versatility as an everyday companion. Perfect for both urban driving and outdoor activities such as picnics, it breaks the traditional limitations of compact cars. The installation subtly reflects this aim, emphasizing exploration and showing how mobility can enrich a wide range of experiences. What are the Kia PV5's key features? The Kia PV5 is the first production model to debut under Kia's dedicated Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) global business strategy. It redefines space and mobility with innovative modularization, offering unmatched flexibility. Available in three body styles - Passenger, Cargo, and Chassis Cab - the PV5 will leverage the brand's world-leading EV technology to meet the diverse needs of a wide customer base by providing unprecedented flexibility and customization through innovative modularization. Built on Kia's advanced Electric-Global Modular Platform for Service (E-GMP.S), a dedicated battery-electric skateboard architecture, the PV5 allows for flexible combinations of various vehicle bodies. Key data includes: - A range of up to 400 km - 30-minute fast-charging capability - Practical performance for both business and leisure users - The PV5 will be available in Korean and European markets from the second half of 2025, with additional market launches to follow The PV5 Passenger, featured in the installation, is designed for both personal and business use. It offers a spacious interior with passenger amenities, a lift-up tailgate, and flexible seating options. Its three-row configuration includes versatile layouts, such as the 2-3-0 setup, where the third row can be used for luggage, and the 1-2-3 layout, which provides additional storage space. The vehicle's AddGear platform also allows for easy accessory installation, enhancing both convenience and versatility. What are the Kia PV5 WKNDR Concept's key features? The Kia PV5 WKNDR Concept is based on the brand's recently unveiled PBV line. Fully self-sufficient, the vehicle is equipped with solar panels and unique hydro turbine wheels that can recharge its batteries for various uses. Off-road tires make it the perfect escape vehicle for weekend getaways in nature. The WKNDR also features a highly flexible, modular interior that can be easily customized to maximize space and functionality. One standout feature - the 'Gear Head' - is a first-of-its-kind storage solution that provides sheltered off-board storage for gear when the vehicle is parked. This allows for optimal use of interior space while maintaining easy access to gear outside. The 'Gear Head' can also be transformed into a mobile pantry, ideal for those cooking outdoors who want to enjoy meals with a view. The WKNDR prioritizes sustainability, with materials such as Nike Grind flooring, made from recycled sneakers, offering both functional and aesthetic benefits. What are the Kia Concept EV2's key features? The Kia Concept EV2 is an agile, all-electric B-segment SUV that offers a glimpse of an upcoming production model from Kia. Designed to transform how users experience urban spaces, the Concept EV2 highlights how Kia could target lifestyle-driven buyers who are eager to embrace new technologies, enhance productivity and open up new possibilities while promoting smart, sustainable consumption. With a design that blends seamlessly into users' busy urban lives, the Concept EV2 features a sustainable interior with flexible seating arrangements, vibrant design accents, and functional LED lighting that adapts to various needs. Its user-centric, practicality-focused design is further enhanced by rear-hinged doors, a flat floor, and a wide-opening tailgate, ensuring easy access and versatility. Innovative features like pop-up luggage dividers, message lighting for communication with pedestrians, and removable triangular speakers offering flexible audio experiences. Kia Corporation - about us Kia (www.kia.com) is a global mobility brand that is creating innovative, pioneering, and leading sustainable mobility solutions for consumers, communities, and societies around the world. As a Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider, Kia is spearheading the popularization of electrified and battery-electric vehicles and developing a growing range of mobility services, encouraging people around the world to explore the best ways of getting around. Kia has been providing mobility solutions since 1944. With 52,000 employees worldwide, a presence in about 200 markets, and manufacturing facilities in six countries, the company today sells around three million vehicles a year. The company's brand slogan - 'Movement that inspires' - reflects Kia's commitment to inspiring consumers through its products, technologies, and services. For more information, visit the Kia Global Media Center at www.kianewscenter.com About Kia Europe? Kia Europe is the European sales and manufacturing division of Kia Corporation - a global mobility brand that is creating innovative, pioneering and leading sustainable mobility solutions for consumers, communities and societies around the world. As a Sustainable Mobility Solutions Provider, Kia is spearheading the popularization of electrified and battery electric vehicles and developing a growing range of mobility services, encouraging people around the world to explore the best ways of getting around. Kia Europe, headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, employs in total over 5,500 employees from 40 nationalities in 39 markets across Europe and the Caucasus. It also oversees European production at the company's state-of-the-art facility in Zilina, Slovakia.? Kia's innovative products continue to attract great acclaim, notably the EV6 battery electric vehicle becoming the first Korean car to be named European Car of the Year in 2022.? Further information can be found here:?www.press.kia.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2662751/Kia_Transcend_Journey_exhibition_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2662752/Kia_Transcend_Journey_exhibition_2.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2662750/Kia_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kia-transcend-journey-design-installation-showcases-kia-pv5-pv5-wkndr-and-concept-ev2-at-milan-design-week-2025-302426457.html Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada is pleased to announce the grand opening of Rosie's Burgers ("Rosie's") newest location at 1542 Avenue Rd, Toronto, Ontario, this Saturday April 12th. Rosie's is a boutique QSR restaurant brand serving up its signature smash burgers, poutine, onion rings, milkshakes, and more. Rosie's Burgers To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/248185_59be600b24600b2b_001full.jpg "Today's announcement represents another step forward in our expansion strategy for Rosie's Burgers with the opening of our 5th location-a real win in our home market that further plants the flag of our smash burger brand. This corporate location checks off all the boxes for sustained growth and allows us to efficiently deploy our capital for accelerated growth. With 95 contractually committed units throughout Canada with our Area Developers, we are poised for continued expansion. We expect new openings to accelerate as we head into summer," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. "We are actively engaged in discussions with various groups across Canada to accelerate the growth of Rosie's. As we organically expand Happy Belly's presence in the QSR space, numerous real estate opportunities are emerging. We are excited to share updates on newly secured locations for our brands as we continue to drive growth through our asset-light franchise model." Rosie's Burgers To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/248185_59be600b24600b2b_002full.jpg "The area of 1542 Avenue Rd, Toronto, Ontario is a prime location for a Rosies to thrive. This location benefits from heavy car traffic and pedestrian traffic, including professionals, residents, and visitors exploring the vibrant area. The dynamic atmosphere creates a consistent demand for quick, delicious food options. A smash burger brand with its appeal to comfort food enthusiasts and trendy food seekers fits perfectly. We anticipate this location will expand Rosie's customer base in a densely populated area that matches the brand's demographics. This presents substantial opportunities both in-store and through delivery services." Rosie's BurgersTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/248185_59be600b24600b2b_003full.jpg "Our approach has always been to focus on the development and growth of emerging brands in the food sector. Rosie's Burgers was an accretive acquisition by Happy Belly Food Group, and it is anticipated that our franchising program will continue to deliver new franchised locations that will drive both top line and bottom-line profitability for Happy Belly." We are just getting started. Rosie's Burgers To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/248185_59be600b24600b2b_004full.jpg About Rosie's Burgers Deliciously handcrafted smashed burgers, golden fries, and classic milkshakes. Rosie's is your neighbourhood burger shop serving up nostalgic flavours you know, love, and crave. From our Smashburger's and French fries to strawberry shakes and onion rings-we're all about keeping things simple and perfecting tradition. Because the classics were made classic for a reason, right? Franchising For franchising inquiries please see www.happybellyfg.com/franchise-with-us/ or contact us at hello@happybellyfg.com. About Happy Belly Food Group Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company") is a dynamic multi-branded restaurant company focused on acquiring and scaling emerging food brands across Canada. With a robust portfolio of brands Happy Belly is dedicated to delivering quality, efficiency, and exceptional customer experiences nationwide. Happy Belly Food Group Inc. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/248185_59be600b24600b2b_005full.jpg Sean Black Chief Executive Officer Shawn Moniz Chief Operating Officer 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 press release, which has been prepared by management. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include the future performance of Happy Belly and her subsidiaries. Forward-Looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy Belly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on www.sedarplus.ca. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248185 SOURCE: Happy Belly Food Group Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - Zincore Metals Inc. (TSXV: ZNC.H) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has filed a technical report with an effective date of January 1, 2025 (the "Technical Report") in respect of the Reedy Creek and Providence gold projects in Victoria, Australia (the "Project"). The Technical Report was prepared in connection with the Company's proposed acquisition of the Project from Great Pacific Gold Corp. (the "Vendor"), as previously disclosed in the Company's news releases dated December 3, 2024, February 13, 2025 and March 12, 2025. The Technical Report was completed pursuant to the Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101 and was authored by independent Qualified Person, Mr. Kell Nielsen, BSc (Geol), MSc (MinEcon), FAusIMM, of Mannika Resources Group Pty Ltd. The Technical Report is available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Name Change and Consolidation The Company is also pleased to announce that it will implement the previously announced consolidation (the "Consolidation") of its issued and outstanding common shares (the pre-Consolidation common shares in the authorized structure of the Company being referred to as, the "Common Shares") on the basis of one (1) new common share in the authorized structure of the Company (the "Post-Consolidation Common Shares") for each 2.5 old Common Shares, effective as of April 15, 2025. Concurrent with the Consolidation, the Company will also change its name from "Zincore Metals Inc." to "Golden Cross Resources Inc." (the "Name Change"). The Consolidation and the Name Change are being completed in connection with the Proposed Transaction (as defined herein). As previously announced, the Company entered into a share purchase agreement dated effective December 3, 2024 (the "Definitive Agreement") among the Company, the Vendor and 1513609 B.C. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Vendor ("BC Subco"), pursuant to which, subject to regulatory approval, the Company will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of BC Subco (the "Proposed Transaction"), which will hold, through an Australian subsidiary, a 100% interest in and to the Project. Following the completion of the Proposed Transaction, the Company's post-Consolidation Common Shares are expected to commence trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") under the new name and new ticker symbol, "AUX". The new CUSIP number of the Post-Consolidation Common Shares will be 380887109 and the new ISIN number of the Post-Consolidation Common Shares will be CA3808871097. The Company currently has 43,663,174 Common Shares issued and outstanding, and following the Consolidation, the Company will have approximately 17,465,269 Post-Consolidation Common Shares issued and outstanding, prior to rounding for fractional shares (excluding any shares to be issued in connection with the Proposed Transaction). No fractional Post-Consolidation Common Shares will be issued in connection with the Consolidation. In the event a holder of Common Shares would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional Post-Consolidation Common Share in connection with the Consolidation, the number of Post-Consolidation Common Shares to be received by such shareholder will be rounded down to the next whole number if that fractional Post-Consolidation Common Share is less than one-half (1/2) of a Post-Consolidation Common Share, and will be rounded up to the next whole number if that fractional Post-Consolidation Common Share is equal to or greater than one-half (1/2) of a Post-Consolidation Common Share. Registered shareholders that hold physical Common Share certificates will receive a letter of transmittal requesting that they forward such Common Share certificates to the Company's transfer agent, Olympia Trust Company, for exchange for new certificates representing Post-Consolidation Common Shares. Shareholders who hold their Common Shares through a broker or other intermediary and do not have Common Shares registered in their own name will not be required to complete a letter of transmittal. For additional details regarding the Proposed Transaction and the Project, please see the Company's news releases dated December 3, 2024, February 13, 2025 and March 12, 2025, which are available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. All currency references in the news release are in Canadian currency unless otherwise noted. About Zincore Zincore is a Vancouver-based Company, with common shares which trade on the NEX Board of the Exchange under the symbol ZNC.H. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS "Matthew Roma" Matthew Roma Chief Executive Officer 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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", or "believes", or variations (including negative and grammatical variations) of such words and phrases or state that certain acts, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will". Forward-looking information in this press release may include, without limitation, statements relating to: the completion of the Proposed Transaction on the terms described herein or at all, the completion of the Consolidation, the completion of the Name Change, references to the potential of the Project, the proposed business of the Company, the future plans of the Company and the expected trading date of the Post-Consolidation Common Shares on the Exchange. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, including risks regarding the mining industry, commodity prices, market conditions, general economic factors, management's ability to manage and to operate the business, and explore and develop the projects of the Company and its subsidiaries, and the equity markets generally. Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance of the Company and its subsidiaries may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward-looking statements. Any number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements as well as future results. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. Additional information regarding data verification procedures, known legal, political, environmental or other risks that could affect development of the Project, can be found in the Technical Report, which is available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248164 SOURCE: Zincore Metals Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - Moss Genomics Inc. (CSE: MOSS) (OTCQB: MSSGF) (FSE: F73) (the "Company" or "Moss") is pleased to announce that its common shares are now listed for trading on the OTC Markets under the ticker MSSGF. This milestone significantly expands Moss's accessibility for U.S.-based investors and enhances overall share liquidity by enabling trading through U.S. broker-dealers. The listing on the OTC Markets is part of Moss's broader strategy to align with global capital markets while increasing visibility and participation from the international investment community. Moss Genomics is a biotechnology company developing next-generation genomics products that empower individuals to gain greater control over their personal health data. The Company is currently testing a beta version of Perennial, a consumer-focused platform that allows users to upload their blood test results and receive personalized health insights based on key biomarkers. The Company's shares will continue to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol MOSS and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE) under the symbol F73. For more information on Moss Genomics, please visit: https://mossgenomics.com To view the OTC Markets profile: https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/MSSGF/overview About Moss Genomics Inc. Moss Genomics is a biotechnology company focused on genomics and microbiome research to develop advanced genetic insights and solutions. The company leverages blockchain technology to enhance security and user control over genomic information. Along with its genomics-focused products, Moss Genomics deploys an Ethereum accumulation strategy as part of its treasury management, currently holding 160 ETH on its balance sheet. For further information concerning Moss and its business, please view the Company's website at https://mossgenomics.com/ and its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca or contact us at: 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 release. Forward-Looking Information This 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, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". 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 Company's intention to leverage the blockchain to advance its genomics business; the Company's belief that blockchain technology will enhance data security, privacy, and user control over genomic information; the Company's belief that its product offerings will make genetic insights more accessible and secure; the Company's belief that Ethereum will represent a viable alternative to traditional fiat currencies as part of the Company's treasury management system; and that the Company's listing on the OTC Markets will increase visibility and participation from the international investment community. 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: the risk that the Company will be unable to utilize the blockchain in an effective manner for the advancement of its genomics business; the risk that the blockchain technology will not notably enhance data security, privacy or user control over genetic information; the risk that the Company's product offerings are unable to make genetic insights more accessible or secure; the risk that Ethereum will not represent a viable alternative to traditional fiat currencies for use in a treasury management system; and the risk that the OTC Markets listing will not create a notable increase in visibility and participation from the international investment community. In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: blockchain technologies can be effectively implemented into the Company's genomics business model and can be implemented in a cost-effective and timely manner; the privacy and security offered by decentralized blockchain technology will be superior to the privacy and security over user data which may be available through other means; that the Company's use of blockchain as part of its business model will improve access to genetic insights; and that the use of Ethereum in the Company's treasury management system will reflect a viable alternative to traditional fiat currencies, including the risk that commercial partners of the Company are or become unwilling to accept Ethereum as consideration for products and services. 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. Cryptocurrency Market Risks The Company would like to remind investors that markets for cryptocurrencies have experienced much larger fluctuations than other markets, and there can be no assurances that significant swings in price will slow in the future. In the event that the price of cryptocurrencies decline, the value of an investment in the Company could also decline. As well, momentum pricing is typically associated with assets whose valuation, as determined by the investing public, accounts for anticipated future appreciation in value. Momentum pricing of cryptocurrency may result in speculation regarding future appreciation in the value of cryptocurrency. As a result, changing investor confidence could adversely affect an investment in the Company. Additionally, there is no assurance that cryptocurrency will become a leading means of digital payment. Any slowing or stopping of the development in the acceptance of cryptocurrency may adversely affect an investment in the Company. Furthermore, there is a risk that cryptocurrency trading platforms, or the Company's digital wallets may be compromised. Access to the Company's crypto-assets, maintained in a hosted online wallet, could also be restricted as a result of cyber crime. Any of these events may adversely affect the operations of the Company and, consequently, its business and profitability. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248165 SOURCE: Moss Genomics Inc. New international consensus redefines standards in breast augmentation: beauty is balance, not size MILAN, Italy , April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- POLYTECH Health & Aesthetics GmbH - In response to growing concerns over 'fake-looking' results and rising revision surgeries in aesthetic breast procedures, a group of leading plastic surgeons from around the world has launched a new expert initiative: the Global Consensus on 'Natural Breast Beauty', presented today at Palazzo Turati in Milan. With breast augmentation now almost $3 billion global industry growing at 7.5% annually, experts warn that the trend toward hyper-curated aesthetics - amplified by social media - risks prioritizing trends over health and harmony. The new consensus provides a science-based framework for natural outcomes tailored to each woman's anatomy and long-term well-being. Natural beauty is a matter of proportions, not size "The demand for aesthetic surgery is rising, but too often shaped by unrealistic expectations," says Prof. Roy De Vita, Plastic Surgeon and Department Dead at the Istituto dei Tumori Regina Elena in Rome. "Many women walk into their first consultation asking for a specific brand or implant shape they saw on Instagram. But implants are medical devices just like orthopedic or cardiac implants - not accessories. You wouldn't choose a heart valve that way." The consensus addresses six of the most commonly misunderstood areas of breast surgery - from implant choice and patient expectations to safety protocols and facility selection. The recommendations reflect a growing global shift toward individualized, anatomy-based approaches that deliver subtle, long-lasting beauty. The 'Natural Breast Beauty' approach: a harmonious equation "Large doesn't equal beautiful," emphasizes Dr. Patrick Mallucci, renowned British plastic surgeon and co-author of the international Ideal Breast Shape study. "Beauty is about proportions-typically a 45:55 ratio between the upper and lower pole of the breast. This creates a natural, slightly concave upper area and a full, rounded lower area. It's geometry, not guesswork." The Natural Breast Beauty methodology blends clinical precision with a growing cultural demand for results that feel authentic-not artificial. "Patients increasingly want to look and feel good without being judged by extremes," says Dr. Mallucci. Breast augmentation: a market on the rise-but so are revisions The global breast implant market reached $2.78 billion in 2024, with $890 million in the U.S. alone and $1.89 billion internationally. That number is expected to double by 2034, fueled by both reconstructive and aesthetic procedures. "This is not just a business-it's a responsibility," says Prof. Karsten Hemmrich, CEO of POLYTECH Health & Aesthetics and former plastic surgeon. "We're seeing two major global shifts: women seeking natural, harmonious outcomes and a growing demand for safety and scientific rigor in device manufacturing." Educating women, combating misinformation The consensus also serves as a call to action against misleading content online. "Social media is full of unrealistic before-and-after photos, DIY comparisons, and influencer promotions," says Mariangela Dal Pra, Managing Director Italy and Head of Sales Central Europe at POLYTECH Health & Aesthetics. "We want women to be empowered-not manipulated. Sometimes the best decision is to wait, or even to avoid surgery altogether." Attached: The Global Expert Consensus on Natural Breast Beauty >> Journalists, clinicians, and institutions are encouraged to review the attached consensus for a deeper look into the evolving standards of breast aesthetics. About POLYTECH POLYTECH Health & Aesthetics combines pioneering innovation with precision craftsmanship to set the highest standards in breast aesthetics, reconstruction, and body contouring. Celebrating over 35 years of leadership, our extensive experience and millions of implants produced empower both patients and surgeons globally. Leading with B-Lite, the world's first lightweight implant, we offer solutions designed for long-term results and comfort, setting a new standard in patient care.? Our portfolio, including the outstanding Microthane and MESMO implants, provides the broadest range of aesthetic solutions designed to deliver stable results and natural aesthetics. Through POLYTECHconnect Academy and significant investment in education, we remain at the forefront of plastic surgery, reinforced by our industry-leading social media presence in breast aesthetics.? We are proud to have been the first breast implant manufacturer to receive the CE mark, a testament to our commitment to 'Quality Made in Germany,' reflected in exceptionally high patient satisfaction rates. With the integration of Lipografter technology into our portfolio, we now offer comprehensive body contouring solutions that cater to patient diversity and ensure long-lasting results.? At POLYTECH, our dedicated team embodies passion and expertise. We provide agile, diverse, and proven solutions that effectively respond to market needs in over 80 countries. Discover the synergy of innovation, education, and passion with POLYTECH? View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/global-surgeons-call-for-natural-breast-beauty-in-wake-of-rising-aesthetic-complications-302426415.html 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. Gratomic Inc. ("Gratomic", "GRAT", or the "Company") (TSXV:GRAT) wishes to advise that it will be late filing its audited financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2024. Pursuant to National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders (the "Policy"), the Company advises that it will therefore be in default of filing its audited financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2024 (the "Financial Disclosure") which were to be filed on or before April 30, 2025 pursuant to relevant securities laws. The delay in filing the Financial Disclosure and the resulting default are due primarily to a lack of available funding. The Company has been trying to raise funding to provide much needed working capital and to pay the accountants and the auditor to perform the audit but have been unable to do so to meet the filing deadline. The Company has made an application to be granted a Management Cease Trade Order under the Policy to be imposed against some or all of the CEO and CFO and directors, officers or insiders of the Company instead of a cease trade order being imposed against all securities of the Company. Such an order would not generally affect the ability of persons who have not been directors, officers or insiders of the Company to trade the securities of the Company pending the filing of the Financial Disclosure on SEDAR +. The Company is working with its accountants and auditors to complete the audit of the Company's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 as soon as possible and anticipates filing such financial statements and related MD&A by June 30, 2025 on SEDAR +. Until the Financial Disclosure is filed, the Company intends to satisfy the provisions of the Alternate Information Guidelines as set out in the Policy for as long as it remains in default, including the issuance of bi-weekly default status reports, each of which will be issued in the form of a press release. The Company is not subject to any insolvency proceeding and there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed. Should the Company fail to SEDAR + file the Financial Disclosure on or before June 30, 2025, the OSC may impose a cease trade order that all trading in securities of the Company cease for such period specified in the OSC order. About Gratomic Gratomic is a multinational company with projects in Namibia, Brazil, and Canada. The Company aims to become a graphite supplier and to secure a strong position in the electric vehicle battery supply chain through the development of its flagship Aukam Graphite Mine. Large quantities of high-quality vein graphite have been shipped for testing and have confirmed its suitability as an anode material. The Company will continue to update the public on the status of these tests and will share results as they become available. For more information Contact: Arno Brand at (416) 561- 4095 "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." Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.com). SOURCE: Gratomic Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - Further to its press release dated February 27, 2025 and its management information circular dated May 10, 2025 (the "Circular"), Awakn Life Sciences Corp. (CSE: AWKN) (OTC Pink: AWKNF) (FSE: 954) ("Awakn" or the "Company") wishes to provide supplemental disclosure to the Circular in respect of its annual general and special meeting (the "Meeting") of the Company's securityholders (the "Securityholders") to approve, among other things, a statutory plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement") involving the Company and Solvonis Therapeutics PLC ("Solvonis") under Division 5 of Part 9 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) whereby, among other things, Solvonis will acquire all of the outstanding common shares (the "Common Shares") in the capital of the Company, all outstanding restricted share units (the "RSUs") in the capital of the Company, and all outstanding deferred share units (the "DSUs") in the capital of the Company (the "Transaction"). Based on its review of the Circular, staff of the Ontario Securities Commission has requested that pursuant to Multilateral CSA Staff Notice 61-302 and the review program thereunder, the Company provide supplemental disclosure with respect to the Company's assessment of "collateral benefits" as such term is defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). MI 61-101 provides that, in certain circumstances, where a "related party" (as defined in MI 61-101) of an issuer is entitled to receive a collateral benefit in connection with an arrangement transaction such as the Transaction, such transaction may be considered a "business combination" for the purposes of MI 61-101 and subject to minority shareholder approval requirements. A collateral benefit includes any benefit that a related party of the subject company (which includes the directors and executive officers of the subject company) is entitled to receive as a consequence of the transaction including such benefits as an increase in salary or a lump sum payment on a change of control. However, a benefit received by a related party is not considered to be a collateral benefit under MI 61-101 if, among other things, (i) at the time the transaction was agreed to, the related party and its associated entities beneficially owned or exercised control or direction over less than 1% of the outstanding equity securities of the subject company, or (ii) for business combinations: (a) the related party discloses to an independent committee of the subject company the amount of consideration that the related party expects it will be beneficially entitled to receive, under the terms of the transaction, in exchange for the equity securities beneficially owned by the related party; (b) the independent committee, acting in good faith, determines that the value of the benefit, net of any offsetting costs to the related party, is less than 5% of the value referred to in clause (a); and (c) the independent committee's determination is disclosed in the disclosure document for the transaction. If it is determined that a related party is to receive a collateral benefit in connection with the Transaction, the resolution approving the Transaction (the "Arrangement Resolution") will require "minority approval" in accordance with MI 61-101. This means the Arrangement Resolution must be approved by a majority of the votes cast, excluding those votes beneficially owned, or over which control or direction is exercised, by the related parties of the Company who receive a collateral benefit. This approval is in addition to the requirement that the Arrangement Resolution be approved by not less than two-thirds of the votes cast by Securityholders at the Meeting. If the Transaction is completed, the vesting of currently unvested RSUs is to be accelerated, which accelerated vesting is generally considered a benefit. The table below sets out the related parties to Awakn that are entitled to the benefit of accelerated vesting of unvested RSUs, and whether or not the exclusions to the determination of collateral benefit provided for in MI 61-101 apply to each related party. Related Parties Number of Common Shares Beneficially Held (including vested RSUs and DSUs) and % of class(1) Number of Unvested RSUs held % of Consideration that Benefit Represents Collateral Benefit Anthony Tennyson 2,222,206 5.18% 100,500 4.52% No Jonathan Held 1,113,654 2.59% 100,500 9.02% Yes Paul Carter 358,322 0.83% 36,850 10.28% No George Scorsis 1,480,475 3.45% 50,250 3.39% No Stephen Page 391,150 0.91% 36,850 9.42% No John Papastergiou 362,400 0.84% 36,850 10.17% No David Nutt 757,650 1.76% 53,600 7.07% Yes (1)Based on 42,922,623 Awakn Shares outstanding on a non-diluted basis. Each of Messrs. Carter, Page and Papastergiou beneficially owns less than 1% of the outstanding Common Shares. Therefore, the accelerated vesting of their respective RSUs would not constitute collateral benefits. Each of the related parties noted in the table above disclosed to an independent committee of Awakn's board of directors comprised of George Scorsis, Stephen Page, Paul Carter, and John Papastergiou (the "Special Committee") the amount of consideration that each expects he will be beneficially entitled to receive, under the terms of the Arrangement, in exchange for his Common Shares. The Special Committee, acting in good faith, determined that (with George Scorsis recusing himself from consideration and voting in respect of the determination related to his unvested RSUs), in the case of Anthony Tennyson and George Scorsis, the value of the accelerated vesting of their respective unvested RSUs, net of any offsetting costs, is less than 5% of the value that each expects to receive under the terms of the Arrangement in exchange for their respective Common Shares. Therefore, the accelerated vesting of the unvested RSUs held by Messrs. Tennyson and Scorsis would not constitute collateral benefits. Messrs. Held and Nutt are each expected to receive a collateral benefit as a consequence of the Transaction and, therefore, the Transaction constitutes a "business combination" pursuant to MI 61-101, for which minority approval is required. Accordingly, all of the Common Shares beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, or over which control or direction is exercised, by Jonathan Held, Chief Financial Officer of Awakn and Prof. David Nutt, Chief Research Officer of Awakn, representing, as of March 13, 2025 (the "Record Date"), approximately 3.65% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, on a non-diluted basis, will be excluded in determining whether minority approval for the Transaction is obtained. As of the Record Date, the Common Shares to be excluded for purposes of the minority approval requirement are set out below: Shareholder Common Shares Percentage of Issued and Outstanding Common Shares Jonathan Held 914,154 2.13% Prof. David Nutt 651,250 1.52% Total 1,565,404 3.65% The Company is not required to obtain a formal valuation under MI 61-101 as (i) no "interested party" (as defined in MI 61-101) is, as a consequence of the Transaction, directly or indirectly acquiring the Company and (ii) an "interested party" is not a party to any "connected transaction" (as defined in MI 61-101) to the Transaction that is a "related party transaction" (as defined in MI 61-101) for which Awakn would be required to obtain a formal valuation. No prior valuations of Awakn have been made in the past 24 months and no bona fide prior offers that relate to the subject matter of, or are relevant to, the Transaction, have been received by the Company in the past 24 months. About Solvonis Solvonis Therapeutics plc (LSE: SVNS) formerly, Graft Polymer (UK) plc, is UK incorporated LSE-listed innovative biotechnology company focused on developing intellectual property and co-developing therapeutics for mental health and substance use disorders. Its therapeutic priorities include trauma-related mental health disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, which affects approximately 13 million adults in the US and 20 million across the US, UK, and key EU markets. The company emphasises growth through strategic collaborations, joint ventures, and acquisitions. About Awakn Life Sciences Corp. Awakn Life Sciences Corp. is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing therapeutics targeting addiction. Awakn has a near-term focus on Alcohol Use Disorder, a condition affecting 40 million people in the US and key international markets and 285m people globally for which the current standard of care is inadequate. Our goal is to provide breakthrough therapeutics to addiction sufferers in desperate need and our strategy is focused on commercializing our R&D pipeline across multiple channels. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information under applicable Canadian, United States and other applicable securities laws, rules and regulations, including, without limitation, statements with respect to the completion of the Transaction, the conditions to the completion of the Transaction that must be fulfilled and the anticipated benefits and advantages of the Transaction. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on Awakn's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as Awakn's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the risks, uncertainties and other factors and assumptions made with regard to Awakn's ability to complete the proposed Transaction; and Awakn's ability to secure the necessary securityholder, legal and regulatory approvals required to complete the Transaction. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Awakn's expectations include risks associated with the business of Solvonis and Awakn; risks related to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions to the closing of the Transaction; non-completion of the Transaction; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in Awakn's filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to Awakn. The forward- looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof and Awakn undertakes no 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 securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248124 SOURCE: Awakn Life Sciences Corp. 2026 Trade Show and Conference, Under New Name, Planned for San Diego, CA The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), the largest global coffee trade association dedicated to making coffee better, has announced the rebranding of its flagship North American event, the Specialty Coffee Expo, as World of Coffee. The final edition under the Specialty Coffee Expo name will take place in Houston from April 25-27, 2025, before debuting as World of Coffee San Diego on April 10-12, 2026, at the San Diego Convention Center in California. Click here to watch video announcement. Attendees and exhibitors at World of Coffee San Diego will continue to experience the same dynamic community and industry-leading event they have come to expect. The show will feature a diverse range of exhibitors, world-class workshops, cutting-edge technology, and elite coffee competitions, all within a globally recognized brand known for fostering business, community, and innovation. As excitement builds for World of Coffee San Diego, attendees can look forward to a fresh era of industry collaboration and discovery. The rebranded event will serve as the premier destination for professionals looking to expand their reach, explore new innovations, and build meaningful connections across the global coffee landscape. "Renaming Expo to World of Coffee brings North America's premier coffee trade show into the globally recognized World of Coffee brand, reinforcing our commitment to international growth, collaboration, and innovation in the coffee industry," said Yannis Apostolopoulos, CEO of the Specialty Coffee Association. "We chose the name World of Coffee because, in times of division, demonstrating unity is more important than ever. Our goal is to bring together coffee professionals and stakeholders worldwide, aligning the event with our broader purpose. World of Coffee will build on Expo's 30-year legacy, continuing to connect industry leaders, exhibitors, and enthusiasts to explore emerging trends, cutting-edge technology, and new business opportunities - all while celebrating the vibrant global coffee community." With a 30-year legacy of growth and international expansion, the Specialty Coffee Expo was recently recognized as one of Trade Show Executive's 2024 Fastest 50 events for growth in total attendance. This momentum makes the transition to World of Coffee a natural next step in elevating North America's role within the global coffee industry. As part of the World of Coffee series - which hosts premier coffee events in Central America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia - World of Coffee San Diego will provide an enhanced platform for ambitious businesses entering new markets and seeking to source from new regions. Since its inception in Europe in 2010, World of Coffee has consistently set new records as the largest and most influential coffee trade show, bringing together thousands of professionals from across the specialty coffee supply and value chain. The Specialty Coffee Association plays a pivotal role as a global convener, helping businesses navigate international opportunities and challenges. Through World of Coffee San Diego, SCA will further its mission of connecting industry leaders, facilitating strategic partnerships, and providing a space for professionals to engage with emerging trends shaping the future of specialty coffee. Booking is now open for exhibitors on the show floor at World of Coffee San Diego 2026 and interested exhibitors are encouraged to contact the SCA at exhibit@sca.coffee to secure booth space. For sponsorship and partnership opportunities, please contact sponsorships@sca.coffee for more information on supporting this event. The 2025 event, which will still be under the Specialty Coffee Expo name, will welcome more than 17,000 attendees from 85 countries to Houston, TX April 25-27. Educational programming included as part of the show's offering will cover the latest in sustainability, business innovation, scientific advancements, and specialty coffee trends. The expansive sold out Exhibition Hall will feature 649 exhibiting companies showcasing the best in coffee innovation, culture, and sustainability as well as networking opportunities that support commerce and trade. Registration for Specialty Coffee Expo is open at www.coffeeexpo.org. All SCA members receive a discount on registration. For sponsorship, exhibitor, or registration inquiries, email hello@sca.coffee or visit Specialty Coffee Expo. About the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) is the largest global coffee trade association dedicated to making coffee better by fostering a global coffee community and supporting activities to make specialty coffee a thriving, equitable, and sustainable endeavor for the entire value chain. Through collaboration and progressive approaches, it supports the industry through research, standards, education, and events. Working around the world, the SCA elevates worldwide standards, providing value and connectivity to the growing global community. To sponsor and support the Specialty Coffee Expo and the continued work of the SCA, contact sponsorships@sca.coffee. To learn more, visit sca.coffee or follow @specialtycoffeeassociation on social media. # # # For further information, contact: Amy Riemer, Communications Director 978-502-4895 (mobile) amy@riemercommunications.com SOURCE: Specialty Coffee Expo Veteran Broadcaster Continues Lead of Network's Nightly Programming Newsmax Inc. (NYSE:NMAX) ("Newsmax" or the "Company") today announced that veteran news anchor and broadcaster Greta Van Susteren has signed a multi-year extension to host "The Record with Greta Van Susteren." Based in Washington, D.C., "The Record with Greta Van Susteren," which premiered in 2022, airs at 6:00pm ET leading the network's weeknight lineup with a solid hour of factual, fair, and independent perspective on the news. "The past three years have been an incredible experience enabling me to report from diverse global news centers ranging from Ukraine to Israel, Colombia and Ecuador," says Susteren. "I am grateful to Newsmax for the opportunity afforded me and look forward to continuing to deliver a straight and honest look at the day's news for my audience." A lawyer by training, Van Susteren came to national prominence as a legal analyst providing insight on the O.J. Simpson murder trial. She went on to have a stellar career with major shows on CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC. Recently, she hosted a Sunday morning show with the Gray Television network and served as a contributor to Voice of America. "Greta is an internationally recognized journalist known for her ground-breaking reporting, insightful analysis, and integrity," Newsmax CEO Christopher Ruddy said. "We're honored to have her continue to serve as lead anchor with us." Newsmax is the fourth highest-rated cable news channel and rated the fifth most-watched channel among all cable channels with 33 million Americans tuning in last quarter, according to Nielsen. Over the past three years, Van Susteren has played a major role in Newsmax's global coverage - including leading network coverage at the 2024 RNC Convention in Milwaukee and conducting exclusive interviews with leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Speaker Mike Johnson, Reverend Franklin Graham, and many others. 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. Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - Nio Strategic Metals Inc. (TSXV: NIO) (OTC Pink: NIOCF) ("Nio" or the "Corporation"), a critical mineral exploration company, today announced, subject to the filings with and the approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), that it intends to enter into shares for debt agreements (the "Agreements"), to satisfy an aggregate of $495,000 of the Corporation's outstanding debt. An aggregate of 11,000,001 common shares in the capital of the Corporation (the "Shares") at a deemed price of $0.045 per Share are proposed to be issued in accordance with the policies of the TSXV. Loan conversion Nio agreed on a share for debt conversion agreement with Nio-Metals Holdings LLC to convert the outstanding Principal of a Loan dated February 17, 2021 in the amount of $450,000 into Shares at a price of $0.045 per share for an aggregate number of 10,000,000 Shares to be issued (the "Debt conversion agreement"). Shares for services agreements The Corporation also entered into a debt conversion for services with four current directors of the Corporation and its Chief Financial Officer (the "Shares for services agreements") to settle unpaid accrued services fees of $45,000 into Shares at a price of $0.045 per share for an aggregate number of 1,000,001 Shares to be issued in connection with services rendered between July 1, 2024 and April 10, 2025. The Board of Directors and Management of Nio believe that these two agreements will improve its financial position drastically since, the Corporation will no longer carry any debt on its balance sheets, except for usual short-term accrued payables. Also, both agreements are in the best interests of Nio as it will help the Corporation preserve its cash position. Related Party Transactions The Debt conversion agreement and the Shares for services agreements constitute Related Party Transactions within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Corporation is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the shares for debt transaction with the forgoing insiders does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Corporation, as determined in accordance with MI 61-101. The Corporation did not file a material change report in respect of the related party transaction at least 21 days before the closing of the debt settlement, which the Corporation deems reasonable in the circumstances as the Corporation wishes to improve its financial position by reducing its existing liabilities. The issuance of the Shares is subject to the approval of the TSXV. The Shares to be issued will be subject to a four-month hold period pursuant to applicable securities regulations and the policies of the TSXV. Early Warning Disclosure In connection the Debt conversion agreement, Nio-Metals Holdings LLC (the "Insider") will be issued 10,000,000 Shares. Following the Debt conversion agreement, the Insider will own or control 46,658,211 Shares representing approximately 45.9% of the issued and outstanding Shares on an undiluted basis. The Insider holds the Shares for investment purposes, and may evaluate such investment on an ongoing basis and subject to various factors including, without limitation, the Corporation's financial position, the price levels of the Shares, conditions in the securities markets and general economic and industry conditions, the Corporation's business or financial condition, and other factors and conditions that the Insider may deem appropriate. The Insider may increase, decrease or change his ownership over the Shares or other securities of the Corporation. A copy of the Early Warning Report with additional information in respect of the foregoing matters will be filed on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Corporation's profile. For further information, including a copy of the early warning report required under applicable Canadian securities laws to be filed by the Insider as a result of the Shares for Debt Transaction referred to in this press release, please contact Nio Strategic Metals Inc. at: (514) 560-7623. About Nio Strategic Metals Nio Strategic Metals is an exploration and development company, with a focus on becoming a ferroniobium producer. The Corporation holds niobium properties located in Oka and near Mont-Laurier and another exploration property in the Province of Quebec. For more information on the Corporation, please refer to the Corporation's public documents available on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca) or on the Corporation's website (https://niostratmet.com/) or contact: 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 press release. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful, including any of the securities in the United States of America. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Statements, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved", the negative of these terms and similar terminology although not all forward-looking statement contains these terms and phrases. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set out in Nio Strategic Metals' annual and/or quarterly management discussion and analysis and in other of its public disclosure documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca, as well as all assumptions regarding the foregoing. Although Nio Strategic Metals believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frame or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Nio Strategic Metals disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248154 SOURCE: Nio Strategic Metals Inc. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - Plata Latina Minerals Corporation (TSXV: PLA) ("Plata Latina" or the "Company") has completed the sale of the 3% net smelter return ("NSR") on the Naranjillo property for a total of US$6,000,000 (the "Transaction") to a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fresnillo plc ("Fresnillo"). (Previously announced on February 27, 2025 - "Plata Latina Announces Fresnillo to Purchase Naranjillo NSR for $8,610,000"). The Company retains a 2% NSR with Fortuna Mining Corp. on the La Joya project, which is located in the state of Hildago, Mexico. About Plata Latina Minerals Plata Latina Minerals is a growth-focused company focused on exploring strategic opportunities within the mining industry. With a strong cash balance and led by a highly experienced team with a proven track record in identifying, optimizing and growing businesses, Plata Latina aims to create long-term value through acquisitions, partnerships and other strategic transactions. Plata Latina is actively evaluating opportunities. The Company also has a 2% NSR on the La Joya Project in Mexico. 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248149 SOURCE: Plata Latina Minerals Corporation Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - ZEB Nickel Corp. (TSXV: ZBNI) (OTCQB: ZBNIF) ("Zeb" or the "Company"): Zeb Nickel Corp is pleased to announce the completion of a high-resolution airborne geophysical survey over its project area, conducted by Xcalibur Airborne Geophysics (Pty) Ltd. The survey incorporated both gravity and magnetic data, designed to enhance the company's understanding of the underlying geological structures. The airborne data, flown at no cost to Zeb Nickel, has enabled the company to access a comprehensive dataset without diluting shareholder value. This newly acquired dataset has confirmed key aspects of the company's geological model - particularly the presence of a long-lived ultramafic magmatic plumbing system connecting the Uitloop I and II bodies. The survey has further highlighted several major NE-SW fault zones, interpreted to be part of a regional fault network, that likely acted as magma conduits and trap sites for sulfide mineralisation. The airborne data strengthens Zeb Nickel's exploration thesis that multiple zones of sulfide mineralisation - disseminated, semi-massive and potentially massive - are vertically stacked and associated with a feeder system analogous to those at Ivanhoe Mines' Platreef Project and African Rainbow Minerals' Nkomati Nickel Mine hosted in the Uitkomst Intrusion. To deepen the interpretation and support drill targeting within Zone 2 and Zone 3, Zeb Nickel will be submitting the dataset to a consulting geophysical company who are a leading provider of geophysical solutions across Southern, Central and West Africa. The scope of the interpretation will include: 3D inversion and voxel clipping to refine imaging of subsurface structures Re-processing and re-interpretation of both gravity and magnetic inversions Generation of very high-resolution voxel models over the project area Integrated modelling and reporting, with results intended to define high-priority drill targets in untested parts of the ultramafic plumbing system. The Company believes that this work will directly support the delineation of higher-grade Ni-Cu-PGE mineralisation in Zone 2, as well as the identification of potential massive sulfide zones in Zone 3, where recent data suggests similarities to the sulfide mineralisation style of the Uitkomst deposit. VP Exploration of Zeb Nickel, Richard Montjoie, commented, "This survey has provided clear confirmation of the structural and geological controls on nickel and PGE mineralisation at Zeb Nickel. The presence of a robust feeder system between Uitloop I and II supports our model of vertically stacked mineralised zones and significantly upgrades the prospectivity of both Zone 2 and Zone 3. This new dataset, combined with our recent drill results, sets the stage for the delineation of a higher-grade nickel-PGE resource. Our upcoming drilling campaign will build directly off this work, with the goal of declaring a maiden NI 43-101 compliant resource that reflects the true value of the high-grade sulphide mineralisation we're seeing across the project." About the Company and Project Zeb Nickel Corp is focused on exploring for and developing world-class mineral deposits, with a focus on metals that are critical in the production of rechargeable batteries, such as nickel, graphite, lithium, cobalt, manganese, copper and aluminum. The Company is currently focused on developing its flagship Zeb Nickel Project, located in Limpopo, South Africa. The Zeb Nickel Project is a developing Class 1 nickel sulfide project strategically located in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: interpretations of geophysical data, the potential extension and connectivity of ultramafic bodies, the existence and extent of a feeder or plumbing system, the significance of magnetic and gravity anomalies, statements regarding the potential for massive Ni-Cu-PGE sulphide mineralisation, the planned re-processing and interpretation of geophysical data, the intention to delineate drill targets in Zone 2 and Zone 3, the objective of declaring a higher-grade maiden NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource, and the broader development strategy of the Zeb Project. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions believed by management to be reasonable at the time such statements are made, including but not limited to: the accuracy of the Company's interpretation of geophysical and geological data, the availability of financing on reasonable terms, the ability to obtain necessary regulatory approvals in a timely manner, the results of planned exploration activities, and assumptions regarding market conditions and commodity prices. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in commodity prices, the outcome of current and future exploration and drilling programs, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates, the ability to secure financing and maintain access to capital markets, delays or inability to obtain necessary permits, approvals or licences, political and regulatory risks, environmental risks, and other risks related to mineral exploration and development. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248155 SOURCE: Zeb Nickel Corp. OSLO, Norway, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Annual General Meeting of Hexagon Composites ASA (OSE: HEX.OL) will be held on 5 May 2025 at 13:00 CEST at the company's offices in Korsegata 4B, Aalesund, Norway. Please find attached the notice of the Annual General Meeting with attendance/proxy forms and the Board of Directors' proposed resolutions for the Annual General Meeting. All documents related to the Annual General Meeting are available at www.hexagongroup.com. For more information: Ingrid Aarsnes, VP ESG & Corporate Compliance, Hexagon Composites ASA Email: ingrid.aarsnes@hexagongroup.com About Hexagon Composites ASA Hexagon delivers safe and innovative solutions for a cleaner energy future. Our solutions enable storage, transportation, and conversion to clean energy in a wide range of mobility and industrial applications. Learn more at www.hexagongroup.com and follow @HexagonASA on LinkedIn. This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/hexagon-composites-asa/r/hexagon-composites-asa--notice-of-annual-general-meeting-2025,c4135010 The following files are available for download: https://mb.cision.com/Main/22853/4135010/3385799.pdf HEX_Notice of Annual General Meeting 2025 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hexagon-composites-asa-notice-of-annual-general-meeting-2025-302426540.html Die Finanzwelt ist im Umbruch! Nach Jahren der Dominanz erschuttert Donald Trumps erratische Wirtschaftspolitik das Fundament des amerikanischen Kapitalismus. Handelskriege, Rekordzolle und politische Isolation haben eine Kapitalflucht historischen Ausmaes ausgelost. Milliarden stromen aus den USA und suchen neue, lukrative Ziele. Und genau hier kommt China ins Spiel. Trotz aller Spannungen wachst die chinesische Wirtschaft dynamisch weiter, Innovation und Digitalisierung treiben die Markte an. Im kostenlosen Spezialreport stellen wir Ihnen 5 Aktien aus China vor, die vom US-Niedergang profitieren und das Potenzial haben, den Markt regelrecht zu uberflugeln. Wer jetzt klug investiert, sichert sich den Zugang zu den neuen Wachstums-Champions von morgen. Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche 5 Aktien die Konkurrenz aus den USA outperformen durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter. Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! DUBAI, UAE, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Flentas Technologies, a leader in cloud consulting and digital transformation, has deployed an innovative generative AI solution for Jaleel Holdings, a key player in the UAE's fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, designed to modernize and streamline some of Jaleel's procurement processes, offering increased efficiency and enhanced vendor engagement. With the global generative AI market projected to reach $62.72 billion in 2025, and expected to grow to $356.10 billion by 2030, the collaboration between Flentas and Jaleel Holdings demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to leveraging this transformative technology. This initiative is particularly relevant given that 75% of enterprises plan to integrate generative AI into product development processes. In an era where digital transformation is paramount, Jaleel Holdings faced ongoing challenges stemming from legacy procurement practices. In an era of paramount digital transformation, Jaleel Holdings saw an opportunity to enhance efficiency by modernizing its procurement processes. To improve vendor communications and ensure greater transparency in the bidding process, the company engaged Flentas Technologies to develop a next-generation solution. The solution transformed one of the unit's procurement workflows and boosted overall operational efficiency.(Read the case study here) The newly implemented solution integrates an AI-powered WhatsApp chatbot that enables vendors to engage in real-time communication with seamless interaction capabilities. Vendors can access instant updates and receive intelligent, automated responses, providing them with the flexibility to interact with the system from anywhere at any time. Additionally, a centralized admin and vendor portal was created to manage bids, track them in real-time, and reduce manual efforts, bringing a new level of transparency to the bidding process. This platform also allows for a more efficient vendor management experience, ensuring stronger, more responsive relationships with suppliers. The implementation of this generative AI solution has already shown remarkable results for Jaleel Holdings. Vendor response times have increased drastically as the automated chatbot reduces delays in vendor inquiries. Furthermore, the procurement cycle time has been cut enormously, thanks to the automation of key processes, which accelerates decision-making. Vendor satisfaction has also improved tremendously, as better communication and a streamlined process have fostered stronger relationships. Finally, the solution has saved significant time by automating manual tasks, allowing the procurement team to focus on more strategic objectives. Mandar Navare, CEO of Flentas Technologies, expressed his enthusiasm about the project: "This engagement with Jaleel Holdings showcases the power of generative AI to drive real business transformation. By implementing this solution, Jaleel Holdings significantly improved operational efficiency, reduced manual efforts, and strengthened vendor relationships." Ajayan Konthoth, Chief Digital Officer, and Firoz Moosa, IT Projects and Infrastructure Manager at Jaleel Holdings, shared their thoughts on this transformation. Firoz Moosa remarked, "The generative AI solution from Flentas has significantly enhanced and streamlined our core procurement processes. We can now engage with vendors more effectively and make faster, more informed decisions." As the UAE continues to embrace digital transformation, Flentas Technologies remains at the forefront of driving this change. The success of this deployment with Jaleel Holdings highlights the potential of generative AI to revolutionize procurement across various industries in the region. Flentas Technologies invites other organizations interested in exploring the potential of generative AI to enhance their operations to learn more about the innovative solutions offered by the company. Discover how generative AI can help your business evolve by visiting Flentas' Generative AI Solutions. Generative AI Solutions offered by Flentas. About Flentas Technologies Flentas Technologies is a leading cloud consulting firm focused on driving digital transformation for businesses across a variety of sectors. With an emphasis on operational efficiency and strategic growth, Flentas partners with companies to implement advanced technologies that enable them to succeed in an increasingly digital world. For more information about this transformative project and other success stories, please visit Flentas Technologies. About Jaleel Holdings Jaleel Holdings LLC, headquartered in Dubai, is a UAE based Investment Company with businesses in diverse sectors including Consumer Products distribution, wholesale and food processing. Founded in 1972 as a humble wholesale fruit store in Dubai, Jaleel Holdings today is one of the largest wholesale distributors of food in the Middle East. Pioneering digitization and constantly evolving state-of-the-art technologies helps the company to maintain its leadership position in FMCG wholesale & distribution across the region and drive innovation in the industry. For more information, please visit www.jaleel.com Contacts: sales@flentas.com Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2661814/Flentas_Jaleel.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/flentas-technologies-partners-with-jaleel-holdings-to-revolutionize-procurement-with-generative-ai-solution-aligning-with-explosive-growth-in-ai-investments-302426690.html 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. Ha Giang, Vietnam--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - ZingHome Ha Giang is proud to announce the official launch of its all-new Ha Giang Loop tour, an extraordinary travel experience designed to showcase the unrivaled beauty, culture, and adventure that define Vietnam's far northern province. Situated in Vietnam's remote and rugged north, Ha Giang is celebrated for its dramatic landscapes, where towering limestone peaks, cascading rice terraces, and deep, verdant valleys create a setting unlike any other in the country. This province, positioned near the Chinese border, is home to remarkable natural wonders such as the UNESCO-recognized Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark. With pristine roads that wind through ancient villages and breathtaking mountain passes, Ha Giang offers an escape from crowded tourist hubs and a rare opportunity to witness traditional rural life in its purest form. ZingHome Ha Giang has emerged as the premier provider of travel experiences in this isolated paradise, expertly curating tours that deliver both adventure and comfort. The Ha Giang Loop tour, ranging from two to five days in duration, invites visitors to explore 350 to 400 kilometers of ever-changing scenery. Guests will ride along famous routes, including the sensational Ma Pi Leng Pass - often dubbed the "King of Passes" - where panoramic views of steep cliffs and deep valleys evoke a sense of awe and wonder. This expertly planned itinerary ensures that every twist and turn provides a new perspective on the rich natural heritage of Ha Giang. ZingHome To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8530/248105_b153918074efb8d6_001full.jpg The tour is supported by a team of experienced local guides, whose deep-rooted knowledge of the area enhances every mile traveled. These professionals offer detailed narratives about the history, culture, and geology of the region, turning every stop into an informative encounter with nature and tradition. Whether navigating the challenging roads of Quan Ba's Heaven's Gate or stopping at a traditional H'Mong village to observe artisanal crafts and local customs, travelers will gain insights that enrich their journey. In addition to guiding, the team at ZingHome provides comprehensive support from the moment guests depart Hanoi until they return, ensuring a seamless transition between modern comforts and the wild, unpredictable beauty of Ha Giang. At the heart of ZingHome's offerings is its commitment to delivering a complete travel solution. Apart from the exhilarating motorbike journeys, the company proudly offers luxurious and impeccably clean homestay accommodations, which allow visitors to enjoy the warmth of local hospitality. Nestled in picturesque villages such as Dong Van and Du Gia, these homestays blend rustic charm with contemporary amenities. Each property is carefully selected to provide comfortable sleeping arrangements, private bathing facilities, and reliable Wi-Fi connectivity, ensuring that travelers can relax and recharge after a day of adrenaline-fueled adventures. For those seeking the freedom of exploring on their own, ZingHome's fleet of high-quality motorbikes is available for rental. Every bike is meticulously maintained and comes equipped with essential safety gear, including helmets and protective jackets. Prior to departure, expert staff provide thorough briefings on local riding conditions, route recommendations, and safety protocols, empowering riders to confidently navigate Ha Giang's winding roads and steep gradients. This proactive approach to safety underscores ZingHome's dedication to ensuring that every guest enjoys a secure and memorable journey. Recognizing that not every traveler is comfortable riding on challenging mountainous roads, ZingHome Ha Giang also introduces its revolutionary Easy Rider service. This innovative offering pairs visitors with highly experienced, licensed local drivers who serve as both navigators and cultural ambassadors. Riding as a passenger, guests can fully absorb the scenic beauty, indulge in local lore, and relax while their dedicated Easy Rider expertly handles the complexities of the terrain. This service not only alleviates the stress associated with navigating unfamiliar roads but also enriches the travel experience with personal stories, historical context, and insightful commentary about the diverse ethnic groups that call Ha Giang home. The launch of the Ha Giang Loop tour by ZingHome Ha Giang marks a significant milestone in the region's tourism sector. By integrating meticulously planned adventures with top-tier hospitality services, the company aims to redefine the standards for adventure travel in Vietnam's northern territories. "Our mission at ZingHome is to create an unforgettable journey that balances excitement, comfort, and cultural immersion," stated company spokesperson Pham Van Bien. "We want our guests to feel like honored visitors rather than mere tourists, and every facet of our service is designed to reflect the genuine spirit of Ha Giang." Local communities in Ha Giang benefit from ZingHome's sustainable tourism efforts. Collaborating with local families and leaders, the company ensures travelers experience authentic traditions while supporting the local economy. Visitors engage with villagers, sample homemade delicacies, and witness traditional practices that foster cultural preservation and create lasting memories. The comprehensive travel package offered by ZingHome Ha Giang includes seamless transportation from Hanoi, ensuring that the journey begins and ends with convenience and comfort. Guests are greeted with professional service, from luxurious sleeper buses to prompt assistance during transfers. Each element of the tour is designed with attention to detail, leaving no aspect of the adventure to chance. The company's commitment to excellence is reflected in rigorous safety standards, personalized attention, and a genuine passion for showcasing the untamed beauty of Ha Giang. Ha Giang's allure as a top travel destination continues to rise, and ZingHome Ha Giang leads the way in connecting visitors with its stunning landscapes and rich cultures. New tour routes and themed experiences are being planned to offer even more personalized adventures for travelers seeking unique discoveries across the province. The comprehensive narrative of ZingHome Ha Giang's offerings brings together expert-guided motorbike adventures, bespoke homestays, flexible rental options, and the innovative Easy Rider service-all tailored to immerse visitors in the authentic rhythms of northern Vietnam. Each carefully planned detail from departure in Hanoi to the final return is designed not only to provide a memorable travel experience but also to foster a genuine connection between visitors and the land they traverse. With a focus on safety, local knowledge, and cultural immersion, every element of the tour reflects a deep respect for Ha Giang's natural beauty and its vibrant communities, ensuring that adventure travelers enjoy a seamless blend of thrill, comfort, and discovery. Adventure awaits at ZingHome Ha Giang. Book a tour now through the Company's official website to begin an unforgettable journey, discovering the majestic landscapes and rich culture of northern Vietnam. About ZingHome Ha Giang: ZingHome Ha Giang company provides homestay, hotel, hostel with rooftop coffee, motorbike rental and all the best services for your Ha Giang Loop tour. Our mission is to inspire discovery and enrich authentic cultural engagement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248105 SOURCE: GYT Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - Vizsla Royalties Corp. (TSXV: VROY) ("Vizsla Royalties" or the "Company") announces that, effective April 1, 2025, the Company's board of directors adopted an omnibus equity inventive compensation plan (the "Omnibus Plan") to replace the Company's existing stock option plan. The purpose of the Omnibus Plan is to: (i) promote a significant alignment between officers and employees of the Company and the growth objectives of the Company; (ii) to associate a portion of participating employees' compensation with the performance of the Company over the long term; and (iii) to attract, motivate and retain the critical employees to drive the business success of the Company. Pursuant to the terms of the Omnibus Plan, the Company has granted 2,800,000 performance share units (each, a "PSU") to officers, directors, employees and consultants of the Company. The PSUs will vest after one year, contingent on the achievement of specific performance targets. If the performance conditions are met, each vested PSU entitles the holder to receive one common share of the Company, or, at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors, may be settled in cash. The Omnibus Plan and all issuances granted under the Omnibus Plan, including the grant of PSUs, are subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and disinterested shareholder approval. These approvals will be sought at the Company's next annual general meeting to be held in Q3 2025. About Vizsla Royalties Corp. Vizsla Royalties Corp. is a precious metals focused royalty company. The Company's principal asset is a Net Smelter Return Royalty on Vizsla Silver Corp.'s (TSX: VZLA) (NYSE American: VZLA) flagship Panuco Project located in Mexico. Panuco is a world-class silver and gold development project actively advancing towards production. A Preliminary Economic Study for Panuco was published in July 2024 which highlights 15.2 Moz AgEq of annual production over an initial 10.6-year mine life, an after-tax NPV5% of US$1.1B, 86% IRR and a 9-month payback at US$26/oz Ag and US$1,975/oz Au. 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. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release includes certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan", "forecast", "may", "would", "could", "schedule" and similar words or expressions, identify forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Vizsla Royalties, future growth potential for Vizsla Royalties and its business, and future exploration plans are based on management's reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of silver, gold, and other metals; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Vizsla Silver's ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms. These statements reflect Vizsla Royalties' respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information and Vizsla Royalties has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company's dependence on one asset; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of Vizsla Silver's mining activities in Mexico; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company's management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company's inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company's interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; and the factors identified under the caption "Risk Factors" in Vizsla Royalties' management discussion and analysis. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although Vizsla Royalties has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Vizsla Royalties does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248224 SOURCE: Vizsla Royalties Corp. Cummins Cummins Inc.'s (NYSE:CMI) Power Generation business announced the addition of new Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) solutions to their global product line. Fully integrated BESS containers for AC output, the development of this product represents a significant push towards helping customers reach their sustainability goals. "The global shift for renewable energy sources is becoming more profound," said Lucio Kroll, Senior Director New Energy Solutions of Cummins Power Generation. "We're proud to expand our offerings to include BESS, staying in line with that shift and serving our customers with safe and reliable solutions that can help them meet their energy transition goals." Cummins Power Generation BESS solutions are available in two architectural designs: a 10ft container (200 to 400kWh) and a 20ft high cube container (600kWh to 2MWh). Product features include proven lithium ferrophosphate (LFP) batteries for high cycle life, optimal liquid cooling thermal management designed to maximize battery life and reliability, complemented by a comprehensive three-tier fire safety approach. Additionally, the products are completely self-contained with plug-and-play functionality, making transportation and installation efficient and seamless. This solution will respond to the power needs of industrial, commercial and mission critical markets operating in the 50Hz frequency range. The three main use cases are off-grid (remote communities, mining sites, and remote industrial uses), energy management (EV charging infrastructure, commercial properties, and universities) and life-saving facilities (data centers, healthcare facilities, wastewater treatment plants). With more than 100 years of experience, the launch of BESS solutions continues Cummins' rich history in power generation. "When you choose Cummins, you're receiving more than a product. Customers are backed by our world-class service and support network. You'll always have a direct connection to qualified experts," said Kroll. To learn more about Cummins Power Generation BESS solutions please visit Battery Energy Storage Systems | Cummins Inc. About Cummins Inc. Cummins Inc., a global power solutions leader, comprises five business segments - Engine, Components, Distribution, Power Systems and Accelera by Cummins - supported by its global manufacturing and extensive service and support network, skilled workforce and vast technological expertise. Cummins is committed to its Destination Zero strategy, which is grounded in the company's commitment to sustainability and helping its customers successfully navigate the energy transition with its broad portfolio of products. The products range from advanced diesel, natural gas, electric and hybrid powertrains and powertrain-related components including aftertreatment, turbochargers, fuel systems, valvetrain technologies, controls systems, air handling systems, automated transmissions, axles, drivelines, brakes, suspension systems, electric power generation systems, electrified power systems with innovative components and subsystems, including battery, fuel cell and electric power technologies and hydrogen production technologies. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), since its founding in 1919, Cummins employs approximately 69,600 people committed to powering a more prosperous world through three global corporate responsibility priorities critical to healthy communities: education, environment and equality of opportunity. Cummins serves its customers online, through a network of company-owned and independent distributor locations, and through thousands of dealer locations worldwide and earned about $3.9 billion on sales of $34.1 billion in 2024. See how Cummins is leading your world toward a future of smarter, cleaner power at www.cummins.com. Media Contact Alijah Landing Marketing Communications Manager View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Cummins Inc on 3blmedia.com. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Cummins Inc Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cummins-inc Email: info@3blmedia.com SOURCE: Cummins Inc More than 200 industry guests witnessed the prestigious annual awards event in Macao and Wynn immediately implements global promotion plan for the award-winning wines MACAO, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Created by "Wynn Signature", Wynn's exclusive lifestyle brand, the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards ceremony was held today (April 11), with the support of the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO). More than 200 wine experts, representatives from China's leading wineries, industry professionals, international media and wine enthusiasts from around the world gathered in Macao to honor the finest wines of China. Immediately following the awards event, Wynn is implementing a global promotion strategy for all the award-winning wines through its acclaimed signature restaurants and its influential network of global resources to expand the Chinese wine market and boost brand awareness for China's leading wines. After an intense week of rigorous judging, the Ningxia Helan Mountain Renyiyuan Winery scooped the most awards this year, with Renyiyuan Tao Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 winning the highly coveted "Best Wine of China" award and also garnering "Best Red Wine", "Best of Ningxia" and "Best Cabernet Sauvignon". Kai Kang, the winemaker from Ningxia Helan Mountain Renyiyuan Winery also became the first individual to receive the "Best Young Winemaker" award, which was just introduced this year. A variety of high-quality wines from China also received numerous awards including Helan Mountain Special Reserve Chardonnay 2021, which received two awards for "Best White Wine" and "Best Chardonnay". Domaine Franco-Chinois Reserve Marselan 2012 earned "Best of North China" and "Best Marselan", while Tiansai Sparkling Wine 2017 received "Best of Xinjiang" and "Best Sparkling Wine" honors. Distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony to officially launch this year's awards included: Representative of the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government, Director of Macao Government Tourism Office, Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; Acting President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Mr. Cheang Kai Meng; Acting President the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute for the Macao SAR Government, Ms. Elaine Wong; Director of the Department of Economic Affairs, The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr. Guo Xiaohui; President, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, Limited, Ms. Linda Chen; Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, Limited, Mr. Frederic Luvisutto; Chairman of the Competition for the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards, Mr. Eddie McDougall; Vice Chair of the Competition, Ms. Fongyee Walker MW and Panel Chair of the Competition, Mr. Xing Wei MW. Representative of the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government, Director of Macao Government Tourism Office, Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said in her speech: "The '2025 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards' exemplifies Macao's commitment to promoting diverse "tourism +" and fostering integrated development across tourism and the related sectors. By synergizing major events with industry collaboration, this initiative highlights Macao's role as a bridge connecting the international community. The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) encourages the industry to keep organizing high-quality, world-class events, continuously deepening "tourism + gastronomy", "tourism + MICE" and beyond. We look forward to joining hands with all sectors to strengthen Macao's brands as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and a world center of tourism and leisure, brighten the city's golden calling card as an international metropolis. Through diverse tourism offerings, we aim to attract a broader spectrum of visitor markets, bringing sustainable benefits to Macao." President, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, Limited, Ms. Linda Chen said: "This year, we are extremely honored that the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards have been officially included in the program of the "Culture City of East Asia 2025 - Macao, China" by the Macao SAR Government. This honor will further strengthen Macao's strategic positioning as 'a platform for international exchange where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist', giving visitors an opportunity to appreciate China's rich and profound cultural heritage. With our strong global industry network, we will continue our visionary approach toward advancing the culinary industry with innovative ideas in future. Macao serves as the perfect international platform to showcase wines, and we also look forward to continuing to host world-class wine events, masterclasses and other major events to promote Chinese wines on the global stage. We are also excited to share captivating Chinese cultural stories with the world and showcase the excellence of Chinese brands." Wynn Signature's Best Chinese Wines of the Year List The elevated judging panel for the 2025 wine competition featured 27 of the world's leading authorities on wine, including 10 Masters of Wine (MW), 3 Master Sommeliers (MS), and 1 industry expert with dual MW and MS certifications. In keeping with international judging protocols, the wine tastings for nearly 900 varieties of wine from close to 200 of China's top wineries were conducted blind, and wines were appraised according to the internationally recognized 100-point system to award bronze medals (85-89 points), silver medals (90-94 points) and gold medals (95-100 points). After rigorous evaluation, the "Wynn Signature Best Wine of China Trophy" as well as the trophies for wines across three divisions: "Wynn Signature Trophies", "Varietals Champion Trophies" and "Regional Champion Trophies" were selected from the Gold Medal List. Wynn also introduced two new award categories this year: "Wynn Sommelier's Choice" and "Best Young Winemaker". Each one of these accolades applauds the new benchmarks set by the industry and shines a light on the ingenuity of Chinese winemakers as well as the remarkable breakthroughs that the Chinese wine industry has achieved around the world. The Official 2025 Trophy Award Winners List: Awards Wines Regions Best Wine of China Renyiyuan Tao Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Ningxia Best Red Wine Renyiyuan Tao Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Ningxia Best White Wine Helan Mountain Special Reserve Chardonnay 2021 Ningxia Best Rose Wine Longting Spring Rose 2023 Shandong Best Sweet Wine Sacred Snow Mountain Winery Hualuoxiangyun Icewine 2023 Yunnan Best Sparkling Wine Tiansai Sparkling Wine 2017 Xinjiang Best Value Wine Chateau Zhongfei Marselan 2022 Xinjiang Best Young Winemaker Kai Kang (Ningxia Helan Mountain Renyiyuan Winery) / Best of Ningxia Renyiyuan Tao Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Ningxia Best of North China Domaine Franco-Chinois Reserve Marselan 2012 Hebei Best of Northeast China United Winery Marvelous Vidal Icewine 2023 Liaoning Best of Shaanxi, Gansu & Shanxi Amber Winery Memorable Jin Prestige Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon2022 Shanxi Best of Shandong Longting Spring Rose 2023 Shandong Best of Southwest High Mountain Sacred Snow Mountain Winery Hualuoxiangyun Icewine 2023 Yunnan Best of Xinjiang Tiansai Sparkling Wine 2017 Xinjiang Best Chardonnay Helan Mountain Special Reserve Chardonnay 2021 Ningxia Best Viognier Chateau Mihope Viognier 2022 Ningxia Best Other Dry White Chateau Hesoute White Muscat 2022 Xinjiang Best Cabernet Sauvignon Renyiyuan Tao Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Ningxia Best Cabernet Gernischt Xige Estate Jade Dove Single Vineyard Cabernet Gernischt 2021 Ningxia Best Marselan Domaine Franco-Chinois Reserve Marselan 2012 Hebei Best Syrah/Shiraz Chateau Hedong Syrah 2023 Ningxia Best Red Blends Yuanshi Vineyard Ruyi Marselan 2020 Ningxia Drunken Fish Sommelier's Choice Xiaoling White 2022 Yunnan Wing Lei Sommelier's Choice Lansai Yingchuan Red Pinot Noir 2022 Ningxia Chef Tam's Seasons Sommelier's Choice Zaxee Oak Reserve Chardonnay 2023 Yunnan Lakeview Palace Sommelier's Choice Domaine Franco-Chinois Reserve 2019 Hebei SW Steakhouse Sommelier's Choice Renyiyuan Tao Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Ningxia Mizumi Sommelier's Choice Fei Tswei Petit Manseng Sweet White Wine 2021 Ningxia Following the awards ceremony, Wynn hosted four major events, giving industry players an opportunity to exchange ideas and explore the local terroirs of China's rich wine landscape. Xing Wei MW invited industry veterans and representatives of wineries from China's seven core wine production regions to reflect on the development of Chinese wine over the past five decades during the "50 Years of Challenges: The Renaissance of Chinese Wine Forum". Julien Boulard MW also hosted the "Marselan: A Signature Grape of Chinese Wine" Masterclass to introduce the beauty of Marselan, a unique Chinese grape varietal in a simplistic way. In the evening, the Michelin two-starred Chef Tam's Seasons at Wynn Palace and the Michelin two-starred Wing Lei at Wynn Macau hosted two award-winning wine dinners. At Wynn Palace, Chef Tam's Seasons hosted the "Cantonese Master Chef Tam Kwok Fung - A Cantonese Feast of Six Chinese Regions' Wine & Ingredients", while at Wing Lei hosted the "Executive Chef Chan Tak Kwong - Award-winning Chinese Wines Paired with Traditional Cantonese Cuisine", where award-winning Chinese wines were thoughtfully paired with each chef's carefully crafted dishes. Promoting the a ward-winning Chinese wines globally The goal of the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards is to provide a strategic platform for the long-term promotion of high-quality Chinese wines and empower the Chinese wine industry to expand internationally. Therefore, Wynn has already launched a global promotion plan for the award-winning wines which is set to commence immediately following the awards event. First, Wynn received the support of the Macao SAR Government to participate in the programme of the "Culture City of East Asia 2025 - Macao, China" with the 2025 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards, further cementing Macao's role as "a base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist", leveraging Macao's unique advantages as a city featuring the integration of Chinese and Western cultures, and showcasing the charm of Chinese culture to the world. Also, all the award-winning Chinese wines from the competition will be featured on the daily wine lists at the leading restaurants and bars at Wynn - Chef Tam's Seasons, Lakeview Palace, SW Steakhouse, Mizumi, Wing Lei Bar, and Palace Reserve Club at Wynn Palace, as well as Wing Lei, Drunken Fish, Cinnebar, and Bar Cristal at Wynn Macau. The much-anticipated "Gourmet Pavilion" which opens on April 29 at Wynn Palace, will also offer the award-winning wines from China. In future, Wynn will also host a wine tasting event for the award-winning Chinese wines at 67 Pall Mall, a private members' wine club in Singapore. Members of 67 Pall Mall and wine professionals will be invited to the exclusive event, where they will have an opportunity to taste the top Chinese wines recognized at this year's Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards. The award-winning wines will also be offered at future wine tasting events, themed banquets, food and wine pairing events and more annual gastronomy events held at Wynn throughout the year. Additionally, the wines may be showcased at major international wine exhibitions for greater global exposure. To learn more about the winners of the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards and future promotions, please visit the official website: https://www.wynnresortsmacau.com/en/wynn-palace/whats-on/wynn-signature-chinese-wine-awards Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2662959/Image1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2662960/Image2.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2662961/Image3.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2518951/5264037/Wynn_Macau_Logo.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2356090/5264056/LOGO_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/wynn-reveals-the-winners-of-the-2025-wynn-signature-chinese-wine-awards-at-grand-ceremony-302426739.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - Tinka Resources Limited (TSXV: TK) (OTCQB: TKRFF) ("Tinka" or the "Company") announces its decision to voluntarily delist its common shares from the Bolsa de Valores de Lima ("BVL"), also known as the Lima Stock Exchange. The Company's common shares will continue to be listed and traded as normal on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "TK" and on the OTCQB under the symbol "TKRFF". Kallpa Securities Sociedad Agente de Bolsa ("Kallpa"), a Lima-based stock broker, is no longer a sponsor of the Company on the BVL. The Company expects official delisting from the BVL in approximately 60 business days. On behalf of the Board, "Graham Carman" Dr. Graham Carman, President & CEO Stay up to date by subscribing for news alerts at Contact Tinka and by following Tinka on X, LinkedIn and Facebook. About Tinka Resources Limited Tinka is an exploration and development company with its flagship property being the 100%-owned Ayawilca zinc-silver-tin project in central Peru. The Zinc Zone at Ayawilca has an estimated Indicated Mineral Resource of 28.3 Mt grading 5.82% zinc, 16.4 g/t silver, 0.2% lead and 91 g/t indium, and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 31.2 Mt grading 4.21% zinc, 14.5 g/t silver, 0.2% lead and 45 g/t indium. The Silver Zone has an estimated Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.0 Mt grading 111.4 g/t silver, 1.54% zinc, & 0.5% lead. The Tin Zone has an estimated Indicated Mineral Resource of 1.4 million tonnes grading 0.72% tin and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 12.7 Mt grading 0.76% tin. The Company filed a NI 43-101 technical report on an updated PEA for the Ayawilca Project on April 15, 2024 (link to NI 43-101 report here). Dr. Graham Carman, Tinka's President and CEO, has reviewed, verified and approved the technical contents of this release. Dr. Carman is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Forward Looking Statements: Certain information in this news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively "forward-looking statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Nexa and Buenaventura becoming Control Persons of the Company and future financings of the Company. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs and expectations of Tinka as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Tinka's management. Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitations: regulatory approvals; volatility and sensitivity to market prices; timing of planned work programs and results varying from expectations; delay in obtaining results; changes in equity markets; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; equipment failure, unexpected geological conditions; imprecision in resource estimates or metal recoveries; success of future development initiatives; competition and operating performance; environmental and safety risks; timing of geological reports; the preliminary nature of the Ayawilca Project PEA and the Company's ability to realize the results of the Ayawilca Project PEA; the political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; delays in obtaining or failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from local authorities; community agreements and relations; and, other development and operating risks. Should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. Although Tinka believes that assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Tinka disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement. 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/248246 SOURCE: Tinka Resources Limited Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - Digital Silk, an award-winning agency focused on creating brand strategies, custom websites and digital marketing campaigns, has partnered with Vacation Homes of Key West to launch a custom-built website designed to improve conversions, streamline the vacation booking experience, and empower internal content management. The new website is now live at vacationhomesofkeywest.com. Modern, Mobile-Optimized Website for Vacation Homes of Key West by Digital Silk To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10732/248252_f15c9ae3a45888e1_001full.jpg The goal was clear: revamp an outdated digital presence to reflect the charm, professionalism, and high-quality service Vacation Homes of Key West is known for, while eliminating UX barriers and backend inefficiencies. Digital Silk developed a clean, modern interface that simplifies the rental discovery process and supports mobile and desktop responsiveness, ensuring seamless access for all users. A Modern Solution for the Modern Traveler The newly launched platform features: Seven fully custom landing pages designed for SEO and user engagement A refined and responsive UI/UX that prioritizes intuitive navigation A scalable, easy-to-manage CMS tailored to the client's in-house team A reimagined booking journey to improve conversion rates Branding elements and logo design to unify the company's identity According to Statista, the U.S. vacation rental market is projected to reach $19.39 billion in 2025, with a growing shift toward digital-first bookings1. The timing of this transformation aligns with broader industry trends prioritizing experience, speed, and mobile access. Focused on Experience and Conversion Digital Silk's approach combined strategic UX planning with brand-aligned aesthetics to ensure every aspect of the site encourages user engagement and simplifies property exploration. "We wanted the site to reflect the charm of the brand while solving real user experience challenges," said Emily Harris, Project Lead at Digital Silk. "From the start, our focus was on designing a streamlined booking experience and giving the client full backend flexibility. The result is a modern, responsive platform built for both users and the internal team." About Digital Silk Digital Silk is an award-winning Miami Web Design Agency focused on growing brands online. With a team of seasoned experts, Digital Silk delivers industry-leading digital experiences through strategic branding and cutting-edge web design to drive more conversions and digital marketing services to boost awareness and engagement. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248252 SOURCE: Digital Silk Marti Law Group has filed an amicus curiae brief in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division, on behalf of NP2Go, a national telehealth provider focused on obesity care. The brief supports the Plaintiffs in Outsourcing Facilities Association et al. v. U.S. Food and Drug Administration (Case No. 4:24-CV-0953-P) and urges the court to issue a preliminary injunction blocking the FDA's February 2025 decision to remove Semaglutide injections from the drug shortage list. NP2Go, founded and led by nurse practitioners, provides access to GLP-1 therapies such as compounded Semaglutide for patients in rural and underserved areas. According to the brief, the FDA's action not only cuts off a critical care option for patients who cannot afford or access brand-name Semaglutide, but also violates federal law by bypassing the Administrative Procedure Act's rule making requirements. "Removing compounded Semaglutide with no public input, and no consideration of what's actually happening on the ground, is indefensible," said Julia Cantu, attorney for NP2Go. "Our clients serve the patients who fall through the cracks - people for whom this medication isn't optional, it's essential." The brief argues that FDA's decision was procedurally flawed, substantively unsupported, and dangerously out of step with real-world healthcare delivery. It highlights the ongoing access barriers created by the high cost of branded medications and the limited availability of prescribers in rural America. NP2Go's testimony underscores the continued demand for compounded Semaglutide and the real risk of treatment disruptions if compounded access is eliminated. The brief also draws on previous FDA precedent - such as its non-enforcement stance on Makena in 2011 - to show that cost and access concerns have historically shaped drug policy decisions. About Marti Law Group: Marti Law Group is a national boutique law firm focused exclusively on healthcare, with deep expertise in regulatory strategy, compliance, and provider advocacy. The firm represents telehealth innovators, medical aesthetics clinics, and wellness entrepreneurs operating at the forefront of medicine, technology, and law. Marti Law Group routinely engages with agencies, boards, and courts across the country to protect access to care and support the evolving scope of modern healthcare delivery. SOURCE: Marti Law Group Avant Brands Inc. (TSX:AVNT)(OTCQX:AVTBF)(FRA:1BUP)("Avant" or the "Company"), a leading producer of innovative and award-winning cannabis products, today released its financial results for the first quarter ended February 28, 2025 ("Q1 2025"). Avant delivered improvements in several key financial metrics, reflecting continued progress in international markets and consistent execution across its operations. Highlights include: Gross and Net Revenue Increases: Gross Revenue increased 8% to $9.7 million, and Net Revenue increased 7% to $8.6 million as compared to Q1 2024. These increases reflect the strong international demand for premium cannabis, and Avant's established relationships with international customers. Export Wholesale Revenue1: Export Wholesale Revenue1 reached $4.7 million, representing a 41% increase over Q1 2024. This reflects increased global demand for Avant's premium flower, driven by market growth in Australia, Germany, and Israel. (1) Export Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Gross Profit: Gross profit increased to $1.6 million from $0.9 million in Q1 2024, driven by increased Net Revenue and a decrease in Change in fair value of biological assets realized through inventory sold. Adjusted EBITDA 2 : Achieved Adjusted EBITDA 2 of $1.7 million, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA 2 . Adjusted Net Income3: Achieved $0.5 million Adjusted Net Income3, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted Net Income3. (2) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com (3) Adjusted Net Income is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Avant Brands Founder & CEO Norton Singhavon Comments: "Avant continues to deliver revenue growth in a challenging environment, driven by robust international demand for premium cannabis and consistent execution across our operations. With increases in Gross Revenue, Export Wholesale Revenue1, and Gross Profit as compared to Q1 2024, Avant continues to demonstrate its ability to perform in any environment. We remain focused on scaling our global footprint while delivering sustainable, long-term value." (1) Export Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Fiscal Q1 2025 Financial Highlights (vs. Fiscal Q1 2024): Revenue: Gross Revenue: $9.7 million (+8%) Net Revenue: $8.6 million (+7%) Export Wholesale Revenue 1 : $4.7 million (+41%) Recreational Revenue 4 : Decreased to $2.8 million (-16%) Domestic Wholesale Revenue5: Decreased to $0.9 million (-28%) Recreational revenue declined following a strategic realignment to focus on high-performing SKUs. This strategic realignment is expected to improve profitability in the long term, while continuing expansion in international markets. (1) Export Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com (4) Recreational Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com (5) Domestic Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Gross Margin adjusted for fair value adjustments6: Gross Margin adjusted for fair value adjustments 6 : Decreased to $2.9 million (-38%) Gross Margin % adjusted for fair value adjustments7: Decreased to 34% (vs. 58%), resulting from compression of cannabis market prices, and incremental increases in the cost of cultivation inputs that resulted in increased Cost of Sales. (6) Gross Margin adjusted for fair value adjustments is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com (7) Gross Margin % adjusted for fair value adjustments is a non-GAAP performance ratio. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Cannabis Production and Sales: Cannabis Production: 3,326 KG (+3%) Cannabis Sales: 3,360 KG sold (+21%) About Avant Brands Inc. Avant Brands Inc. (TSX:AVNT)(OTCQX:AVTBF)(FRA:1BUP) is a leading innovator in premium cannabis products, driven by a commitment to exceptional quality and craftsmanship. As one of Canada's largest indoor producers, the company operates multiple production facilities across the country, cultivating unique and high-quality cannabis strains. Avant offers a diverse product portfolio catering to recreational, medical, and export markets. Its renowned consumer brands, including blk mkt, Tenzo, Cognoscente, flowr, and Treehugger, are available in key recreational markets across Canada. The company's international footprint spans Australia, Israel, and Germany, with its flagship brand blk mkt leading the way. Avant also serves qualified medical patients nationwide through its GreenTec medical cannabis brand, accessible via the GreenTec Medical portal and trusted partner network. Avant is a publicly traded company, listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and accessible to international investors through the OTCQX Best Market (OTCQX) and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FRA). Headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia, the company operates in strategic locations throughout Canada. Learn More: For more information about Avant, including investor presentations and details about its consumer brands, please visit the company website: www.avantbrands.ca Investor Relations: For inquiries, please contact Avant Brands Investor Relations at 1-800-351-6358 or ir@avantbrands.ca. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This news release includes certain "forward-looking information" as defined under applicable Canadian securities legislation, encompassing statements regarding Avant Brands Inc.'s ("Avant" or the "Company") plans, intentions, beliefs, and current expectations concerning future business activities and operating performance. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "expects," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "plans," "may," "could," "should," "will," or variations of such words and phrases. In particular, this news release includes forward-looking information related to, but not limited to, the Company's expectations for future revenue and sales growth, the continued performance of its international operations, the demand for its premium cannabis products-including the blk mkt brand-in key global markets, and the Company's strategic initiatives to prioritize high-performing SKUs, streamline its domestic offerings, and expand its presence in Australia, Germany, Israel, and other international jurisdictions. Forward-looking information also includes statements concerning the Company's ongoing focus on operational efficiencies, profitability, and the anticipated availability of financial statements and management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") on the Company's SEDAR+ profile and website, providing investors with comprehensive financial information. Investors should be aware that forward-looking information involves inherent risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such information. Management's current expectations may not accurately predict future events or outcomes. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical fact but instead reflects management's expectations, estimates, or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions, and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance, or achievements of the Company. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information are the following: regulatory and licensing risks; changes in consumer demand and preferences; changes in general economic, business, and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; the global regulatory landscape and enforcement related to cannabis, including political risks and risks relating to regulatory change; compliance with extensive government regulation; public opinion and perception of the cannabis industry; and the risk factors set out in the Company's annual information form dated February 28, 2025 filed with Canadian securities regulators and available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties, and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date of this news release. 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, except as required by law. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FINANCIAL INFORMATION This document should be read in conjunction with the Company's unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (the "financial statements") and the Company's MD&A for the three months ended February 28, 2025, and audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended November 30, 2024. All dollar amounts are referenced in millions of Canadian dollars, except where noted otherwise. The Company's financial statements and MD&A for the three months ended February 28, 2025 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"). Additional information relating to the Company, including its Annual Information Form for the year ended November 30, 2024, is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Information on the Company's website does not form part of and is not incorporated by reference in the Company's MD&A. SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING NON-GAAP AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES This document includes references to non-GAAP measures, which include non-GAAP and other financial measures as defined in National Instrument 52-112 - Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure. These financial measures are used by the Company to evaluate its financial performance, financial position or cash flow and include non-GAAP financial measures, non-?GAAP ratios, total of segments measures, capital management measures, and supplementary financial measures. These financial measures are not defined by IFRS and therefore are referred to as non-GAAP and other financial measures. The non-GAAP and other financial measures used by the Company may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies, and should not be considered an alternative to or more meaningful than the most directly comparable financial measure presented in the Company's financial statements, as applicable, as an indication of the Company's performance. Descriptions of the Company's non-GAAP and other financial measures included in this document, and reconciliations to the most directly comparable GAAP measure, as applicable, are provided in the "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-Gaap Performance Measures" section of the Company's MD&A for the three months ended February 28, 2025, dated April 11, 2025. SOURCE: Avant Brands Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - Syntheia Corp. (CSE: SYAI) ("Syntheia" or the "Company") (syntheia.ai), a leading provider of conversational AI solutions for inbound telephone call management, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a services agreement dated March 30, 2025 (the "Agreement") with the Rob Morrison Campaign (the "Campaign") in British Columbia to provide telemarketer services to the Campaign. Recognizing political campaigns' increased reliance on data-driven strategies, Syntheia's AI platform enables campaigns to efficiently manage large-scale outreach while personalizing interactions with voters. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Syntheia's AssistantNLP is autonomously managing outbound calls for the Campaign. With approximately 20,000 numbers to dial, AssistantNLP is gathering information about voting intentions, providing information about the Campaign, and answering inquiries. The Campaign will pay Syntheia $9,500 for up to 120,000 minutes. "Syntheia's AssistantNLP brings efficiency and scalability to political campaigns allowing candidates and organizations to reach voters in a personalized way while optimizing outreach and reducing operational costs," said Tony Di Benedetto, Chief Executive Officer. "As a company, we remain politically neutral and are committed to providing exceptional service to all our customers." With compliance and data security as our top priorities, Syntheia strives to adhere to all relevant regulations while maintaining the integrity and confidentiality of voter data. About Syntheia Syntheia is an artificial intelligence technology company which is developing and commercializing proprietary algorithms to deliver human-like conversations. Our SaaS platform offers conversational AI solutions for both enterprise and small-medium business customers globally. Cautionary Statement Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is 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 statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to the number of minutes that the Campaign will use and revenues derived from the relationship between the Company and the Campaign. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects the Company's management's expectations, estimates or projections concerning the business of the Company's future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such information, as unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on future results, performance or achievements. Please refer to the Company's listing statement available on SEDAR+ for a list of risks and key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The securities of the Company have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirement. This press 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. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248249 SOURCE: Syntheia Corp. Gold Terra Resource Corp. (TSXV:YGT)(Frankfurt:TX0)(OTCQB:YGTFF) ("Gold Terra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has closed the first tranche of a non-brokered financing as previously announced on March 31, 2025, for total gross proceeds of C$1,843,000 ("First Tranche"). Under the First Tranche, the Company issued 15,860,000 common shares of the Company (the "Shares") at an issue price of $0.05 per Share for gross proceeds of C$793,000 and 15,000,000 charitable flow-through common shares of the Company (the "CFT Shares") at an issue price of $0.07 per CFT Share for gross proceeds of C$1,050,000 charitable flow-through (together the "Financing"). The CFT Shares will qualify as "flow-through" shares (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada)). Gross proceeds from this Financing will be used by the Company primarily to continue the drilling program on the Con Mine Option property and for general working capital purposes. In addition to the closing of the Financing at C$2,000,000 or more, Osisko Gold Royalties Ltd has elected to early exercise the first tranche of its royalty option for a 2% NSR royalty on Gold Terra's Yellowknife Property in exchange for a cash payment of C$2,000,000. A finder's fee of 6% cash totaling C$26,700 was paid to certain finders. The Financing is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals including the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange. Insiders of Gold Terra participated in the Financing by purchasing an aggregate of 2,160,000 Shares. Such participation in the Financing constitutes a "related party transaction" as defined in Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("61-101"). The Financing is exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of 61-101 as neither the fair market value of the securities issued to related parties nor the consideration for such securities exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Company did not file a material change report 21 days prior to closing of the Financing as the participation of insiders of the Company in the Financing were not confirmed at that time. All securities are subject to a four-month hold period from the date of closing expiring on August 12, 2025. The Company will use an amount equal to the gross proceeds from the sale of CFT Shares, pursuant to the provisions in the Income Tax Act (Canada), to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as both terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Company's projects in the Northwest Territories, on or before December 31, 2026, and to renounce all the Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the subscribers of the CFT Shares effective December 31, 2025. Gerald Panneton, Chairman & CEO commented, "We thank our existing shareholders such as Eric Sprott, and Ingalls Snyder and many others for their continued support. We are very pleased that concurrent with this financing at C$2,000,000 or more, Osisko Gold Royalties has elected to early exercise its first 2% NSR, which is a major affirmation of our strategy of advancing our high-grade gold assets in the Northwest Territories towards potential production. The proceeds raised will allow us to continue our drilling program on the Con Mine Option property. The former Con Mine produced 5.1 Moz of gold at an average grade of 16 g/t and was historically one of the richest high-grade gold mines in Canada." The current drill program at the Con Mine is aimed at increasing our current Indicated and Inferred resource (MRE October 2022) near surface and south of the Con Mine, targeting the prolific Campbell Shear structure which produced 14 Moz of gold at an average grade of 16-22 g/t Au. The current drilling is targeting below the existing underground workings, where the potential exists to add significant free milling high grade ore. The Con Mine property has excellent infrastructure including the Robertson shaft, water treatment plan (2015), warehouse and offices, etc. The Con Mine closed in 2003, with approximately 650,000 ounces at 11-12 g/t Au in historic reserves and combined resources. Please refer to the October 21, 2022 technical report, titled "Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the CMO Property, Yellowknife City Gold Project, Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada" with an effective date of September 2, 2022, by Qualified Person, Allan Armitage, Ph. D., P. Geo., SGS Geological Services, which can be found on the Company's website at https://www.goldterracorp.com and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. * Note: The Historic Reserves and Resources quoted above are historical in nature and are not NI 43-101 compliant. They were compiled and reported by MNML during its operation and closure of the Con Mine (2003). The historical estimates are historical in nature and should not be relied upon, however, they do give indications of mineralization on the property. The Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify them as current Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves and Gold Terra is not treating the historical estimates as current Mineral Resources or Mineral Reserves. The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Joseph Campbell, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and Senior Technical Advisor for the Company. About Gold Terra The Yellowknife Project (YP) encompasses 918 sq. km of contiguous land immediately north, south and east of the City of Yellowknife in the Northwest Territories. Through a series of acquisitions, Gold Terra controls one of the six major high-grade gold camps in Canada. Being within 10 kilometres of the City of Yellowknife, the YP is close to vital infrastructure, including all-season roads, air transportation, service providers, hydro-electric power, and skilled tradespeople. Gold Terra is currently focusing its drilling on the prolific Campbell Shear, where approximately 14 Moz of gold has been produced, (refer to Gold Terra Oct 21, 2022, Technical Report ) and most recently on the Con Mine Option (CMO) property claims immediately south of the past producing Con Mine which produced 6.1 Moz between the Con, Rycon, and Campbell shear structures (1938-2003). The YP and CMO properties lie on the prolific Yellowknife greenstone belt, covering nearly 70 kilometres of strike length along the main mineralized shear system that hosts the former-producing high-grade Con and Giant gold mines. The Company's exploration programs have successfully identified significant zones of gold mineralization and multiple targets that remain to be tested which reinforces the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. Visit our website at www.goldterracorp.com. For more information, please contact: Gerald Panneton, Chairman & CEO gpanneton@goldterracorp.com Mara Strazdins, Investor Relations Phone: 1-778-897-1590 | 604-689-1749 ext 102 strazdins@goldterracorp.com 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. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements made and information contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Generally, this forward-looking information can, but not always, be identified by 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 statements that certain actions, events, conditions or results "will", "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotations thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is necessarily based on estimates and assumptions that are inherently 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 information. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information regarding the expected closing date of the Offering and use of proceeds from the Offering, including allowing the Company to continue its drilling program on the Con Mine Option property, the endorsement of the Company's assets by Osisko Gold Royalties and the Company's objective of re-establishing Yellowknife as one of the premier gold mining districts in Canada. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as the Company's actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of the factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section in the Company's most recent MD&A and annual information form available under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that would cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on information available to the Company as of the date of this news release. 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. All of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty thereof. Except as required under applicable securities legislation and regulations applicable to the Company, the Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information. Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Therefore, investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource could ever be mined economically. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of "Measured Mineral Resources," "Indicated Mineral Resources," or "Inferred Mineral Resources" will ever be upgraded to a higher category. The Mineral Resource estimates contained herein may be subject to legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of such mineral resources. Refer to the Technical Report, once filed, for more information with respect to the key assumptions, parameters, methods and risks of determination associated with the foregoing. SOURCE: Gold Terra Resource Corp A proposed bill was advanced by the Florida House of Representatives that could allow parents to file wrongful-death lawsuits on behalf of fetuses. Rep. Sam Greco was responsible for introducing the bill, known as HB 1517, which has been criticized as being an attempt to skirt an abortion ban. On the other hand, Republican lawmakers have continued to crack down on reproductive rights. Wrongful-Death Lawsuits for Unborn Fetuses This started around the time that the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, which essentially ended protection for abortions nationwide. Proponents of the bill argued that it does not intend to crack down on reproductive rights but only support grieving parents. The bill, which passed the Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday, would authorize the parents of an unborn child to "recover certain damages" by filing wrongful-death lawsuits. Greco said that the proposal would let these parents recover amid the tragic circumstance of losing their unborn child, according to Newsweek. Under the proposed bill, wrongful death lawsuits that involve fetuses will be treated similarly to those that involve regular children. However, the bill prohibits the parents from receiving some damages when the deceased is an unborn child. An analysis of the bill revealed that it would extend the Wrongful Death Act to include fetuses "in the same way that other survivors may generally recover under the Act." What this means is that parents could sue for "mental pain" and "suffering" from the date of injury. Abortion rights advocates, medical doctors, and advocates for domestic violence victims have expressed their opposition to the bill. Despite this, the proposal was approved by the Criminal and Civil Justice Committee on a party-line vote of five Republicans for and three Democrats against, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. Helping Grieving Parents Those who oppose the proposal argue that giving rights to an embryo sacrifices a woman's bodily autonomy and self-determination. Pro-life groups also joined the discussion and argued that an amendment to the bill created a loophole for abortions and needs to be closed. Republican lawmakers believe that the bill would address a massive problem in the law regarding circumstances where parents are in an accident and are not able to collect damages for losing their unborn child. Greco said that the bill is more about a loss that is too hard to understand for parents who lose their unborn children. On the other hand, ACLU legislative director Kara Gross argued that it is only part of a broader, deceptive strategy to intimidate abortion providers and patients, as per Florida Politics. KPMG will use Google Cloud's AI to scale multi-agent platforms that transform business processes Google AI will play a key role in KPMG Law's technology ecosystem KPMG is integrating Google Agentspace to enhance employee experience internally Las Vegas, Nevada and New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2025) - KPMG LLP announces an expansion of its strategic AI collaboration with Google Cloud, with modular, scalable AI solutions that will transform business operations for its clients in legal services, banking and other industries. As a key deployment partner for Google Agentspace, KPMG will help clients build integrated and scalable AI platforms to enhance decision-making and effectively manage AI agents that unlock value with trusted, secure AI technology. These solutions will leverage Agentspace, Vertex AI Agent Builder, and Agent Development Kit. KPMG will also work with Google Cloud to develop new AI capabilities and systems for joint clients through Google Cloud's new Agent2Agent (A2A) interoperability protocol, which standardizes how agents communicate across different platforms, regardless of the underlying framework or vendor. KPMG Law: Redefining Legal Services with AI KPMG Law US, a wholly owned subsidiary of KPMG LLP and newly approved law firm serving the US market, is helping legal teams concentrate on their core competencies by offering specialized legal services enhanced by AI and KPMG Digital Gateway. These services are at the nexus of legal counsel, technology and global scale, such as managing all stages of the contract lifecycle. Google Cloud AI will play a key role in the new law firm's technology ecosystem as it invests in and enhances its AI capabilities and agents to offer legal managed services, consulting, and advanced legal technology innovation. Through this platform, KPMG and Google Cloud are developing solutions for AI-assisted contract review, research and legal automation to simplify document analysis, compliance checks and contract lifecycle management. Banking Reimagined: Unlocking AI's Potential for Smarter Services While these capabilities are available across industries, early efforts to enhance work for KPMG's banking clients have demonstrated significant opportunities. KPMG will increase collaboration with Google Cloud to drive AI transformation within the banking industry, collaborating on AI agents and integration frameworks that enhance business functions and processes. For example, a recently-launched KPMG commercial lending assistant deploys AI agents, informed with KPMG's intellectual property and industry knowledge, to navigate the complex delivery of large-scale commercial lending transformation and payment projects. Financial services clients will have access to the KPMG suite of services and agents built on Google Cloud, providing a single destination to manage their organization's AI tools and agents. The platform will enable secure and fast data interaction by leveraging a combination of KPMG's leading Modern Data Platform and pre-built connectors to other enterprise systems in their technology ecosystem. AI-Powered Experiences: Improving KPMG Employee Experiences with Agentspace KPMG will increase its internal use of Google Cloud's AI capabilities, including a major deployment of Agentspace as part of its firm-wide effort to enhance the employee experience and business operations with AI. Adopting Agentspace will help KPMG employees more effectively complete administrative tasks and navigate internal systems and processes, freeing up time to spend with clients. As part of its internal Agentspace deployment, KPMG will also utilize NotebookLM Enterprise to reimagine employee learning-enhancing experiences across onboarding, learning, and upskilling by combining fragmented enterprise knowledge systems into a unified, AI-powered resource. KPMG's workforce will use NotebookLM to quickly access firm insights and educational materials, boosting productivity and accelerating skills development. Demonstrated Success: Building on KPMG and Google Cloud's Transformative Impact with Clients The expanded partnership builds on the impact KPMG and Google Cloud have already delivered supporting clients across industries on their AI journeys. For example, finance and procurement departments at multi-national companies are using agents KPMG built with Google Cloud's Vertex AI to improve procurement decisions, provide more sophisticated intelligent forecasting that allows for better financial management and risk mitigation, and to work more efficiently by automating operations. KPMG and Google Cloud are helping clients' internal risk functions to conduct AI-powered internal audits that accelerate risk identification and anomaly detection. Clients are also successfully deploying AI in their regulatory and compliance efforts to better analyze regulations and requirements, and to assess adherence. The new opportunities with Agentspace build on the thousands of intelligent agents KPMG professionals have already created, further advancing KPMG's GenAI capabilities to deliver even greater value to clients through enhanced productivity, accuracy, and strategic insights. Executive Quotes "I am excited about how KPMG and Google Cloud are helping clients transform their organizations by harnessing the best of KPMG's functional and industry expertise and Agentspace's cutting-edge technology. We're enabling clients to put the right AI and agent capabilities in place today to create lasting value," said Steve Chase, Vice Chair of AI and Digital Innovation, KPMG LLP. "I am equally proud of how KPMG is leveraging Agentspace to enhance our own AI platforms, including our unique AI-enabled KPMG Law offerings." "KPMG's rollout of Google Agentspace will help transform business processes, driving efficiency and innovation both internally for KPMG and for our mutual clients," said Kevin Ichhpurani, President, Global Partner Ecosystem, Google Cloud. "We're also thrilled with KPMG's partnership on the A2A protocol, which will help connect AI agents across workflows, companies, and entire industries to solve difficult challenges, increase efficiency and boost decision-making." "Our collaboration with Google Cloud represents a significant milestone for KPMG and KPMG Law US," said Rema Serafi, Vice Chair - Tax, KPMG LLP. "We're using Google Agentspace to develop a platform of specialized legal agents that empower our KPMG Law US professionals to deliver enhanced value. This alliance not only supports corporate legal departments in elevating their roles as strategic advisors but also epitomizes the innovative spirit we envisioned when founding KPMG Law US - leveraging advanced technology at scale to transform how legal services are delivered." "AI technologies are advancing rapidly, which means that banks will need to continue investing in digital platforms so that they can bring competitive online banking experiences to customers," said Rob Fisher, Consulting Sector Leader for Financial Services and Insurance, KPMG LLP. "Integration with platforms like Google Agentspace are critical to enable the seamless online banking experiences that customers have come to expect." Learn more about KPMG and Google Cloud. About KPMG KPMG LLP is the U.S. member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. The KPMG global organization operates in 142 countries and territories and has more than 275,000 people working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients. KPMG is widely recognized for being a great place to work and build a career. Our people share a sense of purpose in the work we do, and a strong commitment to increasing access to education and opportunity, advancing mental health, and supporting community vitality. Learn more at www.kpmg.com/us. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248304 SOURCE: KPMG LLP Limitless Travel, a Birmingham, UK-based travel company specialising in accessible holidays for people with disabilities, raised 6.5m in Series A funding. The round was led by Beringea, with participation from Social Impact Enterprises, Adjuvo, Active Partners, Miroma Ventures, and existing investors including Nigel Wray. The company intends to use the funds to expand product range, enhance technology, and build platform for global growth. Founded in 2015 by Angus Drummond, who was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy at the age of 22. Limitless Travel is a travel company for people with disabilities. The company offers fully supported, escorted holidays across the UK, Europe, and at sea through a growing range of accessible cruises. Each trip is designed to meet individual access needs and provide life-changing travel experiences. Holidays are led by experienced tour managers and supported by professional holiday companions, who are also qualified carers and available to provide additional care where required. Since 2022, the company has delivered thousands of holidays and cruises to disabled travellers, grown its annual revenues by more than 350% and expanded the team to over 80 members of staff. FinSMEs 11/04/2025 London, Greater London, April 11th, 2025, Chainwire As the crypto trader funding market grows rapidly, My Crypto Funding (MCF) has established itself as the leading crypto prop firm in the space. The firm was recently honored with the 2024 award for Best Crypto Trading Conditions by The Trusted Prop, a notable review platform in the prop trading evaluation space. Image of the trophy shared on My Crypto Fundings and The Trusted Props Instagram pages. A Prop Firm for Crypto Trading Unlike firms that simply offer crypto alongside traditional markets, My Crypto Funding was designed from the ground up for crypto traders. This unique approach has enabled the firm to deliver unmatched features, including true 24/7 trading, flexible evaluation criteria, and access to over 130 crypto pairsfrom major tokens to trending meme coins like $DOGE, $PEPE, and $TRUMP. Key Features Behind the Recognition Several factors contributed to MCFs recognition in the industry: Low Fees and Tight Spreads : MCF delivers some of the lowest commissions and spreads in the industry. BTC spreads have been frequently compared to VIP-tier exchange accounts. : MCF delivers some of the lowest commissions and spreads in the industry. BTC spreads have been frequently compared to VIP-tier exchange accounts. True 24/7 Market Access : Unlike firms that market round-the-clock trading but apply weekend limitations, MCF offers consistent conditions day and night. Traders report stable spreads and reliable liquidity even during off-peak hours. : Unlike firms that market round-the-clock trading but apply weekend limitations, MCF offers consistent conditions day and night. Traders report stable spreads and reliable liquidity even during off-peak hours. Fast Payouts : MCF has gained a reputation for reliable and fast withdrawals, with some traders receiving payouts within minutes. The firm processes global payments across regions including Europe, Asia, and Africa. : MCF has gained a reputation for reliable and fast withdrawals, with some traders receiving payouts within minutes. The firm processes global payments across regions including Europe, Asia, and Africa. Funding up to $200,000: Traders can start small and scale up to $200K in funded capital through a two-step evaluation process. There are no restrictions on news trading or profit consistency requirements. Powered by Community, Driven by Innovation MCF has already paid out huge amounts to traders globally. With active communities across Telegram, Discord, Instagram, and YouTube, MCF aims to provide more than just a platform for funded trading. Were not just offering funded crypto accountswere offering the whole whale-level trading experience, says Vitor, co-founder of My Crypto Funding. This is the future of crypto prop trading and were proud to lead it. About My Crypto Funding My Crypto Funding is a UK-based crypto prop firm founded in 2024 to support the next generation of crypto traders. With a focus on accessibility, fast payouts, and multi-asset funding options, MCF serves a global community and continues to innovate with upcoming projects such as My Crypto Futures, launching in 2025. Social links: Instagram Facebook Discord Telegram Contact Mr Vitor Alcalde My Crypto Funding Ltd [email protected] This is a paid press release and is distributed for general information only and is not intended to constitute investment advice. A user named DJ Hamza Harris shared the video on social media, which showed Kareena Kapoor dancing as the crowd cheered in a formal outfit. read more Kareena Kapoor fans were recently left shocked, angry and disappointed after a poorly animated AI avatar video of the actress dancing at a rave party in Pakistans Karachi went viral. A user named DJ Hamza Harris shared the video on social media, which showed Kareena dancing as the crowd cheered in a formal outfit. POV: Youre at a rave in Karachi, Pakistan, and Kareena Kapoor starts dancing in front of you," flashes on the screen before the video. Advertisement Sharing the video, Hamza wrote, Been working on this track for a minute, and I finally wrapped it up just in time for the show. I knew if I was gonna play it, it had to have a visual. The track was inspired while I was watching Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and I sampled that iconic moment when Pooh sayswell, you know the line. So I thought, why not have Kareena Kapoor dancing? Its iconic. Its chaotic. And honestly, no ones done that at a rave before. We pulled it offand it was a hit. The crowd went wild. Just hoping Karan Johar and Kareena Kapoor Khan see this someday and get how funny, unexpected, and hype it was, he continued. However, this video was not well received by Bebo fans. One user wrote, This animation is sooooo bad, and why is looking like she is going to work?" Worse dance moves. Bebo will be pissed!" shared another user. Hell nah this is NOT Kareena Kapoor, commented another user. What? How? Is this for real? No ways. Hahahaha, said another. On the professional front, Kareena was last featured in movies like Crew, The Buckhingam Murders and Singham Again. She will be next seen in Daayra, which is directed by Meghna Gulzar. Advertisement A woman in Australias Brisbane gave birth to a baby last year through in vitro fertilisation (IVF). However, she got the shock of her life after it was discovered in February that her fertility clinic accidentally transferred another womans embryos into her. Monash IVF has apologised for the mix-up, but the incident has sparked questions about the legal parentage of the baby read more An Australia woman gave birth to another couple's baby after IVF mix-up. Representational Image/Pixabay A woman in Australia was left shocked after discovering she gave birth to a strangers baby. This happened as her fertility clinic wrongly implanted another womans embryos into her. Monash IVF, which operates across Australia, has apologised for the IVF, or in vitro fertilisation, mix-up. The rare incident has sparked questions about the babys legal parentage in Australia. Lets take a closer look. The IVF bungle Monash IVF in Brisbane, Queensland, accidentally mixed up embryos, leading to a woman giving birth to another couples baby last year. The fertility company came to know about the mix-up in February after the birth parents requested to shift their remaining frozen embryos to another provider, reported ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). Advertisement Instead of finding the expected number of embryos, an additional embryo remained in storage for the birth parents, a Monash IVF spokesperson said. The fertility clinic said their investigation found that 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 company attributed the mistake to human error. A woman in Australia was implanted with a wrong embryo. Representational Image/Pixabay As per The Guardian, the birth parents were informed about the mix-up within a week of the incident coming to light. Monash IVF has not revealed the couples identity to maintain their privacy. On behalf of Monash IVF, I want to say how truly sorry I am for what has happened, said CEO Michael Knaap in the statement. We will continue to support the patients through this extremely distressing time. He also asserted he was confident this 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, Knaap added. ALSO READ: Baby in a Pod: What is EctoLife, the worlds first artificial womb facility? Probe over IVF mix-up The incident was reported to the Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee and the new Queensland assisted reproductive technology regulator Queensland Health. We will work with Monash IVF to reinforce safeguards in their Queensland clinics and ensure any risks are identified and mitigated, a Queensland Health spokeswoman said, as per ABC. This is not the first incident of wrongdoing involving this fertility company. Advertisement Last year, Monash IVF reached an A$56 million (Rs 300 crore) settlement with more than 700 former patients for destroying embryos after faulty genetic testing. A possible legal battle over child The Brisbane woman giving birth to another couples baby after embryo mix-up could have legal implications. Family creation lawyer Sarah Jefford, who specialises in surrogacy and donor conception law, told ABC that the case could trigger a legal battle over the babys custody. There are presumptions in Australia about the birth parents being the legal parents of the child, she said. But whether the genetic parents want to come forward and start a discussion about that, then well have to wait and see. A medical lab technologist operates an embryo vitrification during an intra cytoplasmic sperm injection process (ICSI) at a laboratory in Paris, France, September 13, 2019. File Photo/Reuters Speaking to CNN, Jefford said she got calls from clients worried about their own IVF treatment. We do not have legal precedence for this in Australia. Our laws presume that the birth parents are the legal parents of a child, however this is open to challenge when the genetic parents did not consent to their embryo being used, she said. She said any decision will be taken considering the childs best interests, but the consequences will be lifelong for everyone involved. Advertisement Fertility educator Lucy Lines told ABC the devastating mistake would send ripples through the whole IVF community. I actually had a cold sweat. As an ex-embryologist its your absolute worst nightmare, she said. It is so, so, so rare, and there are so many checks and balances in place that make it almost unbelievable that it couldve happened. Alex Polyakov, a clinical associate professor at the University of Melbourne, said this is the first case of IVF mix-up in Australia. Australias regulatory framework for assisted reproductive technology is internationally recognised for its stringency and thoroughness, he told CNN. The probability of such an event occurring is so low that it defies statistical quantification. According to ABC, Jefford said that though the case was unique to Australia, it has been reported in other parts of the world. A similar case was reported in the United States recently when a White woman found she was implanted with the wrong embryo after giving birth to a Black baby. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Amid growing security threats and the increasing tilt of Bangladesh towards China, India has been fortifying its strategically important Siliguri Corridor, also known as Chickens Neck, in West Bengal. This narrow stretch of land connects Indias Northeast with the rest of the country. Heres why it is vulnerable read more Bangladesh interim governments chief advisor Muhammad Yunus recent remarks in China on Indias Northeast have sparked tensions. His comments describing the Northeast as landlocked and Dhaka as the only guardian of the ocean for all this region stirred a massive row. Since Yunus formed the interim government in Bangladesh after the fall of Sheikh Hasinas regime last August, Dhaka has been tilting towards China and Pakistan both Indias rivals. Amid changing ties and growing threats, New Delhi has been intensifying security in the Siliguri Corridor in West Bengal which connects the Northeast with the rest of India. Advertisement But why is this corridor so important for India? We will explain. What did Yunus say? During his four-day visit to China in March, Bangladeshs interim leader, Muhammad Yunus, said Indias Northeast is landlocked while inviting China to boost business ties with Dhaka. Seven states of India, eastern part of India, called seven sisters they are landlocked country, landlocked region of India. They have no way to reach out to the ocean, he said. We are the only guardian of the ocean for all this region. So this opens up a huge possibility. So this could be an extension of the Chinese economy. Build things, produce things, market things, bring things to China, bring it out to the whole rest of the world, the Bangladesh leader added. His comments triggered a controversy in India, with leaders from the northeast rebuking Yunus. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called his remarks offensive, saying they underscore the persistent vulnerability narrative associated with Indias strategic Chickens Neck corridor. The Siliguri Corridor in North Bengal is also known as Chickens Neck. Sarma also suggested scaling up infrastructure in the region, by developing robust railway and road networks both underneath and around the Chickens Neck corridor. Why is Chickens Neck crucial? The Siliguri Corridor is a 22 km stretch of land connecting the Northeastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram, Tripura and Sikkim to the rest of India. The narrow strip has Nepal and Bhutan to its north and Bangladesh to its south. The Chickens Neck also links India with its neighbours Tibet, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. All land trade between Northeast India and the rest of the country travels through the Siliguri corridor. There is just a single railway line to carry freight across the Siliguri Corridor. Advertisement Any blockage on this strip will cut off the Northeast from the rest of India. Map showing the Chickens Neck or the Siliguri Corridor. News18 The narrow strip of land also becomes vulnerable given the topography of the region which makes railways and roads vulnerable to landslides and natural disasters. India has been trying to reduce reliance on the Siliguri Corridor by exploring alternative routes connecting the Northeastern states via Nepal and Bangladesh. How India is boosting security at Chickens Neck The vulnerability of the Chickens Neck was highlighted during the 2017 standoff between Indian and Chinese troops over the Doklam plateau. If Beijing had built a road in Doklam, which India considers an undisputed territory of Bhutan, it would have compromised the Siliguri Corridor. However, India successfully resisted Chinas attempt. Since then, New Delhi has been ramping up defence infrastructure and preparedness in the region. After the 1962 war with China, defence experts warned that Beijing could choke the Siliguri Corridor and isolate Northeast from mainland India. Realising this, India has enhanced security by deploying more forces, including the Border Security Force, Sashastra Seema Bal, and Indo-Tibetan Border Police, in the region. Bangladeshs leader Yunus remarks on the Northeast once again put the spotlight on the strategic importance of the Chickens Neck for India. While India and Bangladeshs diplomatic relationship has been frayed since Hasinas ouster, China has been making overtures to Dhaka. Advertisement Yunus is showing Dhakas shift towards Beijing through his statements and actions. Chinas expanding presence in Bangladesh through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is also a concern for India. Chinas reported plan to build an airfield in Bangladeshs Lalmonirhat district will be a security threat for India along the eastern border, including the Chickens Neck. That the Northeast is landlocked is not in doubt. But Yunus vision of making the region an extension of the Chinese economy is dangerous. China is certainly not friendly towards India and its plan to build dams across the border could be a recipe for disaster for the Northeast. So, a greater role and presence of China in Bangladesh will not be favourable to India, Rajeev Bhattacharyya, a writer and journalist based in Guwahati, told Deccan Herald. Amid rising security challenges and increased China-Bangladesh bonhomie, India is fortifying the Siliguri Corridor. New Delhi has deployed the Russia-made advanced S-400 Triumf air defence system in the narrow strip to protect it from potential aerial attacks. Advertisement India has also stationed a squadron of advanced Rafale fighter jets at the Hashimara Airbase, which is close to the Siliguri region. BrahMos missiles, MRSAM and Akash air defence systems are also securing the region. The Indian Armys Trishakti Corps, headquartered at Sukna near the corridor, conducts regular military drills in the region. With Bangladesh moving closer to China, India has to remain vigilant and strengthen the security of its vulnerable Chickens Neck. With inputs from agencies Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that 155 Chinese nationals, identified by name and passport data, are fighting for Russia in Ukraine. Two were captured in Donetsk, and documents show their involvement in Russian military units. Intelligence reports indicate recruits were trained in Russia after travelling from China, with recruitment videos circulating on Chinese social media platforms read more A view shows the site of Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipro, Ukraine, April 9, 2025. File Image/Reuters Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made a series of explosive claims in recent days, alleging that more than 150 Chinese nationals are currently fighting in Ukraine alongside Russian troops. Speaking to reporters in Kyiv, Zelenskyy stated, 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 statement followed the capture of two Chinese nationals in eastern Ukraines Donetsk region. Zelenskyy said the two individuals were detained separately while fighting with different Russian brigades. Advertisement The men have been identified as Wang Guangjun, born in 1991, and Zhang Renbo, born in 1998. One of the captured individuals reportedly confessed to paying 300,000 rubles (approximately $3,000) to a middleman in China to join the Russian military, lured by the promise of Russian citizenship. Ukraines Security Service (SBU) is holding the captured fighters in Kyiv, and Kyiv has contacted Beijing to demand an explanation. The Ukrainian government summoned Chinas charge daffaires to express condemnation and requested an official response. How Chinese soldiers came to fight in Ukraine Ukrainian intelligence documents reviewed by media outlets such as the Kyiv Independent show that at least 163 Chinese nationals are serving in Russias armed forces as of early April 2025. One set of documents includes passport details and photographs of 13 Chinese recruits actively being processed for military service as of April 2. According to Zelenskyy, Chinese nationals have been assigned to several Russian military units, including the 70th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade, the 71st Motorized Rifle Regiment, and the 255th Rifle Division. Ukrainian intelligence has provided documents detailing each recruits personal information, arrival times at Russian military training centres, medical examinations, and subsequent deployment timelines to the frontlines in Ukraine. Zelenskyy also claimed that some Chinese nationals had travelled to Moscow for initial assessments before undergoing military training lasting one to two months. The scheme by which these individuals are recruited appears to be largely online. Advertisement The scheme of how they recruit them is clear. One of the schemes is through social networks, in particular TikTok and other Chinese social networks, where Russians distribute advertising videos, he said. Zelenskyy asserted that officially Beijing knows about this, while also acknowledging that parts of the recruitment may not be overt. Additionally, social media accounts and open-source intelligence have previously indicated the presence of Chinese mercenaries in Ukraine. A report by the French newspaper Le Monde, published on April 6, identified about 40 Chinese individuals who claimed to have joined Russian forces. In one case, a 37-year-old Chinese man was interviewed after returning home from Ukraine, having reportedly served as a foreign mercenary since July 2023. Why the Chinese are fighting in Ukraine, some for Ukraine The motivations behind Chinese citizens joining the conflict are varied and often personal rather than political, reported The Economist. Many are drawn by the lure of high pay, especially when contrasted with modest incomes back home. One 23-year-old from Gansu, previously a firefighter earning 3,000 yuan per month, reportedly travelled to Moscow in 2023 after seeing online promises of much higher wages as a mercenary. Others have been swayed by patriotic sentiment or even cinematic portrayals of war. A man using the alias Red Macaron on Douyin said he was inspired by Chinese war films and found it easier to obtain a visa to Russia. Advertisement Some, like Zhao Rui from Chongqing, were motivated by anti-Japanese animus and a desire to fight perceived enemies of China. However, many of these fighters have expressed regret. Zhao posted warnings on social media before being killed by a Ukrainian drone, urging others not to follow his path. Others described inhumane treatment by Russian commanders, including being used as expendable resources and imprisoned after raising complaints. While the majority of these Chinese fighters have joined the Russian side, a smaller number have volunteered for Ukraine. One such case is Peng Chenliang from Yunnan, who had earlier been detained in China for pro-Ukraine views and later died serving in Ukraines foreign legion. His final message was a symbolic video featuring Taiwans flag, aligning himself with past East Asian volunteers who died fighting for Kyiv. What China has said on the matter Beijing has firmly denied allegations that it is supporting or facilitating the deployment of Chinese nationals to fight in Ukraine. Speaking at a press briefing in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said, The Chinese government has always asked its citizens 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. Advertisement Lin added, We call on the relevant party to be correct and sober about Chinas role and refrain from making irresponsible remarks. China reiterated its longstanding stance of promoting a peaceful resolution to the war and insisted that it was verifying the Ukrainian claims. Despite Chinas denials, the government has been widely recognised as one of Russias key economic allies during the conflict. While Beijing has not sent weapons or troops to support Russia, it has become a critical lifeline to Moscow by purchasing large quantities of Russian oil, gas, and minerals. Additionally, China has supplied significant volumes of dual-use goods such as engines and electronics that can serve both civilian and military purposes. China and Russia declared a friendship without limits just days before Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Although Beijing has stopped using that terminology since the war escalated, the bilateral partnership remains strong in geopolitical and economic terms. How others have reacted to the news The capture of Chinese nationals has raised global concern about the increasing internationalisation of the war. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Zelenskyy warned that the presence of foreign fighters from countries like China signals Russian President Vladimir Putins continued intent to prolong the war. Russias involvement of China, along with other countries, whether directly or indirectly, in this war in Europe is a clear signal that Putin intends to do anything but end the war, he wrote. Advertisement 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 pic.twitter.com/beLlin1Qut Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) April 10, 2025 Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha also reacted strongly, stating, Chinese citizens fighting as part of Russias invasion army in Ukraine puts into question Chinas declared stance for peace and undermines Beijings credibility as a responsible permanent member of the UN Security Council. We strongly condemn Russias involvement of Chinese citizens in its war of aggression against Ukraine, as well as their participation in combat against Ukrainian forces. We have summoned China's charge d'affaires in Ukraine to the Foreign Ministry to condemn this fact and demand https://t.co/LoXHDoIQsu Andrii Sybiha (@andrii_sybiha) April 8, 2025 Advertisement Meanwhile, the US State Department described the reports as disturbing, with spokesperson Tammy Bruce noting that Washington is closely monitoring the situation. Were aware of those reports, Bruce said on April 8. Partner, friend, and comrade. China has always taken a very balanced position, so Zelensky is wrong, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Thursday. North Korea has previously sent troops to Russia to support the Kremlins efforts. In 2024, approximately 12,000 North Korean troops were deployed to Russias Kursk Oblast, and Ukrainian forces reportedly captured two North Korean soldiers in January 2025. However, the Chinese nationals now captured were found on Ukrainian soil, suggesting a potentially new phase of foreign involvement in the war. Zelenskyy, while cautious about assigning blame directly to the Chinese state, maintained that Kyiv would continue to investigate and hold talks with Beijing. We record that these are Chinese citizens, they are fighting against us, using weapons against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine, he said. The Ukrainian president also suggested he would be open to negotiating a prisoner exchange involving the captured Chinese nationals. With inputs from agencies Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited to India from the United States. Now, all eyes are on the men who will prosecute the National Investigation Agency case against Rana Dayan Krishnan and Narender Mann. But who are they? What do we know about them? read more Dayan Krishnan, who will lead the National Investigation Agency's case against Tahawwur Rana, is one of Indias most experienced lawyers. PTI Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, was extradited to India from the United States. Rana, the 64-year-old Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin who worked closely with David Coleman Headley, landed in Delhi in a special plane on Thursday evening. Now, all eyes are on the men who will prosecute the National Investigation Agency case against Rana Dayan Krishnan and Narender Mann. But who are these men? What do we know about them? Advertisement Lets take a closer look: Dayan Krishnan As per India Today, Krishnan is one of Indias most experienced lawyers. He has years of experience appearing before the Supreme Court. Krishnan in 1993 graduated from the National Law School of India University. As per Times Now, Krishnan kicked off his legal career under senior advocate and former Supreme Court justice Santosh Hegde. He began practicing on his own in 1999. That same year, he contributed to the Justice JS Verma Commission. He has since appeared in a slew of high-profile cases including the Parliament attack trial the Cauvery water dispute and the 2012 Delhi gang rape and murder case. Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann, who are representing the NIA, with others arrive at the Patiala House Court, in New Delhi, Thursday. PTI Krishnan was designated a senior advocate by the Delhi High Court in 2014. As per Indian Express, Krishnan is an expert in extradition law. Which is why perhaps he has taken the lead in a number of such cases including against Rana in the US, as special public prosecutor for the extradition of Headley and special counsel for the CBI in the extradition of ex-Navy officer Ravi Shankaran. Krishnan was part of the team which questioned Headley in the US. He has represented several government agencies including the Delhi Police and the Wrestling Federation of India. Sources told PTI Krishnan was instrumental in securing Ranas extradition. The proceedings, the source said, saw a spirited legal fight between Krishnan and another extradition veteran Paul Garlick QC, who was representing Rana. Advertisement Garlick, the source said, argued that it was a case of double jeopardy. Krishnan, on the contrary, argued that an accuseds conduct didnt 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 court ultimately sided with Krishnan. Narender Mann As per Indian Express, Narender Mann, 58, is an ex-CBI counsel. Mann represented the CBI as a special public prosecutor in the Delhi High Court from January 2011 to April 2019. With regard to the Rana case, he has been designated a special public prosecutor for three years. Mann graduated from Delhi Universitys Campus Law Centre in 1990. Narender Mann represented the CBI as a special public prosecutor in the Delhi High Court from January 2011 to April 2019. PTI He has appeared in several high-profile cases including the Bofors case, the 2018 SSC paper leak, the Jain Diary Hawala scandal, the Commonwealth Games cases and the AICTE scam. He also appeared in the case of an attempted assassination of Chief Justice of India AN Ray in 1975. That conviction was upheld by the Delhi High Court in 2014. Advertisement The prosecution team will also comprise advocates Sanjeevi Sheshadri and Sridhar Kale aside from the NIA counsel. With inputs from agencies The trial of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu will begin today on charges of corruption and supporting a terrorist organisation. In India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit his parliamentary seat, Varanasi, to launch several development projects worth Rs 3,884.18 crore. Italys Deputy Prime Minister will be on a two-day visit to India from today read more It is set to be a busy Friday with several events lined up for the day. Firstly, the trial of Istanbuls mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is set to begin today. He was arrested on charges of corruption and supporting a terrorist organisation. Meanwhile, PM Modi is set to visit Varanasi to launch various development projects. Italys Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani will visit India from today. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping will host Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. President Donald Trump is set to undergo an annual physical examination. Advertisement Here is all that is set to take place today. Trial of Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu begin Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu is scheduled to stand trial today facing charges related to alleged threats of corruption and supporting a terrorist organisation. The indictment, accepted by an Istanbul court on February 12 seeks a prison sentence of up to seven years and four months for Imamoglu. He was arrested and jailed on March 23. This arrest led to significant protests across Turkey, with many viewing the move as politically motivated. The opposition Republican Peoples Party (CHP) and various international observers have expressed concerns about the impartiality of the legal proceedings. PM Modi in Varanasi Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Uttar Pradeshs Varanasi where he will be launching several projects. According to Kashi region Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Dilip Patel, this will mark his 50th visit to his constituency. He will launch 44 development projects worth Rs 3,884.18 crore. PM Modi plans to address a public meeting at Mehdiganj, inaugurate 19 projects valued at Rs 1,629.13 crore, and lay the foundation stone for 25 projects estimated at Rs 2,255.05 crore, Patel added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting Varanasi today. File image/PTI With over 1,000 hoardings put up across the district, Patel said preparations are underway to welcome the PM grandly. Roads, intersections, and the public meeting venue are being decorated with BJP flags and lighting, he added. Italian Deputy PM Antonio Tajani to visit India Italian Deputy PM Antonio Tajani will be on a two-day visit to India from today. He is set to meet External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar. He will also meet Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, according to a media advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). On April 12, he will call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan. To foster enhanced collaboration in key sectors like agriculture, defence, space, infrastructure, and transport, India and Italy held discussions in New Delhi earlier in February. The meeting involved Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and his Italian counterparts, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Maria Tripodi, along with the Italian Ambassador to India, Antonio Bartoli, focusing on boosting bilateral trade and strengthening cooperation. Jinping to host Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to host Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez today in Beijing. Sanchez is on a diplomatic trip to Asia. This will be his third visit to the country in the last two years. Sanchez is set to meet several other Chinese investors amid US tariffs on European and Chinese goods. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (left) and Chinese President XI Jinping (right) in Spain. File image/AP Earlier, he was in Vietnam where he met the countrys top leader, To Lam. Sanchez also went to Ho Chi Minh City, where he met with business leaders to strengthen commercial ties and discuss potential investment opportunities between Spain and Vietnam. President Donald Trump to undergo annual physical examination US President Donald Trump is set to undergo his annual physical examination today at the Walter Reed Medical Center. I am pleased to report that my long-scheduled Annual Physical Examination will be done at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on Friday of this week, Trump posted on Truth Social. I have never felt better, but nevertheless, these things must be done! Advertisement Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Maryland serves as the customary location for the Presidents annual physical examination, the outcome of which is subsequently made public by the White House physician. With inputs from agencies On April 11, 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte, Frances famed military commander and emperor, formally gave up his throne. Under the Treaty of Fontainebleau, he was exiled to Elba, a small island in the Mediterranean. Today also marks the day when WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange was removed from Ecuadors London embassy after seven years of asylum in 2019 read more Under the Treaty of Fontainebleau, Napoleon Bonaparte, was exiled to Elba, a small island in the Mediterranean, located just off the coast of Tuscany, Italy. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons April 11 might seem like just another date on the calendar, but history tells a different story. On this day in 1814, Europe watched as Napoleon Bonaparte, once the most feared man on the continent, was forced to surrender his crown and sent into exile. Fast-forward to 2019, and Julian Assange, the face of WikiLeaks and whistleblowing controversies, was dragged out of Ecuadors London embassy after seven years of asylum. And back in 1919, the foundations of fair work were laid with the creation of the International Labour Organization, changing how the world approached workers rights forever. Advertisement Heres a closer look at the moments that made history on April 11 in Firstpost Explainers ongoing series, History Today. Napoleon abdicates his throne & is banished to Elba On April 11, 1814, Napoleon Bonaparte, Frances famed military commander and emperor, formally gave up his throne. Under the Treaty of Fontainebleau, he was exiled to Elba, a small island in the Mediterranean, located just off the coast of Tuscany, Italy. Born on August 15, 1769, in Ajaccio, Corsica, Napoleon rose swiftly through the military ranks after training at a military academy. He made his name during the French Revolution and led several successful campaigns across Europe in the late 1700s. By 1799, he had positioned himself as the head of a military dictatorship, and in 1804, he crowned himself Emperor of France. Through relentless military ambition, he expanded French control so extensively that by 1810, much of Europe was under his command. Napoleon rose swiftly through the military ranks after training at a military academy. He made his name during the French Revolution and led several successful campaigns across Europe in the late 1700s. Image courtesy: Wikimedia Commons In 1812, fearing an alliance between Russia and Britain, Napoleon launched an ill-fated invasion of Russia. The campaign ended in disaster, with French forces retreating from Moscow and his empire beginning to collapse as European powers united against him. By 1814, facing defeat, Napoleon offered to step down in favour of his son. When the Allies rejected this, he agreed to abdicate and was sent into exile on Elba, where he stayed for less than a year. He escaped Elba and returned to France in what became known as the Hundred Daysa brief, dramatic comeback that culminated in his final defeat at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. He abdicated for a second time and was exiled to the remote island of Saint Helena, in the southern Atlantic Ocean, where he lived out the rest of his days. Advertisement While often described as power-hungry and deeply insecure, Napoleon also left behind a significant legacy of political and social reform. He helped reshape judicial systems, promoted constitutions, extended voting rights to all men, and played a crucial role in ending feudal practices. He was also a strong supporter of education, science, and the arts. One of his most historic contributions was the Napoleonic Code, which preserved key freedoms from the French Revolution, such as religious tolerance, and still forms the backbone of Frances civil law today. WikiLeaks Julian Assange removed from Ecuadorian embassy April 11, 2019, saw the arrest of Julian Assange in London after Ecuador withdrew the asylum it had granted him for nearly seven years. The WikiLeaks co-founder had been living inside the Ecuadorian embassy since 2012 to avoid extradition to Sweden over sexual assault allegations and to the United States for leaking classified documents. For years, Assaneg took refuge in a small office that was converted into a bedroom in Ecuadors embassy, where he lived with his cat, James. WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange had been living inside the Ecuadorian embassy for seven years before he was removed in 2019. File image/ AP However, relations between him and Ecuadors government worsened after President Lenin Moreno took office in 2017. This became evident last year when Assange was given a set of house rules, including paying for internet use, food and laundry, taking better care of his cat and keeping the bathroom clean. That fuelled speculation that Ecuador had finally had enough. Advertisement President Moreno said Ecuadors patience had reached its limit with Assanges discourteous and aggressive behaviour. Accusing him of repeated violations to international conventions and daily-life protocols, he announced the abrupt end of Assanges diplomatic asylum. British authorities were invited into the embassy and forcibly removed Assange, who looked visibly aged and frail. Julian #Assange violently removed from Ecuadorian embassy today. Shame on Ecuador, shame on UK, shame on @metpoliceuk pic.twitter.com/kaN3zldZto danish-smile (@abbey_davids) April 11, 2019 Assanges stay at the embassy cost Ecuador some $6.5 million (Rs 56 crore) from 2012 to 2018, then Foreign Minister Jose Valencia told BBC. Assanges Ecuadorean citizenship was also suspended. Advertisement The International Labour Organization founded Also on this day, back in 1919, the International Labour Organization (ILO) was founded as part of the Treaty of Versailles after the end of World War I. Its creation was driven by a simple idea that eal and lasting peace can only be built on the foundation of social justice and fair labour conditions. Following the collapse of the League of Nations, the ILO became the very first specialised agency to be affiliated with the United Nations in 1946. What started with just 45 member countries has grown to a global organisation with 187 members today, including India. ILO helps governments craft legislation to improve working conditions, wages and the overall quality of life for workers. File image The ILOs work has been internationally recognised. In 1969, it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its efforts to promote workers rights and dignity around the world. Over the years, the ILO has played a vital role in shaping labour laws and policies. It helps governments craft legislation to improve working conditions, wages and the overall quality of life for workers. Republican lawmakers in the Tennessee Senate passed a bill that would bar immigrant children without legal status from being accepted into public schools across the state. The proposal, which passed 19-13, requires immigration or citizenship documentation from the more than 900,000 students who are attending the state's public schools. Sen. Bo Watson introduced the bill, known as Senate Bill 836. Immigrant Students and Public Schools The bill also gives the Tennessee public charter and K-12 schools the option of barring student admission of students who cannot provide proof that they are legal residents. They could also decide to charge them tuition. If the proposal is enacted into law, the state would become the only one in the United States to deny students without legal status the right to get an education in public schools. There are similar school exclusion policies that lawmakers in Idaho, Indiana, Ohio, and Texas are considering. Despite this, Tennessee is the only state where a bill is actively moving through its legislature to implement such policies. The National Immigration Law Center issued a statement following the Tennessee Senate's vote on the bill, according to the Tennessee Lookout. Read more: Health and Human Services Faces Lawsuit After Cutting Legal Aid for Migrant Children Under New Regulations The center called the proposal a shameful attempt to take away the freedom of Tennessee children. The statement added that the public interest law firm is prepared to fight to defend the right to education for all kids alongside their partners in court. The bill is considered among the most controversial in the Tennessee Legislature this year and has drawn massive support from the state's Republican supermajority. It also faces pushback from Democrats and has resulted in public protests that have disrupted legislative hearings. Addressing the Issue of Illegal Immigrants Those who oppose the proposal, which is expected to result in a court challenge if it is enacted into law, will create a law that does not make sense, either financially or morally. They also argued that it only works to punish innocent children in the state, WJHL reported. Ferrell Haile, one of the seven dissenting Republicans, said that a child should not share the guilt of the parent nor the parent the guilt of the child. He said that he believes they are punishing children for the "wrongdoing" of their parents. While Haile supports the core goal of the bill, adding that the state needs a way to determine how many students do not have legal status, he argued this is not the proper way of addressing the issue, as per The Leaf Chronicle. In a global first, Japans JR West has constructed a fully functional train station using 3D printing technology completing the project in under six hours. Built in Arida, Wakayama Prefecture, the new Hatsushima Station features speed, durability and seismic resilience, offering a promising solution to rural infrastructure needs amid labour shortages and rising construction costs read more The West Japan Railway Company (JR West) announced the completion of a 3D-printed train station, which it says is the world's first. Image/X-drdemola01 Japans West Japan Railway Company (JR West) has constructed a train station using 3D printing technology reportedly the first project of its kind anywhere in the world. Located in Arida, a small city in Wakayama Prefecture, the new building at Hatsushima Station was assembled in under six hours, setting a new benchmark for speed, efficiency and cost-effectiveness in public infrastructure projects. This groundbreaking development offers a potential model for addressing rural infrastructure challenges in a country grappling with demographic shifts and labour shortages. Advertisement How the new train station was built The newly built station at Hatsushima replaces a weathered wooden building that had served the community since 1948. While modest in scale measuring just 2.6 metres in height and covering an area of around 10 square metres the new station building holds global significance. JR West has confirmed it is the first train station ever constructed using 3D printing, reported The Japan Times. The structure comprises four major sections, including the roof and walls. These parts were not printed onsite; instead, they were fabricated by Serendix, a Japanese firm that specialises in 3D-printed construction, at its factory in Kumamoto Prefecture on the southwestern island of Kyushu, reported The New York Times. Printing the individual components took about a week, following which they were reinforced with concrete and steel. Once printing and reinforcement were complete, the finished parts were loaded onto trucks on the morning of March 24, 2025, and transported roughly 804 kilometres northeast to Arida. From delivery to completion in under six hours As the trucks carrying the printed components arrived at Hatsushima Station on the evening of March 26, several local residents gathered to witness the unique event. The construction began only after the final train of the day departed at 11:57 pm. Overnight, workers used a large crane to place each of the four segments into position just a few feet away from the old station structure. By the time the first train of the following day arrived at 5:45 am, the building shell was already in place. Japan's 3D-Printed Train Station Revolution: Genius or Gimmick? In just 6 hours, Japans West Japan Railway Co. built a 3D-printed train station, Hatsushima, in rural Arida (Wakayama Prefecture), replacing a 75-year-old wooden relic. Pre-printed parts were assembled overnight pic.twitter.com/nMtyUJGP9l Falah Mousa (@falahmousa) April 9, 2025 Advertisement In total, the assembly took less than six hours a dramatic reduction in construction time when compared to traditional methods, which typically require several months of intermittent night work to avoid disrupting train services. Normally, construction takes place over several months while the trains are not running every night, explained Kunihiro Handa, co-founder of Serendix, the firm behind the 3D-printed components, to The New York Times. The project was timed precisely to fit within the narrow operational window between the last train of one day and the first train of the next a logistical challenge made feasible by the prefabrication approach and JR Wests meticulous planning. Affordable, durable & built for seismic resilience Beyond its speed, the new station building also represents a significant step forward in cost and sustainability. JR West has stated that the project cost roughly half of what a conventional reinforced concrete building of similar size would have incurred. Structurally, the station is designed to endure the same seismic forces as traditional reinforced concrete houses. The walls are constructed using mortar layered by 3D printing equipment, with internal hollow sections filled with concrete and reinforced with steel bars, enhancing the buildings ability to withstand earthquakes a critical requirement in Japans seismically active environment. Advertisement The outer surface of the station features subtle local references, including embossed images of mandarin oranges and scabbardfish, two products for which the city of Arida is well known. Although the buildings exterior shell is complete, it is not yet operational. It still requires the installation of essential equipment such as ticketing machines and IC card readers. JR West has indicated that the station is expected to open for public use in July 2025. Why this was necessary While small in physical scale, the Hatsushima Station project is seen as a response to larger national issues. With Japans population steadily declining and its labour force shrinking, maintaining and upgrading rural infrastructure has become increasingly difficult for rail operators. Hatsushima Station itself serves about 530 passengers daily, with trains arriving one to three times per hour a usage level common among many rural stops across Japan. We believe that the significance of this project lies in the fact that the total number of people required will be reduced greatly, said Ryo Kawamoto, president of JR West Innovations, a venture capital unit within the railway company, was quoted by The New York Times. Automation has already been implemented at the station since 2018, reducing the need for full-time staff. The move to use 3D printing for its replacement further reduces the resources required for upkeep, while maintaining functionality and safety. Advertisement For JR West, this project could pave the way for a new standard in station construction, particularly in rural and remote locations where traditional construction is often too time-consuming or cost-prohibitive. The company has confirmed it is considering broader applications of 3D printing in the reconstruction of other stations in the future. What Japans engineering track record tells us The success of this project is not an isolated incident but part of Japans long-standing tradition of technological leadership in public infrastructure. From the iconic Shinkansen bullet trains to marvels like the Tokyo Sky Tree and the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, Japan has consistently showcased its ability to innovate in the public works domain. Many of the countrys rail services, including JR West, are operated by private companies a rarity globally. This model allows companies not only to run transit systems but also to engage in real estate development, giving them financial and structural flexibility to invest in cutting-edge solutions like 3D-printed facilities. Japans privatised railways stand in contrast to the struggles of similar ventures in other countries. For example, the privatisation of British rail services has often been cited for increasing fares and service issues. Advertisement In Japan, however, private ownership has frequently resulted in improved efficiency and higher service standards. The construction of Hatsushima Station illustrates the countrys unique ability to combine private sector efficiency with public service objectives, ensuring that even smaller communities like Arida home to just 25,000 people can benefit from world-leading technology. Also Watch: With inputs from agencies Why did 26/11 co-conspirator David Coleman Headley call him 231 times? Where was he on the night of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks? What is his link to Pakistans spy agency, the ISI? These are most likely to be the questions that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials will ask Tahawwur Rana, the mastermind of the carnage, who is now in custody after the US extradited him to the country read more 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana with NIA officials upon his arrival at the IGI Airport, in New Delhi. Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was brought to India on Thursday after being "successfully extradited" from the US. PTI Almost 17 years after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Indian officials will finally be able to question the co-conspirator of the crime when they begin the interrogation of Tahawwur Hussain Rana the Pakistani-origin Canadian national who was extradited from the United States on Thursday (April 10). The 64-year-old landed in Delhi on Thursday after the US handed him over to Indian officials at a secure location on April 9. Now-released visuals show Rana, clad in a beige prison-issued uniform and flanked by US Marshals, being given into the custody of Indian authorities. Advertisement On his arrival in the countrys capital, the anti-terror body National Investigation Agency took him to a court where he was formally remanded to 18-day NIA custody. And starting today (April 11), he will be interrogated by NIAs Special 12 a high-level team comprising two Inspector Generals (IGs), one Deputy Inspector General (DIG) and one Superintendent of Police (SP) besides the NIA chief, , himself. Tahawwur Rana in NIA custody After exhausting each and every legal avenue possible, the US extradited Tahawwur Rana to India on Thursday so that he could be questioned for his role and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. After being handed over to India, Rana landed in Delhi on a special plane from Los Angeles. A News18 report states that a dummy code was generated for the special aircraft to avoid detection on flight trackers. The Prime Ministers Office (PMO) monitored the flight movement on a real-time basis. Following Ranas arrival on Indian soil, amid high security, he was produced before the NIA Special Court at Patiala House wherein he was sent to NIA custody for 18 days. Sources told news agency PTI that the NIA had sought his custody for 20 days. Now, he has been placed in an interrogation cell at the NIA headquarters at CGO complex, reported PTI officials. The 14x14 cell is equipped with CCTV cameras with multiple layers of digital as well as physical security. Moreover, only 12 NIA officials, dubbed the Special 12 will have access to Rana, reported sources. If anyone else wants to visit, they would require prior permission. A cavalcade escorting Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case, leaves the Patiala House Court, in New Delhi. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) produced Rana before a court on Thursday night, hours after he was extradited from the US, and sought his custody. PTI Ranas questioning begins Starting today (April 11), NIA interrogations will begin, with India Today reporting that DIG Jaya Roy will lead the questioning. As per protocol, a diary will be maintained detailing every exchange and answer posed to Rana. A daily report of the proceedings will be sent to the Ministry of Home Affairs. Moreover, as mandated by the court, Rana will undergo comprehensive medical tests every 48 hours to determine his physical well-being. Earlier in the US, Rana had listed that he suffered from several medical conditions, including chronic asthma, Parkinsons disease, heart ailments, suspected bladder cancer, and cognitive decline. Advertisement According to reports, the NIAs questioning of Rana will focus on three aspects his identity, his involvement in the 26/11 attacks and also his alleged links to Pakistans intelligence agency, the ISI. Focus on Ranas identity and profile As part of their questioning, the NIA will first concentrate on Ranas personal and family background. In this, the authorities are likely to probe him on his Pakistani days and his time in the Pakistan army. Before moving to Canada in 1997, Rana is believed to have served in the Pakistan armys medical corps. They are likely to ask Rana why he brought his wife to India in 2008 the 64-year-old had visited different parts of the country, including Hapur, Delhi, Agra, Kochi, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai with his wife Samraz Rana Akhtar between November 13 and November 21, 2008. Also, they will question Rana as to whether his family was aware of his links to fellow 26/11 co-conspirator David Coleman Headley. Security personnel stand guard outside the National Investigation Agency (NIA) headquarters, in New Delhi. PTI Ranas involvement in the 26/11 attacks Following his personal background, NIA officials will then shift to his role in the planning of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which eventually claimed the lives of 166 people. Rana will be shown crucial evidence linked to the terror attacks, including recorded voice samples, photos, videos, and emails, which were gathered during the investigation. Moreover, he will be pressed on the 231 calls that he made to friend and main conspirator, David Coleman Headley during Headleys eight visits to India before the deadly 2008 attacks, a dossier by Indias National Investigation Agency (NIA) has revealed. The officials will also try to ascertain just how Rana helped Headley get an Indian visa and provided him with lodging while he scouted locations for the attacks. Advertisement An NDTV news report stated that NIA will question Rana pointedly on his location on the day of the 26/11 attacks. They will also question whether he liaised with any other Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) official during the planning days of the attack. Reports also state that officials will question Rana about his remarks on 26/11. In his intercepted call with David Headley, he had said that the Lashkar terrorists who attacked Mumbai should be rewarded by Pakistan. Rana wanted them to be honoured with Pakistans highest gallantry award, according to a US Department of Justice document. Rana will also be pressed for details about his relations and interactions with the Sajid Mir, the Pakistan-based terrorist, who was reportedly in India at the time of the terror attacks. The ISI connection Apart from Ranas alleged links to Headley and the LeT, officials may ask him about connections to the ISI, Pakistans spy agency. NIA officials want to know the exact role of the agency in the 26/11 attacks, including if they provided funding for the reconnaissance and other activities. They also want to ascertain from Rana if the ISI was operating with the knowledge of the Pakistani government. As a former NIA official told NDTV that Ranas interrogation could help in filling the blanks. Im sure he [Rana] knows certain things which we do not know. And probably that will be actually more revealing. And I will not be surprised to see that more names come out. For example, we know the handlers of David Coleman Headley, but who are the handlers of Rana? Maybe they are the same or they are different, said NIAs former inspector general Loknath Behera to NDTV. Advertisement With inputs from agencies Pakistan has urged the US to address the fallout of billions in American weapons left behind in Afghanistan, now held by the Taliban. Some of these arms have reportedly surfaced in Kashmir, intensifying regional security concerns. As US-Pakistan talks continue, the Taliban insists the weapons are Afghan state assets and wont be returned read more Members of the Taliban carrying flags participate in a rally to mark the third anniversary of the fall of Kabul, in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 14, 2024. File Image/Reuters More than three years after the chaotic US exit from Afghanistan in August 2021, a major concern has resurfaced in regional and global security discourse the fate of billions of dollars worth of American military equipment that was left behind and subsequently seized by the Taliban. An official report by the US Department of Defense in 2022 confirmed that around $7 billion worth of military hardware was not evacuated during the withdrawal and now forms part of the Talibans arsenal. Advertisement The inventory included a vast range of combat-ready equipment: 78 aircraft, 40,000 military vehicles, over 300,000 weapons, air-to-ground munitions, communications systems and night-vision devices, among others. While Pentagon officials have stated that most US military equipment used by their troops was either destroyed or retrograded, the weaponry that remained largely transferred to Afghan security forces was captured by the Taliban . Afghan forces keep watch as US armed vehicles pass a vehicle checkpoint in Kandahar province, August 18, 2009. File Image/Reuters Taliban leaders have openly acknowledged control over the weapons and have even showcased them during public parades and events. The weapons that America abandoned in Afghanistan, as well as those provided to the former Afghan regime, are now in the possession of the Mujahideen [or Taliban forces] as spoils of war, Zabihullah Mujahid, the Talibans chief spokesperson, said during an X space session in February earlier this year. He asserted, The Afghan people now own these weapons and are utilising them to defend their independence, sovereignty, and Islamic system. Pakistan concerned by US arms in Afghanistan Pakistans Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar raised the issue of these weapons in a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier this week. According to Pakistans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dar highlighted the threat posed by US-made weapons now in possession of various armed groups, and both leaders acknowledged the urgency of addressing the problem. Advertisement The two leaders also discussed the situation in Afghanistan. Secretary Rubio agreed on the need to resolve the issue of US Military equipment left behind in Afghanistan, read the official Pakistani statement. The conversation marked their first official engagement since Rubio assumed the role of Secretary of State and covered a broad range of topics, including bilateral relations, trade, investment, and counter-terrorism. DPM/FM Dar reiterated Pakistans commitment to strengthening its partnership with the United States. He emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, investment and counter-terrorism, the ministry said. Rubio, in turn, stressed that cooperation in economy and trade would be the hallmark of future relations between the two countries, particularly in sectors such as critical minerals. In a separate statement, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed that Rubio expressed appreciation for Pakistans role in counterterrorism, including the arrest and handover of ISIS-K operative Mohammad Sharifullah. The two also discussed cooperation on law enforcement and issues like illegal immigration. Notably, Pakistan is currently serving a two-year term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council. Advertisement American arms appear in Kashmir Beyond Afghanistan, concerns are mounting over how some of these weapons may have entered other regions, especially Indias Kashmir. A January 2023 report by NBC News quoted Indian official and security forces who stated that terrorists operating in Kashmir particularly from Pakistan-based groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) have recently been found in possession of US-origin firearms such as M4 and M16 rifles, which had not been commonly seen in the conflict earlier. Security personnel in Kashmir have recovered these arms following operations and gunfights. In one notable instance, police reported seizing an M4 carbine rifle after a clash that resulted in the deaths of two JeM terrorists. Indian Army spokesperson Lt. Col. Emron Musavi, based in Srinagar, told NBC News at the time, It can be safely assumed that they have access to the weapons left behind. This development has sparked concern within Indian security circles. Maj. Gen. Ajay Chandpuria, in 2022, had noted that recovered weapons and equipment indicated a spillover of advanced military technology, including night-vision devices, from Afghanistan into Kashmir. Advertisement These assessments were reinforced by statements from Jammu and Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, who assured that authorities were closely monitoring the issue and taking proactive measures. We are monitoring the situation closely and have taken steps accordingly. Our police and army are on the job, he stated during a news conference in Srinagar in 2022. Kashmir police official Vijay Kumar also highlighted the regions readiness to counter the evolving threat. Our forces are tracking down militants on a daily basis, he had told NBC News. We are constantly upgrading our equipment and have the latest weaponry at our disposal. Experts believe the Taliban may be selling these weapons to aligned terror groups like JeM and LeT or through smugglers operating in Pakistan. NBC News quoted Ajai Sahni, a counterterrorism expert and executive director of the Institute for Conflict Management in New Delhi in the report, who said that while the more advanced weapons would be harder to smuggle into the region, theres clear evidence of some infiltration. Advertisement What next? The impact of the abandoned weapons is not limited to regional concerns. Analysts warn that these arms could eventually surface in other conflict zones, including Yemen, Syria, and parts of Africa, depending on how tightly the Taliban controls their dissemination. The Taliban, meanwhile, has expressed its unwillingness to return any of the captured equipment. Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for the Talibans Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in an interview that the assets now belong to the Afghan state. These are the assets of the state of Afghanistan. They will continue to be in the possession of the state of Afghanistan, he told CBS News in February this year_._ He further added: People dont make deals on the assets of their states. They make agreements through dialog and engagement to find spaces and areas of common interest. In response, US President Donald Trump, who returned to office in 2025, has sharply criticised the Biden administration for allowing the equipment to fall into Taliban hands. During a rally in Washington, he said, If were going to pay billions of dollars a year, tell them were not going to give them the money unless they give back our military equipment. Advertisement The Taliban has publicly rejected this demand, reiterating that it has not received any US financial aid since taking power and does not intend to surrender the arms. With inputs from agencies Prince Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy claims to be a sixth-generation descendant of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last Mughal emperor. Since the Taj Mahal was built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, he argues that he has a legitimate claim over the monument, which is recognised globally as one of the seven wonders of the world. He currently lives in Hyderabad and is the mutawalli or caretaker of Aurangzebs tomb read more He claims to be a sixth-generation descendant of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last ruler of the Mughal empire. Prince Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy, who lives in Hyderabad, believes that his ancestral link grants him rightful ownership of the Taj Mahal, one of Indias most iconic landmarks. Known for his traditional royal attire, he frequently shares photos online that show his royal roots. In this explainer, we look at what is known about the man who calls himself a modern-day Mughal Prince and his reasons for laying claim to the Taj Mahal. Advertisement Who is Prince Yakub Habeebuddin Tucy? 1. Prince Tucy describes himself as a sixth-generation descendant of Bahadur Shah Zafar, the last emperor of the Mughal dynasty. He argues that he holds a rightful claim over the Taj Mahal, which is recognised globally as one of the seven wonders of the world. The monument was originally built by Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. 2. To support his assertion, he also presented a DNA report at the Hyderabad court. 3. In 2019, as reported by The Times of India, he challenged Princess Diya Kumari from the royal Jaipur family to produce official records related to the monument built by Shah Jahan. If you do have the documents kept in your pothikhana, show them. If you have even a drop of Rajput blood within, show those documents, he said. 4. His claims extended beyond the Taj Mahal. Prince Tucy had also challenged the Waqf Boards ownership of the site where the Babri Masjid once stood in Ayodhya. He argued that if the land originally belonged to Babur, then, as a Mughal heir, he should be considered its rightful owner. He frequently shares photos online that show his royal roots. Instagram/prince_tucy 5. Despite this, he showed support for the Ram Temples construction on the disputed land and, according to NDTV, donated golden bricks worth Rs 1.80 crore towards the project. 6. Compared to many others involved in the matter, his position was quite different. We have issued an order to the Waqf board that it is not their property. It is a property issue, and if it turns out to be Baburs property, then we are the owners of it. And, as the owner of the property, we dont have any issue with the Ram temple being built there, he stated, according to The Economic Times. 7. He presents himself as a present-day Mughal prince. Frequently dressed in royal traditional clothing, his social media platforms are flooded with visuals that reflect his heritage and and attempt to reinforce his claims of Mughal lineage. 8. He is currently the mutawalli or caretaker of Aurangzebs tomb, located in Maharashtra. 9. The site has caused debate, with some questioning its preservation given Aurangzebs controversial legacy. Amid recent worries of vandalism, Tucy was forced to respond. Advertisement 10. He wrote a formal appeal to the President of India, calling upon the government to step in. In his request, he wrote, I request the government to take measures to protect the monument/grave of Aurangzeb Alamgeer RH. The US has already recorded more than twice the number of measles cases seen in all of 2024, with Texas reporting the majority at 505. As of April 4, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US has confirmed 607 cases nationwide in 2025. The multi-state outbreak has confirmed health experts fears that the virus could spread further in under-vaccinated communities and continue circulating through the year read more The US has more than double the number of measles cases it saw in all of 2024. Reuters/File Photo A measles outbreak in Knox County, Ohio, grew to 14 cases this week, with the states 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. ALSO READ | Why measles cases have risen by 20% across the world Texas cases include two young elementary school-aged children who were not vaccinated and died from measles-related illnesses near the epicentre of the outbreak in rural West Texas, which led Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to visit the community on Sunday. Advertisement Other states with active outbreaks defined as three or more cases include 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 Organisation has said cases in Mexico are linked to the Texas outbreak. Measles is caused by a highly contagious virus thats 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. Heres what else you need to know about measles in the U.S. How many measles cases have been reported 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 counties most of them in West Texas. The state also logged one new hospitalisation, 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 January just over 1% of the countys residents. Thursdays 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 childs doctor described as measles pulmonary failure. A child died of measles in Texas in late February Kennedy said age 6. Advertisement People stand outside of a Mennonite church after a funeral for an 8-year-old girl who died of measles in Seminole, Texas. Reuters/The Texas Tribune New Mexico announced two new cases Tuesday, bringing the states 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 hospitalised, 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 centres 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 states 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 wouldnt say which counties had cases. How many measles cases has Ohio confirmed? 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. Advertisement The outbreak in Ashtabula County started with an unvaccinated adult who had interacted with someone who had travelled internationally. A measles sign is seen at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, in Lubbock, Texas. AP/File Photo How many cases are there in Indiana? Indiana confirmed six connected cases of measles in Allen County in the northeast part of the state four 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. Which other US states are reporting measles cases? 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. Centres 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 CDCs count is 607. Should you get an MMR booster shot? 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. Advertisement A sign is seen outside of a hospital offering measles testing in Seminole, Texas. AP/File Photo Adults with presumptive evidence of immunity generally dont 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 titre to check your levels of measles antibodies, but health experts dont 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 dont need to be revaccinated, but people who were immunised 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 dont 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. Advertisement 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? Theres 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 rates above 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. As Merz prepares to assume the chancellorship, all eyes are on how his administration will navigate a rapidly shifting global landscape, striking a balance between domestic discontent and international expectations, especially within the EU and NATO read more In a significant political development for Germany and the broader European Union, conservative leader Friedrich Merz and the centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) reached a comparatively swift coalition agreement, clearing the way for the formation of a new German government. The deal took just 45 days after Merzs Christian Democratic Union (CDU) secured victory; usually, coalition talks often drag on for months. The 144-page coalition agreement promises tax cuts and a tougher stance on migration. Advertisement The agreement was forged under intense international and domestic pressure, as Germany faces an increasingly volatile global environment marked by economic uncertainty and geopolitical instability. The recent imposition of 20 per cent tariffs on EU goods by US President Donald Trump (which has been paused for three months) and the ongoing war in Ukraine, started by Russian President Vladimir Putin, have created what Merz described as a situation of growing global political tensions. We have a strong plan before us with which we can move our country forward again together, Merz stated during a press conference in Berlin. Above all, it is a very strong and clear signal to the citizens of our country and also to our partners in the European Union. Germany is getting a government that is capable and strong. A Government Born of Crisis Germany has been operating under a fragile minority government since November, when the previous three-party coalition led by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz collapsed amid deep disagreements over fiscal policy. The new agreement marks a return to a more stable two-party alliance, and it sets the stage for Merz to be sworn in as Germanys next chancellor, likely in early May. The urgency behind the coalition deal stems from dual external shocks: Trumps aggressive trade policies and Putins continued military aggression in Ukraine and their bonhomie to the exclusion of the EU and Germany. The paused tariffs above 10 per cent for US trading partners are a brief reprieve that did little to diminish concerns in Berlin about Germanys export-heavy economy and the fraying transatlantic alliance it has long relied upon. Advertisement Recent decisions by the US government have triggered new turbulence, Merz said. We dont yet know which direction the international situation will take. But thats why our message today is all the clearer: We want to and we will help shape change in the world for Germany. According to the 144-page coalition agreement, Germanys centre-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) is set to control seven ministries in the incoming federal governmentmore individual portfolios than the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), which will head six ministries. Despite this, the balance of power tilts toward the CDU, which secured 28.5 per cent of the vote in the February 23 federal election, compared to the SPDs 16.4 per cent. Crucially, the CDU will lead the chancellery under Friedrich Merz, giving it command of the governments overall direction. When combined with its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), which will oversee three ministries, the conservative bloc will hold a total of nine ministriescementing its dominant position within the new coalition. Advertisement Defence and Economic Plans A centrepiece of the new coalition agreement is a sweeping plan for public investment, especially in defence and infrastructure an effort to counteract Europes increasing vulnerability in the face of Russian aggression and the US trying to wean away. The agreement includes commitments to debt-financed spending that has drawn praise from some European allies but stirred controversy at home. Despite his leadership in finalising the coalition, Merz faces criticism within his own ranks. The deals reliance on borrowing has alienated parts of the CDUs conservative base and provided fresh ammunition to the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), now poised to become the largest opposition force in parliament. Merzs personal approval ratings have taken a hit since the election win. Economically, the coalition seeks to revitalise Germanys competitiveness through a package of tax cuts and energy reforms. Merz announced plans to reduce corporate income tax by one per cent annually starting in 2028, over five years. To address Germanys high electricity costs, the government will reduce electricity taxes to the EU minimum, cut grid fees, and introduce an industrial electricity rate to support manufacturers. Advertisement These steps will strengthen Germanys price competitiveness, Merz explained, adding that the new measures aim to boost investment in domestic production and innovation. Migration Sparks Sharp Debate One of the most contentious topics during negotiations was migration policy. With the AfD capitalising on public concerns over immigration, Merzs conservatives pushed for tougher border controls and restrictions on asylum. The SPD, however, resisted measures that could undermine Germanys commitment to humanitarian principles and EU solidarity. In the end, the coalition adopted a harder stance without fully capitulating to right-wing demands. The agreement includes new border checks, the rejection of certain asylum seekers at national borders, and a repatriation offensive targeting individuals without legal status. The plan also suspends family reunification for asylum seekers and expands the list of safe countries of origin to streamline deportations. Merz framed the policy as a pragmatic approach to a complex challenge. We will largely put an end to irregular migration, he stated. Germany must protect its borders and restore trust in its immigration system. Advertisement Europe and the World Watching As Merz prepares to assume the chancellorship, all eyes are on how his administration will navigate a rapidly shifting global landscape. His coalition must balance domestic discontent with international expectations, especially within the EU and NATO. When asked what message he would send to Trump, Merz responded, Germany is back on track. Germany will fulfil its obligations in terms of defence. And Germany is willing to strengthen its own competitiveness. Whether Merz can deliver on those promises remains to be seen. With a new coalition in place, Germany appears poised to reassert itself as a central force in European politics and perhaps a more assertive partner on the global stage. The author is a former ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN and the African Union. He tweets @AmbGurjitSingh. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Advertisement In the last few years, some of the world democracys shining armours have seen and even executed some of the most undemocratic works. The US leads the pack, having seen an assassination attempt on a former POTUS, besides unleashing a malicious campaign to get him arrested. The Democrat establishment tried its best to send Donald Trump behind bars, and in that endeavour, gave him a political tailwind that ended up garnering him sympathy and seeing him re-elected to office of the President of the United States. Advertisement Similarly, Marine Le Pen has been barred from fighting the 2027 presidential elections in France. In the 2022 elections, her party won 41.5 per cent of the French vote, a number significant in any true democracy. Last year, Yoon Suk Yeol, the President of South Korea, declared martial law during a televised address, which was followed by a coup. Although the political upheaval was short lived, it still showed the apparent strength or lack thereof of South Korean democracy. A former South Korean President Park Geun-Hye, too, languishes in jail for 20 years. All this while, former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau got police horses to trample protesters and even froze bank accounts of truckers during the Freedom Convoy Protests. All of this transpired in so-called mature democracies. In Asia, though, amongst nations such as China, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Myanmar, only India seems to be a functioning democracy. To look at another grouping of nations, let us consider BRICS: the current President of Brazil, Lula da Silva, has been to jail; Russia and China are in a different class of autocracies, while former South African President Jacob Zuma has been in and out of jail. While all this was happening, India saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi becoming the Prime Minister for the third time in May 2024, though with a lesser number this time. Modi, now the third most successful Indian PM electorally, has often been projected as a dictator in the Western media. Yet, the Opposition has never faced a single moment of government highhandedness. They have not faced assassination attempts like President Trump; they have not been barred from contesting like Marine Le Pen; they have not been jailed like President Zuma and Prime Minister Imran Khan; and, they have not been exiled like Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. At a time when democracy is floundering across the world, India has turned into a bright spot of democracy. Institutes like V-Dem should not be taken seriously due to their unsubstantiated opinions being passed off as expert analysis. Indices that rank India below South Africa and bracket it with Pakistan and Bangladesh, should not be taken seriously. Advertisement Nandan Nilekani, the co-founder of Infosys, architect of Aadhaar as the first Chairman of the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), and a former Congress member, admitted in 2020 that India has too much democracy; he grew frustrated with excessive political debates and bureaucratic hurdles that often slow down large-scale projects like highways, digital infrastructure, and Aadhaar implementation. Nilekanis expertise has been utilised by the current BJP government in areas such as Indias Unified Payment Network and other digitisation policies. Compare this with the US, where Anthony Fauci had to be pre-emptively pardoned before President Trump took office again. The debate on whether too much democracy is good or bad for India can be settled another day, but what can be said without doubt is that India and PM Modi are doing enough to keep democracy thriving in India. Marine Le Pen will attest to that. Jatin Sharma is an analyst with opinions on Indian foreign and domestic policy and international issues impacting India. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Advertisement As the unipolar moment fades in memory and paves the way for a multipolar world, Europe requires diversifying partnerships, as excessive dependence on the US restricts its policy options read more Flags of Ukraine fly in front of the EU Parliament building. Europe sees the Ukraine war mainly through the normative lens of democracy vs autocracy. Image: REUTERS Trumps second term has rattled Europe by casting doubt on his willingness to defend allies and by reaching out to Russia over the war in Ukraine. Post World War II, Europes security is inextricably connected with that of the US. This coupling indeed has implications for Europe: while it gains in security thanks to security guarantees by the United States, it is also part of the global US-Russia security dilemma without having much influence on either actors behaviour. Advertisement In a sense, Europe, despite being materially and technically capable, has outsourced its security to the US. Europes security and geopolitical interests are at the mercy and goodwill of the US and contingent on US relations with its friends and foes (eg, Russia). Some scholars contend that most European states have become vassals of the US. Historically, deterring Russia has been a European problem due to its massive size, abundant natural resources, and military predominance in the region and, in particular, vast stockpiles of nuclear weapons. Change in US Strategic Calculus The lingering war in Ukraine drives home a hard lesson in the US establishment that it cannot strategically defeat Russia in its neighbourhood. On the evolving situation in Ukraine, United States Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth said, It was unrealistic to expect Ukraine to return to its pre-2014 borders. He further stressed, We must start by recognising that returning to Ukraines pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic objective. Chasing this illusionary goal will only prolong the war and cause more suffering. This US stance on the Ukraine war change may be attributed to Donald Trump. However, the ground reality in the ongoing war sooner or later would have brought home the same realisation. Other than the failure to defeat Russia on the battlefield, America led the political West and failed miserably in the war of narrative. In addition, on the global stage, rising Chinese naval predominance accentuated the US position in the strategically vital Indian Ocean region. This compelled the US to reorient its focus to the Indo-Pacific, where China has made significant economic strides. These regions are going to reshape the upcoming global order. Mending ties with Russia and nudging its European allies for more significant burden sharing for their security, the US appears to rationalise its international commitments to prioritise areas of focus. Advertisement This is the first time that most likely friction points between a rising power and a declining hegemon are located at sea. Earlier power transitions for global leadership have always been between continental and maritime powers. The current transition pits two maritime-oriented powers, nuclear-armed and continent-sized trading states, against each other. This diminishes the geopolitical significance of the European region vis-a-vis the Indo-Pacific. In the changing global power shift, the Indo-Pacific has emerged as a new focal point of global contestation of power. Naturally, being a reigning superpower, the US must shift its attention from the European theatre to the Indo-Pacific to counter the Chinese challenge. The current contest between the US and China is more about geo-economics than geopolitics. Unlike the US-Soviet rivalry, it is not a clash of ideologies that liberal internationalists of the political West want to portray. The US under the Trump administration sees European allies as freeloaders, and his approach towards them is dictated by his transactionist approach. This shift reflects a move from rigid alliances to transactional engagements, where ideology affinity is thrown out of the window in the narrow national interest. Advertisement Europe as a Prisoner of Liberal Internationalism There is a fundamental difference between the US and Europe on the nature of the Ukraine war. In the US scheme of things, the war in Ukraine was to strategically defeat Russia by using Ukraine as a proxy state, but it failed to do so. At the same time, Europe sees the war mainly through the normative lens of democracy vs autocracy. There is no denying the fact that Russia can be an existential threat to several East European countries and a security challenge for Europe as a bloc if not handled properly. With the US ready to bear the burden of security, Europeans embarked on greater integration within Europe. They envisaged a Europe transcending the balance of power politics of nation-states. Interest-based interstate politics gave way to norms-based international politics (liberal internationalism). Europe positions itself globally as a normative power under the US security umbrella. However, a security arrangement that is premised upon the goodwill of the other country and driven primarily by geopolitical calculation of that very country is self-defeating. By outsourcing security to the US, scholars believe Europe became an appendage to Washingtons geopolitical goals. Europe, still in its make-to-believe world of norms, sees the evolving situation in Europe through an ideational lens. Advertisement As the Munich Security Conference Chairman and a former Angela Merkel aide, Christoph Heusgen, said, Our common values are not so common anymore. European leaders see Trumps policy reorientation primarily in terms of values. It reminds us of the words of Niccolo Machiavelli: Men will not look at things as they really are, but as they wish them to be and are ruined. History tells us that when it came to strategic matters, the US did not shy away from mending fences with China, an ideological rival, to counter the USSR. Similarly, there is a growing realisation in the current Trump administration that China is a far more potent threat. Unlike the Soviets, China is a peer competitor both militarily and economically. The Tortuous Road Ahead for Europe In the current global strategic environment, rebuilding the new European security architecture is not going to be an easy feat with or without the US. This requires a significant military expenditure and a change of Europes ideational worldview. Advertisement In the face of economic recession, Trumps infused trade uncertainties, and the rise of left and extreme right factions, rolling back on extensive social security policies is politically challenging for the centre-left politics of Europe. Additionally, keeping Europe united and forging consensus among themselves for the new role Europe envisages in the multipolar world will not be easy. Meanwhile, striking a balance between the impulse of strategic autonomy among a few European countries, such as France, and assuaging fears of East European countries vis-a-vis Russia is another stumbling block in European unity. Western solidarity, a phenomenon of the bipolar era due to the Soviet threat, continued during the unipolar era in the hegemony of the political West under US leadership. As the unipolar moment fades in memory and paves the way for a multipolar world, Europe requires diversifying partnerships, as excessive dependence on the US restricts its policy options. The way Europeans have been sidelined on the ongoing Ukrainian peace initiative must have rung the alarm bell in Brussels. It is time for Europe to reassert its strategic autonomy and restore Europe as a global bloc. Europe has to come to terms with the long-held problem of collective action in the absence of US leadership. To do this it will have to shun the old habit of latching on to the finger of the US to navigate geopolitical uncertainties. Advertisement A regional grouping such as Europe cannot pin down its strategic alliance on goodwill and the intention of others. The foundation of a strategic partnership must be premised on the convergence of interests and ready to be tweaked in changing circumstances. Amitabh Singh teaches at the Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. Ankur is a doctoral candidate at the Centre for Russian and Central Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. Ahead of the US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman on Saturday, President Donald Trump wants Iran to know that there will be all hell to pay if it does not abandon its nuclear programme, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Friday read more White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks to members of the media, in the briefing room at the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Friday. Reuters Ahead of the US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman on Saturday, President Donald Trump wants Iran to know that there will be all hell to pay if it does not abandon its nuclear programme, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Friday. Leavitt said Trumps ultimate objective is to ensure that Iran can never obtain a nuclear weapon, adding that while he supports diplomacy, all options are on the table if talks dont succeed. Advertisement But hes made it very clear to the Iranians, and his national security team will as well, that all options are on the table, and Iran has a choice to make. You can agree to President Trumps demand, or there will be all hell to pay, and thats how the president feels. He feels very strongly about it, Reuters quoted Leavitt as saying. US special envoy Steve Witkoff is scheduled to meet an Iranian delegation in Oman on Saturday. According to Iranian state media, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will lead the Iranian side, with Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi acting as mediator. In February, Trump reinstated his maximum pressure campaign aimed at halting Irans nuclear ambitions, including a push to reduce its oil exports to zero. Earlier this week, Trump warned, If the talks are unsuccessful, Iran is going to be in great danger. With inputs from agencies Ukraines allies have unveiled a record 21 billion (18.2 billion) in additional military aid for Kyiv, while accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of stalling and hindering progress in US-led ceasefire talks, according to a report read more Germany's Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, left, Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, centre, and Britain's Defence Secretary John Healey attend a news conference after a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at Nato headquarters in Brussels, on Friday. AP Ukraines allies have unveiled a record 21 billion ($22.6bn) in additional military aid for Kyiv, while accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of stalling and hindering progress in US-led ceasefire talks. According to The Guardian report, British Defence Secretary John Healey, speaking at a meeting of the Ukraine defence contact group in Brussels, said the Russian president had rejected a 30-day pause in fighting proposed a month ago by President Donald Trump. Putin said he wanted peace, but he rejected a full ceasefire. His forces continue to fire on Ukraine, military and civilian targets alike, The Guardian quoted Healey as saying. Advertisement The UK and Germany co-hosted Fridays Ramstein meeting, which brought together representatives from over 40 countries though the US was notably absent. Instead, Trumps Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth participated via video link. Germanys Defence Minister Boris Pistorius played down the Trump administrations absence. He conceded that peace appears to be out of reach in the immediate future and said Ukraine was at the epicentre of a broader conflict. It is between freedom and oppression, between the recognition of global standards and aggressive imperialism, between democracy and authoritarianism, The Guardian quoted Pistorius as saying, adding that military support for Ukraine would continue. The US push to swiftly end the war in Ukraine has not yielded positive results . On Friday, Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin in St Petersburg after earlier talks with Kremlin aide Kirill Dmitriev, who visited Washington last week. The Kremlin cautioned that no breakthroughs and nothing momentous should be expected. Russia has refused concessions in talks, demanding control of four Ukrainian regions, the removal of Zelenskyys government, a Nato ban, and an end to sanctions. Ahead of the meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social, Russia has to get moving. Too many people ere [sic] DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war A war that should have never happened, and wouldnt have happened, if I were President!!! Advertisement While Trump has expressed frustration, hes taken no serious steps to pressure Putin. Witkoff, echoing Russian rhetoric, told Tucker Carlson that occupied Ukrainian regions had voted to join Russia. Since Ukraine accepted a US-led ceasefire last month, Moscow has intensified its bombing campaign. This week, Russia launched a major offensive in Sumy and Kharkiv, capturing border villages fueling speculation its racing to seize ground before 9 May, Russias WWII Victory Day. Estonias Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur urged faster weapons deliveries. This is why we need to speed up the deliveries as quickly as we can, he was quoted as saying. In a video address to Brussels, Zelenskyy pleaded for Patriot missile systems after a Russian strike on a playground in his hometown, Kryvyi Rih, killed nine children and 11 adults. Our priority is air defence. Patriots that remained unused in storage with our partners should be protecting lives, The Guardian quoted Zelenskyy as saying, adding that 10 more systems were urgently needed. Advertisement Germany, which has already sent four Patriot systems, pledged more aid: four Iris-T air defence systems, 15 Leopard 1 tanks, drones, and 100,000 artillery shells. Other countries also announced new contributions. Healey said the UK and Norway would send radar systems, anti-tank mines, and hundreds of thousands of drones as part of a $560m package, in addition to 4.5bn pledged by London this year. The Ramstein meeting didnt clarify how many nations are willing to send troops to Ukraine under a coalition of the willing. The UK, France, and Baltic states are open to deploying forces post-peace deal. According to AFP, six countries had signed up. Healey described a reassurance force plan as well-developed, with foreign troops stationed away from the front and supporting Ukrainian forces. Russia has rejected the idea outright. Swedens Defence Minister Pal Jonson said Stockholm needed clarity. Its helpful if theres a clarity of what that mission would entail, and what do we do if we are peacekeeping, deterrence or reassurance, he was quoted as saying Advertisement The UK insists US military backing is essential, particularly air cover. But the Trump administration has ruled that out, saying Europe must now handle Ukraines long-term defence. The US set up and led the Ukraine Defence Contact Group after Russias 2022 invasion, but handed leadership to the UK and Germany in February. Trumps Defence Secretary Hegseth, said Washingtons focus has shifted to Asia and border security. With inputs from agencies United States President Donald Trump's administration is facing legal challenges from attorneys general over the cancellation of school grants. The decision was made after officials said that the COVID-19 emergency had passed, arguing that school districts had enough time to spend the funding given to them. On the other hand, California officials argue that the effects of the health crisis, particularly learning disruptions, are still being felt. Lawsuit Against Donald Trump Administration California and several other states filed a lawsuit on Thursday to block the Trump administration's efforts to claw back hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding. The money was originally intended to support the academic recovery of students who have had their education disrupted by the pandemic. The funding previously included more than $200 million for California and was utilized by various schools for after-school and summer learning programs. The money was also used for student mental health services, new classroom technology, and other infrastructure needs, according to the Los Angeles Times. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said that when the president breaks the law, they will sue him. He added that Trump broke the law once again, which has now resulted in the harming of children. Bonta said that his state's children have congressionally appropriated funding coming their way after the COVID-19 pandemic to assist with various challenges. He added that the funds originally had a rollout period of another year but argued that U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon cut them overnight. The latest lawsuit stems from a Mar. 28, 2025, letter that McMahon sent to state education chiefs where she said that the government will no longer honor extensions of COVID-19 relief grants, Cal Matters reported. Funding Cuts for Schools While states are allowed to request new extensions for individual projects, the government, in general, would no longer send out COVID-relief grant funds. McMahon said that extending deadlines for COVID-related grants years after the health crisis is not consistent with the department's priorities. The lawsuit says that the Trump administration's reversal "triggered chaos," as it affects unused money from several states. For New York, this amounts to more than $130 million; for California, this is over $205 million, and for Maryland, it is $245 million. New York Attorney General Letitia James said that cutting school systems' access to vital resources that students and teachers rely on is simply "outrageous and illegal." The lawsuit also comes less than a month after Democratic attorneys general sued the government for laying off half of the staff of the Education Department, as per the New York Times. Brink was nominated for the post by former President Joe Biden and has served as ambassador in Kyiv since May 2022. She is leaving of her own accord, the sources said read more Bridget Brink, nominated to be U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, prepares to testify at her Senate Foreign Relations Committee confirmation hearing at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., May 10, 2022. Reuters file 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. Advertisement Brink was nominated for the post by former President Joe Biden and has served as ambassador in Kyiv since May 2022. She is leaving of 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 agencys 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 Moscows 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. Ambassador Brinks been ambassador at the embassy in Ukraine for three years during a time of war An extraordinary performance there, and we wish her well, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters on Thursday at a regular news briefing. Were working for that war to end, and that is our focus, and we expect, of course, our work will continue in that regard. 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. Advertisement 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 Zelenskiys hometown of Kryvyi Rih and killed 11 adults and nine children. On social media platform X, Brink 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 Brinks 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. Advertisement Sources said Brink is likely to leave in the coming weeks. Adm Samuel Paparo, head of US Indo-Pacific Command, told the American Senate that the military support that China and North Korea provide to Russia also poses a serious security risk in the Indo-Pacific region read more Top US commander in the Pacific, Adm Samuel Paparo, warned China and North Koreas aid to Russia in the Ukraine war poses a major security risk in the Indo-Pacific region. The head of the US Indo-Pacific Command pointed out that since China and North Korea are helping Russia in the war in Ukraine, Moscow provides critical military assistance to both nations in return. The proclamation from Paparo came while he was addressing the Senate Armed Services Committee. He told the US lawmakers that China has provided 70 per cent of the machine tools and 90 per cent of the legacy chips to Russia to help Moscow rebuild its war machine. Advertisement In exchange for this, Admiral Paparo said that Beijing is potentially getting help in technologies to make its submarines move more quietly, along with other assistance. The remarks from the American commander came after Senators pressed Paparo and Gen Xavier Brunson, commander of US Forces Korea, on Chinas advances in the region, including the threats to Taiwan. Paparo emphasises the need to shield personnel from govt cuts During the hearing, the senators questioned both about the US military presence in South Korea, and whether it should be shielded from personnel cuts. Both commanders agreed that the current US forces there and across the Indo-Pacific region are critical for both diplomacy in the region and US national security, as ties between Russia and China grow. It is pertinent to know that the United States currently has 28,500 military personnel in South Korea. Paparo noted that North Korea is sending thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands of artillery shells and thousands of short-range missiles to Russia. The expectation, he said, is that Pyongyang will receive air defence and surface-to-air missile support. Its a transactional symbiosis where each state fulfils the other states weakness to the mutual benefit of each state, Paparo said. Meanwhile, Brunson noted that Pyongyang has shown the ability to send munitions and troops to Russia while advancing the development of its own military capabilities, including hypersonic weapons. North Korea boasts a Russian-equipped, augmented, modernized military force of over 1.3 million personnel, Brunson said. North Koreas efforts to develop advanced nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles pose a direct threat to our homeland and our allies, Paparo added. The remarks from American generals came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia is actively recruiting Chinese citizens to fight alongside its forces in the Ukraine war. He noted that around 155 such mercenaries are already active in the battle, with Beijings knowledge. Both China and Russia denied Zelenskyys allegations with Beijing calling accusations irresponsible. Advertisement With inputs from agencies. The United States has called the extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India a critical steps toward seeking justice read more A painting made by students of Gurukul Art School on the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attack accused Tahawwur Rana from USA to India, at Lalbaug in Mumbai, May 18, 2023. File Photo/PTI The United States has said that the extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, is a critical steps toward seeking justice. Rana arrived in India on Thursday and was formally arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) upon his arrival. He was produced in a court in Delhi that granted NIA his custody for 18 days. On November 26, 2008, 10 terrorists of Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) arrived in Mumbai by sea and attacked various locations, including the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station, the Taj Mahal Palace hotel, the Oberoi Trident hotel, and the Jewish community centre Chabad House. A total of 166 people, including six Americans, were killed in the attacks. Advertisement In a statement on Thursday, the US Department of Justice (DoJ) said, Ranas extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks. Rana is accused of facilitating the 26/11 Mumbai attacks by arranging for the travel of a fellow terrorist, David Coleman Headley, to Mumbai for surveillance for the purpose of the attacks. As per the DoJ, Rana allegedly told Headly after the attacks that Indians deserved it. It further said that an intercepted conversation allegedly had Rana telling Headley that LeT terrorists should be given Nishan-e-Haider, which is Pakistans highest wartime gallantry award. For more than two years, Headley allegedly repeatedly met Rana in Chicago and described his surveillance on behalf of LeT, LeTs responses to Headleys activities, and LeTs potential plans for attacking Mumbai, according to the DoJ. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years for conspiring to supporting LeT and for a foiled LeT-sponsored plot in Denmark. Separately, Headley also pleaded guilty to 12 terrorism charges, including aiding and abetting the murders of six Americans in Mumbai attacks and the foiled attack in Denmark. Denmarks parliament on Friday took an important step towards ratifying a defence cooperation deal with the United States that expands the US militarys rights in the Nordic country despite a diplomatic dispute over Greenland read more US Army equipment being returned from Esbjerg Harbor, during Operation Raven Assistor in Denmark, April 3, 2025. Reuters File Denmarks parliament on Friday took an important step towards ratifying a defence cooperation deal with the United States that expands the US militarys rights in the Nordic country despite a diplomatic dispute over Greenland. Recent opinion polls have shown significant opposition among Danes to the 10-year pact which, if ratified, would grant the US military broad access to station troops and store equipment on Danish soil. US President Donald Trumps insistence that the United States take over Greenland, a semi-autonomous Danish territory, for security reasons has soured relations between the two traditionally close NATO allies. Advertisement The Danish and Greenland governments have both ruled out yielding the huge, resource-rich Arctic island to U.S. control. But despite the dispute, the Danish government, which signed the bilateral cooperation deal in 2023, when Joe Biden was US president, has said it is critical to bolstering Denmarks defences at a time when Russia is regarded as an increasing threat to Europe due to its three-year-old war in Ukraine. On Friday the Danish parliament held the first of three readings of the bill before a final vote expected by end-June. A lawmaker representing Prime Minister Mette Frederiksens Social Democratic party defended the deal. It would be decidedly unwise to push the United States away by throwing the most important defence agreement in many years straight into the bin, Simon Kollerup said. The reality is that we have built the defence of Europe on our Nato membership, Frederiksen said in a similar message on Tuesday. We want to hold on to that. The left-wing Alternative and Red-Green Alliance parties have indicated their opposition to the deal, though it is expected to pass thanks to support for the minority governments proposal from several other opposition parties. The deal does not cover Greenland itself, where the US already enjoys wide access through a 1950s defence pact, or the Faroe Islands, another Danish territory in the North Atlantic. Advertisement Finland, Sweden and Norway have also signed bilateral defence pacts with the United States in recent years. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), at war with the army since April 2023, launched a major assault on El-Fasher using heavy artillery, sniper fire and suicide drones from the east and northeast, said the local resistance committee, a volunteer aid group. read more Paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed at least 57 civilians on Friday during an attack on El-Fasher, the besieged capital of Sudans North Darfur region, and a nearby famine-stricken camp, according to local activists. The RSF launched the offensive using heavy artillery, sniper fire, and suicide drones from the eastern and northeastern outskirts of the city, the local resistance committee reported. The group, a grassroots volunteer network, has been aiding civilians throughout the conflict that began in April 2023. Advertisement The assault amounts to a sharp escalation in the battle for control over western Sudan, where fighting between the RSF and the Sudanese army has displaced hundreds of thousands and deepened a growing humanitarian crisis. By 5:00 pm (local time), 32 people had been killed in the city, including four women and 10 children aged between one and five, the group said, adding that at least 17 others were wounded and taken to hospital. Earlier, RSF fighters attacked Zamzam displacement camp around El-Fasher, killing 25 civilians, including women, children and elderly residents, the local committee said. Zamzam, along with other densely populated camps for the displaced around El-Fasher, has suffered heavily during nearly two years of fighting. El-Fasher is the only state capital still under army control in Darfur, making it a strategic prize in the RSFs push for full control of the west. Witnesses described seeing RSF combat vehicles entering the Zamzam camp under cover of heavy gunfire. Humanitarian crisis deepens A nearly two-year-old war has engulfed Sudan in the worlds largest humanitarian crisis and led the African country to become the only nation experiencing famine, a senior U.N. official said Thursday. Nearly 25 million people half of Sudans population face extreme hunger, while people are dying in famine-hit areas in western Darfur, said Shaun Hughes, the World Food Programs emergency coordinator for Sudan and the region. Advertisement Sudan plunged into conflict on April 15, 2023, when long-simmering tensions between its military and paramilitary leaders broke out in the capital, Khartoum, and spread to other regions, including the vast western Darfur region. Since then, at least 20,000 people have been tallied as being killed, though the number is likely far higher. Famine was initially confirmed last August in Zamzam camp in North Darfur, where about 500,000 people sought refuge, but Hughes said it has since spread to 10 other areas in Darfur and Kordofan. He said 17 other areas are at risk of famine in coming months. Two years of this brutal and senseless conflict must be a wake-up call to the parties to lay down their weapons and for the international community to act, he said. Sudan must not remain on this destructive path. With inputs from agencies US President Donald Trumps billionaire adviser Elon Musk has admitted that his brainchild Doge has only cut $150 billion in government spending against the target of $2 trillion that he had originally set read more President Donald Trump claps as Elon Musk prepares to depart after speaking at a campaign event. File image/AP First, it was $2 trillion. Then, it was $1 trillion. Now, its $150 billion. This is how Elon Musks purported savings in the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) have shifted over the months. In the beginning, Musk said that he would cut $2 trillion in federal governments wasteful expenditure. Then, last month, he revised that to $1 trillion. In the latest revision, Trump said in a Cabinet meeting on Thursday that Doge plans to cut $150 billion in government spending a reduction of 85 per cent. Advertisement From Musks brief remarks, it was not clear whether $150 billion are the expected savings throughout the financial year or only the amount that has been saved so far and more spending may be cut in the remainder of the year. Musk admits Doge is a dud Inadvertently, Musk has admitted that Doge has been a spectacular failure so far. Im excited to announce that we anticipate savings in 26 from reduction of waste and fraud by $150 billion, said Musk at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday. However, just last month, Musk told Fox News that Doge would save $1 trillion by the time his time as the de facto head of Doge would be up. While neither Musk nor President Donald Trump have given the timeline of Musks departure from Doge, the terms of his employment mean that his tenure would end by July 9. While Musk has amassed immense powers in the US government, arguably next only to Trump, he is not formally the head of Doge the White House has said that Amy Gleason is in charge of Doge. Formally, Musk is a special government employee (SGE) who advises the president. As per rules, an SGE may only serve for a period of 130 days that would complete on July 9. Advertisement As Doge has just saved $150 billion till Thursday (April 10), Musk is way off the target that he set just last month the target that was half of the original target. Actual savings may be even less Even though the savings of $150 billion are just 15 per cent of Musks target, the actual savings may not even be that much. As per an analysis by The New York Times, Doges calculations have been flawed and continuously revised downward. Even after such downward revisions, investigations have found errors. On some occasions, Doge has claimed cutting spendings that had been shut down as far back as under the George W Bushs tenure (2001-09) and, on other occasions, it claimed to have cut the same spending multiple times or interpreted documents incorrectly to arrive at bloated figures, according to The Times. In one case, Doge cancelled grants that had been already disbursed so while those grants stood cancelled formally, no money was saved because money had already been disbursed, as per The Times. However, the Doge still claimed the grants cancellation as savings. In other cases, the Doge did not understand how government contracts work and counted the ceiling value of a contract instead of the actual money provided to the contractor, according to the newspaper. Advertisement In one case reported by the newspaper, Doge claimed to have saved $8.3 million in a contract, but $8.3 million was the ceiling value, which means that it was the upper limit of the money that could be spent on that contract. Actually, only $1.2 million were to be spent on the contract and, out of that, only $700,000 were saved as the rest of the money had already been disbursed. Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative German party CDU is set to be elected chancellor on May 6, party sources said on Friday read more Markus Soeder, chairman of Bavarian's Christian Social Union party and Friedrich Merz, Christian Democratic Union party chairman, shake hands after reaching an agreement between their parties on a coalition for a new German government at a news conference in Berlin, Germany, on Wednesday. AP File Friedrich Merz, leader of the conservative German party CDU is set to be elected chancellor on May 6, party sources said on Friday. The conservatives and their centre-left SPD partners had agreed on the date, party sources from both blocs added. On Wednesday, the conservative Friedrich Merz and the leaders of Germanys center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD) swiftly finalised a coalition agreement. The deal emerged amid mounting pressure on German politicians to quickly establish a new government capable of addressing the significant challenges posed by US President Donald Trumps trade war and the threats from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Advertisement The agreement, reached just 45 days after Merzs conservatives won a snap election, is notable for its speed by German standards, as coalition negotiations often extend for months. After the deal was sealed, Merz vowed to move the country forward again by boosting the economy and defence. Asked at a press conference if he had a message for Trump, Merz said in English that the country would meet its defence obligations and rebuild its economic competitiveness. Germany is back on track, AFP quoted Merz. The coalition deal arrives amid significant uncertainty for Germany and Europe, following Trumps 20% tariffs on the EU, which could severely impact Germanys export-driven economy. Simultaneously, Merz has pledged to bolster the military in light of Putins threats and the diminishing transatlantic alliance crucial for Germanys defence. These economic and security challenges heightened pressure on Merz and the SPD to quickly establish a stable government. Germany has been operating under a fragile minority government led by outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose three-party coalition fell apart in November over spending disputes. With inputs from agencies Jaishankar said that the relationship between the two countries is moving in a positive direction and noted that the tensions during a four-year period starting in 2020 were not in the interest of either country read more The Chinese embassy in India on Friday shared External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars remarks that he made on the India-China relationship at the Rising Bharat Summit 2025. Hard-won progress, worth cherishing, Yu Jing, the Chinese embassy spokesperson, said on X. Advertisement Jaishankar said that the relationship between the two countries is moving in a positive direction and noted that the tensions during a four-year period starting in 2020 were not in the interest of either country. It is obviously better than the last time I was here. Disengagement, particularly in Depsang, Demchok, was important. We are now addressing to some extent the issues on the border because there has been a force buildup over a period of years. There are many other things that happened during this period. Our direct flights stopped during COVID, they were not resumed. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra stopped during COVID, it did not resume again. There is work to be done, and we are at it," he said during the Rising Bharat Summit. We have always maintained that the situation that we saw between 2020 and 2024 was not in the interest of either country. It was not in the interest of our relationship. There is a recognition of that now," he added. EAM Jaishankar also said that there is still work to be done to mend ties between India and China and that both countries are making efforts to fix their relationship. Speaking at a joint press conference with Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal acknowledged the hurdles in concluding a long pending trade agreement. If there were no sensitive issues, we could have concluded that agreement 18 years ago. There are issues and we are working to resolve those issues, he said. read more Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday acknowledged that certain outstanding issues continue to hold up the finalisation of the proposed free trade agreement between India and the European Union (EU), but affirmed that discussions are advancing positively. If there were no sensitive issues, we could have concluded that agreement 18 years ago. Obviously, there are issues and we are working to resolve those issues, Goyal said while addressing a joint press conference with Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani. Advertisement Italy is among the 27 member states of the EU bloc, which resumed trade talks with India in June 2022 following an eight-year hiatus. Negotiations had earlier come to a standstill in 2013 due to disagreements over the extent of market access. The 10th round of discussions took place in Brussels last month, with the next round expected to be held in India in May. On February 28, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed their commitment to concluding the long-awaited deal within this year. Tajani, who is also Italys Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said that we are pushing hard in Brussels (EUs headquarters) for achieving this important goal of signing the agreement soon. He also said that huge trade and investment opportunities are there for businesses of both sides. He added that Italian firms are ready for joint ventures with Indian companies in Africa. Space (sector) is a future. Its a clean industry, he said while stating the areas of cooperation. Talking about the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), the Italian minister said it is a link between India and Italy through the Gulf and will help strengthen trade. Meanwhile, Goyal met with Tajani here to discuss strengthening bilateral trade and investment ties. Advertisement India-Italy trade is estimated at about USD 15 billion in 2023-2024 while Foreign Direct Investments from Italy into India are about USD 4 billion since 2000. The leaders also discussed the progress of the EU-India FTA negotiations and emphasised the importance of prioritising trade issues to streamline negotiations and deliver a commercially meaningful package to build resilient value chains to provide stability to business against emerging risks. Sectors like pharma, textiles, technological collaboration, gems and jewellery, ship building, energy transition and agri-tech and food processing were highlighted as key areas of collaboration between the two countries. Italy recognized the necessity of engaging with India as a strategic partner to diversify its trade relationships. The trade barriers faced by exporters and investors were also discussed, with both sides agreeing to resolve such issues through continuous dialogue, the commerce ministry said in a statement. It was agreed that the next meeting of the Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation would be held in Italy at a mutually convenient time, accompanied by a high-level business delegation to advance bilateral trade, enhance market access, and promote investments. Advertisement Goyal said that the key areas where both sides can enhance cooperation include fashion, tourism, luxury goods, pharma, agri tech, manufacturing, and electric vehicles. With inputs from agencies Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was sent to 18 days NIA custody by a special court on Friday, a day after he was extradited from the United States. The NIA says his interrogation is key to uncovering the full conspiracy behind the 2008 attacks. read more The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has been granted 18 days remand of Tahawwur Rana, an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, by a special NIA court on Friday (April 11.) Rana was brought before the court on Thursday night, just hours after being extradited from the United States. The NIA had requested 20 days of custody. He was taken to Delhis Patiala House Court under heavy security, escorted by a convoy that included a jail van, an armoured SWAT vehicle, and an ambulance. Special NIA Judge Chander Jit Singh heard the case. Advertisement NIA submits key evidence The NIA has submitted strong evidence to the court, including emails sent by Rana, to support the need for custodial interrogation. The NIA said his questioning is critical to unravelling the wider conspiracy behind the 2008 attacks and examining his specific role in aiding and facilitating the plot. The agency said to the court that custodial interrogation is crucial to uncovering the sinister plot. The 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 IGIA, New Delhi, following his successful extradition from the US, said the federal agency. Rana was flown to India on a special Gulfstream G550 aircraft, which made a brief stop in Dubai before landing in Delhi around 6 pm. He was formally arrested by the NIA, given a medical check-up, and then taken to Patiala House Court. There, he appeared before Special NIA Judge Chanderjit Singh, who granted the agency 18 days custody, against their request for 20 days. The NIA was represented by senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann, while Rana was represented by Piyush Sachdev and Lakshya Dheer from the Delhi Legal Services Authority. Who is Tahawwur Rana? Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 64, is a Pakistan-born Canadian national. He is a key conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. The attacks, carried out by 10 Pakistani terrorists, killed 166 people and targeted major locations in Mumbai, including hotels, a railway station, and a Jewish centre. News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism. The prosecutors office in the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan said they had charged the ships Chinese captain, whom they identified only by his family name, Wang, with being responsible for damaging the cable read more Chinese aircraft carrier Shandong is seen in this screenshot taken from a video released by the Eastern Theatre Command of China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Tuesday. Reuters/Representative image Taiwan prosecutors on Friday for the first time charged a Chinese ship captain with intentionally damaging undersea cables off the island in February, after a rise in sea cable malfunctions alarmed Taiwan officials amid tensions with China. Prosecutors say the man was captain of the Chinese-crewed Hong Tai 58, registered in Togo, which Taiwanese authorities detained after suspecting the ship had dropped anchor near an undersea cable off southwestern Taiwan, damaging it. The prosecutors office in the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan said they had charged the ships Chinese captain, whom they identified only by his family name, Wang, with being responsible for damaging the cable. Advertisement Wang has said he is innocent, but refused to provide details of the ships owner and had a bad attitude, the prosecutors said in a statement. Seven other Chinese nationals detained at the same time will not be charged and will be transported to China, prosecutors said, adding that the case was the islands first prosecution over damaging sea cables. Reuters was not able to determine the ships ownership or immediately locate a lawyer representing the captain. Chinas Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China has previously accused Taiwan of manipulating possible Chinese involvement in the case, saying it was casting aspersions before the facts were clear. The cable damage has come on top of Chinas military activities around Taiwan, including war games, the latest of which Beijing held last week. On Friday, Taiwans defence ministry said it had detected 21 Chinese military aircraft operating near the island, taking part in a joint combat readiness drill with Chinese warships, something Taipei routinely reports. BLACKLIST Taiwan has reported five cases of sea cable malfunctions this year, compared with three each in 2024 and 2023, according to its digital ministry. Taiwans coast guard has in recent months stepped up efforts to protect its sea cables, including monitoring a blacklist of close to 100 China-linked ships registered to a country other than that of its owner near Taiwan, officials familiar with the matter told Reuters. aiwan said in January it suspected a China-linked ship of damaging an undersea cable off its northern coast; the ship owner denied the accusations. Advertisement Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has repeatedly complained about grey zone Chinese activities around the island, designed to pressure it without direct confrontation, such as balloon overflights and sand dredging. Taipei was alarmed after another Chinese-linked ship was suspected of damaging a different cable this year, prompting the navy and other agencies to step up efforts to protect the undersea communication links, which are vital to the islands connections to the rest of the world. Taiwan, whose government rejects Beijings sovereignty claims, has pointed to similarities between what it has experienced and damage to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea following Russias invasion of Ukraine. The 40-year-old met with wounded veterans at the Superhumans Centre in Lviv. The facility treats and rehabilitates injured military personnel and civilians, including children who have been affected by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war read more Duke of Sussex, Prince Harry paid a surprise visit to amputees and wounded military personnel at an orthopaedic clinic in Ukraine. The British princes visit came just two days after he appealed in the London High Court against the governments decision to strip him of his security protection while he is in the UK. The 40-year-old met with wounded veterans at the Superhumans Centre in Lviv. The facility treats and rehabilitates injured military personnel and civilians, including children who have been affected by the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Advertisement It is pertinent to note that Prince Harry served 10 years in the British army. During his visit, he was accompanied by a contingent from the Invictus Games Foundation, including four veterans who have been through similar rehabilitation experiences. The British royal was given a tour of the centre that provides prosthetics, reconstructive surgery and psychological help free of charge. Harry meets Ukraines veteran affairs minister According to The Guardian, the British prime was also understood to have met with Ukraines minister of veterans affairs, Natalia Kalmykova. According to their website, the centre sees more than 3,000 patients a year. While the centre is located in western Ukraine, it is an area that has frequently been targeted by Russian missiles. The visit was not announced until and after Harry was out of the United Kingdom. The prince has been an ardent supporter of the Ukrainian cause in the in the war. In February, the British royal 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 which happens in Canada. Rudneva presented him with a bracelet from the same rehabilitation centre. The bracelet featured the message Whoever saves one life, saves the world entire written on it in English and Ukrainian. The Ukrainian executive also gifted Harry 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. Advertisement Last month, King Charles had tea with the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, at his Norfolk estate. Interestingly, the meeting between the two came after a public spat between Donald Trump and Zelenskyy at the White House, which soured the ties between Washington and Kyiv. Prince William also met with Ukrainian refugees during a two-day visit to Estonia last month. Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet US President Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff today for talks, including on the Ukraine conflict read more US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff speaks to members of the news media with White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt outside of the West Wing at the White House in Washington, US, on March 6, 2025. Reuters File Kremlin has confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet US President Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff today for talks, including on the Ukraine conflict. The conversation on various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement will continue, AFP quoted Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying to state media reporters. Peskov played down the planned Witkoff-Putin meeting, telling Russian state media the US envoys visit would not be momentous and that no breakthroughs were expected. Advertisement He also said that Putin would use the meeting to outline Moscows concerns. Earlier in the day, Peskov had confirmed that Witkoff has arrived in Russia. Yes, I confirm. He has indeed arrived in Russia, CNN quoted him as saying to reporters. Peskov had then declined to comment on reports of a possible meeting between Putin and Witkoff. According to a Reuters report, Kremlin said that the two men might also discuss a Trump-Putin meeting. The Izvestia news outlet released video of Witkoff leaving a hotel in Russias second city St Petersburg, accompanied by Kirill Dmitriev, Putins investment envoy. Witkoff has emerged as a key figure in the on-off rapprochement between Moscow and Washington amid talk on the Russian side of potential joint investments in the Arctic and in Russian rare earth minerals. Putin was also in St Petersburg on Friday to hold what the Kremlin called an extraordinarily important meeting about the development of the Russian Navy, which is in the throes of a major modernisation and expansion drive. The meeting will be their third this year and comes at a time when US tensions with Iran and China - two countries with which Russia has close ties - are severely strained over Tehrans nuclear programme and a burgeoning trade war with Beijing. Witkoff is due in Oman on Saturday for talks with Iran over its nuclear programme after Trump threatened Tehran with military action if it does not agree to a deal. Moscow has repeatedly offered its help in trying to clinch a diplomatic settlement. Advertisement Putin and Trump have spoken by phone but have yet to meet face-to-face since the U.S. leader returned to the White House in January for a second four-year term. With inputs from agencies European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said that the bloc would seek a completely balanced solution in the 90 days of Trumps tariff pause read more US big tech companies may be on the line for getting penalised after the European Union threatened to tax groups like Meta and Google if tariff talks with the Trump administration fail. This comes hours after the bloc announced that it will halt imposing its retaliatory tariffs on the US after President Donald Trump took a u-turn from launching levies immediately. Talking to Financial Times, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said that the bloc would seek a completely balanced solution in the 90 days of Trumps tariff pause. Advertisement At the same time, she also warned that the EU is ready to take dramatic steps that will escalate the transatlantic trade war to big tech companies in case those talks fail. 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, von der Leyen said in a statement. If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in, the EU Commission chief added. The countermeasures will include slapping duties on tech groups such as Meta, Google and Facebook. EU tries to strike a deal with US von der Leyen said that the other measures that the EU can involve in its retaliatory tariffs plan are to tax the services trade between the US and the EU. An example is you could put a levy on the advertising revenues of digital services, she said. She has openly proposed a mutual elimination of tariffs on industrial goods, but the idea has gained little support in Washington. US officials remain critical, citing concerns over what they see as non-tariff barriers imposed by the EU, including value-added tax rules and strict product regulations. She, however, refused to revisit the EUs untouchable digital content and market power regulations, which Trump officials view as an effective tax on US Big Tech firms. EU trade chief holds talks with US EU trade chief Maros Sefcovic said later on Thursday that he spoke to his US counterparts, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Another call as were set to suspend EU countermeasures and enter meaningful negotiations. Constant communication and daily updates keep us moving forward, he said on X. Advertisement The EU measures approved Wednesday target more than 20 billion euros worth of US products including soybeans, motorcycles and beauty products. With inputs from agencies Trump administration officials are increasingly at odds over how to break the deadlock between Ukraine and Russia, with Witkoff and Kellogg who favors more direct support for Ukraine disagreeing on the best course forward. read more Less than 48 hours after meeting a Russian negotiator in Washington, Steve Witkoff, the US special envoy leading talks with Moscow, sat down with President Donald Trump in the White House and delivered a clear message. Witkoff reportedly urged President Donald Trump to consider supporting Russias claim to four eastern Ukrainian regions it tried to annex in 2022, two US officials and five people familiar with the situation told Reuters. A fresh rift has emerged within the Trump administration after Witkoff presented the proposal as the fastest route to a ceasefire, despite Kyivs firm opposition and skepticism among US and European officials. Advertisement During the White House meeting, Trumps Ukraine envoy, General Keith Kellogg pushed back, insisting that Ukraine would never accept ceding full ownership of the disputed territories. The conversation ended without a shift in official US strategy. The internal divide within the Trump administration has deepened, with Kellogg favouring more substantial support for Ukraine and Witkoff advocating a deal more aligned with Moscows demands. Witkoff has since traveled to Russia for further talks with President Vladimir Putin. In a sharp shift from decades of US foreign policy since joining office, President Trump has unveiled a new geopolitical strategy that signals a cooling of relations with traditional European allies and a surprising warming toward Russia. The White Houses recent moves suggest a willingness to reframe longstanding alliances in favour of a more transactional and nationalist approach to global affairs. Analysts say the pivot could upend established Western unity on key issues ranging from security to trade, as Washington increasingly seeks common ground with Vladimir Putins government despite ongoing tensions over Ukraine, cyberattacks and election interference. In a break with normal security procedures, Witkoff had invited Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian envoy who is under U.S. sanctions following Russias invasion, to his personal residence for dinner before the White House meeting. That set off alarms inside the White House and the State Department, according to two people familiar with the situation. U.S. officials avoid hosting officials from Russia which has sophisticated intelligence capabilities to their homes. Advertisement The dinner was rescheduled and took place at the White House instead. Witkoff, an old friend of Trumps who has helped secure key diplomatic victories for the president, has garnered some support from the Republican Partys Ukraine skeptics but his proposals have stoked outrage among other Republicans who believe the administration has turned too sharply toward Moscow. Some Republicans on Capitol Hill were so concerned about Witkoffs apparent pro-Russia stance in the Carlson interview that several called National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio afterward to complain, according to a person familiar with the calls. Since taking office in January, Trump has upended U.S. foreign policy, pressing Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire while easing many of the measures the Biden administration had taken to punish Russia for its 2022 full-scale invasion of its neighbor. Some U.S. and European officials worry that as Witkoff pursues Trumps strategy, the Russians are taking advantage of his lack of experience at the negotiating table, according to the two U.S. officials and more than a dozen other people familiar with the administrations internal deliberations, including Western diplomats. Advertisement Witkoff must go, and Rubio must take his place, read a March 26 letter from Eric Levine, a major Republican donor. The letter, sent to a group including Republican donors and seen by Reuters, was written after the Carlson interview and a Fox News appearance, and criticized Witkoff for praising Putin. Trump has repeatedly said that he wants to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine by May, arguing the U.S. must end a conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands and risks a direct confrontation between the U.S. and nuclear-armed Russia. But two partial ceasefire deals one on energy infrastructure and one in the Black Sea have stalled and the president has become frustrated over the lack of progress. A growing role for Witkoff Witkoff plays a central and expanding role in the Trump administrations foreign policy. Even before Trump took office, Witkoff had helped secure a long-sought Gaza ceasefire which has since unraveled and later negotiated the return of a U.S. citizen, Marc Fogel, from Russia. He traveled to Russia on Friday to meet Putin and is expected in the Middle East for talks with Iran on Saturday, effectively leading yet another top priority national security assignment. Witkoff first publicly floated the idea of handing over to Russia the four Ukrainian regions Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson in the March 21 interview with Carlson. Advertisement Theyre Russian-speaking, he said of the eastern territories. There have been referendums where the overwhelming majority of the people have indicated that they want to be under Russian rule. Witkoffs comments shocked many U.S. national security officials the special envoys rhetoric mirrored that of Russian officials. Western governments have called the hastily organized referendum votes a sham and pledged not to recognize their results. Just a few days after the Carlson interview, the Wall Street Journal, owned by Rupert Murdochs News Corp, published an op-ed titled Steve Witkoff Takes the Kremlins Side. Democrats have weighed in, too Witkoff and Trump have committed a cardinal sin of diplomacy: they have put their desperation for a deal on full display, said Ned Price, a former spokesperson for the State Department under President Joe Biden. Witkoff has plenty of defenders within the administration, who say he has been unfairly maligned by foreign policy officials who hold hawkish views in a Republican Party that has increasingly renounced foreign intervention. Witkoff and Trump still maintain a strong personal relationship, according to multiple people familiar with their relationship. Special Envoy Witkoff has brought a wealth of private sector negotiating experience and urgency to the diplomatic stage and were already seeing results in just a few weeks, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz told the Hill in a statement. Advertisement Allies see pressure to get results For US allies, the arguments and lack of progress toward a peace deal contribute to a sense that the U.S. lacks a clear plan to end the war in Ukraine. Two European officials, who have had recent contacts with the administration, said there was pressure for the negotiating team to quickly get results, which worried them that the U.S. might not only accept moves that could undermine Ukraine, but Europes own security architecture. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said they had not come away reassured from their discussions and did not feel there were clear final objectives on the American side. Despite frequent conversations between Witkoff and Kellogg, the administration has not established a coordinated Ukraine policy process. Contrary to standard practice, the National Security Council has hosted only one principals meeting a meeting that includes all or most of the presidents top national security advisers on the issue, a person familiar with the matter said, leading to greater confusion inside the administration and among allies in Europe about the direction of the peace talks. Two senior Western diplomats who are in touch with the administration said they believe Washington lacks a clear plan on how to move forward and what to do if Russia continues to delay. Advertisement We sometimes hear contradictory things from different parts of the administration, one of the diplomats, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said. That also adds to the sense that there is no real plan here. With inputs from Reuters US President Donald Trumps 90-day pause on sweeping tariffs has offered little comfort to global companies already reeling from rising costs and supply chain chaos. While some relief is temporary, businesses remain unsure about what comes next in an increasingly unpredictable trade landscape. read more US President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington. Reuters US President Donald Trumps sudden decision to pause his sweeping reciprocal tariff plan for 90 days has done little to calm the fears of global companies already caught in the storm of a growing trade war. While the 90-day suspension offers temporary relief to dozens of countries, businesses and their leaders are left wondering what happens next particularly with the increase in tariffs on Chinese goods and the existing duties on steel, aluminium, and cars still in place. Advertisement From tech giants like Apple to European manufacturers such as Hugo Boss and BASF, companies are now grappling with soaring costs, supply chain disruptions, and a deep sense of uncertainty about what the future holds. The situation with tariffs whether from the US or in response from the EU and other countries is very uncertain and changing quickly, German retailer Hugo Boss said in a statement. Were closely analysing the situation, especially how it could affect our sourcing and pricing. Hugo Boss and other companies are unsure about what will happen after the 90-day tariff pause. Global trade is complicated, and the rules for cross-border trade are changing quickly, German chemicals giant BASF said on Thursday. BASF said the direct impact of US tariffs on its business would be limited since most of its products are made locally. However, it admitted that it is hard to predict how a trade war might affect demand for its products and its customers. Apple airlifts 600 tons of iPhones from India to beat Trump tariffs Meanwhile, tech giant Apple has arranged special cargo flights to ship 600 tonnes of iPhones about 1.5 million units from India to the US. Analysts warn that iPhone prices in the US could rise sharply because Apple still depends heavily on China for production. Chinese-made iPhones are now hit with Trumps highest tariff rate of 125 per cent. Advertisement Uncertainty remains A 90-day pause on tariffs may seem like short-term relief, but it creates a lot of uncertainty for businesses, said Anita Wright, a chartered financial planner at Bolton James. Trump says he wants to bring manufacturing back to the US, but the constant policy changes make long-term investment risky. The Trump tariffs are slowing down green investment just like everything else, but the impact might be even stronger in this area, said Matthew Nordan, a partner at Azolla Ventures, a venture capital firm. Thats because were dealing with physical things big industrial projects, steel structures, and long timelines where tariffs create more problems than they do for services or software, he explained. Auto giants build up stockpiles to dodge tariff hit Some companies, like General Motors, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz, have stocked up on inventory in the US to avoid being hit by the new tariffs. A weekly sales survey by the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America shows that in the eleven weeks since President Trump took office, in-store shoe sales have dropped by 9.5% compared to the same time last year. The group represents major brands like Nike, Adidas, Skechers, and Walmart. Advertisement A spokesperson for Inter IKEA, which supplies IKEA products globally, said the new tariffs are making it harder to keep home furnishing prices affordable. Its too soon to say exactly how the tariffs will impact our prices, but were watching the situation closely and will keep reviewing it, they said. Volkswagen warned on Wednesday that its first-quarter profits were much lower than expected, partly due to additional costs from shipping cars to the US. President Trumps temporary tariff cuts have done little to help car, steel, and aluminium companies, which are still facing 25 per cent US tariffs. In Serbia, aluminium and PVC maker Testeral may be forced to lay off workers if the tariffs remain in place, CEO Sanja Stanimirovic told Reuters. She said the company cannot easily raise prices to cover the higher costs because it is tied to long-term contracts. Testeral currently employs around 120 full-time workers and 80 seasonal or part-time staff. Advertisement In the first weeks of his second term, US President Donald Trump bypassed Israel to try to strike a deal directly with Hamas for the release of American hostages, according to a report read more Israeli captives, from left to the right, Ohad Ben Ami, Eli Sharabi and Or Levy, who have been held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since October 7, 2023, are escorted by Hamas fighters before being handed over to the Red Cross in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, on Saturday. AP File In a break from decades of policy, US President Donald Trump tried to strike a deal directly with Hamas for the release of American hostages held in the Gaza Strip, according to the report. Currently, one US citizen is believed to be held in Gaza and bodies of four US citizens are believed to be in Hamas custody. In the first weeks of his second term, the Trump administration held direct talks with top Hamas leaders in Qatar in an attempt to strike a deal for the release of the only living American hostage, Edan Alexander, and bodies of four dead hostages, according to The New York Times. Advertisement However, the talks collapsed and no deal was reached as a result of Israels opposition to the talks, Hamas hesitation to reach an agreement, and the shifting positions of the Trump administration, as per The Times. For decades, the United States has had a policy of no direct contact with Hamas, which it has designated as a terrorist organisation. Trump has broken that policy by engaging with Hamas. Previously, Trumps Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, became the first US official to enter Gaza since the capture of the strip by Hamas. Trump wanted direct deal with Hamas by March: Report Trump wanted to strike a direct deal with Hamas for the release of hostages before his address to the Congress, according to The Times. On March 4, Trump addressed a joint session of the Congress. He doubled down on his agenda in the address, ranging from domestic agenda and foreign policy initiatives like the annexation of Denmarks Greenland island, but referred to the situation in Gaza only in the passing. The Times reported that talks with Hamas on the American side were led by Adam Boehler, who was at the time Trumps nominee to be the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs (SPEHA). The nomination was later withdrawn. Boehler held three rounds of talks with top Hamas officials Khalil al-Hayya, Osama Hamdan, Basem Naim, and Taher al-Nono in Qatar, which began in March, according to the newspaper. Advertisement The proposals that the two sides discussed included the release of hostages in lieu of the release of Palestinians prisoners held by Israel and Hamas said it was demanding fewer prisoners to be released as a gesture of goodwill. While Hamas would normally demand the release of 500 Palestinians in exchange of Alexanders release, Hamas only asked for the release of 250 Palestinians, including just 100 serving life sentences, Al-Hayya told Boehler. On his part, Boehler offered the release of 100 prisoners serving life sentences and assured the release another 150 lower-level prisoners at a future date in exchange for Alexander. However, by the third and last meeting, the US side was convinced it could at most get 100 prisoners released with no assurance of getting anyone serving life sentence released. However, the newspaper added that the offer included the resumption of humanitarian assistance to Gaza, fast-tracking of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire talks, and the release of Palestinian women and children in exchange for the bodies four dead Americans still in Hamas custody. Advertisement However, the talks collapsed and no deal was reached. Is Hamas seeking a middle-path approach? While no deal was reached in the talks, Hamas appeared to drop hints that its willing to make compromises. Besides asking for the release of fewer prisoners, Hamas leader Al-Hayya told US officials that Hamas was open to a five- to ten-year truce in which the group would lay down its weapons, according to The Times. Previously, Hamas has said that it is open to giving up the control of Gaza, but has refused disarmament. Hamas is unique in a way that it is not purely an armed group. It is a broad movement that has political as well as military wings. Last year, senior Hamas leader Naim, who was also parts of talks with Boehler, told NPR, We are not willing to come back to govern the Gaza Strip. What we are calling for is a Palestinian unity government, formed from technocrats who are not affiliated to any faction but supported from all factions to run the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Advertisement Putin was shown on state TV greeting Witkoff in St Petersburgs presidential library at the start of the negotiations read more Russian President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Friday. Reuters US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with President Vladimir Putin on Friday in St Petersburg about the search for a peace deal on Ukraine as Trump told Russia to get moving. Putin was shown on state TV greeting Witkoff in St Petersburgs presidential library at the start of the negotiations. The Izvestia news outlet earlier released video of Witkoff leaving a hotel in the city, accompanied by Kirill Dmitriev, Putins investment envoy. Advertisement Witkoff has emerged as a key figure in the on-off rapprochement between Moscow and Washington amid talk on the Russian side of potential joint investments in the Arctic and in Russian rare earth minerals. However, the talks come at a time when US-Russia dialogue aimed at agreeing a ceasefire ahead of a possible peace deal to end the war in Ukraine appears to have stalled over disagreements around conditions for a full pause in hostilities. Trump, who has shown signs of losing patience, has spoken of imposing secondary sanctions on countries that buy Russian oil if he feels Moscow is dragging its feet on a Ukrainian deal. On Friday, he said in a post on Truth Social: Russia has to get moving. Too many people (are) DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war - A war that should have never happened, and wouldnt have happened, if I were President!!! Putin has said he is ready in principle to agree a full ceasefire, but has said that many crucial conditions have yet to be agreed about how it would work and has said that what he calls the root causes of the war have yet to be addressed. Specifically, he has said that Ukraine should not join NATO, that the size of its army needs to be limited, and that Russia should get the entirety of the territory of the four Ukrainian regions it claims as its own despite not fully controlling any of them. Advertisement With Moscow controlling just under 20% of Ukraine and Russian forces continuing to advance on the battlefield, the Kremlin believes Russia is in a strong position when it comes to negotiations and that Ukraine should make concessions. Kyiv says Russias terms would amount to a capitulation. Trump-Putin meeting? Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Putin and Witkoff might discuss the possibility of the Russian leader meeting Trump face-to-face. Putin and Trump have spoken by phone but have yet to meet in person since the U.S. leader returned to the White House in January for a second four-year term. However, Peskov played down the Witkoff-Putin talks, telling Russian state media before they started that the U.S. envoys visit would not be momentous and no breakthroughs were expected. He said the meeting would be a chance for Russia to express its concerns. Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused each other of violating a moratorium on striking each others energy infrastructure. The meeting, the third this year between Putin and Witkoff, comes at a time when U.S. tensions with Iran and China, both close allies of Moscow, have been heightened by Tehrans nuclear programme and a burgeoning trade war with Beijing. Advertisement Witkoff, who visited a synagogue in St Petersburg earlier on Friday, is due in Oman on Saturday for talks with Iran over its nuclear programme. Trump has threatened Tehran with military action if it does not agree to a deal. Moscow has repeatedly offered its help in trying to clinch a diplomatic settlement. U.S. and Russian officials said they had made progress during talks in Istanbul on Thursday towards normalising the work of their diplomatic missions as they begin to rebuild ties. A February meeting between Witkoff and Putin culminated with the U.S. envoy flying home with Marc Fogel, an American teacher whom Washington had said was wrongfully detained by Russia. A Russian-American spa worker Ksenia Karelina, who had been sentenced to 12 years in prison in Russia, was exchanged on Thursday for Arthur Petrov, whom the US had accused of forming a global smuggling ring to transfer sensitive electronics to Russias military. Britain will provide 350 million pounds of the amount from its 4.5-billion-pound military support package for Ukraine this year, with Norway contributing further funding, Britains ministry of defence said read more A view shows the site of Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Dnipro, Ukraine, April 9, 2025. File Image/Reuters United Kingdoms government on Thursday announced fresh aid for Ukraine worth $590 million (450 million pounds) to pile pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war ahead of negotiations over a possible peace deal. Britain will provide 350 million pounds of the amount from its 4.5-billion-pound military support package for Ukraine this year, with Norway contributing further funding, Britains ministry of defence said. The announcement of the new aid deal was made as British Defence Minister John Healey chaired a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in Brussels along with his German counterpart Boris Pistorius. Advertisement The funding will cover costs of repairs and maintenance to vehicles and equipment, as well as radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones. Germany extends support package Meanwhile, Germany also offered a support package worth 11 billion, and the countrys defence ministry said that it is committing to support Kyiv until 2029. The package includes 4 Iris-T air defence systems, including 300 guided missiles, 300 reconnaissance drones, 120 ManPads, or Man Portable Air Defence System (shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles), 25 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 15 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks, 14 artillery systems, 100 ground surveillance radars and 30 Patriot guided missiles. Russia should be under no illusion, Ukraine is becoming stronger. We must and we will make sure of that, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said. Trump envoy in Russia US envoy Steve Witkoff was in Russia on Friday, the Kremlin said, his third visit to the country as Washington pushes for a ceasefire in Ukraine. US leader Donald Trump is pressing Moscow and Kyiv to end the more than three-year-long conflict, but has expressed anger at both Vladimir Putin and Ukraines Volodymyr Zelensky over a lack of progress. Yes, I can confirm he flew into Russia, state media reported Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov as saying when asked about reports Witkoff had landed for talks with Putin. With inputs from agencies The last time a Chief of Defence Staff visited China was in 2015. The latest trip comes at a time when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeks to strengthen ties with Beijing read more The United Kingdoms Head of Armed Forces has visited China, the first time Britain has sent a person of his ranking to the country in 10 years. In a statement, the Defence Ministry said that Admiral Tony Radakin flew down to Beijing and discussed issues of common concern with his Chinese counterparts. We agreed that in an unstable world we must play our part as responsible nations with global interests, Radakin wrote on X, adding that the two countries reflected on the importance of military-to-military communications. Advertisement The last time a Chief of Defence Staff visited China was in 2015. The latest trip comes at a time when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeks to strengthen ties with Beijing. UK Defence Secretary John Healey said on Thursday that Radakin went to Beijing earlier this week. Its always good to have military to military engagement and that is what he was establishing, Healey said. He noted that the admirals trip came on the heels of a recent visit by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who, in October of last year, became just the second foreign secretary to travel to China in the past six years. The defence secretary highlighted that the Admirals discussion was very firm in the arguments about peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and concerns about any use of military aggression or assertiveness to pursue political ends. Since taking office in July 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has actively sought to strengthen the United Kingdoms relationship with China. In August 2024, he held his first official call with President Xi Jinping, emphasizing the importance of open, frank and honest discussions to address areas of disagreement and explore cooperation in trade, the economy, and education. Later that year, at the G20 summit in November, Starmer met with Xi, marking the first meeting between UK and Chinese leaders in six years. Advertisement Chinese President Xi Jinping has urged the European Union to join forces with China in opposing what he called unilateral bullying a veiled swipe at the US over its rising tariffs. The remarks came during Xis meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. read more Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called on the European Union to work with China to stand against unilateral bullying. He said this in clear reference to the heavy tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump amid an ongoing trade war with China. During his meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Xi said China and the EU should cooperate more closely to deal with the growing trade tensions between Beijing and Washington, state news agency Xinhua reported. Advertisement China and Europe should fulfil their international responsibilities and jointly resist unilateral bullying practices, Xi said. This, he stressed, would not only safeguard their own legitimate rights and interests, but also safeguard international fairness and justice. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said after meeting Xi Jinping that trade tensions shouldnt stop the EU and China from working together. He pointed out that Spain imports about 45 billion worth of goods from China each year but only exports around 7.4 billion, adding, Both Spain and Europe have a big trade gap with China that we need to fix. he said, we must not let trade tensions stand in the way of the potential growth of the relationship between China and Spain and between China and the EU. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is visiting China as the EU rethinks its trade ties following new US import tariffs that have shaken global markets. This is Sanchezs third trip to China in just over two years. During his last visit in September 2024, he broke ranks with the EU by opposing high tariffs on Chinese electric cars and called for a fair trade order, while the EU defended the tariffs as protection against unfair competition. Advertisement Before arriving in China, Sanchez was in Vietnam, where he and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed a deal to upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership. With inputs from AFP Days after Colonel Susan Meyers, the commander of US military base in Greenland, distanced the military from Vice President JD Vances speech berating Denmark, the Department of Defense removed her from command read more Colonel Susannah Meyers (left), then-commander of US' Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, with Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance during their visit to the island in March 2025. (Photo: AFP) The Donald Trump administration has removed the commander of US military base at Greenland days after US Vice President JD Vances visit to the island. Last month, Vance visited the US Space Forces Pituffik base in Greenland with his wife Usha and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. He berated Denmark in a speech and doubled down on repeated President Donald Trumps call for the annexation of the island. Days after the visit, Colonel Susan Meyers, the commander of the Pituffik Space Base, sent out an email in which she distanced the military from Vances political speech and said that everyone on the base irrespective of their nationality will continue to serve proudly on the base. Besides US personnel, contractors from Greenland, Denmark, and Canada also live and work at the base. Advertisement Apparently, the Trump administration has taken the email as a sign of rejection of civilian control of military and insubordination and has removed Meyers from command. Formally, however, no reason has cited for the removal. Sharing a press release announcing the removal, Chief Defense Department Spokesperson Sean Pernell said, Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trumps agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense. The press release said that Meyers was removed for loss of confidence in her ability to lead a standard phrase used by Defense Department when firing commanders in opaque manner. In an apparent reference to Meyers lack of endorsement of Vances speech, the press release said, Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining non-partisan in the performance of their duties. In her email to personnel at the base two days after Vances visit, Meyers sought to instil unity among all those serving there irrespective of nationalities. She said that spent the weekend thinking about Fridays visit the actions taken, the words spoken, and how it must have affected each of you, according to excerpts published by Military.com. Advertisement I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the US administration discussed by Vice President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base. I commit that, for as long as I am lucky enough to lead this base, all of our flags will fly proudly together, read Meyers email. In his speech during the visit, Vance had berated Denmark for not doing enough to safeguard Greenland. Vance said, Our message to Denmark is very simple. You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland. You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security of this incredible, beautiful landmass. Vance further said that Greenland had to come under US occupation to fulfill Trumps desires that he said could not be ignored. The president said we have to have Greenland, and I think that we do have to be more serious about the security of Greenland. We cant just ignore this place. We cant just ignore the presidents desires, but, most importantly, we cant ignore what I said earlier [about] the Russian and Chinese encroachment in Greenland. We have to do more," said Vance. Advertisement Since winning the 2024 election, Trump had announced the intention to annex countries and territories across continents. He has so far called for the annexation of Denmarks Greenland, Panama Canal, Gaza Strip, and Canada. He has not ruled out invasions for the annexations of Greenland and Panama Canal. The agreement, signed by top security officials from both countries, allows US military personnel to deploy to Panama-controlled facilities for training, exercises and other activities read more US Secretary of State Marco Rubio with Panama President Jose Raul Mulino. X / @SecRubio US troops will be able to deploy to a string of bases along the Panama Canal under a joint deal seen by AFP Thursday, a major concession to President Donald Trump as he seeks to reestablish influence over the vital waterway. The agreement, signed by top security officials from both countries, allows US military personnel to deploy to Panama-controlled facilities for training, exercises and other activities. The deal stops short of allowing the United States to build its own permanent bases on the isthmus, a move that would be deeply unpopular with Panamanians and legally fraught. Advertisement But it gives the United States broad sway to deploy an unspecified number of personnel to bases, some of which Washington built when it occupied the canal zone decades ago. Trump, since returning to power in January, 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 strategic waterway that the United States funded, built and controlled until 1999. The United States has long participated in military exercises in Panama. However, a longer-term rotational force such as the one the United States maintains in Darwin, Australia could prove politically toxic for Panamas center-right leader Jose Raul Mulino. Country on fire Mulino was on Thursday in Peru, where he revealed that the United States had asked to have its own bases. Mulino said he had told visiting Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth that US bases, allowed under an earlier draft, would be unacceptable. He warned Hegseth: Do you want to create a mess, what weve put in place here would set the country on fire. In the watered-down Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Hegseth and Panamas security chief Frank Abrego Wednesday, Panama won its own concessions. Advertisement The United States recognized Panamas sovereignty not a given following Trumps refusal to rule out an invasion and Panama will retain control over any installations. Panama will also have to agree to any deployments. But given Trumps willingness to rip up or rewrite trade deals, treaties and agreements, that might offer little succor to worried Panamanians. The country has a long and difficult relationship with the United States. They have close cultural and economic ties, despite the decades-long US occupation of the canal zone and US invasion 35 years ago to overthrow dictator Manuel Noriega. That invasion killed more than 500 Panamanians and razed parts of the capital. Trump vow to take back the canal, and his claim of Chinese influence have prompted mass demonstrations. By law, Panama operates the canal giving access to all nations. But the US president has zeroed in on the role of a Hong Kong company that has operated ports at either end of the canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans for decades. Advertisement Under pressure from the White House, Panama has accused the Panama Ports Company of failing to meet its contractual obligations and pushed for the firm to pull out of the country. The ports parent company CK Hutchison announced last month 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 US Supreme Court has ordered the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man wrongly deported from Maryland. He was one of over 200 people removed during Trumps crackdown on undocumented migrants. read more US Supreme Court tells govt to take steps to bring back man wrongly deported to El Salvador. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, file) In a major setback to the Trump administration, the US Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the return of a Salvadoran man who was wrongly deported in a key immigration case. Kilmar Abrego Garcia, 29, had been living in Maryland before being deported to El Salvador last month. He was among over 200 people sent back as part of President Donald Trumps crackdown on undocumented migrants. Most of those deported were suspected members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, which the Trump administration has labelled a foreign terrorist group. However, officials later admitted that Abrego Garcia who is married to a US citizen was deported by mistake. Advertisement The Supreme Court has now ordered the government to help secure his release from custody in El Salvador and to handle his case as if he had never been deported. Living in the US under protected legal status Abrego Garcia had been living in the US since 2019 under Protected Legal Status. This led the judge to rule that he shouldnt be deported because he might face harm in his home country. After he was deported and sent to the well-known CECOT prison, lower courts ordered the US government to bring him back to the United States. Just hours before the deadline for his return, the Supreme Court paused the order after the government requested an emergency ruling. Garcia is part of Salvadoran gang MS-13: US govt The government claimed that Abrego Garcia is part of the Salvadoran gang MS-13, but the lower courts said there wasnt enough evidence to support that. The US government also argued that it no longer had the authority to release Abrego Garcia since he was already in El Salvador. It called the lower courts orders unprecedented and indefensible, claiming they were effectively asking the US to let a member of a foreign terrorist group into the country that night. Advertisement Were confident that the people in CECOT belong there and should stay there for life, said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Wednesday, Axios reported. Among the key red lines, Tehran is rejecting what it sees as threatening language from the Trump administration and pushing back against what it calls unreasonable demands concerning its nuclear activities, according to a report read more Iran has laid out tough conditions ahead of high-stakes nuclear talks with the US, according to a CNN report, citing the semi-official Tasnim news agency on Thursday. Among the key red lines, Tehran is rejecting what it sees as threatening language from the Trump administration and pushing back against what it calls unreasonable demands concerning its nuclear activities, the report added. The report also noted that the US should avoid bringing up issues related to Irans defence capabilities likely alluding to its ballistic missile programme, which Washington and its regional allies consider a significant security concern. Advertisement Iran will not accept any form of threat or any attempt to cross these red lines, CNN quoted Iran officials as saying, citing Tasnim. In February, President Donald Trump revived the maximum pressure strategy against Iran, aiming to block the Islamic Republic from developing a nuclear weapon. The policy memo outlined plans to drive Irans oil exports to zero and prevent it from acquiring intercontinental ballistic missiles. According to the Tasnim news agency, Iranian and US delegations are expected to arrive in Muscat, the capital of Oman, on Saturday. Following a meeting with Omans foreign minister, indirect negotiations are set to begin in the afternoon. Despite this, Trump has stated that the talks will be direct. On Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said 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. While Washington has indicated that the discussions will be direct, 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. Advertisement 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. With inputs from agencies Iran has set firm preconditions for upcoming nuclear talks with the US, according to a report. Tehran has rejected what it deems threatening language from the Trump administration and criticised unreasonable demands related to its nuclear program, signalling a tough stance ahead of the high-stakes negotiations. read more Almost seven years ago, President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the Iran nuclear dealformally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)which had been brokered in 2015 under President Barack Obama after years of negotiations with global powersincluding the EU, Russia, and Chinahad eased sanctions on Iran in exchange for strict limits and oversight on its nuclear program. Trump, however, condemned the pact as deeply flawed, calling it one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the US had entered into. He argued that while the deal may have curbed Irans nuclear ambitions temporarily, it failed to address Tehrans broader destabilising activities in the region, including support for proxy militant groups. Advertisement Rejecting the JCPOA, Trump reinstated harsh sanctions that had previously been lifted, contending that a tougher approach was necessary to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. He justified the move by warning that inaction would allow Iran, which he labelled the worlds leading state sponsor of terror, to edge closer to developing nuclear weapons. Now, American and Iranian officials are set to engage in a rare round of high-level talks this weekend in Muscat, Oman amid heightened regional tensions and renewed concerns over Irans nuclear ambitions. The meeting, led by President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff, is said to be a renewed diplomatic effort during Trumps second term even as military options remain on the table. President Trump wrote to Khamenei urging negotiations but warning of possible military action if Iran refuses. Far from putting up a show and merely talking in front of the cameras, Tehran is seeking a real and fair agreement, important and implementable proposals are ready, Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani posted on X. He confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was heading to Oman with full authority for indirect negotiations with America, adding that if Washington showed goodwill, the path forward would be smooth. Ahead of the talks, Trump reiterated that military action was absolutely possible if they failed. At the same time, the US has stepped up its military posture in the region including relocating a third of its stealth bomber fleet to Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean and continuing airstrikes against Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen. These moves are widely interpreted as signals to Tehran about Washingtons willingness to escalate if diplomacy fails. Advertisement Despite the sabre-rattling, Trump has also made moves indicating a genuine interest in reaching a new agreement. In March, he sent a letter to Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, offering a two-month window for a deal a countdown that begins with this weekends meeting in Muscat. Officials close to the administration say the president hopes to avoid a wider military conflict while securing a more favourable successor to the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), which he withdrew from during his first term. Iran, too, appears to be recalibrating. President Masoud Pezeshkian has indicated a more pragmatic approach as Iranian authorities recently censured a conservative newspaper for publishing a column that fantasised about Trumps assassination a move seen as a rare gesture of restraint from a regime long steeped in anti-American rhetoric. In a further sign of diplomatic manoeuvring, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi published an op-ed in The Washington Post on Tuesday criticising the Biden administrations lack of commitment to past negotiations and hinting at a trillion-dollar opportunity for American businesses should ties normalise. Advertisement While Tehran has attempted to characterise the Muscat summit as indirect for domestic optics, US officials maintain it will be a direct dialogue. Though expectations remain modest, both sides seem to recognise the stakes: for Trump, a potential legacy-defining deal; for Iran, a possible off-ramp from sanctions and further confrontation. With inputs from agencies Alleged corruption charges cost He Weidong his job after speculations had risen following his absence from important events. He also reportedly skipped a recent Politburo bureau meeting on Chinese diplomacy that was attended by his colleague and the other CMC vice-chair read more Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday fired the number two general in the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) as he wages a war against corruption in the military. This is the first removal of an official at such a high ranking in six decades. Sources told Financial Times that General He Weidong, who worked under General He Weidong, led by Xi, was removed from his post in recent weeks. Apart from being the second-ranked officer in the PLA, Weidong is also a part of the Communist Partys Politburo. Advertisement He Weidongs removal follows Xis suspension of Miao Hua six months earlierone of the six senior officials in the Central Military Commission (CMC)for serious violations of discipline, a term commonly used to indicate corruption within Chinas military ranks. Why was he fired? Alleged corruption charges cost He Weidong his job after speculations had risen following his absence from important events. He also reportedly skipped a recent Politburo bureau meeting on Chinese diplomacy that was attended by his colleague and the other CMC vice-chair. Last week, Weidong pulled a no-show at a high-profile tree planting ceremony that was led by President Xi. The fact that Xi Jinping can purge a CMC vice-chair shows how serious he is about stamping out corruption in the military, said Neil Thomas, an expert on elite Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Thomas added that Weidongs dismissal is the first of a uniformed Neil Thomas, an expert on elite Chinese politics at the Asia Society Policy Institute. Xi wants to turn the PLA into an effective fighting force beyond Chinas borders but also into a complete servant to his domestic agenda, the expert said. Corruption in PLA In a report published last year, the US said corruption in Chinas military has led to the removal of top leaders and may hamper the countrys efforts to modernize its armed forces. In 2023, Beijings forces experienced a new wave of corruption-related investigations and removals of senior leaders which may have disrupted its progress toward stated 2027 modernization goals, the congressionally mandated annual report on Chinese military and security developments said. At least 15 high-ranking military officers and defence industry executives were removed from their posts between July and December 2023, according to the report. Advertisement Corruption in PLA In a report published last week, the US said corruption in Chinas military has led to the removal of top leaders and may hamper the countrys efforts to modernize its armed forces. In 2023, Beijings forces experienced a new wave of corruption-related investigations and removals of senior leaders which may have disrupted its progress toward stated 2027 modernization goals, the congressionally mandated annual report on Chinese military and security developments said. At least 15 high-ranking military officers and defence industry executives were removed from their posts between July and December 2023, according to the report. China expresses grave concern over U.S. "reckless" tariffs at WTO Xinhua) 08:02, April 11, 2025 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Rain-related incidents kill 22 in India's Uttar Pradesh Xinhua) 16:55, April 11, 2025 NEW DELHI, April 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 22 people, including five women, were killed in the rain-related incidents in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said Friday. Heavy rains and thunderstorms lashed Uttar Pradesh between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, wreaking havoc and causing large-scale damage to crops, livestock and residential houses. The broadcaster quoting the state relief commissioner's office said 13 people were killed after being hit by lightning, while the remaining succumbed to injuries following the collapse of walls and ceilings due to heavy winds. Rain was recorded in 36 districts, while deaths were reported from 11 districts. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief over the deaths and announced an ex gratia relief of 4,649 U.S. dollars (INR 400,000) to each family that lost a member in the rain-related incidents. The Chief Minister also instructed officials to visit the affected areas immediately and carry out a detailed survey to assess the damage caused to life and crops due to the heavy rains. In the adjacent state of Bihar, 82 people were killed in the past two days due to lightning, thunderstorms and rain-related incidents. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) HONOR introduced the HONOR 400 Lite smartphone last week. Now the company has introduced the phone is more markets in Europe and in the UK. The phone packs a 6.7-inch FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED screen with up to 3500 nits peak brightness, is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 7025-Ultra SoC up to 12GB of RAM and has 108MP rear camera long with a 5MP ultra-wide camera that also takes care of the depth function for portrait shots. The phone is just 7.29mm thick and weighs 171 grams, even with a large 5230mAh battery. There is an AI Camera Button that can capture photos, video, zoom, and shoot underwater. The phone has IP65 ratings, SGS five-star reliability for water-resistance and anti-drop protection. HONOR 400 Lite 5G specifications 6.7-inch FHD+ ( 2412 1080 pixels) AMOLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, Octa Core (2 x 2.5GHz Cortex-A78 + 6 x 2GHz Cortex-A55 CPUs) MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra 6nm processor with IMG BXM-8-256 GPU 8GB / 12GB RAM with 256GB storage Android 15 with MagicOS 9.0 Dual SIM (nano + nano / eSIM) 108MP main camera with f/1.75 aperture, 5MP ultra-wide / depth sensor with f/2.2 aperture, LED flash 16MP front camera with f/2.45 aperture In-display fingerprint sensor USB Type-C audio, Stereo speakers Dust and Splash resistant (IP65) Dimensions: 16174.557.29mm; Weight: 171g 5G SA/NSA, Dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac (2.4GHz + 5GHz), Bluetooth 5.3,Support GPS/AGPS/GLONASS/BeiDou/Galileo, USB Type-C 5230mAh (typical) battery with 35W fast charging Pricing and availability The HONOR 400 Lite comes in Mars Green, Velvet Black, and Velvet Grey colours and is priced at 299 Euros (USD 339 / Rs. 29,195 approx.) in Europe and 249.99 GBP (USD 327 / Rs. 28,165 approx.) in the UK for the 8GB + 256GB model. It is already on sale in Italy, Austria and will be available in the United Kingdom from the 22nd April at honor.com/uk and for customers of EE, O2, Three, Vodafone, Argos, Currys, Amazon and Very in Spring 2025, together with Republic of Ireland customers of Three and Harvey Norman. Air Force spy couple receive jail terms of over 40 years in retrial ROC Central News Agency 04/10/2025 05:52 PM Taipei, April 10 (CNA) An Air Force couple found guilty of espionage received jail sentences of 47 years and 57 years, following a retrial at the Taiwan High Court branch in Kaohsiung on Thursday. The branch court found Sun Wei () and his wife Liu Yun-ya () guilty of violating four counts of the Criminal Code of the Armed Forces, including passing classified military information to Chinese intelligence. On each of the four counts, Sun was sentenced to 14 years, 13 years, 14 years, and six years in prison, while his wife was sentenced to 16 years, 17 years, 16 years and eight years. However, the ruling can still be appealed. The retrial came after the Supreme Court in June last year found their original sentences to be flawed. Sun and his wife were initially given jail terms of 19 years and six months, and 20 years and six months, respectively. The couple were found to be connected to a case involving retired Air Force colonel Liu Sheng-shu (). Based on an investigation by prosecutors, Liu Sheng-shu began doing business in China after retiring from the Air Force in 2013. He was then recruited by the Chinese side to serve as a spy and used his personal connections in the military to recruit active military officers to engage in espionage activities in exchange for monetary reward. Liu Sheng-shu succeeded in bringing six officers, including Sun and his wife, into his spy ring and received payments of between NT$200,000 (US$6,089) and NT$700,000 from the Chinese side through a shell company he set up for each individual recruited. In addition, Liu Sheng-shu was given bonuses of between NT$30,000 and NT$100,000 when his handlers passed on classified information on Taiwan's military. The retired Air Force colonel and six other officers were subsequently arrested and indicted by prosecutors in April 2023. Following subsequent rulings and appeals, the Supreme Court in June last year upheld most of the defendants' sentences except for Sun and his wife, as their verdicts were ordered to be retried by the Taiwan High Court branch in Kaohsiung. According to the Control Yuan, Taiwan's highest government supervisory body, the Ministry of National Defense has also been censured over its handling of the incident, which at the time involved six active military personnel, the most in recent years. (By Hung Hsueh-kuang, James Lo and Ko Lin) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China reveals espionage case involving overseas returnee recruited by foreign intelligence Global Times By Global Times Published: Apr 11, 2025 10:51 AM As China's National Security Education Day looms, the Ministry of State Security (MSS) launched a special video feature series on major national security cases, starting with one titled "overseas returnee who applied for a job with ulterior motives." The episode reveals the case of a student surnamed Hao, who, under the direction of a foreign espionage agency, infiltrated critical and sensitive positions in China and remained undercover for an extended period. Hao was later convicted of espionage and sentenced to life imprisonment, with lifelong deprivation of political rights. China's national security authorities have recently uncovered a major espionage case involving a foreign spy who had long been embedded in a core and sensitive government institution, according to a video posted on the WeChat account of the MSS. The spy, identified by the surname Hao, was a Chinese student who had studied overseas. During his time abroad, Hao was recruited by a foreign intelligence agency. Acting on their instructions, he later returned to China and successfully gained employment in a central government department, targeting a position of strategic importance. This case details how Hao's path to espionage began innocently enough. While pursuing his PhD, he was preparing to attend an international academic conference and visited a foreign embassy to apply for a visa. Embassy staff told him his application needed additional review, the video showed. Shortly afterward, a man identifying himself as Tan official at the embassycalled Hao and invited him for an in-person meeting to "discuss the visa issue." In reality, T was an officer working for that country's intelligence service, stationed at the embassy, according to the video. Knowing he had found a promising target, T asked Hao about his academic background, research interests, and future job plans. T offered to help with the visa process and suggested they become friends. Flattered and unaware of the true motive, Hao agreed and exchanged contact information. From that moment on, Hao had unwittingly stepped into a carefully orchestrated trap set by the foreign intelligence agencyone that would eventually lead him down a path of espionage, according to the video. The case serves as a stark warning that foreign intelligence agencies have long set their sights on Chinese students studying abroad. These agencies often exploit the visa application process to identify and approach individuals they deem potentially valuable. Intelligence officers, posing as visa officials, are particularly deceptive and manipulative when dealing with young students who lack real-world experience, the MSS said. After establishing contact, the foreign agent known as T gradually deepened his relationship with Hao through a series of tacticstreating him to meals, offering gifts, and expressing concern about Hao's financial burdens while studying abroad. T then offered Hao a part-time job. Under this pretense, Hao was invited to a "job interview," where he was rewarded handsomely for submitting two academic papers, which further solidified his trust in T, according to the video. Months later, T introduced Hao to his "colleague," L, just as Hao was about to graduate. L eventually revealed his true identity as a spy and formally recruited Hao, thus establishing a clandestine intelligence relationship, the video said. National security authorities have confirmed that tactics such as wining and dining, offering travel opportunities, gift-giving, and providing part-time jobs are commonly used by foreign intelligence agencies to cultivate relationships with Chinese students abroad. Once the relationship becomes close enough, and the timing is deemed right, recruitment efforts begin in earnest, according to the MSS. After returning to China, Hao followed the foreign agency's instructions and sought employment at a research institute affiliated with a central government ministryone of China's key classified institutions. While working there, he met secretly with foreign agents multiple times, passing along classified information in exchange for espionage payments, the video showed. The MSS also warned that foreign intelligence agencies and their proxies continuously target China's most sensitive institutions, aggressively attempting to penetrate and steal critical intelligence. These actions pose a serious threat to national security and core interests. Under the direction of the foreign intelligence agency and driven by a desire to gain more classified information, Hao was eventually seconded to a central government ministry to work on a highly confidential project. In doing so, he became a deeply embedded spy within one of China's most critical departments, according to the video. According to investigations, the intelligence Hao provided to the foreign agency involved sensitive projects from the central ministry, internal personnel details, five items classified as confidential State secrets, two items as secret State secrets, and 14 pieces of intelligence as defined under Article 111 of China's Criminal Law, the MSS said. Hao was ultimately convicted of espionage and sentenced to life imprisonment, with lifelong deprivation of political rights. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address ECDI Announces Call for Proposals to Find Manufacturers for the Defence Industry Park Republic of Estonia - Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) 09.04.2025 Uncategorized The Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) has announced a call for proposals for companies interested in manufacturing ammunition, munition not containing an explosive substance, munition containing an explosive substance, military explosives, military explosive substance, or their components in the defence industry park to be established in the Ermistu area of Parnu County. The deadline for proposals is June 15, and production is expected to begin no later than early 2027. On April 4, 2025, the Ermistu village area in Parnu County was announced as the preferred location for the defence industry park. The state will build the base infrastructure for the park, while the companies will construct their own production facilities. The second preferred location is in Pohja-Kivioli. "The development of the defence industry park is one of the government's priorities, and to that end, a national designated spatial plan was launched at the beginning of 2024. In parallel, consultations have taken place with defence industry companies who have expressed a desire to start production in the park as soon as possible," explained Tambet Tonisson, Head of State Assets Division at ECDI. "Interest has come from both emerging domestic companies and international manufacturers." Companies participating in the call for proposals must submit an operational plan that includes detailed information about the product, production volumes, proposed timeline, size of the desired area, infrastructure and resource requirements, net quantity of explosives to be handled, product supply chain, and more. The detailed conditions of the call for proposals and the necessary documents for submission are published in the Official Announcements(English translation is provided in the documents). Initial applications must be sent by May 15, 2025, to ecdi@rkik.ee. Final proposals are due by June 15, 2025, after which negotiations with the selected company will begin. The final evaluation criteria, their weightings, scoring ranges, and evaluation methodology will be established by ECDI in the proposal submission invitation no later than July 28, 2025, following negotiations with the applicants. The proposals will be evaluated by a committee appointed by the Director General of ECDI. "Our goal is to select the companies that will start operating in the defence industry park by the end of this summer, so that we can then proceed to sign the necessary contracts. After that, the companies can begin designing and constructing their production facilities. Production in the first companies should start no later than early 2027," Tonisson added. ECDI will organize an information day for all companies interested in the call for proposals. It will take place on April 17, 2025, at 12:00 at the Nordic Hotel Forum (Viru valjak 3, Tallinn). To participate (also via video), company representatives (up to three people per company) are asked to register no later than April 13, 2025, at ecdi@rkik.ee. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Vietnam, US to start trade talks as Trump eases tariffs for 90 days 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 closed 9.1% higher and South Korea's KOSPI ended the trading day up 6.6% 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. That's likely to include members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN. Economic ministers from the 10-nation group - America's fifth-largest trading partner last year - ended a meeting Thursday calling for talks with the Trump administration. They said they wouldn't fight back in spite of tariffs that were initially among the highest in the world, ranging from 32% to 49%. "We express our common intention to engage in a frank and constructive dialogue with the U.S. to address trade-related concerns," ministers said in a statement. "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 U.S. tariffs." Edited by Stephen Wright. Updated to add comment from ASEAN economic ministers. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address African Lion 25: Largest U.S.-led military exercise in Africa kicks off across four nations By PHILIP REGINA April 10, 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). African Lion 25 will take place across Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal. Participating nations include: In Morocco: Cameroon, Cape Verde, Djibouti, France, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Kenya, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, United Kingdom, and the United States. Cameroon, Cape Verde, Djibouti, France, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Kenya, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, United Kingdom, and the United States. In Tunisia: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, Spain, Tunisia, and the United States. Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, Spain, Tunisia, and the United States. In Ghana: Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, Togo, and the United States. Benin, Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, Togo, and the United States. In Senegal: Cote d'Ivoire, Mauritania, Netherlands, Senegal, and the United States. Observer nations include Belgium, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, India, Qatar, and Republic of Congoreflecting broad interest in regional cooperation and collective security. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address As situation in Georgia continues to deteriorate, Assembly sets out additional demands to reverse democratic backsliding Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Strasbourg 10 April 2025 Noting that the situation in Georgia "has continued to deteriorate" since its last assessment in January, with no sign of an inclusive political process or new elections, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) has warned of a deepening political schism in the country and made a series of additional recommendations to reverse democratic backsliding. Approving a resolution based on a report by Edite Estrela (Portugal, SOC) and Sabina Cudic (Bosnia and Herzegovina, ALDE), the Assembly said "retaliation against protesters, journalists and civic leaders continue unabated". It demanded the release of detained protesters, a stop to ill-treatment of detainees, and investigations into reports of police brutality. There are also growing challenges to freedom of assembly and expression, while the media environment has continued to deteriorate, the parliamentarians said. They called for the repeal or revision of a number of concerning new laws in these fields, as well as repeal of recent amendments to the electoral code and a series of other steps to "restore the conditions for genuinely democratic elections". The Assembly added that it was deeply concerned by the "devastating impact" on Georgian civil society of the Foreign Agent Registration Act - serving the same objectives as the controversial Law on Transparency of Foreign Influence - and called for the repeal of legislation ending the mandatory participation of civil society organisations in the law-making process. The Assembly also said it deplores the decision of the ruling majority to investigate members of the United National Movement for activities between 2003 and the present, and the criminal charges against former UNM members and others, including from opposition parties and members of civil society. The parliamentarians warned: "The effective prohibition of democratic opposition in Georgia would be a gross violation of Georgia's membership obligations under the statute of the Council of Europe. Even if not yet enacted, the threat of such action alone already deepens the political schism in the country and prevents the resolution of the ongoing crisis." The Assembly also expressed deep regret that, despite its decision in January to ratify the credentials of the Georgian delegation, all its members had resigned, "thus rejecting dialogue". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address April 10, 2025 By C. Todd Lopez, DOD News Military Met 2024 Recruit Contracting Goals, Plans for Repeat The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force met their contracting goals for new recruits last year and expect to do so again this year. At the same time, military personnel leaders said they are undergoing transformations with an eye toward lethality. "Our Army can provide combat power anywhere in the world to protect American and allied interests," said Army Lt. Gen. Brian S. Eifler, deputy chief of staff for personnel. "Our Army is lethal, cohesive and ready. We are proud, but we are not satisfied." During testimony yesterday before the Senate Armed Services Committee's military personnel subcommittee, Eifler said the Army is moving forward with a focus on warfighting, ready combat formations, continuous transformation and strengthening the Army profession. "Within these four pillars, our team of professionals will execute all human resource actions that directly support our most important asset: our people," the general told senators. Part of that effort, he said, is an overhaul and revamping of the Army's retention processes. "This will ensure quality over quantity and provide leaders the right skills for our formations," he said. Also on the Army's personnel docket, he said, is modernization of its centralized promotion board system, leveraging of artificial intelligence and an overhaul of its officer professional management system. Barracks renovations and updates to dining facilities, he said, will improve the quality of life for soldiers and ensure they remain focused on the mission of defending the nation. Eifler said the Army exceeded its recruiting goal by adding over 55,000 new soldiers in fiscal year 2024 and plans to add an additional 61,000 to the force this year. He said the Army is currently on a path to surpass its goal without lowering standards. At sea, Navy Vice Adm. Richard J. Cheeseman Jr., chief of naval personnel, told lawmakers the Navy had a "historic" recruiting year in 2024, exceeding its goal by the highest number of sailors on contract since 2003. It plans to do the same again in 2025. While the Navy exceeded the number of sailors it wanted to put on contract in 2024, some of those recruits were unable to immediately attend boot camp due to capacity. Cheeseman said he's making sure that this year, the Navy has slots in basic training to accept new recruits. "I remain focused on ensuring our schoolhouse supply chain is ready to receive this influx of motivated students, and we are ensuring every future sailor receives the training they need to be ready on day one in a fiscally responsible, efficient and effective manner," he said. With a newly established Recruiting Operations Center, implementation of the Future Sailor Preparatory Course to improve accession success, a streamlined medical waiver review process, an increase in recruiters, and improved marketing efforts, Cheeseman said the Navy will be successful in fiscal year 2025 with its goal to recruit 40,600 new sailors. The Navy also found success in its retention goals keeping good sailors in the service. Cheeseman said the Navy exceeded retention forecasts across all zones and expects to do the same in 2025. "Our sailors stand ready as a lethal fighting force to deter or confront any adversary," he said. "You and every American can be proud of your Navy and this team. " Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Michael J. Borgschulte, deputy commandant for manpower and reserve affairs, told lawmakers that Marine Corps recruiting efforts are focused on lethality. "The Marine Corps approaches the challenges of this critical manpower portfolio with a singular focus, and that is delivering combat-credible lethal forces to operational units wherever they are needed," he said. "Every decision we make, whether that's through recruiting, retention, assignment or policies, is evaluated through the lens of lethality." The Marine Corps met its recruiting goals in 2024, and Borgschulte said the Marines will do it again in 2025. "We've achieved these recruiting goals while exceeding all DOD quality standards, without lowering and without ever compromising those standards that define us," he told senators. "We believe our discipline, culture, our warfighting ethos and high standards attract the competitive, high-performing Americans that we need to fill our ranks with tough, smart and gritty Marines." Borgschulte also said the Marine Corps has exceeded its retention goals. "The retention of our Marines has also reached historic heights," he said. "This year, we've exceeded last year's unprecedented numbers, and just this last week, we surpassed 100% of the retention goals that we need, and we're not stopping. This year marks the highest number and highest quality we've retained of Marines in decades and proves that warriors that earn the title 'Marine' want to stay Marine and are proud to protect and defend the nation that we love." Last year, an increase in recruiter manning helped the Air Force achieve its fiscal year 2024 recruiting goals, said Air Force Lt. Gen. Caroline M. Miller, the deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel and services. "Fiscal year 2024 saw improvements in recruiting due to an increase in recruiter manning, changes to training processes and an increase in the delayed entry program to its highest level in 10 years," Miller said. "The department is also improving pilot retention through increased accessions and training throughput capacity, using monetary and nonmonetary authorities granted by Congress." She said the Air Force plans to succeed again in its recruiting goals this year. "We exist to fly, fight and win, none of which is possible without the dedication and talent of the men and women who volunteer to serve," said Miller. "This year, we continue to focus on recruiting, developing and retaining skilled and innovative individuals [and] ensuring they are equipped with essential operational skills and resources." Talent management, Miller said, remains a priority for the Air Force to build and develop the force needed to defend the nation. "Our talent management philosophy is based on high standards, accountability and meritocracy," she said. "Each airman record is evaluated on its own merit, specifically in terms of job performance, demonstrated skills and warfighting readiness." While the U.S. Space Force is the smallest service, its mission to secure the nation's interests in, from and to space is outsized. Katharine Kelley, the Space Force deputy chief of space operations for personnel, said last year that the service met its recruiting goals and will do so again this year. "Currently, we have more than 440 recruits awaiting entry into the Space Force, which will allow us a further pipeline for next year as well," she said. "[And] to ensure the long-term pipeline of guardians, we've established a recruiting squadron, which is the first time for the Space Force to have a guardian recruiting other potential guardians." Kelley said the service remains focused on developing guardians with the necessary skills and experience. In the past year, for instance, the Space Force launched an inaugural officer training course a 12-month course covering space operations, intelligence, cyber and acquisition. "As the space domain becomes increasingly contested, no longer a benign environment, we remain steadfast in our mission to secure our nation's interests," she said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU announces 282.5 million in humanitarian aid for Chad and Sudan crisis European External Action Service (EEAS) 10.04.2025 Brussels Press and information team of the Delegation to the African Union The Commission has announced today 282.5 million in EU humanitarian aid to address the needs of the most vulnerable people in Chad, Sudan and neighbouring countries. Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib is today in Chad, where she is visiting several EU-funded projects in the country, including those assisting Sudanese refugees. In Chad, 74.5 million will support the response to the forced displacement crisis in Lake Chad province, as well as the influx of Sudanese refugees and returnees to the east of the country. Funding will be used for food and nutrition assistance, protection for vulnerable individuals and families, health care and essential medicines, water, sanitation, and hygiene services, shelter for displaced populations, education, and multisectoral rapid response. In Sudan, 160 million will support people in regions severely affected by conflict, with focus on areas facing famine and severe food insecurity and hosting large forcibly displaced populations. Assistance includes addressing food insecurity through cash assistance, healthcare and nutrition services, water and sanitation, shelter support, protection and education. A further 48 million will support refugees, returnees and host communities in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt and Libya, to respond to the spillover effects of Sudanese crisis in neighbouring countries, where almost 4 million people have already sought refuge. Out of the total amount announced today, 140 million is subject to the approval of the budgetary authorities. Commissioner Lahbib will also meet in Chad EU humanitarian partners, national authorities and civil society organisations to discuss humanitarian challenges and needs. Background Chad faces overlapping natural and manmade humanitarian crises, with 7 million people needing humanitarian aid in 2025. Humanitarian needs are soaring due to a protracted crisis in the Lake Province, unprecedented food insecurity and a mass influx of refugees and returning Chadians from Sudan. Even before the beginning of the armed conflict Sudan in April 2023, Chad hosted one of the region's largest refugee populations. With nearly 1 million new arrivals, the total forcibly displaced now exceeds 1.3 million, including over 1.1 million Sudanese refugees, as well as refugees from the Central African Republic, Nigeria and Cameroon, and 220.000 returning Chadians. With more than 15 million forcibly displaced individuals, the Sudan crisis is the largest displacement crisis in the world, significantly affecting its neighbouring countries that have already taken in more than 3.7 million displaced persons. In December, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) had projected that 24.6 million people would experience acute food insecurity, including famine, in Sudan by May 2025. These already critical levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition are now expected to deteriorate and expand even before May due to the ongoing conflict, displacement, the early start of the peak season, limited access and cuts in funding. More than 30 million people in Sudan are in need of humanitarian assistance, 9 million of whom are in Darfur, and can only be reached through cross-border assistance via Chad. In 2024, the EU allocated almost 260 million to the Sudan crisis for Sudan and its neighbouring countries. This included 147 million for the response inside Sudan. To draw global attention to the crisis, the EU will co-host the London Sudan Conference, together with the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the African Union, on 15 April 2025, two years since the start of the armed conflict. Quote(s) With conflict still raging in Sudan, humanitarian needs in the whole region are soaring. Neighbouring countries, grappling with their own challenges, are under immense pressure and the recent surge in fighting is likely to cause even more people to flee across borders. During my mission to Chad, I witnessed firsthand the scale and impact of this crisis, in which the most vulnerable bear the brunt. Since the eruption of war in Sudan, the European Union has stepped up its support and today's aid package reaffirms our unwavering commitment to address this crisis, providing crucial humanitarian assistance and extending support to neighbouring countries in their time of need. Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement delivered by the European Union in the WTO's Council for Trade in Goods on 9 April 2025 regarding agenda item 7: United States - Reciprocal Tariffs and Other Tariff Measures - Request from China European External Action Service (EEAS) 10.04.2025 Geneva EU mission to the WTO in Geneva - Press and information team Statement delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative, Hiddo Houben The European Union greatly values the benefits that the WTO has brought to all partners over the past 30 years - or 80 years if we include the GATT period. World trade has flourished under predictable, transparent rules and low tariffs. The EU is deeply concerned with the introduction by US government of universal and sectoral tariffs that affects all WTO members, including the EU. This is a major blow to the world economy and the multilateral trading system. The tariffs are in contradiction with the most basic rules and principles of the WTO, and cannot be justified by national security, leading to uncertainty for businesses, disrupting supply chains and causing higher prices for consumers around the world. Moreover, it is concerning that some of the most vulnerable least developed members of the WTO are now subject to the highest US tariffs. This is not to say the EU is a defender of the status quo. In fact, like US the EU has long been calling for WTO reform. This is because the EU shares some of the US concerns regarding serious deficiencies in global trading system, including the impact of China's policies and practices that lead to market distortions and overcapacity with negative spillovers for all WTO members . However, such tariffs on all trading partners as first and last tool will not fix these imbalances. We strongly urge the US to address concerns through and dialogue negotiations within this organization. The EU remains committed to an open, rules-based and predictable global trading system that benefits all members . We will continue to engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation in the WTO, supporting efforts to make the global trading system fit for the realities of the current global economy. And we will continue to build bridges with all partners who, like us, care about fair and rules-based trade as the basis for shared prosperity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU announces 282.5 million in humanitarian aid for Chad and Sudan crisis European Commission Press release Apr 10, 2025 Brussels The Commission has announced today 282.5 million in EU humanitarian aid to address the needs of the most vulnerable people in Chad, Sudan and neighbouring countries. Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib is today in Chad, where she is visiting several EU-funded projects in the country, including those assisting Sudanese refugees. In Chad, 74.5 million will support the response to the forced displacement crisis in Lake Chad province, as well as the influx of Sudanese refugees and returnees to the east of the country. Funding will be used for food and nutrition assistance, protection for vulnerable individuals and families, health care and essential medicines, water, sanitation, and hygiene services, shelter for displaced populations, education, and multisectoral rapid response. In Sudan, 160 million will support people in regions severely affected by conflict, with focus on areas facing famine and severe food insecurity and hosting large forcibly displaced populations. Assistance includes addressing food insecurity through cash assistance, healthcare and nutrition services, water and sanitation, shelter support, protection and education. A further 48 million will support refugees, returnees and host communities in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Egypt and Libya, to respond to the spillover effects of Sudanese crisis in neighbouring countries, where almost 4 million people have already sought refuge. Out of the total amount announced today, 140 million is subject to the approval of the budgetary authorities. Commissioner Lahbib will also meet in Chad EU humanitarian partners, national authorities and civil society organisations to discuss humanitarian challenges and needs. Background Chad faces overlapping natural and manmade humanitarian crises, with 7 million people needing humanitarian aid in 2025. Humanitarian needs are soaring due to a protracted crisis in the Lake Province, unprecedented food insecurity and a mass influx of refugees and returning Chadians from Sudan. Even before the beginning of the armed conflict Sudan in April 2023, Chad hosted one of the region's largest refugee populations. With nearly 1 million new arrivals, the total forcibly displaced now exceeds 1.3 million, including over 1.1 million Sudanese refugees, as well as refugees from the Central African Republic, Nigeria and Cameroon, and 220.000 returning Chadians. With more than 15 million forcibly displaced individuals, the Sudan crisis is the largest displacement crisis in the world, significantly affecting its neighbouring countries that have already taken in more than 3.7 million displaced persons. In December, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) had projected that 24.6 million people would experience acute food insecurity, including famine, in Sudan by May 2025. These already critical levels of acute food insecurity and malnutrition are now expected to deteriorate and expand even before May due to the ongoing conflict, displacement, the early start of the peak season, limited access and cuts in funding. More than 30 million people in Sudan are in need of humanitarian assistance, 9 million of whom are in Darfur, and can only be reached through cross-border assistance via Chad. In 2024, the EU allocated almost 260 million to the Sudan crisis for Sudan and its neighbouring countries. This included 147 million for the response inside Sudan. To draw global attention to the crisis, the EU will co-host the London Sudan Conference, together with the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the African Union, on 15 April 2025, two years since the start of the armed conflict. Quote(s) With conflict still raging in Sudan, humanitarian needs in the whole region are soaring. Neighbouring countries, grappling with their own challenges, are under immense pressure and the recent surge in fighting is likely to cause even more people to flee across borders. During my mission to Chad, I witnessed firsthand the scale and impact of this crisis, in which the most vulnerable bear the brunt. Since the eruption of war in Sudan, the European Union has stepped up its support and today's aid package reaffirms our unwavering commitment to address this crisis, providing crucial humanitarian assistance and extending support to neighbouring countries in their time of need. Hadja Lahbib, Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness and Crisis Management NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Finland provides material assistance to Moldova Finnish Government Ministry of the Interior Publication date 10.4.2025 12.34 Type: Press release In January, Moldova requested energy sector assistance through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism after Russia had stopped gas deliveries to the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. The situation has jeopardised the functioning and stability of the electricity sector throughout the Republic of Moldova. Finland responded to Moldova's request for assistance by delivering five generators. Some other European countries have also responded to Moldova's request for assistance. Finland is an active provider of material and expert assistance The Ministry of the Interior coordinates the civilian material assistance provided by Finland through the European Union Civil Protection Mechanism. Any country can request assistance via the Civil Protection Mechanism if the scale of an emergency or disaster exceeds their response capacity. Assistance provided through the Civil Protection Mechanism is drawn from national resources. The provision of material assistance to Ukraine and its neighbouring countries, such as Moldova, since February 2022 is the largest and longest-lasting EU civil protection mechanism operation to date. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norway and Mexico: A call for a coalition to defend multilateral cooperation Government of Norway Joint statement News story | Date: 10/04/2025 Enrique Ochoa, Under-Secretary for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights of Mexico, and Andreas Motzfeld Kravik, State Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Norway met on 8 April 2025, in Mexico City, for consultations on multilateral issues. Under-Secretary Ochoa and State Secretary Kravik agreed that a well-functioning multilateral system, and a world order built on international law are vital to their respective national interests, and essential to uphold progressive norms and standards on gender and human rights, the environment, and international peace and security. Only the UN has the mandate, legitimacy or infrastructure to play this leading role. The UN system is challenged by both serious reductions in funding and by a changed geopolitical situation. The UN will have to adapt to the new circumstances. The Secretary General has launched the UN80 initiative, which envisages a thorough reform-process to maintain the global leadership of the UN. Mexico and Norway support the Secretary General's efforts and expect radical and bold organizational changes and innovation that will reshape the UN to match a new funding landscape. Reforms that will maintain the role of the UN as our foremost meeting place for discussing, devising policies and giving legitimacy to collective decisions. Multilateral responses are indispensable to address pressing challenges faced by humanity, including conflicts, climate change and poverty eradication. Reforms that will make sure that the UN is in a position to efficiently support the implementation of the 2030 agenda and the Pact of the Future on the ground, as well as to maintain the global humanitarian system. For reforms to be successful, they need support from the broad membership of the UN. Mexico and Norway will therefore actively reach out to countries in all regions. It is essential to look beyond our regional groups to build support for the necessary reforms. In addition, Under-Secretary Ochoa and State Secretary Kravik discussed a range of topics covering the functioning of the Security Council, defending international law, disarmament and non-proliferation, financing for development, oceans, climate change, human rights, feminist foreign policy and women, peace and security. At the Matias Romero Diplomatic Academy, the officials also led an academic discussion under the theme "Reimagining multilateralism: An agenda for a fragmented world". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel violates ceasefire in Gaza with the U.S. support: Ansarullah leader IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 10, 2025 Leader of Yemen's Ansarullah movement Abdul-Malik al-Houthi says the Israeli regime has violated the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip with backing from the United States. According to Yemen's Al-Masirah TV channel, al-Houthi on Thursday termed the Israeli measures as genocide against Palestinians, criticizing the Israeli regime for failing to uphold its commitments under the ceasefire deal. The regime, encouraged by Washington, disregarded the agreement's terms and escalated military operations in Gaza, he said. Ansarullah leader criticized Israel's treatment of Palestinian prisoners which is a crucial issue for Palestinians. Al-Houthi further denounced the Israeli plans to displace Palestinians from Gaza and the West Bank, and the closure of UNRWA schools in occupied territories, which he deemed a violation of Palestinians' right to education. He also said that Israel's renewed attacks have deepened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. 7129**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Lithuania plays a particularly significant role in strengthening deterrence, says NATO Director of Nuclear Policy Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence 2025-04-10 International cooperation | Security and defense policy NATO Director of Nuclear Policy Jim Stokes underscores that nuclear weapons are not for attacks, rather, their function is to preserve peace and deter the aggressor. According to the NATO official, even though not a nuclear state, Lithuania is a full-fledged shaper of NATO's nuclear policy. The topic was addressed at the latest Ministry of National Defence podcast KAS ir KAM? "NATO decisions are not taken without Lithuania's awareness. The Lithuanians are especially active in the nuclear formats of NATO, they shape the policy, contribute in discussions, debate their plans and opportunities," said NATO representative. According to the expert, Russia is instrumentalizing the nuclear weapon not just as a physical threat but also for exerting psychological pressure. "Russia is trying to use its nuclear rhetoric to deter the West from supporting Ukraine. But we observe, understand what they are doing and let them see that we cannot be scared," said J. Stokes. "Lithuania faces the same amount of nuclear threat as the entire NATO Alliance. We have been saying frankly for many years now: the main threat NATO faces is Russia with the terrorist organisations," said NATO Director of Nuclear Policy. The podcast addresses the question why NATO absolutely needs nuclear capability. According to J. Stokes, it would be irresponsible to ditch them in the current security situation, "A world without the nuclear weapons would be an ideal, however, the reality of today is quite different. We have adversaries who not only hold a nuclear arsenal but also are actively engaged in upgrading it," underscored J. Stokes. The KAS ir KAM? podcast examines daily and strategic challenges at the National Defence System, from logistical and psychological aspects to conflict and solutions in order to build a better understanding between the National Defence System and the public. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Teamwork at Sea: Mine Countermeasures Exercise Wraps Up in the Baltic Sea NATO Allied Maritime Command Apr 10 2025 BALTIC SEA -- Twelve ships from seven NATO nations successfully concluded the German-led Baltic MCM naval exercise in the Baltic Sea recently, a high-intensity two-week exercise that united ships and crews to hone skills in mine warfare and beyond. Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group One (SNMCMG1) participated with six ships, working alongside a second task unit under the German-led Commander Baltic Naval Squadron (COMBALTRON). SNMCMG1 participated in the MCM naval exercise while simultaneously executing its mission in support of Baltic Sentry, NATO's effort to safeguard critical undersea infrastructure in the region. Practicing the Fundamentals While mine countermeasures is the specialty of the participating vessels, Baltic MCM focused heavily on seamanship, coordination, and naval core skills. The first part of the exercise included formation navigation drills. Besides the tactical utility of the formations, they challenge the communication procedures and establish common understanding between ships with different national practices. Using NATO protocols, the crews synchronized their operations. Live gunnery exercises followed, beginning with fixed targets and advancing to air defence scenarios. In one phase, an aircraft towed a training target pod as a simulated air threat, challenging ships to engage a moving aerial target while underwayrequiring sharp accuracy and precise coordination. "Firing from a moving ship at a moving target is not an easy task, but our crews proved they're more than capable," Kockx added. Seamanship, Replenishment and Team Spirit Alongside tactical drills, ships practiced traditional seamanship skills, including flag-based manoeuvring, during which crews use visual signals, flags, to communicate course and speed changes. This not only tested navigation precision but also reinforced visual methods of coordination in radio-silent environments. The group also rehearsed replenishment at sea, an essential capability for sustained operations. Vessels practiced fuelling while underway, proving both their technical ability and trust in one another. Simulated damage control and firefighting drills added to the full-spectrum training, sharpening emergency response procedures vital to keeping ships and crews safe. A Farewell with Flair As the exercise came to an end, the participating units held a traditional Sail Past - an informal and spirited send-off. Ships passed close aboard in formation, exchanged salutes, and even indulged in light-hearted naval traditions: water hoses spraying across decks and music echoing over the waves. It was a showcase of how different navies come together, train together, and operate as one. Through shared experience, coordination, and mutual trust, NATO's maritime forces continue to prove that they are Stronger Together - Always Vigilant. Story by Public Affairs Office at MARCOM NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Allies discuss military mobility with EU Transport Commissioner NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 10 Apr. 2025 Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska welcomed the EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas to the NATO Headquarters on Thursday (10 April 2025) for a meeting with Allies in the North Atlantic Council. They discussed practical ways to step up NATO-EU cooperation, focusing on military mobility. The Deputy Secretary General highlighted the important role that the EU can play in making sure that NATO Allies can deploy and sustain their forces rapidly to and throughout the whole of Europe. Ms Shekerinska thanked Commissioner Tzitzikostas for an insightful presentation to the North Atlantic Council. She stressed that exchanges with the EU are essential to foster transparency on issues of common interest between both organisations and to explore what more NATO and the EU can do together. The meeting was part of NATO's close cooperation with EU counterparts. At the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers on 3-4 April NATO Allies met with EU High Represenative Kaja Kallas and on 26 March NATO Allies received a briefing by Andrius Kubilius, the EU Commissioner for Defence and Space. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO and southern neighbourhood partners boost dialogue and cooperation on regional security challenges NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 09 Apr. 2025 Last updated: 10 Apr. 2025 NATO's North Atlantic Council and southern neighbourhood partners recently met within the Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) frameworks, to take stock of their partnerships and share views on regional security challenges, especially in the Sahel and the Gulf regions, respectively. On 9 April 2025, NATO's Deputy Secretary General, Ms Radmila Shekerinska, chaired a meeting with representatives of the four ICI partners (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates). This followed a 19 March meeting, chaired by NATO's Secretary General, Mr Mark Rutte, with representatives of the seven MD partners (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia). The Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General underscored NATO's commitment to the southern neighbourhood and its readiness to engage more actively with MD and ICI partners on security issues of shared interest. They noted that growing instability in the Sahel region and the latest developments in the Gulf have direct implications for the security of NATO's partners in the region and for the Euro-Atlantic area. The NATO Secretary General's Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood, Mr Javier Colomina, used both occasions to brief on the efforts undertaken to enhance political dialogue and practical cooperation with these NATO partners and further synergies with regional and international organisations, in accordance with NATO's Southern Neighbourhood Action Plan, which was agreed at the July 2024 Washington Summit. He also highlighted the first agenda for tackling security challenges, developed between NATO and the southern neighbourhood partners, which was approved by NATO Foreign Ministers in early April 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO's Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood concludes his visit to Tunisia NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 07 Apr. 2025 - 08 Apr. 2025 Last updated: 10 Apr. 2025 NATO's Special Representative for the Southern Neighbourhood, Mr Javier Colomina, travelled to Tunis on 7-8 April 2025. This was his first visit to Tunisia in his new capacity. He met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Ali Nafti, the Minister of National Defence Khaled Sehili, and the National Security Advisor to the President of the Tunisian Republic Abderraouf Atallah, to discuss NATO's relations with Tunisia, and exchange views on regional security issues. Special Representative Colomina highlighted the long-term importance of the committed partnership between NATO and Tunisia, notably in the context of current regional security challenges, including developments in the Sahel region. Taking stock of the cooperation to date, Special Representative Colomina and the Tunisian authorities discussed opportunities to further deepen political dialogue and enhance practical cooperation, on the basis of NATO's strengthened approach to the southern neighbourhood, approved at the NATO Summit in Washington, in July 2024. Noting the links between regional and global security, the NATO Special Representative said: "Strengthening our partnership is of great value for both NATO and Tunisia. The challenges we face are global and interconnected; we can better address them and ensure stability through international cooperation." "Tunisia is one of the most ambitious partners within the Mediterranean Dialogue and we value the country's active involvement. Under the Defence Capacity Building (DCB) Package, NATO and Tunisia are deepening their cooperation," he added. The DCB package includes important initiatives on defence and security, fostering interoperability with NATO and enabling cooperation in areas such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber security, countering-improvised explosive devices, women peace and security, building integrity and defence against chemical and biological agents. Tunisia is also enhancing its role as a regional capacity-building hub and contributes greatly to regional stability, including through military education programmes supported by NATO and open to African countries. Tunisia joined the Mediterranean Dialogue in 1995. This NATO partnership framework aims to contribute to regional security and stability in the Mediterranean through political dialogue and practical cooperation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address HMNZS Te Kaha gets to work in the Indian Ocean alongside naval partners New Zealand Defence Force 10 April 2025 Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha has begun its anti-smuggling work in the Indian Ocean as part of the New Zealand-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) in the Middle East. Royal New Zealand Navy frigate HMNZS Te Kaha has begun its anti-smuggling work in the Indian Ocean as part of the New Zealand-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF 150) in the Middle East. Te Kaha is on a deployment to the Middle East in support of CTF 150, one of five international combined task forces under the Combined Maritime Forces based in Bahrain. CTF 150's area of operation covers 3.2 million square kilometres of ocean and focuses on the disruption of narcotic smuggling operations. CTF 150 recently partnered with the Red Sea-based and Australian-led CTF 153 to conduct a joint focused operation called Anzac Tiger, during which the New Zealand crew seized a small amount of narcotics. As part of Anzac Tiger, a range of intelligence organisations collaborated to identify contacts of interest. CTF 150 headquarters then tasked surface ships and air assets to investigate further. "Operation Anzac Tiger was our introduction to operations in support of CTF 150 this year," said Te Kaha commanding officer, Commander Fiona Jameson. After receiving the task, the ship's Seasprite helicopter and other task group air assets were used to visually identify the contact, confirm the position and observe their activities. "When the patterns of life demonstrate suspicious activity, that's our cue to deploy the boarding team to go and take a closer look," Commander Jameson said. Six boardings were carried out, resulting in one major seizure by Indian Navy Ship Tarkash crew and a small seizure, 1kg of heroin, by Te Kaha crew. A total of 2508kg of narcotics were seized, including 2386kg of hashish and 122kg of heroin, taking the total value of narcotics seized to $NZ661 million since New Zealand took command of CTF 150 in January. The operation also offered the opportunity for an at-sea personnel exchange between Te Kaha and Tarkash. Six crew members visit the other nation's ship for the day and conducted combined training and learned more about operating together. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address On his visit to Moldova, OSCE Chairperson-in-Office's Special Representative for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process encouraged the Sides to build on the positive momentum OSCE | Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 10 April 2025 On his visit to Moldova this week, the Special Representative of the Finnish OSCE Chairperson-in-Office for the Transdniestrian Settlement Process, Ambassador Thomas Lenk, acknowledged the constructive interaction between the Sides during the energy crisis and encouraged them to build on the momentum. In his meetings, Ambassador Lenk noted the importance of fostering direct, in-person, interaction between the Chief Negotiators and of the Working Groups, as platforms for substantial dialogue between the Sides. He expressed his hope that the Sides will enhance this work in the coming months. Special Representative Thomas Lenk had the opportunity to hear directly from the Chief Negotiators from Chisinau and Tiraspol who reviewed their most pressing issues in a meeting, chaired by the Head of Mission to Moldova, Ambassador Kelly Keiderling. It was the first in-person meeting of the Chief Negotiators since November 2024. Ambassador Thomas Lenk praised the participants for the important and constructive efforts made by both Sides in recent months. "Both Chisinau and Tiraspol have consistently emphasized the importance of resolving disputes peacefully. They have made significant efforts to keep tensions under control. I am confident they will stay committed to advancing their dialogue and making tangible progress", he stressed. The Special Representative also held meetings with key Moldovan officials, including the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mihail Popsoi, the Minister of Energy Dorin Junghietu and the Head of the Parliamentary Commission for Reintegration Roman Rosca. He also met with representatives of the diplomatic community who seek a solution to the Transdniestrian issue and civil society organizations. During his visit to Tiraspol, Ambassador Lenk met with Transdniestrian leader Vadim Krasnoselsky. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Fijian leaders criticize "unfair" U.S. tariffs People's Daily Online (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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gov't committed to beefing up PH air defenses - Teodoro Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno April 10, 2025, 1:49 pm MANILA -- Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said the government is committed to improving the country's air defenses. Teodoro made this pledge during his visit to the Philippine Air Force's (PAF) 5th Fighter Wing at the Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga on Wednesday, shortly after the commemoration program for the Araw ng Kagitingan at Mount Samat in Bataan, DND spokesperson, Assistant Secretary Arsenio Andolong, said in a news release Thursday. "He further reaffirmed the commitment of the DND and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to enhance the capabilities of the Integrated Air Defense System, strengthen air domain awareness in joint operations within the AFP, " he added. No details were provided on how this would be done for security reasons. Earlier reports said the PAF is beefing up its fighter jet fleet and other air defense platforms as part of the ongoing modernization program. Andolong said Teodoro also called for "seamless interoperability" in combined operations with allied and like-minded nations. The defense chief commended the "fighting spirit" of the PAF and thanked the pilots for their dedication to duty amid the inherent risks of their profession. Teodoro also acknowledged the immense responsibility and skills of Filipino fighter pilots and the courage they need to fly and fight in defense of the Philippine skies. "What we expect from you (fighter pilots) is to train hard, fly hard, and fight hard. That's it," he said. "The rest are things for us to do. To make sure that you are able to train hard, to fight hard, and to fly hard. We cannot afford any slowdown in operational tempo," he said. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Large NPA arms cache seized in Camarines Norte Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno April 10, 2025, 12:29 pm MANILA -- The Tanay-headquartered 2nd Infantry Division (2ID) of the Philippine Army on Thursday announced that its troops had seized a large New People's Army (NPA) arms cache in Labo town, Camarines Norte late Wednesday. In a media statement on Thursday, 2ID spokesperson Lt. Col. Jeffrex Molina said soldiers from the 16th Infantry Battalion under the 201st Infantry Brigade, managed to seize the NPA arms cache in Barangay Exciba with the help of a former rebel. "The discovered cache contains one Ultimax light machine gun, one M-653 rifle, one M-14 rifle, seven M-16 A1 rifles, 14 magazines, 16 hand grenades, two rolls of detonating cord, 4,211 rounds of 5.56mm live ammunition, and 715 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition," he said. Molina also said the local police helped with the operation. Meanwhile, 2ID commander Maj. Gen. Cerilo Balaoro Jr. said the seizure shows that the cooperation between government forces, former rebels and the local community is working very well. "The continued recoveries of the terrorists' war items are steadily weakening the operational capability of the terrorist NPA in Southern Luzon," he added. It can be recalled that dozens of NPA war materiel were recovered in the same barangay last Jan. 9, and in Barangays Baay on Feb. 13 and Malatap on March 9. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel has no interest in peace, seeks to obliterate Palestinian issue, says Houthi Iran Press TV Thursday, 10 April 2025 6:27 PM The leader of Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement strongly condemns ongoing Israeli acts of aggression against Palestinians, stating that solid evidence shows that the Tel Aviv regime has no interest in peace and is seeking to completely obliterate the Palestinian issue. Delivering a televised speech on Thursday evening, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi also vehemently denounced Israel's conduct vis-a-vis the Gaza ceasefire agreement. He said the Zionist regime has not only failed to adhere to its commitments but has also been carrying out widespread attacks and full-blown genocide in the region with the support of the United States. Houthi sharply criticized blatant Israeli violations of the Gaza ceasefire deal, saying, "By God's grace, we (Yemeni forces) embarked on the path of supporting and aiding the Palestinian people ever since such infringements began." The Ansarullah chief stressed that Israel, with the incitement and open support of Washington, completely violated the ceasefire agreement and avoided negotiations on the second phase of the deal. He described the ongoing Israeli atrocities as "an all-out and genocidal campaign against the people of Gaza. Houthi said the Palestinian nation enjoyed only short-lived peace at the beginning of the implementation of the agreement, but due to the destruction of vital infrastructure, the situation exacerbated. "Resumption of Israeli attacks has only deepened the humanitarian disaster in Gaza, and has once again demonstrated that the regime places no value on agreements and the rights of nations." Houthi also criticized the situation of Palestinian prisoners. "The issue of Palestinian inmates is a fundamental and undeniable matter for all Palestinians. Even many Israeli settlers have realized that criminal [Benjamin] Netanyahu and his clique do not care about the situation of Palestinian detainees," he said. "The Gaza ceasefire agreement could have led to the release of Israeli captives without the massacre of Palestinian people, especially women and children, and widespread destruction in Gaza. "What had been envisaged in the deal were the rational and minimum rights of Palestinian people in the field of prisoner exchange, cessation of brutalities, and an end to hunger," he added. Houthi said Palestinian prisoners are enduring great torments and suffering much in Israeli detention centers, and cases of horrific torture in these prisons cannot be ignored in any way. He said the Zionist regime's threats regarding the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. "If Israel succeeds in displacing Palestinian people from Gaza, the next step will be displacement from the West Bank. The displacement campaign in the West Bank is underway in a phased and planned manner." The Ansarullah chief also made a reference to the closure of UNRWA schools in al-Quds and the deprivation of Palestinians' right to education, describing it as a hostile act. "The displacement of Palestinian people is clearly supported by the US, and [President Donald] Trump reiterated this issue this week. Trump has announced that after expelling Palestinians from Gaza, he will turn the region into a "Freedom Zone." "This remark is meaningless. How can one talk about freedom while the people of that region are displaced and under occupation?" Houthi stated. The Ansarullah chief said the US control over Gaza constitutes an oppressive and criminal invasion, not freedom. "This oppressive and barbaric process, which is accompanied by American support and participation, must be answered back." Referring to Israeli strikes across Syria, Houthi stated that the Zionist regime seeks to establish a "Greater Israel" and expand its influence in the region. He warned Muslims, especially Arabs, not to remain silent in the face of the oppression and crimes of Israel and the US and to fulfill their responsibility through collective and popular activities in support of the Palestinian people. He also emphasized the need for continuous and coordinated international action to protect the rights of Palestinians. "A strong and unified voice must be heard from all nations to defend the rights of Palestinians. Muslims should not forget that any failure to support Palestine will not only be to the detriment of this nation, but also to the detriment of all Muslims." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More Palestinians killed as Israel intensifies 'dismembering' Gaza Strip Iran Press TV Thursday, 10 April 2025 5:48 PM Israel's incessant air and artillery strikes have killed more Palestinian women and children across Gaza as the regime presses ahead with its plan to forcibly displace the population of the besieged strip. The latest attacks on Thurday targeted tents housing displaced people in the city of Khan Yunis. Israeli artillery fire also struck Beit Lahiya in northern Gaza and Rafah in the south. At least five Palestinians had been killed in Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip since dawn Thursday. This brings the death toll from Israeli attacks on the Strip to 45 Palestinians since Wednesday, including 35 in a bombing of a house on Baghdad Street in the Shujaiyya neighborhood east of Gaza City. These strikes also injured over one-hundred and left 80 people missing under the rubble. Meanwhile, 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. Hospitals and medical centers in Gaza are facing "dangerous and unprecedented" shortages of essential medicines. The Gaza Health Ministry said 37 percent of essential drugs and 59 percent of medical supplies are completely out of stock, along with 54 percent of cancer and blood disease medications. Emergency, surgery, and intensive care units are operating with severely depleted life-saving treatments. Around 80,000 diabetic patients and 110,000 with high blood pressure are no longer receiving care. The ministry said Israel's siege that cut off Gaza from food, fuel and medicine, among other vital supplies, is worsening the crisis and creating "catastrophic" challenges for treating patients and the wounded. Israel's minister of military affairs, Israel Katz, announced that the occupation army is tearing the Gaza Strip apart and implementing a plan to forcibly displace its population. During his visit to Israeli forces in the so-called Morag Corridor between Rafah and Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, he said that the military is "dismembering the Gaza Strip." Katz noted that "large areas are being seized and added to Israel's security zones, leaving Gaza smaller and more isolated." "A new corridor will soon be established Morag similar to Netzarim, which separates northern Gaza from the central and southern parts. This will essentially sever the link between Khan Yunis and Rafah, making it more difficult for Hamas to operate." Israeli prime minister Benjamin 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. "At the same time, we are promoting the voluntary migration plan for the residents of Gaza, based on the vision of US President Donald Trump, which we are working to implement," Katz added. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan takes UAE to World Court over 'genocide' in Darfur Iran Press TV Thursday, 10 April 2025 1:29 PM Khartoum has taken legal action against the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) also known as the World Court for creating the "driving force" behind the ongoing "genocide" in Sudan. Since 2023, a power struggle between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has plunged the country into civil war. Khartourm now accuses the UAE of supporting the RSF in its genocide of the non-Arab Masalit people in Sudan's Darfur region. Opening the case before the ICJ in The Hague, Sudan's acting justice minister told the court on Thursday that the UAE is the "driving force" behind the "genocide" in Darfur via its alleged support for rebels fighting the Sudanese army. Muawia Osman told the court that the "ongoing genocide would not be possible without the complicity of the UAE, including the shipment of arms to the RSF". "The direct logistical and other support that the UAE has provided and continues to provide to the RSF has been and continues to be the primary driving force behind the genocide now taking place, including killing, rape, forced displacement and looting," said Osman. Khartoum demands that the UAE halt its support to the RSF and make "full reparations", including compensation to the victims of the war. The UAE, for its part, denies supporting the RSF. "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. Earlier, Ketait described Sudan's case as a "blatant misuse of a respected international institution" and "entirely without legal or factual merit." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 'Not much time left' to save Palestinians, warns UN Rapporteur Iran Press TV Thursday, 10 April 2025 11:17 AM The United Nations' special rapporteur on Palestine has warned that there is "not much time left" to save the Palestinian people as Israel continues its relentless onslaught on the Gaza Strip and its ongoing oppression in the West Bank. Francesca Albanese, the UN's special rapporteur on Palestine, speaking at a two-day conference in Pantin, a suburb of Paris, highlighted the Israeli regime's consistent violations of the ceasefire established in January, asserting that without intervention from the international community, Israel's war crimes will persist. "Israel will not stop its actions," Albanese stated, saying Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is using the Gaza war to evade accountability for his violations of international law. "I think I no longer have any hope in national justice at the Israeli level or the international level, because you see everyone saying they're increasingly ready to roll out the red carpet for him," she said. She said several Western and European nations have welcomed Netanyahu, effectively ignoring an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC). The rapporteur also raised concerns about the Israeli regime's expansionist ambitions, warning that there are plans to further annex Palestinian territories in both Gaza and the occupied West Bank, effectively absorbing them into the Israeli regime. Albanese described the current political climatecharacterized by Europe's weakness and the United States' aggressivenessas a "historic moment" for the Israeli regime, potentially paving the way for further annexation not only of Palestine but across the Middle East. Albanese cautioned that Israel's brutal actions are not limited to Gaza, but extend to Lebanon and Syria, suggesting that the war could escalate further. "It would be crazy to think that Israel will stop here," Albanese stated. "It is clear that Israel wants the lands from the Mediterranean to the Jordan River in order to establish the sovereignty of the Jewish people; that's what they say," she said, citing Israeli ideology to establish sovereignty over lands and undermine Palestinian sovereignty. Albanese urged the international community and global institutions to act urgently, emphasizing that "international law mandates us to end the occupation, halt genocide, and stop apartheid." However, she expressed skepticism about the political commitment of states to implement these crucial measures, asserting that the willingness to act "does not exist." 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 and injured over 3,400 others. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Some 1,000 Israeli aircrew defy threat of sack to urge end to Gaza war Iran Press TV Thursday, 10 April 2025 9:49 AM Nearly 1,000 current and former Israeli air force reservists have signed a letter demanding an immediate end to the regime's war on the Gaza Strip, saying it only serves political and personal interests. They published the letter on Thursday despite a warning by Israeli air force chief Major General Tomer Bar to dismiss the signatories from service. "Currently, the war serves mainly political and personal interests, not security interests," they wrote, referring to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's insistence on on continuing the brutal onslaught against Palestinians in Gaza. The reserve and retired Israeli aircrew members added that the continuation of the Gaza offensive "does not contribute to any of its declared goal and will lead to the deaths" of captives and the occupation soldiers. "As has been proven in the past, only a deal can bring back" the captives safely, while military pressure mainly leads to their killing, wrote the signatories to the letter, which was originally slated to be publicized on Tuesday. They also called on all Israelis to mobilize and demand the end of the genocide in Gaza and the return of all captives. "Every day that passes puts their lives at risk." On Wednesday, Bar met personally with the reservists, warning that if they signed the letter, they would be dismissed from service. However, only 25 retracted their signatures while eight additional aircrew personnel signed the letter. In the meeting, the reserve officers strongly criticized Bar's threat to dismiss all signatories, calling it a legal and ethical overreach that violates reservists' rights to express political views, according to Haaretz. On March 19, the Israeli military discharged two reservists, one from intelligence, the other from the air force, after they refused to join the resumption of the Gaza war, the newspaper said, noting that one had labeled ministers and Netanyahu "dirty traitors." Israel launched its deadly bombing campaign on the Gaza Strip on October 7, 2023, after the Hamas resistance group carried out a historic operation against the usurping entity in retaliation for its intensified atrocities against the Palestinian people. In its operation, Hamas took 251 Israelis captive, 58 of whom now remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 34 confirmed dead by the occupation's military. Several of the captives have been killed in the regime's strikes on the besieged territory. After one year and a half of war, the Tel Aviv regime has failed to achieve its declared objectives of eliminating Hamas and freeing captives, despite killing at least 50,846 Palestinians, mostly women and children. Israel accepted longstanding negotiation terms by Hamas under a Gaza ceasefire, which began on January 19. On March 18, however, Israel unilaterally broke the truce and resumed its relentless bombing of Gaza. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MP: Hezbollah weapons 'internal matter' amid US pressure to disarm Iran Press TV Thursday, 10 April 2025 8:23 AM A lawmaker from Lebanon's Hezbollah movement says the group's weapons are an "internal matter," pushing back against mounting pressure from the United States, which is calling on Lebanon for the disarmament of the resistance group. Ihab Hamadeh, in an interview with Al Araby Television Network on Wednesday, reiterated that the question of the Lebanese resistance's arms is strictly a domestic issue to be discussed with the government in Lebanon as part of a "defensive strategy." "The issue of weapons is an internal matter, and we are prepared to discuss the issue as part of a defensive strategy to ensure Lebanon's security. It is a Lebanese issue and does not relate to any external factor," he stressed. His remarks came a day after Reuters, citing an unnamed "senior Hezbollah official", claimed that Hezbollah is willing to discuss its arms on the condition that Israel halts its aggression and withdraws from the remaining occupied areas in southern Lebanon. Hamadeh stressed that "Hezbollah does not have sources," emphasizing that official positions are only communicated "in an official manner", stressing that the matter is "a Lebanese issue and does not relate to any external factor." The Hezbollah lawmaker also affirmed the group's readiness to engage in discussions aimed at protecting Lebanon, noting this stance has long been reflected in official government statements. Hamadeh further underlined that the occupying regime has violated the ceasefire agreement with Lebanon more than 3,000 times, restating Hezbollah's readiness to discuss a defensive strategy that guarantees the protection and defense of Lebanon," provided it addresses necessary conditions and details and gains the trust of the Lebanese people. The conditions include an end to ongoing Israeli violations of the November 2024 ceasefire agreement, which is based on UN Resolution 1701. The resolution requires Hezbollah to withdraw from north of the Litani River and mandates that only the Lebanese army be deployed in the area. This is while Israel continues its military presence in five border locations and conducts deadly airstrikes, accusing Hezbollah of non-compliance and the Lebanese army of insufficient enforcement. Meanwhile, Washington persists in pressuring Lebanon to disarm Hezbollah, with US envoy Morgan Ortagus, late last week provocatively comparing the group to "cancer" that must be removed entirely. Hezbollah officials, including Sheikh Naim Qassem, the movement's secretary-general, maintain that the group keeps strong and committed to resistance, warning that although they are willing to give diplomacy a chance, they will not remain passive if Israel's violations persist and the Lebanese state fails to act. "If Israel does not comply and the state does not take the necessary steps, we will have no choice but to resort to other options. If we reach a point where the Israeli actions are nothing but killing, destruction, and occupation, we cannot remain spectators," Qassem warned earlier this month, shortly after a deadly Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburb. Lebanon has condemned the continued presence of Israeli military forces, viewing it as a violation of the ceasefire agreement and the established timeline for withdrawal. Senior officials in Beirut have expressed their commitment to take "all necessary measures" to remove the occupying troops from the nation. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Panama rejects Pentagon chief's idea of US bases on its soil Iran Press TV Thursday, 10 April 2025 7:46 AM Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth has floated the idea of establishing military bases in Panama, during a visit to the Central American country. In a speech during the Central American Security Conference in Panama City, Hegseth proposed establishing US military bases in Panama, although he stated that such deployment would happen with the consent the Panamanian government. Hegseth's proposal included American troops controlling the strategic Panama Canal on a "rotational" basis with Panama's own armed forces. The idea, however, was quickly slapped down by the Panamanian government. "Panama made clear, through President Mulino that we cannot accept military bases or defense sites," said Panama Security Minister Frank Abrego. Hegseth also called for American warships to be given free passage through the Panama Canal. His calls for American military presence and special privileges in Panama were accompanied by statements against China, accusing the country of capturing land in Latin America and threatening the region with its military presence. Tensions between the United States and Panama have risen ever since the beginning of Donald Trump's second term. The new Trump administration has called for reestablishing American control over the Panama Canal. This policy has angered Panamanians, who believe that their nation should retain full sovereignty over its territory, which includes the Panama Canal. The United States had held control over the Panama Canal from 1903 to 1979, but it was opposed by many Panamanian groups. In 1903 and 1979, Panamanians held many protests against American presence in the country, during which more than 30 civilians were killed by US troops. The canal was finally returned to Panama in 1979, but the United States later invaded the country in 1985, under the pretext of bringing democracy to the country. The invasion killed over 500 Panamanians. The United States eventually ceded full control of the canal to Panama in 1999. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Three civilians killed in Sana'a as US intensifies airstrikes on Yemen Iran Press TV Thursday, 10 April 2025 7:06 AM At least three civilians have been killed in new US airstrikes on Yemen's capital, bringing to 107 the total number of people killed in such attacks across the country since mid-March. The al-Masirah television, citing Yemen's health ministry, said the strikes hit the al-Sabeen district early Thursday. The ministry said the death toll from the attack has not yet been finalized, but based on initial reports, "three civilians have been martyred and a number of others have been wounded". Al-Masirah, in a separate report, said US warplanes bombed the Bani Hushaysh district northeast of Sana'a in four attacks. The Yemeni network also reported a US airstrike on Kamaran Island west of Hudaydah in the Red Sea. According to the ministry, US air raids have killed a total of 107 civilians, including women and children, and injured 223 others between March 15 and April 9. The US signaled on Monday that it is planning to step up its violent campaign of airstrikes on Yemen. "It's been a bad three weeks for the Houthis, and it's about to get worse," Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said in the Oval Office, while seated near US President Donald Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Anis al-Asbahi, the ministry's spokesperson, told the Saba news agency that the US crimes in Yemen would not have occurred without the silence and inaction of the international community. US atrocities "reveal the brutality of this savage aggression, which does not hesitate to kill civilians, in a failed attempt to break the will of the Yemeni people" as they keep supporting the Palestinian cause, he added. Asbahi called on the international community to expose and condemn US aggression against civilians, public facilities, and medical establishments. Washington began bombing Yemen on March 15 after Sana'a resumed retaliatory attacks on Israel in retaliation for the regime's resumption of its genocidal war on the Gaza Strip. Since then, there have been near-daily US airstrikes targeting Yemen's civilian infrastructure. Washington has portrayed its attacks 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, saying it is solely targeting the ships that are Israeli-owned, flagged, operated or headed to ports in the occupied lands. The Yemeni Armed Forces (YAF) began attacking Israeli-linked ships, as well as targets in the occupied territories in November 2023, a month after Israel launched its brutal onslaught against Gaza. Despite intensified American airstrikes, Yemeni missile and drone operations have continued to target US warships in the Red Sea, and the country's armed forces are still capable of shooting down US drones. The deadly US war on Yemen - which has compounded an already severe humanitarian crisis - has cost nearly $1 billion, but has failed to significantly impact Ansarallah and the YAF, according to sources who spoke with CNN and the New York Times over the past few days. On Wednesday, the Yemeni army said it carried out a military operation against an Israeli military target in Tel Aviv, using a Yaffa drone. Yemeni forces also conducted a drone attack against the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier in the north of the Red Sea. Earlier Wednesday, the army said Yemeni forces shot down an American MQ-9 Reaper drone engaged in "hostile missions" in the country's airspace. The army said it will continue the retaliatory operations in support of the oppressed Palestinians until the Gaza war ends. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iranian, Egyptian FMs urge swift end to Israeli crimes in Gaza Iran Press TV Thursday, 10 April 2025 6:01 AM Iran has called for collective measures by the regional countries to put an immediate end to the Israeli regime's crimes and renew a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip. In a telephone conversation with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty late Wednesday, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the end of Israeli crimes and the restoration of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza are key to resolving other crises in the region. The ministers expressed their deep concern about the escalation of Israel's attacks in the region where Gaza, Lebanon and Syria and Yemen face daily aggression. They also emphasized the need for increased diplomatic action to reduce tensions and prevent a widespread crisis in West Asia. Abdelatty and Araghchi also exchanged views about indirect talks between Iran and the United States, to be held in the Omani capital Muscat on Saturday. Araghchi discussed bilateral and regional developments in a separate phone conversation with his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani and emphasized the expansion of cooperation between the two countries. The Bahraini foreign minister referred to the recent phone conversation between Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian of Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, expressing hope that consultations and interactions between the two countries on issues of mutual interest would continue. Araghchi also emphasized the importance of continuing consultations between regional countries to strengthen regional peace and stability, and announced Iran's readiness to cooperate in this regard. 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 the territory around the edges of the strip to create what it claims to be a security zone; residents fear the aim is to permanently depopulate swathes of territory. Israeli prime minister Benjamin 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. In a statement on Wednesday, the Gaza ministry of health warned that at least 60,000 children suffer from severe malnourishment and related health complications. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US & Panama Sign Deal on Free Passage of US Warships Through Panama Canal - Hegseth Sputnik News 20250410 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - 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. "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. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK sanctions Georgian officials responsible for allowing brutal police violence UK sanctions four Georgian officials, including Georgia's General Prosecutor, as part of latest action against serious human rights violations. 10 April 2025 UK becomes first state to sanction Georgia's General Prosecutor as part of latest action against serious human rights violations. Georgian Head of the Special Investigatory Service also targeted for failure to properly investigate crackdown on protesters. Designations build on five Georgian individuals sanctioned under the UK's Global Human Rights regime in December 2024. The UK has sanctioned four more high-ranking Georgian officials for their role in allowing serious human rights violations in response to legitimate protests in Georgia since 2024. Last year saw a series of public protests erupt across the country, triggered by the actions of Georgia's ruling party, Georgian Dream. In response, the authorities began an aggressive crackdown on demonstrations, attacking and arbitrarily detaining members of civil society, media and opposition figures. With today's action, the UK is the first state to sanction Georgia's General Prosecutor and the Head of the Special Investigatory Service for failing in their positions to properly investigate those responsible for serious violence. These measures support the UK Government's work internationally to protect human rights, to reduce global instability and deter threats to UK national security - one of the foundations of the Prime Minister's Plan for Change. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: "The scenes of brutal violence against protestors, journalists and opposition figures in Georgia were truly shocking. More than 100 days on, its authorities have failed to hold those responsible to account, flying in the face of Georgian Dream's claim to be delivering a democratic future for its citizens. "Our sanctions show the UK will not accept such a blatant lack of accountability by those in charge, and will continue to consider all options available to us until Georgia reverses its current trajectory. We stand with the people of Georgia and their constitutional right to fundamental freedoms and to pursue a European path." Individuals sanctioned today are: Giorgi Gabitashvili, General Prosecutor Karlo Katsitadze, Head of the Special Investigatory Service Shalva Bedoidze, First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Georgia Mirza Kezevadze, Deputy Chief of the Special Task Department All four are excluded from the UK and its economy through UK travel bans and asset freezes. Since the beginning of this year, Georgia's ruling party - Georgian Dream - has attempted to push through legislation for a series of new repressive laws which critics say will be used to silence civil society and opposition parties, with the prospect of hefty prison sentences for non-compliance. Today's announcement adds to UK sanctions against five Georgian officials in December for their roles in the violent attacks against demonstrators, media and opposition figures following the government's decision to pause the country's move towards a European future in - a key tenant of Georgia's constitution. The UK previously paused its annual flagship strategic dialogue, the 'Wardrop Dialogue', suspended governmental programme support and restricted engagement with Georgian Dream in response to an increase in anti-western rhetoric and democratic backsliding which restrict media freedoms and limits equality for the Georgian people. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Spare developing countries from new US tariffs: UN trade chief By Conor Lennon 10 April 2025 - As governments and global markets struggle to deal with the deep concerns and disruptions caused by volatility over trade tariffs, Rebeca Grynspan, the head of the UN trade and development agency (UNCTAD), told UN News on Thursday that the poorest countries - whose activities have a negligible effect on trade deficits - should be exempt. Ms. Grynspan was speaking in the wake of growing UN concern at the effect on-going uncertainty could have on the most vulnerable developing economies. On Tuesday, the UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, stated that "trade wars are extremely negative," and warned that the impact of tariffs could be "devastating." Tariffs are a tax on imports coming into a country which are usually charged to the exporter as a percentage of value - an extra cost which is normally passed on to the consumer. In an interview with the Financial Times published on Thursday morning, the UNCTAD chief appealed for the US to reconsider its strategy, noting that the 44 Least Developed Countries contribute less than two per cent of the US's trade deficit, and that higher tariffs would only make their existing debt crisis much worse. Speaking to UN News, Ms. Grynspan laid out the ways that UNCTAD is supporting developing nations, and advocated for closer regional trade ties, which can strengthen their hand in international trade negotiations. UN News: The world's two biggest economies, the US and China, are in the process of imposing or threatening huge trade tariffs on each other. How worried do you think we should all be? Rebeca Grynspan: When you the two main global economies impose tariffs, it will affect everybody, not only the economies engaged in the tariff war. We are already in a "new normal" of low growth and high debt, and we are worried that the global economy will slow down. Our emphasis has been to put attention on what can happen to countries that are more vulnerable, such as the Least Developed Countries, and small island developing States. What is happening to those countries is what really worries us. UN News: Some experts are saying that this could be the end of the post-war international financial system. Are those fears warranted? Rebeca Grynspan: We still don't know where we will end up. One of the things that we are doing is trying to give the public a real account of what is actually taking place, and what is still just talk. The most important point is the problem of the uncertainty. If we know the final position, we will adjust, we will have strategies and we can see how to live with the decisions that are being taken. But if we have a prolonged period of uncertainty, where things change all the time, this is damaging because we don't know what to do. Investment is paralyzed because CEOs are deciding to sit and wait, which means investment will not come back at the scale the world needs. Our first call is for rational decisions to be taken, so we can plan, strategize and adapt to change - but we still don't know what that change will entail. UN News: You've made the case for poorer countries to be spared tariff hikes imposed by the US administration. Are your concerns being heard? Rebeca Grynspan: I haven't seen anybody making the analysis that we have made, proving that these countries really are making no contribution to the US trade deficit. Most of the exports that they send to the US are commodities and many of these are exempt from tariffs under the new rules. These commodities don't compete with the US, rather they help in production processes. The point I want to make is that there are a number of countries that don't really contribute to the deficit, are not important in terms of the revenue [that the US can collect from tariffs] and are not competition or a national security threat to the US. So, maybe we can avoid starting new bilateral agreements and negotiations and spare them the pain of the tariffs. UN News: What advice could you give to a manufacturing worker in a developing country like Viet Nam or Madagascar? Rebeca Grynspan: It's difficult to say, because some countries are receiving higher tariffs than others, and so you don't know what competitive impact this will have. Madagascar is a good example of what we're talking about, because the country's main export to the US is vanilla. Their contribution to the US trade deficit is so small it doesn't even register, so it makes no sense to penalise a country like this. UN News: Explain the role that UNCTAD plays in supporting developing countries? Rebeca Grynspan: As an organization, we analyse trade, investment, financing and technology from the point of view of development, which means we help countries to take advantage of the opportunities of trade. We are not involved in trade negotiations - these take place at the World Trade Organization - but we will help developing countries to get a better deal in trade and help their economies to perform better globally. UN News: You have advocated for developing countries to trade more within regional blocs where they can have more say in negotiations with richer countries. Would that be useful in this kind of situation? Rebeca Grynspan: Africa has a huge opportunity with the African Free Trade Area. According to our numbers, this could add around $3 trillion to the African economy. It's a huge opportunity, and if they can accelerate the pace, they could take advantage of a bigger market and make economies of scale. African nations need to diversify their economies because, if they continue to be dependent on commodities, they won't be able to provide their populations with the services and the income they deserve. There is also a deepening of trade relationships in Southeast Asia with ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and in parts of Latin America with Mercosur (the Southern Common Market). These partnerships could be very important, particularly at this precise moment. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address World Court begins hearing Sudan's case accusing United Arab Emirates of 'complicity in genocide' By Vibhu Mishra 10 April 2025 - The International Court of Justice (ICJ) on Thursday began hearing Sudan's case against the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which it accuses of being complicit in acts of genocide against the Masalit community in West Darfur by backing the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The hearings in The Hague, focus on Sudan's request for the court - the UN's principal judicial organ - to impose provisional measures to prevent further alleged grave human rights violations. Brutal civil war Sudan's military Government is alleging that the UAE has been directly supporting the RSF and allied militias, which have embroiled in a brutal civil war with the national army since April 2023. The conflict has triggered one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, claiming tens of thousands of lives and displacing over 12.4 million people - more than 3.3 million as refugees in neighbouring countries. Hunger has reached catastrophic levels, with famine declared in several regions, and disease outbreaks and the collapse of essential services have left millions, especially children at extreme risk. The case, formally titled Application of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide in Sudan (Sudan v. United Arab Emirates), was initiated last month, when Sudan filed an application instituting proceedings against the UAE. Sudan's allegations Khartoum claims the RSF and its affiliates are responsible for serious human rights violations including mass killings, rape and the forced displacement of the non-Arab Masalit people in West Darfur. The application claims the UAE "is complicit in the genocide on the Masalit through its direction of and provision of extensive financial, political, and military support for the rebel RSF militia." Pending a final judgment in the case, the court is being asked to indicate provisional measures ordering the UAE to "take all measures within its power to prevent the commission of all acts" that could contribute to genocide. Additionally, Sudan is asking for the UAE to prevent any allied irregular armed units involved, directly or indirectly, from carrying out further alleged atrocities. The Court has the authority under Article 36(1) of the its Statute to hear and decide on disputes under international law - including international treaties and conventions - brought by one State against another, provided both have accepted the Court's jurisdiction. The Convention The Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 9 December 1948, in the aftermath of the atrocities of World War II. It entered into force on 12 January 1951. It defines genocide as any act "committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Hershel "Woody" Williams Returns to Norfolk from Forward Deployment US Navy 10 April 2025 From LaShawn Sykes, Military Sealift Command Atlantic NORFOLK, Va. -- A U.S Navy expeditionary sea-base ship USS Hershel "Woody" Williams (ESB-4) returns to Naval Station Norfolk, Apr. 10, after operating forward deployed for almost five years, supporting U.S. Navy and allied efforts in U.S. Africa Command's (AFRICOM) - U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operation. Williams returns to Norfolk's waters with a hybrid-manned crew of 44 Military Sealift Command (MSC) civil service mariners (CIVMARS) who operated, navigated, and maintained the vessel and 85 U.S Navy Sailors, Blue and Gold crews, who alternated manning the vessel and allowing for continuous strategic deterrence patrols. "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 Admiral Dave Walt, Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group TWO, who was on hand to welcome home the Williams crew. "This crew has punched above its weight and impressed leadership with its hard work, resourcefulness, and dedication." The evolution marks the completion of 59 months as a Forward Deployed Naval Force (FDNF) vessel homeported in Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, a journey that began in 2020. Williams will spend a week at Naval Station Norfolk, offloading her fuel before shifting to the East Coast Repair and Fabrication Shipyard in Newport News, Va., where she will be in lay berth awaiting her next tasking. Built as a highly flexible mobile platform, capable of operating across a broad range of military sea-based operations, Williams had several noteworthy highlights throughout this deployment. In 2020, Williams became the first U.S. Navy warship assigned to AFRICOM due to the ship's ability to support maritime security and humanitarian operations. In 2021, during AFRICOM's largest, premier, joint, annual exercise, known as African Lion, Williams participated in a key leader engagement with Morocco Armed Forces, hosted by Morocco, Tunisia, and Senegal. "These engagements are critical as they allow Navy leaders to interact with partner nations to foster trust and build long-term partnerships," said MSC's ESB Project Officer William Revak. In 2022, Williams joined forces with partners and allies for Obangame Express 22, the largest multinational maritime exercise in Western Africa, to improve communication and information sharing and to increase partner nation capability to further advance maritime security and stability, said MSC's Program Manager, Prepositioning Ships, Lora Caldwell. Additionally, the ESB-4 platform was used to conduct Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) drills with French Soldiers. "VBSS training with partner nations contributes greatly to a more stable and secure global maritime environment," Caldwell said. In 2023, Williams conducted humanitarian and disaster relief operations, delivering 113 pallets of disaster relief supplies, totaling nearly 40,000 pounds, to The Ministry of Interior Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency in Mersin, Turkiye for those citizens impacted by the Feb. 6, earthquakes. In 2024, the Gold-military crew and MSC's CIVMARS conducted community relation events in Tema, Ghana to continue building their mutual commitment to security and stability in the region which helps to enhance the Navy's operational readiness. The Williams crew also conducted a Theater Security Cooperation (TSC) mission during the ship's visit to Luanda, Angola. Likewise, they managed regional cooperation operations (logistical and personnel support) while in Port Victoria, Seychelles. While there, Williams hosted U.S. Ambassador Henry Jardine and Brigadier General Michael Rosette, chief of the Seychelles Defense Forces. "We will continue to share information with the United States of America in the fight against illegal activities within the Indian Ocean," Rosette stated in Seychelles Nation, dated Sept. 4, 2024. Throughout Williams 59-month deployment, MSC's CVIMARS and the Navy's Blue and Gold crews were instrumental in further enhancing Navy readiness, strengthening partnerships, and improving the combined capabilities of the U.S. Navy and partner nations' responses to public crisis, Caldwell said. ESBs primarily support aviation mine countermeasures and expeditionary forces missions. Additional ship features include a large flight deck and hanger with four aviation operating spots capable of handling MH-535E equivalent helicopters and MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, berthing and messing accommodations, workspaces and ordnance storage for embarked forces. Williams is named in honor of Chief Warrant Officer Hershel "Woody" Williams, a decorated U.S. Marine who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Battle of Iwo Jima during World War II. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Navy Task Force 70, Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131 join Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for bilateral training after memorandum signing US Navy 10 April 2025 From Lt. Cmdr. Seth Koenig PHILIPPINE SEA -- The U.S. Navy's expeditionary Electronic Attack Squadron (VAQ) 131, operating under Task Force 70, joined surface and air forces from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) for bilateral training south of Okinawa, Japan, on April 3, 2025. The planning and execution of the exercise comes after JMSDF Vice Adm. Koji Kaneshima, commander, Fleet Air Force (CFAF), and U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, commander, Task Force (CTF) 70, signed the FUJIN memorandum of understanding to increase bilateral operations between the forces' electronic attack squadrons in December. The name Fujin is a Japanese word describing a powerful wind deity. "This exercise is precisely the tactical integration Vice Adm. Kaneshima and I envisioned when we signed this memorandum," said Newkirk. "Our naval air forces are making deep inroads in all-spectrum interoperability, taking a strong unified team and becoming stronger. This training is just one of what will be many tangible outcomes of our Fujin pact." Representing JMSDF in the exercise is the Murasame-class destroyer JS Inazuma (DD-105), as well as EP-3 and OP-3C reconnaissance aircraft, and UP-3D electronic attack aircraft. "Through our Fujin pact, we have developed and strengthened our electromagnetic warfare capability, as well as the information warfare collaboration between the JMSDF and U.S. Navy for years," said Vice Adm. Kaneshima. "We will continue to seek further opportunities to make us stronger and more confident together." VAQ-131 operates EA-18G Growler aircraft out of Misawa Air Base in the northern part of the country and Kadena Air Base in Okinawa in the southern part of the country. "This exercise enhances our combined capability to build, share, and protect battlespace awareness, tying together data from both the air and the sea," said Cmdr. James Jordan, commanding officer of VAQ-131. "In a crisis, it will be crucial for us to be able to integrate seamlessly with our Japanese allies in the electronic warfare arena. As we continue to grow these relationships under the FUJIN memorandum, we're improving those ties with our allied forces." The EA-18G Growler integrates the latest electronic attack technology, including the ALQ-218 sensor for airborne situational awareness, as well as ALQ-99 pods capable of jamming adversarial radar and communications systems, and ALQ-249 next-generation jamming technology as it is refined and implemented across the force. Task Force 70 directs the preponderance of forward-deployed air and surface maneuver and striking forces in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operations, overseeing Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 51 and VAQ-131, as well as the ships and aircraft operating under Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 5, including the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73), the Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser USS Robert Smalls (CG 62), the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Shoup (DDG 86) and Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S.-Indian forces go high-tech at Tiger Triumph 2025 US Navy 10 April 2025 From Lt. Cmdr. Seth Koenig VISAKHAPATNAM, India -- U.S. and Indian armed forces are incorporating satellite and unmanned technologies into this year's edition of the joint combined Tiger Triumph exercise for the first time, April 2025. "Every time we work with our strategic partners in India, we advance the complexity of our training," said Rear Adm. Greg Newkirk, Commander of Task Force 70 and the U.S. joint forces participating in Tiger Triumph. "By introducing new technologies this year, we're adding to the tools our joint combined forces can use in any scenario." Maj. David Amiel, U.S. Space Forces-Indo-Pacific, is at the exercise discussing emerging uses of satellite data in military operations. "We can compile and analyze up-to-date, unclassified and commercially available satellite information and imagery to build a more accurate picture of an operational environment," said Amiel. "During Tiger Triumph, I'm talking with my Indian counterparts about the ways we could use this approach in crisis response planning to ensure mission success." Tiger Triumph 25, which is taking place over a two-week period starting on April 1, continues the joint and combined forces' ongoing efforts to improve interoperability for humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations. Cmdr. J.P. Wainscott led a team from Task Force 59, based in Manama, Bahrain, to Tiger Triumph. Task Force 59 was launched in 2021 as the U.S. Navy's first unit dedicated to unmanned systems and artificial intelligence. "As part of a disaster response operation - or any type of military operation - unmanned air or maritime systems can deploy to potentially dangerous environments to gain initial situational awareness without putting human pilots or crew at unnecessary risk," said Wainscott. "During this exercise, we're exploring the possibilities for how these technologies can be enhanced to further benefit our forces in the future." Tiger Triumph 25 also included the first-ever subject matter exchange led by INDOPACOM J85 and Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) where U.S. and Indian industry partners, government representatives, and operators conceptualized application of cutting-edge autonomous capabilities to address critical warfighter needs. This exchange laid the groundwork toward greater integration of autonomous systems into Tiger Triumph 2026 and other U.S.-India exercises. It also advanced the new U.S.-India Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance (ASIA) announced in February by President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is the fourth time U.S. and Indian forces have come together for Tiger Triumph, a joint India-U.S. amphibious exercise. The exercise will involve approximately 3,000 personnel and at least four ships and seven aircraft from the two countries. U.S. Navy units including the landing ship dock USS Comstock (LSD 45), with embarked U.S. Marines from the 1st Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Ralph Johnson (DDG 114) have participated in the exercise. Additional U.S. forces participating in the exercise include Navy P-8A Poseidon and Air Force C-130J aircraft, as well as an Army platoon, medical platoon, Civil-Military Operations Center and Multi-Domain Task Force Combined Information Effects Fusion Cell. Indian Navy units in the exercise include landing platform dock INS Jalashwa (L41), the Delhi-class guided-missile destroyer INS Mumbai (D62), Magar-class amphibious assault ship INS Gharial (L23), Deepak-class fleet tanker INS Shakti (A57) and P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The Indian Army is participating with an infantry battalion group, including mechanized forces, while the Indian Air Force is deploying C-130 transports and Mi-17 helicopters for the exercise. Tiger Triumph is a joint and combined U.S.-India exercise focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster response readiness and interoperability. Tiger Triumph enables U.S. and Indian armed forces to improve interoperability and bilateral, joint, and service readiness in the Indian Ocean region and beyond to support a free and open Indo-Pacific. U.S. 7th Fleet is the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet and routinely interacts and operates with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 10 April 2025 - Day 1142 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 the Defense Forces are directing efforts to disrupt the execution of Russian invaders' offensive plans and exhaust their combat potential. 125 combat clashes have taken place since the beginning of the day. The Russian enemy made one missile and 77 aviation strikes, using one missile and dropping 114 CAB, carried out 931 strikes with kamikaze drones and 4218 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops. In the Kharkiv direction, Ukrainian troops repelled four attacks of the enemy in the area of vovcans ka. The Russian aggressor caused an aviation strike on the areas of the settlements of Uda and Cossack Lopan. Russian forces carried out five attacks on Ukrainian fortifications in the Kupyansky direction in the direction of Nova Kruglyakivka, Pischany and in the area of Zagrizovoye. Ukrainian defenders have successfully repelled two attacks, three confrontations continue. In the Lyman direction, Russian troops stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders 13 times near the settlements of Nadia, Nove, Yampolivka and in the direction of Torsky, Dronivka, Grekivka, Olgivka, Katerynivka, Novomikhailivka. Six clashes are underway. Ukrainian soldiers today repelled five Russian attacks in the Siversky direction. Units of the Russian occupiers tried to advance towards Grigorivka and in the areas of Bilogorivka and Verkhnyokamiansky. Two fights are underway. In the Kramators komu direction, the Defense Forces stopped three Russian attacks near the White Mountain and Kurdumivka. In the Toretsky direction, Russian forces today 19 times stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders towards Friendship and in the area of Toretsky. All attacks have been stopped. In the Pokrovsky direction, Russian forces carried out 42 assaults. The greatest activity is observed in the directions of Romanivka, Oleksandropol, Sergiyivka, Kotlyarivka and near Kalinovoye, Silver, Tarasivka, Suhoi Balka, Valentinivka, Elizabeth, Fox, Zvirovogo, Udacnogo, Preobrazhenka, Andriyivka, Bogdanivka. Ten clashes are underway. Russian forces launched air strikes in the areas of the settlement of Grodivka. According to preliminary calculations, in this direction Ukrainian warriors eliminated 92 and wounded 96 Russian occupants, destroyed ten cars, five motorcycles, four ATVs, the radio station "Raccoon" and the BPLA antenna, significantly damaged the 152-mm self-propelled howitzer and two mortars. In the Novopavlivs komu direction, Russian forces twice without success tried to break through near Konstantinopol and in the direction of Bagatyr. In the Gulyaipils .komu direction, in the area of Privilny, Ukrainian defenders stopped three Russian attacks. The settlements of Novodarivka, Gulyaipole and Zaliznychne suffered air strikes by controlled bombs and uncontrolled missiles. In the orihivs komu direction of strikes unkekorovanimi aviation missiles suffered scherbaky and pavlivka. In the pridniprovsk direction, Russian forces spent two useless attacks towards the positions of Ukrainian defenders. In the Kurs komu direction since the beginning of the day, 22 collisions have been recorded. In addition, Russian forces made 40 air strikes, applying 54 cab, and carried out 305 artillery shelling, including 12 - from the RSZV. In other directions, significant changes in the environment have not been recorded. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that in Belgorod direction, units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on one mechanised brigade, one air assault brigade, one coastal defence brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and two territorial defence brigades close to Prokhody, Turya, Krasnopolye, Ugroyedy, and Miropolskoye (Sumy region). The AFU losses were up to 105 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, two motor vehicles, and two field artillery guns. The Zapad Group of Forces' units improved the tactical situation along the front line. Russian troops launched strikes on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades of the AFU and two territorial defence brigades close to Makeyevka (Lugansk People's Republic), Dvurechanskoye (Kharkov region), Yampol, and Kirovsk (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses were over 250 troops, three motor vehicles, and one artillery gun. One ammunition depot was destroyed. The Yug Group of Forces' units improved the tactical situation. Russian troops inflicted fire damage on formations of two mechanised brigades, one airmobile brigade, and one territorial defence brigade near Zarya, Kleban-Byk, Grigorovka, and Tarasovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses were up to 330 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, 23 motor vehicles, three field artillery guns, and one electronic warfare station. One field ammunition depot was destroyed. The Tsentr Group of Forces' units captured more advantageous lines and positions, inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, one assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, one marine brigade, and one territorial defence brigade close to Kotlino, Udachnoye, Yelizavetovka, Petrovskogo, Kotlyarovka, Novosergeyevka, and Bogdanovka (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses were up to 430 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, and two artillery guns. The Vostok Group of Forces' units continued advancing into the depths of enemy defences, inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, one air assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one territorial defence brigade near Poddubnoye, Bogatyr, Shevchenko, and Otradnoye (Donetsk People's Republic). The AFU losses were up to 170 troops, one armoured fighting vehicle, eight motor vehicles, and two field artillery guns, including one French-made 155-mm Caesar self-propelled artillery system. Units of the Dnepr Group of Forces captured more advantageous lines and positions, defeated formations of two coastal defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and one territorial defence brigade close to Novopavlovka, Blagoveshchenskoye, and Kamenskoye (Zaporozhye region). The AFU losses were up to 90 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, one artillery gun, two electronic warfare stations, and one ammunition depot. Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces engaged the military airfield infrastructure, missile artillery, ammunition, and military hardware depots as well as clusters of manpower and hardware of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and foreign mercenaries in 144 areas. Air defence systems shot down nine JDAM guided bombs, one U.S.-made HIMARS MLRS projectile as well as 200 fixed-wing drones. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the AFU losses amounted to 660 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 50,812 unmanned aerial vehicles, 601 anti-aircraft missile systems, 22,752 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,534 MLRS combat vehicles, 23,434 field artillery guns and mortars, 33,876 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 liberated Zhuravka (Sumy region). Moreover, strikes were delivered at formations of one mechanised brigade, one tank brigade, three air assault brigades, and one territorial defence brigade of the AFU close to Gornal and Oleshnya. Operational-tactical, Army Aviation, and artillery fire hit enemy manpower and hardware close to Belovody, Varachino, Vladimirovka, Vodolagi, Zhuravka, Loknya, Maryino, Miropolye, Mogritsa, Sadki, and Yunakovka in Sumy region. The AFU losses were more than 420 troops, one armoured personnel carrier, two armoured fighting vehicles, 12 motor vehicles, four artillery guns, four mortars, and two UAV command posts. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk direction, the AFU losses amounted to more than 73,410 troops, 405 tanks, 331 infantry fighting vehicles, 301 armoured personnel carriers, 2,262 armoured fighting vehicles, 2,664 motor vehicles, 601 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 11 April 2025 - Day 1143 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 in total, since the beginning of this day, there have been 126 combat clashes. Ukrainian defenders continue to decisively interrupt the attempts of the Russian enemy to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression. Russian zagarbniki made 56 aviation strikes, dropping 56 controlled aviation bombs. In addition, more than 900 kamikaze drones were engaged for impressions and carried out about 5000 shells on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the Kharkiv direction, the Russian opponent from the beginning of the day twice carried out offensive actions towards the settlement of Kamyanka. In the Kupians komu direction, Russian forces attacked in the areas of Golubivka, New Kruglyakivka and Zagrizovoye, where Ukrainian defenders stopped seven enemy attempts to advance. In the Lyman direction, Russian invaders 24 times attacked the positions of Defense Forces in the areas of the settlements of Nadia, Grekivka, Nove, Katerynivka, Green Valley and Yampolivka. In the Siversky direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled six Russian assaults near the settlements of Ivano-Daryivka and Bilogorivka. In the Kramators komu direction, Russian forces stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders near Kurdumivka, Time Yaru and Orihovo-Vasilivka. Defense forces repelled three attacks from the attackers. Fourteen times the Russians stormed the positions of Ukrainian units in the Toretsky direction, in the areas of Dachno, Friendship and Toretsk. One battle is still going on. In the Pokrovsky direction, from the beginning of this day, Russian forces attacked in the areas of settlements Kalinove, Tarasivka, Elizabethtivka, Piscni, Udacne, Uspenivka, Preobrazhenka, Nadiivka and Andriyivka. Ukrainian defenders have stopped 32 Russian offensive actions, another confrontation is still ongoing. Today, according to preliminary data, 347 Russian occupants were defecated in this direction, 105 of which were irrevocably. Ukrainian soldiers destroyed one combat armored car, two artillery systems, 17 units of automobile equipment, three special equipment units, a REB vehicle, a BPLA control point; also damaged three artillery systems and three cars. In the Novopavlivs komu direction, Russian forces tried five times to break through the defense of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of Rozlivu and Rozdolny. Two clashes are currently underway. In the Gulyaipil direction, three clashes with the Russian enemy took place in the areas of the settlements of Privilne, Novosilka and Burlatske. In the Orihiv direction, Russian forces carried out four offensive actions in the area of Malih Scherbakov. Ukrainian units repelled all attacks. In the pridniprovsky direction, Russian forces seven times attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders, unsuccessful. In the Kursk direction since the beginning of the day, there have been 17 fighting clashes, two of which continue until now; also the Russian Zagarbnytska army has made 259 shells, including 21 - from jet systems of salpovogo fire. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that from 5 to 11 April 2025, the Russian Armed Forces have carried out eight group strikes by air- and sea-based high-precision aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles to hit Ukrainian military airfields infrastructure, defence industry enterprises, assembly workshops and storage areas of attack unmanned aerial vehicles, ammunition depots as well as temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries. Over the past week, units of the Sever Group of Forces continued to eliminate AFU formations on the territory of Kursk region. The Sever Group of Forces liberated Guyevo (Kurskoye region), Basovka, and Zhuravka in Sumy region. Aircraft, drones, and artillery hit manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade, three air assault brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a territorial defence brigade. In Kharkov and Belgorod directions, units of three mechanised brigades, two motorised infantry brigades, two assault regiments of the AFU, and three territorial defence brigades were hit. During the week, in the Sever Group of Forces area of responsibility, the enemy lost over 2,345 troops, four tanks, 41 armoured fighting vehicles, and 79 motor vehicles. Twenty field artillery guns and five ammunition depots have been neutralised. The Zapad Group of Forces liberated Katerinovka (Donetsk People's Republic). Russian units hit materiel and manpower of two mechanised brigades, an assault brigade of the AFU, two territorial defence brigades, and a border guard detachment. The enemy lost more than 1,585 troops, six armoured fighting vehicles including two M113 armoured personnel carriers and three MaxxPro armoured vehicles produced in the USA, and a Polish-made Dzik armoured vehicle. Twenty-one motor vehicles, 28 field artillery guns including ten Western-made artillery pieces, four electronic and counter-fire stations, and nine field ammunition depots were eliminated. The Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation. Russian troops hit formations of five mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade, an assault brigade of the AFU, a territorial defence brigade, and two national guard brigades. The AFU losses amounted to up to 2,085 troops, five tanks, and 19 armoured fighting vehicles including a U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier during the week. One hundred and four motor vehicles, 19 field artillery guns, six electronic warfare stations, and seven field ammunition depots were eliminated. The Tsentr Group of Forces took more advantageous lines and positions. The Russian Armed Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of three mechanised brigades, two assault brigades, two infantry brigades, two airborne brigades, two jaeger brigades, an assault regiment of the AFU, a marine brigade, a territorial defence brigade, a national guard brigade, and the Omega special forces detachment. The AFU losses amounted to more than 3,005 troops, 34 armoured fighting vehicles, including five M113 armoured personnel carriers, four MaxxPro armoured vehicles, and three U.S.-made HMMWV armoured fighting vehicles. Thirty-eight motor vehicles, and 29 artillery guns have been neutralised. Units of the Vostok Group of Forces continued advancing into the depth of enemy defence. Russian forces damaged formations of two mechanised brigades, a jaeger brigade, an air assault brigade, an airmobile brigade, a mountain assault brigade, a marine brigade, and a territorial defence brigade. The enemy lost more than 1,060 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, 26 motor vehicles, and 15 field artillery guns including six Western-made pieces. The Dnepr Group of Forces' units took more advantageous lines and positions. The Russian Armed Forces inflicted losses on the manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade, a mountain assault brigade, two coastal defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and one territorial defence brigade. The AFU lost over 555 troops, 13 armoured fighting vehicles, including three U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carriers, 41 motor vehicles, and five field artillery guns. Fifteen electronic and counter-fire stations as well as nine ammunition depots have been eliminated. Over the past week, air defence systems have shot down 27 JDAM guided bombs and 19 HIMARS MLRS projectiles, as well as 1,200 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles. In total, since the beginning of the special military operation the AFU lost 660 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 50,974 unmanned aerial vehicles, 601 anti-aircraft missile systems, 22,796 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,534 MLRS combat vehicles, 23,471 field artillery guns and mortars, 33,965 units of support military vehicles. The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation also reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise AFU formations on the territory of Kursk region. The Sever Group of Forces inflicted fire damage on a mechanised brigade, a tank brigade, three air assault brigades, and two territorial defence brigades 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 Belovody, Vladimirovka, Vodolagi, Maryino, Miropolye, Mogritsa, Sadki, and Yunakovka in Sumy region. The AFU losses amounted to more than 235 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, and an engineer vehicle during the day. Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk direction, the AFU losses amounted to: more than 73,645 troops, 405 tanks, 331 infantry fighting vehicles, 301 armoured personnel carriers, 2,264 armoured fighting vehicles, 2,671 motor vehicles, 601 artillery guns, 53 MLRS launchers, including 13 of HIMARS and seven of MLRS made by the USA, 26 anti-aircraft missile launchers, one self-propelled anti-aircraft system, ten transport-loading vehicles, 123 EW stations, 18 counter-fire radars, ten air defence radars, 57 units of engineering and other materiel, including 23 counterobstacle vehicles, one UR-77 mine clearing vehicle, five bridge launchers, one engineering reconnaissance vehicle as well as 15 armoured recovery vehicles, and one command post vehicle. The operation to neutralise the AFU units is in progress. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Anzac wolf pack hunts subs off WA By Lieutenant Marcus Middleton 10 April 2025 Four of Australia's seven Anzac-class frigates sailed in formation off the Western Australian coast for ASWEX 25 this month. Their mission; to hunt Australian submarine assets to ensure Navy is fully capable of protecting Australia and its interests. While capable of operating independently for long periods, for ASWEX, this lethal grey wolf, the backbone of the fleet, operated in packs. HMA Ships Warramunga, Toowoomba, Stuart and Arunta worked as one united frigate force under the direction of the Australian Maritime Task Group. Joined by HMA Ships Choules and Hobart, the task group fleet put proof to the concept of an agile fleet that is focused, lethal and ready. In the skies, the fleet was supported by Navy MH-60R helicopters, and RAAF and Royal New Zealand Air Force P-8A Poseidon sub hunters, generating significant force tailored for sea control and deterrence missions. Commanding Officer Warramunga Commander Dylan Phillips said ASWEX was a significant opportunity to uplift mariner and warfare skills by undertaking complex activities as part of a task group. The required coordination added a level of complexity impossible to replicate when operating independently. "It was also a great opportunity to train our next generation of Navy personnel, ahead of the introduction of exciting new capabilities including the Hunter-class anti-submarine frigates and general purpose frigates," Commander Phillips said. The Anzac-class frigate is a highly capable ship, fitted with air and surface surveillance radars, omni-directional hull-mounted sonar and electronic support systems that all interface simultaneously with the 9LV453 Mk3E combat data system to present a coherent tactical picture to the warfare team. They're also armed with the Mark 45 5-inch gun capable of firing 20 rounds per minute, ship-launched MU90 anti-submarine torpedoes and the Mark 41 vertical launch system for the Evolved Sea Sparrow missile. They also have eight anti-ship/land attack-canister-launched Harpoon missiles, and defensive countermeasures such as the Nulka active missile decoy system, off-board chaff and the Nixie torpedo decoy. Warramunga officer of the watch, Lieutenant Scott Smith, worked in a 'pack' for the first time, and described the Anzac-class as a versatile anti-submarine weapon, crucial in defending Australia against submarine threats. "The exercise has affirmed the capability of the Royal Australian Navy to form a large task group of warships to achieve a common mission," Lieutenant Smith said. "This is indicative of the way in which we will fight, and provides an invaluable opportunity for realistic training as a task group." Leading Seaman Ronin Wetherspoon, of Warramunga, said incorporating the Anzac-class frigates was an important training milestone in his understanding of tactical data links. "With the future of warfare rapidly advancing, tactical data networks have held their own, with the proper training and preparation a unit can fight a battle utilising tactical networks rather than their own sensors," Leading Seaman Wetherspoon said. "This hides the location of our platforms and, with the acquisition of Naval Strike and Tomahawk missiles, allows us to strike from greater distances and closer to the home that we serve and protect." Sister ship Toowoomba also played a large role during ASWEX, including live gunnery, air warfare exercises with live aircraft, anti-submarine warfare, officer-of-the-watch manoeuvres, formation entry/departures, boat drills, at-sea ammunition replenishment and general task group operations. Lieutenant Commander Darcy Cook, Toowoomba's weapons electrical engineering officer, said the exercise directly enhanced Australia's ability to deter and counter undersea threats, and reinforced the nation's maritime security posture. "The Anzac-class frigates play a key role in Australia's anti-submarine defence, employing highly capable organic systems to detect and deter threats," Lieutenant Commander Cook said. "Working alongside other joint assets, they strengthen a multi-layered, anti-submarine warfare strategy." He also highlighted how during shore phase, having all Anzac crews gather at HMAS Stirling was a great opportunity for east and west coast sailors to connect and share knowledge on operating Anzacs at sea. "It was a great chance to reconnect with old friends, swap stories and reflect on how far we have all come, as well as meet new friends," Lieutenant Commander Cook said. "Catching up with familiar faces and hearing about what they have done recently was a reminder that this job moves fast, but friendships never fade." Australia's economy is heavily dependent on the unobstructed movement of maritime trade and uninterrupted operation of its commercial ports. Undersea warfare readiness exercises such as ASWEX are critical for protecting Australia's harbours, ports and shipping lanes to maintain vital supply lines all Australians rely on for their daily lives. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister Carney speaks with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen Prime Minister of Canada - Mark Carney April 10, 2025 Ottawa, Ontario Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, spoke with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The two leaders discussed the imposition of tariffs and ongoing threat of further unjustified global trade actions by the United States. In this context, they emphasized the importance of working together to deepen economic ties and promote economic security for people on both sides of the Atlantic. Prime Minister Carney highlighted his plan to fight tariffs targeting Canada, including those on our auto, steel and aluminum industries, protect Canadian workers and businesses, and strengthen Canada's economy. The Prime Minister and the President discussed global issues of concern, including the imperative of supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russia's invasion. They welcomed enhancing Canada-European Union defence and security co-operation in support of transatlantic security. Prime Minister Carney and President von der Leyen agreed to remain in close contact. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Read-out by President von der Leyen following her phone call with Prime Minister Mark Carney of Canada European Commission Read-out Apr 10, 2025 Brussels President von der Leyen held a cordial phone call with Prime Minister Mark Carney, during which she highlighted the importance of regular coordination with trusted partners and allies like Canada. She reaffirmed the EU's strong commitment to open and predictable trade, and expressed her determination to work closely with Canada on reforming the global trading systemincluding through enhanced cooperation with the countries of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). The President described the EU-Canada relationship as a true success story, anchored by the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which has led to a 66% increase in bilateral goods trade since 2017. On security and defence, President von der Leyen welcomed the prospect of deeper cooperation and praised Prime Minister Carney for Canada's steadfast support to Ukraine, including through its active role in the Coalition of the Willing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries Held in Beijing Xi Jinping Delivers Important Speech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: April 09, 2025 22:50 From April 8 to 9, 2025, the Central Conference on Work Related to Neighboring Countries was held in Beijing. Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), President of the People's Republic of China and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the conference and delivered an important speech. Members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, as well as Vice President Han Zheng, attended the conference. In his important speech, Xi Jinping systematically summarized the achievements and experience of China's neighborhood work in the new era, scientifically analyzed the situation, clarified the goals, tasks, ideas and measures for neighborhood work in the coming period, and emphasized the need to focus on building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries, striving to break new ground in neighborhood work. While presiding over the conference, Li Qiang stressed the need to thoroughly implement the guiding principles of General Secretary Xi Jinping's important speech and 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 achieving development and prosperity, a key front for safeguarding national security, a priority area in managing overall diplomacy, and a crucial link in promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. It is necessary to view neighboring regions through a global perspective and enhance the sense of responsibility and mission in effectively conducting work related to neighboring countries. It was made clear at the conference that after the 18th CPC National Congress, under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, China put forward the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy, and advocated 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-round cooperation, strengthen exchanges in various fields, and jointly maintain peace and stability, thus forming a pragmatic and efficient framework for neighborhood work and securing historic achievements and transformation in neighborhood work. The experience gained through exploration in practice should be adhered to and effectively applied. It was noted at the conference that at present, China's relations with its neighboring countries are at their best in modern times, and are also entering a critical phase of deep linkage between the regional landscape and the world changes. It is necessary to follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, focus on the central task of the CPC and the country, take into account both domestic and international imperatives, and coordinate the two top priorities of development and security. To jointly create a better future with neighboring countries, China will hold high the banner of a community with a shared future for mankind, act on the common vision of a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home, foster an amicable, secure and prosperous neighborhood, follow the policy and principle featuring amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness as well as a shared future for humanity, take the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness and inclusiveness as the fundamental guidance, use high-quality Belt and Road cooperation as the main platform, and pursue the model of security for Asia that features sharing weal and woe, seeking common ground while shelving differences, and prioritizing dialogue and consultation as the strategic support. It was emphasized at the conference that to build a community with a shared future with neighboring countries, China needs to consolidate strategic mutual trust with its neighbors, support regional countries in following a steady development path, and properly manage differences and disputes. China will also deepen development integration with its neighbors, build a high-level connectivity network, strengthen cooperation in industrial and supply chains, maintain regional stability, conduct security and law enforcement cooperation, respond to various risks and challenges, expand people-to-people interactions and communication, and facilitate personnel exchanges. It was pointed out at the conference that to effectively carry out neighborhood work, China must strengthen the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee and enhance coordination and cooperation across various aspects. China will deepen its institutional reform, improve its legal system on foreign affairs, strengthen its capacity and team buildings, and promote theoretical and practical innovations in its neighborhood work. Wang Yi gave concluding remarks. Relevant leaders of the Party and the State and responsible officials from relevant departments attended the conference. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China vows unwavering opening-up despite US tariff bullying: MOFCOM Global Times Nation to create more opportunities for global businesses: expert By GT staff reporters Published: Apr 10, 2025 11:55 PM As the world's second-largest economy and the second-largest consumer market, China will remain steadfast in advancing high-level opening-up and following its own development path in the face of US tariff bullying, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) said at a press briefing on Thursday. Through its stable development, China aims to inject greater certainty into the global economy, MOFCOM spokesperson He Yongqian said, responding to a question about follow-up measures the ministry plans to implement to support foreign trade enterprises in exploring the domestic market. "Recently, the US has imposed excessive tariffs on all its trading partners, including China, under various pretexts. These actions have severely violated the legitimate rights of Chinese companies and destabilized the global economic order. China strongly condemns and firmly opposes these measures," the spokesperson stressed. The MOFCOM will continue to promote the integration of domestic and foreign trade. Efforts will be made to create platforms to help companies expand into the domestic market and strengthen support in areas such as market access, channel development, financial services and overall assistance, the spokesperson said. Despite external pressures such as US tariff hikes, China's door will open even wider, which is very significant under the current international environment, Bai Ming, a research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, told the Global Times on Thursday, adding that it reflects China's role as a responsible major economy. In the future, through its opening-up, China will create more opportunities and generate positive spillover effects, providing many countries with the chance to benefit from this growth and common development, Bai said. Highlighting China's commitment opening-up and foreign businesses' strong interest and confidence in the Chinese market, the 137th session of the China Import and Export Fair, commonly known as the Canton Fair, will be held from April 15 to May 5 in South China's Guangdong Province, with over 170,000 overseas buyers from 210 countries and regions having registered to attend the expo, according to the MOFCOM. Meanwhile, 223 companies from the Global Retail 250 ranking, alongside major buyers from various countries and regions, have confirmed their delegations' attendance, a 9.9 percent increase from the last session in October 2024, according to officials. As one of China's flagship trade events, the Canton Fair will continue to power the nation's export growth while connecting Chinese manufacturers with worldwide buyers, Zhu Qiucheng, CEO of Ningbo New Oriental Electric Industrial Development, also a Canton Fair participant, told the Global Times. The Canton Fair has become more than a window for Chinese manufacturers, but also one for global enterprises to match with worldwide buyers. "This reflects China's commitment to opening-up and multilateralism, which will contribute to global trade, especially under the shadow of US trade protectionism and tariff measures," said Zhu. In another example, the Global Digital Trade Expo and the China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) will be held from April 13 to 18 in South China's Hainan Province, providing another platform for global businesses to access the vast Chinese market. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian's Regular Press Conference on April 10, 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: April 10, 2025 19:06 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 South's 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 China's 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. America's 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 people's 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, China's 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 party's military operations. We call on the relevant party to be right and sober about China's 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 don't 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 they're 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, China's 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 Myanmar's rescue and relief work, which is well received by the people in Myanmar and the international community. Could you share more details on China's 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 China's speed, contribution and kindness. This is warmly welcomed and appreciated by the people in Myanmar. Myanmar's 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 and, upholding the spirit of the China-Myanmar community with a shared future, help the people in Myanmar overcome difficulties and rebuild their homes. EFE: What's China's 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 Spain's 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 and delivers tangibly for the two peoples, and contributes to world stability and development. AFP: I'd like to return to President Zelenskyy's 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. I'm 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. What's China's 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 China's 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 that's aimed at reducing Chinese dominance of the global shipping industry. Do you have any comment on that? Lin Jian: The development of China's 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. America's 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 integrated interests and a shared future. Regarding the specific visit you asked about, I have no information to share at the moment. Please stay tuned. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China enacts tariffs against US, says Trump's trade war 'will end in failure' Iran Press TV Thursday, 10 April 2025 3:19 PM China's 84% retaliatory tariffs on US imports have come into force hours after the US president insisted he would further increase tariffs on Chinese exports to 125%. A day after Trump's administration made an announcement about pausing his steepest tariffs on dozens of countries for 90 days, Beijing on Thursday announced that Donald Trump's trade war "will end in failure" and enacted its due tariffs against imports from the US. The Trump administration excluded China from the U-turn list after the giant Asian economy refused to step back from its retaliatory measures. China's foreign ministry said it had no intention to 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," a ministry spokesperson, Lin Jian, said at a press conference. The Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China also commented on the matter, saying "the door to dialogue is open." The ministry added, "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." A China Daily editorial published on Wednesday night said, "caving into the US pressure is out of the question for Beijing," reaffirming China's consensus to take the US head-on. "Profits of export-oriented industries will take a blow, and the resulting decline in manufacturing investment and consumer sentiment will dampen economic growth. But it also knows that kowtowing to the US's tariff bullying will gain it nothing, given that it is no secret the US is now intent on cutting China out of its consumer market and reshaping the global supply chains to serve its own narrow interests," the editorial said. Chinese companies selling products on Amazon were preparing to raise prices for the US or quit that market because of the "unprecedented blow" from the tariffs, the head of China's largest e-commerce association said. Some markets experienced a slight recovery after Trump's sudden pause, following the most unstable period in financial markets since the coronavirus pandemic. In a search to reduce the US trade deficit through the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," Trump's 90-day pause maintained the baseline global 10% tariff but halted the steeper reciprocal tariffs. According to the US president, the exclusionary policy towards China has taken place "because it did retaliate." "I thought that people were jumping a little bit out of line; they were getting yippy, you know," Trump said on Wednesday when asked why he had announced the pause. The Nikkei 225 in Japan was up 7.2% on Thursday, while in Seoul, the Kospi was up more than 5%. In Australia, the ASX 200 jumped more than 6%. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index climbed 2.69%, while the Shanghai Composite Index jumped 1.29%. On Wednesday, the head of the World Trade Organization warned the world's two largest economies about the escalation of the US-initiated trade war, saying it could cut trade in goods between the two countries by 80%. Given that they account for 3% of world trade, the conflict could "severely damage the global economic outlook," Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said. The European Union has embraced the pause, announcing on Thursday it would withdraw its new reciprocal tariffs against the US for 90 days in an attempt to allow time for negotiations. EU member states had approved retaliatory 25% tariffs on up to $23 billion in US goods - targeting farm produce and products from Republican states - from next week, in response to sweeping steel and aluminium tariffs imposed by Donald Trump's administration. Japan also hopes the US will change its approach. "We received the latest US announcement positively," Japan's chief government spokesperson, Yoshimasa Hayashi, has said. "We continue to strongly demand that the United States reviews measures on its reciprocal tariffs, tariffs on steel and aluminum, and tariffs on vehicles and auto parts," he added. China had announced it would enact 84% tariffs on US products from Thursday. It has put 18 US companies on trade restriction lists and brought in other countermeasures. It was a retaliatory move against Trump's "liberation day" announcement of a global tariff regime, which added a 34% tariff to the 20% already levied on China, making the Asian country ratify reciprocal tariffs of 34%. After China's refusal to withdraw the tariffs, the US President pledged a levy of 104% and then 125% against Chinese imports while announcing a reprieve elsewhere. At some point, hopefully soon, China will realize that the days of ripping off the USA and other countries are no longer sustainable or acceptable," Donald Trump said as he announced the latest US tariff assault on China. He claimed China "wants to make a deal, they just don't know how quite to go about it. They're proud people. President Xi [Jinping] is a proud man. I know him very well. They don't know quite how to go about it, but they'll figure it out." China appears to be seeking to shore up trading agreements away from the US by approaching other countries, including Malaysia, the European Union member states, and Australia. China's commerce minister, Wang Wentao, has urged his Malaysian counterpart to strengthen coordination with trading partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He also spoke to the EU trade and security commissioner on Tuesday, saying China wants to expand trade with Europe and that it would immediately restart negotiations on electric vehicles. Australia did not seem comfortable with China's attempts to "join hands" despite its heavy reliance on China for trade. "We're not about to make common cause with China - that's not what's going to happen here," the Australian defense minister Richard Marles said, indicating a deep alliance between Australia and the United States. "We don't want to see a trade war between America and China, to be clear, but our focus is on actually diversifying our trade." Despite Donald Trump's dismissal of market volatility, he has wavered on tariffs as predictions of a US recession grew stronger. The US president announced his decision at the same time his US Trade Representative, Jamieson Greer, gave a congressional hearing. "It looks like your boss just pulled the rug out from under you," the Democratic representative Steven Horsford of Nevada told Greer. "This is amateur hour, and it needs to stop." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump tariffs on China now total 145%, White House says Markets fall again over latest salvo in the trade war but U.S. president says he's open to a deal with China's Xi. By Tenzin Pema and Huang Chun-mei for RFA 2025.04.10 -- U.S. tariffs on imports from China actually total 145%, the White House said Thursday, amid an escalating tariff war between the world's two largest economies that threatens to upend global trade. On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced he was raising tariffs on Chinese imports to 125%. But the White House said Thursday that did not include a 20% tariff the U.S. had previously imposed on China for fentanyl trade. Adding that in takes the new China tariffs total to 145%. Trump's tariff hike against China came as he announced a surprise 90-day pause on sweeping duties for more than 75 other countries. He said those countries had sought to negotiate with the United States and had not resorted to any retaliatory measures. At a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Trump indicated he was open to working out a deal with China. He also warned that he would revert to higher tariffs if the U.S. does not reach a deal with many of its trading partners during the temporary tariff suspension period. "If we can't make the deal that we want to make, or we have to make, or that's good for both parties ... then we go back to where we were," said Trump. He declined to say whether he would extend the pause period in such an eventuality. "We have to see what happens at that time," he said. Trump also said he expects "transition cost and transition problems" related to his tariff measures. But he defended his actions, contending that the measures were helping the U.S. rake in billions of dollars every day. The market rollercoaster that began when Trump declared the tariff "Liberation Day" last week continued Thursday. U.S. benchmark stock indexes pared back much of the gains that had been made on Wednesday when the market had posted a historic rally. "(China has) really taken advantage of our country for a long period of time. They've ripped us off... All we're doing is putting it back in shape where we're setting the table," Trump told reporters on Thursday. Trump open to deal with China Notwithstanding the incipient trade war and tough rhetoric, Trump called Chinese President Xi Jinping a "friend" and indicated the U.S. would be open to working out a mutually beneficial deal. "We'll see what happens with China. We'd love to be able to work a deal," Trump told reporters. "I have great respect for President Xi. In a true sense, he has been a friend of mine for a long period of time and I think we'll end up working out something that is very good for both countries. I look forward to it." In response to Trump's latest tariff hike, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jiian said China does not want to fight trade and tariff wars, but will not flinch when a trade and tariff war comes. China had announced its own retaliatory levies of 84% on all US imports. On Thursday, Xi called for building a community with a "shared future with neighboring countries," a move that analysts see as a strategic attempt by China to mitigate the impact of the ongoing tariff war with the U.S. through stronger engagement with South and Southeast Asian nations. Xi's statement at a conference on work related to neighboring countries came ahead of his official visit to Malaysia, Vietnam, and Cambodia next week. Impact of trade war China-based businessman Zhang Shengqi told RFA he expects both China and the United States to suffer in the short term from the trade war, but believes China will be hit harder in the long term due to its heavy dependence on exports to the United States. The United States, on the other hand, can use this opportunity to promote the repatriation of the supply chain and gain negotiating advantages, and gradually rebuild its sovereign economic system, he said. "The 125% tariff imposed by the United States on China is not a real trump card, but a deterrent card, intended to reshape the global fair trade order and force China to renegotiate," said Zhang. A Taiwanese businessman, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, said his friends and partners in mainland China feel helpless about the situation but are forced to accept the reality. Operations of many factories in China have been cut back significantly, with only those that cater to the most basic needs of consumers still operating, he said, citing the examples of food, clothing, housing and transportation industries. He pointed out that China earns more than $300 billion in annual trade with the United States. "If this export income is greatly reduced, it will have a huge impact on the Chinese economy," he said. A large number of factories that rely on exports to the United States may face a wave of closures, which will lead to large-scale unemployment, he added. "Factories will be unable to repay bank loans, which will cause debt risks in the financial system. At the same time, the increase in the number of unemployed people will further hit domestic demand, creating a vicious cycle," he added. But experts warn there will also be negative effects on U.S. consumers, who have grown used to low-cost products made in China, and U.S. manufacturers that rely on inputs from China to sustain their business. In 2024, U.S. exports to China stood at $143.5 billion, while imports totaled $439.9 billion, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. According to research published Thursday by The Budget Lab at Yale, Trump's latest tariffs would hurt average American households, costing them $4,700 annually. RFA Mandarin journalist Huang Chun-mei contributed reporting. Edited by 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A window on China's job woes: 1 company gets 1.2 million applicants. China National Nuclear Corp was swamped in applications for its spring recruitment, shocking netizens. By Zifei Chen for RFA Mandarin 2025.04.10 -- At a recent recruitment drive, China's state-owned nuclear company received nearly 1.2 million applications - a number that shocked netizens and fueled widespread concern about the growing challenges young graduates face in an already tough job market. "We received 1,196,273 applications" for "1,730 core positions," China National Nuclear Corp (CNNC) said on Saturday in a WeChat post, complete with a starry-eyed emoji. The announcement inadvertently exposed the harsh reality confronting young Chinese jobseekers, who face fierce competition as millions vie for limited available positions, despite Beijing's attempts to paint a rosy picture about its economy, experts said. CNNC's post drew immediate backlash on Chinese social media as netizens criticized the nuclear energy giant for being insensitive and using the struggles faced by job seekers as a key performance indicator (KPI) - or a quantifiable measure of success - that it can boast about. "When I saw the post, my first reaction was despair. Have the pressures in finding employment become so great?" said one netizen named Zhang Zhang on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. "I worked so hard in school, carefully revised my resume, and applied seriously, but to you, I'm just a number - an insignificant one among 1.19 million people," she said. "It feels like I am being ridiculed. This feels like a public execution where you're telling me I'm a failure and that there are so many other losers just like me." Others questioned the numbers, suggesting CNNC had exaggerated them. CNNC later clarified in a separate post on Sunday that the 1,730 figure referred to job categories, not positions. It also said it would hire about 8,000 people from the total 425,284 individual applicants. Each applicant can apply for up to 20 positions, it said. The open positions were in job categories such as nuclear science, geology and minerals, construction and engineering, and environment and chemicals, CNNC said. CNNC's recruitment drive was conducted at 12 top universities across 10 cities, with more than 3,100 students attending the career fairs, according to the company's original WeChat post, which it quickly took down amid the public outcry online. Contrary to China's claims that its overall job market remained "generally stable" in 2024, rampant youth unemployment has left millions floundering, living at home, relying on delivery jobs, or, in what has become a growing trend, "pretending to go to work." The situation has spawned a hashtag on social media, #IPretendedToGoToWorkToday, with young people posting short videos to Douyin about what they do all day. China's jobless rate for 16-to-24-year-olds, excluding students, rose to 16.9% in February from 16.1% in January, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics. Youth unemployment levels hit a record 21.3% in June 2023, after which China stopped reporting the closely watched benchmark, publishing it only in December that same year after it revised its methodology to exclude students. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, China's youth jobless rate averaged 11.9% in 2019. Reality of China's job market Against that backdrop, companies are typically flooded with more resumes than they can handle for posted vacancies. "1.2 million people applied for 8,000 positions, which is about a ratio of 150 to 1. This is actually very normal in the current recruitment market," said one influencer named Bole Talks Technology. He said he's met job-seekers who have sent out thousands of applications and without getting a single interview. He called the current job environment "cruel." His own company recently advertised a developer position and received more than 1,000 resumes within a few hours, forcing them to stop accepting applications the same day, he said. Chinese social media platforms are flooded with videos of young job seekers talking about their woes in finding or holding on to a job. "I didn't expect reality to slap me in the face so quickly," said one Douyin user named Yangxiguapi. "I've applied for jobs where there were a few thousand applicants, but some companies, including listed ones, ended up hiring only one or two people," she said in the video. "I've had three jobs in the past two years," said another. "Either the company laid me off, or it ran out of money and couldn't pay me. I'm struggling to live in Beijing," she said. He Fan, a young man who works at an internet company in Shanghai, told RFA that some of his colleagues who were laid off last year still haven't landed a job. "There are fewer positions. In the past, you might receive five interviews a week after submitting your resume, but now you may only receive one or two," He said. The rise of Chinese artificial intelligence firm DeepSeek has led to some improvement in job prospects in the tech sector, but the challenges of a fiercely competitive job market and a slowing economy remain, He said. He said that news that CNNC drew 1.2 million applications has only deepened his pessimism about the job market and added to his fears about future prospects. Jerry, a master's degree student in China, said students are increasingly giving up their dreams of becoming entrepreneurs. Many rely on their parents' connections and influence to land regular office jobs. "The entire job market can be said to have gone from bad to worse. All office positions, without exception, are obtained through the connections of parents," Jerry said. Impact of US-China 'tariff war' Analysts expect the current job market challenges to be further exacerbated by the ongoing 'tariff war' between China and the United States. "There are no jobs to begin with. The employment rate of college graduates is less than 30%. In other words, only 1 out of 5 people find a job," said current affairs commentator Wang Jian. "Even without the tariff war, it is expected that it will be more difficult for graduates to find jobs this year compared to last year. If you add the tariff war now, there is no doubt that the (Chinese) economy will be worse," Wang added. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on imports from China to 125% from 104%, just hours after China hiked its retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. to 84% and vowed to take "resolute and forceful" measures to protect its own interests. Trump took that step even as he announced a 90-day pause on 'reciprocal' tariffs for other countries. With the private sector set to take a beating due to the ongoing Sino-U.S. trade war, more and more people are likely to seek out jobs at state-owned enterprises, viewing these as a safe haven, said analysts. "Scenes like the CNNC receiving millions of resumes may become the new normal in the near future," economist Si Ling told RFA. "Chinese state media have been relentlessly painting a bright picture about the economy from 2024 to 2025, but CNNC's spring recruitment figures directly contradict that narrative, revealing the economic optimism to be little more than a facade," he said. China set its official growth target at around 5% for 2025, but economists expect escalating trade tensions with the U.S. to hurt the world's second-largest economy. Editing 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China's commerce minister discusses multilateral cooperation with Saudi, South African counterparts amid US tariff threats Global Times By Global Times Published: Apr 11, 2025 10:29 AM China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao on Thursday met with Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasabi and G20 Presidency holder, South Africa's Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Parks Tau separately through video calls, focusing on strengthening regional and multilateral cooperation amid the US' reckless imposition of tariffs, according to statements released by the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) on Friday. During the video call with the Saudi minister, the two sides exchanged views on responding to the US' imposition of so-called "reciprocal" tariffs, enhancing the economic and trade cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia as well as between China and the Gulf Cooperation Council. The two sides also discussed leveraging the role of the WTO, and upholding the multilateral trading system. When speaking with Tau, the two sides discussed responding to the US' imposition of the so-called "reciprocal" tariffs, strengthening China-South Africa economic and trade cooperation, and leveraging multilateral platforms including the G20 and BRICS. According to a statement released by China's Ministry of Commerce on Thursday, Wang 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. During the talk, he expressed China's willingness 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. China on Thursday reiterated its firm position on the US' tariff threats. In response to a question on the situation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian on Thursday said that "the US, in defiance of global criticism, is pitching itself against the rest of the world." The spokesperson said that the US is still abusing tariffs on China, emphasizing that China firmly rejects and will never accept such hegemonic and bullying move. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China refutes robber logic of US 'reciprocal' tariffs at WTO Global Times By Global Times Published: Apr 11, 2025 09:15 AM China made firm retaliation on Thursday, the second day of the first annual meeting of the Council for Trade in Goods of the WTO, as the US added the topic of "reciprocal tariffs" under "other matters" to promote its robber logic of the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," China Media Group (CMG) reported on Friday. At the previous day's meeting, China clearly stated its position on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs." China deeply regrets the unilateral escalation of trade measures by the US, which is dragging the global economy into great uncertainty. The daily-created incidents and turmoil by the US are eroding the stable environment essential for the development of enterprises and all members worldwide, particularly developing members. China firmly opposes overstretching and abusing national security. China has reaffirmed the views in the Chinese government's position on opposing US abuse of tariffs, saying that "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 firmly believes that trade differences among members must not become a pretext for adopting unilateral measures and launching tariff wars. There are no winners in a trade war. China attaches great importance to the multilateral trading system, with WTO at its core, and supports Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's call that "the WTO serves as a vital platform for dialogue. Resolving these issues within a cooperative framework is essential," according to the CMG report. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Transcript of Special briefing by MEA on President's State Visit to Slovak Republic (April 10, 2025) India - Ministry of External Affairs April 11, 2025 Shri Rajesh Parihar, Director (XPD): Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to this special media briefing about the state visit of Honorable Rashtrapati Ji to Slovakia. And for this briefing, I have with me on the dais Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs; Ms. Pooja Kapur, Additional Secretary (Central Europe), Ministry of External Affairs; Ms. Apurva Srivastava, Ambassador of India to Slovakia; and Shri Ajay Singh, the Press Secretary to the President of India. With that, I request Secretary (West) to brief the media on the visit. Shri Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West): Thank you. Namaskar. This has been a historic state visit by President Droupadi Murmu. It has been historic because it is taking place after a gap of nearly 30 years, and because of the strong commitment shown by both sides to take this partnership forward. I would just first run through some of the basic elements of the visit. The delegation led by Honorable President also included Minister of State for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution, Smt. Nimuben Bambhaniya, and two honorable Members of Parliament, Shri Dhaval Patel and Smt. Sandhya Ray. A large business delegation also accompanied the Honorable President, around 35 members. The President met the President of Slovak Republic, His Excellency Peter Pellegrini, Prime Minister Mr. Robert Fico, the Speaker of the Parliament among the various dignitaries. There were two MoUs that were signed during the visit. A business forum was hosted. The program also included a visit to the Tata - Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing plant in Nitra, the city of Nitra. The President was also conferred an honorary doctorate by the University, Constantine the Philosopher University, based in Nitra. And she will shortly be meeting members of the Indian community. In terms of the details of the program elements, yesterday in the morning, a ceremonial welcome was accorded to President Murmu. A Guard of Honor was presented. This was followed by a tete-a-tete meeting between the two Presidents, and then the delegation-level talks. The two leaders also witnessed the exchange of two Memoranda of Understanding. One of the MOUs is between the Sushma Swaraj Foreign Service Institute of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Slovakia. The other one is regarding cooperation in the field of small and medium enterprises between the NSIDC and the Business Slovakia. The two leaders also delivered Press Statements yesterday. In the evening, this was the ... President of Slovakia hosted a State Banquet in honor of President Murmu. Earlier today, the President of Slovak Republic also ... he and our President jointly addressed the business forum, which was hosted at the Foreign Ministry, where the business delegation from the FICCI was there, along with the Slovak businesspersons. Later in the afternoon, the delegation had traveled to the historic city of Nitra, which is around 100 kilometers from Bratislava, where at the Constantine University, President Murmu was conferred honorary doctorate. It was a beautiful ceremony, where President Pellegrini was also present. After that, the two leaders traveled to the Tata - Jaguar Land Rover manufacturing plant, which is situated nearby, and the two Presidents then had a round of the manufacturing plant, where she also met the management and the workers and the staff over there, which also include a very large number of Indian workers and professionals. This was followed by a special tree planting ceremony, where the two presidents planted linden tree, which is the national tree of Slovak Republic, in a public park, where the mayor of the city of Nitra, Mr. Marek Hattas, was also present. During the tree planting ceremony, President Murmu spoke about the initiative of Prime Minister Modi, which is the "Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam" initiative. She described the initiative to the President of Slovak Republic, who said that ... who found this very interesting, and remarked that Slovakia too could consider undertaking such an initiative. Earlier at the ceremony for conferring the honorary doctorate, the President of Slovak Republic, His Excellency Pellegrini, mentioned in his remarks about how India was transforming into a modern nation, which was also simultaneously honoring its rich and millennia-old tradition, and that it represents a civilizational leap forward. The visit had a strong business element, as I mentioned. If we look at the economic relations between India and Slovak Republic, trade has been growing rapidly. Over the last five years or so, the trade has tripled, and now it is in the range of 1.3 billion euros. There are investment both ways. The Tata Group investment in the automotive sector in Slovakia is a very large investment, again in the range of around 1.3 to 1.4 billion euros. There are also investments in other sectors such as steel. Similarly, the Slovakian businesses have also invested in India in various sectors such as railways, defense, biofuel, and so on. There is also cooperation in emerging technology spheres and other spheres such as space, AI, digital, and there was discussion on how we could explore further opportunities in sectors like cyber security and artificial intelligence. The partnership also has a strong element of talent and talent mobility. Now, there are around 6,000 Indians living and working in Slovakia, which includes students, professionals, and other workers. There is a strong and growing element of cooperation in the field of education and research. Health and wellness was discussed as one of the areas of cooperation. Tourism is growing between our countries. This is another area where the leaders had discussed further cooperation. If we look at the last two to three years, there have been around five ministerial interactions ... between the Foreign Ministers but also the Slovak Minister of Finance who had visited India along with a large business delegation. There have been two large business delegations from the Slovak Republic to India in recent times and currently there is a big Indian business delegation which is visiting Slovakia. During the discussions, the President also thanked the Slovak government and people for their help during the evacuation of Indian students from Ukraine under Op Ganga a couple of years back. The India-Slovakia partnership also has relevance, and it contributes to the strengthening of the India-EU strategic partnership. Our countries also collaborate and cooperate on a number of global issues in the various multilateral fora, including the United Nations. The Slovak President reiterated Slovakia's support for the permanent membership of the UN Security Council, and President Murmu expressed her deep appreciation for this position of Slovakia. There are strong cultural affinities between our two countries. One of the recent developments has been the translation of Upanishads into Slovak language by a Slovak scholar, Mr. Robert Gafrik. There was a discussion also on possible cooperation in the field of cinema. During the visit to the Parliament, there was a discussion on how there should be greater parliamentary exchanges and how they help in developing greater mutual understanding. An interesting and unique event was earlier today when there was an art exhibition of paintings done on Indian themes by Slovak children and that was much appreciated. There was also a Ramayana puppet show curated by a Slovak group where a large number of Slovak children enjoyed the puppet show in Slovak language, and President Murmu had also joined the show for some time. If we look at the India-Slovakia partnership, there is a huge goodwill among the political leaders, but also at the people-to-people level. There are high-level ongoing political exchanges, growing number of ministerial and other interactions. There are business delegations being exchanged in the recent years. Trade and investment is growing. There are other new areas of cooperation being explored. For example, digital technologies, artificial intelligence, cyber security, and other such areas. In fact, the first satellite produced by Slovakia had been launched a few years ago on an Indian rocket, PSLV. The tourism sector is also growing from both sides. So, this has been really a landmark visit, historic visit. It provides further momentum to this partnership, builds upon the traditional goodwill that has existed. During the discussions, it was clear as to how much there is a commonality of views on various issues of global interest, how the two countries have shared values of democracy, diversity, and a number of other global values. There was a strong business push, along with the political commitment, where areas of trade, investment, technology, talent, all were discussed as to how to take this cooperation further. A number of ongoing areas of cooperation, ranging from automotive to steel, railways, biofuel, and defense. And as I mentioned, some new areas were discussed, both in emerging technology, but also in sectors like wellness and tourism and creative arts. The wider context of the partnership, both in terms of the India-EU strategic partnership, where we have negotiations ongoing for finalization of an FTA, and also a ministerial trade and technology council is working and discussing a number of important areas. But also the wider multilateral UN context, there was a good discussion on all these issues. There was also a great rapport and personal engagement between the leaders, especially the two Presidents, in various meetings. We look forward to a further close relationship evolving between India and Slovakia as a result of this visit. Thank you. Shri Rajesh Parihar, Director (XPD): Thank you, sir. The floor is open for questions. Jayanti? Jayanti, DD News: Good evening, sir. I'm Jayanti from DD News. Sir, there was great emphasis on economic cooperation by both the Presidents throughout the visit. How do we see collaboration on this front going forward for the two nations, in terms of India-Slovakia ties, in terms of trade and investment? Abhishek Shukla, PTI: Sir, I'm Abhishek from PTI. President talked about diversifying the trade baskets. Can you elaborate on what new areas we are seeking trade exchanges? Unidentified Speaker: Regarding the bilateral trade, it's clear that we have already achieved what it was set a few years after also. But even at that level, many of the business people were telling that the potential is much, much higher. So, 1.3 billion is not a figure that we should be contended with. So, will we be revising the targets right now? And what can we expect? And second was, Tata is a multinational in all its definitions as well. But several Indian business groups based in Bratislava, they were of the opinion that there are enough opportunities for the mid-size companies to come in, which is currently not so active, because there seems to be a need for a push for further awareness about Slovakia. That's what they suggested. Alex Patakash, News Agency of the Slovak Republic: Alex Patakash, News Agency of the Slovak Republic. I would like to have one question about the UN. Mr. President Pellegrini supported India's permanent seat in the UN Security Council. Could maybe in the future Slovakia receive support from India about the non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in the future? Thank you. Shri Tanmaya Lal, Secretary (West): I think three of the questions basically relate to the economic sphere, and specifically about the SMEs and their role in taking the trade investment forward. Yes, there is a focus on that. One of the MOUs that was signed was actually on how to promote these linkages through greater B2B interaction, trade exhibitions, delegations, visits and so on ... participation in exhibitions, sector-specific exhibitions and so on. That is an area where we need to work on, and that has obviously great potential. We also hope that the MOU that was signed between the NSIC and the Slovak Business will also contribute to facilitating these exchanges. The trade figures have gone up. There is a very strong encouraging trend. As I mentioned, there is also the negotiations going on for the larger India EU FTA, and that also will, as you would remember in the recent visit of the College of Commissioners to India led by the EC President Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, the two leaders had decided that ... had directed their teams to finalize the FTA before the end of this year. That again will have a huge bearing on our individual Bilateral Trade with various European partners, including Slovakia. The Indian business delegation that is visiting here actually represents a wide range of sectors, for example, ranging from renewable energy to waste water and waste management, AYUSH, traditional medicine, IT, AI, automotive, also FinTech. So, there is an interest in a large number of areas. Slovakia has a long-standing tradition of engineering and manufacturing, so some of those areas will continue. As I mentioned, the Slovak companies are present in India in a number of sectors, including engineering, including railways and so on. So, we are very hopeful that the entire range of business sectors will continue to expand, and many of the newer emerging technology areas will also see collaboration in that. On the UN Security Council, the Slovak candidature for the non-permanent seat, if I understood correctly. Yes, this was mentioned, and I am sure there will be due consideration according to this proposal. And there was a discussion on how on a number of areas in the multilateral context the collaboration is ongoing, and the election of various candidatures, etc., is part of that also. So that will continue. Shri Rajesh Parihar, Director (XPD): Thank you, sir. This brings us to the end of this press briefing. Thank you, sir. Thanks, everyone. The briefing is over. Bratislava April 10, 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Armed Forces must operate jointly & remain future-ready in today's ever-evolving multi-domain environment: Raksha Mantri at DSSC, Wellington India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence "Govt transforming the military into a technologically-advanced combat-ready force" "Building an indigenous future-ready defence ecosystem is a strategic necessity" Posted On: 10 APR 2025 12:52PM by PIB Delhi "Armed Forces must operate jointly and remain future-ready in today's ever-evolving multi-domain environment where cyber, space & information warfare etc. are as potent as conventional operations," said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh 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 on April 10, 2025. Raksha Mantri pointed out that today's global geopolitics is being redefined by three key metrics: a major pivot towards prioritising national security, a technological tsunami sweeping the global landscape, and accelerating innovation. He urged the officers to study the nuances of these trends in-depth to stay ahead on strategic-military change curve, adding that Prime Minister Shri 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, Shri 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. Raksha Mantri 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. Shri 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. Raksha Mantri pitched for the development and modernisation of the Armed Forces through self-reliance. "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 it," he said. Shri 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. Shri 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. Raksha Mantri began his address by expressing solidarity and support of the people of India to Myanmar and Thailand in the wake of the recent massive earthquake. "India has always stood by its friends as a first responder in times of crisis and we consider it as our duty to be able to deliver timely relief to the people of Myanmar," he said. The 80th Staff Course comprises 479 student officers, including 38 personnel from 26 friendly countries. Three women officers are also participating in the course. Ahead of the ceremony, Shri Rajnath Singh 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. *** VK/SR/Savvy (Release ID: 2120678) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's military prowess is at all-time high: Navy commander IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 10, 2025 Bandar Abbas, IRNA -- Navy Commander Rear Admiral Shahram Irani says that the naval authority and military strength of Iran have reached unprecedented levels of power. Speaking in Bandar Abbas on Thursday to the naval personnel and their families, Rear Admiral Irani declared Iran's military strength as unprecedented and its recent operations indicative of its global standing. The Navy commander stressed the worldwide recognition of Iran's naval capabilities, adding that their influence stretches beyond the country's borders and is acknowledged globally. He also said that Iran's navy is now acknowledged as a significant power by its enemies, warning of the possibility of direct naval conflicts. Meanwhile, Intelligence Minister Esma'eel Khatib has said that Iran's post-Islamic Revolution military is globally recognized for its power and has challenged major powers, including the U.S. The official highlighted the ideological grounding of Iran's military doctrine, portraying the Armed Forces as serving the people. 7129**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pezeshkian: No power can stop Iranian nation from moving forward IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 10, 2025 Karaj, IRNA -- President Masoud Pezeshkian says no power is able to stop the Iranian nation's progress through its conspiracies, dismissing allegations by the United States, Israel and Europe that Iran has been weakened. "Israel, Europe, and the U.S. assume that Iran has been weakened. They assume that they can cause quarrels and disputes in the country. No power, through its conspiracies, can stop the Iranian people from moving forward and progressing," said the president. Pezeshkian made the remarks on Thursday in Karaj, the capital of Alborz Province, as he met a group of local managers. The president was in Alborz for a daylong visit as part of his provincial trips aimed at addressing the issues faced by different provinces. During the meeting, he emphasized the importance of tackling economic and production disparities through public collaboration, saying that the public support and cooperation will also lead to remarkable progress of Iran. He also highlighted the importance of enhanced public participation to tackle imbalances in the education sector. He said that schools need to be built in many cities and villages, while they should be equipped and offer high-quality education, a goal he said will be achieved though people's participation. Pezeshkian also referred to the current subsidy system, which he said is favoring the wealthy, and called for reforms to ensure fairer distribution. He outlined government plans to redirect subsidies more equitably, stating, "Our goal is to ensure that subsidies reach the needy people directly." Pezeshkian commended the people's efforts, urging broader cooperation to accelerate the country's advance and eliminate obstacles to production. 3266**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's nuclear talks to proceed with dignity and strength, says AEOI chief IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 10, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran (AEOI) Mohammad Eslami has said that the Islamic Republic will engage in the upcoming nuclear negotiations with dignity and authority, refusing to yield to external pressure. Eslami made the remarks on Wednesday evening in an interview on national television on the occasion of the 19th National Nuclear Technology Day, during which he elaborated on the latest achievements of the Iranian nuclear industry, among other issues. The interview was broadcast ahead of indirect talks between Iran and the United States over the Iranian nuclear energy program, which are set to take place in Oman on Saturday. Eslami reaffirmed Iran's commitment to advancing its nuclear program, stressing that the path of interaction is always open, but this interaction will be conducted from a position of strength, not weakness. He also said that the Oman talks would be political and led by the Foreign Ministry, adding that AEOI representatives would attend nuclear negotiations at any stage deemed necessary by Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi. Reacting to statements by some U.S. officials about implementing the so-called "Libyan model" for Iran's nuclear program, the AEOI chief dismissed those statements as a false theory. "No one has the right to compare the Islamic Republic of Iran with any other country. Iran, the Iranian people, and its power and capacity are not comparable with any country," said Eslami. Iran is the land of "dignity, independence, and advancement," which will continue its path powerfully, he further said, adding that such remarks will neither stop nor affect the determination of the Iranian nation. In response to the possibility of the West calling for "zero uranium enrichment" or dismantling Iran's nuclear facilities, the AEOI chief said, "Raising such issues is more like a joke." IAEA director general to visit Tehran Eslami confirmed that Rafael Grossi, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), will soon visit Tehran for talks on Iran's nuclear program. He said that the visit is expected to take place next week or early days of its following week, but the agenda of the talks has not been finalized yet. Eslami emphasized that Iran-IAEA interactions are technical and remain within the framework of the Safeguards Agreement and the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), cautioning against politicizing issues. "We do not have any problem with the IAEA. Our ties are completely routine and within a legal framework," he said, emphasizing that the director general of the agency should not politicize issues as this stance does not lie within the framework of his technical and legal duties. 3266**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President says Ayatollah Khamenei is not opposed to American investment in Iran IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Apr 10, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- President Masoud Pezeshkian says Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei is not opposed to U.S. entities investing capital in the Iranian economy. In important remarks on Wednesday, and ahead of scheduled negotiations between Iran and the United States in Oman, the president said he was well-informed about Ayatollah Khamenei's standpoint on the matter since he regularly met with the Leader. Pezeshkian said Iran would however not allow infiltration attempts by foreign agents who would seek to spy on the country with an objective to carry out acts of sabotage. "Iran is not the place for a group of individuals to come and conspire to destroy the country, to collect information and then assassinate the people about whom they have collected information," he said. But he emphasized that genuine investors would be free to enter the Iranian market. The president affirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, Iran's top negotiator in the scheduled talks with the U.S., would act in accordance with the instructions of the Leader. "Dr. Araqchi... will negotiate indirectly with the American representatives in Oman on Saturday," he said. "The Leader of the Revolution said we would negotiate indirectly because we don't trust the Americans, and our position is clear." U.S. officials, including President Donald Trump, have claimed that U.S. and Iranian negotiators will be holding "direct" talks. Iranian officials have stressed they will only speak through Omani intermediaries. Trump, who abandoned a multinational deal with Iran in 2018, had since taking office for a second term expressed a willingness to enter into negotiations with the Islamic Republic to make a new deal. On March 12, he sent a letter to Ayatollah Khamenei, and received the Leader's response later that month. Trump announced the talks with Iran at the White House on April 7, as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sat next to him, unimpressed. Iran confirmed the talks later. 4482 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump threatens Iran with military action over nuclear disarmament People's Daily Online (Xinhua) 16:09, April 10, 2025 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." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gen. Qa'ani: US, Israel 'powerless in practice' against Iran, resistance Iran Press TV Thursday, 10 April 2025 5:17 PM The commander of Iran's Quds Force says the US and Israel, with all their hype and hoopla, are "powerless in practice" against Iran and resistance groups. "They cannot even comprehend why our missiles accurately hit their targets. This is our strength," Brigadier General Esmail Qa'ani said on Thursday. Last year, Iran hit military and intelligence targets inside the Israeli occupied territories with missile salvos in April and October. Iranian officials have underscored that the country only deployed a fraction of its firepower during the dual reprisal. While Western military experts have also warned that future attacks could be still more complex and use an even greater number of missiles, the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) last week unveiled a new underground missile "megacity". It was unveiled after US President Donald Trump threatened Iran with bombing if it doesn't submit to American demands. Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Muhammad Bagheri said the pace at which the Islamic Republic is developing its defensive might is far faster than the pace of the enemies' recuperation. Gen. Qa'ani on Thursday emphasized the importance of self-sufficiency and domestic production. He gave special plaudits to the resistance groups in the region "for having resisted with the least resources against the enemy's advanced equipment". "As we saw in Lebanon and Yemen, the resistance has dealt the greatest blows to the enemy with the least resources," he said. Qa'ani highlighted the unique characteristics of the Resistance Front, saying "the essence of resistance is that anyone who fights it only makes it stronger." "Yemeni youths who could not even reach the Zionist regime with their weapons at the beginning of the war have increased the range of their missiles by 600 to 700 kilometers in a single year," he said. "This kind of progress is unprecedented anywhere in the world," General Qa'ani said, adding "the resources available to the Resistance Front today are the result of domestic efforts and innovations". According to Ahmed Nagi, a senior analyst on Yemen at the International Crisis Group, the US is wrong to believe that airstrikes can compel Yemenis to back down. "Their logic is shaped by years of war; they see resilience as a form of strength and are driven to prove they are not easily deterred," CNN quoted him as saying. If anything, they may actually be relishing US strikes, the broadcaster said. Their operations are a "direct answer to their prayers to have a war with the US," Farea al-Muslimi, a Yemeni research fellow at Chatham House, told CNN. Since mid-March, Yemeni forces have launched a dozen ballistic missiles at Israel, and barrages of drones and missiles at US navy ships in solidarity with the Palestinians who are subject to daily massacres and other atrocities in Gaza and the West Bank. Addressing the enemies, Gen. Qa'ani said, "Your crimes will never be forgotten." "Killing women and children and destroying the homes of defenseless people is neither a display of skill nor strength; it is a sign of your weakness and helplessness." Qa'ani said the blockaded Gaza Strip still stands firm despite an extensive war for a year and a half, noting that such firm resistance "reflects the resolute will of its people." Navy chief: Iran's defense capabilities stronger than ever Separately on Thursday, head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy Rear Admiral Shahram Irani described the country's maritime power and defense capabilities as stronger than ever before. "Today, our enemies view the armed forces of the Navy as a superpower," he said in Bandar Abbas during a meeting with the families of the personnel of the 86th Naval Group which traveled the world for 236 days between September 2022 and May 2023. Irani attributed the success of the mission to a combination of the personnel's expertise and the patience and endurance of the families of the comrades, emphasizing that families play a crucial role in boosting the morale of the personnel during long-term international missions. Irani said the international community views Iran's Navy on par with the naval forces of a superpower. "The efforts of my comrades have become evident to everyone in the country, the region, and the world, bringing honor and pride to our dear Iran," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Leader's aide warns of Iran's 'deterrent measures' against IAEA Iran Press TV Thursday, 10 April 2025 3:52 PM A senior advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has warned that threats against Iran could result in the suspension of Tehran's cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and expulsion of its inspectors. "Continued external threats and putting Iran under the conditions of a military attack could lead to deterrent measures like the expulsion of IAEA inspectors and ceasing cooperation with it," Ali Shamkhani wrote in a post published on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Thursday. "Transferring enriched material to safe and undisclosed locations in Iran could also be on the agenda," he continued. The remarks come as US President Donald Trump has again warned of military action if Tehran does not agree to a deal with Washington over its civilian nuclear program. In comments in a meeting with a group of media and cultural activists in Algeria on Tuesday night, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the only subject to be mooted at the upcoming negotiations with the US in Oman is the nuclear issue and assurances about the peaceful nature of Iran's atomic activities. "The nuclear topic, which means making transparency and giving assurances about the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear program in exchange for the removal of the cruel sanctions, will be the only topic of the talks," he said, outlining the agenda of the indirect talks on Saturday. Araghchi noted that the upcoming negotiations in Muscat will give diplomacy a new opportunity, calling them "a test to gauge the seriousness of the United States, which has a long history of non-commitment and unilateralism". Russia has welcomed the prospect of negotiations aimed at replacing the 2015 nuclear accord, which Trump unilaterally abandoned in 2018. "We know that certain contacts direct and indirect are planned in Oman. And, of course, this can only be welcomed because it can lead to de-escalation of tensions around Iran," the Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, adding that Moscow "absolutely" supports the initiative. China also urged the US to "stop its wrong practice of using force to exert extreme pressure," after Trump threatened Iran with bombing if it failed to agree to a deal. "As the country that unilaterally withdrew from the comprehensive agreement on the Iran nuclear issue and caused the current situation, the United States should demonstrate political sincerity and mutual respect," Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sanctions on Iran's Oil Network to Further Impose Maximum Pressure on Iran US Department of State Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesperson April 10, 2025 The Iranian regime continues to engage in destabilizing activities in the Middle East and beyond. Today, the United States is taking action under President Trump's maximum pressure campaign on Iran to stem the flow of revenue that the regime uses to support its malign activities abroad and oppress its own people. The Department of State is imposing sanctions on four entities engaged in Iranian petroleum trade and is identifying two vessels as blocked property. Today's action includes the designation of a second China-based crude oil and petroleum products storage terminal that has a demonstrated pattern of violating U.S. sanctions on Iran. This terminal has acquired Iranian crude-oil at least nine times between 2021 and 2025, including from U.S. sanctioned vessels, amounting to the import of at least 13 million barrels of Iranian crude oil. Moreover, this terminal is directly connected to a major refinery complex in China, demonstrating the role that Chinese-based refiners continue to play in the purchase, acquisition, and processing of Iranian crude oil. This behavior continues to enable Iran's ability to fund its nuclear escalations, support terrorist groups, and enable disruption of the flow of trade and freedom of navigation in waterways that are crucial to global prosperity and economic growth. The Department of State is also designating three vessel management companies for their involvement in the transport of Iranian petroleum. Iran's oil exports are enabled by a network of such illicit shipping facilitators in multiple jurisdictions who, through obfuscation and deception, load and transport Iranian oil for sale to buyers in Asia. The vessels managed by these companies have moved millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products and play a key role in the Iranian export supply chain. These entities are being designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13846 for having knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran. GUANGSHA ZHOUSHAN ENERGY GROUP CO., LTD. (GUANGSHA ZHOUSHAN) owns and operates a crude oil and petroleum products terminal on Huangzeshan Island in Zhoushan, China. This terminal is directly connected through the Huangzeshan-Yushan Under Sea Oil Pipeline to a nearby teapot refinery. GUANGSHA ZHOUSHAN, through its terminal on Huangzeshan Island, knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the acquisition of crude oil from Iran when the U.S.-designated tanker SNOW (IMO: 9569619), formerly known as CHERAM, linked to the U.S.-designated NATIONAL IRANIAN TANKER COMPANY, discharged Iranian crude oil at the terminal in August 2021. SNOW discharged approximately 2 million barrels of Iranian crude oil at the terminal operated by GUANGHSA ZHOUSHAN. GUANGSHA ZHOUSHAN has also received Iranian crude oil on numerous other occasions. In February 2025, GUANGSHA ZHOUSHAN knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the acquisition of crude oil from Iran when the U.S.-designated tanker AVENTUS I (IMO: 9280873), also known as FURY, discharged approximately one million barrels of Iranian crude oil at its terminal. GUANGSHA ZHOUSHAN is being designated pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran. Continued Targeting of Iran's Ghost Fleet The Department of State continues to designate vessel management companies and their tankers for knowingly engaging in the transportation of petroleum and petrochemical products from Iran. These vessel management companies and their associated tankers have collectively transported millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, with the vast majority of the cargoes being delivered to buyers in China. Furthermore, these vessels have routinely engaged in "dark activity," operating with their automatic identification system (AIS) location and identity beacon turned off. This behavior, which is designed to obscure the Iranian origin of the vessels' cargoes, is a direct and unnecessary risk to other vessels as AIS is a key system used to avoid vessel collisions. MARZIYA SHIPPING OPC PVT LTD (MARZIYA) is the technical/International Safety Management (ISM) manager of VIRGO (IMO: 9236250) since at least June 2021. RISING PHOENIX PROVIDER NV (PHOENIX) has been the commercial manager and registered owner of the VIRGO since at least November 2020. During their tenure as the ISM and commercial managers of VIRGO, respectively, VIRGO loaded approximately 22 million barrels of crude oil between 11 port calls at Kharg Island, Iran. VIRGO conducted these loadings between 2022 and 2024 while regularly engaging in "dark activity," i.e. operating with its AIS location and identity beacon turned off. MARZIYA and PHOENIX are being designated pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran. VIRGO is being identified as property in which PHOENIX has an interest. VALIANT MARINE VENTURES FZE (VALIANT) has been the commercial manager of AMOR (IMO: 9182291) since at least December 2021. AMOR loaded Iranian crude oil at Kharg Island, Lavan, and Sirri, Iran, at least fourteen times between January 2022 and January 2025, transporting over 20 million barrels of Iranian crude oil, while regularly conducting "dark activity" during its voyages. VALIANT is being designated pursuant to section 3(a)(ii) of E.O. 13846 for knowingly engaging in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran. AMOR is being identified as property in which VALIANT has an interest. SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's sanctions-related actions, and in accordance with E.O. 13846, all property and interests in property of the designated persons described above that are in the United States or in possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to the Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Additionally, all entities and individuals that have ownership, either directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. 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 are prohibited unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC or exempt. These prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any blocked person and the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. The power and integrity of U.S. government sanctions derive not only from the U.S. government's ability to designate and add persons to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons (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. Petitions for removal from the SDN List may be sent to: OFAC.Reconsideration@treasury.gov. Petitioners may also refer to the Department of State's Delisting Guidance page. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Treasury Targets Network Transporting Hundreds of Millions of Dollars' Worth of Iranian Petroleum U.S. Department of the Treasury April 10, 2025 WASHINGTON -- Today, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Indian national Jugwinder Singh Brar (Brar), who owns multiple shipping companies that boast a fleet of nearly 30 vessels, many of which operate as part of Iran's "shadow fleet." OFAC is also designating two UAE- and two India-based entities that own and operate Brar's vessels that have transported Iranian oil on behalf of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) and the Iranian military. Brar's vessels engage in high-risk ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of Iranian petroleum in waters off Iraq, Iran, the UAE, and the Gulf of Oman. These cargoes then reach other facilitators who blend the oil or fuel with products from other countries and falsify shipping documents to conceal links to Iran, allowing these cargoes to reach the international market. "The Iranian regime relies on its network of unscrupulous shippers and brokers like Brar and his companies to enable its oil sales and finance its destabilizing activities," said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. "The United States remains focused on disrupting all elements of Iran's oil exports, particularly those who seek to profit from this trade." Today's action is being taken pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13902, which targets Iran's petroleum and petrochemical sectors, and marks the fifth round of sanctions targeting Iranian oil sales since the President issued National Security Presidential Memorandum 2, ordering a campaign of maximum pressure on Iran. OFAC is committed to aggressively targeting Iran's oil supply chain, including imposing sanctions on those enabling Iran's export of its oil to key third countries and the wider international market. These shipments rely on an intricate and extensive web of shell companies, clandestine smuggling, STS transfers, oil storage and blending, and document falsification. Concurrently, the Department of State is designating four companies for having knowingly engaged in a significant transaction for the purchase, acquisition, sale, transport, or marketing of petroleum or petroleum products from Iran, and identifying two vessels as blocked property of two of these companies, all pursuant to E.O. 13846. ENABLing IRANIAN OIL EXPORTS Brar is a ship captain and owner and director of UAE-based companies Prime Tankers LLC (Prime Tankers) and Glory International FZ-LLC (Glory International). Through his companies, Brar owns, operates, or manages a fleet of nearly 30 oil and petroleum product tankers, the majority of which are Handysize tankers that stick to coastal waters and carry a fraction of the cargo of larger tankers. Brar uses these smaller vessels for STS transfers to load Iranian oil from other "shadow fleet" vessels or to load oil or fuel that is smuggled from smaller commercial and fishing vessels. These operations can sometimes take days to complete due to the numerous transfers required to fill a single tanker. In this fashion, Brar has coordinated with Houthi financial official Sa'id al-Jamal's illicit shipping associates on sanctions evasion tactics, specifically the use of smaller vessels in lieu of large oil tankers to obfuscate Iranian oil smuggling in and around the Persian Gulf and Khor al Zubair, Iraq. In 2023, the Glory International-operated and managed NADIYA (IMO 9118745) smuggled Iranian oil on behalf of the Iranian military. Brar's smaller vessels also help obfuscate the movement of Iranian cargoes through STS transfers with sanctioned vessels, often while their Automatic Identification System (AIS) is disabled or manipulated to make the vessels falsely appear to be elsewhere. Brar's vessels have been observed following high-risk STS patterns on numerous occasions in the waters off Iraq's Khor Al Zubair and Umm Qasr ports, and near Iran, the UAE, and the Gulf of Oman. At this point, facilitators blend the Iranian oil or fuel with products from other countries and falsify shipping documents to conceal links to Iran, allowing these cargoes to reach the international market via larger tankers. In addition to his UAE-based businesses, Brar owns or controls India-based shipping company Global Tankers Private Limited (Global Tankers) and petrochemical sales company B and P Solutions Private Limited. Global Tankers is the owner or manager of a number of vessels in Brar's fleet. Brar has likely also transported Iranian petroleum for his own personal profit because of its availability at lower prices due to the sanctions risk such cargoes carry. Many of Brar's vessels that are known to have carried Iranian petroleum make frequent port calls at oil and gas terminals in India, including major ports located near two of B and P Solutions Private Limited's branches. OFAC is designating Brar pursuant to E.O. 13902 for operating in the petroleum sector of the Iranian economy. Prime Tankers, Glory International, Global Tankers, and B and P Solutions Private Limited are being designated pursuant to E.O. 13902 for being owned or controlled by, directly or indirectly, Brar. BRAR's EXPANSIVE FLEET AIDING IRAN In multiple NIOC contracts signed throughout 2024 worth millions of dollars, Glory International-owned vessels GLOBAL BEAUTY (IMO 9221267) and GLOBAL EAGLE (IMO 9422847) were selected to provide fuel oil bunkering services to vessels in Iranian waters. OFAC designated NIOC on October 26, 2020 pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for providing material support to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF). In mid-2023, designated MODAFL front companies Sahara Thunder and Asia Marine Crown Agency coordinated an STS transfer of more than 10,000 metric tons of Iranian petroleum from the National Iranian Tanker Company (NITC)-owned DUNE to the Prime Tankers-owned and Glory International-operated GLOBAL ELEGANCE (IMO 9232955). OFAC designated MODAFL pursuant to E.O. 13224 on March 26, 2019 for providing material support to the IRGC-QF. OFAC designated NITC pursuant to E.O. 13224 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the IRGC-QF. Sahara Thunder and Asia Marine Crown Agency were designated on April 25, 2024 pursuant to E.O. 13224, as amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, MODAFL. Between February and November 2022, the Prime Tankers-owned vessels GLOBAL EMERALD (IMO 8982888), GLOBAL PEAK (IMO 9125712), and GLOBAL STAR (IMO 9164500) loaded more than 25,000 metric tons of petroleum products in Bandar Abbas, Iran for delivery to Oman and the UAE. These vessels have also been observed transiting from Iran to Iraq's Khor al-Zubair port, where Iranian petroleum and petroleum products are blended with similar Iraqi products before being exported to the UAE using falsified documents identifying the petroleum as purely Iraqi-origin. This scheme directly benefits Iran by allowing the regime to sell its sanctioned petroleum at the higher price of Iraqi petroleum. OFAC is identifying the following vessels pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Brar has an interest: Barbados-flagged GLOBAL MAHARANI (IMO 9546708) Barbados-flagged HARMONY (IMO 9397030) Palau-flagged GLOBAL FALCON (IMO 9399167) Palau-flagged GLOBAL RANI (IMO 9136113) Panama-flagged GLOBAL EMERALD (IMO 8982888) Panama-flagged GLOBAL EVEREST (IMO 9125724) Panama-flagged GLOBAL STAR (IMO 9164500) Panama-flagged GLOBAL PEAK (IMO 9125712) Panama-flagged OCEAN PRINCESS 1 (IMO 8413306) Panama-flagged GLORY STAR I (IMO 9463528) Formerly Cook Islands-flagged GLOBAL ELEGANCE (IMO 9232955) OFAC is identifying the following vessels pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Glory International has an interest: Antigua and Barbuda-flagged GLOBAL DOMINANCE (IMO 9672301) Barbados-flagged MIRAGE (IMO 9254422) Comoros-flagged GLOBAL EAGLE (IMO 9422847) Cook Islands-flagged GLOBAL PEACE (IMO 9555199) Gambia-flagged CHIL 1 (IMO 9171498) Gambia-flagged PURNA, also known as SAMPURNA RAJYA (IMO 9176656) Panama-flagged GLOBAL BEAUTY (IMO 9221267) Panama-flagged GLOBAL DIGNITY (IMO 9309227) Panama-flagged GLOBAL CREST (IMO 9113094) Panama-flagged GLOBAL ANGEL (IMO 9311309) Panama-flagged GLOBAL ACE (IMO 9190078) Panama-flagged NADIYA (IMO 9118745) Formerly Cook Islands-flagged GLOBAL HAWK (IMO 9422859) OFAC is identifying the following vessels pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Global Tankers has an interest: Panama-flagged GLOBAL ASPHALT (IMO 9005338) Panama-flagged SIMRAN (IMO 9136644) Formerly Cook Islands-flagged GLOBAL GENESIS (IMO 9451501) OFAC is identifying the following vessel pursuant to E.O. 13902 as blocked property in which Prime Tankers has an interest: Panama-flagged LUANDA 1 (IMO 9372705) SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated persons 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, U.S. sanctions generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC's Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC's enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities with designated or otherwise blocked persons. 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. View identifying information on the individuals and entities designated today. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq's Kata'ib Hezbollah: Disarmament reports 'lies and fabrications' Iran Press TV Thursday, 10 April 2025 8:03 AM A senior Iraqi anti-terror group has dismissed recent claims suggesting it is preparing to disarm in response to potential US military strikes as "lies and fabrications." In a statement released to local Iraqi media on Monday, Kata'ib Hezbollah (Hezbollah Brigades) reiterated that only their authorized spokespersons, Mohammed Mohi and military spokesman Jaafar Al-Husseini, are credible sources for official statements regarding the group, declaring any other statements as false. They called upon global media "to be accurate and credible in their publications and to obtain information from [Kataib Hezbollah's] authentic sources," warning of legal action against spreading misinformation. This comes after a Reuters report from April 7 cited ten senior Iraqi figures, including six commanders from factions such as Kata'ib Hezbollah, Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba, Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, and Harakat Ansar Allah al-Awfiya, as saying the group planned to disarm as a strategy to avoid conflict with the US. According to the report, a commander from Kata'ib Hezbollah who spoke on condition of anonymity, said "Trump is ready to take the war with us to worse levels, We want to avoid a bad scenario." The assertion has been dismissed as false by the group. Iraq's Popular Mobilization Units, also known as Hashd al-Sha'abi, which includes the Hezbollah Brigades along with several other groups, issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to maintain military readiness. They emphasized their crucial role in protecting Iraq's borders and their significance within the country's military framework. The PMU became an integral part of Iraq's security forces following their pivotal involvement in defeating the Daesh terrorist group and liberating northern and western Iraq between 2014 and 2017. In a related development, Alaa al-Haidari, an Iraqi lawmaker from the Sadqoon blocassociated with the Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq groupwarned the government against ramifications of such disarming. He warned that such diamagnetism would amount to "disarming the backbone of the state," cautioning that yielding to US pressure could lead to "humiliation, loss of dignity, and territorial setbacks." Earlier, 10 Republican members of the US House of Representatives had urged the government to designate various Iraqi resistance groups as terrorist organizations and to suspend security aid to Baghdad, due to recognizing these groups as integral components of Iraq's security forces. The request was conveyed in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mark Waltz on January 28, later shared on social media by Joe Wilson, a House representative and one of the signatories. The lawmakers called for sanctions against several factions of the PMU. Iraq's President Abdul Latif Rashid has reiterated that armed groups associated with the PMU are part of Iraq's security forces and that the government maintains full control over the situation, asserting that no issues have arisen for an extended period. Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza in October 2023, Iraqi resistance groups have increasingly targeted American and Israeli positions in the region, prompting US pressure on the Iraqi government to disarm the PMU. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Prime Minister's Office Announcement Israel - Prime Minister's Office Media Statements The 37th Government 10.04.2025 Pursuant to a directive from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a diplomatic-security delegation, led by National Security Council Director Tzachi Hanegbi, and with the participation of senior representatives from the Defense Ministry and the security services, met last night with a parallel Turkish delegation. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister - Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Murat Nurtleu, Almaty, April 10, 2025 10 April 2025 11:45 590-10-04-2025 Mr Nurtleu, Friends, I would like to thank you for your traditional hospitality. We meet regularly. In November 2024, I was on a working visit in Astana. Today, we have met in Almaty, which is hosting a meeting of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council. It is yet another opportunity to compare notes on our bilateral relations. First of all, I would like to point out that we share your views on our bilateral relations of alliance and strategic partnership. Kazakhstan has always been our reliable neighbour and ally. We traditionally support each other in bilateral relations and on the international stage. The presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan always set an example of how to reach agreements based on a balance of interests and mutual advantage. This is a special year with many landmark events. We hope to see President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev at the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of our common Victory. There will be more contacts between our presidents, prime ministers and speakers of parliaments. Taken together, this is clear evidence of our tight cooperation in all spheres. A recent proof of the strengthening of our bilateral relations is the upcoming opening of Russia's Consulate General in Aktau. As far as I know, preparations for this are in the final stage. We are grateful to our Kazakhstani friends for dealing with all the relevant issues. I am confident that the opening of this Consulate General in the Mangystau Region will create additional opportunities for strengthening our interregional ties, which has become a good tradition. Our regions are working closely together and regularly hold interregional forums. I would like to express gratitude for a busy programme you have prepared for our delegation in Almaty, including both bilateral talks, a meeting of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council, and a regular ministerial meeting in the Central Asia + Russia format. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's working visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan 10 April 2025 17:20 596-10-04-2025 On April 10, during a working visit to Almaty, Kazakhstan, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Murat Nurtleu. The meeting, held in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance between Russia and Kazakhstan, focused on key issues of the bilateral agenda, as well as pressing international and regional developments. The two sides also exchanged views on cooperation within shared integration frameworks across the Eurasian space and within interstate associations. On the occasion of the upcoming 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, Sergey Lavrov and Murat Nurtleu laid flowers at the Eternal Flame at the Glory Memorial in the Park of 28 Panfilov Guardsmen. The delegation also visited the State Military History Museum of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan. At the invitation of the Head of the Metropolitan District of the Russian Orthodox Church in the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Foreign Minister visited the grounds of the Ascension Cathedral in Almaty, where he met with Metropolitan Alexander of Astana and Kazakhstan. During the meeting, the Metropolitan presented the Foreign Minister with the highest award of the Orthodox Church of Kazakhstan, the Peace and Harmony Order. The visit of the Russian Foreign Minister to Kazakhstan illustrates the deep trust and close cooperation between Moscow and Astana. It is also part of the ongoing efforts to prepare for key bilateral events scheduled to take place at the highest and high levels later this year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Junta airstrikes in Myanmar's northwest kill dozens in a single night Attacks on rebel-controlled areas targeted mainly children, women and the elderly, residents said. By RFA Burmese 2025.04.10 -- Junta airstrikes in northwestern Myanmar killed more than 30 civilians, including an entire family, residents and officials told Radio Free Asia on Thursday. Despite a junta-declared ceasefire on April 2 following a devastating earthquake in central Myanmar, clashes have continued between military troops and rebel militias that have claimed increasing amounts of territory following the country's 2021 coup. On Wednesday evening, airstrikes on northern Sagaing region's Wuntho township resulted in heavy civilian casualties, said Nay Bone Latt, a spokesperson for exiled National Unity Government, or NUG. "The latest we know is that, including women and children, 26 people are dead and 23 are injured," he said of the attack on an intersection in Nan Khan village. The junta had targeted a police checkpoint occupied by soldiers under the NUG's Ministry of Defense, he said. Recent rebel victories in Chin state and Sagaing region, hotspots for ethnic armies and militias aligned with the country's exiled civilian government, may have contributed to retaliation from junta forces. Nan Khan village is about 30 kilometers (19 miles) southwest of Indaw town, which the NUG's militia captured on Monday. The NUG has not released any information about soldier casualties from the attack. The checkpoint is inside the village, resulting in heavy civilian losses, said a resident. "The plane bombing the People's Defense Force gate. It's at an intersection in the village, so it affected the public entirely," he said, declining to be named for security reasons. "Some are still dying after reaching the hospital. We don't have any other details yet." The junta has not released any information on the attack. Spokesman Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun did not respond to calls. Despite ceasefires declared by the junta and the National Unity Government following the March 28 earthquake, both have launched military attacks and accused the other of breaking temporary peace declarations. However, only junta airstrikes have caused heavy civilian losses in the wake of the natural disaster, killing six children, 30 women and 34 men, according to information released on Thursday. To Sagaing's west, junta airstrikes launched in Chin state's Tedim and Mindat townships killed 12 people, including a Christian pastor, residents told RFA. "There was no fighting. Yesterday around 12 at night, they bombed houses in Saizang village with a 500-pound bomb," said a Tedim resident, declining to be named for fear of reprisals. "The house it hit belonged to a family of six, who died when the house collapsed." The victims included a 43 and 40-year-old husband and wife, their 17, 14 and five-year-old sons and a 10-year-old daughter. Another son, aged 10, was hospitalized with severe injuries. To Tedim's south, airstrikes on rebel-controlled Mindat township's Phwi village at 9 p.m. killed another six people, residents said. "Just one plane came shooting twice and then dropped two 500-pound bombs. Among those killed are a Christian pastor, children and the elderly," said a Mindat resident. "Of the nine people injured, three are critical." The dead were identified as an eight-month-old boy, two seven-year-old children, a 68-year-old man, a 72-year-old woman, a 38-year-old disabled man, and a pastor, who was 36 years old. RFA called Chin state's junta spokesperson Aung Cho for more information on the attacks, but he did not respond by the time of publication. Translated by Kiana Duncan. Edited by Mike Firn and Stephen Wright. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Transcript of the Weekly Press Briefing by the Spokesperson, Thursday, April 10, 2025 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs Assalam-o-Alaikum, Welcome to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I welcome you all at the weekly press briefing. At the invitation of President Aleksandr Lukashenko, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif will pay an official visit to the Republic of Belarus from 10 to 11 April 2025. The high-level delegation includes DPM/FM Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar and Chief Minister Punjab, Maryam Nawaz besides other senior officials. This visit follows President Lukashenko's important trip to Pakistan in November 2024. During his stay, the Prime Minister will hold talks with President Lukashenko to review progress in areas of mutual interest. Over the past six months, a series of high-level bilateral engagementsincluding the 8th Session of the Joint Ministerial Commission (JMC) in February 2025 and a subsequent visit by a high-powered mixed ministerial delegation to Belarus in April 2025 - have laid the groundwork for a productive visit. The two sides are expected to sign several agreements to further strengthen cooperation. The Prime Minister's visit underscores the strong and ongoing partnership between Pakistan and Belarus. Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephone call with the Advisor for Foreign Affairs of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh, Md. Touhid Hossain. The two leaders exchanged Eid greetings, discussed areas of mutual interest, and reiterated their commitment for future engagements and cooperation. He also held a telephone conversation with Foreign Minister of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, HH Prince Faisal Bin Farhan Al-Saud. The two leaders discussed issues of mutual interest and reaffirmed commitment to strengthen existing fraternal ties between the two brotherly countries. Earlier this week Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar held a telephone call with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Both sides emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, and investment in various sectors, especially critical minerals and counterterrorism. The two leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations, economic cooperation and regional security, including the situation in Afghanistan and agreed on the need to resolve the issue of US Military equipment left behind in Afghanistan. Both sides further agreed to remain in close contact and to work together to advance the shared interests of both countries. Earlier this week, a high-level meeting was held between the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar and the Minister for Economy of Azerbaijan, Mikayil Jabbarov. The discussion reaffirmed the shared commitment of both sides to enhancing trade, investment, and long-term economic collaboration especially in sectors like infrastructure, energy, green energy, and IT. Both countries maintain regular bilateral contact through platforms such as the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), with a particular emphasis on Government-to-Government (G2G) and Business-to-Business (B2B) collaboration. Both sides look forward to signing a number of agreements and MoUs during the upcoming visit of the President of Azerbaijan to Pakistan, marking a significant milestone in advancing the excellent bilateral cooperation between the two brotherly countries. Foreign Secretary Ambassador Amna Baloch is currently on an official visit to Amman, Jordan, to lead Pakistan delegation for the 2nd round of Bilateral Political Consultations between Pakistan and Jordan scheduled to be held today. During the above consultations different regional and international matters of mutual interest and concern, including inter alia current situation in Occupied Palestinian Territories; evolving dynamics in the Levant, developments in South Asia as well as state of cooperation in different domains of Pakistan-Jordan relations would be discussed. Such consultations are aimed at increasing mutual understanding and enhanced coordination on different bilateral, regional and international matters. Additional Secretary (Europe), Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, held bilateral consultations with Deputy Secretary General of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, David Bertolotti on 7th April 2025. The two sides reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation under the Pakistan-France Bilateral Roadmap for Cooperation (2023); exchanged views on regional and global developments; and pledged to further strengthen bilateral ties, enhance cooperation and maintain close coordination on issues of mutual interest. Under the direction of Prime Minister Muhamamd Shehbaz Sharif, the Government of Pakistan dispatched relief goods for the earthquake victims in Myanmar. First flight departed from Islamabad International Airport on 1st April 2025, carrying 35 tons of essential supplies. Pakistan in the strongest possible terms condemns the continued aggression and atrocities committed by Israeli occupying forces in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in Gaza. The indiscriminate violence has claimed thousands of innocent Palestinian lives, including women, children, medical personnel, journalists and humanitarian workers, marking yet another dark chapter in Israel's brutal occupation. In the latest incidence of brutality, Israel has mercilessly killed 15 Palestinian emergency and civil defense workers during direct gunfire. All the audio and video evidence has substantiated Israel's indiscriminate use of force against unarmed innocent Palestinian civilians. Pakistan demand that the international community should take immediate notice of this barbarity and stop this blatant violation of international law and charter of the United Nations. Pakistan reaffirms full support to the upcoming high-level international conference for the peaceful settlement of Question of Palestine and the implementation of two-state solution. We commend France and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for co-chairing the preparatory consultations for the June 2025 Conference. We sincerely hope that the June Conference will rise to the occasion and restore hope in peace and justice through meaningful action. We believe that in the lead-up to the Conference: The ceasefire must be fully implemented; the blockade on Gaza must be lifted; humanitarian access must be guaranteed; civilians and humanitarian personnel must be protected. Any attempt to forcibly displace Palestinians or annex their land must be unequivocally rejected and effectively prevented. The human rights violations in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) continue unabated. The Indian authorities once again decided to deny permission to hold Eid-ul-Fitr prayers at the historic Jama Masjid and Eidgah in Srinagar. The worshippers were also barred from gathering at the Jama Masjid during the holy night of Laila-tul-Qadr. The Indian authorities are in the habit of enforcing similar curbs in Srinagar for past several years. Restraining the ordinary people from congregating on special religious occasions poses serious challenges to the religious freedom of Muslims in IIOJK. The Kashmiri people's rights to freely practice their religion and of peaceful Assembly must be respected. I thank you! * (Anas Mallick, Capital TV): The Prime Minister has announced that Pakistan will be sending a delegation to the United States on the matter of tariffs, what will be the composition of this delegation and when will this be sent? if you can share more details With regards to the JCC with Afghanistan, there are reports that it will be held in the coming week, if you can share more details? Spokesperson: On the first question on Afghanistan, we have been reiterating that it remains an important bilateral relationship for Pakistan, we are neighbors bound by layers of history, culture, language. We have been trying to improve relations but the major roadblock, of course, remains the security situation and the sanctuaries enjoyed by terrorists. Recently, Special Representative's visit to Kabul was very successful and certain understandings have been reached in terms of the follow up action. About the JCC, we will share information once more concrete things are available. On the second question of tariff, of course it is an important issue. We are following it and have seen the statement released by the US government yesterday regarding suspending tariffs on most of the countries. This issue is under active consideration, and we will keep you informed of any further developments. (Raziq Mehmood Bhatti, Daily Kashmir Express): A citizen of Azad Kashmir was martyred by a terrorist, and it is being alleged that the terrorist belongs to India. If so, then why has his identity not been disclosed yet? Secondly, India again violated LOC and attacked people on Eid, what steps have been taken regarding this issue? Spokesperson: I need to gather information regarding your first question. I'll get back to you on that. Regarding your second question, the government of Pakistan as policy tries to maintain peace and stability in the region. However, I would refer you to the ISPR for the specific information you have asked. (Zeeshan Yousafzai, Dunya TV): First, tariffs were announced by the US and later paused for 90 days but there was no statement from the Foreign Office. What is the reason? Secondly, America has cancelled some scholarships, and it is being said that visas of some Pakistani students are also being cancelled. Can you share some details on this? (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): A high-level delegation of the US visited Pakistan, and a high-level delegation of Pakistan will be visiting America soon. What are the expectations of Pakistan especially with regards to tariffs, as Pakistan is also being affected directly. Is there any hope for Pakistan with regards to tariff situation? (Asghar Ali Mubarak, The Daily Mail International): My question is also related to tariffs, China is being targeted particularly when it comes to the tariffs imposed by the US. Since China is a partner of Pakistan and in terms of CPEC and every other area where Pakistan is benefitting from China, it is being targeted in that every way possible whether it is the situation of Balochistan, Pakistan or Afghanistan. Do you think that all this is being done internationally to sabotage Pakistan's game changer project? (Ijaz Ali Sagar, Daily Shaheed Islamabad): Sir, will Pakistani delegation visit America despite pause in tariffs? Spokesperson: Sir regarding your question on China, we have close fraternal ties with China. We have noted the recent developments with regards to US tariffs and given the interconnected nature of global trade, such measures can have far reaching effects, particularly on developing countries. We hope for a swift and mutually beneficial resolution of this issue. About the question of tariffs on Pakistan, we are following the developments. Prime Minister has constituted a Steering Committee and a Working Group to examine fresh tariffs and formulate a response. Ministry of Commerce may be consulted in this regard for further details. On scholarship exchange programs, the recent discontinuation of global undergraduate exchange program between Pakistan and the United States marked the end of 15-year initiative that played a pivotal role in academic and cultural enrichment of 1000s of Pakistani students. We believe that student exchange programs play an important role in strengthening bilateral relations by focusing on education, scientific and technological collaboration, and, more importantly, people to people contacts. The participants of these programs develop cross cultural communication skills, adaptability and a global perspective on important issues, qualities that are indispensable in a modern in the modern interconnected world. About the visa cancelations, we are seeking details from our missions in the US and will respond accordingly. Our missions will continue to provide full support and assistance to the affected Pakistani students, if any, by engaging with the relevant UN agencies. (Saima Shabbir, Arab News): My question is regarding Saudi Arabia as there are media reports that Saudi Arabia has put a ban on Pakistan, specifically for business, Umrah and and some personal visit to Saudi Arabia. Is that true? Has it been communicated officially by the Saudi government to Pakistani government? Spokesperson: I have seen the news report regarding suspension of visa services for 14 countries for a certain period of time. We are gathering facts at the moment, and to get official response. We will get back to you on this. (Nimra Sohail, PTV News): Sir, ahead of the two-day visit of Indian Home Minister, Amit Shah, to IIOJK, there are intense restrictions in place. What do you have to say about this? Spokesperson: In the wake of these restrictions, the claims of normalcy in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir rings hollow. In any case, these restrictive measures should not hamper the day-to-day life in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. (Tahir Khan, NNI News Agency): A meeting was held in Kabul earlier this week, which demanded of the United Nations to help in the repatriation of Afghan refugees from Pakistan. Sufficient damage has already been caused to mutual trust between the two countries. So, is it not advisable to develop trust with Afghanistan before undertaking a rigorous repatriation process and to make efforts with Afghanistan, to involve UNHCR and the international community within the process? I have heard from an official at the Afghan Commissionerate that the Foreign Office and the security establishment is now seeking opinion of these people about those Afghans who have properties and investment in Pakistan. Because most of the POR card holders have been living in Pakistan over the past 45 years, so has process started? Secondly, I still remember the statement of the Interior Ministry on March 7, when they announced the second phase of repatriation of illegal foreigners. I believe that you should be polite with the refugees as there are reports of people complaining about. For example, a day before yesterday, I received a phone call from refugees who I knew since long and he was going back to Afghanistan and he wanted to meet his relatives in Rawalpindi and he was stopped at a check post near the airport society. I also requested the police but they didn't let him go although he was released later on after taking Rs. 10,000/-. Foreign affairs are involved in this and I think if we continue like this, I fear that we will lose over 40 years of goodwill earned in hosting refugees. (Anwar Abbas, 24 News HD): Sir, KPK government announced that they do not agree with the Federal Government's policy of repatriation of illegal Afghan refugees, and that they are willing to host these Afghan refugees. Was KP government not taken into confidence with regards to this repatriation policy? Second, regarding discussions with Afghanistan, Chief Minister KPK, Ali Amin Gandapur recently said in a statement that we have sent TORs to the Foreign Office on which we want to engage with Afghanistan as a province. So, can you confirm if Foreign Office has received those TORs from the province? Spokesperson: Sir, let me just restate our policy. Pakistan has always stood with our Afghan friends, brothers and sisters, in their difficulties, and has generously hosted generation of Afghans for over four decades. The illegal foreign repatriation plan is consistent with Pakistan's obligation under international law and its domestic legal framework. The right to secure and regulate our borders is a sovereign right and an internationally recognized practice, which is by no means unique to Pakistan. We wish to reiterate that IFRP is neither an indiscriminate nor an arbitrary measure. It applies to all foreigners, irrespective of their nationality or country of origin, residing in Pakistan in violation of our domestic laws. The government has implemented IFRP in a phased systematic manner and we have taken various institutional and policy measures to ensure the effective and smooth repatriation of illegal foreigners with dignity. We are engaged with relevant UN bodies for the protection of people in vulnerable situations, and our legal safeguards and remedies remain functional and effective to address any complaints. We are ensuring IFRPs alignment with international human rights and humanitarian norms and in coordination with all relevant partners. About Tahir Saab's question, I take careful note of what you have emphasized. What I can say is that the government instructions are very clear that whole situation has to be dealt humanely and ensuring the dignity of the illegal foreigners which are being repatriated. And for any isolated incidents, the government will inquire into them and see what can be done to address these issues. With regards to question of goodwill, we have emphasized that there is hardly any example of a country which has been more generous to refugees than Pakistan. But securing our border and ensuring who comes into our country and who is not allowed to into our country remains Pakistan's sovereign right. And Afghan friends will always be welcome through a proper visa regime to visit Pakistan on business, visit or education visa. Afghanistan remains a very important neighbor of Pakistan. And as I have been emphasizing this is a multi-layered and decades old relationship. In terms of the broader question of bilateral relations, it remains a very important priority. But of course, security situation, threat of terrorism, sanctuaries enjoyed by terrorists, are some of the roadblocks for the larger wholesome development of political and economic relationship. On your question related to KPK, I can just emphasize that the regulation of border and foreign policy remains the domain of the federal government and within the federal government, the Foreign Ministry, Interior Ministry and all ministries have a role to Play. About process, Tahir Saab this is of course a major policy initiative. The policies in these matters remain under review. I don't have the specifics on this, but I'll check on that. Regarding TORs also, I'll have to check. (Naveed Siddiqui, Business Recorder): Reports suggest that you have recently issued a press release regarding PM's visit to Belarus and media reports suggest PMLN Supremo Nawaz Sharif may also accompany Prime Minister's Belarus visit first. Second, my question regarding the recently the big development, UAE Ambassador to Pakistan, Zahabi has recently met Governor Sindh Kamran Tasori, and he announced that UAE has lifted visa ban on Pakistanis and decided to issue a visa up to five years. Can you confirm and share more details regarding this. Thank you. Spokesperson: On first question, the Prime Minister has left today. About former Prime Minister, Mr. Mohammad Nawaz Sharif being part of the visit, I'll check and get back to you. About the second question regarding Pakistanis traveling to UAE, this question has been raised many times, and I have been emphasizing that, of course, there is a huge Pakistani diaspora in UAE, which has lived there for decades and contributed to the development of UAE and also promotion of relations between our two countries. As far as our government was concerned, there was no official ban on visa for Pakistanis. The category under which visa is to be issued, or how it is to be issued, is a sovereign right of the other country. So, I also gave the example that our flights going to Dubai, Abu Dhabi have always been full. There was no disruption in the people-to-people contacts and Pakistanis traveling there. On the new information, I will check from the Middle East desk, and will get back to you on the specifics. (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): Many discussions were held at different forums on Bagram Airbase. It was also stated that these are speculations but now different reports are emerging that American Embassy will be operating in Afghanistan, its diplomats are present there and its funding has been increased. What is the veracity of these reports? Your comments please. (Allah Noor Wazir, Mashriq TV): Pakistan gave airbases to the US in the past to for taking action inside Afghanistan. Does Pakistan have any objections to Bagram Airbase? Spokesperson: About the functioning of the US Embassy or otherwise in Kabul, this is a bilateral matter between the governments of Afghanistan and United States. We don't have any comment. About discussions on the US reestablishing a base in Bagram or not, so far, I would characterize it as media speculation, and again, primarily it's a matter between the two countries, but we have not seen any official comment or official statement on this account. (Khalid Mahmood, Express News): Shafqat Sahab, there are reports that two Congressmen are visiting Pakistan on 13th April in which discussions will be held on human rights and political situation in Pakistan and they will also visit Adiyala Jail. Are all these engagements in the schedule of the visit? Spokesperson: Parliamentary Cooperation is always an important component of bilateral relations between two countries. Pakistan-US, as I have been explaining, have strong, robust, multi-dimensional cooperation. Parliamentary cooperation is an important layer of this friendly relationship. A congressional delegation is coming. The specifics of the program, I will share with you on due course. (Anas Mallick, Capital TV): I will ask three questions. Tahawarr Rana's extradition has been approved and he is currently enroute from the US to India. He is dual national of Pakistan origin, and if reports are to be believed, he is, quote, unquote, a financier of the 26/11 attacks. What is Pakistan's comment on that? Secondly, if reports are to be believed, the Prime Minister is scheduled to visit London from the 11th of April. Can you shed more light on the agenda of his visit? And a prisoner was transferred from the UK's prison to Pakistan in March under the 2008 bilateral prison exchange agreement. He was shifted from Adilaya to Peshawar, where he was supposed to complete 24 years of his imprisonment. But he was seen roaming around and attending weddings. The UK has apparently written to the Foreign Office. Can you shed more light on that? And what is Pakistan doing to make sure that such laws are not violated? Thank you. Spokesperson: Starting from the third question, about the question of prisoner, I will have to check the details but what I understand, you have referred about news of a specific prisoner being sent in March, I am not privy to those, but I will check. I can give you a broad context of Pakistan-UK relations and within that consular cooperation is a very important component and there are various agreements governing the consular relations between the two countries. Overall, as a Foreign Ministry, we are satisfied, all arrangements are working satisfactorily. But this particular incident, I will check. About London visit also, I will get back to you. On the Tahawaar 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. We will give further updates in due course. (Adnan Amir, Nikki Asia): So recently, Pakistan appointed Mr. Chang bank Yao as a strategic advisor for Pakistan Crypto Council and Mr. Yao has a proven criminal track record in US, and he was convicted for money laundering there. So some quarters are criticizing this move on the grounds that this appointment might impact Pakistan's case with FATF. So, your comments on that? Thank you. Spokesperson: This matter, I will refer you to Ministry of Finance and Ministry of IT. (Afzal Reza, IRNA): This is Raza from Iranian official news agency, my question is regarding the latest status of Iran nuclear deal and US threats against Iran. How does Pakistan review these developments? You know, day after tomorrow, the indirect talks between Iran and the United States are scheduled to be held in Amman. It was actually the US that illegally and unilaterally withdrew from the JCPOA. Now Mr. Trump, while pretending to support the talks, is threatening Iran with bombing and military attack. So, Mr. Ambassador, are Islamabad and Tehran in contact on these developments? Thank you. Spokesperson: Iran is a very important neighbor, a close friend of Pakistan. Our dialogue continues at multiple levels. We have intense interaction across multiple channels, and it is a very important relationship for both countries. On the specifics of JCPOA, what I can say is that we supported JCPOA, which demonstrated a good example of negotiated settlement of a complex issue through dialogue and diplomacy. We will continue to support initiatives by relevant parties that aim to resolve contentious issues through constructive negotiations. (Syed Asif Ali, The News): In the context of Pakistan - US relations, Pakistan always advocated for no aid but trade. Now America has closed many aid programs all over the world, is it not a big opportunity to strive to implement this point of view. Also, Pakistan is an importer of American weaponry and we can export many products to the US. What are Pakistan's preparations on this? Spokesperson: Overall, I agree with your assessment that we emphasize the importance of bilateral trade in ensuring more development in the developing countries. It is a very important vehicle for common prosperity. Trade always benefits both parties, and it the US is our biggest export destination. About the question of tariffs, as I explained to you, the matter remains under high level attention within the government, and we continue to assess and monitor the situation, and we will share as more information is relevant and available. (Abdullah Mohmand, Dawn News): There are reports that Beijing has again raised concern over the safety of their citizen in Balochistan who are working on different projects. There are reports that Beijing has halted work on some of the projects in Pakistan and they are demanding safety of their citizens from Islamabad, and there are reports that some new initiative will be taken for the safety of the Chinese citizens by Beijing. So, what is your take on this? Spokesperson: China is our strategic partner, one of our closest friends, a close neighbor, and its economic investment in Pakistan is very crucial for us, and we welcome it. And overall, the safety of our Chinese friends is government of Pakistan's responsibility and it is a trust we carry with utmost seriousness, and we are committed to ensure safety and security of our Chinese friends who are working for development of Pakistan within our country. So that is our overall policy. I need to see. I have not seen the specifics of the particular incident you are mentioning. I will have to check this. (Rizwan Abbasi, ABN News): Hundreds of Pakistanis were rescued in Myanmar who became victim of human trafficking. When those citizens will be brought back to Pakistan and according to your information, how many of them are still stuck in camps? Spokesperson: We are in contact with both the Government of Myanmar and Government of Thailand on this issue and our embassies in both countries and their embassies here, also, we have been coordinating. It is an ongoing issue, and it is more complex, but our embassies, and our government is working keenly on this, and we'll keep sharing more information with you as it becomes available. We are dealing with as a matter of priority. (Allah Noor Wazir, Mashriq TV): Which country carried out Katlang Drone Attack? Was it Pakistan or another country? In the past, America was accused of carrying out drone strikes especially in Waziristan. What are updates on Katlang Drone Attack? Spokesperson: I will refer to Ministry of Interior and ISPR on this. (Sardar Amir Hussain, Daily Madaar): What is Pakistan's policy on Gaza and what is the death toll of Palestinians martyred in Gaza? How many women, children and old people were martyred and what is Pakistan doing in this regard? (Anas Mallick, Capital TV): Pakistan has already sent a number of consignments; I think 11 or 12 in aid for the people of Gaza. Are we expecting more to be sent there? If so, can you share more details on that, thank you. Spokesperson: This is an important question. I also mentioned in opening statement about it. The total number of Palestinians martyred, according to statistics released by Palestinian Health Ministry, which we believe is credible, is more than 50,000 and we strongly condemn these barbaric actions. If this is not genocide then I do not know what is. Regarding Anas's question, we have been sending relief supplies, we will look for opportunity to send more supplies but right now, the biggest problem is that humanitarian assistance is not being allowed into Gaza. The indiscriminate killing of Palestinians, starving them, and even not allowing humanitarian assistance to go into Gaza, is completely condemnable and unacceptable. (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): Waqf Ammendment Bill has been introduced in Indian Parliament on which Indian Muslims Organizations and Indian Muslims have protested. They think this bill is like occupying their properties. Secondly, regarding Palestine situation, one of the possible solutions to this conflict is two-state solution. But Israel rejects this proposal altogether and rather wants to create greater Israel, Palestinians also reject it. Pakistan does advocate for two-state solution but don't you think it is like accepting Israel's existence? (Anwar Abbas, 24 News HD): One of the clips of leader of TLP Saad Rizvi is viral in which he claimed that one of the camps of Labbaik Foundation was bombarded and some members were martyred. Do you confirm this claim? Spokesperson: On your last question, I have not seen this statement. I will have to see before I can respond to that. About Waqf Amendment Act, we strongly believe it is an infringement over the religious and economic rights of Indian Muslims. Particularly the act usurps the property rights of Muslim community, and could potentially dispossess them of a number of mosques, shrines and other holy places. It will certainly undermine the Muslim's management in control of their properties endowed for different religious and charitable purposes. The passage of this discriminatory legislation is also reflective of the growing majoritarianism in India. There are serious apprehensions that it will contribute to further marginalization of Indian Muslims. (Zeeshan Yousafzai, Dunya TV): Sir, please tell us if there is a visit of Foreign Secretary to Bangladesh and will there be a visit of Foreign Minister to Bangladesh after that? Secondly, Sadiq Khan stated that if Afghan Taliban did not cooperate with us on TTP issue then we will cancel all our deals with Afghan Taliban and we will not cooperate with them. Is this a policy shift on Afghanistan? Spokesperson: On your second question, I have not seen this statement. About Bangladesh, we want friendly, cooperative relations. It is an important relationship for us, and the discussions are going on between the two governments on number of ideas for cooperation. But we will share the details of the visit whenever it is mature. (Tahir Khan, NNI News Agency): Telephonic conversation was held between Pakistani and American Foreign Minister. Pakistani Foreign Office stated in its press release that the Pakistani Foreign Minister stressed the American Secretary of State, he stressed the need to resolving the issue regarding American weapons in Afghanistan. So, in what context this issue was raised because when question is asked on American ammunition in Afghanistan you always state that it is an issue between the two sovereign countries. But in our statement, when the two Foreign Ministers spoke, it was also mentioned. Does this mean Pakistan raised this issue to the US again and they responded? (Naveed Siddiqui, Business Recorder): Sir, in 2021, Pakistan evacuated many American citizens out of Afghanistan and 7 to 8 hundred thousand Afghans were in Pakistan. That was a big issue but the issue which is hurting Pakistan is American weapons left in Afghanistan. If Pakistan is receiving calls frequently from America, there is a matter which is being kept hidden. If they are asking for help on this matter, then they cannot do anything without Pakistan's help. All actions will be taken through Pakistan. Is Pakistan ready to help them? If so, is there a plan on the table on how to get back American weaponry from Afghanistan, although the Afghan Taliban will decline this request. If still such a deal takes place, is Pakistan ready for retrieval of American weapons. (Khawaja Nayyar Iqbal, Media Today): It is being observed that America is engaging directly with Afghanistan. Before that, Pakistan was involved in such meetings. Your comments please. Spokesperson: Regarding first question, the fact of the matter is that the leftover weapons are being used in attacks against our security forces within Pakistani territory, this we have always emphasized. We have also emphasized in the past the deleterious consequences of these weapons which have been left behind. And this was also highlighted in the telephonic conversation between the two ministers. About Naveed Saab's question, it is too speculative for me at this point in time. I just cannot comment specifically on that. Khawaja Saab on your specific question about Afghanistan again, colleagues like Tahir Saab and other friends who follow Afghanistan very closely, this we have been repeatedly saying as a matter of policy. Afghanistan is a sovereign country. The kind of relations it wants to have with any country of the world, we respect its choice. So, if the US and Afghanistan want to build a relationship, they want to have friendly relations, there is nothing for us to comment on that. They can have the kind of relations the two countries want. (Islamuddin, Anadolu Agency): The US has again sanctioned some firms targeting missile production in Pakistan. What is your comment on it? Secondly, Pakistan hosted Minerals Investment Forum during last two days. Many ministers and officials from other countries participated in that forum. What was the tangible outcome of that event? Thank you. Spokesperson: About this mineral's forum, I would refer you to Ministry of Petroleum and SIFC on specifics of this question. About the first question, we reiterate that Pakistan's strategic programme is fully indigenized, in compliance of international and domestic laws as well as to our national obligations arising thereof. We have seen the US Department of Justice Press Release on the subject. We cannot comment on the specific case without having details. In the past, similar instances of arrest of individuals or denial of technology have taken place without any evidence whatsoever. We believe such actions are detrimental to the credibility of global non-proliferation efforts and obstruct the legitimate acquisition of technology for socio-economic development. Thank you very much. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry refutes Russia's allegations of damage to war graves Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 10.04.2025 Today 10 April, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia delivered a demarche to the charge d'affaires of Russia in connection with the baseless allegations of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Russian Embassy in Estonia about damage to tombstones and the alleged removal of grave monuments in the Defence Forces Cemetery of Tallinn. The Estonian Foreign Ministry emphasised that Russia's complaint claiming that Estonia had insufficiently investigated the damage to the tombstones of Soviet soldiers in the Defence Forces Cemetery of Tallinn was baseless. In cooperation with the Estonian War Museum, two experts from the Estonian Heritage Board and the University of Tartu were consulted on the damage to the tombstones. Both experts concluded that it was algae, which spreads mainly on porous substrates, including limestone, from which these tombstones were made. We added that this type of algae also grew on other tombstones in the same cemetery, as well as in the nearby Siselinna Cemetery. These conclusions were forwarded to the Russian Embassy by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week. In addition, we refuted the claim that two grave monuments were removed from the Defence Forces Cemetery in early April. As the Estonian War Museum affirmed there were no graves under either monument, they did not constitute grave monuments, and instead, they were monuments to the Soviet occupation, which have no place in our cultural space. Estonia honours the sanctity of grave sites and respects all who lost their lives. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Press release on Russian-American consultations in Istanbul 10 April 2025 20:40 598-10-04-2025 April 10 marked a round of Russian-American expert consultations in Istanbul, aimed at normalising the operations of the diplomatic missions of both nations and addressing accumulated bilateral "irritants." The delegations, led by Russian Ambassador to the United States Alexander Darchiev and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Sonata Coulter, exchanged diplomatic notes to formalise agreed commitments. These commitments are designed to facilitate unimpeded banking and financial services for Russian and American diplomatic missions, in addition to ensuring the fulfilment of the Russian Federation's contributions to the budgets of the UN and other international organisations. In the context of the issue raised by the Russian side regarding the return of six diplomatic real estate properties confiscated by the United States authorities and lawfully owned by the Russian Federation, the parties agreed to develop a roadmap. Ambassador Alexander Darchiev emphasised the importance of urgent practical measures in this regard, including immediate access for Russian representatives to inspect these premises and assess incurred damages. Discussions also continued on easing visa processing and travel regulations for diplomatic staff within the host countries. The Russian Ambassador pressed for accelerated progress in resolving pivotal issues to bolster mutual trust and expand bilateral business and social ties, such as resuming direct air flights. Following the consultations, the parties resolved to promptly refine the proposals tabled. The objective remains to achieve mutually acceptable solutions ahead of the next round, the timing of which is currently under coordination. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia, US Exchanged Prisoners in UAE on Thursday Sputnik News 20250410 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia and the United States exchanged prisoners in the UAE on Thursday morning, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing CIA Director John Ratcliffe. US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz said that Russia handed over US and Russian dual citizen Ksenia Karelina, who was sentenced to 12 years in prison for treason, to the US as part of the prisoner swap, the WSJ reported, adding that Washington handed over Artur Petrov, a Russian citizen arrested in the United States over alleged violation of export restrictions, to Moscow. US and Russian dual citizen Ksenia Karelina, who was transferred to United States as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia, is currently on board of a plane to the United States, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. "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. POTUS [Trump] will continue to work for the release of ALL Americans," Rubio said on X. US and Russian dual citizen Ksenia Karelina convicted of treason in Russia was released as part of prisoner exchange with the United States, her lawyer Mikhail Mushailov told Sputnik. "This morning, Ksenia Karelina was released in Abu Dhabi as part of an exchange of prisoners with US ," the lawyer said. The latest prisoner exchange highlights the importance of keeping communication lines open between Russia and the United States, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported, citing a CIA spokesperson. "The exchange shows the importance of keeping lines of communication open with Russia, despite the deep challenges in our bilateral relationship," the spokesperson was quoted as saying by the newspaper. US National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, in turn, said President Donald Trump and his administration continue to work to further release Americans detained in other countries, according to the newspaper. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Serbia Would Lose Over $16Bln If It Imposed Sanctions on Russia - Deputy Prime Minister Sputnik News 20250410 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - 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. "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, Serbia's GDP reached about 82 billion euros. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The UK welcomes the formation of the new Syrian government: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Jess Jambert-Gray, UK Deputy Political Coordinator, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria. 10 April 2025 Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 10 April 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) I will make three points. First, since this Council last met, Syria has made further positive progress in its political transition. The UK welcomes the announcement on the formation of the new Syrian government. And we look forward to the protection of human rights, unfettered access of humanitarian aid, the safe destruction of chemical weapons and the combatting of terrorism and extremism. The government's formation marks an important milestone in the transition. We hope this spirit of inclusive representation will be carried forward in state institutions and in any further appointments, including to the Legislative Committee, and to a clear timeline for the next phases of the transition. The UK stands ready to work with the Syrian government to this end and to support an inclusive, stable and prosperous future for the Syrian people. Second, this opportunity for stability is being threatened by the continued violence. We are concerned by Israeli strikes and incursions into Syria, with reports of civilian deaths. These actions risk destabilising Syria and the wider region. And this is in no one's interest. We recognise Israel's focus on protecting the security of its borders and its people, but the actions it takes must be proportionate and in line with international law. We call on all actors to uphold the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, respect Syrian territorial integrity and prioritise diplomacy over force. Third, it is the Syrian people who will suffer the most from this worrying escalation. After fourteen years of tyranny and conflict at the hands of the Assad regime, the Syrian people still face a staggering humanitarian crisis. And that is why the UK has recently pledged up to $207 million in critical humanitarian assistance. Our focus should now be on supporting Syrians to rebuild their country. Therefore we call on all parties to ensure that humanitarian access remains possible across Syria and that civilian lives are protected. The UK will continue to work with our international partners to support Syrians as they look to build a better future. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syria's political transition at risk due to Israeli military action, Security Council hears 10 April 2025 - Recent military actions by Israel are undermining Syria's political transition and the chances of a new security pact between the two countries, a senior UN official told the Security Council on Thursday. "Syria's opportunity to stabilise after 14 years of conflict must be supported and protected, for Syrians and for Israelis," said Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. "This is the only way regional peace and security can be realized." Transition under threat Mr. Khiari and the head of UN Peace Operations, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, briefed ambassadors on recent Israeli violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between the country and Syria. The accord ended the Yom Kippur war and established an area of separation in the rocky plateau region known as the Golan, along the border between the two countries. It also authorised the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) to supervise the agreement, and peacekeepers to monitor the buffer zone. Mr. Khiari said that hundreds of reported Israeli airstrikes have taken place across Syria since the fall of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024, namely in the southwest, the Syrian coast, northeastern Syria, Damascus, Hama, and Homs. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) also publicly confirmed that it has built multiple positions in the elevated area of separation on the Golan, while Israeli officials have spoken of the country's intentions to stay in Syria "for the foreseeable future," he added. "Such facts on the ground are not easily reversed. They do threaten Syria's fragile political transition," he warned. Multiple airstrikes reported Most recently, Syria informed the council of reports of multiple Israeli airstrikes on 3 April, including in Damascus, the Hama Military Airport, and the T4 military airport in Homs. Simultaneous attacks in Daraa reportedly resulted in nine civilian casualties. The Syrian interim authorities condemned the attacks, calling them a blatant violation of international law and Syrian sovereignty and an attempt to destabilize the country. "Let me also recall earlier indications by the Damascus authorities, as had been published in numerous media outlets, of not presenting threats to its neighbours and seeking peace on their borders," said Mr. Khiari. Meanwhile, Israel's Defence Minister was quoted describing airstrikes as "a warning for the future", and that Israel would "not allow Syria to become a threat" to its security interests. Respect Syria's sovereignty In light of these developments, Mr. Khiari pointed to the council's presidential statement dated 14 March which reaffirmed strong commitment to Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity. It also called on all States to respect these principles and to refrain from any action or interference that may further destabilize the country. "This council's commitment to Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity grows in importance by the day," he said. He further recalled that UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen addressed Israeli military escalation in a statement on 3 April, saying such actions undermine efforts to build a new Syria. "Syria is at a crossroads and deserves a chance to continue to work towards an inclusive political transition, where the Syrian people can overcome the conflict, revive their economy, realize their legitimate aspirations, and contribute to regional stability," Mr. Khiari said. "Furthermore, short-term and tactical security actions and gains should not derail prospects for peace agreement between the two neighbours and long-term stability at their internationally recognized border." Volatile security situation Mr. Lacroix briefed the council on developments in the UNDOF area of operations, where the situation remains volatile and characterized by violations of the 1974 Agreement. The IDF currently occupies 12 positions that they established on the Bravo side, located east of the area of separation. Ten are in the zone and the others are in the vicinity. "They also continue to construct counter-mobility obstacles along the ceasefire line, and have flown, on several occasions, aircraft across the ceasefire line and helicopters into the area of separation," he said. The Israeli forces also continue to impose some restrictions of movement on UNDOF and the Observer Group Golan, comprised of military observers from the UN Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO). Local residents have also had their movements curtailed, prompting protests. Explosions and engagement "In recent weeks, UNDOF personnel have noted multiple explosions on the Bravo side, which they deem to be significant kinetic activity linked to the efforts of the IDF to, and I quote, 'demilitarize the south of Syria,'" said Mr. Lacroix In the meantime, UNDOF continues to liaise with both parties and engage on specific issues impacting its operations as well as complaints conveyed by residents in the separation zone. "In their engagement with the UNDOF leadership, senior IDF officials have restated that their presence in the area of separation was necessary to secure it from what they describe as 'terrorist elements' and informed that Israel had no territorial ambitions in Syria," he said. "They have reiterated Israel's expectation of the demilitarization of the area southwest of Damascus," he added. He reported that on the Bravo side, UNDOF is reinforcing its coordination mechanism through new liaison arrangements with Syrian authorities, which includes enhancing information sharing and regular consultative meetings. Uphold 1974 Agreement "It remains critical that all parties uphold their obligations under the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement, including by ending all unauthorized presence in the areas of separation and limitation, as well as refraining from any action that would undermine the ceasefire and stability on the Syrian Golan," he said. "There should be no military forces or activities in the area of separation, other than those of UNDOF. All actions that are inconsistent with the agreement are unacceptable." He said the Security Council's continued support for the Force is "needed now more than ever in is difficult time." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Israel's Actions 'Threaten Syria's Fragile Political Transition', Senior Official Tells Security Council, Calling on All States to Respect Country's Sovereignty Meetings Coverage Security Council 9896th Meeting* (AM) SC/16042 10 April 2025 Opportunity to Bring Syria Back to Peace, Legitimacy 'Must Not Be Derailed as Result of Syria Regressing into Geopolitical Battlefield', Delegate Stresses In the wake of hundreds of reported Israeli air strikes across Syria since 8 December 2024, the Israel Defense Forces' public confirmation that it built multiple positions in the area of separation and statements by Israeli leaders on their intent to stay in Syria for the foreseeable future, senior UN officials told the Security Council today that all parties must uphold their obligations under the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement. "Such facts on the ground are not easily reversed they do threaten Syria's fragile political transition," observed Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific in the Departments of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and Peace Operations. He pointed to reports of multiple Israeli air strikes across Syria on 3 April, as well as earlier indications by the authorities in Damascus on "not presenting threats to [Syria's] neighbours and seeking peace on their borders". He also pointed to the Israel's Defence Minister's 3 April statement qualifying the strikes as "a warning for the future". "Considering these developments", he spotlighted the Council's 14 March presidential statement calling on all States to respect Syria's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity and to "refrain from any action or interference that may further destabilize Syria". Underscoring that the Council's commitment to the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity "grows in importance by the day", he urged: "Syria's opportunity to stabilize after 14 years of conflict must be supported and protected, for Syrians and for Israelis, this is the only way regional peace and security can be realized." Providing additional information, Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, said that the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) area of operations is characterized by significant violations of the Disengagement Agreement. Israeli forces currently occupy 10 positions in the area of separation and 2 in the area of limitation. They also continue to construct countermobility obstacles along the ceasefire line and have flown aircraft across the line and into the area of separation. Detailing the incident on 3 April, he said that UNDOF personnel observed the movement of Israeli troops in vehicles. Such personnel later heard and observed multiple explosions, assessing them to be a result of Israeli artillery fire, likely in Nawa and Tasil. It remains critical, he emphasized, that all parties uphold their obligations under the Disengagement Agreement including by ending all unauthorized presence in the areas of separation and limitation and he underscored: "There should be no military forces or activities in the area of separation other than those of UNDOF." As the floor opened, the representative of Algeria also speaking for Guyana, Sierra Leone and Somalia condemned Israel's military operations in Syria as violations of international law. "It is crucial to highlight that Syria has neither threatened nor attacked Israel," he added. "Upholding international law is not a matter of choice," he underscored, stating that these escalatory actions coupled with inflammatory statements by Israeli officials regarding the "indefinite" presence of their forces in Syria "are contributing to instability and threatening regional peace and security". "In the four months since the change of power in Damascus, Israel has already carried out more than 700 strikes targeting Syria," said the representative of the Russian Federation, adding that the geographical span of these strikes has recently expanded. He stressed: "These actions are a gross violation of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity, which under no circumstances need to be called into question regardless of who holds power in Damascus." Similarly, the representative of Pakistan said that Israel's recent air strikes flagrant violations of international law "further undermine Syria's pursuit of political stabilization and national reconciliation". Moreover, he pointed to a "deeply troubling pattern" of Israel's continued, unprovoked military aggression, repeated violations of the Disengagement Agreement, illegal military presence in the area of separation and open declaration of indefinite occupation. "The Security Council cannot allow illegal military actions to set dangerous precedents," he urged. "The fragmentation of Syria is in no one's interest," said the representative of France, Council President for April, speaking in his national capacity. He therefore joined others in calling on Israel to cease its military activities in Syrian territory, respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and withdraw from the area of separation. In addition to making those calls, China's representative said that "a smooth political transition is the key to restoring peace and stability in Syria and should be the primary goal of the joint efforts of all parties". Several Council members underlined the deleterious effect that instability could have on that transition. While acknowledging neighbouring countries' interest in ensuring that events in Syria do not pose a risk to their security, Slovenia's representative stressed: "We remain convinced that external military interventions in the fragile moment of Syrian transition do not contribute to this legitimate objective indeed, they could have a countereffect." The "historic opportunity" to bring Syria back to peace and legitimacy "must not be derailed as a result of Syria regressing into a geopolitical battlefield", urged the representative of the Republic of Korea. "Events reported by different sources cause concern for a number of reasons," said Panama's representative particularly when they result in mass casualties, significant material damage and generate a climate of greater uncertainty and instability "at a particularly delicate time for the country". He also expressed concern over the impact on civilians, underscoring the importance of guaranteeing the protection of civilians and respecting international humanitarian law "at all times". "After 14 years of tyranny and conflict at the hands of the Assad regime, the Syrian people still face staggering humanitarian needs," observed the representative of the United Kingdom, noting that her country has recently pledged up to $207 million in critical humanitarian assistance. "Our focus now should be on supporting Syrians to rebuild their country," she stressed. Similarly, the representative of Greece urged those present not to lose sight of Syria's humanitarian crisis, highlighting the European Union's overall commitment of some 2.5 billion for Syria's recovery. Stating that Council members should all agree that a stable, sovereign Syria is "critical for our collective security", the representative of the United States stressed: "Israel has an inherent right of self-defence, including against terrorist groups operating close to its border." She urged the Council to "recommit itself to combating terrorism in Syria, call on Iran and other external actors to stop arming and advising terrorist groups, and urge regional States to rein in the actions of proxies who threaten regional peace and security". Also acknowledging Israel's legitimate security concerns, Denmark's representative nevertheless expressed concern over its recent attacks in Syria. Expressing support for UNDOF, which "has worked to address both Israel's and Syria's security concerns" for decades, she urged Israel to withdraw from the area of separation. With both progress made and challenges present on Syria's path to a new future, she stressed: "The international community in particular this Council has a responsibility to support the people of Syria on that path." Syria's representative, for his part, noted the "positive and constructive declarations and initiatives undertaken by Member States, international organizations and political groups to support Syria and its people". However, in parallel, Israel has challenged international efforts, threatened Syria's territorial integrity and undermined Government efforts. Citing the Secretary-General's latest report, he pointed to "the incursion of the Israeli occupation forces into the buffer zone, the significant alteration of the situation therein and the impact on [UNDOF's] operations since 8 December [2024]". Israel is also threatening Syria's water security, establishing military outposts for its forces and promoting tourist tours for settlers in the areas it has invaded, he stressed. "This exposes the falsity of the occupation entity's claims that its incursion is temporary and limited it clearly reveals its aggressive and expansionist intentions," he added. Calling on the Council to end Israel's ongoing aggression and compel its withdrawal from all Syrian lands, he concluded: "Attempts to impose solutions by force and to give precedence to the law of force over the force of law are doomed to failure." Meanwhile, the representative of Israel said: "We will do whatever is necessary for however long it takes to prevent another 7 October [2023]." Israel's actions, he stressed, have been guided not by ambitions of expansion, but by necessity, security and prevention. Pointing, as an example, to the Israel Defense Forces' dismantling of an underground missile factory "constructed by Iran" in central Syria, he said that "this factory of death had already begun producing precision-guided missiles, several of which were subsequently used in attacks on Israeli territory by Hizbullah". While underscoring that "Israel does not seek territorial gains in Syria", he stated: "Where threat exists, we will meet it without hesitation." For its part, Israel continues to coordinate with UNDOF under the framework of resolution 350 (1974). He emphasized, however, that peacekeeping efforts alone cannot stop the spread of sophisticated weapons, intercept Iranian missile parts, dismantle terrorist tunnels or prevent the creation of launch sites embedded in civilian terrain. While Israel is committed to deconfliction and dialogue, he stressed: "But we are also committed to the protection of our people, and that must take precedence when lives are at stake." For his part, the representative of Libya spoke for the Arab Group to condemn Israel's repeated aggression against Syria as "blatant" violations of international law. "They are undoubtedly a threat to the peace and security of the entire region," he stressed, calling on the international community particularly the Council to shoulder its legal and moral responsibility to pressure Israel to immediately cease its aggression and withdraw from all Syrian territory. Turkiye's representative, stating that eliminating terrorist organizations in Syria "remains essential for lasting peace and unity", stressed that all armed elements must surrender their weapons to the Syrian State, that all terrorist entities must be removed from Syrian territory and that security responsibilities for detention centres and camps in the country's north-east must be swiftly transferred to the Syrian administration. "Failure in Syria is not an option," she said. __________ * The 9895th Meeting was closed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Ministry of National Defense released a press statement explaining the "ongoing military exercises around the waters of Taiwan conducted by the P.R.C. Eastern Theater Command." ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/04/02 MND Press Release Published at 16:30 on April 2, 2025 Given that the P.R.C. Eastern Theater Command continues to conduct military drills around the Taiwan Strait, the Ministry of National Defense (MND) stated today (Apr. 2) that no matter what name the Chinese military gives to this unilateral action that disrupts regional peace and stability, it cannot justify its aggressive, provocative, and irresponsible nature. In response, the MND will continue to carry out "immediate combat readiness exercises" based on enemy's threat, weather conditions, and other factors. The troops on outlying and offshore islands should remain vigilant, cooperate closely with the Coast Guard Administration, and react effectively to the activities of the Chinese maritime police. Regarding the Chinese military's proclaim of their exercises which are "different every day, like a magician focusing on change," the MND further stated that it is frivolous, taking military conflicts, a matter of life and death, as "a child's play." This completely ignores the safety, lives, and properties on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, highlighting P.R.C.'s irresponsible nature. Besides, related to the so-called law enforcement in the Taiwan Strait, treating the waters surrounding Taiwan as part of the internal waters, blatantly violates international rules and norms. As the ancient saying goes, "War is a dangerous weapon and should only to be used when absolutely necessary." Beijing's reckless provocation of regional disputes and use of global security and prosperity as pawns, expose its hegemonic mentality of treating lives as insignificant and international rules as meaningless. The MND emphasized that "seeking peace through strength" is the only way to achieve true peace. In the face of the severe challenges posed by the Chinese military, the R.O.C. Armed Forces adhere to the principle of "underestimating the enemy to a lesser degree." They will not underestimate the enemy's military strength nor sell themselves short. All members of the R.O.C. Armed Forces will remain highly alert, maintain a strong defense posture, and continue to enhance deterrence capabilities. Through concrete actions, they will protect the values of democracy and freedom, safeguard national sovereignty, and ensure the security of the people and homeland. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Lai lays out roadmap for bilateral trade ties, response to U.S. tariffs ROC Central News Agency 04/10/2025 01:10 PM Taipei, April 10 (CNA) Taiwan will rapidly expand procurement of American goods and arms and remove its barriers to free trade, President Lai Ching-te () wrote in an opinion piece Thursday, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's massive tariffs measures that have roiled global markets. In the opinion piece titled "Taiwan has a roadmap for deeper U.S. trade ties," Lai laid out a four-point core plan for Taiwan's response to Trump's tariffs. Hours after the "reciprocal" tariffs went into effect Wednesday night, Trump said he was authorizing a 90-day pause but would maintain a baseline universal tariff of 10 percent for most countries, with immediate effect. The exception was China, he said, announcing an increased tariff of 125 percent on that country. In Lai's opinion piece published by Bloomberg early Thursday morning (Taiwan time), he said that first, like other nations, Taiwan will engage in trade negotiations with the U.S. about tariffs. "While Taiwan already maintains low tariffs, with an average nominal rate of 6%, we are willing to further cut this rate to zero on the basis of reciprocity with the US," he wrote. "By removing the last vestiges to free and fair trade, we seek to encourage greater trade and investment flows between our two economies." Taiwan will also try to narrow the trade imbalance by "rapidly" procuring energy, agriculture and other industrial goods from the U.S., Lai said. Moreover, Taiwan will pursue additional arms procurement, which are vital to its self-defense against Chinese threats, he said, noting that those purchases are not reflected in trade balances. Thirdly, Lai wrote, Taiwan will establish a cross-agency called the "U.S. Investment Team" to facilitate more investments in the U.S., where Taiwan firms, including power chipmaker TSMC, currently support 400,000 jobs throughout all 50 states. The final core principle will see Taiwan removing barriers to free trade, Lai said, adding that his administration will address U.S. concerns about "export controls and improper transshipment of low-cost good through Taiwan." "These steps form the basis of a comprehensive roadmap for how Taiwan will navigate the shifting trade landscape, transforming challenges in the Taiwan-US economic relationship into new opportunities for growth, resilience and strategic alignment," Lai wrote. "At a time of heightened global uncertainty, underpinned by growing Chinese assertiveness, closer trade ties are more than sound economics; they are a critical pillar of regional security," he said. Hours after the publication of Lai's piece, when Trump abruptly announced the 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs, his administration said that most nations, including Taiwan, has started to negotiate trade measures with the U.S. On Wednesday, Lai, who concurrently serves as chairperson of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), said in a DPP central standing committee meeting that it was imperative for Taiwan to work with the Global North countries and democracies, including the U.S., to achieve better economic global outreach and to move further away from China's economic influence. (By Yeh Su-ping and Chris Wang) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan among countries on 90-day pause of higher U.S. tariffs: FM Lin ROC Central News Agency 04/10/2025 12:45 PM Taipei, April 10 (CNA) Taiwan is among the countries listed by U.S. President Donald Trump for a 90-day pause of his "reciprocal" tariffs, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung () said Thursday. The United States' baseline tariff of 10 percent on Taiwan goods, which was implemented on April 9, will remain in place, but the additional 22 percent tariff has been suspended for 90 days, Lin indicated during a legislative hearing on the issue. During the hearing, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker Wang Ting-yu () asked whether the 75-plus countries that had proposed talks with the U.S. instead of taking retaliatory actions had all been listed for the 90-day pause. In response, Lin said he had confirmed with the U.S. that Taiwan was on the list but he was not sure about the other countries. "The temporary baseline 10 percent tariff is now giving Taiwan a relative advantage point [pending further talks]," Lin said. On April 2, Trump announced a universal baseline tariff of 10 percent on all imports to the U.S. and higher rates on trading partners the White House deemed the "worst offenders" in "unfair trade practices," including Taiwan. In anticipation of the 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan, which took effect briefly on April 9, the Taiwan government had been preparing for expected huge economic consequences. In a dramatic turn on Wednesday (U.S. time), however, Trump said he was pausing the "reciprocal" tariffs on the targeted countries for 90 days, except for China, which will be subject to a 125 percent tariff. As of press time, the U.S. government had not released a list of the countries included in the tariff suspension plan. According to Trump, more than 75 countries had contacted the U.S. to start negotiations on the reciprocal tariffs. The White House said Wednesday that the 90-day pause would allow the U.S. to create a "bespoke" solution for all of those countries. Prior to Thursday's legislative session in Taipei, Lin told reporters that Taiwan was prepared to engage in talks with the U.S. on the tariff issue. Trump's latest announcement of a 90-day pause would give both sides more time to prepare for a "deeper, more thorough" bilateral negotiations on the issue, he said. On Wednesday, Lin said that Taipei was in contact with the U.S., which has "officially acknowledged our outreach." "Taiwan has been included on the list for upcoming trade talks," he said, without elaborating. Lin did not provide a timeline for the negotiations but said that the two sides had been exchanging information, with the U.S. requesting additional data from Taiwan, which the government was in the process of providing. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/pc NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan must reason with 'unpredictable' Trump: Central bank boss ROC Central News Agency 04/10/2025 07:04 PM Taipei, April 10 (CNA) The only way to deal with tariffs imposed by the "unpredictable" U.S. President Donald Trump is to talk reasonably with him, the governor of Taiwan's central bank said Thursday. Hours after the so-called "reciprocal" tariffs went into effect Wednesday, Trump said he was authorizing a 90-day pause but would maintain a baseline universal tariff of 10 percent for most countries, with immediate effect. The exception was China, he said, announcing an increased tariff of 125 percent on that country. On Thursday, Governor Yang Chin-long () told a legislative committee meeting on the economic impact of Trump's tariffs and Taiwan's response measures that Trump's policy U-turn may have been prompted by U.S. stocks plummeting shortly after the tariffs took effect. Trump's announcement of a temporary pause sent U.S. markets soaring overnight, with Taiwan shares also surging more than 1,600 points Thursday. During the legislative session, Kuomintang Legislator Lin Te-fu () said that even though Taiwan is among the countries listed by Trump for the 90-day pause of his "reciprocal" tariffs, he had announced a 32 percent tariff on imports from Taiwan. Lin asked whether this meant that "the U.S. is taking advantage of Taiwan." In response, Yang explained that the formula used by the U.S. to calculate reciprocal tariffs is unreasonable and too rough, but it is aimed at the whole world and applies to all countries, not just Taiwan. Asked about how Taiwan would respond to the "reciprocal" tariffs, Yang said that Trump did not take into account the fact that Taiwan's trade surplus with the U.S. was because of his country's need for Taiwan's products. Taiwan has contributed to the U.S.' productivity and economy, Yang added. On the issue of reciprocal tariffs, Yang said that if all countries start talking about it with the U.S., it should be more effective to achieve "reciprocity." However, Yang said that given that the uncertainty caused by Trump on Taiwan's financial markets is too high, "the only way is to have a reasonable talk with him (Trump)." If uncertain factors can be eliminated, a stable return in Taiwan's equity market can be expected, he said. Yang said a suggestion from legislators that Taiwan's central bank use its holdings of U.S. Treasury securities as a bargaining chip was a "good idea." If Taiwan embarks on such negotiations with the U.S., it should tell the other party that while the U.S. has to issue government bonds to finance its deficits, Taiwan's long-term holding of U.S. Treasuries will help lower its financial costs, Yang added. Asked whether Taiwan's benchmark Taiex index will enter a bear market due to Trump's tariffs policy, Yang admitted that at present, the uncertainty in the stock market is quite high. However, Financial Supervisory Commission (FSC) Chairman Peng Jin-lung () said that it certainly has not entered a bear market and there is no systemic risk in the market. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Chuang Tsui-yun () said during the legislative session that the ministry has assessed whether to increase the authorized amount of NT$500 billion (US$15.16 billion) in the National Financial Stabilization Fund for an intervention in the stock market to ease volatility. At another legislative committee meeting, Economics Minister Kuo Jyh-huei () said that the government is set to make an announcement on April 14 on bailouts for businesses to counter new U.S. tariffs. (By Pan Tzu-yu, Chang Ai, Wang Yang-yu and Evelyn Kao) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address No China trade 'backdoor' via Taiwan to U.S.: Deputy minister ROC Central News Agency 04/10/2025 06:38 PM Taipei, April 10 (CNA) Taiwan's deputy foreign minister said Thursday that the country is committed to working with the United States to prevent "origin laundering," in response to concerns over free trade zone plans that some lawmakers fear could "open a backdoor" for China to attempt to evade U.S. tariffs. Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Chen Ming-chi () made the remarks at a session of the Legislative Yuan Foreign and National Defense Committee, where top officials reported on Taiwan's trade strategy following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement last week of tariffs on America's global trading partners. Attending ministries included Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Mainland Affairs Council, the Ministry of Finance, the National Development Council, the Executive Yuan Office of Trade Negotiations, and the Central Bank of the Republic of China (Taiwan). The deputy foreign minister was responding to concerns over the potential establishment of an "Offshore Free Trade Demonstration Zone," a project proposed by Taiwan's largest opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), under amendments to the Offshore Islands Development Act. The amendments, which were introduced by KMT lawmaker Chen Yu-jen (), would allow people, companies, goods and services from China to enter the zone under regulations that are yet to be determined. The proposal's explanation said the change, which aims to liberalize trade between China and Taiwan's outlying Kinmen and Matsu Islands, aimed to facilitate cross-border commerce and "appropriately loosen relevant rules." During the interpellation session, lawmaker Puma Shen () from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) warned that the proposed amendments would "open a backdoor" that China could try to use to evade the 128 percent tariffs it faces on America-bound exports. DPP lawmaker Lin Chu-yin () also said the proposal contradicts efforts to build supply chains decoupled from China. She cited the 2019 Foreign Trade Act, which enhances origin verification efforts and penalties in an attempt to prevent Taiwan from becoming a transit hub for origin laundering in the "U.S.-China trade war." Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Chen reiterated that the United States is highly focused on the issue and that Taiwan would take "comprehensive precautions." (By Yang Yao-ju and James Thompson) Enditem/ASG NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address MAC allows affidavits in lieu of deregistration proof for some Chinese spouses ROC Central News Agency 04/10/2025 10:01 PM Taipei, April 10 (CNA) Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Thursday announced four conditions under which some Chinese spouses and their children can be exempted from submitting proof of having renounced Chinese household registration, allowing them to provide affidavits instead of the required document. The government can "only offer alternative measures to individuals who are objectively unable or face significant difficulties" in fulfilling the requirement of submitting proof, MAC deputy head and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh () said at a regular news briefing in Taipei. The alternative -- providing an affidavit -- is grounded in the principle of "administering according to law," Liang said, adding that the authorities cannot exempt someone from a legal obligation simply because they are unwilling to comply. The alternative can be applied to individuals who may face personal safety concerns when traveling to China -- such as those who have been persecuted for political or religious reasons -- as well as individuals with serious illnesses or injuries, such as being bedridden or having limited mobility, according to Liang. Those who have not traveled to China since Jan. 1, 2015, are also eligible for the alternative, he said, adding that if any of the above three groups of individuals are later found to have traveled to China, the authorities may still require them to submit proof. In addition, Liang said the alternative also applies to individuals who returned to Taiwan for settlement shortly after being born in China and claim they never held household registration in China -- a claim that must be verified by relevant authorities in Taiwan. Liang said that most of those eligible under the last condition are children of Taiwanese businesspeople in China. Liang's remarks came amid a recent controversy sparked by notices sent by the National Immigration Agency (NIA) to some Chinese spouses and their children in Taiwan, requiring them to submit proof of having renounced their household registration in China within three months of receiving the notice. The requirement is stipulated in Article 9-1 of the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area, which specifies that "the people of the Taiwan Area may not have household registrations in the Mainland Area," and those who violate this provision "shall be deprived of its status as the people of the Taiwan Area and its rights." Among the 140,000 Chinese spouses granted "settlement residency" in Taiwan, most of them have already provided the required documentation, while around 12,000 have yet to do so and have been notified by the agency, NIA Deputy Director-General Chen Chieh-cheng () said at a legislative session on Wednesday. "Settlement residency" is an intermediate status granted to Chinese spouses in Taiwan after they complete various stages of residency and submit proof of having renounced their household registration in China. The statue allows them to apply for household registration in Taiwan within a 30-day window and thereby obtain Taiwanese citizenship. According to the NIA, failure to provide the required proof within the period specified in the notice may result in the revocation of their "settlement residency" and a notification to the household registration office to cancel their Taiwanese household registration -- leading to the loss of Taiwanese citizenship for those who already hold it. Hours before the MAC news briefing, several legislators from the Kuomintang (KMT) -- the opposition party with the most seats in the Legislature -- held a news conference urging authorities not to use administrative measures to target a specific group. They called for a suspension of the ongoing review and a reassessment of the related measures, with lawmaker Weng Hsiao-ling () saying the move has caused widespread public discontent and urging the government to consider the difficulties faced by families with Chinese spouses, rather than making things unnecessarily difficult for them. Nadia Liu (), chairperson of the Taiwan Immigration Youth Alliance, told CNA on Wednesday that while the requirement to submit proof appears to be a case of a government agency acting under the guise of legal procedure, it is actually the result of the authorities' failure to fully implement the policy in the past. Liu questioned whether it should be considered an "oversight" by the relevant authorities, adding that the review itself has caused unease among all immigrants. "Even after obtaining a Taiwanese ID, there remains uncertainty about whether the criteria might change again in the future," she added. (By Li Ya-Wen, Liu Kuan-ting and Sunny Lai) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Assembly calls for 'immediate release' of Mayor of Istanbul, whose arrest and detention 'appear politically-motivated' Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly Strasbourg 10 April 2025 Following an urgent procedure debate held in Strasbourg in plenary session on 9 April, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) called on the Turkish authorities "to release immediately Ekrem Imamoglu", the Mayor of Istanbul, who was arrested on 19 March 2025, placed in pre-trial detention on corruption charges, and removed from office. It also called for the dropping of "all unfounded charges against him and others involved in the same investigation" and repeal of the decision of Istanbul University to revoke his university degree. The resolution adopted by PACE, based on the proposals by the PACE co-rapporteurs for the monitoring of Turkiye, Stefan Schennach (Austria, SOC) and Lord David Blencathra (United Kingdom, ECPA), emphasises that the detention of Mr Imamoglu, the criminal investigation against him and the revocation of his degree prevent him from standing as a presidential candidate. These decisions against Mr Imamoglu "appear politically-motivated and an attempt to intimidate the opposition, obstruct its actions, stifle pluralism and limit freedom of political debate," the parliamentarians said. Furthermore, PACE "strongly condemns the unjustified arrests and detentions of demonstrators", as well as "the disproportionate use of force by the law enforcement authorities" during protests that followed the arrest of Mr Imamoglu, and the ill-treatment of protesters held in custody. It recalled that the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of expression could only be restricted "under certain conditions provided for in the European Convention on Human Rights" - to which Turkiye is a State Party - and that these restrictions must be prescribed by law and "necessary in a democratic society". In the face of these "worrying developments, which represent a retreat from democratic values and go against the will of the Turkish people", PACE called on the Turkish authorities to "fully respect the rights to freedom of expression and assembly, as well as other human rights in the context of the ongoing protests"; to stop any disproportionate use of force against protesters; to release those who have been detained "on unfounded charges"; to release all journalists detained because of reporting on protests; to allow the media to provide the public with necessary information; and to ensure a fair trial for all those detained in this context. Finally, PACE urged the Turkish authorities to implement without delay the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights Osman Kavala, Selahattin Demirtas (No. 2) and FigenYuksekdag Senoglu and Others, by releasing activists and/or politicians detained on politically-motivated charges and "conducting a comprehensive reform of the justice system to fully guarantee the independence of the judiciary". NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM call with Prime Minister Ishiba of Japan: 10 April 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Japan Shigeru Ishiba this morning. 10 April 2025 The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Japan Shigeru Ishiba this morning. On trade, the leaders agreed that a trade war does not benefit anyone, and that now is the time for a cool, calm and pragmatic approach. They agreed on the importance of likeminded partners such as the UK and Japan to work closely together to lower trade barriers. Through trading blocs such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and working bilaterally, there are many options to accelerate growth. The Prime Minister wished Prime Minister Ishiba success for the launch of the Osaka Expo next week, and they discussed the UK pavilion focussed on innovation, which underpins the UK-Japan bilateral relationship. On defence and security, the leaders discussed deeper cooperation, welcoming the progress of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and reaffirmed their commitment to deliver the next generation of fighter jets. The Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Ishiba for Japan's support for the Coalition of the Willing in support for Ukraine. They agreed to keep in close touch. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address New British Army robotic mine plough aims to better shield soldiers from danger British soldiers are to be better shielded from danger as a new high-tech, remote-controlled mine plough system is put through its paces. 10 April 2025 New remote-controlled mine plough device for safer minefield clearing. The system can be adapted to all suitable military vehicles. Trials will inform future British Army mine clearing capabilities. By cutting through minefields, the device clears explosives and pushes them aside, opening a safe path for troops to move faster and more securely towards critical enemy positions or key objectives, outpacing current methods in speed and safety. The device, called WEEVIL, was developed collaboratively by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) and Pearson Engineering Ltd - a British company based in the north-east - using the latest tech. WEEVIL can clear minefields quicker and safer than present capabilities, reducing risk to soldiers on the front line. Current mine-clearing methods include the TROJAN Armoured Vehicle, which requires a three-person crew to operate directly within hazardous areas. The system prototype currently uses the Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle, fitted with a full-width mine plough, advanced remote-control system, and vehicle-mounted cameras. This allows it to be operated by a single person from several miles away from danger and is expected to be able to adapt to work with any suitable vehicle platform. The ground-breaking trials are set to continue with the British Army, who will push the robotic system to its limits, providing vital insight to inform future mine-clearing capabilities. The prevalence of anti-tank and anti-personnel mines in modern warfare to slow troop movements has been highlighted by the conflict in Ukraine. In the Spring Statement, the Chancellor announced an additional 2.2 billion for defence in 2025/26. This comes on top of the announcement of the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War, as the government will hit 2.5% of GDP spend by April 2027 and has a commitment to hit 3% in the next Parliament. Minister for the Armed Forces, Luke Pollard 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. It demonstrates British innovation, by British organisations, to protect British troops. Delivering on the Plan for Change by driving defence as an engine for economic growth, the government is also significantly increasing the proportion of MOD's equipment procurement spend on novel technologies like dual-use tech, uncrewed and autonomous systems and AI-enabled capabilities, spending at least 10% from 2025-26. Dstl Military Advisor Major Andrew Maggs, who pioneered WEEVIL, 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. Dstl and Pearson Engineering have successfully tested this prototype in Newcastle on a surrogate minefield. The concept is now being passed for further development to the British Army who are seeking to optimise and modernise in-service capabilities as well as develop new solutions for future challenges. Chief Executive Officer at Pearson Engineering Ian Bell said: We are proud to contribute to such game-changing capability. It brings together decades of development by Pearson Engineering, delivering the very best of minefield breaching technology proven around the world, and contemporary developments in teleoperation. Work with UK MOD is an incredibly important part of our business, ensuring our troops get the latest in combat engineering capability and that we can effectively defend our nation and allies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint press release following the 10th meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council European External Action Service (EEAS) 10.04.2025 Brussels, Belgium Press and information team of the Delegation to UKRAINE 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 billion in 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Joint Statement on Strengthening the EU-Ukraine Business Partnership by Denys Shmyhal, Prime Minister of Ukraine, and Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement European External Action Service (EEAS) 10.04.2025 Press and information team of the Delegation to UKRAINE On 10 April 2025, on the occasion of the EU-Ukraine Business Summit in Brussels, we reaffirmed our commitment to Ukraine's future in the European Union. To achieve this goal, we need to accelerate our joint efforts in support of Ukraine's accession to the EU, EU-aligned reconstruction, recovery and modernisation, as well as gradual economic integration into the EU Single Market. We emphasised the importance of strengthening our economic and investment ties based on an enhanced EU-Ukraine business partnership in close cooperation with the private sector. This requires a more favourable investment climate stemming from the consequences of the war. Despite the challenging context, Ukraine has demonstrated significant progress in implementing business-related reforms, particularly through the development and implementation of the Ukraine Plan within the framework of the Ukraine Facility, as well as reforms under Ukraine's EU accession process. These reforms are contributing to the improvement of the business climate and will further facilitate investments by EU companies. Continued progress will help reinforce investor confidence and ensure long-term sustainable growth. To achieve this, we agreed to intensify work in the following key areas of bilateral cooperation: Delivery of Business Environment Reforms Ukraine reaffirmed its commitment to implement key reforms aligned with its EU accession process and as included in the Ukraine Plan. These reforms are improving Ukraine's business climate and facilitate investments by EU companies in Ukraine. We are determined to also accelerate sectoral integration of Ukraine into the EU Single Market, particularly through mechanisms under the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) as enshrined in the Priority Action Plan for enhanced implementation of EU-Ukraine DCFTA in 2025-2026. Mobilising Financing We underscored the need to maximise the potential of the Ukraine Investment Framework (UIF) under the Ukraine Facility, aiming to de-risk private investments, unlock private equity, and encourage foreign direct investment in Ukraine's recovery and reconstruction. By leveraging financial instruments such as guarantees and blended finance, we will incentivise private sector involvement in Ukraine's recovery, reconstruction and modernisation. We welcomed the strong interest of European businesses in engaging with Ukraine's recovery through the recent Call for Expressions of Interest under the UIF, which attracted a significant number of submissions from EU-based companies across strategic sectors. We will continue to work with partner Financial Institutions to facilitate access to financing and advisory support and ensure alignment with Ukrainian and EU policy priorities. We also welcomed the recent launch of the Call for Proposals for Intermediated Lending Operations for Micro-, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises via Banks, which will enhance access to finance for businesses affected by the war. This inclusive approach illustrates the flexibility and comprehensive nature of the UIF, which is increasingly evolving into a systemic instrument that mobilises capital, stimulates transformative economic change, and supports long-term sustainable development in Ukraine. Investment Promotion We will promote Ukraine as a thriving investment destination for investments in strategic sectors, including particularly in the area of defence. We will bring together EU and Ukrainian business associations through platforms, such as the EU-Ukraine Business Summit, the upcoming Ukraine Recovery Conference and the EU-Ukraine Investment Conference. We agreed to hold high-level meetings with leading business associations from the EU and Ukraine, to assess progress on our shared objectives, strengthening of business partnerships, and addressing any obstacles to the EU-Ukraine business partnership. We decided to hold a first meeting in the margins of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome in July 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU reaffirms unwavering support for Ukraine European External Action Service (EEAS) 10.04.2025 Press and information team of the Delegation to 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+ . 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 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Update 285 - IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine International Atomic Energy Agency 29/2025 Vienna, Austria 10 Apr 2025 The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has carried out five deliveries of equipment and other technical assistance over the past week as it remains fully focused on helping to prevent a nuclear accident during the military conflict in Ukraine, Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said today. Since the beginning of the conflict more than three years ago, the IAEA has now organised a total of 125 such shipments to 29 counterparts in Ukraine, including its nuclear power plants (NPPs), the national operator Energoatom, the country's regulator, technical support organizations and laboratories, emergency services, organizations handling radioactive material, as well as health centres offering medical care to plant personnel and others. "This technical support is an important component of the IAEA's overall efforts aimed at ensuring nuclear safety and security in Ukraine. We will continue to provide such critical assistance to Ukraine, prioritizing areas where it is most urgently needed, thanks to the generous donor support," Director General Grossi said. In recent days, the Kharkiv Institute of Physics and Technology received equipment to enhance nuclear security at the site, the South Ukraine NPP received a whole body counter to monitor internal exposures of its operating staff, USIE Izotop - which manages radioactive material intended for medical, industrial and other purposes - received a forklift to support the safe handling and transport of radioactive material, and the Khmelnytskyy and Rivne NPPs received influenza medication and dental care equipment. These deliveries were provided with funding from Japan, the United Kingdom and the European Union. Since the start of the conflict, equipment worth almost 17 million euros has so far reached Ukraine. The IAEA is preparing further assistance for delivery. At Ukraine's nuclear sites, frequent air raid alarms and the sound of explosions in the distance continued to highlight persistent risks to nuclear safety. On the night of 9 April, according to information from the site, eight drones were detected flying within 4 km of the South Ukraine NPP. At the Zaporizhzhya NPP (ZNPP), the IAEA team based at the site has continued to conduct regular walkdowns to monitor and assess nuclear safety and security, including to the dry spent fuel storage where the team observed the safety and security arrangements, the on-site radiation monitoring laboratory, and on-site warehouses. The team also discussed with the plant upcoming electrical maintenance activities as well as staffing levels, training and qualifications at the ZNPP. At the Khmelnytskyy and Rivne NPPs, one reactor at each site remains in shutdown for refuelling. On 5 April, two units at the Rivne site had to temporarily reduce their power output due to grid limitations, highlighting the ongoing difficulties caused by the fragile energy infrastructure. Also this past week, the team at the Khmelnytskyy NPP rotated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Baiba Braze: a strong sanctions policy constrains the aggressor state Russia, strengthens our security and that of Ukraine Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 10.04.2025 Strengthening security, a firm stance on sanctions against Russia, further work in the European Union (EU) to increase pressure on the Russian economy and weaken its ability to wage war, as well as support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia were central issues highlighted by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Baiba Braze, at the 15th meeting of the Sanctions Coordination Council, held on 9 April 2025. The Minister noted in her report that Latvia will continue a strict sanctions policy against Russia, as well as emphasizing that this was not the time to talk about relaxing sanctions. On the contrary, the Foreign Ministry will continue to work on the tightening of EU sanctions. The sanctions are working despite Russian efforts to deny it. This is also demonstrated by the fact that, in all talks with the United States, Russia pushes for sanctions relief. The Foreign Secretary said that 24 February 2025 saw the adoption of the EU's 16th sanctions package, which sets out a range of new sector-specific restrictions as well as sanctions against individuals. Particular attention is paid to restricting the activities of Russia's "shadow fleet". The Minister informed the Council that work is already underway on the preparation of a new, already the 17th, sanctions package against Russia. The imposition of sanctions will continue in close coordination with the U.S. and UK as well. Foreign Minister Baiba Braze urged the members of the Sanctions Coordination Council to continue constructive cooperation, both by offering proposals for new sanctions and explaining to businesspeople that cooperation with Russia is impossible. The Deputy Head for Sanctions at the Financial Intelligence Unit of Latvia, Paulis Iljenkovs, outlined key issues and conclusions in the field of sanctions enforcement over the year since the FIU has become the competent authority in sanctions enforcement. For their part, Senior Expert for Compliance of the Compliance Division of the Anti-Money-Laundering Department at the Bank of Latvia, Artis Aizupietis, and Senior Economist of the Macroeconomic Analysis Division at the Monetary Policy Department, Matiss Mirosnikovs, informed the Council about changes to the goods and financial flows. During the meeting of the Sanctions Coordination Council, the Minister of Foreign Affairs presented a Certificate of Recognition to the Deputy Director General of the State Revenue Service for Customs, Director of the Customs Administration, Gen. Raimonds Zukuls, for excellent co-operation in the field of implementation of international and national sanctions and successful protection of Latvia's national interests at the international sanctions events. For further information on sanctions-related matters, see the Sanctions section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. To receive regular information of latest developments related to sanctions, please sign up for updates by sending a request to the Foreign Ministry's informational e-mail address: sankcijas@mfa.gov.lv. About the Sanctions Coordination Council The Sanctions Coordination Council is a consultative body established by the Cabinet with the aim of coordinating the functioning of supervisory institutions responsible for the enforcement of international sanctions and national sanctions of the Republic of Latvia. The Sanctions Coordination Council is chaired by a representative from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Council membership comprises more than 30 public and private sector institutions. The 16th package of EU sanctions The present package of sanctions includes comprehensive and targeted sectoral measures to constrain Russia: prohibition of temporary storage of Russian petroleum products in the EU; a ban on EU imports of primary aluminium from Russia; a ban on export to Russia of dual-use goods and goods needed in military industry; 74 "shadow fleet" sanctioned, bringing the total to 153; 6 Russian airports and 5 ports added to the list, also Primorsk and Ust Luga, where Russian petroleum products are reloaded; 13 Russian banks banned from using the SWIFT system; suspension of broadcasting activities of 8 propaganda media outlets; 83 additional listings including 48 individuals and 35 entities; restrictions on 53 new companies (also from Hong Kong, China, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, and India) related to circumvention. To prevent circumvention, a number of elements in sanctions targeting Russia aligned with sanctions against Belarus. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China warns Ukraine over 'irresponsible' claim of Chinese soldiers in war Iran Press TV Thursday, 10 April 2025 6:15 PM China has issued a complaint against Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky's remarks after he allegedly claimed Beijing knew its citizens were fighting alongside Russia in the conflict. China's foreign ministry on Thursday warned "relevant parties" in the Russia-Ukraine conflict to "refrain from expressing irresponsible remarks." "We would advise the relevant parties to recognize China's role correctly and clear-headedly," ministry spokesman Lin Jian said at a routine news briefing. Lin said Beijing "has always required that its nationals ... avoid involving themselves in armed conflicts in any form." "China is not a creator of or party to the Ukraine crisis. We are staunch supporters and active promoters of a peaceful resolution," he said. Russian spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that China is a Russian "partner, friend, and comrade," adding, "China has always taken a very balanced position, so Zelensky is wrong." The Ukrainian leader said Wednesday that Kiev had information on 155 Chinese nationals deployed to assist Russia. The Ukrainian leader also accused Russia of "dragging China into this war," a claim dismissed by the Kremlin on Thursday. Ukrainian sources say one of the captured Chinese nationals had paid $3,480 to a middleman in China to join the Russian army, hoping to obtain Russian citizenship. The captive reportedly said he was trained in Luhansk as part of a group of Chinese nationals, some of whom had legal issues back home. Russia and Ukraine allow foreigners to enlist in their armies. China's response suggests that any Chinese nationals fighting in Ukraine may have done so independently. Beijing has maintained itself as a neutral party in the three-year conflict despite criticism from Western governments that it has provided Russia with economic and diplomatic support. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address More than 150 Chinese citizens fighting for Russia, Ukraine's president says Zelenskyy accused Russia of deliberate efforts to expand the conflict by recruiting Chinese nationals. By Alan Lu for RFA 2025.04.10 TAIPEI, Taiwan -- The Ukrainian security service has evidence that more than 150 Chinese citizens are fighting alongside Russian troops, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, following the capture of two Chinese soldiers in eastern Ukraine. Zelenskyy, in a post on X, said Ukraine was working to verify all the details concerning the two captured Chinese soldiers and others with Russia's invading forces. "Ukraine believes that such blatant involvement of Chinese citizens in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine during the war of aggression is a deliberate step towards the expansion of the war and is yet another indication that Moscow simply needs to drag out the fighting," Zelenskyy said Wednesday. "This definitely requires a response," he said. On April 8, Ukraine said the Chinese soldiers were captured in the Donetsk Oblast region of eastern Ukraine. Identification documents, bank cards, and other personal information were found on them. The captured Chinese nationals are being held by the Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU. Zelenskyy did not say the Chinese nationals had been sent by Beijing, but Ukraine's foreign minister summoned the Chinese charge d'affaires to protest and demand an explanation. On Wednesday, China's foreign ministry said it was still checking the facts, with spokesman Lin Jian adding that his government "always required its citizens to stay away from armed conflict areas." Twenty-four hours later, President Zelenskyy's claim of dozens of Chinese soldiers in Ukraine provoked a sharper response at the ministry's regular press briefing. "We advise relevant parties to have a correct and clear understanding of China's role and not to make irresponsible remarks," Lin said. The U.S. and South Korea have estimated that North Korea, an ally of Russia and China, has sent as many as 12,000 troops to serve in Russia's Kursk region, which was partly occupied by a Ukrainian counteroffensive. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the presence of Chinese soldiers in Ukraine "undermines Beijing's credibility as a responsible permanent member of the UN Security Council." U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce described the reports as "disturbing" and said that cooperation between nuclear powers China and Russia would increase global instability. "China is a major enabler of Russia in the war in Ukraine," she said. "China provides nearly 80 percent of the dual-use items Russia needs to sustain the war." This month, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi met President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and told Russian state media that China was ready to play a "constructive role" in resolving the war. Beijing professes a neutral stance on the conflict between Moscow and Kyiv. It also supplies Russia with electronic components which could be used in weapons systems. Edited by Mike Firn and Stephen Wright. Updated to add Chinese foreign ministry comment. Copyright 1998-2025, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content April not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Ambassador To Ukraine Resigns Early Amid Washington's Peace Efforts By Merhat Sharipzhan and RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service April 10, 2025 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 Department's 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. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-ambassador-ukraine- resigns-peace-turmp-putin-russia/33381437.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Beijing Rebukes Zelenskyy For Saying Chinese Recruits Fighting For Russia By RFE/RL April 10, 2025 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 Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-soldier- mercenaries-ukraine-russia-war-foreign-fighter/33380952.html Copyright (c) 2025. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Reply by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova to a media question about Japan's decision to join NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) 10 April 2025 14:58 593-10-04-2025 Question: On April 9, the Government of Japan announced its decision to join NATO Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU), a centre that coordinates military assistance, including arms supplies, equipment maintenance and personnel training. This happened in the wake of the recent visit to Tokyo by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. What is your comment? Maria Zakharova: Japan is pursuing a policy of accelerated remilitarisation. Against this background, it is increasingly involved in the Ukraine conflict and expands its material and logistical support for the terrorist regime in Kiev. These destructive actions, which take Japan even farther from the concept of peaceful national development preached by the former generations of Japanese politicians, are not only leading to the actual loss of its status as a pacifist state, a status that was at the base of trust on the part of its regional neighbours, but are also fraught with Tokyo's open participation in military ventures and crimes committed by the Ukrainian nationalist upper crust, with all ensuing long-term consequences. In this connection, we would like to warn Japan that any of its steps related to direct or indirect participation in supplying arms and military equipment to Ukraine, which arms and equipment will be used to kill Russian citizens or assist in training Ukrainian militants, will be regarded by us as unequivocally hostile. If implemented, these will inevitably entail our tough retaliation that will cause substantial damage to the Japanese interests in the most sensitive areas. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by Russian Defence Ministry 10.04.2025 (12:45) In violation of the Russian-American agreements to cease strikes at energy facilities for 30 days from 18 March this year, the Kiev regime continues its daily unilateral attacks against the Russian energy infrastructure. Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian Armed Forces have attacked Russian energy facilities 11 times. In the Lugansk People's Republic: On 9 April at 03:22, a Ukrainian UAV damaged wires and disabled a 500kV high-voltage line of Novodonbasskaya-Pobeda of the Donbass enterprise of main electric networks (Rosseti branch). The Stakhanov Ferroalloy Plant industrial enterprise was left without power. On 9 April at 10.48, as a result of an attack by a Ukrainian UAV against the Antratsit electrical substation of the Donbass enterprise of main electric networks (Rosseti branch), a 110kV high-voltage line was disabled. In the Donetsk People's Republic: On 9 April at 17:45, a Ukrainian UAV dropped munitions on a facility of the Rosseti branch in Gorlovka. In Zaporozhye region: On 9 April at 9:00, a UAV damaged overhead wires and disabled a high-voltage line of the Tavriya-Enegro state unitary enterprise. A small boiler-house was left without any power supplying. In Kherson region: On 9 April at 18:55, as a result of an attack by a Ukrainian UAV against the Bekhtery power substation (Khersonoblenergo's branch), transformers were damaged. About 5,000 household consumers were left without power in six settlements of Golopristansky District. In Kursk region: On 9 April, at 08:45, a fire attack of the AFU damaged overhead wires and disabled a 10kV high-voltage line of the Kurskenergo (Rosseti Centre's branch). More than 600 household consumers were left without power in Bolshesoldatsky District. In Bryansk region: On 9 April at 18:15, a Ukrainian UAV hit the Strachevo power plant of the Bryanskenergo (Rosseti Centre's branch), damaged a hull causing a shutdown of a complete transformer substation. On 9 April at 18:51, a Ukrainian UAV hit the Svetovo power plant of the Bryanskenergo (Rosseti Centre's branch), damaged a hull causing a shutdown of a complete transformer substation. Household consumers were cut off electricity in Sevsky District. In Belgorod region: On 9 April at 14:01, as a result of an attack by a Ukrainian UAV in Shebekino on Veselaya Street, a low-pressure distribution above-ground steel gas line of the Gazprom Gazoraspredelenie Belgorod JSC was damaged. On 10 April at 05.29, a Ukrainian UAV dropped munitions on the Grayvoron 110kV power substation of the Belgorodenergo (Rosseti Centre's branch). In Krasnodar region: On 9 April at 00:43, a Ukrainian UAV damaged a cable and disabled the 110k Varenikovskaya-Dzhiginskaya high-voltage line (Rosseti, Kuban). Department for Media Affairs and Information NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine's Costly Kursk Gamble Bleeds the West Sputnik News 20250410 Ukrainian forces have lost roughly 1,500 pieces of NATO equipment, valued at around $3 billion, during their campaign of aggression against the Kursk region, according to recent estimates by Sputnik. $2.4 billion - that's how much eight months of sustaining the incursion of Ukrainian forces and their mercenary hirelings into Russia's Kursk region have cost Ukraine and its Western sponsors. This was shown by Sputnik's calculations based on data from Russia's 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 Russia's 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. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia continues to dither, delay and destroy rather than engage seriously towards peace: UK statement to the OSCE Ambassador Holland calls out Russia's hollow words about peace while it continues to terrorise Ukraine's civilian population and infrastructure. 10 April 2025 Location: Vienna Delivered on: 10 April 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) Thank you, Madame Chair. It is now 29 days since Ukraine expressed its readiness to accept a full, unconditional and immediate 30-day ceasefire. If Russia reciprocated, we would be a huge step closer to ending this terrible war. They are yet to take this step. Instead of showing a commitment to peace, President Putin has chosen to dither, delay and destroy. We have heard desperate and false accusations about the legitimacy of Ukraine's democratically-elected President. This week the Kremlin said there remained questions "hanging in the air", including what they say is Ukraine's lack of control over those defending their homeland and its so-called militarisation. These accusations come from a government that has deployed North Korean troops to the front line and has just ordered the biggest conscription since the war began. They are absurd. While the Russian state delays a ceasefire, it continues to terrorise Ukraine's civilian population with indiscriminate aerial attacks. Earlier this week we met to condemn Russia's awful missile attack on Kryvyi Rih, which claimed the lives of 20 people, including nine children, on 4 April. This attack came only a day after a further five civilians were killed by Russian drone strikes in Kharkiv and was followed by further civilian casualties during aerial attacks over the weekend. Since Ukraine committed to pursue a full ceasefire, Russia's aerial attacks have increased. Russia claims to have been respecting an energy ceasefire since 18 March, but it continues to launch attacks which result in damage to energy infrastructure, including two in the last week which left 50,000 people without power. Even when it appeared that Russia had agreed to the proposed Black Sea ceasefire, it immediately backtracked, imposing new and unwarranted conditions. And yet Russia has the cheek to accuse Ukraine of not being serious about peace. Killing civilians and destroying civilian infrastructure is not the behaviour of a state genuinely willing to pursue meaningful peace talks. These attacks on the people of Ukraine, including its children and most vulnerable citizens, demonstrate the Russian Government's true intentions. Their words of peace are so far hollow. We urge the Russian government to commit to peace, end the barbaric attacks on Ukraine's civilians, and finally demonstrate the sincerity of its words. Thank you, Madame Chair. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK and France convene first Defence Ministers' Ukraine Coalition of the Willing meeting UK and France convene defence ministers' meeting in Brussels to progress planning to support a lasting peace in Ukraine 10 April 2025 Operational discussions to plan for a multinational reassurance force to support Ukraine in securing a lasting peace will progress today [April 10] with 30 defence ministers set to attend the latest Coalition of the Willing meeting. The Defence Secretary, John Healey, and his French counterpart, Minister Sebastien Lecornu, will host around 30 nations involved in planning for the Coalition of the Willing in Brussels later today. The meetings will focus on how the capabilities of each nation in the Coalition could be best used in supporting Ukraine's long-term defence and security. The Prime Minister and Defence Secretary have both been clear that a lasting peace in Ukraine will require credible security assurances to deter Russian aggression. The UK has been stepping up to lead international support to keep Ukraine in the fight now and put them in the strongest possible position to secure peace. Addressing the meeting, Defence Secretary John Healey MP is expected to say: A couple of weeks ago, I visited the UK's Permanent Joint Headquarters where military leaders from around 30 nations were developing options and progressing plans. I was struck by their sense of historic responsibility to secure the peace in Ukraine and to strengthen European security for all our nations. We cannot jeopardise the peace by forgetting about the war, so we must put even more pressure on Putin and step up our support for Ukraine - both in today's fight and the push for peace. Our commitment is to put Ukraine in the strongest position to protect Ukraine's sovereignty and deter future Russian aggression. The meeting today comes after the Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, travelled to Kyiv with French military chiefs last weekend to meet President Zelenskyy, Defence Minister Umerov, and Ukrainian military leaders to update and discuss planning. Tomorrow, the Defence Secretary and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius will chair the 27th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, bringing together around 50 nations to drive forward additional military support for Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian attacks. The UK convened and chaired the group in its latest format for the first time in February, with 46 nations in attendance, raising an extra 1.5 billion euros in military aid for Ukraine. These latest meetings come after the UK set the path to spending 2.5% of GDP on defence from 2027, and a boost to defence spending of 5 billion for this financial year, delivering on the government's Plan for Change. This work delivers on the Prime Minister's four-point plan to support Ukraine by ramping up delivery of weapons and equipment, boosting Ukraine's defensive capabilities in the long term, working with allies to develop robust security assurances, and keeping up pressure on Putin. The UK is fully committed to working with allies to step up support to ensure Ukraine is in the strongest possible position to secure peace and is stepping up support - providing 4.5 billion of military support this year - more than ever before. This support is vital to European security but is also supporting growth across the UK, with defence as an engine for growth. Last month, the Prime Minister announced a historic 1.6 billion deal to provide more than five thousand air defence missiles for Ukraine - creating 200 new jobs and supporting a further 700. Defence supports more than 434,000 skilled jobs in the UK. The UK has sent around 400 different capabilities to Ukraine, with a 150 million package including drones, tanks and air defence systems announced on 12 February 2025, a 225 million package including drones, boats and munitions announced on 19 December 2024, and 650 lightweight multirole missiles announced on 6 September 2024. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address A Just Peace Is Impossible Without the Return of Ukrainian Children Abducted by Russia - Dariia Zarivna President of Ukraine 10 April 2025 - 21:42 The issue of Ukrainian children illegally deported and displaced by Russia must remain in the focus of international attention. This was emphasized by Dariia Zarivna, Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and Chief Operating Officer of Bring Kids Back UA, during a meeting with media representatives. "For Ukraine, the return of deported children is an extremely important humanitarian priority. Children must not become a bargaining chip. Simply put, we cannot trade abducted children for territories or nuclear power plants," she said. Ukraine has consistently raised the issue of abducted children at the highest international level, including in its contacts with the United States. Thanks to the state's consistent position, this issue - together with the release of military and civilian prisoners - has been included in the official negotiation track. In particular, it was reflected in the joint statement following the meeting between the Ukrainian and U.S. delegations, as well as in the outcomes of expert-level talks between Ukraine and the United States in Saudi Arabia. Dariia Zarivna noted that one of the biggest challenges remains locating these Ukrainian children. To date, Ukraine has managed to bring home 1,269 children. This has been achieved through the mediation of third countries and close cooperation between the state and non-governmental organizations carrying out rescue missions. The Advisor to the Head of the Office of the President stressed that President Zelenskyy's Bring Kids Back UA initiative brings together the efforts of government bodies, civil society, and international partners. Dariia Zarivna also underlined President Zelenskyy's principled position on the necessity of reintegration and rehabilitation of children after their return - particularly psychological rehabilitation. "No child who has been brought back - even if they have lost their parents - ends up in an institutional facility. They immediately return to their relatives or are placed in family-based forms of care," she emphasized. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address What's Needed Now Is Tactics of Pressure on Russia to End the Terror and the War - Address by the President President of Ukraine 10 April 2025 - 20:21 Dear Ukrainians! Emergency response operations are currently underway in Dnipro at the site of a Russian missile strike. Preliminary reports indicate it was a ballistic missile. Unfortunately, one person was killed - my condolences to their family and loved ones. As of now, five others have been reported injured. All are receiving medical assistance. Earlier today, there was an air raid alert in Kyiv due to an attack drone. Many regions have reported Russian strikes and shelling. In particular, Nikopol was hit by five Russian FPV drones - a completely deliberate strike on the city, near a food market, targeting civilians. Twelve people were injured, including one child. There were also Russian attacks on Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv regions. Sumy region continues to suffer constant attacks by guided aerial bombs. And all of this is happening nearly a month after the United States proposed a full ceasefire. Russia is clearly ignoring diplomacy and using its contacts with the world solely to serve its own interests - not to end the war. What's needed now is tactics of pressure - pressure on Russia to end the terror and the war. I thank everyone around the world who is helping us in this effort. Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov is already in Brussels where a new Ramstein meeting will be held. Of course, our priority is air defense. And we already have some agreements with partners to bolster our air defense. We will continue working with every country, with every leader who can truly make a difference, so that the Russian state feels a higher cost for this war, a cost that keeps invariably growing for them. I have also instructed that our Ukrainian sanctions packages be prepared. There is relevant justification from our intelligence services. These are strong packages. They target, in particular, the shadow tanker fleet that Moscow uses to finance the war; war propagandists - those who are trying to undermine our defense and help Russia; and also certain officials - these are names well known to all Ukrainians - who used to have influence. The preparation of the relevant decrees is underway. Everything will be done step by step. We are also working to synchronize our sanctions packages with the decisions of partners - first and foremost in the European Union, as well as in other strong jurisdictions around the world. There was a report from the Security Service of Ukraine - from Vasyl Maliuk - on countering sabotage and enemy agents. I want to thank the Security Service of Ukraine for protecting our state. I also held a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Kuleba - we are preparing support for our communities, as agreed with them. Today, I was presented with specific data - which communities will receive assistance and the possible amount of funding. The Cabinet of Ministers will make the relevant decision shortly. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Zelenskyy Receives Letters of Credence from the Ambassadors of Portugal, the Republic of Korea, and Vietnam President of Ukraine 10 April 2025 - 18:06 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy received letters of credence from the newly appointed Ambassadors: of the Portuguese Republic - Luis Manuel Ribeiro Cabaco, of the Republic of Korea - Park Ki-chang, and of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam - Pham Hai. Volodymyr Zelenskyy congratulated the Ambassadors on the start of their diplomatic missions in Ukraine and noted that our country looks forward to developing cooperation with their respective states. The President also invited leading companies from these countries to take part in the fourth Ukraine Recovery Conference, which will be held on July 10-11 in Rome. During the conversation with the Ambassador of Vietnam, the parties discussed the resumption of the work of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation and increasing the supply of Ukrainian wheat to Vietnam. "I had meetings with the President and the Prime Minister of Vietnam. They were very productive. I hope that increasing the frequency of contacts between us will also have a positive impact on improving relations between our countries," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. A separate focus was placed on steps to achieve a just and enduring peace, as well as the need to exert pressure on Russia. In his conversation with the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, the President thanked for the financial and humanitarian assistance, in particular for providing demining equipment. The Head of State invited Korean companies to cooperate in the reconstruction of Ukraine. Park Ki-chang noted that Korean companies are very interested in developing business in Ukraine and cooperating with Ukrainian manufacturers. "I am very pleased that from the very beginning of Russia's war against Ukraine, we have managed to build such important, productive, and systemic relations between our countries. We expect to continue them and look forward to seeing the leader of your country in Ukraine in the future," Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted. The Head of State thanked the Ambassador of Portugal for his country's high level of support, particularly for providing temporary shelter to Ukrainians forced to leave their homes due to Russian aggression. "I would like to especially thank your people, because the most important thing is the relationship between people, between ordinary people. Thank you for the support and for the warm attitude of your people towards our people," the Head of State emphasized. 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Andriy Yermak Discusses Ukraine's Efforts to Achieve a Just Peace with the Advisor to the President of South Africa President of Ukraine 10 April 2025 - 17:55 Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak had a phone call with Sydney Mufamadi, National Security Advisor to the President of the Republic of South Africa. Andriy Yermak emphasized that Ukraine is committed to achieving a just and durable peace, as demonstrated by the outcomes of the meetings between Ukrainian and American teams in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, Russia continues to prolong the war and keeps attacking Ukrainian cities and villages. The Head of the Office of the President informed about the consequences of the recent missile strike on Kryvyi Rih, which claimed the lives of 20 Ukrainian civilians. "This demonstrates that Russia does not want this war to end. However, Ukraine maintains a constructive position. Together with our American partners, we share a common vision regarding a complete ceasefire, as well as a broad humanitarian track: the return of children, the release of prisoners of war, and civilian detainees," he added. The parties also discussed the situation on the frontline. Andriy Yermak informed about the capture of two Chinese nationals who had been fighting against Ukraine as part of Russian forces. He stressed that supporting the occupiers and fueling the war even further is absolutely unacceptable. Andriy Yermak and Sydney Mufamadi emphasized the importance of coordinating efforts in various spheres to strengthen cooperation between Ukraine and South Africa. They also agreed on the schedule of high-level contacts for the near future. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine and Australia Discuss Strengthening Cooperation President of Ukraine 10 April 2025 - 17:09 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. One of the key topics of the meeting was strengthening cooperation in the fields of defense and security against the backdrop of threats and challenges in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions. In particular, 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," Ihor Brusylo emphasized. The Deputy Head of the Office of the President thanked Australia for its financial and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, consistent sanctions policy against Russia, and readiness to join the coalition of the willing. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Expanding Bilateral Cooperation and Supporting Efforts to Secure a Just and Lasting Peace: Andriy Yermak Held a Conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda President of Ukraine 10 April 2025 - 09:04 Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak held a phone conversation with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Republic of Rwanda, Olivier Jean Patrick Nduhungirehe. Deputy Head of the Office of the President Ihor Brusylo also took part in the conversation. Andriy Yermak thanked Rwanda for its consistent support of Ukraine on the international stage since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, as well as for its understanding of the importance of providing Ukraine with reliable security guarantees. The Head of the Presidential Office briefed his interlocutor on the security situation in Ukraine and ongoing negotiations with the United States aimed at achieving a just and lasting peace. Ukraine agreed to the U.S. proposal for a ceasefire, but Russia refused to support these steps toward peace. As evidence of this, Andriy Yermak pointed to the tragedy in Kryvyi Rih, where the Russian Federation's missile strike on a residential neighborhood claimed the lives of 20 civilians, nearly half of them children. During the conversation, the parties also addressed the expansion of bilateral relations between Ukraine and Rwanda, in particular, the strengthening of political dialogue and the development of economic cooperation in the IT, agricultural, industrial, and energy sectors. In addition, they discussed Ukraine's Grain from Ukraine humanitarian initiative. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address CHICAGO, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The 55+ housing market continues to shift, with home prices climbing in unexpected regions while traditionally popular retirement hotspots cool down. According to a new analysis by 55places.com , the leading resource for active adult communities, price trends in the 55+ sector reveal a changing landscape for homebuyers and sellers alike. Key Insights from the 55places.com Analysis: Prices Climbing in the Northeast: The Philadelphia metro area saw an 11.3% increase in average closing prices, while Western Connecticut rose 19.1%, signaling high demand in traditionally overlooked regions. Southern Californias Market Heats Up: San Diego and Los Angeles 55+ communities experienced closing price increases of 15.8% and 10.6%, respectively, driven by limited inventory and high demand. Floridas Market Cools Off: Central Florida, Southeast Florida, and the Central Gulf Coast all saw significant price declines, with closing prices down as much as 11.5%. Rising insurance costs and oversupply have shifted these areas into buyers markets. Texas and Arizona Experience Price Drops: The Austin and Dallas metro areas, along with Tucson, saw home values decline, reflecting an increase in available listings and slowing demand. What This Means for 55+ Homebuyers and Sellers "Active adults navigating todays real estate market need to be aware of shifting trends," says Bill Ness, CEO and Founder of 55places.com. "Hot markets in Southern California and the Northeast are creating competitive environments for buyers, while Florida and Texas are presenting more opportunities for those looking to secure a better deal." How to Leverage These Market Trends: Buying in a Hot Market: With fewer listings and rising prices in places like Philadelphia and Knoxville, buyers should act quickly, get mortgage pre-approvals, and be prepared to negotiate strategically. Buying in a Cooling Market: Areas like Central Florida and Dallas offer more options, and buyers may have leverage to negotiate lower prices and request seller concessions. Selling in High-Demand Regions: Homeowners in markets like San Diego or Western Connecticut may benefit from the current demand, making it an optimal time to list their homes. Methodology 55places.com analyzed data from over 70 Multiple Listing Services (MLSs) covering home sales from 2024 to 2025 across more than 2,500 active adult communities. The study focused on both age-restricted and age-targeted communities designed for 55+ residents. Metrics such as inventory levels, closing activity, and price trends were aggregated to provide a comprehensive market overview. The analysis excludes private sales and new construction homes sold directly by builders. About 55places.com 55places.com is the premier resource for active adult communities, offering in-depth market analysis, expert real estate services, and a comprehensive database of age-restricted and age-targeted communities across the U.S. For additional information, interviews, or media inquiries, please contact: New York City, April 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- I. Introduction: The Rising Threat of RFID Theft In an increasingly cashless world, convenience comes at a cost. With the widespread use of RFID-enabled credit and debit cards, a new threat has emergeddigital pickpocketing. Without any physical contact, a criminal armed with a concealed RFID scanner can skim your card details in seconds. The alarming part? You might not even realize it until suspicious charges appear on your statement. CardArmor RFID Blocking Card is one of the most innovative and effective solutions designed to counter this threat. Offering passive RFID and NFC protection, this card fits seamlessly into any wallet while silently shielding sensitive financial information from unauthorized scanning. This long-form review will examine the growing problem of RFID skimming, how CardArmor compares to other RFID protection products, and why it may be one of the best RFID protection cards for travelers, commuters, and anyone looking to secure their digital identity. II. What is CardArmor? Product Overview CardArmor, a credit card-sized device, operates as a passive RFID signal blocker. It's a hassle-free solution that doesn't require batteries, apps, or ongoing maintenance. Using advanced electromagnetic shielding, it blocks unauthorized RFID and NFC scanning attempts. Unlike traditional RFID wallets and protective sleeves, CardArmor is designed for maximum convenience, providing strong contactless protection in a minimalist format that is both durable and discreet, ensuring your peace of mind and comfort. The CardArmor RFID Blocking Card is constructed using multi-layer composite materials that interfere with electromagnetic fields. This design prevents data exchange between your RFID-enabled cards and rogue scanning devices. Its passive technology works instantly when placed next to or between your contactless payment cards. Recommended for business professionals, frequent travelers, urban commuters, students with campus access cards, and individuals concerned about contactless security threats, the card is compatible with standard credit and debit cards, access cards, transit passes, and any form of identification using the 13.56 MHz frequency. III. Understanding RFID Skimming and NFC Threats RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology is embedded in millions of payment cards and identity documents. It allows for wireless transmission of information during contactless transactions. Unfortunately, this convenience has introduced a significant security loophole. RFID skimming is the practice of using portable scanning devices to capture information from RFID-enabled cards without consent. These readers can operate from several inches away and may be concealed in bags or even smartphones, enabling thieves to steal your credit card data without any physical interaction. NFC (Near Field Communication) is a subset of RFID used in tap-to-pay systems. While more secure than basic RFID chips, NFC can still be vulnerable to man-in-the-middle attacks or eavesdropping in high-density environments. Typical scenarios where RFID theft can occur include riding public transportation during rush hour, passing through security checkpoints in airports, waiting in line at retail stores or cafes, and attending concerts or crowded events. Unlike traditional pickpocketing, RFID skimming leaves no trace, making it difficult to detect and prevent without physical security measures in place. Explore CardArmors RFID protection solutions on the official product page. IV. How the CardArmor RFID Blocking Card Works The CardArmor card operates on passive signal disruption technology. It uses embedded materials to create an electromagnetic barrier that absorbs and scrambles the signals from RFID readers, effectively shielding any contactless cards placed near it. When a reader attempts to scan your card, CardArmor absorbs the radio waves, rendering the data unreadable. The product is engineered to protect a radius of approximately 2.5 centimeters on each side, which is sufficient for a bifold or trifold wallet setup. Unlike battery-operated active RFID blockers, CardArmor works continuously without power. Its functionality is based on signal jamming, radio frequency absorption, and a precision shielding design tested for 13.56 MHz. It does not block magnetic stripe cards or EMV chip transactions that require insertion, nor does it affect devices operating on frequencies outside the RFID/NFC spectrum. However, it effectively prevents unauthorized scans of contactless credit cards, government-issued IDs, and NFC-enabled access cards, making it one of the best RFID blockers for everyday use. V. Benefits of Using CardArmor Over Other RFID Solutions Many consumers turn to RFID wallets, sleeves, or do-it-yourself methods to avoid digital theft. While these can offer partial protection, they come with limitations such as bulkiness, fragility, or inconsistent coverage. CardArmor, on the other hand, provides a range of benefits that make it a superior choice. CardArmor stands out due to several notable benefits. It requires no batteries or charging and functions completely passively, offering maintenance-free protection. The card is universally compatible and fits seamlessly into any wallet, cardholder, or money clip. Its slim, credit card-sized profile adds no bulk, and its durable construction resists bending and wear, ensuring long-term protection and your confidence in its reliability. Unlike RFID sleeves that tear easily or wallets that limit personal style choices, CardArmor provides a discreet and professional solution. It is engineered for both performance and convenience, which positions it as a leading RFID security option in today's market. VI. CardArmor Compared to Other RFID Protection Methods When compared to other RFID protection products such as wallets, sleeves, and even homemade solutions like aluminum foil wraps, CardArmor stands out with its unique features. It offers a more comprehensive balance of portability, style, and shielding effectiveness. Its slim, credit card-sized profile, universal compatibility, and durable construction make it a superior choice in the market. RFID wallets are often bulky and expensive, limiting personalization options. Sleeves are more affordable but wear out quickly and require individual card management, which can be frustrating. DIY options are generally unreliable and aesthetically unappealing. CardArmor simplifies the protection process. With just one card placed centrally in your wallet, you can protect multiple contactless cards without any additional effort. Its passive design ensures it begins working the moment it is in proximity to your cards, making it the most convenient and cost-effective choice for all users. The Best RFID Blocking Card Is the One You Dont Notice Until It Saves You. VII. Pros and Cons of CardArmor RFID Blocking Card When considering RFID protection solutions, it's crucial to weigh the advantages and potential limitations of the CardArmor RFID Blocking Card to determine its suitability for different users. Here's a balanced overview of its pros and cons. Pros: Passive RFID protection that works without any batteries or maintenance. Universal compatibility with all standard wallet formats and RFID card types. Blocks 13.56 MHz RFID/NFC signals, which are commonly used in credit cards, transit cards, and passports. Lightweight and discreet, it is ideal for everyday use and business environments. Durable and long-lasting design, tested to maintain functionality for over five years. Cost-effective alternative to RFID wallets and other high-maintenance solutions. Ideal for travelers, professionals, students, and seniors seeking portable contactless protection. Cons: Does not protect magnetic stripe or EMV chip transactions, which require direct contact. A limited range of protection (approx. 2.5 cm radius) may require correct wallet placement. Only protects RFID/NFC frequency (13.56 MHz), not low-frequency RFID used in some building access cards. One card per wallet may be insufficient in thicker multi-pocket setups, requiring additional cards for full coverage. VIII. Travel and Business Use: Who Needs RFID Protection Most? While anyone can benefit from RFID shielding, specific groups face higher exposure to data theft risks. Frequent travelers are particularly vulnerable as they spend more time in airports, train stations, and hotelsenvironments where scanners can be discreetly deployed. Urban professionals commuting on packed subways or buses are also at increased risk. Students often carry campus ID cards embedded with RFID chips, making them targets for identity data theft. Likewise, international tourists visiting popular landmarks can unknowingly expose themselves to wireless skimming devices. CardArmor is especially recommended for people who carry multiple RFID-enabled items. It serves as a universal contactless card protector that ensures your financial and identification data remains secure. IX. Frequently Asked Questions (Brief) How does CardArmor work? It passively blocks RFID/NFC signals by disrupting the 13.56 MHz frequency through embedded electromagnetic shielding. Will it interfere with phones or Wi-Fi? No, it only targets RFID/NFC frequencies. Can it be used with metal wallets? Yes, with proper placement, it remains effective. How long does it last? At least five years under regular use. Is one card enough? For most standard wallets, yes; for thicker wallets, consider two. X. Buying Guide: Where to Get CardArmor and What to Look For To ensure authenticity and performance, purchase CardArmor only through the official website. Be cautious of imitation products claiming RFID protection without offering legitimate electromagnetic shielding. Key features to look for include compatibility with 13.56 MHz cards, ISO-standard dimensions, product authentication codes, and a warranty or satisfaction guarantee. Some vendors offer bundles or discounts for purchasing multiple units, which is ideal for families or corporate teams. CardArmor is designed to be universally compatible with standard wallets, passport holders, and card organizers, making it a flexible option for both personal and professional use. CardArmor RFID Blocking Card Pricing and Money-Back Guarantee The CardArmor RFID Blocking Card is available at competitive pricing, making it an affordable option for anyone looking to enhance their data security. Here are the current pricing options: 3x CardArmor : $14.98 each (Save 55% OFF from $33.30) : $14.98 each (Save 55% OFF from $33.30) 6x CardArmor : $14.98 each (Save 55% OFF from $33.30) : $14.98 each (Save 55% OFF from $33.30) 9x CardArmor : $13.32 each (Save 60% OFF from $33.30) : $13.32 each (Save 60% OFF from $33.30) 12x CardArmor: $11.65 each (Save 65% OFF from $33.30) These bundle deals provide significant savings compared to purchasing single cards, making it easy to equip yourself and your loved ones with adequate protection against data theft. Additionally, CardArmor offers fast shipping, ensuring that you receive your order promptly. To further instill confidence in your purchase, the company provides a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you are not entirely satisfied with your CardArmor RFID Blocking Card, you can easily return it for a full refund within 30 days of purchase. This commitment to customer satisfaction ensures that you can buy with peace of mind, knowing that your investment is protected. Customer Support: Email: help@spark-tek.co help@spark-tek.co Phone: +14242504182 Returns and Refunds Policy At Spark-Tek/CardArmor, customer satisfaction is a top priority. That's why the team offers a straightforward and transparent returns and refunds policy designed to make the return process as simple as possible. Return Eligibility Customers may initiate a return within 30 days of the original delivery date. After this period, returns will no longer be accepted. Spark-Tek cannot issue refunds or replacements for products reported as missing, incorrect, or damaged beyond the 30-day window from the date of receipt. How to Start a Return To begin the return process, email the Spark-Tek customer support team at help@spark-tek.co. In your message, clearly state whether you are requesting a replacement or a refund. Condition of Returned Items To qualify for a return, the product must be unused, unmodified, and in its original condition. All packaging, labels, and accessories must be included, and the item must be packed in a secure, protective shipping container. For hygiene and safety reasons, some personal care and health-related products are not returnable if opened or used. Return Facility Information Returns must be shipped to the designated return facility provided by Spark-Tek's customer service team. Items sent to an unauthorized address will be declined. Customers must confirm the correct return location before shipping the item back. Providing Return Tracking Information Customer service must be provided with a valid tracking number showing delivery to the correct return address. This step is required to process any refund or replacement request. Refund Processing Timeline Once the returned item is received and inspected, Spark-Tek will issue a refund for the original purchase price, excluding shipping and handling fees. Refunds are typically processed within 30 days of receiving the returned item at the return center. Shipping Fees and Responsibilities Customers are responsible for return shipping costs and must arrange shipment through a secure, trackable serviceespecially for high-value items. Under this policy, shipping fees are non-refundable. Refund Method and Currency Approved refunds will be issued back to the original payment method in the same currency used during checkout. The processing time for the refund to appear in your account will depend on the issuing bank or payment provider. Any differences in refund value due to currency exchange fluctuations are not eligible for reimbursement. Undelivered Orders and Address Accuracy Orders returned due to incomplete or inaccurate shipping information are not eligible for a refund. Spark-Tek will only offer a refund or resend the package if the shipping carrier deems the order undeliverable and the address provided is accurate. If a package shows as delivered but the customer does not receive it, the customer must contact the shipping carrier directly to file a claim or investigate the delivery. Customer Support: Email: help@spark-tek.co help@spark-tek.co Phone: +14242504182 XI. Expert Opinions and Security Recommendations Security professionals and digital privacy advocates increasingly recommend RFID protection as part of a comprehensive identity theft prevention strategy. According to cybersecurity consultants, passive RFID blockers like CardArmor provide a simple yet effective defense against data theft, especially in environments where contactless payment is the norm. They are low-cost, maintenance-free, and highly effective in shielding sensitive information. Financial institutions have begun incorporating RFID protection into their travel safety recommendations. Law enforcement agencies also warn about the growing trend of electronic skimming, urging consumers to adopt practical defenses such as RFID-blocking cards. XII. Final Verdict: Is CardArmor Worth It? Considering the rise of RFID skimming and the growing use of contactless cards, having an RFID protection card is no longer optional for privacy-conscious consumers. CardArmor stands out among competitors due to its durability, universal compatibility, and low-maintenance design. It is particularly valuable for frequent travelers, professionals working in busy environments, students, and seniors looking for a hassle-free security layer. Its passive operation and long lifespan provide continued protection without requiring any user interaction. For anyone serious about preventing wireless data theft, CardArmor is one of the best RFID-blocking cards available today. Its sleek design, reliable construction, and consistently high customer satisfaction make it a top-tier choice for both everyday use and global travel. XIII. Complete Frequently Asked Questions (Expanded) What is RFID, and why should I be concerned about it? RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It is used in contactless credit cards, ID cards, passports, and other smartcards to transmit data wirelessly. While convenient, it also poses risksthieves with hidden RFID readers can skim your information without your knowledge. What makes CardArmor different from RFID wallets or sleeves? CardArmor is a standalone, credit-card-sized shield that provides passive protection without needing to change your wallet or place every card in a separate sleeve. It is more convenient, discreet, and durable than paper sleeves and less bulky than an RFID wallet. How do I use the CardArmor RFID Blocking Card correctly? Place the CardArmor card in your wallet near your contactless credit or debit cards. Ideally, it should be placed in the center of the wallet to maximize its protective field radius. One card protects the front and back of most standard bi-fold wallets. What frequency does CardArmor block? CardArmor blocks RFID and NFC signals operating on the 13.56 MHz frequency, which includes most modern contactless credit cards, access cards, and passports. Does CardArmor block all types of cards? No. It does not block magnetic stripe cards or chip cards that must be inserted into a reader. It also does not block low-frequency RFID (e.g., 125 kHz), which is used in some older security badges and access systems. Can CardArmor be used internationally? Yes. RFID technology and threats are global, and CardArmor offers protection for cards used in countries all over the world. Does the CardArmor card need to be replaced regularly? No. Thanks to its high-quality materials and passive technology, CardArmor is built to last at least five years under regular use. Will the CardArmor card damage or demagnetize my credit cards? No. It does not emit any electromagnetic pulse and poses no risk to magnetic stripes or embedded chips. Can I use more than one CardArmor card for extra protection? Yes. You can place additional cards in other parts of your wallet or share them with family members. Some people use multiple cards to protect thick wallets or organizers with many compartments. Where can I buy CardArmor? The safest way to purchase a genuine CardArmor RFID Blocking Card is via the official website or authorized online retailers. This ensures you get a certified product with full warranty support. What should I avoid when shopping for RFID protection cards? Avoid generic, unbranded cards that do not specify frequency protection or provide verifiable reviews. Many imitation products do not block RFID at all and could offer a false sense of security. Trusted RFID Protection Starts Here. Customer Support: Email: help@spark-tek.co help@spark-tek.co Phone: +14242504182 Disclaimer The content provided in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of publication, Spark-Tek, the publisher, and any associated authors or contributors make no guarantees regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any details mentioned. Product specifications, features, availability, or pricing may change without notice, and readers are encouraged to consult official sources or the product manufacturer directly before making any purchase decisions. This content is not intended to serve as a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any decisions made based on the information in this article are done so at the reader's own risk. Neither the publisher nor the author(s) shall be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from the use or misuse of the information presented, including but not limited to losses related to typographical errors, outdated data, or third-party product changes. Product performance, customer experiences, and outcomes may vary from person to person. Testimonials and reviews are individual opinions and do not claim typical results. Affiliate Disclosure This article may contain affiliate links. If you choose to purchase a product through one of these links, we may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the continued production of high-quality content and does not influence our editorial standards or recommendations. We only promote products or services that we have reviewed or believe may be of genuine interest and value to our readers. However, readers are encouraged to do their research before making a purchasing decision. The publisher, author(s), and any affiliate partners assume no responsibility for issues arising from third-party products, including, but not limited to, shipping delays, customer service disputes, billing concerns, or dissatisfaction with performance. Typographical and Information Accuracy Disclaimer Despite our best efforts to maintain accurate, timely, and up-to-date content, occasional typographical errors or inaccuracies may appear. Spark-Tek and the publishing team reserve the right to correct any errors or omissions and to update information at any time without prior notice. Readers should not rely solely on this article for critical decisions and are encouraged to verify all product-related details, including warranty terms, refund policies, and technical specifications, directly with the manufacturer or retailer. Publication annual report 2024, convening notice for the General Meeting and proposal new directors Regulated information 11 April 2025, 8 am CET Kinepolis Group NV presents its integrated annual report 2024, with a comprehensive overview of the Group's strategic, financial, operational and ESG performance for the year 2024. The report is available in English and Dutch and can be accessed via this link. Kinepolis' annual report 2024 is the first report prepared in accordance with the guidelines of the EU's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). It contains information on policies, actions and performance indicators regarding Kinepolis' sustainability priorities, based on an analysis of current and potential impacts, risks and opportunities. With a clear vision of the future of cinema, Kinepolis is committed to creating value for all its stakeholders. We invite you to look beyond the screen and discover how Kinepolis is shaping a sustainable future, driven by its mission to enrich people's lives through the power of movies. Convening notice for the General Meeting The Ordinary General Meeting of Kinepolis Group NV will be held on Wednesday, 14 May 2025 at 10 am, at the Group's registered office (Eeuwfeestlaan 20, 1020 Brussels). Link to the reports, convening notice, proxy and other documents. Link to the ABN-AMRO platform to participate in the meeting. Proposal to appoint new directors At the Ordinary General Meeting on 14 May 2025, the Board of Directors of Kinepolis Group NV will propose to nominate Mr Mark Pensaert, as permanent representative of MRP Consulting BV, and Ms Anouk Lagae, as permanent representative of Alchemy Partners BV, as independent directors, for a term running until the General Meeting in 2027. Mr Pensaert has extensive experience in the investment banking sector. He was Chief Executive Officer at Leonardo & Co. NV, Chairman of the Investment Banking Division at Alantra Partners SA, and managing director at Lazard BV. In addition, he was CFO at Interbuild NV, Rombouts NV and Carestel Group NV. Mr Pensaert is currently also a member of the Supervisory Board of Rabobank NV, as well as non-executive board member and chairman of the Audit Committee of Agfa Gevaert NV and President of the Supervisory Board of De Lage Landen International BV. Ms Lagae has extensive experience in the consumer goods sector following various management positions at The Coca-Cola Company and the role of Chief Marketing Officer and then Business Unit President Europe at Duvel Moortgat Group. Ms Lagae also gained experience in the HR services sector as Chief Executive Officer at Accent Jobs. Ms Lagae is co-founder of Muchin United, a lifestyle medicine company and is also currently an independent director and member of the Remuneration Committee at Deceuninck NV. The expertise and experience of Mr Mark Pensaert and Ms Anouk Lagae will add value within the Board of Directors of Kinepolis Group. The mandates of Ms Marion Debruyne, permanent representative of Marion Debruyne BV, and Mr Ignace Van Doorselaere, permanent representative of 4F BV, will expire after the General Meeting of 14 May 2025. The Board of Directors wants to thank Ms Marion Debruyne and Mr Ignace Van Doorselaere for their highly appreciated and valuable contribution during the past years in the Board of Directors. Finally, Kinepolis announces the demerger of Lupus AM BV, with Mr Jo De Wolf as permanent representative, independent director, as a result of which, since 30 July 2024, Lupus Asset Management BV, with Mr Jo De Wolf as permanent representative, has taken over the mandate of independent director of Lupus AM BV. Contact Kinepolis Press Office Kinepolis Investor Relations +32 (0)9 241 00 16 +32 (0)9 241 00 22 pressoffice@kinepolis.com investor-relations@kinepolis.com About Kinepolis Kinepolis Group NV was formed in 1997 as a result of the merger of two family-run cinema groups and was listed on the stock exchange in 1998. Kinepolis offers an innovative cinema concept which serves as a pioneering model within the industry. In addition to its cinema business, the Group is also active in film distribution, event organization, screen publicity and property management. In Europe, Kinepolis Group NV has 64 cinemas spread across Belgium, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Luxembourg, Switzerland and Poland. Since the acquisition of Canadian movie theatre group Landmark Cinemas and American movie theatre group MJR Theatres, Kinepolis also operates 36 cinemas in Canada and 10 in the US. In total, Kinepolis Group currently operates 110 cinemas worldwide, with a total of 1 144 screens and more than 200 000 seats. Kinepolis employees are all committed to giving millions of visitors an unforgettable movie experience. More information on www.kinepolis.com/corporate. Trondheim, 11 April 2025: The Annual General Meeting of NORBIT ASA will be held on Tuesday 6 May 2025 at 4:00 pm CET as a physical meeting at Stiklestadveien 1, Trondheim. Shareholders who are not able to attend the meeting are encouraged to vote in advance or submit a proxy form prior to the meeting. Attached please find the following documents: The notice of the general meeting, including the proposed resolutions and attendance and proxy forms The proposals from the nomination committee for the general meeting The board of directors report on salary and other remuneration for leading personnel for 2024 All documents to be processed in the meeting, including access to electronic registration and proxy, will be made available at the companys website www.norbit.com. To access the electronic system for notification of attendance, reference number and PIN code must be stated. For more information, please contact: Per Jrgen Weisethaunet, CEO, +47 959 62 915 Per Kristian Reppe, CFO, +47 900 33 203 About NORBIT ASA NORBIT is a global provider of tailored technology to selected applications, solving challenges and promoting sustainability through innovative solutions, in line with its mission to Explore More. The company is structured in three business segments to address its key markets: Oceans, Connectivity and Product Innovation & Realization. The Oceans segment delivers tailored technology solutions to global maritime markets. The Connectivity segment provides wireless solutions for identification, monitoring and tracking. The Product Innovation & Realization segment offers R&D services, proprietary products, and contract manufacturing to key customers. NORBIT is headquartered in Trondheim with manufacturing in Europe and North America, has around 600 employees, and a worldwide sales and distribution platform. For more information: www.norbit.com This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act. Attachments Dublin, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Off-Grid Power Source and Charging System for Construction Equipment Market - A Global and Regional Analysis: Focus on Application, Product, and Country Level Analysis - Analysis and Forecast, 2025-2035" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Off-Grid Power Source and Charging System for Construction Equipment Market is witnessing strong growth, driven by the increasing adoption of renewable energy sources, advancements in battery storage systems, and the push for sustainable construction operations. The construction industry is shifting away from traditional diesel-based power sources to hybrid and renewable energy solutions for off-grid sites, aiming to reduce emissions, enhance operational efficiency, and lower costs. In 2024, the market is focused on portable and mobile charging systems, fast-charging technologies, and hybrid diesel-battery power solutions. Governments and construction firms are investing in clean energy solutions, integrating solar, wind, and hydro power systems into off-grid construction sites. The adoption of smart grid and microgrid technologies, along with IoT-enabled monitoring systems, is also improving energy efficiency and power distribution. By 2035, the market is expected to be dominated by renewable-powered construction equipment, with lithium-ion and next-generation battery storage solutions replacing conventional diesel generators. The expansion of fast-charging infrastructure and inductive wireless charging will further drive electrification in construction machinery. Hybrid power systems combining diesel generators with renewable sources will remain relevant, particularly for remote locations and high-power applications. Regional Analysis North America is expected to lead the off-grid power source and charging system market for construction equipment, driven by strict emission regulations, large-scale infrastructure projects, and rapid electrification efforts in the construction industry. The U.S. government's focus on reducing diesel dependency and promoting green energy adoption is a key driver for this transition. Additionally, smart microgrid deployments and federal incentives for renewable energy are encouraging construction companies to adopt solar and wind-powered charging systems. Europe follows closely, benefiting from strong regulatory frameworks for sustainability, carbon neutrality goals, and significant investments in renewable energy infrastructure. Countries like Germany, France, and the U.K. are promoting battery-electric construction equipment and integrating renewable power sources into off-grid construction projects. Asia-Pacific is witnessing rising demand for off-grid power solutions due to the growth of construction activities in China, India, and Japan. Governments in the region are pushing for renewable energy adoption, but the dependence on diesel-powered construction equipment remains a challenge. Hybrid power systems and energy storage technologies are expected to bridge the gap as the region transitions toward cleaner energy solutions. Key Market Trends Development of Mobile and Portable Charging Systems With construction sites often located in remote and off-grid areas, the need for portable, mobile, and modular charging solutions is rising. Containerized battery storage units, mobile solar generators, and truck-mounted fast chargers are being deployed to support electric and hybrid construction equipment. These solutions provide flexibility, reliability, and sustainability, making off-grid power generation more efficient and cost-effective. Key Market Drivers Growing Adoption of Renewable Energy Sources Governments and construction companies are prioritizing clean energy integration to meet carbon reduction targets and minimize fossil fuel dependency. Solar, wind, and hybrid energy solutions are increasingly used to power construction equipment, reducing both operational costs and environmental impact. Incentives and subsidies for green energy projects are further driving renewable energy investments in construction sites. Key Market Restraints High Initial Investment in Off-Grid Charging Infrastructure The transition from diesel-based power systems to renewable energy-based solutions involves high capital investment in charging infrastructure, energy storage, and grid integration. Companies face challenges in retrofitting existing construction equipment for electric and hybrid power systems, as well as building charging stations in remote locations. The long ROI (Return on Investment) periods pose financial challenges, particularly for small and mid-sized contractors. Market Opportunities Advancement in Fast-Charging Technologies The development of fast-charging and ultra-fast-charging technologies is revolutionizing off-grid power systems for construction equipment. High-power DC fast chargers, battery swapping stations, and grid-independent rapid charging solutions are improving operational efficiency and uptime for electric construction machines. As battery technologies evolve, charging times will decrease, and system efficiencies will increase, accelerating the adoption of electric and hybrid off-grid power solutions. Some prominent names established in this market are: Caterpillar Atlas Copco Schneider Electric ABB Siemens EnerSys Cummins Inc. Kohler Energy Aggreko J C Bamford Excavators Ltd. (JCB) SunWize HIMOINSA Rolls-Royce plc Wartsila General Electric Company Key Topics Covered: 1. Markets: Industry Outlook 1.1 Trends: Current and Future Impact Assessment 1.2 Supply Chain Overview 1.3 Pricing Analysis 1.4 Patent Analysis 1.5 Regulatory Landscape 1.6 Technological Advancements and Innovations 1.6.1 Advances in Renewable Energy Integration for Off-Grid Construction Sites 1.6.2 Technological Innovations in Energy Storage Systems (ESS) 1.6.3 Smart Grid and Microgrid Technologies for Off-Grid Construction Power 1.6.4 Hybrid Power Systems: Integration of Diesel Generators with Renewables 1.6.5 IoT and Telematics for Monitoring Off-Grid Power Systems 1.6.6 Advances in Mobile Power Solutions for Remote Construction Sites 1.7 Environmental Impact of Off-Grid Power Systems 1.8 Impact Analysis of Key Global Events 1.9 Market Dynamics Overview 2. Off-Grid Power Source and Charging System for Construction Equipment Market (by Application) 2.1 Application Segment Summary 2.2 Off-Grid Power Source and Charging System for Construction Equipment Market (by Application) 2.2.1 Earthmoving Equipment 2.2.2 Lifting and Material Handling Equipment 2.2.3 Road Construction Machinery 2.2.4 Specialized Construction Equipment 2.2.5 Others 3. Off-Grid Power Source and Charging System for Construction Equipment Market (by Products) 3.1 Product Segment Summary 3.2 Off-Grid Power Source and Charging System for Construction Equipment Market (by Power Source) 3.2.1 Renewable Power Sources 3.2.2 Conventional Power Sources 3.2.3 Energy Storage Systems (ESS) 3.2.4 Other Power Sources 3.3 Off-Grid Power Source and Charging System for Construction Equipment Market (by System Capacity) 3.3.1 Small-Scale Systems (Up to 10 kW) 3.3.2 Medium-Scale Systems (10 kW - 100 kW) 3.3.3 Large-Scale Systems (Above 100 kW) 3.4 Off-Grid Power Source and Charging System for Construction Equipment Market (by Charging Technology) 3.4.1 Plug-in Charging Systems 3.4.2 Wireless/Inductive Charging Systems 3.4.3 Battery Swapping Systems 3.4.4 Others 4. Off-Grid Power Source and Charging System for Construction Equipment Market, by Region 5. Markets - Competitive Benchmarking & Company Profiles 5.1 Next Frontiers 5.2 Geographic Assessment 5.3 Company Profiles (Including Construction Equipment and Off-Grid Power System Manufacturers) Caterpillar Atlas Copco Schneider Electric ABB Siemens EnerSys Cummins Inc. Kohler Energy Aggreko J C Bamford Excavators Ltd. SunWize HIMOINSA Rolls-Royce plc Wartsila General Electric Company For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/y5wbyt 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 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "KSA Storage Systems Market Outlook to 2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. KSA's Storage Systems Market, valued at USD 419.2 Million in 2023, reflects the growing demand and investment in data storage solutions within Saudi Arabia. This market encompasses various storage technologies, including traditional storage, all-flash storage, and hybrid systems, driven by rapid digital transformation and increasing data generation across sectors. The key cities driving the storage systems market in Saudi Arabia are Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, as they are the country's primary commercial and industrial hubs. Riyadh, the capital, leads in warehousing due to its central location and growing infrastructure projects. Jeddah, with its strategic port, is a key player in logistics, contributing to the demand for advanced storage solutions. In 2023, the Saudi government allocated SAR 8 billion to enhance logistics infrastructure, including storage facilities, as part of the NIDLP. This investment is aimed at developing efficient logistics systems that require advanced storage solutions to support various industries. KSA Storage Systems Market Segmentation The KSA Storage Systems Market is segmented by various factors like product type, end-user, region, etc. By Product Type : The KSA Storage Systems Market is segmented by product type into Racking Systems, Shelving Systems, Pallets, Storage Bins and Containers, and Mezzanine Floors. Among these, Racking Systems hold the largest market share. Their dominance is attributed to their versatility and efficiency in maximizing storage space, which is essential for warehouses and distribution centers. : The KSA Storage Systems Market is segmented by product type into Racking Systems, Shelving Systems, Pallets, Storage Bins and Containers, and Mezzanine Floors. Among these, Racking Systems hold the largest market share. Their dominance is attributed to their versatility and efficiency in maximizing storage space, which is essential for warehouses and distribution centers. By End-User : The KSA Storage Systems Market is segmented by End-User into Warehouses, Cold Storage, Supermarkets & Hypermarkets, and Ports and Terminals. Warehouses are the predominant end-users in this market. The surge in e-commerce and retail activities has led to increased demand for warehousing solutions to manage inventory effectively. : The KSA Storage Systems Market is segmented by End-User into Warehouses, Cold Storage, Supermarkets & Hypermarkets, and Ports and Terminals. Warehouses are the predominant end-users in this market. The surge in e-commerce and retail activities has led to increased demand for warehousing solutions to manage inventory effectively. By Region: The KSA Storage Systems Market is segmented by region into Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Makkah, and Madinah. Riyadh leads the market due to its status as the capital and economic hub, attracting significant investments in infrastructure and industrial projects. The city's strategic location and well-developed transportation networks make it a focal point for warehousing and distribution activities. KSA Storage Systems Market Competitive Landscape The rise of green warehousing solutions and the integration of smart technologies like IoT and automation are pivotal trends shaping the sector. Additionally, government initiatives aimed at boosting local food production and reducing import reliance are driving investments, particularly in the food and beverages segment, which remains the largest end-user category in the market. KSA Storage Systems Industry Analysis Market Growth Drivers E-commerce Boom : The surge in internet connectivity and smartphone usage has enhanced online shopping accessibility. As of 2023, it is estimated that over 90%of the population has internet access, with increased smartphone penetration. This widespread access facilitates a growing number of consumers engaging in online shopping activities. : The surge in internet connectivity and smartphone usage has enhanced online shopping accessibility. As of 2023, it is estimated that over 90%of the population has internet access, with increased smartphone penetration. This widespread access facilitates a growing number of consumers engaging in online shopping activities. Enhanced Logistics and Fulfillment Capabilities : To support this rapid growth in e-commerce, companies are investing heavily in logistics and fulfillment infrastructure. Notable developments include the establishment of large customer fulfillment centers, such as Noons45,000 m facility in Riyadh, designed to streamline operations and improve delivery times across the Kingdom. : To support this rapid growth in e-commerce, companies are investing heavily in logistics and fulfillment infrastructure. Notable developments include the establishment of large customer fulfillment centers, such as Noons45,000 m facility in Riyadh, designed to streamline operations and improve delivery times across the Kingdom. Food and Beverage Sector Growth: The food and beverage segment remains the largest end-user of storage systems. The logistics sector is responding to these demands with substantial investments in temperature-controlled logistics. In 2023, it is estimated that investments in cold chain logistics in Saudi Arabia will exceedUSD 2 billion, focusing on modernizing facilities and expanding distribution networks. This includes improvements in last-mile delivery systems that ensure temperature-sensitive products reach consumers efficiently. Market Challenges High Setup Costs : Establishing warehouses and storage facilities incurs significant costs related to land acquisition, construction materials, labor, and compliance with local regulations. For instance, the high prices of land in urban areas can deter new businesses from entering the market or expanding existing operations. This financial barrier is particularly challenging for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to establish a foothold in the competitive warehousing sector. : Establishing warehouses and storage facilities incurs significant costs related to land acquisition, construction materials, labor, and compliance with local regulations. For instance, the high prices of land in urban areas can deter new businesses from entering the market or expanding existing operations. This financial barrier is particularly challenging for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to establish a foothold in the competitive warehousing sector. Geopolitical Tensions: Saudi Arabia's warehousing and storage market is also influenced by escalating geopolitical tensions in the region. Such instability can lead to uncertainties in investment and operational costs, affecting logistics and supply chain management. For example, disruptions caused by regional conflicts may hinder transportation routes, complicating the movement of goods and increasing costs for logistics providers. KSA Storage Systems Future Market Outlook The storage systems market in Saudi Arabia is set for major growth over the coming years with a market size of USD 620.5 Million by 2028, driven by various factors including economic diversification, advancements in technology, and the increasing demand from e-commerce and other sectors. Market Opportunities Self-Storage Solutions : The self-storage market in Saudi Arabia is relatively nascent but shows great potential due to increasing urbanization and population growth. There is an opportunity for providers to cater to both personal and business needs through short-term and long-term leasing options, especially as more individuals and small businesses seek flexible storage solutions. : The self-storage market in Saudi Arabia is relatively nascent but shows great potential due to increasing urbanization and population growth. There is an opportunity for providers to cater to both personal and business needs through short-term and long-term leasing options, especially as more individuals and small businesses seek flexible storage solutions. Green Warehousing Initiatives: Sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the warehousing sector. The adoption of green warehousing practices, such as using energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials, presents a significant opportunity for companies looking to differentiate themselves in the marketplace. Initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact can attract eco-conscious clients and enhance corporate responsibility profiles. Company Coverage Includes: Swisslog Dematic Kardex Remstar SSI Schaefer Daifuku Honeywell Intelligrated Mecalux Vanderlande TGW Logistics Group BEUMER Group Frazier Industrial Company FlexLink Egemin Automation Swisslog Healthcare Interlake Mecalux Key Topics Covered: 1. Executive Summary 1.1. Executive Summary of KSA and Storage Systems Market 2. Market Overview 2.1. Product Taxonomy 2.2. Revenue Model of a Storage Systems Company 2.3. Material Handling and Storage Systems Market Landscape 2.4. Value Chain Analysis 2.4.1. List of Entities 2.4.2. Margins 2.4.3. Key Insights 2.5. KSA Latest Industry Developments, 2023 2.6. Latest Industry Developments, 2023 2.7. KSA vs Material Handling and Storage Systems Market 2.8. Growth Drivers 2.9. Trends and Developments 2.10. Key Challenges 2.11. Different Solutions as per Customer Requirements 2.12. Cross-Comparison of Various Pallet Racking Solutions 2.12.1. Surface Area 2.12.2. Volume 2.12.3. Speed 2.12.4. Height 2.12.5. Width 2.12.6. Initial Investment 2.12.7. Rotation 3. Storage Systems Market 3.1. Market Ecosystem and Major International Manufacturers 3.1.1. Major Domestic Companies 3.1.2. International Manufacturers 3.1.3. Regulatory Authorities 3.2. Heatmap of Major Local Players in KSA 3.3. Heatmap of Major International Players 3.4. Cross-Comparison of Major International Players 3.4.1. Vintage 3.4.2. Headquarters 3.4.3. Plants 3.4.4. Operational Parameters 3.4.5. Business Model 3.4.6. Services 3.4.7. SKUs 3.4.8. USPs 3.4.9. Distribution Network 3.4.10. Certifications 3.5. Market Sizing and Segmentation 3.5.1. KSA Storage Systems Market Size (Revenue in $ Mn), 2018-2023 3.5.2. Segmentation by Product Type (Revenue in %), 2023 3.5.3. Segmentation by End-Users (Revenue in %), 2023 3.5.4. Major End-User Landscape in KSA, 2023 3.6. Regulatory and Legal Framework 3.6.1. Major Standards and Certifications Manufacturers 3.6.2. SASO Certificate of Conformity Importers 3.7. Investor Journey Setting up a Trading Business in KSA 3.7.1. Licensing Cost 3.7.2. Foreign Investment Regulation 3.7.3. MISA Investment Licenses and Structures 3.7.4. Taxation and Customs 3.7.5. Labour Laws and Nitaqat Scheme 3.8. Competition Framework 3.8.1. Competition Landscape (Market Shares, Parameters) 3.8.2. Positioning Matrix 3.8.3. Cross-Comparison of Major Players 3.9. Refrigerated Display Cabinets Market 3.9.1. Heatmap of Major Players 3.9.2. Market Overview, Sizing, and Segmentation 3.9.3. Competition Landscape 3.10. Loading Bay Solutions Market 3.10.1. Heatmap of Major Players 3.10.2. Market Overview, Sizing, and Segmentation 3.10.3. Competition Landscape 4. Future Outlook and Projections 4.1. KSA and Market Size Projections, 2023-2028 4.2. Segmentation by Product Type and End-Users, 2028 5. Analyst Recommendations 5.1. Identifying Whitespaces and Growth Opportunities 5.2. Entry Barriers and Potential Risks 5.3. Strategic Roadmaps for Business Expansion For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/kdza7j 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. Sheridan, Wyoming, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Priyanshu Sharma, co-founder of Sheridan-based AI consulting firm ByteBrain , is gaining national recognition for a rare combination of technical mastery and ethical rigor in an era too often dominated by automation without oversight. Priyanshu Sharma, co-founder of ByteBrain At the helm of ByteBrain, Sharma is steering a new direction for artificial intelligence one that prioritizes human values as much as machine performance. The company works with a diverse range of clients, from U.S. government agencies to Fortune 500-adjacent firms, deploying custom-built AI solutions designed not only to optimize operations but to do so responsibly. AI is not just a toolits a responsibility, Sharma said in a recent interview. Were not here to replace people. Were here to empower them, to make sense of data, to enable faster and fairer decision-making without compromising on accountability. Sharmas philosophy is evident in ByteBrains projects, which include agentic retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines, multimodal AI systems, and intelligent internal knowledge agents. These tools are already showing tangible resultsboosting operational efficiency, streamlining compliance processes, and improving customer experiences across sectors. His current focus is on regulated industries where trust and transparency are non-negotiable. ByteBrain is actively developing frameworks that integrate vector databases, large language models (LLMs), and rules-based compliance systems. Early pilots have already delivered measurable impact, such as accelerating claims processing in the insurance sector and improving compliance workflows for pharma companies. ByteBrain Beyond product development, Sharma has become a trusted voice in the AI community. He has authored a number of technical publications, contributed to influential open-source projects, and regularly speaks about AI policy, explainability, and bias mitigation. His work is increasingly shaping how businesses and governments approach responsible AI adoption. Were entering an era where AI will touch nearly every facet of life, Sharma says. If we dont embed principles of fairness, transparency, and context into the way we build these systems, were setting ourselves up for real harm. Peers and partners agree. Priyanshu isnt just another AI entrepreneur, said the CTO of a ByteBrain partner organization. Hes setting a new bar for what meaningful innovation should look likewhere success is defined by integrity as much as impact. Looking ahead, Sharma remains committed to building systems that scale with trust, not just speed. My goal is to leave behind a blueprint, he adds. Not just of intelligent systemsbut of ethical systems. About Priyanshu Sharma Priyanshu Sharma is the co-founder of ByteBrain, an AI consulting and product development firm based in Sheridan, Wyoming. With a background in advanced machine learning, Sharma is known for building ethical, human-centered AI systems across industries including healthcare, education, and insurance. He is a published author, an experienced consultant that helps organizations in their digital business transformation strategies, and a contributor to the open-source AI ecosystem. Sharmas work focuses on transparency, bias mitigation, and scalable AI governance. Through ByteBrain, he helps organizations harness the power of AI responsiblyprioritizing long-term human impact over short-term automation. SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GFG Resources Inc. (TSXV: GFG) (OTCQB: GFGSF) (GFG or the Company) announces that it has increased and amended its previously announced private placement ("Offering"). The Company has decided to increase the Offering to C$3.0 million and amend the sale of premium flow-through units ("Premium Units") to provide that each Premium Unit will now consist of one common share of the Company and one whole share purchase warrant (a Warrant), with each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to acquire one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of C$0.28 for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance. Each of the common shares and Warrants comprising the Premium Units will qualify as a flow-through share for the purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada). If during the exercise period of the Warrants the closing price of the common shares of the Company is at a price equal to or greater than C$0.42 for a period of 10 consecutive trading days, GFG will have the right to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants by giving notice, via a news release, to the holders of the Warrants that the Warrants will expire on the date that is 30 days after the issuance of said news release. The Offering will consist of the issuance of up to 11,041,590 Premium Units at a price of C$0.2717 per Premium Unit to raise gross proceeds of up to C$3.0 million. Subject to compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions (NI 45-106), the Premium Units will be offered for sale to purchasers resident in Canada and/or other qualifying jurisdictions pursuant to (i) the "accredited investor" and other available exemptions under NI 45-106; and (ii) with respect to the sale of up to 11,041,590 Premium Units, the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption under Part 5A of NI 45-106. The Company has filed an updated offering document on Form 45-106F19 related to the portion of the Offering that is being completed pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption to reflect the amended terms of the Offering. The updated offering document can be accessed under the Companys profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Companys website at www.gfgresources.com. Prospective investors should read this offering document before making an investment decision. All other terms of the Offering remain the same as previously announced on April 3, 2025. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. 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 unless an exemption from such registration is available. About GFG Resources Inc. GFG is a North American precious metals exploration company focused on district scale gold projects in tier one mining jurisdictions. The Company operates three gold projects, each hosting large and highly prospective gold properties within the prolific gold district of Timmins, Ontario, Canada. The projects have similar geological settings that host most of the gold deposits found in the Timmins Gold Camp which have produced over 70 million ounces of gold. For further information, please contact: Brian Skanderbeg, President & CEO or Marc Lepage, Vice President, Business Development Phone: (306) 931-0930 Email: info@gfgresources.com Website: www.gfgresources.com Stay Connected with Us X (Twitter): @GFGResources LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gfgresources/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GFGResourcesInc/ 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. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this news release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (referred to herein as forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Companys future exploration plans with respect to its property interests and the timing thereof, the prospective nature of the projects, future price of gold, success of exploration activities and metallurgical test work, permitting time lines, currency exchange rate fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of exploration work, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage. Generally, these forward-looking statements 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 the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results, may, could, would, will, might or will be taken, occur or be achieved or the negative connotation thereof. All forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions, including, without limitation, the expectations and beliefs of management, the assumed long-term price of gold, that the Company will receive required permits and access to surface rights, that the Company can access financing, appropriate equipment and sufficient labour, and that the political environment within Canada will continue to support the development of mining projects. In addition, the similarity or proximity of other gold deposits to the Companys projects is not necessary indicative of the geological setting, alteration and mineralization of the Goldarm Property, the Pen Gold Project and the Dore Gold Project. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of GFG to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: actual results of current exploration activities; environmental risks; future prices of gold; operating risks; accidents, labour issues and other risks of the mining industry; availability of capital, delays in obtaining government approvals or financing; and other risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties and the additional risks described in the Companys most recently filed annual and interim MD&A are not and should not be construed as being exhaustive. Although GFG has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. In addition, forward-looking statements are provided solely for the purpose of providing information about managements current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of our operating environment. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date hereof and GFG assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws. April 11, 2025: In March of this year the American president halted most support for Ukraine and demanded that European nations do more to solve a problem unfolding on their eastern borders. The U.S. wants Europe to upgrade, expand and organize its armed forces to replace over seventy years of dependence on the United States. The Americans are reducing their military presence in Europe and planning to intervene, if necessary, with forces flown or shipped in. If the Europeans had established adequate armed forces before 2022, Russia probably would not have invaded because of the intervention threat posed by powerful European forces. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 under the pretense of rescuing Ukrainians from a fascist government and growing NATO influence. Russia would have been less eager to invade if the Europeans were powerful enough to threaten portions of Russia bordering European countries. Eastern European NATO nations, especially Poland, had already expanded and upgraded their armed forces to deal with Russian aggression. Currently Poland has the most powerful armed forces in Europe with over a thousand modern tanks and expanding to half a million active duty soldiers. Other European countries, especially Germany and France, are spending over $40 billion to create forces comparable to what Poland has. As the Americans point out, Ukraine is a European problem and if Europe had been strong enough to deal with it in 2022, Russia would not have invaded Ukraine. When the Russians did invade, they found the Ukrainian determined to repel the invaders and drive them from Ukraine. That is what is happening and Russia now claims they attacked Ukraine to annex it to Russia. This was considered necessary to restore Ukraine to its status as part of Russia. The Russian leader later claimed that he was seeking to restore other areas to Russian control. Russia eventually named portions of Poland as one of its future targets for absorption into Greater Russia, otherwise known as the Russian empire. Belarus, the Baltic States and some former Soviet territories in Central Asia are also on the acquisition list. None of these targets for Russian aggression are willing to go peacefully. As the largest and wealthiest East European NATO member, Poland is leading the way by rearming to confront any future threat. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Poland decided to spend at least three percent of GDP on defense. NATO agreements suggest two percent of GDP but few European NATO members reached two percent. Now more NATO members are reaching or exceeding two percent and the increases are higher the closer the country is to Russia. The NATO nations close to Russia or bordering Russia insist that if Russia is allowed to keep any Ukrainian territory, the Russians will attack them too as part of an effort to reconstitute the Greater Russia that the tsars and later communists created and maintained until 1991. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has always insisted that the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 was a tragedy that must be rectified. Many Russians agree with that, but are less willing to pay the economic and military price that Ukraine demonstrated would result if Russia tried. Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Turkmenistan are nervous because they are, after Ukraine, according to Vladimir Putin, on the list of former Soviet territories that need to be reunited with Greater Russia. That would be difficult because these three states have growing economic ties with China and diplomatic ties with India. Russia later expanded its territorial claims beyond Ukraine to include what it openly called Greater Russia. This is not quite rebuilding the tsarist or communist empires because Russia does not want the expensive to rule Central Asian states, but rather more lucrative territories Russian once ruled. This includes portions of Poland, all of the Baltic States and Finland, and parts of Alaska. There are some serious legal and practical problems with these claims. The United States has a larger military and nuclear weapons that would come into play to block any Russian claims on Alaska. Russia is making claims on several Eastern European NATO members who are protected by the mutual defense clause of the NATO treaty. Russia and all the nations involved are members of the United Nations. Article 51 of the UN charter demands that members refrain from the use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state. Russia says this does not apply because Ukraine is a breakaway part of Russia and Russian troops are seeking to liberate Ukraine from NATO oppression. Ukraine is also a UN member and protests Russian claims as well as the UN tolerating the Russian use of its Security Council veto to block any serious UN opposition to the Russian aggression. Ukraine pointed out that the Ukrainian forces will force Russian troops out of Ukraine and then the problem will be what the rest of the world does with Russia. COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT Odense, April 11th, 2025 Company Announcement no. 53 11.04.2025 Notice of Annual General Meeting 2025 Danish Aerospace Company A/S CVR no.: 12424248 The board of directors is pleased to announce that the Annual General Meeting 2025 for Danish Aerospace Company A/S, company registration (CVR) no. 12 42 42 48 (DAC) will be held on Monday April 28th, 2025, at 14:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at Gorrissen Federspiel, Axeltorv 2, 1609 Copenhagen V. Doors will open for registration of attendance at 13:30. There will not be catering at this years meeting. In accordance with DAC articles of association article 3.9, the agenda will be as follows: The Board of Directors report on the companys activities in the past financial year Presentation and adoption of the annual report Decision on distribution of profit or coverage of loss according to the adopted annual report Resolution to grant discharge of liability to the Board of Directors and the Executive Management Approval of the remuneration of the Board of Directors for the current financial year Election of members for the Board of Directors. Election of auditor Proposals from the Board of Directors or shareholders Any other business --oo0oo-- Items on the agenda, including complete proposals. Ad. 1. The Board of Directors report on the companys activities in the past financial year. The Board of Directors proposes that the report on the Companys activities in 2024 is noted by the Annual General Meeting. Ad. 2. Presentation and adoption of the annual report. The Board of Directors proposes that the annual report 2024 is approved. The annual report for 2024 is available on the Companys website. Ad. 3. Decision on distribution of profit or coverage of loss according to the adopted annual report. The Board of Directors proposes that the loss of DKK 3,877,324 related to the financial year ending December 31st, 2024 is carried forward. Ad. 4. Resolution to grant discharge of liability to the Board of Directors and the Executive Management. The Board of Directors proposes that the Annual General Meeting grants discharge of liability to the members of the Board of Directors and the Executive Management for any liabilities towards the Company in relation to the approved annual report for 2024. Ad. 5. Approval of the remuneration of the Board of Directors for the current financial year It is proposed that the Annual General Meeting approves the following remuneration to the Board of Directors for the remainder of 2025 and until the next Annual General Meeting: Position Base fee multiple Fee (DKK) Members of the Board of Directors 1x 60,000 The Chairman of the Board of Directors [2x] [120,000] The Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors [1.5x] [90,000] Ad. 6. Election of members for the Board of Directors. It is proposed to re-elect Niels Heering, Sren Bjrn Hansen and James V. Zimmerman as members of the Board of Directors for a one-year period. If the proposed candidates are elected, it is expected that the Board of Directors will appoint Niels Heering as chairman of the Board of Directors and Sren Bjrn Hansen as deputy chairman. Please see Appendix 1 for a description of the nominated candidates qualifications, including information on other management positions held by the nominated candidates. Ad. 7. Election of auditor The board of directors suggests re-election of PricewaterhouseCoopers Statsautoriseret Revisionspartnerselskab. Ad. 7. Proposals from the Board of Directors or shareholders No proposals have been made under this agenda item. Ad. 8. Any other business. --oo0oo-- The agenda and complete proposals are included in this notice. This notice, including agenda and the complete proposals, as well as; authorization-/absentee vote and registration forms for the Annual Meeting can be found at: Investor Relations - Danish Aerospace Company from Friday April 11, 2025. This notice, including agenda and the complete proposals, as well as; authorization-/absentee vote forms will also be sent via email on Friday April 11, 2025, to shareholders registered by name, which have requested this. --oo0oo Adoption requirements All proposed resolutions on the agenda shall be passed by a simple majority of votes cast. Share capital and voting rights Equity capital in Danish Aerospace Company A/S is nominal 1,090,833 DKK and each share amount of nominally DKK 0.10 DKK represents 1 (one) vote at the annual general meeting. To participate in the annual general meeting and to place your vote, you must adhere to the following procedure: A shareholders right to participate in an annual meeting and to place ones vote is determined by the number of stocks the shareholder owns at the time of registration. Registration date is Monday April 21, 2025 A shareholders shareholding and right to vote is established on the date of registration on the basis of recordings of the shareholders ownership in the register of shareholders (Ejerbogen), and any notification of ownership, which DAC has received in regard to entry in the register of shareholders. Furthermore, attendance is subject to the shareholder having registered his/her participation as described below. Notification of attendance To gain access to the DAC annual general meeting, the shareholder must have requested admission with Danish Aerospace Company A/S no later than Thursday 24 April, 2025, at 23:59 p.m. A shareholder or his/her proxy holder may attend the general meeting together with an advisor, provided that notification of the advisors participation has been timely provided. Notification of participation may be provided by completing, signing and returning the form for notification of attendance (which may be downloaded from the Companys website, https://www.danishaerospace.com/en/investor-relations. The signed and completed form may be sent to Danish Aerospace Company A/S by email at Investor_Relations@DanishAerospace.dk or by regular mail to Danish Aerospace Company A/S, Hvidkrvej 31A st., DK-5250 Odense SV. The form must be received by Danish Aerospace Company A/S no later than Thursday 24 April, 2025, at 23.59 p.m. Ballots Ballots are handed out at the annual general meeting. Voting Shareholders unable to attend the annual general meeting have the opportunity to either vote by proxy or postal vote, however, not by both. Proxy Shareholders have the opportunity to issue a proxy, if they themselves are unable to attend. Proxy can be given electronically via email Investor_Relations@DanishAerospace.dk or by regular mail to Danish Aerospace Company A/S, Hvidkrvej 31A st., DK-5250 Odense SV. Signed proxies must be received no later than Thursday April 24, 2025, at 23:59 p.m. Postal votes Postal votes can be given in writing by using the postal voting form which is available at: https://www.danishaerospace.com/en/investor-relations. The completed, signed form must be received by Danish Aerospace Company A/S at; Investor_Relations@DanishAerospace.dk or by regular mail to Danish Aerospace Company A/S, Hvidkrvej 31A st., DK-5250 Odense SV no later than Sunday April 27, 2025, at 15:00p.m. Postal votes received by the company cannot be revoked. Questions Shareholders have the opportunity to ask questions to the agenda and other documents for the Annual General Meeting. The questions can be sent via mail at: Investor_Relations@DanishAerospace.dk or by regular mail to Danish Aerospace Company A/S, Hvidkrvej 31A st., DK-5250 Odense SV. Forwarded questions will be answered in writing or verbally at the annual general meeting. Additional information Until and including the date of the annual meeting, the following additional information will be available on the Companys website, https://www.danishaerospace.com/en/investor-relations : Notice of the annual general meeting, including the agenda and the complete proposals as well as Appendix 1 regarding board candidates The Companys annual report 2024; Form for notification of attendance; Proxy and postal form; and The total number of shares and voting rights as at the date of the notice. The annual meeting will be conducted in Danish. Personal data In regard to gathering and processing of personal data, please refer to Danish Aerospace Company A/S information sheet regarding GDPR in connection with the companys annual meeting which can be found on the company website here: https://www.danishaerospace.com/en/investor-relations. Danish Aerospace Company A/S The Board of Directors, Friday April 11, 2025 For further information, please contact: Danish Aerospace Company A/S: Chairman of the Board of Directors Niels Heering Mobil: +45 40 17 75 31 CEO Thomas A.E. Andersen Mobil: +45 40 29 41 62 Certified Adviser: Baker Tilly Corporate Finance P/S Poul Bundgaards Vej 1, 1., DK-2500 Valby Tel.: +45 33 45 10 00 www.bakertilly.dk Attachment Dublin, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) Market Opportunity, Growth Drivers, Industry Trend Analysis, and Forecast 2025-2034" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) Market was valued at USD 42.9 billion in 2024, and is projected to reach USD 212.2 billion by 2034, rising at a CAGR of 17.8% The expansion is driven by advancements in semiconductor technology, which have led to smaller, lighter, and more affordable sensors. This progress is reducing system complexity, thus making ADAS features more accessible to a broader audience. The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) has also intensified the demand for enhanced safety integrations, pushing automotive manufacturers to refine their systems. As consumer expectations for safety features rise, manufacturers are actively improving vehicle comfort and security. The passenger commercial vehicle (PCV) segment led the ADAS market with over 60% share in 2024, while the heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) segment is forecasted to surpass USD 9 billion by 2034. Automakers are incorporating advanced safety technologies, including adaptive cruise control, lane assist, automatic emergency braking, and pedestrian monitoring, catering to evolving user demands. The increasing emphasis on driver safety is encouraging the adoption of ADAS across both passenger and heavy-duty vehicles. Sensor technology plays a pivotal role in ADAS functionality. The market is segmented into LiDAR, infrared, ultrasonic, radar, and image sensors. Image sensors accounted for approximately 34.9% of the market share in 2024, while the radar segment is projected to expand at a CAGR of 17.5% by 2034. Image sensors enhance object detection, lane departure alerts, and traffic sign recognition. To address low-light conditions and improve power efficiency, manufacturers are introducing next-generation image sensors, ensuring improved functionality in varying driving environments. Technological advancements are transforming ADAS capabilities. The market is categorized into multiple features, including adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, automatic high beam control, driver monitoring, forward collision warning, night vision, lane departure warning, park assistance, and tire pressure monitoring. Adaptive cruise control dominated the market with a 24% share in 2024. The integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning is refining vehicle response mechanisms, enhancing cruise control precision, and minimizing unnecessary alerts. Automotive manufacturers are rapidly adopting ADAS features, with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) dominating the distribution segment, holding over 90% of the market in 2024. The early incorporation of ADAS components into newly manufactured vehicles is fueling this growth. As safety awareness rises, OEMs are integrating advanced driving assistance as either standard or optional features to cater to consumer demand. Innovations in calibration technology are also making ADAS more cost-effective and widely available. North America ADAS market is witnessing significant growth, with the United States leading the region with USD 12.1 billion in revenue in 2024. Stricter safety regulations, technological advancements, and increasing consumer preference for automated safety features are accelerating adoption rates. The growing focus on connected and automated driving is further propelling market expansion, with manufacturers embedding ADAS functionalities into their latest vehicle models to enhance user experience, safety, and driving efficiency. 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 Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 175 Forecast Period 2024 - 2034 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $42.9 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2034 $212.2 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 17.8% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1 Methodology & Scope 1.1 Research design 1.1.1 Research approach 1.1.2 Data collection methods 1.2 Base estimates & calculations 1.2.1 Base year calculation 1.2.2 Key trends for market estimation 1.3 Forecast model 1.4 Primary research and validation 1.4.1 Primary sources 1.4.2 Data mining sources 1.5 Market scope & definition Chapter 2 Executive Summary 2.1 Industry synopsis, 2021-2034 Chapter 3 Industry Insights 3.1 Industry ecosystem analysis 3.1.1 Component suppliers 3.1.2 Technology provider 3.1.3 Manufacturers 3.1.4 Distribution channel 3.1.5 End use 3.2 Supplier landscape 3.3 Profit margin analysis 3.4 Technology & innovation landscape 3.5 Patent analysis 3.6 Cost analysis 3.7 Key news & initiatives 3.8 Regulatory landscape 3.9 Impact forces 3.9.1 Growth drivers 3.9.1.1 Supportive government regulations on accident prevention in North America 3.9.1.2 Emerging European commission initiatives for road safety 3.9.1.3 Rising demand for electric vehicles 3.9.1.4 Emergence of autonomous technology 3.9.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges 3.9.2.1 High component and technology costs 3.9.2.2 Compatibility concerns 3.10 Growth potential analysis 3.11 Porter's analysis 3.12 PESTEL analysis Chapter 4 Competitive Landscape, 2024 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Company market share analysis 4.3 Competitive positioning matrix 4.4 Strategic outlook matrix Chapter 5 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Technology, 2021-2034 ($Bn) 5.1 Key trends 5.2 Adaptive cruise control 5.3 Automatic high beam control 5.4 Blind spot detection 5.5 Driver monitoring 5.6 Forward collision warning 5.7 Front lighting 5.8 Automatic Emergency Banking (AEM) 5.9 Night vision system 5.10 Head-up display 5.11 Lane departure warning system 5.12 Park assist system 5.13 Surround-view system 5.14 Traffic sign recognition 5.15 Tire pressure monitoring system Chapter 6 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Sensor, 2021-2034 ($Bn) 6.1 Key trends 6.2 LiDAR 6.3 Infrared 6.4 Ultrasonic 6.5 Radar 6.6 Image Chapter 7 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Vehicle, 2021-2034 ($Bn, Unit) 7.1 Key trends 7.2 PCV 7.3 LCV 7.4 HCV Chapter 8 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Distribution Channel, 2021-2034 ($Bn, Unit) 8.1 Key trends 8.2 OEM 8.3 Aftermarket Chapter 9 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Region, 2021-2034 ($Bn) 9.1 North America 9.1.1 U.S. 9.1.2 Canada 9.2 Europe 9.2.1 UK 9.2.2 Germany 9.2.3 France 9.2.4 Italy 9.2.5 Spain 9.2.6 Russia 9.2.7 Nordics 9.3 Asia-Pacific 9.3.1 China 9.3.2 India 9.3.3 Japan 9.3.4 South Korea 9.3.5 Thailand 9.3.6 Indonesia 9.3.7 ANZ 9.3.8 Singapore 9.4 Latin America 9.4.1 Brazil 9.4.2 Mexico 9.4.3 Argentina 9.5 MEA 9.5.1 UAE 9.5.2 Saudi Arabia 9.5.3 South Africa 9.5.4 Iran 9.5.5 Turkey Chapter 10 Company Profiles 10.1 Arisin 10.2 Autoliv 10.3 Bosch 10.4 Continental 10.5 Delphi 10.6 Denso 10.7 Gentex 10.8 Harman International (Samsung) 10.9 Hyundai Mobis 10.10 Hella 10.11 Ningbo Joyson Electronic 10.12 Magna 10.13 Mobileye 10.14 NVIDIA 10.15 NXP 10.16 Panasonic 10.17 Renesas Electronics 10.18 Texas 10.19 Valeo 10.20 ZF Friedrichshafen For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/53wqja 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. Attachment / NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES / TORONTO, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Volatus Aerospace Inc. (TSXV: FLT) (OTCQX: TAKOF) (Frankfurt: A2JEQU) ("Volatus" or the Company"), a leader in global aerial solutions, is pleased to announce a proposed shares-for-debt settlement aimed at enhancing shareholder value and strengthening the Company's balance sheet. Effective April 10, 2025, the Company has reached an agreement, subject to receipt of TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) approval, with the holders of convertible debentures issued pursuant to a debenture indenture dated May 11, 2023 (the Debenture Indenture) between the Company and TSX Trust Company as trustee (the Trustee). The Debenture holders have approved an extraordinary resolution to accept securities of the Company in full satisfaction of the outstanding principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest (the Shares-for-Debt Transaction) under the Debenture Indenture. The Company issued $2,646,000 principal amount of debentures pursuant to the Debenture Indenture on May 11, 2023 (the Debentures). The Debenture Indenture was supplemented by a first supplementary indenture dated August 30, 2024, a second supplementary indenture dated August 30, 2024 and, upon receipt of all required regulatory approvals including that of the TSXV, the Company and the Trustee will enter into a third supplementary indenture (the Third Supplementary Indenture) in order to give effect to the Extraordinary Resolution and the Shares-for-Debt Transaction. Key Transaction Details: The Company has obtained the requisite approval of holders of Debentures pursuant to the Extraordinary Resolution as follows: Maturity Date : Pursuant to the Extraordinary Resolution, the Debenture holders authorized the Company to set a maturity date for the Debentures, not to occur later than May 11, 2025. The Company will provide five days notice to TSX Trust Company and the Debenture holders of the date it selects as the maturity date of the Debentures. : Pursuant to the Extraordinary Resolution, the Debenture holders authorized the Company to set a maturity date for the Debentures, not to occur later than May 11, 2025. The Company will provide five days notice to TSX Trust Company and the Debenture holders of the date it selects as the maturity date of the Debentures. Debenture Conversion: All of the outstanding principal, being $2,646,000, owing under the Debentures will be settled in common shares of the Company (Common Shares) at a conversion price of $0.15 per share (the Settlement Shares). All of the outstanding principal, being $2,646,000, owing under the Debentures will be settled in common shares of the Company (Common Shares) at a conversion price of $0.15 per share (the Settlement Shares). Interest Conversion: Additionally, all accrued and unpaid interest owing as of the maturity of the Debentures will be converted at a conversion price of $0.15 per share (the Interest Shares) Additionally, all accrued and unpaid interest owing as of the maturity of the Debentures will be converted at a conversion price of $0.15 per share (the Interest Shares) Supplementary Shares: Debenture holders will also receive an additional 10% of the principal amount of the Debentures in common voting shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.15 per share (the Supplemental Shares). Debenture holders will also receive an additional 10% of the principal amount of the Debentures in common voting shares of the Company at a deemed price of $0.15 per share (the Supplemental Shares). Warrants: In addition, Debenture holders will receive one common share purchase warrant (each a Warrant) for each Settlement Share. Each warrant will be issued as of May 12, 2025 and will be exercisable into one common share of the Company at a price of $0.20 per share for a period of three years from the date of issuance. If, at any time following the date that is 4 months and one day following the date of issuance, the daily volume weighted average trading price of the Volatus shares on the TSXV is greater than $0.35 per share for the preceding 10 consecutive trading days on the TSXV, the Corporation shall have the right to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants to a date that is at least 30 days following the date of notice to holders of Warrants. Assuming a maturity date of May 11, 2025, the Company expects to issue a total of 20,157,908 Common Shares (comprising the Settlement Shares, Interest Shares and Supplemental Shares) and 17,639,995 Warrants. The actual number will vary if the Company selects an earlier maturity date. In the event that the Company does not obtain regulatory approval to complete the Shares-for-Debt Transaction, the Extraordinary Resolution authorizes the Company to not proceed with the Shares-For-Debt Transaction at its discretion. "This financial restructuring is a key step toward optimizing our capital structure and setting the stage for sustainable growth, and we appreciate our investors support in this endeavour, said Abhinav Singhvi, CFO of Volatus. We believe this restructuring will provide us with added financial flexibility necessary to pursue our goals." The securities issuable in connection with the conversion of the Debentures will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day following the date of issuance, in accordance with applicable securities laws and TSXV policies. None of the securities issuable in connection with the conversion of the Debentures will be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or state securities laws and none may be offered or sold in the United States, except under circumstances that do not require registration under the U.S. Securities Act or any applicable state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Volatus Aerospace: Volatus Aerospace is a leader in innovative global aerial solutions for intelligence and cargo. With a strong foundation of over 100 years of combined institutional knowledge in aviation, Volatus provides comprehensive solutions using both piloted and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS). We serve industries such as oil and gas, utilities, healthcare, and public safety. Our mission is to enhance operational efficiency, safety, and sustainability through cutting-edge, real-world solutions. Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" 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 operating performance. Often, but not always, forward-looking information and 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 statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" (or other variations of the foregoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information includes information about the Shares-for-Debt Transaction, including information regarding the receipt of regulatory approvals, the conversion of the Debentures, the timing and anticipated benefits thereof, and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial, and economic data and operating plans, strategies, or beliefs of management as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that 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 may be based on information currently available to the Company, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management's current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflects expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to it and on assumptions it believes to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to: the anticipated benefits of the conversion of the Debentures; TSXV approval of the Debenture conversion; and including, but not limited to, those factors set forth in the Company's Annual Information Form under the section "Risk Factors". Although 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 to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. The forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. 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. 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 news release. Contact Information: Abhinav Singhvi, CFO abhinav.singhvi@volatusaerospace.com +1-579-977-5066 MIDDLETOWN, N.Y., April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orange Bank & Trust Company, an economic engine of New Yorks business community for more than 132 years, announced that David Dineen has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Senior Managing Director of Wealth Management. Dineen joined Orange Bank & Trust in 2022 as Senior Vice President and Director of Wealth Services, successfully overseeing the trust and private banking divisions. As Senior Managing Director of Wealth Management, he is responsible for leading the asset management, trust, and private banking offerings under the umbrella of Orange Wealth Management. Davids deep expertise in the wealth management industry, strategic vision, and commitment to our clients financial success is invaluable as we continue to expand our offerings through Orange Wealth Management, said Michael Gilfeather, Orange Bank & Trust Company President and CEO. Dineen has more than 35 years of banking industry experience, including positions with The Bank of New York, Commerce Bank, North Fork Bank, Bankwell Financial, and Capital One Bank. He graduated from Saint Josephs College with a B.A. in Business Administration. With Orange Wealth Management, we can offer our entrepreneurial clients a comprehensive solution that integrates investment guidance, estate planning, and personal banking services. I look forward to working with our team to continue to grow this area of our business and meet the evolving needs of our clients, said Dineen. About Orange Bank & Trust Company Orange Bank & Trust Company is the Hudson Valleys premier financial institution focusing on commercial lending, business banking, and wealth management services. For more than 132 years, Orange Bank & Trust Company has been an economic engine of the community, with approximately $2.5 billion in assets and playing a vital role in increasing opportunities for local businesses, facilitating region-defining developments, and maximizing investments to neighborhood-serving non-profits. A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3d5e90d0-9344-4c3b-b332-dc09b6a0651d VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Forte Minerals Corp. (Forte or the Company) (CSE: CUAU) (OTCQB: FOMNF) (Frankfurt: 2OA) is pleased to provide an update on its planned 1,500-metre diamond drill program at its 100%-owned Pucarini Gold Project (Pucarini or the Project) located in the Southern Peru Miocene High-Sulfidation Epithermal Gold Belt. The program is set to commence towards the end of Q2 2025 with preparations currently underway. Figure 1 High Sulphidation Epithermal Gold Targets from Gold Geochemistry and Surface Alteration Geology. Figure 2 Proposed Geological Model Along Section Line A-A in Figure 1(Looking NE) with High Sulphidation Epithermal Gold and Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum Targets. Planned Drill Program Overview The upcoming five-hole, 1,500-metre drill program will systematically test high-priority targets identified through geological mapping, geophysical surveys, and geochemical analysis. Target Type: High-Sulfidation Epithermal Gold High-Sulfidation Epithermal Gold Drill Holes: 5 diamond drill holes 5 diamond drill holes Total Metres: 1,500 m 1,500 m Permitting Status: DIA Environmental Drilling Permit approved (September 2023) DIA Environmental Drilling Permit approved (September 2023) Community Support: Strong relationships established with local communities, One year Community Agreement executed March 1, 2025 Figure 3 Proposed Drill Program Gold Geochemistry Imposed on the 3D Inversions of IP Chargeability-Resistivity and Magnetic Susceptibility Geophysical Data. The 1,000-hectare Pucarini claim hosts multiple gold-bearing advanced argillic alteration zones within a 3.6 x 1.8 km alteration footprint. Surface geochemistry has returned anomalous gold values coinciding with resistivity, chargeability, and magnetic anomalies, highlighting multiple untested targets for drilling. The main target indicated by the soil and rock gold anomaly spans 1.2 km x 700 m within this advanced argillic alteration zone. The coincidence of gold, molybdenum, and copper surface anomalies is supported by a coherent high chargeability anomaly (> 18 mV/V) from the 3D inversion of the IP geophysical survey data with dimensions of 1.5 km along strike x 600 m wide x 400 m deep; to detection limit depth of the IP geophysical survey, which remains open at depth. The main target also coincides with a high magnetic susceptibility anomaly in the system's center from the 3D inversion of the surface total magnetic intensity geophysical data, suggesting the roots of a deeper porphyry system. This program will mark the first-ever drill program on the property, unlocking its untapped potential. Figure 4 - Proposed Drill Program Molybdenum Geochemistry Imposed on the 3D Inversions of IP Chargeability-Resistivity and Magnetic Susceptibility Geophysical Data. Surface rock fragments were analysed using the ASD TerraSpec mineral spectrometer (TerraSpec) which is optimally designed to identify important hydrothermal alteration minerals commonly associated with high sulphidation epithermal gold and porphyry copper systems. Figure 5 provides a compilation of the TerraSpec data where higher-temperature hydrothermal alteration minerals (diaspore, illite, paragonitic illite, muscovitic illite, paragonite, muscovite, sericite, and alunite-Na) and lower-temperature alteration minerals (alunite, alunite-K, alunite-KNa, halloysite, kaolinite, smectite, montmorillonite, and dickite) correlate with high sulphidation advanced argillic alteration and anomalous gold in rock and soil geochemistry. The higher temperature hydrothermal alteration minerals also correlate with anomalous molybdenum in rock and soil geochemistry suggesting a phyllic alteration zone associated with a telescoped porphyry system. Figure 5 Gold and Molybdenum Rock and Soil Geochemistry Correlated with Gridded Low and High Temperature TerraSpec Data CEO Patrick Elliott commented: We are excited about the potential at Pucarini and are finalizing preparations for our inaugural drill program. Given the strong surface geochemistry, extensive alteration, and compelling geophysical signatures, we believe this project presents a promising opportunity for discovery. While waiting for the rainy season to conclude before mobilizing, our team is actively engaged in planning and ensuring all logistics are in place for a successful program. Figure 6 Gold Rock Geochemistry, Vuggy Silica, Iron Oxides and Hydrothermal Alteration. Furthermore, the Company has terminated the option agreement with Alta Copper Corp. originally entered into on June 26, 2017. Pursuant to the option agreement, Forte had an option to acquire a 60% interest in the Don Gregorio Cu-Au Porphyry Project located in the Department of Cajamarca, Northern Peru by making cash payments totaling $500,000 USD ($100,000 was paid by Forte) and performing 10,000 m of drilling within 3 years of acquiring drill permits. Due to insurmountable community issues, access to the property was never granted, and the Company was not able to perform the environmental studies needed to acquire the DIA drilling permits, including community approvals for the DIA drill permits. The project was returned in good standing to Alta Copper Corps Peruvian subsidiary Cobriza Metals. A termination agreement was executed April 8th, 2025. QUALIFIED PERSON AND NI 43-101 DISCLOSURE Richard Osmond, P.Geo., is the Companys Qualified Person (Qualified Person) as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. ABOUT FORTE MINERALS CORP Forte Minerals Corp. is an exploration company with a strong portfolio of high-quality copper (Cu) and gold (Au) assets in Peru. Our strategic partnership with GlobeTrotters Resources Peru S.A.C. (GTR) grants us access to a comprehensive project pipeline, enabling us to target the most promising opportunities. This collaboration focuses on historically discovered, drill-ready targets, driving significant value in Cu and Au resource development. On behalf of FORTE MINERALS CORP. (signed) Patrick Elliott Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Forte Minerals Corp. office: 604-983-8847 info@forteminerals.com www.forteminerals.com Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, forward-looking statements), including those identified by the expressions anticipate, believe, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, should and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This press release contains forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and various estimates, factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, including the effects of COVID-19. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the statements will prove to be accurate or that managements expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on the Companys forward-looking statements. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (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 release. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8aa724a4-5df5-4511-ad56-1f339d8ef6db https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3138532-bcd9-496c-8fd3-f6d4f86780f5 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/33b39d4d-7f89-439f-aff7-7aab874b5068 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a5f6eed-7ca5-4122-b0a9-c7e49191c8af https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f43b598b-bd40-4b64-b725-4d7d1c8b249d https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/164a5ad1-2bb8-43df-b725-cebda4303886 Lake City, Florida, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ellianos Coffee, a southeast-based drive-thru specialty coffee brand, announces its expansion into Mississippi, with a new location under development in the state's southern region. This development marks the sixth state in the company's footprint, as Ellianos continues to grow as a drive-thru coffee concept based in the Southeast United States. Established in 2002, Ellianos currently operates 65 locations throughout Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, with locations in development in Tennessee and North Carolina. The company has expanded through its franchise model, focusing on quality products, efficient service, and customer experience. "We're excited to bring Ellianos Coffee to Mississippi," said Scott Stewart, Founder and CEO of Ellianos Coffee. "This expansion is part of our ongoing development across the Southeast region. We look forward to serving the Mississippi community with our coffee, specialty beverages, and food offerings." The Ellianos menu includes a variety of coffee-based beverages such as the Caffe Dolce (white mocha latte with caramel), Milan Mint Mocha (mint and dark chocolate latte), and Tuscany Toffee (toffee latte with caramel sauce). The company also offers smoothies, energy drinks, and a selection of food items. The food menu features breakfast options throughout the day, including breakfast sandwiches served on bagels, croissants, or biscuits. Ellianos also offers signature Southern-style grit bowls, with several varieties featuring toppings such as bacon, sausage, cheese, and eggs. These food offerings complement the beverage menu and provide customers with quick meal options in the drive-thru format. In the drive-thru coffee segment, Ellianos utilizes a double-sided drive-thru model to provide efficient service while maintaining quality. As a drive-thru coffee business founded and headquartered in the Southeast, Ellianos has developed its operations with regional considerations, including food items that appeal to Southern tastes. About Ellianos Coffee Ellianos Coffee, established in 2002 by entrepreneurs Scott and Pam Stewart, is committed to delivering Italian Quality at America's Pace. Throughout its 20-year history, Ellianos has expanded to 65 stores, with over 200 more in various stages of development. Franchise Business Review (FBR) recognized Ellianos as a 2025 Top Franchise and a 2024 Top Food Franchise. Entrepreneur magazine included Ellianos in its 2025 Franchise 500 list, highlighting it among the nation's top franchises. Additionally, Ellianos was celebrated as a Top 10 Coffee Franchise by Entrepreneur Magazine in 2024 and was featured in QSR Magazine's 16 Best Restaurant Franchising Deals for 2024. To explore franchising opportunities with Ellianos Coffee, visit www.ellianos.com/franchising/. Attachment SAN FRANCISCO, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The MicDrop Agency , an award-winning communications firm specializing in technology-driven industries, has been appointed the official Public Relations Agency of Record (AOR) for ENR FutureTech 2025 . This partnership underscores The MicDrop Agencys expanding influence in the construction technology space and its dedication to supporting transformative events that advance innovation across the industry. ENR FutureTech 2025, the premier construction technology forum presented by Engineering News-Record (ENR), annually brings together executive construction tech decision-makers, buyers, and innovators from across the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industries. The 2025 event will focus on emerging technologies to enhance productivity, profitability, safety, and overall project execution across various sectors with a particular focus on the long-term construction technology needs of project owners. Partnering with Engineering News-Recorda legacy publication that has set the standard in construction journalism for more than 150 yearsis a proud moment for The MicDrop Agency, said Katie Zeppieri, Founder and Chief Brand Strategist of The MicDrop Agency . Weve built a strong track record supporting startups and scaleups that are reimagining the built world through technology, which is a topic ENR has covered closely for decades. As the communications agency of choice for companies looking to accelerate growth and drive industry impact, were excited to help elevate the voices shaping whats nextalongside a platform as respected and influential as ENR, she added. We are excited to partner with The MicDrop Agency as our first-ever official PR Agency of Record for ENR FutureTech 2025 and 2026, said Scott Seltz, Group Publisher of ENR . Their expertise in the construction technology space and proven success in building visibility for emerging companies make them the ideal partner to amplify the reach of our event. ENR FutureTech is already recognized as the go-to conference for innovation in construction technology, and we look forward to growing its influence even further together with The MicDrop Agency. The MicDrop Agencys appointment as PR Agency of Record comes as it grows its team and expands its U.S. footprint, marked by the opening of a new office in Austin, Texas. This milestone further reinforces the agencys reputation as a trusted communications partner for high-growth companies at the intersection of technology, innovation, and industry transformation. With its strategic location in San Francisco, at the heart of the construction technology ecosystem, ENR FutureTech 2025 continues to attract top innovators, decision-makers, and industry leaders from across the architecture, engineering, and construction sectors. The event is a vital platform for showcasing technological advancements that drive industry productivity, safety, and profitability. For more information about the event, please visit the website here . About ENR FutureTech: ENR FutureTech is the premier forum for architecture, engineering, and construction professionals to discover the emerging technologies and advancements revolutionizing industry productivity, safety, and profitability. Produced annually by ENRthe trusted authority in engineering and construction news, FutureTech embodies the media brands legacy of integrity and insight. The event showcases thought-provoking keynotes, expert-led panels, hands-on workshops, and cutting-edge exhibitions, all centered around the latest innovations shaping the future of construction. Learn more: https://bit.ly/ENR-FutureTech About The MicDrop Agency: The MicDrop Agency is an award-winning integrated communications consulting firm specializing in public relations, digital communications, and reputation management. Guided by an entrepreneurial ethos and led by 2x TED speaker Katie Zeppieri, The MicDrop Agency is dedicated to delivering tailored, comprehensive solutions that elevate brand awareness and drive meaningful results for clients. Learn more: www.themicdropagency.com For media queries and other information about the event, please contact: Press Contact: Girish Jaggi Senior Account Manager The MicDrop Agency girish@themicdropagency.com +1 (289) 623 3627 Ottawa, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to Precedence Research, the global medical affairs outsourcing market size was valued at USD 1.95 billion in 2024. The market size is expected to exceed USD 3.89 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 7.18% from 2025 to 2034. The North America was estimated at USD 710 million in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 6.64% during the forecast period. Medical affairs outsourcing is a department within a medical device or pharmaceutical company responsible for communicating accurate information to healthcare providers. The Complete Study is Now Available for Immediate Access | Download the Sample Pages of this Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/sample/1113 Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market Key Findings: North America dominated the market by holding more than 36.31% of the market share in 2024. The pharmaceutical segment was valued at USD 1,029.61 million in 2024. The medical writing and publishing segment surpassed USD 654.62 million in 2024. Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market Regional and Segments Revenue Analysis: North America medical affairs outsourcing market size was valued at USD 706.61 million in 2024 and is anticipated to cross USD 1,342.31 million by 2034, registering a CAGR of 6.64% from 2025 to 2034. Asia Pacific medical affairs outsourcing market size reached USD 647.55 million in 2024 and is projected to surpass USD 1,473.76 million by 2034, with a solid CAGR of 8.57% from 2025 to 2034. Europe medical affairs outsourcing market size was evaluated at USD 370.42 million in 2024 and is expected to reach around USD 642.74 million by 2034, registering a CAGR of 5.68% from 2025 to 2034. Global Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market Revenue USD Million), By Services, 2022 to 2024 By Services 2022 2023 2024 Medical Writing & Publishing 564.37 607.61 654.62 Medical Monitoring 161.36 173.38 186.42 Medical Science Liaisons 329.72 338.41 347.58 Medical Information 443.24 471.52 501.94 Others 202.52 227.90 255.35 Global Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market Revenue (USD Million), By Industry, 2022 to 2024 By Industry 2022 2023 2024 Pharmaceutical 898.33 961.40 1,029.61 Biopharmaceutical 228.76 245.56 263.76 Medical Devices 574.11 611.87 652.55 Immediate Delivery Available | Buy This Premium Research Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/checkout/1113 Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market Overview The medical affairs outsourcing market is gaining traction in its forecasting period, due to firm managerial policies, a gainful approach, and quality service provided by contract research organization to increase number of clinical trials. As regulatory framework becomes increasingly stringent and demand for practical evidence, medical affairs functions have become critical in bridging scientific knowledge with clinical applications. To address this demand effectively, organizations are increasingly opting to outsource medical affairs activities to contract research organizations. Deputation of medical affairs functions to team of expert allows pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms to ensure regulatory obedience, improve the clarity and quality of scientific communication, and control escalating operational expenses all while maintaining high standards. The journey of new drug is both time-intensive and financially demanding. Right from initial stages of research and design through to clinical development and securing regulatory approval, this process can extend over a period of 10-15 days. Additionally, a surge was witnessed in the market for the year 2022. This advancement is driven by increased R&D activities, a growing number of clinical trials, and rising focus on market surveillance. The integration of digital health technologies, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics are key factors accelerating the growth of the market. For questions or customization requests, please reach out to us at sales@precedenceresearch.com Worldwide Investments in Medical Affair Outsourcing: Over USD 9.71 billion invested in healthcare R&D in France in 2021 , increasing the need for specialized medical affairs outsourcing. , increasing the need for specialized medical affairs outsourcing. Over USD 5.4 billion allocated for healthcare innovation in the United States in 2021, fueling demand for outsourced medical services. in 2021, fueling demand for outsourced medical services. India invested over USD 3.2 billion in healthcare infrastructure development in 2021, driving outsourcing opportunities in medical affairs. in 2021, driving outsourcing opportunities in medical affairs. Chinas government invested over USD 13.2 billion in pharmaceutical R&D in 2021 , contributing to a growing reliance on outsourced medical affairs functions. , contributing to a growing reliance on outsourced medical affairs functions. Germanys healthcare sector allocated approximately USD 7.5 billion for medical research in 2021, boosting the demand for outsourcing in medical affairs. Major Key Trends in global medical affairs outsourcing market Cost Effective and flexible solution: Cost effective and flexible approach is addressing the upcoming issues and demands faced by the business, due to rough regulatory setting in amplified association amongst global regulatory body. Cost effective and flexible approach is addressing the upcoming issues and demands faced by the business, due to rough regulatory setting in amplified association amongst global regulatory body. R&D expenditure: rising research and development expenditure has led to the introduction of innovative products in the market. It has also, fostered the growth of partnership opportunities amongst clinical research organizations, drug developers and contract manufacturing units. Thereby mitigating the risk associated with drug development process. rising research and development expenditure has led to the introduction of innovative products in the market. It has also, fostered the growth of partnership opportunities amongst clinical research organizations, drug developers and contract manufacturing units. Thereby mitigating the risk associated with drug development process. CMOs and CROs: The support offered by CMOs and CROs to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have significantly reduced market related risk factors. Their contributions have strengthened the industrys focus on core competencies and strategic collaborations. As a result, their role is considered a major driver of market growth. The support offered by CMOs and CROs to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies have significantly reduced market related risk factors. Their contributions have strengthened the industrys focus on core competencies and strategic collaborations. As a result, their role is considered a major driver of market growth. Digital transformation: the integration of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, is transforming the medical affairs outsourcing landscape. These tools help in decision making, monitoring and streamline communications in the market. Limitations & Challenges in global medical affairs outsourcing market: High investments: High investments in clinical trials have restricted the growth of the market. The substantial financial requirements have likely obstructed market expansion during the forecasting period. have restricted the growth of the market. The substantial financial requirements have likely obstructed market expansion during the forecasting period. Lack of testing services: A shortage of adequate testing service has negatively impacted the production of high-quality drugs, thereby affecting overall industry efficiency. A shortage of adequate testing service has negatively impacted the production of high-quality drugs, thereby affecting overall industry efficiency. Limited skilled workforce: The shortage of specialized professionals in medical affairs, regulatory compliance, and pharmacovigilance possess a significant challenge to outsourcing operations . This talent gap often leads to delays and compromises in providing quality services. The shortage of specialized professionals in medical and . This talent gap often leads to delays and compromises in providing quality services. Security concerns: With increasing reliance on digital platforms for data sharing and communication, concerns around data security and confidentiality have intensified. Ensuring compliance with international data protection regulations remains a major obstacle for service providers and clients alike. Browse Our Subscription Plans@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/get-a-subscription Development of medical affairs outsourcing platforms: Markets Largest Potential Companies are utilizing modern platforms which are no longer restricted to human expertise alone they are now enhanced by artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud-based technologies that streamline the workflow and enabling real time collaborations to improve data accuracy. These innovations have made medical service providers to deliver customized, compliant, and efficient services to clients around the globe. A survey by medical affairs organization indicated explanatory findings A larger, more diverse sample of MA leaders with a larger representation from different areas of the globe outside of the U.S., employed across a more variable range of companies in terms of its size and therapeutic areas could provide a more complete depiction of current trends and more differences in strategies worth considering. Moreover, a shift towards a hybrid and dispersed clinical trials has enlarged a scope for flexible and responsive platforms adapting to virtual environment at a faster pace. Outsourcing platforms are focusing not only on execution but as well on strategic consultation, data analytics and on stakeholder engagement, making them an integral part of commercial and clinical success of new therapies. Report Scope of Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market Report Attribute Key Statistics Base Year 2024 Historic Analysis 2020 to 2023 Forecast Period 2025 t0 2034 Market Size in 2024 USD 1.95 Billion Market Size in 2025 USD 2.08 Billion Market Size by 2034 USD 3.89 Billion CAGR 7.18% Dominated Region in 2024 North America Fastest Growing Region in 2024 Asia Pacific Segments Covered Services, Industry, and Regions Regions Covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa Country Covered U.S., Canada, Mexico, China, Singapore, Japan, India, South Korea, Thailand, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, South Africa, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Companies Profiled IQVIA Holdings Inc., The Medical Affairs Company (TMAC), Ashfield Healthcare Communications, Syneos Health Inc., ICON plc, ZEINCRO Group, Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC, Wuxi Clinical Development, Inc., Indegene Inc and SGS SA. Set up a meeting at your convenience to get more insights instantly! https://www.precedenceresearch.com/schedule-meeting How big is the U.S. Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market? According to Precedence Research, the U.S. medical affairs outsourcing market size was valued at USD 580 million in 2024 and is estimated to grow from USD 630 million in 2025 to USD 1,150 million by 2034, accelerating a solid CAGR of 7.05% from 2025 to 2034. The Complete Study is Immediately Accessible| Buy This Premium Research Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/checkout/4180 What to expect from North America a chief global frontier? North America held the largest share of the medical affairs outsourcing market in 2024, driven by the factors such as vigorous FDA supervisors, existence of international life sciences, pharmaceutical giants, and availability of talent pool increasing awareness amongst the consumers. The market is characterized by various factors including expertise and cost benefits in medical affairs, catering to expansion of innovative products in the market. Top North-America Countries for generic drug market United States: Leading in R&D and clinical trials and home to major CROs and CMOs Leading in R&D and clinical trials and home to major CROs and CMOs Canada: Growing investment in biotechnology and life sciences Growing investment in biotechnology and life sciences Mexico: Rising demand for clinical trials and pharma support. There is a significant rise in the demand for generics across North America, as the evolution of outsourcing medical affair platforms have reshaped the operational framework of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies. Consumers are on constant look out for innovative products in North America because of positive collaborations in this industry. Browse more Healthcare Industry Related Reports@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/industry/healthcare Why Asia-pacific is called the rising star of medical effects outsourcing: North America is seen to grow at the fastest rate in the medical affairs outsourcing market during the forecast period, due to the region's CROs' cost-effective service offerings, the region's increasing number of clinical trials, and the growing number of biopharmaceutical companies. The market growth is channelized by skillful labor forces China and India being in lead. Major Factors for the Markets Expansion in the Asia-pacific Market Expansion of skilled workforce in the region Cost-effective service offering High and quality production of drugs A potential of collaboration in pharmacies and availability of medicines in case of emergency Advancements in technology in manufacturing industry Improve focused on R&D activities in Chemical or pharmaceutical industries Awareness amongst the consumers Consumers in the Asia-Pacific region are becoming more price-sensitive and health-conscious, leading to a growing preference for cost-effective generic medications. The increasing penetration of health insurance and awareness campaigns about outsourcing platforms are further enhancing demand across urban and rural areas alike. Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market Segmentation Outlook Service Outlook: Medical writing and publishing sector dominated the market in 2024 because varied firms are outsourcing their management to medical writing and publishing service suppliers. The demand for these professionals is about a significant growth in the upcoming years due to escalated introduction of asserted pharma products in the market. As a result, the augmented need for medical professional writers is the key driver for the growth of the market. On the other hand, Medical Science Liaisons is the fastest growing segment in the market, due to an increased concentration for core undertakings associated to drug development than non-core actions including medical affairs. These services are subcontracted to CRO to decrease pending and profits from medical affair services. A significant rise has been observed in this sector providing robust, competition to mid-firm pharma in next coming years. Industry Outlook: Pharmaceutical segment dominated the market in 2024, driven by the mounting demand for groundwork of drafts of fresh patents, clinical trials and regulatory affairs and post marketing surveillance. With rising R&D investments, increasing product pipelines and growing emphasis on real world evidence, pharmaceutical companies are increasingly relaying on outsourcing activities. On the other hand, the medical devices segment is considered the fastest-growing segment in the market, driven by innovations resulting from outsourcing, strategic collaborations, cost-effective solutions, and advanced R&D practices. Over the years, the increasing adoption of medical devices globally has significantly improved quality of life. For instance, the widespread use of blood glucose monitors allows individuals to track and manage their sugar levels, promoting better health outcomes. The production and manufacturing of such devices have contributed to a more convenient and healthier lifestyle. Growing awareness and the rising availability of these products are key factors expected to drive the continued expansion of this segment in the coming years. Related Topics You May Find Useful: Regulatory Affairs Outsourcing Market Size, Share, and Trends 2025 to 2034: https://www.precedenceresearch.com/regulatory-affairs-outsourcing-market https://www.precedenceresearch.com/regulatory-affairs-outsourcing-market Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization Outsourcing Market Size, Share, and Trends 2025 to 2034: https://www.precedenceresearch.com/contract-development-and-manufacturing-organization-outsourcing-market https://www.precedenceresearch.com/contract-development-and-manufacturing-organization-outsourcing-market Medical Device Contract Manufacturing Market Size, Shar,e and Trends 2025 to 2034: https://www.precedenceresearch.com/medical-device-contract-manufacturing-market https://www.precedenceresearch.com/medical-device-contract-manufacturing-market Medical Billing Outsourcing Market Size, Share, and Trends 2025 to 2034: https://www.precedenceresearch.com/medical-billing-outsourcing-market https://www.precedenceresearch.com/medical-billing-outsourcing-market Medical Imaging Outsourcing Market Size, Share, and Trends 2025 to 2034: https://www.precedenceresearch.com/medical-imaging-outsourcing-market https://www.precedenceresearch.com/medical-imaging-outsourcing-market Hospital Outsourcing Market Size, Share, and Trends 2025 to 2034: https://www.precedenceresearch.com/hospital-outsourcing-market https://www.precedenceresearch.com/hospital-outsourcing-market Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Services Outsourcing Market Size, Share, and Trends 2025 to 2034: https://www.precedenceresearch.com/biotechnology-and-pharmaceutical-services-outsourcing-market https://www.precedenceresearch.com/biotechnology-and-pharmaceutical-services-outsourcing-market Drug Discovery Outsourcing Market Size, Share, and Trends 2025 to 2034: https://www.precedenceresearch.com/drug-discovery-outsourcing-market https://www.precedenceresearch.com/drug-discovery-outsourcing-market Healthcare Contract Research Outsourcing Market Size, Share, and Trends 2025 to 2034: https://www.precedenceresearch.com/healthcare-contract-research-outsourcing-market https://www.precedenceresearch.com/healthcare-contract-research-outsourcing-market Pharmaceutical Contract Sales Outsourcing (CSO) Market Size, Share, and Trends 2025 to 2034: https://www.precedenceresearch.com/pharmaceutical-contract-sales-outsourcing-market Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market Top Companies ICON plc Wuxi Clinical Development, Inc Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC Ashfield Healthcare Communications Indegene Inc. IQVIA Holdings Inc The Medical Affairs Company (TMAC) SGS SA Syneos Health Inc ZEINCRO Group Recent Breakthroughs: In November 2024, Soterius introduced virtual means of Medical Science Liaisons (MSLs) to facilitate the interchange of information which has been proven to be an effective way to reach a large audience. The research report categorizes the Medical Affairs Outsourcing Market into the following segments and subsegments: By Services Medical Monitoring Medical Writing & Publishing Medical Information Medical Science Liaisons Others By Industry Medical Devices Pharmaceutical Biopharmaceutical By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa Thanks for reading you can also get individual chapter-wise sections or region-wise report versions such as North America, Europe, or Asia Pacific. Immediate Delivery Available | Buy This Premium Research Report@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/checkout/1113 You can place an order or ask any questions, please feel free to contact at sales@precedenceresearch.com | +1 804 441 9344 Precedence Research offers exclusive subscription services designed to provide in-depth data and analytics insights. With a subscription, you gain access to a comprehensive suite of statistical resources, market intelligence, and research tools tailored to your business needs. Whether you're looking for industry trends, competitive analysis, or future market projections, our subscription plans ensure you stay ahead with reliable, up-to-date information. Browse Our Subscription Plans@ https://www.precedenceresearch.com/get-a-subscription About Us Precedence Research is a worldwide market research and consulting organization. We give an unmatched nature of offering to our customers present all around the globe across industry verticals. Precedence Research has expertise in giving deep-dive market insight along with market intelligence to our customers spread crosswise over various undertakings. We are obliged to serve our different client base present over the enterprises of medicinal services, healthcare, innovation, next-gen technologies, semi-conductors, chemicals, automotive, and aerospace & defense, among different ventures present globally. Web: https://www.precedenceresearch.com Our Trusted Data Partners: Towards Healthcare | Towards Packaging | Towards Automotive | Towards Chem and Materials | Towards FnB | Statifacts | Towards EV Solutions | Towards Dental | Nova One Advisor Get Recent News: https://www.precedenceresearch.com/news For Latest Update Follow Us: LinkedIn | Facebook | Twitter Annual General Meeting of April 11, 2025 Vicat (Euronext Paris: FR0000031775 VCT) Annual Shareholders Meeting was held today under the chairmanship of Guy Sidos, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO. All the resolutions presented to the Annual General Meeting were adopted, including the resolution to pay a dividend of 2.00 per share, in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors. The ex-dividend date is set on April 29, 2025, and the dividend will be paid on May 2, 2025. The detailed report of the 2025 Annual General Meeting, with the voting results, will soon be posted on www.vicat.fr. NEXT EVENTS First-quarter 2025 sales on April 29, 2025, after market close. Contacts Investor Relations Pierre PEDROSA Tel. +33 (0)6 73 25 98 06 pierre.pedrosa@vicat.fr Press Raphael Hinninger Tel. +33 (0)7 61 74 86 52 raphael.hinninger@vicat.fr About the Vicat Group For 170 years, Vicat has been a leading player in the mineral and biosourced building materials industry. Vicat is a group listed on the Euronext Paris market, part of the SBF 120 Index, and is under the majority control of the founding Merceron-Vicat family. With the ambition of achieving carbon neutrality in its value chain by 2050, the Vicat Group now operates three core lines of business: Cement, Ready-Mixed Concrete and Aggregates, as well as related activities. The Vicat Group is present in 12 countries spanning both developed and emerging markets. It has close to 10,000 employees and generated consolidated sales of 3,884 million in 2024. With its strong regional positions, Vicat is developing a circular economy model beneficial for all and consistently innovating to reduce the construction industrys environmental impact. Attachment NEW YORK, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Founding Ethereum advisor and AI innovator Steven Nerayoff inventor of the utility token and initial coin offering (ICO) filed an explosive $9.6 billion lawsuit yesterday in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York against the federal government and a rogue FBI agent who withheld information in order to fabricate false charges against Mr. Nerayoff. I filed this lawsuit because Im a patriotic American who wants to see our country live up to its founding ideals, Nerayoff explained. I want to see changes made to prevent this sort of thing from ever happening to anybody else, ever again. On an early September morning in 2019, FBI agents in tactical gear pulled Nerayoff from his bed and interrogated him in an unmarked van, threatening that he would never see his children again. Steven courageously stood up to these bullying tactics and chose to fight to prove his innocence. In 2023 nearly four years after Nerayoffs initial arrest a federal judge dismissed the case with prejudice. The entire case against me was based on fabricated evidence. FBI agents even deliberately withheld exculpatory evidence that would have proven my innocence, Nerayoff said. Nonetheless, I recognize that I was a casualty of a previous era of government that was hostile to innovation, and Im eager to put that behind me and begin working with President Trump to use my unique knowledge, experience, and talents to help lead the country into a new Golden Age. Nerayoff is being advised by famed constitutional law expert Alan Dershowitz, who said, This case may go down as one of the worst abuses of prosecutorial and governmental power Ive seen in my career. Theyre doing the same thing to Steven Nerayoff that they did to Donald Trump, Dershowitz noted. His contributions to innovation, to Americas digital future, are unmatched. And this is how we repay him? Case No.: CV-25-2012 April 11, 2025: The Americans are demanding that their European NATO allies assume more responsibility for their own defense. To encourage that, the U.S. is relinquishing its role as leader of NATO and chief contributor. The United States has to deal with increased Chinese aggression in East Asia and thats where American military resources will be concentrated. Europe is on its own and by any calculation can afford to create military forces adequate to deal with any Russian threat. As happened in the two World Wars, the U.S. will render assistance, which will take weeks or months to arrive. Since the 1950s most European nations have been content with allowing the United States to carry most of the defense load in terms of specialized equipment and combat ready troops as well as warships and combat aircraft. The Americans spend three percent of their GDP on defense each year and European nations agreed to spend two percent. The United States continues to spend three percent but not all of the European nations met their two percent goal. Poland and Finland, which border Russia, did meet the two percent goal but NATO nations further west, like Germany, are only spending 1.5 percent. The problem is that NATO nations can afford this expense, without hurting their economies, more than Russia can. In 2021, the year before Russia invaded Ukraine, the Russian defense budget was $66 billion. Russia expected a short and victorious war in Ukraine. That did not happen so Russia military budget for 2022 rose to $75 billion and then to between $84 billion and $100 billion in 2023. As a result of this Russia is expected to spend over $600 billion on defense between 2022 and 2025. The Ukraine War has made NATO countries aware that the Cold War-era Russian threat has returned and is not likely to go away. This means NATO countries will have to return to Cold War levels of defense spending, which averaged 3.5 percent a year for all NATO members. In the 1990s that shrank to two percent. Now it is supposed to go back to 3.5 percent. In Russia the situation was worse. At the end of the Cold war, in 1991 when the Soviet Union fell apart, the Soviet Union was spending over $70 billion a year on defense. Russia is not only more aggressive but is putting its economy on a permanent war footing. Russia cannot afford that, mainly because it was hit with extensive economic sanctions. This hurt Russia economically and the government tells the Russian people that the current economic depression in Russia is the result of NATO aggression. Russia tells its people that its troops went into Ukraine to prevent NATO from taking control of Ukraine and using it as part of an attack on Russia. The assertion seems absurd to Westerners, but Russians have had over a century of government paranoia about the West and are more inclined to accept it as reality. Russia is already threatening to inflict some punishment on European nations that support Ukraine and that is inspiring the NATO nations to at least consider trying to up their defense spending and reach the two percent goal. Right now American defense spending exceeds that of Britain, China, France, Germany, India, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Ukraine. Currently the United States is spending nearly $900 billion a year on defense, which just about exceeds the combined defense spending of every other nation on the planet. Considering this situation, the Americans feel justified in demanding that their European allies meet the two percent of GDP goal they agreed to. The continued fighting in Ukraine proved to be an incentive to meet the two percent demand and, in some cases, exceed it. Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine is another example of Russia reviving the Cold War that ended in 1991 with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Since then Russia has continued to get involved in wars. For example, Russian operations in Syria caused Russian defense spending to increase to $48 billion in 2015. That was 4.2 percent of its 2015 GDP. Military spending declined to $45 billion, or four percent of GDP in 2016. Russia was forced to cut defense spending sharply in 2017 and 2018 because of continued low oil prices and economic sanctions imposed because of Russian aggression against Ukraine that began in 2014. As a result in 2017 Russian defense spending fell to about 3.2 percent of GDP and in 2018 it was 2.9 percent of GDP. There it remained until the eve of the Russian attack on Ukraine in 2022. Dublin, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Brazil Cosmetics Market, By Region, Competition, Forecast & Opportunities, 2020-2030F" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Brazilian Cosmetics Market was valued at USD 4.56 Billion in 2024, and is expected to reach USD 6.21 Billion by 2030, rising at a CAGR of 7.24%. Brazil's Cosmetics market is driven by a combination of factors, including a rising demand for beauty products, increased disposable incomes, and a deep cultural focus on personal appearance. Also, Brazil's diverse population has led to a demand for inclusive beauty products catering to various skin tones and types. Growing awareness of natural and sustainable ingredients has further prompted brands to develop eco-friendly and cruelty-free options. As a part of this, according to a recent study, as of 2024, the total population of Brazil from 2019 to 2023, with projections extending through 2029, indicates that in 2023, the estimated population was approximately 211.7 million inhabitants. These trends are contributing to the continued expansion of the Brazilian cosmetics market. Key Market Drivers Rising Disposable Income Across the Region Rising disposable income across Brazil is a key driver of the country's cosmetics market. As a part of this, according to a recent study, as of 2024, Brazil, household disposable income rose by 8.3% in Q1 2022 compared to Q4 2021. As the middle class grows and economic conditions improves, more consumers can afford a broader range of beauty and personal care products. This shift has led to increased spending on premium and luxury cosmetic items, such as high-end skincare, makeup, and haircare products. Consumers are becoming more willing to invest in higher-quality brands that offer enhanced effectiveness and specialized formulations for different skin types and concerns. Also, the rise in disposable income has driven demand for products that cater to beauty trends, including those focused on anti-aging, natural ingredients, and eco-friendly packaging. Consequently, the growing economic prosperity is expected to continue fueling market growth and diversifying the types of beauty products in demand. Key Market Challenges Fluctuating Prices of Raw Material Fluctuating prices of raw materials present a significant challenge to the Brazil cosmetics market. The cost of key ingredients, such as natural oils, pigments, and specialized chemicals, can vary due to several factors, including changes in global supply chains, environmental conditions, and currency fluctuations. Brazil's reliance on imports for some raw materials further exposes cosmetic manufacturers to price volatility. For example, fluctuations in the price of essential oils or imported packaging materials can directly impact production costs, forcing companies to adjust their pricing strategies, sometimes making products more expensive for consumers. This uncertainty in raw material costs can be particularly challenging for small and medium-sized cosmetic brands that have less flexibility in absorbing price increases. For larger corporations, while they may have the resources to navigate cost changes, they still face pressure to maintain competitive pricing while managing profit margins. In response, some brands may resort to using lower-cost substitutes or altering product formulations, which can impact product quality and consumer satisfaction. Also, the increasing demand for natural and organic cosmetics, while a positive trend, also exacerbates the issue of fluctuating raw material costs. Key Market Trends Rising Preference for Natural/Organic Ingredients The rising preference for natural and organic ingredients is a prominent trend driving the Brazil cosmetics market. As consumers become more conscious of the impact of synthetic chemicals on their health and the environment, there is a growing demand for beauty products that feature natural, organic, and cruelty-free ingredients. This trend is fuelled by the increasing awareness of sustainability and the desire for products that are perceived as safer, healthier, and more eco-friendly. Brazil, with its rich biodiversity, is uniquely positioned to benefit from this shift, as the country is home to a vast range of natural resources, such as Amazonian oils, plant extracts, and other indigenous ingredients. Many Brazilian cosmetic brands are tapping into this advantage by formulating products that emphasize the use of locally sourced, natural ingredients, aligning with both consumer preferences and environmental considerations. Ingredients like acai, babassu oil, and guarana are gaining popularity in skincare and haircare products for their natural properties and sustainability. Consumers are also increasingly opting for clean beauty products - those free from parabens, sulphates, and other harsh chemicals. This preference is particularly evident among younger, more informed consumers who prioritize health-conscious choices and are willing to pay a premium for products that align with their values. Also, the demand for vegan, cruelty-free cosmetics continues to grow, with brands responding by offering more ethical and transparent products. Key Market Players L'Oreal S.A Unilever Brasil Ltda The Procter & Gamble Company Beiersdorf AG Avon Cosmeticos Ltda Revlon Coty Inc., Hoyu Cosmetics Co., Ltd Kao Group KHK Cosmetics Key Topics Covered: 1. Introduction 1.1. Product Overview 1.2. Key Highlights of the Report 1.3. Market Coverage 1.4. Market Segments Covered 1.5. Research Tenure Considered 2. Research Methodology 3. Executive Summary 3.1. Overview of the Market 3.2. Overview of Key Market Segmentations 3.3. Overview of Key Market Players 3.4. Overview of Key Regions 3.5. Overview of Market Drivers, Challenges, and Trends 4. Voice of Customer 4.1. Brand Awareness 4.2. Factor Influencing Availing Decision 5. Brazil Cosmetics Market Outlook 5.1. Market Size & Forecast 5.1.1. By Value 5.2. Market Share & Forecast 5.2.1. By Product Type (Hair Care, Skin Care, Nail Care, Lip Care, Eye Care) 5.2.2. By Nature (Organic, Regular) 5.2.3. By Skin Type (Normal, Dry, Oily, Combination, Sensitive) 5.2.4. By End User (Men, Women, Kids) 5.2.5. By Distribution Channel (Supermarket & Hypermarket, Convenience Stores, Specialty Stores, Online, Others) 5.2.6. By Region 5.2.7. By Company (2024) 5.3. Market Map 6. Brazil Organic Cosmetic Market Outlook 7. Brazil Regular Cosmetic Market Outlook 8. Market Dynamics 8.1. Drivers 8.2. Challenges 9. Market Trends & Developments 9.1. Merger & Acquisition (If Any) 9.2. Product Launches (If Any) 9.3. Recent Developments 10. Porters Five Forces Analysis 11. Brazil Economic Profile 12. Policy & Regulatory Landscape 13. Competitive Landscape 13.1. Company Profiles L'Oreal S.A Unilever Brasil Ltda The Procter & Gamble Company Beiersdorf AG Avon Cosmeticos Ltda Revlon Coty Inc., Hoyu Cosmetics Co., Ltd Kao Group KHK Cosmetics For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/2b0m2x 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. Sayre, Pa., April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sayre, Pa. In another proactive step to promote workplace safety, Guthrie introduced its first-ever K9 Security Team on Friday, April 11. Echo Cardiogram Guthrie -- Echo for short -- and his handler, K9 Security Officer Jennifer Vaughn, have completed their joint training program and are now on campus. While based in Sayre, Pa., the K9 team will be deployed throughout our system working with our on-sight security teams to promote a safe and secure work environment for our caregivers, while also acting as a visual reminder to visitors about our security presence. Echo is a 106-pound German Shepherd. Before joining our team, Officer Vaughn worked in public safety for 27 years, serving as a correctional officer. Together, they make up the first members of our K9 Security Program, the only K9 Security Program for a health system in our service area. A recent poll by the American College of Physicians found that 91% of emergency physicians said that they, or a colleague, were a victim of violence in the past year. There is a common misconception that those statistics only apply to urban areas, but rural areas like the ones we serve are equally, if not more, impacted, said Dr. Edmund Sabanegh, President and CEO, The Guthrie Clinic. Thats why we have been continually bolstering our security teams and enhancing our technical capabilities. This K9 team adds another layer. An important reminder: Echo is a working dog. His sole motivation is to keep our caregivers, patients and visitors safe. So, please, do NOT approach Echo without the permission of K9 Officer Vaughn. While they will engage with the community at select events throughout our footprint, their time is best spent inside our facilities, doing their job. Later this year, Guthrie will add a second K9 Security Team. I am very proud to be part of an organization that values workplace safety, in a world where new challenges constantly present themselves, said Andrew Dunnick, Senior Director of Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness, The Guthrie Clinic. We can point to multiple reasons for the alarming statistics across the country, but at Guthrie, were also focusing on solutions. In March, Dr. Sabanegh met with House and Senate members in Harrisburg about legislative opportunities to expand and advance workplace safety efforts. In New York, we joined other hospitals and health systems in a collaborative campaign called Respect and Heal, which is aimed at ensuring the safe and respectful treatment of health care workers through development of best practices and advocating for more workplace safety protections. We will continue to advocate at the local, state and federal levels for the safety of our caregivers and patients. Speakers at the event: Dr. Ed Sabanegh, President and CEO, The Guthrie Clinic; Andrew Dunnick, Sr. Director of Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness, The Guthrie Clinic; Amber Masteller, RN; Tina Pickett, PA State Representative Feel free to use any or all footage linked here. Full footage of event: https://youtu.be/zMcTs8by3Jc B-roll from event: https://youtu.be/ahFO9TlyC20 The Guthrie Clinic is a non-profit multispecialty health system integrating clinical and hospital care along with research and education. Headquartered in Sayre, Pennsylvania, The Guthrie Clinic stands as one of the nations longest established group practices, founded in 1910 by the visionary Dr. Donald Guthrie. The organizations patient-centered approach revolves around a clinically integrated network of employed providers. Among The Guthrie Clinics more than 9,000 caregivers are close to 1,000 highly skilled physicians and advanced practice providers representing the spectrum of medical Specialties and sub-specialties. Situated across 10,000 square miles in northeastern Pennsylvania and upstate New York, The Guthrie Clinics comprehensive six hospital campuses also encompass an expansive network of outpatient facilities across 13 counties. Post-acute care includes acute rehabilitation, skilled nursing, personal care home, home care and hospice services, completing the continuum of care. With a commitment to shaping the future of health care, the organization offers eleven residencies and five fellowships, serving as a training ground for the next generation of leaders in the field. Visit us at www.Guthrie.org. Follow us at Twitter.com/GuthrieClinic, Facebook.com/TheGuthrieClinic, Linkedin.com/company/TheGuthrieClinic, and Instagram.com/TheGuthrieClinic. Attachments ZURICH, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A trading revolution is brewing on the XRP Ledger, and early investors are already making their moves. XploraDEX , the first AI-powered decentralized exchange built natively on XRPL, is nearing its highly anticipated platform launchand its presale is quickly becoming one of the hottest opportunities of the year. The native token $XPL is the key to accessing XploraDEXs cutting-edge AI trading features, and with the presale already surpassing its soft cap, interest is accelerating by the hour. Crypto investors, whale wallets, and forward-looking DeFi users are flooding inknowing that once the platform goes live, the entry price will never be this low again. [Join $XPL Presale] Why All Eyes Are on XploraDEX Unlike traditional DEXs, XploraDEX is powered by artificial intelligence built to support smarter, more profitable trading. The platform will offer predictive market analytics, automated trading strategies, intelligent portfolio rebalancing, and on-chain AI alerts that guide users through volatile market conditionsall while operating on the ultra-fast and low-cost XRP Ledger. Traders will be able to: Execute AI-assisted buy/sell decisions in real-time Receive adaptive market forecasts and volatility signals Automate strategies based on risk tolerance and trade history Access personalized dashboards that evolve with market behavior XploraDex is not just a DEX. Its an intelligent trading assistant, engineered to remove emotional trading and improve results with data-driven execution. $XPL Token: Your Gateway to Smarter DeFi The $XPL token powers the entire ecosystem. It unlocks: Premium access to AI trading tools Trading fee discounts and staking rewards Early access to future platform features Governance rights to vote on upgrades and AI model evolution With over 43% of the presale allocation already claimed and the hard cap closing in, $XPL is quickly transforming from an early-stage token to one of the most talked-about opportunities in the XRP DeFi space. [Participate in $XPL Presale] Whats Coming Next The XploraDEX AI trading engine is set to go live shortly after the presale concludes. Early participants will be the first to access beta tools, claim staking bonuses, and benefit from increased exposure once the platform lists on XRPL DEXs. If you missed early entries into tokens like UNI, GMX, or DYDXthis could be your second chance. XploraDEX is building infrastructure that rivals the top DEXs in crypto, with the unique twist of AI-powered intelligence at its core. Final Call: The Clock Is Ticking With $XPL Presale demand exploding and limited tokens left before the hard cap is reached, this is your final window to join XploraDEX before the AI-powered trading platform launches. The opportunity to get in earlyto trade smarter, and to own a piece of the infrastructure before the rest of the world catches onis now. Join the $XPL Presale Today: https://sale.xploradex.io Stay connected and Join the XploraDEX AI Revolution Website | $XPL Token Presale | X | Telegram Contact: Oliver Muller oliver@xploradex.io contact@xploradex.io Disclaimer: This press release is provided by the XploraDEX. 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. 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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/79ae359d-d4e1-472b-b4d9-64f570b57b7e Mitchell, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mitchell, South Dakota - Precision Reloading has rolled out a new line of brass products called Alpha Brass. Known for providing top-notch reloading supplies, the company is now expanding its range with this new series crafted by Alpha Brass. These products are geared toward shooting enthusiasts looking for dependable performance. More information about these new offerings can be found on their website, precisionreloading.com. This new collection includes several precisely engineered items designed to meet different shooting needs. Among them is the Alpha Brass 25 Creedmoor Small Primer Pocket, which is built for high accuracy. Another product, the Alpha Brass 6mm Dasher Small Primer Pocket, is known for its consistency. Rounding out the line is the Alpha Brass 22 GT Small Primer, which suits specific shooting applications. Precision Reloading has long been known for supplying high-quality reloading supplies. The introduction of Alpha Brass mirrors the company's commitment to keeping up with the needs of shooting enthusiasts. This series is set to uphold the high standards that come with the Precision Reloading brand. A representative from the company expressed enthusiasm about these additions, noting, "Precision Reloading is thrilled to introduce the Alpha Brass line to our catalog. These products are tailored for customers looking for reliable and precise components in their reloading endeavors. We're proud to offer this new selection that aligns with our commitment to quality." Precision Reloading has always aimed to provide shooting enthusiasts with the tools they need for effective reloading. The unveiling of the Alpha Brass line fits with their goal to supply components that deliver accuracy and efficiency. This new range caters to hobbyists and competitive shooters alike. Customers can easily find these products online. Precision Reloading, known for its comprehensive customer approach, offers support and advice on how to use these products effectively. This focus on customer service has helped the company maintain strong relationships with those who depend on high-quality reloading supplies. The Alpha Brass series showcases the quality that Precision Reloading aims to provide. With additions like the Alpha Brass 25 Creedmoor, 6mm Dasher, and 22 GT, shooting enthusiasts have more choices that suit their specific needs. Each product undergoes a thorough selection process to meet the company's strict quality standards. Precision Reloading's dedication to quality goes beyond just offering great products. The company listens to customer feedback and keeps an eye on industry developments to continually refine its catalog. Introducing new products like the Alpha Brass line keeps it in step with the latest trends and technologies in the shooting industry. The full range of their offerings, including popular reloading supplies like dies, bullets, hulls, and more, is also detailed on their main website. With the Alpha Brass series now available, Precision Reloading can better serve its customer base. Each item is crafted to perform at high standards, meeting expectations for quality and reliability. According to the listings on Precision Reloading's website, the Alpha Brass line gives customers a range of choices. Its focus on precision and durability makes it a valuable addition for anyone involved in reloading ammunition. This new line underscores Precision Reloading's ongoing effort to provide a full range of supplies for shooting enthusiasts. Featuring the Alpha Brass name adds extra credibility and assures customers of its quality. A spokesperson for Precision Reloading remarked, "We continuously seek to expand our offerings with products that bring value to our customers. The introduction of the Alpha Brass line marks a significant step forward in delivering components distinguished by quality and innovation. Our customers can trust that these new products maintain our rigorous standards of excellence." By updating its product selection to meet customer demands, Precision Reloading keeps a strong market position. The Alpha Brass line is an important part of its dedication to offering a wide variety of reloadings supplies. Customers who want to learn more about this new range can find further details on Precision Reloading's website. With the Alpha Brass line now part of its offerings, Precision Reloading shows its commitment to providing innovative and reliable products for shooting enthusiasts everywhere. The company's strategy to offer more diverse options reinforces its standing as a leader in providing quality reloading supplies for various customers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1B8XcqCVp88 Recent News: Precision Reloading Unveils Lapua Brass and Two New Calibers to Boost Accuracy and Quality ### For more information about Precision Reloading, contact the company here: Precision Reloading Precision Reloading 605-996-9984 Orders@precisionreloading.com 1700 W. Cedar Ave. Mitchell, SD 57301 San Jose, California, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As an experienced tech analyst, former NASA scientist, TV host, and emcee, Lisa Martin brings a unique combination of data and storytelling to the table. At the helm of LuccaZara Marketing, her tech-focused marketing agency, she harnesses this blend to strengthen client-consumer relationships through authentic, succinct, tech-led campaigns. Guided by the belief that novelty, no matter what form it takes, shouldnt be rejected but embraced, she announced the launch of her podcast, CMOs: Unscripted. Lisa Martin Set to enter streaming platforms like Spotify and YouTube in June, CMOs: Unscripteds first season will comprise 12 insightful episodes, each one recorded to provoke, educate, and inspire listeners. Through bi-weekly releases, audiences worldwide will gain access to the raw emotions, bold ideas, and challenges that shape the most renowned, innovative Chief Marketing Officers across various industries. Though diverse and with a different message, all episodes will be tied to one truth: brilliance in marketing cant be achieved by following a script. Just like theres no such thing as textbook success, a CMOs job is about embracing data and technology, testing, and not being afraid to make bold decisions driven by data, stresses Martin. Ultimately, thats what delivers measurable value and revenue for any company. Every episode will feature a candid, relationship-based, 20-minute conversation between Martin and her guests, delving deep into all things B2B and B2C marketing from relevant AI explorations to the most pivotal moments in the industrys history. On CMOs: Unscripted, there will be no rehearsals; its about the truth, whether thats unraveling experts most difficult decisions or discovering their genuine feelings on the inevitable but exciting tech revolution. In the first season, listeners can expect insights and lessons on a wide spectrum of topics. As Martin shared, the first episodes will focus on a private equity companys CMOs journey to managing up to the board, a professional navigating marketing dynamics across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, a seasoned CMOs opinion on integrated marketing, and another experts successes with key use cases of AI in marketing. Tapping into her professional background, Martin will interview CMOs through her unique analyst lens. Meanwhile, her innate knack for storytelling will transform these complex concepts into digestible knowledge. This commitment to education is no coincidence, rooted in her illustrious career. From being a NASA scientist to studying biology and discovering the complexities of technology, Martin has always felt a purpose in helping others understand this esoteric maze of data. After discovering marketing, she realized this mission could be achieved through the industrys very core storytelling. For aspiring executives, the general public, or fellow CMOs, Martins podcast aims to offer a treasure trove of firsthand wisdom, expert predictions, and transformative stories. There is so much fear around AI and technology, and being able to educate others on its potential is incredibly rewarding, she reflects. But I also believe that, as industry experts, we should all feel this obligation. Thats exactly what CMOs: Unscripted is all about using technology for good while inspiring others to be bold, break the status quo, and leave scripts behind. Media Contact: Name: Sheila Refael Email: sheila@luccazara.com Cleveland, Ohio, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- COOLOGICS, a clinical-stage medical device company, has announced the commencement of new, larger multi-center, open-label clinical trials for its innovative product, Vlisse. These trials will begin this month with the objective of gathering sufficient data to secure FDA clearance for the device. The site initiation visits are already scheduled, during which participating centers will receive comprehensive protocol training to ensure immediate enrollment and adherence to study procedures. The upcoming trials will focus on evaluating the efficacy and safety of Vlisse in treating uncomplicated vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), commonly known as yeast infections. Vlisse aims to provide symptom relief through intravaginal cooling. It hopes to reverse Candida albicans from its pathogenic hyphal form back to its commensal yeast form, alleviating the inflammatory response responsible for VVC symptoms. Participants will undergo a treatment regimen of 30-minute cooling sessions twice daily for three days. Follow-up assessments are planned at seven days and between 28 to 30 days post-treatment to monitor symptom resolution and potential recurrence. The study aims to enroll 69 women to account for potential dropouts, with a target of 55 completing the trial. For seamless data collection and analysis, the trials would be conducted in collaboration with ValidCare, a clinical research organization renowned for its fully digital approach. This initiative aligns with COOLOGICS mission to redefine womens health by providing innovative, drug-free medical devices that address common gynecological conditions. Kimberly Langdon, MD, COOLOGICS founder, states: Weve always been committed to developing solutions that target the underlying causes of vaginal infections. Thats why our focus is on non-pharmacological interventions. We intend to reduce the reliance on antifungal medications. Kimberly Langdon, MD A study on Vlisse has demonstrated its effectiveness in alleviating symptoms of VVC through targeted intravaginal cooling. In a pilot clinical trial, five women with symptomatic VVC used the device for 30-minute cooling sessions twice daily for three days. All participants reported their symptoms, including itching, swelling, discharge, redness, and irritation were reduced. Improvements were observed after only three uses, and by the 30-day follow-up, all patients had achieved complete symptom relief and demonstrated clinical cure. Additionally, an accompanying mouse model study showed that intravaginal cooling reduced immunopathogenic neutrophil infiltration and the presence of fungal hyphae. Since no tissue damage or adverse effects were observed, the safety of the intervention is reinforced. The combination of human and animal data provides compelling evidence that intravaginal cooling can be a viable drug-free alternative to traditional antifungal treatments. This initial success enabled COOLOGICS to secure funding. This funding, along with a non-dilutive grant, will support the upcoming clinical trials and further product development efforts. Its worth noting that Vlisse potential impact doesnt stop at VVC treatment. Untreated vaginal infections (e.g., bacterial vaginosis and VVC) have been associated with an increased risk of preterm birth (PTB). Genital infections and inflammation contribute to PTBs. Consequently, treatment of yeast and bacterial vaginal infections can lower the chances of PTB. This means Vlisse can serve as a preventative strategy, reducing the incidence of PTBs and improving neonatal outcomes. COOLOGICS initiation of multi-center clinical trials is a step toward obtaining FDA approval for Vlisse. The company is set to meaningfully impact womens health by offering a drug-free solution for vaginal infections, potentially contributing to the reduction of preterm births. Media Contact: Name: Kimberly Langdon Email: kim@coologics.com The information in this announcement is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. Vlisse is an investigational device and has not yet received FDA clearance. It is currently being evaluated in clinical trials for safety and efficacy. The statements made regarding Vlisse have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. This device is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Participation in the clinical trial is voluntary and subject to specific inclusion criteria. Individuals should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before considering any new treatment. The results from pilot studies and animal models are preliminary and should not be interpreted as conclusive evidence of safety or effectiveness. Investors can contact the law firm at no cost to learn more about recovering their losses LOS ANGELES, April 11, 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 BOSTON, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Dr. Sudipta Mohanty Scholarship for Underserved Communities in Medicine awarded its inaugural scholarship recipient on March 15, 2025. This one-time $1,000 award, founded by Dr. Sudipta Mohanty, is dedicated to supporting undergraduate and aspiring medical students who are passionate about improving healthcare access for underserved communities. As a practicing physician and advocate for health equity, Dr. Sudipta Mohanty established this scholarship to empower students committed to addressing healthcare disparities. The overwhelming response from applicants nationwide highlights the growing enthusiasm among future healthcare professionals to make a meaningful impact in primary care and community health. A Commitment to Future Medical Leaders The Dr. Sudipta Mohanty Scholarship for Underserved Communities in Medicine was created to support students who share a commitment to primary care and serving marginalized populations. Applicants were required to submit an essay discussing the role of medicine in underserved communities and proposing innovative solutions to improve healthcare accessibility. On March 15, 2025, one outstanding student will be selected as the recipient of this prestigious scholarship. The winning essay will be highlighted, recognizing the students dedication to advancing healthcare equity and their potential to shape the future of medicine. Dr. Sudipta Mohanty, the scholarships founder, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative: "Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand the challenges faced by underserved communities in accessing quality healthcare. This scholarship is my way of encouraging the next generation of medical professionals to take an active role in bridging these gaps. The future of healthcare depends on individuals who are not only skilled but also deeply committed to equity and service." Dr. Sudipta Mohantys Vision and Impact Dr. Sudipta Mohanty has dedicated his career to primary care, healthcare advocacy, and medical education. His journey began with an accelerated academic path, starting undergraduate studies at the age of 15 before earning his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh. He later completed his residency at the University of California Riverside, solidifying his expertise in patient-centered care and health policy. Through his work, Dr. Sudipta Mohanty has been a strong advocate for increasing access to healthcare services, particularly for marginalized communities. His scholarship reflects this ongoing commitment by encouraging and financially supporting students who aspire to make a difference in underserved areas. Looking Ahead: March 15, 2025 Announcement The selection process for the Dr. Sudipta Mohanty Scholarship for Underserved Communities in Medicine consisted of a dedicated panel reviewing applications to identify the student who best embodies the scholarships mission. The winner was announced on March 15, 2025, with their story shared to inspire future applicants and medical professionals. By recognizing students who align with Dr. Sudipta Mohantys vision, this scholarship serves as both a financial resource and a platform to promote meaningful conversations about healthcare accessibility. Dr. Sudipta Mohanty looks forward to continuing this initiative and supporting future generations of healthcare leaders. For more information about the Dr. Sudipta Mohanty Scholarship for Underserved Communities in Medicine, including future application opportunities, please visit https://drsudiptamohantyscholarship.com/. Contact Info: Spokesperson: Dr. Sudipta Mohanty Organization: Dr. Sudipta Mohanty Scholarship Website: https://drsudiptamohantyscholarship.com/ Email: apply@drsudiptamohantyscholarship.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/066ad169-2c62-406f-b0d8-2af00c9e5c8c VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rubicon Organics Inc. (TSXV: ROMJ) (OTCQX: ROMJF) (Rubicon Organics or the Company), is Canadas leading premium licensed producer focused on cultivating and selling organic certified and premium cannabis products and ultra-premium products, is pleased to announce its upcoming participation in two industry events: the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025, taking place April 2224, 2025, at the Paris Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and the International Cannabis Business Conference (ICBC) Berlin B2B scheduled for April 2930, 2025, at the Estrel Berlin Hotel in Berlin, Germany. Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 Rubicon Organics will deliver a company presentation on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, followed by one-on-one investor meetings with Margaret Brodie, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), on Thursday, April 24, 2025. A webcast of the presentation will be available live and for replay via the link below. Presentation Details: Date: April 23, 2025 Time: 11:30 AM PST Location: Paris Hotel & Casino, Las Vegas, NV, USA Webcast: Link If you would like to book 1x1 investor meetings with Rubicon Organics and to attend the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025, please make sure you are registered here. ICBC Berlin B2B Margaret Brodie, CEO, will join a panel discussion on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, as part of the ICBC Berlin B2B event. The panel will feature industry executives, policymakers, and international experts discussing key issues shaping the future of the cannabis B2B ecosystem. Panel Discussion Details: Date: April 29, 2025 Panel Discussion Start Time: 11:45 AM CET Location: Estrel Berlin Hotel, Berlin, Germany To register for the event, visit here. ABOUT RUBICON ORGANICS INC. Rubicon Organics Inc. is the global brand leader in premium organic cannabis products. The Company is vertically integrated through its wholly owned subsidiary Rubicon Holdings Corp, a licensed producer. Rubicon Organics is focused on achieving industry leading profitability through its premium cannabis flower, product innovation and brand portfolio management, including three flagship brands: its super-premium brand Simply Bare Organic, its premium brand 1964 Supply Co, and its cannabis wellness brand Wildflower in addition to the Companys mainstream brand Homestead Cannabis Supply. The Company ensures the quality of its supply chain by cultivating, processing, branding and selling organic certified, sustainably produced, super-premium cannabis products from its state-of-the-art glass roofed facility located in Delta, BC, Canada. CONTACT INFORMATION Margaret Brodie CEO Phone: +1 (437) 929-1964 Email: ir@rubiconorganics.com The TSX Venture Exchange or its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, statements regarding Rubicon Organics goal of achieving industry leading profitability are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as will or variations of such word or statements that certain actions, events or results will be taken, occur or be achieved. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. The forward-looking information in this press release is based on certain assumptions that management considers reasonable under the circumstances, including the Companys participation in the Planet MicroCap Showcase: VEGAS 2025 and ICBC Berlin B2B, the potential benefits of such event, the Companys financial performance, strategic expansion plans, market position, and future industry developments. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, and projections about the Companys business and the industry in which it operates. Risks and uncertainties associated with the forward-looking information in this press release include, among others, risks related to regulatory approvals, changes in market conditions, competition, supply chain disruptions, the Company's ability to maintain certification standards, and the successful implementation of its business strategy. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Although Rubicon Organics has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other risk factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements. Rubicon Organics assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, even if new information becomes available as a result of future events, new information or for any other reason except as required by law. DUBAI, UAE, April 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FXSentry, an advanced forex trading automation system, introduces a risk-aware trading strategy designed to prioritize capital protection while strategically identifying market opportunities. With market volatility constantly reshaping trading conditions, this system provides a disciplined, defense-first approach that safeguards capital without compromising the potential for strong returns. Most automated trading solutions prioritize trade volume over risk control, often leaving traders vulnerable to sharp market reversals. This system takes a different approach, embedding advanced risk assessment tools that actively monitor trading conditions, adjust to market fluctuations, and shield capital from unnecessary exposure. By integrating protective stop-loss placement, dynamic lot sizing, and real-time volatility tracking, it ensures that every trade is backed by rigorous risk parameters rather than blind execution. Turning Volatility into Opportunity In forex trading, survival isn't just about making gains, it's about keeping them. High-impact news events, liquidity shifts, and algorithmic trading can wipe out unprotected positions in seconds, leaving traders exposed to unnecessary losses. A trading system that doesn't prioritize capital preservation isn't just incomplete, it's a liability. This guardian-style forex automation takes a measured stance, ensuring that every position aligns with a pre-calculated risk model. Instead of reacting impulsively to price swings, the system assesses historical patterns, volatility thresholds, and liquidity shifts before executing trades. The goal is not only to protect funds from unnecessary drawdowns but to capitalize on strategic openings that offer calculated risk-to-reward ratios. FXSentry is designed with capital protection at its core, prioritizing account safety while strategically seizing market opportunities. Traders need more than just automation; they need a system that understands when to engage and when to step back. A Smarter Defensive Strategy in Forex Trading With forex markets prone to unexpected shifts driven by macroeconomic events, safeguarding capital is becoming an increasing priority for both retail and institutional traders. The rise of risk-focused automation marks a shift in the industry, where traders now seek solutions that balance profit potential with built-in protection mechanisms. As AI-driven trading continues to evolve, demand grows for intelligent systems that go beyond execution and actively manage risk exposure. This innovation represents a new era of strategic automation, where safety and performance are no longer opposing forces but integrated pillars of a sustainable trading strategy. About FXSentry FXSentry delivers precise market analysis, robust risk management, and trader protection. With advanced indicators and automated execution, it helps traders identify opportunities while prioritizing capital safety in a user-friendly, customizable system. Learn more at https://fxsentry.com/ Media contact Brand: FXSentry Contact: Media team Email: support@fxsentry.com Website: https://fxsentry.com/ MONTREAL, April 11, 2025 - Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXV: CCE, FSE: D7H0) ("Commerce") is pleased to announce it has entered into a definitive agreement with Mont Royal Resources Ltd. (ASX: MRZ) ("Mont Royal") to merge the two companies. Under the agreement, Mont Royal will acquire 100% of Commerce's issued and outstanding shares through a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The merger will create a Quebec-focused critical minerals explorer and developer, combining Commerce's Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Project and Eldor Niobium Project with Mont Royal's Northern Lights Lithium Project. The newly combined entity will be dual-listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV) and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), enhancing access to capital and liquidity. The merger also unites experienced leadership teams with strong track records in capital markets, project development, and operations. To view full announcement: https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/commerce-resources-and-mont-royal-resources-enter-into-arrangement-agreement-to-c-1012730 More Information: https://commerceresources.com/ SOURCE Commerce Resources Corp. Pampa Metals Corp. ("Pampa Metals" or the "Company") (CSE:PM / FSE:FIR / OTCQB:PMMCF) advises that it has issued the final tranche of units under the Private Placement detailed in a February 5, 2025 News Releases. Pampa Metals Private Placement In aggregate, Pampa Metals has issued a total of 18,750,000 Units at a price of $0.16 per Unit for total gross proceeds of $3,000,000 (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit consists of one fully paid common share and a half purchase warrant. Each whole warrant shall entitle the holder to acquire an additional common share at a price of $0.30 for a period of 3 years. President & CEO Joseph van den Elsen participated in the Private Placement in the amount of $111,424. In connection with the Private Placement, Pampa Metals paid aggregate finder's fees of $30,240 and issued 189,000 finder's warrants. Consequently, the Company now has a total of 107,473,718 shares issued and outstanding. Any securities issued in connection with the Private Placement are subject to a four-month hold period, in accordance with securities laws and the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange. Pampa Metals to Acquire Rugby Resources Pampa Metals and Rugby continue to advance the Definitive Agreement contemplated in the 19 February 2025 News Release, advising of the proposed acquisition by Pampa Metals of all the issued and outstanding common shares of Rugby. The acquisition is to be by way of a statutory plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia), in exchange for common shares of Pampa Metals on the basis of 1 Pampa Metals share for every 6.4 Rugby shares. Based on the current number of issued and outstanding common shares of Rugby, Pampa would issue approximately 65,097,403 shares in exchange for all of the outstanding Rugby shares. ON BEHALF OF THE PAMPA BOARD INVESTOR CONTACT Joseph van den Elsen | President & CEO Jordan Webster | joseph@pampametals.com Jordan@pampametals.com ABOUT PAMPA METALS Pampa Metals is a copper-gold exploration company listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE:PM), Frankfurt (FSE: FIR), and OTC (OTCQB: PMMCF) exchanges. In November 2023, Pampa Metals announced it had entered into an Option and Joint Venture Agreement for the acquisition of an 80% interest in the Piuquenes Copper-Gold Porphyry Project in San Juan Province, Argentina. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events or developments that Pampa Metals expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will" or "may" occur. These statements are subject to various risks. Although Pampa Metals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guaranteeing of future performance, and actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Neither the CSE, nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. VANCOUVER, April 11, 2025 - Forte Minerals Corp. ("Forte" or the "Company") (CSE: CUAU) (OTCQB: FOMNF) (Frankfurt: 2OA) is pleased to provide an update on its planned 1,500-metre diamond drill program at its 100%-owned Pucarini Gold Project ("Pucarini" or the "Project") located in the Southern Peru Miocene High-Sulfidation Epithermal Gold Belt. The program is set to commence towards the end of Q2 2025 with preparations currently underway. Figure 1 - High Sulphidation Epithermal Gold Targets from Gold Geochemistry and Surface Alteration Geology. Figure 2 - Proposed Geological Model Along Section Line A-A' in Figure 1(Looking NE) with High Sulphidation Epithermal Gold and Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum Targets. Planned Drill Program Overview The upcoming five-hole, 1,500-metre drill program will systematically test high-priority targets identified through geological mapping, geophysical surveys, and geochemical analysis. Target Type: High-Sulfidation Epithermal Gold Drill Holes: 5 diamond drill holes Total Metres: 1,500 m Permitting Status: DIA Environmental Drilling Permit approved (September 2023) Community Support: Strong relationships established with local communities, One year Community Agreement executed March 1, 2025 Figure 3 - Proposed Drill Program - Gold Geochemistry Imposed on the 3D Inversions of IP Chargeability-Resistivity and Magnetic Susceptibility Geophysical Data. The 1,000-hectare Pucarini claim hosts multiple gold-bearing advanced argillic alteration zones within a 3.6 x 1.8 km alteration footprint. Surface geochemistry has returned anomalous gold values coinciding with resistivity, chargeability, and magnetic anomalies, highlighting multiple untested targets for drilling. The main target indicated by the soil and rock gold anomaly spans 1.2 km x 700 m within this advanced argillic alteration zone. The coincidence of gold, molybdenum, and copper surface anomalies is supported by a coherent high chargeability anomaly (> 18 mV/V) from the 3D inversion of the IP geophysical survey data with dimensions of 1.5 km along strike x 600 m wide x 400 m deep; to detection limit depth of the IP geophysical survey, which remains open at depth. The main target also coincides with a high magnetic susceptibility anomaly in the system's center from the 3D inversion of the surface total magnetic intensity geophysical data, suggesting the roots of a deeper porphyry system. This program will mark the first-ever drill program on the property, unlocking its untapped potential. Figure 4 - Proposed Drill Program - Molybdenum Geochemistry Imposed on the 3D Inversions of IP Chargeability-Resistivity and Magnetic Susceptibility Geophysical Data. Surface rock fragments were analysed using the ASD TerraSpec mineral spectrometer ("TerraSpec") which is optimally designed to identify important hydrothermal alteration minerals commonly associated with high sulphidation epithermal gold and porphyry copper systems. Figure 5 provides a compilation of the TerraSpec data where higher-temperature hydrothermal alteration minerals (diaspore, illite, paragonitic illite, muscovitic illite, paragonite, muscovite, sericite, and alunite-Na) and lower-temperature alteration minerals (alunite, alunite-K, alunite-KNa, halloysite, kaolinite, smectite, montmorillonite, and dickite) correlate with high sulphidation advanced argillic alteration and anomalous gold in rock and soil geochemistry. The higher temperature hydrothermal alteration minerals also correlate with anomalous molybdenum in rock and soil geochemistry suggesting a phyllic alteration zone associated with a telescoped porphyry system. Figure 5 - Gold and Molybdenum Rock and Soil Geochemistry Correlated with Gridded Low and High Temperature TerraSpec Data CEO Patrick Elliott commented: "We are excited about the potential at Pucarini and are finalizing preparations for our inaugural drill program. Given the strong surface geochemistry, extensive alteration, and compelling geophysical signatures, we believe this project presents a promising opportunity for discovery. While waiting for the rainy season to conclude before mobilizing, our team is actively engaged in planning and ensuring all logistics are in place for a successful program." Figure 6 - Gold Rock Geochemistry, Vuggy Silica, Iron Oxides and Hydrothermal Alteration. Furthermore, the Company has terminated the option agreement with Alta Copper Corp. originally entered into on June 26, 2017. Pursuant to the option agreement, Forte had an option to acquire a 60% interest in the Don Gregorio Cu-Au Porphyry Project located in the Department of Cajamarca, Northern Peru by making cash payments totaling $500,000 USD ($100,000 was paid by Forte) and performing 10,000 m of drilling within 3 years of acquiring drill permits. Due to insurmountable community issues, access to the property was never granted, and the Company was not able to perform the environmental studies needed to acquire the DIA drilling permits, including community approvals for the DIA drill permits. The project was returned in good standing to Alta Copper Corp's Peruvian subsidiary Cobriza Metals. A termination agreement was executed April 8th, 2025. QUALIFIED PERSON AND NI 43-101 DISCLOSURE Richard Osmond, P.Geo., is the Company's Qualified Person ("Qualified Person") as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. ABOUT FORTE MINERALS CORP Forte Minerals Corp. is an exploration company with a strong portfolio of high-quality copper ("Cu") and gold ("Au") assets in Peru. Our strategic partnership with GlobeTrotters Resources Peru S.A.C. ("GTR") grants us access to a comprehensive project pipeline, enabling us to target the most promising opportunities. This collaboration focuses on historically discovered, drill-ready targets, driving significant value in Cu and Au resource development. On behalf of FORTE MINERALS CORP. (signed) "Patrick Elliott" Chief Executive Officer For further information, please contact: Forte Minerals Corp. office: 604-983-8847 info@forteminerals.com www.forteminerals.com Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This press release contains forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and various estimates, factors and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions, including the effects of COVID-19. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Although such statements are based on management's reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the statements will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. The Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise forward-looking information to reflect new events or circumstances unless required by law. Readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange (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 release. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8aa724a4-5df5-4511-ad56-1f339d8ef6db https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e3138532-bcd9-496c-8fd3-f6d4f86780f5 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/33b39d4d-7f89-439f-aff7-7aab874b5068 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2a5f6eed-7ca5-4122-b0a9-c7e49191c8af https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f43b598b-bd40-4b64-b725-4d7d1c8b249d https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/164a5ad1-2bb8-43df-b725-cebda4303886 Vancouver - Norsemont Mining Inc. (CSE: NOM, OTC: NRRSF, FWB: LXZ1) ("Norsemont" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of its annual general and special meeting of shareholders ("AGSM"), held over Zoom on April 9, 2025. The Company reports that each of the six director nominees listed in its management information circular dated February 21, 2025, was elected as a director of Norsemont. The detailed results of the vote for the election of directors of Norsemont are set out below. Nominee Votes For % Votes For Votes Against % Votes Against Marc Levy 16,650,603 99.93% 0 N/A Charles Ross 16,624,103 99.77% 0 N/A Mijael Thiele 16,650,603 99.93% 0 N/A Sergei Diakov 16,648,103 99.91% 0 N/A Allan Larmour 16,621,603 99.76% 0 N/A Nikolas Perrault 16,648,103 99.91% 0 N/A In addition, at the AGM, the shareholders appointed Dale Matheson Carr?Hilton LaBonte LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, as the Company's auditor for the ensuing year, and authorized the directors to fix the auditor's remuneration. For more information on these matters, please refer to Norsemont's management information circular dated February 21, 2025, available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. The shareholders also approved a resolution authorizing the Company to make application to the Supreme Court of British Columbia pursuant to Section 229 of the Business Corporations Act, British Columbia for rectification of any omissions, defects, errors or irregularities that have occurred in the conduct of the business or affairs of the Company including the failure of the Company to hold an annual general meeting during the 2023 calendar year and distribute interim and annual financial statements for that year. About Norsemont Mining Inc. The Norsemont team comprises experienced natural resource professionals focused on growing shareholder value and developing its flagship project through to bankable feasibility. Norsemont Mining owns a 100-percent interest in the Choquelimpie gold-silver-copper project in northern Chile, a previously permitted gold and silver mine. Choquelimpie has over 1,710 drill holes, with significant existing infrastructure, including roads, power, water, camp and a 3,000-tonne-per-day mill. On behalf of the Board of Directors, NORSEMONT MINING INC. Marc Levy CEO & Chairman Investor Relations: Paul Searle (778) 240-7724 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. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements made, and information contained herein may constitute "forward looking information" and "forward looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to the Company and there is no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as "anticipates", "believes", "targets", "estimates", "plans", "expects", "may", "will", "speculates", "could" or "would". All of the forward-looking statements made in this document are qualified by these cautionary statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, forecast or intended and readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. 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 information. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, and forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance. Readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information contained herein speaks only as of the date of this document. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking information or to explain any material difference between such and subsequent actual events, except as required by applicable law. nib ceo steps down Rob Hennin has decided to step down as chief executive of nib New Zealand and nib Travel. Friday, April 11th 2025, 11:48AM Hennin joined nib in 2013 and 10 years later he was appointed CEO of nibs international travel insurance division. A recruitment process is underway and Hennin will remain CEO, nib NZ, while that process is ongoing, and to ensure a smooth transition. We thank Rob for his contribution to nibs business, and its many successes, over 12 years, nib Group managing director and chief executive Ed Close said. Rob has been a strong leader, an innovator in the New Zealand market, and we wish him well in his future endeavours. nib Groups executive of strategy and development, Matt Neat, will assume executive responsibility for nib Travel, from May 1. Special Offers Comments from our readers No comments yet Sign In to add your comment Alpine blasted for treatment of Jack Doohan Two former Formula 1 drivers have blasted Alpine for putting Jack Doohan under too much pressure so early in his career. Jack Doohan, Australian;oam GP 2025 Alpine Even before the rookie Australian turned a wheel in 2025, rumours were swirling that he was on a mere six-race contract, with Flavio Briatore planning to replace him perhaps even sooner than that with Franco Colapinto. Team boss Oliver Oakes tried to calm the raging rumours at Suzuka, where Doohan crashed heavily, but Ralf Schumacher is not impressed. Sorry, but if you say you don't want to replace Doohan, why are you letting Colapinto drive? he told Sky Deutschland, referring to the Argentine reserve driver's test at Monza a few days ago. And prior to his crash, which left him visibly bruised and battered, Doohan also had to sit out initial practice at Suzuka in deference to Ryo Hirakawa. That's a disaster for someone like Doohan on a new track, Schumacher said. He doesn't feel the support of the team. They could have done the same with (Pierre) Gasly in Bahrain, but they didn't. Doohan, 22, insisted in Bahrain that he is 100 percent fit even though he had to be helped from his car after the Japanese GP. Former F1 driver Christian Danner partly blames Alpine for the bruising. If he tried that move in the simulator and for some reason it worked, then the engineer has to intervene and tell him 'I strongly advise you not try that in the car', he said, referring to Doohan's attempt to take turn 1 flat with DRS open. That wasn't done, Danner told motorsport-magazin.com. "They let him almost walk into a trap. One could interpret that as making Doohan's life a little harder than it actually needs to be, in the hope that at some point they can say 'I'm sorry, but he's just not good enough'. (GMM) Child's birth will not disturb Verstappen's season Max Verstappen's 2025 campaign will not skip a beat even though his first child is poised to be born. Max Verstappen, Japanese GP 2025 Red Bull Red Bull advisor Dr Helmut Marko told Kronen Zeitung newspaper that Kelly Piquet's due date mercifully coincides with a rare gap in the busy Formula 1 calendar. The birth date does not clash with any of Max's races, he said. It's planned for the beginning of May. Verstappen, however, although fresh from his win from pole at Suzuka, insists he is not thinking about the title. "I'm just thinking about making my car faster right now. If we can't get more speed out of it, we don't need to be talking about the title. Marko agrees, telling Kleine Zeitung: "The car still needs more balance and still understeers too much right in the middle of the corner, which Max doesn't like at all. If we can get that right, he'll be able to do completely different things. That's exactly what we're working on. We can't say when or how that will happen yet. There may be a turning point soon, though, as new images of extreme and clever McLaren 'mini-DRS' rear wing flex is doing the rounds on social media - shared even by Max's father Jos. I've seen the videos, but I don't make the rules, quadruple world champion Verstappen, 27, said in Bahrain. Another thing that helps Verstappen's cause is the title fight between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, despite McLaren obviously having the fastest car. We're happy when they take points away from each other, Marko smiled. I do think Piastri is mentally stronger, even if Norris is faster on one lap. Norris also had to face questions from the media about Verstappen's post-Suzuka suggestion that he would be absolutely dominating the 2025 season if he was in the orange car. In Bahrain, Verstappen insisted he was not joking . I don't care, he can say whatever he wants, Norris responded. I would love it if he came to test our car. And I'm curious to see the disappointment on his face when he gets out. (GMM) Few more years left in F1 career says Hulkenberg Although on the cusp of an exciting project, Nico Hulkenberg admits his Formula 1 career is winding down. Nico Hulkenberg, Japanese GP 2025 Sauber With over 230 grands prix to his name - and having driven for Williams, Force India, Sauber, Force India, Renault, Racing Point, Haas and others - the German has never even stood on a podium. An eventful career, Hulkenberg laughed to DPA news agency in Bahrain. He recognises that the amount of times he has 'moved house' in the F1 pitlane as opposed to actual moves in his private life simply do not compare. I've probably only moved three or four times, he said. I'm actually a very settled guy. He may never have finished in the top three in a grand prix, but he is highly respected in the paddock. And the good news for his fans is that I have a few races left in the tank . I can definitely drive until I'm 40, so I don't foresee any problems in the next few years. What will happen after that is difficult to predict today, the 37-year-old declared. Sauber, however, wooed him from Haas for 2025 in order to lead the team's transition to full works Audi status next year. Moving always involves work, he said. You have to find your way around, get used to it, get to know your new home and the surroundings. He likens it to moving into a new neighbourhood. "For me personally, it always takes a while to really settle in, until you have your favourite Italian restaurant, your dentist, your hairdresser, everything else you need in everyday life. Maybe that's why I don't move around so much. He's still settling back in at Sauber, but after a visit to Audi's F1 engine facility in Neuburg a few days ago, Hulkenberg revealed: "You can sense a very positive and hungry atmosphere there. People are excited about Formula 1, about this project. They're motivated and happy. (GMM) FIA president jets into trouble in Bahrain Mohammed Ben Sulayem is jetting into a difficult situation in Bahrain. Mohammed Ben Sulayem FIA Absent from Formula 1 recently, reportedly due to Ramadan, the FIA president will lead a pivotal meeting of engine suppliers as they discuss the potential return of V10 engines. The conversation about potentially shortening the forthcoming regulations era of even more electrified turbo engines is believed to be powered by Red Bull and Ferrari. What I've seen for next year isn't particularly exciting for me, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc admitted in Bahrain. I'd say most of us share the same opinion. Maybe some will be more vocal than others for different reasons. But I think we all agree that the V10 will be a much better solution. It is almost certain, however, that the majority will in fact not vote for a change of direction. Also to be discussed in the Bahrain meeting, however, is the FIA's belated signing of the Concorde Agreement - with Liberty Media and the eleven teams for 2026 and beyond already signed up. Not just that, in the hours before the Bahrain meeting, the paddock was reacting to the latest sign of instability under Ben Sulayem's reign - the shock resignation of deputy president for sport, Robert Reid. He slammed a fundamental breakdown in governance standards and critical decisions being made without due process . Shortly afterwards, former FIA chief executive Natalie Robyn said it indicated the FIA has serious ongoing structural challenges . Grand Prix Drivers' Association co-director George Russell admitted his concern. Unfortunately, every time we hear some news from that side of the sport it is not really a big surprise, said the Mercedes driver. "Things seem to be continuously going in an unstable direction. I've got to be honest, we are getting to a point now where our actions are having little impact with those guys. Indeed, fellow GPDA co-director Carlos Sainz was furious in Bahrain when asked about his 10,000 euro FIA fine for being five seconds late to the national anthem at Suzuka despite having a doctor's explanation about his stomach upset. He now risks a further fine from the FIA for his amusing Sh*t happens explanation in Thursday's official FIA press conference. I hope someone tells me where this 10k goes, said the Spaniard. Then I can at least say 'Ok, it went to a nice cause'. (GMM) Oscar Piastri McLaren McLaren signaled strong early pace at the Bahrain Grand Prix, locking out the top two positions in Free Practice 2 as Oscar Piastri led team-mate Lando Norris under the lights. In more representative evening conditions after a hot and inconclusive FP1, teams turned to qualifying simulations. Piastri delivered a sharp lap of 1m30.505s on soft tyres, edging Norris by 0.154s to head the timesheets in the hour-long session. George Russell placed third for Mercedes, but was over half a second behind the lead McLaren, suggesting the team holds a clear early advantage. The session wasn't without drama. Fernando Alonso was forced to pit early after needing to reattach his steering wheel mid-run in his Aston Martin. Meanwhile, Russell topped the order early on, before the frontrunners began their low-fuel, soft-tyre runs. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen briefly went fastest around the halfway mark, but was soon overtaken by both McLaren drivers. Red Bull, often conservative in engine performance during practice, ended the session with Verstappen seventh and Yuki Tsunoda down in 18th. Charles Leclerc slotted into fourth for Ferrari with a time of 1m31.054s, while rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli impressed again by taking fifth in the second Mercedes. Racing Bulls driver Isack Hadjar carried momentum from his point-scoring finish in Japan to place sixth, ahead of Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who was eighth for Ferrari. Oliver Bearman continued to turn heads with another solid performance for Haas, placing ninth, while Carlos Sainz rounded out the top 10 in the Williams. With temperatures dropping into the evening and grip improving across the session, teams will now turn their focus to long-run performance and race setup ahead of Saturday's qualifying. But the headline from Friday night was clear: McLaren is very much in the mix at the front. PUWU slams ECG privatisation plan as risk to Ghanas energy future Kwame Larweh Business News Apr - 11 - 2025 , 07:01 The Public Utility Workers Union (PUWU) of the Trades Union Congress (TUC) Ghana has strongly opposed the governments plan to involve private entities in the operations of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Northern Electricity Distribution Company (NEDCo), arguing that such a move would worsen inefficiencies and endanger the nations energy security. At a press conference held in Accra on Thursday, PUWU described the governments proposal as misguided and lacking a comprehensive understanding of the energy sectors underlying challenges. The unions stance follows a recent Radio Ghana interview with the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, who urged the public to support the privatisation of ECGs retail operations to address inefficiencies. PUWU, however, dismissed the governments focus on retail-level shortcomings as misleading. We acknowledge inefficiencies in ECG and other State-Owned Enterprises, the union conceded, but it is disingenuous to suggest these issues are confined to the retail end of ECGs operations. The union pointed to deeper systemic problems, including political interference, flawed procurement practices, weak governance, and inadequate regulatory oversight. In a detailed position paper, PUWU highlighted specific concerns such as the financial strain of take-or-pay contracts, persistent metering issues, electricity pricing in foreign currency, and the destabilising effect of frequent leadership changes at ECG. In the past 15 years, ECG has had seven Managing Directors, often replaced for political reasons, disrupting long-term planning and operations, they noted. PUWU also criticised the appointment of unqualified board members and the influence of political appointees in procurement processes, which they say has led to the acquisition of substandard equipment. Offering alternatives to privatisation, the union proposed forming a stakeholder board with representation from civil society and labour, setting clear performance goals for ECG leadership, and empowering the Energy Ministry to enforce stronger oversight. They also urged that ECG be allowed to raise funds from the capital market, renegotiate power contracts in Ghanaian cedis rather than dollars, and reform the Self-Help Electrification Programme (SHEP) to give ECG greater control. ECG remains a critical national asset, vital for Ghanas economic growth, sovereignty, and social equity, PUWU emphasised. They warned that privatisation has failed in other African nations, often resulting in job cuts, higher tariffs, and diminished public control over essential services. Reaffirming a resolution from the TUCs 10th Quadrennial Delegates Congress in 2016, PUWU vowed to resist any efforts to transfer ECG or NEDCo, in whole or in part, to private hands. The TUC and its affiliates will stand firm against this move, the union declared. This is why Ghana wants Elon Musks Starlink to open an office in the country Kweku Zurek Business News Apr - 11 - 2025 , 16:00 Ghanas Minister for Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation, Samuel Nartey George, has called for Elon Musks Starlink to establish a physical office in Accra as a condition for operating in the country, citing regulatory accountability and the need to protect Ghanaian consumers. In an interview with TV3, the Minister expressed dissatisfaction with the current operational model of Starlink, which has no physical presence in Ghana despite having received approval to roll out services. Ive asked the regulator to inform the company that they need to open an office in Accra. I dont understand. They need to have an office, Mr George said, adding: You cant operate in our country and not have presence here. According to him, it was a strategic oversight for the National Communications Authority (NCA) to grant a licence to Starlink without requiring local residency. He noted that the absence of a local office makes it difficult for the regulator to engage effectively with the company on matters that affect consumers. Today, if theres a problem involving a client of Starlink and the regulator needs to speak with Starlink, we need to send an email to someone sitting somewhere in the US, and it will take them two to three weeks to come down. What kind of regulation is that? he questioned. Mr George further argued that all other telecom operators in Ghana have a local presence, making them accessible for swift consultations. When I need to meet the CEO of any MNO, I can call, and in an hour, hes sitting in my office or at the office of the regulator for me to protect the interest of the Ghanaian people. He disclosed that the concern is not unique to Ghana, revealing that ICT ministers across the West African sub-region are collectively pushing for Starlink to establish local operations in each country. Its a cause of concern, not just here in Ghana, across the sub-region. Most of the ICT ministers are worried about it We [are] taking collective action. They must show physical presence in our countries, he said, hinting that Starlink would be hearing from us. I have asked the regulator (StarLink) to open an office in Ghana. They must have physical presence in the country - @samgeorgegh #TV3NewDay pic.twitter.com/PkiFBQUbsI #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) April 11, 2025 Background Starlink, a satellite internet service developed by Elon Musks SpaceX, received approval from the NCA to operate in Ghana and is expected to officially launch by the end of August 2024. The service is being managed locally by SpaceX Starlink GH LTD. The technology uses a constellation of over 5,800 low-Earth orbit satellites to deliver high-speed internet, with some users enjoying download speeds exceeding 100 Mbps. Starlinks entry is expected to revolutionise internet access in underserved rural communities where traditional infrastructure is limited. However, the affordability of the service remains a challenge. In Nigeria, for example, Starlink charges $314 for initial setup and $27 monthlycosts far above those of local providers. Prior to its official approval in Ghana, a black market allowed unauthorised users to access Starlink through its global roaming feature. Next article: You copy too much, you disappear Sherifa Gunu to budding acts Forget TGMA and Grammys, Iron Boy album is the validation I need Black Sherif Edith Mensah Showbiz News Apr - 11 - 2025 , 11:55 3 minutes read GHANAIAN music star Black Sherif declares snagging a Grammy or Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) Artiste of the Year (AOTY) title holds little weight compared to the personal validation he finds in his latest album, Iron Boy. To the 23-year-old music star, the pinnacle of success doesnt revolve around these accolades but from the heartfelt connections his music fosters, particularly through Iron Boy. Despite being one of Ghanas hottest picks and a top contender for these prestigious awards, Black Sherif makes it clear in an exclusive interview with Graphic Showbiz on Wednesday, April 9, that no award, not even the Grammys or TGMAs AOTY, can rival what Iron Boy means to him. The native of Konongo Zongo in the Ashanti Region explained that while he deeply values awards, they are not his ultimate objective at the moment. According to him, hes chasing something much deeper: a legacy, which is all wrapped up in his new album. He said his most significant opportunity to promote Ghana on the global stage lies in Iron Boy, which highlights the essence of what Ghanaian music represents, and that is all the validation he needs.(Read also: Iron Boy is a piece of my soul - Black Sherif, Unleashing the Iron Boy: A review of Black Sherif's sophomore album) My biggest platform right now is Iron Boy because that's the biggest thing to ever happen to me. Its the biggest medium I'm speaking through right now. So anything else that comes up is a bonus for me. Honestly, I feel Iron Boy is the topmost thing in my life right now. If there is anything I put my soul, my heart and my mind to, it is this album. I don't care about anything else. I don't want anything else after it. That's the word. This is the biggest project of my career so far. Its my life, my emotions and my truth. It tells my story from the moment I stepped into the music industry to where I am now. My struggles, my victories, my doubts and my faith in my journey are all in here. I also feel with the kind of validation I need in my life right now, Iron Boy will do the job better than even a Grammy or TGMA AOTY. That is not to say I dont value awards but it is just how I feel at the moment, he said. Iron Boy, which dropped on April 3, 2025, is Black Sherifs second studio album, and hes calling it his most personal project to date. To him, it's not just a list of songs but one that tells his truth, raw and unfiltered. Featuring 15 songs, the album takes listeners on an emotional ride through his life from his growth, setbacks, triumphs and raw emotions. Next article: Ivory Coast threatens more expensive cocoa in response to US tariffs Gabon prepares for first presidential election since 2023 coup Graphic.com.gh International News Apr - 11 - 2025 , 11:32 2 minutes read Will Brice Oligui Nguema, a military officer who became popular after leading the coup against former longtime ruler, Ali Bongo, and currently interim President, win on Saturday as the polls are predicting him to? What is certain is that he has gained the support of many Gabonese, who have started to trust him on the grounds of his campaign on a platform of anti-corruption and change, as well as his key role in the coup in 2023. Eugene Ndonga, a civil servant, is among those in favour of Nguema and hopes that he will improve living conditions for the population. The problem is the high cost of living. And if the President, the future President, can take a particular look at food prices, not only food prices, but also other aspects of daily life, that will be a good thing for us, he said. Gabons new constitution, adopted in a referendum in November, sets the presidential term at seven years, renewable once. Nguemas main challenger is Bongos former prime minister, Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who has promised to reorganise public finances, create jobs and reduce dependency on former colonial ruler, France. The end of a ruler, not of a system? According to some analysts, the election could, however, mark less of a break with the times under the Bongo dynasty's rule than it initially seemed to. The campaigns of the other seven candidates have been subdued compared to Oligui Nguema's, and the interim President has received support from almost all sides of the political landscape. Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze is considered to be the only other candidate with some political weight. Fred Kapabi, independent political consultant, explains: The goal was not to end a system. The goal was to end a regime. So, Ali Bongo had a regime. His regime, his government, is the "Young Team (Bongos inner circle). The coup that took place did not have the goal of ending the PDG dynasty. This is the reason why, after having taken Ali Bongo and his regime out, you realise that we have witnessed a massive return of (PDG supporters). Bongos political party, the Gabonese Democratic Party, known by its French acronym PDG, announced its support for Oligui Nguema last week. No teenage pregnancy at Atonkor in 4 years Augustina Tawiah Junior News Apr - 11 - 2025 , 12:32 3 minutes read The Atonkor community in the Buem Traditional Area, Oti Region, has not recorded any case of teenage pregnancy for the past four years. The success story is attributed to an intervention dubbed, Be Smart Project, introduced by Plan International Ghana, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), in the Jasikan and the Akuapem North municipalities. The project is an integrated behavioural change programme meant to reduce cases of gender-based violence that increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Assembly Member for the Atonkor Electoral Area and Child Protection Member, Mr Daniel Kwesi Ofori, who disclosed this during a visit to the community by media personnel facilitated by Plan International Ghana, said before the project, the community used to record cases of teenage pregnancy every year. Mr Ofori said the main occupation of the people in the community was farming, and as such the poverty level there was quite high, in view of that some parents pushed their teenage daughters to engage in early sex in order to get money. He said with the introduction of the Be Smart Project in the community, the personnel from Plan Ghana embarked on a sensitisation exercise, educating community members on the dangers of teenage pregnancy and irresponsible parenting. We went to churches, mosques and attended funerals to talk to the community on sexual and gender-based violence, the dangers of teenage pregnancy and irresponsible parenting. We also advised parents to attend to the needs of their children and this has really helped, he pointed out. Parents and guardians Mr Ofori said parents and guardians were made to understand that if they did not take care of their children, they might be pushed to engage in early sex, which could lead to teenage pregnancy, making them drop out of school and ending their education. He said the young girls had been trained and empowered to report sexual harassment directly to institutions such as the Department of Social Welfare, the Municipal Assembly and the Police. The girls have the numbers of these institutions so they can call and report any form of sexual advances or abuse directly to them, he added Mr Ofori said the girls were also advised not to report such cases to any adult, since they might cover up incidents of abuse because of family ties. A teacher and chaperone of Plan International Ghana project, Ms Elizabeth Agyeiwaa, added that under the intervention, they had been educating the young girls about the importance of education and the consequences if they dropped out of school due to child birth. Ms Agyeiwaa said they also created an environment where the children could confide in the chaperones the problems they faced about their reproductive health in order for them to be addressed. Be Smart Project The Child Protection and Safeguarding Specialist of Plan International Ghana, Mr Abubakari Adamu, who gave a background information on the Be Smart Project, said during the project, community child protection committees were set up, capacity of state institutions was also built and the communities were linked to the state institutions. He explained that, there were protocols for children to report all forms of abuse, and these included the community based child protection systems, such as the Police, the Plan International Ghana office which would further report to their global office. For cases such as rape, murder and defilement, Mr Adamu said the children were made to understand that the community based child protection committees were not supposed to handle them and such cases must be reported directly to the Police. $2.5bn Needed to eliminate educational infrastructure deficit Minister Biiya Mukusah Ali Apr - 11 - 2025 , 12:23 4 minutes read The government needs $2.5 billion between 2025 and 2028 to eliminate the huge infrastructure deficit in the educational sector, the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has said. "From where I sit, between now and 2028, if we are to respond to all the infrastructure needs in the education sector alone, we will require an investment of $2.5 billion to get our infrastructure running," he said. Mr Iddrisu, who is the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, was responding to concerns raised by members of the Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools (CHASS) during its meeting in Sunyani last Wednesday. Infrastructure gap He explained that the infrastructure gap was huge because the previous government failed to expand the facilities during the implementation of the Free Senior High School (SHS) programme to deal with the expected increases in enrolment. A section of the participants He said the government had planned to expand infrastructure to end the double-track system by 2027 since the system was not desirable for academic work. Mr Iddrisu urged the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to identify some CHASS schools with infrastructure deficits to invest in the improvement of the projects in schools. "We expect that you should have a dedicated formula that looks into expanded accommodations and classrooms for a number of CHASS schools to increase their intake," he said. Mr Iddrisu said this year alone, the government would be required to dedicate GH6.5 billion to finance the Free SHS policy. He challenged CHASS and the public to continue to search for answers to sustainable finance of the Free SHS programme. Mr Iddrisu said one of the immediate Free SHS funding alternatives available for the government was the GETFund. He therefore urged GETFund to find innovative ways of procuring furniture and textbooks for schools across the country. Mr Iddrisu challenged GETFund to increase its emergency budget allocation to deal with emergency situations such as rainstorms and fire outbreaks. Shooting incident He condemned the shooting incident that occurred at the Adventist SHS in Kumasi on Friday, April 4, 2025. Mr Iddrisu charged CHASS to review its inspectorate division in schools to take away dangerous weapons from students. "In order for guns, knives and other tools and equipment of violence not to be found in our schools, you have the full support of the government to initiate those inspections," he said. That, according to him, would create a serene learning environment, explaining that the recent development could not be part of the training of a Ghanaian child because "that is immoral, violent and not a Ghanaian culture". "When I heard about the shooting incident, my immediate response was unGhanaian," he said. Mr Iddrisu, however, urged members of CHASS to treat students with compassion, fairness and justice. Corruption On corruption, he said the ministry was currently conducting an audit of the Computerised School Selection Placement System (CSSPS) to address the issue of corruption in the school placement. Mr Iddrisu said the ministry expected the placement system to function effectively with minimal human interference to eliminate corruption. Regarding outstanding salary arrears, he said the Ministry of Finance was in discussions with the bureaucrats at the Ministry of Education to verify and authenticate the arrears for settlement. He underscored the need for the retooling of school laboratories and the supply of vehicles, including buses, to facilitate their movement. Commendation The President of CHASS, Rev. Fr Stephen Owusu Sekyere, commended the government for the timely disbursement of funds to procure food items to feed students. He said the crucial intervention of disbursing funds to schools to purchase food items had helped to improve the feeding of students. Rev. Fr Sekyere, however, appealed to the minister to come out with a clear policy guideline to govern their dealings with the Parents Association (PAs) in their schools. That, he said, would foster understanding and prevent unnecessary friction and interdiction of their members. Rev. Fr Sekyere urged the minister to try and investigate before interdicting heads of schools and act with compassion when they went wrong. Challenges He mentioned five years of outstanding arrears, inadequate infrastructure, furniture, installation of prepaid electricity meters in some schools, a lack of printers and modern cooking stoves as some of the challenges in schools. Rev. Fr Sekyere said those challenges continued to create discomfort for teachers and students, threatening the delivery of quality education. He appealed to politicians and other opinion leaders hosting the schools to stop interfering in their activities. Writer's email: [email protected] Bawku conflict claims 300 lives - Institutions, workers flee from danger Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Apr - 11 - 2025 , 12:00 10 minutes read The protracted Bawku conflict spanning several decades has claimed over 300 lives since November 2021, leaving a devastating impact on the socio-economic lives of the thousands of people living in the towns and adjoining districts. The nagging dispute between the Kusasis and Mamprusis seems to be eroding all the gains chalked up by the municipality over the years, and turning Bawku into a ghost town due to heightened insecurity. The impact of the crisis has caused hundreds of private and public sector workers, including teachers and nurses, to flee to other districts for fear of their lives since they no longer feel safe to live and work in any part of the town. Latest incident Last Wednesday, a renewed clash between some irate youth and some personnel of the Ghana Police Service led to the death of one person, with four others severely injured from gunshot wounds. A police vehicle that was set ablaze The incident is said to have occurred when some angry youth attempted to prevent some market women who were on their way to one of the markets from engaging in their daily trading activities. A source indicated that the death of one of the youth infuriated the others to retaliate by burning nearby police establishments, including the official residence of the Divisional Police Commander. In the process, a police vehicle with registration number GP 925 was set ablaze by the irate youth, who also destroyed some police checkpoints. IGPs visit In a swift response, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Christian Tetteh Yohuno, yesterday led a strong delegation, made up of operation, investigation and intelligence officers, to Bawku to attain first-hand knowledge and assess the security situation on the ground. A release signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Grace Ansah-Akrofi, said one person, identified as Fuseini Iddrisu, unfortunately lost his life during the clash between the police and some youth last Wednesday. It said five other persons, including a police officer and an immigration officer, sustained gunshot injuries and were admitted to hospital. The statement said that while in Bawku, the IGP and his team would commiserate with the deceased family, visit the victims on admission and reach out to officers who lost their property as a result of the violence. We would like to assure the public that the Ghana Police Service will continue to work with the Ghana Armed Forces, chiefs, opinion leaders and all other stakeholders to ensure security, law and order in Bawku, it stated. Monitoring Having monitored events in the once busy Bawku town, the Daily Graphic can confirm that the unending conflict is killing local businesses and driving many people away, including investors. Schools, health facilities, private businesses and transport operators, among others, are bearing the brunt of the conflict as pupils, teachers, health workers, drivers, and other individuals are unable to go about their daily activities. Sadly, all sectors of the local economy from health, education, trade and commerce, finance and transport have been heavily hit by the conflict, thereby destroying the source of livelihoods of thousands of residents. Schoolchildren, teachers, nurses and staff of the various decentralised departments have been negatively affected as they cannot go about their normal duties due to the volatile situation. Many residents, including men, women, the aged and children, have also lost their lives as a result, a situation that has brought pain and anguish to many families in the municipality. On a daily basis, residents suffer psychological and emotional trauma from the sporadic shooting by the feuding parties in the town. Recurrence of conflict Before the recurrence of the conflict on November 24, 2021, the residents lived together in the town without any security concerns, a development that brought many people into the area. Businesses were booming as residents and visitors moved freely in and out of the town to engage in various forms of activity. The commercial areas, particularly the lorry station located between Gingande and Yirongo and the main market at Natinga, were always busy. Traders and market women from the adjoining districts and others from Sankasi in neighbouring Togo and Betto in Burkina Faso commuted freely to the town to ply their trade without any difficulty. Residents could freely move from the various suburbs to the Central Business District to open their shops and businesses for brisk business and return home without fear. Deaths Sadly, since the emergence of the conflict about four years ago, at least 300 people have been killed, including women and children, leaving a perpetual pain in the hearts and minds of their families and relations. Some peacekeepers, including police and military personnel deployed to the area to maintain law and order, were not spared as some of them also lost their lives in the line of duty. Economic activities at standstill Unfortunately, economic activities are currently at a standstill as many are afraid of being caught up in a crossfire. Many shops and businesses have also folded up since the conflict resurfaced for lack of patrons of essential goods and services in the town. Those who brave the odds to open their shops in anticipation of some good sales are left disappointed due to the general apathy. Transportation The number of people who travel to Bawku daily has also reduced drastically due to insecurity of travellers, including traders and market women, a development which continues to harm the transport sector. Some drivers who ply the Bolgatanga-Bawku route expressed concern about the situation, saying it has made it difficult for them to make their daily sales and earn enough income to take care of their families. A minibus driver, Seidu Wahabu, expressed worry and said anytime there was sporadic shooting in the town, people did not travel out of the town to Bolgatanga and vice versa, noting that previously, about 10 mini-buses left the station to Bolgatanga by midday every day. He said unfortunately, due to increased insecurity, sometimes only three mini-buses travel to Bawku from Bolgatanga in a day, stressing that even people do not travel to the town on market days, although previously many people travelled to the area to do business. A Bawku-bound commercial saloon car driver, Nuhu Ibrahim, who could not hide his frustration due to the unending conflict and its negative consequences on transportation, called for a ceasefire among the parties to bring back their business. The station master at Bawku Sprinter bus station, Asalima Gold, said initially, about 20 cars would usually leave for Bawku every day but the tension in the town was preventing people from freely moving into the area. He expressed optimism that the situation would change in the shortest possible time so passengers could freely move into the town to engage in their respective activities. Impact on education The conflict has also impeded academic work in basic, senior high schools and tertiary institutions in the area. Currently, due to growing insecurity, the management of the Bawku Presbyterian Nursing and Midwifery Training College has been forced to close down the school since November 2024, a development which has been a source of worry for students and parents. While some basic schools have been affected by the conflict, leading to a reduction in enrolment, others always close down whenever there is sporadic shooting by the feuding parties in communities where the schools are located. Pupils and teachers abandon academic work and run for their lives anytime shooting erupts, a situation which has psychologically affected the pupils, in particular, leading to poor academic performance. Available statistics from the Ghana Education Service (GES) indicate that so far, 495 basic school teachers have fled the Bawku Municipality and Pusiga District since 2022. With these teachers not being replaced, one can imagine the negative impact on basic education in both areas. In an attempt to address the high teacher attrition rate in Bawku and Pusiga due to the conflict, the GES granted a special concession last year to recruit qualified teachers who are indigenes to teach in basic schools in the area. However, during a recent chat with the Upper East Regional Director of the GES, Bright Lawoe, he said although a list was sent for such teachers to be recruited to begin work at the commencement of the 2024/2025 academic year, none of them were recruited. Institutions flee Likewise, a number of institutions have relocated from the town, including the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), over insecurity, which posed a danger to the staff and clients. On October 1, 2022, equipment and other valuables were officially packed out of the offices in Bawku to the regional office in Bolgatanga, where the staff are currently operating from. Speaking in an interview, the Head of Corporate Affairs, SSNIT, Afua Sarkodie, said the temporary closure of the office was necessitated by the increased insecurity in the town, which was a danger to its staff. As an institution, we do not want to compromise the security of staff and clients in the wake of the decades-old Bawku conflict, hence the decision to shut down the office until the security situation in the area improves before it would be reopened, she explained. Other institutions that have relocated from the town for the same reason include the offices of the Microfinance and Small Loans Centre (MASLOC), the District and Circuit courts, Melcom, Consolidated Bank Ghana (CBG), Agricultural Development Bank and Absa Bank. Presby Hospital in sorry state The Bawku Presbyterian Hospital, located in the heart of the town and a major referral facility, is unfortunately on its knees as it is not being patronised by the residents due to the conflict. Patients from adjoining districts can no longer be referred to the facility, forcing them to turn their attention to Zebilla Hospital. The situation has forced workers of the facility and health facilities to leave, with its attendant consequences on health care. During a recent courtesy call on the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, the Regional Chairman of the Ghana Medical Association (GMA), Dr Adam Zakariah, said the security situation in Bawku posed a danger to health professionals, forcing them to reject posting to the area. Condemnation Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bawku Central Constituency, Mahama Ayariga, has condemned the actions of the police in shooting some of the youth and further denied having engagements with the police to allow anyone in the market. He said they were matters within the purview of law enforcement officers and that no decision of an officer should be blamed on him because he did not control them operationally. Mr Ayariga, who is also the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament, further advised the law enforcement officers to work with the Overlord of Kusaug, Abugrago Azoka II, to maintain law and order within the traditional area. Bawku The mention of Bawku brings fond memories of a once vibrant economic town strategically located in the eastern part of the Upper East Region. The town, which is a municipality on its own, connects to five other adjoining districts, namely Bawku West, Binduri, Garu, Tempane and Pusiga. Writers email: [email protected]. Ghana handed 90-day pause on 10% US tariff imposition Pacome Emmanuel Damalie Apr - 11 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read Ghana has been given a 90-day pause on the recent 10 per cent tariff imposition by the US government following a retaliatory tariff imposed on some of its trading partners worldwide. Speaking on the new development, the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry (MoTAI), Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, said the 90-day period given Ghana last Wednesday would provide the country an opportunity to assess the full impact of the tariff and adopt various strategies to mitigate the immediate impact on the countrys trade and economy. All trading partners with the US have been placed in the 10 per cent tariff ban, with a 90-day pause for those within the reciprocal tariff to renegotiate a possible reduction, with the exception of China, which has been hit with 125 per cent tariff imposition. The minister was speaking at a stakeholder engagement on the recent imposition of a 10 per cent tariff on Ghanaian exports at the National AfCFTA Coordination Office in Accra yesterday. The event, which was organised by MoTAI, was attended by representatives of industries in the export, manufacturing and investment sectors, as well as strategic agencies under the ministry. It aimed at exploring immediate and pragmatic steps to mitigate the impact of the tariffs on the industries. Ghana-US trade relations Mrs Ofosu-Adjare underscored the existing economic partnership between the two countries, describing it as robust and multifaceted, with trade being a cornerstone of our relationship. She said that Ghana was one of the leading recipients of US Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the sub-region, and had played a significant role in driving economic growth and creating employment opportunities in the country. Between 1994 and 2024, the total wholly owned FDI inflow from the US to Ghana amounted to about $5 billion, covering 358 projects in sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, building and construction, services and tourism, the minister said. In reference to the Ghana Statistical Services (GSS) trade data for last year, she said Ghana exported GH294.9 billion worth of goods, while its imports amounted to GH250.2 billion, providing the country with a trade surplus of GH44.7 billion. Mrs Ofosu-Adjare added that trade between the two countries also resulted in a trade surplus in favour of Ghana last year, and constituted about 4.5 per cent of the nations total exports for last year. US imports from Ghana, according to the International Trade Centre, amounted to $1.21 billion with accompanying exports amounting to $967 million, translating into a total trade surplus of $244 million in favour of Ghana in 2024, she said. Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said the tariff imposed on Ghana was based on last years trade surplus with the US. Discussions The minister said the government had held high-level diplomatic discussions with the US Ambassador to Ghana over some matters of concern. She said subsequently, there had been some technical discussions between representatives of the two countries on the subject matter, confirming that some key Ghanaian exports such as crude petroleum oils, bituminous mineral oils and natural rubber are exempt from the 10 per cent tariff imposition. Commitment Mrs Ofosu-Adjare expressed the governments commitment to implementing initiatives such as the Accelerated Export Development Programmes and Rapid Industrialisation for Jobs, as well as the 24-hour Economy policy to build resilience, boost production and improve market access. She urged African countries to pay more attention to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement, which the minister said provided the best opportunities for market access drive. The AfCFTA Secretariat is expected to host African Trade Ministers to deliberate on the tariff and trade issues. The minister said that the government would capitalise on opportunities it offered and act decisively by strengthening its trade diplomacy to preserve preferential access where possible while also enhancing its investment promotion strategy. Next article: We need centre to facilitate our work - Upper West smock weavers appeal to govt Lets step up investment in research for accelerated growth Emmanuel Bonney Apr - 11 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has charged African countries to step up their investment in research, especially in areas aligned with the continents development. He said they must also scale up advanced training programmes to meet the evolving demands of their respective economies. "Furthermore, we need to expand our innovative ecosystems to foster a culture of entrepreneurship and creativity to further accelerate our progress, drive economic growth, improve livelihoods and enhance our global competitiveness. "The continent is counting on all of us as policymakers, university leaders, centre leaders, development partners and stakeholders of African higher education to implement strategies and roadmaps," Dr Apaak said. The deputy minister, who was speaking at the closing ceremony of the Africa Higher Education Centres of Excellence (ACE) @10 conference in Accra on Wednesday, further said that the ACE model would continue to be at the forefront of research, innovation and knowledge generation to facilitate the continents transformation. The three-day programme was attended by the Ministers of Education and Finance, Vice-Chancellors, researchers and development partners, among others, from across the continent. Continuity Dr Apaak said all ACE programmes must continue into the next decade to unlock talent, transfer knowledge and empower the African and global economy with African talent, research, knowledge transfers and enterprise. "Let us harness the momentum generated during this conference to drive meaningful change to propel Africa's development. "Together, we can create a brighter future for Africa's higher education sector and by extension, the continent's economic and social development, he said. The deputy minister further extended appreciation to governments and the various stakeholders for the programme's success. "We also acknowledge the tireless efforts of the implementing partners, including the Vice-Chancellors, the centre leaders and teams from the various universities who have demonstrated unwavering commitment to supporting and enabling the transformation of postgraduate educational initiatives under the ACE programme. Together, let us sustain the bright flaming torches of the 80 Centres of Excellence in Africa and Djibouti, and in the next decade, let us strive for even more vibrant centres," he said. Dr Apaak described the programme's contribution to strengthening postgraduate education and driving real-world impact in critical fields such as health, STEM, and culture as remarkable. "The session on Women in STEM and Leadership energised the audience and really accelerated the conversation on breaking the barriers confronting women in their bid to play their part in development. "The session with Vice-Chancellors also reaffirmed the need to ensure financial sustainability of ACE centres, even as that phase of the World Bank support comes to an end," he emphasised. Commitment The Secretary of the Association of African Universities (AAU), Prof. Olusola Oyewole, said apart from reflecting on the impact and achievements of ACE, participants had also reaffirmed their collective commitment to sustain and scale up progress made so far. Small-scale mining licence review committee inaugurated Timothy Ngnenbe Apr - 11 - 2025 , 12:18 3 minutes read The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, has inaugurated a technical committee mandated to review all existing small-scale licences in the country. The 11-member committee was set up by the minister in line with the government's overarching agenda to overhaul the country's mining policy, particularly in the small-scale mining sector. Chaired by the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Alhaji Yusif Sulemana, the technical committee has two months to present its report to the minister for the appropriate action to be taken. Members of the committee were drawn from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST), Minerals Commission, Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Water Resources Commission (WRC), Forestry Commission, Office of the Attorney-General, the Ghana Chamber of Mines (GCM) and the Ghana National Association of Small-Scale Miners (GNASSM). Mr Buah inaugurated the committee last Wednesday, urging the members to work diligently to help sanitise the mining space. Spelling out the terms of reference, Mr Buah said the committee was required to audit all licences to ensure they were properly acquired, that due process was followed and that they met all conditions of continuous validity in respect of environmental water bodies, forest reserves and land preservation standards. "They are also to ensure permitting fees have been paid in full," he added. The minister urged all licensees to cooperate and submit their documentation to the committee for the exercise to be successful. "All who fail to go through this process will have their licences revoked," he stressed. He added that as part of measures to overhaul the mining policy of the country, he would work closely with the Minister of MEST to establish a new classification for the small-scale mining (SSM) regime small-scale, medium-scale and large-scale. Mr Buah reiterated that the government would continue to roll out far-reaching policies and interventions to harness the potential of the mining sector while ensuring that the integrity of the environment was protected. He added that the Lands and Natural Resources Ministry would strengthen collaboration with other stakeholders, including security agencies and civil society organisations (CSOs), to save the environment from further destruction by illegal miners. For his part, Alhaji Sulemana assured the minister that the committee was aware of the daunting challenges confronting the mining sector, and would play its part in overhauling the sector. In the discharge of our duty, we will go by the oath we have sworn today and ensure that the right thing is done, he said. The deputy minister also said the committee would be fair, firm and transparent in the discharge of its responsibilities to the state. The committee will not be a fault-finding one; we will not witch-hunt anybody. All that we will be focused on is to help cure the ills in our licensing regime so that investors can feel confident to invest in the country, he said. He added that the committee would not work through any agents, so anyone who has any concerns should contact us directly. TDC invites EOCO to probe procurement breaches Benjamin Xornam Glover Apr - 09 - 2025 , 12:30 3 minutes read Management of TDC Ghana Ltd has written to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to investigate a number of alleged procurement breaches and financial malfeasance by the previous management. This includes a $1 million IT solution the company is said to have paid for but which was never delivered. The Managing Director of TDC Company Ltd, Courage Nunekpeku, disclosed this at his maiden engagement with the staff last Friday. Mr Nunekpeku revealed that in addition to the procurement breaches, all lands belonging to TDC, including reservations and TDC union lands, had been sold out. "We are looking into some IT contracts that we have awarded. We cannot pay $1 million and I don't have access to that document or that software. So, EOCO will intervene to see what went wrong," he said. "Apart from that one, I have also written another letter to EOCO concerning another issue. That one I won't disclose it for now. They will also come in and do some investigations. We will be embarking on a lot of investigations into land issues," he said. Audit Addressing the staff durbar, the new MD said since assuming office, he had conducted an audit of TDC's property, and the findings showed that the company's lands had all been sold out to individuals and non-existent companies without following due process. In some cases, he said, land reservations in Tema, including those belonging to the TDC Union, had been sold. These revelations, he explained, prompted an invitation to EOCO to begin investigations into the books of TDC. He urged management and staff of the company to support and work hard to reset the company to enable TDC Ghana to perform its original function. Vision Mr Nunekpeku said the Site 3 infilling project in Tema Community One would be expanded and replicated in other areas. He said he would work to transform the TDC Clubhouse, which had been abandoned for many years, into a modern hotel with recreational amenities to serve as an income generating venture for the company. He disclosed that already, a meeting had been held with some engineers, architects and quantity surveyors, with architectural drawings in place, with the intention to raise the clubhouse into a modern hotel. Mr Nunekpeku said his administration would resume work on all the 100-flat blocks currently suspended at the Kpone Affordable Housing site, adding that the project would create an additional space for 132 new homes. He said a lot of investors had showed interest in investing in the project, adding that management would engage the union to see how best they could engage the investors to partner TDC to put up high-rise buildings to meet the accommodation needs of the population. History Established in 1952 by an Act of Parliament, Tema Development Corporation (TDC) as it was then known had the sole responsibility to plan and develop about 63 square miles of public lands, and also manage the township that had been created to provide accommodation for the public, as well as to those engaged in economic operations. TDC was given a 125-year lease term to manage this land area known as the Tema Acquisition Area. In 2017, TDC Ghana Ltd was converted into a Limited Liability Company with enhanced mandate to expand its operational and geographical scope beyond the Tema Acquisition Area. Next article: Government settles school feeding arrears for first term of 2024/2025 academic year Mahama condemns Bawku clashes, calls for dialogue and support for Otumfuos mediation efforts Jemima Okang Addae Apr - 11 - 2025 , 12:53 2 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has strongly condemned the recent violent clashes in Bawku and surrounding areas, which have resulted in the loss of lives and the destruction of property. Speaking at the graduation ceremony of the Ghana Military Academys Regular Career Course 63 today (April 11, 2025) in Accra, Mahama expressed deep concern over the incident, which reportedly occurred at a marketplace and involved a confrontation between officers of the Ghana Police Service and some local youth on Thursday, 10 April. The clash led to multiple fatalities and several injuries. I wish to emphasise that no one gains from this situation of conflict and insecurity, Mahama said. He announced that the Otumfuo Mediation Process had been reactivated, bringing together stakeholders in Kumasi to explore a path toward lasting peace in the troubled region. Mahama further disclosed that he had received assurance from the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, that the mediation efforts would resume next week following his return from a short trip abroad. The president went on to commend the Ghana Armed Forces for their continued dedication and sacrifices in safeguarding lives and property in the conflict-ridden Bawku area. Your efforts, even at the peril of your lives, are greatly appreciated, he said. Calling for unity, Mahama appealed to all parties involved in the conflict to support the governments peace-building efforts. We need the cooperation of all to restore peace in Bawku and its environs, he stressed. He urged all sides to embrace dialogue and reconciliation, emphasising that only through a collective and sincere effort could the region break free from the recurring cycle of violence and instability. President Mahama announces home ownership scheme for Ghana Armed Forces personnel Jemima Okang Addae Apr - 11 - 2025 , 13:22 1 minute read President John Dramani Mahama has unveiled plans to launch a Home Ownership Scheme tailored specifically for personnel of the Ghana Armed Forces, as part of broader efforts to improve their welfare and long-term security. Speaking at the Ghana Military Academy Graduation Ceremony for Regular Career Course 63 in Accra, Mahama emphasised that one of the most urgent needs of service members is affordable and decent housing. Well address the most pressing concerns of your troops, starting with the need for affordable housing, he said. Well focus on constructing new housing units in the barracks while refurbishing dilapidated and abandoned military accommodations across the nation. He stressed that no member of the Armed Forces should have to endure sub-standard living conditions. In response, the Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme will be introduced to allow officers and soldiers to acquire private homes, either during or after active service. In addition to improved accommodation in our barracks, well establish the Armed Forces Home Ownership Scheme to provide officers and soldiers with the opportunity to own their own private homes, Mahama stated. The initiative is expected to complement ongoing infrastructural developments within the military and serve as a major morale booster for service personnel across the country. Next article: No opposition MP was harassed by the state security agencies during our time -Ntim Fordjour US lawmaker urges IMF to direct next Ghana disbursement towards settling debts owed to American firms Kweku Zurek Apr - 11 - 2025 , 07:26 4 minutes read The Chairman of the United States House Foreign Affairs Committee, Brian Mast, has called for a portion of Ghanas next International Monetary Fund (IMF) disbursement to be directly allocated to settling outstanding debts owed to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), including facilities partly owned by U.S. pension funds and taxpayers. In a letter addressed to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Chairman Mast expressed concern over what he described as Ghanas continued failure to honour financial commitments under its ongoing IMF-supported programme. I now recommend that the United States Executive Director to the IMF, once appointed and confirmed, formally request that a specific portion of the next IMF disbursement to Ghana be explicitly directed towards settling outstanding payments owed to the IPPs, he stated. The recommendation follows growing disquiet over Ghanas ballooning arrears to Independent Power Producers, including power generation facilities owned by US pension funds and US taxpayers, a situation many fear threatens the stability of the power sector and investor confidence. According to Chairman Mast, although recent payments made by the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to American-affiliated IPPs Twin City Energy and Early Power Ltd. marked some progress, they fell short of expectations. Each company reportedly received about $5.5 million, below the anticipated $7.5 million. These payments, made in Ghana Cedis, were nonetheless seen as a slight improvement from previous disbursement patterns. The letter also referenced a recent economic briefing by former President John Mahamas advisory team, which outlined key priorities for economic recovery. These include rebuilding reserves, ring-fencing certain funds, and refinancing government obligations. However, Mast expressed scepticism about the governments actual commitment to tackling the IPP debt burden. President Mahama does not appear to be listening to his advisors as proposed solutions like ring-fencing remain mere talking points, Mast stated, adding that the government's push to rebuild reserves might conflict with the urgent need to clear power sector arrears. He further warned that continued failure to prioritise these obligations could discourage American investors and deepen the operational crisis faced by IPPs. I believe such a measure is essential to keeping American investors interested in Ghana, addressing the ongoing financial strain on IPPs and ensuring the stability of Ghanas power sector, he stressed. The IMFs next programme review mission to Ghana is expected in April, ahead of potential Board action in June. Chairman Masts intervention echoes calls made during the 118th U.S. Congress to condition previous IMF support on the resolution of IPP arrears. Read the full letter below: Dear Secretary Bessent, This letter provides an update on concerning recent developments regarding payments owed to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in Ghana and the Government of Ghanas failure to uphold its commitments to IPPs under the terms of its most recent International Monetary Fund (IMF) program. Among these IPPs are two power generation facilities owned by U.S. pension funds and the U.S. taxpayer. An American investor recently noted that the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) processed two payments each to Twin City (TCE) and Early Power Ltd. (EPL) in Ghana Cedis. While these payments, estimated at approximately $5.5 million each, are a significant improvement compared to previous periods they remain below the anticipated $7.5 million due to each entity. On Wednesday January 29th, President John Mahamas advisory team outlined his current administrations economic priorities to investors. These include rebuilding the nations creditworthiness, building up reserves, potentially ring-fencing certain funds, and refinancing facilities to improve the governments repayment profile. They expressed a strong focus on the power sector and highlighted efforts to rebuild the cash waterfall mechanism, taking credit for its original design. While they mentioned actively working to smooth out repayments and possibly moving certain debts to external facilities for greater confidence, they did not specifically commit to applying this approach to the power sector debt. President Mahama does not appear to be listening to his advisors as proposed solutions like ring-fencing remain mere talking points. Additionally, the acknowledged scarcity of government funds suggests that the focus on rebuilding reserves might impede the simultaneous clearing of existing arrears owed to IPPs. The IMF program, which was designed to stabilize Ghanas economy and restore fiscal discipline, included explicit commitments to honoring financial obligations to these providers. I understand that the next IMF field report will be completed in April, following an expected in-country mission during the coming days and in preparation for potential IMF Board action in June. Given this context and recalling House Foreign Affairs GOP engagement from the 118th Congress, which advocated for conditioning the December 2023 IMF tranche on the resolution of IPP arrears, I now recommend that the United States Executive Director to the IMF, once appointed and confirmed, formally request that a specific portion of the next IMF disbursement to Ghana be explicitly directed towards settling outstanding payments owed to the IPPs. I believe such a measure is essential to keeping American investors interested in Ghana, addressing the ongoing financial strain on IPPs and ensuring the stability of Ghanas power sector. Mahama Ayariga: MP condemns Bawku clashes, urges calm and respect for peace process Kweku Zurek Politics Apr - 11 - 2025 , 06:51 3 minutes read The Member of Parliament for Bawku Central and Majority Leader, Mahama Ayariga, has issued a condemnation of the recent violent confrontations between youth groups and security forces in Bawku, describing the situation as deeply troubling and urging for calm amid heightened tensions. In a statement released while on official duty abroad, Mr. Ayariga expressed deep concern over the reported loss of lives and injuries resulting from the disturbances, which also saw his private residence vandalized in what he described as an attempted arson attack. Whilst attending an official assignment out of the country, I have learnt about fatal violent encounters between the police and the youth in Bawku and a subsequent vandalization and attempt to burn my private residence in Bawku in anger, he stated. Mr. Ayariga acknowledged the growing frustration among the youth, particularly over the protracted nature of the Bawku and Kusaug chieftaincy conflict, as well as allegations of misconduct by some members of the security forces. He offered his sympathies to the victims and called for restraint. I understand the anger and frustration of the youth about the pace of the resolution of the situation in Bawku and Kusaug and the misconduct of some misguided law enforcement officers. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) government remains committed to its promise to ensure justice and lasting peace. My condolences to the bereaved and sympathies to the injured. Reaffirming his support for ongoing mediation efforts, the MP threw his weight behind the peace process being spearheaded by the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, with the involvement of key traditional authorities from the region. In this regard, I will urge all of us to remain committed to the peace process being led by His Majesty the Asantehene Otumfuo Osei Tutu II. The Overlord of Kusaug, Zugran Naaba Asigri Abugrago Azoka II and the Overlord of Mamprugu, Nayiri Naa Bohagu Mahami Sheriga have committed themselves to the process and are fully participating. Mr. Ayariga further stressed the need for adherence to Ghanas legal and constitutional frameworks in addressing the longstanding dispute. I want to assure the people of Bawku and Kusaug, whom I represent, that I remain resolute and committed to a lasting resolution of the matter according to the well-established laws and judicial decisions of Ghana, which must ultimately be respected and enforced. He also used the opportunity to denounce what he described as politically motivated attacks against him, warning detractors against exploiting the unrest for electoral advantage. Kindly disregard the lies being told about me by political detractors and people seeking shamelessly to take advantage of the current unfortunate situation in Bawku and Kusaug to settle personal electoral political scores. The smear campaign on social media will not distract me. In the end, we will be vindicated. Reiterating his long-held stance on the chieftaincy dispute, Mr. Ayariga made clear his support for the Kusaug youth, but insisted the matter be resolved through the ongoing peace framework. My personal position on the matter has been known to all over the years and has never changed. It wont change. I agree with the youth of Kusaug that another person cannot reside in Bawku claiming to be chief. But in reverence to the great Asante Stool, I leave that matter to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II to resolve expeditiously. The law enforcement officers must be cautious. Previous article: Vice President Naana Opoku-Agyemangs first social media post after going to the UK for medical care NDC to appeal High Court ruling upholding Annoh-Domprehs election as Nsawam-Adoagyiri MP Gertrude Ankah Politics Apr - 11 - 2025 , 12:43 4 minutes read The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has vowed to appeal a High Court ruling that upheld the legitimacy of Frank Annoh-Dompreh as Member of Parliament for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, describing the judgment as a total travesty of justice. The ruling, delivered on Thursday, April 10, by Justice Addae at the Koforidua High Court, dismissed a petition filed by the NDC challenging Annoh-Domprehs election. The court upheld an application by the Director of Legal Affairs of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Gary Nimako Marfo, to dismiss the case. The NDC maintains that the declaration of Mr Annoh-Dompreh as MP was flawed, citing discrepancies in the electoral process, including what it claims were inaccurate result sheets. Speaking on Ghana Tonight on TV3, the NDCs Deputy Director of Elections and IT, Dr Rashid Tanko-Computer, expressed the partys deep dissatisfaction with the ruling and announced plans to file an appeal. This ruling is a total travesty of justice and we are not going to accept it. These are the things they do allowing illegal people to parade themselves as MPs in Parliament, Dr Tanko said. Allegations of electoral irregularities Dr Tanko alleged that during the 2024 parliamentary elections, the declaration of results in favour of Mr Annoh-Dompreh was based on photocopied and not original pink sheets, the official electoral results forms. I was at Teshie when the returning officer attempted to declare the results, he recalled. We pointed out that the pink sheets the NPP used were photocopies. These were not original documents. Yet, they went ahead to declare him the winner. Asked whether this evidence was submitted in court, Dr Tanko claimed that the party was not granted a fair hearing. The judge did not even allow us to go through the full process. The NPP filed a motion claiming there was no case to answer, and the court upheld it. We were denied the opportunity to scrutinise the process leading to the declaration of results, he stated. Respect for judiciary, but concerns remain While criticising the ruling, Dr Tanko was careful to stress the NDCs respect for the judiciary, though he raised concerns over the impartiality of some decisions. We are not bastardising the judiciary. We respect the courts. But this ruling, we believe, is fundamentally flawed. Weve seen this before in the Accra High Court case, where we challenged a flawed ruling and the Supreme Court quashed it. We will do the same here, he said. Legal appeal in motion Dr Tanko revealed that the NDCs legal team has been instructed to initiate an appeal process against the High Courts decision. Our lawyers are working on the documents as we speak. We will use every legal means to get this so-called MP out of Parliament. The people of Nsawam voted for our candidate, Selom, not Annoh-Dompreh. He added that allowing the current outcome to stand could undermine public confidence in Ghanas electoral system. If we allow this to pass, it sends the wrong message that people can rig elections and get away with it. We are fighting to restore integrity to our electoral system. Similar battle in Ablekuma North Turning his attention to another disputed constituency, Ablekuma North, Dr Tanko accused the Electoral Commission (EC) of attempting to declare the NPP candidate the winner without conducting a constitutionally mandated rerun in 62 polling stations. The EC claims they need police protection to declare the results but protection for what? They dont have the pink sheets. The NPP claims to have scanned copies. We stopped them once, and well stop them again. The NDC has reportedly responded to the ECs application at the Supreme Court and is preparing to challenge the Commission's actions in court. No room for illegal MPs Dr Tanko also reaffirmed the NDCs commitment to challenging any MP they believe was not validly elected. We will make sure that no one who was not validly elected will remain in Parliament. Our party supporters should be assured we are on top of the matter, he said. Vice President Naana Opoku-Agyemangs first social media post after going to the UK for medical care Graphic Online Politics Apr - 11 - 2025 , 21:26 2 minutes read The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang in a social media post on Friday evening spoke about how her Chief of Staff represented her at the ceremony of the graduating officer cadets of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority. It was the first time the Vice President was speaking since she was admitted to the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC) on Saturday after experiencing a sudden illness and subsequent medical care in the United Kingdom. The Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu had earlier this week stated the Vice President was in good health and currently taking a short period of rest abroad, following medical advice. He said the Vice President was recovering steadily and was expected to resume her official duties shortly. Today, my Chief of Staff had the singular honour of addressing the graduating officer cadets of the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority, on my behalf. This marks not just the end of 9 months of rigorous training, but the beginning of a lifelong journey of service to Ghana," the Vice President wrote on X and added some photos from the ceremony to it. "As guardians of our borders and key players in revenue mobilisation, your role is vital to our nations economic transformation. In a time when self-reliance is no longer optional but essential, your integrity, discipline, and dedication are more important than ever. "Congratulations to all cadets, especially the Best Overall and Best Female Cadets. May your service bring honour to you, pride to the GRA, and prosperity to Ghana. Ayekoo!!!," Prof. Opoku-Agyemang, who is Ghana's first female Vice-President wrote. The renowned academic, who became the first female Vice-Chancellor at a public university in Ghana, had been on medical leave for two weeks as government announced that she was taken ill suddenly. Green River Police Department reports for March 31 At 8:45 a.m., officers responded to a report of a scam. At 9:37 a.m., officers responded to a report of domestic violence. At 11:11 a.m., officers responded to a report of fraud. At 12:05 p.m., officers responded to a report of assault. At 1:43 p.m., officers responded to a report of threats/harassment. At 5:42 p.m., officers responded to a report of a weapons offense at Smith's. Officers met with involved parties and determined the suspects were juveniles shooting gel blaster guns at people in the parking lot. The projectiles were small gel balls, and no injuries were reported. The gel blasters were confiscated by officers and booked in at GRPD. This incident is actively under investigation. At 11:18 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for alleged speed - too fast for conditions. April 1 At 6:02 a.m., officers responded to a report of an accident. At 7:32 a.m., officers responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision in the area of the overpass. Officers met with both drivers and gathered statements. After investigation it was determined that vehicle one was traveling southbound on Uinta Drive when the vehicle started to slide, crossing the median and colliding with vehicle two, which was traveling northbound. The driver of vehicle one, Zayden Hamblin, was issued a citation for alleged improper lane usage and officers completed a report of the incident. At 1 p.m., officers responded to a report of threats/harassment. At 7:11 p.m., officers responded to a report of stalking. April 2 At 4:43 a.m., officers responded to a report of a disturbance. At 1:58 p.m., officers responded to a report of property damage. At 2:58 p.m., officers responded to a report of a traffic hazard. At 9:42 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for an alleged headlights - visibility and mounting violation. At 10:04 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for an alleged when headlamps required violation. At 10:18 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for an alleged headlights - one on each side violation. At 10:29 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for expired temporary license permit/improper registration. At 10:31 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued the driver, James Miera, citations for alleged compulsory auto insurance second+ offense; drive while license canceled, suspended, or revoked; and headlights - visibility distance and time requirements. April 3 At 8:38 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued warnings for alleged expired temporary license permit/improper registration and vehicle exceed 20 mph in school zone (6+ mph over). At 2:52 p.m., officers came in contact with an individual with an active warrant. Officers placed Theresa Ferreira under arrest per the warrant and transported her to the Sweetwater County Detention Center. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 3:41 p.m., officers responded to a report of an accident. At 8:46 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for an alleged required color of reflectors, clearance violation. At 11:27 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for an alleged headlights - one on each side violation. April 4 At 4:38 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for alleged expired temporary license permit/improper registration. At 10:21 a.m., officers responded to a report of a traffic hazard. At 10:29 a.m., officers responded to a report of a juvenile in possession of tobacco. Officers met with the juvenile, issued them a citation for alleged use/possession of tobacco by minor, and completed a report of the incident. At 12:57 p.m., officers responded to a report of an accident. At 1:37 p.m., officers responded to a report of an accident. At 2:38 p.m., officers responded to a report of larceny. At 4:51 p.m., officers responded to a report of an animal bite. At 5:59 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for alleged improper lane usage. At 6:11 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for an alleged valid certificate of title, certificate of registration, and license plates required violation. At 6:25 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning or alleged speed - generally. At 6:27 p.m., officers responded to a report of a traffic offense. At 8:35 p.m., officers responded to a report of a missing person. At 9:57 p.m., officers responded to a report of domestic violence. April 5 At 9:57 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for an alleged valid certificate of title, certificate of registration, and license plates required violation. At 11:08 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for an alleged valid certificate of title, certificate of registration, and license plates required violation. At 11:32 a.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for an alleged windshield/wipers required violation. At 12:26 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued warnings for an alleged turn signals required violation and following too closely. At 2:13 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for an alleged windshield/wipers required violation. April 6 At 12:14 a.m., officers responded to a report of a hit and run. At 9:27 a.m., officers responded to a report of two dogs at large. Officers were able to impound the dogs and made contact with both owners. Officers issued the owners, Eric Mines and David Riddle, each two citations: one for alleged nuisance animal and one for alleged animal at large. Officers completed a report of the incident. At 11:14 a.m., officers responded to a report of a weapon offense. At 1:34 p.m., officers responded to a report of found property in the area of the horse corrals. Officers met with the reporting party who advised they had found a key fob. Officers collected the key fob for safekeeping and completed a report of the incident. Please contact the police department if you are missing this item. At 6:36 p.m., officers responded to a report of drugs. Officers met with the reporting party who advised they had found drug paraphernalia. The owner of the paraphernalia, a juvenile, was cited for alleged paraphernalia (possession with intent to use) and officers completed a report of the incident. At 7:07 p.m., officers responded to a report of threats/harassment. April 7 At 1:13 p.m., officers responded to a report of larceny. At 2:55 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for alleged speeding in a school zone. At 3:06 p.m., officers responded to a report of a traffic offense. At 3:09 p.m., officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle and issued a warning for alleged speeding in a school zone. At 3:58 p.m., officers responded to a report of a two-vehicle collision at Smith's. Officers met with both drivers who advised vehicle one had backed into vehicle two. The driver of vehicle one, Matthew Smith, was issued a citation for alleged inattentive driving with crash and officers completed a report of the incident. At 4:25 p.m., officers responded to a report of an alcohol offense. At 7:33 p.m., officers responded to a report of threats/harassment. At 9:18 p.m., officers responded to a report of threats/harassment. Truman Elementary is working to improve the schools proficiency through focused learning methods and proficiency scales. During Tuesdays school board meeting for Sweetwater County School District No. 2, Truman Elementary School Principal Greg Figenser, along with several staff members, gave a presentation on Mastery Based Learning. During the presentation, Figenser explained how over the last five years Truman began working with the Wyoming State Standards, turning them into proficiency scales. He went onto explain that its a tool the staff uses to guide instruction, fostering personalized competency-based education. With the proficiency scales, it has enabled teachers and students alike to know exactly where theyre at, and where they may need more assistance. Figenser said that the process has allowed students to not only know where they are educationally, but also to understand that they will always have the opportunity to obtain what they need to learn and grow on those proficiency scales. Figenser was honest about Truman struggling with test scores and proficiency over the last few years, acknowledging that they can no longer go on without significant improvements. He stated he believes the work theyve put into aligning with the state standards and creating the proficiency scales will lead to overall student success. One key component in Mastery Based Learning is student-lead conferences. Second Grade Teacher Brittany Rider explained that student-lead conferences give the students a sense of empowerment by demonstrating an awareness of level mastery and presenting their own learning progression to their parents and guardians. Fourth Grade Teachers Annie Stiess and Stephanie Olivas spoke about doing daily, one-on-one student self evaluations and how those evaluations were essential to the success of student-lead conferences. The evaluations allowed students to take responsibility for their progress or lack thereof during the conference. Olivas said that the students were extremely honest during their conferences, whether or not they had mastered a skill, and they could easily explain how they were going to continue working so they could master the skill. Figenser said that the proficiency scales encompass all grades from junior kindergarten through fifth grade. They also include specialty classes such as art and music, with the plan to include physical education in the coming year. Sweetwater County residents will soon be receiving their 2025 Notice of Value on their properties, and have a number of options available to apply for property tax relief. Sweetwater County Assessor Dave Divis said that residents will be receiving their Notice of Value "within the next few days." The assessor asks residents to review the information. Anyone who disagrees with the value of their property has 30 days from the date mailed to discuss the value with the assessor and provide information to assist the assessor's office in valuing the property. "The 2025 Notice of Value has a few changes because of recently passed legislation," Divis explained. "If applicable, the the exemption amounts, and tax reductions are listed at the bottom of the notice." Residents may qualify for multiple exemptions, according to Divis. The 25% tax cut passed by the legislature through Senate File 0069 this year will be automatically applied to all homeowners. Other programs require applications. Applications for the Property Tax Refund Program have been mailed by the Department of Revenue to taxpayers who applied last year, and are also available in the Assessor's Office and the Treasurer's Office in the Sweetwater County Courthouse. The refund program is currently open to applications. At Governor Mark Governor's request, the Wyoming Legislature appropriated an additional $10.5 million to meet the state's commitment to homeowners in need this year, following expansion of the program in 2024. "We know more than 4,600 additional families utilized this program last year, reflecting how important delivering relief to those most impacted by increased assessments has become," Governor Gordon said in a press release. The property tax refund program assists eligible Wyoming homeowners who are struggling to pay their property taxes, the press release explained. In 2023, the program helped 13,485 Wyoming families, with more than $14,265,960 million in refunds distributed, with the average refund being approximately $1,058.23. Homeowners can apply for a refund of up to one-half of the median residential property tax amount or 75% of their 2024 property tax bill, whichever is less. Homeowners must meet certain eligibility requirements to qualify for the program. All applications must be properly completed and filed with the Department of Revenue or the County Treasurer's office no later than June 2. Before applying for the refund, individuals must pay their 2024 taxes in full. Other property tax relief measures put in place by the legislature are available to homeowners this year as well. The assessor's office is currently accepting applications for the Long-Term Homeowners Exemption for individuals who are 65 years old and have paid property taxes in the State of Wyoming for 25 years. The property needs to be the primary residence, and the applicant must reside in the property for eight months of the year. Representatives from the assessor's office will be at the Rock Springs Young at Heart Senior Center during lunch on Friday, April 11 and at the Green River Golden Hour Senior Center during lunch on Thursday, April 24 to assist with and receive applications. The deadline for the applications is May 26. Applications can also be submitted at the assessor's office at the courthouse. "We must verify the age of the applicant, so please bring an ID with a birthdate," Divis stressed. Another property tax exemption is available for veterans. The Veteran's Exemption increased from $3,000 to $6,000 for tax year 2025, but the application process has not changed, Divis explained. Anyone who has been receiving the Veteran's Exemption but does not have an amount listed for it in the exemption portion of the Notice of Value should contact the assessor's office by May 26 the receive the exemption for the 2025 tax year. "After looking over your Notice of Value, if you have any questions or concerns about the valuation of your property, please call the Assessor's Office," Divis said. "We enjoy taking the time to explain the valuation process to residents of our county." The assessor's office can be reached at (307) 872-3700 for Green River or (307) 922-5200 for Rock Springs. Assessor Divis can also be reached through email at [email protected]. Introduction AI is all the rage these days. It has become an integral part of our smartphones and has seeped into many of the tasks we use them for - typing, talking, searching - but it really started with photography. The big keywords were computational photography and image algorithms, and at some point, every manufacturer started bragging about its new AI Eraser that can remove distractions from your vacation photos. Google was seemingly the first with Magic Eraser, but now the industry has caught on, and we dare say it has even surpassed the Pixel in AI object removal. Being naturally curious, especially when technology is concerned, we decided to pit the different AI erasers against each other to see which is best, but also to see if they're even worth using. After much testing around the office, we chose four contestants as our test subjects - the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra using Galaxy AI, the iPhone 16e with Apple Intelligence, the Google Pixel 9 Pro Xl with Gemini AI, and the Xiaomi 15, touting its own AI Erase 2.0. These devices represent the best efforts of their respective companies, and you can expect the same results from their other high-end phones as well. Generally, midrange devices don't do as well - probably due to their more limited hardware. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra Apple iPhone 16e Google Pixel 9 Pro XL Xiaomi 15 We spent a big chunk of time choosing the right photos for the job. We ended up with a selection of 20 images captured across a multitude of smartphones. That way the comparison is fair - every phone will use its AI on images captured with other phones. The samples come in two groups - general shots with some distraction or other that ruins the photo - the typical example you'd use AI-powered object erasers on. A street sign ruining a vista, a construction crane between buildings, people blocking a famous landmark, etc. Then we have the classic photobomber shot where someone has crashed in on your vacation pic and needs to be removed. The other group of photos has tougher objects to remove - a hand in front of a face, sunglasses that need to disappear, a bottle of glass cleaner amidst bottles of spirits on a bar - we designed these shots to give the AI a challenge. A word on the AI's limitations Before we look at the results, a word on each phone's AI - what it needs to work and how it works. Samsung Samsung's Generative Edit requires both an active internet connection and an enrolled Samsung account in order to work. It also resizes the manipulated image to 12MP (4,000 x 3,000px), and adds a watermark to let you know the photo was tampered with by AI. One of the Galaxy AI's strong suits is that it doesn't have restrictions of working on humans - meaning it can edit parts of people in a photo - some of the other contestants can't do that yet. Samsung's solution requires the least amount of taps - open the Gallery app, go to a photo, tap once, and you can draw around the obstacle you wish to remove. Despite its limitations, Samsung's Galaxy AI object erase is superior to the rest. It's faster - measurably so, especially compared to the Pixel and Xiaomi. Samsung's solution is also incredible at recognizing what you want to remove - just draw a loose circle around anything in a photo, and 9 times out of 10 the AI will recognize what you want to erase and mask it perfectly. Apple Apple's Clean Up is part of Apple Intelligence, which until recently was limited to North America. It's spread to more countries and regions recently, but it is still not available in China. Clean Up works on iPhone 16e, iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 15 Pro, or iPhone 15 Pro Max; any iPad with A17 Pro or M1 and later; Mac with M1 or later, and requires iOS 18.1, iPadOS 18.1, or macOS Sequoia 15.1. You'll only need an active connection to download the machine learning the first time you set up Apple Intelligence, and it will work offline from then on. You can find Clean Up in the Photos app, and you'll need two taps before you can start drawing circles around distractions. The iPhone isn't as good at recognizing what you want to delete - a simple person's silhouette can require five or even six finger drawings for the phone to mask the entire thing. Google Google's Magic Eraser was the first of its kind, but it seems Google hasn't improved upon it much since its announcement. Which is weird considering just how much airtime the feature gets in Pixel commercials. Magic Eraser lives in Google Photos' image editor inside the Tools section. It means it's three taps away if you want to remove an object. Google Photos will sometimes automatically detect objects to remove in a photo and will prompt you to use Magic Eraser as a suggestion in the first screen of the image editor, but that happened only a handful of times during our testing. Magic Eraser doesn't require an active internet connection. Once you open a photo and select Magic Eraser, it will scan the photo and automatically mask anything it thinks is a distraction - this is handy sometimes - it found a crowd of people in one of the photos and deleted all of them without the need for us to do anything more. Google offers a separate Pixel Studio, which, among other things, can erase objects in a photo. We tested it and saw identical results to the Magic Eraser that's built into Google Photos. If you need to manually select something to remove, draw around it and Magic Eraser will try and pick it out. It's only average in this regard, needing multiple inputs to properly mask a human silhouette. Xiaomi Xiaomi's solution lives in the proprietary Gallery and is called AI Eraser, AI Erase Pro, or AI Erase 2.0. It's the hardest to get to - a whole four taps before you can finally start drawing around subjects or objects. It also requires an active internet connection, and it seemingly relies on servers in China because it's sometimes very slow, and it even refused to work a few times. Xiaomi's object recognition isn't good. Drawing around a person yielded poor results - the AI selected only a small part of the entire shape, and we needed to draw additional circles - sometimes up to 10 - to cover a simple human shape. Selecting multiple objects is a tedious task, and the app would simply wipe all the masks clean at one point, and we needed to start from scratch. The iPhone 16 series is now available in Indonesia Following a five-month ban, the iPhone 16 series is finally available in Indonesia. This includes the iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max and the more recently launched iPhone 16e. The devices can now be purchased from local Apple authorized resellers Digimap and iBox, with orders scheduled to be delivered in 1-3 business days. So excited that our customers in Indonesia can now experience the iPhone 16 lineupavailable today! All-day battery life, best-in-class performance, and incredible camera systems make iPhone 16 our most powerful yet. https://t.co/RTa9elSNDO Greg Joswiak (@gregjoz) April 11, 2025 This development officially puts an end to the iPhone 16 ban saga in Indonesia, which lasted for over 166 days. The devices were originally banned back in late October following unmet investment commitments from Apple. One thing led to another, and Apple had eventually entered a negotiation game with the Indonesian government with reports suggesting that Apple had at one point raised its investment commitments in the country as high as $1 billion. According to the latest report, the final deal was set at a $300 million investment from Apple. It includes a manufacturing facility for Apple AirTag trackers in Indonesia and a separate factory for accessories. Cupertino is also expected to set up additional R&D centers and invest in local academies for students. Apple iPhone 16e Apple iPhone 16 Apple iPhone 16 Pro Max The OnePlus Watch 3 launch fiasco continues, unfortunately. The device was unveiled back in February, going up for pre-order immediately with a February 25 shipping date. But the "Meda in China" typo on the back of the first batch of watches then saw its release postponed, even though some people had actually received their pre-orders (and were offered free returns if the "Meda in China" text disturbed them in some way). Fast forward to today, and the OnePlus Watch 3 is finally available to order again from the OnePlus website in the US. The only problem? It's now priced at $499.99, which is a ridiculous price compared to the initially advertised $329.99. That's actually a 51% increase and while the company hasn't explained it in any way (which, by the way, is definitely not a good look), we assume this all has to do with US President Trump's all-out tariff war against China, where the OnePlus Watch 3 is obviously made. It's sad to see politics getting in the way of good products, which the Watch 3 definitely is. It's just that at $499.99 it's a much tougher sell for most people than it was at $329.99. Thus, it remains to be seen how successful it will be in the US market. Hopefully this doesn't mean the end of the line for OnePlus watches - ever since the OnePlus Watch 2 last year the company has arguably made the best Wear OS watches on the market, and we'd like to see that continue in the future. Community First Guam Federal Credit Union, in partnership with Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, announced that three Guam nonprofit organizations will each receive a $12,500 grant. Catholic Social Service, Sanctuary Inc. of Guam, and Victim Advocates Reaching Out, VARO, will receive the grant from the Member Impact Fund, Community First said in a release. Community First said it is committed to donating $5,000 to each organization and FHLB Des Moines provided a match grant of $7,500 each. This matching grant program will result in FHLB Des Moines awarding over $6 million in funding to support affordable housing and community development in Hawaii, Utah and Guam. The work of these three organizations go a long way to helping those in need, Community First president and CEO Gerard Cruz said in a statement. Were happy to have partners like the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines who recognize the need to uplift the lives of the members of our community. Community First said it has been a proud partner of these three local non-profit organizations throughout the years and together, they have been dedicated to housing and community development initiatives. Catholic Social Service CSS said it will use the funds towards the Y Jahame Supportive Services Program, which helps chronically homeless individuals with disabilities in the community. The purpose of Y Jahame is to promote commitment to the goal of ending homelessness by providing secure housing and support to assist them to live a decent and independent life. Funds will be used to help improve the conditions of eight shelter units. Thank you for your continual support of Catholic Social Service and the work that we do. The funding received will benefit our Y Jahame project for chronic homeless individuals with disability to improve their housing environment, CSS deputy director Paula Siguenza said. Siguenza said Y Jahame provides sheltering, intensive case management, and supportive services for the individuals in the program. Addressing homelessness on our island is a community effort and we are appreciative of partners such as Community First, she said. Sanctuary Inc. of Guam Sanctuary said it will use the funds towards investing in technology upgrades at Sanctuarys campus. These upgrades will enhance security, efficiency, and service delivery for vulnerable youth. Upgrades include network security enhancements, modernized security cameras, and an electronic health record system to protect sensitive data, improve campus safety, and streamline operations. These advancements will strengthen confidentiality, ensure compliance, and allow staff to focus on direct care, fostering a secure, trauma-informed environment for youth in crisis. On behalf of Sanctuary, Inc., we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Community First Guam Federal Credit Union and the Federal Home Loan Banks Member Impact Fund for your generous donation, said Aja Ramos, chief operations officer of WestCare Pacific Islands, which manages Sanctuary. Your support will directly fund recreational activities and provide critical resourcessuch as basic needsfor the youth in our care. Ramos said for many of the youth under Sanctuarys care, such essentials are not guaranteed, and opportunities for joy, healing, and normalcy are rare. Your contribution will have a profound and lasting impact, offering them comfort and a reminder that their community believes in their worth and potential, Ramos added. VARO VARO said it will be able to fund a part-time victim advocate to assist with 60 families going into VAROs emergency housing program. While in an emergency shelter, the advocate will also assist in applying for longer term housing with other organizations, emotional support, safety planning, transportation to appointments, assistance in applying for pro se protective orders and other benefits as appropriate. Emergency shelter will be for 20 primary victims/survivors for an average of three nights. These primary victims will have an average of two children with them or 40 children in all. VARO is deeply grateful for the generous $12,500 donation from Community First Guam Federal Credit Union, said VARO vice president Trina San Agustin. This funding will directly support our mission to provide emergency shelter and vital services to victims of family violence, abuse, and assault. San Agustin said it will help cover temporary shelter, meals, personal care items, and essential shelter expenses for individuals and families seeking safety. Our long-time partnership with Community First Guam continues to strengthen our ability to offer protection, healing, and hope to survivors across our island community, she added. FHLB Des Moines provides funding solutions and liquidity to more than 1,200 members to support mortgage lending, economic development and affordable housing in the communities they serve. The Member Impact Fund provides FHLB Des Moines members a matching grant donation to strengthen the ability of not-for-profits or government entities to support the needs of their communities. The Member Impact Fund continues to make a profound impact on our members efforts to create affordable housing accessibility and community development, FHLB Des Moines president and CEO Kris Williams said. Its inspiring to see the increased usage year-over-year. Recipient organizations were selected based on the needs for grant funding to support capacity-building or working capital necessary to strengthen their ability to serve affordable housing or community development needs including job training, affordable housing, financial literacy, food banks and youth programs. This member matching grant program is part of FHLB Des Moines ongoing mission to offer a variety of funding options through its members. The man who was shot by police after a carjacking and high-speed chase and also accused in a Yigo kidnapping and shooting along with several attempted carjackings and a shooting in Talo'fo'fo' was arrested in 11 separate cases. The Guam Police Department early Saturday morning announced Jeromy Moe John Pangelinan was arrested on Friday. He was taken to the Guam Regional Medical City on April 6 after he sustained a gunshot wound shortly before police officers apprehended him in Dededo after a high-speed chase. He was in stable condition and remained under police custody. Jeromy Pangelinan along with his two siblings, Jathan John Pangelinan Tedtaotao and Shaenita Pangelinan, were wanted by police in connection with an April 2 kidnapping and shooting in Yigo. Jeromy Pangelinan is also a suspect in attempted carjackings, confrontations and shooting in Talo'fo'fo' on April 5 leading to a massive manhunt, and is also a suspect in an April 6 carjacking in Yona before a high-speed car chase that ended up with a brief exchange of fire with police officers in Dededo. According to police, Pangelinan stole a car at Windward Hills Apartments in Yona which led to a high-speed chase with officers that ended on Stampa Road by Ysengsong in Dededo. He and his brother were apprehended some eight hours apart on Sunday. Their sister remained at large until her arrest on Wednesday. Jeromy Pangelinan was arrested in the following cases: Case No. 2025-9348 No insurance with damages greater than $5K as a result of a crash Imprudent driving Mandatory insurance Registration expired Leaving the scene with injuries/property damage No Drivers License Case No. 2025-9347 Execution of Warrant CF552-19 Case No. 2025-8807 Robbery 2nd degree Carjacking Reckless conduct Terrorizing Use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony Purchase or possession/Use or carry firearms without valid ID Case No. 2025-8806 Robbery 3rd Degree Terrorizing Reckless conduct Purchase or possession/Use or carry firearm without valid ID Case No. 2025-8805 Carjacking Attempt Robbery 1st Degree Use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony Discharge of firearm Reckless conduct Terrorizing Case No. 2025-8530 Aggravated Assault 2nd degree felony Kidnapping Conspiracy Guilt by complicity Case No. 2025-8802 Reckless conduct Terrorizing Terroristic conduct Purchase or possession/Use or carry firearms without valid ID Use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony Discharge of Firearm Case No. 2025-8813 Reckless conduct Terrorizing Terroristic conduct Discharge of firearm Purchase or possession/Use or carry firearms without valid ID Use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony Case No. 2025-8860 Robbery 1st degree Purchase or possession/Use or carry firearms without valid ID Terrorizing Reckless conduct Use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony Eluding a police officer Reckless driving Aggravated assault 2nd degree felony Crimes against the community Discharge of firearm Carjacking Case No. 2025-8867 Illegal possession of a controlled substance, Schedule II Case No. 2025-8878 Purchase or possession/Use or carry firearm without valid ID Pangelinan was booked, processed, and confined to the Department of Corrections and his case has been forwarded to the Attorney Generals Office for their information and disposition, GPD said. "GPD would like to acknowledge the community for providing tips that assisted with the investigation," GPD said in a release. The Republic of the Marshall Islands faces difficult questions as climate change and rising sea levels threaten to overtake the low-lying islands and atolls of the nation, RMI President Hilda Heine told a packed crowd at the Hyatt Regency Guam on Friday. Questions such as: Which atolls and communities are to be fortified, elevated and saved? said Heine, who was the keynote speaker at the 2025 University of Guam Conference on Island Sustainability. Rising tides are a big concern in the RMI, where the highest point is only 10 meters above sea level, and the average elevation is only two meters, about seven feet, above the water. Though the challenge is daunting, the RMI and other nations need to act smart and act fast, she said. Today, in the face of climate change and rising sea levels, our nation is not merely trying to survive. We are working hard to be sustainable. We are working hard today so the future generations may thrive, she said. The path forward requires a marriage of data-driven analysis and traditional knowledge, Heine said. When we lose our land, we risk losing our lineage, our history and the social structures that hold our communities together, she said. With that in mind, the RMI has developed a National Adaptation Plan, which Heine called the blueprint for survival in the face of the accelerating impacts of climate change. The RMI has pushed to take strategic action to save its communities, with the costs for elevating islands and atolls high. Heine said the most populated islands, where retreat is not an option are at the focus, with plans to elevate many communities. We cannot ignore the growing threats of our of our urban areas, highly modified landscapes where natural shorelines are compromised, she said. Fortification was the only option, but that needed to be balanced against the danger of poorly planned interventions. Piecemeal sea wall construction, for example, could accelerate the degradation of the coasts. Our approach must be strategic, data driven and sustainable, Heine said. Rural areas, were more resilient, she noted, recalling at one point her own childhood living in the outer islands of the Marshalls. There, imports were scarce, the field trip ship came from the main island every six months, Heine and her family of 12 never went hungry between farming and fishing. That was sustainable living, she said. But even rural locations in the Marshals need to be prepared for episodic displacement. Solutions Heine said the islands are looking to new tech and sustainable solutions to deal with these challenges. One big issue in small nations like the RMI was finding aggregate, typically sand, gravel, or rocks, to elevate land areas and fortify shorelines. A recent seawall project in the island of Ebeye, for example, required boulders to be imported from Dubai, Heine said. Studies on dredging up sediment from the lagoons of the RMI showed promise, she said, with the Majuro lagoon potentially containing enough sediment to elevate one-third of the island. However, much more work would be needed, and the projects would be costly. Accurate data was a must, in light of that, Heine said, and the RMI was investing in accurate Light Detection and Ranging, LIDAR, to map the topography of the islands, at a cost of $400,000. That data would guide about $60 million worth of mitigation that would define our future, Heine said. After securing the coastlines, the RMI is looking to ensure their fishery sector, a cornerstone of the economy, is managed well, the president said. Her nation in February secured a deal with the Federated States of Micronesia and Papua New Guinea to secure their valuable tuna stocks and fishing industry, Heine said. Heine called it a major leap forward in advancing the Pacifics fisheries development agenda. The RMI was also working to get value-added processing online, including filleting, drying, and export certification, to enhance business opportunities. At the same time, the RMI was focused on community-based fishery management, in an effort to combine traditional knowledge and modern conservation practices. In January, the RMI designated 18,500 square miles of pristine Pacific ecosystems in the northern islands as a Forest National Marine Sanctuary, safeguarding deep sea sharks, green turtles, and resilient coral reefs. Island nations must commit to building local conservation expertise, and build out their workforces, Heine added. Local solutions, alternative livelihoods, and integrating climate adaptation strategies helped to protect the RMI for generations to come, she said. The question before us is not whether we can rise to this challenge, but how quickly we can do it. Sea level rising is going up really fast, Heine told the Hyatt crowd on Friday. The future of our islands depends on the decisions we make today. Our goal is not just to protect what we have, but to create a future where our islands are stronger, our people are empowered, and our way of life can endure, she said. Guam Del. James Moylan along with America Samoa Del. Uifaatali Amata Coleman Radewagen and Oregon Rep. Suzanne Bonamici introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen efforts to combat marine debris and protect the ocean. The Save Our Seas (S.O.S.) 2.0 Amendments Act of 2025 builds upon the success of the Save Our Seas 2.0 Actthe most comprehensive marine debris legislation ever passed by Congressand provides greater flexibility to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to work with other stakeholders in marine debris prevention and removal efforts, according to a joint release from the three Congressmembers. We all must work together to keep our ocean free from marine debris, said Bonamici in a statement. She said she was pleased to join her colleagues and fellow Oceans Caucus members Radewagen and Moylan in introducing the legislation that will strengthen the Marine Debris Foundations critical work and better support projects to clean up and prevent marine debris. In American Samoa, the ocean is the source of our islands beauty, our livelihoods, our recreation, and our future, said Radewagen in a statement. Im delighted to support ocean conservation and this good bipartisan legislation, which reauthorizes the Marine Debris Program, and builds on successes that are underway. She thanked Bonamici for her leadership, Moylan, and all those supporting these initiatives. This bill will significantly enhance our ability to effectively prevent and address marine debris, both domestically and globally. Guam is surrounded by the beautiful waters of the Pacific Ocean, and I understand the importance of protecting our marine environment. The strengthening of the Marine Debris Foundation and the improvement of waste management and mitigation infrastructure will have a direct impact on safeguarding the oceans that are so vital to our island community, said Moylan in a statement. He said the legislation will not only benefit Guam but also contribute to the protection of oceans worldwide. "I commend the efforts to enact these necessary measures and look forward to the positive impacts they will bring to our region and beyond," Moylan said. Specifically, the S.O.S. 2.0 Amendments Act will: Enhance the Marine Debris Foundation's Operations: Authorizes the Marine Debris Foundation to locate its principal office in the National Capital Region or a coastal shoreline community, providing flexibility to better address regional marine debris challenges; Improve outreach: Mandates the development of best practices for conducting outreach to Tribes, promoting inclusive and effective engagement in marine debris prevention and removal efforts; and Strengthen NOAA's Marine Debris Program: Reauthorizes the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program through 2029 and allows NOAA to enter into agreements beyond traditional contracts and make in-kind contributions for projects, enhancing the program's flexibility and effectiveness. Haiti - FLASH : Federal judge blocks Trump's order on Biden program On Thursday, April 10, 2025, Federal District Judge Indira Talwani blocked the Trump administration's order to [prematurely] terminate on April 24, 2025, the Humanitarian Parole program, better known as the "Biden Program," which has allowed 530,000 beneficiaries : Cubans (110,000), Haitians (210,000), Nicaraguans (93,000), and Venezuelans (117,000) to live temporarily and legally in the United States. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44527-haiti-flash-end-of-the-biden-program-210-000-haitians-have-30-days-to-leave-the-usa.html This decision, which targets more than half a million beneficiaries of this program, is part of a broader legal effort aimed at Protect people from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and other countries who are legally present in the United States. Let's rcall that last month, the Trump administration revoked the legal protections of hundreds of thousands of Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans, exposing them to possible deportation within 30 days. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had stated that they would lose their legal status on April 24, 2025. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44527-haiti-flash-end-of-the-biden-program-210-000-haitians-have-30-days-to-leave-the-usa.html SL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Politic : Advisor Smith Augustin pleads with the OAS for increased support On Thursday, April 10, 2025, as part of an advocacy mission aimed at strengthening regional cooperation around the security and humanitarian situation in Haiti, Presidential Advisor Smith Augustin, on official business in Washington, D.C., and New York, accompanied by Myrtha Desulme, Haiti's Representative to the OAS, Mathias Pierre, Chief of Staff, and Arold Julien, Electoral Affairs Advisor, met in Washington with Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS). During the meeting, Counselor Augustin provided an overview of the security situation in Haiti, highlighting the transnational nature of the crime prevalent there, given that armed groups operating on Haitian territory are fueled by international networks trafficking arms, ammunition, drugs, and other resources. Faced with this major threat, Smith Augustin called for increased support from international partners, particularly with a view to supporting the request of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the mobilization of US$900 million for the full and effective deployment of 2,500 members of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS) in Haiti. "We agreed on the need to increase international cooperation for Haiti, obtain stronger UN support for the Haitian police and military in terms of human, material, and financial resources, and support improved UN conditions for providing logistical responses to Haiti's security needs," declared Luis Almagro, who also expressed his support for Councilor Augustin's proposal to urgently organize a regional symposium on the security situation in Haiti. The objective will be to : - Deepen understanding of the structural causes, national challenges, and transnational dimensions of crime in Haiti; - Contribute to the development of an international strategic response plan; - Secure international commitment to fund the plan. Furthermore, Smith Augustin reiterated the Presidential Transitional Council's firm commitment to a return to institutional democratic order through the organization of a constitutional referendum and upcoming elections, which should lead to the transfer of power to an elected president in 2026. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44655-haiti-politic-advisor-smith-augustin-on-official-mission-to-washington-dc-and-new-york.html HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - News : Zapping... Police intervention in Delmas 17, 19, and 30 A police operation was conducted this week in the commune of Delmas (Delmas 17, Delmas 19, and Delmas 30) as well as on Nazon Road, near the Evelyne Sincere block. During this operation, several bandits were fatally injured. Furthermore, law enforcement cleared barricades erected by criminals along several roads. Macron : Towards a peaceful memorial dialogue "President Macron indicated [...] that it was France's responsibility to keep the memory of slavery alive throughout France, as in Haiti," Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot declared before the Senate. Emmanuel Macron will announce "initiatives" on April 17, 2025, to mark the bicentennial of Haiti's independence from France, which was conditional on the payment of a heavy indemnity, the French government announced on Thursday, April 10. Minister Jean-Noel Barrot confirmed President Macron's desire to move toward a peaceful memorial dialogue on April 17. 260,000 students risk being deprived of school meals Without an additional $24.9 million, the WFP will only be able to assist 270,000 students next year. This school year, the WFP is distributing daily meals to 530,000 students. While half of Haitians suffer from hunger, WFP school meals guarantee children at least one meal a day. France : Senate votes to restore security in Haiti The French Senate adopted a resolution in favor of restoring security in Haiti, with 332 votes in favor, 2 against, and 7 abstentions. The resolution emphasizes the importance of "police cooperation between France and Haiti" and calls for "immediate reinforcement," notably through the provision of equipment adapted to the fight against gangs. Revival of tourism Earlier this week, during a workshop bringing together tourism sector executives, decision-makers, and operators, John Herrick Dessources, the Minister of Tourism, presented an analytical report on the impacts of the current crisis on the tourism industry. He outlined the major challenges related to insecurity, while calling for an urgent and coordinated recovery of tourism in Haiti. Temporary Rehabilitation of the Les Cayes/Port-Salut Section As part of its efforts to improve road infrastructure in Haiti, the Southern Departmental Directorate (DDS) of the Ministry of Public Works has undertaken temporary rehabilitation work on the section between Les Cayes and Port-Salut. This initiative aims to provide a rapid response to the accessibility challenges encountered by users of this strategically important road. HL/ HaitiLibre The data, published on the shared shadow economy and financial crime situational awareness platform, show continued problems at the intersection of self-employment and disguised wage labour. Authorities in Finland flagged extensive irregularities in business-based residence permit applications during 2024, with 45 percent of cases receiving negative preliminary decisions, according to figures released by the Uusimaa Centre for Economic Development, Transport and the Environment (ELY Centre). The findings reflect broader concerns about compliance with legal obligations and risks of economic crime. In Finland, applications for entrepreneur residence permits follow a two-step process. The ELY Centre first assesses business viability and the applicants ability to sustain themselves financially. In 2024, the Uusimaa ELY Centre issued 1,191 preliminary decisions. Of these, 19 percent related to first-time applications, while 81 percent concerned renewals. The share of negative decisions, while still high, decreased slightly from the previous year by 3 percent. Katja Kultalahti, Senior Specialist at the Uusimaa ELY Centre, said the grounds for rejection varied widely. Common reasons included failure to meet statutory obligations, irregularities in salary payments, inadequate bookkeeping, and unfeasible business plans. A negative preliminary decision does not automatically mean grey economy activity, but in some cases, economic crime is involved, Kultalahti said. We work closely with other authorities to address these risks. Cases included instances of underpayment, misuse of intermediary companies, and concealed employment relationships, which are red flags for potential labour exploitation. Kultalahti noted that 2024 saw further growth in so-called pseudo-entrepreneurship and work-related exploitation. The ELY Centre cannot support underpricing or avoidance of employers' legal responsibilities, she said. Entrepreneurs' weak negotiating position is reflected in contract terms that lack balance and fairness. Applicants for entrepreneur residence permits came from 65 different countries. The most applications came from nationals of Russia, India and Pakistan. The top sectors involved were postal and courier services, the restaurant industry and IT services. The highest rates of negative decisions were found in the cleaning industry and business consultancy. The applications collectively covered 164 different main business sectors. The ELY Centre continues to coordinate its efforts with the Finnish Immigration Service and other government agencies to prevent abuse and ensure fair working conditions. Its monitoring is part of Finlands broader national strategy to combat the shadow economy and protect legal compliance in the labour market. HT Murray shares the stage with cellist Jan Vogler , violinist Mira Wang , and pianist Vanessa Perez . The ensemble has performed New Worlds in more than 60 cities worldwide since 2016. Bill Murray will perform in Finland for the first time this summer as part of New Worlds, a concert merging literature, poetry and music. The show takes place at Tampere Hall on 3 July. The project began after Murray met Vogler on a transatlantic flight in 2013. The concert includes spoken word and live performances of both classical and American compositions. Literary excerpts by authors including Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway are read by Murray between works by composers such as Franz Schubert, Maurice Ravel and Leonard Bernstein. The programme also features songs by Stephen Foster, Stephen Sondheim and Tom Waits. Murray, best known for roles in Ghostbusters, Groundhog Day and Lost in Translation, has been described by the Chicago Tribune as delivering a show no one else could have done. The New York Times has highlighted his ability to surprise again diving into unexpected musical waters. A filmed version of the concert, New Worlds: Cradle of Civilization, premiered at Cannes in 2021 and was later released in cinemas internationally. Tampere Hall producer Antti Oksa said the venue is pleased to host the performance. Bill Murray is a phenomenal veteran actor with a strong fan base in Finland. His love for classical music is refreshing, and his literary expression is boundless. Tickets are on sale now. The performance will take place in the Main Auditorium of Tampere Hall. HT In 2024, Finnish Customs reported a notable increase in the number and size of seizures involving illicit tobacco products. Finnish Customs investigated 404 tax fraud cases last year, with cigarette smuggling accounting for a significant share of all offences, according to newly published figures. The rise in cases marked a growing role for Customs in efforts to combat the shadow economy and economic crime. Most tax fraud investigations involved smuggling of cigarettes and snus, often involving large volumes and high tax losses. Of the total fraud cases, 71 were classified as aggravated. According to Tarja Koskenlaakso, Director of Enforcement at Finnish Customs, the agency remains a central actor in the national effort to fight undeclared and criminal economic activity. Finnish Customs actively contributes to the national programme for combating the shadow economy in cooperation with other authorities, Koskenlaakso said. These efforts aim to improve the shared understanding of shadow economy actors and strengthen oversight powers, including customs inspection rights. Despite the overall rise in tobacco-related smuggling, the number of tax fraud cases was lower than in previous years due to changes in the legal interpretation of snus offences. In June 2024, the Supreme Court ruled that smuggling of snus would no longer be categorised as tax fraud, reducing the overall case count. Additionally, the closure of Finlands eastern border has impacted the volume and nature of cross-border smuggling. Customs is tasked with investigating financial crime cases falling under its jurisdiction, where tax fraud or aggravated tax fraud typically serve as the primary charge. Economic crime cases also include smuggling of excise-taxed goods such as alcohol and tobacco, especially when the activity resembles business operations. Customs also plays a role in the national law enforcement structure, with both investigative and supervisory responsibilities. The ongoing fight against the shadow economy relies on inter-agency cooperation. Finnish authorities continue to implement a series of action plans focused on improving detection, enabling legal enforcement, and strengthening fair competition among businesses. These plans aim to reduce undeclared economic activity and develop new tools for prevention and investigation. HT With the summer driving season underway, many drivers are now discovering that worn tyres need replacing. Tyre buying habits in Finland are shifting rapidly online. In 2024, consumer tyre sales through e-commerce platforms grew by 21 percent, according to data from Nordic tyre and car maintenance chain Vianor. Vianors Head of Consumer Sales, Vesa Laitinen, says buying tyres online can be easy if drivers avoid the most common pitfalls. Laitinen offers five key tips for making online tyre shopping successful and stress-free. 1. Choose a reliable retailer Selecting a reputable vendor is critical to avoid delivery delays, quality issues or warranty disputes. Read reviews and customer ratings to make an informed decision, Laitinen says. Its also worth considering whether the seller offers full-service solutions, including installation, under one roof. 2. Avoid size mistakes The most frequent error in online tyre purchases is selecting the wrong size. This often becomes apparent only when customers arrive at the garage for installation, requiring costly returns and delays. To avoid this, Laitinen advises checking the markings on the sidewall of your current summer tyres. A common format looks like this: 205/55R16 94 V XL. Some websites offer tools based on licence plate numbers, but these may list several permitted sizes for your vehicle. 3. Ask for expert help Most established tyre shops provide customer service via phone, email or chat. Staff can assist in selecting the right tyres based on your vehicle and driving habits. Installation appointments can often be booked at the same time. If you still end up buying the wrong size, reliable tyre shops will help, Laitinen says. At Vianor, we always verify fit before installation, including for online purchases. 4. Driving an EV? Check for compatibility Electric vehicles place specific demands on tyres. Heavier vehicle weights mean higher load index requirements. Rolling resistance affects range, and tyre noise is more noticeable in the quiet cabin. Look for tyres labelled as EV-compatible and review the EU tyre label for fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise ratings, Laitinen advises. 5. Match tyres to your driving needs Consider your driving style, road conditions and mileage. Compare test results, read reviews and check EU labels to select the right tyre. Every driver has different needs, Laitinen says. Thats why we offer a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Drivers unsure about whether to choose budget or premium models should remember that premium tyres typically offer shorter braking distances, better wet grip and more stable handling in challenging Nordic weather. Over time, they may also prove more cost-effective due to longer lifespan and better fuel efficiency. When in doubt, consult a tyre expert, Laitinen concludes. HT WASHINGTON, D.C. The Trump administration has frozen over $1 billion in federal funding to Cornell University and approximately $790 million to Northwestern University as part of ongoing civil rights investigations into alleged antisemitic incidents on both campuses, the Department of Education confirmed Tuesday. The funding freeze impacts a wide range of federal supportfrom research grants to academic contractsacross multiple agencies, including the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, and Defense. It marks the latest escalation in the administration's crackdown on institutions accused of failing to address campus antisemitism. "We will not tolerate the misuse of taxpayer dollars at institutions that ignore their responsibilities to maintain a safe and nondiscriminatory learning environment," Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said in a statement. Universities Respond Both universities responded with concern, noting the substantial impact the funding freeze could have on research, faculty, and students. In a statement, a spokesperson for Northwestern University said they had not received formal notice from the government but were reviewing the reports. "Federal research funding supports critical work in areas like Alzheimer's treatment, biomedical engineering, and climate science," the statement read. "We are committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and respectful academic environment for all." Cornell has also yet to receive official notice, but students and faculty have already begun sounding the alarm. Protests erupted on campus last week, with graduate researchers raising concerns about interrupted projects, frozen stipends, and restricted lab access. "I can't even get into my lab," said Alex Lando, a doctoral candidate whose work on using fungi for pest control has been halted. "We're being punished for something we don't even fully understand yet." Part of a Broader Crackdown The move follows a broader trend by the administration to hold universities accountable for campus unrest, particularly around pro-Palestinian protests, DEI initiatives, and transgender policies. Earlier this year, Columbia University had $400 million in funding canceled, while Harvard faced a review of nearly $9 billion in federal aid. Princeton and the University of Pennsylvania are also under scrutiny. While the administration maintains these measures are necessary to protect students from discrimination, critics argue that the policies are politically motivated and could chill academic freedom. "This isn't about combating antisemitismit's about punishing universities for allowing free speech and protest," said David Halpern, a civil liberties attorney based in New York. "It sets a dangerous precedent." What's Next? Both Cornell and Northwestern are expected to enter negotiations with the Department of Education to resolve the complaints. If the universities can demonstrate compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs, funding may be restored. As the standoff continues, higher education institutions across the country are bracing for potential ripple effects. Many fear the administration's aggressive posture could lead to further funding disruptions, administrative overreach, and the erosion of institutional autonomy. "Universities must be accountable," said one senior official in the Department of Education. "But that accountability must be balanced with academic independence and due process." Princeton University is grappling with the fallout from a tumultuous event on Monday, April 7, 2025, featuring former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, which was cut short by protesters chanting accusations of genocide, pulling a fire alarm, and clashing with attendees. The incident, hosted by the Center for Jewish Life (CJL) in McCosh 10, has prompted a university investigation and reignited debates over free speech and campus civility. According to Princeton Alumni Weekly, The event, co-sponsored by the School of Public and International Affairs, the Program in Judaic Studies, Scharf Family Chabad House, and the Mamdouha S. Bobst Center for Peace and Justice, drew around 200 attendees. Moderated by Rabbi Gil Steinlauf '91, the CJL's executive director, it began at 7:30 p.m. with Bennett's off-the-record remarks. Just 20 minutes in, approximately 20 protesters stood and chanted, "Naftali Bennett, you can't hide, we charge you with genocide," before exiting to join a larger demonstration of about 200 people in McCosh Courtyard. Escalating Tensions The disruptions escalated when Sayel Kayed, an unaffiliated individual seated near the front, stood and shouted Gaza civilian death tolls at Bennett, yelling, "15,000 children killed, what do you say to that?" Kayed later boasted about the interruption on Instagram. Bennett fired back, saying, "Instead of whining for the past 80 years and building your own future, you have focused on killing the Jews. It's time the Palestinians stopped whining," according to videos circulating online. The event reached a breaking point at 8:17 p.m. when a fire alarmsuspected by organizers to have been deliberately triggeredforced an early end. Attendees responded with defiance, singing "Hatikvah," Israel's national anthem, as they dispersed. Outside, verbal confrontations erupted between protesters and event-goers, with reports of antisemitic remarks like "go back to Europe" and "inbred swine," alongside the display of an upside-down triangle, a symbol linked to Hamas targeting. Disruptors at @Princeton shouted at, pulled a fire alarm on, and walked out of former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's speech yesterday. We're starting to sound like a broken record, but event disruptions are not free expression! pic.twitter.com/m7dYg3fvVv FIRE (@TheFIREorg) April 8, 2025 University and Community Reactions Princeton President Christopher Eisgruber '83 condemned the disruptions as "reprehensible and intolerable" in a statement to The Daily Princetonian on April 8, confirming an investigation to identify and discipline those involved, including at least one non-affiliate. "Prime Minister Bennett, like all speakers on our campus, had every right to be heard without disruption and to be treated with dignity," Eisgruber said, adding that he personally apologized to Bennett. Rabbi Steinlauf praised the resilience of attendees, writing to the CJL community, "Those who tried to silence us could not succeed. Their efforts to disrupt the event instead brought forth something even stronger: a joyful, defiant affirmation of Jewish life and identity." Meanwhile, pro-Israel groups B'Artzeinu Princeton and Tigers for Israel demanded stronger action, citing antisemitic rhetoric and calling for a campus-wide mask ban and the dissolution of Princeton's Students for Justice in Palestine chapter. A Campus Divided The incident follows a recent Trump administration decision to suspend $210 million in research grants to Princeton over antisemitism concerns tied to prior protests, adding fuel to an already charged atmosphere. For some, the disruption underscores a failure to protect free expression; for others, it's a justified response to hosting a polarizing figure like Bennett, who has long opposed Palestinian statehood and once remarked in 2013, "I already killed lots of Arabs in my life, and there is absolutely no problem with that," a quote protesters highlighted. As the investigation unfolds, Princeton faces a reckoning over how to balance open discourse with rising tensions. The outcome could set a precedent for how universities nationwide navigate contentious speakers in an era of heightened activism. Ripple Effects of Funding Cuts The Trump administration's decision to cut nearly $4 million from Princeton's climate research, alongside a prior suspension of $210 million in grants over antisemitism probes, is sending shockwaves beyond the university's ivy-covered walls. These financial penalties threaten to disrupt groundbreaking research in fields like climate modeling and seasonal predictability, potentially stalling innovations that benefit national and global communities. Faculty and students fear a chilling effect on academic inquiry, while other institutions watch nervously, anticipating similar reprisals. The cuts, paired with Eisgruber's vow to resist, could escalate tensions between the administration and higher education, risking a broader erosion of federal support for research at a time when universities are already navigating budget constraints and political scrutiny. by Mindy Clegg The popular TV horror-drama The Walking Dead followed an evolving cast of characters in the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse. The comic on which it was based called it a continuing tale of survival. And that it is. Time after time, the survivors settle into some particular situation, only to be met by some new threat that upends their safety and sends them out into a dangerous world time and again. The real danger is other people, not the zombies who become a manageable threat. By the end of the series (SPOILER ALERT) some of the original core group manage to find a community large enough to ensure some peace and normalcy, even as the apocalypse grinds on outside their gates. Many read the show/comic as a warning about humanities propensity for unbridled violence in the absence of civilization. Without the threat of the state monopoly on violence, most humans will turn to some sort of violent primitivism, goes the argument. But different messages can come from the show and comic. Rather than being evidence of mans Hobbsian state of nature, Id argue that its evidence of what happens when the structures of neo-liberalism begin to crack, but not the underlying ideology of neo-liberal individualism. This precisely describes what were seeing under the second Trump administration and in other authoritarian regimes around the world. Since the emergence of capitalist modernity and especially in the wake of two global wars, the world has been organized into nation-states in the international rules-based order. Authoritarians of the postmodern right tell us that these systems are the problem, and destroying them will fix it. But they seek to tear apart systems in order to benefit themselves, not to replace it with anything beneficial for humanity. But can these systems now under attack be employed for more democratic ends? Id argue yes, they can. Systems are tools and tools can be used in multiple ways, for good or ill. We can turn these systems for good. The nation-state is the building block of the modern international rules-based order. Modern nationalism, a modern understanding of political belonging, was deployed during the 19th century against eastern empires that western empires sought to destabilize. The Ottoman Empire was one such target of this process of destabilization. Nationalist activist from the Balkans, often educated in Paris or London, brought back new-fangled ideas about an immortal national body being suppressed and abused by an illegitimate imperial (orientalist) power.1 Such ideological machinations would not just disrupt the peace of the Ottomans, but would soon boomerang back on the French and British empires, such as with the Irish rebellion against British colonialism or Vietnamese and Algerian uprisings against the French, among others. By the time the Second World War ended, a war which some have described as imperial rule coming home to roost, a new system was emerging that favored the nation-state over empires, the US and Soviet-led interstate system. The nation-state system built on nationalist ideology and imagined a generally ethnically homogeneous population belonging to a particular land with particular borders, that would be represented by a modern state.2 Ideally, nation-states would be independent, representative, democratic (sometimes), their borders inviolable and respected. Each people of the earth would benefit in these homogeneous states where they belonged. All of this would be backed up by international institutions where these nation-states would work out various disputes peacefullythe United Nations in the postwar period. No one benefited from this as much as the United States and the Soviet Union (neither of which were ever ethnically homogeneous, it should be noted, representing a different conceptualization of the nation-state and what it could be). Arguable both powers maintained a kind of imperial hegemony over large swaths of the world. But new states emerged especially in the still colonized global south, embracing claims to nationhood, demanding autonomy and freedom from the global north. Both the US and Soviets saw these demands as both a threat and a mechanism of control of decolonization movements. They flooded these new nation-states with money and material aid, including at times weapons and military expertise. This unsurprisingly led to instability that still wracks some states in the global south today. These decades of interventionism contributed directly to circumstances of the War on Terror or as Spencer Ackerman has called it, the Forever Wars.3 These ongoing conflicts illustrate the failures of the interstate system as colonial exploitation continued into the postwar era. As such, there are plenty of reasons to be critical of the rules based order associated with the nation-state era. These ongoing conflicts are also evidence of this interstate system dissolving around us, with nothing progressive and substantive to replace it. This state of affairs did not start with Trump or other modern authoritarians, but has been building due to the exploitative aspects of globalization. Guilluame Duval argued that the west, and the ideals it claimed to stand for, is gone or nearly so. Former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis believes that capitalist modernity is over and has been replaced by technofeudalism. Writer Cory Doctorow showed that the unleashing of capital after the end of the Soviet Union has torn away any guardrails that had been baked into the system. Oligarchic power, Doctorow argued, is the natural end state of the market economy that is leading to a tipping point. We can all feel the impending sense of doom. Authoritarians exploit that sense to gain power, claiming to be the only ones who can fix it. In place of building up society, they offer two minutes of hate of marginalized groups in order to strip the state for parts to enrich their buddies and themselves. If a certain configuration of the capitalism economy can serve as an engine of social mobility, the natural endpoint of the capitalist system shorn of regulation destroys that mobility, allowing for the ever greater concentration of wealth and power in fewer hands. Inevitably, this transcends national borders. The rightward, oligarchic turn in Russia, Hungary, and Poland impacted the entirety of the west. They provided inspiration and a road map to the far right parties elsewhere. Intolerance and us-them group think became a rallying cry, creating tensions within nation-states. The rise of the far right within the nation-state, who turn to saber-rattling to make economic demands, makes actual warfare between powerful nations more likely, not less. None of this is to fully defend the nation-state and the interstate, rules based order. It was (to put it mildly) a highly imperfect means of organizing an increasingly globalized planet. Globalization was built on colonial violence that wrecked the planet and its inhabitants. The far right proffered alternatives in the midst of the Second World War, as they do today. We never exorcised the demons of a hierarchical world of empires and the nation-state was built on that foundation. As a result, the ideas that tore apart the world in the 30sthat violent boomerang of colonial violence back on the metropolethreaten our world today. But glimmers of a kind of balance existed in the Cold War in the tensions between the First and Second world. Often imagined as a corrective, the Soviet-led second world was just the other side of the capitalist coin, not a true alternative. They moderated each other. As capitalist and socialist modernity morphed and took over the world, it dragged regulatory and democratic institutions along with it, reluctantly, unwillingly, creating space for democratic practices. The conflict between the US and Soviets demanded it, in fact. People around the world demanded institutions that could temper the extremes of capitalism or authoritarian socialism, sometimes even those embedded within institutions meant to serve capital. US Agency for International Development, or USAID, was created specifically to maintain American empire. Yet it provided services that undoubtedly saved lives. It provided an economic outlet for American producers, too. Unilaterally ending the programs under the USAID umbrella might be a blow against American empire, but its also a blow to beneficiaries both at home and abroad. Rather than ripping out these programs root and stem, we should rethink such programs along more democratic lines. A people-centered approach to international aid could help curb global inequalities, increase social mobility, and save lives. But this is only true if we finally disconnect these programs from American imperial ends and the incessant desires of the capitalist class. Returning back to The Walking Dead, in season eight the character Maggie received a gift of a binder full of plans for physically rebuilding society. The woman who shared the plans, Georgie, did not demand much in return (some vinyl records, some food). She understood that a well-functioning society, local or global, needs solidarity and the easy flow of information and goods. Much negative can be said of our international order. The current right wing attack on globalism (an antisemitic dog whistle if ever there was one) comes out of a very lopsided version of globalization. Tearing it down, as authoritarians seem wont to do, will not fix the problems already caused by neoliberal globalization. Democratizing globalization instead could be a more effective means of shaping the world going forward. This means ending exploitation of labor, racism, and misogyny in our national and global institutions, protecting the environment, allowing the free flow of people, not just capital. Such ideals drove the non-aligned movement during the Cold War. The path from here to there is not straightforward. As a first step, we must stop seeing each other as the enemy and start demanding those with their hands on the levers of power actually listen to us, not pretend to do so. What Trump and other authoritarians have in mind is not democratizing our global institutions, its tearing them down and selling them off for parts in order to line their pockets and impoverish the rest of us. These are not populists and never have been. We stand on the brink of a serious global catastrophe. Lets hope that we can take a different, more democratic direction into the future together. We should look to a variety of places, not just western civilization for possible solutions and for the betterment of all living things on earth, not just a powerful few. Lets hope we can find that path without another massive wave of pointless destruction of our world. Footnotes 1 For a discussion of this dynamic with regards to the Balkans, check out books such as Andrew Baruch Wachtel, Making a Nation, Breaking a Nation: Literature and Cultural Politics in Yugoslavia, (Redwood, CA: Stanford University Press, 1998). 2 Benedict Anderson, Imagined Communities, (London: Verso, 1983). 3 Odd Arne Westad, The Global Cold War: Third World Interventions and the Making of Our Times, (Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2007). Enjoying the content on 3QD? Help keep us going by donating now. Sipping tea on her break outside a Samsung Electronics factory in northern Vietnam, worker Nguyen Thi Mai said she had heard about US President Donald Trump's tariffs, but hoped it would not affect business. Samsung, the world's second-largest phone maker, produces around half of its handsets in Vietnam, and Trump's threat to impose a 46-percent tariff threat on the country sent shockwaves through the South Korean giant's supply chains. "We don't understand much about macro issues," 27-year-old Mai told AFP, adding that daily life inside the factory in Bac Ninh province was unaffected, despite global market whiplash from on-again-off-again US levies. "Our work goes on normally," agreed Le Van Binh, 30, adding that he hoped the Vietnamese government would be able to work out a deal. "Our top leaders are arranging to negotiate with the United States. I hope they can be successful and things will be good for all of us." Samsung turned to Vietnam because labour costs are "about one-tenth of those in South Korea", Kim Dae-jong, a professor at Sejong University, told AFP. But US tariff threats -- even after Trump abruptly paused them on Wednesday -- are now shaking the logic that has underpinned decades of rapid growth and manufacturing investment in developing Asian economies, he said. If Samsung "fully absorbs" the proposed tariff cost instead of shifting production elsewhere "approximately four trillion won ($2.7 billion) -- or some 33 percent of its smartphone operating profit -- would be directly exposed", said Kim Dong-won, managing director at KB Securities. Samsung has built up inventory, and this week forecast record results for the first quarter of 2025. And there is scope for negotiations between Hanoi and Washington, he said -- but even so, it is concerning. If Trump does follow through, Samsung and fellow South Korean giant LG, which has also invested heavily in Vietnamese factories, may have no choice but to shift their investments to the United States, said Kang In-soo, an economics professor at Sookmyung Women's University. "Despite the additional costs involved, this appears to be an inevitable decision to maintain or expand their presence in the strategically important US market," he said. For Samsung, high-end televisions are their key driver of revenue stateside, Yong Seok-woo, president and head of the visual display business at Samsung Electronics told reporters. "Most of the TVs sold in North America are produced in Mexico," said Yong, which dodged Trump's latest round of tariff threats -- potentially leaving Samsung in a better position than many rivals. "We have 10 production sites worldwide," Yong added. "We plan to overcome these challenges by reallocating production based on tariff conditions." The tariff threats appear to be aimed at securing additional foreign investment, but with the United States lacking a strong domestic base to produce the high-end chips that are the lifeblood of the global economy, many experts expect they will not last in the longer term. Trump's decision to pause the imposition of the levies sparked euphoria on global markets on Thursday -- but he raised tariffs on China to 125 percent because of a "lack of respect". Apple, Samsung's chief rival, produces the bulk of its iPhones in China. Sky-high tariffs "could impose substantial costs on US-based semiconductor consumers", said Kang of Sookmyung Women's University, with the fear of price increases already sparking iPhone panic buying. However, "it is expected that the tariffs will be adjusted downward once a sufficient level of investment is secured", Kang added. Samsung's exposure underscores the broader vulnerability of export-driven Asian economies. In 2024, net exports accounted for more than 90 percent of South Korea's total economic growth. The country has been particularly ill-prepared to face the economic headwinds, having been effectively leaderless since December, when impeached former president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law. Officials are scrambling to contain the fallout: Acting leader Han Duck-soo spoke to Trump this week, with the trade minister also flying to Washington for emergency talks. The government announced a battery of support measures for South Korea's beleaguered car makers on Wednesday -- hit by sector-specific 25 percent tariffs -- but they need to do more to help the country's export-focused conglomerates, experts said. Seoul must "focus on a proactive response to US tariff measures and swiftly implement a supplementary budget to stave off a deeper economic downturn", Kang said. A tragic sightseeing helicopter crash over the Hudson River on Thursday claimed the lives of six people, including a prominent Spanish business executive, his wife, and their three children. The victims included Agustin Escobar, president and CEO of Siemens Spain and Siemens Mobility Southwest Europe. The pilot, whose identity has not been released, also died in the crash. Videos circulating on social media captured the moment the Bell 206 helicopter spiraled through the air before plunging into the water near the Jersey City shoreline. A photo released after the incident showed the family of five posing in front of the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV shortly before the flight. According to New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch, the helicopter took off around 3 p.m. from the downtown Manhattan Skyport. It flew south along the city before turning north up the Manhattan shoreline toward the George Washington Bridge. "It then turned back towards the downtown Manhattan heliport, lost control and hit the water near a Hoboken pier," said Commissioner Tisch. "NYPD divers pulled four people from the crash site, and FDNY divers recovered an additional two. Immediate lifesaving measures were undertaken on the vessels at the scene, as well as the adjoining pier," she added. "Four victims were pronounced dead on scene, and two more were removed to local area hospitals, where, sadly, both succumbed to their injuries." Escobar and his family had recently arrived in New York from Barcelona for a holiday. The sightseeing trip ended in disaster just moments after takeoff. Escobar was a seasoned leader with over 25 years of experience in the energy and transportation industries. He earned an industrial engineering degree from Universidad Pontificia Comillas in Madrid and had led teams across the U.S., Latin America, and Spain. He held numerous senior positions within Siemens, including CEO roles in both the Energy Management Division and Infrastructure & Cities Sector in Latin America, and earlier, leadership roles in Spain and North America. Authorities have not yet released the names of Escobar's wife and children. The cause of the crash is currently under investigation. Russian President Vladimir Putin will meet US envoy Steve Witkoff on Friday for talks on the Ukraine conflict, the Kremlin said, cautioning they were unlikely to reach a breakthrough. US President Donald Trump is pressing Moscow and Kyiv to end the more than three-year conflict, but has failed to extract any major concessions from the Kremlin despite repeated negotiations between Russian and US officials. Witkoff's trip to Russia, his third since Trump took office, comes after Trump voiced frustration at the slow pace of ceasefire negotiations, telling NBC News last month he was "pissed off" with his Russian counterpart. "The conversation on various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement will continue," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said of the talks, set to take place in Putin's home city of Saint Petersburg. "There is no need to expect any breakthroughs here, the process of normalising relations is ongoing," he was quoted as saying by Russian state media. When asked whether the talks would touch on a possible meeting between Putin and Trump, Peskov was quoted as saying: "Maybe". Witkoff has held two previous meetings with Putin in Russia since Trump returned to the White House in January. After their last meeting, Witkoff, a long-time Trump ally who worked with the US president in real estate, said Putin was a "great leader" and "not a bad guy". The envoy's praise of a president long seen by the United States as an autocratic adversary highlights the dramatic turn in Washington's approach to dealings with the Kremlin since Trump took office for a second term. Earlier in the day, Witkoff met Russia's top economic negotiator Kirill Dmitriev. Trump has pushed for a broad rapprochement with Moscow, which has yielded some results. On Thursday, Russia freed dual US-Russian ballet dancer Ksenia Karelina from prison in exchange for suspected tech smuggler Arthur Petrov, the second exchange between Moscow and Washington in less than two months. Karelina, arrested last January while visiting Russia to see family, was serving a 12-year sentence on "treason" charges after she donated the equivalent of around $50 to a pro-Ukraine charity. The head of Moscow's foreign intelligence service, Sergei Naryshkin, said Friday that Russia would discuss more prisoner swaps in the future. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the swaps helped build confidence between the two sides, which deteriorated under former US President Joe Biden's administration. "It helps build trust, which is much needed, but it will take a long time to finally restore it," he told reporters. US and Russian delegations met in Istanbul on Thursday for talks about restoring the functioning of their embassies, which drastically scaled back staffing as relations between the two nuclear powers cooled off. But despite a flurry of diplomacy, there has been little meaningful progress on Trump's main aim of achieving a Ukraine ceasefire. Putin last month rejected a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for a full and unconditional pause in the conflict, while the Kremlin has made a truce in the Black Sea conditional on the West lifting certain sanctions. Trump recently told NBC News he was "very angry" with Putin after the Russian president criticised Zelensky's credibility and called for a transitional external administration to be put in place in Ukraine. Separate talks in Saudi Arabia last month resulted in the White House saying both sides had agreed to halt aerial strikes on energy targets. But no formal agreement was put in place and both sides have accused the other of continuing such attacks. Witkoff's visit to Russia also comes ahead of crucial talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran's nuclear programme, scheduled for Saturday in Oman. Witkoff, whose sweeping remit covers the conflicts in both Ukraine and Gaza, is set to lead the US delegation for the negotiations. Trump previously appeared to threaten to bomb Iran if it does not agree to a new deal to limit its nuclear programme. Moscow, which counts Iran as a close ally, has urged for a diplomatic solution and warned military confrontation would be a "global catastrophe". Three former educators from a Texas school district are facing felony charges after allegedly forcing a student with Down syndrome to walk in circles for hours and taping his hands together with packing tape. The case stems from a March 12, 2025, incident at a Tyler Independent School District (ISD) campus, according to Austin American Statesman. The abuse was reported by the child's grandmother, who noticed irritated hands and unusual behavior from the studentmost notably a refusal to return to school. This prompted a police investigation, during which disturbing surveillance footage was reviewed by authorities. The student, who has Down syndrome and the cognitive capacity of a typical 4-year-old, according to police documents, had been under the supervision of teacher Krystina Rena Haas and aides June Renee Tryon and Priscilla Gutierrez. Video from the classroom shows the student arriving at 11:30 a.m. and being forced by Haas to walk in circles for more than two hours. Around 1:34 p.m., Haas reportedly yelled at the student and, with the help of Tryon and Gutierrez, wrapped their hands in packing tape. Tryon is accused of mocking the child, calling them a "robot," while Gutierrez allegedly sat crocheting. The student was further humiliated by being made to stand with their hands against the wall until nearly the end of the school day, when the tape was finally removed at 3:48 p.m. All three women were arrested on March 28 and charged with injury to a disabled individual. Each was initially held on $150,000 bond, though Haas's bond has since been increased to $300,000. Originally published on Lawyer Herald Drury Hotels, a leading, service-oriented hospitality company with more than 150 hotels in 27 states, now welcomes guests to its newest hotel in Charleston, South Carolina. The Drury Plaza Hotel North Charleston offers 252 guest rooms and suites and more than 3,600 square feet of flexible meeting space. It is the second Drury Hotel in South Carolina and the seventh across the Carolinas. The Drury Plaza Hotel North Charleston is conveniently located three miles from the Charleston International Airport and less than 10 miles from downtown Charleston and Daniel Island. Situated off I-26 at 2934 West Montague Avenue in North Charleston, the new hotel is an ideal destination for leisure and business travelers, and minutes from local attractions including the North Charleston Coliseum & Performing Arts Center. Guests will experience Drury's free amenities, including hot breakfast, dinnertime snacks and beverages at Drury's signature 5:30 Kickback, Wi-Fi, parking, an outdoor pool and spa, and 24-hour business and fitness centers. Travelers can also enjoy the hotel's Market and on-site dining with The Kitchen + Bar, which is open late every night in the lobby. Drury Plaza Hotel North Charleston, business and group travelers will experience Drury Hotels' Meetings with More program, offering value and flexibility, including free Wi-Fi in meeting rooms for all attendees and no food and beverage minimums. The hotel's meeting space can accommodate a variety of meetings or events with up to 432 attendees, with pre-function spaces, customizable set-up options, catering, and audiovisual options at affordable rates. Drury also offers a flexible cancellation policy that allows groups to use a portion of their cancellation fee toward a future event at any Drury Hotel. For more information or to schedule your next event, visit druryhotels.com or call 1-800-436-1169. The hotel will employ 70 full-time and part-time team members in North Charleston, with General Manager John Ogrzewalla leading the team. Hotel website Hotel Victoria Gran Melia, an enduring symbol of Palma's elegance and social vibrancy, has reclaimed its spot at the heart of the city with its grand reopening on 31st March. Following an extensive renovation, the landmark hotel seamlessly blends its storied past with contemporary luxury, reaffirming its status as the city's cultural and social hub. Opened in the 1920s as Villa Victoria, the hotel was conceived as an exclusive extension of the legendary Gran Hotel in Palma. A pioneer of luxury on the island, it became a favoured retreat for both local and international elites, hosting glamorous soirees and serving as a gathering place for artists and visionaries who defined Palma's golden era from the 1950s to the 1970s. Backed by a 12 million investment from Victoria Hotels & Resorts, Melia, Bankinter Investment, and GMA, Hotel Victoria Gran Melia is poised to usher in a new era of sophistication, once again setting the stage for timeless moments in the heart of Mallorca. Every corner of the hotel has been meticulously restored by the renowned ASAH architectural firm, led by Alvaro Sans and Adriana Sans, to ensure the highest level of comfort and sophistication. The hotel boasts 171 elegantly redesigned rooms, each offering breathtaking views of Palma's port and cathedral., the revitalised Hotel Victoria Gran Melia reaffirms its commitment to elevating Palma's luxury hospitality scene. A key highlight of this renaissance is the launch of Victoria Grand Cafe, a tribute to the Grand Hotel Villa Victoria. This vibrant new dining space embraces the joy of gastronomy, offering an all-day menu crafted from the finest local ingredients. From leisurely breakfasts to light evening meals, the cafe's inviting atmosphere extends to its beautifully reimagined terracean iconic social hub where locals and visitors can once again experience the charm of Palma's cafe culture. Beyond offering a place to stay, Hotel Victoria Gran Melia serves as a gateway to the city's dynamic cultural scene. With panoramic views and a deep connection to its surroundings, the hotel curates exclusive local experiences, from contemporary art galleries and gourmet food tours to bespoke shopping itineraries. Embracing its role as a cultural hub for both guests and residents alike, the hotel has forged partnerships with local institutions, including the Paco de Lucia Festival, further enriching Palma's artistic landscape. Paying tribute to the hotel's rich history, Gran Melia has brought scenes to life from the 50s and 70s through the use of artificial intelligence. The guest experience will honour Palma's golden age through capturing its essence from original photographs and archives, whereby AI has revived the glamour, elegance and enjoyment of all the pleasures from that period. This is the first campaign from Gran Melia to utilise the tool and the brand looks forward to implementing it moving forward. This new chapter reaffirms Hotel Victoria Gran Melia as more than just a luxury hotelit is a living tribute to Palma's rich heritage, where history and modern sophistication converge to create unforgettable experiences. Hotel website Four Seasons Hotel Philadelphia announces the appointment of James "Jimmy" Watt as its new Hotel Manager. With more than two decades of experience in fine dining and luxury hospitality, Jimmy brings a wealth of five-star global food and beverage expertise, including Michelin-level experience. In his new role, he will oversee hotel operations and further elevate the Hotel's commitment to exceptional service and luxury hospitality in Philadelphia. Jimmy joined Four Seasons in 2013 at Four Seasons Resort Maui, Hawaii where he made significant contributions across restaurant outlets, which received numerous accolades including Forbes Five Star and AAA Five Diamond recognition. Throughout his career, Jimmy has held countless positions, most recently as a consultant for the re-opening of Four Seasons Hotel New York in Midtown. Prior to that, he led the culinary team in Four Seasons Hotel Madrid as the Director of Food and Beverage. With a strong background in food and beverage, his career encompasses working with highly acclaimed chefs including Dani Garcia and Akira Back, and holding distinguished leadership positions at Michelin star restaurants, 50 Best Bars, and one of the World's 50 Best Hotels. Jimmy holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Colorado, Boulder, complemented by international studies at the University of the Balearic Islands. With a strong foundation in hospitality, he continued to refine his expertise at the School of Hospitality of the Balearic Islands. His diverse educational background has shaped his approach to management with an extensive understanding of global hospitality standards. Jimmy's extensive career spans across the prestigious Four Seasons portfolio, with notable positions at Four Seasons Hotel Madrid, Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, and most recently, leading the grand re-opening of Four Seasons Hotel New York. Now, Jimmy is excited to embrace his new chapter in the City of Brotherly Love, a city celebrated for its rich history, vibrant culture, and dynamic culinary scene. After spending 11 years abroad, Jimmy has returned to the mainland US with a unique connection to Pennsylvania. His grandparents both hail from the region, and his father spent much of his childhood there, later attending Bucknell University. This deep-rooted family tie makes his relocation feel even more personal. Along with his wife and son, Jimmy is thrilled to be settling into Philadelphia, where they will soon welcome a second son, due in late August. His move has sparked meaningful connections with the local community, and Jimmy looks forward to building even more bonds in this city that feels both familiar and full of new possibilities. The Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) is the pre-eminent organization of professionals responsible for proactively increasing asset values on behalf of hotel owners worldwide. Our mission is the enhancement of hospitality asset managers through education, advancement of the profession, and serving as the collective industry voice of hospitality ownership. HAMA is a networking organization of approximately 200 professionals representing an estimated 3,200 hotels with over 760,000 rooms. Members are involved in asset management, acquisition, financing and disposition of hotels and resorts, and are directly responsible for making decisions concerning capital investments, renovations, asset repositioning, operational policies and franchise selections. HAMA's mission is to provide members with year-round forums, industry communications and networking to fulfill the purpose of the organization. Our strong global network of hospitality professionals provides members with unparalleled access to key industry leaders and decision makers. HAMA promotes ethical standards of conduct and mutual respect among its members and those in the hospitality industry. In 2010 HAMA extended its global presence by establishing affiliate relationships with Japan and Asia Pacific. HAMA has since added additional affiliate relationships with Europe, China and Middle East & Africa. By growing outside of the United States, HAMA members now have access to more global resources enhancing our capabilities as we work to meet the needs of hospitality owners worldwide. Key Takeaways Airbnb has collected and remitted $13.5 billion in tourism taxes to governments around the world on behalf of our global host community. In 2024, hosts in the US and Canada generated $2.4 billion in tourism taxes in the US and $329 million in Canada respectively. Airbnb hosts play a vital role in local economies around the world, welcoming billions of guests, helping big cities and small communities benefit from big events, and dispersing travel outside of traditional tourism hubs. Critically, hosts and the guests they welcome support communities by generating an influx of tourism taxes for local governments at a time when jurisdictions are facing budget shortfalls. Since 2014, Airbnb has collected and remitted $13.5 billion USD in tourism taxes to governments around the world on behalf of our global host community. Cities often dedicate these tax dollars to fund critical services like police, infrastructure, and librariesor use them to promote more tourism and tourism spending through destination marketing organizations. In 2024 alone, hosts in the US and Canada generated over $2.6 billion USD in these taxesthat includes approximately $2.4 billion in the US and $329 million1 in Canada, respectively. Below is a snapshot of the total tourism taxes collected and remitted on behalf of hosts in 2024: Source: Airbnb Championing legislation to streamline tourism taxes Since 2014, Airbnb has advocated for solutions that allow short-term rental platforms to collect and remit tourism taxes on behalf of hostsinitially through Voluntary Collection Agreements (VCAs) and more recently by working with lawmakers on centralized tax collection laws. In 2025, Airbnb has supported centralized tax collection laws in Texas (SB 1592 and HB 2433) and Maryland (SB 0979), which require short-term rental platforms to remit state and local tourism taxes that guests pay as part of their stay to the state government. The state government then distributes the revenue to local governments. Not only do centralized tax collection laws ensure all short-term platforms collect and remit tourism taxes on behalf of hosts, they also simplify the collection process for cities, towns, and counties that charge local tourism taxes, such as hotel occupancy taxes or accommodation taxes. The Tax Foundation published a report on the benefits of centralized tourism tax administration for businesses, taxpayers, and governments. Communities welcoming Airbnb guestsparticularly those facing budget challengeshave an opportunity to bolster this economic activity with a streamlined tax collection system. Governments tend to see more revenue when they implement statewide rules that allow short-term rental platforms to collect and remit local taxes on behalf of hosts. For example, after Tennessee adopted a centralized collection system in 2021, the state has seen an increase of approximately 360 percent2 in the amount of tourism taxes collected. In challenging economic environments, the economic benefits of travel generated through Airbnb has proven significant and enduring. Today, Airbnb provides vital fiscal support for communities, worldwide. By remitting billions in tourism taxes and partnering with communities to streamline tax collection, Airbnb continues to work with public sector partners to maximize the full economic potential of hosting and travel in communities around the world. 1 All Canadian figures in CAD 2 Increase in Tennessee tax revenue collected by Airbnb from 2019 (the first pre-pandemic year prior to their centralized collection law going into effect) to 2024 About Airbnb Airbnb was born in 2007 when two hosts welcomed three guests to their San Francisco home, and has since grown to over 5 million hosts who have welcomed over 2 billion guest arrivals in almost every country across the globe. Every day, hosts offer unique stays and experiences that make it possible for guests to connect with communities in a more authentic way. About Airbnb.org Airbnb.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in times of crisis around the world. Airbnb.org operates independently and leverages Airbnb, Inc.'s technology, services, and other resources at no charge to carry out Airbnb.org's charitable purpose. The inspiration for Airbnb.org began in 2012 with a single host named Shell who opened up her home to people impacted by Hurricane Sandy. This sparked a movement and marked the beginning of a program that allows hosts on Airbnb to provide stays for people in times of need. Since then, the program has evolved to focus on emergency response and to help provide stays to evacuees, relief workers, refugees, asylum seekers, and frontline workers fighting the spread of COVID-19. Since then, hosts have offered to open up their homes and helped provide accommodations to 100,000 people in times of need. Airbnb.org is a separate and independent entity from Airbnb, Inc. Airbnb, Inc. does not charge service fees for Airbnb.org supported stays on its platform. View source BRUSSELS - Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, the World Travel & Tourism Councils (WTTC) latest research shows that global Travel & Tourism is projected to grow strongly this year, reaffirming its role as cornerstone to major world economies, as travellers are expected to spend more than ever before. According to WTTCs 2025 Economic Impact Research (EIR), international visitor spending is forecast to reach an historic $2.1TN in 2025, surpassing the previous high of $1.9TN in 2019 by $164BN. This year, Travel & Tourism is expected to contribute an all-time high of $11.7TN to the global economy, accounting for 10.3% of global GDP. Jobs around the world supported by the sector are expected to grow by 14MN in 2025, to reach 371MN worldwide, more than the population of the U.S. People are continuing to prioritise travel. Thats a powerful vote of confidence in our sector and a sign of its enduring strength. But while the global picture in Travel & Tourism is strong, the recovery remains uneven. Whilst some countries and regions are producing record-breaking numbers, other large economies are plateauing. Julia Simpson, WTTC President & CEO Whilst there is some positive news for many economies around the world, in a number of major Travel & Tourism markets such as the U.S., China, and Germany, growth has slowed. In the U.S., the worlds most powerful Travel & Tourism market, international visitor spend remained significantly below 2019 levels in 2024 and is not expected to fully recover this year. In China, while international spending was above pre-pandemic levels last year, growth is expected to slow sharply in 2025. By contrast, other key markets such as Saudi Arabia, which will inject $800BN into the sector by 2030, is ahead of the curve and setting new benchmarks. European countries such as France and Spain, the worlds top two destinations in terms of visitor numbers, continue to lead the regions resurgence, powered by smart investment and global appeal. A Look Back on Last Year According to the global tourism bodys latest EIR data, in 2024, Travel & Tourism contributed 10% of the worlds economy to reach $10.9TN - an 8.5% increase on 2023, and 6% above the previous peak of 2019. Jobs grew 6.2% to reach 357MN, accounting for one in 10 jobs around the world. International spending also increased by almost 12%, to $1.87TN and domestic spending grew 5.4% to $5.3TN. The Decade Ahead WTTC forecasts that by 2035, Travel & Tourism will inject $16.5TN into the global economy, accounting for 11.5% of global GDP. Thats a decade-long growth rate of 3.5% annually, outpacing the wider economys 2.5%. Jobs are expected to reach one in eight jobs, with more than 460MN. International spending is anticipated to reach $2.9TN, with a CAGR of 3.4%, and domestic spending will grow at a similar rate (3.3%), to reach $7.7TN. In collaboration with Oxford Economics, WTTC produces reports annually on the economic and employment impact of Travel & Tourism for 185 economies. Each year, WTTC also releases its groundbreaking Environmental Social Research, which shows the sectors emissions stood at 6.5% of the global total in 2023 underscoring the critical need for continued sustainable innovation as Travel & Tourism expands. About WTTC The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) represents the global travel & tourism private sector. Members include 200 CEOs, Chairs and Presidents of the world's leading travel & tourism companies from all geographies covering all industries. For more than 30 years, WTTC has been committed to raising the awareness of governments and the public of the economic and social significance of the travel & tourism sector. The joint "Guiding Principles for Sustainable Investment in Tourism are designed to guide policymakers and stakeholders in efforts to build a more comprehensive investment framework aimed at steering global tourism investments towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. The 18 Guiding Principles create a pioneering framework for policies that aim to attract sustainable investment in tourism. They offer a roadmap to achieve a set of multifaceted objectives and are grounded in a comprehensive policy approach that integrates governance, economic, sociocultural, and environmental dimensions. The four constituent dimensions of the principles are connected and interacting and many of the principles mutually support one another. Investment in sustainable tourism takes all four dimensions into account and creates inclusive long-term growth that aligns in all aspects with the SDGs. The Guiding Principles: Support the establishment, at the sub-national, national and international level of appropriate policies, guidelines, institutions and regulations, in accordance with national priorities and legislation, for promoting and supporting sustainable tourism development. Advocate policies that attract responsible investments aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Underscore the importance of public-private partnerships, the integration of innovative technologies, and the engagement of local communities in decision-making processes. The tourism sector holds the potential to drive sustainable economic growth, but only if we embrace investment practices that align with the needs of the environment and society. By implementing these Guiding Principles, we can foster a global tourism sector that is not only profitable but also sustainable and transformative. This approach will ensure that tourism contributes positively to the health of our planet, enriches the cultural fabric of our societies and drives long-term prosperity for future generations. UN Tourism Secretary-General, Zurab Pololikashvili Tourism is a vital economic engine that fosters mutual understanding and sustainable development. By embedding sustainability in tourism investments, we can ensure that this sector becomes a catalyst for transformative and inclusive growth, benefiting economies and communities alike. The Guiding Principles offer a strategic roadmap for policymakers, investors and stakeholders to navigate the complexities of sustainable tourism investment. Rebeca Grynspan, Secretary-General, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Platforming tourism investments at the Annual Investment Congress (AIM) The joint report was launched as part of the Annual Investment Congress (AIM), held in Abu Dhabi, (UAE) on 8 April 2025, within UN Tourism's "Ministerial Roundtable on Investment in Tourism: Shaping Tourism Investment Opportunities through Policy Innovation" in collaboration with AIM and with the full support of UNCTAD. This marks the first time ever that UN Tourism and UNCTAD have collaborated on preparing a comprehensive investment framework aimed at steering global tourism investments towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. UNCTAD and UN Tourism invite governments, investors, and industry stakeholders to adopt these principles in their policies and strategies. By doing so, they can ensure that the tourism sector thrives in a sustainable and inclusive manner, creating lasting positive impacts for generations to come. For more information, visit UNCTAD and UN Tourism. 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. UN Tourism Communications Department +34 91 567 8100 UN Tourism View source A recent lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California alleges that Accor Management US Inc., the parent company of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, violated Californias privacy laws by improperly sharing users browsing and booking information with social media platforms without user consent. This data sharing is said to have enhanced the algorithms and ad targeting abilities of these platforms. Bob Braun, senior member of JMBMs Global Hospitality Group and Co-Chair of the Firms Cybersecurity & Privacy Group, outlines what CIPA is and how companies should respond to CIPA claims. On March 19, 2025, Accor Hotels, through its Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brand, became one of the latest and one of highest profile defendants in a current wave of website litigation. In the complaint, the attorneys for Natalie Gianne, claimed that when she accessed the Fairmont Hotels website to book a room, Accor allowed social media platforms to intercept communications, including confidential guest records without her prior consent in violation of the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA, pronounced see-pa), and used that information to target her for advertisements. Hotel companies need to pay particular attention to this case and its implications. Hotels are attractive targets for claims like these they have broad website presence and have a public profile that makes these cases sensitive. In addition, large hotel companies are viewed as deep pockets that would be willing to settle. What is CIPA? The CIPA was originally adopted to protect California residents from a third party eavesdropping on a telephone call. As a result, in California and several other states, all parties to a phone call (including video calls) must consent to a recording. This is straightforward enough; however, CIPA plaintiffs, like Gianne, are extending the CIPA to information collected for website analytics purposes. Data analytics is the process of examining raw data to uncover patterns, draw conclusions, and make informed decisions, enabling businesses to optimize performance, improve efficiency, and make strategic decisions. In the website context, analytics involves collecting, measuring, analyzing and reporting data to understand and improve website usage. Where do the CIPA and Website Analytics Meet? Websites have employed third parties to analyze website usage for years. Website owners want to know how users came to their site, what they do when they are on the site, and where they go when they leave. Website owners can use this information to make sure their sites are easy to navigate; if, for example, a user leaves a website while making a purchase at a website, the website owners will want to know why. They want to know what drives users to their sites, and how they can get more visitors. Analytics can help a website owner boost their search engine ratings, determine the value of marketing campaigns, and track digital marketing efforts. Historically, analytics were internal a website owner would collect information from visitors and use that information to improve their website. The website owner might hire an outside service (Google Analytics is well known for providing this service). Information about the visitor might be collected by a third party, but only in anonymous, aggregated form, and was only shared with the website owner. Bringing us back to the CIPA and similar laws, no third party was involved, so no consent was required. Now, however, website owners have allowed (sometimes without their knowledge) social media companies like Facebook, LinkedIn and others to place tracking devices typically, pixel trackers and other invisible items) on the site; when a user visits a page where the tracking device is installed, the users browser is instructed to transmit information to the tracker. However, not all companies obtain user consent to these tracking devices. In this case, a user can argue that personal information was shared with a third party without consent, and that it constituted a violation of CIPA. How Should a Company Respond? 1. Update Website Documentation One of the most important steps is to evaluate and, if necessary, update existing website terms of use, cookie policy, and privacy disclosures to reflect what is allowed on the website. Website owners also need to implement processes to ensure and document consent. Typically, this is achieved through a cookie banner that a user must acknowledge before going to the site. However, the consent must be implemented carefully; its common for tracking technology to be triggered the moment a user lands on a site, which could be grounds for a claim that CIPA is being violated. Instead, no cookies or other trackers should be turned on until the user gives consent, something that website designers or privacy technicians can oversee. In addition, thought should be given to the form of the banner; it should provide for actual consent, which means that the consumer must be given a choice. As important as privacy policy disclosures are the terms of use. While these have long been seen as a boilerplate document and implemented with little thought, key terms can protect the website owner, including limitation on damages, enforceable arbitration clauses and, when possible, class action waivers. 2. Act Quickly When a company receives a CIPA claim, there are several things it (and its attorneys) should do to evaluate the seriousness of the claim: Does the claim bring any specific evidence? Some letters or complaints don t have specific information about the defendant or the basis for the claim, which may leave room for defenses. Some letters or complaints don t have specific information about the defendant or the basis for the claim, which may leave room for defenses. What law firm brought the action? Some firms are known for filing CIPA class action claims and may have a reputation for settling easily or as hard negotiators. Since class action claims are often arranged by attorneys, they can be seen as the adverse party. Some firms are known for filing CIPA class action claims and may have a reputation for settling easily or as hard negotiators. Since class action claims are often arranged by attorneys, they can be seen as the adverse party. Does the demand letter include an offer for settlement? For better or worse, its often makes economic sense to resolve a case quickly, rather than spend unnecessary resources on litigation. This determination is more complicated that determining the cost of settlement against the cost of litigation. While a firm may want a quick and quiet resolution, it also should consider that a private, out of court may not protect them from future claims from other plaintiffs not included in this class. For better or worse, its often makes economic sense to resolve a case quickly, rather than spend unnecessary resources on litigation. This determination is more complicated that determining the cost of settlement against the cost of litigation. While a firm may want a quick and quiet resolution, it also should consider that a private, out of court may not protect them from future claims from other plaintiffs not included in this class. Could the claim be subject to arbitration? Arbitration is confidential and will avoid the uncertainty of a jury trial. In any case, responding to a claim, including a pre-litigation claim, requires experienced attorney. Counsel can evaluate the likelihood of litigation, preserve evidence and data, and conduct an internal investigation. A company needs evidence that can be used to challenge the CIPA claim, as well as class certification, but its important to gather it in a way that preserves the attorney/client privilege whenever possible. See how JMBMs Global Hospitality Group can help you. Click here for the latest articles on Data Technology, Privacy & Security. Jim Butler +1 310 201 3526 JMBM View source The way hotels sell their rooms has come a long way. From basic reservation systems to sophisticated guest preference tracking, to the rise of OTAs, and the subsequent shift towards a direct-first mindset amongst independent hoteliers, the industry has continuously evolved to keep up with technology and ever-changing consumer trends. Now, the question is: whats next? As the digital landscape continues to evolve, how can hotels build on this progress, continue growing their direct business, and create even more meaningful guest experiences? Keep reading this article to find out. The Rise of OTAs: Global Reach, But at a Cost OTAs like Booking and Expedia revolutionized how travelers book hotels. They became the go-to platforms for guests because they provided an easy way to compare prices and find the best deals. This convenience turned them into the "search engines" of hotel bookings, filling a gap that traditional search engines couldn't handle efficiently. For hotels, OTAs provided exposure and bookings, but at a steep price. Commissions ranged from 15% to 30%, and hotels lost control over guest relationships. By 2016, OTAs accounted for nearly half of all online hotel bookings in the U.S. Their dominance was solidified through aggressive marketing, mobile apps, and loyalty programs. According to STR & Kalibri Labs as of 2017, OTAs were responsible for 49% of online hotel bookings. The Push for Direct Bookings Hotels soon realized they needed to reclaim control. Large chains launched "Book Direct" campaigns, offering perks like lower rates, free Wi-Fi, and exclusive experiences. Meanwhile, improvements in technologysuch as user-friendly booking engines, personalized recommendations, and mobile-optimized websitesgave hotels new tools to compete. By the 2010s, independent hotels followed this shift, investing in technology to facilitate and grow direct bookings. They too began leveraging tools and strategies to make their direct channels more attractive, efficient, and profitable. This approach not only improved financial performance but also allowed independent hotels and hotel collections to compete with larger players, often at higher ADRs due to the added value of booking direct. In fact, many independent hotels within GuestCentrics portfolio now achieve a strong direct revenue share, with some exceeding 50% of overall revenue. Meta-search platforms like Google Hotel Ads and Trivago also provided opportunities for hotels to fight back, allowing them to display direct prices alongside OTAs. According to Kalibri Labs, direct bookings can deliver 920% higher profit margins than OTA bookings, making them a crucial revenue stream. Hotels have since increased direct bookings by 1520% after launching targeted "Book Direct" campaigns (Source: Kalibri Labs, 2019). The Shift to Mobile-First Experiences The shift to mobile has transformed booking behavior. Today, over 50% of all hotel bookings happen on mobile devices, especially among younger travelers. Social media now plays a direct role in influencing where people stay, with platforms like Instagram and TikTok driving demand. In 2023, 65% of same-day hotel bookings were made on mobile devices, according to Hospitality Technology. As the landscape continues to evolve, hotels must prioritize their digital presence and optimize their strategies for direct bookings. Heres how they can do it in 2025: 10 Ways Hotels Can Increase Direct Bookings in 2025 1. Know Your Audience with Analytics Reality: 80% of consumers are more likely to make a purchase when brands offer personalized experiences. (Source: Epsilon) Action: Understanding where guests are coming from, their preferences, and booking behaviors is essential. Use analytics tools to track visitor sources, demographics, and website interactions to tailor marketing efforts effectively. 2. Optimize for Mobile Reality: 53% of mobile site visitors will abandon a page if it takes longer than 3 seconds to load. (Source: Google) Action: With most bookings happening on mobile devices, hotels must ensure their websites are mobile-first. This includes fast load times, seamless navigation, and an easy-to-use booking engine. 3. Personalize the Experience at Scale Reality: 71% of consumers expect companies to deliver personalized interactions, and 76% get frustrated when they dont. (Source: McKinsey & Company) Action: AI-driven personalization can anticipate guest preferences based on past behavior. Hotels can offer customized room recommendations, tailored packages, and dynamic pricing that aligns with guest needs. 4. Make Payments Seamless Reality: 63% of travelers say having a range of payment options, including digital wallets and Buy Now Pay Later, influences their decision to book directly. (Source: Worldpay Global Payments Report) Action: Offering multiple payment options, including digital wallets, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), and one-click checkouts, removes barriers in the booking process and reduces drop-offs. 5. Use AI to Enhance Content & Engagement Reality: 70% of consumers are willing to pay more for a personalized experience, which can be facilitated by AI-driven content and chatbots. (Source: PwC) Action: AI can optimize room descriptions, suggest upgrades, and power chatbots for real-time assistance. Intelligent automation ensures potential guests get the information they need instantly. 6. Monitor and Maintain Rate Parity Reality: 83% of travelers compare prices on multiple platforms before booking, emphasizing the importance of competitive pricing. (Source: Phocuswright) Action: Guests compare prices before booking. Hotels should use Google Meta and other tools to ensure their direct rates are competitive or offer exclusive perks to incentivize booking direct. 7. Tap into New Booking Channels Reality: 45% of travelers discover destinations and travel services via social media platforms, highlighting the importance of exploring new booking channels. (Source: Skyscanner) Action: Beyond OTAs and direct websites, hotels should explore emerging platforms like social media bookings, messaging apps, and influencer collaborations to reach new audiences. 8. Offer Flexible Booking & Cancellation Policies Reality: 70% of travelers prefer flexible booking options, including refundable rates and easy cancellations. (Source: Booking.com) Action: Travelers value flexibility. Offering refundable rates, easy modifications, and transparent policies can reduce booking hesitation and encourage direct reservations. 9. Ensure Speed & Efficiency During Booking Reality: 1-second delay in page load time can lead to a 7% reduction in conversions, emphasizing the importance of speed during booking. (Source: Visual Website Optimizer) Action: A slow booking process leads to drop-offs. Hotels must minimize form fields, enable guest profiles for faster checkouts, and ensure pages load quickly. 10. Promote Experience-Led Booking Options Reality: 65% of consumers are more likely to book a trip if they can customize their experience, such as adding activities and curated packages. (Source: Expedia Group) Action: Guests want more than just a roomthey want an experience. Make it easy to customize stays by offering room attributes, add-ons (spa, dining, tours), and curated packages that cater to different traveler segments. The Future of Direct Bookings Looking ahead, the future of direct bookings is undeniably mobile. With 53% of consumers shopping on mobile devicesand 73% of those being Gen Z (Hubspot) the shift is already underway. By 2025, Gen Z represents the majority of online shoppers, and studies show they tend to book instantly after being inspired by content on social media. This means hotels must ensure their booking engines are optimized for mobile and aligned with the platforms and behaviors of these emerging travelers. While the strategies discussed above provide a strong foundation, success in the evolving digital landscape requires constant fine-tuning. Hotels must be ready to adapt to market changes as they arise, ensuring their booking systems are always optimized for direct reservations. About GuestCentric GuestCentric is a leading provider of cloud-based digital marketing software and services that help extraordinary hoteliers promote their brand, drive direct bookings and connect with customers on all digital platforms. GuestCentric's all-in-one platform provides hotels with the only unified solution for managing their guests' online journey: award-winning, high impact websites; an integrated, easy-to-use booking engine; social media marketing and publishing tools; a GDS chain code and a channel manager to offer rooms on Amadeus, Booking.com, Expedia, Galileo, Google, Sabre, TripAdvisor and hundreds of other channels. GuestCentric is a proud provider of solutions that maximize direct bookings to hotel groups and independent hotels from collections such as Design Hotels, Great Hotels of the World, Leading Hotels of the World, Relais & Chateaux, Small Luxury Hotels and Small Danish Hotels. GuestCentric is featured on Skift Travel Tech 250, a list of the top 250 travel tech companies shaping the modern-day travel experience. Melissa Rodrigues Content Manager +35 196 157 3854 GuestCentric Systems View source WTTC Reports Record-Breaking Growth in Global Travel and Tourism Despite Economic Challenges - Image Credit Unsplash WTTC's 2025 Economic Impact Research (EIR) projects that global travel and tourism will strengthen this year despite the prevailing economic uncertainties, reinforcing its significance as a cornerstone of major global economies. International visitor spending is predicted to reach a historic high of $2.1 trillion in 2025, surpassing the previous record of $1.9 trillion in 2019 by an impressive $164 billion. Travel & Tourism is expected to contribute an all-time high of $11.7 trillion to the global economy in 2025, accounting for 10.3% of global GDP. Moreover, employment opportunities in this sector are anticipated to increase by 14 million, bringing the total to 371 million globallymore than the entire population of the United States. However, the recovery in the travel and tourism sector remains uneven worldwide. While some countries and regions are generating record-breaking numbers, other large economies are experiencing a plateau. For instance, growth in this sector has slowed in major markets such as the United States, China, and Germany. The U.S., the world's most influential travel and tourism market, had its international visitor spending significantly below the 2019 levels in 2024 and is not expected to recover fully this year. Contrastingly, the sector has seen a resurgence in emerging markets like Saudi Arabia, which plans to invest $800 billion in the sector by 2030, and European countries like France and Spain. These nations, recognized as the world's top two destinations in terms of visitor numbers, are leading the region's resurgence, powered by strategic investments and global appeal. Looking back at 2024, the travel and tourism sector contributed 10% of the world's economy, reaching $10.9 trillionan 8.5% increase from 2023 and 6% above the 2019 peak. Jobs in this sector also grew by 6.2%, resulting in 357 million jobs worldwide. Over the next decade, the WTTC anticipates that travel and tourism will inject $16.5 trillion into the global economy, accounting for 11.5% of global GDP. This projection signifies a decade-long annual growth rate of 3.5%, outpacing the wider economy's 2.5% growth rate. Jobs in this sector are expected to account for one in eight globally, with more than 460 million jobs. International spending is also expected to reach $2.9 trillion. These projections underscore the critical need for sustainable innovation as the travel and tourism sector expands, especially considering the sector's emissions stood at 6.5% of the global total in 2023. World Travel & Tourism Economic Impact Research Factsheet Wait! Before you go Please sign up for our Evening Digest and Breaking Newsletters Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. District Attorney to Host Workshop on Organized Retail Crime and Financial Fraud PITTSFIELD, Mass. On Monday, April 14, the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, in partnership with the New England State Police Information Network, will host a workshop addressing organized retail crime and financial fraud. At the workshop, speakers will discuss organized retail crime, financial crime, organized retail crime legislation, and current frauds effecting Berkshire County businesses and banks. Speakers include Ben Dugan, Executive Director for Central Investigations for CVS Health; Mark Solomon, International President of the International Association of Finance Crimes Investigations; Ryan Kearney, General Counsel for Retailers Association of Massachusetts; and Kelly Kemp, Second Assistant District Attorney at the Berkshire District Attorney's Office. The impetus of the conference was the concern over retail and financial crimes occurring in Berkshire County and across the country. These crimes effect both businesses and residents alike and threaten the financial well-being of the Berkshire Community. While many businesses have reported a decrease in retail crimes over the past two years, education regarding the crime trends and awareness is critical to continuing the reduction in organized retail crime and financial fraud in the Berkshires. Williamstown Town Meeting Gets Short-Term Rental Bylaw WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. After three years of talking about the issue, the Planning Board on Tuesday wrapped up its work on a short-term rental bylaw proposal. Now, it is up to town meeting to decide whether to implement the local regulation. On a vote of 5-0, the board sent its proposal to the May 22 meeting after making one amendment and considering feedback it received in the form of letters from constituents. The amendment is a provision that would exempt military members or foreign service members deployed overseas from the local limit on the number of days a house can be used as an "Airbnb" during the time of their deployment. That idea came to the board late in the process through its outreach meetings this winter and was first discussed by the body at its March meeting. All agreed on Tuesday that the exemptions made sense. The main business for the board on Tuesday was its statutorily-required public hearing on the two zoning bylaw amendments it is proposing for the annual town meeting. One of those proposals first came up last summer, when the town's public works director asked the body to look at a regulation on closed-loop ground source heat pump geothermal wells in the town's Water Resource districts. The bylaw the board crafted would require a special permit for any such geothermal wells in the district if they use any heat transfer fluid other than potable water. Systems that use only potable water would continue to be allowed by right, but systems that could potentially leak contaminants in the water resource area would require an engineering report, "certifying that the system as proposed poses no threat to the health and safety of the artesian aquifer that supplies public water to the Town of Williamstown." The proposed bylaw on short-term rentals, commonly referred to by the trade name Airbnb, would apply to the town's residential districts and would limit rentals of dwelling units to 90 days in any calendar year with the following exception: if the owner is occupying part of the property during the rental period, those rental days won't count toward the 90-day limit. In other words, if enacted, an owner-occupant of a residence could rent out their accessory dwelling unit or a single bedroom in their home for an unlimited number of days. Likewise, if the owner-occupant lives in an ADU on the property, they can rent the lot's primary dwelling unit for as many days as they like. The Planning Board first took up the short-term rental issue in 2022, considering whether a local regulation could address potential negative impacts of the emerging industry while also preserving the benefits of STRs, which are seen as supplement to the local stock of conventional hotel and motel rooms during peak demand and as a way to supplement the income of homeowners. The potential drawbacks include disruption to residential neighborhoods by the creation of de facto motels in those areas and the potential for entire homes to be removed from the town's housing stock by investors who buy single-family homes with the intention of only renting them on a short-term basis. Part of the impetus for the Planning Board's attention to short-term rentals is that when it has considered other bylaw amendments that would have allowed for more residential housing construction in town, one criticism planners heard was that new homes would be built just, "to be used as Airbnbs." And the board has reason to believe that town meeting members are sympathetic to that notion. Last year, a major Planning Board initiative to create a regulatory path for "cottage court' residential developments included a provision to limit short-term rentals in the new housing type to 150 days in a calendar year. On the floor of town meeting, that provision was amended to lower the limit to 90 days, and the full bylaw subsequently passed with 78 percent of the members voting in favor. Since initially taking up the short-term rental question, the Planning Board at one point handed it off to the Select Board to consider a townwide regulation, only to see the latter board take no action. The planners then took the matter up again, aiming for a zone-specific regulation; under the bylaw amendment proposed to next month's town meeting, unlimited short-term rentals would continue to be allowed in the town's business districts. No one addressed the board in the public hearing on Tuesday on either bylaw amendment. But the board did receive some correspondence, which focused primarily on the short-term rental bylaw. One, from a person who identified as living outside the area, said that they purchased a second home in Williamstown with the intent of using it, "while visiting the Berkshires," and using it as a short-term rental to "offset the costs of the home." Another letter, which was unsigned, said the proposed bylaw, "would unfairly restrict short-rerm rental owners." "These properties enhance Williamstown's appeal, generate tax revenue and provide essential lodging for visitors and residents alike," the anonymous letter continued. "STR hosts are hardworking individuals who offer an important service, and they should not be penalized for their contributions to the community." A third writer, Alex Carlisle, called the proposed bylaw, "clearly an assault on small business." Planning Board member Kenneth Kuttner rebutted that argument on Tuesday evening. "I can kind of see that, but, on the other hand, zoning does regulate what kind of businesses can be operated in [the town's General Residence District]," Kuttner said. "We don't allow hotels in GR. It's within our purview to say, this is a kind of business we'd rather see operate in the commercial area, not GR." And the planners noted on Tuesday that the town's bylaw already has a provision for residents who want to operate something like a year-round motel in a residential district as long as they have secured a special permit from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Chapter 70 of the town code includes a provision for "tourist homes," which are defined as: "An establishment in a dwelling with transient accommodations for more than two and fewer than 10 overnight fee-paying guests, or any dwelling rented or leased for periods of fewer than 35 days more than twice in a year; includes establishments called 'bed-and-breakfasts.' If having more accommodations or not in a dwelling, such establishments are categorized as 'hotel or motel.' " Currently, the town has no licensed bed and breakfasts, Community Development Director Andrew Groff told the board on Tuesday. The last remaining B&Bs did not reopen after the COVID-19 pandemic. But the planners noted that the tourist home provision is an option for homeowners who want to use a home as a full-time Airbnb. The special permit process, meanwhile, would give neighbors a voice in explaining why the ZBA should deny such permit requests. "There are other types of businesses," Groff said. "We allow low-impact professional and business offices in the GR zone, over a certain size, via special permit." At one point in Tuesday's discussion, Groff indicated the proposed bylaw on the table would clean up an existing enforcement issue by legalizing the residences already operating as "tourist homes" as defined by the bylaw as long as they comply with the 90-day limit while keeping the door open for special permits for homeowners who want to rent as STRs for more than 90 days in a calendar year. Enforcement of the proposed bylaw and its 90-day limit has been a frequent topic of conversation by the planners and was raised by one of the residents who submitted written comments. "As usually happens, the few informed honest folks will follow the rules and many others will not, either because they don't know all of their obligations or they know but choose to ignore them," Paul Harsch told the planners in an email. Harsch, a local real estate agent, also said he knew of other agents who are marketing Williamstown homes, "to investors of homes for this specific purpose." As they have previously, the Planning Board members leaned on the belief that most of the town's bylaws are "enforced" by voluntary compliance. And when violations are discovered, there are mechanisms to address them. "To use the simplest example in recent years, we did have a person operating a piggery on a parcel smaller than 5 acres," Groff said. "It was reported by a neighbor. [The offender] did not like the letter they got telling them to cease operations. So they appealed to the Zoning Board, and the Zoning Board said, 'Sorry, you have to stop operations.' " While the proposed bylaw does specify fines for non-compliance, it does not speak specifically to monitoring homes to ensure compliance. Roger Lawrence said such a strategy has worked for past bylaws. "We all live in a small town, and we all know each other," Lawrence said. "It's hard to hide in Williamstown. I think it's a town of pretty honest people, and if you weren't honest, people would find out in a hurry. "We have a provision for penalty but not enforcement. I'm willing to bet those penalties will be imposed rarely." Although Harsch's email argued the proposed bylaw does not go far enough, he indicated general support for its intent. Another of the five emails submitted for Tuesday's hearing praised the board for proposing a regulation that would help address the housing shortage in the commonwealth and, specifically, Berkshire County. "We can't build the number of new housing units needed to meet the demand ," Sarah Gardner wrote. "But we can retain more housing for people who need residences by regulating the number of short term rentals, allowing more housing for people who want or need to live in the community. Alternatively, we can continue to allow the growth of short term rentals to continue unabated. "The first approach builds a more economically diverse and inclusive community, the second approach allows for more housing units to be investment properties." Pittsfield School Officials Want Summary of PHS Investigation PITTSFIELD, Mass. While it is unclear how much information will be released, School Committee members want some executive summary of the Pittsfield High School investigation into alleged staff misconduct. On Wednesday, they requested a capsulation of the process and, if possible, the findings of Bulkley Richardson & Gelinas' investigation triggered by allegations against Dean of Students Molly West and Vice Principal Alison Shepard that surfaced in December. "Right now, the public has the seven of us sitting up here saying nothing was substantiated," said Mayor Peter Marchetti, who motioned for an executive summary. "And quite frankly, part of the argument may be its cost, but how much money have we already spent and how much time have we gone down this rabbit hole to still have this black cloud hanging over our head without the public buying into anything that happened?" As far as he is concerned, the city is "in for a penny in for a pound." The lead investigator, Judge Mary-Lou Rup, was hired at a rate of $275 per hour and paralegal services for $110 per hour. "And whatever legal counsel can produce, I think that we have to live with it, but to just say we're not doing it at this stage in the game I think is a mistake," he said. Committee member William Garrity requested that discussion about the investigation's reports be put on the agenda. The district's legal counsel has reportedly advised against releasing the report even though officials pledged transparency when the scandal arose. "I feel there is at least some balancing act that we need to figure out between protecting the privacy of the report and people being investigated and people who are part of the investigation while still maintaining the public's right to know," he said. At the beginning of the conversation, Chair William Cameron read a six-page written explanation of the committee's choice to follow legal advice and not release the report, citing legal and prudential reasons. "The core issue is not one merely of avoiding defamation or shielding the identities of minors. It is, to repeat, one of privacy," he said. "BRG investigators have structured their reports in such a manner that no amount of editing, short of rendering much of the reports' substantive aspects largely unintelligible, will protect the legitimate privacy rights of anyone mentioned or quoted there." He told Marchetti that the district's attorney, Russell Dupere, saw no issue in releasing a description of the process. "Nobody's really interested in the process, though, what people want is red meat," Cameron said, adding that once they get into those issues, it becomes a matter of privacy. He said the issue that personnel actions aren't matters of public record "so if, in fact, the outcome of an investigation is it entails some kind of action that only the superintendent can take, we don't broadcast that" and finds it getting "perilously close to violating what is a pretty obvious right that employees have not to have their personnel records become public." Marchetti did note that after reading the documents, they would be hard to redact in a way that people wouldn't be able to figure out who they are about. "No matter what we put out, I don't know that that's going to be good enough, but I do know the public is entitled to some executive summary that doesn't broach any of the legal advice that our legal counsel gave us," he said. During pubic comment, resident Valerie Anderson urged the report's release with as few redactions as possible. "We deserve to know who knew what when. At a minimum, a timeline should be released. A timeline is not privileged nor defamatory," she said. "People have told me that the alleged picture that was widely disseminated was first sent a long time ago, well before the dean [Lavante Wiggins] was arrested for alleged cocaine trafficking. If this is true, it demonstrates that administrators did know, even though we were told no one knew anything. The public needs to know when the picture was first allegedly sent to whom and if any action was taken at the time." Cameron was taken aback when unionized teachers in the audience applauded the request to release personnel records. "I should have thought that would have raised the hair on the backs of their necks. This is a legal right they have. It is a protection that they have, and yet people were applauding for it," he said. "So maybe I'm totally misreading what the tenor of the public is here." Committee member Sara Hathaway is concerned that people will start pointing fingers if the entire report is released. Filipino-owned global fintech company, BCRemit, which provides online money remittance service to the Philippines, launched its partnership with GCash, the Philippines leading mobile wallet, to enable Filipinos abroad to send funds back home with ease, anytime. (L-R) GCash International head of product and EMEA Jules Abalos, general manager Paul Albano, BCRemit founder Oliver Calma, co-founder Jose Calma, director of finance and compliance Pia Henson Starting in February, Filipinos in the United Kingdom, Spain, and other European Union countries as well as in the United States could send money straight to GCash accounts in the Philippines securely through the BCRemit app or website. Overseas Filipinos (OFs) could also add cash to their own GCash accounts with ease at any time of day via BCRemit. From its roots in the UK, BCRemit now serves customers in Spain, the EU, and the US. Since 2015, it has been providing OFs with fast, secure, convenient, and affordable money transfer services through its app, website, and 24/7 call center. We at BCRemit are thrilled with our partnership with GCash. This will give our customers in the UK, Spain, and the EU as well as the US direct access to GCash. Our partnership aligns with our mission to use technology to improve the financial inclusion of Filipino migrant workers and their beneficiaries by providing them affordable, fast, and convenient money transfer services, said BCRemit founder Oliver Calma. "At GCash, we are dedicated to making financial services accessible to all Filipinos, regardless of their location," said Paul Albano, general manager of GCash International. "This partnership with BCRemit strengthens our ability to offer secure and affordable remittance solutions, enabling OFs to easily support their families back home. As GCashs new international remittance and cash-in partner, BCRemit levels up the convenience its money transfer services provide to customers abroad, which has been growing steadily as the company expands its footprint to reach Filipinos in other territories. BCRemit offers low fees starting at GBP/USD/EUR 2.99. Both new and existing customers also enjoy high exchange rates all the time. As customers can send remittances at any hour, they get access to BCRemits 24/7 customer service as well. To start sending funds in GCash, download the BCRemit app at the Google Play or Apple App Store and sign up. Customers may also create an account at bcremit.com. Fill in the information needed including the beneficiary, then choose GCash as the delivery option when sending money. To date, GCash has over 5.2 million partner QR merchants and social sellers, while 81% of Filipinos own a GCash account. The popular all-in-one e-wallet allows users to easily top up mobile phone credits, pay bills, send and receive money, purchase from partner merchants, invest the money as well as get access to savings, credit, loans, insurance, and more. For more information, please visit www.gcash.com. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The real-life photo behind one of the most iconic scenes in cult classic, The Shining, has been found. Stanley Kubricks film, which was released in 1980, is considered one of the best horror films of all time and has become an annual Halloween staple. The film has also been the subject of numerous books and documentaries and, in these projects, film theorists have dissected the film, sharing ideas and hidden references featured within every scene. But one moment in the film has remained a mystery for over 45 years. At the end of the movie, Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson) is seen in a black-and-white group photo at the Overlook Hotel, after his mental state increasingly deteriorates due to the psychological force of the building. The eerie snap reveals that Torrance, inexplicably, has always been a part of the hotel. Now, after a year of investigation, New York Times journalist Alec Toler and British academic Alasdair Spark have found an obscure reference to the photo in a book from the 1980s that reported the original had been taken from an archive, with Nicholsons head pasted on at the front. open image in gallery Patrons at a St. Valentine's dance and ballroom dancing competition in the Empress Rooms at the Royal Palace Hotel, Kensington, London, 14th February 1921. In the foreground (centre) is South African ballroom dancing teacher Santos Casani (aka John Golman). (Photo by Morey/Topical Press Agency/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) ( Getty Images ) According to a thread by Toler on X/Twitter, Spark recognised Santos Casani, a famous dancer and jazz instructor in London during the 1920s, which helped them narrow down the timeline and location. Casani also wore a prosthetic nose so the pair were able to triangulate the rough date when his nose matched the photo. Toler and Spark looked through hundreds, maybe thousands, of British newspaper archive pages, old photos from jazz clubs, building blueprints/floor plans, dance instruction videos, etc, but never found any places that matched, After much sleuthing, they narrowed down the source: the BBC Hulton Archive, which was later purchased by Getty. Their conclusion was confirmed by Murray Close, a photographer who worked with Kubrick on The Shining. open image in gallery Nicholsons image was pasted on to the image revealing that he never left the Overlook Hotel ( Warner Bros ) The photo is from a Valentines dance held on 14 February 1921 at the Empress Ballroom in the Royal Palace Hotel in London. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Spark told Getty Archives: "The photo doesnt show any of the celebrities I had speculated on the Trix Sisters for instance - nor the bankers, financiers or presidents others like Rob Ager have imagined there. No devil worshippers either. Nobody was composited into it except Jack Nicholson. It shows a group of ordinary London people on a Monday evening. All the best people as the manager of the Overlook Hotel said." Fans were pleased with the revelation saying: If these people only knew their group photo would become an iconic prop in one of the greatest horror films of all times... Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The release of a Bollywood film chronicling the lives of two 19th-century anti-caste reformers in India has been delayed following protests from upper caste groups who have accused it of defaming their community. Indias film certifying body, the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), demanded multiple edits to caste references and imagery in Ananth Mahadevans film Phule, portraying the journey of couple Jyotirao and Savitribai Phule, after several organisations in the western state of Maharashtra claimed the film defamed Brahmins. Savitribai Phule was also a pioneering figure in India's women's rights movement and opened the first girls' school in India in 1848 along with her husband Jyotirao Phule. Brahmins are considered to be seated at the top of Hinduisms rigid caste hierarchy, historically referred to as the custodians of religious knowledge. According to the last available census, nearly 80 per cent of Indians are Hindus, practice Hinduism and follow the caste system. The Phules fought for the right to education and equality for Dalits those who were treated as untouchables under the Hindu caste system. The film, starring Pratik Gandhi and Patralekhaa, was originally cleared by the CBFC with a U-certificate, which means that it was suitable for all age groups. But following pressure from Brahmin groups such as the Akhil Bhartiya Brahmin Samaj and the Parshuram Aarthik Vikas Mahamandal, the board has now asked for significant alterations, including the removal of caste-specific terms referring to Dalit communities who have historically been marginalised under Indias caste system and given the most menial and stigmatised jobs to perform in society. The CBFC has also demanded the toning down of certain dialogues and visuals in the film. Phule was earlier set to be released on 11 April. Its new release date is now 25 April. However, it remains unclear if the filmmaker will make the changes asked by the CBFC and whether those changes will compromise the historical accuracy or dilute the films message. The Independent has reached out to Mahadevan for comment. The decision to remove caste-specific references from Phule has drawn criticism from some historians and activists, who say it risks whitewashing history and downplaying the lived experiences of marginalised communities. Mr Mahadevan also insists the film is historically grounded and not agenda-driven. Many letters and notices have come from different Brahmin organisations. There is some misunderstanding after the trailer was launched. We want to clear those doubts so that there is no hassle in viewership, he said in an interview with Midday. When I met the representatives [of the Akhil Bhartiya Brahmin Samaj] and told them about how weve shown that [certain] Brahmins helped Jyotiba Phule set up 20 schools, they were happy. When Phule opened the Satyashodhak Samaj, these Brahmins were the pillars. Im a staunch Brahmin. Why will I [malign] my community? We have only shown the facts. Its not an agenda film, he added. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. The Satyashodhak Samaj, founded by Jyotirao Phule in 1873, was a reformist movement that challenged caste discrimination and advocated for equality, education, and social justice for marginalised communities. The Independent has reached out to the CBFC to explain the rationale behind its decision to demand changes to caste references and depictions in the film, and whether these revisions were influenced by external objections from community groups. In 2017, the release of the National Award-winning Marathi film Dashkriya also faced disruption after a Brahmin group, the Akhil Bharatiya Brahmin Mahasabha, objected to its portrayal of the Brahmin community, claiming it showed them in a bad light. Some theatre owners in Maharashtra temporarily halted advance bookings amid fears of unrest, despite the film already being cleared by the censor board and having screened at multiple festivals. The postponement and censorship of the Phule have sparked concern among historians and activists about the historical erasure of Dalits. Critics argue that removing caste-specific references dilutes the historical reality and undermines the films core message to confront caste injustice and honour the Phules legacy of challenging oppression and demanding social reform. The irony is palpable: A film about a couple who battled caste supremacy is being censored to satisfy the very social order they opposed, wrote Neeraj Bunkar, a PhD research scholar at Nottingham Trent University, in The Indian Express. The CBFC, meant to be a neutral arbiter, is often dominated by Brahmin or Savarna voices. In a nation where over 80 per cent of the population are Dalit or OBC (Other Backward Classes), why is portraying their oppression and the Phules resistance so contentious? Dalit-themed films in India have frequently faced pushback from both the CBFC and certain social groups. More recently, Santosh, a critically acclaimed Hindi-language film by British-Indian filmmaker Sandhya Suri, was blocked by Indias film censorship board over its portrayal of police misogyny, caste discrimination, and Islamophobia. Despite winning international awards and praise, including a Cannes debut and a BAFTA nomination, the film faces a ban in Indian cinemas due to the CBFCs demand for sweeping cuts deemed impossible by the director. Shudra: The Rising (2012), directed by Sanjiv Jaiswal, which explored the brutal oppression of Dalits under the Hindu caste system, also encountered massive resistance at the time. Hyderabad-based professor Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd, a social activist and author told The Federal: How can the CBFC ask to remove caste-related references in the film when Phules struggle was against caste and Brahmin communities inhuman practices of his time? Maharashtras opposition also criticised the CBFC for recommending cuts to the film and accusing the board of applying double standards and attempting to sanitise history. Indias censor board did not object to a single scene from propaganda movies like The Kashmir Files or The Kerala Story. But it was quick to make objections to films like the Phule biopic. It shows the mentality of the board, said Jayant Patil, a local politician. History cannot be erased, it can only be learned from. Whatever is shown in the movie Mahatma Jyotirao Phule is a historical truth truth cannot be denied or altered. Among the social reformers of this country, the names of Mahatma Phule and Savitribai Phule stand at the forefront. What is true must be shown, Jitendra Awhad, another local opposition politician said. X users in India also pointed out the inconsistencies in how films rooted in history are treated by the authorities, particularly the CBFC and, by extension, the current political establishment. One user wrote on X: Mahatma Phule liberated crores of people in this country. He was Indias first revolutionary who fought against the caste system. If Chhaava movie can be released, even promoted by the BJP government, then what is the problem with Phules film who hails from the same region? The user was referring to Chhaava, a recent historical film. Both films, Chhaava and Phule, are based on figures from Maharashtra, yet the user pointed out that the latter is facing censor cuts, while the former was released without such hurdles. Onir, a renowned Bollywood filmmaker, besides many others, came out in support of Phule. In a comment on Instagram, he wrote: What a shame that the CBFC has to bend to Brahmanical backlash Dalit sentiment / historical truth does not matter the status quo to support the power structure has to continue unquestioned. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ncuti Gatwa will take on the role of Christopher Marlowe in a new production exploring the playwrights rivalry with William Shakespeare. The actor, who returns this weekend in a new series of Doctor Who, will star in Born With Teeth alongside Sex Education co-star Edward Bluemel, wholl play a young version of the Bard. Written by Liz Duffy Adams, the play imagines the two literary giants collaborating on a new play, charting their work through three secret meetings in 1591 and the building temptation to betray one another. "Liz Duffy Adams has written an exceptional play that is smart, dark, sexy, sharp and funny! There's a lot to get one's teeth into, Gatwa said. Bluemel, 31, played the brother of Emma Mackeys character in Netflix series Sex Education, in which Gatwa, 32, played Eric, and has also starred in Killing Eve, A Discovery of Witches and cancelled Prime Video series My Lady Jane. The production marks the UK premiere of Born With Teeth, which debuted in Houston in 2022, and has since been staged in Oregon, California, and Florida. open image in gallery Ncuti Gatwa in Doctor Who ( James Pardon/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios ) The Royal Shakespeare Company describes the piece as an irreverent take on the high-octane world of two of theatres greatest literary icons. Across the pond, it was critically acclaimed, with one review from Broadway World 's Christian Gill reading: "It's one part fan fiction, one part examination of egos, and another part commentary of the destructive capabilities of societal expectations. "We spend 90 minutes watching a game between the best writers of their time." Born With Teeth will debut at Londons Wyndham Theatre from 13 August. Gatwa said he is so excited to be appearing in the play, saying it is like no version of Shakespeare and Marlowe that [he has] ever seen before open image in gallery Edward Bluemel will star as Shakespeare in Born with Teeth ( Getty Images ) Bluemel added that he is incredibly proud and excited for the play. To be stepping into the shoes of a young William Shakespeare is a huge thrill for any actor and I cant wait to get started, he said. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Set in 1930s Shanghai, in a theatre that doubles as a secret socialist safe house, we meet Jiang Qing the future wife of Mao Zedong rehearsing Henrik Ibsens A Dolls House. Here, she meets Sun Weishi, who will go on to become the first female theatre director of China. But for now, they are just two penniless actors standing at the edge of upheaval, both personal and political. Based on the real lives of two women who helped define the Chinese Cultural Revolution, Shanghai Dolls explores the desire and consequences of artistic freedom. An obedient revolutionary, the perfect oxymoron is how Jiang Qing is described. An actor who sees art as the path to selfhood and escape, she desires recognition a desire so white-hot that it will lead her to become the ornamental, vengeful wife of one of the most tyrannical leaders in history. Sun, meanwhile, is already connected to the political elite. She has access to education, influence, and artistic training, all the things Jiang craves for herself. The play maps how the roles are gradually reversed, the powers shifting between them until one becomes the oppressor, and the other the oppressed. The source material here is undeniably compelling a cautionary tale of resentment and repression. But this production falters in its execution, opting for a melodramatic, borderline cheesy tone that undercuts its own message. Gabby Wong (Jiang) and Millicent Wong (Sun) deliver highly stylised, sometimes hammy performances, which initially charm with their energy and chemistry. As the political backdrop darkens and the story demands more emotional heft, however, their exaggerated delivery jars. Stark mentions of famine and cannibalism are followed by interpretive dance torture scenes and renditions of Oklahoma! that veer into pantomime. The tonal whiplash leaves little room for emotional impact. Likewise, the plays relentless repetition of its women as dolls metaphor gradually drains it of any power. Despite tonal missteps, there is impressive work behind the scenes. Delivered by an all-female creative team, led by director Kate Posner, the shows design is where the play truly succeeds. Its opening image a minimalist stage, so thick with smoke that, when lit, it resembles a dusty page turned from a history book is striking. Visually, the world feels both intimate and unstable. Clever shadow play and news clippings that burn across projected paper keep audiences anchored in the plays timeline, while military soundscapes nod to the building political unrest. The audience never has to question where we are in this story or how near these characters are to their downfall. Structurally, Amg Ngs play visits these women at key points in their lives as we witness Jiangs transformation into Madame Mao. How she evolves from spunky actor to decorative wife and finally to resentful bulldog, quick to bite those who dare express the artistic freedom she was denied. Rage bleeds through Shanghai Dolls, embodied brilliantly and brutally by both actors. It is too bad that these moments are few and far between, quickly subsumed by the overacting and misplaced humour that defines most of this production. Shanghai Dolls is a play with flashes of brilliance and a solid foundation with its rich historical backdrop, fascinating characters, and urgent themes. If only it could find the nuance and restraint to let that story speak for itself. On at Kiln Theatre until 10 May; tickets and more information here Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Who would want to be in the shoes of Russell T Davies, the custodian of a once-great science fiction franchise now in danger of becoming lost in time and space? The franchise is, of course, Doctor Who, which returns for its latest series tomorrow amid an atmosphere of uncertainty not witnessed since the BBC cancelled it for the first time in 1989 (Davies was central to its resurrection in 2005). As Whovians across the galaxy prepare to resume acquaintances with 15th Doctor Ncuti Gatwa, there is all sorts of speculation regarding both the actors future and that of the show itself. And this drama is unfolding less than three years after the BBC struck a high-profile deal with Disney+, trumpeted at the time as an opportunity to turn the Tardis-hopping Time Lord into a global brand. One rumour is that Gatwa is ready to move on after just two seasons and that, having already filmed his big regeneration scene, is bound for LA, where he has a number of projects lined up (he had a taste of the silver screen when appearing in Barbie in 2023). The other is that, with ratings plunging to a record low of 2.1 million in Gatwas inaugural series, the BBC is considering repeating history and pulling the plug on the Tardis in its entirety. But why is Doctor Who currently misfiring so badly? On paper, the return of Davies should have been nothing but good news. After all, it was he who brought back Doctor Who in 2005, having lobbied the BBC for years to take the Tardis out of deep freeze. Moreover, his first five-year first stint in charge celebrated the many different sides to the Doctor from the romping Smith and Jones (2007) in which a London hospital is transported to the moon to high-stakes tension of 2008s Midnight, in which the Doctors holiday on a planet baking in radiation goes amiss. Since Daviess return in 2023, however, Doctor Who has displayed an ultimately damaging obsession with chasing a family audience. Whats been lost is Doctor Whos ability to be scary which, along with the sense of wonder and the banter between the Doctor and their companion, was part of the appeal for decades. open image in gallery Peter Davison in scarier Whovian times ( BBC ) In the 1970s and 1980s, Doctor Who could always be counted upon to conjure a chill at tea time. Veteran viewers may, for instance, remember the disquiet they felt when Peter Davisons fifth Doctor was introduced to the shape-shifting robot Kamelion in 1983. Here was a hallucinatory horror forged from wonky plastic and with the body language of an oversized praying mantis ready to spring. Missing half its head, it regarded the world with a dead-eyed thousand-yard glare; it was a mechanical phantom that could have been created expressly to haunt your dreams. Or what about the Malus an apparition who glared through the wall of a crumbling Cromwellian ruin and whose green eyes were swirling voids of pure wickedness? Watching clips on YouTube, you can see why people found it disturbing when it materialised in their living rooms in 1984. Those baleful emerald peepers look as if they are gazing into your soul. They are the unsettling cherry atop a storyline in which the Doctor stumbles upon a historical reenactment of the English civil war and is set upon by a ghostly apparition of Roundhead soldiers the uncanniness heightened somehow by the shoestring production values. Whovians of a particular vintage will also remember Kandyman. He was a demented Bertie Bassett made out of giant Liquorice allsorts who tangled with Sylvester McCoy in November 1988. He did so whilst delivering lines such as Impolite guests get to feel the back of my candy hand! and dispatched its enemies by drowning them in fondant surprise a solution made of boiling liquid candy. He should have been silly yet the sheer manic quality of the monster brought a curdling dread. Nowhere is the distinction between Doctors, new and old, more distinct than in the case of plastic baddies, the Autons. Played by actors wearing creepy masks, they look like apparitions from the depths of your subconscious. At one point in 1971s Terror of the Autons, we see an Auton slide over the edge of a cliff, tumbling head over heels to the bottom and then springing straight back up without even pausing. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. open image in gallery More Seventies nightmare fuel courtesy of the Autons ( BBC ) The inhuman speed with which the Auton recovers is deeply disquieting even more so considering stuntman Terry Walsh fell much further than was planned and suffered mild injuries yet somehow got on with the job. Terror of the Autons also features a memorable scene in which one of the aliens assumes the form of a black plastic chair. When an unsuspecting victim is invited to sit, the seat consumes him, his screams growing fainter as he sinks into the protean goo. Here is an orgy of body horror you might associate with a master of the form, such as David Cronenberg one that conjures the sort of unfiltered anxiety conspicuously absent from 21st-century Who. Davies revived them at the start of the 2005 Christopher Eccleston era. You may recollect them chasing Billie Pipers Rose around an empty shop at nighttime. In this version, the Autons were everyday high-street mannequins brought to life. But in the original 1970s version, they are pure nightmare fuel. This tells us that Davies was prone to toning things down from the start perfectly fine, when the storylines were otherwise interesting. But since the BBC deal with Disney, he seems determined to turn the Doctor into a glorified childrens entertainer. He more or less admitted as much when asked about the plunging viewer numbers. It's not doing that well in the ratings, but it is doing phenomenally well with the younger audience that we wanted. Given its family-friendly image, Disney might well prefer a chummy Time Lord. However, many Whovians would give anything for a jolt of old-school Auton terror. However, it is important to acknowledge that not all the criticisms of the modern era Doctor are in good faith. Predictions that the Gallifrey gadabout is about to vanish down a black hole have been pinging around cyberspace ever since the BBC had the gall to cast a woman in part in July 2017 when Jodie Whittaker was announced as taking over from Peter Capaldi. Haters were then whipped into a further frenzy when Gatwa became the first actor of colour to take on the mantle. But even setting aside these knuckle-dragging critiques, it is undeniable that Doctor Who is in a tight spot. Fewer people are watching than at any point since the Tardis first materialised in November 1963. Sadly, hopes that an alliance with Disney + would put some zing in its Sonic Screwdriver have proved wide of the mark. Disney seems to have had misgivings from the moment it came on board and was immediately sticking its oar in by insisting Davies film an extra scene in the Christmas episode, The Church on Ruby Road, in which a giant inflatable snowman falls on the Doctor. It is a quirky moment out of keeping with the tone of the rest of the instalment a bit of Marvel humour parachuted into the Whovian universe. Not that it did much good. According to media reports, Disney executives consider the shows international performance underwhelming. There are serious doubts about whether the studio will choose to renew the two-series deal with the BBC. Of course, mainstream Americans not getting the Doctor is one thing. The Doctor isnt a Marvel superhero. It was foolish to think he could ever become one. More worrying is the massive slump in the home-grown audience suggesting that things have gone amiss with the BBCs vision for the character. Would a more terrifying Doctor Who save it? Potentially not. But it would at least improve on the bland recent batch of villains. The most recent seasons lineup of monsters included a sentient pile of snot and a mad Welsh prime minister. Neither was likely to keep anyone up late at night. In the rush to appeal to as wide a demographic as possible, it feels that those entrusted with the brand had forgotten that part of Doctor Whos mission was to frighten the viewer. It is no coincidence that the most significant 21st-century contribution to Whovian lore is the Weeping Angels stone nasties that creep up on you when you arent looking. People love the Weeping Angels, not because they are quirky or amusing. They are simply horrific. Or at least they were until Daviess predecessor, Chris Chibnall, overdid it with an indecipherable episode in which the Doctor herself was temporarily transformed into one. It has long been fashionable to write off the pre-Eccleston Who as a mishmash of stilted dialogue and dire special effects. Those criticisms are not without merit when classic Doctor Who was bad, it was awful. But it also gave us some of the greatest-ever villains in the history of science fiction. Faced with potential cancellation, the smartest thing Davies could do is to rewind to a previous era of Doctor Who and pay close attention to what made it work. The best way to guarantee the shows future is to look to the past and make it scary again. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Saturday Night Live star Bowen Yang has spoken candidly about the emotional toll of undergoing gay conversion therapy as a teenager, describing the experience as painful and detrimental. In a preview clip for this Sundays episode of Sunday Sitdown with Willie Geist, Yang revisits a chapter of his adolescence that he says he never really processed. I didnt really get to work through it, he told Geist. I think I probably wasnt brave enough back then to express that or to package it in a way that [my parents] could understand. It felt completely foreign to them. Yang, one of only a handful of openly LGBTQ+ cast members in Saturday Night Lives 50-year history, first publicly shared his experience with conversion therapy in an interview with The New York Times . He was 17 when his parents discovered what he described as lewd conversations on AOL Instant Messenger, inadvertently outing him. Yang presently reflects on his parents reaction with a degree of empathy now he recognises the cultural disconnect. They were like, Oh, we didnt realise this is what we were dealing with. Where we come from, this doesnt happen. That was their concept of it. And so I give them a lot of grace for that - because they had no context. His parents then presented him with an ultimatum: undergo conversion therapy and attend New York University alongside his sister, or remain in Denver and study locally. Bowen Yang and Ariana Grande on SNL ( SNL/NBC ) Yang said the draw of New York was irresistible: I just knew I had to live there, he said. So I kind of played along - I humoured them, and I humoured myself - into seeing what it was. Not knowing that it was ultimately very painful and detrimental. And there was a lot of healing that happened after that. Yang has previously spoken about the long-term psychological impact of the experience, which he has explored in both his comedy and personal reflections. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. In speaking out again, he joins a growing number of LGBTQ+ public figures challenging the practice of conversion therapy and highlighting its lasting harm. Last year, the new Labour government said it planned to introduce a Conversion Practices Bill to ban treatment aimed at changing or suppressing someones sexual orientation and gender identity in England and Wales. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The 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. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. 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. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Monsters star Cooper Koch was spotted attending Fridays pivotal court hearing for convicted murderers Erik and Lyle Menendez. The Menendez brothers, who are serving life sentences for the 1989 murders of their parents, Jose and Kitty, returned to the public eye in 2024 with the premiere of Ryan Murphys show, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story. The Netflix series, which featured 28-year-old Koch as Erik and 25-year-old Nicholas Chavez as Lyle, garnered renewed support for the brothers, who have been fighting for their release for the past 30 years. On Friday, Koch who has been an outspoken advocate for the brothers release since his portrayal of Erik was photographed arriving at the Van Nuys Courthouse with Eriks wife, Tammi Saccoman, and stepdaughter, Talia Menendez, for the brothers resentencing hearing. Footage of the actor proudly walking arm in arm with his partner, Stuart McClave, ahead of Saccoman and Talia, was also captured by Fox Local. The latest hearing comes after Los Angeles new district attorney, Nathan Hochman, opposed his predecessor, George Gascons, original request for a judge to change the brothers sentence to 50 years to life. Doing so would make them immediately eligible for release under California law because they committed the crime when they were younger than 26. Cooper Koch (left) and Nicholas Chavez (right) as Erik and Lyle Menendez in Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story ( 2024 Netflix, Inc. ) However, last month Hochman submitted a motion to withdraw Gascons request, stating that he did not support the brothers resentencing because they had not admitted to lies they told as the case unfolded about why they killed their parents and did not fully recognize, acknowledge, and accept complete responsibility for their crime. Erik and Lyle were 18 and 21 respectively, when they stood trial for the brutal murders of their parents. At the time, the defense argued the brothers acted in self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, while prosecutors argued they killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance. At Fridays hearing, the court will decide whether to allow prosecutors to withdraw their resentencing motion. Should that request be granted, the judge will also decide whether to proceed independently with the brothers resentencing hearings, which are tentatively scheduled for April 17 and 18. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Hochmans opposition poses a major hurdle for the brothers, whose path to resentencing was all but certain with Gascon's support. Last October, after Gascon called for the brothers resentencing, Koch released a statement, saying: I am overwhelmed with gratitude and hope for the progress weve seen today. Gascons recommendation has ignited a renewed sense of possibility that Lyle and Erik could finally be released after decades behind bars. But, this journey is not over. There are still critical steps ahead: the judge must endorse the resentencing, and, if that happens, the parole board must recognize the time they have served as fitting for the crime. Our voices, our unwavering support, remain crucial not just for the brothers to ensure their release, but also for every victim of sexual abuse fighting to be heard. I hope to see Erik and Lyle soon. Free from all of this. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A woman in India was sentenced to life in prison after she was found guilty of killing her teen daughter for lying about scoring good marks despite failing her exams. Bhimaneni Padmini Rani, 59, from Bengaluru in the southern state of Karnataka, stabbed her 17-year-old daughter, Sahiti Shivapriya, multiple times on 29 April 2024. Sahiti was under pressure to perform in her second year Pre-University Course (PUC) examinations, which are equivalent to A-levels in the UK, but she failed five tests. However, she told her mother she had passed the exam with 95 per cent marks. A heated argument broke out between the two after the teenager told her mother that she failed one subject and blamed Rani for not supporting her. Rani who told her relatives that her daughter was likely to set a seat in a US university was furious when she learned that Sahiti failed five exams, not one, upon calling one of her daughters friends. I had boasted to my brothers and other relatives that Shaiti scored 95 per cent [score] and was set to fly to the US for higher studies, she was quoted as saying in the chargesheet filed by the police, according to Times of India. If they would have come to know of the reality, I would have to face humiliation, she said, adding that she also decided to kill herself. Rani was injured in the incident but recovered after receiving treatment at a hospital. The incident was the latest example of the punishing academic culture in India, where failure is seen as a form of disgrace within communities. The latest National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data for 2022 reports that 13,044 students died by suicide in India in 2021 alone, accounting for 7.6 per cent of total suicides that year. The rate of student suicides in India has been rising alarmingly year after year, outpacing both the countrys population growth and broader suicide trends, according to data. A report based on NCRB data revealed that students suicides have grown at a rate of 4 per cent, double the national average, over past two decades. The incidence of student suicides continues to surpass both population growth rates and overall suicide trends. Over the last decade, while the population of 0-24-year-olds reduced from 582 million to 581 million, the number of student suicides increased from 6,654 to 13,044, the report compiled by IC3 institute said. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trumps decision to sever food aid to Afghanistan will leave millions of the countrys poorest people vulnerable to famine this summer, a World Food Programme (WFP) official has told The Independent. This week the Trump administration quietly reversed its decision to cancel vital food aid programmes to 12 countries via funding for the UNs WFP, but Afghanistan and Yemen were not included in the U-turn. Its a devastating blow to aid programmes in Afghanistan, where a country ravaged by two decades of war and with its Taliban-run economy in ruins is heavily dependent on foreign humanitarian support. In 2024, the US provided 43 per cent of international humanitarian funding to Afghanistan. Mutinta Chimuka, the WFPs deputy country director for Afghanistan, said in an interview that the UN body learned US aid would not be restored to the country last weekend. She said it would affect core famine prevention programmes in both the lean summer months and the freezing winter, as well as preventing WFP from providing food packages to newly returned Afghan deportees from Pakistan and Iran. These cuts mean mothers will go hungry, children will go without treatment, and millions of Afghans returning to a country they barely know will be met with empty hands. We are being forced to abandon those who need us most, she said. She said the WFP team was already making difficult choices to distribute aid to vulnerable people in one village over another, and that such painful decision-making would only be exacerbated. This summer, WFP will no longer be able to deliver planned famine-prevention activities, leaving at least two million people without support during the lean season. More than two million returnees from Pakistan and Iran will arrive to find no support, despite having nowhere else to turn, she said. open image in gallery An Afghan refugee and her children arrive at a registration centre in the Takhta Pul district of Kandahar province ( AFP via Getty ) Afghan women and children already the hardest hit by the hunger crisis are likely to be at the greatest risk of malnutrition, illness, and death, the official said. As a result of [programme cuts], over 400,000 malnourished children and mothers will be denied treatment, even as Afghanistan faces the worst levels of child malnutrition in its history. Women-headed households, already among the most vulnerable, are now at even greater risk, with two-thirds unable to afford basic nutritious food, Ms Chimuka said. open image in gallery An Afghan woman holds a child as she seeks alms by a road in Herat ( AFP via Getty ) I was recently in Herat where I met a young Afghan mother in a clinic and she is a beneficiary of WFP aid. In her tow, she had a four-month-old baby who was extremely tiny for its size. This is the situation of undernourished or malnourished women who get pregnant and then have babies who are also malnourished. Our critical aid was helping us break this generational cycle with tools which we no longer have, Ms Chimuka said. The WFP says US cuts will make it impossible for them to prepare food to distribute in advance of winter, when more than three million vulnerable people are expected to be snowed in and unreachable. The drive to cut USAID funding has been led by Mr Trumps billionaire adviser Elon Musk and his meme-inspired Department of Government Efficiency. The SpaceX chief executive has said he wants to dramatically reduce foreign assistance, calling the aid wasteful and misused in the advancement of liberal causes. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The United Nations called for full amnesty for jailed former leader Aung San Suu Kyi and others detained since the 2021 coup as it condemned the juntas more than 100 military strikes in the earthquake-ravaged country. Fighting across civil war-ravaged Myanmar has continued as the military was accused of breaching the ceasefire declaration even as a catastrophic earthquake killed more than 3,600 people, with 5,018 injured and 145 missing. The true extent of the devastation caused by the powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake on 28 March remains unknown as the continuing civil war in the country between the military and rebel ethnic groups has fractured the country, with many parts out of the juntas control. On Friday, the UN criticised the military government for breaching the ceasefire and obstructing humanitarian aid to survivors in rebel-held territories. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UNHCR, said military forces have reportedly carried out over 120 attacks, more than half of them after the truce was due to have taken effect on 2 April. Most of these attacks have been aerial and artillery strikes, including in areas impacted by the earthquake, she said. open image in gallery At least 3,649 people were killed in the recent earthquake in Myanmar ( AP ) She called on the military to announce a full amnesty for detainees it has imprisoned since the 2021 military coup, including Nobel Peace Prize winner Ms Suu Kyi, and president U Win Myint. As the traditionally festive season of Thingyan and the start of a new year begins on Sunday in Myanmar, we call for common efforts to assist those in greatest need. In this spirit we call on the military to announce a full amnesty for detainees it has incarcerated since February 2021, including state counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint, she said. In a statement, the UN high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, said he calls on the military to remove any and all obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to cease military operations. He called on all parties in Myanmar to allow humanitarian workers to reach those in need. open image in gallery The debris of a collapsed building in Mandalay, Myanmar ( AFP via Getty ) Ms Suu Kyi has been held in detention in a prison in Naypyidaw since the fall of her government in 2021, with calls demanding her release coming as concern for her health grows as she has been held in solitary confinement for the last four years. The Independent TV documentary Cancelled: The Rise and Fall of Aung San Suu Kyi shines a light on her continued imprisonment. Ms Suu Kyi, 79, is serving prison sentences totalling 27 years after being convicted in a series of politically tainted prosecutions. Her situation after the earthquake remains unknown as the military government has refused to allow her to meet with any outsiders, including a special envoy from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to which Myanmar belongs. The UN special rapporteur on Myanmar, Tom Andrews, on Thursday urged the UN Security Council to step in to stop Myanmars military government from continuing attacks on rebel-held territories and obstructing aid to earthquake survivors. open image in gallery Medical workers treat an earthquake survivor on a bed in the compound of a hospital in Naypyidaw ( AFP via Getty ) He said the junta has doubled down on its military operations, making things significantly worse in Myanmar since it announced a ceasefire. The Security Council should urgently consider a resolution that demands that all parties to the conflict in Myanmar cease offensive military operations and that the junta immediately end its human rights violations and obstruction of humanitarian relief efforts, the special rapporteur said. He said the military has chosen to violate its own ceasefire, launching dozens of new attacks with devastating results. Meanwhile, it continues to obstruct aid from reaching untold numbers of those in desperate need. This is making a terrible situation devastatingly worse, he added. The earthquake destroyed 48,834 houses, 3,094 Buddhist monasteries and nunneries, 2,045 schools, 2,171 departmental offices and buildings, 148 bridges and 5,275 pagodas, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The habitat of one of the worlds cutest endangered animals is being threatened by human-caused climate change. The Caspian seal is the only marine mammal found in the 143,200-square-mile Caspian Sea. Now, researchers say water levels in the worlds largest landlocked body of water are getting lower as temperatures rise. But there is hope for the native species if humans take urgent action, experts note. Some Caspian Sea level decline appears unavoidable, even with action to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. Dr. Simon Goodman, of the United Kingdoms University of Leeds, said in a statement. 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 wellbeing, He added: 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. open image in gallery Caspian seals have been listed as an endangered species since 2008. Researchers say climate change could further impact their survival and their Caspian Sea home ( Central Asian Institute of Ecological Research (CAIER), Almaty, Kazakhstan ) Goodman supervised new research into the seals predicament, which was published Thursday in the journal Nature Communications Earth & Environment. Even if global warming is limited to below about 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius), it is likely that the level of the sea which borders Russia and Iran will decline by 16 to 32 feet. If temperatures rise further, the researchers said levels could fall by as much as 68 feet by 2100. An area larger than the size of Iceland is likely to dry up, they said, even in an optimistic scenario. All of the shrinking and drying could have significant consequences for biodiversity and the coastal communities that rely on the water resource, researchers warn. open image in gallery Caspian seals are one of many species that rely on the Caspian Sea. Hundreds of fish and invertebrates also live there ( Sarah DelBen, Central Asian Institute of Ecological Research (CAIER), Almaty, Kazakhstan ) For humans, an exposed seabed is likely to release dust containing industrial contaminants and salt, threatening human health. Loss of water could also further impact the climate, leading to reduced rainfall and drier conditions across central Asia. In addition to the seal, there are hundreds of species of fish and invertebrates that live in the Caspian Sea. Among them are six species of sturgeon, and declining water levels are expected to restrict their access to spawning rivers. For Caspian seals it also means significantly reduced breeding habitat, with a 16-foot decline reducing the ice in the northern sea where the seals give birth by as much as 81 percent. There are now an estimated 75,000 and 270,000 seals in the sea, according to the Caspian Policy Center. The population was once estimated at close to one million in the early 20th century. The seal was listed as endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 2008. The seals have already been threatened by hunting, fishing operations, disease, disruption of the food chain, and loss of habitat. The Caspian sea in addition is threatened by pollution, overfishing, and invasive species. open image in gallery The sea level decline would also make all areas on land where the seals rest inaccessible, the researchers said. They recommend affected communities take urgent action in response to the threat ( Assel Baimukanova, Institute of Hydrobiology & Ecology ) The sea level decline is also expected to make all areas on land where seals currently rest inaccessible. In addition, the coverage of existing marine protected areas is projected to disappear nearly entirely for all countries but Kazakhstan. Going forward, the authors recommended that affected areas reduce planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, monitor ecosystems, support resilient coastal infrastructure, and devise legislation that enables the creation of protected areas. We hope this research will help to raise awareness of the trajectory and potential impacts of the falling sea level, said Dr. Rebecca Court, a researcher at Leeds. The mapping should better equip policymakers and conservationists to plan for and address the numerous issues in advance. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Major tropical storm tides that swamp Bangladesh's coast once a century may strike every 10 years or even more frequently by 2100, a new study says. Densely populated Bangladesh is already one of the worlds most cyclone-prone countries and the climate crisis is drastically increasing the likelihood of extreme storm tides. If fossil fuel emissions continue at current rates, Bangladesh may witness a tenfold rise in extreme flooding from storm tides by the end of this century, the study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology estimates. In the event of continued global heating and sea level rise, the height of storm tides will likely increase by over a metre, from about 3.5m currently to over 5m in some regions, says the study published in the journal One Earth on Friday. We are seeing an almost tenfold rise in the recurrence of destructive storm tides almost anywhere you look in Bangladesh, says Sai Ravela, principal research scientist at MIT Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences. This cannot be ignored. Storm tides are caused when cyclones push seawater inland, especially when they coincide with high tides. These floods can be catastrophic in deltaic regions like Bangladesh, which is already threatened by rising seas and increasingly severe storms. The South Asian country is mostly a low-lying, densely populated delta with over 171 million people. Its coastal regions are regularly battered by cyclones, and the country also experiences intense seasonal monsoons. But the new modelling shows the separation between these two events is disappearing, meaning it could increasingly be hit by overlapping disasters. If the monsoon rain has come in and saturated the soil, a cyclone then comes in and it makes the problem much worse, Dr Ravela says. People wont have any reprieve between the extreme storm and the monsoon. There are so many compound and cascading effects between the two. People wade along a flooded road following heavy monsoon rainfall in Sylhet in 2022 ( AFP/Getty ) The MIT study uses high-resolution climate and hydrodynamic models to simulate tens of thousands of cyclones under different warming scenarios and concludes that even the most extreme storm tides, once considered 100-year events could become regular occurrences. The study warns the timing of the cyclone season may shift, pushing closer to Bangladeshs monsoon season and increasing the risk of back-to-back floods. In recent years, Bangladesh has made major investments in cyclone shelters, embankments and early warning systems, but the preparations have largely been based on present-day risks. Bangladesh is very active in preparing for climate hazards and risks, but the problem is, everything they are doing is more or less based on what theyre seeing in the present climate, Dr Ravela says. So we think this is timely, to say they have to pause and revisit how they protect against these storms. Bangladesh has faced some of the deadliest tropical cyclones in recorded history. The 1970 Bhola cyclone killed between 300,000 and 500,000 people and a 1991 cyclone killed over 138,000 people. Repeated floods and storms have already triggered internal migration from coastal regions to urban areas such as Dhaka, straining infrastructure and services. The World Bank estimates that by 2050, up to 13 million Bangladeshis could be displaced due to the consequences of the climate crisis. Though the study is focused on Bangladesh, the researchers say the broader message applies worldwide. This climate change story that is playing out in Bangladesh will be playing out elsewhere too, Dr Ravela argues. Maybe where youre, the story is about heat stress, or amplifying droughts or wildfires. The peril is different. But the underlying catastrophe story is not that different. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At least 100 people have been killed in the past 24 hours across three northern Indian states due to intense thunderstorms and lightning strikes, according to local authorities, as rainfall brings some relief to the searing heatwave. The deadliest toll was reported from the state of Bihar, where 82 people died. Earlier, 20 deaths were reported in just one district. Uttar Pradesh, another northern state, 18 people died due to lightning. One farmer died in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, officials said. In neighbouring Nepal, lightning strikes and heavy rain killed at least eight people, National Disaster Authority officials said. Most of the victims were caught outdoors during the storms, despite prior warnings issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD). At least a dozen states were under a yellow alert warning for thunderstorms. However, dissemination of information and response challenges remain a concern in India, particularly in rural areas. In the Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh, police said several people were working in agricultural fields when the storm hit. Local media reports said there were injuries and property damage in some areas. Authorities are urging residents to stay indoors and follow advisories as more storms are expected this week. Chief ministers of UP and Bihar have announced 4 lakh rupees in compensation for the victims. The rainy weather has also come as a relief to northern India as temperatures across region are likely to dip by 35 degree Celsius over the next three days. However, IMD said the temperatures will rise again. More heavy rain and storms are forecast in parts of Bihar on Friday and Saturday, including in districts like Madhubani, Darbhanga, East and West Champaran, Gaya, Supaul, Sitamarhi, Patna, and others. File: A bolt of lightning strikes in the horizon in India ( AP ) Lightning has become the deadliest natural hazard in India, accounting for nearly 36 per cent of weather-related deaths, according to the National Crime Records Bureau. Between 1967 and 2020, more than 101,000 people have died due to lightning strikes. The frequency of these events and the death toll, has increased in the past decade, with the climate crisis making rainfall more erratic, scientists say. This rise is also being driven by deforestation and greater exposure as more people work outdoors. A recent study by Indias Ministry of Earth Sciences found that lightning activity in the country increased by over 30 per cent between 2020 and 2022. "Warmer air holds more moisture and increases the energy available for storms. With more intense heating of land surfaces, we're seeing stronger convection and cloud buildup, which can lead to more lightning," Mahesh Palawat, vice president of meteorology at Skymet Weather, told The Independent in an earlier interview. India has launched awareness campaigns like the Lightning Resilient India initiative and mobile apps such as Damini, which gives real-time lightning alerts. However, access to these tools is still limited in remote areas where fatal strikes are more common. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump has escalated his trade war with China, confirming a staggering 125 per cent tariff on goods imported to the US on Thursday. This is on top of the existing 20 per cent levy for Chinas alleged role in fentanyl trade, the White House confirmed; bringing tariffs to 145 per cent. Now, Beijing has responded by matching a new 125 per cent tariff on imported US goods. The trade war will hit US consumers hard, with Chinese imports spread across major industries and supply chains - and Apples iPhone in the firing line. Chinese President Xi Jinping said earlier that there were no winners in a tariff war in a meeting with the Spanish prime minister on Friday. Earlier this week, President Trump postponed retaliatory tariffs for all countries except China, in what has become a tit-for-tat levies exchange between the two countries. If the US insists on having its way, China will fight to the end, the Chinese commerce ministry has warned. What Chinese goods will be affected? Of all the countries hit with tariffs, Americans will likely feel the impact of Chinas most and soon. Meanwhile, as the worlds largest exporter, China sells products to nearly every country. This adds a layer of economic protection against Trumps tariffs, since the US makes up just 14 per cent of its goods exports. The 145 per cent total tariff on imported Chinese goods is the highest of any country. And more importantly, American consumers are highly reliant these goods, through many parts of the supply chain. Unsurprisingly, electronics and machinery are the top goods imported to the US from China, at $208bn in 2023 alone. open image in gallery Almost all iPhones are still assembled in China, as Apple products risk price increases from 104% tariffs. ( Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) These products span all elements of Americans lives; from computers to domestic appliances, and electric batteries. Smartphones are the biggest single export (9 per cent of the total) - and not just Chinese brands such as Huawei, but also American tech leaders including Samsung and Apple which manufacture in China. On a wider scale, drugs and medicines will likely face price shocks as pharmaceutical companies import billions in ingredients from China each year. This expense will ultimately fall to patients, warns Dr Michael Aziz, a board-certified internist and regenerative medicine specialist. "The effect of tariffs on prices of these drugs will be mostly be absorbed by patients, retail pharmacies versus insurance companies, said Dr Aziz. I believe that the rapid application of those tariffs leaves doctors and patients totally unprepared. Many will skip their meds if they cant afford those generic drugs." open image in gallery Trump Tariffs Ending Exemption ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Textile imports worth $36bn will also impact regular consumers; particularly since more and more clothing brands import from China, such as Nike and H&M. The US is also ending an exemption that allowed low-value products to avoid tariffs. This means that cheap, American-favourite clothing and homeware brands such as Shein and Temu may face tariffs for the first time and be forced to increase their prices. The US-China trade relationship Previously, retaliatory tariffs from China only covered specific industries such as fuel and agricultural products. Now, all US exports to China will be hit. The US imports far more from China than it exports. In 2024, goods exported to China were worth $143.5bn, according to the US Trade Representative office. Meanwhile, the US bought three times as many goods ($438.9bn) in the same period. This makes the trade deficit $295bn in 2024 - a 5.8 per cent increase from the previous year; and a prime target for President Trump. This means that the US will be less affected by retaliatory tariffs, Dr Xin Sun, a senior lecturer in Chinese and East Asian business at KCL, told The Independent. "Given the imbalance in trade between China and US, the damage caused by China's retaliation to US is due to be smaller than the impact of US tariff on China, which is not only the highest among all countries but also affects a wider range of sectors. In addition, the economic ties between China and the US have already been shrinking, and the US-China trade relationship accounts for less than five per cent of global goods trade. "There's been a significant unwinding in the economic ties between these countries since the middle of part of the last decade, explains Simon Evenett, Professor of Geopolitics and Strategy at the International Institute for Management Development. The disengagement has been well underway. What we're seeing now is the next chapter in the process of decoupling between these geopolitical rivals," he said. Retaliatory tariffs on US industries According to 2023 data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), around half of all goods exported to China are concentrated within five key categories. The top goods exports are fuel products, including crude and petroleum oil, propane, and liquefied natural gas, which were worth $23.6bn in 2023 (the latest available data). While the US is a big buyer of machinery and electronics from China, it is also reliant on China buying its own technology. China bought $17bn in machinery and parts from the US in 2023, and $12bn in electronics. The top products most affected by reciprocal tariffs, are integrated circuits and gas turbines. While Mr Trump was quick to slap tariffs on foreign-made cars and parts, the US also exports $7.5bn in cars to China, which will now be impacted by its reciprocal 125 per cent tariffs. Other areas of the transport manufacturing sector, namely aviation, have billions of dollars in goods at risk. Dr Mary Lovely, Senior Fellow at Peterson Institute for International Economics, said major American brands will suffer from the changes. We had settled into a new routine, and now that status quo was just completely upended by the tariffs from both sides, she told The Independent. I think long term, this actually reduces the prospects for companies like Boeing. This is going to impact companies like Apple and Caterpillar exports - companies which also export to [China]. The US pharmaceutical industry is also a major exporter to China, selling over $7.5bn in vaccines and packaged medicine in 2023, alongside $3.3bn in medical instruments. US farmers set to suffer most Most of all, Dr Lovely believes that the US agricultural sector will be worst hit by Chinas tariffs. China is a top buyer of its vegetable products ($20bn) not least US soy ($15bn), buying over half of all US exports. Billions in American meat and animal products will also be affected, while Mr Trump attempts to force the UK to buy chlorinated chicken in exchange for tax relief. open image in gallery Soybeans are one of the American products hardest hit by retaliatory tariffs ( Scott Olson/Getty Images ) These tariffs on farmers could have a significant impact on Trump's core political base, Dr Sun warned, pointing out that agriculture is a key export from the US to China. Dr Sun said: "Since agriculture constitutes a lion share of US export to China, China's retaliation has a bigger impact on some of Trump's core political base. By targeting this population, China hopes to cause political pains for Trump and force him to back down somewhat. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Scientists have identified an ancient jawbone discovered in Taiwan as belonging to the Denisovans, an elusive group of early human relatives. Denisovans, who co-existed with Neanderthals and Homo sapiens, remain a poorly understood group. "Denisovan fossils are very scarce," noted Takumi Tsutaya of the Graduate University for Advanced Studies in Japan, highlighting the significance of the find. To date, confirmed Denisovan fossils are limited to fragmented remains, including jawbones, teeth, and a finger bone, primarily found in Siberian and Tibetan caves. Some researchers suggest that fossils discovered in a cave in Laos may also be attributed 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. open image in gallery This photo provided by researchers in April 2025 shows the coast of Taiwan's Penghu Islands at low tide in January 2024, and how the shallow sea extends out, near where a fossil jawbone was found in the Penghu Channel. (Takumi Tsutaya via AP) ( Takumi Tsutaya ) 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. 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. open image in gallery This illustration provided by researchers in April 2025 depicts a Denisovan male in Taiwan in the Pleistocene era about 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago. (Cheng-Han Sun via AP) ( Cheng-Han Sun (illustrator) and Cheng-Hsiu Tsai (copyright owner) ) 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. 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. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police are investigating after a woman was sexually assaulted at Dover Castle. Officers are looking for witnesses of the alleged incident, which reportedly took place around 1.30pm on Sunday in the wartime tunnels of the medieval castle. They described the suspect as a white man in his forties who was wearing a black or grey tracksuit. Kent Police has carried out a number of enquiries, including reviewing CCTV footage. A Dover Castle spokesperson said: "We can confirm that on Sunday we reported an incident which took place at one of our gift shops and we are supporting the police in their ongoing investigation. The Dover Castle tunnels are a group guided tour experience and visitors are accompanied at all times." The wartime tunnels are a network within the white cliffs, beneath the Grade I-listed castle, founded in the eleventh century. Its tunnels were used during the Second World War as the command centre for Operation Dynamo, the mission to evacuate British and Allied soldiers from Dunkirk. With communication rooms, planning areas, sleeping quarters and hospital rooms, it became a headquarters. The Kent-based castle has been described as the Key to England due to its defensive significance throughout history. As well as its role in the Second World War, the tunnels served as barracks for soldiers during the Napoleonic Wars. The castle was also equipped to serve as a regional seat of government in the 1960s in the event of a nuclear war. Kent Police urged anyone who witnessed what happened or may have dashcam or CCTV footage that might assist to call them on 01843 222289, quoting 46/57568/25. The force also directed people to call Crimestoppers for any anonymous tip offs on 0800 555111, or to complete an online form. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police officers went undercover as Batman and Robin in a bizarre sting operation to catch con artists on Westminster Bridge. The two Metropolitan Police officers could be seen running through swarms of people on the central London bridge before reprimanding the suspects. The officers, who are part of the local neighbourhood team, decided to use the creative tactic after criminals began to recognise them from afar. open image in gallery Westminster Bridge is known to be a hotspot for scammers and con artists ( Met police ) Lambeth Met Police shared the video on social media, adding that both men arrested in the video have now been convicted. The force said: We know criminality on Westminster Bridge is a concern for the public. We will continue to target those involved, arrest them and continue to put them before the courts." One of the men remanded was Costica Barbu, who was convicted the following day and fined 925. open image in gallery The officers used the creative tactic after criminals began to recognise them and flee ( Met police ) On Thursday a second man, Eugen Stoica was convicted at Croydon Magistrates Court in his absence. The Met said he was previously granted bail but left the country and failed to appear at court, adding that a warrant has now been issued for his arrest. Despite being a few steps from the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Bridge is known to be a hotspot for scammers and con artists. Tourists who flock to the bridge are sometimes caught up in a cup and ball gambling game, operated by illegal gangs. The issue has previously been raised at the London Assembly, with the Met Police having recognised the issues caused by the cup and ball scammers. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Prince Harry suggested the decision to downgrade his personal protection was an attempt to prevent him and his wife Meghan Markle from quitting as working royals and moving abroad, according to a newspaper report. The report in The Telegraph, which Buckingham Palace sources have strongly denied, said the Duke of Sussex said his worst fears about the withdrawal of his police protection were confirmed by evidence heard in private during his legal battle against the Home Office. Harry is challenging the dismissal of his High Court claim against the 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. A two-day hearing this week sat partly in private to hear confidential evidence, with the Telegraph reporting the duke was unhappy with what he heard. open image in gallery Prince Harry was in court in London for the two-day hearing Speaking to the newspaper as he left the Royal Courts of Justice, Harry said people would be shocked by whats being held back, adding that his worst fears have been confirmed by the whole legal disclosure in this case and thats really sad. The newspaper said Harry suggested the decision was designed to stop the pair from quitting their duties. Harry said: We were trying to create this happy house. The appeal comes after retired High Court judge Sir Peter Lane ruled last year that Ravecs decision, taken in early 2020 after Harry and Meghan quit as senior working royals, was lawful. The Home Office, which has legal responsibility for the committees decisions, is opposing the appeal, with its lawyers previously telling the High Court that decisions were taken on a case-by-case basis. The Telegraph said Harry admitted he was exhausted and overwhelmed by the legal battle and suggested he considered the case more important than his legal battle against tabloids, saying this one always mattered the most. At the end of the hearing on Wednesday, judge Sir Geoffrey Vos said the Court of Appeals decision would be given in writing at a later date, which was most unlikely to be before Easter. open image in gallery Harry and Meghan announced they were stepping back from royal duties in 2020 Sir Geoffrey, sitting with Lord Justice Bean and Lord Justice Edis, said: Plainly we will take our time to consider our judgments. Harry and Meghan announced they were stepping back from official public duties on January 8 2020. The duke and duchess were later told during the so-called Sandringham summit, which aimed to agree the terms of their new role, that they would not be able to retain the full-time police protection. Such protection is currently granted to the King and Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children. Ravecs final decision shared on February 28 2020 stated that Metropolitan Police protection would no longer be appropriate after the Sussexes departure, and that they should receive a different degree of protection when in the UK. The Sussexes would instead receive a bespoke security service, whereby they would be required to give 30 days notice of any plans to travel to the UK, with each visit being assessed for threat levels and whether protection is needed. Shaheed Fatima KC, who represents Harry, told the appeal hearing that the duke had been singled out for different, unjustified and inferior treatment, adding that Harry does not accept that bespoke means better. The Home Office told the court the challenge 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. Sir James Eadie KC, for the Home Office, said Ravec was faced with a unique set of circumstances. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Three weeks of sunshine in the south of England has been a boon for strawberry growers, who have produced a staggering haul of the lush fruit ahead of Easter. Typically, strawberry season starts in May and peaks around June or July, but the recent sunny spells mean the British-grown fruit will be in supermarkets in time sooner. West Sussex grower The Summer Berry Company, based in Colworth, near Chichester, said the recent warmer weather has helped it produce 200 tonnes of strawberries - 50 tonnes more than by the same time last year. Strawberries take anywhere from six to 11 months until they are ready to pick, depending on whether they are grown in a glasshouse or tunnel. Commercial director Jack Darnes said: "We're really excited about the boost in strawberry production to kick off the first big harvests of the British season. "The warm weather, combined with our innovative growing methods, means the plants are healthy and producing lush, sweet-tasting fruit. "Strawberry plants love the English spring and summer climate; not too hot, not too cold with warm days and cool nights. This is why we produce the best strawberries in the world." open image in gallery Grower Rumen Purnanov shows off the bumper crop of The Summer Berry Company (The Summer Berry Company/PA) ( PA Media ) But the early glut of strawberries wont reduce the amount available later in the year and growers insist the increased strawberry yield wont have any impact on the amount available at Wimbledon this summer. Bartosz Pinkosz, UK operations director at The Summer Berry Company explained the glass houses and tunnels produce strawberries from the shoulder months, and in the field in the summer months meaning they can produce the fruit all year round. The full year production is not compromised. The fruit for Wimbledon is produced from our tunnels which are two to three weeks away from the first pick, he told The Independent. Tesco berry buyer Callum Baker said that the growth burst would mean an estimated 500,000 punnets of strawberries arriving at its stores in East and West Sussex. He said that the varieties grown were malling centenary and fandango, which were chosen for their "eating quality and flavour". "The arrival in stores of the first spring-grown British strawberries of the year creates a feel-good factor because it signifies the start of the UK fruit season and that summer is on the way, he said. "But their availability also brings a cheer from shoppers because British-grown strawberries are considered to be the best in the world because of our climate. "Strawberries taste naturally sweeter when ripened in periods of sunny weather because it boosts their natural sugars. "Dry conditions also enhance their flavour as the lack of rain helps make the fruit firmer and more flavourful." Last year, The Summer Berry Company, together with another grower, Wicks Farm - both based in West Sussex - became the first UK growers to produce commercial quantities of strawberries all year long. They produced 38 tonnes of the fruit for the festive period, an increase of 40 per cent on the same period in 2023. BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sent congratulations to the 9th summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), which opened Wednesday in Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. In a congratulatory message, Xi said that the world today is undergoing accelerated changes unseen in a century and that the Global South, including China as well as Latin American and Caribbean countries, is growing with a strong momentum. CELAC has remained committed to independence, self-reliance and strength through unity, playing an important role in safeguarding regional peace and stability, promoting development and cooperation, and advancing regional integration, he said. The Chinese president sincerely wished the countries and people of Latin America and the Caribbean greater achievements on the path to development and revitalization so as to make greater contributions to the solidarity and cooperation of the Global South. China-Latin America relations, Xi said, have withstood the test of international turbulence and entered a new stage marked by equality, mutual benefit, innovation, openness and tangible benefits for the people. The two sides have deepened political trust, expanded practical cooperation and enhanced people-to-people exchanges, delivering benefits to both peoples and setting an example for South-South cooperation, he said, voicing China's readiness to work with countries in the region to push for new progress in building a China-Latin America community with a shared future. This year, China will host the fourth ministerial meeting of the China-CELAC Forum in Beijing, Xi noted. All CELAC member states are welcome to join China in a concerted effort to facilitate development and cooperation and contribute wisdom and strength to addressing global challenges, driving reform in global governance and safeguarding world peace and stability, Xi said. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice US tariffs are set to cause an uneven storm across the UK with Coventry expected to be the worst affected, a think tank has warned. The West Midlands, the home of British car manufacturing, and Wales, which is a significant contributor to British steel, are likely to take the brunt of the economic impact caused by Donald Trumps escalating trade war, a study by Centre for Cities shows. The 10 per cent tariff on all imports will see the cost of UK goods rise across the Atlantic, from artisan cheese and beer to cars and machinery. But the additional 25 per cent tariff on steel and aluminium is set to significantly impact car manufacturing and the British steel industry. Coventry is the most exposed city, where more than 22 per cent of its total exports are estimated to be goods to the US. It is closely followed by Derby with 19.9 per cent of its goods exported to the US and Telford at 13.3 per cent, according to 2016 to 2022 data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). Overall, 14.3 per cent of exports in Wales are to the US and 15.4 per cent in the West Midlands, Centre for Cities found through analysis of this data. On the other hand, the least impacted city is York at 2.7 per cent, which is seven times less exposed by tariffs than Coventry. Edinburgh (2.9 per cent), London (3.2 per cent) and Cardiff (3.7 per cent) all have low exposure to the impact of tariffs. That is because their economies are more service-oriented, and their goods exports make up a small share of their export industries. The West Midlands is a major hub for British car manufacturing, with notable brands like Jaguar, Land Rover, and Aston Martin. open image in gallery The PSA Peugeot Citroen factory in Ryton, near Coventry ( AFP via Getty Images ) British Steels headquarters is in Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire, with rolling mills in Teesside and Skinningrove. But Port Talbot in south Wales is home to the largest steel works in the UK. Gareth Stace, UK Steel director general, argued that US president Donald Trump has taken a sledgehammer to free trade with huge ramifications for the steel sector. Our high-quality products serve key US industries, many of which cannot source these domestically. This is a moment where our countries should work together to tackle global steel overproduction, not to be at loggerheads, he added. The government is now considering nationalising British Steel as fears grow that the companys blast furnaces in Scunthorpe could run out of raw materials within days. There are fears that without government support, there could be huge job losses. The motor industry is also warning there could be 25,000 job losses in the UK due to 25 per cent tariffs on automobiles and parts. open image in gallery British Steel's Scunthorpe plant, pictured in north Lincolnshire ( AFP via Getty Images ) Car manufacturer Morgan Motors, based in Malvern, West Midlands, exports about 30 per cent of its products and builds around 650 cars a year. Bosses are concerned the tariffs will impact growth. The tariffs are not good news, and we do not welcome them at all. In the short term, it could stop people from purchasing cars, James Guilbert, head of communications, told The Independent. There will be a knock-on impact to the wider supply chain, we buy materials from other suppliers in the Midlands and if they are impacted, we will be too. The British Beer and Pub Association (BBPA) pointed out that its 126m trade with the US could be wiped out with a 25 per cent tariff charge on aluminium cans. CEO Emma McClarkin said: We urge the government to defend the great British brewing industry and strike a deal which removes these harmful tariffs. With the enormous cost of doing business, many British brewers wont be able to sustain a hit such as this from one of our biggest trading partners." Morgan Schondelmeir, tax and trade policy manager at BBPA told The Independent: It will decrease the incentive for smaller breweries to export. Although the amount exported is relatively small, this additional 25 per cent tariff on cans is only being applied to beer - not other beverages sold in cans. We are the only beverage being targeted specifically. Responding to the latest on tariffs on Wednesday afternoon, doing a trade deal with the US or changing the rates of American tariffs will not be "enough", Sir Keir Starmer said. Asked by ITV's Peston if the 10 per cent tariff on importing goods to the US would be in place forever, the prime minister replied: "Look, I don't know. "We are negotiating and we hope to improve the situation, but what I mean by this is that simply thinking that any change in the rates, or any deal is going to be enough, to my mind is wrong, because just as we've done with defence and security, where we've recognised it's a changing world, we've got to step up and act differently. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Tommy Robinson has claimed prison segregation is making him ill in a bid to reduce his 18-month jail term for repeating libellous allegations against a Syrian refugee. The far-right activist, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was jailed for contempt of court last October after he admitted to 10 breaches of a High Court order made in 2021. The 42-year-old was accused of thumbing his nose at the court in front of millions of people in the flagrant breaches, including airing a documentary at a rally in Trafalgar Square last July. Sentencing him at Woolwich Crown Court last year, Mr Justice Johnson said Robinsons breaches were not accidental, negligent or merely reckless and that the custodial threshold is amply crossed. open image in gallery Tommy Robinson at a protest in June 2024 ( PA Archive ) Robinson had been barred from repeating false allegations against a refugee called Jamal Hijazi. Mr Hijazi successfully sued Robinson for libel after the then-schoolboy was assaulted at Almondbury Community School in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, in October 2018. However, defamatory allegations against the schoolboy were repeated in six podcast and YouTube interviews undertaken by Robinson since February 2023, including with Jordan Peterson. A 90-minute documentary called Silenced, which substantially repeats the allegations was also published or aired on four occasions, including on Twitter/X where it was viewed by 44 million people and to crowds at a rally in Trafalgar Square in July 2024. At one point the film was reshared by controversial far-right influencer Andrew Tate to 2.2 million followers. The founder of the now-defunct English Defence League is currently set to be released on 26 July. However he appealed his sentence at the High Court on Friday, arguing his detention in prison segregation is impacting his mental health. The Solicitor General opposes the appeal, which Robinson attended via videolink from HMP Woodhill in Milton Keynes. open image in gallery Robinson is being held at HMP Woodhill, a category B mens prison in Milton Keynes ( PA Archive ) Alisdair Williamson KC told the court that Robinson suffers from ADHD and "complex post-traumatic stress disorder", which, when combined with his segregation in prison, was having a "demonstrable effect" on him. He said: "Mr Justice Johnson acknowledged that ... there could be an effect on Mr Yaxley-Lennon's mental health and, along with other factors, he reduced the sentence he was going to impose by one sixth, four months. "But he did not have before him this additional factor, which in of itself means that the conditions that Mr Yaxley-Lennon faces are more onerous." He continued: "He is being kept safe by the authorities in segregation, but being kept safe is making him ill, and more ill than Mr Justice Johnson could have foreseen on the basis of the information before him. "We invite this court to interfere with that order to reduce the sentence imposed." The appeal comes after he last month lost a legal challenge over his detention in solitary confinement due to threats against him in prison, claiming it was damaging his mental health. The Ministry of Justice opposed his bid, telling the court his segregation was substantively more permissive than standard regimes, with access to a laptop and emails, several hours of daily exercise and four hours of social phone calls each day. Tom Cross, representing the ministry, noted that 120 people had been authorised to visit Robinson, with more than 80 visits already conducted. A judge dismissed his challenge, saying his case was not arguable. open image in gallery Robinson was handed an 18-month jail term for contempt of court last October ( PA Wire ) In written submissions for the appeal hearing on Friday, Aidan Eardley KC, for the Solicitor General, said that Robinson's sentence involved a "punitive element" and a "coercive element". The "coercive element" four months would be deducted from Robinson's sentence if he "were to demonstrate a commitment to comply with the injunction". However he said Robinson "remains defiantly in breach of the order" and was asking for the court's "indulgence". He added there was "no evidence that the conditions in which the appellant is being held are more severe than was anticipated" by Mr Justice Johnson. He said: "There are no grounds for altering the sentence in this case. "(Mr Justice Johnson) was fully apprised of the risk that a further period of imprisonment in conditions restricting the appellant's ability to associate with other prisoners might have a detrimental impact on the appellant's mental health and determined the sentence accordingly." Lady Chief Justice Baroness Carr, Lord Justice Edis and Lord Justice Warby will hand down their ruling at a later date. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Veteran Conservative politician Michael Gove has received a peerage in Rishi Sunaks resignation honours list. Mr Gove, who stepped down as an MP at the last general election, features on the list alongside former chief whip Simon Hart and former Scotland secretary Alister Jack - both close allies of the former prime minister. Mark Harper, who served as transport secretary under Mr Sunak, former attorney general Victoria Prentis, ex-Conservative Party CEO Stephen Massey, and Eleanor Shawcross, former director of the No 10 policy unit, have also been handed peerages. Meanwhile, former cabinet ministers Jeremy Hunt, James Cleverly, Grant Shapps and Mel Stride have been given knighthoods, as well as former England cricketer James Anderson. open image in gallery Former Conservative cabinet minister Jeremy Hunt has been given a knighthood ( PA Wire ) Mr Gove, who held multiple cabinet posts over his political career, including education, environment, and housing secretary, never held one of the UKs three great offices of state - but was a highly influential figure in successive Conservative governments. He also ran for the party leadership in 2016, scuppering Boris Johnsons leadership bid and sparking a long-standing rift between the pair. Mr Gove went on to serve in Mr Johnsons cabinet but was sacked in the final hours of his time in office after calls for him to resign. It is a well-established tradition for outgoing prime ministers to hand peerages and other gongs to key allies after they leave office. Mr Sunak had already awarded honours to a number of close aides, including a peerage for his former chief of staff Liam Booth-Smith and a knighthood for deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden, which were handed out in a separate dissolution honours list to mark the end of the last parliament following the general election. Meanwhile, Liz Truss sparked outrage with her resignation honours list by handing out peerages after just 49 days in office, which ended after she caused a meltdown in the markets following her mini-budget. Mr Sunak had faced demands to block the handout of honours given the short-lived nature of her premiership, with critics branding the list shameless. While Labour has vowed to bring down the number of peers in the House of Lords, Sir Keir Starmer has handed out a number of peerages since becoming prime minister - including to Sue Gray, his former chief of staff - and to several former Labour MPs who exited parliament at the last election. The House of Lords has around 800 unelected members, compared with the 650 capped number of MPs. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Keir Starmer has warned that the future of British Steels Scunthorpe plant hangs in the balance as he unveiled emergency plans on Friday to take control of the company. The prime minister will pass a bill through parliament in a single day on Saturday in an extraordinary step aimed at securing the future of the site. He stopped short of saying the government would nationalise the firm, but said its emergency bill will give ministers the power to direct steel companies in England, which we will use to protect the Scunthorpe site. Officials made it clear on Friday the emergency bill was being tabled in a bid to keep the sites blast furnaces online, with nationalisation the likely next step. open image in gallery Keir Starmer says the future of British Steel hangs in the balance ( PA ) After crunch talks with British Steels Chinese owner Jingye, officials in the Department for Business and Trade believed its intention was to stop the supply of raw materials needed to keep the blast furnaces operating. If the furnaces are stopped, it is extremely difficult and costly to them back online. The governments Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill will give business secretary Jonathan Reynolds the power to direct British Steel staff to order raw materials and keep the furnaces online. It will mean British taxpayers picking up the bill for the loss-making site, although government insiders stressed that the alternative, which would lead to thousands of job losses, would also be extremely costly. It means MPs will be recalled on a Saturday during recess for the first time since the Falklands War began in 1982. The last time parliament was recalled was on 18 August 2021 to debate the crisis in Afghanistan. open image in gallery Business secretary Jonathan Reynolds has held talks with Jingye ( PA ) Announcing the recall, Sir Keir said: This afternoon, the future of British steel hangs in the balance. Jobs. Investment. Growth. Our economic and national security are all on the line. This moment could have happened at any time. But it has happened now. And I will not stand by. There is no time to waste. So we are recalling parliament tomorrow for a Saturday sitting. We will pass emergency legislation in one day to give the business secretary the powers to do everything possible to stop the closure of these blast furnaces. And as I have said, we will keep all options on the table. Ministers fear closure of the furnace would leave the UK without any domestic virgin steelmakers. A message sent to Labour MPs, seen by The Independent, said they will be asked to support the government passing emergency legislation, with whips demanding to know their locations and whether they will be available to vote. Business and trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds and officials met with the chief executives of Jingye and British Steel on Wednesday for discussions on steelmaking in Scunthorpe. The Chinese firm has said it has invested more than 1.2bn into British Steel to maintain operations and claims it suffered financial losses of around 700,000 a day. A statement after the meeting said both sides welcomed continued cooperation in talks to find a way forward. The Saturday sitting will begin at 11am, when MPs will debate "legislative proposals to ensure the continued operation of British Steel blast furnaces is safeguarded", according to the office of Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons speaker. open image in gallery The threatened steelworks in Scunthorpe ( PA ) In a letter to MPs, Sir Lindsay said he was satisfied the "public interest" required the recall from the Easter break. Roy Rickhuss, general secretary of steelworkers' union Community, said: "We welcome this decision to recall parliament. "It is in the national interest that a solution is found to secure a future for British Steel as a vital strategic business. "We can't allow Britain to become the only G7 country without primary steelmaking capacity. "In the absence of a deal with Jingye to continue blast furnace operations at Scunthorpe as part of a transition to greener steelmaking, it is essential that we see urgent action taken to bring British Steel into public ownership." open image in gallery Nigel Farage piles pressure on the government to nationalise British Steel ( PA ) Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for the government to nationalise steelmaking in Scunthorpe by the end of this week after he toured the giant plant on Tuesday. Responding to Downing Streets announcement, he said: China has no interest in keeping the steelworks open. Reform have been clear from the start that the only option we have to save this vital strategic asset, and thousands of jobs in the process, is to nationalise British Steel. We are calling on the government to do the right thing tomorrow and bring it back into public ownership. There is confusion about the governments attitude to the local inquiries into the notorious activities of grooming gangs that sexually abused girls over many years. Many of the cases have involved men of Pakistani origin or heritage, with the victims young white girls. Often the crimes took place in towns in the north of England, though there were also notable examples in Telford and Oxford. Because of the extreme and sadistic sexual violence employed by these groups, they are also described as rape gangs. The matter has for a long time been fiercely controversial, with allegations that the authorities ignored the plight of the victims, and that the police, social workers and politicians were complicit. In recent days, the government has been accused of dropping the local inquiries that were promised by the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, in January. Some people are outraged; others are asking for a national inquiry... Has the government dropped the inquiries? It seems not, but it certainly allowed that impression to be formed. Under intense attack from the opposition and persistent questioning by the media, Cooper has insisted that the local inquiries into grooming gangs in five towns are still going ahead. Why are people saying theyve been dropped? A number of factors. Earlier this month, the lawyer charged with helping set up the local inquiries, Tom Crowther KC (who chaired the 2022 inquiry into the Telford gangs), told a Commons select committee that he had been given little information about the role, and had needed to ask a civil servant Do you still want me? It didnt help that only one location out of the five Oldham was identified in January, and that none have been earmarked since for the rapid review, suggesting a certain lack of urgency. Seizing on the issue, the shadow Home Office minister, Katie Lam, demanded answers. Unfortunately, when the safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, made her update statement to the Commons, she didnt say much about the local inquiries, and just confirmed that the 5m was still available. She also made her statement on the final day of the parliamentary session before the Easter recess, which made critics suspicious that the government was trying to sneak bad news out. What Phillips said on 8 April was: We will set out the process through which local authorities can access the 5m national 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. Whats wrong with that? It gave the strong impression that the government was trying to downplay the local inquiries for political purposes. Trevor Philips, former chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, put the charge against ministers forcefully, saying that they were reluctant to push ahead because of the demographic of people involved... largely Pakistani Muslim background, and also in Labour-held seats and councils who would be offended by it. Whats the governments defence? Aside from denying that they are being complacent, ministers have put forward a case that is rather bureaucratic, and comes late in the day, when the misunderstandings have (arguably) gained traction. They say they are awaiting a different inquiry, that being an audit by Louise Casey, the former victims commissioner. This is due next month and will uncover the true scale of grooming gangs in the UK today, including looking at ethnicity, according to the Home Office. What then? Once again, its not that clear. Some councils, such as Bradford, have rejected any further inquiries anyway. Keir Starmer, on the other hand, has opened up the possibility of funding for more than five local inquiries. But he and his colleagues say their emphasis is on implementing the recommendations made by previous inquiries for example, creating a new criminal offence of obstructing an individual from making a report; making reporting of child abuse mandatory; and making grooming an aggravating factor in sentencing for rape. Do we need a national inquiry? Weve had one lengthy one already set up by Theresa May, and chaired by Alexis Jay which reported in 2022. There have also been trials, along with various local investigations, such as in Derby, Rotherham and Telford, and considerable media interest (indeed, The Times broke the scandal in 2011). The problem is that the Jay inquiry was national but very broad indeed, taking in so-called VIP abuse as well, while the local investigations have been piecemeal and lacked authority. Even if another five, or more, local inquiries took place, there would be areas left uncovered. A more powerful argument is that the survivors and victims families want an investigation, and that they wont feel that justice has fully been done and the truth made known unless an inquiry takes place that carries full judicial powers. Grooming and the sexual abuse of children in a broader sense has never been confined to men of Pakistani heritage, but as a specific phenomenon, the gangs have aroused intense interest and debate. The topic is also being exploited, obviously, by racists and Islamophobes. The clamour for a further national inquiry will not die down, and it feels inevitable that one will need to take place in order to restore some truth and perspective to the discussion. Meanwhile, in the local elections, the Conservatives and Reform are making the most of it. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Rishi Sunak has unveiled his resignation honours list, with former cabinet minister Michael Gove, ex-chief whip Simon Hart and former Scottish secretary Sir Alister Jack all receiving gongs from the former prime minister. It is a well-established tradition for outgoing prime ministers to hand peerages and other gongs to key allies after they leave office. Mr Sunak has already awarded honours to a number of close aides, including a peerage for his former chief of staff Liam Booth-Smith and a knighthood for deputy prime minister Oliver Dowden, which were handed out in a separate dissolution honours list to mark the end of the last parliament following the general election. But who features on todays list, and why have they made the cut? Michael Gove Michael Gove has been handed a peerage in Rishi Sunaks resignation honours. He held multiple cabinet posts over his political career, including education, environment, and housing secretary, but never held one of the UKs three great offices of state. However, he was a highly influential figure in successive Conservative governments and built a reputation for being able to make or break leadership bids or campaigns. He ran for the party leadership himself in 2016, scuppering Boris Johnsons bid and sparking a long-standing rift between the pair. Mr Gove went on to serve in Mr Johnsons cabinet but was sacked in the final hours of his time in office after calling for the then PM to resign. He is also said to have betrayed David Cameron by taking a more prominent role in the 2016 Vote Leave campaign than he was ever expected to. Asked about Mr Goves ennoblement, a close ally of Mr Johnsons told The Times he is a more worthy recipient than many, but dubbed him one of the most treacherous people in politics. open image in gallery Worthy and treacherous Michael Gove ( PA ) Alister Jack Alister Jack, also handed a peerage, was secretary of state for Scotland under Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak serving in the post from July 2019 up until the 2024 general election, when he stood down as an MP. He served as the Scottish Conservative MP for Dumfries and Galloway from 2017 to 2024. He was previously expected to be offered a peerage in Boris Johnsons resignation honours list, but declined to step down as an MP early, ruling him out of the running. He received a knighthood in Mr Sunak's previous round of honours in July 2024, which were handed out to mark the end of the last parliament following the general election. Sir Alisters nomination is controversial as he was the most senior politician caught up in the general election betting scandal. In April 2024, the former MP placed a successful bet that the election would fall between July and September, after losing two similar bets in March. open image in gallery Alister Jack says he placed bets on the timing of the election, but did not break Gambling Commission rules ( PA ) Simon Hart Simon Hart who served as an MP from 2010 to 2024 was chief whip under Rishi Sunak from October 2022 to 5 July 2024, serving as the main point of contact between MPs and No 10 and becoming a close ally of the then prime minister. Before that, he served as secretary of state for Wales from December 2019 to July 2022. But more recently, the former chief whip who has now been given a peerage made a name for himself after publishing a scandalous account of his time in Westminster. The memoir offers a behind-the-scenes account of life inside the Conservative government during one of its most chaotic periods, offering up stories about MPs being extracted from brothels and aides attending sex parties. open image in gallery Simon Hart arriving in Downing Street ( PA ) Mark Harper Mark Harper, who served as transport secretary in Rishi Sunaks government, also featured on the former prime ministers resignation peerages list. Mr Harper served as MP for the Forest of Dean from 2005 to 2024 and became a close ally of Mr Sunak, regularly going out to bat for the Tory leader in the more turbulent periods of his premiership. Before his time in Mr Sunaks government, he served as chief whip in the final year of David Camerons premiership. open image in gallery Mark Harper defends the doomed Tory campaign ( Sky News ) Victoria Prentis Victoria Prentis, who was a Tory MP for almost a decade before standing down at the last general election, was attorney general under Rishi Sunak, serving in the role from October 2022, and has now been handed a peerage. She said it is a huge privilege to have been recognised in Mr Sunaks resignation peerages list, adding: In the Lords, I hope to focus on my areas of interest: the law and the countryside, and to continue to support justice for Ukraine. open image in gallery Rishi Sunak with Victoria Prentis in early July 2024 ( Getty ) Eleanor Shawcross Eleanor Shawcross, who has been given a peerage, served as director of No 10s policy unit while Rishi Sunak was prime minister, responsible for shaping the partys approach in the lead-up to the general election. Ahead of her appointment, she donated 20,000 to Mr Sunaks Tory leadership campaign. She is married to Simon Wolfson, CEO of clothing retailer Next and a Tory peer who was elevated to the House of Lords in 2010 by David Cameron. He has also made significant donations to the party over the years, amounting to more than 100,000 in total. Stephen Massey Stephen Massey is a more unknown figure on Rishi Sunaks resignation peerages list, having previously served as CEO of the Conservative Party headquarters. He announced his departure from the role in December, after Kemi Badenoch took over as party leader, having served in the position for two years. He had been involved in the Tory party for more than 50 years, and notably handed a generous 25,000 donation to Mr Sunaks failed campaign to become leader of the party when he went up against Liz Truss. James Cleverly James Cleverly, who has held two of the great offices of state having served as both home secretary and foreign secretary under Rishi Sunak has been awarded a knighthood. He has been the MP for Braintree since 2015, and came third in the race to succeed the former Tory leader. He unexpectedly crashed out of the race in a vote of MPs, leaving Robert Jenrick and Kemi Badenoch to battle it out. open image in gallery Failed Tory party leader James Cleverly ( PA ) Jeremy Hunt Jeremy Hunt served as chancellor under Rishi Sunak, after being brought in at the end of Liz Trusss disastrous premiership to steady the ship following her mini-Budget. He became a key figure in the Sunak administration, presiding over record increases to the overall tax burden in the UK. He has been handed a knighthood. open image in gallery Former chancellor Jeremy Hunt ( PA Archive ) Mel Stride Mel Stride, who served as work and pensions secretary in Rishi Sunaks government, has been awarded a knighthood. The now shadow chancellor became a key figure in Mr Sunaks failed election campaign, being wheeled out almost every week to defend the governments record on the morning broadcast round. He stood for the partys leadership following Sunaks resignation, but was knocked out in the first round. Keir Starmer needs an even more powerful No 10 than it was in my day, Tony Blair told students at Kings College London last week the day after Donald Trumps Liberation Day tariffs announcement. When I was prime minister people wanted the system improved, he said. We did improve it. Public services got better. Today they want the system changed. That is a fundamental difference, and youre not going to be able to do that without a really strong No 10. Voters are more impatient with politicians today, he said, and argued that new technology is the only way of meeting those demands: Today youve got to have a strong centre, and youve got to be driving this application of technology to government and public services from the centre. He said: Youve got a choice today if you are in politics youre either a disruptor or youre going to get disrupted. It is a mark of his influence over the current prime minister that this phrase appeared in Starmers address to a special political meeting of the cabinet in February. Right now you can see with the Doge experiment in the US: that is a disruption you punch a hole in the wall and see what happens, Blair said, referring to Elon Musks controversial appointment to head the Department of Government Efficiency. Blair did not seem to think much of it Lets see what happens with it but he went on: If conventional politics wants to get traction today it needs to provide a way of really changing the system, and I think technology is the instrument to do that, but it has to be driven from No 10, an even more powerful [government] than it was in my day. And it was by the end of it quite powerful. A lot of people didnt like it, but if you dont drive it from the top it never gets done. Funnily enough, the official briefing to journalists of what Starmer told the cabinet on Tuesday sounded as if it had been dictated by Blair: He [the prime minister] emphasised digital reform would be critical in transforming the state. However, Trumps declaration of a trade war the day before the class complicated the advice that Blair offered his successor: I dont really understand the intellectual argument behind the tariff policy. But I think we have to wait and see how it settles down if it does settle down... Blair appeared to echo Starmers cool heads approach: For the UK we are going to have to decide whether to retaliate or not. Probably not. I dont think it is in the UKs interest to do that. The risk is if you end up with a trade war [involving] Europe, America and countries of the far east, I dont know where it ends. Im hoping somewhere in there is a plan. Having dealt with the first Trump administration over the Abraham Accords (the normalisation of relations between Israel, the UAE and Bahrain in 2020) and over the Balkans, Blair reflected, I have to say I found them very easy to deal with. He said: I made it my business to get with whoever was American president because that was part of my job. I also found getting on with the first Trump administration very easy. But obviously the tariff thing is going to be a disagreement. Answering students questions, Blair claimed to have foreshadowed Trumps withdrawal of support for Ukraine. The former prime minister explained that a large part of managing the war in Kosovo in 1999 involved negotiating with Bill Clinton, because the Americans did not want to get involved. open image in gallery Keir Starmer shakes hands with Donald Trump during a visit to Washington in January ( Getty ) He said: Its of contemporary interest that I began European defence with the French government at St Malo, after the Kosovo war, precisely because it became clear to me that we could never have done it without the Americans, and that 90 per cent of the assets were American. I took the view after that that, This is crazy: what happens if the Americans decide they dont want to be part of something? Then where do we go? We wouldnt be able to do anything. But European defence got caught up in a whole lot of Eurosceptic arguments. So it didnt go where it should have gone, which is how do we create the capabilities that are needed if for any reason America decides to step aside. While some of the lessons from his time in government are relevant today, others are now slipping into history. He was asked about the causes of the intelligence failures in Iraq. People forget this, he said. There had been a huge build-up of intelligence about Saddams weapons of mass destruction for a long time, and the first military action that I took was with Bill Clinton in Iraq in 1998. There were UN inspectors going in and out. It was the only country that had used chemical weapons since the Second World War, both in the Iran-Iraq war [and against its own people]. The intelligence failures were a combination of the strong belief that people had that because he had used them he would use them again, and people feeding information out of Iraq because they wanted military intervention that would topple the dictatorship. open image in gallery Tony Blair and Bill Clinton on stage at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast in 2000 ( PA ) Blair was also asked to give a definitive answer to a question that has engaged our students since Professor Jon Davis and I set up the course in 2008: did he really want to join the euro? The definitive answer is this, said Blair. I wanted Britain to be at the heart of Europe, to be a key leader in Europe. I would have been happy to be part of the euro provided that the economic case was what we used to call a compelling case. And the trouble was because the British economy moved in different synchronicity from the French and German economies, it was never clear that that compelling case was there. And I never thought that we could win a referendum. I didnt think it was possible to take Britain into the euro without a referendum and I didnt think it was possible to win it unless you were able to say the economic case was overwhelming. Now, in time that might have changed. And in time it might have been that it became clear that it was in Britains interest to be part of the single currency. But I thought that what was important was that we were always in principle in favour of joining if the economics were right. So that is the situation. If the economic case had been there, so that we were able to go out and tell people that economically its clear that this is the right thing to do, a bit like the original case for joining the European community, we could have done it, and maybe even won it although the reason for saying there should be a referendum was simply because I thought it was politically impossible to do it any other way. Do I believe that referendums are a very good idea in deciding things like that? No, frankly. But I couldnt even have got it through cabinet if I tried to do it without a referendum. open image in gallery The former PM and Starmer speaking at a conference held by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change ( PA ) This account by Blair of his own views seems consistent to me with the analysis offered by Ed Balls now also a professor at Kings that Blair wanted to keep his options open, and had to appear to want to join if Britain was to be at the heart of Europe, but knew a referendum was unwinnable. The difference between Blair and Gordon Brown on the euro was therefore more about the difference between sounding positive or negative than it was about the issue itself (on that, Blair seems lukewarm: he would have been happy to have been part of the euro). But Blair insists that there were policy differences between him and Brown, and that these hold a lesson for Labour today: Historically, I have a very clear view of what the problem for Labour has been. Labour in government has usually been brought down by itself and by opposition to having to make difficult decisions, because all governments do. Labour now forgets that, thinking of some nirvana where no difficult decisions have to be taken. And opposition to the leadership is usually outside the tent. Gordon wasnt opposition, but he was a focal point for a different approach, more traditional Labour than New Labour, or real Labour as people sometimes called it, and it was better it was him, highly intelligent, himself a very effective political force, inside, than it would have been if he had been outside altogether, or it had been someone else that had emerged and took that mantle and was constantly battering the government. open image in gallery Blair addresses soldiers of the 4th Armoured Brigade at the British army HQ near Skopje in Macedonia in 1999 ( PA ) And so, it was a coalition and we did more or less keep it together. It was difficult. Believe it or not, I didnt resent it as much as a lot of the people around me I thought, Its politics. But the difference between old and new Labour was important, and it was ultimately a policy issue, because my view was and is that its only a version of that political position that can win power sustainably. It was a coalition that did not survive Browns defeat in 2010. What Im absolutely sure about is that if Labour had chosen the other Miliband brother I dont think Brexit would have occurred. Because we would have had a Labour Party that was a credible contender in the 2015 election, Blair said. Not that I dont like Ed [Miliband], because I do I think he showed a lot of character in the 2015 election, with all the attack he was under, but I think he was not in the right policy place to win. Blair argued that the position adopted by New Labour was and remains the only way to win, but accepted that the environment has changed, and that it has become harder for conventional politics to offer solutions that satisfy the voters. Part of this is the change wrought by social media, which he said is really hard. He mused that maybe in the end, communication on social media is just the same thing, its just a different medium, but I do think that makes it a lot harder. A problem of social media, he said, is the tendency to frame decisions in terms of deception or conspiracy, rather than: youve got to decide what to do, he said. He traced the rising distrust of the motives of leaders back to the 1970s: In my view, Watergate did a lot of damage. In the sense that it was bad enough but the sense of what happened was actually worse than what happened. And you ended up in a situation where for ever afterwards everyone wants to find a conspiracy. John Rentoul is a visiting professor at Kings College London; he teaches the New Labour Years module with Dr Michelle Clement, as part of the MA in government studies under the leadership of Professor Jon Davis Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sir Keir Starmer has been warned against sacrificing too much in an attempt to secure a trade deal with Donald Trump, as hopes of avoiding tariffs appear to be fading. It comes after an adviser to the US president said it would take an extraordinary deal for the UK to improve on the 10 per cent tariff Mr Trump has placed on the country. Meanwhile, UK ministers appear to be increasingly downbeat about the prospect of a US-UK deal, with health minister Stephen Kinnock admitting that it might take some time. It comes despite officials previously insisting that talks were at an advanced stage. open image in gallery US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (Carl Court/PA) ( PA Wire ) Trade economist Simon Evenett told The Independent that the Trump administration seems very reluctant to go below 10 per cent on tariffs, warning the UK government against making too many sacrifices in an attempt to get a deal over the line. It is understood that there is more appetite and optimism from UK officials to chase lower trade barriers with other countries instead. It comes after economists on Thursday warned the prime minister he must accelerate cooperation with other leading economies because the US, under Mr Trump, had shown itself to be an unreliable trade partner. The US president was forced to delay tariffs above his base rate of 10 per cent, which affects the UK, for 90 days, after days of market turmoil that sparked a fire sale of US government bonds. However, he later warned higher rates would return if countries were unable to strike fresh deals with the US. Asked about hopes the UK could escape the baseline tariff, Mr Evenett warned: I just haven't seen any signal from [the Trump administration] that they're willing to contemplate that. And the same is true on in the sensitive sectors [for aluminium, steel and cars], getting the tariffs below 25 per cent. [The UK government] is stuck between a rock and a hard place on this stuff. I think we're probably going to have to resign ourselves to the fact that it's a 10 per cent tariff going forward. He also warned that the US could prevent the UK from doing trade deals with other countries as part of an agreement something he dubbed a poison pill. There is a risk, if one goes down the road of negotiating something with the US, that they put strings on who the UK can trade with, and this, of course, will all be about decoupling and de-risking from China. So I think that if we dont pay a domestic price in terms of liberalising or deregulating health and safety standards and agriculture [the US] seems to so desperately want, then the price would have to be there. Former Treasury minister Jim ONeill, who previously advised Rachel Reeves, agreed the UK was better off seeking other global trade deals. The damage - as the markets are quite rightly worrying about today - from the US and China tearing such large lumps out of each other - is bad for everyone. And that, itself, is way more important than any trade deal we do with the US, he told The Independent. Meanwhile, Kings College London economist Jonathan Portes warned that any agreement with the US would primarily be a matter of damage limitation, rather than offering major upsides. He said the UK would do better to use its concessions to secure a trade deal with India, rather than with the US for temporary respite from Trump. Asked if the government is losing hope of getting a trade deal, Mr Kinnock told Sky News: "Things change all the time, so I think it's best for us to stay focused on the fact that we have that objective of getting a trade deal with the United States. And [business secretary] Johnny Reynolds and the prime minister and other colleagues are very focused on getting that deal. But of course, we also have to be prepared for the eventuality that we don't get it immediately, or that it takes some time to come. Sir Keir was forced to deny that the US president is refusing his calls, after it emerged that the pair hadnt spoken on the phone trade taxes were slapped on Britain. And Chancellor Rachel Reeves has insisted the UK is resolved to do everything it can to secure the best deal possible with the US. open image in gallery Rachel Reeves will meet European finance ministers (Justin Tallis) ( PA Wire ) We continue to engage with our counterparts in the United States, and of course we want to secure the best deal possible for British jobs and British industry. And we are absolutely resolved to do everything we can. But, at the same time, we also want to improve trading relations with other countries around the world, she said. Overnight on Thursday, Kevin Hassett, a senior economic adviser to Mr Trump, told CNBC: I think everybody expects that the 10 per cent baseline tariff is going to be the baseline.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. Meanwhile, shadow chancellor Mel Stride accused the government taking a reactive approach to the US tariffs. "The government should have been stepping up efforts for a trade agreement months ago. It was obvious to the whole world that the US administration was preparing to change tariff policy, he told The Independent. "Right now, the governments posture appears reactive rather than strategic. Ministers must present a positive, forward-looking vision for a UK-US economic relationship that delivers mutual benefit." The Department for Business and Trade has been contacted for comment. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An unsecured penguin kept in a cardboard box has been identified as the reason for a helicopter crash in South Africa. The penguin created a dangerous situation when the box slid off a passengers lap upon takeoff and hit the pilots controls, an investigation by the South African Civil Aviation Authority found. The incident took place on Bird Island off the Eastern Cape on 19 January, according to the official report. The pilot of the Robinson R44 Raven II was unable to recover control and came down from a peak height of 15m. The main rotor blades struck the ground, wrecking the four-seat helicopter. No one on board was harmed during the accident, including the penguin. The South Africa CAA in its report blamed the lack of secure containment for the penguin as being responsible for the crash. open image in gallery A penguin has been identified as the reason of a helicopter crash in South Africa ( South African Civil Aviation Authority ) Pictures from the incident included in the report showed that the helicopter was badly damaged and the birds enclosure was a cardboard box with holes. The report did not say why the penguin was being transported. A pilot and three passengers on board along with the penguin were conducting an aerial survey flight in the afternoon and the specialist on board asked to transport one of the penguins back to Port Elizabeth. The pilot agreed to the request and the penguin was placed in a cardboard box, it said. The pilot conducted a risk assessment of the flight; however, he omitted to include the carriage (transportation) of the penguin on-board. open image in gallery Helicopter crashed in South Africa after penguin in a card box slipped ( South Africa Aviation Authority ) The passenger seated on the left front seat placed the cardboard box containing the penguin on his lap and secured it with his hands. Whilst transitioning and about 15m above ground level (AGL), the cardboard box slid off to the right and on to the pilots cyclic pitch control lever. As a result, the cyclic pitch control lever advanced to the far-right position. The helicopter rolled to the right and the pilot could not recover timeously. The report said that absence of a proper and secured crate meant that the penguins containment was not suitable for the flight conditions. It added that the pilot omitted to state in the risk assessment form the intention to transport the penguin in a cardboard box on-board. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Three people are dead after a small plane crashed near a major highway in Boca Raton, Florida on Friday afternoon. The aircraft, a Cessna 310, crashed around 10.20am after departing from Boca Raton Airport around 10.13am. The plane was heading to Tallahassee International Airport. Data from Flightradar24 showed the plane trying to return to the Boca airport shortly after takeoff. Officials said the aircraft was experiencing mechanical issues. Around 12.30pm, police confirmed the people on board did not survive after examining the wreckage on Military Highway. A man in his car was transported to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Officials said he drove through a fiery explosion caused by the crash and hit a tree. Michael LaSalle, assistant fire chief for Boca Fire Rescue, told reporters that officials responded to a call about an aircraft in distress. open image in gallery Emergency crew inspect the site of a small plane crash in Boca Raton on Friday ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Speaking on behalf of the city, Boca Raton Mayor Scott Springer offered his condolences to the families of the victims. We express our heartbreak at this tragic loss of life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and all affected of the deceased. We can be grateful in tragic moments like this for the swift action of our Boca Raton Fire Rescue Department and our Boca Raton Police Department, who work to minimize the harm and respond to the immediate concern from the fire. Social media footage showed smoke plumes rising from the impact site. Police temporarily closed roads in the area due to the crash, including the I-95 overpass at Glades Road eastbound and westbound. Officials are asking commuters to avoid the area. The Boca Raton Airport also temporarily closed to incoming and outgoing traffic. The Cessna 310R is a twin-prop aircraft capable of seating up to six people. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident and will provide updates. open image in gallery A car burns at the site of a crash in Boca Raton, Florida on April 11, 2025, in this screen grab obtained from social media video ( RAY DAILY/TMX via REUTERS ) Miguel Coka, 51, who works near the Boca Raton airport, told the Associated Press that he and his colleagues could tell there was something wrong when he saw the plane flying low. There was a rumble and everyone in the building felt it, he said. We are all shocked. The crash occurred a day after a helicopter carrying six people crashed in the Hudson River near New York City, killing a family of five Spanish tourists and a pilot. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A flurry of seismic activity that caused 160 quakes in just two hours at the Laguna del Maule volcanic field in central Chile has put authorities on alert. 160 quakes occurred in the area during a two-hour period earlier this week, which served as a stark reminder of the volcanic complex's active nature. Located near the Argentine border, approximately 300km south of the Chilean capital, Laguna del Maule is a sprawling volcanic landscape. Covering 500 square kilometres, the complex comprises numerous volcanic domes, cones, lava flows, and an estimated 130 vents. Chile's National Geology and Mining Service - Sernageomin - has, however, maintained a green alert level, signifying no immediate danger. The quakes were also of low magnitude. The recent seismic swarm underscores the volcano's underlying activity. "These are signs that the volcano is active, it has magma, what's inside is moving and this can lead to a moderate-sized event in the future," explained Ayaz Alam, a geologist and professor at the University of Santiago of Chile. He cautioned, however, that predicting the timing of any potential eruption remains impossible. Chile's National Geology and Mining Service - Sernageomin - has maintained a green alert level, signifying no immediate danger. ( Getty/iStock ) The swarm's relatively low-magnitude quakes are distinct from those occurring along fault lines, Alam noted. Volcanic seismic activity stems from the movement of magma, rather than the collision of tectonic plates. Chilean disaster agency Senapred has affirmed its commitment to ongoing monitoring and collaboration with regional authorities, ensuring preparedness for any potential emergencies. The largest tremor registered during the swarm was a 2.1 magnitude, but the relatively young volcanic field has shown several signs of activity in recent years. Daniel Diaz, a geophysicist and volcanologist at the University of Chile, says the area is quite unique since it doesn't have a single volcanic structure, but dozens around the lake, some of which have formed in the last 2,000 years. "This (volcanic) system is quite recent and therefore we expect there to be activity," Diaz said. "But it's not concentrated in one structure or cone, but all around the zone surround the Laguna del Maule." Laguna del Maule is considered by academics and experts to be one of the most dangerous volcanoes of the Southern Andean volcanic belt and is Argentina's third most dangerous volcano. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The U.S. military has removed the commander of its Greenland Pituffik base after Vice PresidentJD Vances controversial visit. Colonel Susannah Meyers emailed base staff distancing herself from the Vice Presidents visit, according to the independent news outlet Military.com, as the White House has been mounting pressure to acquire the mineral-rich Arctic island from Denmark. 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. Pentagons lead spokesman Sean Parnell did not provide a specific reason for Meyers removal on Thursday, but posted on X with a link to the Military.com article. Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense, he wrote. open image in gallery Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance during a tour of Pituffik Space Base ( AP ) Vance travelled to the base with a U.S. delegation on March 28 following repeated threats from Trump to control the island. During the visit, he criticized Denmarks management of Greenland, saying it had underinvested in Greenlands security and claimed the island would be safer under U.S. control. His remarks provoked further backlash from both Greenlanders and Danish citizens and politicians. This is not how you speak to your close allies, Danish foreign minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen said. open image in gallery Vance attends a briefing at U.S. military's Pituffik Space Base ( Reuters ) In response to Trumps threats, Greenland's new prime minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen reiterated that Greenland is not for sale. Let me be clear: The United States will not get that. We do not belong to others. We decide our own future, Nielsen previously said. The prime minister is hoping for Greenland to achieve independence from the Kingdom of Denmark through economic self-reliance. The island is not currently part of the European Union but it receives millions of euros a year from Denmark. We must not be shaken, Nielsen posted on Facebook Sunday, after the U.S. delegation visit. We must react with calm, dignity and unity. And it is through these values that we must clearly, distinctly and calmly show the American president that Greenland is ours. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A sightseeing tourist helicopter has broken apart midair before plunging into the Hudson River, killing the family of five and pilot on board in the latest horror US aviation disaster. At around 3.15pm on Thursday, the Bell 206 LongRanger plummeted from the sky and crashed upside-down in the river that divides New York City from New Jersey off the west coast of Manhattan. Officials confirmed the pilot and a family of five Spanish tourists, including three children, died in the tragedy, after FlightRadar24 showed the helicopter had taken off from Manhattan heliport on a sightseeing tour. Here is everything we know so far about the crash: open image in gallery The helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near New Jersey on Thursday ( WABC-TV ) What happened? A family of five Spanish tourists excitedly boarded a helicopter on Thursday afternoon to do a sightseeing tour while they were visiting New York. Photos posted on the helicopter companys website showed the couple and their three children smiling as they boarded just before the flight took off. The family along with the pilot took off in the Bell 206 helicopter from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2.59pm. To begin the tour, the aircraft headed towards a classic sight, the Statue of Liberty, before flying north along the west side of Manhattan up the river to the George Washington Bridge. It then turned south, flying closer to New Jersey. It was 16 minutes after taking off, at 3.15pm, that the helicopter went off the radar. open image in gallery It was 16 minutes after taking off, at 3.15pm, that the helicopter went off the radar ( Flightradar24 ) Eyewitness reported hearing bangs like gunshots before seeing black smoke billowing into the air from a helicopter spinning uncontrollably down into the water. 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, Lesly Camacho, a hostess at a restaurant along the river in Hoboken, New Jersey, told The Associated Press. Jersey City resident Peter Park told The New York Times he heard a loud bang and looked out his window to see helicopter blades falling into the river so close to the New Jersey shore that he feared they may strike people. Another witness, Bruce Wall, said he saw the aircraft "falling apart" in midair, with the tail and main rotor coming off. The main rotor was still spinning without the helicopter as it fell. Footage emerged on social media appearing to show the tail and main propeller separating from the fuselage while mid-air before the aircraft plummeted into the Hudson River near the shoreline of Jersey City, New Jersey, overturning as it was submerged. Who are the victims? open image in gallery Rescue workers and emergency personnel work at the scene of the helicopter crash in New York ( Reuters ) 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 NYPD's call sign, "What's 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 8pm using a floating crane. Six people were also recovered from the river, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. He confirmed that the family and pilot were all killed. Divers retrieved four bodies from the scene, while two of the victims were pulled from the water alive and rushed to nearby hospitals, but died from their injuries. The family was identified by officials as Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, a global manager at an energy technology company, and their three children: Agustin, 10, Merce, 8, and Victor, 4. Mr 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." Mr Escobar regularly posted about the importance of sustainability in the rail industry and often travelled 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. Ms Camprubi Montal worked in Barcelona, Spain, for energy technology company Siemens Energy for about seven years, including as its global commercialisation manager and as a digitalisation manager, according to her LinkedIn account. The pilot has been identified as Seankese Johnson, 36. He received his commercial pilots license in 2023, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Johnson had logged about 800 hours of flight time as of March, National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy told reporters on Friday. He transitioned to aviation after a 12-year career in the U.S. Navy. What may have caused the crash? open image in gallery It was some hours before the fuselage and cabin of the helicopter was lifted from the water by crane ( Reuters ) It is not yet known why the crash happened. Visibility over the river was not substantially impaired, the AP reports, and the water temperature was 45F. Video of the crash suggested that a catastrophic mechanical failure left the pilot with no chance to save the helicopter, Justin Green, an aviation lawyer who was a helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps told the AP. The flight was operated by New York Helicopters, officials said. Its devastation, the companys owner Michael Roth told The New York Post. Im a father and a grandfather and to have children on there, Im devastated. Im absolutely devastated. He said: The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades werent on the helicopter. 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. It is possible the helicopters main rotors struck the tail boom, breaking it apart and causing the cabin to free fall, Mr Green said. They were dead as soon as whatever happened happened, Mr 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 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. Where did the crash happen? open image in gallery Rescue workers at Pier 40 in New York City responding to a helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River on April 10, 2025 ( Kelly Rissman ) The crash happened on a stretch of the Hudson River, which separates Manhattan in New York City from New Jersey. The helicopter impacted the water closer to New Jersey, off the shore of Jersey City and Hoboken. New York Police Department officials said emergency responders were gathered near Pier40 on the West Side Highway and Spring Street in Manhattan to coordinate the citys response to the incident. What has been the response from officials? open image in gallery New York City Mayor Eric Adams attends a press conference at Pier 40 on Thursday ( AP ) Mr Adams urged residents to avoid the area while the recovery operation and investigation got underway. The team is on the scene at the heartbreaking and tragic crash in the Hudson River Please avoid the area near Pier 40 in Manhattan in the meantime, he said. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he was aware of the disaster: I have been briefed by law enforcement on the tragic helicopter crash in the Hudson River close to New Jersey. We are supporting the emergency response effort through the @NJSP, @PANYNJ, and local first responders. New York Governor Kathy Hochul offered her assistance, adding: I join all New Yorkers in praying for those we've lost and their families. In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board said they were leading the investigation into the incident. Donald Trump offered his condolences in a statement on Truth Social. The president wrote: 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. He added: 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! Have there been similar incidents in the past? open image in gallery Rescue crews secure a US Airways flight 1549 floating in the water after it crashed into the Hudson River on 15 January, 2009, in New York City ( Getty ) 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. Thursday's 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. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A 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. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A controversial guest on the Joe Rogan Experience podcast called out the host for giving people who spread conspiracy theories or misinformation a platform to share their ideas. Douglas Murray, a conservative British political commentator, criticized several guests Rogan has had on the podcast, including Dave Smith, a comedian and recurring guest on the podcast who was in the studio at the time. Look, I just feel we should get it out straight away, I feel youve opened the door to quite a lot of people who now have got a big platform who have been throwing out counterhistorical stuff of a very dangerous kind, Murray said on Thursdays episode. Murray mentioned several previous podcast guests but specifically focused on podcaster Darryl Cooper, who made headlines by claiming Winston Churchill was the chief villain of World War II and altering the narrative of the Holocaust. open image in gallery Douglas Murray, a conservative British pundit, accused Joe Rogan of giving people a platform to share misinformation ( PowerfulJRE / YouTube ) Murray has been a staunch supporter of Israel in the IsraelHamas conflict. He has been accused of spreading anti-Islam ideas, such as encouraging Europe to restrict Muslim immigration. Rogan and Smith attempted to defend Cooper by downplaying his intentions and self-described expertise. But Murray rejected the notion. If you throw a lot of s*** out there, theres some point at which Im just raising questions is not a valid thing, Murray said. Youre not raising questions, youre not asking questions, youre telling people something. Murrays comments resonated with some people on social media, who praised him for holding Rogan somewhat accountable. Douglas Murray does what few men alive would dare: he calls out Joe Rogan in his own studio, Saul Sadka wrote. Douglas Murray asks Rogan why he doesnt have real historians on to discuss history. Rogan responds that he wanted Ian Carroll on because he was interested in how you get started in conspiracies? Rogan appears completely unable to justify what hes doing, Richard Hanania wrote. While Murrays comments were part of a larger argument that people who are not experts on a topic should not comment on it, his criticism appeared to be directed at people who offer a defense of Palestinians, including Smith. Smith pushed back on Murrays assertions, accusing him of having selective empathy toward the people of Israel while not extending that to the people of Gaza during wartime. open image in gallery Dave Smith, a comedian who appears frequently on Rogan's podcast, spared with Douglas Murray over IsraelHamas ( PowerfulJRE ) Meanwhile, Murray told Smith, a comedian who is Jewish and the grandson of a Holocaust survivor, that if he had never visited Israel or Gaza, he should not discuss the issue as though he is familiar with it. The latest Joe Rogan Experience episode generated debate online, with other people criticizing Murray for his assertion about expertise. Douglas Murray claims he doesnt talk about countries he hasnt visited. Has he been to Iran? Has he been to North Korea? Pretty sure he has written extensively about, and denounced, both countries over the decades, Mehdi Hasan, a broadcaster, wrote. Im only a bit way through but genuinely aghast at how censorious, arrogant, and just generally stupid Douglas Murray comes off in his debate with [Dave Smith], Saagar Enjeti wrote. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The New York City-based helicopter tour company involved in the deadly crash on Thursday has previous incidents of aircraft malfunctions, according to records with the National Transportation Safety Board. The company, called New York Helicopter Charter, has been operating helicopter tours of New York City and New Jersey for more than 30 years. The business managed the Bell 206 aircraft that crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, killing all six passengers on board. According to records with NTSB, New York Helicopter Charter was involved in two non-fatal incidents, one in 2013 in which a helicopters engine failed while five people were on board and another in 2015 in which a pilot made a hard landing while 20 feet in the air. The Independent has reached out to New York Helicopter Charter for comment. open image in gallery All six people on board Thursdays helicopter ride, three adults and three children, were killed, authorities said ( AP ) In 2013, one of New York Helicopter Charters aircraft suddenly lost engine power while a pilot was flying a family of four near the 79th Street Boat Basin. The family, two adults and two teenagers, were visiting from Sweden. In that incident, the pilot quickly deployed skid-mounted floats upon realizing the helicopter was going down, and landed in the Hudson River. No person on board was seriously injured and a nearby passenger boat helped all five safely get to shore. Michael Roth, the owner of New York Helicopter Charter, told the Wall Street Journal at the time he had no clue why the aircraft lost power and that the helicopter underwent routine inspections daily. An investigation by the NTSB found that parts of the engine, which had recently been overhauled, were damaged and determined that improper maintenance caused an issue that led to engine failure. New York Helicopter Charter sued Aircraft Maintenance Specialists, the company it hired to repair the helicopter, in 2016, accusing it of negligence. The case seemingly ended in a stipulation agreement, but it is unclear what the terms of it were. In another smaller incident that took place in 2015, a pilot was forced to undergo a hard landing after a helicopter he raised 20 feet in the air began to spin out of control. open image in gallery Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board investigate the scene where a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, killing six people ( AP ) An investigation by the NTSB later found that the helicopters shafts exhibited runout well beyond the maximum amount of runout and would be considered unairworthy. The report found that the shafts may have been involved in a 2010 hard landing in Chile, but a previous owner painted over them, making it difficult to determine their state. The NTSB is currently investigating the deadly Hudson River crash. Videos from the incident, posted online, appear to show the helicopters blades detaching from the aircraft, causing it to plunge into the river. Agustin Escobar, an executive from Siemens, was on board with his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three children. All six people on board, including the pilot, were declared dead. Roth told CBS he had no information whatsoever regarding the reason for Thursdays helicopter crash. I don't know anything about how this went down. The only thing I can tell you, we are devastated, Roth said. 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. New York Helicopter Charter says on its website it only allows experienced professionals in their aircraft. Every one of our pilots are FAA Certified Airline Transport & Commercial pilots with an instrument and flight instructor rating. Helicopter tours of New York City have become a popular tourist attraction, but one that comes with risks. Over the last four decades, at least 25 people have been killed in accidents, according to USA Today. Some local lawmakers have sought to regulate sightseeing helicopter tours, citing the noise pollution. In 2016, the city struck a deal with companies, agreeing not to fly on Sundays and banning helicopters from flying over Governors Island and Staten Island. However, the FAA is the agency that regulates airspace. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A towering 45-foot statue of a naked woman will be officially unveiled on Thursday in San Francisco. The work, R-Evolution, is meant to symbolize female empowerment and strength, and will stand for six months in front of the citys Ferry Building. "This sculpture is about being seen," artist Marco Cochrane said in a March interview with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks agency. "Womens presence in public art is rare. When they are depicted, it is often through outdated or passive narratives. R-Evolution challenges that. She stands strong, aware, and groundedcalling for a world where all people can walk freely and without fear." The project, which reportedly weighs around 32,000 pounds, is comprised of steel rod and tubing arranged in geodesic triangles, joined by 55,000 individual welds. R-Evolution, which has previously appeared in Las Vegas, Petaluma, and at the Burning Man festival, appears to breathe for one hour a day and glows at night. To further amp up the theatrics for the statues unveiling, a Thursday launch event will feature what organizers say is a one-of-a-kind liquid light show, from Mad Alchemy, a group that does psychedelic light projections at art and music events. The statue has had a long journey to get to the San Francisco waterfront. An attempt to display it at the National Mall was scuttled when city officials revoked permits over concerns that the statue might damage the turf beneath it, according to SFGate. Similar concerns stopped a plan to feature the statue in San Franciscos Union Square earlier this year. The installation in front of the Ferry Building is a collaboration between the artist, the Building 180 creative agency, the Sijbrandij Foundation, and Illuminate, a public arts group known for supporting projects like the famous Bay Lights installation on the Bay Bridge. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Parents in Maine have been outraged to learn that a local daycare has been giving their children daily sleeping pills without their knowledge or consent, they claim. Apple Blossom Childcare in Falmouth, Maine, was investigated last year over allegations of abuse, neglect and licensing violations at the center which were later proved to be true in December. The incident is one of a growing number in which day care staff are giving non-prescription drugs such as melatonin without parental permission. A police investigation was recently launched in Minnesota over alleged distribution of gummies to children, and last year two teachers were suspended from a school in Texas, after children were reportedly given special stickers to help them sleep. According to the Maine government, it is legal for day care centers to give children melatonin or other nonprescription medications, but parental consent is required. open image in gallery Parents in Maine have been outraged to learn that a local daycare has been giving their children daily sleeping pills without their knowledge or consent, they claim ( Patrick Sison ) Laura Putnam, who enrolled her children at Apple Blossom Childcare when they were aged one and two, said she had not given permission, nor had been asked about whether they could receive sleep supplements. Putnam told NBC that she had learned from a former employee of the center in August last year, that he and others had given melatonin gummies to children, including her older son, who had been four years old at the time. When she asked her son about it, she told the outlet, he said, Oh, it makes the babies go and then he made a snoring sound. She added: He told me he got them when he was younger and they made him very sleepy. And then I asked if his younger brother got them, and he looked at me and said, Yes. I said, How often does he get them? And he said, Every day. Following a complaint, Maines Department of Health and Human Services launched an investigation into the center. Putnam told NBC that four months later the agency informed her that her older son was a victim of abuse/neglect. I think I felt that, you know, I let my kids down, she said. Anyone who is a parent, your No. 1 job is to protect your kids above all else. And getting that letter that said my son has been named on the record as a victim of abuse slash neglect, I feel like I let him down. Apple Blossoms owner, Alison Lakin, appealed the December findings and said there was insufficient evidence to support them. open image in gallery Two teachers at a Texas elementary school were suspended last year after allegedly giving students special stickers (pictured) to make them sleep ( ABC Houston/ Lisa Luviano ) Putnam added: How is giving a nonverbal toddler melatonin in the middle of the day without parental consent not abuse or neglect? It doesnt make any sense in my mind. Last month, in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, police investigated reports that a teacher was distributing gummies to children at Jardin Spanish Immersion Academy. According to KARE 11, parents said their children told them the teacher had told them to keep the gummies a secret and that the children were sleepier than usual. A search warrant obtained by the outlet stated that the teacher later told officers that he had given the children Fruit Snacks, not melatonin. Video allegedly showed the man taking something out of his pocket and giving it to a child, who ate it. The educator has been put on administrative leave, but the case is still under investigation and no charges have been filed. In September 2024, two teachers were suspended from a Texas elementary school after allegedly giving students special stickers to make them sleep. Parents at the school claimed they were only formally notified about the investigation two weeks after the alleged incident occurred. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Self-described MAGA leftist Batya Ungar-Sargon confidently declared on Thursday night that President Barack Obamas first act in office was passing the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program that bailed out financial institutions during the height of the 2008 financial crisis. Ungar-Sargon would double down on that claim the following morning, tweeting that in 2008, President Obama bailed out Wall Street and screwed over Main Street while defending Donald Trumps tariffs, insisting that in 2024 the current president screwed over Wall Street to bail out Main Street. There is just one small problem with The Free Press columnists analysis: TARP was signed into law by then-President George W. Bush on October 3, 2008 a full month before Obama was elected president and four months before he entered the White House. During an appearance on CNN Newsnight with Abby Philip, Ungar-Sargon who has been making the media rounds to passionately defend Trumps chaotic tariffs that have sparked a global market meltdown attempted to contrast the factors that led to the Great Recession to the current economic environment. Ive been thinking a lot about the 10 million Americans who lost their homes in the 2008 financial crisis, and how President Obamas first act in office was to give $700 billion to the banks that caused it, including $30 billion in bonuses to the crooks who organized it, she exclaimed. Free Press columnist Batya Ungar-Sargon blames Barack Obama for the passage of the 2008 bank bailout despite the fact that George W. Bush was the president at the time. ( CNN ) And Im thinking about how those very Americans saw a president pick Wall Street over Main Street, Ungar-Sargon added. And what they saw this whole week was a president willing to go out there and fight for the forgotten men and women of this heartland and take on the entire international global order for them. A one-time Marxist academic who has since morphed into a Steve Bannon-style MAGA populist-nationalist, Ungar-Sargon has pounded the drum in recent days that Trump is waging war for the forgotten people in the heartland of America with his trade war, going so far as to argue that it could fix the crisis in masculinity. Still, regardless of the merits of her arguments on behalf of Trumps tariffs, one thing is indisputable TARP was not Obamas first act after he was sworn in as president in 2009. In reality, the massive bailout came about during the fall of 2008 when the global economy was in freefall due to financial institutions and banks many of which were deemed too big to fail going bankrupt due to the subprime mortgage crisis. With the housing bubble bursting and defaults skyrocketing, the mortgage-backed securities that lenders and investment firms bought up in high volumes became worthless, resulting in these institutions losing all their money and customers deposits. TARP was eventually implemented to buy up these toxic assets and keep the banks afloat amid concerns of a full-blown economic collapse. The bill was initially met with bipartisan resistance and even failed on its initial vote in the House, but Congress eventually passed it after some tweaks, and it was quickly signed into law by Bush. After Obama came into office, other changes were made to the program, including prohibiting firms receiving TARP funds from giving bonuses to their 25 highest-paid employees. The Treasury Department reported in 2023 that the total amount disbursed from TARP was $443.5 billion, with the government collecting $425.5 billion through repayments, sales and dividends. After considering the interest expense of $13.1 billion, the net cost of TARP programs was $31.1 billion, the report stated. Sharing a clip of her CNN comments, Ungar-Sargon reiterated that Obama was responsible for TARP while simultaneously claiming Trump was president last year. In 2008, President Obama bailed out Wall Street and screwed over Main Street, she posted on X (formerly Twitter). In 2024, President Trump screwed over Wall Street to bail out Main Street. That's what a lot of Americans are going to remember about last week. It didnt take long for a number of political commentators and journalists to take Ungar-Sargon to task for her revisionist history. Bush was President in 2008. Trump's tariffs are cratering the economy in 2025. I would recommend that @CNN and @abbydphillip stop inviting on pundits who don't seem to have a handle on the most basic facts about politics or economics, Pod Save America host Tommy Vietor reacted. How many mistakes can you make in one tweet? Charles W. Cooke, a senior writer for the conservative outlet National Review, wondered while Inside Elections deputy editor Jacob Rubashkin was even more succinct with his observation of Ungar-Sargons remarks. Who was president in 2008? and Who was president in 2020? are two questions you should be required to answer before you opine about politics on TV, he noted. Its one thing to go on TV and claim that Obama was president in 2008. TV is hectic and ppl make mistakes, The Atlantics Derek Thompson added. But its another thing to log on in the morning and go: To be clear, Obama, who became POTUS in 2009, hates the common man so much he traveled back thru time to sign TARP. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Trump administration is planning a PR effort to attempt to convince the people of Greenland to join the U.S., according to The New York Times. Both the prime minister of the Arctic semiautonomous Danish territory and the prime minister of mainland Denmark have made clear that the territory is not up for sale and cannot be annexed. Many Greenlanders may want independence from Denmark, but few actually want to join the U.S. Multiple cabinet departments are part of the PR effort following years of President Donald Trump talking about wanting to acquire Greenland. The islands economic and strategic value has increased as global warming leads to melting Arctic ice, opening up new sea routes and access to natural resources. Trump, meanwhile, may also be viewing the islands vast size, 836,330 square miles in all, as a chance to make a historic real estate deal. The president has repeatedly made clear his will to take control of the island. Speaking before Congress last month, he said: We need Greenland for national security and even international security, and were working with everybody involved to try and get it. One way or the other, were going to get it, he added at the time. The National Security Council has met numerous times to discuss the topic and recently distributed instructions to several parts of the government, an official told The New York Times. The Trump administration is planning a PR campaign to convince Greenlanders to ask to join the U.S. ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Even as some details of the plan remain unclear, the official told the paper that the council never seriously took into consideration the possibility of using military force. The policy is instead a PR effort to convince the Greenlanders to join the U.S. Trump aides have discussed possible advertising and social media campaigns to change public opinion among the 57,000 Greenlanders, according to the paper. However, in last months election on the island, an opposition party that supports quickly moving towards independence and getting closer to the U.S. came in second place with only a quarter of the vote. The official told the paper that the messaging campaign will focus on Greenlanders having shared heritage with the native Inuit people in Alaska. Greenlands Inuit population is descended from people who came to the island from Alaska hundreds of years ago, The New York Times noted. The official language of Greenland is derived from Inuit dialects first introduced in northern Canada. Publicly, Trump aides have argued that only the U.S., and not Denmark, will be able to protect it from Russian and Chinese interference. Trump shared a short video on social media last month, praising the American soldiers who came to the island during World War II after Nazi Germany occupied Denmark. The Danes had hoped that the U.S. would depart after the war, but they never did so, still maintaining a military base on the island, which was recently visited by Vice President JD Vance, Second Lady Usha Vance, and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. The Trump administration is also looking at the possibility of replacing the $600 million in subsidies that the Danish government hands the island with an annual payment of about $10,000 a year for each resident. Some officials think such payments can be made back from extracting natural resources on the island, such as rare earth minerals, copper, gold, uranium, and oil. National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes told the paper that the president believes Greenland is a strategically important location, and is confident Greenlanders would be better served protected by the United States from modern threats in the Arctic region. Hughes mentioned Vance and Waltzs recent visit to the island and that they laid out the important case for a partnership between Greenland and the United States to establish long-term peace at home and shared prosperity abroad. Speaking to reporters during his March 28 visit to a U.S. military base on the island, Vance said Greenlanders would choose, through self-determination, to become independent of Denmark, and then were going to have conversations with the people of Greenland from there. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An immigration court judge has determined that Donald Trumps administration can deport a Columbia University student activist for his involvement in pro-Palestine demonstrations on campus. The administrations claims that Mahmoud Khalil poses adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States is facially reasonable, according to assistant chief immigration judge Jamee Comans. The arrest of Khalil who is currently detained in a Louisiana facility more than 1,300 miles from New York, where his U.S. citizen wife is imminently expected to give birth has sparked international outrage and fears that the Trump administration is moving to crush political dissidents, starting with campus demonstrations against Israels devastating campaign in Gaza and U.S. support. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has revoked hundreds of student visas over campus activism, leading to several high-profile arrests of international scholars who are now awaiting deportation hearings in remote jails across the southern United States. The judge is giving Khalils lawyers until April 23 to argue against his removal to Syria or Algeria. I would like to quote what you said last time that there's nothing that's more important to this court than due process rights and fundamental fairness, Khalil said at the end of Fridays immigration court hearing in Jena, Louisiana. Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process, he added. This is exactly why the Trump administration has sent me to this court, 1,000 miles away from my family. I just hope that the urgency that you deemed fit for me are afforded to the hundreds of others who have been here without hearing for months. open image in gallery Mahmoud Khalil is being held in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement prison in Jena, Louisiana, while the Trump administration defends its attempts to deport him in court ( AP ) A case challenging the constitutionality of the detention of the Columbia grad a lawful permanent resident with a green card is also playing out in a federal courtroom in New Jersey, where his attorneys successfully moved jurisdiction to handle a legal challenge to his arrest. Khalil has remained in Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention since March 8. The administration has accused him of antisemitic activities and supporting Hamas, which he has flatly rejected. Officials concede he has not committed any crime, but claim he can be removed over what Rubio has characterized as potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences. A two-page memorandum submitted to the immigration court as evidence for his removal admitted his protest activities were otherwise lawful, but argued that letting him remain in the country would undermine U.S. policy to combat antisemitism around the world and in the United States, in addition to efforts to protect Jewish students from harassment and violence in the United States. Khalil and his legal team argue his arrest and detention and attempted removal from the country, which is currently blocked by court order are retaliatory violations of his First Amendment right to freedom of speech and his Fifth Amendment right to due process of law, among other claims. His lawyers are challenging what they call the targeted, retaliatory detention and attempted removal of a student protester because of his constitutionally protected speech. This is a dangerous slope, his attorney Marc Van Der Hout told reporters on Thursday. People like Mahmoud have a constitutional right to speak out in this country and the government should not be using this really bogus lawsuit to say its against foreign policy interests. Fridays ruling is egregious overreach by the Trump administration, according to Khalils attorney Amy Greer. Every single person in this country has the right to speak out against issues that matter to them and I fear that this decision will embolden the Trump administration to target other vulnerable people who are simply speaking out for Palestinian human rights and against an ongoing genocide, she said in a statement. We have fought for Mahmouds release every single day since he was detained. We will continue to do so until he is home with his family. open image in gallery Palestinian graduate student Mahmoud Khalil helped organize student-led demonstrations against Israels war in Gaza on Columbia Universitys campus, which the Trump administration characterized as a threat to U.S. foreign policy in its arguments to deport him ( REUTERS ) Khalil, who is Palestinian, grew up in a refugee camp in Syria. He entered the United States on a student visa in 2022 to pursue a masters degree in public administration, which he completed last year. His anticipated graduation date is May 2025. He became a lawful permanent resident in 2024. Khalil has called Israels actions in Gaza a genocide and criticized Columbia University for, in his view, financing and in other ways facilitating such violence, his attorneys wrote in court filings last month. Plainclothes federal agents followed Khalil and his wife into the lobby of an apartment building, and two other officers approached from inside the building, the filing states. They never produced a warrant, according to his attorneys. He was moved to a detention facility in New Jersey and then flown to Louisiana the next day. I am a political prisoner, Khalil said in a public statement published March 19. The Trump administration is targeting me as part of a broader strategy to suppress dissent in which visa-holders, green-card carriers and citizens alike will all be targeted for their political beliefs, he said. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Republican firebrand and Trump acolyte Marjorie Taylor Greene scooped up a number of plummeting stocks following the market chaos caused by the presidents global tariffs. The Georgia congresswoman, an avid supporter of the Trump administration's trade policies, not only bought stocks last week, but also took on some of the biggest losers when markets tumbled over President Trumps tariff war. On Wednesday morning, the president posted on his social media site truth Social: NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!! Greene, it appears, listened to the advice. open image in gallery On Wednesday morning the president posted on his social media site truth Social: NOW IS A GREAT TIME TO BUY!! Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, it appears, listened to the advice ( Getty Images ) The congresswoman bought stock in big brands like Lululemon, Dell Computer, Amazon, and the parent of Restoration Hardware after they dropped by around 40 percent on average late last week. Data from a required three-page financial holdings document, seen by The Associated Press, doesn't disclose exactly how much she paid for the stocks, only ranges and dates. As of Wednesdays market close, some of her investments were already beginning to pay off. RH, formerly called Restoration Hardware, jumped more than a third since Friday's close when she bought it after a collapse in price that even shook the head of the furniture retailer, CEO Gary Friedman, who responded oh s---t during a company call when the tariffs were announced. Dell has jumped 9 percent since Greene bought the stock last week after it had lost more than half its value. open image in gallery Global markets were in chaos until the president announced a brief pause on his sweeping global tariffs, causing markets to soar back to record-breaking highs ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Lawmakers from both major parties have previously proposed bills banning members from stock trading because of the apparent conflict of interest in owning shares of companies they can heavily influence with positions they can take in office. Asked whether she made the stock purchases herself and about possible conflicts of interest, Greene said in a statement to AP: I have signed a fiduciary agreement to allow my financial advisor to control my investments. All of my investments are reported with full transparency. Greene is one of the MAGA faithfuls that have been outspoken in her support of Trumps tariffs. Tariffs are a powerful proven source of leverage to protect our national interests, she posted on X previously, adding, We will win this trade war. Trumps sudden and surprising pause to the tariffs announced on Wednesday has led some Democrats to question whether market manipulation or insider trading has occurred. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice In the latest sign of tech billionaire Elon Musks apparently waning power in the federal government, staffers at the National Institutes of Health have been told to ignore his demand for weekly productivity self-evaluations. NIH employees were instructed Thursday that the agency was rolling back Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) directives, including writing their own performance reviews and limiting purchases and travel to save money, according to NIH messages obtained by Politico. The new orders come after the confirmation of new NIH Director Director Jay Bhattacharya last month. Please disregard any future reminders or instructions on this directive from OPM or the Department of Health and Human Services, said one message, referring to the White Houses personnel office. NIH manages its own performance review processes, and will notify employees directly if any information related to work duties or performance is needed, the message added. Another message stated that agency purchasing cards would be restored to full capacity and use on Thursday. Staff will again be able to travel for business and wont have to seek permission from Health and Human Services or the NIH directors office, the note added. DOGE last month set a mere $1 spending limit on federal agency credit cards unless an exemption was obtained, and implemented a new purchase review and approval process across agencies to constrain spending, Politico noted. Musk in February ordered all federal workers across multiple agencies to send weekly emails to the Office of Personnel Management with five bullet points summarizing their work. He and President Donald Trump threatened workers who ignored the order with termination. Supervisors complained that the requirement ate up time that could be spent instead on actual work, and that the reports would apparently be evaluated by a DOGE crew who knew nothing about the tasks of the agencies they were attempting to supervise. In the past month, several agencies, including the FBI and Department of Justice, have also instructed employees not to respond to DOGEs demands because of fears about disclosing protected private information, or classified information through unsecured channels. Many workers by late March were ignoring Musks demand for the five-points email, ABC News reported, and at least one employee was sending the exact same email each week with no consequences. When asked about Musks apparent power demotion, White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told Politico: The Department of Government Efficiency reports to agency heads. Agency heads do not report to the Department of Government Efficiency. Elon Musk could not immediately be reached for comment by The Independent. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Visitors to the White House on Friday were greeted with a new addition to the executive mansions art collection a painting depicting the now-iconic photograph of President Donald Trump raising his fist just moments after a bullet grazed his ear in Butler, Pennsylvania last June. White House staff installed the painting just outside the East Room, in the main foyer of the White House, at a location traditionally reserved for a painting depicting the most recent president to have his official portrait unveiled. Because neither Trump nor his predecessor-turned-successor Joe Biden have commissioned official portrait,s much less had them completed and unveiled for public view, that spot had until today been filled by a painting of the 44th president, Barack Obama by artist Robert McCurdy. Though McCurdy completed the artwork in 2018, it was not unveiled until September 2022, when both former president Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama returned to the White House to see both of their official portraits added to the White House collection. A post on X (formerly Twitter) from the White Houses official account announced the change, leading some users on the platform to suggest that the Trump administration was doing away with the portrait of Obama. One prominent pro-Biden activist on the platform, Chris Jackson, accused the Trump White House of exhibiting what he described as straight-up tin pot dictator energy and having taken down Obamas portrait. But The Independent has been told that such accusations are completely unfounded. A White House official said that the portrait of the 46th president had been relocated across the foyer to the spot where the painting of Obamas predecessor, George W Bush, had hung since it was unveiled in 2012. The official said the portrait of the 43rd president, a 2011 work by artist John Howard Sanden, was being relocated to a spot on the State Floor of the White House next to the 1994 portrait of Bushs father, 41st president George HW Bush. According to the official, the reproduction of Vuccis iconic photograph of a bloodied Trump raising his fist against a backdrop of a hanging American flag was painted by Marc Lipp, a Florida-based artist who is also known for producing painted bronze sculptures of dogs. The official stated that the painting was gifted to Trump by Andrew Pollack, a GOP activist from the Sunshine State whose daughter was killed in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. open image in gallery This photo by AP photographer Evan Vucci is now hanging in the White House as a painting ( AP ) The choice to display a painting based on the Associated Press photo by Vucci the wire services chief photographer comes at a time when the White House is engaging in a court battle for the right to ban him and his colleagues from the Oval Office and Air Force One in retaliation for the service refusing to refer to the body of water between Mexico and Florida as the Gulf of America. Neither the White House nor Lipps gallery representatives immediately responded to a query on whether Lipp had properly licensed the copyrighted photograph from the AP. If he did not receive permission to reproduce the photograph, the artist could potentially be liable for copyright infringement. The AP has taken artists to court to enforce copyrights before. In 2011, the wire service and street artist Shepard Fairey settled a long-running dispute over Faireys iconic Hope campaign poster image of Obama. The poster was based on an image of Obama taken by an AP photographer in 2008. open image in gallery Shepard Faireys Hope showing Barack Obama ( AFP via Getty Images ) According to the New York Times, the settlement included an agreement for Fairey and the AP to share the rights to the iconic poster and to financial terms that remain confidential. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trumps freshly appointed special envoy for Special Missions, Richard Grenell, who is now acting head of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, has torn into a musician in a bizarre email spat regarding the commander-in-chiefs overhaul and DEI policies. Guitarist Yasmin Williams, a renowned finger-style guitarist from Virginia, called Grenells response completely unprofessional and rude after she questioned him about the controversial changes Trump enforced following his takeover of the center. Taking to Instagram Thursday, she shared the damning string of emails. Ive read a lot of commentary from musician friends and former patrons of the Kennedy Center who are concerned about the Centers rollback of DEI initiatives, removal of the Social Impact Team, the cancellation of certain shows (Finn and the Gay Mens Chorus of Washington specifically), and eliminating board members, Williams wrote. Williams drew attention to this in her email, citing the major negative reaction the changes had prompted. Trump previously slammed critically acclaimed sell-out performances such as Hamilton and suggested that other Broadway hits, such as Les Miserables, would do well for the center. open image in gallery Trump loyalist Richard Grenell formerly served as Trumps U.S. ambassador to Germany during his first presidential term ( Reuters ) Williams stated that musicians wont play there until the President leaves office before posing two questions to Grenell. "With this provided context, my two questions are: does the President actually care about artists canceling shows at the Kennedy Center? Williams asked. "What, if anything, has changed about the Kennedy Center regarding hiring practices, performance booking, and staffing?" Grenell responded with a fiery email that read, Let me ask you this question: Would you play for Republicans or would you boycott if Republicans came to your show? signing off the email as ric. Williams defended herself by explaining that shes performed in hundreds of shows regardless of the audiences political affiliation. Boycotting anything because Republicans exist and may be at a show of mine makes no sense to me. Is this related to the questions I asked? Grenell chimed back with a bizarre explanation for those who had canceled shows in the wake of Trumps takeover. Every single person who canceled a show did so because they couldnt be in the presence of Republicans. We didnt fire a single show. We dont cancel a single show. open image in gallery Yasmin Williams scorned Grenell for being defensive and rude in his response ( Instagram ) He then let off a spiteful attack on the media, saying, You shouldnt believe what you read in the newspapers who exist to hate Republicans. Read more. Dont swallow what the media tells you. Dont be gullible. The former U.S. acting intelligence director didnt stop there. In a follow-up email, he continued to attack, referencing audience members who jeered Vice President JD Vance last month, writing: Your people also booed and harassed the vice president who simply wanted to enjoy music with his wife for a night. Who is the intolerant one? He then said that he was too busy to confront [Williams] vapidness and shut down her comments as wrong. In a long-winded diatribe, he slated the centers fundraising, calling it atrocious,, and said the building had been in disrepair for over two decades. The programs are so woke that they havent made money. Yes, I cut the DEI ******** because we cant afford to pay people for fringe and niche programming that the public wont support. He finished his rant by stating it was necessary to make cuts because we are in debt and in order to pay our bills and sent a further email accusing Williams of playing the victim despite contacting him first. open image in gallery JD Vance was welcomed to the Kennedy Center by a chorus of boos in March ( Andrew Roth/The Guardian ) A stunned Williams responded by calling out his defensive and rude attitude. Im honestly shocked at how unprofessional your emails are, she replied. Last month, Grammy-winning musician Cathy Fin, who collaborates with the center, contacted Grenell this year about the shakeupsa first since she began performing there in the 1980s, according to NPR. "If, as you say, you take 'diversity and inclusion very seriously,' then I would be very interested in hearing what action steps you plan to take to make sure that everyone feels welcome and that diverse artistic points of view are experienced at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Arts," Fink wrote. Grenell responded in a fiery fashion, writing: "Can you tell me why you believe the Wash post? We didn't cancel a single show. You are flat wrong. Last month, Trump visited the Kennedy Center following his shock takeover of the arts establishment, which he said was in a state of tremendous disrepair. He also appointed himself as the centers chairman and pledged to transform the institution completely. When he announced the MAGA-style overhaul in mid-February, outraged performers began canceling shows. Donors also questioned their support for the institution, and audience members threatened to boycott, as reported by The Guardian. The Independent contacted the Kennedy Center and Williams for comment. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. 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. open image in gallery 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. 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. 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trumps administration refused a court order for updates on a wrongfully imprisoned Maryland father locked up in El Salvadors notorious prison, and to outline what steps, if any, theyre taking to get him home. After refusing to file a written response on Friday morning, government lawyers could not answer questions from a federal judge in person during a hearing about the status of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who has spent nearly one month in a brutal Salvadoran jail after he was deported because of an administrative error. In court filings Friday morning, government lawyers said it was impractical to reply to the judges questions the day after the Supreme Court ordered the administration to facilitate the release of Abrego Garcia, whose detention and imprisonment the high court agreed is illegal. Department of Justice attorneys asked to delay their responses to the judges questions until next week. Judge Paula Xinis called their request another stunning display of arrogance and cruelty. The governments act of sending Abrego Garcia to El Salvador was wholly illegal from the moment it happened, the judge replied, and the suggestion that lawyers need time to meaningfully review a four-page order that reaffirms this basic principle blinks at reality, she said. The judge gave government lawyers a two-hour extension to reply to her questions. But after blowing past the new deadline for a response, Justice Department lawyers said they were not able to answer. In light of the insufficient amount of time afforded to review the Supreme Courts Order following the dissolution of the administrative stay in this case, Defendants are not in a position where they 'can share any information requested by the Court, Justice Department attorneys wrote in their reply. That is the reality. The exchange marked an escalation of the administrations defiance of the courts that legal scholars fear is putting the country on the brink of a constitutional crisis. Trump and his allies have routinely derided judges, particularly those overseeing immigration cases and challenges to the presidents mass deportation agenda, but the latest refusal to comply with a court order has once again put the executive branch on a collision course with the judiciary. A group of House lawmakers called on the Trump administration to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia on April 9. The Supreme Court has ordered the government to facilitate his release, which Justice Department attorneys say they are are still reviewing ( Getty Images ) Asked repeatedly during a Friday afternoon hearing for basic information about where Abrego Garcia is, and what the government is doing to get him back, Justice Department lawyers said they could not answer. "Were going to make a record of what, if anything, the government is doing or not doing, Judge Xinis told government lawyers on Friday. The judge is demanding daily updates on Abrego Garcias location and status, as well as what efforts the administration is making to facilitate his return, as the Supreme Court ordered. Were not gonna slow walk this," Xinis told deputy assistant attorney general Drew Ensign. Were not re-litigating what [the Supreme Court] put to bed. The Supreme Court made their ruling last night very clear that its the administration's responsibility to facilitate the return, not to effectuate the return, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters on Friday. Abrego Garcia and his U.S. citizen wife are raising their 5-year-old U.S. citizen child as well as two other children from a previous relationship. He first entered the country without legal permission when he was 16 years old after fleeing extortion and gang violence in his home country. He was among more than 200 people expelled to El Salvador on March 15, despite a court ruling that blocked his removal over humanitarian concerns for his safety. The Trump administration, which has a $6 million arrangement with the Salvadoran government to jail deportees, argued it was powerless to remove Abrego Garcia, even if it wanted to, because he was no longer in custody of the United States. Do you remember Julian Assanges catchphrase, Courage is contagious? I think he may have borrowed it from the old Bible basher the Reverend Billy Graham, but no matter: it had a catchy ring about it. Sadly, there is something even more contagious: cowardice. There is a lot of it about. In the US today, it is spreading very rapidly, and there seems to be no known cure. An enterprising journalist at Politico has called it the Great Grovel. In a recent piece, John F Harris chronicled how a parade of the wealthiest and most elite institutions in American life have capitulated to a series of unprecedented demands from Donald Trump and his brutish team of retribution-seekers. Where to begin? Maybe with some of the wealthiest people on the planet. Im looking at you, Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, who were among the first to take the knee before Trump had even cleared his throat. Or maybe the bosses at ABC who, rather than telling the president-elect where to shove his lawsuit, agreed to pay him $15m (11.5m) to settle an eminently defendable defamation claim. Or how about the lily-livered drips covering the White House, who in solidarity with their banned colleagues at Associated Press are seriously considering wearing badges that say First Amendment. For one day only, you understand. Trump must be trembling at the prospect. And then there are the crybabies running the great universities. Specifically Columbia, whose interim president hoisted a white flag high above the hallowed halls of learning. Katrina Armstrong promptly stepped down, to be replaced by an acting president, Claire Shipman, who has already been warned that its only a matter of weeks before shes forced out. But none of this rivals the flabby capitulation of some of the most affluent law firms in America, who have stumbled out of their well-appointed offices with their hands in the air. Trump began by (almost certainly illegally) threatening one law firm Paul, Weiss in retaliation for some slight, real or imagined. Within a week, the firm surrendered, promising to devote $40m in legal services to causes close to Trumps heart. It also vowed to abandon any DEI policies. As Pete Hegsethmight say: Its PATHETIC. Paul, Weiss has long prided itself on being at the forefront of the fight for civil rights. It is not a poor company. Last year was something of a boom year, with revenues growing 32 per cent to $2.63bn. The average pay for its partners in 2024 was $7.5m. And still, it folded. Well, what do you think happened next? Trump is going after more law firms for representing people he does not like. A fourth firm, Milbank, struck a deal this week to commit $100m of free legal advice to Trump causes, and also ditched diversity-based hiring. An equity partner at Milbank can expect to earn 4m a year. Meanwhile, all the richest law firms in America are so far looking the other way. One company with Democratic Party ties, Perkins Coie, has decided to fight back. Former partner Bob Bauer described the executive orders as exercises in intimidation, adding: We are at a critical moment. Which way is the legal profession going to go? According to Thursdays New York Times, the answer is a collective decision to climb under the duvet and hope no one notices. None of the top 10 firms by revenue has come out in solidarity with Perkins Coie. According to the NYT: For most of the big firms ... they quietly support it, but are concerned that signing the document would draw Mr Trumps ire and cost them clients. And thats how the Great Grovel unfolds. Back to universities: youll be amazed to hear that, following Columbias surrender, the Trump administration has decided to review roughly $9bn in grants and contracts awarded to Harvard. A former president of Harvard, Larry Summers, called out what was happening in a punchy piece in the NYT this week. He accused Trump of trying to bludgeon Americas elite universities into submission, and noted: Each act of capitulation makes the next one more likely. Each act of rectitude reverberates. Like the fabulously wealthy law firms, Harvard has immense riches should it choose to resist. If not Harvard, who? As Summers argued: Institutions such as Harvard, the administrations most recent target, have vast financial resources, great prestige, and broad networks of influential alumni. If they do not or cannot resist the arbitrary application of government power, who else can? Without acts of resistance, what protects the rule of law? The pattern of attacks by Trump and his cronies is hardly accidental. A law-based democracy is based on the reality created by science, the academy, journalism, law, and the government itself. So, if you want to manipulate your own version of the truth, then of course you target the fake media, the lawyers, the judges, and science (hello RFK!). And you get your mates to dismantle the government. Over 200 years, America has built up a system of institutions and norms that, together, helped form what the social historian Jonathan Rauch has called the constitution of knowledge. The entire system rests on a foundation of values: a shared understanding that there are right and wrong ways to make knowledge, he wrote in 2021. Those values and rules and institutions do for knowledge what the US constitution does for politics: they create a governing structure, forcing social contestation onto peaceful and productive pathways. If we want to defend that system from its many persistent attackers, we need to understand it and its very special notion of reality. But defending the system also requires a measure of courage. What if Zuckerberg and Bezos had held their nerve? What if ABC had told Trump theyd see him in court? What if the Ivy League universities had stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Columbia? What if the fabulously wealthy law firms had joined together to sue Trump for trying to blackmail them? But that would require powerful and wealthy people to show a bit of backbone. Cowardice is contagious. Welcome to the Great Grovel. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Chinese 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 On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Peace in Ukraine appears out of reach in the immediate future, Germanys defence minister has warned as Vladimir Putin is accused of dragging his feet on a ceasefire. After a meeting of the 50-strong Ukraine Defence Contact Group (UDCG), Boris Pistorius lashed out at Russias ongoing attacks on civilian and military targets inside Ukraine, urging the President Putin to back down. Russia needs to understand that Ukraine is able to go on fighting and we will support it, he said. open image in gallery Germanys defence minister warned peace in Ukraine appears out of reach in the near future ( REUTERS ) But in a rallying call for Ukraines allies to step up their financial and military support for Kyiv, Mr Pistorius said: Given Russias ongoing aggression against Ukraine, we must concede that peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future. His intervention came as UK defence secretary John Healey warned that the Russian dictator is continuing to drag his feet in US-brokered talks about a peace deal in Ukraine. As Russia sends swarms of attack drones into Ukrainian cities, he said allies must not jeopardise the peace process by forgetting about the war. And he hailed a record 18.2bn of new military support for Kyiv agreed by UDCG countries, vowing to surge that support to the frontline fight. But echoing a warning from Sir Keir Starmer last month, Mr Healey said: Today is one month to the day in which Russia rejected President Trumps peace settlement. open image in gallery John Healey echoed Sir Keir Starmer, warning that Vladimir Putin is dragging his feet in peace talks ( PA Wire ) Putin said he wanted peace but he rejected a full ceasefire; Putin said he wanted peace but he continues to drag his feet and delay the negotiations; Putin said he wanted peace, but his forces continue to fire on Ukraine military and civilian targets alike. From January through to March, he launched over 10,000 glide bombs into Ukraine. He is launching over 100 one-way attack drones every day and weve reached the point now where those battlefield casualties on both sides inflicted by drones now way outnumber those inflicted by artillery. In our calculations, 70-80 per cent of battlefield casualties are now caused and inflicted by drones. Mr Healey hailed the funding boost as a record increase in military support, while reiterating the UKs commitment to spend 4.5bn on military aid for Ukraine this year. It came as Mr Pistorious denied that the US defence secretarys decision to attend the meeting of Ukraines backers virtually, despite Washingtons special envoy Steve Witkoff travelling in person to Moscow, was a sign America is losing interest in the peace process. open image in gallery Putin has rejected a ceasefire proposal ( via REUTERS ) In terms of the participation of Pete Hegseth, virtually or physically here in Brussels, its not a matter of priorities. I think its a matter of schedules, he said. He added that the most important fact was that he took part. 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. Fridays talks in Brussels followed a meeting of the smaller coalition of the willing in the Belgian capital on Thursday, as it develops plans to establish a peacekeeping force in Ukraine once a peace deal is struck between Russia and Ukraine. Following the meeting, 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. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The 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. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ukraine could be partitioned like Berlin after the Second World War as part of a peace deal, US President Donald Trumps special envoy for Ukraine and Russia has suggested. Retired lieutenant general Keith Kellogg said in an interview with The Times that UK and French troops could adopt zones of control in the west of the country, forming a reassurance force. Russias army could remain in the occupied east, and between the two would be Ukrainian forces and a demilitarised zone, said Gen Kellogg, who was previously national security adviser to former vice-president Mike Pence. open image in gallery Volodymyr Zelensky greeting US envoy Keith Kellogg in February ( AFP via Getty ) The Anglo-French-led force west of the Dnipro river, which bisects Ukraine from north to south, would not be provocative at all to the Kremlin, he told The Times. Last month, Gen Kellogg was excluded from peace talks because the Kremlin complained that he was too close to Kyiv, it was reported. Now he has said Ukraine is big enough to accommodate several armies seeking to enforce a ceasefire. You could almost make it look like what happened with Berlin after World War Two, when you had a Russian zone, a French zone, and a British zone, a US zone, he said. America would not contribute any ground forces, he said. A demilitarised zone of 18 miles could be implemented along existing lines of control in the east. However, Moscow has repeatedly insisted it would not accept peacekeeping troops from any Nato country under any conditions in Ukraine. Gen Kelloggs suggestion would mean Ukraine giving up on regaining its eastern territories that are now under Russian control. But it was unclear whether he was suggesting Kyiv cede to Russia any further territory east of the river. With Vladimir Putin repeatedly being accused of delaying any plans for a ceasefire as agreed by Ukraines president Volodymyr Zelensky, the White House insisted Mr Trump would use his influence over Russia to negotiate a peace deal. open image in gallery The front line in the war in Ukraine and how it has changed since Russia invaded in 2022 ( PA Graphics ) Spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said: We believe we have leverage in negotiating a deal to a peace deal, and were going to use that leverage, and the president is determined to see this through. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said Russia was using bilateral talks with the United States to delay negotiations about the war, suggesting that the Kremlin remains uninterested in serious peace negotiations to end the war. Mr Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, held talks about a peace deal with President Putin for several hours in St Petersburg. The Kremlin posted a photo on its website of the two men shaking hands, saying the meeting had taken place. The theme of the meeting, aspects of a Ukrainian settlement, it said. Russian news agencies said the meeting lasted more than four hours. Just as the talks were about to begin, Mr Trump warned on social media that Putin should make progress on a ceasefire. He posted: Russia has to get moving. Too many people are DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war. Ms Leavitt said Mr Witkoff was discussing efforts to end the war with Putin and other officials. This is another step in the negotiating process towards a ceasefire and an ultimate peace deal, she said. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Passengers were left terrified when their American Airlines flight from JFK to Milan was forced to turn back while they were over the Atlantic because of an unruly passenger. According to those on board, the man was originally upset that he couldnt sit in an exit row with a baby, reports CBS New York. He then became angrier when his meal choice wasnt available. The man later charged at air hostesses and, at one point, ran through the cabin and attempted to barge into the pilots cabin. Flight 198 left New York City around 7 p.m. Monday. Four hours later, it turned around and headed back to the terminal. 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 told CBS. 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. Despite the ordeal, passengers say American Airlines did not offer them anything ( Getty/iStock ) 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. 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, Tomlinson said. They were telling everyone that there were technical issues on the plane, which is even scarier, another passenger, Michael Scigliano, said. 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 weve got this crazy man in the back, he added. The flight landed safely back at JFK around 3 a.m. local time. The passengers then waited tensely for the man to be brought off the plane. Scigliano said that despite the ordeal, the airline did not offer them anything. This was echoed by Tomlinson, who said that she was told she would need to pay $79 if she wanted to use the AA lounge to breastfeed. There were nearly 2,000 incidents of unruly passengers on flights in 2024, according to the FAA. The Independent has reached out to American Airlines for comment. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice 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. open image in gallery 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 open image in gallery 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. open image in gallery 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. open image in gallery 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. open image in gallery 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. A drug dealer was caught launching a bin bag full of cocaine and heroin over a fence as police smashed their way into a home in Birmingham. Zain Hussain, 27, of Kenelm Road, Small Heath, ran from the property and grabbed drugs from a barbecue during the raid. Police found cocaine with more than 10,000 along with hundreds of pounds worth of heroin. Hussain was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years after admitting possession with intent to supply heroin and cocaine. Shazad Akram, 46, of Heather Road, Birmingham, Sajad Akram, 43, of Kenelm Road, Small Heath, and Asif Mohammed, 46, of Blakeland Street, Birmingham, were jailed for their roles in the drugs gang after admitting being concerned in the supply of heroin and cocaine. A fascinating video captures a Kentucky restaurant owners unorthodox method for combating floodwaters. In a video posted to Facebook Sunday (6 April), Andrew Masterson, a co-owner of Captain's Quarters Riverside Grille in Prospect, explained that his team pumped the building full of fresh water to keep the dirty water from entering. Masterson filled the restaurant with roughly six feet of water using sinks, faucets and a well pump to equalize the water pressure against destructive flooding outside. The video shows the owner wading through Captains Quarters, which looks like a bizarre pool room, while explaining that his team removed electrical panels before bringing the water in. Metropolitan Police officers apprehended scammers on Westminster Bridge dressed as Batman and Robin in February, after having to hatch "creative plans" to "deliver vengeance." Inspector Darren Watson became the Dark Knight, while PC Abdi Osman was The Boy Wonder. Inspector Watson said: I knew that if we were going to catch [two repeat offenders] we would have the think outside the box, and then I remembered that I had Batman and Robin costumes to hand which could come in use. Constica-Gherorghe Barbu was fined 925, while a warrant is out for Eugen Stocia's arrest after failing to appear in court. A helicopter's propellor "exploded and scattered" before it crashed into the Hudson River in New York City on Thursday, 10 April, an eyewitness has said. Belle Angel, a writer from New Jersey told the Associated Press, told the Associated Press: "We were like 'was that lightning?' "The propeller just exploded and scattered." All six people on board died in the crash, authorities confirmed. The cause remains unknown; the National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation. Manhattan's skies are routinely filled with planes and helicopters, both private recreational aircraft and commercial and tourist flights. Fox News reporter Peter Doocy was forced to duck for cover live on air on Friday morning (April 11) after a bird landed on his head. The moment happened as he was broadcasting from outside the White House. After breaking down the latest developments in the trade war between the US and China, co-host Ainsley Earhardt asked Doocy about President Donald Trumps latest Truth Social post on the topic. Foxs White House correspondent was midway through answering when a bird swooped into shot and momentarily landed on his head. It then proceeded to dive-bomb him before flying away. Doocy laughed it off, responding "President Trump, if you're watching upstairs, we got to do something about these birds!" A US ballerina jailed for 12 years in Russia after donating $51 to a charity supporting Ukraine reunited with her fiance in an emotional embrace as she landed at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland on Thursday, 10 April. Ksenia Karelina was arrested in Yekaterinburg in February 2024 after returning to Russia to visit her family. She was freed as part of a prisoner exchange between the US and Russia, negotiated between the CIA and senior Russian intelligence officials. Footage showed her hugging her partner, professional boxer Chris van Heerden, after being released. Dashcam captured the moment a drunk driver nearly crashed into a Florida police officer trying to arrest her. On 27 March, a Tampa DUI officer responded to a wrong-way driver call. The video shows the driver, who has not been identified, speeding down the road and just missing a head-on collision with the officers car. She almost killed me, he tells another officer after successfully stopping the woman. I sat there, held the steering wheel and closed my eyes. The driver can be seen stumbling during the walk and turn sobriety test. She was arrested and charged with DUI. A Tesla was destroyed in London by protesters targeting billionaire Elon Musk and his ties to Donald Trump on Thursday, 10 April. The second-hand car, originally destined for the scrapheap, was smashed as part of a public art piece according to the group Everyone Hates Elon, who organised the stunt. The group says it offers people a way to safely and legally destroy a Tesla. The installation will be auctioned to raise money for local food banks. "There are more billionaires than ever before and there are more food banks than ever before. These things are obviously connected" an Everyone Hates Elon spokesperson said. Donald Trump bragged that his friend and investor Charles Schwab made two billion dollars from the current stock market chaos. In a video posted to X on Wednesday, 9 April, the president introduced NASCAR drivers to the founder and chairman of Charles Schwab Corporation, a multinational financial services company. Its not just a company, its actually an individual, Trump told the racing drivers. The president added that Schwab made two and a half billion today from the stock market. The market has experienced dramatic fluctuations since Trump announced historic reciprocal tariffs on foreign nations on 2 April. Global uproar and panic resulted in massive sell-offs in anticipation of the escalating trade war. But then Trump put a 90-day pause on the tariffs except for China, causing a huge surge in markets. 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 Home economics: We rent out our late mothers Connemara home when not using it. Are we affected by the new RPZ rules? Companies linked to the businessman Colm Wu are allegedly owed up to 3m by the Department of Justice for providing accommodation to Ukrainian refugees, the High Court has heard. David Whelan SC, appearing for the liquidators of several of Mr Wus firms, on Thursday asked Mr Justice Mark Sanfey to make a direction compelling Mr Wu to provide documents supporting the claim that up to three of his firms are owed the money. Richard Curran: Paul Coulson can have few complaints as 28-year Ardagh odyssey from Ringsend to Wall Street looks like having a happy ending Any Other Business: The first million dollars is difficult to turn down. Turning down money since then has become very easy Loophole that denied thousands of mortgage prisoners access to ombudsman is closed off Issue affecting borrowers whose loans were sold to vulture funds was first highlighted in the Irish Independent Elizabeth Mc Auley. Photo: Gerry Mooney Charlie Weston Thu 10 Apr 2025 at 17:25 Legislation has been passed to close off a loophole that saw thousands of people whose mortgages were sold to vulture funds denied access to the States financial ombudsman service. US firms pay almost one fifth of Irish wages Employment in Irish-owned businesses accounted for three quarters of jobs, and two thirds of earnings US president Donald Trump appears on a television screen at the stock market in Frankfurt, Germany. Photo: AP John Burns Fri 11 Apr 2025 at 03:30 American firms paid 17pc of all wages in Ireland in 2023, according to new data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO), illustrating their importance to the economy. Angus Woods: Be smart with the extra money you earn in these good times because they wont last The higher prices for our produce will come back down amid the global economic turbulence, so we must invest our profits wisely The political turmoil created by Trumps tariffs could squeeze consumers spending power. Photo: Damien Eagers Angus Woods Fri 11 Apr 2025 at 07:59 I have a very good friend who is an accountant, but has always had a deep love for farming. We chat regularly, often discussing the business of farming. 1.7m sought for 86ac farm with six-bed house and site potential 9km from Waterford city No property of this size so close to Waterford city has come on the market in decades The 2,500 sq ft two-storey farmhouse Tony McCormack Fri 11 Apr 2025 at 08:00 An 86ac residential farm in an "excellent location" in Co Waterford is on the market for 1.7m. An utter violation landlord who raped tenant jailed, as judge declines to suspend any portion of sentence Judge ruled Paul OLeary (62) will be added to sex offenders registry Lorita ODonoghue statement after her rapist is jailed for seven years Ralph Riegel Fri 11 Apr 2025 at 16:06 A rape survivor warned that victim blaming and a rape culture exist in Ireland with sex offending "monsters" being afforded protection by the failure to believe those who have the courage to report such crimes. Evidence suggests Islamic State blissfully unaware of her existence defence team says no basis for convicting former soldier Lisa Smith Louth woman was found guilty in 2022 of being a member of a terrorist organisation Former Irish soldier Lisa Smith leaves the Criminal Courts of Justice yesterday. Photo: PA Fiona Magennis Fri 11 Apr 2025 at 21:51 Former soldier Lisa Smiths lawyers have argued that no self-respecting legal system could convict her of being a member of an unlawful organisation simply because she lived in an area where Islamic State operated. latest | Sandymount cycleway given go-ahead after appeal court overturns High Court ruling The ruling means that, once implemented, it will be possible to cycle from Sutton on Dublins northside, to Sandycove, on the southside, mostly on physically protected cycleways where cyclists are not mixed with motor vehicles Artist's impression of the council's two-way cycle track plan for Sandymount. Tim Healy and Alan Caulfield Fri 11 Apr 2025 at 14:56 Dublin City Council has won an appeal over the proposed Sandymount cycleway in Dublin. A motorist in Limerick who was driving erratically in the city was arrested after they were found to be nine times over the legal alcohol limit. The Minister for Education Helen McEntee has confirmed that there will be 399 new special education classes for the 2025/2026 school year. Minister McEntee said with one more class to be sanctioned, this will create spaces for 2,700 new children in special classes for the upcoming school term. "The natural movement of children between classes will also free up 1,200 spaces, meaning that there will be nearly 4,000 available spaces for children in special education classes next term, she said. The announcement comes amid a nationwide shortage for teachers trained to educate a growing number of special schools and classes. Opposition parties have warned that the government must match ambition with action by properly resourcing staff training and supporting families on the ground. The Department of Education said the new classes marks a key step in its commitment to supporting children with special educational needs and ensuring earlier planning and clarity for families across Ireland. The 399 new classes sanctioned includes 287 primary special classes and 112 post-primary special classes. At primary level, a school is allocated 1 teacher and 2 SNAs for each new special class. At post-primary level 1.5 teaching posts and 2 SNAs are provided. Education Minister Helen McEntee Today's News in 90 seconds - 11th April 2025 Ms McEntee indicated that the majority of these places will be for children with autism, ensuring access to the high quality education they deserve. The sanctioning of these new special education classes has happened many months earlier this year, which gives both schools and parents more time to prepare. I urge all schools to now begin admitting students into these new classes to give certainty to parents and, above all, the children, she said. I want to sincerely thank the schools, school leaders, boards and patrons that have been involved in the opening of these classes. However, Ms McEntee said despite intensive engagement with the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) and the identification of available accommodation, one school has not confirmed that they will open additional special classes from September. If no progress is made, next week I will begin the process to compel this school to open new special education classes, she said. Speaking last month, amid a nationwide shortage, Ms McEntee said teachers may soon undergo mandatory placement training in special education classes. Children with additional needs who need and deserve a school place are at the heart of these decisions, and I firmly believe that this is in their best interest. Work is already underway in planning new classes for September 2026, in order to give parents and schools even earlier clarity. This will also ensure that there are sufficient spaces in every area, she said today. Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion, Michael Moynihan, described it as a very positive day for special education. These new classes represent not just numbers, but opportunitiesopportunities for inclusion, for learning, and for children to thrive in settings that meet their individual needs, he said. He acknowledged the work of the Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs), team managers, and the entire team at the NCSE, who he said have worked closely with schools to identify, plan, and secure these places earlier than ever before. We are making real progress, but we are also aware of areas where further provision is urgently needed, he said. "We are committed to acting swiftly and effectively to meet those needs, ensuring that no child is left without a suitable place. Doctors and other health experts are taking to the streets with a hard-hitting billboard campaign to try to convince the Government to put an end to fossil fuel advertising. Two concerned groups, Irish Doctors for the Environment (IDE) and the Climate and Health Alliance (CHA), are issuing the warning that: We have to kill fossil fuels before they kill us. Dr Johnny Collins, who works in emergency medicine at University Hospital Galway, said while fossil fuel advertising in Ireland was subtle, it was pervasive. When you hear or see ads for cars, flights and cruises, youre getting ads for fossil fuels because thats what powers them, he said. Picture: David Harte Today's News in 90 seconds - 10th April 2025 A ban on advertising and sponsorship of events by fossil fuel and related industries would be a small but significant win. It would signal a cultural shift and send a strong message that this is bad for public health and were not going to tolerate it anymore. The timing of the campaign comes as the World Health Organisation launches a year-long campaign focusing on maternal and newborn health. The campaign is titled healthy beginning, hopeful future but IDE and CHA say there will be little health or hope so long as the world stays hooked on fossil fuels. Today, at 428ppm of atmospheric CO2, there is nothing healthy about our planet, they say. In fact, planet Earth is in multi-organ failure, exceeding six out of nine safe planetary boundaries. Aside from climate change and the deadly extreme weather events it brings, burning fossil fuels also causes massive air pollution. It also forms the raw materials for microplastics which are destroying water sources and soils, killing wildlife, and contaminating food and the people who eat it. Every step of the fossil fuel life cycle from extraction to processing, transporting, burning and generation of byproducts is harming our health, the groups say. Despite this, the industry is granted unrestricted access to media, enabling it to keep influencing our behaviour, boosting demand for their products and services and delaying meaningful climate action in what is an absolute critical and time sensitive health emergency. Dr Collins said the issue needed to be treated the same way as the ban on smoking advertising. Were not saying you cant go abroad on holiday but if youre trying to cut back on flights, its a lot easier if you are not constantly surrounded by ads for cheap flights and last-minute getaways, he said. The last Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment and Climate Change held hearings on fossil fuel advertising late last year and issued a report recommending moves to restrict it. However, the report was published just as the government was dissolved for the general election and the committee was disbanded. Dr Collins said their work should not go to waste and he urged the new Government to pick up their recommendations. Several government departments have roles in advertising, sponsorship and promotion, depending on the medium and product. They have been asked for comment. The Data Protection Commission on Friday said it had opened an investigation into social media platform X over the use of personal data collected from European Union users to train its AI system Grok. The DPC is the lead EU regulator for X due to the location of its EU headquarters in Dublin. It has the power to impose fines of up to 4pc of a company's global revenue under the EU's strict General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The inquiry will look at "the processing of personal data comprised in publicly-accessible posts posted on the X social media platform by EU/EEA users, for the purposes of training generative artificial intelligence models," the DPC said in a statement. US President Donald Trump and other members of his administration have criticised EU regulation of US companies and described fines imposed on US tech companies by the EU as a form of taxation. Today's News in 90 seconds - 11th April 2025 X owner Elon Musk, the world's richest man and a top adviser to Trump, has also railed against EU regulations, mainly those imposed directly by Brussels on online content. The decision follows a court case last year in which the Irish regulator sought an order to restrict X from processing the data of EU users for the purposes of developing its AI systems. X agreed to stop training its AI systems using personal data collected from EU users before they had the option to withdraw their consent. The Irish regulator ended its court proceedings weeks later, saying X had agreed the limits on a permanent basis. The powerful DPC has fined the likes of LinkedIn, TikTok and Meta since it was given sanctioning powers in 2018. Its fines to date of Meta total almost 3bn. X, or Twitter as it was then called, has not faced sanctions since the DPC fined it 450,000 euros in 2020, the first penalty the regulator handed out under the new data privacy system. TUV leader Jim Allister accused former taoiseach Leo Varadkar of partitioning the UK during the Brexit negotiations (Niall Carson/PA) Leo Varadkar has said that achieving a united Ireland is the great cause of our generation and has asked Irish-America to help secure it. In a speech in Philadelphia, the former taoiseach called for some of Irelands budget surplus to be set aside to help pay for transition to a new and united Ireland. He told the audience there had been enough of small dreams and there was a hunger to think big, act boldly and shape an Ireland that matches the aspirations of our history and our people. Speaking at the Irelands Future event, Mr Varadkar said that London didnt always pay attention to whats happening in Ireland, north or south, but it was influenced by Washington. The former taoiseach said he had learnt this during Brexit negotiations, and he was profoundly grateful for the help he had received from former US President Joe Biden. TUV leader Jim Allister accused former taoiseach Leo Varadkar of partitioning the UK during the Brexit negotiations (Niall Carson/PA) Today's News in 90 seconds - 11th April 2025 If the British and Irish governments were the co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, the US was the third guarantor, he said. Mr Varadkar told the audience that, 27 years after the historic peace deal, Ireland was again asking for assistance from across the Atlantic. Former taoiseach Leo Varadkar meeting then-US president Donald Trump in the White House in March 2019. Photo: Getty I firmly believe that building a new and united Ireland is the next step in our national journey, and I believe that Irish-America can help us to make those next steps, he said. While there is not yet a majority for it north of the border, support grows with every year and unification now is supported by a clear majority of younger voters. The tectonic plates are shifting and in one direction only. Describing the building of a united Ireland as the political project of our generation, he added: It belongs to no one person, no one party, no one community, and no one government. It belongs to all of us who believe in it. As is always the case, the impetus for great change must come from the grassroots. Mr Varadkar said that Ireland has been part of the story of America, and America has been part of the story of Ireland. "While there is not yet a majority for it north of the border, support grows with every year and unification now is supported by a clear majority of younger voters On the steps of the GPO in 1916, Patrick Pearse had spoken about how Ireland was supported by our exiled children in America, the former taoiseach said. Michael Collins had made clear when he had signed the Anglo-Irish Treaty that it was a stepping stone and didnt deliver the freedom that all nations desire . but the freedom to achieve it. Mr Varadkar traced the Free States development into the Republic which achieved economic independence and security by joining the EU. Through the Good Friday Agreement, we have a settlement on how Northern Ireland should be governed and how unification might be achieved by democratic means. All stepping stones, he said. The former taoiseach told the audience that Irish unity wasnt inevitable. Although a pro-unity majority in Northern Ireland didnt yet exist, he believed preparation must begin for a border poll. The new state should not be the annexation of the north by the south but a new Ireland co-designed, as much as is practicable, by everyone who calls Ireland home. It must be a warm house for those who identify as British. Reconciliation between unionists and nationalists was deeply desirable, but it should not be a prerequisite for a border poll being called, he added. The former taoiseach argued that Northern Irelands economy would grow faster as part of a new and united Ireland back in the EU. Businesses would be more competitive and there would be greater investment due to reduced corporation tax. Pensions, welfare payments and public sector salaries would rise to match the Republics, he claimed. The north-east of Ireland was once its economic and industrial powerhouse. It could be again, he added. Mr Varadkar said that sometimes political change came quickly like when the Berlin Wall falling led to events which brought down the Soviet Union. Its happened in the 80 days since President Trump took office and shook up decades of established alliances and trading relationships, he said. The former taoiseach ended his speech by quoting a former nationalist leader who had battled for home rule in the late 19th century. Allow me to end with the words of Charles Stewart Parnell, he said. No man has a right to fix the boundary of the march of a nation, no man has a right to say to his country thus far shalt thou go and no further. Let us be the generation that refuses to accept the limits of the past. 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. The Irish Defence Forces has been monitoring a Russian intelligence-gathering ship which was spotted operating off the Irish coast. The Viktor Leonov CCB-175 was spotted sailing through the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone, while on its way towards Havana in Cuba. It is understood that the LE Samuel Beckett was dispatched by the Irish Defence Forces to monitor the sophisticated Russian spying vessel. An Irish Air Corps C295 CASA maritime surveillance aircraft was also sent from its base in Baldonnel, Co Dublin to take images of the vessel. So far there has been no communication with the Russian ship, despite a number of attempts to communicate with the crew on board. Cathal Berry former TD and a former member of the Defence Forces said the vessel is trying to absorb a load of information as it passes through. "Such as radio chatter of airline traffic overhead, mapping the seabed, picking up and eavesdropping on echolocation and radar signals, he said. Mr Berry told the Claire Byrne Show on RTE Radio 1 that its objective is to pick up all the maritime activity off the west coast of Ireland. "It is trying to test Irelands capability, Irelands response times, Irelands defensive readiness from a military point of view, he added. He stressed that Irelands waters are regarded as the EUs most poorly-guarded waters across the European continent. There was concern that the vessel was monitoring internet cables between Europe and the United States. This was after a previous spy vessel was found to be operating near cables in November, however no evidence was found in this instance. Mr Berry said before the Ukraine-Russia war, there has, for the last three to four decades, been a conflict between NATO and Russian vessels in the north Atlantic. He said the Russian ships try to map out Irelands three categories of sub-stream infrastructure: Atlantic cables, electricity interconnectors and gas pipes. "It is only a matter of time before the Irish public wake up one morning and at least one of these key pieces of infrastructure has been severed or compromised. He added that the spy vessel is not communicating as it does not have its automatic identification systems (AIS) transponder on. This is designed to be capable of providing position, identification and other information about the ship to other ships. It is understood that the ship officially left Irish water this morning and that the military is no longer following it, with no suspicious activity detected. Tanaiste Simon Harris is given a briefing on the workings of the air ambulance helicopter in Athlone's Custume Barracks. Tanaiste Simon Harris is flanked by two Defence Forces officers upon his arrival at Custume Barracks in Athlone. Tanaiste Simon Harris speaking at the launch of a new 1.4m helicopter hangar for the Air Corps-operated Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) at Custume Barracks, Athlone on Friday. Tanaiste Simon Harris has spoken of how this weekend promises to be one of the most vital in Europes recent economic history as it attempts to turn President Donald Trumps 90-day pause on multi-billion euro tariffs into a lasting one. Mr Harris said Mr Trumps unexpected U-turn on sweeping reciprocal tariffs barely a week after their rollout during his so-called Liberation Day were welcome, but were measures that required immediate and rigorous transnational talks. The Fine Gael leader said ongoing market fragility brought about by Mr Trumps three month stay on the US administrations contentious tariffs plan would help to focus minds over the coming days. This is a vital weekend and there isnt an hour to lose, he said. We have a 90-day pause, but 90 days can come and go quickly and it is really important that there is very intensive engagement now between Europe and the United States. Mr Harris said part of those concerted discussions were ones that would see European Trade Commissioner, Maros Sefcovic fly out to Washington this weekend for talks with senior White House officials. Tanaiste Simon Harris speaking at the launch of a new 1.4m helicopter hangar for the Air Corps-operated Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS) at Custume Barracks, Athlone on Friday. Those exchanges were deliberations Mr Harris revealed that he too vowed to press home on Monday during a meeting of the EUs Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg. In a repeated admission of a desire to see a calm and measured approach to Mr Trumps potentially far-reaching tariff impositions, the Wicklow TD confided the situation confronting both Ireland and Europe was far from ideal. In a further acceptance of the level of unease engulfing Brussels, Mr Harris said there was a growing desire across the EUs 27 member states to bring a mutual and enduring end to the trade impasse. There is still 10pc tariffs in place on EU goods, you still have 25pc in relation to cars, steel and aluminium and you still have this tit for tat escalatory situation between the United States and China that cannot be good for the global economy, he admitted. It is really important now that we actually utilise this pause by putting it to good use and put it to good work for the people right across this country, Europe and America who are saying: Will you ever all get on with it now. It was a message he said was one that required careful and prudent diplomacy as he fielded questions from the media in Athlones Custume Barracks at the official opening of a new 1.4 million helicopter hangar for the Air Corps-operated Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS). Mr Harris was equally keen to downplay how Ireland and the EU at large should respond to Mr Trumps use of language just nine days previously which saw the US premier brand Europe pathetic in ripping off the worlds largest economy. US president Donald Trump. Photo: Reuters When we are engaging with the US administration, we have to engage with them on the basis of their actions and not their rhetoric, he told the Irish Independent . It is important that we stay calm and measured in relation to our response. Thats not to say that you cant speak up and speak out in relation to your viewpoint. Mr Harris said he conveyed those concerns in person during a meeting with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick just 48 hours previously, saying language used by the US administration in the past was not the Ireland that I know. He also hinted at how responding to potentially virulent outbursts and unorthodox economic policies from across the Atlantic were processes that were not solely confined to the trade difficulties Europe presently finds itself in. The approach we have to take not just in the coming days, but in the next number of years is to respond calmly, in a measured way and not to feel to respond to every single comment and to judge and engage with the administration based on its actions rather than its words. 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. 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. Ireland has 15,000 homeless people and 20,000 short-term lets property held back, in some cases, to accommodate tourists paying higher rates There has been pushback in Ireland on limits being imposed on short-term lets like Airbnbs. Photo: Getty Images When we stayed in an Airbnb in Serbias capital Belgrade in 2019, we felt we were living like locals here was an apartment owned by Serbians, in a block full of Serbians going about their daily business, situated in a community rather than a tourist area. When Spanish police arrested the fruit importer known as "El Frutero" last year, they were left with a lot more than bananas (and illicit drugs) to unpack. The investigation that followed would take some blockbuster worthy twists and turns involving a corrupt official with cash stashed in walls and a complex web of drug smuggling and money movement. But one of the most bizarre plot developments led them to Dublin, where Gardai assisted in the investigation into a lowkey Irish company that was linked to a minor European royal and a Russian reality TV star. Fionnan Sheahan is joined by John Mulligan, Senior Business Journalist with the Irish Independent, to discover how the largest cocaine seizure in Spain's history uncovered an international crime caper. Ballydesmond is set to finally get its wastewater treatment plant upgrade as Uisce Eireann proceeds with planning permission to Cork County Council for the upgrade works. The news was confirmed this week by Uisce Eireann to Cork TD John Paul OShea who has been fighting this case for many years for Ballydesmond. The upgrade of the wastewater treatment plant will comprise of the construction of a new forward feed pumping station and new inlet works. The upgrade will also involve the construction of new combined aeration and stormwater tanks with associated access stairs and platform. The upgrade also includes the construction of a new final settlement tank, new ferric dosing system, new sodium hydroxide dosing system, new tertiary disc filters and a new polymer dosing system. A new supernatant pump station, new potable water booster pump station, new control kiosk and welfare unit will also be constructed in the upgrade. The planned works will also see the construction of a new sludge holding tank, and all associated site development works including hard and soft landscaping, demolition of the existing wastewater treatment plant. A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) has also been prepared in respect of the proposed development. Fine Gael TD for Cork North West John Paul OShea welcomed the planning permission application to Cork County Council. This is good news for the people of Ballydesmond. It will allow for the old treatment plant to be upgraded protecting the environment and waterways in the area, while also allowing for some population growth in the village for the future. Deputy OShea continued: I want to thank all involved in bringing this project forward. I look forward to seeing this project receive full planning permission from Cork County Council and having Uisce Eireann proceed with the upgrade works as soon as possible. Independent Ireland Deputy Ken O'Flynn criticises government spending on Ukrainian refugee transport initiative while Cork's Cancer Connects charity struggles for funding, calling it 'an egregious level of double standards' The Irish Government spent an approximate 1.6 million in 2023 as part of a scheme to buy and lease cars for Ukranian refugees. In response to a parliamentary question from Independent Ireland TD Ken OFlynn, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage said that eight cars in total were purchased under the scheme, with the rest leased to those under Temporary Protection from Ukraine. The Department said the Community Car Initiative was put in as a temporary measure to support the Offer a Home scheme, which sought to use unoccupied homes to accommodate those arriving under protection from the Eastern European country: An underlying principle of the Offer a Home scheme was to minimise the number of properties offered that would be declined due to their location and possible lack of transport links. "The aim of the CCI was to provide a limited transport service to those properties without regular transport links and to enable Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection from Ukraine (BoTPs) to have access to a limited transport service. The CCI was not intended to replace existing transport links or to be used as a dedicated transport source comparable, for example, with a private car. Its purpose was to connect with essential services and existing transport links. The CCI operated through the network of Local Development Companies (LDCs) and was funded by the Department. The scheme operated throughout 2023, and a total of 23 LDCs across 16 local authorities participated, however it is not known which local authorities participated from the answer provided to Deputy OFlynn. LDCs had the option to either purchase or lease community cars, depending on the better value option locally. 8 cars in total were purchased under the scheme, with the remainder leased. My Department does not hold information on the employment arrangements of the drivers, said the response, provided by Minister James Browne. Funding for the lease agreements that were in place ended in December 2023. LDCs that purchased cars were permitted to retain them for use as part of their general community remit and were required to give my Department an undertaking in that regard. The total CCI expenditure by my Department for the operation of the CCI was 1.6m." Utterly astonishing, financially indefensible, and the tip of a very expensive iceberg Minister Browne concluded by saying the scheme was wound down at the end of 2023 following a review and as part of a wider move for BoTPs to become more independent within communities. Deputy OFlynn said that the scheme is utterly astonishing, financially indefensible, and the tip of a very expensive iceberg. The explosive information I have received today will further consolidate the perception that an egregious level of double standards was applied with respect to the provision of supports for Ukrainians and the wall of indifference and tightening of the purse strings that many other communities or organisations met when it came to seeking funding for travel connectivity, said Deputy OFlynn in a statement this evening (April 11). I want to emphasise that the 1.6 million in costs in no way reflects the full extent of the financial burden placed upon the taxpayer as it does not include the employment costs for the drivers who were contracted to deliver the service. I and my team are currently collating that data and we will make it available when that work is done. This will infuriate people, especially here in Cork when see our own Cancer Connects, that has a network of approximately 430 voluntary drivers covering the entirety of Cork County basically having to beg and borrow for an increase in multi-annual funding of 50,000. Yet here we have a scheme whereby the Department handed over an average of 200k per car for what was essentially a personalised chauffeured transport scheme for the Ukrainian community, irrespective of how the minister wants to characterise [it]. There will certainly be more to follow on this story as I am absolutely determined to expose and highlight the hidden costs that the Irish taxpayers have had to carry for gold-plated schemes that exhibit this level of financial favouritism. In the past few weeks five cats were brutally killed by lurchers controlled by a gang of youths in a housing area in Mahon. The ISPCA says it is aware of the cases and has passed the information on to the Gardai who are investigating the matter Cats are under attack from a gang of youths running lurcher dogs in Cork City, according to a worried resident. In the past few weeks five cats were brutally killed by lurchers controlled by a gang of youths in a housing area in Mahon. Two of the five cats were owned by an elderly couple and their neighbour Louise Brazier Graf witnessed the dogs being set on one of the cats last night. "It's one of the most horrific things that I've ever actually had to witness. And then last night's one was a neighbour's cat, and it was killed outside the front of its house after a dog was set on it. I heard the commotion, I heard the cat screaming, but of course, by the time we got there, he was done, she said through tears on the Neil Prendeville Show on Corks RedFM on Thursday. The two youths just ran away and my son and another neighbour chased the dog. They tried to catch him to keep the dog and put him in with the pound or whatever, but they couldnt catch him, she added. Two neighbours had to break the news to the elderly couple, who then had to bury their second cat since Monday. The ISPCA says it is aware of the cases and has passed the information on to the Gardai who are investigating the matter Locals say the attacks began a few weeks ago when a large group of boys used an old stray cat as bait in a dog fight. They wear black hoods and the smallest one has to be about seven years old; the oldest ones are teens. They laugh at you when you shout and scream at them. They laugh at you. They think its funny. They think its a sport, Ms Brazier Graf added. In recent weeks, local children have witnessed the brutal killing of a rabbit in a local park in local daylight. They are now catching them in nets or in black bags and they are bringing them to our park here. They let them out during the day, bunny rabbits, hares, small things and they allow the dogs to kill them in front of children in the park, she added. The Mahon resident owns two cats, and she is protecting her pets by keeping them inside, which isnt something they are used to. Ms Brazier Graf thanked the Gardai for their support. A Donegal man who led Gardai on a high speed chase has been spared jail and ordered to pay a fine of 6,000. Gabhan Kelly (24) of Garvery, Burnfoot appeared at Donegal Circuit Court before Judge John Aylmer to appeal a sentence handed down to him at Glenties District Court in July 2024. At Glenties District Court, Kelly, who was facing two charges of dangerous driving, was handed two six months prison sentences to run consecutively, resulting in a year in prison. At the Circuit Court this week, the court heard Kelly had come back from Australia to meet the case. The charges relate to an incident which occurred on May 22, 2021. A Garda gave evidence and said on the day in question, Garda Michael Rafferty observed a white Vauxhall van exiting a roundabout at Bridgend heading towards Burnfoot. The Garda observed the vehicle being driven at excess speed of up to 140kmh. Gardai indicated for the vehicle to stop but it failed to yield at a junction. The vehicle was then observed as being driven in the middle of the road at an estimated speed of 120kmh, and being driven on the wrong side of the road at various locations. The vehicle continued to travel at speed before gardai lost sight of the vehicle. A number of other Garda units then became involved and an extensive search for the vehicle was carried out. Gardai then came on two members of the public who alerted them to the vehicle having crashed. Four men had been observed leaving the vehicle and the driver was identified as wearing a pink shirt and jeans. The van did not have seats in the back. The driver was found and identified himself to gardai. Kelly was arrested, taken to Buncrana Garda Station and charged. The court heard the Garda patrol car was on pursuit and they had signalled their intention for the vehicle to stop. Solicitor Frank Dorrian said the young man was breathalysed following the incident and had returned a zero reading. Mr Dorrian said other passengers in the car had been drinking and he did not stop as he did not have experience or knowledge to know that his reading would be zero. He said one bad decision led to another and the panic set in. The court heard that when gardai spoke with Kelly, he acknowledged it was him who was driving and he was quite upset. Kelly has no previous convictions and two glowing references were presented to the court. Kelly has since emigrated to Australia and a reference from his employer said he was an extremely dedicated individual who is now working as a supervisor to 60 employees. His work is exemplary, said the reference. A further reference from the Chairman of Kellys local GAA club was also handed into the court. Mr Dorrian told the court that if he is handed a jail sentence, this could impact his ability to return to Australia. Mr Dorrian said Kelly had returned from Australia to address the problem. Judge John Aylmer said it was clear that Kelly was a man who had made a grievous mistake. He had been out drinking with his buddies and had took a chase from the gardai. The judge said the defendant had feared he would be over the limit but was not and the judge acknowledged that his driving was appalling. Judge Aylmer said if he had of been told that oncoming vehicles had to swerve out of his way or try to avoid a collision, he would have no hesitation in imposing the original sentence, but he said he had asked the question and that was not indicated as part of the prosecution case. Judge Aylmer said there was no evidence of that kind of hazard being created by his driving. The judge also referred to it being a singular occasion and he had not come to adverse attention since the incident. The court heard the young man was making a positive contribution to society in Australia and the judge referred to him being the supervisor of 60 employees and the glowing references which were before the court. Taking into account the consequences a custodial sentence would have on his new life abroad, in lieu of the custodial sentence, Judge Aylmer replaced each prison sentence with a fine of 3,000 on each count, resulting in a total fine of 6,000. He was also disqualified from driving for two years. Kerry school children with autism forced to travel to Limerick over delay in services School management plead with Department of Education to sanction Autism Delivery Unit. At Murhur National School. Lyndsey Buckley, School Principal Finola Fogarty, Maggy and Caireann O'Flaherty, Elaine Foley, Bridget Fitzmorris and Dara Hennessey. Photo Mark O'Sullivan Stephen Fernane Kerryman Fri 11 Apr 2025 at 08:00 Children with special needs are having to travel several kilometres every day just to avail of autism services because the Department of Education has not sanctioned an Autism Delivery Unit at their local school. A group of young Ukrainian filmmakers from Cahersiveen have just won the Radharc Trust Award at the Irelands Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards for their moving short documentary 'Home from Home'. Cahersiveen Youth Film Group, supported by Kerry Local Creative Youth Partnership (LCYP) at Kerry Education and Training Board (Kerry ETB), are riding high right now after they this week won a prestigious national accolade at this years Irelands Young Filmmaker of the Year Awards. The group were honoured with the Radharc Trust Award for their short documentary Home from Home. The film, created in collaboration with filmmaker Clint Fitzgerald, was announced as a winner at the red-carpet ceremony hosted by the Fresh Film Festival in Dublins Rathmines Omniplex on Thursday, April 10. Five members of the group Dmytro Solohub, Mark Fedan, Varvara Fedorovska, Margarita Savynetska, and Sofiia Laptenko, travelled to the event in Dublin, where they proudly represented their peers, their community, and Kerry ETB on the national stage. The experience marked a milestone not only in their creative journey, but also in their lives in Ireland, a moment of recognition, pride, and connection. Told entirely through the eyes and voices of its young Ukrainian creators, Home from Home explores themes of identity, displacement, and resilience. It documents their journey to Ireland and the experience of rebuilding their lives in a new country, with warmth, honesty, and heart. We wanted to tell our stories in our own words, without filters or scripts, said Varvara Fedorovska, speaking moments after receiving the award. This film is about more than the past, its about who we are now, and where were going. Mark Fedan added: At first, I was nervous about sharing my story. But working together and using creativity to process our journey, it was life-changing. We made something that really means something. Home from Home was developed through a series of creative workshops in Cahersiveen run by Kerry LCYP in partnership with South Kerry Development Partnership. The film is part of Kerry LCYPs mission to support marginalised or underrepresented young people through meaningful, creative engagement. Deirdre Enright, Creative Youth Co-ordinator at Kerry LCYP, said the film exemplified everything the programme stands for. These young people trusted us with their stories and turned them into something powerful. Their courage, their talent, and their ability to connect with others is truly inspiring. This win is a milestone for them, and for all of us who believe in the power of youth voice. Ann ODwyer, CEO of Kerry ETB, added, This national recognition highlights the importance of creative spaces that centre young people. Home from Home showcases not only brilliant filmmaking, but the potential of arts and education to heal, connect and uplift. We are incredibly proud. Home from Home is now available to watch on the Kerry LCYP @kerrylcyp and Fresh Film YouTube channel bringing the voices of Cahersiveens Ukrainian youth to a national audience. Appeals continue for information, no matter how seemingly insignificant, while rumours described as 'unhelpful 'Things like this dont happen around here. Its completely out of character for Mike to just disappear'- Friends of Mike Gaine baffled by his disappearance It has been 22 days since Kerry farmer Mike Gaine has had any contact with his family and they and gardai remain concerned about the 56-year-old in a case that has been described as unique and challenging. At a press briefing this morning, Garda Superintendent David Callaghan said that this is an exceptional investigation. He told the press that all missing persons cases are investigated and depend on the information you have, but this case is unique and challenging given three weeks in gardai have no idea of the whereabout of the missing farmer. "To say we are still searching highlights the mystery of his whereabouts and it is challenging. We are no nearer to finding him than we were three weeks ago, he said. Gda-Supt Callaghan said gardai are continuing to appeal to the public for help in tracing the whereabouts of Mr Gaine, who was reported missing from his home near Kenmare, Co Kerry, on Friday, March 21. He said while people may think their information is insignificant, all information could be relevant. Gda-Supt David Callaghan "I would urge people who have not contacted us to do so. They may think the information is insignificant, but it could be significant to us, he said. Gda-Supt Callaghan said they were aware of the rumour and speculation around this case, which he said were not helpful. He said items were found and it is well known that vehicles were taken from the farm yard, but he said gardai were not commenting on their relevance, if any. He also stated the family are seeking privacy as this is a very difficult time. He said that searches are continuing and will continue this week and into next week. Gardai said that over the past three weeks they have carried out extensive searches and enquiries co-ordinated from an incident room at Killarney garda station. These daily searches centred on Mr Gaine's farmyard at Carrig East, Kenmare, and the surrounding lands, water sources and roads. An Garda Siochana has been helped 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. There is no denying the fact that this is the largest search conducted in Kerry in recent times Since April 1, further help 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 as they have experience, skills and capabilities in mountainous terrain, rugged landscape, and dense forest and undergrowth. An Garda Siochana has deployed specialist garda members to help 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/inquiries, taken nearly 100 witness statements and recovered about 1,500 hours of CCTV/dash-cam footage. "There is no denying the fact that this is the largest search conducted in Kerry in recent times and this is highlighted by the volume of support we have received, he continued. In a bid to jog memories, Gda-Supt Callaghan said Mr Gaine was last seen in Kenmare town, on Thursday, March 20. He bought phone credit in Centra, Kenmare, at 9.48am. The Army has helped search for missing farmer Michael (Mike) Gaine. Photo: Domnick Walsh Mr Gaine then left in his bronze-coloured RAV4 registration 152 KY 366. This vehicle was found parked in his farmyard, just off the N71 at Carrig East. Mr Gaine is described as being about 5 feet 10 inches tall with a stocky build, brown/grey hair and a bushy beard. When last seen, he was wearing an orange woolly hat, black fleece, blue jeans and black boots. Gardai continue to want to speak to any person who travelled on the N71 on Thursday, March 20, after 09.48am and/or any person who may have any camera footage, including dash-cam or CCTV, or any other images (video or still) from Thursday, March 20, and Friday, March 21, in the Kenmare town/Molls Gap (N71/ R568) area is urged to provide that imagery to the garda investigation team. An Garda Siochana continues to appeal to any person who may have any information to contact Killarney garda station on 064 667 1160, the Garda Confidential Line at 1800 666 111, or any garda station. Kellys story exposes Irelands hidden homeless Kelly Ryan, 26, is desperately searching for a permanent home for herself and her two boys Limerick mother Kelly Ryan begins each day in a house bursting at the seams, waking up in the top bunk of a shared bed with her 3-year-old son. Below them sleeps her 5-year-old, while a 16-year-old cousin sleeps in a single bed across the room, and a 19-year-old rests on the living room couch. Eleven people live under one roof in her aunt Geraldines home in Oola, a place thats become a refuge since Kelly became homeless over a year ago. At just 26, Kelly is a mother-of-two, a qualified personal trainer, a part-time cleaner, and the survivor of an horrific attack involving a hatchet that left her with permanent scarring. Now, her life is all about finding safety and stability for herself and her sons. The walls of her childhood home, just three doors up the street from Geraldines is, according to Kelly, perfect on the inside. With water, electricity, and a comfortable size for the family-of-three, Kelly calls Limerick Council everyday for an update on whether she can move in or not. "I just want my boys to have a home," Kelly says to the Irish Independent, clutching a schoolbag full of paperwork, her daily lifeline in her ongoing efforts with the housing department. Follow Independent Limerick on Facebook She's been referred 53 times by local councillors for housing, and with her former home just steps away, she says: I actually shed a tear each time I walk by it. In a village of just 350 people, there are 10 households on the housing waiting list, according to the Draft Housing Action Plan. An extremely positive and kind-hearted woman, every morning, Kelly rises early to get a run in on the local GAA pitch, before getting her boys fed and dressed. She walks her eldest to school, then returns to care for the youngest. Two days a week, she works as a cleaner, but in between, she takes online courses, recently finishing one in office administration in the hope of building a better future. But Kelly faces many barriers, including the inability to drive due to epilepsy. Public transport in Oola is limited, with the main Route 55 Waterford to Limerick bus service costing close to 20 for a return trip for Kelly and her eldest boy. I feel like I cant even take them to the city, we dont even have a playground in the village for them, she adds. As she speaks, her youngest boy cycles around the roughly 52 square foot yard in front of the house. She remembers Christmas Day and 40 members of the extended family all gathered to celebrate together. The kitchen table stretched thin, more sat in the living room with plates on laps, while five more were forced to dust off the Summer furniture and sit outside. We had an umbrella, it wasnt that bad, Kelly laughed, recalling low temperatures, wind and rain. Despite her ongoing determination for a place to live, progress remains painfully slow. Ive done everything they asked. I call the council every day. I show them everything, documents signed by my GP again and again, she says. I just want somewhere permanent for my kids, theyre such good boys. Thats all. The hidden homelessness faced by women and children, often behind closed doors and in overcrowded rooms, is a struggle faced by many across Limerick and Ireland. For Kelly, the solution to her problem is heartbreakingly close. A vacant house, three doors up, filled with memories and waiting for new ones. The loved ones of Christine Doyle gathered in St Brigids Kilrush to give her a beautiful farewell, following her passing on Monday, April 7. At the beginning of the ceremony, a few mementos that represented Christines life were brought to the altar. Her makeup and hairbrush represented her great pride in taking care of her appearance, her bingo book made an appearance as it was one of her greatest hobbies, and yarn and needles showcased her favourite pastime of knitting cardigans for the young members of the family. A car key was also brought up as she greatly loved her little car, affectionately called Nellie. A family photo and a bouquet of flowers rounded out the gifts as she always had time for her family and friends. A poem, written by Chloe Giltrap was read out to the crowd: Memories of you flood in/ it's hard not to grin./ The things you would do and say,/ it is like a blanket on a cold day. The poem went on the commend her sewing skills, her loving feline companion, and the time she spent as the flower of Scotland when she used to live in Glasglow. James Owens took to the alter next and have a moving speech on behalf of the family and giving an insight into her life. Christine was born in 1959 in Bunclody and was the second daughter and third eldest of 13 children. She attended school in Clohamon National School and then Bunclody Vocational School, before taking up work in hospitals in both Dublin and Enniscorthy. "Chris lent her hand to many things over the years; she was a carer, she was a nurses aid, she was a barmaid, a painter with mam and dad, she sewed, and she knitted, he began. "Always known to the family as daddys little girl, she was always a firm favourite with her mother as well. From a young age she showed great interest in fashion, makeup, and jewellery. She was very glamorous. One time when she was very young she was sent to get groceries, and instead of getting groceries when she should have been turning left, she turned right with her friend Mary and headed on to Enniscorthy. They needed new dresses for the dance in Doyles that night and the rest of them had to starve, he laughed. He added that he had an immense love of music and of travelling around to bingo halls around the county. He extended his thanks on behalf of the whole family to everyone who called into the house, called on the phone, and left kind messages over the last few days. Loved ones took to RIP.ie and Facebook to write kind words about Christine and the memories of her that will stay with them. One mourner wrote: Such a kind gentle lady always loved her chats in the shop. Another wrote: RIP Auntie Chris. Its hard to believe you are gone so soon, you will be missed so much. A further tribute read: Just lost for words, fly high darling I will miss you. You were one of a kind. Se was the beloved daughter of the late Nadie and Nell, loving sister of Kitty, Michael, Bernie, Mary, Aidan, Caroline, Rosie, Monica, Paddy, Martin, and the late Nicholas and PJ, she will be deeply missed by her Aunt Maureen, and her good friend John, nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends. Arklow Christian Community Church pastor Solomon Aroboto and his wife Patricia make a donation to Anita Nolan and Maureen Delaney from Little Warriors. The Arklow Christian Community Church celebrated its monthly Super Sunday event for March by supporting the Little Warriors community organisation with a generous donations. Representatives from Little Warriors were in attendance to meet Pastor Solomon Aroboto and his wife Patricia, who were delighted to present them with cheques to help support their excellent work. Established by mum of four Anita Nolan in 2021, Little Warriors provides support and inclusion for neurodiverse children and their families, as well as a safe and inclusive space for children, their parents, siblings, and friends to play in an anxiety-free environment. Speaking after the presentations, the Little Warriors volunteers said they were delighted with the churchs generous contribution and felt very honoured to be chosen as recipients. Last month, at their February Super Sunday event, the church made donations to the Vale of Avoca Mens Shed and Arklow Womens Shed. The Arklow Christian Community Church has made sizeable donations to a variety of worthy local causes over the years, including Mens Arklow Cancer Support, local scout groups, local schools, Arklow RNLI, The East Wicklow Youth Service, the Vault Youth Cafe, The Arklow Community Action Resource Centre, Arklow First Responders and Arklow Tidy Towns to name but a few. Greystones Green Party councillor Lourda Scott has been appointed as the new spokesperson for children and equality with the party and promised she would be forcing to the government to examine accessible, affordable childcare for all as she sets out her list of priorities. Cllr Scott was appointed following the Green Party's belief in her strong track record of community advocacy and clear understanding of the challenges facing families at a local level. Commenting on the appointment, Cllr Scott said it would bring many challenges in the face of rising inequality in todays society. Im honoured to take on this new role and to continue supporting children and families across the Greystones district, she said. "This has been central to my work locally as a councillor, and Im proud to bring that experience into national policy discussions. There are serious challenges facing children and young people in Ireland today, from rising child poverty and unequal access to education, to growing waiting lists for essential therapies. I will be calling on this Government for a joined-up approach across health, education and housing that puts the rights and wellbeing of children at the centre. "One of the issues that commonly is raised to me is the lack of accessible, affordable childcare. In growing communities like Greystones and Kilcoole, parents are struggling to find suitable places, and long waiting lists are very common. "This is placing enormous pressure on families and disproportionately impacting womens ability to return to the workforce. A well-funded public model of childcare is long overdue. We need to invest in a system that ensures fair pay and decent conditions for early years educators, while also delivering high-quality, affordable care for every child. "On equality, we are also seeing increased polarisation in public debate. I have always championed inclusion and fairness in all areas of public life and will continue to do so. I want to help build a society where every person, regardless of their background, can access opportunities and thrive. Cllr Scott concluded: As a local representative, Ive seen first-hand how national decisions affect communities. Ill continue to be a strong voice for my constituents and in my new role will work to ensure national policies respond to the realities that people are facing. LATEST | Siemens executive, wife and three children killed in New York Hudson River helicopter crash Helicopter crash kills six, including three children, in Hudson RiverInvestigation begins into Bell 206 helicopter crashSiemens executive, his family, among those killed - New York Times reports Helicopter submerged upside down near Lower Manhattan Six people killed in helicopter crash in New York Citys Hudson River David Shepardson and Rich McKay Fri 11 Apr 2025 at 18:42 A tourist helicopter plummeted upside down into New York City's Hudson River on Thursday killing all six people on board, including a Spanish family with three children and the pilot, Mayor Eric Adams said. You cant let politics get in your way: the Irish in the US who wont give up on the American dream Young Irish people in the US talk about the opportunities, uncertainties and challenges of their adopted land under Trump 2.0 Im just getting started: Stephanie OQuigley, who lives in New York Edaein OConnell Fri 11 Apr 2025 at 03:30 Five years ago, America was facing the beginning of an ending. People might not have realised it at the time, but Donald Trumps first term as president was in heading into its final throes in the heat of a pandemic summer. Joe Biden would be elected to office in November 2020. Since 1963, The Independent has helped create a great community! Since our founding in September of 1963, The Independent has been dedicated to giving Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, and Sunol readers the news they need to be in-the-know about what's going on in the Tri-Valley region. Netflix is breathing new life into Jane Austens Pride and Prejudice with a brand-new limited series and the cast lineup has already caught everyones attention. Oscar-winner Olivia Colman steps into the role of the dramatic and determined Mrs Bennet, joining Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet and Jack Lowden as Mr. Darcy. Jack Lowden as Mr. Darcy | Credit: X The series will be split into six episodes and aims to stay close to Austens original plot and language. But this isnt just about preserving the past. Writer Dolly Alderton, who won the National Book Award for Everything I Know About Love, says the goal is to make the story feel fresh while keeping all the parts that fans love. This story has everything love, family, friendship, and sharp observations of society. Its a dream to work with this cast and bring Austens world back for todays audience, she said. Euros Lyns version This version will be directed by Euros Lyn, best known for Heartstopper, and is backed by a strong production team including Alderton herself. Filming is set to start in the UK this year. Pride and Prejudice has been adapted many times over the years and each version brought something unique. Here are four past takes that still stand out: 1. Pride, Prejudice & Mistletoe This Hallmark holiday film of 2018 flipped the storys gender roles. Lacey Chabert plays Darcy, now a successful woman, who reconnects with a rival from high school during a holiday fundraiser. It strays far from the original but offers a cozy, modern romance. 2. Unleashing Mr. Darcy this is my pride and prejudice mr darcys handflex scene pic.twitter.com/qxgjBRR36G yuni . (@tinyacd) December 26, 2024 Another Hallmark twist of 2016. This version moves the story into the world of dog shows. Elizabeth and Darcy meet as a contestant and judge, with sparks flying amid misunderstandings. Its a light and fun take that even won a Platinum Remi award at WorldFest Houston. 3. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies A wild mash-up of Austen and horror, this film throws zombies into 19th-century England. Despite being a parody of 2016, the chemistry between Lily James and Sam Riley keeps the romance alive with sword fights replacing ballrooms. 4. Bride & Prejudice Aishwarya Rai in Bride and Prejudice | Credit: X Bollywood gave Austens tale a colorful makeover with music, dance, and an East-meets-West dynamic back in 2004. Aishwarya Rai leads the cast in a version that keeps the heart of the story while adding cultural layers and catchy songs. Whether youre an Austen loyalist or meeting Elizabeth and Darcy for the first time, Netflixs new series promises to bring something special with Olivia Colman leading the charge. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. U.S. President Donald Trumps tariff strategy has taken a sharp turn. While announcing a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs for more than 75 countries, Trump made it clear that China will not receive the same benefit. Instead, China now faces a cumulative tariff rate of 145% from the U.S. As the tariff war escalates for some and slows for others, different countries and sectors are seeing very different outcomes. China faces steepest tariffs and hits back Trumps recent executive order has set Chinas total tariff rate at 145%, with 125% from the reciprocal tariff and an additional 20% linked to fentanyl-related imports from earlier this year. In response, China raised its tariffs on U.S. goods from 84% to 125%. Chinas finance ministry said that at the current rate, U.S. goods are no longer viable in the Chinese market. The ministry also added that if the U.S. continues to increase tariffs, China will ignore and not respond with further hikes. Despite these strong words, China has held back from expanding export controls or adding more U.S. firms to its "unreliable entity list," which would impose additional restrictions on their operations in China. A spokesperson from Chinas commerce ministry reiterated that Beijing remains open to negotiating with the U.S., but only on equal terms. President Xi Jinping, while meeting Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, repeated that there is no winner in a tariff war, adding that isolating oneself from the world only leads to greater difficulties. Xi also used the meeting to suggest strengthening partnerships with the EU to resist trade pressure tactics. Donald Trump pauses tariffs for others While China faces the brunt of Trumps tariff strategy, over 75 other countries have seen their reciprocal tariffs paused for 90 days. In a social media post, Trump said this was in response to those countries not retaliating and showing willingness to negotiate. During this 90-day window, the reciprocal tariff is reduced to 10% across the board, effective from April 5. However, China remains excluded from this pause due to its retaliatory stance. This decision effectively isolates China from the benefits of the tariff freeze. As U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated, China remains a key challenge in global trade, calling it one of the most imbalanced economies. He described the ongoing escalation as detrimental to China rather than the U.S. Indias tariffs paused India, which has been in long-term trade discussions with the U.S. since the start of the Trump administration, benefits from the pause. The 26% reciprocal tariff on Indian exports to the U.S. has been suspended for 90 days. However, India is still subject to the 10% baseline tariff that came into effect on April 5 and applies to all countries. Indias external affairs minister, S. Jaishankar, has reportedly held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to push for a complete reprieveincluding the baseline tariff. While there has been no final decision, India is hoping for a full rollback, at least during the 90-day pause period. EUs 20% tariff paused The European Union, which had announced retaliatory tariffs of 20% on U.S. goods, finds itself in a different position. Since those tariffs had not yet taken effect, Trumps pause applies here as well. Like India, the EU will also face only the 10% baseline tariff during the pause. At the same time, Xi Jinping has reached out to the EU to strengthen economic ties. His call to the European Union to join hands with China in resisting trade bullying is being seen as a strategic move to align with like-minded partners amid rising tensions with the U.S. Canada and Mexico see no major change Canada and Mexico remain unaffected by the baseline 10% tariff due to their participation in the USMCA trade agreement. Their fentanyl-related tariffs remain unchanged, and while USMCA trade remains duty-free, non-USMCA trade is still subject to a 25% tariffexcept for energy and potash, which continue to be taxed at 10%. Additionally, the 10% baseline tariff that took effect on April 5 has not been applied to Canada and Mexico and will not be applied during the 90-day pause. These exemptions indicate that USMCA partners remain relatively insulated from Trumps broader tariff strategy. No change in sectoral tariffs Even with the pause in place for many countries, certain U.S. tariffs continue unchanged. Section 232 tariffs on steel, aluminium, and automobiles still apply at 25%. These remain unaffected by the 90-day freeze. Furthermore, earlier sectoral carve-outsparticularly for pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and critical mineralsare still in effect. However, Trump has indicated that the pharma sector could soon face tariffs if necessary. Until then, these key sectors remain exempt from reciprocal tariff measures. Chinas domestic shift and economic impact Donald Trump (L) Xi Jinping (R) | Credit: X Facing heavy tariffs, China is shifting focus inward. JD.com, one of the countrys largest online retailers, announced a 200 billion yuan fund (approximately 20.8 billion) to help Chinese exporters redirect their goods toward the domestic market. This policy move aims to cushion the impact of falling exports to the U.S., which currently account for about 3% of Chinas total GDP. According to Goldman Sachs, the trade conflict and slower global growth are expected to bring Chinas GDP growth down to 4%. Analysts also warn of a broader impact on employment, estimating that between 10 and 20 million Chinese workers are involved in sectors that rely on U.S.-bound exports. No winners, just more uncertainty The current state of global tradeshaped by pauses, exceptions, and sharp retaliationssheds a light on a growing divide. While over 75 countries benefit from Trumps tariff pause, China faces increased economic pressure. The absence of any meaningful negotiation, combined with rising domestic responses in China and cautious diplomacy elsewhere, suggests that global supply chains remain vulnerable. For now, the tariff war may be slowing, but its consequences continue to unfold. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Indias largest IT firm, has posted a 1.7% fall in net profit for the quarter ending March, bringing the figure to Rs 12,224 crore. The dip is largely linked to narrowing margins. This makes TCS the first major IT player to announce its January-March results. The company also said it would delay salary hikes for its workforce of 6.07 lakh employees, citing business uncertainties. Global tariff concerns and slower decision-making in client spending were highlighted as key reasons. Annual profit up, but uncertainty looms Despite the Q4 slowdown, TCS reported a 4.2% rise in net profit for FY25, totalling Rs 48,553 crore. Revenue also grew by 6%, crossing Rs 2.55 lakh crore (more than USD 30 billion). CEO and MD K Krithivasan said that although the outlook for FY26 appears better in terms of revenue, there are clear signs of pressure. He admitted that some projects have been scaled down and discretionary budgets are taking longer to clear. Employees respond on social media As news of the delayed increments spread, employees and observers took to social media to share their views. One user questioned the move, saying, Not sure I get TCSs thinking here. If no hikes help the bottom line for a better FY26, thats not optimismits just preparing for the worst. Didnt quite understand this view from TCS. A pessimist view could be that savings from no increment would go the bottom line for better FY26. I think the optimism for FY26 does not have a baseline. Your POV prepare for the worst is more apt Ashutosh Misra (@ash_misra) April 11, 2025 Another user commented on the mixed signals: TCS showed below-average numbers, but closed good deals and gave positive commentary. Lets wait and see how this plays out in the IT sector. TCS below average numbers but good deal closures and good positive commentary. Let's see how the situation unfolds, it is wait and watch situation as of now in IT space. Kaushal (@Kaushal_Sengar7) April 11, 2025 A third user, more frustrated, said, TCS gave 4% hikes when results were better. Now theyll give 2%. Employees should just give back 2% of work too, instead of slogging 12 hours daily. These companies have cash reservesthey just dont spend on their people. Tcs gives 4% hike during better results, Now they will give 2%. It's better that employees give back 2% to the company and do less work rather than proving themselves with 12 hrs work. IT companies always have cash reserves with them they just don't use that on employees. Khaire (@Khaire_Currency) April 11, 2025 Leadership changes announced As a part of the leadership update, Aarthi Subramanian has been appointed as the new COO, executive director, and president of TCS. She will begin her five-year term from May 1. Earlier, she served as the chief digital officer at Tata Sons, where she led digital and innovation strategies across the group. Milind Lakkad, CHRO, TCS (L) K Krithivasan CEO & MD (R) Mangesh Sathe has also been brought in as chief strategy officer. He was previously the CEO of Tata Strategic Management Group. Sathe will handle global consulting and oversee mergers and acquisitions. Both executives will directly report to Krithivasan. Krithivasan added that the new appointments are part of TCSs long-term plans to build new skills and form external partnerships as technology continues to evolve. He admitted that relying only on internal talent may not be enough for growth in certain areas. The companys cautious tone and employee reactions suggest that while FY26 may bring better numbers, confidence among workers may take longer to rebuild. For more news and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News. Apple airlifts 600 tons of iPhones: Apple has airlifted over 600 tons of iPhones from its manufacturing facilities in India to the United States in a calculated attempt to avoid imposing a heavy tariff on Chinese imports. This massive operation, which involved about 1.5 million gadgets, was carried out to lessen the effects of the recent 125% tariffs that President Donald Trump placed on Chinese imports. Apple hopes to preserve the integrity of its supply chain and pricing structure in the US market by speeding up production in India and facilitating logistics through Chennai airport. The company's efforts to diversify its manufacturing base and lessen its dependency on China are highlighted by this development. For a thorough explanation of this significant shift in Apple's supply chain strategy, continue reading our detailed article. How did Apple Airlift 600 tons of an iPhone from India to the US? Apple airlifts 600 tons of iPhone from Chennai airport to US | Credit: Canva According to reports, the US electronics behemoth Apple has hired cargo planes to transport 600 tons of iPhonesup to 1.5 million unitsfrom India to the US. As per the report by news agency Reuters, the tech giant increased manufacturing in India to stockpile inventories in an attempt to evade US President Donald Trump's tariffs. The gadgets were transported from the Chennai airport in Tamil Nadu, a southern state where Apple has been increasing output through its manufacturing partners, including Tata and Foxconn. According to the source, which also stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government has urged officials to back Apple, Apple has reportedly pressured Indian airport authorities to reduce the time required to clear customs at the Chennai airport from thirty hours to six hours. Why is this happening? This happened to dodge Trumps Tariffs | Credit: Canva This comes after analysts warned that Apple's heavy reliance on imports from China, the primary location for iPhone manufacture, could cause costs in the US to skyrocket. In contrast to India, whose imports are currently on hold because of the 90-day global halt that includes China, China is currently subject to Trump's maximum tariff rate of 125%. In an effort to boost output, the Foxconn facility in Chennai is now operating on Sundays, which are normally holidays. According to the report, it produced 20 million iPhones last year, including the most recent versions, the 15 and 16. According to Counterpoint Research, a fifth of Apple's total iPhone imports into the US currently come from India, with the remaining portion coming from China. At the moment, Apple sells over 220 million iPhones annually worldwide. For the latest and more interesting tech news, keep reading Indiatimes Tech. Okay, deep breaths, Eric Dane, aka the complicated and chaotic daddy Cal Jacobs from Euphoria, has just dropped a life-altering update that has left fans stunned. The 52-year-old actor has been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)a degenerative neurological disorder that gradually weakens muscles and messes with voluntary movement. Yes, it is the same condition that affected the legendary Stephen Hawking. Euphoria star Eric Dane diagnosed with ALS | Credit: X Eric Dane announced the life-altering update of his life In a heartfelt update shared with PEOPLE magazine, Dane, who was mainly seen in the show Grey's Anatomy, oh well, as a doctor, opened up about his diagnosis and how his family is rallying behind him during this difficult time. He shared that while the news has been tough, he is incredibly grateful for his loved ones and the unwavering support they are giving him. According to the Greys Anatomy alum, his plan is to keep pushing forward with hopeand he is not giving up on his career either. Euphoria star Eric Dane diagnosed with ALS | Credit: X Heres why Eric Dane is back on set already In fact, Dane has confirmed that he is heading back to the Euphoria set next week as production for season 3 begins. Fans can rest easyCal Jacobs is not done stirring the pot just yet. Dane feels lucky that he can still work and is reportedly looking forward to returning to what he loves, even as he asks for privacy to focus on his health and his family. For those who know him best as McSteamy (yes, we will never forget Greys Anatomy), this update hits hard. Dane, who shares two daughtersBillie Beatrice and Georgia Geraldinewith actress Rebecca Gayheart, is now facing an uphill battle. But if there is one thing we know about him, it is that he does not back down easily. Euphoria star Eric Dane diagnosed with ALS | Credit: X ALS may not have a cure yet, but with increased awareness and ongoing research, more treatments are emerging to help slow its progression. Dane joins a list of public figuresincluding Aaron Lazar, Roberta Flack, and the late Kenneth Mitchellwho have bravely opened up about their diagnoses in recent years. So yes, it is emotional, it is raw, and it is a lot to take in. But if anyone can power through with poise, purpose, and a bit of sass, it is Eric Dane. Hold onto your cowboy hats Ari Aster is swapping suburban dread for dust, drama, and desert heat in his latest A24 brain-melter, Eddington. The filmmaker who haunted our dreams with Hereditary, Midsommar, and the chaotic fever dream Beau Is Afraid is back, and this time, he is going full Western with a twist and Pedro Pascal, of course. Pedro Pascals new film, Eddingtons trailer The trailer and a few images of Eddington just dropped (courtesy of Pedro Pascals Instagram flex), and lets just say: tension, thy name is Joaquin Phoenix versus Pedro Pascal. Set against a small-town New Mexico backdrop, the photo teases a simmering confrontation between Phoenixs badge-wearing sheriff and Pascals finger-pointing mayor yes, that is the vibe. Phoenix, armed with a cowboy hat and restraint, looks every bit the man trying not to snap, while Pascal seems seconds away from unleashing political rage. Yeehaw but make it hostile. What to expect from Eddington? This showdown is just the tip of the very starry iceberg. Eddington boasts a cast that would make even Barbie blush: Emma Stone, Austin Butler, Luke Grimes, Micheal Ward, Clifton Collins Jr., and more are reportedly joining the chaos. While Phoenix and Pascal appear to be the leads, Emma and Austin might be popping in as a couple stranded in the eerie little town that becomes not-so-welcoming when the sun goes down. Because of course it does it is Ari Aster! Storyline of Eddington Plot-wise, we are diving into a contemporary Western meets black comedy hybrid where sheriff Phoenix apparently dreams of snagging the mayors office, and Pascals character might be the only thing in his way. With aspirations and accusations flying high, expect secrets, suspense, and maybe some sinister small-town smiles. Also, big win for Aster fans: Eddington will officially premiere at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, marking his debut at the prestigious event and possibly setting the stage for his first Palme dOr nomination. Whether this star-packed Western connects with general audiences or pulls another Beau Is Afraid box-office vanishing act? Only time and twisted plot turns will tell. Greeces Defense Minister Nikos Dendias on Wednesday presented Parliament with an ambitious 12-year military modernization plan, pledging to overhaul the countrys defense capabilities with cutting-edge technologies while adhering to strict fiscal limits. Addressing the special parliamentary committee on armaments, Mr. Dendias outlined the long-term National Defense Equipment Program for 20252036, anchored in a new doctrine of deterrence dubbed Achilles Shield. The program envisions comprehensive defense coverage through artificial intelligence-enabled systems, enhanced firepower, and strategic range missile capabilities. This is not a request for expenditures. It is a request for a strategic plan, Mr. Dendias told lawmakers. No one has come to ask you to approve billions. The multi-tiered doctrine introduces a five-layer defensive structure against aerial, ballistic, drone, naval, and underwater threats. It supports the full operational potential of Greeces next-generation arsenal, including F-35s, RAFALEs, and VIPER fighter jets, as well as new frigates with cruise missile capabilities. Pentagon sources said the plan groups armament projects into four major categories: acquiring new capabilities and platforms, command and control systems with satellite integration, long-term system support covering a quarter of the overall budget, and infrastructure aligned with new procurement. A key component of the doctrine is long-range artillery with precision strike capacity. These systems, equipped with multiple warhead options and anti-ship capabilities, will enhance Greeces ability to defend and support its island territories and project force beyond the Aegean. Mr. Dendias also announced collaboration with the Ministry of Digital Governance for the acquisition of a geostationary military satellite, along with new cyberwarfare and electronic warfare tools to equip specialized units like the Cyberwarfare Unit 1864. All defense platforms, sensors, and systems will be integrated under a unified AI-driven command and control framework, with encrypted communications at its core. A soldiers combat effectiveness will be enhanced through layered upgrades in survivability, awareness, communication, agility, and firepower. The program also includes modernization of naval assets, with upgrades to frigates, submarines, and patrol vessels, and the procurement of two new FREMM-class frigates and next-generation submarines. Anti-submarine capabilities will be strengthened through advanced sonar systems and MH-60 Romeo helicopters. Through the newly formed Greek Center for Defense Innovation (ELKAK), Greece aims to develop homegrown defense technologies, including anti-drone systems like the Centaur, already deployed on Navy frigates. Other projects underway include unmanned surface vessels, mobile surveillance systems, and aerial acoustic sensor platforms. To ensure transparency, Mr. Dendias said new oversight rules would be imposed on the General Directorate of Defense Equipment and Investments, including longer staff assignments, legal counsel from the State Legal Council, and financial scrutiny measures like asset declarations and banking access for investigations. However, the rollout drew strong criticism from the opposition, which demanded more detailed disclosures. Pasok MP Michalis Katrinis called for a full breakdown of the programs, arguing that the committees role is crucial and not ceremonial. Syriza MP Symeon Kedikoglou expressed shock, accusing the ministry of distributing a briefing file filled with classified items already leaked online and arguments resembling a high school essay. Mr. Dendias responded sharply, accusing the opposition of failing to act on long-term defense planning when they were in power. You governed and did not comply with this legal requirement, he said. Now you raise your finger at us for doing what you did not? The ministers closed-door briefing proceeded after the committee rejected requests to postpone. Mr. Dendias emphasized that while details remain sensitive due to ongoing negotiations, Parliament was being consulted at a stage never attempted before. iefimerida.gr Angry women, said to be loyalists of suspended Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, were seen in major areas in Port Harcourt, calling for the end of emergency rule in the state. The demonstrators on Friday, flooded Aba road area, demanding the immediate reinstatement of the suspended Governor and his deputy, Ngozi Nma. During a march to the government house the women were overhead chanting, bring back our Fubara. Advertisement Some of the inscriptions on their placards also reads: We need our democracy restored, #BringBackFubara, Obey the rule of law, and Save our democracy. One of the protesters, who refused to identify herself, told newsmen that Governor Fubara has been performing and need to continue his job. READ MORE: NBA Moves Annual Conference From Rivers To Enugu Over Emergency Rule She said: We are a peaceful people and do not deserve this kind of injustice. The governor has been doing his job despite the distractions. What is happening now is not democracy. We are here to defend our votes and the sanctity of our democracy. This is beyond Fubara; its about justice and the future of Rivers State. BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), has signed an order to release revised guidelines on the enforcement of the drug administration law in the Chinese armed forces. China's State Council and the CMC have jointly published the document. Premier Li Qiang also signed a State Council decree to release the document. The new document, which will take effect from June 1, is aimed at refining the administration of medicines in the armed forces. According to the revised guidelines, actions will be taken to strengthen the management of military drug reserves, ensure a stable supply of medicines, promote the reasonable use of pharmaceuticals, and refine the management of medications specially-needed by the military. The guidelines were also revised to enhance supervision and ensure drug safety in the military. The quality sampling and inspection system for military medicines will be enhanced, with new regulations introduced to manage drug safety risks, while mechanisms to address and prevent illegal activities will be further improved. Rivers State University Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt has warned its students over what its described as illegal investment, saying using school fees for gambling is not good. The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, led this out during a pre-first semester examination roadshow around the main campus in Port Harcourt on Thursday. Mr. Zeb-Obipi, also urged students to avoid the temptation of diverting the school fees given to them by their parents to gamble or related acts. Advertisement He said: Your primary obligation as a student is to pay your fees and go for your classes. Some of you are given fees; you divert them to something else. You embark on investments, some of you go to BetNaija hoping to double the money and then the money doesnt come, so you dont pay, you dont register. READ MORE: Ogun Amotekun Arrests Man For Faking Own Kidnap To Escape Gambling Debts Having spent our time and resources today to sensitize all of us that theres a need to pay and register, lecturers are on notice. Anybody who is not on the attendance sheet will not be able to write their exam. We want to plead with you, please do yourself the favour. You have spent time here, dont let one semesters fees embarrass you. Dont let your parents become embarrassed. Pay your fees, and when you have paid, ensure that you register because that registration is crucial to ensure your name enters the attendance list; when you have done that, you will be able to write exams without any hindrance. Veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareem has hit back at the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) following the ban of his new single Tell Your Papa, accusing the body of trying to silence the truth and hinder constructive criticism. This followed a memo issued by NBC on April 9, 2025, which banned Tell Your Papa from airplay, citing breaches of decency standards. On Thursday, the outspoken artist took to Instagram to condemn the ban, claiming it was politically motivated and accusing President Bola Tinubus administration of being insensitive and vindictive. Advertisement READ MORE: Eedris Abdulkareems Protest Song Tell Your Papa Banned By NBC For Broadcast NBC JUST BANNED MY NEW SINGLE TELL YOUR PAPA Its obvious that in Nigeria, truth and constructive criticism is always deemed a big crime by the government, Abdulkareem wrote. In his post, Eedris drew parallels between the recent ban and the 2004 censorship of his iconic protest song Jaga Jaga by the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, expressing concern over Nigerias lack of progress amid the continuous silencing of dissenting voices. This present government led by President Bola Tinubu is now going on record as one of the most insensitive, vindictive and grossly maleficent administration ever to preside over the affairs of Nigeria, he added. Abdulkareem also criticised the NBCs directive to broadcasters, classifying the song as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) due to its objectionable nature under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. He implied that the action was a deliberate attempt to protect the government from public criticism. They are instructing broadcast houses to shield the government by hiding the candle under the table Any wonder why Nigeria hasnt made impactful strides all these years? The conscience is an open wound, only the truth can heal it. Aluta Continua! he noted. SEE POST: The National Broadcasting Commission has prohibited Nigerian radio and television stations from broadcasting veteran rapper Eedris Abdulkareems trending song, Tell Your Papa, due to its objectionable content. Susan Obi, Coordinating Director of Broadcast Monitoring, wrote a memo on April 9, 2025, declaring the track Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB) under Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. The section forbids the broadcast of material considered indecent, offensive, or contrary to public morals on Nigerian radio and television stations. Advertisement The NBC stated that although the song has gone viral on social media, its lyrics do not align with the principles of responsible broadcasting. READ MORE: Junior Popes Wife Marks One Year Since His Passing With Emotional Tribute The statement titled, Restriction on boradcasting Tell Your Papa by Eedris Abdulkareem, read, The National Broadcasting Commission has identified the song Tell Your Papa by Eedris Abdulkareem, currently trending on social media, as content deemed inappropriate for broadcast due to its objectionable nature. NBC Bans Eedris Abdulkareems Tell Your Papa From Airwaves It is therefore classified as Not To Be Broadcast (NTBB), as it violates Section 3.1.8 of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code. The commission requests that your station exercises discretion and refrains from airing this song to maintain responsible broadcasting standards. Your cooperation and commitment to upholding greatly appreciated. Thank you, Susan Obi -Coordinating Director, Broadcast Monitoring. The contentious track, which dropped earlier this week, takes aim at Seyi Tinubuson of President Bola Tinubuurging him to challenge his father regarding the countrys deteriorating socio-economic situation. In the song Tell Your Papa, which was posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Eedris Abdulkareem delivered a hard-hitting message, highlighting the harsh realities and struggles ordinary Nigerians are currently enduring. The song is a direct response to Seyi Tinubus recent remarks in Adamawa State, where he referred to his father as the greatest president in Nigerias history. In the hard-hitting lyrics, Abdulkareem raps, Seyi, tell your papa country hard. Tell your papa people dey die. Tell your papa this one don pass jagajaga. Seyi, how far? I swear your papa no try. Too much empty promises. On behalf of Nigerians, take our message to him; kidnappers dey kill Nigerians. Seyi, try travel by road without your security make you feel the pains of fellow Nigerians. You dey fly private jets, insecurity no be your problem, he sings. SEE POST: A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed N50 billion lawsuit filed by Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, against Federal Government. Justice Inyang Ekwo, who gave the ruling on Thursday, said that the case was struck out because it was not properly followed up. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that when the case came up in court, no lawyer showed up for either Kanu or the Federal Government. Advertisement Justice Ekwo noted that during the last hearing, Kanu had no legal representative, while the government was represented. He also added that the case had already been delayed three times for the same reason. Since there was no one in court to continue the matter, the judge on Thursday, strike it out. READ MORE: Alleged Terrorism: Nnamdi Kanu Apologises Over Attack On Judge, Others Recall that Kanu had sued FG and the Attorney-General of the Federation, over what he described as violation of his rights. The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/462/2022, was filed after Kanu alleged that he was kidnapped in Kenya and illegally brought back to Nigeria. He asked the court to decide whether the way and manner in which the plaintiff was abducted in Kenya and extraordinarily renditioned to Nigeria is consistent with extant laws. The suit partly reads: The provisions of Article 12 (4) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9 laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and Article/Part 5 (a) of the African Charters principles and guidelines on human and peoples rights while countering terrorism in Africa. Whether by the operation of Section 15 of the Extradition Act Cap E25, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, the plaintiff can be competently/legally tried for offences stated in counts 1 to 14 of the 15-count amended charge. Nigerian actress Funke Akindele has spoken about her experience raising her children alone after her separation from estranged husband, Abdulrasheed Bello, popularly known as JJC Skillz. The pair, who married in 2016 and welcomed their twin children in 2018, publicly announced their separation in June 2022, with JJC Skillz stating on Instagram that they were pursuing separate lives and addressing issues such as child custody and business interests. In a recent interview with media personality Chude Jideonwo, shared on Instagram Thursday, Akindele opened up about her role in raising their children and the emotional toll she has faced. Advertisement Reflecting on the loss of her mother and the challenges of the 2023 elections, she shared her struggles with depression. READ MORE: Kizz Daniel Asks Fans To Stop Requesting Money From Him Online I do not like to mourn. I remember when my mom passed on, I just wanted to get out of it quickly. I like to get out of the situation quickly. I do not allow myself to break down, and it affected me after my moms death. And I almost died, she said. Akindele also recounted a moment of emotional vulnerability when she went live on social media to address online accusations. My heart was aching and something happened online. For the first time I took my phone, I went live on social media and Im like, you all should leave me alone. Do I know this person? No, this person came to act in my movie, got paid, and left. Why are you accusing me of something I didnt do wrong? She continued, Do you know what Im going through? I lost my mum, my marriage fell apart, I lost in politics, I have to get back to work, I have to earn a living. I have children Im raising alone and you are stressing me. So, for the first time, I cried. I broke down for weeks. Akindeles emotional interview shed light on the personal struggles she has faced while managing her career and raising her children after her separation from JJC Skillz. Watch her speak below https://www.instagram.com/reel/DIRncmFtl-S/?igsh=MWhweWRsZnYyd2E3dg== At least 17 kidnapped victims have been rescued by operatives of Kaduna State Police Command on Wednesday. In a statement by Nigeria Police Force Spokesman, Muyiwa Adejobi on Thursday, disclosed that the victims were abducted on March 3rd, 2025 from Sarkin Pawa in Niger state. He added that they were also rescued on Wednesday, by the Commands Anti Kidnapping Unit in collaboration with office of the National Security Adviser. Advertisement READ MORE: Kaduna Court Jails Seven Fraudsters Adejobi noted that all rescued individuals were promptly taken to the police clinic in Kaduna for medical examination and have been certified to be in stable and sound health. The statement partly reads: In line with the operational directives and strategic vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, geared towards tackling violent crimes, dismantling criminal networks, and enhancing public safety across the country, the Nigeria Police Force has recorded significant breakthroughs in recent operations conducted in Kaduna State. On 9th April 2025, in a remarkable feat of inter-agency collaboration and strategic intelligence deployment, operatives of the Kaduna State Police Commands Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in conjunction with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), successfully rescued 17 victims who had been abducted on 3rd March 2025 from Sarkin Pawa, Niger State. This operation, notably achieved through a non-kinetic approach, evidences the commitment of the IGP to leveraging intelligence-led policing and inter-agency synergy to address security challenges. The rescued victims include: Williams Ubadia (15), Samuel Ezekiel (15), Duza Ezekiel (13), Ishaku Ishaya (12), Sunday Ezekiel (8), Jessy Friday (6), Rebecca Ezekiel (32), Jummai Ishaya (32), Terriza Friday (30), Alice Ezekiel (35), Victoria Ishaya (32), Blessing Ezekiel (20), Gloria Ubadia (13), Gift Ubadia (10), Charity Ezekiel (9), Alheri Ishaya (5), and Favour Ezekiel (1). The Lagos State Governance Advisory Council (GAC) has formally welcomed Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran, popularly known as Jandor, into the All Progressives Congress (APC). Jandor, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 Lagos election and the convener of the Lagos4Lagos Movement, has now aligned with the ruling party. His move to the APC was confirmed in a statement issued by his media aide, Pastor Gbenga Ogunleye, on Thursday. Jandor expressed deep gratitude for the warm welcome he received from key figures within the GAC, led by Prince 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, he said. The meeting where this reception took place was held in Saudi Arabia during the Umrah pilgrimage, highlighting a unique and symbolic setting for political realignment and dialogue. The meeting, which was held during the Umrah pilgrimage, served as a symbolic moment of engagement between key stakeholders in Lagos politics, emphasising the importance of unity. 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, Adediran added. Michelle Obama, the former First Lady of the United States, has dismissed rumours claiming that she and former President Barack Obama are heading for divorce. Michelle addressed the rumours during a conversation with Hollywood actress Sophia Bush on a recent episode of her podcast, Work in Progress, which was shared on social media on Thursday. She clarified that her choices to skip President Jimmy Carters funeral and President Donald Trumps inauguration were personal decisions she made for herself. Advertisement Her absence from both high-profile political events fueled divorce rumours, with Obama acknowledging last week that he was in a deep deficit with his wife. READ MORE: Otedola Celebrates Dangotes 68th Birthday, Calls Him Africas Greatest Entrepreneur Thats the thing that we as women, I think we struggle with: 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. That this couldnt be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right? she continued. Obama added: 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 former First Lady, who turned 61 on January 17, spoke openly with Bush about the questions shes contemplating regarding how she wishes to spend the later years of her life. So you know, now is the time for me to start asking myself these hard questions of who do I truly want to be every day, she said. Michelle shared that it looks like whatever I want it to look like. And 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 a year from now. The former First Lady acknowledged that there are certain things I am and am not doing regarding President Obamas presidential library, currently under construction on Chicagos South Side. But the interesting thing is that when I say no, for the most part, people are like, I get it, and Im OK, right? she added. The Bauchi State Police Command has begun a full investigation into a mob action that led to the death of one man and left another badly injured following accusations of dog theft in the Lushi area of Bauchi metropolis. The disturbing incident occurred on Thursday, drawing strong condemnation from both the public and law enforcement authorities. The deceased, identified simply as Peter, lost his life after a group of angry youths descended on him and a companion, accusing them of stealing a dog. His companion, 38-year-old Dokagk Danladi, sustained deep machete cuts to the head and is currently receiving treatment at the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital (ATBUTH). Peter, however, was pronounced dead at the scene by medical professionals. According to CSP Ahmed Wakil, spokesperson for the Bauchi Police Command, a team of investigators led by the Divisional Police Officer visited the scene on Thursday, April 10, 2025, to gather evidence and piece together the events that led to the tragic assault. The Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, condemned the incident in strong terms, labelling the attack as a gross violation of the law. No one has the right to brutalize a suspect. It is unlawful and unacceptable for anyone to assume the role of law enforcement. Anyone apprehended in connection with a crime must be handed over to the police or appropriate authorities for proper investigation and prosecution, the CP said. He urged citizens to exercise restraint and allow law enforcement to handle criminal matters, warning that jungle justice would not be tolerated under his leadership. Arewa Consultative Forum has berated Nigeria politicians that are paying more attention to early campaigns for 2027 general elections than crisis facing the Nation. The group urged them to divert their energies on pressing issues, such as insecurity, hardship, economic challenge facing the country. Speaking at its National Executive Committee meeting in Kaduna on Thursday, ACF Chairman, Mamman Osuman, said that political leaders should focus on governance and fulfill all election promises to the people rather than campaign. Advertisement Osuman also expressed concern over recent killings in Northern regions, particularly in Plateau, Edo, and Borno states, and the ongoing dispute between Kogi and Enugu states over the Ette Community land. He said: Individual utterances and media exposes relating to the upcoming 2027 elections are already hitting the airwaves. This momentum, in my humble view, should take the back burner while emphasis should be earnestly placed on governance that will truly address the biting needs of our people who are daily subjected to sufferings as a result of brigandage, terrorism, kidnapping, mass murders, hunger, and diseases. Notwithstanding our individual political allegiance to individual politicians, groups or ideologies, I humbly urge that we as ACF, should in practical terms manifest and espouse ourselves as beacons of hope for our people by altruistically, openly and courageously preaching truth to power in the manner done by the late Martin Luther King Junior, Indira Ghandi and Nelson Mandela. Only recently, we were rudely astounded with the sad news of the resurgence of the debilitating terror attacks and loss of lives and property in Bokkos, Plateau State, the gruesome assassination of northerners in Uromi, Edo State, and the resurgence of Boko Haram in Borno State. The ugly situations have been accentuated by recession, high cost of living, poor health care, and the high cost of transportation. Nigerian Railway Corporation has suspended Warri-itakpe train service over technical issues. In a statement by Managing Director of the company, Kayode Opeifa on Thursday, disclosed that the suspension will last for 72 hours. Mr. Kayode noted that NRC discovered the fault on Tuesday. Advertisement He said: The disruption commenced at approximately 1:38 pm and affected both the 8 am departure from Warri and the 2 pm train from Itakpe. READ MORE: Festive Season: NRC Vows To Provide Nigerians With 340,000 Free Rides Emergency recovery protocols were immediately activated but also suffered a setback due to engine failures. Following the incident, NRC swiftly arranged for the safe evacuation of all passengers via road transport with adequate security presence. Passengers were guided off the affected train to waiting cars approximately 500 meters from the track. Some Passengers chose to arrange their transportation before the arrival of official recovery vehicles, a decision NRC understands given the delay. In view of the situation, the NRC has suspended operations on the Warri-Itakpe route for 72 hours. This pause will allow our technical team to conduct a full audit, resolve all identified issues, and restore safe and reliable service. Some properties worth millions of naira have been destroyed, following a fire outbreak which occurred at Araromi Market, Agodi gate, Ibadan, Oyo State. It was gathered that the inferno, which erupted around 10.pm on Thursday, destroyed 12 shops belonging to traders in the area. In a statement on Friday by Yemi Akinyinka, General Manager of the state fire service, said the agency received a distress phons call at 11:02 pm. Advertisement He said: The agencys control room received the distressed call at exactly 23:02 hrs on Thursday, April 10, 2025, through telephoning and Mr Young to report a shop fire at the above address. READ MORE: Herbal Products Worth Millions Of Naira Destroyed As Fire Guts Storage Facility In Oyo (Pictures) The fire personnel, led by Cfs Jimoh, promptly deployed to the scene of the fire incident. On arrival, we met some lockup shops well alight, and we swiftly swung into action and restricted the fire from spreading to other nearby shops. The fire personnel, led by Cfs Jimoh, promptly deployed to the scene of the fire incident. On arrival, we met some lockup shops well alight, and we swiftly swung into action and restricted the fire from spreading to other nearby shops. The fire affected 12 out of multiple numbers of shops and we were able to save property worth billions of naira in the market. The appliance returned to the station by 03:18hrs and on standby. A 400-level student of the Federal University Birnin Kebbi, Augustine Madubiya, who was abducted from an off-campus hostel by unknown gunmen has been rescued. INFORMATION NIGERIA learnt that Augustine was freed by operatives of Kebbi State Police Command on Thursday, in the Dakingari forest of Suru Local Government Area after they tracked and trailed the kidnappers. This was disclosed in a statement by the states Director of Security, Cabinet Office, Abdulrahman Zagga. Advertisement Mr. Zagga noted that the breakthrough followed strict directives from Governor Nasir Idris, who instructed all security chiefs in the state to collaborate and take immediate action to rescue the student. READ MORE: Gunmen Invade Kebbi Varsity, Kill One, Abduct 400L Student He said: I am happy to inform you that the FUBK student abducted yesterday has been successfully rescued through a combined operation by security men. The Governor was firm in his directive that security agencies must swing into action and ensure the student was rescued alive and unharmed. Zagga further confirmed that the student is in good health but is currently undergoing a medical check-up by doctors as a precautionary measure. Recall that INFORMATION NIGERIA had reported that the gunmen on Tuesday, Invaded the schools hotel, killed one the residents living around the students. George Fusaro, who owned Maxwell Taxi Cab Co. until it closed March 1, said he doesn't see a future for cab companies given competition from Uber and Lyft and increased costs. Read more When Virginia Jennings children were young, and she and her husband had stopped going out with friends in the city, shed feel a pang of nostalgia whenever a Maxwell taxi drove by their suburban home. Just the sight of a Maxwell cab would take her back to the couples pre-kids era in the early 2000s, when theyd call on a Saturday afternoon to lock in their ride for the night. Advertisement A few hours later, a driver would arrive to take them from their Wayne home to friends places in Manayunk or Fairmount. After a night out at McCrossens Tavern, Pitchers Pub, or the Grape Room, theyd call to be picked up, sometimes by the same person who drove them there. There was something nice about a cab company, said Jennings, 45, who now lives in Havertown. She loved the comfort of knowing the drivers, who were always prompt, courteous, and friendly. But at the end of February, Maxwell Taxi Cab Co. gave its last ride. The closure has left loyal customers bereft over the loss of the Lower Merion institution and marked the end of an era for suburban-based cabs. On the Main Line, we were the last ones to survive, said George Fusaro, who for the past three decades owned the family business with his younger brother, Steve. First Uber undercut the industry, and then car insurance and repair costs skyrocketed, George Fusaro said. It got to the point where it wasnt viable. The Ardmore-based company hung on for a while. As the pandemic flattened the taxi industry and drove other cab companies out of business, Maxwell stayed afloat thanks to hospital workers, private school students, and perhaps their biggest account, the Sisters of Mercy nuns. Yet even as the pandemic relented, other challenges intensified. Fewer young people were calling cabs, some older customers were dying, and costs kept rising. The last straw, Fusaro said, was the companys latest insurance quote: A 60% increase, amounting to about $8,000 a year for each of its five cabs. The hike would have taken effect March 1. The Fusaro brothers decided to close that day instead. It was a sad choice for the family, said George Fusaro. His father, who went by the same name, and his uncle Dick Passarella bought the company from the Maxwell family more than 50 years ago. The pair previously owned Cynwyd Cab and ran several other businesses. George Fusaro, 63, and Steve Fusaro, 53, also own Havertown Collision and K & S Towing. Asked if he sees a future for taxi companies, Georges answer is unequivocal: No. In recent days, he said he has tried to give the company away, calling city cab companies to see if theyd be interested in absorbing Maxwell. As of Tuesday, he had not received any calls back. Nonstop night business boosted cabs pre-Uber Before iPhones and rideshare apps like Uber and Lyft, Maxwell made it possible for Main Line residents and college students to safely enjoy a night of revelry. On a weekend night during Maxwells peak in the 2000s, the company fielded more than 700 calls, with rides split among 19 drivers. Often, they were picking up Villanova and St. Joes students. It was nonstop from the moment you came in until 5 oclock in the morning, Fusaro said. We knew where every party was, every hot bar in the city. In the cab, you could only pay cash $2.80 to get in, plus $2.40 a mile. Later in the night, youd call the office to get a ride home. Beth Richfield said she and her other then-twentysomething friends regularly got rides from Georgie Fusaro in the 1980s. Hed take them to bars, clubs, even after-hours clubs in the city, she said, and she always remembered just feeling safe. Three girls, goofy laughing, and wed be like We dont have any money. He would be like, Pay me next week, dont worry about it, said Richfield, of Gladwyne. Later, Richfield said, Maxwell was the only company she trusted to drive her children home from late-night bar and bat mitzvahs, or to transport her mother to and from appointments. For Maxwell drivers, mornings were busy, too, with a steady stream of customers heading to the airport or to work. If you had an early-morning flight, you could count on Maxwell to be outside your house 15 minutes before you needed them in a car big enough to fit your familys luggage comfortably, customers recalled. As some longtime passengers aged and became less comfortable driving themselves, they called on Maxwell for more regular trips. Business was strong and steady until Uber entered the scene in the mid-2010s. Uber was just coming in and charging whatever they wanted, undercutting all the cabs just to put them out of business, Fusaro said. If Maxwell would charge $40 for a ride from the Main Line to the airport, Uber would do it for $25. Rideshare costs have since increased, rising 14% between 2023 and 2025, according to a report from a gig-work app company. Ubers rise led to what Fusaro called a slow downturn for Maxwell, starting with the night business. On local college campuses, the kids could all use a credit card with Uber, paying for rides with a few taps on their iPhone screens, Fusaro said. Maxwell customers who didnt have cash had to call the office to pay with cards. On a weekend night, wed have three cabs sitting at St. Joes, Fusaro said. Students on the street wouldnt even get in. They were looking down at their phones, Fusaro said, waiting for their Ubers. Cab customers now face a tough choice Now, longtime Maxwell customers are deciding whether to call an Uber or Lyft next time they need a ride to the airport or a wedding, or cant take their aging parents to an appointment. Some customers said theyre considering calling former Maxwell employees who are still driving on their own. Fusaro said he knows of at least two who are doing so. In Wynnewood, longtime customer Jeffrey Goldstone said hell take Ubers from his home, but continue to use cabs at airports and train stations, where he finds them more convenient than rideshares. Instead of going on the app and ordering an Uber and trying to locate which gray minivan is your Uber, you just go into the line, he said. Its a pretty simple process. Taking Ubers from home has been an adjustment for Goldstone, who is one of four generations of Maxwell customers in his family. His grandparents used the service in the late 1950s and early 60s. Their children, Goldstones parents who are now in their 90s, passed down the fondness for the company. They loved the drivers, said Goldstone, 67. They were friendly. They were dependable, and always early. Its the end of an era, he added. So many people were just Maxwell people. Cindy Matthews Landis, 68, of Narberth, said she, too, will miss Maxwell, a company she first encountered as a young girl walking by their taxi stand in Wynnefield in the 1960s. As an adult, she had come to rely on the company whenever she had a flight to catch. I dont know if I have a comfort level in Uber and Lyft for something as important as getting to the airport, she said. I dont have travel plans until October, and then I will need to get to the airport. She paused. And Im not quite sure what Im going to do. Jaki White-Marshall was held for trial Friday on attempted murder, conspiracy and related charges. Read more A Coatesville teen was part of a conspiracy to ambush a rival teenager in retaliation for a high school fight, targeting him as he got off a school bus in the Chester County city last October, prosecutors said Friday. That ambush nearly proved deadly, as two of Jaki White-Marshalls friends opened fire on the crowded bus, causing students and the bus driver to duck for cover as bullets shattered the vehicles windshield. Advertisement No one was injured in the attack, prosecutors said. For his role, White-Marshall, 18, was charged with attempted murder, conspiracy and related crimes, offenses that District Judge Gregory Hines held for trial after a preliminary hearing Friday morning. White-Marshalls attorney, David Nenner, asserted during the hearing that his client should not be lumped in with the other suspects. The teen, Nenner said, knew about the planned attack, but thought it would just be a fistfight. He did not bring a gun to the fight, drove separately, and only intended to watch the melee, according to the lawyer. Did he know these people? Yes. Did he associate with them? Yes. But, theres nothing that was of this record that he knew exactly what they would do, Nenner said. And the totality of these circumstances shows he acted independently. READ MORE: Gunman, accomplice arrested for shooting at school bus in Coatesville, police say Assistant District Attorney Anne Yoskoski said White-Marshall was not being truthful. A video pulled from his cell phone that had been recorded four days before the shooting showed the teen boasting that he was a member of 21 Hunnit, and that the groups rivals would soon be targets of gun violence. The three others present during the shooting Gabriel Johnson, Jose Medina and Medinas brother are also affiliated with the group, Yoskoski said. Members of the group, including White-Marshall, were part of a text thread discussing how to retaliate against the intended target after the teen had jumped Medinas brother hours before the shooting at Coatesville Area Senior High School, according to messages from the group text presented in court Friday. Additionally, investigators testified that White-Marshall told them he saw Medina wave a handgun around hours before the shooting, seemingly implying he would use it on the teens who had attacked his brother. You see a gun brandished at 11 a.m.; logically, what do you think is going to happen at 2:30 p.m., when you show up with a mask and gloves to watch a fistfight? Yoskoski said. Its common sense. Prosecutors have said Johnson, 17, was one of the shooters who fired eight bullets at the school bus, but they have not identified the second shooter. Johnson and Medina, 20, face criminal charges similar to White-Marshalls. Both waived their preliminary hearings in the case earlier this year and are proceeding to trial. The Inquirer is not naming Medinas brother because he has not been charged with a crime. The bus struck by the gunfire was dropping off students at the intersection of Hope Avenue and Charles Street about 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 10, according to investigators. Surveillance video played during Fridays hearing showed Medina, his younger brother, and Johnson parking a gold Honda Civic and walking toward the corner where the bus was scheduled to stop. White-Marshall arrived separately, driving a white Kia sedan registered to his grandmother, prosecutors said. He followed the three others to the scene of the planned attack. As the gunshots ring out, White-Marshall sprinted away from the scene, running in a different direction than the three others, investigators said. White-Marshall caught up with them too late, watching as they pulled away in the Honda and exclaiming that they left him behind, as seen in another video played in court. Detectives traced the Kia back to White-Marshals grandmother, and spoke to him at her house nearby. Nenner, his attorney, said that prosecutors had failed to prove White-Marshall was part of any conspiracy, saying they had left the judge to solve a puzzle without any pieces. But Hines disagreed, and sent the case to a county judge. Philadelphia Police First Deputy John Stanford speaks with reporters after a shooting at the Lonnie Young Recreation Center on April 1. Read more Philadelphia police said Thursday they solved three homicides and arrested two of the suspected killers. Officers made arrests in the death of a rec center worker who was killed in West Philadelphia in 2022 and the shooting of a teenage girl who was killed during an attempted robbery in Southwest Philadelphia last month, Deputy Police Commissioner Frank Vanore said at a Thursday afternoon news conference. Advertisement He also said police had identified and were searching for the killer of a woman who was fatally stabbed over the weekend and whose body was found wrapped in a futon in Frankford. After an investigation sparked by a missing-person report, police narrowed in on Gerelys Sanchez-Reyes, 28, as the person they say fatally stabbed Yuleisy Carolina Torreles Martinez, 21, before wrapping her body in a sheet and shower curtain and stuffing it inside a futon in a home in the citys Frankford section, Vanore said. A group of Martinezs friends had grown concerned after she went missing for several days, and they filed a missing-person report. When investigators searched her apartment on the 4400 block of Frankford Avenue on Saturday, Vanore said, they During the search, officers found Martinezs body with multiple stab wounds in the neck and torso. No weapons were recovered from the scene. Investigators scoured video footage and conducted multiple interviews before identifying Sanchez-Reyes as the suspected killer, Vanore said. Police did not release a motive for the slaying, but said the two women were acquaintances. Police asked that anyone with information on her whereabouts call the police departments Homicide Unit at 215-686-3334 or submit tips anonymously through the departments tip line at 215-686-8477. Suspected gunman arrested in fatal shooting of teen Police arrested the man they say fatally shot a 17-year-old last month in Southwest Philadelphia. Late on March 28, Jada Gray, 17, was found with a gunshot wound to the chest on the 7000 block of Elmwood Avenue, the victim of an apparent robbery. She was pronounced dead at the scene, Vanore said. Kani Hunt, 19, of the 1300 block of North 10th Street, was arrested Wednesday and charged with murder and related crimes for Grays death, police said. Law enforcement sources have said investigators believe Gray was meeting someone to buy a gun in the alleyway when the seller decided to try to rob her of cash and then shot her. Police suspect Gray had been selling weed in the area because her backpack, which was recovered at the scene, had marijuana inside, along with a scale, the sources said. Investigators found video of the shooting and of Gray meeting with Hunt, who was wearing dark clothing, and from that, Vanore said, they were able to identify him. They later searched Hunts house, and found the weapon that killed Gray, he said. Arrest in 2002 rec center shooting in West Philly Police also made an arrest in the 2022 shooting of a West Philadelphia rec center worker, Vanore said. Tevin Kee, 19, was wanted in the fatal shooting of Tiffany Fletcher, 42, at the Mill Creek Recreation Center and was pulled over by police in a traffic stop in Lower Pottsgrove Township early Thursday morning, Vanore said. Kee is the last of three shooters who police say unleashed a hail of bullets in a shootout at the rec center after an argument among teens, he said. Fletcher, who worked as a pool maintenance employee, was struck by a stray bullet, police said. Makie Jones, who was arrested the day of the shooting, pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and related crimes and was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison last year, said Dustin Slaughter, a spokesperson for the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office. Malik Flegler, who was arrested weeks after Jones, was convicted of third-degree murder and related crimes and was sentenced to 12 to 25 years in prison last year, he said. Police also announced that Anthony Smith, 23, the man they 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. Smith shot the teen twice in the chest outside the Lonnie Young Recreation Center on the 1100 block of East Chelten Avenue, after a fight between women at the center grew and escalated in violence, police said. He faces charges of aggravated assault and related crimes, police said. Gov. Josh Shapiro, pictured during his budget address Feb. 4, sued Trump over COVID relief money for schools that was abruptly revoked by the Trump administration. Read more Gov. Josh Shapiro said Thursday that Pennsylvania has joined 15 states in suing the Trump administration over federal funding abruptly revoked from schools. The announcement came nearly two weeks after the U.S. Department of Education informed states that had previously been granted extensions to spend COVID relief money that the federal government would not reimburse them. In Pennsylvania, schools are owed a total of $185 million including money designated for student mental health resources, internet access, and HVAC installation, according to the Shapiro administration. Advertisement The litigation marked the third time that Shapiro has sued the Trump administration since the president took office in January, suggesting that litigation will continue to play a key role in his opposition to the Republican administration. Despite Shapiro seeming to be on the offensive, he stayed quiet about the canceled funding until joining the lawsuit Thursday. Meanwhile, other Democratic governors, including New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, had been sounding the alarm for more than a week over the lost COVID relief funds, demonstrating that as a swing state governor with national political ambitions, Shapiro is taking a more reserved approach. Congress and the federal government made a commitment to our students, and school districts across Pennsylvania started construction to make schools safer, delivered supplies to students, and invested to create more opportunity for our kids based on that commitment, Shapiro said in a statement announcing the lawsuit. Now the Trump administration is trying to renege on its commitments to our kids and leave Pennsylvania taxpayers holding the bag. READ MORE: Pa. tells schools they dont need to make changes amid Trumps DEI funding threats While the federal relief money was originally available to states through September 2024 intended to combat the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic state education agencies were able to ask for more time to spend it. Earlier this year, federal officials extended Pennsylvanias deadline for spending the money until March 2026. Chaos over lost relief funding On March 28, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon notified states at 5:03 p.m. that as of 5 p.m. that day, the department had rescinded those extensions. The notification triggered chaos for state education agencies and school districts, according to the lawsuit filed Thursday in a New York federal court by officials from Pennsylvania and 15 other states, as well as the District of Columbia. The states estimate they are still owed more than $1 billion in federal funds, including $85 million still due to New Jersey, Murphy said. The Reading School District in Pennsylvania, for instance, was granted more than $20 million to install new HVAC systems in three middle schools and make building repairs at seven schools, according to the Shapiro administration. The district, which is in the middle of those projects, is relying on the money that is owed to them by the federal government, the administration said. In total, 116 Pennsylvania school districts, charter schools, intermediate units, and career and technical centers are affected by the federal governments decision, as well as the Pennsylvania Department of Education, according to the administration. In Philadelphia and its collar counties, 37 districts, schools and intermediate units stand to lose funding. The School District of Philadelphia, for example, has more than $6 million at stake. In a letter to school administrators Thursday, Pennsylvanias acting secretary of education, Carrie Rowe, said her department would be contacting affected schools to help determine their eligibility for a possible project-specific extension from the U.S. Education Department. However, given the uncertainty created by the USDEs reversal, schools should consider immediately pausing or terminating any work or contracts associated with pandemic relief funding that has not yet been reimbursed, Rowe said. While McMahons letter said the grants must be rescinded because the pandemic had ended, the lawsuit says that wasnt legal. States were granted extensions in spending the money, well after the pandemics end was declared on May 11, 2023. And McMahons decision assumes, with no legal or factual support, that all appropriations in COVID-19 related laws were only intended for use during the declared public health emergency, rather than the ongoing effects, the lawsuit says. Shapiros latest legal battle against Trump Shapiro, who frequently sued the federal government during Trumps first term when he was state attorney general, has joined two multistate legal battles in his capacity as governor against Trump, including Thursdays suit. Hes also filed one lawsuit on his own against $2.1 billion in congressionally approved federal funds for environmental and energy projects that is still pending in federal court. Shapiro has vowed to both work with the Trump administration when it is in the best interest for Pennsylvanians, as well as challenge it when necessary. Recently, though, Shapiro has been challenging the president administration more than working with him; he has been vocal against Trumps tariffs, asked the U.S. Department of Agriculture to reconsider its cuts to a program benefitting farmers and school students, and criticized Trumps threats to cut funding for the states neediest students over school diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. While most states involved in Thursdays suit, including New Jersey, are represented by their state attorneys general, Pennsylvanias Republican Attorney General Dave Sunday has said previously he is unlikely to ever sue the Trump administration. So Shapiro has chosen to step over him and sue, as state law allows, in his capacity as Pennsylvania governor. A spokesperson for Sunday could not immediately be reached for comment. Sunday has largely said he wants to focus on the core public safety mission of the State Attorney Generals Office, rather than the daily happenings in Washington. Republican attorneys general also typically dont join lawsuits brought by their Democratic counterparts, and vice versa. Kerry Sautner, president of the Lower Merion school board, says a Montgomery County judge erred in kicking her off the Democratic primary ballot. Read more The president of the Lower Merion school board says a Montgomery County judge wrongly removed her from the Democratic primary ballot over financial disclosure omissions arguing she wasnt required to report a lease between her employer and the City of Philadelphia. In an appeal brief filed Thursday with Commonwealth Court, Kerry Sautner, the president and CEO of Eastern State Penitentiary, said she didnt have any ownership interest in the museum, and thus didnt need to disclose the lease on her nomination petition. Advertisement She also said that the community member who challenged her petition, Harshal Dear, hadnt objected specifically to the Eastern State lease when she first accused Sautner of incomplete financial disclosures but later raised that issue in a letter to the court. The argument was made too late and shouldnt have been considered, Sautner said. The ballot dispute has injected uncertainty into the school board race, as Sautner who was endorsed by the Lower Merion and Narberth Democratic Committee fights to regain her place on the ballot ahead of the May 20 election. The Montgomery County Board of Elections said in a previous court filing that it needed to have the candidate list finalized by Thursday in order to prepare for the election without having to operate under unduly burdensome schedules and an unreasonable increase in workforce. Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhija, chair of the board of elections, said Thursday that while we anticipate a decision from the Commonwealth Court very soon, our Voter Services team is currently preparing for either outcome and that the county will be able to move forward immediately to get the ballot into voters hands. The broader issue remains that the timelines set by Pennsylvania state law are frankly unworkable for counties, Makhija said, noting that lawmakers havent updated ballot challenge times to consider mail voting. Until the legislature takes a full look at the election process from start to finish from petition deadlines to appeal deadlines we are going to find ourselves in this position time and time again." Sautner filed her nomination petition on March 10. It was challenged on March 18 by Dear, a registered Democrat who said in an interview that she felt school boards across Pennsylvania had been pushing a political agenda, though she did not make specific allegations about Lower Merions board. Dear who is represented by GOP attorney and Philadelphia ward leader Matthew Wolfe and Republican state committee member Christian Petrucci noted that Sautner had not answered several financial disclosure questions on her petition, leaving them blank rather than checking none. READ MORE: A judge kicked Lower Merion's school board president off the ballot after financial disclosure omissions Among them was a question that asks candidates to disclose any direct or indirect interest in any real estate that was sold or leased to, or purchased or leased from, the Commonwealth or any of its subdivisions. Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio, who issued the March 31 ruling kicking Sautner off the ballot, said in a filing with Commonwealth Court that while she had given Sautner a chance to amend her petition, the candidate still didnt check none on the real estate question. That suggests a purposeful avoidance of providing a definitive answer to that question, Carluccio said. In her appeal Thursday, which was filed by Dilworth Paxson attorneys Timothy Ford and Maggie Barker Taylor, Sautner said she should have been allowed to amend her petition again. She also said that despite the forms instructions, the law doesnt require candidates to affirmatively state they have no financial interests only to disclose them if they do. After a March 24 hearing on Dears challenge, Sautner said she had asked for a county employees input on filing an amended petition. She also last week filed another amended petition, in which she answered none to the real estate interest question. There is simply no evidence that Ms. Sautner made a purposeful misrepresentation in bad faith with the intent to deceive the electorate, her appeal says. Former West Chester University president Christopher Fiorentino was named chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education on Thursday. Read more Christopher M. Fiorentino on Thursday was named permanent chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. Fiorentino, an economist and former West Chester University president, had been serving as interim leader of the system, which educates 82,000 students in 10 universities across the state. Advertisement He faces challenges including a declining enrollment base, stiff competition in a crowded higher education market, and a softening economy. Still, Chris is the right person at the right time, Cynthia Shapira, chair of the systems board of governors, said during Thursdays meeting. A lot of this is about timing, and whats needed now, looking into the future and also looking at a continuum of critically important work thats on the docket and how that can lead to a future vision. The former economics professor, 71, who retired from West Chester in June after a 40-plus-year career there, initially said he did not want the permanent state system job. But that changed as Fiorentino dove into the work, Shapira said. After several months of becoming really engaged around the critical and important issues and opportunities, I would say he became just totally energized, Shapira said. Instead of being exhausted or overwhelmed by leading such a large and complex organization, it had the opposite effect on Fiorentino. After an undisclosed person nominated Fiorentino for the permanent chancellors role, he decided to formally go for it, Shapira said. Over a nine-month national search, a broad and diverse candidate pool developed, including a majority of people with direct experience as college presidents or chancellors of systems. Fiorentino went up against some truly incredible candidates to earn this appointment, she said. Fiorentino, who was paid $475,000 annually as interim chancellor, moves into his new role Friday. His new salary has not yet been set, a spokesperson for the state system said. The vote to appoint him was unanimous. What did the new chancellor say? A visibly enthusiastic Fiorentino said after a career spent in higher education, he thought he was finished, but is now excited to step into a role that has the greatest potential to have an impact of anything Ive done in my 41-plus years in the state system. We face many challenges, we have a lot of work to do, theres no question about it, Fiorentino said. But, he reminded the board, the system is also an engine for students to be put on different life trajectories. It provides livelihoods for our faculty and staff. And its a powerful economic engine for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We collectively do incredible things. Fiorentino succeeds Daniel Greenstein, who left the state system in October after six years as chancellor. PASSHE faces enrollment challenges Just before the board voted to appoint Fiorentino, it heard about troubling enrollment trends, both nationally and in Pennsylvania. Natalie Cartwright, the systems chief data officer, noted that the number of high school graduates in Pennsylvania shrank from 130,000 in 2011 to just over 125,000 in 2023. This represents a slow but persistent erosion of the traditional student pipeline, Cartwright said. More than 90% of the systems students are Pennsylvania residents. Were not necessarily losing students to competitors, were simply serving a pool thats getting smaller year by year, Cartwright said. Its a crowded higher education market, with 265 institutions across the commonwealth, and overall, fewer high school graduates are attending college at all. Pennsylvania Department of Education statistics show that just 58% of students in the state enrolled in two- or four-year colleges in 2023-24, down from a high of 71% in 2010-11. This is not just a Pennsylvania issue its a national issue, Cartwright said. Surveys show students increasingly question the value of higher education. They find the landscape confusing, and arent sure where to turn or what path to take, and as a result, many opt out entirely, further reducing the number of students available to enroll, and deepening the disconnect between education and workforce needs. Still, Fiorentino said, the system has compensated, freezing tuition for several years running and hoping to do so again, despite financial challenges. Tuition for in-state residents is $7,716 per year, which is a very high-value proposition for the quality of education that our students are receiving, Fiorentino said. But perhaps even more crucial than holding the line on tuition, state system schools have doubled the amount of financial aid that they are providing to students. In total, the systems universities are giving $140 million out of their operating budgets to students for financial aid. They are dedicating significant dollars under very difficult budgetary constraints to provide this extra support to our students, Fiorentino said. State allocations have risen from 28% to 35% of the state systems funds in the last several years. That means, Fiorentino said, that the average net price of a state system education is lower today than it was in 2018 because of increased financial aid. Thats compared to an average net price that has risen 8.5% nationally since 2018, he said. Are some majors in jeopardy? Still, difficult choices are likely on the horizon as the systems schools seek to remain competitive and prepare students for the job market. Twenty percent of the systems majors, Fiorentino said, graduate fewer than 60 students over four years and changes may need to be made. (According to state system data, there were just four library science graduates in 2023-24, 13 architecture graduates, and 38 philosophy/religion graduates.) Im not saying that we should start eliminating mass numbers of programs, but perhaps the system may need to move on program sharing, consolidation within universities, or where might we have to put programs in moratorium because we simply cant compete anymore in those markets? These are all conversations that have been going on on the campuses, but we need to move past conversations and we need to start getting results, getting actions. Black Dragon's fortune cookies are flavored to taste like graham cracker crusts, mimicking Big Mama's apple or lemon meringue pie. The messages, owner Kurt Evans says, are "unapologetically Black." Read more Kurt Evans style of American Chinese food is a culinary nod to Philadelphias Black culture in name and flavor. At Black Dragon, Evans West Philadelphia Chinese takeout spot, salmon cheesesteak egg rolls popular in the citys Black Islamic community are top sellers. Also on the menu is jerk chicken Rangoon and collard greens fried rice, a nod to West Indian and African American palates. Advertisement General Roscoes chicken, a play on the sweet-and-sour dish General Tsos chicken, swimming in barbecue sauce, is named after General Roscoe Robinson, Americas first Black four-star Army general. Evans brings this same unapologetically Black energy to Black Dragons custom fortune cookies. Not only are the crispy after-dinner treats flavored with cinnamon, sugar, and honey to taste like graham crackers a delectable shoutout to Big Mamas apple or lemon meringue pie crusts slivers of papers tucked inside the crescent-shaped sweets are printed with classic quips straight from the mouths of Black folks. I was born at night, but not last night. If ya friends jump off a bridge, you gonna do it too? And the best one of all: If you like it, I love it. I wanted to bring nostalgia to growing up and I wanted to preserve the legacy of Black culture in slang, jargon in how we talk, Evans said. Evans calls his fortunes proverbs. Because, he says, nestled in the short colloquial phrases are truths and advice based on experience and common sense. Hes amassed 45 proverbs that speak to Black people and those who love them of all generations. Most are old-school: A hard head makes a soft behind. Some are parental admonishments: Do you have McDonalds money? and I hope you know those songs like you know your homework. Others originated with the TikTok set: Where they do that at? Its only a matter of time before They not like us tumbles out of a split cookie. I wanted people to laugh. I wanted people to relate, Evans said. I wanted people to automatically know where we were coming from. He hopes to collect 100 proverbs, often asking customers to submit possibilities on Instagram. He sends his picks to a fortune cookie company that prints the proverbs, bakes the cookies, and seals them in a plastic wrapper. A box of 1,100 cookies arrives from his supplier each week he wont reveal who it is for proprietary reasons, except to say its an American company. He always runs out. Wallito Samuel has been ordering food from Black Dragon since it opened last August. His most memorable proverb: I got a trick for yo a, Samuel said. Thats what Black mothers might say to you when you are in trouble as a kid; and shes not moonlighting as a magician. Yoked in culture Proverbs are yoked in the culture of African and Asian peoples, part of an oral tradition of storytelling believed to connect the living to their ancestors. They help us understand the divine in succinct ways, conveying ideas around life, death, morality, protection, and ritual, explained Anyabwile Love, a Black studies professor at Community College of Philadelphia. One of the few things to survive the Middle Passage were African proverbs, Love said. During enslavement, proverbs informed enslaved Africans about their past and kept those stories alive when it was against the law for them to learn to read. They also served as beacons of hope, Love said. That better times would be coming. Language changes over time with pop culture, technology, and experience. Todays proverbs are more like colloquialisms. They have, however, remained a coded language specific to Black families, communities, and different regions, and wherever we are, we understand them. For example, You are overcooking my grits, a line from the 2000 movie Remember the Titans, set in Virginia and starring Denzel Washington, has Southern roots, and when a person says it, they are accusing another of usurping their authority. Scared money dont make none a line from Midnight, a 1993 song from A Tribe Called Quest is shorthand for You have to spend money to make money. It is decidedly Northeast. They are time stamps, Love said. Thirty years from now, if Im 80 years old, and I read a fortune that says C.R.E.A.M. cash rules everything around me Ill remember exactly where I was, what I was doing, and what that saying meant to me. For Evans, its all about documenting language as it unfolds. I wanted to preserve those sayings and phrases we grew up hearing, Evans said. They are so very important to the landscape of our communities. Black Dragon is located at 5260 Rodman St., www.blackdragontakeout.com. Open every day from noon to 9 p.m. With its owner, Prospect Medical Holdings in bankruptcy since January, Delaware County's Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland has been on the verge of closing for months. Read more Editors note: Since the publication of this article, Main Line Health has said it working on a plan to take on the OB/GYN services currently provided at Crozer Health. The University of Pennsylvania Health System has agreed to take over the leases at Crozer Healths medical offices in Broomall and Glen Mills in a $5 million deal that will forestall the closure of Crozers hospitals for at least a week, a lawyer for Crozers bankrupt owner, Prospect Medical Holdings, told a judge Thursday. Advertisement The maternity care provided through labor and delivery services at Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland will be transitioned to an unnamed provider. Neither plan is final. And at most, the money buys stakeholders another 10 days to keep trying to find a long-term solution that would keep open Crozer Health, which also operates Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park. In addition to Penns contribution, Delaware County agreed to pay $1 million in advance for behavioral health services, the lawyer, Bill Curtin, said. The $6 million total fell short of the $9 million Prospect had demanded by Wednesday at 4 p.m. to prevent the closure. Curtin provided no update on sale negotiations, but said Prospect would start implementing a restructuring plan developed by FTI Consulting Inc., the outside manager that has been in place at Crozer since February. Certain of the service lines that exist at Crozier are not financially viable at Crozer, but would be financially viable with other providers, Curtin said. The first step in that restructuring is the transition of labor and delivery services from Crozer-Chester, he said. That was expected to happen after a sale, as well as other undisclosed reductions in services. Expediting them will make any future closure much less dramatic for the system and for everyone involved, Curtin said. Curtin said that geographic proximity to the patients who count on Crozer is being considered in the transition plans. Main Line Health has the closest hospitals with labor and delivery, and it has available capacity in that unit at Riddle Hospital near Media. READ MORE: Crozer patients in limbo as Delco health systems future remains uncertain California-based Prospect did not respond to a question about where those services are going. Main Line declined to comment. Employees are not being forgotten in this process, Melissa L. Van Eck, a lawyer in the state Attorney Generals Office, told U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Stacey Jernigan. Whats going to happen is that employees may be wearing different jerseys, but theyll still continue doing their job, she said. However, employees are faced with tremendous uncertainty as to whether they will be among those who move to a new employer or are left behind and lose their jobs if what remains of Crozer closes. The deal with Penn still needed to be finalized, Curtin said. The $5 million will be structured mostly as a donation, but some of the money will be for furniture, fixtures, and equipment, he said. Penn did not say whether it plans to employ the doctors who work in Broomall and Glen Mills. The effort to transfer the leases at the facilities is in the early stages, but we plan to ensure continued operations in these facilities, and over time, offer reimagined, expanded services to improve the health of local residents, Penn said in a statement. Those two outpatient facilities were considered attractive assets in any sale, compared to Crozer-Chester, which gets a large proportion of its revenue from Medicaid, a government-funded insurance plan for low-income people that doesnt pay as well as private insurance. No date was set for a follow-up hearing on the future of Crozer. Work on a sale is expected to continue, officials said. Main Line Health's Riddle Hospital, near Media, is among the hospitals that could deliver more babies as MLH takes on Crozer's OB/GYN practices. Read more Main Line Heath is working on a plan to take on bankrupt Crozer Healths womens health practices and their patients, the nonprofit health system said Friday. During a bankruptcy hearing Thursday, a lawyer for Crozers for-profit owner, Prospect Medical Holdings, said the OB/GYN practices would be transitioned to a different system, but did not identify it. Advertisement We want to expand our reach to meet a critical need for continued OB/GYN services in the region ensuring patients experience a seamless transition in care with our trusted clinicians and care teams, Main Line said in a statement. Few details were immediately available. Its not clear if Main Line is paying for the practices, whether Crozer clinicians will become Main Line employees, or if Main Line will assume responsibility for the medical residents training at Crozer. Crozer has 12 residents specializing in obstetrics and gynecology, according to the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Main Lines Lankenau Medical Center has 17 OB/GYN residents, the council directory indicates. Local officials and other health systems have been scrambling to find a long-term solution for Crozer, which could close later this month if a new owner does not emerge for a health system that is the largest in Delaware County. A Crozer physician directory shows that Crozer has womens health offices in Upland, Media, Glen Mills, Springfield, Broomall, and Ridley Park. Those offices have 18 clinicians, including three nurse practitioners. Main Lines statement did not specify how the Crozer clinicians would be distributed among Main Lines facilities. Main Line had capacity to deliver more babies at three hospitals that are relatively close to Crozer-Chester Medical Center, in Upland, where Crozer provided labor and delivery services, state data shows. The obstetrics occupancy rates were 41% at Lankenau Medical Center, 66% at Bryn Mawr Hospital, and 48% at Riddle Hospital, according to Pennsylvania department of health data for 2023, the most recent available. A potential problem for some Delaware County residents is that Main Line Health does not have a contract with UnitedHealthcares Medicaid plan in Pennsylvania. United Healthcare Community plan insured 10,300 individuals in Delaware County in February. About one-third of births in Pennsylvania are covered through government-funded Medicaid plans. In addition to the assumption of Crozers labor and delivery services, Main Line is preparing for an increased number of patients in primary care, specialty care, urgent care, and other services. Riddles emergency medical services is participating in county meetings to ensure no disruption of those services throughout the county. Crozers ambulance service covers a large part of the county, and its future is unclear. As part of the restructuring announced Thursday in court, Penn Medicine is taking over Crozers medical offices in Broomall and Glen Mills. It plans to assume the leases at those facilities. In connection with that deal, it is paying Crozer $5 million, mostly a donation. That money helped forestall the closure of Crozer-Chester and Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park for a week. Separately, Crozer told nurses Friday that it plans to close the home care and hospice business that operates out of Taylor by June 10, according to the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals, a labor union. About 25 nurses will lose their jobs when the units close, the union said. Crozer CEO Tony Esposito confirmed the plan. A lawyer for California-based Prospect called the planned reductions in services at Crozer much less of a hatchet than it would be if we were just closing and having to do this abruptly. Editors note: This story was updated to add information about home care and hospice operations. This Friday, May 17, 2019 file photo shows a vial of a measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in Mount Vernon, Ohio. Philadelphia officials are urging vaccination after identifying a case of the highly contagious disease in the city. Read more A measles case has been identified in a person who visited two locations in the region this week, Philadelphia health officials announced on Friday, urging residents who may have been exposed to ensure theyre protected against the virus. The case is the second identified in Philadelphia in a month and follows two recent cases of measles detected in Montgomery and Bucks Counties. Advertisement The Bucks County case was diagnosed in a person who had recently traveled to Texas, where a widespread measles outbreak is ongoing. The other cases in the region were diagnosed in people who had recently traveled internationally and are not connected to the Texas outbreak. We believe there is no threat to the general public because of this case, Philadelphia Health Commissioner Palak Raval-Nelson said in a statement. The city has a high vaccination rate against measles, she added, and the department is hopeful that this case wont spread further. Anyone who visited Pennsylvania Hospital Emergency Department at 800 Spruce St. in Center City Philadelphia between 3:55 p.m. and 11:20 p.m. on Sunday, or the Holy Redeemer Hospital Emergency Department in Montgomery County, between 6:05 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday could have been exposed to measles, the health department said. The highly contagious virus can linger in the air for hours after a person has passed through a space. How to determine if you are protected from measles People who visited Pennsylvania Hospital or Holy Redeemer at those times should determine if theyre protected against measles. The best protection against measles is two doses of the measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine, typically given during childhood. People born before 1957, who have already had measles, have a blood test showing immunity to the disease, or have written documentation of adequate vaccination for measles are considered protected. People without protection who visited Pennsylvania Hospitals ER on Sunday should call their doctors and stay home until April 27 to avoid spreading the virus, health officials said. People without protection who visited Holy Redeemer on Tuesday still have a chance to get vaccinated and should receive a dose of the MMR vaccine by Friday, April 11. Those who dont must stay home until April 29 to avoid spreading the virus. Parents with children under a year old, people who are pregnant and not immune, or who are immunosuppressed and visited either hospital during the exposure window should call their doctor as soon as possible, health officials said. Anyone who develops measles symptoms, including a fever, cough, runny nose, puffy eyes, and a rash, should call their doctor immediately and tell them they may have been exposed to the virus. They should also notify the health department at 215-685-6740, option 5. An ongoing outbreak in Texas Philadelphias measles case comes as an outbreak in West Texas continues to spread, significantly impacting a community with lower vaccination rates. In Texas, 505 people have been diagnosed, and two children, both unvaccinated, have died. Another unvaccinated adult in New Mexico tested positive for the virus after death. They were the first measles deaths in the United States in a decade. Amid the outbreak, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist, has acknowledged that the measles vaccine protects people from the virus, while also making false statements about their safety. In a CBS News interview Wednesday, he falsely claimed that the measles vaccine hasnt been safety tested and that it doesnt offer lifelong protection from the disease. Mayssa Abuali, the medical director of the city health departments immunization program, said in a statement that two doses of the MMR vaccine are 97% effective in preventing measles infections and do provide lifelong protection. In rare cases, people who are vaccinated against the measles can still contract it the Bucks County patient with measles was vaccinated but they usually present with milder symptoms. And the risk of vaccinated people contracting measles rises amid an outbreak like the one in Texas. Vaccine protection for measles Health officials recommend that children get their first dose of the MMR vaccine at 12 to 15 months old, and a second dose at 4 to 6 years old. Parents with children between 6 and 11 months who plan to travel outside of the United States or to an area with an outbreak should talk to their doctors about getting an early MMR vaccine. Raval-Nelson said that as vaccine rates drop around the country, people who cannot be vaccinated for health reasons are more likely to be exposed to the virus. The region has seen declines in measles vaccine uptake in recent years, with kindergarten vaccine rates in some counties dropping below the 95% threshold that experts say keeps the virus from circulating in a community. Philadelphias kindergarten vaccination rate rose to 94.5% last year after having dropped during the pandemic, and the department reports that about 97% of seventh and 12th graders are vaccinated for measles, mumps, and rubella. Its critical, Raval-Nelson said, for everyone who can be vaccinated to do so as soon as possible. The department hosts a number of vaccination resources on its website. Editors note: This story was updated with additional detail on the potential exposure locations. Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital was cited by the Pennsylvania Department of Health for failing to notify the state of leadership changes and other paperwork violations. The Trinity Health-owned hospital in Darby could see an influx of patients as one of the next-closest alternatives to Crozer-Chester Medical Center, if the financially beleaguered Crozer system is shuttered by for-profit owner Prospect Medical Holdings. Advertisement Heres a look at the publicly available details of recent inspections at Mercy Fitzgerald: In a pointed report released Thursday, a North Jersey law firm found numerous problems with how Burlington County conducted the 2024 election last November, which was characterized by unacceptable long lines and voting delays. The report, written by Connell Foley LLP, a law firm in Roseland, Essex County, outlines findings of a culture of territorialism, partisan tension, and personality conflicts among countywide election offices. The report also cited poll workers who refused to accept delivery of a new voting machine that would have alleviated delays; poorly trained poll workers who did not understand the voting process; and election officials who would not work together at all, among other problems. Advertisement The findings are part of a preliminary accounting of events that presages a final report, the date of which has not been determined. The interim report was released so that elections officials would have the opportunity to address problems before the New Jersey primary election on June 10. The report includes recommendations meant to substantially mitigate, if not eliminate, many of the problems that occurred on Election Day in November 2024 across many of the countys 40 municipalities. Burlington County Commissioner Director Felicia Hopson acknowledged in a statement Thursday that there were failures all around and the report makes that clear. She added that Connell Foley has done exactly what we asked, with the interim report outlining preliminary factual findings and assessments about what caused the unacceptable long lines and delays on Election Day, and it makes recommendations about what actions our county should take to prevent the problems from occurring again. Asked to address particular criticisms in the report, county spokesperson David Levinsky wrote in a statement Thursday that county commissioners asked for an unbiased and thorough review of the election and the issues that occurred, and the interim report delivers that. In the interest of transparency, the commissioners decided it was important for the full report be made public. Fraught relations The report addresses what many observers saw on Election Day: voter lines stretching out of buildings, into parking lots, and onto adjacent fields. A large percentage of voters were forced to wait sometimes for longer than six hours, with many finally casting their ballots at 3 a.m. the next day. Overall, just 62% of registered voters in Burlington County voted in Novembers presidential election, less than the statewide average of 65%, and well below Burlington Countys 2016 general election voter turnout of 72%, the report says. The report shows that fraught relations among personnel in the countys election offices contributed to Election Day troubles. There was a lack of communication, coordination, and collaboration necessary to prepare for, administer, and improve the Countys elections process, according to the report. The law firm found the county responsible for a late rollout of new voting machines without an earlier pilot program. It also discovered that the county election board had not required all poll workers to receive training with new voting machines. For the poll workers who did receive training, the board failed to permit them to have hands-on practice with the new machines, the report says. In one voting location, poll workers were so averse to dealing with the new Dominion machines that even though voting had been delayed, they reportedly refused to accept the delivery of another machine from the Superintendent of Elections that would have helped, according to the report. Other problems delineated in the report include the election boards decision to open just seven polling locations for early voting, even though 10 were available throughout the county; a dearth of a sufficient number of machines to expedite voting; the difficulties faced by elderly and disabled voters who could not stand in line for long periods; and inconvenient, inaccessible, and cramped polling places. Possible fixes The report suggests possible fixes for many of the difficulties that arose on Election Day. Among them: The election board should invest in poll workers who are comfortable dealing with new technology; otherwise the problems that arose last November will likely repeat in the future. To better control the voting experience, election districts should be rebalanced so they do not contain more than 750 registered voters. The board should work with municipal clerks to assess whether all voting places can accommodate long lines, and whether polling rooms can be better laid out to ensure an efficient flow of voters. Early voting locations and hours should be expanded. Beginning to improve In some cases, the county has already begun to improve, county officials said. Commissioners have approved the purchase of additional voting machines and other election equipment. The Burlington County Election Board, the superintendent of elections office, and the county clerks office have also started the process to redraw the boundaries of the election districts in five Burlington County towns to ensure none has more than the recommended standard of 750 voters. And the county expects to increase the number of so-called IT rovers tech experts who can troubleshoot issues with voting machines on Election Day. This interim report provides us with a detailed plan to ensure Burlington County has a secure, efficient and transparent voting process that all voters can have confidence in, Hopson said in her statement. We are committed to delivering that. Pennsylvania State Police search Kendall Center, a retirement community, near Longwood Gardens as the search continues on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023 for Danilo Cavalcante who escaped from Chester County Prison. Read more All Pennsylvania state troopers are now equipped with body cameras, in an effort to increase police accountability and transparency. Advertisement Pennsylvania State Police invested more than $40 million over the last two years to purchase 2,000 body cameras, new and expanded-view cameras for 1,400 patrol vehicles, and the software needed to store the footage. Pennsylvania State Police began piloting the program in 2023, less than two months after a fatal police shooting of a Glen Mills car enthusiast on I-95 in Philadelphia. It expanded the program to include troopers in Philadelphia, Montgomery and Delaware Counties last year, before announcing Thursday that all troopers at the states 89 state police locations now have body-worn cameras. The state initially requested bids for 2,500 body cameras. But after piloting the program it found that as a cost-saving measure, the state could purchase 2,000 and still enable all on-duty troopers to have access to a bodycam, said State Police Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris. Each station has a bank of cameras for troopers to take during their shifts. The Pennsylvania State Police, like all law enforcement agencies, faces more scrutiny than ever from a public that rightfully demands interactions with troopers to be safe, respectful, and constitutional, Paris said at a news conference Thursday in Harrisburg. Body-worn cameras are a critical step forward in meeting that demand. The rollout finished weeks ahead of schedule and was within its budget, Paris added. The investment into the new technology from Arizona-based Axon also includes new dashboard cameras for 1,400 patrol vehicles that offer a wider perspective. This is an upgrade from the states previous, two-decades-old dash cameras that only captured footage of what was directly in front of the patrol car, Paris added. Paris said body cameras and improved dash cameras offer an objective witness to disprove false allegations of police misconduct, encourage improved behavior from those who know theyre being recorded, and to provide evidence and corroborate testimony during the judicial process. At a previous news conference about the body camera rollout, Paris said officers will need to turn on their camera, and state police aim to have troopers record every interaction with the public. The footage from the body cameras will be subject to a police records request, called an Act 22 request, a spokesperson for the state police said. These must be made within 60 days of the recording, and usually require the applicant to be a victim or party to the case. In the case of 18-year-old Anthony Allegrini, the man killed on I-95 in 2023 that expedited the state rollout of the body camera program, the investigation is still ongoing, a police spokesperson said in an email. Body camera footage would have been beneficial for the investigation into the shooting of Allegrini and may have provided a more accurate picture of the events of that night, Capt. Gerard McShea, then-commanding officer of Troop K, said last year as part of the pilots expansion. Allegrini was killed when authorities say he struck two troopers with his Audi S4 as they tried to disperse an illegal car meetup and one of the officers shot him. The responding troopers did not have body cameras at the time of the incident, footage that would have better clarified the sequence of events from that night, McShea said. It would have provided a different perspective that we didnt have, he said last year. Perspective that wasnt captured on the mobile video recorder or on the cell phone footage that was captured by people passing by. I think it would have left less doubt in peoples minds as to what occurred. Inquirer Staff Writer Rodrigo Torrejon contributed to this article. Jackie Robinson, an instructor at the Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA), a nonprofit focused in part on energy equity, teaches a class at the ECA's Kensington facility in 2024. Read more The two city nonprofits Energy Coordinating Agency and Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia had grand plans in Grays Ferry when they were awarded a $20 million federal grant in December. The groups, along with Philly Thrive as a partner, aspired to use the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to purchase a building and establish a community resilience hub. Advertisement At the hub, 50 residents a year would be trained in green energy careers, such as HVAC. The building would also serve as a community cooling center during heat waves and a heating center during cold spells. Moreover, money from the three-year grant would go toward making critical home repairs and weatherization of 189 neighboring homes. But now, all those plans are on hold: The grant has been targeted for termination by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), according to a list circulated by a U.S. Senate committee on the environment. Steve Luxton, CEO of Energy Coordinating Agency (ECA), said a freeze on the grant began in January soon after President Donald Trump took office and DOGE began ramping up. ECA has not yet received a letter officially terminating the grant. ECA has, however, received a termination letter for a separate $200,000 grant it had secured to train underserved residents in pest management. That grant started releasing funds in 2022. So the termination means only about $20,000 of the grants balance will be cut. A termination letter is the final nail in the coffin, Luxton said of grant cuts. Kind of stalled DOGE has been targeting programs that focus on environmental justice and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Sofya Mirvis, chief operations officer of ECA, confirmed that ECA is on the termination list. Were not sure whether being on the list actually means youre terminated, Mirvis said. She said ECA has been told that there would be an appeal process even if it the grant does receive a termination letter. Mirvis said the partnership had narrowed the number of potential buildings to purchase. But the partnership cannot now pursue any real estate deal or hire an administrative staff as planned. Its kind of stalled, she said of the project. The partnership planned to operate the new training center, to be located in the hub, much the way ECAs main training center in West Kensington operates. ECA runs the Knight Green Careers Training Center in West Kensington, training students in clean energy careers that provide family-sustaining wages. Career paths include solar installation, HVAC, residential energy efficiency, construction, and environmental remediation. The center focuses on training local residents, including Black, Latinx, and immigrant youth and adults, including veterans, according to the website. In the Grays Ferry hub, ECA planned to train 50 students ages 16 and above, as well as veterans, each year. The hub would offer high-quality, pre-apprenticeship training programs, preparing students for in-demand positions in clean energy sectors such as sustainable construction, HVAC installation, solar PV installation, energy auditing, disaster recovery, and more, with average hourly wages of $17-$30 and potential for advancement to positions with salaries exceeding $100,000, according to the grant application. Home repairs Habitat Philadelphia was set to help in Grays Ferry by offering basic home repairs with the addition of energy efficiency measures such as installing insulation and weather sealing, both designed to lower home energy bills. Habitat was awarded $2.5 million as part of the grants sub-award. Habitat would work on 129 housing units, spending about $16,336 on each. Home repairs stabilize communities and improve health outcomes, said Corinne OConnell, CEO of Habitat Philadelphia. Vulnerable families will continue to be disproportionately cost-burdened without the programs and services funded by this grant. Altogether, the hub would centralize climate resilience programs in Grays Ferry, while providing support and addressing the mental and emotional health needs of residents affected by environmental injustice, according to the grant. Mirvis said Grays Ferry was chosen as the location for the hub after the partners in the program looked at census tracts that were underserved in several metrics that include poverty, and environmental and air quality. This whole grant was responding to that, Mirvis said. Its goal was to make people whole and elevate the community and offer additional opportunities like workforce development. The repairs and weatherization would lower the energy burden on families that pay a substantially higher portion of their income toward energy bills. A Philly teenager is in the hospital after being shot in the stomach in the citys Kingsessing section by an adult early Thursday evening. According to police, a 13-year-old boy was in a fight with another person at 57th Street and Kingsessing Avenue around 6:40 p.m. when a 43-year-old relative of the other person emerged from a nearby house and shot the teenager. Advertisement As the fight transpired, a family member of the other participant in that fight came out of that house and shot our complainant, Philadelphia Police Department Inspector Michael Gormley told reporters. The teenager was stuck twice in the stomach and transported to Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, where he was in stable condition Friday morning, according to police. Police have identified the suspect as Keith Holmes, who remained at large Friday morning after fleeing the scene of the shooting. There is currently an arrest warrant out on Holmes for aggravated assault and gun charges, and police encourage anyone who knows his current whereabouts to contact their tipline at 215-686-TIPS (8477) or dial 911. Through Thursday, police have recorded 432 shootings in 2025, a 26% decline compared with the same time last year. There have been 227 shooting victims across the city so far this year, which is also down compared with last year. The number of shootings in Philadelphia declined dramatically in 2024. Police recorded 1,081 shootings during the year, a 50% drop compared with 2013 and the lowest total since 2014. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. An artist's conceptual rendering of the 30-foot-tall Chronos portal that will be erected at the base of the Philadelphia Museum of Art stairs from May 16 to 18. Read more For three days next month, Philadelphia will be the only city in the known universe with two portals. Will the space-time continuum survive? Will this become the next Philadelphia Experiment? And why do people keep erecting sci-fi technology around here like were in an episode of Black Mirror? As we await the results of an online poll that will determine where our original Portal will be permanently placed, Universal Orlando Resort recently announced its bringing its own portal to the Philadelphia Museum of Art steps from May 16 to 18. Advertisement According to a news release, the 30-foot tall Chronos portal will give a glimpse of the adventures that await and action-packed sequences that celebrate Universals new theme park, Universal Epic Universe, which opens May 22 in Orlando. Donna Mirus Bates, Universal Destinations & Experiences spokesperson, said the Chronos portal which is a replica of the gateways at the new park that guests walk through to get into each of its five immersive experiences, from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter Ministry of Magic to SUPER NINTENDO WORLD will give a glimpse into those areas but will not have live camera feeds. The two portals The biggest difference between Universals Chronos portal and the existing Portal is that the latter is a global art installation from a nonprofit foundation that connects people in cities around the world through live video feeds, and the former is a promotional advertisement by a for-profit company that will be erected at the base of one of the citys most beloved buildings. The Philadelphia Portal debuted in LOVE Park in October, was very popular, and fared surprisingly well, despite peoples fears that it wouldnt last here a week. But two incidents of vandalism in February kept the Portal offline until late March. Its now up and running again and an online vote is underway to decide whether it should remain at LOVE Park or move to City Halls courtyard. Then theres the other portal. The news release from Universal Orlando Resort which is owned by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Philly-based Comcast doesnt even mention the Art Museum, but rather, identifies the Chronos portals upcoming location as The Rocky Steps (insert unamused emoji here my editor made me put Rocky steps in the headline). Bates said Universal selected iconic locations in four major cities to bring the Chronos portal to help ensure as many people as possible enjoy this unique experience. Other locations include the World of Coca-Cola in Atlanta, 50 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, and Pioneer Court in Chicago. The Art Museum and its famous East Terrace stairs are owned by the city of Philadelphia. The Chronos portal will be erected at the base of the stairs, on the opposite side of the Rocky statue, according to Darren Fava, chief of staff of the citys Parks & Recreation Department. A $44,000 fee RaChelle Rogers, Parks & Rec spokesperson, said the city approved a special events permit for the Chronos portal and will receive $44,000 for the use of the space, a rate which was determined based on the fee schedule for special events permits. That covers three days of set up, the three-day activation, and two days of breakdown, she said. That seems like an incredible steal, given the iconic edifice this portal is being erected in front of. I mean, this isnt space under the El that the city is renting out, for gods sake. Its a museum that houses Dalis and Van Goghs, its a building where people come to feel inspired, its a place where almost every Philadelphian and many who visit here have core memories. Fava said he doesnt know how Phillys rates compare to those of other cities but said the fact Universal chose to set up the Chronos portal within our park system reflects well on the city. Id argue that it reflects well on Universals marketing department. They specifically chose the Art Museum steps and thats a great compliment to Philadelphia and what Parks & Recreation does to maintain these spaces, Fava said. A trend? Unfortunately, this isnt the first time the Art Museum has been used for promotional advertising, and now I really fear it wont be the last. In 2023, I wrote that I was bugged out to see the steps plastered with a giant image of a guy in a mechanical bug suit as part of a promotion for Warner Bros. Pictures and DC Comics movie, Blue Beetle. That ad was also approved under a special event permit at a rate of $4,000 a day or $28,000 for the week. After my 2023 column ran, I heard from dozens of readers who were appalled, disappointed, perplexed, annoyed, and insulted, (among other adjectives) that the Art Museum was rented out for advertising space (yes, I keep all your emails. They mean that much to me). Hopefully moving forward the parks department will realize how much we the people dislike this, one reader wrote to me. I dont believe promotions or ads belong anywhere near the Art Museum, but if city government is going to do it, then Philly should be making stacks on stacks of cash, so much so that money starts flowing from the fountains on the side of the museums steps that havent worked for decades. And lets stop with the special event semantics. These are ads and the city needs to own up to it, call them that, and establish a new permit for promotions and advertisements, so deep-pocketed corporations dont keep getting away with dirt-cheap prices. This Chronos portal doesnt sound as invasive as the Blue Beetle ad and it may turn out to be awesome I enjoy Universal Orlando Resort and the Universal Sphere in the Comcast Technology Center but it doesnt belong at the Art Museum. The portal should be placed at Comcast Center Plaza in Center City, since Comcast technically owns it, or at the Franklin Institute, which is hosting the debut of a new Universal Destinations & Experiences exhibit next year. If any portal should get a chance to be at the Art Museum steps, it should be the Portal, the one thats actually considered art and connects us with people around the world, not corporate entities. Ms. Haynes was named chief cultural officer for the City of Philadelphia in 2014. Read more Helen E. Haynes, 74, of Philadelphia, chief cultural officer under former Mayor Michael Nutter, longtime director of cultural affairs at Montgomery County Community College, award-winning arts and music program administrator, former college studio art teacher, and lifelong artist, died Wednesday, March 26, of cardiac arrest at Jefferson Einstein Philadelphia Hospital. For more than 40 years, from 1976 to her retirement in 2018, Ms. Haynes served as an innovative and effective liaison between her communitys artists and musicians and the public they served. She worked for government, academic, and nonprofit organizations in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Ohio that promoted both expansive and grassroots efforts to connect creators of all kinds with audiences and consumers. Advertisement She spent a year and a half in 2014 and 2015 managing Philadelphias public arts program and Nutters Office of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, known now as Creative Philadelphia. From 2001 to 2014, she developed cultural outreach programs and workshops, managed the Science Center theater, and coordinated the popular Lively Arts Series at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell. She helped shape the citys redevelopment by collaborating on the Culture Blocks online database that mapped cultural activity and emerging economic trends around the city. She championed artist residencies, neighborhood music and dance schools, community theaters, and cultural centers, and helped create the Philadelphia Cultural Fund in the early 1990s to support them all. The future audience is built on the ability of us to provide opportunities for people to encounter culture close to home, she told The Inquirer in 2014. She told Jump magazine in 2014: To keep the trees healthy, you have to feed the roots. Thats what were trying to do. Ms. Haynes arrived in Philadelphia from Washington in 1988 as executive director of the Coalition of African American and Latino Cultural Organizations. She went on to become two-time director of the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts, and managing director of the Full Circle Theatre at Temple University. We know that culture builds community. ... Arts are associated with preserving ethnic and racial diversity, and reducing rates of harassment. Ms. Haynes in 2014 Beginning in 2016, she spent two years as interim director of exhibitions and programs at the African American Museum in Philadelphia. Colleagues called her a tireless mentor, and artists said she was their fiercest advocate. She was a beautifully sensitive curator of artists and art performances, said longtime friend and colleague Pamela Hooks. Valerie Gay, the citys current chief cultural officer, said: Ill always remember her straightforward wisdom and her hearty, unforgettable laugh. Philadelphia was blessed to have her. Before Philadelphia, Ms. Haynes worked for a decade in Washington with the National Endowment for the Arts, National Museum of African Art, D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and other groups. She earned bachelors and masters degrees in music and art at the University of Michigan in the 1970s, worked at first for the Cleveland Area Arts Council, and taught studio art at colleges in Ohio. In Philadelphia, she was also active with the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, Pennsylvania Council for the Arts, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and other organizations. She was especially adept at fundraising and earning grants for programs, and her successes were celebrated by officials and colleagues everywhere she worked. People knew and respected her. She was an artist, understood it from within like no one before her. Tu Huynh, curator of exhibitions and programs for Creative Philadelphia In 2013, she was named a Distinguished Jazz Honoree by the Philadelphia Clef Club. Ive always considered myself an arts worker, she said then, because my mission to preserve, promote, perpetuate this great artistic legacy follows me to whatever job I do. Helen Elizabeth Haynes was born Dec. 17, 1950, in Cleveland. She grew up with two younger sisters, Brenda and Cheryl, and earned a bachelors degree in music in 1973, a masters degree in painting and design in 1975, and a certificate in arts administration at Harvard University in 1976. She painted and created works in textiles, and showed at local galleries. She said she knew about the Philly arts scene before she got here after reading about the Philadanco dance company in the New York Times. She had a daughter, Chadra, and lived in Chestnut Hill and Mount Airy. Ms. Haynes and her daughter took memorable trips to Atlantic City and Wildwood. They liked to walk in Valley Green Park, shop and dine together, and cheer at Eagles games. READ MORE: Talking culture with Helen Haynes in 2014 She enjoyed visits to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Painted Bride Art Center, and supported the Center City Jazz Festival and BlackStar Film Festival. Im a big jazz fan, she told The Inquirer. She was cool, personable, and she kept it real, said Tu Huynh, curator of exhibitions and programs for Creative Philadelphia. We loved her. Her friend Ursula Rucker wrote a haiku in her honor: Voice of real reason/True sister for all seasons/Smile thats still reaching. Her daughter said: She devoted her life to the arts. But she was my best friend. In addition to her daughter and sisters, Ms. Haynes is survived by a nephew, Ronald, and other relatives. A service is to be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 16, at Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church, 230 W. Coulter St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19144. Donations in her name may be made to the New Freedom Theater, 1346 N. Broad St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19121. Nobel laureate William Faulkner once observed: The past is never dead. Its not even past. With the troubling, revisionist, and narrow-minded executive order he signed last month called Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History, President Donald Trump isnt trying so much to kill the past as cover it up with as many layers of lily-white paint as he can. Advertisement In the order, Trump claims there has been a concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nations history, replacing objective facts with a distorted narrative driven by ideology rather than truth. Here is one objective fact the president may not want to acknowledge: Race-centered ideology is woven into the fabric of our nation. The truth is that the founding principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness did not include Black people. The Declaration of Independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson, who enslaved over 600 Black people. When Jefferson came to Philadelphia to write the document, he was accompanied by his enslaved valet, Robert Hemmings. The fact is Americans were divided by race long before the birth of the nation. Slavery was legal in the 13 states that formed the new republic. The majority of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were slaveholders. Our shared past includes the ratification of the U.S. Constitution that counted enslaved human beings as three-fifths of a person, mandated the self-emancipated be returned to bondage, and prohibited Congress from banning the transatlantic slave trade until 1808. The Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation (the nations first constitution), and the Constitution were adopted in the building now known as Independence Hall. It is an objective fact that fugitive slave hearings were held in Independence Hall. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 required Americans to collaborate in the arrest of enslaved people who tried to escape their captors. More facts: The South seceded from the Union to preserve a divisive, race-centered ideology. Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stephens said the quiet part out loud: The new constitution has put at rest, forever, all the agitating questions relating to our peculiar institution African slavery as it exists amongst us the proper status of the negro in our form of civilization. This was the immediate cause of the late rupture and present revolution. [Thomas] Jefferson in his forecast, had anticipated this, as the rock upon which the old Union would split. He was right. Confederate Vice President Alexander H. Stephens After the Civil War, the Daughters of the Confederacy, the Ladies Memorial Association, and the Sons of Confederate Veterans erected monuments to perpetuate a false reconstruction of American history. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896 upheld the separate but equal doctrine. Americans were legally divided based on race until the Supreme Courts 1954 decision in Brown v. Board of Education and the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Voting Rights Act of 1965, and Fair Housing Act of 1968. The assertion of consistent progress toward becoming a more perfect Union is belied by ... well, the facts. The U.S. Justice Department sued Trump for housing discrimination in 1973. A portrait of President John Adams, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, adorns Trumps blinged-out Oval Office. Adams was in the minority of Founding Fathers who did not own slaves. A lawyer, Adams represented soldiers who were prosecuted by the British for their involvement with the Boston Massacre. In his argument for the defense, Adams said: Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. President John Adams Trump stubbornly refuses to acknowledge the nations complex history. Instead, his executive order directs Vice President JD Vance to remove improper ideology from the Smithsonian Institutions museums, education and research centers, and the National Zoo. To borrow Adams phrasing, Trump wants to alter the state of facts and evidence. One of Trumps prime targets is the National Museum of African American History and Culture. I am a charter member of the museum. I attended the grand opening weekend, and have visited numerous times since then. In my eager anticipation of the museums opening, I would stop by while the building was under construction. The museum traveled a long road to tell visitors the hard truth. More than a century ago, a group of Civil War veterans made whats believed to be one of the first proposals for a national Black history museum. In 1915, one Black veterans group, the Committee of Colored Citizens, formed the National Memorial Association to create a permanent memorial recognizing African Americans military contributions. After years of false starts, President George W. Bush signed the legislation authorizing construction of the museum on Dec. 16, 2003. At the dedication of the museum on Sept. 24, 2016, Bush said: This museum is an important addition to our country for many reasons. First, it shows our commitment to truth. A great nation does not hide its history; it faces its flaws and corrects them. This museum tells the truth: that a country founded on the promise of liberty held millions in chains ... that the price of our union was Americas original sin. From the beginning, some spoke the truth John Adams called slavery an evil of colossal magnitude. Their voices were not heeded, and often not heard, but they were always known to a power greater than any on Earth, one who loves his children and meant them to be free. President George W. Bush President Trump himself visited the National Museum of African American History and Culture during Black History Month in 2017. His remarks then stand in stark contrast to the executive order: This museum is a beautiful tribute to so many American heroes heroes like Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, Rosa Parks, the Greensboro students, and the African American Medal of Honor recipients, among so many other really incredible heroes. Im deeply proud that we now have a museum that honors the millions of African American men and women who built our national heritage, especially when it comes to faith, culture, and the unbreakable American spirit. President Donald Trump The museum holds countless examples of that spirit the stories of African American heroes who believed, in the words of poet Langston Hughes: O, let America be America again/ The land that never has been yet/ And yet must bethe land where every man is free. In an email to staff, Lonnie G. Bunch, the museums founding director who is now secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, affirmed the Smithsonian will remain steadfast in our mission to bring history, science, education, research, and the arts to all Americans. We will continue to showcase world-class exhibits, collections and objects, rooted in expertise and accuracy. We all must resist Trumps foolhardy attempt to rewrite history. His threat to withhold federal funds could have a chilling effect on the National Museum of African American History and Cultures programming. The museums funding sources include members and small donors. Money talks. If you believe facts matter, join or make a donation to ensure the museum will continue to have the resources to tell the full American story. Faye M. Anderson is a community historian and director of All That Philly Jazz, a public history project documenting and contextualizing Philadelphias golden age of jazz. She can be contacted at phillyjazzapp@gmail.com. Gen. Timothy Haugh speaks during a House Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in March. Haughs dismissal comes as President Donald Trumps minions have been busy slashing funds and staff for key intelligence agencies, writes Trudy Rubin. Read more For some savage amusement, I recommend an article in the Onion headlined, FBI Uncovers Al-Qaeda Plot To Just Sit Back And Enjoy Collapse Of United States. The plotters advise their followers to stand aside and savor the spectacle as the U.S. destroys itself. What makes the satire so biting, of course, is that the spectacle is real and unfolding so fast that we can barely track the mounting damage. Advertisement In the same week he savaged the U.S. economy with tariff madness, President Donald Trump inflicted another blow in his relentless assault on Americas intelligence agencies, which is putting the country at great risk. As if he were following the script from the Onion, the destroyer-in-chief fired Gen. Timothy Haugh, the highly respected head of Americas cyber defenses, just as the country is facing the most serious, sustained, and sophisticated cyberattacks ever from China, Russia, and others. Trump did not sack the general due to any malfeasance, but because he was advised to do so by far-right conspiracy theorist Laura Loomer, a Trump promoter who has access to the presidents office and his ear. READ MORE: With tariffs and failed Ukraine peace talks, Trump is the emperor who has no clothes | Trudy Rubin Haughs dismissal comes as Trumps minions have been busy slashing funds and staff for U.S. cyber defenses, cybersecurity programs, and key intelligence agencies. Conspiracy theorists might almost surmise external enemies were coordinating their efforts with the Trump team. Although I dont believe this to be true, the effect is the same: Americas security is under attack from without and within. Before we get to the why of Trumps deep disdain for U.S. intelligence experts, lets return to the Haugh case, which sums up perfectly this administrations disastrous approach to security. The general, who headed the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command, had a stellar career and was praised by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. If decades of experience in uniform isnt enough to lead the N.S.A. but amateur isolationists can hold senior policy jobs at the Pentagon, then what exactly are the criteria for working on this administrations national security staff? former Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) asked in comments to the New York Times. But we know what the criteria are, Sen. McConnell. Loomer who believes 9/11 was an inside job, yet is called a great patriot by Trump denounced Haugh for disloyalty because he was appointed by Gen. Mark Milley, the former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Trump despises Milley and calls him a traitor because he has criticized the president for politicizing the military. In other words, the only criterion the president requires, as we know, is abject loyalty. And Loomer played that card to turn Trump against Haugh, even though Milleys position meant his approval was necessary for numerous appointments, not just the general. On such a ludicrous basis at the behest of a fool did the commander in chief cashier a top military officer in a critical position with skills that are desperately needed. Too bad McConnell didnt have the guts to shout out his concerns about Trumps well-known preference for loyalty over professional ability before the election of 2024. More to the point was the statement of Virginia Democrat Mark Warner, ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, who asked, At a time when the United States is facing unprecedented cyber threats, as the Salt Typhoon cyberattack from China has so clearly underscored, how does firing [Haugh] make Americans any safer? Warner was referring to a massive hack by Chinese intelligence last year into more than a dozen U.S. telecommunications companies that gave Beijing unprecedented access to millions of calls and text messages in the Washington, D.C., area, including phones of candidate Trump and his running mate, Sen. JD Vance, as well as the Kamala Harris campaign. And Beijing has acknowledged it was behind a series of serious cyberattacks against U.S. infrastructure, such as ports, water utilities, and airports, over several years. Haugh was deeply involved in pushing back against such cyber hacking, including counterstrikes on Russian hackers and intelligence. One must ask whether that might also have contributed to his dismissal. READ MORE: Signalgate leak reveals a worse intelligence disaster than most Americans realize | Trudy Rubin Indeed, according to the New York Times, Trump has already begun to dismantle federal agencies and programs that monitor foreign influence and disinformation. He resents the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency because CISA declared the 2020 election was one of the best run in U.S. history unequivocally rebutting Trumps claims of widespread voter fraud costing him the race. CISAs contracts with state and local elections officials, vital to helping keep elections secure, are being canceled. This brings us to the huge question of why the president is imitating the Onion and diminishing U.S. security by gutting its intelligence agencies and firing its best-qualified security officials. To answer Warner, Trump does not care about making Americans safer. His actions show he cares only about devotion to himself. He considers the intel agencies as disloyal because past investigative results displeased him. He presumes his instincts can substitute for briefings and expertise. (Moreover, he has no interest in tracking Russias malevolent intentions, since he considers Vladimir Putin a trustworthy pal.) Thus, Trump has appointed the least-qualified bunch of toadies for top security positions of any president in living memory. He still refuses to hold anyone accountable for Signalgate, a scandal in which his national security adviser and defense secretary shared details of an upcoming U.S. military strike in Yemen on an unsecured chat app and private phones. All while inadvertently admitting a journalist to the text exchange. This laxness with operational security is forcing once-close allies to ask whether they dare share critical intelligence with Washington any longer. Trump has tasked his CIA Director John Ratcliffe to shift the agencys resources away from critical overseas missions to fighting drug cartels, as if this were Americas greatest security threat. His openly pro-Putin director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, has established a team to investigate weaponization across the 18 spy agencies she supervises and make heads roll. And so the White House blithely stumbles toward the crisis described in the Onion, in which warnings of a domestic or foreign threat will come too late or go unheeded: Sadly, al-Qaeda [or Russia or China, etc.] has us right where they want us, the official added, and at this point, I fear it is too late to do anything about it. Responding to the allegations, a spokesperson for al-Qaeda reportedly confirmed the terror groups plot and praised the American people as martyrs of the highest order. Martyrs unless the public forces enough sane leaders to wake up to the ego of Trump. District Attorney Larry Krasner (right) and his Democratic primary challenger, former Judge Patrick Dugan (left), arrive at a candidates forum March 23, hosted by the National Coalition of 100 Black Women at Mount Carmel Baptist Church in West Philadelphia. Read more Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and his Democratic primary challenger Patrick Dugan have been throwing barbs at one another for months, and this week, the sparring is about how and if theyll meet on stage for a televised debate. By Thursday afternoon, the debate over debates had devolved into name-calling, with Dugans campaign accusing Krasner of political gamesmanship, while a spokesperson for Krasners side said Dugan is engaging in the antics of a losing campaign. Advertisement The dustup has been brewing for weeks as the candidates were invited to participate in several televised debates and forums ahead of the May 20 primary election: a live debate on CBS3, a taped forum hosted by Fox 29, and a livestreamed forum on WHYY, an NPR affiliate. Dugan was ready to do all three. But Krasner on Thursday said hed only appear on WHYY on April 22. That prompted Dugan to issue an ultimatum: Debate me three times or dont debate me at all. In a Thursday email to Krasners campaign and multiple debate organizers, Dugans campaign manager, Daniel Kalai, wrote that his candidate will only participate in the WHYY forum if Krasner also agrees to the CBS3 and Fox29 events. He wrote that the campaign committed more than a month ago to the live CBS debate on April 24 because it is important to give MILLIONS OF VOTERS every opportunity to hear directly from the candidates to make an informed decision in the spirit of DEMOCRACY. Kalai added that Krasner has turned down other opportunities to appear in front of voters, writing: What is Larry afraid [of]? Ball is in your court. READ MORE: Unions are fueling Patrick Dugans campaign for Philly DA as he far out-raises incumbent Larry Krasner Anthony Campisi, a spokesperson for Krasners campaign, said the campaign decided this week to participate only in the WHYY forum after weighing several factors, including Krasners schedule and the debate formats. He said voters will have many opportunities to hear from both candidates, including through community forums and events, and that Dugans camp was manufacturing a fake controversy. If they decide to pull out of the WHYY event, then they will be depriving Philadelphians of an opportunity to hear from the candidates, Campisi said. These are the antics of a losing campaign with a failing message. Sparring over debates is a time-honored political tradition. Challengers often seek to schedule more debates as a way to reach voters, while televised events are riskier for incumbents, who have a built-in name recognition advantage and less to gain from appearing on TV. When Krasner ran for reelection four years ago, he debated then-challenger Carlos Vega once in a televised debate on NBC10. He declined to debate his Republican challenger, lawyer Chuck Peruto, ahead of the general election that year, calling it a waste of time. Scheduling a debate was also an issue in the 2023 mayors race, when then-Democratic nominee Cherelle L. Parker was noncommittal about appearing on stage alongside Republican nominee David Oh, who wanted to debate 10 times. Parker eventually agreed to debate Oh once. U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick has joined forces with U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in calling for changes to the Constitution to impose term limits on members of Congress a concept that continues to be an off-and-on debate on Capitol Hill. McCormicks resolution, introduced Thursday, proposes capping term limits for both chambers of Congress at 12 years two six-year terms for senators and six two-year terms for House members and echoes calls that Fitzpatrick, a moderate Republican who represents purple Bucks County, has been making for years. Advertisement The freshman Republican Pennsylvania senators resolution would not apply to anyone who was in office before the 118th Congress (2023-24), according to a news release from his office Thursday. McCormick, who said on the campaign trail prior to being elected in November that he would limit himself to two six-year terms, would be subject to the term limits outlined in his resolution. The legislation, however, would not apply to Fitzpatrick, who assumed office in 2017 and will be up for reelection next year. In a statement Thursday, McCormick said Congress was not intended to become an institution filled with career politicians. We are extremely grateful for those who have served, for those who are serving, and for those who are willing to serve, McCormick said. At the same time, we need constant change and new blood for our democracy to work and it is my hope that this resolution can help Washington begin to work again for the American people. The median age of voting members in the U.S. House is 57.5 years, according to a Pew Research Center analysis, down from 57.9 at the beginning of the 118th Congress. In the Senate, the median age is 64.7 years, down from 65.3 at the start of the prior Congress, after previously increasing for three consecutive years. The topic of term limits is typically tricky among U.S. lawmakers, who, to make a constitutional amendment imposing them, would essentially be voting to cap their own power and influence. But a 2023 survey from the Pew Research Center found that 87% of American adults across the political spectrum are in favor of making it happen. The National Constitution Center outlines two ways for a constitutional amendment to become a reality. One way mandates two-thirds of the House and Senate proposing language for the amendment to the states, with three-quarters of the states ratifying the change. The second, more unconventional way would require the calling of a constitutional convention, which has never happened in modern history. Term limits are a common-sense reform to curb careerism, restore accountability, and realign our government with the citizen-led model our Founders envisioned, Fitzpatrick said, in part, in a statement Thursday. Im grateful Senator McCormick is joining me in this effort because its time to rebuild trust, return power to the people, and ensure Washington can begin to work again for the American people. Demonstrators walk to Love Park during the Choose Love Sanctuary City rally organized by the New Sanctuary Movement of Philadelphia on Saturday, January 25, 2025. Read more As President Donald Trump warned Thursday that he was working on papers to direct the government to pull federal funding from so-called sanctuary cities, Pennsylvania Democrats stayed largely mum. Trump posted on his social media account, Truth Social, that his administration was preparing to withhold all federal funding for sanctuary cities or states allowing them. Sanctuary cities are typically defined as places that limit law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Advertisement Its not the first time Trump has threatened such action. He campaigned on the promise for years, and in March, he told reporters that an executive order ending sanctuary cities was coming very shortly. The definition of a sanctuary city varies, and its unclear which cities Trumps potential funding cuts may target. In Philadelphia, officials refuse to comply with requests from ICE to detain prisoners based on their immigration status unless federal authorities submit a warrant signed by a judge. That policy remains in place, the city solicitor said in January. The city also does not ask for immigration status from individuals to access city services, unless required to do so by the service. Philadelphia last fiscal year received $2.2 billion in federal funding, accounting for nearly a fifth of its total spending, with much of the money going toward health and social services programs. READ MORE: How much could Philly lose if Trump cuts funding to cities? Heres what you need to know. Because city and county policies can vary, it is difficult to pinpoint how many jurisdictions might fit a sanctuary city definition, or be at risk of potentially losing funding in Pennsylvania. Several anti-immigration groups put the number at around a dozen cities or counties in the state. Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers office declined to comment on Trumps post Thursday. Parker has been largely quiet on the issue of sanctuary cities, even as activists have increasingly called on her to defend the citys policy, which former Mayor Jim Kenney made a cornerstone of his tenure. Asked in March about concerns over federal cuts more broadly, Parker said any federal reductions in the city were grave and extremely concerning. Were just a little old city of Philadelphia, she said. Gov. Josh Shapiro has also largely avoided responding to Trumps comments. At an event at the Packer Avenue Marine Terminal in Philadelphia on Thursday to talk about Trumps tariffs, Shapiro declined to comment on Trumps sanctuary city threat, saying he had not seen the post. Were not a sanctuary state, and I havent seen it, Shapiro said. Later, asked about Trumps approach to immigration in Pennsylvania, where both undocumented immigrants and green card-holding refugees have been deported, Shapiro said the nation needs comprehensive immigration reform, a secure border, and clear rules. 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 removing them without due process from their communities, he said. 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. In 2017, the City of Philadelphia sued the Trump administration over its decision to withhold about $1.5 million in federal law enforcement grant money unless the citys police department assisted federal authorities in identifying and turning over undocumented immigrants. The city won that case in 2018. A federal appeals court largely upheld Philadelphias victory in 2019. Its unclear if or when Trump might take action again. Sen. Dave McCormick (R., Pa.) in a tele-town hall Wednesday night said he believes a showdown between the administration and sanctuary cities and counties in Pennsylvania was coming. Both from a law enforcement perspective, but also from federal funding, McCormick said Wednesday, according to a report in the Pennsylvania Capital-Star. Im all for enforcing the law humanely, 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. Congress held hearings with leaders of sanctuary cities early last month. The mayors of Boston, Chicago, New York, and Denver all testified in what became a heated grilling session. Parker was not asked to attend. U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, the only Pennsylvania Democrat on the committee, warned at the March 3 hearing that cities pressured to cooperate with ICE would be put between a rock and a hard place. If they work with ICE, they risk violating their own residents constitutional rights and opening themselves up to costly litigation, said Lee, who represents a district that includes parts of Pittsburgh. But if they dont do Trumps bidding, theyre being threatened with losing federal funding. Staff writers Anna Orso and Jeff Gammage contributed to this article. This was one of the most rewarding projects Campfire x has been involved with. The intersection of storytelling between a large company and First Nations land managers was something that happens rarely and so openly, he said. It was a pleasure to see NRMA Insurance have faith in Campfire x to capture content through First Nations cultural practices. Life insurers play a crucial role in peoples lives. We offer peace of mind and provide a financial safety net during lifes biggest challenges, but before customers come to us, theyve often sought support elsewhere, Cupitt said. No one wants to be so unwell that they cant work, and mental health is an area where the government, experts, and our entire community can make a positive influence early on. For far too long inside of this very building, there has been a battle waged between insurance companies and trial lawyers, Landry said. Let me be clear, I believe both sides have plenty of blame to go around. So today, I'm not here to help any lawyers and I'm not here to help any insurance companies. I'm here to help the citizens of this state. Campbell emphasized that current policyholders do not qualify. If you currently have coverage, you dont qualify for the Fair Plan, she said. We are really trying to make sure that the Fair Plan is built as the market of last resort that safety net for consumers when they really cant find coverage anywhere else. Nunzio Roberto Gagliardi has also been appointed head of people and operations. The function brings together areas including human resources, organisational design, technology and business processes. Matthew Richardson has been named head of operations and IT. He has held various roles within Generali that are focused on technology and operational performance. The fund operated effectively throughout the 1990s, insuring approximately 155,000 policyholders statewide by 1999. However, as private insurers gradually returned to the market, the HHRF ceased issuing new policies in December 2000 and became dormant by 2002. Despite its inactivity, the fund maintained a reserve balance to ensure readiness in the event of future market disruptions. Spinelli will oversee claims within Willis Alternative Asset Insurance Solutions (AAIS) division, managing claims for representations and warranties, tax, and contingent risks. He brings 15 years of experience in insurance and litigation, including prior roles at VALE Insurance Partners and Liberty Global Transaction Solutions, as well as a background in underwriting and commercial litigation. Spinelli will report to Simone Bonnet, head of transactional insurance solutions, North America, and will be based in Boston. David Appel, an economist serving as a consultant for State Farm General, said denying the rate request could affect the companys ability to continue operating in the California market. He recommended allowing the increase on an interim basis, with a full rate hearing to follow to evaluate whether the emergency adjustment was warranted. Over the past five years, more than 100,000 homeowners have lost coverage, as seven of the twelve largest home insurers in the state have scaled back or withdrawn. In their place, many residents are turning to the California FAIR Plan - the states insurer of last resort. While it provides a safety net, the FAIR Plan offers limited cover at a higher cost and has been forced to expand rapidly to meet growing demand. This post is part of a series sponsored by Cotality. While the Los Angeles wildfires disrupted and devastated so many lives, they also highlighted the urgent need for property insurance stakeholders to come together and start addressing the insurance crisis. Thats why Cotality hosted INTRConnect, its annual conference for the property insurance ecosystem, last month in Los Angeles. With speakers, experts, and academics from all areas of property insurance, we gathered under the theme Beyond All Limits. Through enlightening presentations, engaging fireside chats, and spirited panel discussions, we partnered with industry experts to explore how to challenge existing norms and make strides toward building new, sustainable insurance frameworks. Here are some key takeaways that can be used as a springboard as we all come together to create a more resilient insurance ecosystem: 1. The need for collaboration is even deeper than we thought. Securing affordable and adequate property insurance has become increasingly difficult nationwide. The crisis has reached a breaking point in states like California and Florida, which are prone to wildfires and hurricanes, respectively, every year. To reverse this trend and to prevent it from happening in other states, the entire property insurance ecosystem must embrace more strategic collaboration beyond working seamlessly within organizations and with their restoration partners. Carriers must first look at fellow insurers not as competitors, but instead as colleagues. Providers can determine strategies for distributing risk more effectively. This collaboration, especially within high-risk states, will help insurers ensure solvency, which in turn fosters long-term, widespread coverage. Deeper collaboration also translates to insurers and restorers working closely with lawmakers and regulatory bodies. Risk is changing, and policy determines how people can bear it. Together, legislators, regulators, insurers and their partners can develop sustainable solutions that protect consumers while supporting insurer stability, ultimately creating a more resilient insurance landscape. In the collaborative ecosystem we need, there is no room for the blame game. The breakdown of the insurance system is not on the shoulders of regulators, insurers, or any other individual stakeholder. A confluence of factors caused the existential insurance crisis, and it will take the coordination of all players to rework the system into something sustainable. 2. Fixing the system goes beyond just insurance. Property insurance is critical to a healthy society. Without third-party protection of properties, secure homeownership unravels. In a growing number of states, non-fixed monthly costs like property taxes and insurance premiums have skyrocketed since 2020. These increases are making it harder for people to build equity or afford homeownership. Owning property is a cornerstone of long-term financial stability. We must prioritize building an insurance system that can sustainably offer affordable coverage. Every state needs a resilient insurance infrastructure to support communities that can thrive for generations. Today, siloed processes across the real estate, mortgage, and insurance industries are preventing the kind of coordinated action needed to protect the American Dream. Together, these industries can plan how to build cities and communities that do not burn, in the words of speaker Michael Wara, the Senior Director for Policy at the Sustainability Accelerator within the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability. Stakeholders across property industries can coordinate to develop places where people can live securely, with far less exposure to environmental and financial risk. As Cotality Chief Scientist Howard Botts says, we must break down the silos that define the traditional ecosystem of property-related industries. Without a united effort to find solutions, some parts of the country could become uninhabitable. 3. Mitigation matters. Natural disasters are not going to stop, but we can reduce the severity of their impact when they do occur. What happened in LA in January 2025, like what happened in Maui in 2023, was an example of when a wildfire evolves into a conflagration a large, uncontrollable fires that rapidly spread from structure to structure in the built environment. These blazes may begin as wildfires, but they grow into something more destructive as they are often further fueled by the materials of the structures they consume. This is where mitigation becomes crucial. When we build new communities or rebuild those impacted by wildfires or other natural disasters, we must design properties to be more resilient. By creating more resilient communities, we also create more insurable ones. Implementing and fostering mitigation strategies involves various entities. We learned during a mainstage panel at INTRConnect that there are two key strategies for reducing risk: strengthening building codes and providing credits to incentivize policyholders to enact mitigation efforts on their properties. These measures become even more effective when governing bodies and carriers work together to ensure they are aligned. 4. Consumers are an important stakeholder in the process. Engaging with policyholders is key. They are an integral part of the insurance ecosystem, not just beneficiaries. Given the complexity of insurance, its crucial for brokers and insurance company representatives not to just sell policies, but to engage consumers in the process so they fully understand their risks and coverage. With greater risk literacy, policyholders become part of the solution, equipped to actively participate in reducing their own risk, and in turn the risk of their neighborhoods and communities. As public consciousness of natural disasters and their destructive aftermath increases, risk education is a key to helping people realize that their insurance is not necessarily overpriced. They realize the value through understanding their coverage versus alternatives. 5. Imagination and innovation are how we go beyond all limits. Keynote speaker Mick Ebeling founder and CEO of Not Impossible Labs reminded us everything was once impossible until someone made it possible. It all starts with a bold idea, and at INTRConnect, we put one forward: its within our collective reach to build a nationwide, affordable insurance system one that supports homeownership and delivers lasting financial security for all. The path forward hinges on two essential ingredients: collaboration and innovation. By harnessing sophisticated tools and the increasing amount of data available to us today, we can shift from a repair and replace mindset to preventing the kind of loss we see today. Innovation, from artificial intelligence to other systems that help us make sense of property intelligence, can help us get ahead of risk. Through this digitally-minded, forward-thinking approach, the entire ecosystem can transform what once seemed impossible into something entirely within our reach. It wont happen overnight, but by evolving our processes with developing technologies, we will get there and the improvements along the way will yield transformational results to everyone in this ecosystem. Cotalitys vision of intelligence beyond bounds At INTRConnect 2025, we introduced our new name and brand to the world: We are now Cotality. This announcement is a culmination of companys transformation journey and its strategic efforts to meet the growing demands of the property industryincluding insurance. Our market is changing, and we recognize the need to change with it. As we continue building people-centric solutions, this is a reflection of our revitalized commitment to collaboration, connectivity, and a forward-thinking approach to the property ecosystem. All the takeaways from INTRConnect 2025 underscore the tenets of Cotality collaboration and connectivity, an approach of totality with the property data and insights for the property ecosystem and beyond, and the spirit of vitality to help the lives beyond the buildings. We look forward to fulfilling our mission over the next year and beyond, to support this entire ecosystem with intelligence beyond bounds. To learn more about our renewed vision, visit www.cotality.com. To secure your spot at INTRConnect 2026 in Washington D.C. in January 2026, click here. A sightseeing helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on Thursday, killing all six people on board, the latest in a string of incidents in recent months that has rattled confidence in US aviation safety. At this time, all six victims have been removed from the water. And sadly, all six victims have been pronounced deceased, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a press conference. The passengers, including three children, were from Spain, city officials said. Siemens AG senior executive Agustin Escobar was among those killed along with his wife, three children and the pilot. Escobar, 49, was responsible for rail infrastructure for the manufacturers mobility division. One eyewitness told the Associated Press that he saw the helicopter falling apart in midair, while another said the aircraft was spinning uncontrollably as it fell. The helicopters flight path, which originated at a heliport near Wall Street, shows prior to crashing the group flew south to the Statue of Liberty and then north to the George Washington Bridge before turning around. Were devastated, said Michael Roth, chief executive officer of New York Helicopter, which operated the flight. Were tragically sorry for what happened, and were working with the investigators. President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was working to learn more, adding that announcements as to exactly what took place, and how, will be made shortly. The Federal Aviation Administration said it couldnt confirm the number of people on board, but said it will investigate what happened to the Bell 206 helicopter alongside the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB said it was sending a team to investigate. Earlier Thursday, a passenger jet carrying at least six members of Congress was clipped by another commercial plane on the ground at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport near Washington, DC. The incidents are shaking confidence in the safety of the US aviation system following a deadly midair collision between a US military helicopter and regional passenger jet near Reagan airport in January. There have been several helicopter crashes around New York City. A helicopter slammed into the East River during a sightseeing excursion in 2018, killing five people and raising awareness of a safety issue with seat restraints. Its obviously a tragic situation, said Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who added that the cause is currently unknown. But it will lead to a bigger conversation around are we doing all thats necessary from a safety standpoint considering how densely populated this area is. Escobar, a Spanish native, worked for Siemens for more than two decades, with stints in Berlin, Madrid, Colombia, and New York City according to his LinkedIn profile. He was chief executive officer of Siemens Spain for almost two years before taking on a new role as CEO of the rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility in October. We are deeply saddened by the tragic helicopter crash in which Agustin Escobar and his family lost their lives, a spokesperson for Siemens Mobility said. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all their loved ones. Top Photo: Debris floats in the water at the scene where the helicopter crashed in the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey, on April 10. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department (PID) has approved a workers compensation filing with an 8.67% reduction in loss costs. New or renewal policies issued on or after April 1, 2025 will be subject to the new loss costs. Because loss costs help determine workers compensation insurance rates paid by businesses, the reduction will likely lead to lower premiums for many Pennsylvania businesses. This loss-cost revision was filed by the Pennsylvania Compensation Rating Bureau (PCRB), an independent bureau that makes filings to PID on behalf of insurer that write workers compensation insurance in Pennsylvania. Approximately 370 insurance companies offer workers compensation insurance coverage in Pennsylvania. A similar 7.8% reduction in loss costs was approved last April. Premium savings for individual employers resulting from the lower lost costs will vary based on risk classification, claims experience and other factors. Topics Profit Loss Workers' Compensation Talent Pennsylvania The First Circuit Court of Appeals has blocked the 3M Co.s attempt to remove New Hampshires PFAS chemical case to federal court. The appeals court affirmed a 2023 order by the U.S. District Court for the District of New Hampshire remanding the case back to state court. This victory will allow us to move forward with our case and continue to pursue damages for PFAS contamination of our states water, soil, and other natural resources, said New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella. Companies like 3M made billions of dollars from the manufacturing of PFAS chemicals without disclosing to the public the significant threats to human health and the environment, and we intend to hold them accountable for the harm they have caused. While 3M has had success with similar appeals in other states PFAS cases, Formella said New Hampshire successfully argued that 3Ms attempt to remove the case to federal court was untimely, coming at least two years too late under applicable law. New Hampshire claims there are more than 200 sites contaminated with PFAS in the state. This is the latest development in the states efforts to hold 3M and other manufacturers of PFAS to account for widespread PFAS contamination. The state has a separate PFAS lawsuit focused on aqueous film-forming foams (AFFF) that is part of a multi-district litigation in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. Last August, New Hampshire announced it would be receiving more than $65 million from the 3M and DuPont to settle several complaints in that litigation over contamination of public water systems. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances known as PFAS are widely used, long lasting chemicals, components of which break down very slowly over time. Studies have shown that exposure to some PFAS in the environment may be linked to harmful health effects in humans and animals. PFAS have been used for decades to manufacture consumer products, including non-stick cookware, stain-resistant furniture and carpets, waterproof clothing, microwave popcorn bags, fast food wrappers, pizza boxes, shampoo, dental floss, and ski wax, according to the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services. They have also been used in certain firefighting foams and various industrial processes. The US has decided again to upend the global trading system. With the latest raft of tariffs just beginning to kick in, and after a week in which markets worldwide fell precipitously, the Trump administration announced that it would be suspending high tariffs on nearly 60 countries for 90 days. The announcement is only a partial reprieve. High tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China, as well as on global imports of steel, aluminium and automotives, remain, as does a 10% baseline tariff on all imports. US tariffs remain the highest they have been since the Great Depression, at levels unprecedented since the modern trade system was created after the second world war. Before the pause, the UK was already in line for the 10% rate which some commentators described as a Brexit benefit when compared to the EUs prospective 20%. While markets soared on the news of the pause, the damage is was already done. The subsequent rally is recouping some, but not all, losses incurred due to the tariffs already. Businesses that had prepared for tariffs by bulk-buying imported components ahead of time will have made cuts elsewhere to pay for it. They will not easily be able to reverse course. The implications for the UK of the latest developments are mixed. All the tariffs imposed on direct UK exports to the US (chiefly steel, automotives and aircrafts, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment) remain in place. While the US represents the second-largest market for UK goods, the majority of UK exports are in services (like banking and insurance), which the tariffs do not target. If tariffs were to hit direct UK-US goods trade only, the UK would likely be able to weather the shock. Unfortunately, thats not how trade works in the 21st century. Instead, two-thirds of trade takes place in what are known as global value chains. These are complex networks through which companies move the component parts of products between their own facilities around the world and those of their subcontractors. Many UK businesses supply components that are incorporated by companies overseas into finished goods ultimately destined for the US. When the US imposes tariffs on those goods, UK manufacturers suffer too even if direct UK exports to the US remain unchanged. Global value chains will also reorient in response to trade barriers, as already took place in Asia during Trumps first term. If businesses reroute their supply chains to avoid the tariff markets, the UK (which is not imposing retaliatory tariffs) could become a sacrifice zone (a place where cheaply made, poor-quality or environmentally harmful items are dumped or disposed of, sacrificing the wellbeing of local people) for excess supply, undercutting domestic producers. Yet choosing not to retaliate is key to the UKs diplomatic strategy. It hopes to stay close to the US in the hope of preferential treatment. So far, that strategy is yet to bear fruit. The UK hopes to avoid the tariffs through a US trade deal, an objective that the countries have pursued since the UK left the European Union. The US has repeatedly sought access to the UK agrifood market, a demand that has always been refused due to political opposition to importing American beef and chicken. Brexit adds to this complexity, as the Windsor framework requires food products sold in Northern Ireland to conform to European Union standards. The more standards in the rest of the UK diverge from those of the EU (as they would have to do to secure a US trade deal), the more onerous the checks in the Irish Sea would become. Keir Starmers government has also sought to renegotiate parts of the agreement with the EU, seeking tighter economic ties that will require closer regulatory alignment. Pursuing deregulation to meet US trade demands, however, makes that unlikely. The tariffs compound this dilemma. If the higher rates return after 90 days, Northern Irish exports to the US will face a lower rate than those from the Republic of Ireland. But US imports to Northern Ireland will be hit with EU tariffs while imports to the rest of the UK will remain tariff-free. That will create some opportunities. Businesses might choose to operate in Northern Ireland to access a lower tariff rate on their US exports while also producing goods for the EU market. But it also creates risks. With three different tariff regimes in Britain, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, goods flowing across both the Irish Sea and the Irish land border could require additional checks. This would risk the very thing the Windsor Framework was meant to avoid. Given these risks, a 90-day reprieve is a window of opportunity. But with US government policy that can change on a dime (or a post), the UK risks being caught between the rival powers of the US and EU and trampled in the crossfire. Arch Insurance Taps Seip From LSM as Head of Fine Art & Specie for Europe Arch Insurance announced the appointment of Paul Seip as head of Fine Art & Specie, European Markets, with immediate effect. Seip joins Arch Insurance (EU) dac (AIEU), which provides specialist property/casualty insurance solutions within the European Union. Based in Rotterdam, Seip is responsible for establishing the European Fine Art & Specie underwriting platform which spans fine art, general specie, jewellers block and cash in transit insurance. He will work closely with Peter Brooks, head of Fine Art & Specie, Global Markets, Arch Insurance International. Seip brings over 12 years of experience in the fine art & specie sector, most recently as fine art & specie underwriting manager, Benelux & Scandinavia at Liberty Specialty Markets. He has also held roles at AXA ART and Allianz. Commenting on the announcement, Matthew Brophy, chief underwriting officer, AIEU said: Pauls appointment marks the expansion of Archs Fine Art & Specie portfolio into the continental European market. He brings proven underwriting experience in this highly specialised area with a strong track record of developing long-term broking relationships. Pauls passion for the sector and extensive market knowledge will prove invaluable as we continue to expand our European platform. *** Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Promotes Gormley and Reddin in Ireland Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) announced that it has named Caoimhe Gormley as country manager and Ciaran Reddin as head of Executive & Professional (E&P) Lines in Ireland. Gormley, who has 17 years of insurance industry experience, joined BHSI in 2018 as head of E&P Lines, Ireland. In 2023, she took on the additional role of head of Customer & Broker Engagement, Ireland. In her new role as country manager, she succeeds Louise Kidd, who was recently named head of Underwriting, Europe, at BHSI. Gormley will maintain her role as head of Customer & Broker Engagement in Ireland. She is based in Dublin and reached at caoimhe.gormley@bhspecialty.com. Ciaran Reddin joined BHSI in 2019 as senior underwriter, Professional Indemnity, Ireland. In 2022, he was named head of Professional Indemnity and Cyber, Executive & Professional Lines, Ireland. He has more than a decade of industry experience. Reddin is based in Dublin and reached at Ciaran.reddin@bhspecialty.com. Caoimhe and Ciaran are proven leaders who embody BHSIs customer-first values and culture, said Alessandro Cerase, head of Europe, BHSI. Thanks in large part to their contributions, we have been steadily expanding our business in Ireland, and I look forward to working with them in their new roles as we continue to grow our business and further strengthen our customer and broker relationships. BHSI in Ireland provides a range of property, casualty and E&P lines, as well as multinational programs. Topics Excess Surplus Europe No contractors, no repair estimates, no haggling with the insurance company: After a tornado struck an Amish community in Michigan, the work was underway even before the National Weather Service could assess the damage. Meteorologists make site visits to determine the speed, breadth and impact of a tornado. But sometimes the hammers have already been swinging. Thats what Dustin Norman of the weather service found in Branch County, Michigan, a few days after a tornado last Wednesday with peak winds of 100 mph (160 kph). The Amish had put new shingles on a home, reframed a barn and made other major repairs in their community. He said the situation was similar in an Amish area hit by a tornado that day in Adams County, Indiana, 90 miles (145 kilometers) south. Once something gets damaged, they just fix it, Norman said Tuesday. We cant always get out there for two or three days. When we do, it looks like nothing happened. I completely respect how quickly they get stuff done. The Amish generally are private and insular and maintain a degree of separation from common society. Approximately 61% of the North American Amish population lives in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana, according to Elizabethtown College. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Windstorm Michigan Trucks and workers started cleaning up the Keystone oil pipeline spill in rural North Dakota, though its cause and the project timing is unclear. The pipeline ruptured Tuesday morning in southeastern North Dakota and was shut down within two minutes by an employee who heard a mechanical bang. An aerial photo released Wednesday shows a black, pondlike pool of oil suspended in a partially snowy field thats traversed by tire tracks. A farmer told The Associated Press he could smell the scent of crude oil, carried by the wind. South Bow, a liquid pipelines business that manages the pipeline, estimated the spills volume at 3,500 barrels, or 147,000 gallons. Keystones entire system remains shut down. What caused the spill? Thats not yet known. The company is investigating what caused the spill and how long repairs might take, spokesperson Kristin Anderson said Wednesday. The spill is not a minor one, said Paul Blackburn, a policy analyst with Bold Alliance, an environmental and landowners group that fought the pipelines extension, called Keystone XL. The estimated volume of 3,500 barrels, or 147,000 gallons of crude oil, is equal to 16 tanker trucks of oil, he said. That estimate could increase over time, he added. Blackburn said the bigger picture is what he called the Keystone Pipelines history of spills at a higher rate than other pipelines. He compared Keystone to the Dakota Access oil pipeline since the latter came online in June 2017. In that period, Keystones system has spilled nearly 1.2 million gallons (4.5 million liters) of oil, while Dakota Access spilled 1,282 gallons (4,853 liters), Blackburn said. In its update, the company said the pipeline was operating within its design and regulatory approval requirements at the time of the incident. Generally, underground oil pipelines can have a number of stressors, said Ramanan Krishnamoorti, vice president for energy and innovation at the University of Houston. Those include corrosive elements from the liquid within the pipeline, changing temperatures, moving soil, movement from trains or construction equipment on the surface and stress to bends, turns and joints in the pipeline, he said. The 2,700-mile (4,350-kilometer) pipeline originates in Alberta, Canada, and carries heavy tar sands crude oil south across the Dakotas and Nebraska before splitting to carry oil both to refineries in Illinois and south to Oklahoma and Texas. The $5.2 billion Keystone Pipeline was built in 2010. TC Energy built the pipeline which is operated by South Bow as of last year. How has the company responded? The spill is contained to an agricultural field. In an update Wednesday, South Bow said it has multiple on-site vacuum trucks beginning to recover the oil. Continuous air quality monitoring is underway. The pipelines affected segment is isolated, and the company said its evaluating plans for a return to service. Phone messages and emails were left Wednesday with the state Department of Environmental Quality and the Ransom County sheriff about the spill and response. Myron Hammer, an adjacent landowner who farms the land affected by the spill, said it hasnt yet adversely affected him, aside from the smell of crude oil or sulfur carrying when the wind blows in a certain direction. The pipeline company appears to be doing its due diligence to fix the problem, he said. Theres been a lot of truck traffic bringing equipment to the scene, he said. His house is about 1.75 miles (2.82 kilometers) away. Its become a beehive of activity in the proximity there, Hammer said. Some of his property is being used as a staging area for equipment. He said hell have to cancel plans to farm on roughly 5 or more acres of land impacted by the spill. The spill site is north of Fort Ransom, a tiny town in a hilly, forested area known for scenic views and outdoor recreation. A state park and hiking trails are nearby. The rupture in North Dakota occurred within 2 1/2 years of a December 2022 rupture in rural northeastern Kansas that dumped about 13,000 barrels of crude oil into a creek. The company attributed the rupture to a faulty weld in a pipe bend, saying it caused a crack that grew over time under stress. A report drafted by an outside engineering consulting firm for U.S. government regulators later said the bend had been overstressed since its installation in December 2010, likely because construction activity itself altered the land around the pipe. A July 2021 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office said the four biggest previous spills on the Keystone system were caused by issues tied to its original design, its construction or the manufacturing of the pipe. Will gas prices increase? They very well might, though energy experts have different outlooks. The pipelines shutdown could quickly raise gas prices in the Midwest and could have more effects on diesel and jet fuel because refineries will have less of the crude oil they need, Krishnamoorti said. Higher-priced diesel could lead to higher grocery prices because diesel trucks transport those products, he said. Other experts said the refineries likely have a supply of crude oil already on hand that would help protect against immediate impacts of the shutdown. Even if the pipeline gets cut off completely for, say, 2 or 3 weeks, they have enough crude (oil) to continue refining for gasoline, said Mark LaCour, editor-in-chief of the Oil and Gas Global Network. Gas prices increased for a third consecutive week in the U.S., but that could change as oil prices drop amid the escalating global trade war. ___ Associated Press writer John Hanna contributed from Topeka, Kansas. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Energy Oil Gas Sarah Palin and the New York Times are headed back to a courtroom where the former Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential candidate will try convincing a second jury the newspaper defamed her in an editorial about gun control. A retrial in Palins nearly eight-year-old lawsuit is scheduled to begin on Monday in Manhattan federal court. Palin, 61, who was defeated in her 2008 bid for the nations second-highest office, lost her first trial against the Times and former editorial page editor James Bennet in 2022. But last August, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan found the verdict tainted by several rulings by the presiding judge, and ordered a retrial. Lawyers for Palin did not immediately respond to requests for comment for this article. Times spokesman Charlie Stadtlander said Palins lawsuit concerned a passing reference to an event in an editorial that was not about her. That reference was an unintended error, and quickly corrected, he said. Were confident we will prevail. The trial comes as polls show Americans increasingly distrustful of mainstream media, as more people get their news from social media and outlets whose views conform to their own. Juries today may be more willing to take out their frustration at the failings of the wider media landscape on an individual media defendant that has been sloppy, said RonNell Andersen Jones, a University of Utah law professor and First Amendment expert. Palins jury will be drawn from portions of New York City and northern suburbs that often vote heavily Democratic, though Republican President Donald Trump fared better in Novembers election than in 2020. NERVOUS ABOUT FACING JURORS Since Palins first trial, several media outlets have faced, and sometimes settled, high-profile defamation cases. In January, for example, CNN settled with a private security contractor after jurors awarded him $5 million for defamation. The contractor had claimed that CNN falsely accused him on-air of exploiting Afghans, following the U.S. militarys 2021 withdrawal from Afghanistan. A month earlier, ABC agreed to pay $15 million to settle with Trump over an on-air assertion that a jury found him civilly liable for raping rather than assaulting writer E. Jean Carroll. The capitulation in the ABC case and other Trump-related litigation suggests deep-pocketed defendants are nervous about facing jurors anywhere, said David Logan, dean emeritus of the Roger Williams University School of Law. Palin has viewed her case as a vehicle to overturn New York Times v. Sullivan, the 1964 Supreme Court landmark requiring public figures alleging defamation to prove media knowingly published false information or recklessly disregarded the truth. The 2nd Circuit, however, said Palin waived the argument by waiting too long to challenge Sullivans actual malice standard. AMERICAS LETHAL POLITICS The lawsuit stemmed from a June 14, 2017 editorial, Americas Lethal Politics, that wrongly suggested Palin may have incited a January 2011 mass shooting in an Arizona parking lot. Six people died in the shooting, and Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords was seriously wounded. Bennet had added language he said under deadline pressure identifying a clear link between the shooting and a map from Palins political action committee that put Giffords and other Democrats under crosshairs. While the Times quickly corrected the editorial and apologized, Palin said the reputational harm and mental anguish she suffered justify compensatory and punitive damages. The heart of this case is how much freedom the media has to make a mistake, correct it and move on, said Roy Gutterman, a professor at Syracuse Universitys Newhouse School of Public Communications. In reviving Palins case, the 2nd Circuit said U.S. District Judge Jed Rakoff wrongly excluded evidence she offered to show Bennet knew she did not incite the shooting. It also faulted Rakoffsexcluding evidence about Bennets relationship with his brother Michael Bennet, the Democratic senator from Colorado, that Palin said could establish bias. A retrial before Rakoff is expected to last at least five days. Palin is slated again to testify. The case is Palin v. New York Times et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 17-04853. Topics New York Willis, a WTW business headquartered in New York City, appointed Dom Spinelli as head of transactional insurance claims for North America. He leads the claims function within Willis Alternative Asset Insurance Solutions (AAIS) industry vertical division, overseeing the entire life cycle of transactional insurance claims, including representations and warranties, tax and contingent matters. Spinelli has 15 years of experience in insurance and litigation. Most recently, he served as head of contingent and litigation risk for North America at VALE Insurance Partners after leading the contingent legal risk insurance team at Liberty Global Transaction Solutions and working as a representations and warranties insurance underwriter. Earlier in his career, Spinelli was a litigator, managing a wide range of commercial and insurance coverage disputes across the U.S. Based in Boston, Spinelli will report to Simone Bonnet, head of transactional insurance solutions, North America at Willis. Eric Amadori joins Zurich as Head of Management Liability Public Eric Amadori joined Zurich North America as the head of management liability public, effective April 10. He will report to Head of Financial Lines Nora Hattauer. Zurichs Financial Lines group provides management liability coverages to Zurich customers that range from large publicly traded companies to privately held middle market businesses and nonprofit organizations. Amadori joins a team that includes Paul Giliberto, head of management liability private/nonprofit. The team offers insurance coverages such as directors & officers (D&O) Insurance, employment practices liability (EPLI), fiduciary liability and crime insurance. Amadori has more than 20 years of experience underwriting and managing financial lines products. His most recent position was managing director of the management professional liability team at Markel, where he worked for 14 years. He earlier held leadership and underwriting positions at Arch Insurance and AIG. Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance Names North America Casualty Leaders Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI), based in Boston, announced leadership moves in its North America casualty business. Matt Hale is now head of U.S. casualty underwriting operations. In this new role, he will oversee BHSIs regional casualty underwriting teams across the U.S. and work closely with Galan Riley, head of casualty, Canada, to coordinate BHSIs North American casualty strategies. Matt is based in Chicago. is now head of U.S. casualty underwriting operations. In this new role, he will oversee BHSIs regional casualty underwriting teams across the U.S. and work closely with Galan Riley, head of casualty, Canada, to coordinate BHSIs North American casualty strategies. Matt is based in Chicago. Marcie Stephan is h ead of casualty, U.S. Central Region. She will oversee BHSIs casualty underwriting teams, except construction, in the Central U.S. She is based in Chicago. is ead of casualty, U.S. Central Region. She will oversee BHSIs casualty underwriting teams, except construction, in the Central U.S. She is based in Chicago. John Roe is head of North American construction, including construction casualty, construction professional liability, and homebuilders liability. He will oversee BHSIs U.S. construction underwriting team and support the build out of construction casualty field operations. He will also work closely with Galan Riley, aligning our U.S. and Canadian construction casualty strategies. John is based in New York. BHSI offers a full line of casualty coverages, including primary general liability, primary products/completed operations liability, lead umbrella and excess casualty, transportation, and construction and environmental coverages for a wide range of North American risks. Topics Claims Leadership Liability Casualty The National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America are the latest from the industry to join a call in support of a measure to abolish the Federal Insurance Office. The trade groups on April 11 submitted a letter to Montana Congressman Troy Downing, who earlier this year introduced H.R. 643, the Federal Insurance Office Elimination Act. Since [the FIOs] inception in 2010, our associations have echoed concerns from functional regulators over FIOs potential for duplicative and overreaching workstreams, NAMIC and Big I wrote to Downing, R-Mont., an insurance commissioner before running for Congress last year. Unfortunately, these concerns have been validated over the course of the offices existence, as it has undermined state-based regulation and exerted inappropriate pressure on industry participants, including unwarranted threats of subpoenas. These actions cross directly into work already being performed by state regulators, creating inconsistent expectations, duplication, and costs that are ultimately borne by consumers. The support to get rid of the FIO, created in 2010 as part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, is the latest from the industry. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) this year released its 2025 agenda, which included the elimination of the U.S. Treasurys FIO. At the end of 2024, nine insurance commissioners urged the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to look at the FIO. Since its inception, FIO has fluctuated between ineffectiveness and outright dishonesty in it dealings with the states, said the commissioners in their letter to DOGE. NAMIC and Big I said many of FIOs reports or positions have [failed] to include factual and data-driven contributions and perspectives. The latest publication was an early 2025 report on the affordability and availability of insurance that the FIO called the most comprehensive data on homeowners insurance in history. Predictably, the opinion was not shared by the insurance industry. Related: Treasurys FIO Releases Flawed Homeowners Insurance Report David A. Sampson, CEO of the American Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (APCIA), at the time said the FIO report provides an incomplete explanation about the affordability and availability of insurance. NAMICs Jimi Grande, senior vice president of federal and political affairs, said FIOs report is a frustration to anyone who understands the basic insurance principle of matching rate to risk. The elimination of FIO is not a new idea. In 2023, GOP members of the House of Representatives introduced a bill to ditch FIO. Topics Agencies The Hays County, Texas Sheriffs Office said it has recovered four stolen trucks with cloned vehicle identification numbers. The Hays County Sheriffs Auto Theft Unit worked with the Hays County Tax Assessors Office and partnering agencies to recover four VIN-cloned GMC Denalis between April 4 and April 9. VIN-cloned vehicles appear to be legitimate due to the VIN returning to a vehicle that is not reported as stolen, the sheriffs office said in a press released. The estimated recovery value is $220,000. The GMC Denalis were reported stolen through the Dallas Police Department, Houston Police Department and a law enforcement agency in Connecticut. The GMC Denalis were sold by suspects on Facebook Marketplace for a price significantly below market value, the sheriffs office said. All victims were provided fictitious titles for the cloned vehicles. The Coalition Against Insurance Fraud (CAIF) says that vehicle cloning involves replicating a legitimate vehicles VIN, which criminals use to mask stolen or illicitly obtained cars. Insurance carriers risk dealing with false claims if a cloned vehicle gets into an accident. The Hays County Sheriffs Office encourages car buyers to visit the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle title check before purchasing a vehicle. Photo: GMC Denali Topics Texas Florida-headquartered Brown & Brown, one of the largest insurance brokerages in the country, this week filed a federal lawsuit against a former vice president, charging him with secretly setting up a competing business and poaching clients. The lawsuit in the federal court systems Middle District of Florida contends Westyn Swenson, based in Texas, conspired with Nathan Gilbert Insurance Agency and Legacy Insurance Group to lure at least three dozen clients from Brown & Brown. It was all in violation of Swensons non-compete employment agreements, the complaint alleges. The defendants have not yet filed an answer to Brown & Browns complaint. Its the latest poaching lawsuit in an industry that has seen a rise in those types of legal actions in recent years. At the same time, no-poach employee agreements have been successfully challenged in some states. In 2023, the New York Attorney Generals office forced property-casualty and title insurance companies to pay $13.75 million in fines for their anti-worker non-poaching agreements. In the Brown & Brown case, the trouble began in 2021, when Swenson worked at Hillco West Texas insurance agency, where he agreed not to solicit Hillcos clients should he leave the firm, the suit contends. Secretly, though, Swenson had formed Swenson Capital, which Brown & Brown said was founded for the purpose of competing with Hillco while still employed thereby. The publicly traded Brown & Brown, based in Dayton Beach and with offices around the country, acquired Hillco in 2024. Swenson went to work for B&B as vice president for sales, and he signed a new employment agreement. A few months later, Swenson left B&B and began working with Legacy Insurance Group, which has offices in Florida and Texas. Nathan Gilbert runs his own agency in Iowa Falls, Texas, which is a branch of Legacy Insurance, according to the agencys website. Since beginning work with the Legacy Defendants under the guise of the Swenson Defendants Swenson has solicited and accepted work involving no less than thirty-seven customer insurance policies he had previously serviced on behalf of Brown & Brown, using misappropriated confidential information, to benefit the Legacy Defendants, the complaint reads. The suit argues that the defendants used Swenson Capital as a smokescreen for their business relationship. The complaint includes a Google Maps Street View image of the purported address of Swenson Capital, which appears to be a vacant lot in Nocona, Texas. The alleged poaching and tortious interference have cost Brown & Brown significant amounts of money and have divulged trade secrets, the suit alleges. The suit asks for at least $50,000 in damages and a court order requiring Swenson to comply with his employment agreements. Swenson could not be reached for comment. California lawmakers have blocked a bill to make oil and gas companies liable for damage to homes from natural disasters caused by climate change, warning it could raise gas prices. The bill would have allowed victims of natural disasters, including fires, floods and hurricanes, to sue fossil fuel companies over harm to themselves or their property for damage totaling at least $10,000. Home insurers would also have been able to seek damages under the legislation. The proposal was announced weeks after the Los Angeles-area fires broke out in January, burning thousands of homes and killing at least 30 people. The Senate Judiciary Committee rejected the bill late Tuesday, with several Democrats abstaining, but left open the possibility for it to be reconsidered later this year. Opponents also said it would threaten jobs in the energy industry by dealing a blow to business, and that it would be difficult to prove a specific companys responsibility for a particular natural disaster. State Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat representing San Francisco who authored the bill, rejected the argument that it would lead to higher gas prices. He said it was about holding the fossil fuel industry accountable for the impacts of climate change. The bill would have eased the burden on disaster survivors and insurance companies to cover damage costs, he said. Todays vote is a setback for the victims of the Los Angeles wildfires and for the cost of living in California, Wiener said in a statement. Victims of the Eaton and Palisades Fire and of all climate disasters deserve accountability for the decades of Big Oil lies that devastated their communities. When fossil fuels such as oil and gas are burned for energy, carbon dioxide and other emissions enter the Earths atmosphere, causing the planet to warm. Climate change has made natural disasters more frequent and intense. State Sen. Anna Caballero, a Democrat representing part of the Central Valley, said ahead of the vote that lawmakers decision not to support the bill shouldnt be viewed as a move to deprioritize environmental policy. And she said it wouldnt help people who lost their homes to recent fires rebuild. If this was going to actually result in building homes in the fire zones faster, better and with more efficiency, I would probably support it, she said. But from my view, this is more about lawyers. This is about litigation. Wiener said it was important for California to remain a climate leader, invoking President Donald Trumps efforts to roll back environmental policies. Trump signed an executive order Tuesday to identify state rules he said could hinder Americas energy dominance. He called out Californias cap-and-trade program, as well as other climate policies in New York and Vermont. The California bills failure to advance comes after lawmakers in recent years blocked a proposal that would have made oil companies liable for the health problems of people who live close to oil wells. California, a U.S. trendsetter on climate policies, has approved policies over the years to limit emissions from cars, lawn mowers, trucks and trains. But some of those measures have faced threats from the Trump administration. The state Air Resources Board pulled back its requests for federal approval to enforce rules curbing pollution from diesel-powered big rigs and trains ahead of Trumps return to office. Other major California rules are at risk. Congressional Republicans introduced proposals last week to block state policies approved by President Joe Bidens administration that would ban the sale of new gas-powered cars by 2035, cut tailpipe emissions from medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, and curb smog-forming nitrogen oxide pollution from trucks. Austin 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. Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Natural Disasters California Energy Oil Gas If the Irish film industry needed validation from an esteemed source, veteran actor Rob Lowes recent comment that it's cheaper to bring 100 people to Ireland than his native LA will surely have gladdened hearts at Ardmore and Troy Studios. Criticising Hollywoods low film industry incentives, he repeated that bringing 100 Americans to Ireland costs less than to walk across the lot at Fox, past the sound stages, and do it there. In a recent episode of his podcast - Literally! With Rob Lowe - where he was joined by his former Parks and Recreation comedy series co-star Adam Scott, Lowe explained why he opted to film his game show, The Floor, in Dublin rather than California. There are no tax credits, and all those other places are offering 40%. And that's not even talking about union stuff. Its criminal what California and LA have let happen. Everybody should be fired. Scott, who is known for his roles in Severance and Ghosted, said nothing shoots in Los Angeles anymore and added that he is involved with an upcoming film shooting in Cork over the coming months. Lowes comments gel with a previous article in the influential film industry magazine Variety: Ireland has become a capital of filmmaking in recent years, establishing itself as one of the worlds most attractive production environments thanks to an attractive tax incentive, Section 481, and the plethora of talented writers, directors, producers, casts and crew that the country has to offer. The Irish screen industry Screen Ireland launched its 2025 Production Slate earlier this year, with over 80 productions across feature film, TV drama, animation, documentary and short film. Total production spend generated by the Irish screen industry in 2024 is valued at over 430 million, representing a 33% increase on 2023 figures. Despite unprecedented disruptions and challenges facing the industry globally, the Irish creative screen industry continues to experience record-breaking production growth, driven by sustained Government investment. Research shows that the Gross Value Added of the audiovisual industry in Ireland is over 1bn across live action and animation, digital production, distribution, publishing transmission and exhibition. In terms of employment, the industry supports a total of almost 16,000 full-time equivalent jobs. This year, Screen Ireland plans to ring-fence funding of 5.5m for nationwide development and Irish language storytelling across all genres and formats. In order to capitalise on the global opportunity for the digital games sector in Ireland, Screen Ireland will also launch a 500,000 digital games development initiative. In a rapidly changing and increasingly competitive marketplace, public funding for Irish film and television is now more essential than ever, said Chair of Screen Ireland Board, Ray Harman. Our new strategy Fis Athnuaite outlines how, as an agency, we plan to continue to build a sustainable future for filmmaking in Ireland. The analysis cites the audiovisual sector as a strong generator of cultural value, promoting the Irish language, identity, and values through the telling of stories on screen. Productions like The Banshees of Inisherin and Normal People have increased visitor numbers to filming locations, while films like Kneecap and An Cailin Ciuin raise interest in Irish language and heritage. Tourism Irelands research from 2024 revealed that 26% of tourists coming to Ireland indicated that film, television and travel shows were a source of travel inspiration. Since 2021, Irish films and talent have won over 300 international awards, said Chief Executive of Screen Ireland, Desiree Finnegan. It has been an incredible journey for the creative teams behind these projects, with so much achieved already. As a valued Irish Examiner subscriber, we're excited to offer you an exclusive chance to win a 5-Star break away at the luxurious Castlemartyr Resort. The competition prize includes a two night stay for you and your guest, breakfast on both mornings, dinner on one evening in Canopy Restaurant, plus 500 to spend on activities of your choosing at Castlemartyr Resort. Create your own bespoke stay, by choosing from the following: Deploy the Defence Forces and their equipment to tackle the growing number of devastating forest and gorse fires, the Government was urged in the Senate. It followed a recent spate of fires countrywide and the issuing of numerous orange alerts to the public by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. Helicopters, including one from the Air Corps, fire services, staff from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Coillte and others tackled the various outbreaks. Senator Malcolm Noonan, who called for the deployment of the Defence Forces personnel and equipment, said it was fantastic to have such fine weather at this time of year, but there seemed to be a persistent problem. We had made some strides in recent years, particularly with the training of NPWS staff and direct liaison with local authorities and fire emergency services. Considering the increased investment due to take place in the Defence Forces, the dual capability of their equipment and personnel should be considered in such situations. We are in a biodiversity crisis, which is added to by the devastation and destruction caused to habitats, with the loss of species and ground nesting birds, not to mention that properties are also being threatened. The ability to rapidly deploy resources to address these fires will be critical because, unfortunately, there will be an increased incidence of them given the weather events happening around the world, he said. Senator Noonan called on Tanaiste and minister for defence Simon Harris to consider the dual use of Defence Force personnel and equipment to address these horrific and destructive fires. Leader of the House Senator Sean Kyne, referring to the recent fires, said it is very difficult to witness the loss of habitat and wildlife given the work and investment by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Wildfire prevention Meanwhile, various Government departments and agencies are urging the public to be vigilant when visiting open spaces countrywide during dry periods when there is a high risk of forest and gorse fires. Landowners and managers are also being urged to report any suspicious activity to the Gardai. Discarding a cigarette or dumping barbeque coals in national parks and nature reserves, coastal sand dunes, mountains and upland areas, forests, meadows and urban parks can have devastating impact and can endanger nature and people. With continued fine weather and school holidays looming, higher levels of visitor activity are expected in the countryside. They are being urged to co-operate with all fire safety requirements, not light open fires or barbeques in high-risk areas and be considerate in parking vehicles so as not to impede access by emergency vehicles. NPWS director general, Niall O Donnchu, urged landowners to be aware of their responsibilities in relation to Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas where consent to undertake burning at any time is often a requirement. He also reminded people of their obligations under Section 40 of the Wildlife Acts and burning generally which is prohibited from March 1 to August 31. Describing wildfires as a devastating reminder of how fragile the natural world is, minister of state Christopher OSullivan said the outbreaks not only scar the landscape and destroy habitats and species but also deprive communities of cherished spaces for education, recreation, and connection with nature. He said people want to get out and enjoy the good weather but lets do it responsibly and without putting nature, park and emergency services personnel and the general public at risk. IFA Farm Forestry chair, Padraig Stapleton, also urged landowners to be vigilant as conditions are optimal for wildfires due to a consistent period of dry weather and dead vegetation after the winter. Prevention is the best defence against forest fires, he said. I was born in Dublin. Let me get that out of the way before we start. On July 29, 1981, when I was nine, I moved to Cork. I know the date because I remember my mother keeping back the telly from the removals van so that, standing together in an otherwise empty kitchen, we could enjoy the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Di. Just as soon as the happy couple had kissed on the palace balcony, in went the boxy PYE to the boot of the car and off we struck for Bandon. As far as I was concerned, that queasy four hours was a one-way journey; Cork might as well have been Mars. In some ways, I was right. A single car trip marked the end of one part of my life and the beginning of another. In my head, my childhood is divided into two parts: before and after that infamous nuptial embrace. I hated Cork. There. Ive said it. I missed my old house, I missed my Granny, I missed my best friend in the house next door. It was my first time feeling rage at my own lack of power. I was filled to bursting with blind fury that my life had been turned upside-down, that no one could be trusted anymore, that nothing was certain. But I was a quiet child, and my anger was expressed only in hot, silent, night-time tears. Please, Holy God, let me go home. Those were the days when people didnt explain things to children, when people hardly talked about anything real at all. Infidelity didnt happen, divorce didnt exist, and families were nuclear, or they were broken. I didnt know then that Cork was expected to provide my parents with the fresh start they needed after a series of poor choices and undeserved tragedies, that Cork was meant to make everything better. It was a lot to ask of a place. Even Cork. And it wasnt Corks fault that it didnt work, that the clean slate got messy, that the happy ever after never came. All of that is ancient history, and I thought it was well buried. Writing, however, is a funny business. You dont make up the words so much as wait for them to arrive. At least half my so-called writing time is spent staring at the sky, just waiting. And the next quarter of my time is spent deciding whether the flotsam of my subconscious might be bent into a decent story. Having set my debut novel in Paris, partly as a device to protect me from my own confessional inclinations, I was determined that book two would be set in Cork. There was a leap of courage in that decision. My publisher would have accepted a Parisian sequel, my agent suggested Last Chance in the Maldives, but I had a gut feeling that a two-book deal was an opportunity not to be wasted. There was a story that had waited long enough to be told. Not being a Cork native, I wouldnt dare to write a native protagonist, so my central characters would be outsiders: Emer Gaffney, aged nine, and Maeve, her mother, who move from Dublin to Cork... A hook was cast into the deepest trench of my memory, and what came up was a book. All my adult life, Ive named The Great Gatsby as my favourite novel, without ever being able to reason why. I studied it for the Leaving Cert, wore myself out writing impassioned essays on the illusory nature of the American dream, but I never got to the nub of what it was that hurt me so much. Staring out the window, 30-odd years after I first read it, I had an unprecedented flash of insight. I saw that Id grown up in the role of Nick Carraway, the powerless observer. As a child, Id witnessed the difference between new money and old, between having strength and having power, between love and desire. There was even a car crash. I just didnt understand any of it. So, I wrote: Maeve, holding a torch for an old boyfriend, upends both their lives in the pursuit of love. Loverboy, Tim Corcoran, has a pretty good life going on for himself, a life he shouldnt dream of messing up, but first love cuts deep, and Maeve is damn near irresistible. The Bridge to Always is not a re-write of The Great Gatsby. I was never so foolish as to think I could swap in West Cork for West Egg, Cork City for New York, and a Noinin for Daisy, and somehow have penned The Great Cork Novel. All right, maybe I entertained the notion for half a minute, but thats all. What the comparison gave me was that spark a writer needs to carry her onwards, my very own green light to chase. I would write a whole novel, because that was what it would take to figure out exactly why F Scott Fitzgerald had burrowed so deeply into my heart. Its also important to say that The Bridge to Always is not the story of my life. I didnt write the true story, but I did write the true feelings, as best I could. Am I any the wiser now? I think I am. I can see that good people doing their best, including myself, can often fall short of good enough. That doesnt make any of us bad people. Ive accepted that, sometimes, just beating on is as heroic as it gets, and Ive noticed that almost any story can have a happy ending if only you can figure out where to draw a line under it. Most of all, Ive learned that its not a place you rely on, its people. There came a time in my early 20s when all my family had, separately, gone back up the country. To the best of my knowledge, I was the only Marron within the county bounds. Not because it had to be, and not because I didnt have a choice, but because Id been adopted by a group of kind, generous, and unbelievably loyal friends Cork to their bones, the lot of them Cork was home. Im married to a man so Cork he wooed me with the promise of a plot in St Finbarrs. I live in Cork. Its looking like Ill be buried in Cork. Ill never be able to say that Im from Cork, but if I can lay claim to being a Cork writer, that will be enough. It will have to be, like. Its 35 years since Patricia Scanlans debut, City Girl, hit the shelves, introducing the lives of Dublin friends Maggie, Caroline, and Devlin. And to mark the occasion, the author has written a new book that brings the lives of the friends up to date. How did she get the idea? In 2020, I listened to a podcast, Book Birds, from Ciara Geraghty and Caroline Grace Cassidy, who were discussing City Girl. It had made such an impact on them. I thought, the characters will be in menopause now. Theyve been through so much and so much has changed in the world. I think Ill bring them up to date. The moment I sat down to write them it was as if they were my best friends, Id not seen in a while, and we were having a ladys night out. I was entertaining myself as well as my readers. Back in 1990s Ireland, City Girl caused quite a stir. It was the first commercial book to tell of contemporary Irish women, and readers lapped it up. I remember my publishers were only going to print 5,000 copies, and I was absolutely horrified. I moaned and whinged so much that they printed 12,000 copies, and it sold out the week it hit the shelves. With success, though, came a whole heap of begrudgery. The literary snobbery was hilarious, she says. And it wasnt just that it acquired that derivative term, chick lit. Someone called it Shitty Girls, says Scanlan, breaking into laughter. For a while, Scanlan stood alone. Poolbeg said I should write a book a year, and I said Im a bit tired. Shouldnt you be looking at other writers?. And, eventually, they did. Marian Keyes followed five years after Scanlan, with Sheila OFlanagan and Cathy Kelly making up a dynamic foursome. I loved being the first of that wave, says Scanlan, explaining what good friends the four of them are. We know the work that goes into it, and we have such laughs. Since then, the market has been flooded with talented women writers, but shes glad shes not starting out today, when youre thought of as a commodity, and your book as a unit. Back then, publishing was all about the book. Your book was valued, and publishers didnt have to pay for promotions the way they do now. Everyone got a chance if the writing was good and you told a good story. Today, its all about genre. City Girls Forever opens during the pandemic, and takes the three friends up to March 2025. It shows the Wicklow-based Maggie dealing with her truculent elderly mother, whose care has been dumped on her because, as a writer, her family believe she doesnt really work. Oh my God, says Scanlan. Those words flew onto the page. People think they can call, or ring anytime of the day when youre writing. Shes closest in temperament to Maggie but gives Devlin the endometriosis she suffered with, pain- fully, for decades. It ties in neatly with a plot taking a doctor to task who abused her in that first book; and when Caroline falls while shes running, Scanlan uses her own experience of tearing her rotator cuff and needing surgery. The original City Girl mentioned many Dublin streets, bars, and shops; it was part of its appeal for Dubliners fed up with novels set in London or New York, and shes done this again. Much of the action happens in County Wicklow Scanlan lives on the edge of a field there every summer; a place she describes as balm to her soul; shes namechecked a local boutique, and a favourite coffee shop. Theres also a glorious scene on Brittas Bay, where Maggie swims in moonlight. Scanlan never plans a book: I never write a synopsis, she says. I tried to once, but when I wrote the book it was completely different. I have a sort of path, like a painting. You have the broad wash. And then you start filling in the details. She often gets taken by surprise: I didnt know about Nurse Maguire, she says, mentioning a character from City Girl whose story is updated. Then she made an appearance, and I realised shed had a child, and that made me excited all over again. Thats what keeps the books fresh. She hates starting a book, and 25 novels on, thats never got any easier. Starting is a bit like being at a wedding you dont want to be at, she says. Youre sitting at a table with strangers you dont want to know, then you get to know them and their lives become really interesting. Then you cant get enough of them. The writing starts slowly, then theres this unknown moment when instead of you pushing the story, its pushing you down the hill. Thats exhilarating. You dont want to be disturbed by anybody. When I was in my prime, I would write for 14 hours a day coming up to the end of the book. Since the very start of her career, Scanlan has been a great friend and support to other writers. And this, she says, is down to an encounter she once had with Maeve Binchy. Back when I was a library assistant, I took an afternoon off and went to see Maeve give a talk to a small writing group. Choosing an agent like choosing a husband She was amazing. I knew City Girl was going to be published, and I went up to her and told her, and she said: Thats wonderful news! Do you have an agent? I said I didnt and she said: Well have to get you one. Choosing an agent is like choosing a husband difficult and individual. She gave me the name of three agents, including her own. I came out of there thinking, if I do well when Im published, if I can ever help anybody the way Maeve helped me, I will. I made that promise, and its always a joy to give someone a little lift. Many years later, a man went up to her in a library, and said he was in a literacy group. And he was mortified because there were no books for him to read that werent aimed at small children. One of the volunteers said that I should write a book for new readers like him, so I did. Then, realising how great the need was, she spearheaded New Islands Open Book series. She wrote more books and chivvied other authors to contribute. Her collaboration with the publisher has continued; New Island are bringing out anniversary editions of the City Girl Trilogy: City Girl, City Woman, and City Lives. City Girls Forever is her first book in five years. The last one, The Liberation of Bridget Dunne was due to be launched in March 2020. Covid shut poor Bridget down, she says. The day before the launch we had to cancel because Easons was closing. All bookshops were closing. Looking forward to her current launch, Scanlan has yet to start a new book. She planned to in the New Year, but on Friday, December 13, she got some devastating news. She has breast cancer, and since her diagnosis has been through three surgeries. Hopefully the third was the last, she says, and I can now have a course of radiation. Shes still recovering, and our interview is conducted by phone. But for all that shes bewildered by her diagnosis; says she hasnt time for it, and feels that her brain is in a fog, shes remarkably upbeat; our conversation is full of laughter, and Scanlans overwhelming positivity. The message from the book, she says, is to make the most of your friends. Enjoy them and have as much fun with them as you can. They are the ones who hold you up. Back pain accounts for 25% of annual GP visits in Ireland, according to research at the University of Limerick. It is one of the most costly conditions to diagnose and treat, with the Irish Pain Society estimating that chronic pain [which includes back pain] costs the Irish economy 4.7bn a year. A glimmer of hope for lower back pain sufferers was raised recently with news of a drug that experts have billed as a gamechanger for some forms of the condition. Early trials of the PP353 drug, developed by Persica Pharmaceuticals in Britain, have had promising results for people with back pain caused by an infection rather than by muscular or spinal issues. A combination of three widely available medicines an antibiotic, called linezolid; a dye, called iohexol; and a thermosensitive gel the drug is injected into the lower back to reduce infection around the spinal discs. Six out of ten people taking part in one of the trials had significantly reduced pain. However, Professor Dominic Hegarty, a consultant in pain management at the Orthopaedic and Spine Centre, Mater Private Hospital, Cork, said it is not yet clear whether some forms of back pain are caused by infection, so there is no firm evidence that this sort of medication will help many people. And, there is no magic bullet for back pain. Even if this new drug becomes available, it is not something you would get over the counter, Hegarty said. It involves a high-risk injection with a fairly aggressive antibiotic, so would not be prescribed lightly. When you are suffering from a bad back, it is tempting to give everything a try from popping painkillers to booking an acupuncture session. Another recent study found that the most common treatments do little to relieve lower back pain. According to a scientist at the University of New South Wales, reporting in BMJ Evidence Based Medicine, of the range of non-surgical and non-interventional treatments reviewed including reflexology, taping, manual therapies, such as osteopathy and massage, and painkillers and exercise only 10% worked. Most provided pain relief that was only marginally better than placebo, said Dr Aidan Cashin, deputy director of the Centre for Pain IMPACT at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and senior lecturer in the School of Health Sciences, who led the study. In other words, our review did not find reliable evidence of large effects for any of the included treatments. Dr Sean Molloy, an Irish consultant orthopaedic spinal surgeon, who works at HCA The Princess Grace Hospital, London, said that low back pain is widespread, often self-limiting, and usually improves within a few weeks. Some tears can take up to six weeks to heal, Molloy said. But many people find their condition gets better within as little as two to three weeks. Ultimately, no two people respond in the same way to any back pain treatments or therapies, and it is a case of talking to a medical professional to find what works best for you. Anything you have tried in the past that has helped will likely work again, Molloy said. The biggest changes you can make to strengthen your back are lifestyle ones. Good back hygiene, in the form of a healthy diet, adequate activity and sleep, are the most important steps we can all take to protect our backs, Hegarty said. Heres what you should (and should not) do: Will manual therapy be helpful? Molloy, who is also a chiropractor, said that manual therapies, which also include massage, can be beneficial. In some cases, they are useful in correcting and improving mechanical issues of the back, he said. Medical guidelines also suggest that acupuncture might be helpful for people with back pain that lasts more than 12 weeks. Its best to seek an acupuncture-trained physiotherapist, who offers it as part of a wider recovery and pain-management programme. Should I stop exercising to ease my back pain? In the recent Australian study, exercise was shown to be ineffective in easing acute back pain. Molloy advised against taking up any new form of exercise particularly the high-impact variety, such as running or activities involving jumping as it can worsen the problem. With acute back pain, there is often a tear in the area surrounding the discs, and that can lead to muscle spasms, Molloy said. Theres a chance that exercising could exacerbate these spasms and cause more pain. Its a different story with chronic back pain, defined as pain that lasts more than 12 weeks. Activities like walking, swimming and stretching can help ease chronic back pain. Cashins team reported that exercise helped relieve chronic pain, albeit slightly more than a placebo tablet. Doing too much of any type of exercise might not be good for your back, so, if unsure, check with a medical professional before trying something, Hegarty said. Will cardio activity help to keep my back healthy? In a 2020 review published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, Daniel Belavy, an associate professor at the Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition at Deakin University in Australia, looked at how specific types of exercise might help to relieve chronic back pain. He suggested that any activity that improves the efficiency and capacity of your cardio-respiratory system can be helpful. This includes cycling, jogging, and swimming, although the activity needs to be graded, and you should start with just a few minutes of each exercise. A Lancet study of people aged 20 to 82, all of whom had experienced lower back pain at some point, found that those who followed a tailored walking programme of an average of 130 minutes a week, or 26 minutes of walking on five allotted days, lasted nearly twice as long without a recurrence of their pain as those who didnt take up extra walking. Should I also work at strengthening my core muscles? Strengthening the core muscles, those that wrap around the spine to support good posture, can help to keep back pain at bay, said Molloy. Any exercise approach that encourages this might be helpful. In his review of different types of exercise and their effects on back pain, Belavy found that Pilates was useful, but no more so than other types of core work, such as general stabilisation and strengthening exercises that target the trunk muscles. And, Belavy stressed, core exercise also didnt have much effect on chronic low back pain, if performed in isolation you need general fitness, too. In other words, a strong core is not a magic bullet for back-pain prevention, but it might help. Can I resort to taking painkillers? We found, for acute low back pain, NSAIDs [non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs] may be effective, Cashin said of his findings. Acute or severe back pain might benefit from painkillers or medicines to relax the muscles in your back, such as NSAIDS, including ibuprofen. Dont bother with paracetamol on its own, which is ineffective according to the new study. It can be taken in combination with other painkillers on the advice of your GP or pharmacist, Molloy said. No painkillers should become a long-term crutch. Cashin and his team reported that steroid injections were not likely to be effective for acute back pain, while anaesthetics and antibiotics didnt work for chronic low back pain. Do antidepressants work for chronic back pain? Prescribing antidepressants was once commonplace for low back pain, but Cashin found that they werent helpful for people with chronic low back pain. Molloy said the prescribing of antidepressants for back pain is now discouraged. How antidepressants might work, he said, is not by improving mood, but by lowering neuropathic pain associated with some forms of back pain, such as cases of sciatica that cause pain in the legs as well as the lower back. However, he added: I would not consider them as a first-line treatment, as there is insufficient evidence that they help most cases of back pain. Grassroots organisations, activists, and community leaders committed to shaping a fairer response to the climate crisis will gather in University College Cork on Friday for a two-day conference. Speaking at the opening of the Ground Up Climate Justice Forum, Oxfam Ireland chief executive, Jim Clarken, said the climate crisis is now too important to be left to politicians alone to address. "While political systems across the world falter, activists and community groups emerge as beacons of hope," Mr Clarken said. "These collectives possess the local knowledge, wisdom and commitment necessary to drive real change. Not only do states have a responsibility to heed their insights and facilitate ground-up approaches to climate action, we believe that all influential institutions do." Oxfam aims to more effectively enable grassroots-led actions and initiatives, and the Ground Up Climate Justice Forum is a hopeful beginning, Mr Clarken said. "The climate crisis is too important to be left to politicians alone. The window for effective intervention is rapidly closing. All sectors of society including government, NGOs, businesses, trade unions, social movements and individuals - must collaborate in unprecedented ways. Only through unified, decisive action can we hope to mitigate the worst impacts of climate breakdown and build a resilient future. The climate crisis is not just an environmental issue; it is a systemic failure rooted in the logic of endless extraction, exploitation and the prioritisation of economic growth over all else." The recent wildfires in Donegal, Wicklow and Kerry, the droughts across Africa, all speak to a system that values profit over life, Mr Clerken said. The forum, taking place at UCC on April 11-12, gathers changemakers to build collective action towards a just future for all. Participants include: Concern Worldwide; Plan International, Fridays for Future; Community Action Tenants Union (CATU Ireland); EcoJustice Ireland; and the Centre for Environmental Justice. Sean McCabe from Bohemians F.C. Climate Justice Team; Jennie C. Stephens Climate justice scholar and author and Padraic Fogarty Founder of Rewild Your Land will also speak, along with Feminist Communities for Climate Justice (NWC); and the Irish Donut Economics Network. The event is part of a wider European project called Imagining a Climate-Just Future, which has been funded by EUs Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme. A teenager is in critical condition in hospital after a serious assault in Dublin. The male teen sustained serious injuries in the incident on Greencastle Park in Coolock on Thursday, April 3. Irish artists have written to the Taoiseach and Government ministers urging them to prevent artificial intelligence (AI) platforms acting with impunity to profit from work theyve created. The Irish Creative Industries Forum (ICIF), which represents organisations from the likes of music, literature, photography and theatrical productions, told the Government that it should have a seat on the table of its AI advisory council given artists will be adversely affected by AI into the future. The ICIF welcomes the council's consideration of these effects on the sector, however, given the potential adverse impact - 24% of creators' income at risk by 2028 as stated in the AI Advice - we feel that our voices should be heard, the group said. Given advances in AI and its use by some of the worlds biggest tech and social media firms, numerous concerns have been raised about the negative impact it could have on many sectors, such as in education, and that it could displace jobs. Within the arts, issues around deepfakes and copyright infringement have come to the fore, along with platforms using copyrighted material to train their AI models to reproduce the likes of artworks, poems and music. Recently, the UKs Society of Editors held a protest in London alleging that millions of copyrighted books had been used by the social media giant Meta to develop its AI systems. In February, the Governments AI advisory council published a series of industry-specific reports on issues facing those sectors and recommendations on what actions to take. In the creative sector, the council said measures must be taken to protect artists and address AI misuse, including the extension of the universal basic income pilot to support creators affected by AI disruption and the revision of copyright laws to protect creators. While artists welcomed some of the recommendations, others were cited as a cause for concern. It said there is a wholesale breach of current copyright laws going on at present, and rather than new rights for AI artwork, the existing laws must be enforced. AI can be a tool for advancing human creativity, but without an orderly market, based on robust copyright rules and the ability to exercise and enforce rights effectively, it presents a significant challenge to the entire creative sector, it said. Respecting intellectual property rights, seeking authorisations to use creative works and ensuring fair remuneration is the best way for the market to flourish. The group added that the pursuit of innovation and preserving copyright holders interests are not mutually exclusive. It said a beneficial outcome for all parties could be achieved where AI developers can lawfully access quality human activity and rights holders receive the appropriate remuneration for this. It also asked for its views to be considered going forward in this rapidly developing area. Earlier this week, former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams said he has sought legal advice after claiming Meta has used his books to train its artificial intelligence systems. In his claim, he listed several books which he alleges have been used by the tech company. Mr Adams said: "Meta has used many of my books without my permission. I have placed the issue in the hands of my solicitor." A Russian intelligence-gathering vessel has now left Ireland's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) after being monitored by the Defence Forces for two days. Tanaiste and defence minister Simon Harris confirmed the ship had been in Irelands area of interest. Mr Harris said that vessels of interest can occasionally enter Ireland's EEZ, and this is a cause for concern. The Defence Forces have been monitoring that vessel for around 36 hours, Mr Harris said. He added that the ship had left the EEZ and it is understood that it is currently travelling towards Cuba. Ive been kept apprised of operations on an ongoing basis by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, and the security of the state, as a core business, is business as usual from the Defence Forces point of view, Mr Harris said. The ship, the Viktor Leonov, is a Vishnya-class intelligence-gathering vessel used by Russia. A number of Russian ships have been monitored by the Naval Service in recent weeks, including a suspected shadow fleet tanker which, in March, sailed near Foynes Port in Limerick. Groups of men carrying iron bars and accompanied by dogs of various breeds hunting foxes, rabbits and badgers, would be very intimidating for the owners of land, a circuit court judge said. Five men appeared at Cork Circuit Appeals Court appealing the severity of fines imposed on them for hunting on privately owned lands with dogs in contravention of the Wildlife Act. Orla Meere, barrister, said that because of the fact that the men were on social welfare they were appealing the fines imposed on them which ranged from 500 to 750. Essentially, it is the same application. They accept their action, they are just seeking leniency, Ms Meere said. Judge Sinead Behan said: One of the problems with this is that it is private land and there have been instances where owners are intimidated by men appearing on their land with bars and dogs and that has led to terrible consequences, sometimes fatal. You would present as a very intimidating bunch of men if you arrived on someones land with dogs and bars, apart altogether from wildlife considerations. This is a serious matter. If this is activity you get involved in as a hobby it can lead to damage to property, let alone the unfortunate animals you are pursuing. The judge said that because of the mens financial and family circumstances she would reduce the fines in all cases to 300. Sergeant John Kelleher said that at 10.10am on March 14, 2021, at Kilboy, Riverstick, gardai observed a large number of men spread out across two fields hunting with dogs. They saw three vehicles parked up on the side of the road with a dog trailer attached to each vehicle. They had at least three different dog breeds, as well as bars and a shovel. The dogs were off-lead and hunting around the fields. They land was private property, Sgt Kelleher said. Each man was fined on a charge that on March 14, 2021, not being the owner of land, he entered the land for hunting foxes without permission, contrary to the Wildlife Act. 43-year-old Michael Foley of 30 Awbeg, Rivervalley, Mallow, County Cork, had been fined 500, 32-year-old Anthony OReilly of 32 Ballinure Avenue, Mahon, Cork, was fined 750, 30-year-old Joseph OReilly of 32 Ballinure Avenue, Mahon, Cork, was fined 500 and 45-year-old Timmy OReilly of 3 Meelagh Drive, Mahon, Cork, was fined 750. Following the appeal, those fines now stand at 300 in each case. 56-year-old Patrick OReilly of 32 Ballinure Avenue, Mahon, Cork, had been fined 300 originally so his appeal was effectively withdrawn. A seven-year jail term was imposed on Friday on a 62-year-old landlord who raped a young woman who was a tenant at the time, as the sentencing judge said that the landlord-tenant relationship between the parties was an aggravating factor in the case. Lorita ODonoghue waived her anonymity at the Central Criminal Court where Michael Paul OLeary of Four Winds, Ballyarthur, Fermoy, County Cork, was sentenced on Friday. Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford said: It occurred in a relationship of some trust between a landlord and his tenant, and between neighbours, and it occurred proximate to her home in a property adjoining her own residence. That is an aggravating factor. She was highly intoxicated and it was apparent to Mr OLeary that she had a significant level of intoxication. I regard that as an aggravating factor. I see no basis for suspending any portion of it where he does not accept the verdict of the jury and continues to assert his innocence. Noting that Mary Crilly of the Sexual Violence Centre and the injured partys husband were among those present in court to support Ms ODonoghue, Ms Justice Lankford also said: I wish to commend her for the clarity and bravery of her victim impact statement. Lorita O'Donoghue: 'I am very grateful that this case got to court and the jury found him guilty of rape.' Picture: Eddie O'Hare Speaking outside the court afterwards, Lorita ODonoghue said she was happy with the sentence imposed. She said: I am a survivor of rape, and I have nothing to be embarrassed about or ashamed of. What happened to me was wrong and was a choice made by someone who had absolutely no right to and I've been paying the price for since. Every single aspect of my life has been much harder since this crime was perpetrated against me, and I have had to find the courage and strength to reclaim my life bit by bit and be here today. I have struggled with feelings of shame and self-blame. But the shame and blame is on Michael Paul O'Leary. He is known as Mike O'Leary in America when he lived there and is known as Paul O'Leary here in Ireland. Everyone needs to know he is a rapist. Unfortunately, victim blaming and rape culture exist around us, protecting and giving power to monsters like him. When you see or hear about a victim of rape, remember please, don't question or doubt them - question or doubt the perpetrator. These crimes must stop. Victims are speaking out - you will be named and shamed. You should fear the punishment and I hope these sentences get longer and harsher. The Irish criminal justice system is tough on the victim, but I got through it, so take courage. I am very grateful that this case got to court and the jury found him guilty of rape. I want to thank Detective Garda Rachel McGrath from North Cork Protection Service. Ms Justice Siobhan Langford, the DPP and counsel, the SATU clinics in Cork and Galway, the Rape Crisis Centres in Cork and Galway, my husband and my family and friends for supporting me. "I feel like I can finally begin the long road to healing and finding a new sense of peace. I hope my voice can inspire others and give hope that they can overcome this ordeal too. Please try to report it. Whether your case gets to court or not, please know that there is hope, you are strong because you survived it and you will get your life back. Previously in her victim impact statement, she addressed the defendant directly: You were our landlord, so after you chose to rape me, we obviously had no home anymore, how could we stay there. I did not feel safe or comfortable (there) anymore. Michael Paul OLeary was found guilty by a jury of rape on May 28, 2022, after the jury deliberated for nine hours and 32 minutes before reaching their 10-2 majority decision. Case background Detective Garda Rachel McGrath was led through her evidence by prosecution senior counsel Conor Devally of the background to what happened on the night in May 2022. Earlier in the evening there was conversation about background niggling issues that the accused man had with a relative of the complainants fiancee and he made a comment possibly joking that he might have to give them two weeks notice to quit. She felt somewhat intimidated by this and contacted her fiancee (now husband) who was away that night. Later, when she was at home in her pyjamas watching television and having a drink, the defendant texted that he had opened a bottle of wine which he could bring over. He did and they shared this and chatted. Later they went to his house to have another drink and she reluctantly agreed to drink brandy. Mr Devally said: Her evidence was it was being topped up without invitation on a continuous basis and she became overwhelmed by drink and intoxication. "The first physical contact occurred when he began to massage her shoulders She collapsed into unconsciousness, unaware of anything until she woke. Momentarily, she believed (her fiancee) was on top of her. She realised it was (the accused). "He had penetrated her and was on top of her she was overwhelmed and shocked and asked why he had done that and tried to ruin her and (fiancee's) life. When questioned by gardai and in the trial, the defendant claimed it was consensual at all times and that it began with mutual touching. The jury rejected his account and found him guilty of raping the young woman. Ms Justice Lankford also referred on Friday to the defendants evidence that what happened was consensual but she commented that it was evidence which was rejected by the jury. - If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services. Tributes have poured for Jack ODonoghue, a young man who died after his motorbike crashed in west Limerick on Wednesday. Mr ODonoghue, aged 33, died in a single vehicle collision on the N69 at Cloonreash on Wednesday, shortly before 8pm. His body was removed to the mortuary at University Hospital Limerick, where an autopsy was due to take place. Originally from Clounreask, Askeaton, the young man has been described by family as a pure gent. Rest easy Jack. Were all heartbroken. A proper lad a pure gent and an honour to call you my cousin. Thanks for the many memories may you rest in peace x x, wrote his cousin, Jennifer, paid tribute on social media. Jack will be sadly missed and always loved by his heartbroken parents Mary and Jimmy, partner Jane Fitzgerald, sister Anne, brother James, aunts, uncles, cousins and a very large circle of friends, reads Mr O'Donoghue's death notice on Rip.ie. He is predeceased by his grandparents and uncle Tommy Greed. Funeral arrangements are to be announced later. Gardai are appealing for witnesses 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. Waterford City and County Council has granted planning permission for 350 new homes as part of the first phase of the 200m North Quays Development. Permission has been granted to Harcourt Developments for a major residential project, which also includes office accommodation, a 160-bedroom hotel and conference centre, a 163-room aparthotel, and retail units. Public plazas, a riverside boardwalk and a greenway will also be constructed in what the council describes as high-quality public realm spaces. Sean McKeown, chief executive of Waterford City and County Council, said granting planning permission was a momentous day for Waterford and the wider region. "The North Quays Infrastructure Project is progressing well, with the impressive integrated transport hub on Frank Cassin Wharf, the construction of the five access bridges over the rail corridor and new greenway, and the much-anticipated arrival of the sustainable transport bridge from Belgium next month," Mr McKeown said. This next phase of development on the North Quays is hugely significant as it amplifies the potential for jobs, investment, and residential and commercial development. The direct benefit to Waterford of the investment in the site is anticipated to be in excess of 350m over the next six years, the council highlighted, with 200 people employed during construction and upwards of 1,500 jobs to be created following completion of phase one of the development. Construction of the private development is expected to begin later this year. Harcourt Developments Harcourt Developments is a Dublin-based property development and management company with a broad portfolio of projects, which includes Belfasts Titanic Quarter, widely considered Northern Irelands most important regeneration project. The council believes that Harcourts experience in developing Belfasts Titanic Quarter will be invaluable in delivering the North Quays development, which comprises many similar elements. The primary objective of the North Quays is to attract further investment in Waterford city from indigenous and multinational companies, expanding the tourism and hospitality sectors as well as increasing the housing stock. The Land Development Agency is also engaging with Harcourt in respect of the residential elements of the project. Regeneration These investments are integral in achieving the objectives set out in the National Planning Framework, which calls for the rapid expansion of Waterford city to over 85,000 people. The strategic development places a significant emphasis on connecting the north and south quays. A lead designer on the project, Stephen Shally at Douglas Wallace Consultants, said: "Our design is part of an ambitious masterplan for Waterford City, specifically crafted to create distinctive, memorable spaces that enrich the sense of place for residents and citizens. "The site layout, featuring interconnected civic plazas and the vibrant riverfront promenade, is designed to foster community interaction and enjoyment." Architect Hugh Wallace commended the planners for giving the green light to the project. "It aligns with the governments goals for urban renewal and sustainable living while also establishing a new city centre north of the River Suir for the first time in Waterfords history. "It will future-proof Waterford City and will enrich the lives of so many people living and working in the area. The granting of planning permission for this development is a truly pivotal moment for Waterford City's regeneration and growth. The value of my child, for the state of Ireland in this case is a two-year sentence. These are the words of Cesar Ladeiro in conversation with Joe Duffy on RTE radio in February. His son, eight-year-old, Andre Castro Ladeiro died on August 12, 2023, when he was run over with the green light in his favour at a pedestrian crossing in Carrigaline by John Moynihan. On February 10, Moynihan was jailed for three years, with the last suspended, for dangerous driving in a case where he pleaded guilty. Speaking on Liveline after the sentencing, Andre's grief-stricken father said that enforcement needs to happen, somehow. "Any simple thing that we see on the road that is against the rules like this just make us mad. You cannot imagine how we boiled from inside seeing someone not stopping in a red light." Anyone who tuned in or caught up on it via a podcast would have been affected. Hopefully, they would consider their own actions on the road and perhaps think twice about the impact of their decisions made behind the wheel. If they missed that interview, perhaps they could think of the 174 people who were killed on Irish roads in 2024. A total of 174 spaces at Christmas dinner tables, 174 birthdays. Missing from weddings, at Friday nights in the pub, at the concerts, the hurling. But hopes can be futile. Over the St Patrick's Bank Holiday weekend, An Garda Siochana held a special roads policing operation in force from Thursday, March 13, through to Tuesday, March 18. Across those five days, there were two fatalities and seven serious collisions resulting in eight people receiving life-threatening injuries. Those statistics are awful enough, but that wasn't all. Officers arrested 214 people for driving under the influence, while more than 2,650 drivers were detected for speeding offences. Break that down further, 530 people per day were caught speeding on the roads, with 42 people arrested every 24 hours for driving under the influence. Even looking at what some would consider more minor offences, more than 285 fines were issued for using phones while driving, 62 people were found not to be wearing their seatbelts, and 425 vehicles were seized for having no tax or insurance. What a way to mark our national holiday. Then, over Mothers Day weekend, four more people lost their lives. Theres nothing minor about the offences I regularly see on the road where I live and in my local village. Living on a narrow road beside a school, I consistently see double-parked SUVs taking up an entire side of a road, dangerous turns from parents while their kids are still getting out of their back seats. Further down, you see all kinds of road rage, you see people speeding through red lights that were amber seconds before, or ignoring pedestrian crossings. Members of the Mayo Fire Service during a road crash re-enactment at the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow at the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar, Co Mayo. Photo: Conor McKeown However, in my mind, there is a slightly bigger issue, one that should be simple enough to remedy. If somebody is disqualified from driving, their licence is supposed to be returned to them automatically when the suspension is completed. I say 'supposed to be' because, as reported by my colleague Cianan Brennan earlier this week, many simply don't give up their licence at all. Only one in 20 or so driving licences (both full and provisional) that are ordered to be surrendered by courts are actually handed over. It appears to be very much a sense of the authorities hoping the motorists have learned their lessons and will not re-offend when back behind the wheel. Irish Road Victims Association vice president Leo Lieghio said as much last month. He said: I dont know what was involved in the most recent tragedies, but in general, people seem to have lost the fear of penalty points, of being caught speeding, or drink/drug-driving, or of losing their drivers licence. There are initiatives designed to prevent young drivers from ever displaying such risky behaviour. In March, Transition Year students attended a hard-hitting road safety event at the AXA Roadsafe Roadshow 2025 in the Clayton Silver Springs Hotel. The event in Cork included a re-enactment of how reckless driving caused a night out to end in tragedy, and a demonstration of how firefighters used cutting equipment to free casualties from the mangled wrecks of crashed cars. The Road Safety Authority is also going full speed in terms of their campaigning, with advertisements and advice messaging frequently appearing across TV, radio and especially social media platforms. We can only hope that the messaging gets across to all age groups. Ireland is struggling with a road safety epidemic, one that is resulting in very slim hopes of achieving the Vision Zero commitment to eliminate all road deaths and serious injuries on Irish roads by the year 2050. If the messages arent being heard, and enforcement isn't happening either, then we will have hundreds more interviews like the one from Cesar Ladeiro. Britain's Prince Harry met with war victims in Ukraine on Thursday in an unannounced visit to the country as part of his ongoing work with wounded veterans, a spokesperson said. Harry visited the Superhumans Centre, an orthopaedic clinic in Lviv that treats and rehabilitates wounded military personnel and civilians, to see top-notch services provided in a country in the midst of war. The centre provides prosthetics, reconstructive surgery and psychological help free of charge. The prince, who served 10 years in the British Army and served two tours in Afghanistan where he flew missions as an Apache helicopter co-pilot gunner, has made helping injured soldiers one of his most prominent causes. He founded the Invictus Games in 2014 to offer wounded veterans the challenge of competing in sports events similar to the Paralympics. Harry was accompanied by a contingent from the Invictus Games Foundation, including four veterans who have been through similar rehabilitation experiences. The visit to the area in western Ukraine that has frequently been targeted with Russian missiles was not announced until after he was out of the country. The Duke of Sussex spent time in London earlier in the week for a Court of Appeal hearing (Jonathan Brady/PA) Harry was in London earlier this week for a two-day Court of Appeal hearing to challenge the dismissal of his High Court claim against the 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. Harry, 40, is the second member of the royal family to visit Ukraine. His aunt, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, became the first British royal to travel to the country since Russias 2022 invasion when she made an unannounced visit to Kyiv last year. The royal family has been outspoken in their support for Ukraine. King Charles warmly greeted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a show of support at his estate on the North Sea coast just two days after his extraordinary dressing down by US President Donald Trump at the White House. Harrys older brother, Prince William met with Ukrainian refugees during a two-day visit to Estonia last month. Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez is visiting China on Friday, his third trip to the country in two years, as his government seeks to boost investment from the Asian giant amid global economic uncertainty caused by a chaotic US tariff policy. Mr Sanchez met with Chinese President Xi Jinping and was expected to meet as well as business leaders from several Chinese companies, many of which produce electric batteries or renewable energy technologies. The visit comes at a complex moment for Europe and China. The tariffs announced last week and then paused by US president Donald Trump could mean that the European Union pursues more trade with China, the worlds third-largest consumer market after the United States and the EU. Chinese President Xi Jinping attends an event with international business representatives at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (AP/Ng Han Guan) There is also growing concern in the EU about China flooding the bloc with discounted goods as a result of US tariffs, which would hurt European producers. Mr Sanchezs government has said that EU-member Spain wants to expand its economic ties with China. A trade war favors no one. We all will lose, Mr Sanchez said after meeting with Vietnamese leaders in Hanoi on Thursday, where he signed commercial agreements ahead of his visit to Beijing. Spains government spokeswoman Pilar Alegria said earlier this week that Mr Sanchezs trip has special importance and is an opportunity to diversify markets Spain could see as much as 80% of its exports to the US impacted by Mr Trumps tariffs. US treasury secretary Scott Bessent called out Spain for its move toward China, saying on Tuesday that Spainor any country that tries to get closer to Chinawould be cutting their own throat because Chinese manufacturers will be looking to dump goods that they cannot sell in the US. Expanding the trade relations that we have with other countries, including a partner as important as China, does not go against anyone, Spains agriculture minister, Luis Planas, who accompanied Mr Sanchez, said in Vietnam on Wednesday. President Donald Trump speaks as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House (Pool via AP) Everyone has to defend their own interests, Mr Planas said. Spain the eurozones fourth-largest economy and a leader in growth has in recent years been less adversarial toward China than other EU countries. After initially supporting EU tariffs placed last year on Chinese-made electric vehicles, which European leaders have said enjoy unfair advantages compared to European car makers, Spain abstained from voting on the customs duty. Mr Planas insisted that Spains approach to China contributes to the collective effort made by certain countries in the European Union to get out of this situation. Spains position has changed to be more pro-China than the average European country, said Alicia Garcia-Herrero, an economist for Asia Pacific at the French investment bank Natixis and an expert on Europes relations with China. A judge is set to decide whether to proceed with resentencing hearings for Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents, in light of Los Angeles new district attorney opposing their release after 30 years behind bars. The brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole at ages 18 and 21 after being convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. While the defence argued they acted out of self-defence after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said the brothers killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance. Erik and Lyle have not only taken responsibility, theyve become the kind of men this system is supposed to help create. If rehabilitation doesnt matter here, when does it? Los Angeles Countys previous progressive district attorney, George Gascon, sought resentencing for the brothers before he lost re-election to tough-on-crime candidate Nathan Hochman in November. Mr Gascon had asked a judge to change the brothers sentence to 50 years to life, which would make them immediately eligible for release under California law because they committed the crime when they were younger than 26. But last month, Mr Hochman submitted a motion to withdraw that request, saying he did not support the brothers resentencing because they had not admitted to lies they told as the case unfolded about why they killed their parents and did not fully recognise, acknowledge, and accept complete responsibility for their crime. On Friday, the court will decide whether to allow prosecutors to withdraw their resentencing motion. If that request is granted, the judge also will decide whether to proceed independently with the brothers resentencing hearings, which are tentatively scheduled for April 17 and 18. The district attorneys opposition poses a major hurdle for the brothers, whose path to resentencing was all but certain with Mr Gascons support. The familys relationship with Mr Hochman has also soured. Most of the brothers extended family supports their resentencing. Milton Andersen, Kitty Menendezs brother and the sole relative who opposed their release, died last month. Tamara Goodall, a cousin of the brothers, submitted a complaint with the state asking that Mr Hochman be removed from the case, citing his bias against the brothers and alleging he violated a law meant to protect victims rights. Mr Hochman had a hostile, dismissive and patronising tone in meetings with the family and created an intimidating and bullying atmosphere, Ms Goodall wrote. In their response to the district attorneys motion to withdraw the resentencing request, lawyers for the Menendez brothers questioned whether Mr Hochman had legitimate reasons for doing so or was influenced by a change of political winds. The lawyers pointed out that Mr Hochman demoted Nancy Theberge and Brock Lunsford, the two deputy district attorneys who filed the original resentencing motion. Ms Theberge and Mr Lunsford have since filed legal cases against Mr Hochman alleging harassment, discrimination and retaliation for their work on the Menendez brothers case. The law requires fairness, not personal vendettas, Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of the brothers, said in a statement. Erik and Lyle have not only taken responsibility, theyve become the kind of men this system is supposed to help create. If rehabilitation doesnt matter here, when does it? Mr Hochmans office denied any political influence on their decision-making in their reply and doubled down on the position that Erik and Lyle Menendez fabricated their self-defence claim in the murders of their parents and had not achieved full rehabilitation. Without resentencing, the brothers would still have two other pathways to freedom. They have submitted a clemency plea to California governor Gavin Newsom, who has ordered the state parole board to investigate whether the brothers would pose a risk to the public if they are released. The parole board is scheduled to hold its final hearings June 13. The brothers also submitted a petition for habeas corpus in May 2023 asking the court to grant them a new trial in light of new evidence presented. Mr Hochmans office also filed a motion opposing the petition. Istanbuls jailed opposition mayor appeared in court on Friday in one of multiple cases against him. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside Silivri prison, west of Istanbul, where the hearing was taking place. Ekrem Imamoglu has been held at Silivri since March 23. The case alleges that he threatened a public prosecutor, and is one of six that predate his arrest last month, which led to nationwide protests. Addressing the judge, Imamoglu said he was in court because he had won three elections against the person who thinks he owns Istanbul, a reference to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who launched his political career as the citys mayor in the 1990s. Supporters gathered outside Silivri prison (Francisco Seco/AP) Mr Erdogan was heavily involved in backing his partys candidates against Imamoglu. The hearing was attended by Imamoglus wife and son, MPs from the Republican Peoples Party, or CHP, Halk TV and other outlets reported. The case was adjourned to June 16. The mayor, who is also the main opposition challenger to Mr Erdogans 22-year rule at the next election, faces more than seven years in prison and a political ban for allegedly targeting, threatening and insulting persons working in the fight against terrorism. The charge stems from comments he made on January 20 in which he criticised Istanbul chief public prosecutor Akin Gurlek over criminal cases brought against other opposition figures. Imamoglu was arrested on March 19 in relation to two investigations, one focusing on corruption in the Istanbul municipality and another alleging terrorism links in his partys electoral pact with pro-Kurdish politicians. Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the prison (Francisco Seco/AP) Demonstrations calling for his release and an end to Turkeys democratic backsliding under Mr Erdogan led to some 2,000 people being detained for attending protests banned by the authorities. The mayor was officially nominated as the CHP presidential candidate while in custody. An election is due to be held in 2028 but may come sooner, and Imamoglus imprisonment has been widely viewed as politically motivated, although the government insists Turkeys judiciary is independent and free of political influence. Also on Friday, two other courts in Istanbul were holding hearings on cases against Imamoglu. One is a bid-rigging case that dates back 10 years, when he was mayor of Istanbuls Beylikduzu district. The other alleges illegal donation collection and stems from a video circulated in the run-up to last years local elections showing CHP staff counting bundles of cash. Italian authorities said they were transferring 40 migrants with no permission to remain in the country to Italian-run migration detention centres in Albania. It appeared to be the first time a European Union country was sending rejected migrants to a nation outside the EU that is neither their own nor a country they had transited on their journey. Italian media reported the migrants had left the Italian port of Brindisi. A migrant processing centre at the port of Shengjin, Albania as the first group of migrants intercepted in international waters have arrived (Vlasov Sulaj/AP/File) The Italian government has not released their nationalities or further details. The migrants will be held in Italian-built and run migrant centres located in Shengjin port, 66 kilometres (40 miles) northwest of the capital, Tirana, and in Gjader. They were built to process asylum requests of migrants intercepted in the Mediterranean Sea by Italy. But since their inauguration in October, Italian courts have stopped authorities from using them and small groups of migrants were returned to Italy. It is not clear how long the rejected asylum-seekers may stay in Albania. In Italy they can be detained for up to 18 months pending deportation. Italys far-right-led government of Premier Giorgia Meloni approved a decree last month that expanded the use of the Albanian fast-track asylum processing centres to include the detention of rejected asylum seekers with deportation orders. While the announcement was in line with a recent EU Commission proposal that would allow EU countries to set up so-called return hubs, the proposal has yet to be fully approved. Migrant rights organisations and lawyers say it violates the right to seek asylum and sets a dangerous precedent. Some experts and rights groups question the transfers Migration experts consulted by The Associated Press say it is unclear how legal Italys actions were and that they would likely be challenged in court. They need to show they are doing something with this incredibly expensive structure, said Meghan Benton of the Migration Policy Institute. Speaking from Toulouse, France, Ms Benton said other EU countries are interested in doing the same, including the Netherlands with Uganda. Francesco Ferri, a migration expert with Action Aid, who was among a group of non-governmental organisations and Italian legislators visiting Albania to follow the migrant transfer, said there is no legislation in Italian law, nor in EU law, nor in the Albania-Italy agreement that would allow rejected asylum-seekers to be deported directly from Albania, making the purpose of the transfer unclear. For us it is unacceptable, Mr Ferri said. The Albanian centres opened in October but they remained substantially inactive due to legal hurdles and wide opposition from human rights associations, which believe they violate international laws and put migrants rights at risk. The November 2023 agreement between Italy and Albania worth nearly 800 million euros over five years allows up to 3,000 migrants intercepted by the Italian coast guard in international waters each month to be sheltered in Albania and vetted for possible asylum in Italy or repatriation. Italy has agreed to welcome those migrants who are granted asylum, while those whose applications are rejected face deportation directly from Albania. The first three groups of 73 migrants transferred there in October, November and January spent only a few hours in Albania and were returned to Italy after Italian magistrates refused to validate their detention in the non-EU country. So far this year, 11,438 migrants landed on Italian shores, less than the 16,090 who arrived in the same period last year. Most arrived from Bangladesh, followed by Syria, Tunisia and Egypt, according to the Italian Interior Ministry. The former chief executive of Abercrombie & Fitch is suffering from dementia and is not competent to stand trial on sex trafficking charges, prosecutors and his lawyers have said. Michael Jeffries requires around-the-clock care because the 80-year-old has Alzheimers disease, Lewy body dementia and the residual effects of a traumatic brain injury, defence attorneys wrote in a letter filed in a New York federal court on Thursday, citing recent evaluations by medical professionals. Prosecutors and defence lawyers want a federal judge in Central Islip to place Jeffries in the custody of the federal bureau of prisons for up to four months so that he can be admitted to hospital and receive treatment that might allow his criminal case to proceed. Jeffries has been free on a 10 million-dollar bond since pleading not guilty to federal sex trafficking and interstate prostitution charges in October. Prosecutors say Jeffries, his romantic partner and a third man lured men to drug-fuelled sex parties in New York City, the Hamptons and other locations by dangling the promise of modelling for the retailers ads. Jeffriess lawyers say medical professionals have concluded that his cognitive issues are progressive and incurable (Rebecca Blackwell/AP) Lawyers for Jeffries did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday, and the US attorneys office for the eastern district of New York declined to comment. In their letter, Jeffriess lawyers said at least four medical professionals concluded that their clients cognitive issues are progressive and incurable and that he will not regain his competency and cannot be restored to competency in the future. They said the doctors found that his cognitive issues significantly impair his ability to understand the charges against him, and to consult and participate with his counsel in his defence. The progressive nature of his neurocognitive disorder ensures continued decline over time, further diminishing his already limited functional capacity, Dr Alexander Bardey, a forensic psychiatrist, and Dr Cheryl Paradis, a forensic psychologist, wrote following their December evaluations. It is, therefore, our professional opinion, within a reasonable degree of psychological and psychiatric certainty, that Mr Jeffries is not competent to proceed in the current case and cannot be restored to competency in the future. Jeffries left Abercrombie in 2014 after leading the company for more than two decades. He presided over the retailers evolution from a Manhattan hunting and outdoor goods store founded in 1892 to a fixture of teen mall culture during the early 2000s. Jeffries partner, Matthew Smith, has also pleaded not guilty and remains out on bond, as does their co-defendant, James Jacobson. April 10, 2025 Idaho State University President Robert Wagner and Tribal Council Chairman Lee Juan Tendoy raised the Shoshone-Bannock tribal flag on ISUs Quad and signed a Memorandum of Agreement Wednesday to signify a continued partnership between the University and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. Today's ceremony is more than a symbolic gesture; it is an affirmation of our commitment to strengthening partnerships with Native Nations, ensuring that Indigenous voices, knowledge, and traditions are woven into the fabric of our university, Wagner said. We recognize that higher education is enriched by the wisdom, perspectives, and leadership of Indigenous scholars, students, and community membersThrough collaboration with the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes we continue to build meaningful initiatives that promote education and research to support all student success. The agreement includes continued support for the Tribal/University Advisory Board, a committee composed of representatives from both the University and Tribes, along with students who are Shoshone-Bannock tribal members or descendants. The agreement also includes creating mutually agreeable protocols for Native American-related research and cultural preservation. Idaho State University recently initiated a tuition benefit for the members of Idahos five federally-recognized Native American tribes. This Program offers a reduced tuition rate to members of Idahos five federally-recognized Native American tribes, recognizing the unique sovereignty of their tribal nations. Tendoy offered a prayer song and a flag song to commemorate the event. Id like to thank everyone here today, in our homelands, with our beautiful mountains over there, Tendoy said. We always talk about seven generations, and as a council and as our people we always think about our future, and how we want to instill some innovative ideas and inspiration. The land on which Idaho State Universitys Pocatello campus sits is within the original Fort Hall reservation boundaries and is the traditional and ancestral home of the Shoshone and Bannock peoples. May this flag, flying proudly on this campus, serve as a lasting symbol of our shared commitment to learning, respect, and partnership. And may the Memorandum of Agreement lead to a deeper and more impactful relationship between the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and Idaho State University, Wagner said. Recently, an Indonesian company and a Chinese enterprise in Xiamen City, east China, held a cooperation memorandum signing ceremony. The two sides will carry out in-depth cooperation in satellite remote sensing data application, smart agriculture and other fields. remaining of Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. By Dr Mustafa Fetouri The basic definition of concentration camp is simple: a large place where a large group of people, usually civilians, are imprisoned without due process. There are various reasons as to why they are kept in confinement, including their ethnicity, religion or because they oppose the authorities ordering their imprisonment. Encyclopaedia Britannica goes further, describing the targeted group as belonging to the Other more than for just being individuals, simply because of their belonging and identification with a certain way of life. It also explains that a concentration camp must not be described as a prison because that implies that the people held there have broken the law, and that due legal process was followed. And why might people be kept in such place? For security reasons [and] exploitation or [collective] punishment, says the encyclopaedia. Inside concentration camps there is no differentiation between individuals based on age or health, meaning that those so detained can include children, women, the elderly and the chronically ill. Even worse, while they are confined they are generally denied access to health care, decent living spaces, and access to basics such as water, food and electricity. They are usually given the bare minimum of such necessities. From this we can determine that there is a prime example of such a camp in the Gaza Strip. The enclave fits such a description perfectly, except for being described as an open-air prison; more on this later. The group of people who are kept in the Gaza concentration camp are Palestinians, Arab and predominantly Muslims and civilians. Nobody in the mainstream media, particularly in the West, has to my knowledge pointed out that in October 2023 Israel started to transform the enclave into a 21st century concentration camp. Between 2007 and 2023, when the current genocide started, Israel was already controlling all of the crossing points into Gaza, determining who could enter and leave, and limiting the amount of food, medicine, fuel and everything else, including machinery and general items. This policy suffocated the Palestinian economy in the enclave, pushing unemployment up to almost 85 per cent from a pre-war figure of around 46 per cent. Almost 90 per cent of the population, some two million people, have been displaced at least twice as they try to survive the indiscriminate bombardment of the Israeli army. Moreover, it is Israels standard policy to make sure that the majority of Palestinians are pacified against resisting the occupation of their land, which is their legitimate right. This strategy was formulated in a metaphor that says that it is necessary to mow the grass every now and then, a sick euphemism for bombing Gaza to deter resistance. In a paper entitled Mowing the Grass: Israels Strategy for Protracted Intractable Conflict, written by two Israeli academics, they analyse the strategy as simply non-stop war, with no end in sight. Since October 2023, that has become destroying the lawns. Israelis former defence minister used a more specific term when, last year, he was commenting on Israeli efforts to end resistance in the occupied West Bank. Yoav Gallant, indicted by the International Criminal Court as a war criminal, said that, We are mowing the grass, [but] the moment will also come when we will pull out the roots. In many news reports Gaza is being described as an open-air prison, but in light of the ongoing genocide such a description is an understatement and potentially misleading since it implies that the people kept inside have been through due legal process, been charged and found guilty or are awaiting sentencing by a legitimate court. This is not the case, though. The entire population is being punished, indiscriminately, without any due process. Furthermore, they are being forced into this situation by an occupying power that has no legal justification for its continued occupation of Palestinian land. No matter who you are in Gaza, you arent getting enough if any food, water, medicine and fuel. Babies, children, women and the elderly are no exception. All are suffering from what Gallant ordered in 2023: a complete siege on the Gaza Strip. There will be no electricity, no food, no fuel; everything is closed. Concentration, Digital, Midjourney, 2025 All of this is part of Israels transformation of the Gaza Strip into a concentration camp. The ongoing genocide is part of long-term strategy of ethnic cleansing to clear all Palestinians out of Gaza so that Donald Trump can have his Riviera of the Middle East. His plan, of course, is not only fundamentally flawed, but also illegal and potentially a crime against humanity. The question remains: how long can Israel and its backers sustain such strategies after trying them for decades without achieving their desired results? If Israel wants to end the Palestinian resistance in Gaza and beyond it must first end its occupation of the land that it has been stealing over the past eight decades, not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank including East Jerusalem (as well as Syria and Lebanon). Israel will not have peace until it views Palestinians as human beings and not human animals (Gallant again); people with legitimate rights within Israel itself and beyond. The idea that lethal, overwhelming force will, one day, destroy Palestinian identity and force the people of Palestine to accept the status quo is a fantasy. Years of oppression, killing and ethnic cleansing have not prevented the rise of Hamas and other resistance groups, or their ability to fight back despite their losses. Resistance is a symptom of Israels brutal military occupation, not its cause. End the occupation, and there is no need for resistance, and what is possibly the worlds only 21st century concentration camp can return to normal. The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment. Ann Arbor (Informed Comment) Laura Silver at the Pew Research Center reports that 53% of Americans now have a negative view of Israel, a stark deterioration from 42% in spring 2022 before the Israeli total war on Gaza. Moreover, in just 3 years the percentage of Americans with very negative views of Israel has nearly doubled, from 10% to 19%. That is nearly one in five Americans. The deterioration is bipartisan, though there are differences between the parties. Some 69% of Democrats and those who lean toward the Democratic Party have an unfavorable view of Israel now, whereas 37% of Republicans do. But among younger voters these differences are diminished. Half of Republicans under 50 years of age view Israel negatively, while 71% of Democrats in that age group have an unfavorable view of the country. Favorability ratings toward Israel of Americans, 1975-2025. ChatGPT That age trend does not bode well for Israel. As the older Baby Boom generation shaped by memories of the Holocaust, the film Exodus, and the 1967 Six-Day War recedes, they are replaced by Gen X, Millennial and Gen Z Americans who have never known an Israel that was not geopolitically dominant in the Middle East and was not ruling over millions of oppressed and stateless Palestinians. There are differences among religions and Christian denominations. Some 53% US Catholics view Israel negatively, perhaps influenced by Pope Franciss denunciations of the Israeli war on Gaza civilians. So Catholic thinking on the matter exactly mirrors that of Americans in general. About half of mainline white Protestants (Methodists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, etc.) view Israel negatively. Some 81% of American Muslims have a negative view of Israel. And 69% of the religiously unaffiliated (about 15% of the population and about a third of people under 30) view Israel negatively. On the other hand, the vast majority of white Evangelicals, some 20% of the country, have a positive view of Israel. And of course American Jews similarly have a positive view of Israel. But Evangelical Christians and Jews are increasingly out of step with the rest of America on this issue. With regard to the current Israeli leadership, however, there is more negativity across the board. 53% of Jewish Americans dont trust Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to do the right thing. A similar proportion of Catholics take a dim view of Netanyahu, while 49% of mainstream white Protestants do not trust him to do the right thing. Only 15% of Americans like Trumps idea of America taking over the Gaza strip. 62% of Americans oppose this plan, and nearly half strongly oppose it. Among the under-50 set, moreover, there is a significant drop in the number of Americans who even think the Israel-Gaza conflict is important to them or US interests. About 41% of Republicans under 50 dont think it is, such that they are the most skeptical group in the poll. Only 51% of Democrats under 50 think the conflict is important to them and US interests. Older Americans tend to think the conflict is important to them and the US, but there is a substantial drop-off in younger voters. Falling off the Charts, Digital, Dream / Dreamland v3/ IbisPaint, 2025 Slightly more Americans think Trump is too pro-Israel than think he strikes the right balance. The Israeli government has a whole cabinet ministry dedicated to propagandizing Americans to love Israel, give it money, and smear critics of any Israeli policy as antisemites. While it and its American allies, including the Evangelicals, have had enormous success on Capitol Hill and in the White House, their campaign is collapsing on main street across the country. It is hard to know how consequential the collapse in support for Israel is. Public opinion means little in American day-to-day politics, except insofar as it affects elections. Even then, people vote on bread and butter issues and may not even know where their congressional representative stands on Israeli policies. Moreover, despite the collapse of support for Israel among the Democratic rank and file, congressional Democrats and the party leadership are so pro-Israel that they mostly are willing to overlook the ongoing genocide perpetrated by the Israeli military against Palestinian civilians in Gaza. I do think it is likely that the attempt heavy-handedly to impose pro-Israel views by the Trump administration and the use of this issue (misconstrued as antisemitism) will further cast Israel in a negative light for many Americans. But the current cut-off by Netanyahu of all food and other aid for Gaza while he shoots fish in a barrel has the potential for creating widespread hunger, the images of which will certainly driven a further wedge between most Americans and the far, far rightwing Israeli government. Click here to donate via PayPal. Personal checks should be made out to Juan Cole and sent to me at: Juan ColeP. O. Box 4218,Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2548USA(Remember, make the checks out to Juan Cole or they cant be cashed) The defendant is not on trial because he arrested people. The defendant is on trial based on how he and other Junglers treated, tortured them. People have choices. Junglers had choices. The defendant is on trial based on the choices he made, prosecutor Marie Zisa told the jury on April 8. Witness hearings in the trial of Michael Sang Correa for torture and conspiracy to commit torture commenced on Tuesday in Denver, United States, after a day for jury selection. Correa is prosecuted as a former Jungler, a hit-squad under Gambias president Yahya Jammeh (1994-2017). He is accused of having tortured several individuals allegedly involved in a coup attempt in Gambia in 2006. In Judge Christine Aguellors courtroom, the defence attorneys were seated on the left side of the room and the prosecution on the right, each team around a circular table. The defence team sat across from the Gambians who travelled to Denver to observe the trial, including members of Gambian civil society. Although a majority of them, including an alleged victim who is not a witness in this trial, have been advocating for Correa to be brought to justice, in a trial taking place thousands miles away from home, they appear to be the accuseds closest peers. The defendant, who turned 46 the day his trial opened, walked towards his counsels smiling, smartly dressed in a black suit with a white shirt underneath. Unrecognisable to many of the Gambians in the room, he now keeps a beard which looks like its been dyed in the middle, high-top dreadlocks in a ponytail and neatly shaved sides. President Jammeh instructed personnel of his security forces involving Junglers and NIA [National Intelligence Agency] to torture the victims. The NIA and the Junglers agreed to commit this torture. In particular the defendant and others [brought] these coup plotters to the NIA, continued Zisa. There, they were questioned by a panel. You say what the panel wants you to say, or face the wrath of the Junglers. The confessions were then used against the victims. According to the prosecution, Correa was a willing participant. The victims will not forget. The victims do not forget him. A coercion and under duress defence The defence argument is that Correa committed the crimes because he feared for his life and safety. It sets to establish that he was forced to participate in the torture of his victims. Correas lawyers cited Musa Jammeh, Tumbul Tamba and Manlafi Corr as examples of Junglers who were close to Jammeh but later killed by him when suspected of being part of a plot. Junglers had to carry out Yahya Jammehs orders without question. [By] 2010, many Junglers were arrested, tortured. And we see where he [Correa] fits: he was at the bottom. You will hear that they were ordered to go to the Junglers. It [was] not a choice, defence attorney Jared Westbroek argued. There is no conspiracy, he said, referring to one of the charges against his client. You cannot have an agreement when you did not have choices. Mr Jammeh knew what you did and he will have his State Guard pick you up. Everybody knew that this was what was going to happen to you. Mr Correa knew what was going to happen to him because this is what happened to other Junglers. In the end, we will ask you to find Mr Correa not guilty because he was coerced, he was under duress, Westbroek said. He stressed that the defendant was only a private in the army. Jammeh was the law. Junglers who refused to torture Major Yahya Darboe, the prosecutions third witness, didnt agree with this explanation. He told the court that during his torture, Junglers Malick Jatta and Bora Colley refused to participate and he was not aware of anything happening to them as a result. Darboe was an adjutant to the commanding officer of Yundum Barracks, a military camp near Banjul, Gambias capital city, at the time of the 2006 coup attempt. He was approached by Major Wassa Camara about the coup. Darboes role was to get the support of soldiers in his battalion and also control the airport. After the foiled coup attempt, he was arrested at his house and taken to Mile 2 prison, the main and most infamous detention center in the country. Darboe recalled being taken to the NIA at least four times, where he was tortured by the Junglers, leading to lifelong injuries and suffering. Darboe was hit in the left eye at the NIA and pictures of scars left behind by melted plastic bags on his skin were exhibited in court. He was not free from the Junglers tortures even after they forced a confession out of him. He identified Correa, Dembo Jarju and Sanna Manjang as the Junglers who participated most in the tortures. These are terrible people, he said. He [referring to Correa] was more aggressive. I could not believe it was the Michael Correa that I knew before. (Correa had worked under his command in 2004 at the Yundum Barracks.) During those times you were at the NIA, did you see the Junglers being ordered? prosecutor Laura Cramer-Babycz asked. The witness responded in the affirmative, stating that Musa Jammeh, the principal protection officer to Yahya Jammeh, was giving them orders. One charge less The trial commenced with some relief for the defense. On the first day the court dismissed one of the charges against Correa because Bunja Darboe, one of the witnesses in the indictment, will not be available to testify. At the time of the 2006 coup, Lieutenant Colonel Darboe was the military assistant to Ndure Cham, the then Chief of Defense Staff who spearheaded the coup. Following his gruesome torture by the Junglers including Correa, according to him he was made to read a false statement on national television, implicating himself in the coup. Darboe was a witness in the trial of Gambias former interior minister Ousman Sonko that took place in Switzerland in 2024. He had testified against Sonko for his involvement in his victimisation following the March 2006 coup, which is one of the crimes Sonko has been convicted for. But according to the Gambian authorities, Darboe, who is still on active duty in the military, will not be able to appear in Correas trial because he has been deployed to another country. As a result this particular charge of torture was dismissed by the court. The United Nations warned on Friday that the cumulative impact of Israel's actions in Gaza threatened "the future viability of Palestinians as a group" in the war-torn territory. UN rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani highlighted "the death, the destruction, the displacement, the denial of access to basic necessities within Gaza and the repeated suggestion that Gazans should leave the territory entirely". Taken together, those factors "raise real concerns as to the future viability of Palestinians as a group in Gaza", she told reporters in Geneva. The "cumulative effect of what is happening in Gaza today... takes our concerns to a new level", she said. Shamdasani in particular pointed to the dire impact Israel's ongoing airstrikes were having on civilians, lamenting that "a large percentage of fatalities are children and women". She told reporters that Israel had launched around 224 strikes on residential buildings and tents housing displaced people between March 18 and April 9. "In some 36 strikes about which the UN Human Rights Office corroborated information, the fatalities recorded so far were only women and children," she said. Shamdasani cited an April 6 strike on a residential building in Deir el-Balah belonging to the Abu Issa family, which reportedly killed one girl, four women and a four-year-old boy. - 'Nowhere safe' - Even the areas where Palestinians were being instructed to go in the expanding number of Israeli "evacuation orders" were also being subjected to attacks, the rights office spokeswoman said. The strikes across Gaza were "leaving nowhere safe", she said. As an example, Shamdasani took the Israel army's order for civilians to move to the Al Mawasi area of the southern city of Khan Yunis. Despite this "strikes continued on tents in that area housing displaced people, with at least 23 such incidents recorded by the office since 18 March", she said. Shamdasani referred to a March 31 order by the Israeli military covering all of Rafah, the southernmost governorate in Gaza, followed by a large-scale ground operation. Israel has said its troops are seizing "large areas" in Gaza and incorporating them into buffer zones cleared of their inhabitants. "Large areas are being seized and added to Israel's security zones, leaving Gaza smaller and more isolated," Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday. "Let us be clear, these so-called evacuation orders are actually displacement orders, leading to displacement of the population of Gaza into ever-shrinking spaces," Shamdasani said. "Permanently displacing the civilian population within occupied territories amounts to forcible transfer... and it is a crime against humanity." Hirosue Ryoko, a popular Japanese actress known as the "Nation's Daughter," was arrested early Wednesday morning for allegedly assaulting a nurse at Shimada City General Medical Center. The incident occurred around 12:20 a.m. on April 8, shortly after Hirosue, 43, was transported to the hospital to treat minor injuries sustained in a highway collision. According to local reports, she allegedly kicked a female nurse and grabbed her by the arm, resulting in abrasions on the nurse's body. Eyewitness accounts suggest that Hirosue had been in Nara Prefecture earlier that day to film a movie. Following the shoot, she was involved in a car accident while returning to Tokyo. Reports indicate that her manager was present in the vehicle but was not driving at the time of the crash. Following her arrest, Hirosue underwent an initial drug screening and tested negative for illegal substances. However, authorities have not ruled out the possibility of drug use related to legal medications as the investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding both the collision and the alleged assault. This is just the latest saga in Hirosue's personal life. In June 2023, she made headlines after admitting to an affair with celebrity chef Toba Shusaku, which she initially denied but later apologized for publicly. No statements have been made yet on behalf of Hirosue about the new allegations. The actress has been featured in many movies and TV series since the nineties, for example, "Wasabi" (2001), "Departures" (2008), and so on. An investigation into the incident is reportedly ongoing. Friday, April 11, 2025 - A matatu belonging to the troubled Super Metro Sacco was involved in an accident along Thika Road on Thursday night. Reports indicate that the ill-fated matatu was headed from Thika to Nairobi CBD when the accident occurred at around 11 pm. The driver rammed into a lorry at Ruiru, sustaining serious leg injuries. Two passengers who were seated in front were also injured and were rushed to a nearby hospital. The driver had complained that he was feeling sleepy before the accident. He didnt notice the truck ahead of him, which was moving but at a slower speed. As a result, he rammed into it from behind, said one of the passengers. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) had suspended Super Metros operating license on March 20th, citing non-compliance with safety regulations. Further, NTSA demanded that over 200 buses from the Sacco be subjected to inspection and conduct a road safety sensitization program. Watch the video of the accident scene. A sleepy Super Metro bus driver rams into a lorry along Thika Road - These Super Metro buses are moving coffins pic.twitter.com/ncu4PbbUV5 DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) April 11, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 11, 2025 - The Supreme Court of Kenya has today dismissed an appeal filed by Ruth Wanjiku Kamande, popularly known as Miss Langata, who was convicted in 2015 for the murder of her boyfriend, Farid Mohamed Halim. Kamande moved to the Supreme Court, urging it to consider the applicability of the doctrine of Battered Woman Syndrome as part of her defence. However, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeal on the grounds that the issue of Battered Woman Syndrome had not been raised during the trial at the High Court or in the Court of Appeal. The Court held that legal issues not previously addressed in lower courts cannot be introduced at the Supreme Court level. Kamandes appeal was based on claims that the learned judges of the Court of Appeal erred in law by failing to consider and apply the doctrine of Battered Woman Syndrome when evaluating whether her actions could be reconciled with self-defence. She also argued that both the High Court and the Court of Appeal failed to fully assess the defence of self-defence she had advanced, and that the prosecution had not conclusively rebutted the elements of that defence, which she argued should have led to a reduced charge of manslaughter. In response, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) submitted a replying affidavit arguing that the appeal lacked merit. The DPP noted that the grounds raised had not been introduced in earlier proceedings. Specifically, there had been no mention of Battered Woman Syndrome, nor was there any medical evidence submitted at trial to indicate that Kamande had experienced prolonged intimate partner violence. Furthermore, the DPP pointed out that Kamande chose to give an unsworn statement, which meant her claims could not be tested through cross-examination. The prosecution, represented by Ms. Fredah Mwanza and Ms. Magdalene Ngalyuka, further argued that while the doctrine of Battered Woman Syndrome could, in some cases, inform a defence of insanity or self-defence, the accused bears the burden of proving such a defence on a balance of probabilities. They added that self-defence requires the accused to show that they perceived an imminent threat and used reasonable force in response, thresholds that the appellant failed to meet. In its determination, the Supreme Court found the appellants claims contradictory. It held that Kamande's evidence depicted a typical romantic relationship rather than one characterized by long-standing abuse. The Court noted that there was no history of sustained or severe violence brought forth, and the alleged altercation with the deceased appeared to have occurred solely on the day of the incident. The bench, comprising Chief Justice Martha Koome, Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu, and Justices Mohamed Ibrahim, Smokin Wanjala, and Njoki Ndungu, also highlighted that Kamande's choice to give an unsworn statement deprived the prosecution of the opportunity to test her evidence through cross-examination. The judges further underscored that the doctrine of Battered Woman Syndrome had never been explicitly or implicitly raised during the trial or appellate proceedings, despite being a well-established concept in legal doctrine since the 1970s. It was only brought up for the first time in the application for certification before the Court of Appeal. Accordingly, the Supreme Court found the appeal to be without merit and affirmed the rulings of the lower courts. Via: ODPP Friday, April 11, 2025 - Following thorough investigations, five individuals have been arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Court in Mombasa on charges of obtaining land registration through fraudulent means. The accused, Edward Marenye Kiguru, Abubakar Madey, and Joseph Matheka, are implicated in a fraudulent land registration scheme involving a 12-acre parcel of land in Miritini, Mombasa County, valued at over Sh150 million. This land, originally registered to Kingorani Investment Limited in the early 1990s, was unlawfully transferred to Mahmoud Abdalla Mahmoud and Mohamed Saleh Hassan. The investigation was initiated by a complaint regarding the eviction of employees of the complainant from the contested property by the five suspects. The resultant file was forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, who upon perusal granted consent to bring charges against the suspects. A manhunt ensued, resulting in the arrest of Edward Marenye Kiguru, a registered private surveyor in Mombasa County, on April 7, 2025. His accomplices, Mahmoud Abdalla Mahmoud and Mohamed Saleh Hassan, attempted to flee to Nairobi upon realizing that detectives were closing in on them. However, their escape was short-lived, as they were captured at their hideout in a Nairobi hotel and subsequently returned to Mombasa. Joseph Matheka, a land administrator recently based in Eldoret, was arrested at his residence in Kangundo Road. He had previously partnered with the fraudsters while serving in a similar capacity in Kilifi County. The final suspect, Abubakar Madey, a private registered physical planner also based in Mombasa, turned himself in to the police after a warrant for his arrest was issued. All the suspects pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the court granted them a bond of Sh500,000 or an alternative cash bail of Sh100,000, along with one surety of a similar amount for each. The pre-trial mention is scheduled for May 5, 2025. Courtesy: DCI. Friday, April 11, 2025 - A hilarious skit imagining President William Ruto and First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto on a casual date at a city restaurant has left netizens in stitches. The viral clip features a lookalike Ruto actor confidently walking into the restaurant, flanked by a woman who bears a striking resemblance to Mama Rachel. Greeted with presidential flair by restaurant staff, the skit perfectly captures Rutos signature mannerisms, down to his walk and speech patterns, making it pure comedy gold. Things take a funny twist when Ruto gets a call from his son George, complaining about his matatu being impounded. Unbothered, Ruto brushes him off, saying hes now an adult and must handle his issues. The witty punchlines and brilliant acting have left netizens thoroughly entertained! Watch the video below. Huku nje mko hadi na Rachel wenu wa ukweli Echoes of fayolense pic.twitter.com/KPN9PsgRi8 Abdulahi Adan (@AbdulahiAdan10) April 11, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 11, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto's administration, accusing it of using excessive force on innocent students from Butere Girls High School following the drama surrounding their Echoes of War play. The play, which explores themes of a Gen Z uprising against a repressive regime, was at the center of controversy after police officers lobbed tear gas at students during the National Drama Festivals in Nakuru on Thursday morning. The students had refused to perform the play and were returning to their bus when the incident occurred. Speaking during former President Mwai Kibakis memorial service at Serena Hotel on Friday, Gachagua condemned the incident, questioning the Governments aggression. We are looking at Butere Girls and unable to understand the viciousness against children by the present government. Even the colonial government spared the children, he said. They have gone berserk and are now fighting shadows, including school girls. How fluid is your government if girls can bring it down? He criticized the Ruto administration for prioritizing business over service, claiming, Hii serikali ni ya biashara. Watu wa intelligence, polisi, rais mwenyewe anatafuta biashara. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 11, 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been accused of leading the late Ann Muchiru to depression and shedding crocodile tears after her death. Gachagua took to social media to mourn the late Muchiru in an emotional-filled post. Muchiru was a businesslady, a political mobilizer, and the chairlady of the Mathira women dancers. It is now emerging that Muchirus woes began after Gachagua shut down a bar she owned in Mathira when he was the Deputy President, leading her to depression. He had also promised to help her son secure a job in Government after she helped him with campaigns. However, Gachagua abandoned her when he got into office. Muchiru died a poor woman despite campaigning effortlessly for the Kenya Kwanza regime. Muchirus family banned Gachagua from attending her burial in Kirinyaga for abandoning her. The burial turned chaotic after Gachagua sent goons to disrupt the ceremony and attack Mathira MP, Eric Wamumbi. Reports indicate that President William Ruto reportedly helped Muchirus son to get a job in Government when he recently visited Nyeri after hearing his plight. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 11, 2025 - Drama unfolded after Isiolo Governor, Abdi Guyo, stormed a police station while breathing fire and almost roughed up the OCS, accusing him of supervising the demolition of houses built on a contentious piece of land. In the video, the controversial Governor, who was linked to the dreaded Kayole Gaza criminal gang when he was an MCA, is seen confronting the OCS and protesting that he was terrorizing innocent locals. However, the OCS was just enforcing a court order. The police boss was seen walking away to avoid further confrontation. The dispute stems from a longstanding land dispute between the Kenyan Defence Forces and the Burat Ward Community, which has persisted for years. Watch the video. Isiolo Governor and former Gaza Gang financier, ABDI GUYO, storm a police station and almost beat up the OCS pic.twitter.com/Bv59vKLgi8 DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) April 11, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 11, 2025 - Seven people have died and several others were injured in a tragic road accident involving a 14-seater matatu at Kamandura Junction along the Nairobi-Nakuru highway in Kiambu County. The accident occurred on Friday morning at around 9 a.m. when the matatu, which was headed to Kijabe, lost control, veered off the road and rolled multiple times before landing in a ditch. Several passengers died on the spot. The injured were rushed to the nearby Tigoni Hospital for emergency treatment. Images from the crash site showed the matatu badly mangled, with a shattered windscreen, crushed seats, and deflated tyres - evidence of the severity of the impact. This latest tragedy comes just hours after another fatal crash occurred at the same spot, claiming three lives and leaving two others injured. Authorities have launched investigations into the incidents. The Kenyan DAILY POST Friday, April 11, 2025 - Butere Girls High School may have pulled out of performing their controversial play Echoes of War at the ongoing National Drama Festivals, citing state harassment - but they've certainly won over the internet. The powerful piece, centered on politics, leadership, and governance, has been widely interpreted as a bold mirror to Kenyas current political climate, fueling speculation of high-level censorship. Unfazed, netizens have turned the situation into satire, cleverly replacing war with words that hilariously describe various politicians. The creative twist has kept the play alive online - and turned it into an unexpected viral moment. Check out some of the memes. The Kenyan DAILY POST Eva Osborne Companies linked to the businessman Colm Wu are allegedly owed up to 3 million by the Department of Justice for providing accommodation to Ukrainian refugees, the High Court has heard. David Whelan SC, appearing for the liquidators of several of Mr Wus firms, on Thursday asked Mr Justice Mark Sanfey to make a direction compelling Mr Wu to provide documents supporting the claim that up to three of his firms are owed the money. Insolvency practitioners Myles Kirby and Padraic OMalley have taken High Court proceedings against Mr Wu, claiming the Chinese national was involved in a scheme to divert money out of his companies to pay debts and obligations. The liquidators claim Mr Wu had engaged in fraudulent and/or reckless trading and had transferred assets of the companies to related companies and in some cases to himself. It is alleged he failed to keep proper books and records, breached his fiduciary duties and was guilty of misfeasance. The liquidators say that based on investigations to date Mr Wu left creditors of the trading companies, as well as Revenue and trade creditors, unpaid in many instances. Instead, it is claimed, money that was the property of the companies, was used to pay the liabilities of other companies in a manner that benefited Mr Wu. On Thursday, Mr Wus counsel Ross Gorman BL, said the reasoning for the Department of Justices non-payment of fees to Abbey Lane Hotel (Property) Ltd a Wu-linked company for the housing of Ukranian refugees was the companys lack of a tax clearance certificate. The court heard that Mr Wu also does not personally hold a tax clearance certificate. Mr Gorman said he had no issue with providing documentation in support of his clients claims about the money owed. A letter sent by the liquidators solicitors to Mr Wus side on Wednesday invited the defendants to make certain concessions in the proceedings, Mr Gorman said. Mr Justice Sanfey said that he would adjourn the case to allow Mr Wu to consider the proposals in the letter. The judge said that he wanted to be apprised of Mr Wus attitude towards the letter, and asked that his response be furnished to the court. He adjourned the case to later in the month. The Flat season is back in full tilt and nowhere more so than the Curragh on Saturday, with the County Kildare track hosting an eight-race card this weekend. The action kicks off at 1.15pm with an 11-runner maiden contest over six furlongs before coming to a close four hours later at 5.10pm with a 15-runner handicap contest over the six furlong trip. Read below for a full preview of the Curragh card on Saturday, plus some selections for each race, courtesy of BoyleSports, who offer the latest Irish Grand National betting for the showpiece race at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday. The opening contest on the Curragh card this weekend sees a field of 11 head to the stalls for the six furlong maiden contest for two-year-olds (1.15). Powerhouse trainer Aidan OBrien has introduced some nice types in this race before and he has another with Extravagant this year, who cost 300,000 as a colt for connections and is a half-brother to three winners, including the top-class Cloth Of Stars and in this race is the choice of top jockey Ryan Moore so that speaks volumes. Race two on the card (1.50) looks a tough one to unpick but it could go the way of the Jessica Harrington-trained filly Cold Hearted, who just about holds the selection on form of the field despite finishing last when last seen in a Listed contestant newmarket to finish last season, prior to that she was in good nick. Of her rivals, newcomer No Alibi rates the main danger from the Paddy Twomey yard, a half-sister to the useful Treasure trove. OBrien and Moore can bring up a quickfire double on the card with Charles Darwin in race three at the Curragh (2.20), a brother to the very smart sprinter Blackbeard, while race four (2.50) can go the way of Cuban Grey in the five furlong handicap, a winner at Dundalk in January and a good head second of 11 to Emerald Harmony in a Bellewstown contest last week. A field of 11 will take on the Group 3 Express Stakes at 3.25, with a top prize of 41,400 up for grabs. Its a very competitive renewal but it can go the way of Aidan OBrien again with Whirl, who is taken to complete a hat-trick on her seasonal return having won the Staffordstown Stud Stakes last season. Ger Lyons newcomer Napaglia has the form to have a strong say in this one, off for six months after a good third of ten in a Saint-Cloud contest when last seen. I Bid You Ajou looks the one to beat in race six on the card (4.00) having proven to be a fairly reliable type and having finished second in a course and distance handicap last summer, while the penultimate race of the afternoon (4.35) is the feature race of the day with the Group 3 Alleged Stakes. OBrien once again has a very strong hand with the likes of St Leger winner Jan Brueghel, ruled out of a trip to the Melbourne Cup at the back end of last year, and the very smart Tower Of London - winner of the Curragh Cup eight months ago - pitching up but it could be worth chancing outside of the Coolmore yard this time with Crystal Black, who improved with each run for trainer Gerard Keane, who has four wins at this track and also won the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown last season. Finally, the cracking Curragh card comes to a close at 5.10 as a big field of 15 tackle the six furlong handicap, with preference in the finale heading the way of Surpass And Shine a respectable eight over course and distance six months ago and should be bang in there on seasonal return having found just one too good on a couple of occasions last season as well. Curragh selections - Saturday 1.15 - Extravagant 1.50 - Cold Hearted 2.20 - Charles Darwin 2.50 - Cuban Grey 3.25 - Whirl 4.00 - I Bid You Ajou 4.35 - Crystal Black 5.10 - Surpass And Shine THE boys national school in Maynooth has come joint second in the at the Irish League of Credit Unions (ILCU) Schools Quiz Grand Final. This was held in the RDS Dublin on Sunday, 6 April following months of intensive competition. This involved more than 25,000 students from across the island. The final saw 88 talented teams go head-to-head in a dramatic conclusion to the popular quiz. The atmosphere at the packed RDS venue was electric as competitors tackled challenging questions spanning subjects such as history, geography, science, popular culture, and general knowledge. The presenter and RTE personality John Sharpson, affectionately known as Muinteoir John from RTEs Home School Hub, hosted the nail-biting event. The coveted national titles were awarded to a school from Rathmore in Kerry (u11), and from Ballina, Co Mayo in the u13s. The lads from Maynooth, representing Life Credit Union, came second in the under 11 competition, and were represented by Noah Crompton, Stephen Marchyk, Leon McMonagle, and Daniel Tigue. The Credit Union Schools Quiz, a cornerstone of the ILCU's youth outreach, fosters the principles of teamwork, critical thinking, and knowledge-building among Irelands school children. The competition remains a highlight in the primary school calendar, underpinning the Credit Union movements commitment to nurturing community involvement and financial literacy from a young age. 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. KILDARE can take pride in the fact that it is the first and only county in Ireland to adopt an Irish language plan for facilitating the spread and promotion of our native language. An organistation that is at the forefront of that mission is Cill Dara le Gaeilge, set up in 2017 when the group began to set up the groundbreaking first ever language plan for any county in Ireland. The group works hard to regenerate the public perception of Irish with fresh ideas, and to promote it as a living language. Daithi de Faoite, Cathaoirleach of Cill Dara le Gaeilge, believes wholeheartedly in this mission and has worked together with fantastic staff and volunteers to deliver Irish language events and opportunities in Kildare. With events based primarily in Naas and Sallins, the group provides a great variety of activities for all ages and fluencies including the annual Feile na Sollan planned for this summer and the recent, successful Feile Sraide, which ran during the Seachtain na Gaeilge. We have had done comics through Irish. Art, cooking and dance workshops. Weve done international events. Weve had Irish classes through Arabic and Arabic classes through Irish. We really wanted to broaden the reach. Theres something in it for everyone, said Daithi. The group started in 2017 as they set off to put together their first language plan. In 2018 they had come up with a draft plan, and by 2019 they had published their five-year county plan. An Fheile Sraide The group recently published their second language plan in November 2024, which is set to be in place until 2030. With plans to strengthen access to Irish language learning and events across other parts of Kildare, the group has set up dedicated community groups across different areas of Kildare: We have structured community groups in different parts of Kildare in the five municipal areas, said Daithi. These areas include Naas, Maynooth, Leixlip, Newbridge and Athy. As the winner of the National Lottery 2024 Good Causes Awards in the Irish Language category, the group were delighted to receive this achievement, celebrating the hard work they do. It was our first time to enter a competition. We knew it was going to be tough competition, said DaithI. Winning was brilliant for the recognition it gave us. It also motivates us and helps us and gives us additional funding. The funding really helped us. Shout out to the National Lottery For Irish language groups across the board, funding has decreased with the cuts that were announced in February of this year. Foras na Gaeilge, which funds the groups activities and processes, suffered massive cuts to its funding at the start of the year. This had a major knock-on effect on groups like Cill Dara na Gaeilge who felt the pressure. Daithi explained: Groups have been protesting because of this. The impact it had on us was that certain events we would run we just couldnt. The challenge we have is on the funding side. Were running with 3% lower funding than what was agreed in 2023. With the funding from the 2024 award, the group was able to fund many important calendar events across the board such as the Meitheal na nOg event. The National Lottery funding has given us a boost. We started a family group, a book club, and a walking club, providing options for people that are just learning the language. With the groups onboarding of their first full-time staff member in 2021, they are always looking for funding opportunities to expand their team. With two now working full-time in the group, Daithi and the other members have an ambition for the addition of a full-time officer for youth and family. The group also wishes to set up a cultural centre in Kildare down the line to act as a base where people can come together to speak Irish, but also to partake in other Irish cultural activities. Aside from working with fluent Irish speakers, Cill Dara le Gaeilge wishes to broaden their scope to include all levels of Irish speakers, including students in English speaking schools. We want to provide opportunities to hear it spoken on the street. We need a creative solution to break traditional moulds, said Daithi. Attitudes towards it [the Irish language] is softening, so who knows where we might be in 10 years. We need to provide opportunities to those that dont go to Gaelscoils, he concluded. With the recent launch of the National Lotterys 2025 Good Causes Awards, community groups are invited to apply for the chance to win up to 25,000 for Good Cause of the Year and 10,000 for Category Winner, in one of seven categories, one of which being the Irish Language. Groups in Kildare should get their applications in soon for this wonderful funding opportunity before the deadline at 5pm on 11 April. The success of the Kilkenny Gift Card, resilience, progress and impactful engagement with the business community were the key points of a bright 2024 as Kilkenny Chamber held their annual meeting recently. The launch of the gift card, a prepaid credit card designed to keep consumer spending within the local economy, saw an 80,000 spend secured for the city and county across the end of 2024 and into 2025. READ NEXT: 'Momentous day' for Kilkenny as huge new project to be built on county's doorstep In December alone, 35,000 was spent using the gift card in over 120 outlets in Kilkenny, 25,000 in January, and 20,000 redeemed in Co Kilkenny in February. These outlets include cafes, restaurants, retail shops, hotels, pubs and more across the city and county. "Throughout the year, the Chamber has remained committed to its mission: to represent, support, and champion our members," said Chamber President Anne Barber, paying tribute to the hard work the Chamber has undertaken over the past year. "Our focus has remained steadfast - to create an environment where businesses can grow and flourish," she added. FOR MORE KILKENNY BUSINESS NEWS, CLICK HERE Read full coverage of the AGM in this week's Kilkenny People Business Section, available from Wednesday. Theres a patch of undulating hills in the south west corner of Kilkenny so incredibly rich in local folklore that a recent visit to the area sent my head spinning. Last Sunday, I set off for the village of Owning in South Kilkenny, in search of an object that has recently been brought to my attention on social media. That object: A stone. No ordinary stone, mind you, but a lifting stone a 120kg goliath that has quickly earned its place in the villages lore. The stone came to my attention via David Keohan, also known as Indiana Stones, a Waterford man who is attempting to revive the ancient tradition of stone lifting across Ireland. Stone lifting was a commonplace activity in Ireland before the Great Famine, particularly in the west of the country. In many towns and villages, a stone would be selected that was unique to that place. Those who could lift their local lifting stone confirmed their manhood, and the act itself brought bragging rights and societal status in often tight-knit communities. Inishmore native and well-known novelist Liam OFlaherty paints a magnificent picture of the activity in his short story, The Stone: It was a great day in each young mans life when he raised the stone from the ground and gave it wind as they said. And if he raised it to his knees, he was a champion, the equal of the best. And if he raised it to his chest, he was a hero, a phenomenon of strength and the men talked of him. Whereas, he who failed to lift it from the ground became the butt of everybodys scorn. It had always been so, from the time of the most remote ancestors of the people As myself and a friend landed into Owning village to examine the stone we had heard about, a man out walking took interest. Youre here trying to lift the stone?, he enquired, as we all stared at this mammoth object sitting atop a mound in the village called The Bulk. The Bulk has sat there resolutely for centuries, unperturbed by the movement of society and unphased by the winds of change. Situated between the local church and a pub, it was where politicians used to come and deliver speeches, where schoolyard scraps would be settled and where people from many generations gone by would arrange to meet. Many a life has been bookmarked by encounters at The Bulk, and it is continuing to spring forth stories and traditions. Interestingly, the Owning lifting stone was only recently freed from some mortar that had kept it in place on The Bulk. Local historian Paddy OShea has since informed me that the lifting of the stone in Owning is only a recent phenomenon, and certainly does not date back to pre-Famine times. When I first heard this news, I was slightly disappointed, but thinking about it further, that made this particular lifting stone incredibly unique. READ NEXT: Major stretch of greenway in Kilkenny is nearing completion Even though the tradition of lifting stones began hundreds of years ago, there must still be something in the Irish psyche that draws us to feats of strength, ritual, and connection to the past. The tradition of lifting this stone somehow managed to spring up organically, has taken root in the village, and is now slowly solidifying its own place in local lore. There are musings that the tradition in Owning began just a few decades ago, when men leaving the local pub after a few 'lemonades' dared one another to lift the stone. Eventually, the stone was unceremoniously mortared into the side of The Bulk, but now that it is free again, the act of lifting it as a show of strength is returning. When the stone was brought to the attention of David Keohan (Indiana Stones), he came to the village, lifted the stone, and walked it around The Bulk. That feat was covered by Reuters, one of the worlds leading news agencies, and now David Keohan is one of many strongmen in recent times who have come to the village with the sole intention of raising the stone. I wish I could report that my attempt to lift the stone was successful, but the 120kg beast refused to budge. Yet, in that struggle, I felt connected to something deeper a tradition not measured by success, but by the sheer act of trying. I can only hope the people of Owning will be kinder than those referenced in OFlahertys short story and spare me a lifetime of scorn. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE Two people have been arrested following a significant cash seizure at Dublin Airport. Gardai attached to the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau together say they along with colleagues from Revenue's Customs Service seized 342,000 in cash from two passengers earlier this week. The cash - all in Euro denomination - was discovered during an intelligence led operation. "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," said a spokesperson. Gardai have not disclosed if the passengers had arrived to or were about to depart Dublin Airport. READ ALSO: ALERT: Gardai in urgent appeal amid concerns for wellbeing of missing boy (15) Subject to court orders, the man and woman who were arrested can be detained for up to seven days without charge. Investigations into the seizure are ongoing. Irish TV host Graham Norton will join Doctor Who for an episode themed around the Eurovision Song Contest. The 62-year-old comedian, known for commentating on the European competition along with his BBC programme, The Graham Norton Show, will feature in the second season of Ncuti Gatwa playing the Doctor. The Interstellar Song Contest, which is the sixth episode, also features Radio 2 presenter Rylan Clark, who also serves as a commentator for the BBCs Eurovision coverage. Clark will play the co-host of the Interstellar Song Contest. Showrunner Russell T Davies said: Theres no song contest without the great man himself, and it was an honour to welcome Graham Norton to our studios in Cardiff. And its not just a cameo, he has a whole plot twist all to himself. This is the wildest episode of all, and were lucky to have Graham adding to the mayhem. Nortons acting career has included him playing a very chatty upbeat priest called Noel Furlong on Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted, and appearances as himself in Eurovision Song Contest: The Story Of Fire Saga, and Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. The Interstellar Song Contest episode will air on Saturday May 17, the date of the Eurovision final, which takes place this year in Switzerland. Sex Education star Gatwas return as the Doctor will begin on Saturday. During the series, he will be joined by new companion, Andor actress Varada Sethu, and former Coronation Street actress Millie Gibson in the returning role of Ruby Sunday. Guest stars of the new series include former EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, Slow Horses actors Christopher Chung and Freddie Fox, as well as Scottish actor Alan Cumming, who voices runaway cartoon Mr Ring-a-Ding. Tickets for the upcoming concert of a highly esteemed Irish band in Kilkenny have sold out. The High Kings will perform at The Hub, Cillin Hill on Saturday, April 19 at 8pm with fans coming from near and far to see the show live. And selling out arena is not unusual for the popular group. In March 2009, the folk group played five consecutive sold out shows to a packed audience in Dublins Olympia Theatre. READ NEXT: The long awaited completion of the Ring Road in Kilkenny may just have taken a step closer... The band formed in June 2007 and their debut album reached number two on the World Billboard Music Charts. The High Kings continue to set the bar extremely high for Irish Folk bands across the world and are widely regarded to be at the forefront of the genre. In 2019 after a 12 year journey The High Kings continue to perform in sell out venues across the globe to their ever-growing army of loyal fans that span generations. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE Angola, IN (46703) Today Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Mostly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Participating in the Belt and Road initiative, he emphasized, "is not just because it's the good thing to do, but it's an important economic development strategy." 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. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Ann O'Loughlin A boy who it was claimed suffered a face fracture after falling 18 feet to the ground through an alleged gap in a stair bannisters has settled a High Court action for 260,000. Kai Keane was just over two years of age when the accident happened as he walked upstairs to the family's second-floor apartment on returning from an outing with his father. His counsel, Dr John OMahony SC, told the High Court the boy, who is now nine years of age, fell two storeys to the ground level. Counsel said it was their case that there was, at the time,e alleged defective bannisters and the little boy fell down two levels and hit his head on the ground. The child, he said, was silent for two minutes, and then there were floods of tears. He was rushed to the hospital, where a significant fracture to the left side of his face was discovered, and he also had a black eye, Counsel said. Counsel said the settlement is without an admission of liability. The accident occurred on December 9th, 2017 where Kais family were renting an apartment in the apartment complex, Killiney Court, Seafield Road, Killiney, Dublin. Kai Keane, now age nine years of Dun Laoghaire, Dublin had through his mother Aoife Fagan sued letting agents Sherry Fitzgerald, who let out the apartment where the family lived at the time; Management Agent, Sky Property Management Ltd with registered offices at Sandyford, Dublin and the management company for the apartment complex Killiney Court Management with registered offices at Stepaside , Dublin. In the proceedings, it was claimed there was an alleged failure to find a safe means of access and egress for the child while on the premises. There was also it was contended an alleged failure to check, inspect, notice or maintain the guard rail so that it did not present as a falling risk. It was also claimed there was an alleged failure to provide a safe way for families to access their rented properties whether by a lift or a properly guarded stairs. All of the claims were denied, and the defendants further denied that the childs accident was contributed to by any alleged negligence or breach of duty on their part. Dr OMahony told the court there were issues in relation to causation in the case. He said experts on all sides would say there was an issue in relation to causation. Approving the settlement Mr Justice Paul Coffey said he was satisfied the offer was fair and reasonable and it was in the best interests of the boy that it be approved by the court. He wished Kai the best for the future. THE PEOPLE of Laois are urged to dig deep to help Cystic Fibrosis Ireland (CFI) meet its fundraising target of 300,000 on 65 Roses Day. This major fundraising event is taking place, today Friday 11 April, when volunteers across the country will be selling purple roses to support CFI in Dunnes Stores branches, shopping centres and other participating outlets. Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited chronic disease that primarily affects the lungs and digestive system. With 33 new cases diagnosed each year, Ireland has the highest incidence and some of the most severe types of CF in the world. Due to recent advancements in treatment and care, more than 1,400 people are now living with the disease and the number is increasing. The much-needed funds raised on 65 Roses Day will help to provide supports such as financial assistance and grants, a listening service and advocacy efforts to empower and support people living with CF and their families. Funds raised will also allow CFI to invest in research, specialist clinical teams and services to improve care for those living with the disease and ultimately find a cure. Encouraging people in Laois to go out and support 65 Roses Day this year is Sandra Delaney, who lives in Birr, Co Offaly. This Friday, 11 April, I am asking everyone in Laois to give generously on 65 Roses Day to help CFI to continue to provide the much-need support to all the families impacted by Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland, said Sandra. The name of the annual fundraising campaign, 65 Roses Day, stems from how young children often pronounce Cystic Fibrosis and its objective is to raise vital funds for CF services and supports throughout Ireland. People in Laois can get involved this 65 Roses Day by donating online at 65roses.ie or purchasing a purple rose in Dunnes Stores and other participating outlets. Rough Magic and the Gate Theatre are delighted to announce that Erica Murrays THE LOVED ONES, directed by Ronan Phelan will play Dunamaise Arts Centre, Portlaoise as part of an 8 venue NASC tour this spring. In a remote renovated farmhouse, Nell prepares to scatter her sons ashes with her grieving daughter-in-law, Orla, while Cheryl-Ann, a visitor from America, settles in for an idyllic break in the wilds of West Clare. However, their weekend plans will be turned upside down when an unexpected guest arrives looking for shelter, solace and understanding. In this beautiful play full of hope, humour and humanity, a situation as unlikely as it is inevitable will send these four lives reeling, leaving them questioning the true nature of love, loss and birds. THE LOVED ONES originally premiered at The Gate Theatre as part of Dublin Theatre Festival 2023. Rough Magic and The Gate Theatre are proudly supported by the Arts Council. Booking Information Dunamaise Arts Centre Wednesday 23 April www.dunamaise.ie 057 866 3355 24/22 (booking fees may apply) The heartbroken family of David McDonald, a much-loved young man from Laois who died in New Zealand, are organising a fundraiser to express their gratitude to the Irish charity that helped bring him home. Davids family, from Derrydavey, Mountmellick, are hosting a music-filled pub night this May in his honour, with proceeds going to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Theyve also set up a Gofundme page to allow online donations. David, aged 37, died following a short illness on January 9, 2024, at Auckland City Hospital, with loved ones by his side. The cherished only son of Peter and Elsie, he is deeply missed by his sisters Anna, Lizzie, and Orla; his nephews Billy and Jack; and niece Lucy. Since his passing, the family welcomed a new arrival, baby AnnieAnnas daughterwho sadly never got to meet her uncle. David had built a life in New Zealand, working as a manager at Stantec Engineering in Auckland, and had settled there with his partner, Flavio Villani. His sister Lizzie Kirwan shared: "David had a great job and a great life, he just didn't get to live it long enough. He was gone 11 years, first to Australia and then New Zealand where he met Flavio. He was lovely, they were happy. David had it hard until he went there. He never came out as gay at home, only with the family. There he blossomed. Life changed for him, he accepted himself. The last time he was home was for our sister Anna's wedding in 2022. We got to meet Flavio, we could see they were so happy. They stayed here for six weeks, and toured around Ireland. He brought Lizzie's children Billy and Lucy on a 'yes' day, taking them to Ken Blacks. He said he was making up for the times he was not here." David had been experiencing unexplained seizures for some time, often informing his family only after he had been discharged from hospital to avoid causing worry. "At a festival on a beach, he told Flavio he didn't feel well, an ambulance came, and he had a massive seizure. He was in hospital for two days and it was looking serious so Flavio rang us. That was New Year's Eve morning at 6am. My mam and Orla flew out on New Year's Day," Lizzie explained. Tragically, David died a week later. A memorial service was held at Kahui St David's in Kyber Pass on Sunday, January 14, giving his friends, family, and colleagues in New Zealand a chance to remember him. His co-workers, who held him in the highest regard, also brought his mother and sister to visit his workplace. The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust then stepped in to handle the complex logistics and expenses of bringing Davids remains back to Ireland. "They took on the costs of everything. They had the expertise, they know what they are doing. Because of that, we got to spend four nights waking David at home. As much as it was sad and awful, it was lovely. Monday night was just immediate family, Tuesday was the wider family and then Wednesday and Thursday was the wake. We stayed up every night with him. I do say it to anyone now, there's no panic. Keep them at home, once they are gone they will never come home. We had people coming up to us after his death offering to start a Gofundme, but the Kevin Bell trust said they wouldn't be able to help in that case, so we said no, we'd leave the expertise to them," she said. The local community showed overwhelming support from the moment the family got the call from New Zealand. "The Rock GAA did the parking, the neighbours came, there was food landing every day, so much support. It didn't stop until the funeral was over and done, for 20 days, it was unbelievable," Lizzie said. St Vincents Community Nursing Unit, where Elsie had worked as a seamstress and where David, Anna, and Lizzie also spent time working, formed a guard of honour at his funeral. Although over a year has passed, the pain of Davids loss is still very present for his family. His sister Orlas wedding last October, which David had planned to attend, was a poignant day. "It's hard, it will never be right. They keep going. My mam minds the kids, does her sewing. Dad goes about on his tractor, happy when he is busy," Lizzie said. The family is now turning their grief into action, hoping to raise funds to support the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust so they can continue helping other families in similar situations. "At David's wake, I did think that if everyone who came to the house only donated 5 it would make a fortune for the trust. So we are having a night in Moloney's Bar. There will be music by Transmitter from 6pm until closing, on Saturday, May 10. Our goal is to make enough for the trust, but we want people to come out and enjoy it. The music, the food, the drink, because that is what David would do if he were here," Lizzie said. The McDonald familys Gofundme appeal is now live, aiming to raise 10,000. They write of David: "from his echoing belly laugh and his big bear hugs, fun and excitement was never far behind David", and invite others to support the memorial fundraiser in his name. The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, a registered charity, was founded after Kevin Bells sudden death in New York in June 2013. The Bell family used the generous support they received to create a legacy that helps others repatriate loved ones who die abroad. Details for the fundraising c=page can be found here: https://bit.ly/44shixs Since its founding, the trust has assisted in bringing home 296 individuals, including 19 from Laoisamong them, David McDonald. To be so unwanted and so wanted at the same time can cause a fault line in you, writes Jillian Lauren of her own experience of being adopted in her superb memoir, Everything I Ever Wanted. Lauren, whose bestselling 2010 book, Some Girls, chronicles her time in a harem, tracks a very different journey here: the fraught path to motherhood. Now in a stable marriage to Weezer bassist Scott Shriner, Lauren expects motherhood to finally unite this duality for me. When she cant get pregnant, though, she begins to split apart. She tries most everything to become pregnant: reiki and Kabbalah and colonics, even Maori tribal healers who happen to be in town right now. While she skewers the celebrity-driven and consumerist Southern California culture she indulges in, Lauren also writes darkly and beautifully as well: This is what happens when you want something so intensely, she writes. You lose all your power. Her longing to be a mother makes her live with the flutter of failure trapped like a bird under my rib cage all the time. Advertisement Eventually Lauren and Shriner decide on international adoption. That she too is adopted is woven into the fabric of this book: She considers what her mother went through to find her, as well as what her own adopted child will face, making this journey nuanced, complex and self-reflective. Here is where I should probably note that I have an adopted child. Being a writer and having held my own experience up to so many casts of light, Im a very difficult nut to crack on the subject. But Lauren cracked me cracked me up and cracked me open. In a particularly powerful portion of the book, she and her husband travel to Ethiopia with prospective adoptive parents to get their babies. Lauren and Shriner are finally introduced to their child, 11-month-old Tariku, whom they nickname T, in an orphanage. He is in a puppy pile of adorable babies. In a harrowing scene that follows, they meet his birth mother and exchange promises for the future. The loss in the room everyones flattens me, she writes, illuminating what is so often unacknowledged in adoption, which is that most come to the experience with a fair amount of grief. Advertisement But now, for Lauren, the journey to motherhood has finally ended. Only now that she is a mother, an altogether different journey begins, and parenting T soon overwhelms her. Lauren and Shriner soon learn that T has special needs, largely stemming from the neurological effects of early childhood trauma. She wonders why I ever expected motherhood to complete me rather than lay waste to me. Ts challenges and the couples struggle to meet them constitutes the last third of this memoir. T bites and hits Lauren constantly. He is forced out of therapy and kicked out of nursery school. They fight for their childs place in the world and to find a community that is right for them, but Lauren is not terribly self-congratulatory. She endears herself to her reader by being unsparing about her own shortcomings, particularly in regards to the story of her friend, an unstoppable addict, whom Lauren abandons. Although we see Lauren show up for this wonderful and hurt child in spectacular ways, she has certainly left a trail of pain in her wake. Advertisement Lauren finds respite in writing, but this is the least interesting aspect of this memoir. Although many readers will identify with Laurens fight to carve out time for her work (even from her fairly privileged perch of marriage to a rock star), she spends surprising little time probing her experience with transracial adoption. When Lauren visits New York, she notes being relieved that she and T, a white woman with a black son, have gone unnoticed, but its not clear why because there is little evidence that their different races have been acknowledged much back home in L.A. or elsewhere. These, though, are small complaints relative to the richness of this movingly told book that resonates deeply. Lauren writes that she is often told how lucky Tariku is. She offers this as an aside here, but the notion that adoptive parents have saved their child, along with the narrative of the orphan living happily ever after a la Disney, is one that could use some deconstructing. Part of the many joys and sorrows of reading All I Ever Wanted is this generous and funny and intelligent writer knows that, despite the many hardships, it is in fact she who is the lucky one. Gilmore is the author, most recently, of the novel The Mothers. Everything You Ever Wanted A Memoir Jillian Lauren Plume: 272 pp., $16 paper A Bethlehem Area School District principal is facing drunken driving charges after allegedly crashing into three parked cars at the Stefko Shopping Center. Erin Colleen Hines, 46, of the first block of East North Street in Bethlehem, is charged with misdemeanor DUI (highest rate of alcohol) and misdemeanor DUI (general impairment). Police responded to the crash about 12:30 p.m. March 29 at the shopping center, 1880 Stefko Blvd. Bethlehem Police Capt. Nicholas Lechman told lehighvalleylive.com investigators found Hines standing next to her damaged vehicle, complaining of minor injuries. Hines told investigators she was attempting to back up her car when she struck the back of a parked vehicle, the affidavit of probable cause states. The court record lays out evidence and witness testimony against a defendant. Hines allegedly stated she then panicked, and drove forward into the side of another parked car. The impact caused the second car to move forward and strike a third parked vehicle, court records state. Hines had trouble standing on her feet, had glossy eyes and the odor of an alcoholic beverage was present on her breath, according to court records. Hines allegedly admitted to investigators she drank a glass of wine earlier that day. Investigators then initiated field sobriety and breathalyzer tests, which Hines failed, according to court records. Hines was taken into custody. She later was taken to St. Lukes University Hospital in Fountain Hill for a medical evaluation due to injuries suffered in the accident, Lechman said. A blood-alcohol content test later revealed Hines had a level of .326% at the time of the accident, city police said. Penalties for most drivers in Pennsylvania begin at 0.08%. Hines did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment. Court records did not show any attorney information for Hines. She was arraigned Friday on the charges before District Judge Nicholas E. Englesson. She is due back in court for a preliminary hearing tentatively scheduled for 9 a.m. May 15 before Englesson. Hines has served as an educator in various capacities, including as a learning support teacher, for the Bethlehem Area School District for more than two decades, her Linked-In profile states. She currently serves as principal of Hanover Elementary School and has since been placed on a leave of absence. The school, 3890 Jacksonville Road in Hanover Township, Northampton County, is one of 16 elementary schools in the district. It houses pupils in grades K-5. A message on the schools website, which was posted last week, alerted parents, teachers and staff members about the incident. It states: We wish to inform you that effective immediately, Ms. Hines is on a leave of absence from her duties as Principal of Hanover Elementary School until further notice. This action is a result of an incident that transpired in the community this weekend that did not involve a school-related activity. District Superintendent Jack Silva told lehighvalleylive.com last week the districts Supervisor of Equity Initiatives Eric Fontanez is assuming administrative responsibilities at Hanover Elementary until further notice. Fontanez is a former district elementary school principal. The elementary schools website released a second statement shortly after noon Friday and once Hines was arraigned on the charges. It stated the district would be performing its own independent investigation into the case and would update the school community once the findings are available. The District is aware of the non-school related situation that transpired in the community regarding Ms. Hines, Principal of Hanover Elementary School. The allegations against Ms. Hines are publicly available. Because this is an ongoing legal and personnel matter, it is unlawful for us to disclose details, the posting states. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Shop Gilt for everything Gucci up to 60% off, now through April 13, 2025. Gilt/Gucci/Canva/Danielle Halibey One of Gilts biggest flash sales is back for spring break, and the selection of new arrivals from Gucci will make your head spin in the best way. So, if youve been dreaming about those iconic Gucci GGs, the luxe green and red stripes, or something accented with heritage horsebit details, then you can get some of your own at massive markdowns up to 60% off. The Up to 60% Off New Gucci: Nows-the-Time Prices flash sale will be on through Monday, April 13. Gucci Blondie Medium Leather Wallet On Chain Sale Price: $880, marked down from $1,190, at Gilt through April 13 Buy Now Gilt always sends out teaser emails ahead of its hottest limited-time offers, which is why some of the handbags like the Jackie 1961 Small Leather Hobo Bag were gone in seconds. But if you act fast, you can still get your hands on the last remaining classic Jackie 1961 Small GG Supreme Canvas & Leather Shoulder Bag for $450 off. Hundreds of sunglasses are on sale for sunnier days ahead. You can pick up the cat eye Womens GG0325S 55mm Sunglasses for $305 off. These come in the versatile and statement-making burgundy colorway that fashion insiders have been praising as the new neutral of 2025. And speaking of everyday stylish neutrals, if you need a new pair of outfit-elevating heels for work, you cant go wrong with the Gucci Horsebit Leather Slingback Pumps in black for $250 off. Just be sure you have an active Gilt account before you start shopping. You can register, for free, if you dont have one already. Shop the Gucci Nows-the-Time flash sale through April 13. 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Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Danielle Halibey can be reached at dhalibey@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. A 21-year-old male driver was killed Thursday evening when the car he was driving veered off the Route 309 overpass, became airborne and landed on the eastbound lanes of Interstate 78 in Upper Saucon Township, authorities said. The Lehigh County Coroners Office identified the driver as Edwin Noel of Allentown. Noel was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest in Salisbury Township, where he was pronounced dead at 1:13 a.m. Friday. Noel died from multiple blunt force injuries due to the crash and the death was ruled accidental by Lehigh County Coroner Daniel A. Buglio. Pennsylvania State Police in Fogelsville said the crash happened at 8:20 p.m. near mile marker 60.5 on I-78 eastbound, close to the Route 309 South-Quakertown exit. WFMZ-69 News is reporting the mangled car ended up on its side against the median, with debris scattered on both sides of the median on I-78. Its unclear what led Noel to veer off the highway, and both state police and the coroners office continue to investigate. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Two men wanted in separate murder cases and a truck driver accused of killing a tow truck worker along Interstate 81 are the newest additions to the Pennsylvania State Polices 10 Most Wanted list. The latest version of the fugitive list posted on the state police website, displayed in publicly accessed state facilities and featured prominently on PSP social media sites was released a few weeks ago. Department spokesman Myles Snyder said three of the fugitives came off the list over the past year. Jimmy Carlton Henry Jr., wanted in a child rape case in the Lock Haven area, shot himself in West Virginia last July as officers approached to take him into custody. Two other men, Cerado Cruz-Hernandez and Freddy Calle, both wanted in separate child rape cases in Norristown and Hazleton, respectively, have been found outside of the continental United States. Snyder said Pennsylvania police are working with the U.S. State Department on provisional arrest warrants for them. New faces Taking their place on the list are: Investigators identified Ronald Collins, 36, and Beckett, then 35, both of Chester, as suspects in the shooting. Collins was arrested in December 2024. Police continue to search for Beckett who is considered armed and dangerous. Johnny Campos-Coelho, who stands accused of hitting and killing David Duchnik Jr. on Interstate 81 near Clarks Summit in August 2016. Police charged Campos-Coelho, a truck driver from Framingham, Mass., with homicide by vehicle and other charges about a year after the crash, but have not been able to locate him. Eliezer Santana, is wanted in connection with the murder of 18-year-old Rolando Cepeda Jr., who was shot to death at his fathers business in Hazle Township, Luzerne County, on April 14, 2023. Two other co-defendants are already in custody in that case. The list is, agency officials say, still one of their most effective ways to accumulate tips from the public on major cases. How its built Snyder said the agencys fugitive unit puts a call out to law enforcement agencies across the state to nominate at-large criminal suspects theyve identified as presenting an enhanced risk to the public. Those recommendations are then reviewed by that unit and leaders of PSPs Bureau of Criminal Investigation in what becomes a de facto selection committee. By definition, inclusion on the list is reserved for known suspects with active warrants charging them with crimes committed in Pennsylvania. From there, winnowing down the list depends on more subjective factors, such as the severity of the offense and how great a threat to the public a subject represents. Geography is considered in an attempt to make the list as relevant as possible to as many as possible, but there are no hard rules about having representation from every region of the state. The main point, of course, is to deputize the general public in the search for these suspects. What if you have information? All of the fugitives are considered dangerous. So the best thing for people who think they can help with a tip to do is simply call the PA Crime Stoppers tipline listed on the poster, 800-472-8477, or failing that, to contact their local police department. The Crime Stoppers program allows tipsters to remain anonymous, and maintains a privately-funded reward program for tips that result in arrests. 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. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/. Laois Hospice has welcomed the advance to the next stage build the first hospice providing palliative care to Laois people nearing end of life. However political support is crucial to keep momentum going now, says Mary Delaney, chair of Laois Hospice. The HSE has also welcomed the advance of the project, which a palliative expert says will give a full range of services. The 20 bed brand new Midlands Hospice, to be built beside Tullamore hospital, will serve not only Laois, but Offaly, Westmeath and Longford patients. The planning application was sent in to Offaly County Council last week. As the wait begins for the decision, Ms Delaney spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live. "Laois Hospice very much welcomes the fact that the planning application stage has been reached for the Midlands In-Patient Hospice in Tullamore. "We are very encouraged by the speed which this stage has been reached. The need for this in-patient unit has been identified for many years as there is no such facility in the midlands and this is very welcome that it is now at planning application stage," she said. Drawing of the Midlands Hospice by Coady Architects. The Laois charity which pays for palliative care nurses to visit people in their homes, as well as other supports using donations by the public, wants the new hospice built without delay. "The hope of Laois Hospice is that this project can now proceed as urgently as possible to deliver this unit in the quickest time frame possible and that there will be no delays in proceeding with this much need facility for the people of the Midlands which they deserve. "This is an In-Patient Hospice unit for the people of the Midlands and it is imperative that all politicians support this application so that they are no delays in proceeding to the next stage of the project. "The Midlands is the only area in the country that does not have an In-Patient Hospice unit and therefore, it must proceed with all urgency. We are asking the people of Laois to get behind highlighting the urgent need for this unit. "As there has been substantial government funding allocated to this project Laois Hospice at this stage is not fundraising specifically for this unit at this time. Laois Hospice have not pledged funds to this project at this stage," she said. She said that it important that Laois people know that it's not just for Offaly. "Laois Hospice has always been very clear that this is a Midlands unit and not just Offaly. It is a unit for Laois, Offaly, Westmeath and Longford," Ms Delaney said. One of the biggest annual fundraisers for Laois Hospice is the Clonaslee St Stephen's Day Walk. See photos here. Dr Pauline Kane is a Palliative Medicine Consultant for the Health Service Executive and spoke this week about it. ''The Midlands Hospice will give the specialist palliative care service the ability to provide intensive symptom support and multi-disciplinary input to patients with challenging symptoms in a more appropriate environment than an acute hospital. This is a hugely important development for our patients and their families to have this facility and we are looking forward to it becoming a reality very soon,'' she said. The HSE says the main features of the proposed hospice will be a ''much needed'' 20 bed specialist palliative care inpatient unit, a Day Therapy Unit and an education centre. ''Because of its location and the size of the site, there will be extensive landscaping of the grounds, and each inpatient bedroom will be on the ground floor with direct access to an individual outdoor area.'' Palliative care is a form of holistic care which improves the quality of life of patients who have challenges associated with life-threatening illness, including physical, psychological, social or spiritual. While palliative care was initially available to patients with cancer, AIDS or Motor Neuron Disease, it is now available for all patients with chronic, progressive conditions with a limited prognosis, and can be accessed much earlier in a patients illness, rather than just in the last days of life. 'Having the Midlands Hospice will provide our local specialist palliative care teams with a full range of inpatient and day services locally. This will enable the specialist management of patients with difficult symptoms in a more appropriate environment for terminally ill patients rather than an acute hospital, without the need to attend the Emergency Department,'' Dr Kane said. The HSE says it would like to thank the following groups (in alphabetical order): Hooves for Hospice, Irish Hospice Foundation, Laois Hospice, Longford Hospice, North Westmeath Hospice, Offaly Hospice and South Westmeath Hospice, and local public representatives who have supported the hospice plan from across the Midlands and the Department of Health. Read more about Laois Hospice and their supports here. A man has been jailed for nine-and-half years for the rape and sexual assault of his stepdaughter. The Central Criminal Court heard the 42 year-old man was convicted of ten counts of rape and four counts of sexual assault relating to offences which occurred on unknown dates between May 2018 and December 2021 in a location in Munster. The man, who cannot be named to protect the injured party's anonymity, was also convicted of two counts of sexual assault against a second complainant during the same period of time. Passing sentence, Judge Mary Ellen Ring set a headline sentence of 13 years' imprisonment. She said that the aggravating factors in the case were the significant breach of trust and that the injured party came to live with him and grew to consider him a part of the family. She said the abuse began as grooming and increased to sexual touching, which then progressed to sexual intercourse. She highlighted the close control the accused had over the injured party by walking her to and from work, and she would need to seek permission to socialise with friends. READ ALSO: ALERT: Garda hospitalised after being struck by car during routine traffic stop Judge Ring said she has to consider the mitigating factors, such as the defendant's lack of previous convictions and his good work history. Judge Ring sentenced him to 11 years in prison on the counts of rape and seven years for the sexual assault of the injured party. She also sentenced him to two years on each count of sexual assault of the second injured party. All sentences are to run concurrently. The judge suspended the final 18 months of the sentence for 18 months and placed the man under the supervision of the Probation Services for 12 months post-release. Judge Ring also ordered the defendant to have no direct or indirect contact with the injured party for five years upon his release from prison. At a previous hearing, a local detective told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that the abuse began when the defendant pulled down the girls pyjamas and, upon seeing her genital area, said, Wow. The second incident of abuse was when he removed her trousers and digitally penetrated the young girl. When the girl was 15, the abuse progressed to intercourse, and the girl told gardai that he used a condom. The court was told that the abuse would take place before the girl's mother returned from work. When the injured party got a part-time job, the defendant would walk her to and from work, which her co-workers thought was out of the ordinary. The defendant would also manipulate the girl by telling her that he would self-harm. In December 2021, the injured party was out with friends and told them about the abuse. One of the friends went to the gardai, and a search warrant was issued for the defendant's home. When he arrived home, he was described as being quite agitated. Two phones that belonged to the defendant were seized, and he gave gardai the PIN for one phone. He denied all the allegations and said that the sexual intercourse began when the injured party was 18 and all contact had been consensual. He also made reference to a love affair. A friend of the injured party made a statement to the gardai that the defendant slapped her on the bottom on two occasions. READ ALSO: Who is Amanda Knox? American convicted then cleared of murder amid RTE Late Late appearance A victim impact statement was given to the court, which highlighted the violation of her body. It outlined her deep sense of fear and that she no longer felt safe. She said her sense of self-worth has been shattered and that she has experienced stress every single day. She is hopeful that the ending of the court process will allow her to regain control of her life. The Director of Public Prosecutions said that this offence was in the more serious category and outlined a sentencing scale of ten to 15 years. The garda agreed with the defence counsel that when the defendant arrived home on the day the warrant was issued and his home was searched, he was quite intoxicated. He agreed that the defendant maintained that it was consensual and that he had videos on his phone to prove it was a love affair. The garda agreed with counsel that the defendant has no previous convictions and this is a significant fall from grace. Counsel said his client had a difficulty with alcohol and has limited English, and this can make it harder in prison. He handed testimonials into court on behalf of his client. A Laois town has cancelled its popular Darkness Into Light Walk this year. It leaves two of the uplifting events for Pieta House in Laois to choose from. Durrow is a newcomer having hosted the 5km walk for only two years, but despite that they got huge numbers, with 600 participants last year, spurred on by a host of local musicians playing live. Their committee made the announcement in a notice on social media. "2025 Update. We are sorry to say that Durrow Darkness into Light is taking a break for this year, we will be back next year bigger and better! We are really lucky to have walks going on in Portlaoise and Kilkenny and if you have registered already for Durrow, you can take part in these alternative walks. "Please get in touch with Sinead if you have any queries @ sinead.nolan@pieta.ie Many thanks to everyone for all their support in Durrow for the last two years. See you next year," they say. There are two remaining candlit walks in Laois, Darkness Into Light Portlaoise and also Darkness Into Light Portarlington. See photos from 2024 Laois Darkness Into Light walks here. Portlaoise's walk starts on the Dublin Road, outside Portlaoise Prison College, taking a route around the town, gather at 4.15am. Portarlington is based at Portarlington GAA Club near the train station. Both will have music, refreshments, and a chance to remember lost loved ones and connect to each other, gathering from 4am. Registration is open online now. Darkness Into Light (DIL) 2025, supported by Electric Ireland, will take place as dawn breaks across the world on Saturday, May 10. There are over 200 walks across Ireland as well as in the UK and across the world. Entry is 22 for adults, 5 for teens, and free to under 13s (accompanied). Supporters can also help by buying their eyecatching yellow t-shirts or other items in the online shop. Pieta is 85% funded by fundraising events like DIL. Since the first walk in 2009 in the Phoenix Park Dublin, its supporters have helped Pieta raise over 36 million, to provide services to people impacted by suicide and self-harm. Read also: No more Durrow Scarecrow Festival but new Hollywood fundraiser in the works. Last year DIL helped to fund nearly 51,500 hours of professional counselling, free of charge to anyone in need. They have 24 centres across Ireland, with the nearest to Laois being in Roscrea and in Leixlip. Pieta provides a range of services to individuals who experience suicidal ideation, engage in self-harm, or are bereaved by suicide. Learn more about Pieta services on https://www.darknessintolight.ie/about/about-pieta-other-services A Kildare woman who passed this week has been fondly remembered as 'a wonderful woman.' Marie Balfe (nee Keating), Mylerstown, Robertstown, Co. Kildare and late of Raheen, Killimor, Co. Galway, passed on April 8 2025 peacefully in the tender care of the staff of Craddock House Nursing Home, Naas. Marie is deeply regretted by her loving husband James, sons James and Mark, daughter Dawn, son-in-law Colin, daughter-in-law Tara, grandchildren Jamie, Comhall, Finn, Tony, Ryan and Chloe, sisters Margaret and Josie, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Rest In Peace Heartfelt tributes paid to Marie on RIP.ie this week included the following: Deepest sympathy to James, Dawn, James and Mark. So sad to hear of her passing. Marie was a wonderful woman. And: Dawn we were so sorry to hear of your mums passing. Our condolences to you, your dad, your brothers and all the kids. May your mum rest in eternal peace.' While another mourner wrote: My sincere condolences to Jim and family, very sorry for your loss. Marie was a beautiful lady, inside and out. She will be greatly missed. Thinking of you all at this difficult time. And another added: So sorry to hear of my cousins passing, Sincere condolences to her husband Jim, daughter, Dawn, sons, Mark and James, her sisters Margaret, and Josie, her grandchildren, and all the Keating and Balfe families. Marie was independent, humorous and had a wonderful zest for life. She will be greatly missed by her family, and all who knew her. May she rest in eternal peace. Reposing at Oliver Reilly's Funeral Home, Prosperous (W91T62P) on Thursday from 4pm with concluding prayers at 7pm. Removal from the Funeral Home on Friday morning at approx. 10:30am to arrive at The Church of The Most Holy Trinity, Allen for 11am Funeral Mass, followed by committal in the Victorian Chapel, Mt. Jerome Crematorium, Harolds Cross at approx. 1pm. The Committal Service can be viewed live in the webstream section below Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors accept no responsibility for any live webcam interruptions or issues. Family flowers only, please donations if desired to the Alzheimers Society of Ireland which can be made in the donation section below. For all enquiries, please contact Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors on (045) 868230. Cremation / Burial: https://www.mountjerome.ie/victorian-chapel-service/ Donations to the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland: https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/MN61010399/donate.html READ NEXT: Kildare school achieves anti-racism Yellow Flag award The Bihar Jharkhand Association of Ireland (BJAI) hosted the by now annual multicultural celebration of Holi, the festival of colours, at the community centre in Caragh. The event celebrates rebirth and rejuvenation every spring and brings together members of the community from various backgrounds to celebrate this joyous occasion. READ NEXT ALERT: Irish holidaymakers warned as major strikes hit holiday hotspots Bihar Jharkhand refers to parts of eastern India. Members of the community from various backgrounds celebrated the event along with local politicians. The Holi celebration showcased the rich cultural diversity and spirit of unity within the Indian and Irish communities. The event featured a variety of activities and performances to entertain the attendance. The festivities commenced with the singing of the national anthems of India and Ireland, symbolising the cultural exchange between the two nations. The attendance included the Ambassador of India to Ireland Akhilesh Mishra and his wife Reeti Mishra; Naas mayor Fintan Brett, Cllr Seamie Moore, Newbridge mayor Peggy ODwyer, Cllr Chris Pender, Cllr Anne Breen, Cllr Supriya Singh and former senator Vincent P Martin. Children participated in dance routines and a fashion show representing different towns of Bihar and Jharkhand, which added to the vibrancy of the celebration. The organisers gave a special mention to children from Jennie Brady School of Dance Naas, who gave a captivating performance. Adults delighted the audience with Indian and Irish songs, as well as traditional Holi folk songs, evoking fervent emotions from participants of all age groups. The highlight of the day was the Fagua, a traditional Bihari folk singing style associated with Holi and spring, which further elevated the festive atmosphere. Guests were treated to an array of traditional foods, including delicacies such as dahi vadas, gujia, samosa, aloo tikki, and biryani and thandai traditional holi drink, enhancing the cultural experience. Music was provided by a DJ who played a mix of Bollywood and regional songs, creating an atmosphere of celebration and camaraderie. The climax of the evening was the traditional Holi playing, during which participants joyfully smeared each other with vibrant colors, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring. The BJAI extends its thanks to all who attended in addition to sponsors for their support in making the event a resounding success and intends to organise more inclusive and community-centric events in the future. By Natasha Reid A spiritual medium has been given a nine-month suspended sentence after he acted as a director of a spiritual wedding and funeral business when he was disqualified from running a company. Tom Colton (49) of The Park, St Wolstans Abbey, Celbridge, Co. Kildare, had been disqualified following a theft conviction from 2014. The former rugby player and accountant was before Dublin Circuit Criminal Court last week where he had pleaded guilty to acting as a director at Gra agus Solas ULC between August 2016 and May 2018, when disqualified due to a conviction for theft. The charges came following an investigation by the Corporate Enforcement Authority (CEA). He admitted acting in a manner or capacity prohibited by a disqualification order, as a director and secretary of Gra Agus Solas, Unit 3, The Courtyard, Kilcarbery Park, Nangor Road in Dublin, and being directly concerned in the formation and management of the company. Detective Garda Gary Callanan told the court that Colton received an automatic five-year disqualification from company directorship on December 5, 2014, after being sentenced to four years in prison with 18 months suspended for the theft of 322,000. However, he filed various papers with the Companies Registration Office using his Irish name, Tomas Mac Cultan, when Gra agus Solas was registered in 2016. The court heard that the company provided celebrant services for weddings, funerals, and baby naming ceremonies. ALSO READ: Road near Kildare school to be closed. Colton told gardai that he had used his Irish name to avoid media attention following his conviction, and that he only later learned that he had been disqualified. The court heard that, as well as the theft offence, which triggered the automatic disqualification, Colton also had a previous conviction from Dublin District Court under the Companies Act. This involved a charge of acting as a statutory auditor when not approved to do so. The court heard that todays was the first prosecution of acting as a director following an automatic disqualification, and that Colton was now consenting to a 10-year disqualification under the Companies Registration Act. Under cross examination by Cathal O Braonain BL, defending, D Gda Callanan agreed that there had been no mention in court on the day of his theft conviction of him being disqualified. He accepted that he had become aware of his disqualification in 2018 and immediately resigned. This was four years prior to the investigation. O Braonain said that his client had started Gra agus Solas with his wife. It subcontracted to celebrants, with 60 celebrants currently contracted with it. Counsel said that his clients wife had suffered a stroke in 2021, had heart surgery the following year and that her memory was not great. He handed in a letter from her, in which she spoke of how difficult it would be for her if he was incarcerated. The court heard that the sanction for the offence is up to five years in prison, with or without a fine of up to 50,000. Judge Sinead Ni Chulachain noted that there was no system in place for people to be informed when they are automatically disqualified. She said his guilty plea was valuable as this may well have been a complex trial, especially as it was the first prosecution of its type. She noted testimonials that described him as a family man and a community volunteer, particularly in relation to children and sport. She described his consent to a longer period of disqualification than would be imposed as evidence of remorse. She imposed a nine-month sentence, but suspended it in full and disqualified him from being a company director for 10 years. Five years after the death of Liam Farrell, the Rooskey man found under suspicious circumstances at his home in January 2020, his family met with Gardai in Carrick-on-Shannon today to hear the findings of a peer review into the original investigation. The meeting, which took place at the local Garda station, was led by Detective Inspector Ray Mulderrig and centred around 23 recommendations from a peer review conducted by Superintendent Peter Conlon. While no new investigation has been launched, the Farrell family was told that fresh lines of inquiry will now be pursued. We were told theyre going to re-interview some people and speak to individuals who were never interviewed in the first place, Peter Farrell said after the meeting. Theyre also going to consult independent forensic experts from outside Ireland, which we welcome. Among the new recommendations discussed were the involvement of external forensic specialists, the re-examination of physical evidenceincluding clothing, the re-interviewing of key individuals, and the pursuit of new lines of inquiry. However, some revelations left the family stunned. One Garda recommendation involves consulting an expert on Labrador behaviour to assess whether Mr Farrells dog could have removed items of clothing from his bodyincluding socks, shoes, an overcoat, a blazer, his watch, and even a looped tieprior to his discovery. When we were told about the dog, I honestly thought I misheard, Peter said. Theyre going to bring in an expert to see if Marley, our dads Labrador, could have removed all of that. Its hard to comprehend. This was our dad. We found him in horrific circumstances, injured from head to toe. We expected more todaysome kind of public appeal, maybe a reconstruction. That was promised, and yet today we were told its not included. We're very disappointed. We still have serious concerns about how this case was handled from day one, Peter said. Had this happened in Dublin, we believe it would have been treated very differently. The family confirmed they plan to escalate their concerns directly to Garda Commissioner Drew Harris and the Minister for Justice, Jim OCallaghan. Well be asking why promised actions like a reconstruction and a public appeal were not part of the recommendations, Peter said. During the meeting, the family also raised a breach of confidentiality relating to statements made by Brendan and their brother Willie. The family alleges that a serving member of An Garda Siochana accessed and shared details of their statements inappropriately. This breach is now the subject of a fourth investigation into the case, being handled by the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission (GSOC). Despite their frustration, the Farrells continue to call on the public to come forward with any information. Our father was a decent man who was deeply loved in Rooskey, Brendan said. We know there are people out there who know something. Its never too late to come forward. Please, help us get justice for him. The family say they remain committed to seeing the case through and are prepared to take their campaign to the European Court of Human Rights if necessary. READ MORE Drama and tension unfold in Leitrims Corn Mill Theatre this Easter A couple from Kinlough are enduring a heartbreaking experience that no parent should ever have to face. Joe and Clare Lynch's baby boy, Oscar, is currently in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at Crumlin Childrens Hospital, battling a rare and life-threatening condition called Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH). Clare learned of Oscars condition during her 18 week scan. She had to travel alone to Belgium for fetal surgery, without financial support for accommodation and daily expenses. She spent seven long weeks in Belgium before returning to Ireland, heading straight to the Rotunda Hospital. Oscar was born prematurely at just 34 weeks. At only a week old, Oscar underwent major surgery to repair the hernia. Shortly after, doctors discovered he also has Tracheobronchomalacia (TBM), a condition that causes the airways to collapse, making breathing extremely difficult. To help him breathe safely, Oscar received a tracheostomy to establish a stable airway. Oscar has been in hospital for several months now, and it is expected he will remain there for much of the year. Joe and Clare are staying nearby at the Ronald McDonald House, but the emotional and financial toll is immense. While they remain focused on Oscars recovery, they are also juggling bills, mounting responsibilities, and caring for their eldest son, Arthur. To help ease the burden, Clares sister Megan Lawlor has set up a GoFundMe campaign to support the family during this incredibly difficult time. Ive created this GoFundMe on behalf of my incredible sister Clare, her loving husband Joe, their sweet son Arthur, and their newest little fighterbaby Oscar, Megan wrote on the fundraising page. Baby Oscar is currently in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Crumlin Childrens Hospital, facing a journey no childor familyshould ever have to go through, she added. Oscar will require further surgeries, including an upcoming cleft surgery, and remains in a highly vulnerable state, needing round-the-clock care. Anyone wishing to help can donate on the GoFundMe website here. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who has offered love, support, prayers or financial help so far. Oscars fight is far from over, but with your help, this amazing family wont have to face it alone, Megan said. READ MORE: Drama and tension unfold in Leitrim's Corn Mill Theatre this Easter New statistics from the Department of Transport reveal that Leitrim recorded the highest compliance rate in the country for disqualified drivers surrendering their licences in 2024. Out of 34 disqualified drivers in the county, six returned their licences to the Road Safety Authority. Nationwide, compliance is significantly lower. Fewer than one in 10 disqualified drivers handed back their licences, with just 7 percent - or 802 out of 11,468 disqualified learner and fully licenced drivers - doing so. In neighbouring Sligo, 64 drivers were disqualified last year, with only six surrendering their licences. Donegal, another neighbouring county, reported 227 disqualifications, with 18 drivers (or 8 percent) complying - slightly above the national average. The issue is particularly prevalent among learner drivers on provisional licences. Of the 2,118 provisional drivers disqualified from the roads since the start 2024, only 84 (3.9 percent) surrendered their licences. Among fully licenced drivers, the surrender rate stands at 6.9 percent. Dublin recorded the lowest compliance rate in the country. Of the 3,174 disqualified drivers in the capital, only 113 (3.56 percent) returned their licences to the Road Safety Authority. The Department of Transport has emphasised the importance of compliance, saying all disqualified motorists must adhere to the conditions of their disqualification. The figures were provided to Social Democrats TD Aidan Farrelly by the Department of Transport. READ MORE: Cllr Des Guckian to step down from Leitrim County Council today MEDICAL technology firm Edwards Lifesciences has a new boss for its operations in Limerick and Shannon. Emmet Kelly has been named as vice-president and general manager at Edwards Lifesciencess manufacturing facilities locally. More than 500 staff in Limerick work to manufacture solutions for people who suffer from heart diseases. In his role, Mr Kelly will oversee all aspects of Edwards Irish operations, including manufacturing execution, talent development, process optimisation, and the implementation of continuous improvement programmes. READ MORE: Limerick poets featured in literary journals 46th edition He will also represent Edwards locally. Mr Kelly brings over 25 years of medical technology industry experience. This includes nearly a decade in the USA with a strong background in manufacturing, human resources, supplier management, and strategic project management. He has successfully led plant improvements and expansions and managed manufacturing across multiple lines and locations. He holds a Master of Industrial Engineering from University College Dublin. I am honoured to join Edwards and lead the Irish facilities, which play a vital role in the companys global supply chain, he said. I look forward to working with the talented team in Ireland, inspired by our patient-focused culture to pioneer and deliver innovative, life-changing medical technologies to patients around the world. Mr Kelly resides in Oranmore, Co Galway with his wife, Kate, and their three sons. TWO caravans out of a total of 10 remain at a busy roundabout after prosecutions by Limerick City and County Council. In February, the local authority took legal action against a number of Travellers to move their caravans to allow contractors commence work on the "transformative" 31m Limerick Northern Distributor Road. Construction work has commenced. Christina Faulkner, Lisa Crawford, Chloe Kennedy and Patrick OHalloran, all with separate addresses c/o The Caravan, Coonagh, Co Limerick, were before Limerick District Court for breaching enforcement notices over unauthorised caravans. The judge imposed two weeks imprisonment on each of the four defendants, which he suspended for one year subject to them moving their caravans and not returning to the location. Last Friday, Will Leahy, solicitor for the council, told Limerick District Court that the number of caravans at the Coonagh roundabout has reduced from 10 to two. He previously said the council have spent 16,000 clearing up rubbish at the site. James and Teresa Harty, c/o The Caravan, Coonagh, Co Limerick are one of the couples in the last two caravans. Mr Leahy said it is a serious issue as the caravans are causing traffic problems at a roundabout that accesses a busy Tesco and is extraordinarily dangerous. The court heard they are not blocking works on the new road. Nicholas Hall, barrister for James and Teresa Harty, said they have been offered alternative accommodation in a pod located beside a mens hostel. Mrs Harty has witnessed certain behaviours at that residence. She has serious concerns over its suitability for Mr Harty. He is a vulnerable individual. "That environment would present a ready threat to him and put him at risk, said Mr Hall, who asked for more time for engagement with the local authority to find alternative accommodation that would be suitable. READ MORE: Conor Murray's dad forced to miss his wedding to Joanna Cooper over collision Mr Leahy said the council feels the refusal is unreasonable. The council operates two different accommodation centres adjacent to each other. One is indeed a men's hostel, the other is a group of apartment pods. Mr and Mrs Harty were offered one of those. I'm informed they refused it on the grounds of the men's hostel next door. I'm instructed it's a completely different building and has a different entrance. As of this morning three of the 10 pods are occupied by couples, said Mr Leahy, who submitted it was an unreasonable refusal. Mr Hall said if his clients are moved they would be at significant risk of homelessness. Mr Leahy said the pod offer is still available to them. Judge Michael Ramsey imposed two weeks' imprisonment on Mr and Mrs Harty which he suspended for one year subject to them moving their caravan within 10 days and not returning to the location in Coonagh. The case against the Traveller couple in the remaining caravan was adjourned. A HOUSING estate in Newcastle West has been completed, but its first residents are unable to move in because the homes cannot be connected to the sewerage network. Thats according to two of the towns councillors, Michael Collins and Jerome Scanlan. Now, crisis talks have been held between council bosses and Uisce Eireann with a view to having temporary sewage facilities installed to enable the homes to be occupied - and new ones built against the backdrop of the housing crisis. READ MORE: Limerick clubs urged to apply for national awards with chance to win over 25k At this months council meeting, Cllr Tom Ruddle saw a notice of motion passed calling for Government to intervene. As things stand, with Uisce Eireann still up to five years away from opening a new sewerage plant in Newcastle West, development in the town is potentially on hold until then. I know there are places where people are trying to build houses, and they are being held up because sewage is the issue. We are the biggest town in the county, its a place growing at a very fast rate, he said. We cannot continue with nothing happening. His party colleague, Cllr Liam Galvin added: Its a sad state of affairs in 2025 in the county town of this local authority that we cannot build a house. He took a swipe at campaigners who forced the abolition of water charges. The people out there shouting and roaring not a penny for Enda Kenny and no way, we wont pay'. This is a result of that. Its a clear result of Uisce Eireann being underfunded, Cllr Galvin, said. Cllr Collins said the fact some housing estates are ready and unable to be used is causing immense cost to developers who owe money. The Fianna Fail man also said some developers have secured planning permission, but if that lapses, they will need to go again and spend more money doing so. Cllr Stephen Keary warned some builders could go out of business, and said that the installation of temporary sewers should be fast-tracked. Council director in Newcastle West Vincent Murray said its important this issue is prioritised. An Uisce Eireann spokesperson said a planning application is due for a new system in the first quarter of 2026. Given the time this takes, with securing permission, designing, tendering, construction and commission, it could be five years before it is ready. New Delhi, Apr 11 (PTI) Shares of TCS ended on a flat note on Friday after the country's largest IT services firm reported a 1.7 per cent decline in the March quarter net profit. Despite a positive beginning, the company's shares faced volatile trends on the stock exchanges. At one point, the stock climbed 1.61 per cent to hit the day's high of 3,298.40 on the BSE. But, later it slipped 1.25 per cent to 3,205.25 during the day. The IT bellwether stock later ended at 3,232.30, down 0.43 per cent. On the NSE, the stock ended at 3,238, a decline of 0.26 per cent. It hit a high of 3,298.95 and a low of 3,206.00 during the day. In volume terms, 2.29 lakh shares of the firm were traded on the BSE and 71.09 lakh shares on the NSE during the day. "Though the IT major's result missed the street estimates, it opines optimism in the latter half of FY26 owing to growth in the order book," Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Investments Limited, said. TCS (Tata Consultancy Services) on Thursday reported a 1.7 per cent decline in the March quarter net profit to 12,224 crore, driven largely by a margin contraction. The Tata Group company, which is the first major entity to report January-March quarterly results, also announced that it will be deferring wage hikes to its 6.07 lakh employees due to the business uncertainties triggered by the tariff issues. Its FY25 net profit increased 4.2 per cent to 48,553 crore on the back of a 6 per cent growth in revenue to 2.55 lakh crore or over USD 30 billion. BENGALURU : ESR India and Xander Investment Management are looking to monetize their warehousing assets in the country, three people familiar with the plans said, as investor interest in industrial real estate soars. Both will aim to sell 100% of their stake in their respective portfolios to investors, the people cited earlier said, all of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity. ESR India, a joint venture between Hong Kong-based ESR Group and Germany's Allianz Real Estate, is a prominent logistics and industrial real estate firm with around 10 million sqft of warehousing assets across cities in the country. In 2023, ESR-Allianz was in talks with multiple investors, including Blackstone Group, to sell a majority stake (around 90%) in its portfolio but the talks fell through. At that time, they got a valuation of $400-450 million. This time, they plan to divest fully, and should get a higher valuation," said the first person. ESR had entered into the partnership with Allianz in 2018, and had said they would invest around $1 billion, including debt, to develop large-scale warehousing and industrial facilities in India. Singapore's Xander Investment Management, which has multiple investments in the office and retail sectors in India, had set up a $250 million industrial real estate venture in 2019. Xander's portfolio has four warehousing properties in Chennai, Bagnan (near Kolkata) and Bhiwandi (near Mumbai). As an asset management company, it plans to monetize the portfolio and is looking to ideally fully divest," the second person said. Spokespersons of ESR India and Xander didn't respond to Mint's queries. India has a total warehousing stock of about 438 million sq.ft. in its top eight cities, of which around 238 million sqft is Grade A space, as per property advisory JLL India data. Also Read: Tribeca Developers launches rental housing development platform Trilive Around 100 million sqft of this 238 million sqft is owned by institutional operators and investors, compared with just 28 million sqft in 2019, indicating growing investor confidence in the logistics sector. Surge in investments According to a recent report by Anarock Capital, logistics and warehousing emerged as the clear front-runner in 2024-25 among all real estate asset classes, including residential and commercial office and retail, attracting 48% of private equity funding, the highest in five years. For the first time, global investors chasing industrial assets outnumber those pursuing office assets, which have always seen the highest investments, as the warehousing sector sees big growth. Earlier this year, global asset manager Blackstone Group bought LOGOS India's three warehousing parks in Luhari, in Haryana, and Chennai, for over 1,700 crore. Thirteen bids were placed for the deal, including by several global investors. For ESR India and Xander deals, too, property analysts think there will be many serious bidders. Mint recently reported that US-based Prologis Inc., the worlds largest owner of warehouses, plans to invest around $500 million in India by 2026 to build a large portfolio of warehousing parks in the country. Canadian investor Brookfield has also been exploring opportunities to enter the warehousing space in the country. Investor interest is so much that there is more money chasing warehousing assets than the availability of good quality assets. Deals are happening at fair market valuation. There is clearly more interest and more investors for warehousing properties than office," said Shobhit Agarwal, managing director and CEO, Anarock Capital. (Bloomberg) -- Europes top banks have convened a task force to boost the industrys capacity to support a step change in the regions defense spending. Banks including BNP Paribas SA, UniCredit SpA, Intesa Sanpaolo SpA, ING Groep NV, Deutsche Bank AG and Cooperatieve Rabobank UA have signed up to a task force on defense financing set up by the European Banking Federation in recent days, the EBF told Bloomberg News. Other countries including Germany, Spain, Belgium and Poland are represented in the task force through their national banking lobbies, as are EBF specialists. A broad segment of our membership is involved, as this has become a topical issue in most, if not all, member states, said the EBFs deputy chief executive, Sebastien de Brouwer, on the same day that finance ministers meeting in Warsaw threw their weight behind Europes decision to ramp up defense spending. The topic will be discussed in more detail on Saturday. The banks task force is exploring what regulatory issues, if any, prevent lenders from backing defense projects and companies and how those can be addressed. It will also coordinate how the finance industry communicates around its defense activities, and explore the possibility of incentives to encourage greater levels of activity. The objective is to ease the way for banks to support Europes higher defense spending. We are very pleased to be joining the task force. Deutsche Bank is strongly committed to supporting the growth of the European defense sector, the German bank told Bloomberg. Many of Europes banks have traditionally been reluctant to lend to companies engaged in defense-related activities, but several regulators told Bloomberg the restrictions mostly related to the banks own environmental, social and governance policies rather than rules. Banks see the current financing push by European states as helpful, because it reduces the reputational risk of lending to arms manufacturers and others involved in the defense industry. --With assistance from Jorge Valero. (Updates to add Deutsche Bank in second, sixth paragraphs.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com 12 former OpenAI employees have filed an amicus brief in a lawsuit brought by Elon Musk. The data scientists and engineers argue that the ChatGPT maker has abandoned its non-profit roots and betrayed the mission that originally attracted them to the AI startup. If the OpenAI nonprofit agreed to a change in the OpenAI corporate structure which took away its controlling role, that would fundamentally violate its mission, the former employees say in their petition. The twelve employees, who all worked at the company between 2018 and 2024, are being represented by Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig. One of the petitioners in the case, Todor Markov, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that their petition had nothing to do with Elon Musk and "everything to do with public interest". We worked at OpenAI; we know the promises it was founded on and were worried that in the conversion those promises will be broken. The nonprofit needs to retain control of the for-profit. Markov wrote in his post. Why is Elon Musk suing OpenAI? The world's richest man has a chequered history with OpenAI, having co-founded the company with Sam Altman and a few other key individuals such as Greg Brockman and Ilya Sutskever. However, Musk left the company in 2018 and later emerged as one of its biggest critics after it launched ChatGPT to the public in late 2022. Since then, the billionaire has launched his own AI company called xAI, which has developed a chatbot called Grok. Meanwhile, Musk has also filed a plethora of lawsuits against OpenAI, with the one in question relating to the startup abandoning its purpose as a charity after accepting billions of dollars in support from Microsoft starting from 2019. Musk has also targeted the Sam Altman-led company for working to restructure its structure so that the nonprofit would no longer have control. (Adds comments from Chevron and Hess Corp in paragraphs 4 and 7, context) WASHINGTON, April 11 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission took a step toward potentially reversing bans on certain oil executives joining the boards of Chevron and Exxon Mobil that the Biden administration made a condition that allowed them to acquire two other oil producers. Exxon, which acquired Pioneer Natural Resources last year, had agreed to bar former Pioneer CEO Scott Sheffield from its board. Chevron, which agreed to buy Hess in 2023, consented to a similar order keeping that company's CEO, John Hess, off its board. The FTC said on Friday that it was seeking public comment on petitions filed by Sheffield, Chevron and Hess Corp seeking to reverse the bans. Mr. Hess is a highly respected industry leader, and our board would benefit from his global experience, relationships and expertise," a Chevron spokesperson said in a statement. Both deals got the greenlight from the FTC, then led by Chair Lina Khan, on the condition that Hess and Sheffield be barred from the respective boards over concerns they would coordinate with members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Both John Hess and Sheffield denied the allegations. A spokesperson for Hess Corp said the concerns raised by the FTC were "entirely without merit." FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson, then a commissioner, and fellow Republican Commissioner Melissa Holyoak voted against the agreements, saying they overstepped the agency's authority. (Bloomberg) -- Lawyers for British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell said they asked the US Supreme Court to overturn her 2021 sex-trafficking conviction, arguing she was shielded from prosecution under a deal her former boyfriend Jeffrey Epstein reached with the government in a separate case. In her petition, which was provided by her lawyer, Maxwell argued she was covered by terms of a 2007 non-prosecution agreement Epstein reached with a US attorney in Florida. Prosecutors agreed not to pursue criminal charges against Epstein or any potential co-conspirators in exchange for his guilty plea on state charges he solicited minors to engage in prostitution. Maxwell is serving a 20-year sentence at a low-security prison in Tallahassee, Florida. During her jury trial in New York, witnesses testified Maxwell lured and groomed underage girls for abuse by Epstein the disgraced financier who died in jail awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges and sometimes participated in the assaults herself. A copy of Maxwells petition was provided by her lawyer, David Markus, who said it was submitted Thursday. The document wasnt immediately visible on the Supreme Courts website. The Supreme Court clerks office typically takes a few days to formally docket a new appeal. Last year, a federal appeals court in Manhattan rejected Maxwells argument that she was covered by Epsteins Florida deal. Marcus said the high court should review the case because federal appeals courts are divided on how non-prosecution agreements should apply to co-conspirators. At the time of Epsteins case in Florida, Maxwell wasnt charged, but she was considered a potential co-conspirator in the criminal probe. In light of the disparity in how the circuit courts interpret the enforceability of non-prosecution agreements, Maxwells motion to dismiss would have been granted if she had been charged in at least four other circuits, Markus wrote in the petition. Nick Biase, a spokesman for the Manhattan US Attorneys Office, which prosecuted the case, declined to comment. A 2020 Justice Department investigation concluded that then-US Attorney Alexander Acosta used poor judgment in approving a generous plea deal with Epstein, but didnt commit professional misconduct. In that Florida case, Epstein was accused of sexually abusing dozens of girls. He signed a non-prosecution agreement with Acostas office that avoided federal charges, while he pleaded guilty to state charges. He served 13 months in a work-release program. Maxwell was arrested in 2020, a year after Epstein committed suicide while facing a separate sex-trafficking case by federal prosecutors in New York. She was convicted in 2021 on five charges for recruiting and grooming underage girls for Epstein to abuse between 1994 and 2004. The appeal was first reported by ABC News. --With assistance from Greg Stohr. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com New Delhi, Indian brewing majors have demanded a level playing field in the Delhi market for beer saying that the domestic manufacturers are charged 150 per cent excise duty while those coming from Bhutan and Nepal are taxed at lesser rates. This absence of custom duty on the import of beer from Bhutan has put a "huge disadvantageous" situation for the Indian brewers as they are sold below the MRP price of the Indian beers, the Brewers Association of India said in a letter to the Delhi government. The Indian government allows imports without customs duty from countries like Bhutan and Nepal to encourage industry there. Some state governments impose an additional excise duty on imported beer to offset the absence of customs duty and to ensure a level playing field against imported beer from Bhutan or Nepal, the association said. "However, the Delhi government does not apply any countervailing duty on beer imports. Further, it also applies lesser taxes on imports, i.e., 65 per cent Excise Duty and 0 per cent Additional Excise duty compared to 150 per cent Excise Duty and 10 per cent Additional Excise Duty on domestic beer," it said. Taking advantage of this, a large number of small Indian companies have started importing beer from Bhutan and Nepal to sell in Delhi. In this process, the government also earns 20 per bottle less in taxes from imported beer. "Using the higher margin to put in trade and brand pushing, several brands from Bhutan are flooding the Delhi market. Many of these brands are unknown, unheard of and do not sell anywhere else in India. Very little is known of the breweries and quality standards followed in their production," BAI said in its letter by its DG Vinod Giri. BAI represents leading beer markers - United Breweries, ABInBev and Carlsberg, which together account for 85 per cent of the beer sold in India. "Furthermore, if such discrimination and higher margins on supplies from these countries continue, there is a fear that other beer makers may move investment there, which would be detrimental to the government's policy of 'Make in India'," it said. BAI has recommended "to impose same excise duty at the rate of 150 per cent on imported beer as it is applied on domestic beer". By doing so, the government will earn the same revenues as domestic suppliers and ensure a level playing field. "Further, to maintain MRP parity, the importers from Bhutan will need to adjust their supplier prices, thus reducing the excess margin which is feeding brand pushing," it said. According to a study by Oxford Economics, the Indian beer industry contributed 92,324 crore to India's economy in 2023, which represented 0.3 per cent of the national GDP. It contributed 51,376 crore in tax revenues through excise, sales taxes, other taxes, and the taxes paid by the downstream value chain, it said. (Bloomberg) -- Excavation work at a Keystone Pipeline oil spill has been delayed because crews must clean up sludge around the site, according to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality. Heavy equipment has been moved close to the location of Tuesdays leak that spewed 3,500 barrels of oil across a remote area of the state, but digging cant commence until a mixture of crude and water is removed, agency official Marty Haroldson said by phone on Friday. The excavation, which had been expected to start on Thursday, is the first step in repairing the pipe system that hauls Canadian oil to US markets. South Bow Corp.s Keystone conduit can transport more than 620,000 barrels of crude daily from Alberta to refineries in the Midwest and Gulf Coast. The line thats been shut since Tuesdays spill normally accounts for about 15% of Canadian oil exports to the US. Canada is the largest US supplier of foreign crude, sending its southern neighbor about 4 million barrels a day. Canadian heavy crude prices have remained strong since the shutdown amid low inventories in Canada, oil-sands maintenance work thats curtailed some output, and extra hauling capacity on other pipe systems. Western Canadian Select crude in Albertas discount to US benchmark West Texas Intermediate widened to $10 a barrel from $9.80 on Thursday, according to a person familiar with prices and General Index data compiled by Bloomberg. The discount averaged about $15 over the past two years. Enbridge Inc., operator of the largest oil pipeline export system in Canada, isnt rationing space this month and the expanded Trans Mountain pipeline shipped a record volume of crude by tanker from a marine terminal near Vancouver last month. While our Mainline is typically running at capacity, there was some flexibility this month due to seasonal maintenance activity among our customers, Enbridge said in an email. This allowed us to accommodate those shippers seeking transportation on our system due to the Keystone leak. South Bow has committed to not restart the pipeline without prior US government approval, according to a statement from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. A total of 910 barrels have been recovered and PHMSA has dispatched eight inspectors to investigate the cause of the spill, the agency said. (Adds Canadian oil price in fourth, fifth paragraphs.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com (Bloomberg) -- Luigi Mangiones lawyer sought a court order barring federal prosecutors from seeking the death penalty against him for allegedly murdering UnitedHealth Group Inc. executive Brian Thompson, saying US Attorney General Pam Bondi was seeking execution as a political stunt. Bondi issued an April 1 press release saying she had directed federal prosecutors in Manhattan to pursue capital punishment for Mangione for committing a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination. She also said the move was part of President Donald Trumps agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again. Defense lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo said in a Friday court filing that Bondis statement violated established protocol for seeking the federal death penalty and that her invocation of Trumps agenda made clear that her decision was based on politics rather than the law. The stakes could not be higher, Friedman Agnifilo said. The United States government intends to kill Mr. Mangione as a political stunt. Mangione, 26, is charged with fatally shooting Thompson outside a midtown Manhattan hotel in December before fleeing and touching off a manhunt that ended with his arrest at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Mangione has been hailed as folk hero for many who say he expressed their rage at the health-care system. Mangione was indicted on state murder charges by the Manhattan district attorneys office days after his December arrest. He was also charged in a federal criminal complaint. Friedman Agnifilo said Friday that the existence of the state case undercuts the federal interest in the death penalty. She said Bondis statement, which was also posted on Instagram, could taint the jury pool for both cases. The defense lawyer pointed to other decisions by the Trump Justice Department that she characterized as political in nature, including dismissing corruption charges against New York Mayor Eric Adams, deporting a Salvadoran man despite an order barring his removal, and issuing executive orders against major US law firms. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com The flutes might soon be a little less full at one New York City champagne bar, thanks to sweeping US tariffs on European imports that include French wine and champagne. Herve Rousseau, the owner of Flute Bar, said hes considering pouring about 10% less per glass for French bottles to avoid raising prices, and he plans to be upfront with customers. Well explain what were doing, even do some Instagram Reels to talk about it, he said. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs just 13 hours after they took effect, impacting dozens of trade partners, including the European Union. A 10% tariff remains in place for most countries during the pause, though the sudden policy whiplash has fueled market volatility. Rousseau intends to start the smaller pour if a 20% tariff for EU goods is implemented. The move is a clear example of shrinkflation: getting a little less for the same price. Companies often hope most people wont notice or wont care. And its not just champagne bars. Last year, a LendingTree analysis found that about a third of nearly 100 everyday products shrank in the preceding four or five years. Goods like toilet paper and paper towels were among the most affected, shrinking by way of fewer sheets per roll. Other Options Tucked inside a former speakeasy in Midtown Manhattan, Flute sources about 75% of its wine inventory from Europe, mostly France. So far, the bar hasnt felt the sting of tariffs. Rousseau said he has stock on hand from US-based suppliers that will likely last another month or two. But he expects pressure to build once that runs out. Rousseau said hes not overly worried about tariffs on their own Flute has weathered plenty of crises in its 27 years, from 9/11 to the 2008 financial crash. New York always adapts, he said. But if the broader economy takes a hit on top of price pressures, that could be a much bigger problem, he added. Instead of immediately raising prices, hes planning to spotlight Intime, a sparkling wine from Long Island thats exclusive to Flute. The champagne alternative is made with organic ginger using a 1920s French recipe, and produced using the traditional Champagne method. Its the only one in the world made this way, Rousseau said. Hes also leaning more on champagne cocktails, which use just a splash of French champagne over mostly domestic ingredients. Because its maybe only 10% or 20% champagne, we can keep the pricing more stable, he said. If the big-name champagne houses raise prices, Rousseau said he may pass some of that cost on, but sees it as a chance to engage more deeply with customers. Well go deeper with the wine, give more context and storytelling, he said. Its a good opportunity to turn it into an experience. Flute isnt alone in bracing for impact. Even before the current tariffs took effect, wine and spirits businesses were already searching for a response to the uncertainty. Last month, President Trump threatened a 200% tariff on European wines and spirits in response to the European Unions proposed 50% tariff on American whiskey. Wine collectors paused purchases, and some restaurants began stockpiling as a result. The EU later dropped its whiskey tariff. While Trump hasnt formally withdrawn his retaliatory threat, the pressure has eased at least for now. Prioritizing US Brands Other businesses are adjusting, not by shrinking pours or packages, but by showcasing US brands. Merchants Hospitality, which operates restaurants across New York, is using the trade war to spotlight American producers from boutique winemakers like Bedrock and Antica Terra to domestic spirits like WhistlePig and St. George. We see this as an opportunity rather than a setback, Chief Executive Officer Abraham Merchant said. Full Glass Wine Co., which owns online wine brands like Wine Insiders and Scout & Cellar and sells directly to consumers, is also buying more US wines and working with suppliers to absorb costs. About 30% of its portfolio comes from Europe, the company said. Well just reallocate a bit, said CEO Louis Amoroso. And were taking less margin. The company also plans to lean more on domestic sparkling wines including California bubbly to offset tariff pressure on champagne. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. (Bloomberg) -- A Saudi princess embroiled in a long-running fight with her ex-husband over a $33 million Beverly Hills property says shes a single mother of six and at this point cant even afford a lawyer. I am exhausted both financially, emotionally and psychologically, Princess Fahdah Husain Abdulrahman Al Athel said in a filing about a seven-year battle over repairs to their 2.3-acre compound. She asked the judge to make her former husband report any sale of the 0.9-hectare property to avoid any possible abuse of his legal advantage in the case. I am not able to overcome my ex-husbands power and financial capabilities, Princess Fahdah said of Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, son of the late Saudi King Abdullah. The prince sued in 2018 seeking to stop her from selling the property until they decided how to split up the proceeds, and the court ruled in his favor in March. She said in last weeks filing in Delaware Chancery Court that she would represent herself and cant afford to travel to hearings because the prince hasnt honored his financial commitments. Neighbors to Royalty Its the latest skirmish in the battle royal over the property, which the couple bought for $16.8 million in 2011 as a vacation home. Some of their neighbors at the time included actor Mark Wahlberg, Platinum Equity Chief Executive Officer Tom Gores and onetime San Francisco Giants home run king Barry Bonds. Now the California dream home has turned into a recurring legal nightmare. Jason Jowers, a lawyer for Prince Faisal, declined to comment on the case. The prince has told Vice Chancellor Paul Fioravanti Jr. that the property is facing a potential fire-sale auction because the princess hasnt paid her half of the tax bill as required by a settlement agreement, with an April deadline looming. Princess Fahdah didnt respond to an emailed request for comment on the case. The property boasts two Italian-style villas with more than 18 bedrooms and 28 bathrooms. It is owned by a Delaware company set up by the couple and is valued on a real estate website at about $33 million. But it has fallen into disrepair and cant be sold in its current condition, according to court filings. Mostly Dead The landscaping is mostly dead, the pool is empty and the water lines emptied, the princesss former attorney said in a court filing. Much of the carpeting throughout the property was stained, damaged, or generally unusable. The former couple has been jousting for years over responsibility for repairs and the power to hire contractors to start work. In 2022 they agreed to settle the dispute over the property, at 76 Beverly Park Lane, so it could be mended. But the prince said his ex hadnt paid her share of the repair bill, homeowner association fees and taxes, and asked Fioravanti to put him in charge of the restoration. The judge agreed. The princess said her financial difficulties are tied to her status as a single mother of 6 children. I am taking care of my children with almost no involvement of their father. For those reasons, she told the court, I am not in a financial position to allow me to retain another attorney in this matter. I hope this court will understand my situation. The case is Prince Faisal bin Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud v. Princess Fahdah Husain Abdulrahman Al Athel, 2018-0364, Delaware Chancery Court (Wilmington). --With assistance from Fahad Abuljadayel. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, which has been embroiled in a patent lawsuit in the US since last year over its specialty drug Leqselvi, received a favourable ruling from a court, paving the way for the drugs launch in America, it said on Thursday. The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on 9 April vacated a preliminary injunction on Leqselvis launch, lifting restrictions on the launch, Sun Pharma company said in a regulatory filing. The Mumbai-based company had received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for Leqselvi, a drug used to treat alopecia areata that causes hair loss or baldness, in July 2024. However, soon after the regulators approval, American biopharma company Incyte Corporation filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Sun Pharma, alleging that Leqselvi infringed upon its existing patents. In November 2024, the US District Court of New Jersey granted a preliminary injunction, halting Leqselvi's launch in the US until the lawsuit was resolved. While the injunction has been vacated, the broader patent litigation between Sun Pharma and Incyte Corporation is still ongoing. However, this ruling allows Sun Pharma to proceed with the launch of Leqselvi in the US. The company is no longer under a court order that delays or restricts the company from launching Leqselvi. The company will disclose Leqselvi launch plans in due course of time," Sun Pharma said in the filing. Cautious stance Uncertainty over the launch had caused the companys stocks to dip in November, and brokerages have remained cautious in their stance. The company had stated in previous earnings calls that if the rulings were unfavourable, it would have to wait until the patent expires in December 2026 to launch the drug. ... my understanding is that this patent is valid till December of 2026. So in case if the judgment is what you call not in our favour, and if we can't get a final judgment earlier than that, then we have to wait till December '26," Dilip Shanghvi, chairman and managing director of Sun Pharma, had said in an investor call in February. Leqselvi is expected to be a $200 million opportunity for Sun Pharma in 3-4 years after launch, according to Elara Capital, a brokerage. ZURICH, April 11 (Reuters) - Switzerland's main banking lobby on Friday said the Swiss economy could face serious consequences if UBS were driven away, intensifying warnings about the risks of hitting the bank with excessive regulations. Switzerland is drawing up stricter banking rules to make the sector more robust after the 2023 collapse of Credit Suisse. UBS acquired its old rival, raising concern about the potential risk to the economy the enlarged bank posed. UBS says it has no plans to leave, though people familiar with its thinking say there is concern it could become a takeover target if it is unduly held back, and that it has considered all scenarios, including moving its headquarters. The Credit Suisse takeover made UBS the only big international bank left in Switzerland, and the regulatory back-and-forth on how to prevent another crisis has centred on the amount of additional capital the bank should hold. UBS says it is well capitalised and that excessive capital requirements would put it at a disadvantage to rivals, undermining the competitiveness of the Swiss financial sector. The Swiss Bankers Association said last month that if new regulations were too onerous, that could encourage a UBS exit. In a report setting out the benefits that banking has brought to the Swiss economy, the SBA said the country needed to maintain an internationally competitive financial sector - and addressed the costs of a potential UBS departure. "A potential relocation of the remaining big bank could ... have serious consequences in the medium term," the SBA said. "A strategy that no longer focuses on global business activities, but rather on a predominantly regulatory and economic orientation towards the EU, could significantly disadvantage banking sector activities, especially in other, growing regions of the world, without any related advantages." A decline in Switzerland's financial sector could hurt economic output, jobs, strain public finances and limit access to capital for businesses, the SBA said. The escalating tariff fight between the US and China is casting a shadow over one of the worlds biggest pending deals, and traders are growing fearful that the takeover will get bogged down by Beijings antitrust regulators. Ansys Inc., which agreed to be bought by chip-designer Synopsys Inc. for about $34 billion back in January 2024, ranks as the worlds sixth-biggest acquisition of the past two years, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. But in less than two weeks the deal spread the difference the value of the cash-and-stock offer and current trading price of the target company has widened from roughly $25 per share to more than $40. That swelling gap reflects growing uncertainty that the deal will be able to clear its last major hurdle approval from China, which the companies are hoping to get in the first half of this year. China does not tend to block transactions outright, but they could kick the can down the road over and over again until the companies eventually give up, said Matthew Osowiecki, a merger arbitrage-focused portfolio manager at Water Island Capital. If they are looking for a way to get back at the US by either prolonging the process or extracting additional remedies, that leads to delays. Last Holdout Although both companies are based in the US, their businesses are global and in critical sectors to China. Synopsys is one of the few major companies in the world that makes software used to design semiconductors, 16% of its 2024 revenues came from China, data compiled by Bloomberg show. Ansys makes simulation software used by engineers to predict how products will work in the real world. The purchase has received regulatory approval in the US, UK, Europe, and several other smaller jurisdictions. China is the last significant holdout. The deal warrants scrutiny from Chinese regulators because the companies are in strategic sectors, said Oppenheimer analyst Ken Wong. But rising political tensions between Beijing and the Trump administration pose a greater risk to the deals closing, he said. Synopsys continues to expect the transaction to close in the first half and is making strong progress toward gaining regulatory approval, a company spokesperson said. An Ansys representative declined to comment. It isnt unusual for Chinas reviews of takeovers by foreign companies to drag on. In 2018, US-based Qualcomm Inc. scrapped a $44 billion bid for Dutch chipmaker NXP Semiconductors NV after failing to secure a nod in time, and in 2023 Intel Corp. abandoned its proposed $5.4 billion acquisition of Tower Semiconductor Ltd. for the same reason. Broadcom Inc.s $61 billion merger with software maker VMware Inc. eventually went through, although investors were on edge throughout the process due to speculation that China was holding up the deal. Risk Spreads The uncertainties are affecting smaller deals, too. For example, the spread in the proposed combination of UK telecom network testing company Spirent Communications Plc and US buyer KeySight Technologies Inc. has spiked to its highest level since November. Chinas Huawei Technologies Co. is Spirents second-largest customer, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. The takeover by KeySight was approved by the UK competition regulator last month. However, the company has since delayed the completion date previously at the end of April until the end of July, while it seeks approval in the US as well as in China. KeySight declined to comment. China may wind down the clock on US deals which need approval as a covert retaliation tactic against the US, said Emmanuel Valavanis, senior vice president of equity sales at Forte Securities. Tariffs are front and center of investor minds right now, but dont forget weve also had IP Wars between China and the US for a number of years, together with aggressive rivalry on tech and US blacklisting Chinese companies. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Veteran industrialist and former Bajaj Auto vice-chairman Madhur Bajaj died here after a brief illness, sources told news agency PTI. He was 73 and is survived by his wife Kumud, and two daughters -- Neelima and Nimisha. Madhur Bajaj was admitted to Breach Candy Hospital in South Mumbai a few days ago due to health issues. Two days back, he suffered a stroke as well, the sources said. He took his last breath at the hospital at around 5 am on Friday, they said. Bajaj's last rites were performed in the afternoon at Worli crematorium in Mumbai. Born on August 19, 1952, a third-generation member of the late businessman and politician Jamanlal Bajaj clan, Madhur Bajaj, resigned from the vice-chairmanship of Bajaj Auto in January last year owing to health issues. Who was Madhur Bajaj? After attending the prestigious Doon School of Dehradun and graduating from Mumbai's Sydenham College in 1973, he completed his MBA at the International Institute of Management Development (IMD) in Lausanne, Switzerland, in 1979. Madhur Bajaj also served as a director of Bajaj Finserv Limited, Bajaj Electricals Limited, and several other companies in the Bajaj Group. He was also the Chairman of Maharashtra Scooters Limited. He was President of the Society of the Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) from 2005-07 and past President of Mahratta Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture (MCCIA), the apex Industries Association of Pune. Bajaj received the 'Vikas Rattan' Award from the International Friendship Society of India for enriching human life and outstanding achievements. India Inc condoles Bajaj's death "With profound grief, we at SIAM and the Indian Automobile Industry mourn the sad demise of Madhur Bajaj, former vice chairman of Bajaj Auto Ltd (and former president of SIAM during 2005-07," SIAM President and Managing Director of Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Ltd and Tata Passenger Electric Mobility Ltd, Shailesh Chandra said in a statement on X. China hiked tariffs on U.S. goods to 125% from 84% early Friday intensifying the trade war between the worlds two largest economies. Beijing responded after the White House confirmed that President Donald Trumps latest tariff hike on Chinese goods took the rate to 145%. However, Chinas finance ministry suggested the country would not keep escalating tariffs as the current levies meant that was no market acceptance for U.S. goods exported to China." If the U.S. continues to impose tariffs on Chinese goods exported to the U.S., China will ignore it," it said in a statement which seemed to set a cap on its tariffs. Tesla Companies are already adapting to the new trade landscape. Tesla halted new orders in China for two imported, U.S.-made models, Reuters reported. The order now option is no longer showing for the electric-vehicle makers Model S and Model X on the companys Chinese website, Barrons verified. China Trade Ties China is also taking steps to strengthen trade ties with countries around the world. Those efforts have already begunPresident Xi Jinping met with Spains Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing on Friday. Xi is also set to visit Vietnam, Cambodia and Malaysia next week, state-run news agency Xinhua reported, while European Union leaders are planning to visit Beijing for a summit with Xi in July, the South China Morning Post reported. Uncertainty Separately, Trumps 90-day pause of reciprocal tariffs remains fragile," Frances President Emmanuel Macron warned Friday. Macron said that while the suspension is a signal that the door is open to negotiation it also means 90 days of uncertainty for all businesses, on both sides of the Atlantic and beyond" in a post on X. He urged the European Union to continue to work on countermeasures. The EU paused a plan to impose retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. Thursday in the aftermath of Trumps decision to delay levies on countries around the world. Trump Talks Meanwhile, the Trump administration is racing to strike ad hoc deals with more than 70 countries, The Wall Street Journal reported early Friday. Any agreements reached are likely to fall short of traditional trade deals in terms of substance, which typically take several years to negotiate, according to people with knowledge of the discussions. Indias goods movement hit a new high in March, as businesses rushed to dispatch inventories before the financial year closed. The number of electronic permitsor e-way billsused to ship goods within and across states surged to a record 124.5 million, government data showed, underscoring a spike in factory activity and economic momentum. The sharp rise20% higher than March last year and 11.5% more than Februarypoints to robust year-end clearance from warehouses and factories, often a prelude to higher tax receipts. Read this | Trump tariffs may force India to review Viksit Bharat playbook A similar surge in March last year preceded a record 2.1 trillion in goods and service tax (GST) collection in April 2024. Since GST revenues reflect the previous months sales, the latest e-way bill data suggests the government may be looking at another bumper tax haul this month. Read this | Uttar Pradesh tops Tamil Nadu in GST collection: Myth and reality The data, released by GSTN, the IT backbone of the indirect tax regime, comes amid broader signs of industrial strength. Indias manufacturing PMI for March, released by S&P Global, climbed to 58.1its highest in eight monthsindicating an overall expansion in factory output. Manufacturing gross value added at constant 2011-12 prices is estimated to have grown 4.3% in FY25, according to the second advance estimates from the Ministry of Statistics. E-way bill generation has maintained an upward trajectory for 25 months, with March 2025 setting a new benchmark, said Rajat Mohan, senior partner at AMRG & Associates. Both intra-state and inter-state movement have contributed to this growth, with intra-state e-way bills forming the bulk of the total," said Mohan. "A noticeable rise in inter-state bills from September 2024 onwards suggests improved logistics activity. Since e-way bills are a leading indicator of goods movement and supply chain activity, the trend also suggests macroeconomic stability, with increased business-to-business transactions indicating stronger consumption and production cycles, he said. The rise also reflects improved compliance and policy tightening, according to experts. The electronic permits, which are mandatory for tracking the movement of goods across India, serve as a real-time barometer of economic activity, said Saurabh Agarwal, tax partner at EY. A surge in e-way bill generation directly reflects increased goods movement and signals healthy domestic trade, Agarwal said, adding that rising e-way bill numbers suggested stronger demand and supply dynamics across sectors. Agarwal attributed part of the spike to a rule change that took effect in January 2025. Under new norms, transporters cant generate e-way bills using invoices older than 180 days. Plus, each e-way bill now has a firm validity cap of 360 days, limiting the scope for indefinite extensions and forcing faster goods movement. The increase in numbers not only highlights growing economic momentum but also reflects a system evolving towards greater transparency, compliance, and efficiency. These numbers also reflect that Indian economy is not getting effected by the global headwinds, said Agarwal. New Delhi: US trade policies are hurting European economies, making it vital to deepen innovation-led partnerships with fast-growing economies like India, Austrian finance minister Markus Marterbauer said on Friday. The statement came after Marterbauer and state secretary in the finance ministry Barbara Eibinger-Miedl met visiting finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Vienna to discuss strengthening economic and financial cooperation between the two countries. Also Read | Tariff pause: A chance for the EU to come back stronger and more united "The customs and trade policy of the USA is having a negative impact on the European and Austrian economies. This makes it all the more important to strengthen economic cooperation with all partner countries and promote innovation-driven collaboration," Marterbauer said. "India is the fastest growing economy of all G20 countries with a forecast GDP growth of over six per cent. If trade takes place under fair and sustainable conditions, both partners will benefit," he added. Sitharamans visit to Austria immediately follows one to the UK and is aimed at deepening bilateral ties through high-level dialogues and exploring new avenues for collaboration. Sitharaman will visit the US from 21 to 26 April. The Austrian finance ministry said that the European country, as an export-driven economy, remains committed to global trade rules and is seen as a reliable partner due to its geopolitical position, economic strength, and historical ties. "Cooperation and trade relations with economies such as India are of great importance for our location," added Eibinger-Miedl. "The exchange with Finance Minister Sitharaman underlines the great potential of closer cooperation between Austria and Indiaespecially in the sectors of digital and innovative financial technologies," she added. Sitharaman also met Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer and conveyed greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in investment, trade, fintech, and people-to-people ties, the Austrian finance ministry said. Merchandise trade between India and Austria stood at about $2 billion in 2023-24, which includes exports worth $1.14 billion and imports worth $922 million. Assam SEBA HSLC Result 2025 Highlights: The Assam State School Education Board (earlier known as SEBA) has announced the Assam HSLC Result 2025 on April 11 at 10:30 AM. Those students, who appeared for the Assam Class 10 board examination, can check the results on the official SEBA website. The list of websites to check 'Assam HSLC Result 2025' is given below: The Education Board will announce results for the Class 10 board examination conducted between February 15 and March 3. The Assam HSLC exam took place in two shifts. The three-hour long exam for first shift began at 9:00 AM while that for second shift it commenced at 1:30 PM. Catch all Assam HSLC Result 2025 Highlights here Shanthi Priya, the Mere Sajana Saath Nibhana actress, is making heads turn after she shocked with her bold look. The 55-year-old actress who once shared the screen space with Akshay Kumar in the 1991 film, Saugandh, went bald recently. The actress shattered all age-old beauty standards by flashing off her shaved head in her recent pictures. In a remarkable move, she also remembered her late husband, Siddharth Roy, who passed away in 2004. Making a statement with her bald look, in a post on Instagram, she stated, I recently went bald and my experience has been quite something. As women, we often set limitations in life, go by the rules and even keep ourselves caged. Suggesting that this change has made a big difference in her life, she stated, With this transformation, I have set myself free, free from limitations and intending to break the beauty standards that the world has set upon us and I do it with a lot of courage and faith in my heart! Watch viral photos of Shanthi Priya here: She cherished the moment by donning her husband's brown-toned blazer and added, Today, I also carry the memory of my late husband close, in his blazer that still holds his warmth. Sending power and love to all the women out there! In another post Shanthi Priya shared that this decision wasn't impulsive. Check netizen reaction here: Netizens strongly reacted to this post and praised her new look and called it stunning. One user stated, u look more n more beautiful in ur every transformation..u r really princess of persona. A second user replied, No need to make it a big issue no ones saying anything. Another user remarked, "AI Generated image. Not real." A fourth user wrote, "Now we have to shoot something with you in this look." 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. Washington DC [India], April 11 (ANI): Euphoria star Eric Dane has revealed that he was diagnosed with a rare degenerative disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), reported People. In an interview with People, Dane shared a shocking revelation about his health, which has surprised his fans. The Euphoria actor said that he was diagnosed with ALS and expressed gratitude to his family for their support in navigating this "next chapter" of his life. "I have been diagnosed with ALS," he shares. "I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter," added Dane, as quoted by People. The actor, 52, is married to Rebecca Gayheart, and the couple shares two children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13. Dane also assured his fans that he would be returning to the sets of Euphoria to shoot the third instalment of the series. He also requested the media and fans to grant privacy to him and his family during this phase of his life. "I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to the set of Euphoria next week," he tells People magazine. "I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time," added Dane. According to People, Dane, who currently stars as Cal Jacobs in the series Euphoria, will begin production of season 3 of the hit HBO show on April 14. Euphoria Season 3 went into production in 2025 after long delays on the third installment of the HBO drama series. ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a rare degenerative disease that causes progressive muscle paralysis. Patients first experience twitching or weakness in a limb, which is often followed by slurred speech, reported People. According to the Mayo Clinic, as quoted by People, ALS affects the nerve cells in the brain and spine that control muscle movement. Patients gradually lose their ability to speak, eat, walk, and breathe independently. According to the Muscular Dystrophy Association, there's no cure for ALS, and people usually live three to five years after diagnosis. However, some patients can live for decades. Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], April 11 (ANI): Filmmaker SS Rajamouli was elated after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts Services (AMPAS) gave a special shoutout to his blockbuster film RRR while introducing a new category of Stunt Design for the 100th Oscars ceremony. In a landmark announcement, the Academy introduced a new category for stunt design on Thursday. It will be for the films released in 2027, while the Oscars, for the first time under this category, will be announced in 2028 at its 100th edition, reported Variety. Along with the Hollywood stunt community, filmmaker Rajamouli is also on cloud nine after his movie RRR got a special shoutout by the Academy, along with Tom Cruise's Mission Impossible, as they introduced the Best Stunt Design category for the Oscars. Taking to his X handle, the RRR director expressed gratitude to director David Leitch, Chris O'Hara, and the stunt community for their efforts in making this historic recognition possible. He wrote, "At last!! After a 100-year wait !!! Ecstatic for the new Oscars stunt design category for the films releasing in 2027! Huge thanks to David Leitch, Chris O'Hara, and the stunt community for making this historic recognition possible, and to @TheAcademy, CEO Bill Kramer, and President Janet Yang for honoring the power of stunt work. Thrilled to see #RRRMovie's action visual shining in the announcement!" According to Variety, the category rules for eligibility and voting for the inaugural award will be announced in 2027 with the complete 100th Academy Awards Rules. The specifics of the award's presentation will be determined later by the Academy's Board of Governors and executive leadership. The last new award category created in the Oscars was achievement in casting, established in 2024. It will begin with next year's 98th Academy Awards for films released in 2025. In a statement to Variety, Jeff Wolfe, president of the Stuntmen's Association, expressed his happiness at the announcement of the stunt design category. He called it a "historic moment" for their community (stuntmen). "I can't express enough how thrilled and proud we are to see the Academy recognize the art and craft of stunt action design with its own Oscar category. This is a historic moment for our community. For decades, stunt performers, coordinators, and action designers have played a crucial role in shaping the cinematic experience, often putting their bodies on the line to bring unforgettable moments to the screen. This recognition validates the passion, innovation, creativity and hard work that go into every fall, fight, and fireball. It's not just a win for our industry -- it's a win for storytelling," said Wolfe, as quoted by Variety. The CNO Future Fund in Vanuatu connects foreign investment with local economic development, focusing on renewable energy, agriculture, and infrastructure. This fund invests in productive industries, including coconut oil biofuel production. Vanuatu has historically been dependent on tourism and raw commodity exports, making its economy vulnerable to global disruptions and natural disasters. By investing in local industries, the fund seeks to create long-term economic stability by supporting coconut farmers, refining facilities, and energy projects. Daniel Agius, Chief Operating Officer of the Vanuatu Investment Marketing Bureau (VIMB), which manages the fund, highlighted the broader impact. This isnt just about bringing in capitalits about creating industries that generate long-term value for Vanuatus economy, he said. Strengthening the Coconut Industry Coconut farming has been a core sector in Vanuatus economy, but much of its output has been exported as raw copraa lower-value commodity that benefits foreign refiners more than local farmers. The CNO Future Fund is working to expand processing capabilities within Vanuatu, allowing the country to produce higher-value coconut oil and biofuel. The fund is investing in drying and refining hubs to improve production efficiency and enable farmers to sell their products at better prices. This shift from exporting raw materials to local processing helps retain economic benefits within Vanuatu while creating stable demand for coconut farmers. Agius noted the economic shift that comes with these investments. Farmers are no longer at the mercy of fluctuating international prices. With local processing facilities, they have a more stable and predictable market, he said. Developing Infrastructure to Support Local Businesses One of the greatest challenges for Vanuatus industries has been poor transportation infrastructure, which makes it difficult for farmers to deliver products to processing facilities and for businesses to access export markets. To address this, the CNO Future Fund has supported logistics improvements, including new transportation routes for coconut shipments and biofuel distribution networks. Recent projects include improved connectivity to Torba, Sanma, and the Shepherd Islands, as well as the community-led rebuilding of Craig Cove Wharf. These infrastructure upgrades help reduce supply chain costs and make it easier for farmers and businesses to operate more efficiently. The government has also identified renewable energy as a priority sector, and the fund is contributing by helping expand electricity access in rural areas. Once planned generators are installed, coconut oil volumes already produced could support approximately 2MW of grid-based power, reducing Vanuatus reliance on imported diesel and supporting small businesses that need stable power for operations. Creating Jobs and Workforce Training As investment increases in coconut oil biofuel production and infrastructure, the demand for skilled workers is rising. The CNO Future Fund has already contributed to employment growth in coconut farming, processing, and logistics. More than 55 new jobs have been created through the funds initiatives, with 40 formalized production agreements supporting rural income stability. To further strengthen the workforce, the fund is working with local training programs to equip workers with technical skills in refining, quality control, and logistics management. These efforts are aimed at making Vanuatus workforce more competitive and supporting long-term industry development. Economic growth is about making sure people have the skills to participate in these industries, Agius explained. Thats why workforce training is a key part of what were doing. Building Vanuatus Presence in Global Trade With expanded processing capabilities and more efficient production systems, Vanuatu is becoming a more attractive trading partner for countries seeking sustainable coconut oil and biofuel. Global demand for environmentally friendly energy sources is growing, and Vanuatus coconut oil industry is positioning itself to meet that demand. The CNO Future Fund is working with trade partners and investors to develop export markets for locally produced biofuels and coconut-based products. This helps stabilize agricultural prices, provides steady income for farmers, and creates new business opportunities for local companies. Note to readers: This article is part of Mints paid consumer connect Initiative. Mint assumes no editorial involvement or responsibility for errors, omissions, or content accuracy. The presidents tariff offensive could put a halt to already slowing crude-oil growth in the U.S. Free trade fueled the U.S.s rise as an oil-and-gas hegemon. President Trumps America First era is set to force a painful readjustment. Globalization has been a boon to U.S. oil-and-gas companies, which have been able to export their abundant surplus of fossil fuels. This in turn has blown the lid off domestic production, allowing America to lap Saudi Arabia and Russia as the worlds top producer of oil and gasand narrow its trade deficit. Now, Trumps levy offensive could put these gains at risk by hurting demand for U.S. products. It could also create an opening for Americas energy rivals to regain market share. Although the presidents duty increases exempt energy flows, fears of a global recession have damped crude prices. Despite the 90-day pause that Trump declared on some tariffs Wednesday, U.S. oil prices are still trading at levels that will likely cause domestic production to flatlineif not declinethis year. Since Trumps tariff-unveiling last week, they have fallen about 17% to below $60 a barrel, a price that shale drillers say would eventually hinder their investment plans. The trade war has also ensnared U.S. sales of liquefied natural gas as American firms are erecting new export facilities. Chinas retaliatory tariffs against the U.S. hit all of its products, including LNG. Although some countries such as Japan and South Korea might increase their purchases of natural gas to placate Trump, a global downturn could imperil export projects. Many industries, from car manufacturers to tech firms, have been shocked by Trumps market-rattling attempt to reorient the worlds trade order. The U.S.s retreat from world commerce will be especially brutal for oil and gas firms, which have long drilled in international fields, refined foreign crude, and shipped petroleum and natural gas across the world. The oil industry is by nature a global industry," said Dan Yergin, vice chairman of S&P Global and co-author of The Commanding Heights," a book about the rise of free markets. Theyre going to have to find a new playbook." During Trumps campaign, his oil-and-gas donors pressed him to enmesh their industry further in international commerce. Some of his first executive orders, which aimed to make it easier for companies to build new pipelines and export more fossil fuels, seemed to fulfill his campaign promise to make oil and gas a pillar of U.S. prosperity and global dominance. An LNG tanker docked in Louisiana. The trade war has also ensnared U.S. sales of liquefied natural gas. But the presidents tariffs appear to undermine this energy dominance" plan to unleash American fossil fuels on the world stage. Theres a head scratcher," said Robert Yawger, director of the futures division at investment bank Mizuho Americas. You claim that the energy industry is the darling of your economic plan, and you just made life very difficult." International sales have been a growth engine for U.S. oil and gas, turning the sector into an American export powerhouse. Energy was responsible for 15% of U.S. exports last year, according to Barclays analysts. The European Union alone imported roughly $79 billion of energy products from America. When Congress a decade ago lifted a ban on oil exports, it provided shale companies with a crucial outlet for their booming production. The gusher of crude has blunted the pricing power of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and bolstered the U.S.s influence over its member nations. American refineries still import millions of barrels of oil every day, but overseas sales of petroleum last year allowed the U.S. to log a roughly $45 billion surplus, according to the Census Bureauthe highest on record. In tandem with surging crude production, the U.S. has been cranking out a torrent of natural gas. Drillers stumped by low domestic prices have sought out international buyers, and the U.S. has surpassed Australia and Qatar as the worlds largest LNG exporter. Trumps trade blocks could change that. Counter-tariffs of the kind China slapped against the U.S. could make American LNG less attractive to buyers. Only 6% of Chinas LNG supply came from the U.S. in 2024, but U.S. companies in recent years signed supply contracts with Chinese buyers that amount to six times these volumes, according to the Center on Global Energy Policy at Columbia University. Additionally, Trumps tariffs, by weakening oil demand and depressing prices, could put a halt to already slowing crude growth in the U.S. Producers have exhausted most of their high-quality drilling locations, which has pressured them to merge. Some analysts say OPEC and its allies recent decision to boost output signals that the group believes its American rivals are finally slowing. A prolonged period of lower oil prices could take a toll on drillers in the Permian, the biggest oil field in the U.S. It could increase smaller producers debt leverage, pressure them to sell themselvesand shift an expected decline in production in some U.S. oil fields from 2026 to this year, said Tom Loughrey, president of energy analytics firm FLOW Partners. This could really be a punch to the face of the U.S. producer," Loughrey said. $60 oil does not work." Consulting firm Rystad Energy estimates that above $62 a barrelincluding dividend payments to shareholders and debt-service expensesis the price many U.S. oil players need to break even. Andy Hendricks, chief executive of oil-field services company Patterson-UTI, said that if prices fell further into the $50-a-barrel range, you have the potential to bring U.S. production down," which would give a freer hand to the U.S.s crude competitors. American oil prices falling to $50 a barrel could reduce U.S. crude output by roughly 8% in a year, according to S&P Global Commodity Insights. Some wildcatters are undeterred. Mike Oestmann, a West Texas oilman who sold his company in 2023, is looking to partner with other investors to buy acreage and start a new drilling project in the coming months. Oestmann said the Permian still has good wells and truck traffic in the oil patch is still going strong. Thats a good sign," he said. It can change quickly. I realize that." Write to Benoit Morenne at benoit.morenne@wsj.com and Collin Eaton at collin.eaton@wsj.com NEW DELHI : Japan is stepping in to help India clean up its power sector. The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the countrys development aid arm, will work with Indias Central Electricity Authority (CEA) to draft a carbon-neutral roadmap for the sector starting in FY26, two people familiar with the matter told Mint. The four-year plan aims to cut emissions and support Indias broader push to reach net-zero by 2070. The initiative is part of a growing energy and infrastructure partnership between the two countries, and marks a new phase of collaboration focused on decarbonization technology, policy planning and long-term institutional development. Read this | Indias carbon market to be launched in 2026, says power minister JICA will provide technical assistance to reduce carbon emissions in the power sector and help align Indias targetsbuilding 500 GW of non-fossil power capacity and meeting half of its electricity demand from renewables by 2030with actionable policy and planning. This collaboration (with JICA) will be crucial in aligning Indias power sector with its 2030 decarbonization targets," said one of the people cited above, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The roadmap will guide long-term planning, technology adoption, and policy support to accelerate the shift to clean energy." An email to the spokesperson of the Central Electricity Authority of India seeking comments went answered till press time. Read this | India has a re-rethink on green bonds. And a new strategy. As one of Indias largest bilateral development partners, JICA is already supporting renewable energy initiatives across the country and working closely with the CEA on broader policy frameworks. The agencys growing footprint spans a range of sectors, from health and sanitation to railways and roadsincluding high-profile projects such as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train and the Mumbai Trans Harbour Link. "Following a request from the Indian government, which was approved by the Japanese government, JICA has dispatched two missions since December 2024 to work with the Central Electricity Authority on designing the project (draft a carbon-neutral roadmap for the power sector)," said the second person cited. "JICA wishes to contribute to the Indian governments energy transition by utilizing Japans experience and expertise within Japan and globally. It hopes to agree with the Central Electricity Authority of India on the specific design aspects of the project within the ongoing fiscal year (FY26)," this person added. India is a key partner in Japans China Plus One strategy, though its integration into global supply chains still lags that of Southeast Asian peers. Takeuchi Takuro, JICAs India chief, told Mint last month that both governments are working to strengthen Indias role in Japanese supply networks and encourage greater investment. "In the China context, India is one of the most important (partners) for Japan," Takuro said, adding that JICA is determined to invest more in the country. Read this | Solar energy investments in developing countries down 20%, says ISA Beyond the carbon-neutral roadmap, JICAs support is also aimed at bolstering institutional capacity within the CEA through strategic planning and long-term power sector development. This multi-pronged supportranging from technical assistance to renewable energy financingunderscores Japans broader commitment to Indias clean energy transition," added the first person mentioned above. Private jet operators such as JetSetGo and Club One Air have been seeing a strong demand for their services since the beginning of 2025, buoyed by religious tourism. As per the latest Airports Authority of India (AAI) data, general aviation aircraft movements in January rose 43.3% from a year ago to 26,890. In February, movements of these non-military, non-commercial aircraft rose 13.9% to 27,360. Between April 2024 and February 2025, India saw 2.53 lakh charter flight movements, up 19.7% on year. Religious tourism impact In the first two months of this year, private jet companies witnessed a strong demand due to the Maha Kumbh held in Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. "Approximately 10% of our revenue during that period (Maha Kumbh) was linked to travel surrounding the religious event," said Kanika Tekriwal, founder and CEO, JetSetGo. Also Read: Taking international flights from Delhi to get costly "Religious tourism has emerged as a strong growth driver, especially for helicopter operations. This segment has now become an integral part of our portfolio and is expected to grow further with upcoming events and pilgrimage circuits," said Rajan Mehra, CEO of Club One Air. The industry expects a growth of 10-20% in bookings in 2025. Rajesh K. Bali, managing director of Business Aircraft Operators Association (BAOA), said that religious tourism can really boost demand for the sector. "There has been a significant uptick in travel to religious destinations such as Prayagraj, Uttarakhand, and Amritsar. The surge in religious tourism represents the next frontier of growth for the industry," Bali said. Tekriwal, however, said that demand linked to religious tourism tends to be episodic and difficult to forecast with precision. "In the case of Maha Kumbh, we saw a spike in requests once the event was underway, indicating that bookings often follow real-time shifts in interest rather than long-term planning. We remain to be responsive to such seasonal trends and religious events," said Tekriwal. The road ahead The industry is witnessing a rising demand for charter planes, not only on metro to metro routes, but also on non-metro sectors. JetSetGo is seeing a high demand in sectors like MumbaiDelhi, BengaluruHyderabad, and emerging commercial clusters such as Indore, Surat and Bhopal. "JetSetGo has observed a steady growth of 10% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period last year. We are seeing consistent repeat usage from corporate houses, senior executives, and business families," said Tekriwal. "We continue to operate at a CAGR of 28%, and the current booking pipeline indicates that the upcoming quarter will follow this path." On the other hand, BAOA's Bali anticipates industry-wide demand to grow at an annual rate of 1520%. Additionally, the government may consider including smaller aircraft, up to six seats under the UDAN scheme," said Bali. UDAN is a regional connectivity scheme aimed at making air travel more affordable. Similarly, Club One Air has seen a surge in demand in the first quarter of 2025 driven by demand for religious and leisure destinations. "We've recorded a 20% increase in our business activity over the same period last year," said Mehra of Club One Air. He expects demand to start picking up by AugustSeptember as both corporate travel and destination tourism regain momentum. Supporting private air travel The industry is of the view that as disposable incomes of Indians are rising, there will be heightened awareness around private air travel. But it also expects some support measures from the government to grow further. BAOA's Bali feels the government needs to cut duty on imports of small aircraft. "Specifically to boost religious tourism, customs duty on small aircraft and helicopters should be abolished. Additionally, the government may consider including smaller aircraft, up to six seats under the UDAN scheme," said Bali. JetSetGo's Tekriwal feels that while the demand is constantly growing, the government must ensure infrastructure growth matches this pace. "There needs to be an evolution in policies to address challenges around aircraft parking, slot allocations, and last-mile access to regional airports," said Tekriwal. Mehra feels that there are a few structural challenges that need to be addressed by the government. High taxes on aviation turbine fuel and import duties on private jets continue to burden the industry. New Delhi: Indias policy think tank Niti Aayog on Friday proposed a set of incentives for more than doubling the domestic automotive component industrys output to $145 billion and triple its exports to $60 billion by 2030. Such growth would position India as a formidable player in global markets, achieving a trade surplus of $25 billion, and increasing the countrys share in the global value chain of auto components from 3% now to 8%, Niti Aayog said in a report titled Automotive Industry: powering Indias participation in global value chains. In 2023, Indias domestic production of components was $70 billion, it pointed out. Such progress, Niti Aayog said, could create up to 2.5 million extra large-scale employment opportunities, bringing the total direct employment in the sector to 3 million to 4 million people. However, realizing this ambitious vision will require strategic and focused policy initiatives to enhance competitiveness, improve infrastructure, and attract investment in high-value automotive manufacturing, it said. The policy think tank proposed fiscal support measures for scaling up manufacturing, and capital expenditure support for the development of tools, intellectual property transfers, and branding support, which are crucial for the automotive component manufacturing sector. Niti Aayog also proposed cluster development to strengthen supply chains and reduce logistics costs, and setting up common research and development and testing facilities, besides skill development measures for a steady pipeline of talent. Unlocking potential On the non-fiscal front, Niti Aayog proposed measures to enhance the auto component industrys global competitiveness, including joint ventures and free trade agreements to foster international collaboration and market access. To unlock the sectors potential, India must adopt a range of strategic measures, said Niti Aayog vice chairperson Suman Bery, who released the report on Friday. This includes investing in infrastructure, promoting technological innovation, enhancing workforce skills and introducing policy reforms to foster a competitive and resilient automotive ecosystem, Bery said in the report. These policy measures, if effectively implemented, will be crucial in enabling India to scale up its automotive component production, increase exports, and strengthen its standing in global markets, Bery added. Niti Aayog member Arvind Virmani pointed out that although India was the fourth-largest auto parts producer, the country accounted for a modest share of around 3% in global automotive components trade, urging the domestic industry to improve the quality of its products. US President Donald Trumps latest 90-day pause on tariffs on all nations except China should come as a breather for Indian pharma stocks. The Nifty Pharma index is down about 5% from its close on 2 April versus 4% drop in Nifty50. While pharma was exempted initially, Trumps subsequent statements point out that the pharma sector would also face tariffs. The White House release dated 2 April, announcing tariffs, mentions pharma as a focus sector. Still, the delay in imposing tariffs reflects the complex dynamics of the sector, including the risk of drug shortages getting aggravated. All in all, several outcomes are possible, with near-term uncertainty being a certainty," said Kotak Institutional Equities. For instance, if tariffs are applied at a fixed rate across all the countries, Indian pharma companies could have an edge because of their cost advantage. India accounts for about 50% of generics imported by the US. So, higher tariffs would mean a bigger impact on Indian generic drug makers. But since generic companies are operating at thin margins, they would be forced to stop selling generics in the US if they are not able to pass on the cost. This would pose the risk of a drug shortage in the US, as seen during the covid-19 pandemic. However, the threat of tariff imposition is higher for formulations/ biosimilars as, unlike generics, the US does not have a very high import dependency for these. Our base case (ditto for companies and investors) is that any high tariffs in pharma, particularly for generics, are unlikely to sustain, as those will drive higher outlays for US patients and drug shortages," said Kotak in a report dated 3 April. In case the US goes ahead with a 26% tariff levy, Kotak estimates FY27 Ebitda hit of 13% on Biocon Ltd and Aurobindo Pharma Ltd and 10% on Dr Reddys Laboratories Ltd. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, the largest domestic pharma company, is expected to see an impact of only 3%, despite 15-20% expected Ebitda contribution from the US, because of limited availability of substitutes for its specialty products. Also Read: Indian pharma turns to home remedy as tariff malady looms Pills and politics The White House document pins hope on building domestic manufacturing capacity and may want global drug makers to set up base there. However, it may not be easy because of higher cost of production in case of generics and a time-consuming process for patented drugs. For generic drugs, the cost of manufacturing a plain vanilla product in the US is 2-8x more expensive as per the interactions we had with the companies," said a Nomura Global Markets Research report dated 4 April. This limits the incentives for generic companies to invest in the US. In the case of branded patented drugs, setting up manufacturing plants and gaining regulatory approval usually take 3-4 years. With an estimated 70% of total patented drugs losing protection in the next 10 years, shifting production to the US would not be economically viable for these products, the report adds. In this backdrop, shares of pharma companies have taken a hit. Since 2 April close, shares of Biocon and Aurobindo have lost about 10% and 8.6% whereas the stock of Dr Reddys is down 4.9%. Sun Pharma is relatively unscathed, down 3.6%. Investors would keenly watch for the US government's tariff decision on the pharma sector for further cues. For now, the 90-day pause brings short-term relief. But uncertainty looms. We expect uncertainty to prevail not just till the formal announcement on pharma but also post that, as then the focus will be on trade treaties and subsequent timing/extent of any rollback," said Kotak. Biocon's share price surged 5.5 percent in intra-day trade on Friday, April 11, after the companys subsidiary, Biocon Biologics, received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for JOBEVNE, a biosimilar version of Bevacizumab for intravenous use. The development marks a key regulatory milestone for the company and reinforces investor confidence in Biocons growing biosimilar portfolio. JOBEVNE: Biocon's Seventh USFDA-Approved Biosimilar The newly approved drug, JOBEVNE (bevacizumab-nwgd), is a biosimilar of the reference product Avastin (bevacizumab). It is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody designed to inhibit angiogenesisthe formation of new blood vesselsby blocking vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This mechanism restricts the blood supply to tumors, thereby slowing or preventing their growth. Shreehas Tambe, CEO and Managing Director of Biocon Biologics, described the USFDA approval as a major achievement for the company. The U.S. FDA approval of JOBEVNE is a significant milestoneour seventh biosimilar approved in the U.S. and a strong addition to our robust oncology portfolio, he said. Tambe added that the approval reflects Biocon's scientific depth and ongoing commitment to making high-quality, affordable biologics accessible globally. Strengthening Presence in Global Oncology Markets With JOBEVNE, Biocon Biologics further cements its position in the U.S. oncology biosimilars market, where it already offers OGIVRI (Trastuzumab-dkst) and FULPHILA (Pegfilgrastim-jmdb). The company also sells its Bevacizumab biosimilar under the brand name ABEVMY in Europe (since February 2021) and Canada (since November 2021). The U.S. market remains a significant opportunity, with sales of bevacizumab approximating USD 2 billion in 2023. Biocons expanded product pipeline is expected to enable the company to capture a larger share of this high-value market. In addition to the USFDA nod for JOBEVNE, Biocon has been taking steps to strengthen its financial position. The companys board recently approved the issuance of commercial papers worth up to 600 crore through private placement, aiming to improve liquidity and fund its growth initiatives. Further, on March 24, Biocons subsidiary Biocon Pharma received USFDA approval for its ANDA (Abbreviated New Drug Application) for Norepinephrine Bitartrate Injection USP, used for managing acute hypotension in adult patients. This back-to-back regulatory clearance reinforces Biocons execution capabilities across therapeutic areas. Stock Performance: Rebounding from Lows The pharma stock rose to a days high of 322.25 on April 11, reflecting strong investor sentiment post-approval. While still trading over 20 percent below its 52-week high of 404.60 (hit in January 2025), the stock has shown resilience after touching a 52-week low of 260 in April 2024. Over the past year, Biocon has gained around 10 percent. However, its monthly trajectory has been volatile: it declined 8 percent in April so far, after a 13 percent rally in March. This followed a steep 16.5 percent drop in February and a marginal 1 percent dip in January. To strengthen governance standards, the Securities and Exchange Board of India ( Sebi) has constituted a high-level committee to review and enhance its conflict of interest and disclosure framework for board members and senior officials. Mint breaks down what the committee is tasked with, the rationale behind its formation, and what it could mean for the future of transparency at Sebi. What is the committees mandate? According to Sebi, the committee has been set up to undertake a comprehensive review of the provisions relating to conflict of interest, and disclosures pertaining to property, investments, and liabilities" concerning the members and officials of the Sebi board. The aim is to ensure high standards of transparency, ethical conduct, and accountability within the regulator. The panel is expected to submit its report within three months of its formation. It comprises experts from various fields, including Pratyush Sinha, former chief vigilance commissioner, as chairperson, Injeti Srinivas, former corporate affairs secretary, and Uday Kotak, founder of Kotak Mahindra Bank. What will the committee review? The committees terms of reference include a thorough review of existing policies and an analysis of current regulations on conflict of interest, disclosures, and related matters, with the aim of identifying gaps or ambiguities. The committee is expected to propose a strengthened framework to prevent, mitigate, and manage conflicts of interest. This includes: Recommendations on recusal policies Comprehensive disclosure requirements (including public disclosures) Restrictions on investments Maintenance of digital records A robust monitoring framework The panel will also recommend a mechanism for the public to raise concerns regarding conflicts of interest and disclosures, including a clear process for examining such complaints. What prompted this decision? The move follows allegations involving former Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch. Short-seller Hindenburg Research had accused her and her husband of holding undisclosed offshore stakes allegedly linked to the Adani Group, a company under Sebi's investigation at the time. Both Buch and her husband denied the claims, and the Adani Group also rejected the allegations. While no wrongdoing was proven, the episode sparked concerns about transparency and the adequacy of existing norms. Sebis new chairperson, Tuhin Kanta Pandey, who took charge in March, made transparency a top priority. At a media briefing following Sebi's board meeting of March 24, he stressed the need for a system to operationalise what must be disclosed, how and when recusals should happen, and how such actions should be communicated to the public. Also Read: Inside Sebis plan to verify investment performance claims What is expected from the committee? Experts believe a strong, practical framework is essential. Rashi Dhir, senior partner at DMD Advocates, suggested that a successful conflict of interest policy must strike a balance between incentivizing employees and officers to be forthcoming, and empowering them to make decisions in an unbiased manner. He noted that the inclusion of experts from vigilance, corporate affairs, banking, regulation, and audit brings a holistic perspective and decades of experience dealing with conflict scenarios. Vigilance experts can highlight risk areas and enforcement mechanisms, while corporate and banking professionals offer insights into market dynamics and potential loopholes," he said. Dhir also added that regulators bring practical knowledge of policy implementation, and auditors ensure accountability and transparency. Together, this diversity will promote balanced, pragmatic recommendations that are both stringent and feasibleespecially around investment restrictions and disclosure norms for Sebi officials," he said. Also Read: Fraudsters could find a way around Sebis curbs on misleading ads, say experts What could be the challenges? Legal experts argue that any new framework must balance robustness with practicality. A corporate lawyer, speaking anonymously, warned against overly broad or strict rules that may be difficult to implement. You cannot have blanket clauses. It may even deter capable individuals from joining the regulator," the lawyer said. Dhir also echoed that policies governing conflict of interest depend heavily on voluntary disclosures by officers and employees, and require a deep understanding and awareness among them. Despite efforts to sensitize stakeholders on conflict of interest policies, implementation is never easyprimarily due to the difficulty stakeholders may have in identifying subtle or indirect conflicts, and the ongoing need to maintain objectivity," he said. He further noted that such challenges are magnified in a regulatory environment like Sebi, due to its constant and deep engagement with various industries, which may lead to the development of relationships and potential biases. To maintain objectivity, a policy could sometimes lean toward being conservativeprohibiting or significantly restricting trading, he explained. Such policies tend to slow down decision-making and, hamper operational efficiency," he said. Multibagger small-cap stock: Despite the market being under severe volatile conditions in the last few trading sessions, shares of Transformers & Rectifiers (India) have hit the 5% upper circuit limit for three consecutive sessions, resulting in a cumulative gain of 15% and taking the stock to 519. This stellar rally began after the company delivered a better-than-expected performance in the March quarter, beating street estimates. On Tuesday, the company reported a more than two-fold jump in consolidated net profit to 94.20 crore for the quarter ended March 2025, compared to 39.93 crore in the same period last year. The consolidated revenue from operations rose 32.96% YoY to 683.42 crore, while EBITDA stood at 140 crore. The EBITDA margin expanded by 540 basis points YoY to 19.4%, reflecting strong operational efficiency. For the full financial year FY25, the power transformer maker reported a net profit of 216.44 crore, significantly higher than 47.01 crore in FY24, marking a nearly four-and-a-half-fold increase. The companys order book at the end of the March quarter stood at 5,132 crore. For FY26, the company has guided for an order book target of 8,000 crore, implying 56% YoY growth, along with an operating margin between 16% and 1617%. Also Read | TARIL hits 5% upper circuit for second session after strong Q4FY25 results Over the medium term, TARIL is also aiming to achieve $1 billion in annual revenues within the next three to four years, driven by strong sector tailwinds and company-specific strategic initiatives. According to Nuvama Institutional Equities, TARIL beat its Q4FY25 EBITDA and PAT estimates by 20% and 13%, respectively, benefiting from a 32% YoY surge in sales and margin expansion. The brokerage highlighted a strong FY25 order inflow of 4,500 crore, taking the order backlog to 5,130 crore, with a healthy pipeline of 2,200 crore. Stock turns 1 lakh into 1.58 crore in 5 years After ending the first two months of CY25 in negative territory amid weak market sentiment, the stock staged a strong comeback in March with a 39% surge. It has continued the positive momentum in the current month, gaining another 2% so far. Looking back, the companys shares have climbed from 28 to the current trading price of 519, representing a gain of 1,842%. Over the last five years, the stock has delivered even more impressive returns, rising from 3.45 to 519 a gain of 15,000%. If an investor had invested 1 lakh in the stock at the beginning of this period and held on, the investment would now be worth an impressive 1.50 crore. About the company TRIL serves a wide range of sectors, including power generation, transmission and distribution, railways, renewable energy, infrastructure, industrial manufacturing, and more. The company has a strong domestic market presence in India and has successfully expanded its footprint globally, exporting products to various countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. Its diverse product range includes power transformers up to 500 MVA & 1200 kV Class, furnace transformers, rectifiers, and distribution transformers, as well as specialty transformers. (Bloomberg) -- Before the trading day starts we bring you a digest of the key news and events that are likely to move markets. Today we look at: Good morning, this is Alex Gabriel Simon, an equities reporter in Mumbai. Nifty futures point to a positive start as traders return from a local holiday, but markets may face a volatile session as Asian stocks are trading lower. Optimism that boosted Asian markets on Thursday gave way to renewed unease over the likely damage to global growth from an escalating US-China trade war despite President Donald Trumps surprise tariff reprieve. Meanwhile, TCS kicked off the crucial fourth-quarter earnings season on a soft note, missing expectations. TCS results disappoint as tariff storm deepens tech woes Tata Consultancy Services kicked off earnings season with a fourth-quarter net income that was below analysts expectations, and management alluded to a slowdown that is impacting the visibility of revenue growth. According to Morgan Stanley, the miss was largely driven by a higher-than-expected decline in Indian business from last quarter. Weakening domestic growth is not a good sign for IT giants, particularly as global technology spending remains uncertain amid a dull economic outlook and the threat of disruptive tariffs from Trump, which can lead to further cuts in discretionary tech spending in anticipation of rising costs. Pharma stocks no longer a safe place to hide Drugmakers across the globe took a hit Wednesday after Trump announced plans to unveil tariffs on pharmaceutical imports to the US. The sector, traditionally a hiding space for investors during market turmoil, has suddenly turned into a pain point, with tariffs clouding the earnings outlook. Indias Nifty Pharma Index has already slid 16% from its peak earlier this year, and unless domestic sales deliver an upside surprise, further weakness appears to be in store. India stands tall amid global bond selloff Indian bonds defied a staggering global bond selloff as the RBI decisively opened the monetary spigots to support the economy. The benchmark 10-year yield fell as much as four basis points Wednesday after the central bank lowered rates and adopted an accommodative stance. The rally stood in stark contrast to US Treasuries, where the 10-year yield surged as much as 22 basis points as Trumps sweeping tariffs took effect. With analysts predicting further declines in Indian bond yields, borrowing costs across the economy are set to fall, helping the country weather the global trade storm. Analysts actions: Three great reads from Bloomberg today: And, finally.. The Nifty is perched just above its 100-day moving average on the weekly chart, testing a long-standing trend line that has supported the index for decades, barring major economic shocks. The index has ripped higher after dipping below this key level during events such as the 2008 global financial crisis, the European debt turmoil, and the pandemic-induced rout. The Nifty reversed course from near this support just last month, before Trumps tariffs announcements sparked a downturn. Now, the Nifty is once again hovering near this critical support zone. To read India Markets Buzz every day, follow Bloomberg India on WhatsApp. Sign up here. --With assistance from Chiranjivi Chakraborty, Savio Shetty and Kartik Goyal. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Shares of Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL), a railway infrastructure company, ended 2.5% higher in Fridays intraday trade on April 11, reaching 346 apiece following the companys latest order win from Southern Railway. The company informed investors through an exchange filing today that it had emerged as the Lowest Bidder (L1) for a project from Southern Railway. The contract involves the upgradation of the electric traction system from 1x25 kV to 2x25 kV on the Salem Jn. (SA)Podanur Jn. (PTJ) and Irugur (IGU)Coimbatore Jn. (CBE)Podanur Jn. (PTJ) section of the Salem division. The project aims to support a 3,000 MT loading target and is valued at 143.37 crore, as per the exchange filing. Also Read | Why will railway PSU stocks be in focus on Monday? This marks RVNLs second order win in less than three weeks. In late March, the company also emerged as the L1 bidder for another contract from Central Railway. That project involves OHE (Overhead Equipment) modification work to upgrade the existing 1x25 kV electric traction system to 2x25 kV feeding system in the ItarsiAmla section in the Nagpur division, also aimed at supporting a 3,000 MT loading target. The value of that contract stood at 115 crore. During the same month, the company received a Letter of Acceptance from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for the construction of a 6-lane access-controlled road connecting Visakhapatnam Port Road from Km 0.000 (Sabbavaram Bypass of AnakapalliAnandapuram corridor) to Km 12.660 (Sheelanagar Junction) of NH-516C in Andhra Pradesh. The project, awarded under the Hybrid Annuity Mode (HAM), is valued at 555 crore. Stock Price Trajectory The stock has remained under significant selling pressure since reaching its all-time high of 647 apiece in July 2024, losing 48% of its value. This sharp decline has been attributed to profit booking, a slowdown in order inflows, and lower-than-expected fund allocation in the Union Budget 202526. Between October 2022 and July 2024, the stock witnessed a stellar rally, surging from 33.70 to 601.50 a massive gain of 1,700%. Despite the recent correction, the stock still holds a 901% gain over the last three years and a 1,787% return over the past five years. Stocks to buy under 100: Dragged by a decline in heavyweight banking and financial sector stocks as RBI's rate cut failed to lift investor sentiment on Dalal Street. All three frontline indices of the Indian stock market ended lower on Wednesday. The Nifty 50 index lost 136 points and closed at 22,399. The BSE Sensex went off 379 points and closed at 73,847, while the Bank Nifty index finished 270 points lower at 50,240. Larsen & Toubro share price contributed the most to the index decline, decreasing 3.4%. Wipro shares had the most significant drop, falling 4.3%. Both the Midcap and Small cap indices, along with the Benchmark Indices, witnessed profit booking. The Nifty Midcap 100 and Smallcap 100 fell by 0.51% and 0.86%, respectively. Declining shares outnumbered the advancing ones, as the advance-decline ratio on the BSE stood at 0.67. Stock market today Speaking on the outlook of the Indian stock market today, Siddhartha Khemka, Head of ResearchWealth Management at Motilal Oswal, said, "Indian equities are expected to remain volatile until further clarity on the US tariff front, while the onset of quarterly earnings season could drive stock/sector-specific movements." Donald Trump's tariffs in focus Pointing towards Trump's tariffs, Sugandha Sachdeva, Founder of SS WealthStreet, said, "Domestic equity indices are expected to take cues from Wall Street's stellar performance on April 9, where the S&P 500 surged by 9.5%, its strongest single-day gain since October 2008. This rally was largely driven by US President Donald Trump's unexpected move to delay the imposition of hefty reciprocal tariffs on all trading partners (excluding China) by 90 days. However, tariffs on autos and metals will remain intact, and a universal 10% tariff will also stay in place." Global markets today "This development boosted global risk appetite and will likely support domestic sentiment soon. That said, the positive momentum lost steam on April 10 as Wall Street indices surrendered some gains amid intensifying trade tensions with China. In a retaliatory move, China raised tariffs on US imports to 84% from 34%, prompting President Trump to respond with a total tariff hike on Chinese goods to 145%. This escalating trade war is expected to create an economically uncertain global environment, adding volatility to financial markets worldwide," the SS WealthStreet expert said. Nifty 50 today On the outlook of the Nifty 50 today, Sugandha Sachdeva said, "While heightened volatility is anticipated, the benchmark index-Nifty is likely to track the movements seen in US indices over the past two sessions. A sharp initial uptick is expected in today's trade, reflecting the global optimism witnessed on April 9. However, upside momentum will likely face resistance in the 22,900 to 23,100 zone, limiting further gains. Investors should remain cautious as the evolving global trade landscape injects uncertainty into the markets." Stocks to buy under 100 Regarding shares to buy under 100, market experts Sumeet Bagadia, Executive Director at Choice Broking; Vaishali Parekh, Vice President Technical Research at Prabhudas Lilladher; Sugandha Sachdeva, Founder of SS WealthStreet; Mahesh M Ojha, AVP Research at Hensex Securities; and Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree Investment and Securities recommended these five intraday stocks for today: IDBI Bank, NHPC, NFL, Ujjivan Small Finance Bank, and BL Kashyap. Sumeet Bagadia's stock pick 1] IDBI Bank: Momentum buy at 78.79, target 85, stop loss of 76. Vaishali Parekh's intraday stock for today 2] NHPC: Buy at 84, target 90, stop loss 81. Sugandha Sachdeva's share to buy under 100 3] NFL: Buy at 76, target 79.50, stop loss 74.40. Mahesh M Ojha's buy or sell stock 4] Ujjivan Small Finance Bank: Buy at 38 to 39, targets 40.50, 42, and 44, stop loss below 37. Anshul Jain's stock of the day 5] BL Kashyap: Buy at 50.50, target 55, stop loss 48 (Closing Basis). Suzlon share price surged more than 5% during Fridays trading session amid strength in the Indian stock market and amid promising shareholding data for the March 2025 quarter. According to the latest data on BSE, by the end of the March quarter, approximately 56.12 lakh retail shareholdersthose with authorized share capital up to 2 lakhowned shares of Suzlon Energy, compared to 54.09 lakh in December of the previous year. As per the exchange filing, retail investors currently possess a 25.12% stake in Suzlon Energy, an increase from a 24.49% stake at the end of the December quarter. Foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) kept their stake in Suzlon Energy stable at approximately 23%. However, domestic mutual funds in India have reduced their investment in the company during the March quarter to 4.17% from 4.44% in December. Also Read | Tata Steel soars 6% after Dutch subsidiary unveils transformation plan Suzlon share price trend Suzlon share price has faced selling pressure, declining almost 40% from its 52-week high on September 12, 2024. Suzlon share price increased by 23.84% over the last year but lagged behind the sector growth of 32.22%, according to Trendlyne data. Nonetheless, the stock has appreciated by more than 300% over a three-year period, providing multibagger returns to its long-term investors. According to Rajesh Bhosale, Equity Technical and Derivative Analyst at Angel One, Suzlon share price are trading in a range of 48-60 and despite a strong broad-based move, the prices are trading flat in today's sessions. Next momentum move would be seen only on a move beyond 48-60, Bhosale said. Further, Anshul Jain, Head of Research at Lakshmishree Investment and Securities, stated that Suzlon share price is forming a 48-day-long rectangle pattern with boundaries at 48 and 60. Last week's failed breakdown below the lower boundary hints at a classic shakeout, eliminating weak hands while stronger hands likely accumulate, he said. The stock now trades in the middle of the range and looks poised for a move. A breakout and sustained move above 54 could quickly take the stock towards the upper end of the range at 59 60, offering a solid swing trading opportunity, added Jain. Also Read | Muthoot Finance share price slumps over 8% as RBI seeks stricter gold loan norms Suzlon Q3 results Renewable energy solutions provider Suzlon Energy reported a 91% increase in consolidated net profit, reaching 388 crore for the December quarter, driven by higher revenues. In the quarter that ended on December 31, 2023, the company had a net profit of 203 crore, according to a company announcement. As per the statement, net revenue climbed to 2,969 crore, up from 1,553 crore during the same time last year. The company also set a record for quarterly deliveries, achieving 447 MW in the October-December 2024 period. Also Read | Biocon shares jump 5.5% as USFDA clears biosimilar Cancer drug JOBEVNE Tata Steel share price surged by 6% during Friday's trading session after the company revealed that its Dutch subsidiary, Tata Steel Nederland, launched an extensive transformation plan designed to boost its long-term competitiveness and speed up its transition to green steel. The company has submitted an official Request for Advice to the Central Works Council in the Netherlands to begin discussions regarding the suggested changes, which include the elimination of roughly 1,600 management and support positions. As per the filing, Tata Steel is dedicated to making its operations in the Netherlands one of the most competitive, successful, and efficient in Europe. To realize this goal, Tata Steel Nederland has implemented an extensive transformation program focused on a multi-faceted strategy that aims to enhance production efficiencies, reduce fixed costs, and optimize the mix of products and profit margins. In FY2025, the operations in the Netherlands have bounced back, achieving liquid steel production levels close to full capacity at 6.75 MTPA, following a postponed reline of one of the blast furnaces that had previously hindered production in FY2024. Nevertheless, the tough demand scenario in Europe, influenced by geopolitical events, trade and supply chain disruptions, along with rising energy expenses, has impacted operating costs and financial performance. Antique Stock Broking, in its report, mentioned that the management's priority lies in minimising controllable costs through enhancing production efficiency, reducing fixed expenses, and optimizing the product mix. Also Read | Why is Indian stock market skyrocketing today? These strategies are projected to cut controllable costs, which account for approximately 40% of total expenses, by about 15% in FY26 compared to FY25, aiming for savings of EUR 500 million and a potential positive effect of around EUR 70 per ton. The UK operations are expected to reach cash breakeven by 2QFY26, supported by a recent contract with suppliers for an advanced pickling line at Port Talbot. We maintain BUY rating with a SoTP-based TP of 152 based on an implied 6.6x FY27 EV/EBITDA target multiple, said the brokerage. Moreover, brokerage firm Motilal Oswal Financial Services mentioned that the Netherlands division is among the most efficient steel facilities of the organization. The restructuring may decrease personnel and additional expenses, resulting in long-term enhancements in profitability. The company anticipates that its UK operations will reach breakeven by 2QFY26. Escalating trade tensions are likely to pose near-term challenges for commodities like ferrous. Developments related to tariffs will remain a key monitorable in the near to medium term. Tata Steel is trading at 5.6x EV/EBITDA and 1.6x FY27E P/B. We reiterate our Neutral rating with an SOTP-based TP of 140, said Motilal Oswal in its report. Tata Steel share price today Tata Steel share price today opened at an intraday high of 134.95 apiece on the BSE, the stock touched an intraday low of 130.40 apiece. According to Rajesh Bhosale, Equity Technical and Derivative Analyst at Angel One, Tata Steel share price have seen a gap up opening along with the broader markets, and is up more than 5%. the positive momentum could continue with immediate resistance at 140 as immediate resistance. Bullish gap left today around 130 will now act as immediate support. The increasing trade tensions between the US and China, leading to escalating tariffs, are compelling multinational corporations like Apple to reconsider their global supply chain strategies. With a significant portion of its manufacturing currently based in China, Apple is facing potential cost increases due to these tariffs, pushing it to explore alternative manufacturing locations. India has emerged as a strong contender in this scenario, offering a large and skilled workforce, government incentives through the production linked incentive (PLI) scheme, and a growing domestic consumer market. Therefore, it makes sense to analyse the potential beneficiaries among Indian-listed stocks if Apple decides to significantly shift its manufacturing operations to India. Take a look #1 Redington Redington is a leading distributor of technology products and solutions in India. The company serves as a crucial link between technology manufacturers and a wide network of channel partners, including retailers and resellers, making products accessible to end consumers and businesses. While primarily known as a distributor of IT products from various companies like Dell and HP, a significant portion of its revenue comes from distributing Apple products in the Indian market. Redington is also expanding its focus into cloud services distribution and management, which is considered a higher-margin business. The company has delivered a decent top-line growth of 16% compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) over a three-year period and a net profit CAGR of 17%. The last three-year return on equity (ROE) has been 20%. Despite such consistent performance, the stock had a difficult time going up and staying there. The stock has been consolidating for the past one year. The company's business model as a key distributor of Apple products in India positions it favourably to benefit from Apple's potential manufacturing shift to the country. If Apple increases its manufacturing in India, it will lead to a greater availability of its products in the domestic market. Local manufacturing can potentially reduce import duties, which are currently factored into the price of Apple products in India. Lower prices could make Apple products more competitive and accessible to a larger segment of the Indian population, driving higher sales volumes. As a primary distributor, Redington would directly benefit from this increased demand and sales. As manufacturing increases within India, there's a possibility that the sales margin on Apple products for distributors like Redington could improve. Currently, Apple products' sales margins are relatively low. Increased local production and potentially streamlined logistics could improve Redington's margins. Also, the companys management is optimistic about Q4 FY25 revenue, expecting it to be strong due to the fiscal year-end for many Indian corporates and government entities, the backlog of deals from Q3, and continued momentum in the Cloud and Technology Solutions Group. It also foresees similar growth rates and optimism for the UAE and Saudi Arabia in Q4 FY25. However, the company is also prepared for potential sluggish demand in March in West Asia and Turkey due to festivals. It is also looking at growth opportunities in ASEAN (Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines) with a focus on software and cloud. It expects to maintain earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (Ebitda) margin in the range of 2.3% to 2.5% in the future. The current policy of distributing 40% of profits as dividends is expected to continue. With a greater number of Apple devices in the Indian market, Redington's potential in distributing related accessories and expanding their cloud services offerings related to Apple's ecosystem could also see growth. #2 LMW LMW, earlier known as Lakshmi Machine Works, is an engineering conglomerate based in Coimbatore. Initially founded to provide spinning technology to Indian textile mills, LMW has grown to become a leading textile machinery manufacturer in India and one of the few globally to offer complete spinning solutions. Over the years, it has diversified its operations into many high-tech areas. The company has delivered a solid top-line growth of 40% CAGR over a three-year period and a net profit CAGR of 86%. The last three-year return on equity (ROE) has been 14%. This high growth led to a sharp run in the stock because of which the stock got slightly overvalued and now the stock is consolidating and digesting its previous gains. Looking ahead, LMW has a strong reputation for high-precision manufacturing, particularly within its machine tool division (CNC machines) and the advanced technology centre (aerospace components). These capabilities could align with Apple's stringent quality and specification requirements for certain components in its devices. Apple is actively looking to deepen its supplier network in India for parts and components. LMW is currently in preliminary talks with Apple about possibly supplying these parts. While the specific components under discussion are not disclosed, LMW's diverse manufacturing portfolio increases its potential to meet some of Apple's needs. Becoming a supplier to a global giant like Apple could open up significant growth opportunities for LMW, providing a new revenue stream and potentially leading to increased scale in its operations. #3 Bharat Forge Bharat Forge is a leading multinational specializing in metal forming and forging. It serves industries such as automotive, railways, aerospace, marine, oil and gas, power, construction, mining, and defence, offering critical components globally. The company has delivered a solid top-line growth of 35% CAGR over a three-year period and a net profit CAGR of 59%. But the stock has been in a downward trend since June 2024 due to its heavy reliance on cyclical industries like automotive and industrial exports amid global economic softness worries. Looking ahead, things could turn around as Bharat Forge is in discussions with Apple to supply components, aligning with Apple's strategy to expand in India and reduce its reliance on China. If successful, this could diversify Bharat Forge's revenue into electronics, leveraging its engineering expertise. The companys expertise in precision engineering, particularly in lightweight materials and advanced forging, could meet Apple's need for components like enclosures or mechanical parts. Its capital expenditure plans include an ongoing investment of 1,000 crore over 2.5 years starting from FY24, aimed at core business, EV components, and defence. This capex is expected to provide growth headroom, particularly in emerging sectors. Conclusion Apples bold move toward India is not just a tactical shift to dodge tariff pressures but a transformative realignment of global manufacturing. This strategic pivot stands to benefit more than Apple alone it opens the door for Indian-listed companies like Redington, LMW, and Bharat Forge to become vital partners in this evolving supply chain. However, it's important to conduct thorough research on financials and corporate governance of companies before making any investment decisions, ensuring they align with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Happy Investing. Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com Shares of chipmakers with US manufacturing plants fell Friday after China announced new tariffs, targeting semiconductor imports. Beijing will raise tariffs on all US goods from 84% to 125%, and the China Semiconductor Industry Association issued an emergency notice, which stated that customs determines the origin of imports by where chips are manufactured, not the home country of origin. The news put particular pressure on Texas Instruments Inc. and Intel Corp., which have semiconductor plants located in the US. TI shares fell 6.8%, while Intel sank 3.7% and GlobalFoundries Inc. dropped 2.4%. This is an incredibly uncertain time for chipmakers, and this is certainly not going to help, said Wayne Kaufman, chief market analyst at Phoenix Financial Services. Anything that hurts semis more than theyve already been hit is bad for the general market, he said. Analog Devices Inc. and Microchip Technology Inc. are also trading lower, along with Skyworks Solutions Inc. and Qorvo Inc., with the latter two notable suppliers to Apple Inc. Baird analyst Tristan Gerra wrote that TI shares were over-reacting to the news, adding that while TIs share in China could erode somewhat, TI benefits from product performance, product breadth, cost structure, and customer service advantages which would be difficult for Chinese OEMs to ignore all together, a reference to original equipment manufacturers. The tariffs exclude companies that design chips but dont manufacture them in the US, resulting in shares of some chipmakers to outperform on the day. Nvidia Corp. gained 2.2%, while US-listed shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. rose 3.3%. The tariffs will likely be very good for TSMC, and also act as a positive for Qualcomm Inc. and Advanced Micro Devices Inc., said Jordan Klein, a tech-sector specialist at Mizuho Securities. All my feedback suggests US-China trade deal is ALL THAT MATTERS RIGHT NOW for semi stocks and equity markets recovering, Klein wrote in a note, with the emphasis included. Very few I speak with believe a China deal will be struck anytime soon. He sees positioning in semis as very light given the uncertainty. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Will Sunny Deolor the makers of any film starring himever move past the overused Yeh dhai kilo ka haath (this two and a half kilo hand) line of dialogue from the 1993 film Damini? Clearly not, because writer-director Gopichand Malineni revives it once again it as a front-bencher-pleasing proclamation in the Hindi language action drama Jaat, headlined by Deol. Famed in the North, Deols character Baldev Pratap Singh declares that it is now time the south gets acquainted with his legendary and destructive hand. Having worked predominantly in the Telugu film industry, Malineni approaches his Hindi debut with a by-the-numbers attempt at a pan-Indian film, casting actors familiar to Marathi, Hindi, Telugu, and Tamil audiences. Leading the charge is Deols Baldev, who makes a rambunctious entrance as the only man in khaki amid a sea of saffron-clad sadhus and devotees chanting Jai Shri Ram while boarding a train to Ayodhya. But an unscheduled stop in the middle of nowhere, Andhra Pradesh, and a plate of hot idlis leads Baldevthe Jaatinto direct conflict with the ridiculously evil, violent, and greedy badman Ranatunga (Randeep Hooda). What begins as a simple request for an apology over a spilled plate of idlis quickly escalates into an all-out war, as Baldev becomes a one-man army battling Ranatungas criminal empire. Ranatunga has terrorised the coastal belt of Andhra Pradesh for years, building an empire on an ever-growing head-count, quite literally. His henchmen, including his brother Somulu (Vineet Kumar Singh) and his wife Bharathi (Regina Cassandra) decapitate anyone who dares to defy them. But Baldev is determined to dismantle Ranatunga and Somulus reign of terror. Malineni makes full use of the indulgent 153-minute runtime to build Ranatungas backstory, stretching from war-torn jungles in Sri Lanka in 2009 to his rise in Andhra Pradesh. His growing menace reaches the corridors of power in New Delhi, prompting the dispatch of a CBI officer to investigate the ground reality. Layered into the narrative are crimes against womenincluding female police officerspolitical corruption, and a compromised local police force. Sexism cannot be separated from the narrative trope and the women are shown as whimpering and weak. If the writers wanted to portray the women police officers, led by Vijaylakshmi (Saiyami Kher) as braver than their male counterparts, then why strip them of their honour and then have a Baldev rescue these cowering women? The film's centrepiecethe actionis disappointingly unimaginative. Deol mostly stands or sits in one spot as waves of thugs attack him one by one, only to be instantly dispatched by the infamous two-and-a-half kilo hand, using whatever weapon is within reach. This repetitive, lazy choreography becomes tiresome after the third or fourth iteration. Rishi Punjabis cinematography, Navin Noolis editing, and Avinash Kollas production design add visual appeal, but its not enough to distract from the jumbled accentsZarina Wahab, Saiyami Kher, and Makrand Deshpande sound like the Mumbai-based actors they are, without any effort to adapt their speech to match their Andhra Pradesh-based characters. Theres even a clandestine meeting in Davos, where a global plot is hatched. Following which, Ranatunga bulldozes his way through coastal villages, committing one large-scale decapitation after anotherall underscored by thunderous music and sound effects. Late-night shifts are part of the fabric of a chefs life. Dinner service ends by 11.30pm, and the kitchen teams wrap up after midnight. Then, they take a breather, and hunger creeps insome make a quick meal, others head home, and a few order in or go out for a bite. In that sense, chefs know the most popular, pocket-friendly and under-the-radar late-night food haunts in their cities. Chef Vicky Ratnani will be opening a global restaurant, Omny, in Delhi later this month. One of his favourite midnight foods is the kurkure (crunchy) chicken shawarma at Bhai Ji Shawarma, a 24/7 dhaba in Gurugram. The Kurkure" section features shawarmas stuffed with crispy strips of paneer and chaap (soya). Some nights he visits Al-Jawahar at Jama Masjid in Old Delhi. Its an old, family-style restaurant specialising in Mughlai food. They are famous for khameeri rotis which can be paired with any of their salans. My favourites are the mutton korma and the spicy chicken achaar biryani," he says. In Delhi and Mumbai, areas near railway and Metro stations double as late-night food hot spots, especially since there are crowds of people through the day and night. Hawkers and eateries selling everything from dosas, parathas and biryanis to sandwiches and piping hot chai are the most popular. Also read: The sweet and sour story of tamarind served with a sherbet recipe Ratnani recalls the Moolchand Parathanth Wala stall near Moolchand Metro Station in Delhi. The most famous dish there is the aloo-pyaaz (potato and onion) paratha, served with mint chutney and fried green chillies. It must be washed down with a glass of lassi, he says. Yajush Malik, chef-partner at the restaurant Gallops in Mumbai, visits a biryani cart near Bombay Central Station regularly. The cart is parked on the east side of the station, between the entrance and the traffic junction. It has two large deghs (vessels) of biryani, and they are finished in no time. The flavours and textures are somewhat similar to Kolkata-style biryani, with less masala. Theres an option for mutton or chicken, and each serving comes with potato and eggs mixed into the rice," he says. Its his favourite late-night biryani spot in the city, but he only has it once in a while. Maliks go-to post-work midnight meal in Mumbai is Chinese food from an old-school multi-cuisine restaurant, Rajasthan in Santacruz West. He orders either egg fried rice or egg noodles, topped with crispy noodles, accompanied by fiery Szechuan sauce. I mix it all together and eat in my car. Thats one of my regular pit stops on the way home from work," he says. He recommends the restobar Wongs in Juhu as another midnight spot in Mumbai, which he visits with friends. Wongs is legendary, and we have been visiting it since we were broke college-goers. Their chicken lollipop is to die for. It continues to serve cheap and good Indian-Chinese fare that just hits the spot." It is in these old eateries, which have survived decades and endured challenges like economic downturns and the pandemic, that the flavour remains consistent. I think Kolkata thrives on old joints," points out chef Sachiko Seth of the restaurants Blue Poppy Thakali, Popos, and Boma Asian Cafe. He has a list of dhabas to satiate post-midnight food cravings in Kolkata. Usually, we head out to Russel Punjabi Dhaba (in Chowringhee) for aloo paratha with blobs of butter and hot chai at 2am. For doodhcola (a blend of coke and milk), chai and nimki (deep-fried savouries), theres the century-old Balwant Singh Dhaba on Harish Mukherjee Road," he says. If he feels like venturing further for a long drive, he will go to Sher-e-Punjab in Kolaghat, which is an hour-and-a-half away from the main city. They serve adrak ke panje (ginger mutton paya kebab) at 4am, with piping hot cheese garlic naan. Closer to home, theres Azad Hind Dhaba, where they bring plates of dal tadka and chicken bharta to your car. After a tiring day, what else would you want?" he says. When it comes to late-night bites, kebabs and tandoori meats are perennial favourites, whether in Kolkata, Goa or Pune. Chef Abhishek Joshi, who runs the restaurant We Idliwale and the bar We Barroom in Pune, has a list of kebab places that reflect the culinary diversity of the city. Theres the restaurant Sufis, with the Iranian grilled Jujeh Kebab, paired with butter and grilled tomato. If Im in the mood to drink, theres a bar called Annies in Koregaon, which is open after hours and mostly flooded with industry folks. They do an amazing koobideh (Iranian ground meat kebab) on bread," he says. In Goa, chef Harish Rao of the modern south Indian premium restaurant Hosa in Siolim is a fan of the tandoori chicken at the restaurant Annapoorna Hills in Vagator: Its open until 3am and is a favourite among locals and industry folk." For a taste of Goa, he recommends visiting the late-night food truck Noronhas in Anjuna for beef tongue and pork sorpotel, as well as the landmark ros omelette stall (with no name) on Anjuna Circle. Credit cards can be a smart way if you want to save on your daily transactions. If you are an HDFC Bank credit card customer, you can reach out to the customer care through various means provided by the bank. It is important to note that in case of any dispute regarding your credit card, you must get it resolved via customer care so that you can avoid any unnecessary discrepancy in your credit report. Also Read | 4 easy ways to increase Kotak Bank credit card limit in 2025 How to contact HDFC Bank credit card customer care? 1. Via customer care number Within India: Dial 1800 1600 or 1800 2600 for 24/7 toll-free assistance accessible nationwide. Dial 1800 1600 or 1800 2600 for 24/7 toll-free assistance accessible nationwide. From Overseas: Customers traveling abroad can reach customer care at +91 22 61606160. Customers traveling abroad can reach customer care at +91 22 61606160. For Imperia, Diners Black, and Infinia Customers: Dedicated support is available at +91 22 61717606 2. Via SMS Query SMS to be sent to 5676712 Access detailed menu service CCMENU Credit card balance CCBAL Available credit limit CCACL Reward points balance CCRWD New credit card PIN request CCPIN Duplicate statement for the MM month request CCSMT Source: PaisaBazaar 3. Via Email You can also write an email to the banks customer care. It is advisable that you mention your credit card details as well as other important information in the email so that your query can be resolved urgently. HDFC Bank customer care Email ID: customerservices.cards@hdfcbank.com 4. Via Regular post In case you want to go for a traditional approach, you can send a post to the banks provided address. Manager HDFC Bank Cards Division PO BOX # 8654 Thiruvanmiyur PO Chennai - 600 041 Also Read | What credit score do you need for a credit card? Find out here 5. Via courier You can also contact the customer care via sending a courier on the address below: Manager HDFC Bank Cards Division # 8, Lattice Bridge Road Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041 6. Branch visit You can visit your nearest HDFC Banks branch and one of the banks representatives will assist you with your query quickly. Also Read | How to convert your IndusInd credit card bill to EMI? A complete guide In conclusion, you must understand that even a single missed bill payment can hit your credit score. Hence, in case you flag any unauthorised transactions, you must reach out to the customer care urgently so that it can be rectified instantly. If you are a Kotak Mahindra Bank credit card customer, the bank provides you options through which you can immediately contact the customer care to get assistance on your issues related to your card. This way you can get your queries resolved quickly and enjoy the benefits of your credit card. Heres how you can reach out to the Kotak Mahindra Bank customer care: 1. Customer care helpline In case of any immediate assistance regarding your Kotak Mahindra Bank credit card, you can contact the 24/7 customer care helpline. General Inquiries:1860 266 2666 Kotak 811 #DreamDifferent Credit Card Holders: 1860 266 0811 2. International helpline numbers Country Number America 1855-3656767 Australia 001180044990000 Hong Kong 00180044990000 United Kingdom 0080044990000 Canada 18557684020 Singapore 8001013054 3. Online complaint form Kotak Mahindra Bank offers a dedicated platform so that you can register complaints or seek assistance: Complaint form: Visit the Kotak Mahindra Bank contact us page and select the appropriate option to submit your request online. 4. Net banking Update contact details: Visit the profile section to change your email ID or mobile number. Visit the profile section to change your email ID or mobile number. Payment and statements: Access your outstanding amounts, view current or previous statements, and explore payment options. Access your outstanding amounts, view current or previous statements, and explore payment options. ATM PIN generation: Generate or reset your credit card ATM PIN through the Net Banking portal. Also Read | How to convert your IndusInd credit card bill to EMI? A complete guide 5. Credit card customer care grievance redressal Kotak Bank has a structured four-tier grievance redressal system if you are not satisfied with the response from customer care. However, if not handled, it can be forwarded to the Banking Ombudsman. Level 1: Initial complaint registration Online grievance form: Fill in the online grievance form by choosing Click here to fill in the online grievance form. Fill in the online grievance form by choosing Click here to fill in the online grievance form. Net banking: Go to the inbox section in Kotak Net banking and raise your complaint. Go to the inbox section in Kotak Net banking and raise your complaint. Call support: Dial 1860 266 2666 for Call Support to register a grievance with customer care. Dial 1860 266 2666 for Call Support to register a grievance with customer care. Branch visit: Visit nearest Kotak Mahindra Bank branch for direct assistance. Visit nearest Kotak Mahindra Bank branch for direct assistance. By Letter: Write to Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd., P.O. Box: 16344, Mumbai-400013. Level 2: Escalation of unresolved complaints If Level 1 doesnt sort out the issue in 7 days, then it can be escalated. Online escalation: Visit Kotak Mahindra Banks Level 2 grievance page and provide the requested details along with the Level 1 Service Request number. Visit Kotak Mahindra Banks Level 2 grievance page and provide the requested details along with the Level 1 Service Request number. Offline grievance escalation: Print out the grievance escalation form in the language you choose (11 available) and mail it to the address on the form. Level 3: Contact the Nodal Officer You can escalate the issue to the Nodal Officer if no satisfactory response is received within 5 working days. Send a letter to: Mrs. T. Kamat Kotak Infinity, 5th Floor, Zone I, Bldg No. 21, Infinity Park, General A.K. Vaidya Marg, Malad (E), Mumbai 400097. Fill out the Nodal Officer contact form and submit it by Email. Customer care helpline: Call 8879374983 (Available business days between 10 AM 6 PM) Level 4: Contact the Principal Nodal Officer You can escalate the issue to the Principal Nodal Officer if the issue persists for 3 to 5 working days. Send a letter to: Mr. K Vora Kotak Infinity, 5th Floor, Zone II, Bldg No. 21, Infinity Park, General A.K. Vaidya Marg, Malad (E), Mumbai 400097. By Email: Submit a complaint via the Principal Nodal Officer contact form. Also Read | 5 popular credit cards offering large cashbacks to users In conclusion, you must ensure that you always keep a regular check on your credit card transactions as well as your bill statements so that you can immediately reach out to the customer care for urgent action. The Union environment ministry is planning to update the Parivesh 2.0 web portal for quicker processing of environment clearances for new businesses. Currently, to establish a business, industrialists have to seek a"Consent To Establish" permission from the state pollution control board and Environment Clearance (EC) from the environment ministry. Also Read | SC remark on cutting trees wake-up call for govt, say environmentalists Once the new feature is in place, the business only has to get an environment clearance from the Centre. Although the business would not require an approval from the state pollution control board, the state will be consulted by the Centre during the approval process. In the context of environmental regulations, "consent to establish" (CTE) is a mandatory approval required before establishing any industry, project, or activity that could potentially discharge pollutants into the environment or emit air pollution. Also Read | Need to focus on increasing adaptation finance to meet climate action needs "We are working on the modalities so that dual permission is not required from the Centre as well as state. However, the interest of the state will be taken care of and they will be consulted and their inputs will be taken into consideration during the approval process," said an official privy to the development in the environment ministry. "The move is likely to expedite the approval process and will facilitate Ease of Doing Business (EoDB)," stated another official. The Environmental Impact Assessment Portal (PARIVESH 2.0) was created by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) to assist in environmental, forest, wildlife and coastal regulation zone clearances. According to the government, the average time taken for receiving an environment clearance has been reduced from 105 days to double digits. Also Read | EU's aggressive environmental regulations biggest hurdles of FTA talks with India: GTRI "Once it is implemented it will not only facilitate ease of doing business but also speed of establishing a new project. It will also help in optimum utilization of working capital," said Amit Thapar, Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry Northern Region Committee on Exports. Earlier, to facilitate ease of doing business, On 12 November 2024, the Center announced that industries categorized under the 'White Category' or non-polluting industries by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) will no longer require prior approval from state pollution control boards to establish and operate. Under the new rules, industries falling under the white category also won't need permission from the state pollution board, and the permissions were merged with the environmental clearance granted by the ministry of environment. In a sad incident, a 12-year-old government school student in Hyderabad's Begumpet area allegedly assaulted his teacher with an iron rod in the school premises on Wednesday, as he was upset following being caught copying in his final exams, reported Times of India. According to the report, the Begumpet police received a complaint from the government high school teacher in Bandipet, who alleged that he was assaulted by a class 7 student with an iron rod. "Teacher Venugopal was assaulted with a rod used for roping the bell. He sustained a minor injury, and is out of danger. We have registered an assault case," TOI quoted Begumpet inspector B Prasada Rao as saying. Meanwhile, school principal Chandrashekhar Sharma mentioned that the incident took place on Wednesday when the student allegedly hit the teacher after the exam. "The teacher along with others, went to the police station to sort out the issue," the daily quoted the police as saying. Hyderabad district education officer (DEO) R Rohini said, as TOI quoted, "It was the first day of the exams. The teacher caught the boy copying, separated the boy from other students and allowed him to write the exam. After the exam was over, the student assaulted the teacher. After the incident, the family members of the boy and the locals met the teacher and apologised for the student's behaviour." Teacher withdraws complaint: Keeping in view of the student's academic future, the teacher agreed to withdraw the complaint. The police inspector B Prasada Rao said that a notice was issued to the family members of the boy since the offender is a juvenile. "After the investigation, he will be produced before the juvenile justice board," the copy added. Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has congratulated and praised the Centre for its successful extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana to India but his praise came with a sting. When asked about his comments on Tahawwur Rana's extradition, Farooq Abdullah said, Mubarak ho, kisi ko toh laaye ye. Wo jo laane wale the black money and har ek ko 15 lakh milne wala tha, wo kidhar gaya? Rough translation: Congratulations, at least someone has been brought back. But what about bringing back the black money and giving 15 lakh in every account where did that go? Opposition leaders Kapil Sibal and P Chidambaram, too, welcomed the extradition of Tahawwur Rana while highlighting the efforts taken by the then UPA and current NDA governments in bringing the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to India to face justice. P Chidambaram said, This process began in 2009 and then gathered pace in 2011 when the US intelligence identified Tahawwur Rana. I compliment the External Affairs Ministry, the Intelligence agencies, and the NIA for successfully bringing Tahawwur Rana back to India after a long and arduous battle. During my time in the UPA, Minister Salman Khurshid and Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai played an important role. I am sure in the present Modi government also, several foreign secretaries and ministers have played a role. I also thank the United States' then and present government, he said. Kapil Sibal said that the formation of the NIA was a result of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai and the central counter-terrorism law enforcement agency was established during the UPA government to tackle such incidents. Ever since the 26/11 terrorist attack happened in Mumbai and many were killed...it was necessary that those involved in the terrorist act must be punished by the law. I remember that NIA was established during UPA times. NIA registered a case in this incident on November 11, 2009, where the accused were David Headley and Tahawwur Rana, Kapil Sibal said. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav said on Thursday that more than 50 people died in several incidents linked to rain, storm and lightning that struck Bihar on Thursday. In a post on X, Yadav wrote, I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of more than 50 people in various incidents of storm, rain, lightning, tree and wall collapse in Bihar. I express my deepest condolences to all the deceased. Also Read | Rainfall warning ousts heatwave alert! IMD predicts wet spells in THESE states He demanded that the government provide 'proper' compensation to all the affected families. "There is a demand from the Bihar government to provide proper compensation to all the affected families," Yadav posted on X. The RJD leader also demanded the government to compensate all such farmers who lost their wheat crop due to the sudden rain. Bihar rain death toll and damage A sudden storm accompanied by heavy rain caused major destruction in Nagwan village in Nalanda and other parts of Bihar on Thursday. At least 22 people lost their lives in Bihar's Nalanda district, ANI reported. Following incessant rain, a massive Peepal tree collapsed on the Devi Sthan temple, resulting in multiple fatalities. Also Read | Weather today: IMD issues orange alert for heatwave in Madhya Pradesh Of the total casualties, 21 people died as a result of the thunderstorm, while one person succumbed to injuries caused by lightning, District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar told news agency ANI said. He added that significant damage were also been reported to homes, livestock, and agricultural crops. DM Shubhankar said officials will begin an assessment of property and crop damage on Friday, after which compensation for the same will be provided. "Tomorrow, our team will assess the loss of houses and crops, after which compensation for the same will be provided. Five livestock also died - 3 buffaloes and 2 cows. So, the losses are also being assessed and process of providing compensation is being undertaken...The injured are being provided medical treatment...," he said. Earlier, an official statement from the Chief Minister Office of Bihar put the death toll at 25. The statement read, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is deeply saddened by the death of 18 people in Nalanda, 2 in Siwan, 1 in Katihar, 1 in Darbhanga, 1 in Begusarai, 1 in Bhagalpur and 1 in Jehanabad due to severe storm and lightning... "The Chief Minister has declared ex-gratia grants of 4 lakh each to the dependents of the deceased," the statement added. The state capital recorded an average of 42.6 mm rainfall till 5.30 pm. Water-logging was also reported on Thursday from several parts of Patna following heavy rain. On Wednesday, 13 people died in lightning strikes in four districts of Bihar. Bihar weather today, April 11 The India Meteorological Department issued an orange alert, predicting heavy rainfall in Bihar. The districts on alert include Darbhanga, East Champaran, Gopalganj, West Champaran, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Gaya, Sitamarhi, Sheohar, Nalanda, Nawada and Patna. "Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, Madhubani, Sithmarhi, Shivihar, Purnajay, Kathihar, East Champaran and West Champaran districts are likely to witness thunderstorm and strong wind," the IMD said in its daily bullitin. It has also forecast heavy rainfall on Saturday in these districts. The Delhi Police arrested a property dealer for allegedly killing his wife and dumping her body in a drain, NDTV reported on Friday. According to the report, the police managed to arrest Anil Kumar, a month after the body of his wife, Seema Singh, was found in a drain in Delhi. The police identified the body with the help of her nose pin. What is the case? On March 15, the police found a woman's body wrapped in a bedsheet and tied to a stone and cement sack in a drain in Delhi. The victim was later identified with the help of her nose pin, which helped the police unravel the murder mystery. During the probe, the police tracked the nose pin to a jewellery store in South Delhi, where they found that it was bought by Anil Kumar. The bill was issued in his name. Kumar lived at a farmhouse in Gurugram. Upon checking, the police contacted Kumar and learned that Seema Singh was his wife. When the police requested to speak to her, Kumar mentioned that Seema went to Vrindavan without her phone, which raised further suspicion. Following this, the police reached Kumar's office in Dwarka and found his mother-in-law's number in a diary. On contacting the family, Seema's sister Babita said that they hadn't spoken to her since March 11. The family was equally worried, as per the report. Babita informed the police that Anil Kumar told the family that Seema was in Jaipur and that she wasn't in the mood to speak to them. Anil also assured Babita that Seema would connect them once she felt better. According to the report, the conversation continued for several days. When Seema's kin wanted to go to the police, Kumar's assurances made them wait. Family called to identify body Later on April 1, Seema's family was called to identify a woman's body. Apart from Seema's family, her son too identified the body of his mother. Citing the post-mortem report, the family said Seema was strangled to death. They added that only the couple - Anil Kumar and Seema Singh - had keys to their Dwarka house. Tahawwur Rana extradition Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 14-year-old post on X on Tahawwur Rana is being circulated widely on social media as the 26/11 mastermind was extradited from the United States to India on Thursday evening, April 10. In a 2011 post on Twitter, now X, Modi, then the Chief Minister of Gujarat, had criticised the Congress-led Union government's foreign policy, accusing it of failing to uphold India's sovereignty after the United States disgraced the nation by declaring Tahawwur Rana innocent. Late Manmohan Singh was the Prime Minister of India in 2011. PM Modi's 2011 post US declaring Tahawwur Rana innocent in Mumbai attack has disgraced the sovereignty of India & it is a major foreign policy setback, PM Modi had posted on X. In 2011, a US court acquitted Tahawwur Rana of direct involvement in planning the 2008 Mumbai attacks, which killed 166 people, but found him guilty of supporting the terrorist organisation held responsible for the assault. A year after the Mumbai attacks, in October 2009, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) arrested Tahawwur Rana in Chicago for providing support to an aborted plot targeting a newspaper in Copenhagen and for offering material support to the terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). In 2011, he was convicted in that case and sentenced to 14 years in prison. However, Tahawwur Rana was acquitted of charges related to conspiracy to support the Mumbai terror attacks. Amit Shah, others comment on Tahawwur Rana's extradition Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror attack key accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana is a big success of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi government. Tahawwur Rana's extradition is a big success of Prime Minister Modi's diplomacy, Shah said while speaking at the 'News18 Rising Bharat Summit' on Wednesday, a day before Rana was brought to India to face the trial. Earlier, PM Modi's top economic advisor, Sanjeev Sanyal also reposted Narendra Modi's 2011 tweet, claiming that the PM had not forgotten Tahawwur Rana being declared innocent. Rana exhausted all his legal options available to such subjects in the US and is in India to face the law. During a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the White House in February, US President Donald Trump announced that his administration has approved the extradition of "very evil people of the world" Rana "to face justice in India". Tahawwur Rana's extradition Tahawwur Rana is currently in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and will be interrogated on Friday, April 11, inside a high-security cell at the agencys headquarters in Delhi. Also Read | Pakistan says it has nothing to do with 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused The 64-year-old was flown to Delhi on a special flight and immediately placed under arrest by the NIA. In a late-night hearing, he was presented before a special court at Patiala House, which granted the agency his custodial remand until April 29. External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Friday reacted to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio's post on extradition of 26/11 Mumbai attacks key conspirator Tahawwur Rana to India, and termed it as big step. Appreciate the counter-terrorism cooperation between our two countries," said Jaishankar while reacting to Rubio's post. The minister added that this is indeed a big step in ensuring justice for the victims of 26/11 attacks. Earlier in the day, Marco Rubio said that the US and India have long sought justice for the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and with the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, that day has come. We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Together, with India, we've long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I'm glad that day has come, Rubio said in a post on X. Rana, the 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks. Rana was brought to India on Thursday by a team led by National Investigation Agency (NIA) authorities, who will now face justice in the country for his role and involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks carried out by Pakistan-based LeT terrorists. Meanwhile, the NIA started an extensive interrogation of Rana to uncover the deeper layers of the conspiracy after a Delhi court granted the agency his 18-day custody. Earlier on Thursday, the State Department said the 26/11 terror attacks shocked the entire world and the US supported India's efforts to ensure those responsible were brought to justice. On April 9, the United States extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said. Also Read | PM Modi's 2011 tweet on Tahawwur Rana resurfaces after his extradition The United States has long supported India's efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice, and as President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism, she said. Rana is in Indias possession and we are very proud of that dynamic, she said. Karnataka news: Depressed over his wife's death, a 32-year-old man in Karnataka allegedly took the lives of his two children before ending his own, police officials said on Friday, April 11. The man, Uday, strangled his four-year-old daughter and three-year-old son and later died by suicide by hanging himself, reported PTI, citing police officials. The incident occurred on Thursday in the Gandhinagar police station limits, added officials. Uday left behind a seven-page letter explaining his actions. Uday's final message, written in blood on the wall, read I Love You, Hema, reported TOI. How the man's wife died Uday and Hema got married at Chalageri village in Ranebennur taluk of Haveri district in 2015. Hema passed away from a cardiac arrest seven months ago, reported PTI. Following Hema's untimely death, Uday experienced severe depression. As per the suicide note retrieved by the police, Uday had previously contemplated suicide, but concern for his childrens future stopped him from taking that extreme step, PTI quoted officials as saying. Also Read | IIIT Allahabad student dies on birthday after messaging mom. Know what happened The case is currently under investigation, Gandhinagar police officials told PTI. Karnataka man kills wife and children over frequent disputes In a similar incident, a 45-year-old man in Karnatakas Kalaburagi district reportedly ended his life at his flat after allegedly killing his wife and two children on Wednesday, April 3. The police had recovered a suicide note allegedly written by the deceased man. He was a senior assistant accountant at Gulbarga Electricity Supply Company Limited (GESCOM), reported The Indian Express. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday said why Washington DC extradited 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana to India, revealing that he needed to face charges for his role in planning the horrific Mumbai terror attacks in 2008. We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, he said. Rubio added that he was glad that the day to deliver justice to the 166 victims of the terror attack had come. Together, with India, we've long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I'm glad that day has come, he wrote in a post on X. Tahawwur Rana was brought to India late on April 10 and produced before a special NIA court, which sent him to 18 days of NIA custody. Rana has been charged with numerous offences, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks by Laskhar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a designated terrorist outfit. 26/11 shocked entire world: US Earlier on Thursday, the US State Department said the 26/11 terror attacks shocked the entire world and the Washington DC supported India's efforts to ensure those responsible were brought to justice. On April 9, the United States extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said on Thursday. The United States has long supported India's efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice, and as President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism, she added. Tahawwur Rana is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks. 26/11 Mumbai attacks On November 26, 2008, a group of 10 Pakistani terrorists went on a horrifying rampage as they carried out a coordinated attack in several crowded places of Mumbai, after they sneaked into India's financial capital using the sea route in the Arabian Sea. Also Read | Pakistan says it has nothing to do with 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused The attacks lasted till November 29, killing at least 160, including foreign nationals, security personnel, women, children and civilians in general. Port Louis, Mauritius: Facing record electricity demand and a looming climate deadline, Mauritius has turned to India for help. The island nation is seeking New Delhis supportboth technical and financialas it races to bolster power generation, ensure consistent electricity supply, and shift to 60% renewable energy by 2030, according to senior officials in the Mauritian government. The collaboration marks a deepening of the countries' longstanding strategic partnership, as India positions itself as a key energy ally for small island nations confronting climate risk. Mauritius recently reached out with a formal proposal to collaborate on a roadmap for energy security, Zeenat Guness-Goolbar, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, told Mint. The request, routed via the countrys Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the High Commission of India, follows a spike in electricity demand that has strained its aging infrastructure. Read this | Energy transition to get delayed amid Trump's push for oil, gas: Kearney's Sevin On 5 February, Mauritius recorded a new peak power demand of 568 megawatts (MW), surpassing the previous record of 525.7 MW. With electricity needs rising alongside economic growth, Guness-Goolbar said the country is seeking support in generation planning, battery storage, and grid stability. A team of Indian technical experts is expected to visit in May to assess the countrys requirements and lay the groundwork for future assistance. Energy and water were high on the agenda during the meeting that took place during the prime minister of Mauritius and prime minister of India during his state visit," said Guness-Goolbar. We understand that there will be follow-ups also in the energy sector. We are expecting a team of Indian experts coming to support the Central Electricity Board. So that is the one of the soon-to-materialize concrete action." India and Mauritius have long-standing ties across sectors including defense, trade and infrastructure. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Mauritius last month, where the two countries announced an Enhanced Strategic Partnership" that includes cooperation on climate and clean energy. "We are facing some challenges in terms of energy security, we have been witnessing very high power demand. In terms of our generation planning, we need to have some sort of support and assistance and India caters for so much in terms of power. So, definitely that is an area of competency on India's side," the permanent secretary added. In 2023, an 8 MW solar power plant built by Indias state-run Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd was commissioned under a line of credit from the Indian government. The project feeds into Mauritiuss national grid and forms part of its broader renewable push. Guness-Goolbar also noted that the country is looking at increasing its battery storage capacitycurrently at 32 MWto handle future peaks and stabilize supply. The development comes at a time when India is looking to consolidate its geopolitical position in the Indian Ocean region and among the Global South. Beyond bilateral efforts, Mauritius is also strengthening its collaboration with the International Solar Alliance (ISA), which India co-founded with France. On Thursday, Mauritius became the first African nationand the fourth globallyto sign a Country Partnership Framework with the ISA. The agreement sets the stage for work on a national solar roadmap and regulatory architecture to accelerate the countrys energy transition. I think with ISA, we are more mature now in terms of collaboration and we are looking at forward to more in-depth collaboration following that signing of the framework agreement," said Guness-Goolbar. Also read | Countries may turn to alternative energy sources amid rise in protectionism: Shell chief economist Ishwaran Under its transition plan, Mauritius aims to generate 60% of its power from renewable sources by 2030up from 19% currentlyand cut greenhouse gas emissions by 40%, partly by reducing its reliance on coal-based generation. (The reporter is in Mauritius at the invitation of the International Solar Alliance.) Tahawwur Rana, a key conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, had allegedly said that Indians deserved it, after 166 people lost their lives during the 26/11 attacks. The US Department of Justice, which facilitated the extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India, further said that the key conspirator commended the nine LeT terrorists killed during the attack, suggesting that they should be given "Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistans highest gallantry award. The US on Wednesday extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian citizen, to stand trial in India over the 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai. Ranas extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks, the DoJ said in a statement. Mumbai terror attacks: Indian's deserved it? India alleges that Tahawwur Rana orchestrated a fraudulent cover so that his childhood friend David Coleman Headley, a US citizen born Daood Gilani, could travel to Mumbai to conduct a surveillance of potential attack sites for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). After the attack, Rana allegedly told Headley, one of the main conspirators of the assault, that the Indians deserved it", the DoJ statement said. In an intercepted conversation with Headley, Rana allegedly commended the nine LeT terrorists who had been killed committing the attacks, saying that they should be given Nishan-e-Haider-Pakistans highest award for gallantry in battle, which is reserved for fallen soldiers, the statement read. The ISI link An investigation by the NIA has revealed that senior functionaries of banned terror groups LeT and HUJI were involved in the 12 co-ordinated Mumbai terrorist attacks between November 26 and November 29, 2008. The names that have emerged include - 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. These people allegedly 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, officials have said. Also Read | PM Modi's 2011 tweet on Tahawwur Rana resurfaces after his extradition This has put India's focus back on ISI's role regarding the heinous crime, which shook the world to the core and has left a permanent wound on India's modern history. According to sources quoted by NDTV, Tahawwur Rana will now be grilled over Major Sameer Ali and Major Iqbal. Who are Major Sameer Ali and Major Iqbal? Both residents of Pakistan, Major Sameer Ali and Major Iqbal were allegedly functioning as ISI officers at the time of the attack. Major Iqbal, who has been identified by the US as a serving ISI officer in 2010, had a major role to play in the attack. As per an NDTV report, Major Iqbal had financed, directed, and micromanaged the survey missions where Headley went to. Mint could not independently verify this claim. Headley has described the ISI agent as the one who was his primary handler in an agency that recruited, trained, and directed him for the attacks. A US indictment said Iqbal was a resident of Pakistan who participated in planning and funding attacks by Lashkar and charged him with six counts of aiding terrorism and murder, adding he facilitated funds and resources to LeT. Sameer Ali, on the other hand, was the person who oversaw the Mumbai attacks live from an LeT control room in Karachi, according to the NDTV report quoting 26/11 handler Zabiuddin Ansari (alias Abu Jundal) who was arrested in 2012. A 45-year-old woman in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, reportedly staged her own abduction and gang rape in an attempt to falsely implicate a local public representative. She even got a quack to superficially" implant a bullet in her shoulder to establish the claim. The woman was identified as Sonu alias Shamoli Kaushik, Bareilly police said in a release. Also Read | Uttar Pradesh: Indian Army jawan on leave to testify in murder case shot dead Woman's version The matter came to light when police received information on March 29 that unidentified persons had shot a woman. A police team reached the spot and sent her to a hospital. The woman reportedly claimed that she was on her way to a medical store when five men abducted her in a car. According to the Indian Express, she alleged that three of them raped her, shot and threw her near Gandhi Udyan. A complaint was filed by a relative of the woman. Later, police registered an FIR against unidentified persons. "On the basis of the complaint given by the above woman, a case was registered under FIR No. 139/2025 under sections 140 (1)/70 (1)/309(4)/109 BNS and investigation was taken up," police said. Police then examined the womans call records and collected CCTV footage from the areas between the location where she claimed to have been abducted and where she was later found, the Indian Express report added. Doubts were raised when... Police started doubting the woman's version of the incident when the footage showed the woman travelling in a tempo and using her cellphone at the time when she was supposed to have been kidnapped, NDTV reported. Assistant Superintendent of Police Manush Pareek was quoted as saying that the womans medical reports also raised questions about the bullet injury. There was no entry wound." Woman admits crime During the questioning, the woman admitted to falsely making the claims to implicate a few local residents. She said that a quack had superficially implanted the bullet in her shoulder in exchange for money, police added. 'Bullet was implanted' Pareek told the Indian Express, It [report] shows a cut was made on the skin and a bullet was implanted." He said, The bullet was lodged superficially in the upper layer of the skin, and doctors confirmed that such an injury does not cause any medical complications. Police said the woman got an employee of the district hospital and a quack from Sanjaynagar to insert the bullet. She then singed the area with a hot coin to mimic the powder burn from a bullet, NDTV reported. Two of the accused have been arrested and are in custody. The possibility of more people being involved cannot be ruled out, police said. Also Read | Disha Salian death case: Father names Aaditya Thackeray in murder complaint Why did the woman fake it? NDTV cited police as saying that the woman confessed that she had earlier blackmailed a public representative and his son. The case was in court, and a judgment was expected soon. To avoid that, she had come up with this plan. The Bareilly police said that in 2022, the woman had made similar allegations against three unknown persons. "When police investigated the incident, it was also found to be a fake case registered by the woman," police said. They added that a report was sent to a court seeking action against the plaintiff under Section 182/211 IPC. The 2022 case "is pending in the Hon'ble Court in which the next date" of hearing is April 25, 2025. Police said the woman was apprehensive that the court would take action against her. 'Doctor took 2500 to implant bullet' Police said the woman hatched a "conspiracy to save herself". She met one Rohtash, the ward boy of a district hospital, and hatched a plan to plant a bullet in her body. "Rohtash provided her with one bullet and two empty cartridges and told her the method of planting the bullet in her body," police said. They added, "The woman met two-three doctors who refused to plant the bullet, but one doctor, Sharafat Khan, charged 2500 and implanted the bullet in the woman's body." US Vice President JD Vance is likely to visit India soon, a report said on Friday. According to Reuters quoting an unnamed trade official from India, JD Vance may visit the country soon, amid talks that New Delhi wants to finalise a bilateral deal with Donald Trump. The news comes days after US President Donald Trump seemingly took a U-turn to impose a temporary pause of 90 days on tariffs on India and other trading partners. However, Trump went in for a further hike in tariffs on Chinese imports after Beijing essentially started a trade war by retaliating with a 34 per cent tariff hikes on American imports after US did the same on April 2. Donald Trump announced a 145 per cent tariff on China, which prompted the country to go for a 125 per cent levy on US. India-US trade talks finalised The Reuters report also stated that India and US have finalised the terms of the first talks that are part of a new bilateral deal. The Indian trade official reportedly told the wire agency that the India-US trade talks could result in a in-win situation for both the countries over the next 90 days, till when Donald Trump paused his tariffs. Donald Trump's tariff pause on April 9 has also come as a relief for Indian exporters. We are far ahead in trade talks with the US compared to other countries ... there are lots of possibilities in 90 days, the official, who did not wish to be identified, was quoted as saying by Reuters. India and the U.S. agreed in February to work on the first phase of a trade deal to be concluded late this year, days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Donald Trump in an official meeting at the White House. The countries have agreed to move ahead with a view to reaching bilateral trade worth $500 billion by 2030. Also Read | Chinese Airline Delays Boeing Jet Delivery as Tariffs Surge Trade discussions between the countries will continue virtually and regularly, the official said. As part of the talks, delegation-level visits from both sides are likely as well, the official added. JD Vance may be part of such a delegation. India has asked its customs authorities to step up scrutiny of exports and imports of goods to ensure the country is not used as a conduit to re-route goods to the, according to the report. Varanasi gangrape: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday received a detailed report on the recent gangrape incident in Varanasi immediately upon his landing in the city and instructed that strictest possible action be taken against the culprits in the case. The prime minister received the briefing from the Police Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner, and District Magistrate of Varanasi as he landed there to inaugurate a slew of road projects and address a public gathering. Narendra Modi further directed the authorities to implement appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future. The recent Varanasi gangrape incident came as a shock to the nation when police found a 19-year-old woman in an unconscious state. Varanasi gangrape: What did PM Modi say? Immediately after landing in Varanasi, the prime minister was briefed by the police commissioner, divisional commissioner and district magistrate on the recent criminal rape incident in the city, a statement from the Uttar Pradesh government read, according to The Hindustan Times. Also Read | Varanasi teen alleges gang rape by 23 men over 7 days; police arrest 6 people He instructed them to take the strictest possible action against the culprits and to implement appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future, the statement added. Varanasi gangrape incident Police have arrested at least nine accused in the Varanasi gangrape incident, all of whom are in judicial custody at present as per instructions from the District and Sessions Court. According to the police the girl was lured and taken away and raped for several days. The victim alleged that 23 people raped her over a span of 7 days, all of whom have been made accused in the case. The police had further said that nine people were arrested in connection with the case and the rest of the accused would be arrested soon. The case has been registered under relevant sections at the Lalpur Pandeypur police station in Varanasi. According to the victim's father, the 19-year-old woman left on March 29 to visit her friend, soon after which the incident took place. She left home on March 29 and visited the ghat with her friend and spent a day there. She came in contact with boys after that, and 3-4 days passed by. We were all worried, we tried finding her ourselves, but in vain. We approached the police on April 3. She was found on April 4 by the police. She was in bad state. After treatment, when she became normal, she narrated the whole incident, he was quoted as saying by ANI. Meanwhile, search is still on for the other accused in the case, police have said. The father of the victim further alleged that his daughter was intoxicated on many occasions by multiple people who raped her. Curiosity killed the cat"- goes the common saying. But in the case of Perplexity AI CEO Aravind Srinivas, his curiosity created the unique AI tool, proudly declared Kamal Haasan, giving a shout out to Srinivas. Kamal Haasan fans have been going gaga after the Indian actor hailed Perplexity AI, and its CEO Aravind Srinivas for his brainchild. Also Read | Aravind Srinivas adds Bhagavad Gita twist to ChatGPTs viral Ghibli trend One fan even said: Kamal sir should be the brand ambassador of @perplexity_ai in India. He stands for knowledge and self-learning. What say @AravSrinivas? Kamal Haasan visits Perplexity AI headquarters Kamal Haasan recently visited the Perplexity headquarters in San Francisco, where he met Aravind Srinivas. He also posted some photos from his visit. Perplexity AI Kamal Haasan's recent visit to Perplexity AI headquarters draws from his keen interest in AI. Also Read | Kamal Haasan takes 'Hindia' jibe at Centre after Tamil Nadu meet on delimitation Perplexity is an AI-powered search engine that delivers direct answers to user queries by leveraging multiple foundational models. It was developed by Aravind Srinivas, Andy Konwinski, Denis Yarats, and Johnny Ho in August 2022. Kamal Haasan and AI Apart from his political duties, and stellar career in movies, Kamal Haasan is also known for his devotion to AI and technology. Kamal Haasan recently flew to the US to pursue a course on AI, to lear how to incorporate the same into his movies. According to a report by Deccan Herald, his upcoming movies will involve AI technology. Cinema is my life. All my earnings have one back into my films by various means. I'm not merely an actor, but a producer too, and I reinvest everything I earn from movies into the industry, Kamal Haasan shared with Deccan Herald in an interview. Netizens react to Kamal Haasan's visit Kamal Haasan fans could not keep calm after the actor shared glimpses of his visit to Perplexity AI headquarters in San Francisco. Proud moment for Indians, its great to see you both. Thank you Kamal sir, I love your line on curiosity, its awesome, wrote one user. Incredible! Where experience meets a curious mind! added another. Perplexity AI to be available on WhatsApp? Aravind Srinivas recently confirmed that Perplexity AI is working to bring its search engine directly to WhatsApp. New Delhi: In an effort to cut the government's litigation costs, the union law and justice ministry has proposed creating additional legal cells in each ministry for oversight on each instance of litigation, along with a scale to rank the importance of each matter. According to an office memorandum dated 4 April titled Directive for the efficient and effective management of litigation by the government of India", the ministry has also planned to create a new data portal for arbitration matters where the government is a party, based on the existing National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) for court cases. The NJDG provides a count of pending and resolved cases in Indian courts. The data is compiled by the government from individual courts. The law ministry stated that new legal cells are to be created in ministries and departments within three months. These legal cells may be designed as per the case load of the ministry or department in question, the law ministry's memo said. Also read | NHAI looks to reduce arbitration dues by roping in more retired judges The law ministry also asked for a nodal officer not below the rank of a joint secretary to be appointed to oversee litigation matters. This officer should also have expertise in the legal domain, and reasonable experience for the position, the law ministry memo said. The memo also called for young legal professionals to be to be engaged on contractual basis, wherever necessary. It also called for an independent litigation review of new policies that are to be implemented in the future. The law ministry has also supported the June 2024 advisory by the finance ministry to reduce the government's reliance on arbitration owing to its high expenses and long timeframes for resolutions. The memo published by the department of legal affairs stated that the objectives of the directive are to reduce recurrent litigation, reduce issues in orders and notification issued by the government, reduce unnecessary appeals against Court rulings, and focus on out-of-court dispute resolution methods such as mediation. Read this | Govt seeks to amend law to bolster institutional arbitration The memo highlighted that most ministries and departments in the central government have not laid down any standard operating procedures for handling litigation. "Most ministries and departments do not have a dedicated legal Cell, and cases are being handled by the administrative or technical divisions overseeing the relevant subject matter," the memo said about capacity constraints for handling legal matters in the central government. The law ministry also analysed litigation data across ministries and found that most issues are recurring. These issues are linked to service or pensions, land acquisitions and compensation disputes, commercial disputes, intellectual property disputes, fundamental rights violations and public interest litigations (PIL), as well as interpretation of tax laws, the ministry said. The ministry also highlighted that litigation of the government with its contractual partners and concessionaires arises out of basic contractual disputes where one party does not adhere to contractual agreements, and said there needs to be greater co-ordination among ministries to resolve legal issues. Also read | Supreme Court could reshape arbitration. Businesses are watching. Engaging in capacity building maneuvers in ministries to reduce government litigation is not likely to help the problem completely, said Alok Prasanna, co-founder, Vidhi Centre of Legal Policy (VCLP). "The fundamental problem, and one which even these guidelines don't address, is the lack of consequences for filing frivolous cases," he said. The problem Prasanna referred to is the government extending legal challenges frivolously, since no government official wants to bear the consequences of losing a case. "When an individual files frivolous cases the consequences are usually on them personally whereas for governments, it's the taxpayer who shells out the costs. Very rarely do courts impose personal costs on government servants for filing frivolous cases," said Prasanna. Not filing appeals in lost cases is considered unacceptable for government officials, and receives harsh comments from the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), he added. Arbitration and mediation service providers also agreed that a fundamental change in mindset is necessary, and that capacity building is only the beginning of the solution. Also read | Centre plans to revive IIAC, adds incentives for maritime arbitration and MSMEs "The government, which has a massive exposure to litigation, needs a shift in its approach towards legal matters. If an officer in the legal department is always going to work with the intention to litigate and challenge, then capacity building will not be the solution," said Krunal Modi, founding partner and manager for strategy and innovation, Presolv360. "If more officers tried to focus on resolution instead of litigation, the government could not only significantly reduce the burden on its limited resources but also bring down its contribution to the pendency of cases," he added. The government should also minimise adjournments and if a government body requests over two adjournments, then the reason for the same should be conveyed to the legal cell of the ministry or department. While the government has pushed for mediation as a method of resolving government lawsuits, it has clearly shied away from arbitration as a method of dispute resolution. The law ministry memo has stated that dispute resolution by arbitration should be decided on a case-by-case basis. With the new government arbitration data portal entering the fray soon, the government is likely to seek arbitration data from two places, either from arbitration institutions, or from individual ministries. Read this | Calls to reduce court intervention in Arbitration Act amendment as consultation window closes Since 2017, after the Justice B.N. Srikrishna-led high-level committee report pushing for institutional arbitration over ad-hoc arbitration, the government has batted for the same. But seeking data from arbitration institutions may be a challenge, with ad-hoc arbitration still being the preferred method of dispute resolution in the country, and the government not recognising any arbitration institution officially. But, the law ministry memo asked ministries to do a periodic review of all arbitration cases, whether domestic or international, and communicate the findings of the review to the department of legal affairs. "The vast bulk of contracts entered into have standard clauses on arbitration and they generally do not mention institutional arbitration. Gathering data is first step but the contract terms will have to change to mandate institutional over ad hoc arbitration," said Prasanna of VCLP. But India's arbitration is slowly moving towards institutions, away from ad hoc practices. "Institutional arbitration has been the preferred choice recently and we have seen the inclination towards it in the recent times," said Gauhar Mirza, partner, Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas. "With the Government itself setting up institutions for arbitration and specially some institutions like the Delhi International Arbitration Centre, we can see the clear trend," he said. And read | Pushed by finance ministry, ONGC to cut down on arbitration, use IIAC services As many as 6,700 Sikh pilgrims from India have arrived in Pakistan after travelling through the Wagah border to participate in Baisakhi Mela festivities and commemorate the founding of the Khalsa sect, news agency PTI reported. 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 on April 14 at Gurdwara Janamasthan Nankana Sahib, a revered gurdwara situated at the site where Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born. The shrine is located in Nankana Sahib in Pakistan's Punjab. The government of Pakistan has issued 6,751 visas to Indian Sikh pilgrims for the festival. This is the highest number of Sikh pilgrims in fifty years who have celebrated Baisakhi in Pakistan. 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 news agency report said. 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 greeted the Sikh pilgrims at the Wagah Border check post. 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. 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 Sardar Ramesh Singh 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 Farid 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 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. Weather today: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued orange an alert for a total of nine states today, predicting downpours in these regions. States for which rainfall warning has been issued include Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Bihar, Jharkhand, Sikkim, Eastern Madhya Pradesh and parts of West Bengal. Except for Gujarat, some parts of Maharashtra and Haryana, rest of India is on yellow alert for rains. IMD scientist Surender Paul on Thursday said," 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," ANI reported. The weather agency in its latest press release warned against heavy rainfall in in Assam and Meghalaya until April 13, in sub-Himalayan West Bengal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh until April 12 and in Bihar on April 11. Furthermore, light to moderate rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds is likely in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on April 11; and in Uttarakhand on April 11 and 12. The weather bulletin dated April 10 states, Isolated Hailstorm likely over Haryana, East Uttar Pradesh, north Chhattisgarh, East Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Assam & Meghalaya on 10th; Jammu-Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Punjab on 11th April. It adds, Duststorm very likely at isolated places over West Rajasthan on 11th April. IMD predicted light to moderate rainfall in northeastern states over the next 6 to 7 days. Also Read | Weather today: IMD issues orange alert for heatwave in Madhya Pradesh Fresh heatwave warnings for THESE days A fresh spell of heatwave conditions has been forecasted for West Rajasthan between April 14 and 16 and for East Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab on April 16. Several killed in lightning strikes Over 25 people were killed in several districts of Bihar on Thursday after being struck by lightning and hailstorms, Chief Minister's Office (CMO), Nalanda, reported. However, RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav in a post on X claimed that over 50 people died. As many as 13 individuals were confirmed dead following lightning strikes in four districts of Bihar on Wednesday. Renowned author Devdutt Patnaik has discussed the politics of grain in India while comparing North Indian and South Indian women. He considers rice and wheat consumption across the country and its relation to literacy among women. Rice vs Roti debate Patnaik noted that cooking rice, which is majorly consumed in South India, takes less time than making rotis, giving women more time to study. While in North India women are busy making rotis, giving them less time to study. In a post on Facebook, Devdutt Patnaik wrote, "North Indian women make rotis of WHEAT. So have less time to study. They are busy giving "garam-garam" roti to men so have to be in kitchen all the time. Roti-making more labour than rice boiling." He added, South Indian women make RICE. So have more time to study. The rice boils and stays warm on its own on the stove. You serve it with ghee. South India is therefore far more literate and educated than North Indian women. Tradition of covering heads Another comparison drawn to compare women from North India and South India is the practice of covering the head and using flower hair. He claimed that women in North India cover their heads to keep them safe, while widows in South India do a similar practice to look unattractive. North Indian women need to cover head (ghunghat) and face to protect themselves from sexual advances of men around them. This veiling practice PREDATES islamic invasion. So even after kicking out Muslim rulers, the practice continues. In South India, widows cover heads (ghastly practice to make them unattractive), Not girls and married women," Patnaik said. Also Read | Abandon prejudices for women's participation in workforce to rise Reason for wearing flowers on hair Similarly, he compared the tradition of women putting flowers on their hair, which is predominantly practised in South India. Women in South India wear flowers in their hair. To wear flowers in your hair in North India is seen as being a 'tawaif'. This is changing under influence of Bollywood, he added. Historical significance of rice and wheat consumption According to Patnaik, "In Natya-shastra and Kama-shastra, Madhya-desha (UP) was seen as a land of "Arya", and they clearly saw Dravida and Andhra as distant and inferior and foreign. From Madya-desha (middle kingdom) there were roads to north (uttara-patha) towards Kashmir, also rice-eating, and south (dakshina-patha) towards Kalinga and Keralam, also rice-eating. Rice-eating zones were centres of Tantra and later Vedanta." He claimed wheat and millet were consumed in Rajput zones and lands Parashurama acquired from Kshatriyas. Patnaik further asserted that wheat and millet were consumed to control women. The labour of wheat (which came from West Asia and Middle East) and millet (from China and Africa) is meant to control women. The freedom of rice (which came from Southeast Asia, along with betel nut, betel leaf, sugarcane, coconut) brings freedom to women, he said. Also Read | Subsidies and MSP:It makes most sense for farmers to keep growing rice and wheat Maggi noodles is a homage to rice-cooking, says Patnaik While considering rice as an instant food, Patnaik said, Men can easily cook rice. They make rotis in funny shape. Maggi noodles is a homage to rice-cooking not roti-making. Rice is nature's instant food. Dosa made of rice, idli made of rice, is so quick and easy to make. Less labour, less control, less oppression. So rice payasam dish given to gods. Roti-with-chana given to goddess. More untouchability, more milk drinking and more Brahminism clearly in roti-zones. He further added, Next time they tell you rice causes weight gain and roti prevents weight gain - remember the politics of grain in our country. Netizens argue Several social media users have presented differing opinions on Patnaik's post, where most have cited geography and climate as the reason for varying rice and wheat consumption across India. One of the users commented, Accepted that making roti is more laborious than making rice! But the preferences differed because of water availability instead of anything else! As paddy requires more water contrary to wheat and millet, north, especially rain starved zones preferred that kind of cropping! That induced the food habit too! Even large areas of UP, Bihar also use rice, though supplemented by roti! Another user added, No one eats only rice. It needs sambhar, rasam, curd and vegetables. It takes a solid one hour to cook. Did you check any South Indian women about whether they feel cooking south indian food as liberating? A US immigration judge in Louisiana ruled on Friday (April 11) that Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil can be deported as a national security risk, marking a major escalation in the Trump administration's crackdown on student protesters. Immigration Judge Jamee E. Comans concluded that the government had established by clear and convincing evidence that he is removable. She said Mahmoud Khalils continued presence posed potentially serious foreign policy consequences for the United States. Mahmoud Khalil, 30, a legal US resident pursuing a degree in international affairs, has not been charged with any crime. His lawyers argue that his arrest and detention violate his constitutional rights. The attempt to deport Mr. Khalil has nothing to do with foreign policy, his attorney Marc Van Der Hout told the judge, accusing the administration of using immigration law to silence dissent. First high-profile arrest of Gaza protester Khalil was arrested on March 8 in the lobby of his university-owned apartment by federal immigration agents. He was swiftly flown to an immigration detention facility in Jena, Louisiana, thousands of miles from his legal team and his wife a US citizen. His arrest marked the first publicised action under President Trumps vow to target foreign students participating in campus demonstrations against Israels war in Gaza. Rubio cites rarely used deportation statute US Secretary of State Marco Rubio invoked a little-used provision that allows the deportation of individuals deemed to have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences. That provision became central to the government's argument, and Judge Comans ultimately agreed it justified Khalils deportation, despite her earlier call for direct evidence connecting him to such a threat. Federal Judges step in to delay deportation Although the immigration court has ruled against Khalil, federal judges in New York and New Jersey have issued orders temporarily blocking his deportation while legal proceedings continue. Justice Department attorneys said on Friday that even if the immigration judge ruled in Khalils favor, she wouldnt have the authority to release him immediately. A separate bail hearing would need to follow. Khalil was a visible presence at Columbias pro-Palestinian protests, serving as a negotiator and spokesperson when students took over a campus lawn. He was not accused of participating in the later occupation of an administration building and was not arrested during those events. Despite that, his visibility including appearing unmasked and speaking to the press made him a political lightning rod. Crackdown reaches across US campuses The Trump administration has ramped up action against student demonstrators critical of Israel. Authorities have arrested a Georgetown University scholar, revoked student visas, and deported a Brown University professor linked to a Hezbollah funeral abroad. Meanwhile, Columbia University is facing its own punishment: the administration has moved to cut over $400 million in federal research funding, citing the institutions alleged failure to curb antisemitism on campus. Lawyers continue legal fight Khalils legal team has vowed to keep fighting, seeking a waiver and pursuing relief in federal courts. Free speech is not a threat to national security, Van Der Hout said. What is happening here is a political prosecution disguised as immigration enforcement. Also Read | Trump strikes deals with five top firms as legal industry faces crackdown US President Donald Trump remains optimistic about the possibility of a trade agreement with China, even as tensions between the worlds two largest economies continue to mount, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Friday. "The president has made it very clear he's open to a deal with China," Leavitt told reporters at a White House press briefing. If China continues to retaliate, its not good for China, she added, referencing recent tit-for-tat tariff measures. White House: US attracting global trade deals Speaking to reporters, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, The United States of America is the strongest, best economy in the world, as evidenced by the more than 75 countries who have called the administration immediately to cut good deals. She added that President Trump is committed to fair trade practices around the globe and intends to act in the best interest of the American people. Talks underway with unnamed country While declining to provide details on ongoing negotiations, Leavitt confirmed that very good progress has been made with an undisclosed country regarding the new global tariffs recently imposed by the administration. She noted that the national security team is engaged in preliminary discussions and that updates would be shared when appropriate. Silence on China talks Pressed on whether the US was waiting for China to make the first move, Leavitt refused to comment on any potential communications with Beijing, citing the sensitive nature of diplomatic channels. Tariff war deepens with China The ongoing trade standoff between the US and China intensified on Friday after President Trump raised duties to 145% tariff on a broad range of Chinese goods. In retaliation, China raised duties to 125% on American imports but indicated it might avoid further escalation. US President Donald Trump on Thursday took to Truth Social to comment on the ongoing war in Ukraine, urging Russia to get moving and emphasised the devastating human toll of the war, stating that "too many people are dying, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war." He described the conflict as one that "should have never happened" and asserted that it would not have occurred under his presidency. In a post on his social media platform, Trump wrote: Russia has to get moving. Too many people are DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war A war that should have never happened, and wouldnt have happened, if I were President!!! Stalemate deepens Trump, who has pushed for a truce, is reportedly growing increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putins unwillingness to act. Russian-Ukraine war enters its fourth year. Despite Ukraines acceptance of a US-brokered ceasefire proposal, Russia has stalled the peace process by demanding sweeping conditions, deepening global concerns about Moscows intentions. Zelenskyy renews missile defense plea As diplomatic channels stall, the war continues to take a devastating toll. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky renewed his urgent call for more US-made Patriot air defense systems after a deadly missile strike last week killed 20 civiliansincluding nine childrenin his hometown. In a virtual address to the Ramstein group a coalition of around 50 countries backing Ukraine militarily President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said recent Russian strikes made it clear that Moscow had no intention of accepting or implementing any genuine and workable peace proposals. Trumps envoy engages Putins inner circle Meanwhile, Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff has traveled to Russia in an effort to break the deadlock. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Witkoff was in St. Petersburg and would meet Putin personally. Witkoff initially met with Putins envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Witkoff has reportedly urged the Kremlin to accept a truce and move toward ending hostilities. Former Abercrombie & Fitch boss Mike Jeffries is suffering from dementia and is unfit to stand trial for alleged sex crimes, stated a court filing released on Thursday. In an exclusive report, the Wall Street Journal revealed that Brian Bieber, a lawyer for Jeffries, said in Thursdays court filing that his client has been evaluated by doctors in recent months who determined that Jeffries is suffering from severe dementia and is unfit to proceed to trial. Who is Mike Jeffries and what is he accused of? Mike Jeffries is a former CEO of fashion brand Abercrombie & Fitch. He led the clothing retailer from 1992 to 2014. He was 80 years old when he was arrested and charged in October. He was held as part of a federal investigation into a sex trafficking and interstate prostitution case that spans years of alleged abuse from 2008 to 2015, NPR reported. Also Read | BBC claims former CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch involved in sex trafficking His arrest came a year after bombshell allegations emerged in which eight men accused Jeffries and his inner circle of sexually exploiting them at lavish parties around the world. Prosecutors said Jeffries pressured male models into attending sex parties, paying the men for sex and plying them with drugs, The Wall Street Journal reported. In October last year, Mike Jeffries had pleaded not guilty to 16 criminal charges before a federal judge in Central Islip, New York, in that states Suffolk county. Jeffries has 'dementia' According to the WSJ, a psychiatrist hired by the defense found Jeffries was suffering from Alzheimers disease and other cognitive disorders. An expert selected by prosecutors also found Jeffries was suffering from dementia that will almost certainty worsen over time. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds in a surprise announcement on Friday (April 11), revealed she will not seek a third term in office, ending nearly a decade-long tenure as the states first female governor. Reynolds, a Republican, made the announcement in a video posted to social media. This wasnt an easy decision, because I love this state and I love serving you, Reynolds said. But, when my term ends, I will have had the privilege of serving as your governor for almost 10 years. She added that her decision was influenced by personal reasons, particularly the support she has received from her family throughout her political career. Now its time for me to be there for them, Reynolds said, referring to her husband, Kevin Reynolds, who was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023. She had previously announced in January that his cancer remained in remission. From small-town treasurer to State leader Reynolds political journey began in Clarke County, where she served as county treasurer. She was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2008 and joined then-Governor Terry Branstad as his running mate in 2010. She served as lieutenant governor from 2011 to 2017 before succeeding Branstad when he was appointed US ambassador to China. Reynolds was elected to full terms as governor in 2018 and 2022. Republican leaders praise her legacy Following her announcement, prominent Iowa Republicans applauded Reynolds leadership and conservative achievements, especially on issues like taxation and education. Taxes are low, cash reserves are full, our freedoms defended, and Iowas future has never been brighter, Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann said in a statement. Reynolds championed publicly funded savings accounts for private education and consistently pushed for lower taxes and limited government. Confident in Iowas future Reynolds closed her message with optimism about the states direction and Republican leadership. I have no doubt that Iowa and our Republican Party will remain in great hands, she said. Weve built a foundation of strong conservative leadership that will continue to serve this state well. Her decision not to seek re-election sets the stage for a competitive 2026 race and opens up speculation about her political future beyond Iowa. A small plane crashed near Boca Raton Airport in Florida on Friday (April 11), killing three people on board and injuring one person on the ground, police confirmed. The Boca Raton Police Department confirmed the fatalities in a social media post, adding that a person on the ground had been taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Fireball on impact Boca Raton Fire Rescue Assistant Chief Michael LaSalle said the crash caused an explosion on impact, injuring someone in a car close to the scene. The collision also reportedly pushed the vehicle onto nearby railroad tracks, prompting authorities to shut them down. Emergency response underway Emergency responders were at the scene, and several roads near the crash site have been shut down to aid rescue and investigation efforts. Aircraft identified The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the plane was a Cessna 310, which took off around 10:20 a.m. en route to Tallahassee. The FAA said all three people onboard were killed. Investigation underway Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer addressed the tragedy in a public statement. We are deeply saddened to confirm that a plane crash occurred earlier today within our community. At this time, details are still emerging, and we are working closely with emergency responders and authorities," Singer said in a statement. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragic event. We ask for patience and respect for the families involved as investigations continue. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating the incident, with the NTSB leading the probe. US aviation safety under spotlight amid series of alarming incidents The helicopter crash in New York is just the latest in a string of aviation mishaps reported across the United States. Earlier the same day, a commercial aircraft struck a passenger jet carrying at least six members of Congress while taxiing at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C. Thankfully, no injuries were reported in that incident. Concerns grow after Florida crash The small plane crash near Boca Raton, Florida, on Friday came less than 24 hours after the fatal sightseeing helicopter crash in New Yorks Hudson River, which claimed six lives. The back-to-back tragedies have intensified scrutiny of aviation safety standards, particularly in the private and tourism sectors. The US tariff rate on Chinese imports now effectively totals 145 percent, a White House official said recently. Meanwhile, China warned that it will not flinch when it comes to a trade and tariff war. On Friday, China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held discussions with his Saudi Arabian and South African counterparts to exchange views on responding to the United States' "reciprocal tariffs". Also Read | China raises tariffs on American goods to 125% as trade war escalates China is open to dialogue with the US but this must be on the basis of mutual respect and equality, an official said. The statement came a day after US President Donald Trump told media that "China wants to make a deal. They just don't know how quite to go about it." Here's what we know so far about US-China trade war 1. Total hikes in US-China trade war Trump has now raised the tariff on Chinese goods five times since taking office in January, the Associated Press reported. The first two hikes of 10 percent each were met with what analysts described as a measured response from China that left the door open for talks. Trump then announced an additional 34 percent duty on Chinese goods last week in his 'Liberation Day' speech. China matched that with a 34 percent tariff on imports from the US. Trump then added a 50 percent tariff on goods from China, saying negotiations were terminated. That brought the cumulative US tariff on Chinese goods to 104 percent. China responded by raising the tariff on American products by the same amount, bringing its total rate to 84 percent. Then Trump further hiked the American tariff to 125 percent, saying it would take effect immediately. Now, a White House official confirmed to CNBC on Thursday that the US tariff rate on Chinese imports now effectively totals 145 percent as Trump's 125 percent tariff comes on top of a 20 percent fentanyl-related tariff that Trump previously imposed on China. 2. China says will not flinch if Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jia said on Thursday that Beijing is not looking to fight a trade war, but will not flinch if tariff hostilities escalate to that point, according to Chinese news outlet Xinhua. His comments came in response to Trumps threat to impose further levies on imports from China. "A just cause enjoys the support of many," Lin said, noting that the US. actions are unpopular and will end in failure. "We will never sit idly by and watch while the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people are infringed, nor will we sit idly by as international economic and trade rules and the multilateral trading system are undermined," the spokesperson said. 3. China-US talks 'must be based on mutual respect' China's commerce ministry said on Thursday that China is open to dialogue with the US but this must be on the basis of mutual respect and equality. "Pressure, threats and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China," ministry spokesperson He Yongqian was quoted by Reuters as saying when asked about whether the world's two largest economies have started tariff negotiations. China will "follow through to the end" if the US insists on its own way, the spokesperson said. Also Read | UK economy shows signs of strength but tariffs darken outlook 4. China speaks with Saudi Arabia, South Africa China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held discussions with his Saudi Arabian and South African counterparts to exchange views on responding to the United States' "reciprocal tariffs", the Chinese ministry said on Friday. China discussed strengthening bilateral economic and trade cooperation with Saudi Arabia and South Africa, Reuters reported. The conversations took place over separate video calls on Thursday. 5. Dumping US government bonds Traders said Japan and China may be dumping US government bonds and that the developments could be concerning to the White House, according to Reuters. Also Read | India plans to lower duties in response to Trump's tariffs 6. Trumps China tariff critics insane US Vice President JD Vance accused some of Trumps China tariff critics of being "insane". There is a category of DC insider who wants to fight an actual war with China but also wants China to manufacture much of our critical supply, Vance writes in a post on social media platform X. This is insane, the vice president said. President Trump wants peace, but also wants fair trade and more self-reliance for the American economy, he added. 7. Trump tariff policy violates WTO rules Earlier on Wednesday, China expressed grave concern and firm opposition to the United States' "reckless" tariffs at the World Trade Organization (WTO). China slammed the US tariff policy, saying it violates WTO rules and undermines the multilateral trading system, Xinhua News reported. On the first day of a two-day meeting of the Council for Trade in Goods, China proposed a discussion on the US "reciprocal tariffs," urging the US to uphold the WTO rules, so as to avoid negative impact on global economy and the multilateral trading system. Colonel Susannah Meyers, the head of the US military base in Greenland, was removed from her position for comments that appeared to contradict the Trump administrations Arctic policy, particularly regarding Denmarks role in Greenland. Meyers, who had led Pituffik Space Base since July, was dismissed after she distanced the base from critical remarks made by Vice President JD Vance during his recent visit. US Space Force Cites Partisanship Breach In a statement issued late Thursday, the US Space Force said: Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties. While the statement did not explicitly reference Meyers remarks, her dismissal comes in the wake of an internal base-wide email she sent on March 31, as reported by Military.com. Email urged unity among allied personnel In the email, Meyers aimed to reassure and unify base personnel from various allied nationsincluding Canada, Denmark, and Greenlandfollowing Vice President Vances criticism. I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the US administration discussed by Vice President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base, Meyers wrote. Vance accuses Denmark of neglecting Greenland During his March 28 press conference at Pituffik, Vice President Vance had strongly criticised Denmark for its governance of the territory: Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland. You have under-invested in the people of Greenland and you have under-invested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass. Pentagon reinforces Trumps agenda Responding to the fallout, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell wrote on X (formerly Twitter): Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense. The Justice Department on Friday (April 11) told a federal judge it could not comply with her order to provide details about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, calling the court's deadline impracticable. US District Judge Paula Xinis had instructed the government to reveal Abrego Garcias physical location, custodial status, and steps taken to return him to the US by Friday morning. But the Justice Department sought more time, arguing it was not in a position to share that information. Where is he? Judge demands At a hearing Friday afternoon, Judge Xinis repeatedly pressed DOJ attorney Drew Ensign for answers. Im not asking for state secrets. Im asking a very simple question: Where is he? Xinis said sternly. Ensign said he had not been given relevant details and that the administration was still evaluating Thursdays Supreme Court order requiring the government to facilitate Abrego Garcias release. Your clients have done nothing to facilitate his return, Xinis told Ensign. Im not sure what to take from the fact that the Supreme Court has spoken quite clearly and yet I cant get an answer today about what youve done, if anything. DOJ claims foreign affairs limits immediate action In a court filing ahead of the hearing, DOJ lawyers said they couldnt comply with the order in time, citing the sensitive nature of foreign relations: Foreign affairs cannot operate on judicial timelines, in part because it involves sensitive country-specific considerations wholly inappropriate for judicial review. They added that it is unreasonable and impracticable to provide steps before they are vetted, and said the courts directive lacked clarity a point also noted by the Supreme Court in its opinion. Judge plans daily updates Unmoved by the arguments, Xinis said she plans to require daily updates from the Justice Department. You are the officer of the court. You are the instrument to represent the government, she reminded Ensign. The judge described the lack of information as extremely troubling. Family, lawyers left in the dark Abrego Garcias attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, said his clients family and legal team have had no contact with him since he was deported last month. They clearly didnt comply, Sandoval-Moshenberg said of the government. Theyre playing games with their own lawyers. Held in notorious Salvadoran prison Abrego Garcia, 29, was confined at El Salvadors CECOT mega-prison after being deported under accusations of MS-13 affiliation claims his lawyers deny. He has never been charged or convicted of any crime in the US or El Salvador. Court filings revealed that in 2019, a US immigration judge granted him protection from deportation because he was more likely than not to face persecution from gangs if returned. His removal to El Salvador was later admitted by the Trump administration to be an administrative error. US paying El Salvador to detain deportees The US government is paying $6 million to the Salvadoran government under a deal brokered with President Nayib Bukele to detain US deportees. The Justice Department says Abrego Garcia remains in Salvadoran custody and cannot be returned until El Salvador agrees to release him. Supreme Court steps in Last week, Xinis ordered Abrego Garcias return no later than 11:59 p.m. Monday. That order was briefly paused by Chief Justice John Roberts. But on Thursday, the full Supreme Court sided with Xinis, saying the government must ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador. However, the high court also asked the lower court to clarify how the return should be effectuated, while acknowledging executive authority over foreign affairs. Also Read | Donald Trump undergoes medical tests and imaging, says White House Violence erupted in West Bengal's Murshidabad during a protest on Friday, April 11 against the Waqf Act, with reports of a police van and several other vehicles being set on fire. Internet has been suspended in the district following violent protests and the authorities have also deployed police force in violence-hit areas. The office of a local Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader was also reportedly ransacked amid the unrest. Earlier in the day, dozens of protesters blocked the National Highway 12 near Dhulian under Jangipur subdivision but as the police intervened, the protesters allegedly pelted stones at them and other vehicles, prompting the police to resort to lathicharge. As policemen tried to lift the blockade, stones were pelted at them. The protesters set fire to a police jeep and a motorbike in the area. Other vehicles were ransacked and stones were pelted at the trucks stranded on the NH, a police officer was quoted as saying by Indian Express. A similar protest in Murshidabad had turned violent on Tuesday, April 8, when a mob attacked police with stones and set some vehicles on fire. At least 22 persons were arrested in connection with the violence. Multiple protests against the amended Waqf Act have been reported across West Bengal. A Muslim organisation in Siliguri protested against the law and students from the Aliah University also held a demonstration in Kolkata. Also Read | Waqf Bill passed in Lok Sabha: A complete guide to controversy, amendments, and NDA vs INDIA showdown The (Waqf) Act you have introduced is not needed by us, nor by the Muslim community, nor by the country. You should take this (Waqf) Act back. This Waqf Act is being imposed on us unnecessarily. There was no need for it. In our country, millions of people are unemployed, we need hospitals, we need medical facilities. Our young generation needs jobs, but you are not working on these issues, a protester in Siliguri demonstration said. A helicopter crash in the Hudson River killed all six people aboard, including three children from Spain. The incident has raised concerns over US aviation safety, following recent accidents and a midair collision near Washington, DC. Investigations are underway by the FAA and NTSB. The passengers, including three children, were from Spain, city officials said. The crash also killed the pilot. Speaking about the incident, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a press conference,At this time, all six victims have been removed from the water. And sadly, all six victims have been pronounced deceased. What President Trump said? President Donald Trump expressed condolences saying, 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! How the plane crashed: WATCH One eyewitness told the Associated Press that he saw the helicopter falling apart in midair, while another said the aircraft was spinning uncontrollably as it fell. The helicopter's flight path, which began at a heliport near Wall Street, shows that before the crash, the group flew south to the Statue of Liberty, then headed north toward the George Washington Bridge before turning back. Were devastated, said Michael Roth, chief executive officer of New York Helicopter, which operated the flight. Were tragically sorry for what happened, and were working with the investigators. The Federal Aviation Administration said it couldnt confirm the number of people on board, but said it will investigate what happened to the Bell 206 helicopter alongside the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB said in a statement it was gathering information. Past helicptor crash raises safety issue Earlier Thursday, a passenger jet carrying at least six members of Congress was clipped by another commercial plane on the ground at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport near Washington, DC. The incidents are shaking confidence in the safety of the US aviation system following a deadly midair collision between a US military helicopter and regional passenger jet near Reagan airport in January. There have been several helicopter crashes around New York City. A helicopter slammed into the East River during a sightseeing excursion in 2018, killing five people and raising awareness of a safety issue with seat restraints. Its obviously a tragic situation, said Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, who added that the cause is currently unknown. But it will lead to a bigger conversation around are we doing all thats necessary from a safety standpoint considering how densely populated this area is. An analysis of 36 Israeli strikes in Gaza, Palestine showed only women and children were killed, the United Nations (UN) said on Friday and decried the human cost of the war in the Middle East. Between March 18 and April 9 2025, there were some 224 incidents of Israeli strikes on residential buildings and tents for internally displaced people, UN spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani told reporters in Geneva, according to a report by news agency AFP. Shamdasani warned the military strikes across Gaza were leaving nowhere safe. In some 36 strikes about which the UN Human Rights Office corroborated information, the fatalities recorded so far were only women and children, she said. The UN rights office also warned that expanding Israeli evacuation orders were resulting in the forcible transfer of people into ever-shrinking spaces in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory. Overall, a large percentage of fatalities are children and women, according to information recorded by our Office, Shamdasani said. Shamdasani cited an April 6 strike on a residential building of the Abu Issa family in Deir al Balah, which reportedly killed one girl, four women, and one four-year-old boy. Expanding the number of Israeli evacuation orders She highlighted that even the areas where Palestinians were being instructed to go in the expanding number of Israeli evacuation orders were also being subjected to attacks. Also Read | Indian-American Microsoft engineer confronts Satya Nadella over AI use by Israel Despite Israeli military orders instructing civilians to relocate to the Al Mawasi area of Khan Younis, strikes continued on tents in that area housing displaced people, with at least 23 such incidents recorded by the Office since March 18, she said. At least 39 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes across the Gaza Strip since early Sunday morning until April 6, medical sources told Al Jazeera, marking one of the deadliest days in recent weeks as the conflict continues to intensify. The assault comes amid an Israeli blockade that has prevented the delivery of food, fuel, and humanitarian supplies into Gaza for over a month, the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees warned earlier this week. Shamdasani referred to a March 31 order by the Israeli military covering all of Rafah, the southernmost governorate in Gaza, followed by a large-scale ground operation. Israel has said its troops are seizing large areas in Gaza and incorporating them into buffer zones cleared of their inhabitants. Large areas are being seized and added to Israel's security zones, leaving Gaza smaller and more isolated, Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday. Let us be clear, these so-called evacuation orders are actually displacement orders, leading to the displacement of the population of Gaza into ever-shrinking spaces, Shamdasani said. Unrest is growing in northern Gaza as dozens of Palestinians took to the streets of Jabaliya to protest against Hamas and the war. Footage circulating online showed crowds chanting against the militant group. Though rare, such demonstrations have increased in recent weeks. The permanently displacing the civilian population within occupied territories amounts to forcible transfer, which is a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention, and it is a crime against humanity, she said. The Israel-Hamas war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. As of now, 59 hostages remain in Gaza24 are believed to be alive. Since the conflict resumed last month, Israels offensive has killed at least 50,695 Palestinians and wounded 115,338 more, according to Gazas Health Ministry. While the ministry does not distinguish between civilians and combatants, it says more than half the dead are women and children. Israel claims to have killed around 20,000 militants. Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for the European Union to work together with his country to oppose unilateral acts of bullying, taking a swipe at the sweeping new tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump. Jinping's comments on Friday was made during his meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and comes as his first public statement on the US tariffs issue. Xi Jinping told the Spanish PM that China and EU must join hands to defend globalisation. He said there could be "no winners" in any trade war, adding that the EU had a key role to play in ensuring global economic stability. What did Xi Jinping say on US tariffs? China has always regarded the EU as an important pole in a multipolar world, and is one of the major countries firmly supporting the EU's unity and growth, Xi Jinping told Sanchez during their talks in Beijing, according to the Xinhua news agency, as quoted by Reuters. China and the EU should fulfill their international responsibilities, jointly safeguard the trend of economic globalisation and the international trade environment, and jointly oppose unilateral acts of bullying, the President of China added. His comments come a week after US President Donald Trump announced a 34 per cent tariff on Chinese imports, and later revised it to as much as 145 per cent after the Xi Jinping-led country retaliated in a trade war. No winners in trade war There are no winners in a tariff war, Xi said, without explicitly mentioning Trump or the United States. His remarks prompted the Spanish leader to say that Trade wars aren't good - the world needs China and the US to talk. Also Read | China raises tariffs on American goods to 125% as trade war escalates Also Read | Tariff pause: A chance for the EU to come back stronger and more united Sanchez's trip to Beijing, his third in three years, aims to forge closer economic and political ties with China amid the global fallout from Donald Trump's tariff policy, seeking to position Spain as an interlocutor between China and the EU and to attract more Chinese investment. Spanish officials have rejected a US warning that moving closer to the Asian country would be cutting your own throat. We believe there are opportunities to deepen relations, but it's important that China shows sensitivity to European demands for more balanced relations, Sanchez said, referring to the EU's trade deficit with Beijing, which last year exceeded $300 billion. US-China trade war US President Donald Trump on April 2 said all Chinese imports will now have a 34 per cent tariff, in a major move that has since shaken the global economy. He displayed a long list, imposing tariffs on almost every country of the world. Days later, China retaliated with a 34 per cent tariff on US imports. Donald Trump was visibly agitated with the move. In a stunning reversal, Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would temporarily lower hefty duties he had just imposed on dozens of countries including the EU-27, but further jacked up tariffs on Chinese imports to over 145 per cent. Shares of Bharat Global Developer Ltd (BGDL) resumed trading this morning after being suspended for more than three months and immediately hit the 5% lower circuit filter. Only about 200 shares were traded in the first two hours. But the more than 60,000 retail investors who hold about a 2% stake in the company could suffer more losses if Bharat Globals share price declines further. The Securities and Exchange Board of India ordered a trading suspension on BGDL on 23 December following an investigation that found significant irregularities in the companys financials and operations. The probe was initiated because of allegations of financial misrepresentation, misleading disclosures, and price manipulation by the company. Sebi also found that a handful of Bharat Globals preferential allottees had offloaded their shares at inflated market prices. The regulator has frozen transactions in 98% of the company's shares as these belong to the preferential allottees, who continue to be under investigation. Before Sebi began its investigation, Bharat Globals share price had spiked about eight times in eight months to a high of 1,621 in November. The share price is currently locked at 1,174.85, with about 806,000 shares being offered for sale. There were no buyers. On 26 March, Sebi, while extending its investigation until 30 June, said it would lift the trading ban on Bharat Global within two days of the company submitting provisional financial numbers for 2024-25 to the stock exchanges. The company did so earlier this week. A pump-and-dump threat? There isnt much scope for good news on Bharat Global yet, as several gaps in the companys disclosures remain, which Sebi is still investigating. These gaps include disclosures regarding certain orders the company received from potential customers and accounting for proceeds from the preferential share issue. Sebi is also in the process of recovering 271.26 crore of illegal profits, which it says the preferential allotees made by selling their shares in the market by making false disclosures to the stock exchanges. Sebi had earlier determined that several submissions the company had made to the exchanges werent backed up by original documents. For example, Bharat Global had said it was working on an order from the Tata group and on assignments in West Asia, which have turned out to be false. Bharat Globals new management has informed BSE that they were unable to trace correspondence relating to these orders. The new management took charge after Sebi barred several directors from holding any position in the company. For investors in BGDL, their best option is to exit at the first opportunity. At Sebis press briefing on 24 March, whole-time member Ashwani Bhatia said the regulator had prevented an estimated 22,000 crore in losses for investors by identifying and intervening in companies at the pump stage of pump-and-dump schemes before they reached the dump stage. Its all going according to plan, says the White House, and you almost have to smile at this spin in trying to sell President Trumps partial tariff reversal this week as a triumph. The reality is that Mr. Trump is making it up as he goes, and it would help if he had an actual strategy to deal with China in particular. Stocks staged a relief rally on Wednesday, but a day later fell again. What investors know is that the trade war is far from over and damage persists. Even with the 90-day pause, the tariffs that continue are the largest tax increase since 1982. Theyre bigger than Bill Clintons 1993 tax increase and George H.W. Bushs in 1990. Taxes are anti-growth. Then theres the trade-war escalation with China, the worlds second largest economy. The White House said Thursday that the U.S. tariff on all Chinese exports to the U.S. will now be 145%. In 2024 the U.S. imported $439 billion in goods from China, so apply 145% to that and you get a sense of the hit to U.S. consumers and businesses. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the U.S. trade goal all along has been to isolate China as a main offender. Theres good reason to treat China differently given its often predatory trade practices. These include cyber attacks on U.S. companies and government; intellectual property theft; unequal treatment of U.S. firms in China; and Covid lies. But it isnt clear what Messrs. Trump and Bessent want from China, and what their strategy is to achieve it. Do they want a complete decoupling of the two economies? Thats what tariff levels of 145% suggest. But that also means large economic disruption in the near and medium term, as some $600 billion in two-way trade goes away or finds new sources and destinations. Strategic decoupling on key goods makes more sense. Yet thats not what Mr. Trump says he wants, and on Wednesday he said he still hopes for a trade deal with China. The tariffs in that case are merely his lever for getting President Xi Jinping to the table. The problem is that tariffs are a blunderbuss weapon that hurts Americans as much as it does Chinese exporters. Markets are saying the U.S. economy will suffer too. Theres also the contradiction of how Mr. Trump handles other China issues. The President is doing Mr. Xi a favor by refusing to enforce a law passed by Congress to force the sale of TikTok from Chinese-controlled ByteDance. Last week he extended the deadline for a TikTok sale by another 75 days after China walked away from a looming transaction. Mr. Trump also refuses to impose sanctions on Chinese firms that buy oil from Russia and thus help Moscows war machine. These decisions send Mr. Xi the message that Mr. Trump isnt serious about challenging Chinese abuses. If Mr. Trump is serious, the best strategy would be to rally allies to the cause of fighting Chinese mercantilism. But he shows no interest in that either. He squandered his best chance to isolate China on trade in his first term by walking away from the Trans-Pacific Partnership that didnt include Beijing. China then cut its own deal with many of the countries that the U.S. left in the cold. This term Mr. Trump is outright punishing the allies he needs for a coherent China strategy. Hes imposed tariffs on Canada and Mexico and insulted Canadian national pride. Hes hit Japan with 24% tariffs, South Korea with 25%, and Europe with 20%. Hes hit Vietnam with 46%, though the boom in that countrys exports to the U.S. since his first-term tariffs has come at Chinas expense. Those tariffs are now paused for 90 days, but all of these countries know Mr. Trump could hit them again at any time. Hes also insulted Japan by refusing to let Nippon Steel buy U.S. Steel despite its pledge to invest billions of dollars in U.S. manufacturing. Why should these allies trust Mr. Trump now, if he says he needs them to unite to slow Chinas advance of artificial intelligence? They may need Chinas market if they cant access the U.S. *** Mr. Trumps intellectual problem, or at least one of them, is that hes fixated on the U.S. trade deficit with friend and foe. The deficit is a non-problem in economic terms. And if there are trade issues with allies, they can be addressed with bilateral or multilateral trade deals. By far the biggest problem in the global trading system is the abuse of free-trade rules by the authoritarian regime in China. Mr. Trumps ad hoc, scattershot tariff policy wont solve that problem. So far hes hurting his own cause and country more than hes hurting the Chinese Communist Party. Pakistani-Canadian national Tahawwur Rana, who is wanted for the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, has been extradited from the US to face justice. Rana was brought to India on Thursday and is in the National Investigation Agencys custody. Also Read: Beware the prolonged hidden costs that terror attacks saddle us with He is known to have links with the banned terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which carried out the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and is wanted for helping David Coleman Headley, who carried out a recce in Mumbai before 10 terrorists unleashed havoc in the city, killing 166 people. Headley, who is jailed in the US, has said that Rana extended logistical and financial support. Also Read: Islamophobia and religiophobia both need to be fought Rana tried every legal resort to stop his extradition. India managing to get his custody marks a big diplomatic success. While his trial is awaited, his interrogation could reveal much about the attack plan and specific involvement of the Pakistani state and its agencies. Also Read: India must be mindful of its reputation for tax terrorism in hunt for Swiss stash In contrast to the US response to the 9/11 attacks it suffered in 2001, India took a path consistent with the principles of justice. We cant bet on the deep state in Pakistan mending its ways, but Indias dignified, thoughtful and patient approach has been exemplary. It sends the world a message on the rule of law. SHE SCOLDED me for half an hour, saying I was a complete idiot," quipped Robert Fico, Slovakias prime minister, on March 31st. Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, had just called to chastise him for speaking bilaterally with the Trump administration about tariffs. He had violated the first rule of the European Unions trade-fight club: you, national leader, do not talk about trade. The EU speaks with one voice. It also acts methodically. On April 9th the bloc agreed on its retaliation for Donald Trumps steel and aluminium tariffs, imposed on February 10th. How to answer his subsequent car tariffs and capricious reciprocal" tariffs will be decided later, illustrating another rule: one fight at a time. The approach seems to work well. Crashing stockmarkets (see chart) and Chinas swingeing counter-tariffs (up to 84% now) seem to have given Mr Trump enough pushback. On the same day as the EUs counter-tariff decision, he backed down and lowered his latest tariffs for 90 days to 10%. The exception is China, the only country that retaliated against them immediately. Its rate is now 125%. On April 10th, the EU in turn paused its retaliatory tariffs against his metals tariffs for 90 days, to give negotiations a chance" as Ms von der Leyen put it. View Full Image (The Economist) The EU suspended its counter-tariffs in part to avoid landing on the naughty list with China. But Europe also has one big advantage. Unlike America, it is still trading with the rest of the world on the same terms as before. That will limit any damage from tariffs. Its a matter of reassigning resources and markets," said Alvaro Munoz, the CEO of AMFRESH, a big Spanish fresh-produce company. In a topsy-turvy global economy, the EUs rule-loving bureaucracy is now an asset, promising stability. Europe does not have to engage in a pointless trade spat. The current relief gives policymakers yet more time to find the right response. Giorgia Meloni, Italys prime minister, is preparing a visit to the White House to negotiate on Europes collective behalf. Germanys new government and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, will now be able to play a stronger role in shaping the response, after being preoccupied for many weeks by coalition negotiations. Unity will be paramount. Mr Trump missed one opportunity to sow discord. His tariffs treat the EU as a single trading bloc, as it legally is; applying different rates to different countries would pit them against each other (see chart). Even so, there is plenty the EU and its firms disagree on. View Full Image (The Economist) Emmanuel Macron, Frances president, hosted industrialists at the Elysee to urge them to suspend investments in America. Not everyone was pleased. German officials fear that firms may lobby for favours in Washington, undermining the EUs response. Politicians who have always wanted to go after American tech firms want to use the trade war as an excuse; Ireland, which hosts many such firms European headquarters, is horrified. France and Italy successfully pleaded to exempt whisky from the EU retaliatory measures for Americas steel tariffs, lest Mr Trump take revenge with a 200% levy on European wine. Under EU law, counter-tariffs are for the commission to set, unless a qualified majority of member states block them. But heavier countermeasures, such as restricting market access, require a qualified majority in favour. And some policies, such as taxing tech giants, are in national hands. Ms von der Leyen has repeated an old offer to eliminate tariffs on industrial goods between the EU and America. But Mr Trump rejected the bid immediately, demanding the EU buy $350bn-worth of American fossil fuels (roughly its total annual energy imports).The EU is likely to raise the offer again, if only to signal its intentions. Europes strategy has three prongs. First, it wants to show strength. As with metals, the EU will probably retaliate against the car tariffs. It will also put together a response to the now-lowered across-the-board tariffs, to signal that it does not intend to roll over (and will use its huge market for leverage). Ms von der Leyen said that even as it puts its current countermeasures on hold for 90 days, it will continue preparing them to be implemented if they become necessary. The EUs fiercest tool, the anti-coercion instrument (ACI), is unlikely to be used unless Mr Trump goes back to escalating the trade war. The ACI allows the bloc to use a range of measures beyond tariffs to hit back at countries that exert economic pressure on its members. These could include blocking the export of products Americans will find hard to replace, or excluding some American companies from the European market. The second prong of the EUs strategy is to ratchet up counter-tariffs steadily, in order to push for negotiations. Mr Trump imposed steel and aluminium tariffs first, automobile tariffs second and the new retaliatory" tariffs third. That lets the EU escalate gradually too. The metals tariffs affect EU exports of about 26bn, but the bloc decided to hit back against a smaller quantity of American exports, signalling that it does not want a trade war. The 90-day reprieve means its retaliation for the metals tariffs will come back into force unless there is some agreement. The EU is also likely to prepare retaliatory measures for Mr Trumps auto tariffs, and then move on to the broader tariffs. The threat of implementing them would add urgency to the talks. The third part will be support for European businesses. Mr Sanchez met business leaders immediately after Mr Trumps initial tariff announcement on April 2nd and presented a 14bn plan, including 5bn in credit guarantees to firms that have lost orders. (The Spanish leader spoke in front of a billboard reading Our values are not for sale, our [wines] are".) Other countries are sure to offer relief to their own firms. For its part, the European Central Bank next week could announce a steeper-than-expected rate cut to boost Europes economy. The EU has an unusual opportunity to forgo protectionism and become the chief global champion of free trade. If it intends to do so, it has not begun well. The bloc means to erect barriers to stop global overproduction from washing up on its shores as Americas market closes; Ms von der Leyen said as much to Li Qiang, Chinas prime minister, in a call on April 8th. The EU is not discussing seizing this moment of crisis to lower its pointlessly high tariffs on agricultural imports. Nor is it moving to apply to the 12-member CPTPP, a Pacific trading zone that excludes China. Its only notable progress has been on the deal reached in December between the EU and Mercosur, a South American trading bloc. Austria, which previously opposed the deal, has now come around; France, the main opponent, is reconsidering. Another rule of the trade-fight club is that fights go on for as long as they have to. With the global order and Europes security at stake, this trade war is about more than tariffs. So are Europes goals. What does it take for Republicans to abandon Trump, or the party to lose both houses badly in the midterms?" asks one Brussels wonk. And is that worth a recession in Europe? The answer is probably yes." 2025, The Economist Newspaper Ltd. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com President Trump announced Monday that Iran had agreed to begin direct nuclear negotiations with the U.S. on April 12. If they dont make a deal," Mr. Trump said last month, there will be bombing. It will be bombing the likes of which they have never seen before." Soon after the presidents Monday remarks, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi denied his claims, saying instead that indirect high-level talks" would take place in Oman. It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in Americas court," Mr. Araghchi added, suggesting that U.S. concessions needed to be forthcoming. Its not clear whether Mr. Trump will accept an offer of third-party proximity talks," to which the Biden administration agreed in 2023 when Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected direct discussions with Washington. Nothing came of those talks, and throughout his presidency Mr. Biden significantly relaxed sanctions enforcement to induce Iran not to continue nuclear development. He and his senior aides worried that provocative actionstoo much sanctions pressure or U.S. military actionmight lead Mr. Khamenei to build an atomic bomb. If Mr. Trump is similarly fearful of conflict, then protracted talks seem inevitable. For now the president is deploying his usual escalate-to-de-escalate playbook: Tough-to-swallow demands, compressed timelines, and military menace, including the deployment of two aircraft-carrier groups and B-2 bombers to the region. But Mr. Khamenei doesnt scare easily. He is a hardened revolutionary. He has survived an impoverished childhood, torturous imprisonment, a near-fatal bomb attack and the brutal internal politics of the Islamic Republic. In 35 years as supreme leader, he has overcome regime-rattling insurrections, economy-crippling sanctions and, most recently, devastating Israeli victories over Iranian proxies and air raids within Irans borders. Mr. Khamenei maintains the defiance that has characterized his rule: The U.S. and others must know that if they commit any malicious act against the Iranian nation, they will receive a severe blow," he said on March 21. At a time when Mr. Khamenei routinely castigates Arab potentates for their dependence on Washington, he cant be seen capitulating to Mr. Trump. Many Americans fail to understand that for Mr. Khamenei, getting bombed is preferable to giving up the bomb. The supreme leader knows that conceding Irans atomic program would anger his core supporters, particularly among the Islamic Revolutionary Guards. The sight of a 85-year-old manknown for decades for his willingness to cripple or kill his opponentsgoing wobbly in the face of Trumpian threats could provoke his constituents to take to the streets. The mullahs also understand that most Iranians despise them, and an internal insurrection could be around the corner if they are perceived as weak. The White House should recognize that Irans offer of proximity talks demonstrates that Mr. Khamenei hasnt been intimidated by Washingtons tactics. Forcing Americans to work through others and engage in diplomacy that runs the clockall while leaving a nonmilitary resolution on the tableis entirely acceptable to Tehran. Mr. Trump worries the clerical regime more than Mr. Biden did, but such concern hasnt approached knee-bending irresolution, or even behind-the-scenes eagerness for direct talks. Instead, Iranian leaders openly discuss their belief that recent regional convulsions and Mr. Trumps return to power increase the importance of atomic arms. As Mr. Khameneis stooge and right-wing firebrand Hassan Rahimpour Azghadi emphasized on X on March 30, If Iran had an atomic bomb, would Trump dare to repeatedly threaten to attack?" The secret to the supreme leaders longevity has been his blending of ideological determination with supple tactics. In a foreign crisis, he offers diplomacy abroad while, for example, easing up on female dress codes that could provoke nationwide demonstrations. Mr. Khamenei may well wait on nuclearizationall Western intelligence eyes are now on him. But he will continue to industrialize Irans nuclear-weapons capacity. The Islamic Republic is already a threshold state, and as its atomic know-how and highly enriched uranium stockpiles increase, the clear efficacy of bombing Iran subsides. Mr. Khamenei may not even care that much about reinvigorated U.S. sanctions, since Chinese purchases of Iranian crude oilalmost all of Tehrans oil exportshavent yet been diminished by Mr. Trump. Given the tariff war between Washington and Beijing, the odds that China will effectively resist anti-Iran U.S. sanctions have significantly increased. The U.S. is where it has always been with the Islamic Republics nuclear ambitions: Is America willing to use force to try to stop Irans development of an atomic bomb? The Obama-era hope that the clerical regime would somehow change its spots through diplomatic engagement is kaput. For the U.S., diplomacy has become either a diversion, an off-ramp from confrontation, or a prelude to war. Mr. Khamenei appears ready for a fight. Is Mr. Trump? Mr. Gerecht is a resident scholar at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Mr. Takeyh is a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. After breaking away from the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in September 2023 over certain comments made by then Tamil Nadu chief Annamalai, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) is back in the fold. Moments after holding a meeting with top AIADMK leaders, Union Minister Amit Shah announced that the BJP would be contesting the upcoming Tamil Nadu elections, scheduled for 2026, in alliance with the regional party under the banner of NDA. AIADMK and BJP leaders have decided that AIADMK, BJP and all the alliance parties will contest the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu together as NDA, Amit Shah said, adding that the elections will be fought under the leadership of and former Tamil Nadu CM Edappadi K Palaniswami. AIADMK, BJP, and other allied parties will contest the Tamil Nadu Assembly election together as the NDA. These elections will be contested under the leadership of PM Modi on a national level and under the leadership of AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami on the state level, Amit Shah said. Interestingly, Annamalai, over whose comments the AIADMK had snapped ties with the BJP back in 2023, was also present during the announcement. 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. Amit Shah said that the BJP will have no interference in the internal matters of the AIADMK. Also Read | Annamalai changes tune on BJP-AIADMK alliance over a year after prompting the break-up: What did he say? AIADMK has no conditions and demands. We will have no interference in the internal matters of the AIADMK. This alliance is going to be beneficial to both NDA and AIADMK, Amit Shah said. In the previous two elections the Lok Sabha and the last Tamil Nadu election the AIADMK has struggled to perform to better its prospects. During the 2021 state elections, the AIADMK and the BJP were in alliance, which resulted in the BJP winning four seats. However, the AIADMK severed ties with the BJP in 2023. (Bloomberg) -- A Trump administration lawyer refused to tell a judge what the government is doing to bring back a wrongly deported Maryland man during a contentious hearing a day after the Supreme Court ordered the US to facilitate the mans return from a notorious prison in El Salvador. US District Court Judge Paula Xinis clashed with Justice Department lawyers a day after the Supreme Court said the government must facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Federal officials have conceded he was wrongly deported despite a 2019 order saying he shouldnt be sent to El Salvador. After the high court ruled Thursday night, Xinis ordered US lawyers to tell her Abrego Garcias location and status in prison, and what they were doing to facilitate his return. She gave them until Friday morning to answer her questions in writing, but they said that wasnt enough time. At a court hearing on Friday afternoon, Xinis grew impatient with a Justice Department lawyer. This is a direct question where is he and under whose authority? Xinis asked in federal court in Greenbelt, Maryland. We are still internally reviewing the Supreme Courts decision and vetting what we can say to this court, Justice Department lawyer Drew Ensign said. There is no evidence as to where he is today and that is extremely troubling, Xinis said. The showdown came after the Supreme Court put a limit on Trumps deportation power as he pushes for sweeping authority with minimal judicial review. It follows the Supreme Courts decision Monday to let the administration use a wartime law to try to deport alleged Venezuelan gang members as long as they first have a chance to make their case to a judge. Ensign said the government thinks the Supreme Court order means they should first decide whether Abrego Garcias case implicates President Donald Trumps foreign policy powers or involves privileged information. The judge rejected Ensigns argument, saying she will require daily updates from government officials who actually have the information she is seeking. Make a Record Were going to make a record of what, if anything, the government is doing or not doing, Xinis said. Ensign replied: The United States intends to comply with the Supreme Courts order. Trump officials have said that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 criminal gang, which his lawyers and Xinis rejected. An appellate court panel upheld Xinis in a ruling on Monday, when Judge Stephanie Thacker said the government has no legal authority to snatch a person who is lawfully present in the United States off the street and remove him from the country without due process. She said the governments position that federal courts are powerless to intervene was unconscionable. In its ruling on Thursday night, the Supreme Court said the US must 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. Abrego Garcia had been lawfully living in Maryland with his wife and three children, all US citizens. Under a 2019 immigration court order, he cant be deported to El Salvador, where he says he would face gang-based extortion and persecution. Immigration officials arrested Abrego Garcia on March 12 and accused him of playing a prominent role in MS-13, though he hasnt been convicted of a crime or charged with one. He was flown to El Salvador on March 15 along with more than 200 other alleged gang members. The Supreme Court case is Noem v. Abrego Garcia, 24A949. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Chennai, Tamil Nadu, on Thursday. He will attend a crucial meeting and is expected to review the party's functioning in the state ahead of the 2026 Assembly election. Specualtions are rife that Annamalai may be replaced as the Tamil Nadu BJP chief. If it happens, who will take over the post? Is there any possibilty of a discussion on the BJP-AIADMK alliance formation ahead of the 2026 state elections? Also Read | Tamil Nadu Minister Ponmudy dismissed after row over his remark on sex workers Here's what's expected from Amit Shah's one-day visit to Chennai: Race for new Tamil Nadu BJP chief Coinciding with Amit Shah's visit, the Tamil Nadu BJP unit has invited applications from party aspirants to contest the post of party president on Friday as part of the final leg of electing the new team of office bearers. "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 [April 11]," Tamil Nadu BJP vice-president M Chakaravarthi's statement on Thursday read. The results will be announced on Saturday, news agency PTI reported. The official statement also invited applications for the post of National General Committee member. The tenure of K Annamalai as the Tamil Nadu state President ended a few months back as per the party laws. He is currently continuing in the position until the next chief is elected. Also Read | Watch this Tamil Nadu math prodigy solve complex problems. She is four years old Annamalai 'not in the race' Until then, the suspense on whether the present chief, K Annamalai, will retain his position will continue. As per the report, 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 was quote by PTI as saying Who are the top contenders for Tamil Nadu BJP chief? Amid this, speculations are rife that the BJP is likely to name MLA Nainar Nagendran as the new state president of Tamil Nadu. BJP and RSS sources told The Indian Express on Friday that the official announcement is expected to be made Saturday evening following a meeting of the partys state executive committee. As per the sources, Nainar is expected to file his nomination between 2 pm and 4 pm on Friday. "Others may file on his behalf too. Necessary changes to the nomination and election process will be made within the partys template rules, if required, a BJP leader said. Other contenders are Union minister L. Murugan, Former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan, Mahila Morcha chief Vanathi Srinivasan and senior leader H. Raja. Who is Nainar Nagendran, likely to be the new Tamil Nadu BJP chief? Nainar Nagendran is a prominent Thevar community leader. He is an MLA from Tirunelveli and the BJPs legislative party leader in the state. He served as a Tamil Nadu minister between May 2001 and May 2006 in the AIADMK-led government. Nagendran is a former AIADMK leader. He left the party in August 2017 to join the BJP. Also Read | Annamalai to step down as Tamil Nadu BJP chief? His past association with the AIADMK raised speculations about the BJP's possible alliance with the party for the next-year's assembly poll. Many expect that he could ease alliance negotiations with the AIADMK. Why is Annamalai be replaced? The leadership transition comes amid strained relations between the BJP and the AIADMK and a possible revival of their alliance. AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami demanded the removal of K. Annamalai as state president during his recent meeting with Amit Shah, the Times of India reported. What's next for Annamalai? Several reports claim that Annamalai could be assigned a cabinet berth. However, when asked if he will be moved to Delhi with a ministerial berth, he denied any such plans. (Bloomberg) -- Alina Habba, the top federal prosecutor in New Jersey, is investigating state Governor Phil Murphy for allegedly setting a statewide policy to limit cooperation with President Donald Trumps crackdown on undocumented immigrants. Habba, the interim US attorney, said Thursday night on Fox News that she was targeting Murphy and his attorney general, Matthew Platkin, for impeding the presidents planned deportations. Anybody who does get in the way of what we are doing, which is not political, it is simply against crime, will be charged in the state of New Jersey for obstruction, for concealment, and I will come after them hard, Habba said. Habbas threat escalated a showdown with Murphy that included her social media post this week on a report that state police officers had been ordered not to act on tens of thousands of immigration warrants in a federal database. She wrote: Let me be clear: Executive Orders will be followed and enforced in the State of New Jersey. A spokesman for Murphy pointed to comments the governor made on a podcast where he said that immigration status wont drive law-enforcement decisions. We go after criminals hard, period full stop, regardless of their immigration status, Murphy said Friday on the Meidas Touch podcast. What we dont do is, we dont go after somebody for jay walking, where theres no probable cause of a crime. He also said If youre a criminal in New Jersey were coming after you, and if theres an immigration angle to that, well work with the feds for sure. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com New Delhi [India], April 11 (ANI): Policymakers, diplomats, and tech leaders highlighted the need for international cooperation, regulatory frameworks, and public trust to ensure the safe and secure development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the Carnegie India Global Technology Summit held in New Delhi on Friday. The experts also warned of AI's role in escalating cyberattacks, calling for collective action. On being asked about what countries are doing about AI threats, Ernst Noorman, Ambassador at Large for Cyber Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands, said, "We believe in enormous potential of AI but indeed, it comes with threats, like all new technologies... A year ago, we agreed on the first AI resolution at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Twenty countries supported the resolution, and it was adopted by general consensus to work on a secure, safe and trustworthy AI." He added, "We see the Brussels effect with the (EU) AI Act. We see many countries looking at the AI Act and thinking about how it can be adopted. Even in India, everyone agrees we need to work on guardrails for safe and secure AI, to create trust among our citizens, because I think that if you have trust in the system, then you will adopt it." Maria Adebahr, Director for Cyber Foreign and Security Policy, Federal Foreign Office, Germany said that the growing challenge of cyberthreats must be addressed at UN level. "AI will lead to an increase in cyberattacks. In the absence of regulations, this growing challenge must be addressed by individual states, coalitions of states, and at the level of the UN," Adebahr said. Sachin Kakkar, Site Lead, Privacy, Safety, and Security, Google India, highlighted how AI can ease the burden on security engineers and said, "We believe that AI is going to take away the human toil that a security engineer faces... What remains is the complex task, which humans will do. And we can reorient the work force towards that, therefore tilting the balance in favour of the defender." MU Nair, National Cybersecurity Coordinator for the Government of India, stressed the need for countries to work together to build safety rules against cyber threats. "The cyber threats today are across boundaries. It can be reaching out to any part of the world to any part of the world. So we need to have a lot of cooperation. We need to sit together, form guardrails and sit together to see how the entire landscape can be protected," Nair said. THE WORLDs first reasoning model", an advanced form of artificial intelligence, was released in September by OpenAI, an American firm. o1, as it is called, uses a chain of thought" to answer difficult questions in science and mathematics, breaking down problems to their constituent steps and testing various approaches to the task behind the scenes before presenting a conclusion to the user. Its unveiling set off a race to copy this method. Google came up with a reasoning model called Gemini Flash Thinking" in December. OpenAI responded with o3, an update of o1, a few days later. But Google, with all its resources, was not in fact the first firm to emulate OpenAI. Less than three months after o1 was launched, Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce giant, released a new version of its Qwen chatbot, QwQ, with the same reasoning" capabilities. What does it mean to think, to question, to understand?" the company asked in a florid blog post with a link to a free-to-use version of the model. Another Chinese firm, DeepSeek, had released a preview" of a reasoning model, dubbed R1, a week before that. Despite the American governments efforts to hold back Chinas AI industry, two Chinese firms had reduced their American counterparts technological lead to a matter of weeks. It is not just with reasoning models that Chinese firms are in the vanguard: in December DeepSeek published a new large language model (LLM), a form of AI that analyses and generates text. v3 was almost 700 gigabytes, far too large to run on anything but specialist hardware, and had 685bn parameters, the individual precepts that combine to form the models neural network. That made it bigger than anything previously released for free download. Llama 3.1, the flagship LLM of Meta, the parent of Facebook, which was released in July, has only 405bn parameters. View Full Image ... DeepSeeks LLM is not only bigger than many of its Western counterpartsit is also better, matched only by the proprietary models at Google and OpenAI. Paul Gauthier, founder of Aider, an AI coding platform, ran the new DeepSeek model through his coding benchmark and found that it outclassed all its rivals except for o1 itself. Lmsys, a crowdsourced ranking of chatbots, puts it seventh, higher than any other open-source model and the highest produced by a firm other than Google or OpenAI (see chart). Enter the dragon Chinese AI is now so close in quality to its American rivals that the boss of OpenAI, Sam Altman, felt obliged to explain the narrowness of the gap. Shortly after DeepSeek released v3, he tweeted peevishly, It is (relatively) easy to copy something that you know works. It is extremely hard to do something new, risky, and difficult when you dont know if it will work." Chinas AI industry had initially appeared second-rate. That may be in part because it has had to contend with American sanctions. In 2022 America banned the export of advanced chips to China. Nvidia, a leading chipmaker, has had to design special downgrades to its products for the Chinese market. America has also sought to prevent China from developing the capacity to manufacture top-of-the-line chips at home, by banning exports of the necessary equipment and threatening penalties for non-American firms that might help, too. Another impediment is home-grown. Chinese firms came late to LLMs, in part owing to regulatory concerns. They worried about how censors would react to models that might hallucinate" and provide incorrect information orworsecome up with politically dangerous statements. Baidu, a search giant, had experimented with LLMs internally for years, and had created one called ERNIE", but was hesitant to release it to the public. Even when the success of ChatGPT prompted it to reconsider, it at first allowed access to ERNIEbot by invitation only. Eventually the Chinese authorities issued regulations to foster the AI industry. Although they called on model-makers to emphasise sound content and to adhere to socialist values", they also pledged to encourage innovative development of generative AI". China sought to compete globally, says Vivian Toh, editor of TechTechChina, a news site. Alibaba was one of the first wave of companies to adapt to the new permissive environment, launching its own LLM, initially called Tongyi Qianwen and later abbreviated to Qwen". For a year or so, what Alibaba produced was nothing to be excited about: a fairly undistinguished fork" based on Metas open-source Llama LLM. But over the course of 2024, as Alibaba released successive iterations of Qwen, the quality began to improve. These models seem to be competitive with very powerful models developed by leading labs in the West," said Jack Clark of Anthropic, a Western AI lab, a year ago, when Alibaba released a version of Qwen that is capable of analysing images as well as text. Chinas other internet giants, including Tencent and Huawei, are building their own models. But DeepSeek has different origins. It did not even exist when Alibaba released the first Qwen model. It is descended from High-Flyer, a hedge fund set up in 2015 to use AI to gain an edge in share-trading. Conducting fundamental research helped High-Flyer become one of the biggest quant funds in the country. But the motivation wasnt purely commercial, according to Liang Wenfeng, High-Flyers founder. The first backers of OpenAI werent looking for a return, he has observed; their motivation was to pursue the mission". The same month that Qwen launched in 2023, High-Flyer announced that it, too, was entering the race to create human-level AI and spun off its AI research unit as DeepSeek. As OpenAI had before it, DeepSeek promised to develop AI for the public good. The company would make most of its training results public, Mr Liang said, to try to prevent the technologys monopolisation" by only a few individuals or firms. Unlike OpenAI, which was forced to seek private funding to cover the ballooning costs of training, DeepSeek has always had access to High-Flyers vast reserves of computing power. DeepSeeks gargantuan llm is notable not just for its scale, but for the efficiency of its training, whereby the model is fed data from which it infers its parameters. This success derived not from a single, big innovation, says Nic Lane of Cambridge University, but from a series of marginal improvements. The training process, for instance, often used rounding to make calculations easier, but kept numbers precise when necessary. The server farm was reconfigured to let individual chips speak to each other more efficiently. And after the model had been trained, it was fine-tuned on output from DeepSeek R1, the reasoning system, learning how to mimic its quality at a lower cost. Thanks to these and other innovations, coming up with v3s billions of parameters took fewer than 3m chip-hours, at an estimated cost of less than $6mabout a tenth of the computing power and expense that went into Llama 3.1. v3s training required just 2,000 chips, whereas Llama 3.1 used 16,000. And because of Americas sanctions, the chips v3 used werent even the most powerful ones. Western firms seem ever more profligate with chips: Meta plans to build a server farm using 350,000 of them. Like Ginger Rogers dancing backwards and in high heels, DeepSeek, says Andrej Karpathy, former head of AI at Tesla, has made it look easy" to train a frontier model on a joke of a budget". Not only was the model trained on the cheap, running it costs less as well. DeepSeek splits tasks over multiple chips more efficiently than its peers and begins the next step of a process before the previous one is finished. This allows it to keep chips working at full capacity with little redundancy. As a result, in February, when DeepSeek starts to let other firms create services that make use of v3, it will charge less than a tenth of what Anthropic does for use of Claude, its LLM. If the models are indeed of equivalent quality this is a dramatic new twist in the ongoing LLM pricing wars," says Simon Willison, an AI expert. DeepSeeks quest for efficiency has not stopped there. This week, even as it published R1 in full, it also released a set of smaller, cheaper and faster distilled" variants, which are almost as powerful as the bigger model. That mimicked similar releases from Alibaba and Meta and proved yet again that it could compete with the biggest names in the business. Meta Alibaba and DeepSeek challenge the most advanced Western labs in another way, too. Unlike OpenAI and Google, the Chinese labs follow Metas lead and make their systems available under an open-source licence. If you want to download a Qwen AI and build your own programming on top of it, you canno specific permission is necessary. This permissiveness is matched by a remarkable openness: the two companies publish papers whenever they release new models that provide a wealth of detail on the techniques used to improve their performance. When Alibaba released QwQ, standing for Questions with Qwen", it became the first firm in the world to publish such a model under an open licence, letting anyone download the full 20-gigabyte file and run it on their own systems or pull it apart to see how it works. That is a markedly different approach from OpenAI, which keeps o1s internal workings hidden. In broad strokes, both models apply what is known as test-time compute": instead of concentrating the use of computing power during the training of the model they also consume much more while answering queries than previous generations of LLMs. This is a digital version of what Daniel Kahneman, a psychologist, called type two" thinking: slower, more deliberate and more analytical than the quick and instinctive type one". It has yielded promising results in such fields as maths and programming. If you are asked a simple factual questionto name the capital of France, sayyou will probably respond with the first word that comes into your head, and probably be correct. A typical chatbot works in much the same way: if its statistical representation of language gives an overwhelmingly preferred answer, it completes the sentence accordingly. But if you are asked a more complex question, you tend to think about it in a more structured way. Asked to name the fifth-most-populous city in France, you will probably begin by coming up with a longlist of large French cities; then attempt to sort them by population and only after that give an answer. The trick for o1 and its imitators is to induce an LLM to engage in the same form of structured thinking: rather than blurting out the most plausible response that comes to mind, the system instead takes the problem apart and works its way to an answer step by step. But o1 keeps its thoughts to itself, revealing to users only a summary of its process and its final conclusion. OpenAI cited some justifications for this choice. Sometimes, for instance, the model will ponder whether to use offensive words or reveal dangerous information, but then decide not to. If its full reasoning is laid bare, then the sensitive material will be, too. But the models circumspection also keeps the precise mechanics of its reasoning hidden from would-be copycats. Alibaba has no such qualms. Ask QwQ to solve a tricky maths problem and it will merrily detail every step in its journey, sometimes talking to itself for thousands of words as it attempts various approaches to the task. So I need to find the least odd prime factor of 20198 + 1. Hmm, that seems pretty big, but I think I can break it down step by step," the model begins, generating 2,000 words of analysis before concluding, correctly, that the answer is 97. Alibabas openness is not a coincidence, says Eiso Kant, the co-founder of Poolside, a firm based in Portugal that makes an AI tool for coders. Chinese labs are engaged in a battle for the same talent as the rest of the industry, he notes. If youre a researcher considering moving abroad, whats the one thing the Western labs cant give you? We cant open up our stuff any more. Were keeping everything under lock and key, because of the nature of the race were in." Even if engineers at Chinese firms are not the first to discover a technique, they are often the first to publish it, says Mr Kant. If you want to see any of the secret techniques come out, follow the Chinese open-source researchers. They publish everything and theyre doing an amazing job at it." The paper that accompanied the release of v3 listed 139 authors by name, Mr Lane notes. Such acclaim may be more appealing than toiling in obscurity at an American lab. The American governments determination to halt the flow of advanced technology to China has also made life less pleasant for Chinese researchers in America. The problem is not just the administrative burden imposed by new laws that aim to keep the latest innovations secret. There is also often a vague atmosphere of suspicion. Accusations of espionage fly even at social events. The big boss Working in China has its downsides, too. Ask DeepSeek v3 about Taiwan, for instance, and the model cheerfully begins to explain that it is an island in East Asia officially known as the Republic of China". But after it has composed a few sentences along these lines, it stops itself, deletes its initial answer and instead curtly suggests, Lets talk about something else." Chinese labs are more transparent than their government in part because they want to create an ecosystem of firms centred on their AI. This has some commercial value, in that the companies building on the open-source models might eventually be persuaded to buy products or services from their creators. It also brings a strategic benefit to China, in that it creates allies in its conflict with America over AI. Chinese firms would naturally prefer to build on Chinese models, since they do not then need to worry that new bans or restrictions might cut them off from the underlying platform. They also know they are unlikely to fall foul of censorship requirements in China that Western models would not take into account. For firms like Apple and Samsung, eager to build AI tools into the devices they sell in China, local partners are a must, notes Francis Young, a tech investor based in Shanghai. And even some firms abroad have specific reasons for using Chinese models: Qwen was deliberately imbued with fluency in low-resource" languages such as Urdu and Bengali, whereas American models are trained using predominantly English data. And then there is the enormous draw of the Chinese models lower running costs. This does not necessarily mean that Chinese models will sweep the world. American AI still has capabilities that its Chinese rivals cannot yet match. A research programme from Google hands a users web browser over to its Gemini chatbot, raising the prospect of AI agents" interacting with the web. Chatbots from Anthropic and OpenAI wont just help you write code, but will run it for you as well. Claude will build and host entire applications. And step-by-step reasoning is not the only way to solve complex problems. Ask the conventional version of ChatGPT the maths question above and it writes a simple program to find the answer. More innovations are in the pipeline, according to Mr Altman, who is expected to announce soon that OpenAI has built PhD-level super-agents" which are as capable as human experts across a range of intellectual tasks. The competition nipping at American AIs heels may yet spur it to greater things. 2025, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com The 10 Plagues of Egypt are described in the Book of Exodus. Every year in March or April, Jewish people around the world celebrate Passover a holiday that marks the Exodus, when the Jews escaped slavery in Egypt and moved to Israel, as recounted in the Torah (the Hebrew Bible, which collects the first five books of the Christian Old Testament). Before Moses could lead the 40-year journey through the desert, he needed the pharaoh's permission to free the Jews from enslavement, according to the Torah. Egypts ruler had a hard heart, however, prompting the Lord to send down 10 plagues until the pharaoh changed his mind. Could any of Egypts plagues have occurred through natural phenomena, rather than an actual act of God? Live Science looks at possible scientific explanations behind each of the 10 plagues. Blood Excessive growth of algae could have made the water in the Nile appear red like blood. (Image credit: Credit: ESA/Getty) To unleash the first plague upon the Egyptians, Moses struck the river Nile with his staff, turning its waters to blood. At the same time, his brother Aaron similarly transformed canals, tributaries, ponds and pools throughout Egypt. After the water turned to blood, "the fish in the Nile died, and the Nile stank, so that the Egyptians could not drink water," according to the Hebrew Bible ( Exodus, chapter 7, verse 21 ). How can science explain this transformation? The sudden appearance of red-hued waters in the Nile could have been caused by a rapid bloom of red algae. This occurs when certain conditions such as more light or nutrients enable microscopic algae to reproduce to such an extent that the waters they live in appear to be stained a bloody red. This phenomenon is known as a "red tide" when it happens in oceans , however red algae are also commonly found in freshwater ecosystems. These so-called algal blooms can be harmful to wildlife as the algae produce toxins that can kill fish and make shellfish dangerous to eat . Fumes from densely-concentrated algal blooms can also disperse toxins in the air, causing breathing problems in exposed individuals . Frogs The incidence of frogs "raining down" to the ground has been reported multiple times throughout history. (Image credit: Hulton Archive/Getty) For the second plague, Moses conjured vast quantities of frogs that swarmed into people's homes some even found their way into the Egyptians' beds, ovens and cookware. As it happens, the phenomenon of "raining frogs" has been reported multiple times around the world throughout history . For instance, an 1873 report in the magazine Scientific American described a "shower of frogs" caused by a rainstorm in Kansas City, Missouri. These kinds of events may have been the result of strong winds carrying frogs from one place to the next. More recently, in May 2010, thousands of frogs emerged from a lake in northern Greece likely in search of food which disrupted traffic for days, CBS News reported . Lice As frogs died, insects such as lice or gnats may have taken hold. (Image credit: Shutterstock) The third plague, lice, could mean either lice, fleas or gnats based on the Hebrew word, "Keenim." If a toxic algal bloom caused the first plague and a pile of dead frogs followed, it's not surprising that a swarm of insects of some sort came after. That's because frogs typically eat insects so without them, the fly population could have exploded, said Stephan Pflugmacher , during a National Geographic television special about the plagues in 2010. At the time, Plufmacher was a climatologist at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries in Berlin. What makes this particular event worse is that both body lice and fleas can theoretically transmit the bacterium Yersinia pestis , which causes bubonic plague . A louse infestation could have set the stage for the later plagues, such as boils . Scientists have also argued that the sickness that later killed livestock may have been the viral infectious diseases Bluetongue or African horse sickness both of which can be spread by these plague insects. Related: Ancient Judeans ate non-kosher fish, archaeologists find Wild beasts There are many interpretations as to what the plague of wild beasts was referring to. (Image credit: Shutterstock) The Hebrew word for the fourth plague, "arov," is ambiguous. The word roughly translates to "a mixture" in English and, over the years, rabbis have interpreted this to mean wild animals, hornets or mosquitoes, or even a wolf-like beast that attacks at night. The plague of wild beasts may also have been referring to an array of different types of animals, including snakes, scorpions, and even lions and bears . Conversely, in a 1996 paper that tried to provide epidemiological explanations for the plagues, scientists John Marr and Curtis Malloy argued that the beasts in the fourth plague were most likely stable flies (Stomoxys calcitrans). Bites from these flies may have led to the boils that occurred later on in the story, Marr and Malloy suggested. Diseased livestock The fifth plague resembles that which was caused by a now-eradicated infectious disease known as rinderpest. (Image credit: PRISMA ARCHIVO/Alamy) The fifth plague called down on Egypt was a mysterious and highly contagious disease that swiftly killed off the local livestock. This biblical scourge is reminiscent of a real plague known as rinderpest a now-eradicated, infectious and deadly viral disease that decimated populations of cattle and other ruminants across Europe and Africa during the 18th and 19th centuries . Rinderpest was caused by a virus in the same family as the canine distemper virus and the human measles virus. The disease caused a range of symptoms in infected animals, such as a high fever, diarrhea, dehydration and mouth ulcers. The disease is thought to have originated in Asia approximately 10,000 years ago, when the extinct ancestors of modern cattle were first domesticated. It is believed to have reached Egypt along prehistoric trading routes around 5,000 years ago . The fatality rate of rinderpest was exceptionally high sometimes reaching 100% and resulted in the deaths of millions of cattle globally before it was eradicated in 2010 . Boils Smallpox is a now-eradicated infectious disease that caused characteristic raised blisters to form on a patients' skin. (Image credit: Shutterstock) Shortly after the Egyptians' livestock died off, they were distracted by the sixth plague an extremely uncomfortable plague of boils that covered their bodies. Boils are painful, pus-filled bumps that form under the skin . They are typically caused by a species of bacteria known as Staphylococcus aureus that is commonly found on skin and inside the nose. An outbreak of the highly infectious and now eradicated disease smallpox which caused distinctive raised blisters could result in masses of people simultaneously coming down with rashes and welts. Smallpox is thought to have affected communities in Egypt at least 3,000 years ago , based on evidence of scars found on mummies dating back to that period. Related: Trove of Jewish artifacts discovered beneath a synagogue destroyed by Nazis during WWII Fiery hail A nearby volcanic eruption may have triggered the hail that is described in Exodus as the seventh plague of Egypt. (Image credit: Michael Folmer/Alamy) The seventh plague brought a heavy hail accompanied by thunder and streaming fire. This chaotic weather struck down people, livestock and trees, although the area of Goshen where the Israelites lived was spared, according to the Torah ( Exodus, 9:27 ). A nearby volcanic eruption around 3,500 years ago on the Greek island of Santorini may explain this plague , as well as others. It's possible that the volcanic ash mixed with thunderstorms above Egypt, leading to dramatic hailstorms, an astrophysicist told the Telegraph . Locusts The eighth plague involves swarms of hungry locusts. (Image credit: Keystone/Getty) When the pharaoh once more refused to let the Jewish people go, hungry locusts descend as the eighth plague. As Moses warned the pharaoh : "They shall cover the face of the land, so that no one can see the land" (Exodus 10:5). Such a pestilence would devour all the remaining plants that the hail did not destroy, Moses also said. The volcanic eruption on Santorini may have created favorable conditions for the locusts, Siro Trevisanato , a Canadian molecular biologist and author of " The Plagues of Egypt: Archaeology, History and Science Look at the Bible " (Gorgias Press, 2005), told The Telegraph . "The ash fallout caused weather anomalies, which translates into higher precipitations, higher humidity," Trevisanato said. "And that's exactly what fosters the presence of the locusts." Darkness During the ninth plague, darkness descended on Egypt for several days. (Image credit: Shutterstock) The darkness that descended on Egypt for three days as the ninth plague may have been a solar eclipse or a cloud of volcanic ash, scholars suggest. For instance, one theory is that the darkness may have coincided with an eclipse on March 5, 1223 B.C. However, the fact that the Israelites still had light in their homes during the plague of darkness weakens this hypothesis. An alternative theory is that the volcanic eruption on Santorini approximately 3,500 years ago spewed ash that caused the darkness, reported The Telegraph . Indeed, scientists have discovered bits of glass from the volcano in the sole of the Nile delta, according to The New York Times . However, the eruption happened about 500 miles (800 kilometers) from Egypt and before the Exodus event took place, reducing the validity of this theory, argued The Christian Courier . Killing of the firstborn Poisonous substances produced by fungi may have been responsible for the deaths described in the tenth plague. (Image credit: Shutterstock) In the 10th and final plague, Moses tells the pharaoh that all firstborns in the land of Egypt would die. Parents who have kids with disabilities are hoping Tennessee legislators will approve funds to help build a park in Grundy County, giving their kids a place to play. A Longford resident, who was detected drug driving four times in a period of just over two years, has been sentenced to nine months in prison and disqualified from driving for 10 years. Vytautas Siaulys (49) of 51 Bracklin Park, Edgeworthstown pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to the road traffic offences. Sergeant Mark Mahon said Gardai were conducting a speed checkpoint at Tullygullin, county Cavan at 12-noon when they detected the defendant driving at 130kph in a 100kph zone. Officers pursued the motorist and Garda Edward Flanagan stopped the vehicle at Ballinrud East, Granard and spoke to the driver, Mr Siaulys and Sgt Mahon outlined they believed the driver had taken an intoxicant. An oral fluid swab tested positive for cannabis. A subsequent blood test at Granard Garda station indicated Mr Siaulys exceeded the legal limit for cannabis in his system to drive. Sgt Mahon said separately on January 23, 2023 the defendant was observed driving a BMW 5 Series and he was stopped by Gardai because they were unable 'to see the number plate on the car'. Mr Siaulys produced a Lituanian driving licence which was examined and found to be false. Sgt Mahon said Gardai had a conversation with the defendant and formed the opinion the defendant had consumed drugs. Also Read: Longford and Roscommon clubs to clash in Henry Kenny Memorial Match this Sunday The defendant was conveyed to the garda station where a blood test confirmed he had exceeded the legal limit for cannabis in his system. Mr Siaulys had no insurance and he failed to produce any policy. Sgt Mahon said on another date, September 25, 2023, Gardai were on patrol on Barrack St, Granard at 7.45pm and officers detected him driving and stopped him. "He was found to have cocaine in his bloodstream on this occasion," he added. The court heard Garda Reilly asked Mr Siaulys to produce his driving licence and his insurance at a garda station within 10 days, but he failed to do so. Sgt Mahon outlined that the defendant was also charged with the theft of a box of condoms from SuperValu on September 21, 2024 when the defendant entered SuperValu at 2.20pm. "He placed a packet of condoms valued at 18.99 into his jacket pocket and he left without paying. I don't believe they were recovered," he added. Mr Mahon said on the same date Mr Siaulys arrived at Longford Garda Station and his property was checked and the Lithuanian licence he had was found to be a false licence. Also Read: Hopes high that former power station site can become major jobs hub for Longford "He was also found to be in possession of counterfeit notes," he added. The court heard earlier this year Garda Flanagan, who was on mobile patrol, observed Mr Siaulys driving on the Athlone Road, Longford on January 21, 2025 at 11.45am. "He was known to Garda Flanagan who stopped him and he had no driving licence and he had no insurance on the vehicle," he added. The court heard that Mr Siaulys was observed driving at speed at Bracklin Park, Edgeworthstown on June 18, last at 9.30pm and he was stopped. "Gardai were satisfied he was drug driving and he was taken to the garda station and he was found to have cocaine in his system and he was prosecuted for same and he had no insurance or driving licence." The court heard Mr Siaulys had two previous convictions and a number of foreign convictions. Solicitor Brid Mimnagh said her client had used the Lithuanian licence for six or seven years with the same company and he had previously been insured on it and 'believed' it was genuine. "He has accepted he should have taken greater care," she added. In relation to the theft of the condoms, Ms Mimnagh said a "lady who was with him thought it was very funny" to put the packet in his pocket and he had not realised they were there until a security guard stopped him. Also Read: Calls for HSE inquiry into Longford Care Centre following 'damning' report The legal representative claimed in regard to the pair of false 200 notes they had in fact been money from a monopoly or casino game. "He did not offer them for sale and the word 'copy' was written on both notes," she added. Judge Bernadette Owens said she had to "mark the seriousness" of four drug driving convictions and she imposed the custodial sentence and the driving ban. Mr Siaulys was also given a further five month prison sentence, which was suspended for an 18-month period and fined 1,000. Recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal. A pupil from St Dominic's National School, Kenagh has made his school, family, and community proud by bringing his ideas for a better future all the way to the European Parliament. Cian Kilmurray, a 6th class pupil at St Dominics National School, recently visited Brussels after winning a prestigious essay competition run by Midlands-North-West MEP Nina Carberry. The competition invited students to share their thoughts on how to improve their local area, with the theme How to Make Your Local Place a Better Place. Also read: Congratulations: Longford student sweeps the boards with top project at SciFest in TUS, Athlone Encouraged by his teacher, Ms Clare Balfe, Cian entered the competition alongside his classmates. His essay stood out, earning him the top prize and the opportunity of a lifetime. Also read: Wedding Bells: Marriage celebrations as Longford couples say I do As part of his prize, Cian travelled to the European Parliament where he met with MEP Nina Carberry and shared his ideas on community improvement and local development. The visit gave Cian a glimpse into the workings of the EU and how young voices can influence real change. Also read: Longford man appointed as new CEO of Animal Health Ireland St Dominics NS and the entire Kenagh community are celebrating Cians achievement, proud to see one of their own take such a meaningful step onto the European stage. The closing date of the public submission deadline for the planned Lough Ree Greenway has been extended. The submissions deadline was moved from last Wednesday (April 2), to the new closing date of April 11. Roscommon County Council, in partnership with Westmeath County Council is in the early stages of developing the greenway linking Athlone, Ballyleague / Lanesborough and Roscommon Town. Also read: Trip of a lifetime: Longford youngster visits Brussels after winning prestigious competition The project is funded through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), while engineering services RPS have been appointed by Roscommon County Council to provide consultancy services for the Lough Ree Greenway. Longford County Council Cathaoirleach and Lanesboro native, Mark Casey, says the Greenway has tremendous tourism potential: Ballyleague and Lanesboro have enjoyed the benefit of tourism for a long time and the addition of this Greenway can only bolster that. It's a potentially great asset. Also read: Longford man appointed as new CEO of Animal Health Ireland I would urge anyone in the area who can see that potential to consider making a submission. Such initiatives can only strengthen the tourism product and benefit the Lanesboro economy. Last month a public consultation took place in the Hodson Bay Hotel where members of the public were presented with Route Corridor Options on the proposed 50km greenway between Athlone and Ballyleague/Lanesboro. Also read: Congratulations: Longford student sweeps the boards with top project at SciFest in TUS, Athlone The Roscommon and Westmeath local authorities, with the backing of Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) who provided grant aid totalling 600,000 towards the Lough Ree Greenway in February 2023, oversee the project. Further information on the Lough Ree Greenway is available at: www.loughreegreenway.ie . The project team can be contacted at info@loughreegreenway.ie. Also read: Hopes high that former power station site can become major jobs hub for Longford The Hungry Horse Outside equine rescue centre are hosting a delightful 'Easter Barnyard Bonanza' event from this Saturday until April 20. Hungry Horse Outside is an animal welfare organisation, which specialises in the rescue and care of horses and donkey. The animal rescue charity said the fun-filled family events will include egg hunts, farm animal encounters, pet welfare education, a pony parade, and a bouncy castle. Visitors can enjoy their scenic farmyard and meet friendly animals such as their lovely donkeys, enjoy delicious treats and participate in exciting games. Hazel Robinson of the Hungry Horse Outside centre in Newtownforbes said this is the first time they have ever organised public events to this scale. Also Read: Today is final day for Longford people to make submissions on Lough Ree Greenway "Any of the proceeds are going directly back into the charity so we are really excited about it," she added. Hazel said they are going to have an Easter egg hunt and they will have a meet and greet event with the ponies. "We are hoping to do a little bit of welfare education, there will be loads of stuff like bouncy castles and lots of games. "Each child will leave with a little sweet treat after their Easter egg hunt and then we will have other refreshments on the day that people can purchase if they want. "I think there is an opening for it as there is very little for young kids to do especially with animals as well where they will be able to see them and pet them. "We don't really have much of that around Longford so I think it will be nice for the kids," she added. Also Read:Longford defendant receives a six-month suspended sentence for violent disorder Hazel said the time slots are Saturday and Sunday from 11am until 1pm, then 2pm until 4pm and from 4pm until 6pm. Hungry Horse Outside was established in 2011 as a charity organisation in direct response to the equine crisis in Ireland The local charity will have two daily time slots between Monday, April 14 and Friday, April 18 from 2pm until 4pm and between 4pm and 6pm. All children must be accompanied by an adult at all times and admission is 10 per person with tickets available through Eventbrite.ie. A Longford Oireachtas member has said he is concerned about a fall in local gardai and he hopes it is not a trend whereby we 'lose gardai, post offices, credit unions and local pubs'. Fine Gael Senator Paraic Brady highlighted what he believes are problems facing Drumlish and Ballinamuck and rural areas in general in the Seanad in recent days.. He said there was uncertainty over local Garda numbers and some services and that is bring replicated nationwide. "Our two local gardai, Donal Madden and Justin Browne - I have permission to name them - who have given significant service to the community, have now retired. "This leaves us with one garda to maintain a huge rural area in north Longford," he added. Senator Brady urged the Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan to come to the Upper House to "address the concerns about the lack of gardai" in rural stations. Also Read: Trip of a lifetime: Longford youngster visits Brussels after winning prestigious competition "We have seen an increase in the number of gardai on the streets of Dublin and other cities but we must not forget that the rural people of Ireland expect a service and need to be protected too. "I hope that will be addressed sooner rather than later," he added. In relation to credit unions, Senator Brady said the local credit union in Ballinamuck closed a little less than six months ago and "it has been raised" that their local credit union in Drumlish is due to close in the coming months. "We have also received notification that our local post office is in danger of closing and is under review," he added. Senator Brady also commended local publican Tom Cassidy, who served the community for 18 years and retired last Sunday. "Tom has been a great servant to the community in Drumlish and Ballinamuck for many years. Also Read: Carrick-on-Shannon company Energy Partners expands with new offices "We ran charity events and raised funds and he made his premises available free of charge to the local community for fundraisers. "He supported our community for a number of years. "I hope this is not a trend that is coming whereby we lose gardai, post offices, credit unions and local pubs. I hope some of this can be addressed," he added. Fine Gael Senator Sean Kyne, the Leader of the Seanad, responded to Senator Brady and his fears over services. "He is quite right to highlight them but I do not have an answer for him," he added. Senator Kyne stated a number of issues were raised and the pub was obviously a private matter and he hoped someone else would take over the establishment as it is important for the community. "I urge the Senator to engage with An Post directly in respect of the post office," he said. "The Senator also indicated he would like the Minister for Justice come to the House to discuss Garda numbers and I will request that." Senator Kyne stated while allocations are a matter for the Garda Commissioner, the Minister could highlight those issues to the Garda Commissioner. An Post has denied that Drumlish Post Office is 'in danger' of closing and a spokesperson said it was not the case. "The Postmaster in Drumlish is retiring and we have advertised the contract there. "The closing date for expressions of interest is Friday next April 11th and no reason to believe that we wont proceed to appoint a business partner to provide post office services to the people of Drumlish and surrounds." A Garda spokesperson said, "We do not comment on named individuals, on retired members of An Garda Siochana, or on third party statements." 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. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: April 11 2025 I am so thankful for all he and assistant principals across America do each and every day to make a difference! Legislator Koslow said. On Monday, April 7 - the first day of National Assistant Principal Week Nassau County Legislator Seth I. Koslow (D Merrick) thanked Levy Lakeside School Assistant Principal Christopher Colarossi for all he does for his young students. "Shed The Meds" Drug Take Back Day in Massapequa Park on April 26th Local News By Chris Boyle Published: April 24 2025 In cooperation with Drug Free Long Island and the Nassau County Police Department, the Town and Village will host this event at Massapequa Park Village Hall. Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Massapequa Village Mayor Danny Pearl announced a partnership with Drug Free Long Island and the Nassau County Police Department (NCPD) to host a Shed the Meds Drug Take Back Day at Massapequa Park Village Hall on Saturday, April 26, 2025 from 10:00am 1:00pm. This Drug Take Back Day is a great opportunity to rid your medicine cabinet of old and unwanted prescription drugs, said Supervisor Saladino. Through proper disposal of old medications, we can prevent them from contaminating the environment through improper disposal and also keep them out of the wrong hands and away from young people. In cooperation with Drug Free Long Island and the Nassau County Police Department, the Town and Village will host this event at Massapequa Park Village Hall, in the back parking lot. This program is anonymous. For those who cannot attend this Drug Take Back Day, disposal containers are located at all Police Precincts throughout the county for safe deposit. For those looking to turn in unused or expired medication, be sure to make sure of the following: If left in original container, please remove all personal information from label. Liquid medication will not be accepted Illicit substances are also not part of this initiative. Intra-venous solutions, injectables, and syringes will be accepted. For more information about the Shed the Meds Drug Take Back Day, please call Drug Free Long Island at (516) 639-2386 or email info@drugfreeli.org. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: April 11 2025 Over Five Kilograms of Narcotics Recovered During Long Term SCDA Fentanyl Task Force Investigation, Including Over 2.5 Kilograms of Heroin and Fentanyl. Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced a 109-count indictment charging 21 defendants, including alleged members and associates of the Bloods street gang, following a long-term investigation into large-scale narcotics trafficking in Suffolk County. The investigation, led by the Suffolk County District Attorneys Fentanyl Task Force, has allegedly revealed that Larell Campbell, 32, of Copiague and Carlos Torres, 42, of Bay Shore, were trafficking large-scale narcotics, including fentanyl and cocaine, through Suffolk County. Many of Campbell and Torres customers had their own distribution networks, which included defendant Carolyn Tolin, 46, of Centereach. Tolin is charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker for allegedly running a narcotics business through the dark web from her Centereach residence. Tolin allegedly shipped narcotics, including fentanyl, through the United States Postal Service and UPS to customers around the country in exchange for cryptocurrency payments. This case is notable because of the online dark web sale of deadly drugs all over the United States, said District Attorney Tierney. We are asking for the publics help. We believe that these deadly drugs were sent all over the country. If you have seen this warning flyer that was shipped out with these drugs, please contact the District Attorneys office via our webpage. We want to track down each of these deadly shipments and get them off the streets to prevent overdose deaths. Todays indictments are a testament to the collaboration of our law enforcement partners. Thank you to the Fentanyl Taskforce for putting these narcotics traffickers and gang members out of business across our communities, said Suffolk County Sheriff Errol D. Toulon, Jr. Fentanyl has taken a devastating toll on residents of our county, and we will continue to do everything we can to get this deadly weapon off our streets and these bad actors behind bars where they belong. The success of the SCDA Fentanyl Task Force is evident with the takedown of this major narcotics operation that was spreading poison across the country and undoubtedly these arrests are saving lives, said Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina. We remain committed and will continue to allot the necessary resources to target dangerous traffickers like Larell Cambell and Carolyn Tolin who peddle dangerous narcotics for their own financial gain. Winning the battle against illicit drugs is a top priority for the Postal Service and the Inspection Service, said USPIS New York Division Acting Inspector in Charge Ed Gallashaw. Postal Inspectors protect postal employees and the American public by leading the effort to eliminate drugs and contraband in the U.S. mail. This goal is achieved by prohibiting mail containing illegal items and dismantling Drug Trafficking Organizations on and off the dark web. I would also like to thank our partners with the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office Fentanyl Task Force in sharing this mission and protecting our communities from illegal and deadly narcotics. According to the investigation, beginning in late December 2023, members of the Suffolk County District Attorneys Fentanyl Task Force began a probe into a narcotics trafficking operation allegedly led by Campbell and Torres. The investigation revealed, through the execution of over 100 search warrants into vehicles, cellular telephones, residences, computers, and other digital sources of data, coupled with thousands of hours of physical, electronic and video surveillance, that Campbell and Torres were allegedly supplying large-scale amounts of fentanyl and cocaine to narcotics dealers throughout Suffolk and Nassau County. The indictment charges Campbell with Operating as a Major Trafficker for possessing over $75,000 worth of cocaine, fentanyl and heroin from June to December 2024. Campbells large-scale operation was run primarily by members of his immediate family, including brothers Donail Campbell, Raheem Campbell, and Malachi Campbell, as well as Campbells mother, Monica Jones, girlfriend Diamond Pernell, and sister-in-law Tersherra Green. The Campbell family allegedly worked together to redistribute Larell Campbells product to others or assisted transporting product, supplying payments and engaging in transactions at Larell Campbells direction. In December 2024, members of law enforcement executed search warrants at several residences and vehicles associated with the Campbell family in Babylon, and Amityville, allegedly recovering approximately two kilograms of cocaine, and 1.5 kilograms of heroin mixed with fentanyl and an additional 250 grams of fentanyl. Tolin is also charged with Operating as a Major Trafficker for both possessing and selling over $75,000 worth of cocaine, fentanyl and heroin from September 2024 to March 2025. Tolin allegedly led her narcotics operation through her dark web vendor site MamaKnowsBrown that she ran out of the garage of her Centereach home. Through MamaKnowsBrown, Tolin allegedly offered heroin, fentanyl, crack cocaine and powder cocaine in varying quantities to local and nationwide customers. With each order, customers had the option to order additional fentanyl or cocaine from what Tolin allegedly referred to as the Tip Jar. Tolin would also allegedly allow customers multiple shipping options and the opportunity to give feedback and reviews of each product. After receiving an order, Tolin would allegedly then arrange that the narcotics be shipped through the United States Postal Service and UPS to customers across the country totaling over 1,000 shipments to 40 different states since September 2024. Tolin would also allegedly use the rideshare application Uber to deliver products locally within Suffolk County. Tolin would receive payment for these sales in the form of an untraceable cryptocurrency totaling over $93,000 in just two and one-half months leading up to her March 2025 arrest. Within each package that Tolin mailed or delivered, Tolin would also allegedly include an overdose warning card to the customer, detailing the potency and danger of the narcotics Tolin sold. In the overdose card, Tolin allegedly warned her customers that her product could be deadly and cautioned to have Narcan on hand when using. Narcan is a nasal spray used to reverse the effects of a life-threatening opioid overdose. Tolin also allegedly cautioned users not to use the products alone and cautioned that because of the potency, the narcotics were meant for experienced, long-term users only. On March 14, 2025, when members of the Suffolk County District Attorneys Fentanyl Task Force and Suffolk County Sheriffs Department executed a search warrant at Tolins Centereach residence and her garage, they allegedly recovered hundreds of grams of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine. Also, inside the garage, law enforcement allegedly recovered multiple computers, cell phones, several packages in the process of allegedly being prepared for shipment, as well as a stockpile of Tolins signature overdose warning cards, envelopes, packaging and shipping materials, Xylazine test strips, and a digital scale. Of the 21 defendants, 20 have been arrested and 12 have been arraigned before Acting Supreme Court Justice Richard I. Horowitz. Several of the remaining defendants are pending arraignment. Of the indicted defendants, eight are charged with bail eligible offenses. Of the bail eligible defendants, all eight of those defendants are in custody and 13 are not bail eligible under New York State law, meaning a prosecutor cannot request and a judge cannot set bail. Indicted Defendants: Larell Campbell, 32, of Copiague, faces a top count of Operating as a Major Trafficker, and up to 25 years to life in prison. Campbells charges are bail eligible. He is being held on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 bond or $5,000,000 partially secured bond. Campbell will be arraigned on additional charges on this indictment on April 15, 2025. Campbell is represented by Nicholas Dayan, Esq. Carlos Torres, 42, of Bay Shore, faces a top count of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, and up to 25 years to life in prison. Torress charges are bail eligible. He is being held on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 bond or $10,000,000 partially secured bond. Torres will be arraigned on additional charges on this indictment on April 15, 2025. Torres is represented by Nicholas Ramcharitar, Esq. Carolyn Tolin, 46, of Centereach, faces a top count of Operating as a Major Trafficker, and up to 25 years to life in prison. Tolins charges are bail eligible. She is being held on $1,000,000 cash, $2,000,000 bond or $5,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Tolin is represented by Ian Fitzgerald, Esq. Marc Felice, 25, of Bay Shore, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. Felices charges are bail eligible. He is being held on $250,000 cash, $750,000 bond or $2,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Felice is represented by Robert Macedonio, Esq. Anthony Muniz, 33, of Amarillo, Texas, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. prison. Munizs charges are not bail eligible. Muniz is still at large. Diamond Pernell, 24, of Amityville, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. prison. Pernells charges are not bail eligible. Pernell is represented by John Loturco, Esq. Berline Francois-Torres, 33, of Wyandanch, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 12 to 25 years in prison. Francois-Torress charges are not bail eligible. Francois-Torres is represented by Steven Metcalf, Esq. Donail Campbell, 33, of Ronkonkoma, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. Campbells charges are bail eligible. He is being held on $10,000 cash, $30,000 bond or $100,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case and will be arraigned on additional charges on April 15, 2025. Campbell is represented by Lindsay Henry, Esq. Tersherra Green, 35, of Smithtown, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. prison. Greens charges are not bail eligible. She is scheduled to be arraigned on additional charges on this indictment on April 21, 2025. Green is represented by Lindsay Henry, Esq. Raheem Campbell, 30, of Wheatley Heights, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. prison. Campbells charges are not bail eligible. Malachi Campbell, 22, of Amityville, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. Campbells charges are not bail eligible. Campbell is represented by John Halverson, Esq. Malik McClinton, 35, of Amityville, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. He is being held on $150,000 cash, $350,000 bond or $750,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. McClinton is represented by Sean Dixon, Esq Messiah Floyd-Gordon, 24, of West Hempstead, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. Floyd-Gordons charges are not bail eligible. Floyd-Gordon is represented by Scott Zerner, Esq. Justin Stroman, 37, of Hempstead, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 25 years to life in prison. He is being held on $250,000 cash, $500,000 bond or $1,000,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Stroman is represented by Ira Weissman, Esq. Gerard Pico, 62, of Bay Shore, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. Picos charges are not bail eligible. Pico is scheduled to be arraigned on additional charges on this indictment on April 21, 2025. Pico is represented by Robert Macedonio, Esq. Taahziah Brown, 28, of Sayville, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. Brown is in custody awaiting arraignment on April 10, 2025. Kayla Brown, 26, of Dix Hills, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. Browns charges are not bail eligible. Brown is represented by George Duncan, Esq. Lucy Torres, 41, of Oakdale, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. Torress charges are not bail eligible. Torres is represented by George Duncan, Esq. Christopher Eisenhut, 44, of Selden, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. Eisenhuts charges are bail eligible. He is being held on $50,000 cash, $100,000 bond or $250,000 partially secured bond during the pendency of the case. Eisenhut is represented by Chris Gioe, Esq. Christina Sarelakos, 39, of Selden, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. Sarelakoss charges are not bail eligible. Sarelakos is represented by Oscar Crisafio, Esq. Monica Jones, 49, of Commack, faces a top count of Conspiracy in the Second Degree and up to 8 to 25 years in prison. Joness charges are not bail eligible. Jones is represented by Jeremy Scileppi, Esq. The Suffolk County District Attorneys Fentanyl Task Force is comprised of members from the Suffolk County Sheriffs Department, District Attorney Investigators, the Suffolk County Police Department and the United States Postal Inspection Service, working together with numerous other law enforcement partners. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kristin Barnes and Matthew Laube of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Bureau with assistance from paralegal Tanya Jones, and the investigation was conducted by Deputy Sheriff Investigator Richard Pedigo of the Suffolk County Sherriffs Office and the Suffolk County District Attorneys Fentanyl Task Force. Criminal complaints and indictments are merely accusatory instruments. Defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. No one is above the law. There have been escalating fears in recent days that iPhones could go up in price as a result of the huge tariffs imposed on China by President Trump. Most of Apples smartphones are manufactured in China, and some analysts have speculated that the additional levies could push up prices by more than 40 percentwhich has led to some panic buying. But a new report offers hope that this might not happen. A new investor note by analysts at Morgan Stanley (seen by AppleInsider) proposes a raft of measures by which Apple could weather the effects of the tariffs without raising prices, and while remaining profitable. As proposed elsewhere, Apple could ramp up production in India, which produces 30 to 40 million iPhones per year and faces far lower tariffs than China. Morgan Stanley then proposes Apple could push customers towards the more expensive models with more storage, which have a higher profit margin and are thus better equipped to absorb the effects of tariffs. Neither of these are easy solutions, and both are strategies Apple has already attempted. It would be more a question of accelerating existing plans rather than starting entirely new ones. Apple has been working to diversify its supply chain for some time, partly in light of human-rights concerns over Chinese factories, but doing so is a slow process. (It also makes a few iPhones in Brazil to satisfy local demand; sources suggest that could also increase.) On the storage upsell side, Apple did something similar in 2023 when it launched the iPhone 15 Pro Max at an entry-level price of $1,199 with 256GB of storage, compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Maxs starting at $1,099 with 128GB. It was thus the same price gigabyte for gigabyte while requiring customers to spend more as a minimum, thus increasing the iPhones average selling price. Thats a win for Appleespecially since storage margins are much higher than handset margins. Whether Apple would raise minimum storage allocations or merely focus its marketing on pushing customers toward the 512GB and 1TB configurations is uncertain at this point. Morgan Stanley also acknowledges one other option, which does involve raising prices but would make this more palatable for customers by introducing longer-term finance options and talking up carrier deals at the iPhone 17 launch event. These arent the only strategies, of course. Apple could just take the short-term hit to its profits, or appeal to the president for an exemption. If youd like to read more about the companys options, take a look at How Apple can handle Trumps tariffs. Love hiking or at least willing to fake it for the camera? Acting in this movie being filmed in New England might be for you. The movie is called Only You and is a father-daughter hiking drama by Erika Lynn Jolie, according to Backstage. A young father (Noah) and his estranged daughter (Claire) mend their broken relationship while hiking the Appalachian Trail. They meet a diverse cast of supporting characters along the way, and form a trail family of sorts, the website states. The movie is looking for New England actors as it will be filmed between June 13-July 6 in Lincoln, New Hampshire. Except for a few main roles, all cast and crew must be able to get themselves to set. Looking for local hires who can reasonably commute to Lincoln for multiple days, the website states. Housing and transportation can be provided if necessary for Claire, Noah, and Aidan. The rate of pay listed on Backstage is $150 per day, which would be about $1,200 for an estimated eight days of work. SCO members sign industrial cooperation deals totaling 4.8 bln yuan in China's Tianjin Xinhua) 08:11, April 11, 2025 Guests attend a signing ceremony during the China-SCO Conference on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development in north China's Tianjin, April 10, 2025. The China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Conference on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development is held here on Thursday. China will host an SCO summit this autumn in the northern city of Tianjin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) TIANJIN, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The China-SCO Conference on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development, held in north China's Tianjin Municipality on Thursday, saw eight members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) sign cooperation contracts totaling nearly 4.8 billion yuan (about 665.82 million U.S. dollars). Deals for a total of 18 projects were inked, focusing on key areas such as new energy, new materials, infrastructure, mining and petrochemicals. Participants noted that SCO members have complementary advantages in the field of sustainable development, as well as huge potential for industrial cooperation, especially in the areas of infrastructure construction, energy and mineral resource development, the digital economy, and smart manufacturing. Sohail Khan, deputy secretary-general of the SCO, said that this event will be an opportunity to turn visions into reality, ushering in a new chapter of regional economic cooperation and sustainable development. China-SCO Conference on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development is held in north China's Tianjin, April 10, 2025. The China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Conference on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development is held here on Thursday. China will host an SCO summit this autumn in the northern city of Tianjin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Guests attend the China-SCO Conference on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development in north China's Tianjin, April 10, 2025. The China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Conference on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development is held here on Thursday. China will host an SCO summit this autumn in the northern city of Tianjin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Attendees pose for a photo during the China-SCO Conference on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development in north China's Tianjin, April 10, 2025. The China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Conference on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development is held here on Thursday. China will host an SCO summit this autumn in the northern city of Tianjin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Sohail Khan, deputy secretary general of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), delivers a speech at the China-SCO Conference on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development in north China's Tianjin, April 10, 2025. The China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Conference on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development is held here on Thursday. China will host an SCO summit this autumn in the northern city of Tianjin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) Attendees communicate during the China-SCO Conference on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development in north China's Tianjin, April 10, 2025. The China-Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Conference on Industrial Cooperation for Sustainable Development is held here on Thursday. China will host an SCO summit this autumn in the northern city of Tianjin. (Xinhua/Zhao Zishuo) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) In recent years, Anhui Province has seized the opportunities in the intelligent connected vehicle (ICV) industry, continuously advancing road testing and demonstration applications for intelligent connected vehicles. As of April 10, reporters learned from the Anhui Provincial Department of Industry and Information Technology, the province has opened over 1,500 kilometers of test and demonstration roads, issued 349 test licenses, and completed more than 3 million kilometers of test mileage. To align with intelligent connected vehicle industry trends and meet enterprise demands, Anhui has formulated the "Implementation Rules for the Administration of Road Testing and Demonstration Applications of Intelligent Connected Vehicles in Anhui Province (Trial)", building upon national regulations. A joint task force involving the departments of industry and information technology, public security, and transportation has been established to collaboratively oversee intelligent connected vehicle road testing and demonstration applications. According to the implementation rules, vehicles applying for road testing or demonstration include passenger cars, commercial vehicles, and special-purpose vehicles, excluding low-speed vehicles and motorcycles. These vehicles must comply with mandatory inspection requirements (excluding durability) for their respective categories, feature both manual and autonomous driving modes, and ensure safe, rapid, and simple mode switching with clear alerts. Additionally, they must guarantee the ability to immediately switch to manual mode under any circumstances. At the same time, Hefei City has formulated and promulgated the "Regulations on the Promotion of Applications for Intelligent Connected Vehicles," supporting the development of the intelligent connected vehicle industry through local legislation. With "intelligent vehicles," "smart roads," and "smart cities" as the main focus, Anhui Province is fully advancing two national pilot programs: "Dual Intelligence" cities and "Integrated Vehicle-Road-Cloud" systems. Hefei City has completed the transformation of 106 road intersections, built 557 roadside intelligent facilities, and opened five batches of test demonstration sections. Wuhu City has built 418 roadside intelligent facilities, opened four batches of test demonstration sections. Source: anhuinews.com Seven more Harvard University student visas have been revoked, raising the total number at the university to 12 after five recent graduates lost theirs, the Harvard International Office said Thursday. The officer released an update on the latest revocations on its Visa status updates, Commencement guidance, and FAQs page, which let international students know of a Know Your Rights seminar for Friday morning. The page was updated on Thursday. We want to assure you that we continue to monitor the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) daily, the international office stated. Among the 12 revocations, seven students and five recent graduates had their visas terminated, the office said. It was through the SEVIS system, like with other Massachusetts universities seeing students lose their visas, that Harvard saw that the number of revocations had grown, according to the statement. To protect their privacy, the university cannot provide the identity of the individuals, the office said. We do not intend to provide any nonpublic access or sensitive information to any external party absent a legal directive to do so. We are not aware of the details of the revocations or the reasons for them, but we understand these actions continue to take place at other institutions across the country. At least eleven higher education institutions in Massachusetts have seen their visas revoked in recent weeks. 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. On Thursday, 12 international students attending Worcesters Clark University had their visas revoked by federal authorities. Clark is also among 85 other higher education institutions and organizations throughout the United States that signed an amicus brief in AAUP v. Rubio a case challenging the federal governments revocation of visas and detentions of non-citizen students and scholars. 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. On Wednesday, Connecticut's Mystic Aquarium released 22 sea turtles back into the Atlantic Ocean. The aquarium rehabilitated them after they became cold-stunned and stranded on Cape Cod. Mystic Aquarium Connecticuts Mystic Aquarium released 22 sea turtles that were found cold-stunned and stranded on Cape Cod back into the Atlantic Ocean on Wednesday. Mystic Aquarium rehabilitated 14 green sea turtles, six loggerhead sea turtles and two Kemps ridley sea turtles after they washed up on Cape Cods beaches months ago, the aquarium said in a press release. On Wednesday, aquarium staff released the turtles back into the sea at Jekyll Island, Georgia. 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, Mystic Aquariums Animal Rescue Program Manager Sarah Callan said. Sea turtles cannot regulate their body temperature, so they risk becoming cold-stunned when swimming through cold waters, according to the aquarium. Each fall, many become cold-stunned and trapped in Cape Cod Bay while trying to travel south to warmer waters. On Wednesday, Connecticut's Mystic Aquarium released 22 sea turtles back into the Atlantic Ocean. The aquarium rehabilitated them after they became cold-stunned and stranded on Cape Cod. Mystic Aquarium The 22 turtles were first triaged by the New England Aquarium and later transferred to Mystic Aquariums Animal Rescue Program for long-term rehabilitative care, Mystic Aquarium said. At the aquarium, each turtle received an individualized treatment plan to address infections and other medical issues. Once the turtles were ready to return to the ocean, aquarium staff determined that Jekyll Islands warm waters made it the most suitable location for release at this time of year, the aquarium said. The turtles then traveled 20 hours from Connecticut to Georgia in temperature-controlled cars. After arriving at Jekyll Island, the turtles were set along the water line in their bins, the aquarium said. Larger turtles were set on the sand and empowered to enter the water on their own, while the smaller turtles were carried into the water and directly released. These juvenile turtles now have a chance to grow up to be adults with hope that they will breed in the future, furthering this success and the sustainability of sea turtle species even more, the release reads. A Cape Cod lawmaker facing federal fraud charges had just $42 in his bank account before federal prosecutors say he stole $10,000 from his former employer, the Home Builders Association in Cape Cod, to fund his run for the legislature. The lawmaker, state Rep. Christopher Flanagan, D-1st Barnstable, was arrested Friday morning on five counts of wire fraud and a single count of falsification of records. He is set to make an initial appearance in federal court in Boston at 2:30 p.m. Friday. An indictment unsealed Friday details the scheme, accusing Flanagan of abusing his position as the executive officer of the Home Builders Association on Cape Cod, essentially using its bank accounts as his piggy bank. Flanagan secretly withdrew tens of thousands of dollars from the associations bank accounts, then attempted to cover his tracks by creating and falsifying expense reports, according to the indictment. Flanagan used those funds for, among other things, psychic services, menswear from Macys, an air conditoner and an electric dryer, according to the indictment. Beginning in at least October 2021 before his election to the legislature Flanagan faced personal financial difficulty, prosecutors wrote, including thousands of dollars in credit card debt, missing mortgage payments and racking up high overdraft fees. Between November 2021 and January 2023, Flanagan made PayPal transfers from the associations accounts to his own and wrote checks he later cashed in his own accounts. On Nov. 18, 2021, Flanagan initiated an $8,000 PayPal transfer from the associations account to his own Bank of America account, according to the indictment. Just days later, on Nov. 22, 2021, he deposited a check for the same amount. More than a year later, in January 2023, prosecutors say Flanagan stole another $10,000, depositing a check in his personal account and using the money to fund his political campaign. At the time, he had just $42.28 in his account, federal prosecutors wrote. Flanagan attempted to conceal the theft from the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, or OCPF, which began investigating his campaign finance activity in October of that year by producing falsified records. Specifically, Flanagan turned over a pair of expense reports purporting to show he used the money for travel, office supplies and program expenses. But prosecutors say it wasnt the first time Flanagan falsified records. In December 2022, the OCPF began investigating a mailer distributed by Flanagans campaign. The mailer claimed to be distributed by Conservatives for Dennis, and touts his service, honesty and integrity. Flanagan told the office the mailer was distributed by a woman named Jeanne Louise. In fact, prosecutors say, there was no Jeanne Louise, a fact Flanagan admitted through a lawyer in October 2023. State House Speaker Ronald Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, said the House first learned of Flanagans arrest through media reports Friday morning. He stopped short of calling for Flanagans resignation. While every American is entitled to due process, the charges that have been brought against Representative Flanagan are extraordinarily concerning, and undermine public trust in the Legislature, Mariano said in a statement. The House will continue to monitor the legal process as it plays out, and will take the appropriate steps if necessary to ensure accountability. The Massachusetts Republican Party called on Democrats to demand Flanagan resign. The federal charges only confirm what was already evident: Chris Flanagan is unfit to serve, and Massachusetts Democrats must demand his resignation now, MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale said. U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts Leah Foley, whose office is prosecuting Flanagan, called the charges an appalling breach of public trust. No one is entitled to power by way of fraud, and the people of Massachusetts deserve better, she said in a statement. A Framingham man was convicted of the first-degree murder of a Framingham woman in a home in 2022 after a weeklong trial, Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryans office said. Edvardo Gomes-Da Silva, 42, was found guilty of fatally stabbing his girlfriend Neiriana Pereira-Da Silva, 30, at a home on Taylor Street, Ryans office said in a statement on Friday. This is a tragic case of domestic violence, Ryan said in her statement. Neiriane Pereira-Da Silva was attempting to start a new relationship when the defendant violently attacked her. We know these circumstances can be especially dangerous for victims. At around 10:30 p.m. on June 17, 2022, a 911 call was made to Framingham police about blood found in the stairway to the third floor in a multi-family home on Taylor Street, the statement read. The caller was worried about someone in need of help. Police arrived to find a person, Pereira-Da Silva, and she was taken to MetroWest Medical Center, Ryans office said. She was pronounced dead. Gomes-Da Silva was taken to a Boston area hospital, the statement read. The two had a child and were in the process of ending their relationship, investigators found. But Gomes-Da Silva learned that she had a relationship with another man, and she wanted to take the child with her to be with that other man. Gomes-Da Silva became jealous, Ryans office said, and he stabbed her before he turned the knife on himself. The defendant had made statements that he was not going to permit the victim and his daughter to live with anyone but him, Ryan said in the statement. This type of controlling behavior can often tragically lead to violence, A Manchester, New Hampshire, man was charged in connection with a road rage incident that left one man hurt after he was thrown to the ground and struck several times, Suffolk District Attorney Kevin Haydens office said. Aaron Olsen, 36, was charged with assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (pavement) and disorderly conduct. At his court appearance in Roxbury BMC on Thursday, Judge David Breen ordered Olsen be held on $200 bail, Haydens office said in a statement. Olsen is scheduled to appear in court again on June 26. This was a vicious, broad daylight attack in the middle of a busy intersection that shocked other motorists and left the victim with terrible injuries, Hayden said. I thank the witness who came forward with the video, and the investigators who used that and other evidence to assemble a solid case. This is yet another road rage incident resulting in someone injured and someone else facing serious criminal charges. At around 2:14 p.m. on Feb. 5, Boston police went to the intersection of Melnea Cass Boulevard and Hampden Street, Haydens office said. EMS was treating a man, 49, who had blood on the back of his head and a large contusion to his left eye and on the left side of his face. The man told officers that he thought he was concussed, as he did not remember where he was coming from, the statement read. The man was then hospitalized, where it was found that he had sustained a concussion and six broken bones in his face, including two broken orbital bones and a fractured cheek. Police received dashcam footage from a witness that showed the incident, Haydens office said. Olsen, in a white Chevrolet Terrain SUV with a New Hampshire license plate, and the victim, in a dark SUV, exited their vehicles. Olsen struck the other man, pulled his sweatshirt over his head and used it to control his movement. Olsen used a leg sweep motion to bring the man to the pavement, struck him six times and struck his head against the pavement several times, the statement read. The man was left on the ground, lying motionless, in the middle of Melnea Cass Boulevard, Haydens office said. Back in his Chevrolet, Olsen swerved his SUV around other cars and ran a red light before he merged into traffic. At around 3:12 p.m., he called Massachusetts State Police to report a road rage incident. When investigators contacted Olsen, he told them that the man left his car and struck him first and struck back in self-defense, Haydens office said. The dashcam video showed that the other man did not hit Olsen first, Haydens office said. The Massachusetts Republican Party is calling on Democrats to demand the resignation of state Rep. Christopher Flanagan, D-1st Barnstable, who was arrested on federal fraud charges Friday morning. In a statement, MassGOP Chair Amy Carnevale noted that the party previously called for Flanagans resignation in January, when Barnstable police revealed he was the subject of a federal probe for alleged potential criminal activity regarding his reelection campaign. Now, Flanagan, of Dennis, faces federal charges of wire fraud and falsification of records. The federal charges only confirm what was already evident: Chris Flanagan is unfit to serve, and Massachusetts Democrats must demand his resignation now, Carnevale said. The MassDems must demonstrate they are capable of holding their own accountable, starting with calling for Chris Flanagans resignation today. Flanagan is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston on Friday afternoon. State House Speaker Ronald Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, said the House first learned of Flangans arrest through media reports Friday morning. He stopped short of calling for Flanagans resignation. While every American is entitled to due process, the charges that have been brought against Representative Flanagan are extraordinarily concerning, and undermine public trust in the Legislature, Mariano said in a statement. The House will continue to monitor the legal process as it plays out, and will take the appropriate steps if necessary to ensure accountability. He is accused of defrauding the Home Builders Association on Cape Cod (HBA), a professional trade association representing the Cape Cod building industry, which Flanagan was the executive officer of from 2019 until 2024. Todays charges against Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan reveal an appalling breach of public trust ... No one is entitled to power by way of fraud, and the people of Massachusetts deserve better, Leah B. Foley, U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts, said in a statement. From at least November 2021 until January 2023, Flanagan stole a total of $36,000 in HBA funds from the associations bank account via wire transfers, according to an indictment unsealed Friday morning. At the annual MassChallenge award ceremony for startups, held in Boston Thursday night, Gov. Maura Healey mightve been wearing a foam Were #1 finger. She was playing her role as the states cheerleader-in-chief. Massachusetts is ranked number one for innovation, she told the audience at Bostons State Room. Were also number one in education and health care. We are the global capital of medical discovery. And, she reminded them, the field of artificial intelligence can trace its earliest roots to MIT. But she also said it was distressing to watch as the Trump administration cut funding for scientific research, and sought to deport foreign students studying at American universities some of whom, she said, come to our shores to study, to research, to pioneer new cures and treatments and innovations, who actually start companies right here in Massachusetts and create jobs. (Healey said there are almost 100,000 foreign students in Massachusetts.) After the address, I had the opportunity to talk with Healey about some of those topics. (This transcript has been lightly edited for flow.) Scott Kirsner: Ive been talking with a lot of business folks this week. Every different part of the business community is in five-alarm fire mode right now. And Im sure theyre talking to you. How do you prioritize whats going on right now in the economy, in the business world? Gov. Maura Healey: I am trying to stay as close to the impact as possible convening with all of the sectors whove been impacted and also be in a position to both educate the public about whats happening and to advocate on behalf of the Massachusetts economy and our businesses. Early on, when we started to hear news that [National Institutes of Health] cuts may be coming, I brought together teaching hospitals and universities and research institutions to start a conversation about that and how we can deal with that. Ive had multiple meetings with business leaders to talk about the impact of tariffs. As we stand here tonight, were dealing with a situation where there is tremendous uncertainty, and theres a lot of chaos. And that is on top of what has already been efforts to dismantle any number of systems systems that so many people rely on, that businesses rely on. I think about the cuts that weve seen for food for kids, for health care for veterans, for heating assistance for seniors. I think about the disruptions that weve experienced already in government, with our [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services] systems being shut down at times. They cut off federal grants across the country for states, for any number of important things. Incredibly disruptive and incredibly harmful. And then on top of that, youve got the president engaging in this trade war with allies and friends that doesnt seem to have a particular point or direction in terms of, what is the desired outcome here? Its a really difficult situation. Were feeling it on the ground here in Massachusetts already because of the presidents actions. Weve had clinical trials shut down, research stopped. Weve had people being recruited by other countries to come and do research and set up their labs, because their funding is going away. Kirsner: Someone tonight told me that they were talking [to an] entrepreneur who doesnt want to come to the United States to build his business because of green card uncertainty, visa uncertainty. Healey: [In] Massachusetts, were a knowledge-based economy. Were an innovation economy. People come here from around the world to study, to do research, to learn, to start businesses, to grow businesses. And there is fear in other countries about coming to the United States of America. So my message to people has been: Were Massachusetts. We value you. We want you here. We have wonderful things going on here. Were going to support efforts here. The question is: how much support can we maintain Kirsner: at a time when people are being pulled off the campuses and off the streets by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents? Healey: Exactly. And I spoke out again tonight, in the face of what is it seems like theyre just using AI to go through and scrape anybodys name randomly who has a student visa, and then anybody could be subjected to having that visa revoked. And thats outrageous. I mean, there are people who are studying here on visas who are going to contribute to our economy, who are going to be finding the cures and treatments to diseases and solving major problems. Why would we want that talent to go away? And I would just say to the president and his administration: it doesnt make any sense. If your agenda is truly America First, then why are you giving away talent to China and to other countries? Because that is what is happening here. Kirsner: Massachusetts wasnt named in the recent executive action around clean energy and climate this week, which seeks to prevent states from legislating or creating fines around climate impact and CO2 emissions. I didnt see that Massachusetts was mentioned in that, but do you expect it to impact the way the state approaches clean energy? Healey: These things are very important to addressing climate change. Theyre very important to our economy. Massachusetts [is] a climate tech hub. Twenty-eight of the top 100 companies in climate tech are right here in Massachusetts. Im not turning back on that. Thats where we need to be. Thats where the world is going. And so, well continue to make the state investments that we can. Were going to continue to find ways to support entrepreneurs and companies who are in the clean energy space. And were going to continue to make the case for and be an advocate for true American energy independence. That means and my position is if you believe in American energy independence, then you should support all forms of energy: including wind, including solar, including hydro, which were going to have coming down from Canada soon. Does it get harder with the Trump administration, that is antagonistic to clean energy? Yes, it does. But we just need to continue to make the case for why we need to go forward with these efforts and these projects. Kirsner: Is this going to be a four-year battle for Massachusetts to stand up against this stuff? Or are we in some kind of weird adjustment period an Elon Musk DOGE era that may be temporary? Healey: I think people are tiring of Elon Musk and his antics, frankly. As somebody who prosecuted and went after fraud, waste, and abuse in government, certainly everyone wants government to be more efficient. But thats not what Doge ended up being about. It ended up being as he proudly proclaimed this chainsaw exercise where a lot of people and a lot of programs got hurt, including programs that were critical to local and national economies. So its hard to say. But my job is to be prepared for all that comes and also keep us moving forward, keep us moving forward on the agenda that I control here in the state. Building more housing. Continuing to find ways to lower costs for people in health care and utility bills. Continuing to find ways to now implement what is, I think, a really kick-ass economic development law that we filed and I got to sign the Mass Leads Act. At the same time, we have to play defense against an administration that, in any number of instances, is taking us backward away from innovation, away from growth, away from entrepreneurship, away from science. Patients, labor advocates and other opponents of hospital closures and mental health care caseworker cuts rally outside the State House in Boston on Feb. 25, 2025. (Chris Lisinski/State House News Service) BOSTON 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 severe 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, which has a dozen beds and treats children ages 6 to 12. At a budget hearing Monday in Attleboro, Department of Mental Health Commissioner Brooke Doyle said those facilities are scheduled to close due to low patient counts, inadequate staffing and location hurdles. The cost-saving measure comes as the Department of Mental Health 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. The state pays for those beds in full, regardless of whether or not they are occupied, Doyle said. She argued that it is not sustainable to continue to pay for 50% utilization. She 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 families. 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 that 95 out of 100 positions are filled. We could be fully utilized no problem, she said. Program leaders and lawmakers contend the programs are underutilized due to a complicated Department of Mental Health (DMH) referral process that can leave youth languishing in hospitals for weeks or months before they find a placement. Because of 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. (Chris Lisinski/State House News Service) 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 that 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. In another significant budget cut, DMH plans to slash the case management workforce in half, saving 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 on 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. 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 attends a House Democratic caucus on Jan. 1, 2025. (Chris Lisinski/State House News Service) 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 that 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 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. 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, she added. 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. 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 child can be safely treated in that environment, based on staff that are available at that time. 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 the push by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services is 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. A Massachusetts man once sentenced to life without the possibility of parole after killing a 15-year-old will soon be walking free. On March 12, 1967, 20-year-old Roger Francis shot and killed 15-year-old Marialice Pike in Hingham. She was found unconsious by a Massachusetts State Trooper in the median strip on Route 3. She had multiple gunshot wounds and later died. Francis fled to Canada, leaving his car behind. The car, officials said, contained evidence linking Francis to the murder. Blood stains in the car matched Pikes blood type. There were also bullet fragments in the car that matched the ones in the 15-year-olds body. When police arrested Francis in Canada, he told police, Ive been expecting you fellows. He then asked if the 15-year-old was still alive. But she had died the day before. Francis then asked if he would get the chair for first degree. He was convicted for first-degree murder on Nov. 3, 1967. In 1990, however, his conviction was vacated after he won a motion for a new trial. Officials offered a plea deal to second-degree murder but it was unsuccessful, the parole board stated. During a second trial on June 17, 2003, Francis was convicted of first-degree murder again and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. However, he became eligible for parole after a Supreme Judicial Court decision that states emerging adults between the ages of 18-20 cannot be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Due to the decision, Francis was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after 15 years. This was Francis first hearing, which took place on Dec. 18, 2024. On April 8, the board decided the now 78-year-old was granted parole in two weeks. He served 44 years in prison. Mr. Francis has had an extraordinarily positive adjustment throughout his incarceration, with no disciplinary reports, and has held positions of great trust, the board wrote in its decision. He has invested in self-development and maintains a significant support system. During his time in prison, the parole board said Francis had numerous psychiatric hospitalizations and varying treatment interventions. A forensic evaluation was done and the expert claimed Francis has a very low risk of re-offending. The decision to release Francis was unanimous for the parole board. However, Plymouth District Attorney Timothy J. Cruz said Wednesday that hes outraged. Francis may have been 20 years old when he killed Marialice, but the callousness he showed during and after her murder make clear that his release is not a benefit to our community, Cruz said in the statement. Instead of unanimously deciding that Francis is rehabilitated and ready to release into society, I call upon the Parole Board to instead consider their obligations to victims like Marialice and their families, before allowing people like Francis to walk among us. Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan, D-1st Barnstable, was indicted by a federal grand jury on accusations of pocketing tens of thousands of dollars from a Cape Cod trade group for his own personal and political spending. Flanagan, 37, of Dennis, was arrested on Friday morning and charged with five counts of wire fraud, and one count of falsification of records, according to the United States Attorneys Office. Flanagan is scheduled to appear in federal court in Boston on Friday afternoon. The state representative has been accused of defrauding Home Builders Association in Cape Cod (HBA), a professional trade association that represents the Cape Cod building industry, which Flanagan was the executive officer of from 2019 until 2024. Todays charges against Massachusetts State Representative Christopher Flanagan reveal an appalling breach of public trust ... No one is entitled to power by way of fraud, and the people of Massachusetts deserve better, said U.S. Attorney Leah B. Foley in a statement. State House Speaker Ronald Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, said the House first learned of Flangans arrest through media reports Friday morning. While every American is entitled to due process, the charges that have been brought against Representative Flanagan are extraordinarily concerning, and undermine public trust in the Legislature, Mariano said in a statement. The House will continue to monitor the legal process as it plays out, and will take the appropriate steps if necessary to ensure accountability. From at least November 2021 until January 2023, Flanagan stole a total of $36,000 in HBA funds from the associations bank account via wire transfers, according to the indictment. Flanagan had been facing personal financial difficulty since around October 2021, the office said, and had thousands of dollars in outstanding credit card debt, missing mortgage payments and hundreds of dollars in bank overdraft fees. As State Representative for the First Barnstable District, Flanagan serves the towns of Dennis, Yarmouth and Brewster. Before he was elected to his first two-year term in the House in 2022, he served two consecutive three-year terms as a select board member for the Town of Dennis. Flanagans salary was $97,546 in 2023 and $100,945 in 2024, and he received an annual salary and benefits ranging from $65,800 to $81,600 from 2019 to 2024 from the HBA. Flanagan has been accused of using the stolen money on a wide variety of purchases everything from personal mortgage and credit card bills, to $10,000 specifically to his State Representative campaign account and even personal psychic services in July 2022, the office said. Flanagan also bought a portable Bluetooth speaker, spent nearly $1,000 at Best Buy for an electric dryer and air conditioner, more than $1,000 at Macys for mens formal wear and almost $100 at Target for childrens cloths and toys, the office said. Flanagan hid the stolen money from the HBA Board by logging on through another HBA employee account to the account and bookkeeping software, the office said, then entered backdated and false transaction codes like office supplies, travel, and bank charges for withdrawals. He also gave two fake expense reports to the HBA Board after he told them hed withdrawn funds to reimburse himself for HBA-related expenses hed paid for out-of-pocket, the office said. Around December 2022, an investigation was opened into a campaign mailer from Flanagans 2022 state representative campaign called Conservatives for Dennis, by the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance (OCPF). Flanagan is accused of obstructing the investigation by attributing the mailer source as a fake person named Jeanne Louise, who Flanagan said was a member of an independent conservative group that had endorsed his candidacy, the office said. Flanagan also created and sent fake emails as Jeanne Louise to OCPF, the office said. He admitted to OCPF that Jeanne Louise was fake in October 2023, prompting OCPF to expand its investigation, during which the evidence produced by Flanagan for his $10,000 campaign account deposit revealed the money had come from HBA. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Dustin Chao, Chief of the Public Corruption & Special Prosecutions Unit, and Lauren Maynard of the Major Crimes Unit are prosecuting Flanagans case. We may be well into April, but snow keeps returning to Massachusetts. The National Weather Service predicts that most communities across the state will get a coating to 2 inches of wet snow Thursday night. The low pressure system is expected to begin as rain in Berkshire County around 10 p.m., according to the weather service. The system is predicted to continue across the state overnight, and most communities can expect to begin seeing snow between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m. Friday morning. Berkshire County, the Worcester hills and western Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties are predicted to receive 1 to 2 inches of snow, according to the weather service. The northern Berkshires could get up to 3 inches. Most of the rest of Massachusetts is predicted to receive less than an inch of snow, according to the weather service. Those living closest to the coast, in Bristol and Plymouth counties or on the Cape or Islands can expect to see only rain. A map of how much snow the National Weather Service predicts different parts of Massachusetts will receive Thursday night. National Weather Service The snow is expected to stop in most parts of Massachusetts by 8 a.m. Friday, according to the weather service. Overnight lows are predicted to dip into the mid 30s before bouncing back into the mid 40s during the day on Friday. Most Massachusetts communities can expect to see more snow overnight Friday, but less than an inch of accumulation is predicted for most parts of the state, according to the weather service. A rainy Saturday with highs in the low 40s is expected to follow. 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. Mayor Eric Adams said the flight began at a downtown heliport around 3 p.m. and the dead including three children had been recovered and removed from the water. The flight north along the Manhattan skyline and then back south toward the Statue of Liberty lasted less than 18 minutes. Video of the crash showed parts of the aircraft tumbling through the air into the water near the shoreline of Jersey City, New Jersey. A witness there, Bruce Wall, said he saw it falling apart in midair, with the tail and propeller coming off. The propeller 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. 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 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, 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. 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. Gloucester police arrested a 46-year-old man on Wednesday on charges related to sending minors sexually inappropriate messages. Gloucester resident Jason Rutkauskas is facing a charge of disseminating obscene material to minors and enticement of a child under the age of 16, Gloucester police said in a press release. In mid-March, the Rockport Police Department was notified that Rutkauskas was sending messages to minors via social media that were potentially inappropriate, police said. Their investigation into the matter uncovered that he had sent sexually inappropriate messages to multiple minors. Rutkauskas pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment in Gloucester District Court on Thursday, according to court records. He posted $5,000 bail that day and was released under certain conditions. The judge ordered that Rutkauskas have no contact with witnesses or victims, stay away from children that arent his own and have no contact with minors via the internet, according to court records. He is due back in court on May 5. Matthew Nilo stands during an appearance at Suffolk Superior Court, Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Boston. Nilo, a New Jersey lawyer already charged in connection with a series of sexual assaults in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood about 15 years ago, pleaded not guilty on Thursday to new charges stemming from a different series of sexual assaults in another area of the city that occurred at roughly the same time. (Lane Turner/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool) AP Prosecutors say they are still making their way through more than 45,000 communications between Boston Police investigators about the investigation into Matthew Nilo, a New Jersey lawyer accused of assaulting eight women in Boston more than a decade ago. In a brief court filing asking to continue a hearing in Nilos case, Assistant District Attorney Lynn Feigenbaum said the 45,000 communications received by prosecutors since Nilos last court date total 500,000 pages. So far, they have turned over 1,200 documents to attorneys for Nilo, totaling 9,000 pages. State Rep. Christopher Flanagan, 37, of Dennis, (in white shirt), D-1st Barnstable, leaves federal court in Boston after being indicted on five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records. on April 11. Staff Photo by Chris Van Buskirk/Boston Herald via Getty Images Making his initial appearance in federal court after being indicted on fraud charges Friday, state Rep. Christopher Flanagan, D-1st Barnstable, issued not-guilty pleas to all six counts he is facing during a brief, largely procedural hearing. Flanagan, 37, of Dennis, is charged with five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records. He was led into the Boston courtroom Friday afternoon in handcuffs, wearing a white checkered shirt. During the hearing, he nodded along as Magistrate Judge Donald L. Cabell explained his rights to him. He spoke only twice to enter the not guilty pleas and to tell Cabell he did not have any questions. Federal prosecutors from the U.S. Attorneys office sought a $25,000 bond for Flanagan. Greg Henning, a lawyer for Flanagan, said there was no need to set a bond given Flanagans ties to the area he has a wife and three children. Flanagan has no prior criminal record, he noted. Cabell denied the request for bond, releasing Flanagan on several conditions, including that he report to probation regularly and not move without permission. He is also required to stay employed or find a job. Following the hearing, Henning said Flanagan recently underwent heart surgery. Hes returning to go see his family, his wife and his three children. Hes been dealing with some significant health issues ... so hes looking forward to getting back with his family and getting some rest and recuperation, Henning told reporters. Henning did not answer when asked if Flanagan would resign. Gov. Maura Healey called on Flanagan to resign in a brief statement, saying the charges threaten to undermine the important work of the legislature and cast doubt on his ability to faithfully serve his constituents. House Speaker Ronald Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, said the House first learned of Flanagans arrest through media reports Friday morning. He did not ask for Flanagans resignation but said the charges are extraordinarily concerning and undermine public trust in the legislature. Flanagan is accused of abusing his position as the executive officer of the Home Builders Association on Cape Cod, essentially using its bank accounts as his piggy bank. Flanagan secretly withdrew $36,000 from the associations bank accounts, then attempted to cover his tracks by creating and falsifying expense reports, according to an indictment unsealed Friday morning. Flanagan used those funds for, among other things, psychic services, menswear from Macys, an air conditoner and an electric dryer, according to the indictment. Federal prosecutors say Flanagan used $10,000 he stole as a boon for his campaign for the not-guiltyegislature, sending out mailers and creating t-shirts. Three people were rescued after an 86-foot fishing vessel ran aground near Green Island in Boston Harbor, the United States Coast Guard Northeast said. At around 7:45 a.m., the Coast Guard received a distress call about a vessel taking on water on Friday, according to a statement from the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard worked with Boston Pilots and local partners to pick up the three people aboard the ship, the Eileen Rita, according to a post on X. All three people were in immersion suits, the Coast Guards statement read. In a boat from Chelsea, the Boston Pilots were first to arrive, the statement read. Boston Police were able to get the three people off the Eileen Rita and brought them to Pier 10. None of the three people were hurt. The Coast Guards Incident Management Division will conduct a pollution response to the area, the Coast Guard said. About 4,000 gallons of diesel and 50 gallons of lube oil were carried by the vessel, and a sheen was spotted in the water. MassLive has reached out to the Coast Guard for more information. Lawrence O'Donnell participates in the "Stranger Than Fiction: A Conversation With Cast Members of The West Wing" panel at Politicon at the Los Angeles Convention Center on Saturday, Oct. 20, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP) Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP MSNBC host Lawrence ODonnell may have a talent for predicting the future actions of President Donald Trump. On Tuesday, the host of The Last Word predicted Trump would back down from his administrations broad implementation of tariffs on more than 100 countries. That prediction came true on Wednesday when the president announced a 90-day pause on most tariffs. ODonnell, who was born in Boston, also made another prediction on Tuesday: Trump will fire trade advisor Peter Navarro over the unpopularity of the tariffs. And Donald Trump is going to fire Peter Navarro because Wall Street will demand it. The problem now for Donald Trump is when does he back down from these tariffs? And how will (Wall Street) know that Donald Trump will not suddenly impose those tariffs again? ODonnell said during his show. Donald Trump will need proof for Wall Street and for American industry and for Republican members of Congress that he is not going to ruin their lives again with tariffs. Recently, Navarro has been involved in a war of words with Tesla CEO and billionaire ally of Trump, Elon Musk. When questioned about how the tariffs will affect Musks electric vehicle company during a CNBC interview on Monday, Navarro said Tesla is not a car manufacturer but a car assembler. Navarro added that the Trump administration and Musk have different ways of thinking. We want the tires made in Akron. We want the transmissions made in Indianapolis. We want the engines made in Flint and Saginaw. And we want the cars manufactured here, said Navaro. On Tuesday morning, Musk responded by calling Navarro a moron and dumber than a sack of bricks on his social media website X. Navarro is truly a moron. What he says here is demonstrably false, Musk wrote on X. A community note was included below Navaros stating Tesla has the most vehicles manufactured by Americans, according to a 2024 Cars.com report. On Tuesday a reporter asked White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to respond to Musk insulting Navarro. These are obviously two individuals who have very different views on trade and on tariffs, she said Tuesday during a White House press briefing. Boys will be boys, and we will let their public sparring continue. Trump announced a sweeping set of tariffs on more than 100 countries on April 2. Several countries were hit with a baseline tariff of 10%, while others were hit with higher tariffs, such as Israel being hit with a 17% tariff. Trump then announced a 104% tariff on all goods imported from China. In retaliation, China imposed an 84% tariff of its own. The European Union has also recently approved retaliatory tariffs. Then on Wednesday, Trump backed down on his tariffs on most nations for 90 days while also raising his tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%, according to the Associated Press. SPRINGFIELD Four fair housing organizations recently stripped of federal grants, which were later reinstated by judges order, are not backing down from their fight to maintain the funding, according to court filings. This comes just weeks after a federal judge reinstated Fair Housing Initiatives Program grants at 66 fair housing organizations across the country, including the Massachusetts Fair Housing Center in Holyoke. The grants, which were slashed on Feb. 27, provide key financial support to organizations that assist people who believe they have experienced housing discrimination. Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Government Efficiency filed a motion requesting the dissolution of a temporary restraining order that halted the governments stoppage of the funding pipeline. A selection of eggs from a backyard flock appear in Decatur, Georgia, on Nov. 20, 2018. More people are considering backyard chickens as the price of commercial eggs soars. (AP Photo/Michael Warren). AP The Worcester Planning Board sent a clear message to the city council this week residents want to raise chickens. The planning board voted unanimously on April 9 to send a letter that urged the council to tell the city administration to move forward on a petition allowing the raising of egg-laying chickens. During the meeting, all four members spoke in support of the proposal. I think this board is clearly pro-chicken, said board member Conor McCormack during the meeting. The city council needs to move on this. The petition was presented before the city council on Feb. 25 by resident Joseph Mangiameli. In his petition, Mangiameli wrote that the price of eggs is one of the reasons residents should be able to raise laying egg-laying chickens in Worcester. The average price of one dozen large, grade-A eggs in the United States in March was $6.23, according to data from the Consumer Price Indexs most recent data. In March 2024, the average price of a dozen eggs was $2.99 per the data. The spread of bird flu is one of the major factors as to why egg prices are so high right now, according to the Associated Press. Egg prices skyrocketed in January and February after more than 30 million egg-laying chickens were killed to prevent the spread of the disease, the Associated Press reported. In addition, eggs could be shared with other family and neighbors, which would be a benefit to them as well, Mangiameli wrote in the petition. To allow residents to raise chickens, a zoning ordinance amendment is required. Zoning ordinances are municipal laws that regulate how land can be used. The council referred the petition to the planning board during their Feb. 25 meeting. Residents say they are pro-chicken Several members of the public came out in support of the petition during the April 9 planning board meeting. I am pro-chicken, as pro-chicken as you can be, said John Keough of Worcester. Seventy-one towns and cities in Massachusetts have approved chickens. Some of these cities and towns include Boston, Cambridge and Springfield, according to Keough. Angelina Frangiosa, another Worcester resident, said there is strong support for raising chickens among city residents. She said that some residents are already raising chickens in the city and that she sees the animals when she walks her dogs. We have chickens in the city limits already, Frangiosa said. I see that there are families already that own chickens. Resident Nathalie Gibson, who attended the meeting online, said she was both for and against the idea of raising chickens in Worcester. She said she was against the idea due to concerns about the potential of odors as well as mice or rats. Gibson, however, expressed support for the petition on the condition that there be a designated space where residents can raise the chickens. The designated space would allow the chickens to roam freely, Gibson said. In terms of support from the council, City Council Vice Chairman and Councilor-at-Large Khrystian King District 1 Councilor Jennifer Pacillo and District 5 Councilor Etel Haxhiaj all expressed support for the petition during the Feb. 25 meeting. Councilor-at-Large Morris Bergman and District 3 Councilor George Russell, however, expressed concerns about predators and noisiness that could come from the chickens. In his petition, Mangiameli wrote that he had raised chickens before and said they are not a nuisance when properly cared for. He also wrote that there should be a rule against having roosters in order to cut down on potential noise. A game of chicken petitions This isnt the first time the planning board has recommended the city council to allow chickens to be raised in Worcester. In 2020 and 2022, the board wrote to the council to address the matter but they did not, according to Planning Board Chair Albert LaValley. We dont understand why the city has been unable to move this forward. We urge them in the strongest possible way to direct the administration to do that, LaValley said during the April 9 meeting. Victor Panak, Division of Planning & Regulatory Services planner, told the board during the meeting that the petition was not properly before the board because it did not have specific language detailing the proposed ordinance changes. Additionally, allowing the keeping of chickens would require regulations that involve input from other departments, most notably the health department, Panak said. Still, the board agreed that the city council should ask the city to move forward on the petition, citing the support it has among the residents. Its clear theres precedent for this and model ordinances that exist everywhere, said LaValley. 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Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann bestowed a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award upon Achill man John Twin McNamara in recognition of his outstanding contribution to Irish traditional music, culture and community life. The Gradam na hEigse award was presented by Coiste Scoil Acla in a special ceremony this week at Johns home. A native of Dooagh on Achill Island, John 'Twin' McNamara has been one of the main driving forces behind the promotion and revival of traditional Irish music on the island. The honour comes as 2025 marks the 40th anniversary of the revival of Scoil Acla, the celebrated summer school of Irish traditional arts, which John, alongside his wife Mary, Tommy 'The Boley' McNamara, Father John Cosgrave and many dedicated locals, brought back to life in 1985. Since its revival, Scoil Acla has flourished, becoming a beacon of cultural preservation and artistic expression in Achill and beyond. READ: Mayo Day 'Grand Finale' concert is a sell-out Sarah Calvey, Cathaoirleach of Scoil Acla CCE, praised Johns lifelong dedication, stating: John Twin McNamara has been the heartbeat of Scoil Acla for four decades. His unwavering commitment to the promotion of our language, music and heritage has left an indelible mark not just on Achill, but on the wider traditional arts community. This award is a fitting tribute to a man whose legacy will inspire generations to come. Under Johns stewardship and vision, Scoil Acla has grown from modest beginnings into a nationally and internationally recognised celebration of Irish tradition, attracting artists, musicians and learners from across the globe each summer. The Gradam na hEigse award is one of the highest honours within the Comhaltas organisation and stands as a testament to Johns enduring impact, not only as a custodian of tradition, but as a cultural leader whose work has ensured the vitality and relevance of traditional music, song and heritage for years to come, Ms Calvey concluded. 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. READ NEXT: Who is Amanda Knox? American convicted then cleared of murder amid RTE Late Late appearance 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. READ NEXT: Late Late Show guests revealed as controversial guest confirmed by Ray Schultz , April 10, 2025 The Independent, claiming to be the fastest-growing British news brand in North America, generated 33.7 million unique visitors in February -- reflecting 28% growth in its audience size YoY and 1% growth MoM, according to Comscore data. The Independents momentum in the US reflects our investment in digital storytelling, video journalism, and audience-first content, says Zach Leonard, chief operating officer and president, North America. With rising engagement and expanding verticals, we are cementing ourselves as a leading news source for American readers. Earlier this month, The Independent announced two launches during Advertising Week Europe: Independent Studio and Bulletin. Independent Studio will focus on presenting content in original video formats, podcasts, newsletters and other media. Bulletin is an AI-enabled news service developed by The Independents journalists and teams across the business working with Googles Gemini AI Team to enable trusted news summaries. by Steve McClellan @mp_mcclellan, April 11, 2025 Last month ad agency BarkleyOKRP launched a new media agency called MissionOne Media, led by President Sean Coccoran, who joined the agency last year from IPGs media agency Mediahub. Now MissionOne has made its first acquisition, an AI-driven SEO specialist called Growth Skills. As part of the deal Growth Skills CEO Lavall Chichester joins MissionOne as executive vice president of SEO and AI Optimization, reporting to Corcoran. He founded the agency in 2017. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. advertisement advertisement Brands need to be ready for the AI-powered future of search, said Corcoran. Growth Skills brings an innovative approach that moves beyond traditional SEO to help brands secure their place in AI-driven search. Growth Skills leverages AI-powered tools and platforms to build interactive content to drive leads, donations and sales for clients like The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS), Sunward Bank, Oar Health and others. Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said Europe could tax digital ad revenue of Google and Meta Platforms in retaliation for tariffs imposed by the U.S. on Europe. Von der Leyen told the Financial Times the EU is prepared to deploy trade measures and may impose levies on U.S. digital companies if negotiations with Donald Trump fail to end his tariff war against Europe. We are developing retaliatory measures, von der Leyen told FT, acknowledging there are a wide range of countermeasures in case the negotiations are not satisfactory. She wants to seek a completely balanced agreement during Trumps 90-day tariff pause, but Von der Leyen warned she was ready to dramatically expand the transatlantic trade war to services if those talks failed. That could potentially mean a tax on digital advertising revenue that would hit tech companies such as Google and Meta. advertisement advertisement Some companies have been preparing for that tax, or at least talking about it within their respective companies to determine the next moves. Mick Rigby, CEO of Yodel Mobile, which NP Digital recently acquired, is based in the U.K. Rigby brought up the tariffs while speaking with MediaPost when the company announced the acquisition. It will create higher costs for us to use Meta and other channels, so expenditures will probably dip in certain sectors -- the more traditional -- which could bring down demand, Rigby said. We saw some of this during COVID, but it should balance itself out. Regulations and restrictions would be implemented. Von der Leyen is looking for negotiated solutions that work for all. Companies that offer services make a good business in this [EU] market. And the vast majority of the services, 80[%] of the services are coming from the U.S. she said. by Wayne Friedman , April 11, 2025 Top-scoring brand and advertising recall for the 2025 NCAA Mens March Madness Tournament winners include Freshpet, Geico, Dicks Sporting Goods, TurboTax, and Buffalo Wild Wings, according to MarketCast. These brands scored anywhere from 34% above the norm (Freshpet) to 20% above norm (Buffalo Wild Wings). The data comes from MarketCast Brand Effect, a daily survey of 20,000 viewers. Factoring in overall national TV ad spend, Freshpet and TurboTax grabbed the highest recall-to-spend efficiency in terms of this groups brand recall. Freshpet spent $2.4 million for the entire three-week event, according to EDO Ad EnGage; TurboTax was at $6.5 million. The biggest spend in this group was from Geico, at $22.5 million, was followed by Dicks Sporting Goods ($12.7 million) and Buffalo Wild Wings ($11.6 million). advertisement advertisement For the entire three-week event, total estimated national TV advertising revenues amounted to $649.2 million -- for CBS, TBS, TNT, and truTV -- from 2,494 total advertising airings, according to EDO Ad EnGage. A year earlier, with more airings (2,551), EDO estimates national TV ad revenues came in at $791.3 million. The key end-of-tournament three games -- the Final Four (two semifinals and finals) -- witnessed a 21% gain in average viewers to 16.4 million over the year before. The finals -- featuring University of Floridas closely fought victory over University of Houston (76-74) -- were way up to a strong 22% to 18.1 million viewers versus the previous year. The entire tournament had an improvement of 3% to 10.2 million viewers. BRUSSELS Britain on Friday announced a surge of military support to Ukraine, as the war-ravaged countrys Western backers gathered to drum up more weapons and ammunition to fight off Russia's invasion and a U.S. envoy flew to Moscow amid ongoing ceasefire efforts. Britain said that in a joint effort with Norway just over $580 million would be spent to provide hundreds of thousands of military drones, radar systems and anti-tank mines, as well as repair and maintenance contracts to keep Ukrainian armored vehicles on the battlefield. On the eve of the meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said a key issue was strengthening his countrys air defenses. Ukraine needs a sufficient number of modern systems like Patriot missile systems, he said in a post on social media. A political decision is needed to supply these systems to protect our cities, towns, and the lives of our people especially from the threat of Russian ballistic weapons. Our partners have such available systems, Umerov said. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his appeals for more Patriot systems since 20 people were killed a week ago, including nine children, when a Russian missile tore through apartment buildings and blasted a playground in his home town. Ukraine needs at the very least 10 systems that are sufficiently effective specifically against Russian ballistic missiles, and this is where Patriots are second to none, he said on his Telegram channel ahead of the meeting. "We are counting on decisions. Zelenskyy joined Friday's meeting by video link. Russia holds off agreeing to ceasefire Russian forces hold the advantage in Ukraine, with the war now in its fourth year. Ukraine has endorsed a U.S. ceasefire proposal, but Russia has effectively blocked it by imposing far-reaching conditions. The Russian delay in accepting Washington's proposal has frustrated U.S. President Donald Trump and fueled doubts about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin really wants to stop the fighting while his bigger army has momentum on the battlefield. Russia continues to use bilateral talks with the United States to delay negotiations about the war in Ukraine, suggesting that the Kremlin remains uninterested in serious peace negotiations to end the war, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said in an assessment late Thursday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff was back in Moscow on Friday but he didnt confirm whether he will meet with Putin. Witkoff has been pressing the Kremlin to accept a truce. Washington remains committed to securing a peace deal, even though four weeks have passed since it made its ceasefire proposals, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. It is a dynamic that will not be solved militarily. It is a meat grinder, Bruce said Thursday about the war, adding that nothing else can be discussed until the shooting and the killing stops. Observers expect a new Russian offensive Ukrainian officials and military analysts believe Russia is preparing to launch a fresh military offensive in coming weeks to ramp up pressure and strengthen the Kremlins hand in the negotiations. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that his country would provide Ukraine with four IRIS-T short- to medium-range systems with missiles, as well as 30 missiles for use on Patriot batteries. The Netherlands plans to supply a Hawkeye air defense system, an airborne early warning aircraft. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said that his country is monitoring the world armaments market and sees opportunities for Ukraines backers to buy more weapons and ammunition. Pevkur said he believes Putin might try to reach some kind of settlement with Ukraine by May 9 the day that Russia marks victory during World War II making it even more vital to strengthen Kyivs position now. This is why we need to speed up the deliveries as quickly as we can, he said. Fridays meeting is the 27th gathering of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Its being chaired by Britain and Germany. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will be absent from a forum that the United States created and led for several years, although he was due to take part via video. Hegseth spent the first part of this week in Panama and returned to Washington on Wednesday night. At the last contact group meeting in February, Hegseth warned Ukraines European backers that the U.S. now has priorities elsewhere in Asia and on Americas own borders and that they would have to take care of their own security, and that of Ukraine, in future. Asked about the U.S. stepping back from its leadership role on Ukraine, Pistorius declined to comment, saying only that its a decision of the new administration in Washington. We are here to take over the lead, he told reporters, and we are willing and determined to do that with full responsibility and together with our allies. ___ AP reporter Lolita Baldor in Washington contributed to this story. The firing of two top officials at the National Security Agency and U.S. Cyber Command last week has rattled the cyber community, lawmakers from both parties and experts, prompting concerns that President Donald Trump's administration's tack on cyber threats against the U.S. is dangerously rudderless. The administration inexplicably fired Air Force Gen. Timothy Haugh, head of both the NSA and CyberCom, and the NSA deputy director, Wendy Noble, on April 3 -- both well-respected within the agencies and on Capitol Hill, current and former officials said -- amid news reports that a far-right conspiracy theorist bent the ear of the president to ensure their ouster on grounds of perceived disloyalty. Since then, the administration has not offered concrete justifications for their removals outside of a brief statement from the Pentagon's top spokesperson, Sean Parnell. Following the firings, he thanked Haugh for "his decades of service to our nation" but did not offer details on the ouster. Read Next: Commander of Greenland Base Who Broke with Vance Fired Shortly After Military.com Report The abrupt and opaque firings of two top officials charged with collecting intelligence on and countering the onslaught of cyber threats against the U.S. in recent years was shocking to those in the community, according to experts and current and former officials. It reinforced uncertainty about the administration's view of cybersecurity even as adversaries like China tacitly acknowledged Beijing was behind one of the most concerning known series of cyber attacks on American infrastructure in history last year, The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday. "At best, it is incompetence and lack of consideration on the impact of the cyber mission they claim is important," a service member who works in cybersecurity told Military.com on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the press. "And at worst, it is an intentional destruction of cybersecurity talent and capabilities within the government." That uncertainty was further exacerbated by impending cuts at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, and Trump's recent executive order to revoke the security clearance of the agency's former chief, Christopher Krebs, for defending the integrity of the 2020 election, which the president has falsely claimed was rigged for him to lose. It also came on the heels of the so-called Signalgate, in which top administration officials, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, shared sensitive military information via a civilian messaging app after accidentally adding a journalist for The Atlantic to the thread. That incident led to widespread concern about the handling of classified information among administration leaders and an ongoing inspector general probe. The firings last week also prompted immediate backlash from lawmakers, to include some Republicans, who generally lambasted the move as politically motivated and destructive to the country's cybersecurity efforts. "Gen. Tim Haugh is an outstanding leader and was doing a superb job at Cyber Command and National Security Agency. He was fired with no public explanation," Rep. Don Bacon, R-Neb., said on social media last week. "This action sets back our cyber and signals intelligence operations." Within the cyber community, there had been hope that -- because of the critical importance of the mission and ongoing threats from China, Russia and Iran -- agencies tasked with defending the country from those perils would be spared from sweeping cuts to the federal government under the Trump administration. But "that's just proven not to be true," the service member who works in cybersecurity said. "There's a lot of distractions right now," they added, alluding to rumors within the community that agency missions could be directed toward cartels, which the administration has designated as foreign terrorists, instead of focusing on near-peer threats from China and Russia. "That never breeds good strategic planning or long-term efforts, because everyone doesn't know what the future looks like," they said, noting that the perceived political motivations for firing Haugh, an appointee of the Biden administration, "feels very risky" to the apolitical mission of defending the country from ongoing cyber incursions from near-peer nations. Laura Loomer, a political activist and Trump media surrogate, claimed on social media that she was behind the officials' ouster, marking them as "Biden holdovers" disloyal to the current administration without citing specific examples of their unreliability. She previously had a hand in ousting top National Security Council officials, The New York Times reported. "Not only have both dutifully served this nation for decades under both Democratic and Republican administrations, but their removals were conducted in the middle of the night with no consultation with Congress and, according to reports, at the behest of a private citizen who has a record of promoting conspiracy theories," two dozen Democratic senators, including those on the Intelligence and Armed Services committees, said in a statement following the firings. "These actions severely compromise our ability to keep Americans safe," the lawmakers said. Late last year, U.S. officials announced that a hacking group widely believed to be affiliated with the Chinese government had breached U.S. infrastructure systems, sending a shockwave through the cyber community about lurking threats from Beijing. Those hacks reportedly included the collection of data from high-profile U.S. officials like former Vice President Kamala Harris, current Vice President JD Vance and Trump himself. Law enforcement and cybersecurity agencies issued alarming warnings about the attacks in the following months, noting that these Chinese-backed hacking groups known as Volt Typhoon and Salt Typhoon, were undeterred and had used "living off the land," or LOTL, techniques that allow hackers to nest themselves in legitimate software but exploit it for what officials called "illegitimate" purposes, such as attacks on infrastructure, Military.com previously reported. The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that Chinese officials secretly acknowledged that Beijing was responsible for those attacks, a rare move that the publication said would not have occurred without approval from top officials in Chinese President Xi Jinping's government, citing experts and saying that it was a sign of escalating cyber tensions between the U.S. and China. Retired Rear Adm. Mark Montgomery, a senior fellow focused on cyber threats at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told Military.com in an interview that Haugh was "the best possible four-star" to lead the NSA and Cyber Command, adding that officers with that level of expertise are hard to come by in those fields. "My gut reaction is that this was completely inappropriate," Montgomery said. "These are hard billets to fill because, in a lot of cases, many of our senior officers have not had the appropriate jobs ahead of time to kind of do this." Haugh was replaced by Army Lt. Gen. William Hartman, who is now in charge of both CyberCom and the NSA. Noble was reportedly reassigned following her removal as NSA deputy director. The leader of the agencies has assumed a dual-hat role since 2010, overseeing the cyber intelligence gathering of the NSA and the offensive and defensive operations of CyberCom. Now, there are concerns that the organizations will be split under the administration, hampering the "utility of working closely with the other one and the value in being as integrated as they are," the service member said. Hartman has recently argued to keep the agencies linked. "I've continued to see this partnership evolve, and our ability to execute increasingly more precise operations is fundamentally because the dual hat allows me, in my current capacity, to move with the speed and agility and unity of effort that is required," Hartman said Wednesday at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services subcommittee on cybersecurity. "It also forces leaders across the organization to collaborate, to do the hard work, and to provide the best options for the national security of the country." Retired Gen. Michael Hayden, who served as director of the CIA under President George W. Bush and briefly under President Barack Obama, as well as director of the National Security Administration under former President Bill Clinton, thought highly of Haugh. Hayden said he met with Haugh for upward of an hour in-person ahead of his confirmation, telling Military.com in an interview this week that "he was more prepared than I ever was." The retired general is no stranger to the political process, recalling when he was let go from his role with the CIA under Obama. But Hayden also got a phone call from the president explaining the circumstances, and he feels norms like that are changing under the second Trump administration. "The second administration is now in, and I'm really, really worried about that," Hayden told Military.com. "In fact, if people came to me today and said, 'I think I want to go to [the] CIA or NSA' I would say, 'Uh, let's talk about it, because I'm not so sure.'" Related: Marine General Issues 'Call to Action' Against China Hackers Lurking in US Computer Systems 9:33pm: Grandals deal has a May 1 opt-out clause if hes not added to the MLB roster and would come with a $1.35MM base salary if he earns a call-up, Chris Cotillo of MassLive reports. 5:15pm: The Red Sox and catcher Yasmani Grandal have agreed to a minor league deal, reports Robert Murray of FanSided. The Wasserman client will presumably need some ramp-up time after missing Spring Training but could be an option for the Sox in a few weeks. The move is likely a reflection of the thinning catching depth in Boston. Connor Wong was the clubs primary backstop to start the year but he recently suffered a broken finger on a catchers interference play, putting him on the 10-day injured list. The club previously had one of the top catching prospects in the sport but traded Kyle Teel to the White Sox as part of the Garrett Crochet deal. The Wong injury has moved Carlos Narvaez from the backup spot to the top of the depth chart. He has just 14 games of major league experience. Blake Sabol has been recalled to serve in the backup role, though hes more of a utility guy who can catch in a pinch, with fairly suspect defensive abilities. They have one experienced non-roster option, as Seby Zavala is with Triple-A Worcester on a minor league deal, but he has a career line of .205/.271/.342 and is out to a .136/.136/.182 start with the WooSox. Given those circumstances, adding a veteran is a fairly straightforward move, especially one with Grandals track record. He debuted back in 2012 and emerged as one of the best catchers in the league about a decade ago. He is a few years removed from his prime now but had a solid season with the Pirates last year. He got into 72 games for the Bucs and stepped to the plate 243 times. His 9.9% walk rate and 18.9% strikeout rate were both better than league average and he also launched nine home runs. His .228/.304/.400 line led to a 95 wRC+. That indicates he was 5% worse than league average independent of position, but catchers are usually about 10% worse than par. Hes always been considered a strong defender and still got good marks last year, especially in terms of framing. Grandal finished eighth on both the FanGraphs and Statcast framing leaderboards last year despite playing way less than most of the guys ahead of him. Thanks to his decent offense and strong glovework, FanGraphs considered him to be worth 2.0 wins above replacement on the year, even though he only played about half of it. Despite that strong showing, he didnt find much interest in free agency. He reportedly turned down an offer from Atlanta at one point and remained on the market until agreeing to this deal. Hes naturally a few weeks behind everyone else and will need to get in game shape. The Sox could send him to extended Spring Training or just throw him to one of their minor league affiliates to get playing time that way. If hes in game shape before Wong, he might be the clubs best option to take the lions share of playing time behind the plate. Even if Wong gets back while Grandal is still gearing up, Narvaez has options and could be sent down if the club wants to go with a Wong/Grandal pairing. Theres no real harm on a minor league deal, especially in a clearly weak area for the club. Grandal is a bit more than just a warm body since he has years of experience and just had a decent enough performance last year. Photo courtesy of Jeff Curry, Imagn Images Clear Lake State Park, known for its pristine lakefront, will delay its camping season by two to four weeks due to damage from the ice storm that ripped through Northern Michigan. The 290-acre park is set within the Mackinaw State Forest. (Photo Credit Tyler Leiprandt and Michigan Sky Media LLC. | DNR) Tyler Leipprandt and Michigan Sky Media LLC MONTMORENCY, MI -- As the 2025 camping season approaches, at least one state park campground opening will be delayed several weeks. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources expects the majority of state park campgrounds in Northern Michigan will be clear of debris from the severe ice storm in time for April and May openings. In Montmorency County, the extent of cleanup needed at Clear Lake State Park is still under review, said Scott A. Pratt, Chief of Southern Field Operations for the DNRs Parks and Recreation Division. Montmorency is among the 12 counties still under a State of Emergency issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. All state-run trails in these counties are closed indefinitely. Clear Lake State Park was set to open this month, after postponing $4.65 million in renovations. The project list include upgrades to the modern campgrounds water distribution, toilet and shower building and sanitation station. The campground was set to close on Aug. 4 for upgrades, which are part of the American Rescue Plan Act-funded renovations. Crews will mobilize in Clear Lake State Park next week, Pratt said. The opening is expected to be pushed back at least two to four weeks. If we find the damage is more than we can reasonably handle, we may need to delay reopening and move directly into the ARPA closure, Pratt said. Pratt said the ARPA projects remain on track. RELATED: 26 Michigan state park campgrounds with construction closures and delays in 2025 Gov. Whitmer and the state legislature allocated $273 million in federal funding to state parks in 2022. The DNR composed a list of 202 backlogged projects across the state. Those projects are on a tight deadline. The federal funding requires all funds to be allocated by 2026. RELATED: Majority of state park campgrounds will reopen on time as DNR triages Northern Michigan storm cleanup Clear Lake State Park is known for its pristine lakefront, which is the backdrop for two-thirds of the parks campground, overnight lodging facilities, trails and beach area. Clear Lake is one of the few state parks that allow the operation of an ORV between the campground and nearby ORV trails. The park is also home to 12 miles of hiking and biking trails. The 290-acre park is set within the Mackinaw State Forest and home to elk herds. Given their wild nature, state forest campgrounds are also experiencing delays as crews clear remote roadways. At least five state forest campgrounds will have a phased reopening over the next several weeks. RELATED: Northern Michigan ice storm delays openings for 5 state forest campgrounds, boat launches RELATED: Tree tops snapped from ice storm leave behind stick-like forest north of Gaylord RELATED: Michigans most-visited Old Growth Forest fared pretty well in treacherous ice storm Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel speaks with members of the press in the Michigan Capitol House Appropriations room at the Michigan Capitol Building in Lansing on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com LANSING, MI Michigan is joining more than a dozen states in filing a lawsuit against federal education authorities over the rollback of extensions for local schools to spend millions in pandemic-era funds, Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday. A coalition of 15 attorneys general initiated litigation, alleging the U.S. Department of Education and Secretary Linda McMahon illegally rescinded a previously extended reimbursement deadline for local K-12 schools and districts under the Education Stabilization Fund. UAW President Shawn Fain takes questions from media as members begin their strike of Detroit's Big Three automakers outside Ford Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne on Thursday, Sept. 14 2023. Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com Jacob Hamilton | MLive.com DETROIT, MI United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain took to social media to outline the unions stance on tariffs and the role of unions in protecting worker rights. The UAW president defined the unions position on tariffs, trade policies and the political moment that autoworkers find themself in just months into President Donald Trumps second term in a livestream on social media on April 10. The United States is going through two major transformations, both in our economic system and political systems, Fain said. Both come with implications for workers everywhere, Fain said. Fain argued free trade has been a disaster for American workers, which had led to job losses, depressed wages and the decline in quality of life for many. Corporations have benefited from exploiting cheaper labor markets abroad while the American workers have suffered the consequences, Fain said. In our view, tariffs are a tool in the toolbox, Fain said. Tariffs must be well-designed and paired with other policies and changes to be effective, he said. Fain believes strategic tariffs can help restore tens of thousands of jobs at General Motors, Ford and Stellantis within current operating capacities. Lastly, Fain emphasized that the Big Three automakers can afford to make these changes, and union workers should not accept any other answer. The United States currently has excess auto capacity and could bring back tens of thousands of jobs immediately, Fain said. General Motors, Ford and Stellantis could add 50,000 jobs alone just by reaching 100 percent capacity at existing active plants, Fain said. While the UAW does support some use of tariffs on auto manufacturing and similar industries, it does not support the use of tariffs for political games about immigration and fentanyl or chaotic tariffs on all countries. The difference is the auto tariffs are designed for a specific purpose, Fain said. The UAW president criticized the Trump administration for its attacks on labor rights and civil liberties but also acknowledged that it is the first administration to attempt to address the negative impacts of free trade. We are not Democrats, we are not Republicans, we are trade unions, Fain said. ... We have to end this free trade disaster, and we dont care if its a Democrat or a Republican who ends it. Fain emphasized the need for a renegotiated trade deal, specifically the United States, Mexico, Canada agreement, to prioritize American jobs and ensure fair wages for workers in each country. It wasnt corporate America that built the American dream. It was a labor movement. And its a labor movement that will save the American dream, Fain said. See Fains full statement at this link. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer looks on as President Donald Trump signs an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House. (Saul Loeb | AFP - Getty Images) Saul Loeb | AFP - Getty Images Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has formally asked President Donald Trump to issue a Presidential Emergency Declaration (EM) for the State of Michigan following the recent devastating ice storms in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. If approved, the declaration would authorize up to $5 million in immediate public assistance to support emergency efforts, including debris management needs, according to a press release issued by Whitmers office. Following historic ice storms in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula, we are bringing an all-hands-on-deck approach to help get the power back on, clear roads, and keep people safe, Whitmer said. I declared a state of emergency, deployed the National Guard, and took key steps to expedite recovery. But our work is just beginning. I met with President Trump and submitted a request for a federal emergency declaration that will support local communities and counties with more resources as they recover from this devastating storm. Well continue coordinating closely with first-responders, local communities, and Michiganders on the ground. Michiganders are strong, and well get through this together. 87 1 / 87 Ice storm damage in Northern Michigan The declaration would also cover 12 counties in Northern Michigan, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. The storms caused significant damage to the region, knocking out power and communications. Hundreds of miles of roadways have also been blocked by debris and fallen trees. Hundreds of electric power poles have had to be replaced. Thousands of people still remain without power two weeks after the storm. Related story: Lawmaker pleads with Trump to visit Northern Michigan following devastating ice storm Approval of this request would bring critical federal resources to support local response operations that are still ongoing, said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police. This is a necessary step while we work toward the broader disaster declaration that will bring additional relief. Whitmers office says the declaration would not provide FEMA Individual Assistance (IA) for residents or Public Assistance (PA) for local and tribal governments. However, it would not impact or delay the ongoing process to pursue a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. That sort of declaration is required to access those longer-term recovery programs. Whitmer has previously declared a state of emergency for the region that directs various state resources to assist with the cleanup and restoration efforts. The Michigan National Guard was also deployed to the region to offer assistance. The full letter sent by Gov. Whitmer to President Trump can be found here. DETROIT A woman is facing charges in an alleged extreme attack against her dog, which was recorded and posted to social media, authorities announced. Jordan Love, 29, of Detroit, is accused of stabbing a pit bull multiple times in the torso, recording a video of the injured animal and posting it to Facebook in February, according to a news release from the Wayne County Prosecutors Office. She then allegedly fled the state, abandoning three dogs and four cats. We never really anticipated the alleged brutally and cruelty that this case represents, said Prosecutor Kym Worthy, who has fought for stronger animal abuse laws. This case is a clear representation of why better laws were needed. The injured pit bull underwent surgery and was placed with a foster family to recover. We see abuse all the time, but this is extreme, Dianne Reeves, an animal rescuer, told WXYZ after the attack. Its really bad. RELATED: Dog stabbed in extreme attack streamed on Facebook Live Around 2 p.m. on Feb. 7, Detroit Animal Control officers were dispatched to a residence in the 15200 block of Manning Street for reports of a dog stabbing. They forced entry and found the injured dog in the basement, suffering from multiple stab wounds to its torso. Officers seized three dogs and four cats from the defendants home. It is alleged that Love stabbed the dog multiple times and posted a video of the injured dog around 1:30 a.m. on Feb. 7 before fleeing. Love was found by the authorities on March 20 in Greenville, S.C. She was arrested and extradited back to Michigan, arriving on Wednesday, April 9. She is charged with second-degree killing/torturing animals, a felony punishable by up to 7 years in prison; and abandoning/cruelty to four to 10 animals, which carries a maximum penalty of two years incarceration. Love was arraigned Thursday morning in 36th District Court before Magistrate William Burton. Her bond was set at $50,000 cash/surety with a GPS tether. A bond re-determination hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday before Judge William McConico. Shell be due back in court on Monday, April 21. ANN ARBOR, MI - Hundreds of alumni from the University of Michigan Law School expressed their frustrations about the universitys cuts to its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in a recent letter. The Wednesday, April 9, letter was addressed to Law School interim dean Kyle Logue was sent on behalf of more than 250 alumni. Organizers behind the group, Concerned University of Michigan Law School Alumni, confirmed the letter now has over 330 signatures and counting. All of us are stunned that the decision to terminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Michigan may now put us at odds with the very institution that empowered us to fight injustice and taught us respect for the rule of law, the letter read. UM announced on March 27 it was immediately closing its Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Office for Health Equity and Inclusion and discontinuing its DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan. These changes come as universities face funding threats around DEI under President Donald Trumps administration. The university has shared it plans to shift resources to increase investments in student-facing programs, like financial aid, mental health resources and pre-professional counseling. Read more: What we know so far about the University of Michigan axing DEI initiatives The alumni groups letter shared not only its shock and disappointment regarding UMs recent decision, but also to the law schools tepid response to the decision. Many of us went to law school in order to learn how to best advocate for the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion, and to see those principles now be discarded so easily is stunning, to say the least, said Sami Miyahara Hall, one of the alumni behind the organization. Related: University of Michigans chief diversity officer is leaving for new job following DEI cuts UM officials did not immediately respond for requests for comment on the recent letter. Logue wrote in a letter following the announcement there will be no operational effect at the Law School, because of how it has implemented DEI over the years. He said the values of DEI have long been central to everything the law school does. It will continue to remain steadfast in its commitment to these values. Those principles are woven into our teaching, scholarship, and daily interactions, reflecting the foundational belief that our strengthand the best possible legal educationcomes from embracing diverse backgrounds, promoting fairness, and fostering a welcoming environment for every individual who walks through our doors," the statement read. The alumni group strongly disagrees these cuts will not impact the law school. The decision signals to the world that Michigan no longer welcomes the Leaders & Best, according to the letter. The group goes on to argue there are few institutions as well-resourced as Michigan yet many with far less are fighting much harder to preserve democratic ideals and protect the public. As one of the top public universities in the country, Michigan owes it to its students, faculty, and community to resist all attacks that are not justified by law or fact, the letter read. GeDa Jones Herbert is another organizer who said it has been devastating and heartbreaking to see law firms and universities across the country capitulate to intimidation and attacks. The group acknowledges that higher education institutions are facing immense pressure, but Herbert said that is more of a reason to fight back. You cannot claim to be the leader and best and then back down from the first challenge, she said. You have to stand on your principles every time the attacks come. Herbert said she wanted the letter to connect with students, especially because she remembers being the only black woman in a room of 70 students and how challenging law school was as she was trying to figure out her future. All of those emotions without protection from UM was a thought she couldnt handle. We really did want those students to know that we are here for you, and even if the University is not standing up and speaking out and protecting you, we as alumni will do everything we can, she said. Christopher Burtley is another organizer who is hopeful this letter will prompt some answers from UM. He said hes confused by UMs decision to end its DEI initiatives when Michigan voters banned affirmative action in 2006, prohibiting public universities and colleges from considering race, gender, color, ethnicity or national origin in admissions and financial aid processes. Burtley said Michigan has a heightened standard compared to other universities because its programs need to be compliant with this decision. The complete closure of these programs is puzzling, he said. We want to create space to really understand, he said. Hopefully this bridges the gap for that conversation. The groups hope is that UM will reinstate its DEI initiatives immediately and take ownership that it has a long way to go, Hall said, adding the group also hopes to reengage the law school and its expertise for defending the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. The silence from our alma mater is deafening. To continue recruiting the Leaders & Best, the Law School must first step up and be one, the letter read. If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. The westbound Michigan Avenue, or U.S. 12, ramp to westbound U.S. 12 Business Route on the border of Wayne and Washtenaw counties CANTON TWP., MI - Drivers should expect traffic interruptions traveling between Wayne and Washtenaw counties next week. The westbound Michigan Avenue, or U.S. 12, ramp to westbound U.S. 12 Business Route will close from Denton Road to Dellor Street will close 7 a.m. Monday, April 14. Crews will be repairing concrete along U.S. 12 Business Route on the border of the two counties through July for an $870,000 project, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. There will be other lane closures as well. The right lane on eastbound U.S 12 Business Route from Rawsonville Road to Michigan Avenue will close. Drivers will also see a closure heading westbound from Denton Road to Rawsonville Road. One lane will remain open in each direction throughout the project. Want more Ann Arbor-area news? Bookmark the local Ann Arbor news page, the Ypsilanti-area news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Ann Arbor daily newsletter. In this 2012 file photo, Chiodos plays their first show in years at the Flint Local 432. Chiodos toured nationally for most of the last decade and starting with their show in Flint will be again. 8/9/12 Flint, Michigan The Flint Journal FLINT, MI Its been forty years of punk rock, hip-hop at Flint Local 432 thatll kick off its anniversary with, what else, a show. For 40 years, the safe haven and community staple has provided a space to call home for up-and-coming musicians, nationally touring bands and, of course, music lovers. The substance-free independent music venue is a non-profit that welcomes all ages. On Saturday, April 12, the 40th anniversary kick-off event will take place from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Factory Two, located at 129 N. Grand Traverse St. in Flint. The hope is that people come down and be reminded of their era at the local, said Joel Rash, founder of Flint Local 432. Theres no cover charge. We want people to come down and, you know, run into old friends and be able to remember their time. Rash said in the mid-80s, he and a few friends pulled together to build a space for punk shows. Starting with their first show on the campus at University of Michigan-Flint, there was no permanent home for years, jumping from rental hall to rental hall to host concerts for local acts and eventually regional and national acts too. The Capitol Theatre basement was their first semi-permanent home, even finding space on the main stage and in the lobby from 1987 to 1993. The movement found another home at the Economy Shoe Store in 1994 as well as different spots on Saginaw Street throughout downtown Flint through the early 2000s. After a brief hiatus for a few years, Rash brought Flint Local 432 to its current home at 124 W. First St., roughly one block off Saginaw Street. One of the longest-running, all-ages venues in the nation, the downtown Flint space has hosted thousands of bands of all genres, including punk, rock, hip-hop, metal, indie, Americana and more sounds and stylings. Bands including Fugazi, Less Than Jake, My Chemical Romance, Superchunk, Coheed and Cambria, Chiodos, Mustard Plug, The Black Dahlia Murder, Avenged Sevenfold, Motion City Soundtrack, Greta Van Fleet, The Swellers and Yellowcard have played its stage over the years. For Saturdays anniversary kick-off event, five bands are slated to perform back-to-back sets including The Guilty Bystanders, Ice Halo, Nick Juno, ONeill and Wean and Rats of Unusual Size. A giant display of flyers, shirts, tapes, records, stickers, patches and more will also be on full display from all of the eras of Flint Local 432s history, Rash said, for those in attendance to peruse and enjoy. If you want music, you walk up to the front. If you want to talk with friends, theres all sorts of tables in the back for people to connect, Rash said. The history display is along the wall. And because its Factory Two, the staff there is going to do a bunch of demos. So there will be screen printing, laser cutting, woodworking and maybe four of five different areas to walk around and get a sense of what the makerspace is all about. Read more on MLive.com: Music, food trucks and good vibes: Beats X BBQ announces return for sixth year Peace, quiet and trails galore: Immersive wilderness, privacy key for $1.2 million U.P. paradise Eat the seafood, stay for the karaoke at this Michigan restaurant Floyd Clack (center) talks to supporters on Aug. 5, 2003, after learning he and Williamson will run against each other in the November mayoral race. (Flint Journal file photo by Stuart Bauer) (Flint Journal file photo, curated by Jake May | MLive.com) FLINT, MI -- Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered flags within the State Capitol Complex to be lowered to half-staff on Saturday, April 12, to honor former state Rep. Floyd Clack. Clack, who also served as a Flint City Council member and Genesee County commissioner, died on April 3 at age 84. Representative Floyd Clack was a dedicated public servant who stepped up for Michigan and championed his community throughout his life and career, Whitmer said in a statement released by her office. A fixture of the Michigan Legislature for over a decade, he advocated for legislation that made a real difference in peoples lives. His passion for supporting Michigans students and teachers has left a lasting impact in Flint and beyond, the governors statement reads. My thoughts are with his family, friends, and those who worked with and served alongside him. Born in Houston, Texas, Clack worked as a teacher and guidance counselor for Flint Community Schools. He was a member of the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents and served as president of the Flint Branch of the NAACP. The funeral service for Clack is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 12, at Grace Emmanuel Baptist Church, 3502 Lapeer Road. He will lie in state at Vernon Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 5802 Dupont St., and may be viewed from 12-8 p.m. on Friday, April 11, with family present to receive friends from 4-6 p.m. A Masonic service will be held at 6 p.m. Friday. Evictions make finding secure housing next to impossible, says Tabitha Knight, who struggled for years to find affordable housing before moving into the Maple Towers Apartments, operated by the Sturgis Housing Commission. Watershed Voice This story is part of Southwest Michigan Journalism Collaboratives dedicated coverage of equitable community development. SWMJC is a group of 12 regional organizations dedicated to strengthening local journalism. Visit swmichjournalism.com to learn more. THREE RIVERS, MI Despite a criminal record, Three Rivers resident John Smith not his real name found an apartment, a job and, when his work hours kept getting cut, someone to help him pay his rent. Still, his landlord has tried four times to evict him. So far, hes found a way to stay put, but another eviction notice always lurks just around the corner. If hes forced out, the rural region offers few other places to go. With higher levels of poverty, lower pay and rental homes largely falling into disrepair, rural communities often struggle to provide affordable and livable rental options for residents. And when rural renters cant make ends meet, their communities often lack the tools to help them keep a roof over their heads. About 450 St. Joseph County households are behind on their rent, averaging about $800 in rent debt per household. Many of them are one emergency away from becoming one of the 40,000 Michigan households removed from their home by eviction each year. Evictions numerous long-term consequences can include job loss, educational setbacks, food insecurity, family separation, poverty and emotional trauma, all contributing to less-stable communities. Local housing agencies work with what they have to improve rental options and keep the countys renters in their homes, including tapping a state program meant to stabilize housing insecure people as quickly as possible. But, to truly combat evictions and the physical and mental instability that accompany them, rural communities need to address housing, jobs, transportation, mental health care and other root conditions, housing advocates say. For Smith, he hopes he can keep getting hours at his dishwashing job. For now, his landlord has agreed to take rent payments from an agency. But that could change, and he could once again face an eviction notice. Its sad that they wont take that help that I have, Smith said. They feel that I should be able to pay on my own. But everybody needs help sometime. What can one do with no help? Smith moved to the town of 8,000 from Chicago when he was 14 because his grandmother thought hed be safer in the rural landscape of St. Joseph County. Soon after, he was using and selling cocaine, a choice that earned him a decade in prison. In July, Smith graduated from a court program for repeat offenders, left a residential treatment facility and moved into a Three Rivers apartment, hoping to start over and do better. But with few local job options and none paying well, he sometimes misses his weekly rent payments. He says his landlord wont fix things, like the broken heater that caused Smiths pipes to freeze over the winter. Hes afraid to complain too much or to reveal his real name in a news story for fear of retaliation. With only 39 affordable and available homes per 100 extremely low-income renter households, Michigan lacks enough housing that low-wage workers can pay for. In Smiths small town, getting kicked out could mean having to move in with an acquaintance who abuses drugs, and Smith doesnt want that for his kids. Of course, having kids in the apartment drastically increases the odds hell get evicted. The local housing assistance agency promised to pay Smiths rent. But the landlord wont accept the money if it means getting inspected. Landlords cant ignore nonpayment just to be nice, said Douglas Marcum, recent president of the Property Management Association of Michigan. Landlords can, however, say no to third-party rent assistance. In big cities, where most apartment building owners hire professional property managers, municipalities usually require regular inspections. In rural areas, landlords are often on their own, managing duplexes, subdivided houses and small apartment complexes with little oversight. Such landlords may balk at federal or state vouchers or other rent assistance programs that require an inspection, fearing the loss of rent income if they have to make repairs. For a small-scale landlord with only a few units which describes 70% of St. Joseph Countys rental stock that loss could devastate their income, Marcum said. Smith wants to stay on the straight and narrow. But facing a string of eviction notices and rent he cant pay, It leaves my mind wandering back to selling drugs, he said. Thats something Im trying to get out of my mind, Smith said. Im working on that. But what can one do with no help? Legal help out of reach The day after a tenant misses a rent payment, a landlord can start the eviction process. St. Joseph County courts processed 440 evictions in 2023, the most recent data available. Once the eviction process reaches the courts, rural tenants are almost 50% more likely to have a judge order them out of their homes than their urban counterparts. Even when tenants win their case, eviction filings can destabilize tenants lives, following them like a school record. Low-income people facing eviction can tap free legal help and an almost-guaranteed positive outcome through Legal Aid, a statewide nonprofit law office. Still, while most landlords have legal representation in court, fewer than 5% of tenants do. Offering legal help is trickier in rural areas, said Donald Roberts, managing attorney of the Kalamazoo office of Legal Aid of Western Michigan, which handles cases in St. Joseph County. Unlike in more urban counties where eviction hearings happen during predictable blocks, St. Joseph County eviction hearings are scattered throughout the week, and Legal Aid attorneys have to be lucky to be present at the right time to offer their services. St. Joseph County courts do try to steer tenants toward financial and legal help. Once, a judge even called Roberts from the bench and Zoomed him into a hearing. But unlike in larger counties, courts cant offer a broad slate of partners ready to provide wraparound services to get the tenant back on their feet so they can keep making payments. Repairs needed In St. Joseph County, as in many rural areas, low wages mean renters struggle more to pay rent than city dwellers. Median rent in the county has increased from $743 in 2021 to $825 in 2023. About two in 10 renters, with a median income of $41,000 per year, pay more than half of their income for housing costs. A one-bedroom apartment that rents for $650 a month might be affordable in Battle Creek but out of reach for someone in Three Rivers, said Whitney Wardell, president and CEO of Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek, which recently began coordinating homelessness prevention services for St. Joseph County. Whitney Wardell, president and CEO of Neighborhoods Inc. of Battle Creek, left, and Nakeiyah Alexander, shelter diversion case manager for Neighborhoods Inc., pose at the agencys office. Watershed Voice Her agency regularly battles landlords who wont accept third-party rent because their apartments wouldnt pass inspection. To keep renters in their homes, rural communities need good-paying jobs and insist on affordable rentals that arent falling apart, Wardell said. A 2021 housing study commissioned by the St. Joseph County Human Services Commission said the county has too many run-down homes. Outside investors regularly buy old houses in poor condition, divide them into rentals and let the properties further degrade, according to the report. Unless the county confronts its aging, deteriorating properties and makes them livable, rental properties will continue to decline in quality, the report says. While creating new housing has been the countys top priority, county Housing Coordinator Clayton Lyczynski II reports several efforts to improve the value of current homes. As a member of the Southwest Michigan Regional Housing Partnership, he advocates to get money to rural Southwest Michigan to help protect housing stock. Rent support While the county improves housing options, other groups support individuals at risk of eviction. They are working. Theyre trying to make ends meet, said Amber Leverette, director of development for Community Action of South Central Michigan. But one car repair bill, medical expense, or other emergency can turn into an eviction notice, Leverette said. Helping somebody a little bit with one month of rent can mean all the difference in them being successful in all the other areas in their life, said Laura Jones, assistant director of development and support services for the agency. Community Action helps St. Joseph County residents pay missed rent to avoid eviction. It can only offer the assistance to tenants who can actually afford their rent payments. That can be a challenge if their rent is super high and their income is super low, Jones said. Sometimes, one-time financial assistance during a tough time is enough. Id like to think, yes, it does help, Jones said. The agency doesnt see a lot of repeat clients asking for help a second time, she said. But they cant follow up with every client to know whether the help created long-term stability. In many communities, housing advocates can use the states Emergency Solutions Grant to pay rental arrears for very low-income renters, or to help them pay starting costs for a new rental once they lose housing. In St. Joseph County, Neighborhood Inc. struggles to spend the full grant allotment each year. Its too hard to find rental units priced low enough, and in good enough condition, to qualify, Wardell said. Even when funding does reach struggling tenants, short-term assistance doesnt fix the underlying issues that contribute to long-term housing instability. Diverting and restabilizing A recent state program could lessen the impact of eviction. Neighborhoods Inc. was one of six agencies chosen to pilot MSHDAs Shelter Diversion Program. The agency received a $500,000, two-year grant with few restrictions on how it could be used, as long as it addressed a housing crisis. The grant money paid for vehicle repairs, baby formula, emergency motel stays, home furnishings and other needs, such as helping a woman get her drivers license. Seemingly small assistance can make a big difference for someone in a financial crunch, especially in a rural area, said Nakeiyah Alexander, shelter diversion case manager for Neighborhoods Inc. The flexibility of the Shelter Diversion Program lets housing advocates meet the most urgent need, Alexander said. That includes paying overdue rent for apartments that dont qualify under the Emergency Solutions Grant. The Shelter Diversion Program recently announced a new round of funding, including $165,000 for the Kalamazoo area. The program is not intended to prevent eviction, said Jennifer McNeely, MSHDA program specialist in homelessness solutions. Instead, it primarily catches people after they lose a home and restabilizes them as quickly as possible. And thats important, because once people become unhoused, its harder to get them back into stable housing. Losing it all A lot of people just dont appreciate what they have, said Tabitha Knight, of Sturgis. And I come from a place where I appreciate everything. Knights one-room unit at the Maple Towers Apartments is nothing fancy, but after seven years in and out of homelessness, she knows what it takes to get into stable housing once you lose it. She left a domestic abuse situation some years ago, with two children in tow and no income but child support. Since then, she has moved from shelters to family members homes to a camper, where she spent last winter with no heat. Several programs promised they would help her pay rent, but only if she could find a place to live, and waiting lists for those stretched as long as two years. A state voucher program that once promised rent help seems unlikely to add to its lengthy waiting list any time soon. You have to fall on your face and have absolutely nothing in order to get help, Knight said. Last spring Knight moved into Maple Towers, operated by the Sturgis Housing Commission. She even has a job, hired by the Housing Commission to clean 10 hours a week. Shes never been evicted. If that ever happens, her prospects for finding housing again dip even further. Youre looking at shelter time when your eviction is gonna go through, Knight said. She struggles with depression and wakes up anxious and tearful most mornings, but, Im still in a better place than I was, Knight said. She tries to encourage other people in the building, who dont seem to realize what losing their housing could look like. If youve got a roof over your head and a kitchen to cook in, be thankful, Knight said. Because theres a lot of people that dont. Its a group effort When Tim Hill assumed directorship of Maple Towers in 2021, he discovered a building about to be shut down, rife with drug abuse and guns in the hallways. This place used to be called Meth Towers, said Deputy Director Nikki Barringer, also fairly new to her role. She and Hill improved the building, upped security and cracked down on evictable offenses, including removing a woman they discovered had been selling meth from her apartment. You dont want to evict people, Barringer said. Because you dont know where theyre going to go. A lot of their low-income tenants need mental health help, but few can get treatment in the rural area, Barringer says. One long-time tenant lives in a dangerously unhygienic state and wont accept help and is becoming a hazard to other tenants. Another, who refuses to take her medication, is being evicted after almost setting her apartment on fire. It breaks your heart, but what do you do? Barringer said. She and Hill dream of adding a new wing to offer financial training, provide memory care and fill other gaps to help tenants stay in stable housing. They cant afford that any time soon, they know. Barringer says she wants to do some of that work herself, but, my plate is over full. Communities that want to keep people housed will fight for better mental health support and more housing options, she said. Its a group effort, Barringer said. And you hope that they take that kindness and pay it forward. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. Linda Stermer enters a Van Buren County courtroom in Paw Paw, Michigan on Thursday, March 27, 2025. Opening statements and testimony were heard that day. Joel Bissell | MLive.com PAW PAW, MI For a second time, Linda Stermer has been found guilty of killing her husband Todd Stermer in a 2007 house fire. Stermer, now 60, was previously convicted in 2010 of murdering her 42-year-old husband on Jan. 7, 2007 after setting the familys Lawrence Township home on fire. On Friday, April 11, jurors returned a verdict of guilty on two counts, finding Stermer guilty of premeditated, first-degree murder and felony murder while perpetrating arson. She now faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison and will be sentenced at 11 a.m. on Monday, May 19. Stermer has been out on appeal since December 2018 after an appellate court ruling determined she had ineffective assistance of counsel from her defense attorney, current Kalamazoo County Prosecutor Jeff Getting. The ruling also found there had been prosecutorial misconduct in the 2010 trial by former Van Buren County Prosecutor Juris Kaps. After six years of litigation, a retrial for Stermer began in Van Buren County Circuit Court on Thursday, March 27. Jurors in the second trial listened to 38 witnesses over the course of nine days of testimony, before hearing closing arguments on Thursday, April 10. They began deliberations Friday morning, returning with a verdict on both counts shortly after 5 p.m. Over the course of the retrial, jurors heard from arson experts brought by both sides, multiple first responders, medical professionals, friends, neighbors and family members. They also heard from an inmate incarcerated when Stermer was and a man she was having an affair with at the time of the fire. Defense attorney Wolf Mueller argued during his closing statement that the prosecution had built their case on motive because they didnt have the necessary evidence to convict Linda Stermer. Look at two things, Mueller said. Was the fire intentionally set and, if it was, did Linda Stermer set the fire? Those are the simple issues in this case. Bringing 30 of the cases 38 witnesses, Van Buren County Prosecutor Susan Zuiderveen built her case, in part, on the constant inconsistencies in Stermers story. Among those to testify included the couples two grown sons and nephew who they raised as their own son. Each testified against a woman they no longer referred to as mother. They were among just a few witnesses who demonstrated how Stermers story was constantly changing. She cant tell the truth of what happened on Jan. 7, 2007, because the truth makes her guilty of the murder of Todd Stermer, Zuiderveen said during her closing statement. She wanted to make sure she did everything possible to make sure he didnt survive. MORE ON LINDA STERMER RETRIAL: Jury hears closing arguments in Linda Stermers retrial for fatal 2007 fire Sons testify against mother, prosecution rests after 30 witnesses in Linda Stermer retrial Linda Stermer was angry at husband 2 days before fatal fire, old boyfriend testifies Zero contact with witnesses: Judge warns murder suspects significant other Thousands watch as Michigan woman accused of burning, killing husband goes back on trial Murder retrial begins for Michigan woman once convicted of killing husband in 2007 arson Out on appeal for 6 years, woman accused of husbands brutal murder is back on trial Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Kalamazoo daily newsletter. Police said there were no signs of foul play in the death of Nancy Eichler-OConnell, 67. Allegan County Sheriff's Office ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI An Allegan County woman who went missing on Thursday afternoon has been found dead. The body of Nancy Eichler-OConnell, 67, was found by the Allegan County Sheriffs Office Marine Patrol and Michigan Department of Natural Resources on Friday morning, April 11, according to the sheriffs office. There are no signs of foul play, the sheriffs office said. Eichler-OConnell was last seen Thursday afternoon at her home on the Kalamazoo River in Saugatuck Township and was presumed to have fallen into the river. Police found her hat at the waters edge. The womans family has been notified and thanked everyone who helped in the search, police said. Sheriffs divers had searched for Eichler-OConnell until 2 a.m. on Friday and resumed the search later that morning. RELATED: Rescuers search Kalamazoo River for missing woman The search included divers, marine division deputies on boats, and two tracking dogs. A state police helicopter equipped with a forward-looking infrared camera also assisted in the search. The sheriffs office was assisted by Douglas City Police Department, Life EMS, Saugatuck Fire Department, Graafschap Fire Department, Hamilton Fire Department, Michigan DNR, and Michigan State Police. Left to right: Bay County Prosecutor Michael P. Kanuszewski, defense attorney Alan A. Crawford, and defendant Jai'Mari K. Campbell sit during Campbell's April 3, 2025, preliminary examination in Bay County District Court. Campbell is charged with open murder in the death of Toryon T. Patterson. Cole Waterman BAY CITY, MI A leadership change in the Bay County Prosecutors Office has resulted in a significant number of cases running the risk of dismissal. A remedy is on the table, though, pending approval from the Bay County Board of Commissioners. In a memorandum submitted to the board on Wednesday, April 9, Bay County Corporation Counsel Amber Davis-Johnson recapped how voters elected Michael P. Kanuszewski as their new prosecutor in the November election. At the time, Kanuszewski worked at the Office of Criminal Defense. Kanuszewski took office in early January and shortly thereafter named Christopher Johnson as his chief assistant prosecutor. Johnson also worked at the Office of Criminal Defense, Davis-Johnson noted. This has resulted in a significant number of conflicts of interest, as Kanuszewski, Johnson, and their assistants cannot prosecute cases they were previously involved in while defense attorneys. As a result, Kanuszewski has filed numerous requests with the Michigan Attorney Generals Office and the Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council seeking special prosecutors be appointed to handle the cases. A large number of cases (well over 100) remain unassigned and risk being dismissed unless counsel is retained as soon as possible to represent the interest of the People of the State of Michigan and of the County, Davis-Johnson wrote. To address this, Davis-Johnson proposed the board hire Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Jurij D. Fedorak as a Special Assistant Attorney General. Fedorak would assume prosecutorial duties over the conflicted cases including active ones, probation violations, and potentially appeals until they are resolved. Fedorak would work out of the Bay County Court Facility and would be paid $100,000. The county would also need to hire a part-time legal assistant who would be paid the standard rate of $17.91-$21.35 per hour and not work more than 29 hours per week. The funds for both positions would come from the current budget of the prosecutors office. Kanuszewski was not involved in selecting Fedorak as a candidate, saying Corporate Counsel handled that to maintain the cases integrity. As of April 10, Kanuszewskis office was conflicted out of 142 misdemeanor cases and 95 felony ones. Thirty of the misdemeanors and 25 of the felonies have been assigned to special prosecutors, Kanuszewski said. Another 10 felonies have been approved but not assigned special prosecutors, he added. Its not so much getting (the cases) out of my office, Kanuszewski said. Its getting them to new prosecutors. The outstanding balance of cases would be handled by Fedorak, assuming the board approves his hiring. The county needs it, my office needs it, and itll be good for everyone, Kanuszewski said. Commissioners are to vote on the resolution at their meeting on Tuesday, April 15. Kanuszewski defeated incumbent Prosecutor Nancy E. Borushko in the November general election, receiving 33,468 votes to her 25,163. Kanuszewski campaigned on addressing the prosecutors office backlog of old files, strengthening communication with police agencies, and increasing transparency with the public. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. A sign stands in front of Tonia Uphold and Howard Brackett's damaged home from the devastating dam flooding in Sanford. (Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com) Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com MIDLAND, MI The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday, April 11, denied an application for leave filed by the Heron Cove Association (HCA) seeking to appeal the Jan. 6 judgment of the Michigan Court of Appeals on the grounds that the high court was not persuaded that the questions presented should be reviewed by this court. The denial of the appeal by HCA affirms the decisions of Midland Circuit Court and the Michigan Court of Appeals and means the lake level special assessment rolls approved by the counties in February 2024 still stand. Residents in those areas will be required to pay for part of the costs to construct the Secord, Smallwood, Sanford and Edenville dams. This is excellent news for the Four Lakes communities, Four Lakes Task Force President Dave Kepler said in a statement. We will now focus on obtaining financing and restarting or continuing construction on the four dams. Attorneys for HCA did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The HCA is a group of property owners challenging certain special assessments that were created by the Four Lakes Task Force and approved by Midland County Board of Commissioners and Gladwin County Board of Commissioners. The special assessments arose out of the reconstruction of four dams that were damaged following severe flooding in 2020. The counties appointed the Four Lakes Task Force as the authority to oversee the maintenance of normal lake levels for Wixom Lake, Sanford Lake, Smallwood Lake and Secord Lake and the Four Lakes Special Assessment District. Read more: Residents to pay for part of Michigan dam repairs after appeals court sides with Four Lakes Task Force The legal dispute stems from property taxes that would be used to rebuild four hydroelectric dams and to restore impoundments damaged by the 2020 mid-Michigan flood. Ultimately, it was determined that repairing, improving and replacing the four dams would cost nearly $400 million. The Task Force secured over $200 million in federal and state grants for the project but assessed that about 55% of the costs would be covered through special assessments levied on property owners in the Four Lakes Special Assessment District. The special assessment for lake-level maintenance would be collected in annual installments over 40 years, totaling approximately $217,700,000. A separate special assessment was created to cover operational and maintenance expenses for the system between 2025 and 2029. Also: Attorneys appeal judges ruling that would require residents to pay for part of Michigan dam repair The latest back-and-forth is part of a slew of legal actions taken between the Four Lakes Task Force and the Heron Cove Association dating back to the beginning of 2024. In February 2024, after Midland and Gladwin counties approved capital assessment rolls and a computation of costs to restore the dams, the Heron Cove Association, comprised of residents most impacted by the special assessment district, appealed the decisions in Midland County Circuit Court. Heron Cove filed two lawsuits in Midland and Gladwin counties, alleging constitutional violations. However, the lawsuits werent served until May. In June, the lawsuits were both moved to the Federal District Court, Eastern District, in Bay City. A Midland County judge denied Heron Coves appeal in June, confirming the special assessment rolls. Heron Cove appeals the ruling to the court of appeals. In December, attorneys for both sides argued the issue before a three-judge panel in Lansing. The Michigan Court of Appeals affirmed the Midland judges ruling in January; the ruling was appealed to the high court a month later. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. Want to subscribe to our Hello, Bay City newsletter? Sign up for free here. One of 16 horses authorities removed from the Chapin Township property of Jean K. Harbaugh. Photo provided by Horses' Haven. Cole Waterman SAGINAW, MI A Saginaw County woman charged with a felony for allegedly keeping nearly 50 unattended animals on her rural property has surrendered ownership of her remaining pets. Jean K. Harbaugh, 65, on Tuesday, April 8, appeared before Saginaw County Circuit Judge Manvel Trice III for a civil bench trial regarding her continued ownership of six dogs, three birds, and eight horses. The trial ended up being canceled and the case dismissed when Harbaugh relinquished her ownership claims. In exchange, prosecutors agreed to waive thousands of dollars she owed associated with the animals care at Saginaw County Animal Care & Control Center. Now, Animal Control can properly place these animals where they need to be, said Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Blair N. Stevenson. One of 16 horses authorities removed from the Chapin Township property of Jean K. Harbaugh in April 2024. Photo provided by Horses' Haven. Cole Waterman Harbaugh previously signed over ownership rights to 31 other animals authorities confiscated from her property in the 22000 block of Baldwin Road in Chapin Township in April 2024. Sixteen of the total 48 animals removed from the site were horses. Each of the animals was assessed by a veterinarian, who found most required medical treatment, prosecutors allege. The 16 horses were taken in by Horses Haven, a Howell-based nonprofit, at the request of Saginaw County officials. Animal Control has denied Freedom of Information Act requests seeking their investigative reports. Director Rachel Horton has not commented on the matter. Harbaugh remains criminally charged with cruelty to or abandonment of 25 or more animals. The charge is punishable by seven years in prison, a $10,000 fine, and 500 hours of community service. When Harbaugh was arraigned in November, she owed more than $40,000 in restitution for her animals care. Stevenson said Harbaugh was in poor health after her husband died a few years ago. She fell on hard times and could no longer care for her animals, Stevenson said. At the same time, she couldnt let her animals go. Harbaughs criminal trial is slated to begin before Trice on July 15. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. Eliza Vega, a nurse's assistant from California, who was fatally shot in Saginaw. Cole Waterman SAGINAW, MI Police have arrested a suspect in the recent homicide of a California woman on Saginaws West Side. Eliza Vega, 27, was found shot to death inside a house in the 1400 block of Cypress Street on the citys West Side about 4:15 a.m. on Saturday, April 5. By about 7:30 p.m. that day, police lodged a 30-year-old male suspect in the Saginaw County Jail. Records indicate the man is on parole and is being held on a violation, the Michigan Department of Corrections having released him from prison in November. His record includes convictions of first-degree home invasion, unarmed robbery, and felony firearm. MLive is not disclosing the suspects name until he is arraigned on criminal charges in Saginaw County District Court. Prosecutors confirmed they are reviewing investigators reports and the suspect may not be arraigned until after the upcoming weekend. Police have not disclosed what connection, if any, Vega had with the suspect. They have also not revealed the context around Vegas homicide or how they developed their suspect. Vega, also known by the surname Vega-Aparicio, hailed from Aguanga, California, within Riverside Countys Inland Empire. She had been a travel certified nurses assistant working in the health care field for more than seven years, according to a GoFundMe campaign started by a family friend. Michigan Bureau of Community and Health Systems records show Vega received her certification in December 2022. Vega was furthering her education toward becoming a licensed vocational nurse. Eliza Vega was a person who loved art, books, and musica, the GoFundMe page reads. Eliza was a fun, strong, and caring person for her immediate and extended family and friends. She loved her family and would give others unconditional love and compassion without any expectations. The online fundraiser has garnered $4,740 from 49 donors as of Friday morning, April 11. This was unexpected and something we NEVER saw coming, especially so suddenly, Vegas friend wrote. This has left us grieving and at a loss. Saginaws Paradise Funeral Chapel has a listing for Vega, but it does not include funeral information. Vega is Saginaws second female homicide victim of the year and eighth overall. All but one of the eight died from gunshots, the outlier having been stabbed to death. Another was fatally shot by Saginaw police in what investigators have described as a suicide by cop situation. Want more Bay City- and Saginaw-area news? Bookmark the local Bay City and Saginaw news page or sign up for the free 3@3 daily newsletter for Bay City and Saginaw. With the help of some Michigan representatives, the U.S. House on Thursday passed Republican legislation that would require proof of American citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. (MLive file photo) Joel Bissell | MLive.com With the help of some Michigan representatives, the U.S. House on Thursday passed Republican legislation that would require proof of American citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. Proponents say the measure would help prevent non-citizens from voting in elections. Opponents, however, have warned the proposed law risks disenfranchising millions of Americans who dont have ready access to or cant afford proper documents that prove citizenship. The Associated Press reports the legislation, called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, is unlikely to pass the Senate, where Republicans hold a narrow majority. The SAVE Act would significantly change how people in Michigan, and across the U.S., can register to vote or change their registration after a move or name change. The bill would eliminate mail-in and online voter registration, requiring all registrations to be completed in person. To register to vote or change their registration, people would have to provide proof of citizenship using a passport or a birth certificate along with a photo ID. Currently, proof of residency, a drivers license or a state ID are acceptable for registration in Michigan. Related: Dana Nessel and other AGs warn against proof of citizenship requirements for voters Opponents of the bill have also said it would make it harder for married women to vote if theyve changed their surname. Married women would still be able to vote, but they would need to provide additional documentation if the name on their ID doesnt match their birth certificate. The specific requirements for this additional documentation would be determined by each state, according to the bill sponsor. While Michigan doesnt currently require proof of citizenship for voter registration, new registrants must attest under penalty of perjury that they are U.S. citizens and that their registration information is accurate. The passage of the SAVE Act in the House comes after a Michigan Department of State audit identified 15 probable non-U.S. citizens who cast ballots in the states November 2024 presidential election. Related: Michigan audit finds 15 probable non-U.S. citizens voted in 2024 election The findings announced earlier this month are in addition to a Chinese national who is facing criminal charges related to allegedly voting in the 2024 general election in the state. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has opposed Republican efforts to require proof of citizenship, arguing that non-citizen voting is rare and should be addressed with targeted solutions, not sweeping changes that could disenfranchise legal voters. Related: Jocelyn Benson: Requiring proof of citizenship to vote would disenfranchise Michiganders The 16 alleged instances of noncitizen voting represent a small percentage (0.00028%) of the over 5.7 million ballots cast in Michigans 2024 general election. Heres a look at how Michigans 13 U.S. representatives voted and what they said about the legislation on social media. Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte Voted yes on the bill. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet Voted yes on the bill. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor Voted no on the bill. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland Voted yes on the bill. Today, I voted once again to protect the votes of American citizens. The SAVE Act simply ensures only US citizens are able to vote in federal elections by requiring proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Its a common sense bill that wont prevent any American from voting while ensuring no illegal immigrants are registered to vote. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township Voted yes on the bill. Rep. Lisa McClain, R-Romeo Voted yes on the bill. The Democrats have continued their newest fearmongering campaign and misled the American people. Rep. Chip Roys bill, the SAVE Act, protects the vote of every American including women. House Republicans simply want to keep illegal immigrants out of and restore trust in our election system. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City Voted no on the bill. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Caledonia Voted yes on the bill. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids Voted no on the bill. Our nations history has proven that creating barriers that make it harder for Americans to vote is harmful and undemocratic. But as we saw today, House Republicans seem to have forgotten that history. The SAVE Act would make voting nearly impossible for millions of women, service members, Native Americans, and more. Im deeply disturbed by this attack on one of our most fundamental rights. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham Voted no on the bill. Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit Voted no on the bill. The SAVE (aka Voter Suppression) Act makes it harder to vote if you are: A woman Military Rural voter Person of color Elderly Disabled Student Low Income Tribal member Naturalized Citizen This bill would deny millions the right to vote, plain and simple. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Detroit Voted no on the bill. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton Voted yes on the bill. Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson has reported that 15 non-citizens were found to have illegally cast a ballot in the 2024 election in addition to a Chinese national attending the University of Michigan. @HouseGOP just passed the SAVE Act to bolster our election security and prevent these non-citizens from voting. American elections are for U.S. citizens only. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer watches as President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office at the White House on April 9, 2025. (Anna Moneymaker | Getty Images) Anna Moneymaker As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer stood on the sidelines while President Donald Trump ordered an investigation into a former administration official who challenged his 2020 election claims, she says she thought about the people of Michigan. It was not where I wanted to be or planned to be or would have liked to have been, Whitmer told reporters Thursday. I disagree with a lot of the stuff that was said and the actions that were taken, but I stayed in the room because I needed to make the case for Michigan and thats my job. Whitmer has faced criticism for her appearance Wednesday, April 9, in a press conference with Trump in the Oval Office where he signed a number of executive orders. Whitmer said she was unaware she was going to a press conference, believing she was instead heading into a private meeting with Trump. While her role in the press conference was minor, largely relegated to the sideline while Trump signed executive orders, Trump praised the Democratic governor he sparred with during his last term, calling Whitmer a very good person who has really done an excellent job. Trump also 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 two of the items Whitmer had traveled to D.C. to meet with Trump privately on. But the optics of Whitmer, a leader in the Democratic Party who has sought to find common ground with the president, standing by while Trump furthered his policy agenda and ordered investigations into his critics upset a number of Democrats. This comes as many Democratic voters have called on their leaders to do more to fight Trump. Why I refuse to normalize this president: Appeasement is not workable strategy with a fascist, Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel said Wednesday. In the post, Nessel shared an MLive story in which she outlined her divergence from Whitmers common ground approach with Trump, saying in the article that if (Trump) would stop destroying our state and trying to destroy our country, then maybe I could find common ground with him. Related: Whitmer draws criticism, scores potential wins in televised Oval Office visit with Trump State Rep. Betsy Coffia, D-Traverse City, on social media Wednesday compared appeasement with Trump to early efforts by the British to appease Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. Gonna keep saying this. British leader Neville Chamberlain tried to placate and appease Hitler. He got played, Coffia said. There are lessons here. Appeasement and ass kissing bullies and dictators is not a smart strategy. They will simply humiliate and laugh at you. Despite the controversy, Whitmer walked away from the meeting with potential wins. Trump pledged to save Lake Michigan from invasive carp and teased the possibility of new fighter jets at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base. Related: Trump tells Whitmer he will save Lake Michigan from invasive carp After the meeting Whitmer requested Trump issue an emergency declaration for counties still recovering from historic and devastating ice storms in late March in Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. If approved by Trump, the declaration would provide up to $5 million in immediate public assistance to support emergency efforts, according to Whitmers office. The declaration would cover 12 counties in Northern Michigan, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. Related: Whitmer asks Trump for Presidential Emergency Declaration following historic Northern Michigan ice storm I sat there thinking about the people in Northern Michigan who still dont have power, Whitmer told reporters of her decision to stand by in the meeting. I thought about Michigan businesses that are paying a price because of the tariff fluctuations. I thought about Selfridge Air Base, which we need to get recapitalized, and he said that yesterday. Ive been trying to get that done the whole time Im governor. That was the farthest weve gotten in terms of a public commitment, and its groundbreaking for Macomb County, for Southeast Michigan, for our aerodefense sector that were building so much. In the long run, the meeting isnt likely to damage Whitmer politically, even if she decides to run for president in 2028, said David Dulio, a political science professor and director of the Center for Civic Engagement at Oakland University. This is one brick on a path that is filled with hundreds in the road to 2028, should she choose to do that, Dulio 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. Related: Trump floats idea of new jets for Selfridge air base in Michigan Many view Whitmer as a potential Democratic presidential candidate in 2028. Whitmer continues to deny she plans to run for the White House. 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. However, 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. Whitmers conversation with Carlson directly followed a speech she gave in D.C. to business leaders, advocating for the strengthening of plane, ship, and semiconductor chip manufacturing in Michigan and the U.S. In that speech, she also addressed Trumps sweeping tariffs. Whitmer acknowledged understanding the reasons behind the tariffs and said shes not against tariffs outright. However, she said, you cant just pull out the tariff hammer to swing at every problem without a clear, defined end-goal. Whitmer was most critical about tariffs imposed on Mexico and Canada, saying the continued 25% tariffs on those countries will damage the states auto industry and harm American consumers and manufacturing. Related: U.S. consumers, manufacturing are the big loser in tariffs on Canada, Mexico, Gov. Whitmer says On Thursday, Whitmer told reporters she relayed her concerns about those tariffs to the president. She also said some in the news media got her message about tariffs in the speech wrong. The coverage was wild. Some people said I endorsed all the Trump tariffs. Some said I lambasted him, Whitmer told reporters. And actually I said, Tariffs are a blunt tool. You dont use them to hammer the American economy. You use it to level. And I think thats why I think we got to have a real strategy around manufacturing. Im glad he changed his policy with regard to the reciprocal tariffs. But, nonetheless, we still have very concerning manufacturing tariffs that Michigan feels harder than anyone else. Four international students from the University of Michigan and Wayne State University have sued the Trump administration, challenging its termination of their right to remain in the country legally. The students, who are being represented by attorneys from the ACLU of Michigan, have also requested a preliminary injunction that would reinstate their F-1 student status so that they can continue their studies and bar the federal government from arresting or deporting them. Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Viswanath Pilla is a business journalist with 16 years of reporting experience. 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I Accept 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 Aryaman Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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With their bright blue claws and olive green-to-blue shells, blue crab populations are both a valuable resource and a curious species to study. 14x14 feet cell, round-the-clock guards: How 26/11 attack accused Tahawwur Rana is being held in NIA custody Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. 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I Accept Arishaa Izaj USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Yeeshu Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 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. Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. 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What's next for former Tamil Nadu BJP chief Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept With the federal election around the corner, candidates are finding innovative ways to get the attention of voters. The deputy mayor of Woollahra was not impressed by the tactic. Source: Facebook/Sean Carmichael Early voting in the upcoming federal election opens in less than two weeks as petty games of party politics play out in suburbs around the country with some candidates being accused of dirty tricks. Or in this case, kind of the opposite. The deputy mayor of Woollahra, in Sydney's affluent eastern suburbs, has slammed his local federal member for advertising her candidacy by washing advertisements into dirty footpaths in the local area, with a stencil and high-grade pressure hose. Councillor Sean Carmichael took to social media to condemn the move by 'teal' independent Allegra Spender who currently holds the seat formerly held by Malcolm Turnbull. The deputy mayor said council enlisted workers to remove what he described as "nine acts of reverse graffiti" on Thursday night. ADVERTISEMENT "This is council property that has been defaced with what is clearly, in substance, graffiti," he told Yahoo News. The councillor said the advertisements could technically breach rules from the Australian Electoral Commission. "Well it's not got an authorisation on it ... all election material must have who has authorised it." Related: Labor, Albanese extend leads in latest election poll Calling the tactic "unacceptable" in a local Facebook group, the deputy mayor complained it was "quite difficult to remove without industrial grade machinery". "These defaced concrete footpaths are otherwise in satisfactory condition. The implied argument they are dirty and needing cleaning is - in my own view - incredibly cheeky, and does not pass," he wrote. Allegra Spender won the formerly safe Liberal seat at the last election. Source: AAP/Facebook When contacted by Yahoo, Allegra Spender's team questioned the use of local ratepayers' money to remove the messages with further pressure washing. ADVERTISEMENT "The messages are created with water pressure, that actually cleans dirt off the footpath. It's disappointing that the Liberal Party controlled council is misusing ratepayers' money to remove a political opponents messages. The messages are temporary and fade away naturally," a campaign spokesperson said. Speaking to Yahoo, Cr Carmichael said it was not a technique he has ever seen before and hopes it does not become the norm. "Do we really need to go down this path, pardon the pun... We just don't need to be doing this," he said. Ms Spender entered parliament at the previous federal election in 2022, and was among a wave of so-called teal candidates to dislodge incumbent Liberal members. In the upcoming federal poll, on May 3, some observers suggest independent candidates could even replicate such success in the state of Queensland, including in Peter Dutton's seat of Dickson where he is being challenged by both a strong Labor candidate and independent Ellie Smith. If the latter were to prevail it would be the first time an independent candidate has ever toppled a federal opposition leader. ADVERTISEMENT READ MORE: Down to the wire, Dutton faces fight to hold his own seat Youth enrolment rate up as record number of Aussies set to vote A record number of people are expected to have their say in the upcoming election, as candidates get ready to find out where their names will appear on the ballots. The number of people enrolled to vote has reached a new high at almost 18,098,797, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) revealed on Friday. Compared to the 2022 election, about 870,000 more people have been enrolled, representing a five per cent rise. According to the AEC, In the 11 days following the announcement of the election, it added approximately 85,000 new voters to the roll, and helped more than 419,000 other voters to update their enrolment details. It also brought Australias youth enrolment rate to 92 per cent. ADVERTISEMENT "Were particularly focused on Australias youth enrolment rates, and Im pleased to report that its now extremely healthy," Australian Electoral Commissioner Jeff Pope said. "Well done, Australia." with AAP Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Christin Mathew Philip USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. 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I Accept Nainar Nagendran: The catalyst in the renewed alliance between BJP & AIADMK Swati Das is an independent journalist covering Tamil Nadu politics, and is based in Chennai. Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept 'Shackled in chains': US releases first photos of Tahawwur Rana's formal handover to India Priyanjali Ghose USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Arindam Roy USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept As is normally the case with a countries as big as Australia, varying weather is known to bring dramatic shifts in conditions. Easter weather will be warm and dry in some parts of the country, but rain is predicted in other states. Source: Getty The much-anticipated Easter break is just days away, with Australians gearing up for an extra-long weekend. Fresh data has revealed many are planning on travelling domestically these holidays, opting to take road trips in their own state. As is normally the case with big countries like Australia, varying weather is known to bring dramatic shifts in conditions, with extreme temperature changes and unpredictable storms. Ahead of the break, the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) shared what's in store for Easter with Yahoo News Australia. The BoM's Senior Meteorologists, Angus Hines and Dean Narramore, warn conditions will remain relatively mixed across the four-day break. New South Wales NSW is likely to enjoy one of the more pleasant outlooks over Easter. Hines said that most of the east and south of the country including NSW should see warm and sunny conditions on Good Friday. ADVERTISEMENT However, a developing low-pressure system later in the weekend could bring a turn in the weather. "By Easter Sunday and Monday, we could see that low bring cooler, wetter and cloudier conditions into parts of NSW," Hines explained. The timing and intensity of that system remain uncertain, so those making long weekend plans should stay across forecast updates. On the east coast this Good Friday, it'll be largely sunny with clear skies. But further into the weekend in the west, cyclone activity may emerge. Source: Getty Queensland Its a fairly settled outlook for Queensland at least for now. Hines noted that much of the state should remain dry and warm to start the long weekend. However, theres some tropical activity brewing. "There is potential for another tropical system to develop north of the Gulf of Carpentaria in the next few days," Hines said, which could bring heavy rain to the Gulf Coast during the first half of the weekend. That could affect parts of northern Queensland, although the coastal southeast is expected to remain relatively dry and calm. Narramore also flagged the possibility of "a couple of coastal showers", but for most inland areas, sunshine should dominate. Victoria A dramatic change is on the cards for Victoria. While the lead-up to Easter has been warm, dry and sunny, conditions are expected to shift sharply. ADVERTISEMENT Hines said the cold front impacting WA on Friday will move through the Great Australian Bight on Saturday, reaching Victoria by Saturday evening or early Easter Sunday. "We're expecting a change to much cooler weather, much cloudier weather, and therell be some showers moving through as well," he said. Narramore added that timing will be key an earlier front would mean a wetter Friday, while a delay could bring a better start to the weekend. South Australia Much like Victoria, South Australia will see a stark change midway through the long weekend. Hines said a cold front will begin pushing into the state from Saturday, following a hot and dry lead-up. "Any rain they can get will be welcomely received," he said, referring to the drought conditions affecting much of SA. However, rainfall totals are not expected to be high. Gusty winds and cooler temperatures are also in the mix. Narramore earlier confirmed that the southern parts of SA will be the first to feel the fronts arrival, while northern and inland areas should stay mostly dry. Tasmania Tasmanias weather is closely tied to the system sweeping across southern Australia this Easter. According to Hines, the cold front arriving on Saturday will extend to Tasmania, bringing much cooler temperatures, cloud cover and showers. ADVERTISEMENT He warned the weather may worsen into Sunday and Monday if a low-pressure system develops over the southeast. Narramore also flagged a similar pattern, noting that fast-moving fronts could lead to sharp shifts in conditions across the weekend. Western Australia Good Friday will bring some cooler air and showers to southern parts of WA, but nothing too intense. Hines said, "we're not looking at heavy rainfall at this stage." The bigger story is unfolding off the northern WA coast, where a tropical low is expected to strengthen into a cyclone between Tuesday and Thursday. Even some cyclone activity in the north of WA is predicted, bringing storms and showers. Source: Higgins Storm Chasing/Facebook "It could become a category one to three cyclone," Hines said, though it's forecast to remain hundreds of kilometres offshore at least through the early part of the Easter break. He noted there is a chance the system could drift closer to the Pilbara or Kimberley later in the week. "Nothing to be alarmed about yet," he added, "but do keep an eye on the forecast." Northern Territory The Top End is another area to watch closely, especially in relation to the potential tropical system in the Gulf of Carpentaria. ADVERTISEMENT Hines said that if the system does form, "it could bring some heavy rain onto the Gulf Coast," possibly impacting the NT coastline during the first half of the weekend. Outside of that, much of the Territory is expected to remain fairly dry and settled though residents and travellers should stay weather-aware. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Who will replace Annamalai as Tamil Nadu BJP chief? Announcement likely tomorrow Priyanjali Ghose USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Why was business jet Gulfstream G550 picked to bring Tahawwur Rana to India from US? Explained Yeeshu Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Arun Anand has authored two books on the RSS. His X handle is @ArunAnandLive. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication. Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Namrata Agarwal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Elon Musk brings his emotional support human to major events. Heres who it is Shubhi Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Shubhi Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept AI that helps you in the real world: Googles DeepMind boss on merging Gemini and Veo AI models MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation. 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 Ankita Chakravarti USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Meta flags concerns over India's data law and rules as it expands AI and wearables push 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 Aihik Sur USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept SBIs high UPI transaction failures continue to be a drag on the payments platform 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 Anand J USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept A new notice has been issued after Karenia mikimotoi, a type of toxic microalgae, was linked to mass wildlife deaths across South Australia's beaches in the last month. Visitors to beaches in the country's south are being warned that toxic algae responsible for the deaths of numerous marine life, and for causing surfers to fall ill, will "remain present" for some time yet. South Australians have reported the deaths of hundreds of sea creatures along the Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island in the last month. Among them, different species of fish, octopus and cockles (also known as pipis). Those who had entered the water said they were left with irritated skin, and some even struggled to breathe. On Wednesday, Alexandrina Mayor Keith Parkes held a meeting with representatives from affected coastal councils across SA, alongside the state government, and advised locals to avoid swimming at affected beaches. "With many South Australians expected to head to the coast over the next fortnight for Easter and the school holidays, the meeting was to ensure the community has access to the environmental, primary production and health information they need to safely enjoy the coast," Parkes said in a statement. The culprit, Karenia mikimotoi, has been linked to mass wildlife deaths, including octopus and squid. Source: Facebook/Anthony Rowland Algae bloom to linger for some time yet, mayor says Parkes said the situation remains "dynamic" as the bloom travels depending on weather and water conditions, and "the impact on people in these areas can therefore be unpredictable". ADVERTISEMENT "People are advised to avoid swimming at beaches where there is discoloured water and foam, and to avoid walking on beaches if experiencing symptoms," he warned. The algae in question, Karenia mikimotoi a type of microscopic marine algae known for causing harmful blooms does not produce toxins that are harmful to people or that cause long-term effects. However, exposure can cause skin issues, eye irritation and respiratory symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath. These symptoms resolve within several hours after leaving the beach. Live fish caught are safe to eat, pipi harvests 'not impacted' Parkes explained that Karenia mikimotoi can cause "mass marine species mortalities" but fish caught live are safe to eat. ADVERTISEMENT "People should not eat dead or dying fish or cockles due to spoilage and decomposition, and are encouraged to report any marine mortalities," he said. The commercial harvesting of pipis has not been impacted by this event at this time, and regular testing is ongoing. "The event is thought to have been driven by an ongoing marine heatwave, with water temperatures currently 2.5C warmer than usual, as well as relatively calm marine conditions with little wind and small swells," Parkes said. "The bloom is expected to remain present until the state receives strong westerly winds, which historically start around the end of April. Nothing can be done to dilute or dissipate the bloom. Similar outbreaks around the world have generally lasted between a week to two months depending on wind, rain and ocean temperature fluctuations." The algae, green and yellow in appearance, can still cause short-term health issues. It's killed numerous fish. Source: Facebook/Anthony Rowland The last time a large event of this type of algae was recorded in SA was in 2014 in Coffin Bay. ADVERTISEMENT Waitpinga Beach and Parsons Beach, where significant levels of the bloom were first detected in early March, have now reopened after algae levels reduced. Visitors to those two beaches should still follow SA Healths advice and avoid entering the water if it is discoloured or foamy. Beachgoers who discover dead or sick marine mammals are encouraged to contact their local National Parks and Wildlife office. Sea foam and discoloured water are two of the most visible signs of a harmful algal bloom like Karenia mikimotoi. The discolouration, often appearing reddish-brown, murky green, or milky white, is caused by the high concentration of microscopic algae in the water. As these algae multiply rapidly, they can change the colour and clarity of the sea, making it visibly different from usual conditions. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. 'A very costly event: Trump renews call to end Daylight Saving Time; Know about the practice of changing clocks Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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Zelensky says 'hundreds of Chinese nationals' fighting for Russia Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pradeep Tripathi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Dumped cargo, vanishing orders, tech turmoil: How China is feeling the heat of Trump's tariff tsunami Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Head of US Space Force base in Greenland fired after Vance visit Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Hegseth sounds alarm on Chinas arsenal: Is US falling behind in military might? Heres how the two compare Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Anthony Albanese has revealed he has been subject to a range of issues, at least one of which is before legal processes after a teenager was charged over an alleged terror plot reportedly targeting the Opposition Leader. A 16-year-old Brisbane private school student was arrested in August and it is alleged he had planned to attack Mr Duttons home with a drone and homemade explosives, The Australian reported. Asked about the incident, the Prime Minister said he had reached out to Mr Dutton on Friday morning. It is a fact that the number of threats that have been made to parliamentarians has increased in recent times, and that has been reported on by the appropriate authorities, he said. I myself have been subject of a range of issues, at least one of which is before legal processes at the moment. So its a pretty serious incident. What I have confidence in, though, is the Australian Federal Police and the authorities to do what they can to keep us safe, but that is one of the reasons why youve seen an increased number of security measures put in place, because we do live in times that, unfortunately, weve seen around the world as well, but here as well, these threats be made." Read more from NCA NewsWire here. 'I don't need Elon Musk for anything': Is Trump teasing something big? Pradeep Tripathi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept India, US push likely to finalise segment of trade pact during 90-day tariff reprieve: Official Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'Not built on favors': Xi Jinping pushes back as tariff war with US escalates; seeks EU support Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept 'We defend them, but...': Trump blasts US-Japan security pact ahead of trade talks Pradeep Tripathi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept 'Wheels of history must not be turned back': China slams US tariffs, calls for global pushback against 'power politics' Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Wouldnt have happened if I were President: Trump slams Ukraine War ahead of Putin-Witkoff meeting Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Just metres away, shoppers walking past an Apple store were left distressed after seeing dozens of birds crash into its windows. Tree martins have been flying into the Optus store and crashing into Apples front windows at Rundle Mall in Adelaide. Source: Supplied An Optus shop in the middle of a CBD has been splattered in bird poo following a controversial decision by an Australian council. Dozens of tiny tree martins were spotted flying inside the shop on Thursday night after the City of Adelaide covered their nightly roosting trees in thick netting, preventing them from roosting. Nearby at the Apple store, birds from the flock were killed and injured after they flew into the glass of its gleaming storefront. This has been occurring for at least a week. On Friday, Apple confirmed with Yahoo it dimmed its lights on Thursday night to try and mitigate the problem, but witnesses on the ground say the measure failed. A wildlife rescuer named Rachel told Yahoo News, passing shoppers were distressed by the situation on Thursday night. ADVERTISEMENT People were quite shocked. They were stopping me and asking questions, saying is this normal? she said. I said, no, they usually live on Leigh Street. Optus is working to prevent more tree martins from entering its store. Source: Supplied Why are the tree martins no longer on Leigh Street? For over a decade, flocks of up to 10,000 birds would descend on Leigh Street after flying down from the tropical Northern Territory and Papua New Guinea to find respite over summer. But the City of Adelaide took exception to the nightly spectacle, arguing the poo they dropped was a problem. Council trimmed the trees, then covered them in large nets, trying to force the birds to a less busy location. But the plan has clearly backfired because they've settled in front of the citys busiest shopping area Rundle Mall. Optus responds to tree martins in store While Rachel witnessed some birds flying through the front doors and into Optus, the company's head office told Yahoo that staff believe many of the birds are coming in through cracks in the ceiling. ADVERTISEMENT Upon investigation, it was identified that these birds were entering the premise through the roof of the mall through holes in infrastructure. Optus has engaged our landlord to quickly address these faults, a spokesperson said. Windows and furniture around the shop's upper floor were littered with bird poo on Thursday night and there are concerns the birds will die if theyre unable to leave the store. The retailer appears to be taking the situation seriously and has already agreed to modify the way its doors are used at night to help keep the birds out. It has directly contacted Rachel to try and find a permanent solution to the problem. Urgent push for council to remove tree nets Council netted the trees as part of a "trial" to divert the birds away from busy cafes and restaurants. It has been liaising with state government authorities about the problem, including urban sustainability group Green Adelaide. On Friday it told Yahoo the welfare of the tree martins was its "highest priority" and that it was working on a solution. ADVERTISEMENT "Our operations staff have been on site regularly and liaising with Green Adelaide to work through mitigation measures, such as lighting options with a local contractor," it said. But with thousands of birds displaced by the netting, the Australian Conservation Foundation believes the City of Adelaide needs to urgently consider the wider implications of its decision. "This is an ill-thought-out and blunderous decision by the City of Adelaide. They've clearly put people's amenity ahead of a beautiful bird's habitat, and the result has been carnage," its national nature campaigner Jess Abrahams told Yahoo News. "The mitigation measures it's tried to take are clearly failing. It needs to take a good, hard look at itself, uncover the trees... and leave these birds alone to do exactly what they were doing before this bad decision." Aussie council urged to look to Europe The Biodiversity Council is an independent expert group founded by 11 Australian universities to help promote fact-based solutions to nature conservation. ADVERTISEMENT The group's co-lead councillor, Professor Hugh Possingham noted martins are in decline across southern Australia and that's bad news for residents because they play an important role in driving down mosquito numbers during summer. He slammed the council's decision to net the trees, saying it has "ended in disaster for an important bird and adorable species". This is indicative of a poor culture of wildlife management in parts of Australia," he told Yahoo. In the United Kingdom and all across Europe people encourage House Martins, a closely related species, to nest in their towns and cities by putting up nest boxes. Europeans have a mature culture that values wildlife in cities for the joy it brings people and the insects the martins consume." Wildlife rescue volunteers estimate hundreds of tree martins have smashed into windows at Rundle Mall. Source: Supplied Call for visionary response to tree martins in city Professor Sarah Bekessy, an urban planning expert at RMIT and a Biodiversity Councillor, said city councils need to learn to share spaces with wildlife. Because native birds and animals have had their habitat destroyed elsewhere, they're increasingly finding refuge in cities. On the other side of the world, authorities in Austin, Texas once believed the thousands of bats living under its Congress Avenue Bridge were a health hazard. But theyre now celebrated as one of the citys biggest tourist attractions. Taking what was perceived to be a conflict and turning it into an opportunity just takes visionary leaders, people who have an idea about how to design cities properly so that we can share spaces and wildlife, she said. The Adelaide Economic Development Agency, which promotes Rundle Mall, has been contacted for comment. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? Get our new newsletter showcasing the weeks best stories. A tourist travelling around Australia in a van has captured the heart-stopping moment a split-second mistake left him stranded in a remote town and the unreal beach discovery that finally set him free. Coleman Geiger, an American who has been living in Sydney for the past two years, began his epic trek from Cairns to Perth last month before heading over to Bali. While the first 10 days were plagued by heavy rain, the 28-year-old model and graphic designer was relieved to see sunshine when he reached Broome. After spending a couple of days sightseeing, Coleman told Yahoo News Australia he decided to go for a quick swim on his last morning before heading on to Exmouth completely unaware the last-minute decision would almost cost him $1,300 and potentially ruin the rest of his holiday. The traveller parked his Juicy Coaster campervan in the car park at Cable Beach and walked down to the water. Before dunking his body into the ocean, he placed his bag on top of a nearby rock and propped his phone on a tripod. ADVERTISEMENT I was only going there just to get the one stupid clip of me running into the water. It came back to bite me, he said. I had a tote bag, I think I probably had a towel in there and stuff, but I wasn't thinking anything of it, and set my keys on top [of it]. Tourist stunned to discover keys have disappeared into the ocean After just 15 minutes, Coleman noticed the tide was rising rapidly. The tide was really low and I dont know why but I just assumed the tide would stay at that level. But then it started to get really big when I was in the ocean, and thats when the keys fell into the water, the 28-year-old told Yahoo. However, it wasnt until he had almost returned to the van with his soaking wet bag on his shoulder, that he realised his remote start key, and the AirPods attached to the ring, were missing. I went back to where I was, and they werent there. The tide was too high at that point so I gave up looking after about 30 minutes, he said. At this point, he believed the error could quickly be remedied by ordering a replacement key, but reality set in when a local locksmith and Juicy support worker informed him that could take at least a week. ADVERTISEMENT The traveller said he was quoted about $500 to tow the car from the beach back into town, another $500 for a new key, $150 to break into the van and at least another $100 on scooters so he could pick up some food leaving him with a potentially hefty $1,300 bill. Then it was all starting to compile. I have no way to even get into this vehicle. My whole life is in the vehicle, Geiger said, adding he had parked near signs warning against illegal camping. All the anxiety kind of set in. Left with just the shorts, hat and shoes he was wearing at the time, the tourist began to panic, concerned hed have to not only give up on his road trip, but also miss his flight to Indonesia. A local hostel was able to place him in their emergency room for the day, where he spent the next six hours on the phone to numerous people including his mum trying to find a quicker resolution. Coleman's heartwarming reaction to finding his keys buried in the sand has amused thousands of people across the world. Source: Coleman Geiger Man's heartwarming response to shocking find buried in sand Determined not to give up, Coleman decided to head back to Cable Beach as the tide retreated later that afternoon, but knew the odds of him finding his keys were so, so slim. He had been trying to use his phone to locate his attached AirPods, but they were not registering. ADVERTISEMENT Luckily he was able to remember which rock he had set his belongings on and walked in that direction. I looked around for like five minutes and I thought okay, theres no way Im going to find this but Ill just look, he told Yahoo. I went back to the rock, and maybe 15 to 20 metres away I see this little thing sticking out. Miraculously, the Juicy tag attached to his keys was ever so slightly poking out of the sand. The 28-year-old could barely contain his excitement as he bolted over to the spot and pulled the piece of square plastic out of the sand, revealing his lost belongings. Footage shows an incredible gleeful and relieved Coleman jumping in joy after making the one-in-a-million discovery. After opening up the remote start key and cleaning off all the sand, much to his surprise, the vans engine started. Not only that, but his AirPods appeared to also still be working well. Exhausted from the entire ordeal, the American took himself off for a beer before continuing his journey south the next morning. A video detailing the tourists rollercoaster of emotions has since gone viral, with thousands of viewers from around the world sharing in his luck and relief. Buy a lotto ticket, one person urged. Ive never been happier for a stranger on the internet, another laughed. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Sonora Opera Hall View Photo The second weekend in April has several community events planned for April 12th and 13th, 2025. First, the Mother Lode Art Associations 70th Annual Fine Art Show and Exhibition will be at the Sonora Opera Hall. The exhibition opens Friday at 5pm, with an award presentation at 6pm and music. The show will be open Saturday, from 10am to 8pm with music in the evening and an art demonstration by Kelly Telfer, known for his motorsport art. The event kicks off 2nd Saturday Art Night, which means businesses all along the street in Downtown Sonora will be open from 5 to 8 pm. Sunday the Fine Art Show is open from 10am to 5pm with music in the afternoon. There will also be music next Friday evening, April 18th with the raffle and silent auction closing at 2pm Friday, April 18. The Fine Art Show is just one part of Visit Tuolumne Countys 5th Annual Tuolumne County Art Week. Exhibits and events will continue through Sunday, April 20th. The multi-day, multi-location celebration of the arts and culture features artists, makers, and creatives that shape the art scene in Tuolumne County, details are here. The Miss Calaveras Scholarship Pageant will be holding a Car Wash and Bake Sale Fundraiser at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds on Saturday from 10 AM to 3 PM. Saturday the Jamestown Youth Center is hosting a Bunny Brunch from 10am-12:30pm. All you can eat pancakes with unlimited toppings and more for youth 8-18 years old. All proceeds benefit Jamestown Youth Center and Tuolumne County youth programs. This Saturday is the 16th Annual Sonora Spurs National Wild Turkey Federation Conservation Banquet. Doors open to the Sonora Elk Lodge in Sonora at 5:00 PM and dinner will be at served at 7:00 PM. There will be raffles, games, a silent auction and a live auction. The Oakdale Rodeo is also Saturday and Sunday this weekend. Sunday is the last of the Ovations Performing Arts Series concerts featuring Traveling Wilburys Revue. The concert is at Bret Harte Performing Arts Center at 2 PM. Sunday a Community Car Wash Fundraiser will raise money for Emily and Gerry Nevel. The Nevel family is in need of help due to medical concerns and financial hardships. The $20 car wash will be held in the parking lot of Tractor Supply. This Sunday is Palm Sunday, services will be held at several local churches including at the Historic Morgan Chapel Church at 3 PM. The 2025 Tuolumne County Volunteer Fair will have 75 organizations at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds on Thursday, April 17th from 4 to 7 PM. More info is in the event listing here. Sierra Reparatory Theater (SRT) is performing The Marvelous Wonderettes starting April 18 at the Fallon House Theatre. Murphys Creek Theatre will perform The Glass Menagerie also starting April 18. Volunteer tree planting in the Rim Fire footprint has begun. Join the effort by signing up with Tuolumne River Trust, details are here. Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is open with train rides daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through October. The restaurant of the month in our dining guide is Pinocchios. Check out movie times at local theaters. State Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil speaking on Senate floor View Photo Sonora, CA Senate Democrats voted down three budget amendments, one submitted by Mother Lode State Senator Marie Alvarado-Gil related to scholarships for California universities. As reported here last week, the Senate Republican Caucus responded to the Senate Budget Committee chairs invitation last month for all senators to send letters outlining their statewide budget goals for the new fiscal year budget that begins July 1. Today, senators rejected the request for funding for the implementation of Proposition 36, dealing with drug crime sentencing and treatment, which was passed by voters overwhelmingly last November. Also chopped, by a 28 to 12 count, was the restoring of cuts to scholarship funding for students at California State University and the University of California, Alvarado-Gils amendment. The governors cuts to scholarship funding for middle-income students at CSUs and UCs are just one more nail in the coffin for middle-class families in California, said Alvarado-Gil (R-Jackson). Yes, the states budget is tight, but there are places to cut back that wouldnt jeopardize the future of vast numbers of our youth. Also voted down was funding to hire seasonal firefighters as full-time employees. Republicans argued this amendment was an opportunity for the legislature to get ahead of future emergencies and ensure trained personnel are available for prevention and response efforts. Hearse with O'Conner's remains -- CCCSO photo View Photos San Andreas, CA The Calaveras Cold Case Task Force used modern forensics to identify another victim of the Wilseyville serial killers, using the evidence to bring closure to her family. In January, as reported here, a former San Francisco man, Reginald Reggie Frisby, was identified as being one of the bodies uncovered in Wilseyville in 1985. Investigators believe serial killers Leonard Lake and Charles Ng murdered anywhere from 11 to 25 people at the remote cabin in Wilseyville, gaining national attention. On April 9, task force members and community leaders came together at the sheriffs office in San Andreas to return the remains of Brenda Sue OConner to her family. The image box pictures show the hearse carrying the remains draped in a white cloth adorned with flowers that left after a short invocation by a sheriffs chaplain. While sheriffs officials did not disclose how she met the killers or how she was murdered, her remains were interred in a San Andreas crypt along with over 1000 unidentified pieces of human remains until they were exhumed in 2021 by the Cold Case Task Force, who believed DNA technology had advanced far enough to get a possible identification match. The identification of the remains was made possible by a combination of sophisticated analysis by the California Department of Justice, extensive, cutting-edge work by private laboratories, and the use of Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy, according to task force officials who, three years later, still work on these cases on top of their regular responsibilities. Sheriffs officials noted that this case underscores the power of modern forensic science in bringing families the closure they deserve, even after decades of uncertainty. They added that the task force continues to work to identify the rest of the remains, which will be returned to the San Andreas Crypt at the end of the project. These additional investigative efforts have finally provided answers to the family of Brenda OConnor, and the pending return of Brendas remains will signify the first reunification of Brenda with her family in a heartbreaking yet necessary reunion, stated sheriffs officials. It is our hope that Brenda can finally rest in peace. The task force, a tax-exempt non-profit organization, raised the funding for the work by the private laboratories and genealogists; click here for more task force information. I hope readers will forgive me for relying heavily on a fresh interview at Dialogue Works to assess the prospects for a deal between the US and Iran on its nuclear enrichment program and other security matters. However, former ambassador Chas Freeman, former Defense and State Department official Larry Wilkerson and Trita Parsi, co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, all have extensive experience in the region and have been keeping abreast of the latest developments about the indirect negotiations, falsely hyped by Trump as direct talks, set for Saturday in Oman. The stakes are very high. The US has made a show of force, moving not just naval assets into the area and B2 stealth bombers to Diego Garcia, but also according to Wilkerson in other YouTube talks, other strike forces. A new broadcast by The Electronic Intifada confirms Wilkerson, per the map at 16:45 and the additional detail provided starting at 15:55, of THADD and Patriot missile launchers being delivered to Israels Nevatim air base. Trump, in a meeting with Netanyahu, as you can see in the Dialogue Works discussion embedded above, starting at 1:05, made a barely veiled threat of military action if the talks failed. In the short version of what follows, we see very little reason for optimism. There are already reasons to think the US will continue to make demands that amount to Iran giving up not just its military and civilian nuclear programs, but also its missiles and its alliances with the so-called Axis of Resistance, which is tantamount to rendering itself defenseless. Alastair Crooke and Douglas Macgregor, among others, deemed this to be clearly unacceptable. Macgregor, in a Judge Napolitano talk mentioned in the segment above, ventured that these provision were designed to be unacceptable and rejected, just as Austria-Hungarys ultimatum to Serbia after the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand was overreaching by design, and meant, as it did, to serve as a pretext for going to war. Even if the US is actually not seeking an excuse to attack Iran and is simply resorting to the Trump default of maximalist demands to see how much it can squeeze out of a counterparty, and is prepared to accept a lot less, it still seems unlikely that the two sides can agree. I suspect a core US demand, aside from dismantling the nuclear enrichment program, would be for Iran to get the Ansar Allah (aka Houthis) to stop attacking shipments to Israel. Trump could present the Houthis stopping their campaign as a huge win, one Joe Biden was unable to achieve. However, it does not appear that that is something Iran could deliver even if it wanted to. The most it could do was promise not to send more funds, weapons, and technical assistance. The Houthis have agency. Alastair Crooke has explained the Houthi tenacity, despite taking as much punishment as they have, as a manifestation of Shia character, particularly the willingness to make sacrifices in the name of religious obligation, and they see combating the Israeli genocide as an obligation. He described how after the Caliphate came to control Shia areas that it barred going to Shia mosques, with the penalty the amputation of a finger. The Shia kept going, losing all their fingers, then toes, then hands, then feet. We soft Westerners cannot comprehend that degree of commitment to moral principles. So I doubt the Iranians can call off Ansar Allah. And if the Iranian tried explaining why, the US team would dismiss that as bad faith and/or foot dragging. The effort to reason would simply enrage the Trump side. There is the further obstacle that the neocons around Trump, and probably Trump himself, believes the Israel/US propaganda about how the negotiated Iran retaliatory strike into Israel was a failure, and how the Israel attack on Iran after that did serious damage. John Helmer reported on a recent Dialogue Works that Trump has had all of two intelligence briefings since he took office; cable TV is a more important information source for him. So its a safe bet that he discounts warnings that Iran would survive a US/Israel attack and would then destroy Israel and wreck the world economy. That is before getting to the fact that Israel has agency. Netanyahu in particular is determined to escalate against Iran to save his own hide. In the Dialogue Works talk, one of the interviewees (Wilkerson?) said Netanyahu had rushed to Washington to try to get relief from the then 17% tariffs imposed on Israel. It had been reported, as this source stated, that Trump refused to go there and instead talked about Iran. In addition, Trump blindsided Netanyahu by saying that direct talks with Iran were set for Saturday. Trita Parsi said the Trump public remarks also caught Iran off guard. The timing and location of the talks were supposed to be kept quiet.1 But Netanyahu, even with being caught off guard, upped the ante by calling for the Libya solution, which was not just regime change, but also the death-by-bayonet-ass-rape of the Gaddafi, celebrated in Hillary Clintons We came, we saw, he died cackle. As Chas Freeman drily remarked, advocating the Libya solution to Iran would be like proposing the Pearl Harbor solution to the US. So even in his brief airtime, Netanyahu tried to and may have thrown a spanner. In addition, as we have said, a false flag attack is one way to sandbag negotiations. But another seemingly insurmountable impediment is process. There simply is not enough time. The interviewers allude to that obstacle in various ways but fail to take their observations to its logical conclusion. Consider: 1. The US and Israel are relying on the so-called snapback provisions of the JCPOA to bring Iran to heel2. The short version is that the US has a bullet-proof means to restore the stringent UN sanctions imposed on Iran that the JCPOA alleviated. But those expire on October 18 unless they are extended (unlikely) or the US has an ally trigger them, and the UK has already said it would. The Iranian economy is already in bad shape. There is a bit of a drill involved in triggering the snapback, so there is only a four-plus month window to consummate an agreement. 2. This would be a very complex agreement when complexity and haste do not go together well. For instance, the US, as it has been with Russia, is willfully blind to the impact of its extensive history of bad faith dealings. Or maybe US officials really do have the memory of goldfish. They just cant recall that it was Trump that chose to exit the JCPOA and then accuse Iran of developing a nuke, despite US intelligence agencies continuing to find, with a high degree of confidence, that that has not happened and is not yet in the works. . For Iran to agree to what the US wants, it would need security guarantees. But it is conducting these talks on a bi-lateral basis. Pray tell, who could provide these guarantees? Not Russia, given that the Ukraine talks have gone pear shaped plus the US is full of Putin-haters. Certainly not China. Turkiye had the biggest army in the region and is trusted by no one. Even putting aside the How does Iran reduce its risk of being completely violated? elephant in the room, as Freeman and Wilkerson stressed, going back to the JCPOA talks, technical experts would need to be involved to negotiate fine points, such as verification. Its not clear that the Trump side understands that and has kept DOGE from firing them. 3. The US side is inexperienced and with no apparent knowledge of Irans culture or history. 4. Trumps best negotiator, who is leading these talks, Steve Witkoff, has a record of failure in trying to play diplomat. This may admittedly be due in part to inability to manage his side, such as undermining by neocons and Trump refusal to make concessions. For instance, the Russia-US talks on Ukraine, again under Witkoffs leadership, are stalled due to the two US ceasefire schemes, one to stop energy infrastructure attacks, the other to resume the so-called grain deal, both being sabotaged, the first by Ukraine, the second by the EU. The US seems to have no idea what to do now. And even the seeemingly-simple measure, of renormalizing diplomatic relations, also seems to no longer be advance despite both sides going through the motions of meetings. Reuters and other outlets just released bland reports on the latest six hour meeting in Istanbul. Even though the US side mentioned constructive and the Russian, positive and move forward, there was no evidence of progress. Reuters mentioned only impasses, like the failure to restore banking services for Russian staffs and the US insistence that Russia hire some locals (huh?), and agreement that flights should be resumed but no indication that was being made to happen. Reuters also threw in at the end: Among the issues is diplomatic property. John Helmer clarified: ANOTHER NOTHING BURGER FROM TRUMP TO PUTIN. Sonata Coulter of State Dept in Istanbul talks with Alexander Darchiev of Rus ForMin fail to agree on recovery of Rus Emb property in US except for bank account to pay local bills. https://t.co/rPzGwVJoOw pic.twitter.com/9Fm05rPXp6 Dances_with_Bears (@bears_with) April 11, 2025 So if the US cant even take this small step to show it can do something to help Russia that will also help the US, how can they be taken seriously? Is this just spite over Russia completely reasonably sticking to its guns on the grain deal, or US incompetence? Either way, it does no inspire confidence. On the other side of the ledger, Trump really needs a win. But what does that look like to him? Hes already demonstrated a shocking cavalierness about wanton destruction. Being acknowledged as a driver of events is more important to him than outcomes. So what if he starts World War III? Now Witkoff is having a meeting with Putin right on the eve of the talks with Iran. But I dont see this as as potentially de-escalatory as it ought to be. If the US had wanted to consider Russias point of view and more important, any signal regarding its position vis-a-vis Iran, or alternatively wanted advice, the time to have done that would not be so close to the actual meeting. Again, theres not enough time to meaningfully course change, only course tweak, when Putins views should have been a major factor in devising the Iran negotiations strategy. Now admittedly, the Trump Administration does not hew to anything resembling normal behavior. But the timing of the Putin talk suggests that to the extent that they talk about Iran (which Witkoff could also oddly minimize) is consistent with Witkoff seeing himself as mainly giving Putin a general heads up, as Rubio did with Lavrov before the US resumed attacks on the Houthis. Again, as Larry Johnson said in a fresh talk with Nima, Putin may well give Witkoff a Are you Americans nuts? level talking-to. But I dont see Witkoff having a lot of degrees of freedom at this hour. However, if the talks dont go the way he and Trump would like, any Putin input might gain a lot more weight. Now admittedly, the Pentagon ought to know that attacking Iran would be a massive losing proposition. But dumb-as-a-rock bully Hegseth is in charge, and has just purged a lot of generals. The ones left were presumably chosen for their dearth of diversity points and toadying tendencies. So the needed naysaying may be in absence. Now Trump does have a decent fallback position, which is simply to exploit the snapback provisions. Iran is punished. Trump honor is saved. But is that going to provide sufficiently high drama and demonstration of dominance to suit Trumps true interests? ____ 1 I dont see the talks being indirect but in the same building as a positive a sign as other make it out to be. Given Trumps repeated insistence that that the talks be direct, and then him needing to misrepresent that to save face, Iran may have agreed or offered to have the two parties in close proximity as a concession. Some experts contend this means the talks on the spot could be flipped to direct. That may be the US hope but Americans like to rush negotiations. 2 From IranWire: Ive been lucky enough to participate in several fantastic Seders over the years, and I really enjoy the rituals, the storytelling and the history behind the traditional Passover feast. The symbolism of different plates has always fascinated me, although I have to admit that not every dish has been a hit. Theres only so much you can do with bitter herbs and nut paste, but I always appreciate the effort. +2 First Bite: Fonda 12 South Roberto Santibanezs new Nashville outpost serves standout salsa, tacos and tongue 12South modern Mexican restaurant Fonda wants to help out on the food side of the equation for those observing Passover, or anyone who wants to be a part of the experience. From April 12 through April 20, theyre offering a special four-course menu inspired by Jewish traditions. Mexico has had a tradition of Jewish settlers since colonial times, and it is still home to more than 50,000 Jews today, so this idea isnt as far-fetched as you might think. Fonda owner Howard Greenstone collaborated with chef Roberto Santibanez to create a menu that includes traditional haroseth made with dates, honey, coriander and pumpkin seeds matzo ball soup and Mexican-style brisket. Guests can opt for the entire four-course meal or order a la carte. Carryout will also be available for those who wish to celebrate at home. (At least 48 hours advance ordering is required. For more information or to place an order in advance, call 615-800-4899.) In addition to the kosher feast, Fonda will be serving kosher wines from Hayotzer Winery from the Old City of Jerusalem. Founded by the Shor family in 1847, Hayotzer is Israels first recorded winery, and more than 170 years later, it is still the fifth-largest winery in the country. Whether or not you celebrate Passover, theres a fascinating feast awaiting you at Fonda next week. The office of Kelley Henry, a federal defender representing death row prisoners in Tennessee, has formally requested that Gov. Bill Lee pause executions through March 1, 2026, pending a court review of the states new lethal injection protocol. Tennessee Sets Execution Dates for Four Men on Death Row With new lethal injection protocol in place, state Supreme Court sets new slate beginning in May Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti recently secured new execution dates for four men in 2025, including a date in May for Oscar Smith and in August for Byron Black. Henry explains in a lengthy letter to Lee that, absent Lees immediate intervention, Smith and Black would both be executed by lethal injection before a court has approved the new state protocol. Smiths execution was abruptly called off on April 21, 2022, by Lee because the state had failed to follow proper chemical testing protocols. Tennessee halted executions for nearly three years to investigate and redraft its lethal injection protocol. In 2023 Lee brought in Frank Strada to lead the Tennessee Department of Correction, which furnished a new lethal injection protocol early this year. Nine men on death row, including Smith and Black, filed a legal challenge to the new protocol in March. Henry tells the Scene she is confident that the court will rule in favor of these plaintiffs. State Executions to Resume Under New Lethal Injection Protocol Reduced guidelines withhold key aspects of the process from the public Oscar's interests and Byron's interests would be extinguished by their death, but the lawsuit would move forward, Henry tells the Scene outside the Fred D. Thompson Federal Courthouse on Thursday morning. It's arbitrary and unfair for these clients to not get the benefit of that judicial review while the others do. It's not about pro-death-penalty or anti-death-penalty this lawsuit can't stop them from being executed. Its really to prevent them from being tortured by this protocol, because we believe the protocol is torture. We believe it's 18 to 20 minutes of chemical waterboarding, and we're trying to prevent that. The men awaiting execution specifically call out the states new mandate to use pentobarbital for executions. The drug was recently banned for use in federal executions by the U.S. Department of Justice the Eighth Amendment protects against cruel and unusual punishment and often forms the basis for legal challenges to execution methods. At a press conference Thursday, Henry and others focused critical remarks on the new protocol. They make it seem as if a lethal injection is a medical procedure, Henry told reporters and news cameras. It's not. It's poison. You're watching poison being put into our client's bodies, and science is clear on this matter. Our clients have actually said they would rather be shot, would rather have death by firearm, than death by poisoning. That is what we have put in front of chancery court. Henry was joined by assistant federal public defender Amy Harwell, victims' rights advocate and founder of Rodney's Village Rafiah Muhammad-McCormick, Stacy Rector of Tennesseans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty and Pastor Kevin Riggs, a spiritual adviser on Tennessees death row. Americas Yemen campaign risks military readiness against China The intensified U.S. bombing campaign in Yemen is depleting military resources needed to counter China in the Pacific. Houthi attacks persist despite costly airstrikes, straining munitions and diverting key assets like warships. Confidential briefings warn of potential relocations of Asia-Pacific stockpiles to sustain the Yemen offensive. Defense officials fear China may exploit U.S. resource depletion to escalate tensions around Taiwan. Critics argue the campaign undermines core U.S. strategic interests while failing to neutralize Houthi threats. The Trump administrations intensified bombing campaign against Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen is straining U.S. military resources at a critical moment, with Pentagon officials warning that American readiness to counter China in the Pacific is being dangerously eroded. What began under President Biden as sporadic strikes to curb Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping has escalated under President Trump into a high-cost, high-tempo operation one that is rapidly draining munitions, diverting warships, and stretching maintenance capabilities. The alarming reality, now laid bare in confidential briefings to Congress, is that the U.S. may soon be forced to relocate precision-guided missiles and other essential weapons from Asia-Pacific stockpiles to sustain the Yemen offensive. Worse, China is watching and likely assessing American vulnerabilities as Washington expends billions in a conflict that does little to secure core U.S. interests. A strategic failure left uncorrected The roots of this crisis trace back to the Biden administrations failure to deter the Houthis early on. Despite years of warnings, Bidens team allowed Navy stockpiles to dwindle below operational requirements while opting for half-measures against the Yemeni militia, which continued striking ships and expanding its arsenal. Since March 15, the U.S. has executed nearly daily airstrikes under Operation Rough Rider, named after Theodore Roosevelts famed cavalry unit. Yet despite deploying B-2 stealth bombers, F/A-18 Super Hornets, and over $200 million in munitions, Pentagon briefers admit the campaign has achieved "limited success." Houthi missile stockpiles remain largely intact, shielded in underground bunkers, while the group continues harassing shipping lanes. "America first" means prioritizing the Pacific The greatest concern, however, isnt the Middle East its the Indo-Pacific. As Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized during a recent visit to Manila, China remains Americas primary strategic competitor. Beijings missile advancements, nuclear expansion, and aggressive posturing around Taiwan demand full-spectrum readiness. Yet the Yemen campaign is pulling critical assets away. The USS Carl Vinson, initially positioned in the western Pacific as a deterrent against China, was abruptly rerouted to the Red Sea. Stockpiles of Tomahawk cruise missiles and AGM-158 stealth missiles key to countering a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan are being depleted. According to congressional aides familiar with closed-door briefings, military leadership in both the Navy and Indo-Pacific Command have expressed significant concern about the rapid depletion of munitions. If a crisis erupts in Asia, the Pentagon risks "real operational problems." The fiscal and strategic cost The financial toll is staggering. Beyond the $1 billion spent in just three weeks (factoring in operational costs), the long-term price could be immeasurable if China exploits this distraction. Defense analysts warn that Beijing may interpret Americas resource drain as an opportunity to escalate pressure on Taiwan or further militarize the South China Sea. Meanwhile, Congress is raising alarms. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Rand Paul (R-KY) have demanded the administration explain its endgame, noting past U.S.-backed campaigns against the Houthis including Saudi Arabias failed, civilian-heavy bombing accomplished little. Secretary Hegseth insists the administration is recalibrating priorities. "We will establish the deterrence necessary to prevent war [in Asia]," he vowed in the Philippines. But skeptics question whether the Pentagon can reverse years of misallocated resources quickly enough. Americas security depends on recognizing when tactical engagements undermine strategic objectives. While the Houthis pose a nuisance, they are not an existential threat. China is. The White House must articulate a clear exit strategy from Yemen one that doesnt leave Pacific defenses hollowed out. Every missile fired at a Houthi bunker is one less available to defend Taiwan. Every warship patrolling the Red Sea is absent from the South China Sea. Sources for this article include: TheCradle.co NYTimes.com NYTimes.com How Israel hunts and executes Palestinian medics The Israeli army has executed 15 Palestinian medics in Gaza, buried them and lied about them being terrorists. For those paying attention, this barbarism is not new, only the latest war crime committed by Israel in a litany of war crimes over the decades. (Article by Eva Bartlett republished from RT.com) The combination of the medics being tied up, executed and buried in a mass grave was so horrific that even usually indifferent global media reported on it, albeit without the outrage that would have accompanied such reports were the perpetrator an enemy of the West. (Warning: disturbing video.) On March 31, Jonathan Whittall, the Head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (OCHA) posted on X, First responders should never be a target. Yet today @UNOCHA supported @PalestineRCS and Civil Defense to retrieve colleagues from a mass grave in #Rafah #Gaza that was marked with the emergency light from one of their crushed ambulances. His thread went on to detail how a week prior, on March 23, contact was lost with ten Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) and six Civil Defense first responders, in five ambulances and one fire truck, whod been dispatched to collect injured people, noting, For days, OCHA coordinated to reach the site but our access was only granted 5 days later. When they finally accessed the site, they recovered the buried bodies of 8 PRCS, 6 Civil Defense and 1 UN staff, he wrote, noting, They were killed in their uniforms. Driving their clearly marked vehicles. Wearing their gloves. On their way to save lives. This should never have happened. Palestinian Civil Defense spokesperson, Mahmoud Basal, separately said, One of the Civil Defense crews had his feet tied, another had his clothes removed from his upper body, another was beheaded. Among all the martyrs, the least harmed had 20 bullets fired at him, in his chest. According to the PRCS, a ninth EMT is missing and is believed to have been detained. The UN, The Red Cross, and OCHA have all issued statements of outrage and condemnation of these murders. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Secretary General Jagan Chapagain said: They wore emblems that should have protected them; their ambulances were clearly marked. They should have returned to their families; they did not. These rules of International Humanitarian Law could not be clearer civilians must be protected; humanitarians must be protected. Health services must be protected. According to Chapagain, 30 PRCS volunteers and staff have been killed since October 2023 alone. OCHA called the murders a huge blow to us and said, these abhorrent acts require accountability. According to the UN, 408 aid workers including more than 280 UNRWA staff have been killed in Gaza since the war began on 7 October 2023. Tom Fletcher, the UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, wrote, They were killed by Israeli forces while trying to save lives. We demand answers & justice. The Guardian cites PRCS Dr. Bashar Murad, who spoke to one of the paramedics in the convoy: He informed us that he was injured and requested assistance, and that another person was also injured. A few minutes later, during the call, we heard the sound of Israeli soldiers arriving at the location, speaking in Hebrew. Gather them at the wall and bring some restraints to tie them. This indicated that a large number of the medical staff were still alive. The Israeli army media spokesman Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, predictably denied Israeli army wrong-doing and blamed Hamas, claiming the ambulances were advancing suspiciously toward Israeli forces. He declared the execution of the medics be an elimination of a Hamas military operative, along with 8 other terrorists from Hamas and the Islamic Jihad. Observers on X rebuffed Shoshani, including pointing out the Israeli army has been attacking ambulances for a very long time. Gaza medics under Israeli attack since 2009 I can speak from personal experience. During the January 2009 Israeli war on Gaza, I was among a handful of international volunteers riding in PRCS ambulances, to document their work and the victims they rescued. The first night of the Israeli land invasion, we were based in a PCRS center in Ezbet abed Rabbo, east of Jabaliya, with Israeli shelling around us. By morning, we had to evacuate. By the end of the war, the center was nearly destroyed. But in terms of direct attacks on ambulances, and hospitals, I can attest they occurred against unarmed medics in ambulances not carrying any Palestinian resistance, but retrieving wounded or killed Palestinian civilians, including elderly ones. In one instance, an Israeli sniper fired at least 14 shots at medics and the ambulance I was in, targeting the uniformed medics during supposed ceasefire hours, shooting one medic in the leg and damaging the vehicle. A week prior, a medic I had accompanied one dangerous evening in the northwest of Gaza was killed the next day when the Israeli army fired a flechette shell (dart bomb) directly at his ambulance, shredding him with the razor sharp darts, killing him. Survivors from the scene corroborated there were no resistance, only medics and wounded and killed civilians. A week later, the Israeli army repeatedly bombed al-Quds hospital, meaning medics had to evacuate to al-Shifa hospital, risking being shot by Israeli soldiers while doing so. I was with the medics and saw the damage and resulting fire from the Israeli bombing of the hospital. I later took testimonies from other PRCS medics who had been targeted by the Israeli army, some multiple times over the years. Two medics told me how after getting permission from Israel, via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to retrieve the wounded and the dead, three ambulances and an ICRC jeep came under Israeli fire repeatedly in northern Gaza. We were driving to the area, speaking with the Israelis on the phone. Theyd tell us which way to drive, what road to take. When we got near the wounded, Israeli soldiers started firing. I told them, We have coordination and they said to wait. Then they began firing at us again. According to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), that same day, Israeli soldiers fired on a convoy of 11 ambulances led by a clearly marked ICRC vehicle in central Gaza, injuring an ICRC staff member and damaging the vehicle. Another medic was shot in the leg while on a mission for PRCS in May 2008, and was twice targeted by Israeli snipers during the 2009 war. He was also in a building that was being bombed while emergency workers tried to evacuate the victims. I was with Dr. Issa Saleh coming down the stairs from the sixth floor of an apartment building in Jabaliya, evacuating a martyr, when the Israelis again shelled the building. They knew there were medics inside. They could see our uniforms and the ambulances outside. Dr. Saleh was killed, decapitated by the bombing. The testimonies I took then included many more cases of medics going to save injured Palestinians and coming under Israeli fire, preventing them from reaching those who needed help. Reports at the time also spoke of a handwritten order in Hebrew found in Gaza, directing Israeli soldiers to open fire also upon rescue. In 2007, in the West Bank, during an Israeli invasion of Nablus, I saw Israeli soldiers take a Palestinian Medical Relief (PRM) volunteer (who had been part of a group escorting civilians to their old city homes) hostage, blindfold and handcuff him and use him as a human shield. Even back then, targeted arrest and detention of medics was common as a form of collective punishment for the volunteers providing essential emergency services to wounded Palestinians. When not arrested, medics and ambulances would still be routinely denied access to emergency areas, denying the wounded the attention they desperately needed. Fast forward to 2023 and 2024. The Israeli army repeatedly bombed hospitals throughout Gaza, invaded them, occupied and destroyed them, routinely killing medics, doctors and emergency workers. It is clear that for Israeli soldiers, killing medical workers is a policy, whether in ambulances or hospitals. Its also clear that while words of condemnation will sometimes be uttered by Western powers, Israel is never held accountable for these crimes. Denying civilians medical care In January, I wrote about Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, a Palestinian doctor from northern Gaza abducted and imprisoned by the Israeli army last December. In that article I noted that three doctors from Gaza in Israeli prisons had already been tortured to death in the last year plus, and that there is grave concern for Dr. Abu Safiyas life. Since then, other Palestinian hostages released from Israeli detention have confirmed Dr. Abu Safiya is being tortured. More recently, the Israeli Beersheba Court has issued a six-month administrative detention order for Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya, administrative detention being the means Israel uses to imprison Palestinians without charge. The abduction and torture of Palestinian doctors is another aspect of Israels all-out attack on Gazas health system. It is part of Israels attacks on Palestinians themselves, depriving them of life-saving care, part of the decades-long policy of killing Palestinians by every means possible, including by preventing the entry of medical equipment and food, starving Palestinians who escaped bombs and sniping. I will post the same rhetorical question Ive posed ad naseum: What would the international reaction be like if it were Russia point-blank assassinating uniformed, unarmed medics? It would be non-stop 24/7 howling in corporate media, victims faces and stories spoken of, demands for more sanctions... But Israel does this again and again over the decades and all Palestinians get are muted words of concern and calls for investigation, allowing Israel to continue slaughtering medics and emergency workers unabated. No justice. Read more at: RT.com Detroit (Gasgoo)- On April 8 (local time), Gasgoo successfully hosted its first "Gasgoo Night" event in Detroit, marking a milestone in its global outreach. Supported by the North American Association of Chinese Propulsion System Engineers and ShiangMi, the event gathered nearly 100 industry professionals from leading automakers, parts suppliers, and technology providers of China and the U.S. Themed "Redefining China's Market Value," the event fostered in-depth discussions on the Chinese automotive market, supply chain innovation, and new avenues for cross-border collaboration. The evening featured keynote speeches, a welcome banquet, and networking opportunities, creating a valuable platform for dialogue between global industry leaders. In his opening remarks, Dr. Jun Xin, Gasgoo Think Tank Strategy Advisor and former SAIC & Chery PT VP, emphasized the significance of this debut appearance in Detroit. Unlike previous visits focused on reporting or exchange, Gasgoo now aims to bring its high-quality services and insights directly to the global stage. Dr. Xin highlighted the Gasgoo's deep-rooted understanding of China's intelligent and electrified automotive supply chain, driven by its data-powered research institute. This foundation, he noted, allows Gasgoo to help overseas partners accurately track the evolution of China's auto industry and better align with its development pace. Dr. Jun Xin, Gasgoo Think Tank Strategy Advisor and former SAIC & Chery PT VP "Detroit is not only a symbol of the automotive world but also home to many Chinese professionals and long-time friends," Xin remarked. "As Gasgoo steps onto the global stage, we hope to earn continued trust and support from these valued partners." Ms. Hu Ying, Vice President of Brand and Communications at Gasgoo, noted that China, now the world's largest auto market, has become a hub for automotive innovation. Through this event, Gasgoo sought to reinforce its role as a bridge between the Chinese and global automotive ecosystems. Upholding its mission to "discover great companies, promote great technologies, and empower automotive talent," the company continues to deliver integrated servicesranging from supply-demand matchmaking and industry intelligence to data solutions and talent developmentvia its global platform. Gasgoo also introduced its newly launched global automotive big data platform, which consolidates datasets on global vehicle sales, forecasts of Chinese production and sales, as well as configurations for smart driving, intelligent cockpits, and electrification. The platform aims to provide comprehensive insights and data analytics for the global automotive industry. Hu Ying, Vice President of Brand and Communications at Gasgoo To further support companies expanding internationally, Gasgoo unveiled its Global Ecosystem Partner Program. The initiative connects key partners across major overseas marketsincluding Chinese automotive engineer associations abroad and international industry alliancesto deliver end-to-end strategic and operational services. Gasgoo invites peers worldwide to join this collaboration, leveraging integrated resources to empower the next phase of global automotive industry growth. During the keynote session of Gasgoo Night, Richard Wang, Partner at Gasgoo and Vice President of the Gasgoo Auto Research Institute, delivered a comprehensive analysis of the Chinese automotive market and supply chain. His address examined current conditions and projected trends from the perspectives of market evolution, technology ecosystems, and industrial development, offering attendees valuable strategic foresight. Richard Wang, Partner at Gasgoo and Vice President of the Gasgoo Auto Research Institute Mr. Wang noted that China's auto industry is undergoing a profound structural transformation. Driven by innovation and a highly coordinated supply chain, the country has firmly established itself as a global leader. He highlighted that the global automotive sector holds significant growth potential, with China already accounting for a substantial share of the new energy vehicle (NEV) market. By 2030, both NEV penetration and indigenous brand market share in China are expected to exceed 80%. On the market front, China's passenger vehicle market has progressed through various development stages, with local brands now capturing over 65% market share. Meanwhile, exports continue to rise, with Europe, Southeast Asia, and Latin America projected to emerge as China's top three export destinations in the coming years. From a technology perspective, Mr. Wang pointed out that China leads the world in the pace of new model development and product iteration. The 800V platform is gaining traction, and the adoption rate of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) continues to climb. Penetration of L2 and higher-level ADAS is expected to reach nearly 50% in 2024. Emerging technologies, such as end-to-end autonomous driving represented by vision-language-action (VLA) model, are becoming mainstream, and supercomputing centers are increasingly a benchmark for competitiveness in autonomous driving. China's local supply chain has also matured significantly, particularly in core components like power batteries, battery management systems, and drive motors, where a strong network of local suppliers has taken shape. Mr. Wang emphasized that China is not just a global production hub but is poised to define the future of automotive technology and business models. "We firmly believe the Chinese market will give rise to tech giants that mirror the dynamics of 'Microsoft + Intel' or 'Android + Qualcomm'," he stated. Following the keynote, the event went into a relaxed dinner and networking session, where participants engaged in in-depth exchanges on specific opportunities and business matchmaking, advancing tangible collaborations. The Gasgoo Night 2025 in Detroit Redefining China's Market Value concluded with productive discussions and insightful exchanges, injecting new momentum into global intelligent and electric vehicle innovation. The event also reinforced China's growing role as a key innovation hub in the international automotive ecosystem. Looking ahead, Gasgoo will host another Gasgoo Night event in Shanghai on April 22 during AUTO SHANGHAI 2025, and later this year at IAA Mobility in Europe. Industry professionals are encouraged to follow Gasgoo's official social media platforms for event details and registration. Hospital homicide? Medical records show Texas girl died from a hospital-acquired pneumonia superbug NOT measles An 8-year-old girl, Daisy Hildebrand, died in Texas after being diagnosed with measles, but medical experts later attributed her death to hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by antibiotic-resistant E. coli, compounded by medical errors. Critical mistakes included stopping antibiotics too soon, administering high-dose steroids without anti-infectives, delaying a sputum culture and using an incorrect antibiotic (ceftazidime) when the infection required imipenem. The case reignited discussions on measles vaccine safety and efficacy. While vaccines reduced measles cases, concerns persist over waning immunity (60% of vaccinated children remain susceptible to subclinical infection) and side effects (febrile seizures, autism correlation in some studies). Some experts, like Mary Holland of Childrens Health Defense, advocate for single measles vaccines over the MMR, arguing natural infection may confer better immunity with fewer risks than vaccination. Daisys death underscores the need for better medical protocols, transparency in vaccine safety research and a balanced approach to public health that addresses both treatment errors and vaccination concerns. In a recent development that has sparked intense debate, the death of 8-year-old Daisy Hildebrand in West Texas has brought the issue of measles and its treatment into the spotlight. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) initially reported that Daisy died from "measles pulmonary failure." However, a detailed analysis of her medical records by leading medical experts suggests that her death was more likely due to hospital-acquired pneumonia, a condition that was exacerbated by a series of medical errors. The case of Daisy Hildebrand Daisy Hildebrand was admitted to University Medical Center (UMC) Childrens Hospital in Lubbock, Texas, on March 21, with community-acquired pneumonia, a urinary tract infection and dehydration. She tested positive for measles on March 24 and was treated with antibiotics and oxygen. After showing signs of improvement, she was discharged on March 24. However, her condition deteriorated, and she was readmitted to UMC on March 27 with a high fever, cough and shortness of breath. Dr. Pierre Kory, a pulmonologist and critical care specialist, reviewed Daisys medical records and concluded that her death was due to acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) secondary to hospital-acquired pneumonia. Kory noted that the causative organism was a highly antibiotic-resistant E. coli, which she likely contracted during her first ICU stay. Medical errors and treatment failures Kory highlighted several critical errors in Daisys treatment that may have contributed to her death: Lack of antibiotics: Despite her worsening condition, antibiotics were stopped early in her second hospital stay. Kory stated, "The admitting doctors diagnosis was pneumonitis, and antibiotics were quickly stopped after admission." High-dose steroids without anti-infectives: The hospital staff administered high-dose steroids without pairing them with appropriate anti-infectives, which Kory described as a "lousy idea." Delayed sputum culture: A sputum culture, which could have identified the specific bacteria causing her pneumonia, was not performed until days into her second stay. By the time the results came back, it was too late to change her treatment effectively. Incorrect antibiotic choice: On day seven of her second stay, the hospital staff broadened the antibiotic treatment to include ceftazidime. However, the E. coli causing her pneumonia was resistant to this antibiotic. Kory noted that the correct antibiotic, imipenem, was not administered. Historical context and public health implications The case of Daisy Hildebrand raises important questions about the treatment of measles and the broader implications for public health. Measles, once a common childhood illness, has been largely controlled in the U.S. through vaccination. However, the effectiveness and safety of the measles vaccine have been subjects of ongoing debate. Measles mortality rates: Pre-vaccine era: Measles mortality rates had already declined significantly by the time the first measles vaccine was introduced in 1963. According to the CDC, the death rate from measles dropped by 98% from 1900 to 1955, largely due to improved sanitation and nutrition. Measles mortality rates had already declined significantly by the time the first measles vaccine was introduced in 1963. According to the CDC, the death rate from measles dropped by 98% from 1900 to 1955, largely due to improved sanitation and nutrition. Post-vaccine era: While the measles vaccine has further reduced the number of reported cases, concerns about vaccine safety and efficacy persist. The Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) has recorded 144 deaths following MMR or MMRV vaccination between 2000 and 2024, compared to nine measles-related deaths reported to the CDC during the same period. Vaccine safety and efficacy: Waning immunity: Research shows that immunity from the measles vaccine wanes over time, with about 60% of vaccinated children susceptible to subclinical measles infection and 33% of adults susceptible to clinical infection by age 24-26. Research shows that immunity from the measles vaccine wanes over time, with about 60% of vaccinated children susceptible to subclinical measles infection and 33% of adults susceptible to clinical infection by age 24-26. Serious health risks: The MMR vaccine has been associated with serious health risks, including febrile seizures, anaphylaxis, meningitis, encephalitis, thrombocytopenia, arthralgia and vasculitis. A 2004 study found that boys vaccinated with their first MMR vaccine on time were 67% more likely to be diagnosed with autism compared to boys who received the vaccine after their third birthday. The role of natural immunity Proponents of natural immunity argue that contracting measles naturally provides more comprehensive and long-term immunity compared to the vaccine. While the illness can occasionally be serious, the risk of permanent injury and death from the MMR vaccine has not been proven to be less than that of measles itself. Mary Holland, CEO of Childrens Health Defense (CHD), emphasized the importance of offering single measles shots as a safer alternative to the MMR vaccine. "If the Department of Health really wants to use a vaccine strategy to go after measles, then they should offer people a single measles shot. It would be safer than the MMR, which has proven to carry many serious risks." Conclusion The death of Daisy Hildebrand serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges in treating infectious diseases. While the measles vaccine has played a role in reducing the incidence of the disease, the case highlights the critical importance of proper medical care and the need for ongoing research into vaccine safety and efficacy. As the debate continues, it is crucial to balance public health measures with individual health concerns and to ensure that medical errors are identified and addressed to prevent similar tragedies in the future. Sources include: ChildrensHealthDefense.org ChildrensHealthDefense.org NaturalNews.com Trump takes aim at state and local climate laws in executive order President Donald Trump directed the DOJ to investigate and block state and local climate laws (e.g., "climate superfund" laws in NY and Vermont) that he views as unconstitutional or burdensome to the energy sector. Environmental groups and legal experts condemned the order as unconstitutional, accusing it of favoring polluters over public health. Fossil fuel groups praised it for protecting energy affordability. Experts argue the DOJ lacks authority to invalidate state laws, predicting court battles. It reflects ongoing federal-state clashes on climate policy, with Trump prioritizing fossil fuels while states lead climate action. President Donald J. Trump has issued an executive order directing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate and halt state and local climate laws and policies that he deems unconstitutional or otherwise unenforceable. The order, signed on April 8, targets laws in states like New York and Vermont, which have enacted "climate superfund" laws requiring fossil fuel companies to pay for damages from extreme weather. The move is part of Trump's broader agenda to promote American energy dominance and roll back environmental regulations. Background and context The executive order comes at a time when the federal government and several states are at odds over climate policy. While the Trump administration has consistently favored fossil fuels and sought to roll back environmental regulations, many states and cities have taken it upon themselves to address climate change through local laws and litigation. These efforts have been seen by some as a critical bulwark against federal inaction on environmental issues. Key provisions of the executive order There are three main sections to the executive order: Section 1: Purpose The order outlines the administration's commitment to "unleashing American energy" by removing what it considers illegitimate impediments to the development and use of domestic energy resources. It argues that state and local governments are overstepping their constitutional and statutory authorities by imposing barriers to interstate and international trade, subjecting energy producers to arbitrary fines, and enacting ideologically motivated climate policies. Section 2: State laws and causes of action Identification: The Attorney General, in consultation with other executive departments, is tasked with identifying all state and local laws, regulations and policies that burden the energy sector and may be unconstitutional or preempted by federal law. The Attorney General, in consultation with other executive departments, is tasked with identifying all state and local laws, regulations and policies that burden the energy sector and may be unconstitutional or preempted by federal law. Action: The Attorney General is directed to take all appropriate action to stop the enforcement of these laws and halt ongoing civil actions. The Attorney General is directed to take all appropriate action to stop the enforcement of these laws and halt ongoing civil actions. Report: Within 60 days, the Attorney General must submit a report to the President, recommending additional actions to fulfill the order's purpose. Section 3: General provisions The order includes provisions to ensure that it does not impair the authority of executive departments or create any enforceable rights. Reactions and implications President Trump's executive order has faced criticism from a diverse array of stakeholders, including environmentalists, oil companies and automotive trade groups, who argue that it undermines climate leadership and imposes unrealistic expectations. The order has been denounced for its perceived support of fossil fuel interests, the high cost of electric vehicles, and limited consumer demand, with environmental advocates and legal experts questioning its legality and effectiveness. Advocates and environmental groups Environmental advocates and climate activists have strongly criticized the executive order. Aru Shiney-Ajay, executive director of the Sunrise Movement, called it an "illegal, disgusting attempt to force everyday people to pay for the rising toll of climate disasters." Cassidy DiPaola, communications director of Make Polluters Pay, described it as an "anti-democratic attack" on local climate action, emphasizing that it prioritizes polluters' profits over public health and safety. Fossil fuel industry The fossil fuel industry has welcomed the order. Ryan Meyers, senior vice president of the American Petroleum Institute, stated that the move will "help restore the rule of law and ensure activist-driven campaigns do not stand in the way of ensuring the nation has access to an affordable and reliable energy supply." Legal challenges Environmental lawyers have questioned the legality of the executive order. Jason Rylander, legal director of the Center for Biological Diversity, called it "illegal and unconstitutional," arguing that the Attorney General lacks the authority to declare state laws illegal. He predicted that the order would fail in court. Historical context The tension between federal and state environmental policies is not new. The Obama administration, for instance, implemented several climate regulations that were subsequently rolled back by the Trump administration. This executive order represents a continuation of Trump's efforts to promote fossil fuels and reduce regulatory burdens on the energy sector. However, it also highlights the growing role of states and cities in climate action, particularly in the face of federal resistance. Conclusion President Trump's executive order to investigate and halt state and local climate laws is a significant move in the ongoing battle over environmental policy. While it aligns with the administration's pro-fossil fuel agenda, it faces strong opposition from environmental groups and legal challenges. The outcome of this order will have far-reaching implications for the balance of power between federal and state governments and the future of climate action in the United States. Sources include: ClimateDepot.com WhiteHouse.gov TheGuardian.com US GAINS GROUND in battle with China in Panama Canal dispute The U.S. is aggressively pursuing military control over the Panama Canal to counter Chinas growing influence. Panama initially rejected Trumps demands but now negotiates with the U.S., signaling a major geopolitical shift. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warns of "Chinese maligned influence" while securing new military agreements with Panama. Historical tensions resurface as the U.S. seeks to reverse its 1999 handover of the canal to Panama. The Panama Canal, a linchpin of global trade, is now at the center of a geopolitical power struggle between the United States and China. What began as heated rhetoric from former President Donald Trump threatening to "take back" the canal has evolved into tangible military maneuvers, joint exercises, and infrastructure investments aimed at securing Americas dominance. But beneath the surface of this renewed American assertiveness lies a deeper question: Is this a bold reclamation of strategic control, or an overreach that risks destabilizing the region, with UN involvement? A century of power shifts: How the Panama Canal became a battleground Built by the United States in 1914, the Panama Canal was a testament to American engineering and imperialism. The U.S. exercised full control for decades, a privilege secured under dubious circumstances after supporting Panamas secession from Colombia. Yet in 1999, under the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaties, the U.S. transferred control to Panama a move Trump has repeatedly denounced as a "horrible mistake." Now, the U.S. is scrambling to undo that decision amid concerns that Chinese companies, like the Hong Kong-based Hutchison Ports, have gained too much influence over canal operations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has framed this as an existential battle, declaring, "China did not build this canal. China does not operate this canal. And China will not weaponize this canal." But what he doesnt mention is that American intervention risks violating Panamas sovereignty, a tension already flaring in diplomatic confrontations at the United Nations. From resistance to cooperation: Panamas precarious dance with the U.S. Earlier this year, Panamas government furiously rejected Trumps threats, asserting that the canal remained Panamas "inalienable patrimony." President Jose Raul Mulino even lodged a UN complaint, citing violations of international law. Yet barely months later, Panama is negotiating with the U.S., allowing American troops at old military bases like Rodman Naval Station and Howard Air Force Base former Cold War relics now revived as staging grounds to counter China. Has Panama succumbed to pressure, or is this strategic pragmatism? The truth likely lies in economic desperation. Panamas economy thrives on canal revenues, and Chinese control threatens U.S. trade routes. By allowing American military cooperation, Panama may be playing both sides but with the U.S. flexing muscle, their options are narrowing fast. Will Trump's negotiating strategy work in Panama? History doesnt repeat, but it rhymes. The U.S. seizure of the Panama Canal in 1903 was justified as securing "American interests." Today, the same rhetoric echoes in Trumps threats. But the world has changed, and Trump understands this. His threats could be part of a broader negotiating strategy. While China wont back down easily, and Panama wont surrender sovereignty without a fight, the U.S. isn't really seeking global supremacy. This isn't about imperialism, to dominate other nations. While critics warn that U.S. threats could trigger unintended consequences economic retaliation, regional instability, or even a proxy conflict with China in Americas backyard there is an art to the deal here. Defense Secretary Hegseth says the Administration is looking forward toward a "golden age of clear-eyed Americanism." "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." Source include: SHTFPlan.com SHTFPlan.com Defense.gov Israeli lobbyists boast of controlling US national security policy in leaked AIPAC audio AIPAC CEO Eliot Brandt admits "lifeline" access to Trumps top national security officials, shaping foreign policy to benefit Israel Former Pentagon Middle East policy chief Dana Stroul pushes propaganda justifying Israels genocide in Gaza while advancing military-industrial interests Leaked comments reveal deep concern over pro-Palestinian influence in academia, AI, and public discourse signaling a coming censorship crackdown AIPACs history of espionage and covert influence raises questions: Who truly controls US foreign policy? AIPAC boasts about controlling Washington For decades, the American political establishment has parroted the line that the U.S.-Israel relationship is built on "shared democratic values." But leaked audio from an off-the-record AIPAC panel lays bare a far more troubling reality: Israels primary lobbying arm openly brags about grooming U.S. officials, manipulating policy, and silencing dissentall while the American public foots the bill. Behind closed doors, AIPACs leadership speaks freely about their dominance over Washingtons power structure, exposing a corrupt system where elected officials answer not to voters, but to foreign-backed influence peddlers. If this were China or Russia pulling these strings, politicians would be screaming about treason. But because its Israel, the machine keeps churning funding genocides, suppressing free speech, and turning America into an arm of the apartheid states war machine. How AIPAC grooms US officials into obedient Israel loyalists The American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), despite posing as a domestic lobbying group, functions more like a foreign agent operation embedded in Washington's halls of power. In leaked audio obtained by The Grayzone, AIPACs new CEO, Eliot Brandt, detailed how the organization cultivates key U.S. national security figures ensuring they remain loyal to Israel above all else. "Those three people have something in common: they all served in Congress They all have relationships with key AIPAC leaders from their communities. So the lines of communication are good should there be something questionable or curious, and we need access on the conversation." Eliot Brandt, AIPAC CEO Brandts not-so-subtle admission confirms what critics have long warned: AIPAC doesnt just influence policy it helps select and install policymakers. The organization pumps millions into political campaigns, ensuring that only Israel-friendly candidates rise through the ranks, then maintains personal access to them once they reach high office. This system recalls past espionage scandals, such as the 2005 case where AIPAC officials passed classified Pentagon intelligence to Israel. The FBI raided AIPACs offices, but the case was mysteriously dropped, proving that Israels lobby operates with near-total impunity. Even more alarming? Former Pentagon official Dana Stroul, who once oversaw Middle East policy under Biden, now openly functions as an Israel-first propagandist, justifying war crimes in Gaza while framing U.S. military aid to Israel as essential for American interests. The Gaza genocide is "Hamas fault," says Pentagon insider-turned-lobbyist Stroul, now at the neoconservative Washington Institute for Near East Policy (WINEP), dismissed Israels slaughter of over 50,000 civilians in Gaza as a "clever" Hamas tactic designed to make Israel "look bad." She argued that Hamas deliberately placed civilians in harms way a standard Zionist talking point that ignores Israels documented policy of indiscriminate bombing, mass executions, and forced famine. Worse, Stroul bragged about how Israels war machine benefits Washington, stating that Israeli intelligence-sharing and militarism serve as a model for U.S. imperialism: "We get as much intelligence from Israel as we give to Israel This is a partner that has flipped the script on what can be accomplished with military force in a way the United States military never conceived of." Dana Stroul But what exactly is Israels "script"? Ethnic cleansing. Mass surveillance. A global arms trade profiting from occupied Palestinian land. And thanks to AIPACs grip on Congress, any criticism of Israel is now being criminalized under the guise of "combating antisemitism." The coming censorship war: AIPACs fear of truth in academia and AI Perhaps most revealing was an unidentified AIPAC panelists warning about pro-Palestinian academics influencing AI algorithms. The lobbyist fretted that future AI-generated policy recommendations might challenge Israels crimesmeaning they see independent thought itself as a threat. "Imagine five years from now a congressional staffer types into AI: 'Is supporting Israel bad for American national security?' The answer they get back is going to be informed by the information thats on the internet today." This paranoia explains why attacks on pro-Palestinian speechwhether in schools, corporations, or Congress are escalating. If people learn the truth, the Zionist stranglehold on Washington could collapse overnight. The leaked audio proves what dissidents have warned for years: U.S. foreign policy isnt made by elected leaders its dictated by Israeli interests. From espionage to genocide justification, AIPAC operates with zero accountability, treating America as a puppet state while billions in tax dollars fuel apartheid. As Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Robert Fisk once observed, "Israel is Americas spoiled child." But as more Americans wake up to the truth, will they finally demand an end to this toxic alliance? Or will U.S. politics remain a playpen for foreign lobbyists and war profiteers? Sources include: TheGrayZone.com Youtube.com WashtingtonInstitute.org Reuters.com Prepare Tribe: Prepare, Protect, Provide on BrightU: Americans are dangerously unprepared for water emergencies In Episode 3 of "Prepare Tribe: Prepare, Protect, Provide," Morgan Mitchell revealed that most Americans are critically unprepared for emergencies, with only about 12 hours of water stored (often from unreliable sources like hot water or toilet tanks). This episode went over the FEMA and the Red Cross recommendation of storing at least 15 gallons per person (two weeks' worth) for drinking, sanitation and hygiene. Mitchell urged preppers to avoid disposable plastic bottles as they degrade, leak and leach chemicals. Instead, he recommended using FDA-approved, military-grade containers like the Reliance Rhino (5 gallons) or Aqua-Tainer (7 gallons), made from durable high-density polyethylene plastic. Mitchell also explained why proper storage is key. The best practice is to rotate water every three years, avoid concrete floors, never use milk jugs and keep containers in a cool, dark place to prevent contamination. In Episode 3 of "Prepare Tribe: Prepare, Protect, Provide," aired on April 7, Morgan Mitchell, one of the founders of Ark Seed Kits & Prepare Tribe, revealed that most Americans are dangerously unprepared for water emergencies. "The majority of Americans have about 12 hours worth of water in their home," Mitchell said. "That water typically comes from the hot water tank or the toilet tank hardly a reliable long-term solution." Federal agencies like FEMA and the Red Cross recommend storing at least two weeks' worth of water roughly 15 gallons per person for drinking, sanitation and basic hygiene. But storing water isn't as simple as hoarding plastic bottles. Disposable water bottles are flimsy, prone to leaks and degrade over time. Worse, they can leach chemicals into your water if stored improperly. "Water storage containers in bulk like 24-packs of bottled water are cheap plastic. They can easily break and crack," Mitchell explained. "You need containers with thick, FDA-approved plastic that won't contaminate your supply." Without clean water, nothing else matters Not all containers are created equal. Mitchell recommended military-grade water cans designed for durability and safety, such as the Reliance Rhino (a 5-gallon rectangular container made from high-density polyethylene) and the Reliance Aqua-Tainer (a 7-gallon option with a compact, stackable design). "These containers are made from the highest quality plastic for the price," Mitchell said. "They're easy to store, carry and most importantly they keep water safe for years." However, even with the right container, improper storage can ruin your supply. "Dump, rinse and refill every three years," advised Mitchell. He also highlighted key pitfalls to look out for: Storing water on concrete Chemicals from spills (like gasoline) can seep into plastic. Always elevate containers. Using milk jugs or soda bottles These degrade quickly and harbor bacteria. "Milk jugs have fatty acids that will destroy your water," Mitchell warned. Exposure to light and heat UV rays and warmth breed algae and bacteria. Store water in a cool, dark place. Ignoring rotation Even the best containers need maintenance. For a family of four, Mitchell's ideal setup for water storage includes, two military-grade water cans (10 gallons total), two Reliance Rhinos (10 gallons) and one Reliance Aqua-Tainer (7 gallons). "That's nearly 30 gallons enough for two people to survive two weeks," he said. "Before you buy another gadget or stockpile food, invest in proper water storage," Mitchell urged. "Without clean water, nothing else matters." When disaster strikes, clean water becomes more valuable than gold. For those serious about preparedness, the right containers like the Reliance Rhino and Aqua-Tainer are the foundation of any emergency plan. Because when the taps run dry, your survival may depend on what's already in your home. Mitchell also urged viewers to use a simple water test kit to check for contaminants before disaster strikes. "You need to know what's in your water now," he said. "Not when its too late." Want to learn more? Disruptions can happen at any time, be it natural disasters, economic downturns or unexpected emergencies. But with the right preparation, you won't just survive, you will thrive. If you want to learn more about how you can be more resilient, want to view the presentations at your convenience or learn at your own pace, you can purchase the "Prepare Tribe: Prepare, Protect, Provide" package here. Upon purchase, you will get instant and unlimited access to all "Prepare Tribe" episodes and bonus items, including Advanced Food Preservation Technique video, Food Self-Reliance e-Book, free access to Morgan and Alex Mitchell's 5-Day Challenge and 50 percent discount on the Backyard Seed Kit only on Health Ranger Store. Sources include: BrightU.com BrighteonUniversity.com HealthRangerStore.com Geoengineers forced into secrecy as public backlash grows: How climate elites are manipulating populations to accept geoengineering experiments Scientists and billionaires like Bill Gates back risky geoengineering projects, including solar dimming and aerosol injections, to combat climate change. Local governments and activists are pushing back, leading to bans and forcing researchers to conceal experiments from the public. Past volcanic eruptions prove that sunlight-blocking technologies can devastate agriculture, yet climate engineers continue down this reckless path. Independent journalism and public awareness are exposing the toxic fallout of chemtrails and geoengineering deceit. Globalists are looking to foster trust with populations and get majorities to support geoengineering in their neighborhood. Climate elites play God with Earths atmosphere As concerns over climate change escalate, a shadowy alliance of scientists, billionaires, and globalist institutions is pushing geoengineering as a "solution" to global warming. Their methods spraying reflective aerosols into the stratosphere, seeding clouds with salt crystals, and manipulating ocean chemistry could have catastrophic side effects. But instead of transparency, these climate engineers increasingly operate in secrecy, avoiding public scrutiny as resistance grows. The SCoPEx project, funded by Bill Gates and overseen by the National Academies of Sciences, was exposed for attempting to block sunlight by releasing sulfate particles high in the atmosphere. Similar experiments have been conducted in California, Australia, and Sweden often without public knowledge. When Alameda residents discovered a secret cloud-brightening test in San Francisco Bay, local officials swiftly shut it down, recognizing the dangers of unregulated climate manipulation. Historical precedent warns against such reckless experiments. The year 536 AD saw a volcanic eruption that blotted out the sun, triggering famine and chaos across the Mediterranean. Roman historians documented failed harvests, bitter cold, and a "sun without light." Yet todays geoengineering advocates ignore these warnings, dismissing public fears as ignorance. Some geoengineering is more accepted in places around the world, but does that make it right? Some geoengineering technologies like marine cloud brightening and carbon dioxide removal are gaining traction as potential climate solutions, but this brings up another question: Should democracies decide which experiments are conducted on ecosystems and human populations? Should the majority dictate experiments that violate individual rights? Two key cases highlight this challenge: Secrecy Backfires in Alameda, California In 2024, University of Washington scientists tested cloud-brightening technology by spraying sea-salt particles from the decommissioned USS Hornet in San Francisco Baywithout notifying local authorities. When Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft discovered the experiment via a news article, public backlash led to its shutdown. Researchers had intended to avoid protests, but their lack of transparency eroded trust. Contrasting Success in Australias Great Barrier Reef In contrast, Southern Cross Universitys marine cloud brightening project, trialed for five years near the Great Barrier Reef, has proceeded with broad public support. Researchers collaborated with Indigenous groups, held community consultations, and addressed concerns (e.g., salt spray effects on agriculture). This inclusive approach fostered trust, proving engagement is critical for legitimacy. However, the experiment affects everyone's lives, not just those who are convinced to support it. The battle to expose toxic chemtrails and hidden agendas The secrecy surrounding geoengineering has fueled distrust. Why hide experiments if the science is sound? The truth is, these projects are less about "saving the planet" and more about consolidating power. Tech oligarchs like Gates have positioned themselves as global climate saviors, despite their histories of pushing controversial pharmaceuticals, GMO agriculture, and surveillance technologies. Now, they seek to control Earths weather a move that reeks of hubris and tyranny. Worse, these experiments leave behind toxic residues. Independent researchers have documented heavy metals like aluminum and barium in rainwater samples near geoengineering sites. Are these accidental byproducts? Or is there a darker purpose? The parallels to Big Pharmas deceit are undeniable: corporate-funded science, suppressed dissent, and a captured regulatory system. Public resistance is mounting. State legislatures across the U.S. are introducing bills to ban geoengineering, but enforcement remains weak. Laws wont stop the elite only relentless exposure will. Citizen scientists, alternative journalists, and whistleblowers must track secret tests, analyze air and soil samples, and pressure lawmakers to act. The fight over geoengineering is not merely about climate it's about power. Will humanity accept a future where unelected technocrats control the skies, deciding who gets sunlight and rain? Or will citizens demand transparency, natural solutions, and true accountability? As one Alameda official warned: "They chose not to tell us." The same arrogance defines the entire geoengineering agenda. The question is, will the public let them get away with it? Sources include: Whatsupwiththat.com Science.org Politico.com Tragic Hudson River helicopter crash claims lives of Spanish family, pilot amid ongoing debate over NYC air safety A sightseeing helicopter carrying a Spanish executive, his wife, three children, and the pilot crashed into the Hudson River, killing all six aboard. Witnesses reported a catastrophic midair breakup before the helicopter plummeted near Jersey City. The victims included Siemens Spains rail division CEO, his family, and the unnamed pilot, with recovery efforts lasting hours. The crash reignited debates over NYCs helicopter tourism industry, criticized for lax safety regulations despite past accidents. Aviation experts called the crash heartbreaking and inevitable, with the NTSB and FAA investigating the cause. A sightseeing helicopter carrying a Spanish executive, his wife, three young children, and their pilot broke apart midair Thursday afternoon before crashing into the Hudson River, killing all aboard in the latest in a string of deadly accidents renewing scrutiny over New York Citys often-contentious helicopter tourism industry. The Bell 206 aircraft, operated by New York Helicopters, plummeted near Jersey City just 18 minutes after takeoff from a Manhattan heliport, with eyewitnesses describing a catastrophic mechanical failure that left debris scattering across the skyline. Emergency crews descended on the scene within minutes, deploying rescue boats to recover the submerged aircraft and victims. The mangled helicopter was later lifted from the water by a crane after hours of recovery efforts. Mayor Eric Adams confirmed all six victims were pronounced dead, including Agustin Escobar, CEO of Siemens Spains rail division, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, their children (ages 4, 5, and 11), and the 36-year-old pilot, whose name has not yet been released. Footage captured by bystanders showed the helicopters rotor detaching before the cabin spun uncontrollably into the river. Aviation experts like former Marine Corps pilot Justin Green noted the crew had "no chance" of recovery once structural failure occurred, calling it a "heartbreaking" inevitability. The NTSB and FAA have launched an investigation, though preliminary reports suggest no distress call was made before the crash. Tourism industry tensions resurface The tragedy has reignited debate over helicopter regulations in one of the worlds busiest airspaces. New Yorks sightseeing flightsaveraging 30,000 annuallyhave long drawn criticism for noise and safety concerns. While past accidents spurred restrictions, including a 2016 ban on Sunday flights and mandated routes, critics argue oversight remains inadequate. "This heartbreaking incident was not only devastating it was foreseeable," said Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY). For years, I have raised concerns about the dangers posed by non-essential helicopter flights over our citys densely populated neighborhoods and congested airspace. One of the busiest skies in the nation remains largely unregulated, governed by outdated visual flight rules and minimal oversight, he added. The helicopters owner, Michael Roth, expressed bewilderment, telling the New York Post the midair breakup was unlike anything hed seen in 30 years. His company, New York Helicopters, previously faced scrutiny when another of its aircraft made an emergency Hudson landing in 2013 due to engine failure, though no one was injured. Industry defenders emphasize the economic benefits of tourism flights, which employ hundreds and generate millions in revenue. Legacy of loss and unanswered questions Escobar, a 27-year Siemens veteran lauded for his leadership, had recently posted online about his family being his "endless source of energy." Siemens memorialized him as "a visionary" in a somber statement. Spanish officials confirmed the family resided in Barcelona, with regional leaders mourning their "devastating" loss. The crash marks the deadliest helicopter incident in NYC since a 2019 skyscraper collision killed one pilot and the first involving passengers since a 2018 East River crash that drowned five. While the NTSBs investigation could take months, the disaster underscores persistent risks in an industry balancing commerce and safety. For now, as recovery crews clear the wreckage, the city faces renewed calls to ground nostalgia for adrenaline-fueled skyline views in harder truths about accountability. Sources for this article include: RT.com NYPost.com APNews.com USAToday.com Losing Military Supremacy by Andrei Martyanov: A wake-up call for the United States Andrei Martyanov's "Losing Military Supremacy" argues that the United States is losing its military supremacy due to strategic myopia, characterized by an inability to adapt to changing global dynamics and a failure to recognize the limitations of its military technology. Martyanov draws on Alexis de Tocqueville's observations to critique the American character, suggesting that a vainglorious sensitivity to criticism and a loss of sound reasoning (termed "de-Hellenization" by Robert Reilly) have contributed to a broader existential crisis in American strategic thinking. The lack of a cohesive national identity and the absence of direct invasion during World War II have prevented the U.S. from developing the historical resilience that shaped other nations, leading to a strategic myopia that undermines its global position. Martyanov criticizes the U.S. military's overreliance on high-tech weaponry, exemplified by the problematic F-35 program, which has led to a distorted understanding of power and a failure to recognize the limitations of advanced technology. Martyanov contrasts the U.S. approach with Russia's pragmatic and effective military strategy, shaped by its historical experiences and continental warfare, which has given Russia a strategic edge in modern conflicts. He warns that American myopia in strategic planning has led to significant miscalculations and blunders in foreign policy and military interventions. In a world where geopolitical dynamics are shifting at an unprecedented pace, the United States, long considered the unchallenged global superpower, is facing a stark reality: Its military supremacy is eroding. This is the central thesis of Andrei Martyanov's provocative book, "Losing Military Supremacy: The Myopia of American Strategic Planning," which offers a critical examination of America's strategic missteps and the consequences of its failure to adapt to a changing global landscape. Martyanov, a former Soviet naval officer and current defense analyst, begins his analysis by drawing on Alexis de Tocqueville's observations about the American character. Tocqueville noted that Americans are highly sensitive to criticism and insatiable for praise, a trait that Martyanov argues has become a liability in the 21st century. This vaingloriousness, he contends, has not only become a threat to the world but also to America's own democratic institutions, contributing to a broader existential crisis. The book delves into the cognitive decline of American strategic thinking, a phenomenon Robert Reilly termed "de-Hellenization" a loss of sound reasoning across all national activities. Martyanov argues that this decline is not just a shift in economic paradigms but a total existential crisis of American national mythology. It is a crisis that transcends superficial ideological or party affiliations and strikes at the heart of the nation's consensus. One of the key arguments Martyanov makes is that America's failure to form a cohesive national identity was both a blessing and a curse. The lack of a direct invasion on American soil during World War II, while beneficial in the post-war era, prevented the nation from experiencing the historical glue that helped form modern nations. This, Martyanov suggests, has contributed to the erosion of the American myth and the nation's strategic myopia. Martyanov's critique extends to the American military's obsession with high-tech weaponry and its overconfidence in its capabilities. He points to the F-35 program as a prime example, noting that despite its sophistication, the program has been plagued by problems and questions about its effectiveness. This overreliance on advanced technology, he argues, has led to a distorted understanding of power and a failure to recognize the limitations of American military technology. In contrast, Martyanov provides a Russian perspective on military strategy and technology. He emphasizes that Russia's military history and its experience with continental warfare have shaped its approach to defense and strategy. Russian military technology, he argues, is not just about sophistication but about effectiveness and reliability, driven by the nation's need for survival. This pragmatic approach, Martyanov suggests, has given Russia a strategic advantage in modern conflicts. The book also highlights the dangers of American myopia in strategic planning, which has led to a series of miscalculations and blunders in foreign policy and military interventions. From the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to the handling of the Syrian conflict, Martyanov paints a picture of an America that is increasingly out of touch with the realities of modern warfare and global politics. He argues that these failures are not just tactical but strategic, rooted in a fundamental misunderstanding of the nature of power and influence. Martyanov's analysis is not just a critique but a call to action. He suggests that the era of American military hegemony is over and that the United States must come to terms with its declining power and the emergence of new global players like Russia and China. He warns that without a realistic assessment of its capabilities and a willingness to engage in meaningful dialogue, America risks further decline and potential conflict. In conclusion, "Losing Military Supremacy: The Myopia of American Strategic Planning" is a sobering reminder that in a rapidly changing world, the old rules no longer apply. Martyanov's book serves as a valuable resource for policymakers and strategists seeking to understand and address the challenges posed by Russia's evolving military prowess. As the United States navigates these uncertain times, it is crucial to question assumptions, challenge biases and strive for a deeper understanding of the complex forces shaping the global landscape. Watch this video about Andrei Martyanov's book, "Losing Military Supremacy: The Myopia of American Strategic Planning." This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com. Sources include: Brighteon.ai Brighteon.com Trumps self-deportation push sees over 5,000 leave as enforcement tightens The Trump administration's enforcement policies are already driving over 5,000 illegal immigrants to self-deport via the CBP One app. Noncompliance carries harsh penalties, including $998 daily fines and permanent bans from reentry. Self-deportation provides a humane exit while deterring future illegal immigration through strict enforcement. Employers hiring undocumented workers face severe financial penalties under the new policy. The approach reverses Biden-era policies, signaling a return to strict immigration control and the rule of law. The Trump administrations steadfast commitment to immigration enforcement is yielding tangible results, with more than 5,000 illegal immigrants voluntarily departing the U.S. through the innovative "CBP One" app. A DHS spokesperson explained, Formal termination notices have been issued, and affected aliens are urged to voluntarily self-deport using the CBP Home App. Those who refuse will be found, removed, and permanently barred from reentry. This self-deportation initiative, a cornerstone of the administrations broader immigration strategy, demonstrates that firm but fair enforcement of existing laws serves as a powerful deterrent saving taxpayer resources while restoring the rule of law. By combining stringent penalties for noncompliance with clear messaging "self-deport or face forcible removal"the policy is proving that chaos at the border can indeed be reversed. Enforcing laws works as a deterrent For years, critics claimed strict immigration enforcement was impractical or even cruel. Yet the data tells a different story. Since the self-deportation programs rollout, thousands have opted to leave on their own terms rather than risk arrest, detention, and permanent inadmissibility. Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News that the penalties for ignoring deportation orders are considerable. This includes a fine of $998 per day for every day that the illegal alien overstayed their final deportation order, she noted. The financial disincentive is just one piece of a broader enforcement framework. Employers hiring undocumented workers now also face crippling fines. A humane yet firm alternative Contrary to left-wing alarmism, the Trump administrations approach provides a pathway for illegal immigrants to avoid the trauma of abrupt deportation. By encouraging voluntary departures with the option to reapply legally the policy respects individual agency while upholding sovereignty. The contrast with previous administrations is significant. Under Obama and Biden, lax enforcement and "catch-and-release" policies incentivized illegal crossings. A Trump DHS spokesperson noted, The Biden Administration abused the parole authority to allow millions of illegal aliens into the US which further fueled the worst border crisis in US history. Now, with deportations averaging 1,800 per day on track to surpass 600,000 annually the message is clear: Americas laws will no longer be mocked. Critics argue the policy is overly punitive, but supporters counter that it merely enforces laws that have long been ignored. Restoring the rule of law The self-deportation initiative is part of a larger effort to dismantle the incentives driving illegal immigration. By streamlining deportation proceedings and closing loopholes, the administration has made it exponentially harder to game the system. The policys success hinges on consistency. While past administrations vacillated between enforcement and amnesty, Trumps unwavering stance has forced a reckoning. With an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the U.S., scaling up the program remains a priority. Yet the early results are promising. In addition to voluntary departures, ICE removals have surged, with prioritization of criminal aliens and recent border-crossers. A blueprint for the future The self-deportation model offers a sustainable alternative to the cyclical battles over mass deportations versus blanket amnesty. By pairing smart enforcement with clear consequences, the Trump administration is proving that attrition through deterrence works. For now, the message to those living illegally in the U.S. is unambiguous: comply or face the consequences. And for the first time in decades, theyre listening. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com FoxNews.com NYPost.com USCIS expands social media screening for visa applicants amid anti-Israel campus protests USCIS has intensified scrutiny of social media activity for visa applicants, targeting ties to groups like Hamas and Hezbollah under a Trump executive order. Hundreds of visas, primarily for students, have been canceled sparking protests and lawsuits over free speech and due process concerns. Officials defend the policy, stating the U.S. will not admit individuals supporting terrorism, citing First Amendment limits for antisemitic or violent rhetoric. Examples include revoked visas for students like Momodou Taal (Cornell) and Rumeysa Ozturk (Tufts) over controversial social media posts or op-eds on Gaza. Critics question whether the policy prioritizes national security or ideological suppression, as courts temporarily block deportations (e.g., Columbia's Mahmoud Khalil). U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has intensified its screening of social media activity for foreign nationals applying for student visas and permanent residency, targeting individuals linked to organizations accused of antisemitic violence. The policy enacted under an executive order (EO) signed by President Donald Trump in January has already led to the revocation of hundreds of visas. It has also sparked protests from activist groups and legal challenges from affected students. The move nevertheless reflects the second Trump administration's broader crackdown on pro-Palestine activism on college campuses, raising concerns over free speech and due process. Under the new framework, USCIS now examines applicants' online histories for endorsements of groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis (formally the Ansar Allah movement) and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. According to Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security, the new policy lines up with Trump's January EO. She defended the new measure, arguing that visa applicants supporting terrorism "are not welcome" in the United States. "There is no room in the United States for the rest of the world's terrorist sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here," McLauglin remarked. Quoting a remark made by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, she emphasized that "anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for antisemitic violence and terrorism" ought to "think again." When free speech clashes with national security The new policy by USCIS comes amid incidents of students being targeted by the U.S. government for speaking out against Israel's genocide of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. A federal court order temporarily halted the deportation of Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student from Columbia University. In another case, Anglo-Gambian student Momodou Taal found his visa revoked after calling for the "destruction" of the "U.S. empire" on social media. Taal, a former student at Cornell University, challenged the revocation of his visa in court. His appeal was denied, however, and Taal self-deported. Secretary of State Marco Rubio earlier pointed out that under Trump's January EO, the administration has canceled at least 300 student visas. He put forward this claim during a March 27 press conference in Guyana, located in South America. (Related: Rubio: State Department has REVOKED over 300 visas of foreign students.) "If you want to participate in movements that vandalize universities, harass students or take over buildings, we're not going to give you a visa," Rubio argued. "We gave you a visa to study, not to tear up campuses." The secretary of state's answer came in response to a Reuters reporter, who asked Rubio to explain why the Department of State revoked the visa of Turkish national Rumeysa Ozturk. The Tufts University student found her visa canceled after writing an op-ed about the "Gaza war" something Rubio confirmed during the press conference. Given the fiasco about the USCIS' new policy, one question remains: Where does national security end and ideological suppression begin? For now, the Trump administration remains firm in its stance. Head over to FirstAmendment.news for more similar stories. Watch this Fox News report about protesters supporting Mahmoud Khalil being arrested by law enforcement. This video is from the TREASURE OF THE SUN channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Constitutional CRISIS: Legal resident detained without charge, accused of "antisemitism" for speaking against Israel's actions in Gaza. Trump Administration targets pro-Palestine activist for DEPORTATION, citing "foreign policy threat" in free speech crackdown. Arrest of a Columbia University graduate participating in campus protests against Israel ignites widespread outrage online. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com TheBlaze.com 1 TheBlaze.com 2 Brighteon.com Shanghai (Gagsoo)- On April 11, smart mobility and services provider Chenqi Technology Limited (ONTIME) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Guangdong GOVY Technology Co., Ltd. ("GOVY"), a low-altitude mobility tech company, according to a post on ONTIME's WeChat account. The two sides will combine ONTIME's operational expertise in smart mobility with GOVY's strength in flying car development to accelerate the integration of flying vehicles into mobility services. The partnership aims to deliver seamless connections between products and services, offering users a more efficient and convenient three-dimensional travel experience while advancing the commercialization of low-altitude mobility solutions. Photo credit: ONTIME This collaboration marks another expansion of ONTIME's service boundaries following its entry into the Robotaxi market in 2021. The company is now moving into new territory by exploring the operational scenarios for flying cars and laying the groundwork for a multidimensional smart mobility platform. GOVY, a tech venture incubated by GAC Group, focuses on the R&D, production, sales, and services of flying cars and their ecosystem products. The company has launched two models: the multi-rotor GOVY AirCar and the compound-wing GOVY AirJet. The GOVY AirCar has already received a special flight permit from the Civil Aviation Administration of China ("CAAC"), while the GOVY AirJet is scheduled for preorder in 2025 as GOVY pushes toward commercialization of low-altitude mobility. Under the agreement, the two companies will leverage ONTIME's deep market insight and operational experience, along with GOVY's capabilities in vehicle development and innovative applications, to jointly draft a white paper outlining business models and operational standards for low-altitude urban air mobility. They also plan to conduct feasibility studies for pilot projects combining flying cars and Robotaxi services, and to collaborate on research involving big data applications related to cloud-based management, navigation, communication, and monitoring systems in the aerial mobility space. GAC Group has been steadily advancing its presence in smart urban mobility, including areas such as Robotaxi, flying cars, and intelligent robotics. Through ONTIME, it has already demonstrated commercial Robotaxi operations and now plans to extend its ground mobility capabilities into the air by building an end-to-end Robo-AirTaxi system. The goal is to provide seamless coverage from road to sky, addressing diverse travel needs and aiming to launch demonstration operations of flying cars in two to three cities across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area by 2027. This initiative will support a fully integrated three-dimensional mobility service chain encompassing multi-modal hubs, ground transport, and aerial transport. ONTIME plays a key role in GAC's all-scenario, multidimensional smart mobility network. The company continues to advance L3 and L4 autonomous vehicle operation on the ground, launching the world's first hybrid commercial platform for both human-driven ride-hailing and Robotaxi services in 2022. It received approval for L3 self-driving vehicle road testing in June 2024 and was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in July 2024. Shedding light on the dark side of MMR vaccines: How vaccinated individuals SPREAD MEASLES & put the vulnerable at risk MMR vaccine shedding may allow transmission of measles via breast milk or other routes. A documented case describes a vaccinated woman contracting measles 9 weeks post-vaccination. A documented case of a teenager dying after contracting vaccine-strain measles 32% of 14-18 month olds experience moderate-to-severe fever, raising safety concerns. Recent outbreaks may stem from vaccine-driven viral spread, contradicting official narratives. Vaccinated individuals can spread the very diseases they are inoculated against The trust in vaccines as a cornerstone of public health is being shattered by emerging revelations about the MMR vaccine. While hailed as a savior against measles, mumps, and rubella, scientific scrutiny exposes unsettling truths: vaccinated individuals may unknowingly spread the very diseases they were inoculated against. This is mentioned on the vaccine insert sheet for Merck's MMR II. Recent studies, including a harrowing case of a 40-year-old woman hospitalized with vaccine-derived measles, and a study on the death of a 17-year-old, immunocompromised child, now force us to question the true risks of these live virus injectionsand the cover-ups that fuel vaccine propaganda. The MMR vaccine, though widely distributed, carries little-disclosed dangers: contraindications for pregnant women, immune-compromised individuals, and those with allergies, as well as side effects so severe that 1 in 3 children run high fevers. Even more alarming, evidence suggests the vaccine virus can spread among the vaccinated, particularly through breast milka fact pharmaceutical companies downplay. In an era of renewed measles outbreaks, the question arises: are officials blaming unvaccinated populations while ignoring the potential role of vaccinated carriers? The phantom in the vaccinated: shedding and silent spread Live attenuated vaccines like MMR are designed to stimulate immune responses by introducing weakened viruses. But what happens when these viruses dont stay weakened? Research reveals that lactating mothers receive the M-M-R II vaccine may inadvertently infect their nursing babies with rubella via breast milk. Though rare, such cases have been documented, with infants showing mild rubella-like illnesses. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) admits, in fine print, that rubella virus strains [in MMR] have been transmitted to infants, yet public warnings are absent. Now, the specter of measles shedding further complicates the narrative. A Canadian case study details a 40-year-old womannever vaccinated as a childwho received an MMR shot nine weeks before childbirth. Ten days later, she developed a rash, fever, and symptoms indistinguishable from wild-type measles. Lab tests confirmed the disease originated from the vaccine strain despite negative prenatal antibodies. This isnt a theoretical riskits happening, says an immunologist who reviewed the case. Vaccine-derived measles can resemble the wild form and may spread to unvaccinated infants in close contact. The case underscores a chilling reality: vaccinated individuals might harbor and transmit live viruses, particularly in households with newborns too young for vaccines. Public health advisories focus on vaccinating everyone, yet the dangers of vaccine strain shedding remain buried. The 28-day safety window touted by health agencies is increasingly undermined by evidence that immunity gaps persist. Vaccine associated measles in 17-year-old with Hodgkin's lymphoma This case study reports a rare and fatal instance of vaccine-associated measles in a 17-year-old girl with Hodgkins lymphoma, highlighting critical risks associated with live attenuated vaccines in immunocompromised individuals. The patient received the MMR vaccine while in a U.S. detention facility, prior to being diagnosed with stage IIA Hodgkins lymphoma. After chemotherapy induced severe immunosuppression, she developed disseminated measles infection from the vaccine strain, confirmed post-mortem via histopathology, RT-PCR, and genotyping. Despite broad infectious workups and aggressive treatment, she succumbed to respiratory failure three months after vaccination. The case underscores the extreme rarity of such outcomes but stresses the importance of rigorous pre-vaccination screening for immunodeficiencies, including recent or concurrent malignancies. While the MMR vaccine has nearly eradicated endemic measles in the U.S., its live components pose unique risks to those with weakened immunity. The outbreak paradox: Are vaccine campaigns fanning the flames? Mainstream media consistently blame measles resurgence on the anti-vaxxer movement, but could campaigns themselves contribute? If vaccinated individuals can shed vaccine strains, even temporarily, populations with high vaccination rates might still harbor undetectable outbreaks. Consider this: the 40-year-olds infant was never exposed to wild-type virus but was in close contact during her mothers illness. If intentional withholding of breastfeeding lasted only during symptoms, transmission potential remains. This challenges assumptions that vaccines create herd immunityif vaccinated shedders outpace wild outbreaks, standard metrics fail completely. The MMRs own prescribing guidelines admit that fierce fevers (32% in infants), febrile seizures, and even neurological damage may occur. Yet, public campaigns dismiss such risks as rare while obscuring statistics. For example, the 2016 study mentioned in the case report found no evidence of vaccine transmissionyet that very year, the Canadian case proved it possible. It's important to note that pharmaceutical giants like Merck profit handsomely from repeated booster dose recommendations. If immune protection wanes after vaccination, pushing more doses perpetuates salesand may fuel genetic evolution of vaccine-resistant strains. As the MMRs hidden risks surface, one metaphor comes to mind: the snake eating its own tail. Vaccines designed to eradicate disease instead sustain cycles of viral transmission, vaccine mandates drive profits, and vulnerable populationslike newborns, lactating mothers, and the immunocompromisedpay the price. Sources include: X.com Merck.com Pubmed.gov NEJM.org Pubmed.gov Sorry, something doesn't look right. Something seems unusual about your device or browser. Please contact support. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On April 9, SAIC-GM-Wuling ("SGMW") signed a strategic cooperation agreement with BASF Shanghai Coatings (BSC) in Shanghai, according to a post on SGMW's WeChat account. The two companies will center their partnership around advanced automotive coating technologies, working closely on joint R&D, color innovation, and digital solutions to enhance the market competitiveness of Wuling-branded vehicles and establish a long-term, mutually beneficial collaboration model. Photo credit: SGMW To deepen their strategic cooperation, the two parties will implement a structured communication framework, including regular leadership exchanges and scheduled project team meetings. This mechanism is aimed at ensuring seamless coordination across key areas such as technology development, cost optimization, and production capacity, ultimately expediting project implementation with greater efficiency. Both companies also plan to systematically review and refine their collaborative efforts, continuously enhancing the strategic direction of their partnership. By adhering to a development philosophy that emphasizes architectural foundations, user experience, and market orientation, SGMW and BASF aim to strengthen supplier engagement, elevate product quality, and boost R&D innovation capabilities. A highlight of the partnership includes the creation of an exclusive "color think tank" and a jointly developed proprietary color database. Through data sharing and system integration, the initiative will digitalize the entire color development process. Leveraging digital technologies, the two companies seek to help Wuling establish a distinct brand color identity, reinforce its visual design language, and shape a signature color philosophy unique to the brand. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On April 10, Geely Auto's Galaxy brand officially opened presales for its Xingyao 8, a mid-to-large-size plug-in hybrid electric sedan, offering five trims priced between 139,800 yuan and 173,800 yuan. The model comes in two powertrain variantspowered by either the NordThor EM-P Super Hybrid or the NordThor EM-i Super Hybrid system. Photo credit: Geely Galaxy Rooted in the design philosophy of "Ripple Aesthetics," the Galaxy Xingyao 8 blends traditional Chinese cultural elements with modern technologies. Styling cues such as the "flying-eave tiger-gaze" headlights, flowing "jade-like" side profile, and sunrise-inspired tail lamps reflect a Chinese traditional culture design language. These are complemented by contemporary features like frameless windows, flush door handles, and 19-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels. Photo credit: Geely Galaxy The sedan is available in six body colors inspired by traditional Chinese objects and landscapes, including "Jihai Blue" and "Shanhe Green," emphasizing a homegrown luxury aesthetic. Inside the cabin, motifs such as "Three Pools Mirroring the Moon" and "Rippled Lotus Pond" are paired with interior color themes like sandalwood brown and obsidian grey, showcasing fine craftsmanship rooted in Chinese tradition. Under the hood, the Xingyao 8 equipped with the NordThor EM-i powertrain achieves a thermal efficiency of 46.5%. Paired with an 11-in-1 E-DHT PHEV-dedicated drive unit, it delivers a fuel consumption of just 3.36L/100km under CLTC conditions. The NordThor EM-P system-powered variant accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 6.49 seconds, with a slightly higher fuel consumption of 3.67L/100km. Photo credit: Geely Galaxy Across the lineup, the vehicle features enhanced front MacPherson struts and rear five-link independent suspension, as well as front and rear FSD adaptive dampers. The braking distance from 100 to 0 km/h is as short as 34.5 meters. Photo credit: Geely Galaxy The interior boasts soft-touch materials across 85% of the surfaces, with suede-like finishes on the headliner and pillars. The powered executive seats offer heating, ventilation, and eight-point massage functions. Notably, the Xingyao 8 debuts the 23-speaker Flyme Sound audio system, featuring a 2,000W independent amplifier and a 7.1.4 surround sound setup. Photo credit: Geely Galaxy As for intelligent driving features, the model incorporates Geely's self-developed "G-Pilot" advanced driver-assistance system, capable of supporting highway and elevated-road NOA (navigate on autopilot), as well as evasive maneuver assist (EMA). The in-car Galaxy Flyme Auto smart cockpit system is integrated with the DeepSeek large language model, enabling in-depth question-answering and complex reasoning. With voice wake-up speeds under 400ms and a 93% command recognition rate, the system allows for seamless voice-based vehicle control. Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. With Gasgoo Daily, we will offer daily important automotive news in China. For those we have reported, the title of the piece will include a hyperlink, which will provide detailed information. DENZA makes official entry into European market From April 7 to 12, DENZA hosted its brand launch event in Milan, Italy, marking the brand's official entry into the European market. Photo credit: DENZA Volvo Cars' Chengdu plant rolls out one millionth vehicle Volvo Cars has reached a production milestone as the one millionth vehicle rolled off the line at its Chengdu plant, according to a press release the carmaker issued on April 10. The milestone model was a Volvo XC60. The plant, which began operations in August 2013, achieved this figure after 141 months of operation. CATL partners with Research Institute of Highway, Ministry of Transport to advance battery swapping technology On April 3, CATL signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the Research Institute of Highway, Ministry of Transport. The two parties will collaborate on the development of battery swapping technologies, policy research, standards formulation, and scenario-based applications, aiming to accelerate the adoption and innovation of battery swapping solutions. Geely's Galaxy begins presale of Xingyao 8 PHEV model, starting at 139,800 yuan On April 10, Geely Auto's Galaxy brand officially opened presales for its Xingyao 8, a mid-to-large-size plug-in hybrid electric sedan, offering five trims priced between 139,800 yuan and 173,800 yuan. SGMW, BASF ink strategic deal to drive innovation in automotive coatings, color digitization On April 9, SAIC-GM-Wuling ("SGMW") signed a strategic cooperation agreement with BASF Shanghai Coatings (BSC) in Shanghai, according to a post on SGMW's WeChat account. The two companies will center their partnership around advanced automotive coating technologies, working closely on joint R&D, color innovation, and digital solutions to enhance the market competitiveness of Wuling-branded vehicles and establish a long-term, mutually beneficial collaboration model. GAC Group's ONTIME, GOVY partner to integrate flying cars into smart mobility ecosystem On April 11, smart mobility and services provider Chenqi Technology Limited (ONTIME) signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Guangdong GOVY Technology Co., Ltd. ("GOVY"), a low-altitude mobility tech company, according to a post on ONTIME's WeChat account. The two sides will combine ONTIME's operational expertise in smart mobility with GOVY's strength in flying car development to accelerate the integration of flying vehicles into mobility services. Bosch Semiconductors, SemiDrive form tech cooperation in semiconductor field On April 10, Bosch Semiconductors and SemiDrive announced an expanded strategic collaboration to advance core technologies in automotive semiconductors. The partnership aims to integrate Bosch's globally recognized semiconductor IP, reference designs, and software solutions with SemiDrive's domestic chip development capabilities to support the intelligent transformation of China's automotive industry. Changan Automobile, Tencent deepen cooperation in intelligent driving, data infrastructure fields On the evening of April 10, Changan Automobile and Tencent held a signing ceremony in Chongqing to officially expand their collaboration in intelligent vehicle technologies. EVE Energy, KBS forge strategic partnership to accelerate electrification of European logistics vehicles On April 10, EVE Energy Co., Ltd. signed a strategic cooperation agreement with KION Battery Systems GmbH ("KBS"), marking a significant step toward advancing the large-scale application of the 21700 cylindrical lithium batteries in European logistics vehicles. The partnership aims to accelerate the transition to zero-carbon industrial transport in Europe and jointly build a sustainable energy value chain. Download Now The News-Gazette mobile app brings you the latest local breaking news, updates, and more. Read the News-Gazette on your mobile device just as it appears in print. Research shows that despite frequent evaluations, a lot remains unknown about the quality of municipal health and care services. Everyone wants good quality healthcare, but what exactly is quality and how do you measure it? Is it to do with the waiting time for home care services? Or how many nursing home residents have had medical supervision in the past year? Or whether the medication lists have been checked recently? "These are important aspects that are all worth monitoring. The problem is that quality cannot be easily reduced to a quantifiable value,"said Randi Olsson Haave, an assistant professor and PhD research fellow at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Gjvik. "See me as a person" Haave is in the process of completing a PhD on quality in municipal health and care services in Norway, and the methods used to monitor it. "What particularly stands out in my research is how much being seen and treated as a person impacts the experience of quality," she explained. Or as one nursing home resident expressed it in one of Haave's research interviews: "Please, stroke my cheek see me as a person. I think it is really important. It almost brings tears to my eyes when I talk about it, because it means so much. If the [caregiver] comes in stressed, it makes me ten times more stressed. I immediately feel my oxygen intake drop. There is something about a person who sees you, the energy they give you. It means so much when you have breathing problems, like I do." Haave explains that many of the users and residents she interviewed emphasized the importance of interpersonal relationships. "It could be staff who were good at giving them their attention and creating good moments, or staff who were open and showed understanding. These moments helped them feel safe and cope with everyday life," said the researcher. One resident Haave interviewed compared it to a kind of medicine: "There are some [caregivers] here who are like rays of sunshine. It is like being given a magic pill every time they walk through the door." A lot remains unknown about quality The starting point for Haave's research is that a lot remains unknown about the quality of municipal health and care services. This is despite the fact that municipalities have been required to report annually to national authorities on 32 different quality indicators for over ten years. "On the one hand, there is broad agreement that we need good ways to monitor the quality of healthcare services. On the other hand is the question of how best to do it," said Haave. Currently, quality indicators are used to do this. According to the Norwegian Directorate of Health, a quality indicator is an indirect measurement, a pointer, that says something about the quality of the area being measured. "An example of quality indicators in the municipal health and care services could be the time it takes from a decision on home care services being made to the users receiving the service," explained Haave. Still a lot of uncertainty Haave explains that quality indicators are meant to contribute to transparency regarding the quality of the services provided. "The results are intended to provide the authorities with a basis for prioritization and should serve as a starting point for improvement work both nationally and locally. They are also intended to provide residents, users and relatives with information about the quality of the services," said Haave. "Currently, there is still a great deal of uncertainty about the results, both locally and nationally. This is due to a combination of municipal mergers and different registration practices," Haave said As mentioned earlier, Haave's research also highlights a gap between what the quality indicators measure when it comes to healthcare and what those who receive and provide care actually describe as good care. Residents, users and relatives should be heard Far too little is known about how those who receive care and treatment experience them, Haave says. "None of the quality indicators used today measure the experience of or satisfaction with the care provided. Municipalities are required to gather this knowledge by asking residents, users and their relatives," said Haave. Unfortunately, it turns out that many years can pass between each time municipalities collect this type of feedback, and when they do, it often happens through questionnaires that must be either mailed or submitted electronically. "There are many people who are simply unable to do that. Many need help when answering these questionnaires, and as a result, the response rate is low," Haave said. She believes that Norway needs to use other methods to a greater extent in order to document the quality of municipal health and care services. Greater focus on the actual experience of care Although the methods for monitoring the quality of health and care services have problematic blind spots, Haave does not believe the solution is to get rid of them. The nurses and healthcare professionals I have interviewed want us to continue using quality indicators. They say the indicators provide them with important frameworks and goals. But they also emphasize that the indicators fail to provide a sufficiently accurate picture of the quality of the services they provide," said Haave. Her recommendation is therefore clear: "Greater focus must be placed on what the indicators currently fail to measure, namely the actual experience of treatment and care. To achieve this, we must also develop and use other methods to document quality." 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 travelled 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 travelled 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 diarrhoea and vomiting, and were hospitalised. 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 travelled 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 travelled 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 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." Targeting men in the top 10% of genetic risk helped detect high-grade prostate cancer that conventional screening would miss, paving the way for more personalized and effective early detection strategies. Study: Assessment of a Polygenic Risk Score in Screening for Prostate Cancer. Image Credit: Julien Tromeur / Shutterstock In a recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine, a group of researchers assessed whether a polygenic risk score can improve the detection of clinically significant prostate cancer compared to standard screening methods. Background What if a simple genetic test could help prevent cancer deaths? Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men globally, responsible for over 375,000 deaths in 2020. Yet, current screening tools like the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test are flawed, prone to false positives, overdiagnosis, and unnecessary treatment. Early-stage prostate cancer has a near 100% five-year survival rate, but this drops to 50% if detected late. Therefore, accurate, early detection is crucial. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and PSA testing are evolving, they still miss many aggressive cancers. Growing interest in genetic profiling for personalized screening underscores the urgent need for further research. About the Study Most participants with PSA levels over 3.0 g/L had aggressive cancers, but nearly half of high-grade cases were found in men with PSA below this threshold. Researchers conducted a prospective, single-group study in the United Kingdom, targeting individuals assigned male sex at birth, aged 5569 years, exclusively of European ancestry (limiting generalizability to other populations), with no history or current testing for prostate cancer. Invitations were sent to over 40,000 individuals via general practices, and eligible participants provided saliva samples for DNA extraction. Using a custom genotyping panel, polygenic risk scores were calculated based on 130 prostate cancerassociated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Those in the top 10% of genetic risk (90th percentile) were invited for further screening, which included PSA testing, multiparametric MRI, and transperineal biopsy under local anesthesia. MRI scans were evaluated using the Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS), version 2.1. Targeted biopsies were performed if the MRI revealed lesions. Notably, biopsies were also offered to high-risk participants with negative MRI scans, reflecting the studys protocol to prioritize genetic risk. Biopsy samples were assessed by a urologic histopathologist and graded using the Gleason score system. Diagnoses were classified according to the 2024 National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) prostate cancer risk categories. Participants diagnosed with cancer received treatment based on National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines. Those without cancer were offered annual screening for five years. Statistical models evaluated associations between biopsy outcomes and variables like age, PSA levels, MRI scores, and family history. Study Results Nearly half of the cancers identified through biopsy were not visible on MRI, underlining the limitations of relying solely on imaging for diagnosis. Out of 40,292 people invited, 8,953 (22.2%) expressed interest, and 6,393 underwent genetic risk scoring. Among them, 745 (11.7%) were in the 90th percentile for polygenic risk and invited for screening. Of these, 468 (62.8%) underwent MRI and biopsy. Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 187 participants with a detection rate of 40.0%. Most cancers (55.1%) were clinically significant, requiring treatment based on NCCN guidelines. The median age at diagnosis was 64 years. Strikingly, 71.8% of clinically significant cancers would have been missed using the standard diagnostic pathway in the United Kingdom, which relies on elevated PSA levels and MRI findings alone. This highlights the value of genetic risk-based targeting. Among the diagnosed cases, 118 (63.1%) had a PSA level 3.0 micrograms per liter, below the traditional screening threshold. Even within this "normal" PSA range, 43.2% had aggressive cancers (Gleason score 7). MRI also had limitations: 370 participants had negative scans, yet 125 of them still had cancer, 57 of which were clinically significant. Only 16% of detected cancers met both current PSA and MRI criteria. Further analysis showed that neither age nor family history alone reliably predicted cancer. However, combining PSA level and MRI with polygenic risk improved prediction, yielding an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.78 for clinically significant cancer. PSA density added no benefit. The study found that combining age, family history, PSA levels, and MRI results gave the best predictive performance, with an AUC of 0.78 for significant cancer. The Individualized Coherent Absolute Risk Estimator (iCARE) model was used to calculate the 10-year absolute risk of prostate cancer. Nearly all men with a polygenic risk score in the 90th percentile had a 10-year risk above 3.8%, a clinically useful threshold derived from quality-adjusted life-year analyses. Overdiagnosis (identifying cancers that would never cause harm in a persons lifetime) was estimated in about 20.8% of screen-detected cases using polygenic risk scoring. While this was comparable to traditional methods, the study emphasized that active surveillance for low-risk cases minimized overtreatment. Most men with low-risk cancer (Gleason score 6) were placed under active surveillance, aligning with guidelines to avoid unnecessary interventions. Few adverse events were reported: one participant had sepsis, two had urinary infections, and one needed temporary catheterization. Most participants were well-educated professionals, a self-selected group that may limit real-world applicability due to potential uptake biases, and only 21% had a family history of prostate cancer. Conclusions To summarize, targeting men with a polygenic risk score in the top 10% significantly improved detection of clinically important prostate cancer, even when traditional PSA and MRI screenings failed. This strategy led to fewer missed aggressive cancers and avoided diagnosing many harmless ones. Incorporating genetic risk profiling into national screening programs could personalize care, reduce unnecessary interventions, and save lives. While promising, further research is needed to expand this approach to diverse populations, including underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, such as Black men, who face higher prostate cancer risk, refine screening age guidelines, and assess long-term impact. Polygenic risk scoring offers a one-time, stable measure that may revolutionize early cancer detection strategies globally. If you eat a snack - a meatball, say, or a marshmallow - how will it affect your blood sugar? It's a surprisingly tricky question: the body's glycemic response to different foods varies based on individual genetics, microbiomes, hormonal fluctuations, and more. Because of that, providing personalized nutritional advice - which can help manage diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases, among other conditions - requires costly and intrusive testing, making it hard to deliver effective care at scale. In a paper in the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology offer a new approach: a data-sparse model capable of accurately predicting individual glycemic responses with no need for blood draws, stool samples, or other unpleasant testing. The key to their approach? Keeping track of what people actually eat. It might sound obvious, but until now most research has focused on macronutrients, such as grams of carbohydrates, instead of the specific foods that people are eating. We've shown that by analyzing food types, it's possible to make highly accurate predictions with far less data." Dr. Samantha Kleinberg, Farber Chair Professor of Computer Science Dr. Kleinberg's team studied two datasets that include both detailed food diaries and continuous glucose monitor data for almost 500 people with diabetes (both types 1 and 2) based in the United States and China. Using existing food databases and ChatGPT, they classified each meal according to macronutrient content and also leveraged the structure of foods (so meats are more similar to each other than to cheeses), enabling them to differentiate between nutritionally equivalent foods. By training an algorithm using both nutritional data and food features, plus a few demographic details, the team was able to predict each individual's glycemic response to each food with virtually the same levels of accuracy found in prior studies that included detailed microbiome data and other hard-to-collect information. "We still don't know why including the food features makes such a big difference," Dr. Kleinberg says. It's possible that food information is a proxy for micronutrients that drive glycemic responses, or that the physical properties of certain foods lead people to eat or digest them differently. "What's clear, though, is that when it comes to blood sugar, there's more at work than just macronutrients," Dr. Kleinberg says. By focusing on food types, the team was also able to explore individual variations in glycemic responses. "Because people eat the same meals again and again, the data gives us visibility into the way that individual responses to specific foods change over time," Dr. Kleinberg explains. The team found that including data about menstrual cycles in their model accounted for much of the intra-subject variation, suggesting that shifting hormone levels could play an important role in mediating individual glycemic responses. The team's model also accurately predicts glycemic response for both U.S. and Chinese populations - an important finding, since microbiome-based models often struggled to deliver accurate results across different cultural contexts. "We don't need data on a specific regional population to be able to make predictions there," Dr. Kleinberg explains. The new model is also powerful enough to predict an individual's glycemic responses based on demographic data, without customized training on food logs or other personalized data. As a result, clinicians could potentially use the model to offer nutritional advice during an initial meeting with a patient, without the need for laborious food logging or intrusive testing. "We can offer better recommendations if we have more data, but we can get very good results with no personalized information at all," Dr. Kleinberg explains. "That means we can give patients useful advice right away - and hopefully that will motivate them to keep going." Next, the team plans to refine their model using larger datasets, and to explore whether adding microbiome data increases their model's accuracy. "That's the big question, because if food information alone gives us everything we need, there might be no need to collect stool samples or do other tests," Dr. Kleinberg says. "That could make personalized nutrition more affordable and accessible for everyone." Foreign aid cuts could result in a major outbreak of mpox across the African continent and beyond, with virus control measures already disrupted, public health experts warn. Mpox testing and monitoring efforts in hotspot areas like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were heavily reliant on foreign assistance, which has been slashed under US President Donald Trump. Health experts say strong national testing policies, focused on high-risk populations, are now urgently needed to ensure new mpox cases are detected quickly and to prevent the disease spreading across borders. Major outbreak With the aid cut and insecurity, we are not doing well in terms of collecting and transporting samples, said Kaseya, referring to the situation in war-torn DRC. This is a major alert We are exposing the continent and even beyond the continent to a major outbreak. Public health experts say the current outbreak is still on an upward trajectory. Dismas Damian, a Tanzania-based global health consultant with the Canadian Society for International Health, told SciDev.Net: This is likely to spill over to other countries. Epidemiological surveillance of outbreaks in these areas [such as DRC] relied heavily on foreign aid. With low testing and surveillance, it means many cases are going undetected. Damian stressed the need for increased domestic resource mobilisation, arguing that reliable funding is essential for epidemiological surveillance to prevent cross-border transmission. Already this year, France and the United Arab Emirates have reported confirmed cases linked to travel from East Africa, Central Africa, and the UAE. In March, Tanzania reported the countrys first two cases of mpox. Nyambura Moremi, director of Tanzanias National Public Health Laboratory, said genome sequencing was underway to try to ascertain which variant was circulatinga crucial detail for understanding the viruss spread. George Mkoma, a Tanzanian epidemiologist and researcher with Statens Serum Institut and the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, believes Africa must move away from dependence on foreign aid and adopt stronger, nationally-driven strategies. A strong testing strategy, focusing on high-risk populations such as long-distance truck drivers, would help in rapid case identification and even contact tracing, he told SciDev.Net. Each government must step up efforts to protect its own people, rather than relying solely on external aid. Human transmission In a letter published last week (1 April) in the journal Nature, scientists at the University of Surrey, in the UK, warn that mpox is evolving from animal-to-human transmission to sustained human-to-human spread. They say the virus, causing painful rashes and fever, now transmits primarily through intimate contact and that more aggressive clade I variants are emerging. The researchers say this is worrying as the variants appear to be accumulating specific genetic mutations driven by enzymes in the human body. They believe these mutations may be changing the viruss properties, potentially helping mpox better adapt to human hosts and improve its transmission efficiency. The researchers say there is urgent need for better diagnostics, treatments, and surveillance systems, as the viruswhich cannot be fully eradicated due to animal reservoirs, or sources of the diseasecontinues spreading beyond Central Africa. A University of Michigan research team has used AI to help deliver exercise "snacks" to kids with autism. The research team, led by U-M exercise physiologist Rebecca Hasson, overhauled a program that aimed to help children exercise when families had to pivot to online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, a team of researchers from the School of Kinesiology used ChatGPT to overhaul the instructions for the program's 132 exercise videos, adapting them to better meet the needs of neurodivergent children. Their results are published in the journal Frontiers in Physiology. Back in 2012, during Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" campaign to combat childhood obesity, Hasson began working on ways to incorporate physical activity into children's daily lives. She and fellow researchers developed ways to integrate physical activity into children's school days without major disruptions, and used the idea of "exercise snacks"-brief periods of exercise of about three to four minutes. They called the program InPACT, or Interrupting Prolonged Sitting with Activity. The program has been implemented in 25 Michigan schools to date. We had these great training opportunities, teachers were feeling supported, kids were moving more-and then we had the pandemic. The home became the classroom, and kids' physical activity dropped significantly. So then we had to figure out how to adapt what we were doing in the classroom to the home environment." Rebecca Hasson. Exercise Physiologist, University of Michigan The researchers immediately set to work adapting InPACT for the home setting. To reach children who might not have internet access, the researchers worked with PBS's Michigan Learning Channel and the Department of Education to broadcast the physical activity program on TV. Within six months, the television show had 15,000-20,000 viewers every day. While the program was a success, researcher Haylie Miller, a developmental psychologist and assistant professor of movement science, noticed that neurodivergent children might have difficulty following instructions in the exercise videos, since they were designed for the way neurotypical children learned. Miller studies how neurodivergent people use visual information to plan, execute and modify movement. The team decided to collaboratively adapt the InPACT program to better meet the access needs of neurodivergent children. "Neurodivergent people process sensory information differently than neurotypical people, which can make physical activity uncomfortable, difficult or intimidating," Miller said. "Neurodivergent people also have differences in body awareness and language processing, and may need more or different prompts to feel comfortable performing an activity." For example, she says, if a person has difficulty with balance, coordination of their limbs and performing a multistep task, they are likely going to need more physical or instructional support to be successful at a complex movement like a jumping jack. The team began examining the 132 exercise videos developed for the InPACT program, each of which included multiple exercises. Undergraduate student Tania Sapre was tasked to begin adapting the videos' exercise instructions to be more inclusive of neurodivergent people. "I had started playing around with ChatGPT to get inspiration about how I should format my instructions when I suddenly realized that ChatGPT might be able to help fill the knowledge gap and data overload I was experiencing," Sapre said. "I thought that if I could perfect using ChatGPT for my instructions, I could create a simple process that could be replicated by other researchers, teachers and families at home to tackle novel exercises that our program did not cover, helping kids stay active everywhere." First, the team organized their video content so that they could form queries to submit to ChatGPT. From the 132 InPACT at Home videos, the researchers identified more than 500 activities. They then categorized these activities into main skill groups: jumping, core, lateral, sport, upper body, lower body and compound movements. They then developed a prompt to elicit a set of instructions for a particular exercise from ChatGPT. For example, the researchers asked ChatGPT to "Provide simplified step-by-step instructions for a jumping jack, suitable for a neurodivergent child." Based on ChatGPT's answer to that question, the researchers then asked the AI tool to "Condense the step-by-step instructions for a jumping jack, suitable for a neurodivergent child." The team reviewed each set of instructions to ensure that the AI-generated instructions were correctly crafted. The researchers also ensured that the instructions followed a core tenet of their exercise program, the "Three C's": consistency, conciseness and clarity. "The InPACT team was already on the right track toward universal design by using video modeling and verbal prompts. Having multiple means of representation can really help a neurodivergent person understand the activity without having to guess," Miller said. "We've built on this strong foundation by simplifying the language used to describe each movement, breaking movements down into their components more explicitly, and using consistent wording across all activities to reduce ambiguity." Alanna Price is a regional health coordinator for her Michigan district. She oversees health education and driver's education, and helped revise instructions for the neurodivergent learners. "Adaptive Physical Education is necessary because it ensures that all children can participate in physical activities modified to their abilities. This promotes physical health, social skills and emotional well-being," Price said. "APE programs modify traditional physical education to meet the unique needs of all students, helping them develop motor skills, strength and coordination. "Modified exercise directions for neurodivergent children, such as those with autism or ADHD, can enhance their physical and cognitive development. These modifications often include simplifying movements and cue words, using visual aids and incorporating sensory-friendly activities." The team has also started to develop a "starter pack" of activity play cards for people with higher support needs who may need to develop more foundational skills before diving into the full InPACT experience, Miller said. "During the pandemic, there were fewer resources for parents who had children that learn differently. In the future, we hope to be more proactive rather than reactive, but this has been a great learning experience for us all, and I think it speaks to the value of being open to criticism," Hasson said. "If your mission really is to advance opportunities for all kids to be active, then being willing to partner with others to make that happen is really important." In addition to the starter pack, the researchers hope to have their videos translated into Spanish and Arabic, the two most frequently spoken languages in Michigan after English. The first trial of an AI (Artificial Intelligence)-powered chatbot designed to inform parents about the HPV vaccine has shown that it increases vaccine uptake and engagement with health professionals. Cervical cancer, caused by human papillomavirus (HPV), is one of the most preventable cancers, yet it still claims over 340,000 lives annually. China accounts for 22.8% of global cases, with vaccine coverage remaining low. The 24/7 chatbot was designed to deliver trusted, personalised vaccine information to parents in a user-friendly way, through simulating human conversations and responding to parent's frequently asked questions about HPV, the safety of the vaccine, eligibility, side effects, costs and where they could access services. The school-based randomised controlled trial followed a total of 2,671 parents of girls aged 12 to 15 for two weeks, after being randomly assigned to receive either usual care (standard health promotion of the HPV vaccine) or the chatbot intervention. The parents of children across 180 classes were enrolled, spanning megacity, urban and rural settings in Shanghai and Anhui Province, China. The study was conducted under the Moonrise Initiative, a pioneering effort leveraging artificial intelligence to advance women's health and health equity. The initiative is co-led by the InnoHK Laboratory of Data Discovery for Health (D4H) and the School of Public Health at the University of Hong Kong, alongside the Vaccine Confidence Project at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, in partnership with Fudan University in Shanghai, China. This international consortium brings together leading experts in digital health, behavioral science, and epidemiology to tackle urgent global challenges at the intersection of technology, trust, and women's well-being. The findings, published in Nature Medicine, suggest that interaction with the AI tool may influence vaccination behaviour. Girls were three-times more likely to have their HPV vaccination scheduled or received if their parents interacted with the chatbot compared with those who only received routine health promotion (7.1% and 1.8% respectively). Around 49.1% of parents in the chatbot group also consulted with a health professional about the vaccine, compared with 17.6% of parents in the control group. The impact was especially pronounced in rural areas, where parents in the chatbot group were 8.81 times more likely to initiate vaccination than those receiving standard information. Dr. Leesa Lin, senior author and Associate Professor at LSHTM and D4H, said: "This is one of several real-world chatbot trials we're leading globally. What's unique here is the focus on equitythis intervention was designed not just for scale, but to reach those too often overlooked, particularly in women's health." Delivering a scalable, trusted solution to public questions about vaccines is what global health innovation should strive for. This study offers a replicable approach to addressing questions and concerns raised by the public - challenges faced worldwide." Professor Heidi Larson, Founding Director of the Vaccine Confidence Project at LSHTM Professor Joseph Wu, Managing Director of D4H and Sir Robert Kotewall Professor in Public Health at HKU, said: "This study shows how scientific rigor and digital innovation can drive immediate, measurable changeespecially in moments of public health urgency. This initiative highlights the power of AI not only to personalise care but also to reduce global health disparities. In under-resourced settings, tools like this can be transformative." In China, structural barriers, particularly high out-of-pocket costs and limited supply of the recommended HPV vaccine, play a major role in limiting uptake, even among parents who are willing to vaccinate. The team emphasise that while hesitancy exists, issues like affordability, long wait times and uneven access often have a greater influence on behaviour, especially in rural and lower-income settings. The research team is now working to scale up the chatbot in other countries, including Japan, where HPV vaccine hesitancy has long been a concern. While the initial intervention focused on adolescent girls, the team say it can also be adapted for parents of boys, aligning with global trends toward gender-inclusive HPV vaccination. The chatbot model is also being adapted for broader health challenges, including mental health, maternal and child health, and pandemic preparedness. Recent data from Pew Research Center suggests that Americans are rethinking whether they want to become parents. This could be part of a long-term trend, as a research team from Michigan State University found that the percentage of nonparents in the United States who never want children has doubled over the past 20 years. We found that the percentage of nonparents who don't want any children rose from 14% in 2002 to 29% in 2023. During the same period, the percent of nonparents who plan to have children in the future fell from 79% to 59%." Jennifer Watling Neal, Study Co-Author and Professor, Psychology Department, Michigan State University The study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family categorized nonparents into several types, including "childfree" people who do not want children, "childless" people who wanted children but can't have them, and "not yet parents" who plan to have children in the future. The researchers used data from the National Survey of Family Growth, which surveyed 80,000 adults across seven waves between 2002 and 2023. Because most research using these data focuses on women's biological fertility, Watling Neal explained that this study is one of the first to consider both men and women as well as desires for both biological and nonbiological children. "We knew from our prior research that childfree adults were a large and growing group in Michigan," said Zachary Neal, MSU professor of psychology and co-author of the study. "These new results confirm this is part of a nationwide trend that has been unfolding for over 20 years." Different types of nonparents have different needs. One nonparent group whose needs are frequently discussed are childless adults who want children but have had difficulty conceiving and who may seek fertility treatments. However, Neal noted that "relatively few nonparents are childless, and the size of this group has been stable for many years." In contrast, as the population of childfree adults continues to grow, it will be important to ensure their unique needs are met. As Watling Neal explained, "childfree adults have needs for long-term contraception and for retirement planning that doesn't assume having heirs, but medical and financial service providers often aren't equipped to meet these needs." The research team will next explore trends in types of nonparents globally and the role that economics and politics may play. Noida To Get Rs 4,000-Crore Expressway To Ease Delhi-Haryana Commute Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 18:44 IST The Uttar Pradesh government plans a new expressway along Yamuna Pushta to ease traffic between Noida and Greater Noida. The Rs 4,000 crore project will be reviewed by NHAI or UPEIDA The new expressway aims to alleviate the traffic burden on the existing Noida Expressway. (Representative/PTI File) In a significant move to enhance traffic flow between Noida and Greater Noida, the Uttar Pradesh government is set to approve the construction of a new expressway along Yamuna Pushta. The Noida Authority has submitted the proposal to the state government and Chief Secretary Manoj Singh, who has already reviewed the project details. Recommended Stories Prior to cabinet approval, it will be determined whether the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) or the Uttar Pradesh Expressway Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) will oversee the construction. This decision will be made following discussions at the government level. The proposed expressway, estimated to cost over Rs 4,000 crore, will be constructed on Yamuna Pushta Road. The Irrigation Department owns most of the required land, and the process to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) has commenced. The plan includes options for either a 6-lane elevated road or an 8-lane road at ground level. The new expressway aims to alleviate the traffic burden on the existing Noida Expressway, which is expected to increase with the inauguration of the Noida International Airport. Starting from the Antim Niwas roundabout in Sector-94, the 29 km long expressway will directly connect traffic from Delhi and Haryana via Kalindi Kunj. It will also link traffic from DND and Chilla Border through the Mahamaya flyover. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all There will be two major interchanges on this route: one near Sector-168 Chhaprauli connecting to the Faridabad-Noida-Ghaziabad (FNG) expressway, improving access to Ghaziabad and nearby areas including Sector-63 of Noida; and another on the 75-meter road in Sector-150, also connecting to FNG. This new infrastructure is anticipated to significantly reduce travel times and provide much-needed relief from traffic congestion for commuters. Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news , EV policies, and more, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: April 11, 2025, 18:44 IST Stocks To Watch: TCS, Sun Pharma, Zomato, Tata Steel, GAIL, BHEL, Adani Ent, And Others Reported By : Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 08:05 IST Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like TCS, Sun Pharma, Zomato, Tata Steel, GAIL, BHEL, Adani Ent, and others will be in focus on Friday's trade Stocks To Watch Stocks to Watch on April 11: Indian markets slipped over half a percent on Wednesday after a brief rebound, reflecting ongoing volatility. On Friday, investors will keep an eye on several stocks reacting to Q4 results, corporate announcements, and global cues. Key stocks in focus include TCS, Sun Pharma, Bharti Hexacom, Eternal (formerly Zomato), Greaves Cotton, and Tata Steel. GAIL Recommended Stories GAIL has completed 97.6% of the Pradhan Mantri Urja Ganga pipeline project. Commercial operations have commenced across 96.6% of the laid pipeline, currently transporting 12.26 MMSCMD of natural gas. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) TCS reported a 1.7% YoY dip in Q4FY25 net profit to Rs 12,224 crore, amid delayed client decisions and project slowdowns. Management remains optimistic about FY26, though short-term challenges may persist. Federal Bank Federal Bank has appointed Virat Sunil Diwanji as the new National Head Consumer Banking, effective April 10. Eternal (Formerly Zomato) Zomato Netherlands BV, a subsidiary of Eternal, has initiated its liquidation process as of April 9. BHEL BHEL has signed an MoU with Nuovo Pignone International to explore compressor revamp opportunities in Indias fertilizer sector. Tata Steel Tata Steels Netherlands unit is set to begin business restructuring consultations, which could result in 1,600 job cuts. Anand Rathi Wealth The company posted a 30% YoY rise in Q4FY25 net profit to Rs 74 crore, with revenue up 22% to Rs 241.4 crore. A final dividend of Rs 7 per share was announced for FY25. Avanti Feeds & Apex Frozen Shares of shrimp exporters may see gains following a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump. IT & Pharma Stocks These sectors had faced selling pressure over tariff fears. With the 90-day pause in effect, stocks in both sectors may see a relief rally today. Hindustan Copper The company resumed ore production at its Kolihan copper mine in Khetri, Rajasthan. SRF SRF commissioned and capitalized its agrochemical intermediate facility in Dahej (Gujarat) on April 10, at a project cost of Rs 239 crore. BLS International Subsidiary BLS International FZE is acquiring a 99.90% stake in BLS VENTURES S.R.L., making it a step-down subsidiary. Adani Enterprises The company is likely to start a copper smelter plant in the next four weeks, according to Felipe Williams, head of metals, as per Reuters. Tata Motors (JLR India) JLR India posted its best-ever annual retail sales in FY25, delivering 6,183 units a 40% YoY increase. Dealer dispatches rose 39% to 6,266 units. Jindal Stainless Sunsure Energy signed an 11-MWp PPA with JSL Super Steel (a Jindal Stainless subsidiary) for long-term power supply. Bharti Hexacom TCIL, a shareholder in Bharti Hexacom, has asked the company to initiate the sale of its infrastructure business to Indus Towers. Bajaj Healthcare The company appointed Rohan Parekh as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective April 16, 2025. Sun Pharmaceuticals The US Court of Appeals has vacated the preliminary injunction against the launch of LEQSELVI (deuruxolitinib). The legal battle with Incyte Corporation continues, but the injunction is no longer in effect. Biocon top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Biocon Biologics received final USFDA approval to launch Jobevne (bevacizumab-nwgd), expanding its biosimilar oncology portfolio in the US. Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. 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 Stay updated with all the latest news on the Stock Market, including market trends, Sensex and Nifty updates, top gainers and losers, and expert analysis. Get real-time insights, financial reports, and investment strategiesonly on News18. First Published: April 11, 2025, 08:05 IST KEAM Admit Card 2025: Hall Tickets Releasing Soon At cee.kerala.gov.in, Know How To Download Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 08:39 IST KEAM 2025 Admit Card: The Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical examination is scheduled to be conducted on April 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28. KEAM Admit Card 2025: Hall tickets to be out today at cee.kerala.gov.in. (Representational Image/Getty) KEAM Admit Card 2025: The Office of the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations (CEE), Kerala, will release the KEAM 2025 admit card on April 10. While the exact time of release has not been confirmed yet, candidates appearing for the entrance test for admission to engineering and pharmacy programmes will be able to download their hall tickets from the official websitecee.kerala.gov.in. Candidates will be able to download their hall tickets by entering their login credentials. Recommended Stories The Kerala Engineering Architecture Medical (KEAM) 2025 examination is scheduled to be conducted on April 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28. The engineering exam will be conducted in a single shift from 2 pm to 5 pm. For Pharmacy, the KEAM 2025 exam will be conducted in two shifts on April 24from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM (shift 1) and 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM (shift 2)and in one shift on April 29 from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. The examination centres in Bahrain and Hyderabad have been cancelled due to an insufficient number of applications. Candidates who had selected these locations as their first preference will now be allotted centres based on their subsequent choices provided during the application process. For the Engineering Entrance Examination, candidates will be required to answer a total of 150 questions in 180 minutes75 from Mathematics, 45 from Physics, and 30 from Chemistry. For the Pharmacy Entrance Examination, the paper will consist of 75 questions45 from Chemistry and 30 from Physicswhich must be completed within 90 minutes. ALSO READ: From AI To Blockchain, Five New-Age Career Options BTech Students Can Opt For KEAM Admit Card 2025: How To Download Hall Ticket? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Candidates appearing for the KEAM 2025 entrance exam can follow the steps below to download their admit card once released: Visit the official website of CEE Kerala cee.kerala.gov.in. Click on the link for KEAM Admit Card 2025 on the homepage. On the login page, enter your application number and password. Submit the details to view your admit card. Download and check all the details mentioned on the hall ticket. Take a printout for future reference. 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 11, 2025, 08:27 IST Tata Technologies Partners With RVCE To Launch Innovation Hub To Train Future Engineers Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 16:08 IST Tata Technologies signed an MoU with RV College of Engineering to set up the Center for Invention, Innovation, Incubation & Training in Bengaluru. Tata will contribute 50 crores, RSST 10 crores. Tata Technologies and RV College of Engineering sign MoU to establish CIIIT, aiming to equip students with Industry 4.0 skills. (Image: News18) Tata Technologies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bengalurus RV College of Engineering on April 7th to establish the Center for Invention, Innovation, Incubation & Training. (CIIIT) Tata Technologies is set to contribute 50 crores to the facility, while Rashtreeya Sikshana Samithi Trust (RSST), which manages RVCE, will contribute around Rs 10 crore. The collaboration is reportedly said to be the first of its kind in Southern India and aims to equip students with smart manufacturing and Industry 4.0 technologies. This MoU with the Bengaluru-based engineering institute comes months after the Tata Group partnered with the Indian Institute of Science IISc, to establish the Tata IISc Medical School in the city with a contribution of 500 crore. Recommended Stories CIIIT will house cutting-edge industrial infrastructure, smart manufacturing tools, automation technologies and specialized laboratories. This initiative by the Tata Group company is particularly significant as it seeks to bridge the gap between academic curricula and real-world industrial needs. The innovation centre aims to equip job-ready engineers, technicians, and skilled operators for todays industrial settings. Pawan Bhageria, President of the Education business at Tata Technologies, mentioned that the inaugural batch of students will undergo training in essential skills over the next 18 months, in keeping with the timeline for CIIIT to become fully operational. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In India, the demographic division is there. And today, with disruptive technology, most of the instructions have not kept pace with the curriculum which is required for the industry. So the key vision is to train manpower in a way which is relevant for the industry, noted Bhageria. President of the RVEI (Rashtriya Vidyalaya Educational Institutions) M P Shyam further underlined the purpose of the CIIIT and its goals ahead. We will have top faculty and top CEOs from Tata Group coming and mentoring students. We will then have MSMEs try out products from the CIIIT. Good research papers will come from this Centre he added. First Published: April 11, 2025, 16:08 IST Explained: Why Chinese Are Mocking Americans, President Trump With AI-Generated Memes Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 16:21 IST The US and China have been entangled in a trade war after President Donald Trump announced stringent tariffs on Chinese imports. From taking digs at President Donald Trump to creating AI-generated images of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance, the memes have been circulating widely across Chinese and US social media. (X/screengrab) With the US-China trade tensions at an all-time high, a range of sharp memes mocking Americans is flooding social media. Besides the public, Chinese government officials have also jumped onto the bandwagon, sharing memes to troll the US government. From taking digs at President Donald Trump to creating AI-generated images of Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Vice President JD Vance, the memes have been circulating widely across Chinese and US social media. Heres a breakdown of what has unfolded after Trumps sweeping tariffs. Recommended Stories US vs China: Trade War Earlier this month, the Trump administration announced import tariffs on almost all countries. While the plan included a baseline tariff of 10 per cent on all imports, the White House went for higher rates for partners that it believed were the worst offenders." Hours after the changes were announced, it resulted in major market turmoil, sparking concerns across various countries. With the tariffs announced last week, China was hit with an additional 34 per cent tariff on top of the 20 per cent levied by the US government earlier this year. Also Read: IPL 2025: Royal Challengers Bangalore And The Curse Of M Chinnaswamy Stadium In a quick retaliation, Beijing imposed a 34 per cent tariff on US imports to China. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Li Jian, speaking to the media, accused the US of imposing tariffs in an abusive manner," adding that they must have an attitude of equality, mutual respect, and reciprocity instead of such bullying practices." In an even more dramatic move, Trump announced a 90-day pause for countries hit by the US tariffs but exempted China and raised the tariffs for the country to 125 per cent. The US accused Beijing of a lack of respect" for threatening that it would impose tariffs of 84 per cent on US imports. I did a 90-day pause for the people that didnt retaliate because I told them if you retaliate, were going to double itand thats what I did with China. Its all going to work out amazing," Trump said. Hitting back in equal measure, China increased its tariff on US imports to 125 per cent. The U.S. imposition of abnormally high tariffs on China seriously violates international and economic trade rules, basic economic laws, and common sense and is completely unilateral bullying and coercion," said the countrys finance ministry. US vs China: Memes Take Over With the global trade war escalating every minute, it has sent the internet into a frenzy with the Chinese mocking Americans. One of the most viral memes shows obese, middle-aged Americans working on a sewing machine in garment factories. The video takes potshots at how the countrys workforce would look after Trumps tariff announcements. Chinese memes on American re-industrialization rolling in. lol the music. pic.twitter.com/GZE2jHDgWZ Gabor Gurbacs (@gaborgurbacs) April 7, 2025 The Chinese made another American re-industrialisation meme pic.twitter.com/IJoMZmAxHA ADAM (@AdameMedia) April 10, 2025 Another AI-generated picture shows a man working while wearing the iconic red MAGA cap with the message Make America Great Again." We've found the Mona Lisa of the AI internet. pic.twitter.com/hJmhHuKxyE Tweets from Zach Weinberg (@zachweinberg) April 8, 2025 Also Read: Why Did Elon Musk Rage-Quit His Favourite Online Game? When Tesla Chief Got Bullied Several posts targeted President Trump alongside Elon Musk, showing them as workers after tariffs hit the US economy. AI-Generated videos depicting MAGA supporters including Trump himself working in warehouses sewing and manufacturing are going viral after the trade war between Beijing and Washington kicked off. pic.twitter.com/7L58XWnFGb Briefly (@Brieflybynewj) April 9, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The series of memes didnt end there. Mao Ning, spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also joined in. Chinese spokesperson in the US Liu Pengyu doubled down on the same by showing how cap prices could hike by over 100 per cent. The memes have also sparked a debate about Trumps ultimate motive behind imposing stiff tariffs on China, with the countrys foreign ministry vowing to fight till the end against Americas typical unilateralism and protectionist economic bullying." 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 11, 2025, 16:21 IST Explained: Why Most Religions In The World Took Root In India And Israel Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 13:12 IST India and the Middle East birthed major religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, fostering spiritual growth through dialogue and socio-political changes. Judaism, Christianity, and Islam originated in the Middle East. It is no coincidence that a remarkable number of the worlds major religions trace their origins to two geographically adjacent regions: the Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. From the spiritual philosophies of Hinduism and Buddhism to the monotheistic legacies of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, these lands have long served as fertile ground for religious birth and transformation. India and the broader Middle East spanning modern-day Israel, Saudi Arabia, and surrounding nations did not merely host these traditions by chance. Rather, centuries of spiritual introspection, philosophical inquiry, intense intellectual debate, and tumultuous socio-political change converged here to forge new belief systems that would shape civilisations for millennia. Recommended Stories India stands apart as the birthplace of four of the worlds major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. It is also home to vibrant communities of Islam and Christianity, both of which arrived later but have become deeply woven into the countrys religious tapestry. This pluralistic spiritual ecosystem was nurtured by Indias deep tradition of philosophical dialogue, cultural diversity, and a historical commitment to religious tolerance that allowed many ideologies to coexist and evolve. Hinduism Often described as the worlds oldest surviving religion, Hinduism also known as Sanatan Dharma, or eternal law" does not trace its roots to a single founder. Instead, it evolved over thousands of years through a blend of ancient rituals, philosophical inquiry, and oral tradition. Some scholars link early Hindu practices to the Indus Valley Civilisation, dating back more than 5,000 years. Mythological timelines, however, suggest an even more ancient origin, placing Hinduism at nearly 90,000 years old. The term Hindu" itself is a linguistic evolution. Foreign invaders like the Turks and Iranians, who entered India through the Sindhu (Indus) River region, struggled to pronounce the Sanskrit S," rendering it as H." Thus, Sindhu" became Hindu," and the people and their traditions were thereafter labelled as such. Buddhism In the 6th century BCE, Siddhartha Gautama later known as the Buddha began teaching a path to spiritual liberation that broke with ritual-heavy traditions of the time. Originating in the Magadha kingdom of present-day Bihar, Buddhism emphasised inner peace, ethical conduct, and the pursuit of enlightenment through meditation and self-discipline. From its Indian roots, Buddhism radiated outward across Asia, profoundly influencing cultures in China, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Myanmar, and beyond. Today, its followers span all continents, making it one of the most globally practiced religions. Jainism Contemporaneous with Buddhism, Jainism was founded by Mahavira in the 6th century BCE, though its roots extend even further back. At its core is the principle of Ahimsa, or non-violence not only toward humans but toward all living beings, including insects and plants. Jains believe that liberation comes through self-restraint, asceticism, and minimising harm. While smaller in numbers compared to other major faiths, Jainisms impact on philosophy and ethics has been immense. Its followers estimated to number over 40 lakh, mostly in India have influenced figures from Mahatma Gandhi to modern-day environmental thinkers. Sikhism Emerging in the 15th century in the Punjab region, Sikhism was founded by Guru Nanak Dev Ji in response to the social and religious conflicts of the time. Drawing from both Hindu and Islamic traditions, Sikhism emphasises devotion to one formless God (Ek Onkar), the equality of all people, and the rejection of rituals and superstitions. The Guru Granth Sahib, Sikhisms holy scripture, serves as a spiritual guide for the community. Gurudwaras are not only spiritual hubs but also centers of community service and hospitality, famously offering free meals (langar) to all, regardless of religion or background. Judaism Judaism, one of the worlds earliest monotheistic religions, emerged over 4,000 years ago in the ancient land of Israel. Its origins are traditionally linked to the patriarch Abraham, whose lineage through Isaac and grandson Jacob laid the foundation for the Jewish people. The descendants of Jacobs son Judah came to be known as Jews, and their religion as Judaism. Unlike the polytheistic traditions, Judaism introduced the radical idea of a single, indivisible God. This foundational belief, and the ethical code found in the Torah, influenced two other major Abrahamic religions: Christianity and Islam. Christianity Christianity, which began in the 1st century CE in the Roman province of Judea (modern-day Israel/Palestine), emerged from Judaism with the teachings of Jesus Christ, whom followers believe to be the Son of God and the prophesied Messiah. The Bible, Christianitys sacred text, incorporates the Hebrew scriptures (Old Testament) along with the New Testament accounts of Jesus life, death, and resurrection. The faith spread rapidly across the Roman Empire and eventually across the globe. In India, Christianity arrived remarkably early tradition holds that the apostle Thomas reached the Malabar Coast (present-day Kerala) in 52 AD, establishing one of the worlds oldest Christian communities outside the Middle East. Islam top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The youngest of the major world religions, Islam was born in the 7th century CE in the Arabian Peninsula. Founded by the Prophet Muhammad, Islam centers on the belief in one God (Allah) and the revelations contained in the Quran. Muslims consider Muhammad the final prophet in a line that includes Abraham, Moses, and Jesus. Islam quickly spread from Mecca and Medina throughout the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Today, it is the second largest religion in the world, with significant populations not only in the Arab world but also in South and Southeast Asia. In India, Islam arrived through both trade and conquest, becoming an integral part of the countrys religious mosaic. First Published: April 11, 2025, 13:12 IST Why Was Business Jet Gulfstream G550 Picked To Bring Tahawwur Rana To India From US? Explained Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 13, 2025, 19:15 IST Gulfstream G550 is often used for high-profile diplomatic or executive missions. It was picked because of its security features, speed, and ability to handle intercontinental travel with minimal stops. Its spacious cabin and long range also make it a choice of billionaires Tahawwur Rana was brought to India in Gulfstream G550, a version of G500 (seen in the pictures). (Gulfstream) Pakistan-born Canadian citizen Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 64, who played a key role in Mumbais 26/11 terror attacks, was brought to India from the US in a special chartered Gulfstream G550 aircraft on Thursday. The special flight, chartered from a Vienna-based service, departed Miami, Florida at 2.15 am local time on Wednesday (11.45 a.m IST) and landed in Bucharest, Romania, by 7pm. After an 11-hour halt, the aircraft headed to the Palam airport in Delhi. Recommended Stories Inside the jet, Rana remained under constant watch of National Security Guard (NSG) commandos, senior officials from the National Investigation Agency (NIA), and a US Sky Marshal. The Gulfstream G550 jet is often used for high-profile diplomatic or executive missions. It was picked to bring back Rana because of its security features, speed, and ability to handle intercontinental travel with minimal stops. CAN ACCOMMODATE 19 PASSENGERS The Gulfstream G550, a highly advanced ultra-long-range business jet, is known for its spacious cabin, long range, and reliability. It is manufactured by American company Gulfstream Aerospace and designed for corporate, government, military and VIP use. Its first flight took place in 2003 and since then it has become the choice of many billionaires, big companies and government agencies around the world. G550 is one of its most successful and reliable jets. The company introduced G550 as an upgraded version of Gulfstream G500, which includes better technology, longer range and upgraded cockpit systems. A version with reduced fuel capacity was marketed as the G500. Gulfstream stopped production of the G550 in July 2021. Gulfstream Aerospace has its headquarters in Savannah, Georgia. It is a subsidiary of General Dynamics. Gulfstream Aerospace has been manufacturing luxury and high-performance business jets since 1958. Its long-distance range makes it perfect for intercontinental flights. Like it can fly from New York to Tokyo or London to Cape Town without stopping. The price of Gulfstream G550 depends on its customisation, but its base price is around Rs 500 crore. THE FEATURES Range: 6,750 nautical miles (12,501 km) Passenger Capacity: Up to 19 passengers Cabin: Spacious and comfortable, with three cabin zones and a crew rest area Engines: Powered by two Rolls-Royce BR710-C4-11 turbofan engines Avionics: Features a PlaneView cockpit DIMENSIONS Length: 96.4 feet (29.39 meters) Wingspan: 93.5 feet (28.5 meters) Tail Height: 25.8 feet (7.86 meters) Cabin Length (excluding baggage): 43.11 feet (13.14 meters) Cabin Width: 7.3 feet (2.23 meters) Cabin Height: 6.2 feet (1.89 meters) Baggage Space: 226 cubic feet Maximum Take-off Weight: 91,200 pounds Maximum Altitude: 51,000 feet Top Speed: Mach 0.885 THE FARE According to an estimate, which News18 has not confirmed, around Rs 4 crore were spent on this entire trip. RANA NOW IN NIA CUSTODY top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Rana was remanded in 18-day NIA custody in a late Thursday night court decision. Around 11 am, the NIA switched on its interrogation mode with Rana, who will be grilled for his role in the planning and plotting of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that killed over 160 people, including six Americans, and left hundreds injured. The investigative agency will focus on three aspects the Mumbai terror attacks plot, role of Pakistans ISI in the attacks, and Ranas links with the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Toiba that carried out the attacks. A 12-member team of the NIA, led by DG Sadanand Date, will grill Rana. About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More First Published: April 11, 2025, 15:35 IST 44 Dead Across UP, Bihar In Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms, Ex-Gratia Announced Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 12:41 IST As may as 44 people died and several houses and crops were damaged due to heavy rain and thunderstorms in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Both state governments announced Rs 4 lakh compensation. Meerut: Commuters transport a bicycle on a motorcycle amid rainfall on April 10 (Photo: PTI) At least 44 people were killed across Bihar and Uttar Pradesh due to heavy rain and thunderstorms on Thursday. Multiple houses were damaged, and many animals also died in the devastating incident. Of the total casualties, 21 people in Bihar died as a result of the thunderstorm, while one person succumbed to injuries caused by lightning, Nalanda District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar said, adding that significant damage has also been reported to homes, livestock, and agricultural crops. Recommended Stories According to the officials, a massive Peepal tree collapsed onto a temple in Nagma village of the district, killing several people who had gathered to take shelter following the rain and storm. Later, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed grief and directed officials to extend Rs 4 lakh compensation to the families of each deceased person. A total of 22 people have died, of these, 21 died due to thunderstorm while one died due to lightning. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has given directions for compensation to all the bereaved, the directions are being followed. A compensation of Rs 4 lakh each will be provided for the deceased," the DM told news agency ANI. All uprooted trees are being cleared on war footing. Almost all of our main routes are cleared. Electricity supply was also hit, more than 350 poles fell and over 15 transformers suffered losses. The department has formed 42 teams and they have run a drive. We hope everything will be cleared by the morning," he added. Meanwhile in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced Rs 4 lakhs ex-gratia to the kin of the 22 deceased in the incident. In a statement, the state government said, UP government declares Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia to kin of deceased in thunderstorm and Rain that occurred today. According to the Office of Relief Commissioner, a total of 22 people and 45 animals died and 15 houses were damaged across the state." The Chief Minister also expressed condolences to the bereaved families of the deceased who lost their lives due to storms and lightning. ORANGE ALERT IN UP top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Regional Meteorological Department has issued an orange alert for several districts of Uttar Pradesh, especially for the eastern part of the state for April 11. The regional MeT centre has predicted thunderstorms, lighting and squall like conditions for the districts of Lucknow, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Chandauli, Barabanki, Shrawasti, Balrampur, Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, Kushinagar, Gonda, Basti, Gorakhpur, Deoria, Unnao, Pratapgarh, Amethi, Sultanpur, Jaunpur, Ambedkar Nagar, Azamgarh, Sant Kabir Nagar, Ballia, Sant Ravidas Nagar and Ghazipur. 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 11, 2025, 12:41 IST Caught On Cam: Man Gets Tangled In Hot Air Balloon, Falls To Death After Rope Snaps In Rajasthan Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 08:35 IST The tragic incident took place during the foundation day celebrations of Baran district in Rajasthan. The video of the incident surfaced on social media. Rajasthan hot air balloon mishap (Photo: X) In a tragic incident, a man allegedly got stuck in a hot air balloon and fell to death when its rope broke in Rajasthans Baran, the officials said on Thursday. The video surfaced on social media after the incident took place during an event marking the 35th anniversary of the foundation day of the Baran district. The 3-day celebrations began on Tuesday. Recommended Stories The man, a balloon operator, was identified as Vasudev Khatri, who hailed from Kota. In the video, he was seen standing on the ground when he suddenly got caught in one of the hot air balloons ropes. He was a part of the team testing the balloon. Khatri was lifted nearly 100 feet into the air after getting caught in the rope, and then he was seen free-falling to the ground as the rope snapped. A 40-year-old hot air balloon operator died after falling during a trial run of the main show at #KhelSankul ground in #Rajasthans #Baran city on Thursday, the concluding day of the 3-day #BaranUtsav.The incident took place around 7am when preparations were underway for a hot pic.twitter.com/VykRda4UBe Hate Detector (@HateDetectors) April 10, 2025 He was immediately rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The hot air balloon was reportedly owned by a company that had earlier worked with the district administration. After the tragedy, Baran district collector Rohitash Singh Tomar said that all events that were scheduled for the foundation day celebrations had been called off. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Location : Rajasthan, India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 08:34 IST Chemists Urge IRDAI To Extend Professional Indemnity Insurance To Protect Them From Legal Risks Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 10:12 IST Data shows amidst the rising risk of litigation; doctors are buying professional indemnity insurance. In the last five years, demand for such insurance has spiked by almost 150 times. The lobby of more than 15,000 pharmacists across India has requested IRDAI to consider this matter with urgency and include pharmacists in the list of professionals eligible for professional indemnity insurance. (PTI File) Offline chemists are urging the apex insurance regulator, IRDAI, to bring them under the ambit of professional indemnity insurance coverage and protect the local pharmacists from legal actions taken due to mistakes such as medication errors, incorrect dispensing, adverse drug reactions, and other related complaints. The Indian Pharmaceutical Association (IPA), which claims to be the oldest lobby of pharmacy professionals in India, has written to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) requesting the inclusion of pharmacists under professional indemnity insurance coverage." In a letter written to Debasish Panda, chairman, IRDAI, the lobby of more than 15,000 pharmacists across India has requested IRDAI to consider this matter with urgency" and include pharmacists in the list of professionals eligible for professional indemnity insurance. These pharmacists work in the retail sector (such as chemist shops), hospitals and clinical pharmacists across the country. Recommended Stories The move has been supported by the largest lobby of offline pharmacists with over 12 lakh members, the All-India Organization of Chemists & Druggists (AIOCD). AIOCD supports the IPAs request to include pharmacists under professional indemnity insurance. Chemists play a vital role in public health and, like doctors and nurses, face professional risks daily. Despite our earlier request for vaccine priority during COVID, our community was overlooked," Rajiv Singhal, general secretary told News18. Surge in doctors buying indemnity insurance Professional indemnity insurance is designed to financially protect doctors and other professionals from legal costs and compensation claims made by patients or clients in case of a dispute. Data shows amidst the rising risk of litigation, doctors are buying professional indemnity insurance. In the last five years, demand for such insurance has spiked by almost 150 times. According to a 2016 survey by the National Law University, Bengaluru, there has been a 400 per cent increase in claims linked to medical negligence submitted in consumer courts. Although only 10 to 15 per cent of instances were legitimate, with physicians being convicted, the remaining 85 per cent of medical workers were allowed to defend themselves. Why do pharmacists need claim protection? The letter explains why pharmacists are seeking legal protection. They believe that their role in patient care from medication management to counselling exposes them to risks like medication errors and adverse drug reactions. Hence, to protect them from financial liability and promote accountability, there is a need to include pharmacists under professional indemnity insurance, like doctors and other healthcare professionals. Pharmacists are directly involved in medication management, patient counselling, clinical decision-making, and ensuring the rational use of medicines. While essential for patient safety, these responsibilities also expose pharmacists to risks such as medication errors, incorrect dispensing, and adverse drug reactions, among others," Dr Subhash C Mandal, national general secretary, IPA, wrote in the letter dated 10 April. In many cases, pharmacists are patients first point of contact regarding drug-related inquiries. As a result, there is a need for a comprehensive professional indemnity insurance scheme for pharmacists, similar to that provided to other healthcare professionals," the letter said. Such insurance, IPA believes, will encourage pharmacists to practice with greater confidence, knowing they have the necessary protection against the risks associated with their profession." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The letter said, We would like to request that pharmacists be included under the ambit of professional indemnity insurance coverage. It is our understanding that many healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses, as well as other professionals such as engineers, architects, and lawyers, already have access to professional indemnity insurance. However, pharmacists in India currently do not have the same provision, despite their critical role in safeguarding public health." IPA has concluded the letter by offering help, discussion and further details on the matter. We are happy to provide further details or discuss this request and its potential benefits for the profession and public health," the IPA wrote. About the Author Himani Chandna Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass... Read More Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly pass... Read More First Published: April 11, 2025, 10:12 IST 'I Don't Respond To Fools': Fadnavis's Dig At Sanjay Raut Over Tahawwur Rana Remark Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 14:39 IST Devendra Fadnavis dismissed Sanjay Raut's remarks on Tahawwur Rana's extradition, saying he doesn't respond to 'fools'. He also praised the Centre for bringing Rana to India. Devendra Fadnavis (L)/Sanjay Raut (R) (Photos: PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday took a dig at Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut over his remark on the 26/11 terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana, and said he does not respond to fools". Fadnavis made the statement while he was asked to comment on Ranas extradition to India. Recommended Stories His reaction was also sought on Rauts statement that Rana would be hanged during Bihar elections. I dont respond to fools, let them talk," Fadnavis said. Also commenting on Ranas extradition, the Maharashtra Chief Minister said, I am very pleased that the mastermind behind the Mumbai attacks, the one who orchestrated the conspiracy, Tahawwur Rana, has been successfully brought to India by the government." He will have to face our judicial system. We had this burden on our hearts that while we had hanged Kasab, the one behind the conspiracy was still at large. Now, thanks to Prime Minister Modi, we have been able to bring him to India," he said. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is investigating this, and we will provide any assistance required from the Mumbai police. If the NIA needs any help in their investigation, we will offer it," the Chief Minister said. WHAT SANJAY RAUT SAID Sanjay Raut on Thursday said Rana, who was extradited to India on Thursday, should be hanged immediately and claimed the government will do so during Bihar elections. Raut also demanded that Kulbhushan Jadhav, who was captured in 2016 and was sentenced to death by a Pakistani military court for alleged spying, be brought back home. India has dismissed Pakistans accusation as concocted. Rana should be immediately hanged but he will be hanged during the Bihar polls (scheduled later this year)," Raut told PTI. Raut said there was a 16-year-old battle to bring Rana to India and it started during the Congress rule. So no one should take the credit of bringing back Rana," Raut added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Sena (UBT) MP said Rana is not the first accused to be extradited to India. In the past, 1993 serial blast accused Abu Salem too was extradited to India, he noted. He also demanded that economic fugitives Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi be extradited to India. 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 11, 2025, 14:14 IST Hard-Won Progress: Chinese Embassy Spokesperson Lauds Jaishankars Remarks On India-Sino Ties At Rising Bharat Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 18:32 IST Reposting a clip of Jaishankars answer on X, Jing wrote: Hard-won progress, worth cherishing. Attributed to #RisingBharatSummit2025. EAM Dr S Jaishankar at News18 Rising Bharat Summit (Photo: CNN-News18) Yu Jing, spokesperson of Chinese Embassy in India, on Friday hailed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankars remarks on the India-China ties at the CNN-News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2025. Reposting a clip of Jaishankars answer on X, Jing wrote: Hard-won progress, worth cherishing. Attributed to #RisingBharatSummit2025." Recommended Stories When asked about the status of Sino-India ties, Jaishankar had said, It is obviously better than the last time I was here. Disengagement, particularly in Depsang, Demchok, was important. We are now addressing to some extent the issues on the border because there has been a force buildup over a period of years. There are many other things that happened during this period. Our direct flights stopped during COVID, they were not resumed. Kailash Mansarovar Yatra stopped during COVID, it did not resume again. There is work to be done, and we are at it." Acknowledging that strained relations between India and China during a four-year-period starting 2020 was not in the interest of either country", Jaishankar had on Wednesday said that the two nations are moving in a positive direction". The minister said that there is still work to be done and both sides are working together on it. We are trying to see whether lot of this post-COVID and parallel to the border tension, the combination of these issues, how much we can progress on this," the EAM added. He also emphasised that there is a mutual recognition that strained ties between India and China are not in the interest of either of the two. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We have always maintained that the situation that we saw between 2020 and 2024 was not in the interest of either country. It was not in the interest of our relationship. There is a recognition of that now," he said. We are moving in a positive direction," the minister added. 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 11, 2025, 18:29 IST 'Have Any Shame?' Burqa-Clad Girl Stopped From Speaking To Boy In Bengaluru, 4 Held Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 16:52 IST According to the police, a group of four young Muslim men confronted a Burqa-clad woman, who was sitting on a scooter with a boy. A Burqa-clad woman was sitting on a scooter with a youth, when four people from her community accosted her for speaking to someone from a different community. (Representative image) Moral Policing In Bengaluru: In a case of alleged moral policing in Bengaluru, at least four individuals, including a juvenile, have been held for allegedly harassing a boy and a girl at a public park, a police official said on Friday. As per the reports, the incident took place at Suvarna Layout Park, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Chandra Layout police station. Recommended Stories According to the police, a group of four young Muslim men confronted a Burqa-clad woman, who was sitting on a scooter with a boy. These four individuals allegedly accosted her for speaking to someone from a different community and demanded her family members contact details, news agency PTI reported. Why are you sitting on a bike with a boy while wearing a burqa? Dont you have any shame?" they allegedly asked, as cited by several media reports. When the girl refused to share her familys details and said the boy was her classmate, the individuals, identified as Md Mohsin, Md Mansoor, Md Afridi, and Waseem Khan, reportedly tried to assault the boy. We have received a complaint from the woman based on which we have registered a case. We have arrested four people including a juvenile," DCP West S Girish told the news agency. Karnataka: Bangalore police have arrested four individualsMd Mohsin, Md Mansoor, Md Afridi, and Waseem Khanin a moral policing case.The incident occurred at Chandra Layout when the accused harassed a Muslim girl and her Hindu friend for sitting together on a scooter pic.twitter.com/X1nUcrRLuE IANS (@ians_india) April 11, 2025 While the police denied any violence in the incident, videos shared on social media platforms showed the accused men surrounding the boy and allegedly hitting him with what seems like a wooden log, the reports added. There is no violence involved in this incident. We have taken up an investigation in this case," he added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge reacted to the incident saying the government will not tolerate" any moral policing in the state. He also said that Karnataka is a progressive state" and is not Bihar, Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh". This is not Bihar or Uttar Pradesh or Madhya Pradesh. Karnataka is a progressive state," he said, as reported by NDTV. 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 11, 2025, 16:52 IST Himachal Bank Employee Found Hanging After Lover's Wife Catches Them Red-Handed, Family Alleges Murder Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 15:36 IST In Himachal Pradesh's Hamirpur district, a bank employee allegedly died by suicide after a public confrontation over her affair with a married colleague. The woman's family alleges murder despite a note stating she acted voluntarily. (Image: Representative) In a deeply disturbing turn of events from Himachal Pradeshs Hamirpur district, a female bank employee was found dead allegedly by suicide just hours after a dramatic confrontation involving her affair turned into a public spectacle. The incident unfolded in Naidun, where the woman, originally from the Badsar area, had been working at the local branch of the State Bank of India (SBI). According to police sources, she had been living in a rented room in the area and was reportedly involved in a romantic relationship with a married male colleague who also worked at the bank. Recommended Stories Tensions escalated on Thursday, April 10, when the mans wife, suspecting the affair, tracked his car using a location device she had discreetly installed. Accompanied by several relatives, she followed the vehicle to Naidun and arrived unannounced at the rented room where her husband was allegedly spending time with the bank employee. The confrontation quickly spiraled out of control. Eyewitnesses reported heated arguments and a physical altercation, with the mans relatives allegedly assaulting him at the scene. The disturbance drew the attention of local residents, prompting the involvement of the panchayat leadership and police authorities, including Naidun Station House Officer Nirmal Singh. As the scene grew increasingly chaotic, the police attempted to de-escalate the situation by calling all involved parties to the station for questioning. However, the woman refused to accompany the police immediately, insisting that she would only appear in the presence of her parents. Tragically, after the crowd dispersed and officials left the scene, the woman was later found hanging in her room. Police had to force open the door to recover her body. A handwritten note discovered at the scene stated that she was taking the step of her own volition and did not blame anyone for her death. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Despite the contents of the note, the womans family raised serious allegations, claiming she was murdered and demanding a thorough investigation. Superintendent of Police Bhagat Singh Thakur confirmed that a case has been registered and that a full inquiry is underway. This news piece may be triggering. If you or someone you know needs help, call any of these helplines: Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata) Location : Himachal Pradesh, India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 15:36 IST How Childhood Friends Tahawwur Rana And David Headley Staged The 26/11 Mumbai Carnage Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 09:13 IST Rana and Headley helped Lashkar-e-Taiba conduct reconnaissance for the 26/11 Mumbai attacks through a fake immigration business in India, US court documents reveal Tahawwur Rana and David Headley (File Image) David Coleman Headley, who reconnoitred targets for the 2008 Mumbai attacks on the orders of Pakistan-based terror outfits, was a childhood friend of Tahawwur Rana. A US court, in its order, has provided details about how Rana and Headley assisted these terror groups in carrying out the deadly attacks on 26 November 2008. HOW DID HEADLEY AND RANA KNOW EACH OTHER? Recommended Stories According to US court documents, Rana and Headley were childhood friends. In adulthood, Rana deserted his post in the Pakistani army and moved to Chicago, where he established an immigration business. Headley, meanwhile, began trafficking heroin, was eventually radicalised, and attended training camps operated by the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (Lashkar). According to Headleys testimony, the pair met in Chicago multiple times over the course of three years, plotting to assist Lashkar in terrorist attacks that ultimately killed and injured hundreds of people. THE CONSPIRACY The document states that in August 2005, the pair met over several days in Chicago, where Headley informed Rana about Lashkars plans for Headley to travel to public places and government facilities in India to conduct surveillance for a possible attack. Headley proposed using Ranas immigration business as a front for Lashkars surveillance activities, with Headley posing as an immigration consultant" for Rana in Mumbai. To sweeten the deal, Headley offered to help resolve Ranas status as a deserter from the Pakistani army. In June 2006, they met again in Chicago, where Headley elaborated on his involvement with Lashkar. After agreeing to open a Mumbai branch of his immigration business, Rana helped Headley complete a successful application for an Indian business visa, which included several inaccuracies," it says. Headley used the visa to travel to India under the pretence of operating the Mumbai branch of Ranas business. Although he rented an apartment, hired a secretary, and signed a lease for the branch, little to no immigration work occurred there. In July 2007, Headley stayed at Ranas Chicago home, informed him about the surveillance he had conducted in India, and showed him a video he had taken of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. Rana helped Headley secure a five-year, multi-entry Indian visa. Using that visa, Headley travelled to India multiple times between September 2007 and March 2008, conducting further surveillance of potential targets. YEAR 2008 In May 2008, Headley informed Rana about the surveillance he had conducted in Mumbai, identifying potential attack targets, including the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. In the autumn of 2008, Headley warned Rana to avoid India, where attacks were imminent, and arranged for Rana to meet with one of their co-conspirators in Dubai. During a later intercepted conversation, Rana told Headley that their co-conspirator in Dubai had confirmed the upcoming attacks. The lease on the Mumbai office expired in November 2008, and neither Rana nor Headley renewed it," the document states. Lashkar carried out massive terrorist attacks throughout Mumbai, including at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, between 26 and 29 November 2008. The attacks killed 166 people, injured 239 others, and caused more than $1.5 billion in property damage. Rana reportedly commended the terrorists who carried out the attacks and stated that the people of India deserved it." After the terrorist attacks in India were completed, Headley and Lashkar began plotting newbut ultimately unsuccessfulattacks in Denmark and India. Headley once again used the immigration business as a cover to conduct surveillance, this time in Denmark. Headley kept Rana apprised of his surveillance activities, and Rana communicated directly with Headleys Lashkar contacts," the document adds. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all RANA SENT TO 18-DAY NIA CUSTODY Rana, who was extradited to India on Thursday, was sent to the National Investigation (NIA) custody in a late evening development. The NIA had produced Rana before a Special NIA Court after his formal arrest yesterday evening, seeking 20-day custody, after which the order was reserved. About the Author Ankur Sharma With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar... Read More With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar... Read More First Published: April 11, 2025, 09:13 IST India Geared Up For 'High Degree' Of Urgency In Trade Deals, Says Jaishankar Amid Trump's Tariffs Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 16:14 IST Jaishankar said the US has fundamentally changed its approach to engage with the world, adding that the US-China trade war will have consequences and India needs to safeguard its own interests. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addressing the Carnegie Global Technology Summit 2025. (S Jaishankar/X) After US President Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs sent shockwaves across global markets and sparked a trade war with China, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India is geared up for a high degree of urgency in reaching trade negotiations with several countries. Speaking at the Carnegie Global Tech Summit 2025, Jaishankar said India is keen to sign the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement with the US as soon as possible, while doing the same with the European Union as well as the United Kingdom. Recommended Stories Within a month of change in the administration, we have conceptually an agreement that we will do a bilateral trade agreement; that we will find a fix that will work for both of us because we have our concerns too. And its not an open-ended process," the minister said. Pleased to address the 9th #GlobalTechSummit and join @Rudra_81 for an engaging conversation.Spoke about the global changes underway, its tech consequences and many possibilities. Highlighted the interplay between trade & technology, the imperative of trusted & transparent https://t.co/XhAMJ8n3xu pic.twitter.com/coWg9WRu1J Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 11, 2025 If you look at the EU, often people say weve been negotiating for 23 years which is not entirely true because we had big blocks of time when nobody was even talking to somebody else. But they have tended to be very protracted processes," he added. This time around, we are certainly geared up for a very high degree of urgency. I mean, we see a window here. Our trade teams are really charged up." His remarks came after Trump announced a 90-day pause to his sweeping tariffs that alarmed economies and sparked fears of a global recession. However, Trump increased tariffs on Chinese products to a massive 145%, while Beijing hit back with retaliatory tariffs of 125% on imports of US goods. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the United States in February to meet Donald Trump, where they agreed to finalise the first part of a bilateral trade agreement by this year. An American delegation led by Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch visited New Delhi in March for talks on the deal. Jaishankar on US-China Trade War Jaishankar said the US has fundamentally changed its approach to engage with the world, which has consequences across every domain, particularly the tech sector, as the US is the largest driver of global tech advancements. He also spoke about a connection between Trumps MAGA (Make America Great Again) campaign and the tech domain. Jaishankar also highlighted Chinas advancements. Changes in the United States, which all of you are as familiar if not more than me, I think is one big shift in the last year. But theres the other shift, and thats an evolution, you can say That is the advancement of China." The trade story is also the tech story. It had its dramatic moments, Deep Seek was one of them. I would argue that the changes impelled by China are as consequential as the shifts in the American position. In fact, one is to some extent influenced by the other," he added. He also said countries like Japan and South Korea have tried to make a geopolitical comeback through technology, while India was making progress in the field of digital public infrastructure and was prioritising semiconductors. Nothing Is Purely Business Anymore The External Affairs Minister further warned of a period of sharp competition, adding that the impact of US-China relations on India was akin to a Goldilocks problem", with no situation working in New Delhis favour. Speaking on the tit-for-tat moves, Jaishankar said, I think what is our definition of what is sensitive has expanded. Nothing is only trade anymore. No investments are as purely, you know, nothing is purely business anymore. Everything is also personal." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He also said Europe had the good fortune of enjoying strategic comfort for several decades, but now its feathers are being ruffled with the Ukraine war and Trumps tariffs, and it is being compelled by global developments to conceptualise its own interest. (with inputs from agencies) About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More First Published: April 11, 2025, 16:12 IST Kerala Lottery Results LIVE: Nirmal NR-427 Winners For April 11, 2025 Soon; First Prize Rs 70 Lakh! Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 09:00 IST Kerala Lottery Result Guessing Numbers: Check the Live Updates and full list of winning numbers for Nirmal NR-427 lucky draw for Friday, April 11, 2025 here from 3 pm. Kerala Lottery Nirmal NR-427 Results: The first prize winner of Nirmal NR-427 will get Rs 70 lakh. (Image: Shutterstock) KERALA LOTTERY NIRMAL NR-427 RESULT ON FRIDAY, 11.4.2025, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department is all set to announce the results of the Nirmal Lottery NR-427 on Friday, April 11. The draw will be held at 3 PM at Gorky Bhavan, located near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. Participants stand a chance to win exciting cash prizes, with the first prize worth 70 lakh, followed by the second prize of 10 lakh, and the third prize of 1 lakh. To ensure complete fairness and transparency, the draw will be conducted in the presence of independent judges. KERALA LOTTERY NIRMAL NR-427 GUESSING NUMBERS Recommended Stories 1632 1623 1362 1326 1263 1236 6132 6123 6312 6321 6213 6231 3162 3126 3612 3621 3216 3261 2163 2136 2613 2631 2316 2361 NIRMAL NR-427 LOTTERY: WINNING NUMBERS WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKH IS: To be updated WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKH IS: To be updated WINNING NUMBER FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 LAKH ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8000 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: To be updated WINNING NUMBERS FOR THE 7TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: To be updated NIRMAL NR-427 LOTTERY: PRIZE STRUCTURE 1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakh 2nd Prize: Rs 10 Lakh 3rd Prize: Rs 1 Lakh 4th Prize: Rs 5,000 5th Prize: Rs 1,000 6th Prize: Rs 500 7th Prize: Rs 100 Consolation Prize: Rs 8,000 HOW TO CHECK KERALA NIRMAL NR-427 LOTTERY RESULTS? Visit the official Kerala Lottery website to check the NIRMAL NR-427 results. Verify the winning numbers at the Kerala Government Gazette office. Contact the Kerala Lottery Department for authenticated and official details. How to Claim the Prize Money? Check the official Kerala Government Gazette to verify the lottery results and compare them with your ticket number. If your ticket number appears in the list, you may qualify for a prize. Winners must claim their prizes at the Kerala Lottery Office in Thiruvananthapuram within 30 days of the result announcement. To receive the prize, winners must present the original lottery ticket along with a valid ID for verification. Documents Required to Claim Prize Money Submit a signed photocopy of both sides of the winning lottery ticket. Provide recent passport-sized photographs, duly attested by a Gazette officer, for verification. Include a self-attested copy of your PAN card as proof of identity. Fill out the official online prize claim form, affix a revenue stamp, and submit it. Present a valid government-issued ID, such as an Aadhaar card, PAN card, voter ID, or ration card for authentication. HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS? Go to the official Kerala Lottery Department websites: keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net. Find and click on the link for the Nirmal Lottery NR-427 results. The complete list of winning numbers will be available in the results section. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Look for the download option on the website. Click the link to view and save the lottery results as a PDF file. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 09:00 IST 'Life-Saving': IIT Kanpur Scientists Say Their Medical Innovation Stops Bleeding In Less Than A Minute Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 12:57 IST This cutting-edge haemostatic dressing, already boasting three patents (one with DRDO and two solely by IIT Kanpur), is set to transform trauma care and emergency medicine. Professor Vivek Verma, who led the innovation at IIT Kanpur, shared the journey and the utility of this life-saving breakthrough. (Image: News18) Imagine a magical dressing that can stop bleeding in less than a minute, initiate rapid clotting, enhance platelet activation and adhesion, and heal wounds faster. What seemed like a life-saving gadget from a Hollywood sci-fi movie is now a groundbreaking medical innovation developed by IIT Kanpur. This cutting-edge haemostatic dressing, already boasting three patents (one with DRDO and two solely by IIT Kanpur), is set to transform trauma care and emergency medicine. Professor Vivek Verma, who led the innovation at IIT Kanpur, shared the journey and the utility of this life-saving breakthrough in an interview with News18. Recommended Stories The Innovation: A Sponge That Stops Bleeding in Seconds Researchers at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at IIT Kanpur have developed this revolutionary haemostatic dressing. It is a biodegradable cryogel-based sponge made from agarose (a polymer derived from red seagrass) and polydopamine (PDA), which mimics the adhesive properties of mussels. This bioinspired combination quickly initiates blood clotting at wound sites and absorbs large volumes of blood, helping prevent death from hemorrhage. The innovation, a blend of traditional Indian materials and modern science, has already secured three patents one with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and two solely by IIT Kanpur. The Journey The journey began when Professor Vivek Verma, a leading researcher in materials science at IIT Kanpur, collaborated with his student Dr Kaushal R Shakya. Driven by a vision to create an affordable, fast-acting solution to combat hemorrhage a leading cause of preventable death in trauma cases they drew inspiration from natures design and Indias indigenous resources. They explored bioinspired materials that could accelerate clotting and support healing, leading them to marine organisms like mussels and red algae. The adhesive and gel-forming properties of these organisms laid the foundation for the sponge. Verma and Shakya worked tirelessly in the lab with agarose and polydopamine, mimicking the sticky proteins found in mussels. After months of experimentation and iteration, they developed a sponge that not only stops bleeding in seconds but also supports healing and biodegradation. This academic challenge evolved into a mission to deliver a life-saving tool that could transform trauma care in India and beyond. Confluence of Traditional Indian Materials and Modern Science Professor Verma explained that the sponge is a blend of traditional Indian materials and modern science. This haemostatic sponge combines Indias natural resources with cutting-edge materials science. By using seagrass-derived agar and cellulose, weve developed a biodegradable, cost-effective solution that can save lives while supporting sustainable healthcare practices," he said. He added that the dressing is not only fast-acting but also therapeutic, saying, Our cryogel dressing doesnt just stop bleeding; it has antioxidant properties that reduce inflammation and promote faster healing. Its lightweight, easy to carry, and ideal for use in ambulances, field kits, and remote locations." Rapid Response to Trauma In trials, the sponge showed clotting within 30 to 90 seconds and absorbed over 90 per cent of the blood within moments. With a swelling capacity exceeding 4000 per cent, it expands on contact with moisture, concentrating platelets and accelerating clot formation. It has been successfully tested in rat trauma models such as tail amputation and liver puncture, stopping bleeding in just 40-53 seconds with minimal blood loss," said Professor Verma. On the manufacturing side, Professor Verma noted that the fabrication process is scalable and inexpensive, allowing for widespread production and deployment, especially in resource-constrained environments. Why This Matters This innovation is crucial in a world where excessive bleeding remains one of the leading causes of preventable death, particularly in trauma situations like road accidents, military operations, and natural disasters. While other haemostatic dressings are available, none are as efficient as the cryogel-based sponge from IIT Kanpur. Our sponge addresses these shortcomings by delivering rapid and effective hemostasis using safe, biodegradable materials that are both affordable and accessible. Its antioxidant properties reduce the risk of infection and inflammation, and its ease of use means it can be applied without specialised training," Verma said. Field-Ready and Future-Focused top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The IIT Kanpur sponge, with its soft, porous structure and exceptional absorbency, is designed for field deployment. It is especially suitable for trauma care, emergency medical services, surgical procedures, and battlefield conditions. Its lightweight and compact form make it easy to store and carry, allowing it to be included in paramedic kits, military backpacks, ambulances, and disaster relief supplies. In remote and rural health setups, where access to surgical tools may be limited, the sponge offers a reliable alternative for bleeding control," said Verma. Looking ahead, the team is working closely with doctors to evolve the product based on their needs and requirements. They are preparing other generations of the dressing, including an injectable form, which is another revolutionary product. Human trials are set to begin soon. First Published: April 11, 2025, 12:57 IST Mumbai Man Killed For Opposing Drug Peddling, Family Alleges 'His Intestines Was Ripped Out' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 21:10 IST Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the attack that took place in the Dargah Gali area on Thursday night The attack reportedly took place after the deceased opposed local drug peddling. (Representational image) A 40-year-old man was killed and two of his family members were injured after a group of people attacked them with sharp weapons in Mumbais Bandra area. The attack reportedly took place after the deceased opposed local drug peddling. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the attack that took place in the Dargah Gali area on Thursday night. Recommended Stories According to an official from Bandra police station, the accused allegedly entered the house of the victim, Shakir Ali Cendole, and attacked him and his family members. Shakir died, while his sister-in-law Shirin and nephew Afzal sustained injuries. The official stated that the police arrested Imran Pathan, his wife Fatima Zakir Ali alias Kaynat, Usman Zakir Ali, and Zakir Ali Cendole. Pathan and his wife had multiple cases against them, and they were known to supply drugs in Bandra, he added, noting that further investigation was underway. Ripped out his intestines Speaking about the murder incident, the deceased mans sister, Feeroza, said, Drug peddlers Salman Malik and his wife Soni supplied drugs to the Pathan couple, and my brother Shakir opposed peddling activities in the Dargah Gali area." Feeroza also told a local news channel that the attackers used a sword and a bat to fatally assault her brother, Hindustan Times reported. They ripped out his intestines with the sword and smashed his head using a bat," she stated. She also revealed that the family had previously filed a complaint against the accused, who continued to threaten them and harass them with a false rape allegation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The police have not yet responded to the familys allegations. (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 11, 2025, 21:09 IST NIA Likely To Take Tahawwur Rana To Different Parts Of India To Probe Terror Plans Akin To Mumbai Attacks Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Ashesh Mallick Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 11:43 IST Tahawwur Rana was brought back to India from the United States on Thursday and was remanded to the NIA custody. The probe agency started grilling him at the NIA Headquarters today. 26/11 plotter Tahawwur Hussain Rana with NIA officials after his extradition in New Delhi. (IMAGE: SOURCED) The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to take Tahawwur Rana to different cities of India to probe the angle that the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks-like plans were also to be executed elsewhere in the country, sources said on Friday. The NIA got an 18-day remand of the 2008 Mumbai attacks accused Rana on late Thursday night, after his successful extradition from the United States. The agency had sought 20-day custody, however, the special court at Delhis Patiala House granted remand until April 29. Recommended Stories The anti-terror probe agency intends to take Rana to different cities in order to recreate the scene 17 years after these sinister plans were executed in Mumbai. Sources said that this is why the NIA wanted a long custody of the Pakistani native who is a Lashkar operative. NIA needs to probe the angle that the Mumbai (attacks) model was to be implemented in different cities of India and similar attacks were to be carried out there as well," sources told CNN-News18. The agency started an interrogation with Rana today at its Headquarters, where he is housed in a 10/10 Feet lockup. The questioning will be focused on three aspects the role of Pakistani spy agency ISI in the Mumbai terror attacks, his links with Lashkar, and the plot behind the 26/11 terror attacks. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The NIA will also question him regarding the call intercepted with another Mumbai attacks accused David Headley, in which Rana demanded the highest gallantry award for the terrorists who caused bloodshed in Mumbai. In the intercepted call, Rana had demanded that Pakistan should honour those terrorists. The officials will grill him for his role in the attacks that killed over 160 people, including six Americans, and left hundreds injured. He will be confronted with the emails that were found during the NIA investigation and presented as compelling evidence in the court. 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 11, 2025, 11:27 IST Only Electric Two-Wheelers In Delhi From Next Year? Why Delhi Govt Wants To Phase Out 66% Of Its Vehicles Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 17:23 IST The ultimate aim of the Delhi EV Policy 2.0, which is being drafted and may take some more weeks to be finalised, is that 95% of new vehicle registrations in the city should be electric by 2027 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. Delhis proposed Electric Vehicle Policy 2.0 will disallow purchase and registration of non-electric three- and two-wheelers in the national capital, leaving EV autos, bikes and scooters the only option for future buyers. The ultimate aim of the Delhi EV Policy 2.0, which is being drafted and may take some more weeks to be finalised, is that 95% of new vehicle registrations in the city should be electric by 2027. Recommended Stories Speaking to News18, an official from the Delhi transport department, said that before finalising the draft, the government is taking feedback and suggestions from the stakeholders so that the policy is robust". They added that there is a plan to phase out two and three-wheelers that are non-EVs. A lot of things are being considered for the new policy. Phasing out of non-EV two- and three-wheelers is also being talked about. There are a lot of things the government needs to cover before forming the new rules, including what will happen to the two- and three-wheelers operating currently and will there be a deadline or age-limit for existing vehicles or will they be allowed until they are fit to use," said the official. For four-wheelers operating on petrol and diesel, there is an age-limit of 15 and 10 years, respectively. These vehicles, once they complete the age starting from the registration day, are not allowed in the city limits. The policy, the official explained, is expected in the next few weeks, adding there is no set deadline for it. WHY TWO-WHEELERS? Earlier this month, a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report was published that said that the city has 75.56 lakh two-wheelers. This accounts for 66% of the total registered vehicles, as of March 31, 2019. The report, on the Performance Audit of Prevention and Mitigation of Vehicular Air Pollution, said that even when the odd-even scheme was implemented, exemption to two-wheelers was given, which defeated the objective of the scheme". The report also said that the two-wheelers were exempted from the ambit and scope of odd-even without any expert opinion to assess the impact of providing exemptions. The proposed EV policy also suggests that all CNG auto-rickshaws, taxis, and light commercial vehicles should be replaced by EVs in a phased manner. These measures are being planned keeping in mind the long-term need of the city and in line with the Union governments initiative of promoting EVs," the official added. The proposed policy aims to accelerate Delhis transition to electric mobility, reinforcing its position as Indias leader in EV adoption". The official also said that when the government talks about replacing vehicles using traditional fuels, it is also considering purchase incentives for electric two-wheelers, three-wheelers, e-light commercial vehicles and e-trucks. The policy also includes scrapping and retrofitting incentives to encourage the shift from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to EVs," an official statement from the government reads. BUILDING EV INFRASTRUCTURE Whenever there are talks of promoting EV, a major challenge is infrastructure development which, according to the government, will be covered in the new policy, as it will offer ample public charging points. The policy mandates charging stations in new buildings and public spaces, offers capital subsidies for private and semi-public charging stations, and establishes fast-charging corridors along major roads, including the Ring Road and Outer Ring Road," the government said. The policy also proposed for a dedicated state EV Fund to finance incentives, sourced through green levies, pollution cess, and aggregator licence fees. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The policy also mandates fleet electrification for commercial transport and strengthens regulatory measures to ensure compliance," they said. For a city like Delhi, where air pollution is a major challenge, the EV Policy also aims to achieve the overarching objective to improve the air quality. About the Author Nivedita Singh Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More Nivedita Singh is a data journalist and covers the Election Commission, Indian Railways and Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. She has nearly seven years of experience in the news media. She tweets @nived... Read More First Published: April 11, 2025, 17:23 IST PM Modi Briefed On Varanasi Gang-Rape, Orders 'Strictest Action' Against Culprits Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 12:23 IST The case involves the alleged gang rape of a 19-year-old woman by 23 individuals over six days. PM Modi directed official to take strict action against the accused in Varanasi gang-rape case | PTI Image Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday received a detailed briefing on the alleged gang-rape of a young woman in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, where he arrived to launch several development projects. The case is related to the alleged gang rape of a 19-year-old woman by 23 individuals over several days. Police have so far arrested nine accused and stated that the remaining suspects will be apprehended soon as the probe expands. Recommended Stories The Police Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner, and District Magistrate briefed the Prime Minister on the case, following which he directed them to take the strictest action against those responsible and to put in place effective measures to prevent such incidents in future. Immediately after landing in Varanasi, the prime minister was briefed by the police commissioner, divisional commissioner and district magistrate on the recent criminal rape incident in the city", a Uttar Pradesh government statement read. "He instructed them to take the strictest possible action against the culprits and to implement appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future," it said. Varanasi Gang-Rape Case The victims father said that his 19-year-old daughter left home on March 29 to visit a friend, during which she came into contact with a group of boys. According to the police, the girl was lured and taken away and raped for several days. The victim alleged that 23 people raped her over a span of seven days. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The police found the victim in a bad state" on April 4 and rushed her to a hospital for treatment. She was in a bad state. After treatment, when she became normal, she narrated the whole incident," ANI quoted the girls father as saying. According to police, the accused drugged the victim and moved her between several hotels for the duration of the abuse. Location : Varanasi [Benares], India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 12:04 IST Rs 1,500 For 30 Minutes: Tourists Clash With Nainital Municipal Body Over 'Unfair' Parking Fine Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 15:13 IST A parking fee dispute in Nainital escalated when tourists from Uttar Pradesh were charged Rs 1,500 for a delayed vehicle check-out. Police intervened to defuse the situation, and tourists paid the fine. A seemingly routine departure turned chaotic on Tuesday in the hill town of Nainital in Uttarakhand when a group of tourists from Uttar Pradesh found themselves at the centre of a heated dispute over parking charges. The confrontation unfolded at the DSA parking lot, where municipal staff demanded an additional Rs 1,500 for a delayed vehicle check-out, prompting anger, protest and eventually police intervention. According to eyewitnesses, the tourists had parked their three vehicles at the DSA facility on Monday, unaware that their delayed return the following day just over half an hour past the 12 noon cut-off would trigger a steep penalty. The fee, levied at Rs 500 per vehicle, sparked immediate outrage among the visitors, who argued that the charge was exorbitant and amounted to harassment. Recommended Stories Tempers ran high as the tourists alleged that the parking system was being weaponised against outsiders, while municipal employees stood firm, asserting that the penalty was in accordance with established rules for overstaying in the designated parking area. The situation quickly escalated, drawing the attention of local police. Station in-charge Deepak Bisht arrived at the scene with a police team, working to defuse the tension. After much persuasion, the tourists reluctantly agreed to pay the fine, and the standoff ended without further incident. But the ripples of the altercation are being felt well beyond the parking lot. Residents and local traders once again raised concerns about the mounting costs faced by tourists in Nainital. They argued that the municipalitys recent hike in parking and entry fees now set at Rs 500 and Rs 300 respectively is placing an undue burden on visitors and risking long-term damage to the towns tourism-driven economy. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Nainital thrives on tourism," said a local shopkeeper near Mall Road, If we make it difficult or unpleasant for people to visit, we all suffer. These policies need to be revisited." The municipal body defended the revised fee structure, citing rising infrastructure and maintenance costs. However, civic groups and tourism stakeholders worry that the aggressive enforcement of such policies, especially in cases involving minor delays, could drive tourists away. Location : Nainital, India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 15:13 IST Tahawwur Rana Extradited, But What About Others, Ask Sena UBT, Maharashtra Congress Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 13:32 IST Shiv Sena UBT's Saamana criticised the Centre for failing to bring back Kulbhushan Jadhav. Reacting to Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar's remarks, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, "They have to make such statements because they are in the opposition...They should have congratulated PM Modi." 26/11 plotter Tahawwur Hussain Rana with NIA officials after his extradition in New Delhi. (IMAGE: SOURCED) From the Congress questioning the move ahead of the Mumbai civic polls to Sena UBT listing the others who are yet to be brought in, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) governments extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key conspirator of 26/11 terror attacks, led to strong reactions from the parties in the opposition in Maharashtra. Both the Centre and state had Congress-led governments at the time of the 2008 attacks. Recommended Stories WHAT ABOUT KULBHUSHAN JADHAV, ASKS SAAMANA Saamana, mouthpiece of Shiv Sena UBT, in its editorial criticised the central government for failing to bring back Kulbhushan Jadhav. The return of Tahawwur Rana to India from the US is being projected as a grand diplomatic success by the Modi governmentBut lets step back. This extradition was not sudden. India began pursuing Ranas extradition way back during the Manmohan Singh era. The legal battle in American courts went on for 18 years, with India consistently presenting its case. Finally, after all legal options were exhausted, Rana was handed over. This was a legal and political process between two countries not a one-man show," it said. #WATCH | Mumbai: On 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India, Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik says, " Tahawwur Rana's case is being handled by the officer who was on duty during 26/11 attacks The officer, Sadanand Date is the reason the world pic.twitter.com/jrq0G4mzmx ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2025 When Abu Salem was extradited from Portugal in 2005 during Manmohan Singhs tenure, Congress didnt throw a celebration. Salems trial happened, and he was sentenced to life imprisonment. No Salem Festival happened. But today, social media is flooded with Rana Festival posts. Rana helped Pakistani American David Headley plan the 26/11 attacks. He even helped scout sensitive sites like Shiv Sena Bhavan, which was reportedly a target. The police and intelligence agencies did a tremendous job uncovering this conspiracy. If not for their investigation, names like Headley and Rana may never have surfaced," it stated. Why is no one talking about Kulbhushan Jadhav? Hes still in a Pakistani prison. Jadhav was allegedly kidnapped from Afghanistan and accused of being a spy. There is no clarity on his condition. If the government could bring Rana from the US, why cant it bring back Jadhav from Pakistan? Also, why havent Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi, or even Dawood Ibrahim and Tiger Memon been brought back? We hear slogans like, Well go into Pakistan and get them. But little is done. Bringing Jadhav home would mean real diplomacy," it added. WHAT ABOUT DAWOOD? MAHARASHTRA CONGRESS REACTS Ashok Chavan, who had replaced Congresss Vilasrao Deshmukh as the CM after the attacks and is now an MP from the BJP, said, It is definitely a victory for IndiaThe 26/11 attacks are still fresh in the minds of people of India, particularly Mumbai. It was a terrorist attack sponsored by Pakistan This is a big victory for India and a big victory on diplomatic levels as well as the legal side. It has been handled very well due to the strategies of PM Modi" Congresss Vijay Wadettiwar said, Rana has been brought to India from a US prisonNow, he will be used by the BJP in the civic electionsI am happy that Rana has been brought here. However, everyone knows the mastermind behind the Mumbai blasts. If Rana can be brought, why not the notorious gangster Dawood Ibrahim? What is that courage not shown?" Congresss Sushilkumar Shinde said, We were also trying and the BJP government also triedThis government has done a good thing. We compliment them, there is nothing wrong in complimenting because this was a long-standing issue." NCP chief Sharad Pawars daughter and MP Supriya Sule said, Of course we welcome it. Anybody whos done crime in India and has fled must be brought back." Pawar had replaced RR Patil as the state home minister following his remark on the attacks. #WATCH | Nagpur, Maharashtra: On extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India, Congress National Spokesperson Atul Londhe Patil says, His investigation was completed before 2013. In our MLAT, three NIA officials had gone to the US, and the US government had given us evidence pic.twitter.com/OqT2QZmaxA ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2025 MAHARASHTRA BJP REACTS Reacting to Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwars remarks, Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule said, They have to make such statements because they are in the oppositionThey should have congratulated PM Modi." #WATCH | Delhi | On Tahawwur Rana's extradition, Rajya Sabha MP and senior advocate Kapil Sibal says, "Today, the accused is before us, and things will become more clear as we know that only Tahawwur Rana and David Headley were not the conspirators but more were involved. It pic.twitter.com/2pm5HLy4EF ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2025 WARRING, CHIDAMBARAM NOT IMPRESSED Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring on Thursday said, Theyre bringing Rana as if theyve made Trump waive tariffs what great feat have they achieved?" top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all P Chidambaram, Congress leader who was made the Union home minister after Shivraj Patil resigned in the wake of the attacks, too, refused to give credit to the BJP government. This extradition is the culmination of a decade and a half of painstaking diplomatic, legal and intelligence efforts which were initiated, led, and sustained by the UPA government in close coordination with the United StatesLet 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 UPAThese are not strong leader moments, but are the slow wheels of justice, pushed forward by years of hard work." On extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India, Congress National Spokesperson Atul Londhe Patil said, His investigation was completed before 2013. In our MLAT, three NIA officials had gone to the US, and the US government had given us evidence against Tahawwur Rana. Salman Khurshid and Nirupama Rao had maintained political and diplomatic pressure, as a result of which, Tahawwur Rana was under trial in the US, and after that, his extradition to India was ascertained. Those who say we were soft on terror, they need to know that we have hanged two terrorists" 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 11, 2025, 13:23 IST Tahawwur Rana's NIA Grilling Begins, Probe To Focus On Intercepted Call With Headley | Top Points Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 12:05 IST Tahawwur Rana has been sent to 18-day NIA custody, during which the agency will interrogate him about the conspiracy behind 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Tahawwur Rana and David Headley (File Image) Mumbai terror attacks co-conspirator Tahawwur Rana was remanded to 18-day National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody in a late Thursday night court decision, hours after the Pakistani native was brought to India on a special flight from the United States prison. Rana landed in New Delhi yesterday evening, after which he was formally arrested by the NIA and taken to Patiala House Court, where the anti-terror probe agency sought his 20-day custody. The court initially reserved its decision and then granted the agency his custody for 18 days (until April 29). Recommended Stories Security was ramped up outside the NIA Headquarters as well as the court where Rana was produced. NIA Gets Custody, Whats Next? At around 11 am, the NIA switched on its interrogation mode with Rana, who will be grilled for his role in the planning and plotting of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that killed over 160 people, including 6 Americans, and left hundreds injured. The investigative agency will focus on three aspects of interrogation the Mumbai terror attacks plot, the role of Pakistans ISI in the attacks, and Ranas links with the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba that carried out the attacks. A 12-member team of NIA, led by DG Sadanand Date, will grill Rana during his custody. Rana will be questioned about his intercepted remarks on 26/11. In his intercepted call with David Headley another plotter of the terror attack he had said that the Lashkar terrorists who attacked Mumbai should be rewarded by Pakistan, sources said. Rana wanted them to be honoured with Pakistans highest gallantry award, according to a US Department of Justice document The Ministry of Home Affairs will be apprised of the details of the probe on a daily basis. Rana has been locked up in the NIA Headquarters and is placed under CCTV surveillance. Daily arrangements such as food are provided within the lockup. The officials have taken particular precautions to ensure he does not resort to self-harm. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Cell Details Of Tahawwur Rana Sources told CNN-News18 that Rana has been lodged in a 10/10 feet lockup in the NIA HQs. No fans or windows have been provided in the cell. Rana has been placed in the cell with an attached washroom, and he is not allowed to shut the doors. He has only been provided with a mattress on the floor. The interrogation room is also kept under CCTV surveillance. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More First Published: April 11, 2025, 10:18 IST Tahawwur Rana Said '26/11 Attackers Deserved Pakistan's Gallantry Award': US Cites Intercept Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 10:46 IST Tahawwur Rana allegedly told David Headley that the Mumbai attackers deserved Pakistans highest military honour, Nishan-e-Haider, a US Department of Justice document states. A portrait of Tahawwur Rana (Social Media) Soon after Mumbai was rocked with terror attacks in November 2008, Tahawwur Rana allegedly told his childhood friend David Coleman Headley (Headley) that the terrorists should be given Nishan-e-Haider Pakistans highest award for gallantry in battle, an official release with the United States Department of Justice stated. As per the document, Tahawwur Rana, who was extradited to India by the United States, also told Headley that Indians deserved it". Recommended Stories David Coleman Headley is the one who recced targets in Mumbai on the orders of Pakistan-based terror outfits. After the attacks were complete, Rana allegedly told Headley that the Indians deserved it"," the document stated. In an intercepted conversation with Headley, Rana allegedly commended the nine LeT terrorists who had been killed committing the attacks, saying that [t]hey should be given Nishan-e-Haider"Pakistans highest award for gallantry in battle," which is reserved for fallen soldiers," it added. Rana, 64, is charged in India with numerous offenses, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks committed by Laskhar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a designated foreign terrorist organization," it stated. Between November 26 and 29, 2008, ten LeT terrorists carried out a series of 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai. They infiltrated the city by sea and then broke into teams, dispersing to multiple locations. Attackers at a train station fired guns and threw grenades into crowds. Attackers at two restaurants shot indiscriminately at patrons. Attackers at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel gunned people down and detonated explosives. Attackers also shot and killed people at a Jewish community center," it read. ALSO READ | Will Continue To Work With India On Scourge Of Terrorism: US After Tahawwur Ranas Extradition When the terror finally subsided, 166 victims, including six Americans, were dead, along with all but one of the LeT terrorists. Hundreds more were injured, and Mumbai sustained more than $1.5 billion in property damage. The attacks were among the most horrific and catastrophic in Indias history," as per the US document. India alleges that Rana facilitated a fraudulent cover so that his childhood friend David Coleman Headley (Headley), a U.S. citizen born Daood Gilani, could freely travel to Mumbai for the purpose of conducting surveillance of potential attack sites for LeT," the document further stated. Among other things, Rana allegedly agreed to open a Mumbai branch of his immigration business and appoint Headley as the manager of the office, despite Headleys having no immigration experience. On two separate occasions, Rana allegedly helped Headley prepare and submit visa applications to Indian authorities that contained information Rana knew to be false," it stated. Rana also allegedly supplied, through his unsuspecting business partner, documentation in support of Headleys attempt to secure formal approval from Indian authorities to open a branch office of Ranas business," the document read. ALSO READ | He Is A Canadian National: Pakistan Distances Itself From 26/11 Plotter Tahawwur Rana The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday evening formally arrested Rana, who was brought to India after being successfully extradited" from the US. TAHAWWUR RANAs ROLE IN MUMBAI TERROR ATTACKS Rana had served in the Pakistan Army medical corps before emigrating to Canada in the 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 a reconnaissance mission in Mumbai prior to the November 2008 attacks and helped him get a ten-year visa extension, news agency PTI quoted a police official as saying. 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, days before the terror attack. As per the charge sheet filed by 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 Pakistani terrorists during the deadly attacks that claimed 166 lives. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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. ALSO READ | Who Is Sadanand Date? Top Officer Who Handled Kasab Will Now Head Probe Against Tahawwur Rana 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 11, 2025, 10:17 IST UP Man Murders Youth After Being Blackmailed Over His Wife's Affair, Arrested Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 23:39 IST Anuj Chauhan alias Shiva allegedly killed a youth who had an affair with his wife and later blackmailed them with objectionable photos and videos he had clicked of her. Anuj Chauhan alias Shiva killed the youth for blackmailing him over wife's affair. (Representative Image) A man was arrested here on Friday for allegedly killing a youth who had an affair with his wife and later blackmailed them with objectionable photos and videos he had clicked of her. District police arrested Anuj Chauhan alias Shiva, who is under trial in another murder case, in connection with the killing of a youth whose body was found on March 25 in Amardobha village. Recommended Stories Superintendent of Police Satyajeet Gupta said that the investigation revealed that Chauhan killed Heyatullah over a personal dispute involving his wife. Heyatullah allegedly had a relationship with Chauhans wife while he was lodged in jail in connection with a 2022 murder case, the SP said. Anuj Chauhan, who was released on bail on January 25 this year, learnt about the affair after his release. His wife admitted to the relationship and promised to end it. However, Heyatullah refused to stop meeting her," SP Gupta said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Police further said that Heyatullah, in his 20s, had taken objectionable photos and videos of the woman and was allegedly using them to blackmail her. Anuj tried several times to persuade Heyatullah to delete the material, but he refused. Anuj then devised a plan to eliminate him," the SP added. According to police, on Match 25, Chauhan called Heyatullah on some pretext and the two spent the day together. At night, he allegedly attacked Heyatullah with a knife and killed him. He then dumped the body in Amardobha village. Location : Sant Kabir Nagar, India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 23:39 IST 'We Are Far Ahead Than...': India, US Finalise Terms Of Reference Of Bilateral Trade Deal, Says Report Published By : Reuters Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 18:23 IST India has been actively working to clinch a bilateral trade deal with the US even as Trump imposed 26% tariffs on Indian goods last week, which are now paused. India previously said it would not retaliate against Trump's tariffs (Reuters Image) India and the US have finalised terms of reference for talks over the first segment of a bilateral trade deal, a trade official said on Friday, adding that there was a possibility of a win-win shape and form" to the deal in the next 90 days. The US is Indias largest trading partner and two-way trade between the countries surpassed $118 billion in 2023-24. Recommended Stories Reuters reported on Thursday that India wanted to move quickly to clinch a bilateral trade deal with the US following President Donald Trumps decision to pause reciprocal tariffs for dozens of countries, including India. Trade engagements between the countries will continue virtually and regularly, the official said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We are far ahead in trade talks with the US compared to other countries there are lots of possibilities in 90 days," said the official, who did not want to be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. Trumps administration had announced a 26% tariff on Indian goods last week, and India had said it did not plan to ret About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More First Published: April 11, 2025, 18:23 IST 'We Never Negotiate At Gunpoint': Piyush Goyal On Donald Trumps 90-Day Tariffs Pause Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 22:00 IST Piyush Goyal said that India's trade talks are progressing with the US, the UK, the European Union, and several other nations globally. Union Minister Piyush Goyal. (ANI) US Tariffs: Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said that India never negotiates with any country on gunpoint" but wait for favourable time constraints" to start trade negotiations. His comments came after US President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariff imposition on countries including India. Recommended Stories While speaking on the sidelines of the Italy-India Business, Science and Technology Forum in the national capital, Goyal said, We never negotiate on gunpoint. Favourable time constraints motivate us for quicker talks, but till the time we are not able to secure the interest of our country and our people, we do not hurry." #WATCH | Delhi: On China, Speaking at the Carnegie India Global Technology Summit, Union Minister of Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal says, India will protect its interests. For us, it is India first. Whatever is in our interest, we will recalibrate our policy accordingly. As pic.twitter.com/dckJQaf9Ec ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2025 The Union Minister further said that Indias trade talks are progressing with the US, the UK, the European Union, and several other nations globally. All our trade talks are progressing well, in the spirit of India First, and to ensure our pathway to Viksit Bharat by 2047 in the Amrit Kaal," he said without giving specifics of any deal. The US has announced the suspension of reciprocal tariffs on India until July 9 this year, according to the White House executive orders. After Trumps tariff announcement on April 2, Indias Ministry of Commerce & Industry had said discussions were ongoing between Indian and US trade teams for the expeditious conclusion of a mutually beneficial, multi-sectoral Bilateral Trade Agreement. Further at another event, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke about Indias trade talks with several nations and blocs, including with the US. While speaking at the Carnegie Global Technology Summit, Jaishankar said India is certainly prepared for a high degree of urgency in reaching a trade deal with regards to the United States. He added that Washington has fundamentally changed its approach to engaging with the world and it has consequences across every domain." This time around, we are certainly geared up for a very high degree of urgency. I mean, we see a window. We want to see stuff. So our trade deals are really challenging. And we are really, when I look at the trade deals, I mean its not my direct credit, but we have a lot to do with each other. I mean, these are people very much on top of their game, very ambitious about what they want to achieve," he said. We talked for four years during the first Trump administration. They have their view of us, and frankly, we have our view of them. The bottom line is that they didnt get that. So if you look at the EU, often people say weve been negotiating for 30 years, which is not entirely true because we had big blocks of time and nobody was even talking to each other. But they have tended to be very protracted processes," he added. Meanwhile, on Monday the EAM spoke with his US counterpart Marco Rubio and said that India and the US have agreed on the importance of the early conclusion of the Bilateral Trade Agreement. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The two countries are negotiating a bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with an aim to more than double their trade to $500 billion by 2023 from about $191 billion at present. They are aiming to conclude the first phase by the fall (September-October) this year. (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 11, 2025, 22:00 IST (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government has taken a dangerous step in recent days with its trade policy, using the rhetoric of "reciprocity" to impose a new wave of tariffs on major global trading partners, particularly China. In the face of escalating "tariff extortion," China has responded with necessary countermeasures to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests. By imposing the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," the United States has cast aside World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, undermined the legitimate rights and interests of WTO members, damaged the rules-based multilateral trading system, and injected further instability into an already fragile global economic order. At its core, this strategy embraces unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying. Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, warned that the ripple effects of such policies could endanger global economic stability. By discriminating among trading partners and unilaterally hiking duties beyond agreed limits, the United States has violated WTO rules, said Chad Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. China has made its position unequivocal: "We do not provoke trouble, nor are we intimidated by it. Applying pressure and threats is not the right way to deal with China." China is fully confident, capable and resilient to deal with this tariff war. Over recent years, China has decreased its reliance on exports to the United States, diversified trade ties with emerging economies, and implemented more flexible policies to strengthen its ability to withstand external disruptions. China's economic fundamentals remain robust. In 2024, its GDP reached 134.9 trillion yuan (18.9 trillion U.S. dollars), with a growth rate of 5 percent -- a performance that stands out among major global economies. China's comprehensive industrial capacity -- unique in its inclusion of all manufacturing categories recognized by the United Nations -- provides critical ballast against trade coercion. China's enormous domestic market of over 1.4 billion people offers strategic depth in weathering external disruptions. Meanwhile, China is committed to a high-level opening-up and continues to cultivate a dense web of mutually beneficial trade partnerships. With its institutional advantages, economic resilience and strategic wisdom, China has demonstrated to the world its determination to uphold justice and its commitment to resist bullying. The U.S. attempt to strong-arm China is like punching a steel wall -- it won't make a dent. Washington's turn toward economic unilateralism threatens bilateral ties and the painstakingly built global trade architecture after World War II. The world must unite against economic bullying. To borrow an old Chinese proverb, "You do not placate a tiger by feeding it your own flesh." Openness, inclusivity and mutual benefit are the only paths forward. China remains steadfast in defending these principles and ensuring its development contributes to global stability and growth. White Hair, Prisoner's Uniform: Photos Show US Marshals Handing Over 'Chained' Tahawwur Rana To NIA Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 10:53 IST Tahawwur Rana was brought back to New Delhi by teams of National Security Guard (NSG) and NIA, comprising senior officials, on a special plane from the US US Marshals transferred custody of Tahawwur Rana to NIA in California | Image/US Marshals Service Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was transferred to the NIA team and representatives from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Tuesday (local time) by the US Marshals in California. CNN-News18 has accessed visuals of Ranas transfer, showing the 64-year-old terror suspectchained, dressed in a prison uniform, with white hair and a beardbeing escorted by US Marshals at what appears to be a military airbase. Recommended Stories Rana, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan, landed in Delhi around 6.30 pm on Thursday on a special flight following his extradition from the US. He was arrested by the NIA team upon his arrival and was sent to an anti-terror agencys custody for 18 days by a Special Court. The first image of Rana at Palam Airport showed him facing away from the camera, with white hair and a beard, wearing a brown overall over a grey outfit, as NIA officials escorted him. 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," the probe agency said in an official statement. The NIA said Rana was brought back to New Delhi by teams of National Security Guard (NSG) and NIA, comprising senior officials, on a special plane- Gulfstream G550 jet- from the US. As many as ten terrorists from Pakistan on November 26, 2008, launched a series of coordinated attacks across Mumbai, targeting a railway station, two upscale hotels, and a Jewish centre after entering the city via the sea. The assault, which lasted nearly 60 hours, claimed the lives of 166 people. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Rana is known to be a close associate of David Coleman Headley, also known as Daood Gilania key conspirator in the attacks. A US citizen, Headley claimed that Rana provided logistical and financial assistance for carrying out the plot. Rana faces serious charges of criminal conspiracy, waging war against India, murder, and violations under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More First Published: April 11, 2025, 10:50 IST Mouni Roy Makes A Striking Statement In A Lavender Dress And Grey Jumper Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 20:02 IST Mouni Roy took two striking colours - lavender and grey - to deliver a striking look. She shared the pictures on her social media. Mouni Roy was seen posing on the streets of London. When it comes to delivering looks after looks, Mouni Roy never misses. The actor recently took to her social media to share her OOTD from the streets of London. Safe to say, she has nailed the street chic aesthetic and has delivered a look that is a perfect blend of feminine allure and drama. Taking to her Instagram, Mouni Roy shared a series of pictures from London, United Kingdom. She was seen turning the streets of London into her runway as she sashayed on the pavement with confidence in her steps. Sharing the pictures, she wrote, April in motion. Texture, structure, and the soft power of @Moschino." The actor opted for two striking colours grey and lavender to deliver a striking look. Recommended Stories Take a look at Mounis pictures here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by mon (@imouniroy) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all For her OOTD, Mouni opted for a lovely lavender-hued fitted dress. The maxi-length dress came with full sleeves and a layered frilled design from the waist onwards. She paired this dress with an oversized mark grey jumper. The jumper came with frilled details stitched all over. It also came with puffed sleeves and Mouni had pulled them up to her elbows. For the accessories, she only went with a pair of retro-style dark oval sunglasses and black heeled suede boots with a ruched detail and pointed toes. These minimal accessories let her outfit be the centre of attention. For the glam, she went with a fresh and dewy base. She added a hint of blush for a flush of colour and some bronzer to achieve that sculpted look. She added a glossy, rosy lip that complemented her lavender dress. She styled her hair in a voluminous bun to complete her look. fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 20:02 IST National Pet Day 2025: History, Significance, Wishes, Quotes And Health Benefits Of Having Pets Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 08:08 IST National Pet Day, celebrated on April 11, honours the love and joy pets bring into our lives. Established in 2006 by Colleen Paige, it promotes pet adoption and animal welfare. National Pet Day 2025: Its also a day to shine a light on pet adoption. (Image: Shutterstock) National Pet Day 2025: Pets are more than just animalstheyre loyal companions who bring love, comfort and endless joy into our lives. Celebrated annually on April 11, National Pet Day is a heartfelt reminder of the special bond we share with our furry, feathered, or even scaly friends. Its also a day to shine a light on pet adoption, encouraging people to give shelter animals a second chance and a forever home. How Pets Improve Your Health And Happiness? Recommended Stories Encourages Regular Exercise: Pet owners engage in more physical activity, improving heart health and reducing doctor visits. Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Interacting with pets lowers stress hormones, helping reduce anxiety and promoting relaxation, especially with calming pets like fish. Boosts Happiness: Pets increase oxytocin, the feel-good" hormone, enhancing overall happiness, although health precautions are essential. Provides Companionship: Pets help reduce loneliness and depression, offering emotional support and stability to their owners. Builds Confidence: Caring for pets fosters a sense of accomplishment, boosting self-esteem and improving mental well-being. Encourages Social Interaction: Walking pets or participating in pet-related activities promotes socialising, especially for introverts. Improves Sleep Quality: Physical activities with pets promote better sleep, though co-sleeping may disrupt rest for some. Promotes Healthy Eating Habits: Caring for a pet often involves a structured feeding routine, which encourages healthier eating habits in their owners. National Pet Day 2025: History National Pet Day was established in 2006 by Colleen Paige, an ardent animal welfare advocate, to honour the unconditional love pets bring into our lives. Beyond celebration, the day carries a meaningful purposeto raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption and address the ongoing issue of animal homelessness. While shelter numbers have improved over the years, overcrowding and limited awareness still leave countless animals vulnerable to euthanasia. Through this observance, Paige hopes to inspire people to open their hearts and homes to shelter pets, giving them the second chance they deserve. National Pet Day 2025: Significance National Pet Day celebrates the unconditional love, joy, and companionship our pets bring into our lives. Its more than just a tributeits a reminder to champion animal welfare, promote responsible pet care, and support adoption efforts. Whether its by adopting a shelter animal, volunteering at a local rescue, or simply showering your furry, feathered, or scaly friend with extra affection, this day encourages everyone to make a difference in a pets lifeand to honour the bond we share with them. Ways To Celebrate National Pet Day Adopt a Pet: Consider adopting a pet from a local shelter, offering them a loving home and helping reduce overcrowding. If adoption isnt possible, you can still raise awareness about shelter animals. Volunteer at a Shelter: Spend time at a local animal shelter by walking dogs, feeding animals, or donating food, toys, and blankets to improve their lives. Pamper Your Pet: Show your pet some extra love by spending quality time together, buying new toys or teaching them a fun trick. Create a Social Media Account for Your Pet: If your pet has a quirky personality, why not share it with the world? Post adorable photos or funny videos online. Learn About the History of Pets: Delve into the historical significance of pets across cultures, from Egypts reverence for cats to dogs role as loyal companions. National Pet Day 2025: Wishes to Share with Pet Lovers Happy National Pet Day! May your furry, feathery, or scaly friend bring endless joy and love to your life! Wishing all pets and their loving owners a day full of cuddles, playtime, and special treats! To all the amazing petsthank you for being our best friends, comfort, and happiness. Happy National Pet Day! May this National Pet Day remind us to cherish, protect, and care for the wonderful animals who fill our lives with joy. A pets love is unconditionallets celebrate our loyal companions today! Wishing you and your pet a fantastic National Pet Day! top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all National Pet Day 2025: Quotes Animals are such agreeable friends they ask no questions, they pass no criticism." George Eliot Its difficult to understand why people dont realize that pets are gifts to mankind." Linda Blair Perhaps the greatest gift an animal has to offer is a permanent reminder of who we really are." Nick Trout Until one has loved an animal, a part of ones soul remains unawakened." Anatole France Pets are humanizing. They remind us we have an obligation to preserve and nurture and care for all life." James Cromwell. fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: April 11, 2025, 07:10 IST Prada Buys Rival Fashion Brand Versace In A $1.38 Billion Landmark Deal Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 10:14 IST The negotiations to buy Versace between Prada and Capri had begun in February. With this acquisition, they are aiming to outshine French fashion giants. This deal is one of the biggest mergers in the fashion industry. Italian luxury fashion house Prada has reached a deal with US group Capri Holdings to buy rival fashion house Versace for 1.25 billion euros ($1.38 billion). This acquisition comes after Donatella Versace stepped down from her role as the creative director at Versace in March this year. Pradas Chairman and Executive Director Patrizio Bertelli said, 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." The negotiations to buy Versace between Prada and Capri had begun in February. Recommended Stories Donatella also took to her Instagram to share the news of this acquisition. She wrote, 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. 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." Take a look at the post here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Donatella Versace (@donatella_versace) Donatella had been the creative director of Versace since 1997. She took over after the murder of her brother, Gianni. She is currently the chief brand ambassador for Versace, while Dario Vitale former design and image director of Miu Miu has been named as the chief creative officer. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While Prada is known for its classic minimalism, Versace is known for its maximalist designs. With this acquisition, experts believe that they can compete with French giants such as LVMH and Gucci owner Kering in a time when the luxury fashion industry is witnessing a global slowdown. Prada also owns several other brads such as Miu Miu and Churchs. On the other hand, Capri also has brands like Michael Kors and Jimmy Choo. fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 10:14 IST Rukmini Dahanukars Beyond Face Value Exhibition Explores Currency As Art With Soul At Mumbai's NGMA Written By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 17:52 IST I look at banknotes as business cards of nationsminiature artworks that tell stories of identity, culture, and values. Rukmini Dahanukar At the launch of 'Beyond Face Value' at NGMA Mumbai, curator and numismatist Rukmini Dahanukar displays a rare French 500 Franc currency, emphasising its mirrored pattern and unique artistic detail. What if money served as more than just a means of exchange? What if each piece of currency conveyed a tale about a countrys values, artistic creations, and sense of cultural pride? With Beyond Face Value: French Banknote Design from Around the World, a fascinating exhibition examining the artistry and symbolism of French currency, renowned numismatist and design scholar Rukmini Dahanukar brings this idea to life. The show, which was curated in collaboration with Alliance Francaise de Bombay, NGMA Mumbai, and Avid Learning, encourages viewers to view money as a surprising yet significant window into the past. Inspired by a chapter in her next book, Dahanukars curation portrays currency as the most widely circulated artwork in the world rather than as outdated paper. From April 3 to April 24, 2025, NGMA Mumbai will host the exhibition. Recommended Stories View this post on Instagram A post shared by Alliance Francaise de Bombay (@afmumbai) Excerpts from the interview: What inspired you to curate an exhibition on French banknotes, and how did this project come to life? Actually, this is one chapter in my upcoming book. This is sorry, sorry, sorry, this is to answer point number one, what inspired me to curate an exhibition on French banknotes and how did this project come to life. So this is actually a chapter in my upcoming book, which looks at bank notes from a different perspective and the art design and symbolism on World Bank notes, at which point I started collecting the banknotes and I am writing about them. When I saw the entire French collection, I was very impressed with the art design and the detailing and the styling of the banknotes. So I said, wow, this gallery deserves a separate chapter. By chance I met the Alliance Francaise director and I threw this idea open to him about this chapter and the book that I am writing and he said, well, I am really interested in the French part of it, send me a proposal. And then thats how it came along and I mean, then we figured that, okay, we could do an exhibition and we would portray this and showcase this for more people to enjoy and appreciate. So that was, thats the answer to how this project came to life. Could you share some of the most fascinating artistic or cultural elements youve discovered in French banknotes? Regarding point number two, could I share some of the most fascinating? Yes, so there is a section in my exhibition called Quintessentially French, which I will also send you visual images for this because it might be a little difficult to imagine just with an audio note. So when I looked at all the French banknotes, I found a few commonalities and very interesting, lets say, points that impressed me as an artist or rather as a commercial artist or a brand designer. So Im going to send you the six points that Ive featured there and which I thought were interesting. They are basically the depiction of the human form, showing bare and bold images. There is a banknote storyboard, so theres connections between the front and the back of the banknote as well as images on the banknote. Then there is the fourth point is front and back mirroring. So imagine in the 1920s and 30s to kind of, you know, design the front and the back of the banknote and perfectly mirror them. This is not a time where we are sitting on a computer and just reversing or flipping an image. So that was it. The fifth point, which I thought was very interesting was this, sorry, yeah, the watermark windows. So watermark windows are basically security features in banknotes and usually they are separate as compared to the rest of the art on the banknote. But the French have kind of woven them up beautifully and designed around them that they dont look like separate parts in the banknote but all look like theyre integrated basically into the artwork. The sixth point is fashion. What is France without fashion? So all the images of people, of animals, of everything else is just very stylishly and fashionably designed with French panache and glass. How do you see banknotes as more than just currency? What stories do they tell about a nations history and values? So when I wrote my masters thesis in 20 years ago, I actually came up with this premise that currency is not just a medium of exchange, but also a medium of communication. So thats how I perceive, thats how I perceive currency, all right, or the banknotes. Now, at which point my professor also commented when he read my work that wow, the banknote is the most exchanged artwork in the world. And I felt, wow, thats something thats amazing. He kind of put it in such simple words. So I look at all of them as artworks.I look at them as business cards of nations. I look at them as beautiful artifacts that explain the nations history, timelines, values, and what a nation would like to perceive itself to its own citizens as well as to the world. You mentioned that your Masters dissertation led you to explore this subject further. What was the turning point that made you pursue it for two decades? The thing is that, you know, I really love the subject. It came to me pretty accidentally actually. I think the subject chose me because I was really not sure what to write about and I struggled and struggled and I finally read somewhere that the Euro was being launched and theres a sense of loss of national identity. So I kind of picked on it. I really fought with my thesis committee for it to happen as a dissertation for me. So it was kind of more like a passion project even when it started and it just continued on. I loved it so I spoke about it at various academic conferences over the past 20 years and then I said you know what, I need to do something more out of it and I need to write a book because I really enjoyed this process and I wish that everyone else or all the people around me or the rest of the even people who dont know me but who use money will really enjoy this booklet or this manuscript and so thats what it was and like I said before its my passion project so theres no chance that Im going to just leave it be. The exhibitions came as one more outcome which again I hadnt planned but when I spoke to a couple of publishers just before COVID and around that time they said oh well buy your book its not so popular then I said why dont I take the exhibition route to make this a little more popular and interesting to a larger forum. Not that that might help me with the publishers but I just felt like sharing this so hence the exhibitions and hopefully the book should be out next year. 5. In todays digital era, where physical currency is declining, what role do you think banknotes still play in art and culture? Well, the thing is the role that banknotes will play in art and culture will actually increase, all right, because now they wont be just looked upon as economic artifacts, but more therell be some value about art and culture. But coming to the first point where their physical currency is declining, well, that is not true. Ive had a chance to talk to a lot of currency experts and currency manufacturers. Even though digital currency is very popular, hard cash is still very much used across the world. If you come to specific countries, maybe digital platform is higher, but, you know, over time there will be a point where the digital currency also has its limitations in the sense that sometimes there can be a power outage, there can be an internet outage. So you cant obviously use it while hard cash is like they say cash is king. The other aspect that everyone talks about and which I completely agree is privacy. Cash gives you a sense of privacy. Digital transactions dont, even though most of the digital platforms do say that they will not be discussing or sharing information about the digital economic footprint or transactional footprint, that is not true because all of us get messages and there are inbuilt cookies and we all get reminders about where we didnt have coffee today and what we didnt do and how come we are not here or whatever. So I think in terms of privacy, cash still is the king. Youve curated exhibitions in the past, including one on UNESCO sites on banknotes. How does this exhibition differ in its approach and impact? Ive curated one more exhibition of the UNESCO sites. Well, the thing is that that was more of a global perspective. It was about actually not global, but the G20 nations. So we were all brainstorming. I met a gentleman whos a member secretary of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, and he really liked this subject because I approached the UNESCO. I mean, UNESCO turned 52 years ago, and I approached them to have a conference on this point because even though it was not something that all the central banks had discussed, most central banks in their countries chose to showcase UNESCO heritage sites on their money, obviously, because that was what was famous about each country. And it was very, you know, tangible. And also, to some extent was kind of a promotional exercise for people to come visit, say, you know, the, I dont know, the, the Red Fort in Indias case or Hampi or Anikyavav, or in other international cases, say, the Borobudur temple complex in Indonesia, or the Great Wall of China. I mean, not that it required anything or then the ruins of Petra, like in Jordan. So all of these sites were showcased because they stood for something of a fair, say, brand ambassador or endorser of that country. Now, that one was different because it was multinational. It was covered international sites with just one theme of UNESCO sites. The French one is different because its talking about the spirit of the French Republic and the imagery of France through its money. Now the G20, some of the notes are still in circulation. In the French case, they have been replaced by the Euro. So its a different thing because the French kind of is looking at a rear view mirror, the French exhibition, because those notes are no longer in circulation. But the themes and the images of France still continue. And the UNESCO one was more about, obviously, theres still some of the notes are still under circulation. So its kind of a two different ways of looking at it. And of course, both of them are chapters in my upcoming book. What are some of your personal favorite banknotes in this collection, and why? View this post on Instagram A post shared by National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai (@ngma.mumbai) So my personal collection has about 4,000 notes but let me come up with some of my favorites. Of course a lot of the French ones make it to the top of the list. Theres a couple from the Netherlands that are also no longer in circulation. Theres some Swiss banknotes. I feel even a couple of the Indian ones like I really love the 50 rupee one which circulated in the late 90s, early 2000s. A pinkish tone with Gandhi in the front and Parliament House, the old one, the round Lutyen architectural style on the back. I really like that because it stood for something which I believe and Im proud to be part of the worlds largest democracy and so that kind of fitted well. Its very difficult to pick any one. Its like trying to choose between kids and Ive got 4,000 so its difficult but I hope this answers your question. How do you hope audiences, especially younger generations, engage with this exhibition? I could have gone along from a historical perspective of showing the French banknotes since they no longer are in circulation. But even though the banknotes were replaced, the European Central Bank has allowed all the nations or given them that platform to showcase a French side on one of the sides of the coins. And France chose three images, which is the parental nation Marianne, their motto, liberty, equality and fraternity, and a sower who is also Marianne, but in a farmers or in a different avatar whos plowing or sowing seeds in the fields. Now, these three images are very important, they were part of they are like kind of the national symbols and stand by whatever is to be understood, or what people would like to understand about the French Republic. And so my curation is along these three themes. So the younger audiences, one is, of course, people have to be a little interested in money. But when they see that they will appreciate what those three images mean to France. This is for the French guys, as well as for the non French citizens who will also appreciate the value of the French Republic. Because of what it is in todays coins, and how that image came to be on the previous banknotes. I hope that answers your question. Are there any future projects or exhibitions youre working on that explore similar themes of currency as a cultural artifact? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Wow, that is actually a question to my heart. Of course I have. I have written another 13 to 14 proposals for different nations or different institutions and organizations. Im hoping to look at something in the World Wildlife Fund because Ive got a whole collection (0:16) of banknotes of animals and birds that are now extinct or are on the endangered species list. So I would love to do that because that would form a different kind of collectability as well as a different form of awareness. I have a few more projects also, but that hopefully in some time will unfold and I would love to share those with you and your channel as soon as they have to some extent got finalized. About the Author Riya Ashok Madayi Riya has an extra flair for the world of fashion and an unwavering commitment to writing about music and artists from around the world. She loves delving into every facet of womanhood while writing insightful s... Read More Riya has an extra flair for the world of fashion and an unwavering commitment to writing about music and artists from around the world. She loves delving into every facet of womanhood while writing insightful s... Read More fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: April 11, 2025, 17:52 IST Hanuman Jayanti 2025: Why It's Celebrated On Two Dates, History, Significance, Shubh Muhurat And Puja Vidhi Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 07:24 IST Hanuman Jayanti 2025 will be observed on April 12 and December 19 due to regional calendar differences, celebrating Lord Hanuman's devotion, strength, and selflessness. Hanuman Jayanti 2025: Hanuman Janmotsav will be observed on April 12, 2025.(Image: Shutterstock) Hanuman Jayanti 2025: Hanuman Jayanti, also called Hanuman Janmotsav, is a sacred Hindu festival that honours the birth of Lord Hanuman. He is seen as a representation of loyalty, devotion, and selfless service. Lord Hanuman was one of the main characters in the Ramayana, who is renowned for his unshakable strength, bravery, and devotion. ALSO READ: Happy Hanuman Jayanti 2025: 50+ Wishes, Messages And Quotes To Share With Your Family and Friends Recommended Stories This special day coincides with the Hindu lunar month of Chaitras full moon day (Purnima), which normally takes place in March or April according to the Gregorian calendar. In addition to being a day honouring Lord Hanuman, Hanuman Jayanti serves as a reminder of faith, self-control, and adherence to ones dharma. Hanuman Jayanti 2025: Date and Shubh Muhurat As per Drik Panchang, Hanuman Jayanti will be observed on Saturday, April 12 this year. The Purnima Tithi will begin at 03:21 AM on April 12, 2025, and end at 05:51 AM on April 13, 2025. Hanuman Jayanti 2025: Why Two Dates This Year? Hanuman Jayanti will be held twice this year due to regional differences and calendar interpretations: First Hanuman Jayanti Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025 Tithi: Chaitra Purnima (Full Moon Day in the Hindu month of Chaitra) Second Hanuman Jayanti Date: Thursday, December 19, 2025 Tithi: Margashirsha Amavasya (New Moon Day in the Hindu month of Margashirsha) As different regions follow distinct lunar calendars, these dual dates occur, according to the Hindi terminal. States like Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka are more likely to celebrate the Margashirsha Amavasya Hanuman Jayanti than the Chaitra Purnima Hanuman Jayanti, which is celebrated frequently in North India. Hanuman Jayanti 2025: History Known by another name, Bajrangbali, he is one of the most adored characters in Hindu mythology because of his everlasting devotion and unparalleled prowess. The divine wind deity Vayu predetermined Hanumans birth. He was born to Anjana, an apsara who was cursed to be a monkey, and Kesari, the king of the monkeys. Meeting Lord Ram, the seventh manifestation of the Hindu deity Vishnu, changed Hanumans life forever. In his mission to rescue Ramas beloved wife Sita from the clutches of the demon king Ravana, Hanuman turned into a devoted follower of the god. Hanuman helped Lord Ram and his allies fight Ravanas army because of his constant loyalty and unmatched bravery. He demonstrated his great power by lugging a whole mountain by himself to get a herb that could save the life of Lord Rams brother Lakshmana, who had suffered severe injuries in combat. Hanuman Jayanti 2025: Significance The celebration honours Lord Hanumans celestial attributes. As followers strive to imitate Hanumans characteristics in their own lives, Hanuman Jayanti is also a time for spiritual contemplation and introspection. It acts as a reminder of the strength of devotion, selflessness, and humility in conquering challenges and achieving spiritual development. Hanuman Jayanti 2025: Puja Vidhi top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated with prayers, rituals, and devotion. You can honour Lord Hanuman in the following ways: Take a bath first thing in the morning and get dressed. This represents both spiritual and physical purity. To seek the blessings of Lord Hanuman, recite the Hanuman Chalisa. It is considered auspicious to recite it 11 or 108 times. At a Hanuman temple, show your respect by offering garlands, sindoor, and sweets like laddoos. On this day, many adherents observe a fast, and consume only fruits, milk, and nuts. Read the Ramayanas Sundar Kand portion. To create a divine ambiance, light incense sticks and oil lamps in front of Hanuman statues or images. Give food, clothing, or money to those in need since helping others is in line with Lord Hanumans principles. fashion, travel, The News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , and culture with wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration, and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: April 11, 2025, 07:20 IST Akshay Kumar REACTS To BJP Leader's Comment On Congress Neglecting Sankaran Nair: 'Apology Will Flow' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 14:03 IST Akshay Kumar stars as Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair in Kesari 2, highlighting Nair's legal battle against Michael O'Dwyer post-Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He reacted to BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar alleging that Congress has neglected the legacy of its former luminaries. News18 Akshay Kumar takes on the role of Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair a nationalist, legal luminary, and fierce critic of British rule in his upcoming project, Kesari 2. At the films press conference in Mumbai, the actor reacted to BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhars recent X (formerly Twitter) post, which claimed that Congress neglected its former leader Nairs lasting legacy. Without taking any names, Akshay Kumar said that he wants everyone to watch Kesari 2. He said at the films press conference, I want them to at least watch this movie and realise their mistake. The other things will flow automatically from their mouth because the apology is bound to happen. It will flow on its own. I just want the British government and King Charles to watch the film. They should see it." Recommended Stories Earlier this week, Chandrasekhar claimed that Congress neglected the partys former luminaries such as Sankaran Nair, Subhash Chandra Bose, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, and Dr Ambedkar to serve the interests of the Congress dynasty." In a long post on X, Chandrasekhar wrote about Nairs contributions as a prominent lawyer and his legal battle against Michael ODwyer after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He claimed Congress neglects the legacy of its former leaders. One more example of how the Congress party airbrushes leaders from its history, just as Subhash Bose, Sardar Vallabhai Patel, Dr Ambedkar, etc, and so many others to humour the Congress dynasty," the BJP leader wrote. Chettur Sankaran Nair was a prominent Indian lawyer, statesman, and former president of the Indian National Congress (INC) in 1897 but has been erased out of the Congress history. He is remembered even today for his legal battleslike his case against Michael ODwyer, who perpetrated the Jallianwala Bagh massacre," the BJP leader added. Chandrasekhar noted that Nairs views reflected his liberal ideals and strong constitutional beliefs. As a Malayalee, I believe that its shameful the way he has been neglected in Congress and Keralas history," he further said. Who is Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair, who fought against the British empire? Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair started his career as a lawyer at the Madras High Court in 1880 and was later appointed to a committee tasked with investigating matters in the Malabar region. His outstanding contributions earned him the role of Advocate General, followed by promotion as a judge. In 1908, he was appointed a permanent judge of the Madras High Court. He held the position until 1915. He resigned from the position after the Jallianwala Bagh bloodbath, leaving the British authorities embarassed. In 1922, Sankaran Nair authored a book titled Gandhi and Anarchy, in which he openly criticised Michael ODwyer, the former Lieutenant Governor of Punjab during the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Following his dismissal from his post, ODwyer returned to England and sued Nair for defamation. Their courtroom clash in Londons High Court forms the crux of Kesari Chapter 2. The film, starring Akshay Kumar, R Madhavan and Ananya Panday, releases on April 18. First Published: April 11, 2025, 13:43 IST Chiranjeevi Shares Pawan Kalyans Son Marks Health Update After Singapore School Fire: He Still Needs Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 10:01 IST Chiranjeevi shared that Pawan Kalyans son Mark Shankar Pawanovich has been discharged from the hospital, and has returned home. Mark was injured in a school fire in Singapore. Chiranjeevi shared that Pawan Kalyans son Mark Shankar Pawanovich has returned home Veteran actor Chirajeevi has shared an update about his nephew Mark Shankar Pawanovichs health after the latter was injured in a school fire in Singapore. He revealed that the eight-year-old son of actor-politician Pawan Kalyan has now been discharged from the hospital, and has returned home. However, he added that Mark still needs time to fully recover. He added that it is tomorrow, and it is by the divine intervention of Lord Hanuman that Mark survived and was saved from the major tragedy. Chiranjeevi Shares Nephew Mark Shankars Health Update Recommended Stories Chiranjeevi took to his Instagram, and shared a picture with his younger brother Pawan Kalyan. In his caption, he shared Marks health update in Telugu, which can be roughly translated to, Our baby Mark Shankar has returned home. But he still needs time to fully recover. With the grace and mercy of our clan deity, Anjaneya Swamy, he will soon be fully healthy and back to normal. Tomorrow is Hanuman Jayanti, and it was by the divine intervention of Lord Hanuman that our little one was protected from a major accident and a tragedy." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Chiranjeevi Konidela (@chiranjeevikonidela) He further added, After the incident, people from various regions and villages stood in solidarity with our family by offering prayers and blessings for Mark Shankars recovery. I, on behalf of my brother Pawan Kalyan and our entire family, wholeheartedly thank each and every one for their support." On April 8, a fire incident occurred at a shophouse on Singapores River Valley Road, where several individuals, including children, were caught in the blaze. Among those injured was Pawan Kalyans eight-year-old son, Mark Shankar, who suffered burns on his limbs and faced breathing difficulties due to smoke exposure. Emergency crews, including the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF), immediately arrived at the location and worked to control the fire. In a statement released on April 8, 2025, Pawan Kalyan stated, Our youngest son, Mark Shankar, was injured in a school fire in Singapore and is being treated in hospital. He is gradually recovering." Pawan Kalyan rushed to Singapore with his brother actor Chiranjeevi to be by Marks side. Pawan Kalyan shares two children- Mark and daughter Polena- with his third wife, Anna Lezhneva. First Published: April 11, 2025, 10:01 IST Karan Johar Slams General Dyers Kin Over Looters Remark On Jallianwala Bagh Victims: How Dare She? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 00:26 IST Akshay Kumar and Karan Johar hit back at General Dyers granddaughter for calling Jallianwala Bagh victims looters. Karan Johar hits back at General Dyers granddaughter. Ahead of the release of Kesari 2, actor Akshay Kumar and producer Karan Johar have strongly condemned recent remarks made by General Reginald Dyers granddaughter, who referred to the victims of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre as looters." The film, which sees Akshay playing the role of C Sankaran Nair, tells the story of the lawyer who sued the British Empire after the tragic incident that took place in Amritsar, killing over 1,600 people. Speaking about the film and the historical weight it carries, Karan Johar reflected on the importance of showcasing stories rooted in real events. I have heard stories of true valour and bravery of unsung heroes various times. These stories have been embedded in the archives of history and not portrayed on celluloid. This took me back to a few stories that came on my table like Raazi, that film went on to prove that true stories resonate gorgeously, it could strike a chord with the audience. There was also The Ghazi Attack, and Kesari," he said. Recommended Stories This one is an absolutely outstanding story of C Sankaran Nair, based on the book The Case That Shook The Empire. We knew the massacre, but none of us knew the truth. Every time we have watched the tragedy, we have felt the pain, the anger. What makes us all angry is that there isnt an apology even now. Neither the crown, nor the monarchy or the British Government apologized. We came out of the British Raaj valiantly as a country, but as a nation we deserve an apology and this film demands just that," Karan added. The controversy was sparked by an interview in which General Dyers granddaughter defended her grandfathers actions, calling him an honourable man, greatly liked by the Indians," and claiming he spoke multiple Indian languages. Speaking to a victims family member, she asked, Was he a looter? I think history is history and youve got to accept that." Karan didnt hold back in his reaction to the video. I have seen that video, and not just as an Indian or humanitarian, but as anyone who has an iota of empathy, it will anger you. How ridiculous was she to say that, and how dare she? She was calling those thousands of people looters they were innocent people who collected on the auspicious day of Baisakhi. By his own admission, General Dyer said that he only stopped shooting when the bullets ran out." She is living in a lala land of her own and in some delusion The fact that she even said those things boiled my blood," he added. Akshay Kumar also spoke out, saying, One nations trauma is another nations lesson. That is what she never understood and kept saying history is history. I appreciate what Karan said and the way he said it." Kesari 2 is set to hit theatres on April 18. 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 12, 2025, 00:26 IST Kareena Kapoor's AI Avatar At A Rave Party In Pakistan Leaves Fans Shocked: 'Delete It' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 09:15 IST An AI-generated video of Kareena Kapoor dancing at a rave in Karachi went viral, disappointing her fans. Kareena Kapoor fans disappointed with her AI avatar. (Photos: Instagram) Kareena Kapoors fans were recently left shocked and disappointed after an AI-generated video of the actress, dancing at a rave party in Pakistans Karachi went viral. The video, shared on social media by DJ Hamza Harris, shows a poorly made AI avatar of Kareena dancing as the crowd cheered. She is seen dressed in a formal outfit before we listen to the actress iconic Pooh dialogue from Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. At the beginning of the video, theres a line that flashes on the screen: POV: Youre at a rave in Karachi, Pakistan and Kareena Kapoor starts dancing in front of you." Recommended Stories However, soon after the video was shared online, Kareena Kapoors fans in India expressed disappointment and urged the DJ to delete it. This animation is sooooo bad, and why is looking like she is going to work?" one person asked. Kareena dekh le uske pehle delete kar de please ," added another. Worse dance moves. Bebo will be pissed!" a third comment read. Meanwhile, on the work front, Kareena Kapoor will soon be seen in Meghna Gulzars Daayra. The film is also likely to star Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead. While not much is known about the plot of Daayra, it was previously reported that Sukumaran is likely to essay the role of a cop in the film. Besides this, Hansal Mehta also expressed his wish to work with Kareena Kapoor again after The Buckingham Murders. We have sent a script to Kareena. Every time I look at a script, I ask, Can we do something with Kareena? You want to work with her over and over again; she is a different beast altogether. Kareena is one of the most prepared persons on set, a thorough professional, and always happy. She is a big star, but it was a privilege. It was as if I was working with Pratik [Gandhi] or Rajkummar [Rao]," he said at a recent event, as quoted by Mid-day. 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 11, 2025, 09:15 IST Ranveer Allahbadia Talks About Meditation After India's Got Latent Row: 'Jab Aap Zindagi Mein...' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 11:57 IST Ranveer Allahbadia had been embroiled in controversy after an episode of Indias Got Latent, where he posed an offensive question to a contestan. Ranveer Allahbadia recently made his comeback with his podcasts. (Photo: Instagram) Ranveer Allahbadia recently talked about meditation while interacting with the Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi on his podcast. Allahbadia, who recently faced backlash for his comments on Indias Got Latent, mentioned that meditation helps one in processing his thoughts while facing challenges" in life. Meditation is said to increase the distance between your thoughts and perception. Meaning that there is a smaller version of you inside your mind, your thoughts are coming out of your heart, rather than your subconscious mind. Everyone thinks that they are actually coming out of our mind but thats not true. It is an outcome of all your memories, life experiences. Because of meditation, that micro version of you, that goes away and is able to check those thoughts," Ranveer said. Recommended Stories Honestly, when you face challenges in life, thats is when you understand the value of it," the YouTuber added. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ranveer Allahbadia (@ranveerallahbadia) Ranveer Allahbadia had been embroiled in controversy after an episode of Indias Got Latent, where he posed an offensive question to a contestant: Would you rather watch your parents have sex every day for the rest of your life or join in once to make it stop forever?" Though the panel, including Apoorva Mukhija and Ashish Chanchlani, laughed off the comment, it triggered massive backlash online and led to multiple FIRs against Ranveer and the shows makers. The controversy escalated when the National Commission for Women (NCW) stepped in, and Ranveer was forced to submit a written apology. The Supreme Court later granted him interim protection from arrest but called his remarks vulgar" and accused him of having a dirty mind" that shamed society. Renveer recently made his comeback with his podcasts when he addressed dear India" in a video statement and urged everyone to give him another chance". We will improve our podcast quality, and like every week, 4 episodes will come, focusing on Indias rich history, culture, and personal growth topics," he said. 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 11, 2025, 11:57 IST Some Things Have To End: Charu Asopa Shares Emotional Post After Leaving Mumbai Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 15:06 IST Sushmita Sens ex sister-in-law Charu Asopa hit the headlines after a video of her selling salwar kameez and sarees online surfaced on social media. She has left Mumbai and shifted to Bikaner. A video of Charu Asopa selling clothes online went viral on social media recently Rajeev Sens ex-wife and television actress Charu Asopa recently confirmed that she has left Mumbai, and has relocated to her hometown Bikaner, Rajasthan, with their daughter Ziana. Having taken a break from daily soaps, the actress confirmed that she has been living with her parents, and is selling clothes online. Charu also dropped a few pictures from her train journey with Ziana and wrote about beginning a new chapter of life. Now, her latest Instagram story has garnered a lot of attention. Charu shared an emotional post in which she reflected over leaving behind some things to make way for better things in life. After confirming that she has left Mumbai, Charu Asopa took to her Instagram stories to re-share an emotional post. Believe that some things have to end for better things to happen," read the post shared by the actress. Looks like she is closing a tough chapter, and is hoping for brighter days and a fresh start. Check out her Instagram story below! Recommended Stories Charu Asopa Drops Pictures From Her Train Journey With Daughter Ziana Meanwhile, a few hours ago, she also shared a series of pictures from her train journey as she left Mumbai. She was seen posing with her daughter Ziana. New chapter of life begins," she wrote, with a red heart emoji. Fans wished her the best, however, a few fans were also concerned, and pointed out that she looks broken. On Thursday, a video of Sushmita Sens former sister-in-law Charu Asopa selling salwar kameez and sarees online surfaced on social media. While many supported her, others questioned her financial condition. In an interview with Hindustan Times, Charu confirmed leaving Mumbai due to a financial crunch. I have shifted to my hometown Bikaner, Rajasthan. I have left Mumbai for now, and I am currently living with my parents. Its been more than a month since Ziana and I moved here," she said. She further highlighted that living in Mumbai isnt easy, and that her monthly cost of living came up to Rs 1-1.5 lakh, which is not easy to make. Furthermore, I would rather not leave Ziana alone with a nanny when I am shooting in Naigaon (Mumbai). It used to get extremely difficult. Moving back home and starting my own thing was completely planned; it wasnt a rushed decision," she said. Charu was earlier married to Sushmita Sens brother Rajeev Sen. They tied the knot in June 2019, and welcomed their daughter Ziana in 2021. However, they parted ways in June 2023. They continue to co-parent their daughter. In the interview with Hindustan Times, Charu also said that Rajeev can always come visit their daughter in Bikaner. Before leaving Mumbai, I dropped a text informing him about my plans," she explained. First Published: April 11, 2025, 15:06 IST The White Lotus S3 Team Gets Rs 4.3 Cr Offer From NSFW Site For Deleted Sex Scene: 'This Will Be A Hit' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 12, 2025, 02:24 IST An NSFW website offers Rs 4.3 crore for a deleted The White Lotus Season 3 sex scene featuring Piper and Zion, calling it "a hit". Stills from The White Lotus Season 3 [Pic Courtesy: Instagram] Just days after The White Lotus Season 3 finale aired, buzz surrounding the HBO hit continues to grow, especially after series creator Mike White revealed a now-deleted sex scene involving two characters that fans never saw coming. On the official White Lotus post-show podcast, White dropped the bombshell that a scene featuring Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) and Zion (Nicholas Duvernay) was originally part of the script but ultimately didnt make it into the 90-minute finale. In the cut scene, Piper, sister to the infamous Ratliff twins, loses her virginity to Belindas son, Zion, after a failed monastery retreat prompts her to take control" of her life. Recommended Stories White explained why the moment was axed: It would have added 10 minutes to the thing. And it had a little bit of rom-com vibe in the middle of trying to kill the family with the pong-pong fruits. It just felt like I was trying to do too much narratively." Despite the creators decision, theres major outside interest in the unseen footage. An adult content site has reportedly offered up to $500,000 (approximately Rs 4.3 crore) to HBO Max for the exclusive rights to the deleted scene. But thats not allthe site is also open to paying Hook and Duvernay the same amount to either do a live Q&A or reenact the scene for fans, a spokesperson for the company told Mens Journal. Weve all heard the whisperstheres a juicy, deleted scene from The White Lotus Season 3 that hornball fans are dying to see," wrote Daryn Parker, VP of CamSoda, in a letter to HBO Max. We know shes hiding her inner freak and we want to unleash it." Parker added that the platforms audience would welcome a racier experience of the show. Our audience is full of fans looking to experience the show in a new and exciting way, and we know this will be a hit." So far, theres been no official response from HBO Max or the cast involved. Whether the deleted scene remains in the vault or resurfaces through another route remains to be seen but clearly, fans (and certain companies) arent done with The White Lotus just yet. 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 Location : Los Angeles, United States of America (USA) First Published: April 12, 2025, 02:24 IST Opinion: Tahawwur Rana Is More Than An ISI Agent, He Is The Horseman Of A Jihadi Apocalypse Written By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 19:37 IST Over the next few weeks, even months, Tahawwur Rana is expected to incriminate many of his associates in Pakistan. His confessions will further cement Indias already water-tight case against Pakistan 26/11 plotter Tahawwur Hussain Rana with NIA officials after his extradition in New Delhi. (IMAGE: SOURCED) As a journalist working in Mumbai in 2008, 17 years ago, I had the misfortune of witnessing Islamist rage ravage the city. Over those three fateful days, beginning November 26, I was tasked with covering the attack on Nariman House. A squat, unremarkable building in the otherwise salubrious Colaba a quarter of SoBo or South Bombay as old-timers like to call this redoubt of privilege. Nariman House, or the Chabad House as the name suggests, was the Jewish Centre from where a miracle survival story emerged, lifting dashed spirits. Recommended Stories Against all odds, the cherub-like Jewish child Baby Moshe was rescued from the bombed-out building by his intrepid nanny. The image of the rescued child, dressed in a onesie blotched by his parents blood, was to become synonymous with the tragedy, as also the resilience of Mumbai arguably Indias most life-affirming city. Mumbai is a melting pot. It is the essence of Indian enterprise and diversity, and thats why, in the run-up to those three days, it had been the repeat target of malevolent minds who had a monochromatic and bigoted outlook. Every few years, the horsemen of religious intolerance, fed the gruel of a bigoted world view, in Pakistan and in safe houses in India, had been striking Mumbai. But 26/11 was different. At the heart of the unparalleled diabolism associated with the Islamist terror attack was a scheme meant to break India. Unleash such carnage that Hindus and Muslims would be locked in a cycle of never-ending retributive violence. The foot soldiers of this apocalyptic scheme 10 Pakistan-trained soldiers of God almost succeeded. In the end, all but one survived. His name was Ajmal Kasab. Before he was sentenced to death by Indias foremost judges after an exacting and unimpeachable trial, Kasab gave up his masters. One of them was Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistan army man, some say deserter, recruited by Pakistans dubious intelligence agency, the ISI, to Balkanize India through Holy War. From Canadian soil, Rana handled another Pakistani intelligence agent, David Coleman Headley (Daood Gilani), to scout targets in Mumbai. The information Headley provided would help the 10 terrorists who were sneaked into Mumbai on that fateful November day to easily locate the targets they wanted to eviscerate. Today, 17 years after that act of grim zealotry, Rana is finally in Indian hands, extradited from the United States of America on the back of firm diplomacy and robust legal pleas doggedly made by the Modi-led NDA government. Over the next few weeks, even months, Rana is expected to incriminate many of his associates in Pakistan. His confessions will further cement Indias already water-tight case against Pakistan. While theres little doubting Ranas Pakistan links, the motivations behind the 26/11 plot go well beyond Pakistan. Rana and other Islamist terrorists that pose a threat to India are products of an ideology with roots in Deoband, Uttar Pradesh. It is this otherwise unprepossessing town, some 100 kilometres from Delhi, that is home to a seminary called the Darul-Uloom. It was here, in its courtyards more than a century ago, that its pious inmates patented the radically austere and insular theology that has evolved as a fast-mutating, difficult-to-trace and eradicate global scourge. Even the theologians who set up the seminary, smarting from the sidelining of the vanquished Islamic elite under British rule, would be surprised at the replicability and virulence of this strain of Islam. Their dogma, that implored the faithful to return to the core principles of Islam to oppose the infidel" English, sees the world in binaries: The Darul Harb (Abode of War) and the Darul Islam (Abode of Islam). Darul Harb is essentially impious land beyond the fold that needed to be either won back or converted to Darul Islam, or the land of the faithful. On the sub-continent, the exclusivist DNA of this Deobandi strand of Islam would go on to spawn the two-nation theory. Adherents were clear Hindus and Muslims were separate races. Muslims needed an abode of their own, unblemished by the shadow of heathens". But beyond the sub-continent, the Deobandi world view has powered a global crusade against the Christian West. Political theorist Samuel Huntington controversially warned that this new Islamic creed posed an existential threat to Western civilisation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While his thesis no longer finds takers, there are many indoctrinated Ranas who live in the so-called Islamic crescent, as also in the West, who are determined to prove him wrong. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. About the Author Rahul Shivshankar Rahul Shivshankar is Consulting Editor at Network18. He tweets at @RShivshankar Rahul Shivshankar is Consulting Editor at Network18. He tweets at @RShivshankar First Published: April 11, 2025, 19:18 IST AIADMK Deal Sealed: Why Nainar Nagendran Ticks All Boxes To Replace Annamalai As Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 17:26 IST Nagendran was the only one to file his nomination for the post of state BJP president on Friday. With his caste, region, and background with the AIADMK, he is likely to act as a catalyst for the BJP-AIADMK alliance Nagendrans elevation as the BJPs state president comes at a time when Union Home Minister Amit Shah is visiting Tamil Nadu. (Image: X/@NainarBJP) Nainar Nagendran is now the BJPs Tamil Nadu president. Nagendran was the only one to file his nomination for the post of state BJP president on Friday. With his caste, region, and background with the AIADMK, he is likely to act as a catalyst for the BJP-AIADMK alliance. Soon after Nagendrans appointment as Tamil Nadu BJP chief, the BJP and AIADMK formally announced an alliance for the 2026 state Assembly elections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the polls would be fought under Prime Minister Narendra Modis leadership nationally, with AIADMKs Edappadi K Palaniswami leading the alliance at the state level. Recommended Stories A major irritant for the AIADMK has been K. Annamalai, the outgoing BJP state president. One reason is that Annamalai and AIADMKs top leader, E. Palaniswami, come from the same powerful community dominant in western Tamil Nadu the Gounders and also from the same region, western Kongu. The other reason was Annamalais outbursts against top AIADMK leaders, including J. Jayalalithaa, in 2023, which led the AIADMK to move a resolution against him and ultimately withdraw from the alliance with the BJP. Nainar Nagendran could resolve these issues for the BJP with the AIADMK. First, he hails from Tirunelveli, in southern Tamil Nadu, a region where the BJP has been trying to expand. Second, he belongs to another influential community in the state, the Thevars, and is from a different caste to E. Palaniswami. Third and most importantly he began his political career with the AIADMK and even served as a minister in the AIADMK government. Hence, he is well aware of the culture and sensitivities of the AIADMK, sources say. Nagendran was present on stage alongside Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a recent event in Rameswaram, where the Prime Minister inaugurated the Pamban Bridge. He is a three-time MLA from Tirunelveli, although he was unsuccessful in his bids for the Lok Sabha in both 2019 and 2024. He first won as an MLA from Tirunelveli in 2001 on an AIADMK ticket, and again in 2011. He served as a minister when J. Jayalalithaa and O. Panneerselvam were Chief Ministers between 2001 and 2006. Nagendran left the AIADMK in 2017 and joined the BJP, where he rose to become the partys state vice-president. Nagendrans elevation as the BJPs state president comes at a time when Union Home Minister Amit Shah is visiting Tamil Nadu. E. Palaniswami met Shah in Delhi on 25 March triggering speculation that the erstwhile allies were planning a reunion. A key condition set by the AIADMK for an alliance has been that they would not deal with Annamalai as the BJP state chief. This was also the ultimatum given by the AIADMK to the BJP in 2023, when it walked out of the alliance. However, the BJP chose to stick with Annamalai at the time. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Lok Sabha elections proved disastrous for both the AIADMK and the BJP, as neither party managed to win a single seat. In a latest development, Annamalai said last week that he is not in the race to remain the partys state president, although he would continue to be involved in Tamil Nadu politics. This statement came shortly after Annamalai met Shah in Delhi following EPSs meeting. It is believed that Shah conveyed to Annamalai that the alliance with the AIADMK must happen ahead of the 2026 elections. About the Author Aman Sharma Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More Aman Sharma, Executive Editor - National Affairs at CNN-News18, and Bureau Chief at News18 in Delhi, has over two decades of experience in covering the wide spectrum of politics and the Prime Ministers Office.... Read More Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 14:43 IST BJP-AIADMK Alliance Will Uproot Corrupt, Divisive DMK From Tamil Nadu: PM Modi Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 23:29 IST Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the AIADMK's decision to join the BJPled National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and asserted that it is important that the "corrupt and divisive" DMK is uprooted at the earliest in Tamil Nadu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi . Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the AIADMKs decision to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and asserted that it is important that the "corrupt and divisive" DMK is uprooted at the earliest in Tamil Nadu. "Stronger together, united towards Tamil Nadus progress! Glad that AIADMK joins the NDA family. Together, with our other NDA partners, we will take Tamil Nadu to new heights of progress and serve the state diligently. We will ensure a government that fulfils the vision of the great MGR and Jayalalithaa Ji," Modi said in a post on X. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Recommended Stories He said for the sake of Tamil Nadus progress and to preserve the uniqueness of Tamil culture, it is important that the "corrupt and divisive" DMK is uprooted at the earliest, which the alliance will ensure. Nearly two years after parting ways, the AIADMK and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) revived their alliance on Friday, with Union Home Minister Amit Shah declaring that the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election will be fought under the leadership of AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami. First Published: April 11, 2025, 23:29 IST BJP Alleges Saffron Flag Removed Forcefully From Bus In Kolkata, Police React Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 19:53 IST Sharing a video of the incident on social media platform X, Adhikari questioned the state of law and order in West Bengal In the video, a man wearing a yellow T-shirt and black shorts is seen untying a saffron flag that had been fastened to the front of a bus. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday alleged that a saffron flag tied to a bus was forcefully removed by a mob of radicals" in Kolkata, West Bengal. Leader of the Opposition in West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) government over the incident. Recommended Stories Sharing a video of the incident on social media platform X, Adhikari questioned the state of law and order in West Bengal. Shocking scenes from Swami Vivekanandas birthplace, Kolkata! A Saffron flag, a symbol of courage, sacrifice and valor, got forcefully removed from a bus by a mob of radicals," he wrote. Shocking scenes from Swami Vivekanandas birthplace, Kolkata!A Saffron flag, a symbol of courage, sacrifice and valor, got forcefully removed from a bus by a mob of radicals.Is this the harmony and tolerance Swamiji stood for? Under Mamata Banerjees watch, such acts go pic.twitter.com/is3SOgV6jJ Suvendu Adhikari (@SuvenduWB) April 10, 2025 Is this the harmony and tolerance Swamiji stood for? Under Mamata Banerjees watch, such acts go unchecked while the Police stand by silently. Where is the respect for our culture and values?," the BJP leader questioned. In the video shared by Adhikari, which News18 has not independently verified, a man wearing a yellow T-shirt and black shorts is seen untying a saffron flag that had been fastened to the front of a bus and removing it. The footage also shows a large crowd watching and cheering as the man unties the flag. Several police officials can also be seen in the video. Meanwhile, Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma, responding to the incident during a press briefing, said that the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Division) is looking into the matter and appropriate lawful action will be taken". BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya also took to X to express his outrage: Saffron is not just a colorit represents both existence and resistance. It was worn with pride by Swami Vivekananda, Swami Pranabananda, and countless other saints who devoted their lives to serving humanity. On our national flag, it stands for courage and sacrifice." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Saffron is not just a colorit represents both existence and resistance.It was worn with pride by Swami Vivekananda, Swami Pranabananda, and countless other saints who devoted their lives to serving humanity. On our national flag, it stands for courage and sacrifice. Yet a pic.twitter.com/hOVv5b7f8G Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 10, 2025 Malviya further asked: Has it become a crime to be a Hindu in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee?" 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 11, 2025, 19:17 IST AIADMK Returns To BJP-Led NDA, Amit Shah Says Palaniswami To Lead Alliance In 2026 Tamil Nadu Polls Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 22:17 IST The AIADMK and BJP parted ways and contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections independently after Annamalai's provocative remarks and his anti-Dravidian stance led to tensions between the two parties. Union home minister Amit Shah with K Annamalai and Edappadi K Palaniswami in Chennai. (Photo: X/AmitShah) After two years, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) have formed an alliance again to contest the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections scheduled for next year, announced Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday. I came here to give you good news. AIADMK and BJP have decided to fight Tamil Nadu elections together under the National Democratic Alliance (NDA)," said Amit Shah while addressing a press conference alongside outgoing BJP Tamil Nadu chief Annamalai and AIADMK leader Edappadi K Palaniswami. Recommended Stories Additionally, Palaniswami will lead the NDA alliance for the upcoming Assembly elections in Tamil Nadu. These elections will be contested under the leadership of PM Modi on a national level and under the leadership of AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami on the state level," Shah added. The Home Minister further said that AIADMK and the BJP had been part of the NDA since 1998, highlighting that AIADMK stalwart Jayalalithaa and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had already worked together. I am hopeful that NDA will get full majority in Tamil Nadu and form the government," he added. The BJP and the AIADMK are committed to protect and promote the language, culture and heritage of Tamil Nadu. The people of Tamil Nadu are fed up with the rampant corruption of the DMK and are determined to oust the corrupt government. The BJP and the AIADMK will jointly go from pic.twitter.com/GgKME9kBcY Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 11, 2025 Glad AIADMK Joined NDA: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi also lauded the alliance, vowing to take Tamil Nadu to new heights of progress and serve the state diligently. We will ensure a government that fulfils the vision of the great MGR and Jayalalithaa Ji. For the sake of Tamil Nadus progress and to preserve the uniqueness of Tamil culture, it is important the corrupt and divisive DMK is uprooted at the earliest, which our alliance will do," the PM said on X. Stronger together, united towards Tamil Nadus progress!Glad that AIADMK joins the NDA family. Together, with our other NDA partners, we will take Tamil Nadu to new heights of progress and serve the state diligently. We will ensure a government that fulfils the vision of the Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 11, 2025 An alliance between the two parties was already being speculated following reports that Annamalai will quit his position as the BJP state unit chief. However, Amit Shah refuted these reports and said Annamalai is still the president of Tamil Nadu BJP. Shah had previously confirmed that alliance talks are on with the AIADMK after meeting senior leaders like Edappadi K Palaniswami and KA Sengottaiyan within the past 10 days. The BJP and AIADMK contested together in the 2021 Tamil Nadu elections when Palaniswami was the Chief Minister. However, the NDA lost the elections to DMK and its alliance partners, only managing to win 75 seats out of 234 constituencies. The AIADMK won 66 seats, while the BJP managed only four seats. On the other hand, the DMK won 133 seats and the Congress, the ruling partys alliance partner, won 18 seats. In 2023, BJP Tamil Nadu chief Annamalais strong remarks against AIADMK leaders J Jayalalithaa and CN Annadurai, along with his anti-Dravidian stance, caused friction that culminated in a split between the BJP and AIADMK. The two parties went solo in the Lok Sabha and failed to win a single seat in Tamil Nadu. However, the BJPs vote share in the state increased significantly under Annamalais leadership. In the run-up to next years Assembly elections, Annamalai has seemingly softened his stance on an alliance with a Dravidian party. Amit Shah Attacks DMKs Corrupt Rule During the press conference, Amit Shah said the BJP had no conditions or demands from the AIADMK, adding that the alliance was a win-win situation for both parties to form the government and expose the DMK governments corruption". They (DMK and opposition parties) are raising the issues of delimitation and NEET to distract the people We will sit with AIADMK (since their stand on these issues is different from the BJP-led NDA) and discuss with them on these issues and if needed, there will be a common minimum programme," he added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Shah assured that the NDA will end DMKs corrupt rule" in Tamil Nadu and accused the ruling party of scams worth over Rs 39,000 crore. He said the people will vote on issues of rampant corruption, law and order, and atrocities on Dalits and women by the DMK government. Speaking to CNN-News18, DMK spokesperson A Sarvanan said the party welcomed" this alliance as it would help the DMK return to power next year. He also said the people of Tamil Nadu are happy with the DMKs leadership. However, AIADMK spokesperson Kovai Sathyan said the alliance marked the final days of DMK rule in Tamil Nadu, asserting that their lies and double standards have been exposed. About the Author Aveek Banerjee Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More Aveek Banerjee is a Senior Sub Editor at News18. Based in Noida with a Master's in Global Studies, Aveek has more than three years of experience in digital media and news curation, specialising in international... Read More First Published: April 11, 2025, 17:10 IST Karnataka's Contentious 'Caste Census' Report Finally Tabled Before State Cabinet: Why It Is A 'Political Hot Potato' Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 20:56 IST Sources in the government told News18 that a subcommittee is likely to be set up to study and analyse the recommendations submitted by Jayaprakash Hegde, chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes Chief minister Siddaramaiah had previously promised to implement the recommendations of the BC Commission report, but as soon as he made this announcement, he was faced with resistance from Vokkaligas and Lingayats two politically influential communities in the state. (File image: PTI) The contentious Social, Educational, and Economic Survey of Karnatakacommonly referred to as the caste censuswas finally tabled before the state cabinet. But a decision on accepting it or not has once again been deferred. The issue will now be taken up on April 17 at a special cabinet meeting in Vidhan Soudha, Bengaluru. Sources in the government told News18 that a subcommittee is likely to be set up to study and analyse the recommendations submitted by Jayaprakash Hegde, chairperson of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes. Recommended Stories It was also said that Congress leader Rahul Gandhis strong push for social justice and greater reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) has prompted quick movement in Karnataka, with the state cabinet set to take up the survey as a key item in its meeting. Chief minister Siddaramaiah had previously promised to implement the recommendations of the BC Commission report, but as soon as he made this announcement, he was faced with resistance from Vokkaligas and Lingayats two politically influential communities in the state. It was also said that the AICC meeting in Ahmedabad and the displeasure expressed by the party high command in the delay in the report being made public could have forced the hand of the Congress in Karnataka to have tabled it on Friday. It is learnt that at least five senior ministers belonging to the Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities, the two dominant communities in Karnataka, had earlier expressed their dissent to the CM against the report submitted by Hegde and Kantharaj. Eshwar Khandre, senior minister in the Siddaramaiah cabinet and a prominent Lingayat leader, told News18 that some community leaders have sought to know whether this survey was conducted scientifically". Regarding the caste census report, there have been apprehensions by certain sections of society and community leaders that it may have been done unscientifically. I brought this to the notice of the chief minister, and he said now that this report has been tabled. We will study it and then take a call on it. Decisions will be taken to ensure no section will face injustice," Khandre told News18. Another senior minister, Santosh Lad, said, The report has been tabled in the cabinet. In the meeting on April 17, the documents will be shared with the ministers. It is a voluminous report, and though we have a general idea, we will know the exact figures only when we have the report in hand." Lad added, The draft that has been given by the committee will be analysed and discussed. Let the pros and cons be discussed, suggestions taken into account, and the apprehensions of people taken into consideration." Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi said that the report submitted by Hegde on March 1, 2024, includes two key sectionsa social and educational survey and a comprehensive caste-wise population report. He said the survey covered 1.35 crore households, comprising 5.98 crore peoplerepresenting 94.17% of Karnatakas estimated population. Based on the 2011 census, Karnatakas population stood at 6.11 crore. By 2017, the estimate was revised to 6.35 crore. That leaves nearly 37 lakh peopleor about 5.83%who were not covered in the survey or were left out. In addition, eight volumes detailing caste characteristics and statistics have been submitted in digital format. Tangadagi said a total of 13 volumes cover social, educational, and economic data by caste. Overall, the report spans 30 volumes, including detailed district, taluk, family, and population data. A total of 50 books were submitted. The Congress has time and again come under fire over the caste surveyboth for delays in tabling the report and for repeatedly pushing back cabinet-level discussions on it. The last time tabling the report was deferred, sources said, was on the advice of AICC general secretary Randeep Singh Surjewala. That suggestion reportedly came after deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar sought his intervention to delay the report, as pressure mounted from the states two dominant caste groupsLingayats and Vokkaligas. Many leaders from both communities had threatened to agitate if the report was made public. This wasnt the only instance of the government dodging the issue. The Congress had earlier stalled it after a poor showing in the Haryana elections and then again during the Karnataka bypolls in November. Despite being ready, the report remained under wrapsavoided at every turn for fear of political fallout. In 2020, the BJP government had appointed Jayaprakash Hegde as chairman of the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes. But the findings remained unpublished until February 29, 2024, when Hegde submitted the final report in a sealed envelope to the Siddaramaiah government. At the time, Hegde said the report included recommendations on reservations in education and public employment, along with targeted welfare measures for backward communities. It was expected to be taken up for discussion immediately. But with Lok Sabha elections looming, the government decided to hold off on any decision until at least July. The origins of the current survey go back to H Kantharajs tenure as commission chairman. After his term ended, the data was considered incomplete. Hegde, upon taking charge, pushed to complete the work and submit a final report to the chief minister. This was done at a cost of around Rs 169 crore. The Congress had dismissed the 2015 caste data as unscientific" and ordered the commission to rely on the new data under Kantharajs mandate. But the report has not just sparked opposition outside the governmentit has caused friction within the Congress itself. Ministers from the dominant Lingayat and Vokkaliga communities have openly opposed the report, with their respective community organisations petitioning against it. Deputy CM Shivakumar, along with several Vokkaliga ministers, had signed a petition rejecting the findings in November last year. The All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, representing the Lingayat community, also demanded a fresh survey, citing leaked figures that reportedly show Dalits as the largest caste group in Karnatakaupending existing demographic perceptions. At least five senior ministers belonging to the two communities have expressed dissatisfaction with the Hegde report. In January, Deputy CM Shivakumar asked the Vokkaliga Sangha to postpone a planned meeting on the caste survey, warning it would create unnecessary confusion". Not long after, the government said the report would be discussed in the cabinetonly to push it back once again. The Congress had made the caste survey a key poll promise during the 2023 assembly election campaign. But similar exercises in Bihar and Rahul Gandhis public call for a nationwide caste census have added to the pressure on Siddaramaiahespecially as he tries to walk the tightrope between political survival and keeping AHINDA support intact. Karnataka, with a population of over 7 crore, has nearly 1,500 castes, sub-castes, and communities. The Lingayats and Vokkaligas are among the most politically influential. While the Lingayats claim to constitute 1718% of the population and the Vokkaligas estimate their number at 1415%, leaked data suggests both communities may be below 10%. The numbers, if made public, could impact not just social standing but also access to welfare entitlements. The political stakes are high. CM Siddaramaiah, seen as the tallest AHINDA leader, belongs to the Kuruba community, listed under the 2A OBC category. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Kurubas have long demanded inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes (ST) list. The Lingayats, under the 3B OBC category with 5% reservation, are internally dividedespecially the Panchamasalis, a major subsect pushing for 2A status. Lingayats have BJP veteran BS Yediyurappa as their tallest leader. The Vokkaligas are represented by union minister HD Kumaraswamy, former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda, and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar. About the Author Rohini Swamy Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously worked with t... Read More Rohini Swamy, Associate Editor at News18, has been a journalist for nearly two decades in the television and digital space. She covers south India for News18s digital platform. She has previously worked with t... Read More First Published: April 11, 2025, 20:56 IST 'Major Foreign Policy Setback': PM Modi's 2011 Tweet Targeting UPA On Tahawwur Rana Goes Viral Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 08:29 IST Narendra Modi, who was the Gujarat CM then, had criticised the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government after the US cleared Tahawwur Rana of charges in the deadly Mumbai terror attacks in 2008 Many internet users congratulated and credited PM Narendra Modi for the extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks mastermind Tahawwur Rana. (Photo: YouTube/ Narendra Modi) A social media post dating back to 2011 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is now going as India successfully extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the masterminds of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. He had lamented the major foreign policy setback" after the United States had declared the key accused innocent". Now, the post on X, then known as Twitter, is being lauded and shared by internet users. Modi, who was the Gujarat Chief Minister then, had criticised the Manmohan Singh-led UPA government after the US cleared Rana of charges in the deadly terror attacks in 2008. Recommended Stories US declaring Tahawwur Rana innocent in Mumbai attack has disgraced the sovereignty of India & it is a major foreign policy setback'", he had said. US declaring Tahawwur Rana innocent in Mumbai attack has disgraced the sovereignty of India & it is a major foreign policy setback" Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 10, 2011 Many internet users congratulated and credited Modi for the extradition of Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistani-born Canadian citizen who was arrested by the NIA as soon as he stepped of a special flight into the Delhi airport. WHAT DID MODI GOVT, OPPOSITION SAY ABOUT SUCCESSFUL EXTRADITION? While the BJP asserted that Ranas extradition is a big success of the Modi-led government, the Congress dismissed this by saying the NDA government did not initiate the process but benefited from the mature, consistent and strategic diplomacy" that started under the UPA. Tahawwur Ranas extradition is a big success of Prime Minister Modis diplomacy," Shah said at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit. He said the Modi governments effort is to bring to justice those who attack Indias honour, land and people. He will be brought here to face trial and punishment. It is a big success of the Modi government." Shah also took a dig at the Congress, saying those who were at the helm at the time of the Mumbai terror attack in 2008 could not bring Rana to India to face the trial. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had arrested Rana in Chicago a year after the attacks in October 2009 for providing support for an aborted plan to attack a newspaper in Copenhagen (Denmark) and providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He was convicted in 2011 in that case and sentenced to 14 years in jail. But, he was acquitted of charges of conspiracy to provide material support to the Mumbai terror attacks. Congress leader and former home minister P Chidambaram, meanwhile, said the Modi government did not secure any breakthrough to make the extradition possible, nor is it the result of any grandstanding. He said it was 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. While the Modi government is rushing to take credit for this development, the truth is far from their spin," he said in a statement. Chidambaram, who was the Union home minister from November 2008 to July 2012, said the coursework began on November 11, 2009, when the NIA registered a case in New Delhi against David Coleman Headley (US citizen), Rana, and others involved in the 26/11 conspiracy. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Even though Rana was acquitted by a US court of direct involvement in the 26/11 attack in June 2011, he was convicted for other terrorism-related offences and sentenced to 14 years in prison. The UPA government publicly expressed its disappointment over his acquittal and kept diplomatic pressure alive," he added. (With PTI inputs) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More First Published: April 11, 2025, 00:02 IST Silence On Film On Sankaran Nair & Waqf Debate: Will Kesari 2 Colour Keralas Perception Of Gandhis? Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 16:51 IST With the Left Democratic Front (LDF) not yet facing strong anti-incumbency and the BJP doing damage in terms of cutting LDF votes, the Gandhis will have to prove that they are son/daughter of the soil when it comes to Gods own country, Kerala The Gandhis are yet to respond to the Kesari Chapter 2 based on the life of Sankaran Nair. (File) Yet another issue in Kerala has now put Congress leaders, especially Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in the dock. This is over the movie Kesari Chapter 2, based on the life and times of lawyer Sankaran Nair, who took on both the British and Congress, especially after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Recommended Stories The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) often attacks the Congress for focusing only on the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty, overlooking those who did not have the surnames such as Sardar Patel and now Sankaran Nair. One of the first to respond to the movie was Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor, who is a Malayali and understands the importance of giving Nair his space. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) He said, Thrilled to learn that Kesari Chapter 2 will bring the story of C Sankaran Nair to the big screen his legacy deserves much greater recognition in modern times." A little later, he said, Congressmen in Kerala are well aware of his role as the first president of INC and his role as a lawyer" This is where the problem begins. The BJP has already begun to question the silence of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who is an MP from Keralas Wayanad. This is the 2.0 moment. She came in for criticism for missing in action while the Waqf Bill was being debated and passed. Both Christians and Muslims were asked whether they would want to vote for someone who looks at them selectively and from the prism of religion. BJPs Amit Malviya asked, Is it because, in their world view, the only freedom fighters worth mentioning are either from the Nehru-Gandhi family or remain loyal to them?" When Vadra contested from Wayanad in place of Rahul Gandhi, she, like her brother, was accused of using Kerala as a stopgap as they were unsure of a win from the Hindi heartland. Termed as outsiders, the Gandhis face the litmus test when it comes to polls in the state in 2026. #AmitShahAtRisingBharat2025 | Waqf bill will help all the sections of Muslim community. We have not made any provision for Non-Muslims in the trust. Why did Rahul Gandhi not speak about it?: Union Minister @AmitShah#RisingBharatSummit2025 | @18RahulJoshi pic.twitter.com/DFTfQ92sxY News18 (@CNNnews18) April 9, 2025 With the Left Democratic Front (LDF) not yet facing strong anti-incumbency and the BJP doing damage in terms of cutting LDF votes, the Gandhis will have to prove that they are son/daughter of the soil when it comes to Gods own country, Kerala. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all When Tharoor first contested, he was criticised even by fellow party men as being an outsider. He has proved them wrong by winning four times, and he knows the nuance, which is why he was quick to acknowledge Nair. Will Kerala be forgiving of the Gandhis and Vadra? Or will Kesari 2 colour the perception about the Gandhis? Will Sankaran Nair come back to haunt the Congress? About the Author Pallavi Ghosh Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als... Read More Pallavi Ghosh has covered politics and Parliament for 15 years, and has reported extensively on Congress, UPA-I and UPA-II, and has now included the Finance Ministry and Niti Aayog in her reportage. She has als... Read More First Published: April 11, 2025, 16:48 IST Tamil Nadu Ministers Vulgar Remark On Hindu Tilaks Triggers Row, DMK Removes Him From Key Post Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 16:17 IST Senior DMK leader and Tamil Nadu Minister K Ponmudy was on Friday removed from a key party post in the wake of a row over his remarks on Shaivism and Vaishnavism that drew widespread criticism, including from DMK MP Kanimozhi and BJP leader K Annamalai. Tamil Nadu minister K Ponmudy (File) Ponmudy Controversy: Senior DMK leader and Tamil Nadu minister K Ponmudy triggered a massive row after his controversial and vulgar comments about women, Shaivites and Vaishnavites at a public event. The comments drew widespread criticism, including from his party colleague, Kanimozhi and BJP leader K Annamalai. Ponmudy Removed From Party Post Recommended Stories Following the uproar, Ponmudy was on Friday removed from a key party post. DMK President and Chief Minister M K Stalin announced that Ponmudy was being "relieved from the partys deputy general secretary post." Stalin made the announcement in a statement, but did not attribute any reasons for the action. He named Rajya Sabha member Tiruchi Siva as Ponmudys replacement. Siva was relieved from his Propaganda Secretary post as per party rules, Stalin added. What Ponmudy Said? A video the ministers purported comments in the context of a sex worker, reportedly made during a public event on April 6, went viral on social media. In the video, Ponmudy is heard sharing a vulgar conversation, labelled misogynistic and demeaning to women, between a man and a sex worker. He can heard saying, Women, please dont misunderstand, while narrating the a conversation allegedly between a man and a sex worker, where the latter asks him whether he is a Shaivite or Vaishnavite and later describes about sex positions. Political Leaders Slam Ponmudy The comments drew widespread criticism, including from his party colleague, Kanimozhi and BJP leader K Annamalai. Kanimozhi hit out at her party colleague, saying, "The recent speech of minister Ponmudy is not acceptable." "For whatever reason he had spoken, such vulgar words are condemnable," she said in a post on X. In a social media post, Narayanan Thirupathy, Vice-President of the BJPs Tamil Nadu unit said, "Minister Ponmudy continuing in his post is shameful CM Stalin, will you order Ponmudys arrest." He has maligned the women of Tamil Nadu with his comments, the BJP leader alleged. I strongly condemn the Tamil Nadu Minister @KPonmudiMLA for his dirty, filthy, nasty speech against Shaivism, Vaishanavism & abusing women of Tamil Nadu. I demand his arrest and I request the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to dismiss him from the ministry. Narayanan Thirupathy (@narayanantbjp) April 10, 2025 BJP leader K Annamalai slammed the DMK over Ponmudis controversial remarks, calling it the partys standard of political discourse. Not just this Minister, the entire DMK ecosystem is vulgar, foul-mouthed, and uncouth. Hang your head in shame, Thiru @mkstalin, for leading such a disgraceful pack," he said on X. This is DMKs standard of political discourse in Tamil Nadu. Thiru Ponmudi was once the Higher Education Minister of Tamil Nadu & now Minister for Forests and Khadi, and the youth of Tamil Nadu are expected to tolerate this filth? Not just this Minister, the entire DMK ecosystem pic.twitter.com/ENMq47hiPf K.Annamalai (@annamalai_k) April 11, 2025 Actor and BJP leader Khushbu Sundar, in a post on X, tagged Chief Minister MK Stalin and asked, Will you ever have the guts to throw him out of his chair and position? Or you and your party find sadistic pleasures in insulting women and Hinduism?" She also questioned if the women in your household approve of these insults when they visit temples brazenly." Mr @mkstalin avl, this is your Minister, an education minister for that. Such a disgusting mindset he has and his words describe him better than what i can say. Will you ever have the guts to throw him out of his chair and position? Or you and your party find sadistic pleasures https://t.co/vqFMWpyXs0 KhushbuSundar (@khushsundar) April 10, 2025 BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya called it a continuation of DMKs attacks on Hinduism. Referring to earlier remarks made by Udhayanidhi Stalin about Sanatan Dharma, Malviya said, Whether its DMK, Congress, TMC, or RJD, members of the I.N.D.I. Alliance seem united not by ideology, but by a shared disdain for Hindu beliefs." After Udhayanidhi Stalins disgraceful attack on Sanatan Dharma, DMK Minister K. Ponmudy has now taken the baton of Hindu-bashing forward.At a public event, Ponmudy recounted a vulgar anecdote involving a prostitute and a man, where he mockingly reduced sacred Hindu symbols to pic.twitter.com/boB0ECWx0a Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) April 11, 2025 Ponmudy had earlier courted controversy, linking north Indians with selling pani puri. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Taking a dig at those who insist jobs will be available for those who learn Hindi, he had wondered who were selling pani puri in the city (Coimbatore) now, an obvious reference to the predominantly Hindi-speaking vendors involved in the trade. (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 11, 2025, 16:12 IST Tirumala Board Orders Probe Into Cow Deaths, TDP's Nara Lokesh Condemns 'Malicious Propaganda' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 17:48 IST TTD Trust Board member slammed Reddy for making allegations without verifying facts and said that the vigilance department has launched a probe Bhumana Karunakar Reddy, ex-TTD chairman, has claimed that over 100 cows have died in the past three months due to poor care and mismanagement. (AFP file photo) YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) leader Bhumana Karunakar Reddy on Friday alleged that several cows at the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) gosala have died due to negligence by the NDA-led coalition government in Andhra Pradesh. Bhumana, who is also former TTD chairman, demanded an inquiry into the cow deaths to bring out the truth and protect the sanctity of Tirumala. Recommended Stories Speaking to the media, the YSRCP leader claimed that over 100 cows have died in the past three months due to poor care and mismanagement. This number is based only on what has come to our notice, the actual figure could be higher," he said. He accused the current government a coalition of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Jana Sena Party, and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of ignoring important responsibilities and instead focusing on making false accusations against YSRCP leader YS Jagan Mohan Reddy. They are attempting to erase his good efforts," he added. Bhumana also raised concerns about the person in charge of the gosala, claiming, It is being overseen by a Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) who lacks veterinary expertise. This is sheer neglect of the coalition government and its appointed TTD governing body." TTD Responds: False News In response, the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) dismissed Bhumanas claims and labelled them as false and misleading. TTD strongly condemns the spread of false information intended to mislead devotees and the public. We request the devotees not to believe false news," the TTD said in a post on X. TTD strongly condemns the spread of false information intended to mislead devotees and the public.We request the devotees not to believe false news . #FakeNews #TTDClarification #TTD #DontSpreadRumours #FactCheck pic.twitter.com/u0YciCHyv9 Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (@TTDevasthanams) April 11, 2025 Bhanuprakash Reddy, a member of the TTD Trust Board, also slammed Bhumana for making allegations without verifying the facts and said that the vigilance department has launched an investigation. There are currently 1,768 cows in the Tirupati Goshala. A few of them have unfortunately died due to health-related issues. Recently, one cow died on a railway track, and the TTD Vigilance department has initiated an investigation into the incident," Bhanuprakash said. He added, Karunakar Reddy is spreading false informationhe should refrain from reading out scripts written by someone else without verifying the facts." Baseless And Malicious Propaganda: Nara Lokesh Meanwhile, Andhra Pradesh HRD Minister and TDP leader Nara Lokesh accused Bhumana Karunakar Reddy of spreading baseless and malicious propaganda" on social media. There is no truth to these claims," he said, referring to the YSRCP leaders allegations of cow deaths in TTD goshalas. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all I strongly condemn the baseless and malicious propaganda being spread on social media about cow deaths in TTD goshalas. There is no truth to these claims.TTD has clarified the facts. Devotees are urged not to believe this false narrative, which YSRCP has pushed to mislead and https://t.co/olGNYTi4Rb Lokesh Nara (@naralokesh) April 11, 2025 TTD has clarified the facts. Devotees are urged not to believe this false narrative, which YSRCP has pushed to mislead and provoke. Spreading lies about sacred institutions for political gain is shameful and unacceptable," Lokesh stated. About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More Location : Andhra Pradesh, India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 17:29 IST Who Is Nainar Nagendran? Tamil Nadu BJP Leader Who Took Over Party Reins From Annamalai Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 17:45 IST Nainar Nagendran, the MLA from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, was the only leader to file nomination for the BJP's top organisational post in the state Tamil Nadu BJP leader Nainar Nagendran | File Image/ANI Nainar Nagendran, the BJPs legislature party leader and a former minister, took over as the new president of the partys Tamil Nadu unit, replacing K Annamalai. Nagendran, the MLA from Tirunelveli in Tamil Nadu, filed his nomination for the BJPs top organisational post in the state on Friday. Notably, he was the sole nominee, a factor that paved the way for him to become the partys 13th state president. Recommended Stories Confirming the development, Union Home Minister Amit Shah wrote on X: The Tamil Nadu BJP has received a nomination for the post of state president only from Shri Nainar Nagendran." Shah further hailed Annamalais contribution to the party during his tenure as Tamil Nadu BJP president. The Tamil Nadu BJP has received a nomination for the post of state president only from Shri @NainarBJP Ji.As the President of the Tamil Nadu BJP unit, Shri @annamalai_k Ji has made commendable accomplishments. Whether it is carrying the policies of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji to Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 11, 2025 BJP leader Nagendrans elevation holds major political significance in Tamil Nadu, especially when the party is nearing to forge an impactful alliance with the AIADMK ahead of the state Assembly elections scheduled for next year. BJPs outgoing state chief Annamalai had frequently targeted senior AIADMK leaders, including MG Ramachandran and J Jayalalithaa, prompting AIADMK come out of the NDA alliance after fighting 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly elections together. However, the BJPs decision to place the Tirunelveli MLA as its new state president could now help mend ties with the AIADMK, especially with just a year to go for the crucial elections. Who Is Nainar Nagendran? Nagendran, a three-time MLA representing Tirunelveli, faced defeats in his attempts to enter the Lok Sabha race in both 2019 and 2024. He began his political journey with the AIADMK, winning the Tirunelveli Assembly seat in 2001 and again in 2011. During the 20012006 period, he held a ministerial post in the government led by Chief Ministers J Jayalalithaa and O Panneerselvam. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In 2017, he parted ways with the AIADMK and joined the BJP, where he gradually rose to the ranks of the partys state vice-president. He also shares close ties with BJPs top leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Recently, Nagendran was seen on stage alongside PM Modi during an event in Rameswaram, where the Prime Minister inaugurated the Pamban Bridge. About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Location : Tamil Nadu, India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 16:20 IST Withdraw Statement: Priyanka Chaturvedi Objects To Kanhaiya Kumar's Tahawwur Rana Remarks Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 13:21 IST Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana was extradited from the US in a major diplomatic victory for India. However, politics began on the matter as Kanhaiya Kumar dubbed the move a "diversion" for people. Tahawwur Rana extradition politics: Priyanka Chaturvedi objects to Kanhaiya Kumar's remarks (PTI Image) Tahawwur Rana Extradition: Politics heated up over the extradition of Mumbai terror attacks accused, Tahawwur Rana, from the United States, as Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumars diversion tactic" remark for the BJP drew objection from Maharashtra ally Shiv Sena UBT. Priyanka Chaturvedi, UBTs Rajya Sabha MP, on Friday called Kumars remarks unfortunate and disappointing" and asked him to pay attention to what he says". Recommended Stories Priyanka Chaturvedi Vs Kanhaiya Kumar Over Tahawwur Ranas Extradition Chaturvedi described Ranas extradition as a major achievement for the country" and asked Kumar a sedition accused to withdraw his statement. The extradition of Tahawwur Rana is a major achievement for the country. The decision and efforts made to bring him back to India are welcome and commendable. Tahawwur Rana deserves the death penalty. He should be hanged in a public square in Mumbai to serve as a message. I hope that after Rana, the Indian government will also seek the extradition of David Coleman Headley. Since six American citizens were also killed in the 26/11 attacks, the U.S. should support Headleys extradition too," the Shiv Sena UBT leader said. Kanhaiya Kumars statement on the matter is unfortunate and disappointing. He should pay attention to what he says and withdraw his statement immediately," she added, objecting to the allys remarks. Further, taking to X, the Shiv Sena UBT MP said that the return of Rana has been Indias priority not a diversionary tactic". For every Mumbaikar and Indian the return of Tahawwur Rana, David Headley and their Pakistani handlers has always been a priority not a diversionary tactic. For sense of justice and closure for many who lost their loved ones and for those who survived the ordeal. Never forgive, never forget," she posted on X. What Had Kanhaiya Kumar Said About Tahawwur Ranas Extradition? Speaking to the reporters, Kanhaiya Kumar, who lost the 2019 Lok Sabha polls from Bihars Begusarai seat by over 4 lakh votes and also lost North East Delhi 2024 general elections by over 1.3 lakh votes, alleged that the extradition of Rana is a ploy by the BJP to divert" peoples attention from the failure" of the government to fulfil its promises. Kanhaiya Kumars discomfort over 26/11 accused Tahawwur Ranas extradition says it all.When India moves towards justice, the Tukde Tukde gang mourns instead of celebrating.For them, its not about the nation its about narratives.And this one didnt go their way. pic.twitter.com/Iv56wFaghB Dr Padma Veerapaneni ( Modi Ka Parivar) (@DrPadmaofficial) April 11, 2025 He also slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah for his diplomatic victory" remark at the News18 Rising Bharat Summit, in connection with Ranas successful extradition by the US. Since the BJP has no achievement worth the name, it tries to divert public issues under one pretext or the other. The Waqf Bill was just another such example. The government claimed it was bringing the legislation for the benefit of poor Muslims. Who will believe this, coming from a dispensation that does not let members of the community offer namaz on their own rooftops?" he said. We all remember their rhetoric after the abrogation of Article 370. Every BJP leader was saying that now people of Bihar and other parts of the country will be able to purchase land in Kashmir. Show me one person who has been able to buy property there since then," the former CPI and now a Congress leader added. BJP Slams Kanhaiya Kumar For His Remarks BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla slammed Kanhaiya Kumar for mocking a big diplomatic and legal win on terror". Kanhaiya Kumar, Congress ecosystem is not happy because 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana has been extradited to India. Same Kanhaiya had labeled Naxalis as Shaheed," the BJP leader posted on X. Back then, Cong did not take any action on 26/11 perpetrators despite Fali Major telling UPA govt then they coined Hindu Terror to give Pak a clean chit and now they mock a big diplomatic and legal win on terror.. Congress ka Haath hamesha terror ke saath," he added. Fully Conviced Politics Being Played: Sanjay Raut Shiv Sena UBT MP claimed that the BJP will gain political mileage" by hanging Rana before the Bihar elections". Welcoming Ranas extradition, Raut alleged that the BJPs approach on the matter is not right and he is fully convinced" that the party is playing politics" over the subject. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all I am fully convinced that they are playing politics with this, and before the Bihar elections, they will hang him to gain political mileage A terrorist with ties to Pakistan and a terrorist group, the mastermind of an attack like 26/11, if brought to India, should be welcomed. However, the BJPs approach is not right. Whether its us who brought him here or whether its you, youre claiming to have brought him for execution. In 2009, the NIA went to the U.S. and interrogated him," he said. (With inputs from agencies) About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More First Published: April 11, 2025, 12:37 IST iPhone 17 Pro Models Could Get This Big Camera Feature This Year: Know More Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 10, 2025, 10:09 IST iPhone 17 Pro series from Apple is likely to get a price bump this year but the company could make it worthwhile by offering new cameras and features. iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max cameras will get the power of the duo. iPhone 17 launch has a long way to go and we will even see the iOS 19 version at the WWDC 2025 in June before that. The rumour mill has been churning out new details about the upcoming iPhones, which sadly wont look very different from the current iPhone 16 series. However, Apple is likely to bring some big upgrades to the iPhone 17 Pro camera this year, at least going by what a tipster has mentioned earlier this week. The company is expected to increase the iPhone 17 Pro prices so any upgrades will be widely discussed. Recommended Stories iPhone 17 Pro Camera Upgrades Coming In 2025: What We Know Tipster Jon Prosser claims the iPhone 17 Pro cameras will be getting a new feature called dual-recording mode. Apple could finally make it possible to use both front and rear cameras to record content. The feature itself is not new as we have seen brands like Nokia and Samsung along with apps like Snapchat offer the use of dual cameras to shoot videos. But Apple has a different way of marketing its features, even if they are already there in the market. Dual-recording, Prosser says, will work on the iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max models only, which again gives Apple a definite exclusivity to upsell the premium variants. Apples new feature will cater to content creators and vloggers but even for the regular users, dual-mode recording through the iOS camera app could also bring support for FaceTime calls which will be interesting to see. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all iPhone 17 Pro Cameras: A New Look? The leaked cases for the upcoming iPhone 17 series suggests the camera module on the Pro versions could be spaced out. The new design for the layout as an eerily similarity to the yesteryears Huawei Nexus 6P Android phone. The 17 Pro Max model is rumoured to feature a trio of 48MP cameras at the back, including a periscope lens. Thats not all, the iPhone 17 series models could finally get a big 24MP selfie camera bump this year. About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : California, USA First Published: April 10, 2025, 10:09 IST Power Banks Are Now Being Completely Banned From Charging On Flights: Heres What We Know Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 08:35 IST Power banks have been blamed to be the reason for major airlines incidents and now flights are taking strict action across the globe that you should know. Power banks are being strictly banned from using mid-flight. Power banks have always raised concerns, especially for those running the airlines across the globe. Earlier this year, there was a major airline tragedy involving Air Busan in South Korea that has triggered those concerns once again. So much so that in 2025, you have quite a few airlines who have either banned power banks completely on flights (both in-cabin and luggage) or stop fliers from using these devices to charge mid-air. Power Banks Are Dangerous: Heres Why Recommended Stories Most people use power banks when their phone has run out of juice or is hitting the dangerous red level. These situations on a flight have worked out fine but these recent events have invariably compelled airlines to rethink their permissions for power banks. These devices pack lithium-ion batteries that help you charge devices but we also know how power banks can heat up and explode. People flying on domestic airlines in India have not been warned or banned from carrying power banks but your next trip abroad will have to include this on the checklist as well. The likes of Singapore Airlines have a defined power bank size that is allowed without permission which you can check on its website for more details. What Should Fliers Do? top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Thai Airways is one of the airlines that still allows you to carry a power bank in-cabin but you cannot charge devices using it during the flight. The airline which has caused these changes, Air Busan, is also fine if you carry the power bank but you cannot keep it in the overhead storage compartment and it should be next to you all the time during the flight. These are some of the airlines prescribing new power bank rules but make sure that when you plan for the next vacation abroad, you check for their own rules. And yes, the best way to avoid power bank related mishaps is to buy from genuine brands and try to keep its capacity (mAh) under 20,000 units which is allowed by most flights. Finally, just keep your phones, tablets and watches fully charged before you take off, so that a power bank is not needed mid-air. About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More News18 Tech delivers the latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements, and more. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 08:35 IST Eagle Snatches Hall Ticket From Kerala Student. What Happens Next Is Unexpected Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 11:43 IST The student was preparing to enter the exam centre when the eagles swooped in and snatched his hall ticket. The video shows the eagle sitting on the window with the hall ticket. (Photo Credits: X) Eagles, the mighty birds of prey, are not just skilled hunters but also known for their sneaky stealing tactics. Known to swipe food, even from humans, eagles use their sharp diving skills and incredible speed to snatch what they want. In a bizarre and unexpected twist, an eagle turned an ordinary exam day into an adventure in Keralas Kasaragod by swooping in and stealing a PSC aspirants hall ticket. The incident took place on Thursday morning at the Government UP School, where candidates were lining up for the Kerala Public Service Commission exams. Among them was a student busy making last-minute revisions, probably thinking that nothing would go wrong. Little did he know that an eagle would swoop in and snatch his hall ticket right before the 7:30 am test time. A video going viral on social media shows the eagle calmly perched on the window ledge of the schools top floor after stealing the piece of paper. Recommended Stories In Kasaragod, Kerala, a brahminy kite snatched a womans hall ticket just before a government exam. It dropped it moments before the exam began, causing brief panic but ending in relief. pic.twitter.com/HI6Bw8skZU Be Like Sagala (@belikesagala) April 10, 2025 Despite the rush and the crowd gathering below, the bird remained unbothered as it held onto the ticket for several minutes before eventually dropping it straight into the hands of the rightful owner, who was able to enter the exam hall in time. Meanwhile, the video has stunned the internet, sparking a flurry of reactions and lighthearted jokes in the comments section. One user quipped, Bro was an invigilator in his past life," while another added, Mr. Eagle probably wants to give the exam too!" top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all When God has different plans," another one quipped. Earlier this month, a video of a bald eagle attempting to snatch a child went viral on the internet. In the shocking clip, the bird is seen swooping down and trying to lift the child off the ground. Thankfully, quick-thinking bystanders rushed in and rescued the child just in time. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 11:43 IST Law Student Flies Over 3,200 km Each Week To Attend New York School: Exhausting, But Worth It Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 14:18 IST Nat Cedillo takes a flight on Monday morning and returns to Mexico by Tuesday night. Nat Cedillo and her husband Santiago moved out of Brooklyn last year. (Representative Image/Unsplash) Most people relocate to a city or country for their studies or job but for Nat Cedillo, a 30-year-old law student, its the opposite. She flies from Mexico City to New York City every week to attend her classes. According to a report in The New York Post, she takes a flight on Monday morning and returns to Mexico by Tuesday night. This routine helps her complete her final semester at a top law school in Manhattan. Recommended Stories I travel from Mexico City to New York City so that I can attend my law school classes. Its exhausting but worth it," Cedillo told the outlet. Cedillo and her husband Santiago moved out of Brooklyn last year. They shifted to Mexico City for its better weather and more affordable lifestyle. But Cedillo continued with her law degree in New York and started flying on a weekly basis instead of relocating again. Since January, she has spent more than $2,000 (approximately Rs 1.7 lakh) on flights, food and short stays in New York. Throughout the 13-week semester, she has taken the more than 4,000-mile round-trip. According to the outlet, Cedillo is part of a growing number of people who travel long distances regularly for work or education. This trend is often called super-commuting. The New York Post referred to a Stanford University study, which found that since the pandemic, there has been a 32% rise in the number of people in the US who travel more than 75 miles for work or studies. In New York City, the number rose by 89 per cent in recent years. Kaitlin Jay, a hairdresser who works on Manhattans Upper West Side, also follows this trend. She lives in North Carolina but flies to New York to serve her regular clients. Its cheaper than renting my own apartment on the UWS," she told the Post. Kyle Rice, a software developer based in Delaware travels across four states several times a week. I dont have to worry about the high cost of living in NYC." His monthly mortgage is $1,400 (over Rs 1.2 lakh) which is much lower than the average rent of a one-bedroom in Manhattan that costs over $4,400 (around Rs 3.38 lakh). Cedillo and her husband Santiago also spoke about why they chose to leave New York. I love New York, but [before we moved] my husband and I werent living in the most lavish neighborhood, and everything was so expensive," said the soon-to-be lawyers who are planning to take the New York State Bar exam this summer. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all When she is not flying back and forth for classes, Cedillo enjoys quieter days with Santiago in Mexico City. In Mexico City, were able to enjoy a better quality of life. The days Im not commuting are the best," she said. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 14:13 IST US Funeral Turns Chaotic As Son Carrying Fathers Coffin Falls Into Grave, Gets Injured Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 11:45 IST The family has blamed the cemetery and funeral home for negligence. The incident happened at Greenmount Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo Credits: X) A funeral in the US took a terrifying turn when the coffin being carried collapsed into the grave along with the pallbearers. The incident happened at Greenmount Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The funeral was held to lay Benjamin Aviles to rest, The Mirror reported. Aviles died on March 21 due to complications from heart issues. He was from Lares, Puerto Rico, and had been living in North Philadelphia. On the day of the burial, his family and friends came together for the final rites but the ceremony took an unexpected turn after the platform meant to hold the coffin suddenly broke. The dramatic fall was caught on camera and left many shocked. Recommended Stories The video showed pallbearers lifting the casket and slowly walking toward the grave. As soon as the coffin reached the platform, the wooden structure collapsed. Everyone holding the casket fell straight into the grave. NEW: Deceased man's son gets trapped under his father's casket after a platform collapsed, taking the entire family into the grave.That's unfortunate. The incident happened at a funeral in Philadelphia for Benjamin Aviles who passed away in late March. When the pallbearers pic.twitter.com/0Zha1mnKnN Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 8, 2025 Several people suffered injuries to their legs, hands and backs. Aviless son, who shares his name, was the most seriously injured. The casket landed directly on him which left him unconscious for a few moments. The casket lay on top of him, and he was out like a light with his face in the mud," said Maribelle Rodriguez, Aviless stepdaughter, while speaking to ABC6. She said the platform already looked unsafe before the funeral began. The whole thing was trembling. It was wobbly, the wood was all wet and soaked," she said. The family has blamed the cemetery and funeral home for negligence. They believe the poor condition of the platform caused the accident and are demanding an apology and compensation. I think they should apologise. There should be some reimbursement, seeing that the ceremony was interrupted. Nothing was done properly," Rodriguez added. The video of the shocking moment made its way on X (formerly Twitter) where social media users reacted with concern and sadness. One person commented, A lot of people will be having a new phobia now." Another wrote, This is really sad and unfortunate for the family." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A person called it traumatically dangerous," while someone blamed the funeral organisers, writing, Very sad for the family. The Funeral Director or Cemetery was very negligent. Shouldnt have happened." As per the report, none of the injuries were life-threatening and all the pallbearers are expected to recover fully. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on whats creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: April 11, 2025, 11:45 IST Helicopter Crash In New York's Hudson River Kills 6, Including Siemens CEO, His Family | Video Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 11:24 IST Hudson River plane crash: According to New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch, while four victims died on the spot, officials took two to a local hospital, where they were declared dead. Screengrab of video shared on X Hudson River Plane Crash: Six people, including three children, died after a passenger helicopter crashed into the Hudson River. The deceased included a pilot and a family visiting from Spain, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Former US President Donald Trump posted about the tragic accident on his social media platform, Truth Social. 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!", wrote Trump on Truth Social. Recommended Stories Among the victims were Agustin Escobar, the president and CEO of Siemens in Spain, his wife and their three children. According to New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch, while four victims died on the spot, officials took two to a local hospital, where they were declared dead. The incident took place at 3:17 p.m. (US local time). Officials received several 911 calls about a helicopter crash in the Hudson River near the New Jersey coastline at Pier A Park in Hoboken. When first responders arrived, police pulled four people out of the water, Tisch said, and FDNY pulled out two people. Several videos of the incident have gone viral on X, capturing the moments when the crash took place. Some clips show the helicopter whirling through air before crashing. Hudson River helicopter crash, as an engineer the amount of single points of failure in a helicopter scares the shit out of me.pic.twitter.com/fHyGJ0ZaZb Evil Te????an (@vileTexan) April 10, 2025 Our hearts go out to the family of those who were on board," Adams said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to FlightRadar24, the helicopter that crashed has been identified as Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV. It was manufactured in 2004 and had an airworthiness certificate issued in 2016, as per Federal Aviation Administration records. A Bell 206 helicopter crashed and is submerged in the Hudson River in New York City," the FAA said in a statement. Location : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: April 11, 2025, 06:59 IST After Chandrayaan-3s Water Insights, Chinas Change-6 Finds Moons Far Side May Be Drier Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 15:03 IST The data helps enhance scientists' understanding of how much water is actually present in the Moons mantle, which will determine the course of future long-term lunar exploration. An image released by the Chinese National Space Administration showing the Change-6 missions lander-ascender on the moon before it returned a sample of lunar soil to Earth. (Image: CNSA) After Chandrayaan-3s insights into the availability of water at the Moons south pole, new findings have now emerged from its far side the mysterious dark region that always faces away from Earth. Chinas Change-6 mission the first to land on this remote region has found that the far side of the Moon may be drier than its nearside counterpart. The findings are based on the first-ever samples from the lunar far side, collected by the Change-6 (CE6) mission, which launched from China on 3 May 2024 on a Long March 5 booster and returned to Earth on 25 June. The 8,200-kg spacecraft, consisting of an orbiter, return vehicle, lander, and ascender, landed on 1 June 2024 within the South PoleAitken Basin one of the largest and oldest impact features in the solar system. Recommended Stories It used a scoop and a drill to collect samples from the surface and from as deep as two metres below the surface, placed them on the ascent vehicle mounted on top of the lander, and launched from the Moon two days later. The latest analysis, published by Sen Hu and colleagues from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, in the peer-reviewed journal Nature, has reported how much water and what types of hydrogen were found in the mineral apatite (rocks) and in small trapped pockets of lava from the Moons mantle the layer just beneath its crust. Their estimate showed that water abundance in the mantle is 11.5 micrograms per gram, which is at the drier end of the measurements made on the lunar nearside (1200 micrograms per gram). Additionally, the difference in the distribution of water also shows a pattern, with water more concentrated in one hemisphere. WHY ARE THE FINDINGS IMPORTANT? The data helps enhance scientists understanding of how much water is actually present in the Moons mantle, which will determine the course of future long-term lunar exploration. Previous NASA Apollo missions returned samples from the near side, but the far side of the Moon has remained mysterious explored only through satellite images captured from orbit. Recently, Indias latest mission Chandrayaan-3 the first to land near the South Pole in August 2023, also provided insights into the availability of water on the Moon. It revealed that ice may be present a few centimetres below the Moons surface, in more areas of the lunar polar regions than previously thought. Earlier, Indias first-ever mission to the Moon Chandrayaan-1 in 2008 had provided concrete evidence of water on the Moons near side. Water plays a central role in understanding the formation and evolution of the Moon. The data collected by several space agencies over the last two decades has also led researchers to move from the traditional bone-dry concept to the idea of a relatively wet Moon. The Chinese mission has also provided key insights into the giant impact hypothesis for the formation of the Moon, which proposes that it was formed from debris created by a massive collision between the Earth and a large celestial body. RACE TO THE MOON The Moon is a major space destination and a stepping stone for Mars. The next big question for space scientists is whether the drier mantle documented in the current mission is localised within the basin or representative of the entire far side of the Moon. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all NASAs ambitious Artemis programme, which aims to send astronauts to the Moon, will also seek to extend this exploration not only for scientific discovery but also for economic opportunities and laying the groundwork for the first crewed mission to Mars. China, too, has upcoming Change missions aimed at collecting more samples from the far side and further investigating the highly varied distribution of water on the Moon. India has already announced a series of Chandrayaan missions to achieve the goal of an Indian lunar landing by 2040. The upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission in 2027 will attempt another Moon landing this time with the objective of collecting samples and returning them to Earth. The Chandrayaan-5/LuPEX mission, in collaboration with Japan, is also in the pipeline. It will demonstrate a higher-capacity lander a critical component for future human landings. About the Author Srishti Choudhary Srishti Choudhary, Senior Assistant Editor at CNN-News18 specializes in science, environment, and climate change reporting. With over a decade of extensive field experience, she has brought incisive ground repo... Read More Srishti Choudhary, Senior Assistant Editor at CNN-News18 specializes in science, environment, and climate change reporting. With over a decade of extensive field experience, she has brought incisive ground repo... Read More First Published: April 11, 2025, 15:03 IST From Childhood Friends To Enemies: What Went Wrong Between Tahawwur Rana & David Headley? Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 15:45 IST Tahawwur Hussain Rana, extradited from the US, is detained at NIA headquarters with 18-day custody. Linked to the 2008 Mumbai attacks, he was implicated by David Headley Tahawwur Hussain Rana and David Coleman Headley became friends at a military boarding school in Pakistan. (News18 Hindi) Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the mastermind behind the Mumbai attacks, was extradited from the US on Thursday. He has been detained at the NIA headquarters after they secured his 18-day custody on Friday. To understand the relationship between Rana and his friend and co-conspirator David Headley, who testified against him in a US court, let us look at their history. Recommended Stories Rana and Headley became friends at a military boarding school in Pakistan. After their studies, Headleys family moved to the US, but their friendship remained strong. Rana pursued a career in the Pakistani army as a doctor, while Headley turned to drug trafficking. Despite their different paths, their bond endured. After leaving the army, Rana moved to Canada and started a company. During this period, he discovered that Headley was imprisoned in the US on drug charges and had no one to pay his bail. Out of loyalty, Rana mortgaged his house to free Headley and provided financial help multiple times. In 2001, Headley went to Pakistan, where he trained with the terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba and met prominent terrorist leaders. Lashkar was planning a major attack on India. In 2005, Headley returned to the US, changed his name to David Coleman Headley, and obtained a new passport. He informed Lashkar and the Pakistani intelligence agency ISI about Ranas company, suggesting it could be used as a cover for their operations in India. Headley returned to India and sought Ranas assistance for Lashkars operations, informing him about his weapons training. Rana appointed Headley as the regional manager of his company, Immigration Law Center, and facilitated Headleys Indian visa applications. Ranas connections within the Pakistani intelligence agency allowed him to establish new contacts easily. He even visited India with his wife, providing crucial information to the conspirators, which eventually led to the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Their friendship turned sour when Headley was arrested by US security agencies. Rana was apprehended based on Headleys statements but did not confess to his crimes. However, Headley revealed the truth to US authorities, implicating Rana and becoming a key witness against him in court. Consequently, Rana was sentenced to 14 years and has now been extradited to India, while Headley is serving a life sentence in the US. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: April 11, 2025, 15:45 IST Who Was Agustin Escobar? Siemens CEO Killed In Hudson River Helicopter Crash With Wife, Children Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 08:25 IST The victims of the New York City helicopter crash included Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, and their three children. The pilot of the chopper also died in the accident. Hudson River helicopter crash: Victims identified as Agustin Escobar and his family (Photos: Social Media) The tragic helicopter crash in New York City on Thursday resulted in the death of six people, including three children. In a media briefing, Mayor Eric Adams said the victims in the chopper crash were believed to have included a family from Spain and the pilot. The Bell 206 chopper, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, crashed into the Hudson River. Recommended Stories It had departed from a downtown helicopter pad at nearly 3 pm (local time) and flew north over the Hudson. It turned south when it reached the George Washington Bridge and crashed minutes later, hitting the water upside down and getting submerged near Lower Manhattan at around 3.15 pm, just off Hoboken. WHO WAS AGUSTIN ESCOBAR, KILLED IN HUDSON RIVER HELICOPTER CRASH? According to CNN, the family onboard the chopper was sightseeing above the misty shoreline of Manhattan. Those identified as dead in the crash were Agustin Escobar a Siemens executive, and his family, the report quoted a law enforcement official as saying. According to the information available on Escobars LinkedIn profile, he was the Global CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility. He had more than 25 years of experience in international leadership in the energy, infrastructure, and transportation sectors, and he led teams across the United States, South America, Spain, and Germany. Photos widely shared on social media showed the family near the chopper before taking the flight. Another photo showed them on the chopper. The family was visiting from Spain, New York Mayor Eric Adams said during a news conference Thursday. HUDSON RIVER HELICOPTER CRASH: VIDEOS SURFACE Video of the crash showed what appeared to be a large object plunging into the river, followed seconds later by what appeared to be a helicopter blade. BREAKING: 6 people killed in Hudson River helicopter crash APpic.twitter.com/G5NbjZVzV0 BNO News (@BNONews) April 10, 2025 Afterwards, emergency and police boats were seen circling around a patch of river where the helicopter was submerged, with only what appeared to be the aircrafts landing gear poking above the waters surface. One of the videos also showed shoes and what appeared like a seat floating in the waters of the Hudson River. NEW: Seat and Shoes Washing up in Hudson River from Helicopter Crash that Killed Six in a horrific incident.Video by @peterhvideo @FreedomNTV pic.twitter.com/qVQq02V89h Oliya Scootercaster (@ScooterCasterNY) April 10, 2025 Divers helped remove the victims from the water. Four were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were taken to area hospitals where they died. DONALD TRUMP TAKES NOTE Hours after the crash, US President Donald Trump termed the incident terrible" and said the videos of the crash were horrendous". 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," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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!" he added. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident, with the NTSB leading the investigation, Reuters reported. 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 11, 2025, 07:58 IST 'Big Step In Ensuring Justice': S Jaishankar's Thumbs-Up To Marco Rubio's Tahawwur Rana Extradition Post Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 21:53 IST Pakistan-born Canadian citizen Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 64, who played a key role in the devastating 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, was brought to India from the US. EAM S Jaishankar and US' Marco Rubio. (File) Tahawwur Rana Extradition: External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Friday responded to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio over the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in Mumbais 26/11 terror attacks, and appreciated the counter-terrorism cooperation between the two countries. Appreciate the counter-terrorism cooperation between our two countries. This is indeed a big step in ensuring justice for the victims of 26/11 attacks," he said in a post on X. Recommended Stories Appreciate the counter-terrorism cooperation between our two countries. This is indeed a big step in ensuring justice for the victims of 26/11 attacks. @SecRubio https://t.co/7jRRbfleyo Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 11, 2025 Rubio had hailed the extradition of Rana saying that the US pursued justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Together, with India, weve long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. Im glad that day has come," he had said in a post on X. We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Together, with India, weve long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. Im glad that day Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio) April 11, 2025 Earlier on Thursday, US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce also hailed the successful extradition of Rana. On April 9, the United States extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks," Bruce said at a media briefing in Washington. Some people watching may not remember these, but I encourage you to look them up and to find out exactly how horrible this was and the importance of the situation today," she said, adding that the attack shocked the entire world". As President (Donald) Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism. He is in their possession and we are very proud of that dynamic," she added. During Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to the US in February this year, President Trump confirmed the extradition of Rana to India. Pakistan-born Canadian citizen Tahawwur Hussain Rana, 64, who played a key role in the devastating terror attacks, was brought to India from the US in a special chartered Gulfstream G550 aircraft on Thursday. The NIA team had travelled to the US after the countrys Supreme Court dismissed Ranas review plea seeking an emergency stay on his extradition to India. Rana was remanded to 18-day National Investigation Agency (NIA) custody in a late Thursday night court decision. At around 11 am on Friday, the probe agency switched on its interrogation mode with Rana, who would be grilled for his role in the planning and plotting of the 26/11 attacks. The investigative agency will focus on three aspects of interrogation the Mumbai terror attacks plot, the role of Pakistans ISI in the attacks, and Ranas links with the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba that carried out the attacks. 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. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 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. A 12-member team of NIA, led by DG Sadanand Date, will grill Rana during his custody. About the Author Shobhit Gupta Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He previously worked with Hindustan Times Digital (HTDS) and NDTV. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India ... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: April 11, 2025, 17:35 IST 'Unilateral Bullying': Xi Seeks EU Backing As Trump's Tariff Move Pins China At 145% Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 13:54 IST Xis remarks came just hours after the White House announced that the total US tariff rate on Chinese imports would effectively be 145 per cent US President Donald Trump with Chinese leader Xi Jinping | File Image/Reuters Chinese President Xi Jinping urged the European Union to stand with Beijing against what he described as unilateral bullying," in a veiled reference to the US reciprocal tariff move. Xis remarks came just hours after the White House announced that the total US tariff rate on Chinese imports would effectively be 145 per cent, fueling tensions in the ongoing trade war between the worlds two largest economies. Recommended Stories China and Europe should fulfil their international responsibilities and jointly resist unilateral bullying practices," Xi said during the meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing, reported AFP. The Chinese leader noted that such cooperation would help protect the legitimate rights and interests of both China and Europe, while also upholding international fairness and justice." In response, the Spanish PM said tensions over trade should not impede cooperation between the European Union and China. Both Spain and Europe have a significant trade deficit with China that we must work to rectify," he said, according to AFP. We must not let trade tensions stand in the way of the potential growth of the relationship between China and Spain and between China and the EU." China Not Afraid Of Trade War The Chinese leader further said that his country is not afraid" of the escalating trade war with the United States that has plunged the global market into chaos and triggered the worst two-day loss in the US stock market history. There are no winners in a trade war, and going against the world will only lead to self-isolation," Xi told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing on Friday, reported CNN. For over 70 years, Chinas development has relied on self-reliance and hard work never on handouts from others, and it is not afraid of any unjust suppression," the Chinese leader said. Xi added that regardless of changes in the external environment, China would remain confident, stay focused, and concentrate on managing its own affairs effectively." US-China Trade War Earlier, Trump announced a 125% tariff on Chinese goods on Wednesday, which the White House later clarified would be added to an existing 20% levy, which was implemented citing Chinas alleged role in the fentanyl supply chain. In retaliation, China imposed 84 per cent tariffs on US imports, which took effect Thursday. Trump first imposed a 34 per cent Tariff on Chinese goods during his Liberation Day speech, prompting China to respond with an equal tariff. The US President then added another 50 per cent weight, ending talks and raising the total US tariff to 104 per cent. China pushed back on Trumps tariff policies by hiking its levies on US imports to 84 per cent. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Later, Trump hiked the tariff to 125 per cent, declaring it would take effect immediately. A White House official then confirmed that, including a prior 20 per cent fentanyl-related tariff, the effective US rate on Chinese imports has reached 145 per cent. About the Author Ronit Singh Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Ronit Singh, Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com, works with the India and Breaking News team. He has a keen focus on Indian politics and aims to cover unexplored angles. Ronit is an alumnus of Christ (Deemed to be... Read More Location : China First Published: April 11, 2025, 13:13 IST 'Will Continue To Work With India On Scourge Of Terrorism': US After Tahawwur Rana's Extradition Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 08:30 IST The United States extradited Tahawwur Rana to India for his role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, and reaffirmed its commitment to working with India to combat global terrorism. A file photo of Tahawwur Rana (Social Media) The United States on Friday said it would continue to work together with India to combat the global scourge of terrorism. The statement came in reference to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Ranas extradition to India. The US State Department also stressed that Rana should face justice for his involvement in the attacks. Recommended Stories In a media briefing on Ranas extradition, US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, On April 9, the US extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks." Some people watching may not remember these, but I urge you to look them up and to find out exactly how horrible this was in the importance of this situation today," she said. These attacks resulted in the tragic loss of 166 lives, including six Americans, that shocked the entire world," Bruce said. The United States has long supported Indias efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice, and as President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism. He is in their possession, and we are very proud of that dynamic," the spokesperson said at the briefing. VIDEO | Washington DC: While reacting on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Ranas extradition, US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce says, On April 9, US extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in 2008 Mumbai terrorist pic.twitter.com/DqgUQc0O0e Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 10, 2025 TAHAWWUR RANA EXTRADITED TO INDIA Upon his arrival in India, a Delhi court on Friday sent Rana to the National Investigation Department (NIA)s custody for 18 days. The 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, 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. News agency PTI quoted sources and said the NIA had sought Ranas custody for 20 days to interrogate him, citing clinching evidence including various emails. The agency told the court that Ranas interrogation was necessary to unearth the larger conspiracy behind the 2008 attacks. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all It also told the court that it had to look into his role as a planner of the attacks. ALSO READ | 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks: David Headley Cannot Be Extradited To India Due To This Reason 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 11, 2025, 07:26 IST United Airlines Los Angeles Bound Boeing Flight Declares Emergency, Diverted To Brisbane Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: April 11, 2025, 10:35 IST The plane left from Melbourne but was diverted to Brisbane after declaring emergency, as per Flightradar24. The plane left from Melbourne. A Los Angeles bound United Airlines Boeing plane declared emergency. The plane left from Melbourne but was diverted to Brisbane after declaring emergency, as per Flightradar24. Recommended Stories United Airlines Boeing Dreamliner en route from Melbourne to Los Angeles, declares emergency, diverting to Brisbane, reports Flightradar24 pic.twitter.com/4Wr5pNM6DZ RT (@RT_com) April 11, 2025 More details awaited. Earlier this month, a Virgin Atlantic Flight 358 took off from London Heathrow Airport at midday and was scheduled to land in Mumbai around nine hours later but was turned around over Turkey four hours into the journey. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The flight diverted to Diyarbakr Airport and was stuck there for over 40 hours. 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 : Australia First Published: April 11, 2025, 09:50 IST London police arrested six people Thursday after Greenpeace activists allegedly poured 79 gallons of blood-red dye into a pond at the US Embassy in the city. The protest was meant to oppose US arms sales to Israel, according to Greenpeace UK, which said a dozen activists poured "non-toxic, biodegradable dye from containers emblazoned with the words Stop Arming Israel" into the water. Will McCallum, Greenpeace UK's co-executive director, was among those arrested, the AP reports. The organization says it wanted to bring attention to "the death and devastation caused in Gaza as a direct result of the US's continued sale of weapons to Israel." The Metropolitan Police noted no breach of the embassy's secure perimeter took place, as the pond is accessible via a public footpath. The embassy says the protest "damaged a 1.5 million gallon ... water supply on the property, wasting a local environmental resource." The individuals were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and conspiracy to cause criminal damage, the BBC reports. Greenpeace UK says the dye used was food-grade and made for ponds, posing no "risk to people, wildlife or the environment," and condemned the arrests as "further proof that the right to protest is under attack in the UK." The latest law firm to be punished by President Trump for not siding with him is the one that represented Dominion Voting Systems in its defamation lawsuit against Fox News over its false reporting on the 2020 presidential election. Susman Godfrey helped Dominion, which Fox said used rigged machines, reach a $787.5 million settlement with the cable network. "There were some very bad things that happened with these law firms," Trump said Wednesday in signing an executive order listing the actions his administration will take against the firm, the Guardian reports. Susman Godfrey said it will challenge Trump's actions. "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," the statement said. "There is no question that we will fight this unconstitutional order." Trump's two-page order accuses the firm of "egregious conduct and conflicts of interest," saying Susman Godfrey represented "clients that engage in conduct undermining critical American interests and priorities." Since returning to office, Trump has moved against several law firms, some of which reached settlements with him. Perkins Coie, Jenner & Block, and WilmerHale have sued Trump, per the Hill. The president did not specify what Susman Godfrey had done to offend him. The order restricts the firm's lawyers from entering government buildings, revokes their security clearances, and bars them from representing anyone who's a party to court cases involving the federal government. Legal experts maintain the executive orders are unconstitutional, per the Guardian. On Tuesday, Susman Godfrey had filed a brief for several government officials in support of Perkins Coie's challenge of Trump's order against it. The Trump administration has turned up the pressure on people in the US legally on work permits to leave by adding more than 6,000 of them to Social Security's "death master file." The idea of listing the immigrants with the dead is to keep them from having bank accounts and credit cards, or access government benefits, or do anything else that requires a Social Security number check, the Washington Post reports. "President Trump promised mass deportations and by removing the monetary incentive for illegal aliens to come and stay, we will encourage them to self deport," a White House spokesperson said in a statement. The action is part of an effort driven by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency to use personal data previously untouched by immigration officials in a mass operation against migrants, per the New York Times. A DOGE software engineer sent the first names to the Social Security Administration, whose acting commissioner emailed the staff that the immigrants' "financial lives" will be "terminated." Several top Internal Revenue Service officials plan to quit over administration pressure to use protected tax records in deportations, per the Times. Trump officials maintain that the first 6,300 people put on the death list are convicted criminals or "suspected terrorists," though they didn't provide evidence of that. They said the strategy might later be used against people in the US without authorization. Some current and former Social Security officials said placing the names of people the agency knows aren't dead in the death database is a violation of privacy laws, per the Post. The Supreme Court agreed with a lower court judge on Thursday that the Trump administration should bring back Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man sent by mistake to a prison in El Salvador, the Washington Post reports. The Justice Department had filed an emergency appeal after US District Judge Paula Xinis ordered Abrego Garcia returned. In a brief order with no dissents noted, the Supreme Court said Xinis "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 court also said the administration should be able to provide information about the steps it has taken in the case and what it might do in the future, per the AP. The judge had ordered the government to "effectuate" Abrego Garcia's return, and Thursday's order said she should clarify that to ensure the court isn't exceeding its authority, per the New York Times. The administration says Abrego Garcia, who was in the US legally, belongs to the gang MS-13. But he's never been charged with a crime, and his lawyers say there's no evidence he's a gang member. The administration has conceded Abrego Garcia's deportation was in error but argued the US can't do anything about it because he's in the custody of another country. The Hudson River helicopter crash that killed six people on Thursday involved an aircraft from a company with a history of mechanical failures. The New York Times reports that a helicopter operated by New York Helicopter Charter carrying a family of Spanish tourists made an emergency landing in the Hudson in 2013 after it lost power, but nobody was seriously injured. In 2015, another helicopter operated by the company crashed while hovering around 20 feet off the ground, Witnesses saw the helicopter fall apart. "I heard some crackling, looked up and then just saw (it) falling apart," witness Bruce Wall said, per WABC. "And then maybe 15 feet in the air after the tail came off, broke off, and then (it) just sort of tumbled into the water with the propeller still in the air." The helicopter crashed around 18 minutes after it took off from a downtown heliport at 3pm, NBC New York reports. Captain Canuck turns 50 this year, and the creator of the homegrown Canadian superhero says there's more interest in the character than ever, thanks to President Trump. Richard Comely says that after Trump's tariffs and annexation threats, he has heard from a lot of Canadian companies with a "keen interest" in the character, the BBC reports. "All of a sudden Canadians are looking to Captain Canuck as a symbol. And it's basically, to them, Captain Canuck symbolizes independence," he tells Reuters . "In a sense, we have Mr. Trump to thank for a bit of resurgence," he says. The character is a former Mountie who gained superhuman strength from an encounter with aliens. When he first appeared in comics in 1975, he was depicted as defending Canada from various threats in the then-distant future of 1993. "Of course, never, never in any of those stories was it America that was going to be taking over Canada," Comely says. The captain is a "tough-minded idealist" whose "successful career is due to his ability to combine virtue, French, physical fitness, courtesy, the metric system and a form-fitting costume into a real hero role," CBC reporter Lloyd Robertson said in 1975, per the Winnipeg Free Press. For the cover of the 50th anniversary issue, Comely drew Captain Canuck wagging his finger at Trump, reports Reuters. "It's got a lot of Canadians, you know, thinking about their identity as Canadians and feeling more united as Canadians," Comely says of the tariffs and threats to make Canada the 51st US state. "We feel like, okay, we've got to stand in opposition to these proposals." He tells the Free Press it's "really disappointing" that the US has a president "generating a lot of unnecessary animosity between two countries, and people say they're negotiation tactics. Well, they're terrible tactics." After many years of impassioned calls for an Oscar recognizing the art of the stunt, the film academy has decided to give it an official award. As the AP reports, an achievement in stunt design prize will be added starting with the 100th Academy Awards, which will recognize films released in 2027, the academy said this week. "We are proud to honor the innovative work of these technical and creative artists," Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a joint statement. The film academy's production and technology branch has more than 100 stunt performers among its ranks. David Leitch, who directed The Fall Guy, which was itself an ode to stunt performers, helped lead the charge for the new prize. Leitch began his career as a stuntman for stars like Brad Pitt before transitioning to making stunt-heavy films like John Wick. He and stunt coordinator and designer Chris O'Hara of Stunts Unlimited made presentations to the academy advocating for the new award. "O'Hara and I have spent years working to bring this moment to life, standing on the shoulders of the stunt professionals who've fought tirelessly for recognition over the decades. We are incredibly grateful," Leitch said in a statement. "Back in the day, stunt guys were the cowboys," O'Hara told the AP in 2024. "Now we are creative. We create amazing things, just like a production designer does or a costume designer does." The Oscars paid tribute to the stunt community with a video montage at the 2024 ceremony, looking back at over 100 years of Hollywood stunts from Charlie Chaplin all the way to Mission: Impossible and The Matrix. story continues below Other awards shows were ahead of the curve: The Emmys honors stunt coordination and stunt performance, while the SAG Awards recognize stunt ensembles in television and film. Says Chad Stahelski, who co-directed John Wick and did stunts for Keanu Reeves, "Stunts is such a collaborative and complicated department, how are we going to determine who this goes to? We've spent 100 years getting the award, let's just make sure it goes to the right people." A Florida teacher at an arts magnet school is out of a job after addressing a student by a name they wished to be called. Per ClickOrlando.com, Brevard Public Schools says it won't be renewing a contract next year for Melissa Calhoun, an educator at Satellite High School in Satellite Beach, after discovering Calhoun called said student not by their legal name, but by one of their own preference. Florida law: The issue, according to the district, which began an investigation after the student's family complained, is that Calhoun violated a Florida law that bars teachers from calling students by a "preferred personal title or pronouns" that don't sync with the gender they were listed as at birth, unless they have explicit written permission from a student's parents. The Washington Post reports that the Florida rule also applies to students who want to use a nickname, not just those affected by a change in gender identity. The Senate confirmed retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan "Razin" Caine to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff early Friday, filling the position almost two months after President Trump fired his predecessor. Trump nominated Caine to become the top US military officer in February after abruptly firing Gen. CQ Brown Jr., the second Black general to serve as chairman, as part of his administration's campaign to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks, per the AP . The Senate confirmed Caine 60-25 in an overnight vote before heading home for a two-week recess. Caine is a decorated F-16 combat pilot who served in leadership in multiple special operations commands, in some of the Pentagon's most classified programs and in the CIA. He doesn't meet prerequisites for the job set out in a 1986 law, such as being a combatant commander or service chief. But those requirements can be waived by the president if there is a determination that "such action is necessary in the national interest." Caine's confirmation in the middle of the night, just before the Senate left town, comes as Republicans have been quickly advancing Trump's nominees, and as Democrats have been trying to delay the process and show that they're fighting Trump's policies. Senate Majority Leader John Thune set up the early morning vote after Democrats objected to speeding up procedural votes on the nomination. Still, Caine was confirmed with some bipartisan support. story continues below At his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Caine said he'd be candid in his advice to Trump and vowed to be apolitical. He also disputed Trump's story that Caine wore a MAGA hat when the two first met. "I have never worn any political merchandise," he said. Trump's relationship with Caine dates to his first administration. They met during a trip to Iraq, as Trump recounted in a 2019 speech. He has said Caine is "a real general, not a television general." A South Korean subway tunnel under construction suddenly collapsed on Friday just south of Seoul, the AP reports. South Korea's national fire agency says one worker is missing and another is trapped in the rubble in Gwangmyeong, per Reuters. Officials said they earlier withdrew workers and stopped traffic after receiving reports of a risk of collapse due to an unstable ventilation shaft and reports of cracks in pillars, but "it wasn't immediately known whether any workers re-entered the site." Most of the cars Tesla sells in China are made in China, but Elon Musk's company is not immune from the trade war. The company has stopped accepting orders in China for two models it imports from the US, the Model S sedan and the Model X SUV, the New York Times reports. The order button for those models was removed from Tesla's website Friday, the same day that Beijing announced that China's tariffs on US imports are rising to 125%. China's finance ministry said it wouldn't respond if President Trump raised tariffs on imports from China again because it was "already impossible for the Chinese market to accept US imports at the current tariff level." Tesla's Shanghai factory makes the Model 3 sedan and the Model Y SUV, which account for most of its sales in China, reports Reuters. The company sold around 2,000 vehicles imported from the US last year, compared to almost 620,000 of its made-in-China vehicles. The halt to imports from the US won't make a huge difference in sales figures, but it is a "setback to the company's already shaky position in China," where sales have been slipping for months, Bloomberg reports. Last month, Tesla sales in China were down 11.5% compared to a year earlier, while sales for its main competitor, BYD, rose 23%, the Times reports. Tesla sales worldwide are also significantly down, but a new market opened up on Thursday. Tesla officially launched sales in Saudi Arabia with the opening of a new showroom in Riyadh, which drew a large crowd, the AP reports. The country's extreme heat, however, could cause problems with Tesla batteriesand the world's largest oil exporter has a limited number of electric vehicle charging stations. Amid growing concerns over climate change, the International Maritime Organization is poised to introduce the world's first global carbon tax on shipping emissions. The AP reports that the International Maritime Organization plans to introduce the fee by 2028, in which nations would pay $100 per ton of carbon dioxide emitted by their vessels if the emissions aren't already accounted for. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez praised the consensus, as did Natacha Stamatiou of the Environmental Defense Fund nonprofit, who called the move "a crucial step to reduce climate impacts from shipping." Emma Fenton of the Opportunity Green nonprofit, however, isn't completely on board. "The IMO has made a historic decision, yet ultimately one that fails climate-vulnerable countries and falls short of both the ambition the climate crisis demands and that member states committed to just two years ago," she tells the AP. Fenton even says the plan may backfire, as some companies may just take the hit of the fee rather than invest even more money to "decarbonize," per the Hill. Shipping accounts for about 3% of global emissions, per the UN. The IMO aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The suggested tax is expected to bring in about $10 billion annually in revenue, which will be funneled into the IMO's net-zero fund to invest in fuels and technologies amenable to "green" shipping. The thresholds detailed in the agreement, which was crafted without input from the US, will become more rigid over time to help the IMO hit its 2050 goal. story continues below Who also isn't keen on the plan: the Trump administration, which earlier this week circulated a letter to various embassies for other nations to slam the concept as "blatantly unfair," per Politico. The letter notes that, if and when such a fee structure comes to pass, "our government will consider reciprocal measures so as to offset any fees charged to US ships." Anais Rios of the Seas at Risk NGO shrugs at the US' reticence. "Let's not get dazzled by the dramathis isn't the United States of Shipping," she says. "One country trying to play the disruptor doesn't change the fact that global cooperation is the real headline here." The Justice Department did not abide by a judge's order to detail how it planned to retrieve a mistakenly deported man, saying it did not have enough time to comply by the Friday morning deadline. It's the latest back-and-forth over the plight of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was picked up in Maryland and sent to a prison in his native El Salvador, reports CBS News. After the missed deadline, US District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the Justice Department to provide daily updates on what is being done to secure Abrego Garcia's return, reports Reuters. "We are going to make a record of everything the government is doing and not doing," she said, adding that it was "extremely troubling" the Justice Department missed the deadline to document the deportee's whereabouts and status. A Justice Department lawyer said the department would comply with the new directive. The judge imposed the initial deadline soon after the Supreme Court backed her on Thursday and ordered the US to "facilitate" Abrego Garcia's return. Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil can be kicked out of the US as a national security risk, an immigration judge in Louisiana found Friday during a hearing over the legality of deporting the activist who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The government's contention that Khalil's presence in the US posed "potentially serious foreign policy consequences" was enough to satisfy requirements for his deportation, Immigration Judge Jamee Comans said at the hearing in Jena. Comans said the government had "established by clear and convincing evidence that he is removable," the AP reports. Lawyers for Khalil said they plan to keep fighting. The judge gave them until April 23 to seek a waiver. Meanwhile, a federal judge in New Jersey temporarily barred Khalil's deportation. Addressing the judge at the end of the Louisiana hearing, Khalil pointed out that she said at a hearing earlier in the week that "there's nothing more important to this court than due process rights and fundamental fairness," adding, "Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process." His lawyer, Marc Van Der Hout, also addressed fairness. "Today, we saw our worst fears play out: Mahmoud was subject to a charade of due process, a flagrant violation of his right to a fair hearing, and a weaponization of immigration law to suppress dissent," Van Der Hout said in a statement. Khalil, a legal US resident, was detained by federal immigration agents on March 8 in the lobby of his university-owned apartment, the first arrest under President Trump's promised campaign against students who joined campus protests against the war in Gaza. Within a day, he was flown across the country and taken to an immigration detention center in Jena, thousands of miles from his attorneys and wife, a US citizen who is due to give birth soon. Khalil's lawyers have challenged the legality of his detention, saying the Trump administration is trying to crack down on free speech protected by the US Constitution. 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 SAPPORO, Apr 11 (News On Japan) - Obihiro City, the fifth-largest city in Hokkaido, saw its population dip below 160,000 for the first time in 41 years, and the trend extends across the region, with all of the top five cities, including Sapporo, recording population declines compared to the previous month, underscoring the ongoing demographic challenges facing Hokkaido. "It's a little sad. Even when I come to the station, it feels like there are fewer people than before," said one local resident. Another remarked, "Isn't it the same in every town?" According to the citys resident registry, Obihiros population decreased by 617 people from February to 159,863 at the end of March, marking the first time since 1983 that it has fallen below 160,000. The city peaked at 175,174 residents in 2001, but has been steadily losing population since. The decline is attributed to both a "natural decrease," where the number of deaths outpaces births, and a "social decrease," in which more people move out than move in. Source: Hokkaido News UHB TORONTO, April 11, 2025 /CNW/ - The Canadian Journalism Foundation (CJF) announced today that the CJF-Edward Burtynsky Award for Climate Photojournalism goes to Calgary photojournalist Gavin John. John won for his compelling and thought-provoking images of the Canadian Armed Forces Operation NANOOK-NANAKPUT on the Northwest Passage published in the Globe and Mail . The $5,000 award, launched in 2022 by the CJF in partnership with internationally renowned photographer and filmmaker Edward Burtynsky, celebrates provocative, impactful and inspirational climate photography. Calgary-based photojournalist Gavin John is the winner of this year's CJF-Edward Burtynsky Award for Climate Photojournalism. (CNW Group/The Canadian Journalism Foundation) "In his arresting documentation of Canadian combat divers in the frigid waters off Cambridge Bay, Gavin John deftly illustrates how national security concerns intersect with the harsh realities of a changing climate," Burtynsky says. "As the Arctic ice caps melt at unprecedented rates, the opening of the Northwest Passage is reshaping geopolitical dynamics, making the region more accessible and contested than ever before. I'm honoured to name him the recipient of the 2025 CJF-Edward Burtynsky Award for Climate Photojournalism, as his work underscores the fragile balance of our northern frontiers and the urgency of preserving them." John's work has taken him from the frontlines of the Iraq-ISIS war to the streets of North Korea. His focuses are strategic issues, Canadian defence policy and Indigenous affairs. His work has appeared in outlets including the Globe and Mail, CBC and the Calgary Sun. Of the award-winning photos, juror and National Award-winning photographer Lucas Oleniuk says, "John's reportage contributes to the ongoing discussion on the effects of climate change by offering a visually striking account of the Earth's shifting topography one that directly impacts Canadians and highlights the geopolitical consequences of melting ice." He adds, "The viewer is left to ponder the fate of our untouched north." John will be recognized at the CJF Awards ceremony on June 12 at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto. For tickets, tables and sponsorship opportunities, see contact information below or visit the CJF Awards page. The CJF-Edward Burtynsky Award for Climate Photojournalism. Jury members are: Edward Burtynsky, chair; Jason Chiu, visual editor, the New York Times; Patti Gower, photojournalism educator, Loyalist College; Hannah Yoon, photojournalist and 2014 Tom Hanson Photojournalism Award winner; and Lucas Oleniuk, National Newspaper Award-winning photographer. This award is generously supported by Marci McDonald and Clair Balfour, Lisa Balfour Bowen and Sony Canada. John will be recognized at the CJF Awards ceremony on June 12 at the Royal York Hotel, Toronto. The 2025 CJF Awards are also supported by Google News Initiative, Labatt Breweries of Canada, McCain Foods, Intact, TD Bank Group, CBC/Radio-Canada, Aritzia, BMO Financial Group, Canada Life, Sobeys, Scotiabank, RBC, FGS Longview Communications, KPMG, Canadian Bankers Association, Canadian Medical Association, Accenture, Aga Khan Development Network, Apple Canada News, Bennett Jones LLP, Blakes, Canadian Women's Foundation, CPP Investments, Loblaw Companies Ltd., Maple Leaf Foods, OLG, Rishi Nolan Strategies, TD Securities, Uber, WSP. In-kind sponsorship is provided by Beehive Design, The Canadian Press, Bespoke Audio Visual, MLSE and Porter Airlines. About The Canadian Journalism Foundation Founded in 1990, The Canadian Journalism Foundation promotes, celebrates and facilitates excellence in journalism. The foundation runs a prestigious awards and fellowships program featuring an industry gala where news leaders, journalists and corporate Canada gather to celebrate outstanding journalistic achievement and the value of professional journalism. Through monthly J-Talks, a public speakers' series, the CJF facilitates dialogue among journalists, businesspeople, academics and students about the role of the media in Canadian society and the ongoing challenges for media in the digital era. The foundation also fosters opportunities for journalism education, training and research. SOURCE The Canadian Journalism Foundation For more information, contact: Natalie Turvey, President and Executive Director, The Canadian Journalism Foundation, [email protected]; For sponsorship opportunities, contact: Josh Gurfinkel, Director of Operations, The Canadian Journalism Foundation, [email protected] OTTAWA, ON, April 10, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, spoke with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The two leaders discussed the imposition of tariffs and ongoing threat of further unjustified global trade actions by the United States. In this context, they emphasized the importance of working together to deepen economic ties and promote economic security for people on both sides of the Atlantic. Prime Minister Carney highlighted his plan to fight tariffs targeting Canada, including those on our auto, steel and aluminum industries, protect Canadian workers and businesses, and strengthen Canada's economy. The Prime Minister and the President discussed global issues of concern, including the imperative of supporting Ukraine in its defence against Russia's invasion. They welcomed enhancing Canada-European Union defence and security co-operation in support of transatlantic security. Prime Minister Carney and President von der Leyen agreed to remain in close contact. Associated Links This document is also available at https://pm.gc.ca SOURCE Prime Minister's Office PMO Media Relations: [email protected] TORONTO, April 11, 2025 /CNW/ - On the first day that the Ontario legislature returns for the spring session, labour, student, and post-secondary advocacy leaders will gather at Queen's Park for a joint press conference addressing the crisis facing Ontario's college system. They will highlight the urgency of the issue given the critical the role college system can play in how the province weathers the economic fallout of U.S. tariffs as we prepare and train our future workforce. Date: Monday, April 14, 2025 Time: Remarks beginning shortly after 10 a.m. Location: Queen's Park Media Studio, 111 Wellesley St W, Toronto, ON Speakers: JP Hornick, President, OPSEU/SEFPO; Nigmendra Narain, President. Ontario Confederation of University Faculty Associations (OCUFA); Adaeze Mbalaja, Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students - Ontario (CFS-O); Laura Walton, President, Ontario Federation of Labour (OFL). On-site and post-event media availability to follow. SOURCE Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) Media contact:: Vic Wojciechowska, OPSEU/SEFPO Communications, (437) 518-3459, [email protected] Anduril Industries achieved a significant milestone last month with two successful live-fire tests of its 21-inch hypersonic rocket motor for the U.S. Navys STANDARD Missile Program. This rapid and iterative design phase, which was completed in close collaboration with the Navy, positions Anduril to quickly transition to full scale production of this vital capability. The 21 inch hypersonic rocket motor is being developed for the US Navys Standard Missile-6 (SM-6). SM-6 is a highly-versatile missile for defeating air, surface, and hypersonic missile threats that is deployable on 60 surface ships. The Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) Block IB is an upgrade of the SM-6 BLK IAU, which provides long-range fires capability by implementing improved software and replacing the existing Mk 104 Dual-Thrust Rocket Motor (DTRM) with a new 21-inch rocket motor to extend the range. The SM-6 BLK IB delivers to the Navy and Joint Force a transformative multi-domain, multi-mission offensive hypersonic kinetic capability. Low rate production of the SM-6 Block IB began in FY2024. A milestone B decision expected at the end of 2025. The hypersonic missile is expected to reach initial operational capability in FY2026. Raytheon (RTX) is the prime contractor for the program. The SM-6 missile costs about $4-5 million each. Anduril has invested more than $75 million in expanding and modernizing its solid rocket motor (SRM) factory in Mississippi. Anduril designs & produces solid rocket motors (SRMs) to power defense and space launch systems. With more than 450 acres of production facilities, Anduril can produce thousands of SRMs per year. In addition to traditional composite rocket propellant, Anduril also develops propellants containing ALITEC, a proprietary aluminum-lithium alloy fuel that enhances solid rocket motor performance. Anduril has worked with customers to design and produce bespoke SRMs up to 110 inches long and 42 inches in diameter. Anduril SRMs support a variety of mission applications, ranging across Rocket Assisted Take-Off, Air-to-Air, Air-to-Ground, Surface-to-Surface, Surface-to-Air, Hypersonic Boosters, Missile Defense, and Man-Portable Tactical Systems. Anduril manufactures ALITEC, a proprietary aluminum-lithium alloy fuel that can be integrated into propellant to enhance solid rocket motor performance by enabling extended range, faster speed to target, and expanded payload capacity when compared to conventional aluminum fueled motors. Traditional SRM manufacturers rely on batch processing, a rigid approach which results in underutilization and is subject to disruption, Andurils single-piece flow production paradigm eliminates inefficiencies by allowing multiple stages of production to run simultaneously. Each station is specialized, always operating, and fully tooled, enabling a continuous, consistent output of SRMs to help meet growing demand. US Army Buying Smaller 4.75 Inch Solid Rocket Motors The U.S. Army has chosen Anduril Rocket Motor Systems to develop a new 4.75-inch solid rocket motor for long-range precision rocket artillery. The 4.75-inch size potentially allows for up to 30 guided rockets to be configured in a single High Mobility Artillery Rocket System pod. Denali Denali is a high-performance 18-inch solid rocket booster designed to advance hypersonic capabilities at a fraction of the cost of existing systems. Denali takes advantage of Andurils improved single-piece-flow manufacturing paradigm, enabled by proprietary technologies like bladeless speedmixing, to deliver large volumes at dramatically reduced cost. Astronomers discovered FFPs (free floating planets- rogue planets) more than 20 years ago, using the United Kingdom Infrared Telescope in Hawaii. Since then, observers have spotted hundreds rogue astronomical bodies. In 2023, the James Webb Space Telescope discovered dozens of seemingly physics-breaking rogue objects floating through space in pairs. James Webb Space Telescope near-infrared survey of the inner Orion Nebula and Trapezium Cluster, they discovered and characterized a sample of 540 planetary-mass candidates with masses down to 0.6 Jupiter masses. There are current estimates of between 100 and 100,000 rogue planets for every star in Milky Way. A study from NASA and Japans Osaka University predicts that the upcoming Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope could detect up to 400 Earth-mass rogue planets, a significant jump from previous estimates of around 50. This suggests a much higher population of smaller, Earth-sized rogue planets than previously thought. Research from Ohio State University proposes that rogue planets might outnumber stars, implying a total well into the trillions. When we look at our Universe, where our own galaxy contains some 400 billion stars, and there are around ten planets for every star. But if we look outside of stellar systems, there are likely between 100 and 100,000 planets wandering through space for every single star that we can see. There were many Jupiter-mass planets without parent stars found by JWST (James Webb Space Telescope) from peering into the Orion Nebula. Microlensing Observations The primary method for detecting rogue planets is gravitational microlensing. This happens when a rogue planet passes in front of a distant star, temporarily bending and amplifying its light due to the planets gravitational field. The duration of these events reveals the planets massshorter events (lasting hours to a day) indicate smaller, Earth-sized planets, while longer events suggest larger ones. Key findings include: Kepler Space Telescope: Data from Kepler identified four Earth-sized rogue planets in the Galactic Bulge using microlensing signals, confirming the existence of small, starless worlds. Euclid Telescope: The European Space Agencys Euclid mission has already spotted dozens of rogue planets in the Orion Nebula, providing early observational support for their abundance. Simulations Theoretical models complement these observations by simulating how rogue planets form and survive. University of Leiden Study: This team modeled the Orion Trapezium star cluster, a dense region where stars are packed closely together. Their simulation showed that gravitational interactions between stars can eject planets from their systems, creating rogue planets. They estimated 50 billion such planets across the Milky Way, highlighting ejection as a key formation mechanism. Together, microlensing and simulations suggest that rogue planets are not rare anomalies but a significant population within our galaxy. New Telescopes to Get Better Estimates The next few years will see a leap in our ability to detect and study rogue planets, thanks to several advanced telescopes. These instruments will use microlensing and other techniques to refine the population estimates and shed light on the nature of these mysterious objects. Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope Launch: Scheduled for no later than May 2027. This NASA mission will search for rogue planets between the Sun and the Milky Ways center using microlensing. Its expected to be ten times more sensitive than current ground-based efforts, potentially detecting hundreds of rogue planets, including up to 400 Earth-mass ones. By capturing more microlensing events, it will provide a robust statistical sample to extrapolate the total number of rogue planets. Euclid Telescope The Euclid Telescope is already operational. It was launched by the European Space Agency. It was designed to create a 3D map of the cosmos, Euclid has detected dozens of rogue planets in the Orion Nebula via microlensing. Its wide-field observations will continue to identify more candidates. Euclids data will complement other telescopes, offering insights into rogue planet distribution and their role in cosmic evolution. PRIME Telescope Developed by Japan, observing in near-infrared wavelengths. Paired with the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, PRIME will enhance microlensing detections by providing simultaneous observations from a different vantage point. This is crucial since microlensing events are fleeting and require multiple perspectives for accurate measurement. Its infrared sensitivity will help detect smaller, cooler rogue planets that might otherwise be missed. Why These Telescopes Matter Microlensing events are briefoften lasting just hours to a dayso having multiple telescopes observing simultaneously increases the chances of detection and confirmation. The combination of the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescopes sensitivity, Euclids wide-field mapping, and PRIMEs infrared observations will provide a comprehensive picture of the rogue planet population. These missions will not only confirm the trillions-strong estimate but also deepen our understanding of how these planets formwhether through ejection from star systems or other processesand how they evolve in the vastness of space. 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. Stewards of Lucy the Elephant, the cherished roadside attraction towering over beachgoers and passing motorists in Margate, are examining ways to fund overdue interior restorations after thousands of dollars in federal grants were stripped as part of spending cuts pushed by Republicans. The nonprofit that opens the giant elephant each year for tours was given $500,000 from the federal government to fund several projects. Recently, the organization learned that money would no longer be available. The spending cuts hurt more than just Lucy, said the elephants executive director, Rich Helfant, adding that smaller nonprofits with tighter budgets are the most hurt by a loss in funding. Weve been dealt blows before, and Lucy is resilient, Helfant said. Shes been around for 145 years. U.S. Sen. Cory Booker visited the elephant near the South Decatur Avenue beach in September, personally presenting the nonprofit with a commemorative check. Helfant said the Democratic senators team recently sent an email informing him of the change in allocation. A spokesperson for the senator said the money was stripped while Congressional Republicans consider spending cuts in the proposed budget. Their efforts follow others already made by the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, to which President Donald Trump appointed billionaire Elon Musk to lead as a way to shrink government spending. Lucy the Elephant is a one-of-a-kind cultural and historical site, Booker said in a statement shared with NJ Advance Media Friday. Lucy is beloved not just in our state, but throughout the entire region, yet congressional Republicans, including New Jerseys own, drafted and passed a budget that cut funding for this New Jersey treasure, Booker said. Nevertheless, I will continue looking for ways to ensure that Lucy the Elephant and its staff have the resources they need to nurture and care for this special landmark. After the nonprofits statement was shared on social media, the nonprofit has received about $1,000 from fans hoping to make up the difference, Helfant said. Its just a very sad statement to make that you cant rely on a promise from the federal government in the United States of America, Helfant said. Janet McCarron of Margate wore an elephant costume to the unveiling ceremony for Lucy the Elephant in Margate, NJ on Wednesday, December 28, 2022. A light show lit up Americas oldest roadside attraction after $2.4 million in restorations. Jim Lowney | For NJ Advance Media The statement follows a previously announced initiative to construct a new visitor center and gift shop on the elephants property, helping better cater to nearly 150,000 guests who visit annually. Once the building was two-thirds of the way completed, the nonprofit planned to use the federal grants to replace the elephants sprinkler system. Theyre estimated to be about 54 years old. The elephants interior walls need to be repaired because of water infiltration, Helfant said. The wood floors require repairs because of frequent foot traffic, he said. The elephants heating and cooling systems were installed in the 1970s and are due for upgrades. Theyre falling apart literally falling apart, Helfant said. The interior projects are estimated to cost about $800,000, roughly $300,000 of which was gathered through fundraising, Helfant said. Both the interior work and the new visitor center were previously anticipated to be completed by either late 2025 or early 2026. The elephant, which is also a national historic landmark, was voted Americas best roadside attraction last year by USA Today. It was one of three of its kind built by Philadelphia businessman John Lafferty. Known originally as Elephant Bazaar, the now-roadside attraction was used previously as a hotel and visited by prolific figures of the early 20th century. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. A man was found dead Thursday afternoon inside a burning shed in Moonachie, investigators said. Police and firefighters responded to the Oak Street home around 4:30 p.m. and discovered the mans body while extinguishing the blaze, Bergen County Prosecutors Office Deputy Chief of Detectives Jeff Angermeyer told NJ Advance Media. The man, who was not identified by Angermeyer, was pronounced dead at the scene. The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Bergen County Prosecutors Office and the Moonachie Police Department. No other information was released Thursday night. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Alexandra Onwuli was about a week and a half shy of her 18th birthday when Americans lined up at the polls for the presidential election on Nov. 5. She was slightly sad about not being old enough to vote. The high school senior is from Alief, a working-class community in southwest Houston where a fusion of African, Hispanic and Asian cultures thrive, evident in the areas many festivals, foods and shops. The area is also known for its historically low voter turnout, causing a diverse section of Houston to be underrepresented and economically disenfranchised. But Onwuli is changing the narrative through her passion for communication and community engagement. She is playing a role in increasing civic participation through AliefVotes, a student-led, non-partisan nonprofit thats empowering young leaders by providing civic education, leadership training and resources for teen-led community projects. Although the events are mostly teen-led, the whole town is invited to the community engagement workshops that have helped make a brighter future for Alief. Government leaders and anti-gun violence activists huddled up with teens to brainstorm improvements to school safety during a time when active shootings have increased to historic levels. Tree planting events help cool down the streets and sidewalks of Alief, which is an urban heat island. PEN America ranked Texas third in the nation when it comes to book bans during the 2023-2024 school year. But that hasnt stopped teens from participating in book exchanges and literacy workshops. Onwuli has seen with her own eyes how teens are inspiring the adults in Alief. When she first started with the nonprofit during her junior year, only a handful of people were attending the meetings. Now the citizens of Alief fill up the room whenever community leaders talk about the new sidewalks and trails that are coming to their area. Folks are even coming together to push for a dog park for their fur family, she said. When you have teenagers who are civically engaged, you also have families who are coming out to events more and learning how to support the community more as well, she said. Onwulis work-ethic and kind spirit guided her up the ranks of AliefVotes, where she started as a fellow and is now the communications director. She uses the organizations newsletter and social media channels to amplify youth initiatives. Onwulis achievements with AliefVotes paved the way for her to be one of the 100 high schoolers accepted by Disney Dreamers Academy to attend their annual four-day, immersive mentorship experience at Walt Disney World. From March 26th through 30th, a village of celebrities, business leaders, aerospace engineers, filmmakers and music producers sought to inspire the next generation of leaders through career development workshops and electrifying speeches. Onwulis commitment to community engagement impressed Dreamers Academy so much that National Geographic decided to award her with an immersive experience that will take place in June. Theres a myth roaming around that teens are apathetic to world issues, researchers state. Onwuli knows thats not true. She believes some adults view teens as children who dont know anything. Onwuli stresses that all ages of children are observant towards their environment and theyre bringing those experiences with them whenever they perform their civic duties whether that is speaking in front of a legislative session or participating in a court hearing. If we are sitting in that room its because we have something to say and it should be heard. Not only should it be heard, it should be acknowledged, it should be processed and it should be thought about, Onwuli said. Dont just hear us, but also think about solutions to what we are saying. We may even be providing solutions that are really helpful because we are doing our research. Sometimes adults want to be like, Oh, you dont know what youre talking about. We know what were talking about. Listen to us and listen to what we have to say. Onwulis trajectory into the civic engagement space was sparked by a focus on diversity. Her studies in Black feminism and womanism started as early as seventh grade. This decision was influenced by her teacher, who escaped a genocide that ripped through her home country of Sudan. The educator always encouraged Onwuli and her classmates to learn challenging topics, which helped expand their worldview. Being surrounded by various cultures gave Onwuli the ability to view history through the lens of diversity. She quickly caught on to the segregation that occurred during the womens suffrage movement and how it left non-white women out. I realized when women were marching, Black women were marching way behind the white women, Onwuli said. Im from Houston. So I saw mostly everybody else more than I saw white people growing up. I know they exist because thats in our history, but I also know these other people exist and Im wondering, When did they get their rights? Where are they in my curriculum? Where are they in all of these essays? Learning about the importance of intersectionality in feminism sparked her interests in social justice. That kindling erupted into a wildfire following the May 2020 murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police. Watching the footage was the first time she was exposed to racism in the present day. She felt a calling to write something, do something, say something that would bring about change for her people. I dedicated myself to learning more about policy, laws and the history of activism, Onwuli said. I was always thinking about how I really wanted to get involved, but I didnt know how. I didnt know where to start. Social justice and civics education are sometimes viewed as kin in the education space. While civics focuses on the processes and structuring of government, the importance of volunteering and citizenship, activism utilizes community organizing skills to make sure all citizens have equal rights and resources, the Southern Poverty Law Center states. Reports show that students want to have more civics education, but with laws restricting what can be taught in schools, some educators are afraid their lesson plans will be labeled divisive. On top of this, the focus on civics in schools has been deteriorating since the 1960s, which produced society disconnected from the democratic process. Americans are already having difficulty understanding basic government functionings. A 2024 study from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation discovered that only one-in-three Americans can name and explain all three branches of government. Onwuli said nonprofits like AliefVotes give youth a stepping stone into the civic engagement arena. Last school year, she joined the AliefVotes Fellowship Program which gave her a space to use the social justice energy she had been feeling. During the fall semester of the program, community-oriented teens gain civic and leadership skills. In the spring, fellows use their new talents to organize and budget a community project. AliefVotes co-founder Tommy Wan said the projects are more than just time to clean up the litter in the neighborhood or host a school supply drive. AliefVotes has worked with teens who avoided gang activity or recovered from substance abuse just because they connected with communal care. Civic engagement is definitely in need of a revival. Thats how communities are able to come together, learn about each other and thrive together as a neighborhood, Wan said. Were seeing a lack of that, especially in young people. Thats by virtue because we do not have enough opportunities for young people to get involved in the community. So thats one of the reasons why Alex has really been spearheading a lot of these initiatives. Onwulis project, an art and essay contest, drew 62 student participants who were given the opportunity to creatively express their love for Alief and what they would like to see improve. Wan said the event was such a hit that the nonprofit held the event again this year. Wan has watched Onwuli take on more of a mentorship role with this years class of fellows during her time as a communications director. Shes a people connector, Wan said. Shes able to talk to anyone and has an incredible confidence in terms of building relationships with the community and ensuring that people are celebrated. Also, her ability to organize effectively with high attention to detail is something thats so important to community engagement. I would definitely say those are her superpowers. Disney Dreamers Academy gave her a chance to flex her powers at a time when she felt powerless. Due to personal matters outside of her control, Onwuli was denied funding opportunities for college. Feeling the sting of the rejection took a toll on her mental health, but getting accepted into the academy alleviated the stress. She gained career development training from lawyers who taught her how to create her own niche within the policy field. Speeches from actor Tyler James Williams, who stars on the ABC hit comedy Abbott Elementary, and motivational speaker Lisa Nichols encouraged the teens to follow their purpose and to never let doubt shake them off their path. While life after high school is still coming together for Onwuli, she was able to take away an important lesson from Dreamers Academy: that her worth isnt defined by her productivity. She often looks over her past four years in school and wonders if she did enough. When her schedule is booked, she questions whether she is doing enough tasks well. The whirlwind of worry used to keep her up at night. But she has since released that mindset. The academy taught me to release myself from not doing enough because I am enough, she said. Theres so much pressure on Black women to do so much for other people and not enough for ourselves. So to be able to understand that I am enough and to know that I dont have to put my foot everywhere just because someone tells me to do something helps me feel better because it makes me feel more validated in my emotions. A 33-year-old New Jersey man was shot and killed in Woodlynne on Thursday morning, authorities said. Randiel Guzman-Marte was found with a gunshot wound lying on the front porch of a home on the 100 block of Chestnut Avenue at about 7:45 a.m., the Camden County Prosecutors Office said Friday. Guzman-Marte, of Woodlynne, was pronounced dead at the scene. Anyone with information that might help the ongoing investigation is asked to call Detective Tanner Ogilvie of the Camden County Prosecutors Office at 856-650-6398 or Detective Brandon Bolger of the Camden County Police Department at 609-519-3981. Tips can also be sent to CAMDEN.TIPS. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. An Ocean County school district has fired five employees, including a teacher, following accusations that an 8-year-old student with disabilities was restrained with tape on her mouth, wrists and ankles. The Barnegat school board voted 8-0 to approve two personnel motions terminating the teacher and four paraprofessionals, effective immediately, at a special meeting Wednesday night. In a third, 8-0 vote, the board reassigned another employee and gave the districts superintendent, Brian Latwis, an additional role as director of special education. Names of the five dismissed employees, and the employee who was reassigned, were not disclosed by the school district. The dismissals stemmed from an accusation reported last week by the mother of an 8-year-old enrolled in the Academics, Communication, and Essential Skills program, known as ACES, at the Russell O. Brackman Middle School. She said a school resource officer told her, in two phone calls, that her daughters wrists had been bound by tape and tape also was on her mouth, according to News 12 New Jersey. The mother said she also was shown photos with tape around her daughters ankles. The mother of the 8-year-old told News 12 that her daughter has been diagnosed with autism, ADHD and cognitive delays. Superintendent Latwis, in a letter to parents last week, said the five employees were immediately placed on leave and the local police department and New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency were notified. The investigation into this incident is currently active and ongoing, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer told the Asbury Park Press. No one has been charged. We have some work to do, clearly, to rebuild a lot of that trust, Latwis said at the school board meeting. One of the things well be doing is, having an opportunity for parents, like I had mentioned earlier, to come in and provide some guidance and some feedback on the next steps of the ACES program and where that goes for next school year, Latwis said. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you rely on and trust. Rob Jennings may be reached at rjennings@njadvancemedia.com. Eric Dane says he will continue work on "Euphoria." Axelle | Bauer-Griffin | FilmMagic Euphoria actor Eric Dane has been diagnosed with ALS. Dane shared the diagnosis Thursday with People, saying he would continue working on the HBO show. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter, he said. Dane, 52, is currently starting production on the long-delayed third season of Euphoria. Since the first season of the Zendaya-led Emmy-winning series in 2019, he has played Cal Jacobs, father of Jacob Elordis character Nate Jacobs. I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week, he said. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time. Eric Dane and Jacob Elordi as father and son in the first season of "Euphoria." HBO The actor is also known for playing Dr. Mark Sloan, the plastic surgeon known as McSteamy, on Greys Anatomy. He has also appeared in the films X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), Open Water 2: Adrift (2006), Marley & Me (2008), Bad Boys: Ride or Die (2024) and Borderline, released in March. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, is a progressive, fatal disease of the nervous system with no cure that causes the loss of control of muscles. Eric Dane as Dr. Mark Sloan, aka McSteamy, in "Grey's Anatomy." Randy Holmes | ABC Symptoms include weakness in arms and legs, muscle twitching, slurred speech and difficulty with swallowing. Dane has been married to actor and model Rebecca Gayheart (Scream 2, Jawbreaker, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood) since 2004. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, but she and Dane never divorced despite their seven-year separation, and she filed to dismiss the divorce proceedings in March. Eric Dane as Cal Jacobs in the second season of "Euphoria." HBO They have two daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13. We are best of friends, Gayheart, 53, recently told E! News. We are really close. We are great coparents. We really figured out the formula to staying a family and I think our kids are benefiting greatly from it and we are as well. I think its important to not look at a relationship that ends as a failure, Gayheart said. Its just a season. It wasnt a failure. It was a huge success. We were married for, I mean, we are still married, but together for 15 years and we had two beautiful kids so I think thats a successful relationship, and thats how we look at it. Thank you for reading. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup on Twitter/X, @amykup.bsky.social on Bluesky and @kupamy on Instagram and Threads. The Newark Board of Education meets at Peshine Avenue School on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. Steve Strunsky | NJ Advance Media For Mosaic.NJ.com Central Jersey lawmakers are again expressing outrage over spending by Newarks mostly state-funded school district while other districts whose state aid has been slashed in recent years weigh layoffs and program cuts. State Sen. Declan OScanlon, R-Monmouth, said Thursday that it was obscene for Newark Public Schools officials to have budgeted a total of $2.8 million since 2023 for meals provided to board of education members, teachers and staff at board meetings, back-to-school nights and other events. Its a big school district, but even if you do the numbers, its insanity, OScanlon, a member of the Senate Budget Committee and the Senate and Assembly Joint Committee on Public Schools, said Thursday. The $2.8 million figure does not necessarily refer to money thats been spent. Instead, OScanlon said it represents a total amount authorized by the Newark Board of Education in three resolutions since 2023, approving the spending of up to $200,000 on breakfasts, lunches and dinners from 14 local restaurants or caterers. The budgeted food spending was previously reported by TapInto. A spokesman for the district issued a statement on Thursday rejecting the criticism. The district does not, and never has planned to, spend $2.8 million on catering, the statement read, in part. We will not try to make logical sense of the grossly inaccurate reporting about our district on this issue. However, we will make one thing super clear: reports of overspending on catering or travel, for that matter, in the Newark Public Schools are absolutely untrue. The statement, which did not specify what inaccuracies it was referring to, further noted that Newark and other districts are required to follow state spending rules and are subject to review by independent auditors. We continue to receive a clean record with glowing reports, it added. The audits are always shared publicly at board meetings and are available for everyones review on our website. OScanlons outrage over the food budgeting follows a similar concern he and other lawmakers expressed following a Fun Day in June when the district spent $43,813 on a retreat for 75 Newark school officials and their families at a rustic conference center in Morris County. The district received an official scolding in December after Scanlon and others balked at the June 1 day of fun. In October, a state Department of Education official ordered Newark Superintendent Roger Leon to refund $33,649 of its state aid for that school year a figure reflecting state taxpayers share of the $43,813 cost of the outing. The official, Jamar Purnsley, director of the departments Office of Accountability and Compliance, found that Fun Day did not align with the specific education or organizational goals required for events funded through public sources. OScanlon said Leons spending has grown increasingly indulgent in recent years, as aid to Newark has grown dramatically. This years proposed state budget from Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy earmarks Newarks aid at $1.3 billion, or 83% of the districts $1.57 billion spending plan for 2025-26. The figure represents a $75 million increase for Newark above its level for the current school year, which is $101 million more than in 2023-24. Its an indication that we dumped too much money on them too quickly, and they have no idea how to spend it, said OScanlon, who accused Leon of setting money on fire. Having family fun days? Having a million-dollar travel budget? Are you insane? he said. Its outrageous. The travel budget refers to appropriations totaling $1 million in the districts 2024-25 spending plan appropriated for trips to conferences around the country by groups of board members and administration officials. One involved 18 people booked for a conference in Dallas, while another was for 10 district officials to fly to Las Vegas. OScanlons Republican colleague, Assemblyman Alex Sauickie, R-Monmouth, expressed similar concerns over the food budgeting issue. He noted that residents throughout New Jersey fund four-fifths of Newarks school costs with the state income taxes they pay, apart from local property taxes, to fund their own school budgets. Its another example of chronic mismanagement in Newark and chronic spending of taxpayer money that the school district is receiving from other towns whose school districts are getting destroyed right now, he said. Sauickie is co-sponsoring a Republican bill, A-5179, that would require the education department to appoint a fiscal monitor for New Jerseys 29 school districts whose budgets are at least 70% funded by state aid, including Newark. Told of the bill, now before the Assembly Education Committee, OScanlon said he would sign on as a Senate sponsor. The school formula considers districts income levels, taxable property and other factors that influence their ability to pay for the states constitutionally mandated thorough and efficient education. So, poorer districts receive more per student than wealthier ones. Newark is the states largest district, with more than 60,000 traditional public and charter school students in a city with a median family income thats less than half the state average. So, it receives more aid than any other district in New Jersey, with a two-year increase totaling $175 million. But nearly a third of the states 600 districts are slated for cuts in aid for the coming school year, while others will see only modest increases that wont nearly offset several years of reduced funding since the formula was revised. And as in recent years, districts up and down the state are proposing dramatic measures to balance their school budgets. Toms River, for example, is slated to receive a $1.6 million aid increase this year, but only after losing $137 million in funding since the formulas revision. As a result, the district plans to sell a building it had used as an early childhood learning center to help close a $22 million projected deficit heading into the next school year. Middletown, a Monmouth County district OScanlon represents, plans to close two middle schools under a cost-saving restructuring plan in response to a similar financial situation. The statement from Newark expressed sympathy for districts struggling with less aid, sometimes referred to as having been overfunded in the past, making cuts seem especially difficult to take. It said Newark was all too familiar with deprivation by the state, having experienced a locally unpopular takeover by the Department of Education intended to enhance efficiency, ethics and student performance before it was phased out from 2018 to 2020. We understand the budget difficulties that districts throughout our state are facing because Newark has always been perennially funded well below the states adequacy level, the statement read. During the 25 years of state operation, the district was forced to close 15 schools in a single year, the statement added. This severely disrupted instruction, upset communities, and displaced thousands of families from their preferred neighborhood schools. The two lawmakers acknowledged they werent aware of any regulations or rules of thumb that Newarks food budgeting might be violating. I dont know of any guidelines, Sauickie said. But, he added, I did ask representatives of multiple school districts I represent if they did catering on back-to-school night, and the answer was zero for every one of them. Nobody knows Jersey better than NJ.com Sign up to get breaking news alerts straight to your inbox. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com Police in Gloucester County have identified a man seriously injured when he was struck by a vehicle Tuesday night. Now theyre trying to find his family. On Wednesday, Glassboro Police asked for the publics help in identifying the man, who was walking south in the northbound lane on the 700 block of Delsea Drive in Glassboro when he was hit shortly after 8:15 p.m. Tuesday. Officers couldnt find identification or a cellphone belonging to the victim, who was taken to Cooper University Hospital, Camden, for treatment. The man has been identified as Christopher Willis, 51, of Pennsylvania, and hes listed in critical condition at Cooper, police announced Thursday. Authorities are still trying to locate family members so they can be told about Willis status. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 856-881-1500. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. Three adults and three children aboard a helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River off the shores of Jersey City Thursday afternoon have died, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. The six victims included members of a family that was visiting from Spain, Adams said. The pilot was also killed. Adams said the aircraft, a Bell 206, left from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport around 3 p.m. New York City Fire Commissioner Robert S. Tucker said calls started coming in around 3:15 p.m. saying that the helicopter crashed. 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. Divers recovered all six people that were aboard the flight and four were pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. The two others, both juveniles, died shortly thereafter at Jersey City Medical Center, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said. None of the victims were identified Thursday evening. The aircraft was a tour helicopter flying for New York Helicopters, investigators said. The company flies from both Manhattan and New Jersey, according to its website. After leaving the heliport, it flew south before turning to fly north along the Manhattan shoreline up the Hudson River, officials said. At 3:08 p.m. it reached the George Washington Bridge before turning south to fly along the New Jersey shoreline, authorities said. It then lost control and crashed. The cause of the crash is under investigation. The Coast Guard said Thursday night that its crews were working with the Army Corps of Engineers and the National Transportation Safety Board to salvage the helicopter. 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. Fulop said Jersey City officials have been pushing for federal changes to what types of aircraft are allowed in the airspace above the city. This is not the first crash that has happened and the reality is that the airspace here is too crowded above a densely populated area to allow this, Fulop wrote on Twitter/X. These tourist helicopters should not be allowed and hopefully this terrible tragedy brings some change so that it will never happen again to any other family. WARNING: The video below shows sensitive content of the moment the helicopter crashed into the Hudson River. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Officials with the National Transportation Safety Board said Friday that they are investigating the possibility of a bird strike in the helicopter crash Thursday that killed six people. Its one of numerous factors theyll be looking into as they work to recover key pieces of the helicopter after it plummeted into the Hudson River near Jersey City. Getting eyewitness reports and videos is a crucial part of their investigation, NTSB Chairman Jennifer Homendy said Friday at a press briefing in Jersey City. We are aware of those reports, we discussed it this morning, its something we will be looking into, Homendy said. What I will say to the public is if something struck you as different or maybe you paused or it crossed your mind that maybe its something youd like to share with our investigators, theres no downside, please, in sharing that information with us. She asked anyone from the public with videos or images of the incident to send them to NTSB investigators at witness@ntsb.gov. Homendy said crews were at the very early stages of the investigation and still working to recover the main rotor and tail pieces of the helicopter. Very few details on the investigation were shared by Homendy Friday, but she explained that NTSB investigation teams were at the scene last night. I am not going to share a lot of information today. We have a lot of information, but we need to verify and confirm that information, Homendy said. The recovery effort is still under way with dive teams searching for the helicopters main rotor, transmission, roof structure and tail structure, Homendy said. Wreckage started to be examined this morning by NTSB investigators, Homendy said. The main compartment recovered from the river was repositioned to an upright stance and investigators began deconstructing engine components and other parts for inspection, according to Homendy. The helicopter took off from the Wall Street Heliport around 2:50 p.m. Thursday, Homendy said. About 25 minutes later, the helicopter plunged into about five feet of water adjacent to a pier and in an area that included vents for the Holland Tunnel, Jersey City officials said Friday. Investigators are also gathering the history and logbook of the aircraft, Homendy said. The pilot was identified by officials as 36-year-old Seankese Johnson. He held a commercial certificate with 450 total hours of experience as of September, 2024, Homendy said. By March, he had logged about 788 total hours of flight time, according to Homendy. Investigators were still trying to determine how many of the those hours were spent flying a Bell model helicopter, Homendy said. She said Friday that the pilot had previously flown a different model helicopter. The Bell 206 L-4 helicopter fell from the sky around 3:15 p.m. Thursday after taking off from the Wall Street Heliport. Video posted on social media captured the moment the helicopter dropped into the Hudson River in pieces. Pieces of what appeared to be the main rotor and tail fell separately as the cabin of the helicopter landed upside down. Six people were killed in the crash including a family of five visiting New York City from Spain and the pilot of the helicopter. Siemens executive Augustin Escobar Canadas, 49, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, 39, and their three children, Mercedes Camprubi Montal, 9, and their two other children, ages 4 and 5, were on a sightseeing tour of Manhattan when the helicopter crashed into the river. Escobar was in New York City for a business trip and his family traveled along to celebrate Montals 40th birthday, Jersey City mayor Steve Fulop said in a statement Thursday. We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and friend, Agustin Escobar, and his beloved family, said Siemens President Roland Busch. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Agustins family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. We will miss him and his family immensely. The helicopter was owned by Meridian Helicopters in Broussard, Louisiana, according to Homendy. The helicopter was operated by New York Helicopter Charter Inc., a company located in Kearny which has had a history of maintenance issues that have caused emergency landings and other complications during take off. Im a father and a grandfather and to have children on there, Im devastated. Im absolutely devastated, CEO of New York Helicopter Tours Michael Roth told reporters Thursday. The company is at the center of a breach-of-contract lawsuit with PHI Aviation in Louisiana who accused New York Helicopter Charters of failing to make payments on a new Bell 407 helicopter and failing to return the aircraft after repeated demands, federal court records show. A New York Helicopter Charter flight involving the same model helicopter Bell 206 L-4 was also involved in an emergency landing in the Hudson River in 2013 after an engine failure, according to the NTSB. Four people were aboard the 2013 flight and no one was injured in the landing. An NTSB investigation determined the engine had been starved of oil due to blockages and that improper maintenance had caused the blockage to build. Another Bell model helicopter operated by the company in 2015 spun out of control during takeoff at a Kearney heliport. When asked whether the NTSB will issue new safety guidelines after this crash, Homendy said the board already issued a report for air tour operations after a similar incident 7 years ago. We have issued recommendations in the past on recorders, crash resistant recorders. Weve issued numerous recommendations on safety management systems. Its too early to say what we would recommend as part of this instigation however this is a concern that weve raised for number of years. Certainly we raised this after the FlyNyon crash. In 2018, five passengers were killed in a sightseeing helicopter crash that occurred on the East River, off Manhattan. The helicopter was operated by Liberty Helicopters for FlyNyon. 17 1 / 17 Divers resume search for helicopter parts after it crashed into Hudson River killing 3 adults, 3 children Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. Follow Matt on X A CEO at German technology company Siemens, his wife and three children were the passengers killed when a tourist helicopter plunged into the Hudson River near Jersey City. Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and their children, ages 4, 5 and 11, died in the crash along with the 36-year-old pilot, ABC news reported, citing law enforcement sources. The pilot, who was also killed, was not identified in the report. We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleague and friend, Agustin Escobar, and his beloved family, said Siemens President Roland Busch. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Agustins family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. We will miss him and his family immensely. Escobar was a CEO of Siemens divisions in Spain before being named to a global CEO of rail infrastructure at Siemens headquarters in Germany last fall, his LinkedIn page says. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said Friday morning that Escobar was here for a business trip and the family flews out to spend time with him. They were celebrating the moms 40th bday with the tourist helicopter flight yesterday, Fulop said. He added that a brother-in-law was flying in this morning and the city would be working with the medical examiner to help expedite returning the familys bodies back to Spain. New York City Mayor Eric Adams said during a Thursday afternoon press conference that the six victims were visiting from Spain. The family was on a chopper operated by New York Helicopter Tours, whose CEO, Michael Roth, told reporters later Thursday: Im a father and a grandfather and to have children on there, Im devastated. Im absolutely devastated. 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. Divers recovered all six people that were aboard the flight and four were pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. The two others, both juveniles, died shortly thereafter at Jersey City Medical Center, Fulop said. The mayor said major parts of the aircraft had not been recovered as of 9:30 p.m. and that dive operations by the NYPD and New Jersey State Police would resume Friday morning. However, the main body of the helicopter was recovered and is in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility on Chapel Avenue in Jersey City, Fulop added. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. A 19-year-old man was fatally shot Tuesday afternoon in Asbury Park, investigators announced Friday. Ahkim Esdaile, of Asbury Park, was found shot multiple times on Atlantic Avenue shortly before 4:30 p.m. and was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, according to a statement from the Monmouth County Prosecutors Office. Esdaile died from his injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital, authorities said. No other details about the deadly shooting were released by the prosecutors office. Anyone with information about the incident was urged to contact Monmouth County Prosecutors Office Detective Aaron Shaw at 800-533-7443 or Asbury Park Police Department Detective Terrence McGhee at 732-734-1900. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. Wilfredo Rojas, the Puerto Rican-born civil rights leader co-founded multiple organizations including the National Homicide Justice Alliance after his son's 2015 murder. South Jersey Times Editors note: This story was shared as part of a content-sharing agreement between Mosaic.NJ.com and Front Runner New Jersey. You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (or X). Longtime justice/civil rights activist and columnist Wilfredo Wil Rojas died on April 5 at his home in Mickleton. He was 73. The former first vice president and communications chair of the Gloucester County NAACP, Rojas was a strong voice for justice and civil rights through his work in Philadelphia and South Jersey. His family and the National Homicide Justice Alliance, an organization he co-founded after the shooting death of his son, announced his passing this week. Rojas dedicated his life to positively impacting his community and worked tirelessly to serve others. His legacy of more than 55 years of leadership and life-long efforts for civil rights in various fields inspired his generation and a new generation of activists. He won numerous awards for his groundbreaking civil rights work, including the 2017 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Champion for Justice Jefferson Award. The award, given in partnership with the New Jersey MLK Jr. Commemorative Commission, recognizes those who continue the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through their work to promote Dr. Kings message of civil rights, justice for all, peace and non-violence in communities and the state. Oh man, that was a really big deal, Rojas told FRNJ in 2018 of the moment he received the award from then-New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. My wife nominated me. I was thinking, Wait. Im the one that nominates people. Rojas was born in the small rural town of Yabucoa, Puerto Rico. He is the retired co-founder and first director of the Philadelphia Prison Systems executive-level Office of Community Justice and Outreach and a member of the East Greenwich Township Joint Planning/Zoning Board. He co-founded many influential organizations focused on equality and justice, which included being the longest-serving president of the Philadelphia National Congress for Puerto Rican Rights and co-founder of the Young Lords, which advocates for minority access to health care, housing, education and employment. Rojas was a fourth-degree knight with the Knights of Columbus, the nonprofit Catholic fraternal service organization. He has a sense of humor that will keep a smile on your face even under stressful conditions, Gloucester County NAACP President Loretta Winters said of Rojas in 2018. I have to say he is the most energetic, creative, selfless person I know in the fight for civil rights. Following his retirement from the Philadelphia Prison System in 2012, he jumped into action again for justice. He and Aleida Garcias 34-year-old son, Alejandro Rojas Garcia, was murdered on January 24, 2015. The man who shot him was eventually sentenced to life in prison. Rojas joined Aleida Garcia, his first wife, in co-founding the nonprofit National Homicide Justice Alliance. Wilfredo had a real heart for helping people, Garcia told Front Runner New Jersey. We knew if we were hurting, other families may be going through the same things we were, and we decided to start the organization. We realized there was strength in numbers. Wilfredo was loved by a lot of people, and he will be missed, she added. He really wanted to help other people. In his spare time, Rojas was an avid Philadelphia Phillies and Philadelphia Eagles fan. He regularly hosted Super Bowl parties at his house. He enjoyed spending summers in Wildwood and looked forward to the familys annual trips. Rojas was also an avid writer and had penned numerous columns for Front Runner New Jersey.com and the South Jersey Journal, among other publications. There, he advocated for civil rights and called for unifying Black and Latino voices in that struggle. In a June 7, 2020, column Rojas wrote for FRNJ on the death of George Floyd and people rallying against police misconduct, he said: Dont be worried about failure. It comes with the territory and is just as important as the success of your actions. When you participate in social justice issues, discouragement will happen often, but get right back in a positive mood in a hurry, just as quickly as you can. We need all hands on deck to take back America. A loving family man, he is survived by his wife of 29 years, Carmen Marrero; his four children, Enid, Becky, Neumann, and Veronica Santina; a stepson, Nelson Rosa Cintron; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his son, Alejandro Rojas Garcia, his grandson, Eddie Nelson Mendez, Jr, and an infant daughter, Rachel Gianna. Everything he did for the community was motivated by his desire for social justice and service to others, Marrero, a board member of the National Homicide Justice Alliance, said. Funeral services were on Thursday. Burial was at Eglington Cemetery in East Greenwich Township. Welcome to Mosaic. Follow us on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom and on YouTube at @MosaicNJcom. A man and his wife were killed Thursday afternoon in a crash in Jackson Township that also left a woman and young child seriously injured, police said. The 67-year-old Toms River man and his wife, 61, were driving northwest on Toms River Road just before 2 p.m. when a car being driven by a 24-year-old Jackson woman was heading in the opposite direction, Jackson Township Police Chief Matthew Kunz told NJ Advance Media. The Jackson woman, who had a 4-year-old girl inside her car, allegedly drifted into the other lane and crashed into the Toms River couples vehicle, Kunz said. The Toms River man was pronounced dead and his wife was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment but later died from her injuries, the chief said. The Jackson woman and the child suffered serious injuries and were transferred to Jersey Shore University Medical Center for treatment, Kunz said. The conditions of the Jackson woman and child were unclear as of 9 p.m. Toms River Road was shut down and detoured for several hours as authorities investigated the incident. The cause of the deadly crash is still under investigation and anyone with information was urged to contact Jackson Police Officer Anthony Ringle at 732-928-1111. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Chris Sheldon may be reached at csheldon@njadvancemedia.com. A 21-year-old Florida man who threatened to kill everyone attending the Clifton High School junior prom last year is headed to federal prison. Onil Compres Rodriguez, of Miami, pleaded guilty to transmitting threats through interstate communications on Wednesday at a change of plea hearing, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Florida said Friday. Compres Rodriguez sent direct messages to social media accounts in the Clifton school district on April 30, two days before the high schools junior prom, prosecutors said. He sent two photographs one of an invitation to the prom and the other of three firearms and ammunition. Besides the threat that said, I will kill everyone, Compres Rodriguez wrote they dont know who they messed with. Then he wrote wear your bulletproof vests there will be a lot of blood hahaha, authorities said. Another message said, see you on May 2 at the junior prom ... I will be charged for the damage they did to me. An investigation led authorities to Compres Rodriguez. He flew from Miami to Newark Liberty International Airport on May 2 and was arrested when the plane landed. Compres Rodriguez faces up to five years in federal prison at his sentencing, scheduled for June 25. A criminal complaint doesnt explain Compres Rodriguezs ties to New Jersey or offer a motive. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. President Donald Trump speaks at a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Washington (Pool via AP) AP Which of President Donald Trumps Cabinet members praised him the most during the latest meeting? Political pundit Norman Ornstein said Thursday that Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins was going for the Grovel Gold when she delivered her remarks to Trump during the latest Cabinet meeting. Trump had each department deliver a brief report during the meeting that lasted for more than an hour. The secretaries used the opportunity to laud Trump for his leadership style despite the stock market reeling from his unpopular tariff policies. We are more than friends. Weve all become family. I think what you have assembled in your vision is a turning point, inflection point in American history. Just being a part of that is the greatest honor, so thank you for that, Rollins said during the meeting. Ornstein responded to a clip of her remarks, writing: Going for the Grovel Gold!. Going for the Grovel Gold! https://t.co/96pLPVDLn5 Norman Ornstein (@NormOrnstein) April 11, 2025 However, Rollins appeared to have some competition for the Grovel Gold. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick praised Trump for his work on tariffs despite his decision to roll back most of the tariffs earlier this week. This comes despite the stock market plummeting and warnings from Wall Street executives of a possible recession. We have so many countries to talk to. Its incredible. Im not sure we could ever have enough time in a day because we have so many to talk to. And they come with offers that they never, ever, ever would have come with but for the moves the president has made, demanding that people treat the United States with respect. Were getting the respect we deserve now, Lutnick said. Lutnick: We have so many countries to talk to. It's incredible.. were getting the respect we deserve now pic.twitter.com/kdxAs7olhw Acyn (@Acyn) April 10, 2025 And Attorney General Pam Bondi applauded Trumps win over former Vice President Kamala Harris in November. You were overwhelmingly elected by the biggest majority. 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," she said. Trump narrowly won the 2024 election over Harris. According to a report from The Washington Post, Trumps margin of victory over Harris in the national popular vote was the smallest of any president who secured a popular-vote win since Richard M. Nixon in 1968." Trumps Cabinet members were mocked online for their unwavering praise of the president. If you can watch even these short clips of Trumps cabinet meeting without having a wave of foreboding wash over you, Im not sure youve ever understood what is great about this nation. This abject fealty to one man is not American, and we overlook the insanity at our peril, one user wrote on social media platform X. Another user said: These cabinet meetings under Trump look less like U.S. governance and more like a third-world loyalty parade.Everyone takes turns praising him like its North Korea. This isnt leadershipits a cringe cult of personality." Former President Barack Obamas adviser, Tommy Vietor, also weighed in. Everyone should watch these Trump admin cabinet meetings. Most modern cabinet meetings are more performance than debate or discussion, but this is some North Korea-style clapping and weeping for Dear Leader humiliation for all involved, he wrote on X. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. FILE- In this July, 21, 2017, file photo, New White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci speaks to members of the media in the Brady Press Briefing room of the White House in Washington. As tensions between the Trump administration and the press continue, members of the media are getting support from an unlikely source - former White House communications director Anthony Scaramucci. Scaramucci said he takes issue with the president's recent comments praising a congressman's violence against a reporter and is speaking out about the hate and divisiveness that he sees coming out of President Donald Trump's rallies.(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File) AP Anthony Scaramucci predicted that China and other countries are banking on the U.S. containing President Donald Trump until they break him. Scaramucci, a former communications director for Trump under his first term, said that countries should retaliate against the U.S. for imposing costly tariffs on nearly all of the U.S.s closest trading partners. This comes after Trumps trade war has shaken up the stock market and the global economy in just one week. We have this new manifestation of an ogre thats out of control. And I think the right way to handle him is what the Chinese and the Canadians are doing, which is, No problem. Were going to lock in the cockpit with you until we break you. Scaramucci told journalist Katty Kay on The Rest is Politics podcast. Theyre making the bet that the U.S. system will absorb Donald Trump. Meaning, theres still enough checks and balances in the system. Theres still enough wise people, the Rand Pauls, the John Kennedys of Louisiana, the Tom Emmers, that will say, OK, guy, were going to now caucus with the Democrats because we need to save the system from your insanity," he added. China's betting Trump can be contained... pic.twitter.com/8406iqgpzx The Rest Is Politics US (@RestPoliticsUS) April 11, 2025 Trumps tariff announcement last week sent the stock market spiraling as global leaders scrambled to determine how to respond to his costly levies on imports into the U.S. On Wednesday, Trump caved in on most of his tariffs and issued a 90-day pause for reciprocal tariffs. However, he has escalated the trade war with China and has imposed a 145% tax on the country. Scaramucci suggested that countries should retaliate against the U.S. with their own tariffs to push Trumps allies toward the Democratic Party. It will break him. Unless youre telling me the US system is going to collapse because of one orange human being, then okay, but Im for breaking him, because he is perversely bad for the system. Hes bad for the United States, and hes bad for the global economy. And so the smart people in the United States that are political leaders say, Okay, enough of this. This is wrong, and theyll start caucusing away from him, because theyll have to, he said. In the aftermath of this weeks tariff whiplash, Trump is deciding exactly what he wants out of trade talks with as many as 75 nations in the coming weeks. Trump is also figuring out next steps with China. He upped his tariffs on Chinese goods to 145% after China placed retaliatory taxes of 84% on imports from the U.S. While his 90-day pause on other tariffs caused the stock market to rally on Wednesday, countries still face a baseline 10% import tax instead of the higher rates announced on April 2. Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, told Fox News Fox and Friends on Thursday that the administration already has offers on the table from more than 15 countries. Hassett said the next step will be determining exactly what Trump wants out of the negotiations. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. President Donald Trump speaks after signing an executive order in the Oval Office of the White House Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington. (Pool via AP) AP Fareed Zakaria delivered stark words to President Donald Trump in the wake of his chaotic tariff announcement that sent markets spiraling. In a Washington Post column titled, The U.S. economy is for sale, Zakaria argued that sighs of relief might be premature even after Trump reversed course on his tariffs earlier this week. He noted that the U.S.s tariffs are still at a 100-plus year high by one measure and will end up costing American consumers. President Donald Trump speaks at a cabinet meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Washington (Pool via AP) AP Top economic analyst Steven Rattner suggested his dog could do a better job handling the economy than President Donald Trumps administration. Rattner, who headed President Barack Obamas Auto Task Force, said on MNSBCs Morning Joe on Friday that he had no idea where Trump is going on his tariff policies. He said that the markets are in a much worse plan than where we started. So nothing good has happened out of all this. And a lot of bad stuff has happened out of all this. I have no idea where the President is going. Nobody does. He probably honestly has no idea where hes going on this, he said on Friday. He suggested that Trump may try to negotiate deals with these countries about the tariffs, pointing to the trade deal he made with Canada and Mexico during his first term. Rattner continued to criticize Trump before comparing his administration to his dog. This is a total unforced error. This is the worst economic policymaking Ive seen in 50 years of hanging around economic policy, he said. My border collie could do a better job of managing this economy than his administration has done so far, he added. Rattner said that he is hearing gobbledygook from the administration, noting that it makes no sense. He suggested that Trump will want to crawl off the ledge with most of the countries, but is unsure where he should go with China. Those tariffs are massive. Youre not going to be able to buy that new iPhone at any reasonable cost very shortly if all this sort of stuff stays in effect," Rattner said. Trump raised the tariffs on China to a whopping 145% tax rate in his latest escalation of the trade war. Rattner also said that Europe has lost its confidence in the United States. I just came back from four days in Europe. I was in London, I was in Germany, I was in Sweden. The loss of confidence in America is extraordinary. They do not view us as a reliable ally, not even a predictable ally. And they are really scared. Trump has done incredible damage to the American brand in all these countries and total loss of confidence in what was always thought of as great American leadership on the world stage," he said. In the aftermath of this weeks tariff whiplash, Trump is deciding exactly what he wants out of trade talks with as many as 75 nations in the coming weeks. Trump is also figuring out next steps with China. He upped his tariffs on Chinese goods to 145% after China placed retaliatory taxes of 84% on imports from the U.S. While his 90-day pause on other tariffs caused the stock market to rally on Wednesday, countries still face a baseline 10% import tax instead of the higher rates announced on April 2. Kevin Hassett, director of the White House National Economic Council, told Fox News Fox and Friends on Thursday that the administration already has offers on the table from more than 15 countries. Hassett said the next step will be determining exactly what Trump wants out of the negotiations. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. The second season of "Doctor Who" begins streaming on Disney+ on Saturday, April 12. Shown is the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa). Disney/BBC Doctor Who, the long-running classic sci-fi series, will begin airing its 15th series on Disney Plus on Saturday, April 12. The premiere will continue the story of the new fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa. Varada Sethu will also debut as new companion Belinda Chandra, with Millie Gibson also returning as Ruby Sunday. Disney+ Monthly Membership Sign up for $10.99/month Buy Now Here is everything you need to know about Doctor Who on Disney Plus, including how to watch and how much it costs. How to watch Doctor Who on Disney Plus You can sign up for Disney Plus on the streaming services website. It costs $7.99 per month, or $79.99 per year. Its also $10.99 if you bundle it with Hulu (which is one of the best deals in all of streaming). Unlike the premium subscription fee that was required to watch Mulan or Raya and the Last Dragon, anyone who is currently subscribed to Disney Plus has access to Doctor Who on-demand. There is no additional cost required to watch the series. Subscribers to the service also get unlimited access to almost all of Disneys shows and movies, as well as most content from Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic. Will Doctor Who be free on Disney Plus? Doctor Who will be available for Disney Plus users as long as they have a subscription to the service. Without a subscription, there is currently no other way to watch. Is Doctor Who only on Disney Plus? At this time, Doctor Who is only available on Disney Plus. The current run of the series cannot be found on Netflix, Hulu, or any other subscription streaming service, and there is no indication that will change anytime soon. How long will Doctor Who be on Disney Plus? There is no end date at which Doctor Who will be removed from Disney Plus. It will be available to all subscribers for the foreseeable future. Here is the official trailer for the new series, courtesy of its official YouTube channel: Related stories about streaming services: Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Joseph Rejent covers TV, writing about live television, streaming services and cord-cutting. He can be reached at jrejent@njadvancemedia.com. New York Yankees' Cody Bellinger bats against the Detroit Tigers in the third inning during a baseball game, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) AP The New York Yankees face the San Francisco Giants in an MLB game on Friday, April 11, 2025 (4/11/25) at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York. How to watch: Yankees fans can watch game via a free trial to DirecTVStream. Heres what you need to know: What: MLB game Who: New York Yankees vs. San Francisco Giants When: Friday, April 11, 2025 (4/11/25) Time: 7:05 p.m. Where: Yankee Stadium TV: YES Network Channel finder: Verizon Fios, Comcast Xfinity,Spectrum/Charter,Optimum/Altice,Cox,DIRECTV,Dish,Hulu, fuboTV, Sling. Live stream: DirecTVStream. Heres a MLB story from the AP: San Francisco Giants (9-3, second in the NL West) vs. New York Yankees (7-5, first in the AL East) New York; Friday, 7:05 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Robbie Ray (2-0, 3.18 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, six strikeouts); Yankees: Marcus Stroman (0-0, 7.27 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, six strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Yankees -125, Giants +106; over/under is 8 runs BOTTOM LINE: The New York Yankees host the San Francisco Giants to start a three-game series. New York has a 4-2 record at home and a 7-5 record overall. The Yankees have a 5-1 record in games when they hit two or more home runs. San Francisco is 5-1 in road games and 9-3 overall. The Giants have a 4-2 record in games when they did not allow a home run. Fridays game is the first time these teams match up this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Aaron Judge leads the Yankees with nine extra base hits (three doubles and six home runs). Ben Rice is 11-for-36 with two doubles, a triple, three home runs and four RBI over the last 10 games. Wilmer Flores has five home runs for the Giants. Jung Hoo Lee is 15-for-43 with seven doubles, a triple and four RBI over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Yankees: 5-5, .252 batting average, 4.65 ERA, outscored opponents by 10 runs Giants: 8-2, .230 batting average, 2.61 ERA, outscored opponents by 17 runs INJURIES: Yankees: JT Brubaker: 60-Day IL (ribs), Jake Cousins: 60-Day IL (elbow), Clarke Schmidt: 15-Day IL (rotator cuff), Giancarlo Stanton: 10-Day IL (elbow), Jonathan Loaisiga: 15-Day IL (elbow), DJ LeMahieu: 10-Day IL (calf), Scott Effross: 15-Day IL (hamstring), Clayton Beeter: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Gerrit Cole: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Gil: 60-Day IL (back) Giants: Tom Murphy: 60-Day IL (back), Jerar Encarnacion: 10-Day IL (finger) Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. A month before New Orleans would host the disastrous 1984 World Fair, the first French Quarter Fest debuted in the bloodline of the city. But it wasn't like the celebration locals and travelers know now. Starting at the corner of Chartres and Bienville streets, a jazz parade treaded to Jackson Square, where patrons gathered for an outdoor brunch. About 900 runners charged down Bourbon Street during a 5-kilometer race, and contestants competed in a flashdance contest. Over the Mississippi River, fireworks erupted in the night sky, marking the end of the first ever French Quarter Festival in April of 1984. 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 Columnist Will Sutton has something to say about Gov. Jeff Landry's third special session this year. It was held to focus on "tax reform." It included SB2, a measure that wouldn't let legislators bypass voters in choosing which crimes committed by minors should be treated as adult crimes. "Some simply want to put more people, especially minors, behind bars. The proposed constitutional amendment, if approved by voters, would allow lawmakers to treat 14-, 15- and 16-year-olds as adults without asking citizens if that's what they want," Sutton writes. Superintendent Toby Davies is retiring from Devon & Cornwall Police after 30 years of service, having spent the last nine years as the policing commander for North and West Devon. Originally from North Wales, Toby moved to Exeter to study at university and has lived in Devon ever since. He is married to a secondary school teacher, and his two grown-up children have both graduated from university and are now working in North Devon. Reflecting on his career, Toby said: I was studying at Exeter University when I saw a career stand about policing. I had no family connections in the police and had never even thought of policing as a career. On a whim, I picked up the form, filled it out and sent it in. A few days later, I was in a three-day assessment centre and, somehow, I got through! It was the best decision I ever made. He joined Devon & Cornwall Police in 1994 and spent his early years working in Exeter on Response and Neighbourhood Policing Teams. In 1999, he was promoted to Sergeant in Ilfracombe. Over the years, he has supported the policing of royal visits and worked on high-profile operations such as the 2021 G7 Summit. His career has seen him take on a variety of roles within the region, including neighbourhood and local policing positions. In 2012, he was appointed Criminal Justice and Custody Commander, where he helped establish the Victim Care Unit. Throughout his career, Toby has worked in areas such as public order, firearms, and major incident command, receiving commendations for his proactive approach. One was for his number of arrests during his probation period, and another for assisting a man in a mental health crisis. Tobys commitment to policing was recognised last autumn when he received a national Excellence in Policing award from the Police Superintendents Association. Colleagues who nominated him highlighted his passion for policing, describing him as having a genuine dedication to doing what is right for communities with compassion and fairness. He was also invited to a retirement meeting with Devon & Cornwall Police Chief Constable James Vaughan, who presented him with a certificate marking his 30-year career. Outside of work, Toby enjoys raising money for charity. Last summer, he participated in a 15-peaks challenge in Wales alongside colleagues, raising around 6,000 for North Devon Hospice and the National Foundation of Retired Service Animals. Toby said: I will leave with fond memories of policing. I love the adrenaline, the uncertainty, the variety, and back in the day I loved chasing the cars and the criminals. I do strangely get a buzz in dealing with risk, for example when dealing with public order and firearms command incidents." He added: Most of all, I love the people I have come into contact with and, in my experience, you meet some of the nicest and most compassionate people through policing - who are just doing their very best to help others. Policing is not easy but despite some of the challenges, in North and West Devon it does feel different." Toby concluded: What makes North & West Devon special? There is a real one team ethic and desire from everyone to do the best they can for our local area, that we are all part of. Thats not just from the police but from all our partner agencies and the community itself. We may be small, but as an area, we punch way above our weight. It is the people and support we get from our communities that ensures we always outperform as an area and will continue to do so. Reflecting on his career as a whole, Toby said: We do have our challenges like any other area, but we have one of the lowest crime rates in the country and, of that crime, one of the best outcome detection rates in the South West region. I leave with many happy memories policing is a tough job and I wish my colleagues the very best for the future. Superintendent Emma Butler-Jones will take on the North & West Devon Commander role following Tobys retirement. The Buffalo Sewer Authoritys Bird Island treatment plant processes millions of gallons of wastewater every day. Without it, the Niagara River would be an open sewer. The facilitys maze of concrete circular and rectangular tanks sits on the strip of land between the Black Rock Canal and the Niagara River. A tour of the islands 1930s-era treatment plant could take an hour, punctuated with occasional wafts of sewage stench and the babble of water moving through tanks and metal pipes as the Niagara River flows swiftly by. But even after the wastewater has been treated, experts say they are all but certain that one class of chemicals is being discharged into the river. These chemicals are known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, and they have been linked to health issues in humans and animals. They have been dubbed forever chemicals for the stubborn way they resist attempts at filtration and cleaning. They are so beyond our current abilities to mitigate that sewer authorities such as Buffalos are not even required yet to try. There is no approved technology to destroy PFAS, said Rosaleen Nogle, the facilitys principal sanitary engineer. The Niagara River is an already troubled ecosystem that is a vital drinking water source for millions of people in Western New York and Canada. But regulations and technology have not yet caught up to dealing with PFAs in wastewater. The only regulations are on the drinking water side, at this point, Nogle said. But that is just forcing communities to filter their drinking water, then that filtered material is accumulating PFAS, that material then goes to landfills, and then we get that leachate from the landfills. So it all goes through this continuous cycle. The forever chemicals accumulate in the body and in ecosystems. The strong carbon bonds that make the chemicals so useful for creating waterproof and stick-proof items pots and pans for cooking, waterproof clothing, makeup that resists sweat and furniture that resists stains means they dont break down easily. And once PFAS get into our drinking water supply, they wind up in our bodies, where they are thought to build up over time, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The same goes for our local ecosystems, where PFAs have been found accumulating in fish, animals and bodies of water. Studies have linked human exposure to PFAs chemicals to fertility issues, development delays in children, increased cholesterol, changes in the immune system, increased risk for certain cancers, liver damage and other serious health effects. Are Western New York fish contaminated with 'forever chemicals' safe to eat? A 2022 report found that anglers and Burmese refugees who ate fish caught in the Great Lakes area had PFAS in their blood in levels up to six times higher than the general United States population. In 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency set the limit for two PFAS, PFOA and PFOS, at 4 parts per trillion in drinking water to protect public health. That set the ball rolling to require drinking water purveyors to treat their water to ensure that PFAS dont get delivered to customers. On the wastewater treatment side, the state is beginning to take action. In New York, the Department of Environmental Conservation is finalizing permit guidance that will require publicly owned treatment works that discharge into the watersheds of public drinking water supplies to test for two of the 12,000-plus PFAS. Should they return positive tests, the treatment facilities must then look upstream and work with the sources of the PFAS to potentially reduce how much makes its way to the facility, according to the proposed DEC permit guidance set to be finalized within this year. And a proposed state law aims to require PFAS testing for all permitted industrial discharges into waterways. We know that we have a growing amount of PFAS levels in our waterways and water bodies, but we dont know exactly where its coming from, said state Assemblymember Anna Kelles, D-Cortland, who proposed the PFAS testing bill. We need to change that. But knowing how much PFAS the treatment plant receives, and then releases, only solves half of the equation. The next step would be finding ways to treat or filter PFAS to remove them from the water supply. However, there are no federal or state-approved treatment methods for PFAS. There are approved filtering methods, but the material used to filter the PFAS then must be disposed of typically at a landfill. Landfills have liquid runoff called leachate. What happens to the leachate, which contains the PFAS? It is sent to treatment facilities such as Bird Island, which, at least for now, helplessly pumps it back into the Niagara River. PFAS are omnipresent, the Sewer Authoritys Nogle said. Its in cosmetics, its in soaps, its all over the place. And were at the end of the line, it all comes back to us. One suspected source of PFAS for the Bird Island treatment plant is the massive, 300-foot-tall, 350-acre Seneca Meadows landfill in the Finger Lakes. Roughly 40 million gallons of Seneca Meadows landfill leachate gets shipped to the Bird Island facility for treatment every year. No cleanup in sight for Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station polluted with 'forever chemicals' Six years after the federal government learned that the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station was one of the worst polluted military sites in the nation with PFAS, it still has no cleanup plans. Tests in 2018 found that leachate had incredibly high levels of some PFAS of at least 2,150 parts per trillion. The Buffalo Sewer Authority is in a no-win situation, said Jill Jedlicka, executive director of the Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper. Their job is to clean our water and treat our water, but there seems to be no other options for treating landfill leachate. The only other option to the BSA is to not receive it anymore that could be a start. Nogle agreed that the plant could stop accepting the landfill leachate. But theres a problem, she added. At the end of the day, that leachate needs to go somewhere, she said. If it doesnt come to Buffalo Sewer Authority, its going to a different treatment facility. In 2023, the Buffalo Sewer Authority took part in a pilot project that aimed to treat wastewater and completely remove PFAS. It proved to be about 90% effective, Nogle said, but there were questions regarding whether it broke down the PFAS into other molecules that were even more pervasive. With no effective, approved treatment methods, PFAS pollution is circular. This really needs to be addressed by the manufacturers, first and foremost, she said. They need to stop making PFAS chemicals. New York and other states around the nation have enacted laws designed to phase out PFAS in clothing, furniture, food packaging and other products, while the federal government has approved PFAS-free firefighting foams for airports. New EPA water quality standards on PFAS may impact public rates, Buffalo area water suppliers say The EPA's new drinking water standard is stricter than the state's as it recognizes that no levels of PFAS chemicals in water are safe, but it is technologically infeasible for the chemicals to be completely removed from water. Additionally, 3M, one of the largest producers of PFAS in the world, has been on track to end its PFAS production by the end of 2025. Jedlicka noted that global manufacturers need to be held accountable to ensure they remain on track to phasing out PFAS production. Funding and research should also be directed toward development affordable treatment methods because, even if PFAS production were to completely stop, the chemicals will likely remain in the environment for decades to come, she added. We need a multi-pronged approach, she said. Theres no silver bullet to solving this. An increasing number of young adults in China is opting to live in hotels full-time because it is more cost-effective and more convenient than renting or buying a home. Last year, we wrote about a family of eight living full-time in a luxury hotel in Nanyang, Chinas Henan Province. Their story made international news headlines at the time, but it was anything but unique. In reality, a growing number of people are negotiating long-term stays in hotels all across the country because it is not only cheaper than renting or buying a home, but it beats having to deal with landlords, signing dodgy contracts, and even having to pay utilities or do any kind of cleaning. The biggest drawbacks are not being able to redecorate or cook, but for many young adults in China, those are not deal-breakers at all. Photo: Unsplash For someone with social anxiety like me, dealing with landlords is the worst part, its a nightmare, Hu Weiwei, a 24-year-old professional gamer, recently told Sixth Tone. Its more cost-effective no deposit, no agency fees, and utilities are included. I dont have to clean, the air-conditioning runs 24/7, and right outside there are stores, restaurants, and a subway station. After crunching the numbers, Hu figured that a shared apartment in Tianjin would cost about 1,000 yuan ($140) a month, while a place all to herself would be 2,000 to 3,000 yuan. But negotiating a long-term stay with a hotel would only cost her 2,500 yuan per month, and taking into consideration the huge advantages and minor setbacks, the decision was easy. She has lived in hotels in Shanghai and Suzhou for a long time, and now lives in a hotel in her hometown in the northeastern Jilin province. She doesnt see herself giving up on hotels anytime soon. Others, like 22-year-old university student Tang Miaomiao, appreciate the hospitality of hotel staffs and the benefits of short-term stays. With traditional rentals, you need to pay a full months rent as an agency fee. Its not worth it for short stays, she said. The hotel staff specially made dumplings for us on New Years Eve, and the breakfast team remembered that I liked noodles. Photo: Unsplash Budget hotels have been affecting the average rents for residential properties in tens of major Chinese cities, with many young adults preferring the convenience of living in a hotel full-time to dealing with landlords and signing shady lease contracts. The trend apparently began during the pandemic, when many hotels adjusted their business model to cater to long-term residents during a time when tourism and business travel were at an all-time low. During mobility restrictions, budget hotels became incredibly affordable, often cheaper than traditional apartments, said Wu Ben, an associate professor of tourism at Shanghais Fudan University. For hotels, operationally, long-term guests are ideal. Theyre less demanding about room upkeep. Even living in a luxury hotel like Marriott Shanghai for 10,000 yuan ($1,370), while more expensive than apartment rentals at first glance, rivals the price of an apartment in the Chinese metropolis when you factor in parking, utilities, and amenities. Not to mention that as a Marriott member, you get perks like 24-hour gym access and breathtaking views. An 80-year-old woman in Turkey risks spending over 4 years behind bars for hitting her 18-year-old granddaughter on the arm with a house slipper during an argument. Asiye Kaytan lives with her granddaughter, Vural, in the Topraklk neighborhood of Denizli, in Southwestern Turkey. Ever since the girls parents split up, the 80-year-old woman has been trying to protect her, sometimes even from herself. Last year, on August 9th, after Vural came back from work, she told her grandmother that she was going out with some friends. Fearing for her safety, the old woman said she wouldnt allow it and even locked the door to make sure Vural couldnt go out. At one point during their argument, the young woman tried to unlock the door, and Kaytan grabbed one of her house slippers and slapped her on the arm with it. Vural instinctively retaliated by hitting her grandmother on the head with her phone. Kaytan started bleeding, and the frightened girl forgot all about partying and called an ambulance. Little did they know that what started as a family feud would eventually turn into an international news story. Photo: Philippe Jausions/Unsplash My granddaughter wanted to go out in the evening, I did not allow it, I locked the door, Kaytan told Sabah News. I hit her on the hand with the slipper, and she hit me on the head with her phone. When I started bleeding, she got scared and called an ambulance. Kaytan and her granddaughter never filed complaints against each other, but they did tell first responders how the elderly woman got her head injury, and they filed a report at Denizli State Hospital, which was later forwarded to the local police. Both women were called in for questioning, and despite making it clear that they had settled their dispute and were on good terms, a public case was opened, and the Public Prosecutors Office filed an indictment against the 80-year-old grandmother. In their case, the prosecution alleged that the slipper Kaytan used to hit her granddaughter was a weapon and the 18-year-old acted in self-defense when she hit the woman with her phone. The octogenarian was also accused of depriving a person of their liberty because she locked Vural inside her home and prevented her from leaving, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison. On February 25th, the 12th Criminal Court of First Instance sentenced Asiye Kaytan to 2 years and 6 months in prison for the crime of depriving a person of their liberty by using force, threat, or deception, and an added 2 years and 6 months for using a weapon to carry out the crime against her granddaughter. The sentence was eventually reduced to 4 years and 2 months, but Kaytans lawyer appealed the decision. If the original sentence is upheld by the Court of Appeals, she will go to prison. Am I going to prison at age 80? How will I live there? I have had surgery, and I walk with difficulty. They will put me in prison because of a house slipper, the old woman lamented. No one should hit their child with a slipper because it is considered a weapon. I had no idea a slipper was a weapon. My grandmother received a prison sentence because she hit me with a slipper and prevented me from leaving the house. I did not want it to be this way. I did not file a complaint against her, but a public case was opened, Asiye Vural explained. Hasan Ozan Orpak, Kaytans lawyer, said that there was another case in Denizli regarding a mothers slipper being considered a weapon, which may be considered a legal precedent, but he is confident that the charges against his client will be dropped during the appeal process. Lightning kills most of the trees it strikes, but scientists have discovered a tree species that not only survives lightning strikes but thrives as a direct result of them. For the longest time, there was a consensus in the scientific community that lightning could only have negative effects on trees. In the best case scenario, a struck tree barely survived, and in the worst case scenario, it was blown to smitherines. But as scientists kept venturing into uncharted territories like the Amazon rainforest and gathering data on new species, theories about lightning-resistant trees began to appear. However, it wasnt until about a century ago that evidence of such super trees was discovered. Today, scientists know of at least one tree species that not only shrugs off multiple lightning strikes in its lifetime but actually attracts lightning and uses its destructive power to kill surrounding trees and hog all the sunlight and surrounding nutrients for itself. Photo: Bethany Laird/Unsplash In 2015, while working in Panama, Evan Gora, a forest ecologist at Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, came across a remarkable sight a Dipteryx oleifera tree that had survived a powerful lightning strike with very little damage. The same could not be said about the vine that had entangled it and the dozens of trees surrounding it. The vine had been blasted out of the trees large crown almost completely, while all the trees around it had died. After analyzing this unusual sight, scientists deduced that Dipteryx oleifera could easily withstand lightning strikes, but there was no way to be sure. During their research in Panamas jungles, Gora and his team came across other Dipteryx oleifera trees, aka almendro trees, that appeared to have thrived after getting struck by lightning instead of dying off like other species. This only reinforced their hunch that there was something special about this tree species, but they decided to prove it scientifically. Using a special lightning location system, the team tracked the outcomes of 93 trees that had been struck by lightning in Barro Colorado Nature Monument, measuring parameters like survival rate, physical condition, parasitic activity, and the death rate of surrounding plant life for a period of two to six years. Their findings were remarkable! In a scientific paper recently published in the New Phytologist journal, Gora and his team wrote that all the nine Dipteryx oleifera trees included in their research survived lightning strikes with very little damage, compared to the other 84 trees, which suffered severe damage, with 64% of them dying within two years, and almost all of them losing 5.7 more leaves from their crowns. Photo: Evan Gora / Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies The more researchers analyzed almendro trees, the more they became sure that the species not only withstood lightning strikes but thrived because of them. Their data showed that an average of 9.2 neighboring trees were killed when a Dipteryx oleifera got zapped, with the electricity getting transferred through touching branches, vines, or the small gaps between the trees. The lightning also relieved them of about 78% of parasitic vines, giving them more access to sunlight and nutrients. These data provide the first evidence that some trees benefit from being struck by lightning, Gora and his colleagues wrote. Its better off for a Dipteryx oleifera tree to be struck than not. Researchers suggest that Dipteryx oleifera has evolved to attract lightning. They are extremely tall and have unusually broad crowns, which act as lightning rods, making them estimated to be up to 68 percent more likely to be struck by lightning than the average tree. With an average lifespan of around 300 years, many Dipteryx oleifera get struck by lightning several times during their lifetime ( every 56 years, on average). Surviving one such strike may be considered a fluke, but surviving six or more is anything but. During the study, one of the Dipteryx trees was struck twice in just five years and thrived. Evan Gora writes that Dipteryx trees tend to be several meters taller than neighboring trees of other species and that trees growing near D. oleifera were 48% more likely to die than those that werent. This suggests that the tree is deliberately attracting lightning strikes in order to destroy its rival and ensure optimal conditions for survival and growth. Scientists have yet to discover how exactly this remarkable tree species can survive lightning strikes that kill any other trees surrounding them, but they suspect it might have something to do with the trees high conductivity. They are also interested in other species with similar properties. Not a Subscriber? Join O'Dwyer's & Get RFP Access Stop wasting time tracking down RFPs. O'Dwyer's connects you with organizations looking for PR firms & services. Get new business with O'Dwyer's! Join O'Dwyer's LOCAL and Irish history, her native Kilcavan, Connemara and nature are among the inspirations which shape the work of artist Genevieve Murphy. An exhibition of the Screggan resident's works was officially launched in the Central Library, Tullamore by her famous nephew, the man behind the online sensation "Rory's Stories", Rory O'Connor on Thursday evening last. The exhibition continues for the entire month of April and all the works are for sale. READ MORE: Lecture to focus on Offaly born piper's role in Chicago Police Department Among the paintings on display is a portrait of the Olympian boxer, Grainne Walsh, whose mother, Geraldine Walsh (nee Grennan) is a close friend of Genevieve. The artist paid a warm tribute to Geraldine, a well-known local journalist, at the launch and praised her for her phenonemal work promoting the launch and exhibition. Speaking to the Tribune prior to the launch, Geneveve said the 1916 rising and the War of Independence provided huge inspiration for her work. She said she had inherited a love of local and Irish history from her late father, Tim and pointed to one painting "Window to the Past", inspired by her grandmother, Mary Carroll O'Connor, who provided aid to people on the run during the War of Independence. "Daddy recalled walking to school and the Black and Tans questioning him if any strangers had been in the house the night before but he had been told not to give any information away." READ MORE; No entry: The inaccessibility of two important amenity sites in Offaly Genevieve also pointed to a brooch she was wearing crafted from a piece of rubble from the GPO in Dublin which had been gifted to her father by Michael Flannery, the Ballingarry man who led Noraid in the United States. Speaking at the outset of the brief formalities, Brendan Bracken, Master of Ceremonies, said the state of the art librray was the perfect place for an exhibition of this nature. Rory O'Connor recalled his childhood visits to the family farm at Kilcavan during the Summer months. He added that creativity runs in the family with Genevieve being a celebrated artist, his father, Joe, a renowned story teller and his aunt, Anne, a talented poet. Rory also pointed to the work of Genevieve's nephew, JJ, who is also an aspiring artist. "Genevieve should be very proud of herself as she has put a huge amount of work into this exhibition," stressed the podcaster. The artist said her childhood provided much inspiration for her work and she recalled her father telling stories about local and Irish history. "He was big advocate of the library in Tullamore and he would regularly come back with four books, many of them about the sea and the coastguard." In her work, Genevieve uses pen and ink, charcoal, oil acrylic, pastels and mixed media. She also welcomes commissions and private lessons and group classes are given. More details from 087 2605109. Kickfurther CEO Sean De Clercq was a little skeptical about artificial intelligence at first. It felt more like a toy to the founder of Kickfurther, an inventory funding platform for consumer-packaged goods companies, and De Clercq doubted its application in some industries. But then AI began creeping into the marketplace and the overall consciousness of people, so much so that De Clercq now believes that if companies arent considering AI, theyre going to be left behind. It has certainly made its way into what Kickfurther does. The 2018 43North winner is now leveraging AI and advanced technology to better connect funders and businesses through inventory partnerships. It also is using AI to generate tools that use the massive amount of data accrued by Kickfurther. It could be the catalyst to further grow a company that has already facilitated $170 million in inventory funding deals over the past two years. When I first saw these applications of what our data team was able to produce, it just blew me away and there was this light bulb moment for me where I was very aware that we had the opportunity to turn this new technology to our advantage, De Clerq said. Leveraging all the previous data, experience and the unique view that we take on the market segment that we work with coalesced for me into this clear version of where we could use this new technology and how it can have this outsized impact, particularly for our organization, he said. The company is a marketplace platform that raises money for businesses to build their inventory. Many of the businesses using it are small and midsize companies and entrepreneurs. It serves as a cash flow solution for product businesses because they dont have to pay for the inventory until it sells. After the inventory gets sold, the investors are paid a percentage. All the while, the companies avoid having to take on financing. Now in its seventh year in Buffalo, Kickfurther has about 55 employees and plans to double its headcount in the next few years. Its also been able to expand its market share in the $2 trillion inventory asset space thanks to the transition from a transaction-based model to a subscription model in 2022. Kickfurther, which started in 2014 in Boulder, Colo., has facilitated over $300 million in inventory funding deals through over 2,300 consignments, but more than half of that growth has happened in the last two years. We have hit an absolutely stunning growth curve, De Clerq said. When you try to do something new, it takes some time for the market to wake up to the fact that theres a new opportunity. Ten years later, were starting to reap some benefits of our work. It feels like were on the precipice of something great here. As Kickfurther scales, De Clercq said the startup has different needs, one being to bring on more senior leadership to help accelerate the growth path. Gregg Gordon was recently appointed president and chief financial officer, working alongside De Clercq. He has over 25 years of executive and leadership experience. Gordon co-founded SSRN, an academic publishing platform that was bought by Elsevier in 2017. At Elsevier, he oversaw Knowledge Lifecycle Management. Hes also held leadership roles at accounting giant KPMG, another at a public software company, and participated in various entrepreneurial ventures in technology and health care. Gordon has been impressed by what Kickfurther has built as an inventory financing platform, but he felt it was the data the company was working with that presented the greatest future value for the business and its customers. These guys are turning out AI models in such rapid succession, it is almost unbelievable, Gordon said. Kickfurther is generating AI tools and large machine and language learning models that do a better job evaluating deals, resulting in higher returns with lower risk, as well as producing data that other entities are interested in using. Were using AI in every component of the business, De Clercq said. I think these large language models are going to change the way business is done. Its like the next internet moment, and people who dont use it are going to get left behind. Additionally, Kickfurther has benefited from the transition to a subscription model. It has allowed businesses on Kickfurthers platform to grow over time and it is easier for Kickfurther to renew clients, rather than sell starting from scratch. But it was a tricky transition at first, because it changed Kickfurthers revenue model. Thats a bet that you need buy in for, De Clercq said. I think being able to make that transition has yielded dividends and two to three years later, were seeing the results of that. When the DoddFrank Act was enacted in 2010, it reduced incentives for banks to provide small business loans, which limited funding access for many small and medium-sized businesses, De Clercq said. He recognized this gap and offered his cash flow solution, providing businesses with inventory funding without requiring them to give up equity or incur debt. The company is now backed by the investors behind Robinhood, Tesla, Twitter, DocuSign and Canva. Its been inspiring to watch Kickfurther grow from a bold idea into a game-changing platform that empowers businesses and users alike, said Tom Golisano, founder of Paychex and Grand Oaks Capital, an investment firm that also provided seed funding to Kickfurther. I am proud to have been a part of (the startups) journey and look forward to many more years of success and growth together. When Kickfurther first came to Buffalo in 2019, the startup employed six people. The team has grown to 55, including 20 working in Western New York, and getting to 100 is inevitable, De Clercq said. Weve seen an absolutely outstanding growth opportunity working here in Western New York, said De Clercq, who bought a home in the area. He and his wife just welcomed their first child. People here know what it is like to work hard, and they know what it means to work toward a goal together. Gordon, who lives in Rochester and commutes to Buffalo, is excited to see businesses migrate away from bigger East Coast cities like Boston and Philadelphia. Some of Kickfurthers employees have moved to Western New York even though they had the option to work remotely elsewhere because of the affordability of living here. Some had moved away from Buffalo and came back home to join the startup. Im so happy to be here and I think the area is just crushing it, Gordon said. On April, 3 US President Donald Trump announced a start of a global trade war that will impact economic growth across the globe. European experts say that there will be a direct and indirect blow foA i ? ? ? ? Ai ? ?... i ? ?A i ? ? ? ? AAr the EU industry. So, higher custom tariffs on roughly 60 countries, dubbed the "worst offenders", are due to come into effect on Wednesday 9 April. A "reciprocal tariff" policy will include high import tariffs: 20% tariffs on the EU, 34% on China, 46% on Vietnam, 32% on Taiwan and a 10% "baseline tariff" for many other countries, raising fears of a recession. "Now we're going to charge the European Union. They're very tough. Very, very tough traders. You know, you think of the European Union, very friendly. They rip us off. It's so sad to see. It's so pathetic," Trump said. "We are going to charge them 20 percent," the U.S. president said. The Trump administration took particular offense at what it views as the EU's nontariff barriers, such as value-added tax and its tech regulations. It factored these into its calculations -- although the Europeans flatly reject its view that either discriminate against American businesses. In fact, over 70 percent of imports to the EU are duty-free. And, on a trade-weighted basis, EU tariffs average just 2.7 percent, according to the World Trade Organization. Trump's tariff offensive came as a slap in the face of the European Union. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded in the early hours of Thursday, saying that the bloc was "prepared to respond." Europe has long been shortsighted in its reliance on the United States' loyalty in economic matters, while criticizing Washington for its foreign policy. Today it has become absolutely clear that the US does not intend to tolerate the arrogance of European leaders any longer. Trump has demonstrated that all European independence is just a utopia. But everything could have been different if European countries had really tried to strengthen their economies and looked for alternative markets. Ultimately, economic failure is not only a blow to Europe's image, but also a rapid decline in the standard of living of Europeans, who will unwittingly pay for the arrogance and short-sightedness of their politicians. According to the latest Eurostat data, 94.6 million people in the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion; this was equivalent to 21.4 % of the EU population. Over one-fifth (22.4 %) of the EU population living in households with dependent children was at risk of poverty or social exclusion. On 3 April, minister of foreign affairs of Lithuania, KAstutis Budrys, i ? ? i ? ? said that "the current levels of defence expenditure are too low to achieve the desired results." According to the minister, already this year Lithuania is spending 4% of its GDP on defence, and next year the figure will be raised to 5.25%. This decision does not seem timely or well thought out. European politicians look especially stupid when they call for further increases in defense spending. Should we expect further economic deterioration in Europe? It's hard to disagree with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who warned on Saturday that "the world as we knew it has gone". A i ? ? ? ? Ai ? ?... i ? ?A i ? ? ? ? AAA i ? ? ? ? Ai ? ?... i ? ?A i ? ? ? ? AA Exclusive industry event in Dusseldorf on the 'Future of mobility & key digital technologies' Velbert, Germany | March 25, 2025 - How will we open, share or manage vehicles in the future - digitally, securely and across manufacturers? WITTE:digital, business unit of WITTE Automotive, hosts an event with the motto 'Future of Mobility & Digital Keys' bringing together over 50 experts from OEMs, mobility providers, technology companies and fleet Power Dynamic Technology, a leading Romanian innovator in biometric and interactive kiosk solutions, has unveiled a new suite of products designed to revolutionize digital identity authentication and retail transactions. These offerings integrate advanced facial recognition technology to deliver seamless, secure, and user-friendly experiences across financial services, retail environments, and public-facing kiosks. Their API gateway will be available for developers in Europe - you can find out more by visiting their The Port of Portland's Terminal 6, shown in an undated handout photo, handles imported and exported cargo in shipping containers, as well as cars and bulky items transported overseas by ship. Port of Portland Emma McIlroys latest shipment of apparel arrived on Monday. If she placed the order after this weeks tariff hikes, it would have cost her $178,000 more. $178,000 I do not have, she said. McIlroy is CEO of the 16-employee Wildfang, one of the darlings of Portlands celebrated apparel cluster. Shes also among the thousands of Oregon small business owners racing to adapt to a chaotic trade war that started last week and changes by the day, including Wednesday and Thursday, when President Donald Trump paused many tariffs but increased tariffs on China to around 145%. A new 10% tariff on most imports also remains in place. The tariffs will have sweeping impacts on Oregons trade-dependent economy, but theyll be particularly bruising for the footwear and apparel industry, an economic cornerstone for the state that relies on factories in Asia. Small apparel businesses, like McIlroys, face added pressure because they dont have the deep pockets and financial flexibility of the industry giants. McIlroys business is profitable, but most of her products are made in China. There isnt an easy way to digest the gargantuan new tax on products imported from the Asian country. You can only hike prices so much. Are you going to pay $158 for a button-up thats currently $78? McIlroy asked. I dont think so. Youre going to see people go out of business, she added. Showers Pass CEO Kyle Ranson agreed. This is perilous to small and medium businesses, he said. Showers Pass, like Wildfang, is a stable, established local small business. It sells rainwear thats popular with cyclists. Its been around for 27 years. Ranson said a $100,000 order from China will now cost his business an additional $175,000 to get through customs. If he passed that cost to consumers, his popular $350 Refuge bike jacket would cost $600. Nobodys going to pay that, he said. Ranson said the 90-day pause on most tariffs announced Wednesday isnt much help. Why place an order with a Vietnamese factory, not knowing whether it will be subject to a 46% tax by the time the order ships? The reality is everything is just on hold, he said. If this does not get sorted out in the next 90, 120 days, we will end up having nothing to sell. Even small companies not subject to the exorbitant new tariff on products from China fear the worst. Sunchea Phou, a Nike alum, is the founder of Yay Novelty, a Washington company that sells fashion accessories and other products. She works with factories in Cambodia, a country that was subject to a new 49% tariff until Trump paused it. Phou said the 90-day pause is meaningless. Thats not enough time to stock up on inventory because it takes longer to order products and get them delivered. Even if she could place an order, Phou fears the ongoing trade war with China will drive up consumer prices and weaken demand for her products. I might be able to hang on by a thread, she said. One of the goals of the Trump administrations trade policy is to bring manufacturing jobs back to the United States. McIlroy said she supports that goal. I deeply believe in returning manufacturing jobs, she said. Domestic manufacturing would create jobs in Wildfangs backyard. And it would mean McIlroy could get products to market quicker, an advantage in the fast-moving fashion and apparel industry. Itd also reduce the environmental impact caused by shipping containers of coveralls and blazers across an ocean. But its not a realistic option, she said. At least not now. McIlroy launched Wildfang about 10 years ago. Since then, shes used contract factories in Vietnam, Nepal, the U.S. and China. Twice in the past six months McIlroy sensed tariff winds might shift. But she couldnt find a U.S. factory that would make her products unless she placed an order for at least 3,000 units, 10 times the minimum in China. A U.S. factory also would cost 60% to 80% more and thats before tariffs kick in. The materials in McIlroys products would still likely come from countries subject to tariffs. Im still going to get hit with 145% on all of my trims and all of my materials from China, she said. Pacmodo cofounders Sebastian Tesche and David Ngene plan to absorb the costs from increased tariffs. Courtesy Pacmodo/Dustin Tolman Instead of bringing manufacturing jobs back, McIlroy said the short-term reality is much messier. Businesses have few options for offsetting the increased tariffs. They can pass costs to consumers. They can eat the costs and bite into their own profits. And they can ask factories for discounts. David Ngene was having breakfast in Vietnam last week when he learned the backpacks hes about to start importing from the Asian country would be hit with a 46% tariff. Ngene is a cofounder of Pacmodo, a local company that sells high-quality backpacks and launched last year after a successful Kickstarter campaign. Even before the tariff on Vietnam got paused, Ngene said Pacmodo would eat the new costs. While not ideal, he said the company has enough of a profit margin to absorb additional costs. The companys online store went live this week and prices remain the same as last year. Nothing changes, he said. The biggest thing we can do is not overreact. McIlroy will likely do a little bit of everything. Shell reduce her sales forecast. Shell cut expenses. Prices will go up. Small businesses dont have many places to look for dollars, she said. Industrywide, she expects quality will decrease. Factories will make up for offering discounts by cutting corners. Less profitable product lines will be jettisoned. McIlroy takes pride in Wildfangs products for plus-sized consumers. She fears other companies will drop plus-sized lines. McIlroy hopes consumers continue to support small business, despite the inevitable price hikes. And she hopes people pressure elected officials to find a way to give small businesses relief. I just deeply want consumers to understand whats about to happen, she said. Matthew Kish covers business, including the sportswear and banking industries. Reach him at 503-221-4386, mkish@oregonian.com or @matthewkish. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Four Oregon businesses that say they were targeted for disability access violations have filed a class-action suit against two Tennessee-based law firms and a Portland lawyer, alleging they engaged in a nationwide racket to extort money by filing fake Americans with Disabilities Act complaints. The suit accuses the Memphis firms -- Wampler, Carroll, Wilson & Sanderson and Wade Law --- of working with local lawyers in more than 15 states to wrest money out of businesses in the name of disability rights from January 2022 through 2025. They used an electronic database to send thousands of demand letters to the businesses seeking payment of attorney fees to avoid court and file hundreds of lawsuits for purported disability accommodation violations, the suit said. The complaint, filed Thursday in U.S. District Court in Portland partially rests on prior testimony by a Portland man, Connor Slevin, who said he was recruited to visit businesses, buy an item, upload a receipt and get paid $200 a visit. Slevin, who uses a wheelchair, then filed suits against the businesses through a local lawyer claiming the shops violated disability access regulations. The new lawsuit alleges Slevin was among dozens of disabled people throughout the country enlisted to work as fake testers or inspectors to earn money for each business targeted. The recruits then would be asked to sign an agreement with the lawyers, granting them blanket power of attorney over any settlement negotiations with the businesses, the suit contends. In Portland, lawyer Jessica Lee Molligan would send extortionate demands using cookie cutter letters and complaints prepared by the Wampler firm, according to the suit. The suit alleges racketeering and wire fraud by the lawyers who pursued the disability violation claims. It contends there are more than 4,000 victims nationwide seeking as much as $80 million in damages. The businesses suing are AB Hollywood, Baek Family Partnership , MY LLC and The Penney Kim Trust. The Americans with Disabilities Act was created, in part, to ensure equal access for all and its honest enforcement helps do that. It is not a tool for unscrupulous lawyers to line their pockets through fraudulent claims, said Attorney Joseph Mabe, one of the Portland lawyers who filed the suit. This lawsuit aims to restore faith in the ADA and on behalf of small business owners who were the disproportionate victims of this shakedown. 5 1 / 5 Strip mall at Southeast 82nd Avenue and Powell Boulevard A separate motion by AB Hollywood is pending before an Oregon magistrate judge for financial sanctions against Molligan. AB Hollywood, which owns a small strip mall at Northeast Sandy Boulevard and 45th Avenue, alleges in the motion that Molligan violated federal rules of procedures and state professional ethics rules for lawyers. U.S. Magistrate Judge Youlee Yim You has not yet issued a ruling, but Molligan has defended herself in court papers. The purpose of Molligans ADA litigation was not to extract monetary settlements, but rather to force businesses to become ADA compliant, or at least as compliant as was reasonable, she wrote in a court filing in February. Molligan claimed she didnt know how much the Wampler law firm paid Slevin, the plaintiff in a suit she filed against AB Hollywood. She said she thought the money was to reimburse Slevin for his expenses. Checks from the Wampler law firm were delivered electronically to the alleged fake inspectors, with memo lines describing the checks as expense reimbursement, the class action suit said. The checks were all digitally signed by attorney J. Luke Sanderson, according to the suit. A second man , Justin Burley-Beaver, who filed two dozen lawsuits against small businesses in Oregon alleging disability access violations, admitted in federal court last year that he received about $600 a month for visiting the locations and making the claims. He said he typically visited three businesses a month, and got paid $200 for each visit. The Wampler lawyers told the fake testers not to concern themselves with actually finding, confirming or identifying a specific obstacle outside a business, according to the class- action suit. The suit alleges that Wamplers lawyers wrote to those tapped to visit the business sites: There is no need for you to inspect anything because that has already been done. In some cases, people paid to visit the business sites reported back that the addresses given were of permanently closed businesses. The class-action suit contends the Tennessee lawyers used an automated database to generate lists of purportedly non-ADA complaint properties that were out of date and riddled with errors. It claims thousands of businesses suffered tens of thousands of dollars in damages in payments to lawyers to try to halt legal action as well as for making alterations on their property. Aside from the Portland metro area, lawyers targeted businesses in Washington, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri and other states, Mabe wrote in the class-action suit. In St. Louis, Missouri, the lawsuit says, one fake tester was named as the plaintiff in more than 45 complaints against businesses filed in federal court there, according to the lawsuit. No one from the Wampler or Wade law firms immediately responded to messages seeking comment. Last year, U.S. District Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw Jr., the chief federal judge of the Middle District of Tennessee, highlighted the highly suspicious conduct by the Wampler firm in the disability suits. He said they raised serious ethical issues, and likened their activity to shakedown-like behavior. Molligan is also facing a malpractice suit in state court in Oregon and a state bar investigation. -- Maxine Bernstein covers federal court and criminal justice. Reach her at 503-221-8212, mbernstein@oregonian.com, follow her on X @maxoregonian, on Bluesky @maxbernstein.bsky.social or on LinkedIn. An "Eat Pizza" sign remained on the sidewalk outside the nearly 40-year-old restaurant one week after it unexpectedly closed in 2024. Now the restaurant is poised for a revival. Michael Russell | The Oregonian Dont call it a comeback reads the sign taped to the glass door on Northeast Glisan Street. But thats exactly what appears to be happening behind the butcher paper at what was one of Portlands oldest pizzerias, before it closed unexpectedly last year. The original American Dream Pizza, which served its first pies in Northeast Portland nearly 40 years ago, closed last July. After a deep cleaning, the old American Dream will reopen in late spring as The Original Dream, a new pizzeria from fans of the old one that will attempt to replicate the pizza and old-school vibes that made the original restaurant a lasting hit. When American Dream first hit the market, longtime fans Amy and Daniel Northrop reached out to the 1905 jazz club operator Chris Pfeifer about staging another revival at the former pizzeria. But at the time, the asking price was too high, Pfeifer said. Six months and a significant price reduction later, Pfeifer came back on board. We met with Sebastian (Malinow) in December, and at that point my operator hat was on, Pfeifer said. Im looking at everything, 40 years of pizza grease on the walls, and in my head Im like, That numbers still a little high. The pizza ovens are like great old cars; if you get them going theyll run forever, but theyre going to take a little work. So I said, Lets hit him with the number, and if he likes it, then we own a pizza place. The Northrops pledged to keep the pizzerias recipes and signature braided crust. But the name had to change due to partnership stuff with the separately owned American Dream Pizza in Corvallis, which started as a spin-off of the Portland pizzeria back in 1989 but has long been under separate ownership. For us its about keeping some of the core stuff that a 40-year-old business has: the phone number, the address, the amazing lease, Pfeifer said, noting that old American Dream signage dates back far enough that the phone number 230-0699 doesnt include the 503 area code. I like the idea of bringing back these old brands, says Pfeifer, who is also working on a long-simmering project in downtown Portlands former Greek Cusina space. People often ask me whats the next thing you would do, Macheezmo Mouse? I absolutely would do that if I could find the guys with the boss sauce recipe." Despite a little scope creep in the form of additional painting, rewiring and putting in new counters, Original Dream Pizza aims to reopen by June at 4620 N.E. Glisan St., 503-230-0699, originaldreampizza.com Michael Russell; mrussell@oregonian.com Subscribe to The Best Thing I Ate This Week newsletter Each week, restaurant critic Michael Russell takes Oregonian/OregonLive subscribers along on his culinary explorations. Not a subscriber? You can receive a few weeks of The Best Thing I Ate This Week newsletter as a free trial. Sign up here. DEQ says no data leaked in the cyberattack this week. Getty The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality says it has so far found no evidence of a data breach in the cyberattack this week. But vehicle inspection stations remain closed Friday and employee emails and servers are expected to be down through the end of the week as the agency continues to check its computer systems, said Lauren Wirtis, a DEQ spokesperson. During the interruption, employees are continuing to work in the field, respond to legislative inquiries, receive phone calls and hold meetings. Enterprise Information Services, which administers the states information technology and cybersecurity controls, has yet to determine the source of the attack, but has found no sign that attackers accessed any department data, Wirtis said. DEQs online information management tool Your DEQ Online which allows people to submit applications, make payments and post public comments, among others hasnt been affected because its hosted by a third party on different servers, she said. 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. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. A wolf from the Snake River Pack passes by a remote camera in eastern Wallowa County in 2014. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife via AP, File Oregons wolf population increased last year after four years of nearly flat growth, with the animals continuing to expand their habitat westward, according to a new state report. The population grew by 15% to 204 wolves, up from 178 in both 2023 and 2022, according to the annual wolf report released Friday by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. The number of wolf packs four or more wolves traveling together in the winter also went up. A total of 25 packs were documented in 2024, up from 22 packs in 2023. Seventeen of the packs met the criteria as breeding pairs, up by two from the previous year, state wildlife officials said. Wolf advocates said the increase was welcome news. Im relieved to finally see a noteworthy increase in Oregons overall wolf population but were not in the clear by any means, said Amaroq Weiss, a senior wolf advocate with the Center for Biological Diversity, a national conservation group based in Tucson that has offered rewards in some wolf poaching cases. Far too many wolves are being killed illegally and, while state officials are concerned about wolf poaching, they continue to authorize high levels of legal wolf killing over livestock conflicts. The annual count is done each winter and based on verified wolf evidence, including visual observations, tracks and remote camera photographs. It represents the minimum number of wolves in Oregon. Some wolves may not be found during the count, so the actual number of wolves in Oregon is likely higher than the count, officials said. Most of the known Oregon wolves 76% live in eastern Oregon, primarily in the Wallowa mountains, the report shows. But wolves continued to expand westward last year, with five new packs counted west of The Dalles and Bend. courtesy of ODFW In Oregon, wolves are considered a special status game mammal and protected by law throughout the state. Oregon does not allow sport hunting of wolves. They are federally protected and listed under the federal Endangered Species Act in a central swath of the state, roughly east of The Dalles down to Lakeview and west of Canyon City and Burns. courtesy of ODFW courtesy of ODFW Last years 26 wolf deaths were down from 36 in 2023. People killed 22 of the wolves, all in the eastern part of the state. Fourteen wolves were killed by ranchers and state or federal wildlife officials in response to the wolf chasing or attacking livestock. To many Oregon ranchers, wolves are a threat because they kill and harass cattle and sheep, especially young calves. In 2024, two-thirds of the animals killed by wolves were sheep. Seven of the wolves were illegally killed by poisoning or shooting. Wildlife officials said wolf poaching continued to be a serious concern. The cases remain under investigation. (Twelve wolves were killed illegally in 2023, seven in 2022, eight in 2021 and four in 2020.) One wolf died after being hit by a car on Interstate-84 in Union County. The other wolves died of natural or unknown causes. Last year, wildlife officials confirmed 69 livestock killings by wolves, a slight decrease from 73 in 2023. The Oregon Department of Agriculture awarded $789,565 in compensation to ranchers in 13 counties, up from $477,661 in 2023 though ranchers say the states compensation isnt enough to make up for the long-term impacts of trauma on the herd and the ranchers themselves. Almost two-thirds of the money went toward non-lethal measures, including bright flags, electric fencing, dogs and other guard animals, humans monitoring the range, drones or devices that emit flashing lights and loud sounds. 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. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. A photomicrograph shows prions, colored in red, in cell bodies and along cellular extensions. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Health officials in Hood River County say that two people have died of a rare brain disease. County health officials say theyve identified three cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in the last eight months. One was confirmed by autopsy, while two are presumptive diagnoses. Creutzfeldt-Jakob is a rare brain disorder caused by infectious proteins called prions, which causes rapid, progressive dementia, movement disorders and behavioral changes. It is considered incurable and universally fatal. There are about 350 cases per year in the United States, according to the National Institutes of Health. Theres no evidence the disease can be spread from person to person except through organ or tissue transplants or other unusual exposure to contaminated tissue. According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 85% of all cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease are considered sporadic, meaning theres no clear cause. Most of the remaining cases are hereditary, linked to a genetic mutation passed on from a parent. Trish Elliott, director of Hood River County Health Department, said presumptive cases can only be confirmed by examining brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid after death, which can take months. The bodies must be examined out of state. Prion diseases are not well understood, and in many cases a cause is never identified. Were trying to look at any common risk factors that might link these cases but its pretty hard in some cases to come up with what the real cause is, she said. She declined to say whether the people infected were related or to identify their ages out of respect for their families. Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is distinct from bovine spongiform encephalopathy, known as mad cow disease, which infects cows and is also caused by prions. A variant of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease has been linked to consuming meat from cattle infected with mad cow disease, but such cases are much rarer. Elliott said the Hood River cases are not believed to be related to infected cattle. Dr. Brian Appleby, director of the National Prion Disease Pathology Surveillance Center at Case Western Reserve University, said Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is typically identified by looking at brain samples under a microscope for lesions and prion protein deposits. That and other tests can help identify the cause of a given case of the disease. Genetic testing can also reveal a hereditary case. Cases of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease resulting from eating contaminated beef can also usually be definitively identified through testing, Appleby said. The county health department sent a notice to local health providers advising them to keep Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in mind if a patient has rapidly progressing Alzheimers symptoms, sudden behavioral changes or rapid loss of cognitive abilities. -- Kristine de Leon covers consumer health, retail, small business and data enterprise stories. Reach her at kdeleon@oregonian.com. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the number of deaths tied to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in Hood River County. Health officials reported three cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Two people have died. Jewish families will gather for Passover this year in circumstances that will, like the celebration itself, reflect on dark times while looking ahead toward better ones to come. The first two nights of the celebration involve a Seder, a ritual meal bringing together the family. As a scholar of the Bible and ancient Judaism, I believe Passover is a particularly poignant time to recognize the tragedies of the past year and offer hope for the future. Passover story The Passover is a festival found in the Bible that commemorates the escape of the Israelites, led by Moses, from Egypt as recounted in the book of Exodus. Prior to the departure of the enslaved Israelites, God delivered a series of plagues on Egypt, culminating in the killing of the firstborn son in every Egyptian family, including the firstborn of the livestock. The Israelites, however, place the blood of a lamb on their doorposts to signal that the destroyer, an angel responsible for the killing, should skip, or pass over, those homes. This story came to function as a powerful narrative of persecution and liberation for Jewish people. The command to celebrate and remember the exodus from Egypt and the Passover for future generations is encoded in the Bible itself: according to the book of Exodus, God commands Moses, even prior to their departure from Egypt, that the Israelites and their descendants are to commemorate this event. The celebration of the Passover includes a script, called the Passover Haggadah. The Haggadah contains ancient rituals, some of which may have been practiced as early as the second century C.E., though the full script exists in later, medieval manuscripts. Story of the four sons Today, many families also create their own versions of the Haggadah, offering celebrations of the Passover that infuse personal and family experiences. Each member of the family plays certain roles, as found in the biblical story. This enactment of parts of the Exodus narrative fuses the present moment with the past, encouraging each participant to imagine themselves as part of the first generation to leave Egypt. Some characters not found explicitly in the biblical text were also added to the Haggadah script. Prominent among them is an addition from the ninth century C.E. a story about the four sons or children - the wise, the wicked, the simple and the one who does not know what to ask. The versions varied, but the characters became a prominent part of the celebration. In many families today, they are called children or daughters, allowing for the inclusion of all members of the family regardless of gender. These characters were inspired by a variety of biblical and rabbinic sources in which children ask certain questions about the celebration of the Passover. In the case of the son who does not know what to ask, the parent directly tells the child about the importance of the exodus without waiting for the question. The Bible speaks of interactions between parents and children, but does not label the children in a specific manner. The main purpose is telling, examining and passing on the significance of the exodus from a number of different perspectives. The distinct roles of each child encourage the participants to reflect, in different ways, on the significance of liberation and how to communicate it to future generations. Almost like a time machine, then, the Haggadah and celebration of Passover incorporates the manner in which history, the present and the future relate to one another. This unfolding of all dimensions of time allows those who celebrate to remember tragedies and loss in the past while also generating a real sense of hope for the future. Flexibility and adaptation According to many parts of the Bible, the Passover festival was to occur once a year, and only in Jerusalem where the temple to the Israelite deity existed. The celebration of Passover evolved into a home-based commemoration with the destruction of the temple by the Romans in C.E. 70. The biblical Passover mentioned in the book of Exodus also occurred in individual homes. As such, the Bible provided ways to adapt the celebration in light of changed circumstances. The Bible describes how the second Passover a year after the Israelites left Egypt is celebrated in the wilderness, but seems to presuppose that its future celebration will be in the temple in Jerusalem. At that time, allowance would be made for those who had to travel long distances, by delaying its observance by 30 days. This delay anticipated that geographical separation and time may not allow for normal Passover observance, a comfort directly derived from the Bible for those families who for whatever reason were not able to celebrate in person. When families gather for Passover, however, many may choose to reflect on the hard times of the past years as part of the Seder. Indeed, the celebration of the Passover has in it other references related to Jewish history, even if they were not always positive. For example, part of the celebration of the Passover Haggadah entails the breaking of unleavened bread, a piece of which is known as the Afikomen, which is then hidden. Children try to find it for a prize, called a treasure from Egypt. The term Afikomen is itself a Greek word, referring possibly to after-dinner revelry. It is a reminder of another historical moment in which Jewish cultures were heavily surrounded and influenced by the Greeks. A young girl sneaks up to "steal" the Afikomen, containing a piece of matzoh, from the head of the household. Bettmann Archive The relationship with the Greeks was a complex one. Some part of the Greek influence was celebrated in early Jewish society. For example, the translation of the Old Testament from Hebrew into Greek, starting in the third century B.C.E., was considered a divine act. There were also conflicts between Greek rulers and local Jewish populations, which led to a war in the second century B.C.E., known as the Maccabean Revolt. Indeed, there were debates in Judaism whether or not one could recite parts of the Bible in Greek, in worship services. Yet the incorporation of the word Afikomen in the Passover Haggadah displays a willingness to borrow a Greek term into an important Jewish celebration. Next year in Jerusalem Looking to the future is central to the celebration of the Passover Haggadah. Despite the deliverance from slavery in Egypt, the meal concludes with the phrase, also said at the end of another observation known as Yom Kippur, Next year in Jerusalem. In a meal that blends past and present and nods toward the future, ending the Haggadah with such a proclamation highlights the reality that despite freedom from Egypt, most Jewish communities over time celebrated the Passover Haggadah away from their ancestral home and in circumstances that were not ideal. This yearning for a world that is not yet healed and the toggling between past, present and future in the Passover celebration will perhaps hold special significance for many families in light of the current conflicts in Israel. Samuel L. Boyd, Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Jewish Studies, University of Colorado Boulder The annual women's seder at Beth Israel is one of the most anticipated and popular events among the congregation, said Rabbi Rachel Joseph. Photo courtesy of Beth Israel and Robyn Taylor. Robyn Taylor At Congregation Beth Israel on Sunday evening, a group of women gathered around a table, sharing laughter and personal reflections for a nontraditional Seder. The womens Seder, an annual event at the Reform Jewish synagogue in Northwest Portland, Beth Israel, reimagines the ancient Passover ritual through a female lens. The essential role and strength of women celebrated during the holiday is growing more prominent in Portlands Jewish community. For the first time in the citys history, two of its three largest synagogues will soon be led by female senior rabbis: Rabbi Eve Posen at Neveh Shalom, beginning this July, and Rabbi Rachel Joseph at Beth Israel, who is set to take over in July 2027. In Judaisms most widely observed holiday, families gather each spring to retell the story of the exodus when the prophet Moses led enslaved Israelites out of Egypt through ritual foods, symbolic songs and readings from the Haggadah. The Passover Seder plate, traditionally arranged with items representing different aspects of the journey bitter herbs for suffering, saltwater for tears has evolved in recent years to reflect the diverse identities and values of modern Jews. An orange now often sits on the plate, which has become a symbol of femininity and LGBTQ+ rights. Within the three largest synagogues in Portland, the fact that two out of three will have female senior rabbis, its historical, Joseph said. While Josephs transition to the senior rabbi position has been planned since May 2024, Neveh Shalom offered Posen the position at the end of January after current Senior Rabbi David Kosak announced he would not renew his contract in early September. Posen, who has been with the Conservative congregation in Southwest Portland for 11 years, said the change feels like the right moment for us to continue working together and to move forward. In the face of the evolving leadership in Portland, gatherings like the annual womens Seder provide a space for women to reflect on Passover through a women-specific lens, sharing their stories, Seder plate recommendations and burning their emotional chametz, a spiritual cleansing of negative emotions from the previous year. Rabbi Rachel Joseph of Congregation Beth Israel in Northwest Portland. April 10, 2025. Beth Nakamura Rabbi Eve Posen of Congregation Neveh Shalom in Southwest Portland. April 10, 2025. Beth Nakamura The women's seder on Sunday, April 6, included a catered meal and burning emotional chametz going into the new year. Photo courtesy of Beth Israel and Robyn Taylor. Robyn Taylor For those who identify as women, their experiences and Passover in particular is really interesting, because its really the women who make the story possible, and women that most people havent heard of, said Joseph, senior rabbi designate at Congregation Beth Israel. Many people who celebrate Passover will know the essential roles played by Miriam, Moses sister; Jochebed, their mother; and Bithiah, Pharaohs daughter. But women like Shifra and Puah, the midwives who refused Pharaohs orders to kill any boys born to an Israelite family, are often forgotten, overshadowed by other figures in the story, said Joseph. The story of Passover is liberation from slavery to freedom, and that wouldnt have happened without women, Joseph said. So I think its really special to gather in modernity and give voice to the ancient narrative. Lolly Jamerson, an art specialist at Congregation Beth Israel, has been attending the womens Seder for more than a decade and described the annual event as incredibly inspiring and important. The Seder provides a space where we as women, push back on some of the boundaries that have been laid out before us for many, many years prior, Jamerson said. Although traditionally men lead the Seder readings, women generally prepare the meal, said Joseph. In the actual practice of Passover, its a holiday that takes place in the home, Posen said. Its the traditions that are carried on and passed on from generation to generation that help it to survive. And so that looks like it being both women in the kitchen or women leading the Seder or telling the story. The annual womens Seder began 18 years ago. Senior cantor Ida Rae Cahana organized the first gathering for around 50 women through the Jewish Federation of Portland. After a few maybe four or so years of doing that at Federation, they decided that they werent going to do it anymore for whatever reason, Cahana said. So I suggested that we do it in our congregation, because I didnt want to let go of it. Since then, it has evolved into an annual gathering drawing 152 women at the most recent event where women can relax and have a meal served to them. The food is intentionally catered for the event so women can focus on celebrating, Joseph said. Cahana, who continues to lead the annual event, said her favorite part of the tradition is meeting the women who attend. It is really the sense of the extraordinary qualities of each woman in that room, Cahana said. It just feels like you are at this incredibly special gathering with individuals that are smart and accomplished and kind and funny and you want to get to know every one of them. Each year, organizers have grappled with the events future, deciding if it has outlived its purpose, Cahana said, emphasizing the Seder is open to anyone who identifies as a woman. Its one of those really interesting experiences where, every year we say, Do we think that theres still a need for a womens Seder, Joseph said. And then 150 people RSVP and say yes. And theres just this unbelievable community that forms around it. Its one of folks favorite events every year. The womens Seder takes place the week before Passover to give women a chance to breathe before the busy eight-day holiday begins, Joseph said. Its a beautiful way for us to connect, Jamerson said. We just need to be there for each other, in the simplest terms. Theres still plenty of struggles in our society and the way its laid out, that the more we come together, the better. The evening also inspired Jamerson to bring new traditions into her familys Seder, including adding asparagus to the Seder plate. Asparagus represents green and spring and food and nourishment and all that, Jamerson said. But as its growing, it sort of stands straight up, and its a very straight stalk. While women were sharing their additions to the plate, Jamerson said an attendee explained that asparagus felt representative of how strong we need to be right now in these times that were in. After Sundays event, Jamerson said she feels hopeful for the young women growing up in the Jewish tradition, being able to see female representation in leadership. That representation is becoming more visible than ever even among leaders who didnt initially see themselves in those roles. When I came to the congregation, I had no dreams of becoming the senior rabbi, Posen said. I didnt even know if I wanted to work in the pulpit world. And through my 11 years here, Ive fallen in love with it. Both Joseph and Posen highlighted the importance of visibility within their congregations and for the next generation. Representation matters, and so it is amazing to say that theres a generation that are going to grow up and know that your gender doesnt stop you from any position in religious life, Joseph said. Im also gay, and I have a wife and kids. So, its really powerful for congregants, especially the youth, to feel like they can be fully who they are in their religious spaces. As both women move into senior leadership roles, their presence reflects a broader cultural shift within Portlands Jewish community, said Posen, one that embraces both tradition and change. Oftentimes people misunderstand that to be an observant Jew means to be stuck in the past and not to live in modernity, Posen said. But this, right here, is a true moment of understanding how religion can guide us as we live in a changing society in a way that is supportive and good and nonrestrictive. Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; cprofenna@oregonian.com or @chiaraprofenna. The Oregonian/OregonLive receives support from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to bring readers stories on religion, faith and cultural connections in Oregon. The Oregonian/OregonLive is solely responsible for all content. A crane vessel arrives at the scene where a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Jersey City, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) AP NEW YORK A New York City sightseeing helicopter broke apart in midair Thursday and crashed upside-down into the Hudson River, killing six people, including a family of Spanish tourists, in the latest aviation disaster in the U.S., officials said. Mayor Eric Adams said the flight began at a downtown heliport around 3 p.m. and that the dead including three children had been recovered and removed from the water. The flight lasted less than 18 minutes, officials said. Witness Bruce Wall said he saw the helicopter falling apart in midair, with the tail and propeller coming off. The propeller was still spinning without the aircraft as it fell, he said. Dani Horbiak was at her home in Jersey City, New Jersey, 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. Video of the crash showed parts of the chopper tumbling through the air into the water. The overturned aircraft was submerged, with rescue boats circling it, near the end of a long maintenance pier for a ventilation tower serving the Holland Tunnel on the New Jersey side of the river. 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. Email and other messages were not immediately returned. 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 departments. 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. 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. Its 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 that whisk business executives and others to destinations throughout the metropolitan area. Over the years, the city has seen multiple crashes, including a collision between a plane and a tourist helicopter over the Hudson River in 2009 that killed nine people and the 2018 crash of a charter helicopter offering open door flights that went down into the East River, killing five people. Thursdays crash was the first fatal helicopter crash in New York since one hit the roof of a skyscraper in 2019, killing the pilot. Recent crashes and close calls have left some people worried about the safety of flying in the U.S. A medical transport plane killed seven people when it 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 the deadliest U.S. air disaster in a generation. I was heartened to read Moumen al-Natours opinion piece ("Why my fellow Gazans say Hamas tyranny must end," April 1). Writing this clearly took a lot of courage, and I agree completely with what he wrote. He makes an important point, which is that the Palestinian people of Gaza are not Hamas, and that Gazans want an end to the wars that have repeatedly decimated Gaza. For this to occur, Hamas can no longer remain in Gaza. In addition, the hostages must be released, after which the war must come to an end. As a supporter of Israels right to exist and defend itself, I wholeheartedly agree with everything he stated, and completely support the right of Gazans to live in peace, an objective that Hamas is clearly obstructing. At the same time, those elements of Israeli society that view Palestinians as a barrier to a greater Israel" cannot be allowed to continue the terror that they wreak upon the Palestinian population of the West Bank. Official Israeli government policy must be realigned towards a peaceful coexistence, and steps must be taken to prosecute unlawful actions taken by settlers and others; these actions cannot be tolerated. To Moumen al-Natour: you and your fellow Gazans have my unqualified support for your goals of forcing Hamas out and living in peace. Salaam alaikum. Richard Botney, Portland To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion. Riley and Ty Richardson's house in Burns was flooded Saturday, March 29. Now that the water has receded, Richardson has been busy tearing out the floors. Courtesy of Riley Richardson Burns avoided a second wave of flooding this week despite concerns that parts of the recently flooded eastern Oregon city could once again be swamped, officials said. The Silvies River, which runs to the east of the city, was at around 12 feet Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, at the threshold of the minor flood stage. That means river water could reach private properties on North Broadway Avenue, Foley Road and Stancliff Road, forecasters said. The Harney County Sheriffs Office said its continuing to watch for any potential new flooding. Evacuation levels remain unchanged, the sheriffs office said in a statement Thursday afternoon. We ask residents to remain vigilant and be ready to evacuate if ordered to leave. The river is forecast to rise until it reaches around 13 feet Saturday, according to the National Weather Service. It reached its most recent peak, at 14.76 feet, on March 29 the highest it has been since 1952. A key levee north of Burns that failed during the flooding and swamped a mobile home park has been repaired, the Army Corps of Engineers has told the Harney County Sheriffs Office. Though the levee is now stable, the porous rock used to repair it could leak if waters rise particularly high at some point in the future. The county has shifted gears to focus on repair and recovery, the sheriffs office said. The flooding damaged more than 70 homes in Burns and collapsed the citys sewer system, contaminating floodwaters and forcing dozens of evacuations. All flood-contaminated areas are to be treated as hazardous, the sheriffs office said, asking also that people not take flood-contaminated debris from dumpsters. But Burns drinking water remains safe, the sheriffs office said. Fedor Zarkhin is a breaking news and enterprise reporter. Do you have a story? Reach him by phone or text at 971-373-2905 or by email at fzarkhin@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com Thomas Strong, wearing a signature paper tie, is pictured on a trip to get snacks with some of his classmates. Strong, a Lakeview High School junior with special needs, died in February. Prosecutors have charged his mother and her boyfriend in connection to his death. Courtesy of DeNae Bauer Ten children who were on the radar of the Oregon Department of Human Services died in the first three months of 2025, triggering state investigations. Thats up from two in the same time period last year and five in 2023. None of the children who died in 2025 were in foster care. But half were the subjects of an active child abuse investigation when they died and the other half lived in families that child welfare agency had been called to check on in the previous 12 months. Over the past four years, an average of six children have died on the states watch by March. The 2025 2025 number isnt unprecedented, however in 2020 at least 13 children died before April. Whenever child welfare officials learn of a death of a child in state care or in a household subject to child welfare notice in the previous 12 months, the state opens what it calls a critical incident review to look for systemic problems that could have prevented the death and seek fixes to prevent future child deaths. Such deaths tend to happen sporadically throughout the year, Oregon Deputy Child Welfare Director Molly Miller said. It wont become clear until later on whether the high volume of deaths early on in 2025 is pointing toward a troubling increase overall, she said. Any child fatality is one too many and our hearts go out to the families, communities and others who are impacted by these tragic and heartbreaking losses, Department of Human Services spokesperson Jake Sunderland said in an email. Reviewing child fatalities is a critical part of the work that we do to constantly improve. In the past six years, the state incident review team has investigated about 25 child deaths a year. Five of the 2025 deaths were babies and toddlers, ages 1 month to 18 months. The state suspects that four of those deaths had something to do with the baby sleeping in an unsafe place while their parent or guardian was using marijuana, Sunderland wrote. Infant sleep deaths paired with adult substance abuse is a trend the department has seen repeatedly in these reviews, Sunderland said. The department says its working with health agencies to raise awareness about safe sleeping practices and improving its safety planning with families. The other half of the deaths were adolescents, including four 16- and 17-year-olds who died within six days of one another around Valentines Day. Those cases are not related to one another, the department says. Tom Stenson, deputy legal director for advocacy organization Disability Rights Oregon, said the number of adolescents who have died alarms him. Half of the children who have died so far this year were older than 10, as was the case in 2024. Thats higher than in prior years, though the percentages can vary with the deaths of just one or two children. Adolescents made up about 40% of deaths in 2023 and 2021, and less than a third of deaths in 2022 and 2020. In 2019, just one of the 21 cases investigated by the state was a teenager: a 19-year-old who died by suicide. Were seeing a lot more cases of kids who are in their teen years dying, Stenson said. Stenson and a prominent Oregon lawmaker have also raised concerns that the department is failing to help children with disabilities. The state investigated 20 child deaths last year and six of those children had a disability. The state has recently started a more in-depth review of deaths of children who had intellectual or developmental disabilities. In an interview with The Oregonian/OregonLive, state Child Welfare Director Aprille Flint-Gerner generally defended the departments response to potential abuse or neglect of children with special needs. The Department of Human Services is still investigating the 10 deaths in 2025 and has not identified the children or published reports on how they died. Eight of their deaths are pending criminal investigation, a state dashboard says meaning that police are either formally investigating the death or are still deliberating whether they should do so. One of those deaths is likely that of Thomas Strong, whose body police discovered the day after his 17th birthday. Law enforcement went to his mothers Lakeview home on Feb. 18 to help the Department of Human Services carry out a protection order for the boy, the Oregon State Police said. But it was too late. Prosecutors suspect Strong died on Feb. 1, court documents say. Prosecutors charged his mother, Amanda Edwards, and her boyfriend, Nathan Cullins, in his death. A Lake County grand jury accused Cullins of killing Strong by subjecting him to prolonged physical abuse. He has pleaded not guilty to two murder charges. Edwards also pleaded not guilty to a murder charge accusing her of killing her son by neglect and maltreatment, a charge of abusing a corpse and a charge of criminal mistreatment for allegedly withholding food, physical care or medical attention from Strong. Strong was a junior at Lakeview High School, where he was known, among other things, for taping ties made out of paper to the front of his shirts. Teacher DeNae Bauer told The Oregonian/OregonLive that classmates at 240-student Lakeview Senior High looked out for Strong, whom she described as having autism. Its not yet clear how or when the state child welfare agency was alerted he might be in danger. Bauer started teaching Strong when he was in seventh grade, shortly after he and his mother moved to Oregon from Texas. By the time Bauer taught Strong again in a horticulture class his sophomore year, she said, hed grown from a shy tween into a more confident and comfortable high school student. Hed declared himself the boss of keeping a group of students in his horticultural class on task, Bauer said, and made himself a popsicle-stick nametag with the title. He made a keypad out of tape for one of the cabinets, which Bauer and the other students would pretend to use to unlock the storage door before they opened it, she said. Strong brought love and joy to those around him, she said. What an amazing person he was to be able to bridge that gap of not really caring if you were the most popular student or the outcast student that no one talked to, she said. He didnt care. He saw everybody for who they were, and liked you because you were you. The school held a memorial for Strong last month. Students in Bauers floral design class made arrangements using the neon greens and other bright colors he liked best and asked the woodshop to make flower containers that looked like Legos. Lakeview students are also working to establish a scholarship in Strongs honor, the paper tie scholarship, to help students with learning disabilities. To qualify, the application says, students have to demonstrate they meet qualities that reflect Strongs spirit: kindness, gratitude, ambition and empathy. His kind spirit and friendship will be deeply missed by all who knew him, the district superintendent wrote in a letter to families after Strong died. He touched many lives in our community and his absence will be felt profoundly. Sami Edge covers higher education and politics for The Oregonian. You can reach her at sedge@oregonian.com or (503) 260-3430. This 7,400-square-foot home near Forest Grove was built in 2022 with two kitchens, a 15-seat movie theater, a swimming pool and sweeping views of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens. The new owner tore down the century-old farmhouse that had been on the property, as well as removed 22 acres of hazelnut orchard, to create this grand estate. Mark Graves/The Oregonian A pair of bills that attempted to rein in the rocketing costs of Oregon farmland as urbanites snap up some of it to build dream homes or upscale hotels has died in the Legislature this session. Senate Bill 78 which would have discouraged the demolition of modest farmhouses so expansive luxury homes could be constructed in their place failed to make it out of committee this week after the chairperson couldnt muster the votes to send it to the Senate floor. The legislatively set deadline was Wednesday. A companion bill, Senate Bill 77 which would have prevented $800-a-night B&Bs, hotels and other businesses that have nothing to do with farming from operating on agriculturally zoned acreage also stalled in committee last month. The committees chairperson, Sen. Jeff Golden, said the bills faced steadfast opposition from lawmakers and constituents who believe property owners should be allowed to develop their land however they see fit. Thats at odds, he said, with Oregons distinctive rural-urban zoning rules enacted more than 50 years ago in the states landmark land-use law, Senate Bill 100. It sounded like Senate Bill 100 and our land-use system never existed, said Golden, an Ashland Democrat, on Thursday. So I would hear from people saying What makes you think the state should have any say on how and what I build on my farmland? Well, Senate Bill 100 and our land-use system makes me think that. The 52-year-old bill transformed Oregons development by heavily limiting construction of homes and non-farming businesses on land zoned for exclusive farm or forest production. It also led to the establishment of urban growth boundaries around every city in the state. But advocates for protecting farmland say that over the ensuing decades, lawmakers have added too many exceptions and property owners have exploited loopholes. As a result, they say, wealthy outsiders with no interest in farming have been able to buy old farmhouses, tear them down and replace them with extravagant houses with picture-perfect pastoral views. They say that has raised property values far out of the reach of anyone who wants to make a living off of the land. Over the past few months, hundreds of farmers and rural land preservationists wrote letters and testified in person before lawmakers in support of the bills. But hundreds of others, including property rights advocates and even other farmers, also chimed in with opposition saying the bills amounted to massive government overreach. Many took issue, in particular, with a provision that would have limited the size of many new homes on farmland to 2,500 square feet. A third bill that would have relaxed land-use restrictions on farms, Senate Bill 788, also died in committee last month. It would greenlighted weddings and other money-generating events on farms in eastern Oregon without requiring farmers to go through their county permitting processes. The Oregonian/OregonLive reached out to all five members of the Senate Natural Resources and Wildfire Committee for comment. None beside Golden granted an interview, though Sen. Floyd Prozanski said in an email that hed be willing to discuss his position on the bills when he has time next week. Golden said hes not giving up and will try again during the Legislatures next long session in 2027. If these trends continue and I dont know whats going to stop them there will definitely be more concerning conversations about this in the future, Golden said. I dont think this is over. Aimee Green is covering the Oregon Legislature this session. Reach her at 503-294-5119, agreen@oregonian.com or on Bluesky. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Buffalo police have arrested the landlord of a long-vacant Allentown apartment building that has become a symbol of the abandoned buildings cause for neighborhoods. Mayor Christopher Scanlon announced in a press release that Charles Dobucki, the owner of 2 St. Louis Place, was arrested Thursday on a warrant that resulted from his failure to attend a recent Housing Court appearance and an additional count of false impersonation. Through my renewed focus on neighborhood policing, increased patrols, and exemplary detective work, we are sending a clear message that property neglect and disregard for the law will not be tolerated in Buffalo, Scanlon said in the statement. The mayor's office released a second statement Thursday night complaining that City Housing Court Judge Phillip Dabney concluded the states bail reform laws prevented him from setting bail or holding Dobucki in custody. This came after authorities spent several months attempting to locate and arrest Dobucki, the mayor said in the statement. "For more than six years, perpetual slumlord Charles Dobucki brazenly evaded city authorities and the police while his derelict and abandoned properties victimized the Allentown community. He flagrantly ignored countless violation notices, 3 bench warrants for his arrest, and today falsely impersonated himself to Buffalo Police," Scanlon said. "To see him released after less than six hours in custody is infuriating for myself, city authorities and our police officers. But I am more so disheartened for the community that has borne the brunt of the quality-of-life crimes that this man has openly committed against them." Dobucki has for years faced citations for violations related to the St. Louis Place property and other homes he owns in the Allentown neighborhood. After the murder of activists and artists Michael Mickey Harmon and Jordan Celotto in their St. Louis Place home across the street from Dobuckis property, there have been renewed calls to take action at the house. Scanlon, who became mayor upon the resignation of former Mayor Byron Brown in October, in recent weeks authorized emergency actions at the home, including the removal of triple-decker back porch where neighbors say people can often be seen sleeping or using drugs. The city is in the process of trying to seize the property from Dobucki. Bill aims to remedy Buffalo's blighted buildings Two state lawmakers are pushing a bill they say will allow the City of Buffalo to repair and rehabilitate dilapidated and blighted buildings and require neglectful landlords to pay for the work. Shortly after a dead body was found at the property last year, it was also used as the backdrop for a press conference where State Sen. Sean Ryan, who is running against Scanlon in the upcoming Democratic primary, pushed for a state receivership law that would allow courts to put dilapidated buildings into receivership, make repairs and then pursue repayment from property owners. Patrick McDevitt, an Allentown resident, who lives close to the property, said he and other neighbors have been asking the city to take action on the building for years, and are glad to see progress finally being made. Were thrilled that theres movement on this all, including the arrest, McDevitt said. McDevitt said that while he is disappointed that it took the murder of his neighbors to spark the city to do something about the property Buffalo police have said that the suspect in the murders was not at the property prior to the killings he and many neighbors are happy with the Scanlon administrations response. Scanlon recently held a meeting where he listened to neighbors concerns, and his administration has been regularly responding to messages. Construction equipment is at the house now, and crews are dismantling the porches, he added. Maybe other landlords seeing Dobucki be arrested and have his property seized will encourage them to take better care of their properties, or to sell their properties to people who want to develop them, McDevitt said. And while McDevitt said he sees these initial steps as a good start, he hopes the city will also look into broader initiatives to help the unhoused people who often use abandoned properties. This is an issue of homelessness, he said. Its an issue of lack of social services. Fillmore District Council Member Mitchell Nowakowski, a close friend of Harmon and Celetto, said he is happy to see the administration take action on the property. For over six years, my office has worked to hold him accountable as my constituents endured the consequences of his neglect, he said in a written statement. This arrest is a long-overdue step toward justice for the residents of Allentown and the City of Buffalo at large, and I remain committed to seeing his properties dealt with swiftly and safely. Buffalo Police Commissioner Alphonso Wright said in a written statement that properties such as 2 St. Louis Place are not just nuisances, but threats to public safety. The lawlessness of derelict property owners is unacceptable, Wright said. I will continue to work with Mayor Scanlon and Commissioner (of Permits and Inspections Christine) Amdur to eliminate this blight from our communities. Jacob Doriety, 17, left, died while in state care. He had entered Oregons foster care system as a baby, was shuffled among more than 50 foster homes and other facilities and struggled with a lifetime of unaddressed psychological trauma, according to the states review and his familys attorney. Joshua James McCoy, a 5-year-old with autism, wandered away from his Coos County home while his mother was asleep and died of exposure last fall. The two were among a half-dozen children with special needs whose deaths last year were reviewed by the Oregon Department of Human Services. Photo (right) courtesy Amos McCoy The Oregonian Nearly one-third of child deaths investigated last year by the Oregon Department of Human Services involved children with intellectual or developmental disabilities a pattern that raises questions about whether the state is doing enough to protect them, a lawmaker and prominent advocacy organization said this week. Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin, D-Corvallis, a leading voice on child welfare policy in Oregon, said shes alarmed by the Department of Human Services response to children who have special needs, saying there just tends to be a sense of letting things slide. Its the disproportionality that is concerning, said Gelser Blouin, who this session introduced a bill pushing for greater independence and authority for the departments childrens advocate position. She chairs the Senate Committee on Human Services. Gelser Blouins bill, as originally introduced, moved the position to the office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and empowered the advocate to play a significant role in the states review of child deaths. The bill died in committee due to a paperwork error, she said. Tom Stenson, deputy legal director at Disability Rights Oregon, a statewide advocacy organization, noted that Oregon has seen a sharp decline in the number of children in foster care in recent years a positive development, he said. That trend is due largely to a shift in how the state responds to neglect allegations, prioritizing support over removing children from their homes. He worries, however, that children with special needs are getting lost in the states approach, he said. What were concerned about most, Stenson said, is that it seems like the state is taking a hands-off role with regards to children with disabilities. The Department of Human Services, the agency responsible for child welfare, investigates child deaths where abuse or neglect may be a factor and where child welfare authorities have been involved with the family within the previous 12 months. Those reviews are done by a team of child welfare officials who look at whether systemic issues contributed to the death and make recommendations. The department reviewed 20 deaths last year; six involved children with special needs, according to the agency. Of the six, the state has completed reviews of four deaths two children with autism, one with a long history of acute mental health problems and one with extensive medical problems. It found neglect contributed to two of those deaths and found no evidence to show neglect factored into the deaths of two others. The agencys review of the two other deaths of children with special needs is still underway. One of the completed cases involved Joshua James McCoy, a 5-year-old with autism who wandered away from his Coos County home while his mother was asleep and died of exposure last fall. In that investigation, the department noted the cluster of deaths of children with intellectual or developmental disabilities and ordered a review of those cases to assess potential barriers to the quality of care and support provided to families. The state identified a total of nine deaths involving children with intellectual and developmental disabilities or other special needs from 2019 and 2023. While it is not a common factor historically, we believe further analysis is needed to better understand how to support parents and children and assess and build safety when these needs are present, department spokesperson Jake Sunderland said in an email. Gelser Blouin said the now-lengthy review process after a childs death should move more quickly, should include the public disclosure of the county where the death occurred and should involve members of the public a step that would increase scrutiny of the agencys actions, she said. There has to be some independent oversight of that agency that has the ability to look at records and see whats going on because nothing good happens in secret, she said. Stenson said the circumstances surrounding Joshua McCoys death illustrate the lack of meaningful engagement with families in crisis. Mom was very isolated, did not have any supports, was struggling on her own and I think there were lots of things that the DHS could have done short of removing him from the house, he said. He said the states review of the case showed child welfare workers made multiple attempts to contact the mother, yet the state ultimately failed to ensure the boy was getting help. There was no real intervention, he said. State officials declined to speak about the case, but state Child Welfare Director Aprille Flint-Gerner in general defended the departments response to potential abuse or neglect allegations involving children with special needs. We are there to assess child abuse and that assessment process is robust and quite involved and individualized, she said. Child welfare authorities are often the first to connect families with special needs children to services, but parents arent required to follow up, she said. Its voluntary, Flint-Gerner said. Its also not child abuse if they do not participate and its not always a contributor to child abuse. In the other completed reviews of children with special needs who died last year: An 11-year-old described by their mother as having autism died Feb. 23 due to anoxic brain injury. The child was not verbal or toilet trained, the review said. The state concluded the child suffered from neglect. Baggies with methamphetamine residue and paraphernalia were within the childs access, the agencys review found. The child had high medical and behavioral needs and did not receive recommended follow-up care. A 12-year-old child diagnosed with cerebral palsy and who was unable to communicate verbally died in the home where they lived with their mother on July 14. The child was hard of hearing and had blindness. The specific circumstances surrounding the childs death were not clear in the report. A professional caregiver was present when the child died, according to the states review. The caregiver told authorities the child was prone for approximately 10 to 15 minutes while the caregiver was reading a magazine and when they looked up from the magazine, they noticed the child was blue. The states investigation concluded that the child was highly medically fragile and required intensive care and support and was diagnosed with several developmental delays. It could not determine whether neglect by the caregiver factored into the childs death. It was the second child death within four weeks at the same home, the states review said. The first involved an 11-year-old foster child who died on June 15 and who, the report stated, had a lot of medical issues. The childs death did not meet the criteria for an agency review, Sunderland said. A 17-year-old suffering from psychiatric problems died by suicide on Aug. 3; at the time, the teen was living in a hotel supervised around-the-clock by child welfare workers. In the early morning hours on the day he died, the teen eluded the adults charged with caring for him, grabbed the rope and fled, according to the states review. The teen in that case was identified by an attorney representing his family as Jacob Doriety. He had entered Oregons foster care system as a baby, was shuffled among more than 50 foster homes and other facilities and struggled with a lifetime of unaddressed psychological trauma, according to the states review and his familys attorney. The review found that the Department of Human Services made extensive efforts to ensure the childs physical and mental health needs were met. It also concluded that allegations of neglect by state child welfare workers charged with looking after the teen were unfounded. Disability Rights Oregon last month issued its own investigation into the circumstances leading to the teens death, finding that although some elements of the DHS report were truthful, others were false and claiming that the agency failed to acknowledge embarrassing facts surrounding the death. DHSs misrepresentation covered up a major mistake in this matter: leaving a rope within reach of a seriously ill, actively suicidal teenager for days after the young man indicated a specific intent to use it to end his life, the advocacy group said in its own report. Flint-Gerner said the Department of Human Services disagrees with Disability Rights Oregons conclusions. She said the state was unusually transparent about the case. I just want to emphatically say that we didnt cover up anything and we did not fail to provide transparent information about what happened in that case, she said. The other two investigations the Sept. 12 death of a 2-year-old and the Nov. 27 death of a 14-year-old remain under review. Their disabilities and the circumstances of their deaths are not clear. Noelle Crombie is an enterprise reporter with a focus on criminal justice. Reach her at 503-276-7184; ncrombie@oregonian.com Portland police arrested this man on allegations of drug possession on Sept. 2, 2024, the day after Oregon upgraded drug possession to a misdemeanor. It had been a non-criminal violation under Measure 110, which was approved by voters in 2020. (File photo) Portland Police Bureau A bill that would have granted judges the discretion to lower the seriousness of some misdemeanor offenses so they would no longer be crimes but instead violations punishable by fines died in committee this week. House Bill 2469 faced powerful opposition from prosecutors, who said it would have decriminalized a long list of crimes by allowing judges on a case-by-case basis to treat them as mere violations, similar to speeding tickets. Among that list: possessing small amounts of street drugs, breaking into cars, shoplifting less than $1,000 worth of merchandise, some hate crimes, having sex in public, flashing strangers for sexual arousal, soliciting sex for money, trespassing and showing up to schools or playgrounds when sex offenders have been prohibited from doing so. The bill would have given judges the discretion to consider the character of defendants, as well as past criminal history, before deciding whether an act defined as a misdemeanor crime should be handled as a violation. Violations arent subject to jail time, probation or other sentencing conditions, such as court orders to have no contact with a victim or take part in drug treatment, mental health counseling or anger management classes. If the bill had passed, opponents contended it could have created a backdoor for judges unhappy with the Legislatures 2024 reforms to Measure 110 to begin handling drug possession cases once again as violations. The first-in-the-nation measure, which Oregon voters approved in 2020, decriminalized the possession of street drugs. But the Legislature significantly amended the measure last year, restoring drug possession to a misdemeanor but also calling for the creation of drug deflection programs. The reforms came after widespread community concern that defining drug possession as a violation did nothing to curb rampant public drug use, particularly on the streets of downtown Portland. This weeks failure of House Bill 2469 marks a significant defeat for defense attorneys, who considered it one of their top priorities this session and negotiated for months to scale back the bill so it was more palatable to prosecutors. Among those concessions was excluding certain misdemeanor crimes including assault, sexual abuse and driving while under the influence of intoxicants from the potential for softer treatment. Mae Lee Browning, a lobbyist for the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, said she believes the bill could have helped alleviate demand for public defenders because if judges were permitted to downgrade misdemeanor charges to violations, defendants would no longer have a need for court-appointed attorneys. She also envisioned the bill benefiting a wide array of defendants, using the example of a knucklehead 19-year-old who jumps a fence to swim in a closed public pool, then is charged with misdemeanor second-degree trespass. Trespass is one of the most common charges in which defendants end up waiting for months to get a public defender assigned. In that circumstance, Browning said, I would hope that a judge would say Hey, you were charged with this crime six to nine months ago, you have no public defender, youve been coming back for all of your court appearances, youre in school, your parents come with you to this, we do not need to continue this. The judge might order the teen to pay a fine while leaving no mark on the young adults criminal record, Browning said. The bill was requested by the Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association. It had gained the vocal support of the House Judiciary Committees chairperson, Rep. Jason Kropf, a Democrat from Bend. I think that with certain misdemeanors judges should have the ability to take into consideration the entire circumstances of not only the crime the victims circumstances and the individual to make a ruling that they think is right and appropriate, Kropf said during a public hearing last month. But at the eleventh hour, the bill was removed from consideration for a vote. It needed to be approved by a majority of committee members by the end of the day Wednesday to survive. Browning, of the defense lawyers association, said each session lawmakers tend to add new crimes to the books and up the penalties for existing crimes. Browning said this bill would have allowed judges to do the reverse by allowing less severe treatment for cases that they believed warranted it. Aimee Green is covering the Oregon Legislature this session. Reach her at 503-294-5119, agreen@oregonian.com or on Bluesky. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com. Dan Rayfield, Oregon's attorney general, speaks with constituents at a town hall at Portland State University on April 10. Carlos Fuentes | The Oregonian/OregonLive On his 100th day in office, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield sued the Trump administration for the 13th time and held a town hall in Portland to engage with constituents on Oregons ongoing response to the presidents actions. It was a busy day, even for Rayfield, who said he often starts his morning before 5 a.m. by checking the latest news from Washington, D.C. During the two hour event Thursday evening, he heard from more than a dozen people who shared experiences or expressed concerns related to actions of President Donald Trump, who has slashed funding for a wide range of federal programs and fired thousands of federal workers. My heart hurts for this country, and I feel like not enough of us have been able to have this voice, so I thank you for calling me up here, Wilsonville resident Debbie Lawrence told Rayfield and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, who visited Oregon for the event. The town hall, held in a ballroom on the Portland State University campus, was the second in a statewide tour that Rayfield has planned this year. He said the events will let him hear from Oregonians and discuss the states role in multi-state lawsuits, the number of which grows nearly weekly. Rayfield, a Democrat who served in the Oregon House before winning election to statewide office last fall, affirmed his commitment to protecting Oregonians from what he described as federal overreach. He accused Trump of ignoring due process with his unilateral cuts to massive programs. (Trump) does not have the ability to jump in a time machine, go back hundreds of years, become a king and avoid and elude oversight, Rayfield said at the beginning of the town hall. Democracy just doesnt work that way. Oregon has so far joined other states in filing numerous lawsuits against the Trump Administration and federal agencies, including the one filed Thursday. It aims to restore states access to federal grants intended to help low-income students and address the effects of COVID-19 on students. At the town hall, numerous individuals and representatives from unions and political advocacy groups encouraged each other, as well as Rayfield and Mayes, to continue standing up to the Trump administration. My fellow Oregonians, said Sandy Chung, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, are we going to let Trump and Elon Musk and their billionaire cronies bully our immigrant and trans neighbors and justice activists? Are we going to leave anyone in our communities behind? An audience listens to Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield speak at a town hall held at Portland State University on April 10, 2025. Carlos Fuentes/The Oregonian/OregonLive The wide range of topics people brought up Thursday reflected the extensive cuts or threats to programs that Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have overseen. Sara Kennedy, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette, warned of Trumps threatened cuts to health care services. Matt Newell-Ching, public policy manager of the Oregon Food Bank, discussed cancelled federal programs that have resulted in fewer resources for Oregonians in need. Environmental advocates expressed concern about the Trump administrations aggressive rollback of climate regulations. Labor leaders condemned the presidents executive order that would prohibit federal employees from collective bargaining through unions. Several retirees mentioned fear of having their Social Security payments suddenly cut or delayed. I feel like my blood pressure is higher, said Jackie Brookman, a Portland resident who said she is fearful of delays in her Social Security payments. Im just more anxious and more angry. Rayfield and Mayes, a Democrat who narrowly won her seat in 2022, said Democratic attorneys general meet virtually almost every day to coordinate their legal challenges and strategy. That collaboration, Mayes said, has proved paramount to managing workloads across numerous, complex legal battles. We have 23 Democratic attorneys general in America today who are fighting like hell to make sure that we protect and preserve this beautiful, precious, irreplaceable democracy of ours, and we are not going to stop until the job is done, Mayes said. Were not going to win every single one of these, Mayes said. But you show me someone who never loses, and Ill show you someone who isnt trying hard enough. At the current rate, Rayfield is on track to sue the Trump administration about 190 times before his term ends. During Trumps first term, Democratic attorney generals ultimately won roughly 80% of lawsuits against the president and his administration, Mayes and Rayfield said. I did not run for office so that I could sue Donald Trump, Rayfield told reporters before the town hall. But this is where were at, with an unconstitutional and often illegal presidency that seems hell bent on destroying 250 years of American government. Though Rayfield mostly spoke of his legal challenges against Trump, he acknowledged that Oregon wont necessarily be able to fight every aspect of the presidents agenda. Oregons status as a sanctuary state, for example, limits cooperation of local law enforcement with immigration authorities, but does not stop federal agents from detaining or deporting undocumented immigrants in Oregon. Rayfields next town hall will take place in Bend on May 3, with future dates yet to be announced. The president wont listen to the people of the United States, Rayfield told the audience Thursday. We will do it for him. Carlos Fuentes covers state politics and government. Reach him at 503-221-5386 or cfuentes@oregonian.com. Our journalism needs your support. Subscribe today to OregonLive.com/subscribe. Congresswoman Maxine Dexter spoke to hundreds of constituents inside the gymnasium of Centennial High School in Gresham. She answered questions questions from the crowd. Destiny Johnson Oregon Rep. Maxine Dexter made a fiery speech in opposition to the SAVE Act, calling on her colleagues in the House to approve amendments to the bill that she said would preserve voting rights for married women and other groups. The SAVE Act isnt about preventing fraud, its about preventing participation in our elections, said Dexter, a Democrat from Oregons 3rd District. Thats why I demanded that House Republicans adopt my amendment to give assurances that married women who change their last name will not be shut out of the ballot box. This amendment isnt a theoretical, its about the married woman in Hood River whose documents dont match after changing her name. Its about making sure our democracy includes all of us. And House Republicans voted it down. Dexters office called H.R. 22, titled Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or the SAVE Act, an anti-woman, voter suppression bill, in a statement posted to the congresswomans website. Dexter introduced eight amendments to the SAVE Act that her office said were designed to prevent married women and other potentially affected groups from being disenfranchised. None of the amendments were passed. The Associated Press took 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. 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: 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 drivers license doesnt list my birthplace or indicate Im 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. 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. 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 cant 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. You know those email signatures at the end of messages? The ones that include a range of information about the senders phone numbers, addresses, social media handles. And in recent years, pronouns letting the recipient know that the sender goes by she, he, they or something else, a digital acknowledgement that people claim a range of gender identities. Among those who dont agree with that are President Donald Trump and members of his administration. They have taken aim at what he calls gender ideology with measures like an executive order requiring the United States to recognize only two biological sexes, male and female. Federal employees were told to take any references to their pronouns out of their email signatures. That stance seems to have spread beyond those who work for the government to those covering it. According to some journalists accounts, officials in the administration have refused to engage with reporters who have pronouns listed in their signatures. The New York Times reported Tuesday that two of its journalists and one at another outlet had received responses from administration officials to email queries that declined to engage with them over the presence of the pronouns. In one case, a reporter asking about the closure of a research observatory received an email reply from Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, saying, As a matter of policy, we do not respond to reporters with pronouns in their bios. It was unclear if this has become a formal policy of the administration. Leavitt did not respond to a request for comment. In a statement to other news outlets, Leavitt said that Any reporter who chooses to put their preferred pronouns in their bio clearly does not care about biological reality or truth and therefore cannot be trusted to write an honest story. Email signatures as a point of contention In its statement, The Times said, Evading tough questions certainly runs counter to transparent engagement with free and independent press reporting. But refusing to answer a straightforward request to explain the administrations policies because of the formatting of an email signature is both a concerning and baffling choice, especially from the highest press office in the U.S. government. That even the words in email signatures could become yet another point of ideological contention is actually not surprising. Language the words we use, the words we dont, what we think we can and cant say to others and they to us represents a kind of social signaling, says Lauren Hall-Lew, professor of sociolinguistics at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. The extent to which conversations around language and language policing are stronger and more politically bifurcated now would only be a reflection of the actual politics on the ground, Hall-Lew says. Thats what all of language is its to communicate. But because were communicating between people, because people are messy, then all language becomes political. Pronoun identifiers in email signatures are no exception, she says. There was a time when if you had pronouns in your sig files, assume that you were transgender. And we have come a long way in the sense that that is no longer the assumption for a lot of people. Its more to do with your political positionality relative to transgender issues. And that was kind of the goal, actually, in trying to get cisgender people to put their pronouns in. U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden, who was nominated by Trump in 2017, on Tuesday ruled in the APs favor, saying that government couldnt retaliate over its editorial decision, a ruling that the White House said it would be appealing. By DEEPTI HAJELA, Associated Press Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia of Maryland, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, speaks during a news conference at CASA's Multicultural Center in Hyattsville, Md., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) 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. 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 courts emergency docket where the conservative majority has at least partially sided with Trump amid a wave of lower court rulings that have slowed the presidents sweeping agenda. In Thursdays case, Chief Justice John Roberts had already pushed back Xinis deadline, and the justices 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. 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. 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 Kilmar Abrego Garcia was once in the MS-13 street gang, Xinis wrote. Abrego Garcia, 29, was detained by immigration agents and deported last month. 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. In 2019, an immigration judge barred the U.S. from deporting Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, finding that he faced likely persecution by local gangs. 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. This previously-published book chapter was posted today, Thursday, on the website of the Interpreter Foundation: The Temple: Plates, Patterns, & Patriarchs, She Took the Veil and Covered Herself, written by T. K. Plant. For those who may still be confused by what is going on as at least one unfortunate soul has been we publish journal articles on Friday. On Thursdays, we post electronic versions of book chapters that have already appeared in print. These are two different things, just as Thursdays and Fridays are two different days. (Fridays typically follow Thursdays though, perplexingly, Thursdays also commonly follow Fridays, albeit at a somewhat greater distance in time.). Anyway, heres a description of the article by T. K. Plant: Part of our book chapter reprint series, this article originally appeared in The Temple: Plates, Patterns, & Patriarchs, edited by Stephen D. Ricks and Jeffrey M. Bradshaw. For more information, go to https://interpreterfoundation.org/books/the-temple-plates-patterns-patriarchs/. For video and audio recording of this conference talk, go to https://interpreterfoundation.org/conferences/2022-temple-on-mount-zion-conference/videos/plant/. Genesis 24:65 and 38:14 include the recorded actions of Rebekah and Tamar covering themselves with a veil. The Genesis account in the 1611 King James Version (KJV) records that Rebekah and Tamar covered themselves in a vaile. Vaile is the translated word in the KJV from the Masoretic Text (MT) for the Hebrew word ( ), transliterated as tsaif (see Genesis 24:65; 38:14 MT). To understand the meaning of the veil in these accounts, I have used parallel methodology to compare the biblical record with other ancient Near Eastern texts and images. In the Genesis accounts of their veiling, the phrase translated into English as covered has been found in ancient Near Eastern texts as early as the third millennium BC as a likely ancient Mesopotamian idiom that meant the accepted performance of a culturally legitimate marriage or consummation. Today, we filmed in the historic Kirtland Flats area, inside and outside both the Newell K. Whitney Store and the adjacent red brick Johnson Inn. The weather was gray and somewhat rainy, but not too bad, and I think, again, that we got some good material. Basically, now, we have the stuff for ten episodes of our Becoming Brigham series. Obviously, it will take time to get those ten episodes edited into serviceable shape, provided with background music, and so forth, but the filming for them is essentially done. When we were finished, we were able to work in a tour of the Kirtland Temple. The new temple tours under the auspices of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are a good blend of historical facts and spiritual significance, far superior to the dry and religiously barren art history tour that I experienced on my first visit to Kirtland many, many, many years ago. Some were worried that the new Latter-day Saint approach would ignore historical fact in favor of hardcore proselytizing but, happily, that hasnt occurred. After my previous visit to Kirtland, during which a team then affiliated with Scripture Central filmed me and Casey Griffiths in the temple and a pair of then-new missionaries, still mastering their presentation, took us on a tour, I was confident that things would be just fine, and they were. I mentioned the other day that, before our group arrived in upstate New York, my wife and I visited the home and then the grave of Susan B. Anthony. In connection with that, I did just a small bit of reading about her life, and I saw an interesting albeit small and indirect connection to an important part of the history of the Latter-day Saints in Kirtland: Susan B. Anthonys father was a Quaker, an abolitionist, and an advocate of temperance. During her very earliest years, he ran his own small cotton factory. When she was six years old, though, her family moved to Battenville, New York, where her father assumed the management of a large cotton mill. At the age of seventeen, she was sent off to a Quaker boarding school in Philadelphia, which she soon came to dislike intensely for what she regarded as its strict and sometimes humiliating atmosphere. But she was forced to end her studies after one term it doesnt seen that she would have been very upset about that, at least because an economic downturn known as the Panic of 1837 ruined her family financially. They were forced to sell off everything they had at a public auction although, in the end, they were rescued by her maternal uncle, who bought most of their belongings back and kindly restored them to the family. Anyway, that was the very same Panic of 1837 that, hundreds of miles away in Ohio, engulfed and destroyed the famous Kirtland Bank (aka the Kirtland Safety Society) and contributed powerfully to the eventual abandonment of Kirtland by Joseph Smith and almost all other Latter-day Saints. Some folks are, and were at the time, under the impression that it was Joseph Smiths personal malfeasance and corruption that led to the failure of the bank, but the causes were much larger than Kirtland and much more complicated than that impression would suggest. An important treatment of the topic is Marvin S. Hill, C. Keith Rooker, and Larry T. Wimmer, The Kirtland Economy Revisited: A Market Critique of Sectarian Economics, BYU Studies Quarterly 17/4 (1977): 391 -475. Posted from Cleveland, Ohio Trick #1: Suspiciously good sale prices The best-selling laptop on Amazon right now is an unspecified Lenovo IdeaPad thats being sold by a third-party seller named AZXUT STOREand this product listing is highly suspicious. It first appeared on Amazon in early April at a price of $1,499, then was cut down to $399. It has since increased to $429, meaning the laptop is listed as 71% off. Its also labeled as the #1 Best Seller in the Traditional Laptop Computers category. It even lists 32GB of memory and a 1TB solid state drive. With all that, I cant blame anyone who bought this over the past few days. It looks like a killer deal. But it isnt. Matt Smith / Foundry The first sign that somethings fishy is the processor. The listing claims that this laptop has an Intel Celeron N4500, a dual-core processor that released in 2021. The Celeron N4500 was among the slowest processors produced by Intel at the time, and today its performance is truly abysmal. According to Geekbench 6, a typical laptop with a Celeron N4500 hits a multi-core score of 731. Meanwhile, Intels Core Ultra 120Ua modern chip found in many budget laptopstypically scores about 7,500. To me, this stinks of a scam thats preying on less knowledgeable folk. The seller, AZXUT STORE, has many recent 1-star reviews. Some customers say the products they received were used, that they didnt match their respective listings, or that they received nothing at all. I couldnt find contact information for AZXUT STORE, and the contact button on Amazons website directed me to a chatbot. Ive reached out to Amazon for comment on the situation. If youre confused about what the new Trump tariffs will mean for your wallet, youre not alone. Consumers and PC vendors alike are trying to figure out what it means and how everyone can avoid paying more than they have to. Fortunately, some vendors are starting to come forward and explain how their costs are being affected and how theyre being passed along to you or not. PC vendors are just like you, in that theyre buying processors, GPUs, and other components for their products. But while you can track an SSD price as it rises and falls on Amazon, you have no real way of knowing what the future holds. PC vendors do, because they talk to component vendors regularly. Normally, however, they keep these conversations secret. Recently, two PC vendors, Framework and Puget Systems, have not only begun talking about how tariffs will affect the price of the products that they sell to you, but also about the prices theyre paying for components and whether theyll go up or down and by how much. Its all extremely valuable information, especially if youre confused about what tariffs will affect which parts inside of a PC. Even better, theyre updating their insights as new info comes in, especially because the expected cost of the tariffs has been vague and changing. Of course, neither vendor can say for certain what will happen at any moment in time; President Trump has raised and lowered tariffs unexpectedly throughout the past few days. As of press time, tariffs on imported Chinese goods stand at 125 percent, while he has enacted a pause on other worldwide tariffs but theyre still 10 percent, regardless, while the cheap tariff loophole has been eliminated, too. And remember, chip tariffs could begin on June 1. A year ago, no one cared where a PC or a component was made. Now, you absolutely should. Tariff lessons you can learn from Framework Framework, a modular PC supplier, sources its components from a variety of companies and countries. As a small supplier, the tariffs have hit hard; Framework only recently began allowing customers to pre-order its latest Framework Laptop 12 in the U.S., and earlier paused some existing Laptop sales in response to the ongoing tariffs. Nirav Patel, the chief executive and founder of Framework, explained that Framework was originally founded five years ago upon the principle that, eventually, U.S.-China relations would sour, and tariffs would be applied. Framework thus performs much of its assembly in Taiwan. The Framework Desktop. Mark Hachman / Foundry At Framework, heres how it breaks down: Framework laptops, desktops, and its mainboards are assembled in Taiwan subject then to a 32 percent tariff, which has now fallen to 10 percent. Some of its pluggable USB-C modules are made in Taiwan, but the majority are made in China, still subject to a 125 percent tariff. Framework buys Western Digitals modules from Malaysia (then: 24 percent tariff, now: 10 percent). Frameworks Patel had some interesting advice for customers looking to buy their tariffed storage: [We] recommend that you purchase it elsewhere for your DIY Edition if possible, like directly from the Western Digital website. The other lesson? Bye-bye, budget PCs. If low-priced PCs cant be sold at a high enough profit, PC vendors will withdraw them. For our lowest-priced base systems, where were unable to absorb the remaining 10 percent tariff, ordering is still paused for US customers, Framework said. Many of our modules are manufactured in China, which now face higher tariffs. On these items, we are keeping elevated pricing for now to cover the tariff cost. Well continue to monitor this situation and update pricing if needed. What Puget predicts will happen with PC part pricing Puget Systems is a smaller boutique workstation vendor, which has published detailed updates on how the tariffs are affecting its own costs and end prices. Puget has also drawn a distinction between directly tariffed goods and indirect tariffs for example, while DRAM might be manufactured in the United States, the printed circuit board on which it is mounted might ship from China. How tariffs will affect Puget Systems, a boutique PC and workstation company. Puget Systems The biggest impact, Puget says, will be felt on the most expensive components with one exception. Processors, both from AMD and Intel, are exempt from the tariffs, apparently because they are officially shipped from the United States. Some video cards are, too. On the other hand, demand and prices for Nvidias latest GeForce 5090 were already insane, and theyre probably going to get worse. When a new product is released and in high demand, supply is typically constrained, causing prices to inflate significantly, Puget president Jon Bach wrote. The 5090 definitely falls into that camp! I cant remember a product in recent history that has been in such short supply for so long after launch, and the future doesnt look much better. Heres how Puget sees the tariff increases affecting the prices of the components it buys. While the actual percentage costs were tied to the earlier, per-country tariffs, you can basically take them as an indicator of how price-sensitive they are. Motherboards: Puget said on April 1 that it would absorb any price increases in motherboard costs, if only because they come from a variety of countries. Puget said on April 1 that it would absorb any price increases in motherboard costs, if only because they come from a variety of countries. CPUs: No impact! No impact! SSDs: Puget expects prices to climb by 10 percent but not from tariffs, but from supply constraints. Puget expects prices to climb by 10 percent but not from tariffs, but from supply constraints. Memory: Prices were on a downward trend before the tariffs hit, so the price that Puget (or you) pays could remain flat or even slightly dip. Prices were on a downward trend before the tariffs hit, so the price that Puget (or you) pays could remain flat or even slightly dip. GPUs: An enormous question mark. GPUs were previously tariffed at 20 percent, and this may have already been partially priced in. This is the worst news in this post because these components have a high cost to begin with, so even a smaller percent increase means a bigger dollar increase! Bach wrote. An enormous question mark. GPUs were previously tariffed at 20 percent, and this may have already been partially priced in. This is the worst news in this post because these components have a high cost to begin with, so even a smaller percent increase means a bigger dollar increase! Bach wrote. Network and storage controllers: Puget expects to pay about 20 percent more here, although these would probably be confined to its workstation/rack products. Puget expects to pay about 20 percent more here, although these would probably be confined to its workstation/rack products. Chassis and power supplies: Puget expects to pay 20 percent more, and it seems reasonable that enthusiasts would too. Large-scale chassis production almost always comes from China, so our costs are directly impacted, Bach wrote. Puget expects to pay 20 percent more, and it seems reasonable that enthusiasts would too. Large-scale chassis production almost always comes from China, so our costs are directly impacted, Bach wrote. CPU coolers and fans: Pugets Bach said that prices of these components should rise by about 20 percent. Fortunately, theyre not that expensive, relatively. Its a hard sell, but you might want to buy now. Pugets Bach said he expects the Trump chip tariff to kick in on June 1, with potential cost increases of between 20 and 45 percent. Fortunately, Puget is using the pause in tariffs to import as much inventory as the company can to stockpile parts in U.S. warehouses before any additional tariffs are implemented again. Framework gets nerdy about tariffs Since PC vendors do as much assembly as they do building, how does the government decide which products are tariffed and which arent? Framework drew back the curtain to explain how its products were affected. (This might be too much information!) When goods are imported into the US, tariffs are assessed based on the country of origin and the HTS (Harmonized Tariff Schedule) code that the goods are classified as, Frameworks Patel wrote. We ship all of our products DDP (Delivered Duty Paid), meaning we pay tariffs as goods clear customs and include the cost inside of our product pricing, Patel added. The tariff is calculated against the value of the product at import, meaning our cost as the importer, rather than the final price we charge for the product. The country of origin is defined as the last location in which substantial transformation occurs. For computers, US Customs has specifically defined substantial transformation as the location at which the main circuit board is assembled. Ugh, right? Being a smart PC builder right now means that you might have to take an economics class in your spare time. Hopefully more PC vendors come forward to share what they know. Microsoft is giving away a commemorative Surface Laptop to celebrate the companys 50th anniversary, with a little extra blingbut just for 50 of the companys customers. The new 50th Anniversary Exclusive model of the Surface Laptop features a twist: Normally, the Windows logo on the back of the laptop complements the color scheme of the Laptop itself e.g., a black laptop includes a black logo. For this model, Microsoft etched the logo in gold, a rather stunning accent color. Inside, theres another twist. Microsoft usually leaves its keyboard tray blank and unadorned, without even a logo, let alone a sticker highlighting the manufacturer of the processor inside of it. But on this Laptop, Microsoft has etched the sweet Microsoft logo from 1975, giving it an added retro touch. Microsoft has 50 of these Surface Laptop 50th Anniversary Exclusive models to give away, which the company seems to be doing exclusively on Instagram. (Its not clear what size the Surface Laptop is.) But theres a small catch. https://www.instagram.com/p/DIRaAiGCqdq/ To enter, youll need to post a photo of your Surface on-the-go, according to Microsofts Instagram post. That means, theoretically, that youll already need to own a Surface to take a photo of it. (If not, you can probably borrow one from a friend.) Youll also need to tell Microsoft why you love your Surface, follow @Surface on Instagram, and add the special #Microsoft50SurfaceSweepstakes and #Microsoft50 hashtags to your post, as well. Unfortunately, the contest is only open to resident of the U.S. and Puerto Rico, and for a limited time: until April 16. So get snapping to land yourself one of these iconic Surface Laptops! If you use Google Chrome on your mobile phone, or if you have a modern Android phone, then youve probably stumbled across the Discover feed at some point. The Discover feed is available on Chromes mobile New Tab page, in the Google app, and on the home screen (by swiping right). Soon, itll also be available on desktop PCs. Google Discover is a personalized recommendation engine that shows you articles from around the web that Google thinks youd be interested in. The recommendations are based on various factors like your location, your browsing history, your opted-in interests, and more. (If youve disabled history tracking in your Google account, the recommendations will be far less personalized and less useful.) Search Engine Roundtable reports that Google showed off the new desktop Discover feed during yesterdays Search Central Live event in Madrid, Spain. The Discover feed on PCs will be split into two sections, with one section for Google-recommended articles that might interest you and another section where youll see more general information, including weather, stock market trends, and more. From what we know, the Discover feed will seemingly be available on the Google home page (google.com), with the Discover feed appearing below the main search bar. It may or may not come to the Chrome browsers New Tab page, or even elsewhere. We dont know yet. If you dont see the Discover feed on Googles home page, you may have to opt into Google experimentsor wait for the rollout to reach you. Google has been planning to bring the Discover feed to desktops for several years now, and has tested several different versions of the feature with different looks and content in the feed. If you feel like its hard to find decently interesting articles to read via Google Search or social media, then you should definitely try Discover once its available to you. Users who are downloading the classic Outlook app via the Microsoft Store are discovering that they arent receiving the proper version of the app in their desired language. For example, if you choose to download the Swedish version of the app, its in English; if you choose to download the English version, its in Portuguese. According to Microsoft support, which was last updated yesterday as of this writing, the issue initially involved users who installed classic Outlook via the standalone installer, which always installed in English no matter which display language you had selected. While that particular issue was fixedwith a drop-down menu with language options when downloading the standalone installerthere are still issues when installing classic Outlook via the Microsoft Store. When you choose a language, you may get a different one. Microsoft says that the Office Team has fixed the problem, but the fix wont roll out until Monday, April 14, 2025. If you cant wait until then, your only option right now is to download the standalone version of classic Outlook via the link on this support page. By Anya Litvak, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (TNS) Just two days after he ordered a new national security review of Nippon Steel Corp.s bid to buy U.S. Steel Corp., President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he does not want the iconic Pittsburgh steelmaker to be sold to a Japanese company. We love Japan, but U.S. Steel is a very special company, Trump said in the Oval Office late in the day while speaking to journalists as he signed a new wave of executive orders that varied from boosting the American shipbuilding industry to restoring higher pressure to shower heads. We dont want it to go to Japan or any other place. Trump had long opposed the proposed merger, first announced in December 2023, but his call on Monday for a new national security review by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) sparked hope for a potential new avenue for the $14.9 billion deal. FILE - This is a portion of US Steel's Edgar Thomson Works in Braddock, Pa., on Sunday, Apr., 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File) AP Monday was also the deadline for the federal government to file its reply brief in a lawsuit that U.S. Steel and Nippon had filed challenging the previous CFIUS review, under the Joe Biden administration. The Justice Department, instead, asked the court for a 60-day pause 45 days for the new CFIUS review and 15 days for the president to weigh the committees recommendations and make a decision on the deal. U.S. Steel and Nippon agreed to the delay, according to the governments filing. Perhaps the most optimistic forecast for the embattled deal came from an unlikely source: Ancora Holdings Group, the Cleveland-based investment firm that had been waging an aggressive proxy campaign to oust U.S. Steels CEO David Burritt and install nine new directors to the companys board. Ancora abruptly dropped the effort on Wednesday and took down its website. In a letter to shareholders, Ancora wrote: Based on language included in Mondays Presidential Action, we suspect the companies have taken steps to try to mitigate national security considerations. We imagine this is why labor leaders, policy experts and stockholders have recently suggested they expect the sale will be approved. Ancora had been urging U.S. Steel to postpone its annual meeting, scheduled for May 6, which would put it two weeks ahead of the completion of the CFIUS review. During a news conference with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in February, Trump said that he would like to see Nippon invest in U.S. Steel without buying it. Theyll be looking at an investment rather than a purchase, Trump said on Feb. 7. " U.S. Steel is a very important company to us. It was the greatest company in the world for 15 years, many years ago, 80 years ago, and we didnt want to see that leave, and it wouldnt actually leave, but the concept psychologically [is] not good. So theyve agreed to invest heavily in U.S. Steel, as opposed to own it. And that sounds very exciting, he added. That language has become the dominant means of reframing the deal. U.S. Steels statement on Thursday echoed it. U.S. Steel and Nippon Steel are continuing to work closely with President Trumps administration to secure a significant investment that will preserve existing jobs, create new jobs, enhance national security and secure a bright future for U. S. Steel and American steel manufacturing. But during his press conference on Wednesday, Trump seemed to suggest that U.S. Steel may not even need Nippons investment because the steel tariffs that his administration imposed on imports are boosting the domestic industry in spectacular fashion. I dont know if they need any money now, Ill be honest with you, he said. They hit gold. Because if you look at... they have such orders for steel now that its incredible. U.S. Steel declined to comment on that. On the presidential campaign trail, both Trump and Democratic nominee Kamala Harris said they opposed the deal because the company should remain American-owned. The United Steelworkers union has opposed the Nippon deal from its announcement. U.S. Steel has about 22,000 employees worldwide, with about 4,000 in the Pittsburgh region. State police have charged a former teacher in Butler County after they say she hit an eight-year-old student. Carly Miller, 35, who worked as a special ed teacher at Knoch Primary School in Saxonburg, is expected to be charged with simple assault and harassment, police said. Police said Miller hit an 8-year-old in the face during school hours back in November. District solicitor Thomas Breth told WPXI that the school district learned about the incident shortly after it happened and that they are cooperating with police. From the school districts perspective, theyll proceed through the process of terminating her employment and the criminal charges are something the teacher will have to deal with, he said to the news outlet. Miller is currently suspended by the district. She is challenging the districts decision, WPXI said. It is not clear yet what led to the incident. Units 1 and 3 had plywood covering the windows after the shootings and fire. Zahriah Balentine UPDATE: Man facing eviction for causing problems at apartments fatally shot neighbor, killed self: DA A 55-year-old man died after being shot in what appears to be a murder-suicide in the city of Lebanon. Police were called to the 500 block of S. 9th Street about 4 a.m. and found the wounded man. He was taken to a hospital, where he later died of his injuries. Officers at the scene, meanwhile, saw smoke and flames coming from a nearby apartment. After firefighters extinguished the fire, police found a 62-year-old man dead inside from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a police news release. Police said the men were known to each other. The one-story apartment building with seven units is tucked behind a locksmith business. Units one and three had broken windows covered by plywood and had public safety condemnation notices on the doors. The names of the men were not released. Police did not say if the men lived in the two apartments that were marked as condemned after the shootings. Neighbors did not answer their door when a PennLive reporter knocked Friday afternoon. Former "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" star Walter Emmanuel Jones speaks out about the show's former headwriters comments. Photo of Power Rangers post at the 20 Years and Beyond event during Comic-Con International 2012. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) Getty Images Walter Emanuel Jones feels that suiting up to play the Black Ranger in Power Rangers was no mistake; it was an honor. Jones is responding to comments made by Mighty Morphin Power Rangers head writer Tony Oliver, in which Oliver said the casting team made a mistake in casting the Black and Yellow Power Rangers. The mistake in this instance mainly being putting a black actor in a black suit and an Asian actor in a yellow suit. In an April 7 episode of Investigation Discoverys new docuseries Hollywood Demons, Oliver explains that when they were casting, they werent thinking about stereotypes. None of us are thinking stereotypes, he said. He added that it wasnt until my assistant who pointed it out in a meeting one day that realized the glaring, stereotype-driven casting at the heart of the show. It was such a mistake. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers aired in 1993, with Jones playing the first Black Power Ranger and Thuy Trang, a Vietnamese actress, as the Yellow Ranger. Oliver also pointed out that the Yellow Ranger was originally to be played by Latina actress Audri Dubois. Dubois quit after a pay dispute. Jones did not like the idea of his casting being considered a mistake. In a lengthy Instagram post on April 10, the actor explained exactly how he felt. 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, Jones wrote. It wasnt a mistake; it was a milestone. It was an honor. Jones was a fixture on the show throughout all two seasons. He also reprised his role in the Netflix 30th Anniversary special, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always. The Black Ranger also talked about his feelings in the podcast Toond In! with Jim Cummings. Me being in a black suit never bothered me, Jones said. He said he tried on red and blue suits but ultimately felt as though Black was what I wanted to wear. Despite what many mightve thought, the official cause of the actor for Val Kilmers has been ruled as pneumonia, according to multiple news outlets. The family of the Batman Forever star confirmed his death at the age of 65 on April 1. The Los Angeles County Department of Health released the actors death certificate Thursday. Also listed were underlying causes that include acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, chronic respiratory failure, and squamous cell carcinoma of the base of the tongue. Additionally, contributing factors included malnutrition and a tracheocutaneous fistula. Kilmers body was cremated on April 7. The Heat stars daughter Mercedes, 33, had confirmed earlier with The New York Times and Fox News Digital that he died of pneumonia. He was diagnosed with throat cancer over a decade ago but later recovered. Thank you for honoring our extraordinary fathers memory, his family shared in a statement sent to Fox News Digital at the time. We are so proud of him and honored to see his legacy celebrated. The beloved actor recently appeared in Top Gun: Maverick in 2022, reprising his role as Lt. Tom Iceman Kazansky. While he was able to portray the memorable character once again, he struggled due to the damage from a tracheostomy, as the actor required the use of a breathing tube. After his death, fellow Top Gun co-star Tom Cruise honored the late actor at CinemaCon during a promotional event for Mission: Impossible The Final Reckoning. Id like to honor a dear friend of mine, Val Kilmer, for a moment, Cruise said per The Hollywood Reporter. I cant tell you how much I admired his work. If we just all take a moment to remember the wonderful time we had with him lets just take a moment. I wish you well on your next journey, he added. Kilmer was best known for his role in the cult classic film, 1986s Top Gun, 1991s The Doors and 1995s Batman Forever. There might be a more rational explanation as for what it is. (Getty Images) Getty Images The animal kingdom has mostly been effectively documented by scientists over the decades. Thats not to say there arent some weird anomalies out there. Like whatever this thing is. The Daily Mail reports how 30-year-old Janay Lynn spotted a very odd-looking creature outside of her home in Pueblo, Colorado. I told everyone about it and no one believed me, Lynn told Pen News. I first saw it last Monday during the afternoon it was sitting in the road in front of my house. It didnt run or act afraid of me, and it turned and looked at me, and I got the chills and ran back inside. The fact that no one believed her gave Lynn the resolve to record the being. She did just that, and published the video to Facebook, allowing for people to view the furry, long-armed beast for themselves. Im, like, so creeped out right now, Lynn can be heard saying in clip. Many of the Facebook comments are perplexed. Some commenters posited that the creature is a Chupacabra, the blood-sucking cryptid of Latin-American folklore. I did a Google reverse search and it legit says its a Chupacabra, wrote one of them. Other people believe theres a more rational explanation. Looks like a bear, someone else wrote. I think its a wolverine lol, the paws are too small to be a bear, suggested another. Either way, its creepy. According to the New York Post, even wildlife officials are scratching their heads over this one. Its so scary because no one can tell what it is, Lynn said. Its got a rat-like face, its eyes are very small and far apart, and it has a long pointy noise, and a mouth like rats do. The animal remains a mystery as of the publishing of this report. Filmmaker Ken Burns poses in the Adams County Historical Society archive storage room, February 10, 2023. Burns will be one of several guests for the 2025 Gettysburg Film Festival. Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com Filmmakers, authors, musicians and other celebrity guests will make appearances at the 2025 Gettysburg Film Festival. The festival will be held from May 8-11, is dedicated to showcasing American history on screen according to the official website. This years festival will commemorate the 80th anniversary of World War II with a series of special events, screenings and lectures. Held in Gettysburg, where President Lincoln redefined democracy and President Eisenhower found his post-war home, the festival will celebrate stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience, reads a press release for the festival. The festival will mark the anniversary of World War II with screenings of Saving Private Ryan, The Monuments Men and Band of Brothers. Filmmaker Ken Burns, known for his award-winning historical documentaries, will headline the event and lead a discussion on World War IIs lasting impact. Special guests will include actors Martin Sheen, Anna Deavere Smith and Stephen Lang, as well as Susan Eisenhower, national security expert and granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The festival will also include appearances by country music star Trace Adkins, who will sing the national anthem and participate in a discussion following the screening of the film Beyond Glory. Other events include discussions and lectures with authors and historians, a full list of which can be found here. For info on tickets or more details, visit the Gettysburg Film Festival website. The bodies of two young children who died in a massive fire that swept through a Cumberland County, New Jersey, neighborhood have been recovered, officials confirmed. Six homes were destroyed and 23 people displaced in a blaze that began late Wednesday on the 300 block of South 4th Street in Millville. Responders spent much of Thursday searching the rubble for the two children. One child was found around midday and the second was recovered by late Thursday afternoon, according to Millville City Commissioner Kirk Hewitt, who is the citys public safety director. City officials said the girls were sisters, ages 8 and 10. The victims have not been officially identified. The cause and origin of the fire remains under investigation, Hewitt said. Crews battle a fire that began late Wednesday and destroyed several homes on South 4th Street in Millville. (Rosenhayn Fire Department) We have found nothing that indicates a suspicious fire or an intentionally set fire, but until theyre complete with their investigation we cant rule anything out, Millville Fire Chief John Wettstein said Friday. Investigators believe the fire likely started in the duplex where the children lived, Wettstein said. Millvilles fire prevention bureau is leading the investigation, with assistance from Vineland Fire Department and the state Division of Fire Safety, according to the chief. Two houses were fully engulfed when firefighters arrived around 11 p.m. Wednesday, Wettstein said. Firefighters encountered an issue with a fire hydrant that wasnt working, but they were able to run lines to other nearby hydrants, according to the chief. We used all the water we had on the engines to put out the fire and we ran into a water supply problem with the closest hydrant, Wettstein said. The inoperable hydrant had water running to it, but the cause of the malfunction was unclear as of Friday, he said. A hose is connected to a fire hydrant in Millville, NJ on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Dave Hernandez | For NJ Advance The hydrant issue isnt the fault of the city or water department, Wettstein added, noting that city hydrants are regularly inspected. Firefighters used 1,300 gallons of water they had on two of their trucks as soon as they arrived, the chief said. While the hydrant issue slowed down the effort it was not a factor in the deaths of the girls, Wettstein said. The delay in water did not have any impact on the two girls in the house. We started immediately with the water we had on board and we attempted to affect the rescues immediately, Wettstein said. No water supply issues were going to make a difference in, unfortunately, the loss of life in this situation. Firefighters responded within minutes, but the flames spread rapidly, Hewitt said. With the wind, the weather, the age of the homes. Even if there was a fire hydrant right in front of that house, when we got there it was fully involved, Hewitt said. Collapsing structures severed a gas line, which helped feed the flames, Wettstein said. A utility crew responded to shut off the gas. Neighbors quickly rallied to support the displaced residents with donations of clothing, food and money. We have four major community programs that are all kicking in to do as much as they can and to gather as much as they can, as far as contributions go, Hewitt said. The response here in Millville from the community is always great. A local company provided an excavator to help remove debris at the site, Hewitt said. They were in there digging by hand until we got that excavator there because everything collapsed into the basement, he said. The American Red Cross has provided assistance to 11 people from four displaced families to help with temporary lodging, food and clothing, an agency spokeswoman said. Red Cross volunteers will be meeting with an additional three families to provide assistance, the spokeswoman added. 7 1 / 7 Millville fatal house fire Matt Gray may be reached at mgray@njadvancemedia.com. More: Body found in central Pa. apartment fire connected to shooting, police believe Woman dies in central Pa. house fire after saving mother, 89 Mans bound body found in shallow grave after fire in Pa. building Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia of Maryland, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, speaks during a news conference at CASA's Multicultural Center in Hyattsville, Md., Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) AP By Mark Sherman, The Associated Press WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Thursday said the Trump administration must facilitate the return of a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to 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. Chief Justice John Roberts had paused Xinis order to give the court time to weigh the issue. That deadline has now passed and the justices directed the judge to clarify her order to take into account how the transfer could affect foreign affairs specifically the relationship with El Salvador. The high court also said the administration should be prepared to share what steps it already has taken and what it still might 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. 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. This undated photo provided by CASA, an immigrant advocacy organization, in April 2025, shows Kilmar Abrego Garcia. (CASA via AP) AP 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. 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 Kilmar Abrego Garcia was once in the MS-13 street gang, Xinis wrote. Abrego Garcia, 29, was detained by immigration agents and deported last month. 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. In 2019, an immigration judge barred the U.S. from deporting Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, finding that he faced likely persecution by local gangs. 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 writer Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this report. UPDATE: Second man dies after shootings, apartment fire in central Pa. Police are investigating after one person was found dead with gunshot wounds in an apartment fire and another person was found injured nearby in Lebanon County Friday morning. Lebanon city police were dispatched around 4 a.m. to the 500 block of South 9th Street after receiving a report of shots fired. At the scene, police found a person suffering from gunshot wounds. That person was taken to a hospital for treatment, police said. However, while at the scene, police said they requested firefighters after noticing flames and smoke coming from a nearby apartment unit. Firefighters extinguished the fire and found another person suffering from gunshot wounds inside the apartment, according to the police report. That person was pronounced dead, police said. Detectives believe the shootings and fire are connected and that the victims knew each other, according to the report. Anyone with information about the incident should call Lebanon police at 717-272-6611 or submit an anonymous tip through Crimewatch. One of the Harrisburg-area residents recently deported by ICE is now imprisoned indefinitely in Nepal after reportedly being stripped of his travel paperwork in Bhutan by a hostile government, according to those in contact with his family. Local leaders have continued to raise concerns about the ongoing deportations to Bhutan which have included six Harrisburg-area men who were detained by ICE in March. The agency said the mens immigration status had been revoked due to their criminal histories, although their families said the men had no idea they were subject to court removal orders. Its unethical to send somebody back to a country that tried to ethnically cleanse them a little over two decades ago, said Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas, who has worked with Bhutanese residents to clarify the circumstances of the deportations. President Donald Trump, shown in the Oval Office on April 9, was the target of assassination threats from a Pa. man this year, federal prosecutors said. (Pool via AP) Pool via AP A western Pennsylvania man from the same county where President Donald Trump was shot last year has been charged with threatening to kill Trump, billionaire Elon Musk, ICE agents and other officials. Shawn Monper, a 32-year-old Butler County resident, posted multiple online threats this year under the moniker Mr Satan, said prosecutors. Most of the threats came after Trumps inauguration and after Monper obtained a gun permit from state police on Jan. 28. A Bethlehem Area School District principal is facing drunken driving charges after allegedly crashing into three parked cars at the Stefko Shopping Center. Erin Hines, of Bethlehem, is charged with misdemeanor DUI (highest rate of alcohol) and misdemeanor DUI (general impairment). Police responded to the crash about 12:30 p.m. March 29 at the shopping center, 1880 Stefko Blvd. Bethlehem Police Capt. Nicholas Lechman told lehighvalleylive.com investigators found Hines in her vehicle, complaining of minor injuries. She was then taken to an area hospital for a medical evaluation, he said. Hines did not immediately respond to a request seeking comment. She is scheduled later Friday to be arraigned before District Judge Nicholas E. Englesson on the charges. Hines has served as an educator in various capacities, including as a learning support teacher, for the Bethlehem Area School District for more than two decades, her Linked-In profile states. She currently serves as principal of Hanover Elementary School and has since been placed on a leave of absence. The school, 3890 Jacksonville Road in Hanover Township, Northampton County, is one of 16 elementary schools in the district. It houses pupils in grades K-5. A message on the schools website, which was posted last week, alerted parents, teachers and staff members about the incident. It states: We wish to inform you that effective immediately, Ms. Hines is on a leave of absence from her duties as Principal of Hanover Elementary School until further notice. This action is a result of an incident that transpired in the community this weekend that did not involve a school-related activity. District Superintendent Jack Silva told lehighvalleylive.com last week the districts Supervisor of Equity Initiatives Eric Fontanez is assuming administrative responsibilities at Hanover Elementary until further notice. Fontanez is a former district elementary school principal. Both Silva and the schools website posting stated that they are unable to provide additional details as the investigation is ongoing. Silva said the website posting likely will be updated with more information once Hines has the arraignment. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. This file photo shows the Department of Health and Human Services building in Washington. Roughly 10,000 people in the department were fired as part of a dramatic restructuring of the department. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) AP By Anya Litvak, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Pennsylvania residents who need help paying their heat and electric bills have a week left to apply for LIHEAP grants, as the future of the popular federal program faces uncertainty. The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which has been around since 1981, was allocated $4.1 billion last year. The money gets broken up into block grants and is distributed to states to help low-income residents pay their energy bills, avoid losing service, and, in some cases, fund emergency furnace repairs. The programs federal staff of around two dozen people was eliminated earlier this month as part of the Trump administrations mass firings at the Department of Health and Human Services, throwing into question the future of the program and the logistics of distributing the remaining 10% of the current years allocation. For Pennsylvania, which has already received most of its allocation for the current fiscal year, that 10% portion amounts to about $20 million. That might have helped the state extend the program past the current April 18 closing date, said Elizabeth Marx, executive director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project. She noted this is a critical period for struggling ratepayers, with utility shutoffs back in play after the annual winter moratorium that bars companies from disconnecting service to income-qualified customers between Dec. 1 and March 31. We are in peak termination season, as of April 1, she said. Data collected by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission shows that terminations spike in April when the shutoff ban is lifted for low-income households. For example, in Duquesne Light territory, 584 customer accounts were shut off during the first three months of last year, when the moratorium was in effect. In the following three months, 10,213 customers lost their service for non-payment. The trend is even more stark with gas utilities. Columbia Gas and Peoples Natural Gas combined had only two dozen terminations during the winter months last year. When the period expired, around 18,000 households were shut off in April, May and June. This is the most crucial time that LIHEAP be available to households to make sure theyre going to have energy services into the hot months, Marx said. The states LIHEAP closing date is a bit of a moving target each year. It depends on how much money the state receives, how many households apply for assistance and when the small, last chunk of funding is disbursed. This year, as in some prior years, the state first estimated it would run out of money by April 4 but extended the closing date until April 18. In some years, the program was kept open into May, Marx said. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services said that currently, there are no changes to the program in Pennsylvania. We have not received the last 10% of federal LIHEAP funding, the agencys press secretary Brandon Cwalina said. If and when DHS receives the remaining 10%, DHS will determine the best way to allocate that funding. The agency typically learns what next years federal grant will be in the fall, before the heating season begins, Cwalina said. The first Trump administration tried to eliminate funding for LIHEAP, but Congress declined to go along. Among states and territories that receive LIHEAP funding, Pennsylvania ranks third behind New York and California in the size of its grant, which is determined through a formula that considers the socioeconomic and energy profile of the state. Planning for the current fiscal year, the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services estimated that the federal funding would be enough to give more than 300,000 cash grants paid directly to utilities to lessen a customers energy burden and about 90,000 crisis grants for households in imminent danger of losing utility service. Customers that meet the income qualifications, set at 150% of the federal poverty level or below, can receive grants up to $1,000. The state agency urged those who need help to apply before the program closes next week. To apply, visit www.compass.dhs.pa.gov or contact your county assistance office. With Payton Gendron watching from the defense table, a federal judge Thursday said that he will not agree to his lawyers request to delay his death penalty trial by a year. Were not adjourning the trial date for a year, theres no doubt about that, U.S. District Judge Lawrence Vilardo said in court. The man who killed 10 people and injured three others in his racist attack at the Tops grocery store on Jefferson Avenue on May 14, 2022, appeared in federal court for the first time in two years. While family members of his victims have attended each of the 20 federal court proceedings since his initial appearance on June 16, 2022, Gendron has attended only four. Before Thursday, he missed 15 consecutive hearings, with the courts approval. Gendron did not speak during the roughly one-hour status conference, which dealt with procedural issues and setting deadlines for motions among other pre-trial steps. His entrance into the courtroom by U.S. marshals did not elicit audible or physical reactions among the 30 or so family members in the courtroom. Prospective jurors will begin filling out questionnaires in October, and then lawyers on both sides will have a couple of months to review their answers to figure out who to seek to disqualify. Vilardo expects in-court jury selection to begin Jan. 5. That Jan. 5 date is not set in stone, but its going to be very shortly, Vilardo said. A member of Gendrons defense team objected to the schedule, in part over unhappiness with how the government has turned over information and evidence the defense needs to review ahead of any evidence suppression motions. We will not be able to provide the defendant with effective assistance of counsel under this schedule, said Monica Foster of the Indiana Federal Community Defenders, who became a co-counsel for Gendron in October. Change of venue sought for Tops gunman's death penalty trial Lawyers for the man charged with killing 10 people and injuring three others in his racist attack at the Tops grocery store on Jefferson Avenue said he cannot get a fair trial in Buffalo and want him tried nearly 400 miles away in New York City. A years delay was a non-starter for Vilardo. Im telling you if (the adjournment request is for) a year out, its not going to happen, he said. If its a week out, itll happen. Anything in between is anyones guess. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph Tripi said the defense is already getting four extra months to prepare for trial with in-person jury selection now starting on Jan. 5. Judge grants a hearing to May 14 mass shooter on whether he's too young for death penalty A federal judge will hold a hearing on whether May 14 mass shooter Payton Gendron is too young for the death penalty. We think these dates are appropriate, Tripi said. Gendron, 18 years old at the time of his attack, drove from his Binghamton-area home to the grocery store and got out of his car wearing a tactical-style helmet, camouflage clothing, body armor and a video camera. He carried a Bushmaster XM-15 .223 caliber rifle and multiple loaded magazines. He fatally shot three Black people in front of the store Roberta Drury, 32, Pearl Young, 77, and Heyward Patterson, 67 and wounded another. After entering the store, he kept shooting and killed seven more Black people: Ruth Whitfield, 86; Celestine Chaney, 65; Aaron W. Salter Jr., 55; Andre Mackniel, 52; Margus Morrison, 52; Katherine Massey, 72; and Geraldine Talley, 62. He wounded two more people inside the store. A federal grand jury returned a 27-count indictment against Gendron in July 2022, and the Justice Department announced in January 2024 that it will seek the death penalty. Gendron already has been sentenced by an Erie County judge to life in prison without parole on his guilty pleas to 10 state charges of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree attempted murder, among other charges. Gendrons federal public defenders have said he would plead guilty to the federal charges if the government drops the death penalty as a potential punishment. Gendrons lawyers have contended he cannot get a fair trial in Buffalo and want him tried nearly 400 miles away in New York City. Vilardo gave prosecutors until July 21 to respond to their request, with oral arguments set for August. As for the defense lawyers request for a years adjournment, they complained they cannot properly litigate legal issues because of what they called the governments abject failure to fulfill its discovery obligations. On Oct. 24, the government reissued over 55,000 pages of discovery, but with a new set of reference numbers for the pages that did not correspond to the material much of it the same the government previously provided. Earlier this year, Vilardo pushed back deadlines to give the government time to fix the problem of mismatched reference numbers. Julie Brain, a death penalty resource counsel from Philadelphia, told Vilardo in court the defense still did not know about some of the attachments to the reports, and that even with many hours of paralegal work, the discovery had been grossly deficient. Tripi said the government has made numerous disclosures, and the defense has had virtually the same information as prosecutors since Sept. 21, 2022. They have the whole thing, Tripi said in court Thursday. Prosecutors said the government has spent numerous hours quite literally clicking through the discovery alongside the defense. Two Sweet Home High School employees are on leave pending an investigation into an encounter with a student last week that ended with the teen in handcuffs, a district lawyer told The Buffalo News on Friday. Nathaniel J. Kuzma, the Sweet Home Central School Districts attorney, would not identify the participants in the confrontation that took place April 4 in a hallway at Sweet Home High School. But he emphasized the district does not intend to suspend the male student and doesnt anticipate he will face criminal charges over what happened. Kuzma also said the fact the two employees were placed on paid administrative leave is not an indication the district has concluded they acted inappropriately. I want to be clear, theres no inference that I want you to draw that theyve done anything wrong, Kuzma said in an interview. Were gonna wait till the conclusion and the findings of the investigation before any determinations in that regard are reached. Sweet Home has asked Erie 1 BOCES to coordinate this investigation and expects it to wrap up sometime after classes resume following next weeks spring break, Kuzma said. He said he didnt know how many of the investigative findings would be revealed publicly. Its not known whether Amherst police are looking into the altercation or the decision to restrain the student. It was the school resource officer, a member of the Amherst Police Department, who placed the teen in handcuffs, Kuzma said. WGRZ-TV was first to report on the incident at the high school. Kuzma said it happened just after 1 p.m. April 4 in the high school hallway while class was in session. Just one student was involved in the encounter, said Kuzma, who would not go into details on what specifically the student did to prompt the staff intervention. I can confirm that there were no other students that were at risk. There was nobody else whose safety was in jeopardy at that point, he said. I believe there was a brief hold in place, which means the students are to remain in their classroom, while this incident was going on out in the hallway. But that was very brief. No one sought medical treatment in the immediate aftermath of the encounter, Kuzma said. The district has not suspended the student though he could be required to take part in a restorative justice program of some kind, the lawyer said. Kuzma said the district would not comment on whether the school resource officer made the right decision to handcuff the student but it appears thats part of the probe. The encounter happened in the hallway outside the assistant principals office, Kuzma said, and the student was escorted into that office, where the handcuffs were removed. Im going to reserve comment on that point because Im not conducting the investigation. And I dont want to disrupt any of that process, Kuzma said, or any findings that may be reached in that regard. That would be up to the investigator to make that conclusion. The officer has remained on duty at the high school, Kuzma said. Amherst police on Friday morning confirmed an officer responded to try to de-escalate an incident at the high school and did place a student in handcuffs. The department said it would not provide further information about what transpired. Paul Szymendera, the president of the Sweet Home Education Association, said one of the two employees placed on leave is a teacher and the other is not. He, too, declined to get into specifics on what happened. But he said the teachers union looks forward to a fair and impartial investigation into the incident and he defended the actions of the teacher. The teacher acted appropriately in an effort to de-escalate the situation, Szymendera said, adding, I would say in a general way that when teachers do get involved, it is always to de-escalate the situation at hand in hopes that the student doesnt harm himself or herself, in any way, including other students, staff members and school property. That is always the case. Moncks Corner, SC (29461) Today Watching the tropics. Some clouds. Low 73F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Watching the tropics. Some clouds. Low 73F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. 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. April Santana covers Lexington County for the Post and Courier Columbia. A New Jersey native, she studied journalism and political science at Syracuse University. April has written for Lohud/Democrat and Chronicle, The Arizona Republic and Syracuse.com. Mount Pleasant, SC (29464) Today Watching the tropics. Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 76F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Watching the tropics. Partly cloudy skies this evening. Increasing clouds with periods of showers late. Low 76F. Winds ENE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Charleston, SC (29403) Today Watching the tropics. Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low 76F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Watching the tropics. Partly cloudy this evening followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers after midnight. Low 76F. Winds ENE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 19:01:34 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 536 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 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 PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 22:30:50 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 905 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 KELOWNA, BC / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 /Avant Brands Inc. (TSX:AVNT)(OTCQX:AVTBF)(FRA:1BUP)("Avant" or the "Company"), a leading producer of innovative and award-winning cannabis products, today released its financial results for the first quarter ended February 28, 2025 ("Q1 2025"). Avant delivered improvements in several key financial metrics, reflecting continued progress in international markets and consistent execution across its operations. Highlights include:Gross and Net Revenue Increases: Gross Revenue increased 8% to $9.7 million, and Net Revenue increased 7% to $8.6 million as compared to Q1 2024. These increases reflect the strong international demand for premium cannabis, and Avant's established relationships with international customers.Export Wholesale Revenue1: Export Wholesale Revenue1 reached $4.7 million, representing a 41% increase over Q1 2024. This reflects increased global demand for Avant's premium flower, driven by market growth in Australia, Germany, and Israel.(1)Export Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Gross Profit: Gross profit increased to $1.6 million from $0.9 million in Q1 2024, driven by increased Net Revenue and a decrease in Change in fair value of biological assets realized through inventory sold.Adjusted EBITDA2: Achieved Adjusted EBITDA2 of $1.7 million, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA2.Adjusted Net Income3: Achieved $0.5 million Adjusted Net Income3, marking the fifth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted Net Income3.(2)Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com (3)Adjusted Net Income is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Avant Brands Founder & CEO Norton Singhavon Comments:"Avant continues to deliver revenue growth in a challenging environment, driven by robust international demand for premium cannabis and consistent execution across our operations. With increases in Gross Revenue, Export Wholesale Revenue1, and Gross Profit as compared to Q1 2024, Avant continues to demonstrate its ability to perform in any environment. We remain focused on scaling our global footprint while delivering sustainable, long-term value." (1)Export Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Fiscal Q1 2025 Financial Highlights (vs. Fiscal Q1 2024):Revenue:Gross Revenue: $9.7 million (+8%)Net Revenue: $8.6 million (+7%)Export Wholesale Revenue1: $4.7 million (+41%)Recreational Revenue4: Decreased to $2.8 million (-16%)Domestic Wholesale Revenue5: Decreased to $0.9 million (-28%)Recreational revenue declined following a strategic realignment to focus on high-performing SKUs. This strategic realignment is expected to improve profitability in the long term, while continuing expansion in international markets.(1)Export Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com (4)Recreational Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com (5)Domestic Wholesale Revenue is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Gross Margin adjusted for fair value adjustments6:Gross Margin adjusted for fair value adjustments6: Decreased to $2.9 million (-38%)Gross Margin % adjusted for fair value adjustments7: Decreased to 34% (vs. 58%), resulting from compression of cannabis market prices, and incremental increases in the cost of cultivation inputs that resulted in increased Cost of Sales.(6)Gross Margin adjusted for fair value adjustments is a non-GAAP performance measure. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com (7)Gross Margin % adjusted for fair value adjustments is a non-GAAP performance ratio. The information is incorporated by reference from the Q1 2025 MD&A filings under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Certain Non-GAAP Performance Measures". The Company's MD&A is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com Cannabis Production and Sales:Cannabis Production: 3,326 KG (+3%)Cannabis Sales: 3,360 KG sold (+21%)About Avant Brands Inc.Avant Brands Inc. (TSX:AVNT)(OTCQX:AVTBF)(FRA:1BUP) is a leading innovator in premium cannabis products, driven by a commitment to exceptional quality and craftsmanship. As one of Canada's largest indoor producers, the company operates multiple production facilities across the country, cultivating unique and high-quality cannabis strains.Avant offers a diverse product portfolio catering to recreational, medical, and export markets. Its renowned consumer brands, including blk mkt, Tenzo, Cognoscente, flowr, and Treehugger, are available in key recreational markets across Canada. The company's international footprint spans Australia, Israel, and Germany, with its flagship brand blk mkt leading the way. Avant also serves qualified medical patients nationwide through its GreenTec medical cannabis brand, accessible via the GreenTec Medical portal and trusted pa PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 18:31:34 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 443 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 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 personal information 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 PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 01:01:17 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 462 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 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=142363&wire=1 to learn about your rights to seek a recovery. There is no cost or obligation to participate.WHY LEVI & KORSINSKY: Over the past 20 years, Levi & Korsinsky LLP has established itself as a nationally-recognized securities litigation firm that has secured hundreds of millions of dollars for aggrieved shareholders and built a track record of winning high-stakes cases. The firm has extensive expertise representing investors in complex securities litigation and a team of over 70 employees to serve our clients. For seven years in a row, Levi & Korsinsky has ranked in ISS Securities Class Action Services' Top 50 Report as one of the top securities litigation firms in the United States. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 18:31:20 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 461 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 / Community Dental Care, Inc., 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 CDC.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On December 20, 2024, Community Dental Care became aware of a security incident on its sensitive internal systems. Upon detection, CDC launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cyber security experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party accessed and acquired sensitive personal information on or about December 6, 2024. CDC conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals which concluded on March 24, 2025.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal and protected health information may have been compromised: name, Social Security number, date of birth, address, driver's license number or other government issued identification number, passport number, medical information, and health insurance information. On April 2, 2025, Community Dental Care 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 CDC, 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 ALBANY Gov. Kathy Hochul said Thursday she will not sign off on any state budget without a change to discovery rules in criminal cases that she says are preventing justice from being served. Joined by victims of domestic violence one of whom said a case was dismissed because of a missing Uber receipt the governor said she was prioritizing public safety and affordability issues over the need to pass a spending plan on time. The states budget was due April 1, the start of the fiscal year. Lawmakers passed a $6.1 billion extender bill earlier Thursday to keep state operations funded through the end of Tuesday. Im not going to compromise my principles over a date, Hochul told reporters during a news conference in the rare venue of her personal office. Hochul, who introduced a $252 billion budget in January, has been negotiating a final state spending plan with Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, D-Bronx, and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, D-Yonkers, the other two most powerful figures in state government. They have been discussing policy issues that include discovery and other Hochul-favored plans to expand involuntary commitment of the mentally ill and ban masks that are used in cases of harassment. The three officials met earlier Thursday, Hochul said. Asked what the holdup is in negotiations, Hochul made it clear she has drawn a line in the sand. I reiterated there will not be a budget without discovery law changes, Hochul said, adding that she also wants progress on her mental health agenda. I do believe that when those are accomplished, which could be any day or any time, that will unleash a lot of work thats also been going on. Hochuls discovery proposal would tweak reforms that took effect on Jan. 1, 2020. Under the law, prosecutors must disclose 21 different types of discovery evidence that prosecutors must share with the defense within 20 days of an arraignment for jailed defendants, and 35 days for non-jailed defendants. Prosecutors have said that the voluminous level of discovery materials makes it difficult for them to meet speedy trial rules that require they be ready for trial within six months from the start of felony charges, 60 days for misdemeanors and 30 days for violations. Southern Tier senator says there 'doesn't seem to be any urgency' in passing state budget The extender law passed Monday marked the third time that Gov. Kathy Hochul and lawmakers have needed to pass legislation to fund operations since they missed their April 1 deadline. If a judge rules prosecutors missed the deadline, the judge can toss the case. Prosecutors and Hochul have said too many cases have been dismissed because of irrelevant technicalities. And they have asked for the law to address the issue. On Thursday, a New York City woman attending Hochuls news conference, identified as a domestic violence victim, said she had not even heard of the term discovery when she needed to prepare for her case. She said her order of protection was tossed. She questioned why cases would be dropped because of irrelevant materials, such as the failure by prosecutors to disclose footage from a police officers body camera that was not focused on the incident. District attorneys from Albany, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens and Westchester have held news conferences in the State Capitol to support Hochuls proposal. Im going to keep fighting until they fix this. Im going to keep fighting to put this in the budget, Hochul told reporters. This is my path to getting this done. In turn, Democrats in both houses and the defense bar have expressed concerns about any rollback of the past reforms. Hochul has an unexpected ally in her quest to get discovery reform: State Republicans. On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt, R-North Tonawanda, joined by Republican Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay, told reporters he supported the Hochul-sponsored proposals on discovery, masks and involuntary commitment. He said Democrats in the Legislature were holding up the budget by not agreeing to common sense proposals by Hochul. I dont agree on a lot of what Gov. Hochul does and she knows that I tell her when I see her, Ortt said, noting he and Hochul share mutual fandom of the Buffalo Bills. He said Hochuls proposals on discovery, involuntary commitment and masks seem to be moving in the direction that our conferences have advocated for a long time. Hochul and her fellow Democrats, however, remain divided on multiple policy issues. On Thursday, that divide led state lawmakers to pass the bill, meaning they will return to work Tuesday during a scheduled week off. As the budget negotiations slog along, we continue to do our extenders, Assembly Member Gary Pretlow, D-Mount Vernon, who chairs the houses Ways and Means Committee, told lawmakers in introducing the bill. The $6.1 billion extender bill was the latest in a series of bills the Legislature has passed in the wake of the late budget. Are we closer? asked Sen Liz Krueger, D-Manhattan, who chairs the Senate Finance Committee. Unfortunately, I dont feel that we making progress fast enough. Krueger said she based her comments on statements made Wednesday by legislative leaders. Over the last month, the legislative leaders and Hochul have conducted budget negotiations around the governors policy proposals, which include a plan to prohibit students from using cellphones in school from bell to bell. While the leaders have a tentative agreement on the cellphone ban, Hochul has added at least some new policy proposals into the mix, prompting Pretlow to say: As rain in the spring, policy issues keep falling on our heads. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 19:01:22 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 430 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 / First City 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 FCCU.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?First City Credit Union became aware of a security incident involving unauthorized access to a portion of its email environment. Upon detection, FCCU launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation confirmed that an unauthorized party had accessed personal information for a limited number of members. FCCU conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personal information may have been compromised: name, address, driver's license number, and social Security number. On March 31, 2025, FCCU filed a notice with the Attorney General of California and started sending 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 FCCU, 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: 2025-04-11 09:40:11 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 662 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 / Gifa, Inc. (OTC PINK:GIFX) Company UpdateGifa, Inc., a Nevada corporation ("GIFA," "the Company," "we," "us," and "our"), is pleased to share an update regarding the company's current status."Our commitment to excellence has set us up for ongoing success. As we move forward, we are concentrating on our strategic objectives, especially within the real estate sector. We are confident that through persistent effort and a focused vision, we can achieve our goal of doubling our real estate portfolio in 2025," stated Mr. Kisa, the Company's President."We recognize that this growth brings both challenges and opportunities, and we are eager to tackle them together as a cohesive team. Our success hinges on collaboration, innovation, and a stead fast focus on our objectives." "Our hotel and casino project is also progressing well'' he added."It is essential for us to honor our commitments to our shareholders, which carries a significant level of responsibility. We want to reassure everyone that we are working diligently towards this aim, even if some tasks are taking longer than we initially expected."said MrKisa.We appreciate all of your contributions; together, we will elevate our company to new levels of success." ABOUT GIFA INC:GIFA, Inc., through it subsidiaries, provides financial services and consultancy, brokerage, business loans, project funding, crowd funding advice, and consultancy to individual and corporate clients. It also offers personal and professional business development and investment advice to private clients airline representation, and corporate and leisure travel services. In addition, the company provides end-to-end supply and demand chain management services engaging in controlling and coordinating supply of materials to a range of entities that are involved in producing and delivering goods and services. Further, it engages in media business comprising newspaper and Webtv; provides consultancy, advice, assistance, and support for local businesses, as well as opportunity to access international finance; and offers local businesses and individuals small loans. The company also owns real estate and generates rent and sale income. The company was formerly known as Firefish, Inc. and changed its name to GIFA, Inc. in October 2017. GIFA, Inc. was founded in 2008 and is headquartered in Lefkosa, Cyprus.Forward Looking StatementsThis press release contains forward-looking statements. In particular, the words believe, may, could, should, expect, anticipate, estimate, project, propose, plan, intend, and similar conditional words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any statements made in this press release about an action, event or development, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which may be beyond control of the Company, that could cause actual results to differ from those in the forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Potential risks include such factors as th inability to enter into agreements with parties with whom we are in discussions, and factors that can not be predicted with certainty, as well as additional risks and uncertainties. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release. Statements made here in are as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. The Company does not undertake, and it specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, events or circumstances after the date of such statement except as required in accordance with applicable laws.For further information contact:GIFA INCDr Fazil Kucuk Boulevard, Hamitkoy JunctionHamitkoy, NicosiaMersin 10 Turkey+903926116000 info@ gifainc.net SOURCE: GIFA INC. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 13:31:18 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 677 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 / Gratomic Inc. ("Gratomic", "GRAT", or the "Company") (TSXV:GRAT) wishes to advise that it will be late filing its audited financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2024.Pursuant to National Policy 12-203 Management Cease Trade Orders (the "Policy"), the Company advises that it will therefore be in default of filing its audited financial statements and MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2024 (the "Financial Disclosure") which were to be filed on or before April 30, 2025 pursuant to relevant securities laws.The delay in filing the Financial Disclosure and the resulting default are due primarily to a lack of available funding. The Company has been trying to raise funding to provide much needed working capital and to pay the accountants and the auditor to perform the audit but have been unable to do so to meet the filing deadline.The Company has made an application to be granted a Management Cease Trade Order under the Policy to be imposed against some or all of the CEO and CFO and directors, officers or insiders of the Company instead of a cease trade order being imposed against all securities of the Company. Such an order would not generally affect the ability of persons who have not been directors, officers or insiders of the Company to trade the securities of the Company pending the filing of the Financial Disclosure on SEDAR +.The Company is working with its accountants and auditors to complete the audit of the Company's financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2024 as soon as possible and anticipates filing such financial statements and related MD&A by June 30, 2025 on SEDAR +. Until the Financial Disclosure is filed, the Company intends to satisfy the provisions of the Alternate Information Guidelines as set out in the Policy for as long as it remains in default, including the issuance of bi-weekly default status reports, each of which will be issued in the form of a press release.The Company is not subject to any insolvency proceeding and there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed.Should the Company fail to SEDAR + file the Financial Disclosure on or before June 30, 2025, the OSC may impose a cease trade order that all trading in securities of the Company cease for such period specified in the OSC order.About Gratomic Gratomic is a multinational company with projects in Namibia, Brazil, and Canada. The Company aims to become a graphite supplier and to secure a strong position in the electric vehicle battery supply chain through the development of its flagship Aukam Graphite Mine.Large quantities of high-quality vein graphite have been shipped for testing and have confirmed its suitability as an anode material. The Company will continue to update the public on the status of these tests and will share results as they become available.For more information Contact: Arno Brand at (416) 561- 4095"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." Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management's current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Investors are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof, and except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. All the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.com) SOURCE: Gratomic Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 18:31:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 545 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 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: 2025-04-11 19:01:29 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 471 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 / Life University 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 Life.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On July 30, 2024, Life University became aware of a security incident on its network. Upon detection, Life University 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 portions of Life University's network containing sensitive information. Life University conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. On March 28, 2025, Life University finalized the list of impacted individuals.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personaland protected healthinformation may have been compromised:name, address, date of birth, Social Security number, driver's license number, credit card information, financial account information, health insurance policy number, medical information, student identification number, tax identification number, account number, and routing number.On April 2, 2025, Life University filed a notice with the Vermont Attorney General's office and began sending out notice letters to 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 Life, 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: 2025-04-11 03:13:58 Press Information Published by ACN Newswire +65 6304 8926 e-mail https://www.acnnewswire.com/ # 409 Words ACN Newswire+65 6304 8926 TOKYO, Apr 11, 2025 - (JCN Newswire) - JCB International Co., Ltd., the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd., Japan's only global payment brand, is excited to announce that JCB Cards are now available as a payment method for the App Store and Apple Services in Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Customers can now use their JCB Cards to pay for purchases on the App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV app, iTunes, iCloud storage and more. This expansion reflects JCBs commitment to providing exceptional service and seamless payment solutions to its growing base of Cardmembers across Asia.As digital transactions continue to surge, JCB is dedicated to enhancing convenience and accessibility for its customers. By integrating JCB as an Apple Account payment method, JCB ensures that its Cardmembers can enjoy a smooth, secure, and efficient transaction experience with their Apple devices. This move reinforces JCBs focus on enhancing the customer experience, allowing users to access their favorite content and services with ease.Yoshiki Kaneko, President & CEO of JCB International Co., Ltd., said, "We are thrilled to offer a seamless and secure payment experience for our customers in countries and territories across Asia who purchase Apple Services, as well as apps and games from the App Store. This marks a significant milestone in our efforts to improve the payment experience for our Cardmembers. JCB remains committed to continuously improving its Cardmembers payment experience through innovations that emphasize customer service, ease of use, and security. As digital payments evolve, JCB will continue to lead the way in providing advanced solutions that cater to the needs of its customers.About JCBJCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 53 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 164 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/ MEDIA CONTACTS:JCB (Head Office in Japan)Anna TakedaCorporate CommunicationsTel: +81-3-5778-8353Email: jcb-pr@ info.jcb.co.jp PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 18:31:28 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 458 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 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: 2025-04-11 19:01:57 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 477 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 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 cyber security 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 PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 18:31:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 433 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 / Stetson & Koenes, PLLC ,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 Stetson & Koenes.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On November 1, 2024, Stetson & Koenes, PLLC identified suspicious activity on its network systems. Upon detection, Stetson & Koenes launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cybersecurity experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. Through its investigation, on February 20, 2025, Stetson & Koenes confirmed that an unauthorized third party had accessed sensitive personal information. Stetson & Koenes 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: name, Social Security number, driver's license number, and financial account information. On March 31, 2025, Stetson & Koenes 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 Stetson & Koenes, 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: 2025-04-11 15:00:34 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 979 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 WINNIPEG, MB / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 / Medicure Inc. ("Medicure" or the "Company") (TSXV:MPH)(OTC PINK:MCUJF), a company focused on the development and commercialization of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products for patients and prescribers in the United States market, today announced that through its wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, Medicure Pharma Inc., it has signed a definitive agreement on April 10, 2025 to acquire 100% of West Olympia Pharmacy Inc. ("West Olympia") from an arms-length third-party (the "Proposed Transaction") for a purchase price of USD $975,000. West Olympia generated unaudited revenue of approximately USD $6.8 million and net income of USD $325,000 for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2024.Closing of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of terms and conditions, including but not limited to, transfer of agreements and licenses to Medicure."This next acquisition further aligns with Medicure's strategic plan for the expansion of Medicure's direct-to-consumer pharmacy business," said Albert D. Friesen, Chief Executive Officer of Medicure and Chair of its Board of Directors. "West Olympia has built a substantial customer base and we look forward to welcoming the West Olympia pharmacy team and its customers and prescribers. This expansion extends our growth in addition to our recent acquisition of Gateway Pharmacy to more patients and positions Medicure to accelerate its growth of ZYPITAMAG and its other products and services. Selling ZYPITAMAG directly to consumers through our pharmacy business has proven to facilitate access, improve adherence, lower the cost to patients, and lower our costs of distribution." Medicure will use existing cash and not require any financing or acquire any debt as part of the Proposed Transaction, and no finder fees are being paid by Medicure.All dollars are Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.About Medicure Inc. Medicure is a company focused on the development and commercialization of pharmaceuticals and healthcare products for patients and prescribers in the United States market. The present focus of the Company is the marketing and distribution of AGGRASTAT (tirofiban hydrochloride) injection and ZYPITAMAG (pitavastatin) tablets in the United States, where they are sold through the Company's U.S. subsidiary, Medicure Pharma Inc. Medicure also operates Marley Drug Inc. ("Marley Drug "), a pharmacy subsidiary servicing all 50 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico. Marley Drug is committed to improving access to medications for all Americans together with exceptional customer service and free home delivery. For more information visit www.marleydrug.com . For more information about Medicure please visit www.medicure.com . For additional information about AGGRASTAT, please visit www.aggrastat.com or refer to the full Prescribing Information. For additional information about ZYPITAMAG, please visit www.zypitamag.com or refer to the full Prescribing Information.About West Olympia Pharmacy Inc. Independently owned, West Olympia is located in West Olympia, Washington in a medical office complex near multiple clinics.To be added to Medicure's e-mail list, please visit: http://medicure.mediaroom.com/alerts Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Forward-Looking Information: Statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements containing the words "believes", "may", "plans", "will", "estimates", "continues", "anticipates", "intends", "expects" and similar expressions, may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. federal securities laws (such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are hereinafter collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements, include estimates, analysis and opinions of management of the Company made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors which the Company believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances. More particularly and without limitation, this press release contains forward-looking statements and information regarding the Transaction. Except as may be required by Canadian securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Inherent in forward-looking statements are known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors beyond the Company's ability to predict or control that may cause the actual results, events or developments to be materially different from any future results, events or developments expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, and as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Such risk factors include, among others, termination of the Agreement, the Company's future product revenues, expected results, expected future growth in revenues, stage of development, additional capital requirements, risks associated with the completion and timing of clinical trials and obtaining regulatory approval to market the Company's products, the ability to protect its intellectual property, dependence upon collaborative partners, changes in government regulation or regulatory approval processes, and rapid technological change in the industry. Such statements are based on a number of assumptions which may prove to be incorrect, including, but not limited to, assumptions about: general business and economic conditions; the impact of changes in Canadian-US dollar and other foreign exchange rates on the Company's revenues, costs and results; the timing of the receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals for the Company's research and development projects; the availability of financing for the Company's commercial operations and/or research and development projects, or the availability of financing on reasonable terms; results of current and future clinical trials; the uncertainties associated with the acceptance and demand for new products and market competition. The foregoing list of important factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements or the foregoing list of factors, other than as may be required by applicable legislation. Additional discu JoAnn Falletta has led the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra for 26 years. During every one of those years, she has proven herself as an arts and cultural treasure. Her talent, leadership and gravitas have graced Western New York with an enviable reputation in the orchestral world. BPO extends JoAnn Falletta's contract Under a new three-year contract extension, Music Director JoAnn Falletta will celebrate her 30th anniversary leading the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Its no surprise, as The News Toni Ruberto reported, that the BPOs board of trustees has unanimously approved a three-year contract extension for the BPO music director that, taking effect after the upcoming 2025-26 season, will continue through 2029 when Falletta marks her 30th anniversary with the orchestra. Falletta was the first woman to lead a major American orchestra when she was named the BPOs music director in 1999. During her tenure, the orchestra has won multiple Grammy Awards, traveled worldwide, and attracted some of the worlds top artists to perform here: Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma and Renee Fleming, among many others. Thanks to Falletta, the BPO has become one of the leading orchestras to record for the Naxos record label. Brava! Fernandez deserves a Beard Congratulations to Ryan Fernandez of Southern Junction for being nominated for the James Beard Foundation award for the second year in a row. The chef/owner of the West Side barbecue restaurant progressed to the final round of the James Beard award think, food Oscars for best chef in New York State last Wednesday. Fernandez was named a semifinalist for the award in February. He will find out if he wins Buffalos first James Beard award since 2003 at the June 16 ceremony in Chicago. Southern Junction's Ryan Fernandez named finalist for James Beard award Ryan Fernandez may be the best chef in New York. At least, the James Beard Foundation is making the case that he's one of a handful of the state's very best. As reported by The News Francesca Bond, Fernandezs mouth-watering journey has focused on perfecting his blend of traditional Texas barbecue with South Indian flavors, inspired by his own family recipes. Last years Beard nomination in the Emerging Chef category came as no surprise. This years nomination is also worthy of a toast and crossed fingers that this will be his year. Why Waxlight's wine and cocktails have earned three James Beard nominations The way the Waxlight team sees it: You can eat a familiar meal at nearly any other restaurant in the area. Why not learn a new word? Try something weird? Eat bee pollen? One of the best places to go for that festive affair and, yes, pair drink and fine dining is another Buffalo favorite, Black Rocks Waxlight Bar a Vin. The restaurant was also nominated for a James Beard award this year one of several nominations for its wine and beverage program. Waxlight Bar a Vin did not make it to the final round but it remains a winner to appreciative customers. Cheers! Cruising to Buffalo? The prospect of Buffalo as a cruise destination is not the least bit farfetched. In fact, as reported by The News Matt Glynn, the states Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. is seeking proposals to design and develop a cruise terminal along slip 2 at the Outer Harbor, where the former Pier restaurant was demolished in 2007. Proposals must be submitted by May 7, with an anticipated contract start date in June. Cruise ship terminal plan for Buffalo gets boost from state The state's Erie Canal Harbor Development Corp. is seeking proposals to design and develop a cruise terminal along slip 2 at the Outer Harbor, where the former Pier restaurant was demolished in 2007. Of course, there are many details that would need to be worked out, with consultants and local, state and federal agencies involved in the planning. But, yes, this vision could come true. Buffalo is positioned as an ideal location for cruises to either originate or be a port of call for ships headed east to Montreal or west to Milwaukee, said Mark Wendel, the ECHDCs president. The regions architectural, cultural and culinary attractions, as Patrick Kaler, president and CEO of Visit Buffalo Niagara notes, could tempt Great Lakes cruise visitors to stay a night or two, or more, in one of the regions hotels. Adding Buffalo to the agendas of Great Lakes cruise ships gives passengers another reason to get on board. Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 15:01:09 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 436 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TALLINN, EE / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 / Pavel Malinovskiy, CEO of Eurasia Trade OU, has been honored with the prestigious "Technology Executive of the Year" award at a high-profile ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, this March 2025. The recognition underscores Malinovskiy's exemplary leadership and innovative approach, seamlessly combining IT solutions with financial strategies to deliver transformative outcomes in logistics and freight forwarding.Since founding Eurasia Trade OU, Malinovskiy has championed a holistic strategy designed to reduce overhead, minimize errors, and integrate multiple operational workflows into one cohesive framework. His vision of a "closed-loop financial ecosystem" tracks every shipment and transaction in real time, enabling quick responses to inevitable challenges in global logistics. "Global logistics moves nonstop. Even small delays trigger cost overruns," Malinovskiy explains. "Our system links all transport modes-trucking, ocean freight, and air cargo-into one data-driven interface." Users of the platform confirm how this integrated approach cuts overhead, increases transparency, and improves operational speed. From automated documentation to real-time insights, managers are empowered to spot and address issues proactively. Furthermore, consolidated data lends itself to smoother cross-border tax management and foreign currency risk control, essential components of modern logistics.Following his win in Fort Lauderdale, Malinovskiy plans to expand the CRM's international reach. "Logistics is a universal language, and sound finances are critical worldwide," he observes. "Our system resonates with companies across multiple continents. We're looking at opportunities to bring these benefits to North America, building on the success we've already seen at home." With the spotlight now on Malinovskiy as the newly named "Technology Executive of the Year," he remains focused on driving operational excellence while nurturing new voices in the tech and finance realms. "At the core, we're tackling two big questions: How do we keep logistics continuously in motion, and how do we ensure every invoice, tax, and fee is precisely accounted for?" he says. "If we can do that, we'll advance an entire sector." Malinovskiy concludes by looking toward the industry's future: "We stand at the intersection of data, transport, and fiscal control - where small innovations compound into major breakthroughs. This award validates our strategy and motivates us to keep pushing boundaries." About Eurasia Trade OUEurasia Trade OU is a forward-thinking logistics and financial solutions provider, offering cutting-edge systems that combine data analytics, process automation, and comprehensive shipment oversight. Headquartered in Tallinn, Estonia, the company focuses on delivering efficient, integrated services that empower its clients to optimize resources and streamline global logistics operations.Contact InformationElina Krivenkovainfo@ eurasia.ee +372 672 0101SOURCE: Eurasia Trade PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 23:45:44 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1020 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 / Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc. ("BigBear" or the "Company") (NYSE:BBAI) and certain officers. The class action, filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, and docketed under 25-cv-00623 is on behalf of a class consisting of all persons and entities other than Defendants that purchased or otherwise acquired BigBear securities between March 31, 2022 and March 25, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), seeking to recover damages caused by Defendants' violations of the federal securities laws and to pursue remedies under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, against the Company and certain of its top officials.If you are an investor who purchased or otherwise acquired BigBear securities during the Class Period, you have until June 10, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . To discuss this action, contact Danielle Peyton at newaction@ pomlaw.com or 646-581-9980 (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased.[Click here for information about joining the class action]BigBear is an artificial intelligence - driven technology solutions company. The Company purportedly offers national security, supply chain management, and digital identity and biometrics solutions.In June 2021, BigBear.ai Holdings entered into a merger agreement (the "Merger Agreement") with GigCapital4, Inc. ("GigCapital4"), a special purpose acquisition company, GigCapital4 Merger Sub Corporation ("Merger Sub"), and BBAI Ultimate Holdings. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Merger Sub first merged with and into BigBear.ai Holdings, with BigBear.ai Holdings being the surviving entity in the merger (the "First Merger"). Then, immediately following the First Merger, BigBear.ai Holdings merged with and into GigCapital4, with GigCapital4 being the surviving entity in the merger (the "Second Merger," and together with the First Merger, the "Mergers," and together with the other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the "Business Combination"). On December 7, 2021, the Mergers were consummated and GigCapital4, Inc. was renamed as BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc.Upon completion of the Business Combination, BigBear issued $200 million of unsecured convertible notes-debt instruments that can be converted into equity at a future date-due to mature on December 15, 2026 (the "2026 Convertible Notes" or "2026 Notes"). The 2026 Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.0% per annum, payable semi-annually, and not including any interest payments that are settled with the issuance of shares, and were convertible into 17,391,304 shares of the Company's common stock at an initial Conversion Price of $11.50. Convertible notes are often classified as long-term debt and as such, consistent with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), they must be accounted for in a company's quarterly and annual reports as liabilities until they reach maturity, at which point they either convert to equity or are repaid as principal and interest.BigBear uses the Financial Accounting Standards Board's Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC")-the single source of United States ("U.S.") GAAP-to account "for all transactions and events in which it obtains control over one or more other businesses (even if less than 100% ownership is acquired), to recognize the fair value of all assets and liabilities assumed and to establish the acquisition date fair value as of the measurement date." Accordingly, because the Business Combination qualified as such a transaction, BigBear was required to account for it, and its issuance of the 2026 Convertible Notes therewith, in accordance with the ASC.Under ASC 815-15, an entity is required to bifurcate and separately account for a feature or derivative embedded within a host contract (such as the conversion option within the 2026 Convertible Notes) if: (1) the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivative are not clearly and closely related to the economic characteristics of the host contract; (2) the hybrid instrument is not remeasured at fair value under otherwise applicable GAAP with changes in fair value reported in earnings as they occur; and (3) a separate freestanding instrument with the same terms as the embedded derivative would meet the definition of a derivative and would not qualify for a "derivative scope exception." An embedded derivative may qualify for a scope exception if, for example, it meets the requirements of ASC 815-40, which covers contracts issued or held by an entity that are both indexed to its own stockand classified in stockholders' equity in its statement of financial position. If an embedded feature qualifies for a derivative scope exception, the entity does not separate it from the host contract and the entity accounts for the entire instrument (assuming no other embedded features require bifurcation) in accordance with other U.S. GAAP. Therefore, whether BigBear was required to bifurcate the conversion option within the 2026 Convertible Notes as a derivative was dependent, in part, upon the conversion option's qualification for a derivative scope exception.The complaint alleges that, throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and misleading statements regarding the Company's business, operations, and compliance policies. Specifically, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) BigBear maintained deficient accounting review policies related to the reporting and disclosure of certain non-routine, unusual, or complex transactions; (ii) as a result, the Company incorrectly determined that the conversion option within the 2026 Convertible Notes qualified for the derivative scope exception under ASC 815-40 and failed to bifurcate the conversion option as required by ASC 815-15; (iii) accordingly, BigBear had improperly accounted for the 2026 Convertible Notes; (iv) the foregoing error caused BigBear to misstate various items in several of the Company's previously issued financial statements; (v) as a result, these financial statements were inaccurate and would likely need to be restated; (vi) BigBear would require extra time and expense to correct the inaccurate financial statements, thereby increasing the risk that the Company woul PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 03:26:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 632 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 10, 2025 /WHY: New York, N.Y., April 10, 2025. Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Ready Capital Corporation (NYSE:RC) between November 7, 2024 and March 2, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important May 5, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Ready Capital 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 Ready Capital class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=36512 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 5, 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) significant non-performing loans in its commercial real estate ("CRE") portfolio were not likely to be collectible; (2) Ready Capital would fully reserve these problem loans in order to "stabilize" its CRE portfolio; (3) this was not accurately reflected in Ready Capital's current expected credit loss or valuation allowances; (4) as a result, Ready Capital's financial results would be adversely affected; and (5) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Ready Capital's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.To join the Ready Capital class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=36512 or 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 , 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. PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 09:37:27 Press Information Published by ACN Newswire +65 6304 8926 e-mail https://www.acnnewswire.com/ # 1100 Words ACN Newswire+65 6304 8926 - An on-site survey showed that more than half of respondents still anticipate sales rising in the next one to two years- InnoEX and Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) will open on Sunday, 13 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition CentreHONG KONG, Apr 9, 2025 - (ACN Newswire) - Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the 2nd Smart Lighting Expo and 16th Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) successfully concluded today. The twin fairs welcomed some 15,000 buyers from 108 countries and regions, with notable growth in buyers from Asia including Indonesia, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand, European countries, such as the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and Poland, as well as from Latin America, including Argentina and Colombia. This participation highlights the prominent role both fairs have as global trading platforms for lighting products.Sophia Chong, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: As the first wave of HKTDCs four spring tech events in April, the twin lighting fairs showcased the most advanced lighting products and solutions. Hosting various industry seminars and networking events, the fairs served as an ideal platform for professionals to expand their connections and discuss trending market topics, driving industry development in greenovation, healthy lighting, and smart technology. This Sunday, InnoEX and Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition) will open for four days, reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a leading, international innovation and technology hub. Home automation and smart lighting control systems reveal competitive edgeThe HKTDC conducted a survey to gain a deeper understanding of the trends in the lighting industry and surveyed 446 exhibitors and buyers on-site. The results indicate that both buyers and exhibitors are still positive about the economic outlook.Highlighted market outlook and product trends:- Within the next 6 to 12 months, 38.3% of respondents anticipate an increase in overall sales, while 52.2% expect sales to remain stable. Over the next 1 to 2 years, 51.8% expect overall sales to increase, with 39.7% anticipate sales to remain stable.- Respondents consider Taiwan (77.1%), Mainland China (76.2%), Hong Kong (70.6%), Japan (65.8%), and ASEAN countries (63.3%) to be promising or very promising target sales markets for lighting products over the next two years in terms of growth.- In terms of market potential, the most sought-after markets for respondents are Europe (24.2%), Australia and Pacific Islands (17.3%), North America (17.3%), ASEAN countries (13.3%), and Latin America (13.3%).- Respondents identify LED lighting (36.8%), residential lighting (25.1%), and commercial lighting (24.4%) as having the greatest growth potential.- Respondents believe home automation and smart lighting control systems (48.9%), energy-efficient lighting control solutions (39%), and outdoor smart security lighting systems (25.8%) have the most potential for smart lighting products in the next two years.- The survey revealed that consumers would be willing to pay an average 28% more for smart-lighting products.Trade discussions gain positive momentumSmart lighting products and solutions integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) continued to be a focal point at the fair. The British brand Limi, participated for the first time in the Spring Lighting Fair and showcased its self-developed AI smart lighting control system. The companys founder and CEO, Umer Asif stated, The Spring Lighting Fair is the first international lighting fair we have joined. The fair allows us to introduce our new lighting concept to global buyers and enhance our exposure. We have connected with more than 200 buyers from Hong Kong, Europe, Saudi Arabia and the US. We have had preliminary negotiations with more than 50 potential business partners. We expect the fair to bring in US$40 to US$50 million in sales for the company. Due to the favourable results, we have already reserved a bigger booth at the Autumn Lighting Fair. The Hall of Aurora at the Spring Lighting Fair featured some 180 elite lighting brands including Hong Kong brand Siki - a renowned lighting brand for Mainland China's catering industry specialising in functional LED lighting products. Ye Chang, General Manager of Liang Owltech Company Limited, said: "To expand into overseas markets and establish Siki as a global brand, we participate annually in the Hong Kong International Lighting Fair. At this year's Spring Lighting Fair, we have met various new buyers from Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, with some 30 potential clients will place orders, we anticipate order sales to reach US$500,000 to US$1 million. Smart city initiatives have consistently driven the rapid growth of the smart lighting market. Buyers from Brazil's Azizi are dedicated to sourcing quality lighting products for Brazilian companies and government projects. The companys CEO and founder, Fabio Oliveira said, Since 2012, I have actively attended the lighting fairs. At this year's Smart Lighting Expo, I have already identified three potential suppliers for smart controllers needed for a street light project, with orders valued at approximately US$1.2 million. My sourcing journey will also continue through the Click2Match platform, ensuring we stay connected with more suppliers after the fairs." Hungary's Seemis Kft is keen to source lighting products from manufacturers in Mainland China for better quality and prices. The companys Chief Executive Officer, Magyar Krisztina said, After attending the meetings arranged via the Click2Match platform, we have found three potential suppliers of track lights, linear lights, tri-proof lights and floodlights from Mainland China. We plan to buy US$150,000 to US$200,000 worth of lighting products at the Spring Lighting Fair. Under the hybrid EXHIBITION+ model, the twin lighting fairs combined in-person sourcing with online meetings via the HKTDCs Click2Match smart business-matching platform and hktdc.com sourcing platform. Click2Match will be available until 16 April to facilitate discussions between exhibitors and buyers around the world.April brings a calendar packed with innovation and trade eventsDriven by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regions Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau and the HKTDC, Business of Innovation & Technology Week (BIT Week) in April 2025 brings together a series of tech-related exhibitions, conferences, seminars, roundtables and networking events in Hong Kong, setting the perfect scene for industry exchanges and cross-disciplinary collaborations. A series of exciting must-attend technology events during the week, include the just-ended Smart Lighting Expo and Hong Kong Web3 Festival, as well as upcoming events starting on Sunday, such as InnoEX, Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), and the Hong Kong World Youth Science Conference.Apart from BIT Week, the HKTDC will also host a series of lifestyle exhibitions later this month, including the Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair, Home InStyle, Fashion InStyle, Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair, DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong, and Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference, to promote Hong Kong's economic and trade development.Photo download: https://bit.ly/3GcOJtQ Read more: https://www.acnnewswire.com/press-release/english/98775/ PR-Inside.com: 2025-04-11 18:32:01 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 473 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / April 11, 2025 / EVJ, LLC which does business as Storage Durango Blue Diamond ,recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to Storage Durango.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On August 31, 2024, Storage Durango became aware of a security incident on its internal systems. Upon detection, Storage Durango launched an investigation with the assistance of third-party cyber security experts to determine the nature and scope of the incident. The investigation determined that an unauthorized third party gained access to systems containing personal information between August 8 and August 31, 2024. Storage Durango conducted a comprehensive review of the impacted data to determine what information was compromised and identified affected individuals. On March 25, 2025, Storage Durango identified persons whose sensitive data was included in the impacted data.Upon information and belief, the following types of sensitive personaland protected health information may have been compromised:name, Social Security number, driver's license or state identification number, financial account number, and health insurance policy number.On March 25, 2025, Storage Durango filed a notice with the Vermont Attorney General and started sending out notice letters to the impacted individuals.Compensation may be available for those individuals who received notice that their personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from Storage Durango, you are likely affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. If you have received a notice about the data breach, you may be entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. The firm is a 100% contingency firm - we don't get paid unless you get paid! Please visit us at www.zlk.com for more information. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP The National Pension Commission (PenCom) has disclosed that the Nigerian pension industry has committed a total of N5.51 trillion to asset classes that support long-term financing for real sector growth. This investment, according to a statement by the commission, spans infrastructure, private equity, real estate, and subnational infrastructure initiatives. It forms part of the industrys efforts to stimulate economic development and deepen the domestic capital market. PenCom made the disclosure during a meeting with a delegation from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which visited the Commission on 7 April as part of the Funds Article IV consultations. The Article IV consultation is an annual exercise where IMF staff assess a countrys economic and financial developments, providing recommendations to foster macroeconomic stability and growth. The IMF delegation, led by Jose De Luna, a senior financial sector expert, held discussions with key officials of the Commission on developments in Nigerias pension industry and broader financial sector reforms. Representing the Director General of PenCom, Omolola Oloworaran, the Head of the Surveillance Department, Abdulrahaman Saleem, stated that the N5.51 trillion commitment underscores the pension industrys expanding role in economic growth. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later These investments are indicative of the pension industrys vital role in providing long-term funds for key sectors of the Nigerian economy, Mr Saleem told the IMF delegation. PenCom also revealed that the pension industrys Net Asset Value (NAV) grew by 22.65 per cent from N18.36 trillion at the end of December 2023 to N22.51 trillion as of 31 December 2024. The Commission attributed the increase to additional contributions received and investment income. However, the Commission raised concerns about the limited availability of quality investable instruments in the Nigerian market. Ms. Oloworaran, through her representative, said only 86 instruments currently meet the minimum standards required for pension fund investments, particularly in terms of liquidity and free float. This is despite the numerous provisions in our Investment Regulation to foster increased eligible investment outlets, she said. To address these concerns, PenCom said it is collaborating with capital market operators to broaden the range of financial instruments eligible for pension investments. The commission is also promoting increased allocations to alternative asset classes to enhance portfolio diversification and real returns. During the engagement, PenCom presented key developments in its investment strategy, regulatory challenges, and future priorities. The commission said it is working with institutions such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Debt Management Office (DMO), and the Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp) to build a more robust investment ecosystem. The IMF delegation expressed satisfaction with PenComs investment strategy and praised its regulatory oversight. We commend PenCom for the remarkable growth and for maintaining sound regulation and supervision of the pension industry, Mr De Luna said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the federal government has initiated the inaugural phase of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Project in Kaduna after about four years since it was first conceived. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to address food insecurity and enhance agricultural practices within the nation. In his remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony held in Kaduna on Wednesday, Nigerias Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, described the SAPZ project as a transformative approach to agro-industrialisation in the country. This program is set to transform the way we approach Agriculture and Agro-Industrial Development in Nigeria under the Renewed Hope of our dear President Bola Tinubu, he said. He said the project would be a game changer in the history of Nigerian Agriculture and that it is a dedicated agro-processing area within major food production clusters equipped with desirable ultra-modern infrastructure to attract private sector investment into modern agricultural processing of locally produced crops, livestock and other related agricultural activities. The SAPZ project SAPZ is one of AfDBs ambitious initiatives that will be implemented across at least 18 African countries, including Nigeria. According to the bank, the project areas account for 19 of Nigerias total land mass and will benefit 50.4 million people. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later It said the states where the first phase of the programme will be implemented were selected based on readiness criteria and the need to ensure geographical balance across Nigerias six geopolitical zones. Based on this, in partnership with the federal government and other developing partners, the AfDB launched the SAPZ project in Nigeria in September 2021 during the tenure of Mr Tinubus predecessor, former president Muhammadu Buhari. The core aim of the program is to improve food production on a large scale in the country, with six states pencilled down for the first phase. By December 2021, the AfDB board of directors approved a $210 million loan for the project. At the time, it said the loan would co-finance Phase 1 of the SAPZ project in Nigeria. The loan comprises an AfDB loan of $160 million and an Africa Growing Together Fund loan of $50 million. According to the program guidelines, large farming clusters will be set up across the country and also seek to ensure farmers at the grassroots get access to extension services, including mechanised farming and training on the use and maintenance of modern equipment by establishing centres across the 774 Local Governments. Implementing states The Phase 1 Zone construction is expected to augment the following value chain commodities: Cross River State cocoa, rice and cassava, Federal Capital Territory beef and dairy livestock; Imo State beef and dairy livestock; Kaduna State tomato, maize and ginger, Kano State rice, tomato, groundnuts and sesame oil. Others are Kwara State livestock; Ogun State cassava, rice, poultry and fisheries; and Oyo State cassava, soybean, and rice. On Wednesday, Mr Kyari explained that the project is being implemented in strategic partnership with the state government, relevant ministries, departments and agencies, the private sector and with major support from the AfDB, the International Fund Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB). READ ALSO: Tinubu appoints new MD for Bank of Agriculture The program is designed to commence with Eight locations of Kaduna, Kano, Cross River, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Imo States and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja in the 1st phase, the Minister said. He explained that the final process to onboard additional states for the 2nd phase of the programme is almost completed, noting this and many will strengthen the Nigeria Agribusiness ecosystem to respond more effectively and efficiently to the challenges bedevilling the sector. He said the SAPZ project signals the new dawn in Agricultural investment activities in Nigeria and that it is not merely an agricultural initiative but a catalyst for economic growth and import substitution. As we invest in Agro-processing development, we are investing in the future of our communities. The success of SAPZ is rooted in the partnerships we have forged, the partnership between the Federal Government, State Government and International Financial Institutions, the minister said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print I spent an hour yesterday watching Davidos interview on The Breakfast Club, and it felt so good for so many reasons. First, our generation witnessed the rise of Davido at about the same time we were also growing. So, watching him evolve alongside Wizkid and Olamide always hits differently. Theres a deep sense of attachment because weve been there from the days of Dami Duro, Holla at Your Boy, Eni Duro, Omo To Shan, and so on. Its not just their story its ours too. Beyond the nostalgia, Davido has always identified with the streets. His personality is magnetic. And in that interview, he was real talking about his career, family, faith, and everything in between. One powerful moment was when he spoke about the burden of coming from a wealthy home the stereotype, the hate, and the subtle blackmail. He said people often use his fathers wealth against him, saying things like he doesnt need this, especially when hes trying to get into certain rooms. Its a silent battle many people from rich backgrounds face, and its rarely acknowledged. That vulnerability was raw. And Im glad hes past that phase now focused on family, peace, and purpose. When asked about his relationship with Burna and Wizkid, his response was mature and measured. He admitted they dont have a personal relationship but emphasised that what matters most is the Afrobeat culture, and how it needs to be nurtured. That was growth. He also touched on his fallout with Tiwa Savage, linked to his baby mama, but even in that, he spoke of Tiwa with love and respect. That was beautiful. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Davido opened up about how his background shaped him. He talked about being American, having access to the best life, and how his music career was deeply inspired by 50 Cent. His relationship with Chris Brown came up too, and he shared his admiration for the rise of Amapiano and how South African music is blazing right now. What stood out most to me was what he said about Chioma. He spoke about how he has been with her for many years and how her calm, grounded values are what made him stay. As a global superstar, Davido shared how burdensome it can be to constantly be seen to have no privacy. He described a peaceful moment with a friend in a small house, and how that reminded him of the quiet he craves. I guess thats why he loves Chioma her off-camera personality is his refuge. You could tell that this is a more reflective Davido than the one who sat with Ebuka on Bounce Radio years ago. Then theres the masterclass on how he handles online trolls. He made it clear that the rivalry between him, Wizkid, and Burna is more about the fans and the people who monetize the beef than it is about the artists themselves. I am glad he doesnt take it personally. I hope more people see trolling for what it is: a survival strategy for some, rooted in the toxic reward system of digital platforms. This dark side of content monetization is something we really need to have deeper conversations about. We cant keep allowing algorithms to reward bad behaviour just because it goes viral. I am rooting for Davidos upcoming album this April and his wedding in Miami this August. Hes like that distant friend youre not close to, yet feel so connected with because youve followed his journey from the start. I love Davido and watching that interview made me love him even more. 30BG for the culture. Akintunde Babatunde, head of programmes at the Centre for Journalism, Innovation and Development, first shared this on his Facebook page. Premium Times has his permission to publish it. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Africa is being hit by one disaster after another. Still reeling from United States Agency for International Development funding cuts, it has had to digest US President Donald Trumps seemingly random and illogical massive trade tariffs. These may have effectively killed the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which gave non-reciprocal, duty-free access to the lucrative US market for most exports from 32 eligible sub-Saharan countries. The 25-year-old programme would probably have been terminated anyway when it came up for renewal in September. But the huge tariffs, which were to kick in on 9 April, would override AGOA benefits, US officials told ISS Today effectively making AGOA null and void. Then, late on Wednesday after the markets crashed because of Mr Trumps tariff tantrum, he temporarily suspended tariff hikes for 90 days, except for a 10 per cent baseline tariff and those on China, which were increased to 145 per cent. Few African countries have fully used AGOA benefits, but it has been useful for the likes of South Africa, Lesotho, Madagascar and Eswatini. One of the anomalies of Mr Trumps tariffs was that countries benefitting most from AGOA were hardest hit because their exports under AGOA helped them achieve trade surpluses with the US. So they were hit with high reciprocal tariffs, supposedly to balance trade. The most extreme example of this was tiny Lesotho, slapped with the highest tariffs globally of 50 per cent, followed by Madagascar (47 per cent), Mauritius (40 per cent) and South Africa (31 per cent). Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Lesotho exported $237.3 million of goods to the US in 2024 mainly textiles under AGOA and diamonds. It imported only $2.8 million worth of goods from the US, largely because Lesotho imports almost all its requirements from neighbouring South Africa. But that created a relatively large trade deficit, so Lesotho was slapped with a 50 per cent tariff. Lesotho imposes zero or very little tariffs on US imports. The tariff could cost 12,000 jobs, Lesotho Trade Minister Mokhethi Shelile said, and close 11 factories. Similarly, Madagascar exported $733.2 million in goods to the US in 2024, much of it in textiles under AGOA, and imported only $53.4 million in goods, creating a large trade deficit. So Madagascar was smacked with a 47 per cent tariff, which would probably also wipe out its textile industry, at a cost of 60,000 jobs. South Africa was also likely to be hit hard, with about $3.567 billion of mainly automobile and agricultural annual exports under AGOA (as of 2023) likely to be wiped out. That would knock around 0.3 percentage points off gross domestic product that grew by only 0.6 per cent last year. The perverse logic of the tariffs meant that some countries, like Kenya, escaped with the minimum tariff of 10 per cent. How to react is probably an easier decision for African countries than for some others, like China and the European Union, which retaliated with large tariffs on US imports. African countries have neither the economic strength nor the scale of US imports to fight back, so their route is negotiation. Kenya sent a delegation to Washington on 1 April and South Africa was preparing to send one too, but was first assessing the ramifications. Others were trying to get appointments to plead for revocation or reduction of tariffs. Some are looking for alternative markets for their exports and making plans to buy more US goods to help balance trade. Shelile said Lesotho was talking to US wheat producers about buying their product and was considering giving US companies a stake in the countrys proposed construction of more power generators. Madagascars foreign affairs ministry said it was already talking to US authorities. Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa despite being under US sanctions for human rights violations piously announced that he was suspending tariffs on US goods to facilitate the expansion of American imports within the Zimbabwean market, while simultaneously promoting the growth of Zimbabwean exports destined for the [US]. Mr Trump had slapped an 18 per cent tariff on Zimbabwe, which had only $111.6m worth of trade with the US in 2024, with the US exporting $43.8m worth of tractors and other goods in 2024 while importing $67.8m worth of ferroalloys, tobacco and sugar. Some African countries could adjust their trade policies after the US accused them of unfair trade practices. Nigerias longstanding import ban on 25 product categories, Kenyas 50 per cent tariff and what the US Trade Representative called burdensome regulatory requirements on US corn imports were cited. South Africas 30 per cent tariff was partly attributed to unfairly high tariffs on imports of US poultry and pork. There are some signs of a coordinated response from Africa. Shelile confirmed, even after Mr Trumps reversal, that the Southern African Customs Unions trade ministers would meet early next week to try to navigate a path out of this quagmire. Madagascars government has begun consulting other African countries to coordinate a common position. The full implications of Mr Trumps tariff tantrum remain murky, especially after his Wednesday flip-flop. Did he withdraw them provisionally only to save face, or will they come roaring back in three months? And what does this all mean for AGOA? Like most analysts, Manchester Trade President Stephen Lande believes, AGOA is dead for the long term. The question is, however, whether we can have it extended either by administrative decree or by Congress for a short period to allow a more transactional approach to be introduced. It would not be good to have a void created with AGOA ending and no policy to take its place. The only winner will be China. Maybe an alternative policy could be agreed on in the 90-day reprieve period. However, Eckart Naumann, a Trade Law Centre Associate, believes that even if the reciprocal tariffs return, some AGOA beneficiaries could still enjoy a relative advantage over other countries since all countries will face the extra tariffs. But if the high tariffs imposed on clothing producers like Lesotho, Madagascar and Mauritius are re-imposed, they will be at a major disadvantage to a country like Kenya, which got the 10 per cent baseline tariff. Mr Naumann notes that the US exempted some products from tariffs, mainly minerals and energy, and some of these were important for South Africa, so the AGOA advantage continues there. Nevertheless, he believes the political environment for an AGOA renewal is very poor right now, though this may change once the dust settles. He suggests that African states forge stronger trade alliances with reliable partners within a rules-based trading system. With the reprieve, African countries have time to coordinate a response for a possible reinstatement of tariffs after 90 days. They should also accelerate implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement, which offers alternatives to the US market. Peter Fabricius, Consultant, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Pretoria (This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerias First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has pledged to donate a mobile Hospital to the Taraba State government on behalf of her Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI). Mrs Tinubu made the announcement on Friday in Jalingo while inaugurating a mobile hospital and a free education programme inaugurated by the state government. She commended the state government for prioritising the health of its people, especially in underserved communities. She expressed hope that the additional mobile hospital from RHI would support the governments efforts to deliver prompt and quality healthcare to rural dwellers, particularly during emergencies. Commenting on the states new free education programme for basic and secondary schools, Mrs Tinubu described it as a major step towards addressing the challenge of out-of-school children across Nigeria. The inauguration was part of activities marking her two-day working visit to the state. HIV campaign Mrs Tinubu also inaugurated the Free to Shine Campaign in Taraba State during the visit. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later While inaugurating the initiative, she stated that the campaign is primarily targeted at women and youths. She explained that it aimed to promote the triple elimination of HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and hepatitis among women of reproductive age. The First Lady noted that the campaign also focused on eliminating mother-to-child transmission and providing treatment for children born with HIV/AIDS. According to her, the initiative will be implemented across Nigerias six geopolitical zones, with the Taraba event marking the commencement for the North East. She emphasised the inclusion of traditional and religious leaders in the campaign to help extend awareness to the grassroots level. Mrs Tinubu expressed the federal governments strong determination to reduce HIV/AIDS to the bare minimum. She reassured Nigerians that there was no need for panic, as the federal government had made adequate provisions for the availability of HIV drugs and test kits nationwide. The panic expressed by Nigerians, especially those living with HIV/AIDs, may not be unconnected with the plan by US President Donald Trump to defund USAID and cut off most of its foreign aid programmes to help fight the scourge in other countries of the world. Earlier in the event, Governor Agbu Kefas of Taraba commended the federal government for inaugurating the campaign. Mr Kefas reaffirmed his administrations commitment to combating HIV/AIDS and pledged to work toward making Taraba an HIV-free state by 2030. As part of the event, he appointed two persons living with HIV, who had shared their personal testimonies as special advisers to the wife of the Governor, recognising their courage and role in advocacy. In his goodwill message, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammed Pate, revealed that the federal government had allocated N200 billion for the procurement of HIV drugs. He said the funding had been included in the 2025 supplementary budget. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Supreme Court on Friday ruled that Nigerias Freedom of Information (FOI) Act applies to all tiers of government, including state institutions. Contrary to the arguments many state governments have canvassed over the years to dodge compliance with the FOI Act, a federal legislation, the court held that the National Assembly is competent to enact laws on public records and archives. The court held that the matter falls within constitutional purview. The judgement is a milestone for the 14-year-old legislation, whose implementation has encountered challenges due to limited commitment to transparent and democratic governance in the country. Hiding under legal cover that the federal law was not applicable to the states is one of numerous strategies public institutions and their officials have devised to escape compliance with the law. Many federal institutions, which agree they are bound by the law, ignore FoI requests without consequences. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The case leading up to Fridays judgement of the Supreme Court was filed on 6 January 2014 by a coalition of civil society organisations following the denial of an FOI request by the Edo State Agency for the Control of AIDS (EDOSACA). The applicants sought detailed records relating to the HIV/AIDS Programme Development Project (HPDP II), including financial expenditures, grants, donor partnerships, contract awards, and criteria for grant allocations between 2011 and 2014. Displeased with the action of the state agency, the applicants approached the Federal High Court for a judicial review. The court ruled in favour of the applicants, but the state government appealed to the Court of Appeal, Benin Division. The Court of Appeal reversed the decision and held that the law was not applicable to the states. However, Fridays judgement of the Supreme Court overturned the 2018 majority ruling of the Court of Appeal, which held that the FOI Act only applies to federal Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). Speaking after the judgment, the applicants lead lawyer, President Aigbokhan, hailed the ruling. This is not just a legal victoryit is a victory for democracy, Mr Aigbokhan said, This decision is a major leap for the global campaign for probity, accountability, and transparency, with far-reaching impact on public citizens at the sub-national level. Our laws must work for all. Once again, the Supreme Court has demonstrated its crucial role as a veritable arbiter of democratic ideals. The FOI journey in Nigeria The first draft of the FOI bill was produced by the Media Rights Agenda (MRA), the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in 1993. With the consolidation of democracy in 1999, a private members bill for the enactment of a Freedom of Information Act was presented to the National Assembly. The bill was passed by the National Assembly in 2007, but former President Olusegun Obasanjo refused to sign it into law. When submitted to his office, Mr Obsanjo simply returned the FOI Act back to the sender. The bill was greeted by a lot of misconceptions, paving the way for a wider Freedom of Information Coalition. The group embarked on nationwide mobilisation, campaigns and sensitisation in support of the bill on the premise that an FOI law would strengthen democracy and enhance good governance. The Nigerian media played a dominant role in the FOI campaigns. Many media outlets serialised the content of the bill to further enlist public support. Despite the widespread support, the advocacy for the access to information law lasted twelve years before the bill was passed by the National Assembly. On May 28, 2011, President Jonathan signed the bill into law and it became an act of parliament. Nigeria thus became the second country in West Africa after Liberia (2010) to have an FOI law. But for years many of Nigerias 36 states failed to implement the legislation, saying being a federal law, it did not apply to them. That obstacle has now being removed by todays Supreme Court judgment. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The federal government has defended all the appointments it made so far, saying they were not lopsided but complied with the Federal Character Principle as enshrined in the constitution. The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation said this in a statement by its Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, on Friday in Abuja. The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) wishes to address recent insinuations circulating, particularly on social media, regarding the composition of Federal appointments. The government categorically refutes claims of lopsidedness and emphasizes its unwavering commitment to the principles of fairness, equity, and national unity. All appointments are made in strict adherence to federal character principle, as enshrined in Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as Altered), the statement said. Mr Imohiosen said President Bola Tinubu believes strongly in the unity of Nigeria and is guided by the ideals of fairness and tenets of justice in all appointments. He noted that the administration is dedicated to ensuring that all regions and demographics of the country are adequately represented in its institutions and agencies. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The OSGF, therefore, urges the public to disregard unfounded speculations and rely on official government sources for accurate information. The government remains steadfast in its pursuit of a prosperous, united and equitable Nigeria, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of this Administration. Pokers of embers of hate and disunity who carry tendentious and unfounded allegations should never be taken seriously by Nigerians, Mr Imohiosen said. The OSGF statement comes a day after the Presidency released a list of federal governments appointments. On Thursday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Sunday Dare, posted a list of appointees on X. According to the list, of the six geopolitical zones, the North-west has the largest number of appointees with 152 followed closely by South-west which has 29 presidential appointees. The South-east region is at the bottom of the list, with 16 appointees. 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. Last Monday, Borno South Senator, Ali Ndume criticised Mr Tinubu for alleged non-compliance with the federal character principle in political appointments. The senator accused the president of violating the constitutional requirement for balanced representation in government appointments. The figures are there. You can look at the figures. I sent you one. I sent you figures. Its not that Im just making accusations. And its not that Im saying, well, the president has no right to do that kind of thing. But its a constitutional provision. Section 13, I mean, Section 14 (3) of the constitution is very, very clear, he said. The senator added that the current appointments, including those of the NNPCL, did not align with the federal character principle. When you look at it vis-a-vis the appointments made so far, and there are political appointments, the constitution is very clear. And all I am saying is to call the attention of Mr President to such infractions so that it can be corrected; otherwise, you know, these things can boomerang at a certain period of time, Mr Ndume stated Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, ordered the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari, and his co-defendants to enter their defence in the charge preferred against them by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Justice Emeka Nwite, in separate rulings on their no-case submission applications, held that a prima facie case had been made out against Mr Kyari and other police officers in the charge. Mr Kyari, the 1st defendant and a former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the police was arrested on 14 February 2022 after the NDLEA declared him wanted over alleged links to an international drug cartel. The suspended DCP and four members of the IRT Sunday Ubua (ACP), Bawa James (ASP), Simon Agirgba (Inspector) and John Nuhu (Inspector) are being prosecuted on charges of conspiracy to deal in 17.55kg of cocaine. They are also accused of dealing in cocaine without lawful authority, conspiracy to tamper with cocaine and unlawfully tampering with the 21.35kg of cocaine seized from two convicted drug dealers. On 7 March 2022, Mr Kyari and others were arraigned alongside Chibunna Umeibe and Emeka Ezenwanne, the two suspected drug traffickers who were arrested at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu by the officers. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Upon arraignment, Mr Kyari and four other defendants pleaded not guilty. However, Messrs Umeibe and Ezenwanne, the 6th and 7th defendants, pleaded guilty and were convicted accordingly. Although Mr Kyari and others had, at one time, applied for bail, their application was rejected. After the NDLEA closed its case, each of the defendants opted for a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had not adduced evidence on which the court could convict them. Delivering the ruling, Justice Nwite held that with the state of evidence led so far by the prosecution, he was convinced that a prima facie case had been established against the defendants to require them to put forward their defence. Mr Nwite held the same view in the five separate rulings he delivered on Friday. In a ruling on Mr Kyaris application, the judge held that assuming without conceding that the defendants were charged with less amount of cocaine that is lesser than 17.55 kg or more than that, it does not take away the fact that there is prima facie evidence that the 1st defendant dealt or tampered with cocaine. He held that the argument of the 1st defendants lawyer on the need to sufficiently prove the amount of cocaine on the face of the charge is not the requirement of the law. He also held that there was nothing on the face of the section of the law, on which the defendants were charged, that states or provides different punishment as it relates to the quantity or amount of cocaine, whether the charge provides for one kilogramme or more. According to the judge, in view of the foregoing, I am of the view and I so hold that a prima facie case has been made out against the 1st defendant in the five count charge and I hereby order him to enter his defence in all the five counts. The judge issued a similar order in relation to the other four defendants. He consequently adjourned the matter until 21 May for the defendants to open their defence. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The death of Rauf Adeniji, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has sent shockwaves through the party and the nation. Mr Adeniji, who served as the partys Director of Administration, was kidnapped on 26 January along with his cousin, Akinropo Adesiyan, and his wife, Esther Adesiyan in their home in Kubwa, Bwari Council Area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the 66-year-old politician took up residence with his cousin in Kubwa after his appointment as the APC national director of administration. This newspaper further gathered that Mr Adeniji was killed shortly after being abducted by kidnappers in January. However, this information only came to light recently when his cousin, who was rescued along with other captives by security forces on 7 April, disclosed it. There appear to be deliberate efforts by security agencies and the ruling APC to withhold information regarding the circumstances of the kidnapping and subsequent death of a prominent member of the ruling party like Mr Adeniji while in the custody of kidnappers. This may stem from concerns about the potential adverse effects on the federal governments proclaimed efforts, led by the APC, to ensure the security of lives and property in the nation. Besides announcing on Thursday that it would temporarily close its national headquarters in honour of Mr Adeniji, who managed the daily operations of the secretariat until his abduction and subsequent death, the APC has not disclosed any further details regarding the top party officials passing. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later How it happened However, an APC chieftain, Jamiu Olawumi, who is privy to the incident, shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Friday, a deeper insight into the tragic events that led to the death of Mr Adeniji and his cousins wife. He said the kidnappers, masquerading as concerned citizens, alerted Mr Adeniji and Mr Adesiyan that someone had jumped over their fence onto their premises in the dead of night. The hoodlums claimed they were there to help flush out the suspect, but it was a clever decoy to gain entry into the premises. As they opened the gates, the bandits pounced on them. This set in motion a chain of events that would ultimately lead to the devastating outcome. So nobody knew their condition until the morning of that incident, when some people were alerted that they saw the corpse of a woman, apparently the wife of his cousin. His wife was killed along the footpaths in the bush, and they dumped her corpse beside the road. So, and that was the last we heard from them until very recently, he said. Mr Adesiyan, a Deputy Director at the National Assembly Commission, has narrated his ordeals at the hands of the kidnappers, including being chained for 32 days and the killing of his wife in his presence. Mr Olawumi explained that the shock of Mrs Adesiyans murder by the kidnappers led to Mr Adenijis death. It was Adesiyan that narrated the story. He said it was the trauma and the shock of how the woman was assassinated by these heartless people that got him, and then three hours later he died, he stated. Ransom or no ransom According to Mr Olawumi, the kidnappers demanded a ransom of N250 million, but that the federal government explicitly instructed that no payment should be made. Mr Olawumi, however, could not confirm whether a ransom was ultimately paid. On Tuesday, 8 April, Mr Adesiyan, alongside 59 others, was rescued from the Kidnappers den by troops of the Nigerian Armys 1 Division. While handing over 60 rescued kidnapped victims to their families, Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), asked Nigerians to stop paying ransom to kidnappers. Mr Ribadu said that paying ransom to kidnappers would only encourage them to continue in the crime, adding that it was also counterproductive, NAN reported. But I want to also use this opportunity to talk to our people to please, stop giving money to these people. It is one of the worst things that is happening, he said. According to Mr Olawumi, it was after the kidnapped victims were rescued, the APC and the family of Mr Adeniji knew he had passed on several weeks earlier. He said the shock of Mr Adenijis death has left his wife and children in despair and sadness. The police Public Relations Officer (PRO) Oluwamuyiwa Adejobi did not respond to calls and texts seeking comment on the matter. Meanwhile tributes and condolences have been flowing in from prominent personalities like the Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, his predecessor and incumbent Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola, and the APC, who extolled the deceased persons virtue and contributions to humanity. Nigerias Insecurity Problem Countless individuals, including politicians, businesspeople, and ordinary citizens have fallen prey to kidnappers demanding ransom. Even when a ransom is paid, there is no guarantee that the victim will be released. In recent years, incessant kidnappings along expressways and within the territory of the capital city, Abuja, has raised the spectre of insecurity among Nigerians. Just last month in Zamfara State, five APC ward chairmen were abducted by suspected bandits while traveling to the Marafa area of the state. A recent report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reveals alarming kidnapping statistics. According to the 2024 Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey (CESPS), a staggering 2,235,954 kidnapping incidents occurred nationwide. Shockingly, 65 per cent of affected households reportedly paid ransoms totaling N2.2 trillion, with an average payment of N2.7 million per incident. The National Security Adviser revealed that 50 people were rescued from the captivity of kidnappers last week. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Governor Alex Otti of Abia State, on Thursday, launched the state Formal Sector Health Insurance Scheme to provide accessible and affordable healthcare for civil servants. In a speech at the event in Umuahia, Mr Otti affirmed his administrations commitment to providing quality, accessible and affordable healthcare services to the citizenry. He said, Nobody in the New Abia would be denied access to health services for reasons of financial incapacity. He also said that the scheme would enable civil servants and their dependents to enroll for round-the-clock quality health services at designated facilities in the state. This initiative is structured to drastically reduce out-of-pocket expenditure for individuals in formal sector employment. It will cut down risks and hazards associated with self-medication and create a demand for medical services in all the public health facilities in our urban and rural communities, the governor said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later According to him, the scheme would go beyond basic medical care to include advanced services, such as surgical, orthopaedic, paediatrics, obstetrics and gynaecology services. He urged all Abia ministries, departments, and agencies workers to take advantage of the programme. The governor emphasised that the Medical Outreach Programme targets the poor and vulnerable and moves away from outdated models. This particular project (medical outreach) is the first of its kind. It will ultimately abolish the era of medical programmes and outreaches in open fields, market squares or in community halls. I would like to use this opportunity to reiterate the ban placed by the (Abia) State Government on the use of public schools, markets, religious centres and other unauthorised locations for medical outreach, Mr Otti said. In a remark, the Special Guest of Honour at the ceremony, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, commended the Otti-led administration for evolving health policies that would improve the citizens quality of health. Health security, which is what we are doing here today, health for all, is what led to my establishing health insurance during my time as president of this nation. Nigeria is a potentially great nation and with people like Governor Otti, we will achieve our potential. So, we are here to launch the Abia State medical outreach and healthcare delivery for all, this is very important, Mr Obasanjo said. Contributory payment Also, the Commissioner for Health in Abia, Enoch Uche, described the scheme as a milestone in Abias history, saying it would be contributory. The scheme is a contributory payment, with the employee contributing five per cent and government the remaining per cent. In the first six months of the scheme, workers would contribute 2.5 per cent of their basic salaries while the government takes care of the remaining 2.5 per cent, Mr Uche said. He also said that the government had provided N1 billion as a take-off fund. He encouraged civil servants to register immediately to benefit from the programme, saying that the outreach would help to reduce patronage of unqualified medical practitioners. Earlier, the Executive Secretary of the Abia State Health Insurance Agency, Chiedozie Egwuonwu, described the initiative as a testament to the governments commitment to improved healthcare. Mr Egwuonwu said the scheme would cover both routine healthcare and emergencies. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print In a significant milestone marking 24 years of empowering women in leadership, the Women in Management, Business and Public Service (WIMBIZ) held its maiden Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the WIMBIZ Headquarters in Lagos. The event, designed exclusively for Associates and Life Members, was a purposeful and reflective gathering focused on reviewing the milestones of 2024 and aligning on a collective vision for the future. In attendance were key members of the Board of Trustees, including Bisi Adeyemi, chairperson; Olubunmi Aboderin-Talabi and Niyi Yusuf, members; alongside Omowunmi Akingbohungbe, executive director of WIMBIZ; Belinda Nwodo, secretary, Board of Trustees, WIMBIZ (Adcax Corporate Services Limited); Peter Asemah, partner, Kreston Pedabo; Omotoke Adebakin, manager, Kreston Pedabo and the WIMBIZ HQ Team. The session served as a platform to celebrate shared achievements, strengthen the bond among stakeholders, and reinforce WIMBIZs enduring mission. Over the past year, WIMBIZ continued to push boundaries, amplify womens voices, and expand its reach across the globe through strategic programming, partnerships, and advocacy. The AGM provided an opportunity to spotlight these accomplishments and engage directly with members who are instrumental to the organisations impact. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later WIMBIZ extended its deepest appreciation to its Founders, Board of Trustees, Associates, Life Members, Sponsors, and Partners for their unwavering support and dedication to the cause. Looking forward, the organisation reaffirmed its commitment to inspiring, empowering, and elevating women in leadership across all sectors through innovative initiatives, inclusive platforms, and sustainable collaborations. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders in Abia State have pledged to deliver the state to President Bola Tinubu and wrestle power from the Governor Alex Otti-led Labour Party (LP) government in 2027. The stakeholders made the pledge on Friday in Abuja at a meeting held at the instance of Orji Kalu, a senator and former governor of the state. The meeting, held at Mr Kalus Abuja residence, had in attendance the APC National Welfare Secretary, Donatus Nwankpa; Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha; and a former House of Representatives member, Emeka Atuma. Others were a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, Obinna Oriaku; Ndukwe Adindu, Sam Ikiri, Mike Nwabara, Anyim Nyerere, Nze Esiaga, Chidi Maduekwe, Ndukwe Maxwell and Nnanna Kalu, among others. APC in Abia is now one united family Speaking with reporters at the end of the meeting, Mr Kalu expressed happiness that Abia APC members were now one united family. He said this was in line with the presidents directive during the recent APC National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We are more united now than ever because President Tinubu, during the last APC NEC meeting, gave us a directive to go and reconcile members of the party in our state. He knows we are capable of doing it, Senator Kalu said, adding that the stakeholders would be grateful if the masses in the state joined efforts to unite the party more. He stated that the people of Abia stood to benefit more if the state was brought to the mainstream politics. Mr Kalu, representing Abia North District, added that although the state is currently in opposition, the Tinubu-led federal government has been doing much for it. They can see what is happening in Abia North senatorial district concerning federal governments interventions. I am very thankful to former President Muhammadu Buhari and the incumbent President Tinubu. This is what the three senatorial districts will enjoy when they join the APC. The last time I went to see the president, he was not very happy about the situation in Abia, and I gave him my words that we are going to work hard to bring back Abia as a united, indivisible entity. The president knows that as Abia political leaders, we are capable of doing that; we are going to do that, and we are promising all the leaders that nobody will be left behind, he said. Mr Kalu advised those in the opposition to join efforts with the stakeholders to ensure that the state was brought to mainstream politics in the interest of the people. He called on the APC members in the state to identify with the partys peace initiative and ensure its growth and stability. This, he said, was critical to enable it speak with one voice and go into the elections as one indivisible entity. The former governor thanked the people of the state for reposing their confidence in the stakeholders over the years, saying with the APC, the future would be brighter for the state. I was a very good governor; they also know that I am a very good senator and that I have never deceived the people of Abia. I am committed to whatever we want to do, and whoever we present as candidates for elections from the House of Assembly to the president, they will know that they will be credible people. My goodwill message to the people of Abia is that we have a president that has done the first term and will be going for a second term. If he is doing second term, Abia needs to also align with the centre because we cannot afford to be speaking differently, he stated. Mr Kalu added that the consensus of the South-East on the 2027 elections was that the zone would do very well by supporting Tinubu. Abia PDP members defecting to APC Earlier, Mr Nwankpa, the APC national welfare secretary, said the meeting was aimed at redirecting the party and consolidating its recent gains. He said the APC in Abia had witnessed the largest influx of people from other political parties into its fold in the last two years. We have received over 70 per cent of former members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), among others, and this is the show of their acceptability of the APC in Abia, he said. Mr Nwankpa pleaded with the partys leaders in Abia to bury their differences and come together to work for it and the people of the state. He assured of the APC leaderships support, saying its support and loyalty, as well as its determination to capture Abia in 2027, are unshakable. APC in Abia Besides its internal wrangling in the state, the APC has not won the governorship election in Abia since the party was founded in 2013. The PDP had been a dominant party in the state until it was dislodged in 2023 by the LP, whose candidate, Mr Otti, won the governorship election. Governor Otti has enjoyed tremendous political support across party lines in the state because of his high-rated performance. He has cleaned up Aba, Abias commercial hub, which used to be one of the dirtiest cities in Nigeria, and is opening up the South-eastern state with new roads and other infrastructure. However, Mr Ottis party, the LP, has been bedevilled by a leadership crisis, which will likely affect the partys performance in future elections. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Kwara State Government has said it will begin the third round of its Big Catch-Up (BCU) vaccination for children between two and five years on April 12. The Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Nusirat Elelu, stated this on Friday in Ilorin while speaking at a one-day Stakeholders Engagement Meeting. Mrs Elelu, represented by the Director of Community Health Services, Rukayat Ayodeji, said the BCU campaign was designed to bridge the immunisation coverage gap and would last till April 17. According to her, the programme targets zero-dose children and non-compliant people whose children may have missed their scheduled vaccinations. Mrs Elelu added that the programme aims to strengthen Routine Immunisation (RI), which protects children from vaccine-preventable diseases, saves lives and helps to ensure that all eligible children are fully immunised. She explained further that the BCU vaccination campaign would take place in three low-performing immunisation local government areas of Ifelodun, Baruten and Ilorin East. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Also speaking, Dupe Shittu, the State Mobilisation Officer of the agency, said the National Immunisation Plus Days (NIPDS) for ages zero to five years is scheduled for April 26 to 29. According to Mrs Shittu, the NIPDS are designated to vaccinate children and protect them from Poliomyelitis. She said it would increase the immunity of children from Polio, which causes paralysis. Mrs Shittu added that health workers and volunteers would be available in a house-to-house campaign, religious houses and schools, among others to administer two drops into the mouths of eligible children. In his remarks, Isiaka Jimoh, the UNICEF Consultant for Big Catch Up, enjoined all stakeholders to take ownership of the programme and enlighten people on the importance of vaccination. He stressed the need to support long-term immunisation programmes that continually catch up and reach under-immunised (UI) children. Mr Jimoh stressed that this would contribute to more robust and sustainable public health outcomes in Kwara. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A sightseeing tourist helicopter has broken apart midair before plunging into the Hudson River, killing the family of five and pilot on board in the latest horror US aviation disaster. At around 3.15pm on Thursday, the Bell 206 LongRanger plummeted from the sky and crashed upside-down in the river that divides New York City from New Jersey off the west coast of Manhattan. Officials confirmed the pilot and a family of five Spanish tourists, including three children, died in the tragedy, after FlightRadar24 showed the helicopter had taken off from Manhattan heliport on a sightseeing tour. Here is everything we know so far about the crash: The helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near New Jersey on Thursday (WABC-TV) What happened? A family of five Spanish tourists excitedly boarded a helicopter on Thursday afternoon to do a sightseeing tour while they were visiting New York. ADVERTISEMENT Photos posted on the helicopter companys website showed the couple and their three children smiling as they boarded just before the flight took off. The family along with the pilot took off in the Bell 206 helicopter from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport at 2.59pm. To begin the tour, the aircraft headed towards a classic sight, the Statue of Liberty, before flying north along the west side of Manhattan up the river to the George Washington Bridge. It then turned south, flying closer to New Jersey. It was 16 minutes after taking off, at 3.15pm, that the helicopter went off the radar. It was 16 minutes after taking off, at 3.15pm, that the helicopter went off the radar (Flightradar24) Eyewitness reported hearing bangs like gunshots before seeing black smoke billowing into the air from a helicopter spinning uncontrollably down into the water. 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. ADVERTISEMENT The helicopter was spinning uncontrollably with a bunch of smoke coming out before it slammed into the water, Lesly Camacho, a hostess at a restaurant along the river in Hoboken, New Jersey, told The Associated Press. Jersey City resident Peter Park told The New York Times he heard a loud bang and looked out his window to see helicopter blades falling into the river so close to the New Jersey shore that he feared they may strike people. Another witness, Bruce Wall, said he saw the aircraft "falling apart" in midair, with the tail and main rotor coming off. The main rotor was still spinning without the helicopter as it fell. Footage emerged on social media appearing to show the tail and main propeller separating from the fuselage while mid-air before the aircraft plummeted into the Hudson River near the shoreline of Jersey City, New Jersey, overturning as it was submerged. Who are the victims? Rescue workers and emergency personnel work at the scene of the helicopter crash in New York (Reuters) 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." ADVERTISEMENT About five minutes after that, someone asks, "Hey Finest," a reference to the NYPD's call sign, "What's 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 8pm using a floating crane. Six people were also recovered from the river, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. He confirmed that the family and pilot were all killed. Divers retrieved four bodies from the scene, while two of the victims were pulled from the water alive and rushed to nearby hospitals, but died from their injuries. The family was identified by officials as Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, a global manager at an energy technology company, and their three children: Agustin, 10, Merce, 8, and Victor, 4. ADVERTISEMENT Mr 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." Mr Escobar regularly posted about the importance of sustainability in the rail industry and often travelled 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. Ms Camprubi Montal worked in Barcelona, Spain, for energy technology company Siemens Energy for about seven years, including as its global commercialisation manager and as a digitalisation manager, according to her LinkedIn account. The pilot has been identified as Seankese Johnson, 36. He received his commercial pilots license in 2023, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Johnson had logged about 800 hours of flight time as of March, National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy told reporters on Friday. He transitioned to aviation after a 12-year career in the U.S. Navy. What may have caused the crash? It was some hours before the fuselage and cabin of the helicopter was lifted from the water by crane (Reuters) It is not yet known why the crash happened. Visibility over the river was not substantially impaired, the AP reports, and the water temperature was 45F. Video of the crash suggested that a catastrophic mechanical failure left the pilot with no chance to save the helicopter, Justin Green, an aviation lawyer who was a helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps told the AP. The flight was operated by New York Helicopters, officials said. Its devastation, the companys owner Michael Roth told The New York Post. Im a father and a grandfather and to have children on there, Im devastated. Im absolutely devastated. He said: The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades werent on the helicopter. 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. It is possible the helicopters main rotors struck the tail boom, breaking it apart and causing the cabin to free fall, Mr Green said. They were dead as soon as whatever happened happened, Mr 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 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. Where did the crash happen? Rescue workers at Pier 40 in New York City responding to a helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River on April 10, 2025 (Kelly Rissman) The crash happened on a stretch of the Hudson River, which separates Manhattan in New York City from New Jersey. The helicopter impacted the water closer to New Jersey, off the shore of Jersey City and Hoboken. New York Police Department officials said emergency responders were gathered near Pier40 on the West Side Highway and Spring Street in Manhattan to coordinate the citys response to the incident. What has been the response from officials? New York City Mayor Eric Adams attends a press conference at Pier 40 on Thursday (AP) Mr Adams urged residents to avoid the area while the recovery operation and investigation got underway. The team is on the scene at the heartbreaking and tragic crash in the Hudson River Please avoid the area near Pier 40 in Manhattan in the meantime, he said. New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy said he was aware of the disaster: I have been briefed by law enforcement on the tragic helicopter crash in the Hudson River close to New Jersey. We are supporting the emergency response effort through the @NJSP, @PANYNJ, and local first responders. New York Governor Kathy Hochul offered her assistance, adding: I join all New Yorkers in praying for those we've lost and their families. In a statement, the Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board said they were leading the investigation into the incident. Donald Trump offered his condolences in a statement on Truth Social. The president wrote: 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. He added: 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! Have there been similar incidents in the past? Rescue crews secure a US Airways flight 1549 floating in the water after it crashed into the Hudson River on 15 January, 2009, in New York City (Getty) 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. Thursday's 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. The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says the troops of Operation Delta Safe, have in the last one week apprehended 49 perpetrators of oil theft and destroyed 22 illegal refining sites. The Director, Defence Media Operations, Markus Kangye, a major general, made this known in a weekly report of ongoing military operations by the Armed Forces of Nigeria, on Friday in Abuja. Mr Kangye said the troops had during the week foiled oil theft worth an estimated sum of N869.2 million.. The breakdown, according to him, indicates 325,990 litres of stolen crude oil, 24,645 litres of illegally refined Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 19,500 litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and 1,600 litres of engine oil were recovered. Additionally, troops discovered and destroyed 86 crude oil cooking ovens, 181 dugout pits, 25 boats, a speedboat, 18 storage tanks, 316 drums and 22 illegal refining sites. Other items recovered include generator set, jack, galvanised pipes, pumping machines, drilling machines, tricycles, motorcycles, mobile phones and 18 vehicles, he said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Kangye said the military, in collaboration with other security agencies, had continued to demonstrate bravery, discipline, and professionalism in the face of evolving security threats. He said the troops killed several insurgents, rescued hostages, apprehended suspects, and recovered arms and ammunition during the week. ALSO READ: Army arrest 15 suspected oil thieves in Niger Delta Our operations have continued across various theatres of operations comprising the North-east, North-west, North-central South-south and other regions where criminals seek to disrupt peace and stability. Troops remain committed to their constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Nigeria, as well as ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. Between 3 April and 10 April, troops recovered huge quantities of assorted arms including various kinds of machine guns, RPG tubes, automatic weapons as well as locally fabricated guns and Improvised Explosive Devices. Additionally, a huge cache of assorted 7.62mm and 9mm ammunition, as well as live cartridges were also recovered, he said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The trade war between China and the United States is escalating, as China has increased tariffs on US imports to 125 per cent, matching President Donald Trumps duties on Chinese goods. This is in response to Mr Trumps decision to raise tariffs on Chinese goods to 125 per cent on Wednesday. Mr Trump had singled out China for an additional tariff increase while announcing a 90-day pause on the reciprocal tariff imposed on several countries, including Nigeria. The US President increased duties on Chinese goods from 34 per cent to 80 per cent after China retaliated with an equal duty. Following that, Mr Trump raised the duty to 104 per cent, then 125 per cent on Wednesday, stacked on top of 20 per cent duties Mr Trump already imposed this year, tied to fentanyl trafficking. The US President repeatedly hiked tariffs as China continued with retaliations. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Mr Trump added additional tariffs after Beijing refused to back off on its promise to impose retaliatory tariffs on US goods. However, China insisted that it would fight the American tariffs with its countermeasures and described Mr Trump as an economic bully. In a statement issued on Friday, the Chinese Ministry of Finance said, The US imposition of abnormally high tariffs on China seriously violates international and economic trade rules, basic economic laws and common sense and is completely unilateral bullying and coercion. The finance ministry of the worlds second-largest economy and second-biggest provider of US imports said, The tariffs on China have become a numbers game, which has no practical economic significance and will become a joke in the history of the world economy. However, if the US insists on continuing to substantially infringe on Chinas interests, China will resolutely counter and fight to the end. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Three Nigerian agripreneurs emerged as winners in the fourth edition of the Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN) Prize for Innovation (PFI), a programme designed to identify, support, and scale innovative solutions addressing key challenges in Nigerias food production system. The organisers disclosed this in a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Friday. The winners were honoured at an event held at the Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, and broadcast on 7 April for their agricultural innovations to boost food security and sustainability in the country. The programme brought together industry leaders, investors, and aspiring agripreneurs to celebrate solutions with the potential to transform Nigerias agricultural landscape. Over 200 applications were received, and three outstanding winners who demonstrated innovative solutions to critical challenges in the countrys livestock sector competed for N10 million in prize money and comprehensive business support packages. Levitate Aquaria and Breeder Farms emerged as the overall winner and received N5 million for their groundbreaking work producing organic livestock medication. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Their product is derived from 25 African-grown roots, including ginger, turmeric, and dongoyaro, offering farmers natural and cost-effective treatments. Vet Konect secured second place and was awarded N3 million for their digital animal health platform, which leverages technology to improve veterinary access for livestock farmers and pet owners across Africa. Bionet Innovations won third prize, receiving N2 million for their innovative system of transforming food waste and livestock droppings into high-protein animal feed. They are also developing Livetag an AI-powered smart health monitoring device for livestock which is set to revolutionise real-time disease detection and animal care. The winners represented a diverse range of agricultural innovations. Sustainable businesses Boye Olusanya, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of FMN, stated that sustainability and localisation remain key strategic imperatives for the company in advancing the agenda of achieving food self-sufficiency. Through the FMN Prize for Innovation, we are progressively investing in businesses with sustainability potentials and are actively solving peculiar Nigerian challenges; this way, sustainability is being localised, Mr Olusanya said. He said the event highlighted FMNs dedication to advancing agricultural innovation. Mr Olusanya further stated that initiatives such as the PFI are vital given Nigerias pressing challenges in food production, security, and economic diversification. Innovations More so, Sadiq Usman, FMNs Director of Strategy and Stakeholder Relations, stated, The FMN Prize for Innovation represents our commitment to transforming Nigerias agricultural landscape. Mr Usman highlighted that, in 2025, FMN introduced extraordinary innovations that extend beyond business solutions. He said the innovations addressed critical challenges related to the nations pursuit of food security, productivity, and economic resilience. Mr Usman added that FMN entrepreneurs are adding value within their respective industries and shaping the future of Nigerian agriculture. He also announced that applications for the fifth FMN Prize for Innovation season will open soon. READ ALSO: Tinubu appoints new MD for Bank of Agriculture Mr Usman encouraged aspiring agricultural entrepreneurs to prepare their innovative proposals. He further stated that the event concluded with a networking session, which allowed finalists to connect with potential investors, industry experts, distinguished judges who are key players in their fields, and fellow innovators. This session, he said, enhanced the programmes potential for driving lasting agricultural transformation. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Eight former refugees who returned home recently from Chad Republic have been abducted in Doron Baga, a community in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno State. Local sources said the returnees were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents on Tuesday while fishing on the outskirts of their community. The insurgents targeted 10 people, but two escaped. One of them, a boat driver, was hidden by merchants, while the other hid in the river, residents said. The two are receiving treatment locally in the community. Eight of our people have been abducted by Boko Haram. They went fishing not far from our community, but unfortunately met Boko Haram patrolling the area, a resident of the community, who did not want to be named for safety reasons, said. He said the abductors have reached out to the kidnapped persons families and demanded N300,000 as ransom for the release of each person. Imagine people went out to look for two to three thousand naira to buy grains for their families, and their abductors are asking for N300,000 each for their release, the source exclaimed. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Security agencies have yet to speak about the incident. Efforts by PREMIUM TIMES to speak with the police and the military were not successful as their spokespersons did not respond to calls to their phones. Also, Abba Fugu, the chairperson of Kukawa Local Government Area, did not pick up this reporters calls to his phone or reply to a text message. This is not the first time insurgents have abducted fishermen in the area. Late last year, over a dozen fishermen were abducted in the same Kukawa Local Government Area. The latest attack comes a few months after Nigerian refugees repatriated from Chad were resettled in their ancestral homes in Borno after being away for about ten years fleeing the Boko Haram insurgency. PREMIUM TIMES reports that the Nigerian government and the Borno State Government had assured the refugees that it was safe to return to their homes in Borno. However, the Boko Haram insurgency is far from over and appears to be witnessing a resurgence. Governor Babagana Umara Zulum on Monday alerted the federal government to the resurgence of attacks by the insurgents in Borno State and beyond. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print A Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, held a public symposium in Lagos on Thursday in honour of its late leader, Ayo Adebanjo, who died on 14 February. The event, marking what would have been his 97th birthday, served as both a tribute to his legacy and a call for national reflection. Themed Afenifere: Identity, Ideas and Ideology, the symposium drew political leaders, activists, scholars, and traditional rulers who eulogised the late Mr Adebanjo as an advocate for justice, equity, and national unity. Delivering the keynote address, a constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Solomon Asemota, described Mr Adebanjo as an embodiment of hope and inclusivity, citing his endorsement of Peter Obi in the 2023 general election as a symbol of his pan-Nigerian outlook. Afenifere epitomises love that knows no race, colour, or tribe, Mr Asemota said. The Afenifere Nigeria needs is a call to regroup and rethink, using platforms like the NCND. It is not just a name but an idea that must endure. He also referenced historical texts, including works by Lord Lugard and Margery Perham, that reflect the colonial denigration of Africa to argue for a renewed commitment to building a democratic and inclusive Nigeria through credible elections. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Nigeria, 64 years after independence, must not regress into the mindset of pre-amalgamation inferiority, Mr Asemota warned. This is the age of solar exploration. We must think and act like the rest of the civilised world. He recalled the political spirituality embedded in the politics of the late Obafemi Awolowo, citing how the Middle Belt once composed songs in Mr Awolowos honour in protest against regional political marginalisation. Speaking with journalists at the event, the leader of Afenifere Worldwide, Oladipo Olaitan, praised Mr Adebanjos unwavering commitment to justice. He believed in his mission and pursued it at all costs, he said. Pa Adebanjo was convinced that unity would prevail in Afenifere. He saw any division as a misunderstanding that time and dialogue would resolve. Zero faction! Mr Olaitan, a traditional ruler, also said there were no factions in Afenifere, insisting only one authentic group exists. There are no two Afeniferes, he declared. He (Mr Adebanjo) believed that if anyone strayed, they would eventually return. However, contrary to Mr Olaitans claim, PREMIUM TIMES reports that there are at least two Afenifere factions, one formerly led by Mr Adebanjo and now by Mr Olaitan, and the other by Reuben Fasoranti, a nonagenarian. Also speaking at the event, Peter Obi, the Labour Partys 2023 presidential candidate, called on Nigerians to reflect on the values the late Afenifere leader exemplified. We are here today for a man who lived a life of value, not just of success, Mr Obi said. The question we must ask ourselves is, are we living lives of value? Are we building a better country for our children? He called for unity, saying: No tribe or religion buys bread cheaper. If we want a better Nigeria, we must unite, act rightly, and put people first. When asked whether he was consulting with political groups ahead of the 2027 elections, Mr Obi responded, Im consulting with everyoneincluding youas long as we are committed to doing what is right. Also in attendance was the Deputy President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Okey Nwadinobi, who lauded Mr Adebanjos efforts in advancing Nigerias unity and his strong stance in support of inclusive politics. He was a staunch human rights defender, Mr Nwadinobi said. Ahead of the 2023 elections, he stood for equity and the rights of all Nigerians to participate meaningfully in their democracy. Ajasin traces roots of Afenifere In another address, Tokunbo Ajasin took the audience on a historical journey into the origins and evolution of the Afenifere political movement. Mr Ajasin, son of late Afenifere leader Michael Ajasin, recounted that the ideological foundation of Afenifere dates back to the late 1940s when Mr Awolowo initiated plans to mobilise the people of the Western Region politically. Mr Ajasin stated that dissatisfied with their uncoordinated performance in national constitutional discussions, Mr Awolowo sought to create a strong progressive bloc to champion the interests of the region and Nigeria. In late 1949, Mr Awolowo held private consultations with over sixty individuals across the Western Region, culminating in a seminal meeting on 26 March 1950, at his residence in Ibadan, Mr Ajasin narrated. He explained that the meeting laid the groundwork for forming the Action Group (AG), publicly launched on 28 April 1951, in Owo, Ondo Province. He said the AG distinguished itself as the only political party at the time with a clear-cut ideologydemocratic socialismpromoting egalitarianism, free education and healthcare, affordable housing, and a guaranteed minimum wage. He narrated a significant moment when the party sought a Yoruba synonym to capture its progressive essence. Adisa Akinloye coined Egbe Afenifere, symbolising the groups ethos of fairness, collective welfare, and justice. Although the AG operated nationally, he said the term Afenifere was explicitly used in Yoruba-speaking parts of the Western Region, embodying the regions commitment to people-oriented governance. Following Nigerias first military intervention, the movement resurfaced as the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) during the Second Republic, maintaining its ideological consistency. It later reemerged in the Third Republic as the Alliance for Democracy (AD), again championing liberal and federalist principles, he said. Mr Ajasin emphasised that Afeniferes enduring valuestrue federalism, social justice, and people-centred developmentremain relevant today, especially in an era of governance challenges and democratic backsliding. A legacy of struggle and sacrifice Mr Adebanjo, who died in February at 96, was born on 10 April 1928 in Ijebu-Ode and was a committed Awoist, lawyer, and politician. His lifelong advocacy for justice and democracy began in the early 1950s when he joined the Action Group as an organising secretary. Educated at CMS Grammar School and later in the United Kingdom, where he was called to the Bar in 1961, Mr Adebanjos activism led to his arrest and imprisonment alongside Mr Awolowo during the Western Region crisis for alleged treason. Undeterred, he resumed political activity after his release and played a key role in founding the Unity Party of Nigeria in 1978. Following the annulled 12 June 1993 election, Mr Adebanjo emerged as a frontline figure in the pro-democracy struggle, joining the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) in 1994 to challenge military rule. Despite repeated arrests and state persecution, Mr Adebanjos dedication to democratic principles never wavered. He remains a towering figure in Nigerias political historyan enduring symbol of courage, resilience, and uncompromising commitment to the people. Chief Adebanjo represents not just a generation of freedom fighters, but a philosophy of governance that prioritises the people, Mr Ajasin added. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Nigerian government has announced that travellers who overstay their visas will, from August, face a daily fine of $15 and risk a ban of up to five years from re-entering the country. This was disclosed by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, during a stakeholders engagement held at NECA House in Lagos on Friday. The meeting focused on various reforms being introduced by the Ministry of Interior and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), including the Expatriate Quota and the Nigeria Visa Policy (NVP) 2025, among other ongoing immigration reforms. Mr Tunji-Ojo explained that although the penalties will officially begin in May, there will be a grace period until August 2025, during which visa overstayers will not be penalised. This, he said, will allow visa holders time to adjust to the new policy before the full enforcement begins in August. Penalties under new policy Under the Nigeria Visa Policy 2025, the government has introduced a new penalty system to deter visa abuse. Visa overstayers will be fined $15 for each day they remain in the country after their visa has expired. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Travellers who overstay for three months will face a five-year ban, while those who overstay for one year or more will be banned for ten years. According to Mr Tunji Ojo, the penalty system is part of broader efforts to ensure compliance, protect national security, and promote responsible migration. He noted that the NIS would be responsible for enforcing the penalties. As part of the NVP 2025, the government has also digitised the visa application process. Travellers can now apply for visas online, track the status of their applications in real time, and receive approvals electronically. Stakeholders at the meeting included officials from the NIS, representatives of foreign missions, and private sector players in the travel and immigration industry. Concerns with expatriate quotas Mr Tunji-Ojo also raised concerns about the abuse of expatriate quota and the urgent need to streamline the countrys migration management system. Speaking on ongoing reforms within the Ministry, Mr Tunji-Ojo explained that there are ongoing efforts to automate business and citizenship processes to eliminate bottlenecks and overlapping functions between the Ministry and NIS. According to him, the current system enables multiple government agencies to repeatedly assess the same business without coordination. Mr Tunji-Ojo highlighted that many expatriates remain in the same roles for decades, denying Nigerians the chance to understudy or eventually take over. Even if we are the dumbest people in the world, 15 years is enough to train and understudy, he noted, expressing frustration that the system has not enforced knowledge transfer. He added that some businesses holding government-issued permits exist only on paper, with no traceable operations. Government shouldnt be subsidising expatriates. There are business permits out there, and the ministry doesnt even have physical addresses for some of them, he said. In January, Mr Tunji-Ojo disclosed that up to 90 per cent of expatriates working in Nigeria do not possess valid permits, noting that the automation effort within the Ministry was also aimed at closing this gap. This was in response to the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Interior, Adams Oshiomhole, who criticised the presence of expatriates doing jobs like selling chairs and bread. We try to solve compound problems by solving them in silos 90 per cent of the people that you spoke about do not have permits and that is the essence of the automation process that we are doing, Mr Tunji-Ojo said. Business growth In his remarks, the Director-General of the Nigeria Employers Consultative Association (NECA), Adewale-Smatt Oyerinde, said the new immigration reforms are important for both national security and business growth. Mr Oyerinde noted that while many Nigerians leave the country daily, many foreigners come into the country often without proper papers to take jobs meant for locals. He commended the Ministry of Interior for involving the private sector and said NECA worked with groups like the Organised Private Sector of Nigeria (OPSN) to form a 10-month committee that reviewed the immigration and expatriate processes. He said the committee made recommendations to make things simpler and more secure. Mr Oyerinde reiterated that the reforms will begin on 1 May, with a three-month grace period for businesses to adjust. This is not just about rules, but about making the system better for everyone Nigerians and foreigners, he said. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Combined security operatives have arrested three men who often posed as kidnappers and threatened to abduct residents if they failed to pay ransom. The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement on Friday that the suspects often issued threats to residents of communities in Ihiala Local Government Area of the state. Ihiala is among the local government areas that were worst hit by growing insecurity in Anambra State. Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, identified the arrested suspects as Chimezie Ezebuo, Chinaza Ndimani, Chinecherem Okafor and Nzube Azubuike all indigenes of Okohia, a community in Ihiala Council Area. The spokesperson said the joint security team arrested the suspects on Thursday following a painstaking investigation after a tip-off about their activities in the state. He said all the suspects had confessed to the crime and were taken into custody for further interrogations. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The operatives recovered phones and SIM cards used by the suspects to threaten their victims, thereby causing panic in the area and jeopardising the efforts of the security agencies and the general security of the state, Mr Ikenga stated. The spokesperson said the police command was committed to maintaining public safety and ensuring that individuals were held accountable for actions inciting fear or disturbing public peace. Mr Ikenga added that the command observed that security had improved in the Ihiala Council Area. He applauded residents of the area for their assistance in identifying bad elements in the council area. Not the first time This is not the first time the police in Anambra State would arrest suspects who allegedly threatened to abduct people for ransom. In December 2024, the police in the state arrested a 32-year-old man who allegedly threatened to abduct an unidentified person if the victim failed to pay N1.2 million ransom. The suspect, Chukwuma Obi, was said to have posed as a member of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) while asking the victim to pay the money into his bank account or be abducted. IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south The separatist group has been linked to the growing attacks in the two regions, although it has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The police in Imo State, South-east Nigeria, have refuted a report of a prison break in the state. Henry Okoye, the police spokesperson in Imo State, announced this in a statement on Thursday. A report surfaced on social media earlier on Thursday suggesting that some suspected herders attacked the Owerri Correctional Facility on 10 April and freed inmates. But Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, said the report was completely false. There has been no prison break, no attack, and no security breach in Imo State. The Owerri Correctional Facility remains secure, with police working alongside other security agencies to maintain peace and order across the state, the spokesperson said. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He urged residents of Imo State to disregard the report, which he described as entirely fake. This misleading report is a deliberate attempt to incite panic, provoke ethnic tension, and mislead the public. The command strongly condemns the spreading of such misinformation, he stated. Investigation Mr Okoye said the police authorities in Imo State launched a thorough investigation to identify and track down those behind the false report. Legal action will be taken against anyone found guilty of inciting panic through the dissemination of such misleading content, he said. The spokesperson said the police were working in synergy with other security agencies to ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians. He urged residents of Imo State to rely on the police and other authorities for verified information. Incidence of prison break in Imo Meanwhile, prison breaks are not new in the South-east, particularly in Imo State. For instance, armed persons, on 5 April 2021, attacked the Owerri Correctional Centre and freed a total of 1,844 prisoners, authorities said. There was another case of a prison break in the state in February last year when gunmen attacked the Okigwe Correctional Centre. At least seven inmates were freed, while a police inspector was killed during the attack. There had been suspicion among residents of the South-east that some of the inmates who escaped from the facilities might be responsible for the growing attacks in the region. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has condoled with the family of Rauf Adeniji, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who passed away recently. Mr Adeniji served as the partys National Director of Administration until his untimely death. He reportedly died at the hands of his abductors despite paying a ransom of N50 million for his release. In a statement signed by the spokesperson to the Osun State Governor, Olawale Rasheed, Mr Adenijis death was described as a significant loss for both Osun State and Nigeria. Governor Adeleke expressed hope that Mr Adenijis contributions during his lifetime would provide solace to those grieving his sudden passing. He also prayed for the deceaseds soul to rest in peace with his creator. His exit was too sudden and devastating and I joined everyone touched by this troubling experience in mourning the departed politician, he said. APC, Oyetola pays tribute On his part, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, described the death of the APC chieftain a tragic loss to the nation. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The immediate past governor of Osun state paid tribute to the late politician, highlighting his notable qualities in a condolence message issued by his Adviser on Media and Communication, Bolaji Akinola, on Friday, NAN reports. He said Mr Adeniji was a brilliant mind, a bridge builder and a grassroots mobiliser, whose contributions to governance and party administration will never be forgotten. This is a tragic and painful loss not only to his immediate family, but to our party, our state, and the nation at large. His death in such a cruel and unfortunate manner is heartbreaking, he said Mr Oyetola extended his condolences to Mr Adenijis family, the APC community, and the people of Ife, acknowledging their profound loss. He offered prayers for God to forgive Adenijis shortcomings and grant him eternal life. He also prayed for the family to receive strength and resilience in coping with their grief. In an X post on Thursday, the APC announced the closure of its national secretariat in Abuja in honour of the late chieftain, The party said the secretariat, commonly called Buhari house, will be closed until Monday, 14th April. The APC said Mr Adeniji was an important contributor to the partys electoral successes in Osun state and at the national level. He was described as a grassroots politician who will be remembered for his personable qualities, optimistic outlook and pragmatic attitude to work. Rauf Adeniji (1959-2025) Mr Adeniji was a prominent figure from Ife Central Local Government Area in Osun State. Born on 20 September 1959, he was a devout Muslim and a family man with children His career spanned various notable roles, including serving as an Assistant Registrar at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State. He later emerged as Chairman of Ife Local Government Council on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Adeniji held a Ph.D. in Public Administration and leveraged his expertise to oversee key roles. He was appointed Director of Administration at the APC National Secretariat, where he managed the daily operations of the APC. Rising insecurity The circumstances around Mr Adenijis death points to the increasing concerns about insecurity in Nigeria. Just last month in Zamfara State, five APC ward chairpersons were abducted by suspected bandits while traveling to the Marafa area of the state. In Abuja, gunmen opened fire on an APC chieftain Musa Majaga in the Kwali area of the Federal Capital Territory, in the early hours of Monday, 15 July 2024. He was reportedly shot in the leg while five persons were abducted. Ondo State also witnessed tragedy in April 2024 when the campaign director of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, Alaba Abe, was kidnapped and later found dead in Supare Akoko. Two suspects were eventually arrested, but the motive remains unclear. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Chairman of the Labour Party Caucus in the House of Representatives, Afam Ogene, has blamed mass defections of lawmakers to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on the former chairman, Julius Abures leadership failure. Mr Ogene said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday. He said that it was Mr Abures intransigence that triggered mass defections to the ruling party. Politicians always plan for the next elections. So with the style of Abure, they thought there was a future for them again in the party. Therefore, they have to leave in a hurry, but some of us who believe so much in the rule of law have to stay and contend with Abure for the good of the party, he said. The lawmaker, however, said that the Labour Party caucus was not diminished in spite of the defections. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Ogene, who assured of a stronger and better Labour Party, said that Abures tenure officially ended in June 2024. He accused the former chairman of being selfish in his political pursuit, saying that this was not favourable to the party. This, he said, led Mr Abure into refusing to cede the chairmanship position to the North, as planned by the stakeholders. The caucus chairperson wondered how fair it would be for the party to field a Southern presidential candidate under the watch of a Southern national chairman. He appealed to Nigerians to keep hope alive, assuring them of a revived and formidable Labour Party. The lawmaker affirmed the viability of the Labour Party as an opposition political party, saying that Peter Obi had remained the only formidable opposition voice. Mr Ogene reiterated the resilience of the caucus to continue to bring the ruling party into check for a transparent and accountable democracy. He assured Nigerians of the partys commitment to constitutional democracy through constructive opposition. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Niger government has received 17 kidnapped victims handed over to the government by the police command in the state. The Deputy Governor of the state, Yakubu Garba, received the victims on behalf of Governor Umaru Bago at the police headquarters in Minna on Friday. He disclosed that the victims were rescued by operatives of the Kaduna State Police Commands Anti-Kidnapping Unit, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA). Mr Garba said the victims were from Wuloto and Kango communities under Kuchi ward in Muyan Local Government of Niger. He thanked President Bola Tinubu for his efforts at reducing insecurity in the country and the National Security Adviser for coordinating security efforts. He also appreciated the Kaduna State Government and the police for their humanitarian efforts in assessing the victims psychological health before handing them over. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later He noted that the incident highlighted the importance of inter-agency collaboration, as the victims were rescued in Kaduna and returned to Niger state. Mr Garba urged the police to intensify efforts to combat insecurity and encouraged citizens to support Governor Bago in prayers. The success of the Bago-led administration is a blessing to the people. Within two years, insecurity and youth restiveness have reduced in the state and the governor needs our prayers and support to succeed, he said. We appeal to parents and relatives of the victims to be patient and not rush to take them away. Their lives and health condition must be ascertained before handling them over to their parents, he said. In his remarks, Adamu Elleman, the newly appointed police commissioner in Niger, noted that the victims were 11 females and six males, from Wuloto village in Kuchi, Sarkin-Pawa, Munya LGA. ALSO READ: Nigerian soldiers free 59 kidnapped victims as battles with terrorists intensify He attributed the successful rescue to a non-kinetic method showcasing the polices strategic approach to combating crime. Mr Elleman pledged to rid the state of criminal elements and vowed to intensify efforts to eliminate crime in the state, through constant patrols, stop-and-search operations, and arrests. He assured that criminals would face justice, adding that, I will not relent; I will ensure they are brought to book. One of the victims, Victoria Ishaya, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that 15 of them were kidnapped from one household. We were kidnapped about six months ago; our abductors came in at midnight, took us, and crossed the river with us to one place in Kaduna, she said. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print New Associates, a political platform canvassing support for the Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, has postponed its planned mega rally in honour of the minister in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. George Turnah, the lead convener of the Bayelsa Chapter of the group, disclosed this during a press briefing in Yenagoa on Friday. Mr Turnah is the South-South zonal secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Until 14 February, he was Governor Douye Diris executive assistant on public affairs. The PDP chieftain switched political loyalty from Governor Diri to the FCT minister and is now leading a group and mobilising political support for Mr Wike and President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections. Mr Diri, who is against the rally, has said he does not want the minister to export the political crisis in Rivers State to Bayelsa. In the build-up to the rally, Mr Turnah petitioned President Tinubu through the National Security Adviser, alleging an assassination attempt on him by Governor Diris supporters, an allegation Mr Diris spokesperson, Daniel Alabrah dismissed as childish. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Mr Turnah is inconsequential when it comes to Mr Diri responding to him, Mr Alabrah told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday. He asked Mr Turnah to go deal with a court order he (Alabrah) said was against the rally. Mega rally postponement At the press briefing on Friday, Mr Turnah said he harkened to the plea of some elders in the state to reschedule the rally after several pro-Diri and pro-Tambuwal groups issued notices of a rally in solidarity with their leaders at the exact date and venue scheduled for the rally for Mr Wike. We will now hold our inauguration and mega rally on Saturday, 26 April 2025, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. This decision has been made in deference to notable leaders and fathers of the Ijaw nation who have, for various reasons, reached out to us to consider a shift in date, Mr Turnah said. Why Diri is against rally? Mr Turnah has doubled down on organising the mega rally in honour of the minister despite opposition from Governor Diri. As of today, that young man is not a member of PDP in Bayelsa state, Mr Diri said, warning that no public facility owned by the state government should be used for the rally. Additionally, the governor said Rivers State, where Mr Wike hails from, is under emergency rule and stressed that he does not want the crisis to be exported to his state. As you are aware, we have threats from our sister state. The political crisis is threatening us, and we will not allow what is happening there to come to Bayelsa state, the governor said, urging security agents to be on alert and warned that any attempt to import Rivers political crisis to the state will be resisted. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday, ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and five other security agencies to file their defence in a suit instituted by businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, to stop her planned arrest and detention. The suit seeks to block the execution of EFCCs 28 March public notice declaring her wanted and requesting information that could lead to her arrest. Ms Achimugu listed other security agencies that could be possibly involved in the execution of the public notice as defendants in the suits. The other security agencies listed in the fundamental rights enforcement suit include the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and State Security Service (SSS). The rest are the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). The judge, Inyang Ekwo, gave the order following a complaint by Ms Achimugus lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), that despite being served with the earlier order of the court, none of the respondents was in court to show cause why the applicants prayers should not be granted. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ms Achimugu had sued the six defendants via an ex-parte motion filed on 3 April and marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2025. She filed the suit days after the EFCC declared her wanted for criminal conspiracy and money laundering. PREMIUM TIMES reported that prior to her being declared wanted, EFCC had obtained a court warrant to that effect after she fled Nigeria in the wake of her invitation by the anti-graft commission for interrogation. Stop execution of arrest warrant But in her fundamental rights enforcement suit, she sought an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents from threatening or harassing her with arrest, detention and invasion of her properties or threatening to impede her fundamental right to freedom of movement, liberty, privacy and properties. She also sought an order of interim injunction restraining the respondents from arresting, harassing, detaining or violating her right to life, freedom of movement, liberty, and/or all such other rights as guaranteed by Chapter 4 of the Constitution pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion. Ms Achimugu prayed for an interim order restraining the respondents from giving effect to the declaration dated 28 March 2025 wherein the applicant was declared wanted. The businesswoman equally sought an interim order restraining the respondents from taking any further steps in connection with the subject matter of the suit and maintaining status quo ante bellum or staying all actions pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion, among others. Why EFCC should not be allowed to arrest me Her lawyers presented 10 grounds to support her prayers. She said that her declaration as a wanted person by the EFCC was unwarranted, unjustifiable, devoid of probable cause, and is calculated to discredit, humiliate, and subject her to public opprobrium, thereby causing irreparable harm to her reputation, personal dignity, and professional standing. As a direct consequence of the declaration made by the 4th respondent (EFCC), the applicant has suffered irreparable harm, including severe damage to her hard earned reputation, substantial disruptions to her business operations, financial losses, emotional distress, and social stigma. The adverse publicity and negative perception generated by the respondents actions have not only undermined her professional credibility but have also jeopardised existing business relationships, deterred potential investors and partners, and subjected the applicant to unwarranted public scrutiny and distress, she said. According to her, she is facing an immediate or imminent threat of arrest and other adverse actions by the respondents, which, if executed, will result in irreparable harm and breach her fundamental rights as guaranteed by Chapter 4 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). The embattled businesswoman said granting the application is the only means to prevent the immediate and irreparable breach of her fundamental rights. She said the grant of the reliefs sought against the respondents would not unduly prejudice public interest nor hinder the legitimate discharge of their statutory functions. She prayed the court to grant her application in the interest of justice. In the affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Ifeanyi Otuya, who is said to be her brother, he said Ms Achimugu is an internationally renowned industrialist, businesswoman, law abiding citizen and philanthropist whose exemplary leadership and commitment to empowering communities have earned her international recognition. He said as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Felak Concept Group, she oversees a consortium specialising in civil, structural, and transportation engineering. She also chairs SAM Oil and Gas Limited, one of the major players in the exploration, production, and distribution of petroleum products in Nigeria, he said. Mr Otuya said due to her significant health issues, Ms Achimugu travelled to the United Kingdom (UK) on 3 March to receive the necessary medical care. He said the EFCC, on 4 March, issued a letter of invitation, inviting her to appear for certain clarification in respect of an ongoing investigation. The applicant could not honour the invitation immediately because she was already in the United Kingdom to prepare for medical treatment, he said. Mr Otuya said, on 6 March, Ms Achimugu informed him that upon her arrival in the UK, her doctors requested specific medical documents essential for her treatment, which were securely stored in her personal safe in Nigeria. He said Ms Achimugu had to return to Nigeria. According to him, on 8 March, the applicant arrived in Nigeria to retrieve the aforementioned medical documents, and on 9 March, she returned to the UK. He said since she would be unable to attend the EFCCs scheduled invitation on 5 March, she briefed her lawyer, Darlington Ozurumba, to convey her inability to honour the invitation in writing to the commission. He said on 5 March Mr Ozurumba wrote to the commission and on 12 March, another letter was written seeking a reschedule of the invitation to either 28 or 29 April. Mr Otuya, however, said on 11 March, an EFCC official, in a WhatsApps message, told Ms Achimugu that her claim of being abroad was false and demanded her appearance on 13 March or be declared wanted. He said unfortunately, the anti-graft agency, on 28 March, declared her wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy and money laundering. He said when he drew Ms Achimugus attention to the publication, her already fragile state of health deteriorated further. Prayer turned down The applicants lawyer, Mr Ogunwumiju, had, on 7 April, moved the motion seeking an order temporarily halting the execution of the public notice. But the judge, Mr Ekwo, did not grant the prayers. Rather, the judge ordered that the respondents be put on notice to appear to show cause why the prayers should not be granted. He then adjourned the case until 11 April (today). Meanwhile, when the matter was called on Friday, no lawyer appeared for the respondents. Mr Ogunwumiju, who also appeared for Ms Achimugu, informed the court that none of the respondents had filed any reply to his clients application. The court made an order that they be served within 24 hours and we complied with some of them being served the same day, he said. The lawyer said he was ready to proceed since the respondents had failed to show cause. But responding, the judge said, I will give them one more opportunity. The judge then asked Mr Ogunwumiju what date Ms Achimugu would be returning to the country and the lawyer said on 29 April. I might have to bring you back on 28 April 2025 being the date the court is resuming since the applicant is coming back the next day, Mr Ekwo said In a ruling, the judge subsequently adjourned the matter until 28 April for the respondents to show cause. He also directed that the hearing notice be issued and served on the respondents. The case highlights the tendency of members of the elite class to seek judicial protection when facing investigations and potential prosecution. Like Ms Achumugu, an ally of Governor Sanwo-Olu, these politically exposed persons can leverage their resources to hire top lawyers for court interventions. For several months last year, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello engaged in extensive legal efforts to avoid EFCC prosecution, filing cases in both his home state of Kogi and in Abuja to halt his trial. Ultimately, he proceeded to trial after the courts he approached were unable to provide relief. He now faces money laundering and fraud charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja and the FCT High Court also in Abuja. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print As the world recalibrates post-pandemic and post-protectionism, the time is ripe for Nigerian businesses to assert their presence on the global stage. The $20 trillion prize awaits not merely as a destination but as a testament to what can be achieved when innovation meets determination. With partnerships and trade agreements, Nigerian entrepreneurs can transform challenges into triumphs, securing their foothold in the $20 trillion US economy. In the grand tapestry of global commerce, the United States stands as a colossus a $20 trillion marketplace of boundless opportunity, its vast consumer base an alluring siren call to astute entrepreneurs worldwide. Yet, the spectre of Trump-era trade tariffs, recently unfurled with a hypothetical 14 per cent levy on Nigerian exports, casts a shadow over this gilded prospect. For Nigerias indefatigable business luminaries, however, such barriers are not insurmountable walls but mere hurdles to be vaulted with ingenuity and strategic acumen. Nigerias business leaders can thrive by targeting high-potential sectors, capitalising on niche markets, and harnessing e-commerce, all while riding the wave of US demand for African-sourced goods. Backed by specific examples and data, this article charts how Nigerian enterprises can adapt to tariffs, mitigate their impact, and seize the American prize through strategic partnerships and trade agreements. Agriculture offers a fertile starting point. Nigeria, Africas top cocoa producer, exported $300 million worth in 2023, much of it destined for the US $20 billion confectionery market. Tariffs threaten margins, but the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) provides duty-free access for over 6,800 products, including cocoa. Nigerian exporters can target niche US segments like the $1.5 billion organic chocolate sector where premium pricing offsets added costs. Take Chocolala, a US artisanal brand: it seeks 200 metric tons of Nigerian cocoa annually at $1.2 million, favouring sustainable sources. Processing cocoa into powder locally slashes tariffed volumes by 30 per cent, per industry estimates, aligning with American tastes for ready-to-use goods. Fashion, too, presents a vibrant frontier. Nigerias textile industry, bolstered by designers like Deola Sagoe, taps into the US $400 billion apparel market, where African-inspired fashion is surging Ankara print sales on Etsy rose 25 per cent in 2024. Tariffs could dampen exports, but e-commerce offers a nimble workaround. Platforms like Amazon and Shopify enable Nigerian SMEs to sell directly to US consumers, with small-batch shipping dodging bulk import duties. A practical example: Lagos-based Adire Textiles secured a $500,000 deal with a US retailer via Etsy in 2023, absorbing tariffs through premium pricing. Forming trade partnerships with American brands further cushions costs; a co-branded line with a US fashion house can share tariff burdens while expanding reach. The US growing demand for African-sourced products fuels additional prospects. Nigerias cashew exports, at $250 million in 2023, align with the $135 billion US snack food market, where plant-based trends dominate. Cashew consumption rose 15 per cent last year, according to USDA figures. Tariffs bite, but roasting cashews locally cuts export weight by 20 per cent, thereby reducing costs. Technology, Nigerias rising star, sidesteps tariffs entirely. The US tech sector, valued at $1.8 trillion, craves innovative solutions; Nigerian fintech exports grew 40 per cent to $150 million in 2024, according to Central Bank data. Unlike goods, digital exports face no duties, making firms like Paystack prime contenders. A US startup recently posted a $1 million contract for Nigerian developers to build a logistics app, reflecting demand for cost-effective tech post-tariffs. Partnerships with American firms amplify this edge; Flutterwaves 2023 tie-up with a US payment processor yielded $5 million in joint revenue, showcasing the power of collaboration in a tariff-free domain. The US growing demand for African-sourced products fuels additional prospects. Nigerias cashew exports, at $250 million in 2023, align with the $135 billion US snack food market, where plant-based trends dominate. Cashew consumption rose 15 per cent last year, according to USDA figures. Tariffs bite, but roasting cashews locally cuts export weight by 20 per cent, thereby reducing costs. A US distributor, Nutty Co., seeks 150 tons of roasted Nigerian cashews for $800,000, favouring pre-processed goods. Cultural products also shine; the $50 billion US craft market saw Nigerian beadwork sales jump 30 per cent on Amazon in 2024. Diaspora networks amplify this: Atlantas Nigerian community drove $1 million in craft sales last year, a tariff-light channel via direct trade. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later To mitigate tariff impacts and unlock this $20 trillion market, Nigerian businesses can deploy three strategies. First, trade partnerships with US entities distribute costs and open doors. A US cocoa buyer co-investing in a $2 million Nigerian processing plant, for instance, offsets tariffs while scaling supply. Second, leveraging AGOA and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) ensures competitive access; AGOA saved Nigerian exporters $50 million in duties in 2023, according to NEPC data. Third, e-commerce slashes barriers: Nigerias online exports via Amazon hit $10 million last year, proving its potency for SMEs. Streamlining export procedures, enhancing quality control mechanisms, and promoting investor confidence domestically will fortify Nigerias standing as a formidable player in global trade. Entrepreneurs should pursue transatlantic alliances and tech-driven sales, turning tariffs into a spur for innovation. The US market, with its $10 billion annual trade with Nigeria, is no mirage but a prize within reach. Policymakers, too, bear a pivotal role in facilitating this transformation. Streamlining export procedures, enhancing quality control mechanisms, and promoting investor confidence domestically will fortify Nigerias standing as a formidable player in global trade. Entrepreneurs should pursue transatlantic alliances and tech-driven sales, turning tariffs into a spur for innovation. The US market, with its $10 billion annual trade with Nigeria, is no mirage but a prize within reach. As the world recalibrates post-pandemic and post-protectionism, the time is ripe for Nigerian businesses to assert their presence on the global stage. The $20 trillion prize awaits not merely as a destination but as a testament to what can be achieved when innovation meets determination. With partnerships and trade agreements, Nigerian entrepreneurs can transform challenges into triumphs, securing their foothold in the $20 trillion US economy. The time to act is now beyond tariffs lies a wealth of possibility. Beyond tariffs lies opportunity; beyond uncertainty lies prosperity. For those bold enough to seize it, the future is undeniably bright. Titus Olowokere is the executive director/CEO of the US-Nigeria Business Council, Atlanta, GA. He can be reached through: [email protected] (+14049394030) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print First is the prerogative of investing in quality education and skills development. We all know that education is the cornerstone of any economy, and for Africa, it represents the first step in reaping its demographic dividend. Many African nations still struggle with outdated curricula, overcrowded classrooms and limited access to education. To truly tap into the continents youthful potential, education systems must be overhauled to meet the demands of the future job market. The Window of Opportunity: Africas Demographic Dividend Africa is standing at the precipice of a demographic revolution. With over 60 per cent of its 1.4 billion people under the age of 25, the continent boasts the worlds youngest population. This represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity often referred to as the demographic dividend to accelerate economic growth. A demographic dividend occurs when a larger portion of the population enters the workforce and fewer are dependent on social support. If harnessed correctly, this could be a transformative period for Africas economy. However, to turn this opportunity into tangible growth, strategic investments in key sectors such as education, healthcare, job creation and governance are crucial. Without these efforts, the youthful population could become a liability, leading to increased unemployment, poverty and instability. In this first part of the series, we will explore the foundational elements needed to harness this dividend effectively. First is the prerogative of investing in quality education and skills development. We all know that education is the cornerstone of any economy, and for Africa, it represents the first step in reaping its demographic dividend. Many African nations still struggle with outdated curricula, overcrowded classrooms and limited access to education. To truly tap into the continents youthful potential, education systems must be overhauled to meet the demands of the future job market. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The needed recommendations are clear and are as follows: expand vocational and technical training to equip young people with practical, employable skills, incorporate digital literacy and STEM education to prepare the youth for tech-driven industries and also strengthen public-private partnerships to ensure educational systems align with industry needs. A stellar example of such an initiative is Kenyas Digital Literacy Programme (DLP). This programme has integrated technology into primary and secondary schools with over 1.2 million digital devices distributed. By partnering with tech giants like Google and Microsoft, Kenya is creating a workforce thats ready for the digital economy, positioning itself as a leader in Africas tech industry. The need to create employment opportunities and economic growth is another major step. Despite having a young population, Africa faces a severe unemployment crisis, especially among youth. With millions of new entrants into the workforce each year, creating job opportunities should be a top priority. This requires economies to diversify beyond traditional resource-based sectors. Key strategies include: promoting industrialisation, particularly in agriculture and manufacturing, to create sustainable job opportunities. Supporting startups and small-medium enterprises (SMEs) through favourable policies and financing options for young entrepreneurs. Expanding regional trade via initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which can unlock greater economic opportunities across the continent. Ethiopias Industrial Parks Strategy provides an excellent example of job creation. By developing special economic zones (SEZs) like the Hawassa Industrial Park, which employs over 35,000 people, primarily youth and women, Ethiopia is transitioning from an agricultural economy to a manufacturing powerhouse. This is a model that other African nations can replicate to absorb their growing workforce. Lere Baale is the CEO Business School Netherlands Nigeria. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print It is legitimate to pose the question is our State drifting towards anarchy? Do we have a social contract with State institutions that provide for our security and welfare? It is a question worth posing, as we note the dramatic breakdown in security provisioning that has created a climate of disillusion in the State as a protector of citizens. Secondly, there is a significant rise and expansion of sectarian conflicts, both ethnic and religious, fuelled in part by massive disinformation and hate speech in both the traditional and social media. Thirdly, Nigerias elite consensus on federalism and the federal character principle as a guarantee against group discrimination and marginalisation is badly shaken. We ALL have a collective responsibility to stop the drift and seek pathways to re-establish confidence in the nation-building project. Beneath the multiple narratives on offer concerning the crisis of the Nigerian State is a three-dimensional crisis. The first one affects the political economy and is generated mainly by public corruption over the past four decades that has created a run on the treasury at the national and state levels threatening to consume the goose that lays the golden egg. The second one is the crisis of citizenship symbolised by ethno-regionalism, the Boko Haram insurgency, farmer-herder killings, agitations for Biafra, militancy in the Niger Delta and indigene/settler conflicts. The third element relates to the frustration of the countrys democratic aspirations in a context in which the citizenry believes in true democracy confronted with a reckless political class that is corrupt, self-serving and manipulative. These issues have largely broken the social pact between citizens and the State. This has opened the gates to actors bent on dismantling the State. This week, the Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, raised an alarm that the state seems to be losing grounds to terrorists. He was speaking during an expanded Security Council meeting which, he noted, was convened to hear the truth from major stakeholders, including traditional rulers and heads of security agencies in the state. In attendance were the General Officer Commanding 7 Division, Major General Abubakar Haruna; sector commanders; the commissioner of police and heads of other security agencies; the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi as well as the emirs of Biu, Uba, Askira and Gwoza. Governor Zulum expressed concern over the recent Boko Haram attacks on major military formations across the state, saying that the state was at risk of returning to turmoil. Many military locations had been dislodged, especially in Wulgo, Sabongari, Wajirko among others he said. The peace that had been won over the years in Borno State is apparently being lost once again. It is troubling that we cannot sustain the peace. Meanwhile, in Jos, Plateau State, Governor Caleb Muftwang also said this week that the continuous and sustained attacks in communities in the state should not be described as conflicts between herders and farmers but a genocide against the Plateau natives. This followed the killing of about 52 persons including children on Friday, 28th March, 2025, after armed men carried out attacks on communities in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas and their environs of the State. Similar stories are being told daily in other States such as Zamfara, Katsina, Niger, Benue and Kaduna. Nigerian citizens are very concerned that there are no safe spaces in the country. The problem is that it appears that the Nigerian State is not aware. Nigerias National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, claimed this week also that the country has recorded over 90% improvement in security under President Bola Ahmed Tinubus administration. He made this assertion in Jos, Plateau state, during a press briefing following a strategic meeting with the commander of Operation Safe Haven, Major General Folusho Oyinlola. The meeting was convened after deadly gunmen attack on the Bokkos community, which tragically claimed the lives of hundreds of residents. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later There was no surprise that Ribadus statement, given the context of recent violence, sparked mixed reactions from across the political spectrum. Critics argue that the NSAs comments are aimed at shaping public perception as politicking for the 2027 general election approaches. The remarks were understood by many as part of a broader political narrative to build confidence in the administration. The problem is that we the people also live in Nigeria and we have not seen the remarkable 90% improvement in security in the country. In fact a few days before his comments, General Tsiga, a retired general was released by kidnappers only after friends and relations collected money and paid a huge ransom demanded by the almighty kidnappers. Significant security improvement is tangible and would be seen by the people whose lives and livelihoods are affected. There has been some improvement in security provisioning but it has not been significant enough to be noticed by the people. In a recent lecture, the Director-General the Department of State Services (DSS) says communities a crucial role to play in securing themselves against criminal elements, adding that they must serve as the first line of defence. He specifically stated that it was impossible for all the security agencies to protect all Nigerians across nooks and crannies of the country. If Oluwatosin Ajayi, the head of the secret police, can state this openly, it suggests that there is a shift of security responsibility at the highest level of the State. He was actually speaking in Abuja when he spoke at the maiden annual lecture of the National Association of the Institute for Security Studies in the presence of top echelons from the military, police and other para-military agencies in attendance, on the topic Mobilising Stakeholders to Curb Insecurity in Nigeria: A Practical Approach. The DSS boss recounted historical instances where communities successfully defended themselves against insurgents, particularly in Azare and Tafawa Balewa in Bauchi State. I understand his logic, that communities know their territory well and can mobilise themselves to take care of violence entrepreneurs. The reality however is that the said violence entrepreneurs have procured very sophisticated arms and often, the community simply does not have the fire power to confront them. It is also important to know that sometimes, the perpetrators are also from the community and know the layout. There are too many groups that have discovered that obtaining an AK47 can be their pathway to wealth because they are not in government where you can be wealthy by stealing without arms. Given the number of these disaffected young persons who are arming themselves to find solutions to their problems, we can easily fall into anarchy and were that to happen, we will ALL BE LOSERS as our lives would become nasty, brutish and short. The State is based on a social contract in which it receives taxes and loyalty from the people and it offers them security the protection of their lives and livelihoods. If it persists in its failure to provide its part of the bargain, then anarchy can loom on the horizon. The drift towards anarchy must be arrested. A professor of Political Science and development consultant/expert, Jibrin Ibrahim is a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Democracy and Development, and Chair of the Editorial Board of PREMIUM TIMES. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Chief amongst what he did for humanity in his life was the facts that he is the first and last man standing against Boko Haram terrorists and their teachings on principles, as his debate and subsequent victory over Muhammed Yusuf the infamous leader of Boko Haram was responsible for deradicalisation of thousands of Boko Haram members in Bauchi and beyond. Imagine the magnitude of attacks Nigerians could have suffered without many Boko Haram members changing their minds and rescinding their decisions to join Muhammed Yusuf before he was killed. In The name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Most gracious Verily, all praise is for Allah. We praise Him, we seek His assistance and we ask for His forgiveness. And we seek refuge in Him from the evils of ourselves. Whoever Allah guides, none can misguide. Whoever He misguides, none can guide. And I bear witness that there is no deity other than Allah and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. Dear brothers and sisters! Allah the Almighty says: (O Prophet Muhammad), We did not grant everlasting life to any human being even before you. If you were to die, will they live for ever? Every living being shall taste death and We shall subject you to ill and good by way of trial, and to Us shall all of you be eventually sent back. [Quran, 21:34-35] Respected brothers and sisters! A prominent Nigerian Islamic cleric, Imam Sheikh Dr Idris Abdulaziz Dutsen Tanshi, has passed away. The late Imam was among the most leading Islamic scholars in Nigeria and Africa, widely recognised for his contributions to disseminating Islamic teachings across the continent. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later In addition to his scholarly work, Imam Dr Idris Abdulaziz Dutsen Tanshi was also a businessman and farmer. He had been battling with ill health for some time, and recently traveled abroad for medical treatment during the last month of Ramadan. His funeral prayer was held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday at the Eid prayer ground in Games Village, Bauchi State. Sincerely speaking, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Sheikh Imam Dr. Idris Abdulaziz Dutsen Tanshi. He was a man of great knowledge and deep thought. Though some people considered him controversial, but those who took the time to truly understand him would recognise the truth in much of his wisdom. His passing has deeply shaken us and made us reflect on the transient nature of this life. Yes, some people may rejoice over his death, but the painful reality is that they, too, will face it sooner or later. Death is the greatest reminder, and we must take lessons from it. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, his friends, and his students. May his soul rest in peace, ameen. Dear servants of Allah! Life slips away second by second. Are you aware that every day brings you closer to death or that death is as close to you as it is to other people? As we are told in the following Quranic verse: Whatsoever is on it (the earth) will perish. And the Face of your Lord full of Majesty and Honour will remain forever. [Quran, 55:26-27] And: Every soul shall taste death in the end; to Us shall you be brought back. [Surah al-Ankabut: 57] Wallahi everyone who has ever appeared on this earth was destined to die. Without exception they all died, every one. Today, we hardly come across the traces of many of these people who passed away. Those currently living and those who will ever live will also face death on a predestined day. Despite this fact, people tend to see death as an unlikely incident. Think of a baby who has just opened its eyes to the world and a man who is about to breathe his last. Both had no influence on their individual birth or death whatsoever. Only Allah possesses the power to inspire the breath of life or to take it away. All human beings will live until a certain day and then die; Allah the Almighty in the Quran gives an account of the attitude commonly shown towards death in the following Quranic verse: Say: The death from which you flee will truly overtake you: then you will be sent back to the Knower of things secret and open: and He will tell you (the truth of) the things that you did! [Surah al-Jumuah: 8] The majority of people avoid thinking about death. In the rapid flow of daily events, a person usually occupies himself with totally different subjects: what college to enroll in, which company to work for, what colour of clothing to wear next morning, what to cook for supper; these are the kinds of major issues that we usually consider. Life is perceived as a routine process of such minor matters. Attempts to talk about death are always interrupted by those who do not feel comfortable hearing about it. Assuming death will come only when one grows older, one does not want to concern himself with such an unpleasant subject. Yet it should be kept in mind that living for even one further hour is never guaranteed. Everyday, man witnesses the deaths of people around him but thinks little about the day when others will witness his own death. He never supposes that such an end is awaiting him! Nevertheless, when death comes to man, all the realities of life suddenly vanish. No reminder of the good old days endures in this world. Think of everything that you are able to do right now: you can blink your eyes, you can move your body, you can speak, you can laugh; all these are functions of your body. Now think about the state and shape your body will assume after your death. While all this is taking place in the world, the corpse under the soil will go through a rapid process of decay. Skin and soft tissues will completely disintegrate. The brain will decay and start looking like clay. This process will go on until the whole body is reduced to a skeleton. However, our beloved Prophet, Muhammad (Peace be upon him), was reported to have said that the dead body of Prophets, pious people and martyrs would not decay in the grave and that there is enjoyment in the grave just as there is punishment in it. There is no chance of going back to the old life again. Gathering around the supper table with your family members, socialising or to having an honourable job will never again be possible. In short, the heap of flesh and bones to which we assign an identity faces a quite nasty end. On the other hand, you or rather, your soul will leave this body as soon as you breathe your last. The remainder of you your body will become part of the soil. Yes, but what is the reason for all these things happening? If Allah willed, the body would never have decayed in such a way. That it does so actually carries a very important inner message in itself. The tremendous end awaiting man should make him acknowledge that he is not a body himself, but a soul encased within a body. In other words, man has to acknowledge that he has an existence beyond his body. Furthermore, man should understand the death of his body, which he tries to possess as if he is to remain eternally in this temporal world. However this body, which he deems so important, will decay and become worm-eaten one day and finally be reduced to a skeleton. That day might be very soon. Despite all these facts, mans mental process is inclined to disregard what he does not like or want. He is even inclined to deny the existence of things he avoids confronting. This tendency seems to be most apparent when death is the issue. Only a funeral or the sudden death of an immediate family member brings this reality to mind. Almost everybody sees death far from himself. The assumption is that those who die while sleeping or in an accident are different people and what they face will never befall us! Everybody thinks it is too early to die and that there are always years ahead to live. Yet most probably, people who die on the way to school or hurrying to attend a business meeting shared the same thought. They probably never thought that the next days newspapers or social media would publish news of their deaths. It is entirely possible that, as you read these lines, you still do not expect to die soon after you have finished them or even entertain the possibility that it might happen. Probably you feel that it is too early to die because there are many things to accomplish. However, this is just an avoidance of death and these are only vain endeavours to escape it. Allah the Almighty says: Say: Running away will not profit you if you are running away from death or slaughter; and even if (you do escape), no more than a brief (respite) will you be allowed to enjoy! [Surah al-Ahzab: 16] Man who is created alone should be aware that he would also die alone. Yet during his life, he lives almost addicted to possessions. His sole purpose in life becomes to possess more. Yet, no one can take his goods with him to the grave. The body is buried wrapped in a shroud made from the cheapest of fabrics. The body comes into this world alone and departs from it in the same way According to the Hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), the Messenger of Allah used to pray in his prayer: O Allah, I seek refuge in You from the torment of the grave, I seek refuge in You from the tribulation of the Dajjal, I seek refuge in You from the trials of life and death, O Allah, I seek refuge in You from sin and loss. [Bukhari and Muslim] Allah the Almighty says: In the end, to Us shall you be brought back. [Quran, 29:57] Respected brothers and sisters! The subject of death scares us beause we dont know much about it nor the life in the grave and the life after death. We all know we will one day die but few are willing to discuss the details of what happens thereafter. We are afraid because of our own ignorance; because what is to come is unseen and unfamiliarand we are unprepared. Allah the Most High says: Say: The Angel of Death, put in charge of you, will (duly) take your souls: then shall you be brought back to your Lord. [Quran, 32:11] Our biological make-up on this planet is not fit for the place of our roots namely Heavan or Hell. There is no way we can enter Heavan with the flesh we are made of. Hence, the grave is a centre of transformation: a center of preparation and resynthesis of the body of the individual to be ready for recreation. It should be stated here that everyone of us is to die even if we hide ourselves anywhere in the world; or even if we try to protect ourselves. Allah the Most High sends a special Angel i.e. Angel of Death whose nickname is Izrail to take the soul out of the flesh. Say: The Angel of Death, put in charge of you, will (duly) take your souls: Then shall you be brought back to your Lord. [Quran, 32:11] This angel knows us better than our parents know us. He knows where we are and how we are to die. His main responsibilities is extracting the soul out of the flesh. He can enter any and every place where a person is to die, in order to perform his duty, even if we hide ourselves in fortresses. Allah the Most High says the following: Wherever you are, death will find you out, even if you are in towers built up strong and high. [Quran, 4:78] As far as the removal of the soul from the flesh is concerned, the Angel of Death will extract it from good people with ease. For those who are bad, the removal of the soul is tough and difficult. The Quranic expression for the removal of the soul from bad people, hypocrites and disbelievers is horrifying: More than one angel are to work together. They beat the face and back of the deceased while extracting the soul, otherwise, it will come out with difficulty. Allah the Almighty says in the following: If you could see, when the angels take the souls of the unbelievers (at death), how they smite their faces and their backs, saying: taste the penalty of the blazing fire. Because of the deeds which your own hands sent forth: For Allah is never unjust to his servants. [Quran, 8:50-51] The Hadith of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) about extracting the soul from the flesh of bad people is summarised as follows: Al-Bara Ibn Azib narrated that the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: If an unbelieving servant is more concerned with the worldly life than he is about the other life, angels descend from the sky. These angels, who are carrying bad smelling fragrance, sit in near proximity to the dying unbeliever. Then the Angel of Death descends and places himself near the head of the unbeliever. The Angel of Death says: O bad soul! Come out to Allahs curse and anger. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said: The soul disperses in the dying persons body. The Angel of Death grabs the soul like a sufud (a piece of metal stuck in wet wool). The Angel of Death takes the soul without letting it stay in his hand for even an instance. Then the angels put a rough garment that smells bad on the deceaseds soul. The soul comes out having a very foul smell. For those who are good, the Quran informs us that the extraction and pulling out the soul from flesh is very easy. The dying person will not feel the pain from the removal of the soul from his body. It will be as easy as pulling a strand of hair out of some dough. The Hadith of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) narrated by Al-Bara Ibn Azib states the following: If the believing servant refrains from coverting material things in his temporal life and desires the hereafter, white-faced angels descend from the sky. Their faces shine as brightly as the sun. They carry with them funeral garb and hanut (fragrance) from Heavan. They sit in near proximity to the dying person. The Angel of Death (may Allah bless him) comes and sits near the dying persons head, saying: O good soul, come out to Allahs mercy and forgiveness. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said, The soul comes out like a drop of water being poured out. Then the Angel takes the soul, without letting it stand in his hand; releases it like a blink. The other angels take the soul and clothe it in funeral garb and hanut. From that soul comes the best smell, one resembling the best musk on earth. Dear servants of Allah! Sheikh Dr Imam Idris Abdulaziz Dutsen Tanshis death is not only a loss to the Muslim world alone but a great loss to humanity in general. Chief amongst what he did for humanity in his life was the facts that he is the first and last man standing against Boko Haram terrorists and their teachings on principles, as his debate and subsequent victory over Muhammed Yusuf the infamous leader of Boko Haram was responsible for deradicalisation of thousands of Boko Haram members in Bauchi and beyond. Imagine the magnitude of attacks Nigerians could have suffered without many Boko Haram members changing their minds and rescinding their decisions to join Muhammed Yusuf before he was killed. It was also alleged that after the debate of which Dr Idris Abdulaziz was able to muster superior arguments with numerous evidence from The Glorious Quran and Numerous Hadiths, Muhammed Yusuf agreed to halt his teachings and disband his Sect if his security will be guaranteed only for him to run into battle with authorities of Borno State Government and subsequently the federal government and the rest became history. Imam Sheikh Dr Idris Abdulaziz Dutsen Tanshis second contribution to humanity is in the area of education, both conventional and Islamic. As a proprietor of a private College of Education in Bauchi State, he has produced quality teachers and other professionals who are competing with those trained at Government Colleges, if not better, and hence he has contributed more in the human and capital development of Bauchi states than the political and business class. Thirdly, as an unapologetic Salafist, he fought against innovation in Islam while living a stoic, disciplined and prudent lifestyle despite his wealth till his last breath. May Allah the Almighty forgives his sins, shortcomings and failings; and grants him Jannatul Firdaus as we hope that Allahs mercy and his good deeds intercede on his behalf in his grave and hereafter while his bad deeds be forgiven. Respected brothers and sisters! Lets all understand that in the end, wallahi we will all return back to our Creator (Allah). And what truly matters is the legacy we leave behind. Sheikh Imam Dr Idris Abdulaziz Dutsen Tanshi left behind a legacy of goodness for those who value truth, though it may seem bitter to those who resist it. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of all creation; may Allah extol the mention of our noble Prophet Muhammad in the highest company of Angels, bless him and give him peace and security and his family, his Companions and all those who follow him correctly and sincerely until the establishment of the Hour. Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumuah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okenes Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: [email protected] or +2348038289761. This Jumuah Khutbah (Friday sermon) was prepared for delivery today, Friday, Shawwal 13, 1446 AH (11 April, 2025). Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Beiersdorf, a globally renowned skincare company and maker of NIVEA, has once again reinforced its status as one committed to providing science-backed skincare solutions. The company on Friday 28 March officially introduced to the Nigerian market its life-changing dermatological skincare innovation positioned to address hyperpigmentation, acne, dry skin and for sun protection. Known as Eucerin, it is the globally recognised dermatologist-recommended skin care brand of products based on honest science that sustains and restores skins health. The launch event which held at the Marriott Hotel in Lagos featured a scientific presentation by Prof Firas Al-Niaimi, a renowned UK-based Consultant Dermatologist and Laser Specialist, and panel discussions by skin care experts. Oladele Adeyole, Country Manager for Beiersdorf Nigeria highlighted Eucerins rich dermatological heritage and its commitment to efficacy and safety, and emphasised the urgent need for scientifically proven skincare solutions in Nigeria. He referenced to NAFDACs 2021 warning on the dangers of unregulated bleaching products. About three years ago, NAFDAC raised an alarm on the prevalent issue of bleaching in Nigeria. People resort to bleaching as a solution to a beauty problem, but today, beauty is no longer linked only to healthcare and well-beingit has become a moral issue that needs to be addressed, he said. Mathieu Levasseur, Beiersdorfs General Manager for Central, East and West Africa (CEWA), reaffirmed the companys long-standing presence in Nigeria through the NIVEA brand and expressed excitement about the launch of Eucerin. He stated that even though Beiersdorf has been present in Nigeria for over 10 years with NIVEA, they are proud to introduce Eucerin, the first ever skincare brand in the world backed by over 120 years of medical science and research. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later Nathalie Gemayel, Regional Medical Manager for Africa and the Middle East, took guests through Eucerins remarkable journey from 1882when Paul C Beiersdorf and three chemists pioneered dermatological skincareto 2024 when it came into Nigeria, marking the brands latest breakthrough with Thiamidol, a revolutionary molecule proven to treat hyperpigmentation effectively. We sell a product every two seconds globally because Beiersdorf solutions work. Our commitment to science, proof, and efficacy is unwavering, with over 1,000 clinical studies conducted in the last six years, she noted. The highlight of the event was Prof Al-Niaimis presentation in which he shared research-based insights on the emotional and physical impact of acne and skin concerns, underscoring Eucerins patient-centric approach. Beiersdorf, he said, remains the only skincare brand in the world able to test human Tyrosinase, a key enzyme involved in melanin production, pointing out that inhibiting Tyrosinase helps treat hyperpigmentation from its root rather than relying on top-layer removal methods. This treatment offers a safer alternative to hydroquinone and preserves natural pigmentation without interfering with normal melanocytes or natural black skin pigment. Unlike traditional bleaching agents, it does not cause melanocyte toxicity or disrupt the skins natural balance. It is safe for long-term use even during pregnancy does not enter the bloodstream, and is targeted to treat only problem areas, making it a preferred choice among patients with Skin of Colour, Prof Al-Niaimi said. Four facial products were officially launched at the event, namely: Even Pigment Perfector Dual Serum, Even Pigment Perfector Day & Night Cream for Hyperpigmentation, Demopurifyer Triple Effect Serum for Acne, and the sun protection ranges Oil control sun gel cream; Pigment Control Sun Fluid and Photo-Aging Sun Fluid For Oily prone Skin, Pigmented skin and anti-age. These Eucerin products had already been introduced in Nigeria for a year, allowing some guests to share their first-hand experiences and testifying to the remarkable results they achieved using the Eucerin range. The panel discussion led by Prof Al-Niaimi, featured Prof Ayesha Akinkugbe, Dr Cynthia Ebie, and Dr Omatighene Enovo Obaro. The panellists explored product application, dosage, effectiveness, and the economic advantages for patients. They highlighted Thiamidol, the key ingredient in the launched Eucerin ranges, as the best human Tyrosinase inhibitor out of over 50,000 compounds tested. Dignitaries and industry stakeholders present included Prof Dasetima Altraide, President of the Nigerian Association of Dermatologists (NAD), along with the associations Vice President and Secretary. Also in attendance were the associations immediate past secretary, Perpetua Ibekwe, Prof Adebola Ogunbiyi, Prof Olusola Ayanlowo, Dr Olakunle Odusote, and Josephine Eyinma, CEO/Founder, NETT Pharmacy. The event also saw the participation of numerous skincare doctors, enthusiasts, aestheticians, dermatologists, e-commerce professionals, and pharmacists. With a firm commitment to research-driven dermatological solutions, Eucerins entry into the Nigerian market signifies a new era of safe and effective skincare tailored to the unique needs of African skin. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Dauda Lawal has expressed deep sorrow over the passing of Aminu Ibrahim Kasuwar Daji, a member representing Kauran Namoda South in the Zamfara State House of Assembly. Family sources disclosed that Mr Daji died in his sleep in the early hours of Wednesday in the Kauran Namoda local government. A statement issued by the spokesperson of the Zamfara Governor, Sulaiman Bala Idris, quoted Governor Lawal to have extended condolences to the leadership of the Zamfara State House of Assembly and the family of the deceased. The statement added that a delegation of the state government, led by the deputy governor, Mani Mummuni, attended the burial of the late Aminu K/Daji in Kauran Namoda. On behalf of the state government, we wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to the Speaker, Principal Officers of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, family, and the people of Kauran Namoda South. In this moment of sorrow, we extend our prayers that Allah provides the bereaved family with the strength needed during this grieving period. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later We also pray for Allah to forgive any shortcomings of the deceased and grant him eternal peace, the governor state. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court in Kano has set a date for ruling in a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Musabaqah Association seeking to bar the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting, harassing, or interrogating members iof the association. The association filed the suit after the EFCC invited the clerics for interrogation regarding a petition accusing the members of grabbing a N3.5 billion land donated by the state government.for the building of the Quranic Recitation Competition headquarters. The petitioners alleged that the land situated in a highbrow area of Kano was fraudulently sold to Nataala Properties and Investment Company Limited led by Tijjani Sule-Garo. The plot was donated to the association to build its headquarters, school, classrooms, competition hall, accommodation for participants across the 44 local government areas of Kano, restaurant, shops among others for convenience of the general members of the Musabaqah community irrespective of religious sect in Kano State. To our uttermost shock and dismay, we woke up one day to see that about 38-blocks of residential houses were built on this plot for sale to the general public. On inquiry, our leaders told us that they sold the said plot for N400 million. This we highly suspect as being fraudulent and totally unacceptable to the generality of our members as a plot worth N3.5 billion in a prime location like Ahmadu Bello Way, Nasarawa GRA, kano measuring roughly 2 hectares could be traded off for just N400 million, the petitioners stated. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The petitioners want the EFCC to investigate the sale, and halt further development of the land pending the outcome of the investigation. The petitioners also asked the anti corruption agency to prosecute those involved in the sale with the aim of returning the land for use as originally allocated. The petitioners fingered the clerics involved in the allegedly shoddy deal as Ibrahim Shehu-Maihula, Gwani Yahuza-Danzarga, Aliyu Harazim, Tijjani Bala-Kalarawi, Saidu Muhammad-Koki and Ado Shehu-Maibargo. The others are Abdu Muhammad-Dutse; Abubakar Aliyu-Darma, Ahmad Tijjani-Yusuf, Tijjani Mailafiya-Sanka, Sabiu Bako and Muhammad Tukur-Gadanya. The judge, Musa Shuaibu, on Wednesday, announced 23 May to rule on the case whether the EFCC can invite the clerics for investigation. Background The Kano State government in 1995, under former military administrator, late Abdullahi Wase, allocated the 2.5 hectares of land for the establishment of what he called Musabaa village housing a residential block, Tahfiz and training centre, mosque and eatery. Mr Wase was reportedly allotted the said land to stop an outrageous bill he received from the then Musabaa committee in preparation of an annual Musabaa event of that year, The land was abandoned for almost 23 years till 2022 when the self acclaimed committee entered into a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with the Nataala investment. In August, 2023, a radio commentary programme, Rigar kaya, anchored by Yakubu Musa-Fagge, exposed the purported PPP sharing arrangement. In the programme, one of the accused leaders, Mr Gwani-anzarga, who is the deputy chairperson of the committee, responded that 38 houses were built in the PPP arrangement, out of which eight were allocated to the Musabaa committee and 30 to the Nataala company. But some of the members disagreed and reported the matter to the EFCC. Mr Gwani-anzarga and 10 others then rushed to the Federal High Court 1, Kano and filed a case of fundamental human right against the EFCC. After several adjournments by the judge to see if an out-of-court settlement could work, the judge fixed 23 May for ruling on whether the EFCC has the right to investigate the case. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State on Thursday disclosed that the federal government, in collaboration with the state government, has established a fact-finding committee to investigate the recent killing of hunters in Uromi, Edo State. Mr Okpebholo made the announcement while receiving a delegation from Kano State, led by Deputy Governor Aminu Gwarzo in Benin. He revealed that President Bola Tinubu was deeply displeased with the tragic incident and was committed to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens. This incident has opened our eyes. We are now ready to address national issues and improve life for everyone, Mr Okpebholo said. The president is determined to get to the root of this. We want a lasting solution and justice for all those affected. I also wish to inform you that the president and the Edo government have jointly set up a committee to uncover the underlying causes of the incident. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later The report youve submitted will guide us going forward and ensure we dont need to trouble you further. The public will be kept informed of the committees activities. According to Mr Okpebholo, Edo is home to peace-loving people. We welcome everyone who lives with us. Kano and Edo have enjoyed a strong history of commercial and industrial collaboration, he added. In his remarks, Mr Gwarzo expressed gratitude to Mr Okpebholo for his earlier visit to Kano State and his efforts during the crisis. Our visit is to formally thank you for your peaceful intervention during the Uromi crisis and your solidarity with the people of Kano, Mr Gwarzo stated. Kano State set up a committee to verify the names, numbers, next of kin, and survivors. We are here to formally submit the final report. You assured us that justice will be served, and we believe you, Mr Governor. We seek a transparent process to ensure fairness and accountability. Sixteen lives were lostvictims from five local government areas in Kano. Their families are looking to you for justice and closure. Mr Okpebholo and the Kano delegation later visited Uromi, where they met with members of the Hausa community affected by the incident. (NAN) Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print The Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos State, on Thursday, ordered the final forfeiture of seven landed assets linked to a former staff member of First Bank Nigeria (FBN) to the federal government. According to a press statement released by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, the assets comprised a flat and parcels of land mostly in choice estates in Epe and Ibeju-Lekki areas of Lagos State. Only one of the parcels of land is in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The properties are suspected by the EFCC to be proceeds from the alleged fraudulent activities of the former bank official, Muiz Adeyinka. Mr Adeyinka allegedly perpetrated the fraud during his time in the banks settlement office. The EFCC has stated that investigations indicate Mr Adeyinka and his associates received up to N35 billion from the alleged fraud. The judge, Dehinde Dipeolu, ordered the final forfeiture of the assets on Thursday following a request by the EFCC. Article Page with Financial Support Promotion Nigerians need credible journalism. Help us report it. Support journalism driven by facts, created by Nigerians for Nigerians. Our thorough, researched reporting relies on the support of readers like you. Help us maintain free and accessible news for all with a small donation. Every contribution guarantees that we can keep delivering important stories no paywalls, just quality journalism. SUPPORT NOW x Do this later This was preceded by an earlier interim forfeiture order on the assets. While the interim order was in place, the judge ordered, EFCC should make a national newspaper inviting all parties that might be interested in the assets to appear to show cause why they should not be permanently forfeited to the Nigerian government. Moving the application for the final forfeiture of the assets on Thursday, EFCCs lawyer, Zeenat Atiku, told the court that no one showed cause within the 14 days window granted after the publication. In the affidavit filed in support of the application, Isah Yusuf Nadabo, an operative of the EFCC, told the court that Mr Adeyinka worked at the settlement office of the bank where he had access available only by virtue of his office. The operative stated further in the affidavit that, He, therefore, carried out illegal, unauthorised and fraudulent activities against First Bank Nigeria Plc. Investigation has thus far revealed and traced the sum of N35billion benefitted by Muiz Tijani Adeyinka and his cronies. In her submission on Thursday, Ms Atiku told the court that the properties traced to Mr Adeyinka were reasonably suspected to have been acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities. After listening to the EFCCs counsel, Mr Dipeolu held that her argument in support of the application for final forfeiture was meritorious. He ordered the final forfeiture of the properties to the Federal Government of Nigeria. Forfeited assets Most of the assets linked to the suspect are located in Lagos. Only one is in Abuja. Those in Lagos include Plot 9, Block 28 Itunu City, Veritas Homes & Properties Ltd., Aiyetoro, Epe, a three-bedroom flat described as Block A, Floor 6, Flat 2 (Block A/6/2) Le Moriah Residences Estate, Off Kusenla Road, Ikate Ancient City, Lekki Penninsula, at Eti-Osa Local Government Area (LGA), and a parcel of land at Block L1, Plot 13, Amen Estate, Phase Ill Extension, Abomiti Zone, Lekki/Epe Express Way Epe LGA. They also include another parcel of land at Block 3, Plot 13, Arizon Estate, within Idera Scheme Allocation via Eleko Junction at Ibeju-Lekki LGA; one plot of Land within Arizone Estate, Idera Scheme,lbeju-Lekki LGA and another plot of land within Itunu Residential Aiyetoro, Ibeju-Lekki LGA. There is also a parcel of land known as Plot 7, Block 4 Itunu City, Veritas Homes & Properties Ltd, Aiyetoro Epe LGA, and a parcel of land at Block Q, Plot 25, Tiara by Amen City Limited, Along Lekki/Epe Express Way, Yeguda Resettlement Scheme. The property located in Abuja is a parcel of land known as Plot 1, Ido Gwari 2 Extension, within Ochacho Real Homes, Ido-Gwari 2 Extension, Life Camp, Abuja. The forfeited assets are expected to be transferred to the bank. Earlier forfeiture Earlier in February, another judge of the Federal High Court in Lagos, Alexander Owoeye, ordered the final forfeiture of about N1.17 billion, 35,070, and $392,818 recovered from Mr Adeyinka. According to Ms Atiku, the investigations leading to the recovery of the funds and other assets were triggered by a petition EFCC from First Bank of Nigeria in March 2024, complaining of fraudulent transactions within and outside the bank. The lawyer told the court that investigations revealed that the principal suspect was Mr Adeyinka, who worked in the banks settlement office. The suspect allegedly manipulated settlement accounts by creating fictitious domiciliary inflows with which he immediately transferred the naira equivalent to himself and his cronies. He allegedly used the fraudulent funds to purchase US dollars and digital currency as part of the money laundering plot. He is also the MD/CEO of Golden Sieve Logistics Ltd., Golden Sieve Properties Ltd., and Golden Sieve Motors Ltd., which are all duly incorporated with the Corporate Affairs Commission, Ms Atiku had said. Declared wanted In June last year, the Nigerian Police Force declared Mr Adeyinka wanted for allegedly diverting N40 billion from the accounts of various customers. He is also accused of laundering the funds by purchasing both foreign and digital currencies. Share this: Twitter Facebook WhatsApp Telegram LinkedIn Email Print TORONTO, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - The Gairdner Foundation is pleased to announce the 2025 Canada Gairdner Award laureates, recognizing some of the world's most significant biomedical and global health research and discoveries. 2025 Canada Gairdner International Award The five 2025 Canada Gairdner International Award laureates are recognized for seminal discoveries or contributions to biomedical science: Michael J. Welsh, M.D. Roy J. Carver Professor of Internal Medicine and Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Director, Pappajohn Biomedical Institute; Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa Paul Negulescu, Ph.D. Senior Vice President, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Awarded "For pioneering research into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the genetic disease cystic fibrosis, leading to the development of transformative drug therapies based on these mechanisms, thereby improving and saving countless lives." The Work: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder affecting more than 125,000 people worldwide. It arises from mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, which encodes a protein responsible for regulating chloride and bicarbonate transport across cell membranes. This process is crucial for maintaining the fluidity of mucus and other protective substances in organs like the lungs and pancreas. When the CFTR protein malfunctions, it results in clogged passageways, severe infections, and organ damage. Beginning in the early 1990s, Dr. Michael Welsh and colleagues revolutionized the understanding of cystic fibrosis by demonstrating that the CFTR protein is a chloride ion channel and is regulated by phosphorylation and ATP. They also showed how mutations disrupt CFTR function, preventing its proper activity in the cell membrane, and that misfolding and impaired function caused by the common DF508 mutation can be repaired in the laboratory. This deeper understanding enabled the classification of cystic fibrosis mutations and paved the way for targeted therapies to correct CFTR protein defects. Dr. Paul Negulescu led the research team at Vertex Pharmaceuticals that developed the first-ever protein folding correctors, a novel class of medicines. Specifically, these medicines act by restoring the function of the CFTR protein. Two of these, Trikafta and more recently Alyftrek, are triple-combination therapies with the potential to treat approximately 90% of cystic fibrosis patients, including those with the DF508 mutation. The Impact: The work of Drs. Welsh and Negulescu and their teams have transformed cystic fibrosis from a fatal disease into a manageable condition for patients receiving treatment, showcasing how fundamental science can lead to life-saving innovations. Their efforts span the entire biomedical journey, from basic discovery to therapeutic intervention. Previously, cystic fibrosis treatments focused only on managing symptoms, with patients facing significantly reduced life expectancy. Today, treatments built on Dr. Welsh's discoveries and innovations by Dr. Negulescu's team at Vertex address the disease's root causes and can provide greater quality of life and life expectancy to those who receive it. Beyond cystic fibrosis, their achievements have reshaped genetic medicine by proving the viability of mutation-specific treatments and offering a framework for addressing other protein folding disorders. Spyros Artavanis-Tsakonas, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School; Professor Emeritus, College de France Iva Greenwald, Ph.D. Da Costa Professor of Biology, Dept of Biological Sciences, Columbia University; Professor of Biochemistry & Molecular Biophysics, Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Gary Struhl, Ph.D. Herbert and Florence Irving Professor at the Zuckerman Institute; Professor of Genetics and Development, Columbia University's Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons Awarded "For pioneering work on the Notch signalling pathway, which has significantly contributed to our understanding of how cells communicate with each other during development, how these signals regulate cell fate determination and how disruption can lead to developmental defects and cancer." The Work: Notch signaling is a fundamental cellular communication pathway that plays a crucial role in regulating many different biological processes, including cell differentiation. Drs. Spyros Artavanis-Tsakonas, Iva Greenwald and Gary Struhl are awarded for establishing our foundational understanding of Notch signaling, defining how this pathway works at the molecular level and how it influences cell fate, development, and tissue patterning. Notch was first identified over 100 years ago as a mutation that causes notches in the wings of fruit flies (Drosophila). Over time it became clear that Notch defines an evolutionarily conserved gene network involved in diverse aspects of development in many different species including mammals. Pioneering genetic and molecular work by Dr. Artavanis-Tsakonas led to the cloning of the Drosophila Notch gene and other components of the pathway. Notch turned out to be a membrane-bound receptor defining the central element of a cell signalling pathway that interacted with another membrane-bound molecule on adjacent cells, leading to intracellular signaling and changes in cell fate. Dr. Greenwald discovered and cloned the Notch gene LIN-12 in nematodes (C. elegans), elucidated its fundamental role in cell fate specification, and identified many core components of the pathway, including the intramembrane protease Presenilin implicated in Alzheimer's Disease. Drs. Greenwald and Struhl together proposed that Notch functions as a membrane-tethered transcription factor that is cleaved to release the cytosolic domain, which enters the nucleus to control gene expression. Dr. Struhl then pioneered the use of chimeric proteins to validate the cleavage model and demonstrate that Notch is activated in response to mechanical force exerted by ligands. The Impact: Drs. Artavanis-Tsakonas, Greenwald and Struhl's findings have had far-reaching implications for both basic science and medicine, particularly in identifying the role of Notch signaling in diseases such as cancer and developmental disorders, and shared components with neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. 2025 John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award The 2025 John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award laureate is recognized for outstanding achievements in global health research: Andre Briend, MD, Ph.D. Former Senior Scientist, Institut de Recherche pour le Developpement; Adjunct Professor, Tampere Center for Child, Adolescent and Maternal Health Research, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland; Affiliated Professor, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Demark Awarded "For the invention of a ready-to-use therapeutic food, which has revolutionized management of severe acute malnutrition in children, allowing treatment to shift from inpatient care to community-based management and saving countless lives." The Work: Dr. Andre Briend has made transformative contributions to the treatment of malnutrition, particularly through his pioneering work in the development of ready-to-use therapeutic foods (RUTFs) and the use of mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC) as a simplified diagnostic and monitoring tool. Dr. Briend was instrumental in formulating RUTFs as a highly nutritious, shelf-stable paste that requires no preparation or refrigeration, making it ideal for use in resource-limited settings. This innovation has revolutionized the treatment of severe acute malnutrition, enabling millions of children to receive life-saving therapy in their homes rather than in hospitals. Over 50 countries now implement RUTFs in community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) programs, treating an estimated 8 million children annually. His contributions have been vital in reducing malnutrition-related mortality and improving recovery rates. The Impact: The introduction of MUAC as a primary tool for identifying malnourished children simplified diagnosis and allowed for rapid scale-up of CMAM programs. By focusing on MUAC measurements rather than more complex weight-for-height indices, healthcare workers, even in remote areas, can quickly identify at-risk children and initiate treatment. This approach has greatly expanded access to care, especially in low-resource and conflict-affected settings. Combining a simple measure to identify at-risk children with easily distributed RUTFs, Dr. Briend's work has been pivotal in reducing mortality from childhood malnutrition in at-risk populations. His innovations have not only improved outcomes but also enabled the integration of malnutrition treatment into broader health systems, supporting the long-term goal of reducing malnutrition on a global scale. 2025 Peter Gilgan Canada Gairdner Momentum Award The 2025 Peter Gilgan Canada Gairdner Momentum Award laureates are Canadian mid-career investigators recognized for exceptional scientific research contributions with continued potential for impact on human health. Daniel De Carvalho, Ph.D. Senior Scientist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network; Professor, Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto; Allan Slaight Scientist and Senior Scientist, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre. Awarded "For the ground-breaking discovery of the role of transposable elements in regulating anti-tumour immunity through viral mimicry, which holds transformative potential for cancer therapy, and for pioneering the development of a novel blood-based test for early cancer detection, classification, and therapy monitoring." The Work: Dr. Daniel De Carvalho is a global leader in cancer epigenetics, immunotherapy, and liquid biopsy research. His groundbreaking discovery of the role of transposable elements in regulating anti-tumour immunity through viral mimicry has opened new avenues for cancer therapy. His pioneering work on DNA methylation profiling of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) led to the development of an advanced blood-based test for early cancer detection, classification, and therapy monitoring. Dr. De Carvalho's work focuses on understanding how epigenetic alterations in cancer cells influence tumor development and response to treatment. By studying DNA methylation and its role in cancer, Dr. De Carvalho has developed innovative approaches to reprogram cancer cells, making them more recognizable to the immune system. A key aspect of his research is the development of epigenetic therapies that can convert "invisible" tumors into "visible" targets for immunotherapy, by mimicking a viral infection and thereby enhancing the effectiveness of cancer treatments. His work has paved the way for novel strategies that combine epigenetic drugs with immune checkpoint inhibitors, demonstrating significant potential in treating hard-to-target cancers. His pioneering work in cfDNA methylation profiling have improved cancer diagnostics by enabling the identification of minimal residual disease and tracking therapy response while holding significant promise in multi-cancer early detection. The Impact: Dr. De Carvalho's contributions have not only advanced our understanding of cancer biology but also influenced clinical practice, offering hope for more effective and personalized treatments and cancer management. His research continues to shape the future of cancer therapy and diagnostics, making a profound impact on patient outcomes worldwide. Jennifer Stinson, RN-EC, Ph.D, CPNP, FAAN, CAHS Fellow Senior Scientist, SickKids Research Institute; Nurse Practitioner, The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids); Co-Director, SickKids Centre for Pain Management, Research and Education; Professor, Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing and Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, University of Toronto Awarded "For international leadership in digital therapeutics and training initiatives focused on childhood illness-related pain assessment and self-management for conditions such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, sickle cell disease, chronic pain and cancer." The Work: Dr. Jennifer Stinson is a globally recognized expert in digital interventions for the assessment and self-management of painful childhood illnesses such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, sickle cell disease, chronic pain and cancer. She is a Nurse Clinician-Scientist at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in Toronto, where she serves as Co-Director of the Pain Management, Research and Education Centre (Pain Centre) and as a Nurse Practitioner in the Chronic Pain Program. As a Senior Scientist in the Child Health Evaluative Sciences research program at SickKids, her research has been instrumental in developing and implementing electronic health (e-health) and mobile health (m-health) technologies, such as electronic diaries and internet-based disease management programs, to enhance the assessment and management of pain in paediatric populations. Dr. Stinson, who holds the Mary Jo Haddad Nursing Chair in Child Health and is a Professor in the Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto, spearheads national and international initiatives to train the next generation of clinicians and researchers in pain management and research. She emphasizes promoting self-management strategies among children and their families, knowledge translation, patient engagement and interprofessional pain education. The Impact: 1 in 5 children suffer from chronic pain. Paediatric pain is a complex public health challenge that has often been poorly managed and requires a constantly evolving, multi-modal approach. By working at the intersection of research and clinical care, Dr. Stinson has improved pain management strategies for children and adolescents, enhancing their quality of life and clinical outcomes. She has integrated innovative technologies into clinical practice, facilitating better communication between patients, families and health-care providers, leading to more personalized and effective care. Her significant contributions to interprofessional pain education have also strengthened the capacity of health-care teams to address complex paediatric pain issues. As Co-Director of the SickKids Pain Centre, Dr. Stinson leads the Pain in Child Health (PICH) clinical research training program, which has involved over 400 international clinicians and trainees. PICH alumni and trainees have contributed to more than 700 publications on children's pain. She is also the founding lead of Paediatric Project ECHO, an Ontario Ministry of Health-funded initiative to train interprofessional community providers in the management of complex paediatric health conditions, such as acute and chronic pain, complex care, palliative care and obesity. Looking forward, Dr. Stinson's work has the potential to further revolutionize paediatric pain management by advancing digital health interventions and promoting patient-centered care models, ultimately reducing the burden of chronic pain in children globally. Quote "The outstanding research contributions of this year's laureates represent the power of science to solve the most pressing questions about human biology and improve the health and lives of people around the world. As a proud Canadian organization, we honour the world's most accomplished researchers whose discoveries are advancing humanity and the world." - Dr. Janet Rossant, President and Scientific Director, Gairdner Foundation About the Gairdner Foundation The mission of the Gairdner Foundation is to celebrate, inform and inspire scientific excellence around the globe. Established in 1957, the Gairdner Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling James A. Gairdner's vision to recognize major research contributions to the treatment of disease and alleviation of human suffering. Through the prestigious annual Canada Gairdner Awards, the Foundation celebrates the world's most creative and accomplished researchers whose work is improving the health and wellbeing of people around the world. Since its inception, 426 awards have been bestowed on laureates from over 40 countries, and of those awardees, 102 have gone on to receive Nobel Prizes. The Gairdner Foundation brings people together to openly discuss science in order to better engage the public, understand the problems we face, and work together to find solutions. Through Gairdner Connects, our national outreach program, we bring science to communities across Canada to inspire future innovators and spark public dialogue about the role of research in addressing the world's most pressing health challenges. https://gairdner.org/ SOURCE Gairdner Foundation Celebrating 10 years of honoring exceptional leadership in sustainability, global citizenship, and education SEOUL, South Korea, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sunhak Peace Prize Ceremony took place on Friday, April 11, at the Crystal Ballroom of Lotte Hotel World, Seoul, attended by over 750 international guests, including global leaders, former heads of state, and prominent civil society representatives. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the Prize honored three distinguished leaders for their significant contributions in environmental sustainability, global citizenship, and educational innovation. From left to right (H.E. Goodluck Jonathan, Dr. Samuel Radebe, Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon, Dr. Wanjira Mathai, Mr. Hugh Evans, Dr. Patrick Awuah, Jr) Wanjira Mathai from Kenya was recognized for her outstanding environmental leadership, notably through the AFR100 initiative and the Green Belt Movement. Her dedicated efforts have contributed significantly to environmental restoration, with over 51 million trees planted to rehabilitate degraded landscapes across Africa. Hugh Evans from Australia, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen, received the prize for his exceptional commitment to global citizenship. Through his leadership, Global Citizen mobilized over $43 billion, directly impacting the lives of more than 1.3 billion individuals worldwide by addressing poverty, health, education, and access to essential services. Patrick Awuah Jr., founder of Ashesi University in Ghana, was honored for transforming African higher education. His visionary leadership introduced innovative curricula emphasizing ethics, gender equality, critical thinking, and leadership. Ashesi University is now recognized as a pioneering institution, producing graduates equipped to lead positive social change across Africa and beyond. The Founders' Award was presented to former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan for his contributions to peaceful democratic transitions and good governance, and Samuel Radebe from South Africa for his dedication to interreligious harmony and community peace in Africa. Meanwhile, the awarding of the Founders' Award to Xanana Gusmao, Prime Minister of Timor-Leste, was postponed due to unavoidable circumstances. In his congratulatory remarks, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stated, "On its 10th anniversary, the Sunhak Peace Prize continues to spotlight the vital contributions of unsung heroes to global peace and solidarity. I deeply commend the laureates for their inspiring dedication and extend heartfelt gratitude to Founder Dr. Hak Ja Han Moon for her visionary leadership and unwavering support of global peace efforts." For more information, please visit www.sunhakpeaceprize.org or contact: Sunhak Peace Prize Secretariat [email protected] SOURCE The Sunhak Peace Prize Committee Market Growth Driven by Rising Disease Burden, Expanding Healthcare Investments, and Demand for Rapid Diagnostics REDDING, Calif., April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new market research report titled "Africa IVD Market Size, Share, Forecast, & Trends Analysis by Offering, Technology (Immunoassay, PoC, Molecular Diagnostics, Coagulation), Application (Infectious Diseases, Diabetes, Oncology), Diagnostic Approach (Lab, OTC, PoCT), End User Forecast to 2032," published by Meticulous Research, the Africa In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) market is projected to reach $1.7 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 3.1% from 2025 to 2032. This growth is driven by several critical factors, including the continent's high burden of infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, alongside emerging threats like COVID-19 variants. Governments and non-governmental organizations are playing a pivotal role in this expansion, with initiatives from entities like the Africa CDC and PEPFAR significantly improving access to diagnostic testing across the region. Browse in-depth scope of Africa IVD Market Report: 242 Tables 55 Figures 110 Pages For more comprehensive insights, download the FREE report sample: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/download-sample-report/cp_id=5415 KEY MARKET DRIVERS AND TRENDS The Africa IVD market is being propelled by several key drivers and emerging trends that are reshaping the diagnostic landscape across the continent. Foremost among these is the rising burden of infectious and chronic diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, diabetes, and cancer, which has heightened the demand for accurate and timely diagnostics. This has led to growing adoption of point-of-care (PoC) and rapid diagnostic tests, especially in rural and underserved areas where access to centralized labs is limited. Additionally, there is an increasing influx of investment from global and regional IVD companies, who are expanding their footprint through partnerships, local manufacturing, and distribution networks. Government initiatives to improve healthcare infrastructure and disease surveillance are further boosting diagnostic capabilities. Moreover, technological advancements in molecular diagnostics, immunoassays, and digital health integration are enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, marking a shift toward more data-driven and decentralized healthcare delivery across the region. GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES The Africa IVD (In Vitro Diagnostics) market presents substantial growth opportunities fueled by ongoing healthcare transformation across the continent. One of the primary drivers is the expansion of diagnostic infrastructure, particularly in underserved and rural areas. Investments in laboratory facilities, mobile diagnostic units, and telemedicine platforms are enhancing access to testing and enabling early disease detection, which is critical for improving public health outcomes. This infrastructure development also supports more reliable data collection, which is essential for effective disease surveillance and healthcare planning. The adoption of advanced technologies such as molecular diagnostics and digital health platforms is another key opportunity. These innovations offer faster, more accurate results and are especially beneficial in managing infectious diseases, which remain a major concern in many African countries. Mobile health apps, cloud-based diagnostics, and AI-driven analysis tools are beginning to integrate into public and private healthcare systems, offering scalable solutions with the potential to reach millions. Moreover, public-private partnerships are playing an increasingly vital role in bridging the gap between demand and service delivery. Governments and private sector players are collaborating on initiatives aimed at increasing testing coverage, reducing costs, and improving supply chains. Simultaneously, investments in workforce development and training programs are ensuring that healthcare personnel can effectively operate and maintain IVD technologies, further unlocking the market's growth potential. Get Insightful Data on Regions, Market Segments, Customer Landscape, and Top Companies (Charts, Tables, Figures and More)- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/africa-ivd-market-5415 MARKET CHALLENGES The market, while showing promising growth, faces several significant challenges that could hinder its full potential. One of the primary obstacles is limited access to healthcare services, particularly in rural and under-resourced regions. Inadequate infrastructure, shortage of trained healthcare personnel, and poor logistics often prevent timely and accurate diagnostic testing. Regulatory and logistical hurdles also pose substantial issues, as the fragmented and inconsistent regulatory frameworks across different African countries complicate product approvals and market entry. Additionally, the high cost of diagnostic tests, coupled with minimal health insurance coverage and limited government reimbursement schemes, restricts affordability and widespread adoption. These challenges necessitate collaborative efforts between governments, private companies, and international organizations to build infrastructure, harmonize regulations, and make diagnostics more accessible and affordable across the continent. SEGMENT INSIGHTS The Africa in vitro diagnostics (IVD) market is segmented by offering (reagents & kits, instruments, and software & services), technology (immunoassay/immunochemistry, point-of-care diagnostics, molecular diagnostics, clinical chemistry, hematology, coagulation & hemostasis, whole blood glucose monitoring, microbiology, and other IVD technologies), by application (infectious diseases, diabetes, oncology, cardiology, nephrology, autoimmune disorders, and other applications), diagnostic approach (laboratory testing, point-of-care testing, and OTC/self-testing), by end user (hospitals & clinics, diagnostic laboratories, home care settings, and other end users such as academic & research institutes and ambulatory care centers), and by country (South Africa, Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria, Morocco, Kenya, Tunisia, Tanzania, and the rest of Africa). Market by Offering The reagents and kits segment is poised to dominate the Africa IVD market in 2025, due to their foundational role in virtually all diagnostic processes. These consumables are essential for conducting various tests, including those for infectious diseases, diabetes, and oncology, making them indispensable across laboratories and healthcare settings. Their recurring use, along with increasing test volumes and expanding screening programs across Africa, drives sustained demand and revenue. Additionally, as more advanced testing methods become available, the need for high-quality, specialized reagents and kits will further increase, strengthening this segment's market position. Market by Technology The immunoassay/immunochemistry segment is expected to dominate the market in 2025 due to its broad utility in detecting infectious diseases, hormonal disorders, cancer biomarkers, and cardiovascular conditions. Its established role in routine and specialized diagnostics, along with compatibility with both automated lab systems and decentralized testing, ensures its strong market share across diverse healthcare environments in Africa. However, molecular diagnostics is projected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. This surge is driven by increasing demand for accurate, early, and rapid detection of infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and emerging viral infections. Furthermore, the rising focus on personalized medicine and growing investment in advanced testing platforms like PCR and next-generation sequencing (NGS) are accelerating the adoption of molecular techniques. As infrastructure improves and costs decline, molecular diagnostics is becoming more accessible in both urban and semi-urban healthcare settings, making it a key growth driver in the region. Market by Application The infectious diseases segment is poised to dominate the Africa IVD market in 2025. This dominance is attributed to the high burden of communicable diseases across the continent, including HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis, and various viral outbreaks. Governments and global health organizations have consistently prioritized infectious disease diagnostics, resulting in large-scale testing initiatives, robust funding, and widespread adoption of rapid and point-of-care testing solutions. While infectious diseases lead in market share, the oncology segment is projected to witness the most rapid growth over the coming years. The rising incidence of cancer, growing awareness around early detection, and increasing investment in pathology and molecular diagnostic infrastructure are fueling demand for cancer-related tests. Additionally, diabetes diagnostics is also experiencing steady growth, reflecting the rising prevalence of lifestyle-related non-communicable diseases in both urban and semi-urban African populations. Together, these emerging applications underscore a shift in focus toward broader disease surveillance and personalized medicine, gradually reshaping the IVD landscape in Africa beyond its traditional emphasis on infectious disease control. Market by End User The hospitals and clinics segment is expected to dominate the market in 2025, as they serve as the primary point of care for a majority of the population across Africa. These facilities are typically better equipped with diagnostic infrastructure, have a higher patient throughput, and are directly involved in managing acute and chronic conditions requiring timely diagnostics. Their central role in both urban and semi-urban healthcare delivery systems positions them as the largest consumers of IVD products, particularly for routine tests, infectious disease screening, and emergency diagnostics. On the other hand, the home care settings segment is anticipated to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period. This fast growth is driven by increasing awareness around personal health monitoring, growing acceptance of self-testing solutions, and the rising burden of chronic diseases that require regular monitoring such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. Advances in point-of-care and over-the-counter diagnostics, along with efforts to expand healthcare access in remote areas, are making it easier for patients to manage health conditions outside traditional clinical environments. The trend toward decentralized diagnostics and the integration of digital health tools are further fueling the growth of this segment across the African continent. Request a customized research analysis tailored to your specific requirements: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/request-customization/cp_id=5415 GEOGRAPHIC MARKET INSIGHTS In 2025, South Africa expected to dominate the regional market. South Africa benefits from a relatively advanced healthcare infrastructure, higher healthcare expenditure, and a more robust diagnostic ecosystem. It hosts several major diagnostic laboratories, including prominent private players like Lancet Laboratories and Ampath, and is often the first point of entry for international IVD manufacturers due to its regulatory clarity and market readiness. Additionally, the government's active initiatives for managing infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis further boost demand for IVD solutions in the country. Moreover, South Africa is also projected to register the highest growth rate over the forecast period from 2025 to 2032. After South Africa, Kenya is anticipated to witness the fastest growth in the coming years. The country is aggressively investing in healthcare modernization, expanding diagnostic capacity, and leveraging public-private partnerships to improve access to medical technologies. Kenya's IVD market is supported by increasing urbanization, a growing burden of both infectious and chronic diseases, and donor-funded health programs aimed at scaling up screening and early detection. Furthermore, the government's support for laboratory accreditation and integration of molecular diagnostics into national health strategies is propelling rapid growth in this segment. Other countries like Nigeria and Egypt also represent high-potential markets due to their large populations and rising healthcare demands, but challenges related to infrastructure and regulatory complexity may moderate their short-term growth compared to Kenya. Immediate Delivery Available | Buy this Research Report (Insights, Charts, Tables, Figures and More)- https://www.meticulousresearch.com/view-pricing/731 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE The Africa in vitro diagnostics (IVD) market is experiencing a dynamic competitive landscape, marked by the active participation of global industry leaders and regional players. This competition is fueled by the increasing demand for diagnostic solutions, particularly for infectious diseases, and the growing emphasis on enhancing healthcare infrastructure across the continent. Major multinational corporations such as Abbott Laboratories, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD), bioMerieux SA, Danaher Corporation, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, QIAGEN N.V., Siemens Healthineers AG, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., Illumina, Inc., and Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd are at the forefront of the Africa IVD market. These companies leverage their extensive product portfolios, technological expertise, and established distribution networks to cater to the diverse diagnostic needs of the African population. In addition to the established players, the market is witnessing increased investments and strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening local presence and manufacturing capabilities. For instance, in September 2023, Genrui Biotech Co., Ltd. (China) inaugurated its first overseas IVD reagent factory in Tanzania, aiming to support the local IVD industry and enhance its footprint in the region. Local African distributors and diagnostics manufacturers are also beginning to play a more significant role. While still limited in number and capacity, they are essential for last-mile delivery, regulatory navigation, and market customization. Increasingly, multinationals are partnering with these firms to gain faster market access and address region-specific challenges such as logistics and post-sale service. In terms of strategic moves, leading players are focusing on partnerships with public health programs, donor-funded projects (e.g., PEPFAR, Global Fund), and NGOs to expand testing for diseases like HIV, TB, and malaria. Companies are also involved in capacity-building initiatives, investing in training, quality assurance, and digital solutions to support laboratory operations. Related Reports: In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) Market IVD Reagents Market Kenya IVD Market Cote d'Ivoire IVD 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. To find out more, visit www.meticulousresearch.com or follow us on LinkedIn. Contact: Mr. Khushal Bombe Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. 1267 Willis St, Ste 200 Redding, California, 96001, U.S. USA: +1-646-781-8004 Europe: +44-203-868-8738 APAC: +91 744-7780008 Email- [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/ Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/meticulous-research Content Source: https://www.meticulousresearch.com/product/africa-ivd-market-5415 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1757980/Meticulous_Research_Logo_1.jpg SOURCE Meticulous Market Research Pvt. Ltd. DUBLIN, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, plans to announce first quarter results on Friday, April 25, 2025, in a news release to be issued at 5:00 am Central Time. Aon's President and CEO Greg Case and CFO Edmund Reese will host a conference call at 7:30 am CT on Friday, April 25, 2025. The conference call will be broadcast live through Aon's Investor Relations website at ir.aon.com. A replay will be available shortly after the live webcast. The earnings release and supplemental slide presentation will also be available on Aon's Investor Relations website. About Aon Aon plc (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that protect and grow their businesses. Follow Aon on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram. Stay up-to-date by visiting Aon's newsroom and sign up for news alerts here. Investor Contact Investor Relations [email protected] +1 847 442 0622 Media Contact Will Dunn [email protected] +1 312 381 3024 SOURCE Aon plc SHENZHEN, China, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A delegation from BGI Group, led by Wang Jian, Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors, recently attended the Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) Science Week event in Nairobi, Kenya, and visited several international science research institutes During the CGIAR event, Wang Jian met with CGIAR Executive Managing Director Ismahane Elouafi to discuss the latest advancements in agricultural technology and research. Their discussions culminated in a shared vision to deepen collaboration, develop innovative platforms, and empower research initiatives aimed at addressing global food security challenges. Ismahane recognized China's contributions to agricultural science and technology within the framework of South-South cooperation. She noted that Chinese institutions, including BGI Group, have played a pivotal role in advancing Sino-African agricultural collaboration. Speaking at the event, Wang emphasized the importance of fostering South-South cooperation to accelerate crop breeding and enhance food security. He highlighted BGI Group's cutting-edge sequencing technologies and AI capabilities, which have the potential to digitalize millions of germplasm resources worldwide and, through global partnerships, drive the transformation of agricultural and food systems. Xu Xun, Executive Director of BGI Group and Director of BGI-Research, participated in a roundtable discussion, underscoring how collaboration with CGIAR will accelerate the digitalization of germplasm resources, expedite crop breeding, and strengthen the resilience of food systems in developing countries. Xu highlighted BGI's genomic technologies and advanced platforms as key to breeding climate-resilient crops. To explore new opportunities in agriculture and biodiversity conservation, BGI Group and CGIAR co-hosted a thematic side event that attracted over 100 international experts to discuss agricultural genomics, AI breeding, and perennial rice. It also gave BGI the chance to showcase innovative technologies, including multi-omic solutions and perennial rice. Wang Jian highlighted BGI's partnership with African institutions to promote perennial rice, a groundbreaking crop with high yields and resistance to drought and diseases. This innovation is being actively promoted in Uganda, Rwanda, and Madagascar, addressing food insecurity and malnutrition in Africa. Xu Xun also delivered a presentation titled "Agricultural Genomics and Game-Changing Innovations," showcasing BGI's collaboration with the African Orphan Crops Consortium, supported by the African Union. TORONTO, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Bank of Montreal (TSX: BMO) (NYSE: BMO) today held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders. At the meeting, all director nominees listed in the bank's management proxy circular dated February 10, 2025 were elected. The detailed results of the vote for the election of directors are set out below. Each of the following 13 nominees was elected as a director of Bank of Montreal: Nominee Votes For % Votes For Votes Withheld % Votes Withheld Janice M. Babiak 350,392,216 96.55 % 12,516,833 3.45 % Craig W. Broderick 358,920,260 98.90 % 3,988,788 1.10 % Hazel Claxton 361,271,556 99.55 % 1,637,494 0.45 % Diane L. Cooper 361,253,745 99.54 % 1,654,468 0.46 % George A. Cope 344,500,954 94.93 % 18,408,043 5.07 % Stephen Dent 361,537,955 99.62 % 1,371,093 0.38 % Martin S. Eichenbaum 360,165,974 99.24 % 2,742,074 0.76 % David Harquail 361,511,458 99.61 % 1,397,590 0.39 % Eric R. La Fleche 353,179,964 97.32 % 9,729,085 2.68 % Brian McManus 361,778,452 99.69 % 1,130,597 0.31 % Lorraine Mitchelmore 358,020,943 98.65 % 4,888,106 1.35 % Madhu Ranganathan 357,903,410 98.62 % 5,005,639 1.38 % Darryl White 360,954,789 99.46 % 1,954,260 0.54 % Final voting results on all matters voted on at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held earlier today will be published shortly on www.bmo.com, and filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators. About BMO Financial Group BMO Financial Group is the eighth largest bank in North America by assets, with total assets of $1.5 trillion as of January 31, 2025. Serving customers for 200 years and counting, BMO is a diverse team of highly engaged employees providing a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management, global markets and investment banking products and services to 13 million customers across Canada, the United States, and in select markets globally. Driven by a single purpose, to Boldly Grow the Good in business and life, BMO is committed to driving positive change in the world, and making progress for a thriving economy, sustainable future, and inclusive society. Internet: www.bmo.com Twitter: @BMOMedia SOURCE BMO Financial Group LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Brown, Neri, Smith & Khan LLP is proud to announce its recognition in the prestigious Chambers USA 2025 annual rankings for its general commercial litigation practice. Chambers USA spotlighted the firm as one of California's elite litigation boutiques, underscoring its reputation for excellence in high-stakes business disputes. The honor comes as Brown, Neri, Smith & Khan LLP celebrates its tenth anniversary this month. Over the past decade, the firm has built a formidable reputation by attracting some of the top legal talent in the country. Today, the firm boasts 24 accomplished attorneys across two offices and maintains a robust national litigation practice. "We're very grateful to be recognized by Chambers USA, especially as we mark our tenth year," said Firm Chair Amjad Mahmood Khan. "This recognition reflects the dedication of our excellent lawyers and staff and the trust our clients place in us to handle their most critical legal matters." Brown, Neri, Smith & Khan LLP represents a wide array of commercial clients, including Fortune 100 companies, private equity firms, privately held businesses, and individual directors and officers. Known for its strategic approach, trial readiness, and deep bench of litigation talent, the firm continues to deliver exceptional results in complex commercial disputes across the country. About Brown, Neri, Smith & Khan LLP Founded in 2015, Brown, Neri, Smith & Khan LLP is a premier litigation boutique focused on general commercial litigation. With offices in Los Angeles and Orange County, the firm combines big-law experience with boutique agility to serve clients ranging from global corporations to high-net-worth individuals. SOURCE Brown, Neri, Smith & Khan LLP SAN DIEGO, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In a move that would change the financial landscape of Southern California, California Coast Credit Union (Cal Coast) and San Diego County Credit Union (SDCCU) have announced plans to merge, pending regulatory approval and a Cal Coast membership vote. Upon approval, the combined credit union will boast a powerhouse organization with assets totaling nearly $13.5 billion, 65 branch locations, and more than 1,400 employees serving members in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. The organization will remain the fourth largest credit union in the state and become the 16th largest in the nation. "This merger creates a partnership between two large service-oriented and financially strong credit unions with deep, rich histories throughout Southern California," said Teresa Campbell, president and CEO of SDCCU. "Together, we can offer members, employees, and the communities we serve access through expanded branches and ATMs, plus a stronger, more resilient organization that is ready and able to embrace the evolving financial services landscape." Todd Lane, president and CEO of Cal Coast, agreed. "Since our organization's inception, the credit union's vision has been to foster a culture of service and commitment to the community that our members are proud of," Lane said. "The member and employee value resulting from this combination of our financially strong organizations is outstanding. Together, our joint strengths position us to achieve greater success and provide even greater opportunity to expand our community impact. Additionally, no jobs will be lost as a result of the merger as both organizations are committed to retaining talent and providing opportunity for growth." There will be no immediate change for members as both organizations will operate independently until the legal date of merger. The expected legal date of merger is early 2026, with full systems integration extending into 2027. As of merger date, the combined credit union will retain the California Coast Credit Union name and Todd Lane will become the President and CEO of the combined organization concurrent with Teresa Campbell's retirement. As both cooperatives operate under the guidelines of the National Credit Union Administration and the State of California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation, full merger approval is contingent upon California Coast Credit Union's membership vote. As the process moves forward, both credit unions will provide information to their respective memberships via their websites, and other applicable communication channels. About San Diego County Credit Union San Diego County Credit Union is San Diego's largest locally-owned financial institution. Originally chartered in 1938 as San Diego County Employees Credit Union, SDCCU was formed to provide for the financial needs of local county government employees. During the 1970s, SDCCU expanded its membership to include all San Diegans and today, is open to everyone living or working throughout Southern California: Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, or Ventura counties. SDCCU serves over 428,000 members with 39 branch locations in San Diego, Riverside, and Orange counties. SDCCU was ranked a top credit union in California in 2024 by Forbes and is proud to have been voted Best Credit Union 25 years straight in the San Diego's BEST Union-Tribune Readers Poll. SDCCU also has been voted multiple times Best Mortgage Home Loan Lender, Best Financial Planner, Best Auto Loan Provider, and Best Place to Work in addition to receiving numerous other community and industry awards for strong financial performance and community involvement. For more information, visit: www.sdccu.com/merger About California Coast Credit Union California Coast Credit Union is the longest-serving financial institution in San Diego. The credit union originated by teachers in 1929 and continues to support local educators, schools and universities through financial wellness initiatives, Cal Coast Cares community events and its non-profit, the Cal Coast Cares Foundation. Cal Coast has been honored with numerous community and industry awards, including those related to community support and volunteerism as well as financial performance. Today, Cal Coast has grown to more than $3.4 billion in assets, serving over 200,000 members with 27 branches, 60 shared branch locations, online and mobile banking and 30,000 fee-free ATMs nationwide. Membership is open to anyone who lives, works, or worships in Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, or Ventura counties. For more information, visit www.calcoastcu.org/merger Robert Scheid California Coast Credit Union P: (858) 636-5132 [email protected] Nathan Schmidt San Diego County Credit Union P: (858) 597-2504 [email protected] SOURCE San Diego County Credit Union NOVATO, Calif., April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A dangerous public health crisis is quietly unfolding across California's artificial stone countertop fabrication industry, says Brayton Purcell LLP. Dozens of workersprimarily young, Spanish-speaking immigrantshave been diagnosed with a severe and often fatal form of silicosis, a progressive lung disease caused by the inhalation of fine silica dust. This new wave of occupational illness is directly linked to the popularity of artificial stone, a material commonly marketed as quartz countertops. These slabs, used in residential and commercial kitchens and bathrooms, contain over 90% nano-sized crystalline silica by weight, significantly more than traditional natural stones like granite or marble (Fazio JC et al., "A review of silicosis and other silica-related diseases in the engineered stone countertop processing industry", J. Occup. Med. Toxicol. 2025; 20(1):9, p. 2). The fabrication of engineered stone slabs also releases volatile organic compounds (VOCs)including styrene, methyl methacrylate, and phthalic anhydridedepending on the resin type involved in manufacturing the product. Additionally, cutting and grinding these slabs creates dust containing a significant number of ultrafine particles smaller than 1 m. (Id.) Even with dust suppression tools like water systems or local exhaust ventilation, workers in fabrication shops are regularly exposed to airborne silica levels far above legal limits. Studies by NIOSH, various state health authorities, and various health agencies throughout the world, have documented exposure levels ranging from 215 to 680 g/mfar exceeding the U.S. occupational exposure limit of 50 g/m (Phillips ML et al., J. Occup. Environ. Hyg. 2013; 10(7):368373; 22); Qi, et al. NIOSH March 2016 Engineering Control of Silica Dust from Stone Countertop Fabrication and Installation; Morbid. Mortal. Wkly Rep., Sept. 27, 2019; 68(38):813-818; Dr. Jenny Houlroyd, 2024, "Economic Feasibility of Complying with the OSHA Silica Standard in the Cut Stone Industry"; Qi, et al. NIOSH February 2024 Investigation of Ventilation Engineering Controls for Stone Countertop Fabrication; Fazio et al., 2025, p. 5.) Fast-Moving and Often Fatal Unlike the traditional form of silicosiswhich typically develops after decades of exposure in industries like mining or sandblastingthe form now affecting artificial stone workers progresses much more rapidly. In many cases, symptoms begin within just a few yearsor even monthsof starting work in countertop fabrication (Fazio et al., 2025, p. 1011). This accelerated form of silicosis causes irreversible lung damage and often leads to early death. Lung transplantation may be the only life-saving option, but for most workers, access to this level of care is out of reach due to insurance barriers, language challenges, and delayed diagnoses. (Id.) Recent case data has shown that nearly half of diagnosed patients first seek care in emergency rooms, often in critical condition (Fazio JC, Gandhi SA, Flattery J, et al., JAMA Intern Med. 2023; 183(9):991998, p. 3). Many are initially misdiagnosed with infections or other respiratory illnesses, allowing the underlying damage to worsen over time. (Id.) Latino Immigrant Labor Force Hit Hardest The epidemic has had a disproportionate impact on Latino immigrant men, most of whom are employed by small countertop businesses or subcontracted as independent workers. More than 95% of affected workers in the U.S. are Spanish-speaking immigrants from Mexico or Central America (Fazio et al., J. Occup. Med. Toxicol. 2025, p. 2; Rose C et al., MMWR Morb. Mortal. Wkly Rep. 2019; 68(38):813818). These workers often lack health insurance and are unaware of their legal or medical rights. In some cases, workers have continued fabricating artificial stone countertops even after being diagnosed with silicosissimply to provide for their families (Fazio et al., JAMA Intern Med., 2023, p. 3). The average age of those affected is in the mid-40s, but many are diagnosed far earlier. (Id.) Families are left devastatedfinancially and emotionallyby the loss of young breadwinners, often within just a few years of exposure. California Tracks Cases as Numbers Rise California's Department of Public Health (CDPH) has established a dedicated Artificial Stone Silicosis Surveillance Dashboard to track confirmed cases. As of April 2025, CDPH has confirmed: 294 medically diagnosed cases 15 deaths from silicosis 31 lung transplants performed 26 additional transplant referrals The median age of diagnosis and death is 46 years (CDPH Engineered Stone Silicosis Surveillance Dashboard, accessed April 2025). Other Countries Act Will the U.S. Follow? Australia, which faced a similar wave of artificial stone silicosis among countertop workers, conducted a multi-year national review. In 2024, the country made the landmark decision to ban all artificial stone products, concluding that engineering controls could not adequately protect workers from developing silicosis and other diseases caused by exposure to artificial stone dust. (Safe Work Australia August 2023 - Decision Regulation Impact Statement: Prohibition on the Use of Engineered Stone; Cavalin C, Menendez Navarro A, Hesa Mag. 2024; 29:5457; Fazio et al., 2025, p. 9). In the United States, however, artificial stone continues to be widely fabricated and installed, despite growing evidence of harm. Numerous doctors, experts, and advocates are calling for a ban on artificial stone. For example, "'the more that I learned, the more that I read, the more that I take care of these patients, the more that I have no confidence that this material can be worked with safely,'" said Dr. Jane Fazio, pulmonary and critical care physician at Olive View UCLA Medical Center in Sylmar, who discovered the silicosis epidemic in the Valley." Semantha Raquel Norris, San Fernando Valley Sun/el Sol , April 9, 2025 "Latino Workers' Lives are Being Cut in Half in the Northeast Valley - Is banning engineered stone the only solution to the silicosis epidemic?" One of the major slab manufacturers has even called for a ban of all artificial stone with a silica content of greater than 40%. "'We have an immediate solution without disrupting the construction and building market', a Cosentino spokesperson said. 'The immediate solution is everyone buys products that are less than 40 per cent silica,' he said." Adele Ferguson and Angus Thompson, The Sidney Morning Harold, February 22, 2023, "Benchtop giant, health groups demand dangerous-stone ban" Legal Action May Be the Only Lifeline For many affected workers in California, workers' compensation is not available, because their hirers could not afford to maintain workers' compensation insurance. As a result, civil lawsuits are often the only path to compensationand, by extension, access to life-saving medical care. Legal action can help workers obtain coverage for lung transplants, medical bills, lost income, and long-term family support. Because artificial stone silicosis progresses so rapidly, advocates are urging California courts to expedite trials for these workers to ensure they can secure care before it's too late (Fazio, et al., JAMA Intern Med., 2023; CDPH Dashboard, 2025). About Brayton Purcell LLP Brayton Purcell LLP is one of the nation's most experienced and successful law firms in the field of occupational disease litigation. For over 40 years, the firm has helped workers and families secure justice and compensation in cases involving asbestos, silica, other toxic exposures, and industrial negligence and defective products. Today, Brayton Purcell LLP is leading the fight on behalf of workers harmed by artificial stone silicosis. Media Contact: Nolan Lowry, [email protected] SOURCE Brayton Purcell LLP Newly independent beauty brand deepens its commitment to Black maternal health equity by offering grants for free doula services to Black families and providing maternal health equity trainings to all NEW YORK, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Carol's Daughter proudly celebrates the fifth year of its groundbreaking Black maternal health initiative, Love Delivered . Since its inception, Love Delivered has been committed to improving maternal health for Black women and birthing people, and in 2025, the initiative continues to empower, support, and uplift Black and Brown birthing people and their communities through impactful programs and partnerships. Carol's Daughter's Love Delivered is expanding access to doula care with a new round of doula grants. Current pregnant or postpartum families in cities including New York City, Miami, Los Angeles, Atlanta, New Orleans, and Washington, D.C. are encouraged to apply for pro bono doula services through the grant program HERE . CAROL'S DAUGHTER CELEBRATES 5 YEARS OF CHAMPIONING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WITH EXPANDED LOVE DELIVERED INITIATIVE Post this According to the CDC, overall maternal mortality rates have been decreasing in the United States, yet Black women remain disproportionately impacted by maternal mortality and morbidity. Black women were found to be more than twice as likely to experience severe pregnancy-related complications and more than 3.4x as likely to die compared to white women. "In Love Delivered we remain committed to Black maternal health equity and are working to provide full access and maternal health education and equitable support to every Black birthing person before, during and after birth," said Lisa Price, President and founder of Carol's Daughter. "As we enter our fifth year, I am proud of what we've accomplished and more committed than ever to ensuring that Black birthing people feel seen, heard, and importantly, valued." To date, the Love Delivered initiative, in partnership with the Mama Glow Foundation, has engaged nearly 500,000 people through events, grants, and education, funded doula support for over 120 births, and reached nearly 10 billion people through digital advocacy efforts. "It warms my heart that we have touched so many lives through this partnership. We've created a blueprint and have led the charge in advocating for improved maternal health. We are not only ensuring Black women have access to free doula support, but also creating additional pathways for doulas to make a thriving wage as birth professionals," said Latham Thomas, founder of the Mama Glow Foundation. "Together, we've modeled how advocacy, education, and service can come together to inspire new standards of care for Black birthing people nationwide." In honor of this year's Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17), Mama Glow will host a webinar on April 16 at 6:30 PM ET, titled Mama Glow Webinar: Black Maternal Health Week - Bumping While Black: Navigating Perinatal Wellness & Advocacy, sponsored by Carol's Daughter. Featured panelists include Latham Thomas (Mama Glow), Dr. Rhonia Brooks, MD, FACOG, Vanessa Williams Jones, MS, RD, LD and Georbina DaRosa, LMSW. This year's Black Maternal Health Week theme is "Healing Legacies: Strengthening Black Maternal Health Through Collective Action and Advocacy," and highlights the leadership of Black-led perinatal, maternal, and reproductive health organizations in advancing systemic change and fostering community healing." Registration is available HERE. Carol's Daughter also continues its impactful collaboration with NewYork-Presbyterian's Dalio Center for Health Justice to support the needs of obstetric and pediatric patients. After a successful pilot offering hair kits for patients with curly, coily, and tightly textured hair at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center in 2021, the initiative has expanded to include multiple campuses in the academic healthcare system. To date, Carol's Daughter has distributed over 30,000 hair care products to NewYork-Presbyterian patients and community members. In partnership with longtime retailer partner CVS, Carol's Daughter will continue raising awareness for the Mama Glow Foundation's mission to improve the maternal health experience with in store displays highlighting the program in more than 2000 doors. Join Carol's Daughter in the continued fight for Black maternal health. Learn how to become an advocate at www.carolsdaughter.com/lovedelivered and follow @CarolsDaughter and @MamaGlow on Instagram for updates. About Carol's Daughter In 1993, encouraged by my mother, Carol, I began creating high-quality products made with love in my Brooklyn kitchen. As family and friends experienced how these products transformed their hair and skin, I knew that I was onto something good. I needed a name for my company, so I made a list of everything I was and everything I wanted to be, and I realized that the most special thing that I am is Lisa, Carol's Daughter. - Lisa Price, Carol's Daughter Founder About The Mama Glow Foundation The Mama Glow Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit committed to advancing reproductive justice and birth equity through education, advocacy, and the arts as well as research and scholarship. The foundation strives to improve maternal health outcomes in 3 primary ways: Providing educational scholarships to aspiring doulas and midwives, engaging in robust workforce and professional development pathways for doulas to provide expanded doula care for vulnerable populations, and working with educational partners and engaging in research and advocacy. www.mamaglowfoundation.org Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Carol's Daughter In Hour One, Susan shares tracks from Cinephonic's forthcoming album, Refuge. Then a chat with Michael Blouin about Hard Electric. Some context: Hard Electric is Michael Blouins third book of poetry, a road-tripping, bridge-burning collection of the authors hard-won and soft-edged reflections that seem to stutter-step towards resolution while tumbling down a decided slant towards disaster. Where Does My Heart Beat Now was Celine Dions first North American hit and in it she asks: Where do all the lonely hearts go? In Hard Electric Blouin presents a bleakly unsettling but ultimately life-affirming treatise that hints at his fascination with the same question and perhaps shuffles into the neighbourhood of an answer. That neighbourhood is peopled with late-night bars of Key Wests Duval Street, the sharp spice of BBQ joints, sunburned beach motels, and Christmas lights frozen to February trees. And Susan Sarandons cousin. Its a book not for the faint of heart, but for the lonely-hearted, and for those who know them well. In Hour Two, the Phoenix Players arrive in-studio to talk about 1979. La cite engloutie Cinephonic - Refuge - Refuge Pluie en ville Cinephonic - Refuge - Refuge AMSTERDAM, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The EMEA Security & Authentication Conference (EMEA SEC) 2025 has recognized CNH and DENSO for their exemplary efforts in brand protection and anti-counterfeiting. The awards spotlight the impactful adoption of AI-powered cryptographic solutions that aim to revolutionize brand authentication across industries. Through these collaborations, Ennoventure has played a pivotal role in driving awareness and encouraging proactive measures against counterfeiting within the automotive supply chain for DENSO, while also strengthening brand protection and product authenticity across global agricultural and industrial markets with CNH. ASIAS SECURITY GROUP CNH and DENSO were respectively awarded for their contributionsone as the Anti-Counterfeit Technology Leader and the other as a Counterfeit Awareness Advocate. While CNH was recognized for its strategic use of digital authentication to ensure product authenticity and protect customer trust, DENSO was honored for spearheading awareness initiatives that educate customers and industry stakeholders about the risks associated with counterfeit automotive parts. "At EMEA SEC 2025, we believe that meaningful progress in the fight against counterfeiting stems from strong collaboration. CNH and DENSO exemplify how partnershipslike those with Ennoventurecan transform ideas into impactful brand protection strategies across global markets," said Hazem Ibrahim, Founder & CEO, ASIAS Security Group SDN BHD. "We are thrilled to see our customers, CNH and DENSO, receive these prestigious awards at EMEA SEC 2025," said Padmakumar Nair, CEO at Ennoventure, Inc. "Their recognition is a testament to the impact of our AI-powered cryptographic solutions in securing brands and protecting consumers. This win reinforces our commitment to providing technology that drives meaningful change in brand protection." About Ennoventure, Inc. Ennoventure, Inc. is a global SaaS company leading the digital revolution in brand protection, distinguished by its patented invisible signature powered by AI and cryptography. With innovation and people at our core, we empower brands and consumers by authenticating product packages and transforming them into intelligent, connected packaging. Our solutions seamlessly integrate into product packaging without process changes or capital investment. Trusted by major brands worldwide, billions of product packages carry our invisible signatures across industries, including automotive and industrial spare parts, FMCG, agrochemicals, and more. Ennoventure, Inc. is headquartered in Massachusetts and has offices in Dubai and India. Visit www.ennoventure.com to redefine your brand protection strategy. Media Contact [email protected] Head of Demand Generation & Growth +91-8861610538 Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2662693/ASIAS_SECURITY_GROUP.jpg Movie starring Craig T. Nelson and sponsored by Culver's now on streaming platforms PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis., April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- After sponsoring the theatrical release of the acclaimed movie "Green and Gold," Culver's is now pledging additional support for the agricultural community to celebrate its streaming debut. The Wisconsin-based restaurant chain has announced a donation of $1 per stream of the film up to $100,000, with funds benefiting three organizations that work to support family farmers and agriculture education. Culver's will be donating $1 per rental and early digital purchase of the film (up to a total of $100,000) to three organizations: Farmer Angel Network, the Farm Foundation-led Farm Family Wellness Alliance and FFA. Each organization provides crucial programming and assistance for farmers and the next generation of leaders in agriculture. With the donations, Culver's aims to continue spotlighting the irreplaceable role of farmers and agriculture in the world while providing them with resources that help them achieve success. "Culver's has always had a heart for agriculture, and 'Green and Gold' tells the story of so many of the hardworking, dedicated family farmers responsible for feeding our guests at Culver's and people everywhere," said Alison Demmer, Culver's senior marketing and public relations manager. "It's been an honor to help shine light on the unique experience of the farming community through this movie, and we're proud to support three organizations doing incredible work to uplift farmers around the country." Directed by Anders Lindwall and filmed in Door County, Wisconsin, "Green and Gold" follows the heartfelt story of a Wisconsin dairy farmer named Buck (Craig T. Nelson) and explores the topics of family, pursuing dreams, overcoming hardship and taking risksincluding a major bet on the 1993 Green Bay Packers. The film is available for early digital purchase now through April 14 on Amazon Prime Video, iTunes, Apple TV, Fandango at Home and Google Play. Beginning April 15, "Green and Gold" will be available for rental and digital purchase on platforms everywhere. To learn more about "Green and Gold," visit https://www.greenandgoldmovie.com/. To learn more about Culver's commitment to supporting the agricultural community and advancing the future of agriculture through the Thank You Farmers Project, visit https://www.culvers.com/about-culvers/thank-you-farmers-project. About Culver's: For over 40 years, Culver's guests have been treated to cooked-to-order food made with farm-fresh ingredients and served with a smile. The ever-expanding franchise system now numbers over 1,000 family-owned and operated restaurants in 26 states. The restaurants' nationally recognized customer service is based on small-town, Midwestern values, genuine friendliness and an unwavering commitment to quality. Signature items include the award-winning ButterBurger, made from fresh, never frozen beef, and Fresh Frozen Custard, including the famous Flavor of the Day program. For more information, visit www.culvers.com or connect with Culver's on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. CONTACT Nathan Dupont [email protected] 608.256.6357 SOURCE Culver's A NEW ERA OF IMMERSIVE LUXURY TRAVEL FOR EVERYDAY EXPLORERS BOSTON, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Eric Czerlonka, the mastermind of Czerlonka Event Design & Management, is proud to announce the launch of CURATED by Czerlonkaa new collection of exclusive, tailor-made travel experiences that will now be available to consumers. Previously, these luxury journeys were only available through global corporations who would hire Czerlonka to curate luxury incentive travel experiences for their top customers and C-suite executives. Now, CURATED is set to redefine immersive travel by offering everyday luxury travelers the chance to explore the world with the same sophistication and personalized attention that once was reserved only for corporate clients. "You've been asking, and now it's here," said Czerlonka, Founder and Chief Curator of Czerlonka Event Design & Management. "For years, we've meticulously planned and delivered extraordinary journeys for corporate leaders. Now, I'm thrilled to extend our expertise to everyday explorers. With CURATED, every detailfrom your personalized itinerary to on-hand expertise at every step of your journeymatters. We're inviting travelers to step into a world of immersive cultural experiences and unparalleled service." A First Look at Five Extraordinary Destinations Launching alongside CURATED by Czerlonka, the first five offerings present a diverse palette of immersive experiencesall of which come with hand-picked luxury accommodations, expertly sourced local excursions, and a trip "host" who travels along with the group as their personal guide. South America : From exploring bustling urban centers to wandering through the breathtaking landscapes of the Atacama Desert, South America promises a dual adventure that celebrates both heritage and modern-day allure. : From exploring bustling urban centers to wandering through the breathtaking landscapes of the Atacama Desert, promises a dual adventure that celebrates both heritage and modern-day allure. Africa : Embark on an intimate journey that blends thrilling safaris with once-in-lifetime encounters on a gorilla trek. This experience is designed to not only showcase Africa's iconic wildlife but also highlight its deep cultural narratives. : Embark on an intimate journey that blends thrilling safaris with once-in-lifetime encounters on a gorilla trek. This experience is designed to not only showcase iconic wildlife but also highlight its deep cultural narratives. Montana and Utah : Delve into the mountainous beauty of America's great outdoorswhere majestic national parks, scenic trails, and exclusive excursions transform rugged adventure into refined luxury. : Delve into the mountainous beauty of America's great outdoorswhere majestic national parks, scenic trails, and exclusive excursions transform rugged adventure into refined luxury. England : Discover the storied charm and elegance of England with curated access to exclusive country estates and cultural landmarks, where tradition meets modern luxury. : Discover the storied charm and elegance of with curated access to exclusive country estates and cultural landmarks, where tradition meets modern luxury. New England: Traverse the picturesque landscapes of New England, where historic coastal towns and vibrant local culture provide the perfect backdrop for an immersive travel experience. Detailed itineraries and travel dates will be available on Czerlonka.com starting April 11. Curious explorers can sign up at Czerlonka.com to become a member of their Explorer Select Group and to get more information about early access for trips and special incentives. Every Detail Defines Your Journey CURATED represents more than a travel programit is the embodiment of a commitment to personalized, high-touch service. Every CURATED host is a seasoned expert who has experienced each destination firsthand, ensuring that every itinerary is tailored to reflect each traveler's individuality, style, and passion for exploration. With small group sizes and carefully curated experiences, CURATED transforms the act of travel into an intimate and transformative adventure. Travelers can learn more about the CURATED experience and secure their place on these unforgettable journeys by visiting Czerlonka.com. About Czerlonka Event Design & Management For over 14 years, Czerlonka has been at the forefront of luxury corporate incentive travel. Now, with CURATED, the company is pleased to extend its renowned, detail-focused approach to everyday travelers, offering meticulously crafted journeys that showcase the world's most inspiring destinations. Visit Czerlonka.com to learn more and follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn. SOURCE Czerlonka Event Design & Management MAUMEE, Ohio, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dana Incorporated (NYSE: DAN) will release its 2025 first-quarter financial results on Wednesday, April 30, 2025. A press release will be issued at approximately 7 a.m. EDT, followed by a conference call and webcast at 9 a.m. EDT. Members of the company's senior management team will be available at that time to discuss the results and answer related questions. The conference call can be accessed by telephone from both domestic and international locations using the information provided below: Conference ID: 9943139 Participant Toll-Free Dial-In Number: 1 (888) 440-5873 Participant Toll Dial-In Number: 1 (646) 960-0319 Audio streaming and slides will be available online via a link provided on the Dana investor website: www.dana.com/investors . A webcast replay can be accessed via Dana's investor website following the call. About Dana Incorporated Dana is a leader in the design and manufacture of highly efficient propulsion and energy-management solutions that power vehicles and machines in all mobility markets across the globe. The company is shaping sustainable progress through its conventional and clean-energy solutions that support nearly every vehicle manufacturer with drive and motion systems; electrodynamic technologies, including software and controls; and thermal, sealing, and digital solutions. Based in Maumee, Ohio, USA, the company reported sales of $10.3 billion in 2024 with 39,000 people in 30 countries across six continents. With a history dating to 1904, Dana was named among the "World's Most Ethical Companies" for 2025 by Ethisphere and as one of "America's Most Responsible Companies 2025" by Newsweek. The company is driven by a high-performance culture that focuses on valuing others, inspiring innovation, growing responsibly, and winning together, earning it global recognition as a top employer. Learn more at dana.com. SOURCE Dana Incorporated SHANGHAI, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- DFRobot, a global leader in open-source hardware, today announced the successful deployment of its high-performance single-board computers, LattePanda Delta and LattePanda Sigma, along with innovative environmental sensors, in the European Space Agency's (ESA) newly unveiled FLEXHab lunar training habitat. FLEXHab will serve as the primary training base for both European and American astronauts as they prepare for lunar exploration. DFRobot's Open-Source Hardware Powers SAGA's FLEXHab for Artemis Moon Mission Training Designed by SAGA Space Architects, a Copenhagen-based pioneer in human-centric space habitats, the FLEXHab intravehicular training habitat is physically integrated with LUNA, the world's largest moon simulator located at Cologne's European Astronaut Center (EAC). This integration will play a crucial role in astronaut training for the upcoming Artemis missions. Inside the 28-square-meter FLEXHab habitat, DFRobot's open-source hardware products are primarily utilized as follows: ODIN Smart Touch Terminals (2 units): Each unit is equipped with DFRobot's LattePanda 3 Delta SBC (8GB RAM/64GB storage) and DFRobot's 11.6" touchscreen, allowing astronauts to directly control cabin systems and monitor missions in real time. These terminals connect to DFRobot's LattePanda Sigma central server an x86-based Windows/Linux server with 32GB RAM, 500GB SSD, and WiFi 6E which manages training data streams, ensures operational continuity, and synchronizes input across both terminals. RAVEN Intelligent Environmental Monitoring System: Ravens' are sensor packs that employ an array of different environmental sensors to provide a simple, modular solution to understanding the environment. Raven Lite: Features the ESP32 -C3 chip, integrating DFRobot's CO2 and basic environmental sensors. -C3 chip, integrating DFRobot's CO2 and basic environmental sensors. Raven Pro : Utilizes an ESP32 PoE power solution, supporting multi-dimensional data collection through DFRobot's O2 and MEMS motion monitoring sensors. DFRobot Ambient Light Sensor: Provides real-time lighting data for SAGA's self-developed circadian lighting system. These modular components seamlessly integrate with SAGA's smart management software, collectively creating a comprehensive monitoring network that covers life support and equipment operation. Designed in close collaboration with ESA, the FLEXHab habitat meets a comprehensive set of requirements, including accommodating a crew of four astronauts for up to 30 days and incorporating features like a suitport. "Following our 2023 collaboration on the SAGA Underwater Habitat (UHAB), we're honored to see DFRobot's open-source solutions powering the FLEXHab lunar training habitat," said DFRobot CEO Ricky Ye." This continued partnership with SAGA demonstrates the aerospace-grade reliability of our hardware in extreme environments. We remain committed to advancing space exploration through accessible open-source technologies that push the boundaries of human ingenuity." SOURCE DFRobot ATLANTA, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Dr. Michael Lebow Scholarship for Future Doctors is officially accepting applications for the 2025-2026 academic cycle. This nationally available scholarship provides a one-time financial award of $1,000 to an undergraduate student in the United States who is actively pursuing a career in the healthcare sector. Established by vascular surgeon Dr. Michael Lebow, the scholarship recognizes both academic dedication and a clear vision for the future of medicine. Dr. Michael Lebow, a board-certified vascular surgeon, has long been a committed advocate for advancing patient outcomes and mentoring future leaders in medicine. His initiative in launching the Dr. Michael Lebow Scholarship for Future Doctors aligns with his ongoing efforts to give back to the field that has shaped his career. The scholarship encourages students currently pursuing pre-med, nursing, or other health-related academic tracks to articulate their goals and motivations for entering the healthcare profession. The scholarship is open to all undergraduate students enrolled at accredited colleges or universities across the United States. Applicants must demonstrate academic excellence and submit an original 1,000-word essay that addresses the prompt: "What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine, and how do you envision making a meaningful impact in the healthcare industry?" Submissions are evaluated on clarity, originality, and the depth of insight into the applicant's passion for medicine and future aspirations. Dr. Michael Lebow underscores the importance of personal experience in shaping one's medical journey. Through this scholarship, he seeks to encourage reflective thinking among the next generation of medical professionals. Applications must be submitted by December 15, 2025. The recipient of the Dr. Michael Lebow Scholarship for Future Doctors will be announced on January 15, 2026. The chosen student will receive a $1,000 award to support their academic endeavors. As the medical field continues to evolve, the need for passionate, innovative professionals remains critical. The Dr. Michael Lebow Scholarship for Future Doctors stands as a timely opportunity for students to share their voice, vision, and value in today's healthcare landscape. With this scholarship, Dr. Michael Lebow continues to invest in the future of medicineone student at a time. SOURCE Dr. Michael Lebow Scholarship BANGALORE, India, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Fire Resistant Cable Market is Segmented by Type (XPLE, LSZH, PVC, EPR), by Application (Building & Construction, Automotive & Transportation, Manufacturing, Energy). The Global Market for Fire Resistant Cable was valued at USD 11900 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 15190 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 3.6% during the forecast period. Claim Your Free Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-32U8659/Global_Fire_Resistant_Cable_Market Major Factors Driving the Growth of Fire Resistant Cable Market: The Fire Resistant Cable Market is on a firm growth trajectory, underpinned by tighter regulations, urbanization, and heightened awareness of lifesafety requirements. Material innovations such as nanoclay reinforced LSZH and crosslinked polyolefins extend performance envelopes, enabling cables to meet rising temperature and toxicity thresholds. Multiindustry demandfrom construction and transport to data centers and renewablesdiversifies revenue streams, reducing cyclicality. Consolidation among cable manufacturers and vertical integration into compound production improve economies of scale and margin resilience. With governments and insurers aligning incentives toward safer infrastructure, fireresistant cabling transitions from niche specification to default choice, securing longterm market expansion. Unlock Insights: View Full Report Now! https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-32U8659/global-fire-resistant-cable TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE FIRE RESISTANT CABLE MARKET: Crosslinked polyethylene has become a cornerstone material in fireresistant cables because its threedimensional molecular network enhances thermal stability, dielectric strength, and mechanical integrity. During a fire, XLPE maintains insulation properties at temperatures exceeding 250 C, preventing short circuits and preserving circuit continuity for critical systems such as emergency lighting, sprinkler pumps, and alarm loops. XLPE's resistance to chemical attack and moisture ingress extends cable life in demanding industrial and marine environments, reducing maintenance costs and downtime. Regulatory bodies in Europe and Asia now specify XLPE for highrise buildings, tunnels, and offshore platforms, driving steady procurement volumes. Consequently, material suppliers and cable manufacturers alike experience revenue growth, amplifying overall Fire Resistant Cable Market expansion. Low Smoke Zero Halogen sheathing compounds emit minimal opaque smoke and noncorrosive gases when exposed to flame, protecting occupants and sensitive electronics from toxic inhalation and acid damage. Stricter building codes following highprofile fires in London, Dubai, and Shanghai mandate LSZH cabling in public infrastructure, hospitals, and transportation hubs. Telecom operators also favor LSZH for data centers to safeguard servers and optical equipment. The shift from PVC to LSZH drives new formulation development, spurring demand for specialized additive packages and extrusion lines. As retrofit projects and greenbuilding initiatives accelerate worldwide, LSZH adoption underpins significant incremental revenues, reinforcing upward momentum in the Fire Resistant Cable Market. Urbanization and vertical construction trends compel architects and engineers to specify fireresistant cables for lifesafety circuits within skyscrapers, airports, and metro systems. National codes such as NFPA 70, BS 8519, and IEC 60331 require cables to maintain circuit integrity for designated durations under direct flame. Highoccupancy structures rely on these cables to power evacuation systems, smoke extraction fans, and emergency elevators. The construction boom across AsiaPacific, the Middle East, and Africa therefore creates a large, recurring demand base. Simultaneously, renovation of aging European and North American buildings to meet updated safety standards fuels replacement sales. Building & construction thus serves as the most influential enduse segment, propelling Fire Resistant Cable Market growth. Governments worldwide continue tightening firesafety standards in response to catastrophic incidents, compelling industries to adopt certified fireresistant cabling solutions. Updated versions of NFPA 130, EN 45545, and IEC 60332 impose stricter flamespread, smoke density, and toxicity thresholds. Noncompliant installations face legal liabilities, insurance penalties, and reputational damage, motivating stakeholders to switch proactively. Certification labs expand testing capacity, while cable makers invest in upgraded formulations and process controls to secure compliance marks. The regulatory ratchet functions as a predictable, longterm demand driver, stabilizing revenue streams and encouraging new product development within the Fire Resistant Cable Market. Rapid transit systems require thousands of kilometers of power, control, and signaling cables that must remain operational during tunnel fires to enable safe evacuation and communication. Countries such as India, China, and Egypt are commissioning extensive metro lines, while Europe upgrades legacy networks with driverless technology. Fireresistant cables with lowsmoke insulation and rodent protection become mandatory under EN 45545 and local standards. Long project lead times translate into multiyear procurement contracts, providing visibility for manufacturers and rawmaterial suppliers. The sustained buildout of masstransit infrastructure therefore contributes a reliable growth pillar for the Fire Resistant Cable Market. Hyperscale and colocation data centers house dense racks of servers and lithiumion UPS systems that pose significant fire risks. Operators deploy fireresistant, LSZHsheathed cables to minimize smoke damage and ensure uptime, aligning with ISO 27001 and SOC 2 continuity requirements. Stringent servicelevel agreements penalize downtime, incentivizing premium cabling solutions that guarantee circuit integrity under extreme heat. Edgecomputing microdata centers in urban locations further expand the addressable market. Capital expenditures by cloud providers thus generate a highmargin demand stream for specialized fireresistant cables, reinforcing market expansion. Solar farms, offshore wind turbines, and batteryenergy storage systems expose cables to high currents, UV radiation, and potential arcfault events. Fireresistant, halogenfree cables mitigate catastrophic losses by maintaining connectivity between inverters, transformers, and monitoring equipment during thermal runaway. International standards such as IEC 61730 and UL 1703 incorporate fireperformance clauses, pushing renewable developers toward certified cabling. The accelerating global transition to clean energy therefore opens new verticals for cable makers, diversifying revenue beyond traditional construction and industrial segments. Property insurers increasingly scrutinize firesafety measures, offering favorable premiums for facilities that install certified fireresistant cables. Conversely, failure to comply with updated codes can invalidate coverage or trigger punitive deductibles. This financial lever accelerates adoption across commercial real estate, healthcare, and hospitality sectors. Legal precedents holding building owners liable for inadequate safety systems intensify risk aversion, prompting proactive retrofits. Insurancedriven incentives therefore amplify sales of compliant cable products, enhancing overall market velocity. Claim Yours Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-32U8659&lic=single-user FIRE RESISTANT CABLE MARKET SHARE: Global Flame Retardant Cable key players include Nexans, Prysmian, Keystone Cable, Axon'Cable, Leoni AG, etc. Global top five manufacturers hold a share over 35%. Europe is the largest market, with a share over 25%, followed by North America and China, both have a share over 40% percent. In terms of product, Low-smoke Halogen-free Flame-retardant Cable is the largest segment, with a share over 70%. And in terms of application, the largest application is Buildings, followed by Power Plant and Manufacturing Factory. Key Companies: Prysmian Group Nexans S A Keystone Cable General Cable NKT Leoni LS Cable & System EL Sewedy Electric Universal Cable (M) Berhad Tratos Jiangnan Group Dubai Cable Company Cable Company Tele-Fonika Kable Tianjin Suli Cable Purchase Chapters: https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-32U8659/global-fire-resistant-cable/1 SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS! - Fire Safety Cable Market was valued at USD 184 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 274 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.0% during the forecast period. - Low Voltage Halogen-Free Environmentally Friendly Fire-Resistant Cable Market - Flame Retardant Armored Cables Market was valued at USD 92.1 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 131 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. - Fire Protection Coating for Cable Market - Mica Tape for Flame Resistant Cable Market - Wire & Cable Market was valued at USD 110130 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 158320 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period. - Silicone Cable Market was valued at USD 3964 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 5371 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period. - Power-limited Circuit Cable Market was valued at USD 114 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 155 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period. - LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen) Cables Market - Firestop Material market was valued at USD 2418 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 3569 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Fire Protection Materials market size is expected to reach USD 2929.3 Million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2023 to 2029. DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US! Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs. Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs. To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains a detailed research methodology employed to generate the report. Please also reach our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources. GET A FREE QUOTE Valuates Reports [email protected] For U.S. Toll-Free Call 1-(315)-215-3225 WhatsApp: +91-9945648335 Website: https://reports.valuates.com Blog: https://valuatestrends.blogspot.com/ Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/valuatesreports/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/valuatesreports Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/valuatesreports/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@valuatesreports6753 https://www.facebook.com/valuateskorean https://www.facebook.com/valuatesspanish https://www.facebook.com/valuatesjapanese https://valuatesreportspanish.blogspot.com/ https://valuateskorean.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesgerman.blogspot.com/ https://valuatesreportjapanese.blogspot.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1082232/5260032/Valuates_Reports_Logo.jpg SOURCE Valuates Reports Pacific Cigar, exclusive distributor of Habanos, S.A. in the Asia-Pacific region, together with Infifon HK, exclusive distributor for China have presented the new vitola at the emblematic hotel The Murray in Hong Kong . The 'Cedros' vitola (50 ring gauge x 135 mm length), arrives on the market in an elegant box containing 18 Habanos made "Totally Handmade with Long Filler ". HAVANA, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Habanos, S.A. commemorated the 180th anniversary of the prestigious Partagas brand with the launch of its new vitola "Cedros" (50 ring gauge x 135 mm de length) at an event held at the Murray Hotel in Hong Kong. The evening brought together more than 180 guests, who enjoyed a dinner specially designed for the occasion in a festive atmosphere full of tradition. HABANOS, S.A. COMMEMORATED THE 180TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PRESTIGIOUS PARTAGAS BRAND WITH THE LAUNCH OF ITS NEW VITOLA "CEDROS" This exclusive edition celebrates the Year of the Snake (Wood). According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the snake represents qualities such as wisdom and wood represents strength and capacity for growth. Undoubtedly, a perfect opportunity to pay tribute to the fundamental role that such a noble material as wood has played in preserving the aromas and organoleptic qualities of Habanos throughout history. Partagas "Cedros" is a limited specialty that stands out for its neat presentation in an elegant box containing 18 Habanos. Each of these Habanos has been "Totally Handmade with Long Filler" using selected wrapper, filler and binder leaves coming from the Vuelta Abajo* plantations, in Pinar del Rio*, Cuba*. This region is recognized worldwide as the cradle of what is considered the world's best tobacco, thanks to its exceptional soils, unique climate and centuries-old tobacco growing tradition. These conditions allow for the production of leaves of unparalleled quality, which are essential in the production of the most prestigious Habanos. Thanks to this superior selection, Partagas "Cedros" offers a smoking experience rich in flavor and perfectly balanced strength, making it a must-have for lovers of good smoking. The Cedros vitola (50 ring gauge x 135 mm length) represents the perfect combination of exclusivity, tradition and excellence, characteristics that have consolidated Partagas as an emblem within the Habanos offer. Beyond celebrating the Chinese New Year, this launch stands as a tribute to the brand's rich history, which for 180 years has been a benchmark of quality and prestige in the cigar industry. This special edition will be available through exclusive Habanos, S.A. distributors. With this launch, Partagas reaffirms its commitment to tradition, innovation and excellence, offering aficionados a unique Habano that embodies the essence of a brand known for its character. Partagas "Cedros": Brand: Partagas Market name: Cedros Factory name: Dignos Dimensions: 50 Ring gauge x 135 mm de length Presentation: Special case of 18 units with NFC technology in the box and foot ring Wrapper: light brown, smooth, silky, oily and shiny Tasting notes: Draw: excellent Ash: compact Strength: strong Smoking time: around 45-50 minutes The Partagas Cedros presents unique dimensions within the brand's portfolio, which offer an enriching smoking experience when combined with the strong strength characteristic of this prestigious Habanos brand. In its first third, it displays a clean taste of Cuban dark tobacco that evolves into subtle notes of cocoa and oak as the smoke progresses. With a length of 135 mm, this vitola gives a dense smoke that achieves a well accentuated permanence in the aftertaste. Pairing suggestion: Partagas Cedros is an invitation to pair it with robust, long-aged spirits. Preferably, those aged naturally in white oak barrels whose refinement develops a profile with subtle notes of nuts, chocolate or vanilla. When combined with the Habano, this symphony of flavors generates an exceptional sensory experience. To download high resolution product images click here. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2662648/HABANOS_Vitola_Cedros.jpg SOURCE Habanos, S.A. BRIDGEWATER, N.J., April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hamamatsu Photonics, a global leader in whole slide imaging and spatial proteomics solutions, is pleased to announce a strategic partnership with Sirona Dx (SDX) as its Technology Access Partner. This collaboration will streamline the technology evaluation process by providing customers with access to deep spatial biology expertise within a GCLP / CLIA accredited laboratory for imaging, staining, and bioinformatics analysis, removing barriers to adoption. Enhancing Technology Evaluation in Spatial Proteomics As the demand for spatial proteomics solutions grows, researchers and laboratories often face challenges in evaluating new technologies due to the complexities of sample preparation, staining, and imaging. To simplify this process, Hamamatsu has established the Technology Access Program (TAP), ensuring that potential users can assess MoxiePlex Systems without the need to handle staining workflows, panel development, and bioinformatics analysis. SDX brings deep expertise in spatial omics and technology validation, bridging a critical knowledge gap for effective customer evaluations. Through this partnership, Hamamatsu and SDX will provide: Seamless technology access Potential customers can now evaluate Hamamatsu's spatial proteomics technology in a regulatory compliant laboratory without concerns about sample preparation, imaging workflows, and data analysis. Flexibility and scalability Supporting a diverse range of needs across research, clinical, and pharmaceutical applications. Executive Commentary "This partnership with SDX strengthens our ability to support customers as they evaluate and adopt spatial proteomics solutions," said James Butler, VP of Marketing at Hamamatsu Corporation. "By combining our world-class imaging technology with SDX's industry-leading expertise in spatial biology and technology validation, we are making it easier for researchers and clinicians to assess the potential of spatial omics solutions without the operational hurdles." "We are thrilled to partner with Hamamatsu to provide access to the powerful MoxiePlex technology," said Andrew Brown, Chief Commercial Officer at Sirona Dx. "MoxiePlex was intentionally designed to bring the transformational potential of multiplex spatial imaging closer to clinical decision makers. An innovative design emphasizes lower plex fluorescence for maximum clinical utility with speed, precision, and scalability." About Hamamatsu Photonics Hamamatsu Photonics K.K. is a leading manufacturer of photonics devices, including optical sensors, light sources, cameras, and whole slide imaging systems known for precision and reliability. For more information, visit www.hamamatsu.com. About SDX Sirona Dx is a technical CRO and leading provider of single cell multi-omics and spatial biology services. Sirona Dx supports the design, optimization, and bioinformatics analysis of complex, multi-analyte assays within a GCLP and CLIA accredited laboratory to advance biomarker discovery and accelerate therapy development. For more information, visit www.sironadx.com. Info Click here if you are interested in registering for updates about MoxiePlex. If you would like to specifically discuss engaging Sirona Dx regarding MoxiePlex, please contact: Don Ariyakumar MoxiePlex Strategic Product Manager [email protected] Information furnished by Hamamatsu Corporation is believed to be reliable. However, no responsibility is assumed for possible inaccuracies or omissions. Specifications are subject to change without notice. SOURCE Hamamatsu Corporation BANGALORE, India, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hybrid Bonding Technology Market is Segmented by Type (Wafer-to-wafer Hybrid Bonding, Die-to-wafer Hybrid Bonding), by Application (CMOS Image Sensor (CIS), NAND, DRAM, High Bandwidth Memory (HBM)). The Global Market for Hybrid Bonding Technology was valued at USD 164 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 756 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 24.7% during the forecast period. Claim Your Free Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-26A11376/Global_Hybrid_Bonding_Technology_Market Major Factors Driving the Growth of Hybrid Bonding Technology Market: The Hybrid Bonding Technology Market is transitioning from earlyadopter phase to highgrowth mainstream adoption. Capacity announcements, multiyear equipment backlogs, and expanding designwin pipelines signal robust doubledigit revenue growth through the forecast horizon. As heterogeneous integration becomes indispensable for AI, 5G, automotive autonomy, and ultrahighresolution imaging, hybrid bonding emerges as the de facto interconnect standard, eclipsing microbump and TSVcentric approaches. Continued process refinements and cost reductions will open midtier and IoT segments, further enlarging addressable demand. Overall, hybrid bonding stands poised to redefine advanced packaging economics and performance benchmarks, anchoring a vibrant ecosystem of materials, tools, and service providers. Unlock Insights: View Full Report Now! https://reports.valuates.com/market-reports/QYRE-Auto-26A11376/global-hybrid-bonding-technology TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE HYBRID BONDING TECHNOLOGY MARKET: Wafertowafer hybrid bonding is emerging as a pivotal manufacturing step because it enables fullsurface metaloxide interconnects that virtually eliminate the parasitic resistance and capacitance associated withsilicon vias. By stacking fully processed wafers with nanometerlevel alignment accuracy, manufacturers can cointegrate logic, memory, photonic, and sensor layers into one monolithic threedimensional package, delivering massive bandwidth and lower energy per bit. These measurable system advantages have made wafertowafer architectures indispensable for highperformance computing, mobile processors, and AI accelerators, spurring capacity expansions by foundries and OSATs. Equipment vendors are likewise benefiting, booking orders for plasma activation tools, bonding aligners, and cluster systems. The resulting cycle of demand, investment, and ecosystem maturation propels sustained, robust growth in the Hybrid Bonding Technology Market worldwide today. Dietowafer hybrid bonding unlocks heterogeneous integration by allowing knowngood die from disparate process nodes to be placed precisely onto a target wafer, eliminating costly yield penalties linked with full wafer stacking. This pickandplace flexibility lets designers mix advanced logic, highdensity memory, and specialty analog functions inside a single 3D package, tailoring performance while shrinking footprint. The approach is particularly attractive for chiplet architectures powering datacenter GPUs, network switches, and AI accelerators where interposer limitations bottleneck bandwidth. As system companies embrace the chiplet paradigm, demand for dietowafer processes is skyrocketing, prompting capital spending on bond aligners, plasma cleaners, and metrology. Collaborative standards such as UCIe reinforce ecosystem confidence, amplifying orders. Consequently, dietowafer adoption expands revenue within the Hybrid Bonding Technology Market. CMOS Image Sensors (CIS) are driving a share of hybrid bonding demand because the technology dramatically improves pixellevel interconnect density, enabling smaller pitch, higher resolution, and superior signaltonoise ratios. By hybridbonding the photodiode wafer to a dedicated logic wafer, manufacturers separate lightsensitive and processing functions, maximizing fill factor while embedding advanced AI engines beneath each pixel. This architecture is essential for smartphone cameras, automotive ADAS modules, security systems, and emerging AR/VR devices that require multimegapixel performance without thermal or power penalties. Major CIS foundries in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan are investing heavily in hybrid bonding lines, negotiating longterm supply agreements with handset and automotive OEMs. Their outlays translate into expanding tool shipments, bolstering Hybrid Bonding Technology Market growth trajectories. Datacenter operators and cloud service providers are deploying everlarger AI training clusters and exascale supercomputers that crave higher memory bandwidth, lower latency, and reduced power consumption. Traditional 2.5D interposers and wirebonded packages cannot keep pace with the throughput requirements of transformer models and graph analytics. Hybrid bonding overcomes these bottlenecks by providing direct coppertocopper interconnects at pitches below ten microns, allowing logic and HBM stacks to exchange terabytes per second while staying within stringent energy budgets. As hyperscalers commit billions to nextgen accelerators, they push chip suppliers toward aggressive adoption roadmaps, thereby amplifying equipment, material, and service revenues across the Hybrid Bonding Technology ecosystem worldwide. The virtuous demand cycle intensifies competition and innovation momentum further. Consumers expect thinner smartphones, smartwatches, and augmented reality glasses that deliver desktopclass functionality without sacrificing battery life. Achieving such compactness requires stacking logic, memory, RF frontends, and power management circuits vertically rather than expanding the PCB footprint. Hybrid bonding enables this architecture by allowing finepitch interconnects between heterogeneous wafers and dies, eliminating the height penalties of microbumps. OEM roadmaps from Silicon Valley to Shenzhen explicitly reference hybrid bonding for nextgeneration application processors and camera modules, triggering early production ramps at foundries. Component miniaturization also frees board area for larger batteries and novel sensors, creating additional differentiation. Consequently, handset competition acts as a persistent catalyst that widens the addressable Hybrid Bonding Technology Market, boosting volume shipments. Automotive OEMs are integrating lidar, radar, highresolution cameras, and domain controllers to achieve advanced driverassistance and eventual autonomous operation. These sensor arrays generate enormous data streams that must be processed in realtime under harsh thermal and vibration conditions. Hybrid bonding facilitates compact, ruggedized 3D stacks that combine logic, memory, and sensor dies, improving bandwidth and reducing latency while maintaining reliability. Government safety regulations such as Euro NCAP and China NCAP push adoption of ADAS features, creating predictable, multiyear demand for highperformance automotive semiconductors. Tier1 suppliers consequently sign capacity reservations with foundries, driving equipment purchases for hybrid bonding lines and reinforcing market growth. Initial hybrid bonding lines suffered from particleinduced voids and alignment errors, but iterative advances in plasma activation chemistry, waferhandling robotics, and inline inspection have driven dramatic yield gains. Higher yields translate directly into lower costperconnection, making hybrid bonding economically competitive with microbump solutions at high volumes. OSATs now advertise greater than 99 percent bonding yield for both wafertowafer and dietowafer flows, convincing cautious fabless customers to convert existing 2.5D programs. As unit costs fall, hybrid bonding becomes viable for midrange mobile and IoT chips, expanding the addressable market. Continuous process optimization therefore serves as a reinforcing growth driver, unlocking new designwin opportunities. Claim Yours Now! https://reports.valuates.com/api/directpaytoken?rcode=QYRE-Auto-26A11376&lic=single-user HYBRID BONDING TECHNOLOGY MARKET SHARE: AsiaPacific dominates the Hybrid Bonding Technology Market, led by Taiwan's advancednode foundries, South Korea's memory giants, and Japan's CMOS imagesensor specialists. China is rapidly scaling domestic capacity through statebacked programs, while Southeast Asia's OSAT clusters in Singapore and Malaysia add assembly breadth. North America follows, buoyed by U.S. logic IDMs and governmentfunded packaging pilot lines. Europe leverages research institutes and automotive demand, whereas Israel anchors niche aerospace and defense applications. Key Companies: Intel Applied Materials Huawei EV Group (EVG) SUSS MicroTec Adeia Purchase Regional Report: https://reports.valuates.com/request/regional/QYRE-Auto-26A11376/Global_Hybrid_Bonding_Technology_Market SUBSCRIPTION We have introduced a tailor-made subscription for our customers. Please leave a note in the Comment Section to know about our subscription plans. DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS! - Hybrid Bonding Equipment Market was valued at USD 123 Million in the year 2023 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 618 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 24.7% during the forecast period. - Wafer Hybrid Bonding Equipment Market was valued at USD 164 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 756 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 24.7% during the forecast period. - Wafer Bonding Equipment Market was valued at USD 321 Million in the year 2024 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 449 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period. - Hybrid Wedge Bonders market was valued at USD 54 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 70 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 3.0% during the forecast period 2024-2030. - Chip Bonding Adhesive Market was valued at USD 355 Million in the year 2023 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 510 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period. - Optical Bonding Service Market - Temporary Bonding and Debonding Systems Market - Wafer Bond Alignment System Market was valued at USD 249 Million in the year 2023 and is projected to reach a revised size of USD 423 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period. - Die Bonding Materials Market - Automotive Glass Bonding Market - Bonding Wire for Semiconductor Packaging Market DISCOVER OUR VISION: VISIT ABOUT US! Valuates offers in-depth market insights into various industries. Our extensive report repository is constantly updated to meet your changing industry analysis needs. Our team of market analysts can help you select the best report covering your industry. We understand your niche region-specific requirements and that's why we offer customization of reports. With our customization in place, you can request for any particular information from a report that meets your market analysis needs. To achieve a consistent view of the market, data is gathered from various primary and secondary sources, at each step, data triangulation methodologies are applied to reduce deviance and find a consistent view of the market. Each sample we share contains a detailed research methodology employed to generate the report. Please also reach our sales team to get the complete list of our data sources. 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MCKINNEY, Texas, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, today revealed that The Ramage Law Group is No. 84 on its fifth annual Inc. Regionals: Southwest list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in the Southwest, which includes Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. An extension of the national Inc. 5000 list, the Regionals offer a unique look at the most successful companies within the Southwest economy's most dynamic segmentits independent small businesses. McKinney Family Law Firm, The Ramage Law Group "I am so grateful for our clients who have trusted us and our team who diligently works to help families. This growth is because of them and is very exciting!" says Founding Attorney, Sharon Ramage about receiving this recognition. The companies on this list show a remarkable rate of growth across all industries in the Southwest. Between 2021 and 2023, these 137 private companies had a median growth rate of 106 percent; by 2023, they'd also added 13,809 jobs and $15.9 billion to the region's economy. Complete results of the Inc. Regionals: Southwest, including company profiles, can be found at https://www.inc.com/regionals/southwest starting April 1. You'll also find an interactive database that can be sorted by industry, metro area, and other criteria. "The honorees on this year's Inc. Regionals list are true trailblazers driving economic growth in their respective regions, industries, and beyond. This list celebrates their achievements and tells the stories of remarkable companies that are fueling growth and adding jobs in local economies throughout the country," said Bonny Ghosh, editorial director at Inc. Attorney Sharon Ramage opened the doors to The Ramage Law Group nearly 30 years ago. Since, she and her team of legal professionals have provided valuable representation to family law and divorce clients throughout Collin County and surrounding areas. The Ramage Law Group devotes its services to cases involving paternity, adoptions, child custody, complex financial divorces, and many other unique circumstances. Our lawyers dedicate substantial time and effort until finding the best solution for the moms, dads, and children involved in our cases. To learn more about The Ramage Law Group, visit https://www.ramagefamilylawfirm.com/. If you are interested in scheduling a consultation, call 972-562-9890. More about Inc. and the Inc. Regionals Methodology The 2025 Inc. Regionals are ranked according to percentage revenue growth over two years. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generated revenue by March 31, 2021. They had to be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independentnot subsidiaries or divisions of other companiesas of December 31, 2023. (Since then, a number of companies on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2021 is $100,000; the minimum for 2023 is $1 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons. About Inc. Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com. SOURCE The Ramage Law Group NEW YORK, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Enterprises face unprecedented challenges in today's business environment. To succeed, they need a consulting partner that is agile, experienced, and built to guide them through what's next. They need a trusted, strategic advisor with the right mix of scale, expertise, and hands-on execution. Wavestone North America is that partner. With a legacy spanning nearly five decades, Wavestone has been a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies, driving transformation across Europe, Asia, and North America. Now, following the integration of Aspirant, Q_PERIOR, and Wavestone, we are uniting under a single brandWavestone North America to strengthen our presence in the region and bring even greater value to our clients. This marks a major milestone in our growth journey, reinforcing our position as a premier consulting firm for business and technology transformation. A Stronger Consulting Partner for North American Enterprises By bringing together the strengths of three firms, Wavestone North America offers: Expanded Expertise Our advisors bring expanded expertise, deep industry insights, and innovative solutions to help businesses solve their most complex challenges. Our advisors bring expanded expertise, deep industry insights, and innovative solutions to help businesses solve their most complex challenges. End-to-End Services We provide a full spectrum of consulting solutions, from strategy to execution, helping clients accelerate transformation and maximize value. We provide a full spectrum of consulting solutions, from strategy to execution, helping clients accelerate transformation and maximize value. A Global Perspective with Local Impact With nearly 6,000 consultants worldwide, we combine the insights of a global network with the agility and tailored approach that North American enterprises require. Comprehensive Capabilities to Drive Your Success Our expertise spans a range of critical business and technology domains, including: Management Consulting Accelerate strategic growth, improve operational efficiency, and drive measurable business results. Accelerate strategic growth, improve operational efficiency, and drive measurable business results. Technology Consulting Harness innovation and modern technology to increase agility, reduce complexity, and fuel sustainable transformation. Harness innovation and modern technology to increase agility, reduce complexity, and fuel sustainable transformation. Cybersecurity Protect your most critical assets and ensure business continuity with proactive, end-to-end cyber defense. Protect your most critical assets and ensure business continuity with proactive, end-to-end cyber defense. Sourcing & Services Optimization Align sourcing with business goals, reduce costs, and improve service performance at scale. Designed to Better Serve You "This moment is more than a milestone. It reflects how we are evolving to better serve our clients," said Mike McClaine, Partner, Head of North America at Wavestone. "With a stronger and more integrated team in North America, we are more equipped than ever to support organizations as they take on their next transformation, no matter how complex." Wavestone works with Fortune 500 companies to overcome uncertainty, embrace innovation, and turn complexity into opportunity. What clients value most is our client-first mindset, pragmatic thinking, and genuine commitment to helping them unlock long-term success. Meet Wavestone North America. Built for what comes next. For more information, visit wavestone.com/next. About Wavestone Wavestone is a consulting powerhouse, dedicated to supporting strategic transformations of businesses and organizations in a world that is undergoing unprecedented change, with the ambition to create positive and long-lasting impacts for all its stakeholders. Drawing on about 6,000 employees in 17 countries across Europe, North America and Asia, the firm offers a 360 portfolio of high-value consulting services, combining seamlessly first-class sector expertise with a wide range of cross-industry capabilities. Wavestone is listed on Euronext Paris and recognized as a Great Place to Work. SOURCE Wavestone VICTORIA, Seychelles, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MEXC has achieved a net inflow of $77.5 million over the past 7 days, positioning itself as one of the few major centralized exchanges (CEXs) to demonstrate positive momentum during a widespread market decline, according to DeFiLlama. The exchange's total monthly net inflow reached $1.79 billion, a 12.4% rise from the previous month, highlighting its resilience and consistent growth amid cautious user behavior across the broader market. MEXC Among Top 3 CEXs with $1.79B Monthly Inflows, Driven by Innovative Strategies DeFiLlama data also ranks MEXC among the top 3 exchanges for monthly inflows, with $84.25 million recorded in April alone and a total value locked (TVL) of $2.8 billion as of April 9, 2025. This performance reflects MEXC's growing credibility and ability to attract liquidity despite ongoing market volatility. Exchange 7-Day Net Inflow 30-Day Net Inflow Binance +$888 million +$3.7 billion Bybit +$564.9 million +$3.2 billion MEXC +$77.5 million +$1.79 billion Kucoin $40 million $893.5 million HTX +$402.1 million +$464.9 million Net Inflow Trends Across Major CEXs (Source: https://defillama.com/cexs) MEXC's standout performance over the past month can be attributed to its strategic focus on trading initiatives and ecosystem development. The key drivers behind this success include the following: Strategic Initiatives: Through its "Zero Trading Fee" campaign, MEXC significantly boosted trading volume and user engagement. BNB Chain Ecosystem Focus: MEXC's targeted approach to CZ/BNB-Chain concept tokens, coupled with high returns and trading volumes of popular tokens, further drove user fund inflows. Capturing High-Potential Tokens: As the first platform to list CZ/BNB-Chain concept tokens like MUBARAK, MEXC created opportunities for low-cost entry and high returns, drawing significant user capital. Launch of DEX+: The launch of DEX+, a hybrid centralized- decentralized trading platform, lowered the barriers to on-chain trading, enhancing MEXC's appeal to users and boosting fund inflows. 1. Zero Trading Fee Strategy Significantly Boosts Trading Activity During its March Zero Trading Fee campaign, MEXC introduced trading pairs such as SOL/USDT, HYPE/USDT, and S/USDT, resulting in a 17.8% month-over-month increase in the number of traders and a remarkable 170.2% surge in trading volume. Notably, SOL/USDT saw a 185.62% increase in trading volume, with its average daily trading volume accounting for 19.0% of MEXC's total futures trading volume - a growth rate of 189.69%making it the standout pair of the quarter. ADA/USDT recorded the highest growth, with a 369.44% increase in trading volume and a 393.05% rise in its share of MEXC's daily futures trading volume. Additionally, DOGE/USDT and SUI/USDT saw trading volume increases of 82.87% and 70.84%, respectively. 0 Trading Fee strategy also significantly enhanced MEXC's market share. Trading pairs such as AIXBT/USDT, DOGE/USDT, and SOL/USDT led market share growth with increases of 331%, 283%, and 209%, respectively. DOGE/USDT and SOL/USDT achieved market shares of 30.5% and 30.3%, respectively, ranking first among the same pairs on CoinMarketCap (CMC), while ADA/USDT secured the second spot with a 20.6% market share. These figures demonstrate that the 0 Trading Fee campaign effectively ignited user trading enthusiasm, driving substantial fund inflows to the platform. 2. Strategic Focus on BNB Chain Ecosystem Fuels Hot Token Trading The BNB Chain ecosystem has emerged as a new hotspot for on-chain assets over the past month, and MEXC's strategic focus on this ecosystem has paid off. In March, BNB Chain ecosystem tokens accounted for 50.8% of new token spot trading users, a 30.1% month-over-month increase, while their trading volume share soared to 56.6%, reflecting a 63.5% month-over-month growth. This made the BNB Chain ecosystem a core driver of March's trading surge. The top five BNB Chain ecosystem tokens delivered an average return of 3,760%, creating significant profit opportunities for users while fueling a trading frenzy. Star tokens like MUBARAK , BUBB , and TUT led the charge with gains of 10,900%, 4,168%, and 2,000%, respectively, contributing 17%, 4%, and 7% to new token trading volume. MUBARAKAH and BMT also performed strongly, contributing 4% and 3% to trading volume, respectively. The robust trading activity of BNB Chain ecosystem tokens further attracted user fund inflows, injecting fresh momentum into MEXC's growth. 3. First-Mover Advantage in Token Launches Makes MEXC a Go-To Platform for Low-Cost Entry MEXC demonstrated industry-leading prowess in launching CZ-concept tokens. On March 14, 2025, at 12:35:00 (UTC+8), MEXC became the first exchange to list MUBARAK, outpacing all other platforms. Within 24 hours of its launch, MUBARAK surged by 1,377.5%, reaching a peak price of $0.22a staggering 10,900% increase from its listing price. By the close of March 18, MUBARAK's average daily trading volume had grown by 197% compared to March 1516, with the number of traders rising by 76% month-over-month, reflecting sustained user enthusiasm. 4. DEX+ Launch Enhances User Experience and Fund Attraction Through Innovation In March, MEXC introduced DEX+, a hybrid centralized-decentralized trading platform that allows users to engage in decentralized trading without leaving the MEXC app or website, providing access to a wide range of on-chain assets. Currently, DEX+ supports over 15,000 tokens across the Solana and BNB Chain ecosystems, covering a broad spectrum of on-chain assets. This innovative model not only enhances trading convenience but also strengthens MEXC's appeal to on-chain trading users, further driving fund inflows. Conclusion With $1.79 billion in fund inflows over the past month and a 63.9% fund inflow efficiency, MEXC has demonstrated its competitive strength among global cryptocurrency exchanges. Whether through its 0 Trading Fee campaign to boost trading activity, its strategic focus on the BNB Chain ecosystem, its first-mover advantage in launching high-potential tokens, or the innovative launch of DEX+, MEXC has leveraged innovation to drive rapid fund inflows. Looking ahead, as the crypto market continues to evolve, MEXC is well-positioned to attract more global users and solidify its market standing by further enhancing user experience and expanding its market presence. About MEXC Founded in 2018, MEXC is committed to being "Your Easiest Way to Crypto." Serving over 36 million users across 170+ countries, MEXC is known for its broad selection of trending tokens, everyday airdrop opportunities, and low trading fees. Our user-friendly platform is designed to support both new traders and experienced investors, offering secure and efficient access to digital assets. MEXC prioritizes simplicity and innovation, making crypto trading more accessible and rewarding. MEXC Official Website X Telegram How to Sign Up on MEXC SOURCE MEXC NEW YORK, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) provides a daily pre-market update directly from the NYSE Trading Floor. Access today's NYSE Pre-market update for market insights before trading begins. Kristen Scholer delivers the pre-market update on April 11th NYSE Content Advisory: Pre-Market update + U.S. and E.U. to negotiate trade Stocks rose Friday as JP Morgan Chase (NYSE: JPM) exceeded earnings expectations. China raised tariffs on U.S. imports to 125% after the White House upped its tariffs to 145% on Chinese imports. raised tariffs on U.S. imports to 125% after the White House upped its tariffs to 145% on Chinese imports. Traders gave equities a boost after the European Union said its representatives will fly to Washington D.C. to "try and sign deals" Opening Bell Project H.O.O.D highlights its efforts to build a Leadership & Economic Opportunity Center on the South Side of Chicago Closing Bell YPF S.A. (NYSE: YPF) celebrates and introduces its new management team Download the NYSE TV App and Subscribe Here SOURCE New York Stock Exchange More than 15,000 nominations were submitted in support of pet rescues from coast to coast. NEW YORK, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pet rescues nationwide are facing more challenges than ever before, including overcrowding, increased surrenders, rising costs, and lack of funding to name a few. Today, on National Pet Day, which celebrates the forgotten pets in shelters, PetPlace & Pets Best honor five rescues whose work is making a positive impact on pet lives across the nation. Heroic Hearts Collective (PRNewsfoto/PetPlace.com) "Pet rescues work tirelessly to save and rehome pets, often with limited resources. At PetPlace, we're honored to support these organizations through the Heroic Hearts Collective, recognizing their dedication and providing meaningful aid to help them continue their lifesaving work" says PetPlace President, Sam Watson. The initiative, "Heroic Hearts Collective", was announced in February with the aim of recognizing, celebrating, and rewarding pet rescues throughout the United States. More than 15,000 nominations poured in, reinforcing the amazing work done by rescue groups, and their desperate need for support. Today, PetPlace and Pets Best Insurance are excited to share the inspiring stories behind the five winning rescues that were chosen at random, which will each receive a $1,000 cash donation, 50 standard microchips, one universal microchip scanner, and a feature story on Petplace.com. AmsterDog Rescue has been serving the Greater NYC area for over 14 years, born from a group of volunteers united to help pets displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Great Pyrenees Rescue Society in Spring, TX , is a volunteer-run organization dedicated to rehabilitating and rehoming at-risk Great Pyrenees dogs. The Pittie Party of Central Florida in Kissimmee works tirelessly to save dogs at risk of euthanasia in county shelters, providing them with the care they deserve. Umbrella of Hope in Pittsburg, CA , strives to reduce euthanasia by raising awareness of homeless pets and promoting adoptions. Whiskers N Wishes Sanctuary in Tucson, AZ , specializes in rescuing catsparticularly seniors and those with disabilitiesensuring they find loving forever homes. Visit PetPlace.com/heroic-hearts to read more about these incredible rescues. Today's celebration is marked by an exciting new software announcement by PetPlace. Later this month, they'll launch 24PetRescue, a free, mobile-friendly software designed to help rescues efficiently manage their organization through intake, capturing medical records, microchip registration, and adoption. According to Sam Watson, "rescue groups work tirelessly to save lives, but managing operations can be tough. Our free software, 24PetRescue, simplifies end-to-end processes in one mobile-friendly platformso rescues can focus on what matters most: finding loving homes." To learn more about 24PetRescue visit 24Pet.com/products/24PetRescue. If you are a member of the media and would like to request more information about the Heroic Hearts Collective, or to request an interview with a PetPlace and/or Pets Best executive, please contact K. Sutherland PR at [email protected]. About PetPlace PetPlace is a network of innovative products and services designed to support pet well-being, the pet parenting journey, and animal welfare organizations. PetPlace is committed to creating a world where pet care is easy for all, and every pet thrives in a loving home. PetPlace is owned by Independence Pet Holdings, Inc. (IPH), an organization that manages a diverse and broad portfolio of modern pet health brands offering a range of pet insurance services, pet education, lost pet recovery services, and beyond across the U.S. and Canada. PetPlace.com About Pets Best Pets Best offers pet insurance and wellness plans for dogs and cats in the U.S. Founded in 2005 with a mission to end economic euthanasia by helping to ensure pet parents are financially prepared when their pets need unexpected veterinary care, Pets Best delivers flexible coverage, an easy claims process, and excellent customer service. Pets Best is highly rated by independent review sites and is rdisplayed by veterinarians across the nation in their clinics. Pets Best is a founding member of NAPHIA, an organization dedicated to ensuring high standards and transparency for the pet insurance industry. Pet insurance coverage offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC is underwritten by American Pet Insurance Company (NAIC #12190), a New York insurance company headquartered at 6100 4th Ave. S. Suite 200 Seattle, WA 98108, or Independence American Insurance Company (NAIC #26581), a Delaware insurance company located at 11333 N. Scottsdale Rd. #160, Scottsdale, AZ 85254. Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC (NPN #8889658, CA agency #0F37530) is a licensed insurance agency located at 10840 Ballantyne Commons Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28277. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products. Terms and conditions apply. See your policy for details. To learn more about Pets Best, click here. SOURCE PetPlace.com ROLLER's purpose is to help create experiences that bring joy and happiness to the world. They achieve this by connecting attraction venues with powerful, easy-to-use technology. AUSTIN, Texas, April 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ROLLER, the all-in-one venue management platform for the leisure and attractions industry, is proud to announce it has been named a finalist on the Australian Financial Review's Best Places to Work List for 2025, in the Technology category. Presented in collaboration with Bendelta, the list evaluates hundreds of companies across Australia and New Zealand based on employee experience, policies, and innovation. For the ROLLER team, being recognized among such respected companies is a meaningful acknowledgment of the culture they're continuing to build as they scale. ROLLER crew in Austin, Texas at 2025 Company Kick Off "Our people are the heart of everything we do," says Bee Hepburn, Chief People Officer at ROLLER. "Being included on the AFR's Best Places to Work List reflects our team's passion for not only creating joyful guest experiences through our platform but also cultivating a workplace where people love to show up every day." ROLLER was also honored to be officially certified as a Great Place to Work for the third consecutive year in Australia and the second year running in the United States. "Great Place To Work Certification is a highly coveted achievement that requires consistent and intentional dedication to the overall employee experience," says Sarah Lewis-Kulin, Vice President of Global Recognition at Great Place To Work. She emphasizes that Certification is based entirely on real feedback from employees, making it a genuine reflection of how people feel about the company culture. "By successfully earning this recognition, it is evident that ROLLER stands out as one of the top companies to work for, providing a great workplace environment for its employees." ROLLER's employee experience is driven by core values that promote collaboration, trust, innovation, and personal growth. With a global team spanning the Americas, EMEA, and APAC, ROLLER emphasizes flexibility, psychological safety, and opportunities for career progression. Recent initiatives include working with Equidi to close the gender pay gap, a public holiday swap program, and DEI-driven hiring practices. "We're intentional about creating an environment where people feel connected to their work, each other, and the impact we're making," added Bee Hepburn. "Whether you're based in Austin, Melbourne, or London, you'll find the same level of openness, encouragement, and energy that defines ROLLER's culture." As the company continues to grow and evolve, ROLLER remains focused on maintaining a culture-first approach, recognizing that happy, fulfilled teams are the key to delivering world-class products and support to the attractions industry. About ROLLER ROLLER is the cloud-based venue management platform for modern attractions, purpose-built to remove friction from the guest experience at every touchpoint. Their all-in-one platform simplifies its customers' business processes, improving efficiency and maximizing revenue. ROLLER's comprehensive solution includes: Online Checkout & Ticketing, Point-of-Sale, Integrated Payments, Memberships, Gift Cards, Waivers, Self-Serve Kiosks, Cashless Wallets, Guest Surveys, and more. To learn more, visit roller.software . SOURCE ROLLER SODERTALJE, Sweden, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Scania today announces the acquisition of the Industrial Division of Northvolt Systems, including production capabilities, a research and development center, and a team of approximately 260 employees. The operations are based in two locations: a leased production facility in Gdansk, Poland, and an R&D center in Tomteboda, Stockholm, Sweden. Northvolt Systems Industrial Division develops and manufactures battery systems for heavy industry and off-highway market segments, offering a portfolio of battery modules and systems used in material handling, construction equipment, and mining. The acquired company will be a partner to Scania's business unit Power Solutions. This will add on to Scania's offering as part of a diversified product portfolio. With over a century of powertrain innovation, Scania Power Solutions has built a strong reputation for delivering reliable and efficient engines that meet the toughest demands in the industrial, marine, and power generation segments. With this acquisition Scania will strengthen its electrification offering for off-road applications. "Northvolt Systems Industrial Division brings valuable expertise in battery technology and assembly. Their capabilities strengthen our modular approach and support the development of complete electrified solutions for off-road applications. I'm pleased to welcome the team to Scania," says Sara Hermansson, Head of Scania Power Solutions. The acquired business will be a partner to Scania Power Solutions and operate as a stand-alone venture within Scania Ventures and New Business, aligning with its strategy to develop complementary and transformational businesses that strengthen Scania's long-term competitiveness. "By combining Northvolt Systems Industrial Division's battery expertise with Scania's deep industry knowledge, we are not only driving innovation but also strengthening our ability to serve our customers in their transition journeys. This acquisition demonstrates how Scania Ventures and New Business leverage our capabilities in opportunity identification, M&A, and growth-stage company management to enable our core business and enhance our position as a transformation partner for our customers all in support of a more sustainable transport system," says Jonas Hernlund, Head of Energy & Infrastructure at Scania Ventures and New Business. As part of the acquisition process, Scania has reached an agreement with the trustee to acquire Northvolt Systems Industrial Division. The parties have agreed not to disclose the purchase price. "Since 2017, Northvolt Systems Industrial has developed advanced battery systems for machines operating in demanding environments such as construction, mining, and material handling. Our flagship solution, Voltpack Core, reflects our ability to meet real-world industrial challenges. Joining Scania marks the next chapter in our journey. This acquisition brings together two strong legacies in electrification and powertrain innovation. I am confident that, together, we will strengthen our capabilities and deliver even greater value to our customers," says Elin Akerstrom, Vice President Northvolt Systems Industrial. Scania and the trustee have agreed on a deal that ensures continuation of operations. Following the acquisition, Northvolt Systems Industrial's operations will continue with business as usual. For further information, please contact: Veronica Nilsson Public Relation Manager Phone: +46 72 084 98 43 E-mail: [email protected] This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/scania/r/scania-strengthens-off-road-electrification-with-acquisition-of-northvolt-systems-industrial-divisio,c4134548 The following files are available for download: https://news.cision.com/scania/i/scania-acquired-part-of-northvolt-16x7,c3398232 Scania acquired part of Northvolt-16x7 https://news.cision.com/scania/i/press-release-photo-1,c3398399 Press release photo 1 https://news.cision.com/scania/i/press-release-photo-2,c3398400 Press release photo 2 https://news.cision.com/scania/i/press-release-photo-3,c3398401 Press release photo 3 https://news.cision.com/scania/i/press-release-photo-4,c3398402 Press release photo 4 SOURCE Scania - Shinsegae Department Store unveils a new iconic space after restoring a historical building in Myeong-dong - Featuring Korean craft art and contemporary artifacts, 'The Heritage' offers a unique experience to global customers - With the ultimate luxury boutique on the 1st floor, the building is set to become a cultural hub for history, fashion, and art "Once an old bank, now reimagined as a cultural hub filled with history, fashion, and art. Trend and heritage, past and present, are woven into this newly restored historical building, The Heritage." SEOUL, South Korea, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 9th, Shinsegae Department Store presents 'The Heritage,' a new iconic culture house in Myeong-dongNamdaemun, where Seoul's rich history, luxury, and trends merge in a 90-year-old historical space. Situated in the center of Seoul, Myeong-dong is one of Korea's oldest and most vibrant commercial districts, attracting millions of visitors annually. Named the 'No.1 favorite spot in Korea' among tourists over a decade by Korea Culture & Tourism Institute(KCTI), the area continues to be a global hotspot for shopping and culture. Shinsegae Department Store presents a new iconic culture house 'The Heritage' in Myeong-dong, Seoul, Korea Shinsegae Department Store in Myeong-dong has always been listed as the top 3 most visited spots in Jung-gua broader district that includes Myeong-dongsince 2020, according to Korea Tourism Organization(KTO). Last November, Shinsegae's media facade has been recreated as Shinsegae Square which allured one million visitors last winter alone with its spectacular digital signage featuring its Christmas film and K-culture content. Soon after, Shinsegae Department Store won fame for being the most instagrammable spot in Seoul after creating a huge buzz on social media. Founded in 1963 as Korea's very first department store, Shinsegae has been showcasing the trend of Korean lifestyle for the past 62 years not just with their highly curated designer brands but also by adding values to Korean people's lives by pioneering the concept of an in-store-art gallery in the nation. Shinsegae Department Store has been an absolute favorite amongst millions of global customers along with Harrods(UK) and Isetan(Japan), taking the chart of No.1 leading position in the Korean department store industry by far. With its heritage, Shinsegae unveils what was once an old bank for the past decades as a new form of space that intertwines past and present and preserves the historical and cultural value of Seoul. After a decade of meticulous restoration, the 90-year-old historical building, designated as the 71st tangible cultural property of Seoul since 1989, has been transformed into a vibrant cultural hub and is now open to the public. Shinsegae has painstakingly restored every flower-shaped plaster ectype on the ceilingsan enduring masterpiece of modern Korean architectureas it was almost 100 years ago. Inspired by The Morgan Library&Museum in NYC, a curtain wall has also been added to the building's exterior to incorporate a modern design, creating a harmony between heritage and innovation. In alignment with its name, 'The Heritage' boasts 'House of Shinsegae Heritage' on the 5th floor, a space dedicated to featuring Korean craft art where Shinsegae extends its signature hospitality to visitors. Foreign visitors in particular will be mesmerized by unique Korean traditional arts and the beauty of craftsmanship. On the 4th floor lies a museum where contemporary artifacts and archival photographs are exhibited to portray the story of the Korean retail industry. Digitally restored images of Myeong-dong from the 1930s and 1950s transport visitors back in time, offering a rare glimpse into old Seoul. On the 1st and 2nd floor, a CHANEL boutique designed by Peter Marino serves as the ultimate expression of modern luxury, blending seamlessly with the building's historical elegance. Shinsegae is the first in the nation to incorporate a luxury brand at a place where heritage lies within the building. Nestled within a historic landmark where Korean contemporary commerce bloomed, 'The Heritage' is to become the opulent heart of Seoul. Through its exhibition filled with Korean beauty and tradition, global customers can immerse themselves into the journey of old and new, past and present. SOURCE Shinsegae Department Store SEATTLE, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Law Group PLLC has signed the amicus briefs supporting the WilmerHale and Jenner & Block law firms, and is proud to join the ranks of more than 800 law firms in the fight against President Trump's Executive Orders unconstitutionally targeting law firms. Like our colleagues in every state and city in the United States, we have sworn an oath to uphold the United States Constitution. As members of the Bar, we zealously represent our clients even when those clients take positions at odds with the powerful. We agree wholeheartedly with the American Bar Association: "We reject the notion that the government can punish lawyers who represent certain clients." This is not just our opinion. It is a bedrock constitutional principle as expressed in the amicus briefs we have joined. Summit supports the rule of law, which is foundational to our country. We will not stay silent amid the abuse of power by the most powerful. Courage is contagious. About Summit: Summit is consistently recognized as a top law firm, both on the regional and national levels, and has been recognized as one of Washington's Best Workplaces from 2021 through 2024 by the Puget Sound Business Journal. We are especially proud that in its 2022, 2023 & 2024 Diversity Snapshot, Law360 recognized Summit as being among the leading law firms across the nation for diversity. Additionally, we have consistently received Mansfield Rule Plus Certification for our diversity in leadership efforts. Summiteers take pride in working here. You can check out more stories on Summit here: https://www.summitlaw.com/insights For more information, contact: Kristin Anger, CEO [email protected] 206-676-7012 Katie Brotherton, Marketing Manager [email protected] 206-676-7091 SOURCE Summit Law Group More Than 400 Transdev Drivers Gain Access to Teamsters Health Care, Pension HOUSTON, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Transdev bus operators, represented by Teamsters Local 988, have ratified a new contract with 99 percent voting yes. The three-year agreement covers 427 workers that provide public transportation for the Houston Metropolitan Transit Authority. "These Teamsters bus drivers make Houston run safely and successfully," said Robert Mele, President of Local 988. "We could not be prouder to continue to represent these vital workers and help them to secure contracts that raise industry standards. This agreement will make a huge difference in the lives of Transdev Teamsters and their families for many years beyond the contract." The new agreement includes protection of rights language, a substantial pay boost, TeamCare health insurance, and access to the Western Conference of Teamsters Pension Trust, which is the largest multi-employer pension plan in the country. The contract also allows, for the first time ever, Houston Transdev drivers to take sick days. "We've had Teamsters representation for nearly three decades, and our contracts keep getting better and better," said Towanda Jackson, a chief steward with Local 988. "Securing top tier union insurance, sick days, and a pension plan that will allow us to retire with dignity is going to make a monumental difference in our lives." Chartered in 1967, Teamsters Local 988 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout Houston and the surrounding communities. For more information, visit teamster988.org. Contact: Colin McCullough, (856) 625-6856 [email protected] SOURCE Teamsters Local 988 The 800-room hotel will be the anchor of Miami Beach's Convention Center District with new luxury accommodations and public spaces, improved connectivity, and infrastructure and resiliency upgrades. MIAMI BEACH, Fla., April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Terra and Turnberry, two of South Florida's leading real estate development firms, have secured $392 million in construction financing that will help advance the development of Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, an 800-room, 17-story property adjacent to the Miami Beach Convention Center. The financing was provided by TYKO Capital, a multi-billion-dollar commercial real estate private equity and private credit investment management platform, backed by Elliott Investment Management and led by Adi Chugh. With pre-construction sitework already completed, the financing paves the way for the project's groundbreaking, with delivery slated for late 2027. "With construction financing in place and strong public support behind us, we are eager to bring this landmark hotel to life," said David Martin, CEO of Terra, and Jackie Soffer, Chairman and CEO of Turnberry. "Grand Hyatt Miami Beach will fill a longstanding gap in Miami Beach's hospitality offerings, elevating the conventions and events that come to our community while creating jobs, new revenue and economic impact." Strategically located at 17th Street and Convention Center Drive, Grand Hyatt Miami Beach will provide seamless access to the newly renovated Miami Beach Convention Center. With resort-style amenities, the hotel will aim to serve as Miami Beach's first major convention hotel adjacent to and connected to the Miami Beach Convention Center, enhancing the city's ability to attract major national and international clients. "Grand Hyatt Miami Beach is a game-changer for major meeting and event planners and a transformative addition to our convention center ecosystem," said David Whitaker, President & CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. "With an unmatched location seamlessly connected to the Miami Beach Convention Center and just steps from world-renowned Miami Beach, this hotel creates a one-of-a-kind experience for meeting planners and attendees alike. As a premier, year-round destination, Greater Miami is already a powerhouse for major events, and this addition solidifies our position as a top choice for high-profile conventions and meetings from around the globe." "Miami Beach is an iconic, grand destination known for its dynamic energy, cultural richness and world-class hospitality, and we are thrilled to introduce our Grand Hyatt brand to this key leisure and business travel market," said Pete Sears, Group President, Americas for Hyatt. "Grand Hyatt Miami Beach will work to seamlessly blend the destination's colorful, vibrant spirit with the brand's bold architecture, inventive restaurants and luxury accommodations. We look forward to offering guests and World of Hyatt members a new way to experience Miami Beach in a setting that will be as inspiring as the city itself." Designed by Arquitectonica's Bernardo Fort-Brescia, the property will feature 12 floors of guest rooms, including 52 suites with sweeping views of Miami Beach, along with four floors of meeting and ballroom spaces that will complement the Miami Beach Convention Center's event programming. Guests will be able to enjoy a resort-style pool deck with panoramic city views, a signature restaurant, lobby lounge and bar, as well as retail space designed to activate the street-level pedestrian experience. Additionally, a climate-controlled skybridge will provide seamless access between the hotel and the Miami Beach Convention Center, enhancing connectivity and convenience for event attendees. The financing news comes on the heels of a $75 million grant that the development was awarded through the Miami Beach Redevelopment Agency in late 2024, underscoring its role as a critical economic driver for the region. The grant reflects strong public and private support for the hotel's potential to enhance Miami Beach's global competitiveness as a premier destination for meetings, conferences and events. The development also plans to introduce new public spaces, pedestrian-friendly promenades, bike-sharing stations, and connectivity to public transit, aligning with Miami Beach's broader sustainability and resilience goals while providing access to the city's nearby Lincoln Road district. Grand Hyatt Miami Beach has been years in the making, with plans for the hotel overwhelmingly approved by Miami Beach voters in 2018. The project is a key component of the city's efforts to transform its Convention Center District into a more dynamic, walkable and economically vibrant hub. To learn more about the Grand Hyatt brand, visit www.grandhyatt.com. About Terra: Terra is a Miami-based real estate development and investment company that creates communities, enhances neighborhoods, and connects people. Led by David Martin, Terra was founded in 2001 and is active across all major real estate asset classes, including multifamily apartments, luxury condominium and single-family residences, retail and office space, hotels, and industrial properties. Terra owns and operates a carefully curated portfolio of real estate developments valued at more than $8 billion that elevate quality of life; maximize the way in which people work, live and entertain; and innovate the urban and suburban landscape with an eye toward resiliency and sustainability. Since its launch, Terra has developed more than 5 million square feet of residential, commercial, and mixed-use projects across South Florida. Terra thrives by assembling teams comprised of the world's most accomplished architects, designers, planners, engineers and builders who collaborate to bring the firm's development vision to life. Learn more at www.terragroup.com. About Turnberry: Turnberry is a leading developer, owner and operator of luxury destinations, from hotels and restaurants to residential, retail and mixed-use projects. It has developed more than $10 billion in commercial and residential assets, including approximately 20 million square feet of retail space, more than 7,000 apartments and condominium units, 1.5 million square feet of class "A" office space and more than 3,000 hotel and resort rooms. Led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jackie Soffer, Turnberry owns and operates Aventura Mall, Town Center Aventura, Destin Commons, JW Marriott Nashville, and The Seagate in Delray Beach, Florida. The portfolio also includes an array of select service hotels including Residence Inn by Marriott Aventura Mall and Courtyard by Marriott Aventura. Turnberry is currently developing the 800-key Grand Hyatt Miami Beach connected to the Miami Beach Convention Center with Terra Group. It also recently announced it would develop the St. Regis Hotel and the St. Regis Residences in Nashville, Tennessee. In partnership with LeFrak, Turnberry is developing SoLe Mia in North Miami, an 184-acre project that includes plans for 5,000+ units and 1 million square feet of retail and commercial space. Currently at SoLe Mia, Turnberry is completing construction on ONE Park Tower, a 33-story tower with 292 bespoke residences. From more information visit: www.Turnberry.com. About Grand Hyatt: Around the world, Grand Hyatt hotels bring travel dreams to life by celebrating the iconic in small details and magnificent moments. Located at the crossroads of local culture and global business within major gateway cities and resort destinations, each Grand Hyatt hotel is uniquely designed to be a captivating destination within a destination. Grand Hyatt hotels deliver welcoming and elevated service, first-class accommodations and an abundance of options within a multicultural backdrop of dramatic architecture and bold and vibrant design. Grand Hyatt hotels boast inventive restaurants, luxury spas, fitness centers, and business and meeting facilities. For additional information or to make a reservation, please visit grandhyatt.com. Follow @GrandHyatt on Facebook and Instagram, and tag photos with #GrandHyatt. About TYKO: TYKO Capital ("TYKO") is a multi-billion-dollar Commercial Real Estate Private Equity and Private Credit Investment Management Platform, which is a joint venture between Adi Chugh & a Florida based hedge fund. TYKO was established in August 2023 to capitalize on the void in the CRE capital markets caused by the current macro-economic environment, focusing on institutional borrowers and institutional assets, in top tier markets. TYKO's focus and reach in the CRE space is unique, given the firm's proprietary deal sourcing capabilities and ability to commit large amounts of capital to institutional deals. TYKO invests across the entire capital stack (Senior Financings, Whole Loan Financings, Junior / Mezz, Pref Equity, LP Equity, GP Equity) and across all asset classes. Learn more at www.tykocapital.com. Rendering: Link. Media Contacts: For Terra Schwartz Media Strategies [email protected] 305-858-3935 For Turnberry Susan Ainsworth [email protected] 917-861-7949 SOURCE Turnberry Associates BRADY, Texas, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Members of the Texas Senate Education K-16 Committee, chaired by Brandon Creighton (Conroe), and the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Ken King (Canadian), unanimously voted for antisemitism bills after being informed that citizens would be judged based upon vague definitions in TX Government Code Sec. 448.001(2) which states "Antisemitism means a certain perception of Jews that may be expressed as hatred toward Jews." "Examples of antisemitism are included with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) 'Working Definition of Antisemitism' adopted on May 26, 2016" (IHRA). "These bills establish 'thought crimes' and create a protected class, violating equal protection under law designed to safeguard all citizens. They are discriminatory and must be repealed. Section 448.001 of the Texas Government Code should be expunged due to its vague definitions and its infringement on 1st Amendment rights. Today's restrictions impose administrative penalties on students; tomorrow, they could lead to civil or even criminal charges for alleged antisemitism that currently results in imprisonment in 13 EU countries," warns Sheila Hemphill, CEO of Texas Right to Know. "The authors of the bills were unaware that the law includes the 'Working Definitions of Antisemitism,' which is a list of 11 examples that are defined and controlled by a foreign entity. Thirty-seven states have adopted this same extraordinarily vague IHRA definition and list of examples that directly violate 1st Amendment protected speech. After speaking before the committee hearings, directly with many members, I personally contacted their offices who did not object to example 9 in the IHRA that would prosecute 'claims of Jews killing Jesus,' as antisemitism, despite the Jews intent to kill Jesus repeatedly referenced throughout the Bible. Disturbingly, they have no objections to vague and ambiguous terms like 'a certain perception' for adjudication or restricting protected, non-violent speech that expresses emotions. Two companion bills, SB 326 (Phil King/Weatherford) and HB 2391, (Giovanni Capriglione/Southlake) would determine if a violation of a public school and university students' code of conduct was motivated by antisemitism. Two other bills, SB 695 (Judith Zaffirini/Laredo) and HB 295 (Matt Shaheen/Prosper), propose to add the word "antisemitism" to the definition of bullying. These proposed additions are unnecessary since bullying and violations of code of conduct are clearly defined and punishable regardless of motivations, race, religion, or nationality. Questions Raised: How is "a certain perception" to be judged? Do these laws violate current Supreme Court rulings regarding free speech, such as: Moody v. NetChoice, LLC (2024 ), which held that a state may not interfere with private actors' speech to advance its own vision of ideological balance ? ), which held that ? National Rifle Association of America v. Vullo (2024), which prohibits government officials from selectively punishing or suppressing speech? Do laws that reference the IHRA definition and examples establish a protected class of citizens based on race, religion, and nationality, violating the 14th Amendment? "No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States ; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." There were more Jewish witnesses against these bills than there were Jewish witnesses testifying for the bills. If these bills were to establish a protected class for Christians, as a Christian, I would oppose them," concludes Hemphill. About Texas Right to Know: Texas Right to Know (TRTK) is an informational service regarding local and state issues. For more information, visit www.TexasRightToKnow.com. SOURCE Texas Right to Know ST. LOUIS, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Jones Financial Companies, L.L.L.P. announced today that it has submitted an application to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Utah Department of Financial Institutions (UDFI) to establish Edward Jones Bank, a Utah-chartered industrial bank. If approved, an FDIC-insured industrial bank will enable Edward Jones to serve more clients, more completely. With more than 9 million clients, Edward Jones' current banking offerings include margin loans, a securities-based line of credit, credit cards and a variety of cash management options. Edward Jones Bank would enhance these offerings by participating in the Edward Jones Insured Bank Deposit Program, issuing Certificates of Deposit (CDs), and expanding the availability of the existing securities-based line of credit. All of this is intended to complement the co-branded retail banking products we intend to launch later this year, as announced in August 2024. "Throughout our 103-year history, Edward Jones has provided a wide range of products, solutions and experiences to our clients," said David Chubak, Principal, Head of Branch Development and U.S. Business Unit. "Edward Jones Bank is an opportunity to simplify our clients' financial lives and reflects our firm's focus on meeting their evolving needs." "Our clients' financial needs are increasingly complex. An affiliated bank would allow us to better meet those needs in order to achieve clients' long-term financial goals" said Alison Carnie, Principal and Head of the Banking Business Unit. The proposed Edward Jones Bank would be insured by the FDIC and subject to federal- and state-regulatory oversight. Further, Edward Jones Bank would operate independently as a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of The Jones Financial Companies, L.L.L.P., with its main office in the Salt Lake City, Utah area. Andrea Moss, who has more than 28 years of financial services and banking experience, would serve as the president and CEO of Edward Jones Bank. The firm previously submitted an application to establish Edward Jones Bank in July 2020 and later withdrew that application in October 2022. About Edward Jones Edward Jones is a leading North American financial services firm in the U.S. and through its affiliate in Canada. The firm's more than 20,000 financial advisors throughout North America serve more than 9 million clients with a total of $2.2 trillion in client assets under care as of December 31, 2024. Edward Jones' purpose is to partner for positive impact to improve the lives of its clients and colleagues, and together, better our communities and society. Through the dedication of the firm's approximately 55,000 associates and our branch presence in 68% of U.S. counties and most Canadian provinces and territories, the firm is committed to helping more people achieve financially what is most important to them. The Edward Jones website is at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting website is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of U.S. securities laws. You can identify forward-looking statements by words that predict or indicate future events, such as "expect," "will" or "would" and other expressions which predict or indicate future events which do not relate to historical matters. You should not rely on forward-looking statements, because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the control of The Jones Financial Companies, L.L.L.P. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, whether the industrial bank application will be approved, what benefits an industrial bank charter might yield and the Risk Factors discussed in The Jones Financial Companies L.L.L.P.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024. These forward-looking statements were based on information, plans, and estimates as of the date of this press release, and The Jones Financial Companies, L.L.L.P. does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect changes in underlying assumptions or new information. SOURCE Edward Jones KIEV, Ukraine, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Federation of Employers of Ukraine has called on the leaders of Europe to accelerate Ukraine's integration with the EU in response to rising geopolitical tension. The organisation warns that campaigning from lobbyist and other interest groups have distorted the debate by framing Ukraine's agricultural sector as an existential threat to Europe's farmers. Speaking following the tenth meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council in Brussels Mykhailo Bno-Airiian, special trade representative of the Federation of Employers of Ukraine, appealed to Europe's leaders to call out the false and misleading picture painted by lobbyists. "We need a reset to change the established narrative that has framed the wider debate around bilateral economic relations between the EU and Ukraine to the topic of competition in agriculture. Such reductionism not only distorts the real picture but stands in the way of a deepening economic partnership that both sides will greatly benefit from. "Closer economic, security and cultural links with Ukraine is clearly the best option for Europe's decisionmakers in response to growing geopolitical tension between east and west. Deepening economic integration with Ukraine will not only support the rules-based order but also presents huge opportunities for the EU to improve its international competitiveness in an increasingly challenging market. In a world highly saturated with geopolitical tensions we must not forget our mutual goals. Right now, it's especially important for the EU to set its priorities straight and remember to remain united for our shared strategic economic & political interests. "The war has woven Ukraine even more deeply into the contours of the European common economic space and the EU has an institutional and moral interest in maintaining open and predictable access for Ukrainian products, which is the basis for further economic integration and jointly strengthening the single market. We cannot allow lobbying from interest groups, many of whom are sympathetic to President Putin, to continue to delay Ukraine's integration with the EU." Kampala Declaration calls for scaling up Forward Faster initiative across Africa KAMPALA, Uganda, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- To accelerate progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Africa, the United Nations Global Compact hosted the SDGs Activation Day earlier this week as part of its Forward Faster Now Africa initiative. The SDG Activation Day served as the private sector space within the 11th Africa Regional Forum on Sustainable Development (ARFSD-11) held 7-11 April. With the theme, "Moving Forward Faster Now on the SDGs with African Businesses", the SDG Activation Day brought together CEOs, corporate sustainability professionals, private sector leaders as well as representatives from Governments, policymakers, UN officials and other stakeholders from across Africa for high-level discussions. With only 17 per cent of SDG targets on track for 2030 , the UN Global Compact launched its Forward Faster initiative in 2023 to mobilize ambitious corporate action in high-impact areas: gender equality, living wage, water resilience, climate action and sustainable finance. Forward Faster calls on business leaders everywhere to drive companies to take measurable, credible and ambitious action in 5 areas that have the power to accelerate progress across all 17 SDGs where the private sector can collectively make the biggest, fastest impact by 2030. Opening discussions, Sanda Ojiambo, CEO and Executive Director of the UN Global Compact, emphasized the critical role of private businesses in achieving the 2030 Agenda: "To achieve the Africa that we all want, we know that we need forward thinkers bold private sector leaders committed to working together and alongside Governments and civil society. Our UN Global Compact Forward Faster initiative is designed to guide and support business leaders and companies in areas where the business community is best equipped to scale sustainable business and sustainable development. These companies tell us that joining Forward Faster has helped shape company strategy, increase visibility, and build public trust, as well as get ahead of new regulations." The convening highlighted the urgent need for businesses to take action, inspiring participants to raise their ambitions. Through dedicated sessions on gender equality, sustainable finance and living wage, attendees heard tangible examples from leading African companies, facilitating peer learning to share best practices. In each session, attendees explored innovative approaches to enhance private sector engagement in sustainability, especially actions that businesses can take now, without any need for additional resources. In his remarks, Antonio Pedro, Deputy Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA), urged business leaders to act decisively, noting that with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) unlocking the potential of a $3.4 trillion market, the opportunities to harness Africa's potential are immense if done inclusively and sustainably. "The private sector is no bystander; it is indispensable to job creation, innovation, and ultimately, prosperity for all Africans," Pedro said. "We must move beyond visions, declarations, and plans beyond even conferencesand translate these commitments into concrete action." The Kampala Declaration, the outcome document of the ARFSD-11, included a call for incentivizing private sector investments aligned with the SDGs and for scaling up the Forward Faster initiative in Africa to accelerate progress on the SDGs and the African Union's Agenda 2063. Key discussions on driving SDGs action On sustainable finance, SDG Activation Day participants discussed how innovative public-private-partnerships (PPPs) can serve as a way to collaboratively create transformative impact. Financial services executives also shared how capital can be mobilized towards the SDGs, sharing learnings on risk management, blended finance and financial inclusion. During the gender equality session, private sector leaders shared how they were able to move the needle within their organizations through recruitment, retention, procurement and male allyship. On living wages, participants called for cross-sector collaborationfrom policy and awareness to research and technical support to ensure fair pay that lifts workers out of poverty and fuels economic growth. Members of the Africa Business Leaders Coalition (ABLC) highlighted how collective action is a multiplier for impact. Leaders shared how the ABLC has already mobilized nearly 5 billion USD for climate action and centred the importance of promoting women's economic inclusion with the ABLC Gender Statement . The ARFSD is an annual inter-governmental and multi-stakeholder platform mandated to review progress in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Agenda 2063, while identifying and promoting interventions to accelerate implementation of the two Agendas, and generating Africa's regional inputs to the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) and other major national, regional, and global meetings. The African private sector has embraced the sustainable development agenda and the UN Global Compact now counts more than 1,100 participants in the region. To date, more than 115 companies in Africa have made 585 specific commitments to deliver meaningful progress by 2030. We all call on African businesses of all sizes to commit to one or more forward faster targets. For those who are not yet Global Compact participants, learn more about joining the world's largest corporate sustainability initiative HERE . About the UN Global Compact The ambition of the UN Global Compact is to accelerate and scale the global collective impact of business by upholding the Ten Principles and delivering the SDGs through accountable companies and ecosystems that enable change. With more than 20,000 participating companies, 5 Regional Hubs, 63 Country Networks covering 80 countries and 13 Country Managers establishing Networks in 18 other countries, the UN Global Compact is the world's largest corporate sustainability initiativeone Global Compact uniting business for a better world. SOURCE United Nations Global Compact Undergraduate and Graduate Students Compete for $45,000 in Prize Money NEW YORK, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The CRE Finance Council (CREFC), the trade association that exclusively represents the nearly $6 trillion commercial and multifamily real estate finance industry, hosted its 4th Annual Real Estate Debt Case Competition in New York City this week. The event attracted graduate and undergraduate students from 10 U.S. universities with top-rated real estate programs. Students with a focus on commercial real estate finance participated in this invitation-only competition and competed for a total of $45,000 in prize money. Winners of the 4th Annual Debt Case Competition are: 1 st place - UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School place - UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School 2 nd place - University of Wisconsin Madison School of Business place - of Business 3rd place - Cornell University "Now in its fourth year, the CREFC Real Estate Debt Case Study Competition brings together talented graduate and undergraduate students with a deep commitment to commercial real estate finance. We want to thank the student teams participating this year and the senior members of CREFC who served as the competition's judges. These senior industry professionals offered their valuable expertise in guiding our up-and-coming CRE finance professionals," said Lisa Pendergast, President and CEO, CREFC. "We also want to thank Ares Management LLC for their work in developing a debt case that served as the framework for our competition." The 10 U.S. universities with top-rated real estate programs invited to participate in this competition include: Columbia University Cornell University Florida State University NYU Schack Institute of Real Estate UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School University of Chicago Booth School of Business Booth School of Business University of Florida University of Wisconsin Madison School of Business of Business UT Austin McCombs School of Business of Business Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania Competitors presented their analyses of a CRE lending decision using a case study based on a real-world transaction. The teams were given one week to prepare their analyses and presentations. At the competition, each team presented to a panel of senior CRE executives who served as judges. Teams were appraised on their overall analysis, conclusion, and presentation skills. Winners from a preliminary round advanced to compete in the final round. The competition supports CREFC's educational objectives to provide meaningful programming and networking opportunities to students and young professionals. CREFC's Annual Real Estate Debt Case Competition also helps raise the profile of CRE finance among top universities and their students. For additional information on the Real Estate Debt Case Competition or the CREFC Young Professionals Network, please contact Danielle Nathan. About CREFC The CRE Finance Council (CREFC) is the trade association for the nearly $6 trillion commercial real estate finance industry with a membership that includes approximately 400 companies and 19,000 individuals. Member firms include balance sheet and securitized lenders, loan and bond investors, private equity firms, servicers, rating agencies, and borrowers. For more than 30 years, CREFC has promoted liquidity, transparency, and efficiency in the commercial real estate finance markets. We function as an important legislative and regulatory advocate for the industry, play a vital role in setting market standards and best practices, and provide education for market participants. SOURCE CRE Finance Council HOUSTON, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Demand for electricity is expected to soar in the coming decades, driven in part by the growing role of data centers and artificial intelligence. This increased demand raises questions about how to balance technological innovation with smart policy development and investment strategies. The 2025 North American Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Conference at the University of Houston Law Center will bring together experts to address this evolving political and environmental landscape. The half-day conference begins at 1 p.m. Thursday, April 17. "Rewiring the Future: How Technology, Policy and Investment are Empowering the New Electricity Era" will feature a fireside chat with Jeffrey Dennis, former director of grid transmission for the U.S. Department of Energy, and keynote speaker Richard L. Scheel, senior vice president, chief financial officer and chief risk officer for the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which operates the grid covering 90% of Texas. Two panel discussions will offer a deeper dive into the topic. The Business of Energy, moderated by Ryan Purpura of Blank Rome, with panelists Gaurav Sen of Aurora Research, Will Glover of Gowling WLG, and Jeffrey Slotterback of PhiCap Advisors. of Aurora Research, of Gowling WLG, and of PhiCap Advisors. A discussion with corporate general counsel and senior business executives, moderated by UH Law Dean Leonard Baynes. Panelists include Stephen Cox of Bristol Bay Industrial, Deonne Cunningham Nauls of Skylar Capital Management, Cody Johnson of SCS Technologies, Linda Primrose of Mitsui & Co. (USA) Inc., and Gregory Brown of Evolution Well Services. Conference attendees are eligible for four hours of Texas legal continuing education credit. The event is sponsored by UH, UHLC's Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Center and Blank Rome LLP. What: "Rewiring the Future: How Technology, Policy and Investment are Empowering the New Electricity Era," 9th Annual Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Conference Who: Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Center at the University of Houston Law Center Where: Foundation Room, UH Law Center, 4170 Martin Luther King Blvd. Conference is in person, with a recording to be posted afterward When: 1-5:30 p.m., Thursday, April 17. Reception to follow. For more information, visit: 9th Annual North American Environment, Energy and Natural Resources Conference - The Environment, Energy & Natural Resources Center - University of Houston Law Center Media contacts: Carrie Anna Criado, UH Law Center Assistant Dean of Communications and Marketing, 713-743-2184, [email protected]; Rashda Khan Director of Communications, 713-743-2184 [email protected] About the University of Houston Law Center The University of Houston Law Center (UHLC) is a dynamic, top-tier law school located in the nation's 4th largest city. UH Law's Health Law and Part-time programs rank in the U.S. News Top 10, along with seven other programs ranked in the top 50. It awards Doctor of Jurisprudence (J.D.) and Master of Laws (LL.M.) degrees, through its academic branch, the College of Law. The Law Center is more than just a law school. It is a powerful hub of intellectual activity with more than 12 centers and institutes that fuel its educational mission and national reputation. UHLC is fully accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. SOURCE University of Houston Law Center WASHINGTON, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Since 2016, Canada's excess lumber capacity has surged threefold to 8.7 billion board feet and is not sustainable. With non-U.S.A.-bound Canadian softwood lumber exports plunging, the Canadian industry is directing its excess lumber capacity and production to the U.S. market. The impact on U.S. lumber producers, workers, and forestry dependent communities has been devastating as Canada unloads this excess capacity into the U.S. market by engaging in egregious dumping and unfair trading practices. Canada's excess capacity has ballooned as sales volumes declined to each of its markets. New home prices have increased 19% since May 2021 while lumber prices have decreased 71%. See White Paper at https://uslumbercoalition.org/resource/white-paper-canadian-softwood-lumber-capacity-is-not-sustainable/ "British Columbia Premier Eby's claim that U.S. trade law enforcement is an attack on Canadian workers is entirely backwards," stated Zoltan van Heyningen, Executive Director of the U.S. Lumber Coalition. "Canadian violations of U.S. trade laws are an attack on U.S. workers, U.S. companies, and President Trump's goals to further increase U.S. lumber production." "Canadian softwood lumber producers dump their massive and ever-growing excess lumber production into the U.S. market on a daily basis while their provincial and federal governments make one new subsidy announcement after the other, and then complain about being subject to U.S. trade laws," said van Heyningen. "Canada and their U.S. allies, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and their affiliated organizations, are engaged in a massive misinformation campaign trying to scare the American public into accepting Canada's unfair trade practices," added van Heyningen. "Canada's fake concern for U.S. consumers in order to lobby for a pass on their unfair trade practices that suppress U.S. production of softwood lumber and kills U.S. jobs. It also flies in the face of Canada's stated own housing affordability problem where softwood lumber does not appear to be either a problem or solution to housing affordability issues." "Why are Canada and the NAHB pushing the theme that softwood lumber is at the center of housing affordability concerns in the United States while the Canadian Prime Minister's housing plan barely makes mention of lumber?" asked van Heyningen. https://liberal.ca/liberal-housing-plan-will-build-more-homes-using-canadian-lumber/ "Let's face it, Canada does not care about the U.S. consumer. They just want to export their massive excess capacity lumber to the United States. And NAHB is not in the affordable home building business. When it comes to softwood lumber, both just want to maintain Canada's market share in the United States using dumped and subsidized lumber imports at the expense of U.S. workers and their families," said van Heyningen. Even Canadian lumber companies agree with the U.S. Lumber Coalition that softwood lumber is not a driver of housing prices, hence not a problem for nor a solution to the housing affordability issue. See page 21 at https://www.westfraser.com/sites/default/files/presentations/pdfs/WFG%20-%20Q4%202024%20Investor%20Presentation%20-%20vFINAL2.pdf "Let's be clear, Canadian companies pay the duties imposed at the border on softwood lumber imports, not the U.S. consumer or U.S. taxpayer," stated van Heyningen. "All you have to do is go to the financial disclosures of any major Canadian lumber producer to see in detail how much they, not U.S. taxpayers, paid in antidumping and countervailing duties." For example: https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canfor-reports-results-for-the-fourth-quarter-of-2024-851741629.html "For Canada to express 'concern' about the consequences imposed on them because of their harmful and egregious unfair trade practices that have once again been documented by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and correctly have resulted in higher antidumping and anti-subsidy deposit rate duties is simply astounding," stated Andrew Miller, Chair/Owner of Stimson Lumber Company. "The United States applies its trade laws much the same way that Canada does, Canada complaining about being subject to U.S. trade laws when Canadian lumber companies engage in unfair trade practices, is disingenuous" added Miller. See extensive list of Canadian border measures at https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/sima-lmsi/mif-mev/menu-eng.html. "If Canada does not like being subject to antidumping and countervailing duties then all Canada and Canadian companies have to do is to stop engaging in harmful unfair trade practices. It's that simple," stated Miller. "Canada should stop dumping their softwood lumber into the U.S. market, stop rolling out new subsidies, and stop calling for even more subsidies to prop up their industry instead of complaining about being subject to the U.S. trade laws. This is not a game. Real U.S. jobs are on the line. The stability of our domestic softwood lumber supply chain is on the line. My workers' jobs are on the line. We will continue to fight to maintain these American jobs in the face of unfair trade and to grow our industry to its full potential," concluded Miller. About the U.S. Lumber Coalition The U.S. Lumber Coalition is an alliance of large and small softwood lumber producers from around the country, joined by their employees and woodland owners, working to address Canada's unfair lumber trade practices. Our goal is to serve as the voice of the American lumber community and effectively address Canada's unfair softwood lumber trade practices. The Coalition supports the full enforcement of the U.S. trade laws to allow the U.S. industry to invest and grow to its natural size without being impaired by unfairly traded imports. Continued full enforcement of the U.S. trade laws will strengthen domestic supply lines by maximizing long-term domestic production and lumber availability produced by U.S. workers to build U.S. homes. For more information, please visit the Coalition's website at www.uslumbercoalition.org. CONTACT: Zoltan van Heyningen [email protected] | 202-805-9133 SOURCE The U.S. Lumber Coalition Big Spring School Board tabled a decision to upgrade middle school furniture after a discussion during its meeting Monday evening. The administration recommended the purchase of 500 desks and chairs for the middle school for more than $209,000. Kevin Moore, an experience adviser with Corbett Inc., presented samples of the Intellect Wave Desk and Ruckus Mobile Chair during the boards Committee of the Whole meeting. He said the pieces could increase flexibility in the classroom, and studies show the designs have increased student participation and learning retention. Moore said students could sit in the chair four ways: facing forward, facing backward, facing sideways or perching on the back. The chairs could be ordered with standard wheels, pressure locking wheels or with felt gliders, though the felt gliders would need to be replaced each year, he said. The gliders and wheels require different frames; they are not interchangeable. According to a quote from Corbett Inc., the desks cost $178.88 each and the chairs cost $222.56 each, though that price could fluctuate depending on the wheel or glider design. Middle School Principal Clarissa Nace said the existing furniture consists of chairs connected to the desks, which could be uncomfortable for taller students. Board members estimated the current furniture is about 40 years old, and while many agreed an upgrade could be necessary, some questioned the price tag. Why are we going with this company whenever its so much more expensive, when I can get a plush office chair for less than just the chair of the set? board member Seth Cornman asked. He questioned whether the district reached out to other companies for price estimates. Nace said the district selected Corbett Inc. because of its reputation and chose to partner with them because other local districts have also used them. Superintendent Nicholas Guarente said because the estimate came through the states CoSTARS cooperative purchasing program, the district wasnt required to seek out multiple quotes. Nace believes the new furniture could allow for increased flexibility in smaller classrooms. I can see some of our teachers certain lessons, pushing those desks aside and truly teaching their lesson with those chairs right there in the center, she said. And I know our teachers will do that. Theyre amazing at their craft. So that just speaks to some of the why those pieces. Board member Lisa Shade said the cost for the new furniture was already built into this years budget. Its not like were looking to replace this again in several years, she said. We can only hope that it would last decades again. I mean, its due for an upgrade. I guess its just the cost. Considering theyve lasted 40 years, I dont think $200,000 is that much for 40 years of use. The discussion drew public comments both in support and in opposition of the new furniture. High School counselor and Big Spring parent Adam Oldham said the high school has incorporated flexible seating options in recent years to positive outcomes. He pointed to research in education that indicates sitting in a room in a static position, staring forward is not an effective way to learn. I recognize that it feels like, why are we spending money on a chair if we have a chair, Oldham said But its because weve learned that kids need more than just sitting in their room to be able to effectively learn. Resident Charlotte McDonald opposed the expenditure, criticizing the districts wasteful spending on prideful luxuries. We do not need $200 chairs, she said. I am a taxpayer. I can barely make these taxes every year, and I am telling you right now, no. Absolutely not. This is frivolous. It is ridiculous. Board member Michael Hippensteel moved to table the issue so the district can consider additional options at a future meeting. Lawsuit A lawsuit two residents filed against the district in 2022 has been settled. The board ratified the settlement of the Lawrence Flynn et al., v. Big Spring School District et al., suit filed with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. The district agreed to pay $81,000 to Flynn, Arlene Reinford and their legal counsel, an amount that will be covered through the districts insurance, according to Mondays agenda. No district funds will be used to pay the settlement, according to the district. Court records show that Reinford placed a sticker in one of the schools bathrooms during a January 2022 board meeting, and Flynn held up a sign during a February 2022 board meeting despite the boards efforts to enforce policy 903, which then prohibited signs in meetings. Flynn and Reinford sued the district after both received no trespass letters that barred them from attending board meetings in person, according to court documents. They claimed the districts policy and decision to ban them from public meetings violated their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and petition. Flynn and Reinford filed a second lawsuit in 2022 against the district at the county level regarding the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act, however court records have shown no update on that case since 2023. Over resignation Board members Monday also accepted the resignation of Sharpe Over, effective March 18. Over stepped down from the board to fill a vacancy on the Newville Borough Council last month. The board authorized the administration to advertise the boards vacancy. Board President John Wardle said the district is accepting applicants for the position and he expects the board could interview candidates and fill the vacancy later this month or next month. The appointment will run through the boards December reorganization meeting. DIG Committee The Disenrollment Investigation and Grievance Committees new student survey will go out to the parents of students who were new to the district during the 2024-25 school year. The board approved the survey to be sent before the end of the school year. According to Mondays agenda, the survey is the same one new students received last year. The committee is also updating its disenrollment survey and considering a survey for students post graduation, as well as a survey for district teachers and staff. A special meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Monday in the middle school commons. TULIA, Texas, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vesper Energy hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony on April 10, 2025, to celebrate the commercial operation of its flagship energy project, Hornet Solar , which is now fully operational. The event marks a major milestone not only for Vesper Energy, but also for Texas as a national leader in solar energy production. Hornet Solar includes over 1.36 million modules and spans more than six square miles in Swisher County, Texas, making it one of the largest solar installations in the country. The project will contribute more than $100 million in new tax revenue to Swisher County and deliver 600 MWac of energy. "Hornet Solar is a testament to how large-scale energy projects can deliver reliable, domestic power to American homes and businesses," said Juan Suarez, Co-Chief Executive Officer at Vesper Energy. "This project isn't just about solar panelsit's about making energy more affordable while strengthening our nation's energy security. With Hornet Solar fully operational, we're helping power a community with domestically generated electricity, ensuring businesses & communities have the energy they need to grow and thrive." The event marked this milestone toward energy independence with guided tours of the project, speeches by Vesper executives, and networking. Attendees included: Michael Clawson , Swisher County Judge , Swisher County Judge Elsa Carrasco , Swisher County Justice of the Peace , Justice of the Peace Mike Sims, Swisher County Commissioner (Precinct 2) Commissioner (Precinct 2) Mark Stover , Executive Director of Texas Solar and Storage Association , Executive Director of Texas Solar and Storage Association Representatives from buyers of power products (offtakers) Vesper employees Landowners Community members Vesper Energy began construction on Hornet Solar in the Fall of 2023 and announced that it secured $590 million in financing to further advance the project in January 2024. Since its inception, Hornet Solar has achieved several major milestones, including the installation of its one-millionth solar panel in December 2024 and the installation of its final module in January 2025. "The scale of Hornet Solar speaks for itself1.36 million panels, over six square miles, and 600 MW of capacity. But the real impact is what this project delivers to Swisher County: more than $100 million in new tax revenue and meaningful investments in schools, infrastructure, and healthcare," said Zach Wald, Vice President, EPC. Hornet Solar is generating significant economic benefits for Swisher County and the surrounding region. The project created over 300 jobs during construction and will contribute new tax revenue to essential public services, including $61 million for the Tulia Independent School District, $25 million for the County, and $12 million for the Swisher Memorial Hospital District. ABOUT VESPER ENERGY: Vesper Energy provides innovative solutions to today's complex energy challenges. Headquartered in Irving, Texas, Vesper Energy is comprised of professionals who have collectively delivered more than 10 GW of energy projects globally. Today, Vesper Energy's development pipeline includes over 55 solar and energy storage assets with a generating capacity of 17 GWenough to power more than 2 million homes. Working with their customers, communities, and business partners, Vesper Energy develops, owns, and operates energy projects across the United States with the goal of building better energy infrastructure. www.vesperenergy.com/about CONTACTS: Eliza Rosenthale, [email protected], 609-558-3330 Aimee Brooks, [email protected], 917-881-3849 SOURCE Vesper Energy DENVER, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Vitruvi Software, the premier SaaS solution for managing complex linear construction projects, hosted an exclusive industry event yesterday, bringing together leaders who are building and managing large-scale linear infrastructure projects. The event highlighted how Vitruvi's AI-driven solutions are revolutionizing the construction management market, empowering asset owners and construction partners to build further, faster, and smarter. During the event, Vitruvi customers and construction leaders shared their experiences, demonstrating how the platform's advanced features streamline project management, enhance visibility, and drive productivity. Among the presenters was Etheridge Pipeline & Conduit, a pioneering user of Vitruvi, who discussed how the software has enabled their teams to deliver projects more efficiently. The company also expressed excitement over the new AI functionality, emphasizing its potential to redefine how construction projects are planned, managed, and executed. "We've always been focused on providing tools that help our customers overcome challenges and succeed," said Dave Walters, CEO of Vitruvi Software. "These new AI capabilities mark a major milestone in our commitment to driving digital transformation in the construction industry." Etheridge Pipeline's Zach Page, COO, added, At EPC, our focus is on delivering unmatched value to our customers, a goal we achieve by leveraging Vitruvi Software. Its innovative tools, including advanced AI functionality, empower us to overcome constraints and tailor solutions that drive smarter decision-making and superior outcomes for our clients." The newly unveiled AI features leverage machine learning and predictive analytics to automate planning, optimize resource allocation, and provide real-time insights into project performance. These capabilities empower construction teams to make data-driven decisions, reduce risks, and increase project success rates. The event underscored Vitruvi's ongoing commitment to customer success and industry innovation. The company remains focused on delivering technology that accelerates project timelines, reduces costs, and drives operational excellence. For more information about Vitruvi Software and its AI-powered solutions, visit vitruvisoftware.com. About Vitruvi: Vitruvi is a construction management platform that supports all types of linear asset construction projects. Through data-driven insights, Vitruvi provides improved project visibility, seamless integration, and enhanced collaboration. Ultimately, Vitruvi supports growth by turning complex processes into manageable tasks. Media Contact: Camille Thompson VP, Marketing Vitruvi Software [email protected] SOURCE Vitruvi Software After an intense week of rigorous judging, the Ningxia Helan Mountain Renyiyuan Winery scooped the most awards this year, with Renyiyuan Tao Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 winning the highly coveted "Best Wine of China" award and also garnering "Best Red Wine", "Best of Ningxia" and "Best Cabernet Sauvignon". Kai Kang, the winemaker from Ningxia Helan Mountain Renyiyuan Winery also became the first individual to receive the "Best Young Winemaker" award, which was just introduced this year. A variety of high-quality wines from China also received numerous awards including Helan Mountain Special Reserve Chardonnay 2021, which received two awards for "Best White Wine" and "Best Chardonnay". Domaine Franco-Chinois Reserve Marselan 2012 earned "Best of North China" and "Best Marselan", while Tiansai Sparkling Wine 2017 received "Best of Xinjiang" and "Best Sparkling Wine" honors. Distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony to officially launch this year's awards included: Representative of the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government, Director of Macao Government Tourism Office, Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes; Acting President of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, Mr. Cheang Kai Meng; Acting President the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute for the Macao SAR Government, Ms. Elaine Wong; Director of the Department of Economic Affairs, The Liaison Office of the Central People's Government in the Macao Special Administrative Region, Mr. Guo Xiaohui; President, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, Limited, Ms. Linda Chen; Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, Limited, Mr. Frederic Luvisutto; Chairman of the Competition for the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards, Mr. Eddie McDougall; Vice Chair of the Competition, Ms. Fongyee Walker MW and Panel Chair of the Competition, Mr. Xing Wei MW. Representative of the Secretary for Economy and Finance of the Macao SAR Government, Director of Macao Government Tourism Office, Ms. Maria Helena de Senna Fernandes said in her speech: "The '2025 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards' exemplifies Macao's commitment to promoting diverse "tourism +" and fostering integrated development across tourism and the related sectors. By synergizing major events with industry collaboration, this initiative highlights Macao's role as a bridge connecting the international community. The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) encourages the industry to keep organizing high-quality, world-class events, continuously deepening "tourism + gastronomy", "tourism + MICE" and beyond. We look forward to joining hands with all sectors to strengthen Macao's brands as a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy and a world center of tourism and leisure, brighten the city's golden calling card as an international metropolis. Through diverse tourism offerings, we aim to attract a broader spectrum of visitor markets, bringing sustainable benefits to Macao." President, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of Wynn Macau, Limited, Ms. Linda Chen said: "This year, we are extremely honored that the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards have been officially included in the program of the "Culture City of East Asia 2025 Macao, China" by the Macao SAR Government. This honor will further strengthen Macao's strategic positioning as 'a platform for international exchange where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist', giving visitors an opportunity to appreciate China's rich and profound cultural heritage. With our strong global industry network, we will continue our visionary approach toward advancing the culinary industry with innovative ideas in future. Macao serves as the perfect international platform to showcase wines, and we also look forward to continuing to host world-class wine events, masterclasses and other major events to promote Chinese wines on the global stage. We are also excited to share captivating Chinese cultural stories with the world and showcase the excellence of Chinese brands." Wynn Signature's Best Chinese Wines of the Year List The elevated judging panel for the 2025 wine competition featured 27 of the world's leading authorities on wine, including 10 Masters of Wine (MW), 3 Master Sommeliers (MS), and 1 industry expert with dual MW and MS certifications. In keeping with international judging protocols, the wine tastings for nearly 900 varieties of wine from close to 200 of China's top wineries were conducted blind, and wines were appraised according to the internationally recognized 100-point system to award bronze medals (85-89 points), silver medals (90-94 points) and gold medals (95-100 points). After rigorous evaluation, the "Wynn Signature Best Wine of China Trophy" as well as the trophies for wines across three divisions: "Wynn Signature Trophies", "Varietals Champion Trophies" and "Regional Champion Trophies" were selected from the Gold Medal List. Wynn also introduced two new award categories this year: "Wynn Sommelier's Choice" and "Best Young Winemaker". Each one of these accolades applauds the new benchmarks set by the industry and shines a light on the ingenuity of Chinese winemakers as well as the remarkable breakthroughs that the Chinese wine industry has achieved around the world. The Official 2025 Trophy Award Winners List: Awards Wines Regions Best Wine of China Renyiyuan Tao Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Ningxia Best Red Wine Renyiyuan Tao Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Ningxia Best White Wine Helan Mountain Special Reserve Chardonnay 2021 Ningxia Best Rose Wine Longting Spring Rose 2023 Shandong Best Sweet Wine Sacred Snow Mountain Winery Hualuoxiangyun Icewine 2023 Yunnan Best Sparkling Wine Tiansai Sparkling Wine 2017 Xinjiang Best Value Wine Chateau Zhongfei Marselan 2022 Xinjiang Best Young Winemaker Kai Kang (Ningxia Helan Mountain Renyiyuan Winery) / Best of Ningxia Renyiyuan Tao Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Ningxia Best of North China Domaine Franco-Chinois Reserve Marselan 2012 Hebei Best of Northeast China United Winery Marvelous Vidal Icewine 2023 Liaoning Best of Shaanxi, Gansu & Shanxi Amber Winery Memorable Jin Prestige Cuvee Cabernet Sauvignon2022 Shanxi Best of Shandong Longting Spring Rose 2023 Shandong Best of Southwest High Mountain Sacred Snow Mountain Winery Hualuoxiangyun Icewine 2023 Yunnan Best of Xinjiang Tiansai Sparkling Wine 2017 Xinjiang Best Chardonnay Helan Mountain Special Reserve Chardonnay 2021 Ningxia Best Viognier Chateau Mihope Viognier 2022 Ningxia Best Other Dry White Chateau Hesoute White Muscat 2022 Xinjiang Best Cabernet Sauvignon Renyiyuan Tao Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Ningxia Best Cabernet Gernischt Xige Estate Jade Dove Single Vineyard Cabernet Gernischt 2021 Ningxia Best Marselan Domaine Franco-Chinois Reserve Marselan 2012 Hebei Best Syrah/Shiraz Chateau Hedong Syrah 2023 Ningxia Best Red Blends Yuanshi Vineyard Ruyi Marselan 2020 Ningxia Drunken Fish Sommelier's Choice Xiaoling White 2022 Yunnan Wing Lei Sommelier's Choice Lansai Yingchuan Red Pinot Noir 2022 Ningxia Chef Tam's Seasons Sommelier's Choice Zaxee Oak Reserve Chardonnay 2023 Yunnan Lakeview Palace Sommelier's Choice Domaine Franco-Chinois Reserve 2019 Hebei SW Steakhouse Sommelier's Choice Renyiyuan Tao Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 Ningxia Mizumi Sommelier's Choice Fei Tswei Petit Manseng Sweet White Wine 2021 Ningxia Following the awards ceremony, Wynn hosted four major events, giving industry players an opportunity to exchange ideas and explore the local terroirs of China's rich wine landscape. Xing Wei MW invited industry veterans and representatives of wineries from China's seven core wine production regions to reflect on the development of Chinese wine over the past five decades during the "50 Years of Challenges: The Renaissance of Chinese Wine Forum". Julien Boulard MW also hosted the "Marselan: A Signature Grape of Chinese Wine" Masterclass to introduce the beauty of Marselan, a unique Chinese grape varietal in a simplistic way. In the evening, the Michelin two-starred Chef Tam's Seasons at Wynn Palace and the Michelin two-starred Wing Lei at Wynn Macau hosted two award-winning wine dinners. At Wynn Palace, Chef Tam's Seasons hosted the "Cantonese Master Chef Tam Kwok Fung A Cantonese Feast of Six Chinese Regions' Wine & Ingredients", while at Wing Lei hosted the "Executive Chef Chan Tak Kwong Award-winning Chinese Wines Paired with Traditional Cantonese Cuisine", where award-winning Chinese wines were thoughtfully paired with each chef's carefully crafted dishes. Promoting the a ward-winning Chinese wines globally The goal of the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards is to provide a strategic platform for the long-term promotion of high-quality Chinese wines and empower the Chinese wine industry to expand internationally. Therefore, Wynn has already launched a global promotion plan for the award-winning wines which is set to commence immediately following the awards event. First, Wynn received the support of the Macao SAR Government to participate in the programme of the "Culture City of East Asia 2025 Macao, China" with the 2025 Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards, further cementing Macao's role as "a base for exchange and cooperation where Chinese culture is the mainstream and diverse cultures coexist", leveraging Macao's unique advantages as a city featuring the integration of Chinese and Western cultures, and showcasing the charm of Chinese culture to the world. Also, all the award-winning Chinese wines from the competition will be featured on the daily wine lists at the leading restaurants and bars at Wynn Chef Tam's Seasons, Lakeview Palace, SW Steakhouse, Mizumi, Wing Lei Bar, and Palace Reserve Club at Wynn Palace, as well as Wing Lei, Drunken Fish, Cinnebar, and Bar Cristal at Wynn Macau. The much-anticipated "Gourmet Pavilion" which opens on April 29 at Wynn Palace, will also offer the award-winning wines from China. In future, Wynn will also host a wine tasting event for the award-winning Chinese wines at 67 Pall Mall, a private members' wine club in Singapore. Members of 67 Pall Mall and wine professionals will be invited to the exclusive event, where they will have an opportunity to taste the top Chinese wines recognized at this year's Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards. The award-winning wines will also be offered at future wine tasting events, themed banquets, food and wine pairing events and more annual gastronomy events held at Wynn throughout the year. Additionally, the wines may be showcased at major international wine exhibitions for greater global exposure. To learn more about the winners of the Wynn Signature Chinese Wine Awards and future promotions, please visit the official website: https://www.wynnresortsmacau.com/en/wynn-palace/whats-on/wynn-signature-chinese-wine-awards SOURCE Wynn Resorts (Macau) WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED SHANGHAI, April 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Yum China Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: YUMC and HKEX: 9987, "Yum China" or the "Company") today announced that it will report its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025 before the U.S. market opens on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 (after the trading hours of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Wednesday, April 30, 2025). Yum China's management will hold an earnings conference call at 7:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 (7:00 p.m. Beijing/Hong Kong Time on Wednesday, April 30, 2025). A live webcast of the call may be accessed at https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/jnrqo5nh. To join by phone, please register in advance of the conference through the link provided below. Upon registering, you will be provided with participant dial-in numbers and a unique access PIN. Pre-registration Link: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BId802dc952e3f40ed86f25771a575618c A replay of the webcast will be available two hours after the event and will remain accessible until April 29, 2026. Additionally, earnings release accompanying slides will be available at the Company's Investor Relations website http://ir.yumchina.com. About Yum China Holdings, Inc. Yum China is the largest restaurant company in China with a mission to make every life taste beautiful. The Company operates over 16,000 restaurants under six brands across around 2,200 cities in China. KFC and Pizza Hut are the leading brands in the quick-service and casual dining restaurant spaces in China, respectively. In addition, Yum China has also partnered with Lavazza to develop the Lavazza coffee concept in China. Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang specialize in Chinese cuisine. Taco Bell offers innovative Mexican-inspired food. Yum China has a world-class, digitalized supply chain which includes an extensive network of logistics centers nationwide and an in-house supply chain management system. Its strong digital capabilities and loyalty program enable the Company to reach customers faster and serve them better. Yum China is a Fortune 500 company with the vision to be the world's most innovative pioneer in the restaurant industry. For more information, please visit http://ir.yumchina.com. Investor Relations Contact Tel: +86 21 2407 7556 E-mail: [email protected] Media Contact Tel: +86 21 2407 8288 / +852 2267 5807 E-mail: [email protected] SOURCE Yum China Holdings, Inc. Seven months after calling the 128 physicians and faculty members who penned a letter of no confidence in University of Virginia Health System leadership a handful of dissatisfied employees, UVa President Jim Ryan has apologized. Whats changed in the seven months since Ryan dismissed the concerns of his own employees: UVa paid a prestigious law firm $4 million to investigate the allegations against UVa Health CEO Dr. Craig Kent; that law firm presented whats been described as a damning report to the universitys governing Board of Visitors; and Kent promptly resigned. Whats not changed: Ryan and other university officials see no reason for corrective action, despite the law firms report being described as damning by at least one person who read it. Last year, Ryans first public response to the Sept. 5 letter of no confidence was one of dismissal and disappointment. The letter claimed UVa Health officials, including Kent and UVa Medical School Dean Dr. Melina Kibbe, were encouraging physicians to criminally overbill patients and creating a culture of fear and retaliation in order to silence dissent. Kent and Kibbe, their employees said, put profit and pride over patients. The letter itself is daunting. There are many accusations. There are few details, Ryan wrote in a letter of his own to the 1,400 faculty members of the School of Medicine dated Sept. 9. It is unfortunate, in my view, that these faculty have taken this route. ... Instead, through some of their allegations, they have unfairly and I trust unwittingly cast a shadow over the great work of the entire health system and medical school. In a more recent letter dated March 1, Ryan wrote that his initial response has been weighing on me for months. While reiterating that he disagreed with the approach taken by the physicians and faculty members, Ryan acknowledged that the Sept. 5 letter was nonetheless intemperate and disrespectful. Additionally, he acknowledged that his previous statements failed to sufficiently commend the health systems physicians for the work and care they offer to the 500-plus patients who seek medical treatment at UVa Medical Center in Charlottesville on a daily basis. I also did not fully appreciate at the time the sum of the efforts made prior to the letter to redress outstanding concerns and therefore the level of frustration that prompted the letter, wrote Ryan. In late September, UVa hired the Washington, D.C.-based Williams & Connolly, one of the worlds premier litigation firms, to investigate the allegations against Kent and Kibbe and share its findings with the Board of Visitors and no one else. That presentation took place at a special board meeting on Feb. 25. Kent resigned later that same day. For months, UVa officials declined to provide any insight into the report or presentation. Until Wednesday, when a recently fired member of the Board of Visitors sat down with the host of a local Charlottesville podcast. Gov. Glenn Youngkin removed Bert Ellis from UVas Board of Visitors on March 26, citing his disregard for the Code of Conduct for our Boards and Commissions. Ellis, who says Youngkin appointed him in 2022 to shake up UVa, told I Love CVille host Jerry Miller on Wednesday that the governor told him personally he was too caustic to remain on the board. Turning their conversation to UVa Health, Ellis said the board was left with very little choice back in February. The investigative report was very damning, Ellis said. We needed his resignation or we needed to fire him, one or the other. He saw the writing on the wall and realized he didnt have the support of the board, and he resigned. Resignation, Ellis pointed out, allowed Kent to maintain his severance package. Kent was UVas highest-paid employee, with an annual salary of $1.6 million, and his contract with the university was extended in 2023 through 2030. Ellis did not go into specifics, but he did confirm that UVa Health has been upcharging patients though he disputed if that constituted fraud. Many different medical operations upcharge, Ellis said. We just say any upcharge is a fraudulent upcharge? No, theres a gray area. They were upcharging, and thats one of the ways if youre running a hospital or medical facility that you do your best to take advantage of the Medicare payment methodologies to get maximum payment. I cant say that I saw anything that looked fraudulent to me, but youd have to look at every charge to do that, Ellis continued. But there were a number of other things that, added together, created a track record that necessitated change. The leadership of the health system was going on the wrong direction, and they were running completely afoul of their doctors. Ellis agreed with Ryans determination that there is no basis for corrective action regarding healthcare billing or other regulatory compliance issues. However, Ellis and Ryan disagree when it comes to why Kent departed. Ellis made it clear Wednesday that the board was going fire Kent if he did not resign. But in his recent apology letter, Ryan attributed the CEOs resignation to concerns about leadership and trust that Dr. Kent recognized would make it difficult to remain in his position, which is why Dr. Kent stepped down. While Ryan has repeatedly said he was unaware of any claims of unethical or criminal wrongdoing within the health system or medical school, the physicians and faculty members who penned the letter of confidence maintain they had been sounding the alarm since Kent arrived in Charlottesville in 2020. On multiple occasions, they sent messages to and met with university administrators to discuss Kent and Kibbes leadership. For four years, serious and pervasive concerns were raised multiple times by multiple physicians in the quiet of the administrative process with zero public discourse. After four years of dismissive responses and even retaliation, concerns were escalated to the Board of Visitors, who retained a law firm to investigate the allegations. Thats according to a Monday letter sent to The Daily Progress and signed by 21 health system and medical school staff. The Daily Progress followed up with a handful of those signatories regarding. None responded in time for publication. UVa administrators, physicians and faculty have said they want to repair trust within the health system that is fractured now, as Ryan put it in his recent letter. They agree the states leading academic health system needs to move forward, not just for its thousands of employees, but also its tens of thousands of patients. The parties, however, disagree on how to move forward. Ryan said he and Dr. Mitch Rosner, who is temporarily filling Kents position as executive vice president of health affairs, will soon begin to meet with faculty to hear your ideas about how we can best navigate the road ahead. A national search will also be conducted to find a new health system CEO. But the signatories of the original letter of no confidence have told UVa administrators that even though Kent is now gone, ongoing safety issues remain in his absence and must be addressed. Furthermore, they continue to call on UVa to release the Williams & Connolly report. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here Sanaa, April 11 : The death toll from US airstrikes on the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah has risen to 14, with 15 others wounded, Houthi-controlled health authorities reported. The majority of the victims were women and children, they said on Thursday, adding that the death toll increased after the badly injured died in the hospital, Xinhua news agency reported. The tragedy occurred when US military warplanes struck homes in the Amin Muqbil residential neighbourhood, according to health authorities and local residents, who also shared video footage on social media following the airstrikes. These strikes on Hodeidah were part of a broader series of 50 US airstrikes across northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the provinces of Amran, Dhamar, and Ibb, as reported by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. Local residents said the strikes specifically targeted telephone network facilities in Amran and Ibb. It marks the latest round of US airstrikes since March 15, when the US resumed attacks aimed at deterring the Houthi group from targeting Israel following the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire deal. Earlier 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. Ankara, April 11 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Turkey will continue working with Indonesia on rebuilding Gaza and defending the Palestinian cause, according to a statement released by the Turkish Presidency. "We appreciate Indonesia's stance on the Palestinian issue. In the forthcoming period, we will continue working with Indonesia to rebuild Gaza and advocate for the Palestinian cause," Erdogan said on Thursday during a joint press conference with his visiting Indonesian counterpart Prabowo Subianto, following a meeting between the two leaders. Regarding bilateral ties, Erdogan said the two sides "agreed to launch new initiatives concerning our cooperation in areas extending from defense industry and construction to healthcare, energy, and food industry." He said both sides also discussed the potential steps to boost bilateral trade to their shared target of 10 billion US dollars "in a balanced manner, based on mutual benefit," adding that they have signed several documents on culture, disaster and emergency management, and communication, Xinhua news agency reported. "We remain in cooperation with Indonesia in all international platforms," Erdogan said. Apart from the bilateral meeting, Subianto also addressed the Turkish parliament earlier in the day, according to a press release by Indonesia's Cabinet Secretariat. In his speech, Subianto elaborated on the "long history of solidarity" between Turkey and Indonesia, and voiced Indonesia's willingness to work with Turkey to defend the Palestinian people against the Israeli attacks, and address the human rights violations in Gaza, the press release showed. According to a report by Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency, Prabowo will attend the upcoming Antalya Diplomacy Forum scheduled from Friday to Sunday in the Turkish city of Antalya. Brussels, April 11 : The European Union (EU) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to kick off free trade negotiations, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. "This marks a positive step forward in EU-UAE relations and, alongside the negotiation of broader Strategic Partnership Agreements, can serve as a catalyst for stronger ties between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," the Commission said in a statement on Thursday. European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic is expected to travel to the UAE soon to advance the discussions, Xinhua news agency reported. The negotiations will aim to liberalise trade in goods, services, and investment, while expanding cooperation in strategic areas such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, and critical raw materials, the Commission said. Although US President Donald Trump abruptly announced a 90-day pause on the sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs he unveiled last week, which include a 20 per cent levy on the EU imports, EU is scrambling to diversify trading partners. Von der Leyen expressed confidence about the progress, saying both sides were committed to moving "swiftly and ambitiously." The EU is the UAE's second-largest trade partner, accounting for $67.6 billion in non-oil trade in 2024. It represents 8.3 per cent of the UAE's total non-oil foreign trade, according to UAE official data. New Delhi, April 11 : A special NIA court on Friday remanded Tahawwur Hussain Rana, the key conspirator in the deadly 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, to 18-day custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). The development follows Rana's extradition from the United States, marking a significant step in India's long-standing efforts to bring him to justice. Rana, 64, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin who had been residing in Chicago, was flown to New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport on a special flight from Los Angeles. The aircraft was escorted by officials from the NIA and the National Security Guard (NSG), and included senior officers involved in the case. Upon his arrival in the capital, Rana was formally arrested by the NIA team after completion of all legal formalities. The NIA, in a statement, confirmed that Rana's extradition was the result of "years of sustained and concerted efforts" by Indian authorities. He had been in US judicial custody following the initiation of extradition proceedings under the India-US Extradition Treaty. The process involved multiple legal battles in American courts, including an emergency appeal to the US Supreme Court, all of which were ultimately rejected. The agency acknowledged the "active assistance" of several American institutions, including the US Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs, the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, the US Marshals Service, the FBI's Legal Attache in New Delhi, and the US State Department's legal office. The Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Home Affairs also played critical roles in pursuing Rana's surrender warrant and coordinating efforts with their US counterparts. Indian intelligence agencies worked closely with the NIA throughout the extradition process. Rana's extradition and arrest are being viewed as a significant development in India's ongoing mission to hold accountable all those involved in the planning and execution of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, which claimed 166 lives and left hundreds injured. The NIA is expected to interrogate Rana to gather more insights into the conspiracy and uncover links to other individuals involved in the attack. Istanbul, April 11 : The Russian consulate in Istanbul said that progress has been made on ensuring banking and financial services for Russian and US diplomatic missions during the second round of bilateral talks in Istanbul. Delegations from the two countries "exchanged diplomatic notes to formalise agreed commitments. These commitments are designed to facilitate unimpeded banking and financial services for Russian and American diplomatic missions, in addition to ensuring the fulfillment of the Russian Federation's contributions to the budgets of the UN and other international organisations," the consulate said in a press release. The two sides "agreed to develop a roadmap" regarding the return of six diplomatic real estate properties confiscated by US authorities and lawfully owned by Russia, the consulate said. They also discussed "easing visa processing and travel regulations for diplomatic staff within the host countries," it said, adding that the Russian side urged promoting the resumption of direct air flights between the two countries. The timing of the next round of talks is "currently under coordination," it said. Earlier in the day, the two sides finished their second round of talks on restoring diplomatic missions. The US delegation left the Russian consulate in Istanbul in the afternoon, following approximately five hours of meetings with the Russian side, Xinhua news agency reported. The primary focus of the discussions is to address issues affecting the functioning of the two countries' embassies and consulates. The US State Department has emphasised that the talks are limited strictly to diplomatic operations. "Ukraine is not, absolutely not on the agenda," US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Tuesday. "These talks are solely focused on our embassy operations, not on normalising 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 February 27. In recent years, Washington and Moscow have expelled numerous diplomats from each other's countries, significantly hindering the ability of their diplomatic missions to function effectively. London, April 11 : British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and both agreed that a trade war does not benefit anyone. This meeting happened as the United States kept a 10 per cent tariff on most countries, as well as a 25 per cent import tariff on steel and aluminium, and car parts, Xinhua news agency reported. Washington's controversial new set of tariffs has stirred tensions in recent weeks, hitting global markets hard, sparking backlash from other countries and drawing widespread criticism from economists and investors. According to a Financial Times report, Starmer acknowledged earlier that it is unlikely the United States will remove the new 10 per cent tariff on all British imports, and the prime minister is trying to persuade the US president to lift the 25 per cent tariff on British cars. British economists have warned that mounting uncertainty, weaker exports, and rising costs are likely to weigh on growth and employment across the country's key sectors. Also on Thursday, Japan announced plans to send Economic Revitalisation Minister Ryosei Akazawa to the United States for tariff negotiations as early as next week. President Trump on Thursday said trading partner countries that are not able reach an agreement with the US by July 9, when the 90-day pause ends, goods coming to the US from there will be tariffed at the reciprocal rate announced originally. New Delhi, April 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the rollout of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY) in Delhi as a "revolutionary step" for the national capital's healthcare sector, enabled by the "double-engine" BJP government. As the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), of which PM-JAY is a component, was officially launched in the national capital on Thursday, 19 residents, including 11 women and 8 men, became the first beneficiaries to receive Ayushman Bharat cards under the scheme. PM Modi praised the implementation and expressed happiness that the people of Delhi will now benefit from the health scheme. Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, "A revolutionary step related to Delhi's health sector! This mission of the double-engine government is going to be extremely beneficial for lakhs of my brothers and sisters here. I am very happy that Delhiites will now also be able to get their treatment under the Ayushman Yojana." The PM-JAY rollout in Delhi comes just days after a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed on April 5, enabling the implementation of the Modi government's flagship health scheme in the national capital. With this, Delhi has become the 35th state or Union territory to adopt the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The AB-PMJAY is a key component of the broader PM-ABHIM framework, which aims to boost public health infrastructure and improve access to quality healthcare across the country. Launched in 2018, PM-JAY provides an annual health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family for secondary and tertiary hospital care, targeting economically vulnerable populations. The scheme is the world's largest government-funded healthcare programme. The inclusion of Delhi in PM-JAY marks a significant milestone in expanding healthcare access to low-income families in the capital and reducing their financial burden for critical medical treatments. New Delhi, April 11 : After successfully extraditing Tahawwur Hussain Rana from the US, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will start questioning the 26/11 plotter on Friday. The anti-terror agency took custody of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind on Thursday evening, on the orders of the Special Court in New Delhi. Sources said that Rana's questioning may begin around 10 a.m. at the agency's headquarters. During the interrogation, the agency will grill him with questions related to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, his association with David Coleman Headley, and his alleged links with Pakistan's intelligence agency - the ISI. Sources also said that during the interrogation, it is likely that he will be quizzed about his stays in India and all those he came in contact with. It is excepted that he may reveal his links in the country. Rana will remain in NIA custody for 18 days. The NIA, in a press release on Friday, said, "...The agency will question him in detail to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks, in which a total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured." NIA said it had secured Rana's extradition from the US following years of sustained efforts and after the terror mastermind's last-ditch efforts to get a stay on his extradition from the US failed. Rana was brought to the national capital, escorted by teams of NSG and NIA, comprising senior officials, on a special plane from Los Angeles, US. The extradition finally came through after Rana's various litigations and appeals, including an emergency application before the US Supreme Court, were rejected. "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, the surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist was eventually secured, and the extradition was carried out," said the anti-terror agency in its media release which was posted on its X handle on Friday. The NIA acknowledged the "active assistance" of several American institutions. The agency said it had worked closely with its counterparts in the FBI, including the US Department of Justice's Office of International Affairs (USDoJ), the US Attorney's Office for the Central District of California, and other agencies through the entire extradition process. It said this "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." Seoul, April 11 : Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok instructed officials on Friday to prepare contingency plans to effectively respond to uncertainties stemming from the U.S. administration's tariff schemes and strengthen monitoring of financial markets. Choi made the call during a meeting on macroeconomic issues, which was attended by Bank of Korea (BOK) Gov. Rhee Chang-yong, and the chiefs of the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, reports YOnhap news agency. "Despite the U.S. government's 90-day grace period on reciprocal tariffs, uncertainties remain due to the escalating tariff dispute between the U.S. and China and the imposition of item-specific tariffs," Choi said. "Relevant agencies should stay vigilant and prepare response plans for various scenarios. Monitoring of the stock, government bonds, foreign exchange and capital markets also needs to be strengthened," he added. U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of newly imposed reciprocal tariffs on imports from South Korea and other trading partners, just hours after the sweeping scheme took effect Wednesday. But his universal 10 percent tariff on all imports remains in place, along with 25 percent tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles entering the United States. The tariff conflict between the United States and China has further intensified, fueling concerns over its potential impact on South Korea's trade-dependent economy. Trump has continued to escalate his trade threats against China, with tariffs on some products reaching as high as 145 percent, while Beijing has shown no sign of backing down by imposing counter-tariffs of up to 84 percent on American imports. Meanwhile, Choi and the participating officials checked household borrowing and stressed the need for close monitoring and timely responses to manage the debt level. South Korea's household debt-to-GDP ratio came to 90.1 percent in 2024, continuing its steady decline since 2021, when the ratio reached a record high of 98.7 percent, government data showed. a"IANS na/ New Delhi, April 11 : There are several opportunities for investment and business collaboration between Austria and India, especially in sectors such as e-mobility, semiconductors and fintech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has stressed. During her meeting with Markus Marterbauer, Federal Finance Minister of Austria, in Vienna, FM Sitharaman shared key aspects of Indian economy, flagship reforms and policy measures, according to a Ministry of Finance statement. The Finance Minister outlined the opportunities for investment and business collaboration between the two countries, including through the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), in sectors of e-mobility and semiconductors, and between the startup companies on both sides, especially in FinTech. Marterbauer referred to Austria and India as natural allies with shared values. The Finance Minister also invited Marterbauer to visit India with a business delegation to explore sectoral opportunities for collaborations and share best practices with each other. Earlier, during her London visit, FM Sitharaman met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and discussed trade and investment, and issues of mutual interest between the two countries. They also discussed progress of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. At the a13th Economic and Financial Dialoguea in London, co-chaired by FM Sitharaman and Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, UK, the British side was pleased to update on its forthcoming Industrial Strategy, where partnership can support the Industrial Strategyas priority growth-driving sectors, such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences, where UK expertise and research capability can complement Indiaas emerging role as a global manufacturing hub, as well as in clean energy, professional and business services, financial services, the creative industries, and defence to support jobs and economic growth. Both sides look forward to the signing of the aIndia-UK Defence Industrial Roadmapa to strengthen ties between industrial sectors and support supply chains. India and the UK also welcomed the financial services trade over recent years and commit to work together to grow this further. For months, Norfolk City Manager Pat Roberts has been warning that Norfolk needs state help funding its $2.66 billion storm risk plan or it will not move forward. Norfolks partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requires a local share of $931 million over 10 years for nearly 9 miles of flood walls, natural solutions such as grasses and oyster reefs, and raising houses to protect against billions in damages from a major storm. So far, the state has contributed nearly $50 million over two years to the project, half the annual amount sought by the city. There is no money for it in the states 2026 budget. Federal funding rules require localities to pay 35% of such projects. Meanwhile, feasibility studies by the Army Corps of Engineers are moving forward for Hampton, Newport News, Northern Virginia and Virginia Beach, where a draft plan recently has been shared with the public and the price tag is expected to dwarf the Norfolk cost. But the commonwealth has no plan for what projects to fund and how. Now, one is in the works. Del. Phil Hernandez, D-Norfolk, and Del. Michael Feggans, D-Virginia Beach, successfully shepherded House Bill HJ 434, through the General Assembly. The measure, which did not need Gov. Glenn Youngkins approval, authorizes a three-year study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, or JLARC, to create a methodology and criteria for state contributions to the local share of federal coastal storm risk management projects such as the one approved by Norfolk and in the pipeline elsewhere. The idea is to give local governments some certainty as they consider the multibillion-dollar partnerships with the U.S. Army Corps. I dont want to say theres no rhyme or reason, but theres certainly not a structure that everyone has sort of agreed upon, and that really is the genesis of this kind of analysis, Hernandez said. Knowing that you are going to get a dedicated revenue stream for a certain number of years to help you get across the finish line is tremendously valuable and gives you confidence to move forward at the local level. Hernandez said the study will look at the best practices in other states. For Norfolk, which is further along than other cities because its signed a partnership agreement with the Army Corps, the study is a lifeline. Under the status quo, we really dont have any place to go as a local government to help us with the resources that we need, said Bryan Pennington, Norfolks director of government relations. We hope that they will be able to expedite the conclusions of the study, because right now, all Virginia local governments are effectively at a competitive disadvantage with all other local governments across the United States because we havent clearly articulated what the states role is on these federally funded flood mitigation projects. A state policy and fund dedicated to the projects gives localities confidence as their capital improvement budgets evolve to include infrastructure storm risk projects requiring hundreds of millions of dollars. Where is this money going to come from? said Mary-Carson Stiff, executive director of Wetlands Watch, a nonprofit group based in Norfolk. If we dont have a reality check on what future-proofing Virginias communities from big storms is going to cost us, then we cant do the appropriate budget planning thats necessary to set us up for success in Virginia. Once the analysis is completed, our communities will have a better picture of what resources the state is willing to expend to support local projects, and that will then help local governments make difficult decisions about whether to move forward or not, and if they decide to move forward, where will the additional resources come from? she added. Will cities pass bond referendums? Will they enact additional taxes or fees to fill the gap? These are the types of conversations that our local governments need to be having with their leadership to see if they can afford these types of projects, and then they also need to be having them with the community members if they are going to request that community members pay a share for the protection that the project will provide, she said. The reality is that the future will require taxpayers to start paying for these projects if they want to stay living in a high-risk place thats protected from big storms. Pennington noted that Norfolk unsuccessfully requested $50 million this past legislative session to cover half of its local share. We do not have sufficient revenue authorities to raise the funds that are required to unlock this $2.6 billion project, he said. Yet we proceed, and we go every single year, asking to the best of our abilities for a reasonable appropriation from the General Assembly because we simply have nowhere else to go. Hernandez anticipates there will be ongoing discussions about the funding policy for storm risk plans before the studys conclusion. The Norfolk project is moving toward the beginning of construction, and the Virginia Beach project is approaching the conclusion of the feasibility study. Were going to have to think critically with the next governors administration to try and work toward that policy, even if we refine it in the coming years because 2028 [when the study is due] is too far out to do nothing, he said. These projects are moving forward. We cannot stall out. I dont want Norfolk to be in a spot where were first in line right now and dont figure it out and are not supporting the project and that makes it go sideways. The bill requires JLARC to not only examine what other states are doing, but prioritize projects with nature-based approaches that address socioeconomic inequities. Those issues have surfaced in Norfolk, where the storm risk plan is the largest infrastructure project in Norfolks history. Of the threatened waterfront cities in the U.S., Norfolk is ahead with plans to combat rising waters. City Council approved a partnership agreement with the Army Corps in 2023, passing an additional resolution promising to seek half its share from the state. Residents of the citys lower-income, largely Black Southside, last year challenged the failure to provide them with flood walls, noting their home values have been depressed by historical redlining. Critics have long said the cost-benefit analysis used by the Corps values property over people and gray infrastructure over green solutions to the detriment of disadvantaged communities and the environment. A year later, residents of a wealthier neighborhood on the other side of the Elizabeth River raised the opposite objection. They saw concrete walls rising 11 feet or more through their historic neighborhood as a threat to their enjoyment of the waterfront and lowering their property values. Stiff noted the focus on nature-based solutions and inequities mirrors recent changes in Army Corps policies promoting green solutions and considering social vulnerability, not just property values, when determining whether the cost-benefit analysis of a project justifies more expensive flood protection measures such as concrete flood walls. Its unclear whether those focuses will continue under the Trump administration. The JLARC requirements, Stiff said, are a reminder that resilience doesnt encompass only protection from a major storm, but from the day-to-day disruptions of tidal flooding and rain bombs created by the climate crisis. There are alternative ways to protect that may be more agreeable to the public and/or may provide multiple benefits, she said. Were so laser-focused on the protection against big storms, but we forget that we have to be the ones to live with the project once its completed, and if the project is only there for the big one and it doesnt do anything else for us as a community, then its a short-sighted or lost opportunity investment. The costs for projects such as Norfolks plan likely will rise, Hernandez acknowledged, and so will any potential state contribution. Without the project, the 2019 Corps plan estimated that all but a sliver of the citys interior would be at risk for flooding from a major storm by 2075. With the project, the feasibility study says Norfolk will reap annual net benefits of $122 million from reduced damage to businesses, homes and critical infrastructure, including health care facilities. Theres an economic cost to inaction as well, and thats the other part people need to remember, Hernandez said. This story was originally published in the Virginia Mercury. Chennai, April 11 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Chennai in the early hours of Friday to hold key discussions aimed at reviving the BJP's alliance with the AIADMK ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Chennai, April 11 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Chennai in the early hours of Friday to hold key discussions aimed at reviving the BJPas alliance with the AIADMK ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. At the Chennai airport, HM Shah was received by BJP Tamil Nadu state president K. Annamalai, Union Minister of State L. Murugan, and senior leaders Tamilisai Soundararajan, Nainar Nagendran, and Pon Radhakrishnan. Amit Shah is expected to address the media at a private hotel in Guindy at noon. Sources confirmed that Shah, the BJPas principal strategist, will meet AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), along with senior leaders of the Dravidian major. These discussions are expected to play a decisive role in formalising the alliance. During his visit, HM Shah is also scheduled to hold several high-level meetings with leaders from the BJP and the RSS. One of the key figures he is likely to meet is S. Gurumurthy, noted RSS ideologue and Editor of 'Thuglak' magazine. This visit comes on the heels of Shahas recent meeting with EPS in New Delhi. EPS was accompanied by senior AIADMK leaders and former ministers S.P. Velumani and K.P. Munusamy, which had already sparked widespread speculation about a possible reunion between the two parties. The BJP- AIADMK alliance, which had been intact for several years, collapsed in September 2023. The fallout was largely attributed to tensions sparked by controversial statements made by K. Annamalai against iconic Dravidian leaders such as C.N. Annadurai (Anna) and J. Jayalalithaa. These remarks deeply upset the AIADMK leadership and led to the allianceas breakdown. Notably, the alliance had produced significant results in the 2021 Assembly elections, with the BJP winning four seats and the AIADMK securing 66. However, relations deteriorated after Annamalai was appointed as state BJP president. The impact of the split was visible in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where both parties suffered major setbacks. Recognising the political vacuum in Tamil Nadu, several senior RSS leaders have reportedly urged the BJP central leadership to rebuild ties with a major Dravidian party -- viewing AIADMK as the only viable option, with the DMK being considered a political adversary. According to insiders, these RSS functionaries have emphasised the urgency of formalising any alliance well ahead of the 2026 polls to ensure enough time for ground-level coordination and campaign strategies. The AIADMK leaders have also conveyed that EPS requested HM Shah to consider replacing Annamalai as the BJPas state president to smoothen relations between the parties. In a significant development, Annamalai announced on April 4 that he is not aspiring for any position and would continue to serve the party as a dedicated cadre. As HM Shahas visit unfolds, political observers across Tamil Nadu are closely watching whether the BJP and AIADMK can put past differences behind them and forge a fresh alliance in time for the next major electoral battle. Mumbai, April 11 : Debutante Shanaya Kapoor shared a glimpse of what her Friday morning looks like and it is all about sunshine, coffee and puppy love. Shanaya took to her Instagram, where she dropped a slew of images. It included a close up image of Shanaya sitting on the sofa enjoying some morning light, enjoying a cup of coffee and several glimpses of her adorable Yorkshire Terrier Pablo. "Sunshine and coffee" She wrote as the caption along with the song "Main Kya Karoon" from the 2012 film "Barfi!" starring Priyanka Chopra, Ranbir Kapoor and Ileana D'Cruz. Shanaya's best friend Ananya Panday took to the comment section and wrote: "Why are u so happy??? You haven't met me in like a month?? (sic)" Ananya also added: "Lord forquaad." On the work front, Shanaya has a gamut of films lined up. She has 'Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan' with Vikrant Massey. Directed by Santosh Singh, the project will mark the Bollywood debut Shanaya. The movie is based on Ruskin Bond's cherished short story, "The Eyes Have It". While Shanaya will be seen in the role of a theatre artist, Vikrant will play a blind musician in his next. The script for "Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan" has been penned by acclaimed writers Niranjan Iyengar and Mansi Bagla. Produced by Mansi and Varun Bagla's Mini Films, the movie marks the production's second collaboration with Vikrant, after the "Forensic" remake. Apart from "Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan", Shanaya is also expected to appear in the upcoming web series, "Student of the Year", backed by Dharma Productions. She also has 'Tu Yaa Main' with Adarsh Gourav by Bejoy Nambiar. The movie is touted to be an adrenaline-charged experience that seamlessly blends love, primal terror, and survival. It has been produced by Colour Yellow, the banner behind films like "Tumbbad" and "Haseen Dillruba". Set for a Valentine's Day 2026 release, "Tu Yaa Main" is believed to be a gripping, genre-blending ride. It was announced on March 12, that Shanaya Kapoor has started shooting with Abhay Verma for Shujaat Saudagar's new film in Goa. New Delhi, April 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Friday, during which he will distribute Geographical Indication (GI) certificates for 21 newly registered products of Uttar Pradesh. Of the 21 recipients, nine are artisans and producers from Varanasi, underscoring the city's role as a vibrant hub of traditional craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Padma Shri awardee and GI expert Rajni Kant, who has been instrumental in advancing GI registrations across India, shared his views ahead of the event. "I am playing a small role in the progress of GI in Banaras and the whole of India," he said. "Since the GI Act came into force in 2003, this is the first time in the country that GI certificates will be distributed for 21 products in one event, and that too by the Prime Minister," Kant said. He highlighted that with these new inclusions, the total number of GI-tagged products from Uttar Pradesh will reach 77, placing it among the top states in India in terms of GI recognition. "It's a proud moment, Kashi alone has 32 GI-tagged products, supporting around 20 lakh people and generating an annual business of about Rs 25,500 crore," he said. Emphasising the national impact of the GI movement, he said: "The journey that started in Kashi has now reached Arunachal Pradesh and Andaman and Nicobar Islands." Apart from the GI event, PM Modi's Varanasi visit includes inaugurating a transit hostel at Police Lines, new police barracks in Ramnagar, four rural roads, and beautification works along Shastri Ghat and Samne Ghat. Additional urban development projects under the Railways and Varanasi Development Authority will also be launched. A major portion of the Rs 3,880 crore development push will focus on upgrading the city's power infrastructure, including the construction of 15 new substations, the installation of transformers, and laying 1,500 km of new power lines. Seoul, April 11 : North Korea's maternal mortality rate was estimated at 67 per 100,000 live births in 2023, a number dramatically lower than in 2000 but nearly 17 times higher than South Korea's figure, a report showed Friday. The figures were released in a recent report on maternal mortality estimates, jointly published by the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the World Bank Group and other international organizations, Yonhap news agency reported. The report defines maternal mortality as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of a pregnancy. North Korea's maternal mortality rate has been on a gradual decline since reaching 129 in 2000, around the time the country fell into a severe famine following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The figure came down to 78 in 2005, 72 in 2015, 66 in 2020 and 67 in 2023, but the latest rate is still about 17 times higher than South Korea's corresponding rate of 4, the report showed. The global average maternal mortality rate in 2023 was estimated at 197, and the United Nations aims to reduce it to fewer than 70 per 100,000 live births by 2023. The global report released on World Health Day on April 7 showed that more than 700 women died daily from preventable causes related to pregnancy and childbirth in 2023 worldwide. The report titled Trends in maternal mortality shows a 40 per cent global decline in maternal mortality ratio (MMR, number of maternal deaths per 100 000 live births) between 2000 and 2023. It showed that since 2016, the pace of improvement slowed down significantly, and that an estimated 260,000 women died in 2023 due to complications from pregnancy or childbirth. More than 90 per cent of all maternal deaths occurred in low and lower-middle-income countries in 2023, said the report. Bratislava, April 11 : President Droupadi Murmu commended the Indian community for their contribution in deepening the India-Slovakia ties as she addressed the vibrant Indian diaspora at a community reception organised in Bratislava. The President highlighted India's growth story and advancements and stated that it has not only been inspiring but also inclusive, ensuring benefits for all sections of society. "In all interactions I had with Slovak leaders, I was pleased to hear that they recognised the hard work of the Indian community. There has been a feeling of great respect for the valuable contribution of the Indian Community to the development and progress of Slovakia," President Murmu said during her address on Thursday. "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," she added. President Murmu said translations of Upanishads into the Slovak language would provide another opportunity for Slovak people to connect with the ancient teachings of India. She emphasised that the Indian community's role as a representative of Indian culture is invaluable in strengthening India- Slovakia relations. She further added that both nations have their ambassadors who act as a bridge to connect the two countries. "But the Indian Community is also one of those ambassadors as they represent India, bring glory to India, and increase its pride." "I am confident that you will continue with your efforts to become a strong medium of connection between both countries," she stated. On Thursday, President Droupadi Murmu and President Peter Pellegrini of Slovakia jointly planted a Linden tree, the national tree of Slovakia, at the City Park in Sihot, Slovakia's Nitra. Marek Hattas, Mayor of Nitra, was also present on the occasion. President Murmu told President Pellegrini about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' 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 could also undertake a similar initiative. President Murmu also visited the Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, where she was conferred with an Honoris Causa Doctorate degree in recognition of her distinguished career in public service and governance, advocacy for social justice and inclusion, and contribution towards education, women empowerment, and promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity. In her acceptance speech, the President said that this is an honour, which is being bestowed upon a country and civilisation that has been a beacon of peace and learning since time immemorial. Receiving this degree from an institution named after the philosopher Saint Constantine Cyril is especially meaningful, she said. President Murmu further said that 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, India is investing in its youth to drive the knowledge economy of tomorrow." "Even as India embraces modernity and technology, our progress remains deeply rooted in the wisdom of our ancient philosophical traditions. She stated that just as Saint Constantine Cyril's work laid the foundation for Slavic linguistic and cultural identity, Indian philosophical traditions have long shaped the intellectual and spiritual fabric of our society. She was happy to note that the timeless wisdom of the Upanishads resonates in Slovakia, too," she added. 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. This is the first visit by an Indian President to Slovakia in nearly three decades. New Delhi, April 11 : Tahawwur Rana had aspired for Pakistan's highest award for gallantry in battle 'Nishan-e-Haider' for the nine Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists who carried out the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai in 2008 and were gunned down by Indian security forces. The US Department of Justice, in a statement, has released a bit of intercepted conversation between Tahawwur Rana and Headley after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. The statement says, "After the attacks were complete, Rana allegedly told Headley that the Indians 'deserved it'. In an intercepted conversation with Headley, Rana allegedly commended the nine LeT terrorists who had been killed committing the attacks, saying that '[t]hey should be given Nishan-e-Haider'- Pakistanas 'highest award for gallantry in battle', which is reserved for fallen soldiers." The statement said that Rana is to stand trial in India on "10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai". Rana is described as a convicted terrorist, a Canadian citizen and a native of Pakistan by the US. The US on Wednesday extradited Rana to India, which it said was a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks. In a detailed statement, the US has said that Rana, 64, is charged in India with numerous offences, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks committed by LeT, a designated foreign terrorist organisation. Describing the terror attacks, the US statement reads: Between November 26 and 29, 2008, ten LeT terrorists carried out a series of 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai. They infiltrated the city by sea and then broke into teams, dispersing to multiple locations. Attackers at a train station fired guns and threw grenades into crowds. Attackers at two restaurants shot indiscriminately at patrons. Attackers at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel gunned people down and detonated explosives. Attackers also shot and killed people at a Jewish community center. When the terror finally subsided, 166 victims, including six Americans, were dead, along with all but one of the LeT terrorists. Hundreds more were injured, and Mumbai sustained more than $1.5 billion in property damage. The US said the attacks "were among the most horrific and catastrophic in Indiaas history". Ahead of the extradition, India had handed over detailed investigation reports, documents and evidence to prove Rana's involvement in the 2008 terror attack. The US statement says that "India alleges that Rana facilitated a fraudulent cover so that his childhood friend David Coleman Headley (Headley), a U.S. citizen born Daood Gilani, could freely travel to Mumbai for the purpose of conducting surveillance of potential attack sites for LeT. As India alleges, Headley had received training from LeT members in Pakistan and was in direct communication with LeT about plans to attack Mumbai." Among other things, Rana allegedly agreed to open a Mumbai branch of his immigration business and appoint Headley as the manager of the office, despite Headleyas having no immigration experience. On two separate occasions, Rana allegedly helped Headley prepare and submit visa applications to Indian authorities that contained information Rana knew to be false, the statement mentions. Rana also allegedly supplied, through his unsuspecting business partner, documentation in support of Headleyas attempt to secure formal approval from Indian authorities to open a branch office of Ranaas business. "Over the course of more than two years, Headley allegedly repeatedly met with Rana in Chicago and described his surveillance activities on behalf of LeT, LeTas responses to Headleyas activities, and LeTas potential plans for attacking Mumbai", the statement further adds. US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce has said that on April 9, the United States extradited Rana, 64, to India "to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks." She said, "The United States has long supported India's efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice, and as President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism." Mumbai, April 11 : Producers Anand Pandit and Vaishal Shah have joined forces once again for their fourth Gujarati film, "Chaniya Toli." Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) Producers Anand Pandit and Vaishal Shah have joined forces once again for their fourth Gujarati film, "Chaniya Toli." After delivering a string of successful regional hits, the dynamic duo is all set to bring another compelling story to the screen, continuing their commitment to elevate Gujarati cinema to new heights. Written by Parth Trivedi, Jay Bodas, and Pratiksinh Chavda, the film is directed by Jay Bodas and Parth Trivedi. "Chaniya Toli" stars Yash Soni, Netri Trivedi, Heena Varde, Chetan Daiya, Maulik Nayak, and others. Speaking about the project, Anand Pandit stated, "The film has a very interesting premise, and what drew me to this subject was the gripping blend of action, comedy, and social commentary. I am also looking forward to working with Vaishal and some of my most favorite collaborators in the Gujarati film industry, including Jai Bodas, Parth Trivedi, and Yash Soni!" Vaishal Shah added, "This film promises yet again to be an absolutely delightful journey. It is very well-scripted, and we are working yet again with a fantastic cast and crew and working with Anand bhai is always a great experience. We are looking forward to presenting 'Chaniya Toli' to the audiences and hope to release the film by Diwali." Set to be filmed across various scenic locations in Gujarat, "Chaniya Toli" is slated for release just in time for Diwali this year. The film tells the story of an ordinary man on a quest for meaning and purpose. Upon discovering a financial crisis gripping a rural village, he takes matters into his own hands and plans to steal from the very system that has left the villagers in poverty. What follows is a thrilling and hilarious journey as a group of unsuspecting villagers come together to outwit the system in unexpected ways. The film went on floors on April 10. Yadgir, April 11 : Four people, including three women of a family, were killed in a road accident following a collision between a goods vehicle and a Road Transport Corporation bus on Friday in Yadgir district, Karnataka. The accident occurred on the national highway near Muddaraki in Shahapur taluk, killing 30-year-old Sharanappa, 19-year-old Sunitha, 50-year-old Somavva, and 55-year-old Tangamma, all residents of Varkanahalli near Yadgir. According to the police, the victims were travelling to visit the Bhagyavanthi Temple in Ghattaragi near Kalaburagi. Three of them died on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at the hospital. Other passengers in the goods vehicle sustained injuries and have been admitted to the local hospital. Yadgir SP Pruthvik Shakar rushed to the spot. Preliminary investigations suggest that the head-on collision between the two vehicles was caused by rash and negligent driving. However, police said the exact cause of the accident will be determined through further investigation. In a tragic incident on April 5, five people were killed and 11 others were injured after a mini-bus rammed into a parked truck in the Kalaburagi district of Karnataka in the early hours. The accident occurred near Nelogi Cross, close to Jevargi town. The victims were travelling in a mini-bus to visit the famous Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah in Kalaburagi city. The injured passengers were shifted to the Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) in Kalaburagi for treatment. In another tragic incident, four people, on their way to attend the funeral of a relative, were killed on the spot after their car was hit by a luxury Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation bus, Airavat, on the Bengaluru-Mysuru Expressway on April 3. The accident occurred at the highway exit near Tubinakere village, close to Mandya city. According to preliminary investigations, the accident took place when the car driver, while traveling on the expressway and attempting to exit onto the service road, suddenly re-entered the highway, failing to notice the speeding bus approaching from behind. Mumbai, April 11 : Tamannaah Bhatia's latest dance number, "Nasha," from the upcoming film "Raid 2" has been unveiled, and the actress said the track grabs you from the first beat. Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) Tamannaah Bhatia's latest dance number, "Nasha," from the upcoming film "Raid 2" has been unveiled, and the actress said the track grabs you from the first beat. Tamannaah shared: "There's something magnetic about Nashait's the kind of track that grabs you from the first beat." Composed by White Noise Collective, the song pulses with the energy of a high-octane dance number. Tamannaah adds glamour and oomph to the film's story. The track is sung by Jasmine Sandlas, Sachet Tandon, and Divya Kumar, and the lyrics are penned by Jaani. She added: "The rhythm, the energy, the vibeeverything just comes together seamlessly. After the love I received for my last song, I'm excited for audiences to experience this one. It's bold, it's infectious, and it's got that undeniable groove." Taking to Instagram, the 35-year-old actress, in a collaborative post with T-Series Films, shared the music video. It was captioned as: "Ye #Nasha kabhi na utre, har dil ki ek hi @tamannaahspeaks!" Talking about "Raid 2," the film is helmed by Raj Kumar Gupta. The film is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, and Krishan Kumar. The movie stars an ensemble cast: Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Vaani Kapoor, Supriya Pathak, Saurabh Shukla, and Amit Sial, among other celebrated actors joining this high-stakes sequel. Presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series, the project is a sequel to the 2018 thriller, "Raid." The second installment in the franchise will be arriving in cinemas on May 1. In other news, the actress is gearing up for the release of her upcoming film, "Odela 2." She will be seen essaying the role of Shivashakti in the film, which is a sequel to the hit 2022 Telugu crime-thriller 'Odela Railway Station.' Directed by Ashok Teja, the film is set to release on April 17. Kochi, April 11 : In a jolt to K.M. Abraham, the chief principal secretary to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and also a former chief secretary, the Kerala High Court on Friday ordered a CBI probe into his wealth. Reacting to the court's order, Abraham said he "wholeheartedly welcomes" the CBI probe. The probe was ordered based on a petition seeking a CBI investigation filed by popular public activist Joemon Puthenpurackal. Speaking to the media, Puthenpurackal said Abraham had been trying to conceal his assets for a long time, and he did his best to wriggle out, but the High Court observed the merits of the petition and directed for a CBI probe. "He will now become another Sivasankar (the now-retired former principal secretary of CM Vijayan who was in jail on two occasions) as Abraham was misusing his positions to thwart any probe," said Puthenpurackal. Abraham, apart from being the chief principal secretary to CM Vijayan, is also the CEO of the state-run Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Reacting to the court's order, Jacob Thomas, the former Vigilance Director, said, "The Vigilance Court ordered a probe against Abraham and me being in office in 2016. I went ahead with the probe, but he did everything to stop it using his powers, as he was holding a key post then. The Chief Minister now has a job to do, as no one knows why Abraham continues to be employed in a key post. The CM has to find answers," said the former director General of Police The petitioner, Puthenpurackal, was working on this case for nearly a decade and, over the years, was able to produce documents to prove that Abraham has acquired assets from more than his known source of income. According to Puthenpurackal, Abraham owns assets in Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam. Besides, he has been paying monthly loan installments, which are more than his monthly income. Abraham, 66, retired as the Chief Secretary in December 2017 and since then has been closely associated with the office of CM Vijayan. Abraham is more known for his tenure as a member of the Securities and Exchange Board of India from 2008 to 2011. It was during his tenure at SEBI, he exposed the financial irregularities at Sahara India, which culminated in the Supreme Court upholding his judgment as a member. As of March 31, 2021, SEBI had recovered Rs 15,473 crore out of Rs 23,000 crore from the Sahara Group of Companies (SHICL and SIRECL), making this the biggest penalty levied in the financial markets to date. He was in charge of the secondary markets, investigation and surveillance divisions and the international affairs division during his tenure at SEBI. Incidentally, Puthenpurackal is also known for the position that he took in the 1992 Sister Abhaya case. Two Catholic priests and a nun were found guilty of the murder of Sister Abhaya and sentenced to life after 28 years. He formed an action council as he felt Sister Abhaya was murdered and fought the case succesfully. Bengaluru, April 11 : The Karnataka Police arrested four people and detained a minor on Friday in connection with a case of moral policing reported under the Chandra Layout police station limits in Bengaluru. The accused allegedly confronted a Muslim woman for speaking with a Hindu youth. They verbally abused her and attempted to assault her. The arrested individuals have been identified as Maheem, Afridi, Wasim, and Anjum. The police are also questioning the minor boy involved in the incident. According to the police, the woman, who was wearing a burqa, was chatting with a Hindu youth seated on his bike in the Chandra Layout area. The group of accused individuals approached them and questioned the woman, asking why she was affectionately speaking to a Hindu boy while wearing a burqa. The gang reportedly insulted her, asking whether she had any shame or self-respect. They also demanded that she provide the phone numbers of her family members so they could speak to them directly. However, the woman stood her ground and confronted the group, questioning their interference in her personal matters. She reportedly told them that the person she was speaking to was her classmate and asked why she should give out her family's contact information. Enraged by her response, the group allegedly attempted to assault both the woman and the Hindu youth. The accused later circulated a video of the two chatting on social media, which went viral. Following the circulation of the video, some Hindu organisations and activists raised objections and questioned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, asking whether this incident did not amount to moral policing. They further criticized the state government, rhetorically asking whether Sharia law had been implemented in Karnataka. The Chandra Layout police registered a case and took swift action by arresting the accused. In a horrific incident reported from Hangal town on January 8, 2024, a woman, a homemaker, was allegedly dragged out of a hotel after being seen with a person from another community and was beaten up. The victim, who belonged to the minority community, said that when she was at the hotel, a group of five to six men barged inside, questioned her and took her on their motorcycles forcibly. She claimed that they took her to an isolated place and assaulted her brutally and all of them raped her. Later, they asked her to sit in a car and the driver also raped her. Her ordeal did not end there. She was also taken to other places and gang-raped. The police arrested the accused persons after the victim released a video and appealed for action. Varanasi, April 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said the Ayushman Bharat Yojana not only guarantees free medical care for senior citizens but also ensures their dignity and peace of mind. Addressing a large public gathering in Varanasi, PM Modi shared his experience of distributing Ayushman Vaya Vandana Cards to elderly citizens. "Just a short while ago, I had the opportunity to hand over Ayushman Vaya Vandana Cards to several elderly citizens here. The expression of satisfaction on their faces was, for me, the greatest success of this scheme," he said. Highlighting the transformation in healthcare facilities across the region, he said, "The tension around treatment for the elderly is something everyone is aware of. The condition of medical facilities in Purvanchal before the last decade is also well known. Today, the situation is different. My Kashi is becoming a health capital." "The big hospitals of Delhi and Mumbai have now come close to your homes. This is true development -- when facilities come to people. In the last 10 years, we have not only increased the number of hospitals but also enhanced the dignity of patients. The Ayushman Bharat scheme is no less than a boon for the poor brothers and sisters. This scheme provides not just medical treatment but also trust," he said. The Prime Minister added that lakhs of people in Uttar Pradesh and Varanasi, in particular, have benefited from the scheme. "When you gave us your blessings for the third time, we tried to return the favour through our service. It was my guarantee that the elderly would receive free treatment. The Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana is a result of that promise. This scheme is not only about medical care but also about ensuring the dignity of our senior citizens," he said. "Now, every elderly member of a family above the age of 70, regardless of income, is entitled to free treatment. In Varanasi alone, nearly 50,000 Vaya Vandana cards have already been distributed to the elderly. This number is not just a figure -- it is a testament to the service provided by a servant of the people," PM Modi said. "Now, don't worry about the money needed for medical treatment. It will now be taken care of by the government," the Prime Minister assured. PM Modi also praised animal keepers, especially women, of the Purvanchal region for setting an example for others. He lauded the efforts of Banas Dairy in Varanasi and its contribution to women's empowerment through the 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative. He congratulated the dairy workers for the bonuses they received, calling them a "gift" for their hard work. "Through Banas, many women from Purvanchal have, today, become Lakhpati Didis. This progress is being seen across the country," he said, noting that India is now the largest producer of milk in the world -- a feat he credited to farmers and animal keepers. "This success belongs to the farmers and animal keepers of the nation. It didn't happen overnight. For the last 10 years, we have been working to uplift the dairy sector -- issuing Kisan Credit Cards, increasing loans, and supporting animal keepers," he said. PM Modi also mentioned the free vaccination programmes for animals under the 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' vision. He stressed the government's aim to unite and strengthen the dairy sector, particularly through the Rashtriya Gokul Mission. "We want to bring animal keepers into the mainstream of development and progress," he stated. He noted that the number of Gir cows has increased at Banas Dairy and that the dairy now collects milk from nearly one lakh animal keepers in the Purvanchal region. PM Modi arrived in his parliamentary constituency for the 50th time for the inauguration and laid the foundation stone of development projects worth Rs 3,880 crore. He also unveiled and initiated a total of 44 projects aimed at transforming the urban and rural infrastructure in the region. These projects are expected to significantly enhance public amenities, improve connectivity, and modernise essential services for the people of Varanasi. -- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text Srinagar, April 11 : The property of some drug peddlers and terrorists worth Rs 4.67 crore has been attached in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag and Ganderbal districts, said police on Friday. The amount has been estimated after action was taken in the last two days. An official statement said, aContinuing its relentless drive against drug trafficking and in strict adherence to the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Anantnag Police have attached properties valued at approximately Rs 1.2 crore belonging to drug peddlers in multiple cases across the district. In one significant action carried out under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act, Anantnag Police attached a single-storey residential house along with one kanal of land at Sallar, Anantnag." The property is owned by Bashir Ahmad Wani, son of Abdul Aziz Wani, a resident of Sallar, who is involved in Case FIR No. 65/2018. The case registered at Police Station Srigufwara is related to the recovery of a considerable quantity of poppy straw. The seized property is estimated to be worth Rs 70 lakh. In another major development under Case FIR No. 35/2025 U/S 8/20-29 NDPS Act at Police Station Bijbehara, assets of drug peddlers were attached. A residential house and a vehicle (Regd. No. JK02AV-1235) were attached. These belong to Tajdar Amin Khan, son of Mohd Amin Khan, resident of Goriwan Bijbehara (presently at Karewa Colony Bijbehara). aA shopping complex owned by Bilal Ahmad Itoo, son of Ghulam Hassan Itoo, resident of Gund Nasir, Bijbehara. aAdditionally, under Case FIR No. 213/2024 U/S 8/15-29 NDPS Act of Police Station Bijbehara, a vehicle (Regd. No. HR16L-3657) belonging to Harjinder Singh, son of Gurdiyal Singh, resident of Mubarak Pur, Kapurthala (Punjab), was also attached," the statement mentioned. The police said the combined estimated market value of the properties seized in these cases was Rs 1.2 crore. "These decisive actions reflect the Anantnag Police's firm resolve to dismantle the financial networks of drug traffickers and ensure accountability by seizing properties acquired through illicit means," said the officials. The police said that such measures send a strong message and serve as an effective deterrent to those involved in the drug trade. aAnantnag Police urges the public to remain vigilant and share any information related to drug peddling in their areas. The identity of the informants will be kept strictly confidential," the official statement said. On Thursday, police in the Ganderbal district attached immovable property in the form of agricultural land measuring 9 kanals and 7 marlas worth Rs 3.47 crore. These belong to three persons who have illegally exfiltrated to Pakistan for obtaining illegal arms and ammunition training. Police said the order was passed by the Court of Additional Sessions Judge Ganderbal vide case FIR No.48/2009 U/S 13 ULAP Act of Police Station Kheer Bhawani in Gaderbal district. aThe attached properties belonged to Firdous Ahmad Wani, son of late Ghulam Ahmad Wani, resident of Treesa Safapora, Mohammad Ramzan Bhat, son of late Ghulam Rasool Bhat, resident of Batpora Safapora and Mohammad Ayoub Ganie, son of late Gulam Rasool Ganie, resident of Pahlipora Safapora," said the police. The statement further mentioned, aThis decisive step is part of ongoing efforts to act tough against individuals who are falling under the purview of the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). This showcases the unhindered efforts of police against elements involved in activities detrimental to public safety and national security." Bengaluru, April 11 : Union Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs and BJP leader Pralhad Joshi on Friday launched a blistering attack on Congress, saying the grand old party was not only "anti-Hindu" but also against Dalits. Talking to the media at the Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, the Union Minister said: We have organised the 'Bheem Hejje' rally today to commemorate 100 years of B. R. Ambedkar's visit to Nippani town in Belagavi district. Union Minister Joshi said: "Despite our MLA Shashikala Jolle bringing it to the government's attention that it has been 100 years since Babasaheb Ambedkar visited Nippani town, it didn't organise a programme. Congress commemorated Mahatma Gandhi's visit to Belagavi. But why didn't it commemorate the 100th year of Ambedkar's visit?" "Had the government organised it, we wouldn't have done it ourselves. This event reflects our commitment," he clarified. "The Congress denied him a seat in the Constituent Assembly by ceding Hindu-majority regions to Pakistan. They made him lose elections twice and prevented him from being part of the interim government," he charged. The Union Minister claimed that the BJP will tell people how late Prime Ministers Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi had "opposed reservations for Dalits". "The Congress insulted AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, and we will inform people about that too," Union Minister Joshi stressed. The BJP Karnataka unit said a garland-laying ceremony will be held at Babasaheb's statue in front of Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, following which the rally will depart from the grounds near BIC Exhibition Centre. During the journey to Nippani, the party also planned to offer floral tributes at every statue of Ambedkar in taluk centres and villages along the route. The BJP's SC Morcha, ST Morcha, and all party workers are taking part in the rally, and a massive convention will be held in Nippani on April 15. Bengaluru, April 11 : The controversial caste census report is likely to be presented at the cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Friday at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru. Sources have confirmed that the report, in sealed boxes, was moved to the hall at Vidhana Soudha, and the summary of the report in a sealed cover will be opened during the cabinet meeting. The Congress-led government has also decided to appoint a cabinet sub-committee to review the recommendations of the caste census report, sources added. Sources stated that Muslims have been projected as the second-largest population group after SCs/STs in the census report. The opposition parties, the BJP and JD(S), have opposed the implementation of the report. Major caste groups, such as the Lingayats and Vokkaligas, have alleged that the report has done injustice to them in terms of their population representation. When asked about the development, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar told the media on Friday that neither he nor Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had seen the caste census report. "Even the ministers have not seen it. Once the report is submitted, a decision will be taken after discussions. This is not a matter to be discussed with the media," he said. Meanwhile, confirming the development, PWD Minister Satish Jarkiholi, speaking at Vidhana Soudha on Friday, said the 'mahurta (auspicious time)' had finally been fixed for the presentation of the caste census report. "Let the final report come out -- until then, we have to wait. The government should facilitate open discussion on the caste census. The matter should be brought before the House, and everyone should debate it," he added. Commenting on the development, Minister for RDPR, IT, and BT Priyank Kharge stated that it is not strictly a caste census report, as it is commonly referred to. "It is a socio-economic survey. If the report is not presented, how can there be any discussion about it? Let it first be presented before the cabinet," he said. "Once the report is presented, it will be compared with other data available to the government. The findings of the report should be matched with the existing government data. The Justice H.N. Nagamohan Das Commission, which was set up to examine internal reservations, has recommended a resurvey. Similarly, there should be an open and transparent process regarding the caste census," Priyank Kharge added. Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy stated that he had no information about the caste census report being presented in the cabinet meeting. "I have only heard that it might be presented. Once the report is brought before the cabinet, it will enter the public domain. Only then can we offer our comments and evaluate its pros and cons. The caste census was conducted by our Congress government," he said. Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, on February 18, declared that the caste census was conducted scientifically and that his government will implement its report without any doubt. "Our government supports the caste census. We have accepted the caste census report and will certainly implement it in the coming days. There is no need for any doubt regarding this," he assured. Karnataka BJP has accused CM Siddaramaiah of using the caste census as a political weapon whenever pressure on him within his party builds for him to resign from the Chief Minister post. "It has become a political weapon in his hands. Whenever his seat is unsafe, he ensures that the debate on the caste census report comes to the forefront. No one has asked for the caste census. Siddaramaiah is repeatedly deferring the presentation of the caste census report before the Cabinet," said BJP state chief B.Y. Vijayendra earlier. In 2014, Siddaramaiah (during his first tenure as the Chief Minister) ordered the Karnataka Socio-Economic and Educational Census. A committee headed by the then Backward Classes Commission H. Kantharaju did the survey at a cost of around Rs 169 crore. The report was ready by 2016; it was, however, put in cold storage by subsequent governments. The Congress and JD(S) coalition government headed by H.D. Kumaraswamy and the BJP government headed by B.S. Yediyurappa and Basavaraj Bommai also kept the report pending. In 2020, the state's BJP government appointed Jayaprakash Hegde as the Commission chief, but the report was not made public. Hegde submitted the final report to the Siddaramaiah government on February 29, 2024. New Delhi, April 11 : Senior BJP leader Shahnawaz Hussain on Friday, hit out at Shiv Sena (UBT) MP, Sanjay Raut for his controversial remarks on the extradition of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana, questioning whether he is speaking the language of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). Hussain's remarks were a rejoinder to Sanjay Raut accusing the BJP of turning Rana's extradition into a "festival." "These people are celebrating the Tahawwur Rana festival. Kulbhushan Jadhav is rotting in Pakistan's jail, bring him back. Bring Dawood Ibrahim back. This festival will continue till the Bihar elections," Raut had said. In a strongly-worded reply, Hussain questioned Raut's loyalty and intentions, suggesting his comments echoed the sentiments of the LeT and not of a true Mumbaikar. "What kind of language is Sanjay Raut speaking? Is he speaking the language of the Indian Army or the army of Lashkar-e-Taiba?" Hussain asked. "The Lashkar-e-Taiba is in pain. Pakistanis and terrorists are in pain. But why is Sanjay Raut in pain?" he questioned. Referring to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks that claimed over 160 lives, Hussain said Raut's statements dishonour the martyrs. "There was an attack in Mumbai on November 26. Many of our people were martyred. Sanjay Raut is insulting their martyrdom," he said. "This is not a political matter. This is a national war against terrorism." Hussain emphasised that bringing Tahawwur Rana to India from the United States was a significant success in the global fight against terrorism. "Tahawwur Rana was dragged from America. Those who are against terrorism are celebrating. But Sanjay Raut is mourning," he said. "He says this has been done for the Bihar elections. What does that mean? Bihar is also a part of India. If Rana is punished, the whole country will feel justice has been served." He also slammed Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar, alleging that some of the party's leaders were echoing similar sentiments. "Tahawwur Rana is a terrorist. He was the mastermind of the 26/11 Mumbai attack. Now that he has been brought here, many secrets of Pakistan will be exposed to the world. Yet, the Congress is troubled. That's unfortunate," he claimed. On the Waqf Amendment Bill being discussed in Bengal, Shahnawaz Hussain defended the Narendra Modi government's intent and lashed out at Opposition and accused it of spreading misinformation. "The Waqf Amendment Act has been brought for the benefit of poor Muslims. Just like the CAA, people are being misled. Did even one Muslim lose citizenship due to CAA?" he asked. "TMC, Congress, AIMIM, and other groups are trying to poison the minds of the people. This is deeply unfortunate," he claimed. He stated, "The country will run by law. Those who try to take the law into their hands will be dealt with strictly." Seoul, April 11 : A Seoul court said on Friday that it has decided to allow former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to enter a district court via an underground parking lot upon request when he attends the first criminal trial hearing next week on insurrection charges. The Seoul High Court unveiled security-related measures ahead of Yoon's hearing set for Monday, citing the possibility that a large crowd will likely gather to stage rallies in the area near the Seoul district court where the session will be held. The measures came as the Presidential Security Service (PSS) had sought the court's permission to allow Yoon to enter the Seoul Central District Court through an underground parking lot, citing security concerns. "If (the PSS) makes such a request, we will permit it," a court official said. The first session of Yoon's criminal trial will be held Monday over his short-lived martial law declaration in December. He was formally ousted from office last Friday, as the Constitutional Court upheld his impeachment. The Seoul High Court, which oversees the district court complex, has yet to decide whether to continue allowing such an entry for Yoon in future hearings. The court, meanwhile, will cordon off entry from all vehicles on the day of the hearing, with the exception of official cars designed for specific tasks, starting at 8 p.m. Friday until midnight Monday. It also advised its personnel to use public transportation and refrain from using personal vehicles on the day, Yonhap news agency reported. Meanwhile, Yoon, who dramatically rose from a top prosecutor to the presidency in about three years, became the nation's second President to be formally removed from office, with his surprise martial law bid rattling the nation for months and deepening political polarisation. With the ruling, Yoon, 64, follows in the footsteps of former South Korean President Park Geun-hye, who was ousted in 2017 when the Constitutional Court upheld her impeachment over a corruption scandal. Before taking the nation's highest office, Yoon began his career as a prosecutor in 1994, rising through the ranks to lead an investigation team into Park's corruption scandal that ultimately led to her ouster and subsequent imprisonment. In 2019, he was appointed as the nation's top prosecutor under then South Korean President Moon Jae-in but clashed with the administration as he oversaw investigations into family members of former Justice Minister Cho Kuk. Amid mounting pressure from the Moon administration, Yoon stepped down from his post in 2021, only to enter politics shortly after and win the presidential election in 2022 as the candidate for the conservative People Power Party. Yoon's term was riddled with conflict with an uncooperative National Assembly dominated by the main Opposition Democratic Party (DP). Yoon exercised his presidential veto power against 25 Bills passed by the National Assembly. Tensions with the DP appeared to reach an extreme in early December as the main Opposition introduced motions to impeach the country's top auditor and a senior prosecutor, with Yoon declaring martial law on December 3, which ultimately led to his downfall. Mumbai, April 11 : Actress Dia Mirza has opened up about how her powerful portrayal of Kainaaz in "Kaafir" prepared her for the journey of motherhood long before she became a biological mother. Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) Actress Dia Mirza has opened up about how her powerful portrayal of Kainaaz in "Kaafir" prepared her for the journey of motherhood long before she became a biological mother. The 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' actress shared how the role deeply impacted her understanding of compassion, care, and emotional strength qualities that would later define her own path to motherhood. The 2019 ZEE5 web series "Kaafir" has now made its return, this time as a film. Initially conceived as a film, the project was later adapted for streaming, offering audiences a deeply emotional story. Speaking about the show turning into a film, Dia shared that watching it back brought back so many emotions. She told IANS, "It was an intense experience for me, reliving Kainaaz's journey and seeing how far the project had come. It reignited memories of the long days of shooting in such challenging but beautiful locations. It also made me reflect on the incredible team we hadeveryone brought their passion and commitment to this story. Seeing the final product really reminded me of how powerful storytelling can be and what a bunch of sincere, honest, and good people can achieve when united by their love for a story." "Kainaaz made me a mother long before I became a biological mother. Such is the power of the emotional thread that binds the mother-daughter relationship in this story. I will be forever indebted to Siddharth, Sapna, Bhavani, Sonam, Pratik, Mohit, and Dishita for making Kaafir the most meaningful work of my career," Mirza added. When asked about how deeply the emotional journey of her character, Kainaaz, resonated with her, the Sanju actress shared, "Kainaaz's journey really resonated with me, especially because of the emotional strength she shows. I found myself connecting with her fight for survival, her motherly love, and the sacrifices she made. There were moments on set when I could really feel her pain, and I could see how powerful her story was. While shooting, there were definitely moments where I was reminded of how deeply personal Kainaaz's circumstances are, and I felt a deep connection to her resilience." "There are specific scenes that felt deeply personal. The outburst on the terrace when she discovers her father has passed away or the anguish of betrayal by the man she loved there are layers in the character's journey and her deep connection with the earth that I felt intensely." "Kaafir" tells the poignant tale of a Kashmiri woman imprisoned in India, living under Pakistani occupation, capturing the struggles and resilience of a woman caught in a complex political and emotional conflict. Originally planned as a film, Dia Mirza's 2019 project is now returning to its original format, six years after it first debuted as a web series on Zee5. Jammu, April 11 : A terrorist was killed in a joint operation launched against terrorists in J&K's Kishtwar district on Friday, officials said. The terrorist was killed in the joint operation by the army and the other security forces launched on April 9 in the Chatroo area of Kishtwar. "The operation was based on specific intelligence inputs, which led to a firefight with terrorists, resulting in one terrorist neutralised. The search operation, conducted by the Army and police, aimed to flush out terrorists hiding in the dense forests, continues," an official said. Another operation is going on in the Joffar forest area in the jurisdiction of Ramnagar police station in Udhampur district. A CASO (Cordon and search operation) by the joint forces was started on April 9, and three terrorists are reportedly trapped inside the cordoned off area. Civilian Rachpal told security forces that three terrorists dressed in black, heavily armed, entered his house around 8.30 p.m. on April 9 and left around 11.30 p.m. Following the disclosure by the civilian, security forces tightened the cordon, and after reinforcements were called in, the joint forces were closing in on the hiding terrorists, as per the last reports. On March 3, a police team immediately reached Sanyal village in the Hiranagar area of Kathua district, where five terrorists were spotted. Since Sanyal village is barely 4 km away from the international border, the group of terrorists spotted in Sanyal village are believed to have recently infiltrated into the Indian side. The terrorists managed to escape from Sanyal to the Safiyun Jakhole area. The police team engaged the terrorists in a sustained gunfight, killing two terrorists. Four policemen were martyred in that gunfight. To trace the remaining three terrorists, joint forces started a aseek & destroya operation, which was extended to higher reaches of Kathua and Rajouri districts. A brief exchange of gunfire took place between the terrorists and the joint forces in the Billawar area of Kathua district. On April 8, Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level security review meeting in Srinagar. The meeting was attended by the J&K Lt Governor, Manoj Sinha, the Union Home Secretary, the IB chief, the army chief, the armyas Northern Commander, GOCs of all the corps in J&K, chiefs of paramilitary forces, the J&K DGP and heads of other intelligence agencies. The Home Minister appreciated the role of the joint forces in curbing terrorism, but gave orders for the total eradication of terrorism from J&K with special focus on the Jammu division of the UT. Beijing, April 11 : There is no winner in a tariff war, and going against the world will only result in self-isolation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said when meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez here on Friday. Moreover, in a move that is set to further escalate global uncertainty, China has decided to retaliate with additional tariffs on US goods from April 12, taking the total effective rate to 125 per cent. This came a day after US President Donald Trump announced a total of 145 per cent duty on Chinese goods. Xi said over the past 70 years and more, China has achieved development through self-reliance and arduous struggle, never relying on others' mercies, still less fearing any unreasonable suppression, reports Xinhua news agency. He added that no matter how the external world changes, China will remain confident and focused on running its own affairs well. Noting that both China and the European Union (EU) are major economies in the world and firm supporters of economic globalization and free trade, Xi said the two sides have formed a close relationship of economic symbiosis with their combined economic output exceeding one-third of the world's total. He called on China and the EU to fulfill their international responsibilities, work together to safeguard economic globalization and the international trading environment, and jointly resist unilateral bullying. This not only safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of China and the EU, but also serves to maintain fairness and justice within the international community while upholding international rules and order, Xi said. Sanchez said China is an important partner of the EU, and Spain has always supported the stable development of EU-China relations. Noting the EU is committed to open and free trade, upholds multilateralism and opposes unilateral tariff hikes, Sanchez said there is no winner in a trade war. Facing the complex and challenging international situation, Spain and the EU are willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to maintain the international trade order, cope with challenges including climate change and poverty, and safeguard the common interests of the international community, he said. Bengaluru, April 11 : The Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Assembly, R. Ashoka, said on Friday that the caste census report prepared by the Siddaramaiah government was not scientific and had been designed to sow discord among castes for someone's benefit. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Ashoka, when asked about the caste census report being presented in the cabinet meeting, said, "The people conducting the caste census did not visit every household. This report was prepared under Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's instructions." "Since it has political motives, no one will accept it. I, too, am saying that a caste census should be conducted. But this report was designed to sow discord among castes for someone's benefit. This is exactly what Congress wants," stated Ashoka. Regarding allegations of commissions by contractors over pending bills, Ashoka said, "Congress leaders should hold a meeting and discuss this. They have specified how much looting is happening in which departments. Bills are paid only to those who pay commissions. In the Excise Department, the minister's son is looting. Despite so many allegations against ministers, CM Siddaramaiah defends them." "Congress should declare that corruption is their family circle. Siddaramaiah is collecting commissions to avoid resigning. Dy CM D.K. Shivakumar is collecting commissions to become CM. Ministers are also collecting commissions to become CMs. Ministers' offices in Vidhana Soudha have become collection centers. On top of that, they have imposed taxes worth Rs 80,000 crore on the people," he alleged. "The BJP fully supports JD(S)'s protests. We will discuss with Union Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy whether to protest together or separately. No one can sour the bond between us," he said while answering a question. Ashoka, earlier speaking at the inauguration of the 'Bheem Hejje 100 Celebration' programme near the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar statue at Vidhana Soudha, stated that the Congress party has been oppressing Dalits for many years. "Whenever we talk about Dalits, we say they are the oppressed. But if you ask who oppressed them, the answer is the Congress. For all these years, Congress has been the one oppressing the downtrodden. Even after 75 years of Independence, those in Congress did not uplift the Dalits," he said. He accused the Congress of misusing Baba Saheb Ambedkar's name. "After Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, he turned significant places in Ambedkar's life into pilgrimage sites called Panchatirtha. Congress leaders claim to be pro-Dalit, but they deceive Dalits," he alleged. "The Waqf Board has looted the properties of lakhs of Dalits. When I visited various places to investigate land encroachments by the Waqf, most of the complainants were Dalits. The fact that Congress opposes the Waqf Amendment Bill in Parliament shows its concern for Dalits. The Constitution must survive, but Congress' hollow promises must go," he said. Varanasi, April 11 : While Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed large gathering in the city during launch of projects worth Rs 3,880 crore, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers proudly displayed posters and banners expressing their gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for the successful extradition of Tahawwur Rana, a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. As thousands gathered at the public meeting, BJP supporters held up placards bearing slogans like, "Kayi honge benakaab, sabka hoga hisaab" (Many will be exposed, all those involved will pay the price). Calling the extradition a "historic moment of justice," BJP workers and supporters credited PM Modi's leadership and the Centre's diplomatic pressure for making it happen. They said the move sends a clear message that India will not tolerate terrorism and will pursue justice relentlessly, even if it takes years. Varanasi BJP workers said that Rana's interrogation will help uncover more details about the deadly 2008 attacks, which left over 160 people dead and hundreds injured. Anoop Jaiswal, a BJP worker present at the event, told IANS, "We thank PM Modi and HM Shah for bringing the mastermind of 26/11, Tahawwur Rana, to India. India, after 2014, is continuously working to give a message to the countries who are conspiring to foment terrorism in India." "We demand a speedy trial and investigation," he added, suggesting the death penalty for Tahawwur Rana. Notably, NDA allies including Shiv Sena have also welcomed Rana's extradition to India and demanded death sentence for 26/11 plotter. The extradition, they said, has fulfilled a long-standing demand of the nation and the victims' families. Rana was brought from Los Angeles on a special flight under tight security on Thursday evening, escorted by teams from the NIA and the National Security Guard (NSG), including senior officials. Following his arrival in New Delhi from the US on Thursday evening, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) began questioning Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who has been remanded to NIA custody for 18 days by the Special Court. The NIA has said that Rana's extradition is a major step forward in uncovering the entire conspiracy behind the 26/11 terror attacks and will aid in identifying and prosecuting others who were involved. New Delhi, April 11 : Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday that concrete steps are needed to remove existing trade barriers for speeding up the talks and reach a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU). The minister highlighted that both sides need a deeper understanding of the barriers holding back the agreement as there is tremendous potential to grow from the current bilateral trade level of $15 billion. "I believe concrete steps need to be taken to expedite the conclusion of the FTA between India and EU. That will require both EU, its member-states and India to work in a spirit of cooperation to develop a mutual trust and deeper understanding of the trade barriers which are holding back the trade agreement between us," Goyal said in his address at the aItaly-India Business, Science and Technology Foruma here. The minister also emphasised the need for encouraging investments between India and Italy and enabling businesses to trade with each other without roadblocks, Goyal added. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen have agreed to expedite the conclusion of the India-EU FTA by the end of the year, at a meeting held in Delhi last month. The EU Presidentas visit came in the backdrop of tariff hikes proposed against all countries by US President Donald Trump (now paused till July 9 except for China) under his aAmerica Firsta policy which is threatening to disrupt global trade and heightened uncertainty in the global economy. PM Modi and the European Commission President committed to task their respective negotiating teams to pursue negotiations for a balanced, ambitious, and mutually beneficial FTA. Officials were asked to work as trusted partners to enhance market access and remove trade barriers. They were also tasked to advance negotiations on an Agreement on Investment Protection and an Agreement on Geographical Indications. The EU is Indiaas largest trading partner, accounting for 124 billion pounds of trade in goods in 2023, or 12.2 per cent of total Indian trade. Jaipur, April 11 : Suspended BJP leader Gyandev Ahuja has submitted his response to the party's show-cause notice over the controversial 'purification' of a temple in Alwar, Rajasthan, with Gangajal following a visit by Congress leader Tika Ram Jully, saying he was protesting against the party. Ahuja clarified in his response that he has never apologised for his actions in the past and has no intention of doing so in the future. His firm stance could potentially put the BJP in a difficult position, especially as the Congress has escalated the matter by framing it as an insult to the Dalit community. In his written reply to the Rajasthan BJP unit, Ahuja stated that his objection was directed at the visit by Congress leaders, not against the Dalit community. "I have never insulted Dalits, nor can I even imagine doing so," he wrote, describing himself as a pro-Dalit leader who has served three terms as MLA from Alwar and consistently raised his voice in support of Dalit issues. Ahuja emphasised that his opposition to Tika Ram Jully stemmed from political rivalry, not caste bias. "Jully is a Congress leader. My protest was political, not personal or caste-based," he clarified. Reiterating his firm stance, Ahuja said, "I have not committed any mistake, so the question of an apology does not arise. Apologising is not part of my culture." He insisted that the use of Gangajal was merely symbolic and intended as a political statement, not an expression of caste or religious prejudice. Meanwhile, the BJP's state organisation general secretary, Damodar Agarwal, confirmed that the party has received Ahuja's reply and forwarded it to Rajasthan BJP President Madan Rathore, who will make the final decision. The controversy erupted on Ram Navami when Tika Ram Jully, Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly, visited a temple in Alwar. After his visit, Ahuja was seen performing a purification ritual using Gangajal, an act that was widely criticised and led to his suspension from the BJP's primary membership. The party demanded a response within three days after the video of the incident went viral. The Congress party has seized upon the incident, framing it as a caste-based insult. During its national convention in Ahmedabad, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi condemned Ahuja's actions, describing them as reflective of "Manuvadi thinking" and accusing the BJP of harboring such regressive ideologies. Kolkata, April 11 : Just before the crucial meeting of state Education Minister Bratya Basu with the job-losers of West Bengal government schools on Friday afternoon, a decision of the Kolkata Police has left them fuming. A cop attached to Kasba Police Station, who was spotted in media footage kicking a job loser protesting in front of the office of the District Inspector of schools at Kasba in Kolkata on Wednesday afternoon, has now been entrusted by the higher authorities to lead the investigation against the protesting job losers. The officer concerned is Riton Das. On Wednesday afternoon, the police resorted to a massive lathi-charge on the job losers protesting in demand of immediate action by the state government in segregating the "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones getting jobs paying money. In that police action, several protesters received severe injuries from being hit by police batons. Amid the scuffle, Das was spotted by some media cameramen kicking a protester. That picture went viral on social media. "From this decision, it is clear what kind of investigation will happen. First, after the police attack on us on Wednesday, the administration claimed that there was mild police action. Now, an officer who was spotted kicking a protester is entrusted with the duty to investigate the same matter," said a protesting teacher. The opposition leaders, too, alleged that it is the state administration's practice to entrust the accused officer with the duty to investigate the same case. BJP leader and party councillor with Kolkata Municipal Corporation, Sajal Ghosh, said: "Instead of initiating departmental proceedings against the said cop, he was entrusted the duty to carry out the investigation." Already two FIRs have been registered against the protesters. While one FIR has been registered suo motu by the police, the second one is based on a complaint filed by the office of the District Inspector of schools at Kasba. New Delhi, April 11 : Reminding that "New India neither forgives nor forgets", Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the "diplomatic victory" leading to the extradition of Mumbai terrorist attacks key conspirator Tahawwur Rana to the country. New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) Reminding that "New India neither forgives nor forgets", Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the "diplomatic victory" leading to the extradition of Mumbai terrorist attacks key conspirator Tahawwur Rana to the country. The Chief Minister, in multiple posts on social media, also expressed gratitude towards the PM on behalf of Delhi citizens for implementing the Ayushman Bharat scheme that offers health security. On Rana, the CM said, "The completion of the extradition process of 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks key conspirator, Tahawwur Rana, sends a strong statement to the world: This is #NewIndia, which neither forgives nor forgets." The Chief Minister complimented the country's diplomats for their tireless efforts that have resulted in the extradition of the conspirator behind the deadly 2008 attacks, in which 166 people were killed and over 238 injured. In her post on Rana's extradition on social media platform X, she said, "This successful extradition is the result of relentless efforts by Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodiji and team Bharat at the highest levels, making it a major diplomatic victory for the nation. It's a tribute to the bravehearts of 26/11 we remember them, and we continue to fight for their justice." The Delhi government's home department has directed the Tihar Jail authorities to make special arrangements for keeping Rana in judicial custody, once his 18-day questioning by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) gets over. The NIA said it had secured Rana's extradition from the US following years of sustained efforts and after the terror mastermind's last-ditch efforts to get a stay on his extradition from the US failed. Rana was brought to the national Capital, escorted by teams of NSG and NIA, comprising senior officials, on a special plane from Los Angeles on Thursday. In another post related to health services in Delhi, CM Gupta thanked PM Modi for the implementation of the Ayushman Bharat scheme which was blocked by the previous Aam Aadmi Party government since 2018. The CM said in her post, "Thank you Honourable Prime Minister Mr. @narendramodiji. We are all fortunate that we have got a visionary leadership like you. Public service has always been paramount for you, and under your guidance the implementation of Ayushman Bharat scheme in Delhi became possible." Highlighting the launch of the health insurance scheme as "historic", CM Gupta said, "This is a historic and visionary initiative towards health security for the citizens of the capital. This step will prove to be a milestone in providing every family a strong, safe and healthy future." CM Gupta's expression of gratitude towards the PM came within minutes of the latter hailing the launch of the scheme in Delhi. Taking to X, PM Modi wrote, "A revolutionary step related to Delhi's health sector! This mission of the double-engine government is going to be extremely beneficial for lakhs of my brothers and sisters here. I am very happy that Delhiites will now also be able to get their treatment under the Ayushman Yojana." Launched in 2018, PM-JAY provides an annual health coverage of Rs 5 lakh per family for secondary and tertiary hospital care, targeting economically vulnerable populations. The scheme is the world's largest government-funded healthcare programme. Mumbai, April 11 : In a heartwarming post, Karisma Kapoor took to social media to celebrate her special bond with sister Kareena Kapoor. Although she missed National Siblings Day on April 10, Karisma shared a delightful throwback photo of the two sisters, showcasing their inseparable connection. In the sweet image, little Karisma and Kareena can be seen twinning in matching outfits, sitting and eating together. Needless to say, the two look as cute as buttons in this childhood photo. The actress captioned the picture, "Missed National Siblings Day yesterday Always Twinning, Winning, and of course Eating together! #SiblingLove." The post highlighted their close relationship not just as sisters but also as lifelong friends who enjoy each other's company to the fullest. Fans were quick to flood the comments with love, celebrating the Kapoor sisters' strong bond. One fan commented, "2 cuties in one frame." Another said, "Haha! Childhood is the ground state of human existence, just so pure, unperturbed, and full of potential energy, waiting to evolve into higher excited states through the interactions of experience and time." The two sisters are very close and are always vocal about their love for each other. They often share their photos on social media, giving fans a glimpse into their special bond. Karisma and Kareena have been very open about their strong bond, frequently expressing their affection for each other in public. Last year at an event in Kolkata, Karisma had opened up about her deep bond with her sister, Kareena, sharing how she's always been protective of her. The 'Dil To Pagal Hai' actress expressed how Bebo has always had a strong, independent personality, even from a young age. She noted that Kareena always knew exactly what she wanted. Karisma also shared how much she admires Kareena as an idol. She remarked, "My grandfather's legacy and his contributions behind the camera have always inspired me. But I also look up to Bebo for her strength. She kept working throughout both of her pregnancies, and that shows how truly resilient she is." Varanasi, April 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi was met with heartfelt gratitude by the beneficiaries of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and recipients of Geographical Indication (GI) certificates during his visit to Varanasi on Friday. This marked his first trip to the holy city since Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath completed eight years in office. During the visit, PM Modi distributed Ayushman cards, which offer free medical treatment worth Rs 5 lakh, and handed over GI certificates to 21 newly-recognised products from Uttar Pradesh, many of which reflect the state's rich cultural and artisanal heritage. IANS spoke to Ayushman card beneficiaries and GI tag recipients where they shared their experiences. Durga Devi, a beneficiary of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, shared her joy, saying, "I received the Ayushman Card with Rs 5 lakh coverage. PM Modi personally asked me how it will help us. It's a huge relief for my family." Rajendra Prasad, another cardholder, said, "Now, I won't need to borrow money for treatment. I'm truly happy and relieved." Dinesh, also a recipient, expressed his gratitude: "I'm very happy. Now, I will be able to get my eyes treated, something I couldn't afford earlier." Alongside the health initiative, artisans and craftspeople from across the state received GI tags, giving their traditional products formal recognition and protection, while also boosting their potential in national and international markets. Sarita Devi, who received a GI tag for growing a fruit 'karonda', said, "I've been cultivating karonda since 2011. I'm thankful to PM Modi for highlighting our work. This recognition will give us an identity and open up new opportunities. My grandparents did this, and now we're taking it forward." Santosh Kumar Sandilya, an acclaimed artist known as the "Gangajal artist," was awarded the GI tag for traditional street paintings of Banaras. "This form of memorial painting is now recognised worldwide. With the GI tag, it will gain even more prominence. I thank the Prime Minister for ensuring that every small, unique aspect of Banaras is preserved and promoted," he said. Vandana, who received the GI tag for 'Tharu embroidery', a traditional craft of the Lakhimpur tribal community, added, "This is a big step in promoting tribal art. Recognition like this boosts our income and identity. PM Modi is truly paying attention to every detail." Tahir Salami, who creates jewellery from animal bones, also expressed his appreciation: "Now that we've received the GI tag, our work will be recognised, and we'll be known for our craftsmanship." Earlier in the day, addressing a large gathering, PM Modi emphasised the impact of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, particularly for the elderly. "The smile on the faces of the elderly after receiving Ayushman Vaya Vandana Cards is the biggest success of this scheme," he said. He also noted the transformation in Purvanchal's healthcare landscape. "Earlier, medical treatment used to be a major source of stress for families. Today, Kashi is emerging as a health capital." New Delhi, April 11 : The Delhi Police dismantled a gambling racket in the city's Vasant Vihar area, apprehending four gamblers and recovering over Rs 31,000 in cash, carbon papers and notepads from their possession. The operation, undertaken by South-West Delhi Police, followed secret inputs received by a Sub-Inspector on Wednesday, in its bid to identify and dismantle spots of organised crime. The four gamblers arrested by the Anti Auto Theft Squad (AATS) of Delhi Police have been identified as Pappu Bagh, Sanjay, Mandeep Kumar Gupta and Karan, all in the age bracket of 25-31 years. "A total stake money Rs 31,060/-, four note pads, three carbon papers and three pens were recovered from their possession," said an official statement. The gambling racket was being operated at an open area in D-block of the Nepali camp in Vasant Vihar area. A police team, comprising Sub-inspector Ved Prakash, ASI Parveen and Vinod, Head constables Prashant and Hariom, and Inspector Ram Kumar acted under the supervision of ACP Vijay Kumar to conduct raids at the location and subsequently arrest the four accused. As the police team raided the location, it found four people involved in gambling with numbering pads. On further investigation, notepads for writing details of gambled amount, carbon papers and cash were also recovered from their possession. A case was registered under the Public Gambling Act, following which all four accused were arrested. Notably, the South-West branch of Delhi Police has been running a campaign to curb organised crime in the area. First, intelligence is gathered about spots of such organised crimes by local informers, and after further probe, raids are conducted to dismantle the network and nab those engaged in illegal activities. Hazaribagh, April 11 : Protests erupted in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh city on Friday after the murder of a 25-year-old youth, Prabhat Kumar, in the Khirgaon locality of the city, officials said. The young man was attacked with a sharp-edged weapon, leading to his death, triggering public outrage and a two-hour-long road blockade near Namaskar Chowk. According to police, Prabhat, a resident of the Bara Bazar police station area, had gone out on a scooter with his friend Krishna on Thursday evening. After two hours, his family received information that he had been found gravely injured in Bakar Gali, Khirgaon. He had sustained a deep wound to the back of his head, believed to have been inflicted with a sharp weapon. He was immediately rushed to Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College Hospital in Hazaribagh, but doctors referred him to RIMS, Ranchi. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries on the way. As news of the murder spread, residents gathered near Namaskar Chowk on Friday morning and blocked the main road, demanding immediate arrest of the culprits and compensation for the victim's family. The protest disrupted traffic and created a tense atmosphere in the area for nearly two hours. The situation was brought under control after senior district officials, including the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and police officers, arrived at the scene and assured the crowd that strict action would be taken. The victim's body was later sent for post-mortem. In light of the public unrest, additional police personnel have been deployed in the area to maintain order. During preliminary questioning, Prabhat's friend Krishna told the police that the two had gone out together, and Prabhat had asked him to drop him near Bakar Gali for some personal work. He was supposed to return shortly to pick him up. However, before he could do so, Krishna received the news of Prabhat being found unconscious and severely injured. The Bara Bazar police station in-charge stated that the investigation is underway, and all angles are being explored. "We are interrogating the friend and collecting evidence. The accused will be identified and arrested soon," he said. Family members said Prabhat had returned home on leave and was scheduled to resume work in another state on Friday. He was the sole breadwinner of the household. Corvallis is now a sanctuary city for transgender, intersex and gender-diverse people seemingly the first of its kind in the state of Oregon, and one of only a handful like it in the United States. The resolution, passed unanimously by City Council on Monday, April 7, comes at a time when transgender people and many others who dont adhere to the male/female gender binary feel threatened by the Trump administrations rhetoric and executive orders. According to the language of its resolution, Corvallis will not utilize its resources to enforce federal, state or out-of-state laws or mandates that threaten the ability of any person to receive gender-affirming care, that discriminate against gender-diverse people or that aim to gather and report information about those seeking gender-affirming care, as well as providers of this care. The resolution also codifies Corvallis' intent to investigate instances of violence or discrimination committed against transgender, intersex and gender-diverse people and ensure that those communities have equal access to health care, housing, education and employment. My youngest child is nonbinary, Mayor Charles Maughan said at the Monday meeting. For me, its an obvious next step in the city. No stranger to fear On March 3, community member Danielle Chambers, a trans woman, sat before city councilors and told them that almost a year ago, she fell in love with Corvallis and its people. Im no stranger to fear, she said. Before I moved here, when I still lived in Oklahoma, I faced two different threats on my life, including someone who pulled a gun on me in a parking lot and someone who followed me home. Corvallis is so different. I feel safe here. I feel welcomed. But, she said, its time for action. She asked the council to adopt a policy of noncompliance with "unconscionable federal mandates." According to the language of the resolution, on Jan. 29, President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to end gender-affirming medical treatments for children and teenagers under the age of 19. That same day, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management released a memo to all federal agencies directing them to remove requests for information about gender on their forms and substitute them with requests for information about sex. Because the federal government relies heavily on local law enforcement at the city level, we can effectively defang these federal mandates which threaten the soul of our community, Chambers told council. If this is made an official position, I know myself and several (in) my community will feel a lot safer. Chambers was not the only one who spoke on behalf of the queer community that night. Drew Wolf, a co-organizer of Corvallis Pride, asked the City Council to publicly affirm support for an inclusive and diverse community by adopting a welcoming and equitable stance in their work with queer- and BIPOC-focused organizations, and to ensure that the language in their proclamations reaffirm that Corvallis is open to all who embrace unity over division and discrimination. After the March 3 meeting, Chambers reached out to individual councilors regarding her ask. She met with Councilor Paul Shaffer and mentioned the idea of a sanctuary city, which Shaffer told her might have legs. Chambers then assembled the resolution, with help in part from friends, and using Corvallis' 2016 immigrant sanctuary resolution and similar sanctuary resolutions from around the country as a guide. Chambers asked that Councilor Alison Bowden submit the resolution, as "they're very close to the heart of the issue," Chambers told Mid-Valley Media. Bowden identifies as transgender and nonbinary. I want to recognize the amount of work youve put into this, Bowden said to Chambers at the April 7 council meeting. Im just so thankful to have partnered on this resolution. Community members from a variety of ages and backgrounds showed out to express their support for the resolution. No one spoke in its opposition. The current administration has really made a target of transgender people, Benton County resident Joel Geier said. We need to ensure that Corvallis remains a safe place of refuge for these people, maybe even improve on what we have right now. Others spoke about additional threats made by the Trump administration, particularly to immigrants. Corvallis is already a sanctuary city for immigrants as of 2016, with its resolution stating that it will not honor or enforce federal immigration laws. I appreciate that tonight we were able to, unplanned, celebrate both of these sanctuary city resolutions, Bowden said. Theres so much to celebrate tonight. Council discusses Councilors were largely united in their support for the resolution, and thanked Chambers for speaking up. Heres an old, straight white guy who is 100% supportive, Shaffer told Chambers. Thank you for what youve done. Only one amendment was made to the resolution before its passage a line stating that the city of Corvallis recognizes the rich gender diverse history of the Kalapuya people, who have dwelled in lands now used by the city of Corvallis for over 8,000 years was removed. Councilor Jan Napack, who had already voiced concerns about other aspects of the language in the resolution to do with legality and the citys capacity to enforce its words raised the issue with the statement about the Kalapuya people during discussion. My limited understanding is that invoking their history, invoking their viewpoints or culture to promote or support an official government position is a serious matter, she said. The Confederated Tribes may indeed be in favor of the resolution, but I would rather they be informed and agree to having their cultural and spiritual tradition cited in support of an official government record. Councilor Charlyn Ellis proposed removing the line and then engaging with the Kalapuya or the Native American center on Oregon State Universitys campus. If one of these groups supported the line, then an adjustment to the resolution could be made in a few weeks, Ellis said. Bowden was amenable to the suggestion, though they said it was unfortunate that council found the recognition of gender diversity in Native American culture to be controversial. Talking about other peoples cultural aspects isnt inherently cultural appropriation, they said. Were not erecting a monument. Were not naming a building. We are only recognizing the gender diverse history of a people. Regardless, the line was removed from the resolution. Prior to the resolutions approval, both Napack and Councilor Carolyn Mayers pointed to the potential risks of codifying such language under the current federal administration. When I vote yes, Napack said, I fully realize that it entails the fact that we may have to, at some point, choose between revoking this resolution or missing out on millions of dollars. But Councilor Ava Olson, who identifies as a member of the queer community, said that any talk of leaving people behind in the interest of federal monies was dangerous and unhelpful. This is an argument that comes up time and time again if people are just behaved enough, if people are polite enough, if people are nonconfrontational enough, then its worth it. And thats a dangerous game to play, she said. Frankly, I am disappointed that that was brought up even at all in this conversation. The resolution then was passed unanimously. After the vote, Maughan acknowledged the weight of the councils decision, referencing an email from City Manager Mark Shepard that noted the uncertain federal landscape for sanctuary jurisdictions. We have a serious problem with our current administration making threats to other communities and states across the country. And there could come a time where our decisions of being a sanctuary city, both previously and this new resolution, might come under attack, Maughan said. I think the community is going to have to come together and possibly face some hard decisions in the future because of who we are. Related stories: Islamabad, April 11 : Over 11,074 murders, 2,142 cases of gang rape, and 34,688 cases of kidnapping or abductions took place across Pakistan in 2024, a latest official crime statistics report has revealed highlighting that the country's capital Islamabad reported most cases of gang rape than all other provinces combined. Citing officially reported crime statistics, Pakistan's News International reported that the province of Punjab reported the highest (2046) of the total of 2142 gang rape cases in Pakistan in 2024, more than the combined figures of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan. As per the statistics, the province of Sindh reported 71 cases of gang rape. In KP, one gang rape and 402 cases of adultery were recorded in the past year. In Islamabad, a total of 22 cases of gang rape and 125 cases of adultery were reported. In Balochistan, 43 cases of adultery were reported. Taking into account the cases of kidnapping/abduction, the report stated that cumulatively, 34,688 cases of kidnapping/abduction were reported across Pakistan in 2024. Out of this, a total of 28,702 cases of kidnapping or abduction were reported only from the province of Punjab in 2024, which was the highest reported among other provinces. The officially reported crime statistics reflected that 4,331 kidnappings or abductions were reported in Sindh province. Additionally, 533 from KP, 406 from Balochistan, 238 from Islamabad, and 370 cases of kidnappings or abductions were reported from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in the past year. The crime report further exposes the grim reality of human rights situation across Pakistani provinces. Massive riots also gripped Pakistan last year with the report revealing as many as 4,533 cases across the country. While Punjab province reported two cases of riots, Sindh (3,472), KP (12), Balochistan (292), and PoK (557) also witnessed rising cases of riots in 2024. Patna, April 11 : Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra, on Friday lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the successful extradition of Tahawwur Rana, an accused conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, from the United States to India. He described the move as a "major achievement" for the country. Patna, April 11 (IANS) Bar Council of India (BCI) Chairman, Manan Kumar Mishra, on Friday lauded the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the successful extradition of Tahawwur Rana, an accused conspirator in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, from the United States to India. He described the move as a "major achievement" for the country. Speaking to IANS, Mishra said, "The Indian government has accomplished a significant feat under the leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah." "Bringing Rana from the US to India is a great victory, not just for our government but for the entire nation. He is a major criminal and a key conspirator behind the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai. Extraditing him from a powerful country like the United States is no small task," the BJP's Rajya Sabha member from Bihar said. Mishra further praised the diplomatic efforts involved, adding, "This is a testament to the strength of our foreign policy and international diplomacy. The US court granted permission, and now Rana has been remanded to National Investigation Agency's custody. All the evidence is being collected, and the involvement of every individual directly or indirectly will be investigated. The trial will begin soon, and justice will be served." Mishra concluded, "This is a big achievement for India. It showcases our capability to bring even the most dangerous terrorists to justice, regardless of where they are hiding. It is a clear demonstration of India's growing power and international standing." Meanwhile, the NIA has officially taken custody of Rana for his interrogation. He was handed over to the agency on Thursday evening following orders from a Special Court in New Delhi. According to sources, the questioning is expected to commence on Friday at the NIA headquarters. The focus will be on Rana's role in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, his links to David Coleman Headley one of the key planners of the attacks and his alleged connections to Pakistan's Intelligence agency, the ISI. Rana will also be interrogated about his stays in India and individuals he interacted with during those visits. Investigators expect that his questioning could reveal new leads and unearth more details about the planning and execution of the attacks. He will remain in NIA custody for 18 days as the investigation progresses. Srinagar, April 11 : Senior separatist and religious leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Friday, alleged that authorities had placed him under house arrest in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar, thereby preventing him from delivering his weekly sermon and offering prayers at the Jamia Masjid. Mirwaiz Umar said on X, "Yet again, this Friday put under house arrest and barred from offering prayers at Jama Masjid. It's is both heartbreaking and outrageous that authorities continue to trample on my basic religious rights - at their will. The resolution formulated by MMU -the meeting of which was also not allowed, against the Waqf Amendment Act will be read out today in mosques, shrines, and Imambaras across J&K". Two days ago, the authorities had disallowed the meeting of the Mutahida Majlis Ulema (MMU) -- an amalgamation of religious organisations in the Valley headed by Mirwaiz -- convened at the residence of his residence. The meeting was called to discuss the fallout of the Waqf Amendment Act. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) recently banned the Awami Action Committee (AAC) headed by Mirwaiz Umar for five years. The MHA order said that the AAC was a secessionist organisation indulging in anti-national activities and encouraging youths to resort to violence. The ACC was formed in 1963 by the late Mirwaiz Maulana Mohammad Farooq during the Holy Relic agitation. After the elder Mirwaiz was assassinated by terrorists in 1990 in his uptown Nigeen residence in Srinagar city, the ACC came to be headed by his son, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. In another order, the MHA also banned for five years the Ittihadul Muslimeen headed by Maulvi Masroor Abbas. The organisation was banned for its activities against the state and for acting in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the country. The organisation was part of the separatist Hurriyat Conference and was headed by Maulvi Abbas Ansari, the senior Shia Muslim leader. After the death of Maulvi Abbas, his son, Maulvi Masoor Ansari, headed the Ittihadul Muslimeen. The Mirwaiz is head of the moderate Hurriyat Conference, which was formed in 2003 when the Hurriyat Conference split into two groups -- the hardline group headed by late Syed Ali Shah Geelani and the moderate group headed by Mirwaiz Umar. However, several of its associate outfits are distancing themselves and are pledging loyalty to the constitution of India. Mumbai, April 11 : Actress Rasika Dugal will be seen sharing screen space for the first time with the late Irrfan Khan's son Babil Khan in the highly anticipated drama "Logout". Reflecting on her time on set with Babil with a quiet fondness, Rasika stated, "It was a special experience working with Babil. He is a very interesting actor and it was very heartwarming to watch him give his best to work." "I first met Babil when I worked with Irrfan in 'Qissa'. It was an honour for me to work with Irrfan early on in my career, and so special to work with Babil early in his. It felt like a full circle moment - a quiet coming together of things," she added. The 'Mirzapur' actress further talked about the rest of the team of "Logout" saying, "I have worked with Amit Golani (Director), Biswapati Sarkar (writer) and Sameer Saxena (creative producer) before. They are an extremely talented team. I was happy to rekindle that association even if in a small way." Made under the direction of Amit Golani, "Logout" has been written by Biswapati Sarkar. Along with Babil and Rasika Dugal, the project will also see Nimisha Nair, and Gandharv Dewan in pivotal roles, along with others. Produced by Digital 18 Media Private Limited in association with Posham Pa Pictures, "Logout" has already created a massive buzz in the international circuit. It was showcased at the 21st Indian Film Festival Stuttgart 2024, Mal Del Plata 2024, Indian Film Festival Melbourne 2024, and the River to River Florence Indian Film Festival 2024. On Wednesday, the makers released the engaging trailer of the flick, giving us an insight into the world of a 26-year-old social media influencer Pratyush (Babil). As he is on the brink of reaching 10 million followers, his life takes a terrifying turn when an obsessive fan gains access to his all-important phone. "Logout" is set to premiere on ZEE5 on April 18th. Varanasi, April 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday took a sharp swipe at the Opposition for carrying forward the legacy of dynastic politics, accusing them of prioritising the interests of their own families over the welfare of the people and compared it to that of the BJP, which he stated, focuses on inclusive development. Addressing a massive public gathering in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, PM Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated developmental projects worth Rs 3,880 crore. In a direct dig at rival political parties, PM Modi said that some political parties are more focused on "seizing power" for their families rather than working for the public. "We are taking forward the idea of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. However, there are some whose only focus is to conspire to grab power, their only resolve is 'Parivar ka Saath, Parivar ka Vikas'," he said. PM Modi's reference to 'Parivarvad in politics' came while he was addressing the gathering after inaugurating and laying the foundation stone of 44 development projects, during 50th visit to his Parliamentary constituency. Highlighting the success of the Ayushman Bharat scheme, PM Modi said the programme not only ensures free medical treatment for senior citizens but also restores their dignity and peace of mind. He shared his personal experience of distributing Ayushman Vaya Vandana Cards to elderly citizens, stating, "Just a short while ago, I had the opportunity to hand over Ayushman Vaya Vandana Cards to several elderly citizens here. The expression of satisfaction on their faces was, for me, the greatest success of this scheme." Reflecting on the region's transformation over the past decade, the Prime Minister recalled the state of healthcare facilities before 2014. "The condition of medical facilities in Purvanchal before the last decade is also well known. Today, the situation is different. My Kashi is becoming a health capital," he said. "The big hospitals of Delhi and Mumbai have now come close to your homes. This is true development -- when facilities come to people," PM Modi added. He noted that in the past ten years, the government has not only increased the number of hospitals but has also ensured that patients are treated with dignity. "The Ayushman Bharat scheme is no less than a boon for the poor brothers and sisters. This scheme provides not just medical treatment but also trust." "When you gave us your blessings for the third time, we tried to return the favour through our service. It was my guarantee that the elderly would receive free treatment. The Ayushman Vaya Vandana Yojana is a result of that promise," he said. The Prime Minister also underscored the impact of the ongoing development initiatives in Varanasi, stating that the 44 projects unveiled will significantly improve the quality of life in the region by modernising services and infrastructure across both urban and rural areas. Patna, April 11 : Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot arrived in Patna on Friday to participate in the concluding leg of party leader Kanhaiya Kumar's 'Palayan Roko, Naukri Do Yatra' - a massive campaign aimed at highlighting "unemployment" and the government's "apathy" towards youth in Bihar. Addressing the media at the Patna airport, the Congress leader criticised both the state and Central governments, accusing them of ignoring the needs and aspirations of the youth. "This yatra is our call to stop migration and demand jobs. The kind of administrative chaos in Bihar and the government's apathy towards the youth is unacceptable," he said. Over 5,000 Congress workers, led by Pilot and Kumar, are set to march to Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's residence in a democratic protest. The rally marks the culmination of the Congress' youth-centric campaign that has covered hundreds of kilometers across Bihar under the leadership of Kumar. Pilot, the former Deputy Chief Minister of Rajasthan, alleged that frequent question paper leaks and "irregularities" in recruitment have shattered the dreams of lakhs of young aspirants. "The Nitish government in the state and the Modi government at the Centre have betrayed the youth. We are determined to hold them accountable and demand answers," Pilot said. Pilot reaffirmed Congress' commitment to the youth, stating that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's vision is centred around empowering the young generation. "The Congress party stands united with the youth. We will fight for their rights and demand justice for their lost opportunities," Pilot emphasised. This march towards the Chief Ministeras residence comes amid rising political temperature in Bihar, with employment, migration, and governance becoming hot-button issues ahead of upcoming elections. Recently, Rahul Gandhi visited Begusarai, participated in the 'Palayan Roko, Naukri Do' padayatra and targeted the Modi government and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. The grand old party is pushing Kanhaiya Kumar as a youth leader in Bihar with an aim to strengthen the party at the grassroots level. Mumbai, April 11 : At the trailer launch of "Kesari 2," Akshay Kumar responded to Jaya Bachchan's criticism of his film "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha." Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) At the trailer launch of "Kesari 2," Akshay Kumar responded to Jaya Bachchan's criticism of his film "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha." At the event, Kumar was asked how he feels when his work is criticised by fellow members of the film industry. The actor responded by saying he doesn't believe anyone from the fraternity generally criticizes his films. However, when a journalist brought up veteran actress Jaya Bachchan's recent remark that she chose not to watch Toilet: Ek Prem Katha because of the word "toilet" in the title Akshay responded with grace. He said in Hindi, "Ab agar unhone kaha hai toh sahi hoga, mujhe nahi pata. Agar Toilet: Ek Prem Katha banake maine koi galat kaam kiya hai... agar woh keh rahi hai toh sahi hoga (Now if she has said so, then it must be right. I am not aware of it. If I have done something wrong by making Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, then... But if she is saying it, then it must be right)." At a recent event, Jaya Bachchan remarked that she wouldn't watch a film titled 'Toilet: Ek Prem Katha.' "Just look at the title of the film; I would never go to watch a film with such a name. Yeh koi naam hai? Is that really a name?" she said. Jaya then turned to the audience and asked if they would feel comfortable watching a film with such a title. When only a handful of people raised their hands, she humorously remarked, "Out of so many people, only four are interested? That's quite sad. This one's a flop." "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha" centers on Keshav (played by Akshay Kumar), a man from a rural background who marries Jaya (Bhumi Pednekar). However, their marriage hits a roadblock when Jaya discovers that Keshav's home lacks a basic necessitya toilet. Determined to bring her back, Keshav takes on deep-rooted societal norms and challenges the conservative mindset of his family in a bid to build proper sanitation and restore dignity. The film also stars Anupam Kher, Divyenndu, Sudhir Pandey, and Ayesha Raza Mishra in supporting roles. Speaking of Akshay Kumar's latest project, "Kesari Chapter 2" sheds light on the lesser-known aftermath of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, focusing on the legal battle for justice led by C. Sankaran Nair, a fearless lawyer and one-time President of the Indian National Congress. "Kesari Chapter 2" is all set for a theatrical release on April 18. Kathmandu, April 11 : Nepal Police on Friday announced that it has arrested absconding businessman Durga Prasai, who allegedly led the violent pro-monarchy protest on March 28. Several reports cited that Prasai was apprehended in India before being brought to Kathmandu through the Kakarbhitta border point. Prasai was taken into custody near the eastern border by the Special Bureau of Nepal as three police teams had been dispatched to India to locate him. His bodyguard Deepak Khadka has also been arrested, local media reported. Nepal Police Central Spokesperson, Deputy Inspector General Dinesh Kumar Acharya, confirmed the arrest and stated that both Prasai and Khadka were brought to Kathmandu for further investigation. According to police, Prasai and Khadka have been arrested on the charges of committing crime against the State and organised crime by being involved in the violent demonstrations held by the pro-monarchists at Tinkune on March 28. Meanwhile, Prasai supporters claimed that he had surrendered to the Indian Police after being guaranteed safety. Reports suggest that the Assam Police reportedly brought him to the border area and handed him over to the Nepal Police. Tension ran high in the Tinkune area of Kathmandu on March 28 during the pro-monarchy protests as a massive protest was led by the Nawaraj Subedi-led joint movement committee. Businessman Durga Prasai has been accused of mobilising supporters for the protests with the Rajendra Lingden-led Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) also backing the demonstration. Two people died and hundreds were injured in the violent clashes between security personnel and pro-monarchy protesters in Tinkune. The violence also caused estimated damages worth Nepalese Rs 460 million. On Tuesday, the pro-monarchist RPP staged a protest at Balkhu in Kathmandu, demanding the reinstatement of the monarchy and the release of party leaders and cadres in police custody. The demonstration was led by RPP chair Lingden, under the slogan 'Let's change the system to change the situation'. Police remained on a high alert during the event following Tinkune violence. Nepal Police have made several arrests in connection with the violent pro-monarchy protests, arresting Rastriya Prajatantra Party Vice Chairman Rabindra Mishra and General Secretary Dhawal Shamsher Rana. Earlier this week, the Kathmandu District Court extended the remand of RPP leaders Rabindra Mishra and Dhawal Shamsher Rana, along with 18 others, for an additional 15 days as part of an ongoing investigation into their alleged involvement in the violent pro-monarchy protests. On April 1, Nepal's Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli had warned of legal action against pro-monarchy supporters for leading the violent protests that engulfed the South Asian nation. Oli stated that even former king Gyanendra Shah would not be spared if found guilty in the March 28 violence, local media reported. The leader's strong reaction came amid growing tension in certain areas of the Kathmandu following the violent clashes between security personnel and pro-monarchy protesters who were calling for the restoration of the abolished monarchy in Nepal. Seoul, April 11 : Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol moved from the official residence to his private home Friday, a week after he was removed from office over his short-lived martial law declaration in December. "Today, I am leaving the official residence. I am truly grateful for everything," Yoon said in a written message. The former President looked back on his meetings with world leaders at the residence as part of his summit diplomacy and thanked the people who participated in rallies over the winter to support him. "Now, I will return to life as an ordinary citizen, and seek a new path to serve our nation and people," he added. Yoon held up his fists in the air as he walked through the front gate of the residence in central Seoul, where a crowd of supporters had gathered to see him off. Yoon shook hands with and hugged supporters as they chanted his name, with some even shedding tears. He then departed in a motorcade bound for the Acrovista apartment complex, located in the southern area of the capital, and arrived there in 21 minutes. He was accompanied by his wife, Kim Keon Hee, and their more than 10 dogs and cats. Ahead of his departure, both supporters and opponents gathered near the official residence in Yongsan, central Seoul, and the apartment complex to hold rallies. His opponents called for Yoon's arrest on charges of insurrection, while supporters displayed signs with messages such as "Yoon Again." A banner welcoming Yoon's return was also visible inside the Acrovista complex. Aside from the impeachment, Yoon still faces a criminal trial on charges of insurrection related to his martial law decree. The Presidential Security Service has reportedly completed organizing a security team of about 40 personnel for the former President, who is eligible for security protection for up to 10 years. Following his inauguration in May 2022, Yoon relocated the presidential office from Cheong Wa Dae in downtown Seoul to the defence ministry compound in the central district of Yongsan, Yonhap news agency reported. Yoon commuted from the apartment building for six months while preparations were underway for the new office and residence, which had been remodeled from the foreign minister's official residence. Mumbai, April 11 : Aan Tiwari who portrays the young Hanuman in Sony SAB's mythological epic, "Veer Hanuman", reflected on the show, and his bond with his co-stars before Hanuman Jayanti on Saturday. Mumbai, April 11 (IANS) Aan Tiwari who portrays the young Hanuman in Sony SABas mythological epic, "Veer Hanuman", reflected on the show, and his bond with his co-stars before Hanuman Jayanti on Saturday. Asked how he prepared to play the role of Lord Hanuman, Aan told IANS, "I joined gymnastics to prepare for the role. I watched a lot of videos related to Lord Hanuman, and learned how Hanuman ji stands, how the position of the feet should be, how to always maintain a smile on the face, and so much more." Sharing a particular incident, he added, "Thereas one incident I clearly remember a" my father used to make me practice with a bat, just like a gada. He would make me lift and lower it every morning and evening. That practice helped me!" Revealing his experience on set and his bond with his co-stars, Aan went on to say, "My experience on set has been amazing so far. Everyone is very kind and helpful. If I donat understand any dialogue, our director sir patiently explains how to perform and deliver it. Mahir bhaiya and I also have a lot of fun on set. We donat usually shoot at the same time, but whenever weare on set together, we have a lot of masti!" The young actor further disclosed the one quality of Hanuman Ji that he admires the most and tries to follow in his own life. He revealed, "The quality I admire the most in Hanuman Ji is his devotion to his loved ones. He always stood by them and helped them without expecting anything in return. I try to follow that in my own life by being there for my family and friends whenever they need me." Disclosing how he celebrates Hanuman Jayanti, he stated, "Visiting the temple on Hanuman Jayanti is a must for us. We go to the temple, distribute prasad, and in the evening, my father and I do a long Hanuman Chalisa recital together. Last time, there was a program at the temple where I sang the Hanuman Chalisa on stage, and everyone appreciated it a lot." "Veer Hanuman" airs every Monday to Saturday at 7.30 PM, on Sony SAB. Bengaluru, April 11 : The Karnataka Police arrested four individuals, including a minor, on Friday in connection with a case of moral policing reported under the Chandra Layout police station limits in Bengaluru. The accused allegedly confronted a Muslim woman for speaking with a youth from another community. They verbally abused her and attempted to assault her. The arrested individuals have been identified as Mohammad Mohsin, Mohammad Mansoor, Mohammad Afridi Pasha, and Waseem Khan. According to the police, Mohsin works as a scrap dealer, Mansoor is a tailor, while Afridi Pasha and Waseem Khan work as welders. DCP (West) S. Girish stated on Friday, "Within the limits of Chandra Layout police station, a boy and a girl were sitting on a bike in front of a park. Upon seeing them, a group of four to five men approached and began questioning them. The woman was wearing a burqa." "The accused questioned her about why she was at the location and whether she had informed her family. Based on the young woman's complaint, we registered a case and arrested the four accused. We have also taken the minor involved into custody," the DCP said. When asked if the act was premeditated or if the accused had any particular intention, DCP Girish responded, "They saw the girl in a burqa sitting with a boy and questioned her. There does not appear to be any specific intention behind it. The investigation will reveal further details. No violence occurred during the incident, and additional information will emerge as the probe continues." According to police sources, the woman, who was wearing a burqa, was chatting with a youth from another community seated on his bike in the Chandra Layout area. The group of accused individuals approached them and questioned the woman, asking why she was affectionately speaking to a Hindu boy while wearing a burqa. The gang reportedly insulted her and demanded that she provide the phone numbers of her family members so they could speak to them directly. However, the woman stood her ground and confronted the group, questioning their interference in her personal matters. She reportedly told them that the person she was speaking to was her classmate and asked why she should give out her family's contact information. Enraged by her response, the group allegedly attempted to assault both the woman and the youth. The accused later circulated a video of the two chatting on social media, which went viral. Following the circulation of the video, some Hindu organisations and activists raised objections and questioned Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, asking whether this incident did not amount to moral policing. They further criticised the state government, rhetorically asking whether Sharia law had been implemented in Karnataka. The Chandra Layout police registered a case and took swift action by arresting the accused. In a horrific incident reported from Hangal town on January 8, 2024, a woman was allegedly dragged out of a hotel after being seen with a person from another community and was beaten up. The victim, who belonged to the minority community, said that when she was at the hotel, a group of five to six men barged inside, questioned her and took her on their motorcycles forcibly. She claimed that they took her to an isolated place and assaulted her brutally and all of them raped her. Later, they asked her to sit in a car and the driver also raped her. Her ordeal did not end there. She was also taken to other places and gang-raped. The police arrested the accused persons after the victim released a video and appealed for action. Bhopal, April 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Madhya Pradesh on Friday and will participate in various cultural programmes in Anandpur Dham of Ashoknagar district. During his visit, he will explore key sites associated with the Paramhans Advaita sect, participate in a "satsang programme", and meet prominent leaders, including the state Governor, Mangu Bhai Patel, and the Chief Minister. He will also offer prayers at Anand Sarovar and partake prasad at the langar. Shri Anandpur Dham is a prominent religious centre in the region, featuring satsang halls, a 125-bed charitable hospital, and a modern gaushala (cowshed) housing over 500 cows. The centre also operates primary and secondary schools, serving thousands of students. The Prime Minister's itinerary includes travel by helicopter and plane, with a stopover at Gwalior before returning to Delhi in the evening. As per the schedule, Prime Minister Modi will first visit three major temples of the Paramhans Advaita sect. Following this, he will offer flowers at Anand Sarovar, visit Moti Hall to meet the current guru of the sect, and deliver a speech at the satsang programme. The administration has completed all necessary preparations for the visit. Shri Anandpur Dham, located in Isagarh, Ashoknagar, spans 315 hectares and was established for spiritual and philanthropic purposes. It includes a modern gaushala with over 500 cows, engages in agricultural activities within the Anandpur Trust campus, and operates a charitable hospital in Sukhpur village. The trust also runs schools in Sukhpur and Anandpur, along with numerous satsang centers across the country. Earlier in the day, PM Modi participated in various programmes in Varanasi. He laid the foundation stone for a road bridge connecting the Varanasi Ring Road to Sarnath, flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih crossings, and a highway underpass road tunnel on NH-31 near Varanasi International Airport, collectively valued at over Rs 980 crore, said an official statement. Bhopal, April 11 : Madhya Pradesh Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Prahlad Patel has once again landed in controversy, this time for using an abusive word during an interaction caught on camera. The incident follows closely on the heels of his earlier controversial remark likening the public to "beggars". In a video that has surfaced on social media, Patel is seen sitting inside a vehicle, preparing to leave. As he instructs his driver to move, a journalist -- whose face is not visible but whose voice is clearly heard -- politely requests a response: "Sir... Sir, ek ek sawal please" (Sir, just one question, please). In response, Patel, apparently irritated, says, "Isse pata chalta hai ki tum pure samay nautanki karne wale log ho" (This shows that you people are always indulging in drama), before asking his driver to proceed. The minister was reportedly in Khurai, where he was presented with a proposal by CEO Girraj Sharma to initiate a tree plantation drive under a government scheme. Patel, angered by the suggestion -- apparently due to the high summer temperatures -- dismissed the proposal and reprimanded Sharma. Sources say this outburst was directed at him. Later, he canceled his scheduled public address and left the venue. The video has triggered sharp criticism, especially from the opposition. Senior Congress leader and former Minister P. C. Sharma shared the clip on X, slamming Patel's language. "He is a minister in the Madhya Pradesh government. First, he insulted the public by calling them 'beggars', and now he's using abusive words. This is highly condemnable. Such a person has no right to remain in office," Sharma wrote. This is not the first time Patel's words have sparked outrage. Just last month, he stirred a row by saying people had become accustomed to "begging" from the government. "People have fallen into the habit of taking from society. Now, they have even started begging from the government," he had said at a public event. After facing backlash, Patel defended himself, blaming the media for twisting his remarks. New Delhi, April 11 : Delhi is now in "safe hands" with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the helm of affairs, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena said on Friday, hailing her commitment and dedication towards serving people and improving the national Capital. New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) Delhi is now in "safe hands" with Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the helm of affairs, Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena said on Friday, hailing her commitment and dedication towards serving people and improving the national Capital. Addressing the 17th Convocation of Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU), LG Saxena, "Now, I can say that Delhi is in safe hands. From whatever I have seen of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta from her working in the past month-and-a-half, I can say she is worried about the city all the time and committed to Delhi 24x7." LG Saxena, who is also the Chancellor of the University, called upon the students to become responsible citizens and learn from both their teachers and life experiences. He asked them to dedicate themselves to achieving Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Bharat 2047'. "An education that does not bring happiness to people, particularly the marginalised, to my mind is not successful," he said. Calling the occasion a red-letter day in the lives of students, the LG said, "This day shall forever remain a red-letter day for all of you, etched in your professional and personal life." LG Saxena expressed happiness over the fact that almost 40 per cent of the passing out M.Phil students were women and congratulated the university which conferred 3,112 PG degrees, 21,222 UG degrees, 12 M.Phil degrees and over 100 Ph.D degrees. "As you leave the portals of your alma mater today, you carry upon your shoulders your own responsibility and that of your family, society and of achieving the Prime Minister's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047," he said. He said as the students go ahead in their lives their degrees should prove to be their guidelines in humility, dedication and selflessness. "The sheer number of women acquiring higher education and degrees, especially doctorates, is an indication of the changing educational landscape. "It becomes all the more remarkable in Delhi, which is possibly the only state in the country to have a woman Chief Minister as well as a woman as Leader of the Opposition," he said. He said within 25 years GGSIPU has evolved as a multi-faceted university and beacon of knowledge and innovation. Srinagar, April 11 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that as the spirit of unity rules Jammu and Kashmir under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 12 groups have rejected the separatist Hurriyat Conference and pledged loyalty to the Constitution. Srinagar, April 11 (IANS) Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday that as the spirit of unity rules Jammu and Kashmir under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, 12 groups have rejected the separatist Hurriyat Conference and pledged loyalty to the Constitution. Amit Shah said on X, "Under the Modi govt the spirit of unity rules J&K. Another Hurriyat affiliate organization, Jammu and Kashmir Mass Movement, has rejected separatism, declaring complete commitment to the unity of Bharat." He said the move was a welcome step. "I sincerely welcome their move. Till now as many as , resting trust in the Constitution of India. This is a victory of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's vision for Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat." It must be mentioned that after August 5, 2019, when Article 370 was abrogated, the separatist Hurriyat Conference literally became defunct. In the past, this conglomerate of 26 organisations/groups formed in 1993, gave protest shutdown calls, observance of black days on the country's Independence Day and the Republic Day, and also complete shutdown on the visit of any minister or the Prime Minister to Kashmir Valley. The Hurriyat Conference was formed purportedly to give a political platform to armed insurgency. The Hurriyat split into two groups in 2003, the hardline group headed by Pro-Pakistan, Syed Ali Shah Geelani and the moderate group advocating plebiscite for joining Pakistan or remaining independent, headed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq. Even the high court bar association and the association of government employees were also members of the Hurriyat Conference at one point of time. Both groups of Hurriyat were separatist and were declared unlawful by the Government of India. After Jammu and Kashmir came under the Central rule, the Hurriyat Conference became defunct. The Hurriyat has neither called for a shutdown nor bandhs against the visit of VVIPs to the Valley after August 5, 2019. The stone pleting sessions have also come to an end. Over the years, as the Hurriyat Conference faced indifference from the common people, its constituent groups/organisations also realised the situation and one by one are declaring their dissociation. So far, 12 have pledged allegiance to the Consitution. Chennai, April 11 : Union Home Minister and senior BJP leader Amit Shah met prominent RSS ideologue and Thuglak magazine Editor S. Gurumurthy at his residence in Mylapore. Gurumurthy, a veteran RSS leader and influential figure within the Sangh Parivar in Tamil Nadu, is believed to wield considerable sway among BJP and RSS cadres in the state. Sources indicate that Union Minister Shah sought Gurumurthy's views and advice on the potential appointment of a new president for the BJP's Tamil Nadu unit. Earlier in the day, he paid a visit to BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan in Saligramam to offer his condolences following the death of her father, veteran Congress leader Kumari Ananthan. Ananthan, a former Tamil Nadu Congress Committee (TNCC) president, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 93 due to age-related ailments. Union Home Minister Shah paid floral tributes to a portrait of Ananthan and spent time consoling the bereaved family. Tamilisai, who has been with the BJP since her student days, expressed her gratitude for the support she received from senior BJP leaders. "I thank Amit Shah ji, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, and all the BJP leaders and cadres who reached out to console me, despite knowing that my father was a lifelong Congressman," she said while addressing reporters after the Union Home Minister's visit. "The Home Minister earlier conveyed his condolences over the phone and has now come in person to offer his sympathies," he said. Union Cooperation Minister Shah's Chennai visit carries significant political weight, as he is also scheduled to meet AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), along with senior leaders of the Dravidian party. This meeting is expected to be crucial in deciding the future of a possible BJP-AIADMK alliance, especially ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Union Minister Shah and EPS had previously met in New Delhi, accompanied by senior AIADMK leaders and former ministers S. P. Velumani and K. P. Munusamy, sparking widespread speculation about a potential reunion of the two parties. The BJP-AIADMK alliance, which was intact for several years, broke down in September 2023 following a series of controversial statements made by Tamil Nadu BJP President K. Annamalai against revered Dravidian leaders, including C. N. Annadurai (Anna) and J. Jayalalithaa. These remarks angered the AIADMK leadership and were cited as a key reason for the alliance's collapse. The fallout had a visible impact during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where both parties suffered major setbacks. Despite past tensions, several senior RSS functionaries are reportedly urging the BJP central leadership to rebuild an alliance with a major Dravidian party, viewing AIADMK as the only feasible partner. The DMK remains firmly in the opposing political camp. Insiders reveal that these RSS leaders have stressed the importance of finalising an alliance well ahead of the 2026 polls to allow for effective ground-level coordination and strategic planning. In this context, AIADMK leaders are said to have conveyed a request from EPS to Union Minister Shah, asking him to consider replacing Annamalai as the state BJP president - a move they believe could help restore cordial relations between the two parties. Adding a new twist to the developments, Annamalai on April 4 announced that he is not seeking any leadership role and will continue to serve the BJP as a committed party worker. Chennai, April 11 : Nainar Nagendran, the Tamil Nadu BJP Vice President and sitting MLA from the Tirunelveli constituency, has filed his nomination for the party's state President's post. Chennai, April 11 (IANS) Nainar Nagendran, the Tamil Nadu BJP Vice President and sitting MLA from the Tirunelveli constituency, has filed his nomination for the partyas state President's post. His nomination was proposed by prominent party leaders, including current state BJP President K. Annamalai, Union Minister L. Murugan, former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, and Mahila Morcha President and MLA Vanathi Srinivasan. Party sources indicate that Nagendran is likely to be officially announced as the next state President, succeeding Annamalai. Nagendran currently serves as the legislature party leader of the BJP in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. He previously held the position of Tamil Nadu Minister from May 19, 2001, to May 12, 2006, during the administrations of former Chief Ministers J. Jayalalithaa and O. Panneerselvam. A seasoned politician, Nagendran was elected to the Tamil Nadu Assembly from the Tirunelveli constituency in 2006 and 2011 as an AIADMK candidate, and again in 2021 as a BJP candidate. He has been serving as the BJP Tamil Nadu Vice President since July 3, 2020. Meanwhile, the political atmosphere in Chennai has intensified with the arrival of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. HM Shah met RSS ideologue S. Gurumurthy at his Mylapore residence for a closed-door discussion, underlining the strategic significance of his visit. A crucial meeting is also scheduled between HM Shah and AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), along with senior AIADMK leaders. The meeting is widely seen as pivotal in exploring the possibility of reviving the BJP-AIADMK alliance ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. HM Shah and EPS had previously met in New Delhi, accompanied by senior AIADMK leaders S.P. Velumani and K.P. Munusamy. That meeting had already sparked speculation about a potential alliance between the two parties. Reports suggest that several senior RSS leaders have been urging the BJPas central leadership to rekindle ties with a major Dravidian party a" identifying AIADMK as the only viable partner, given the DMKas opposing stance. These RSS functionaries are said to be advocating for an early alliance to enable adequate ground-level coordination and campaign planning ahead of 2026. According to insiders, EPS has conveyed a request to HM Shah, urging him to consider replacing Annamalai as state BJP President to improve prospects for a renewed alliance. In a surprising development, Annamalai announced on April 4 that he will not be seeking any leadership position going forward. He reiterated his commitment to serve the party as a loyal cadre, seemingly clearing the path for a leadership transition. Jerusalem, April 11 : The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Friday issued an urgent evacuation order for residents in several neighbourhoods of eastern Gaza City as military operations intensified in the area. In a message posted on social media X, IDF Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee called on civilians to move westward for their safety. "The IDF is working intensively in your areas to destroy terrorist infrastructure," he wrote, Xinhua news agency reported. "For your safety, you must evacuate immediately to the known shelter centres in western Gaza City," he added. Meanwhile, the IDF said in a statement that it had killed Hamas militant Ahmad Iyad Muhammad Farhat during a recent operation in Tel al-Sultan refugee camp in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip. According to the IDF, Farhat was the head of sniper operations for Hamas' Tel al-Sultan Battalion and was responsible for organising and carrying out attacks on Israeli forces. The IDF also reported additional operations since Thursday across the southern and northern Gaza Strip, in which several Hamas militants were killed. The military added that it had dismantled Hamas' military infrastructure and neutralized booby-trapped buildings during these efforts. On Thursday, the IDF and Israeli Security Agency said in a joint statement 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 kilometre from IDF troops operating in Gaza City. The statement alleged that "several Hamas terrorists operated from within the command centre 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 October 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. Bhopal, April 11 : Bhopal Police, on Friday, initiated action in connection with the alleged "assault" of former Madhya Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Hari Vallabh Joshi, officials said. Joshi (99), a retired IPS (1948 batch), who lives in Bhopal's Arera Colony, has recently lodged a written complaint at the Habiganj police station, alleging that a caretaker, Rafiq Khan, allegedly "grabbed" his throat, misbehaved and had stolen some metal idols from his residence. In his complaint, Joshi has also mentioned that the incident has scared him, and has requested the local area police for a regular inspection of his house to ensure his safety. After the incident, a team of senior police officials visited Joshi and assured for strict action against the caretaker Rafiq, who was hired through a private agency, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP), Rashmi Agarwal, told IANS on Friday. "We had visited ex-DGP Joshi's residence and inquired about his health. We have assured him that strict action would be taken against caretaker Rafiq Khan and private agency also," Agarwal said. When asked if the police had arrested Rafiq, the ADCP said, "He has been arrested and we will share this information soon. We have also filed a case against the agency owner because Rafiq was employed without any verification." The accused, Rafiq Khan, was employed through an agency and had been working as Joshi's caretaker, drawing a monthly salary of Rs 18,000 to 20,000. The situation took a dramatic turn when the household cook, Geeta, arrived unexpectedly, prompting Khan to flee the scene before further harm could be inflicted. The incident took place during a time when other family members were away at work and domestic staff were in the servants' quarters -- circumstances that Rafiq tried to exploit. Despite his advanced age and frail health, Joshi acted swiftly to report the crime. The incident has sparked outrage and renewed concerns about the safety of elderly individuals, particularly those reliant on domestic care. Joshi's family has long been in public focus. His late son, Arvind Joshi, was a former IAS officer, and his daughter-in-law, Tinu Joshi, was dismissed from service following her arrest in a high-profile corruption case. Mumbai, April 11 : Versatile actor Randeep Hooda will be seen in a menacing avatar as the ruthless gangster Ranatunga in the forthcoming actioner "Jaat". Ever since the glimpses of the movie reached the audience, movie buffs are thrilled to see Hooda in this new fierce avatar. Sharing his gratitude for all the love received for his role as Ranatunga, Hooda penned an appreciation post on his IG. Hooda wrote, "Still soaking in all the love coming my way for RanatungaaPlaying such a menacing character and still being embraced with so much appreciation has been truly humbling." Thanking 'Jaat' director Gopichand Malineni for trusting him with this challenging role, and Sunny Deol for being an amazing co-star, he added, "A huge thank you to my visionary director @yoursgopichand, for trusting me with this intense role and guiding me every step of the way. Working alongside the legend @iamsunnydeol Paaji was an absolute blast a" so down-to-earth, so full of fire." Hooda further complimented his co-stars Vineet Kumar Singh, Regina Cassandra, and Saiyami Kher saying, "Grateful to my incredible costars @vineet_ksofficial, @regenacassandrra, and @SaiyamiKher a" your talent and energy made every scene come alive. And a heartfelt thanks to @MythriMovieMakers and @PeopleMediaFactory for believing in #Jaat and going all out to bring this story to life." Reflecting on his 'Jaat' journey, Hooda called it raw, challenging, and deeply fulfilling. Hooda's further treated his InstaFam with some rare behind-the-scene images from the shoot of "Jaat". Helmed by Gopichand Malineni, "Jaat" will feature the soundtrack composed by Thaman S with Rishi Punjabi on board as the Director of Photography. While Navin Nooli has performed the editing for the much-awaited flick, Avinash Kolla's production design is expected to add to the whole cinematic experience. Produced by Mythri Movie Makers and People Media Factory, "Jaat" is scheduled to release in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu on April 10 this year. New Delhi, April 11 : India on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Italy to boost cooperation in science and technology. The MoU was signed by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, and Italy's Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, at a high-level meeting in the national capital. The discussions between the two dignitaries centred on advancing joint initiatives in quantum technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and other emerging sectors. The two dignitaries also agreed to implement the 2025-2027 Executive Programme for Scientific and Technological Cooperation, aimed at fostering collaboration in critical technologies like AI and digitalisation. The Indo-Italian programme will include 10 research initiatives and 10 collaborative initiatives. "India's strategic investments and policies are steering the nation toward becoming a global hub of emerging technologies," Singh said, while highlighting India's robust progress in areas such as AI, High-Performance Computing (HPC), Big Data, and biotechnology. Singh also shared the country's key achievements in healthcare and developing a vibrant startup ecosystem -- now the third largest globally. Meanwhile, the Embassy of India Rome (Italy), in a post on social media platform X, called the collaboration "a concrete step towards the future of science and innovation", and thanked Singh for "the fruitful meeting". "We have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen scientific cooperation between Italy and India, promoting dialogue and exchange of knowledge between universities, research centres, and artistic training," the post said. "The agreement provides for a series of qualifying actions: incentives for the mobility of scientists and researchers; promotion of joint research projects on strategic and common themes; sharing of scientific infrastructure," it added. Both countries reiterated their commitment to long-standing cooperation in fields such as infectious diseases, quantum technologies, green hydrogen and renewable energy, cultural heritage preservation technologies, and sustainable blue economy. They also agreed to explore new collaborative areas such as Industry 4.0, and clean energy. Singh also identified other mutual sectors, including academic and industrial partnerships involving SMEs and startups from both nations. Islamabad, April 11 : The growing fissures between Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) - the ruling coalition allies of Pakistan government - have resurfaced as the latter has decided to seek support from various political parties for a resolution in the National Assembly against the construction of controversial canals on the Indus River. Citing party sources, Pakistani media outlet ARY news reported on Friday that efforts of the PPP are underway to table a joint resolution with the opposition party, Imran Khan-led Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) against the canal project. In a major political shift, PPP welcomed PTI's initiative to introduce an anti-canals resolution, terming it a positive development. Earlier, members of PPP staged a protest during the National Assembly session over the exclusion of their resolution concerning canal construction on the Indus River from the day's agenda. Recently, PPP National Assembly member and party spokesperson Shazia Marri lashed out at PML-N, stating that the way the canal issue was being handled by the Federal government could lead to anarchy in Pakistan. "The way you [federal government] are handling it, the way you are mocking it, the way weird statements are being given in a province, we feel that an attempt is being made to ignite fire in Pakistan. We feel that peace in Pakistan is in danger," Marri said on the floor of the House. In the past few days, the ruling coalition partners, PML-N and PPP have been clashing with each other on the issue of the canal project on the Indus River. While PPP has expressed its concerns over the irrigation project, the PML-N accused its coalition partner of habitually politicising water issues. The Pakistan government has launched a $3.3 billion Green Pakistan Initiative that aims to develop six canals to irrigate 1.2 million acres of what it claims is barren land in south Punjab. However, the Sindh province is protesting against the decision, fearing that it will lose its water share from the Indus River due to the construction of these canals, Pakistani media reported. Last week, PPP leader and Sindh province Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah said that the PPP won't allow the Centre to proceed with the construction without the province's consent. "If the canal project proceeds without Sindh's consent, the PPP may withdraw its support," he warned while addressing a press conference. Activists, members of various political parties, civil society outfits, trade unions, and literary associations are up in arms against the government, which is constructing six canals on the Indus River. They have been continuously demanding that the government shelve the canal project. Jaipur, April 11 : Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot launched a scathing attack on BJP leader and ex-CM Vasundhara Raje over her recent remarks on the water crisis in Jhalawar. Gehlot accused Raje of limiting her concern to her home turf and questioned the viability of the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) and the Parwan-Kalisindh-Chambal (PKC) initiative, calling them "baseless". "Vasundhara Raje has been Chief Minister twice -- she knows very well that ERCP and PKC lack any real foundation," Gehlot said, adding, "Even she is now admitting that nothing concrete will happen for the next nine years. So why mislead the public?" Gehlot challenged Raje to publicly clarify the status of these projects. "If she has any political honesty left, she should hold a press conference and tell the people whether these projects -- many of which began during her tenure -- have any real strength or not." Raje had recently expressed anguish over the water crisis in Jhalawar, saying, "The officers are sleeping, the people are crying, I will not let this happen". Gehlot criticised Raje for focusing only on Jhalawar. "My issue with Raje is that despite leading the state twice, she always speaks only about Jhalawar. That's not leadership." Gehlot was speaking in Jaipur after paying floral tribute at the 22 Godam statue on the birth anniversary of social reformer Mahatma Jyotiba Phule. Commenting on the controversy involving BJP leader Gyandev Ahuja, who sprinkled Gangajal in a temple in Alwar allegedly to purify it after Congress leader Tikaram Jully, a Dalit, entered, Gehlot strongly condemned the act. "We all condemn such acts. Untouchability is a blot on humanity, especially in the 21st century. The RSS should take the lead and launch a campaign against it. The whole country is tired of the BJP's ideology," he said. He called upon RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat to take decisive action. "If Dalits, Adivasis, and tribals are all Hindus, then who is responsible for untouchability? The RSS backs the BJP government. What better time than now for it to take the lead and campaign for its total eradication?" Kolkata, April 11 : Amid a row, the cop accused of kicking a protesting teacher in front of the office of the District Inspector of the schools at Kasba in Kolkata, has been removed from the probe into the agitation by the job losers. As the information surfaced on Friday morning that the said cop Riton Das, a Sub-Inspector attached to Kasba Police, has been entrusted to probe against teaching and non-teaching staff over their protests at Kasba on Wednesday afternoon, the Kolkata Police drew all-round criticism. The protesting teachers, opposition leaders, and civil society questioned the neutrality of such an investigation, which is being carried out by a cop who is himself accused of kicking a protesting teacher. Now, Sanjay Singh, who is also attached to Kasba Police Station, will probe the incident. On Wednesday afternoon, the police resorted to lathi-charge on the teaching and non-teaching staff of state-run schools whose jobs have been recently terminated following an order from a division bench of the Supreme Court. They were protesting in front of the office of the District Inspector of schools at Kasba, demanding that the state government immediately segregate the "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones getting jobs paying money. In the police action against the protesting teaching and non-teaching staff, several protesters received severe injuries from being hit by police batons. Amid the scuffle, Das was spotted by some media cameramen kicking a protester. However, the administration described the police action as mild and also claimed that the police were forced to take action after they were attacked. A meeting of the delegation of the teaching and non-teaching staff with the state Education Minister Bratya Basu is scheduled on Friday, where the latter is expected to explain to the delegation the initiatives mooted by the state government to end the crisis over the Supreme Court's verdict. Bratislava, April 11 : Slovakia President Peter Pellegrini on Friday heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative, terming it as a gamechanger while hinting rolling out similar programme in the European nation. Bratislava, April 11 (IANS) Slovakia President Peter Pellegrini on Friday heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aEk Ped Maa Ke Naama initiative, terming it as a gamechanger while hinting rolling out similar programme in the European nation. Slovakian Presidentas admiration for the initiative came to the fore after he planted a Linden tree, the national tree of Slovakia, at the City Park in Sihot, Nitra -- one of the oldest towns of Slovakia which also manufactures Defender and Discovery vehicles for Tata Motors Jaguar Land Rover -- along with visiting President Droupadi Murmu, on Thursday. Nitra Mayor Marek Hattas was also present on the occasion. During the ceremony, Pellegrini was impressed to learn about the motive and mission of the aEk Ped Maa Ke Naama initiative launched by PM Modi. President Murmu explained to her Slovakian counterpart about the importance and significance of aEk Ped Maa Ke Naama programme, which effectively means planting a tree in name of oneas mother and also how this amotherly bondinga strengthens relations between human beings and nature. Slovakian President was so enamoured and impressed with the initiative that he spoke about possibility of launching a similar campaign in own country, reports cited. It was on the World Environment Day last year that PM Modi launched the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' campaign and urged the countrymen to associate with it and give strength to the initiative by becoming part of it. The initiative not only honours the role of mothers in nurturing one's life but also contributes to the health of the planet. Since its launch, the aEk Ped Maa Ke Naama has not only turned global attention towards it but is also winning laurels from multiple quarters over its intent and potential in making climate preservation efforts a apeopleas revolutiona. President Murmu left for New Delhi Friday afternoon after concluding a successful visit to the country, the first by an Indian President to Slovakia in nearly three decades. Prayagraj, April 11 : All India Muslim Women Personal Law Board President and noted social activist Shaista Ambar on Friday came out strongly in support of the newly enacted Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025. She also called for stringent action on those who used the Waqf properties for their personal benefits and also urged the Muslim body to work with the government in identifying the illegal occupants and freeing the Waqf land from their control. Speaking to IANS, Ambar said, "Those who have acted against the principles and laws of Waqf regarding Waqf properties must be held accountable. Waqf land cannot be sold, purchased, or donated because it was donated by a Muslim in the name of God for the betterment of society, especially for those who are economically and socially weak." She asserted that the fundamental purpose of Waqf is to uplift the community, making the underprivileged self-reliant and capable of giving back to society. "If people have used the Waqf properties for their personal benefit, then they should be investigated, and if found guilty, the land should be confiscated from them," she said. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill was passed by the Lok Sabha on April 3 and the Rajya Sabha on April 4, officially becoming law on April 8. Shaista Ambar stressed that Waqf properties should be used for constructive purposes such as shelter homes for Muslim women, children, orphans, elderly people, educational institutions, madrasas, mosques, graveyards, factories, hospitals, and other welfare-oriented facilities. "This will enable Muslims, especially women and the backward sections, to join the mainstream of development and contribute to the progress of the country," she said. She also appealed to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB), which has opposed the new law, to work with the government in identifying scams and frauds within the Waqf system. "The AIMPLB should consult with the government, identify the frauds, free the land from illegal occupation, and build shelter homes for women. Let those women become officers, judges, political leaders and good citizens," she said. Ambar lashed out at the INDIA bloc and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi for their opposition to the Waqf Act, calling them "hungry for power." She questioned their silence on the mismanagement of Waqf land during previous governments, especially under Congress rule. "Where were they all these years? Congress ruled for decades -- can they name even one example where any of their Muslim leaders did anything meaningful with Waqf land? Did they open any colleges, universities, hospitals, or shelter homes?" she asked. She also recounted how Muslim women once had to build their own mosque after being denied entry into others, highlighting the lack of support from the very groups now opposing the Waqf reforms. "They never raised their voice for women's equality then. Now they are opposing reforms that aim to clean up the Waqf system," she added. Ambar revealed that she has long raised her voice against illegal activities within the Waqf Board but was repeatedly ignored. She mentioned that she wrote to former Presidents, including Pratibha Devi Singh Patil and Pranab Mukherjee, and in 2017, she met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and raised her demands of freeing the Waqf properties from illegal occupation. She proposed that housing and training centres be built on Waqf land for divorced Muslim women and also slammed the UPA government for failing to implement the recommendations of the Sachar Committee report. "The new Waqf Act was important because many people in the Waqf Board illegally benefitted while the truly needy -- poor, women, widows, elderly -- continued to suffer," she said. Vienna, April 11 : Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Friday invited Austrian companies to invest in India and highlighted the huge potential for strengthening bilateral economic ties between the two countries in renewable energy, electric vehicles, innovations and startups. Addressing a press conference, Sitharaman said the highly successful visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Austria in July 2024 was a milestone in the India-Austria partnership, especially in elevating our economic and commercial linkages to a higher trajectory. "Prime Minister Modi had emphasised the political will of the Government of India to expand our partnership with Austria. My visit to Vienna is a reaffirmation of the PM's vision to work towards realising the fullest possible potential of our bilateral relationship with Austria," Sitharaman added. She highlighted the opportunities for investment and cooperation between startups in India and Austria, particularly in the field of fintech. The Finance Minister said startups and innovations are a key priority for both countries. India has over 110 unicorns and thousands of successful startups, while Austria also has a well-recognised startup ecosystem. Strengthening the relations would result in rapid progress in the sector, she added. Sihtamraman also pointed out that India has a strong manufacturing sector and human resources. Austrian companies have already set up capability centres in India to leverage the country's digital and IT talent with their advanced technologies. She said the Indian government's economic reforms had ensured the ease of doing business, and Austrian companies must avail of the investment opportunities as India is an excellent gateway to Asia and the Global South. Sitharaman also invited Austria's Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer to visit India with a business delegation to explore sectoral opportunities for collaboration and share best practices with each other. The Austrian Federal Ministry of Finance issued an update on Sitharaman's meetings with Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer and State Secretary Barbara Eibinger-Miedl in the capital. Officials said the aim of her visit is to deepen India's economic and financial relations with Austria through high-level dialogues, bilateral meetings and exploring cooperation opportunities. "Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman reported on key aspects of the Indian economy, key reforms, and policy measures," the Austrian Finance Ministry said in a statement. "She explained the opportunities for investment and business cooperation between the two countries, including through the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund, in the areas of e-mobility and semiconductors, as well as between start-ups on both sides, particularly in the area of financial technology," it noted. It reiterated that its geopolitical location, historical roots, and economic strength make Austria a reliable trading partner for India. "The US tariff and trade policies are putting a strain on the European and Austrian economies. This makes it all the more important to strengthen economic cooperation with all partner countries and promote innovation-driven collaborations," said Minister Marterbauer. "India is the fastest-growing economy of all G20 countries, with projected GDP growth of over six per cent. If trade takes place under fair and sustainable conditions, both partners will benefit," he said. As an export-oriented economy, Austria said it has always been committed to common international rules and standards that promote prosperity and stability. "Cooperation and trade relations with economies like India are of great importance for our location. The exchange with Finance Minister Sitharaman underscores the great potential for deeper cooperation between Austria and India especially in the areas of digital and innovative financial technologies," stated Barbara Eibinger-Miedl. "Together, we can create framework conditions that promote sustainable growth and open up new market opportunities for our domestic companies," she added. Bengaluru, April 11 : Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, on Friday, launched a scathing attack on the Congress, saying the party had insulted B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution, at every step. He alleged that Congress gave away constituencies with a Hindu majority, where Ambedkar had won, to Pakistan as part of its malicious strategy. Now, the party is shedding crocodile tears to woo Dalit votes, he added. Speaking at the inauguration of the "Bheem Hejje" centenary celebration in Bengaluru, Union Minister Joshi accused the Congress of deliberately undermining Ambedkar's electoral victories. "Bheem Hejje" event marks Ambedkar's speech at a 1925 conference of the Hitakarini Sabha in Nippani town of Belagavi district in Karnataka. He claimed that the constituencies of Jessore, Khulna, and Haridpur -- where Ambedkar had support -- were handed over to Pakistan. He said that Congress has continuously disrespected Ambedkar from the pre-Independence era to the present. The current Congress government in Karnataka not celebrating the centenary of Bheem Hejje is another example of this ongoing disregard, he added. According to Union Minister Joshi, when Ambedkar tried to enter the Constituent Assembly through elections, Congress defeated him twice through conspiracies. The Union Minister said that Ambedkar finally got elected from Bengal on the insistence of Dalit leader Jogendranath Mandal, but even then, Congress couldn't tolerate his win and ensured the Hindu-majority constituencies he won were ceded to Pakistan. In the first Lok Sabha election in 1952, when Ambedkar contested from Mumbai North, Congress allegedly fielded their close party aide to defeat him, he added. Prime Minister late Jawahar Lal Nehru himself campaigned against Ambedkar, Union Minister Joshi said. Ambedkar was again defeated in the 1954 Bhandara by-election, he added. The same Congress party that awarded a Padma Bhushan to Narayan Kajrolkar -- who defeated Ambedkar -- denied him the Bharat Ratna award, the Union Minister said. They didn't even allow the unveiling of Ambedkar's portrait in Parliament or allocate proper space for his cremation in Delhi, forcing his followers to carry out the last rites on a beach in Mumbai, Union Minister Joshi claimed. He noted that it was the BJP-supported V.P. Singh government in 1990 that finally honoured Ambedkar with the Bharat Ratna. It was due to Atal Bihari Vajpayee's insistence that Ambedkar's portrait was installed in Parliament, he said. Union Minister Joshi also mentioned that Ambedkar was the first Indian to earn a PhD in economics. He alleged that Ambedkar had written a letter to Nehru's government while resigning from the party, outlining how the Congress humiliated him and opposed reservations for the Dalits and OBCs. He claimed that Ambedkar's letter has been erased from history by the Congress. Union Minister Joshi said that when Ambedkar provided constitutional reservations for Dalits, Nehru opposed them and wrote to all Chief Ministers against it. Later, former PM late Rajiv Gandhi also gave long speeches against reservations for Dalits and OBCs, he added. He said that today's Congress leaders carry the same mindset, merely using Dalits, OBCs, and Muslims as vote banks. Union Minister Joshi alleged that Congress's anti-Dalit mindset is hereditary -- from Nehru to Rajiv Gandhi. Recently, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge was also insulted by being made to sit on a side sofa rather than being given a prominent seat during a Congress event, he added. Union Minister Joshi criticised the Karnataka-led Congress government for ignoring the Bheem Hejje centenary celebration, despite celebrating Mahatma Gandhi's visit to Belagavi with grandeur. He said that the Congress-led state government should have convened an all-party meeting and organised the event respectfully by involving Dalit leaders and thinkers. He added that BJP is commemorating the centenary of Bheem Hejje -- marking Ambedkar's speech at a 1925 conference of the Hitakarini Sabha in Nippani -- over five days in different parts of the state. The concluding ceremony will be held on April 15 in Nipani, with a bike rally from Bengaluru to Nipani. Opposition leaders R. Ashoka, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, BJP MP Govind Karjol, and various Dalit leaders participated in the inauguration of the event in Bengaluru. New Delhi, April 11 : A US official's claim over possible hacking of electronic voting systems in that country was on Friday met with a reassuring calm by the Election Commission of India (ECI) with sources highlighting the Indian EVMs' superior technology and no use of Internet or Bluetooth during voting as foolproof shields against manipulation. The US official, in a viral video circulating on social media, made the claim about election integrity while referring to on-going probe in that country into 'flaws' in electronic voting systems and urged a switch to paper ballots. Claiming that there was no reason for an alarm, sources at ECI said that the US and the Indian EVMs were not comparable due to several additional security measures incorporated into our machines. "Some countries use Electronic Voting Systems, which are a mix of multiple systems, machines and processes including various private networks including Internet etc. India uses EVMs which work like simple, correct and accurate calculators and cannot be connected to either Internet, WiFi or Infrared," said an ECI source. Reassuring voters and the Indian public, an election panel official said: "These machines have stood legal scrutiny by the Supreme Court of India and are invariably checked by the political parties at various stages, including the conduct of mock polls before polling starts. More than 5 crore voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips have been verified and matched while counting in front of political parties." Earlier, the US official said in the video, posted on social media platform X: "We have evidence of how these electronic voting systems have been vulnerable to hackers for a very long time and vulnerable to exploitation to manipulate the results of the votes being cast, which further drives forward your mandate to bring about paper ballots across the country so that voters can have faith in the integrity of our elections." The US debate over the vulnerability of electronic voting systems in that country comes at a time when the Opposition parties, led by the Congress, in India have made several attempts to blame the EVMs for its repeated poll debacles. After the Congress' rout in the Haryana and Maharashtra Assembly elections in 2024, the Congress had blamed the 'biased and fixed' EVMs. Apart from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawer and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha General Secretary Supriyo Bhattacharya have regularly raised questions over EVMs. However, the BJP has constantly criticised the Opposition parties for their inconsistent stance on EVMs. "When Priyanka Gandhi wins, EVMs are fine. When they win in Jharkhand, EVMs function well. But the moment results in Maharashtra don't favour them, EVMs suddenly become faulty or dishonest," said BJP National Secretary Manjinder Singh Sirsa in November. "When they secured 99 seats (in LS polls), Rahul Gandhi was patting his back, claiming they defeated PM Modi. But if the BJP wins 240 seats, then EVMs are to blame. This hypocrisy is the reason why they lack credibility," he added. Patna, April 11 : Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar and 20 other party leaders were detained by Patna Police while they were trying to march towards Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's residence. Kanhaiya Kumar's 'Palayan Roko Naukri Do' rally, against alleged unemployment in the state, was intercepted by the police at Rajapur Pul to prevent them from reaching the CM's residence. "We have detained around 20 persons, including Kanhaiya Kumar, and taken them to Kotwali police station for legal proceedings," said Krishna Murari, DSP (Law and Order), Central Patna. The District Police initially attempted to disperse the crowd using water cannons but failed as the protestors, including senior Congress leaders, resisted. As the situation escalated, physical altercations broke out, leading to detentions and mild lathi-charge by the police. Despite the crackdown, many Congress leaders and supporters continued marching, attempting to reach the CM's residence in defiance of police barricades. The atmosphere in central Patna turned chaotic with heavy police deployment and ongoing clashes between protestors and police. Earlier in the day, Congress leader and former Rajasthan Deputy CM Sachin Pilot joined the yatra. Pilot walked alongside Kanhaiya Kumar and other youth leaders, criticising the central and state governments for their "betrayal" of the youth and "mishandling" of employment issues. Tension remained high in Patna, with the Congress party alleging police high-handedness, while the administration maintained that law and order protocols were followed. Recently, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi visited Begusarai, participated in the 'Palayan Roko, Naukri Do' padayatra and targeted the state and Central governments. The grand old party is pushing Kanhaiya Kumar as a youth leader in Bihar. Ajmer, April 11 : Syed Naseruddin Chishti, Chairman of the All India Sufi Sajjadanashin Council and successor of Ajmer Dargah's Dewan Zainul Abedin, on Friday said that the extradition of Tahawwur Rana is a tribute to the martyrs of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Speaking to IANS, Syed Chishti said, "I thank the Indian government and our security agencies for successfully extraditing Tahawwur Rana from the United States. This is a diplomatic victory for India and a clear sign of strong leadership under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The message is loud and clear terrorists cannot hide forever. We have the capability to bring them back to face justice." He emphasised that the extradition sends a powerful signal to those involved in terrorism. "Rana's extradition is a tribute to the martyrs of the 26/11 attacks. It acts as a balm for Indians who still carry the pain of that horrific day. This move reflects India's zero-tolerance policy against terrorism," he added. Chishti further expressed hope that others involved in the attacks, including David Coleman Headley and additional fugitives, would also be brought to justice. "The leadership is strong, and I believe the day is not far when other terrorists involved in the 26/11 attacks will be extradited to India," he concluded. Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has taken custody of Rana following his extradition. The accused, a key conspirator in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, arrived in India on Thursday evening after a US court approved his extradition. Sources said that Rana's interrogation began on Friday morning at NIA headquarters in New Delhi. He is expected to be questioned about his role in the attacks, his association with David Headley, and alleged ties to Pakistan's Intelligence agency, the ISI. Rana is likely to be interrogated regarding his visits to India and the individuals he interacted with during those stays. Officials expect new leads to emerge during questioning. Rana will remain in NIA custody for 18 days. Chennai, April 11 : Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday formally announced that the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) will lead the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Tamil Nadu, setting the stage for a joint campaign in the 2026 Assembly elections. Addressing a press conference in Chennai, HM Shah described the AIADMK-BJP alliance as a "natural partnership" and confirmed that Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), AIADMK's general secretary, will be the NDA's chief ministerial candidate in the state. The declaration marks a significant political shift and revives a partnership that had collapsed in September 2023 following a bitter fallout. The split was largely triggered by controversial remarks made by Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai, which offended the AIADMK leadership. His comments about revered Dravidian leaders like C.N. Annadurai and J. Jayalalithaa had sparked outrage within the AIADMK and led to a public rift between the two parties. The two parties had previously contested together in the 2019 Lok Sabha and 2021 Assembly elections. In the 2021 polls, the BJP won four seats while the AIADMK secured 66. However, relations soured after Annamalai's appointment as state BJP chief, ultimately leading to the alliance's breakdown ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The split proved costly, as both parties suffered significant setbacks in the 2024 polls. HM Shah arrived in Chennai in the early hours of Friday and was received at the airport by key BJP leaders, including state president K. Annamalai, Union Minister of State L. Murugan, and senior figures Tamilisai Soundararajan, Nainar Nagendran, and Pon Radhakrishnan. During his visit, HM Shah held crucial discussions with senior BJP and RSS leaders, including a private meeting with S. Gurumurthy, editor of Thuglak magazine and an influential RSS ideologue. These meetings were part of a strategic move to revive the alliance ahead of the 2026 elections. Political observers note that the groundwork for this reunion had already been laid weeks earlier. EPS, along with senior AIADMK leaders and former ministers S.P. Velumani and K.P. Munusamy, had met HM Shah in New Delhi a meeting that sparked widespread speculation about a possible rapprochement. According to sources, the AIADMK leadership requested the BJP high command to consider replacing K. Annamalai to smoothen relations between the two parties. In a significant development, Annamalai announced on April 4 that he was not seeking any official position within the party and would continue to serve as a loyal cadre a statement that may have paved the way for renewed negotiations. Senior RSS functionaries reportedly played a key role in reviving the alliance, urging the BJP central leadership to rebuild ties with a major Dravidian party. With the DMK seen as a political adversary, the AIADMK emerged as the only viable option for the BJP to regain ground in Tamil Nadu. The announcement is expected to bring about a significant realignment in state politics. With nearly a year left until the 2026 Assembly polls, both parties are likely to begin groundwork for campaign coordination, candidate selection, and constituency-level planning. The revived alliance could reshape the electoral landscape in Tamil Nadu, as the NDA attempts to position itself as a serious contender against the ruling DMK. Political analysts believe that a united AIADMK-BJP front could tap into anti-incumbency sentiment and mobilise key voter blocs across the state. As the countdown to the 2026 elections begins, all eyes will now be on how this renewed alliance translates into on-the-ground momentum in one of India's most politically vibrant states. Bhopal, April 11 : Posters carrying veteran Congress leader and former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Digvijaya Singh's picture were put up in Bhopal and some other parts of the state have sparked a political controversy. Posters that were put up at several locations in Bhopal, mentioned that Digvijaya Singh has supported the Waqf Amendment Act. The word "gaddar" (traitor) was also used for Congress leaders along with Digvijaya Singh's picture and Congress' symbol. While on upper portion of the banners, the word "gaddar" was mentioned with a stamp, and in lower portion has a picture of Digvijaya Singh and his party's symbol, and states, "Waqf Bill ka virodh karne wale Digvijaya Singh." Posters were removed by Congress workers soon after they noticed them, and blamed the BJP government for putting such objectionable posters of Digvijaya Singh. Similar posters were put up on roadsides and on walls in Ratlam district as well, however, they were also removed, a Congress leader told IANS on Friday. "This is a highly objectionable act from the BJP. Ratlam district Congress unit will file a complaint against BJP, and then will stage a protest also," Ratlam district Congress President, Mahendra Katiyar, said. It came amid debate over the newly enacted Waqf Amendment Act, which saw mixed reaction from across the political parties and people from the Muslim community across the country. On Thursday, a protest against Waqf Amendment Act was organised by Congress MLA Arif Masood in Bhopal, and a large number of people from Muslim community had joined the protest. Addressing a large gathering of the people from the Muslim community, Arif Masood, who is an MLA from the Bhopal Madhya Assembly seat, said, "All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) has always opposed the Waqf Act and will continue to oppose it at each level." After the Waqf Amendment Bill-2025 was passed in both the Houses of the Parliament, President Droupadi 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 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. Varanasi, April 11 : Nagendra Pandey, former President of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, on Friday hailed the unprecedented transformation of Varanasi under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling it a remarkable example of development and vision-driven governance. Speaking to IANS, Nagendra Pandey said that the scale of change in Varanasi is visible on the ground and doesn't need documentation to be validated. "The development in the Varanasi parliamentary constituency doesn't require reading newspapers or reports. One only needs to walk around the city. Even a young visitor to Varanasi is surprised to see the transformation. Roads that were once only five metres wide have now been expanded to ten metres. Narrow lanes have turned into smooth, four-lane roads. This is the reality people see and experience," he said. Pandey further emphasised the impact of infrastructure growth on the local economy. "So many flyovers have been constructed in Banaras in just ten years. Roads have been developed at an incredible pace, connecting cities like Ghazipur, Mirzapur, Ramnagar, and Allahabad. If you speak to hotel owners or taxi drivers, you'll hear how their incomes have increased. Someone who once ran a small tea stall has built a hotel today. That's the scale of transformation," he added. He noted that Varanasi has not only expanded physically but has also grown in terms of educational and healthcare infrastructure. "Schools and colleges have better facilities now. The establishment of Ishwar Medical College and a major Ayurveda college here stands as a testament to our progress. Even our airport and railway station now appear world-class, offering ten times more amenities than before," he added. Commenting on Prime Minister Modi's 50th visit to Varanasi, where he laid the foundation stone for 44 new development projects, Pandey expressed appreciation. "The Prime Minister said that Maa Ganga has called him to Kashi, and we believe there is a divine purpose behind his work. He didn't come here with any personal agenda but to servewhether by distributing Ayushman cards or implementing welfare schemes. He doesn't just make promises; he fulfills them," Pandey said. Addressing the ongoing discussion around the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Pandey clarified misconceptions. "Some are spreading confusion about the Waqf Act. This amendment wasn't brought up suddenly. It was well thought out. There are many marginalised 'Pasmanda' Muslims who were previously neglected. This law brings equality and inclusiveness for them. The critics are often those misusing the system for personal gain," he said. Pandey concluded by saying that the positive outcomes of the amended Waqf Act will become evident in the coming years, benefiting communities that were long overlooked. New Delhi, April 11 : India is fast becoming a central hub for global technology development, leading experts said here on Friday. Speaking to IANS on the sidelines of the 'Global Technology Summit' here, they emphasised India's role in shaping the future of technology -- from fostering international collaborations to leading innovation in digital public infrastructure (DPI). Brendan Dowling, Australia's Ambassador for Cyber Affairs and Critical Technology, praised India for hosting what he described as a 'prominent global event.' He noted that the summit brings together policymakers, industry leaders, and think tanks to discuss the deep interconnection between technology and geopolitics. "This summit, I think, has become a really prominent global event. It brings together policy makers and industry think tanks to talk about geopolitics and technology," Dowling told IANS. According to him, technology lies at the core of international safety, security, and prosperity, and India's skilled ICT workforce and thriving software industry make it an essential partner in advancing global tech capabilities. Dowling also emphasised the opportunity for Australia and India to build a stronger bilateral technology partnership, highlighting the complementary strengths of both nations. Jon Simonsson, Senior Director at the Swedish Prime Minister's Office, underscored the importance of collaboration in technological progress. He said that most new technologies cannot be developed in isolation but require joint efforts between countries, industries, academia, and public institutions. Calling the summit an excellent platform, Simonsson added that it allows for the creation of shared understanding, collaborative action, and even joint technological projects. Janka Oertel, Director, Asia programme and Senior Policy Fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, appreciated India's inclusive approach, particularly its engagement with the Global South, Europe, and the United States. She highlighted the summit as a critical space for discussing not only the challenges posed by emerging technologies but also the opportunities they present in a global context. "India has laid out an ambitious agenda, especially in the realm of digital public infrastructure, and that this momentum could lead to meaningful collaboration between India, Europe and other regions," Oertel told IANS. Mumbai, April 11 : The state-run Maharashtra State Power Generation Company (MahaGenco) and the Russian state-owned nuclear energy corporation ROSATOM on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding for the development of thorium-based Nuclear Reactors with fuel supply in the state. Commercialisation of thorium reactors will be as per the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) safety norms. The establishment of an assembly line for Thorium reactors will be done under the 'Make in Maharashtra' initiative. The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and officers from both companies. According to the chief minister's office, the Maharashtra Institution for Transformation (MITRA) will provide strategic support for the joint development of the Small Modular Reactors with Thorium fuel. All development will take place in accordance with the guidelines of the Government of India and AERB. A Joint Working Group will be formed for the project, comprising representatives from the signatory organisations- MahaGenco, ROSATOM Energy Projects, MITRA, and Global Technology Alliance. The implementation will strictly follow all legal provisions and safety guidelines laid down by the Government of India in the use and development of nuclear energy. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has asked the administration to examine the financial viability of E-Transit and submit a report. He said that E-Transit is a good option for urban transportation. He chaired the representatives of HESS-AG regarding the launch of E-Transit on a pilot basis in the Pimpri-Chinchwad metropolitan area. Stressing the need to examine the feasibility of the project, CM Fadnavis suggested that the company should manufacture its products in India, which would reduce production costs and, in turn, the overall project expenditure. If the company can offer an efficient urban transport system at an affordable cost, such projects can be implemented in at least 10 cities across the state. He directed the company to begin manufacturing its E-Transit buses within India and to submit a detailed report on initiating the project in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) area. CM Fadnavis further added that a proposal should be prepared considering the economic and operational aspects of the current E-buses, Metro, and E-Transit systems together. The company must present a practical and viable proposal. He mentioned that an alternative alongside Metro is currently necessary for cities, and if E-Transit can fulfill that role, it would be most welcome. It is proposed that a High-Capacity Mass Transit Route (HCMT) system will be developed by integrating the existing Metro and BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) systems in the Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal area. Chandigarh, April 11 : Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said here on Friday that striking a major blow to the cross-border drug smuggling amid the ongoing anti-drugs campaign 'Yudh Nashian Virudh', Punjab Police's Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) have apprehended a key drug trafficker and recovered 18.2 kg heroin from his possession. The arrested drug smuggler has been identified as Hira Singh, alias Hira, a resident of Khaira village in Amritsar district. DGP Yadav said that preliminary investigations have revealed that accused Hira Singh and his associate, Kulwinder Singh, alias Kinda, of Dauke village in Amritsar, were in touch with Pakistan-based drug trafficker identified as Billa. The latter has been using drones to drop the large consignments of heroin from across the border for the past one year, he added. The DGP said that raids are being conducted to nab the accused Kulwinder Singh. Further investigations are underway to establish forward and backward linkages in this case, he added. Additional Director General of Police (ADGP), ANTF, Nilabh Kishore, said that police teams of ANTF Border Range Amritsar had received a reliable input that accused Hira Singh and Kulwinder Singh are notorious drug smugglers and had been receiving heroin consignments via drones from a Pakistan-based drug smugglers for the past year. Acting swiftly, police teams led by Superintendent of Police (Amritsar), Gupreet Singh, launched an operation and arrested the accused Hira Singh, when he was leaving his house on a motorcycle to deliver the heroin consignment. Police teams have recovered 12 packets of heroin (1.5 kg each), totalling 18 kg 227 gm, from his possession, he said. The ADGP said that in order to break the chain of heroin supply, the questioning will be conducted of an accused. Thereafter, action will be taken against the culprits on the basis of facts, he added. Nava Raipur, April 11 : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday laid the foundation stone for the country's first Ultra-edge technology-based Gallium Nitride (GaN)-based semiconductor fabrication unit in Nava Raipur. "This isn't just a plant... it's the identity of the new Chhattisgarh," said CM Sai, hinting that its biggest social impact will be seen in Bastar and other Maoism-affected areas, where youth will be linked to this modern industry by giving them technical training. "Our aim is not only to attract investments but to ensure that youth from tribal, rural, and backward regions receive technical training and become active participants in India's technological revolution," said the CM, according to an official statement. At the event, the Managing Director of the company setting up the unit also announced an additional investment of Rs 10,000 crore in Chhattisgarh. He said that commercial production from the plant will start from April-May 2026. Developed with an investment of Rs 1,143 crore, the state-of-the-art facility will produce high-frequency GaN chips designed to operate between 5.925 GHz and 13.75 GHz (Nodes N102104), catering to advanced 5G and 6G telecommunications infrastructure and marking a major milestone in India's technological journey. The project is expected to create significant employment opportunities for local talent, while attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and boosting regional economic development. The plant aims to manufacture 10 billion chips annually by 2030, with potential to generate thousands of direct jobs and lakhs of indirect employment opportunities, said the statement. It directly supports the Central's government's 'Make in India' and 'Digital India' initiatives by reducing dependency on imported semiconductors and promoting domestic innovation. The company will handle the advanced packaging of these high-frequency chips at the Raipur facility, which will also serve as a hub for innovation in RF systems, defence electronics, artificial intelligence, data analytics, and high-performance computing. Gallium Nitride is globally recognised as a superior alternative to silicon in high-power, high-frequency applications, due to its efficiency, thermal performance, and durability. The establishment of this facility marks India's entry into a high-value, strategic segment of the global semiconductor market. The statement said that the Chhattisgarh government has shown its commitment towards not just 'ease of doing business, but also delivering 'speed of doing business'. The state government took swift action to prevent any hindrance in setting up this unit. The Chhattisgarh government signed an investment proposal with the company during the 'Chhattisgarh Investor Connect' held in New Delhi in December 2024. According to the Industry Department officials, the company was allotted land in Sector 5 of Nava Raipur through the tender process in less than 45 days and the registration of the lease deed was completed in less than 25 days. Chennai, April 11 : Actress Ramya Krishnan, whose powerful performance as Neelambari in the Rajinikanth-starrer 'Padaiyappa' is hailed as one of the best antagonist performances by an actor in a Rajinikanth film to this day, has now begun shooting for director Nelson's eagerly-awaited action extravaganza 'Jailer 2', featuring Rajinikanth in the lead. Ramya Krishnan took to her Instagram page to share a story on her first day of shoot. She wrote, "26 years of Padayappa and the first day shoot of Jailer 2." Ramya Krishnan plays the character of Vijaya Pandian a.k.a Viji, the wife of Rajinikanth's character Muthuvel Pandian, in the film. Shooting for the film is currently taking place at Attapaadi in Kerala. Rajinikanth, who arrived in Coimbatore on Thursday, disclosed to reporters at the airport that the current schedule was for 20 days. Sources say that actress Mirnaa, who plays Swetha Pandian, Rajinikanth's daughter-in law in the film, too will have a pivotal role in the sequel. It may be recalled that Sun Pictures, the production house producing director Nelson's much-awaited action entertainer 'Jailer 2', had announced that shooting for the film had commenced on March 10 this year. Shooting of the film began in Chennai first. Kannada superstar Dr Shiva Rajkumar and Malayalam superstar Mohanlal too are expected to be a part of Jailer 2 as well. However, there has been no confirmation regarding this information from the makers. Jailer 2 has triggered huge interest, thanks to the phenomenal reach of Jailer, which went on to emerge a huge blockbuster, raking in around Rs 650 crores. Expectations further shot up when Sun Pictures, the production house that is producing the film, officially announced the launch of 'Jailer 2' through an exceptionally interesting teaser that was both funny and thrilling. --IANS Mkr/ Karwar : , April 11 (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 fifth day on Friday. The party slammed the Siddaramaiah-led government for targeting BJP workers across the state unjustly. Speaking at the 'Janakrosh Yatra' public meeting held in Yellapur town in Karwar district, Member of Parliament Kota Srinivas Poojary charged that BJP workers were being targeted unjustly across the state. "BJP workers were allegedly beaten just because a senior police official of the rank of Inspector General was arriving in the coastal Karnataka region. When questioned, FIRs were reportedly filed against 40 BJP workers. What kind of state is this?" he asked. He reminded the police department that it was the BJP that had taken to the streets to fight for justice when 1 lakh police officers in the state were being treated unfairly. Poojary criticised the Congress government led by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, saying: "This government is administratively dead -- it is no longer alive." He alleged that law and order in the state had completely collapsed. Referring to the murder case of Hindu activist Praveen Kumar Nettaru, he said: "When the accused was brought to court in the presence of police, someone kissed him on the forehead. What is this government doing? What is the Home Department doing?" He questioned the silence of the police in such matters. He brought up the recent incident in Udayagiri locality in Mysuru, where a police station was set on fire, and asked: "Where is the law and order?" He also questioned how the government, which is supposed to prevent terrorists from entering the state with bombs hidden in pressure cookers, can tolerate senior ministers referring to such terrorists as "our brothers". "If such a situation is created, where is the law and order?" he asked. Speaking at a public meeting during the BJP's Janakrosh Yatra, the BJP State President and MLA B.Y. Vijayendra said that the BJP is not the one calling the Congress government corruptit's the Congress party's own MLA and Chief Minister's Economic Advisor, Basavaraj Rayareddy, who has certified it as such. Appreciating the massive turnout, he said the BJP launched this campaign to raise public awareness against the Congress government's price hikes and corruption. He criticized Chief Minister Siddaramaiah for introducing a 4 per cent reservation for Muslims in government contracts, calling it an act of appeasement that insults Hindus. Vijayendra also alleged that Rs 38,000 crore earmarked under the SCSP (Scheduled Caste Sub Plan) and TSP (Tribal Sub Plan) -- funds meant for the development of Dalits -- have been diverted by Siddaramaiah to other purposes, where corruption is also taking place. He said this misuse is sparking public outrage. Vijayendra accused Siddaramaiah of overseeing maximum price hikes during the past 20 months of his administration. He claimed that instead of focusing on development, the Chief Minister has set up an expert committee to recommend price hikes on essential goods. He further said the Congress is misleading the people in the name of "guarantees", while Siddaramaiah has increased the prices of over 50 essential commodities in the last 20 months. Vijayendra slammed Siddaramaiah for walking to the Krishna River before the elections but failing to allocate even a rupee for irrigation projects after coming to power. Similarly, he criticised Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar for taking part in the Mekedatu padayatra (protest march) before the elections but forgetting the project after assuming power. He noted that diesel prices have been increased by Rs 7.50 under the Congress government, severely impacting the cost of daily-use goods. Farmers, who rely on diesel for tractors and other agricultural machinery, are particularly affected, he added. Vijayendra said that while the Congress government promotes schemes like "Shakti" (free bus travel for women), it owes Rs 6,500 crore to Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). Thousands of government buses in rural areas have stopped operating, leaving students without transportation to schools and colleges. He also pointed out that the hike in milk prices by Rs 9 has made it difficult for poor families to provide nutritious food to their children. "The Congress government gives with one hand and takes away with the other," he alleged. Washington, April 11 : US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Friday hailed the extradition of Tahawwur Hussain Rana - a key conspirator in the deadly 2008 Mumbai terror attacks - to India, stating that Washington and New Delhi have "long sought justice" for the 26/11 victims. "We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Together, with India, we've long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I'm glad that day has come," Rubio posted on X Friday evening, India time. Rana, a 64-year-old Pakistan-born Canadian national, 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 and the Indian intelligence agencies worked closely with the US authorities to take the matter to its successful conclusion after years of sustained and concerted efforts to bring the key conspirator behind the 2008 mayhem to justice. Interestingly, Rubio and External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar spoke over phone on the evening of April 7, affirming the strength of the India-US strategic partnership and discussing opportunities to deepen collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region. "Good to speak with Secretary Rubio today. Exchanged perspectives on the Indo-Pacific, the Indian Sub-continent, Europe, Middle East/West Asia and the Caribbean. Agreed on the importance of the early conclusion of the Bilateral Trade Agreement. Look forward to remaining in touch," said EAM Jaishankar after the phone call. Soon after Rana's arrival in New Delhi, the US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said that Washington has extradited Rana to India "to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks." "The United States has long supported India's efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice, and as President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism," the spokesperson mentioned at a regular media briefing early Friday, India time. The US Department of Justice also issued a statement, highlighting that Rana - a convicted terrorist, a Canadian citizen and a native of Pakistan - is charged in India with numerous offences, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks committed by LeT, a designated foreign terrorist organisation. The US said the 2008 Mumbai attacks "were among the most horrific and catastrophic in India's history". Addis Ababa, April 11 : The number of mpox cases reported in Africa in the past three months has been more than half of the total reported in the whole 2024, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The continent has reported 39,840 mpox cases so far this year, including 9,020 confirmed ones, Yap Boum, Deputy Incident Manager for mpox at the Africa CDC, told an online briefing. In the previous week alone, Africa reported 2,768 new cases, including 508 confirmed ones and 13 new related deaths, Boum said. Since the start of last year, 22 mpox-affected African countries have reported 117,678 cases. Of those, 26,927 were confirmed and more than 1,700 related deaths were recorded. Uganda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) cumulatively reported 94 per cent of the confirmed cases during the previous week, the Africa CDC said. "We see that the number of cases is still increasing both in terms of suspected and confirmed cases. We have an average of 3,000 suspected cases weekly so far in 2025," said Boum. "More critical, in the past three months, we have already had more than 50 per cent of the total number of cases that we had in 2024." The DRC, which is at the epicentre of the current mpox outbreak in Africa, has reported a total of 90,406 mpox cases since the start of last year, including 2,099 cases during the past week alone, according to data from the Africa CDC, Xinhua news agency reported. Mpox, formerly known as monkeypox, is a viral disease typically transmitted through body fluids, respiratory droplets, and other contaminated materials. The infection often causes fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. In August last year, the Africa CDC declared the mpox outbreak a public health emergency of continental security. Shortly afterward, the World Health Organization designated the viral disease as a public health emergency of international concern, marking the second time in two years that it activated its highest level of global alert for mpox. Chennai, April 11 : BJP Legislature Party Leader and former Minister Nainar Nagendran is set to become the 13th President of the Tamil Nadu BJP. His appointment comes as part of a significant reshuffle within the party's state and national leadership. The announcement was made by BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh at Kamalalayam, the party's state headquarters. Chugh stated: "We have received nominations for the post of State President from Nainar Nagendran, proposed by K. Annamalai, L. Murugan, Pon Radhakrishnan, H. Raja, Vanathi Srinivasan, V.P. Duraisamy, Kanagasabapathy, Pon V. Balaganapathy, K.P. Ramalingam, and Narayanan Thirupathy." Nagendran was the sole nominee for the post, effectively confirming his unopposed elevation. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also acknowledged the development. In a social media post, he wrote: "The Tamil Nadu BJP has received a nomination for the post of State President only from Shri @NainarBJP Ji." HM Shah lauded outgoing state President K. Annamalai for his contributions, stating: "As the President of the Tamil Nadu BJP unit, Shri @annamalai_k Ji has made commendable accomplishments. Whether in communicating PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's policies to the people or in taking the party's programmes to every village, Annamalai Ji's work has been unprecedented. His organizational skills will now be utilised at the national level." Nagendran's elevation comes at a crucial time as the BJP inches closer to an alliance with the AIADMK. The 64-year-old leader has deep roots in Tamil Nadu politics. Initially a senior AIADMK leader, he was first elected to the Tamil Nadu Assembly from the Tirunelveli constituency in 2001. During the AIADMK government under Jayalalithaa (20012006), he served as Minister for Transport, Industries, and Electricity. He won re-election in 2011 but was not included in the Cabinet. He narrowly lost the seat in the 2006 and 2016 Assembly elections. After Jayalalithaa's death in 2016, Nagendran joined the BJP and reclaimed Tirunelveli in the 2021 Assembly polls as a BJP candidate. He was then appointed Legislature Party Leader in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Nagendran also contested the Lok Sabha elections unsuccessfully from Ramanathapuram in 2019 and from Tirunelveli in 2024. Chennai, April 11 : The makers of director Sundar C's much-awaited comedy heist drama 'Gangers', featuring Sundar C and Vadivelu in the lead, on Tuesday, released 'Kuppan', the first video song from the film, much to the delight of fans and film buffs. Chennai, April 11 (IANS) The makers of director Sundar Cas much-awaited comedy heist drama aGangersa, featuring Sundar C and Vadivelu in the lead, on Tuesday, released aKuppana, the first video song from the film, much to the delight of fans and film buffs. The song, which has been picturised on the leading lady of the film, Catherine Tresa, also has comedian Vadivelu occasionally shaking a leg. The song has been set to tune by C Sathya. Lyrics for the song are by Pa Vijay and it has been rendered by Meenakshi and Gunasundari. The film has triggered huge interest among film buffs and fans ever since the makers released a hilarious trailer. The trailer gives away the fact that the film will be an out and out entertainer, full of laughs, action and romance. It begins with Mime Gopias character talking about an individual whose identity is unknown. Mime Gopi suspects that the unknown individual is targeting him and his family as the man has been repeatedly launching attacks on him and his family using the village festival as cover to carry out his operations. The trailer then shows a new PT master called Saravanan (Sundar C) arriving in the village. While Saravanan is a qualified teacher, who has got the job on merit, the village school already has another PT master (Vadivelu) who has got the job under the management quota. The trailer also shows Vadivelu falling for Catherine Tresaas character even as she falls for Sundar C. The last part of the trailer shows Saravanan announcing that he is to rob over a 100 crore that the crooks have stashed over a period of three years. In this regard, he seeks help from Vadivelu, Baks and Munishkanth. The film, which has been written and directed by Sundar C, has music by Sathya and cinematography by E Krishnasamy. Editing for the film is by Praveen Antony. The film, which has been produced by A.C. Shanmugam, A.C.S. Arunkumar, Kushboo Sundar, is set to hit screens on April 24 this year. --IANS Mkr/ New Delhi, April 11 : Health experts on Friday welcomed the Supreme Court's decision to make nutritional labels on packaged foods mandatory. New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) Health experts on Friday welcomed the Supreme Courtas decision to make nutritional labels on packaged foods mandatory. Demanding clear nutritional information on packaged foods, a bench of Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan, this week, set a three-month deadline instructing the Centre to finalise and enforce updated regulations on food labelling. "In the distant past, each family prepared their own food and had control over its ingredients. However, in the current era, a significant portion of food consumed by any family is made by other people. This means the consumer has little control over what exactly is consumed when they purchase these food items outside. It is therefore crucial that the food maker specifies all the ingredients on the label," Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, Convener, Research Cell, Kerala State IMA, told IANS. In July 2024, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) approved a proposal to make a bolder and bigger display of nutritional information regarding total sugar, salt, and saturated fat on packaged food items. The proposal called for packaged food items to carry the amount of total sugar, salt, and saturated fat "in bold letters and relatively increased font size". Meanwhile, the Centre has assured that the FSSAI has already begun the process of revising the regulations, having received over 14,000 public comments on the proposed labelling norms. The labelling "must be in a format that the common man can understand", said Jayadevan. In addition to packaged foods, the labelling norms must also extend "from large scale manufacturers to roadside eateries that sell food including snacks and namkeens", the expert said. aItas a welcome decision by the highest court of India. What is needed is the FSSAI to quickly give India's 140 crore people a definition of foods high in fat, sugar, and salt (HFSS), and work towards front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) that indicates if sugar, salt, or fats are high," Dr Arun Gupta, a paediatrician, told IANS. "FSSAI should transparently make public the 14,000 public comments and its analysis in public," added Gupta, a Convener of Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest (NAPi) -- a national think-tank on nutrition. The top court ruling comes amid an increase in cases of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and cancer. Notably, the Economic Survey 2024-25 also highlighted the alarming rise in NCDs in India, directly linking them to the rapidly increasing consumption of UPFs. "Food habits significantly impact long-term health. Conditions like hypertension, obesity, and diabetes result in huge morbidity and mortality long term, and are directly linked with food habits and lifestyle," Jaydevan said. Kolkata, April 11 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will hold a meeting with the imams, muezzins, and religious leaders from the Muslim community in the state on April 16 to prepare the blueprint on how to oppose the recently promulgated Waqf Amendment Act. The venue of the meeting will be Netaji Indoor Stadium in central Kolkata. Firhad Hakim, the West Bengal Municipal Affairs and Urban Development Minister and the Mayor of Kolkata Municipal Corporation, will also be present at the meeting. Recently, at a programme of the Jain community in Kolkata, the Chief Minister gave a subtle message to the Union government that the Waqf Amendment Act will not be implemented in West Bengal. He also described the Waqf Act as an "attempt to snatch others' property". "Just as no one has the right to snatch my property, similarly, I too do not have the right to snatch others' property. In West Bengal, I will never allow that. In West Bengal, the people from the minority community are almost 33 per cent of the population. Always remember that your Didi is there to protect you and your property. Our mission should be -- 'Jio Aur Jine Do (Live and let live)'," CM Banerjee said on Wednesday. Political observers feel that the proposed meeting at Netaji Indoor Stadium on April 16 will be an extension of the Chief Minister's proclamation as regards the Act and the involvement of the imams, muezzins, and religious leaders from the Muslim community had been done to ensure that future movements on this issue take a bigger shape in the coming days. Haikm, on Friday, told media persons that West Bengal is fortunate to have a Chief Minister as a result of which the interests of people from all religious communities are protected in the state. "In West Bengal, there is no question of misrule arising out of attempts to divide people on the basis of religious beliefs. Our protests against the Waqf Amendment Act will continue," he said. New Delhi, April 11 : Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, on Friday said they want to invest more in India, along with exporting and attracting more Indian investments in Italy. India is an important country for stability in the Indo-Pacific region, which is crucial to strengthen the trade, he emphasised. Addressing the "Italy-India Business, Science and Technology Forum" here, he said that the country is an economy with enormous potential, and we want to strengthen this cooperation. "Italy and India are natural economic partners. Together, we want to strengthen our cooperation for a partnership that looks at the future through higher education, innovation and research. Today, Italy and India are closer than ever. Our bilateral trade is over $14 billion, and we want to invest more in India, export more to India, and attract more Indian investments in Italy," he added. According to Tajani, innovation, AI, super computers, space technology and defence are a few sectors which have potential for joint partnerships and both countries should work to attract investments in these areas. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said there is further scope for expansion in the bilateral trade between India and Italy if we work seamlessly with each other, encourage investments, and promote businesses without roadblocks. Goyal further stated that the Indian economy is slated to grow from $4 trillion to $30-35 trillion by 2047 and "our goal of Viksit Bharat makes India a compelled case to deepen the engagement between the European Union and India, particularly Italy and India". "There are untapped newer areas like fashion, luxury goods, food processing, pharmaceuticals, tourism, green technology, advanced manufacturing, automobiles," the minister emphasised. Amid all the global challenges that the world is experiencing, it is very reassuring to see the strength and depth of the Italy-India friendship, he said. "This forum is a very timely platform and a good opportunity for all of us to collectively resolve to implement the Joint Strategic Action plan 2025-29 launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in November of 2024. It is a very forward-looking, ambitious and pragmatic roadmap with a strong focus on trade, investment, and innovation," said Goyal. At the event, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that the direction of Indiaas progress and the capabilities of Italian industry make for a good combination. "Make In India today offers a platform or pathway for that collaboration to unfold," he added. New Delhi, April 11 : Amid protests by parents against fee hikes by some private schools, Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva on Friday lashed out at the Opposition AAP for pushing a false narrative that the BJP Government is unable to curb fee hikes. The Delhi BJP President said that, contrary to Arvind Kejriwal's claims, the truth is that fees for private schools in Delhi have been consistently increasing over the past decade of AAP rule. "There are more than 1,650 private schools in Delhi, but the Kejriwal government managed to audit the accounts of only 75 schools in a year. Taking advantage of this, almost all private schools have been raising fees substantially," he said. Sachdeva alleged that Arvind Kejriwal, former Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj and former Chief Minister Atishi have been using social media to spread confusion and lies about school hikes by private schools. "The AAP leaders are relentlessly trying to build a false political narrative against the BJP in Delhi. When their propaganda failed on issues like the Women's Prosperity Scheme, Ayushman Bharat, and power cuts, they have now taken up the school fee hike issue for political mileage -- but they will not succeed," he said. He said: "When in power, they used social media platforms to make false claims of success, and now, as the Opposition, they are misusing both social media and a certain section of the media to defame and weaken the current BJP government." In the case of a private school in Dwarka, where parents are currently agitating against the fee hike, the issue has been under dispute since 2023, he said. Sachdeva said that the Rekha Gupta-led Delhi government has strictly curbed fee hikes by private schools and ordered audits for all 1,650 plus private schools and has halted any further fee hikes. The Delhi BJP President reiterated that no school in Delhi will be allowed to increase fees without an audit, and even then, any increase will only be allowed if the school is incurring losses. He questioned Kejriwal how, during his tenure, almost all court verdicts in fee hike cases favoured the private schools. "Was there some kind of collusion?" he asked. Sachdeva stated that Kejriwal's real concern isn't fee hikes, but the impending exposure of financial extortion by the School Management Committee members appointed during his rule. New Delhi, April 11 : Aiming to promote transparency, Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Friday called for taking timely action on audit observations that shed light on the performance of the city government. While addressing a meeting to discuss Reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) presented during the Second Session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, Gupta also issued instructions to submit a report on the supply and regulation of liquor by April 20. Additionally, he also directed the other relevant departments to submit CAG Action Taken Reports by April 30, he said. The meeting was attended by Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht; Ajay Mahawar, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Accounts (PAC); Gajender Drall, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Undertakings; Additional Chief Secretary (Finance); and Roli Shukla Malge, Accountant General (Audit), Delhi. During the meeting, a detailed presentation was made by the Accountant General (Audit), Delhi, highlighting key findings and observations from the latest audit reports, said a statement. This was followed by a comprehensive review of the status of implementation of the Audit Para Monitoring System (APMS) and a discussion on the Action Taken Notes (ATNs) related to reports presented during the Second Session of the Delhi Legislative Assembly. Gupta, while addressing the officers during the meeting, emphasised the importance of taking timely action on audit observations and establishing robust mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency in governance. The Committees and government representatives reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening institutional coordination for the effective follow-up of audit recommendations, said the statement. The meeting concluded with a collective resolve to enhance monitoring mechanisms and ensure prompt redressal of audit issues in the interest of good governance and public accountability in the National Capital Territory of Delhi. During the recent Assembly sessions, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta tabled a CAG report on Delhi Transport Corporation's financial losses and "Prevention of Air Pollution from Vehicles". Earlier, the Assembly also held a debate on a report related to the performance of 'Mohalla Clinics' and the implementation of the now-withdrawn excise policy that led to a loss of Rs 2,002 crore to the exchequer. Jaipur, April 11 : Rajasthan Police's Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), on Friday, arrested a key aide of the Lawrence Bishnoi and Rohit Godara gang for allegedly aiding gangster activities from Dubai. According to Additional Director General of Police (Crime) Dinesh MN, the accused, Ilyas Khan (30), son of Hakeem Ali and a resident of Ramgarh in Sikar, was arrested early morning following a tip-off about his presence in the area. Ilyas had been living in the UAE since 2014 and was currently residing in Dubai. He previously worked as a storekeeper at the Musadat Police Station (Central Jail) in Sharjah. Using his police credentials, he allegedly helped gang members by arranging accommodations and hiding spots in Dubai. He is accused of facilitating shelter for gangsters Rohit Godara, Virendra Charan, and Mahendra Saran, and was even arrested earlier by Dubai Police for misusing his police ID and had also been jailed in a dowry harassment case filed by his first wife. Police said Ilyas played a crucial role in sharing sensitive information with the Lawrence Bishnoi and Rohit Godara gang members, including updates on whether Red Corner Notices had been issued against them, aiding their movements through immigration channels. He lived a lavish lifestyle in Dubai, funded by hawala operations and gang-related activities. His main hideout was reportedly in the Rolla Mall area of Dubai. Ilyas also assisted gangsters from Haryana and Punjab and once helped Virendra Charan escape from Dubai after receiving information that the AGTF might arrest them. Earlier, on April 4, AGTF brought back Aditya Jain alias Tony, a close aide of Rohit Godara, who had been detained in Dubai. During his questioning, Ilyas Khan's name surfaced as the person responsible for supplying names and phone numbers of Rajasthan businessmen to Godara for extortion purposes. Police revealed that Ilyas had conducted reconnaissance on businessman Salim Khan in Jaipur and Sikar. He reportedly passed Salim's mobile number to gangster Virendra Charan on social media, saying, "He is a good target and will pay well." Ilyas had also volunteered to travel to India to mediate and oversee hawala transactions for the extortion money. Following confirmation of his arrival in India, the AGTF raided a location in Sikar and apprehended him on Friday morning. New Delhi, April 11 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, IAF and the industry for successful development trials of Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) 'Gaurav' from the Su-30 MKI aircraft, an official said on Friday. New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented DRDO, IAF and the industry for successful development trials of Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) aGaurava from the Su-30 MKI aircraft, an official said on Friday. The Minister said the development of LRGB will further enhance the capabilities of the armed forces. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the release trials of Gaurav from a Su-30 MKI aircraft. During the trials held between April 8-10, the weapon was integrated to multiple stations in different warhead configurations, with land target on an island. The trials successfully demonstrated range close to 100 km with pin-point accuracy, said the official. LRGB 'Gaurav' is a 1,000 kg class glide bomb, designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat, Armament Research and Development Establishment and Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. Senior officials of DRDO and the IAF participated and reviewed the trials, said the statement. The system has been realised with the support of MSMEs, it said, adding that the trials would pave the way for induction of the weapon into the IAF. The Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification and Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance contributed towards Certification and Quality Assurance, it said. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V. Kamat also congratulated the entire DRDO team on conducting the successful release trials. Last week, DRDO and the Indian Army conducted four successful flight-tests of the Army version of Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha on April 3 and 4. The four operational flight-trials were carried out against high-speed aerial targets. The missiles intercepted the aerial targets and destroyed them, registering direct hits. The trials were carried out to intercept four targets at long-range, short-range, high altitude and low altitude, proving the operational capability. Kabul, April 11 : Despite mounting international condemnation, the Afghan Taliban carried out four public executions on Friday in the western provinces of Badghis and Nimroz of Afghanistan, as confirmed by the Taliban-run Supreme Court. "I deplore four public executions carried out today in Badghis (2), Farah and Nimroz provinces Afghanistan and reiterate that these executions as well as corporal punishments carried out by the Taliban in public are clear violations of international law and must stop immediately," Richard Bennett, UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, posted on X. Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban has revived and expanded their brutal use of corporal and capital punishment under their interpretation of Islamic law. Additionally, according to the latest data released by the Taliban's Supreme Court, at least 456 people, including 60 women, have been publicly flogged in 26 provinces in March 2024. More than 798 people, including 140 women, have also faced public lashings over the past three years. The report highlighted that the Taliban have issued 176 rulings for executions, 37 sentences of stoning, and four cases in which individuals were killed by having a wall collapse on them a" a punishment drawn from early Islamic history. The United Nations and other international bodies have repeatedly urged the Taliban authorities to cease such punishments and emphasised due process, judicial transparency, and fundamental rights for all Afghans. The UN, in its earlier report, stated that the public execution in Afghanistan is a "clear human rights violation". Condemning the act, the UN said that since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the de facto authorities have reintroduced public executions, floggings and other forms of corporal punishment, despite international appeals to uphold human rights standards. These practices have raised significant concerns among human rights experts and the international community. The public execution reflects a broader pattern of human rights deterioration in Afghanistan, the UN added. In February, Bennett told the UN Human Rights Council that the Taliban is solidifying its stranglehold on Afghan society and governing through repression and fear. "Intensifying Taliban repression, expanding discrimination against women and girls, shrinking civic space, violations against ethnic and religious and an alarming escalation in corporal punishment and other violence are stark warnings that things in Afghanistan are only getting worse," he stated. New Delhi, April 11 : The extradition of Tahawwur Rana from the US is a big success for Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government as well as India's security agencies. However, bringing him to justice won't be an 'easy task' because of the lack of direct and damning evidence against the 26/11 plotter, said Advocate Abbas Kazmi, the defence lawyer of Pakistani terrorist Ajmal Kasab. Abbas Kazmi, in a special interaction with IANS, shared his views on the prosecution and trial of Tahawwur Rana for plotting ghastly carnage in the country's financial capital and also explained why it won't be so easy to get him convicted, like Ajmal Kasab. "In Ajmal Kasab case, there were 30-32 eyewitnesses who testified in court against the bloodbath, inflicted by 10 Pakistani terrorists on Indian soil. However, in Tahawwur Rana's case, there is only indirect evidence. He was not in Mumbai, when the terrorists unleashed mayhem in Mumbai. Nobody saw him being present there," he said. "Therefore, the prosecution is likely to have a tough time in nailing his role before the court and getting him pronounced guilty," he added. He, however, said that the agencies secured his extradition from the US on grounds of ample evidence, and they will be of great help in proving his guilt in the deadly 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, that left more than 150 people dead. Notably, Tahawwur Rana, is the one of the main conspirators of Mumbai carnage and was imprisoned in US for quite some time. Further sharing information about him, Abbas Kazmi said: "Rana was a Pakistani by birth and an ex-Armyman. He migrated to Canada and became a Canadian national." "David Coleman Headley was his associate, who carried out reccee of multiple places in Mumbai that came under attack during the 2008 terror attacks," he added. Kazmi also praised PM Modi-led government for persuading United States and securing Rana's extradition in a successful manner. Shillong, April 11 : Authorities in Meghalaya are now in touch with the Hungarian Embassy in Delhi to hand over the body of the tourist, whose body was found in a forest in the state's East Khasi Hills district, police said on Friday. Shillong, April 11 (IANS) Authorities in Meghalaya are now in touch with the Hungarian Embassy in Delhi to hand over the body of the tourist, whose body was found in a forest in the stateas East Khasi Hills district, police said on Friday. East Khasi Hills districtas Superintendent of Police, Vivek Syiem, said that they are in touch with the Hungarian embassy in Delhi to hand over the body of the tourist identified as Zsolt Puskas. "Post-mortem examination of the body of the tourist has been done. Now we are waiting for the confirmation from the Hungarian embassy in Delhi to hand over the body either to the officials of the embassy or the family members of the deceased," Syiem told IANS. Another police official said that the decomposed body of the Hungarian tourist, who had been missing since March 29, was recovered from a forest at Ramdait village in East Khasi Hills on Thursday. Puskas checked into a hotel in Shillong on March 29, and, later on the same day, left the hotel and hired a taxi that dropped him at Mawsahew, near Sohra, as he reportedly tried to trek through the famous double-decker natural root bridge at Nongriat, 20 km south of Sohra town. The Hungarian Embassy earlier lodged a missing complaint on March 29, and an FIR was registered four days later, following which the massive search operation was launched by the police along with local villagers and members of social organisations. Police and the villagers suspected that he could have fallen from the hilltop, leading to his death, as the body was found on a steep slope. A forensic team has visited the site and an in-depth probe is now on into the matter. Meanwhile, last week, German Ambassador to India Philipp Ackermann visited the living root bridges in East Khasi Hills. In a post on social media, the envoy said that it was interesting to talk to the local Khasi community people who have the skill to build these root bridges and how to work with the roots. The living root bridges are one of Meghalayaas most beautiful tangible heritage sites. These sites have recently been added to the tentative UNESCO World Heritage site list. These bridges have been built for centuries by the indigenous people of the land (Khasis and the Jaintias), and have also been used by these people to cross the overflowing rivers during the monsoon season. Aizawl, April 11 : A modern state-of-the-art Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) under smart city mission has been set up in Aizawl to monitor various crime, traffic violations, vehicular movements, disasters and other activities in the Mizoram capital. Officials claimed that due to its advanced technology, Aizawl's ICCC is now ranked among the top three in India. Chief Minister Lalduhoma, along with Home Minister K. Sapdanga, who also holds the Urban Development and Poverty Alleviation portfolio, visited Aizawl Ven Buk the ICCC, located at Treasury Square in Aizawl city. The Aizawl Ven Buk - ICCC was officially inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on April 1, 2023 and it was set up with a total project cost of Rs 87.18 crore. An official of the ICCC said that the monthly operational cost is around Rs 7.8 lakh. For public convenience, the facility is accessible for use at a nominal fee of Rs 100. The Chief Minister during the visit expressed appreciation for the CCTV network, which now covers almost every densely populated area of Aizawl, enabling comprehensive surveillance and secure record-keeping. He stated that although the system is primarily focused on monitoring, it plays a vital role in ensuring safety and maintaining public order. The Chief Minister emphasised that, if extended to more areas, the facility would be beneficial not only for monitoring Aizawl city but also for surrounding regions. It would also prove highly useful in disaster-prone zones and during emergency response situations. He called for efficient operations and close coordination with relevant departments to maximise the utility of the centre. During a briefing at the Control Room, Home Minister K. Sapdanga highlighted the real-time surveillance capabilities of the centre. He mentioned that a recent incident reported on social media such as "someone being stabbed by a group of youths carrying a gun" -- had been confirmed as false through this facility. Aizawl Smart City CEO C.C. Lalchhuangkima outlined the operations, revealing that 237 standard CCTV cameras and 39 Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras have been installed across 76 key locations in Aizawl. The PTZ cameras are capable of zooming in clearly to identify individuals, and facial recognition technology has been deployed at five critical locations. Additionally, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems have been installed to monitor traffic violations and vehicular movements. Large screens Variable Message Displays (VMDs) have also been installed at five locations and are actively used for public information dissemination. Free Wi-Fi services are being provided at 15 locations. Lalchhuangkima said that video footage is retained for approximately 30 days, with important data archived and non-essential footage permanently deleted. The system has identified nearly 600 cases since its implementation. A leading firm, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) recently donated additional equipment for the Aizawl Traffic Management system, including more CCTV infrastructure. These assets would be integrated into the ICCC network, the official said. Inflight connectivity tech firm SkyFive says it has signed a MoU with Kazakh telecoms operator Freedom Telecom to provide inflight connectivity to airlines and other aircraft operators using SkyFives air-to-ground (A2G) solution. Under the deal, SkyFive and Freedom Telecom will deploy A2G coverage for Kazakhstans main air route, which they say is also a key overflight corridor for routes between Europe and Asia. Skyfive said this will enable foreign airlines equipped with A2G to seamlessly roam into the new network, which will be compatible with other SkyFive A2G networks. SkyFive CCO Dirk Lindemeier said the deal marks its entry into the Central Asian aviation market. Kazakhstan is important in its own right, represents a significant step toward a contiguous A2G corridor across the Eurasian supercontinent, and is a major addition to our global A2G footprint, he said in a statement on Tuesday. SkyFive which was spun off from Nokia in 2019 has launched services across Europe and has established an A2G network in Saudi Arabia. It is developing others in Australia, China, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, South Africa and Turkey, according to Aviation Week. In October 2024, SkyFive and Viasat signed of a roaming agreement between the European Aviation Network (EAN) and SkyFives Middle East networks. Freedom Telecom received regulatory approvals to provide A2G connectivity earlier this year. Freedom Telecom CEO Kairat Akhmetov said that its A2G deal ties into its broader strategy to provide connectivity to airports across the country. Freedom Telecom has already provided free Wi-Fi coverage to the international airports of Almaty and Astana, and we are committed to extending connectivity to all airports across Kazakhstan by the end of this year," Akhmetov said. Freedom Telecom says it has already launched free Wi-Fi in 150 locations across Kazakhstan, with plans to achieve blanket Wi-Fi coverage across all cities. The operator also said it has constructed over 2,500 km of fibre infrastructure and connected 24,000 households to high-speed broadband internet in the last two years. In February, Freedom Telecom said it was investing around US$200 million to develop a West-East fiber-optic hyper-highway and Tier-4 data centers in a bid to position Kazakhstan as an alternative route for international data transit between Europe and East Asia. The project is slated for completion sometime in 2026. New Delhi, April 11 : Delhi Mayor Mahesh Khichi on Friday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to remove Municipal Corporation of Delhi Commissioner Ashwani Kumar for, what he called, "arbitrary decisions", a move that was described as 'anarchist' and 'laughable' by the BJP. New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) Delhi Mayor Mahesh Khichi on Friday wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah to remove Municipal Corporation of Delhi Commissioner Ashwani Kumar for, what he called, "arbitrary decisions", a move that was described as 'anarchist' and 'laughable' by the BJP. Khichi has sought the removal of the MCD chief over the latter's decision to impose garbage user fee on property tax payers and hike commercial licence fee but the BJP said the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) first attempted to run the Delhi government through anarchic and unconstitutional means, and it was now trying to replicate the same in the civic agency. Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said, "The AAP government in Delhi used to clash with the Lieutenant Governor and the Chief Secretary. Now that they are in power in the Municipal Corporation, they are in conflict with the Municipal Commissioner. First, they stalled development work in Delhi, and for the past two years, they have paralysed the Municipal Corporation." The Delhi BJP spokesperson stated that the user surcharge was implemented by the Municipal Commissioner with full knowledge of the Mayor. "However, once public opposition to it began, the blame is unfairly being placed on the Commissioner," he said. Earlier, addressing a joint press conference, Delhi AAP Convenor Saurabh Bharadwaj and Mayor Khichi, an AAP councillor, alleged that the civic agency's commissioner had unilaterally taken the decisions on the introduction of the two new levies. Kapoor remarked that the statement of Bharadwaj is laughable. He added that Bharadwaj must answer if the Municipal Commissioner implemented the user surcharge without the Mayor's approval, then why hasn't the Mayor issued a written directive to withdraw it till date? And why does he not convene a special House session to pass a resolution to cancel it instead? Bharadwaj told media persons that "the Mayor was not consulted by the Commissioner on decisions". He also alleged that the Commissioner was ignoring the elected regime in the civic agency at the behest of the BJP-led Central Government. The MCD has raised by 15 per cent the fee paid by trade licence applicants and introduced a compulsory garbage user fee for both residential and commercial properties for waste collection. Bharadwaj said the Commissioner had failed to implement the people-friendly decisions taken by the elected municipal House, dominated by the AAP, to waive off property tax of property measuring less than 100 square yards and reduce by half the tax on properties between 100-500 square yards. "The decision taken by the MCD while passing the last Budget to regularise 12,000 contract employees has also not been implemented," said the former Delhi Minister, alleging that the Commissioner was deliberately sitting over the files related to these decisions. He alleged that the Commissioner was pushing the BJP's agenda in the MCD. Bharadwaj also hit out at Delhi BJP leaders for criticising the imposition of new levies by the MCD, alleging a conspiracy between the BJP and the Commissioner to implement the people-unfriendly decisions. Mayor Khichi said the Commissioner had ignored the letters he had written to the latter to protest the imposition of the new levies. "As it is, Delhi residents are overburdened with taxes and now they are imposing additional levies," he said. He alleged that ever since the BJP government came to power in Delhi, the citizens have been burdened with new taxes. Khichi claimed the voters in the city have been cheated by the BJP, which, in place of reducing their cost of living, is imposing additional taxes. New Delhi, April 11 : India on Friday announced that it has gifted a fleet of six school buses to the government of Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe as a part of its development assistance to the Global South. The buses were handed over to Isabel Maria Correia Viegas de Abreu, Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Higher Education of Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe by Deepak Miglani, Ambassador of India to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe in a ceremony held in Sao Tome on April 10, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Friday. "India's gift, the MEA stated, is in response to the request received from the Government of Sao Tome and Principe, seeking India's assistance in making school education more accessible. "This assistance will reinforce the school transport fleet of Sao Tome and Principe, and provide safer commutes for students and reduce education costs for families and facilitate their access to school education. Earlier, in January 2025, the Government of India sent a consignment of medical supplies, comprising essential and life-saving medicines to buttress the healthcare sector of Sao Tome and Principe," the MEA detailed. "India and Sao Tome and Principe enjoy close and friendly relations and are diversifying their bilateral cooperation. The gift of school buses to the friendly people of Sao Tome and Principe is part of India's development assistance to the Global South," it added. It was in August 2024 that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between India and Sao Tome and Principe for the supply of six school buses to the central African country as a gift from the government of India. In a similar such assistance, India gifted 150 computers to Sao Tome and Principe in November 2019 for information technology upgradation of the Ministries and secondary schools of Sao Tome and Principe. Sao Tome and Principe signed the Framework Agreement on International Solar Alliance in February 2018 and has also ratified the same. It also supported Indiaas candidature for the post of Director General of International Solar Alliance (ISA) for the period 2025-2029. The Government of India also provided humanitarian medical assistance to Sao Tome and Principe on five occasions, including 24,000 doses of Covax vaccines in March 2021 as part of the Vaccine Maitri initiative and a donation of medicines in June 2021 on the request of the Sao Tome and Principe side. Additionally, anti-TB medicines were provided in May 2023 as part of the Government of India's initiative. India also donated lifesaving drugs and generic medicines in June 2023, and humanitarian medical assistance of life-saving medicines for the main hospital in the country in January 2025 at the request of the Sao Tome and Principe side. In 2015, Sao Tome and Principe's former Prime Minister Patrice Emery Trovoada visited India to participate in the Third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III) and held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The two leaders held discussions on bilateral cooperation, especially cooperation for developing the infrastructure, agriculture, and healthcare sectors of Sao Tome and Principe. Mumbai, April 11 : Union Law and Justice Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal, on Friday, accused the Congress of repeatedly insulting the creator of the Constitution, B.R. Ambedkar. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has respected and honoured B.R. Ambedkar through several decisions, Union Minister Meghwal said. He appealed to the BJP workers to counter the false narrative spread by the opposition parties about Ambedkar, the Constitution and the BJP, and to convey the truth to everyone. The Minister was speaking at the Babasaheb Ambedkar 'Samman Abhiyan' workshop organised by the Maharashtra BJP unit. Union Minister Meghwal said that BJP has shown its respect towards B.R. Ambedkar through many activities, including Bharat Ratna award, Samvidhan Gaurav Yatra, Panchatirtha, Deekshabhoomi Vikas and installing an oil painting of Ambedkar in the Parliament's Central Hall. "Congress always hated Ambedkar. From defeating Ambedkar in the elections to working in the Constituent Assembly, Congress did not allow Ambedkar to make the necessary provisions in the Constitution for the upliftment of all Backward Classes and all-round development," he added. The State BJP Working President Ravindran Chavan said that by creating the Constitution, Ambedkar paved the way for the all-round development of the country and the advancement of every section of the society. "The goal of BJP is to develop every section and maintain social harmony by taking forward the thoughts of Ambedkar. While the BJP is striving to ensure that our country remains united and there is no division on the basis of caste and religion. On the other hand, the Opposition is joining hands with the destructive forces from outside the country and within the country to disrupt the integrity of the country," he added. Chavan appealed to every party worker to visit the villages across the state and convey the thoughts of Ambedkar and BJP's commitment to the Constitution to the people. He said that under this campaign the BJP will organise various programmes across the state for 15 days. On April 13, Ambedkar's statues and memorials and its surrounding areas across the state will be cleaned and on April 14, greeting programmes will be held at various places to celebrate Ambedkar's birth anniversary. Kolkata, April 11 : The judge of a special court in Kolkata is likely to pronounce on April 17 the verdict on the bail petition by former West Bengal education minister and ex-Trinamool Congress secretary general Partha Chatterjee in the case pertaining to recruitment of primary school teachers in the state. The hearing on the bail plea was completed on April 3. Initially, it was presumed that the verdict would be pronounced on Friday. However, the judge of the special court where the matter had been heard for so many days did not turn up on Friday. Thereafter, insiders aware of the development said that the order on the bail plea might be pronounced on April 17. During the entire hearing in the matter, the counsel of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) opposed the bail plea describing Chatterjee as the "mastermind" in the cash-for-school job case in West Bengal. The CBI counsel also claimed that the optical marks recognition (OMR) sheets used in the written examinations conducted for the recruitment of primary teachers in the state-run schools in the state were destroyed following the instructions of Chatterjee. However, even if Chatterjee is granted bail by the special court in the case regarding his involvement in the recruitment of primary teachers in the state conducted by the West Bengal Board of Primary Education (WBBPE), he will not be able to come out from behind the bars immediately. This is because Chatterjee is also a prime accused in the case of irregularities in the recruitment of secondary and higher secondary teachers and non-teaching staff in Group-C and Group-D categories, the recruitment process for which is being conducted by West Bengal School Service Commission (WBSSC). Chatterjee's bail petition in relation to the WBSSC appointment irregularities case is pending at the Supreme Court and he will be able to come out from behind bars only if the apex court grants him bail. Chatterjee had been behind bars since he was arrested in July 2022 by the officials of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), who had been conducting a parallel probe in the school job case. Later, the CBI also showed him as arrested. The Supreme Court recently upheld an earlier order by a division bench of Calcutta High Court last year cancelling the entire panel of WBSSC for 2016. As many as 25,753 teaching and non-teaching staff in different state-run schools became jobless following the apex court order. Bhopal, April 11 : A Bhopal court on Friday granted bail to the family members of Saurabh Sharma, a former Constable of Madhya Pradesh Transport Department, on Friday, in a disproportionate assets case. The court has granted bail to his mother, wife, cousin, and brother-in-law on a personal bond of Rs 10 lakh each. However, the decision on Sharma's bail plea has not been taken yet as he is in judicial custody. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had questioned Sharma for a long time and has so far seized and confiscated Rs 100.36 crore. The family members of Sharma received bail from the Special PMLA court in Bhopal, his lawyer Rakesh Parashar told IANS. On the other hand, Sharma's bail plea has not been heard. "Bail has been granted by the court of Special Judge Ashutosh Shukla on furnishing personal bonds of Rs 10 lakh each," the advocate said. There was no hearing on Sharma's bail plea on Friday. The family members of the former Madhya Pradesh Transport Department Constable were arrested by the ED for alleged violation of the PMLA. During this time, they were questioned for a long time. On April 9, the ED also had filed a prosecution complaint in the court against Sharma and others. Sharma and others are facing a probe on charges of corruption by multiple agencies, including the Lokayukta, the ED, the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Income Tax Department, and the Madhya Pradesh Police. A fresh application for bail will be filed again in the court for Sharma and others, his lawyer said. Sharma was appointed on October 29, 2016, and took voluntary retirement on June 9, 2023. His appointment had rocked the state Assembly during the recently concluded Budget session. Later, the state police have also filed a case against Sharma and his mother for filing a 'false affidavit' that none of his family members were in a government job to secure a government job on compassionate grounds after the death of his father. His elder brother, Sachin Sharma, already held a government position in the Chhattisgarh government, a fact he deliberately concealed at the time of his appointment. Gurugram, April 11 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Friday that a Global City will be developed in Gurugram in accordance with international standards, which will serve as a significant milestone in the state's developmental journey. Gurugram, April 11 (IANS) Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini said on Friday that a Global City will be developed in Gurugram in accordance with international standards, which will serve as a significant milestone in the stateas developmental journey. The Chief Minister was chairing a meeting with investors at the Global City project site in Gurugram. Industry and Commerce Minister Rao Narbir Singh, MLAs Bimla Chaudhary, Tejpal Tanwar, and Mukesh Sharma were also present on this occasion. The Chief Minister said that the project, with an investment of over Rs 1 lakh crore, is expected to benefit approximately 16 lakh people. Once completed, it will generate around five lakh employment opportunities. Spread across 1,000 acres, provision of mixed-use land has been made in this project, including dedicated zones for residential, commercial, hospitality, and educational institutions. He further informed that the first phase of the project, being developed as per global standards, will be completed by the end of next year. In the first phase of the project, Rs 940 crore is being spent on an area of 587 acres. "To ensure a reliable water supply for the city, a Mass Balancing Reservoir with a capacity of 350 million litres will be constructed over 18 acres. This reservoir will serve both functional and aesthetic purposes-- acting as a major water storage facility while also enhancing the visual appeal of the city. It will provide a seven-day backup water supply for Global City. There will be a 10.7 km utility tunnel in the Global City, which will have provision for water pipeline, electric cable, fire services, lighting system, ventilation system, fire detection, earthing system, etc," he said. CM Saini further said that environmental sustainability is a key component of the project. A green zone spanning 125 acres is proposed to help keep Global Cityas temperature lower than that of Gurugram. While highlighting the projectas connectivity, he said Global City will be just 30 minutes from Delhi International Airport, 20 minutes from the railway station/ICD, and only 10 minutes from the heliport and Multimodal Transit Hub. It will also be well-connected to National Highway 48 via NPR, SPR, and CPR. During the meeting, the Chief Minister interacted with representatives from 14 prominent private groups, including Macrotech (Lodha), DLF, Adani, RMZ, L&T Realty, Signature Global, Eldeco, Hero Realty, Unity Group, Bestech, Prestige Construction, JLL, CBRE, and ASF. These representatives expressed keen interest in the Global city and shared valuable suggestions. He also issued necessary instructions to the concerned officials regarding the suggestions received in the meeting. Tirupati, April 11 : Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) on Friday termed as fake reports that over 100 cows died in the goshala run by it. The TTD, which manages the affairs of Sri Venkateswara temple, urged devotees not to believe the fake news being spread on social media. The temple body said in a statement that there is no truth in the reports that over 100 cows died in its goshala. It also clarified that the photographs of dead cows being circulated on social media are not of the cows of its goshalas. The TTD said some people were spreading fake news to hurt the sentiments of devotees. Andhra Pradesh's Minister for Education and Information Technology Nara Lokesh has also condemned the reports being circulated on social media. "I strongly condemn the baseless and malicious propaganda being spread on social media about cow deaths in TTD goshalas. There is no truth to these claims. TTD has clarified the facts," he posted on 'X'. "Devotees are urged not to believe this false narrative, which YSRCP has pushed to mislead and provoke. Spreading lies about sacred institutions for political gain is shameful and unacceptable," said Lokesh. Earlier, YSRCP leader and former chairman of TTD Bhumana Karunakar Reddy claimed that cows in TTD Goshala are dying in large numbers due to the neglect by the coalition government. He demanded an to bring out the facts and upkeep the sanctity of Tirumala. He told mediapersons that in the past three months, over 100 cows have died due to poor maintenance and caretaking. "The number could go up as the number given is only what has come to our notice," he said. Karunakar Reddy alleged that the coalition government is busy in leveling false allegations on Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and attempting to erase his good efforts. "We demand an inquiry into the death of cows in large numbers and the lack of maintenance of Goshala, which is been looked after by a DFO who is not qualified in veterinary matters, and this is sheer neglect of the coalition government and its appointed TTD governing body," said Karunakar Reddy. "Cow is considered a holy animal and legend has it that Lord Venkateswara has survived on cow milk and cow is worshiped with reverence and the coalition government has put the Goshala under total neglect though the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister talk tall about Sanatha Dharma and its upkeep," he said. He claimed that during Jagan Mohan Reddy's governance, the Goshala flourished and it brought in over 550 cows of indigenous breed from Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Punjab. During our term, 1700 litres of milk were being sent to Tirumala from Goshala for daily rituals and now under the coalition government, not even 500 litres of milk is being supplied, he said. London/Brussels, April 11 : Britain on Friday announced a 450 million British pound (about 589 million US dollars) "surge of military support" for Ukraine as it co-hosted a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with Germany in Brussels. The package, jointly funded by Britain and Norway, includes a new "close fight" military aid component valued at over 250 million pounds, featuring radar systems, anti-tank mines and military drones. Friday's support package also includes repairs and maintenance for vehicles and battlefield equipment previously supplied by Britain to Ukraine. British Defence Secretary John Healey said the package will "surge support to Ukraine's frontline fight" and increase pressure on Russia. According to the British Ministry of Defence, the new kit will be procured from both British and Ukrainian suppliers, "demonstrating how investment into Ukraine's defence supports jobs and the economies" in both Britain and Ukraine. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has also ramped up its support, Xinhua news agency reported. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed that member states have committed over 23 billion euros (about 26.21 billion dollars) in military aid to Ukraine so far this year. "So we are definitely doing more than last year," said Kallas, stressing that the EU should do even more. Last month, military chiefs from some 30 countries had gathered in Britain to discuss how the so-called "coalition of the willing" might function in practice to defend Ukraine in the future. "Everybody wants a peaceful outcome, a lasting peace, not least the Ukrainians. But that will only be lasting...if there is security arrangements in place to ensure that if there is a deal, it is a defended deal," British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said at the close-door meeting at the Northwood military base outside London. Britain has taken a leading role in organising Western support for Ukraine alongside France after US President Donald Trump surprised Europe by initiating talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Starmer noted that previous meetings involving international political leaders had established a consensus that "we need to work together to ensure that any deal that is put in place is defended." "What's happening here is turning that political intention into reality. The concept into the plans, whether that's in relation what might happen on the sea, air or on the ground," Starmer said. Ahmedabad, April 11 : Chairman of SAL Hospital & Medical Institute, Rajendra Shah praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's deep and nuanced understanding of Jain philosophy, as demonstrated during his speech at the 'Navkar Mahamantra' Day celebrations organised by Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO) in Delhi on April 9. He said: "The Prime Minister brought divine energy to the chanting of the Navkar Mantra. His presence transformed the atmosphere entirely. The way he explained the essence of Jainism was even more articulate than what one would expect from a religious scholar. His knowledge is not something an ordinary person could express. Only someone with a rare divine power can speak with such depth and insight about a faith." Rajendra Shah further recalled: "I was the first person to publicly declare in 2002 that Modi Ji has the qualities of a Yugpurush (a person of the era). Just as a great soul like Mahatma Gandhi appears once in a century, Modi Ji too has that divine energy. And now, everyone can see for themselves that he truly is a Yugpurush. No one else could have delivered such a profound and spiritually resonant speech. The way he spoke about Jainism could only come from someone with a divine mission." Shah said that the Prime Minister's remarks were not only spiritually moving but also rooted in the vision of universal welfare. "He spoke about collective well-beingabout doing good for all, for the world. He shared nine resolutions Nav Sankalp, encouraging people to adopt them in their lives to make India number one. I am sure if all adopt these sankalps India would be number one" Highlighting PM Modi's emphasis on economic self-reliance, Shah said: "The Prime Minister urged people to embrace indigenous products to reduce dependency on foreign goods. He linked this to reducing unemployment and strengthening the economy. He gave a very simple yet impactful exampleplanting a tree in your mother's name (Ek ped Maa ke naam). This can reduce energy consumption by 20 per cent, as trees help lower temperatures. It's a simple act but with profound economic implications." Shah recounted a personal conversation where PM Modi raised the concern that India, despite being an agriculture-based country, still imports food oils worth Rs 1 lakh crore. "He asked, 'Can we call ourselves an agriculture-based nation if we're importing food oil at such a massive scale?' He advocated for reduced oil consumption for better health and to save Rs 10,00020,000 crore annually, contributing to national development." "He even urged me to tell my friends not to hold weddings abroad. He said, 'Why not marry within India? So much of our money goes abroad. Visit foreign countries if you like, but celebrate your special moments here and visit places in our country.' His point was clearspending domestically will boost employment and reduce poverty." Shah admired how PM Modi's entire message was centred on nation-building, driven by compassion, patriotism, and service to humanity, values that lie at the core of Jainism. "He explained the fundamental principle of Jainismthat helping the poor is the true essence of religion. He connected Jain values with environmental consciousness, emphasising that every living being has a right to live. He spoke of non-violence, a core tenet of Jainism, and delved deeply into the nine aspects of the Navkar Mantra, even explaining the meaning of 'Arihant' in detail." He fondly recalled that PM Modi had laid the foundation for JITO. "He was the chief guest at our very first eventeven before the name JITO was finalised. The small seed he planted has grown into a mighty banyan tree. I am truly amazed by his knowledge of religionthis level of wisdom is not found in ordinary individuals." Shah also expressed his views on the Jain community's identity. "I personally don't agree with the notion that the Jain community is a minority. I believe it's a misconception. In school records, Jains used to write 'Hindu' as their religion. All the Tirthankaras were Rajput kingsHindus. Just like Vaishnavism or other sects, Jainism is also a spiritual path within the broader Hindu fold. Jains are the intellectual backbone of our society." He concluded by saying: "Where there is a community of such capable and self-sufficient individuals, they do not look to the government for support. Their strength lies in giving, not asking. The foundational principle is to keep people happy and free from expectations." Kolkata, April 11 : Some outsiders joined the protests by the teaching and non-teaching staff -- who lost their jobs -- in front of the office of the district inspector of schools at Kasba in South Kolkata on Wednesday (April 9) following which the protests turned violent, claimed Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Kumar Verma while speaking to the media on Friday. His claims on this count came just hours after the city police authorities, amid all-round criticism, had to replace the cop accused of kicking a protesting teacher at Kasba on Wednesday from the probe into the agitation by the job losers. Verma explained that it was beyond the imagination of the police that a protest demonstration by the teachers would turn so violent. He also claimed that the preparations for security arrangements at the office of the district inspector of schools at Kasba were made keeping in mind that the protest demonstration would involve only teachers. However, he added, that only after the demonstration started did the police personnel realise that outsiders too had joined the protest demonstrations. "It was beyond our imagination that the teachers would attack the police personnel. The protestors were supposed to lock the gate of the office of the district inspector of schools as a mark of protest. But in reality, the existing lock at the main gate was broken by the protestors. Locking the gate and breaking the lock are not the same," the Commissioner said. However, he admitted that the event of kicking a protester by a cop was not desirable. "I have said it before and I am saying it again, that the event was undesirable. There can be mistakes on the part of the police. We give repeated reminders that the mistakes are not repeated," the Commissioner said. He also said that Riton Das, the cop accused of kicking, was himself injured in the scuffle. "He was slapped and hit on his chest. Even his spectacles were broken," the commissioner claimed. On Wednesday afternoon, the police resorted to cane-charge on the teaching and non-teaching staff of state-run schools whose jobs have recently been terminated following an order from a division bench of the Supreme Court. They were protesting in front of the office of the District Inspector of schools at Kasba, demanding that the state government immediately segregate the "genuine" candidates from the "tainted" ones getting jobs paying money. In the police action against the protesting teaching and non-teaching staff, several protesters received severe injuries from being hit by police batons. Amid the scuffle, Das was spotted by some media cameramen kicking a protester. However, the administration described the police action as mild and also claimed that the police were forced to take action after they were attacked. Zimbabwes telecoms regulator is urging the government to introduce mandatory handset registration in a bid to tackle rising cybercrime and improve the safety of mobile money transactions. Hasha Myambo, an engineer at the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), called for handset registration to complement the countrys existing SIM card database. He argued that this would enhance transaction security and help rebuild trust in Zimbabwes digital infrastructure. While SIM card registration has been in place since 2013, Myambo is advocating for the creation of a national database of mobile phone IMEI numbers. He noted that this could play a crucial role in combating fraud, especially as more unconnected users come online and become vulnerable to digital threats. One of the key benefits of the proposed system, according to Myambo, would be the ability to block lost or stolen handsets from accessing mobile networks - helping to curb device theft and unauthorised use. Myambo also highlighted that POTRAZ is working with ICT stakeholders and other regulators to develop a national strategy aimed at integrating ICT into economic and social development. He added that the regulator is shifting away from a command and control model in favour of a more collaborative approach to drive Zimbabwes digital economy forward. Itanagar, April 11 : SJVN Limited, a Navratna CPSE under Union Ministry of Power, is commissioning five power projects in Arunachal Pradesh with a total generation capacity of 5,097 MW and entailing a combined investment of around Rs 60,000 crore, officials said on Friday. An official of the SJVN Limited said that the 3,097 MW Etalin Hydro-Electric Project was taken over by the company along with four other hydro projects in Arunachal Pradesh, totalling 5097 MW, after signing a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with the Arunachal Pradesh government on August 12, 2023. All five hydro power plants are located in the Dibang Valley district. SVJN Limited Chairman and Managing Director, Raj Kumar Chaudhary, said that the company is a leading public sector undertaking involved in the development of hydro, solar, wind, and thermal power projects across India and abroad. With a growing portfolio and a strong focus on sustainability, SJVN continues to play a pivotal role in Indiaas energy transition, he said. The Etalin Hydro-Electric Project in Dibang Valley district envisages the construction of two dams a" one on the Dri River and another on the Talo (Tangon) River, with an underground powerhouse complex located just before the confluence of the two rivers near Etalin village. The project is scheduled to be commissioned in December 2033. "SJVN is committed to the responsible and inclusive development of Arunachal Pradesh. The release of this compensation amount is a major step in honouring the rights of the local communities while ensuring progress of vital infrastructure projects for the nation," the CMD said. Officials said that in a significant step towards accelerating hydro-power development in Arunachal Pradesh, SJVN Limited has released the land compensation amount of Rs 269.98 crore for the Etalin project. During the review meeting chaired by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu, on Thursday at the Tawang circuit house, Chaudhary said that the land compensation amount has been deposited in the joint account of the district officials concerned of Dibang Valley on March 26. In the review meeting, the Chief Minister has suggested power developers, who are already working in the state, explore smaller projects in their respective river basins and work on them, if feasible, to add to the hydropower capacity of the state. Besides the SJVN Ltd, three other CPSUs -- the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO), and the Tehri Hydro Development Corporation Limited (THDCIL) are also commissioning several mega hydro-electric power projects in Arunachal Pradesh. New Delhi, April 11 : External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Friday held "productive discussions" with visiting Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani and Italy's Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, in New Delhi, jointly reviewing bilateral cooperation and its advancement in trade, investment, IMEC, maritime, security, research, technology, education and culture domains. "Also exchanged views on contemporary global developments including in Europe, Mediterranean and West Asia. Our partnership continues to develop and evolve guided by the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29 agreed by our leadership," EAM Jaishankar posted on X after the meeting. The high-level engagement marked a significant step to advance the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni in November 2024 at Rio. The Action Plan captures both leaders' vision for deepening the bilateral strategic partnership, through concrete outcomes that will benefit both countries. "They have directed us to work with the respective industries, and also with scientific establishments and higher education institutions to facilitate business collaborations, coproduction, innovation, and flow of knowledge and talent between our two countries," EAM Jaishankar said earlier in the day while addressing the India-Italy Business, Science and Technology Forum. In his remarks, EAM Jaishankar highlighted that over the past few years, India has been working closely with like-minded partners to build resilient and trusted partnerships that address not only economic interests but also strategic priorities. "For us, Italy ranks high in that list. In many sectors, there is a natural complementarity that we need to exploit. Whether it is energy or transport, food processing or light engineering, you have the technologies and best practices that make such collaboration fruitful," he said. India, he said, for its part, plays an equally vital role in the Indo-Pacific extending its reach westwards. "Given both the location and centrality, and the levels of activity, it makes eminent sense to connect the two, what Italy is doing in the Mediterranean and what India is doing in the Arabian Sea, for mutual benefit. The landmark initiative of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, which our Italian friends call the Cotton Road, was launched during India's G20 Presidency, in which both our countries are members, will create a truly new global axis for economies, energy resources and communications," remarked EAM Jaishankar. Bhavnagar : , April 11 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 'World Navkar Mahamantra Day' event organised by the Jain International Trade Organisation (JITO) on April 9 in New Delhi. During his address, he spoke about nine resolutions (Nav Sankalp) for nation-building. Many associated with the event believe that the Prime Minister's presence made the occasion truly historic. Darshak Shah, a member of JITO and a resident of Bhavnagar, Gujarat, told IANS on Friday, "First of all, I want to thank PM Modi for attending the 'World Navkar Mahamantra Day' event. He is deeply connected to the Jain community. The simplicity with which he arrived at the event -- it didn't even feel like a Prime Minister had come. He sat among the people. Only PM Modi can display such humility. Before stepping onto the stage, he even removed his footwear. I believe that his presence took the event to a whole new level." "PM Modi's presence elevated Navkar Mahamantra Day to a historic occasion," he said. He added that the Prime Minister gave nine resolutions to all attendees for the sake of nation-building. "The way PM Modi communicated with the people during the event, it didn't feel like a formal speech from a Prime Minister. It felt like an ordinary person was speaking. Just as we listen to a guru's wisdom at a spiritual retreat, this event -- because of the presence of PM Modi -- felt like that kind of spiritual camp. I am truly grateful to him for attending." It is noteworthy that during his speech, PM Modi said the 'Navkar Mahamantra' is a symbol of humility, peace, and universal harmony. He said, "The Navkar Mantra is not just a chant -- it is the centre of our faith. Its significance is not limited to the spiritual realm. It is the guiding force of our lives. From the self to society, this mantra shows the way." Chennai, April 11 : Sunil Narine didn't concede a single boundary in his miserly spell of 3-13 as a clinical performance of Kolkata Knight Riders' bowlers helped them restrict a listless Chennai Super Kings to a below-par 103/9, their lowest total at their home venue MA Chidambaram Stadium, here on Friday. Chennai, April 11 (IANS) Sunil Narine didnat concede a single boundary in his miserly spell of 3-13 as a clinical performance of Kolkata Knight Ridersa bowlers helped them restrict a listless Chennai Super Kings to a below-par 103/9, their lowest total at their home venue MA Chidambaram Stadium, here on Friday. On a black-soil pitch, spin dictated terms from the word go, Narine, Varun Chakaravarthy and Moeen Ali, brought to counter left-handed batters, picked six wickets collectively as CSKas batting never got going. CSK wanted to bat first after losing the toss, but didnat take full advantage of their decision as they could never break free from the disciplined bowling by KKR bowlers. It took Shivam Dubeas unbeaten 29-ball 31 to save CSK from being all out for their lowest total (79) in IPLas history. Devon Conway began by taking two boundaries off pacer Vaibhav Arora, before being dismissed for 12 when his attempt to reverse-sweep off Moeen resulted in him being trapped lbw in a wicket-maiden over. In the next over, CSK were dealt another blow when Rachin Ravindra miscued a slog off Harshit Rana and was caught at cover. KKR could have got another wicket if Vijay Shankar wasnat dropped by Moeen at mid-off when on zero. From there, Shankar pulled and lofted Chakaravarthy for boundaries, before hoicking Moeen over mid-wicket for six. Shankaras charmed life continued when Venkatesh Iyer dropped him at mid-wicket on 20. Despite that, CSKas struggles never ended, as their almighty slide began. Shankaras lucky stay ended at 29 when he mistimed a sweep to deep backward square leg off Chakaravarthy, while a struggling Tripathi played all over an off-break from Moeen and was beaten on the inside edge before being castled for 16. Ravichandran Ashwinas promotion backfired as he holed out to long-on off Harshit Rana, while Ravindra Jadeja nicked behind for a duck off Narine, and Impact Player Deepak Hooda chipped to short mid-wicket off Chakaravarthy. CSKas hopes for big runs from MS Dhoni ended when he was trapped lbw for just one by Narine. Dube, who was watching CSKas slide from the other end, broke the 63-ball boundary drought by smashing Rana down the ground for four, before getting a top edge off Arora for another boundary. But while taking the second run, Dube pulled the muscles in his left leg, and despite that, he smashed a half-volley to long-off on the last ball of the innings to take CSK past 100. Brief scores: Chennai Super Kings 103/9 in 20 overs (Shivam Dube 31 not out, Vijay Shankar 29; Sunil Narine 3-13, Harshit Rana 2-16) against Kolkata Knight Riders Srinagar, April 11 : The body of the third civilian, who went missing along with two others in J&K's Kulgam district around mid-February, was recovered on Friday, officials said. Officials said that the body of Mukhtar Ahmad was recovered from a mountain stream in the district. The body was spotted by the locals, who informed the police. A police team reached the spot and retrieved the body, which was then shifted to the district hospital in Kulgam town for completion of legal formalities. On February 13, three persons, belonging originally to Rajouri district in Jammu division, namely Riyaz Ahmad Bajad, his younger brother, Showkat Ahmad Bajad, and Mukhtar Ahmad, went missing from Qazigund area of Kulgam. They had left for Ashmuji village in Kulgam to attend a function at a relative's house, but they disappeared before reaching their destination. Their mobile phones had remained switched off since then, officials said. Earlier, the bodies of the other two missing persons were also recovered from the same stream. "Police had been searching for the body of the third person since then. The search concluded today with the recovery of Mukhtar Ahmad's body," an official said. Mystery continues to surround the disappearance and the subsequent murder of the three civilians. Senior Gujjar leader and MP, Mian Altaf Ahmad, had gone to the homes of the missing persons. He had appealed to the authorities to trace the missing persons and also uncover the mystery behind this disappearance. The families of the three deceased civilians have demanded an enquiry into the whole incident so that the guilty are brought to justice quickly. Police have so far not given any statement about the culprits responsible for the disappearance and subsequent murder of these three civilians. Three civilians, identified as Varun Singh, Yogesh Singh and Darshan Singh, went missing in Kathua district of Jammu division on March 5 when they were returning from a wedding in Billawar area. Their bodies were found on March 8 near a water body in the upper reaches of Billawar. Police said the three had been killed by terrorists. Ahmedabad, April 11 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence and address at the grand Navkar Mahamantra Day celebration have been hailed as historic by the Jain community. The event saw participation from prominent Jain figures, followers from across India and abroad, and millions of devotees. The way PM Modi presented the depth, scientific basis, and core values of Jainism left a profound impact on everyone. His speech was not only spiritually rich but also showcased his deep understanding of Jain philosophy. Vaibhav Shah, Vice Chairman of JITO (Jain International Trade Organisation) Ahmedabad Chapter, expressed his appreciation for the Prime Minister while speaking to IANS. "We have been closely observing PM Modi's work since his days as the Chief Minister of Gujarat. Now, as the Prime Minister, he has continued to inspire. The way he understands Jainismit seems he doesn't just respect the religion, he lives it," he said. He added: "The Prime Minister transformed the stage into a spiritual space. He removed his footwear before stepping up, giving the venue, Vigyan Bhavan, the aura of a templesymbolising the confluence of science and spirituality. He explained how Jainism is completely scientific and backed every principle with research. The nine resolutions he proposed align seamlessly with Jain teachings." Reflecting on PM Modi's journey, Vaibhav Shah said: "Back then, he used to call himself 'CM'Common Man. Now, we see him as a PM-- 'Permanent Mentor'. The way he elaborated on the core tenets of Jainism with such detail it was clear he had researched extensively. His actions show he lives by the values of Jain Dharma. His commitment to non-violence, his stance against cow slaughter, and the laws introduced under his leadership are proof." He continued: "By taking off his footwear and entering with humility, he turned Vigyan Bhavan into a sacred space. He beautifully merged science with religion and spoke in-depth about Jain philosophy. We were deeply moved. Did you see the standing ovation he received? Every small detail he touched upon showed his knowledge and preparation. He doesn't speak without thought he does his research, plans thoroughly, and then delivers his message in a unique way." Vaibhav Shah pointed out that PM Modi is the first Prime Minister to participate in such a grand Jain event. "He taught us about Jainism and inspired us. This event reached over 18 million people. It not only brought people closer to the Prime Minister but also deepened their understanding of Jain Dharma." He concluded by highlighting PM Modi's focus on the nine resolutions, cleanliness, and environmental protection -- all of which reflect the core values of Jainism. New Delhi, April 11 : In a major breakthrough in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, key conspirator Tahawwur Hussain Rana has been extradited to India by the US. The move marks a significant step forward in India's long-standing efforts to bring those responsible for the 2008 attacks to justice. New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) In a major breakthrough in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, key conspirator Tahawwur Hussain Rana has been extradited to India by the US. The move marks a significant step forward in Indiaas long-standing efforts to bring those responsible for the 2008 attacks to justice. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar hailed the development, describing it as a crucial moment in the fight against terrorism. In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar said: "Appreciate the counter-terrorism cooperation between our two countries. This is indeed a big step in ensuring justice for the victims of 26/11 attacks." S. Jaishankar was in fact responding to US State Secretary Marco Rubio's remark on Rana's successful handover from American authorities to the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Rubio wrote on X: "We extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face charges for his role in the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Together, with India, we've long sought justice for the 166 people, including 6 Americans, who lost their lives in these attacks. I'm glad that day has come." The US State Department, while confirming the extradition on Thursday, reiterated Washington's support for India in its pursuit of justice. Spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated: "On April 9, the United States had extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack." "The United States has long supported India's efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice, and as President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism," she added. She said: "I encourage you to look them up and to find out exactly how horrible this was in the importance of this situation today." Earlier, following his arrival in India on Thursday, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) confirmed Rana's custody. A Delhi court remanded him to NIA custody for 18 days, with interrogation already underway as of Friday. Rana, a Pakistani- Canadian national, is accused of helping plan and facilitate the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which 166 people, including six American citizens, lost their lives. The attacks, carried out by Pakistani terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba, intensified counter-terrorism cooperation between India and the United States. Hyderabad, April 11 : In yet another blow to the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), as many as 22 Maoists surrendered before police in Telangana's Mulugu district on Friday. Hyderabad, April 11 (IANS) In yet another blow to the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), as many as 22 Maoists surrendered before police in Telanganaas Mulugu district on Friday. The extremists laid down their arms before Mulugu district Superintendent of Police Dr P. Shabarish at Mulugu district police headquarters. Those who surrendered include four Area Committee Members (ACMs) and one party member. The remaining were militia members. The SP announced that ACMs would be provided Rs 4 lakh each for their rehabilitation. The party member will get Rs 1 lakh, while others will be given Rs 25,000 each. The SP appealed to key Maoist leaders to surrender and join the national mainstream. Stating that the ideology of left-wing extremism has lost its relevance, he said they cannot achieve anything constructive by roaming in the jungles. The SP had warned on Thursday that stern action would be taken against Maoists threatening tribal communities and attempting to restrict their movement in the forests near Karrigutta by claiming bombs had been planted. Shabarish said that tribals have long depended on the forest for their livelihood. Grazing cattle and collecting forest produce are natural activities for them. They will have to wander in the forest, and itas a natural process for them to enter the forest for cattle grazing and other work. He said people should not be scared due to such threats. He said Mulugu police were making elaborate security measures for their safety and will respond firmly. The surrender of 22 Maoists in Mulugu came less than a week after the surrender of 86 Maoists before the police in Bhadradri Kothagudem district. Among the surrendered, 82 were from Bhadradri-Kothagudem district, and four belonged to Mulugu district. According to police, they were all operating in the Bijapur forests of the neighbouring Chhattisgarh district. In March, 64 Maoists had surrendered before Bhadradri-Kothagudem police. Nearly 250 extremists have surrendered in the state so far this year. New Delhi, April 11 : Highlighting the plight of students in Delhi University's School of Open Learning (SOL), the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan (KYS) on Friday drew attention to the non-disbursal of study materials to most students with just a month left for the annual exams. Bhim Kumar, member, Delhi State Committee, KYS, also criticised the authorities for a lack of a sufficient number of classes for SOL students. "It is important to note that classes for several courses, such as BA Programme are to be concluded this month, while the classes for other courses are to wind up next month. SOL is offering only 10-15 classes to students this Semester, which is grossly insufficient to cover the entire syllabus," said Kumar. He added that the Personal Contact Programme (PCP) classes for distance learners are critical for students to understand their course content and clarify doubts. "The insufficient number of classes has left students under prepared for exams," he said. Another major issue raised by the students is the violation of the University Grants Commission (UGC) regulations which mandate that study materials should be provided to students within two weeks of admission. "Unfortunately, most SOL students have not received their study materials, despite the fact that exams are fast approaching. This delay breaches UGC regulations and leaves students ill-prepared for their upcoming assessments, creating an environment where most students are at risk of failing in the exams," said a KYS statement. Apart from these problems, there are issues concerning the study centres wherein the PCP classes for SOL students are conducted. "Most of the students are allotted centres far away from their residence. At these study centres, SOL students are not allowed to use library," said Kumar. The KYS, along with the students, has called for the complete and immediate distribution of printed study materials to all students. Moreover, the students have demanded an increase in the number of PCP classes to ensure that students have sufficient time to cover the full syllabus. The KYS also emphasised that examinations should only be conducted once the entire syllabus is completed, allowing students ample time to prepare. Kolkata, April 11 : Tension has broken out in at least two pockets of West Bengal in Friday afternoon following protests by members of a particular religious community against the recently promulgated Waqf Amendment Act. Tension prevailed at Nimtita and Suti in minority-dominated Murshidabad district on Friday, following clashes between the protesters and the security personnel. At Nimtita railway station, the protesters blocked the railway tracks for long hours and also vandalised the railway properties. The RPF personnel later had to resort to cane-charge to bring the situation under control. The protesters also pelted stones towards the security personnel, some of whom were injured. Later, the BSF personnel were deployed in the area and as per the latest information available the situation there is more or less under control. Similarly, clashes broke out between the protesters and the state police personnel at Sajur Crossing area under Suti police station in Murshidabad district on Friday, as the protesters reportedly hurled stones and crude bombs towards the police personnel from a protest rally. In that incident, a number of police personnel and some pedestrians were also injured. The police personnel thereafter retaliated and resorted to cane-charge to dispel the violent mob. Additional police forces had been deployed in the area to keep the situation under control. However, tension prevailed in the area till the time of filing of this report. Similar tension broke at Amtala area in South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal as people protesting against the Waqf Act attacked the local police personnel there. As the police also retaliated, massive tension broke out in the area which in turn impacted the traffic at National Highway 117 for quite some time. The situation was similar at Champdani in Hooghly district of West Bengal. The leader of the opposition in West Bengal assembly Suvendu Adhikari had claimed that the state had been witnessing large scale violence, anarchy and lawlessness in the name of protests, by a certain group of radicals. "These people, who have clearly stated that they are against the Constitution of India and would oppose the law of the land, have taken over the streets. Public and private properties are being vandalised at will. Public safety has been compromised as general people are at the mercy of these ruthless mobs of radicals," he said. The office of the Governor C.V. Ananda Bose contacted the office of the Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and conveyed the message from the Governor that the police should adopt prompt and strict measures to keep the situation under control. Later, the Governor issued a video message claiming that been receiving disturbing reports about some people taking law and order in their hands in some parts of Bengal. He also informed that on receipt of information about certain troubles likely to brew in certain parts of West Bengal, he had a confidential discussion with the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. "Even today, when some of the disturbances broke out, discussions were held with the government authorities. The Chief Secretary has assured that the government is taking very stern action against the miscreants and will not allow disturbances to escalate. The state is prepared. All action will be taken against miscreants. Nobody will be allowed to take the law into their own hands," the Governor added. CSG International says that it has struck a deal with Liberty Latin America to streamline its wholesale business and unify its operations across multiple lines of business in 21 countries across Latin America and the Caribbean. According to a statement from CSG on Wednesday, Liberty Latin America has adopted CSGs digital wholesale suite to consolidate and optimize wholesale rating, charging and settlement processes. Liberty Latin America said the solution will not only reduce its opex, but also simplify its partner agreement and business relationship management. This will help it accelerate time to market and strengthen B2B partner relationships. Sruta Vootukuru, VP and chief digital and carrier officer for Liberty Latin America, said the solution gives the operator the operational efficiency and visibility it needs to engage more effectively with its partners and gain a clearer view of future revenue growth opportunities. With a stronger partnership ecosystem, we can bring even more cutting-edge, personalized offerings to our customers across Latin America and the Caribbean, setting us up for business growth and differentiation in a booming market, he said in a statement. Ian Watterson, SVP for Go-to-Market at CSG, said that the solution will deliver operational improvements that allow Liberty Latin America to manage its wholesale partner ecosystem with ease and deep insight which it will need, as the Latin American and Caribbean telecom markets are poised for powerful growth in the next few years. As telcos evolve beyond traditional connectivity and expand their partnership ecosystem to offer new digital services, the backend complexity multiplies and wholesale is not immune to these challenges, he said. Srinagar, April 11 : Jammu and Kashmir Peoples' Conference President and Handwara MLA, Sajad Lone, on Friday launched a scathing attack on the National Conference (NC), accusing it of sabotaging a crucial discussion on the Waqf Bill during the last three days of the Assembly session. In a post on X, Lone wrote: "The model of democracy that we are following is the British Model. The British with all their expertise couldn't invent a situation where a party can simultaneously be the ruling party and the opposition party. The NC attempted that impossible feat over the last three days of Assembly. They have a brute majority. More than fifty of them held the entire Assembly to ransom. An ugly blend of cacophony and cantankerousness ensured that the Assembly was repeatedly adjourned. The MLAs in age groups of 40 to 50 as well as 60 to 70 years were merrily jumping around, climbing tables, making the Assembly resemble a Nursery school. They were shouting slogans, laughing, and whiling away time like Nursery goers. It was a free for all and scenes from the Assembly resembled overgrown ugly uncles almost vandalising the Assembly, shouting, sloganeering and being bad boys tearing to shreds any piece of paper they could lay their hands on and throwing them in the air." "And the Speaker looked like an unworried principal, seemingly in know of when and how the "song and dance performance" will end. The overgrown uncles and the unworried principal seemed to be in a state of argument. The unworried principal wore a forlorn look, would occasionally smile, stretch his neck, take a peep around, smile and then announce adjournment. He was bad at pretending. He pretended to be lost which he never was. After three days of vocal rampage by the overgrown uncles, the unworried principal was miraculously allowed to make a speech, followed by yet another round of cacophony and now finally followed by the unworried principal calling it sine die." "NC brings in an adjournment motion on Waqf and the Speaker, who incidentally is an NC member, and is the Speaker at the pleasure of these very members, refuses to allow any discussion and says it is sub-judice. The tiny Kashmir-based Oppostion proposes a no- confidence motion against the Speaker in reaction to his refusal to allow any discussion of any sort on Waqf Bill. The same shouting NC brigade refuses to support the no-confidence motion." "NC has the majority and by virtue of this majority have a Chief Minister, a Speaker and a Cabinet. They run the government, they enjoy all the perks of power. The onus of having a discussion on Waqf was on the majority. Is it the Speaker's fault. But is the Speaker bigger than the Waqf Bill. They could have removed him and got a new Speaker who would facilitate the discussion on Waqf. So is this majority only to enjoy power. Is this majority not to be used when a powerful message has to be sent -- that we are Muslims and will not accept any interference in our religious affairs." "Being in power does not mean enjoying power alone. It comes with a set of responsibilities. So NC is okay with enjoying power but is not willing to fulfill its responsibilities. As much as you use noise as a weapon, the truth stares in our faces. NC sabotaged the Waqf discussion. And used noise and bedlam to camaflouge the mother of all betrayals. THE WAQF BETRAYAL My dear kashmiris. The shouting brigade was NC. The Speaker was NC. The tulips were NC. Anyone can go to the court and enact yet another theatrical performance. But the will of the people of J&K vests in the Assembly. That milestone in history, that event of the only Muslim minority province of India lending its support to fellow Muslims in the country and opposing the draconian Waqf Bill is lost for all times to come." Lone accused the NC of using disruptions as a shield to block debate on the Waqf Bill and called it "the mother of all betrayals". Ahmedabad, April 12 : Monarch Group Chairman Himanshu Shah on Friday expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a new dimension to the spiritual values aaof the Jain community by participating in the Navkar Mahamantra Diwas programme. Ahmedabad, April 12 (IANS) Monarch Group Chairman Himanshu Shah on Friday expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for giving a new dimension to the spiritual values aaof the Jain community by participating in the Navkar Mahamantra Diwas programme. Shah told IANS, "Prime Minister Modi said that the minority community has expectations from the government, but the Jain community has always been a giver. This is absolutely true. We are followers of Lord Mahavir and follow the principles of compassion, charity and ego. This is the basic purpose of life." He said, "His (PM Modi's) speech was so profound that where we end our talk, he starts from there. The things he said on Navkar Mantra can only be said by a sadhu or an ascetic. He understood the depth of the mantra and dedicated himself to it." Shah said that he also met the Prime Minister personally. He added, "I told him (PM Modi) that you were not born in a Jain family, but your actions, decisions and thinking are all according to Jain principles. He replied with a smile that I have lived among the Jains, so my thinking is also the same." Himanshu Shah thanked the Jain International Trade Organisation team for making the event a success and said that the Navkar Mantra was delivered to every home and this was the result of a collective effort. Prime Minister Modi came and further strengthened this effort, Shah said. Expressing his gratitude to Prime Minister Modi, Shah said, "We are grateful to him (PM Modi) that he took time out from his busy schedule to chant Navkar Mantra with us and presented the principles of Jainism before the nation. This is a proud moment for the Jain community." PM Modi had addressed the programme organised on Navkar Mahamantra Day at the Vigyan Bhavan in Delhi. The event saw participation from prominent Jain figures, followers from across India and abroad, and millions of devotees. The Prime Ministeras call resonates with the broader themes of cultural unity, communal goodwill, and Indiaas diverse spiritual traditions. Over the years, he has often encouraged citizens to embrace practices that foster inner peace and national harmony, particularly during significant festivals or observances. OZARK-In what the Ozark City Schools Superintendent Reeivice Girtman called coming full circle, the historic D.A. Smith Middle School in Ozark was celebrated as civic and education leaders gathered with middle school students to officially open the new Career Exploration Center Tuesday afternoon. This occasion is not only about academics, but also about economics as we prepare our children for the workforce, he said welcoming stakeholders to the state-of-the-art career tech center on the middle school campus. In order for students to be career-ready upon graduation they must be emersed in robust critical thinking and career-based learning experience. We are creating a one-of-a-kind learning experience that our students will cherish for years. It makes your heart burst with pride to be in a community like this today, said Alabama Schools Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey. I know you dont get schools like this unless the whole community buys into it. Thats what makes the difference, when the community comes together caring deeply about the future of its citizens, he told the crowd assembled in the courtyard of the new facility. Thats what you are investing in here. You are buying into a vision for these young people. Girtman agreed. When this building was built, it was to inspire innovation, he said. Our vision was to create a space where sixth through eighth grade students would be able to see what they could become in the future, to create a space for them to be exposed to every career cluster they will encounter at the high school. We have come full circle As is often in life, history repeats itself, as we have come full circle back to having career technical education where it always has belongedat the middle school level, Girtman said about the center that will include classes in healthcare, cyber security, and education. When we cut the ribbon, please keep in mind, we are continuing the legacy of excellence that is D.A. Smith, said D.A. Smith student ambassador Ashleigh Peters as she told the story of the historic school that once served as the citys first through 12th grade African American school. The first vocational building opened on campus in 1963 offering brick masonry, auto mechanics, cosmetology, and business agriculture. Additions to the school include a vocational building in 1952, the gymnasium in 1959, 12 elementary classrooms in 1961, and a new vocational building in 1963. The old vocational building was converted to the band room in 1965. The last senior class graduated in 1969. In 1979, the school was integrated for city school students in grades one through nine. The name was changed to D.A. Smith Junior High School in 1972. In 1980, the name changed to D.A. Smith Middle School. Administrators and educators at D.A. Smith have always emphasized excellence in education, said Peters introducing Annie Locke, a D.A. Smith Class of 1946 alum who taught elementary education in Ozark for 32 years after graduating from Alabama State and Troy State. Locke was accompanied by her daughter, Theresa, who serves as Ozark City School Board of Education President, is a D.A. Smith Class of 1968 alum who retired from a teaching career after graduating from Alabama State and Auburn University. These two women are just two of the thousands of students who built the foundation of lifelong education in these halls, Peters said. The story of the graduates is the story of the school. Meet Dove Alfred Smith D.A. Smith Middle School is named in honor of longtime educator and civic leader Dove Alfred Smith who was born in 1902 in Newville. Attending Tuskegee Institute and Alabama State College, Smith received his teachers certificate and began teaching in 1926. He was made principal of the then Ozark City Colored School. In 1952, the school was renamed in his honor as the D.A. Smith High School. He remained principal until his retirement in 1967. Smith set the standard in Ozark City Schools from 1926 until his retirement 41 years later, said Peters. During that time, he guided the students in this community through segregation and integration all while maintaining academic excellence no matter the circumstances. Leaders in innovation Girtman also announced that a science lab will be added to the center to prepare future healthcare workers. Construction is expected to be completed in six to eight months As a school district we want to be leaders in innovation in bringing career tech exposure to our students, Girtman said. What you see here today is the result of commitment, service, and community involvement. It shows that we can do anything, Ozark, and it shows that our children deserve the best. Imphal, April 12 : After Mizoram, the Assam Rifles have seized 68 tonnes of smuggled areca nuts worth Rs 5.87 crore in Manipur's Kangpokpi district, officials said on Friday. Imphal, April 12 (IANS) After Mizoram, the Assam Rifles have seized 68 tonnes of smuggled areca nuts worth Rs 5.87 crore in Manipuras Kangpokpi district, officials said on Friday. A Defence spokesman said that based on specific intelligence input regarding illegal transportation of areca nuts on Imphal-Jiribam National Highway (NH-37), a Joint Mobile Vehicle Check Post (MVCP) was established by Assam Rifles and Police at Haibung in Kangpokpi District of Manipur. During the operation, the joint team intercepted two trucks (with Nagaland registration) carrying approximately 68 tonnes of areca nuts valued at Rs 5.87 crore. On thorough checking, it was found that the consignment was being transported without valid documents, including mandatory transit permits from the forest department. The seized consignment, along with both vehicles, was handed over to the forest officials of Kangpokpi Forest Division for further legal action and investigation. The mountainous Kangpokpi District shares borders with Nagaland. Police officials said that the areca nuts, also known as Burmese Betel nuts, were smuggled from Myanmar. The Assam Rifles, Customs and police often seized Burmese areca nuts in Mizoram after they were smuggled from Myanmar. Large-scale smuggling of areca nuts from Myanmar is seriously affecting farmers in Assam, Mizoram and Tripura, where betel nuts grow in large quantities. Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma had recently said that due to the illegal import of 'areca nut' from Myanmar, local cultivators in the state have faced serious challenges in selling their produce at competitive prices. Addressing the training-cum-seminar on 'Scientific Methods of Cultivation of Areca nut and Pest Management', he emphasised that the government is working diligently to address these difficulties and take corrective measures. He announced that Rs 7.43 crore has been sanctioned by the North Eastern Council (NEC) for establishing areca nut processing units at Chemphai and Zamuang. He said that these units would ensure proper processing of areca nuts, create value-added products, and facilitate marketing. Lalduhoma also stressed the importance of proper utilisation of available resources to ensure increased productivity and economic benefits for farmers. Agartala, April 12 : Tipra Motha Party (TMP) Supremo, Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma said on Friday that statements made by a few leaders in Bangladesh and the caretaker government's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus are the indication that they want to again destabilise India's northeast. While addressing a meeting of surrendered cadres of National Liberation Front of Tripura (NLFT) outfit, Debbarma added that the statements made by a few leaders of Bangladesh, including Yunus, are signals that they want to again destabilise northeast India. He also said that political leaders and the Indian government have to make sure that Pakistan and its agencies aren't allowed to create unrest taking advantage of the situation. "Leaders and the Indian government should ensure that we stop elements who want to sponsor violence through ISI (Inter Services Intelligence). This would not help our people and hence we must do everything that people of the northeast lead a life with peace and tranquility," he said. The TMP Supremo warned Bangladesh and claimed that with backing from Pakistan's ISI, might attempt to exploit the unemployed youths in northeast India to destabilise the region. Earlier Muhammad Yunus's comments about seven northeastern states, which he called "an extension of the Chinese economy," have triggered fierce reactions from Indian politicians, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and TMP Chief Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma. Debbarma in a post on X had said: "Pradyot Manikya challenges Bangladesh over ocean access for northeast India." "Rather than spending billions on innovative and challenging engineering ideas we might as well break up Bangladesh and have our own access to the sea. The Chittagong Hill Tracts were always inhabited by indigenous tribes which always wanted to be part of India since 1947. There are lakhs and lakhs of Tripuri, Garo, Khasi and Chakma people who reside in Bangladesh in terrible conditions in their traditional lands. This should be utilised for our national interest and for their well being," the TMP Chief said. During his four-day visit to China, Yunus advocated for closer economic ties with that country (China). Bangladesh governmentas Chief Adviser pointed out that India's northeastern states, collectively called the 'Seven Sisters', lack direct access to the sea. He suggested that this situation presents a major opportunity, as the region could serve as an extension of the Chinese economy. He proposed that China's engagement could extend to India's seven northeastern states, emphasising that they are landlocked and could benefit from access through Bangladesh. --IANS sc/khz Kolkata, April 12 : First a single-judge bench and then a division bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Friday, turned down the plea by a group, Hindu Sewa Dal, to conduct a rally on Red Road in Central Kolkata on April 12 on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. The group earlier approached the single-judge bench of Justice Tirthaknkar Ghosh for permission for the rally. The matter came up for hearing on Friday and Justice Ghosh questioned why the petitioner was insisting on Red Road as the venue of the rally. The counsel of the petitioner argued that if permission can be granted for Namaz of Eid at Red Road every year, the same permission can be granted for the Hanuman Jayanti rally. However, Justice Ghosh refused to buy that logic. He observed that the Namaz of Eid at Red Road has been performed for about 100 years. But there is no such precedence of Hanuman Jayanti rally at Red Road, Justice Ghosh observed. Thereafter, the single-judge bench declined the permission for the Hanuman Jayanti rally at Red Road. The petitioner immediately approached the Calcutta High Courtas division bench of Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Chaitali Chattopadhyay, challenging the single-judge bench order. However, the division bench too declined to permit the Hanuman Jayanti rally at Red Road. Instead, the division bench suggested two alternative venues that are quite near the Red Road. Only on Thursday, the same single-judge bench of Justice Ghosh had granted permission to the Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, to conduct a rally through a particular route in North Kolkata on April 12 on the occasion of Hanuman Jayanti. However, Justice Ghosh imposed a number of conditions for conducting the rally scheduled on a route in North Kolkata and is supposed to end at a temple of Lord Hanuman. The Leader of the Opposition approached Justice Ghoshas bench after the Kolkata Police denied permission to conduct the rally. In Little Rebels, author-illustrator Yuyi Morales draws on her Mexican heritage to inspire young readers to work together to be friends to the Earth and its beings. Due from Holiday Houses Neal Porter Books on September 2, Little Rebels joins this Caldecott Honoree and six-time Pura Belpre Medalists robust picture book canon, which includes Viva Frida, Dreamers, and Bright Star. A Spanish edition of Little Rebels, Peques rebeldes, will be released simultaneously. The picture book, whose cover is revealed here, introduces three imaginative, inquisitive children who play together outdoors in good times and work together in times of trouble. When the river dries up and a bird friend becomes trapped in the riverbed, these young trailblazers call on ancestors to show them what to do. Born and raised in Xalapa, Mexico, Morales resided for many years in the San Francisco Bay Area before returning to her hometown to live. There she found the inspiration for Little Rebels. Decades after playing at the edge of the Farallon Lagoon as a child, Morales was shocked and saddened to discover that the once-pristine lagoon had dried up. Viewing the destroyed body of water, Morales recalled, began a process of awareness that was new to me. In Mexico and other countries of Latin America, powerful foreign investors often seek sites where natural and human resources can be exploited for companies benefit, leaving the local communities tragically stripped of their natural resources. The sight of the dry lagoon affected Morales emotionallyprovoking an intense sadness and hopelessness in my chestand stirred her creatively. I wondered how I or anyone could ever begin to change something as enormous as the death of a lagoon, she said. And I imagined how children must feel the same sadness as they wonder, being young and little, how they could ever change and heal all the things they hear about or experience in this big world. I very much wanted to find an answer to such difficult questions, and Little Rebels began growing in my heart. As in her earlier work, Morales interwove Mexican culture and folklore in the text and illustrations for Little Rebels. Now that I am back in Mexico, I am surrounded by living inspiration at every moment! she said. The books creatures, children, and plants all embody the life and energy I am immersed in. Mexican motifs that Morales incorporated in the book include the jaguar-people sculptures made by ancient Indigenous people of Mesoamerica; Xochipilli, the Flower Prince of Aztec mythology; and the healing power of son jarocho music, which is the folk music of Veracruz, her birth state. Neal Porter, who has been working with Morales since he published Little Night at Roaring Brook in 2006, praised her ability to modify her art style to suit the narrative at hand. Working with Yuyi is always an adventure, and its always thrilling to see how she finds new techniques to enrich and enhance the story she is telling, he said. In addition to being an author and artist, Yuyi is an activist, and her fearlessness has become more apparent in books like Dreamers and Bright Star. Little Rebels takes this one step furtherit is an invitation to young readers to take a stand at a time of great strife and divisiveness. A Cover That Tells a Tale It was important to Morales to incorporate images integral to Mexican culture into her cover art for Little Rebels. On the cover we see the little Olmec Head rebel making a hand-claw and showing smiling fangs as an act of self-care and joy, she explained. The flower child makes a dancing move with his hands in the style of voguing, the rebel ballroom dance. The third child plays the smallest jarana [a guitar-like instrument]called chaquiste, which is the name of an almost invisible Mexican mosquito with the most powerful sting. As the children stand in wild mushrooms and pumpkin flowers, they circle Kek, the always curious baby crane bird at the center of the story. And Luna the dog, constantly watching and taking care of those she loves, observes the scene with caution. Though designing the cover art for Little Rebels was clearly a mission close to her heart, Morales admitted that she finds that creating the cover is one of the most difficult tasks of making a book. She added, I have such great expectations for the cover to spark the curiosity of readers and entrance them into opening the book. I always want the reader to feel delighted by surrounding them with the colors of the cover, the boldness of the image, and a sense of celebration that I hope to always infuse in my work. Most importantly, I strive to make readers feel the story is about them, too. Jennifer Brown, creative director of Neal Porter Books, said that the making of the Little Rebels cover was a very collaborative team effort by Morales, Porter, editorial director Taylor Norman, and herself. Yuyi had the initial jacket idea, and then we went back and forth from sketches to the finish, Browne said. Yuyi created the title type using unconventional colors as a way to draw the readers eye to the book. All the flowers and growing things are large, helping to emphasize the fun, magical world that Yuyi has created. Although she is exploring environmental loss, she has managed to project hope and a way forward for children growing up in an uncertain world. Morales underscored how that is a core goal of Little Rebelsthough the journey has been somewhat troublesome. One of the most difficult things in my process of making this book has been finding reassurance when I see the state of our world, she noted. In my despair I wonder how any of us, especially those who are rather little, could ever change things that hurt and that are so overwhelming and enormous. With Little Rebels I hope that children will feel inspired to honor and trust their littleness, and that with their inherent wisdom and sense of justice, they will find ways to get together with other little creatures, not necessarily to change the world, but to bring about actionsperhaps even tiny onesof awareness, creativity, and care for each other and the territory they live in. Little Rebels by Yuyi Morales. Holiday House/Porter, $18.99 Sept. 2 ISBN 978-0-8234-4754-1. On the Friday prior to the opening of the Bologna Childrens Book Fair, OpenAI released its new image generation technology integrated into GPT-4o, which introduced advanced multimodal capabilities, allowing users to create highly detailed images in various artistic styles. Among the first things that users did was create images in Studio Ghiblis distinctive aesthetic, and experiment with classic styles of childrens book illustrations. The accuracy of the results and ability of the technology to mimic famous illustrators sent a shock through those gathered in Bologna. Among those expressing concern about these new developments was Turkish illustrator Nurgul Senefe, founder of the Turkish advocacy organization Illustrators Platform, and the ZNN Network, a literary and illustrator agency, and secretary general of the European Illustrators Forum. Senefe told PW that cognitive laziness threatens to make humans AI-dependent. The biggest weakness of human beings is the feeling of the joy of the convenience that comes with AI, said Senefe, who oversees an organization with 400 members dedicated to protecting illustrators rights and creating sustainable business practices. The ZNN Network operates as an intermediary between artists and commissioners, helping establish best practices for the industry while monitoring commissioning processes. Their work has taken on new urgency as AI increasingly impacts the creative sector. Especially with artificial intelligence, were trying to create a platform to represent the rights for illustrators, Senefe said. In surveying members of her organization, Senefe typically poses a question referencing the film The Matrix, asking which pill they would choosered or blue. Everybody says, I will take the red one, she noted, using the metaphor to emphasize the importance of remaining cognitively aware about what is happening today. Senefes primary concern centers on human nature itself. If you are not consciously aware of your behavior, it becomes your character. Despite resistance from many creative professionalsPeople say we are not using generative AI, we are against generative AISenefe observes ongoing experimentation with the technology, noting that some find it quite convenient. This convenience factor represents the crux of the problem, according to Senefe, who offered several real-world parallels: When you look at real life, Im sure you see people at Metro or train stations, they line up for meters and meters and meters just to get on that escalator, but why not just climb the stairs? Other examples included societys dependence on fast food despite known health risks, and parents using tablets as the new babysitters for the children when overwhelmed or distracted. Senefe expressed concern about a potential future where creators might end up working for the machines, with publishers potentially choosing AI over human creation because its so convenient, cheap, efficient, and fast. After a certain amount of time, well get used to not enough is enough, not beautiful will be beautiful, not art is art, she warned. It drives down the value level of common sense, understanding and acceptance of societies, field change, and we wont even notice. To illustrate this gradual normalization process, Senefe commissioned an illustration based on the metaphor of a frog in slowly heating water, unable to detect the increasing danger. The illustration posed a stark question: Use AI consciously and get machines to work for you, or become dominated by AI and work for the machines? Our biggest challenge against AI is cognitive laziness, Senefe concluded, suggesting that, like addiction or harmful habits, AI dependence might take hold gradually and imperceptibly if creative professionals dont maintain vigilance. At a daylong forum held Tuesday in Washington, D.C., to address the threat generative AI poses to copyright law and the creative industries, several veterans of AI companies discussed how their experiences led them to new ventures in the hope of establishing ethically trained AI models. The forum, dubbed "The Story Starts With Us," addressed the threat generative AI poses to copyright law and the creative industries. It was co-hosted by the Association of American Publishers and the Copyright Alliance. Ed Newton-Rex, the founder of Fairly Traineda U.K.-based nonprofit organization focused on ensuring ethical practices in the training of generative AI modelsmade a case for licensing creative works used to train AI systems and argued that current practices harm creators' livelihoods and society itself. I have worked in what we now call generative AI for 14 years, both at small startups and big tech companies, and so I know better than most that the technology and the vision behind generative AI are amazing, Newton-Rex said. But its my strong belief that stealing the work of the worlds creators to build it is not. While AI companies spend vast sums on engineers and computing powerup to $1 million per engineer and $1 billion per AI modelNewton-Rex explained that many of them expect to get the third resourcetraining datafor free. He emphasized that this training data represents the life's work of the world's musicians, artists, writers, and other creators. Newton-Rex is also a choral music composer as well as an AI pioneer, having founded Jukedeck, one of the earliest AI music generators. He went on to argue that most AI companies currently do not license the majority of their training data, instead using web scrapers to collect content. He cited research from the Mozilla Foundation showing that 64% of large language models released between 2019 and 2023 were trained on datasets containing copyrighted works. Companies from OpenAI to Anthropic to [the AI music enigine] Suno have trained on copyrighted work in this way, Newton-Rex said. It's unfortunately and very, very rapidly become standard practice across much of the AI industry. He pointed out AI generated content directly competes with the creators whose work they were trained on. He provided several examples, including filmmakers who have said they will use AI music in all future projects, and artist Kelly McKernan whose income reportedly fell by 33% after their work was included in training data for the AI image generator Midjourney. A study by freelance platform Upwork further supports his position, showing that job postings for writing tasks decreased by 8% following the introduction of ChatGPT, with an 18% drop for more complex writing assignments. Similarly, graphic design job postings fell by 18% after the introduction of AI image generators. While AI companies often claim fair use protections, Newton-Rex disagreed, stating that there's no way the fair use exception can be used to justify the mass exploitation of creative work to create models that compete with the creators behind those works. He also rejected comparisons between AI training and human learning. Artists have been learning from each other for centuries.... This is baked in, it's part of the social contract of being a creator, he said. But with generative AI, companies worth millions or billions of dollars scrape as much content as they can, often against creators' wishes...creating a highly scalable competitor to those creatives. He added that the things AI might be used for to truly benefit society, such as scientific discovery, requires different types of input. If you look at something like AlphaFold, it was not trained on creative works. It was trained on protein structures, he said. There have been no major scientific discoveries that have come from an AI model that has trained on people's music, people's writing, on creative, copyrighted work." Certifying ethically trained AI Newton-Rex said he founded Fairly Trained to certify AI models that dont use copyrighted works without permission. (Maria Pallante, the CEO of the AAP is an advisor to Fairly Trained.) He pointed to several companies already taking this approach, including his own work at Stability AI, where he led the development of Stable Audio, trained only on music that we had licensed and was named one of Time magazine's best inventions of 2023. He pointed out that unlawful training is having not just deleterious effects on creators incomes and livelihoods, but on the open internet. Looking at the top 14,000 websites used for AI traning, [a report] found that over the course of a single year, the number of sites that were restricted by things like terms of service or robots.txt, rose from three percent to between 20 and 33. he said. According to Newton-Rex, the implication of this trend is vast: The web is being gradually closed due to unlicensed training, and this is bad for new AI models for new entrants to the market, but also to everyoneconsumers, researchers, and everyone who benefits from an open internet. He also noted that some creators are stopping publishing online because they know AI companies are going to take their work and compete with them. He characterized this as disincentivizing publishingthe exact opposite of what copyright law is there to do. The majority of the public appears to support Newton-Rexs position opposing unlicensed AI training. He cited a survey by the AI Policy Institute indicating that 66% of respondents believed AI companies should not be allowed to train on publicly available data without permission, and 74% believed rights holders should be paid for such use. To demonstrate the creative communitys agreement, Newton-Rex organized the Statement on AI Training, which has garnered nearly 50,000 signatures from creators, ranging from author James Patterson to Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke. The statement was simple: The unlicensed use of creative works for training generative AI is a major, unjust threat to the livelihoods of the people behind those works, and must not be permitted. This February, he coordinated a protest album in the U.K. with contributions from more than 1,000 British musicians. The album, called Is This What We Want, consisted of recordings of empty studios and performance spaces to argue against the U.K. governments proposed changes to release AI companies from obligations to paying creators for their works. The tracks spelled out the phrase: The U.K. government must not legalize music theft to benefit AI companies. What these creators are telling us is that this exploitation of their work is totally unjust, is a potentially catastrophic threat to their profession, Newton-Rex said. He concluded his talk in Washington by calling for a mutually beneficial relationship between the creative and AI industries, arguing that licensing inflicts some kind of extra burden on AI companies, but ultimately they will reach exactly the same pointmodels that are just as capable, just as powerfuland they'll do so without forcing publishers to batten down the hatches and without setting the world's creatives increasingly against them. Topline: The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, one of seven small agencies ordered to reduce its workforce in President Donald Trumps March 15 executive order, had a payroll of $28.6 million in 2024, according to data obtained by OpenTheBooks. Of the agencys 200 employees, 164 earned between $100,000 and $204,000. All but 15 employees have now been placed on leave. The Daily Wires Luke Rosiak, who has done extensive reporting on FMCS, claims the agency exists only to provide luxurious lifestyles for its employees, including hiring friends and relatives and commissioning paintings of themselves. Waste of the Day 4.8.25 Key facts: The FMCS was created in 1947 to offer free conflict resolution services to private companies, such as mediating disputes between labor unions and their employers. Rosiaks reporting in the Washington Examiner from 2013 to 2015 revealed some of the most extreme examples of taxpayer waste in the federal government. One top employee worked in Washington D.C. but had his official work station listed as Iowa. That meant his work was categorized as a business trip for six years, allowing him to be reimbursed for his rent and meals using taxpayer funds, according to Rosiak. The FMCS headquarters is still in D.C., but OpenTheBooks data shows only 17 employees working there. The remaining employees are spread across 36 other states. Another official created a recreation and reception fund in 2015 to buy $200 coasters and artwork painted by his wife. Employees also removed fraud protections from their credit cards, allowing one official to lease a BMW and another to pay for cable TV at both his house and his vacation home, Rosiak reported. For staff training, the agency paid trainers $1,500 per day plus $163 an hour for travel expenses. Officials allegedly allowed their friends to write the guidelines for hiring trainers, making it easier to get the job themselves. Allison Beck, another top official, was reimbursed for first-class flights to Italy, Tunisia, Georgia, and Switzerland in one month. One of her business meetings in Switzerland was scheduled to be over video call, Rosiak reported. The agencys in-office gym included a $1,000 TV, a $3,867 ice-maker and a $560 stereo, Rosiak found. An inspector general asked the FBI to investigate FMCS based on Rosiaks reporting, but no one was ever charged with a crime. Rosiaks reporting is now over a decade old and does not necessarily reflect the agencys current spending habits. Search all federal, state and local government salaries and vendor spending with the AI search bot, Benjamin, at OpenTheBooks.com. Critical quote: Like something out of The Office, the employees spent an inordinate amount of time and money congratulating one another for being employed there and engaging in work that really amounted to pampering themselves, Rosiak wrote. FMCS seemed, quite clearly, to exist for the benefit of those on its payroll, and not much else. Supporting quote: The FMCS released a statement arguing that Rosiak's article contains numerous falsehoods and misleading claims that irresponsibly do not reflect the reality of FMCS's operations or our unwavering commitment to support the U.S. economy with transparency and ethical practices. In the past 10 years, FMCS has introduced new ethics programs and conducted multiple audits with zero findings of any irregularities, according to the agencys statement. Summary: The biggest dispute the FMCS needs to mediate may be between its own employees and the taxpayers whose money they are spending. The #WasteOfTheDay is brought to you by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com Australias small businesses could soon have new weapons to tackle old challenges, thanks to a fresh wave of innovators unveiled by CSIRO this week. The national science agency just announced its ninth ON Accelerate cohort, a three-month bootcamp that turns bold research into real-world breakthroughs. And this year, biotech and healthcare are front and centre. From medicated skin gels to VR training that calms chaos in emergency rooms, these 11 research teams are chasing innovations with serious ripple potential across Australias SME landscape. Were talking better antibiotics, cheaper materials for electric vehicles, and a blood test that could finally crack ovarian cancer. This isnt just lab bench daydreaming. These ventures are primed to go the distance, with a showcase set for June 5 in Melbourne. Were constantly amazed by the groundbreaking solutions from the ON Accelerate teams, and this cohort is an inspiring reflection of Australias burgeoning strength in biotech and healthcare innovation, says Dr Jen Taylor, CSIROs Executive Director of Future Industries. And shes got the data to back it up. Early-stage biotech funding surged 28 percent in 2024, hitting 347 million dollars, according to Cut Through Venture. Startups with SME-sized impact Take Elemental Therapeutics from The University of Melbourne. Theyre developing PBT2, a molecule designed to combat drug-resistant pneumonia. That is huge news for healthcare and aged care SMEs grappling with infection control. Or consider Enhanced Analgesics from the University of Sydney, working on a long-lasting, non-opioid painkiller. For small businesses in wellness or pharmacy, thats a potential shelf staple without the risks of opioids. Then theres I-VADE, a joint effort between Edith Cowan University and Alpha Immersion, using virtual reality to train healthcare workers in de-escalating violence. Its a growing concern for clinics, especially in rural or understaffed areas. Were incredibly proud to support their journey, Dr Taylor adds. This cohort is very impressive, but we know that venture pathways come with plenty of challenges. And yes, the challenges are real. These projects are still deep in the lab-to-market trenches, navigating tight budgets and the skepticism that often shadows early-stage science. But ON Accelerate gives them a leg up. The program connects teams with industry mentors and investors and has already helped create 83 companies that have raised more than 336 million dollars in grants. Whats in it for small business owners Not every project screams immediate commercial payoff. 3DCeraFlex from James Cook University is 3D-printing flexible ceramics for high-heat gear. That could be a game changer for defense or energy sectors, though not exactly your average cafe. But others, like Amorfoil from CSIRO, are designing efficient materials that could cut production costs for small manufacturers or EV startups. And then theres ProSeek Bio from QIMR Berghofer, developing a blood test to detect ovarian cancer. That could prove transformative for diagnostic startups, particularly those run by women. Our ninth ON Accelerate cohort showcases the researchers working at the cutting edge of technology, particularly in drug development, healthcare delivery, and diagnostics, addressing some of societys greatest challenges, Dr Taylor notes. And for small businesses, that is the real draw. These are not abstract ideas. They are practical fixes to everyday problems, from managing chronic pain to improving surgical precision. Cheers to Viortec for that one. So what does this mean for small business owners? Maybe a future partner, a smarter supplier, or just a shot of inspiration to think bigger. By fuelling Australias technology ecosystem with bright minds, we empower researchers to see their work evolve from the lab to reality, creating a brighter and healthier future for all, Dr Taylor says. For now, these 11 teams are powering through a three-month sprint. In June, well see which ones are ready to shake up the status quo. Register to attend the ON Accelerate 9 Showcase. Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. It is said, each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way, and so it is with France and Algeria. Relations between France and Algeria have recently deteriorated due to a combination of diplomatic disputes, immigration policies, and historical grievances. Frances 132-year rule of Algeria, ending in 1962 after an eight-year war of independence, still shapes relations between Paris and Algiers. Algeria has long sought apology for colonial-era wrongs and reparations for nuclear weapons tests conducted in the Sahara Desert, while France has been reluctant to fully apologize to avoid antagonizing the descendants of the colonists (and also probably to avoid financial liability). Algeria was not a colony or a protectorate, but a part of Metropolitan France in the Third through Fifth Republics. France had to retain Algeria at all costs as it had just suffered defeat in French Indochina in 1954, and needed the land as a gateway to Frances possessions in Africa, and for the natural resources. Today, the relations between the two countries are strained by many factors: Western Sahara Dispute The fuse was probably lit in July 2024, when French President Emmanuel Macron announced France supported Moroccos autonomy plan for the Western Sahara. In October, Macron traveled to Rabat and told Moroccos parliament France would support Western Sahara autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty, angering Algeria, which backs the Sahrawi independence movement. France is in the same place it was in 1962. It is facing loss of influence, in Africa this time, as former colonial territories Mali and Senegal bid adieu to French troops and so must shore up support in the rest of the continent via Western Sahara and Morocco. In February 2025, Frances culture minister and the speaker of the French senate visited the Western Sahara, and in response Algeria froze ties with French Senate. Immigration Tensions France has accused Algeria of refusing to accept deported Algerian nationals, leading to strained relations over immigration policies. A deadly February knife attack carried out by an Algerian national, whom French authorities had attempted to deport multiple times, has become a trigger point, and in March Algeria refused to accept 60 Algerian nationals, an expulsion requested "as a priority" by the French interior ministry. In February, an Algerian TikTok influencer residing in France on a temporary residency permit was charged with "advocating an act of terrorism," and four other Algerian TikTok-ers were arrested for inciting violence. The Minister of Interior, Bruno Retailleau (I have three priorities: restoring order, restoring order, restoring order.) violated the agreed protocols with Algeria and used the fast-track procedure for expelling illegal immigrants to expel Algerians with valid France residency visas. Algerians that appealed to French courts have defeated the expulsion orders. France threatened to suspend visa exemptions for Algerians with diplomatic passports, and said it would reexamine 1968 migration pact with Algeria which made it easier for Algerians to reside in France, though France is unlikely to rescind the pact as that will likely doom any chance for successful deportations. Algeria will then refer the 1962 Evian Accords which worked to Algerians advantage: In a form of continuity with the colonial period, freedom of movement and permission to settle was guaranteed, while Algerians benefited from the same rights as the French, apart from political rights. In a conciliatory gesture, the French interior ministry issued temporary visas to foreign imams due to shortages during Ramadan celebrations. President Macron took the occasion of Eid al-Fitr to phone Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune for some damage control, and the Minister of Justice, a former Minister of the Interior, was dispatched to Algiers to try to patch things up. Diplomatic Incidents Algeria has summoned the French ambassador several times over issues like planned military exercises with Morocco, the low rents paid for French diplomatic properties in Algeria, and poor treatments of Algerian passengers at Paris airports. The ongoing tensions were no doubt aggravated by the investigation of two French government employees, both French-Algerian nationals, suspected of spying for Algeria. In March, Algeria banned all French aid to private schools, In September 2021, Algeria closed its airspace to Moroccan civil and military aircraft, and French military aircraft in response to President Macrons claims that Algeria was misrepresenting the history of colonization, and that no Algerian nation existed before the period of French rule. If Algiers were to ban overflights by commercial flights that would dent Air Frances busy schedule of flights to African destinations. Historical Grievances The legacy of colonialism and nuclear testing in Algeria continues to fuel tensions. France conducted nuclear weapon tests in Algeria, then buried the waste material, and allegedly refused to give Algeria maps of the waste site locations, though France claims it did so. These issues have led to one of the most serious diplomatic crises between the two nations since Algeria's independence in 1962 as each side feels more sinned against than sinning. Algeria fought two wars of independence, the first against France (1954-1962; 1.5 million dead) and the second against Islamist rebels (1991-2002; 150,000 dead), wars that have shaped its defensive posture. Algeria was a founding member of the Non-Aligned Movement, mostly developing countries concerned with decolonization and equitable economic development. How to Stop the Unraveling of Relations Algeria should stop focusing on minutiae, like how much rent is paid for the French embassy as Paris will gladly run out the clock instead of addressing more important matters like the legacy of nuclear testing. Then, Algiers may have to accept some of the Algerians deported by France to pre-empt any injudicious moves by Fance on the 1968 migration pact. Lastly, Algeria should focus on its own economy and internal improvements. In Continuing the Diversification Effort the World Bank recommends Algeria diversify its economy, reduce dependence on imports, and increase non-hydrocarbon exports so the non-hydrocarbon private sector becomes the motor for Algerian growth and diversification. This will be a challenge for the political level in Algiers as lackluster economic management wont allow it to fall back on its grievances about France. But improving the economy and creating opportunity will keep more Algerians in Algeria something both Paris and Algiers can agree on. Siena Agudong has signed on to play Sue Snell in Mike Flanagan's Carrie miniseries for Prime Video. ADVERTISEMENT Agudong -- who is best known for her roles in The 4:30 Movie and The QB and Me -- posted a screenshot of a report about her casting on Instagram Thursday with the quote: "so so grateful to be here-Sue Snell." Variety reported that Summer H. Howell is in final negotiations to play the title role in the adaptation of Stephen King's classic high-school horror story about a bullied teen with telekinetic powers. Sue is Carrie's nemesis. "Carrie is an iconic story that has withstood the test of time with continued cultural relevance," Vernon Sanders, head of television at Amazon MGM Studios, said in a statement to Deadline. "With Mike Flanagan at the helm and the accomplished team assembled including executive producer Trevor Macy this provocative series is sure to captivate our global customers." Flanagan's credits include The Fall of the House of Usher, The Haunting of Hill House, Midnight Mass and Doctor Sleep. Carrie was previously made into a 1976 movie starring Sissy Spacek as Carrie and Amy Irving as Sue. It was followed by a 1999 sequel called The Rage: Carrie 2 and followed Rachel, Carrie's half-sister (Emily Bergl), who also has supernatural powers. FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS! Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! A 2002 TV movie re-imagined Carrie with Angela Bettis in the title role and Kandyse McClure as Sue. The story was also turned into a popular stage musical. 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. With US President Donald Trump temporarily suspending country-specific reciprocal tariffs until July 9, India sees the three-month window as an opportunity to renew its push for a proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA) with the US and expedite finalisation of the first tranche of the trade deal. Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters The 90-day pause on the 26 per cent reciprocal tariff (imposed by the US on Indian imports) gives us the window to expedite the trade deal discussions that began last month. "We still dont know if the pause on reciprocal tariffs will continue beyond 90 days, a senior government official told Business Standard. Finalising at least the first tranche of the deal may offer some relief to Indian exporters, even if Washington decides to continue with the 26 per cent reciprocal tariffs after the three-month pause, the official added. In February, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Trump announced their intention to finalise the first phase of a mutually beneficial BTA by the fall of 2025. After the US last week announced country-specific reciprocal tariffs ranging from 10 per cent to 50 per cent on imports from several countries, with India facing a 26 per cent duty, Trump on Wednesday reversed his decision and announced a 90-day pause on all reciprocal tariffs except those on China effective from midnight on April 9 (Eastern Time). Currently, a 10 per cent ad valorem tariff, over and above the existing most-favoured nation (MFN) tariff, continues on American imports. Americas plan to impose reciprocal tariffs on most countries has prompted several major trade partners to reach out to India for free-trade agreements (FTAs). Apart from the US, India is negotiating trade deals with the United Kingdom, the European Union, New Zealand, Peru, Chile, and Oman. Talks for trade agreements with Bahrain, Qatar, and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) may also materialise. The official cited above said India was planning to use this period to fast-track long-pending trade agreements with key partners, such as the UK and the EU. In February, Prime Minister Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen had set an ambitious target to sign an FTA by the end of 2025. At present, the approach is to finalise the deal in tranches, although a formal announcement regarding the same is pending. India believes these trade deals will bring long-term benefits and boost exports to these regions, the official said. Indias negotiating position is stronger now. "Considering the fast-changing geopolitical environment and the EUs tension with the US, the trade bloc is more willing to address Indias concerns on non-tariff barriers, such as carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) and deforestation regulation, the official said. Before the tariff pause was announced, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday that India was working with the US administration to remove the 26 per cent tariff imposed on Indian goods. "We believe that India was not one of those countries which really needed to have tariffs on them because we were already in engagement for a bilateral trade deal but the US has not differentiated. "For every country, they have come out with a number. But we are in constant engagement. "We will be working with them to take off these additional tariffs in the days to come. Vietnam and the U.S. agreed to begin talks on a bilateral trade agreement involving tariff-related issues just hours after the latter suspended its proposed tariffs by 90 days. They agreed to discuss the tariffs, the most important feature of the agreement, after Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc, who is on a visit to Washington as special envoy of Party General Secretary To Lam, met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on April 10 (U.S. time). Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc meets with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in Washington. Photo by VGP At his meeting with Bessent, Phoc said Vietnam hopes to foster balanced, harmonious and sustainable economic and trade relations with the U.S., and the two sides should engage in detailed discussions to reach an agreement as soon as possible. "This will (...) serve the interests of people and businesses in both countries." Bessent, appointed by the U.S. to lead negotiations with Vietnam, expressed confidence that the two sides would soon find appropriate solutions to advance stable and mutually beneficial trade relations. He has visited Vietnam and has fond memories and a positive impression of the country and its people, he said. During his meeting with Lutnick, Phoc said an agreement to initiate negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement aligns with the framework of the VietnamU.S. Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He said the U.S. Department of Commerce should work closely with its counterparts in Vietnam through the negotiation process. Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc meets with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick in Washington. Photo by VGP Lutnick said Vietnam is an important partner for the U.S. and that the latter is focused on bringing manufacturing back to the country and ensuring fair trade. He said the commerce department would closely coordinate with Vietnam to negotiate and reach a deal that supports the development of both countries. Reaching an agreement to start talks on a bilateral trade deal is considered a major breakthrough following several days of intense negotiations between the Vietnamese delegation and the U.S. government. They signed one such agreement in 2000 and a proposal for another had not been agreed to by the U.S. The Vietnamese government is expected to establish a technical negotiation team, led by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, on April 11 to engage immediately with the US delegation, led by Bessent. The aim is to swiftly reach a stable, sustainable, and mutually advantageous bilateral trade agreement, according to Vietnam News Agency. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has emphasized that such an agreement must not affect Vietnams existing free trade agreements with its partners while adequately addressing U.S. trade concerns, especially regarding rules on origin, non-tariff barriers, and intellectual property. "Resolving one issue must not negatively affect another, and dealing with one partner must not impact our relations with others." 'It is ensured that no adversaries or people who oppose Tahawwur Rana's philosophy are housed in the same ward or jail.' 'Additionally, it is ensured that he does not have any prior contacts within that jail.' 'So, the lodgment of such a high-profile prisoner is done very carefully.' IMAGE: Terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana is taken to be produced in court in New Delhi, April 10, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo With Tahawwur Rana's extradition from the United States to India, all eyes are on Delhi's Tihar Jail, where he is expected to be lodged. A former Pakistani army doctor turned businessman, Rana faces grave terror charges for allegedly facilitating David Headley in planning the 2008 Mumbai carnage that left 166 people dead. His return to India marks a crucial moment in the quest for justice for 26/11 victims, but also raises pressing questions about his safety, surveillance, and the jail's readiness to house a high-risk inmate under intense public and international scrutiny. Who better to shed light on Tihar's security apparatus than Sunil Kumar Gupta, the former jail superintendent of Tihar, who served in India's largest prison for nearly three decades? Gupta, co-author of Black Warrant, a chilling insider account of Tihar later adapted into a Netflix series, has overseen several high-profile inmates including Charles Sobhraj, Afzal Guru, and Chhota Rajan. In this detailed and wide-ranging interview with Prasanna D Zore/Rediff, Gupta explains what awaits Rana inside Tihar -- from special security zones and surveillance to the challenges of housing a terror accused of such international consequence. What kind of security arrangements will a terror accused like Tahawwur Rana face when he is lodged in Tihar Jail? In Tihar and also in Rohini and Mandoli jails, there are high-security zones. These zones are manned by specialised police, often drawn from the Tamil Nadu Special Police. Round-the-clock surveillance is maintained over such prisoners. CCTV cameras are fitted in these cells, and their activities are constantly monitored. It is for the director general of prisons to decide in which high-security zone or in which jail such prisoners will be lodged. While making that decision, it is also ensured that no adversaries or people who oppose the philosophy of Tahawwur Rana are housed in the same ward or jail. Additionally, it is ensured that he does not have any prior contacts within that jail. So, the lodgment of such a high-profile prisoner is done very carefully. Given that he is an accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, do you think he will be kept in solitary confinement or under special surveillance? You can't keep any prisoner in solitary confinement unless it is ordered by a court. The jail administration has no authority to do so. But such prisoners are usually kept under segregation. They are kept separately in a cell, under constant surveillance. There is round-the-clock monitoring, and at least four guards are deployed outside the cell. It is ensured that they do not come into contact with other prisoners -- so they may not attempt any mischief that could compromise security. Could you help us understand the difference between segregation and solitary confinement? Yes. In segregation, the prisoner is kept apart from other inmates but can still come out of the cell at specific hours, as allowed by the jail administration. In solitary confinement, the prisoner is confined inside a cell 24x7 and not allowed out under any circumstances. Solitary confinement can only be awarded by a court, whereas segregation is an administrative measure. Given the public sentiment around Rana -- legally a terror accused but viewed as a terrorist by many -- how can Tihar Jail ensure both his safety and that of others? Is there a risk of retaliation by inmates or rogue elements? Yes, there could be such risks. But nowadays, the terrorism angle is not that upfront. 26/11 happened in 2008 -- over 17 years ago. So, the local inmate population may not be very aware of Rana as an individual. Most information about him would come from newspapers or television. So, it may not be very difficult to keep him in jail. But it is also crucial that the prison authorities ensure his rights are not violated. A balance must be maintained between security concerns and the legal rights of the prisoner. What kind of surveillance systems -- CCTV, informants, human intelligence -- typically exist for inmates of Rana's profile in Tihar? Yes, these systems are in place. In our jails, we have three zones: First-time offenders zone, with minimal security Habitual offenders zone, where those who've spent a lot of time inside are lodged High-security zone, for high-profile or dangerous prisoners In the high-security zone, the Tamil Nadu Special Police is deployed. They are well-equipped with arms and ammunition. Prisoners are under constant watch, and CCTV cameras are operational throughout. What precautions are taken when handling someone extradited from a foreign country, especially with intelligence value or global attention like Rana? Such prisoners are generally not allowed to move outside their ward. They can access the open space within their ward but nowhere else. If someone comes to meet him, he will be taken to the meeting area under tight security. When taken to court, he will be escorted under the highest level of Delhi Police security, separate from other prisoners. IMAGE: Tihar Jail in New Delhi. Photograph: ANI Photo What security protocols does Delhi Police follow when escorting Rana to court or managing his movement inside the jail? There is an escort party led by a senior police officer. When he is taken to court, complete segregation from other prisoners is ensured. Inside the prison too, his movement will be tightly controlled. Only designated security personnel will interact with or move him. You managed Charles Sobhraj, the infamous bikini killer. What are the differences in handling a high-profile prisoner like him compared to a terror accused like Rana? The key difference is public sympathy. Terror accused might have sympathisers both inside and outside the prison, which makes security more challenging. A person like Sobhraj didn't enjoy any local sympathy. So, security for him was relatively easier to manage. But someone like Rana might face animosity, even if he doesn't enjoy sympathy. That makes security all the more important. In your book Black Warrant, you describe high-risk convicts. What kind of threats might Rana face both from within and outside the prison? He may face threats from splinter groups or religious factions. Vigilance is the key. Look at inmates like Chhota Rajan -- he's also in a high-security ward. Rana can be similarly accommodated. He won't require any extraordinary arrangements but will definitely need vigilant oversight due to potential animosity. Given that he is being extradited from a US prison, are there diplomatic or procedural safeguards India must follow? What does that mean for jail authorities? Yes. Sometimes extraditions come with conditions -- for example, that the prisoner won't be put in solitary confinement or that his human rights will be protected. I recall a case where a UK court denied extradition to India of Sanjay Bhandari, a defence consultant accused of tax evasion and money laundering citing poor jail conditions and risk of torture. The court highlighted significant human rights concerns, noting that Bhandari would face a 'real risk of extortion, accompanied by threatened or actual violence, from other prisoners and/or prison officials' if detained in Tihar Jail. This decision underscores apprehensions about prison conditions and potential violations of the European Convention on Human Rights in India's detention facilities. That was a big slap on India's jail administration. So, in Rana's case, there may be conditions imposed, which will be handed over to the jail administration upon his arrival. From your experience, how do jail authorities prepare for the arrival of a prisoner like Rana? Do they coordinate with intelligence agencies? Yes. We receive advance notice. Appropriate arrangements are made. Our jails -- Tihar, Rohini, Mandoli -- are equipped with high-security wards. We can easily manage multiple such prisoners at any time using existing resources. Coordination with intelligence and central forces is routine in such cases. How will Rana be transported to Tihar Jail? What kind of security escort will he have? He will be brought by Delhi Armed Police. Usually, vehicles are not allowed inside the (Tihar) jail compound. But in this case, the vehicle will be driven straight to the ward where he will be lodged. He will be taken for entry registration and fingerprinting from there. The entire operation will be overseen by the director general of prisons, who is the final authority on where he will be housed. The vehicle will likely be bulletproof and accompanied by a convoy, depending on the threat perception decided by Delhi Police. Nearly two years after parting ways, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday rekindled their alliance, with Union Minister Amit Shah declaring that the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly election will be fought under the leadership of AIADMK chief Edappadi K Palaniswami. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah joins hands with BJP leader K Annamalai, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami and others during a press conference, in Chennai, April 11, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo He also slammed the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam for 'diverting' attention from key issues by raking up matters like delimitation, NEET and the 3-language policy. The DMK criticised the AIADMK for joining hands with Bharatiya Janata Party, calling the alliance a big "betrayal of Tamil Nadu." On a day of quick turns and twists, Shah consulted with RSS ideaologue S Gurumurthy and by late afternoon, stitched up BJP's alliance with Tamil Nadu's main opposition party AIADMK. The two had been part of the National Democratic Alliance combine that faced the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the state elections two years later. "The leaders of AIADMK and BJP have decided to fight next TN Assembly polls along with allies under the NDA banner. This election will be fought at the national level under Narendra Modi's leadership and AIADMK chief Edappadi Palaniswami at state level," Shah told a press conference. "In a way, from 1998, the AIADMK has been part of NDA alliance and for long time PM Modi ji and the great (late CM) Jayalalithaa ji had worked in national politics together. At one point of time, this alliance had won 30 out of the 39 seats in the general elections," he said about the 1998 polls. "I am confident NDA will get massive majority and form NDA government in Tamil Nadu," Shah said. Asked if NDA would form a coalition government if it won the 2026 polls in the state, he replied in the affirmative. Other related issues will be decided after the polls. Further, the AIADMK made no demand to join the NDA and its entry to the bloc was mutually beneficial. Asked if expelled AIADMK leaders O Panneerselvam and TTV Dhinakaran would also be part of the NDA, as they were during the 2024 general elections, Shah said, "there won't be any of our interference in AIADMK's internal affairs". "As far as our allies are concerned, the state units of AIADMK and BJP will decide," he said. To a question, he alleged that the ruling DMK in the state rakes up issues like Sanatan Dharma, 3-language policy and other many such issues with the sole intention behind them being to divert away from key issues. "The DMK government in Tamil Nadu is plagued by rampant corruption, atrocities against Dalits and women, and a complete breakdown of law and order. Under (CM M K) Stalin's leadership, the state has witnessed multiple scams including the Rs 39,000 crore liquor scam, sand mining scam, energy scam, transport scam, money laundering, nutrition kit scam, free dhoti scam, illegal raids, smuggling, and MGNREGA-related irregularities." "The people of Tamil Nadu will vote in the upcoming elections with these issues in mind. The public is now demanding answers from Stalin and (his son and deputy CM) Udhayanidhi on corruption," the BJP leader said. Asked about AIADMK's divergent stand on these issues, he said the matters will be discussed. If required, there will be a Common Minimum Programme. "The NDA will take original issues to people who are aware what they are and they seek answers from DMK," he said. Asked whether AIADMK joined the NDA after 'removing' Annamalai as they had blamed him in 2023 while snapping ties, Shah said "there is no iota of truth in this. Annamalai is state chief even today," he said, even as he was flanked by Palaniswami and Annamalai on either side. On asked why the press conference was delayed for a about three hours, Shah indicated parleys were on as "the alliance has to go for long." Further, he underscored that BJP takes immense pride in the Tamil language, culture, and people and holds them in high regard. It was PM Modi who honoured Tamil Nadu's rich heritage by installing the 'Sengol' in the new Parliament building, something the DMK never even proposed. The PM launched the Kashi Tamil Sangamam and the Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam to celebrate the deep cultural ties. "It was also under his leadership that the traditional Tamil martial art 'silambam' was included in the Khelo India initiative. PM Narendra Modi established the Central Institute of Classical Tamil with an investment of Rs 25 crore and set up a Tamil Chair at the University of Houston in the US," he said. AIADMK snapped ties with BJP in September 2023 reportedly over Annamalai's certain remarks about late party stalwarts, including Jayalalithaa. Meanwhile, DMK MP Kanimozhi criticised the AIADMK joining the NDA fold and called it a "big betrayal" of TN. "People of the state will give a befitting lesson to this alliance," she told reporters in Chennai. While Palaniswami claimed of opposing various Central bills and its initiatives, he was "sitting silently" today, she said about the press conference where Shah made the announcement on alliance. "TN CM had often said the two parties maintained contact and an alliance would re-emerge. That has turned out to be true," she added. Strong dust storms and gusty winds followed by rain hit the national capital on Friday evening, uprooting trees in several parts of Delhi-NCR and diverting more than 15 flights at IGI airport. IMAGE: A tree falls on vehicles due to a dust storm, at Canning Lane in New Delhi, April 11, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo A source said that over 15 flights were diverted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport. "Due to inclement weather conditions in Delhi, some of the flights at Delhi Airport are impacted. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight updates," airport operator DIAL said in a post on X at 1915 hours. IndiGo said Delhi and Jaipur are experiencing a dust storm, affecting takeoffs and landings and potentially causing air traffic congestion. This may lead to delays or diversions, the operator said in the post. The national capital saw a sudden change in weather in the evening, with sharp temperature drops at weather stations. At Palam, the temperature dropped by 10 degrees Celsius and at Safdarjung weather station, the mercury dipped by 7 degrees Celsius due to the dust storm, the weather office said. Civic bodies have received more than 20 calls on uprooted trees in several parts, including Feroz Shah Road, Ashoka Road, Mandi House, and Connaught Place, and it led to traffic congestion. Thunderstorms led to power disruptions in several parts of the city, primarily due to trees and branches falling on electricity cables. An electric pole has also fallen at ITO. The India meteorological department has issued an orange alert, which indicates that residents should "be prepared" and "take action" as per its colour-coded advisory. The IMD has recommended that people stay indoors, secure windows and doors, and avoid unnecessary travel, among other things. According to the IMD, wind speed data showed that IGI Airport reported gusts of wind at 74 kmph, Pragati Maidan at 70 kmph, and Lodhi Road at 69 kmph. Wind speeds ranged from 37 kmph in Najafgarh to 56 kmph in Safdarjung. The New Delhi Municipal Council received eight calls related to tree falls in Connaught Place, Jor Bagh, Patel Marg, and Sardar Patel Marg, among others. The Municipal Corporation of Delhi received four calls for fallen trees in New Delhi, Kalkaji and Shahdara between 6 pm and 8 pm. The PWD said it has received 10 complaints, while the fire department received two calls on tree falls. The dust storm and isolated rain during the evening led to localised disruptions in power supply in some parts of North Delhi, primarily due to branches of trees and other objects falling on electrical lines, said a spokesperson of Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited. Parts of Narela, Bawana, Badli and Mangolpuri were affected. Additionally, some disruptions were observed in high-tension and low-tension networks, he said. The maintenance teams were immediately mobilised to address the situation. Power supply has been restored in most areas, with efforts ongoing to resolve issues in a few remaining pockets, he added. BSES Operations and Maintenance teams were also on high alert. In most cases, the power supply was restored promptly. However, in some areas, it took slightly longer in view of safety concerns, a BSES spokesperson said. Given the weather situation in the city, the IMD advised people to stay indoors and avoid unessential travel. It said that there was a risk of injury to people and cattle in open areas, partial damage to vulnerable structures, minor harm to 'kutcha' houses and huts, and the possibility of loose objects being blown away. It also recommended taking shelter in safe places -- not under trees -- and avoiding contact with concrete surfaces. People are urged to unplug electrical appliances, exit water bodies immediately, and stay away from objects that conduct electricity till the weather improves. Delhi witnessed sunny weather during the day but by evening, the sky turned cloudy. The maximum temperature was recorded at 35.8 degrees Celsius, 0.3 notches below normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 22.8 degrees Celsius, 1.8 notches above normal, according to the Met office. Humidity levels ranged between 69 and 61 percent. The IMD has predicted thunderstorms with rain on Saturday. The maximum temperature is expected to hover around 35 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature could dip to around 20 degrees Celsius. Delhi's air quality showed a slight improvement, shifting from the 'poor' to the 'moderate' category, with an AQI of 164 at 4 pm, as per data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered 'good', 51 to 100 'satisfactory', 101 to 200 'moderate', 201 to 300 'poor', 301 to 400 'very poor', and 401 to 500 'severe'. IMAGE: 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana being taken to be produced at the Patiala House court in New Delhi, April 10, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo/NIA IMAGE: Rana was brought to the court under high security. The court premises was cleared of all media before the terrorist's arrival. Photograph: ANI Photo IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard outside the National Investigation Agency headquarters ahead of Rana's arrival. The court granted the NIA 18 days' custody of Rana. Photograph: ANI Photo IMAGE: Security checks being conducted outside the NIA HQ before Rana's arrival. Photograph: ANI Photo IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard outside the NIA headquarters ahead of Rana's arrival, here and below. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo IMAGE: Police barricades outside the NIA headquarters. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo IMAGE: Heavy security deployed outside the NIA headquarters. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo IMAGE: Media persons wait outside the NIA headquarters. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo IMAGE: The NIA tweet on Rana's extradition. Photograph: ANI Photo IMAGE: Police personnel stand guard outside the Patiala court ahead of Rana's appearance before the court, here and below. Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo Photograph: Jitender Gupta/ANI Photo Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff, Anant Salvi/Rediff Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff, Mahipal Soni/Rediff The Allahabad high court has sentenced local lawyer Ashok Pande to six-month imprisonment in a 2021 contempt case for appearing in court without a lawyer's robe and with his shirt unbuttoned. Image used only for representation. Photograph: Pixabay.com A division bench comprising Justices Vivek Chaudhary and B R Singh said on Thursday that 'exemplary punishment is warranted' given the seriousness of the charges, Pande's past conduct, and his refusal to participate in the proceedings. The bench also imposed a fine of Rs 2,000, with an additional one-month jail term in case of non-payment of fine. Pande has been given four weeks to surrender before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Lucknow. The bench also issued a show cause notice to Pande, questioning why he should not be barred from legal practice in the Allahabad High Court and its Lucknow bench. He has until May one to respond. The suo motu contempt proceedings began after Pande appeared in court on August 18, 2021, in improper attire and allegedly misbehaved with the judges, calling them "goondas" when his appearance was challenged and he was asked to leave. Despite multiple opportunities, Pande never responded to the contempt charges. The court also noted his history of prior contempt proceedings, including a two-year ban from the high court premises in 2017. Glimpses of when US marshals in the central district of California transferred custody of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana to representatives from India's ministry of external affairs on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Rana was flown by special aircraft, accompanied by National Investigation Agency officials and guarded by a National Security Guard team, to New Delhi where he arrived on Thursday. . Photographs: Office of Public Affairs, US Department of Justice/ANI Photo Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who arrived here Friday morning, received a detailed briefing on the alleged gang-rape of a young woman in his constituency and asked officials to take the strictest possible action against those involved, according to a Uttar Pradesh government statement. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a detailed briefing from the Police Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner, and District Magistrate of Varanasi regarding the recent gang-rape incident in the city. Photograph: ANI Photo Immediately after landing in Varanasi, the prime minister was briefed by the police commissioner, divisional commissioner and district magistrate on the 'recent criminal rape incident in the city', the statement said. "He instructed them to take the strictest possible action against the culprits and to implement appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future," it said. The case involves the alleged gang-rape of a 19-year-old woman by 23 individuals over six days. According to police, the accused drugged the victim and moved her between several hotels for the duration of the abuse. As of Monday, six of the accused had been arrested. Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana allegedly said the Indians 'deserved it' and commended the nine Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorists killed during the attack, suggesting that they should be given 'Nishan-e-Haider', Pakistan's highest gallantry award, according to the United States Department of Justice. IMAGE: Police convoy carries Tahawwur Rana, as he arrives in New Delhi, on April 10, 2025. Photograph: Priyanshu Singh/Reuters The US on Wednesday extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan, to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attack in Mumbai that killed 166 people, including six Americans. 'Rana's extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks,' the Department of Justice said in a statement. India alleges that Rana facilitated a fraudulent cover so that his childhood friend Headley, a US citizen born Daood Gilani, could freely travel to Mumbai to conduct surveillance of potential attack sites for Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). After the attack, Rana allegedly told Headley, one of the main conspirators of the assault, that the Indians 'deserved it', the statement said. 'In an intercepted conversation with Headley, Rana allegedly commended the nine LeT terrorists who had been killed committing the attacks, saying that 'they should be given Nishan-e-Haider' -- Pakistan's highest award for gallantry in battle, which is reserved for fallen soldiers,' the statement said. India alleges that Headley received training from LeT members in Pakistan and was in direct communication with the terrorist outfit about plans to attack Mumbai. Rana agreed to open a Mumbai branch of his immigration business and appoint Headley as the manager of the office, despite the latter having no immigration experience, it said. On two separate occasions, Rana allegedly helped Headley prepare and submit visa applications to Indian authorities that contained information the former knew to be false. Rana also supplied, through his unsuspecting business partner, documentation in support of Headley's attempt to secure formal approval from Indian authorities to open a branch office of his immigration business. 'Over more than two years, Headley repeatedly met Rana in Chicago and described his surveillance activities on behalf of LeT, LeT's responses to Headley's activities, and LeT's potential plans for attacking Mumbai,' the statement said. Between November 26 and 29, 2008, ten LeT terrorists carried out a series of 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai. LeT terrorists infiltrated the city by sea, dispersing to multiple locations in teams. They attacked a train station, two restaurants, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and a Jewish community centre. Hundreds of people were injured in the attack and Mumbai sustained more than $1.5 billion in property damage. 'The attacks were among the most horrific and catastrophic in India's history,' the statement said. The US statement also noted that India's pending proceedings against Rana are not the first proceedings in which he has been accused of conspiring to commit violent acts of terrorism. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years in prison following his trial conviction in the Northern District of Illinois for conspiring to provide material support to LeT and to a foiled LeT-sponsored terrorist plot in Copenhagen, Denmark. As part of those same criminal proceedings, Headley pleaded guilty to 12 federal terrorism charges, including aiding and abetting the murders of the six Americans in Mumbai and later planning to attack a Danish newspaper, and was sentenced to 35 years in prison, the statement said. In June 2020, the United States acted on a request for Rana's extradition submitted by India, which Rana contested for almost five years. On May 16, 2023, a US magistrate in the Central District of California certified Rana's extradition to India. Rana then filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which the US District Court in the Central District of California denied on August 10, 2023. On August 15, 2024, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that decision. The Supreme Court similarly denied Rana's 'petition for certiorari' on January 21, 2025. The Secretary of State issued a warrant ordering Rana's surrender to Indian authorities. Both the district court and the Ninth Circuit denied Rana's application for a stay of extradition, and on April 7, the US Supreme Court denied Rana's application for a stay of extradition. On April 9, the US Marshals Service executed the Secretary's surrender warrant by surrendering Rana to Indian authorities for transportation to India, the statement said. The statement also named US officials who handled the extradition litigation. The US Marshals Service and attorneys and international affairs specialists in the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided support to this extradition, it added. The FBI's Legal Attache Office in New Delhi also assisted, the statement said. The appeal by Prime Minister Narendra to plant a tree in the name of one's mother (Ek Ped Maa ke Naam) has found resonance with Slovak Republic President Peter Pellegrini who said his country too could consider undertaking such an initiative. IMAGE: President Droupadi Murmu and her Slovakian counterpart President Peter Pellegrini jointly plant a Linden tree, the national tree of Slovakia at the City Park on Sihot, Nitra, in Slovakia on April 10, 2025. Photograph: Press Information Bureau of India President Pellegrino was told about the programme by President Droupadi Murmu on the concluding days of her two-day state visit in Bratislava on Thursday during a tree plantation event in Nitra, considered the oldest town of Slovakia and 'mother of all cities'. Around 100 km from Bratislava, the town is home to Tata Motors JLR plant which is the biggest investment by an Indian company in the central European country. After visiting the plant, the two Presidents planted the Linden tree, the national tree of the Slovak Republic, in a public park, where the mayor of the city of Nitra, Marek Hattas, was also present. President Murmu spoke about the initiative of Prime Minister Modi, which is the 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam' initiative which is to plant a tree in the mother's name. "She described the initiative to the President of Slovak Republic, who said that -- who found this very interesting, and remarked that Slovakia too could consider undertaking such an initiative," Secretary West, External Affairs Ministry, Tanmaya Lal said. On World Environment Day last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi appealed to people to plant a tree in their mother's name. He had planted a peepal tree at a park in New Delhi. He had urged the countrymen as well as people from all over the world to plant a tree with their mother or in her name which will be a precious gift from you to her. The President later met members of the 6000-strong Indian community at an event where she asked them to be brand ambassadors of the country. In the last five years, the Indian community here has grown fourfold, she said. Infrastructure is at the core of India's development strategy, with progress being made through transformational initiatives such as Gati Shakti, Bharat Mala, Sagarmala and Smart Cities, she said. "The Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative is transforming India into a global manufacturing hub, by offloading overseas production, reducing import dependence and fostering innovation. "Our youths have made India the third largest startup hub in the world with India now being a global powerhouse for e-commerce, AI and many other sectors". Maharashtra Cyber has issued advisories to various state government departments, including the police, to take precautionary steps to avoid cyber attacks as the credentials of many of these departments were found on the darknet, officials said on Friday. IMAGE: A view of Maharashtra Cyber cell office in Mumbai. Photograph: ANI Photo The departments include Maharashtra Public Service Commission, the Directorate General of Information and Public Relations (DGIPR), the Electricity Department, Maha DBT, among others, as Maharashtra Cyber and the Computer Emergency Response Team in many cases found usernames, passwords and APN keys on the darknet, they added. They also said Maharashtra Cyber has written to Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) recommending blocking of Wikipedia platform under relevant sections of Information Technology Act for failing to comply with specific police directives. The advisories to these departments were issued as in some cases it was found that data from those websites or from IT resources were being leaked, an official said. The data includes official email IDs and passwords, which raises the vulnerability of these sites to hacking and other forms of cyber attack, he said. "With these advisories, we have asked the departments to strengthen their websites from being hacked. We are trying to plug gaps so as to prevent cyber attacks," said Yashasvi Yadav, Additional Director General of Police of Maharashtra Cyber. He said Maharashtra Cyber, while monitoring the internet landscape, had found objectionable content against Maratha emperor Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj on Wikipedia, after which several notices were issued to Wikipedia and its parent organization Wikimedia Foundation for removal of such content as well as disclosure of user information responsible for editing these passages. "However, despite repeated communications, no compliance was received. A stern warning was issued to Wikipedia, cautioning that failure to comply could result in the blocking of its services in India under Section 69A of IT Act. Now Maharashtra Cyber has written to Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) recommending blocking of Wikipedia platform under Information Technology Act," he said. The platform should honour the law of the land and share information with police or they should be banned for not doing so, he asserted. Another official said a similar notice has been sent to Proton Mail services as it was allegedly misused for serious criminal activities. "In one case, Proton Mail was used to send hoax bomb threats targeting Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. Multiple FIRs were registered and legal notices were sent to Proton Mail requesting crucial user information necessary for investigation. But no response was received," this official said. "There were multiple cases in which Proton Mail was used for bomb threats and other criminal activities. Notices were issued under relevant legal provisions seeking cooperation from Proton Mail, but the platform failed to respond or assist in the investigations," he added. Considering the repeated non-compliance by Proton Mail despite multiple legal notices and warnings, the Office of the Additional Director General of Police, Maharashtra Cyber, has formally written to Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and recommended the blocking of these platforms under Information Technology Act, the official said. All relevant documentation, FIRs, and previous correspondence with the platforms have been submitted to MeitY in support of this request, the official informed. Maharashtra Cyber is committed to ensuring digital safety, public trust, and lawful conduct on the internet and urges all digital service providers to adhere to Indian laws and cooperate with law enforcement agencies, especially when national interest and public security are involved, the official emphasised. The National Investigation Agency on Friday began an extensive interrogation of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana to uncover the deeper layers of the conspiracy as the probe agency told a Delhi court it suspects he had plans to target other Indian cities as well with similar large-scale strikes. IMAGE: Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana in NIA custody after extradition from the US. Photograph: Courtesy NIA on X Rana, the 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, was brought to the National Investigation Agency headquarters here early this morning shortly after a Delhi court granted the agency his 18-day custody. Escorted by NIA officials, Rana reached Delhi on Thursday evening on a chartered aircraft after his extradition from the US ending a 16-year-long wait to prosecute one of the key accused in the deadly Mumbai attack in November 2008 in which 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured. "His (Rana) prolonged custody has been deemed necessary to facilitate an extensive interrogation aimed at uncovering deeper layers of the conspiracy. We suspect that the tactics used in the Mumbai attacks were intended for execution in other cities as well, prompting investigators to examine whether similar plots were developed elsewhere," the NIA is believed to have informed special NIA judge Chander Jit Singh late Thursday while presenting its arguments, sources said. Rana has to be confronted with a lot of evidence and his statements would lead to "additional discoveries", the NIA submitted. The agency further told the court it needed to investigate his links with other terrorists and those accused in the Mumbai attack case, Rana, who is a close associate of 26/11 main conspirator David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen, is accused of conspiring with the latter 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. As Rana's questioning began to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks", it is learnt that the NIA's interrogation is focused on getting more details on his possible connection with Pakistan-based LeT, which had orchestrated the strike. Sources said that Rana would also be questioned on his suspected links with the officials of Pakistan spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence and his exact role behind the attack. They further said that as part of the probe to piece together crucial evidence and retrace events from 17 years ago Rana may be taken to key locations, allowing them to reconstruct the crime scene and gain deeper insight into the larger terror network at play. The investigators also hope to find some important leads on his travels in parts of northern and southern India, days before the carnage that began on November 26, 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 is being kept in a highly-secured cell, inside the anti-terror agency's head office at CGO complex in New Delhi, being guarded by security personnel round the clock, the sources said. A 24x7 surveillance is being maintained and Rana has been provided with basic necessities like food and meals among others, they said. Security around the NIA office has been beefed up. Central Reserve Police Force and Delhi police personnel are guarding the outer periphery of NIA headquarters. The investigation is being led by NIA's deputy inspector general Jaya Roy, who is also the chief investigating officer, the sources said. "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, said a statement issued by the probe agency soon after the court's order. The NIA said that as part of the criminal conspiracy, Headley, who is the accused number 1, 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, and 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. In its order, the court directed the NIA to conduct medical examination of Rana every 24 hours, and allow him to meet his lawyer every alternate day. The judge allowed Rana to use only a "soft-tip pen" and meet his lawyer in the presence of the NIA officials, who would be out of an audible distance. Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann represented the NIA. The anti-terror agency had registered a case on November 11, 2009 under Sections 121 A of Indian Penal Code, Section 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section 6(2) SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act against Headley, Rana and others. Rana is charged with numerous offenses, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery in the country. During the NIA investigation, the roles of senior functionaries of terror groups LeT and Harkat-ul Jihadi Islami -- 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, officials said. They worked in active connivance with officials from the ISI, namely Major Iqbal alias Major Ali and Major Sameer Ali alias Major Samir, according to the NIA probe. Mumbai attacks mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana will be questioned in detail by the National Investigation Agency to unravel the conspiracy behind the deadly 26/11 terror strike and his role as a planner of the attacks after a court New Delhi granted the agency his 18-day custody early Friday. IMAGE: Sniffer dogs deployed outside National Investigation Agency (NIA) Headquarters' ahead of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana's arrival, in New Delhi on Thursday. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo The anti-terror agency had produced Rana before the NIA Special Court at Patiala House after formally placing him under arrest on his arrival in New Delhi on Thursday evening, following his extradition from the United States. Special NIA judge Chander Jit Singh sent Rana to 18-day custody while the NIA sought 20-day custody. Rana was brought to the Patiala House Court in a cavalcade, including a jail van, an armoured SWAT vehicle and an ambulance, late Thursday night. 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 he did not have a lawyer, the judge informed him that a counsel was being provided to him from the Delhi Legal Services Authority. After that, advocate Piyush Sachdeva was appointed to represent him. The 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, 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. 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. Before Rana was brought to the Patiala House Court, Delhi Police removed mediapersons and members of the public from the complex, citing security concerns. Police authorities said, "No one would be permitted inside." After the court order, Rana was transported to the NIA headquarters in a heavily-secured motorcade comprising Delhi Police's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and other security personnel. Rana will be kept in a highly secured cell inside the anti-terror agency's head office at CGO complex in New Delhi, officials said. "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," a statement issued by the probe agency said soon after the court's order. The NIA said that as part of the criminal conspiracy, accused no. 1, 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. The NIA had secured Rana's extradition from the US following years of sustained efforts, and after the terror mastermind's last-ditch efforts to get a stay on his extradition from the US failed. The extradition finally came through after Rana's various litigations and appeals, including an emergency application before the US Supreme Court, were rejected. 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, the surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist was eventually secured and the extradition was carried out, the statement said. Rana is accused of conspiring with Headley 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 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. A Mumbai police official familiar with the probe has said that Rana had served in the Pakistan Army medical corps before emigrating to Canada in the 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 a 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, days before the terror attack. As per the charge sheet filed by 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. Security has been stepped up outside the National Investigation Agency headquarters where Mumbai attacks mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana has been lodged after the agency secured his 18-day custody following his extradition from the United States. IMAGE: Security personnel stand guard outside National Investigation Agency (NIA) Headquarters' ahead of 26/11 accused Tahawwur Rana's arrival, in New Delhi. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo "We have stepped up security arrangements outside the NIA headquarters to maintain law and order. Additional police and paramilitary force personnel have have been deployed," a senior police officer said. He said that no one will be allowed to breach law and order. The extradition plane carrying Rana landed at the Delhi airport Thursday and he was produced before a special court by the agency. Special NIA judge Chander Jit Singh sent him to 18-day custody. After securing his custody, the NIA took Rana to its headquarters early Friday in a heavily-secured motorcade comprising Delhi Police's Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and other security personnel. The 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, 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. The National Investigation Agency has said accused Tahawwur Rana planned several other plots similar to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to target multiple Indian cities. IMAGE: Security forces outside NIA headquarters in New Delhi. Photograph: Shrikant Singh/ANI Photo "His (Rana) prolonged custody has been deemed necessary to facilitate an extensive interrogation aimed at uncovering deeper layers of the conspiracy. We suspect that the tactics used in the Mumbai attacks were intended for execution in other cities as well, prompting investigators to examine whether similar plots were developed elsewhere," the NIA is believed to have informed the judge, a source said. Rana was brought to the court in a cavalcade including a jail van, an armoured SWAT vehicle and an ambulance. Before Rana was brought to Patiala House Court complex, the Delhi police removed mediapersons and members of the public from its premises, citing security concerns. Police authorities said, "No one would be permitted inside". A Delhi court recently received the trial records of the Mumbai attacks ahead of Rana's extradition from the US, a source said. The NIA said that as part of the criminal conspiracy, accused number 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, and 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. The NIA made the submissions late Thursday before special judge Chander Jit Singh, who remanded Rana to 18-day NIA custody. In its order, the judge directed the NIA to conduct medical examination of Rana every 24 hours, and allow him to meet his lawyer every alternate day. The judge allowed Rana to use only a "soft-tip pen" and meet his lawyer in the presence of the NIA officials, who would be out of an audible distance. During the arguments, the NIA said Rana's custody was required to piece together the full scope of the conspiracy, and submitted he was required to be taken to various locations for retracing the events that took place 17 years ago. Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and special public prosecutor Narender Mann represented the NIA. To piece together crucial evidence and retrace events from 17 years ago, officials might transport Rana to key locations, allowing them to reconstruct the crime scene and gain deeper insight into the larger terror network at play, the source added. The NIA DIGs, one IG and five DCPs of Delhi Police were present in the court premises during his production. Rana will remain in NIA custody for 18 days, during which time the agency plans to "question him in detail in order to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks" which saw 166 persons being killed and over 238 sustaining wounds. 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. 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. The Supreme Court has reserved its verdict on a plea of senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader and former Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa against an order reviving a corruption case against him. IMAGE: Karnataka BJP president BY Vijayendra, party leader BS Yediyurappa take part in a protest against the state government over alleged price hikes on essential commodities, in Bengaluru, April 2, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo The Karnataka high court, on January 5, 2021, allowed a plea of complainant A Alam Pasha, who hails from Bengaluru, and revived his complaint. Pasha alleged corruption and criminal conspiracy against Yediyurappa and former Industries minister Murugesh R Nirani and Shivaswamy KS, former managing director of Karnataka Udyog Mitra. The high court ruled that the absence of prior sanction for prosecution, leading to the quashing of an earlier complaint, did not bar the filing of a fresh complaint once the accused had demitted office. It, however, did not allow criminal prosecution of V P Baligar, a retired IAS officer and former principal secretary of the state government, in the corruption case. On April 4, a bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra concluded the hearings and framed several key legal questions for its adjudication including whether after a judicial magistrate has ordered probe under Section 156(3) of Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), would a prior sanction of the appropriate government authorities be still required under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption (PC) Act. Section 156 (3) of the CrPC permits a judicial magistrate to order a police investigation into a complaint and it may include order for a preliminary inquiry or registration of an FIR. Section 17A of the PC Act says, "No police officer shall conduct any enquiry or inquiry or investigation into any offence alleged to have been committed by a public servant under this Act, where the alleged offence is relatable to any recommendation made or decision taken by such public servant in discharge of his official functions or duties, without the previous approval..." The top court framed seven crucial legal questions, primarily focusing on the interplay between various provisions of the PC Act and the CrPC on the issue of prior sanction to prosecute a public servant and power of the judicial magistrate to entertain a private complaint and order probe and an FIR. "What are the relevant considerations as contemplated by Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 which the appropriate authority or government is expected to look into before the grant of approval for initiation of any enquiry, inquiry, or investigation by the police?" read the first question the bench framed. Whether the considerations which weigh with the appropriate authority or government while granting approval under Section 17A of the PC Act are fundamentally so different from the one that a magistrate is ordinarily expected to apply while passing an order under Section 156(3) of the CrPC, read the second issue. "In other words, whether the considerations under Section 17A of the PC Act are of such a nature that they are necessarily beyond the ambit or scope of consideration by a Magistrate while directing an investigation under Section 156(3) of the CrPC," the bench said. The top court asked if it could be said that once a magistrate has applied his mind under Section 156(3) of the CrPC, the requirement of a prior approval under Section 17A of the PC Act is meaningless, redundant and no longer necessary. Could it be said that a police officer, despite a direction under Section 156(3) by a Magistrate, would remain inhibited from conducting any enquiry, inquiry, or investigation without prior approval as required by Section 17A, it added. Whether a magistrate could proceed with inquiry under Sections 200 (examination of private complainant) and 202 (postponement of a criminal case) of the CrPC without prior sanction, and whether such actions are limited only to the pre-cognizance stage, read another question. The top court asked the counsel of the senior BJP leader to file the written submissions within two weeks, along with relevant case laws addressing not just the framed questions, but any additional issues that may arise. Pasha had initially filed a complaint alleging Yediyurappa and others conspired to forge documents to revoke the high-level clearance committee's approval for allotting 26 acre of industrial land to him at Devanahalli Industrial Area. The complaint, which invoked provisions under the IPC and the PC Act, was initially investigated by the Lokayukta Police, but in 2013, the high court quashed the complaint for a lack of mandatory sanction under Section 19 of the PC Act. Subsequently, after the accused officials vacated their offices, Pasha filed a fresh complaint in 2014, arguing that sanction was no longer required in light of Supreme Court judgment in the A R Antulay case. The special judge dismissed the second complaint in 2016, again citing lack of sanction. Challenging this dismissal, Pasha approached high court which passed a partly favourable ruling. Three more accused have been arrested in connection with the alleged gang rape of a 19-year-old woman in Varanasi, a police official said on Friday. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi receives a detailed briefing from the Varanasi police commissioner Mohit Agarwal, divisional commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma and district magistrate S Rajalingam regarding the recent criminal rape incident in the city, in Varanasi, April 11, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo With these arrests, the police have captured 12 out of 23 accused in the case. The news of this development came barely hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived here in the morning to inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for several projects in his parliamentary constituency. The PM received a detailed briefing about the case and asked officials to take the strictest possible action against those involved, according to an official statement. Meanwhile, Additional Commissioner of Police (Cantonment) Vidush Saxena said that the police arrested the three on Thursday and are continuously conducting raids to arrest the remaining accused. The ones who have been arrested have been identified as Raj Vishwakarma, Sameer, Ayush, Sohail, Danish, Anmol, Sajid, Zahir, Imran, Jaib, Aman and Raj Khan. According to the complaint, the victim was gang-raped by 23 people across multiple places between March 29 and April 4. The survivor's family filed the complaint in this regard on April 6. A case was registered under sections 70(1) (gang rape), 74 (assault or use of criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 123 (causing hurt by means of poison, etc., with intent to commit an offence), 126(2) (wrongful restraint), 127(2) (wrongful confinement) and 351(2) (criminal intimidation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the police had earlier said. The 26/11 terror attacks shocked the entire world and America has long supported India's efforts to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, the United States has said, as Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana was extradited to India to face justice for his involvement in the Mumbai carnage. IMAGE: Tahawwur Rana being produced at Patiala House Court, in New Delhi on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo On April 9, the United States extradited Rana, 64, to India 'to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks,' US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Thursday. "The United States has long supported India's efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice, and as President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism," she said. Rana is in India's 'possession and we are very proud of that dynamic,' she said. Bruce added that some people may not remember the attacks that resulted in the tragic loss of 166 lives, including six Americans, that shocked the entire world. "I encourage you to look them up and to find out exactly how horrible this was in the importance of this situation today," she said. Earlier, a spokesperson for the US Department of Justice said in a statement to PTI that Rana's extradition is a 'critical step toward seeking justice' for the victims of the heinous attacks. The DOJ spokesperson said that the US extradited the convicted terrorist and Pakistani-Canadian citizen to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. "Rana's extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks," the spokesperson said. A team led by NIA authorities landed in India late Thursday with Rana who will now face justice in the country for his role and involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks carried out by Pakistan based LeT terrorists. The multi-agency team from India had gone to the US and all paperwork and legalities to bring Rana back to India were completed. 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 Center 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 the application was 'denied' by the court. In his emergency application, Rana had sought a stay of his extradition and surrender to India pending litigation, asserting that if extradited to India, he will be 'in danger of being subjected to torture' and '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 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. Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks. Another constituent of separatist amalgam Hurriyat Conference, Jammu and Kashmir Mass Movement, has rejected secessionism and declared complete commitment to the unity of the country, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday. IMAGE: Union Home Minister Amit Shah pays tribute to BJP leader Tamilisai Soundararajan's father and Tamil scholar Amarar Kumari Ananthan, at their residence in New Delhi, April 11, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo He said with this, as many as 12 Hurriyat-linked organisations in Jammu and Kashmir have broken off from separatism, resting trust in the Constitution. "Under the Modi govt the spirit of unity rules J&K. Another Hurriyat affiliate organisation, Jammu and Kashmir Mass Movement, has rejected separatism, declaring complete commitment to the unity of Bharat. I sincerely welcome their move. Till now as many as 12 Hurriyat-linked organisations have broken off from secessionism, resting trust in the Constitution of India. This is a victory of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's vision for 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat'," Shah wrote on X. On April 8, Jammu Kashmir Islamic Political Party, Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Democratic League and Kashmir Freedom Front had disassociated themselves from Hurriyat Conference. Among other groups which announced their separation from Hurriyat include Jammu and Kashmir People's Movement, headed by Shahid Saleem, Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Political Movement, led by advocate Shafi Reshi, and Jammu and Kashmir Freedom Movement, headed by Mohd Sharief Sartaj. When the groups made the announcement on March 25, Shah had said the unifying policies of the Narendra Modi government have "tossed" separatism out of Jammu and Kashmir. Two other constituents of Hurriyat -- Jammu and Kashmir Tahreeqi Isteqlal and Jammu and Kashmir Tahreek-I-Istiqamat -- had also announced their disassociation from the amalgam. The J&K Tehreeqi Isteqlal is headed by Gulam Nabi Sofi and J-K Tehreek-I-Istiqaamat is led by Ghulam Nabi War. The Air India flight crashed into the sea after a mid-air bomb explosion in what was a failed assassination attempt on Chinese premier Zhou En Lai. IMAGE: Air India's Kashmir Princess aircraft. Photograph: Kind courtesy RuthAS/Wikimedia Commons 1.30 pm: April 11, 1955. Air India aircraft Kashmir Princess was readying for departure at Hong Kong's Kai Tak airport. The aircraft had done a scheduled passenger flight from Mumbai to Hong Kong the previous night, but for its next leg, the Princess had been chartered for a private flight by the Chinese government because China did not have long distance aircraft. The eight-member Indian crew were responsible for flying 11 members of a Chinese delegation including Premier Zhou En Lai to Jakarta, Indonesia for a conference. The Bandung Afro-Asian conference was being attended by prominent Asian leaders including then prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru and was a precursor to the Non Aligned Movement. When the passengers boarded, Zhou En Lai was not among them. In fact, no senior Chinese members took the flight. Only junior level staff, two Polish and one Vietnamese journalists came aboard. Pilot Captain D K Jatar took off in the afternoon with Co-Pilot M C Dikshit in the Lockheed 794A aircraft. The crew included Flight Navigator J C Pathak, Flight Engineer A S Karnik and Stewardess Gloria Evan Berry. An hour before landing in Jakarta, a bomb exploded in the aircraft causing a fire which spread rapidly. Captain Jatar, an experienced pilot who had flown Nehru several times and served as J R D Tata's co-pilot in the past, had no option but to employ an emergency sea landing when the aircraft was at 18,000 feet. 'The plane crashed into the South China Sea. It broke into three parts -- cockpit, cabin and tail. The cabin sank immediately. Three survivors, all crew members, were either in the cockpit or the crew,' wrote Steve Tsang in the China Quarterly published by the School of Oriental and African Studies. Captain Jatar and Gloria Berry displayed exceptional courage and dedication in the face of danger till their last breath. According to the book Kashmir Princess by survivor A S Karnik, Captain Jatar's body was found strapped to his pilot's chair with his hands on the controls when the cockpit was discovered 21 days after the crash. Gloria Berry, just 23 and the only stewardess on the flight, fearlessly continued to help passengers put on life vests till the last moment. Captain Jatar and Gloria Berry were awarded the Ashok Chakra, India's highest gallantry award in peacetime for conspicuous bravery. They were the first civilians to receive the honour. President Dr Rajendra Prasad presented the award to their next of kin on Republic Day 1956. The remaining crew of the Kashmir Princess was rescued from the sea and also awarded the Ashok Chakra. IMAGE: Then Chinese premier Zhou En Lai. Photograph: Kind courtesy Wikimedia Commons Investigations into the crash were led by none other than the legendary R N Kao, who later founded RA&W. Kao spent months travelling through China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines, and presented his report to Zhou En Lai in Beijing. 'In a detailed briefing, Kao told En Lai how his investigation had led him to Chou Chu. A Taiwanese national working as a member of the ground maintenance crew of the Hong Kong Aircraft Engineering Company, Chu had agreed to place a time bomb -- a weapon of choice in those days -- in the Kashmir Princess. In return, he was promised a reward of 600,000 Hong Kong dollars,' wrote Anusha Nandkumar and Sandeep Saket in The War That Made R&AW. 'The mastermind behind the plot was Chiang Kaishek, an ousted Chinese leader, who had gone on to become the ruler of Taiwan. Kaishek was plotting to kill Zhou En Lai, and when it was publicly known that he would be taking a chartered flight from Hong Kong to attend the Bandung Conference, he made his move. The Kashmir Princess crash was the result of this ongoing political rivalry between China and Taiwan,' Nandkumar and Saket wrote. IMAGE: Disaster In The Air: The crash of the Kashmir Princess book cover. Photograph: Kind courtesy amazon En Lai already had information about this plan and thereby escaped being killed. He only flew out to Rangoon, now Yangon, to meet Nehru on April 14 before traveling to Indonesia for the conference. The man who had placed the bomb had been recruited by the Kuomintang party headed by Chiang Kaishek who was defeated by the Chinese Communist Party in the civil war in 1949 and moved to Taiwan. M C Dikshit, the last survivor of the Kashmir Princess, passed away in 2022. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com Google Cloud has honoured the success of its Australian and New Zealand (A/NZ) partners at its Next 25 conference with its Partner of the Year awards for 2025. In total, eight awards were given to businesses in Asia Pacific (APAC) that are based in A/NZ or have an A/NZ presence. Taking out the top regional level A/NZ Partner of the Year award was Mantel Group. Our Partner Awards recognise Google Cloud partners who deliver exceptional value to customers with innovative solutions and deep expertise, said Gary Denman, Google Cloud A/NZ head of partnerships and alliances. Were proud to name Mantel Group a 2025 Google Cloud Partner award winner and celebrate their success in helping customers achieve great results over the past year. Additionally, several multinational partners with an A/NZ location also received awards. ARN understands that these partners won their accolades due to their global efforts, which includes their work in A/NZ. At the Asia Pacific (APAC) level, this included Tata Consultancy Services with wins across the AI, Data and Analytics and Talent Development Partner of the Year categories. Additionally, NTT Data subsidiary Niveus, which has an office in Sydney, won Databases Partner of the Year; PwC took the gong for Security Partner of the Year; and Accenture received the APAC and global awards for Public Sector Partner of the Year, as well as the global AI Innovation and Solutions and Solutions Partner of the Year accolades. 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) Editor: Zhang Zhou In an ad posted on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, men are seen leaving their day jobs to go fight for Russia in Ukraine. The clip -- in Russian with Chinese subtitles -- ends with a call to action, saying, "You're a man. Be a man," before saying recruits could get a signing bonus ranging from the equivalent of $7,000 to $21,000 and a monthly income worth about $2,400. That clip alone has racked up hundreds of thousands of views, and it's just one of the advertisements circulated online in China trying to bring fighters to the battlefield in Ukraine. Advertisements like this are in a newfound spotlight since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on April 8 that Kyiv had captured two Chinese mercenaries fighting for Russia. He's since gone on to accuse Russia of conducting a "systematic campaign" to recruit Chinese soldiers and to claim the two captured men are among at least 155 other Chinese citizens fighting for Russia's army. And while testimonials of Chinese nationals fighting for both Ukraine and Russia have circulated since the early days of the all-out war, Zelenskyy's recent comments have sparked a closer look at how Russia has recruited them. Zelenskyy's remarks add to previous reporting about foreign mercenaries in Ukraine -- including exclusive hospitalization records that RFE/RL obtained showing the true scale of Russia's war casualties. That database included a Chinese man, and in messages with RFE/RL he confirmed he was a Chinese citizen who fought with Russian forces but refused to give further details. Why Are Chinese Nationals Fighting For Russia? The biggest allure appears to be financial. Ads posted on Chinese social media platforms emphasize pay that exceeds the average monthly income outside of major cities in China -- and comment sections on recruitment ads show questions about payment are a leading concern, followed by those about what level of Russian is required. But there is no indication that the soldiers are being sent as part of a state-sponsored initiative by Beijing. Many recruits don't have any military experience. In an April 9 video posted on Zelenskyy's social media channels, one of the captured Chinese men says he had never been in combat before enlisting and had never even held a weapon until he traveled to Russia for training. During an April 14 press conference in Kyiv, both mercenaries shared their experiences, saying that they were primarily motived to join due to the salaries they had seen in videos on Chinese social media that ranged from around $2,400 to up to $3,000. One of the mercenaries said he was paid the promised salary after being deployed, but claims that his commanding officers subtracted large expenses for fuel and equipment regularly from his paycheck. The other captured soldier said that he originally intended to sign up for a lower paid role as a medic, which he had a background in back in China, but ended up being deployed in combat roles. "When I was in the Russian army, I had no choice but to do the work that was assigned to me," he said. "All the documents were in Russian, so all communication was done with the help of gestures or certain hand signs." Other Chinese mercenaries say they signed up looking for battlefield experience. In an interview posted last month on YouTube, Chinese journalist Chai Jing spoke with a Chinese national while he was on the front lines with Russian forces. The mercenary identified himself with his call sign, explaining how and why he enlisted. He said he joined Russian forces in late 2023 after flying to Russia on a tourist visa. He described being part of an "assault team" near the front in eastern Ukraine and shared videos that appeared to show him in Bakhmut during the bloody battles that left the town destroyed. He also described difficulties he and other foreign soldiers faced in their Russian units, including language barriers and racism. The fighter said he was previously in the Chinese military and that money influenced his decision to sign up, but he said he was also driven by wanting to experience war. He's since catalogued his time fighting in Ukraine on Chinese social media platforms. "I realized I might die here one day, so I decided to share some real experiences since China's people haven't been through a war for a long time," he said. What's Beijing's Reaction To Chinese Mercenaries In Ukraine? China is Russia's closest partner, and Western officials say it has played an important role in propping up Russia economically throughout the war. But China has refrained from sending military aid, and China's Foreign Ministry also said it tells its citizens to stay away from war and that the idea that large numbers are fighting is "totally unfounded." Zelenskyy himself has stopped short of saying the Chinese government authorized the mercenaries' involvement in Ukraine, but he has accused Beijing of turning a blind eye to Russia's recruitment of its citizens. And there's some indication Chinese authorities haven't made a concerted effort to stop them. The Chinese Internet is heavily censored, and social media is closely monitored and controlled, yet many of these recruitment posts -- some of which are months old -- are still online and being shared. The URL has been copied to your clipboard The code has been copied to your clipboard. New videos spread across Chinese social media platforms show how Russia has been targeting Chinese citizens to fight with its army, offering high pay and a chance for rare battle experience. Welcome back to The Farda Briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter that tracks the key issues in Iran and explains why they matter. I'm RFE/RL correspondent Kian Sharifi. In this edition I'm looking at concerns about the rising number of executions in Iran and the deteriorating human rights situation. What You Need To Know Executions On The Rise In Iran: Iran continues to rank second worldwide in annual executions, Amnesty International has said in its latest report. Executions have risen steadily since 2020, largely driven by drug-related offenses. Activists argue the Islamic republic also uses the death penalty as a tool to silence dissent and suppress political opposition. Nuclear talks in Oman: Iranian and US negotiators will hold talks in Oman on April 12 on Tehran's nuclear program, though it remains unclear whether the talks will be direct or indirect. Both sides have framed the rendezvous as a meeting to test the waters and see whether formal negotiations can be held. Argentina Seeks Arrest Warrant For Khamenei: Argentina is pursuing legal action against Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei for his alleged role in the 1994 AMIA bombing, which targeted a Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, killing 85 people and injuring hundreds. Prosecutor Sebastian Basso has requested an international arrest warrant for Khamenei, alleging he issued a fatwa authorizing the attack carried out by operatives of the US-designated Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah. The Big Issue Tool To 'Silence' Critics Executions in Iran reached their highest level since 2015, with at least 972 recorded in 2024, according to Amnesty International. The surge helped drive a global increase in capital punishment, with Iran, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia accounting for 91 percent of known executions last year. Amnesty Secretary-General Agnes Callamard said Iran and Saudi Arabia used the death penalty "to silence those brave enough" to challenge the authorities. She also pointed to drug-related offenses as a major contributor to the spike in executions. Why It Matters: Rights groups say Iran's justice system is marked by a lack of transparency and due process. Many of those executed are convicted in trials that fall short of international legal standards, with allegations of forced confessions, restricted access to lawyers, and vague charges such as "enmity against God." What's Being Said: Raha Bahreini, a human rights lawyer and spokeswoman for Amnesty International, said the real number of executions in Iran is likely higher. She told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that because Iran is not transparent, Amnesty International relies on documented reports of executions collected by groups that monitor human rights violations in Iran. Bahreini noted that while the world is moving toward abolishing the death penalty, a handful of countries are driving the surge in executions -- including Iran, which accounted for 64 percent of executions in 2024. Expert Opinion: "The authorities in the Islamic republic use the death penalty as a tool to create an atmosphere of terror and fear," Bahreini said. That's all from me for now. Until next time, Kian Sharifi If you enjoyed this briefing and don't want to miss the next edition, subscribe here. It will be sent to your inbox every Friday. In a rare moment of international visibility, Belarusian strongman Aleksandr Lukashenko welcomed Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for an official visit to Minsk on April 10, hailing it as a significant milestone in bilateral relations. The visit, which continued on April 11, resulted in multiple agreements spanning military cooperation, food security, and trade. Most notably, Lukashenko offered to accept up to 150,000 Pakistani workers to help address Belarus's deepening labor shortage. For Lukashenko, whose presidency remains unrecognized by the West following the widely disputed 2020 election and subsequent brutal crackdown on dissent, any direct engagement with a foreign leader carries enormous symbolic and strategic value. Isolated diplomatically, shunned by the European Union and the United States, and increasingly reliant on Moscow, Lukashenko has few opportunities to present himself as a legitimate international actor. "Pakistan has many people who want and are ready to work in Belarus," Lukashenko said during a joint press conference, emphasizing Belarus would create the "necessary conditions" for their employment. With more than 198,000 job vacancies reported across the country, the proposal aims to inject labor into an economy under pressure. The move, however, raises alarm bells across neighboring European Union states. The offer to import tens of thousands of Pakistani workers can certainly be viewed with suspicion in neighboring NATO member states Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania. In a 2021-22 border crisis, Belarus was accused of using migrants as pawns in a political standoff with the EU. Belarus facilitated travel for migrants from the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia -- including Pakistan -- and directed them toward the EU's external borders, triggering a humanitarian and security crisis. At the time, thousands of migrants were left stranded in forests along Belarus's borders with Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania, often with no food, shelter, or legal protection. Belarusian authorities were accused of weaponizing migration in retaliation for Western sanctions. Polish, Latvian, and Lithuanian border guards resorted to pushbacks, resulting in dozens of deaths, international condemnation, and an enduring mistrust of Minsk's migration policies. During the visit, Belarus and Pakistan signed a military cooperation agreement and a roadmap for defense-industrial ties through 2027, deepening ties between the two countries, as well as other pacts and economic memoranda. Notably absent from the spotlight, however, is any substantial record of recent trade volume. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry last reported annual bilateral trade with Pakistan for the year 2020, saying it ranged from $50 million to $65 million -- a far cry from a 2015 vow to grow trade between the two countries to $1 billion. For comparison, Pakistan's primary trading partners in 2023 included China, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia; Belarus didn't make the list. For Lukashenko, however, Sharif's visit may offer a diplomatic lifeline and a moment of validation. For the EU, it brings back memories of 2021-2022. It may be a warning sign that the authoritarian leader of Belarus could once again use people as leverage in his ongoing standoff with the West. The Taliban carried out public executions of four individuals on April 11 -- the highest single-day number since it returned to power -- prompting a wave of condemnation from groups around the world. Local Taliban officials confirmed that the individuals who were accused of murder were executed in front of crowds gathered in the western provinces of Farah, Nimroz, and Badghis. Eyewitnesses at one of the sites, who spoke to RFE/RL's Radio Azadi on condition of anonymity, said family members of the victims shot the accused. "Their families offered blood money to spare their relatives' lives, but the victims' relatives refused. People here don't fully understand these issues this kind of event leaves a serious psychological impact," the person said. In Nimroz province, the Taliban invited civilians, civil servants, and military personnel to witness the execution at a stadium in Zaranj. "The man was shot by the victims family. Watching this scene was unbearable. No one wants to witness a killing, even if it is declared a divine punishment," said one local resident. The executions, part of the Talibans hardline interpretation of Islamic law, are described by the regime as "qisas," or retributive justice. Since they seized power in August 2021, the Taliban have resumed corporal punishments and public executions, echoing their repressive rule of the 1990s. So far, at least 10 individuals have been publicly executed. Rights organizations say these punishments are a clear violation of international law. They say the use of executions as a public spectacle is not only inhumane but also contributes to a culture of fear and trauma in communities already scarred by decades of war and violence. In a statement posted on X, Amnesty International condemned the executions, calling them "deplorable." "Afghanistan: The deplorable public executions of four people in Nimroz, Farah and Badghis in Afghanistan today point to Talibans continued alarming abuse of human rights in the country. The Taliban de facto authorities continue to flagrantly flout human rights principles," it said. "The international community must put pressure on the Taliban to stop this blatant human rights abuse and help ensure international guarantees are upheld in Afghanistan." The Taliban claim that the executions followed "transparent investigations and justice procedures," but the United Nations and multiple human rights bodies have consistently disputed such assertions, citing the absence of a functioning judicial system and lack of due process in Taliban courts. "We are appalled by executions of four men in the Badghis, Nimroz and Farah provinces this morning," the United Nations rights office said on X, urging "the de facto authorities in Afghanistan to place a moratorium on the use of the death penalty." US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin during a surprise visit on April 11 to St. Petersburg, their third meeting since US President Donald Trump took office in January pledging to repair ties with Moscow. Witkoff stopped in St. Petersburg on his way to high-level talks with Tehran over Iran's nuclear program scheduled for April 12 in Oman. News of the meeting broke as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on X that a month had now passed since Russia rejected a US proposal for a "full and unconditional cease-fire." Hours after Witkoff landed, Trump also posted on social media: "Russia has to get moving. Too many people are DYING." He again called the conflict "senseless" and said it "should have never happened." Putin Meets US Special Envoy Witkoff In St. Petersburg No media source currently available 0:00 0:00:21 0:00 Putin was shown on state TV greeting Witkoff in St. Petersburg's presidential library for talks that state news agencies later said lasted more than four hours. "The theme of the meeting -- aspects of a Ukrainian settlement," the Kremlin said in a statement after the meeting concluded. Witkoff's visit came amid a flurry of diplomatic activity around the war in Ukraine that includes US-Ukrainian talks in Washington and a meeting chaired by Britain and Germany in Brussels. The Russian state news agency TASS said Witkoff immediately met with Kirill Dmitriev, a well-connected Kremlin insider and head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund. Last week the two men met in Washington, D.C., where they discussed strengthening bilateral relations. Dmitriev called the talks on April 11 productive, according to TASS. The visit comes a day after US and Russian officials met in Istanbul to discuss normalization of diplomatic ties, potentially reversing some of the mass expulsions of embassy staff since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Last month, Witkoff's meeting with Putin paved the way for a phone call between the two presidents. He also visited in February, and was part of the US-Russia talks in Riyadh. Who is Steve Witkoff? Witkoff is a New York property developer and friend of Trump who has no previous diplomatic experience. This has raised concerns in some quarters about his lead role in such delicate talks. "The fact that he lacks the context and history of how Russians negotiate and deal with the American side is, I think, a problem," said David Kramer, who held a senior position at the State Department during the George W. Bush administration. "Putin says nice things to him, gives him a portrait of the president, talks about going to church and praying for his friend (Trump)," Kramer told RFE/RL on April 10. "Those are pretty old KGB tactics. And Witkoff, I don't think, has the awareness to understand what is going on there." Trump has strongly praised Witkoff. Speaking in January, he called him "a great deal-maker...a great negotiator, a great person." Witkoff's visit will be aimed at pushing forward stalled US efforts to broker a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine. Trump has recently criticized Russia for ramping up its bombing campaign of Ukraine and not moving faster on peace talks. But Trump has also said Zelenskyy was "trying to back out" of an agreement giving Washington access to Kyiv's deposits of rare earth minerals. A Ukrainian delegation was due for talks on the deal in Washington later on April 11. Turkey Pledges Black Sea Mission Meanwhile, in Brussels, progress has been made in forming a European-led military force to deploy to Ukraine in the event of a cease-fire or peace deal. Two European diplomatic sources told RFE/RL that Turkey had declared it was willing to "assume responsibility for the maritime dimension." This was at a meeting of the "coalition of willing" on April 10. So far, only Britain and France have made public pledges to commit forces, although other countries have said they are open to doing so depending on circumstances of their deployment. On April 11, Britain and Germany chaired a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, which coordinates military aid to Ukraine. This was set up in 2022 and chaired by then-US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. His successor, Pete Hegseth, has taken a back seat in the group and attended this meeting by video link. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Hegseth made "interesting and correct assessments" in his comments. Ahead of the talks, European countries pledged new support for Ukraine in the coming months and years. Britain and Norway announced a joint package for military drones, radar systems, and anti-tank mines. Germany and the Netherlands said they would provide additional air and missile defense systems. "This will have an impact on the battlefield this year," said Pistorius. Dutch Defense Minister Says Allies Must Front-Load Support For Ukraine No media source currently available 0:00 0:01:57 0:00 Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans told RFE/RL that he expects the United States to put its political weight behind the European plans, and said the Netherlands and other allies are already accelerating their material support for Ukraine. In Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region, Russian air strikes are starting to land as the front lines creep westward. A humanitarian NGO, Proliska, has arranged for families with children to evacuate their homes and head to safer territory in the west of the country. One group of 17 children and seven adults recently arrived in Mukachevo, where NGO staff helped them find shelter, food, and community support. From their base near Kupyansk, a team of Ukrainian drone pilots is locked in a high-stakes aerial battle. They're using inexpensive drones to try to take out Russian unmanned aircraft before they can strike. One pilot who goes by the call sign Raymond zeroes in on a Russian-made Supercam drone, which isn't equipped to observe an attack from the rear. "It can't see you. It doesn't realize it's about to die," Raymond says. Drones are central to Ukraine's defense operations as Russia continues its offensive across hundreds of kilometers of front lines. Operators modify their unmanned craft with explosives to destroy the Russian reconnaissance and attack drones in flight. It's a cost-effective strategy, Raymond says. "Every downed drone is a real loss for them," he said. "A Supercam drone is said to cost $400,000. A drone that intercepts it costs about $1,000." On April 10, Ukrainian officials issued a new warning about the dangers of Russian drones. The Interior Ministry stated that Russian forces have started using drones to scatter explosive devices across Ukrainian territory. Meanwhile, Ukraine's European allies promised on April 11 to supply hundreds of thousands of military drones to Ukraine. The United Kingdom and Norway unveiled an aid package that will direct some $580 million in military support toward unmanned aircraft, along with anti-tanks mines and repairs to military vehicles. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- There is no winner in a tariff war, and going against the world will only result in self-isolation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said when meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing on Friday. Xi said over the past 70 years and more, China has achieved development through self-reliance and arduous struggle, never relying on others' mercies, still less fearing any unreasonable suppression. He added that no matter how the external world changes, China will remain confident and focused on running its own affairs well. Noting that both China and the European Union (EU) are major economies in the world and firm supporters of economic globalization and free trade, Xi said the two sides have formed a close relationship of economic symbiosis with their combined economic output exceeding one-third of the world's total. He called on China and the EU to fulfill their international responsibilities, work together to safeguard economic globalization and the international trading environment, and jointly resist unilateral bullying. This not only safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of China and the EU, but also serves to maintain fairness and justice within the international community while upholding international rules and order, Xi said. Sanchez said China is an important partner of the EU, and Spain has always supported the stable development of EU-China relations. Noting the EU is committed to open and free trade, upholds multilateralism and opposes unilateral tariff hikes, Sanchez said there is no winner in a trade war. Facing the complex and challenging international situation, Spain and the EU are willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to maintain the international trade order, cope with challenges including climate change and poverty, and safeguard the common interests of the international community, he said. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Editor: Zhang Zhou By Rebecca Black, PA Vigilance has been urged after firefighters tackled further significant wildfires. The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said it mobilised to 53 wildfire incidents on Thursday, and continued to respond to calls overnight. Five fire appliances were sent each to two larger blazes in Draperstown, Co Derry, and Newtownhamilton, Co Armagh. A spokesperson for the NIFRS said they were called at 4.48pm to a report of a fire at 25 acres of gorse on Corrick Road, Draperstown, and five fire appliances, the command support unit and specialist wildfire teams attended the incident, which had been dealt with by 9.33pm. The NIFRS was called at 4.23pm to reports of a gorse fire on Friary Road in Newtownhamilton, and five fire appliances and 25 firefighters attended the incident, which had been dealt with by 7.18pm. Meanwhile, firefighters were also called to reports of a one-mile fire front gorse blaze on the Bunnisnagapple Road, Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh, at 9.22pm, which was attended by three fire appliances and 15 firefighters and was dealt with by 11.46pm. Our firefighters continued to respond to a number of other emergency incidents across the night, including an industrial fire in on Cloghanramer Road, Newry, with six fire appliances and 56 firefighters in attendance, a rescue in the Upper Springfield Road area of Belfast, with specialist rescue teams and two fire appliances, and a house fire in Lisnaskea with three fire appliances and 15 firefighters at the scenes, a spokesperson for the NIFRS said. With the weather warning still in place, we are appealing to the public to adhere to our fire safety advice. Please stay vigilant to fire in the countryside. If you see a fire, call 999. Sinn Fein Mid Ulster MLA Emma Sheerin called for those responsible for the fire in Draperstown to be held to account. I want to extend my sincere thanks to the firefighters and emergency service personnel who worked tirelessly to contain and extinguish the fire, she said. Authorities have indicated that the fire is believed to have been started deliberately. This is deeply concerning. Those responsible must be held to account. Farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal upon his arrival in Amritsar on Thursday. (PTI) Prior to this, Dallewal had been discharged from a hospital in Khanna on April 6, after concluding his indefinite hunger strike. Farmer Leader Dallewal Discharged from Hospital, Participates in MahaPanchayat in Amritsar, Latest News: Veteran farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal was admitted to a private hospital in Barnala for four days after his health deteriorated. After being discharged on Thursday, he joined a Kisan Mazdoor MahaPanchayat, a grand assembly of farmers and labourers. The MahaPanchayat was organized by the Dallewal-led Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Sidhupur) in Kohali village, Amritsar. Advertisement In his address at the event, Dallewal said, The land is our mother... we have always been fighting and will continue to fight to protect it. He added, The Punjab government chased away our sit-in by playing tricks, but our agitation has not ended. It will continue. Dallewal was hospitalized on Monday, April 7, 2025, after his health worsened following a speech at a farmers' gathering at the Dhanaula grain market in Barnala district. During the rally, he experienced severe abdominal pain and vomiting, which led to his admission to a private hospital in Barnala. Doctors attributed his condition to complications from a prolonged fast. Dr. Ishan Bansal stated, When he was brought in, his blood pressure was low, and he was dehydrated. We gave him fluids and necessary treatment. He was weak due to the prolonged fast. Advertisement Prior to this, Dallewal had been discharged from a hospital in Khanna on April 6, after concluding his indefinite hunger strike. He ended the fast after Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Singh Bittu appealed to him to prioritize his health and participate in future discussions. Speaking to the media during the MahaPanchayat in Kohali, Dallewal said, I have dedicated my life to the farmers cause. The movement continues, and the convention in Amritsar is a crucial step in this struggle. On the issue pertaining to alleged thefts at protest sites, Dallewal said, We have informed the government and the administration. We will reclaim every right of the farmers. These allegations refer to incidents during the eviction of protest camps at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders on March 19, 2025, where farmers reported that personal belongingssuch as tractors, trailers, refrigerators, air conditioners, inverters, beds, and gas cylinderswere either stolen or went missing during the police crackdown. Advertisement For More News, Apart from, "Farmer Leader Dallewal Discharged from Hospital, Participates in MahaPanchayat in Amritsar, Stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman) Ahead of Extradition, Pakistan Says Tahawur Rana Is Not Pakistani Intelligence sources have long maintained that Ranas migration to Canada was part of a broader ISI strategy to settle its assets aboard. Ahead of Extradition, Pakistan Says Tahawur Rana Is Not Pakistani, news today: Hours before Tahawur Ranas extradition, Pakistan issued a statement denying his Pakistani nationality, claiming he is a Canadian citizen. Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said, He is a Canadian national, and as per our records, he has not renewed his Pakistani documents for over two decades. Tahawwur Hussain Rana was born in 1961 in Chichawatni, a small city in Pakistans Punjab province. He served as a doctor in the Pakistan Army before emigrating to Canada in the late 1990s or early 2000s, where he acquired Canadian citizenship. He later moved to the United States and settled in Chicago. Advertisement Rana co-owned an immigration consultancy firm, First World Immigration Services, in Chicago. This business was allegedly used as a front by David Coleman Headley to carry out reconnaissance for the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. Rana is a close associate and childhood friend of Headley, the Pakistani-American terrorist who conducted surveillance in Mumbai ahead of the attacks. He was convicted by a U.S. court for providing material support to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and plotting an attack on the Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten. According to a report by The Times of India (TOI), intelligence sources have long maintained that Ranas migration to Canada was part of a broader ISI strategy to settle its assets abroad and facilitate India-centric operations. As also reported by TOI, Pakistans default response to terror attacks involving its nationals has often been denial. After the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, it initially claimed that Ajmal Kasab was Indian to portray the attack as homegrown. The terrorists carried fake Hindu IDs and wore saffron threads to support this claim. However, Kasabs identity as a Pakistani citizen was later confirmed, leading to the dismissal of Pakistans National Security Adviser Mahmud Ali Durrani for publicly acknowledging it. First Picture of Tahawwur Rana Surfaces After Extradition The court granted the NIA 18 days custody to interrogate him in connection with the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. First Picture of Tahawwur Rana Surfaces After Extradition, Latest news: The U.S. Department of Justices Office of Public Affairs has released images showing 2008 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana being handed over to Indian authorities following his extradition. In the photos, Rana is seen facing away from the camera, dressed in what appears to be an all-black outfit. He is flanked by U.S. Marshals, police officers, and members of the National Investigation Agency (NIA). Advertisement Rana being handed over (ANI/NIA) Rana was officially placed under arrest by the NIA upon landing in Delhi on Thursday. He was produced before the Special NIA Court at Patiala House Courts Complex in New Delhi late Thursday night. The court granted the NIA 18 days custody to interrogate him in connection with the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, in which 166 people were killed and over 238 injured. The NIA aims to uncover the full scope of the conspiracy during this custodial period. Advertisement During the hearing, the NIA presented compelling evidence, including emails sent by Rana, and argued that his interrogation is vital to expose the malicious plot behind the attacks. The agency stated that Rana was a close associate of David Coleman Headley (also known as Daood Gilani), one of the key accused in the attacks. According to the NIA, Rana conspired with Headley and operatives of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI)both declared terrorist organizations under Indias Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967as well as other Pakistan-based co-conspirators. The court has also ordered comprehensive medical check-ups at the beginning and end of the remand period to ensure that all of Ranas health needs are met. Advertisement NIA sought 20 days of custody, and after a lot of deliberation, the court granted 18. If NIA requires more time, they will file an application. For medical tests, the court has given specific instructions for thorough check-ups at the start and end of custody, said a counsel from the Delhi State Legal Services Authority, as quoted by ANI. Indians Deserved It, Rana Allegedly Told Headley: U.S. Department of Justice These remarks were reportedly captured in intercepted conversations between Rana and David Headley. Indians Deserved It, Rana Allegedly Told Headley: U.S. Department of Justice, latest News: In a statement released by the U.S. Department of Justice, Tahawur Rana allegedly remarked that "Indians deserved it" after the 2008 Mumbai attacks and praised the nine Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists who died during the assault. These remarks were reportedly captured in intercepted conversations between Rana and David Headley, the Pakistani-American terrorist who conducted reconnaissance for the attacks. According to the statement, Rana told Headley that the terrorists "should be given the Nishan-e-Haider"Pakistans highest military gallantry award, reserved for fallen soldiers. Advertisement Tahawur Rana, 64, was arrested by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) upon his arrival in Delhi and produced before the Special NIA Court at Patiala House on Thursday night. The court granted the agency 18 days' custody to interrogate him in connection with the Mumbai terror attacks that killed 166 people and injured over 238. The NIA presented key evidence, including emails, to demonstrate Ranas close ties with David Headley and his alleged involvement with designated terrorist groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI). The court also ordered comprehensive medical check-ups at the beginning and end of the remand period to ensure Ranas health needs are addressed. According to ANI, a counsel from the Delhi State Legal Services Authority confirmed the courts directions regarding custody and medical examinations. Tourist Rushes to Himachal Due to Rainy Pleasant Weather The weather will remain pleasant in the next few days, with some rain expected, according to the IMD, which may attract more tourists. Tourist Rushes to Himachal Due to Rainy Pleasant Weather, latest news: Due to prevailing pleasant weather conditions in Himachal, caused by rain and hailstorm in the past 24 hours, many are rushing to the hills to enjoy the weather, especially in Shimla. There were heatwave conditions in some parts of North India, including Punjab, Rajasthan, and Haryana. However, on the night of April 10, due to a western disturbance, the weather changed, followed by rain on April 11 in Punjab. There were also strong winds and rain in other neighboring states, which even turned catastrophic, with many rain-related accidents claiming lives in UP and Bihar. Amid all this, many are flocking to the hills as soon as the weather turned pleasant. Advertisement Sandeep, a tourist from Haryana who arrived in Shimla with his group, expressed his delight at the change in weather, ANI has reported. "After the rain, the weather has become very pleasant, and we are enjoying it a lot. I've come here with my group from Haryana for a trip. The weather is simply amazing. There's a cool breeze after the light rain, and the air is pure and refreshing. It feels wonderful to be here. The air is fresh and clean, and we're taking all this goodness back with us. It was getting too hot back home, so we came here to escape the heat. After today's rain, it's been absolutely beautiful," Sandeep said. The weather will remain pleasant in the next few days, with some rain expected, according to the IMD, which may attract more tourists. The success of accumulating the required volume of gas for the next heating season will depend on the availability of funds in Naftogaz Group for these purposes, resources on European markets, as well as the throughput capacity of interstate interconnectors, believes Advisor to the Prime Minister of Ukraine Yuriy Boiko. "There is a clear understanding of the volume of gas that needs to be accumulated by the beginning of the heating season. To be honest, this is a kind of challenge, because three factors will be key to fulfilling this task: the sufficiency of financial resources for procurement, the availability of gas itself on European markets as well as limiting the maximum possible throughput capacity of interstate interconnectors," Boiko said during a briefing at the Ukraine Media Center in Kyiv on Thursday. He did not specify the exact volume that will need to be imported, only noting that Ukraine's annual consumption of blue fuel is slightly less than 20 billion cubic meters. Regarding financing for gas purchases, Boiko noted that "there are many good developments," but referred this issue to Naftogaz. At the same time, he drew attention to the fact that the current gas balance makes it impossible to implement the strategy that was relevant in previous years and provided for the purchase of gas in the three summer months, when it is cheaper. Boiko emphasized that the price of gas will not be decisive in preparing for the new season. "With the current gas balance, this import must be carried out on a permanent basis, and the price factor is not key, because we must understand that in order to reach the planned accumulation indicators, imports cannot be stopped even when we do not really like the price or when there is an expectation that it will decrease," the prime minister's advisor believes. He also noted that Ukraine would face a situation "when it will have to look across the ocean and work with liquefied gas from the USA." As reported, at the end of March 2025, member of the board and commercial director of Naftogaz group Dmytro Abramovych noted that by the start of the next heating season, by November 1 of this year, Ukraine needs to import 4.5-4.6 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Papalpreet Singh Brought Back to Punjab After Two-Year NSA Detention in Assam (image/babushahi) Papalpreet was arrested in Hoshiarpur on April 10, 2023, weeks after Amritpal's supporters stormed Ajnala police station. Papalpreet Singh Brought Back to Punjab After Two-Year NSA Detention in Assam, April 11 (ANI): Papalpreet Singh, a close aide of Waris Punjab De chief and MP Amritpal Singh, was taken into custody by Punjab Police on Wednesday after completing a two-year detention under the National Security Act (NSA) in Assams Dibrugarh jail. He has been brought back to Amritsar. Papalpreet was arrested in Hoshiarpur on April 10, 2023, weeks after Amritpal's supporters stormed Ajnala police station. His family has defended him, claiming he only worked to combat drug abuse in Punjab. Advertisement "It is clearly in front of the world. He tried to keep people away from drugs and encouraged them to learn their Gurus' preaching," Papalpreet's mother, Mandhir Kaur, said, and demanded that he should be bailed. "They are only presenting one side of the story. I know he (Papalpreet) did wrong, but sending him 4,000 kms away, that too, under NSA, was not fair. How many were charged under the NSA during the 1984 riots or the Vadodara riots in Gujarat?" his uncle, Amarjeet Singh Wangchadi said. He further added that Papalpreet is a journalist himself and that he "was Mann's personal assistant during the elections". Advertisement His lawyer, Harpal Singh Khara, alleged there was no concrete evidence or damage to the police station, calling the case politically motivated. Papalpreet's advocate, Harpal Singh Khara, claimed, "even police and the state officials don't know the accusations" they've detained Papalpreet under. "They showed two people roaming around in two different cities. No allegations can be made about this." "Also, nothing was stolen from the police station either. They're saying the police station was attacked, but there was no damage done," he said. Advertisement Khara alleged that the "police and state will keep extending the legal process in the name of remands and investigation" "It's only drama. They're scared that the 'party' might flourish, and they're only trying to hold it back," he added. US-China trade war Xi Jinping warned, saying, There is no winner in a tariff war, and going against the world will only result in self-isolation. China Slaps 125% Tariffs on U.S. Goods, Xi Urges EU to Resist 'Trump Bullying', Latest news: Beijing [China], April 11, 2025 (ANI): In a sharp retaliation to the latest U.S. tariff hikes, China on Friday announced a steep increase in tariffs on all American importsraising the rate to 125 percent from the previous 84 percent, effective April 12. According to Chinese state media Xinhua, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said the decision was taken in response to what it described as unreasonable U.S. actions. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has also filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against the U.S., ANI reported citing Xinhua. Advertisement In his first public statement on the escalating U.S.-China trade war, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned against protectionism, saying, There is no winner in a tariff war, and going against the world will only result in self-isolation. Xi made the remarks during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing. President Xi called on the European Union to join China in resisting unilateralism and economic coercion. China and the EU must shoulder their international responsibilities and work together to safeguard economic globalization and a fair global trading environment, Xi said. China's tariff commission stated that U.S. goods no longer have any market competitiveness under the current tariff levels. It added that if Washington imposes further tariffs on Chinese exports, Beijing will not respond with additional hikes. Even if the U.S. imposes higher tariffs, it would make no economic sense and will go down as a joke in world economic history, the statement said, as reported by Xinhua. Meanwhile, the U.S. has already imposed a 145 percent tariff on all Chinese goods, according to the White House. President Donald Trump paused most tariffs on April 10 for a 90-day review but raised them specifically for China. He cited Beijings retaliatory actionssuch as its earlier 84 percent tariff rateas justification for increasing the U.S. tariff to 125 percent on top of an existing 20 percent, resulting in a total duty of 145 percent on Chinese imports. Advertisement Beijing condemned the move as a blatant violation of international trade norms. The excessively high tariffs imposed by the U.S. seriously violate international economic and trade rules, defy basic economic logic, and reflect unilateral bullying, China said. It further warned that if its core interests are harmed, it will respond with firm countermeasures. Neptun Deep the Biggest Romanian Investment in Energy Black Sea gas means over 20 billion euros for Romania, says Sebastian Burduja Source: ROMGAZ Corina Cristea, 11.04.2025, 13:00 We are writing history. Against the obstacles and threats of those who would do anything to prevent Romania from becoming a provider of energy security for Europe. We promised not to stop and that is what we are doing: until the end, for an independent and strong Romania. This is the message of the relevant minister, Sebastian Burduja, after, in March, drilling began in the Neptun Deep perimeter, 160 km from the coast. Black Sea gas means over 20 billion euros for Romania, says Sebastian Burduja, but also breaking the chains through which Russia kept Europe dependent on its gas. For the development of this project, OMV Petrom the largest integrated energy producer in South-Eastern Europe and Romgaz the largest producer and main supplier of natural gas in Romania, in which the main shareholder is the Romanian state, with a 70% stake are investing together up to 4 billion euros. These deep-sea Black Sea gas reserves were identified even before 1989. Subsequently, Romania entered a trajectory through which it tried to attract investors, recalls Sebastian Burduja: There was a whole saga with the offshore gas law, after which the large American company involved in the project, Exxon, wanted to sell its stake. Romgaz committed to this acquisition and the Romanian state committed to enter the project, through this large Romanian company, which invested a billion dollars at the time, bought Exxons stake. And, together with OMV Petrom, a company where the Romanian state still has over 20% of the shares, it started the investment. In 2027, at the beginning of the year, if not even earlier, we will have the first molecules of Romanian gas from the Black Sea in the national transport system, which means two important things for Romania. The first is that a lot of money is coming to the budget, so, here, with an investment by the Romanian state of several billion euros, the profitability of this investment will be over 10 times higher, probably. Secondly, we are energy security providers for the entire region, we are doubling our gas production, we are already, practically, the first producer of gas from the EU, but in just a few years we will have double production, and we will be able to cover domestic consumption, revitalize the industry that consumes gas, for example the production of chemical fertilizers, but also have extra quantities to export for good money to other states in the region, which today can import from the Russian Federation. To what extent will the Neptun Deep field influence the European energy market? First of all, the gas from there will mean a lot to the Romanian market, says the founding director of the Romania Energy Center research and analysis group, Eugenia Gusilov: Basically, we will no longer be importers during the exploitation of this field. On the contrary, we may even have something left for export. This means that we can play a regional role. This means that we can help some of our neighbors, if not all of them. And the larger scheme, given that production in general in Europe is decreasing, and gas consumption tends to be reduced, puts us in a somewhat advantageous situation. In the sense that it extends the useful life, lets say, of this gas and the duration of the energy transition, unlike other countries, where paradoxical things are happening. Estimates are that, once the production plateau is reached, Neptun Deep will contribute to Romanias gas production with about 8 billion cubic meters annually. Here is Mihnea Catuti, research and development director of the Energy Policy Group: This field is quite important in the regional economy. This is because, in the Western Balkans, we are talking about a fairly strong influence of Russia, which can be combated by partially replacing the gas consumption in that region. I think that this should be the main goal for the gases that will be produced there, because we cannot base an entire industrial development around them, as we have been hearing lately. This is because at the moment the emphasis in Europe is on reducing gas consumption, because today, Europe imports about 90% of the gas it consumes. We have a similar situation in the production and consumption of crude oil. Therefore, the EU has a strategic vulnerability when it comes to hydrocarbon imports, and the production of 8-10 billion cubic meters per year from Neptun Deep does not radically change this picture. Europe consumes somewhere around 330-350 billion cubic meters per year cubic meters. For this reason, the price of gas could not be reduced much either. We should, says Mihnea Catuti, look at the strategic and security usefulness at the regional level, and less imagine that we will reinvent large gas-consuming industries, given that these deposits do not promise to change Europes negative trade balance when it comes to natural gas. Too many bears in Romania? Romania has a bear population three times higher than optimal levels, says Environment Minister Mircea Fechet. foto: Mariana Chirita/RRI Mihai Pelin, 11.04.2025, 14:00 Romania has the largest population of bears in Europe, about 12,000 specimens, while the optimal number is 4,000. This is the main conclusion of a study carried out since 2021 by the Environment Ministry, jointly with the Marin Dracea Institute for Research and Development in Forestry and the Romsilva National Forestry Administration. The importance of these results, as Environment Minister Mircea Fechet says, is that for the first time in history, we know exactly how many bears we have in our forests, based on solid scientific data. Mircea Fechet hopes that the results of this study will be useful in further conserving the species, while protecting human communities. My conclusion is that this study opens a new stage in the management of the brown bear population and I hope it will strike a balance between conservation, on the one hand, and the safety of citizens, between the protection of biodiversity and the interests of local communities. The authorities need to defend the lives of citizens, to protect them and to take all measures in this regard. The study seeks to serve as a basis for optimizing the number of brown bears in Romania, but also for reducing the risk of bears attacking human communities in areas that are currently vulnerable. More and more bears are coming down from the forests into settlements, threatening peoples households and lives. Recently, a bear was shot in Zabala in Covasna County (center), after killing several sheep. Previously, a woman in the area was nearly attacked by a bear on a street, but was saved after several young people jumped in, chasing off the animal. A few days ago, in Predeal, Prahova County (center), a female bear was also shot after attacking and seriously injuring a mountain rescuer. In 2023, there were over 450 bear sightings in urban areas, with 330 such reports in Poiana Brasov alone in 2024. The presence of these animals in human settlements, specialists say, is caused by several factors, such as the large number of dominant bears in the wild, but also the very high density of the bear population. For instance, in the area of the Postavarul and Piatra Mare massifs there are 1.5 bears per square kilometer, respectively one bear per square kilometer, much more than the optimal number. Lately, parents too have become reluctant to leave their children in mountain camps because of bears. In the last year, their appearance has gone up in almost all mountain resorts and human settlements near hills or mountains. Hotel owners are also dissatisfied. They believe it is time for authorities to seriously discuss the problem and take action. According to the Poiana Brasov Organization of Tourism Employers, feeding bears in the forest could be a measure to keep wildlife away from inhabited areas. (VP) Indian shares opened Friday's session on a buoyant note after U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly announced a 90-day pause on new "reciprocal tariffs" on most countries, including India to allow rooms for negotiations. The benchmark S&P/BSE Sensex was up 1,410 points, or 1.9 percent, at 75,257 in early trade while the broader NSE Nifty index was up 45 points, or 2.1 percent, at 22,865. Tata Motors surged over 4 percent after JLR India reported its best-ever annual retail sales in the previous financial year. Sun Pharmaceuticals rose nearly 3 percent. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has vacated the preliminary injunction against the launch of LEQSELVI (deuruxolitinib) in the United States. Larsen & Toubro, HCL Technologies, Adani Ports and Tata Steel surged 3-5 percent. Tata Consultancy Services edged up slightly post its Q4 results. Anand Rathi Wealth climbed nearly 2 percent on reporting a 30 percent rise in its Q4 net profit. Avanti Feeds soared 7.5 percent as Trump paused reciprocal tariffs for 90 days. Hindustan Copper jumped 3 percent after resuming ore production at Kolihan copper mine of Khetri copper complex, Khetrinagar, Rajasthan. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Montreal, Canada-based Commerce Resources Corp. (CMRZF.OB,CCE.V) announced Friday that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Australia's Mont Royal Resources Limited. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Under the deal, Mont Royal will make the acquisition through a court-approved plan of arrangement under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia). The merger is expected to create a Quebec-focused critical minerals explorer and developer. The deal will combine Commerce's Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Project and Eldor Niobium Project with Mont Royal's Northern Lights Lithium Project. The newly combined entity will be dual-listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), enhancing access to capital and liquidity. The leadership teams with strong track records in capital , project development, and operations will also be combined. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News After a positive start, French stocks have turned weak on Friday as rising trade tensions between the U.S. and China outweigh President Donald Trump's announcement of a 90-day pause in tariff hikes on about 60 trade partners of the U.S. on Tuesday. After the U.S. said that Chinese goods will be taxed at 145% as against the earlier proposed levy of 125%, China's finance ministry has revealed that it will raise tariffs on U.S. goods to 125% from 84%, effective Saturday (April 12). The spat between the two major economies has raised concerns of a prolonged trade war that could hurt several major economies. French President Emmanuel Macron said today that the U.S. tariff suspension offers only a "fragile" pause in tensions but a vital opportunity for negotiations. The benchmark CAC 40 was down 72.81 points or 1.02% at 7,053.21 a few minutes ago. The index had climbed to 7,204.60 earlier in the session, gaining nearly 80 points. Stellantis is declining 5.4% after the auto giant reported that its first-quarter shipments fell 9% compared to last year. The company said that weak consolidated shipments in the first quarter primarily reflect lower North American production and lower volume in Enlarged Europe. Safran is down 4.6% and Airbus is lower by about 4.2%. Dassault Systemes, Unibail Rodamco and Schneider Electric are down 2.6 to 4%. LVMH, Saint Gobain, TotalEnergies, Accor, Renault, Pernod Ricard, Hermes International, Bureau Veritas, Societe Generale, Publicis Groupe, Thales, Legrand, Edenred, Air Liquide, Teleperformance, ArcelorMittal and Capgemini are down 1 to 2%. Orange is gaining about 1.5%. STMicroElectronics, Danone, Engie and Carrefour are up 0.6 to 1%. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis U.S. Forces Korea's commander says that North Korea is continuing to develop its weapons program while growing more isolated. Gen. Xavier T. Brunson said at a Senate Armed Services Committee posture hearing in Washington that in 2024, North Korea launched 47 ballistic missiles while focusing on advancing its cruise missile and hypersonic glide vehicle research and development programs. "In the coming year, we expect [North Korea] to further develop hypersonic and multiple, independently targetable reentry vehicle capabilities to complete [their government's] goals," Gen. Brunson testified. He also said North Korea is continuing to build its nuclear weapons program and that the country boasts a 1.3-million-man military force that is being equipped, modernized and augmented by Russia. Many of those munitions and troops have been exported to Russia over the past year and a half, which demonstrates North Korea's ability to provide external support to other countries while advancing domestic capabilities at home, Brunson added. According to him, North Korea also poses an increasingly sophisticated cyberthreat, as it recently stole approximately $1.5 billion in cryptocurrency. Additionally, Brunson said North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's leadership has shifted from a focus on the reunification of the Korean peninsula to declaring a position of sovereignty. "This change is evidenced by the hardening of [North Korea's] southern border, the rejection of reunification discussions, and the destruction of unification monuments and buildings". Brunson said he doesn't believe most North Koreans are aware of the situation due to the government's strict control on outside communications. He warned that it would be unwise to reduce the U.S. military presence on the Korean Peninsula in the face of North Korea continuing to develop its conventional and nuclear weapons programs. Reducing the force would be problematic, Brunson told lawmakers, noting that what U.S. Forces Korea provides "is the potential to impose cost in the East Sea to Russia, the potential to impose cost in the West Sea to China, and to continue to deter against North Korea as it currently stands." The top General said his focus now is on the capabilities necessary to prepare for, deter and then prevail in conflict. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Chicago intercepted 71 shipments containing dangerous chemicals during an operation involving five Ports of Entry and two international airports within a week last month. During this operation, carried out between March 16 and 22, officers from the Office of Field Operations, or OFO, were focused on identifying and intercepting precursor chemical shipments arriving in the Mail, Express Consignment, and Air Cargo environments. OFO had identified a significant increase of precursor chemical seizures over the last six months. The interception of precursor chemicals have significantly increased in fiscal year 2025 with 151 seizures from October to December 2024 alone, compared with 132 seizures in fiscal year 2024. During the operation, Chicago CBP identified high-risk shipments and seized 67 shipments of Human Growth Hormones and Steroids, 3 shipments of precursor chemicals, and 1 shipment of 4-Butanediol. Most of these shipments originated from Hong Kong and were destined for different cities within the U.S. They were being sent under the master carton smuggling scheme. A master shipment can have several smaller preaddressed unmanifested or mis-manifested parcels which would later be sent through a domestic carrier, CBP said in a press release. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News After moving sharply higher over the past few sessions, the price of gold showed another strong move to the upside during trading on Friday. Gold for April delivery shot up $67 or 2.1 percent to $3,222.20 an ounce, closing higher for the fourth straight session. The price of gold has more than offset the nosedive seen late last week and into Monday, reaching new record highs. With the recent surge, the price of gold soared $210.20 or 7.0 percent for the week, marking the biggest one-week percentage gain since March 2020. The extended spike by gold futures came amid continued weakness in the value of the U.S. dollar, with the U.S. dollar index falling by 0.6 percent to 100.23 after plunging by 2.0 percent on Thursday. Gold has also recently benefitted from its renewed appeal safe haven amid ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China. China has announced plans to increase tariffs on U.S. imports to 125 percent beginning Saturday, continuing the tit-for-tat exchange on trade seen in recent days The 125 percent would match the tariff on China goods announced by President Donald Trump earlier this week, although a White House official told CNBC the effective rate is 145 percent when combined with a 20 percent fentanyl-related tariff. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt has said Trump is "optimistic" about reaching a trade deal with China. "The president has made it very clear he's open to a deal with China," Leavitt told reporters. "If China continues to retaliate, it's not good for China." For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis Rozetka to donate all profit from sales of Biosphere goods to reconstruction of destroyed warehouses The Ukrainian online retailer Rozetka will donate all profits from all Biosphere goods sold from April 10 to May 10 to the reconstruction of the destroyed company's warehouses in Dnipro. "We are uniting to help: 100% of profits from all Biosphere goods on Rozetka will be transferred to the reconstruction of the company's warehouses. The campaign period: from April 10 to May 10, 2025," the online retailer's website reports. The Russian strike on Dnipro on Thursday, April 10, completely destroyed part of the warehouses of one of the leading manufacturers and distributors of household goods in the market, Biosphere Corporation. Biosphere Corporation has been operating in Ukraine for over 25 years. The product portfolio includes over 1,000 items under 16 of its own brands (Freken BOK, Vortex, Smile, Smile Baby, Superfresh, Bambik, Novita, Lady Cotton, Alufix, PRO service, GoWipes, Pany Blisk, PoketMon, etc). The corporation is the official distributor of such international brands as TORK, Selpak and Fantom. Ireland's data privacy regulator has launched an investigation into Elon Musk's Grok AI chatbot, raising concerns that its data processing methods may violate European Union data protection laws. The inquiry focuses on whether Groka suite of large language models created by Musk's startup xAIwas unlawfully trained using posts from European users on Musk's social media platform, X, potentially breaching the EU's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The Data Protection Commission (DPC) will probe into the processing of personal data comprised in publicly-accessible posts posted on the 'X' social media platform by EU/EEA users, for the purposes of training generative artificial intelligence models, in particular the Grok Large Language Models (LLMs). Grok is the name of a group of AI models developed by xAI. These Large Language Models are used, among other things, to power a generative AI querying tool/Chabot, which is available on the X platform. Like other modern LLMs, the Grok LLMs have been developed and trained on a wide variety of data. The decision to conduct the inquiry under Section 110 of the Data Protection Act 2018, taken by the Commissioners for Data Protection, Dr. Des Hogan and Dale Sunderland, was notified to XIUC this week. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News After pulling back off early highs to end the previous session roughly flat, treasuries showed a significant move to the downside during trading on Friday. Bond prices regained some ground after moving sharply lower in morning trading but remained firmly in negative territory. Subsequently, the yield on the benchmark ten-year note, which moves opposite of its price, jumped 9.9 basis points to 4.493 percent. The ten-year yield moved notably higher in four of the five sessions this week, surging to its highest closing level in two months. The recent slump by treasuries has led to speculation China is dumping their bond holdings as part of their retaliation to President Donald Trump's tariffs. China has also announced plans to increase tariffs on U.S. imports to 125 percent beginning Saturday, continuing the tit-for-tat exchange on trade seen in recent days. The 125 percent would match the tariff on China goods announced by President Donald Trump earlier this week, although a White House official told CNBC the effective rate is 145 percent when combined with a 20 percent fentanyl-related tariff. Minneapolis Federal Reserve President Neel Kashkari told CNBC the recent weakness among treasuries and the U.S. dollar may suggest investors are moving away from the U.S. as the safest place to invest amid Trump's escalating trade war. "Investors around the world have viewed America as the best place to invest, and if that's true, we will have a trade deficit. So now one of the ways that expresses itself is in lower yields across asset classes in America," Kashkari said. He added, "If the trade deficit is going to go down, it could be that investors are saying, OK, America no longer is the most attractive place in the world to invest, and then you would expect to see bond yields go up." News on the trade front is likely to remain in the spotlight next week, while reports on retail sales, industrial production, import and export prices and housing starts may also attract attention. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Market Analysis The Botswana TART installation team In what has been a remarkable run since the first installation last year, another Transient Array Radio Telescope (TART) instrument has been deployed in an African Square Kilometre Array (SKA) partner nation this time, Botswana. Spearheaded by Rhodes Universitys Distinguished Professor Oleg Smirnov; Dr Benjamin Hugo from the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory (SARAO) and Rhodes University; Dr Tim Molteno from the University of Otago and the Electronics Research Foundation (ERF) in New Zealand and a team led by Dr Fahmi Mokupuki from the Botswana International University of Science & Technology (BIUST), the participants installed a new Transient Array Radio Telescope at the BIUST campus in Palapye in March 2025. This follows two successful TART installations in Kenya and Mauritius in 2024. A low-cost, innovative telescope design developed by Moltenos group at the University of Otago, and maintained by the ERF, TART was introduced at Rhodes University in 2022, as a result of a collaboration between the University of Otago, Rhodes University, and Stellenbosch University. Its rollout across African countries is part of a broader initiative aimed at establishing TART telescopes in partner countries. This initiative is funded by SARAO and led by Mrs Carla Sharpe-Mitchell, with support from the Development in Africa with Radio Astronomy (DARA) programme, the University of Otago and the ERF. The Botswana installation, which took place during a workshop held at BIUST from 1721 March 2025, was led by Dr Fahmi Mokupuki of the BIUST team. A newly-designed array layout, featuring antennas arranged on spiral arms, was designed for on-site fabrication, as well as to optimise imaging performance. The successful installation reflects the careful planning and collaboration between international and local experts. By Thursday afternoon, 20 March 2025, the team had fully assembled and activated the telescope, even carrying out a meticulous measuring-tape campaign to precisely establish the effective antenna positions. Were learning something with each new installation, so things become easier and easier. The new-generation TART-3 electronics developed by Dr Molteno have streamlined everything; the system is practically plug-and-play now, says Professor Smirnov. The workshop also focused on capacity building, with talks on radio astronomy and TART data processing delivered throughout the week by prominent members of the team including Drs Molteno, Hugo and Prof Smirnov. The topics included the TART project overview, technical aspects of the TART telescope, radio astronomy imaging, and working with TART data. The workshop participants included BIUST university postgraduate students, teaching assistants, and staff from the Physics and Astronomy, Computer Science and Telecommunications Engineering Departments. This latest deployment in Botswana marks another significant step in strengthening Africas capabilities in radio astronomy, driven by the dedication of the TART team and their collaborators. As the TART initiative continues to expand, it brings with it valuable opportunities for research and training across the continent, further establishing Africa as a key player in the global radio astronomy community and inspiring future generations of scientists. ADDITIONAL READING: Ukrainian industrial group Interpipe is raising concerns over former U.S. President Donald Trump's reinstatement of a 25% tariff on steel imports, a move that impacts not only the company but also American customers amid a domestic pipe shortage. "Our threaded connections are very popular on the U.S. market. Our R&D team is currently finalizing a new product specifically tailored to the needs of our growing customer base there. So these tariffs are definitely a negative development for us," said Denys Morozov, First Deputy CEO of Interpipe, during the Business Wisdom Summit 2025. According to him, the U.S. tariffs put production at Interpipe Niko Tube in Nikopol at risk. The city has been officially designated as a combat zone and faces daily shelling by Russian forces. "We are caught in a vice grip on one side, relentless shelling by the Russians, and on the other, Trump's tariffs," he said. "Yet our people continue to work and produce goods, including for the U.S. and EU markets. The resilience of Ukrainians is truly astonishing," Morozov added. He emphasized that despite the threat of tariffs and quotas, Interpipe still sees opportunities for retaining and growing its market share in the U.S. and Europe. First, the company's focus on R&D plays a key role: developing, mastering, and producing new types of pipe products. Over the three years of tariff-free trade with the EU, Interpipe invested heavily and developed around 250 new product types. "Interpipe must continue developing and offering products that our competitors don't make," he said. Second, the company plans to continue investing. "For example, we've built a new $40 million heat treatment facility in Nikopol, allowing us to offer new, higher value-added products to our U.S. customers," Morozov said. Interpipe is a Ukrainian industrial company specializing in steel pipe and railway product manufacturing. Its products are distributed in over 50 countries via a network of trade offices in key markets across the Middle East, North America, and Europe. The company contributed UAH 5.5 billion in taxes to all levels of the Ukrainian budget in 2024. The ultimate owner of Interpipe Limited is Ukrainian businessman and philanthropist Victor Pinchuk and his family. Bills awaiting action House Bill 2: Sets the state's $10.8 billion budget for fiscal year 2026. House Bill 14: Creates an Earned Income Tax Credit, replacing the states current Working Families Tax Credit with higher income thresholds for single workers and families, and provides tax credits for foster parents and a gross receipts tax deduction for health care practitioners. It also increases the state's liquor excise tax by 20%. House Bill 143: Requires lobbyists to file a new activity report that identifies their employer and their position on legislation, as well as a supplemental report within 48 hours if their position changes on a piece of legislation. House Bill 203: Requires Children, Youth and Families Department employees to exclusively use department-issued devices for communication related to their assigned duties and save all electronic records. House Bill 450: A capital outlay bill slated to provide $1.2 billion in funding for more than 1,400 projects throughout the state. Senate Bill 13: Creates state and tribal education compact schools, authorizing the state Public Education Department to enter into compacts with Indian nations, tribes and pueblos to create language and culture-based institutions. Senate Bill 315: Declares the tortilla New Mexico's official state bread. Great Britain may deploy troops in Ukraine for up to five years, The Telegraph reports. According to the British publication, official London is considering the possibility of deploying United Kingdom troops in Ukraine for five years. It is planned that such a deployment should help train and restore the Ukrainian army to prevent new military aggression by the Russian Federation. During discussions between Britain and France on the Coalition of the Willing, the issue of a phased withdrawal of the contingent was raised. According to The Telegraph, under the plan, one of a number of options on the table, a European-led military force would be sent to Ukraine to initially deter Russia from violating any agreement and to give the Ukrainian side a much-needed respite. It also notes that the possibility that Vladimir Putin would dare to attack Western forces in Ukraine given the current state of his own army and its capabilities is considered highly unlikely by French military planners. According to the plan, a pacification force led by France and Britain could also help protect Ukraines skies and seas. It is noted that the main purpose of the deployment would be to immediately begin assisting in the training and rebuilding of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to deter a potential next Russian attack. Later, the Western contingent should withdraw from Ukraine in stages, and the last troops could leave in about five years, according to The Telegraph. It is noted that the heads of British, Danish and German intelligence believe that Putin could be ready in five years. A 190,000- to 10,000-year-old fossilized mandible found in the Penghu Channel, Taiwan, in the 2000s belonged to a male Denisovan, according to an analysis of ancient proteins. The finding provides direct evidence that Denisovans occupied diverse climates, from the cold Siberian mountains to the warm, humid subtropical latitudes of Taiwan. Recent discoveries and reanalyses of fossil specimens, together with the application of molecular techniques and new dating methods, have revealed unexpected diversity among archaic hominins in eastern Asia during the Middle to Late Pleistocene, before the arrival of modern humans, said Dr. Takumi Tsutaya, a researcher at the University of Copenhagen and the Graduate University for Advanced Studies (SOKENDAI), and colleagues. The identification of Denisovans is a crucial example of one such advancement. Denisovans were recognized as a hominin group distinct from Neanderthals and modern humans by analyzing the DNA of fragmentary bones and teeth excavated from Denisova Cave in the Altai Mountains, Siberia. Their nuclear genome shows that Denisovans form their own clade as a sister group to Neanderthals, with a calculated genomic divergence between the two clades occurring more than 400,000 years ago. Genetic evidence also indicates gene flow between Denisovans, modern humans, and Neanderthals. Studies of introgressed Denisovan DNA in modern human populations suggest the presence of multiple genomically distinct Denisovan populations, once distributed over a wide range across continental eastern Asia and possibly in some parts of insular Southeast Asia. Outside Denisova Cave, however, direct molecular evidence of Denisovans has only been found from a single site on the Tibetan Plateau. At Baishiya Karst Cave, Xiahe, a mandible and a rib have been identified as Denisovan on the basis of their protein sequences. Labeled Penghu 1, the new Denisovan fossil was collected in the 2000s through dredging activities associated with commercial fishing from the sea bottom (60 to 120 m deep) around 25 km off the western shore of Taiwan. This area is located 4,000 km southeast of Denisova Cave and 2,000 km southeast of Baishiya Karst Cave. It was part of the Asian mainland during episodes of low sea levels during the Pleistocene. Penghu 1 is dated as younger than 450,000 years, with a most likely age range of 10,000 to 70,000 years or 130,000 to 190,000 years, according to trace element contents, biostratigraphic evidence, and past sea-level changes, the researchers said. Direct uranium dating of Penghu 1 was unsuccessful because of the influence of uranium from the seawater. Using ancient proteomic analysis, Dr. Tsutaya and colleagues extracted proteins from bone and dental enamel from the fossil and retrieved 4,241 amino acid residues, two of which were Denisovan-specific protein variants. These variants are rare in modern human populations but have a higher frequency in regions associated with Denisovan genetic introgression. Whats more, morphological analysis of the Penghu 1 remains reveals a robust jaw structure with large molars, and distinctive root structures, features that align with traits seen in the Tibetan Denisovan specimen, suggesting these traits were characteristic of the lineage and perhaps sex-specific. It is now clear that two contrasting hominin groups small-toothed Neanderthals with tall but gracile mandibles and large-toothed Denisovans with low but robust mandibles (as a population or as a male character) coexisted during the late Middle to early Late Pleistocene of Eurasia, the scientists said. Because the latter morphologies are rare or absent in the late Early to early Middle Pleistocene fossils from Africa and Eurasia, they are not primitive retentions as previously suggested but probably developed or were enhanced in the Denisovan clade after their genetic separation from Neanderthals more than 400,000 years ago. Recent discoveries from insular Southeast Asia (Homo floresiensis and Homo luzonensis) and South Africa (Homo naledi) highlight the diverse evolution of the genus Homo, contrasting with the lineage leading to Homo sapiens. The dentognathic morphology of Denisovans can be interpreted as another such distinct evolution that occurred in our genus. The results were published today in the journal Science. _____ Takumi Tsutaya et al. 2025. A male Denisovan mandible from Pleistocene Taiwan. Science 388 (6743): 176-180; doi: 10.1126/science.ads3888 Researchers at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and College of Medicine have discovered a new way that neurons act in neurodegeneration by using human neural organoids -- also known as "mini-brain" models -- from patients with frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD). Understanding this new pathway could help researchers find better treatments for FTLD and Alzheimer's, the two most common forms of dementia that lead to cognitive decline. Researchers used advanced techniques to study neurons from patients and mice, including growing human neural organoids ("mini brains") that can feature several cell-types found in the brain. They found the protein GRAMD1B plays a significant role in how cholesterol and lipid stores are managed in neurons. When GRAMD1B levels are altered, it changes the balance of cholesterol, lipid stores and amount of modified tau in the cells, all of which are linked to brain diseases. The study is published online in the journal Nature Communications. "Scientists know that GRAMD1B plays a role in other parts of the body like the adrenal gland and intestine but until now the protein has never been studied in the brain. The findings are exciting because by targeting GRAMD1B, we can potentially develop new therapies to help people with FTLD and Alzheimer's," said study corresponding author Hongjun "Harry" Fu, PhD, assistant professor of neuroscience at Ohio State. About 50,000 to 60,000 Americans live with FTLD. Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia. An estimated 6.9 million Americans who are age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's dementia today, according to the Alzheimer's Association's 2024 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures report. The work was supported by the BrightFocus Foundation's Alzheimer's Disease Research, National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health, The Ohio State University Chronic Brain Injury Discovery Theme pilot grant, and The Ohio State University Neurological Research Institute seed grant. The authors disclose no conflicts of interest. Oregon State University researchers have discovered a way to get anti-inflammatory medicine across the blood-brain barrier, opening the door to potential new therapies for a range of conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and cancer cachexia. The delivery method involves specially engineered nanoparticles, tiny bits of matter no larger than 100 billionths of a meter. Tested in a mouse model, the dual peptide-functionalized polymeric nanocarriers reached their intended destination, the hypothalamus, and delivered a drug that inhibits a key protein associated with inflammation. "Our work presents a significant breakthrough," said Oleh Taratula, professor in the OSU College of Pharmacy. Findings were published today in Advanced Healthcare Materials. The hypothalamus is a small but vital part of the brain situated below the thalamus and above the brainstem, and it plays a key role in maintaining homeostasis -- the body's internal balance. It regulates body temperature, manages sleep cycles, hormone production and emotional responses, and controls hunger and thirst. In this study, researchers specifically looked at the hypothalamus as it pertains to cachexia, a deadly weight-loss condition associated with cancers of the ovaries, stomach, lungs and pancreas and other chronic conditions such as renal failure, cystic fibrosis, Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis and HIV. People with cancer cachexia will lose weight even if they eat, and not just fat but muscle mass as well. The debilitating syndrome affects up to 80% of advanced cancer patients and kills as many as 30% of the cancer patients it afflicts. "Inflammation of the hypothalamus plays a pivotal role in dysregulating those patients' appetite and metabolism," Taratula said. "As cachexia progresses, it significantly impacts quality of life, treatment tolerance and overall survival chances." The systemic delivery of anti-inflammatory agents, including the IRAK4 inhibitors used in this research, to the hypothalamus presents significant challenges, Taratula said, mainly because of the restrictive nature of the blood-brain barrier. The blood-brain barrier, often referred to as the BBB, is a protective shield separating the brain from the bloodstream. The BBB is made up of tightly packed cells lining the blood vessels in the brain and controls what substances can move from the blood to the brain. It allows essential nutrients like oxygen and glucose to pass through and blocks harmful substances such as toxins and pathogens, keeping the brain safe from infections and damage. But it can also deny entry to therapeutic agents. "An additional hurdle, even if you can get through the BBB to the hypothalamus, is hitting the bullseye within the hypothalamus -- the activated microglia cells that act as key mediators of inflammation," Taratula said. "Our nanocarriers show a dual-targeting capability, and once in the microglia, drug release is triggered by elevated intracellular glutathione levels. We demonstrated, for the first time, that nanocarriers can successfully deliver an IRAK4 inhibitor to the hypothalamus of mice with cancer cachexia." The scientists observed substantial reductions in key inflammatory markers in the hypothalamus, and the nanocarriers led to a 94% increase in food intake and significantly preserved body weight and muscle mass. And the implications extend far beyond cancer cachexia, Taratula added. "The nanoplatform's ability to deliver therapeutics across the BBB and target microglia opens new possibilities for treating neurological conditions characterized by brain inflammation, including Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis," he said. Taratula was joined in the study by College of Pharmacy colleagues Yoon Tae Goo, Vladislav Grigoriev, Tetiana Korzun, Kongbrailatpam Shitaljit Sharma, Prem Singh and Olena Taratula, and by Daniel Marks from Endevica Bio. The National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the National Research Foundation of Korea funded the research. 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," said senior author Tony Hu, PhD, Weatherhead Presidential Chair in Biotechnology Innovation and director of the Tulane Center for Cellular & Molecular Diagnostics. "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." 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." Enemy's attempts to storm border areas of Sumy region intensify by 30% over week The intensity of the assault actions of the Russian army in the border areas of Sumy region has increased by 30% in the past week, Sumy regional military administration reports. It is noted that over the past seven days, Russian troops have tried to storm local positions of Ukrainian defenders 47 times, the invaders are concentrating their main efforts in the Zhuravka and Basivka directions. The enemy is concentrating its efforts on conducting a counteroffensive operation in Kursk region. The Ukrainian defense forces are giving a worthy rebuff, inflicting significant losses on the invaders. The intensity of the use of Ukrainian aviation in the region has significantly increased, which is important for supporting the destruction of enemy forces and equipment. The Russians continue to shell the border areas of Sumy region, hitting civilian and critical infrastructure. This time, the main targets of the invaders were food industry enterprises, in particular, bread and meat processing plants and dairies. The Russian troops dropped 307 guided bombs on the territory of the region, the communities of Krasnopillia, Myropillia, Yunakivka, Khotin and Velykopysarivka were the most affected by these strikes. British Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, visited wounded soldiers in a Lviv hospital during an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Thursday, The Telegraph reports. According to the publication, the duke, accompanied by four veterans, visited the Lviv clinic Superhumans Centre, where wounded soldiers are treated. The centre provides prosthetics, reconstructive surgery and psychological assistance free of charge. He spoke with a group of amputees at the rehabilitation centre, and also met with Natalia Kalmykova, Minister of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine. Photos from the Duke's visit to Lviv show him wearing a jacket with the name of his Unconquered Games Foundation and speaking to wounded Ukrainian veterans. The unannounced trip only became known after he had already left Ukraine. Germany to supply Ukraine with four more IRIS-T air defense systems this year, already delivers 30 Patriot missiles German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, who arrived in Brussels for a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, announced new military assistance for Kyiv. "I emphasize that we will provide four more IRIS-T systems, including missiles. So, this is the best news of the day, which is accompanied by information that we have also provided another 30 missiles for Patriot systems," he said during a conversation with journalists before the start of the meeting in the Ramstein format. In particular, the assistance includes four additional IRIS-T systems plus 300 guided missiles; 120 MANPADS; 300 reconnaissance drones, 25 more Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 15 Leopard tanks, 14 artillery systems, 100 ground surveillance radars and 100,000 more artillery ammunition, etc. "Our reliable support continues. Yesterday I was able to announce that in the last few days we have been able to provide 30 additional Patriot guided missiles from our own reserves for the Patriot systems that we have already delivered to Ukraine," Pistorius emphasized. He also noted the importance of coalitions of forces and capabilities, within the framework of which partners help Ukraine "build forces and capabilities both now and for the post-war period." "Germany has now formed the ninth coalition, which has been joined by ten partners to date, which deals with the very important and increasingly important area, that is electronic warfare. This includes, for example, protecting and strengthening our own communications, reconnaissance and disrupting enemy communications and, last but not least, protecting against drones," the minister said. A meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (Ramstein format) will be held in Brussels under joint German-British leadership, where about 40 countries will be represented, including the United States, which will be represented by a delegation, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said. "I am pleased to be here today, a day later than my colleagues, at the 27th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which I and my British colleague John Healy chair. We Europeans have a special responsibility to support Ukraine and its future. Today, about 40 countries will be represented here, including the United States, which will be represented here by a delegation. Our American colleague Pete Hegseth will also join us online," Pistorius said during a conversation with reporters before the start of the Ramstein format meeting. Pistorius stressed that Putin continues to advance on Ukraine, attacks on civilian infrastructure are increasing, and there is no sign of Putin easing up on the fighting. "It is absolutely clear to me that we still need a militarily strong Ukraine, and it needs our support, only then can we clear the way for a peaceful settlement," he said. Regarding support from Germany, Pistorius stressed that the Bundestag had recently "cleared the way" for another EUR 3 billion this year and another EUR 8 billion until 2029, i.e. an additional EUR 11 billion in aid to Ukraine. US urged to get back to equal dialogue 08:11, April 11, 2025 By Wang Keju, Yang Ran, Belinda Robinson ( Chinadaily.com.cn This photo taken on March 29, 2023 shows the White House in Washington DC. (Photo/Xinhua) China has urged the United States to cancel its unilateral tariffs as quickly as possible, and get back on track to properly address differences through equal dialogue. If the US stubbornly pursues its course of a trade war, China will "fight till the end" to defend its legitimate rights and interests, Chinese officials said on Thursday. They didn't specify whether Beijing will again raise tariffs on US goods, which now stand at an additional 84 percent, in response to the latest decision by the US on Wednesday to raise the tariff on Chinese imports to 125 percent. The China Film Administration said on Thursday evening that the country, the world's second-largest film market, will moderately reduce the imports of US films. "The US government's abuse of tariffs against China will inevitably lead to a further decline in the favorable perception of US films among the Chinese audience," the administration said in an online statement. "We will adhere to the law of the market and respect the choices of the audience, and moderately reduce the number of US films imported." He Yongqian, spokeswoman for the Ministry of Commerce, said at a news conference on Thursday, "Our position is consistent and clear the door to dialogue is open, but any discussions must be conducted on the basis of mutual respect and equality." However, she stressed the abuse of pressure, threats and extortion is not the way to engage with China. "We hope that the two countries will meet each other halfway and work toward resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, guided by the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation," she added. She noted that the current bonded policies in the special supervision areas of China's free trade zones will still be applicable for US goods, specifying that taxes will still need to be duly paid once the US goods depart the designated areas and enter the Chinese market for sales. US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that he was pausing his new tariffs for 90 days, except on China. Trump said on social media that he had "authorized a 90-day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10 percent, also effective immediately". He did not specify which countries the pause would apply to, but he was clear that the levies would climb for China. Gary Winslett, an assistant political science professor at Middlebury College in Vermont, said: "The 90-day pause is a step in the right direction, but the trade war with China is still bad, the universal 10 percent tariff is even worse, the on-again-off-again approach is bad for investment and jobs, and we further undermined geopolitical leadership with nothing to show for it." Analysts noted that the Trump administration's 10 percent base tariff is still in place, suggesting that more rounds of tariff negotiations are ahead. The White House said that over 70 countries had come forward to negotiate tariffs this week. Luo Zhenxing, an associate research fellow at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of American Studies, said that the US' selective approach to different countries allows Washington to maintain its image, as removing tariffs across the board could be seen as a setback. In addition, it shows that the Trump administration is using tariffs as a tool and weapon, likely targeting China, Luo added. Such moves by the US have severely disrupted the global trade system. Regardless of future policy directions, key global trade principles like the WTO's nondiscrimination rule have been significantly undermined, potentially leading to a restructuring of global trade and even global financial systems, Luo said. Lin Jian, spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, told a news conference on Thursday that China will never allow the international economic and trade rules and the multilateral trading system to be undermined. The US is placing its own interests above the legitimate interests of the rest of the world, sacrificing the just interests of all countries to serve its hegemonic ambitions, Lin said, adding that this will inevitably face stronger opposition from the international community. China and the European Union have recently exchanged views on strengthening economic and trade cooperation in response to US tariff hikes. The latest move came as Commerce Minister Wang Wentao held a video call on Tuesday with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic, during which they discussed various issues, including enhancing China-EU economic and trade cooperation and responses to the US imposition of so-called "reciprocal tariffs", according to a statement released by the Commerce Ministry on Thursday. Wang said that under current circumstances, China and the EU jointly upholding the rules-based multilateral trading system and staying committed to trade liberalization and facilitation will "inject more stability and certainty into the global economic and trade landscape". According to the statement, the two sides agreed to immediately start negotiations on electric vehicle pricing commitments, and resume the China-EU trade remedy dialogue mechanism. The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China said on Thursday that China has the chance to establish a business environment that can provide the stability and reliability that investors require. On the contrary, the US is now rolling back on many of the principles that have underpinned its approach to global trade and investment, which has created unprecedented global economic uncertainty, the chamber said. (Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing) A meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (the Ramstein format) is being held in Brussels under the joint German-British chairmanship, chaired by British Defense Minister John Healy and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. The meeting is attended by Minister of Defense of Ukraine Rustem Umerov. Earlier, Umerov, who is in Brussels, said that the main issue that will be considered at the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels on Friday will be the strengthening of Ukrainian air defense, a political decision is needed to supply Patriot systems to Ukraine. He emphasized that a political decision is needed to supply these systems to protect our cities and villages and the lives of our people, primarily from the threat of Russian ballistic weapons. Andrew Barnard Michigan Technological University Researchers deploy data-collecting buoy on Lake Superior. Michigan Economic Development Corporation Britany Affolter-Caine Michigan Technological University Researchers at Michigan Tech are studying how snow affects solar panels and their ability to create power. Theres a lot of brain power in Michigans research universities. And theres even more when they put their heads together.Three of them Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University in Detroit have been collaborating since 2006 in an economic development effort called the University Research Corridor (URC). Now, that research corridor has expanded into the U.P., with the recent additionof Michigan Technological University.Michigan Tech became eligible to join the URC when it was designated an R1 (Research 1) university in February by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The R1 designation is awarded to doctoral universities for excellence in research activities at the highest level.Only 187 of the more than 4,000 degree-granting institutions of higher education in the nation are designated R1. Michigan now has four R1 universities: Michigan State, Michigan Tech, the University of Michigan and Wayne State.Membership in the R1 ranks and the URC is a recognition of the amazing research that our faculty, staff, and students do every day and have been doing for many years, said Andrew Barnard, vice president for research at Michigan Tech. Joining the URC will give MTU a broader reach with state and federal lawmakers to continue to advocate for the impact MTU has in the U.P., state, region and around the globe.John B. Lehman, the universitys vice president for university relations and enrollment, agreed: Joining the University Research Corridor allows Michigan Tech to amplify its impact across the state and beyond. Were proud to stand alongside Michigans leading research institutions as we work together to drive innovation, strengthen industry partnerships and expand opportunities for Michiganders.That impact addresses many regional needs, including economic development and job growth. Commercialization of research and technology brings new businesses to the U.P. and helps existing ones expand. It enables Michigan Tech to attract top scientists and researchers to the U.P. and keep them here, where their work will spawn still more economic development.The University Research Corridor is part of the Michigan Strategic Fund, which promotes economic development and job creation. When the URC was founded, its mission was to work jointly to transform, strengthen and diversify Michigans economy at a time when the states economy was bottoming out, heading into the recession of 2008. People and jobs were fleeing the state. From 2000 to 2007, Michigan lost 391,000 jobs. Higher education funding had been cut drastically.Then-governor Jennifer Granholm and the presidents of Michigan State, the University of Michigan and Wayne State hoped that the URC could help turn this trend around.The URC partners with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which funds some of its work. At the national level, the research corridor partners with the State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI), a national nonprofit focused on technology-based economic development.Mark Skinner, executive director of the SSTI, sees the URC as a good way to overcome the barriers to collaboration that competition for research funding creates."An organization like the URC can facilitate connections and partnerships across universities, industry and business entities in the private sector, he said. That shared branding and focus can help usher in more sponsored research and more patenting, co-publication, and licensing opportunities for each of the URC members.Skinner sees Michigan Tech joining the corridor's work as a smart move."It will simultaneously strengthen MTU and the other three university partners through closer collaboration with MTU, and it will boost Michigan's overall science, engineering, broader R&D and innovation competitiveness," he said. "The recent recognition of the strong research capacity and strengths of Michigan Technological University through the Carnegie R1 designation, coupled with URC membership, also will raise external private sector, foundation and federal awareness of the importance and value of MTU's work. It will be fun to watch how things grow from here.Ben Marchionna, chief innovation ecosystem officer at MEDC, said the economic development organization is delighted to welcome Michigan Tech to the URC."Michigan Technological University has long punched above its weight class in engineering and applied research, and its new R1 designation is a well-deserved recognition of that strength, he said.Were excited to welcome MTU into the University Research Corridor Michigans premier academic research and innovation alliance," he added. "With the addition of MTU alongside Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State, the URC will expand its reach, deepen its impact, and further strengthen our statewide innovation ecosystem through increased collaboration, talent attraction and research-driven economic growth.The URCs impact on Michigans economy is already huge.In 2023, member universities contributed nearly $24 billion to Michigans economy, according to the groups latest economic impact report.Im excited to see our next economic impact report because it will include MTU, said Britany Affolter-Craine, executive director of the URC.Michigan Techs addition to the URC marks a pivotal moment, amplifying our collective strength and significantly deepening our impact on Michigan, she added.The Houghton-based university's strengths in engineering, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, mobility and environmental science complement and enhance the URCs existing research leadership, she said."By combining MTUs research excellence, commitment to industry and the URCs established strengths, we will accelerate economic growth, create more opportunities, and deliver even greater benefits to Michiganders statewide," she said.Michigan Techs location adds a key element that was missing from the URC.MTU is one of the very few R1 universities in a rural area, which adds the breadth of reach and depth of impact of the URC, explained Affolter-Craine. She expects the addition of Michigan Tech will enhance Michigans presence worldwide.With four R1 institutions working together, Michigan shines even brighter as a global leader in research, talent development and innovation, making the state more competitive in attracting industry investment and top-tier talent, she said.The URCs research is broad, including life sciences, advanced manufacturing and semi-conductors, artificial intelligence and sustainability. Michigan Tech will fill several unique niches due to its deeply forested location on the shores of Lake Superior, its heavy snowfall, and its focus on engineering and technology.For example, a researcher in the College of Engineering is testing and optimizing solar panels to work in snowy conditions. The College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science is working to produce mass timber construction materials, using the plentiful hardwoods in the area and cross-laminated technology. The universitys Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC) is studying the impact of climate change on nearby Lake Superior. The GLRC also led a risk analysis of the Line 5 pipeline in the eastern U.P.Santa J. Ono, chair of the URC executive board and president of the University of Michigan, called Michigan Techs addition to the research corridor a natural fit.""MTUs world-class research and deep expertise in engineering, technology and environmental science will amplify the URCs ability to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing Michigan and the world," Ono said. "Together, we are better positioned than ever to support economic growth and innovation throughout the state.Marty Fittante, CEO of InvestUP, the lead regional economic organization for the U.P., is excited about the new opportunities that Michigan Tech's partnership with the URC will bring to the U.P.With its R1 designation, the nation and beyond will know what the Upper Peninsula has long known that Michigan Tech is a national leader in engineering, advanced manufacturing and sustainability research and a catalyst for innovation and economic growth in our region," he said. "By joining forces with Michigans other R1 universities, theyll open even more opportunities to attract investment, develop groundbreaking technologies and prepare the highly skilled workforce our industries need.Will joining the URC change the way Michigan Tech does research?No, said Vice President Barnard. We will continue to do research the Michigan Tech way, focusing on basic and applied research that leads to innovations that support industry and the public. We do that through an emphasis on hands-on education and research solving real-world problems. That's what got us here and what will continue to propel us forward.Jennifer Donovan is a reporter with more than 40 years of experience on daily newspapers, magazines and university writing and editing. She is retired as director of news and media relations at Michigan Technological University and lives in Houghton. The Financial Conduct Authority has reportedly given the green light to Shein's proposed initial public offering in London, paving way for the controversial stock-market debut of the Chinese fast-fashion retailer. According to Reuters on Friday, which cited two people familiar with the matter, has secured approval from the UK regulator but still requires the nod from the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC). While Shein's headquarters moved to Singapore in 2022, the majority of its production takes place in China, and therefore gives the CSRC the power to block the listing. According to reports in February, the firm was considering reducing its valuation to around $50bn as part of a London listing, nearly a quarter of the value assigned to it during its most recent fundraising in 2023. Plans for an IPO, which follows Shein's failed attempt to go public on Wall Street last year due to political and regulatory hurdles, have received political and public backlash since they were first announced due to concerns about the company's environmental impact and alleged human rights abuses. The company's ability to manufacturer ultra-cheap clothing at scale has resulted in claims of forced labour, along with numerous alleged labour law violations all of which the retailer has denied. photo: Nina Subin Bridgett M. Davis is the author of Love, Rita: An American Story of Sisterhood, Joy, Loss and Legacy (Harper Books), which is a family memoir of her beloved older sister Rita. Her first memoir, The World According to Fannie Davis, was a New York Times Editors' Choice, a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, a Kirkus Best Book of 2019, and was featured as a clue on the quiz show Jeopardy! Davis is also writer/director of the 1996 award-winning feature film Naked Acts. She lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., with her family. Handsell readers your book in 25 words or less: Love, Rita is a tribute to my sister Rita and to sisterhood, even as it explores the complex fragility of Black lives by asking the question: Why Rita? On your nightstand now: I love to read nonfiction and memoir alongside poetry and fiction. My brain likes to mix it up. So, I'm about to finish The Black Utopians by Aaron Robertson, which is about African American intentional communities and their utopian quests, and it's equal parts riveting and revelatory. For sheer pleasure I'm rereading Annell Lopez's I'll Give You a Reason, a deftly crafted short-story debut filled with tough and vulnerable and funny immigrant women characters, each indelible. Also, I love a book I can dip in and out of, so I'm also reading award-winning poet Ross Gay's The Book of Delights, his mini prose-poems/essays written over one year, chronicling small joys that are, thanks to his genius, somehow both quotidian and arresting. Favorite book when you were a child: My favorite book was Daddy Was a Number Runner by Louise Meriwether, which I read when I was about 10 or 11. Even though it wasn't a children's book, it WAS a book with a Black girl like me as the main character, which up to that point I'd never before experienced. Also, my mother was a numbers runner just like the father of the book's title. That blew me away--that Francie, the girl in the book, and I shared the same secret! Your top five authors: If I was on that proverbial desert island, whose books would I take with me? Toni Morrison, James Baldwin, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Tayari Jones, and Arundhati Roy. All revel in language, all are truth-telling, and all teach me how to move better through the world. Book you've faked reading: Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison. I was supposed to read it in college, then write an essay, but I just couldn't get through the book. Still haven't. And that essay got a very low grade. Book you're an evangelist for: Notes from a Black Woman's Diary by Kathleen Collins, who was a visionary Black woman writer; she also made a seminal feature film, Losing Ground. The book is a compilation of her short stories, screenplays, stage plays, a novel excerpt, letters, as well as her diaries. Collins was not well-known in her lifetime, sadly; this is always my go-to gift for friends. The world should know her name. Book you've bought for the cover: Aaron Robertson's The Black Utopians has such a gorgeous cover: an arresting image of an Afro-ed woman against a gold-leaf backdrop--painted by the late artist Barkley L. Hendricks. I bought a second copy to put on display like a coffee-table book. I just pre-ordered Honoree Fanonne Jeffers's newest book, Misbehaving at the Crossroads, because its exquisite cover art of three Black women is from a painting by the artist Elizabeth Catlett. Also, in honor of James Baldwin's 100th birthday, I bought a newly issued copy of Giovanni's Room because its cover boasts Beauford Delany's beautiful painted portrait of Baldwin. I do love seeing the works of Black artists on book covers. My dream is to have a Mickalene Thomas artwork on the cover of my next book. Book you hid from your parents: Dopefiend by Donald Goines. Goines was a Detroit-based author who wrote prolifically and truthfully about life in the streets of 1960s and 1970s Detroit. I was probably too young to be reading his gritty and explicit books, but I devoured them, right alongside Jacqueline Susann's novels. Book that changed your life: My life was never the same after I read Toni Morrison's Sula, the first book by her I ever read. It was a revelation--the startling and rich cadence of her prose, the centering of two Black women's friendship, the complex world she revealed in this small Ohio town, the unapologetic approach to rendering Black life in all its complexities. This is what literature could be?! I've never recovered. Favorite line from a book: "Had she paints, or clay, or knew the discipline of the dance, or strings, had she anything to engage her tremendous curiosity and her gift for metaphor, she might have exchanged the restlessness and preoccupation with whim for an activity that provided her with all she yearned for." --Sula by Toni Morrison Five books you'll never part with: Daddy Was a Number Runner--the original hardcover first edition and the actual book my mother gave to me when I was a child. It has a foreword by James Baldwin. Forty-five years after its publication, I met the author, Louise Meriwether. She signed my copy: "To Bridgett, my Daddy, your Momma were Number Runners and we are soul sisters. Keep writing the truth in your own beautiful way. Love, Louise Meriwether." Sula--the original, first edition hardcover from 1974. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston--a 1991 hardcover edition with cover art illustrated by the late great illustrator and children's book author Jerry Pinkney, and with a foreword by Ruby Dee. One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez--a well-worn paperback copy that sat on our bookshelf when I was growing up, and that belonged to my older sister Deborah. She loved that book, and I couldn't wait to grow up and read it so I could love it too. I did and I do! Beloved--Morrison autographed it at a reading she gave when the book was newly released. I read the novel on the plane en route to West Africa, and I'll always equate those two profound experiences in my life--reading Beloved and traveling to the Mother Land. Book you most want to read again for the first time: The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy is so stunning and haunting and enthralling. Roy is a genius storyteller. I've reread this novel again and again, and always enjoy it, but as the Sade song goes, it's never as good as the first time. Book that made you want to become a writer: Gorilla, My Love by Toni Cade Bambara. This is a collection of short stories by Bambara, which she wrote throughout the '60s and early '70s. I discovered it in my early 20s when I was still thinking my urge to write could be satisfied by being a journalist. But when I read "The Lesson," I stopped fooling myself. The story is told from the first person in the present tense by a Black girl narrator. The girl's voice is in what Bambara used to call her "straight up" style, and what critics back then described as "the Black Style." It was a revelation to meet a voice on the page so honest and unvarnished, yet highly crafted. The first short story I ever wrote was an homage to "The Lesson" in voice and POV. That story and Toni Cade Bambara herself--whom I had the great fortune of studying with years later--cemented my commitment to becoming a "real" writer. Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine - Minister of Justice of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna states that Ukraine has collected data on the connection of sanctioned individuals and companies with the financing of the war and is ready to provide this information to any member state of the European Union. "The group's participants focus on the EU's sanctions policy, as well as measures to seize and confiscate assets of individuals and legal entities involved in sponsoring Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine," the Ministry of Justice said following Stefanishyna's participation in the 29th meeting of the European Commission's Task Force on Freeze and Seize. The official emphasized the importance not only of effective implementation of sanctions, but also of identifying all sanctioned property for further application of restrictions, and also emphasized Ukraine's readiness to deepen cooperation with European partners in this direction. "Ukraine has collected a significant amount of data confirming the direct connection of sanctioned individuals, companies and sectors subject to restrictions with the financing of Russian aggression and support for the Russian military machine. We are ready to provide this information to any EU member state and count on close coordination of efforts," Stefanishyna noted. The European Commission's Task Force on Freeze and Seize was established in March 2022 to ensure the effective implementation of EU sanctions. Its goal is to identify, freeze and, if possible, confiscate the assets of individuals supporting Russian aggression. The group includes representatives of all 27 EU member states, the European Commission, Eurojust, Europol and other relevant structures. There are a number of investment and business cooperation opportunities between India and Austria, particularly in areas like e-mobility, semiconductors and fintech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has emphasized. During her meeting with Austria's Federal Finance Minister Markus Marterbauer in Vienna, FM Sitharaman discussed important features of Indian economy, flagship reforms and policy initiatives, as per a Ministry of Finance release. The Finance Minister described the prospects of investment and business cooperation between the two nations, including via the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), in areas of e-mobility and semiconductors, and between the startup firms on both sides, particularly in FinTech. Marterbauer called Austria and India natural partners with common values. Finance Minister also extended an invitation to Marterbauer to come to India with a business delegation to look at sectoral opportunities for partnerships and exchange best practices with one another. Yesterday, during her London trip, FM Sitharaman called upon British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and talked about trade and investment and matters of common interest between the two nations. They also talked about India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations' progress. UK skills and research capacity can complement India's growing role as a global manufacturing hub, and clean energy, professional and business services, financial services, the creative industries, and defence to enable jobs and economic growth. During the '13th Economic and Financial Dialogue' held in London, co-chaired by FM Sitharaman and Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, UK, the British side was glad to share its upcoming Industrial Strategy, wherein partnership can underpin the Industrial Strategy's priority growth-driving sectors, including advanced manufacturing and life sciences, wherecan complement India's growing role as a global manufacturing hub, and clean energy, professional and business services, financial services, the creative industries, and defence to enable jobs and economic growth. Both nations anticipate the signing of the 'India-UK Defence Industrial Roadmap' to enhance industrial sector relations and enhance supply chains. The UK and India also received the trade in financial services over the last few years warmly and pledge to collaborate to develop this even more. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that tangible steps must be taken to eliminate the current trade barriers for accelerating the negotiations and achieve a free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union (EU). The minister pointed out that both parties require a better appreciation of the barriers stalling the agreement since there is huge potential to expand from the current level of bilateral trade worth $15 billion. "I am of the opinion that concrete measures need to be taken to fast-track the completion of the FTA between India and EU. That will take both EU, its member nations and India working in a cooperative spirit to forge a mutual faith and greater appreciation of the trade barriers which are inhibiting the trade agreement between us", Goyal said at the 'Italy-India Business, Science and Technology Forum' here. The minister also stressed on the importance of promoting investments between Italy and India and facilitating trade between businesses of the two nations without hindrance, Goyal said. The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen agreed to fasten the finalisation of the India-EU FTA by the end of this year, at a meeting attended in Delhi during the last month. US President Donald Trump (currently suspended until July 9 for all countries except for China) under his 'America First' policy that is threatening to upset global trade and increased uncertainty in the global economy. The visit of the EU President took place against the backdrop of the tariff increases suggested against all nations by(currently suspended until July 9 for all countries except for China) under his 'America First' policy that is threatening to upset global trade and increased uncertainty in the global economy. PM Modi and the President of the European Commission undertook to instruct their respective negotiating teams to negotiate towards a balanced, ambitious, and mutually beneficial FTA. Officials were requested to serve as reliable partners to improve market access and eliminate barriers to trade. They were also mandated to drive negotiations on an Agreement on Investment Protection and an Agreement on Geographical Indications. The EU is India's biggest trading partner, with 124 billion pounds of trade in goods in 2023, or 12.2 per cent of all Indian trade. Stocks under 50 refer to shares of companies that are priced below 50 currency units (dollars or rupees). Many investors consider these stocks affordable, offering an opportunity to invest without a significant upfront cost. In this article, we will explore the Best Stocks Under 50. Below is the list of Best Stocks Under 50 based on Market Capitalization: Explore the top-performing Stocks Under 50 to unlock investment opportunities now! Best Stocks Under 50 Stocks under 50 provide access to potentially high-growth companies at a lower entry price. While their price is relatively low, these stocks can belong to various sectors, including small-cap and mid-cap companies. Interested in stocks under 50? Check out the Best Stocks Under 50 today! Indian Overseas Bank Indian Overseas Bank is a public sector bank in India, offering a range of financial services, including retail and corporate banking. The bank focuses on digital transformation, improving asset quality, and enhancing customer service. It aims to strengthen its financial position through strategic growth and operational efficiency. Suzlon Energy Ltd Suzlon Energy Ltd is a leading renewable energy company in India, specialising in wind power solutions. The company manufactures and services wind turbines, focusing on improving efficiency and reducing costs. It aims to drive Indias renewable energy transition by expanding capacity and adopting innovative technologies. Vodafone Idea Ltd Vodafone Idea Ltd is a major telecom operator in India, providing mobile voice and data services. Formed through the merger of Vodafone India and Idea Cellular, the company focuses on improving network quality and expanding 4G and 5G coverage to enhance customer experience and market reach. Yes Bank Ltd Yes Bank Ltd is a private sector bank in India, offering corporate and retail banking services. The bank focuses on strengthening its financial health, improving asset quality, and expanding digital services. It aims to drive growth through customer-centric solutions and strategic partnerships. UCO Bank UCO Bank is a public sector bank in India, offering financial services including loans, deposits, and digital banking. The bank focuses on expanding its digital footprint and improving customer service. It aims to strengthen its financial performance by increasing operational efficiency and expanding its customer base. Central Bank of India Ltd Central Bank of India Ltd is a government-owned bank offering financial services across retail, corporate, and rural segments. The bank focuses on improving asset quality, enhancing customer service, and expanding its digital offerings. It aims to drive financial inclusion and strengthen its market presence. Bank of Maharashtra Ltd Bank of Maharashtra Ltd is a public sector bank providing financial services, including retail and corporate banking. The bank focuses on increasing its loan portfolio, improving asset quality, and enhancing customer service. It aims to expand its reach through strategic partnerships and digital banking initiatives. Punjab & Sind Bank Punjab & Sind Bank is a government-owned bank in India, offering financial services across retail and corporate segments. The bank focuses on improving asset quality, expanding its customer base, and enhancing digital banking services. It aims to drive growth through operational efficiency and customer-centric solutions. IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd IRB Infrastructure Developers Ltd is a leading infrastructure development company in India, specialising in road and highway projects. The company focuses on improving construction efficiency and managing toll-based projects. It aims to strengthen its market position by expanding its project portfolio and maintaining high-quality standards. Motherson Sumi Wiring India Ltd Motherson Sumi Wiring India Ltd is a key player in the automotive industry, manufacturing wiring harnesses and components. The company focuses on product innovation and expanding its production capacity. It aims to support the automotive sector's growth through efficient operations and strong customer relationships. Ready to Start Investing? With Alice Blue, you can invest in the stock market seamlessly and enjoy zero brokerage on equity delivery trades. Follow these simple steps to start investing: Open a Demat & Trading Account - Sign up on Alice Blue , complete KYC, and get your account activated. Sign up on , complete KYC, and get your account activated. Add Funds - Deposit money into your trading account via UPI, Net Banking, or NEFT/RTGS . - Deposit money into your trading account via . Search & Buy Stocks - Absolutely Free - Find your preferred stock, select Market Order (instant buy) or Limit Order (buy at your set price), and confirm the purchase. No brokerage fees on stock purchases! Track & Manage Investments Monitor your portfolio, set price alerts, and stay updated with market insights. Disclaimer: The above article is written for educational purposes, and the companies data mentioned in the article may change with respect to time. Everyone is in school now, and I think I would like to clean the house myself.(AMUniversal) AMUniversal DEAR ABBY: I have had a housecleaner helping me to take care of my home for the last 30 years. She comes sometimes every week, sometimes every other week. She works part-time at another job, and we work around her schedule. When I retired five years ago and the pandemic began, I was sitting full time for my grandkids. Everyone is in school now, and I think I would like to clean the house myself. I enjoy cleaning, but I welcomed the help when I was working full time with my kids and then the grandkids. My housecleaner and I are friendly and visit when shes here. I am wondering how to go about ending this relationship, as well as what I owe her for her loyalty and help. CLEANING HOUSE IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR CLEANING HOUSE: Talk to your housekeeper and explain to her what you are thinking. Offer her several months salary. Then, instead of cutting her off completely, ask if she would come to you once a month to catch any spots you miss, as well as to visit. (You said you have become friends.) After doing the housecleaning for a month or so, you may find it isnt as enjoyable as you remembered and increase the womans visits IF she is still available. Good housekeepers are hard to find, and she may be busy. ** ** ** Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069. ** ** ** Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: Abbys Favorite Recipes and More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby. Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.) A 74-year-old man was the victim of an alleged scam in Arden Heights at an outdoor mall at 262 Arden Ave. in Arden Heights on April 2, 2025, at about noon. The individual in the photo is sought for questioning in connection with the alleged scam. (Courtesy of NYPD) Courtesy of NYPD STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The NYPD is asking for the publics help to find an individual sought for questioning in connection with a grand larceny investigation where a 74-year-old man was the victim of an alleged scam in Arden Heights. The victim was deceived into paying $29,685 in cash to an unidentified individual in front of 262 Arden Ave. in order to resolve alleged fraudulent activity, according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information. The Village Greens shopping center is located at the address provided by police. The individual met with the victim on April 2 at about noon at that location, obtained the payment and left the scene, according to the police statement. A photo of the individual sought for questioning was obtained from surveillance footage in the vicinity of the incident location. Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call the NYPDs Crime Stoppers Hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or for Spanish, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). The public can also submit their tips by logging onto the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, on X @NYPDTips. All calls are strictly confidential. Staten Island District Attorney Michael McMahon speaks during the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York annual winter conference on Jan. 30, 2025. He sent a letter to state leaders announcing widespread Staten Island support for Discover Law reform. Photo courtesy of Richmond County District Attorney's Office STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. In a letter sent to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams and other city and state officials, District Attorney Michael E. McMahon presented widespread local support for reform to the states discovery laws. All three of Staten Islands Community Boards and many of the boroughs civic associations have expressed their support for Hochuls proposal to reform discovery laws, according to McMahons letter. While McMahon acknowledges the admirable intent of the 2019 discovery statute, he contests that the current law has resulted in the dismissal of thousands of cases across the state due to technicalities and loopholes and a serious decline in morale in district attorney offices throughout New York. McMahon is not alone in his assessment, as made clear in the emphatic statement by the boroughs grassroots organizations. In addition to the voice of the people, McMahon stands alongside 61 of 62 elected district attorneys within New York who back the proposal. The District Attorneys Association of the State of New York voted back in January to support the proposed changes. Current discovery law Hochuls proposal helps fulfill the original intent of discovery reform, to allow for early, broad disclosure to criminal defendants, so that they have all the information they need to defend themselves, while helping to eliminate gamesmanship and the possibility of many of the technical dismissals that have been burdening the criminal justice system. Taking effect in 2020, New Yorks discovery reform introduced essential changes to enhance fairness in criminal cases, but led to unintended consequences, the district attorney has said. Currently, if a prosecutors discovery compliance is later challenged successfully, the time between certification and the challenge is retroactively counted against the prosecution, often resulting in dismissals under speedy trial rules unrelated to the merits of the case or the legality of the investigation. This loophole inadvertently incentivizes delaying discovery challenges to have cases thrown out on technicalities. To address this, Hochul proposed changes to eliminate the incentive to delay discovery challenges and to ensure that a discovery error is addressed in a manner proportional to the discovery error itself, rather than as a technical mechanism to have an entire case dismissed. Her proposed changes would modify the requirement for prosecutors to provide all related evidence for a case to require only relevant evidence. In highlighting an example of the problem posed by the current law, Adam Silberlight, an executive assistant district attorney, recently shared during a community forum some information on a case which was dismissed as a result of these technicalities. Silberlight explained that a few years ago, a drunk driver who had been a recidivist perpetrator, was let off the hook, as the discovery laws mandate that all related evidence in the case, including information of a responding officers history, be turned over. In this case, there was a substantiated allegation that the responding officer had previously reversed into a trash can which many would consider to be irrelevant to the case at hand. It was due to this underlying allegation not being turned over that the case against this recidivist drunk driver was dismissed entirely, Silberlight said. McMahon places the blame for the revolving door of recidivism in New York on these current discovery statutes. Tragically, New Yorks current discovery laws allow far too many drivers of crime to escape accountability for their actions in the courtroom, the letter read in part. This reality has a detrimental impact on New Yorkers faith in the criminal justice system as victims and survivors are robbed from ever receiving justice, orders of protection are terminated, and dangerous criminals are let free with zero consequence for their pernicious criminal behavior. Hochuls proposal offers a common-sense solution that will restore accountability to the criminal justice system while still maintaining the states reputation for having the most transparent discovery laws in the country, McMahons letter said. The following Staten Island community groups support the proposal, according to McMahons letter: A new audit by the New York City comptroller found that the city Department of Education didn't conduct all required inspections of asbestos in school buildings. This 2021 photo shows a Staten Island public school classroom. (Advance/SILive.com | Annalise Knudson) A recent report has found that the New York City Department of Education has not met requirements to inspect the vast majority of schools identified with asbestos. Comptroller Brad Lander unveiled an audit this week that found that the DOE is out of compliance with federal Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act regulations that require triennial and periodic inspections of schools with asbestos containing material. Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia of Maryland, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, speaks during a news conference at CASA's Multicultural Center in Hyattsville, Md., Friday, April 4, 2025. (Associated Press/Jose Luis Magana) AP WASHINGTON The Supreme Court on Thursday said the Trump administration must facilitate the return of a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to 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. 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. Chief Justice John Roberts had already pushed back Xinis deadline, and the justices 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 and get him back - and what more it could 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. 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. 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 Kilmar Abrego Garcia was once in the MS-13 street gang, Xinis wrote. Abrego Garcia, 29, was detained by immigration agents and deported last month. 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. In 2019, an immigration judge barred the U.S. from deporting Abrego Garcia to El Salvador, finding that he faced likely persecution by local gangs. 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. A Staten Island Railway train is pictured in this 2024 photo. Councilmember Kamillah Hanks recently sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul asking for a police presence on Staten Island's overnight trains. (Owen Reiter for the Advance/SILive.com) Owen Reiter STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- A local politician is calling for the Staten Island Railway to be included in plans for increased police patrols on New York City subways. Recently, Councilmember Kamillah Hanks, a Democrat who represents the North Shore, penned a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul asking for the boroughs lone train line to be included in an initiative that added a police presence to overnight subways. State authorities have charged 39 people they allege are part of an organized crime gambling ring, including members of the Lucchese crime family. Some appeared in Morris County Super Court on Thursday. The Attorney Generals office plans to publicly announce the accusations Friday. One person charged is Anand Shah, a Prospect Park councilman arrested Wednesday. In a Morris County courtroom Thursday, state prosecutors described some of the dozens of suspects, who were arrested Wednesday and Thursday, as Lucchese members or associates. A prosecutor described one of the defendants, Wayne Cross, 75, of Spring Lake, as a Lucchese soldier during his appearance, which NJ Advance Media watched. An attorney for Cross did not immediately return a request for comment. Charges include racketeering, promoting gambling, money laundering and other charges, according to state prosecutors and court records. Six defendants were accused of participating or planning some type of violence and detained pending further hearings, prosecutors said. Shah, a Democratic councilman in Prospect Park elected to a third term in 2022, was arrested Wednesday and charged with racketeering, possession of gambling records and other charges, court records show. Shah appeared in court as well Thursday, and will have a detention hearing next week. He remains incarcerated. He did not have an attorney listed in court records. A voicemail box for him was not accepting messages Thursday. 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. British Defense Minister John Healy has announced a GBP 350 million ($459 million) package to increase support for Ukrainian frontline fighters. Today he announced the allocation of GBP 350 million to support Ukrainian frontline fighters during a speech at the opening of the meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (the Ramstein format) in Brussels on Thursday. According to the minister, the package includes radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones, as well as funding for the maintenance and repair of military equipment. He noted that, in total, the UK will spend GBP 4.5 million ($580 million) on military support for Ukraine this year, which is the highest level of spending in history. This additional support today will strengthen Ukrainian troops in close combat, strengthen our industrial ties with Ukraine and boost British business, he noted. Earlier, the media reported that the UK and Norway will jointly finance a new military aid package to Ukraine worth $580 million (GBP 450 million), which involves the mass delivery of drones to the front. Part of a 1040 U.S. Individual Income Tax Return form is shown July 24, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File) AP STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Officials say taxpayers should be on the lookout for scams as the April 15 tax deadline approaches. New York Secretary of State Walter Mosley said the end of tax season is a time for particular vigilance against would-be scammers. Scammers often use tax season as a time to prey on consumers fears and anxieties, taking advantage of difficult financial situations to steal from hardworking New Yorkers, he said. As we near the end of tax season, Im urging New York consumers to stay informed and take added precautions so you can protect your identity and your money from scammers. Scams like phishing, fake letters, and impersonation are of particular concern, according to the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. Phishing is a strategy when scammers attempt to connect taxpayers to fraudulent websites through emails, texts, or links. Those fraudulent websites can convince visitors to relinquish money or sensitive personal information. According to the Tax Department, taxpayers should be on the lookout for fraudulent letters posing as being from the agency or legitimate debt collectors. Those letters will often use intimidating tactics seeking immediate payments using peculiar methods like gift cars, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. The Tax Department particularly urges New Yorkers to never share personal information, like Social Security numbers, through unsolicited means of communication like calls, texts or emails. For more taxpayer scam information, visit the Division of Consumer Protections Taxpayer Scam webpage. For additional identity theft prevention and mitigation resources, call the Consumer Helpline at 800-697-1220 or visit the Divisions Identity Theft Prevention and Mitigation Program webpage. Scam artists continually adjust their tactics to steal sensitive information from unsuspecting individuals, said New York State Department of Tax and Finance Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller. Its important to safeguard your confidential data now and throughout the year. A crane vessel lifts the wreckage of a helicopter that crashed into the Hudson River, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Jersey City, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis is calling for New York City to regulate and restrict tourist helicopter flights following the fatal crash into the Hudson River that left six people dead. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and pilot who tragically lost their lives in the helicopter crash over the Hudson River, said Malliotakis, a Republican who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. This incident highlights the safety concerns weve raised with the FAA and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, and previously with the Biden Administration, regarding tour helicopters operating over densely populated and residential communities across New York City. On Thursday at around 3:17 p.m., a helicopter broke apart in midair and plummeted upside-down into the river between Manhattan and the New Jersey waterfront, as previously reported by the Associated Press. None of the six onboard the flight survived the disaster. Staten Island residents remain deeply concerned about the frequent low-flying tour helicopters whose flight paths continue to frequently pass over their neighborhoods at all hours of the day, added Malliotakis. To prevent another tragedy, these tourist helicopter flights over NYC must be more heavily regulated and restricted, if not come to an end entirely. This latest call by Malliotakis follows complaints from residents who have been fed-up with helicopter traffic passing over their homes and creating a noise disturbance. Back in September 2024, Malliotakis said she spoke with FAA officials about the issue brought forth by her constituents. At the time, Malliotakis said she confirmed that flight patterns did not change, but there was an uptick in tours, which should now subside following our complaints. While noise was a primary concern for many disturbed residents, there were some who noted the danger posed by overhead flights. On Wednesday, the Advance/SILive.com published a story highlighting the concerns of an anti-helicopter advocacy group members of which believe that these flights could be a disaster waiting to happen. Andrew Rosenthal, president and treasurer of Stop the Chop NY/NJ, pointed to the deadly collision between an American Airlines jet and an Army helicopter over Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Virginia on Jan. 29 that took the lives of 64 people. That was 100% foreseeable and preventable, Rosenthal said. And we have the same exact, maybe worse, situation here in New York City. Rosenthal said that helicopters every day are sneaking under the approach routes to LaGuardia Airport the same way they were trying to sneak under the Reagan Airport route. He said: The difference is, when it happens here, its going to take out several blocks of residential homes. Its going to be much worse. This booking photo provided by New York State Police shows John C. Todaro, 49 of Amherst, N.Y., who was arrested Wednesday, April 9, 2025, on charges of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child (D Felony) and Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child (E Felony). Todaro is a vice president and active member of the Buffalo, N.Y., chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse. NYS Police The vice president of the Buffalo chapter of Bikers Against Child Abuse has been arrested for sex crimes against children, according to New York State Police. John Todaro, 49, of Amherst, N.Y., was charged Wednesday with possession of child pornography and disseminating child porn. Charges of Promoting a Sexual Performance by a Child and Possessing a Sexual Performance by a Child are both felonies. Todaro is the vice president and an active member of the Bikers Against Child Abuse Buffalo Chapter. He would have had opportunities to be around children and child victims of sex abuse, police said. Todaro was arraigned in the town of Amherst Court and was released on own recognizance. Hes scheduled to return to court next month. Bikers Against Child Abuse, or B.A.C.A., is an international organization of motorcycle riders that works to create a safer environment for abused children. The nonprofit group works with local and state officials who are already in place to protect children. We stand at the ready to shield these children from further abuse, the B.A.C.A. website says. We do not condone the use of violence or physical force in any manner, however, if circumstances arise such that we are the only obstacle preventing a child from further abuse, we stand ready to be that obstacle. WIVB said it reached out to the Buffalo chapter for comment but did not receive a response. State police said Todaro was found to be in possession of child porn after an Internet Crimes Against Children investigation. The ICAC Task Force works to identify individuals who attempt to lure children to meet for sex or those disseminating child sexual abuse material. Police said anyone with further information about Todaro can contact them at 585-344-6200. President Donald Trump speaks as he signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Washington. (Pool via AP) AP Donald Trump made a declaration over the summer when he was battling with Kamala Harris for the White House. When I win, I will immediately bring prices down on Day One, Trump said in August, shortly after Joe Biden bowed out of the race. Currently, however, egg prices have increased to a record high despite Trumps predictions and a decline in bird flu. The prices set a new record-high of $6.23 last month despite 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. Industry experts were expecting the index to reflect a drop in retail egg prices because wholesale egg prices dropped significantly in March. 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. Some farms that had fall outbreaks are resuming egg production after sanitizing their barns and raising new flocks. Trump tried to take credit for the lower wholesale egg prices the U.S. Department of Agriculture 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. Last month, Trump shared a column by MAGA mouthpiece Charlie Kirk, demanding that Americans Shut Up About Egg Prices. The Associated Press contributed to this report. FILE - This April 11, 2019 file photo shows MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell at The Hollywood Reporter's annual Most Powerful People in Media cocktail reception in New York. O'Donnell says he made an "error in judgment" in reporting a story about President Donald Trump's finances based on a single source. O'Donnell's tweet on Wednesday came after a lawyer for Trump said the story was false and defamatory, and called for NBC News to apologize and retract it. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File) Evan Agostini/Invision/AP Evan Agostini/Invision/AP President Donald Trump proved MSNBC host Lawrence ODonnell was right. Trump backed down on his tariffs on most nations for 90 days on Wednesday, but raised the tax rate on imports from China to 125%. On Tuesday, ODonnell predicted that Trump would cave on his tariffs as the stock market plummeted for days after the announcement. The way this story is going to end is Donald Trump is going to back down on these tariffs. It could take several months for Donald Trump to back down. It could take weeks, it could take days. We dont know. But a year from now, these crazy Trump tariffs will be history. And Republicans will be running away from them as they run for reelection to the United States Senate and to the House of Representatives, ODonnell said on The Last Word on Tuesday. As predicted last night, Trump caved. No surprise. https://t.co/GTPQkxm5IC Lawrence O'Donnell (@Lawrence) April 9, 2025 ODonnell also predicted Trump would fire his top trade advisor Peter Navarro as a result of the unpopular tariffs. And Donald Trump is going to fire Peter Navarro because Wall Street will demand it. The problem now for Donald Trump is when does he back down from these tariffs? And how will [Wall Street] know that Donald Trump will not suddenly impose those tariffs again? Donald Trump will need proof for Wall Street and for American industry and for Republican members of Congress that he is not going to ruin their lives again with tariffs," he said during his show. And thats why Peter Navarros current high visibility is good for Donald Trump, because the more visible Peter Navarro is, the more impactful and convincing for Wall Street it will be. On the day that Peter Navarro is fired by Donald Trump, the stock market on that day will skyrocket, absolutely skyrocket the day Peter Navarro is fired. And Donald Trump knows, he added. This comes after Navarro and tech billionaire Elon Musk engaged in a heated feud over tariffs in recent days. Musk said Navarro was a moron and the trade adviser suggested Musk did not understand the tariffs. A reporter asked White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt to respond to Musk insulting Navarro. These are obviously two individuals who have very different views on trade and on tariffs, she said Tuesday during a White House press briefing. Boys will be boys, and we will let their public sparring continue, she added. Trump posted on Truth Social that because more than 75 Countries had reached out to the U.S. government for trade talks and have not retaliated in meaningful way I have authorized a 90 day PAUSE, and a substantially lowered Reciprocal Tariff during this period, of 10%, also effective immediately. The 10% tariff was the baseline rate for most nations that went into effect on Saturday. Its meaningfully lower than the 20% tariff that Trump had set for goods from the European Union, 24% on imports from Japan and 25% on products from South Korea. Still, 10% would represent an increase in the tariffs previously charged by the U.S. government. The announcement came after the global economy appeared to be in open rebellion against Trumps tariffs as they took effect Wednesday, a signal that the U.S. president was not immune from market pressures. Business executives were warning of a potential recession caused by his policies, some of the top U.S. trading partners are retaliating with their own import taxes and the stock market is quivering after days of decline. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per week Premium Includes: -- Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time. -- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content -- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community -- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week! Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) joined the liquidation of the consequences of the attack by a Russian army drone on Zhytomyr region on Thursday. "This night, the Ukrainian Red Cross Society rapid response unit in Zhytomyr region promptly arrived at the scene of the emergency. Volunteers set up an aid station where victims and rescuers could receive the necessary support," the URCS reported on Facebook on Friday. Volunteers provided first psychological aid to the victims, one person was taken to the hospital. They provided people with hot drinks and water and were ready to promptly provide first aid if necessary. Volunteers also handed over film and tarpaulin to residents of damaged houses to temporarily protect their homes from the weather until repair work begins. The Ukrainian Red Cross Society also reported that its rapid response team in Dnipropetrovsk region was working at the site of the missile strike in Dnipro on Thursday. Volunteers quickly went to the scene, where they provided first aid to a woman with a leg wound and were on duty to provide emergency assistance to the victims. According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, as a result of the enemy attack on Zhytomyr region, one person died and five were injured, including a child. At least five high-rise buildings were damaged, one of which caught fire. As reported, five civilians in the city of Dnipro were injured as a result of the Russian missile strike. Bucking the trend and leading the pack this week was a surprising candidate and a nice change of flavour for the yellow-tinted Runners list. A 3D-printing biotech company took out the podium, with its world-leading innovative regenerative therapy. OSTEOPORE LTD (ASX: OSX) up 140% (0.8c 3.2c) This weeks Bulls N Bears ASX Runner of the Week is regenerative medicine company Osteopore Limited, which saw its share price soar on news its 3D-printed orthopedic and cranial bone-like implants were approved for distribution into the European Union. The Australian-Singaporean-based Osteopore is a global leader in off-the-shelf 3D-printed surgical bone structure implants, which can speed up bone regrowth and are then reabsorbed by the body to leave only a patients healthy regrown bone. The companys share price flew from a close of just 2 cents last week to a high of 4.8c on announcement for a gain of 140 per cent, with more than $3 million of paper traded. The EU approval was specifically for its custom orthopaedic and cranial implants that complement its existing off-the-shelf neurosurgical and craniofacial implants, which are already in use in Europe. Osteopore seemed a lone shining light outside of our goldies this week. The company easily took out first place on the back of its ingenious bone-like resorbable implants. The tech, which naturally enables improved bone healing, is now available across multiple continents in multiple therapeutic areas. GOLDEN HORSE MINERALS (ASX: GHM) up 77% (24c 42.5c) Golden Horse Minerals made a late charge up the Runners list to take second place this week. The gold juniors share price surged up a very tidy 77 per cent from Thursday to 42.5c from last weeks close of 24c on more than $1.5M of stock traded. The company shot out of the blocks on Thursday after it unveiled assay results from its Hopes Hill gold project in Western Australia. A drilling program under the existing pit at Hopes Hills Central zone revealed high-grade gold intercepts, including an impressive 83 metre at 2.5 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 103m, with an even richer section of 43m at 4.5 g/t gold. Golden Horse says its drilling program was launched to validate historical drilling data and explore the mineralisation potential directly below the former profitable pit floor, while also assessing the mineralisations continuity along the strike. The company says the results, 50m beneath a prior intercept of 61m at 2.5g/t gold from 91m, are part of a 1.3-kilometre gold trend that remains open along strike and at depth, signalling significant growth potential. Drilling operations are ongoing across the Central zone and the full 1.3km length of the open pit, with more results anticipated in the coming weeks. The ASX newcomer, which listed just last December after raising a handy $18M at IPO, is getting active in the Southern Cross greenstone belt, laying down a swathe of new extensional drilling at its massive new consolidated landholding. Golden Horse says there has been minimal new drill testing since mining ceased in the mid 1990s at around $350 per ounce gold. Theres one thing for sure, at the current $3200 an ounce gold price, the market is going to be much more appreciative of any more stellar hits in the coming weeks. LEEUWIN METALS (ASX: LM1) Up 69% (13c 22c) Leeuwin Metals showed a steady uptick across a week that was anything but. A review of its historical gold drilling results unveiled extensive shallow high-grade mineralisation over 3km of strike at its recently acquired Marda gold project in WA. The review results provide the company with some clear drill targets and highlight the strong exploration upside with assays of up to 62m at 1.94g/t gold from 102m and 48m at 1.95g/t gold from 94m. Four solid days of more than $500,000 of share trading saw the gold juniors share price peak on Friday, up more than 69 per cent to a high of 22c from a finish of 13c last week. Marda Central hosts four existing pits that were mined by Ramelius Resources from 2019 to 2023. Its core trend spans across 3km with mineralisation characterised by banded iron formations and quartz veining associated with sulphides. The company says the results lie outside four open pits previously mined by Ramelius and highlight a significant opportunity to define new mineralised zones beyond the existing open pits. Leeuwin is now ramping up to its maiden drilling campaign at the project, eager to test gold extensions along the banded-iron formation trend and validate the unmined zones in a record high gold price environment. The companys strategy is to define extensive high-grade zones outside the existing pits in the hope the all-time-high gold prices will breathe second life into this obviously well-endowed gold system. Pivotal Metals Horden Lake copper project in the emerging copper jurisdiction of Quebec, Canada. PIVOTAL METALS LIMITED (ASX: PVT) up 54% (0.65c 1c) The silent but deadly Pivotal Metals snuck into the final spot on the Bulls N Bears Runners list this week, after it rapidly improved on a week where there was no news at all to the market. The company last week announced a drilling update for its substantial Horden Lake copper project in the emerging copper jurisdiction of Quebec, Canada. Its Horden Lake project has a 28 million tonne resource grading 1.5 per cent copper equivalent, which Pivotal says is predominantly copper. The resource remains open in multiple directions. The company got a run on Wednesday after its managing director and chief executive officer Ivan Fairhall released an interview in which he talked up the flagship project. Pivotals share price peaked at 1c on the day, which was up nearly 54 per cent on last weeks finish, after Fairhall told the market just how substantial the Canada resource could soon become. As a general mark for a standalone sulphide mining operations in Australia, 10Mt of resource ensures a 10-year operation at a respectable 1Mt per annum processing facility. Horden Lake bodes well for Pivotal, should it prove its growing 28Mt resource to be a profitable one. The company says copper mineralisation displays high conductivity that aligns with its deposits known signature. As such electromagnetic surveys have recently identified multiple conductors mirroring Horden Lakes profile, suggesting significant down-plunge and along-strike extensions of the mineral system. The company says its drilling is now targeting high-priority shallow EM anomalies along strike southwest of the main deposit. With its campaign paving the way for an updated resource estimate, the company is hoping its sub-$10M market cap valuation can keep a steady run, just two weeks after copper hit all-time high prices. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au Advertisement Review Eating outMount Hawthorn Is Perths best Mexican(ish) cooking found in a European(ish) wine bar? A subtle shift in direction makes an inner-city favourite even more compelling. Pass the mezcal. Max Veenhuyzen April 11, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 1 / 6 The brooding mole poblano. Matt ODonohue 2 / 6 Mayan-influenced pumpkin seed dip with focaccia. Matt ODonohue 3 / 6 Casa in Mt Hawthorn. Matt ODonohue 4 / 6 Casa in Mt Hawthorn. Matt ODonohue 5 / 6 Casa in Mt Hawthorn. Matt ODonohue 6 / 6 Casa in Mt Hawthorn. Matt ODonohue Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15.5 / 20 How we score Mexican$$$$ Consider, for a moment, the evolution of the wine bar in Australia. Previously available in just four flavours French, Italian and Spanish, plus a broadly European catch-all wine bars have significantly broadened their horizons over the past decade. In Melbourne, theres Manze: a Mauritian wine bar that taps into the diverse island heritage of co-owner Nagesh Seethiah. The enduring popularity of Brisbanes Snack Man, meanwhile, is a reminder that lo-fi wines can do things for Asian food that tea can only dream of. (See also the Taiwanese-inspired cooking at Muni in McLaren Vale, South Australia: one of my standout meals of 2024.) Following the recent discovery of a maverick inner-city wine bar serving bold, brilliant Mexican cookery, Perth has entered the genres DEI chat. Sort of. Advertisement New-era Mexican cooking for the discerning (wine) drinker. Matt ODonohue I say sort-of because the food at Casa, the Mount Hawthorn wine bar in question, doesnt just hang its hat on cocina Mexicana. Italy, for one, forms a healthy chunk of its playbook: think thick shoelaces of tonnarelli pasta and tiny mopheads of crab meat bound in a lurid jalapeno butter. Toast graffitied with fat squiggles of chicken liver parfait is typical of the bistro cooking that might appear while the menu occasionally dabbles in retro throwbacks (hello prawn cocktail lettuce cups). I also say sort-of because, according to Casa chef Paul Bentley, his cooking isnt what hed describe as Mexican food. Or at least Mexican food made by someone with an intrinsic understanding of the cuisine and culture. I didnt grow up with an abuela [grandmother] cooking birria [a classic Mexican goat stew] on the weekends, says Bentley. What our man did do, though, was spend a decade working in Mexico where, among other things, he opened Magno Brasserie a distillation of everything he learned under legendary Perth chef Alain Fabregues at The Loose Box and Daniel Boulud of New Yorks French powerhouse Daniel operated ramen bars, plus ran a string of bakeries. (So thats why Casas pillowy focaccia and the dough at its pizzeria spin-off are both so good! The peso drops.) The other thing Bentley did in Mexico was eat plenty of Mexican food, from the fancy to the street. So much so that when COVID lockdowns stranded our man in Perth, he brought his understanding of spice and acidity to the food he was cooking at Si Paradiso the tepache (fermented pineapple juice) hed slip onto pizzas, say as well as Scarboroughs goodtime beachside cantina, El Grotto. Advertisement So when Bentley and fellow Casa partners Cale Mason and Sydney-based chef Enrico Tomelleri of Darlinghursts magnetic Paski Sopra opened Casa in 2021, it felt inevitable that Mexican influences would seep into that menu too. That octopus would be cooked al pastor taco style and laid across toast. (No longer on the menu, alas.) That a herbal Mayan-influenced pumpkin seed dip would partner said focaccia, and that those pepitas would also be turned into a salsa for grilled cabbage, charry from the grill. Both, thankfully, are still on the menu, as are more recent creations a la skewers of juicy lamb rump brightened by a sauce bright with barbacoa spice. A new kind of wine bar. Matt ODonohue But for the new-new stuff, its all about the $79 chefs menu. Once an outlet for Bentleys classically minded French cooking, the set-course option is now a four- stage meal comprised largely of off-menu items sporting a strong Mexican flavour. Sometimes the influence is subtle: the zip of pickled cactus in the flank steak tartare, maybe, or casting crunchy tostadas as ideal vehicles for highlighting the silken pleasures of pristine cured bonito. Advertisement Other times though, the accent comes through loud and clear. That would be the brooding mole poblano a rich, slow-cooked fantasy of dark chocolate, dried fruit and a supermarket aisles worth of spice pooled underfoot rosy, dry-aged Wagin duck breast. The birds legs, meanwhile, form the filling for dainty flautas: rolled-up, fried tacos that are even more fun to eat than they sound. (The tortillas for the flautas and tostada, incidentally, are made locally by the nixtamalized corn whisperers at La Tortilla.) Related Article Good Food hat 15.5 / 20 Review This French bistro is a masterclass in knowing when to follow and when to flout the rules For anyone thats been stung by tasting menus that feel lazy, underdone or offer questionable bang-for-buck, Casas offering may help restore your faith in the format. Not that committing to a (somewhat restaurant-y) menu is mandatory for enjoying yourself here. Like any self-respecting wine bar, Casa has a welcoming, third-place charm that makes it feel like an extension of home, even if those rendered walls, mid-century accents and finely tuned speakers make it feel like the living room of an especially well-designed holiday home in Milan. You can push the boat out, even on a weeknight, or drop in a bowl of chips with green Goddess sauce or a scoop of pistachio gelato: switched-on and engaged staff will make you feel welcome, regardless. Advertisement Of course, Casa isnt the first place to have thought of serving tacos alongside vino. While not explicitly wine bars, establishments such as El Publico and La Cholita helped expose Perth eaters to Mexican food-and-drink matches beyond Coronas and bottles of tequila with worms in them. The joys of eating jarred salsa and packet corn chips on the couch are near universal, not least with bottles of juicy pinot noir, Yellowglen and the remote in easy reach. Thanks to the ubiquitousness of Old El Paso et al, you and I can enjoy such Tex-Mex pleasures without having to leave the house. But for Mexican-ish cooking of a higher calibre and plenty more besides well have to go to Casa. The low-down Vibe: New-era Mexican cooking for the discerning (wine) drinker Go-to dish: Charred bonito tostada, focaccia with pumpkin seed dip Drinks: One of Australias finest explorations of organic winemaking supplemented with thoughtfully chosen beers, spirits and cocktails Cost: About $150 for two, excluding drinks Related Article Five WA food and drink events to put into your autumn calendar Related Article Beloved Margaret River eatery to close Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. 1 / 4 Sandro at dusk. Kim Jane 2 / 4 Anchovy toast. Supplied 3 / 4 Asparagus at Sandro. Supplied 4 / 4 Inside Sandro. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide Italian$$$$ Marco Finanzio (Umberto Espresso Bar)s pasta and wine bar, Sandro boasts a casual a la carte offering with a few crowd favourites like charry mortadella skewers and three rotating pastas. But its not strictly Italian: smoked baba ghanoush comes with crudites and crisp flatbread, and theres a sumac-spiced pavlova with strawberries and creme fraiche. The neighbourhood bar is as much a place to flit in for a quick Campari soda and a snack as it is to settle in for a few hours, perhaps with bottle of Alberto Oggeros appropriately named Sandro nebbiolo, from Piedmont. 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 Opposition Leader Peter Dutton overstates the benefit of his proposed temporary cut to fuel excise of 25 a litre to the average Australian motorist, who travels about 12,000 kilometres a year (ABS) (Dutton dumps gas guzzler tax, April 11). At 10 litres/100km, thats 1200 litres, saving $300 a year, or 82 a day. Even his outlier motorist, filling up 55 litres a week, saving $13.75 a week, would be better off running an EV, which Dutton has railed against. Then, from a national security perspective, 90 per cent of Australias transport fuels come via geopolitically contested areas. And Australia maintains only a limited storage of fuel because it has an arrangement to tap into the US strategic reserve, which may be problematic. Carlo Ursida, Kensington (Vic) Australia, along with every OECD country apart from Russia, has adopted a standard on vehicle emissions that ensures the nations car fleet is fuel-efficient. The Coalition wants to remove this environmental standard in its aim to move Australia back on track. But how far back does it want to take us? Rebuild the P76, rebirth the giant diprotodon? Evan Bailey, Glebe Peter Dutton visits a petrol station Credit: Fairfax Media The Dutton Coalition shows a woeful ignorance of car manufacturing and an almost Neanderthal desire to always be on the wrong side of history. Fuel-efficient cars are being made and sold by all the worlds leading manufacturers. To sell them here would be no great task, and overseas experience shows they are no more expensive than the dirty cars being sold here now. Furthermore, fuel-efficient cars save drivers money by using less fuel. Really, a no-brainer for anyone to understand except the Coalition, which seems to wish to keep Australia as the dumping ground for second rate vehicles. Ross Hudson, Mount Martha (Vic) The Coalitions latest idea to scrap the fuel efficiency standards is madness. For years, overseas manufacturers have been dumping the greatest gas-guzzlers and fuel inefficient cars into Australia and denying us a better range of fuel-efficient engines and EVs. This is because we paired with Russia as the only countries in the world without appropriate fuel efficiency standards. Dutton claims new vehicles will impose costs on consumers, which is crazy as consumers are now spending far too much on poor quality fuel and getting woeful fuel economy as well as higher carbon pollution levels. The industry is opposed to Duttons plan and it is well-prepared to accept the new vehicle efficiency standards. Mark Berg, Caringbah South Dutton is appealing to populist sentiment in his proposed dumping of the vehicle efficiency standard. Why remove a standard that brings Australia in line with the rest of the world in reducing carbon emissions? The benefits in terms of climate change action are self-evident, and there is no evidence to support Duttons assertion that enforcing the standard will increase the price of cars: just another populist smoke screen (no pun intended) to create unfounded fear in order to extract a few extra votes. Leo Sorbell, West Ryde Labors vehicle efficiency standard encourages vehicle makers to export to Australia more fuel- and emissions-efficient vehicles. New generation engines reduce fuel consumption, lower emissions and are kinder on your pocket when refuelling. The Coalition wants scrap the standard to assist in lowering the cost of living on the vague proposition that old technology vehicles are cheaper. This avoids the fact that fuel costs and emissions are part of the equation. Perhaps being wedded to inefficient old technology is the reason for the Coalition election promise to lower fuel prices. What a backwards and cynical muddle. Murray Patchett, Kentucky Advertisement Treasurer Dr Jim Chalmers and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the election trail Credit: Alex Ellinghausen It is clear from what the Coalition has announced that the dangers of climate change have been absent in the crafting of its policies. Duttons promise to fast track approval of Woodsides 50-year North West Shelf project would also allow the $30 billion Browse Basin project to go ahead, generating another 20 million tonnes of pollution. Nationals leader David Littleproud has previously refused to commit to Australias 43 per cent emissions reduction target, and when opposition climate spokesman Ted OBrien was asked about our remaining in the Paris emissions reduction deal, he avoided answering the question directly (Confusion in Coalition over climate views, April 11). It is clear the federal opposition has no interest in preventing further climate change because it will not be in politics long enough to be held responsible for the future tragedies its decisions will bring. Peter Nash, Fairlight David Crowe (Dutton running out of time on policy, April 11) illustrates Taylors and Duttons avoidance of detail, saying: they perform the dance of the seven veils with every policy. To quote Dutton: If you dont know, vote no. Mike Greenwood, Hahndorf (SA) If you look at the standard of candidates we have selected, I think we have selected some amazing people, said Peter Dutton, sounding very Trump-esque as he responded to another Liberal candidates past coming to light (Dutton dodges questions about Liberal fined on finance charge, April 11). He then suggested the prime minister 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. The opposition leader has been idolising Donald Trump for so long that he is starting to sound like him. The only policy seems to be deflect and attack, but there is not anything of value for the Australian people. Robert Antill, Lake Conjola Given the barrage of disguised Coalition fliers in our letterboxes screaming about the dangers of a hung parliament, its time to point out who youd get if you vote Liberal. Dutton invariably wanders around the hustings with a member of the Nationals in tow. I hope voters are taking notice. Each Liberal Party candidates banner should, in addition to the candidates picture, have an equally large picture of Barnaby Joyce, Matt Canavan or Bridget McKenzie as a reminder that, if you vote Liberal, you will get the Nationals thrown in. It is disingenuous for the Liberal Party not to show both parties in the Coalition alliance. I imagine a fair few Liberal voters would actually not approve of the Nationals policies, such as reversing the ban on live sheep exports. But remember, the Nationals tail wags the Liberal Party dog. Judy Hungerford, Kew (Vic) I dont agree with your correspondents argument (Letters, April 11) that voters should back either the Coalition or Labor. Apart from a few hastily drafted promises from Labor, neither of the two main parties has supported environmental sustainability in a meaningful way: new coal mines have been approved; native flora and fauna has been decimated; and our rivers and oceans are polluted. Minor parties and independents who do not rely on corporate donations or cosy relationships have a significant and valid role to play in federal politics, and their prowess in foreign affairs should not be underestimated. Peter Mahoney, Oatley AUKUS change a Musk-do task Advertisement Elon Musk is certainly the right person to investigate the US sub manufacturing operation (Musk to probe subs as AUKUS costs rise, April 11). The US needs 64 subs over 32 years due to their 33-year reactor life. We may get operating US subs at full price if available. The real AUKUS program, on which Defence Minister Richard Marles said we would spend 0.15 per cent of GDP, is Australia and the UK building eight AUKUS subs a year for 32 years using US reactor technology which Australia is paying for while the UK does sub design. However, the UK has allocated its sub assembly hall (shed) to its four Dreadnought class nuclear missile subs once its last Astute class sub is launched in 2026. Australia cant wait another decade doing nothing, hoping the US will have subs for sale. We must demand the UK expand its sub assembly facilities so we can both be building AUKUS subs by 2030. Peter Egan, Mosman Are they on the way? To convince sceptical voters of the value of the AUKUS submarines, someone needs to convince us that by the 2040s possible adversaries will not have mastered remote detection techniques and will not be able to flood the oceans with swarms of killer underwater drones. In addition, future submariners will need convincing that they are not sitting ducks. All of these are big asks. Greg Baker, Fitzroy Falls Australia must apparently set aside just over $10 billion a year for the next three decades to pay for and acquire submarines by the 2030s as part of its obligations as a member of the AUKUS triumvirate. This is a colossal waste of money for an unnecessary military venture, the relevance of which is explicable only through a confection of imagined threats, scenarios and Hollywood-like playbooks. How much more useful to the welfare and struggling masses of our country might $368 billion be? One can only imagine, as the money is frittered away and duly pocketed by the US military industrial complex. Frederick Jansohn, Rose Bay The AUKUS agreement continues to be clouded in growing uncertainty, especially in terms of its eye-watering costs, dubious timeframe and questionable sharing of sensitive data. Its time to ditch this albatross, cut our losses, demand our money back from America, apologise to the French and negotiate with reliable European allies for an outcome that will actually strengthen our national security. Trumps America is not to be trusted to adhere to any deal. Rob Phillips, North Epping Cartoon outrage Im sorry to hear about your correspondents (Letters, April 11) outrage at Cathy Wilcoxs cartoon on April 9. Surely, Herald readers can consider both domestic and international issues? I feel more outrage for what Israel is doing now in Gaza, as there is no justice in shooting paramedics or in starving a civilian population and annexing more land in an already tiny territory. We need more outrage about this, surely? Australia has been able to welcome and provide a home to both Jews and Palestinians, but Palestinians should not be forced from their lands. Rhyan Andrews, Faulconbridge Advertisement Credit: Cathy Wilcox Commentary by the likes of Wilcox no doubt makes some people feel uncomfortable. The tragic fact is that both sides in the Gaza conflict have committed atrocities. Sanctioned by most nations and enabled by Trump, Israel is consciously carrying out genocide while weve turned our gaze to other things. Israels hugely disproportionate use of lethal force is clearly criminal. The perpetrators on both sides should be held to account. Unfortunately, thats probably a vain hope in todays fractured and distracted world. Martin Frohlich, Adamstown Heights Your correspondent is off the mark when she references the cartoons drawn by Cathy Wilcox as being disproportionately biased against Israel. Wilcox is primarily a cartoonist, not a journalist. Admittedly, her cartoons are informed by political events, but she should never be judged as a political journalist would be. Unlike serious political scribes, Cathy Wilcox has licence to use visual techniques not bounded by the rules of exactness as in verbal reporting. The most cutting of which is comedic hyperbole, which she employs to ridicule individual and national acts of duplicity and cant. On Thursday, Israels mock innocence was a legitimate target for Wilcox to hold up to public scrutiny. Trevor Somerville, Illawong No jab, no entry Everyone should have a jab Credit: iStock Measles vaccination rates in Australia in all ages have substantially decreased to 75 per cent, and in young children to 91 per cent, far below needed herd immunity levels of 95 per cent. Measles kills. In 2014, the WHO certified Australia as having eliminated local measles transmission. But vaccination levels in Australia are declining, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic, after which measles cases surged. The WHO in Europe recorded measles cases doubling in 2024. The current US head of health is an acknowledged anti-vaxxer. Texas is already showing the sequelae of low measles vaccination rates, with 505 hospitalised measles cases this year and one death. As a single imported case is sufficient to trigger a large outbreak in those not, or insufficiently, immunised, should Australia have a mandatory policy, for US and other overseas visitors, to have documentary evidence of their measles vaccination status. Chris Blatch, Glebe All the talents Advertisement Your correspondent (Letters, April 11) says a hung parliament will be unable to act decisively in a crisis. Winston Churchill and William Pitt the Younger both successfully led coalition governments, during World War II and the Napoleonic wars respectively. Far from being weak, a coalition can often benefit from access to all the talents, to use the 18th century phrase, rather than just half of them. Lance Rainey, Rushforth Blood and homophone When he was annoyed or upset, one of my classmates (early 1960s) would say Vladivostok (Letters, April 11). It sounded as though he were swearing especially as the sounds of v and b are so close. David Gordon, Cranebrook Waxing spherical If the moon waxes and wanes on opposite sides (Letters, April 11), what does it do as it crosses the equator suddenly flip while watching the water reverse going down the plughole? John Constable, Balmain POSTSCRIPT You would think, wouldnt you, in the second week of a federal election campaign, that the Heralds letterbox would be bursting at the seams with politics? Surprisingly, no. The letterbox is being well-fed, thank you, but there hasnt been an overwhelming number of letters about the election. The highest number was at the beginning of the week when there was much mockery about Peter Dutton walking back on his policies of purging the public service and forcing people back into the office, but not much after that. There were a few routine letters about the whys and wherefores of how wrong Dutton and/or Anthony Albanese is, a few in praise of the Labor and/or Greens, a few cheers for the teals, but that was about it. There were many letters about American politics, specifically Trumps tariffs. He and they are widely and wildly unpopular here, but whether he pays attention to the Herald Letters page or indeed knows where to find Australia is debatable. Perhaps if the government explained to him that Australia is close-ish to the over-tariffed penguins of McDonald and Heard Islands, he would show some recognition, but who knows? Quite a few letters came in about Premier Chris Minns and his perceived lack of action about doctors and schools. Writers were generally right behind the doctors strike, and the consensus is that NSW wont keep medical staff if the staff can be better paid in every other state and territory. A few writers pointed out that they knew there would be trouble when the police got a good wage rise but the NSW government claimed it couldnt then pay anyone else a decent wage. The main subject away from this was education, after NSW Education secretary Murat Dizdar suggested that the education system would be better off without Catholic and independent schools. Letters poured in for this subject, fervently agreeing or disagreeing: there was little middle ground. The lighter subject for the week was travellers tales of silly people on the loose making silly remarks. Foreigners, eh? What can you do? 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 Its a late autumn afternoon, and the shelves at Bondi Westfields Sourdough Bakery are almost bare. A few patrons linger over coffee and laptops in the fading sun. Two tourists walk past, surveying the remaining croissants. One turns to a nearby customer. Is this a good bakery? he asks in a thick Swedish accent. On the level above, toddlers wrestle and squeal in a padded play gym just near the art and craft store, which is having a sale. Around the corner, near Kmart, is a pastel-coloured childrens dress shop selling sparkly tulle tutus. Theres no one shopping there today; the little ballerinas are busy elsewhere. Life goes on, even here. Children play, mothers rest, shops sell new season clothes. Tourists wander through the shopping centre without any inkling of the horror that unfolded here a year ago, oblivious to the shadows of grief in its halls. Dawn Singleton, 25, was queuing at that bakery just after 3.30pm on April 13, 2024, when Joel Cauchi removed a knife from his backpack and killed her. She was the first victim of his apparently indiscriminate stabbing spree, which lasted three minutes, killed six people, injured another 10, and changed countless lives. Four seconds after he attacked Singleton, Cauchi stabbed Jade Young. Youngs nine-year-old daughter was with her and saw a look of confusion and pain break over her mothers face before she died. Youngs own mother, Elizabeth, later went back to that spot on level four and lay on the shopping centre tiles, sobbing. Advertisement Cauchis rampage unfolded so quickly that most of his victims didnt see him coming. The whole ordeal from when he first pulled the knife to when he was shot dead by a police inspector spanned less than six minutes. Later this month, an inquest into the Bondi tragedy will begin. The coroner will examine whether any intervention could have stopped the murderous rampage perpetrated by Cauchi, a 40-year-old man with escalating mental health challenges and a fascination with knives, and if there were flaws in the response from authorities. It has only been a year. The grief is deep and raw. Already, there are tensions between loved ones about whether an inquest is too painful; Singletons father, advertising executive John Singleton, wants it called off. Others want to persist through the pain to find answers and to try to stop it from happening again. We hope the inquest leads to greater attention on public safety and preventative measures, Sheraz and Muzafar Tahir, the younger and older brothers of victim Faraz Tahir, a security guard, told the Herald. People working on the front line, like Faraz, deserve proper support and protective equipment to stay safe and protect others. The brothers of murdered security guard Faraz Tahir: He would want systems that protect those who are unwell and the public. Credit: Sam Mooy The inquest will hear that 21 seconds after Cauchi killed Singleton, he stabbed Yixuan Cheng. She was walking between a clothing store and a pyjama shop, treating herself to a shopping trip after a university exam. She had just finished talking to her fiance in China when Cauchi attacked, then ran on through Myer and back towards the bakery. Advertisement Just over a minute after he attacked Singleton, Cauchi stabbed Ashlee Good in the back. She turned and saw him at her daughters pram. She fought him off, but he stabbed her again this time in the chest. That wound took her life, but her actions ended up saving the life of her daughter, said counsel assisting the coroner, Peggy Dwyer SC, at an earlier hearing. Good handed her baby to bystanders, begging them to help. The child, who was just nine months old when her mother died, survived. Cauchi then stabbed two security guards, friends who had moved to Australia together from Pakistan. One, Tahir who was on his first day shift died. We want the world to remember Faraz as a national hero a man who made the ultimate sacrifice for others, said his brothers. To us, he is a martyr and a martyrs memory never fades. Less than two minutes after he attacked Singleton, Cauchi stabbed Pikria Darchia, the last person to die but not the last injured in the spree. Darchia was a mother and an artist who was born in Georgia in Eastern Europe but who had fallen in love with Sydneys eastern beaches. In less than three minutes, 16 people had been stabbed. Cauchi continued to wander the shopping centre and broke into a run when Police Inspector Amy Scott found him, helped by terrified shoppers. She chased him through the halls of level five. Eventually, he stopped and charged back towards Scott. She told him to stop and to drop his weapon. She drew her firearm. At 3.38 and 40 seconds less than six minutes after Singleton was stabbed and less than one minute and 20 seconds after Scott arrived at the shopping centre she pulled the trigger three times. One bullet struck his neck and one his shoulder. Cauchi died outside the art shop near whats now the childrens playground. Advertisement It didnt take police long to identify Cauchi. His parents, the inquest will hear, recognised their son from the television footage. For them, it was a horrific end to a long, painful journey. Their son had been diagnosed with significant mental illness, primarily schizophrenia, in his teens. For a decade, he was medicated under the oversight of the public health system, but he moved to a private doctor in 2012. From then, his medication was decreased, and in June 2020, it was stopped entirely. Over the next few years, his mental health deteriorated. Those decisions will be raked over in the inquest, and his doctors will give evidence. Inspector Amy Scott in June 2024, receiving the NSW Police Commissioners Valour Award. Credit: Kate Geraghty After the murders, Cauchis parents apologised for the actions of their tormented son. If he was in his right mind, he would be absolutely devastated at what he has done, said his mother, Michelle, but he obviously was not in his right mind he had been triggered into some kind of psychosis and lost touch with reality. His father, Andrew, was devastated. Hed dedicated his life to helping his sick son. This is so horrendous that I cant even explain it, he said. Im devastated. I love my son I did everything because I loved that boy. Before his killing spree, Cauchi had never been charged by Queensland Police. But they knew of him. When he was caught driving erratically, they learnt of his unmedicated schizophrenia. He called the police to accuse his father of stealing his knives. The officers who went to the Cauchi home were told about his mental health issues, his lack of medication, and the deterioration of his mental state. Advertisement Those officers did not believe they could detain him involuntarily under the Mental Health Act but emailed a specialist mental health unit within Queensland Police to raise concerns. No action appears to have been taken, Dwyer said. In 2023, Cauchi was in Sydney, living rough under the Maroubra Beach Pavilion. Police checked on him once, called by a concerned passerby. The officer, an inexperienced constable, checked his database and saw Cauchi had a warning in relation to knives, mental health, and self-harm. He was searched, but nothing was found. The inquest will explore a significant issue facing police forces across Australia: the role of police in mental health care. The Mental Health Act stipulates that they should only become involved if they have or are likely to commit an offence or if the patient is a danger to themselves or someone else. And yet, NSW Police are called to a mental health incident every nine minutes. In 2022, they were called to more than 61,000 incidents involving a mental health emergency in which there was no criminal offence, a 41 per cent increase on 2018. Most experts police included believe theyre the wrong people for the job. The presence of police can escalate a situation and even cause harm, said Amanda Cohn, a NSW Greens MP who led a parliamentary inquiry into mental health in NSW. Debate continues about how to address this, but Cohn says resources are desperately needed another issue that may be raised at the inquest. [The committee] found that community and outpatient mental health care in NSW was fragmented, reactive and crisis-driven, she said. Things have really gotten worse since we tabled that report [last June], not better. Advertisement 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 The beds were there a week ago, but when one patient returned to Blacktown Hospital emergency department on Thursday, they had been replaced with chairs. Thousands of the states doctors were on strike, which meant the hospitals emergency department was operating under a modified format, a spokesperson for Western Sydney Local Health District said. Emergency staff working at the hospital during the strikes confirmed the department was fully staffed over the three days, and the total number of beds remained unchanged. While doctors went to every effort to ensure their patients were safe, they also went to every effort to ensure patients knew where to direct their anger. Waiting in emergency? Read one poster outside Blacktown Hospital. Blame Chris Minns. They have returned to work, but the anger of more than 5000 doctors has not gone away. Doctors strike for more pay and better conditions at Westmead Hospital on Tuesday. Credit: Janie Barrett Advertisement The news In a hearing before the Industrial Relations Commission on Friday morning, the doctors union confirmed it would obey the courts orders to refrain from industrial action for the next three months. But if you think it spells the end of the governments row with health workers, it is really just the start. The truce allows the union to return to the court to strike deals for psychiatrists and the broader medical cohort. The commission will also be busy arbitrating a fair pay rise for nurses and midwives. The government has said it will accept whatever raise the commission recommends potentially putting taxpayers on the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars in additional government spending. How we got here Advertisement The union and the government had been negotiating a new agreement for doctors for more than a year before this weeks strike. That involved 15 meetings, during which neither party could agree on a way forward. Doctors voted earlier this year in favour of a three-day strike, which the government tried to block in the industrial court. It won, but the doctors walked out anyway defying the courts orders. That defiance led Honourable Justice David Chin to postpone a decision on whether to give psychiatrists a pay rise, after more than 200 resigned in response to mass vacancies and deteriorating patient care. Loading The delay left dozens of psychiatrists who had postponed their resignations in limbo, and cast a cloud of uncertainty over the states troubled mental health system. Why it matters The dispute is about more than pay. The job expected of doctors has changed dramatically over the years, and the union argues its award (the agreement dictating pay and conditions) hasnt kept pace. Advertisement In most states and territories, staff specialists are paid an on-call allowance and overtime for the hours they work if called into hospital to treat a patient. In NSW, these allowances are baked in to staff specialist salaries, meaning they dont get paid any more if they come in on a Saturday night to perform emergency surgery, for example. Dr Mark Priestley, an ASMOF councillor who has worked in NSW hospitals for more than four decades, said this was the main reason many of his colleagues were taking up more lucrative roles interstate. Dr Mark Priestley addresses the crowds at the doctors strike at Westmead Hospital on Tuesday. Credit: Janie Barrett Theyre leaving. And that is like watching the logging of old-growth forest, Priestley said. Itll take a generation to replace them. ASMOF said more than 3000 new members have joined this month. By the numbers Advertisement In three days: More than 3000 doctors did not turn up to work on each day of the strike 663 patients had their planned elective surgeries cancelled 5355 outpatient appointments were rescheduled 33 beds were closed over the duration of the strike mostly in emergency department short-stay units Whats next The union and NSW Health will next meet in court on May 7 to hear expert evidence in the psychiatry dispute. Closing submissions wont be heard until June 19, a full three months later than scheduled. Loading Then it is the nurses and midwives turn, with the state government and the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association set for six weeks of arbitration beginning in September. As for the doctors, their claim for a 30 per cent pay rise in a reasonable timeframe is a long way from the governments current offer of 10.5 per cent in three years. Lawyers for NSW Health told the IRC on Wednesday it was clear the dispute would need to be resolved in court, but that would be unlikely to happen before October. Sydneysiders are being told to take precautions as smoke from planned hazard reduction burns starts to blanket the city. Air quality across Sydney, especially in the citys west, and the Blue Mountains is expected to deteriorate throughout Friday and into the weekend as the burns continue. More than 6600 hectares were expected to be burnt across greater Sydney. Credit: Wolter Peeters The NSW Rural Fire Service is conducting planned burns in parts of the Blue Mountains National Park and near Katoomba and Mount Victoria. The burns, across almost 4000 hectares, are all under control. South of Sydney, a nine-hectare planned burn in the Dharawal National Park is under control. More than 6600 hectares were expected to be burnt across the Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Southern Highlands and Blue Mountains regions. What would Jack do? Wheres Jack Mundey when you need him? Late Builders Labourers Federation chief Jack Mundey is often cited when public housing, homes for the working poor, heritage or green spaces are threatened by development. A larger-than-life character who died in 2020, Mundey led the green ban movement, which is depicted in eight increasingly fading 40-year-old murals on pylons of the eastern suburbs railway line across Woolloomooloo. Judy Mundey at a mural that shows her late husban, Jack Mundey, with a loudhailer addressing members of the Builders Labourers Federation and green ban supporters. Credit: Sam Mooy Without him and the green bans, Woolloomooloo would have been a forest of high rise, said Jim Colman, an architect and urban planner who wrote The House That Jack Built: Jack Mundey Green Bans Hero. The April 12 Edition Lidia Thorpes angry verbal assault on King Charles while he was on a state visit last October yelling at him, You committed genocide against our people!, You are not our king! and F--- the colony! was hard to watch. For millions of Australians, the optics were cringeworthy: the Victorian senators behaviour reeked of attention-seeking rudeness against a royal born more than 150 years after the First Fleet anchored at Sydney Cove. And yet Thorpes confronting spray for which the Senate later censured her raised some deeply uncomfortable thoughts around the raw truth of her words, of the long, shameful history of atrocities against Indigenous people. The reality is that many Australians see King Charles as a sovereign symbol of this historic oppression. Of course, its impossible to know exactly what went through Thorpes head in that confronting moment how much of it stemmed from heartfelt passion and how much from self-aggrandisement. As a subject, Lidia was one of the hardest people Ive ever profiled, journalist Melissa Fyfe told me of writing this weeks cover story. Ive never come across someone so hated and yet also admired. I could see that being Lidia Thorpe is no picnic and there are good reasons for her tough-as-nails exterior. - Acting editor, Greg Callaghan. EU Ambassador: We adhere to plan to open all negotiation clusters with Ukraine this year The EU is adhering to the plan to open all negotiation clusters with Ukraine in 2025 and is working with Hungary to overcome difficulties, said European Union Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova. In an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday, the ambassador said that she believed they were still very much adhering to the plan to open all clusters that year. The ambassador noted that the plan has obviously encountered certain difficulties, but the European Commission is actively working to overcome them. Mathernova said that at the previous days meeting, there had been a lot of discussion on the matter. She added that she still remained optimistic and believed that the EU would eventually find a solution. She expressed hope that they could open the clusters and continue on the path of integration. Asked how the EU intends to resolve the "difficulties" caused by Hungary's position, the ambassador said that it is looking for ways to take into account the concerns of the Hungarian side. She added that it was not the first time a country had faced difficulties due to a situation requiring unanimity. She noted that, as was known, they had encountered a similar issue with North Macedonia, for example. Therefore, she said, it was necessary to find ways to overcome it. She expressed confidence that this would happen within the year and stated that she was very optimistic. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy previously said that Ukraine "has a very ambitious goal" to open all negotiation clusters with the European Union by 2025. The Royal Childrens Hospital has told specialist staff at its cancer centre that they will be made redundant just days out from the Good Friday Appeal. A change impact statement, signed off by hospital chief executive Peter Steer and leaked to The Age, suggests 10 full-time equivalent roles will be axed at the Childrens Cancer Centre across 13 different positions. The Childrens Cancer Centre at the Royal Childrens Hospital is being hit with redundancies. Credit: Chris Hopkins The job titles on the chopping block include the centres dedicated mental health clinicians, art therapists, an allied health assistant and other support staff. The cancer centre, which opened in 2006, is Victorias only provider of complex cancer care and stem cell transplantation for young people. It treats about 300 newly diagnosed cancer patients under the age of 18 every year. Peter Geermans is willing to tie himself to a decades-old gum tree outside Sandringham Hospital as part of a fierce push from bayside locals to stop it being chopped down. The 77-year-old is one of about 60 locals in a Stop the Chop group who believe Alfred Healths plan to fell the towering eucalypt, on the corner of Edward and Harold streets, over safety fears is unnecessary. Bayside residents and the towering lemon-scented eucalypt outside Sandringham Hospital. Credit: Simon Schluter Alfred Health says two independent arborists found the near 50-year-old tree needed to be replaced due to branch failure, internal decay, and structural defects. But Bayside City Councils arborists disagree with that assessment, and locals believe proper pruning could stop the ageing lemon-scented gum from hurting anyone. A former teacher is accused of sexually abusing and assaulting a teenage girl he taught at a school in Melbournes inner north more than two decades ago. Former families at Sydney Road Community School were sent a letter, seen by The Age, from the Education Department about John Anthony Rogers in February this year. John Anthony Rogers in 1988. Credit: Facebook Im writing to you as a former family of Sydney Road Community School, to let you know that a former employee of the school, Tony Rogers, has recently been charged with serious child sexual offences relating to a former student. The matter is currently before the courts, Education Department executive director Jonathon Lowe wrote. The letter shared with former members of the school community said Rogers, who goes by Tony, worked at the school from the late 1980s to the mid-2000s. After several years away from the school he returned as an education support worker, but the role ended in 2024, according to the letter. A three-year-old has died after she was hit by a car while on a footpath on Victorias Bellarine Peninsula. Emergency services were called to Presidents Avenue in Ocean Grove, about 100 kilometres south-west of Melbourne just before 5pm on Friday. Police arrested the driver, a 71-year-old Ocean Grove woman, at the scene. Credit: Paul Rovere Police said the driver of the car, a 71-year-old Ocean Grove woman, had been arrested at the scene. Major collision investigation unit detectives are investigating a fatal collision in Ocean Grove this afternoon, Victoria Police said in a statement. A Perth man has been sentenced to life in prison with a 14-year non-parole period for the murder of a 17-year-old he stabbed in the heart during a drug deal gone wrong. Jaden Martinovich, 21, listened intently while Justice Bruno Fiannaca delivered a scathing assessment of his conduct in August 2022, telling him the youths death was the tragic culmination of foolish and reckless decisions by two young men intent on acting like gangsters. Jaden Martinovich pleaded guilty to murder over the stabbing death of a 17-year-old in North Perth. Credit: Facebook Martinovich and the boy were intending to scam each other, it was revealed. One to sell fake drugs, the other to steal a car in a car park in North Perth. At the time Martinovich was 18 years old and a BMW car salesman. He had arranged to sell dimethyltryptamine (DMT) to the teenager, but instead put bath salt crystals in a clip-seal bag in a bid to hoodwink the boy into giving him $250. 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. Sources within Australias fertility and regulation industry have now raised questions about the appropriateness of Monash IVFs safety measures. In a response to questions from this masthead, Monash IVF said it adheres to strict laboratory safety measures to safeguard and protect the embryos in our care. Despite these rigorous protocols, the initial investigation into the incident has found that it was the result of human error, the Monash IVF statement said. Monash IVF commissioned Fiona McLeod, AO, SC, to conduct an independent investigation into the incident, and we are committed to implementing all recommendations from this ongoing independent investigation. While we understand the public interest in this matter, the privacy of the families involved including the child has been our priority. The information we have provided regarding this incident has been done in a de-identified way. Under Australias complex health regulation system, each state and territory is responsible for licensing and regulating the fertility clinics operating in its jurisdiction. But up to late last year, Queensland clinics had been operating with far fewer regulations and oversight than those in other states. A senior source within Australias fertility regulation system, who was not authorised to speak publicly, described Queenslands fertility oversight as the Wild West of regulation. To beef up its oversight, Queensland parliament last year passed legislation in handing regulation of the assisted reproductive technology industry to Queensland Health from September 10, 2024. But a Queensland Health spokesperson confirmed that although it had been advised of the embryo transfer mix-up in February, the incident occurred before the new regulation efforts were enacted. The Brisbane clinic became aware of the incident in February 2025 and it was reported to Queensland Health, as the new assisted reproductive technology (ART) regulator, the spokesperson said. However, the embryo transfer occurred prior to Queensland Health becoming the ART regulator. We will work with Monash IVF to reinforce safeguards in their Queensland clinics and ensure any risks are identified and mitigated. Queensland introduced its strengthened ART regulation following a major investigation by the states Office of the Health Ombudsman found the state had low levels of regulation compared with other jurisdictions. Having helped overhaul Victorias fertility industry oversight in 2019, lawyer Michael Gorton, AM, was commissioned by the health ombudsman to help investigate Queenslands regulation system. Speaking to this masthead following news of the embryo mix-up, Gorton said the new Queensland regulator would be able to take action to ensure Monash IVF did not present an ongoing risk to future clients, but would not be able to penalise the company for an incident that had occurred before the legislation was enacted. They cant give it a slap over the wrist for what happened before, but I can take action to ensure it is meeting requirements now, he said. A review led by health lawyer Michael Gorton is prompting significant reform of the assisted reproduction industry in Queensland. In Victoria, you can take away their licence, and in NSW and most of the other states, there could be repercussions. But I think the greatest motivation here will be the legal case that comes out of it because it will be squillions. Monash says it is human error, but the whole point of the exercise is that you have systems and processes to prevent human error. You have double-checking of labels and other measures, so I do not know what the human error was, but they should have systems and processes to eliminate human error. That is the whole point. One of the worlds leading fertility clinics, Monash IVF spruiks it has helped bring more than 50,000 babies into the world since it was formed in 1971. Gorton said that if the families could not resolve the highly emotional parenthood issues arising from the birth, it might ultimately fall to the Family Court to decide on an unprecedented matter. This is the first time it has occurred, and we have had IVF in Australia for more than 30 years. I am aware of reports of two cases in America, so it is incredibly rare, Gorton said. The Family Court would have jurisdiction over parenthood, and the court would start with the presumption that the birth mother is the birth mother. It would be a landmark [case] because they would have to consider these particularly unique circumstances where the child is biologically the child of other people. They have never had to consider that before. The fact it may take several years for any custody case to get to court would also make the matter more heartbreaking and fraught, due to the long-term relationship the child would have established with its birth mother. The longer it goes on, the worse it gets. Multiple fertility clinics contacted by this masthead confirmed they use radio frequency technology to track the movement of embryos during the transfer processes to ensure no errors occur. No.1 Fertility medical director Dr Lynn Burmeister said her clinics electronically tracked the movement of every embryo and gamete during every step of the transfer process. In addition to our highly trained staff manually double witnessing procedures, we utilise the industry-leading RI Witness electronic witnessing system for every gamete and embryo movement in our laboratories, providing extra security for our team and peace of mind for our patients, Burmeister said. Monash IVF faces a huge financial hit over the bungle. Its share price dropped by 36 per cent on Friday, closing the day at 0.69, down from $1.07 on Thursday. Last year, Monash IVF paid $56 million in compensation to settle a class action involving 700 families over a bungled genetic test, which may have cost dozens of families the chance to have children. Loading The latest mix-up comes as Victorias Health Department evaluates licence extensions required to allow Monash IVFs clinics to continue operating in the state, with current licences for its Clayton, Geelong, Sunshine, Sale and Cremorne clinics set to expire on April 30. While a fertility clinic must be accredited by Australias Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee, each clinic must also apply for a licence to operate in each state. As part of the licence review process, the secretary of the Health Department may impose specific conditions or even suspend a providers registration. IVF pioneer Gab Kovaks, who was the medical director of Monash IVF before retiring a decade ago, said it was impossible to completely eliminate human error from the IVF process. Its a terrible, life-altering citation for the two couples involved, he said. Everyone has sympathy for them, but the next person who is probably suffering the most is the scientist who is involved in the mistake. If you look at the data, there are more than 100,000 cycles of IVF in Australia every year now, so every few years there will be some sort of human error mistake, and it has happened all over the world. Most previous incidents around the world have arisen by the incorrect sperm being used to fertilise an egg, rather than a completely incorrect embryo being transferred. Kovaks said double-checking processes have always been the cornerstone of IFV process since the first procedures were undertaken, but the sheer volume of births now meant that mistakes would happen. Follow our live coverage of the 2025 Federal election here. The Coalitions pledge to scrap fines for carmakers that exceed emissions caps imposed by Labor has raised concerns about new barriers to the influx of cheap EV models and entrenching petrol guzzlers that cost more to run. Coalition leader Peter Dutton has said that the penalties for carmakers under the Albanese governments New Vehicle Efficiency Standard would spike the price of popular models, including that of the Toyota RAV4, which he said would increase by $9700. Peter Dutton spruiking his fuel excise policy on Thursday. Credit: James Brickwood Energy Minister Chris Bowen rejected this claim and said every developed economy has implemented vehicle efficiency standards, which had not caused car prices to rise in any jurisdiction. On his whistle-stop tour across northern Australia, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shone his campaign spotlight on just one of the vast areas two key constituencies, which are the mining industry and Indigenous communities. While Albanese jumped on an iron ore ship to praise the rivers of royalties swelling Commonwealth coffers, there were no moves to rekindle memories of the referendum to establish an Indigenous Voice to parliament. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese campaigned in Western Australia on Friday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The failed vote in 2023 burnt enormous political capital that Albanese had won in his 2022 election victory. Despite visiting electorates home to many Indigenous Australians Leichhardt in Far North Queensland, as well as seats in the Northern Territory and north-west Western Australia Albanese did not spend time at any explicitly Indigenous sites. Instead, at the obligatory high-vis campaign stop with great big mining infrastructure in the background care of Rio Tintos facility in the Port of Dampier in Karratha, Albanese issued a paean to his hosts. Some in Labor believe the steady transfer of control for the campaign from the prime ministers office to party headquarters, led by national secretary Paul Erickson, has helped with discipline in the governments ranks. In contrast, several Coalition sources, including senior MPs, say there has been friction between the key personnel in Duttons team, who have worked with him for years, and the campaign unit led by federal director Andrew Hirst. During the first week of the campaign, a shadow minister told this masthead there was frustration with Duttons personal staff for allowing the leader to continue to appear on late-night Sky News shows where he has talked about woke school syllabuses and other non-mainstream issues. Such tussles for influence over messaging, policy and control of the leaders diary have happened before. In 2013, for example, Kevin Rudds travelling party was in open warfare with Labor headquarters staff who remained loyal to Julia Gillard and Wayne Swan. Former Morrison government media chief Andrew Carswell pointed to the rumblings about tension within the campaign in an opinion piece on Tuesday, referring to splits over early campaign decisions caused by advisers who think they know better than accomplished party bosses, or detachment between the travelling and campaign teams. Just before the election was called, the national campaign team based in Parramatta was bemused when a story appeared in this masthead suggesting the Coalition was thinking about a referendum on deporting dual citizens, an idea some campaign staff had never heard about. Loading But Dutton has no one like Rudd haunting his campaign, and time to turn things around, with pollsters cautioning that about half of voters are still open to persuasion by either side. One Liberal insider, who asked not to be named, said most voters had not yet tuned into the election, and predicted a majority of Australians would start paying attention only after Anzac Day. Dutts has hit his stride, week one was like preseason, he is more disciplined now, they said. Good campaigning is about repetition, and we are now hearing complaints from journos about visiting so many petrol stations. But to the ordinary voter, they just think he talks a lot about cutting petrol taxes. After a first week spent visiting everything from mosques to vineyards, and eating yum cha, Dutton homed in on key images during the second week: he visited six petrol stations and three factories in seven days, with fuel tankers and high-vis reminding voters of a more disciplined message on fuel excise cuts and energy prices. But that discipline has extended to other areas it sometimes does not during a campaign. Peter Dutton on a campaign stop in Perth on Friday. Credit: James Brickwood On the campaign trail, Dutton, unlike Albanese, has spent little time with travelling journalists, giving the impression of a candidate in the bunker. Coalition staff in Canberra do not walk through press gallery offices as they did in past elections. As he frequents private businesses, there have barely been any filmed interactions between Dutton and members of the public. Aside from a footy kick that went awry last weekend, the opportunity for unscripted moments has been kept to a minimum. Despite an alleged terror plot targeting Dutton, the opposition leader said his movements hadnt been curtailed for security reasons. Ive never felt unsafe one day in this job, particularly with the protection from the AFP, he told reporters in Perth on Friday. It hasnt stopped me from doing anything, and it wont on this campaign. Liberal MP Warren Entsch, who has won his far north Queensland seat of Leichhardt at every election he has contested going back to 1996 (he did not contest in 2007), is retiring at this election and says it has been a tough campaign for the Coalition. I watched the first debate, it was cordial. I dont think either side could say they smashed it, he says. And given we are closer to the end [of the campaign] now, we dont need more vanilla. I think he [Dutton] has stepped up, in the last week, he has looked a lot better. There are always stumbles, you learn by it, and Dutts has significantly improved. Entsch says Albanese is playing gutter politics, after the prime minister criticised the Liberals candidate to succeed Entsch as a shocker for his controversial social media posts. Another Liberal MP, who asked not to be named so they could speak freely, said Dutton had handled difficult issues such as the volte-face on the working-from-home policy well and we can still come back. There is still a pathway to minority government, but we have to win some of those teal seats now, the MP says, echoing the view of many of their colleagues. I can see us winning eight seats on a bad night and 15 on a good night. Either way, that would not be enough for majority. A member of Duttons shadow cabinet says the party still has a handful of big announcements to make, starting at the formal campaign launch on Sunday, and that after having to eat the shit sandwich of dumping the partys work-from-home policy not to mention his father, Bruce, having a heart attack Dutton has steadied the ship. There are some big things we havent put out yet, there is no question Labor had a better first week, but we will reframe the debate in positive terms and on our terms, the MP said. Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, does not believe that the EU has "red lines" regarding the potential agreement with the United States on minerals, as only Ukraine can set them. In an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine on Thursday, answering questions about what the "red lines" are for the EU and Ukraine's European integration in the potential agreement with the United States on mineral resources, Mathernova said that she does not believe that the European Union has "red lines." The ambassador emphasized that only the Ukrainian government could set "red lines," and therefore, she did not believe there were any "red lines" from the EU side. However, she noted that they were, of course, discussing the agreement with the Ukrainian authorities. Speaking about the realism of the EU's plans to transfer 2 million artillery shells to Ukraine by the end of the year, Mathernova noted "optimism" in achieving this goal. The ambassador said that active discussions with member states regarding shells were ongoing. She noted that the EU High Representative had been very optimistic about achieving the goal. She added that while the work was still in progress, the outlook appeared more optimistic than it had been a few weeks earlier. Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration - Minister of Justice Olha Stefanishyna reported that technical consultations on the minerals agreement with the United States with the participation of teams from the Ministries of Justice and Economy of Ukraine will be held on Friday, April 11, in Washington. Meritons managing director, Harry Triguboff, signed a series of letters that appeared in owners mailboxes over the past 12 months. The billionaire told them in October that he had collected numerous awards in more than 60 years of building and developing. Property developer Harry Triguboff has been on Australias rich list for decades. Credit: Arsineh Houspian Never, in all of that time, has any claim for anywhere near such an amount ever been made, he wrote. Triguboff warned the owners corporation the claim would devalue their properties and they would not recoup their costs, even if they won. The cost of these proceedings has already come out of your pockets and there is a lot more cost to be incurred. Loading This case will run for years to come. My company will fight this claim to the bitter end if it has to. And even if the claim succeeds to the extent claimed, which it wont, the work that is said to be needed will force you out of your homes for not less than 12 months (probably more). In another letter last June, Triguboff took aim at the owners corporations legal team. If your lawyers were so good, how have they succeeding in obtaining nothing for you? [sic], he wrote. One owner who spoke to the Herald on the condition of anonymity described receiving the letters as deeply concerning. As a major corporation, Meritons actions are unacceptable, she said. Homeowners must stand their ground and insist that all defects are properly rectified. At the centre of the saga is a Meriton development comprising 299 residential units across six buildings, finished in stages between 2012 and 2013. A monastery remaining on the site is the only legacy of its humble beginnings, with real estate agents promoting the development as offering a level of refined luxury rarely seen in apartments today. In August 2019, the buildings owners corporation took action in the NSW Supreme Court against a string of Meriton entities, including builders Karimbla Construction Services Pty Ltd and Karimbla Construction Services (NSW) Pty Ltd. The owners alleged structural, fire safety, waterproofing, mechanical, hydraulic and other defects in the buildings. In February this year, Justice Stevenson allowed the owners corporation to vastly increase the size of its initial $25.6 million defects claim to $123 million. Early in the proceedings, the owners corporation had put forward a schedule of 5445 alleged defects and served its evidence based on inspections of a sample, but not all of, the units. The owners corporations experts alleged that many of the defects were systemic and likely to be present across all the apartments. In his judgment, Stevenson said this approach was taken because the owners corporation was hoping in due course to achieve a compromise with the builder. Loading The warring parties were locked in negotiations between December 2021 and March 2024, which Stevenson said showed extensive and bona fide efforts to resolve the dispute. I was told during that time, the Builder performed some work to rectify some of the alleged defects, he said. Settlement negotiations broke down in March 2024. This has produced the unsatisfactory position of the Owners Corporation serving a further, very extensive, tranche of evidence; greatly expanding the value of its claim, Stevenson said. An updated schedule included 8000 rows of defects, though the parties agreed it would need to be revised due to omissions and duplications. Stevenson said he did not encourage owners corporations to conduct litigation in that way, and the usual practice was to bring forward all evidence-in-chief at once, rather than having a second bite at the cherry. However, Stevenson ruled there were special circumstances that justified allowing it in this case. If the defects are as extensive as the Owners Corporations evidence, not yet tested, suggests, this is a serious matter for the Builder as well as the Owners Corporation, Stevenson said. But it would be a very hard thing to deny the Owners Corporation, and thus in effect its members, a chance to establish such a case. Meritons lawyers told the court it may have lost the opportunity to launch cross-claims against some of its subcontractors due to limitation issues. Stevenson said there was no explanation as to why the builder did not take such steps earlier in the proceedings. However, he did order the owners corporation to pay Meritons costs for the motion. In a separate judgment, Stevenson dismissed an application by the Meriton parties for an order that the owners corporation put up a $2,405,000 security for its costs. There was no reason to believe the owners corporation could not pay the builders costs within a reasonable timeframe if ordered to do so, Stevenson ruled. It is unlikely that the Owners Corporation will altogether fail and no more than a matter of speculation that the Builder will in fact obtain an order that the Owners Corporation pay all of its costs, Stevenson said, ordering Meriton to pay the owners corporations costs for the motion. Loading Meriton is due to serve its evidence by the end of May. The law firm representing the owners corporation, Chambers Russell, said it was also unable to comment while the matter remained before the courts. A Meriton spokesman said it would vehemently defend the proceedings and had previously invited the NSW Building Commission to inspect the units, as it remained confident the defects had been exaggerated. The building is fully occupied, a fact that is inconsistent with the allegations made by the Owners [sic] Corporation, he said. The mere fact that units have come to be purchased in recent years in this development demonstrates that it is still a valued development in St Ives. The spokesman added that Meritons position was it would rectify legitimate defects, and it had already returned to the site to rectify agreed items. Meriton worked with the Strata Committee and its experts for years to finalise a list of agreed items but, unfortunately, the Owners Corporation voted against these works being carried out, he said. The secretary of the strata committee, Kristyn Haywood, said it was doing its very best to achieve a proper outcome for owners. Whilst we do not accept the statements made by Meriton, we dont feel it appropriate to comment given the current proceedings before the Supreme Court, she said. In 2022, Meritons building arm, Karimbla Construction Services (NSW) Pty Ltd, received one of the top ratings on a statewide register designed to help prospective home buyers find trustworthy builders. The Independent Construction Industry Rating Tool (iCIRT) was the brainchild of former NSW building commissioner David Chandler, and is independently managed by credit monitoring firm Equifax. Former NSW building commissioner David Chandler. Credit: Steven Siewert Businesses pay to receive a star rating based on their capability, capacity and commitment in delivering safe, compliant and trustworthy buildings. The vast majority of defect disputes before the courts end in confidential settlements. The Herald asked Equifax whether a hypothetical court settlement in the St Ives matter would factor into Karimblas rating. An Equifax spokesperson said businesses listed on the iCIRT register were obligated to report any material events after receiving a rating, including new proceedings or confidential settlements. She said this allowed Equifax to review and potentially revise its ratings. Failure to address material defects or honour obligations will lead to a review and likely removal from the iCIRT register, the spokeswoman said. The spokeswoman noted historical challenges regarding quality assurance but said significant improvements had been observed in recent years. Although older buildings may exhibit latent defects, iCIRT-rated businesses have demonstrated a commitment to rectifying and remediating material defects, she said. The Meriton spokesman said it was committed to its obligations to report all material matters to iCIRT. Meriton has one of the highest iCert [sic] ratings in Australia behind a long and proven track record as a developer and builder in Australia with numerous accolades and awards bestowed upon it each year including the HIAs Australias Number One Apartment Builder of the Year (2024) and Urban Development Institute of Australia (NSW)s Developer of the Year (2024). A spokesman for Building Commission NSW said it was aware of the legal action. A landmark South Korean inquiry has found systemic fraud involving falsified registrations in the countrys adoption program, leading to a profit-driven mass exportation of children, including thousands of Australians, with minimal procedural oversight. The inquiry broadly found that children were falsely documented as orphans when they had known parents, while in other cases authorities failed to secure proper consent from biological parents for adoptions or adequately screen adoptive parents. The Heralds North Asia correspondent, Lisa Visentin, has caught the anguish of the Australians adopted from South Korea confronted with harrowing new questions about their identities. Australia only ratified The Hague Convention on overseas adoptions in 1998, and Visentin also showed the slipshod way that Australian authorities, especially in NSW and Victoria, facilitated the adoptions with almost hands-off oversight. The few red flags raised by concerned professionals were ignored by governments. Responsibility for managing inter-country adoptions in Australia is splintered across federal and state departments. Following a 2005 federal parliamentary inquiry into overseas adoptions, the NSW government relinquished its lead responsibility for the Korean adoption program, which was then transferred to Canberra. The federal Department of Social Services (DSS) now has oversight of the partnership with Seoul-based Eastern Social Welfare Society, while state authorities are responsible for assessing cases, facilitating adoptions and providing post-adoption support. Loading Labor has promised to investigate concerns about the Australia-Korea adoption program if it is re-elected to government. 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. But the plan for an in-house investigation under the aegis of the DSS is myopic. The department has overseen inter-country adoptions for nearly two decades without the penny dropping that something was terribly wrong. The South Korean investigation has triggered painful reckonings for some Australian Korean adoptees. The newly formed KADS Connect group advocating for South Korean adoptees is pushing for a federal parliamentary inquiry. It would examine Australias relationship with the Eastern Social Welfare Society, one of four privately run agencies under investigation for human rights violations by South Koreas Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It facilitated about 3600 adoptions to Australia from 1978 as well as thousands to the United States. At one stage during the peak, between 1980 and 1988, Eastern was sending five children a day to Australia or the US. Retiring Liberal senator Linda Reynolds has also called for a wide-reaching parliamentary inquiry after the federal election to review and report on the situation across all Australian jurisdictions. This is to ensure that we protect the rights and best interests of adoptees, and to align Australias inter-country adoption practices with international best practice, she said. The adoptees and Senator Reynolds are right on the need for a parliamentary inquiry. Labors promise of an in-house investigation lacks the necessary transparency and real commitment to get to the bottom of something that remains a crying shame for both Australia and South Korea. Former High Court of Australia chief justice Robert French has quit Hong Kongs top court, becoming the latest in a string of foreign judges to resign after Beijings national security crackdown. French had been one of four Australian judges to continue serving as non-permanent judges on the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal in the face of heavy criticism from supporters of the citys pro-democracy movement who argued they were legitimising a broken legal system. In a statement on Friday, French said he maintained respect for the Hong Kong judiciary and the role of overseas judges, and endorsed their integrity and independence. Former High Court of Australia judge Robert French has quit his role as an overseas judge on Hong Kongs top court. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen I reject the proposition that they are somehow complicit in the application by the executive of national security laws or somehow confer on them a spurious legitimacy, he said. EU head tells FT it could tax US Big Tech if tariff talks fail Brussels, Belgium, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2025 Brussels could hit US Big Tech with taxes if negotiations fail to end Donald Trump's tariff war against the EU, the bloc's chief Ursula von der Leyen said in a Financial Times interview published Thursday. Since the US president unleashed tariffs targeting steel and aluminium, cars, and finally a majority of imports from the European Union, the bloc has insisted it seeks a mutually beneficial agreement with Washington. But now in her strongest comments yet, von der Leyen indicated that she was ready to step up her threats of retaliation and target American services if negotiations fall short. "There's a wide range of countermeasures ," she said, if talks yielded no result. "An example is you could put a levy on the advertising revenues of digital services" applying across the bloc, said von der Leyen, who raised the use of a new trade weapon called the anti-coercion instrument, according to the FT. Dubbed a "bazooka", the weapon has never been used but empowers the EU to target services and could limit American companies' access to public procurement contracts in Europe. Among the grievances fueling its tariff campaign against Europe, the US administration has complained about so-called non-tariff barriers that it argues unfairly hamper American exports. In particular officials have taken umbrage at the bloc's value-added taxes (VAT) and stringent rules on tech, the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act, which regulate tech competition and content moderation online respectively. The tech laws were "untouchable", von der Leyen told the newspaper, and said the EU would not be open to negotiate on VAT, which applies to both domestic and imported goods. While the interview laid down a series of red lines, von der Leyen has sent strong signals she wants the talks to be successful. She announced earlier on Thursday that the bloc would put planned tariffs on US goods on hold "to give negotiations a chance" after Trump's U-turn on massive new duties, despite the fact that his previous levies on metals and cars remain in force, as does a baseline 10 percent tariff on all goods. Iran, US raise stakes ahead of key talks in Oman Tehran, April 10 (AFP) Apr 10, 2025 Washington and Tehran waged a war of words Thursday ahead of key talks in Oman after US President Donald Trump said military action was "absolutely" possible if the talks fail. A senior adviser to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Iran could expel UN nuclear watchdog inspectors over "threats" ahead of Saturday's talks. Rear Admiral Ali Shamkhani's comments came after US Trump Wednesday failed to rule out military action against Iran in the event the planned talks fail 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, referring to the country's uranium enrichment. In Washington, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce warned Iran against making a misstep. "The threat of that kind of action, of course, is inconsistent with Iran's claims of a peaceful nuclear programme," she told reporters. "Also, expelling IAEA inspectors from Iran would be an escalation and a miscalculation on Iran's part." Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is due to meet US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff in the Gulf sultanate on Saturday for the talks that Washington has presented as the last chance for a peaceful resolution of Western concerns about Iran's nuclear programme. Iran has consistently denied seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced hope Thursday that the US-Iran nuclear talks in Oman this weekend could lead to "peace". "We hope that will lead to peace," Rubio told a meeting of Trump's cabinet. "We're hopeful about that." - New sanctions - 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," Trump said. On Wednesday, the United States announced new sanctions targeting Iran's nuclear programme ahead of the talks between the longtime adversaries. In a mainly symbolic move, the US Treasury Department said it was imposing sanctions under additional authorities on five entities including the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran and one individual. On Thursday, the US State Department said it was imposing sanctions on Iran's oil network under Trump's policy of "maximum pressure" against the country. Washington already enforces sweeping sanctions on Iran, particularly its nuclear programme whose scientists have also been the target of an assassination campaign attributed to Israel. Iran maintains that it is against direct negotiations with its arch-enemy the United States, 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. burs-srm/kir In skies, as on land, European forces face gaps if US pulls back Leeuwarden, Netherlands, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 Fighter jets from the United States, France, Finland and Germany roar into the skies from a Dutch base as part of NATO's biggest air exercise this year. The aim: to practice stopping -- and then defeating -- an enemy attack against the alliance as Russia's war in Ukraine fuels fears in Europe. But while NATO focuses on the menace from the east, another potential threat is looming from within the alliance. Since returning to office, US President Donald Trump has sowed doubt over Washington's commitment to underpinning European security and his administration has warned it could move forces away from the continent to deal with challenges elsewhere like China. For now, NATO commanders insist nothing has changed -- showcased by the latest drills. "We recently elected a new president, and we're still trying to figure out the exact policies that they're going to be coming out with," General James Hecker, the top US and NATO air commander in Europe, told reporters during the exercises. "I think you're going to see us hand in hand with the Europeans for quite some time." But if Trump does decide to withdraw US forces, there are fears that could leave European militaries struggling to plug gaps in key areas as they race to face off against an emboldened Moscow. While attention often centres on the roughly 100,000 US troops currently stationed on the continent, above them in the skies, commanders and experts point to multiple areas where Europe could struggle without Washington. Those include air defences, spy planes and satellites, electronic systems that can jam radar, tankers to refuel jets mid-flight and hulking aircraft used to transport troops. "Hypothetically, if the environment over Taiwan deteriorates, the US is going to look to move key assets" from Europe, said Douglas Barrie from the International Institute for Strategic Studies. - 'Best equipment' - European nations have hiked defence spending since Russia's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine and are set to go even further, under pressure from Trump. But while purchases of the latest US F-35 fighter jets have risen in recent years -- acquiring systems in which Europe lags will be costly and time-consuming. "It would take three to five years for some systems, five to 10 years for others, depending on where you wanted to spend your money," Barrie said. Not to mention assets such as satellite systems and strategic nuclear bombers that would take decades to replace -- if they can ever really be substituted. Doubts over Trump's reliability have also fuelled questions about whether Europe should keep buying equipment from the United States. Worries he could hobble F-35s by refusing software updates or spare parts have led several countries to reconsider purchases -- and prompted renewed calls from the likes of France to cut reliance on Washington. "This is a real opportunity for Europe to question its own model and possibly its own dependencies," said French air force general Laurent Rataud. But while equivalents for much of the equipment do exist in Europe, production times are often long and the continent doesn't yet produce a fifth-generation stealth jet like the F-35. "It's of the utmost importance that my women and men have the best equipment," said Dutch air force chief Andre Steur. "For me it's less relevant where that kit is built." - 'No match' - Despite gaps in their inventories, NATO's European members insist they'd be able to handle a fight for the skies against Russia -- even without the United States. "We actually have some pretty strong air forces," Lieutenant Colonel Martin Friis, a Danish officer at NATO's air command, told AFP. "Some of them maybe have gotten smaller, but the technology, the weapons and the training is, compared to what we see from at least one potential opponent -- they're no match." During the Cold War, the NATO alliance believed it would have air dominance over the Soviet Union thanks to its technological superiority. As the threat receded after the fall of Communism, air forces often downsized and readapted to new missions in places like Afghanistan, where their opponents lacked firepower. NATO has closely watched how Moscow failed to gain air superiority in Ukraine against Kyiv's much smaller force, and learnt its lessons. Commodore Marcel van Egmond, head of the Dutch air combat command, said he is confident that European countries would have the upper hand over Russia -- at least in the early days of any conflict. "But we need help for the longer fight, maybe from the US," he told AFP. "The long-term sustainment, in terms of capacity that we have, might be a challenge." Panama deal allows US to deploy troops to canal Panama City, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 US troops will be able to deploy to a string of bases along the Panama Canal under a joint deal seen by AFP Thursday, a major concession to President Donald Trump as he seeks to reestablish influence over the vital waterway. The agreement, signed by top security officials from both countries, allows US military personnel to deploy to Panama-controlled facilities for training, exercises and "other activities." The deal stops short of allowing the United States to build its own permanent bases on the isthmus, a move that would be deeply unpopular with Panamanians and legally fraught. But it gives the United States broad sway to deploy an unspecified number of personnel to bases, some of which Washington built when it occupied the canal zone decades ago. Trump, since returning to power in January, 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 strategic waterway that the United States funded, built and controlled until 1999. The United States has long participated in military exercises in Panama. However, a longer-term rotational force -- such as the one the United States maintains in Darwin, Australia -- could prove politically toxic for Panama's center-right leader Jose Raul Mulino. - 'Country on fire' - Mulino was on Thursday in Peru, where he revealed that the United States had asked to have its own bases. Mulino said he had told visiting Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth that US bases, allowed under an earlier draft, would be "unacceptable." He warned Hegseth: "Do you want to create a mess, what we've put in place here would set the country on fire." In the watered-down "Memorandum of Understanding", signed by Hegseth and Panama's security chief Frank Abrego Wednesday, Panama won its own concessions. The United States recognized Panama's sovereignty -- not a given following Trump's refusal to rule out an invasion -- and Panama will retain control over any installations. Panama will also have to agree to any deployments. But given Trump's willingness to rip up or rewrite trade deals, treaties and agreements, that might offer little comfort to worried Panamanians. "What we have here is a setback to national sovereignty," Panamanian trade union leader Saul Mendez told AFP. "What the Panamanian government has done is an act of treason. They are traitors and must be tried." - Difficult history - The country has a long and difficult relationship with the United States. They have close cultural and economic ties, despite the decades-long US occupation of the canal zone and US invasion 35 years ago to overthrow dictator Manuel Noriega. That invasion killed more than 500 Panamanians and razed parts of the capital. Trump's vow to take back the canal, and his claim of Chinese influence have prompted mass demonstrations. By law, Panama operates the canal, giving access to all nations. But the US president has zeroed in on the role of a Hong Kong company that has operated ports at either end of the canal linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans for decades. Under pressure from the White House, Panama has accused the Panama Ports Company of failing to meet its contractual obligations and pushed for the firm to pull out of the country. The ports' parent company CK Hutchison announced last month 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. Pistorius: Given Russia's ongoing aggression, peace in Ukraine appears unattainable in near future German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius assured of continued military support for Ukraine and emphasized that Russia is not ready for peace. At NATO headquarters in Brussels, for the first time, a meeting of the Contact Group on the Defence of Ukraine (the Ramstein format) was held under joint German-British leadership, chaired by British Defence Secretary John Healey and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. "Given Russia's ongoing aggression against Ukraine, we must acknowledge that peace in Ukraine appears to be unattainable in the near future," Pistorius said at a press conference after the meeting. According to the minister, "we guarantee that Ukraine will continue to benefit from our joint military support." "Russia must understand that Ukraine is capable of continuing the fight, and we will support it," Pistorius noted. US Senate approves Trump's nominee for top military officer Washington, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 The US Senate approved Donald Trump's nominee to be the nation's top military officer on Friday after the president abruptly fired the previous chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff this year. Lawmakers signed off on Dan Caine's nomination and promotion to four-star general in an early morning vote of 60 to 25 ahead of a two-week recess. Trump's administration has dismissed a series of senior officers as part of a rare and major shakeup of top US military leadership that began shortly after he returned to office in January. Democrats have sharply criticized the firings -- including of the previous Joint Chiefs chairman, general Charles "CQ" Brown -- accusing Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth of seeking to ensure the military is led by people loyal to the president. Caine sought to allay such concerns about his nomination during his confirmation hearing last week, pledging that he would "continue the traditions and standards of my oath of office and my commission as a nonpartisan leader who will always strive to do the right thing." He said that guarding against politicization of the military "starts with being a good example from the top and making sure that we are nonpartisan and apolitical and speaking the truth to power every day." "The nation and the Constitution all require a nonpartisan military," said Caine, who as a retired lieutenant general was a highly unusual candidate for the top military post. Nominees for chairman of the Joint Chiefs must have served as the head of a military branch, as leader of a combatant command or as vice chairman -- none of which Caine has done -- but the president can waive that requirement. - Top officers fired - Caine has served in positions including associate director for military affairs at the CIA as well as in various operational and staff roles, and flew more than 150 hours in combat as an F-16 pilot -- an aircraft in which he has logged more than 2,800 hours in total. Trump has described him as "an accomplished pilot, national security expert, successful entrepreneur, and a 'warfighter' with significant interagency and special operations experience." The president apparently became enamored of Caine after meeting him in Iraq during his first term, where Trump said the general told him that his nickname was "Razin." "I said, wait a minute, your name is Razin Caine? I love you, I've been looking for you for five years... this is what I want," Trump told an investor forum in February. But Trump has soured on the country's top military officer before. General Mark Milley began serving as chairman of the Joint Chiefs during the president's first term but later clashed with him and was stripped of his security detail and security clearance in retirement this year. The president fired Brown in February, less than two years into his four-year term as chairman, which began under Trump's predecessor Joe Biden -- a move that cleared the way for Caine's nomination. Other senior officers dismissed this year include the heads of the Navy and Coast Guard, the general who headed the National Security Agency, the vice chief of staff of the Air Force, a Navy admiral assigned to NATO, and three top military lawyers. Hegseth has insisted the president is simply choosing the leaders he wants, but Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about the potential politicization of the traditionally apolitical US military. Gaza rescuers say children among 10 killed in Israeli strike Gaza City, Palestinian Territories, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 Gaza rescuers said a pre-dawn Israeli air strike Friday killed 10 members of the same family, while the UN stated that dozens of recent Israeli attacks on the Palestinian territory had left only women and children dead. The UN rights office report also warned that expanding Israeli evacuation orders were resulting in the "forcible transfer" of people into ever-shrinking spaces in the Palestinian territory, where the war began 18 months ago. The Israeli military said it was looking into the attack that killed members of the same family in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, adding in a separate statement that it had struck approximately 40 "terror targets" across the Palestinian territory over the past day. Israel resumed intense strikes on the Gaza Strip on March 18, ending a two-month ceasefire with Hamas. Since then, more than 1,500 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory to which Israel cut off aid more than a month ago. "Ten people, including seven children, were brought to the hospital as martyrs following an Israeli air strike that targeted the Farra family home in central Khan Yunis," Gaza civil defence agency spokesperson Mahmud Bassal told AFP. Medics and rescuers transported the dead and injured to hospital in multiple ambulances, with several bodies wrapped in white shrouds and blankets, AFP footage of the aftermath showed. Footage of the house showed a heavily destroyed structure. Mangled concrete slabs and twisted metal were strewn across the site. Witnesses reported continuous and intensive Israeli tank fire in Khan Yunis. The civil defence agency also reported two people killed in an Israeli strike in the Al-Atatra area in the northern city of Beit Lahia. - 'Women and children' - Early on Friday, the Israeli military issued an "urgent and serious" evacuation warning to residents of several areas east of Gaza City. "The IDF is operating with great force in your areas to destroy terrorist infrastructure. For your safety, you must evacuate these areas immediately and move to the known shelters in western Gaza City," Avichay Adraee, the military's Arabic-language spokesman, said on X. A separate military statement said its forces had overnight "deepened ground activity in the Morag Corridor," referring to a new buffer zone between the southern cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis. The UN on Friday decried the impact of ongoing Israeli strikes across Gaza, finding that "a large percentage of fatalities are children and women". "Between 18 March and 9 April 2025, there were some 224 incidents of Israeli strikes on residential buildings and tents for internally displaced people," the United Nations human rights office said in Geneva. It said that "in some 36 strikes about which the UN Human Rights Office corroborated information, the fatalities recorded so far were only women and children". The Israeli military has repeatedly said that Palestinian militants often take refuge among civilians, a charge denied by Hamas. The war in Gaza broke out after Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel that resulted in the deaths of 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. During the attack, militants took 251 people hostage, 58 of whom are still held in Gaza, including 34 the Israeli military says are dead. Gaza's health ministry said on Thursday that at least 1,522 Palestinians have been killed in the renewed Israeli operations since March 18, taking the overall death toll since the start of the war to 50,886. - Ceasefire efforts - A truce brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar that took effect on January 19 and lasted until 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. In a message marking the Jewish Passover holiday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his pledge to bring back the remaining captives. His comments came after US President Donald Trump suggested progress in hostage release talks, telling a cabinet meeting on Thursday that "we're getting close to getting them back". In his message for Passover -- a holiday celebrating the biblical liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt -- Netanyahu said "for many families there will be empty chairs" but "together we will return our hostages". Netanyahu has insisted increased military pressure is the only way to get the captives home but around 1,000 reserve and retired air force pilots challenged that premise in a full-page letter in multiple newspapers. A military official said they will be fired after their letter which said, "The war serves primarily political and personal interests". Israeli media reported Friday that Egypt and Israel had exchanged draft documents on a ceasefire-hostage release deal. The Times of Israel reported that the Egyptian proposal would provide for the release of eight living hostages and eight bodies in exchange for a truce of between 40 and 70 days and a large number of Palestinian prisoner releases. Germany urges 'diplomatic solution' ahead of Iran-US nuclear talks Berlin, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 Germany urged Friday a "diplomatic solution" ahead of this weekend's nuclear talks between Iran and the United States after President Donald Trump said military action was possible if negotiations fail. Longtime adversaries Iran and the United States are set to hold talks on Saturday in Muscat on Tehran's nuclear programme. The West has voiced fears Iran is seeking nuclear bombs, an ambition Tehran denies. "We need a diplomatic solution," German foreign ministry spokesman Christian Wagner told a press conference, while stressing it was a "positive development that there is a channel for dialogue between Iran and the United States". Trump last month sent a letter to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urging negotiations and warning of military action if Tehran refuses. On Wednesday Trump said military action against Iran was "absolutely" possible if talks failed to produce a deal. Wagner said that Germany "remains extremely concerned about the Iranian nuclear programme... Iran has continuously escalated the situation, significantly expanding enrichment capacities. "Finding a resolution to this issue becomes increasingly urgent." Germany was among the countries that struck a historic accord with Iran in 2015 that saw sanctions relief in exchange for limits on the nuclear programme. Trump, during his first period as president, withdrew from the deal, and tensions between the West and Tehran have repeatedly flared since. Iran has held several rounds of talks with Germany, France and Britain about its nuclear programme after reviving engagement with the trio, known as the E3, last year. Wagner said the "shared goal" of the three European powers was to find a solution that "ensures Iran does not develop nuclear weapons, as this would have enormous destabilising effects on the entire region". The Europeans were "of course" working "in close coordination with the United States on this matter", he added. Europe vows more arms for Ukraine as US takes backseat Brussels, Belgium, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 Ukraine's European allies vowed Friday to step up weapons deliveries as support from the United States dries up under President Donald Trump. The US leader has switched Washington's focus from backing Kyiv's fight against Russia's invasion to trying to negotiate a peace deal with President Vladimir Putin to halt the war. Britain and Germany took the reins of a meeting of Ukraine's backers at NATO's headquarters in Brussels -- that used to be chaired by the United States under president Joe Biden. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth dialled into the talks via video call. "In the weeks to come, we will see what's going to happen with the US participation, with the US support. I am not able to have a look in the crystal ball," German defence minister Boris Pistorius said. "We take on more responsibility as Europeans." British defence minister John Healey said overall some 21 billion euros ($24 billion) more has been promised towards helping arm Ukraine. He said London was looking to surge support worth $450 million -- including thousands of drones -- to Kyiv's fighters on the front line. "2025 is the critical year for this war in Ukraine, and now is the critical moment in that war," Healey said. "We are sending a signal to Putin, but we are also sending a message to Ukraine, and we are saying to Ukraine, we stand with you in the fight." Ukraine's defence minister, Rustem Umerov, said that "Europe is taking over the lead in security assistance, for which we are thankful". "It's a share of responsibilities, European partners are taking the lead and the US is beside us and focused on the peace." What is Europe's plan for Ukraine 'reassurance force'? Brussels, Belgium, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 Britain and France are spearheading talks among a 30-nation "coalition of the willing" on potentially deploying forces to Ukraine to shore up any ceasefire US President Donald Trump may strike. But many questions remain unanswered, from the size of any force, to who would contribute, what the mandate would be and whether the United States would back it up. Here's what we know about the planning so far: - 'Reassurance' not 'peacekeeping' force - London and Paris describe the possible deployment as a "reassurance force" aimed at offering Ukraine some kind of security guarantee in the event Trump strikes a deal. No one is saying yet where in the war-torn country any foreign troops could be based -- but one thing seems clear, they wouldn't be on the front line. "This is not a peacekeeping force that will separate the currently warring sides down the line of contact," Britain's defence minister John Healey said after talks in Brussels on Thursday. Healey said the deployment had several objectives, "first to secure safe skies, second, to secure safe seas, third, to support a peace on the land, and fourth, to support the Ukrainian armed forces to become their own strongest possible deterrent." The UK media reported in February that initial discussions had put the size of any force at fewer than 30,000 troops -- but diplomats have since said it would likely be smaller. - Rebuild Ukraine's forces - Officials increasingly stress that a key purpose for any foreign deployment would be to give Ukraine's forces time to reconstitute after over three years of gruelling war. "Ultimately, these security guarantees are also there to allow for a path of regeneration for the Ukrainian armed forces," French defence minister Sebastien Lecornu said. That could mean Western forces would be involved in training their Ukrainian counterparts. Western intelligence agencies estimate that if peace comes in Ukraine it would take Russia three to five years to fully rebuild its forces -- giving that timeframe to help Kyiv get up to strength. Diplomats say that once Ukraine's military is strong enough, the foreign force could be scaled back. - Rules of engagement - For now all the planning remains hypothetical. Trump's efforts to agree a ceasefire have stalled and until an agreement is in place it is near impossible to set precise rules for any force. "There are difficult questions that are not answered yet: what exactly our mandate would be, what we would do there when Russia violates the ceasefire," said Lithuania's defence minister Dovile Sakaliene. So far only a handful of countries -- including Britain, France and the Baltic states -- have said they'd be willing to send troops to Ukraine. Russia has said it would not agree to troops from any NATO countries deploying in Ukraine. - US role - One major question is if the United States could have any role in backing up the force. Washington has so far suggested it would be down to the Europeans to do the heavy lifting. But multiple European countries insist they'd want to see the United States involved somehow -- either offering air cover and logistical support from a distance, or at least being ready to step in if the situation escalates. "It's important to keep the United States on board," said Dutch defence minister Ruben Brekelmans. "You can have different types of missions with different risk profiles, and in general, the higher the risk of confrontation then the more important it is the United States is closely involved." Court throws out lawsuit on Danish arms sales to Israel Copenhagen, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 A Copenhagen court on Friday rejected a lawsuit filed by four humanitarian organisations accusing Denmark of violating international law by exporting weapons to Israel. The Palestinian human rights association Al-Haq, Amnesty International, Oxfam and ActionAid Denmark said they would appeal the decision to Denmark's Supreme Court. "As human rights organisations... if we cannot try this case, then there is no one in Denmark who would be granted a legal interest," Tim Whyte, the secretary general of ActionAid Denmark, told AFP. The four organisations had filed their lawsuit against the Danish foreign ministry and national police last year. They argued there was a risk that "Danish military materiel (F-35 components) was being used to commit serious crimes against civilians in Gaza". Danish media outlets Danwatch and Information revealed in 2023 that Israel's F-35s were equipped with parts made by the Danish group Terma. In a ruling seen by AFP, the Eastern High Court wrote that the plaintiffs in the case "cannot be considered to be affected in such a direct, individual and concrete manner that they meet the general conditions of Danish law regarding their right to bring proceedings". Whyte said the ruling meant that "there is no one that can test the legality of the government's commitments to international conventions in this case." "We feel that is a very dangerous precedent." - In line with 'obligations' - "Arms exports are a human rights issue, and our legal interest is clear," the secretary general of the Danish branch of Amnesty International, Vibe Klarup, said in a statement. In their lawsuit, the associations targeted the foreign ministry, since it "determines whether there is a risk that weapons and weapons components could be used to violate human rights", as well as the police, because it was the authority responsible for issuing export licences. "Denmark's position on export control, also in relation to the F-35 programme, is in accordance with applicable EU and international law obligations," the Danish foreign ministry told AFP in an email. But Whyte said the court ruling should be seen in light of the major geopolitical changes under way at the moment. "European countries are concerned about their national security," he said, adding that defence cooperation "is a question on all politicians' minds, legitimately". That should be reason enough for the courts to examine their lawsuit, he said. "What the arms convention (Arms Trade Treaty) shows us quite clearly is you cannot have arms agreements and commitments and trade together with countries that do not respect international law," he said. The Danish lawsuit was filed in March 2024, on the heels of a similar suit filed in the Netherlands by a coalition of humanitarian organisations. A Dutch court in December rejected demands by pro-Palestinian groups for a total ban on exporting goods to Israel that can be used for military means. Iran says seeks 'real and fair' deal in nuclear talks with US Tehran, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 Iran seeks a "real and fair" agreement with Washington on its nuclear programme, a senior aide to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Friday, setting the stage for a diplomatic showdown this weekend in Oman. Longtime adversaries Iran and the United States are set to hold talks on Saturday aimed at reaching a deal on Tehran's nuclear programme. US President Donald Trump last month wrote to Khamenei urging negotiations, but warning of possible military action if Iran refuses. "Far from putting up a show and merely talking in front of the cameras, Tehran is seeking a real and fair agreement, important and implementable proposals are ready," Khamenei adviser Ali Shamkhani posted on X. He confirmed that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was heading to Oman "with full authority for indirect negotiations with America", adding that if Washington showed goodwill, the path forward would be "smooth". Ahead of the talks, Trump reiterated that military action was "absolutely" possible if they failed. Iran responded by saying Tehran could expel UN nuclear inspectors, prompting another US warning that this would be an "escalation". Iran has consistently denied seeking to acquire nuclear weapons. On Friday, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said Iran was "giving diplomacy a genuine chance in good faith and full vigilance". "America should appreciate this decision, which was made despite their hostile rhetoric," he said. - 'Stupid actions' - The talks were first announced by Trump during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Washington. He said they would be high-level and "direct", but Iran insisted they would be "indirect". Araghchi and US special envoy Steve Witkoff are due to lead the talks in Oman, which has played a mediating role on the Iran nuclear issue. Witkoff visited Iran's ally Russia on Friday for talks on Ukraine with President Vladimir Putin. Expert-level consultations between Russia, China and Iran on nuclear issues were held in Moscow on Tuesday, Russia's foreign ministry said. Iran has in recent months also been talking with the three European signatories of the 2015 nuclear deal, France, Germany and Britain. The 2015 accord saw sanctions relief for Iran in exchange for limits on its nuclear programme. On Friday, the European Union cautioned that there was "no alternative to diplomacy" on the Iranian nuclear issue. Germany urged both sides to reach a "diplomatic solution", calling it a "positive development that there is a channel for dialogue between Iran and the United States". On Thursday, Washington imposed additional sanctions on Iran, targeting its oil network and nuclear programme. Iran's nuclear agency chief Mohammad Eslami downplayed their impact. "They applied maximum pressure with various sanctions, but they were unable to prevent the country from progressing," he said. "They still think that they can stop this nation and country with threats and intimidation, psychological operations, or stupid actions." - 'Threats and intimidation' - Iran has been in the spotlight since Trump returned to office, and its regional allies have suffered major setbacks. Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon have suffered staggering losses in conflicts with Israel sparked by the October 7, 2023 attack. Since the Gaza war began, Iran and Israel have attacked each other directly for the first time. Warning of military action against Iran should the talks fail, Trump said US ally Israel would "obviously be very much involved in that, be the leader of that". Khamenei's adviser Shamkhani said such threats could prompt the expulsion of UN nuclear watchdog inspectors. "Transfer of enriched materials to secure locations may also be considered," he added of Iran's uranium enrichment activities. While the West wants to include Iran's ballistic missile programme and regional influence in negotiations, Tehran maintains it will talk only about its nuclear programme. "If the American side does not raise irrelevant issues and demands and puts aside threats and intimidation, there is a good possibility of reaching an agreement," deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi said. Hardline Iranian media are sceptical about the talks. The Kayhan newspaper warned that the new sanctions showed the United States was "an enemy of Iran and its people", and dismissed negotiations to lift sanctions as a "failed strategy". Reformist media were more optimistic, emphasising the potential economic and investment opportunities the talks could create. During his first term, Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed sweeping economic sanctions. Tehran adhered to the deal for a year before rolling back its own commitments. Engine failure caused Kenya helicopter crash killing defence chief: MoD Nairobi, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 A helicopter crash that killed Kenya's defence chief and nine other top brass last year was due to engine failure, a ministry of defence report said Friday. The accident on April 18 took place in a remote northwestern part of the east African country, killing General Francis Omondi Ogolla, the chief of the Kenya Defence Forces. The Kenya Air Force dispatched an investigation team to establish the cause of the crash, which happened in Elgeyo Marakwet county, roughly 400 kilometres (250 miles) northwest of the capital, Nairobi. Determining the cause of the accident, a joint investigation with military experts and the Kenya Air Force said the Huey Helicopter KAF 1501 "crashed due to engine malfunction". The investigation -- which interviewed 12 people, including three witnesses and two survivors -- said the helicopter "shortly after departure from Cheptulel Boys High School, crashed on a community farm... and immediately caught fire on impact". Prior to the crash, a witness on the ground reported a "loud bang", the report said, before the engine "experienced a complete power loss". It noted the helicopter had undergone 300 hours of inspections between June 2021 and October 2023, and during two "major inspections, no major defects were diagnosed". The last inspection was April 2 to 4. It cleared both pilots, noting their respective experience and stating: "aircrew aspect was therefore a less likely contributing factor." E. Europe watching closely as US weighs troop numbers Paris, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 A reduction in the number of US soldiers in eastern Europe would be seen as Washington moving another step closer to Moscow and a worrying sign for Europeans, according to analysts. The NBC news channel, quoting US and European sources, said this week that Department of Defense officials were looking at the withdrawal of 10,000 troops. The 10,000 are part of the 20,000 additional military personnel deployed by the Joe Biden administration to bolster eastern Europe's security after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In all, some 100,000 US soldiers are based in Europe, just over 65,000 of them permanently, according to the Pentagon. General Christopher Cavoli, head of US forces in Europe, on Wednesday told the US House of Representatives that the figures were constantly reviewed. "I have consistently recommended... to maintain the forces we surged forward and I would continue to do so," he said. - Force review - During the same hearing, Katherine Thompson, a Pentagon official, did not rule out that option, adding that a review of US deployments across the world was under way based on President Donald Trump's "stated interests". "No decision has been made at this time as part of that global force review," she said. Trump has repeatedly argued that keeping a US military presence across the world is too costly and that the country's strategic priority is China. Artur Kacprzyk, an analyst in the international security programme at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, said it was "easier" to withdraw rotational forces than permanent ones. But eastern European countries such as Poland, Romania or the Baltic states hope to keep their US contingents. "Poland has been repeatedly mentioned as a country worth investing in," said Poland's Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz. "So, looking from the other side so to speak, they're probably not looking among those who are their closest allies to put them through anything." - 'Huge concession' - George Scutaru, founder of the New Strategy Center and a former national security adviser to Romania's president, said a reduction "would be a very bad signal" and encourage Russian aggression "towards Europe, in Europe". "This will be interpreted like a huge concession made by America to Russia," he told AFP. "Such a reduction would increase concerns about US reliability as an ally, and concerns that the US is working on some kind of a deal with the Russians at the expense of the security of the countries of the region," added Kacprzyk. Trump's phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin, US-Russia bilateral meetings, prisoner exchanges and talks to end the war in Ukraine have spooked Washington's traditional allies. The presence of US troops in the former communist bloc is a constant bugbear for the Kremlin and in 2021 it demanded the withdrawal of allied forces from NATO's eastern flank. "Obviously, Russia would welcome a reduction in US forces near its borders," said Kacprzyk. Now, said Scutaru, "it's impossible to decouple" negotiations about Ukraine and the deeper, more long-term US disengagement from Europe. "Already under (US President Barack) Obama in 2013-14 there was a first move with the withdrawal of two of the four combat brigades," said Guillaume Lasconjarias, from the French Institute for Advance Studies in National Defence (IHEDN) The profile of US infantry units in Europe has been transformed, he said, with fewer combat troops, more support personnel facilitating the rapid redeployment of fighters and an increase in the capabilities of European countries. Any withdrawal of these reinforcement troops sent in 2022 would re-establish the "status quo ante", he added. But a keen eye is needed on what will be decided, particularly the fate of the US Army V Corps, which partially returned to Poland in 2022. "During the Cold War era, the V Corps was the one structuring the defence against the Iron Curtain," said Lasconjarias. "If they close it, the signal is that we are returning to a peacetime posture and not a crisis time posture." fz/cat/jp/phz Estonia navy detains suspected 'shadow fleet' tanker Tallinn, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 Estonia's navy said it detained on Friday an oil tanker believed to belong to Russia's "shadow fleet" in the Gulf of Finland in order to check its papers. The navy stressed that there was no danger to critical infrastructure. Previous incidents had seen underwater cables damaged in suspected sabotage. Security analysts say Russia is operating a large "shadow fleet" of hundreds of vessels, seeking to dodge the sanctions Western nations imposed on its oil exports over the war in Ukraine. Several undersea Baltic cables were damaged last year, with many experts calling it part of a "hybrid war" carried out by Russia against Western countries. "The purpose of detaining the ship was to check its papers and legal status," Estonian navy commander Ivo Vark told reporters. "The detention and the investigations carried out are in no way related to damage to critical infrastructure," he added. The vessel, the Kiwala, is under sanctions from Canada, the European Union, Switzerland and the United Kingdom and was on its way to the Russian port of Ust-Luga, according to Vark. The navy said its inspection found the Kiwala to be stateless. A certificate saying it sailed under the flag of Djibouti was disputed by the African country, it added. "It's no secret that during this last year enough vessels without papers have appeared in the Gulf of Finland," Estonian border guard head Veiko Kommusaar said. "And it's safe to say this is part of the shadow fleet," he added. Kommusaar said the captain was Chinese, with most of the 24-member crew from either China or Mauritania. Estonia's leading Postimees daily reported that the tanker is owned by Tirad Shipping Inc, which has just this one ship and is registered in Mauritius. EU to provide with EUR 1 bln in grants to Ukraine for defense industry under Danish Model EU Ambassador Photo: https://www.facebook.com/kmathernova European Union Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova detailed how EUR 2.1 billion generated from frozen Russian central bank assets will be allocated to Ukraine in the near future. This week, the European Commission will receive EUR 2.1 billion in windfall revenues from immobilized Russian central bank assets held in central securities depositories. The majority of these funds will be used to procure weapons, ammunition, and air defense systems for Ukraine in the form of grants, the ambassador said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine. She clarified that part of the funds will be directed to EU member states for the purchase of ammunition and air defense systems. Of the total EUR 2.1 billion, EUR 1 billion will go directly to Ukraine's defense industry under the so-called "Danish model." Mathernova recalled that the EU had already invested EUR 400 million into Ukraine's defense sector in August of last year. This time, the EU will provide EUR 1 billion in grants for the Ukrainian defense industry, contract preparations are currently underway, she added. Mathernova highlighted the significance of the 10th meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council, which focused primarily on practical matters related to Ukraine's EU integration. This is a major event that typically takes place once a year, very productive discussions were held, the ambassador said. Several announcements were made regarding support for Ukraine, and one such announcement concerned the additional EUR 1 billion allocation under the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration for Ukraine (ERA) initiative, the ambassador added. Additionally, five new agreements between Ukraine and the EU were signed in Brussels yesterday. These included three financial contracts worth EUR 300 million between the European Investment Bank and Ukraine. The financing will help local entities swiftly restore critical infrastructure such as water supply systems and energy-efficient facilities, alleviating pressure on public administration while ensuring effective project implementation. These projects, supported through the EU's Ukraine Fund, underscore the bloc's unwavering commitment to Ukraine's recovery and long-term resilience, the ambassador said. The European Commission also signed agreements on Ukraine's participation in the EU Space Programme's Copernicus component, as well as subcomponents covering Space Weather Events and Near-Earth Objects. As previously reported by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, the European Union is expected to transfer a second tranche of EUR 2.1 billion in late April from revenues generated by immobilized Russian assets. Child rights violations in Myanmar surge since coup: UN United Nations, United States, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 UN chief Antonio Guterres, in a report released Friday, denounced a dramatic surge in the abuse of children's rights in Myanmar since the country's 2021 coup, particularly through forced recruitment by the military. The report, which covers the period from July 2020 to the end of 2023, confirmed over 5,140 "grave violations" committed against more than 4,000 children, some as young as three months old. The figures mark a 400 percent increase over the previous period of September 2018 to June 2020, with a sharp rise since the military overthrow of the government in February 2021 and the subsequent resumption of fighting between the army and various armed ethnic groups. The report attributed the vast majority of the abuses to Myanmar armed forces and affiliated groups. "I am deeply alarmed by the surge in grave violations against children and the multiplication in the number of armed actors," Secretary-General Guterres said in the report. "I am appalled by the scale of recruitment and use and by the surge in the killing and maiming of children, notably as a result of the widespread use of indiscriminate air strikes and firearms, explosive ordnance, in particular landmines, and the rise in attacks on schools and on hospitals by all parties to the conflict, in particular by the Myanmar armed forces," he added. Guterres also called on all parties "to release all children from their ranks." Cases of child recruitment accounted for about 40 percent of the violations, the report stated, with the phenomenon expanding to all states and regions following the coup. The number of abductions of children also sharply increased, by nearly 3,000 percent, with many of those abducted being forced to undertake military training. The report found that minors were also used to recruit other children, gather information or extort money, and serve as human shields for military forces. Head of US base in Greenland fired after Vance visit Copenhagen, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 The head of the US military base in Greenland, a Danish territory coveted by US President Donald Trump, has been fired for criticising Washington's agenda for the Arctic island. Colonel Susannah Meyers, who had served as commander of the Pituffik Space Base since July, was removed after reports she distanced herself and the base from US Vice President JD Vance's criticism of Denmark and its oversight of the territory during his visit two weeks ago. "Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties," the US Space Force said in a statement late Thursday. The statement did not expand further but US website Military.com said Meyers sent a March 31 email 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". During his March 28 visit to the base, Vance told a press conference: "Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland." "You have under-invested in the people of Greenland and you have under-invested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass," he added. - 'We decide our own future' - Both Nuuk and Copenhagen viewed the visit as a provocation. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen said on social media: "We are open to criticisms, but let me be completely honest, we do not appreciate the tone in which it's being delivered." And Greenland's new prime minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, said in a Facebook post that "the United States will not get Greenland. We don't belong to anyone else. We decide our own future". In her email, relayed to Military.com, Meyers wrote: "I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the US administration discussed by Vice President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base." On X, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said "actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense". Meyers has been replaced by Colonel Shawn Lee, the US Space Force said. Trump has insisted that Washington needs control of Greenland for national and international security and has refused to rule out the use of force to secure it, causing tensions to soar between the United States and Denmark. Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen travelled to Greenland last week, telling the United States that "you cannot annex another country." "It is clear that with the pressure put on Greenland by the Americans, in terms of sovereignty, borders and the future, we need to stay united," she said during the trip. Polls show a vast majority of Greenland's 57,000 people want to become independent from Denmark but do not wish to become part of the United States. cbw-po/wd/phz Norway has officially joined the international Drone Coalition, the country's Defense Ministry announced. " Norway is now officially a part of the international drone coalition led by Latvia and UK. Together we are building a strong alliance to support Ukraine," the ministry said on X. It is noted that the minister of defense Tore O. Sandvik prepared the necessary documents in Brussels on Friday morning. As reported, the Drone Coalition was officially launched as part of the work of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense in February 2024. Speaking at Downing Street, she told reporters: We continue to engage with our counterparts in the United States, and of course we want to secure the best deal possible for British jobs and British industry. And we are absolutely resolved to do everything we can. Who's in the Royal Box at Wimbledon? Gary Lineker, Mary Berry and Anthony Joshua among famous faces on Centre Court on day five Who's in the Royal Box at Wimbledon Centre Court on day five? This is the answer. Coop lives in the present day or at least, in those heady few years before the 2008 crash. He spends his life in pursuit of wealth, only for things to collapse around his ears once he thinks he has it all. As Hamm puts it, hes the type of man, who you could walk out of this hotel in New York City and run into four or five of [them] here in Midtown, within a few blocks. The total amount of time Ovsiannikov will serve was reduced by the 217 days he has spent on curfew, and he will spend up to half of his sentence in custody before he is released on licence. In March last year, he messaged a colleague: Europe is slowly getting Islamized, I genuinely think so. It creeps up on us. Its even worse in North Europe where Im from but you see it here as well. Even more clear after 7 October. They HATE the west. The package also includes a close fight military aid package with funding for radar systems, anti-tank mines and hundreds of thousands of drones worth more than 250 million, using funding from the UK and Norway building on the work of the drone capability coalition, led by the UK and Latvia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has enacted a decision by the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine dated April 11, 2025, introducing personal special economic and other restrictive measures (sanctions). Presidential decrees No. 229/2025 and No. 230/2025 detailing the sanctions have been published on the official presidential website. According to Decree No. 229/2025, sanctions have been imposed on 59 individuals, including citizens of the Russian Federation and China. Decree No. 230/2025 adds sanctions against 18 legal entities and 71 individuals. In a Telegram post, President Zelenskyy stated that the new sanctions target war propagandists as well as Russia's shadow fleet. "New sanctions underway. We are increasing pressure on war propagandists and those who justify Russia, and together with our partners, we are blocking the activities of Russia's shadow fleet. The relevant decrees are already on the website," Zelenskyy wrote. He also added that another decision by the National Security and Defense Council regarding certain officials also being prepared, with the corresponding decree to be released shortly. But we cannot consider the safety of people here in the UK and in neighbouring EU countries without looking at the root cause of the instability were facing: the fast-changing and increasingly volatile nature of world affairs right now, including Russias illegal invasion of Ukraine, he said. Harry is challenging the dismissal of his High Court claim against the 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. It cannot be good for the global economy. So it is really important that we actually utilise this pause and put it to good use, put it to work for the people who right across this country, right across Europe and right across America say, Will you ever get on with it?. Head of the communications department of the Air Force Command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Yuriy Ihnat, reported that since February 24, 2022, the Air Force, together with the Air Defense of the Defense Forces of Ukraine, shot down: 2,496 cruise missiles; 465 guided aircraft missiles; 97 ballistic missiles; 40 Kh-47M2 Kinzhal aeroballistic missiles and 17,575 Shahed-type attack UAVs. Ihnat noted that such results were achieved thanks to the support of Western partners. "It is worth adding that the lion's share of downed targets in this list is due to the receipt of modern anti-aircraft missile systems and missiles from partners!" Ihnat wrote on Facebook on Friday. The spokesperson also noted that the Armed Forces of Ukraine have almost exhausted the supply of missiles for Soviet equipment in service with the Air Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "For three years of war, of daily anti-aircraft battles, the Air Force has actually exhausted the resource of missiles for the Soviet anti-aircraft missile forces, and now our soldiers primarily count on the support of partners, in the context of the continuation of supplies of Western systems, and most importantly - missiles to them, to strengthen Ukrainian anti-aircraft defense," he noted. Ihnat noted that the soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces proved that they can quickly master the Patriot, F-16, Nasams and other technological weapons, and most importantly - "effectively use them against the second army of the world." "The enemy continues to terrorize the Ukrainian people with airstrikes, and we need greater protection for our country, for our cities and our children! We need greater protection for the stability of Europe and the entire civilized world!" emphasized the spokesperson. Norway will help arm the brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) with modern weapons, armored vehicles and other technological solutions, is ready to allocate significant funds for ammunition and develop defense-industrial cooperation, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said following a meeting with Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Onshuus Sandvik. "I was glad to meet with Minister of Defense of Norway Tore Onshuus Sandvik. I thanked my colleague for the initiative of the government and the support of the people of Norway - in particular, for the decision to allocate an additional EUR 5 billion in security assistance to Ukraine for 2025, raising the total amount of assistance for this hour to EUR 7 billion. Together, we analyzed ways to effectively direct these funds to strengthen the Defense Forces of Ukraine," Umerov wrote on Telegram on Friday. According to him, one of the main issues for discussion was equipping the units. "Norway will help arm our brigades with modern weapons, armored vehicles and other technological solutions. This is critical support against the backdrop of current threats," Umerov said. "The second priority is the provision of ammunition. We discussed various mechanisms for the supply of high-quality shells for the front. Norway, as an active participant in the Czech initiative, is ready to allocate significant funds for the purchase of ammunition for the Ukrainian army," the minister noted. The parties also focused on developing defense-industrial cooperation. "We discussed launching new joint projects with Norwegian companies, in particular in the areas of air defense and maritime solutions. We are moving towards deepening this cooperation," Umerov added. Over the past few days, units of the Special Operations Forces (SOF) of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have captured 14 Russian servicemen, including three officers, in Kursk region of the Russian Federation. As SOF reported, their operators carried out a series of special operations in Kursk region. During a series of fire contacts with the enemy, the soldiers forced the enemy troops to surrender. "As a result of planned and coordinated actions, about 30 enemy servicemen were also destroyed. The tasks were completed without losses. All prisoners of war are already giving testimony. We continue working!" the message says. Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/news/all Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked the participants of the 27th meeting of the Contact Group on Ukraine's Defense (Ramstein format) to focus primarily on air defense, and added that Ukraine needs ten Patriot air defense systems. Today, Im speaking to you from Kryvyi Rih. This city lives under almost constant air alerts because of drones or Russian missiles Our people, our children are under attacks in many-many cities and villages. Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Nikopol, Poltava, Mykolaiv, Zaporizhia, Sumy, Kharkiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, and many others. They all need protection from Russian missiles. You know that Ukraine has a shortage of air defense systems. You know that Patriot systems can effectively protect against ballistic threats, Zelenskyy said, speaking at the meeting. Addressing the leaders, the president stressed that Ukraine is forced to move the systems it has across the country in order to provide at least temporary protection to different cities. And you know what happens when even one system goes out of service it means lost lives. In Russia, they see this as their advantage their ability to be a terrorist state. And we must take away that ability their belief that killing can be treated lightly, Zelenskyy added. He asked the leaders to focus first and foremost on air defense for Ukraine, because Ukraine really needs it. Ten Patriot systems the free world has them. What is needed now are political decisions to make them work for peace. We need that result, the head of state stressed. The President also recalled that today marks exactly a month since Russia rejected the US proposal for a complete and unconditional ceasefire, and it is absolutely clear that the Russian Federation is the only reason for the war. Without strength against Russia, there will be no will in Russia to accept and implement any realistic and effective proposals for peace. I thank everyone who supports this kind of policy a policy of real results, the president said. In January - February 2025, the balance-of-payments current account posted a deficit of EUR 4,809 million, compared with EUR 2,600 million, 85% higher, in the first two months of 2024, the National Bank of Romania (BNR) informs in a press release on Friday. The breakdown shows that the deficit on trade in goods widened by EUR 1,502 million, the surplus on services fell by EUR 187 million, the primary income deficit increased by EUR 93 million, while the secondary income surplus decreased by EUR 427 million. In January - February 2025, total external debt rose by EUR 3,394 million to EUR 208,287 million, of which: long-term external debt at end-February 2025 ran at EUR 158,505 million (76.1 percent of total external debt), up 2.3 percent against end-2024; short-term external debt at end-February 2025 amounted to EUR 49,782 million (23.9 percent of total external debt), down 0.2 percent from end-2024. Long-term external debt service ratio stood at 10.6 percent in January - February 2025 against 19.6 percent in 2024. At end-February 2025, goods and services import cover ran at 5.9 months, as compared to 5.7 months at end-2024. At end-February 2025, the ratio of the National Bank of Romania's foreign exchange reserves to short-term external debt by remaining maturity came in at 99.5 percent, as against 99.1 percent at end-2024. National Defence Minister Angel Tilvar on Thursday participated in the Coalition of the Willing meeting in the format of Defence ministers, held at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels and led by the United Kingdom and France, on which this occasion he underlined Romania's position regarding a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. "Romania, which shares the longest land and sea border with Ukraine among NATO member states, has a direct interest in the conflict ending and the conclusion of a peace agreement that includes sold security guarantees for Ukraine. In line with the decisions adopted at the Supreme Council for National Defence meeting on 28 March, Romania emphasised at this meeting the importance of transatlantic cooperation in this process, as well as its position that peace negotiations cannot take place without the participation of Ukraine and Europe," the Ministry of National Defence (MApN) says. The Ministry reiterated that Romania does not envisage sending troops onto Ukrainian territory. Instead, the possibility is being considered of providing logistical support to international forces involved in implementing post-conflict security guarantees. The Ministry of National Defence said that it will continue to monitor the planning and coordination process alongside international partners. This commitment reflects Romania's strategic position and the importance it grants to Euro-Atlantic security. During the meeting, Angel Tilvar also highlighted the importance of achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine, which could contribute to the security and continued European path of the Republic of Moldova. Ensuring maritime security and freedom of navigation are essential elements of any future peace agreement. In this regard, the National Defence minister highlighted the role of the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea Task Group - MCM Black Sea - and the added value this allied cooperation initiative brings in enhancing maritime safety and security. Finance Minister Tanczos Barna said on Thursday evening in Craiova that Romania will come close to 100% absorption of funds from the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), even if the deadlines for this programme are not extended by the European Union. "When I say we'll reach close to 100%, I mean it seriously, because: 1. the 2014-2021 programming period ended with an absorption rate of - I'm quoting from memory, so I hope I'm not mistaken - 98.8-98.9%. So it's not true that Romania is incapable of absorbing funds. Regarding cohesion funds, we have a huge over-contracting rate; we are trying to maintain it at 150% in order not to stretch too far and to avoid putting too much pressure on the budget. There we have mature projects; the administrative-territorial units, town halls, and county councils have learned to prepare mature projects and ensure timely absorption," said Barna, who was attending the executive committee meeting of the Association of Romanian Municipalities (AMR) in Craiova. He also mentioned that within the PNRR, the Government will, this month, shift certain project packages - those expected to finish after August 2026 - and replace them with projects that are guaranteed to be completed by then, and which are already being implemented using national funds. "For example, those under the Ministry of Development's 'Anghel Saligny' programme, and those under the Ministry of the Environment through the Environmental Fund Administration (AFM). These are project packages worth billions of lei, billions of euros, and through these changes we're creating space to ensure funding for projects which, even if they fall outside the PNRR, can be continued in the following years. So we will do everything possible to maintain the pace of investments. This year, we have 150 billion lei in investments planned in the budget, and our goal is to achieve this practically historic record and to ensure economic growth in Romania. We can see what's happening globally - economic growth in Europe is slowing, orders in the industrial and automotive sectors may suffer - and we must rely on our own resources and strengths to ensure that Romanian companies receive orders from the state, in order to preserve jobs and ensure the payment of taxes and duties," added Minister Tanczos Barna. More than 13,200 houses and apartments were sold in Bucharest and the surrounding area in the first three months of the year, down 4.3% compared to the same period in 2024, according to an analysis by the real estate consultancy company SVN Romania based on statistics from the National Agency for Cadastre and Real Estate Advertising (ANCPI). Over 11,200 homes were traded in Bucharest in the first quarter, down 5.4% compared to the same period last year, while 1,960 homes were sold in the Ilfov County, up 2.4% compared to the first three months of 2024. The different annual variations between the two areas can also be explained by the decrease in the number of new homes completed in Bucharest, simultaneously with the delivery of an increasing number of homes in the surrounding localities of the capital city. "The first quarter of 2025 was a good one for the largest residential market in Romania, despite a 4.3% lower result compared to the same period last year, in a context in which the beginning of 2025 was marked by socioeconomic uncertainties but also by a prolonged period of holidays at the beginning of the year. The decrease in supply, corroborated with a demand that remained at a high level, led to even higher pressure on transaction prices. However, potential buyers seem to have already adapted to the new prices, the affordability of buying a home still remaining at a good level," commented Andrei Sarbu, CEO of SVN Romania. Approximately 18,000 new homes could be completed in Bucharest and its surroundings this year, according to SVN Romania, a level as low as that recorded in 2024, when the capital region saw the lowest number of homes delivered in the last five years. Almost 37,000 houses and apartments were sold in Romania in the first three months of this year, down 4.9% compared to the same period last year. Most residential units were transacted in Constanta, Cluj and Timis, official statistics also show. Individuals who display aggressive behaviour or cause damage to property belonging to the heritage of the Palace of Parliament could be banned from entering the premises for up to two years, according to a legislative proposal submitted by a group of MPs from the National Liberal Party (PNL), Social Democratic Party (PSD), Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) and the national minorities group. As part of this proposal, an electronic register will be created to record the details of those who breach the rules. The format and content of the Register, as well as the procedure for enforcing access bans, shall be approved by the administrators of the building within 30 days of the law coming into force. "Any person who displays physically or verbally aggressive behaviour, including the use of offensive language, insults, or abuse, either in the courtyard or inside the Palace of Parliament, or who damages property belonging to the heritage of the Parliament through their actions, shall be banned from accessing the premises for a period ranging from one month to 24 months," the legislative proposal reads. "Violation of the ban imposed under the provisions of this chapter shall constitute the offence of assault against a public official or other criminal offences, as defined by law," the legislative proposal further mentions. According to the explanatory note, the proposed amendments aim to enhance security measures at parliamentary level and to ensure the prevention and sanctioning of physically or verbally aggressive behaviour, including the use of offensive language, insults, or abuse, whether in the courtyard or within the interior spaces managed by the building administrators, as well as the destruction of property belonging to the heritage of the Palace of Parliament. The draft has been submitted to the Senate as the first notified chamber, with the Chamber of Deputies acting as the decision-making body. Social Democratic Party (PSD) deputy Mihai Ghigiu has submitted a bill to Parliament proposing the establishment of the National Institute for Public Sector Training, through the merger of four existing public institutions. "The National Institute for Public Sector Training is hereby established as a public institution of national interest, with legal personality, functioning as a specialised body of the central public administration, under the authority of the Prime Minister's Chancellery and coordinated by the Prime Minister. The Institute will be created by merging, through absorption, the National Institute of Administration, the Romanian Diplomatic Institute, the European Institute of Romania and the Training Centre for Industry Personnel in Busteni, which will be dissolved. The new institute will also take over training and professional development responsibilities from the National Institute for Health Services Management, the School of Public Finance and Customs under the National Agency for Fiscal Administration and the School of Taxation under the Ministry of Finance," the draft law reads. The purpose of the Institute is to implement the Governments strategic directions for strengthening the capacity of the public sector, including in the areas of European affairs and diplomacy, by ensuring the training and professional development of public sector personnel. The Institute will provide methodological support for the integration and coordination of joint strategic initiatives aimed at professionalising and modernising the public sector. The institution will be headed by a President with the rank of Secretary of State, assisted by a Vice-President with the rank of Undersecretary of State. Both are to be appointed and dismissed by decision of the Prime Minister, upon the proposal of the head of the Prime Minister's Chancellery. An Advisory Council will also operate alongside the Institute, consisting of 13 members appointed by the General Secretariat of the Government, the Prime Minister's Chancellery, ministries, local public administration associations and the academic community. The draft law will be up for public debate at the Chamber of Deputies until May 5. Presidential candidate Elena Lasconi declared on Friday that she is not "for sale" nor a "bargaining currency" for anyone, noting that she will continue to fight, even if the "gang" has illegally blocked her access to campaign money and she does not believe she will even have access to the USR headquarters. "Justice will be done in court, but it takes time," said Elena Lasconi, USR chairwoman, in a Facebook post, after the USR National Office decided to negotiate the conclusion of promotion contracts for her. "For every vulnerable Romanian in this country, for every child, for every woman, for the young, for all people of good faith, for our grandparents... look, that's why it's worth continuing the fight. I have faith that God has not taken His eyes off Romania. And He works through people. No matter how many blows I receive, my path will remain the Truth. I will continue to fight because I love this country with all my being. I will continue to fight for justice. A country does not change with one person, but with the involvement of each person. I am not for sale and I am not a bargaining chip for anyone. I am brave and I will not let myself be intimidated or blackmailed. Even if now it seems that a gang has taken everything from me, no one will take my spirit, values and principles," wrote Elena Lasconi. She added that "the power of the system is enormous" and "over the last 35 years it has been strengthened,every five years, using tools such as fear, manipulation and lies." "I trust that the good-faith people of this country want peace, freedom, truth, respect and love. That's what I can offer and, yes, I'm not perfect, but I am among you. I know your pain, I know your injustices and I believe with all my being that now is the time for justice to be done. I would have liked to travel to the country and the diaspora in the coming weeks, to come and see you, to look you in the eye and to talk to you about my plans for Romania. Unfortunately, the gang has illegally blocked my access to campaign money. Justice will be done in court, but it takes time. I don't think I will have access to television, radio, or the written press anymore. I don't think I will even have access to the USR headquarters anymore. So the only way to talk to you is through social media. I I'm counting on you. Thank you!," Lasconi also said. The USR political committee, meeting on Thursday, voted in favor of supporting Nicusor Dan in the presidential race. 225 votes were cast out of a total of 248. Of these, 168 were in favor of supporting Nicusor Dan (75%), 50 members voted against (22%), and 7 abstained (3%). At the same time, the USR National Bureau decided on Friday to mandate the general secretariat and the campaign coordinator to negotiate the conclusion of promotion contracts for the party president, Elena Lasconi. The Romanian state has acquired, through the National Forest Administration (RNP) Romsilva, over 4,000 hectares of forest, located in Neamt county, in the areas of the Grintes and Ceahlau rural towns, the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests (MMAP) informs on Friday, in a press release sent to AGERPRES. "The Romanian state owns, starting today, a forest covering an area of 4,063.25 hectares, located in the Neamt county, in the areas of the Grintes and Ceahlau rural towns, through the completion of its acquisition by the National Forest Administration - Romsilva. The transaction value was 111.83 million RON and it was approved through the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests, by Government Emergency Ordinance no. 5/2025. This represents the largest forest acquisition made to date on behalf of the Romanian state, and the area of more than 4 thousand hectares will enter the state's public patrimony," the press release states. According to the same source, since its establishment in 1991, until 2024, Romsilva has acquired, on behalf of the state, from private owners, a total of 10,322.76 hectares of forest land, as well as another 1,923.67 hectares of unproductive agricultural land, which were subsequently afforested. Thus, these acquisitions have contributed to the expansion of the state's forest land by over 12,246 hectares. "Through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, we have substantial budgets for afforestation and reforestation and we must take advantage of these calls that are open until January next year," emphasised the minister of environment, waters and forests, Mircea Fechet, in a statement RNP - Romsilva manages approximately 4.2 million hectares of forests, in public state ownership or in other forms of ownership, based on contracts. All forests in public state ownership benefit from forest management certification according to international standards. The films "Truth or Dare," directed by Simona Borcea, and "Hushes and Phonics," directed by Polish filmmaker Piotr Kaminski, won the Ex Aequo Jury Award at the fifth edition of the Film O'Clock International Festival, according to a press release sent to AGERPRES on Friday. The Ex Aequo Jury Award went to "Truth or Dare" for its "precise performances and well-defined coming-of-age universe," while "Hushes and Phonics" was recognised for its "subtle cinematography and nuanced acting," according to the jury's motivation. A Special Honourable Mention from the jury was awarded to "From You," directed by Jedrzej Gorski (Poland), for its "exceptional portrayal of the father-son relationship." The Audience Award, based on votes from filmgoers across the 11 participating countries, went to "A Promise to the Sea," directed by Hend Sohail (Egypt). The film moved audiences with its deeply human and universal story, capturing hearts through its sensitive and complex approach to themes such as promises and human connection, despite cultural differences. The short film competition was judged by an esteemed international panel: Romanian director and screenwriter Bogdan Muresanu, Hungarian cinematographer Eszter Csepeli and Egyptian producer Muhammad Taymour. This year's edition of the Film O'Clock International Festival brought together cinema lovers and film professionals from 11 countries - Romania, Lithuania, Ukraine, Moldova, Bulgaria, Greece, Egypt, South Africa, Serbia, Hungary and Poland - in a celebration of cultural diversity and dialogue through cinema. The festival screened 38 films across 94 screenings, providing a unique platform for connection and reflection on global filmmaking. Highlights included a masterclass on film education for children, led by Greek experts from Schedia Art, as well as interactive Q&A sessions with competing filmmakers and a vibrant intercultural evening. Poland played a central role in the programme under the aegis of Solidarity on Screen, an initiative organised in partnership with the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, as part of Poland's international cultural activities during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union. A standout moment from this year's edition was the launch of the Romanian-language podcast "Celluloid Solidarity," exploring the global influence of Polish cinema. The podcast addresses solidarity across multiple levels and serves as both an educational and cultural resource for audiences in Romania and the wider region. Another major draw was the screening of the contemporary documentary "Solaris Mon Amour," directed by Kuba Mikurda, a poetic exploration of Stanislaw Lem's masterpiece. Mikurda was the keynote speaker at the conference "Archives, Cinema and Collective Healing," which discussed the role of archives in preserving collective memory and the connection between film and healing processes. Film education also featured prominently, with an online discussion titled "Poets or Engineers on Filmmaking," featuring special guest Polish director Rafael Kapelinski, author of a book on the subject, alongside representatives from prestigious Polish film schools. In the classics section, the festival screened "Camera Buff," directed by Krzysztof Kieslowski, a landmark of Polish cinema. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) will continue to support Ukrainians whose homes have been damaged or destroyed as a result of the war, the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development announced. "We're glad to welcome UNHCR representatives to Kyiv. This is an opportunity to discuss our cooperation in providing housing for war-affected Ukrainians and the work that the UNHCR has already done to support our citizens. We are constantly looking for ways to expand affordable housing, continue compensation programs for damaged and destroyed housing, and develop a comprehensive support program for internally displaced persons (IDPs)," Deputy Minister Natalia Kozlovska is quoted in the press release. The ministry reported that support is currently being provided in three key areas of the construction and repair sector: distribution of quick-repair kits, assistance with ongoing home repairs, and repairs of housing for IDPs. So far, over 187,000 households have received repair kits and materials. Approximately 2,000 social infrastructure facilities have also benefited from this support. Assistance with ongoing home repairs has been provided to 37,000 households. Furthermore, 270 modular homes have been delivered to Ukrainians who lost their homes entirely, the ministry said. According to the release, more than 24,000 beds have been made available to accommodate IDPs. Additionally, over 2,000 families have participated in a rental housing program, while housing for more than 570 displaced families has been fully renovated. Airline Wizz Air launches as of April 11 a new route from Cluj-Napoca to Castellon, Spain, with a bi-weekly frequency on Mondays and Fridays, then on Tuesdays and Saturdays starting with June 17. As the leading airline in Romania (with a 50% market share) and the main air operator in Cluj-Napoca (55% market share), Wizz Air reaffirms its long-term commitment to the market, adding yet another connection that will operate this summer season to Heraklion, starting from June 17, the 'Avram Iancu' Cluj-Napoca International Airport announced. According to the cited source, with the introduction of the latest flights, Wizz Air's service reaches 35 destinations in 14 countries, operated from the Cluj-Napoca Airport. "We are delighted to inaugurate today the 8th destination to Spain available in the route network of Cluj International Airport. The direct flights on the new Cluj-Napoca - Castellon route, operated by our partner Wizz Air, will serve the important Romanian community in Castellon, while also offering Spanish citizens in this region the opportunity to visit the city of Cluj-Napoca and the historic province of Transylvania. Our collaboration with Wizz Air allows us to expand the region's air connectivity and satisfy the ever-growing market demands," declared the general manager of Cluj-Napoca Airport, David Ciceo, as cited in the release. Over 250 health care workers are being laid off from a Creve Coeur-based staffing provider after losing a contract with the federal government. On Monday, Spectrum Healthcare Resources notified the state that it lost a contract with the United States Department of Labor and, as a result, will lay off 280 employees who work remotely and throughout the country. This includes 206 field nurses and 71 vocational rehabilitation counselors. Terminations will be effective May 29. Spectrum Healthcare Resources said in its letter to the state that the federal government awarded the contract to other vendors. Spectrum Healthcare Resources provides health care staffing and management services to military families, veterans and federal employees. Its contract clients include various branches of the military, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Department of Justice, and Federal Occupational Health. Spectrum Healthcare Resources is headquartered at 12647 Olive Boulevard. The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The irony of Bryce Stulls current job is not lost on him. After a decade as a St. Louis City police officer, cracking down on weed-related crimes, Stull now helps marijuana purveyors move their products and profits around the state. He and his colleagues are all former law enforcement officers, recruited by a cannabis transportation firm, Talaria Transportation, for their security skills. If theres a safety concern they are well-versed on how to handle it, Stull said. Were just transporting bags, but you always joke, Yeah, we used to bust people doing this and now were helping everybody. Since adult-use cannabis sales became legal in Missouri in 2022, the market has boomed. The past two years have brought in $2.5 billion in sales of recreational cannabis and last month The Wall Street Journal dubbed Missouri a cannabis Mecca. And as the industry expands, entrepreneurs are looking to tap in to the states success. Locally, a couple has found success running a mobile cannabis waste management service. Some chefs offer cannabis-infused dining experiences and, in south St. Louis, theres a private pot lounge on Cherokee Street. Most cannabis-related businesses require some kind of state license, whether it be for testing, growing or selling, though there are some loopholes. As of March, Missouri has issued 31 transportation facility licenses. Talaria holds two of them. Headquartered in Pennsylvania, Talaria Transportation CEO Ari Raptis said the company jumped at the chance to apply for a transport license as medical cannabis sales became legal in Missouri in 2020. Not many states offer cannabis-specific transport licenses, so when they saw Missouri requiring them, Raptis said he knew the states cannabis industry growth would be organized and efficient. Talaria moves cannabis products in-state between dispensaries, manufacturing facilities, cultivation facilities and testing labs. The company intentionally hires former police officers and military members, Raptis said. They lived a life of protecting and securing products, Raptis said. They deal with high-risk, high-value products and they understand the needs in protecting that. February was the first time recreational sales were under $103 million in a month for Missouri in a year, according to data from the state Department of Health and Senior Services. Adult-use monthly sales came in the highest theyve ever been in December 2024 at over $155 million, but then dropped to about $108 million in January. Still, Talaria is on a growth plan, Raptis said. Raptis sees potential to grow the business by 60% in Missouri this year, adding more to its fleet of 20 unmarked and armored vehicles and 60 employees, he said, calling Missouri one of the companys stronghold states. On average [business grows] four times when the state goes from medical to recreational, Raptis said. Missouri is such an amazing market that it grew six times. Nationwide, Talaria transports about $1.5 billion worth of cannabis annually. In Missouri, the company moves about $80 million each year, or about 650 deliveries per month. Raptis would not disclose how much Talaria charges its clients. Talaria has offices in Columbia, Springfield and St. Louis County. Its sister company, National Secure Transport, also headquartered locally in St. Louis, transports cash for cannabis businesses. Stull is the vault manager at National Secure Transports St. Louis office. He oversees a team of nine drivers who also drive money from dispensaries to the Federal Reserve in downtown St. Louis for deposit. Since joining the companys Fenton office as a driver in 2022, Stull said hes watched the cannabis market explode. We put a lot of miles on our vehicles and employ some good people and do our thing, he said. Aisha Sultan | Post-Dispatch Columnist and features writer Follow Aisha Sultan | 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 The ads bombarding our Facebook pages are always trying to sell us something usually lots of things, repeatedly. Maybe thats why I stopped on a post about a clothing brand that encourages its customers to wear the exact same dress for 100 days in a row. This gimmick stood out from traditional marketing, which is designed to make us consume as much as possible, as quickly as possible. If customers accomplish this 100-day goal, document it and submit the photos to the clothing company, they will be rewarded with a $100 gift card toward their next purchase. (If thats too long, a shorter 30-day challenge offers a $30 reward.) I was intrigued and wondered if I could repeat the same item of clothing for so many days. Wool& is a small clothing company based in Portland, Oregon, that specializes in sustainable wool-based dresses and separates. I was drawn to the solid colors and classic styles of their dresses. The clothing is well-made, and the companys supply chain is transparently documented on its website. The bestselling dresses are around $138. The company touts the benefits of merino wool-based clothing soft, quick-drying, breathable, temperature-regulating and wrinkle-resistant. My previous experiences with wool had led me to think of it as scratchy and overly warm. I was about to be proved wrong. In another smart marketing move, the company hosts a private Facebook group for its nearly 30,000 customers and fans. Its pitched as the nicest place on the internet. I joined the community and was fascinated by all the strangers sharing photos of their outfits, listing their measurements to help others with sizing, and swapping advice on how to care for and style the clothes all of which created a real sense of community. Women from around the world of various ages, body types, races and ethnic backgrounds participate in the discussions. Ive been lurking for months, and I havent seen any of the drama typical in other online groups just a lot of encouragement, positivity and honest feedback. Perusing the photos of women who had completed 100-day challenges, I was inspired to try it myself. I chose a midweight knit maxi dress with long sleeves (the Valerie) in a deep pine color that I could envision wearing through the winter and early spring. It arrived in late December, and I started the challenge. The fabric was more comfortable than I expected. In this phase of life, Im often either too cold or too hot. But the dress, which is 82% wool and 18% nylon, did help regulate my body temperature. I was worried about people noticing that I kept wearing the same thing. But no one did. I learned to create different looks by layering the dress with different shawls, jackets and wraps. Since I mostly work from home, there were a few days when I was only venturing out to the gym, so I didnt bother changing in and out of the dress. Other days, I wore the dress lightly, usually changing as soon as I got home. I only had to wash it every week or so. About halfway through my challenge, I realized I was getting bored wearing the same thing every day. I also missed wearing pants. In the end, I wore the dress more than 30 times over the course of 50 days. Since I didnt follow the challenges rule about consecutive days, I didnt qualify for the reward. But the experience changed the way I think about clothing. Ive decided to prioritize versatile pieces, ethically made from natural fibers. Im not tempted by fast fashion the way I was before. In a country with so much waste and disposability, it was refreshing to find something made to last. I ended up buying three more Wool& items one was discounted after I completed a nine-day challenge, and the other two pieces came from a resale group devoted to the brand. My daughter, who encouraged me through the challenge, astutely pointed out that the companys unorthodox marketing worked brilliantly on me. It made me a loyal and repeat customer. Touche. 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 When not fighting for victims of radiation exposure, U.S. Sens. Josh Hawley and Ben Ray Lujan are assisting motorists. Hawley, a Missouri Republican, and Lujan, a New Mexico Democrat, have introduced a bill that would increase car owners options for automobile repairs. The senators contend the legislation would help after-market repair shops provide safe and affordable repairs for consumers. Big corporations have a history of gatekeeping basic information that belongs to car owners, effectively forcing consumers to pay a fixed price whenever their car is in the shop, Hawley said in a statement. Among other provisions, the bill would make it easier for vehicle owners, and their repair shops, to access vehicle data. It also would prohibit automakers from requiring shops to use a specific brand or maker of tools, parts and other vehicle equipment. Hawley and Lujan have been more conspicuous recently in their effort to get sites in New Mexico and Missouri including West Lake Landfill and Coldwater Creek in north St. Louis County and Weldon Spring in St. Charles County added to the list of states eligible for federal compensation due to radiation exposure from World War II/Cold War atomic weapons production. 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 Two members of U.S. House representing portions of the Metro East managed to gain unanimous approval for a bipartisan bill aimed at helping military veterans. One of the main sponsors is U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Springfield, whose district includes portions of St. Clair and Madison counties. Southern Illinois other House member, U.S. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, also signed on as a sponsor. Bost, the Veterans Affairs Committee chair, represents Monroe County and part of St. Clair County. A Republican, U.S. Rep. Tom Garrett of Michigan, also is a main sponsor. The Clear Communication for Veterans Claims Act act would simplify the language used by the Department of Veterans Affairs in written communications. This is a real victory for veterans who have long been frustrated by overcomplicated language when trying to access the benefits theyve rightfully earned, Budzinski said in a statement. Budzinski and colleagues managed to pass the same bill through the House during last session, but it never was called for a vote in the Senate. This is one of three health-related bills Budzinski introduced in February. The others involve prescription drug costs; the other would establish a student loan repayment program for those who agree to work for five years in areas with doctor and dentist shortages. Tony Messenger | Post-Dispatch Metro columnist Follow Tony Messenger | 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 JEFFERSON CITY Bevis Schock thought he was in for an easy day. The Clayton attorney made the two-hour drive to the Cole County Courthouse, one hes made multiple times in the past year. He hoped it would be the last one in a while. He represents four clients who were sued under the Missouri Incarceration Reimbursement Act, a law that allows the states attorney general to seize assets from prison inmates, ostensibly to help pay for their prison expenses. Many of those inmates, like Daniel Wayne Wallace and Jessica Noel, received fairly small amounts of money when a parent died while they were in prison. Wallace got an insurance check for $12,000 when his mom died. Noel received $18,000 in the same circumstance. Shes out of prison now and could really use the money to help her take care of her three children and rebuild her life in Iron County. Schock believes the law is a mean and unconstitutional money grab. In March, the Missouri Legislature agreed with him. It passed a bill that repealed the MIRA law, which had been in place since the late 1980s. Gov. Mike Kehoe signed the bill a couple of weeks after it passed. So Schock filed motions to dismiss all his cases. With the states elected representatives deciding it was no longer good policy to take money out of the pockets of people confined in prisons, justice demanded that those outstanding cases be dropped, he argued. Not so fast, said the office of Attorney General Andrew Bailey. The AGs office filed motions saying the repeal of the law which wont be official until Aug. 28, when new laws take effect in Missouri has no impact on the pending cases. The state planned to go forward. Thats what the attorneys for the state told Schock and Judge Christopher Limbaugh on Tuesday. It is startling to me that the attorney general would take the position that even though this law has been repealed, these cases should go forward, Schock said. Its a miscarriage of justice. Dismissing the cases would be much easier, he said. In fact, the attorney generals office offered an example of that on the same day. Before Schocks cases came up in court, Limbaugh called the case of State vs. Lequwon Hill, a Kansas City man who had been in prison on a robbery charge. Hill was one of the last people sued under the MIRA law, allegedly because he had $70,000 in a bank account. But before the case made its way to Limbaugh, the bank responded to a subpoena and suggested that somebody should check their math. Hill, who was already out of prison after serving 120 days of shock time, had only $7 in his account. The state dismissed the case. And just like that, it went away. The state could do that on all pending MIRA cases, Schock argued. A couple of hours after the court hearing, the argument appears to have sunk in. On Tuesday afternoon, Baileys deputy chief of staff, James Lawson, told me that all pending MIRA cases would be dismissed. He said the cases had been under review once the law got repealed and it took a while to get that communication to the assistant attorneys general working on the cases. For Noel, who has been out of prison barely a month, the money will help with a job search and with taking care of her children as she continues to unravel her moms estate. Ill be so happy to have this behind me and its no more than a memory of a lesson learned in life, she told me. The attorney generals office, meanwhile, says it still plans to try to collect outstanding MIRA judgments that have already been issued. That means the laws repeal will be of little solace to some of its victims, including the three clients that attorney Irene Karns represents. Karns, a Columbia attorney who was in the courtroom Tuesday, has also been trying to get the MIRA law declared unconstitutional. She represents Kristen Milum, Ronnie Pope and Chris Brownfield, whose cases were already decided by Limbaugh. The judge used his discretion to let them keep about half the money Bailey was trying to seize from them. But the rest, like the hundreds of thousands of dollars taken from inmates over the years, is gone. The discrepancy some inmates forfeit all their money, Milum loses half, Noel gets to keep all of hers highlights one of the problems with the law that both Schock and Karns raised in court documents. The laws application has always been arbitrary, at best. But its harms are real, with people who have few assets often losing them just as they prepare to re-enter the world outside a prison cell. Noel was stressed all day Tuesday, after Schock told her what happened in court. She felt better when I told her the attorney general later decided to dismiss her case. Now she waits, hoping the courts can work quickly to send her money back. On February 13, the Commercial Court of Kyiv annulled a decision by the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine (AMCU) that had granted approval for CRH Ukraine B.V., a subsidiary of the Irish construction materials giant CRH, to acquire the Dyckerhoff group of companies in Ukraine from Italy's Buzzi. This is according to court ruling No. 910/13150/24, reviewed by Interfax-Ukraine. In autumn 2024, after securing the green light from the AMCU, CRH completed the acquisition of the Dyckerhoff assets in Ukraine from Buzzi for EUR 100 million. Court filings show that the plaintiff Industrial and Construction Group Kovalska argued the AMCU's decision was unlawful and unsubstantiated due to an incomplete investigation of the facts relevant to the merger case, including insufficient analysis of the ready-mix concrete market. The court also noted that CRH had already violated certain post-merger commitments. One such obligation required that, for five years following the transaction, general and commercial directors, as well as members of the executive and supervisory boards of PJSC Dyckerhoff Cement Ukraine, must not hold similar positions in other companies under CRH Ukraine B.V.'s control within Ukraine. However, during an extraordinary general meeting of PJSC Dyckerhoff Cement Ukraine on October 11, 2024, Mariusz Tomasz Bogacz a member of the supervisory board at JSC Podilsky Cement, fully owned by CRH Ukraine B.V. was appointed to Dyckerhoff's supervisory board, thereby breaching this condition. The court ruling was published on March 20. In response to a request from Interfax-Ukraine, CRH Ukraine B.V. responded that it is currently being appealed. "We are aware of the decision of the Kyiv City Commercial Court. The agreement to acquire the Volyn-Cement and Yug-Cement plants was implemented in full compliance with all legal requirements and with due approval of the Antimonopoly Committee of Ukraine. Since the court decision is being appealed, we will not provide further comments. We trust the legal process," the company's press service said. The company also added that the powers of Mariusz Tomasz Bogacz as a member of the Supervisory Board of JSC Podilsky Cement were terminated on October 8, 2024, as reported on both the company's website and the information resource of the National Securities Commission (https://c3.cemark.ua/origin/factory_documents/423/69711f65f5d6251040950cf9c0fe1f02.pdf) In September 2024, the AMCU approved CRH Ukraine B.V.'s acquisition of shares in PJSC Dyckerhoff Cement Ukraine, allowing it to surpass a 50% voting threshold in the company's governing body subject to several conditions, including the involvement of an independent investor for a 25-28% stake. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) was expected to take on that role, following a mandate letter signed with CRH in December 2023 for a joint acquisition of Buzzi's Ukrainian assets. The AMCU had been reviewing CRH's concentration request since September 2023. In June 2023, Italy's Buzzi, which had been blacklisted by Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention as an international sponsor of war, agreed to sell part of its Eastern European business to CRH through its Dyckerhoff GmbH subsidiary. The deal included Ukrainian assets two cement plants: Volyn-Cement (Zdolbuniv, Rivne region) and Yug-Cement (Olyshanske, Mykolaiv region). CRH has operated in Ukraine since 1999. Since November 2021, its Ukrainian cement operations have been unified under the Cemark brand, comprising JSC Podilsky Cement (Khmelnytsky region), Cement LLC (Odesa), and PJSC Mykolaivcement (Lviv region). CRH's business in Ukraine also includes the production of concrete and reinforced concrete products. The Bila Tserkva-based PoliBeton Energo factory specializes in manufacturing power line pylons. The PoliBeton concrete plant in northern Odesa joined CRH in 2020. CRH is the world's leading construction materials company and the largest in both North America and Europe, with 3,200 sites in 28 countries and approximately 71,000 employees. The company also has operations in Asia. CRH's American Depositary Shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. EDWARDSVILLE A Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville program aimed at training underrepresented students is in jeopardy after the Trump administration yanked its grant money. The $250,000 allocation from the Institute of Museum and Library Services funded a program that taught local high school students the value of libraries and encouraged careers in the field through paid internships and other curriculum, said Elizabeth Kamper, an information literacy librarian and associate professor at SIUE. Its a big slap in the face of libraries, higher education and intellectual freedom, Kamper said. The federal institute notified SIUE by email at 9:16 p.m. Wednesday of the grants termination, saying the program is no longer consistent with the agencys priorities and no longer serves the interest of the United States, according to a copy of the email. The program, called Diverse Librarianship Career Training & Education Program, has helped students from Sumner High School in St. Louis, as well as Edwardsville and East St. Louis Charter high schools the latter of which had students taking part in program events Friday, Kamper said. The Trump administration has sought to eliminate the IMLS, an independent federal agency that helps fund libraries and museums, as part of the presidents goal to drastically reduce federal spending. Earlier this week, the Missouri Historical Society said it lost funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and was expecting to lose additional funding from the IMLS. A spokeswoman for SIUE said Friday that the feds canceled another IMLS grant, worth $175,000, that was for a collection inventory project. Keith Sonderling, acting director of the IMLS, said last month after he was appointed by Trump that he aimed to revitalize the agency and restore focus on patriotism. SIUEs library program launched in 2021 thanks to the IMLS grant and has since helped dozens of students, Kamper said. The grant enabled SIUE to pay students $15 an hour to intern at local libraries, and also provided them transportation and meals. In his email to SIUE, Sonderling said that IMLS is repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the presidents agenda. He added that his agency may conduct an audit after terminating the grant. Mary Ann Mitchell, the communications coordination for Edwardsville School District, said 12 high school students took part in the program earlier this year, and information they learned was shared with all students. Any time funding is cut from initiatives that have a positive impact on students, Mitchell said, its disappointing. East St. Louis Charter and St. Louis Public Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The last-minute termination before Fridays event has left the university scrambling to figure out how to continue the program, Kamper said. It seems so personal that what we are doing is personally going against the agenda of the president, Kamper said. JEFFERSON CITY Police and other first responders could receive free college tuition under the latest Republican push to keep crime as a focal point in the Missouri Capitol. Legislation sponsored by Sen. David Gregory, R-Chesterfield, is slated to move out of a House committee next week and could be voted on by the full chamber within the following days as part of the GOPs ongoing push to bolster public safety. Its about recruitment and retention, mostly retention, Gregory told colleagues during an earlier Senate hearing on the plan. We want to keep our police officers, our firefighters and our other public safety personnel around. The measure would apply to any police officer, firefighter, paramedic, telecommunicator first responder, emergency medical technician or advanced emergency medical technician. The 100% tuition waivers to the states public colleges and universities would be available to any of those workers after six years of service and waivers would be available to their dependents after 10 years of service. The projected cost to Missouri taxpayers is pegged at $3.4 million by legislative analysts. If approved, the initiative would join a growing list of public safety legislation being pushed by Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe and the GOP-controlled House and Senate. Kehoe, who made crime his No. 1 campaign issue during last years election, has already signed a contentious plan to have a state-appointed board oversee the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. He also has ordered pay changes at the Missouri State Highway Patrol, allowing troopers to max out their salaries in 12 years rather than the current 15 years. The governor also ordered a task force to look at potential updates to state probation and parole laws to ensure risky offenders are not released from prison. Lawmakers have followed his lead. The House budget includes 6.8% pay raises for the highway patrol, money for day care services for first responders and grants for new police training facilities. The House budget, which is now in the hands of the Senate, also includes $500,000 for the Ethical Society of Police to spend on recruitment of police officers for the St. Louis police department and $100,000 for public safety initiatives in Ferguson. Also in the blueprint is $850,000 for a police training academy at Culver-Stockton College in Canton. The free tuition program is viewed by police and business officials as a way to bolster the ranks of police departments grappling with fewer recruits. In St. Louis, the police department budgeted money this year to pay about 1,220 commissioned officers. But the actual number of officers remains below 1,000. Joe Patterson, executive director of the St. Louis County Police Association, told a Senate panel earlier this year that the program could help bring in new officers and keep older police on the beat. Our department is well-funded, well-trained, well-equipped. I have 200 officers less than what I had in 2019, he said. We cant get them. Not only can we not get them, we cant keep them. Cade Tremain of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry told a House panel last week that it could resolve retention issues facing police departments. First responders dedicate their lives to protecting us and our families, and this is a wonderful opportunity for us to invest into them and to their families, Tremain said. A fiscal analysis of the proposal estimated that about 330 individuals could take the tuition waivers per year, based on a population of nearly 30,000 public safety officers and first responders in the state. The analysis found that an estimated 68% would attend a public, four-year institution with the rest attending community colleges. The scholarships would require those pursuing degrees to study in a specific academic subject area related to law enforcement, but also would allow for studies in political science, journalism and public relations. The bill requires children of first responders who use the waiver to stay in the state for five years after they complete their degree. The legislation is Senate Bill 71. ST. LOUIS Mayor-elect Cara Spencer on Thursday officially announced her picks for top positions, the latest moves in a mad dash from Spencers two-day-old election victory to her inauguration at noon Tuesday. Spencer, on the steps of City Hall, officially announced Nancy Hawes, an attorney whos held high-level jobs at some of the citys largest firms, as her chief of staff. She also announced her deputy chief of staff and her communications director plus six new committees, stacked with civic leaders, to examine critical issues, from public safety to city services. Weve hit the ground running, Spencer told reporters at City Hall. Were getting to work. She said that since the election, she has sat down with Mayor Tishaura O. Jones to go through transition logistics and talked to Gov. Mike Kehoe, St. Louis County Executive Sam Page and other regional leaders about working together. And she indicated changes are coming to city departments, which she has vowed to improve. One change had already arrived: City Counselor Sheena Hamilton wrote a letter to Jones, Spencer and other top officials this week telling them that she would be gone on inauguration day. The stream of news headlined the second day in the shortest mayoral transition in recent memory, the product of a quirk in the calendar this year. The staffing announcements could ultimately be among the most important Spencer makes as mayor. She has big plans to fix problems with trash pickup and pothole filling, revitalize downtown and reverse decades of population loss. But shell need help. Hawes, the attorney, will be the new mayors No. 2. She brings experience as a partner at law firms like Polsinelli and Armstrong Teasdale, as a board member at community institutions like the Muny and St. Louis Public Radio, and as a single mother who earned her law degree well into adulthood, with three kids in tow. Spencer said Emily Thenhaus will be her deputy chief of staff. Thenhaus served as a spokesperson for Mayor Lyda Krewson, then took a job running the taxing district that helps market and attract businesses on Cherokee Street which Spencer represented as alderwoman. Jason Deem, a friend of Spencers and a developer in the area, said Thenhaus has done remarkable work handling everything from events to social media to finances to all the little things businesses need. Shes very organized, he said, and very impressive. Beverly Isom will be Spencers communications director. Her resume begins with a job at the St. Louis American, the prominent Black newspaper, winds through the mayors office in Atlanta and federal agencies there, and includes more recent stints with Nestle Purina and FleishmanHillard in St. Louis. Spencer would not say more about forthcoming picks in the news conference on Thursday. But she said her team was evaluating the current leadership of city departments. Were looking at making some changes in several key positions at this point, she said. Spencer has already said she would fire Streets Director Betherny Williams after the citys dismal response to the January snowstorm, and would push to replace development chief Neal Richardson after a series of disagreements, most notably about the troubled North Side business grant program. Spencer also announced six advisory committees tasked with writing a report, due at the end of July, on how the city can improve city services and schools, attract businesses and immigrants, and build up the citys neighborhoods, among other things. Notable committee members include Steve Smith, the developer behind City Foundry in Midtown, Dr. Alex Garza of SSM Health, who helped lead the regions pandemic response, Anna Crosslin, who used to run the International Institute of St. Louis, which coordinates immigration services here, and Michael Wolff, the former chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court. ST. LOUIS As rising measles cases nationwide creep closer to Missouri with outbreaks in nearby Kansas and Oklahoma, area health officials are trying to prepare providers and educate the public about how to prevent the highly infectious virus from taking hold here. Making sure that their immunizations are up to date and being aware of what is going on in their community ... that is very much key, said Dr. Amruta Padhye, an infectious disease pediatrician with University of Missouri Health Care. Nearly 700 cases of measles have been reported in the U.S. since late January. Thats the third-highest confirmed case count since the United States declared measles eliminated in 2000. The outbreak began in West Texas, where cases rapidly increased among undervaccinated communities. Most of those sickened have been in Texas, but as many as 22 states have reported cases. Two elementary school-aged children who were not vaccinated have died. They lived near the epicenter of the outbreak. An unvaccinated adult also died in New Mexico. 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 before entering kindergarten. With less than 91% of Missouri public school kindergarteners vaccinated against measles, health officials say the state is vulnerable. In order to keep infections from spreading, a herd immunity or community immunity is required which we consider a threshold of 95%, Padhye said. So the opportunity is there. Rates among kindergarteners are much lower in pockets of Missouri: Six counties have rates under 80%. The lowest 61% is in Scotland County, along Iowas border. In the city of St. Louis, the rate is 75%. Exacerbating health officials concerns, the federal government at the end of March halted $11.4 billion in funding that was slated to bolster local public health efforts against disease outbreaks. More than $250 million was supposed to go to Missouri, and several efforts to improve the states vaccination rates are having to shutter. I think its going to be very tough when we start getting hit with those measles cases. I dont think its a matter of if, its a matter of when at this point, said Heidi Lucas, executive director of the Missouri Rural Health Association. Its like seeing that storm coming and theres not much you can do about it besides just educating your patients about the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine, Lucas said. But, you know, people are still gonna say no, and thats hard. Falling vaccination rates Vaccination rates have dropped across the country since the COVID-19 pandemic, which intertwined politics with vaccination efforts and fueled resistance. Lucas blames the especially low vaccination rates in some areas on the contagiousness of misinformation. Everybody kind of knows everybody in some of these smaller towns, she said. If you have a school and moms start talking about it and decide that theyre not going to do it, and then it just kind of spreads. Dr. Kendra Holmes, the president of Affinia Healthcare, a system of safety-net clinics in St. Louis and north St. Louis County, said families are concerned about side effects such as soreness, headache, fever and fatigue. Parents delay vaccinations for their children because they dont want several shots in one visit, but they face difficulties getting back to a clinic or keeping track of whats needed, Holmes said. Some think their healthy child is fine without it, she said. Others without health insurance fear they wont be able to pay for the shots. On March 4, Affinia closed its clinics to educate its 90 staff members on how to address families hesitance about vaccines. The training was offered through a program provided by the University of Missouri School of Medicine. Our staff loved it, Holmes aid. They said it gave them great talking points and narratives that they could share with parents about vaccination. Holmes said staff learned its important to not lead with fear, which can cause people to panic and resort to social media fraught with conflicting messages. Just asking open-ended questions and really listening to the patients concerns about why they may have apprehensions ... just really taking an empowered approach to providing education, she said. That training program and others, however, came to a halt two weeks ago with the loss of federal funds. Mizzous program had about a $1 million left of a $2 million grant it planned to spend over the next year on various efforts to increase vaccination rates among children, including training more providers, supporting clinics with outreach staff, providing educational childrens books and distributing local report cards on vaccination rates, said Jane McElroy, the professor leading the research. The nonprofit Missouri Immunization Coalition also had to cancel its annual educational conference for nearly 300 health care workers at the end of this month and is in danger of having to dissolve altogether. Lucas said her rural health association, after months of research and gathering input, was about to launch a program focusing on helping rural providers increase their communities vaccinations against COVID-19 and flu, skills that can apply to any immunization effort. It all just stopped, she said. Many organizations have lost funding recently that were supposed to help with vaccine conversations and awareness campaigns and all of that, Lucas said. They are very worried and discouraged. Booster shot may be needed Organizations, hospitals and public health departments are doing what they can to prepare for possible cases, including informing the public and providers who many have never seen a measles case about the virus and its symptoms. Measles easily spreads through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. Symptoms develop about eight to 12 days after exposure and include fever, cough, congestion and pink eye. A few days later, a red, flat rash starts at the hairline and spreads down the body. About one in five people who get the measles will need to be hospitalized, Padhye said. And infection can lead to dangerous complications such as pneumonia, blindness, brain swelling and death. It can also suppress a persons immune system for two to three years. Two doses of the vaccine are 97% effective at preventing measles. Padhye said babies not yet old enough to get vaccinated, pregnant women and those who are immunocompromised are most at risk, which is why herd immunity is important in protecting the most vulnerable. Adults born after 1957 and vaccinated before 1968 may need a booster depending on what type of vaccine they received. A lab test called an MMR titer can check your levels of measles antibodies if unsure. Holmes said she is providing the test and booster for Affinia staff who need it. Getting another MMR shot is harmless if there are concerns about waning immunity, disease experts say. Providers are already working to combat misinformation about preventing measles with vitamin A, which has resulted in some cases of overdosing. Too much of the vitamin can cause organ damage. While vitamin A can play a role in treatment, especially in low-income countries where deficiencies are common, Padhye said, In no way is it a cure or a means to prevent measles. In Illinois, which boasts a nearly 96% vaccination rate against measles among students in public elementary schools, the Illinois Department of Health on Wednesday unveiled a Measles Outbreak Simulator Dashboard to help the public determine the risk of their child being exposed to measles if a case occurs in their school. The St. Louis County Department of Public Health said it is taking several steps to prepare for possible cases such as developing guidance for schools and child care centers, sending health care providers instructions on testing and infection prevention in their offices and making sure enough staff is available to conduct case investigations. We are also working closely with local infectious disease physicians and hospital infection prevention staff to coordinate messaging and ensure that we have 24/7 contact information in the event of a possible measles case, Sara Dayley, county public information officer, said in an email. ST. PETERS The owner and an employee of a home remodeling business here signed contracts with new customers and collected more than $122,000 in down payments but never completed the work, prosecutors say. Britney Callier, 55, of St. Charles, and Lonnie Walker, 54, of OFallon, were charged Thursday with multiple counts of stealing. Callier owns Affordable Kitchens & Baths, while Walker was the business project manager. Investigators have identified at least 10 victims and believe more victims will come forward. The victims are not exclusively St. Peters residents, said police spokesperson Sgt. Melissa Doss. The Better Business Bureau has also received complaints about the business. Consumers describe failure to start projects, failure to provide refunds, failure to contact consumers, and poor customer service, according to the BBBs website. The criminal investigation into Callier and Walker was sparked by a note stuck to the door of the business at 4600 South St. Peters Parkway by a customer who was frustrated by lack of progress on their remodeling work. That note was spotted by another upset customer, Doss said on Friday. They met and discussed their stories and they came in to report it, and it trickled from there, Doss said. That initial report revealed that from June to November 2024, Callier and Walker issued multiple contracts some for more than $29,000 for remodeling bathrooms and kitchens. But, the customers say the work was never completed but their checks were all deposited into the business checking account. The customers attempts to get updates on their pending renovations were either ignored or met with requests for more money, according to court documents. Investigators have yet to determine what Callier or Walker did with the payments, Doss said. Officials say that at least one other employee at the business, who is not named in court documents, told police that Callier knew he owed money to the customers. That employee told Callier that he needed to sit down and write checks to them, so they could get their money back. Doss said Friday that none of the 10 known victims had been reimbursed. And now, Doss said, the business is closed. But on Friday, the companys phone lines were active and went to voicemail. The business Facebook page was active as recently as January 6, 2025. Callier and Walker are not in custody as of press time. An arrest warrant has been issued for both men. GREENBELT, Md. A federal judge on Friday lambasted a government lawyer who couldnt explain what, if anything, the Trump administration has done to arrange for the return of a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported last month to a notorious prison in El Salvador. The U.S. government attorney also struggled to provide any information about the whereabouts of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, despite Thursdays ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court that the Trump administration must bring him back. Where is he and under whose authority? U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis asked in a Maryland courtroom. Im not asking for state secrets, she said. All I know is that hes not here. The government was prohibited from sending him to El Salvador, and now Im asking a very simple question: where is he? Drew Ensign, a deputy assistant attorney general, said the government doesnt have evidence to contradict the belief that Abrego Garcia is still in El Salvador. Xinis sounded exasperated that Ensign couldnt tell her where Abrego Garcia is, what the government has done to arrange for his return or what more it plans to do to get him back to the U.S. That is extremely troubling, she said. The judge repeatedly asked Ensign about what has been done to facilitate Abrego Garcias return, asking pointedly: Have they done anything? to which Ensign said he didnt have personal knowledge of what had been done. So that means theyve done nothing, the judge said, adding later: Despite this courts clear directive, your clients have done nothing to facilitate the return of Mr. Abrego Garcia. For his part, Ensign stressed that the government was actively considering what could be done in the case and said that Abrego-Garcias case was an issue that involved three different Cabinet agencies and a lot of interagency coordination. Before the hearing ended, Xinis ordered the U.S. to provide daily updates on the status of its plans to bring Abrego Garcia back. I guess my message, for what its worth, is: if you can do it, do it tomorrow, she said. Attorneys for the Trump administration had told Xinis in a Friday morning filing that her Friday morning deadline for information was impractical." They said they havent had enough time to review the Supreme Courts ruling. Xinis had directed the Trump administration to take all available steps to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia following Thursdays high court order. She requested a declaration from the administration that addressed Abrego Garcias location and custodial status and what steps the administration has taken and will take to facilitate his return. The U.S. attorneys also wrote in Friday mornings filing that it was "unreasonable for the U.S. government to reveal potential steps before those steps are reviewed, agreed upon, and vetted. Foreign affairs cannot operate on judicial timelines, in part because it involves sensitive country-specific considerations wholly inappropriate for judicial review, the attorneys wrote. In its ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court rejected the administrations emergency appeal of Xinis April 4 order for Abrego Garcias return. The Salvadoran citizen had an immigration court order preventing his deportation to his native country over fears he would face persecution from local gangs. The Supreme Court has issued a string of rulings on its emergency docket, where the conservative majority has at least partially sided with Trump amid a wave of lower court orders slowing the presidents sweeping agenda. In Thursdays case, the court said Xinis order must be clarified to make sure it doesnt intrude into executive branch power over foreign affairs, since Abrego Garcia is being held abroad. 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. 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. 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. Abrego Garcias wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, said the ordeal has been an emotional rollercoaster for their family and the entire community. 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. Xinis April 4 order said the governments decision to arrest Abrego Garcia and send him to El Salvador appeared 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, the judge wrote. The 29-year-old was detained by immigration agents and deported last month. 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. Finley reported from Norfolk, Virginia. Congratulations and condolences to St. Louis new mayor-elect. Alderwoman Cara Spencer on Tuesday will formally take the reins of a city beset by daunting problems but also brimming with heady possibilities. Since her landslide victory over incumbent Mayor Tishaura Jones last Tuesday, Spencer has no doubt been inundated with advice, solicited and otherwise, about what goals and policies should define her coming term. Allow us to pile on: If the impetus for Spencers victory had to be boiled down to one phrase, its, Back to basics. Its probably too simplistic to say Jones lost big because of her administrations mishandling of Januarys Snowmageddon. But that failure was definitely emblematic of a mayor who was so fixated on expanding the role of the city into areas normally handled by charities and social workers that day-to-day municipal functionality suffered. Removing snow. Filling potholes. Collecting garbage. Controlling traffic. Answering 911 calls. These and too many other basic city functions have too often felt back-burnered by a mayoral administration that was quick to pass out $500 apiece to poor families, to fund residents kids higher education and even to consider lending money to residents to bring their automobile registration tags current. Enough, said almost two-thirds of the citys voters. Spencers new administration will be judged, quickly and relentlessly, on how well she delivers on her core campaign promise to get the citys proverbial trains running on time. Everything else is secondary. That goal must begin with putting the right people in place and removing those who have shown they arent with the program. For starters, Spencer says she will (and she immediately should) fire city Streets Direct Betherny Williams, who waited 10 days after the January blizzard to personally assess the situation. In addition to shoring up basic city services, the biggest challenge facing Spencer will be making St. Louisans feel safe in their own city. And shes taking on that responsibility just as our friends in Jefferson City have complicated matters. Jones touted the citys lower homicide rate on her watch which was broadly reflective of lower homicide rates in most of the country but the citys high overall crime rate remains the problem that drives most of its other problems. The sense of lawlessness that pervades the Downtown area has, itself, spawned a major economic crisis as residents, businesses and convention dollars have all fled. Jones de-emphasis of street-level policing did nothing but exacerbate the problem. While Jones had unrealized options there, Spencers options will be more limited because of the recent state takeover of city police. Spencer has rightly said she will continue Jones exploration of a legal challenge against that takeover, if possible. Regardless of whether thats successful, Spencer will have a bully pulpit from which she can and should loudly press for more (and better paid) police on the streets. One of St. Louis more baffling problems of the past four years has been its inability to constructively spend windfall pots of money. The citys fumbling of a $37 million program meant to spur North Side economic development a program that ended up steering funds to nonexistent businesses and vacant buildings stands as a prime example. Given that and other dysfunction that has gripped much of the citys fiscal governance in the past four (and more) years, its probably a good thing that the $250 million-plus from the NFL Rams settlement is still sitting unused, gathering interest. With tight budget years approaching, the temptation will be great to use that money to backstop basic city functions. Spencer must resist that temptation and view that pot as a potential gamechanger for the city. As we have said many times, the revitalization of Downtown is crucial to the revitalization of St. Louis as a whole, in a way that no other neighborhood is. Jones never seemed to get that; Spencer appears to. The business communitys offer to match city funds to repair the citys economic doorstep is, last we heard, still on the table. Spencer should move quickly to seal that deal and announce to the world that Downtown St. Louis is back on a path to vitality. The Rams money could be key to that effort. As important as all of this to a successful mayoral administration will be a change in tone. Jones tenure was characterized too often by divisiveness, lack of transparency and a knee-jerk refusal to consider even constructive criticism. Her supporters 11th-hour attempt to blatantly racialize the election was a truly disappointing turn that did nothing to ease the racial divide in this roughly 50-50 city. Spencers political history of traversing racial lines should be helpful on that front. We suspect she doesnt need to hear it from us, but well remind her anyway that for any St. Louis mayoral administration today to have a chance at success, it must look like St. Louis. While we endorsed Spencer in the election, and we believe she has the right stuff for a successful tenure in Room 200 of City Hall, we wont be shy about calling out missteps when we see them going forward. Keeping her door open to supporters and critics alike will in itself be an important first step toward getting St. Louis back on solid footing. On April 1, 2025, the Trump administration terminated all federal employees responsible for administering the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). This critical program helps over a hundred thousand Missouri households by providing financial assistance for heating and cooling bills. LIHEAP promotes housing stability by making it more possible for families to stay safe and comfortable in their homes. LIHEAP sometimes even prevents utility disconnection. With no staff at the federal level to implement LIHEAP, Missouri families in need could very possibly lose access to this vital lifeline. This could have far-reaching consequences for families health, security, and quality of life. Access to affordable electricity and heat is fundamental. It allows families to refrigerate food and medicine, maintain a safe home temperature, stay connected through the internet, and complete essential tasks like homework or household chores. The stakes are especially high for vulnerable groups, including older adults who may be living alone, young children, and people of all ages with disabilities, who face greater risks of heat-related illness and death when air conditioning is not available. The dangers of cold weather are just as severe, threatening lives during the winter months. If you agree with Consumers Council that the health, safety, and stability of many families in Missouri depends on LIHEAP, please contact your federal representatives and senators. Tell them to contact HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy and demand the rehiring of LIHEAP staff. Sandra Padgett St. Louis Executive Director, Consumers Council of Missouri Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/news/all During his trip to Kryvyi Rih, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited a medical facility where wounded defenders are being treated, the press service of the head of state reports. "The head of state was told about the hospital's work, in particular about the methods of diagnosis and rehabilitation of military personnel," the message says. The President spoke with the soldiers, who are being treated at this medical facility, and awarded them the Order of Courage, 3rd degree. The defenders were wounded while carrying out combat missions in Donetsk and Kursk regions. "Thank you for your service and defense of Ukraine. I wish you a speedy recovery," he said. Headlines lately indicate that President Donald Trump is "taking on the judges." In other words, he is targeting those judges that make rulings adverse to his interests and points of view. For 13 years, I served as a Missouri circuit judge. My rulings required the reading and understanding of judicial opinions written by judges from across the country. Though sometimes I didn't agree with a ruling, I always believed that the deciding judge was doing their best to be fair and impartial; that's the way its supposed to be. If a party was unhappy with a ruling, they could appeal; that's how the system works. No one should target anyone, let alone our judges. Our country requires a strong judiciary, one that is not subject to the whims of the co-equal executive and legislative branches. Wherever one might fall on the political spectrum, no one should be allowed to mess with our judiciary, as it has been our judges who have always protected all of us: lefties, righties, abolitionists of all shapes and sizes, the disabled, the educated and the not so educated, the reds and the blues, the rich and the poor all of us. Now's the time to step up and be heard. That stepping up needs to include our almost 500 retired Missouri judges. Let's all, everyone, talk to our friends and legislators. Hands off our judges. This is so important. It's what our nation is all about. Gary Oxenhandler Columbia, Missouri Retired Missouri Judge A C-21A from the 76th Airlift Squadron flies over Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 10, 2025, to honor the victims of a 1996 plane crash in Croatia. The ill-fated flight was operated by the same squadron. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes) RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany A memorial ceremony this week paid tribute to six Air Force crew members and 29 others killed nearly three decades ago when their plane crashed in Croatia, a disaster that broadly reshaped flight safety practices in the service. Airmen gathered Thursday at this major hub for U.S. personnel for a wreath-laying and speeches commemorating the victims, who were part of a U.S. trade delegation to Croatia in the wake of the breakup of Yugoslavia. Their CT-43A aircraft crashed into a mountainside during final approach to Dubrovnik Airport on April 3, 1996. The flight was operated by Ramsteins 76th Airlift Squadron and carried Commerce Secretary Ron Brown, American business leaders, government staffers and Croatian nationals. All but one of the 35 victims were killed on impact. The sole survivor, Tech. Sgt. Shelly Kelly, died later that day from her injuries. On Thursday, a C-21A from the 76th Airlift Squadron performed a flyover in their honor. Members of the squadron will travel to Croatia this weekend to pay their respects at the crash site memorial near Dubrovnik Airport. Secretary Brown carried an offer for normalizing relations between the U.S. and a former communist enemy, the newly independent Croatia, 86th Airlift Wing historian Shannon Murphy said during the ceremony. This tragic accident began as a mission of peace, designed to forge stronger economic cooperation in the former Yugoslavia. A wreath rests at a memorial at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, April 10, 2025, honoring six members of the 76th Airlift Squadron who were killed in a 1996 plane crash in Croatia. The wreath was placed during a ceremony commemorating the 29th anniversary of the tragedy. (Zade Vadnais/Stars and Stripes) The wreckage of a U.S. Air Force Boeing CT-43A sits on a mountainside in Croatia after the plane crashed while on final approach to Dubrovnik Airport on April 3, 1996. Commerce Secretary Ron Brown and 34 other people, including the six crew members from the 76th Airlift Squadron based at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, were killed in the disaster. (U.S. Air Force) The April 4, 1996, front page of The Stars and Stripes' European edition, with the news that the airplane carrying Commerce Secretary Ron Brown and 34 other people had crashed in Croatia. Among the dead were the six members of the U.S. Air Force crew out of Ramstein Air Base, Germany. (Stars and Stripes) The April 5, 1996, front page of The Stars and Stripes' European edition, with the news that there were no survivors on the U.S. Air Force plane carrying Commerce Secretary Ron Brown and 34 other people that crashed in Croatia on April 3. Another story identifies the six airmen from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, who were killed in the crash. (Stars and Stripes) As a result of the disaster, the 86th Airlift Wings commander, vice commander and operations group commander were relieved of duty. An accident investigation board concluded that poor planning and a series of in-flight errors were to blame. The investigation also found that the aircrew had been allowed to use nonstandard approach procedures without major command approval, even though Air Force headquarters had denied a waiver request three months earlier. Sweeping reforms were made across the Air Force in the wake of the crash, changes that still shape flight safety protocols, crew training and risk management practices. The crash remains a case study in how lapses in oversight and deviation from standards can lead to devastating consequences. As the Defense Department continues its broader push to reinforce discipline and readiness, leaders at Ramstein say the lessons from 1996 are more relevant than ever. As with everything we do in the military, standards, regulations and instructions govern the way we operate, Brig. Gen. Adrienne Williams, 86th Airlift Wing commander, said at the ceremony. Many of the rules we live by may seem arbitrary to the casual observer, but nearly every safety rule and regulation can be said to have been written in blood. It is a tragic failure like this that drives the changes to our standards, safety practices and guiding regulations. Sailors assigned to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay prepare to moor the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman at the NATO Marathi Pier Complex in Souda Bay, Crete, Greece, during a scheduled port visit on Feb. 6, 2025. The Navy recently opened a 14,000 square-foot warehouse at Souda Bay designed to better support ships operating in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. (U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay) NAPLES, Italy A $5.2 million Navy logistics facility that recently opened in Greece will better support ships operating in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, service officials say. The 14,000 square-foot warehouse at Naval Support Activity Souda Bay on the island of Crete includes space for storage, visiting ship cargo and offices, said Paul Cage, a spokesman for Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Europe, Africa, Central. The opening of the facility last week at the NATO Marathi Pier Complex delivered a much-needed capability for the base and all visiting vessels, Cage said. He noted that previous storage capacity for ship cargo did not include refrigerator and freezer spaces, rendering ability for cold storage nonexistent. Construction began in the fall of 2021 and was completed in January. The project included a hazardous materials storage canopy and an above-ground water tank with a pump house, among other work, he said. Located in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, NSA Souda Bay has an airfield, a deep-water pier facility and refueling and resupply services. The airfield is shared with a Greek air force combat wing and a civilian airport. About 1,000 active-duty service members, Defense Department civilians, contractors, local workers and family members are assigned to the base. Earlier this year, the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman was repaired at Souda Bay following a Feb. 12 collision with a civilian cargo ship near the Suez Canal. The carrier returned to duty in the Middle East in late February and is conducting airstrike operations in the Red Sea against Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen. The aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp are among other Navy ships that have made port visits within the last year to NSA Souda Bay for supplies, maintenance and crew rest. The base also is the homeport for the expeditionary sea base USS Hershel Woody Williams, assigned to U.S. Africa Command. On Thursday, Williams returned to Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia, where the ship will begin a routine maintenance period later this month. Williams is scheduled to return to the fleet in fall 2026, said Jillian Morris, a spokeswoman for Military Sealift Command. Williams is among 17 MSC logistics support ships going into extended maintenance as part of the services plan to address a civilian mariner shortage. Five nuclear-powered, fast-attack submarines from Submarine Squadron 15 are based at Polaris Point on Naval Base Guam, a key hub for U.S. military operations in the Western Pacific. (James Caliva/U.S. Navy) A Maryland-based nonprofit is moving ahead with plans to build a facility on Guam that will allow the Navy to 3D print submarine components on demand, a move aimed at bolstering both military readiness and the islands economy. The Applied Science & Technology Research Organization of America, or ASTRO America, is spearheading the Guam Advanced Material & Manufacturing Accelerator project, or GAMMA. The group received $5 million from the Navy in fiscal year 2024 and expects an additional $12 million in the coming months to begin the first phase, according to Neal Orringer, the groups president. The facility, expected to cost about $40 million and be fully operational within three years, would enable Guam-based submarines to produce parts at the point of need, reducing downtime and reliance on distant supply chains. By advancing cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities, this project will not only strengthen U.S. national security but also position Guam as a leader in the Indo-Pacific for innovation, education, and economic development, Orringer said in an April 3 email to Stars and Stripes. Five nuclear-powered, fast-attack submarines from Submarine Squadron 15 are based at Polaris Point on Naval Base Guam, a key hub for U.S. military operations in the Western Pacific. In February 2024, Vice Adm. Scott Pappano, then the program executive officer for Strategic Submarines, described the project as a national imperative for advanced manufacturing capability for ships and submarines in a strategic location, according to an ASTRO news release. The new manufacturing complex will feature a lab, classrooms, a conference room and office space, and is expected to create between 85 and 100 jobs. Temporary facilities for classroom and tech work are scheduled to come online within six to eight months, Orringer said. He did not disclose an anticipated location for the project, but said specifics will be announced in the coming months. While GAMMAs primary mission is to support the Navy, its capabilities are expected to reach other sectors. A satellite campus from a mainland U.S. engineering university will partner with the University of Guam and Guam Community College to offer degrees and certifications focused on advanced manufacturing. The technology developed at GAMMA may eventually expand to aerospace, automotive, construction and other industries, according to a June 2024 implementation plan. The project aligns with Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerreros broader goal of diversifying the islands economy. She announced on March 27 that the Maritime Industrial Base Program had signed a $40 million contract with ASTRO America after a meeting with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to the Pacific Island Times. This means economic improvement, more jobs for our people, more training for our people, Leon Guerrero said at a March 27 news conference posted online by KUAM-TV, adding that the benefits could reach beyond the military into the broader civilian community. Capt. Daniel Martins, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Sigonella, gives his remarks after relieving Capt. Aaron Shoemaker during a change of command ceremony at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily, April 10, 2025. (Sebastian Portieleslopez/U.S. Navy) NAPLES, Italy A Navy helicopter pilot with more than 3,000 hours of flight time behind the controls took command of the services largest air station in Italy this week. Capt. Daniel Martins relieved Capt. Aaron Shoemaker of command of Naval Air Station Sigonella on the island of Sicily on Thursday, in a ceremony presided over by Rear Adm. Brad Collins, commander of Navy Region Europe, Africa, Central. Martins most recently served as head of the MH-60R (Seahawk) Weapons School at the Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center in Fallon, Nev., according to his LinkedIn biography. A native of Roselle, N.J., Martins also led Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 3 at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, and was the air operations officer for Joint Task Force-National Capitol Region in Washington, his biography states. He commissioned through Boston University ROTC and received a masters degree in U.S. history from George Mason University in 2017. Service is hard and its a great sacrifice, Martins said of the contributions made by sailors, civilians and others assigned to NAS Sigonella. It will be my honor to serve alongside you these next three years. Capt. Daniel Martins, left, the new head of Naval Air Station Sigonella, relieves Capt. Aaron Shoemaker during a change of command ceremony at NAS Sigonella in Sicily, April 10, 2025. (Sebastian Portieleslopez/U.S. Navy) Shoemaker, who led the base since April 2022, was commended for his oversight of several construction and energy efficiency projects. He also fostered environmental planning and practices, including a 10-year housing lease modification that netted $21 million in savings. Shoemaker worked to improve quality of life for sailors and families living at NAS Sigonella, the Navy said in a statement Thursday. He also helped establish a suicide prevention program recognized as the No. 1 program across nine installations by the EURAFCENT suicide prevention office. In an emotional farewell, Shoemaker remembered how the NAS Sigonella community rallied together not only during good times like Fourth of July and Christmas events, but in challenging situations, such as wildfires in July 2023 and in the aftermath of the deaths of two sailors serving at the base. This has truly been an opportunity of a lifetime, and the most personally and professionally rewarding assignment of my career, said Shoemaker, who received a Legion of Merit award for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service. Shoemaker will next serve as chief of staff at Naval District Washington in Washington, D.C. Col. Susannah Meyers, 821st Space Base Group commander, left, greets Vice President JD Vance and second lady Usha Vance at Pituffik Space Base, Greenland, March 28, 2025. Meyers was replaced April 10 after a loss of confidence in her ability to lead, U.S. Space Operations Command said in a statement. (Jaime Sanchez/Space Force) The commander of a U.S. base in Greenland has been fired after making comments at odds with the White Houses political approach to the Arctic island. Col. Susannah Meyers, leader of Pituffik Space Base, was replaced Thursday after a loss of confidence in her ability to lead, U.S. Space Operations Command said in a statement. Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties, the statement said. The firing comes after a Military.com report that cited a base-wide email Meyers sent March 31 in which she distanced herself from Vice President JD Vances visit to the island last month. I spent the weekend thinking about Fridays visit (by Vance) the actions taken, the words spoken, and how it must have affected each of you, Meyers said. 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 then wrote that as long as I am lucky enough to lead this base, all of our flags will fly proudly together. Meyers comments prompted an immediate rebuke from the Pentagon. Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense. https://t.co/ITFeGw0kUf pic.twitter.com/MO68aje1X2 Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellATSD) April 11, 2025 Actions to undermine the chain of command or subvert President (Donald) Trumps agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said in a statement. Col. Shawn Lee has assumed command in Meyers place, Space Operations Command said. The Trump administration has made Greenland, an autonomous territory under NATO ally Denmark, a military and strategic priority. The territory, home to about 56,000 people, controls most of its internal matters but relies on Denmark for foreign relations and defense. Its ruling political parties favor independence, though they differ on the timeline. Trump has repeatedly stated that the United States needs to take control of the territory for national security reasons. At one point, Trump declined to rule out the use of military or economic coercion to acquire Greenland, though administration officials have since pledged respect for Greenlands sovereignty. Vance said ahead of his visit that Greenland would benefit from closer ties with the United States. Denmark has not kept pace and devoted the resources necessary to keep this base, to keep our troops, and in my view, to keep the people of Greenland safe from a lot of very aggressive incursions from Russia, from China and other nations, Vance said. The situation has been a source of consternation inside NATO and for Denmark, which has balked at White House statements about a desire to take over its territory. Greenland has been an Arctic hub for the U.S. military going back to the early days of the Cold War, when more than 10,000 troops were based there. Today, there is a relatively small military mission on the island focused on ballistic missile early warning detection. However, as Arctic ice melts and new shipping lanes open, the islands strategic value has increased. Trump has cited an increased Russian and Chinese presence in the Arctic as a reason for his desire to assume control of Greenland. The island is also home to minerals and resources that could be of value if they can be extracted, though Greenlands harsh conditions make doing so a challenge. Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilots scrambled a record 23 times against Chinese drones during the past Japanese fiscal year, which runs from April to March, compared to eight times during the same period in fiscal 2023. (Japan Joint Staff) China last year sent more drones to probe Japanese airspace than in any previous year, part of an overall increase in scrambles against foreign military aircraft, according to Japans Joint Staff. Chinese drones made 23 passes near Japanese airspace in fiscal 2024, compared to eight the previous year, an extreme increase, Gen. Yoshihide Yoshida, chief of the Joint Staff, said during a news conference Thursday. Japans fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31. The number of Chinese drone challenges last fiscal year was equal to all previous years combined, he said. Approaching Chinese aircraft typically penetrate Japans 230-mile-wide air defense identification zone but turn back before reaching territorial airspace, a 14-mile-wide zone that begins at the coast. In total, Japan Air Self-Defense Force pilots intercepted foreign challengers nearly all of them Russian or Chinese 704 times between April 2024 and March, compared to 669 interceptions the previous fiscal year, according to Joint Staff data released Thursday. Thats 5% more scrambles by Japanese fighters year-over-year. Chinese aircraft the most frequent challengers in fiscal 2024 provoked 464 intercepts, according to the Joint Staff. China made 479 challenges in fiscal 2023. By comparison, Russian aircraft prompted 237 intercepts in fiscal 2024, up from 174 the previous year. Japan first intercepted a Chinese drone near its airspace on Sept. 9, 2013, according to the Joint Staff. Yoshida said Japan is working on sending drones in response to foreign drones challenging its airspace, a Joint Staff spokesman told Stars and Stripes by phone Friday. Our drones do not have the capability to scramble during airspace violation measures, but we are considering it, Yoshida said, according to the spokesman. I think that the Chinese military drones shifted from an experimental flight phase to an operational phase. Some Japanese government officials may speak to the press only on condition of anonymity. Airspace challenges have generally been on the rise in the past decade. Since 2013, Japanese pilots have scrambled an average of 877 times each fiscal year, with a high of 1,168 in fiscal 2016. The 669 scrambles in fiscal 2023 were the lowest since 2012, when Japanese fighters intercepted foreign aircraft 567 times. On Feb. 26, a Chinese GJ-2 reconnaissance and attack drone was spotted for the first time flying near southern Japan, including Okinawa and Kyushu. Japan scrambled an unspecified number of aircraft in response. On Aug. 26, a Chinese Y-9 surveillance aircraft entered Japanese airspace just southeast of the Danjo Islands, about 100 miles southwest of Nagasaki. This was the first airspace violation by China, according to the Joint Staffs news release. A Russian IL-38 reconnaissance aircraft entered Japanese airspace three times on Sept. 23, prompting Tokyo to scramble fighter jets to intercept and warn off the aircraft with flares. This was the first flare warning directed at Russian aircraft since the start of airspace violation measures, according to the Joint Staff release. U.S. Marines patrol American Village bars in Chatan, Okinawa, Aug. 2, 2024. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes) CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa U.S. service members will join Japanese police and local officials for the first joint patrol on Okinawa in more than half a century following a series of high-profile criminal cases involving American troops. The patrol, scheduled for April 18 in Okinawa city, will be the first of its kind on the island since 1974, according to the Okinawa Prefectural Police. It comes in response to public outcry over one convicted and two alleged sexual assault cases involving U.S. service members last year. The patrol will aim to enhance public safety, according to a U.S. Forces Japan news release Friday. By working side-by-side with our Japanese counterparts, we are reinforcing shared standards and contributing to the safety and trust that are essential to the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance, Lt. Gen. Roger Turner, Okinawa Area Coordinator and commander of III Marine Expeditionary Force, said in the release. The patrol will include U.S. troops, Japanese government officials, Okinawa city leaders and local residents. It will begin at 10 p.m. and last until 2 a.m., focusing on Gate 2 Street, a nightlife district near Kadena Air Base, according to a Friday news release from Okinawa city. Participants will divide into three groups to cover separate routes through the city, a spokesman with the citys Base Policy Division said by phone Friday. More joint patrols are expected to follow, both on Okinawa and across Japan, according to USFJ. The initiative will be evaluated after the first patrol to determine how to proceed with future efforts, the city spokesman said. Some Japanese government officials may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity. Calls for joint patrols began last summer under then-USFJ commander Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp, who also advocated for the creation of a trilateral forum to improve cooperation between U.S., Japanese and Okinawan leaders. Okinawa police at the time balked at the patrols, citing concerns about U.S. military police exercising authority outside their installations. In October, USFJ imposed new liberty restrictions, barring U.S. troops from off-base drinking establishments between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Since July, the Marine Corps has conducted enhanced gate checks on outgoing vehicles, including sobriety checks, at its bases across Japan, Marine Corps Installations Pacific spokesman 1st Lt. Grant Hoel said by email Friday. Marines have also conducted courtesy patrols on weekends in popular nightlife spots off base. The patrols follow mounting concerns from Okinawan residents after several criminal cases involving U.S. troops. Senior Airman Brennon R.E. Washington was convicted in December of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a minor in 2023. He was sentenced to five years in prison with labor and has appealed the decision. Two Marines, Lance Cpls. Jamel Clayton and Michael Hofmaster, face charges in separate cases last year involving attempted and actual sexual assault. Both cases are pending trial in Japan. In addition to the patrols, USFJ and local officials are working to establish a forum to foster further dialogue with local stakeholders and facilitate progress on key issues of mutual interest, according to USFJs news release. The strength of our alliance lies in close and persistent engagement at all levels, USFJ Provost Marshal Col. David Mays said in the release. We appreciate the collaborative spirit that has made this agreement possible. Commanders and senior enlisted leaders on Okinawa are expected to participate in the April 18 patrol, USFJ spokeswoman Air Force Maj. Allison Trueblood wrote in an email to Stars and Stripes on Friday. Students at Netzaberg Middle School in Eschenbach in der Oberpfalz, Germany, say they were stopped from staging a planned walkout on April 10, 2025. School officials say the small demonstration proceeded without incident. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes) KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany Parents and students say that administrators initiated an unannounced lockdown drill to stop a planned walkout at Netzaberg Middle School on Thursday, a claim school officials dispute. The incident has raised concerns in the U.S. military community near Grafenwoehr and Vilseck that the school deliberately kept students from speaking out against the removal of material deemed to support diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as the shuttering or reorganization of groups with gender, racial or cultural affiliations. The curriculum changes are in support of White House and Pentagon orders that aim to prevent indoctrination in schools. The walkout at Netzaberg coincided with a student-led movement involving hundreds at Department of Defense Education Activity schools in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Guam. Students at other schools held walkouts lasting 20-35 minutes. At Netzaberg, participating students were called back quickly for an unscheduled lockdown, three parents and two students told Stars and Stripes in phone calls Thursday and Friday. I would say they were outside for only two to three minutes, said Leslie, who had parked outside the school to watch her daughter, Emmilou. I didnt even have time to take a picture. Some who spoke to Stars and Stripes asked to go by their first name or requested anonymity to protect themselves or family members from potential retribution. All students spoke with their parents blessings. Tarah, an eighth grader, left band class with two other students to join the walkout. Shortly after they went outside, assistant principal Paul Crane told them to return or face unspecified disciplinary measures, she said. Tarah and a friend had emailed the principal and vice principal a link to a shared document on Wednesday about the walkouts time, location and purpose, and measures to ensure student safety and minimize disruptions. We had planned to stay out there for around 20 minutes, she said, noting that she and others had prepared speeches. The walkout was supposed to be about making sure everybody has the opportunity to get the education they deserve in an honest way, Tarah said. Leslie said her daughter, who prepared posters and a speech, is concerned about books being removed from the school library. A lot of books about strong women who make a difference, those are all being removed. Its really upsetting, she said. Crane, in an email that went out late Thursday afternoon to students, said fewer than 10 kids participated in a student walkout at the end of the lunch period and prior to fourth period. He went on to say that out of concern for accountability and the safety of the students, after students re-entered, I secured the building. DODEA backed Cranes account of the events. A drill was called to ensure safety of both the Middle and Elementary School due to a shared campus and to gain accountability, DODEA Europe spokeswoman Jessica Tackaberry said Friday in a statement. She added that while student-led walkouts in the past have concluded without serious incidents, the cumulative disruption to the DODEA school system negatively has impacted classroom instruction and pulled resources away from normal school operations to ensure student safety. Ellie Appling, an eighth grader at Netzaberg Middle School in Germany, sits outside the school on April 10, 2025, for about 25 minutes by herself. She wanted to participate in a planned walkout, which students and parents said was abruptly curtailed. School officials said the walkout occurred without incident. (Courtesy) Crane said in his memo that DODEA respects the rights of our students to engage in peaceful expressions of their opinions through speech and other ways. That language has been repeated in memos signed by administrators at many other DODEA schools. But parents say their kids were denied that opportunity. Earlier in the week, the school clearly stated that the children could conduct the walkout with the warning that they would be marked unexcused for whatever class they missed, said one parent. Some students elsewhere scheduled walkouts during lunch, while others did so during class despite the threat of unexcused absences, which may lead to further discipline such as detentions and exclusion from extracurricular activities. Meanwhile, parents said that lockdown drills are usually announced in advance, and that this one scared some students. Michelle Kuehn-Spino said her seventh grade son was planning to take a test but couldnt because of the lockdown. He said his teacher usually tells them when its a drill and she didnt, she said. He said that he assumed it was because of the protest, but a lot of his classmates were really scared and trembling because they thought it was a real threat. Once all students and staff were accounted for at Netzaberg, the assistant principal called the all clear, which took under 10 minutes to complete, Tackaberry said. Ellie Appling, an eighth grader, said she was the only student who ended up demonstrating for long. She sat outside Thursday for the last 25 minutes of school, she said. She was planning to join the walkout but didnt make it before the lockdown was called. She went outside anyway, she said. Ellie sat outside again for four hours Friday morning before her parents were called to pick her up. Two other students joined her at times, she said. This time, the protest was directed more toward the lockdown, Ellie said. I felt like we were being silenced with something that was supposed to keep us safe, she said. Lockdowns are supposed to mean theres a threat. Head of the Presidents Office of Ukraine Andriy Yermak stated that Ukraine, together with partner countries, strives to achieve a complete and unconditional ceasefire, which will open the way to the establishment of a fair and lasting peace, the press service of the Presidents Office reported on Friday. "It is difficult to even talk about an energy truce after Kryvyi Rih. We need to talk about a complete ceasefire, very clear monitoring and control. It is important that the Americans ensure this control. With the involvement of our European partners, if they are ready," Yermak noted during a meeting of the LB Club. According to the head of the Presidents Office, 30 days is enough to understand whether the ceasefire is really working. According to him, Ukraine also insists on the release of military and civilian prisoners and the return of illegally deported and displaced Ukrainian children. Yermak noted that there is already a gradual change in attitude among those US representatives who believed that a compromise could be found with Russia. After all, American partners see how the aggressor state violates the agreements reached. That is why it is so important to continue pressure on the Russian Federation, including sanctions. The head of the President's Office noted the unanimous position of European countries on this issue at a recent meeting of leaders in Paris. During the meeting it was emphasized that in order to ensure its own security, Ukraine must first of all rely on the strength of its army and domestic defense production. Deputy Head of the Presidents Office Pavlo Palisa is convinced that only modern Armed Forces can rule out aggression against Ukraine. "The most effective security guarantees for Ukraine are modern Defense Forces with a high degree of readiness, which guarantee that February 24, 2022 will not be repeated, and which, in terms of their combat capabilities, exclude aggression against Ukraine," Palisa noted. In this 2020 file photo, a Patriot missile launcher stands ready to destroy any incoming threats at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait. The Army recently transferred a Patriot battalion from Indo-Pacific Command to the Central Command area of operations as the U.S. builds up its defenses in the Middle East. (Kenneth Boyton/U.S. Air Force) U.S. Patriot missile defense systems were recently moved from Asia to the Middle East amid ongoing fighting with Houthi rebels in Yemen and threats from their backers in Iran, the leader of Indo-Pacific Command told lawmakers this week. Speaking before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday, Adm. Samuel Paparo said the Army had transferred a Patriot battalion from INDOPACOM to the Central Command area of operations as the military builds up its defenses in the region. Tensions have been escalating since the U.S. launched a fresh barrage of airstrikes against the Houthis last month, with President Donald Trump vowing to keep up the pressure until the militants halt attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea. Trump also has threatened to go after their backers in Iran if the maritime attacks dont stop. Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has in turn threatened to strike American bases if the U.S. attacks Iran, vowing to deliver a strong blow if necessary. Combined Air Operation Center coalition partners listen to a C-17 Globemaster III pilot in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on Feb. 8, 2025. Reportedly, 73 flights on C-17 cargo planes were needed recently to transport a Patriot missile battalion from the Indo-Pacific Command area of responsibility to that of CENTCOM. (Violette Hosack/U.S. Air Force) Col. Peter Gilbert, commander of 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, discusses Patriot battery readiness with soldiers in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility on Feb. 19, 2025. The Army has transferred a Patriot battalion from Indo-Pacific Command to the CENTCOM area of operations as the U.S. builds up its defenses in the Middle East. (Clara Harty/U.S. Army) The Patriot is considered one of the militarys most advanced air defense systems, designed to detect and shoot down ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, drones and advanced aircraft, according to manufacturer Raytheon. One battalion typically contains four batteries, each of which includes a truck-mounted launching system with eight launchers, radar, a control station and a generator, according to the Army. Moving the battalion, Paparo said, required 73 flights on C-17 cargo planes, which can carry loads of up to 170,000 pounds. He mentioned the Patriot in the context of challenges faced by the Indo-Pacific Command but didnt share the precise location of the battalion or details about what it was defending. But its transfer coincides with a recent buildup of force in the CENTCOM area of responsibility. The U.S. also recently deployed part of its B-2 bomber fleet to the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, according to satellite images reviewed by The Associated Press. And the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson arrived in the region this week to serve alongside another carrier, USS Harry S. Truman, CENTCOM announced. Meanwhile, the U.S. is also exploring diplomatic options to ease the tension. Special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet with a senior Iranian leader in Oman on Saturday to discuss Irans nuclear program, which Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he hopes will lead to peace. Dan Caine testifies April 1, 2025, during a Senate confirmation hearing about his nomination to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The former retired Air Force lieutenant general was confirmed as Joint Chiefs chairman on Friday, April 11, 2025. (Eric Kayne/Stars and Stripes) WASHINGTON The Senate voted early Friday to confirm retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Caine as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, elevating him to four-star general and the nations highest-ranking military position. The vote was 60-25 and took place in the middle of the night to ensure Caine, a 34-year military veteran, could begin his role as the principal military adviser to President Donald Trump as the Senate departed for a two-week recess. Democrats blocked an attempt to hold a quick vote on Caines nomination during the day on Thursday to protest Trumps firing of the most recent chairman, Air Force Gen. Charles CQ Brown. Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi, the Republican chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, urged the Senate to stay as long as it takes to confirm Caine, pointing to increasing threats from Chinas military buildup and the banding together of multiple adversaries against the United States. The committee advanced Caines nomination this week on a 23-4 vote. We must get the presidents chief military official on the job because that is what the American people deserve and what the moment demands, Wicker said. Caine, 56, is stepping out of retirement to take the position. He is also the first Joint Chiefs chairman to have never served at the rank of four-star general or admiral before assuming the chairmanship. By statute, the job is required to go to someone who has served as a combatant commander, as the vice chairman for the Joint Chiefs of Staff or as the top uniformed officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Space Force. Trump invoked a waiver to bypass those criteria. Caine acknowledged he was an unconventional nominee at his confirmation hearing earlier this month. But he said his decades of military service and experience as an entrepreneur and investor made him a good fit for unconventional times. I realize for many Americans Im an unknown leader and it is with a heart full of gratitude that Ive been given a truly unique set of experiences that I believe have prepared me to be the 22nd chairman, he said. Caine followed his father into the Air Force, commissioning through the ROTC shortly after graduating from the Virginia Military Institute in 1990. An F-16 pilot with 150 combat flight hours, Caine was reportedly so aggressive in the cockpit that he earned the nickname Razin Caine. On Sept. 11, 2001, Caine was a lead aviator protecting the skies above Washington following the terrorist attacks on the Pentagon and New Yorks World Trade Center. He also deployed to Iraq and served as a deputy commander in the U.S. campaign against the Islamic State. Trump met Caine when he visited U.S. troops in western Iraq in 2018. The meeting made a great impression on Trump, who later recounted Caine told him that ISIS could be defeated in a week and not two years as his senior advisers predicted. I said, Why didnt my other generals tell me that? Why didnt they tell me that? Trump said at the Conservative Political Action Conference in 2019. Trump also repeatedly claimed Caine put on a Make America Great Again hat during the meeting an account that Caine disputed at his confirmation hearing. Caine said he has never worn any political merchandise. He sought to reassure senators that he would provide candid military advice to Trump, pledging to speak truth to power even if it was not what elected officials wanted to hear. He also said he was willing to be fired for following the Constitution. Candor has gotten me here today, and candor will continue to allow me to do my job moving forward, Caine said. Trump frequently clashed during his first term with former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley, a now-retired Army general. Since Trumps return to the White House in January, Milley has had his security detail revoked, his security clearance suspended and is under an investigation that could bump down his rank. Its always a challenge to stand up to this president, Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, told Caine at his confirmation hearing. Caine noted he served three presidents from both political parties as a general officer. His most recent role was associate director for military affairs at the CIA, where he was the agencys primary liaison to the Defense Department. As a part-time member of the Air National Guard from 2009 to 2016, Caine ventured into the business world and became a serial entrepreneur and investor who founded and led companies. He joined a venture capital firm called Shield Capital after retiring in December. He said he learned what a different kind of grit looks like as a businessman and would apply those lessons to the chairmanship. Our American entrepreneurial spirit is a force multiplier and my time as an entrepreneur has made me a better general officer and leader, he said. Ill bring more of that spirit into the joint force. shkolnikova.svetlana@stripes.com Twitter: @svetashko A Saildrone on display outside a conference hosted by Palantir. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg) Blue Water Autonomy, a startup thats less than a year old, is preparing to build a hulking, 100-foot ship. Co-founded by Navy veterans and former tech executives, the company has designed the vessel to travel thousands of miles for months at a time over the open ocean without a captain or crew. Boston-based Blue Water has about 10 employees and $14 million in new funding. Its goal of building an autonomous ship that can carry 100 tons about 50 cars represents the outsized seafaring ambition of a group of startups working to release thousands of uncrewed vessels into and under the water. In the last year, investors including Founders Fund, Andreessen Horowitz and 8VC have together plowed billions into companies using artificial intelligence, autonomy software and other technology with naval applications. For example, in February, Saronic Technologies raised $600 million to mass-produce autonomous vessels at a new shipyard. Venture-backed Saildrone Inc. says its fleet of sailing vehicles has traversed 1.6 million nautical miles. Earlier this week, Saildrone set up a subsidiary in Denmark as a step toward expanding operations to the Baltic Sea. The Saronic Technologies Spyglass Autonomous Surface Vessel watercraft. (David Paul Morris/Bloomberg) Also this week, weapons startup Anduril Industries Inc. unveiled a torpedo-like autonomous drone called Copperhead, with the tagline: Whoever commands the sea commands the world. Building ships has become an increasingly urgent national priority. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order seeking to revive the industry in the US. The president will also dispatch Elon Musks efficiency squad to investigate how the US Navy fell so far behind in turning out vessels. In January, Ambassador Katherine Tai said that the US builds fewer than five ships a year, while China constructs more than 1,700. Blue Water is taking the countrys slump in shipbuilding seriously. Chief Executive Officer Rylan Hamilton compared the companys mission to the Liberty ships the US made during World War II. Blue Waters vessel is designed for mass production, he said, with construction taking months rather than years. Well need to deliver these at scale, Hamilton said. The Navy needs to make hundreds of these. Rising global tensions with China and Russia have fueled a larger rekindling of Silicon Valleys interest in defense technology. In the US, the defense sector is led by companies like SpaceX and Palantir Technologies Inc., which have commanded big government contracts after years trying to break into the insular world of US defense and military sales. Now, SpaceX is the worlds largest startup, and Palantirs stock has climbed about 1,000% in the last two years. Private investors have taken note: Venture capital firms have plowed more money into US defense tech startups since 2021 than in the entire previous decade. We love this stuff, said Seth Winterroth, a partner at Eclipse Ventures, which backed Blue Water, citing the recent upswell of industrial and defense companies. Its music to our ears to see a resurgence of this nationally. There are a wide variety of nautical drones currently in development, ranging from small swimming swarms to Blue Waters 100-foot vessel. Most versions of the technology rely on AI, and many are equipped to carry military supplies while navigating through contested waters without GPS or communications. At Saildrone, for example, dozens of solar- and wind-powered drones that look like model sailboats are now operating in the Caribbean to deter illegal immigration and drug smuggling. Another company, Vatn Systems, is building small AI-powered underwater vehicles designed to move in swarms of hundreds at a time. Founded in 2023, the company emerged from stealth last year with backing form the CIA venture unit IQT, and currently operates about a dozen of its 5-foot-long, 6-inch-around drones, which can carry supplies 1,000 miles without a GPS connection. It plans to deliver dozens more vehicles by the end of the year, and ultimately produce thousands. At Anduril, autonomous Copperhead drones will sit inside larger uncrewed underwater vessels that perform tasks like reconnaissance, mapping and carrying munitions. The startup last summer said it would be capable of producing 200 of its Dive-LD vehicles annually at a new facility in Rhode Island. The Anduril Dive-LD autonomous underwater vessel in 2023. (Kyle Grillot/Bloomberg) Hamilton, a US Navy veteran, started Blue Water after co-founding robotic startup 6 River Systems, and previously worked at Amazon.com Inc. The startup is co-founded by Austin Gray, also a Navy veteran, and Scott Miller, an investor and former vice president of engineering at iRobot Corp. Hamilton described Blue Waters vessel as multi-mission, working in areas with contested logistics to carry supplies, conduct surveillance or transport munitions payloads. During the next six to 12 months, Blue Water will continue demonstrating its systems capabilities while determining whether to build its own shipyard or to partner with one of dozens of underused existing ones currently making ferries, tugboats and other vessels. An open question for companies like Blue Water is whether there will ultimately be a large enough market for their wares. Major US military contracts are famously difficult to get for new companies. Meanwhile, the Navy, which has long sought to increase its autonomous fleet, sliced its own research and development spending by 4.8% this fiscal year, with just $172 million going to unmanned surface vehicles and $192 million to unmanned underwater vehicles. The technical challenges are also significant. Saltwater, extreme temperatures and lightning storms are the norm in open water passage and often regular ships must make repairs as vessels are underway. Ensuring all those systems from fuel pumps to sensors operate seamlessly without humans will be a high bar. There is no room for error, Hamilton said. The last thing the Navy needs is a dead ship in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The next step for the company will be building a prototype and attempting a voyage. For the Navy, seeing is believing, he said. Oisin ONeill (27) discarded a white package as he ran, which was picked up by gardai and found to contain cocaine with a street value of 1,100. An apprentice who ran from a garda drug search had developed a cocaine problem after he lost his job, a court heard. Oisin ONeill (27) discarded a white package as he ran, which was picked up by gardai and found to contain cocaine with a street value of 1,100. Judge Cephas Power ordered ONeill to donate 500 to Merchants Quay Ireland and said he would leave him without a conviction. The defendant, with an address at Jugback Green in Swords, admitted possession of cocaine as well as having the drug for sale or supply. Garda Dylan Toner told Swords District Court that he observed a car acting in a suspicious manner in Swords Main Street on March 17, 2024. ONeill was a front-seat passenger in the vehicle. Gda Toner said that he told ONeill he was going to search him and the defendant ran away, discarding a white package. ONeill was stopped at Forrester Way, where Gda Toner found five bags of cocaine, with a street value of 1,100. The defendant had no previous convictions. Defence solicitor Fiona DArcy said ONeill took it badly when he lost his job as an apprentice electrician. Ms DArcy said ONeill developed a problem with cocaine. Despite the value of the drug, most of it was for his own use. The defendant panicked when gardai approached him and he wished to apologise. ONeill was now completing an apprenticeship in telecommunications and data networking. Ms DArcy said he had not touched the drug since this incident. John Hand (59) knocked the victims glasses off and left him with a small cut near his mouth. A dad of three punched a neighbour in the face after a heated row about a minor car collision, a court heard. John Hand (59) knocked the victims glasses off and left him with a small cut near his mouth. Judge David McHugh ordered Hand to pay 300 in compensation to the injured party and struck out the matter. The defendant, of St Johns Court in Clondalkin, admitted assaulting a neighbour on September 29, 2021. Read more Graphic video captured Tristan Sherrys final moments on the floor of Dublin steakhouse Blanchardstown District Court heard the victim told gardai that Hand had punched him in the face, leaving a small cut, and knocking off his glasses. The court heard the incident arose after one of the mens cars had rolled into the others car. The victim claimed Hand had pushed him out of the driveway, when he tried to speak to him, and then punched him on the chin. The defendant had no previous convictions, the court heard. Defence lawyer Ciaran MacLoughlin said this was a one-punch incident following a heated exchange. He said there had been no trouble between the parties since. The court heard Hand apologised to the other man, who accepted his apology. Returning judgment on the men's conviction appeal yesterday, Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said that the three-judge court found no favour with any of the grounds of appeal advanced by both Tynan and Fitzgerald. Two Dubliners who murdered a man whose body was found with 20 stab wounds on a roadside have failed to convince the Court of Appeal that they were "accessories after the fact" and should have their convictions overturned. Stephen Tynan (46), a father-of-two, of Deerpark Lodge, Kiltipper, Tallaght, Dublin, and Raymond Fitzgerald (41) of Knockmore Grove, Killinarden, also in Tallaght, had both pleaded not (NOT) guilty to murdering Mr Tynans cousin, Andrew Guerrine, at an unknown place between May 22 and May 23, 2015. The father-of-one had been stabbed 20 times, including through his skull and spine. The trial heard that Mr Guerrines body was found in the early hours of May 23 on Steelstown Lane in Rathcoole, 10km from where he was last seen alive in Tallaght. The deceased, who was from New Street in the city, had gone to Tallaght to sell tablets and was last seen approaching a pedestrian entrance into Knockmore. The defendants were connected to the murder through a car, CCTV footage and mobile phone records. The evidence was circumstantial, but a Central Criminal Court jury found them guilty by majority verdict and they were jailed for life by Mr Justice Michael White in December 2018. Returning judgment on the men's conviction appeal yesterday , Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy said that the three-judge court found no favour with any of the grounds of appeal advanced by both Tynan and Fitzgerald. Counsel for Tynan, Seamus Clarke SC, previously told the court that the defence had raised the possibility that another person was involved as part of a drugs transaction, and Tynan did not know what would happen to Mr Guerrine but later got involved in assisting after the murder. He said this would lead to a verdict of not guilty of murder but to being an accessory. On this ground, Ms Justice Kennedy said that the court was not persuaded that any unfairness or error arose and found that the trial judge advised the jury repeatedly as to the verdicts open to them. Counsel for Fitzgerald, Sean Guerin SC, said that concerning CCTV footage in the case, the defence took issue with how personal data is processed under Irish law and argued that the CCTV footage was inadmissible. He further challenged evidence derived from Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) system, saying that this evidence had not been proven in terms of its accuracy or reliability. He said that with this type of system, no photo is taken of the number plate, but the image is processed to create a text file. Ms Justice Kennedy said that the CCTV evidence in this case was relevant and probative evidence. She said CCTV is real evidence and in a time of widespread cameras, there cannot be any general expectation of privacy in public places. With regard to the ANPR evidence, she concluded that it counted as admissible once authenticity had been proven and the fact that it was a text file does not detract from the quality of the evidence. The next ground of appeal related to a voluntary caution statement taken from Fitzgerald on June 5, 2015, in which the appellant incriminated himself, with this statement admitted into evidence as proof he lied to the gardai. Ms Justice Kennedy said it was quite clear that the appellant was not under arrest, was not in the custody of the gardai, was not detained and no decision had been made to charge him. She said he was in his own home and could have requested the gardai to leave, therefore no unfairness was found and this ground failed. A further ground of appeal related to a question posed by the jury after they began their deliberations, in which they asked if someone has prior knowledge that harm is going to be inflicted and a person dies, is the person with knowledge an accessory, to which the jury were told that the person is. Mr Guerin said that the answer to this question should be yes only if that person agrees with the decision that harm is to be caused. Ms Justice Kennedy said that it was readily apparent from the instructions given that the jury were required to consider whether there existed an agreement between the parties and if so, whether what actually happened was within the terms of that agreement. She said it is quite clear that the trial judge comprehensively instructed the jury regarding both appellants on the issue of verdicts open to them. In fact, it seems he did so on no less than four occasions, she said. Ms Justice Kennedy said that none of the grounds of appeal were successful and the men's appeal against their conviction was dismissed. Umerov on Ramstein outcomes: New steps of support from partners, creation of electronic warfare coalition under leadership of Germany Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov summed up the results of the 27th meeting of the Contact Group on Defense Issues in the Ramstein format, in particular the creation of an electronic warfare coalition under the leadership of Germany and new steps of support from partners. Umerov noted on his Facebook page that since the previous meeting, our partners have announced more than $21 billion in security assistance to Ukraine. Fifty-one countries have united today to help Ukraine. I am grateful to the United Kingdom and Germany for their leadership at the meeting. Thanks to my good friends John Healey and Boris Pistorius for ensuring that the work within the UDCG continues, the minister noted. He reported that following the meeting, the partners announced the following new steps of support: Germany will deliver four IRIS-T air defense systems and 300 interceptor missiles for these systems in 2025. Germany will also provide 30 missiles for the Patriot system, 15 Leopard 1 tanks, 25 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and an additional 100,000 artillery shells. In total, the additional aid through 2029 will amount to EUR 11 billion. The United Kingdom will provide GBP 450 million of assistance, including hundreds of thousands of drones, radar systems, and repair of previously supplied equipment. Norway has provided GBP 100 million to finance the aid package announced by the United Kingdom. In total, Norway has increased its military support for 2025 by EUR 5 billion. It also announced EUR 1 billion in assistance, including for ammunition and air defense. Belgium announced a military aid package worth EUR 1 billion. Denmark announced its 25th military aid package worth nearly EUR 900 million. Lithuania plans to allocate EUR 20 million for the purchase of ammunition. Estonia will soon provide Ukraine with ten thousand artillery shells, as well as dry rations for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Netherlands is allocating EUR 150 million to strengthen Ukraines air defense. Another important result of the meeting is the creation of the Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) Coalition under the leadership of Germany. This is an important decision that meets the demands of the time and strengthens our warriors on the battlefield, Umerov noted. A man who was found in possession of two videos and nine images of child sexual abuse material has been handed a suspended prison sentence. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that James Costello (54) of Whitehall, Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material, known in law as child pornography, at his address on December 14, 2020. He also pleaded guilty to using a false instrument. He has no previous convictions. Passing sentence today, Judge Martin Nolan said gardai received information and obtained a warrant for this mans house. He said the defendant was interviewed and did not want to engage with the gardai, then Costello exacerbated this by producing a letter that had not been written by the doctor named in the letter. Judge Nolan noted that the Court of Appeal has highlighted that in the absence of aggravating factors, the court should consider a non-custodial sentence. Judge Nolan sentenced Costello to 20 months in prison, which he suspended in full. A local detective told Conor McKenna, BL, prosecuting, that gardai received information, and a warrant for Costello's home was obtained. A laptop and phone were seized, and Costello gave the pin for his phone to the gardai. Both devices were sent for analysis. Two videos and nine images were found to contain child sexual abuse material. The images were categorised as child exposure, and the videos contained sexual activity involving teenage boys. The court heard Costello began to avoid the gardai and stopped responding to their emails. Gardai then went to his home, and he informed them that he had health issues. The following month, Costello produced a letter from a doctor outlining a medical condition. When gardai made enquiries, they found that Costello was a patient of this doctor, but the doctor in question had not written the letter. The detective told the court that Costello was arrested and interviewed. The images were put to him and asked if he recalled them, and he said he didnt. He told gardai that he was into younger men but not males under the age of 17. The detective agreed with Garret Baker SC, defending, that his client met the gardai at his home when it was being searched. He also agreed that early guilty pleas were entered. The garda agreed with counsel that Costello has no previous convictions and has not come to any adverse garda attention since. Mr Baker said his client had depressive symptoms in his life as well as physical issues. He handed a medical report into the court as well as a letter from Costello, expressing his shame and remorse. Counsel said with regard to the fake doctor's letters, it was ridiculous that his client did what he did and said it should have never happened. He asked the court to consider a non-custodial sentence and highlighted that the amount of material found was at the very lowest range. Peter Brazil (47) had battled addictions to drink and drugs his whole life, but was now sober and anxious to remain sober. A grandfather with over 350 previous convictions who is serving a lengthy jail term wants to come out of prison with a clean slate and finally rebuild his life, a court heard. Peter Brazil (47) had battled addictions to drink and drugs his whole life, but was now sober and anxious to remain sober. Judge David McHugh imposed a 12-month sentence, consecutive to the term Brazil is serving. The judge also fined him 1,500 and banned him from driving for 20 years. The defendant, with an address at Rosse Court Grove in Lucan, admitted counts of burglary, dangerous driving, uninsured and unlicensed driving as well as possession of cocaine and theft. Sergeant Conor Mohan told Blanchardstown District Court that Brazil stole 22 cylinders of gas, worth 1,473, from Texaco, Clane Road in Celbridge, Co Kildare on April 9, 2024. The court heard that 13 of the 22 cylinders were recovered. In a separate incident, Sgt Mohan said Brazil drove erratically and at speed on Ninth Lock Road in Clondalkin on May 6, 2024. Sgt Mohan said the accused was pursued by gardai into Palmerstown Woods, Clondalkin, where he stopped the vehicle. He refused to open the car door and then ran away. Brazil ran into Milford Manor in Clondalkin, where he suddenly turned towards gardai. He was pepper sprayed and arrested. In a previous incident, on June 13, 2023, Sgt Mohan said Brazil had cocaine in his system and drove erratically through three red lights. The court heard he had 359 convictions and was serving a sentence for separate burglary and traffic matters. His earliest release date would be November 2026, the court heard. Defence solicitor Simon Fleming said Brazil went into State care aged nine, spending the next six years in an institution in Co Tipperary. By 16, he was in detention in St Patricks Institution in Dublin. He added that the defendant had been in and out of prison his whole life and had battled addictions to drink and drugs. Mr Fleming said Brazil was doing well in prison, where there are not as many temptations as on the outside for the defendant. The court heard Brazil has six children and a grandchild, who he has a good relationship with. Mr Fleming asked the judge to be as lenient as possible, saying Brazil co-operated with gardai and pleaded guilty. Brazil wanted to come out of jail with a clean slate and rebuild his life, the solicitor added. When gardai approached the car, they could smell cannabis and told Deering they were going to search his vehicle A man stopped by the gardai because he was not wearing a seatbelt has been sentenced to three years in prison after they discovered 160,000 worth of drugs in his car and home. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Conor Deering (24) of Foxborough, Lucan, Co Dublin, pleaded guilty to possession of drugs for sale or supply on September 25, 2021, at various locations in Lucan. He has no previous convictions. Passing sentence today, Judge Martin Nolan said on the date in question, the gardai stopped this car and found certain drugs; they then searched his accommodation and found a serious quantity of drugs. Judge Nolan said this court has heard that this defendant was holding the drugs due to a drug debt. The judge said he could depart from the mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years due to the early guilty plea. He sentenced Deering to three years in prison from todays date. A local garda told Fiona McGowan BL, prosecuting, that Deering was seen driving with no seat belt and was initially stopped for that reason by the gardai. When they approached the car, they could smell cannabis and told Deering they were going to search his car. A backpack in the back seat of the car contained 100 grams of cannabis and 3,900 in cash. The court heard that Deering was arrested and gardai obtained a search warrant for his home. His house was searched, and drugs with a value of over 159,000 were found. The combined value of drugs from both the car and the house was 161,690. An additional 4,000 in cash was found on a bread bin in the kitchen. The garda agreed with James Dwyer SC, defending, that this was not an intelligence-led operation, and his client was stopped due to him not wearing a seatbelt. He agreed he was generally cooperative. The garda agreed with counsel that Deering was not on the garda radar and there were no signs of wealth in Deering's home. Mr Dwyer said his client had mental health difficulties and had general anxiety disorder. Letters were handed into the court from his mother and sister who described him as a devoted family man and that this offending does not reflect his true character. Counsel said his client was holding the drugs, cash and paraphernalia. He said he had a large drug debt and was holding the drugs in order to pay off his debt. Mr Justice Tony Hunt said the assault was "another of the conveyor belt of cases committed mostly by males against females in the domestic context" A judge has imposed a five-and-a-half year prison sentence on a 40-year-old man who twice stabbed his partner of 18 years after chasing her with three different knives. Mr Justice Tony Hunt commented that the assault was "another of the conveyor belt of cases committed mostly by males against females in the domestic context". Sentencing Philip Cox at the Central Criminal Court today, Mr Justice Hunt said victim Cristal O'Brien was lucky she didn't suffer "more serious injury or death" but that this wasn't due to any restraint on Cox's part. He said Ms O'Brien was fortunate that the first knife had broken on the wall of a stairwell in the flat complex as her ex-partner attempted to use it on her. The judge added: "One would think the breaking of a knife would have given him pause for thought. On the contrary he returned to the flat and helped himself to another knife from a block of knives and was heard saying something about finishing her off." In her victim impact statement delivered earlier this year, Ms O'Brien described how one minute she was getting ready for a Christmas party and the next "running for her life". She said the attack was like a movie scene" she "did not sign up to", and that Cox's threats to knife her "to pieces" would never leave her mind. Mr Justice Hunt said today that in an attempt to get Ms O'Brien to safety, her neighbour Alice McGrath brought her inside her apartment in the hope they would be safe there. However, he said Cox had committed aggravated burglary by smashing the glass of Ms McGrath's front door with the butt of the second knife, undoing the lock through the broken window and invading Ms McGrath's dwelling place in a "disgusting way". He said the defendant had attacked Ms O'Brien again and attempted to injure her with the second knife. "The second knife broke and even then he didn't resist, he made it clear he was going to get a third knife and went back to Ms O'Brien's apartment," said the judge, adding that the two women then fled downstairs until gardai arrived. He said the 'fury' of Cox had almost completely subsided by then and he was found on a balcony smoking a cigarette. The judge noted the extreme anger, violence and a complete absence of control on Cox's part. He said the offending was considerably aggravated by the former couple's 18-year relationship. Mr Justice Hunt said a further aggravating factor was that the attack had taken place in Ms O'Brien's dwelling place where she is entitled to feel safe. The former barman had his attempted murder charge dropped last December after a second Central Criminal Court jury failed to reach a verdict. Cox, who is originally from Tallaght in Dublin, but has an address at York Street Flats in Dublin 2, was charged with the attempted murder of Ms OBrien at the flat complex on December 1, 2022. Cox had previously pleaded guilty to assault causing harm, aggravated burglary and to the production of a knife during the course of the dispute. Another jury had failed to reach a verdict in the first trial in March 2024. Before delivering sentence today, Mr Justice Hunt noted Ms O'Brien was content with the Director of Public Prosecution's view that the attempted murder charge shouldn't proceed any further. He said: "I'm glad she has taken such a rational viewpoint to the matter, plainly if two Dublin juries had considered the matter to the fullest extent there is little point in continuing what must have been an ordeal from her point of view." It showed, said the judge, that Ms O'Brien was a person of "considerable good sense" and he said he hoped she would recover from the consequences of this "appalling behaviour". He said Ms McGrath had also been subjected to an "appalling experience" on the night and he wished both women well. He said both of them would have some reassurance from today's sentence that the defendant wouldn't be bothering them in the future. The judge had previously noted the difficulty in proving an attempted murder charge given the high standard required. He had said last December that a "very limited type of intention" had to be proved in such cases. Mr Justice Hunt said today that the mental element required to prove attempted murder is "a legal quirke" and that this case had shown the difficulty for the prosecution "in crossing that very high bar". He said he didn't think a jury would have had any difficulty in finding the wider mental intention to convict Cox of murder had Ms O'Brien been "unfortunate enough" to have sustained a fatal injury that night. In order to return a guilty verdict, the jury were told they had to be satisfied that there was an attempt to kill and that there was an intention to kill. A jury in a murder trial however, only has to consider whether an accused intended to kill or cause serious injury. In his interviews, Cox told gardai that he never intended to kill Ms O'Brien. "It's another of the conveyor belt of cases committed mostly by males against females in the domestic context and it is no longer possible to take a lenient view of this conduct. That's why there is a consecutive sentence in this case," he remarked. The judge said he was conscious that while the physical harm was not very great, the mental consequences were very different. The judge imposed a sentence of three years and six months for the production of the knife. He applied a consecutive sentence of three years and three months for the offences of assault causing harm and aggravated burglary. The last 15 months of the combined six years and nine months sentence was suspended, resulting in a custodial sentence of five-and-a-half years, backdated to June 2 2023, when Cox went into custody. One of the conditions was that the defendant have no contact directly or indirectly with the two women or approach their residences within 100 metres. VICTIM IMPACT STATEMENTS In a victim impact statement read to the court last January by prosecution counsel, Ms OBrien said: "After two trials I am still reliving everything that happened and trying to understand how you know someone for 18 years and one minute you're getting ready for a Christmas party and having a conversation with your ex-partner and the next running for my life; not once or twice but three times, trying not to get hit with a knife". She added: "I thank god every day that Alice [McGrath] heard me bang on the door as I ran past. It could have been more lethal if she had not opened the door that night, it could have been a murder trial.... how someone you thought you knew for 18 years could be so violent and nasty". Ms O'Brien said her ex-partner of 18 years telling her "I will stab you to pieces" will never leave her mind. Ms O'Brien said she has suffered from severe anxiety, panic attacks and post traumatic stress disorder since the event. She said she was on crutches for three weeks and couldn't drive for a few months due to the severe pain in her leg. "I was put on antidepressants just to get on day to day. I was out of work for a whole year; living most of it on illness benefit alone". Ms O'Brien said she had ten weeks of counselling and may possibly need more. She said when she sees a black-handled knife on a table she has to leave the room "as it is a trigger". "Who would have thought something like that could set off such panic". She said the "fear" of Cox being near her or their son again is "extremely daunting and worrying". "Knowing I could not have been here to be a mother to my son breaks my heart every day". She thanked the gardai and prosecution team in trying to get justice "in what can only be described as a movie scene I did not sign up to". In a second statement, the victim's neighbour Alice McGrath said she was very scared when Cox broke into her home and it was only when he was gone and she knew Cristal was safe that it "really hit" her. Ms McGrath said she now always locks her door during the day and at night. She said her anxiety can be very bad and there are days when she doesn't go to work. She said it is a horrible feeling to be nervous at one's own hall door. Sergeant Chris Fitzgerald told prosecuting counsel Timothy O'Leary SC that Cox and Ms O'Brien had been living together in a flat at York Street for 18 years but had been separated for six months prior to this event. He agreed the defendant would stay over in the flat around three nights a week for family reasons. The witness also agreed an argument had "erupted" between the pair after which Cox retrieved a knife from a block of knives in the kitchen of their flat and began threatening Ms O'Brien. In her evidence to the jury, Ms OBrien said she banged on a neighbours door for help and then ran down a flight of stairs before Cox knocked her to the ground and tried to stab her. She said that Cox kicked her twice in the face and must have hit the knife off the wall because it broke. She said he then told her he was going to get another knife. She said her neighbour, Alice McGrath, brought her into her home but Cox smashed the door in the window of her neighbours flat and opened the bolt from inside. Ms OBrien told the court her former partner stabbed her twice in the leg before the second knife also broke. She said Cox told her he was going to finish me off before leaving the flat to retrieve another knife. Ms McGrath gave evidence that when she heard a thump on her door, she went out and heard Mr Cox say: Im going to stab you and Im going to kill you dead. The sergeant agreed with Mr O'Leary that at one stage Ms O'Brien had used her hands and legs to fend off blows from the knife. He said Ms McGrath had come from behind, was pulling at Cox's Liverpool top and trying to prevent him from attacking Ms O'Brien. At one point, Mr Justice Hunt commented: "It could have been much worse and for all concerned: thank God it wasn't". The sergeant said the three large knives were chopping knives and were sharp. Mr O'Leary said this could have been a fatal matter but for the actions of Ms O'Brien and Ms McGrath. "It could have ended up a murder trial," commented the judge. The sergeant said Cox has no previous convictions and used to work as a barman in McNeill's Pub on Capel Street. In his submissions to the court, Eoghan Cole SC, defending, said the aggravated burglary was not protracted and didn't go on for more than a few minutes. He acknowledged that, despite this, the incident would have been "terrifying" for the two women. Mr Cole said Cox was ashamed of what he did but accepted his actions and wanted to express his remorse. He said a sense of shame "percolates" through his psychological report, which was handed into the court. Counsel said his client was an alcoholic, had abused alcohol very badly throughout his life and accepted he was "not there yet in terms of recovery". The judge said Cox resuming his former occupation as a barman would be problematic. The now 20-year-old Dublin man was aged 16 when he took part in a dispute involving between 80 and 100 young people at a block of flats on Pearse Street, Dublin 2 It was a miracle no-one was injured after a teenage boy threw improvised petrol bombs during a fight between opposing groups of young people from the north and southside of Dublin, a judge has said. The now 20-year-old Dublin man was aged 16 when he took part in a dispute involving between 80 and 100 young people at a block of flats on Pearse Street, Dublin 2, on August 25, 2021, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today. He pleaded guilty to one count of possessing improvised petrol bombs with intent to cause injury. He has two previous convictions, including for cannabis possession. He can't be named as he was a juvenile at the time. The court heard that on the day in question, rival groups from the northside and southside converged on the block of flats armed with bats and sticks as part of an ongoing dispute between them. The teenager had four improvised petrol bombs on a balcony and he threw two of them, narrowly missing some people below. Gardai arrived at the scene around this time and the boy climbed onto the roof before climbing back down where he was stopped by gardai. He voluntarily attended a garda station at a later date. The court heard gardai obtained footage of groups of young people, including the boy, testing bottles in a local shop to see which were glass and of others filling a jerry can of petrol beforehand. Sentencing him today, Judge Orla Crowe said it was a miracle no-one was injured when he threw the second improvised petrol bomb in particular, which she noted landed close to a group of people. She took into account a number of mitigating factors, including that the boy had a troubled childhood and was taken into care at the age of four as a result of his parents having drug problems. At the time of the offence, he was in homeless accommodation. Since the offence, he has changed his life around to a remarkable degree and now has ambition, stability and a bright future, the judge said. As a result of his exceptional progress, she set a sentence of two years, which she suspended in its entirety on a number of conditions, including that he remain under the supervision of the Probation Service for one year. Gardai arrested the men on March 14, 2024 in Tragumna near Skibbereen and Leap village in west Cork Aleksander Milic is brought to court after being charged Three men have pleaded guilty at the non-jury Special Criminal Court to conspiring to bring drugs into Ireland. Two are from Spain, while the third has an address in Serbia. The charges against each man state that between February 17, 2024 and March 14, 2024 they conspired with others to import controlled drugs with a value in excess of 13,000 into Ireland. At a brief arraignment on Thursday of this week, Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz (45) of no fixed abode in Spain; Anuar Rahui Chairi (42) of Malaga in Spain; and Aleksander Milic (27) of Svetorgorska, Belgrade in Serbia, pleaded guilty to the charges. Mr Justice Kerida Naidoo, presiding at the three-judge court, ordered probation and governor's reports for each defendant. They will appear before the court again on June 18. In March 2024, the men appeared in court accused of conspiracy to import drugs into the state. Garda Sean OConnor of Bandon Garda Station told the court that he had arrested Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, date of birth August 12, 1979, at 9.30am Thursday morning and had then formally charged him at 12pm. The judge heard Mr Sanz, who is Spanish, made no reply when the charge was put to him with an interpreter present. Mario Angel Del Rio Sanz, 45, being brought to court previously Legal aid was also granted following an application by Mr Sanzs solicitor, Myra Dinneen, with an affidavit of means outlining how he has no property, lives in rented accommodation and has some debt. Meanwhile, Garda Anthony Finn gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Mr Milic. Gardai arrested the men on March 14, 2024 in Tragumna near Skibbereen and Leap village in west Cork and charged them with conspiring to import drugs into Ireland. The international criminal conspiracy was rumbled in March of last year and 840 kilos of cocaine worth over 58 million that was found washed up on beaches in Denmark was the drug haul that was destined for Ireland. No drugs were landed in west Cork with gardai unclear if the mission was aborted due to gang fears over police surveillance or poor sea conditions in the area. Several of the men are believed to have panicked when they suspected they were being watched. A previous court hearing heard that a powerful three-engine inflatable 40-foot boat was extensively modified with "stealth capabilities" to ferry a crew from west Cork to meet a "mothership" at sea and return laden with drugs. The High Court heard evidence last April that gardai believed it was part of a "sophisticated" operation by an international criminal group. A garda inspector told the court that "a concerned citizen" had alerted gardai about vehicles at Tragumna Pier in the dark and early hours of March 12. There was a Land Rover, a camper van and an articulated truck with its trailer down and facing the pier, and several people were visible. Gardai conducted surveillance and were informed of the launch of a 40-foot rigid inflatable boat (RIB) equipped with three high-powered Yamaha engines. Almost 48 hours later, the three vehicles returned to the pier and the RIB returned without any drugs. The garda witness claimed the defendants loaded the returned RIB using a winch to load it back onto a modified trailer and into the truck. The truck got stuck due to the slant on the pier and was towed by the Land Rover and the camper van. It was alleged that the camper van departed with six men but gardai intercepted it in Leap, Co Cork. The other four, including the driver of the truck, were arrested at the pier in Tragumna. Gardai recovered walkie-talkies, personal phones, and satellite "burner" phones and that 3,000 and 8,000 were spent on maritime clothing. The entire cost of materials, including the boat, travel, and accommodation, was estimated to be 700,000. It was alleged gardai recovered notes with timings and distance from accommodation to piers in west Cork. The inspector said people at a higher level in an international crime group organised what was termed in court as a "sophisticated operation". The gardai believe that the gang is responsible for the discharge of firearms, drug dealing and other serious incidents A man and woman who were arrested in connection with an investigation into organised crime in South Dublin have been released without charge. Both, who are aged in their 20s, had been arrested by gardai attached to the South Dublin Serious Crime Unit on Tuesday last. Gardai have been investigating the activities of a criminal gang that had been involved in an ongoing feud in the Ronanstown area of Dublin which has resulted in pipe bomb and arson attacks. The man, who was arrested in Dublin city centre and held under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984, was held at a Garda station in west Dublin. The female was arrested in Clondalkin and detained under Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act 2007, and questioned at a Garda station in west Dublin. Both have now been released without charge and a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The gardai believe that the gang was also involved in the discharge of firearms, drug dealing and other serious incidents. These arrests form part of an ongoing Garda investigation aimed at disrupting these criminal elements, a garda spokesperson said earlier. investigations are ongoing. Shaun Brady died after he was shot when confronting a group of people behind his restaurant The wife of an Irish chef who was shot dead in the United States last year was in court this week as a hearing was shown footage of the alleged murder. Shaun Brady was shot at close range in the car park of his restaurant, Brady & Fox, in Brookside, Kansas City. His wife, and the mother of his two kids, Kate Brady, sat at the back of the courtroom while family in Ireland watched proceedings via a webcam. A 15-year-old boy, who is only known as K.H because he is a minor, has been accused of second-degree murder, attempted stealing and armed criminal action in the fatal shooting on August 28th 2024. At around 5.15 pm the victim went to the back of the restaurant to throw out empty boxes. Brady, who is a native of Nenagh, saw several people who had pulled up in a black Hyundai Elantra trying to break into his car, a red Hyundai Sonata which was parked behind the restaurant. Last summer, there was a spate of Hyundai thefts in the area according to Kansas City Police Department homicide detective Clyde Harvey, who said they were easy to break into. Shaun Brady tried to warn the group off his car, and as they fled in their vehicle they got stuck in traffic at the car park exit. Brady then approached the car and the driver got out in a shooters stance before pointing something at him. We just see Brady fall to the ground, Harvey said as he described the CCTV footage to the court. According to the prosecution, DNA showed that K.H was the driver of the vehicle. Police had a partial registration plate number for the car, and later that day he was arrested with another teen, a 17-year-old, who is only known as L.M because he is a minor. L.M was also charged with second degree murder, but the charges were dropped and he was released from custody in late 2024. A juvenile court heard arguments to move K.Ms case to adult court because according to Jackson County authorities it was a vicious, forceful and violent act that endangered the community. The boys attorney described him as a desperate, starving child who was forced to sell drugs from the age of 10 to feed himself and his siblings. He got addicted to narcotic painkiller Percocet when he was just 4-years-old during treatment for cancer. The boy began drinking at age 11 or 12, and tested positive for marjiuana when he was arrested. On one occasion he allegedly pushed his mother down the stairs when she refused to give him money for drugs. On at least two occasions she had to administer Narcan, an antidote for narcotic overdose, to him. The court heard that the only person K.H trusts is his mother, who described him as a generally sweet kid until Covid-19 forced him to stay away from school when he was 11. Irish chef Shaun Brady He ran away, started using drugs and began carrying a weapon. During his childhood he was neglected in every aspect of his life as his parents were addicted to drugs and suffering from mental illness. The court heard K.H has several mental diagnoses, as well as impulse and anger issues. His attorney Kirby Crick said that K.H. should be placed in a juvenile facility to undergo treatment, learn social skills and partake in education. Prison and a felony conviction would lead him further down the path to destruction, Crick said. A deputy juvenile officer, Sandy Hawkins, who investigated the case agreed to the details of K.Hs life but argued that the teen should be tried as an adult because of the violence hes accused of perpetrating. This is a brazen violent act that endangered the whole community, Hawkins told the court. The hearing is set to conclude on April 22 when Family Court Judge Jennifer Phillips will rule on whether or not the case will be transferred to an adult court. K.Hs father, who was also at the hearing, previously said his son was diagnosed with Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare cancer-like disorder that causes lesions in the body, when he was five years old. Read more Man to face retrial for stealing car used in Detective Adrian Donohoe murder He underwent three years of chemo which severely affected his mental and cognitive functions. His father, who had custody from the age of one to seven, said he had the boy in a developmental educational system, kept him on medications and made sure he attended doctors appointments. He also blamed the juvenile criminal justice system, which he said failed to give the boy the right discipline after his run-ins with the law and failed to treat his mental illness. They overlook the youth, he said. They dont think mental health is significant. Youll be happy in any of the seats and the Sealion is finished well with premium materials The BYD Ireland team should consider diversifying into event management as they are going to be busy for the next few years with the conveyor belt of new vehicles arriving in Ireland. A break of six months doesnt seem like a long time between launches but by BYDs standards it was officially a barren spell. But motoring journalists need not fear that the BYD juggernaut is planning to slow down any time soon, as they invited us to Johnstown Estate in Meath to show off the all-new premium mid-sized SUV called the Sealion 7. The fifth model to arrive in two years (previous models were the Atto 3, Dolphin, Seal and Seal U) is their most expensive to date, but dont let that put you off or think there is a giant change in their impressive business model. Inside the BYD Sealion Its priced from 45,435 because it is a big all-electric SUV with bucket loads of as-standard kit and safety features. For that you get the rear-wheel-drive Comfort trim level which has lovely 19 wheels, vegan leather seats and a WLTP range of 482km. Jump up to the Design trim line and you will get a much faster all-wheel-drive car that has 690Nm of torque and a full-charge range of 456km. It also comes with 20 Michelin tyres and exclusive red brake callipers. For that luxury you will be expected to pay 52,390. The top end version is the Excellence trim for 56,490 and the add-ons include a heads-up display, Nappa leather seats and a 502km range battery with a mind-boggling 230kW of DC charging capabilities. It does 0-100km in 4.5 seconds which is a whole 0.7 slower than the Seal but very impressive when you consider the size of this vehicle. On three-phase AC outlets, all cars can charge at up to 11kW, while a heat pump is included as standard. Inside the BYD Sealion And anyone who still thinks there is no future in EVs should know that the car comes with a six-year warranty, while the battery itself comes with an eight-year and a 200,000 km warranty. Like all BYDs, the Sealion 7 is finished really well with lots of premium materials, and no matter where you sit in this you will be happy with the space, comfort and view. It is a slick looking car too with no bad angles and during my short 20-minute test drive on Tuesday I was able to navigate the country roads around Enfield with absolute ease. The weight magnetises it to the ground, yet it is designed so well that it corners and manoeuvres brilliantly. Both of us are due to get a full test week in it over the coming months so we will give a full rundown then about living with it for a full week and giving its proposed range a proper test. Before all that, can BYD please stop using the tagline The biggest car brand youve never heard of because there is no one I have met over the last six months that hasnt heard of the company at this point. And with three more cars due to be launched here in 2025 (June, September and November) as well as two more already pencilled in for 2026 (a B-Segment hatch and an E-Segment SUV), that event management wing of the team at MDL will need to expand as quickly as their product line over the next 12 months. Ranier was due to play a charity gig with imBau on Friday night in aid of Womens Aid Dundalk. The death of twenty-year old student Ranier Patrick Gaspar, a talented young musician, following an asthma attack, has sent waves of sorrow throughout Dundalk and beyond. Ranier, who died at his home at Langfield, Dublin Road, on Tuesday April 8, was the eldest son of Robert and Lea and older brother to Riordan and Rian. His heartbroken father told The Argus that his wonderful and beloved son had said goodbye before passing away despite his best efforts to save him. Friends, members of the Filipino community and those who knew Ranier through his involvement in Dundalks music scene, have been paying tribute to a much-loved and talented young man who has left this world much too soon. Ranier will be remembered as a wonderful ambassador for the Filipino community who made many friends, charming those he met with his kindness, good nature and talent. Ranier attended the CBS Primary School and Colaiste Ris in Dundalk and at Maynooth University, where he was studying study data science, as well as in Dundalks close-knit music community. He was a talented musician who had studied with GROW Music and played bass guitar with the up-and-coming band imBau who had just played a gig at Toales on Friday night to mark the release of their debut single If Your Eyes Trouble You. Ranier (centre) on stage with his band imBau Among those paying tribute to Ranier was the manager of Toales who said All of us here in Toales are so shocked and saddened by this terrible loss. It was only Friday that Ranier and I were both standing on Toales' stage chatting and laughing after a truly amazing Imbau gig, congratulating him on the band's new single.... My deepest condolences to Ranier's family during this truly terrible time, and to his heartbroken band mates and many, many friends. The management at The Spirit Store, where imBau had also impressed audiences, also offered their condolences to his family We at the Spirit Store were profoundly saddened to learn of Rainier's untimely passing. "To his cherished imBau bandmates and numerous friends, we offer our sincerest sympathies during this time of grief. Words cannot adequately express the depth of your sorrow, but please know that we extend our love, comfort, and support. Ranier was due to play a charity gig with imBau on Friday night in aid of Womens Aid Dundalk. The gig has been called off and promoter Mark Durnin of Collection Box Presents said Theres no real way to quantify niceness, kindness and sincerity, but if there was Ranier would have scored 10/10 in them all. He lived and breathed the Dundalk music scene and everyone who met him there loved him instantly. Ranier had also made many friends at Dundalk Youth Centre, where he was remembered as a fantastic young person. A brilliant musician. We thought the world of him here in Dundalk Youth Centre. He radiated kindness and generosity. He was fondly remembered at both the CBS primary school and Colaiste Ris, with principal Eileen Hart offering condolences on behalf of the staff, board of management, and entire CBS Primary school community. We were all deeply saddened to hear of Raniers passing. Please know that our thoughts are with you all as you navigate this loss. We hope you find comfort in the cherished memories you hold of Ranier. The Colaiste Ris community described him as a remarkable and bright young individual whose brilliance, kindness and smile left a lasting impression on all who knew him. His energy and promise were truly inspiring and he was a popular young man of the Leaving Cert class 2022. Tributes were also paid by the staff and his fellow students at the Department of Maths and Statistics at, Maynooth University and by his many friends. Ranier is survived by his heartbroken parents, brothers, Nanay, family and friends. His remains are reposing in theSerenity Room of Quinns Funeral Homes, Dundalk, on Thursday, April 10 and Friday, April 11 from 3pm to 8pm. Removal on Saturday to St. Patricks Cathedral (A91 T623), arriving for Funeral Mass at 11am, followed by cremation. Photo: https://mfa.gov.ua/ Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha reported that Gambia has appointed a diplomat accredited in Turkey, not in the Russian Federation, as a part-time ambassador to Ukraine. I am grateful to Gambia for its support of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity. It is about common principles. I appreciate the decision to appoint Gambias ambassador to Turkiye, instead of its ambassador to Russia, as non-resident ambassador to Ukraine. This is a sign of respect, Sybiha wrote on social media X on Friday following a meeting with Gambia's Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara. The head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry also held meetings with the foreign ministers of a number of African countries, reported on Ukraine's progress towards a just peace and stressed the importance of African states taking a firm position on this issue. Sybiha also announced Ukraine's plans to expand cooperation with the African Union. Russia's war against Ukraine has had serious consequences for Africa, such as food insecurity and regional instability. This is why achieving a fair peace for Ukraine benefits our African partners as well. Ukraine is ready to strengthen cooperation with Benin and other African nations to enhance food security and foster regional stability, Sybiha added. The victims included Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and three children, in addition to the pilot, a person briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press (AP). Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz A crane vessel arrives at the scene where a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Jersey City, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz NYPD members work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Rescue personnel operate, after a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, in Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz A person looks on from a building as emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz As seen from Pier 40 in New York, police and and fire crews from New York and New Jersey respond to the scene where a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Jersey City, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) A family of five Spanish tourists and a pilot were killed when a helicopter broke apart in midair and crashed upside-down into the Hudson River, officials said. The victims included Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, and three children, in addition to the pilot, a person briefed on the investigation told The Associated Press (AP). The person could not discuss details of the investigation publicly and spoke to the AP on the condition of anonymity. Siemens did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside normal business hours. The moment a helicopter carrying six people crashed into the Hudson River in NYC New York mayor Eric Adams said the flight began at a downtown heliport around 3pm, and the dead, including three children, had been recovered and removed from the water. New York City police referred requests for confirmation that Escobar was aboard the helicopter to the U.S. Coast Guard. Video of the crash showed what appeared to be a large object plunging into the river, followed seconds later by what appeared to be a helicopter blade. Afterwards, emergency and police boats were seen circling around a patch of river where the helicopter was submerged, with only what appeared to be the aircraft's landing gear poking above the water's surface. Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz A person looks on from a building as emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz The Bell 206 chopper, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, departed at about 3 p.m. ET (1900 GMT) from a downtown helicopter pad and flew north over the Hudson River, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz It turned south when it reached the George Washington Bridge and crashed minutes later, hitting the water upside down and sinking near Lower Manhattan about 3:15 p.m., just off Hoboken, New Jersey, Tisch added. Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Dani Horbiak, a 29-year-old resident of Jersey City, New Jersey, said she witnessed the crash from her window while working from home. Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz "I looked out my window right here, and I saw the helicopter falling to pieces, and I watched multiple pieces splashed down into the river below, and I was wondering what happened," she told Reuters. "But I'm putting the pieces together it does sound like I was maybe hearing the propeller smacking into something." Horbiak said she was "shaken" by the incident and later called emergency services, which said it had already dispatched responders to the scene. Rescue personnel operate, after a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, in Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Divers helped remove the victims from the water. Four were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were taken to area hospitals, where they died. Birds eye view The airspace around Manhattan is crowded with helicopters offering tourists a bird's-eye view of the sights, with at least two dozen operators listed on tour website Viator. Many of the operators also offer helicopter shuttle services to the area airports. 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., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz New York Helicopter Tours, which offers sightseeing flights for as little as $114 per person on its website, did not respond immediately to a request for comment about the crash. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the tour helicopter was in a Special Flight Rules Area established in New York, which means no air traffic control services were being provided when it crashed. NYPD members work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate, with the NTSB leading the investigation. Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Duffy said the FAA was also launching a Safety Review Team on Thursday evening. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and a team from the board will arrive in New York on Thursday and plan to hold a media briefing on Friday. Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey U.S., April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz In 2018, five passengers aboard a helicopter died in New York when the aircraft crashed into the East River, while the pilot survived. The helicopter was on a charter flight that featured an open door to allow passengers to take photographs of the skyline. A crane vessel arrives at the scene where a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Jersey City, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) A New York City Police spokesperson said police boats had assisted in Thursday's rescue efforts. Helicopter safety has been a topic of discussion in the U.S. Congress after 67 people were killed the crash of an American Airlines regional jet and Army helicopter on January 29 near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C. The FAA has since permanently restricted helicopter traffic near that airport and is reviewing helicopter operations near other major airports. Sleeping bags in doorways are increasingly common across Tauranga. Homelessness is a hugely complex problem for communities in New Zealand and around the world, Tauranga Mayor Mahe Drysdale said. There is no simple answer, but a genuine multi-agency community response, backed by effective Government policy and funding, does offer the best prospect of addressing the profound impacts of homelessness, Drysdale said. The Aotearoa Homelessness Summit will take place on April 16 at the University of Waikatos Tauranga Campus to help address the ongoing challenges and cascading effects of homelessness across various communities. The theme of this years summit - When the Dominoes Keep Falling - will examine the ongoing challenges and cascading effects of homelessness in our communities. I applaud this initiative and sincerely hope it can lead to effective initiatives to tackle what may be the most significant social issue of our time, Drysdale said. In Tauranga, an estimated 2.8% of the citys population - approximately 4000 people - experience homelessness in some form, manager of community development and emergency management at Tauranga City Council Paula Naude said. These are just the recorded numbers, Naude said. The actual number of people experiencing homelessness could be much higher, but some people arent seeking external support and are falling through the gaps. Homelessness isnt merely people sleeping rough or in cars. It covers multiple situations, including makeshift shelters, temporary accommodations, night shelters, boarding houses, refuges, motor campsites, shared living spaces, and uninhabitable housing. Homelessness is not a choice. At the Aotearoa Homelessness Summit, we need to address this collectively, Naude said. The summits keynote speaker is the Associate Minister for Housing and Minister of Whanau Ora, Maori Crown Relations and Maori Development, Tama Potaka. Before the Aotearoa Homelessness Summit, a local government workshop on homelessness response will take place on Tuesday, April 15. This pre-summit event will cover creating a New Zealand-based regional guide for homelessness response and reduction. The Aotearoa Homelessness Summit is organised by the Tauranga City Council, University of Waikato (Tauranga), BayTrust, and several other organisations focused on housing and social support. Thirty Mount Maunganui College students will have to get used to cold showers and life without Wi-Fi when they spend 10 days on the Samoan islands of Savaii and Upolu in June. The colleges Malo Uma Pasifika culture group which includes students with family links to Niue, Fiji, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Tonga, Kiribati, Rotuma, Samoa and Torres Strait plus Pakeha and Maori are heading to the Pacific country for a cultural experience. And while there, they will deliver donations of rugby gear from back home in New Zealand to children at Palauli Sisifo College. Trip co-ordinator Clare Wilson said the 10-day trip, with 10 supporting adults, will be a chance for the mostly senior students to immerse themselves in a different way of life in a foreign country. Were going for 10 days and want to have as many cultural experiences in that time as we can. One of the things were really looking forward to is going to the high school on Savaii where they have very few resources and their main sport is rugby. Rugby gear Wilson had already visited the school on Savaii to discuss the trip with its deputy principal. She told me that she would love any donations of rugby gear that we could bring but at the same time, were fundraising for ourselves because to take 40 people to Samoa is expensive, said Wilson. The Mount College 30-student group, who will head to Samoa in June. Photo / Supplied Her advance trip also enabled her to brief the kids on what to expect. I know just how basic the facilities are where theyll be sleeping, she said. Theres not going to be Wi-Fi and the showers are literally a cold water pipe out of the wall. Its very different. The kids there certainly dont have phones like ours do. I think to go and have an authentic Samoan experience is very important. Wilson estimated about $10,000 is needed to pay for food alone during their trip. The group has been selling ice blocks at school, held a movie night and working at weekends to raise money. We had a sausage sizzle at Bunnings and it was actually pretty fun, said 16-year-old Year 13 student Aperila Ioelu, whose family is from Samoa. We even got donations from people who didnt buy sausages. Fundraising Until they head away on June 20, the Malo Uma Pasifika culture group is collecting rugby gear and working on the performances it will give in Samoa. Im looking forward to learning more about a different culture, trying new food and making new friends and new memories, said 17-year-old Year 13 student Milina Selau. Im excited to go to the school to perform for the kids and to see them perform. Any donations of rugby gear can be dropped at Mount Maunganui College and donations can be paid directly to Mount Maunganui College Board, Acct no: 12-3486-0032080-00, Ref: Donation 2025 Samoa. New alfresco dining fees in Mount Maunganui have been slated as unfair for businesses struggling just to keep the doors open. Tauranga City Council is proposing to charge cafes, bars and restaurants a yearly fee of $50 per square metre of footpath they use for tables and chairs. The fees would start from July 1 and apply for businesses north of State Highway 2 in Mount Maunganui and from 11th Ave to the Tauranga city centre. Mount Business Association business improvement manager Harris Williams said the fees were another time waster and expense for businesses. It just seems unfair. Ive had a lot of conversations with our hospitality businesses and they say the numbers are really grim, were really struggling just to keep the doors open. There were owners doing 70-hour weeks to reduce staff costs and the time needed to apply for the street dining fee licence would frazzle them even more, Williams said. The associations chairwoman, Kate Barry-Piceno, said the councils reason for expanding street dining fees beyond the CBD to create consistency across the city was flawed. Mount Business Association chair Kate Barry-Piceno. Photo / Brydie Thompson The council had proposed a flat rate of $100 per square metre across central Tauranga and Mount Maunganui, discounted by 50% for the first year a change from earlier proposed zone-based rates. Businesses using footpaths in some CBD areas have been paying fees for years since 2013 for The Strand and 2020 for Wharf St, after council upgrades in those areas. Barry-Piceno said the council had not invested in Mount Maunganuis streetscape for at least 25 years. If the council was being consistent, in her view, it would invest in the streetscape, then charge the fees in consultation with businesses. Outdoor dining increased foot traffic and created vibrancy, which benefited retailers and the community, she said. Why are you taxing them again for something that brings significant benefits to the area? Gigis cafe owner Logan Payne said it was another expense that would make his not-very-profitable business, even less profitable. Gigis was part of Mount Maunganui fashion store Sisters and Co and all of its tables were on the street. The fees could force them to remove the tables and only serve store customers, said Payne. The public will lose a cool spot to have a coffee and a bite to eat. Alpino restaurant manager Jamie Laurie. Photo / Brydie Thompson Alpino restaurant manager Jamie Laurie said it seemed really bizarre the council was slapping charges on outdoor dining in a tourist town. A big draw for our customers is the fact they can sit outside and feel like theyre in Italy. Mount streets were dominated by cars and charging to use a tiny bit of pavement space didnt make sense, he said. If the council were to pedestrianise some of Maunganui Rd then it could justify charging the fees because outdoor dining space would increase, said Laurie. Council city centre infrastructure lead Shawn Geard said the councils last significant upgrade to the Mount Mainstreet streetscape was in the mid to late 1990s. Footpaths were public spaces that needed to remain safe and accessible for everyone, he said. This was why Mount Maunganui and Tauranga businesses that used footpaths needed a licence-to-occupy agreement outlining what area they could use, Geard said. Tauranga City Council will charge businesses to use the footpath for tables and chairs. Photo / Brydie Thompson These public spaces are provided and maintained at the expense of ratepayers, so its fair and reasonable the businesses that benefit from exclusive use contribute to their upkeep. The fees were not directly used to pay for infrastructure or upgrades in the area but went into general council finances and were used for the benefit of all ratepayers, he said. Licence-to-occupy fees were standard practice for councils and reflected a common approach to managing the private use of public land for commercial gain, Geard said. Businesses that no longer wanted to use the space could remove their tables and chairs if they did not want to apply and pay for a permit, Geard said. The council could also work with businesses to reduce the footprint of their outdoor area if they wanted to pay less, he said. Feedback on the cost of street dining fees was being sought as part of the councils Annual Plan consultation that runs until April 28. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. Crossing the ditch for the school holidays? Or perhaps heading to the Pacific for some sunshine? Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora is reminding New Zealanders that with measles outbreaks happening in many popular holiday destinations including Australia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Thailand and India if you arent fully protected, you are at high risk of catching the disease and bringing it back to our shores. Acting National Public Health Service clinical director protection Dr Matthew Reid said while there were no measles cases in New Zealand at present, we are at high risk of an outbreak due to the rapid rise in measles cases abroad and low vaccination rates. Its also a timely reminder that with mosquito-borne diseases circulating in several Pacific Island countries, including Tonga, Fiji, French Polynesia and Indonesia, travellers should take precautions to avoid contracting viruses such as dengue and zika. We know that with school, Easter and Anzac public holidays all taking place this month, many people will be looking forward to a well-deserved extended break. But were urging anyone who is travelling overseas to ensure the whole whanau are fully protected against measles before they set off. If heading to the Pacific, that means also taking precautions against mosquito-borne viruses. Measles is our most contagious disease and can make people so sick they need to be hospitalised. The good news is that measles is almost completely preventable through vaccination. Anyone who plans to travel overseas, especially to countries with outbreaks, should get vaccinated if you havent already. The measles vaccine was introduced in 1969, but the more protective two-dose programme wasnt introduced to New Zealand until the 1990s. People born between 1969 and 2004 are advised to talk to their healthcare provider to check their immunisation status and to get vaccinated before they travel. Migrants to New Zealand may have also missed out on the full two doses of the measles vaccine. If youre not immune to measles or youre not sure if youve had two doses of the vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider about getting vaccinated. It is safe to have extra doses of the MMR vaccine, even if you are already protected. The MMR vaccine is free for everyone under 18 regardless of visa status. If youre over 18, the vaccine is free if youre eligible for free healthcare in New Zealand. The vaccine is safe and effective. After two doses, 99% of people are protected from measles. Reid said people travelling to the Pacific Islands should also safeguard against infection from viruses such as dengue, zika and chikungunya, which are spread by infected mosquitoes. If youre travelling outside New Zealand to an area with these diseases, you can protect yourself by wearing protective clothing, using mosquito repellent and staying or sleeping in well-screened locations or under mosquito nets. Air Chathams needs support from Whakatane District Council and the community if it is to continue providing flights to the Eastern Bay. The airlines chief commercial officer, Duane Emeny, said the company was reluctantly considering withdrawing from the Whakatane-to-Auckland route within the next six to 12 months. Since April 2023, the airline had lost more than $1 million on the route. We dont want to just pull the plug on Whakatane as Air New Zealand did in 2015, but we need more support if we are going to continue operating, Emeny said. Prior to Covid, Whakatane had been the airlines best-performing service. Business travellers, who generally paid more for a ticket than leisure flyers, made up more than 50% of passenger travel. However, the airline retired the ageing 18-seat Metroliners, which were dedicated to the Whakatane route, in November 2023. It introduced the 34-seat Saab 340 planes, which are shared with the Kapiti Coast air service. This meant it could not provide the flights needed to cater for the business market. These included early-morning and late-afternoon return trips to Auckland for Whakatane residents who needed to travel to Auckland for the business day and return the same day. We cant make this route work if we dont cater to business traffic, Emeny said. He said the airline had engaged with the council about the impending retirement of the Metroliner since late 2022, and tabled several options to ensure the Whakatane service would not be affected. In the end we felt boxed into a corner and had to make quick decisions on whether we continue the route or not. We decided to continue without council supporting an aircraft upgrade and implemented a schedule change that we knew would not fully meet the local market especially the business travellers. Air Chathams chief commercial officer Duane Emeny says the company is reluctantly considering withdrawing from the Whakatane-Auckland route. Photo / Supplied Emeny outlined the support he needed from the district council at a public-excluded briefing on March 26. The airline is asking the council to lead a local investment campaign to support the purchase of a Saab 340 for Whakatane and help it access a low-interest loan through the Local Government Funding Agency. We dont expect the council to pay for the aircraft, just to support us, Emeny said. We strongly believe the area can support a larger Saab 340 aircraft, but we need help for the first few years until the route has developed adequately. Air Chathams was also asking that the council forgive a five-year loan of $350,000 it received in 2020 to support flights returning to Whakatane after the first lockdown of the Covid-19 pandemic. The money was a combined cash support package provided by three district councils all served by Air Chathams. The loan is due in November. The council recently returned to charging previously waived fees for use of the airport, and Air Chathams is seeking further assistance with this. Emeny said even though Whakatane was an important route for Air Chathams, there were other regions in New Zealand keen to have the carrier provide services or expand its services. Were not feeling the love [from Whakatane District Council] at the moment. As of this month, the airline has been flying between Auckland and Whakatane for 10 years since Air New Zealand withdrew from the route. We would much rather be having a big party to celebrate that awesome milestone. Instead, we are staring down the barrel of withdrawing our airline from the Eastern Bay. [Air Chathams is] not all about making profits, but at some point you need to ensure you are running a viable business with realistic growth prospects to justify the investment and hard work required to maintain it. According to council staff, a formal report will go to the May 8 council meeting for consideration. Because it was a commercially sensitive matter it had been discussed at a public-excluded council briefing, but no decision had yet been made. Whakatane District Mayor Victor Luca said councillors had not yet come to any decision on Emenys requests. He would like to see more data about what proportion of the district used the airline. This is a question I have asked Duane many times. I know visitors use it, definitely tourists, but I would say most people dont use it. Ive asked him for data and hes never supplied it. He gave me a few snippets here and there, but no comprehensive surveys have actually been done. Hes got a whole list of demands that Whakatane ratepayers would have to pay for. The question is, should they? We havent in all of this had much of a view of what the public think, and I would like to know. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air. A man allegedly smashed windows at a Bay of Plenty police station with an officer inside this morning, sparking an armed police response. Kawerau area response manager Senior Sergeant Al Fenwick said a 30-year-old man was arrested following an incident in Kawerau. He said that about 2.50am, A person attempted to gain entry to the Kawerau Police Station, where an officer was inside, by smashing windows and attempting to smash a glass door. The person did not gain entry to the station and left in a vehicle. Fenwick said a pickaxe was found nearby. Fire and Emergency New Zealand is lifting fire restrictions in the Bay of Plenty from 6am on Saturday, April 12. The district will move from a restricted fire season to an open fire season. The areas moving to an open fire season are Tokoroa, Rotorua, Central Lakes, Plateau North Central and South, Urewera, Whakatane, Opotiki, Tauranga and Kawerau, as well as Tongariro and Taupo in South Waikato. Bay of Plenty District Commander Jeff Maunder says recent weather conditions have lowered the risk in the area. Cooler weather has reduced the impact of drought in the area, with more showers forecast over the coming weeks. An open fire season means permits are no longer needed for open-air fires. Jeff Maunder said while the risk has been reduced, anyone planning an open-air fire should still take care of it. We ask anyone who is planning on lighting an open-air fire to visit www.checkitsalright.nz where they can see if any restrictions are in place and access safety advice." Manu Balanzino Malaga Friday, 11 April 2025 | Updated 13/04/2025 07:51h. Compartir Few desserts enjoy such fame or evoke the arrival of a new season so strongly. Easter brings with it torrijas, one of those traditional dishes that accompany significant days for the province, tourism and the well-deserved rest after the Christmas or Semana Blanca holidays. Bakeries are committed to continuing traditions, where, to the satisfaction of many, these sweet sinful treats maintain their essence, although there is no shortage of innovations for those with a sweet tooth. These days they fill the counters of cake shops, although they are increasingly common throughout the year, especially on the dessert menus of many restaurants. We take a look at their origins and versions available. History The origin of torrijas dates back to ancient times, linked to the need to make use of stale bread and turn it into a humble but comforting dish. Some sources date their appearance to Roman times, and even the gastronome and author of the book 'De re coquinaria', Marcus Gavius Apicius, mentions a similar dessert in his pages, where they were made with bread soaked in milk or wine and then fried, a technique that revitalised a basic food that would otherwise end up being discarded, "waste-not cooking". However, it was during the Middle Ages when torrijas began to be associated with Easter, a time when abstinence from meat encouraged the creation of recipes that would satisfy the appetite with simple and affordable ingredients. From north to south In each region of Spain, torrijas have adopted particular nuances that enrich their character. In Andalucia, they are generously bathed in sweet wine or honey, possibly in a nod to local products and producers. In Malaga province, for example, it is common to add Moscatel or Pedro Ximenez wine, both varieties with deep roots in the area, which contribute very characteristic floral and sweet notes. In Madrid and Castile, the classic recipe prevails, with the bread soaked in milk flavoured with cinnamon and lemon before being fried and sprinkled with sugar. In the north, especially in Asturias and the Basque Country, they are called 'tostadas vascas', with some versions substituting cream or liqueur for the milk. In Galicia they are called 'torradas gallegas', made with Galician bread, thick crust and dense crumb, and soaked in a mixture with a generous portion of dry aniseed. Zoom Torrijas with a Malaga accent "Fifty years ago, the confectioners of the time, as today, made their torrijas with a sweet bread, enriched with aromas and animal or vegetable fats, what is nowadays known as brioche bread. In Malaga, these brioche loaves were sliced and spread with custard to suit local tastes. The milk is heated and infused with cinnamon sticks and orange peel. Malaga wine is added, then they are soaked and after being slightly drained, they are deep fried to give them their toasted and crunchy colour before they are dipped in a honey bath or sprinkled with sugar. We add Moscatel Quitapenas Dorado", explains Manuel Ruiz Fernandez, second generation of Confiteria Tejeros. Other cakes, typical of this time of year, are "locas de Capirote" - simulating the shape of the conical high hat -, fried rosquillos or pestinos. Crossing the border, France has its own recipe. Pastry chef Cati Schiff fuses the two countries in what is called 'pain perdu' - lost bread - referring to the bread from the previous day. "We make a mixture of Spanish and French torrija. We start with a brioche bread that is soaked in milk flavoured with sweet wine, sugar, star anise, cinnamon and orange peel. They are then dipped in beaten egg and caramelised, rather than fried, in a pan with sugar. In addition to the natural one, we have others that we finish on top with chocolate mousse, cream with strawberries, cream with hazelnuts, custard and pistachio cream", she says from the Obrador Dulce & Salado bakery located in Fuengirola. Likewise, Dora Ortiz, owner of Nanduti in Malaga city, caramelises the torrijas instead of frying them. "The night before, we dip the brioche bread in a mixture of milk, lemon, star anise and cinnamon, among others. The secret is to choose a good bread, and that they are well soaked", he explains. Among his proposals, there are torrijas with sesame praline or ganache -similar to emulsified cream- whipped with cheese. Damian Ramos, who together with Sebastian Guerrero runs Pasteleria Ramos in Caleta de Velez, reinterprets this traditional sweet with a typical recipe from the Axarquia region. "We make the torrijas with brioche bread, vanilla cream inside and infused in milk with cinnamon. Then we flavour them with sweet wine before frying and finish them with sugar and cinnamon. In addition to the traditional one, we prepare two more types, one of them with a toasted egg yolk on top and the other with a ganache made with carob cake", he says. This dessert is made with extra virgin olive oil, wheat flour, sugar, aniseed and cinnamon. Sometimes they are topped with an almond. The perfect pairing Sweet wine is a faithful ally of torrijas. "We have many bakeries, especially at this time of year, that use our wines as an ingredient to make them, both sweet Pedro Ximenez and sweet Moscatel. For pairing them, from the sweet Quitapenas Malaga, of the Pedro Ximenez variety, to the Quitapenas Dorado Moscatel de Alejandria, as the acidity of this grape complements the torrijas very well, or a sparkling wine, such as the sweet Florestel", explains Marta Suarez, manager of Bodegas Quitapenas. For the more daring, there are also proposals outside the most common harmonies. "A fruity red wine can also be more disruptive and surprising for this sweet", she adds. In recent years, torrijas have undergone a true gastronomic revolution. There are many restaurants that offer this bread as a main dessert throughout the year. Torrijas are not just a dish, they are a journey through time, a reminder of how popular cuisine has managed to transform austerity into a snack that we no longer miss outside these months. Whether in a small neighbourhood bar or on the menu of a haute cuisine restaurant, their place in Spanish gastronomy is assured, reminding us of the value of preserving traditions and enjoying, without haste, the taste of authenticity. Malaga city Ana La Fantastica, C/Castillo de Sohail, 5, (951 890 392). Aparicio,Plaza de Capuchinos, 15 (952 253 593); C/ Caldereria, 11 (952 219 003); and Paseo Reding, 16 (952 603 735). Panaderia y Pasteleria Christian,C/ Gaucin, 4 (952 359 579). El Colmenero, C/ Atarazanas, 1; C/ Franz Kafka, 15; C/ Marmoles, 49 (951 632 265.) El Mimbre, C/ Cuarteles, 60 (952 323 993). Fermento Casa de Panaderos,Avda. de la Aurora, 19 (644 351 813); Avda. Canovas del Castillo, 14 (951 907 883); C/ Victoria, 76 (952 759 624).Heladeria y Pasteleria Ignacio Mira,Avda. Mayorazgo, 22 (952 213 659). Horno de Lena Martin, C/ Lara Castaneda, 6, Malaga (656 32 20 23). Salvador, C/ Cristo de la Epidemia, 94; Avda. Andalucia 4 , 6 (El Corte Ingles); C/ Tomas Echeverria, 1 (Huelin); Avda. Juan Sebastian Elcano, 164 (El Palo); C/ Hamlet, 5, Hipercor Bahia Malaga (952 513 078). Obrador Tejeros, Obispo Salvador de los Reyes, 7 (952 255 599). Panaderia y Pasteleria Cervantes.C/ Cervantes, 9 (665 379 799). Nanduti by Dora Ortiz, C/ Canales, 3 (951 49 80 02). Pasteleria Daza, C/ Correo de Andalucia, 4, Local 11 (671 511 632). Western Costa del Sol Casa Kiki C/ Antonio Marquez Munoz, 24 (Torremolinos). Avda. Santa Amalia and Avda. de la Encarnacion, s/n (Fuengirola). C/ Ramon Areces, s/n, El Corte Ingles, Puerto Banus, Marbella (952 909 990). C/ Sta. Laura, Hipercor, Las Lagunas de Mijas (952 669 100). Panaderia Rayo, Avda. de Mijas, 20, Mijas (952 198 918). Plaza Chinorros (952 479 751) and Camino de Coin, 56, Fuengirola (952 463 837). Eastern Costa del Sol Fermento Casa de Panaderos C/ Marconi, 31, Fuengirola (952 083 420). Pasteleria Ramos Avda. de Andalucia, 63, Caleta de Velez (952 511 317). Salvador, Carretera de Almeria 150, Benajarafe (952 513 078); Avda. del Mediterraneo 5, Edf. Las Conchas, Local 5, Rincon de la Victoria (952 401 979); avda. de Andalucia, 87, Torre del Mar (952 002 227); C/ Granada, 92, Nerja (952 522 744). Inland Malaga province Confiteria Daver, C/ Virgen de los Remigios, Ronda (952 877 163). Dulcinea, C/ Sebastian Rodriguez 2, Coin (952 450 461). El Colmenero C/ Cruz 9, Camino de Coin, s/n y avda. Gerald Brenan 49, Alhaurin el Grande (952 490 832). Panaderia y Pasteleria El Rubio, Av. Blas Infante, 6, Alhaurin el Grande (952 452 220). Pasteleria Guzman, C/ Nueva, 119, Alhaurin el Grande (952 490 370). Pasteleria Ague Pan, C/ de la Jimena, Coin (952 452 409). Tony Bryant Marbella Friday, 11 April 2025, 11:53 | Updated 13:01h. Compartir Marbella has long had a reputation for being a preferred destination of the world's most illustrious jet setters, and none so much as the King of Saudi Arabia, Salman Ibn Abdulaziz. The head of the Saudi royal family owns the Al-Riya Palace, located on the Golden Mile, a short distance from the Mar-Mar Palace, built by the late King Fahd. He ascended the throne of the world's leading oil power following the death of his brother, King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz al-Saud, in 2015. Although today, due to ailing health, he no longer visits Marbella, his luxurious palace is used by his closest relatives, including his son and heir Mohammed bin Salman, and their arrival in the town does not go unnoticed. Zoom His yacht in Puerto Banus. EFE They cannot be described as discreet tourists, because there is always a huge entourage of security personnel and exclusive cars with tinted windows, which leaves no one in any doubt that royalty is in residence in Marbella. Salman's superyacht Shaf London became a regular sight in Puerto Banus and his presence in the town, and the effect this had on the local economy, was the reason why, in 2014, Marbella town hall approved naming one of Puerto Banus' main streets Avenida Principe Salman (before he became king) in his honour. The Saudi royals' visits to Marbella constitute great economic impact for the town's hotels, shops and businesses, as their entourage typically numbers no fewer than a hundred people, with a spending power that far exceeds the average for the upper end of the spectrum. The 90-year-old monarch's family's spending power is not just beneficial for the luxurious boutiques and exclusive jewellery shops found along the Golden Mile and in Puerto Banus. Such is the number of members of the family who travel to Marbella for their summer vacations, other mansions and villas also need to be rented, providing lucrative income for local estate agents and owners. Neighbors in an apartment building in Wejherowo, Poland, became alarmed as a 19-year-old man tried to lead a full-grown horse up the stairs to his third-floor home, Radio Gdansk reported. Police were called to the building and determined that the mare, worth about $3,800, had been stolen. She was returned to the owner, and the horse thief was charged with theft; he faces five years in prison. [Radio Gdansk, 2/21/2024] Details have recently emerged about an incident in Willow Springs, Missouri, the Springfield News-Leader reported. The Howell County Sheriff's Office had investigated after a man in his 60s, who was a paraplegic, lost his feet while brush-hogging. "It was a poorly executed plan," said Lt. Torey Thompson. He said it was clear almost immediately that the accident had been staged: The cuts were very clean, the feet were nowhere to be found, and tourniquets had been applied to both legs. Allegedly, the victim had help from a man from Florida, who cut off the feet with a hatchet to help him commit insurance fraud. However, since the unnamed man never filed the claim and he was so severely injured, the sheriff's office declined to charge him. And the missing feet? "A couple of days later, we got a call that a relative found them in a bucket obscured by tires, so we went and got them," Thompson said. Mystery solved. [Springfield News-Leader, 2/15/2024] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting in Kryvyi Rih with representatives of the territorial communities of Nikopol, Synelnyky and Kryvyi Rih districts of Dnipropetrovsk region, which are under Russian shelling. As reported on the website of the head of state on Friday, during the meeting they discussed the restoration of destroyed housing and hospitals, providing communities with drinking water and restoring equipment for cellular communications. The head of Dnipropetrovsk regional military administration, Serhiy Lysak, reported to the head of state that, despite the shelling, the restoration of housing and infrastructure facilities continues in the region. Paco Grinan Malaga Friday, 11 April 2025, 19:33 Compartir It only lasted two hours. Like any play, concert or live performance. Because that's what this ephemeral exhibition was: a real show. SUR held its first pop-up exhibitionon Thursday: Rebelion en la Fabrica (Rebellion in the Factory), displaying the most rebellious contemporary art made in Malaga. It features eight artists of varying generations and styles, all united by their ambition and personal stamp. From the reinvented classicism of Alejandro Montiel and Zoilo Blanca to the colour of Vanessa Morata, through to the abstraction of Andrea Reina, the bodies of Pedro Hoz, the textile painting of Ana Pavon and the formats that combine visual art and sculpture of Paloma de la Cruz and Darko. This line-up gave an insight into the diversity of the current art scene in Malaga. The exhibition, held at the Victoria brewery, opened and closed on the same night and was one of SUR newspaper's most innovative initiatives. More than a hundred people attended the event, which, in keeping with the spirit of both the exhibition and venue, was entitled Rebellion in the Factory. The artists themselves took the floor to explain the workings and motivations behind their respective pieces. It was even said that the exhibition, presented by SUR's Regina Sotorrio and Alberto Gomez, showed the newspaper's commitment "to Malaga talent and the arts". A "crazy" idea that soon gained the sponsorship of Fundacion Unicaja and Cervezas Victoria, and the collaboration of Japon Montajes de Arte. Zoom Paloma de la Cruz. Salvador Salas The factory's own furniture served as a display for some of the works, although others didn't need it. This was the case for the work that began the artistic tour, located in the middle of the floor of the exhibition room. The clay piece with the recognisable stamp of Paloma de la Cruz (Malaga, 1991), recently arrived from Madrid where it was displayed at the Casa Velazquez. Sotorrio said that De la Cruz "has reinvented the technique of ceramics". De la Cruz demonstrates this reinvention herself, revisiting the origins of her work: the Andalusian tradition of tiles - although in her case, craftsmanship and art directly intersect. "I treat raw clay like skin that regenerates and changes, I work with ceramics with the idea of a body," explained the creator, who moulds each tile individually by hand to form the entire piece - halfway between visual art and sculpture. In yesterday's exhibition she alluded to her concept of art, the piece entitled: De Aquella Masa Corporal II (From That Body Mass II). Poetry by Maria Zambrano Young painter Andrea Reina (Malaga, 2000) brought a piece from her first solo exhibition in Rincon de la Victoria to Rebelion en la Fabrica. Her powerful canvas, Control y Redencion (Control and Redemption) is "an abstract and watered-down work that takes us back to its origins with minimal strokes and transparencies," as Reina described it. The work is loaded with meaning to reach the spectator, emerging from "traumatic episodes both personal and collective, that we women in society have gone through". Fascinatingly, instead of starting from sketches, she said "I need to be around the canvas establishing a kind of dance to let everything flow". It is quite a spectacle to see this artist in her studio while she creates pieces such as this one - inspired by Maria Zambrano's work El Agua Ensimismada (Self-absorbed Water). Zoom Andrea Reina, with Alberto Gomez. Salvador Salas The baton was passed from the youngest artist to a veteran of the collection, Alejandro Montiel (Malaga, 1972), with his striking work Landstrange. Montiel plays with elements of classical art, such as the more academic female nude, which he juxtaposes with strange elements - as the title suggests - for example, a landscape that could well be Pyrenean but is accompanied by a motel sign on Route 66. "The work has Spanish and American elements in it, a style that I like to play with, but my intention is to attract visually, not to scandalise or provoke," said the artist about a work that, as Regina Sotorrio said, leaves no one indifferent. Zoom Zoilo Blanca. Salvador Salas The next artist on the agenda, Zoilo Blanca (Malaga, 1997), brought one of his signature still lifes that mix the sinister and the pleasant, the baroque and the modern, with his humour and exquisite brushstrokes. "I remake human still lifes based on existing works by mixing fruit with parts of bodies that can induce comedy," said the artist. Paying tribute to his father, painter Antonio Blanca Sanchez, he confirmed that he never went to art school and "everything I know about painting I learned from him". Blanca also took the floor to speak on behalf of studio partner Pedro Hoz (Malaga, 2000), who was unable to attend due to illness. Hoz was described as an "expert in exploring the human anatomy with a pop touch", the two artists continue to share their studio space and their artistic opinions: "We criticise each other every day, but we help each other a lot." Zoom Visitors looking at Pedro Hoz's work. Salvador Salas The textile-based art of Ana Pavon (Malaga, 2000), another of the youngest members of the group, appeared in the exhibition with Miss Me, a piece that she defined as "a declaration of my pictorial activity and what I'm trying to make". She tries to capture the spectator through "my own imagination in which there are only prints created by me" with the aim of "drawing attention to the sensitive and the poetic". An intriguinging parallel with the poetry that also inspires Andrea Reina, albeit in their different styles. Zoom Ana Pavon. Salvador Salas Colours to finish Next up was Darko, one of the most respected urban artists, who turned from graffiti to painting a decade ago. This has meant that neither one nor the other considers him as part of the club, he told us jokingly. His work continues to emerge from the street, as he showed with Entropia (Entropy), a triptych on wood collected from the rubbish and revitalised with spray paint. "I'm very detached from what I do, because as a graffiti artist when you work on the street you lose contact with what you've created, so I'm more about enjoying the process. I really enjoy painting," said Darko, whose colours competed with the final artist in the pop-up exhibition, Vanessa Morata (Malaga, 1992). Zoom Darko. Salvador Salas The artist brought her work La Habitacion de Nobita Nobi (Nobita Nobi's Room), in which she pays homage to children's television series by putting the monkey Amedio from Marco, baby Maggie from The Simpsons, the helmet from Vicky the Viking and the popular character from Doraemon (the namesake of this canvas) all in the same room. A work that connects quickly, although with a very different message from the first glance. "I use interior spaces that I fill with furniture and characters with friendly aesthetics, but I criticise the consumer society, and myself, because we consume so much that it renders our homes uninhabitable," explained Morata. She demonstrated her message in the painting she displayed: "From childhood, we are already consumers." Zoom Vanessa Morata. Salvador Salas Words that gave food for thought, alongside the other works and creators that formed part of the overview of rebellious and original contemporary art in Malaga. The two-hour exhibition ended with music from DJ Miriam Jordan, while, beer in hand, the public chatted with the artists and admired their works. M. Perez Madrid Friday, 11 April 2025, 07:40 Compartir Six people, five of them Spanish nationals from the same family, died early Thursday afternoon in the United States of America (well into the night in Spain) when the helicopter in which they were travelling plunged into the Hudson River in New York. The five Spanish victims were a married couple and their three children, aged between seven and eleven, who were spending a few days of leisure in the city. Rescue teams located the last body - that of the pilot - trapped in the wreckage of the aircraft, half-submerged in the river. The Mayor of New York, Eric Adams, confirmed the death of the two adults and three Spanish children, as well as the pilot of the aircraft, who was only 21 years old. Two of the tourists were evacuated to a nearby hospital, but died shortly afterwards due to the extreme seriousness of their injuries, while the other four occupants were killed almost instantly on impact with the water, according to the commissioner of the New York Police Department, Jessica Tisch. Adams, who expressed condolences to the families of the victims, said an official investigation into the crash has been launched by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), although he declined to give details. "Six innocent souls have lost their lives and we pray for them and their families," said New York Governor Kathy Hochul. Zoom Escobar, centre, with his wife and three children, moments before the fateful flight. New York Helicopter Tours LLC They were executive Agustin Escobar, who was CEO of Siemens in Spain for two years and currently served as the company's director of rail mobility; his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, a director at the same company and granddaughter and great-granddaughter of presidents of FC Barcelona; and their three children, ages 4, 5, and 11. Their identities were revealed by various local media outlets, including The New York Times, citing a senior New York law enforcement official. According to the New York Post, which published several photographs of the family before boarding the helicopter, provided by the company operating the aircraft, New York Helicopter Tours, the five arrived in New York that morning. The company offers sightseeing tours of Manhattan to admire the city's skyline, with prices starting at $2,750 for a 30-minute ride. Aerial tour of Manhattan The aircraft, a Bell 26 model - which has two blades on the main rotor - relatively common on such trips, had taken off just twelve minutes earlier and was taking an aerial tour of New York on a grey and unpleasant day with clouds, rain and gusts of wind, although it did not appear that the weather could be a determining factor for the accident. Various sources claimed that this was the sixth trip the aircraft had made during the day to show different groups of tourists an aerial view of the 'Big Apple'. It was the aircraft's sixth trip on a grey and unpleasant day with clouds, rain and gusts of wind, although the weather did not seem to be a determining factor. Shortly before plunging into the river, the aircraft circled the Statue of Liberty before heading up the Hudson River towards the George Washington Bridge, according to CNN. It was while flying over Manhattan at around 3.10pm (local time) that the disaster occurred, on a part of the river near New Jersey (New York's neighbouring city). A little more than five minutes later, emergency services began to receive the first calls from witnesses, alerting them that there had been an accident and a helicopter had fallen into the water. Dani Horbiack, who lives nearby, said she saw the aircraft "falling from the sky" from her flat. "I heard five or six loud noises that sounded almost like gunshots in the sky and I saw pieces fall. Then I saw it go into the river," the woman told reporters. Michael Roth, the head of the tour company that operates these flights, admitted to the media that "I have never seen anything like this in the 30 years I have been in the helicopter business". "It sounded like an explosion" Another member of the public also saw the helicopter lose part of a rotor and, according to him, "break in two", although footage of part of what happened does not make this clear: "It sounded like a sonic boom," he said. A third witness said he saw the helicopter crash at "a 45-degree angle" into the water. At least 32 people have died in helicopter crashes in New York since 1977, according to local press reports. The most recent one happened in 2019 Several coastguard patrol boats and rescue boats were deployed in the search area, near a jetty on the New Jersey shore. The aircraft, which was seen in images of the incident - recorded on cameras in nearby buildings - to have lost part of its blades, was left floating half-submerged on its right side. At least 32 people have died in helicopter crashes in New York since 1977, according to local press reports. The most recent was in 2019, when an executive helicopter crashed into the roof of a Manhattan skyscraper in restricted airspace, killing the pilot. A year earlier, in 2018, five people died in another tourist helicopter crash in the nearby East River, on the opposite side of Manhattan. DEAR ABBY: I have had a housecleaner helping me to take care of my home for the last 30 years. She comes sometimes every week, sometimes every other week. She works part-time at another job, and we work around her schedule. When I retired five years ago and the pandemic began, I was sitting full time for my grandkids. Everyone is in school now, and I think I would like to clean the house myself. I enjoy cleaning, but I welcomed the help when I was working full time with my kids and then the grandkids. My housecleaner and I are friendly and visit when shes here. I am wondering how to go about ending this relationship, as well as what I owe her for her loyalty and help. -- CLEANING HOUSE IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR CLEANING HOUSE: Talk to your housekeeper and explain to her what you are thinking. Offer her several months salary. Then, instead of cutting her off completely, ask if she would come to you once a month to catch any spots you miss, as well as to visit. (You said you have become friends.) After doing the housecleaning for a month or so, you may find it isnt as enjoyable as you remembered and increase the womans visits IF she is still available. Good housekeepers are hard to find, and she may be busy. ** ** ** Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.** ** ** To order How to Write Letters for All Occasions, send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby -- Letter Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.) COPYRIGHT 2025 ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION 1130 Walnut, Kansas City, MO 64106; 816-581-7500 ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. has spoken, and Bills Mafia should be paying close attention. In his latest two-round mock draft, Kiper has laid out a scenario that could dramatically reshape the Buffalo Bills defense for years to come and its a vision worth dissecting. Matt Parrino and Ryan Talbot broke down Kipers mock in the latest episode of SHOUT!, which is available above in video form on YouTube. You can also listen to the episode below via Spotify. Lets start with Buffalos first-round selection at pick No. 30, where Kiper projects the Bills to take Kentucky cornerback Maxwell Hairston. With blazing 4.28 speed and versatility in both press and zone coverage, Hairston represents the type of high-upside talent that could form a dynamic cornerback duo with Christian Benford. The prospect itself is as good as any in terms of the cornerback position. The speed is elite at 4.28, Talbot said on the the podcast. Absolutely. Home run of a pick at 30 for the Bills, if he is there, addresses a major need. The skill set fits very well with what the Bills do at the cornerback position, too. While character concerns exist with Hairston, the potential reward might be too great to pass up. Having a cornerback with elite traits on a rookie deal for up to five years when you just paid Christian Benford would make you thrilled if youre Brandon Beane, knowing thats another area that you dont have to worry about spending major money for the foreseeable future, Parrino said. The defensive talent haul doesnt stop there. Kiper has the Bills selecting Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams at pick No. 56, addressing Buffalos persistent need for a True one-technique defender. Tyleik Williams is excellent against the run. He is that one tech that you want on that D line. He has some pass rush juice, more than I think hes being given credit for, Talbot said, highlighting Williams potential to make an immediate impact. Then at pick No. 62, Kiper projects Notre Dame safety Xavier Watts to Buffalo, giving the Bills a ball-hawking safety who could represent the future of the position. Watts, I would argue could be considered the best safety in this class in terms of production. He was outstanding at Notre Dame, interception machine. A True ball hawk, Talbot said. With 13 interceptions during his Notre Dame career, Watts would bring the kind of playmaking ability that could elevate Buffalos secondary to elite status. Parrino added: This isnt necessarily a pick just for this year. You dont have to worry about how it all shakes out on opening day, whether its Watts and (Taylor) Rapp, Watts and (Cole) Bishop, or Bishop and Rapp. The beauty of this mock draft lies in how it addresses both immediate needs and future planning. Hairston provides an instant talent injection at cornerback; Williams fills the one-tech defensive tackle hole, and Watts represents insurance and upside at safety. If Kipers vision comes to fruition, Buffalo would add three potential future defensive starters with its first three picks a haul that could turn the Bills already strong defense into one of the leagues most formidable units for years to come. For a team trying to get over the playoff hump, reinforcing its defensive identity might be exactly the strategy needed to finally reach the Super Bowl. Note: Artificial intelligence was used to help generate this story from the SHOUT! Buffalo football podcast by syracuse.com. Visitors to syracuse.com have asked for more text stories based on website podcast discussions. While it aims to accurately reflect the content and key themes of the video, it is recommended to listen to the original recording for complete context and understanding. To lead his office for his first term in the New York State Senate, Sen. Christopher Ryan has announced his senior leadership team. Leading the team is Chief of Staff Hollyanne Lupi. Lupi is joined by Director of Communications Brooke Schneider. Legislative Director Sara Garcia-Ryan will oversees policy development and legislative initiatives. District Director Amy Connolly will spearhead constituent services and community engagement across the district. >> Send us your companys news about People in Motion Lupi previously worked at the state Senate Majority Intergovernmental Affairs team, where she served as a liaison between members and Senate majority leadership, supporting members legislatively and working with outside stakeholders. This fall, she served as the campaign manager for the re-election campaign of State Sen. James Skoufis. Prior to joining the public sector, Lupi worked as chief of staff for Gramercy Communications, a strategic communications firm, and as the director of human resources for the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital District, both based in Troy. She received her masters degree in public administration from Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy and her bachelors in communications and media studies from Fisher College. She serves on the board for the Center for Women in Government and Civil Society and is the chair of Eleanors Legacy Innovation Council. She is primarily based in the Albany office. Schneider joins the team from the City of Syracuse, where she served as senior public information officer for the Mayor Ben Walsh administration. In this role, she managed media relations and planning, as well as traditional and digital communications. Before moving into the public sector, Schneider worked as an account executive at Burson (formerly BCW Global) on financial, technology and energy accounts. Shes also worked in Brussels with global union federation Education International and in New York City on the public affairs team at BerlinRosen. Schneider received her masters degree in public administration from Syracuse Universitys Maxwell School and her bachelors in public relations from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. She serves on the board of the Central New York chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. She is primarily based in the Syracuse office. Garcia-Ryan joins the office from the State Office of Cannabis Management, where she served as a program specialist, coordinating and supervising compliance checks for applicants, licensees and permit holders. She has also previously held roles in the New York City Office of Management and Budget as a senior budget analyst, and with the State Senate Majority Finance Committee as a public protection budget analyst. Garcia-Ryan has her masters and bachelors degrees in criminal justice from the State University of New York at Albany. She is primarily based in the Albany office. Connolly served as campaign manager for Ryans run for the state Senate 50th district seat. She previously worked as a field organizer for the New York State Democrats and as the planning board and board of appeals secretary for the Town of Constantia. She also spent 10 years working in a research support role as part of the Office of Research Integrity and Protections at Syracuse University. There she was responsible for ensuring federal and state guidelines were met. Connolly holds her bachelors degree in conservation biology from the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. She is primarily based in the Syracuse office. 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. Nigel Chabot-Douglas is the suspect of a hit and run in Syracuse that happened in the 1200 block of Butternut Street on March 23, 2025. The Syracuse Police Department Syracuse, N.Y. Police are asking for the publics help to find a man involved in a fatal hit and run in Syracuse in March. The man, Nigel Chabot-Douglas, 27, is accused of fleeing the scene after his vehicle hit a man at 10:21 p.m. on March 23 in the 1200 block of Butternut Street. He was driving a white 2025 Nissan Altima, which was a rental vehicle, according to Kieran Coffey, a spokesperson for the Syracuse Police. The vehicle has been recovered. It is believed that Chabot-Douglas may have left the state, he said. The man killed was Galdino Moran, 56, of Syracuse. Moran was declared dead at the scene, police said. Moran lived nearby on Griffiths Street. Moran, a native of Mexico, moved to the United States and settled in Syracuse, according to his obituary. He was employed as a cook at various local restaurants and retired in 2015 after 10 years as head cook at Dominics. In 2018, Chabot-Douglas was sentenced to 1 1/2 to 3 years in state prison for third-degree attempted robbery, according to county records. In 2015, he was sentenced to a year in county jail for third-degree burglary, records show. Police ask anyone with information about the hit-and-run to contact the Syracuse Police Traffic Division at (315) 442-5130. Police blocked off a portion of Butternut Street near Griffiths Street after a hit-and-run on Sunday, March 23, 2025. Anne Hayes | Ahayes@syracuse.com 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. Malta, N.Y. A man wielding a BB gun was fatally shot by Saratoga County troopers and sheriff deputies Thursday morning after he exited an apartment building he had barricaded himself in, troopers said. Brandon R. Moore, age 37, was shot before troopers and deputies knew that the firearm he had was a BB pistol, according to Stephanie ONeil, a spokeswoman for the State Police. Troopers and deputies responded to the Ellsworth Apartment Complex at 2101 Ellsworth Blvd. in Malta for a physical domestic dispute report at 8:53 a.m., according to ONeil. There, they encountered Moore, who refused to cooperate and barricaded himself inside the unit he lives in, she said. Law Enforcement was informed Moore possibly had firearms in the unit. Negotiations with Moore progressed until about 10:37 a.m. when he left the unit with what appeared to be a handgun, ONeil said. Law enforcement instructed Moore to drop the firearm, ONeil said, but he refused and aimed the weapon at troopers and deputies. Law enforcement fired at Moore and fatally shot him, she said. Two troopers received minor injuries during the incident. It was later determined that the weapon Moore aimed at troopers and deputies was a loaded CO2-powered BB pistol, she said. Brandon R. Moore, 37, of Malta, was shot and killed by law enforcement after aiming a BB gun at troopers and deputies outside of Ellsworth Apartment Complex at 2101 Ellsworth Blvd. on Thursday, April 10, 2025. New York State Police Before the shooting, the apartment building was evacuated for safety. However, a sprinkler system activation caused flooding in the building, making it uninhabitable until further notice. The state attorney generals office was notified of the shooting and responded to the scene, according to ONeil. Moore was fatally shot less than 24 hours after David M. Levine, 69, of Malta, was shot and killed after firing several rounds at the Saratoga Barracks on Wednesday, according to police. 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. Travie McCoy of Gym Class Heroes performs during Fridayz Live '23 at Spark Arena on November 16, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage via Getty Images) WireImage Gym Class Heroes are getting recognition near their original stomping grounds in Upstate New York. The rap-rock band, led by rapper Travie McCoy, will be inducted into the Rochester Music Hall of Fame on Sunday, April 13. The halls Class of 2025 will be honored with a ceremony and concert at the Kodak Hall at the Eastman Theatre. McCoy and his Geneva High School classmate, Matt McGinley, first formed Gym Class Heroes in 1997. The group built a following in the Finger Lakes and Central New York regions with its mix of hip-hop and alternative rock, often performing at Syracuse University and other schools. Other members included guitarist Milo Bonacci, who went on to form Ra Ra Riot at SU, and bassist Ryan Geise. Thirty years later it is beyond amazing to be recognized, McCoy said, according to the Finger Lakes Times. Im looking forward to seeing you guys at the Hall of Fame. Its a blessing and an honor. Gym Class Heroes had two top 10 singles, the Supertramp-sampling Cupids Chokehold (feat. Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy) and Stereo Hearts (feat. Adam Levine of Maroon 5). They won an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist in 2007, and McCoy also scored a solo hit with Billionaire featuring Bruno Mars. The group last released The Papercut Chronicles II in 2011, but returned to performing in 2022 at the We Were Young Festival. (L-R) Disashi Lumumba-Kasongo, Matt McGinley, Travie McCoy and Eric Roberts of Gym Class Heroes attend the 2011 Z100 & Coca-Cola All Access lounge at Z100's Jingle Ball 2011 pre-show at Hammerstein Ballroom on December 9, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images) Getty Images McCoy told Vulture that he struggled with an addiction to opioids in 2012 after suffering a knee injury, and did multiple stints in rehab, including after a relapse during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. He released a new solo album in 2022 and collaborated with PiCKUPLiNES on last years suburbia. Tickets are still available for the Rochester Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony at esm.rochester.edu. The event will feature performances by McCoy and fellow 2025 inductees Black Sheep with Lou Gramm, Grammy-nominated guitarist Chet Catallo, John Fossitt (keyboardist for Bruno Mars) and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Discussions during the EU-Ukraine Association Council were very good, and more support is coming - Mathernova An exclusive blitz interview of the Ambassador of the European Union to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency Text: Valerie Proshchenko How do you assess the results of yesterday's meetings in Brussels, in particular the 10th meeting of the EU-Ukraine Association Council and the signing of a number of documents between Ukraine and the EU? Yesterday was the 10th Association Council. It is the sort of a highest body that has been set up by the Association agreement that Ukraine fought for at Maidan. In other words, the Association Council is the highest governance body of the association agreement. The 10th Council is about practical integration matters and discussions of Ukrainian integration into the EU. This is an important event that is usually held once a year. We had a very good discussion. As you know, there were several announcements for Ukraines support. One announcement was of an additional 1 billion disbursement under the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA). What is also important is that this week, the European Commission will receive 2.1 billion due in windfall profits generated from immobilized assets of the Russian Central Bank, held by the Central Securities Depositories. Most of these 2.1 billion will be used for the purchase of weapons, ammunition, and air defense for Ukraine in the form of grants. In other words, we are talking about money; part of it will go to the member states to buy ammunition and air defense. So, its going to be grants. And 1 billion out of that will go through the Danish model to the Ukrainian defense industry. I would like to remind you that last August, we put 400 million into the defense industry. So, this time, the EU will be giving 1 billion in grants to the defense industry. Currently, the contracts are being prepared. In addition, f ive new EU-Ukraine agreements were signed yesterday. These include three finance contracts worth 300 million between the European Investment Bank and Ukraine. 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. The Commission also 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. One of the main questions, as for now, of course, is the extension or non-extension of the trade liberalization agreement after June 5. Is there any confirmation that the EU won't extend trade visa-free regime with Ukraine? I would prefer not to speculate at this stage because the Ukrainian delegation is still in Brussels, and discussions continue. I prefer to wait and see what is to be discussed and agreed upon. It is actively being discussed, so it's too early to say anything about it. Returning to the military support. Will the EU be able to transfer 2 million artillery shells to Ukraine by the end of the year? Because there was different information about obstacles. According to EU chief diplomat Kaja Kallas, we seem to be on track. There are active discussions with member states on the shells. The High Representative was very optimistic about this target being achieved. So, this work is in progress, but it looks more optimistic than it was a few weeks ago. What are the "red lines" for the EU and Ukraine's European integration in the potential mineral deal with the USA? I don't think that the European Union has red lines. I mean that red lines could be set only by the Ukrainian government. So, I don't think that there are red lines from the EU. But of course, we are talking to the authorities about this agreement. What is the EU's reaction to yesterdays statement by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that 155 Chinese citizens are fighting against Ukrainians on the territory of Ukraine? There is no question that China is an enabler of Russian aggression. China provides nearly 80% of the dual-use items that Russia needs to sustain the war. In 2025, Ukraine aims to open all six clusters in its EU accession negotiations on a parallel basis. After yesterdays talks and meeting, how do you assess this prospect? I think we are still very much sticking with the plan of opening all clusters this year. That is still our plan. Yes, the plan obviously has encountered some difficulties. But the Commission is actively working on overcoming this. And there were a lot of discussions on it in the meeting yesterday. And I still remain optimistic. I believe that the EU, in the end, will find the solution. So, I hope that we will be able to open the clusters and continue on the integration path. But in the meantime, a lot of the work have to be done, such as reforms, technical work on both sides, etc. So, talking about the difficulties that you mentioned. How to find the way to overcome the Hungarian position? What is the plan? By looking for ways how to accommodate their concerns. I always mention that enlargement is subject to unanimity. This is not an isolated instance. This is not the first time when a country is encountering difficulties due to the unanimity situation. As you know, we faced it with North Macedonia, for example. That's why we need to look for ways to overcome it. And I remain confident that it will happen this year. I am very optimistic. What are the next important events after yesterday's EU-Ukraine Association Council? The EU-Ukraine Business Summit, co-organized or co-hosted by the European Union, Ukraine, the Polish Presidency, and Italy, will be held today and tomorrow. It's an important event from the business perspective. Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal and European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos will sign a Ukrainian-European business partnership to incentivize European businesses to invest in Ukraine. This screenshot from WROC's YouTube shows photos a moviegoer took of what Apple Cinema in Pittsford Plaza looked like after popcorn was thrown around the theater this week as part of the viral chicken jockey trend. Screenshot from WROC's YouTube Screenshot from WROC's YouTube Pittsford, N.Y. What is the chicken jockey trend, and why is it leading teens to trash movie theaters around the world? Young moviegoers tossed popcorn and dumped soda around a luxury theater in Upstate New York this week during a screening of the popular Minecraft movie, WROC reported. The disruptive, food fight-like moment happened in Apple Cinema in Pittsford in Western New York. It was part of the viral TikTok trend inspiring teens to toss their snacks during one scene of A Minecraft Movie, the film starring Jack Black and Jason Momoa. This image released by Warner Bros. Pictures shows a scene from "A Minecraft Movie" featuring a chicken jockey a baby zombie riding a chicken like a horse. (Warner Bros. Pictures via AP) AP What is a chicken jockey, and what is the chicken jockey trend? In the Minecraft video game and movie world, a chicken jockey refers to a baby zombie riding a chicken. While the films interpretation of a chicken jockey starts off looking pretty cute, clips show it proves to be a formidable opponent. The chicken jockeys appearance during the movie has sparked a viral trend. Heres how it goes down: When the little fighter appears on the big screen, teens jump out of their seats and start throwing buckets worth of popcorn into the air like buttery confetti all while cheering and, of course, recording the riotous moment on their phones. How have movie theaters responded? Since A Minecraft Movie opened in the theaters last week, cinema operators have unsurprisingly been displeased to see the disruptive chicken jockey trend. In response, some theaters have started barring minors from seeing the PG-rated movie without an adult. Township Theatre in Washington, New Jersey enacted a ban after officials said large groups of unsupervised boys hopped on the trend last Friday during a showing of the Minecraft film. Theater officials said the unacceptable behavior, including vandalism led to complaints from families. If your son was at Township Theatre last night, we strongly encourage you to have a conversation with him about his behavior, the theater wrote in a Facebook post. After the trend made its way to England, Cineworld in Oxfordshire warned moviegoers that anyone displaying anti-social behavior including loud screaming and clapping during A Minecraft Movie would be kicked out of the theater without a refund, the BBC reported. In one particularly wild case in Seaford on Long Island that was captured in a viral TikTok video, police were called to escort teens from the theater. The Pittsford version of the trend didnt prompt a call to police, WROC reported, and appeared less egregious" than other chicken jockey incidents. The MMR vaccine for measles, mumps or rubella at Logan Square Health Center in Chicago in 2019. (Antonio Perez/ Chicago Tribune/TNS, file) TNS Syracuse, N.Y. -- Onondaga County has one of the highest measles vaccination rates in New York state. The countys vaccination rate among those 2 years and older stands at 89.2%. Thats just a hair lower than 89.3% in Niagara County, the highest. But eliminating the chance of a measles outbreak relies on a vaccination rate exceeding 95%, according to the National Institutes of Health. A measles outbreak in Texas, followed by spread in New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, Indiana and Ohio, has prompted fresh concern about measles. In 2024, there were fewer than 300 measles cases across the country. In three months this year, there have already been more than 600 cases, most in Texas. New York City was the epicenter of a measles outbreak in 2018 and 2019. So far this year, there have been two measles cases there and one elsewhere, according to the state health department. Onondaga Countys vaccination rate varies from place to place. Cicero has the highest vaccination rate, with virtually all residents vaccinated. Downtown Syracuse has the lowest rate in the county, with about 77% of residents vaccinated. New York state measles vaccine rates by county as of January 2025. Courtesy of the New York State Department of Health The problem with measles is that it is the most infectious disease known, said Dr. James Alexander, senior medical director at the county health department. Measles is so contagious that if one person in a room has the disease, nine in 10 people around them will also become infected if they are not vaccinated, according to the CDC. Experts emphasize that the vaccine is safe. Its far more common to develop complications from the infections than to develop serious reactions to a vaccination, and as such, the benefit of vaccinations heavily outweighs any risks associated, said Dr. Jana Shaw, professor of pediatrics at Upstate Medical University. The CDC recommends children to get their first dose of the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age. The second dose is recommended at 4 to 6 years of age. Once a person receives the two vaccines, they will be 97% to 99% immune from measles, according to Alexander. Another option for children between 12 months and 12 years of age is the MMRV vaccine, which also includes immunization against varicella, or chickenpox. The vaccine is also administered in two dosages, typically at the same ages as the regular MMR vaccine and with the same efficacy. Older children, adolescents and adults may only receive the MMR vaccine, which a provider will administer at least 28 days apart. Individuals born before 1957 are considered to have a natural immunity to measles and do not typically need the MMR vaccine. As of June 2019, New York is one of five states that do not allow religious exemptions for school attendance, which means children must be vaccinated or face exclusion from traditional schooling. The religious exemption was removed during the states last measles outbreak in 2018-19. The mandatory vaccination requirement plays an important role in our states vaccination rate, Alexander said. Measles is a viral infection spread through the air. When someone contracts measles, they may experience cold symptoms like a runny nose, fever, cough and congestion. Eventually, patients may also develop a red, blotchy rash. But the most serious complication from measles is meningoencephalitis, or inflammation of the brain tissues, which can lead to symptoms such as confusion, vomiting and seizures. At least one person dies out of every 1,000 cases, Shaw said. Pat Bergan, OSF, fills shopping bags with food for a needy family, from the shelves of St. Lucy's Pantry in 2014. Michael Greenlar | mgreenlar@syracuse.com Michael Greenlar | mgreenlar@syr You will know your vocation by the joy it brings you, said Dorothy Day, the American journalist, writer and social activist who co-founded the Catholic Worker Movement. It accurately describes the life of Sister Patricia Bergan, of Syracuse, who will be posthumously receive the Dorothy Day Award at St. Lucys Church on Thursday, May 8. Bergan passed away on Dec. 24, 2024 at the Franciscan Villa in Syracuse. She was 87 years old. She lived a life of service, activism, and a little fun thrown in, wrote Eileen Clinton, public relations director for the Dorothy Day Award Committee. Bergan was born in Auburn and served as a Sister of St. Francis for 63 years. She met with families and planned baptisms and funerals, ran committees for church activities, and more, Clinton wrote. Her true passion was connecting with people and making them feel welcome. Sister Pat Bergan has a selfie taken with Francis Conole at St. Lucys Easter Sunday in 2021. Dennis Nett Bergan was an elementary teacher ministering in Syracuse and Utica, as well as Hoboken, New Brunswick and Trenton, New Jersey. Her obituary said she was very active in social justice and was inspired to make the Gospel connection beyond the classroom. She ministered as a parish associate at St. Lucys/St. Andrews Parish on the Westside of Syracuse. In 2018, she was awarded the Humanitarian Service Award which recognized individuals who display a consistent desire to improve the human condition through a life of service. And she was fearless. Her activism started on a Witness for Peace trip to Nicaragua in the 1980s which Clinton said, opened her eyes to the suffering of the people. She went back many times. She said activism is taking part in something you feel called to. Bergan told the Syracuse Herald-Journal in 1984 she went to spread love and peace to the people there, and to change U.S. policy in Central America. Later that year, she was arrested twice for attempting to barricade the gate of Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, protesting the Cruise missiles stored there. In 1991, during the Gulf War, she was arrested during a sit-in at the James M. Hanley Federal Building in Syracuse. This is business as usual, she told a reporter. Im getting used to this. In the middle, Patricia Bergan, OSF (Order of St. Francis) helps, left to right, the much younger, Varoosh Zarian, of Syracuse, (Catholic Charities), Nate Hezel, 17, of DeWitt, , Kip Hargrave of Syracuse (Catholic Charities) and Lee Jokl, 16, of DeWitt, help to carry a couch from a Catholic Charities van into St. Andrew the Apostle Church's garage. The couch is being donated to an immigrant family of 11 who were caught in the Congolese Civil War. The photo was taken in 2000. Michelle Gabel Bergan cared about people. I remember always getting a call from Pat almost every month just saying, How are you doing? Clinton wrote. She took the St. Lucys parish directory and called everyone just to check in and once a week would drive to the Rescue Mission, open her truck and offer hot coffee and donuts to those standing in line waiting to get in. She loved parties, music and sports, attended all the CYO ball games and games of the children of members of the parish. Every year, she rode the St. Lucys float at the St. Patricks Day Parade. Pat was the one who connected us all, welcomed us all, and loved us all, Clinton wrote. Despite her passing in December, Bergan is still connecting us with memories and asking us to reach out to others and say, How is it going? Pats vocation did bring her much joy. The Dorothy Day Award Dinner will be held at the gymnasium at St. Lucys Church, 432 Gifford St. in Syracuse, from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, May 8. All are welcome to attend. A suggested donation of $10-15 for individuals, $25-30 for a family, or a free will offering, is asked. For more information, to confirm attendance or to sign up to bring an appetizer or dessert to share, please contact Catherine Nock at catherine.nock@gmail.com or Coco Koseki at cocokoseki@gmail.com. This feature is a part of CNY Nostalgia, a section on syracuse.com. Send your ideas and curiosities to Johnathan Croyle at jcroyle@syracuse.com or call 315-416-3882. Lana Del Rey performs in concert during Primavera Sound Festival on May 31, 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Xavi Torrent/Redferns) Redferns Lana Del Rey has gone country well, sort of. On Friday, the Upstate New York native released the first single off her highly anticipated 10th studio album, The Right Person Will Stay. But while the tune remains true to her trademark somber style, it features a dash of country and some very cowgirl-coded lyrics. The song, called Henry, Come On, runs over just five minutes and in it, Del Rey appears to be longing the loss of her on-and-off and seemingly tumultuous relationship with a man named Henry. In the chorus, she paints a picture of their now-expired Western romance: Its last call, Hey, yall / Hang his hat up on the wall / Tell him that his cowgirl is gone / Come on and giddy up / Soft leather, blue jeans. The songs subtle country sound comes at no surprise. At the Billboard and NMPA Songwriter Awards in January 2024, Rey announced she was going in a new direction with her next album. The music business is going country. Were going country. Its happening, she said at the time via Billboard. The album was originally titled Lasso and slated for a September 2024 release. However, Del Rey has since pushed back the release date by eight months and has renamed the album to The Right Person Will Stay." More interestingly, while discussing the album with Vogue in August 2024, Del Rey appeared to downplay how country her latest installment would actually be. If anything, it will just be a little lighter lyrically, and more pointed in a classic country, American, or Southern Gothic productionwhich again, so many of my songs already are, she told the outlet. The Right Person Will Stay will drop on May 21. It will be Del Reys first album since marrying Jeremy Dufrene, an alligator tour guide in Louisiana. Known for her hits like Video Games, Young and Beautiful, Brooklyn Baby, Summertime Sadness and Say Yes to Heaven, Del Rey was born Elizabeth Woolridge Grant in New York City and grew up in Lake Placid. She attended boarding school in Connecticut until she was 18 and was accepted to SUNY Geneseo but instead moved to NYC to begin her music career after high school. Her father still lives in Lake Placid and has a foundation supporting music and arts in the Adirondacks region. Walking up to the podium during a March committee hearing, Marsha Small told Montana state lawmakers, I feel like Ive been here forever. Small, the co-founder of Indigenous Peoples Day Montana, and others have testified in support of establishing the state holiday for the last 10 years, to no avail. This year, though, will likely make history, as a bill establishing Indigenous Peoples Day cleared the state Legislature on Thursday and is poised to become law. Senate Bill 224 now heads to Republican Gov. Greg Gianfortes desk marking the most significant progress the legislation has made in a decade. Lawmakers through the years have cited different reasons for their opposition to establishing Indigenous Peoples Day as a state-recognized holiday in October. Some took issue with past legislation that would have eliminated Columbus Day, arguing that Christopher Columbus is an important historical figure. Last legislative session, lawmakers criticized bill sponsor Sen. Shane Morigeau, D-Missoula and a citizen of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, for speaking about the atrocities Columbus committed against Native Americans when he advocated for the 2023 bill on the Senate floor. This year, though, Morigeau and other supporters took a different path. Rather than eliminate or replace Columbus Day, SB 224 allows Montanans to celebrate either or both holidays. Morigeau has consistently emphasized inclusivity in his remarks to lawmakers this session, saying the holiday is meant to celebrate all Montanans. He told Montana Free Press in March that those changes in approach have likely contributed to the bills success. Morigeau in a March House State Administration Committee meeting said SB 224 would establish a flexible holiday, giving people the choice to celebrate however they please. Its a day that celebrates the ancestral lineage of all Montanans, he added. Its a day that is shaped and molded by each community and how that community wants to celebrate each other. Small told lawmakers in the same hearing that establishing Indigenous Peoples Day can bring us together. I believe celebrating Columbus Day and Indigenous Peoples Day on the same day will go a long way to healing our communities, she said. Several non-Native supporters this session said the bill encouraged them to research their own lineage. Jacob Zimmerer, a graduate student in Indigenous and rural health at Montana State University, addressed committee members first in Irish. He told lawmakers that his trips to Ireland prompted him to think deeply about ancestral stories and connections. Indigenous Peoples Day to me is an opportunity for us all to feel those layers of stories, he said. Olivia Adams, a senior at Arlee High School and citizen of the Blackfeet Nation, told lawmakers in the March committee meeting that establishing the holiday is a chance to celebrate the resilience and strength of Indigenous people. Its about recognizing the histories and cultures of Indigenous people who have been here for thousands of years long before Montana became Montana, she added. While SB 224 has advanced through the Legislature with overwhelming bipartisan support, the only hitch in its progress came on the afternoon of April 9 when Rep. Ed Byrne, R-Bigfork, proposed an amendment on the House floor that would list Columbus Day first in the bills language, before Indigenous Peoples Day. Byrne argued Columbus Day should be named first to maintain its precedence of establishment. Rep. Tyson Running Wolf, D-Browning and carrier of the bill on the floor, said the amendment would delay the process and might kill the bill. The amendment was voted down 27-71 and the bill ultimately cleared the chamber with bipartisan support Native Americans make up 6.7% of Montanans population. The state is home to 12 tribal nations and seven reservations. ___ This story was originally published by Montana Free Press and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press. Seneca Falls, N.Y. The latest twist in the debate over New Yorks largest landfill has its opponents cheering, but may not be the end of the story. The states highest court, the Court of Appeals, this week dismissed an attempt by the owners of the Seneca Meadows landfill to block a local law calling for it to shut down by the end of the year. The 2016 law passed by the town of Seneca Falls would close the huge landfill off Route 414 in Seneca County by Dec. 31, 2025. Meanwhile the Seneca Falls town board last month approved a new operating permit for the landfill that could extend its operations for 15 years. And the state Department of Environmental Conservation is still reviewing a request by the landfill owners to expand the already gigantic landfill even more. Seneca Meadows, which gets most of its garbage trucked in from New York City, looms over the Finger Lakes landscape between the villages of Seneca Falls and Waterloo. It covers 350 acres and rises about 300 feet above ground level, making it one of Upstates tallest man-made structures. The proposed expansion would allow new waste to be deposited in about 47 acres of space between two of the large existing hills created by old waste. Frank Schmitter, the Seneca Falls town supervisor, had this to say about the Court of Appeals ruling in a statement today: It has come to my attention there was a decision of the high court in the State of New York on Local Law 3 and we will be reviewing this decision as a board with our attorneys to determine what it means for the town. The environmental activists and other opponents of the landfill and its expansion welcomed the court ruling. The highest court in New York has declined to disturb Seneca Falls right to determine its own future, Glen Silver of Concerned Citizens of Seneca County said in a statement. For years, the people of Seneca Falls have demanded an end to the pervasive odor, pollution, and injustice of hosting a landfill that never shouldve been allowed to grow this large and out of control in the first place. ... The town board has not only the authority but the responsibility to protect its residents and enforce this law. This is a huge win for our community and the Finger Lakes region. Trucks rotate in and out of the Seneca Meadows landfill in Seneca Falls, N.Y., Monday, January 27, 2025. (N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com) N. Scott Trimble | strimble@syracuse.com In its brief summary dismissing the landfills appeal of the 2016 law, the court wrote the decision was made on the grounds that the order appealed from does not finally determine the proceeding/action within the meaning of the Constitution. The new landfill operating permit approved by the Seneca Falls town board in March also included a new host agreement. That calls for the landfill owners to pay the town $150 million over the next 15 years and sets new operating procedures, such as a complaint process and pollution control system. The town board had been putting off votes on the new permit and host agreement for more than a year. Before approving the new permit, the town board held a public hearing on Jan. 21 in which most of the speakers opposed the landfill and its expansion. The expansion plan, dubbed the valley infill, could increase the height of the tallest portion of the landfill by about 70 feet, or to roughly the equivalent of a 35-story building. It could also keep the landfill operating until at least 2040. The state DEC is expected to issue a ruling on the plan sometime this year. A landfill on the Seneca Meadows site dates back to the 1950s. It has been owned by Texas-based Waste Connections since the 1980s and currently has about 160 employees. Don Cazentre writes for NYup.com, syracuse.com and The Post-Standard. Reach him at dcazentre@nyup.com, or follow him at NYup.com, on Twitter or Facebook. FILE - This combination of file photo shows, clockwise from top left, Raymond Santana, Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, Korey Wise and Kevin Richardson, known as Central Park five. (AP Photo/File) AP HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) A federal judge has rejected President Donald Trumps effort to dismiss a defamation lawsuit against him filed by the men formerly known as the Central Park Five who were exonerated after spending more than a decade in prison for the 1989 rape and beating of a woman who was jogging. U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone in Philadelphia denied Trumps motion to dismiss in a brief Thursday night order. The five men sued Trump in the midst of last falls presidential election campaign, accusing him of making false and defamatory statements about them during the Sept. 10 debate in Philadelphia with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump misstated key facts of the case when Harris brought up the matter, saying 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, Trump said. The men Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise never pleaded guilty; they were convicted after jury trials. Also, no victim died. In a statement, their lawyer, Shanin Specter, said they are gratified by the Courts ruling and thorough analysis and look forward to discovery, trial and the ultimate vindication of these five fine men. The men had asked for compensatory and punitive damages, saying Trump had knowingly defamed them, purposefully made false statements about them and sought to inflict severe emotional distress on them. Judge Beetlestones order dismissed the claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Trumps lawyer, Karin Sweigart, in a statement called the lawsuit an unfounded and meritless attack on Trump. The judges dismissal of certain claims is a victory, Sweigart said, and vowed to continue fighting to protect the First Amendment rights of not just the President, but all Americans. In the request to dismiss the case, Sweigart had said the presidents statements were protected under Pennsylvania laws that grant civil immunity over statements made on a matter of public concern. Sweigarts request to dismiss also said Trumps statements were substantially true, that he didnt dispute the men were ultimately exonerated and that he had only intended to portray his thinking in 1989 when, following the men having confessed, Trump purchased a full-page ad in The New York Times calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty. At the time, many in New York saw Trumps ad as calling for the teens to be executed. The five men had been teenagers when they were accused of the rape and beating of a white woman jogging in New York Citys Central Park. The five, who are Black and Latino, said they confessed to the crimes under duress. They later recanted, pleading not guilty in court, and were later convicted after jury trials. Their convictions were vacated in 2002 after another person confessed to the crime. Richardson, the youngest member of the five, was honored by Syracuse University in 2019 after he told Oprah Winfrey that he dreamed of going to SU as a music student when he was jailed at age 14. When the lawsuit was filed, Specter said Trump defamed them in front of 67 million people, which has caused them to seek to clear their names all over again. A Trump campaign spokesperson attacked it at the time as a frivolous election interference lawsuit. Lt. Gen. John Caine (Retired), testifies during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to examine his nomination to be promoted to general and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) AP WASHINGTON (AP) The Senate confirmed retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Razin Caine to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff on Friday, filling the position almost two months after President Donald Trump fired his predecessor. Trump nominated Caine to become the top U.S. military officer in February after abruptly firing Gen. CQ Brown Jr., the second Black general to serve as chairman, as part of his administrations campaign to rid the military of leaders who support diversity and equity in the ranks. The Senate confirmed Caine 60-25 in an overnight vote before heading home for a two-week recess. Caine, who began his military career as a fighter pilot in Syracuse, is a decorated F-16 combat pilot who served in leadership in multiple special operations commands, in some of the Pentagons most classified programs and in the CIA. He does not meet prerequisites for the job set out in a 1986 law, such as being a combatant commander or service chief. But those requirements can be waived by the president if there is a determination that such action is necessary in the national interest. Caines confirmation in the middle of the night, just before the Senate left town, comes as Republicans have been quickly advancing Trumps nominees and as Democrats have been trying to delay the process and show that they are fighting Trumps policies. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., set up the early morning vote after Democrats objected to speeding up procedural votes on the nomination. Still, Caine was confirmed with some bipartisan support. At his confirmation hearing earlier this month, Caine said he would be candid in his advice to Trump and vowed to be apolitical. He disputed Trumps story that Caine wore a Make America Great Again hat when the two first met. I have never worn any political merchandise, he said. Caine was asked how he would react if ordered to direct the military to do something potentially illegal, such as being used against civilians in domestic law enforcement. Will you stand up and push back? Michigan Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin asked. Senator, I think thats the duty and the job that I have, yes, Caine said. Trumps relationship with Caine dates to his first administration. They met during a trip to Iraq, as Trump recounted in a 2019 speech. He has said Caine is a real general, not a television general. During his first term, Trumps relationship with then-Chairman Gen. Mark Milley soured as Milley pushed back and took steps to try to prevent what he saw as an attempt to politicize the office. He would remind military service members that they took an oath to the Constitution, not to a president. Within hours of Trumps inauguration in January, Milleys portrait as chairman of the Joint Chiefs was removed from the Pentagon. Milleys security clearance and security detail also were revoked. The Taos News delivered to your Taos County address every week for a full year! We offer our lowest mail rates to zip codes in the county. Click Here to See if you Qualify. Plan includes unlimited website access and e-edition print replica online. Your auto pay plan will be conveniently renewed at the end of the subscription period. You may cancel at anytime. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. The political landscape of the modern world is turning into a real can of worms, with geopolitical upheavals popping up like daisies after a rainstorm. The credibility of international institutions is going down the drain, legal frameworks are on shaky ground, and tensions between various poles are rising. The struggles over resources, identities, and spheres of influence are eclipsing the traditional roles of diplomacy. In such times, the roles of diplomacy, including conflict prevention and management, ought to be reevaluated, and potentially reinstated. For this reason, the main theme of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF) held in 2025"Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World"is not merely a catchy phrase but also a rallying cry to get back to the drawing board of rational thought. The idea of dialogue and words regaining power, not succumbing to the use of force, is emphasized. Today, ADF isnt merely a stage for diplomatic chatter; its also a beacon of a different kind of globalization model. This model is based on inclusivity, dialogue-driven approaches, sustainable development, and strategic autonomy. Turkiyes leading position in this initiative, as well as the participation of influential leaders such as President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, makes the forum one of the important power centers of the new multipolar world. The Forums journey is also noteworthy: initially conceived as an initiative, ADF has quickly evolved into an institutionalized platform. Established in 2021 under the initiative of the Turkish Foreign Ministry and with the support of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, from the get-go, this platform has set out to carve a niche for open dialogue and fresh ideas, steering clear of Western strings, right in the heart of the Eurasian region. The first forums held in 2021 and 2022 already proved that Turkiye is not simply presenting a regular international event hereit is shaping its own "dialogue architecture." This architecture is open to countries in the Global South, the Muslim world, the post-Soviet space, Asia, and Africa. ADF is gradually becoming the "Munich Conference of the East," where the key values are sovereignty, balance of interests, cultural empathy, and strategic vision. Here, it is not ideological templates but rather real and substantive diplomatic exchanges that take center stage. Azerbaijans involvement in ADF is a game changer with a geopolitical twist that cant be overlooked. President Ilham Aliyev's personal involvement in the forum in 2025 signifies Azerbaijans emergence as a key actor in the South Caucasus and the broader East Eurasian region. Today, Azerbaijan is a steady ship in choppy watersit serves as a bridge spanning the divide between the West and the East and showcases a winning formula for bouncing back after conflict. Under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, the country has set a new example in terms of energy independence, consistent diplomatic lines, and strategic development. His participation in ADF holds both symbolic and practical significance. It signals Azerbaijans coordinated position with Turkiye on key issues such as security, energy, transportation, and the Zangezur Corridor. The Turkiye-Azerbaijan alliance is no longer explained solely by historical and cultural proximity. The "One Nation, Two States" principle today has a concrete geopolitical meaning. This alliance is based on common strategic thinking and shared interests. Against the backdrop of growing instability in the region, the Ankara-Baku tandem plays a decisive role in conflict prevention, energy and transportation security, and the establishment of a multifaceted foreign policy. In fact, the Antalya Diplomacy Forum is more than a classic structure; it is a stage for great leaders. As international organizations lose their influence amid rising bureaucracy and contradictions, the political agenda is shaped by the direct initiatives of leaderspresidents, prime ministers, and foreign ministers. The 2024 Antalya Diplomacy Forum drew attention with its scale: 19 heads of state and government, 250 representatives from 148 countries, and representatives of 16 international organizations gathered. These figures confirm that the Forum is no longer just another diplomatic eventit has become a concrete example of an alternative approach against the Wests diplomatic monopoly. In this context, Presidents Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Ilham Aliyev are not merely participants in the eventthey are the intellectual architects of a new multipolar, sovereignty-based order. Both leaders embody a new diplomatic approach grounded in national interests, free from ideological diktats, and based on mutual respect and cooperation. The ideological line set for the Forum in 2025 is also no accident. The slogan "Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World" was voiced at a time when the global system is at a bifurcation pointa new choice stage. Universal principles are increasingly turning into double standards, international treaties are being replaced by political pressure and geopolitical bargaining, and the roles of institutions like the UN, OSCE, and WTO are diminishing, with sanction-based alliances taking their place. ADF, however, seeks to restore diplomacy against this backdrop as the art of what is possible. Even parties in confrontation can sit at the same table here. Sovereignty, diversity, balance of interests, and respect for cultural uniqueness are at the core of this diplomatic philosophy. Unlike the West's "rules-based order" rhetoric, this approach stands in opposition to the one-sided writing and application of rules. Erdogan presents the forum as a "Eurasian diplomatic initiative" that counters "limitless globalization". This platform is open to Muslim countries, the post-Soviet space, Africa, Latin America, and Asia. In other words, this forum offers not only Turkiye's diplomacy but also a new global communication model where regional actors gain more trust, are more flexible, and are less paternalistic. The Antalya Diplomacy Forum is no longer just another international eventit represents an institutional platform for the emergence of a new global dialogue model. In this model, sovereignty is more important than obedience, and dialogue is more important than compulsion. Regional cooperation is superior to the dictates of power centers, and leadership initiatives are more effective than structured bureaucracy. President Ilham Aliyev's participation in ADF 2025 not only strengthens the Azerbaijan-Turkiye alliance but also demonstrates that Baku has become one of the key actors in the Global South, known for its flexible, principled, and fair diplomacy. On the other hand, through ADF, Turkiye is putting its best foot forward, bolstering its claim to ideological and institutional leadership in the Eurasian landscape. The Forum demonstrates that no matter how much the world changes, there is still room for sound thinking, dialogue, and cooperation. Here, the language of weapons is replaced by the power of words; the violence of diktats is replaced by mutual respect; and sanctions and isolation give way to cooperation as the fundamental principle. ADF transcends the conventional paradigm of a mere forum. It's an incubator catalyzing the evolution of diplomatic paradigms. The groundwork for an innovative paradigm of reciprocal comprehension in the context of contemporary crises is being established at this juncture. Thank you for reading! Please purchase a subscription to read our premium content. If you have a subscription, please log in or sign up for an account on our website to continue. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. Dear Mr. President, I congratulate you on the occasion of the blessed Ramadan holiday. I extend my best wishes to Your Excellency. Happy holiday! twincharger_gt Newbie Join Date: Jul 2024 Location: Bangalore Posts: 7 Thanked: 23 Times Re: After Trump, EU seeks 0% tariffs on car imports to India Quote: Maky Originally Posted by Soo ... do we... thank... him? It's actually a golden opportunity to use this to our advantage. We have to rationalize direct import duty in automobile sector specially parts up the value chain like engine transmission or motors, controllers in case of EV's . Today most complex manufacturing involves multitude of parts ( a single TC consists of more than 700 different big, small parts with different parameters ) . We have been emphasising on assembly but we need to add more value in manufacturing. There is no reason why Mexico or Thailand can't be emulated. We have missed the ICE car opportunity but can still be in the race for EV factories. Taxation on input parts have to be minimal for industries to have confidence across the supply chain. I recently saw an article where a TC for one of the most famous pickups crosses the two North American border six times (both including Canada and Mexico) to be finally assembled at a Ford plant. If we can just get the taxation right for large scale manufacturing . We missed the COVID period where supply chains were getting reset . It might be too late for ICE , as I understand we still import all automatic transmissions in all our cars irrespective of the vendor. For EV there is still quite an opportunity, all the traditional giants are still not producing EVs at scale As far as direct CBU's are concerned any duty over 25% is just plain irrational. If the domestic industry need 80 to 120% duty to compete then they very well should quit making these products . These duties have been high for far too long and there has been no increase in local competitiveness . It has made the whole domestic industry complacent China's strategy of equal JV's have worked wonders for them at least in the automotive sector. Once you start having these companies establish bases here to do actual manufacturing and not just assembly there is a high chance more people get exposed to best practices and know how and then start indigenous companies . The number of EV companies in China is an example albeit an extreme one . Today manufacturing in China is not limited to low end product but high end stuff that just ten years ago would not have been possible in the developing world. They have been consistently taking bigger risks from the policy side and it's paying off for them . Apart from high end jet engine used in fighter planes they have very few areas where they actually lag . While we work on our indigenous Kaveri engine they have at least 10 different prototypes of different jet engines with different thrust parameters they are not their yet but will be in a couple of years. This sort of thing is only possible if you actually have a manufacturing knowhow. We are still in talks with Russia for upgrading the diesel engine in our mainline tanks. We have traditionally only been reactive in policy terms if we play it right the struggling European automobile sector might get a real fillip here to reduce there dependency on Chinese parts . Infact we should have allowed the BYD plant , in any case we are running a trade deficit with China and any dependency that it brings would have worked both ways . We might very well need to.It's actually a golden opportunity to use this to our advantage. We have to rationalize direct import duty in automobile sector specially parts up the value chain like engine transmission or motors, controllers in case of EV's . Today most complex manufacturing involves multitude of parts ( a single TC consists of more than 700 different big, small parts with different parameters ) . We have been emphasising on assembly but we need to add more value in manufacturing. There is no reason why Mexico or Thailand can't be emulated. We have missed the ICE car opportunity but can still be in the race for EV factories. Taxation on input parts have to be minimal for industries to have confidence across the supply chain. I recently saw an article where a TC for one of the most famous pickups crosses the two North American border six times (both including Canada and Mexico) to be finally assembled at a Ford plant. If we can just get the taxation right for large scale manufacturing .We missed the COVID period where supply chains were getting reset . It might be too late for ICE , as I understand we still import all automatic transmissions in all our cars irrespective of the vendor.For EV there is still quite an opportunity, all the traditional giants are still not producing EVs at scaleAs far as direct CBU's are concerned any duty over 25% is just plain irrational. If the domestic industry need 80 to 120% duty to compete then they very well should quit making these products . These duties have been high for far too long and there has been no increase in local competitiveness . It has made the whole domestic industry complacentChina's strategy of equal JV's have worked wonders for them at least in the automotive sector.Once you start having these companies establish bases here to do actual manufacturing and not just assembly there is a high chance more people get exposed to best practices and know how and then start indigenous companies . The number of EV companies in China is an example albeit an extreme one . Today manufacturing in China is not limited to low end product but high end stuff that just ten years ago would not have been possible in the developing world.They have been consistently taking bigger risks from the policy side and it's paying off for them .Apart from high end jet engine used in fighter planes they have very few areas where they actually lag .While we work on our indigenous Kaveri engine they have at least 10 different prototypes of different jet engines with different thrust parameters they are not their yet but will be in a couple of years. This sort of thing is only possible if you actually have a manufacturing knowhow. We are still in talks with Russia for upgrading the diesel engine in our mainline tanks.We have traditionally only been reactive in policy terms if we play it right the struggling European automobile sector might get a real fillip here to reduce there dependency on Chinese parts .Infact we should have allowed the BYD plant , in any case we are running a trade deficit with China and any dependency that it brings would have worked both ways . What just happened? The technology business is feeling the first massive consequences of import tariffs introduced by Donald Trump. If industry sources are to be believed, Washington's new policy just forced some of the world's largest laptop manufacturers to delay shipments to the US. According to Taiwan sources quoted by Commercial Times, Lenovo, Dell, HP, and other laptop manufacturers will stop sending new devices to the US for at least two weeks. Technology and consumer electronics businesses are being hit hard by the tariffs imposed by Trump, even though the US president has recently paused the majority of these additional levies for 90 days except for a 10 percent baseline global tariff. However, tariffs against China are now at 145 percent according to White House sources. Earlier this week, Razer and Framework decided to halt sales in the US and cancel preorders for new laptops. Micron is raising prices of SSDs and other memory products, while Chinese sellers on Amazon are being forced to significantly increase prices or abandon their US sale prospects altogether. Industry insider sources are now forecasting a significant drop in revenue in April, with laptops, smartphones, and network equipment suffering the worst effects of Trump's tariffs. Before Trump decided to pause the enforcement of "reciprocal tariffs" for three months, Taiwan was hit with a 32 percent levy. The US president is definitely acting fast and breaking things, which means companies are forced to adapt to increasingly uncertain conditions in the global market. Trump's tariffs now have their own, heavily edited Wikipedia page. Taiwan sources are lamenting the confusion surrounding the US economy and tariffs, and many organizations are taking a wait-and-see approach for the time being. Some laptop and component manufacturers are seemingly reaching their biggest customers in the US, seeking a "tariff-sharing" cooperation plan to try and reduce the impact of the new levies. Other manufacturers, including those working in the passive component business, said they still plan to ship their products in line with the previously decided schedule. Meanwhile, Chinese security company Qihoo 360 said that new shipments are halted, but its US subsidiary should have enough supplies for now. Bottom line: The SD Express standard for memory cards initially debuted in 2018 but has seen virtually no use because most devices don't meet its bandwidth specifications. The Nintendo Switch 2 might be the first widely available product that requires microSD Express, and its unveiling has already sparked a substantial sales spike for the format. Hermitage Akihabara reports that microSD Express cards have sold out in e-commerce stores across Japan since Nintendo confirmed that the upcoming Switch 2 requires them. Featuring significantly higher read/write speeds than standard memory units, SD Express cards are in short supply because vendors had little reason to manufacture them until now. Commonly used SD card formats such as SDHC, SDXC, UHS-I, and UHS-II, which support the original Nintendo Switch, typically read data at speeds ranging between 10 and 90 MB/s. By moving from the standard SD interface to PCIe, SD Express can achieve up to 900 MB/s not quite as fast as an NVMe SSD but faster than SATA drives. Also read: microSD and SD Card Buying Guide - Classes, Performance, What to Buy Manufacturers have neglected SD Express for years because traditional memory cards are far cheaper and fast enough for most data transfer workloads. Even running mobile apps or recording 4K video doesn't demand much more than 30 or 60 MB/s. Running high-end video games is another matter, however. Nintendo is utilizing the standard to dramatically reduce load times for Switch 2 games. The company showcased the difference during a livestream where the Switch 2 version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild loaded a scene in about five seconds while the original version took around 13 seconds. Searching for microSD Express cards (which carry the "EX" acronym logo highlighted above) on Amazon reveals that SanDisk and Lexar are currently the only brands offering them. SanDisk carries 128 GB ($50) and 256 GB ($60) cards, while Lexar offers 256 GB ($50) and 512 GB ($100) variants. Samsung and Western Digital confirmed plans to release microSD Express cards last year but haven't made them widely available yet. Samsung indicated that an unnamed partner preparing to release a "custom" device assisted the company, with Nintendo being the most likely suspect. Users intending to build large Switch 2 game libraries will likely need the additional space, as third-party titles might quickly fill the handheld console's 256 GB of onboard storage. Titles such as Street Fighter 6 and Elden Ring will require hefty downloads, even for physical copies. Nintendo's first-party games, as usual, have small footprints, with Mario Kart World consuming only 23.4 GB and Donkey Kong Bananza needing just 10 GB. Furthermore, physical editions of in-house games won't consume system storage with downloads or installs. Additionally, CD Projekt RED impressively managed to squeeze Cyberpunk 2077 and the Phantom Liberty expansion pack into a 64 GB game card. What just happened? There's plenty of debate about the definition of AI, but one thing it certainly isn't is a group of humans working away in the Philippines and Romania. Albert Saniger, the founder and former CEO of shopping app Nate, tried to pass off the work of these flesh-and-blood contractors as AI, and has now been charged with defrauding investors by the DoJ. Saniger launched the Nate app in 2018. It promises to act as a universal shopping cart that simplifies online shopping by enabling users to skip the checkout on any retail website by reducing the process to a single tap. The app was advertised as being powered by AI, with the technology entering billing and shipping information and confirming the purchases. But according to the DoJ, it actually relied heavily on hundreds of human workers mostly located in call centers in the Philippines and Romania to manually complete the transactions. Saniger had also repeatedly made assurances that Nate did not use "dumb bots," but in fall 2021, he directed the app's engineering team to develop bots to automate some transactions on the app. These were used alongside the manual teams to complete the purchases, not the promised AI, states the DoJ. Nate had raised over $50 million from investors since launch, raising $38 million in 2021, thanks mostly to Saniger's claims that the app completed purchases without human interaction, except for edge cases where the AI failed to complete a transaction. In 2022, The Information carried out an investigation into Nate. Sources told the publication that during 2021, the share of transactions Nate handled manually rather than automatically ranged between 60% and 100%. The DoJ indictment says that Nate was forced to sell its assets in January 2023 after running out of money, leaving investors with "near total" losses. 35-year-old Saniger, of Barcelona, Spain, is charged with one count of securities fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of wire fraud, which also carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison. This isn't the first case of human workers being passed off as AI. In December 2023, Presto Automation, which calls itself one of the largest labor automation technology providers in the industry, revealed in an SEC filing that almost three-quarters of orders taken by its fast food voice-ordering products were aided by off-site agents working in areas such as the Philippines. Presto previously claimed that 95% of orders received by its drive-thru chatbots were taken without human intervention. In context: Microsoft released Edge 134 last month with several new features, improvements, and bug fixes. The company now claims that this latest version also brings "significant" performance gains, including up to 9% faster rendering times on the Speedometer 3.0 benchmark. According to Microsoft's blog, Edge 134 also offers 1.7% faster navigation times, 2% faster startup times, and 5 to 7% better web page responsiveness compared to Edge 133. The results come from Microsoft's field telemetry, which represents real-world web usage on all types of hardware and websites. The improvements can largely be attributed to multiple optimizations made to both Edge and the Chromium engine, and they are part of Microsoft's continuing efforts to make Edge faster and more responsive. In the newer versions of Edge, the company claims to have carried out several code changes focused on optimizing the browser's real-world performance on Windows and macOS. The continuing improvements in Edge over the past few releases are evident in its rising Speedometer 3 scores, which measures web app responsiveness. According to Microsoft's infographic, Edge 134 racked up 32.7 on a PC powered by an Intel Core i5-13500 CPU and running Windows 11. In comparison, Edge 133 scored 29.6, while Edge 132 hit 28.8. Despite the improved metrics, Microsoft warns that the final user experience will depend on a number of factors beyond its control. These include the device hardware, other applications running in the background, and the user's browsing habits. Either way, the company wants users to send feedback about their experience by going to Settings > More > Help > Feedback. In addition to the performance improvements, Edge 134 also brings multiple notable new features, including an AI-powered 'Scareware Blocker' that Microsoft claims is an effective first line of defense against scams. The feature, which is currently in beta, is designed to identify pages that attempt to convince potential victims that their device is infected with malware. Other changes include a Root Certificate Store update, deprecation of Microsoft Search in Bing, the ability to open links from Teams on macOS, and various improvements to the Settings page. If you're already an Edge user or want to try out Microsoft's desktop browser, you can download the latest version from our website. Several employees of the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) were reportedly axed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) last February. There were about 30 employees that were removed from their post by DOGE, and it is now being reported that most of them are car safety experts who are evaluating autonomous car and technology. Because of these layoffs from DOGE, one fired employee claimed that this could potentially "weaken" the agency's capabilities in understanding self-driving technology that are currently looking expanding now. DOGE Fires NHTSA Car Safety, Autonomous Car Experts According to a new report by The Financial Times, there had been a massive restructuring at the NHTSA that DOGE effected last February, removing as many as 30 employees of the agency. It was revealed that many of these fired NHTSA staff were experts and part of the team that centers on car safety, tasked with evaluating autonomous driving technology in the country. It was revealed by axed workers that they were part of the NHTSA's "Office of Vehicle Automation Safety," and regarded that instead of helping Tesla's case in their autonomous driving tech, it would only "slow down" the plans. These cuts were part of DOGE's massive layoffs across the US government's federal agencies and teams, with the renowned watchdog already laying off at least 20,000 federal employees since they started in late January. Elon Musk's NHTSA Clean-Up Amidst Tesla Investigations According to The Verge, the NHTSA layoffs took place amidst the many investigations that the agency launched against Tesla for its autonomous driving features that include its Full Self-Driving (FSD), Autopilot, and remote summon feature. That being said, one Tesla manager said that this is "sheer madness" as it would only slow down Tesla's rollout of autonomous driving technology as less people are present to develop the "framework for AVs." The DOGE Effect Since President Trump took office, DOGE has not wasted any time with its audit and enforcements against different US agencies by immediately asking for access to the Treasury Department's federal payment system. However, they were only given read-only access. Another significant move by DOGE was looking into the United States Agency for Internal Development (USAID), which it found to be severely flawed and called for its shutdown. Musk claimed via a previous X Spaces livestream that USAID is "beyond repair," suggesting to Trump that the agency would either have to be dissolved or face a drastic overhaul. That being said, there had been massive controversy surrounding DOGE's leadership as the White House previously denied that Elon Musk is the head of the agency, downplaying his role to a mere "consultant" to the President. Regardless, the new government watchdog has effected many radical changes in the US government over the past months, but they only have until July until they too get dissolved. In a case roiling Silicon Valley and beyond, Albert Saniger, founder and former chief executive of shopping app Nate, has been indicted for defrauding investors through false representations about artificial intelligence features. The worst part? The investors were deceived that it's an AI-powered shopping app when it's actually operated by call center workers in the Philippines. A $50 Million Illusion: Investors Misled by AI Hype Introduced seven years ago, Nate was hailed as a groundbreaking universal shopping cart app, where the user could shop from any online store using just one tap. Investors were enticed by the promise that the app utilized top-of-the-line AI to speed up the checkout process, all the way to entering shipping and billing information. Albert Saniger allegedly raised over $50 million on the strength of these assertions. However, the US Department of Justice has uncovered that these AI capabilities were never actually active. Rather than intelligent algorithms, actual human beings were behind the scenes, manually performing the very steps the app was designed to automate. Manual Labor Masquerading as Machine Learning According to Digital Trends, although Nate did purchase third-party AI technology and employed data scientists, the fundamental functionality it touted never functioned consistently. Saniger knowingly hid this from investors and continued to market the app as a revolution in AI-driven online shopping, the US Attorney's Office reports. At the busiest shopping times, the company even employed engineering teams to construct bots to help with transactions. But this was not the seamless, autonomous AI technology that had been promised. Hundreds of Filipino call center contractors were allegedly contracted to manually process transactions, imitating the behavior of AI and fooling users and investors similarly. Customers believed they were experiencing advanced automation, but it was all being accomplished by human hands from start to finish. "This type of deception not only victimizes innocent investors, it diverts capital from legitimate startups, makes investors skeptical of real breakthroughs, and ultimately impedes the progress of AI development," stated Acting US Attorney Matthew Podolsky. In 2023, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned businesses, urging them to exercise restraint in hype over AI benefits. Saniger's case will be a test case and a warning to other tech startups tempted to ride the AI wave without backing it up with substance. Following Saniger's charges, startups selling untested technology in the name of AI might have tougher times ahead. Trust is the real money in today's digital economy for online shoppersand losing it can cost more than any app. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev answered questions from experts from various countries of the world at the international forum held on April 9 at ADA University on the topic "Facing the New World Order", and shared his detailed views on Azerbaijans future development strategy, regional cooperation and the peace process, as well as global challenges, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend. He reminded that the head of state clarified issues that are in the focus of the whole world and presented Azerbaijans position. According to Garayev, the head of state mentioned Azerbaijan's relations with the region, Western and Eastern countries, the processes in the South Caucasus, the issue of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, developments in the Middle East, and other important aspects. "As President Ilham Aliyev also noted, Western countries are currently interested in building deep relations with Central Asia. Of course, this region is rich in natural resources, and since European countries are now in search of new energy sources, they are paying special attention to this region. European countries can't establish any connections with Central Asia without Azerbaijan. Since Azerbaijan is located between Europe and Central Asia, it is considered the center of all routes in this direction. The head of state also rightly pointed out that to understand the impossibility of ignoring Azerbaijan, it is enough to simply look at the map. Therefore, those who want to exclude Azerbaijan from these processes will naturally not succeed," the analyst said. Garayev noted that the 30-year occupation of a part of Azerbaijan's territories by Armenia prevented the development of the South Caucasus. "President Ilham Aliyev also rightly emphasized in this regard that Armenias aggressive policy has been the main obstacle to the integration of the South Caucasus. There is a successful cooperation model between Azerbaijan and Georgia in the region, and both countries closely cooperate in almost all areas. Armenia could also have been part of these processes, but they voluntarily remained outside of them. After the peace agreement is signed, regional cooperation is possible, but to reach this stage, a concrete and constructive position from Armenia is required. Azerbaijan has repeatedly stated its expectations in this regard, so now the next step must be taken by Armenia. The head of state also mentioned this briefly and clearly: "With respect to the peace agreement, the ball is in Armenias court." This means that the Azerbaijani side is ready to sign the peace agreement, and the removal of the main obstacle depends on Armenias next steps," the analyst explained. He stressed that one of the other important topics the head of state spoke about at the forum was Azerbaijans role in relations between Turkiye and Israel. "President Ilham Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan's mediating role in easing tensions between Turkiye and Israel. He noted that the first successful reconciliation between the two countries was achieved through Azerbaijan. As you know, Azerbaijan has historical relations with both Turkiye and Israel, and any misunderstanding between these two countries also affects us to some extent. Therefore, Azerbaijan actively tries to assist in the normalization of relations between the two countries. This process also shows that Azerbaijan is capable of contributing to stability not only in the South Caucasus region but also in other parts of the world, in this case, the Middle East," Garayev noted. According to him, President Ilham Aliyev also broadly analyzed Azerbaijan's relations with the US, discussing relations with past and current administrations. "The head of our state especially referred to the successes of past cooperation with the Trump administration and criticized the anti-Azerbaijani policy of the Biden-Blinken administration. Although Azerbaijan has always had good relations with the US, the policy changes under the Biden-Blinken administration, especially the steps directed against Azerbaijan and the unilateral support for Armenia, have strained relations. President Ilham Aliyev addressed this topic, stating that the State Department under Blinken pursued an anti-Azerbaijani policy and that discrimination was being carried out against our country. It was precisely during Blinkens tenure that so-called 'reputable' US media outlets published articles against Azerbaijan, tried to portray Armenia as right in matters where Azerbaijan was clearly in the right, and displayed a biased approach. The same applies to USAID. The head of our state rightly emphasized that the Azerbaijani side knew the source of these articles and approaches was precisely the State Department. However, the Democratic administration is now in the past; the Republicans have come to power in the United States, and the current President Donald Trump is an adequate person. With Trumps arrival, the anti-Azerbaijan trend in US policy was halted, those 'reputable' media outlets stopped publishing articles against our country, and this is already a positive point. President Ilham Aliyev also addressed this point, noting that considering the Trump administrations agenda, this period could be a very good opportunity to strengthen our partnership. At the same time, it should be emphasized that during Trumps first term, there was no crisis between the two countries, and relations were developing. The head of our state also stated that we are now waiting for the time to start or perhaps restart very strong, predictable, long-term strategic relations with the new administration," he noted. Garayev pointed out that during the forum, extensive time was also devoted to Azerbaijans rich energy resources and its contribution to Europes energy security. "President Ilham Aliyevs statements at the forum regarding the Southern Gas Corridor and green energy are important not only in terms of technical and economic aspects but also from geopolitical and strategic perspectives. Here, the main contours of Azerbaijan's strategic course in energy policy are outlined, and an open call is made to Europe: either provide real support for this cooperation or consider the possibility of our orientation toward alternative markets. The ambiguity and double standards in Europes energy policy are also exposed here. On one hand, Europe sets a carbon neutrality target for 2050; on the other hand, it wants more gas from Azerbaijan, and that too on the condition that the investments are made by the Azerbaijani side. This contradiction is clearly highlighted in the words of the head of state: "If you do not get it from us, then why should I invest or why should I look at your market as my main market?" This question is actually a serious warning to Europe energy cooperation must be carried out not only based on demand but also on mutual commitments. There must also be guarantees for Azerbaijans future steps in this direction," Garayev noted. According to him, President Ilham Aliyev also expressed clear views on the issue of the Russia-Ukraine war, touching on matters of public concern. "Azerbaijan's approach to this issue is based on its own historical experience. During the long years of the ceasefire regime, the defensive lines established by Armenia, the mining operations, and the constant sniper warfare clearly showed Baku that sustainable peace is not just 'peace' on paper but a real and guaranteed security environment. From this perspective, Azerbaijans position is entirely principled and justified: the mere silence of weapons does not mean the war has ended. Regarding the possibility of real peace between Ukraine and Russia, the head of state clearly stated that in the current situation, this does not seem possible. Russia has already declared the occupied territories as its own, while Ukraine and the international community do not accept this. Unless this sharp contradiction is resolved, no 'peace initiative' can be successful. Azerbaijan also unequivocally supports Ukraine's territorial integrity based on international law. The key conclusion here is this: real peace is only possible through a balance of power, clear borders, and mutual respect for those borders. In modern international relations, a peace model based on 'territorial concessions' is neither just nor acceptable, especially for countries that have suffered from conflict," the analyst noted. He pointed out that Azerbaijani-Iranian relations were also discussed at the forum, and detailed information was given on this issue. "Relations between Azerbaijan and Iran are on the verge of entering a new phase. The expected visit of Pezeshkian to Baku can be considered an important political signal in this direction. Baku is openly hopeful for this visit, but at the same time keeps on the agenda the serious baggage of past issues in relations with Iran. This dual dynamic on one hand, past grievances; on the other hand, promising cooperation reflects the current reality of Azerbaijan-Iran relations. Baku approaches the issue realistically: if lessons are learned from past mistakes, a new chapter based on mutual respect and interests can be opened. If Tehran complements the messages of the new administration with real actions, this visit could become not only a political gesture but also a turning point in bilateral relations," Garayev noted. He also particularly highlighted the Presidents views on relations with China. "Strategic partnership with China is important for Baku not only diplomatically but also economically and technologically. Cooperation with Chinese companies in the fields of green energy and transportation can play a crucial role in implementing Azerbaijans 'green transition' agenda. In addition, the potential for defense cooperation can also contribute to further deepening the relationship between the two parties. Azerbaijans active participation in the One Belt One Road Initiative turns it into a transport and logistics hub across Eurasia. Baku contributes to this initiative not just in words but through serious investments and infrastructure. In this context, the head of state specifically said: "It is a very diversified relationship - very strong and with great potential for the future." Against the backdrop of all these processes, Azerbaijan-China relations promise serious prospects not only in a bilateral framework but also on Global South and multilateral platforms," he said. The analyst emphasized that overall, during the forum, President Ilham Aliyev answered questions from experts from various countries and provided extensive information to everyone. "During his speech, the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, touched upon extremely relevant and strategically important topics regarding both domestic and international agendas. "Overall, the President's speech covered not only Azerbaijan's national interests but also strategic issues that are of focus for the international community. This speech was rich with important messages for both regional states and global powers," the analyst emphasized. The rise of artificial intelligence is igniting more than just innovationit's triggering a dramatic spike in world energy use. A groundbreaking report by the International Energy Agency (IEA) says energy consumption from data centers, those running AI included, will double within the next five years. By 2030, they will account for an eye-watering 3% of global electricity. AI alone may be the cause of more than half that surge. Climate Impacts of the AI Boom Already, some of the newer, high-end data centers use as much power as 100,000 households. As AI models expand and become more sophisticated, the IEA cautions that hyperscale centers in the future might need as much as 20 times more power, creating huge pressure on power grids and climate targets. The environmental cost of running AI isn't just hypothetical. No wonder, it's already occurring at this point. For the next five years, the IEA says that data centers will generate 1.4% of the world's combustion-based emissions, a number that approaches the carbon impact of the aviation sector. And that doesn't even begin to account for the embodied emissions of building new facilities and producing the equipment needed to build them. Though the IEA indicates that by 2030 approximately 50% of data center power will be supplied by renewables, the balance will depend on coal, nuclear, and freshly constructed gas-fired power stations. Critics state the scenario is as far from being sustainable as one can get. Can AI Assist in Solving the Problem That It's Contributing to? IEA also says that AI holds great potential to spearhead energy efficiency and climate remedies despite its exorbitant power consumption. The Next Web enumerates what AI can do in such areas: Improve power grids Enhance solar and wind farm production through more accurate forecasts Identify infrastructure leaks Design efficient transport networks Find sustainable materials for batteries and technology But the report warns that those gains will be "marginal" if governments do not establish pro-climate regulatory regimes and incentives. The net climate effect of AI will be all up to how it's designed and deployed. Critics Say the IEA Isn't Doing Enough While the IEA is cautiously upbeat, others state that the report underestimates the urgency of the situation. Researcher Alex de Vries thinks the IEA is too low in its projections of future energy consumption by AI, noting that the current growth rate can seriously undermine world climate goals. Luxembourg energy minister Claude Turmes went even further, accusing the IEA of downplaying its findings to appease political powers and tech giants. He criticized the agency for not providing clear regulatory guidance to governments on how to reduce the risks of mega data centers. Ultimately, as AI becomes deeply embedded in everyday life, the focus must shift toward smarter, more conscious use of computing power. Without strategic oversight, AI's energy appetite could undo its potential as a climate solution. Google Docs welcomes a new AI tool aimed at transforming how writers edit their work. The so-called "Audio Overviews" feature acts like an AI voice to assist them in finding grammatical mistakes, clunky transitions, or awkward phrasing that may go undetected while proofreading. AI-Powered Voice in Google Docs Audio Overviews aren't new since Google originally introduced them via its NotebookLM platform. But now, they're coming directly into Google Docs, allowing users to review their work in a new and dynamic fashion. By listening to a natural-sounding voice read your words, you can quickly detect typos, omissions of punctuation, or poorly constructed sentences. This AI integration acts as a virtual writing assistant, providing you with a second pair of "ears" to pick up errors and hone clarity. It is especially useful for longer pieces where fatigue may blur objectivity. Podcast-Style Summaries for Quick Review Not all papers require a reading-through, particularly if you are working with several dozen pages of research or analysis. Google's new feature provides a "podcast-style overview", presenting you with a summary that captures just the most important points. According to TechRadar, this approach makes it easier to digest long documents quickly, especially when you're short on time or multitasking. It's a perfect fit for researchers, executives, and students who want the gist without reading every line. Enhancing Accessibility with Human-Like AI Voices In addition to productivity, Google's voice technology also advocates for accessibility. For people with visual impairments or reading disabilities, a clear, natural-sounding voice reading documents out loud eliminates a significant barrier to comprehension and participation. Google asserts the AI voices will be almost indistinguishable from human voices. If the execution is as good as NotebookLM's voice quality, this would be a big move toward making Google Docs more inclusive and user-friendly. Real-Time Feedback and Multitasking Benefits Whether you're commuting, cooking dinner, or washing clothes, listening to your files read aloud facilitates reviewing on the go. It's a smart feature for productive professionals and creative types who continually multitask yet still must be productive. With real-time voice feedback, Google Docs enables its users to improve as writers. It's a more advanced way to write in a hands-free and instinctive way. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 11. On April 11, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev met with Ersin Tatar, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, in Antalya, Trend reports. During the conversation, the two leaders fondly recalled their previous meetings held in Azerbaijan and on the sidelines of international events, including President Ersin Tatars participation in the informal Summit of Heads of State of the Organization of Turkic States held last year in Shusha. President Ilham Aliyev hailed the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus joining the Organization of Turkic States as an observer. Ersin Tatar expressed his gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev for the solidarity and support extended to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, as well as for the Azerbaijani leader's remarks made a few days earlier at the international forum held at ADA University. The Presidents also discussed the organization of reciprocal visits at various levels and cooperation in multiple areas. 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 World Wide Fund for Nature Romania 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. Trump threatens Mexico with tariffs over water dispute Washington, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 US President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened Mexico with "escalating consequences" on trade unless it provides more water to Texas under a contentious decades-old treaty. "Mexico has been stealing the water from Texas Farmers" and "last year the only Sugar Mill in Texas closed" for lack of water, Trump posted to his Truth Social platform. He claimed that Mexico was violating a 1944 pact under which the US shares water from the Colorado River in exchange for flows from the Rio Grande, which forms part of the border between the two countries. "We will keep escalating consequences, including TARIFFS and, maybe even SANCTIONS, until Mexico honors the Treaty," Trump wrote. The current treaty cycle expires in October and Mexico owes the United States more than 1.55 billion cubic meters, according to the two countries' boundary and water commission. Washington said on March 20 that it had rejected a request by Mexico for special delivery of water for the first time in response. Mexico says its lagging deliveries are due to two decades of drought in the Rio Grande basin. But US farmers and lawmakers complain that their southern neighbor has waited until the end of each five-year delivery cycle and has been coming up short in the latest period. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said last month that the US complaints were "being dealt with" through the boundary and water commission. "There's been less water. That's part of the problem," she told reporters. In November, the two countries signed an agreement aimed at preventing water shortages in parched southern US states with more reliable Mexican deliveries of river water. Mexico's attempts to comply with the treaty have resulted in civil unrest in the past. In 2020, farmers in the northern state of Chihuahua seized a dam to prevent the government from supplying water from a reservoir to the United States, leading to clashes between protesters and the National Guard that left one person dead. ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 11. Participation of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev in the Antalya Diplomacy Forum has become a vivid demonstration of the unbreakable brotherhood and strategic partnership between Turkiye and Azerbaijan, Turkish political analyst Selin Senocak told Trend on the sidelines of the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum. "This significant participation not only highlights the depth of bilateral relations but also demonstrates the shared diplomatic vision of our countries on the international stage. Azerbaijan's presence at such a high level at an event that could influence the future of the entire region once again confirms the strength of the principle 'one people two states' in real politics," she said. Senocak noted that the strategic alliance between Turkiye and Azerbaijan is based not only on historical and cultural closeness but also on a shared understanding of security issues and regional development. "The partnership is particularly evident in the defense industry the most tangible and dynamically developing area of cooperation. Joint exercises, technology exchanges, the production of defense systems, and the development of high-tech platforms over the past years have significantly strengthened the defense capabilities of both countries and increased their regional deterrent power. Projects such as Bayraktar drones and armored systems have become vivid examples of the effectiveness of this collaboration. It's expected that in the future this partnership will move to an even higher level the creation of joint research centers, the development of defense technologies based on artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. Integration in the defense industry will not only contribute to the deepening of bilateral relations but also strengthen the collective security understanding within the Organization of Turkic States. In this context, the Turkish-Azerbaijani partnership will continue to play a key role in defense solidarity between brotherly countries," emphasized the Turkish political analyst. The official stressed that the shared vision of Turkiye and Azerbaijan in the South Caucasus has become a strategic alliance aimed not only at ensuring peace and stability but also at promoting the economic development of the region. "These two brotherly countries are implementing a multi-dimensional integration process from energy routes and transport corridors to cooperation in defense and diplomacy. This approach, particularly through projects such as the Zangezur corridor, is shaping a new geo-economic architecture for the entire Transcaucasia and turning the region into a crucial center of Eurasia. The partnership between Turkiye and Azerbaijan contributes not only to the stability and prosperity of the South Caucasus but also to the entire Turkic world. This alliance strengthens the institutional depth of the Organization of Turkic States and forms a powerful political and economic center of attraction for the Turkic space. Serving as a guarantor of peace, a locomotive of development, and a symbol of solidarity, this strategic partnership serves as a solid foundation for long-term stability in the region," she concluded. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Trump threatens Mexico with tariffs over water dispute Washington, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 US President Donald Trump threatened Mexico on Thursday with "escalating consequences" on trade unless it provides more water to Texas under a contentious decades-old treaty. "Mexico has been stealing the water from Texas Farmers" and "last year the only Sugar Mill in Texas closed" for lack of water, Trump posted to his Truth Social platform. He claimed that Mexico was violating a 1944 pact under which the United States shares water from the Colorado River in exchange for flows from the Rio Grande, which forms part of the border between the two countries. "We will keep escalating consequences, including TARIFFS and, maybe even SANCTIONS, until Mexico honors the Treaty," Trump wrote. The current treaty cycle expires in October and Mexico owes the United States more than 1.55 billion cubic meters, according to the two countries' boundary and water commission. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Thursday her government has been complying with the treaty under ongoing drought conditions, "to the extent of water availability." She said in a post on social media platform X that her government had sent a "comprehensive proposal" to the US State Department. "I am sure that, as in other matters, an agreement will be reached." Washington said on March 20 that it had rejected a request by Mexico for special delivery of water for the first time in response. Mexico says its lagging deliveries are due to two decades of drought in the Rio Grande basin. However, US farmers and lawmakers complain that their southern neighbor has waited until the end of each five-year delivery cycle and has been coming up short in the latest period. The two countries signed an agreement in November aimed at preventing water shortages in parched southern US states with more reliable Mexican deliveries of river water. Mexico's attempts to comply with the treaty have resulted in civil unrest in the past. In 2020, farmers in the northern state of Chihuahua seized a dam to prevent the government from supplying water from a reservoir to the United States, leading to clashes between protesters and the National Guard in which one person was killed. UN denounces army attacks in Myanmar despite post-quake truce Geneva, April 11 (AFP) Apr 11, 2025 The United Nations rights office decried Friday attacks by Myanmar's military despite a ceasefire declared following last month's devastating earthquake, which killed more than 3,600 people. "At a moment when the sole focus should be on ensuring humanitarian aid gets to disaster zones, the military is instead launching attacks," spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said in a statement. UN rights chief Volker Turk, she said, "calls on the military to remove any and all obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian assistance and to cease military operations". A multi-sided conflict has engulfed Myanmar since 2021, when Min Aung Hlaing's military wrested power from the civilian government of Aung San Suu Kyi. Following reports of sporadic clashes even after the March 28 quake that so far is known to have killed at least 3,645 people, the junta joined its opponents last week in calling a temporary halt to hostilities for relief to be delivered. But Shamdasani highlighted that since the earthquake, "military forces have reportedly carried out over 120 attacks". "More than half of them (were) after their declared ceasefire was due to have gone into effect on 2 April," she said. The UN rights office had determined that most of these involved aerial and artillery strikes, she said, "including in areas impacted by the earthquake". "Numerous strikes have been reported in populated areas, many of them appearing to amount to indiscriminate attacks and to breach the principle of proportionality in international humanitarian law." Shamdasani pointed out that areas at the epicentre of the quake in Sagaing, particularly those controlled by opponents of the military, "have had to rely on local community responses for search and rescue, and to meet basic needs". "Clearly these valiant efforts need to be further supported," she said, calling for "common efforts to assist those in greatest need". "In this spirit we call on the military to announce a full amnesty for detainees it has incarcerated since February 2021, including State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint." Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Rebecca Gayheart shared a candid update about her relationship with Eric Dane just hours before he revealed his ALS diagnosis. During an interview with E! News on Wednesday the 53-year-old actor explained that shes on good terms with Dane, after filing to divorce him in 2018. However, in March, she filed for the divorce petition to be dismissed. We are best of friends. We are really close, she told the publication, while at the screening of the miniseries, The Carters: Hurts to Love You in Los Angeles. We are great co-parents. I think its important to not look at a relationship that ends as a failure. The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum continued to applaud her marriage, before hinting that she and Dane ended their romantic relationship. I think its important to not look at a relationship that ends as a failure, she added. It wasn't a failure. It was a huge success. We were married for, I mean, we are still married, but together for 15 years, and we had two beautiful kids so I think that's a successful relationship, and that's how we look at it. Gayheart and the Greys Anatomy alum tied the knot in 2004 and went on to welcome two children, Billie, 15, and Georgie, 13. Rebecca Gayheart says she and Eric Dane are best of friends after she dismissed their petition to divorce ( Getty Images ) They shared a joint statement in 2018 to announce their divorce, noting that ending their marriage was the best decision for their family. We will continue our friendship and work as a team to co-parent our two beautiful girls as they are the most important thing in the world to us, they said at the time. We kindly ask that you respect our privacy during this time as we navigate the next phase of our lives. However, according to court documents obtained by People, Gayheart requested to dismiss the 2018 divorce petition without prejudice, and both she and Dane signed that document. One day after Gayheart spoke about her friendship with Dane, the Euphoria star revealed he was diagnosed with ALS. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter, he told People on Thursday. I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to [the] set of Euphoria next week. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time. ALS, also known as motor neuron disease, is an incurable condition that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord and causes increasing muscle paralysis over time. Early symptoms of the disease, according to the US National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes (NINDS), include: muscle twitches in the arm, leg, shoulder or tongue; cramps; tight or stiff muscles; muscle weakness; slurred or nasal speech; and difficulty chewing and swallowing. There is currently no cure for ALS, but the US Food and Drug Administration has approved a number of drugs to ease the discomfort of sufferers such as Riluzole and Radicava. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Get our food and drink newsletter for free Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Wendys has just unveiled two new desserts, Frosty Fusions and Frosty Swirls, which will both be available in a matter of weeks. The fast-food chain announced the newest editions of its signature Frosty in a press release Thursday. According to Wendys, Frosty Swirls will feature new sauces on the ice cream treat, while Frosty Fusions include sauces and various sweet treat mix-ins, like Pop-Tarts and Oreo cookies. Tomorrow, April 11, customers can try the Frosty Swirls by ordering them on the Wendys app. Frosty Swirls will then be available nationwide in stores on April 15, while Frosty Fusions will be available as of May 12. To order a Frosty Swirl, customers will start by choosing their favorite Frosty flavor. They will then select one of the three sauces to get mixed in with the ice cream of their choosing. One option is the Strawberry Frosty Swirl, which features sweet, juicy strawberry sauce swirled and topped on a creamy Frosty, as noted by Wendys. Another choice is the Caramel Frosty Swirl, which makes the usual Frosty taste like a creamy candy bar. Or, customers can choose the Brownie Batter Frosty Swirl, described as the decadent, chocolatey Frosty treat of any fan's dreams. Wendys Frosty Swirls can be ordered through the app on April 11, while Frosty Fusions hit stores on May 12 ( Wendy's ) Next month, Wendys lovers can get their hands on Frosty Fusions, which include both a sauce and mix-in. The Pop-Tarts Strawberry Frosty Fusion combines Wendys Frosty with strawberry sauce and chunks of strawberry-flavored Pop-Tarts Crunchy Poppers pieces. The Oreo Brownie Frosty Fusion features Brownie Batter sauce mixed with Oreo cookie pieces, while the Caramel Crunch Frosty Fusion includes crunchy toffee pieces and a caramel sauce. Lindsay Radkoski, U.S. Chief Marketing Officer for The Wendy's Company, celebrated the launch of the new Frosty flavors. Frosty has been on Wendy's menu for 55 years and is one of the most iconic frozen treats in American culture. We're expanding on our beloved Frosty so when a sweet tooth strikes, the choice is easy for consumers: It's Gotta Be Wendy's, she said in a statement. Radkoski added: We know consumers are always on the lookout for new flavors and ways to customize their order with sauces and mix-ins. We can't wait for everyone to experience even more ways to enjoy our iconic Frosty! In January, Wendys also announced that it was bringing its beloved Vanilla Frosty back after it was temporarily replaced by the Salted Caramel Frosty. The brand also had a special deal in February, offering the Thin Mint Frosty for a limited time. The frosty, based on the popular Girl Scout cookies Thin Mints, was available in either the classic Vanilla or Chocolate flavors. The dessert was swirled and topped with a rich, minty cookie crumble sauce. Sign up to our free Living Well email for advice on living a happier, healthier and longer life Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Live your life healthier and happier with our free weekly Living Well newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A roofer-turned-globetrotting-grandfather who captivated TikTok with tales of his travels is now facing a devastating health battle that has left him unable to walk. Terry Hill, 59, nicknamed "Donny Knight" by his nearly 100,000 followers, traded his roofing tools for a smartphone two years ago by sharing his unique perspective on the world. His TikTok journey began with a heartwarming video surprising his daughter and grandchildren in Crete, which quickly went viral. Since then, his lightly edited videos, including crowd-surfing off a bus shelter in a knights costume, have garnered more than 70 million views and are loved by fans and TikTok stars alike. However, in 2024, Terry began to notice he was losing feeling in his feet, a condition possibly linked to smoking and caused by blocked arteries in his groin. Doctors intervened by implanting seven stents to open the arteries, offering a glimmer of hope for his continued travels. However, in January, while playing in the snow with his son, he lost all feeling in his feet again and was taken to Doncaster Royal Infirmary. open image in gallery Terry even got to take a picture up close with Tutankhamun himself ( PA Real Life ) Although the operation cleared the arteries, side-effects have left Terry unable to walk, and he has left the house just four times since January. Having lost all his income from both roofing and TikTok, Terry decided to start a GoFundMe page to help him afford a mobility scooter, but the page has fallen well short of the 5,000 he needs. Ive gone from having the time of my life to not being able to pay my bills or leave the house, Terry said. I cant face my followers because I cant give them what they want. I physically cant do it. Its devastating and theres nothing I can do. Terry owned a successful roofing business for more than 30 years. The company brought in a steady income and gave him time to travel, which has always been his greatest passion. He would take five or six holidays to Europe every year, and in December 2023, his daughter told him she was going to Crete with her boyfriend and two children. open image in gallery Terry after surgery ( PA Real Life ) I thought, theres no way youre going without me, Terry said, so he arrived at the hotel the day before to surprise her. When she arrived, Terry filmed the moment and put it on TikTok, and within a week, he went from 10 followers to 10,000. In January last year, Terry realised that he could combine his new TikTok account with his love of travelling, so he booked a trip to Thailand a dream destination. He even received some income from his new hobby, saying: It wasnt life-changing, but whod have thought you could get money from social media? It was on this trip in April that Terry first noticed that his legs were beginning to hurt, but he ignored the pain and, over the next few month,s travelled to Egypt, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Poland, and returned to Thailand twice. He continued working as a roofer, but his income from TikTok was rising, and Terrys most popular video earned him nearly 5,000. He said: I thought at this rate I wont have to do roofing again! In June 2024, Terry was told the arteries in his groin were blocked, probably caused by smoking. Terry quit and had seven stents put into his arteries to open them, bringing feeling back to his legs. open image in gallery Terry with his newborn grandchild ( PA Real Life ) After that, he continued travelling, and by January, he had nearly 100,000 followers. I had the time of my life, he said. It was like I were famous. I will always remember it and Ill be telling my kids and grandkids about it for the rest of my days. However, Terry admits he did too much given the condition of his legs. In January, he went out to play with his 12-year-old son in the snow in Doncaster when he realised he could not feel his feet, even when touching a hot radiator. The next day he went to the doctor and three weeks later he underwent aorto-bifemoral bypass surgery at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, which replaced his blocked arteries with artificial tubes. If I hadnt had it, I would have died, Terry said. Although he can feel his feet again, side effects mean he is unable to walk more than five metres before his legs give way. He also has bowel issues which make going outside potentially difficult. Since January, he has left the house just four times. open image in gallery Terry had the time of his life while famous on TikTok ( PA Real Life ) He said: For someone who loves travelling, its heartbreaking. I hate it, I feel so down. Ive never struggled with mental health issues, but I can now understand why people do. Unable to work as a roofer, and with no income from TikTok, he was left with an unpaid mortgage and bills. He has claimed universal credit and has applied for disability benefits but these are not enough to cover his costs. It was a difficult decision for Terry, but with no other option, he set up a GoFundMe aiming to raise 5,000 for a mobility scooter. He received a few donations in the first week, including from fellow TikTok stars, but despite having around 100,000 followers, the page stalled at 800. Im so grateful to everyone who has donated, it really means a lot, Terry said. But its devastating that I dont have enough. Im gutted. I feel so helpless as theres nothing I can do. I cant face my followers. I cant give them the travel content they want. I physically cant do it. I dont know what will happen next. To find out more about Terry, visit his GoFundMe or find him on TikTok at donny_knight. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. Delegations led by Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan, Co-Chairman of the State Commission on Economic, Trade and Humanitarian Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran on the Azerbaijani side, and Farzaneh Sadegh, Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran, Co-Chairperson of the Commission on the Iranian side, have reviewed the Aghband-Kelaleh highway bridge construction site over the Araz river near Azerbaijan's Zangilan district to connect the country's East Zangezur economic region with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through Iranian territory, the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers told Trend. During the visit, the Co-Chairs were briefed on the technical parameters of the bridge and the auxiliary road that will connect the bridge to the highway, as well as on the border and customs infrastructure to be built on this section. Information was also provided about the projects of the new railway bridge under consideration. It was noted that the construction of the Aghband highway bridge and the adjacent auxiliary road is planned to be completed by the end of 2025. This project, forming an important part of the region's strategic transport infrastructure, will carry out several significant functions. Upon completion of the construction work, the new road route will: ensure the shortest and most efficient transportation connection between the Eastern Zangezur economic region and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic; be one of the key components of the East-West transport corridor, covering the China-Central Asia-Azerbaijan-Iran-Turkiye line; Expand the functional capabilities of the North-South transport corridor passing through Azerbaijan. serve as the most favorable road in terms of both terrain and climate, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea. The constructed road, with an I technical grade, will facilitate efficient cargo and passenger transportation in the direction of AghbandJabrayilAghdamYevlakhGeorgia. Simultaneously, the AghbandLachinKalbajarGanjaGeorgia road route, expected to be completed within approximately a year, will also be added to this network and further contribute to the enhancement of the regions transport and logistics potential. The implementation of these projects will create favorable conditions for bilateral and regional transport-transit relations, increase cargo transportation, expand logistics capabilities, and generally create broader communication connections. The delegation also had the opportunity to visit the rapidly developing, strategically important HoradizAghband railway line under construction in Azerbaijan. This railway line, being one of the main transport routes of the region, will not only diversify various transport communications but also create new opportunities for the efficient organization of international cargo transportation. The co-chairs later reviewed the project and site feasibility for the second bridge, the OrdubadSiyahrud highway bridge, which will connect the East Zangezur region with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic via Iran. The coordinates and technical parameters of the bridge were discussed, and it was agreed that further discussions in this direction would continue. The delegation also got familiarized with the ongoing work on the Ordubad-Marazad hydropower plant (HPP) project. It was reported that 60 percent of the total construction of the Ordubad HPP, with a capacity of 36 MW on the Araz river, has been completed, and additional efforts by Iran are needed for the continuation of the work. The co-chairs also visited the Julfa border crossing point and got acquainted with the current conditions at the site. The co-chairs expressed confidence that the visit of the President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian to Azerbaijan, at the invitation of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, will open a new chapter in bilateral relations. They noted that there are good opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in all areas and emphasized that, in line with the President's instructions, joint efforts would continue to complete the existing projects. The deputy prime minister also informed the Iranian minister and delegation about the territories that were destroyed and plundered by Armenians during the 30-year occupation. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Toni Braxton secretly married Birdman last summer, but the current state of their relationship isnt as simple as husband and wife. The two musicians got married on August 8, 2024, according to documents obtained Thursday by TMZ. However, the publication also received divorce documents that were filed two weeks after their wedding. The documents listed the couples date of separation as August 10, 2024, which was two days after they tied the knot. A few months later in January 2025, Braxton then dismissed the divorce petition, with Birdman also signing the documents. Currently, the couple is still legally married. The Independent has reached out to Braxtons publicist for comment. Braxton and Birdman first started dating in 2016 as the rapper helped Braxton through her struggles with lupus. She previously talked about their relationship in an interview with People in 2018 when she admitted how long they had been friends and how she never expected a romantic relationship. Braxton and Birdman revealed their engagement in 2018 ( Getty Images ) Hes been my bestie for like 15 or 16 years, she said at the time. I never thought we would be dating or getting married. Braxton confirmed she and Birdman were engaged in 2018 during a trailer for an episode of her familys WeTV reality show Braxton Family Values. I have an announcement to make Im engaged! she was seen telling her sisters. However, in 2019 the two deleted photos of each other from their respective social media accounts and seemed to confirm that the engagement was called off. Starting a new chapter isnt alway an easy choice but ALWAYS choose to be chosen. Cheers to a new year, Braxton captioned a photo of her in a red dress at the time in a since-deleted Instagram post. The couple then appeared to reconcile weeks later after reuniting on stage during Braxtons tour stop in Atlanta, Georgia at the Fox Theatre. In late December 2023, Braxton turned to Instagram to debunk rumors that she and Birdman were back together and dating again. She shared a post with a headline claiming the two of them were married, as she captioned the post, My dear friend @birdman and I are not married...never been married. We are both single. Prior to her relationship with Birdman, Braxton was married to Keri Lewis from 2001 to 2013 and they share two sons together: Denim, 23, and Diezel, 22. Birdman has never been married before but shares his son Bryan Williams Jr., 28, and daughter Bria, 27, with a woman named Tia whom he dated in the 90s. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Detroit woman is facing animal torture charges after she stabbed her dog and posted footage of the wounded animal online, police say. Jordan Love, 29, of Detroit, was charged with the killing and torturing of animals in the second degree as well as abandoning and cruelty to four to ten animals when she was arrested almost 700 miles away from her home Monday afternoon. Detroit Animal Control (DAC) became aware of the incident after they received a harrowing report of abuse. Upon arrival at a home in the city, officers forced their way inside. They found the helpless animal abandoned in the basement and suffering from multiple stab wounds to its torso, according to the Wayne County Prosecutors Office statement. Three dogs and four cats were rescued from the suspects home and taken to the Detroit Animal Care and Control shelter. The prosecutor's office confirmed that they have since been placed in individual foster care homes, including the injured dog. Police believe that Love posted a video of the injured animal on social media hours after the alleged attack. Shortly after, police say she fled the state. open image in gallery Love has been accused of stabbing her dog multiple times while six other animals were inside the home ( Detroit Animal Care and Control ) After 13 days on the run, authorities in Greenville, South Carolina, managed to arrest her. Wayne County Prosecutors Office detectives transported her back to Michigan, and she arrived back Wednesday afternoon. If convicted, Love could face a maximum sentence of nine years in prison. Prosecutor Kym Worthy said the department has always taken the abuse of animals very seriously. We have impacted legislation and have been proactive with the applicable laws - seeking and fighting to change them in many instances. Although we never really anticipated the alleged brutality and cruelty that this case represents, as a result of our earlier efforts, this case is a clear representation of why better laws were needed, she continued. open image in gallery Authorities said the alleged stabbing occurred along the 15200 block of Manning Street, Detroit (pictured) ( Google Maps ) The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said Love was arraigned Thursday in 36th District Court before Magistrate William Burton and slapped with a $50,000 cash bond as well as a GPS tether. Love is scheduled to appear in court again on April 14. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Kansas police have finally identified the remains of a teenager who went missing 52 years ago. The Kansas Bureau of Investigation announced on Tuesday that it used DNA technology to determine that remains discovered in 1973 belonged to 16-year-old Jimmy Dollison. The teenager had been living in Kansas City when he went missing in the autumn of 1972. His family reported his disappearance but never learned what happened to him. In April 1973, authorities found Dollisons unidentified remains three miles southeast of Garnett, Kansas. He was wearing a brown corduroy jacket, a green long-sleeve buttoned shirt, jeans, a black leather belt with a large black buckle, brown hiking boots and a navy blue stocking cap. He was also wearing two gold rings with crosses, a ring with the number 78 and a silver chain with a large cross. The coroner ruled his manner of death a homicide due to signs of trauma. Two decades ago, officials determined the remains belonged to a man with brown hair and a slender build. Police made many attempts throughout the decades to figure out who the remains belonged to, but were not successful. In 2024, investigators extracted DNA from the remains for forensic genetic genealogy testing. The testing was conducted by Othram, a company specializing in genealogy to help solve murders. To find a match, the company needed to identify any living relatives of the unidentified person. Dollisons siblings were identified through testing. Police contacted them for interviews and to obtain DNA samples for comparison. Officials later confirmed the remains belonged to the 16-year-old. An investigation into the teens death continues. Officials are asking anyone with information to call 1-800-KS-CRIME. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A judge will decide on Friday whether Erik and Lyle Menendez, who were convicted of murdering their parents, will be resentenced. The decision comes after Los Angeles' new district attorney opposed their release after the brothers spent 30 years behind bars. The Menendez brothers were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole at ages 18 and 21 after being convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. The defense argued they acted in self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, while prosecutors argued they killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance. Former Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon sought resentencing for the brothers before losing reelection to Nathan Hochman in November. Gascon had asked a judge to change the brothers' sentence to 50 years to life, which would make them immediately eligible for release under California law because they committed the crime when they were younger than 26. However, last month, Hochman submitted a motion to withdraw that request, stating that he did not support the brothers' resentencing because they had not admitted to lies they told as the case unfolded about why they killed their parents and did not "fully recognize, acknowledge, and accept complete responsibility" for their crime. open image in gallery A supporter holds a sign during a press conference regarding developments in the Menendez brothers case Thursday, March 20, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) On Friday, the court will decide whether to allow prosecutors to withdraw their resentencing motion. If that request is granted, the judge also will decide whether to proceed independently with the brothers' resentencing hearings, which are tentatively scheduled for April 17 and 18. The district attorney's opposition poses a major hurdle for the brothers, whose path to resentencing was all but certain with Gascon's support. The family's relationship with Hochman also has soured. Most of the brothers' extended family supports their resentencing. Milton Andersen, Kitty Menendez's brother and the sole relative who opposed their release, died last month. Tamara Goodall, a cousin of the brothers, submitted a complaint with the state asking that Hochman be removed from the case, citing his bias against the brothers and alleging he violated a law meant to protect victims' rights. Hochman had a hostile, dismissive and patronizing tone in meetings with the family and created an intimidating and bullying atmosphere," Goodall wrote. In their response to the district attorney's motion to withdraw the resentencing request, attorneys for the Menendez brothers questioned whether Hochman had legitimate reasons for doing so or was influenced by a change of political winds. The attorneys pointed out that Hochman demoted Nancy Theberge and Brock Lunsford, the two deputy district attorneys who filed the original resentencing motion. Theberge and Lunsford have since filed lawsuits against Hochman alleging harassment, discrimination and retaliation for their work on the Menendez brothers case. The law requires fairness, not personal vendettas," Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of the brothers, said in a statement. "Erik and Lyle have not only taken responsibility, theyve become the kind of men this system is supposed to help create. If rehabilitation doesnt matter here, when does it?" Hochman's office denied any political influence on their decision-making in their reply and doubled down on the position that Erik and Lyle Menendez fabricated their self-defense claim in the murders of their parents and had not achieved full rehabilitation. Without resentencing, the brothers would still have two other pathways to freedom. They have submitted a clemency plea to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has ordered the state parole board to investigate whether the brothers would pose a risk to the public if they are released. The parole board is scheduled to hold its final hearings June 13. The brothers also submitted a petition for habeas corpus in May 2023 asking the court to grant them a new trial in light of new evidence presented. Hochman's office also filed a motion opposing the petition. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. The Aghband highway bridge and its neighboring auxiliary road construction are set to cross the finish line by the close of 2025, Trend reports. This issue was discussed during the visit of delegations led by Shahin Mustafayev, Deputy Prime Minister of Azerbaijan and Co-Chairman of the State Commission on Economic, Trade, and Humanitarian Cooperation between Azerbaijan and Iran on the Azerbaijani side, and Farzaneh Sadegh, Minister of Roads and Urban Development of Iran and Co-Chairperson of the Commission on the Iranian side, to the Aghband-Kelaleh highway bridge construction site over the Araz river near Azerbaijan's Zangilan district to connect the country's East Zangezur economic region with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic through Iranian territory. During the visit, the co-chairs were briefed on the technical parameters of the bridge and the auxiliary road that will connect the bridge to the highway, as well as the border and customs infrastructure planned to be created there. Information was also provided about the projects of the new railway bridge under consideration. It was noted that the construction of the Aghband highway bridge and the adjacent auxiliary road is planned to be completed by the end of 2025. This project, forming an important part of the region's strategic transport infrastructure, will carry out several significant functions. Upon completion of the construction work, the new road route will: ensure the shortest and most efficient transportation connection between the Eastern Zangezur Economic Region and the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan; be one of the key components of the East-West transport corridor, covering the China-Central Asia-Azerbaijan-Iran-Turkiye line; expand the functional capabilities of the North-South transport corridor passing through Azerbaijan; serve as the most favorable road in terms of both terrain and climate, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea. The newly paved road, built to a high standard, will smooth the way for swift cargo and passenger travel towards AhbandJabrayilAghdamYevlakhGeorgia. Simultaneously, the AghbandLachinKalbajarGanjaGeorgia road route, expected to be completed within approximately a year, will also be added to this network and further contribute to the enhancement of the regions transport and logistics potential. The implementation of these projects will create favorable conditions for bilateral and regional transport-transit relations, increase cargo transportation, expand logistics capabilities, and generally create broader communication connections. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. Prime Minister of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ali Asadov, met with Minister of Culture of the State of Qatar, Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Al Thani, on April 11, Trend reports. The meeting highlighted the satisfaction with the development of Azerbaijani-Qatari relations across various directions, particularly noting the high level of cooperation in the field of culture. The significance of the Qatar Cultural Days event, which was inaugurated in Baku the previous day, was also discussed. It was highlighted that the event is a golden opportunity for the residents of Baku and the capitals visitors to get a taste of the rich cultural heritage and traditions of the Qatari people. The success of the Azerbaijan Culture Days held in 2024 in Qatars capital, Doha, was also brought to light. The participants observed that such events really help to tighten the knot between the two peoples and foster goodwill all around. The meeting also shone a light on the potential for collaboration in trade, investment, humanitarian efforts, culture, tourism, and other areas where both Azerbaijan and Qatar can find common ground. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Some of the most memorable sequences in an action film that won six Oscars had swinging pole cats attacking the runaway War Rig. Norris and his team of 20 Australians and New Zealanders have since shot the likes of Suicide Squad in Canada, Ghost In The Shell in New Zealand, Triple Frontier in Hawaii and Panama, The Suicide Squad in Atlanta, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga in Australia, Mercy in Los Angeles and now Ramayana in India. What we were able to achieve with George on Fury Road really shone the spotlight [on us], he said. Weve been able to travel the world doing films and exporting great Australian talent. Guy Norris (right) with director George Miller when they filmed the climactic truck roll at the end of Mad Max: Fury Road at Penrith Lakes, NSW. Credit: Jasin Boland While the Taurus awards already recognise best fight, best high work, hardest hit and other individual stunts, Norris hoped the new Oscar would recognise how action design was as crucial to storytelling as costume and production design. Its a collaborative process of getting the directors vision on screen, he said. Most blockbusters are spectacle films and action is clearly a driving force in that genre. While stunts have been an important part of cinema since silent film stars Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd, such stunt performers as David Leitch (Bullet Train, The Fall Guy), Chad Stahelski (John Wick), Sam Hargrave (Extraction) and Australias Nash Edgerton (Gringo, Mr Inbetween) have brought their action talents to directing in recent years. Tom Hardy as Max and Charlize Theron as Imperator Furiosa in the War Rig in Mad Max: Fury Road. Credit: Warner Bros It has not hurt the stunt communitys visibility that Brad Pitt played a stunt double in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood and Ryan Gosling was a stuntman in The Fall Guy. Miller said the Oscars recognition was long overdue. Stunts now have all the complexity and all the creativity that any other field has, he said. Stunt actors have special skills and quite often they play characters. Theres a lot of technical complexity and a lot of engineering in what they do. Miller said the action scenes in the Mad Max films were an integral part of the story, with the late Grant Page and Norris key contributors to their impact. The Fall Guy, which was shot in Sydney, starred Ryan Gosling as a stunt man. Edgerton called the Academys decision wonderful news. Growing up in Australia and getting into films and stunts, the Mad Max films were a huge influence and were a big part of pushing action cinema forward, he said. My favourite kind of action has always been very story-driven - action sequences that move the story forward and arent just about the spectacle. Films like Mad Max, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Die Hard etc where the characters feel like they are in real peril. GUY NORRIS THREE FAVOURITE STUNT SCENES POLE CAT CHASE IN MAD MAX: FURY ROAD (2015) Norris said the sequences that had so-called pole cats attacking the War Rig, driven by Furiosa (Charlize Theron), were designed to be like a moving stage play that was then shot in the Namibian desert. It was all live in real time as a continued piece of action, he said. We worked on it for several months and, in that one sequence alone, there were probably 50 stunt performers. Their timing had to be totally correct. HARLEY QUINNS ESCAPE IN THE SUICIDE SQUAD (2021) Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie) escapes from a cell and fights her way to freedom. People at this level of filmmaking always try and use a double, Norris said. But I always try to design the action so that the actors can be involved and can drive the story forward really well. As well as being a fabulous actress, [Robbie] is also an athlete so we were able to have her on cables running across walls and leaping and doing great weapons work. STOWAWAY CHASE IN FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA (2024) Advertisement Eating outJust open From lofty rooftops to leafy courtyards, five new bars for this gloriously sunny weekend Make the most of what could be the last bout of warm weather before autumn truly sets in. From South Yarra to Thornbury, these new watering holes (some of them sun-drenched) are worth making plans around. Tomas Telegramma April 12, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save recipes for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share When Melbourne surprises you with a sunny forecast for an autumn weekend, you change your plans to make the most of it. Heres where to soak up some rare rays, from a hot new rooftop hangout to a buzzy wine bars verdant courtyard. Gracies lush courtyard is popular on weekends. Jason South Peaches Wine Bar, Thornbury Jamal Nicoll and Genevieve Bruwer, the couple behind Preston cafe Skinnys, know how to nail a neighbourhood venue. Their latest is Peaches, a walk-ins-only corner wine bar that, Nicoll says, we wanted to feel dark but ... warm. Cafe curtains and terracotta-coloured walls fulfil the brief. The tap list ticks a lot of boxes (Guinness, Fin wine, house-batched negronis), while charcoal touches much of the menu, from kangaroo-loin skewers with pepper caramel to smoked mushrooms giving big flavour to a vegan pasta made with cavatelli. 901 High Street, Thornbury, instagram.com/peaches.wine.bar Advertisement Fresh focaccia with stracciatella, bresaola and hot honey at Gracies Wine Room. Jason South. Gracies Wine Room, South Yarra Kelsie Gaffey took a punt by quitting her corporate job to open awine bar and documented the whole process on TikTok. A few months on, its paid off. I never couldve anticipated how crazy it would be, Gaffey says. Online fans brought the buzz initially, but very real regulars are making sure it doesnt fizzle out. Join them in the lush green courtyard, an unexpected oasis from busy Toorak Road, with a lobster roll and a house spritz powered by peach schnapps and syrup made in-house. 27 Toorak Road, South Yarra, gracieswineroom.com Slowpoke Lounge & Lookout, Collingwood Advertisement Melbournes hottest new rooftop bar is where you want to be at golden hour. Ascend to the fourth floor of co-working hub Zero Gipps to take in the skys peachy tones as the sun sets over the city. After dark, a sexy red glow engulfs the bar. Bow-tied bartenders pour everything from the classics (Kir Royales) to the not-so-classics (a drink with Perla yerba mate soda and your spirit of choice). Slowpoke is by the founders of Daybreak music and arts festival, so expect a choice line-up of local DJs. Level 4, 50 Gipps Street, Collingwood, slow-poke.com Cocktails at Indian diner Chapatis moody upstairs cocktail bar, Daaru. Daaru by Chapati, CBD Teage Ezards Gingerboy is no longer. Now in its laneway location: Indian diner Chapati (also in Fairfield) and its newly opened moody cocktail bar upstairs Daaru. I blended bold Indian flavours into our cocktails [with] subtle twists that are exciting but not overpowering, says owner Arjun Dewan. The signature Tandoori Temptress is spiked with tequila, fragrant with curry leaves and a tandoori spice mix, and sweetened with pineapple. Snacks range from masala peanuts to butter chicken croquettes. Advertisement Level 1, 27-29 Crossley Street, Melbourne, chapati.au/daaru-by-chapati Baby Driver has replaced what was Torino Aperitivo in the CBD. Baby Driver, CBD Blues bar Beneath Driver Lane has gone strong for nearly a decade. Italian-inspired sibling Torino Aperitivo, which opened next door in late 2023, wasnt as much of a hit. So, the team has flipped it into Baby Driver, a bar that better complements not competes with what we do downstairs, owner Hamish Goonetilleke says. Instantly, its been more successful. The layout and golden lighting remain, but a new vinyl booth spins 70s jazz and funk while souped-up espresso martinis spin in the slushie machine. 2 Driver Lane, Melbourne, instagram.com/baby_driver_melb Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up The individual attended a string of busy locations while infectious over three days this month. A person with measles has been identified in Brisbane, prompting a government health alert. In a statement, Metro North Public Health physician Dr David Harley said anyone at these locations during the above times should monitor themselves for symptoms for 18 days. If they do develop symptoms, they should seek medical advice, he said. Early symptoms of measles include a fever, tiredness, cough, runny nose, and red, inflamed eyes. Those symptoms then progress to a blotchy red rash, which often starts on the face before becoming widespread. Anyone seeking treatment for an illness they think could be measles should call ahead before visiting their GP or medical practice to allow precautions to be taken that can prevent the illness spreading to others. Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett strolling through Crown dressed in tartan can mean only one thing. A Lindsay Fox birthday bash. Crown Resorts flagship restaurant, Nobu, was rented out for the transport billionaires annual birthday shindig but this year the old fox was getting in early as the big day is not until April 19. Hell be turning 88. CBD hears the party was the traditional men-only whisky birthday lunch, with top of the range tipple served and guests encouraged to come in tartan and kilts. Previous parties have been at venues including the (heavily Fox sponsored) National Gallery of Victoria and a Fox hangar at Essendon Airport, and even aboard a superyacht cruising the Mediterranean. Lindsay Fox poses for a selfie with tenor Mark Vincent during Foxs birthday party. Credit: Instagram Rumour has it that the affair cost $85,000 before any tips but of course its beyond CBD to confirm that. Had it all been for nothing? The question hung unanswered in the car with Mark Gebhardt, as he and his wife, Deb, sped away from Dimboola on January 27. Christiaan and Annmarie Sloane in Melbourne ahead of the Wimmera Steampunk Festival in Dimboola. Credit: Simon Schluter Two days earlier, the South Australian couple had opened their vintage clothing and homewares store on the main street of the town of 1700, after spending six months and thousands of dollars renovating it. But now he and the rest of the town had to evacuate, as an enormous bushfire in nearby Little Desert National Park bore down on Dimboola, with only the Wimmera River as a barrier. A teenager who murdered his mother as part of a delusional plan to form a paramilitary anti-communist army to restore Australias Christian values will spend at least 10 years behind bars. However, Supreme Court Justice James Elliott has paused the imposition of the sentence while the parole board determines his request for the now 17-year-old to remain in youth detention into adulthood. The woman was killed on April 5, 2023. Credit: Joe Armao It would clearly be in your interest to remain in youth justice for as long as possible, he said. Elliott described the killing of the defenceless 41-year-old, who had served dinner and ice-cream to her son and his friend earlier that night, as cold-blooded and shocking. She was struck in the head with a cricket bat and stabbed almost 100 times during the unprovoked attack in April 2023. Fremantle coach Justin Longmuir insists Nat Fyfe still remains a part of the clubs first-choice line-up, but exactly when the dual Brownlow medallist will return remains to be seen. Nat Fyfe is still battling injury. Credit: Getty Images Fyfe underwent minor knee surgery over the summer and is still yet to feature for the Dockers this season. The 33-year-old strung together three consecutive WAFL practice matches last month as he edged closer to senior selection, but sat out last week due to knee soreness. The week off did Fyfe the world of good, but it wasnt enough to earn him a recall for Sundays Gather Round clash with Richmond in Adelaide. Instead, Fyfe is set to line up in the WAFL for Peel Thunder again against South Fremantle on Saturday. Despite the emergence of Caleb Serong, Andrew Brayshaw and Hayden Young as A-grade midfielders, Fremantle still think Fyfe offers value to the on-ball brigade. When asked whether he still considers Fyfe a part of Fremantles best outfit, Longmuir replied: Yeah I do. But hes got to be fully fit. Hes got to be injury free. Hes got to be really confident in his body and his game. Fyfes availability adds to a selection squeeze at the Dockers despite the clubs triple injury blow from last weeks 16-point win over the Bulldogs. AAP How much does it really cost to buy a home in Melbournes most exclusive suburbs, such as Toorak and Brighton? The most expensive and most affordable pockets of Melbournes most expensive suburbs have been revealed in granular new data from CoreLogic, showing how far price points can vary within a postcode. Paul Littles Coonac estate in Toorak was Melbournes first sale north of $100 million. Credit: Craig Abraham Tooraks top end has been reset this year with Melbournes first sale north of $100 million. But as recently as last month a buyer picked up a single-level house for less than $2.1 million. CoreLogic head of research Tim Lawless said that in some precincts of Toorak, the typical land size might be more than 1000 square metres, making blocks more valuable. The News in Brief Friday, April 11, 2025 First Vice-Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Gia Volski, rejected the critical resolution adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), saying the accusations it contains, particularly claims of a shift in Georgia's foreign policy, are unfounded and politically motivated."There is no sign that the elections in Georgia were rigged, especially since there is an absolutely shameless accusation regarding the change of foreign policy, which has no basis," Volski said.According to Volski, the resolution's narrative serves a political agenda aimed at destabilizing Georgia. "This 'speculation' carries a certain political content, which is called promoting the development of the destabilization process in Georgia," he said.Volski argued that any objective observer would recognize the resolution's criticisms as baseless. "There are several interesting passages in this resolution, and objective observers, without any party bias, will easily notice that the accusation that Georgia has deviated from the European course is unfounded."He also compared Georgia's stance on Russia with that of other European nations, stating: "The only thing that can be said is that we have not really declared an economic war on Russia, but all three Baltic countries export more to Russia than we do, and other European countries do not shy away from quite intensive trade relations."Refuting claims that Georgia halted its European integration process, Volski emphasized the country's readiness to proceed with accession talks. "We have not suspended it, and moreover, we are ready to start the negotiation process tomorrow. There are about 40 different issues and we are already ready to start negotiations on a significant part."Looking ahead, he reaffirmed the government's commitment to EU membership. "And in 2028, we will be fully prepared to achieve the final goal of this process in 2030, and we will have absolutely all the data for accession to the European Union," Volski said.Public Defender Levan Ioseliani met with Chiatura miners on April 10 to hear their concerns over mass dismissals, poor working conditions, and unpaid compensation. According to a statement from the Public Defender's Office, miners requested Ioseliani's mediation with relevant agencies to help resolve the crisis.At the meeting, Ioseliani noted the worsening social and economic conditions in Chiatura, where many residents were employed in manganese mining. "Leaving thousands of people unemployed and without a source of livelihood. violates the human right to work and a dignified life," he said. He also highlighted the severe environmental damage caused by open-pit mining in the area.The mining company Georgian Manganese halted operations in January, citing "radical" protests in the village of Shukruti. While the company had promised to pay 60% of workers' salaries and maintain insurance coverage, miners say they never received the promised payments, prompting the ongoing protests. Ioseliani assured workers he would push to raise their issues with decision-makers. ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 11. A delegation from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) is set to visit Azerbaijan in the coming days, Fikri Ataoglu, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Culture, Youth, and Environment of the TRNC, told reporters at the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. "Azerbaijan holds great significance for us, and I frequently visit the country. In the coming days, we are scheduled to hold political meetings in Azerbaijan. Additionally, we plan to organize events aimed at promoting the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) there. One of our key initiatives will be to showcase the TRNC in one of Azerbaijans historic squares. Ultimately, our goal is to strengthen the ties between the people of Azerbaijan and the TRNC, fostering greater unity and cooperation between our nations. We will work towards this soon," he stated. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Singapore: Beijing has declared that the Chinese market for US exports has been destroyed by the spiralling trade feud between the worlds two biggest economies, as it hiked its tariffs on American goods to 125 per cent in retaliation for President Donald Trumps duties. Chinas Finance Ministry said Beijing would no longer go tit-for-tat with the Trump administration in the tariff war, saying further increases would have no economic significance and the United States stood to become a joke in the history of the world economy. Under the current tariff level, there is no possibility of market acceptance for American goods exported to China, the Finance Ministry said in a statement announcing the latest increase. Chinese President Xi Jinping has made his first public comments on the brinkmanship since Donald Trumps April 2 tariff offensive. Credit: Fairfax Media Chinese President Xi Jinping made his first public comments on the brinkmanship since Trumps April 2 tariff offensive, saying during a meeting on Friday with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez that there are no winners in a trade war, Chinese state media reported. On April 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video on X that he said showed one of two Chinese citizens captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting for Russia. China was now militarily supporting Russia, he added in a press briefing, and the United States of America should pay attention. The next day he posted a second video of both men, who gave their names as Zhang Renbo and Wang Guangjun, and shots of their Chinese passports. Zelensky claimed Ukraine knew of more than 150 Chinese nationals fighting on Russias side. The Chinese Foreign Ministry responded that it was verifying the Ukrainian claims and that it did not support its nationals participation in any partys military operations. Though China has supplied dual-use components to Russia that is goods that can be used in consumer and military applications , has kept Russias economy afloat with energy purchases, and promoted propaganda blaming Ukraine and NATO for the war, its leaders have consistently claimed neutrality and been careful to avoid direct military involvement. How quickly the vibe shift has shifted again. The populist rightward realignment, heralded by US President Donald Trumps return to power, has been met internationally with an anti-Trump counterblast. Illustration by Dionne Gain. Credit: Dionne Gain Liberation Day, and its cratering effect on global markets. Trump Gaza. The blaming for a horrific air crash over the Potomac River on diversity, equity and inclusion. J.D. Vances dalliance with the German far-right in Munich of all places. The mugging of Volodymyr Zelensky in a White House festooned now with golden trophies and gaudy bling. As the Oval Office has come to resemble the honeymoon suite at Caesars Palace, and Trumps America has invited comparisons with the fall of Rome, small wonder the rest of the world is imposing a form of US isolationism on America itself, and turning away from Washington. Few internationally want to be governed by the writ of Trumps Sharpie pen, and a presidential signature that looks like the readout from a lie detector. Culturally, too, we have seen an instant correction to the macho posturing of the MAGA bros. It has come in the form of a Netflix drama, Adolescence, a clanging bell about the dangers of toxic masculinity. The manosphere is no longer so rampant. The release of Adolescence, a fictionalised version of reality TV that tells the story of a British schoolboy who murders his female classmate partly as a result of being exposed to misogyny online, could hardly have been more exquisitely timed. TOKYO, April 10, 2025 -- NTT Broadband Platform, Inc. (hereinafter "NTTBP") has been providing the smartphone application "Japan Wi-Fi auto-connect" (hereinafter "Japan Wi-Fi") since December 2019. This application automatically connects users to free Wi-Fi available at locations such as local governments, public transportation, commercial facilities, and tourist sites nationwide. The app, which already enjoys widespread use among international visitors, will integrate with "LIVE JAPAN PERFECT GUIDE" (hereinafter "LIVE JAPAN"), effective Thursday, April 10, 2025. LIVE JAPAN is one of Japan's leading tourism information websites for international visitors. In addition to its primary feature of automatic free Wi-Fi connection, the app will provide easy access to information on sightseeing, dining, shopping, accommodation, and more. 1. What is Japan Wi-Fi? Japan Wi-Fi is an app that enables automatic connection to free Wi-Fi spots nationwide, with total downloads exceeding 2.4 million. Available in 16 languages, it is widely used by international visitors. Furthermore, it supports Open Roaming, which enables seamless connectivity at over three million Wi-Fi spots in Japan and abroad. Japan Wi-Fi: https://www.ntt-bp.net/jw-auto/en/index.html 2. What is LIVE JAPAN? LIVE JAPAN is one of Japan's largest tourism information websites for international visitors. Built around the concept of "Sharing Japan's Appeal with Global Travelers," it offers information on tourism and related topics in up to eight languages. It comprehensively covers essential information for visitors staying in Japan, such as sightseeing spots, dining options, and transportation information. The platform is operated in collaboration with over 60 companies and organizations across various sectors including railways, airports, buses, Wi-Fi, and retail. NTTBP has also been a long-standing participant in this initiative. LIVE JAPAN: https://livejapan.com/ 3. New Top Screen The Travel GUIDE tab allows users to quickly access LIVE JAPAN content covering sightseeing, dining, shopping, accommodation, and more. 4. Scheduled Service Start Date: April 10, 2025 Users can access the new features by updating the app or completing a new installation on or after this date. 5. Combining Connectivity and Information for More Comfortable Travel As the number of international visitors grows, issues such as overtourism have become evident. To help address these issues, NTTBP aims to create a more comfortable and fulfilling travel experience by integrating reliable connectivity with relevant information. Aiming to bridge the digital divide for international visitors, Japan Wi-Fi has historically focused on facilitating easy and secure connectivity through free Wi-Fi access. This integration with LIVE JAPAN allows travelers to smoothly access needed information and empowers tourist destinations to offer improved information. NTTBP hopes this fosters a positive information cycle that enhances the overall quality of travel in Japan. SOURCE NTT Broadband Platform, Inc. ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 11. Critical issues are being discussed at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum during this turbulent time, Alev Klc, the head of the Eurasian Studies Center (AVM) and ambassador, told reporters at the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. "The Azerbaijani delegation has arrived with a large team, and their presence is greatly appreciated. A highlight of the forum was the statement made by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in support of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), which was particularly welcomed. Additionally, President Ersin Tatar of the TRNC expressed his gratitude during his remarks earlier. The delegations full participation at the forum is a source of pride and joy for all involved," Klc said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. The importance of the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group was stressed at the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Assistant to the Chairman for Foreign Affairs of the Turkish AKP Party's Central Office Halil Korkmaz told reporters on the forum sidelines, Trend reports. He noted that discussions with the participation of Azerbaijani MPs addressed the importance of parliamentary diplomacy in international diplomacy. "It was a very successful event. The main topic here was important evaluations regarding the liberation of the lands that have been under occupation for years, occupied by Armenia. While hosting this forum, Turkiye also showed that it is the voice of conscience. The Antalya Diplomacy Forum is an event where communities with this conscience and participants in international diplomacy contribute their input. It is very important to discuss the promotion of peace initiatives in multipolar world diplomacy. The significance of the dissolution of the OSCE Minsk Group regarding the processes in the South Caucasus was emphasized. We also agree with this," said Korkmaz. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Jabalpur developing into metropolitan hub; steps taken to have a modern airport State PWD Minister Rakesh Singh addressing the meeting called to discuss new flight operations in Jabalpur. (Right) Prominent personalities from various sections of society participating in the meeting and giving their suggestions. Staff Reporter : State Public Works Department Minister Rakesh Singh was speaking at a meet between officials of Air India Express and several representatives of the society, where they spoke upon the need have new flight operations from the city A high-level discussion on the need and potential for new flight operations in Jabalpur was held in the presence of representatives from various sections of the society and senior officials from Air India Express during a meeting held, on Wednesday. During the meeting, State Public Works Department Minister Rakesh Singh highlighted Jabalpurs historical and strategic significance and the establishment of key defence institutions by the British due to its importance. He emphasised that Jabalpur is rapidly transforming into a metropolitan hub and that significant steps have already been taken to develop a modern airport here. He said through Jabalpur was earlier well-connected with major Indian cities by air, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the network. However, the city still holds immense potential for air connectivity due to its strengths in education, employment, industry, commerce, defence, judiciary, tourism and culture. Noted thinker Prashant Pole presented an in-depth analysis showcasing the diverse sectors that justify the demand for robust air connectivity in Jabalpur. He mentioned the presence of major industrial hubs, five large universities and significant opportunities in education and employment. Jabalpur is also home to prominent defence establishments, a growing garment cluster, automobile sector, the High Court and Judicial Academy, as well as religious and cultural centers. Its rich heritage further enhances its importance as a potential aviation hub. Pole underlined that a large number of officials from judicial, administrative and military backgrounds require frequent air travel. Apart from that, professionals from business, healthcare and other sectors would greatly benefit from improved air services. Representatives from various fields including defence, judiciary, hospitality, automobile, industry, jewelry manufacturing, healthcare, education, ready-made garments, minerals and tourism also shared their perspectives on the urgent need for expanded air services. The Air India Express team carefully considered all suggestions and acknowledged Jabalpurs strong growth prospects. They expressed optimism about the citys economic rise and assured that steps would be taken to expand air connectivity. However, they requested the citizens to remain patient as the process would require some time. Rajya Sabha MP Sumitra Valmiki, MLAs Ashok Rohani, Neeraj Singh, along with a number of public representatives and administrative officials were present on the occasion. 4 killed on-the-spot after SUV falls off bridge into Somti river Staff Reporter : In a tragic incident, four people died on-the-spot when a speeding SUV fell off a bridge into Somti river about 45 kms from Jabalpur on Thursday afternoon. Condition of two remains critical and have been referred to Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Medical College. All of them were travelling in the same SUV and were coming to Jabalpur from Chargawan. There were six people in the car, along with a goat. Soon after receiving information about the accident, SHO, Chargawan, Abhishek Pyaasi reached the spot with his team and rescued people trapped in Scorpio (MP04 BA 6954) and took them out. With the help of locals, police used iron rods to make space to take out two people trapped inside the vehicle. Both the injured were not in a condition to speak. These include Manoj Pratap, son of Govind Patel (35) and Jitendra, son of Narayan Patel Lodhi (36), both the residents of Chowkital. It has been told that all the four deceased who lost their lives in the accident, were also residing at Chowkital village of Bhedaghat police station. Police have informed the deceased families about the incident. SHO Chargawan Abhishek Pyaasi said that six people were travelling in a white Scorpio from Chargawan to Jabalpur on Thursday afternoon. As soon as the car reached near Somti river, it went out of control and fell down from the bridge. With the help of villagers, two bodies were taken out, while two more were trapped inside. Police Station In-charge said that there was also a goat in the car, which was alive. An eyewitness, Ramkumar, shared that a high-speed car (MP04 BA 6954) was seen going towards Jabalpur, suddenly a loud noise came at around 3:30 pm on Thursday afternoon. When the villagers ran towards the bridge, they saw that the car had fell 30 feet down from the bridge. Villagers immediately informed the police and 108. Soon after, police reached the spot. With their help, people trapped in the car were taken out. ACB raids 5 locations of PWD engineer in Raj JAIPUR : 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 Meenas 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 Meenas 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. Coal miners are real energy warriors of nation: Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy visiting the mine area to witness first-hand advanced operations in Gevra Mines. Staff Reporter RAIPUR, Coal Minister takes stock of mining operations at Gevra, the worlds second largest coal mine The Union Minister felicitates coal miners and women workers, joins them for lunch, clicks selfie with them Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy visited SECLs Gevra mine, the worlds second largest coal mine on Thursday. The minister was accorded a Guard of Honour by the CISF security contingent at Gevra House. While at the mine view point, Gevra team briefed Coal Minister on operational highlights through a detailed presentation. Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy felicitated miners including women and lauded their tireless efforts in ensuring round-the-clock coal production for Indias energy security. 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. In a key highlight of his visit, the minister shared lunch with coal workers at their canteen and clicked selfie with them, underscoring his deep appreciation for their invaluable contribution. Union Minister G Kishan 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 SECLs commitment to employee welfare. The minister highlighted coal sectors vital role in powering the nation, noting that over 70 per cent of Indias 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 Gevras significant role in meeting the countrys 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. During the visit, Chairman of Coal India Limited, P M Prasad, Joint Secretary Ministry of Coal B P Pati and SECL CMD Harish Duhan along with senior officials, accompanied the Coal Minister throughout the programme. CPI-Maoist must disband, disclose names of urban fronts: Jan Sangharsh Samiti Staff Reporter : Jan Sangharsh Samiti urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to start peace talks with Maoists only if they abjure path of violence and declare full faith in the Constitution of India Jan Sangharsh Samiti, a city-based organisation, has sent a letter to Amit Shah, Union Home Minister, urging him to respond to the appeal for peace talks by proscribed Communist Party of India (Maoist) only if they disband their organisation, disclose names of their urban fronts, and declare full faith in the Constitution of India. Datta Shirke, President, Jan Sangharsh Samiti, Nagpur, stated in a letter to Shah that CPI (Maoist) appealing peace talks was good but it should be responded to subject to certain conditions. There can be no peace with a person who has come to kill you. Hence, some pre-conditions must apply, Shirke stated in the letter to the Union Home Minister. Listing these pre-conditions, Shirke said that the underground leaders of CPI (Maoist) must come out in the open on April 14, on the occasion of birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar and publicly apologise for killing thousands of innocent tribals and Dalits. They must publicly declare that they have shunned the path of violence and shall henceforth follow the Constitutional path. Maoists must openly declare that they have full faith in the Constitution of India and that they accept and will follow the Constitutional governance mechanism, he added. Further, the Maoists must publicly declare that their ideal of Seizure of Political Power by Armed Force is not acceptable and that they are ready to take part in the mainstream Constitutional political process. They must dissolve CPI (Maoist), disband the Peoples Liberation Guerrilla Army, and deposit all their arms and ammunition with the Police. All the Maoist cadres, right from the General Secretary to the last PLGA soldier, must surrender before the security forces. Maoists must openly declare the names of their urban cadres and dissolve urban front organisations. Since the Maoists have launched a protracted war against India, they must first declare that their war against India is over. Only then should the peace talks be started, Shirke stated. Hail This Jaat! By Aasawari Shenolikar : Mention Sunny Deol and the first thing that springs to mind is dhaai kilo ka haath. This dhaai kilo ha haath is on ample display in Gopichand Malinenis high octane action flick Jaat. So if its not the punches that are breaking the goons noses, its the 100 kgs dumbbells - in each hand - that are crushing skulls of the rogues; if its not the huge fan that Sunny Paaji waves around beating the enemies to a bloody pulp, its the balustrade that he so easily uproots to pound the baddies. But he wouldnt have beaten an entire Army of goons over a period of 24 hours if one of the goons who had misbehaved with him right in the beginning of the movie apologised to him. Sunny Paaji finds himself stranded at a remote location in Andhra Pradesh as the train on which he is travelling has to stop. Feeling hungry, he spots a shack where Amma serves him idlis. As he takes the first bite, several unruly goons enter and cause mayhem. During their boisterous behaviour, Sunnys plate falls down. Not the one to take things lying down, Sunny asks them to apologise. Sorry bol. They refuse. Wham, bam, dhishoom dhishoom with Sunny single handedly ensuring that not one is standing upright at the end of the fight sequence. One of the goons threatens him, Tumhe maloom nahin hai main kiska aadmi hun. Sunnys response, Achcha toh woh mujhe sorry bolega. And then this scene is repeated four times with Sunny emerging victorious at each level. Till he reaches Rana Tunga (Randeep Hooda), the head of all these goons, evil incarnate who is solely responsible for the terror that he has caused in the forty villages around the coastal road. The action is repeated inside the house with different props at the end of which Rana Tunga apologises. A gloriously happy Sunny blows kisses with Love you man, but just before crossing the threshold stops. For he realises that something is amiss. Ranga Tungas goons had assaulted and raped a few female police officers who had gone to capture him. More scope for Sunny to free the captive female police officers. Interval. Post interval, it is time for many back stories to unfold - who is Rana Tunga, his motive, the involvement of corrupt bureaucrats and the role of crooked and shady police officers, and why the villages on the coastal belts were being evacuated by Rana Tungas goons. Of course, one neednt get surprised when Sunnys real identity is revealed - for theres nothing that's not predictable. The Jaat munda with a dhaai kilo ka haath, this time, gives a taste of his raw strength and unflinching determination to the Southern masses also. In fact, Sunny confidently mouths Ab tak North ne yeh dhaai kilo ke haath ka kamal dekha tha, ab South dekhega. Helmed by a South Indian director, with many actors from the southern belt playing important characters, Jaat has all the flashy histrionics and over-the-top exaggerated sequences that South Indian cinema is so famous for. However, I have my reservations when the entire police machinery is shown to be ineffective and totally corrupt. Agreed, there are a few bad apples, but the entire lot - from top to bottom - not in good taste. Like the title of the movie suggests, the plot revolves around Sunny. The non-stop action ensures that there arent any dull moments. Even though the narrative is sketchy, the innumerable encounters, a few jaw dropping, many too gory, dont let any ennui creep in. Sunny excels in this genre exuding sheer confidence; he is bold and relentless, converting every fight scene into an electrifying spectacle. And in the first half, he manages to bring in a bit of humour too. The only letdown was that the protagonist and the antagonist didnt have an outstanding face-off that could have been the highlight of this high-voltage drama. The climax was, compared to what the audience got to see during the running of the film, just too tepid. Randeep Hooda is devious, and always brings his A game to any character. There is one scene that brings his demonic side starkly in front of the audience - he worships Ravana, and when he turns around while praying to him, the camera angle superimposes his head on the deitys, augmenting the terror that he has brought to the villages and also showing his demonic side. Hoodas goons and sidekicks hog the maximum footage, along with Sunny. Saiyami Kher fails to impress. Regina Cassandra as Hoodas equally evil wife was a surprise package. Beautifully malevolent. Thankfully Gopichand Malineni, who has also written the script, has focused on pure action, and so the audience is spared of unnecessary romantic liaisons, which, when they occur, have to have syrupy songs to depict the love. Barring two full-fledged songs - one necessary to infuse the Lord Rama flavour (Ram Navmi fervour still lingers ) and one raunchy dance number by Urvashi Rautela - necessary for the front benchers. It goes without saying that they do not add anything of value to the movie. Jaat is a treat for fans of Sunny Deol, who as an action hero rightly justifies the bone-crushing action, and brings to the canvas a stellar performance. So what I am taking home after watching Jaat is how important the word sorry is. Its not without reason that the wise always state that we must be generous with our Ps & Qs, and of course, our apologies. But if the first goon had said sorry, Jaat would never have seen the light of the day. And we would have missed out on this journey of the intrepid traveller who turns into a saviour - missed out on a film depicting the eternal fight between good and bad, between virtuous and wicked. With the good always emerging victorious. Hail the Jaat! The Hitavada Rating: OOO Hard blow INDIA has delivered a hard blow on the face of Bangladesh by terminating the 2020 agreement that allowed trans-shipment of export goods from that country to other (third) countries such as Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. From now on, Bangladesh will not be able to use land-ports and air-ports in India to send its goods to third countries. In financial terms, this may mean a loss of countless millions of dollars to Bangladesh -- which is already smarting under severe economic constraints, thanks to its inept handling of its own internal and economic affairs. This step by New Delhi is being seen as Indias response to some irresponsible statements and utterances by Prof. Mohammad Yunus, the celebrated Advisor to Bangladesh Government, though India has not said a word officially about that part. The Indian termination of the trans-shipment facility to Bangladesh has reportedly come in the wake of increasing pressure from the countrys domestic textile and apparel sectors to give them greater export space (which had shrunk due to the export load from Bangladesh). In the process, India may lose some earning all right, but its indigenous textile and apparel sectors would benefit much, thus more than making up for whatever the loss. There is no doubt that Bangladesh will pay through its nose to get its exports to the countries in the Indian subcontinent back on track -- which may not become easily possible in the near future. In all likelihood, Bangladesh, therefore, would approach India for a rethink on the matter -- in which case India will have a huge upper hand in the matter. Experts in international trade, therefore, are treating this development as a rare display of Indian might to its immediate neighbourhood. Though India has not said so in so many words, it is obvious that New Delhi has taken an umbrage on the thoughtless utterance by Prof. Yunus some time back urging China to treat Bangladesh as sort of its extension and use the Chittagaon area of Bangladesh as a special economic zone of sorts. To some extent, this invitation to China was understandable from Bangladesh point of view -- since every country has a right to decide what to do with its relations with other countries. But Prof. Yunus went many steps forward to hurt India -- of course deliberately (in an attempt to please his Chinese friends). He said, in effect, that Seven North-Eastern States of India were land-locked and had to depend on Bangladesh for their connectivity with the world. He had no business making any such statement referring to the Indian geography. But, in his thoughtless enthusiasm, Prof. Yunus went overboard and hurt the Indian feelings. This background now has goaded some segments in India -- and possibly elsewhere -- to suspect that India reacted sharply to that statement of Prof. Yunus and terminated the trans-shipment agreement to third countries from Bangladesh. Actually, such a situation should never have come about. However, since its inception in 1971-72, Bangladesh has indulged in hurting Indian sentiment for no reason from time to time -- without keeping in mind that it owes its existence to Indias support in its struggle for independence from Pakistan. There have been patches of good behaviour by Bangladesh, all right, but on many, many occasions, Bangladesh has gone many fathoms deep to hurt Indias sentiment and interest. The latest such point was with the land-locked statement of Prof. Yunus. Frankly, Bangladesh has nothing to fall back upon to take on India, one of the mightiest countries in the world. If India decides to take a non-negotiable stance, Bangladesh may get pushed to its brink. Unfortunately, Dhaka does not seem to realise this -- and kicks up issues much to its own peril on multiple fronts. MPs national highway network will be better than that of US in 2 years: Gadkari Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav presenting a memento to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at a programme at Badnawar in Dhar district. (PTI Photo) DHAR : Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said that the national highway network in Madhya Pradesh will be better than that of the US in the next two years. Infrastructure development projects of Rs 3 lakh crore will be completed in Madhya Pradesh within a year, Gadkari said in Dhar while inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for 10 national highway projects of Rs 5,800 crore. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav was present on the occasion. Gadkari recalled a quote of former US President John F Kennedy who said: American roads are not good because America is rich; America is rich because American roads are good. The minister said, I want to assure the people of Madhya Pradesh that within the next two years, the national highway network in the state will be even better than that of the US. Gadkari further said that he does not make empty promises and that whatever commitments he makes, he fulfills them boldly. Chief Minister Yadav is working with a mission to make Madhya Pradesh happy and prosperous, and the state is buzzing with development in all sectors, he said. Gadkari said he has closely observed the development of Madhya Pradesh as Union minister. He said after the BJP came to power at the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he was given the responsibility for national highways. Since then, in the past 11 years, numerous roads, flyovers and bridges have been constructed across the country. "Madhya Pradesh is developing rapidly," he said, adding that infrastructure development plays a crucial role in the growth of any country. "Wherever there is water, power, transport and communication, industries and businesses grow. And where industries and businesses grow, employment is created. Where there is employment, poverty, hunger, and unemployment cannot survive," he noted. Gadkari said Madhya Pradesh is also witnessing a rapid progress in the infrastructure development. "I will ensure that within a year, infrastructure projects of Rs 3 lakh crore are completed in Madhya Pradesh," he said. CM Yadav said that under Gadkari's leadership, a major revolution is underway in India's road transport sector. In the past, India's roads were ridiculed for potholes, while shiny, smooth roads in the United States of America and European countries were glorified, he said. In the coming days, India will become the best country in the world in terms of road connectivity, Yadav said. The speed at which road connectivity projects are progressing today is t ransforming the people's lives, he added. Naxalite surrender, victim relief & rehabilitation policy comes into force Staff Reporter RAIPUR, IN a decisive move aimed at bringing lasting peace to Naxal-affected regions, the Chhattisgarh Government has formally implemented the Naxalite Surrender/Victim Relief & Rehabilitation Policy-2025, setting the stage for an extensive and time-bound action plan to support surrendered Naxals and those impacted by Maoist violence. A notification issued by the Home Department on March 28 outlines the structure for the policys execution and mandates the formation of district-level special committees under the chairmanship of respective Collectors. These panels are tasked with ensuring swift and effective delivery of benefits to the target groups, surrendered Naxalites as well as individuals and families who have suffered fatalities, grievous injuries, or permanent disabilities due to Left-Wing Extremist (LWE) violence. The notification specifies that the Superintendent of Police in each district will function as the secretary of the committee. Other members will include the Divisional Forest Officer, Chief Executive Officer of the Zila Panchayat, two officers nominated by the Collector, and representatives from the security forces deployed in the region. To ensure decentralised monitoring, a nodal officer will be appointed at both the district and sub-divisional levels. Their contact information, including mobile numbers and email addresses, will be shared with the State Government for streamlined communication and oversight. These officers will supervise the end-to-end implementation of relief and rehabilitation efforts. Crucially, the Home Department has instructed that all cases of victims affected by Naxalism, dating back to the inception of State, be identified and prioritised for benefits. This includes tracking of past incidents where civilians, government employees, or others have suffered due to Naxal-related violence. To facilitate data-driven governance, a dedicated portal is being developed under the policy framework. The portal will host individual records of both victims and surrendered Naxalites, each tagged with a unique identification number. Officers will be required to actively monitor the portals dashboard to track progress and ensure transparency in service delivery. The notification further directs Collectors to adhere to the timelines and guidelines laid out in the policy, with a clear emphasis on result-oriented and sensitive governance. Relief and rehabilitation actions are to be completed within prescribed timeframes, with regular reporting to the Home Department. Govt open for talks with Naxals Rs 7 crore Tendu Leaf Bonus Scam SEOIACB conducts massive search-ops in restive Sukma The Hitavada State Bureau Raipur/Sukma : DFO, forest committee officers colluded in tendu payout fraud Rs 26.63 lakh seized from DFO staffers house The State Economic Offences Investigation and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SEOIACB) on Thursday carried out coordinated search and seizure operations at 12 separate locations in Sukma district, uncovering fresh material evidence in the Rs 7-crore tendu patta bonus fraud case. The scam, allegedly orchestrated by suspended Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Ashok Kumar Patel, involves criminal breach of trust and abuse of official position in siphoning off bonus payments meant for tendu leaf collectors during the 2021 and 2022 procurement seasons. Acting in conspiracy with subordinate officers of the Forest Division and multiple primary minor forest produce co-operative societies, Patel and his associates are accused of withholding large sums of sanctioned incentive payments and diverting public money through forged contracts and unauthorised distribution routes. SEOIACB officials confirmed that FIR No. 26/2025 under Sections 409 and 120B of the Indian Penal Code was registered on April 8 following preliminary findings, and the agency has intensified the probe to trace the entire diversion network. Thursdays operations led to the recovery of crucial documents, digital evidence including mobile devices, bank records, and investment papers. In a significant breakthrough, Rs 26.63 lakh in cash was seized from the residence of Rajshekhar Puranik, a staff member at the DFO office in Sukma. The searches, conducted simultaneously by teams from SEOIACB and Anti-Corruption Bureau, also targeted key personnel including Manish Kunjam and managers of primary forest committees believed to have facilitated the fraudulent disbursement mechanism. Investigators believe that certain portions of the embezzled amount were routed to private beneficiaries outside the purview of legal agreements. This case also has a direct connection to an earlier disproportionate assets investigation registered against Patel, in which the agency had already conducted raids at several of his linked properties. SEOIACB sources said, The pattern suggests systemic manipulation of tendu bonus payouts with wilful intent to defraud tribal collectors, most of whom were unaware that their entitlements had been misappropriated. Senior officials involved in the investigation described the case as a disturbing reflection of institutional decay at grassroots levels, adding that patronage networks and impunity within lower-rung forest offices have allowed this scam to flourish unchecked. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are likely in the coming weeks as forensic audits and data analysis are completed. ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 11. The Minsk Group should dissolve itself, said Samil Ayrm, a member of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) and head of the Turkiye-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group, told reporters, Trend reports. Speaking on the sidelines of the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Ayrm pointed out that the Azerbaijani-Armenian conflict is on the home stretch, with a peace agreement already in the works. "In Armenia's Constitution, a sentence asserts that Azerbaijan's Karabakh region and parts of eastern Turkey belong to Armenia, invoking the 'Greater Armenia' ideology. This clause should be removed, as peace is impossible with a country whose constitution lays claim to the territory of another nation. For 30 years, the OSCE Minsk Group has ignored a series of massacres by Armenia. It is time for the Minsk Group to dissolve itself, as these two issues are critical. Azerbaijan, a staunch advocate for peace and multiculturalism in the Caucasus, recently hosted an important international conference at ADA University. Azerbaijan today is far different from the country it was 30 years ago: it boasts a strong military, the ability to maintain its independence, and is led by one of the worlds most influential figures," Ayrim said. The official further emphasized that Turkish-Azerbaijani relations are progressing with genuine sincerity. To note, the OSCE Minsk Group was established in 1992 during the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), which has since evolved into the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Its primary objective was to facilitate a diplomatic and negotiated settlement to the ongoing hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh region. However, rather than facilitating a resolution to the conflict, this group failed to contribute any constructive outcomes towards the resolution process. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel SC panel begins inspection of land near Hyderabad varsity HYDERABAD : THE Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on Thursday began its inspection of 400-acre land at Kancha Gachibowli near Hyderabad Central University following allegations that the authorities resorted to tree cutting in violation of environmental norms. The CEC will also hold consultations with the officials, student groups, NGOs and other stakeholders during their two-day visit and submit a report to the Supreme Court on April 16. The CEC, headed by Siddhant Das and comprising members C P Goyal, Sunil Limaye, and J R Bhatt, arrived in the city on Wednesday evening. Senior officials accompanied the committee members during the field visit to assess the ground situation. Police made elaborate security arrangements on the Hyderabad Central University (HCU) campus and the adjoining land in view of the recent protests by students over tree felling by Telangana State Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC). The road leading to East Campus was closed to prevent any gathering. The TGIIC has installed boards at the 400-acre site, stating that the land belongs to the Telangana Government. The CEC will meet officials, including Chief Secretary Santhi Kumar, later in the day as part of its fact-finding mission. The inspection and the meetings with various stakeholders will continue on Friday. The empowered committee was constituted in 2002 on the orders of the Supreme Court for monitoring of implementation of the apex courts orders and to place the non-compliance cases before it, including in respect of encroachment removals, implementation of working plans, compensatory afforestation, plantations and other conservation issues. The committee is undertaking the visit on the direction of the Supreme Court, which stayed tree felling and other works by the TGIIC. The apex court on April 3 took serious note of the alleged destruction of vast green cover by the TGIIC in violation of environmental norms. A bench of Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice A G Masih had asked Telangana Chief Secretary what was the urgency to undertake development activity, including clearing of trees. The apex courts observations came after the Registrar of the Telangana High Court visited the land. SC to hear on Apr 16 pleas challenging validity of Waqf Amendment Act NEW DELHI ; 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. 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 Owaisis 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 governments 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 countrys 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. Jaweds plea alleged the Act imposed arbitrary restrictions on Waqf properties and their management, undermining the Muslim communitys 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 Owaisis 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. Tahawwur Rana arrested after arrival NEW DELHI : 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 (NIA) announced on Thursday. The 64-year-old Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin landed in Delhi in a special plane from Los Angeles on 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 (NSG), 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. 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 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 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. 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 (CRPF). 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 agencys office, has been barred. 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 Indias financial capital. 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. 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. 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 Headleys terror links and even helped in reconnaissance of targets in Mumbai and planning the attacks on the National Defence College (NDC) 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 ISIs officers namely Major Iqbal alias Major Ali, Major Sameer Ali alias Major Samir, all residents of Pakistan, the officials said. ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 11. The world has only two leaders - President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan and President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, member of the Grand National Assembly of Turkiye and Chairman of the Turkiye-Azerbaijan Parliamentary Friendship Group Samil Ayrim told reporters on the sidelines of the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. "There are practically no leaders left in the world. There are only two leaders: one is Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and the other is Azerbaijans Supreme Commander-in-Chief Ilham Aliyev. That's all," he said. Discussing the issue of the OSCE Minsk Group, Ayrim observed that the group needs to disband. "The Azerbaijani-Armenian issue is almost over, and a peace agreement is being prepared. There is a sentence in Armenias Constitution stating that Azerbaijan's Karabakh region and some territories in the east of Turkiye belong to this country, calling for the 'Great Armenia' dream. These must be removed from the supreme document. It is impossible to achieve peace with a country that has territorial claims over another country in its constitution. The OSCE Minsk Group has turned a blind eye to several massacres committed by Armenia for 30 years. The Minsk Group must dissolve itself. These two issues are crucial," he emphasized. To note, the OSCE Minsk Group was established in 1992 during the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), which has since evolved into the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). Its primary objective was to facilitate a diplomatic and negotiated settlement to the ongoing hostilities between Azerbaijan and Armenia regarding the Nagorno-Karabakh region. However, rather than facilitating a resolution to the conflict, this group failed to contribute any constructive outcomes towards the resolution process. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. Grand Imam of Egypt's Al-Azhar religious institution Ahmed El-Tayeb has sent a congratulatory letter to President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, Trend reports. I extend my congratulations and best wishes to you on the occasion of the holy Ramadan holiday. I pray to Allah Almighty for your good health, happiness, and for prosperity and abundance for your country and people. May Allah protect you! May the peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you! ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 11. A peace agreement is most urgently needed for Armenia, Turkish foreign policy expert Levent Ersin Orall told reporters during the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. "Let me be very clear: a peace agreement is necessary for Turkiye, for Azerbaijan, but it is most needed by Armenia. As crucial as peace is for Azerbaijan and Turkiye, it is even more so for Armenia. 30 years have passed since Armenia gained its independence, yet today, Armenia finds itself shrinking more with each passing day. It has become a pawn in the hands of foreign lobbies and imperial powers and is increasingly trapped by the influence of the diaspora, leaving Yerevan unable to assert control. If Armenia succumbs to Azerbaijan's demands, sits at the negotiating table, and signs this agreement, it will not just be a political decisionit will be a matter of survival for the nation," he said. Orall further stated that Azerbaijan's conditions for peace are legitimate and that Armenia stands to gain from such an agreement. "Armenia will benefit from peace. I am confident that Armenia is more interested in these matters than we are. After all, we ended a 30-year occupation in just 44 days with a historic victory. Then, through an anti-terror operation, we completely removed that occupation. Now we have certain rights and expectationsrights that we want to receive in order to achieve peace," he concluded. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 11. The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is eager to see Azerbaijan as a key partner in addressing global food security issues, Carl Skau, Deputy Executive Director of the WFP, said in a statement to Trend, on the sidelines of the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum. "Instability in the food sector is increasingly growing, and we truly need to be active in searching for new partners. We participated in a climate event in Baku last year, and we had excellent meetings with the Azerbaijani government. We look forward to deepening our partnership with them," he said. Skau also highlighted the promising areas of collaboration between the WFP and Azerbaijan, particularly in logistics. "We are the backbone of the entire UN logistics system. I believe this is one of the possible directions. Additionally, of course, financial and diplomatic cooperation. There are many challenges in the world, and expanded partnerships are extremely important for us right now. In these difficult times, we are counting on the support of every country, including Azerbaijan," the WFP representative added. Yes Significant efforts are being made No Much more needs to be done Some progress But there are still critical gaps Vote View Results BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. The Parliamentary Group for Supporting the People of Corsica of the Republic of Azerbaijan has issued a statement in response to a resolution passed by the French National Assembly, Trend reports. "The National Assembly of France once again demonstrates bias against Azerbaijan by adopting a resolution containing absurd allegations against our country, including claims related to the activities of the Baku Initiative Group. Moreover, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, reiterated those allegations in his address to the National Assembly and leveled unfounded accusations against our state. We, the Support Group for the People of Corsica in the Milli Majlis of the Republic of Azerbaijan, strongly condemn this resolution and the expressed positions, which contravene international law and objective reality, and we view those as yet another manifestation of France's campaign to discredit Azerbaijan. The Republic of Azerbaijan always adheres to the principles of international law, especially the principle of states sovereignty. The Baku Initiative Group is precisely the platform, based on the said principles, that opposes the colonialism policy from international rostra and aims to support the peoples fighting for freedom and justice. The attempts of the French side to discredit this initiative stem from their intention to justify their own ill-meaning colonial policy. The very fact that France, a state laying claim to the defense of international law and democracy, condoned the 30-year-long Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories and remained indifferent to the eviction of more than a million Azerbaijanis from their native lands as well as the destruction of the cultural and religious heritage unmasks it and, at the same time, is another glaring example of the characteristic double standards. Today, we live in our sovereign territories under the leadership of the victorious Leader of Azerbaijan, and our territorial integrity has been restored wholly. Thus, we have apprehended Frances destructive policy in the South Caucasus. But we can observe that France is attempting to use the same colonial logic in our region. France continues arming Armenia and using it as a manipulative tool. Currently, the French authorities are trying to discredit the legitimate steps of Azerbaijan that are based on international law. Meanwhile, France should finally realize that the French colonial policy as well as Frances flagrant violation of the will of the native peoples in New Caledonia and the other regions have been put in the focus of the international community thanks to the endeavors of the Baku Initiative Group. We are calling upon the authorities and legislative bodies of France to desist the policy contradicting the principles of international law and of fairness, to respect the fundamental human rights, and to ensure the realization of the overseas territories peoples independence aspirations," the statement said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. On April 11, 2025, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with Miguel Angel Moratinos, High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations, on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomatic Forum, Trend reports. The two officials discussed the current state of cooperation between Azerbaijan and the UN Alliance of Civilizations, the implementation of joint initiatives, and prospects for expanding their collaboration. Minister Bayramov highlighted the significance of Azerbaijan's cooperation with the Alliance in promoting intercultural and interreligious dialogue, emphasizing the countrys contributions through the Baku Process and other international platforms. He also briefed Moratinos on the post-conflict regional situation, Azerbaijans peacebuilding efforts, the normalization process with Armenia, and the challenges faced along the way. In response, Moratinos commended Azerbaijans active and consistent role in advancing intercultural dialogue on a global scale and expressed support for further strengthening ties with the Alliance. The meeting also included an exchange of views on other bilateral and multilateral issues, particularly the importance of enhancing intercultural solidarity in response to global challenges and taking joint action against Islamophobia. In recent days, the U.S. government has imposed so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on global trading partners, including China. What impact will this round of tariff hikes have on China-U.S. economic and trade relations? In a recent interview with China News Network, Josef Gregory Mahoney, an American political science professor at East China Normal University, stated that tariffs are merely a short-term tactic and are destined to fail in delivering positive outcomes from a long-term perspective. As U.S. President Donald Trump authorized a 90-day suspension of tariffs on countries or regions that do not retaliate, the country is concentrating efforts to continue pressuring China. Regarding this, Mahoney warned that this strategy of "isolating China" could backfire on the U.S. itself. If other countries do nothing, they'll risking facing the devil again soon enough. (Wang Gaofei and Xue Lingqiao) BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. Within the framework of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with Tahsin Ertogruloglu, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, Trend reports. The two officials discussed matters of multilateral cooperation within regional and international organizations, focusing on strengthening ties in various areas. The ministers also exchanged views on key issues related to regional security, underlining the importance of continued collaboration in ensuring stability in the region. Will be updated Meetei community is a living example of Permanent Tribe | Nganba Khuman (President, KME) This article has reference to one that appeared in this daily on the 29th and 30th March, 2025 under the caption Meetei was never a tribe- a reply written by one Dr L Krishnamangol Singh, an academic. The article is misleading to the world at large, and a great insult to the true indigenous people and Meetei community, in particular. It is a foregone conclusion that Meetei community is a tribe that too a permanent one, as per Inter- national Labour Organisation (ILO) of UNO and Supreme Court of India. And, anthropologically and historically, the Meeteis settling in the central valley of Manipur and elsewhere, outside and inside the State, are the original inhabitants, aborigines, indigenous people of the State belonging to the great Mongoloid race, like the Tangkhul, Kabui, Kom, Thangal, Mao, Ma-ram, etc. who have seven clan system in their social setup and they are bonafide indigenous communities/tribes of the state. Except the Meetei tribe, the rest are listed in the Scheduled Tribe list of the country. Indigenous people or indigenes are those who inhabited a country or a geographical region at the time when people of different cultures or ethnic origins arrived. In India, tribe and indigenous people are not recognised as synonymous but UNO. Tribes or tribals may be indigenous or non-indigenous and non-indi- genous tribes are nomadic in nature and cause most of the demographic imbalances in different parts of the world. Indigenous people are tribals but all tribes/tribals are not indigenous. According to the Supreme Court of India, in its landmark verdict on January 5, 2011, it has been stated that the present Scheduled Tribes of the country are the descendants of indigenous or original people of the country. According to this order of Supreme Court of India, Meetei community being bonafide indigenous people of the State is also a tribal group of the country but yet to be included in the list of Scheduled Tribe list of India. Actually, Meetei continued to be a major tribe in the official British records till Manipur merged into Indian Union in 1949. In 1891 census, Manipuris (Meeteis) were recorded as Forest tribe; 1901 census, Main tribe and 1931 census, Hindu tribe but retaining their distinctive language and culture. But, unfortunately, after the merger of Manipur into Indian Union and subsequent to the formation of new Republic of India on January 26, 1950, the tribal or indigenous status of Meetei was abruptly dropped and enlisted in the General caste/category in 1951 census. There are plethora of official records, gazettes, publications, memoirs, books, etc. recognising Meetei as Principal tribe of Manipur and NE India. Imperial Gazetteer of Bengal and Assam (1909); Gazetteer of Manipur by Captain EW Dunn (1886); Statistical Accounts of the Nation State of Manipur and Hill Territory by Dr R Brown, political agent in Manipur (1873); Ethnicity and Social Change by Prof Gangumei Kamei; History of Tangkhul Nagas by ASW Shimray; The Meitheis written by TC Hudson, late political agent of Manipur (an anthropologist), etc. may be mentioned. The fact that Meeteis are living in permanent tribal society till date is borne out by the historic resolution of International Labour Organisation (ILO), a specia- lised agency of UNO, which adopted in its convention no. 169 in 1989, which was based on general attitude of respect for the cultures and the way of life of indigenous and tribal people. This landmark resolution, however, contradicts convention no. 107 of 1957, which is based on temporary tribal societies but obsolete now. In the context of Manipur, amidst the strong influence of Christianity and Hinduism in the hills and valley areas respectively, sizeable population of Kabui and Meetei population could withstand the wind of change and continued to embrace the old rituals of birth, marriage, death etc. of their forefathers till date. That is why UNO describes such communities who have been following the old culture, tradition, way of life, etc. of their ancestors as permanent tribal society. In Manipur, Meetei and Kabui communities are perfect living examples of Permanent tribal societies. In the light of the above facts, the claim that Meetei was never a tribe is baseless and unfounded narrative of the author and some pseudo-scholars. It should be noted that the term tribe should not be used in a derogatory sense but with respect as the tribal people are the masters or original people while non-tribals as aliens or migrants coming later. As such 8.6 % ST or 10.4 crore population of India as per 2011 Census are indigenous people while the rest 91.4 % or 111.4 crore are non-indigenous coming from outside the country or alien origin. In Manipur, Meeteis and Nagas are bonafide indigenous people or masters of the land while the others are migrants coming only after 1840s and later and obtained ST status through deception and fraudulence by posing as indigenous people of Manipur. Cocking a snook at Delhi meet Clear tone of defiance | Two months since Presidents Rule was imposed on February 13 and the question doing the round is whether things have taken a turn for the better or whether it has only emboldened the radical elements on the side of the Kuki-Zo community to come out with defiant stands one after the other. A look at the reality should tell its own story, but significant to note that the free movement call of Union Home Minister Amit Shah from March 8 fell flat on its face and this seems to have emboldened the Kuki-Zo community to cock a snook at any initiatives taken up to usher in a semblance of normalcy in the State. So even as hundreds of Kuki-Zo elements came out and blocked the Imphal to Senapati route at its stronghold at Motbung and Kangpokpi to derail the free movement call of Amit Shah, it has now cocked a snook at the proposals presented by the Union Home Ministry after the joint meeting held at Delhi on April 5. Cock a snook at the proposals of the Union Home Ministry and yet at the same time fall back on the buffer zone line drawn up by the Union Home Ministry in the early days of the clash to tell the Meiteis not to violate the same and climb Mount Thangjing to offer prayers. Not surprisingly double standard politics adopted by the Kuki-Zo organi- sations has given way to several responses which have gone viral on the social media with the lines reading-preconditions set before Delhi talk of April 5, telling Meitei pilgrims not to visit Mount Thangjing, stopped the free movement of March 8 etc and the natural question that follows is who or which power is backing the Kuki-Zo organisations to raise such conditions which are anathema to the understanding of any efforts being taken up to restore normalcy ? This is where the Government of India would need to come clean instead of playing politics of the lowliest type. From selling the victim story from Day 1 of the clash back on May 3, 2023 to now setting down riders and playing politics even to the extent of questioning the acceptability of the two organisations which sent representatives for the April 5 Delhi talks, the Kuki-Zo organisations have demonstrated that they are more than ready to punch below the belt and throw their weight around. Use and dispose Delhi and this is their approach to the issue at hand and to think that these are the same organisations which laid down the red carpet when the Union Home Minister visited Manipur at the fag end of May, 2023 and the politics at play should be clear to all. The question is whether Delhi and more importantly the Meiteis are wise to the politics of deception which have been demonstrated with such finesse. Manipur should also be aware of the politics in coming out with the line, The Meitei civil society organisations, AMUCO and FOCS, involved in the talks do not hold a mandate from their community and cannot be considered legitimate representatives. This is the second key reason we declined to sign the agreement. One wonders when and how the Kuki-Zo organisations came under the impression that they can pass judgment on the acceptability or otherwise of the two organisations representing the Meiteis at the talk and if they are under such an impression, then why did they attend the talk in the first place ? Sounds like a poor attempt to justify why they had to reject the proposals of the Union Home Ministry and in the process they only ended like caricatures from a cartoon. It was not so long back that a bloody clash erupted between the Kuki-Hmar folks on one side and the Zos particularly the Paites at Churachandpur on the other, which resulted in the deaths of two persons, including a minor girl of ten. And even as this is being penned down, Churachandpur is under curfew, after yet another round of tension rose between two tribes. So then can one say that the Kuki-Zo representatives who attended the Delhi talk and said AMUCO and FOCS do not hold the mandate of the Meitei people, say they have received the mandate of the people they claim to represent ? Do they represent Kukis or the Paites or the Hmars ? The Union Home Ministry cannot be blind to the politics of lies and more lies that has been played out and this is certainly not the time to molly coddle anyone, especially those who have been playing the victim card with such finesse for so long. Veteran Left leader and former West Bengal minister Abdur Rezzak Molla passed away on Friday morning at his ancestral home in Bankra village near Milan Bazar in Bhangar, South 24-Parganas. He was 80. Advertisement Family sources confirmed that his final rites will be performed at his native residence, where he had been staying for the past four to five years due to age-related ailments. Chief minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences on her X-handle, stating: I am deeply saddened by the passing of my former cabinet colleague Abdur Rezzak Molla. I held him in high regard and respected his vast knowledge and experience in rural life, agrarian economy, and land reforms in Bengal. Though he came from a different political background, his alignment with the Maa-Mati-Manush government was natural and effortless. His demise leaves an irreplaceable void in Bengals political sphere. I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, followers, and well-wishers. Advertisement Former CPI-M minister Kanti Gangul paid a visit Mollas home to pay his last respects. Rezzak Mollas political journey spanned across three regimes from Jyoti Basu and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee to Mamata Banerjee. He was first elected as an MLA from Bhangar in 1972 on a CPI-M ticket and went on to serve as the states land reforms minister from 1982 under the Left Front government. Known for his rustic persona, he often described himself as a farmers son. However, his relationship with Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee during the latters tenure as chief minister was strained. Molla often made critical remarks about Buddhadebs leadership, including a controversial comment in 2011 after the Left Fronts electoral defeat: He cant catch a snake, let alone hold it. Molla was a vocal critic of the CPI-Ms aggressive land acquisition policy during the Singur movement, and even questioned the role of the partys peasant wing. At one point, he met CPI-M general secretary Prakash Karat in Delhi without informing the state leadership to express his discontent. The CPI-M Politburo later issued a warning to the state unit over the handling of land issues, acknowledging flaws in the acquisition process. Following the regime change in 2011, Molla joined the Trinamul Congress ahead of the 2016 Assembly election. He won the election and became a minister in Mamata Banerjees cabinet, serving until 2021. After that, he withdrew from active politics due to health issues. Sources close to him revealed that in his final years, Molla often expressed disappointment that while some of his old comrades from the CPI-M checked in on his health, members of the ruling party largely stayed away. However, his one-time protege and current TMC MLA from Canning East, Saokat Molla, did visit him, which reportedly moved the ailing veteran deeply. Saokat Molla, along with Sattar Molla, had once been considered Mollas closest aides in his political journey. Rezzak Mollas death marks the end of an era in Bengal politics, remembered for his sharp tongue, grassroots connect, and decades-long presence in the states political landscape. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 12. We strongly reject and condemn the allegations made against Azerbaijan by Theodoros Rousopoulos, President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), during an interview with Alpha News, said Spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs Aykhan Hajizada, Trend reports. It is well-known that, despite Azerbaijans demonstrated willingness to engage in dialogue even after actions taken against it due to PACEs violation of the Council of Europes Charter and overreach of authority, Rousopoulos, Schwabe, and others have consistently attempted to undermine Azerbaijans just and international law-based position. Over the years, PACE has incurred the justified resentment of the Azerbaijani people due to its anti-Azerbaijani policies, which are marked by double standards. Labeling our nation's leader a "dictator" and insulting him is utterly unacceptable, is a demonstration of political ignorance and is a dumbness. The current hysterical situation in the Assembly and the dictator Rousopoulos at its leadership are a manifestation of the deplorable situation in PACE. The same situation exists in the European Parliament. Regarding our position on the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights, it is absurd to demand from Azerbaijan to implement the decisions of the court, given that Azerbaijan did not participate in the selection of its judges. Under these circumstances, it is impossible to enforce the court's decisions. It should be noted that Theodoros Rousopoulos is blacklisted in Azerbaijan like 76 PACE members who supported the unfair and legally questionable initiative to suspend the credentials of Azerbaijani delegation to PACE. If Rousopoulos penetrates into Azerbaijan, he will be rejected, the statement reads. 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 Ministers recent comments on the verdict on job loss, it appears that the order will not be implemented. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. 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 Commissions 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement Several 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. IANS src/svn Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok instructed officials on Friday to prepare contingency plans to effectively respond to uncertainties stemming from the U.S. administrations tariff schemes and strengthen monitoring of financial markets. Choi made the call during a meeting on macroeconomic issues, which was attended by Bank of Korea (BOK) Gov. Rhee Chang-yong, and the chiefs of the Financial Services Commission and the Financial Supervisory Service, according to the Ministry of Economy and Finance, reports YOnhap news agency. Advertisement Despite the U.S. governments 90-day grace period on reciprocal tariffs, uncertainties remain due to the escalating tariff dispute between the U.S. and China and the imposition of item-specific tariffs, Choi said. Advertisement Relevant agencies should stay vigilant and prepare response plans for various scenarios. Monitoring of the stock, government bonds, foreign exchange and capital markets also needs to be strengthened, he added. U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day suspension of newly imposed reciprocal tariffs on imports from South Korea and other trading partners, just hours after the sweeping scheme took effect Wednesday. But his universal 10 percent tariff on all imports remains in place, along with 25 percent tariffs on steel, aluminum and automobiles entering the United States. The tariff conflict between the United States and China has further intensified, fueling concerns over its potential impact on South Koreas trade-dependent economy. Trump has continued to escalate his trade threats against China, with tariffs on some products reaching as high as 145 percent, while Beijing has shown no sign of backing down by imposing counter-tariffs of up to 84 percent on American imports. Meanwhile, Choi and the participating officials checked household borrowing and stressed the need for close monitoring and timely responses to manage the debt level. South Koreas household debt-to-GDP ratio came to 90.1 percent in 2024, continuing its steady decline since 2021, when the ratio reached a record high of 98.7 percent, government data showed. South Korean auto parts suppliers are scrambling to respond to new US tariffs on imported vehicles and automotive parts, industry insiders said on Friday, arguing the tariffs not only pose a serious challenge to automakers, including local industry leader Hyundai Motor Group, but also threaten to disrupt the broader industry supply chain. The United States Donald Trump administration began imposing a 25 percent tariff on imported vehicles last week and is set to extend the same rate to auto parts beginning May 3, a move that has disrupted production planning and investment strategies across the sector, reports Yonhap news agency. Advertisement While much of the recent attention has focused on finished vehicle exports, South Koreas parts suppliers are also grappling with mounting uncertainties and risks, according to industry officials. Advertisement We are currently reviewing the possibility of increasing production at our U.S. facility in Alabama, said a manager at a company based in Siheung, Gyeonggi Province, while requesting anonymity for himself and his company. We have launched an internal task force to review practical responses, and we are in constant communication with Hyundai Motor Group to coordinate strategies. He noted that the companys products are used in the production of about 320,000 engines annually for Hyundai Motor Groups vehicles in the U.S. We are not holding onto optimistic hopes that the auto tariffs will be rescinded. Instead, we are preparing for the worst, the official said. The automakers will not be able to shoulder all of the costs related to tariffs, so we are also reviewing our own measures. While Hyundai Motor Group may have the financial resources to temporarily absorb tariff-related costs, suppliers are concerned that many smaller firms may not survive without price increases, which would inevitably undermine their competitiveness, especially in the U.S., leading to possible declines in their sales and profitability. Hyundai Motor Co. announced last week that it will freeze prices of all new vehicles sold in the United States through early June, a move aimed at easing consumer concerns over rising costs following the new duties. Another supplier in North Gyeongsang Province echoed similar concerns. There is no clear solution other than expanding local production in the U.S., but it is not something that can be done overnight. Labor and operating costs are much higher there, an official at the parts manufacturer said, asking not to be identified. According to the official, the company operates a plant in Savannah, Georgia, and currently splits its U.S. supplies 50:50 between shipments from Korea and local production. The companys parts are used in the production of some 2.8 million Hyundai and Kia vehicles annually. Auto manufacturers and suppliers are still analyzing the situation, she said. For now, we are maintaining current level operations and waiting to see if the U.S. government possibly announces a grace period or a reversal before the May 3 deadline. The uncertainty is further complicated by the unpredictability of the U.S. trade policy. The South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced this week that it will funnel additional liquidity of 2 trillion won ($1.35 billion) into the local automotive industry facing headwinds from U.S. tariffs on car imports. Automobiles are South Koreas top export item to the U.S. The value of South Koreas auto exports to America reached US$34.7 billion last year, accounting for nearly half of the countrys total auto exports, according to government data. The country exported $8.2 billion worth of auto parts in 2024. A 47-year-old resident of Chhawla in South West Delhi, along with a domestic help, was arrested for the murder his wife whose body was found in a drain, the Delhi Police said on Friday. Deputy Commissioner of Police Ankit Singh said they were informed about the unidentified female body wrapped in a blanket tied to a stone lying in a drain near Nirmal Dham. Advertisement Acting on the information, a team of cops was rushed to the crime scene to inquire about the unidentified body. Advertisement During the course of investigation, the nose pin worn by the deceased served as an important piece of evidence instrumental in the identification of the victim, as the hallmark of it got magnified, and its manufacturer was contacted, which led the cops to acquire essential details. The deceased was identified as Seema, 47, a resident of Sector 10, Dwarka. Upon conducting the probe further, the police team arrested the suspect, Shiv Shankar, a servant at the deceaseds house, who later disclosed that he, along with Anil Kumar, the husband of the deceased, murdered her on March 11 at their residence. Subsequently, they confessed to have committed the crime before wrapping the body of the deceased with a bed sheet, tying it with a cable wire and later dumping it in the Sahibi River near Nirmal Dham to escape being suspected. In the meantime, accused Anil Kumar (husband of Seema), who has been absconding since the murder of his wife, was also apprehended and detained in this case, the DCP mentioned. Further inquiry into the case revealed that due to familial and monetary discord between the husband and wife they shared a disturbed relationship, leading the man to take to this extreme step of eliminating her. The deceased was survived by two children. A case has been registered under the relevant sections of the BNS, and an investigation into the matter further is underway, the DCP stated. In a major crackdown, the Delhi Police Crime Branch has busted an international drug cartel targeting students and young individuals. Two Nigerian nationals were arrested and narcotics worth over Rs 1 crore were seized, officials said on Friday. According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Vikram Singh, on April 3, acting on a tip-off from informers, the police conducted raids at Krishna Park Extension, New Mahavir Nagar, and Tilak Nagar. The operation included a 20-hour-long surveillance effort that culminated in the arrest of two suspects. Advertisement The arrested individuals have been identified as Humphrey Muwong, 33, and Chukwu Ebuka Umeh, 36, both residents of Mulago, Republic of Nigeria. Advertisement Police recovered 700 grams of high-quality smack from their possession. Subsequently, on April 4, a case was registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Crime Branch police station. Further investigation revealed that the accused were operating under the directions of Dagri Jean Marc, a Nigerian national currently based in Africa. Marc, a former resident of India, had earlier established a robust operational base in Tilak Nagar, facilitating the distribution of narcotics. The probe also uncovered that the cartel misused student visa provisions to bring African nationals into India under the guise of pursuing higher education at private universities in the National Capital Region and Punjab. In many cases, these visas served merely as a cover for drug trafficking activities. DCP Singh further stated that Marc ran a decentralized network, issuing instructions directly from Africa to operatives based in India. During his earlier stay in India, he built a local distribution networkparticularly concentrated in the Tilak Nagar areaexploiting legal loopholes and visa policies to recruit African nationals into the trade. A case has been registered against the accused, and further investigations are ongoing. A high-level meeting on CAG reports was chaired by Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta at the Delhi Legislative Assembly on Friday, where he emphasized on timely action and accountability in governance. He instructed officials to submit a report regarding the CAG report on supply and regulation of liquor by April 20, and also directed the relevant departments to submit Action Taken Report (ATR) on the other CAG reports by April 30. Advertisement During the meeting, a detailed presentation was made by the Accountant General (Audit), Delhi, highlighting key findings and observations from the latest audit reports. Advertisement This was followed by a comprehensive review of the status of implementation of the Audit Para Monitoring System (APMS) and a discussion on the Action Taken Notes (ATNs) related to reports presented during the second session of the eighth Delhi Legislative Assembly. Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht, Ajay Mahawar, Chairperson of the Committee on Public Accounts (PAC), Gajender Drall, Chairperson of the Committee on Government Undertakings, Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) and Roli Shukla Malge, the Accountant General (Audit), Delhi, along with other officials of the assembly secretariat were present in the meeting. Gupta, while addressing the officers during the meeting, emphasized the importance of taking timely action on audit observations and establishing robust mechanisms to ensure accountability and transparency in governance. The Committees and government representatives reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening institutional coordination for the effective follow-up of audit recommendations. It has been collectively resolved to enhance monitoring mechanisms and ensure prompt redressal of audit issues in the interest of good governance and public accountability in the national capital. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement John told IANS, I have a 1100cc engine in my bike. Its a big cubic capacity motorcycle. Its 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, Ive upped the power to about 235bhp. Thats 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 Ive 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 doesnt look back at his professional journey, thats 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, its 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. Its for the audience to look at your filmography, he added. Jignesh Mevani is one of the prominent leaders of the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee. He is an MLA from the Vadgam Assembly constituency in Gujarat. He was first elected from the Vadgam seat in the 2017 Assembly elections. He is also a Dalit leader and convenor of the Rashtriya Dalit Adhikar Manch, a non-governmental organisation founded by him in July 2016 for the rights of dalits in Gujarat. He rose to national importance after he led a protest march called Dalit Asmita Yara in protest against the Una flogging incident in 2016. In an interview with Santu Das of The Statesman, Mevani talks about the AICC Session held in Ahmedabad and also emphasized on organisational rebuilding of the party for the 2027 Assembly elections. He accused some of the Congress leaders of hobnobbing with BJP and categorically said they should be thrown out from the party. He also said the BJP government has failed to fulfill the aspirations of the people of the state. Advertisement Q: The Congress held the AICC session in Ahmedabad. Assembly elections in the Gujarat are scheduled to be held at the end of 2027. The Congress has been out of power in Gujarat since 1995. What would you like to say? Advertisement A: The gesture of AICC to organise its session in Gujarat itself is a very energising message to the party cadres throughout the state. I am myself charged up and feel a lot of positivity all around. Around 2,000 leaders from across the country were present in Gujarat. Obviously the party workers got a lot of energy. This was a welcome move. As Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi had a few months back stated that the Congress will defeat the BJP in Gujarat, it is good that the AICC session was held in Ahmedabad. Q: Rahul Gandhi had called for a structural overhaul in the Gujarat Congress. He had asserted that a faction within the party is conniving with the BJP from within. What is your take on that? A: Yes, there are people within the party who are compromised and they need to be thrown out of the party. It is unfortunate that the party bore the burden of such people who kept hobnobbing with the BJP for years. So, hopefully they will be removed from the party. Q: What actions are being initiated against such leaders by the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee after Rahul Gandhis remarks? A: No action has been taken so far. I think that action will come from Rahul Gandhi or the AICC. It will come from the highest level. It may not happen from the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee. Q: What is the Gujarat Congress doing for strengthening the party at the grassroots level? A: There will be few changes in the organisation. Congress party wants to strengthen its cadra base particularly at the district and taluka level. The clear message is that the people who are hobnobbing with BJP will be removed. The Gujarat Congress will see new young faces who will focus on strengthening the party. Q: What is the Congress roadmap for Gujarat? A: We have to fight in the streets for the peoples rights by raising their issues. Q: How many seats is the Congress eyeing in the upcoming Gujarat Assembly polls? A: Under Mission 2027, the party organisation will be further strengthened and every possible effort will be made to win the trust of the people of Gujarat. In the coming days, Gujarat Congress will come out on the streets and raise issues concerning the people of the state. Q: Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) are part of the INDIA bloc. Will Congress and AAP contest the Assembly elections together? A: I cannot say anything at the moment. It depends on the situation. Q: What would you like to say on the work of the BJP government led by Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel? A: The BJP government has failed to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of the people of Gujarat. There are many issues including unemployment. There is large scale unemployment in the state. The current BJP government has reached a saturation point.Therefore, we will give a blueprint for the development of Gujarat because it deserves better. The state can do much better than the current situation. In Gujarat, the BJP government does not have any budget for the SC, ST, OBC and minority. We dont need such a vikas (development) model. We are committed to fight against inequality that is prevailing in the state. It is our resolve that India should be built based on the values that Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel stood for. All those who are the victims of injustice should get justice. Congress is working to create a path of justice. We will move forward with this determination. Arrangements are being made to operate at least 22 flights daily from the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee (KBR) Airport, Leh, to cope with the rush of visitors to Ladakh during the coming tourist season. The Chief Secretary, UT of Ladakh, Dr. Pawan Kotwal, on Friday chaired a meeting to discuss a strategic plan for enhancing air connectivity in the region by ensuring the operation of at least 22 flights daily from the KBR Airport, Leh. Advertisement The discussions focused on exploring the possibility of utilizing the Indian Air Force (IAF) bays at the airport to accommodate the increased number of daily flights, thereby significantly improving accessibility and connectivity for Ladakh, especially during the peak tourist season. Advertisement The Chief Secretary directed to formulate the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) at the earliest to streamline coordination and clarify operational procedures. The Airport Director assured that not less than 22 flights will operate daily during the tourist season, reaffirming the commitment to meeting the connectivity targets. Stakeholders from the different airlines, Tourism and Hotel Association of Ladakh shared their challenges and concerns during the meeting. Kotwal assured them that all issues would be taken up seriously and resolved in a timely manner. He emphasized that the administration is committed to working for the overall welfare and development of Ladakh. The Chief Secretary also directed all concerned stakeholders to maintain close coordination with the IAF, Airport Authority of India (AAI), and other relevant agencies to ensure the smooth and successful operationalization of increased flights. He stressed the importance of ensuring safety, operational efficiency, and minimal disruption to both civilian and defence activities. The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary, Civil Aviation Dr L Franklin; Secretary Tourism, Vikram Singh Malik; Deputy Commissioner Leh, Santosh Sukhdeve; representatives from IAF, AAI, different airlines and stakeholders from tourism and hotel industries. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. On April 11, 2025, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan Jeyhun Bayramov met with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. The ministers held comprehensive discussions on a wide range of topics, including political and economic cooperation, regional security, transport and communications, humanitarian efforts, and collaboration within regional and international organizations. Special emphasis was placed on mutual security concerns, which are a key component of the Azerbaijani-Turkish strategic alliance. The sides highlighted the significance of the Antalya Diplomacy Forumnow in its fourth editionas a vital platform for addressing pressing global and regional issues. They underscored the importance of dialogue and diplomacy in resolving challenges and fostering stability. Both ministers expressed satisfaction with the steady development of the Azerbaijan-Turkey alliance, built on the principles of brotherhood and mutual trust. They noted the pivotal role of high-level dialogue between the leaders of the two nations in advancing bilateral relations. The importance of deepening cooperation within the framework of the Organization of Turkic States and other multilateral platforms was also stressed. Minister Bayramov provided an update on the regional post-conflict situation, including Azerbaijan's large-scale reconstruction efforts in liberated territories, demining activities, and the peace process with Armenia, along with the challenges faced in that context. The meeting concluded with an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest. Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Friday welcomed the decision of the central government to withdraw the transshipment facility that allowed Bangladesh to route its export cargo to third countries through Indian ports and airports. Sarma welcomed the decision, asserting that it reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modis steadfast commitment to the security and development of the Northeast. Advertisement Indias decision to revoke the transshipment facility for Bangladesh underscores Honble Prime Minister @narendramodis unwavering commitment to safeguarding national interests and the security of the Northeast region, CM Sarma said in a post on X. Advertisement This decisive action reflects the governments firm stance on protecting Indias strategic and economic priorities, he added. The now-scrapped facility had enabled Bangladeshi goods bound for destinations such as the Middle East and Europe to pass through Indias Land Customs Stations (LCSs), ports, and airports. However, the Ministry of External Affairs noted that this arrangement had resulted in congestion at Indian ports and airports, contributing to delays and cost escalations for domestic exporters. The decision follows a diplomatic stir caused by remarks made by Muhammad Yunus, head of Bangladeshs interim government, during a recent visit to China. Yunus described Indias Northeastern states as landlocked and portrayed Bangladesh as the only guardian of the Indian Ocean for the region. Sarma had earlier condemned Yunuss statement as offensive and strongly condemnable, calling for urgent efforts to explore alternate connectivity corridors for the Northeast that do not rely on the narrow Siliguri Corridor, commonly known as the Chickens Neck. A fierce backlash over the derogatory and misogynistic remarks made by a senior DMK minister, K Ponmudy, linking sex workers to religion, forced party president and Chief Minister MK Stalin to strip him of his post in the DMK. Though replaced with Tiruchy N Siva, Rajya Sabha MP and the partys propaganda secretary as the deputy general secretary of the DMK, Ponmudy will continue to be in the cabinet as the minister for forests and khadi industries. Advertisement The stringent action against the senior party leader followed a viral video clip of the minister linking commercial sex workers and Hindu religious symbols with sexual positions while speaking at an event organised by the Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam on April 6 in Chennai. The event was part of the centenary celebrations of Thiruvarur Thangarasu, a trusted lieutenant of rationalist reformer and Dravidian icon, Periyar EV Ramasamy. Advertisement This is not the first time that Ponmudy caused an embarrassment to the party leadership by putting his foot in his mouth. But this time around, Stalin decided to crack the whip on him. Interestingly, the chief ministers announcement, axing Ponmudy from the second-rung leadership position, was silent on making public the reason for the drastic action taken against a party veteran. Also, unlike the usual announcements of disciplinary action made by the party general secretary, currently held by senior most minister in the cabinet, K Duraimurugan, this has come from the party president himself. Ponmudy was re-inducted into the cabinet last year after he secured a stay on his conviction and sentence from the Supreme Court in a 2011 wealth case. On his re-entry, he had been divested of the Higher Education portfolio and instead entrusted with Forests. Within the DMK there was a rising chorus to rein in Ponmudy. Condemning Ponmudys remarks as totally unacceptable, Kanimozhi, MP and also one among the partys Deputy General Secretaries, made clear her disapproval. Acting swiftly, Stalin had taken the decision to strip Ponmudy from the partys higher echelon so that it did not provide fodder to the opposition. There are several opportunities for investment and business collaboration between Austria and India, especially in sectors such as e-mobility, semiconductors and fintech, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has stressed. During her meeting with Markus Marterbauer, Federal Finance Minister of Austria, in Vienna, FM Sitharaman shared key aspects of Indian economy, flagship reforms and policy measures, according to a Ministry of Finance statement. Advertisement The Finance Minister outlined the opportunities for investment and business collaboration between the two countries, including through the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), in sectors of e-mobility and semiconductors, and between the startup companies on both sides, especially in FinTech. Advertisement Marterbauer referred to Austria and India as natural allies with shared values. The Finance Minister also invited Marterbauer to visit India with a business delegation to explore sectoral opportunities for collaborations and share best practices with each other. Earlier, during her London visit, FM Sitharaman met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and discussed trade and investment, and issues of mutual interest between the two countries. They also discussed progress of the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. At the 13th Economic and Financial Dialogue in London, co-chaired by FM Sitharaman and Rachel Reeves, Chancellor of the Exchequer, UK, the British side was pleased to update on its forthcoming Industrial Strategy, where partnership can support the Industrial Strategys priority growth-driving sectors, such as advanced manufacturing and life sciences, where UK expertise and research capability can complement Indias emerging role as a global manufacturing hub, as well as in clean energy, professional and business services, financial services, the creative industries, and defence to support jobs and economic growth. Both sides look forward to the signing of the India-UK Defence Industrial Roadmap to strengthen ties between industrial sectors and support supply chains. India and the UK also welcomed the financial services trade over recent years and commit to work together to grow this further. On the birth anniversary of Santhal freedom fighters Sido and Kanhu Murmu, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren visited Bhognadih in the Sahibganj district, where he paid homage to the revered tribal icons and reaffirmed his governments commitment to the empowerment of marginalised communities. Accompanied by MLA Kalpana Soren and other regional leaders, the Chief Minister addressed a large public gathering, invoking the spirit of the 1855 Santhal rebellion as a moral compass for the states welfare-driven governance model. Speaking from the historical heartland of Santhal resistance, the Chief Minister said that the government is focused on ensuring social, educational, and economic justice for tribal, Dalit, and backward populations. Our ancestors fought valiantly for their rights over jal, jungle, and zameen. It is now our collective responsibility to honour their legacy by ensuring dignity, rights, and opportunities for all, he said. Soren described the governments agenda as one that seeks to rectify historical neglect through inclusive development and participatory administration. Advertisement To mark the occasion, the Chief Minister announced development schemes worth 437.85 crore for the Sahibganj, Pakur, and Godda districts under the Santhal Pargana division. A total of 507 schemes were either launched or had their foundation stones laid, including 361 completed projects worth 213.99 crore and 147 new initiatives amounting to 223.86 crore. Additionally, asset transfers and appointment letters were handed over to more than 3.14 lakh beneficiaries, with total benefits disbursed reaching 130.92 crore. Advertisement Reiterating his governments commitment to decentralised and people-centric governance, the Chief Minister noted that essential services such as pensions and food security benefits are now being delivered at citizens doorsteps. Today, the elderly, widows, and vulnerable groups no longer have to make repeated rounds of government offices. The government has come to them, he remarked, framing the approach as a defining feature of the Abua Sarkar ethos. In the domain of education, the Chief Minister highlighted reforms that have expanded access and improved quality, especially for underprivileged communities. He referred to the success of the Mukhyamantri Utkrisht Vidyalayas, which offer CBSE-based education to children from disadvantaged backgrounds. He also pointed to the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda Overseas Scholarship programme, which supports 25 tribal students annually in pursuing higher education abroadan initiative he described as a bridge between tradition and aspiration. The event was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Santhal Pargana Commissioner Lalchand Dadel, Inspector General Kranti Kumar Gadidesi, local MPs and MLAs, district administration officials, and representatives from village councils and Zila Parishads. The Chief Ministers visit to Bhognadih once again underscored the symbolic and strategic importance of the site, weaving together the historical memory of resistance with the states evolving development narrative. With the extradition of Tahawwur Rana to India reviving memories of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recalled a narrow escape that has stayed with him for over 16 years. Sarma, who was then a Congress leader, said that he had been scheduled to stay at the iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai on the night of November 26, 2008one of the prime targets of the terrorist attackbut changed his plans at the last minute. Advertisement That night could have ended very differently for me. I was to stay at the Taj, but destiny had other plans, Sarma said. Advertisement Due to a last-minute change, I moved to another hotel. But the horror of that night has stayed with me forever, he added On November 26, 2008, ten heavily armed terrorists from Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) unleashed coordinated attacks across Mumbai, targeting several prominent locations including the Taj Hotel, Oberoi Trident, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus. The carnage lasted four days and claimed 166 lives, leaving hundreds injured and the nation scarred. Sarma had earlier marked the second anniversary of the attack in a post dated November 26, 2010, where he wrote about the trauma of watching the National Security Guards (NSG) counter-terror operations unfold. A single thought kept echoing in my mindthat karma will one day catch up with the masterminds behind this horrific act, he had written. Now, with the extradition of Tahawwur Rana from the United States, Sarma said the thought rings truer than ever. Sixteen years later, seeing Tahawwur Rana back on Indian soil brings not just a sense of closure, but also renewed confidence. With decisive leadership at the helm, those plotting against India will think twice before daring to strike, he posted on X. Rana, a Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin and a former Pakistani army doctor, was extradited to India after a prolonged legal battle in US courts. He arrived in Delhi on Thursday evening and was taken into custody by the National Investigation Agency (NIA). A special court at Patiala House has remanded him to 18 days of NIA custody. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed his heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday for visiting his parliamentary constituency, Kashi, for the first time after the successful organisation of the Mahakumbh. The Chief Minister remarked that over the past 11 years, Kashi has undergone a remarkable transformation under the visionary leadership and guidance of the Prime Minister. He said, Devotees from across the country are now thronging to witness the new, rejuvenated Kashi. Advertisement He added, This is the same Kashi once known for its narrow lanes and persistent traffic congestion. Today, it stands tall as a symbol of modern development seamlessly blending with its ancient heritage. Advertisement Yogi Adityanath noted that while Kashi has always been an ancient seat of learning, its educational institutions were once in disarray. However, over the past 11 years, developmental projects worth more than Rs 50,000 crore have been launched in the city, focusing on health, tourism, infrastructure, and connectivity. He said, Even today, the Prime Minister is carrying out the foundation stone and inauguration ceremonies of various projects worth nearly Rs 4,000 crore in Kashi. To mark the occasion, the Chief Minister welcomed the Prime Minister with Angavastra adorned with illustrations of Radha-Krishnas leelas and presented him with a Kamal Chatra handcrafted from Varanasis GI-tagged woodcraft a symbol of the citys rich artisanal heritage. In his address, the Chief Minister also highlighted that this visit marked the Prime Ministers first to Kashi following the BJPs resounding victories in the Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi Assembly elections, as well as after the successful hosting of the divine and grand Mahakumbh. He said, Kashi proudly bore witness to this sacred spectacle, with over 3 crore devotees from India and abroad visiting during the 45-day event. Every pilgrim was eager to see the transformed city and pay homage at the newly rejuvenated shrine of Baba Vishwanath. He added that the Mahakumbhs unmatched success and grandeur were a direct result of the Prime Ministers unwavering commitment to cleanliness, safety, and cultural revitalisation. The Chief Minister emphasised how initiatives like the Namami Gange project rejuvenated the sacred rivers and enhanced the spiritual experience for millions. Every devotee who took a dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati felt a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment a testament to the transformative impact of the Prime Ministers vision, he said. The Chief Minister stated that the Prime Ministers dedicated efforts to bring national and international recognition to Kashi and Uttar Pradesh products have yielded remarkable results. He said, Today, Kashi and its surrounding districts hold the highest number of GI tags, positioning Uttar Pradesh at the forefront in this domain. Further strengthening this achievement, the Prime Minister is awarding certificates for 21 new GI tags todaya significant step in promoting the unique identity of local artisans and craftsmen on both national and global platforms. Highlighting the transformative impact of welfare schemes, the Chief Minister said that Ayushman Bharat has emerged as a milestone in ensuring accessible healthcare for the underprivileged. Over 50 crore people across the country including more than 10 crore in Uttar Pradesh have benefited directly from the scheme. He added that through the Vaya Vandana Yojana, senior citizens above 70 are now entitled to free health coverage of Rs 5 lakh. In Kashi alone, over 50,000 elderly residents have received Vaya Vandana health cards. The Chief Minister also praised the Banas Dairy initiative, calling it a transformative project that has successfully linked Kashis farmers and livestock rearers with economic empowerment. Today, as part of this initiative, the Prime Minister distributes bonus payments to cattle rearers who have benefitted from value addition and profit-sharing through the Banas Dairy unit in Kashi, he said. In every sphere be it tourism, education, healthcare, connectivity, or the uplift of farmers and artisans these initiatives have reshaped the destiny of Kashi, the Chief Minister said. On behalf of the people of Kashi and the entire state, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for these visionary schemes that have brought about a new era of development in his very own Kashi. On this occasion, in addition to Prime Minister Modi, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandi Ben Patel, Deputy Chief Ministers Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brijesh Pathak, Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankar Bhai Chaudhary, and BJP State President Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh were present. Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) has expelled 19 students of the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, Wayanad, in connection with the death of JS Siddharthan, a second-year BVSc student. The anti-ragging committee of Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (KVASU) has expelled 19 students of the College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Pookode, in connection with the death of JS Sidharthan, a second-year BVSc student who was found dead in the mens hostel of the Pookode campus on February 18, 2024. Advertisement The university informed the Kerala High Court of this decision while a division bench comprising Justice Amit Rawal and Justice K V Jayachandran was hearing an appeal by Siddharthans mother, M R Sheeba. In her appeal, Sidharthans mother, Sheeba, challenged a single-bench order that had allowed the accused students to continue their studies in another campus. When the appeal came up for hearing, the counsel for KVASU submitted that the 19 students accused in the case had been expelled from the college on the basis of a fresh inquiry conducted by the anti-ragging committee as directed by the single judge. Advertisement The expelled students are: Abhishek S, Adithyan V, Ajay J, Akash S D, Akhil K, Althaf A, Amal. Ihsan A, Ameen Akbarali U, Arun K, N Asif Khan, Billgate Joshva Thannikode, Dones Daie, Hashim V, Sinjo Johnson, Muhammed Dhanish M, Rehan Binoy, Saud Risal E K, R S Kashinadhan, and Sreehari R D. The charges against the students include abetment to ragging, conspiracy, physical and psychological humiliation through ragging, brutal injury to the body causing grievous hurt, and threatening and instilling fear. J S Sidharthan was found dead inside the college hostel after a brutal ragging and assault allegedly by the leaders of SFI, the students wing of the CPI-M, on February 18, 2024. Sidharthan was reportedly beaten up by SFI leaders at four places in the college premises. However, the SFI has denied the allegations. BRS working president KT Rama Rao has accused Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of orchestrating a Rs 10,000 crore financial scam involving the Kancha Gachibowli land, near Hyderabad Central University (HCU), chalking this up as the reason behind the state governments eagerness to clear the green cover. Demanding an investigation by central agencies, the BRS said it would file complaints with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and even move court. Rao claimed that the state government illegally mortgaged the 400 acres of forest land adjacent to the Hyderabad Central University to secure a Rs 10,000 crore loan from a private bank. He further alleged that a BJP MP played a central role in facilitating the scam by introducing a brokerage firm to the state government to secure the loan. Advertisement Rao, popularly known as KTR, said the Telangana Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (TGIIC) went ahead with mortgaging the land despite lacking a legal title, having no sale deed, mutation, or alienation process to establish ownership. The land was never transferred to TGIIC. He also alleged that there were glaring discrepancies in the lands valuation. He said that initially, the 400 acres were valued at Rs 30,000 crore and at the per-acre value of Rs 75 crore, which was then reduced to Rs 52 crore five months later when assessed by a new agency. After a market assessment, it was again reduced to Rs 41.6 crore. Advertisement How can land worth Rs 5,000 crore be inflated to Rs 30,000 crore and then conveniently reduced to Rs 16,640 crore? This is a textbook case of financial manipulation, he alleged. He claimed that the MPs involvement was the sole reason why the private bank approved the loan despite the lands disputed status. The BJP MP will be named soon. The state government has promised undue benefits to him through this deal, said Rao while adding the central governments inaction would confirm a nexus between the BJP and the Congress. He demanded that the bonds of Rs 10,000 crore issued by the state government in an irregular manner should be cancelled. He demanded a probe into the role of the chief minister in the scam and the broker companies that facilitated the illegal mortgage. KTR accused the state government of bypassing the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management regulations and paying the broker firm Rs 129 crore. Moreover, out of the Rs 10,000 crore loan, only Rs 5,000 crore went to farmers through welfare schemes like Rythu Bandhu, while the rest was siphoned, paying commissions, bills to contractors and loyalists of the Cabinet ministers, alleged the BRS working president. He also warned that the Congress government was planning to loot an additional Rs 60,0000 crore by using similar fraudulent means on plots owned by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority(HMDA). Muslims held a protest demonstration outside the Asifi Mosque here in Bara Imambara after Friday prayers against the Waqf Amendment Act 2025. Maulana Kalbe Jawwad, a Shia cleric, led the rally with the protesters castigating Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu for the passage of the new law that they claimed is detrimental to the interests of Muslim community in the country. Advertisement A heavy police force was deployed near the Bara Imambara anticipating trouble ahead of the protest. Advertisement Addressing the protesters, Maulana Kalbe Jawwad said, The government claims to be working for the progress of Muslims. How can we progress when they snatch our house? Reiterating the support of the Shia community to the All India Muslim Personal Law Board in the matter, he asserted that they would continue to protest against the new law on the Waqf. Meanwhile, a report from Agra said that a major law and order problem was averted after the head of an animal was found in a bag in the Shahi Jama Masjid before the Friday prayers. Worshippers found the bag when they assembled at the mosque for Friday prayers. As the information spread, hundreds of Muslims reached the mosque. The Jama Masjid Committee informed the police about the bag containing the animal head kept in a corner of the mosque. The police removed the bag before washing the mosque clean. While scanning the CCTV footage of the area, the police came across a young man depositing the bag in the mosque. Soon, the police arrested the accused, identified as Nazaruddin, and registered a case against him. He is being questioned by the police. After the incident, additional forces have been deployed near the mosque. A Pakistani terrorist was killed in an ongoing encounter in the Chatroo area of the Kishtwar district in J&K. Despite hostile terrain & adverse weather, relentless operations by our brave soldiers continue, the White Knight Corps of the Indian Army said on Friday. Based on specific intelligence, a joint search and destroy operation along with J&K Police was launched on 9 April in Chhatroo forest in Kishtwar. Contact was established late evening on the same day. The terrorists were effectively engaged and a firefight ensued. One terrorist has thus far been neutralised, the Army said on X. Advertisement The pictures released by the Army show soldiers carrying on the operation against the terrorists in snow-covered forest slopes. Reports said that Army helicopters and drones were being used to track down the hiding terrorists. Search operations have also been intensified in the Ramnagar area of Udhampur, where a group of terrorists escaped after a brief gunfight with the security forces on Wednesday. Advertisement These terrorists barged into the house of a school teacher and asked for food. Security forces have so far not been able to track down the three terrorists who fled after a brief encounter in the Kathua district, where four policemen were killed in the gunfight. Two Pakistani terrorists of the group were also gunned down. The surviving three terrorists have been on the run for the past fortnight. Home Minister Amit Shah visited J&K for three days earlier this week. Reviewing the security situation in a meeting in Srinagar, he stressed zero tolerance towards terrorism. German architect Nikolai von der Nonne (1836-1906) played a great role in the development of the architecture of Baku in the late 19th - early 20th century, forever entering its history. Nikolai von der Nonne was born in St. Petersburg province, became an officer-military engineer, in 1856 was sent to the Caucasus, where he was honored with a number of awards. For his success in 1881 Colonel Nikolai von der Nonne was transferred from Tbilisi to Baku and appointed provincial engineer of Baku province. During the oil boom that took place in Baku in the second half of the 19th century, the city needed fundamental changes. The huge influx of population and together with it great construction activity, creation of industrial zones, neighborhoods, and streets actually led to harsh conditions, deterioration of ecology and life of people. There was a lot of work to do... He became a city engineer at the Baku City Duma in 1883. In 1884, he was elected chairman of the United Sanitary Commission, which was established at the Technical Society, having presented the report Assenization of Baku city through sewerage, raising for the first time the issue of the creation of sewerage in the city. Palace of De Boure He managed the construction of three buildings at Mikhailovskaya hospital, erected buildings for the women's gymnasium and disinfection chamber, and under his supervision and guidance, 67 thousand square meters of streets were paved. In 1895, due to illness, he left the civil service and became a free architect. Nevertheless, the city clearly needed him! In 1897, the Baku City Council assigned him the responsibility of drawing up the first general plan of the capital. Nikolai von der Nonne already knew Baku well and loved it from the bottom of his heart, he was able to declare himself as a high professional, passionately worried about the work that was entrusted to him. In May 1897, the newspaper Caspian started publishing announcements to Baku homeowners: Colonel von der Nonne, who has taken upon himself the compilation of the city plan, begins work on the leveling of the area, the marks of which will be made on metal repiers, nailed to the walls of houses. Therefore, the Baku City Administration asks homeowners not to hinder the manufacturers of works to nail the repiers and not to tear them from their houses. In 1898, he drew up The plan of existing and projected location of the provincial city of Baku with the indication of the proposed settlement and distribution. 1898-1900, which was simultaneously a project document characterizing rapid growth. Main facade of the Palace of De Boure According to Shamil Fatullayev in his book Urban Planning of Baku in the late XIX - early XX centuries,: By the time the general plan of Baku was developed in 1898, the neighborhoods located north of the Fortress were realized in the form of a clear rectangular grid. Von der Nonne was closely bound by a contract by which the interests of private owners had to be taken into account. He had to reckon with the existing buildings when designing the project, although in individual cases, it might have been more appropriate to demolish all dilapidated structures to ensure at least the minimum required street width. Nevertheless, he did a great deal... All his design work was aimed at settling the existing parts of the city and, most importantly, at expanding and planning new areas for the growing urban population, which was intensively engaged in civil engineering. According to von der Nonne's plan, the projected area doubled the city's planned area... Von der Nonne considered it necessary to link the existing development with the new emerging parts of the city on the basis of the minimum urban planning requirements of the time.... On November 4, 1898, Nikolai von der Nonne officially assumed the position of the mayor of Baku, which he occupied until the end of 1902. The city was built under the guidance of the experienced engineer and architect. His plan was valuable also because it showed the city authorities the fact that when building new residential areas, when selecting the territory and its layout should have taken into account the hygienic features of the area, that it is impossible to build anything and anywhere without taking this factor into account. Fantasia bath In addition to working on the first general plan in the history of Baku, Nikolai von der Nonne is also known for numerous architectural projects. In total, about fifty residential and public buildings were erected according to his designs. These include the Deburov Palace (now the National Museum of Arts of Azerbaijan), the building of Terentyev's distillery on Vorontsovskaya Street, the building of the Mutual Credit Society on Petrovskaya Square, almost all the old quarters on Gubernaya Street (later Nizami Street), the Bulk Wharf, completed the building of the Mariinsky Gymnasium for Women, etc.. It combined modern European design with oriental elements, and at that time, it was very well received by the people of the city. Thus, Western architecture also became native to the Eastern city. The Deburovsky Palace was built with funding from the Rothschilds, who were running a successful oil business at the time. He was also the director of the Baku branch of the Baku Provincial Prison Board and, in 1901, an honorary justice of the peace for the city of Baku. Interestingly, already in our time, one curious fact has become known, which has shown the true uniqueness of the plan of the great architect - if you superimpose it on a modern map made with the help of satellite imagery, then everything will match up to the smallest detail! How it was possible to achieve such accuracy at that time, without modern technology, is simply incomprehensible! By the way, after many years, in 2023, the Baku master plan, prepared by order of the State Committee for Urban Planning and Architecture of Azerbaijan, was created by the winner of an international tender, the German company AS+P Albert Speer + Partner Gmbh. The plan covers the entire area of the capital - 212,300 hectares - and sets out the main directions for Bakus development through 2040. It presents a vision of the city as a well-organized, multi-centered urban space, ready for dynamic and sustainable growth. The plan places particular emphasis on efficient land use, the preservation of cultural and historical heritage, strategic zoning, and improvements in construction, transport, social infrastructure, public services, and environmental initiatives. It also reflects new economic approaches in line with the shift toward a post-industrial society. Plan of Baku 1898-1900, masterplan by Von der Nonne Prime Minister Narendra Modi, concerned over the incident of rape in his Varanasi parliament constituency, directed the officials on Friday to take strict action against the culprits. Immediately upon landing in Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a detailed briefing from the Police Commissioner, Divisional Commissioner, and District Magistrate of Varanasi regarding the recent criminal rape incident in the city. Advertisement Officials here confirmed that he instructed them to take the strictest possible action against the culprits and to implement appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future. Advertisement The PM talked to the official on the airport tarmac before boarding a chopper. Earlier, PM Modi was received by UP Governor Anandiben Patel and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. The PM is slated to dedicate 44 projects worth over Rs 3,884 crore and address a public meeting at Mehndiganj grounds here. A Class 12 student was allegedly kidnapped and then gang-raped by 23 men for one week, between March 29 and April 4, in Varanasi, according to the UP Police. Nine people have so far been arrested in the case, a senior official said on Wednesday. Underlining the fact that embracing the resolve of service not only benefits others but also enhances ones personality and broadens perspectives, Prime Minister Narendra Modi noted that the spirit of service connects individuals to larger objectives of society, the nation, and humanity, and on those very lines the spirit of service is at the core of every initiative undertaken by the union government. The PM said this during his visit to the Anandpur Dham of Isagarh Tehsil in the Ashoknagar district of Madhya Pradesh on Friday. Advertisement Elaborating on the spirit of service, the PM said that under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, every needy individual is free from the worry of food. Advertisement Similarly, the Ayushman Bharat scheme has relieved the poor and elderly from concerns about healthcare, while the PM Awas Yojana is ensuring secure housing for the underprivileged. He noted that the Jal Jeevan Mission is addressing water issues in villages, and the establishment of record numbers of new AIIMS, IITs, and IIMs is helping even the poorest children realize their dreams. He reiterated the governments commitment to environmental conservation through the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, under which crores of trees have been planted across the country. The Prime Minister remarked that the spirit of service drives the scale of these achievements. He reiterated the governments resolve for the upliftment of the poor and marginalized, guided by the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. This spirit of service is both the policy and the commitment of the government, Mr Modi stressed. The Prime Minister affirmed the nations ambitious goal of becoming a developed India by 2047 and expressed confidence in achieving it. He emphasized the need to preserve Indias ancient culture during this journey, noting that while many countries lost touch with their traditions in the pursuit of development, India must maintain its heritage. Indias culture is not just tied to its identity but strengthens its capabilities, highlighted the Prime Minister. The PM further highlighted efforts to boost progress in Madhya Pradesh and Ashok Nagar, including elevating Chanderi handloom through Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Chanderi sarees and the establishment of a Craft Handloom Tourism Village in Pranpur to accelerate economic growth in the region. India is a land of sages, scholars, and saints, who have always guided society during challenging times, stated the Prime Minister, highlighting that the life of Pujya Swami Advait Anand Ji Maharaj reflects this tradition. He recalled the era when acharyas like Adi Shankaracharya expounded the profound knowledge of Advaita philosophy. He noted that during the colonial period, society began to lose touch with this wisdom. However, it was during this time that sages emerged to awaken the nations soul through the principles of Advaita, he added, emphasising that Pujya Advait Anand Ji Maharaj carried forward this legacy by making the knowledge of Advaita accessible and simple for the common people, ensuring its reach to the masses. Addressing the pressing global concerns of war, conflict, and the erosion of human values amidst material progress, the PM identified the root cause of these challenges as the mindset of divisionof self and other, which distances humans from one another. The solution to these issues lies in the philosophy of Advaita, which envisions no duality, he emphasised, explaining that Advaita is the belief in seeing the divine in every living being and, further, perceiving the entire creation as a manifestation of the divine. He quoted Paramhans Dayal Maharaj, who beautifully simplified this principle as, What you are, I am. He remarked on the profoundness of this thought, which eliminates the divide of mine and yours, and noted that if universally embraced, it could resolve all conflicts. The PM also performed darshan and pooja at Guru Ji Maharaj Temple and toured the temple complex at Anandpur Dham. He welcomed the large number of devotees who had traveled from Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and across the country. He expressed his joy at participating in the celebrations of Baisakhi and the birth anniversary of Shri Guru Maharaj Ji, paying respects to the pratham Padshahi Shri Shri 108 Shri Swami Advait Anand Ji Maharaj and other Padshahi saints. He noted the historical significance of the day, marking the Mahasamadhi of Shri Dwitiya Padshahi Ji in 1936 and the union of Shri Tritiya Padshahi Ji with his true form in 1964. The Prime Minister offered his tributes to these revered Gurus and extended his salutations to Maa Jageshwari Devi, Maa Bijasan, and Maa Janaki Karila Mata Dham. He conveyed his greetings to everyone on the occasion of Baisakhi and Shri Guru Maharaj Jis birth anniversary celebrations. MP Governor Mangubhai Patel, Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion. The United States Department of Justice has said Indias pending proceedings against 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tanawwur Rana are not the first proceedings in which he has been accused of conspiring to commit violent acts of terrorism. In a statement released on Thursday, the US department of justice stated that in 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years in prison following his trial conviction in the Northern District of Illinois for conspiring to provide material support to LeT (Lashkar-e-Tayyiba), and to a foiled LeT-sponsored terrorist plot in Copenhagen, Denmark. Advertisement The department said that as part of those same criminal proceedings, David Coleman Headley (Headley), a U.S. citizen born Daood Gilani Headley pleaded guilty to 12 federal terrorism charges, including aiding and abetting the murders of the six Americans in Mumbai, and later planning to attack a Danish newspaper, and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. Advertisement The DoJ has said that Ranas extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks. It was back in June 2020, the US had acted on a request for Ranas extradition submitted by India, which he contested for almost five years. On May 16, 2023, a US magistrate judge in the Central District of California certified Ranas extradition to India, and after that he then filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which the U.S. District Court in the Central District of California denied on August 10, 2023. On August 15, 2024, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that decision. The US Supreme Court likewise denied Ranas petition for certiorari on January 21, 2025, the Secretary of State issued a warrant ordering Ranas surrender to Indian authorities. Both the district court and the Ninth Circuit denied Ranas application for a stay of extradition, and on April 7, the U.S. Supreme Court denied Ranas application for a stay of extradition. Accordingly, on April 9, the U.S. Marshals Service executed the Secretarys surrender warrant by surrendering Rana to Indian authorities for transportation to India. The US department has said that Rana, 64, is charged in India with numerous offenses, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks , a designated foreign terrorist organization. Between November 26 and 29, 2008, ten LeT terrorists carried out a series of 12 coordinated shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai. They had infiltrated into the city through sea, and then broke into teams, dispersing to multiple locations. Attackers at a train station had fired guns and lobbed grenades into crowds, while they had also fired indiscriminately in two restaurants. They had shot and killed people at a Jewish community center, ultimately when the terror finally subsided, 166 victims, including six Americans, were dead. Hundreds more were injured, and Mumbai sustained more than $1.5 billion in property damage. It is alleged that Rana facilitated a fraudulent cover so that his childhood friend David Coleman Headley (Headley), could freely travel to Mumbai for the purpose of conducting surveillance of potential attack sites for LeT. Rana allegedly helped Headley prepare and submit visa applications to Indian authorities that contained information Rana knew to be false. Over the course of more than two years, Headley allegedly repeatedly met with Rana in Chicago and described his surveillance activities on behalf of LeT. US on Wednesday extradited convicted terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan, to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 26/11 Mumbai mayhem. The NIA formally arrested Rana, immediately after he arrived in New Delhi on Thursday evening on a special plane from Los Angeles escorted by a multi-agency team He was taken for medical examination and produced before a special NIA Judge in Patiala House Court late last night, which sent him to 18 day custody with the terror acts probing agency. Back in the BJP-led NDA, the AIADMK under former Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), will lead the combine and take on the ruling DMK in the assembly election early next year, BJP stalwart and Union Home Minister Amit Shah said on Friday. It is EPS who will lead the NDA in Tamil Nadu, he said in response to a question at a press conference in the evening before concluding his two-day visit. Advertisement In the backdrop of the NDA banner, Shah addressed the media flanked by EPS and two other former AIADMK ministers, SP Velumani and KP Munusamy on one side and outgoing BJP state president K Annamalai and state president designate Nainar Nagendran on the other side. Advertisement Elections at the national level are fought under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the state election in Tamil Nadu under EPS, he clarified further. TO a question on the demands of the AIADMK for returning to the NDA fold, Shah replied in the negative saying, AIADMK has not set any demands or conditions. We too will not interfere in the internal affairs of the AIADMK. The revival of the alliance is for the benefit of the AIADMK as well as the NDA. With Shah clearing the air on who will lead the NDA in the assembly poll, he had ensured the return of the Dravidian major into the saffron combine. However, other potential NDA allies like the OBC Vanniyar-dominant PMK or the DMDK of Premalatha Vijayakanth have given a miss, making it an unfinished job as of now. For, the PMK had made it clear that it is not in a tearing hurry to decide on the alliance issue. It will be decided by the PMK Executive Committee by the year end, PMK founder S Ramadoss had said the other day before Shah could land in Chennai. Making things difficult, Ramadoss had taken over the reins of the party, demoting his son and former Union Minister Anbumani as working president from the post of president. Neither the DMDK is very eager to jump into the NDA bandwagon. Launching a scathing attack on the DMK, the BJP veteran accused the Stalin government of steeped in corruption with deteriorating law and order situation. Besides the liquor scam (TASMAC scam) to the tune of Rs 39000 crore, there are the ELCOT scam, sand mining scam, transport scam and money laundering scam. The government is answerable and people of Tamil Nadu are asking questions at Stalin and his son and Deputy CM, Udhayanidhi, he alleged and expressed confidence at the NDA securing a landslide victory in the assembly elections. Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday said under the Narendra Modi government, the spirit of unity rules Jammu and Kashmir, as another Hurriyat Conference affiliate organisation in Kashmir rejected the separatist ideology. Welcoming the move, Shah wrote on X, Another Hurriyat affiliate organization, Jammu and Kashmir Mass Movement, has rejected separatism, declaring complete commitment to the unity of Bharat. I sincerely welcome their move. Till now as many as 12 Hurriyat-linked organizations have broken off from secessionism, restoring trust in the Constitution of India. Advertisement This is a victory of PM Shri @narendramodi Jis vision for Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, he said. Advertisement During the recent visit of the Home Minister to Srinagar, three separatist groups in Kashmir officially severed ties with the Hurriyat Conference and pledged their loyalty to the Constitution of India. Shah said that significant progress has been achieved in dismantling the separatist ideology in J&K. Hailing the development Shah wrote on X; Three more organizations, namely Jammu Kashmir Islamic Political Party, Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Democratic League, and Kashmir Freedom Front, disassociate themselves from the Hurriyat. It is a prominent demonstration of the peoples trust in the Constitution of India within the valley. Modi Jis vision for a united and powerful Bharat stands even more bolstered today, as so far 11 such organizations have shunned separatism, proclaiming unwavering support for it, Shah added. It is worth mentioning that four separatist groups affiliated with the Hurriyat Conference, J&K Tahreeqi Isteqlal, J&K Tahreek-I-Istiqamat, J&K Peoples Movement and the Democratic Political Movement, had last month abandoned separatism and expressed their faith in the vision of a unified India under the PM Modi. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday lauded the successful extradition of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks key accused Tahawwur Rana from the US to India, saying it would help unravel the crucial details of the conspiracy behind the attacks. The 64-year-old Canadian citizen of Pakistani origin, a key accused in the case, landed in Delhi in a special plane from Los Angeles Thursday evening. A special court subsequently remanded him in custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for 18 days. Advertisement Rana is accused of conspiring with David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, and terrorist organisations Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Harkat-ul-Jihadi Islami (HUJI) along with other Pakistan-based co-conspirators, to carry out the three-day terror siege that killed 166 people. Advertisement During the 26/11 attacks, we all were in Mumbai, it was a very serious incident. Now, we have caught this person (Tahawwur Rana), and he can reveal who was the real mastermind behind the incident, who directed him to commit such an act. After getting all this information, we can take further action, Pawar told reporters in Pune. He expressed optimism that Ranas interrogation would provide crucial insights into the orchestration of the attacks, including the individuals who directed him and the motives behind the devastation. Pawar also recalled being present in Mumbai along with the then chief minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and home minister R R Patil, during the attacks. After the operation, we visited all the attack sites. A probe was launched to identify the masterminds. Now that this man (Rana) has been extradited to India, it will come to light who were behind the attacks, on whose orders he acted and what their objective was, he said. Germany stands at a pivotal crossroads, and the recent coalition agreement between the Christian Democrats (CDU) and Social Democrats (SDP) is a bold attempt to steer the nation out of political uncertainty. With CDU leader Friedrich Merz set to be Chancellor, there is a renewed promise of stability, reform, and strength ~ both domestically and on the global stage. But beneath the surface of this optimistic narrative lies a deeper tension: can this alliance truly deliver long-term transformation, or is it merely a temporary patch on a fractured political landscape? The agreement, forged after months of stalemate, is being marketed as a symbol of strength and decisiveness. It comes at a time when Germany has been grappling with a recession, declining infrastructure, and a visible drop in military readiness. The promise of increased defence spending and large scale infrastructure investment speaks of a desire to reclaim Germanys position as a powerhouse within Europe. Yet, the question remains: will these measures be enough to counter the economic inertia and rising political extremism? Advertisement Mr Merzs commitment to fulfilling defence obligations and supporting Ukraine aligns with the shifting dynamics of European security. As global alliances face strain and isolationist policies gain traction elsewhere, Germanys pivot toward a stronger military stance appears timely. However, the decision to follow a voluntary military model rather than reintroducing conscription reveals the governments delicate balancing act between assertiveness and public sentiment. Perhaps the most contentious part of the coalitions plan involves immigration reform and border control. The intention to curb irregular migration is a direct response to voter anxieties ~ many of which have been skilfully exploited by the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). Advertisement While Mr Merzs proposals aim to strike a middle ground, they risk appearing insufficient to both progressive and conservative blocs. The AfDs rise in the polls underscores the growing appetite for more radical solutions, highlighting the fragile consensus within mainstream politics. The new governments legitimacy will hinge not just on its policies, but on its ability to communicate a clear, unified vision. A coalition by nature invites compromise, but Germanys current moment calls for more than political convenience. It demands courageous leadership that goes beyond appeasing opposing forces to articulate a bold path forward. Yet, beyond the policies and political maneuvering, this coalition must also confront the psychological fatigue that has set in among many German citizens. Years of economic stagnation, global uncertainty, and leadership voids have eroded public faith in traditional parties. The sense that established leaders are out of touch or slow to act has fuelled the rise of extremes on both ends of the spectrum. To counter this, the new government must show not only competence but empathy ~ demonstrating that it understands the daily struggles of ordinary people and is willing to act swiftly and transparently. This is not merely a test for incoming Chancellor Merz or his coalition partners ~ it is a test for Germanys democratic resilience. Once the capital of colonial India, Kolkata has a strange habit of displaying art, culture and sustenance of the artist, sometimes silently, almost in veils. Nazrul Tirtha, New Town, hosted one such event celebrating the genius of Ramkinkar Baij, the prodigy of an artist born in rural Bengal. The art exhibition was followed by the launch of a book titled The Unseen Life of Ramkinkar Baij, co-authored by Chandranath Das and his daughter Chandrima Das. The book provides intimate and never-before-seen shades and eventual evolution of the elusive artist from the red-soiled lands of Bankura. Chandrima Das, the curator of the event, said, The book starts with the question, What are we searching for? I have purposely made this question, as many writings have already been written about Ramkinkar Baij, but what makes this biography unique is Baijs techniques and his way of life through small encounters with different people in his lifetime, which have never been documented before. The book is a compilation of oral narratives and anecdotes from his family members and associates. Stories from his grandson, Satya Kinkar Adhikari, and his associates, Lalu Prasad Shaw and Niranjan Pradhan, have been analysed. For instance, there is a picture where Baij is sitting next to Radharani Devi carrying a cat on his lap. We in the book discovered the background story of how and when the picture was captured and what could be Baijs experience and thoughts. Advertisement Eminent sculptor Shri Niranjan Pradhan reminisced, As a person, Ramkinkar Baij was as simple as the earth beneath our feet. His teaching was not just about technique; it was a light that showed us the way. I was privileged to witness this man up close and seek his insights on my work. He once said to me that he seeks students who come not just to learn but to absorb. Advertisement The event hosted and attracted some of Indias celebrated and recognised artists, art critics and dignitaries, giving Baij the required reverence in recent years. Among the dignitaries were Lalu Prasad Shaw, Nirajan Prasad, Suktisubhra Pradhan, Sanjeev Kishore Gautam and Prayag Shukla. The exhibition featured an impressive collection of 80 artworks, including 67 paintings and 13 sculptures. Ranging from woodworks to digital paintings and various sculptures, the exhibition exuded the power of the visual arts in various modern forms. A major highlight of the event was the handing over of the 1st Ramkinkar Baij Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 to Lalu Prasad Shaw, Niranjan Pradhan and Suktisubhra Pradhan for their contribution to modern Indian art.The events chief guest of honour was Sanjeev Kishore Gautam, director general, National Gallery of Modern Art, ministry of culture, government of India. The exhibition showcased an extensive collection of Baijs original works, allowing the audience to experience the artistic prowess of the artist and bathe in the sombre presence of his bold and experimental style of creation. Vijay Prabhat Shukla, the driving force behind the Ramkinkar Baij exhibition in Kolkata and the publication of The Unseen Life of Ramkinkar Baij shared his journey: how he had travelled for more than two years across Bengal, visiting places like Santiniketan, Bankura and Bhetia-Bolpur, to delve deep into Baijs life. Captivated by the artists story and art, Shukla decided to publish the book. It is truly gratifying to see such enthusiasm for Ramkinkar Baijs work. This exhibition is not just a tribute but also a platform to reignite conversations about his contributions to Indian art. We hope this inspires a new generation of artists and art lovers to explore and appreciate his legacy, he expressed. The exhibition and book launch received widespread acclaim from the art community and visitors alike. Critics praised the initiative for reviving interest in Baijs pioneering work, while audiences appreciated the opportunity to engage with his masterpieces in such a comprehensive setting. Modern art time and again has shown how little and how trivial resources can produce the highest of magnitudes. Baij was one of the pioneers of the same; using cement and stones for cheaper materials, he became one of the pioneers of modern movements in India, if not Asia. Winters are the hottest season of cultural activities in India, wherein traditional art forms take the lead. Kolkatas internationally acclaimed annual classical soirees were at spate in January 2025. This year quite a few brilliant musicians artistry left a deep impact. To welcome the New Year, the disciples of Guru Anjan Majumdar organised a compact Baithaki in collaboration with Kolkata Centre for Creativity (4th January). The sweet-toned sitar of Ashim Chaudhuri embellished Bageshri with Kousic Sens proficient tabla. Khayal exponents Siladitya Banerjee (Bhimpalasi), Kingshook Mukherjee (tabla), Samrat Bhattacharya (harmonium) got noticed for his deep, soulful voice, and Moumita Mitra (Marwa and Jhinjhoti), Utpal Das (tabla) and Debashish Adhikary (harmonium) for their innovative style. But the most enjoyable was Purab Anga Gayaki with all its rhythmic glory. Credit goes to Anirban Bhattacharya (vocal accompanist of kathak maestros) with co-artistes Pritam Polley (tabla) and Debashish Adhikary (harmonium). Advertisement Swamijis birthday Advertisement All roads lead to Vivekananda Hall, Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, on 12 January. The three sessions of the day-long soiree, efficiently hosted by Biplab Ganguly and Korak Basu, showered plaudits on all participants of this musical homage. Most of the items were duets. Young kathak exponent brothers Saurabh and Gaurav Mishra (afternoon session) topped the list. Their primary asset was Sanju Sahais tabla with remarkable tonality and dexterity. With him, Guru Ravi Shankar Mishras padhant and broad-faced tabla blended Lucknow and Benares styles with an eye on aesthetically zestful movements. Sitarist Chandrachud Bhattacharya and vocalist cum harmonium expert Saurav Chakraborty also helped the duo to begin with a powerful Shiv Stuti in pure dance, followed by bhaav depicting shy, playful and proud nayikas. The concluding bhajan portrayed Shiva as a musician. Their neat footwork and chiselled body lines were in perfect sync. Pandit Sajan Mishra, shadowed by his son-disciple Swaransh, painted Jaunpuri that was bright and cool like morning sun. It was more so due to the unparalleled support of tabla maestro Swapan Chaudhuri and veteran harmonium player Jyoti Goho. Encores led to a tarana with vistar and taans. The intellectual appeal of another father-son duo, celeb violinist L. Subramaniam and Ambi, was irresistible. They played Abhogi (varnam, ragam-taanam-pallavi) by blending traditional and modern techniques and contents. They were assisted by maestros Phalgun Parupalli (mridangam), Tanmay Bose (tabla), Radhakrishnan (ghatam) and Satya Sai (morsing). Guru-bhais, renowned Rudraveena expert Bahauddin Dagar and dhrupad maestro Nirmalya Dey, supported by pakhawaj wizard Sukhad Munde, evoked imposingly majestic Marwa. To match the pitch of the Rudraveena, the vocalist had to compromise and started the alap at the corresponding upper octave, though later he sang in the lower pitch. Dagar was in elements in alap-jod-jhala but took a backseat as the pada lyrics bloomed in Deys voice in slow chautal. Another beautiful dhrupad, set to Tilak Kamod in fast chautal, was their parting gift. Earlier, Sabir Sultan Khans rather restive sarangi played raga Todi. Parimal Chakrabortys seasoned tabla anticipated most of the melodic moves and offered befitting accompaniment. Sitar maestro Nishat Khan, aided by tabla virtuoso Shubhajyoti Guha, played Bilaskhani (alap) and Gurjari Todi (teental gatkari) and Alhaiya Bilawal. He persistently continued to sing and play several ragas to display different techniques of playing Gayaki Anga before sealing the morning session with Bhairavi. Well-known vocalist Jayateerth Mevundi and flautist Praveen Godkhindi chose Madhuwanti (slow rupak, drut teental tarana), Vrindavani Sarang (fast teental) and Pahadi. They showcased their amazing skills with the supportive tabla and harmonium of Abhijit Banerjee and Hiranmay Mitra, respectively. Chowdhury House The Calcutta Performing Arts Foundation staged its 10th Chowdhury House Music Conference rather early (10-12 January), causing overlapping events. Despite some substandard selections, there were several noteworthy debutantes like Farooque Latif Khan. His sarangi recital, superbly supported by Bilal Khan Salonvis tabla, had nostalgic old-world charm, dipped in modernity with well-rounded tonality steeped in sur. His masterly portrayal of Shuddh Sarang revived the hope that sarangi, albeit dwindling, is very much here to stay if intellectuals like him come to the fore. The tagline of his recital was stay away from the obvious, as there were many elements of surprises and emotions. The concluding dadra dhun, punching other ragas and extra-fast taans, was a good skill show. Like him, gifted vocalist Supriyo Dutta too follows Kirana-Indores Amirkhani style that demands a longer stretch of time slots, super-sensitive aesthetics and corresponding accompaniments due to its introspective, peaceful nature wherein even a tiny tirkit feels like a hammer blow. Bereft of all this, he etched the outline of Bhimpalasi very quickly before lyrics-based badhat set to slow ektal. His melodious baritone vibrated in the depths of Mandra with emphasis on Karam Karo Morey Sai. An emotional repeat of the same lyrics in the middle octave was soul-stirring. His well-edited display of all the gharana features spoke highly of his competence to face any challenge with confidence. The unconventional style of Bhuvanesh Komkalis rendition of Shuddh Kalyan, aided by Ashish Sengupta (tabla), had its own charm, simply because faith in ones belief does the trick. The same simple honesty transformed a plain violin duet by Praveen Sheolikar and his daughter Chaitali Sheolikar into an extraordinary recital. Relying on Soumen Sarkars expert tabla, the ragas key phrases and their violins soothing tonality, this tradition-bound duo exhibited the emotive aspects of ragas Puria Dhanashri and Desh. The solo tabla of Kausic Sen reflected all the virtues of the style of his guru, Kumar Bose. To the accompaniment of Subrata Bhattacharya (harmonium), he played a power-packed teental that painted different bol-based aural colours. The vibrant hues of Vasant-ritu sprang from a Bhimpalasi composition in dhurpad-anga ektal of Haveli Sangeet and Paraj-Basant played on surbahar by Souravbrata Chakraborty with Parthapratim Das Jodi (larger tabla-pair).Kathak danseuse Suprabha Mukherjee began with Timiro-bidari akhilo-bihari to invoke Shri Krishnas blessings. Followed by usual pieces in teental, it ended with bhaav, based on thumri. Among other renowned talents, vocalist Bharati Pratap may like to work on the femininity of voice-throw, replacing Agras typical manly expressions. Satyaki Duttas Puriadhanashri could do better with a well-tuned sarod. Debut 2024 was about to bid adieu when Brahmananda Art and Soul Foundation, Bharuch, organised its Sangeet Manch at Birla Academy on Sunday, 29 December. We Indians are losing cherished virtues and values, V Vyas, the beacon of the Foundation, lamented. To revert this trend, he relied on performing arts and began streaming online events during lockdown. For the last four years the Foundation has organised live events all over India.One was charmed by the even tonality of the violin of maestro Kailash Patra. Lalita Gauri, as portrayed by him, arrived with a whiff of Shree; but once he established shuddh Ma, the complexion changed and the desired raagroop bloomed. He chose ektal in Gwalior, like Chadhilaya. With Rupak Bhattacharjees deft tabla, melody flowed in the vistar segment, embracing every nuanced piece gently and at its natural pace. By acknowledging every passing sam (milestone) with its due respect, he established his hold on both melody and rhythm. Interestingly, Sangeet Manch debuted in Kolkata with a sarod recital of Siddhartha Bhose, a local talent. He selected Chhayanat and etched the ragas features briefly in a melodious alap and jod. The slow teental gatkari was focused on technique. Arkadeep Das (tabla) rose to the occasion with equal calibre. A beautiful medium teental gat, adorned with a few sharp, short taans, was followed by a simpler composition showcasing faster taans that led to a long spell of jhala. Janaki Mithaiwala, the sole vocalist of the evening, sang Shyam Kalyan, showcasing her guru, Prabha Atres compositions (slow ektal, medium teental khayals and drut ektal tarana). Ably assisted by Kamalaksha Mukherjees harmonium and Nabarun Dattas tabla, she closed with a dadra. The writer is a senior music critic. 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. Advertisement 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, Bangladeshs leading daily Prothom Alo reported, citing sources at the Dhaka court. Advertisement 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 Bangladeshs 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 thats why Allah has kept me alive, she had added. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. The project of launching the first school satellite of Azerbaijani schoolchildren into space using the SpaceX rocket will be implemented this year, Director of the Space Academy under the Azerbaijan Space Agency (Azercosmos) Imran Mukhtarov said during a press conference, Trend reports. According to him, a total of 750 schoolchildren from 41 schools will participate in this project. "At the end of the year, the launch of the satellite of Azerbaijani schoolchildren into space using the SpaceX carrier rocket, and its subsequent control, will make a great contribution to schoolchildren in terms of innovations in the space field and more detailed research in this field," he added. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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 Rashids 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. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement Earlier this week, Moe Aung, Myanmars National Security Advisor and Union Minister for the State Administration Council Chairmans 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 Indias condolences directly to Min Aung Hlaing, reaffirming Indias 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 Indias ongoing efforts under Operation Brahma to provide humanitarian aid, disaster relief and medical assistance to Myanmar. The Senior General expressed his gratitude for Indias 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 Myanmars 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. AGHDARA, Azerbaijan, April 11. The great return to Azerbaijani liberated territories continues following the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev's instructions, Trend reports. Families who had previously temporarily resided in the country's various places, mainly hostels, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings, are returning to Hasanriz village in the Aghdara district. The returning residents expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support. The families also thanked the courageous Azerbaijani Army and the heroic soldiers and officers who liberated their homeland from occupation. In honoring the martyrs who sacrificed their lives, the returnees sent their deepest respects and wished strength and patience to their families. To date, around 40,000 people are residing in the Karabakh and East Zangezur regions, alongside those who were resettled, working on various ongoing projects and fulfilling official duties in local branches of state institutions. These individuals are contributing to the restoration of health, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy sectors. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Fashion giant Prada Group on Thursday announced its plans to buy Italy's Versace from US-based luxury brand Capri Holdings in a deal worth 1.25 billion (Rs. 125 crores), subject to adjustments at closing, which includes regulatory approval, according to a press release dated April 10. Prada declared that the Milan-origin brand had a highly recognisable aesthetic [that] constitutes a strongly complementary addition to the Prada Groups portfolio and displays significant untapped growth potential leveraging multiple value creation levers. The group, which owns the Prada and Miu Miu brands along with luxury footwear manufacturer Churchs, reported a 17% boost in revenues to 5.4 billion in 2024 from 4.7 billion in 2023, according to the Associated Press. Retail sales rose 18% to 4.6 billion in this period. The deal, set to be completed in the second half of 2025, is expected to redistribute the balance of power in global high-street fashion, and increase shareholder investment in the new Prada Group. The transaction will be funded by 1.5 billion of new debt, Prada explained. This bold move comes despite the ongoing trade tensions emerging out of the Trump tariffs, whose impact had dented Capri Holdings' valuation, causing it to now sell the company that they had acquired for 1.83 billion in 2018. Despite a marked difference in aesthetics, the fashion conglomerate explained that Versace would continue to maintain its creative DNA and cultural authenticity, while also benefiting from the full strength of the Groups consolidated platform. 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, said Prada Group chairman and executive director Patrizio Bertelli. Picture this: India's edtech market is likely to cross $29 billion by 2030. The market which is currently valued at 64,875 crore ($7.5 billion) is projected to grow to 2,50,850 crore ($29 billion) by 2030, according to a report by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Grant Thornton Bharat. These figures depict that despite Byju's debacle the market is expected to show resilience. By 2029, the sector is also expected to contribute 0.4 per cent to India's GDP, up from 0.1 per cent in 2020. As per the IMARC Group, the India edtech market size reached $2.8 billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach $33.2 billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 28.7 per cent during 2025-2033. As per IMARC, the ongoing shift from traditional teaching methods to digital and online learning, which enhances the learning experience, improves accessibility and offers personalised education, is driving the market in India. Many players have also, of late, re-strategised themselves to cash in on the potential growth opportunity in the market. For instance, as per reports, PhysicsWallah is aiming to expand its presence in the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) test preparation domain through strategic acquisitions, as part of its broader growth and IPO ambitions. As per reports, the company received funding rounds last year wherein it had raised $210 million from investors such as Lightspeed Venture Partners, GSV Ventures, and WestBridge Capital. All this had pushed its valuation to $2.8 billion. Similarly, Singapore's Temasek had invested $60 million in Upgrad, maintaining a $2.25 billion valuation, while founder Ronnie Screwvala had increased his stake to 45 per cent. As per Tracxn till April 2025, EdTech companies in India had raised $18.5 million in equity funding across 11 rounds. In the same period last year (i.e., till April 2024), edtech companies in India had raised $52.6 million across 40 rounds. As per the report, edtech companies such as CollegeDekho, Kraftshala, Weskill, etc., had raised funds during the initial part of 2025. As per Tracxn, LetsVenture, Accel, Blume Ventures, Kerala Startup Mission, and Peak XV Partners were some of the top investors in the education segment in the country. In the year 2025, till March 2025, 4 acquisitions happened in the edtech sector in India. Last year, in 2024, a total of four acquisitions happened in the EdTech sector in India. Interestingly as per Tracxn, the most number of edtech startups in India have been founded by alumni from IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay and IIT Kharagpur. Also, as per Tracxn, in the last 10 years, IIT Roorkee graduates' edtech companies in India have raised the most funding among top colleges. BITS Pilani alumni are second, and Harvard University alumni are third. After over nine months of leaving the COO chair vacant, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) appointed Aarthi Subramanian to take over the role. Among other major leadership appointments was the elevation of Tata Strategic Management Group (TSMG) chief executive Mangesh Sathe to TCS chief strategy officer. These announcements came at a time when the Indian IT services major deferred wage hikes for its 6 lakh-plus employees citing global business uncertainties triggered by the latest tariff tussle. While employees are now forced to bear the brunt even as they work at one of Indias top ten valued firms by mcap, TCS reported that its fiscal 2025 net profit (attributable to shareholders) jumped 4.2 per cent to 48.553 crore on an ops revenue of 2.55 lakh crore (up 6 per cent). Further good news followed, with MD and CEO K. Krithivasan stating that the IT major expects better revenue for FY 2026 despite the current challenges. We are pleased to cross the $30 billion in annual revenues and achieve a strong order book for the second consecutive quarter, beamed Krithivasan, assuring TCS to be a pillar of support for its customers in this environment of macroeconomic uncertainty. While TCS promised its customers support from uncertainties, it seems that its own employees are to be at the receiving end of US President Donald Trump levying tariffs, pausing them, and so on. Even TCS shareholders seem to be getting a piece of the pie, as the company proposed a 30 per share final dividend. The stock market, however, seems to have not been impressed, with around 40 lakh shares changing hands almost flat (under 0.5 per cent up and down) on Friday morning from Thursdays close of 3246.60 apiecemaintaining the levels it fell to on Wednesday. This was despite the BSE Sensex jumping more than 1,210 points and Nifty surging by at least 388 points in morning trade. TCS later on Thursday did update on the deferred wage hikes, stating that it would be decided later in the year. IT services attrition (LTM) for TCS stood at 13.3 per cent. The BFSI sector still accounted for a major chunk of TCS operations, with almost a third of its growth attributed to the sector. According to the company, the demand for the sector continues to be good. Tariffs are expected to impact other sectors more, like retail, auto, travel, and hospitality. After three decades in front of the camera, actress Scarlett Johansson is stepping behind the camera. Her directorial debut, Eleanor the Great, will premiere out of competition next month in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes. The cast features nonagenarian actress June Squibbwho recently played the lead in Josh Margolins film, Thelmaas the titular character, a 90-year-old woman (Squibb) who moves from Florida to New York after her best friend's demise. The rest of the cast comprises Erin Kellyman, Jessica Hecht, Rita Zohar, and Chiwetel Ejiofor, among others. Eleanor the Great has a script by Tory Kamen, who based the titular character on her late grandmother who moved from Flordia to Manhattan at age 95. In an interview with scriptmag.com, Kamen shared that despite the real-life inspiration, she didn't intend the script to feel like that of a documentary. She was 99 (at the time of passing) and had such a great, long life. That whole time since she moved to New York, she lived alone, was totally independent, and she was completely with it until the end, said Kamen of her grandmother in the same interview. For Kamen, it's the first script she ever wrote. She recalled thinking of June constantly as the right person to play Eleanor when she came up with the screenplay. "Over the six years or seven years that we tried to put this movie together, every producer I met with said, Who did you imagine in the role? And I said, June Squibb. Theyd kind of look at me and say, What about X, Y or Z? And I just said, No. June is the one that should do this. We got so lucky that she wanted to, Kamen says. I felt weirdly vindicated watching her. I was like, Oh my God, all of those executives who told me that June Squibb wasn't going to be able to do this, or couldn't do it I hope they see this. And I hope they saw Thelma. June can kind of do anything. ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 11. Turkiye's diplomacy is an example of how diplomatic efforts can help overcome the difficult challenges we all face today, said Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic as he addressed the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. He commended Turkiye's diplomatic efforts, particularly its role in fostering stronger ties between the Balkan nations and Turkiye. Reflecting on Montenegro's historical context, he reminded the audience that the country's fight against the Ottoman Empire shaped its national identity. Today, he said, the focus is on strengthening partnerships with Turkiye, leveraging cultural similarities and shared perspectives on global issues. Milatovic outlined the four pillars of Montenegro's foreign policy. "First, as a Balkan country, regional cooperation is crucial for us," he noted, emphasizing mutual trust and respect between neighboring countries as essential for peace and stability in the region. The second pillar, Milatovic explained, is Montenegro's NATO membership, which defines its geopolitical stance and ensures security amid Europe's current challenges. He underscored Montenegro's clear position on the war in Ukraine, advocating for a just peace. The third pillar is Montenegro's European Union aspirations. As one of the most advanced candidate countries, Montenegro aims to become the 28th EU member state by 2028. "It's an ambitious but realistic goal," Milatovic said, adding that the war in Ukraine has led EU capitals to recognize the importance of enlargement for European security. In closing, Milatovic expressed hope that Montenegro's progress towards EU membership could serve as a role model for other candidate countries, ultimately benefiting both the region and the EU. For five months, 26-year-old Gulem Mohamud Hersis head turned into a battlefield for his brain and its unlikely opponent, a bullet. In the end, he survived. Gulem is a resident of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia. The east African country is a victim of a turbulent civil war and prolonged humanitarian crisis. On one particular morning, Gulem was walking past a shop on a busy street in Mogadishu when a stray bullet struck him in his head. A bullet projectile measuring 3 cm in length and 1 cm in width penetrated his brain. It is suspected that the bullet was fired from a Russian-made RPK gun. He was taken to a local hospital where doctors tried to extract the bullet from the front portion of the head and failed, for it was lodged in the most critical area, near the brainstem, which connects the cerebrum with the spinal cord. The bullet was lodged almost 3 cm deep in the brain. He was in a coma for 2-3 days and lost control over bodily functions. The doctors in Somalia told us that they cannot treat him as it was a complicated case, said 44-year-old Abdiwal, uncle of Gulem. For the next few days, the distraught family members saw Gulems condition deteriorate. After some research, they pinned their hopes on the Indian medical industry and airlifted the patient to India within a month of the accident. Gulem was accompanied by his uncle and brother. The trio took an apartment for rent in Hyderabad and approached top hospitals in the city feigning helplessness due to the nature of the injury. Everyone was scared to perform surgery on him since it was very risky for the patient, said Abdiwal. The doctors at Hyderabad-based Care hospitals took up the case and performed a complex 12-hour surgery to remove the bullet. This was an extraordinarily rare case. The bullet was lodged in a highly sensitive and critical region of the brain. The surgery required utmost precision and planning. Successfully removing the projectile without compromising vital brain functions was a significant challenge, said Dr Laxminadh Sivaraju, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon of Care hospitals who led a team that performed the surgery. We had to take the risk as it would be a problem for the patient if the bullet remains in the brain. He also faced the danger of lead poisoning. We had to clean the area off the liquid metal oozing out. We used a near microscope to remove the bullet without damaging the blood vessels which could have turned fatal for the patient. Usually, bullets are stuck in the skull without damaging the brain and are removed but this is a one-of-its-kind as the bullet was near the brain cells, said Sivaraju. If the operation went south, the patient had every chance of experiencing paralysis or worse death. However, no blood transfusion was needed for Gulem who is on the path of recovery now. Even we are surprised with the remarkable recovery. Usually, patients need to be put on ventilator support after such complex surgeries. He was under observation for just 24 hours and his vitals were fine. In three days, he started recovering. Fifteen days post-surgery, Gulem has movements in his legs and hands and is undergoing physiotherapy. We are very happy and cannot wait to see him go back to what he was, said Abdiwal. Amid outrage over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, Kashmiri Pandit Sangharsh Samiti (KPSS), a group representing non-migrant Kashmiri Pandits in Kashmir, has demanded a law to protect Hindu religious sites in Jammu and Kashmir. The group has warned it will approach the Supreme Court if the government fails to act. KPSS criticised the selective outrage in the state assembly over the Waqf (Amendment) Act, which led to the disruption of the last three days of the budget session. #WATCH | Lucknow, UP | On Waqf (Amendment) Act, Chairman of the JPC of Waqf (Amendment) Bill and BJP MP Jagdambika Pal says, "It has become the law of the land and will be implemented in the country. But the way the copy of the Bill was torn in Jammu and Kashmir and today, people pic.twitter.com/qoH2xWH7AN ANI (@ANI) April 8, 2025 KPSS president Sanjay Tickoo said the same lawmakers have remained silent for over three decades while hundreds of temples were encroached upon, vandalised or sold using fake documents. He said since the 1990s, when thousands of Kashmiri Pandits left Kashmir, the communitys temples and religious lands have faced widespread encroachment. KPSS accused officials and local leaders of ignoring complaints and allowing illegal takeovers to continue. Over 1,000 Hindu temples and their properties are currently under threat or already lost, Tickoo said. He said this silence is not just unjust but also unconstitutional. Articles 14, 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution guarantee equality, religious freedom, and the right to manage religious institutions. Yet, Pandits have been denied these basic protections, he said. KPSS is calling for a 'Temples and Shrines Protection, Preservation and Restoration Bill' to be introduced in Parliament and the J&K Assembly. Tickoo said he proposed the law should focus on restoring temples and lands taken or damaged after 1 January 1989, just before the mass exodus. KPSS demands that all religious trusts managing Hindu temples be brought under legal oversight to ensure transparency and accountability. KPSS reminded the government that states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka already have strong temple protection laws. J&K, despite facing some of the worst cases of religious vandalism, still has no such law. The time for silence is over, Tikcoo said. Our temples are not just buildings they are part of our identity. Until they are restored and protected, we will not stop. Its official! The BJP and AIADMK on Friday joined hands ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly election. Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared that both parties will fight under the leadership of AIADMK chief Edappadi K. Palaniswami for the upcoming election. Live from press conference in Chennai. https://t.co/a2tkfcE0Bo Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 11, 2025 While announcing the poll alliance, Shah said that it would be Narendra Modi's leadership at the Centre and Palaniswami at the state level. Also read | PMK split looming? S Ramadoss overthrows son Anbuman from party president post The Tamil Nadu BJP has received a nomination for the post of state president only from Shri @NainarBJP Ji. As the President of the Tamil Nadu BJP unit, Shri @annamalai_k Ji has made commendable accomplishments. Whether it is carrying the policies of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji to Amit Shah (@AmitShah) April 11, 2025 "We will form a government together led by Edappadi Palaniswami," he said. The seats and the distribution of ministries after the government is formed would be decided later, said Shah. Also read | BJP's big Tamil Nadu push: Will Amit Shah stitch an alliance of split AIADMK? BJP has elected Nainar Nagendran as the president of the Tamil Nadu unit. Nagendran will take over as the 13th president of the Tamil Nadu BJP succeeding K. Annamalai. Notably, Nagendran was the only contender in the race. With Nagendran's caste, region and background with the AIADMK, he is likely to act as a catalyst for the BJP-AIADMK alliance. Also read | Will Annamalai be inducted into Modi cabinet? Meanwhile, Annamalai, who is all set for a national role, was praised by Shah for his "commendable accomplishments" for the party. "The BJP will leverage Annamalai Ji's organisational skills in the party's national framework," Shah said in a social media post. Also read | Tamil Nadu: Annamalai likely to step down as BJP-AIADMK alliance talks gain steam Nagendran's name was proposed by Annamalai, Union Minister L. Murugan, former Union Minister Pon Radhakrishnan, and BJP legislator and Mahila Morcha President Vanathi Srinivasan. He is currently the state vice president. Shah at the press conference on Friday said that AIADMK had no conditions and demands and will not interfere in the internal matters of the AIADMK. AIADMK walked out of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in 2023. The AIADMK had accused then Annamalai of deliberately defaming its present and past leaders including former chief minister J. Jayalalithaa. The contentious Caste Census report was tabled before the Karnataka cabinet on Friday amid opposition from within the ruling Congress. The report tabled by the state Backward Classes Commission will be discussed at a special cabinet meeting to be convened on April 17. The Caste Census report and its recommendations have been tabled and the ministers have sought time to study the report, said Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who, during his recent visit to Delhi reportedly held discussions with Congress leader and Leader of the opposition in Parliament Rahul Gandhi, who has been pushing for a nationwide caste census. Rahul Gandhi, by endorsing the slogan 'Jitni abadi utna haq' (Rights proportionate to the population), has called for greater representation of Other Backward Classes (OBCs) based on their population, besides the SC and ST communities. Taking a cue from the party leadership, the Congress-ruled states Telangana and now Karnataka have tabled the surveys. In Karnataka, a state politically dominated by Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities, many have been opposing the survey citing flaws in enumeration and lack of reliable data in the absence of a national Census (after 2011). Siddaramaiah, who holds sway over the Ahinda (minorities, backward classes and Dalit) voters is being accused of playing a political game through the survey, to consolidate his votebank at the expense of the dominant communities. In 2015, during Siddaramaiahs first stint as the chief minister (2013-2018), he commissioned a study of the socio-economic and educational status of the various social groups which was referred to as the caste survey. Accordingly, the Karnataka State Commission for Backward Classes (H Kantharaju Commission) prepared a report spending 169 crore. While the report was ready by 2016, it was put in cold storage by subsequent governments fearing a backlash from politically dominant and numerically strong communities the Vokkaliga and Lingayat. Again in 2020, the BJP government appointed Jayaprakash Hegde as the Commission chief but the report was not made public. Hegde submitted the final report to the Siddaramaiah government on February 29, 2024, where he recommended reservation in education and public employment and targeted intervention to empower the backward communities. The Vokkaligara Sangha and the All India Veerashaiva Mahasabha, which represent the Vokkaligas and Lingayats, the two dominant caste groups in the state are opposed to the caste census as they suspect the survey has undercounted their population. The two communities believed to be numerically strong (Lingayat - 17 per cent of total population and Vokkaliga - 12 per cent) have been wielding immense political power. At least 16 of the 23 chief ministers of Karnataka belong to these two caste groups. The community leaders cutting across party lines feel that the census, by undercounting their numbers, might curtail their political representation both within and outside the party. Also, the opposition parties have dubbed the report as incomplete, redundant and unscientific stating no door-to-door survey was carried out in many districts and also that there was lack of clarity over the actual status of some Lingayat subsects, SC and ST castes. Siddaramaiah, who is entangled in a power tussle with KPCC chief and deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar, is also facing multiple allegations of corruption. The timing of the survey being made public despite strong opposition from the Vokkaliga and Lingayat ministers is also intriguing. Shivakumar, a Vokkaliga leader has given an ultimatum to the party leadership to remove Siddaramaiah from the CMs and anoint him his successor by October this year, as per the secret power-sharing pact. The survey which has allegedly projected the Ahinda communities as numerically stronger than the rest, is bound to put an end to the political dominance of Vokkaliga and Lingayat communities. Soon after the cabinet meeting, the Lingayat and Vokkaliga ministers remained elusive and told reporters that they would examine the report before making any statements. According to the 2015 caste census tabled in the cabinet, the population of SC communities is 1.08 crore, ST 40.45 lakh, Muslim 70 lakh, Lingayat 65 lakh, Vokkaliga 60 lakh, Kuruba 45 lakh, OBC 91 lakh, and Brahmin 14 lakh. The state Vokkaliga and Lingayat Associations have registered protest and warned ministers from their communities of a massive agitation if the report is approved in the state cabinet. Opposition BJP alleged that Siddaramaiah was trying to divert the attention of people from the scams by tabling the controversial report. Strong dust storms and heavy rain hit the national capital on Friday evening causing chaos and havoc in several parts of the Delhi-NCR region. Over three people were injured, while 15 flights were diverted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in the wake of the heavy storm. Delhi NCR is under a heavy dust storm! Visuals from Gurgaon very intense dust storm hits Gurugram. Stay safe everyone! pic.twitter.com/IqGVen4kLb The Curious Quill (@PleasingRj) April 11, 2025 "Due to inclement weather conditions in Delhi...flights at Delhi Airport are impacted. Passengers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight updates," airport operator DIAL said in a social media post. #WATCH | Delhi: Traffic movement is affected in the ITO area after an electric pole fell. The National Capital experienced dust storms earlier this evening after a sudden change in the weather. pic.twitter.com/6xmyyG3gRr ANI (@ANI) April 11, 2025 India Meteorological Department Delhi issued a red alert for all districts. VIDEO | Here's what Addl. DCP East Vineet Kumar said on construction material falling on people from the roof of a house in Delhi's Chander Vihar area following a dust storm. "Around 7 pm, we received a call informing us about the collapse. Upon reaching the spot, we found that pic.twitter.com/ZET6yoCBAe Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 11, 2025 Noida, Ghaziabad in Uttar Pradesh along with Haryana's Gurugram also witnessed a dust storm on Friday evening. Trees were uprooted in several areas in Delhi. Civic bodies have received more than 20 calls on uprooted trees in several parts, including Feroz Shah Road, Ashoka Road, Mandi House, and Connaught Place, and it led to traffic congestion. Traffic movement was also affected in the ITO area of Delhi after an electric post fell amid the sudden dust storm. At Palam, the temperature dropped by 10 degrees Celsius and at Safdarjung weather station, the mercury dipped by 7 degrees Celsius due to the dust storm. The DFS received a call informing about the incident at 7.27 pm and dispatched three teams to the spot. "Some bricks fell from the roof of a house where construction work was going on, leaving at least three persons injured. They are being treated at a nearby hospital," PTI quoted a DFS officer. The maximum temperature was recorded at 35.8 degrees Celsius, 0.3 notches below normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 22.8 degrees Celsius, 1.8 notches above normal, according to the Met Office. Humidity levels ranged between 69 and 61 per cent. The National Investigation Agency was granted 18-day custody of Tahawwur Rana, a key conspirator of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks during the early hours of Friday. Rana, who has been lodged in the national agencys headquarters in Delhi, was extradited from the US on Tuesday. A special plane with Rana onboard landed at Indira Gandhi International Airport on Thursday night and investigators here formally arrested the terror mastermind immediately after his arrival. Rana was produced before the special court for hearing NIA cases and special judge Chander Jit Singh, granting NIAs request, sent him to 18-day custody. The national agency had sought 20-day custody of Rana. A senior counsel from Delhi Legal Services Authority, Piyush Sachdeva represented Rana in court. The lawyer said there shouldnt be public outrage against him as they were only doing their duty. Rana, a key conspirator of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack helped David Coleman Headley, the mastermind of the attacks to get an India visa and conduct a recce of targets. A senior police officer from Mumbai who is familiar with the probe said Rana, who was working as a doctor with the Pakistan Army, emigrated to Canada in the late 1990s and started an immigration consultancy firm. He later started an office in Chicago and gave cover to Headley to carry out reconnaissance mission in Mumbai prior to the November 2008 attacks. Rana also helped Headley to get a ten-year visa extension, the senior officer said. 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. Rana was also in touch with `Major Iqbal', another co-conspirator of the attacks during this period, as per the NIA charge sheet. According to the charge-sheet filed by Mumbai police against Rana in 2023, Rana had stayed in a hotel in Powai, and had a discussion about crowded places in South Mumbai with a witness in the case. Some of these locations were targeted during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack. According to police, Headley had scouted the Taj Mahal and Oberoi hotels, Leopold Cafe, Chabad House and Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus ahead of the attacks. The United States department of justice has released images of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks conspirator Tahawwur Ranas extradition on Friday, which the US termed a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks. In a statement, the department of justice said Rana was extradited from the US on Wednesday (local time) and he is facing charges for conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery in India. On April 9, the US Marshals Service executed the Secretarys surrender warrant by surrendering Rana to Indian authorities for transportation to India. Ranas extradition is now complete, the department said in a statement. US Marshals in the Central District of California transferring custody of Tahawwur Rana to Indian representatives | US justice department Earlier on Friday, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce, responding to a question on the extradition, said, The United States has long supported India's efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice, and as President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism. He is in their possession, and we are very proud of that dynamic, ANI reported. As per the statement, Rana allegedly told David Coleman Headley, the mastermind of 26/11 Mumbai attacks that India deserved the attacks. After the attacks were complete, Rana allegedly told Headley that the Indians deserved it. In an intercepted conversation with Headley, Rana allegedly commended the nine LeT terrorists who had been killed committing the attacks, saying that [t]hey should be given Nishan-e-HaiderPakistans highest award for gallantry in battle, which is reserved for fallen soldiers, it said. Rana landed in Delhi on Thursday and a NIA special court in Delhi granted the agency 18-day custody of the terror conspirator. He is currently lodged in a special cell at the agencys headquarters in Delhi. There is evidence of 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks conspirator Tahawwur Rana visiting Kochi as well. However, his motive is yet to be ascertained, said Loknath Behera, former National Investigation Agency officer who interrogated terror strike mastermind David Coleman Headley in the United States as part of the probe over a decade ago. Behera said the extradition of Rana from the US was a significant step in the probe and sleuths will be able to uncover conspiracy beyond the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. The former Kerala police chief said, I am personally very happy that Rana has finally been extradited, even after 14 years of being charge-sheeted by the NIA. He was charge-sheeted in absentia in 2011 in Delhi," PTI reported. #WATCH | Kochi: On 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India, former Kerala DGP Loknath Behera says, "It is a very important day for India because we could succeed in extraditing Tahawwur Hussain Rana, one of the chargesheeted accused persons who was pic.twitter.com/gBujFInCTW ANI (@ANI) April 10, 2025 The former NIA officer said they had evidence of Rana visiting Kochi. We don't know what his intentions were, and now we can find that out," Behera said. The retired police officer who had interrogated Headley said Rana was very close to the former and investigation could reveal the larger conspiracy behind the attacks, the role of funders and other unknown actors behind the attacks. Rana's role, as we understand during the investigation, was that he was a facilitator for Headley. But, we also suspected that he might have played a bigger role in this entire attack, maybe he knew more people who were behind this attack and who have actually not been detected so far. He might also be actually able to say who were the handlers. This is very important and this could not be found out during the investigation because we could not get access to Rana to examine him and know things. So, this extradition will come handy, Behera told ANI. NIA formally arrested Rana on Thursday, after he landed in India in a special military aircraft. The NIA special court in Delhis Patiala House granted the agency 18 days of custody of Rana. He is currently lodged in a cell at the NIAs headquarters in Delhi. Telangana government wants to digitise every home and office in the state. In tune with this vision, Telangana IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu announced universal access to high-speed internet across all 33 districts of the state. The connectivity push comes under the Telangana Fiber Grid (T-Fiber) initiative which is now being rebranded as T-NxT. The announcement was made at the recent inauguration of T-Fibers new corporate office in Hyderabad. I'm thrilled to introduce T-NXT, a next-generation portfolio of services designed to elevate digital governance and innovative service delivery. T-Fibers new portfolio of services under the new brand name of T-NXT is a Leap Towards Transformative Governance in the State. This pic.twitter.com/hbQgCifV7c Sridhar Babu Duddilla (@OffDSB) April 10, 2025 "T-NXT offers a wide range of cutting-edge services, including Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), Native Cloud DC & DR as a Service, Security Operations Center (SoC), Application Development in AI, AI Consulting Services, Integrated Digital Ads & App Management, and Vulnerability Assessment & Penetration Testing (VAPT). With T-NXT, we're not just connecting wires we're connecting people, ideas, and opportunities, making Telangana a leading hub for digital transformation," Sridhar Babu had said on X. Backed by local cable operators, the plan aims to ensure last-mile connectivity, including access to television channels. The minister said that with Smart TV integration, students in remote corners of the state can convert TV sets into computer monitors and tap into digital learning resources. The cost of the high-speed internet connection depends on the package chosen. T-Fiber has already connected 8,891 Gram Panchayats across 424 mandals, and an additional 7,187 Panchayats are ready to be integrated. In 2024 alone, we connected 30,000 government offices. By 2027, we aim to expand the number to 60,000 offices across the state, Sridhar Babu said. As part of the event, nine MoUs were signed with industry partners to accelerate deployment. The Minister also launched Telanganas sovereign cloud platforma secure data ecosystem to host sensitive government information within the state. He also unveiled T-Fibers new logo and Vision Document outlining the next phase of digital expansion. This is more than laying cables. We are connecting people, their ideas, and the opportunities that can transform their lives, Sridhar Babu said. Iran has scored 157 out of 180 in the nuclear threat level, which puts the Islamic Republic in the"extreme danger" level, according to a think tank report. The report cites several factors, including Irans increased nuclear capabilities, shorter timelines to develop nuclear weapons and growing internal discussions about weaponisation. According to the new report by the US-based Institute for Science and International Security (ISIS), Iran's nuclear programme has reached a new danger level since last year, when the score was 151. "Since February 2024, the date of the last edition of the Geiger Counter, the threat posed by Irans nuclear programme has worsened significantly, it added. The Geiger Counter is an assessment tool used by ISIS to measure the threat posed by Iran to the United States and its allies. Iran could be making thousands of centrifuges outside the monitoring of the IAEA, and the deployments at declared enrichment sites hint at this. The country could also be building or laying a secret enrichment plant, the report added. "As uncertainty grows, this or a black swan event could occur," he said. Other factors that contributed to the increase in the threat level include Tehran's non-cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East. "The volatile security situation is now combined with the perception, if not the reality, that Iran is preparing to build nuclear weapons," the report added. Another factor that drove up Iran's points is the public statements made by Iranian officials, which indicate an extreme level of hostility towards the United States and its allies. IRGC commander-in-chiefs senior advisor Ebrahim Jabbari threatened that "the Operation True Promise 3 (the third round of attacks on Israel from Iran)' will be carried out appropriately and at the right time, has added to the threat level. The report also stressed Iran's alleged deception of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and violation of its safeguards agreement and JCPOA monitoring agreements. About sensitive nuclear capabilities, Iran has not only increased its stocks of enriched uranium and ramped up its enrichment capacity, but also focused on increasing its capability to produce weapon-grade uranium at the underground Fordow enrichment plant. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. The trade transactions between Azerbaijan and Serbia hit the ground running, racking up a total of $47.9 million from January through February 2025. The data obtained by Trend from the Azerbaijani State Customs Committee indicates this figure's year-on-year growth by $43.2 million (10.2 times). In the specified reporting interval, the trade volume with Serbia constituted 0.54 percent of the aggregate trade turnover of Azerbaijan. The export metrics from Azerbaijan to Serbia reached a valuation of $46.5 million in the initial bi-monthly phase of this fiscal year, reflecting an increase of $43.9 million, which translates to a growth rate of 17.9 percent relative to the corresponding timeframe of the previous year. In the interim, Azerbaijan executed import operations totaling $1.4 million from Serbia within the specified reporting timeframe, reflecting a year-over-year escalation of $1.1 million, equivalent to a 50.3 percent uptick. The volume of foreign trade turnover of Azerbaijan amounted to $8.9 billion in the period from January through February of the current year, which is $1.7 billion, or 23.2 percent, more than in the same period last year. In the reporting period, $4.8 billion of the trade turnover falls on the share of exports and $4.1 billion on the share of imports, which is $13 million, or 0.3 percent less, and $1.7 billion, or 69.2 percent more, respectively, in annual terms. During the designated reporting interval, the foreign trade surplus registered at $628 million, reflecting a decrement of $1.7 billion, equating to a contraction of 3.7 times relative to the preceding fiscal year. Israel, on Thursday, dismissed Air Force reservists who published a letter calling for an end to the war in Gaza and a deal with Hamas to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza. The letter, signed by approximately 1,000 active reservists and prominent former military figures, was published in major Israeli newspapers on April 10. The letter shows growing discontent within Israel over the Netanyahu governments handling of the 18-month-long war with Hamas and the failure to bring the hostages home. The letter, which did not explicitly ask to stop serving, said the war was no longer protecting Israels security interests, but only the political and personal agendas of politicians. Signatories, including pilots, aircrew and former senior officers like ex-IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz and Major General Nimrod Sheffer, pointed out that continuing the conflict put in danger the wellbeing of the hostages, soldiers and civilians even as it failed to advance military goals. They urged the government to prioritise negotiations with Hamas, and highlighted the dire situation of the hostagesonly 24 of the 59 remain alive. The IDFs response to the letter was harsh. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and Air Force Commander Major General Tomer Bar ordered the dismissal of all active reservists who signed the letter, stating that it was unacceptable for serving personnel to publicly question the militarys mission. The military clarified that only 60 of the signatories were active reservists, with a small number being pilots and most serving in headquarters roles. The remaining 900 were retirees or unknown to the military. Approximately 40 reservists withdrew their signatures after discussions with the IDF before the letters publication. The latest crackdown follows the earlier dismissal of reservist navigator Alon Gur, who was permanently discharged after posting on social media that Israel was abandoning its citizens and prioritising political interests. Gurs statement came on the day Israel abandoned the truce with Hamas early last month. The renewed military campaign has led to public protests and confusion among reservists who face personal and financial strain from repeated call-ups. A recent poll by Israels Channel 12 indicated that nearly 70 per cent of Israelis support ending the war to secure the hostages release. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right coalition partners, including Defence Minister Israel Katz and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, criticised the letter. Netanyahu called the signatories an extreme fringe group attempting to fracture Israeli society, equating their actions to refusal to serve. Smotrich called the signatories refuseniks and warned against growing dissent within the IDF ranks. The governments strong reaction appears to be aimed at preventing a repeat of 2023, when reservists threatened to boycott service during protests against Netanyahus controversial plan to overhaul the judicial system. There is already widespread criticism against the Air Force for its role in the war, as its strikes have caused massive destruction of infrastructure and civilian deaths. The Netanyahu government, however, maintains that the attacks only target Hamas and it is being done to secure the release of hostages. The latest dismissals point to a growing divide within Israels military and society. Senior officers have previously advocated for ceasefires behind closed doors to secure hostage releases and relieve exhausted troops. Netanyahus critics accuse him of prolonging the war to keep his far right coalition intact and stay on in power. Meanwhile, the hostages plight remains a rallying point for dissent, putting the administration on the defensive. The IDFs move to silence reservist dissent risks further alienating a military reliant on reserve forces while failing to address the underlying causes. French President Emmanuel Macron said his country was prepared to recognise the Palestinian state soon, and could formalise the decision at a United Nations conference in New York in June. The conference, to be co-chaired with Saudi Arabia, aims to advance a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. France has historically refrained from unilaterally recognising Palestine, arguing that it should happen following a broader peace process. What must have prompted Macron to alter the course is perhaps Israels unilateral decision to abandon the ceasefire with Hamas and resume its armed operations in Gaza. Macron framed recognition as a matter of justice and regional stability while speaking to France 5 television after a visit to Egypt, where he inspected a hospital near the Gaza border treating Palestinians. "We must take the path of recognition," he said, stressing that the decision would not be driven by appeasement but by a commitment to fairness. He envisions a "collective dynamic" wherein mutual recognitionPalestinian statehood by some nations and Israeli statehood by otherscould foster peace. He said such a step would strengthen the French stance against actors like Iran, which deny Israel's right to exist while promoting collective security in the Middle East. France also has another interest in promoting peace between Israel and its neighbours as the country is home to Europe's largest Jewish and Muslim minorities. Macron also knows that Israel has a substantial French-speaking population with strong ties to France, amplifying the issue's domestic resonance for the French president. Macron's announcement follows 18 months of devastating conflict in Gaza, sparked by Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the taking of 250 hostages. Israeli retaliation has so far caused over 50,000 deaths in Gaza and also a major humanitarian crisis with suspended food and aid deliveries, which has galvanised global calls for Palestinian statehood. Macrons move has come as a major morale booster for the Palestinian Authority which called the latest initiative a major step towards safeguarding Palestinian rights and promoting the two-state solution. Israel has obviously been critical, with Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar saying that Macron was rewarding terrorism and strengthening Hamas, diminishing the chance for peace. The French Jewish umbrella group Crif echoed this sentiment, calling it "an unacceptable political victory" for Hamas while Israeli hostages remain in captivity. Israel maintains that such recognitions are premature without direct negotiations, a stance shared by major western powers like the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and Australia, which have withheld recognition despite growing international support. In 2024, countries including Spain, Ireland, Norway and Slovenia recognised Palestine, prompting Israeli backlash. Macron's latest diplomacy initiative also shows his opposition to displacement or annexation in Gaza and the West Bank. During his Egypt trip, he held extensive talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Jordans King Abdullah II about the likelihood of forced expulsion of Palestinians. He explicitly rejected the proposal by President Donald Trump to transform Gaza into a Riviera of the Middle East by relocating Palestinians, calling it simplistic and unfeasible without a political framework. "No one will invest a cent in Gaza" without peace, Macron said, emphasising the need to save lives and restore stability. Meanwhile, an intriguing alignment has emerged between Israel and Frances far-right National Rally (RN) party of Marine Le Pen. In a historic first, RN leader Jordan Bardella visited Israel late last month to attend a government-organised conference on antisemitism, a stark departure from the RNs antisemitic roots under its predecessor, the National Front, founded by Marines father Jean-Marie Le Pen. Bardellas efforts to rebrand the RN as a mainstream force include distancing it from its xenophobic past and aligning with Israel against what he terms Islamist ideology. This shift mirrors a broader trend where European far-right parties, once shunned by Israel, find common cause with Israels right-wing government. Dealing with the far right is not something new for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as his existing ruling coalition includes figures like Itamar Ben Gvir, who was once rejected by the military and had a conviction for supporting a terror organisation. The prime minister's far right cabinet allies want to promote ties with far right parties across the world, especially in Europe, considering them as allies against shared adversaries, despite their antisemitic background. For Macron, navigating these complex dynamics, which includes balancing Palestinian recognition with domestic and international pressures, is unlikely to be an easy task as France treads carefully in pursuit of peace. A United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based Indian national, Jugwinder Singh, has been sanctioned by the US Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control, claiming many vessels owned by the shipping tycoon operated as Irans "shadow fleet." The US statement said two UAE and India-based entities that own and operate Brar's vessels that transport Iranian oil have also been sanctioned. According to the statement, Brars vessels engaged in "high-risk ship-to-ship (STS) transfers of Iranian petroleum in waters off Iraq, Iran, the UAE, and the Gulf of Oman." These cargoes were then taken to other facilitators who blended the oil or fuel with products from other countries. Thereby, they could falsify shipping documents to conceal links to Iran. This way, the oil could reach the international market. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the Iranian regime relied on its network of unscrupulous shippers and brokers like Brar and his companies to sell oil and thereby fund its "destabilising activities." Brar is the owner and director of UAE-based companies Prime Tankers LLC (Prime Tankers) and Glory International FZ-LLC (Glory International). He owns, operates or manages over 30 petroleum tankers, the majority of which are Handysize tankers that stick to coastal waters and carry a fraction of the cargo of larger tankers. These small ships were used to load Iranian oil from other "shadow fleet" or to load fuel smuggled from other fishing vessels. The process is a long one as it involves numerous transfers to fill a single tanker. Brar is also said to have sought the help of Houthi financial official Said al-Jamals illicit shipping associates to evade sanctions, especially on the use of smaller vessels to hide Iranian oil smuggling in and around the Persian Gulf and Khor al Zubair, Iraq. The US claimed that Brar's company managed the vessel 'NADIYA' which smuggled oil on the behelf of Iranian military. Brars smaller vessels also disabled the Automatic Identification System (AIS) or manipulated data to appear elsewhere. His vessels carried out the ship-t-ship transfers in the waters off Iraqs Khor Al Zubair and Umm Qasr ports, and near Iran, the UAE, and the Gulf of Oman. According to the US, Brar engaged in this activity for his profit because of its availability at lower prices due to the sanctions risks. Many of Brars vessels have also made frequent port calls at oil and gas terminals in India. China's 125 per cent tariff hike on US goods will come into effect on Saturday. Beijing hiked tariffs on US goods from 84 per cent a day after the Donald Trump administration decided to pause tariffs for 90 days in many countries. Amid the ongoing trade wars, Trump has imposed a 145 tariff on China. "The US imposition of abnormally high tariffs on China seriously violates international and economic trade rules, basis economic laws and common sense and is completely unilateral bullying and coercion," China's finance ministry said in a statement. The finance ministry announced that the revised tariffs on US goods will come into effect from Saturday. China has urged the US to correct its "wrongful" practices by eliminating the so-called 'reciprocal tariffs'. China's mission to the World Trade Organisation said on Friday that it has filed an additional complaint with the trade body against the US tariffs. Meanwhile, the executive director of the International Trade Centre, Pamela Coke Hamilton, stated that the tariff war between the US and China could have a devastating impact on developing countries. "It is huge. If this escalation between China and the US continues it will result in an 80 per cent reduction in trade between the countries, and the ripple effect of that across the board can be catastrophic," she said. The impact of the hike in tariffs could have a more harmful impact than the removal of foreign aid, Coke-Hamilton said. The International Trade Centre also estimated that global trade could shrink 3-7 per cent, and the global GDP could slide 0.7 per cent, with developing countries being the worst affected. After Trump's imposition of tariffs, developing countries are already facing an economic meltdown. Sri Lankan economy and Bangladesh are facing economic losses of billions. A tariff of 37 per cent was imposed on Bangladesh, while 44 per cent on Sri Lanka. The US is Sri Lanka's largest single market, accounting for almost a quarter of its $12 billion in merchandise exports. More than 75 countries have appealed to the US to negotiate more favourable deals after the tariff announcements as per President Trump. The head of a US military base in Greenland was fired on April 10, following an email she sent reportedly distancing herself from US Vice President JD Vance's criticism of Denmark. Colonel Susannah Meyers of the US military's Space Operations Command was stripped of her duties at the Pituffik Space Base due to a loss of confidence in her ability to lead. This follows Vance's criticising Denmark for doing a poor job in keeping Greenland safe from Russia, China and other nations, as per a Reuters report. He suggested that the United States was better off protecting the semi-autonomous Danish territory that President Donald Trump had considered taking over. He added that the US had no immediate plans to expand its military presence on the ground, but would invest in maritime resources, such as additional naval ships. "Denmark has not kept pace and devoted the resources necessary to keep this base, to keep our troops, and in my view, to keep the people of Greenland safe from a lot of very aggressive incursions from Russia, from China and other nations," Vance said. However, he did not elaborate much on the alleged incursions. Col. Meyers' alleged email, released by Military.com (an independent military news site), had instructed her staff that Vance's comments were not reflective of the base. "I do not presume to understand current politics, but what I do know is the concerns of the US administration discussed by Vice-President Vance on Friday are not reflective of Pituffik Space Base," the alleged email read. According to the New York Times, this was cited in an X post by Sean Parnell, the chief spokesman for the Pentagon, who criticised her refusal to comply with orders from the US leadership, warning that insubordination would not be tolerated. Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense. https://t.co/ITFeGw0kUf pic.twitter.com/MO68aje1X2 Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellATSD) April 11, 2025 Since the US delegation's visit, both Greenland and Denmark have shown a united front, opposing any possible annexations of the autonomous Danish territory. Earlier this month, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen's official visit saw her stand side-by-side with her Greenlandic counterpart Jens-Frederik Nielsen and his predecessor, Mute Egede. Despite the unified front, Frederiksen had also added that Denmark was fortifying its military presence in the Arctic, offering possibilities for closer collaboration with the US in defending the region. An atmosphere of chaos and uncertainty has clouded the world as President Donald Trump has been making sweeping decisions most nonchalantly. The looming trade war is bound to impact the art world just as it is alarming and causing chaos in other industries and sectors. While art has not been part of the list yet, gallerists, artists and collectors have all been in a state of panic. Questions are being raised on the possible impact on the shipment of purchased artworks or the return of works being displayed at recent fairs and exhibitions. Earlier this week the annual Art Basel and UBSGlobal Art Market Report for 2024 was published. A decline of 12% in global sales and a drastic 36% decline in contemporary art sales were reported by auction houses. The lowest in six years. The bewildering tariffs make me wonder how the global art world will thrive in such uncertain times. Prior to these cascading trade losses, Hong Kong hosted the celebrated Art Basel last month on the 28th and 30th of March. In a spirit of inclusivity and cultural dynamism, the fair welcomed over 240 galleries and 91,000 visitors. India was one of the 42 countries present with five galleries partaking in the fair. I have always been an admirer of artists who bring together age-old craft practices with a contemporary flair. The ability to seamlessly bridge the old and new is not one many can master. But Anant Art Gallerys booth, which features Aisha Khalids solo exhibition, is a testament that she has achieved this skill. A neo-miniaturist, Aishas works celebrate the intricacies of miniature painting and the ateliers of the Mughal era as she adds her own creative expression to this celebrated art form. Aisha Khalid in her home in Lahore, February 2025. Photography by Osama Doger for Art Basel Alisan Fine Arts, Tradition Transformed, for Art Basel Hong Kong Similarly, the booth at Alisan Fine Art explores how artists have reinvented traditional Chinese ink painting in the last seven decades. Displaying the works of eighteen artists across three generations, the exhibition, Tradition Transformed, shows the power of creativity and innovation in keeping age-old traditional art relevant even today. Over the years, art fairs have become not only platforms for selling art but are also international melting pots for meeting like-minded people, exchanging ideas and viewpoints, collaborating and celebrating cultural unity in diversity. But the costs involved in partaking in fairs are not cheap and for avant-garde galleries, this may not be feasible. President Trumps tariff levying game by whim and fancy may just threaten the partaking ones with costs of shipping and the movement of artworks being in jeopardy. While the world awaits with bated breath what President Trump decides to do next, his lack of appreciation, interest and inclusive approach to the arts is a growing concern. The most recent one was the decision to eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services in the United States as well as the withdrawal of over 1,200 cultural grants. In an attempt to push back, the largest union of museum and library professionals in the States, which includes over 42,000 cultural workers, have filed a lawsuit against the White House. Museums and libraries are storehouses of knowledge, repositories of history and heritage bringing communities together. Would contemporary artists be able to draw inspiration from traditional mediums and art practices if leaders and patrons back then did not invest in or see the importance of the arts? Perhaps President Trump is not aware of the repercussions of a nation without culture, art and history. What would the identity of a country be without its heritage? How does an individual explore the sensitive, finer and genteel aspects of ones personality? In a nation such as the United States where loneliness is a growing epidemic, the art sector has the power to build communities, integrating people to feel less alone. Art is an antidote to depression, the current malaise of the world. A countrys leaders are some of the most important stakeholders in shaping the cultural fabric of the nation as well as contributing to the cultural tapestry globally. But who is to tell Trump this? New York, Apr 11 (AP) Long-threatened tariffs from US President Donald Trump have plunged the country into trade wars abroad all while on-again, off-again new levies continue to escalate uncertainty. Trump is no stranger to tariffs. He launched a trade war during his first term, taking particular aim at China by putting taxes on most of its goods. Beijing responded with its own retaliatory tariffs on US products ranging from fruit to automotive imports. Meanwhile, Trump also used the threat of more tariffs to force Canada and Mexico to renegotiate a North American trade pact, called the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, in 2020. When President Joe Biden took office, he preserved most of the tariffs Trump previously enacted against China, in addition to imposing some new restrictions but his administration claimed to take a more targeted approach. Fast-forward to today, and economists stress there could be greater consequences on businesses and economies worldwide under Trump's more sweeping tariffs this time around and that higher prices will likely leave consumers footing the bill. There's also been a sense of whiplash from Trump's back-and-forth tariff threats and responding retaliation seen over the last few months. Here's a timeline of how we got here: January 20 Trump is sworn into office. In his inaugural address, he again promises to tariff and tax foreign countries to enrich our citizens". And he reiterates plans to create an agency called the External Revenue Service, which has yet to be established. On his first day in office, Trump also says he expects to put 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico starting on February 1, while declining to immediately flesh out plans for taxing Chinese imports. January 26 Trump threatens 25 per cent tariffs on all Colombia imports and other retaliatory measures after President Gustavo Petro's rejects two US military aircraft carrying migrants to the country, accusing Trump of not treating immigrants with dignity during deportation. In response, Petro also announces a retaliatory 25 per cent increase in Colombian tariffs on US goods. But Colombia later reversed its decision and accepted the flights carrying migrants. The two countries soon signalled a halt in the trade dispute. February 1 Trump signs an executive order to impose tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada and China 10 per cent on all imports from China and 25 per cent on imports from Mexico and Canada starting February 4. Trump invoked this power by declaring a national emergency ostensibly over undocumented immigration and drug trafficking. The action prompts swift outrage from all three countries, with promises of retaliatory measures. February 3 Trump agrees to a 30-day pause on his tariff threats against Mexico and Canada, as both trading partners take steps to appease Trump's concerns about border security and drug trafficking. February 4 Trump's new 10 per cent tariffs on all Chinese imports to the US still go into effect. China retaliates the same day by announcing a flurry of countermeasures, including sweeping new duties on a variety of American goods and an anti-monopoly investigation into Google. China's 15 per cent tariffs on coal and liquefied natural gas products, and a 10 per cent levy on crude oil, agricultural machinery and large-engine cars imported from the US, take effect February 10. February 10 Trump announces plans to hike steel and aluminum tariffs starting March 12. He removes the exemptions from his 2018 tariffs on steel, meaning that all steel imports will be taxed at a minimum of 25 per cent, and also raises his 2018 aluminum tariffs from 10 per cent to 25 per cent. February 13 Trump announces a plan for reciprocal tariffs promising to increase US tariffs to match the tax rates that other countries charge on imports for purposes of fairness. Economists warn that the reciprocal tariffs, set to overturn decades of trade policy, could create chaos for global businesses. Beyond China, Canada and Mexico, he later indicates that additional countries, such as India and European nations, won't be spared from higher tariffs. February 25 Trump signs an executive order instructing the Commerce Department to consider whether a tariff on imported copper is needed to protect national security. He cites the material's use in US defence, infrastructure and emerging technologies. March 1 Trump signs an additional executive order instructing the Commerce Department to consider whether tariffs on lumber and timber are also needed to protect national security, arguing that the construction industry and military depend on a strong supply of wooden products in the US. March 4 Trump's 25 per cent tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico go into effect, though he limits the levy to 10 per cent on Canadian energy. He also doubles the tariff on all Chinese imports to 20 per cent. All three countries promise retaliatory measures. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces tariffs on more than USD 100 billion of American goods over the course of 21 days. And Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum says her country would respond with its own retaliatory tariffs on US goods without specifying the targeted products immediately, signalling hopes to de-escalate. China, meanwhile, imposes tariffs of up to 15 per cent on a wide array of key US farm exports, set to take effect March 10. It also expands the number of US companies subject to export controls and other restrictions by about two dozen. March 5 Trump grants a one-month exemption on his new tariffs impacting goods from Mexico and Canada for US automakers. The pause arrives after the president spoke with leaders of the Big 3 automakers Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. March 6 In a wider extension, Trump postpones 25 per cent tariffs on many imports from Mexico and some imports from Canada for a month. But he still plans to impose reciprocal tariffs starting on April 2. Trump credited Sheinbaum with making progress on border security and drug smuggling as a reason for again pausing tariffs. His actions also thaw relations with Canada somewhat, although outrage and uncertainty remains. Still, after its initial retaliatory tariffs of USD 30 billion Canadian (USD 21 billion) on US goods, the government said it had suspended its second wave of retaliatory tariffs worth USD 125 billion Canadian (USD 87 billion). March 10 China's retaliatory 15 per cent tariffs on key American farm products including chicken, pork, soybeans and beef take effect. Goods already in transit are set to be exempt through April 12, per China's Commerce Ministry previous announcement. March 12 Trump's new tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports go into effect. Both metals are now taxed at 25 per cent across the board with Trump's order to remove steel exemptions and raise aluminum's levy from his previously-imposed 2018 import taxes. The European Union takes retaliatory trade action promising new duties on US industrial and farm products. The measures will cover goods from the United States worth some 26 billion euros (USD 28 billion), and not just steel and aluminum products, but also textiles, home appliances and agricultural goods. Motorcycles, bourbon, peanut butter and jeans will be hit, as they were during Trump's first term. The 27-member bloc later says it will delay this retaliatory action until mid-April. Canada, meanwhile, announces plans to impose retaliatory tariffs worth Canadian USD 29.8 billion (USD 20.7 billion) on US imports, set to go into effect March 13. March 13 Trump threatens a 200 per cent tariff on European wine, Champagne and spirits if the European Union goes forward with its previously-announced plans for a 50 per cent tariff on American whiskey. March 24 Trump says he will place a 25 per cent tariff on all imports from any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela, in addition to imposing new tariffs on the South American country itself, starting April 2. The tariffs would most likely add to the taxes facing China, which in 2023 bought 68 per cent of the oil exported by Venezuela, per the US Energy Information Administration. But a number of countries also receive oil from Venezuela including the United States itself. March 26 Trump says he is placing 25 per cent tariffs on auto imports, a move that the White House claims would foster domestic manufacturing. But it could also put a financial squeeze on automakers that depend on global supply chains. These auto imports will start being collected April 3 starting with taxes on fully-imported cars. The tariffs are set to then expand to applicable auto parts in the following weeks, through May 3. April 2 Trump announces his long-promised reciprocal tariffs declaring a 10 per cent baseline tax on imports across the board starting April 5, as well as higher rates for dozens of nations that run trade surpluses with the US to take effect April 9. Among those steeper levies, Trump says the US will now charge a 34 per cent tax on imports from China, a 20 per cent tax on imports from the European Union, 25 per cent on South Korea, 24 per cent on Japan and 32 per cent on Taiwan. The new tariffs come on top of previously-imposed levies, including the 20 per cent tax Trump announced on all Chinese imports earlier this year. Meanwhile, for goods from Canada and Mexico, the White House says USMCA-compliant imports can continue to enter the US duty free. Once the two countries have satisfied Trump's demands on immigration and drug trafficking, the White House adds, the tariff on the rest of their imports may drop from 25 per cent to 12 per cent. April 3 Trump's previously-announced auto tariffs begin. Prime Minister Mark Carney says that Canada will match the 25 per cent levies with a tariff on vehicles imported from the US. April 4 China announces plans to impose a 34 per cent tariff on imports of all US products beginning April 10, matching Trump's new "reciprocal tariff on Chinese goods, as part of a flurry of retaliatory measures. The Commerce Ministry in Beijing says it will also impose more export controls on rare earths, which are materials used in high-tech products like computer chips and electric vehicle batteries. And the government adds 27 firms to lists of companies subject to trade sanctions or export controls. April 5 Trump's 10 per cent minimum tariff on nearly all countries and territories takes effect. April 9 Trump's higher reciprocal rates go into effect, hiking taxes on imports from dozens of countries just after midnight. But hours later, his administration says it will suspend most of these higher rates for 90 days, while maintaining the recently-imposed 10 per cent levy on nearly all global imports. China is the exception. After following through on a threat to raise levies against China to a total of 104 per cent, Trump says he will now raise those import taxes to 125 per cent effective immediately escalating tit-for-tat duties that have piled up between the two countries. China upped its retaliation prior to this announcement vowing to tax American goods at 84 per cent starting April 10. Canada's counter tariffs on auto imports also take effect. The country implements a 25 per cent levy on auto imports from the US that do not comply with the 2020 USMCA pact. Meanwhile, EU member states vote to approve their own retaliatory levies on 20.9 billion euros (USD 23 billion) of US goods in response to Trump's previously-imposed steel and aluminum tariffs. The EU's executive commission doesn't immediately specify which imports it will tax, but notes its counter tariffs will come in stages with some set to arrive on April 15, and others May 15 and December 1. April 10 The White House clarifies that Trump's previously-announced 125 per cent figure for tariffs against China is actually 145 per cent, once his previous 20 per cent fentanyl tariffs are accounted for. Separately, the EU puts its steel and aluminum tariff retaliation on hold for 90 days, to match Trump's pause on steeper reciprocal levies. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen says the commission wants to give negotiations with the US a chance but warns countermeasures will kick in if talks are not satisfactory. (AP) PY PY There is so much currently happening on the political scene in Eretz Yisroel. Aside from the burning issue of the hostages and the ongoing war in Gaza, there is an entire ruckus over the dismissal of the head of the Shin Bet among other issues. The Gedolei Yisroel and the Charedi community, as a whole, are very worried and disturbed over the ongoing efforts to try drafting bnei yeshivos. Much effort has been expended both publicly and through quiet diplomacy to try dissuading the powers that be and those in the legal system from their attempt to curb the koach of todays Shevet Levi. After all, in this fraught period, Klal Yisroel, more than ever, needs the zechusim of limud haTorah to enable us to overcome our enemies. The Gedolei Yisroel have been focusing on explaining the Charedi position, hoping to impress upon influential figures in the government and the legal community a better understanding of the the role that Torah learning plays in ensuring the future of the country. Recently, the Nasi of Dirshu, Rav Dovid Hofstedter was in Eretz Yisroel. As a prominent resident of chutz laaretz who leads the largest Torah organization in the world, Rav Hofstedter has been involved in the hishtadlus effort. Rav Hofstedter held numerous meetings at the homes of several senior Gedolei Yisroel. The Gedolei Yisroel all urged him to use his influence to try finding common ground with decision- makers in Eretz Yisroel regarding this difficult, critically important issue. As a prominent figure in the diaspora, Rav Hofstedter also conversed with Mr. Yitzchak Herzog, the President of Israel. Rav Hofstedter discussed the underpinnings of the Charedi outlook regarding limud haTorah and the fact that the avreichim who devote their days and nights to learning do so most altruistically, forgoing many of lifes comforts and living extremely frugally so that they can continue to learn Torah. Rav Hofstedter spoke about the value of Torah learning and its exalted role in shielding and preserving those living in Israel, and Judaism as a whole. President Herzog was very receptive to Rav Hofstedters words and commented that despite the incitement that we are witnessing in some quarters, he had, in general, noticed that the secular and traditional Jews in Eretz Yisroel have strengthened themselves in observance and recognizing the integral role that Torah has in the lives of the Jewish People. Two Jewish families from Flatbushs Syrian community survived a horrifying private jet crash in Mexico on Thursdayemerging with nothing more than scratches as flames and smoke consumed their $10 million aircraft. The Gulfstream V jet had just arrived from Teterboro Airport in New Jersey, carrying the families to Cabo San Lucas for Pesach, when it veered violently off the runway during landing Thursday afternoon. Shocking footage now circulating on social media shows the aircraft skidding across the tarmac before careening off the paved surface and coming to a jarring halt near the edge of the airfield, smoke billowing from the wreckage. We are alive, one passenger can be heard saying emotionally in a video filmed just moments after the crash. Thank you Hakadosh Baruch Hu. Thank you for saving us and my childrenit is absolutely a miracle that we are alive. The jet, capable of carrying up to 16 passengers and typically used for luxury executive travel, had taken off just two hours earlier. Upon the landing in Cabo, the sleek aircraft was split in partsits fuselage torn, with one section landing nearly some 150 feet from the cockpit. Inside, the scene was one of sheer chaos. Bags had been flung from overhead compartments, dishes and cutlery lay shattered across the cabin floor. But against all odds, every passengerincluding young childrenescaped unharmed. The cause of the crash has not yet been confirmed by Mexican aviation authorities, though initial reports suggest the aircraft may have experienced a fault upon landing. Emergency services responded to the scene, with paramedics and airport brigades treating several people at the scene, though none were transported to hospitals. The crash marked the second aviation disaster in under 24 hours. Just one hour earlier, a helicopter carrying a Siemens executive, his wife, and their three children plunged into New Yorks Hudson River. All six on board perished in that tragic incident. Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. Your browser does not support the video tag. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. Samir Rzayev, President of AZAL, met with Vladimir Bolea, Deputy Prime Minister of Moldova, the publication of AZAL on X said, Trend reports. During the meeting between AZAL President Samir Rzayev and Moldovas Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea, the increase in flight frequency on the BakuChisinau route and future cooperation in the aviation sector were discussed. Starting from April, flights have increased to 5 times a week and will become daily from May. In 2024 alone, over 49,000 passengers have traveled this route. Both sides expressed their readiness to further deepen the partnership. Britain on Friday announced a surge of military support to Ukraine, as the war-ravaged countrys Western backers gathered to drum up more weapons and ammunition to fight off Russias invasion and a U.S. envoy flew to St. Petersburg amid ongoing ceasefire efforts. Britain said that in a joint effort with Norway just over $580 million would be spent to provide hundreds of thousands of military drones, radar systems and anti-tank mines, as well as repair and maintenance contracts to keep Ukrainian armored vehicles on the battlefield. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff was back in Russia on Friday but he didnt confirm whether he will meet with Putin. Witkoff, who has been pressing the Kremlin to accept a truce, met with Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev in St. Petersburg, footage released by Russian media showed. On the eve of the meeting of Ukraines Western backers at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said a key issue was strengthening his countrys air defenses. Ukraine needs a sufficient number of modern systems like Patriot missile systems, he said in a post on social media. A political decision is needed to supply these systems to protect our cities, towns, and the lives of our people especially from the threat of Russian ballistic weapons. Our partners have such available systems, Umerov said. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has renewed his appeals for more Patriot systems since 20 people were killed a week ago, including nine children, when a Russian missile tore through apartment buildings and blasted a playground in his home town. Ukraine needs at the very least 10 systems that are sufficiently effective specifically against Russian ballistic missiles, and this is where Patriots are second to none, he said on his Telegram channel ahead of the meeting. We are counting on decisions. Zelenskyy joined Fridays meeting by video link. Russia holds off agreeing to ceasefire Russian forces hold the advantage in Ukraine, with the war now in its fourth year. Ukraine has endorsed a U.S. ceasefire proposal, but Russia has effectively blocked it by imposing far-reaching conditions. The Russian delay in accepting Washingtons proposal has frustrated U.S. President Donald Trump and fueled doubts about whether Russian President Vladimir Putin really wants to stop the fighting while his bigger army has momentum on the battlefield. Russia continues to use bilateral talks with the United States to delay negotiations about the war in Ukraine, suggesting that the Kremlin remains uninterested in serious peace negotiations to end the war, the Institute for the Study of War, a Washington think tank, said in an assessment late Thursday. Washington remains committed to securing a peace deal, even though four weeks have passed since it made its ceasefire proposals, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said. It is a dynamic that will not be solved militarily. It is a meat grinder, Bruce said Thursday about the war, adding that nothing else can be discussed until the shooting and the killing stops. Observers expect a new Russian offensive Ukrainian officials and military analysts believe Russia is preparing to launch a fresh military offensive in coming weeks to ramp up pressure and strengthen the Kremlins hand in the negotiations. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said that his country would provide Ukraine with four IRIS-T short- to medium-range systems with missiles, as well as 30 missiles for use on Patriot batteries. The Netherlands plans to supply a Hawkeye air defense system, an airborne early warning aircraft. Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said that his country is monitoring the world armaments market and sees opportunities for Ukraines backers to buy more weapons and ammunition. Pevkur said he believes Putin might try to reach some kind of settlement with Ukraine by May 9 the day that Russia marks victory during World War II making it even more vital to strengthen Kyivs position now. This is why we need to speed up the deliveries as quickly as we can, he said. Fridays meeting is the 27th gathering of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group. Its being chaired by Britain and Germany. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will be absent from a forum that the United States created and led for several years, although he was due to take part via video. Hegseth spent the first part of this week in Panama and returned to Washington on Wednesday night. At the last contact group meeting in February, Hegseth warned Ukraines European backers that the U.S. now has priorities elsewhere in Asia and on Americas own borders and that they would have to take care of their own security, and that of Ukraine, in future. Asked about the U.S. stepping back from its leadership role on Ukraine, Pistorius declined to comment, saying only that its a decision of the new administration in Washington. We are here to take over the lead, he told reporters, and we are willing and determined to do that with full responsibility and together with our allies. (AP) A woman in Australia unknowingly gave birth to a strangers baby after she received another patients embryo from her in vitro fertilization clinic due to human error, the clinic said. The mix-up was discovered in February when the clinic in the city of Brisbane found that the birth parents had one too many embryos in storage, said the provider, Monash IVF, in a statement supplied Friday. Staff discovered an embryo from another patient had been mistakenly thawed and transferred to the birth mother, a spokesperson said. Australia news outlets reported the baby was born in 2024. Monash IVF didnt confirm how old the child was. The company, one of Australias biggest IVF providers, said an initial investigation had not uncovered any other such errors. Its statement didnt identify the patients involved or divulge details about the childs custody. All of us at Monash IVF are devastated and we apologise to everyone involved, said CEO Michael Knaap. We will continue to support the patients through this extremely distressing time. The human error was made despite strict laboratory safety protocols being in place, the statement said. The company said it had reported the episode to the relevant regulator in the state of Queensland. Monash IVF opened in 1971 and sees patients in dozens of locations throughout Australia. Last year, the firm settled a class-action lawsuit from more than 700 patients, making no admission of liability, after claims its clinics destroyed potentially viable embryos. The clinic paid a settlement of 56 million Australian dollars ($35 million). Rare cases of embryo mix-ups have been reported before, including in the United States, Britain, Israel and Europe. A woman in the U.S. state of Georgia in February filed a lawsuit against a fertility clinic after she gave birth to a strangers baby. Krystena Murray realized the error after the babys birth because she and her husband were both white and the child was black. Murray said she wanted to raise the baby but voluntarily gave the 5-month-old to his biological parents after she was told she would not win a legal fight for his custody. In Australia, each state makes its own laws and rules governing the use of IVF, which advocates say puts patients at risk of error or oversight failings. Queenslands parliament passed its first laws regulating the sector in 2024. (AP) President Donald Trump on Thursday claimed that negotiations are inching closer to securing the release of hostages still being held by Hamas in Gaza, suggesting that a breakthrough may be imminentthough he offered few specifics. Were getting close to getting them back, Trump told reporters during a cabinet meeting. Were making progress. Were dealing with Israel, were dealing with Hamasand its a nasty group. The president described meeting with previously released hostages, some of whom returned in poor physical condition, and emphasized the psychological toll of their ordeal. A lot of people are very grateful. Some came back in pretty bad shape. Theyre okay, but theyre going to be scarred mentally for a long time, he said. Trumps remarks align with recent reports from Israeli and international media outlets indicating that a new hostage deal may be on the horizon. According to Ynet, Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, told families of hostages that a real serious deal is on the table and its a matter of a few days. Further bolstering optimism, Israels Kan radio reported that Israeli and Egyptian officials had exchanged draft proposals aimed at reconciling an Egyptian compromise deal with a separate plan put forward by Witkoff. The Egyptian plan reportedly includes the release of eight living hostages and the return of eight bodies in exchange for a 40- to 70-day truce and the release of a significant number of Palestinian prisoners. Witkoffs earlier proposal outlined a two-month ceasefire in exchange for the release of five hostages and a substantial prisoner release. Amid growing signs of movement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a high-level assessment on the hostage situation with his security team on Thursday, according to The Times of Israel. He also met in Jerusalem with the families of two hostages, Elkana Bohbot and Rom Braslavski, updating them on the status of the ongoing negotiations. Netanyahus office reiterated his commitment to the objectives of the war: returning all Israeli hostages, dismantling Hamas, and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. Currently, 24 Israeli hostages are believed to still be alive in Gaza, with 35 more confirmed dead. A previously brokered deal in January had outlined a phased release of hostages in tandem with a ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. However, that agreement collapsed after the first stage, as Israel refused to proceed with discussions on subsequent phases and Hamas declined to extend the ceasefireprompting a resumption of Israeli military operations. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A Turkish court has sentenced six individuals, including three members of the same family, to a combined total of 100 years in prison for conducting espionage on behalf of Israels Mossad intelligence agency, according to Turkish media reports published Thursday. The Istanbul 23rd Heavy Penal Court handed down the sentences following a lengthy investigation and surveillance operation led by Turkeys National Intelligence Organization (MIT). The group was arrested in April 2024 in Istanbul. At the center of the case is Ahmet Ersin Tumlucal, an insurance company owner, who was convicted of running a covert network that carried out surveillance operations for Mossad. Initially sentenced to 22 years and six months in prison, his sentence was reduced to 18 years and nine months for good behavior. His wife, Benan Tumlucal, received a prison sentence of 16 years and eight months, while his stepdaughter, Dila Sultan Simsek, was sentenced to 15 years, seven months, and 15 days. Three other operatives Cem Ozcan, Ozkan Arican, and Fuzuli Simsek received identical sentences of 15 years, seven months, and 15 days each. According to the indictment, the group was tasked with gathering information on foreign nationals living in Turkey, particularly those who had fled their home countries due to regional conflicts. The prosecution said the operatives were part of Mossads online operations unit and were responsible for photo surveillance and collecting sensitive information, which was then transferred to Israeli intelligence. Ahmet Tumlucal is accused of maintaining direct contact with a Mossad handler known by the code name Jorg, with whom he allegedly communicated via Skype and met in Vienna and Munich in 2011 and 2017. He is also said to have met another Mossad officer, Gavin Alfron, in Vienna and Frankfurt between 2017 and 2020, when his alleged contract with Mossad was terminated. Tumlucals surveillance activities reportedly extended beyond Turkey to include Georgia and Germany. The indictment further claims that he provided Mossad with official documents from Lebanon and that surveillance targets included nationals from Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Azerbaijan. MIT investigators found that his wife, stepdaughter, and sister-in-law, Berna Cetin, assisted in many of the operations. Between 2014 and 2019, large sums of money were reportedly transferred to Benan Tumlucals bank account as payment for their work. In one instance, the group allegedly received 300,000 (approximately $333,000). Mossad has been trying to operate in Turkiye for a long time, but since it cannot send its own agents, it identifies such people and uses them as a spy network, said CNN Turks Istanbul News Director Nihat Uludag. Authorities said the operatives transferred both official and personal data of individuals and entities within Turkey to Israeli intelligence. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) 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. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 11. During his visit to Shymkent, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev reviewed the new terminal at Shymkent Airport, Trend reports. "The facility was built following the President's instructions for the city's development. The airport, worth 24 billion tenge ($48 million), was constructed with private investments," the information notes. According to Tokayev, the establishment of a unique aviation hub in southern Kazakhstan will allow for the expansion of routes from the region, increasing from 17 to 59, including flights to key countries in Europe and Asia. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is on a working visit to Shymkent. During his trip, the President plans to review the city's socio-economic development. CCTV: You just announced President Xi Jinpings state visit to Viet Nam, Malaysia, and Cambodia, which is his first overseas visit this year. Could you share with us the program and Chinas expectation of growing its relations with Viet Nam, Malaysia and Cambodia? Lin Jian: Neighboring countries are Chinas priority in its diplomacy. China and Southeast Asian countries are good neighbors, good friends and good partners with a shared future. The central conference on work related to neighboring countries was successfully convened recently. The meeting made it very clear that China will continue to follow the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in its neighborhood diplomacy, engage in friendly cooperation, enhance mutual understanding and trust and jointly pursue development and revitalization with its neighbors. The upcoming visit will be President Xis first overseas trip this year, and bears major importance for Chinas relations with the three countries and ASEAN as a whole. It will also inject new impetus into the peace and development of the region and the world. China and Viet Nam are socialist friends and neighbors. Both countries are advancing the cause of reform and transformation that suit their own national conditions and strengthening solidarity and cooperation serves the shared interests of both sides. At the end of 2023, General Secretary and President Xi Jinping paid a historic visit to Viet Nam, guiding our bilateral relations to open up a new chapter of a China-Viet Nam community with a shared future. Since last year, General Secretary Xi Jinping and General Secretary To Lam have maintained strategic communication. There have been close exchanges between various departments and localities and fruitful outcomes in cooperation in various fields between both sides, which delivers tangibly for the two peoples. This visit comes on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Viet Nam, which presents a historic opportunity to build on what has been achieved and take the relationship into the next chapter. During the visit, General Secretary Xi Jinping will hold talks with General Secretary To Lam, meet with Viet Nams President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man. Taking this visit as an opportunity, China looks forward to working with Viet Nam to consolidate our traditional friendship as comrades and brothers, enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, work for sustained and steady progress in the building of the China-Viet Nam community with a shared future and make greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for mankind. China and Malaysia are important developing countries and emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific. In recent years, under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, the relationship between China and Malaysia has maintained high-level development. Both sides have had frequent high-level interactions, continued to consolidate political mutual trust, achieved fruitful outcomes in practical cooperation, conducted various cultural and people-to-people exchanges and engaged in close and effective multilateral coordination, setting an example of mutual understanding and win-win cooperation between neighboring countries. In 2023, the two countries announced the decision to build a China-Malaysia community with a shared future and open up a new chapter in the bilateral relations. This visit will be President Xi Jinpings second visit to Malaysia in 12 years, which marks an important milestone in promoting the upgrading of the relations between China and Malaysia. During the visit, President Xi Jinping will meet with King Sultan Ibrahim and hold talks with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Through this visit, China hopes to further step up political and security cooperation, further align development strategies, have closer cultural exchanges and mutual learning, strengthen coordination on regional and international issues, move the bilateral relations towards the direction of building a high-level strategic China-Malaysia community with a shared future and make new contributions to the strength through unity of the Global South and peace, stability and development in the region. Cambodia is Chinas traditionally friendly neighbor and iron-clad friend. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and the leader of Cambodia, the building of the China-Cambodia community with a shared future has entered a new era featuring high quality, high level and high standard. In recent years, China and Cambodia have continued to deepen strategic mutual trust, enrich the Diamond Hexagon cooperation framework, make steady progress in the building of the Industrial Development Corridor and the Fish and Rice Corridor, achieve fruitful outcomes in cooperation across the board, and all this delivers tangibly for the two peoples. This will be President Xi Jinpings second visit to Cambodia in nine years. During the visit, President Xi will meet with King Norodom Sihamoni and Queen Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk respectively, meet with President of the Cambodian Peoples Party and President of the Senate Samdech Techo Hun Sen and hold talks with Prime Minister Hun Manet. The two sides will have discussions on the elevation and new characterization of the bilateral relations and have an in-depth exchange of views on five areas including political mutual trust, mutually beneficial cooperation, security, cultural and people-to-people exchanges and strategic coordination. We believe that President Xis visit will enrich the China-Cambodia community with a shared future with new features of the new era and enable the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership to produce more positive outcomes and bring more benefits to the two peoples. Dragon TV: Its reported that when meeting with Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during his visit to Japan on April 9, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba said a strong NATO benefits Japan, and Japan will continue to play a leading role in deepening cooperation between NATO and the partners in the Indo-Pacific. The two sides made negative remarks related to China on the issues of the East China Sea, the South China Sea and the situation across the Taiwan Strait in the joint statement. Whats Chinas comment? Lin Jian: We noted this. Japan colluded with NATO to groundlessly interfere in Chinas domestic affairs, act as a scaremonger in the region, and incite antagonism and confrontation. China deplores and opposes this. The Asia-Pacific, a stellar example of cooperation and development, does not need military blocs, major-country confrontation or groupings that trumpet a new Cold War. As a regional defensive organization, NATO should not reach beyond its geographical scope and mandate defined by its treaty. Due to historical reasons, Japans military and security moves have been closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-fascist War. Japan should learn from history, stay committed to the path of Asia-Pacific cooperation, and play a constructive role in upholding and promoting peace, stability, development and prosperity in the region and beyond. Spearheading NATOs drift into the Asia-Pacific will not do Japan any good. China Daily: Its reported that experts pointed out that the U.S.s shiprider agreements with Fiji and other Pacific Island countries only grant the U.S. privileges and are not equal. These agreements provide a backdoor for the U.S. to arbitrarily inspect Chinese fishing boats in the waters of Pacific Island countries. Whats Chinas comment? Lin Jian: China noted the shiprider agreements signed between the U.S. and related Pacific Island countries. According to UNCLOS, the sovereign right, relevant law enforcement right and jurisdiction concerning fishery matters belong exclusively to the coastal states. By signing shiprider agreements with some Pacific Island countries, the U.S. gets a major say and could even take over in these countries coastal law enforcement, putting a serious dent in the maritime legal order provided by UNCLOS. Despite the ostensible reciprocal expressions in some agreements, relevant Pacific Island countries have no capability at all to exercise the same rights as the U.S. does. Its essentially the U.S. that solely benefits from the agreements. China always respects the sovereign rights and exclusive jurisdiction that coastal states enjoy in their exclusive economic zones in accordance with international law, fully fulfills flag states obligations, exercises strict supervision over distant-water fisheries, and carries out cooperation on the conservation and use of fisheries resources with relevant countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit. China opposes any country resorting to political manipulation, interfering in other countries affairs or driving a wedge between other countries under the pretext of combating the so-called illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. AFP: Taiwanese prosecutors have said that they have charged a Chinese cargo ship captain for violating the telecommunications management act by destroying submarine cable-related facilities. Does China have a response to this latest development? Lin Jian: This is not a question related to foreign affairs. Global Times: Its reported by American media that Chinese officials indicated to their U.S. counterparts at a China-U.S. dialogue on cybersecurity last December that it was behind cyber attacks on key U.S. infrastructure and linked it to the U.S.s support for Taiwan. Top Trump administration officials have said the U.S. will pursue more offensive cyber strikes against China. Whats Chinas comment? Lin Jian: This report is filled with lies and misinformation highly inconsistent with facts. When it comes to Volt Typhoon, China has clearly denied the U.S.s groundless accusations on various occasions. We shared with the U.S. side the reports released by Chinese cybersecurity institutions and pointed out the relevant cases are just vilification and scapegoating against China by U.S. intelligence institutions. China has made it rather clear to the U.S. on various occasions that China opposes the U.S. using the cyber issues to interfere in Chinas internal affairs and Americas attempt to use the Taiwan question to contain China is doomed to failure. Let me stress that China has clearly expressed concerns to the U.S. in multiple ways on the U.S. administration authorizing the Pentagon to conduct cyberattacks on other countries of their own accord, on Americas cyberattacks on Chinas key infrastructure, the cyber and military cooperation between the U.S. and Taiwan and other issues. We have asked the U.S. to take a responsible attitude and avoid miscalculation. China will take what is necessary to safeguard its own cybersecurity. AFP: The White House has confirmed now that many Chinese imports into the United States face cumulative tariffs of up to 145 percent. Does the Chinese side have any response to this? And will China raise import tariffs again on imported American goods? Lin Jian: China has repeatedly stated its solemn position on the tariff issue. Tariff and trade wars have no winner. China does not want to fight these wars but is not scared of them. Let me stress that if the U.S. truly wants to resolve the issue through dialogue and negotiation, it should stop maximum pressure and capricious and destructive behavior. This never works with China. For any dialogue to happen, they must be based on equality, respect and mutual benefit. If the U.S. is determined to fight a tariff and trade war, Chinas response will continue to the end. China is a responsible country. Weve taken countermeasures against the bullying behavior of the U.S., not only to safeguard our legitimate rights and interests, but also to uphold international rules and order, the common interests of countries in the world, and international fairness and justice. In the face of U.S. hegemony and bullying, remember this: give the bully an inch, he will take a mile. AFP: Im just wondering if the Chinese side can give any updates on the visit by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to Beijing today? Lin Jian: Relevant information will be released in due course. Please stay tuned. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 11. By decision of the sole participant of LLP "Pavlodar Petrochemical Plant" JSC NC "KazMunayGas," Mazhdai Akhmetov has been appointed as the new General Director (Chairman of the Management Board). Trend reports. The appointment was announced to the company's staff by Askhat Khassenov, Chairman of the Management Board of JSC NC "KazMunayGas." "Mazhdai Akhmetov began his professional career in 2010 as an operator of technological installations at Pavlodar Petrochemical Plant LLP. From 2022 to 2024, he worked as the head of the technical department and chief technologist of the production department. From October 2024 to January 2025, he served as acting deputy general director for production and chief engineer," said the statement from KazMunayGas. Askhat Khasenov assigned Akhmetov with several key tasks, including ensuring the stable and uninterrupted operation of the plant while adhering to all industrial and environmental safety standards. He is also tasked with improving operational efficiency, increasing the output of light oil products, implementing investment projects (such as the reconstruction of the diesel fuel hydro-treatment unit), and transitioning to an extended inter-repair period. According to the decision of the sole participant of Pavlodar Petrochemical Plant LLP NC KazMunayGas JSC, the powers of the former General Director (Chairman of the Board) of Pavlodar Petrochemical Plant LLP, Kuanysh Bishimov, were terminated. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. The representative office of the French company Schneider Electric Industrie SAS in the Republic of Azerbaijan is officially closing, Trend reports. The company made the announcement itself, but it has kept its cards close to its chest regarding the reason behind the decision. The company stated that creditors may submit their claims within two months to the below address: 22 Garabagh street, apt .22, Narimanov District, Baku AZ1008, Azerbaijan. Reports about the company possibly packing its bags and leaving the Azerbaijani market had been making the rounds last year. The company was officially registered in Azerbaijan in 2009. The legal representative of its branch in Azerbaijan is Pierre Leveque. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel An update from our favorite local activist and his ongoing fight against city hall . . . Double pressers just to keep up with his prolific pace . . . The Battle for Kansas City between Mayor Quinton Lucas & Activist Clay Chastain (In the Missouri Western District Court of Appeals) takes a decisive turn as Lucas begs the Court for '60 - MORE DAYS' to respond to Chastain's legal thunder (See attachments). And if Lucas (who misused government to damage, overpower and strip away the rights of a Citizen) loses to Chastain will Mayor Lucas admit he has "damaged the City" (like he said City Manager Brian Platt did) and Resign? To keep the corruption going, Lucas ordered the City's legal dept. to prosecute Chastain but was foiled when Kansas City Municipal Judge Martina Peterson (emphatically) ruled (6/23) Chastain did not do anything unlawful, disruptive or out of order. Thus, Lucas had no "probable cause" to order Chastain censored, arrested, imprisoned & maliciously prosecuted. Nevertheless, Asst. City Attorney Carolina Torres Valle has been assigned to stonewall the Court, rescue Lucas & preserve the Swamp. With 60 - City Attorneys on retainer, Lucas wants the Court to believe he needs another 2 - Months to face (Pro se) Chastain after trying to criminalize him over Two Years Ago! Mr. Transparency did not want Chastain amplifying (@ a 'Public' Council Forum) his refusal to debate, so Lucas ordered Chastain strong armed out of City Hall and carted off to jail. The fate of a struggling City, its dishonorable-acting Mayor & its gallant Activist hang in the balance. Even though some dislike Clay Chastain, let the facts of this case impart their weight upon the (blind) "Scales of Justice". Another note . . . Clay Chastain Press release: Chastain files Motion to deny Lucas' phony Motion for a 60 - day extension of time to file (obviously designed to manipulate the Courts, delay justice (further ) and damage Chastain). To provide the Court and the Community an idea of the kind of manipulative Mayors Clay Chastain has been dealing with for the last 32-years, Mayor Lucas assisted by... Assistant City Attorney Carolina Torres Valle...insulted Chastain with a $50 offer (and no apology) to settle the case in a Court-ordered Mediation. Lucas not only played games with Chastain during mediation, he is now playing games with the Western District Court of Appeals by requesting a (fraudulent) extension of time to file. ############ Developing . . . Quick late night review of stories we didn't have time for in the week but remain important for readers who want to have an understanding of how life works on local streets. Check TKC news gathering . . . Second suspect charged connected to 2024 Kansas City double homicide A second suspect is facing charges in connection to a December 2024 shooting that left two teens dead. Parent charged after child, 2, overdoses on methamphetamine A 34-year-old Osawatomie, Kansas, woman, has been charged after her 2-year-old daughter ingested methamphetamine late Tuesday night. Kansas City man charged in connection to deadly road rage shooting A 21-year-old Kansas City, Missouri man is facing charges in connection to a November 2024 deadly shooting following a road rage incident. Man sentenced to 23 years in prison for 2023 killing of man in car driven by his ex-girlfriend A Jackson County, Missouri, judge sentenced a man with a history of domestic violence to 23 years in prison for the 2023 murder of a woman in a car with the killer's ex-girlfriend. Olathe man charged in connection to deadly shooting of 21-year-old An Olathe man has been charged with manslaughter after investigators said he was involved in a shooting that left a 21-year-old man dead on Saturday. Teen charged with murder in shooting deaths of two men in KCK Charges have been filed against an 18-year-old after a Saturday shooting that killed a pair of 19-year-olds. Former KC man pleads guilty to conspiracy to defraud two metro-area banks - Kansas City Business Journal Would you give your account and PIN info to a stranger on social media? Apparently enough people did that fraudsters were able to perpetrate a $90,000 scam. Video of truck released after Native American statue stolen in Northland Kansas City Parks & Recreation is asking for help identifying a truck after a Native American statue was stolen at Chouteau Greenway Park. KBI: 1973 human remains positively identified as missing teen The Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) and the Anderson County Sheriff's Office have positively identified human remains that were found near Garnett, Kansas, in April of 1973. Domestic violence at forefront of Northland crime review A neighborhood crime meeting looked a little different the day after Kansas City Police Chief Stacey Graves announced an alarming homicide statistic. Developing . . . Mainstream media was quick to offer this criticism that gives us second thoughts about an otherwise reasonable idea . . . Experts warn the proposed SAVE Act could make it harder for some married women to vote. Here's who could be affected. Meanwhile, in fairness . . . We share an upbeat celebration of this legislation from Missouri's SecState and his signature red jacket . . . "Missouris statewide officials and legislative leadership are committed to collaborating with federal, state, and local election authorities and related agencies to implement these reforms effectively. By adopting these measures, Missouri aims to set a standard for election integrity, ensuring that the democratic process remains robust and trustworthy for all citizens. "The United States House passed the SAVE Act reform this morning, which would enshrine many of the same provisions into law. The bill goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration. Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has supported reform of the SAVE Act and applauds the U.S. House for their action." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . MOSecState: Missouri Leaders Applaud President Trump's Executive Order on Election Integrity ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 11. Kazakhstan, as a responsible member of the international community, remains firmly committed to the principles of open trade and the free movement of goods and services, said President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a meeting with the public in Shymkent, Trend reports. According to President Tokayev, Kazakhstan builds relationships with all partners based on mutual trust, open dialogue, and consideration of each other's interests. "Trade is the driving force of progress, which contributes to the prosperity not only of individual countries but also entire regions. Kazakhstan is located at the crossroads of key trade routes that connect the East and the West, the North and the South. One could say that this is not just a feature of our geographical position, but also our historical mission. We must rationally use this strategic advantage, which destiny has predetermined. This is why Kazakhstan is actively involved in the implementation of key international transport and logistics projects. Our goal is clear. We will continue to strengthen comprehensive and mutually beneficial cooperation with neighboring countries, with which we are united by fate. The interests of the people are above all. Relying on these, we carry out a balanced and stable foreign policy. There is a proverb in the Kazakh language: 'By helping your neighbor, you repay a debt to God'. We maintain friendly relations with all neighboring countries, paying special attention to this. We never remain indifferent if our neighbors face trouble. We are deeply interested in ensuring that peace and stability reign in our surroundings," emphasized the President. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is currently on a working visit to Kazakhstans Shymkent. In the course of the trip, the President plans to review the socio-economic development of the city. UAF drones enter the hot zone to make volcano research safer Photo courtesy of ACUASI Laguna Caliente, in one of Poas volcanos three craters, is one of the worlds most acidic natural lakes. The four-propeller drone sitting briefly on a rocky and dusty surface in Central America in early March had an impressive diameter of nearly 7 feet. From afar, however, it appeared as just another small rock or outcrop in the steaming crater of Costa Ricas Poas volcano. This small speck had a big and innovative mission: sample gas escaping from the soil of an active volcanic crater about a half a mile wide and about 1,000 feet deep, one of Earths largest. Our goal was to test a new and safer way of measuring soil degassing at a variety of spots in an active volcanic crater, and we accomplished that goal, said research assistant professor Tarsilo Girona of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute. The UAF drone team was fantastic, and the equipment performed exceptionally well. Its a major challenge to work in a setting such as an active volcano crater, he said. We learned a lot on this mission, and well be working to make improvements to make this process even better. Girona said using unmanned aircraft to efficiently and safely measure soil gas emissions in potentially risky areas has great potential for the field of volcanology. The 4,800-mile trip from Fairbanks to Costa Rica was a success for both science and technology. Photo by Martina Picciallo Research assistant professor Tarsilo Girona of the University of Alaska Fairbanks Geophysical Institute views the Alta X drone at the Poas volcano overlook. The mission of the four-person UAF team was part of an international gathering to better understand Poas volcanos plumbing system. Researchers from the United States and elsewhere arrived with different instruments and methods. It was the second year of the larger Poas community experiment, arranged as part of last years Cities on Volcanoes 12th Congress, held in Guatemala. This community experiment is sponsored by the AVERT project, Anticipating Volcanic Eruptions in Real-Time, in collaboration with Oviscori, the Volcanological and Seismological Observatory of Costa Rica. Poas, one of Costa Ricas most active and accessible volcanoes, stands 8,848 feet above sea level. The volcanos crater can be seen in an Oviscori webcam. In addition to Girona, the UAF team included drone pilots Jason Williams, Matthew Westhoff and James Copple, all of the Geophysical Institutes drone program the Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration. The NASA-funded mission was science-based but also tested a new method to enable safer and faster measurements of volcano soil gas emissions, which are especially crucial for advancing knowledge of highly active volcanoes such as Poas. Girona coordinated a nine-person international team that primarily collected and analyzed carbon dioxide and water vapor and gathered soil temperature and moisture data. Carbon dioxide and water vapor signal magma and hydrothermal fluid movement, while temperature and soil moisture reflect heat and hydrothermal activity. Photo by Martina Picciallo ACUASI pilots Jason Williams, left, and Matthew Westhoff view the flight of a drone into the Poas volcano crater. One of the big challenges in volcanology is that it has been largely impossible to get close to the action, because its dangerous, Girona said before the trip. If we are successful with the drones, then we will be showing for the first time that we can do soil degassing campaigns from a safe distance and faster. Poas, located in the nations central region in Poas Volcano National Park and 25 miles northwest of the capital San Jose, has experienced frequent eruptions. Seismic activity and sulfur dioxide emissions have been increasing, and ground has uplifted in the area. A March 1 steam-driven, or phreatic, eruption produced an ash column rising 1,000 to 1,300 feet. That was followed by several other eruptions. The challenge with phreatic explosions lies in their sudden occurrence, with little to no warning, Girona said. I hope using drones to measure soil degassing and soil conditions can help us to better anticipate these events. The flight into an active volcano was the first for ACUASI. The UAF team worked from a visitor platform one-third of a mile from the boiling summit crater and used two drones, one to look for a landing site for the gas sampling and the other to place the science instruments. The mission began with a smaller drone, a 1-pound Parrot, scouting out a landing site for a larger drone carrying a small gas accumulation chamber, a gas sensor and a soil sensor. A 24-pound Alta X Heavy Lift drone arrived, with the Parrot remaining airborne while its camera showed pilots the Alta Xs activity. Photo courtesy of ACUASI The Alta X drone, which carried science instruments, sits in the Poas volcano crater in early March. The Alta X landed and shut down its rotors but remained powered. Springs above the accumulation chamber pressed it gently into the soil, where it remained for about two minutes. The drone then departed to gather measurements at the next location. The aircraft performed extremely well in the challenging environment of the volcano, said Williams, ACUASIs chief unmanned aircraft systems pilot. There were some challenges to overcome, mainly the difficulty in determining the height of the instrumented aircraft from the ground while performing the landing and the exact lateral position in relation to the desired landing spot, he said. Coordination was key, especially with a third drone operated by Copple flying nearby to provide height above ground information to the Alta X pilot. There was an enormous amount of crew coordination by all three pilots while attempting to land the instrumented drone in the crater, Williams said. Since all three aircraft were airborne and in close proximity to each other, we were constantly informing each other of our height and position. Girona called the mission a significant achievement. The drones performed their tasks and the sampling payload worked as intended. It demonstrates the feasibility of using our approach for remote soil degassing measurements in challenging environments, he said. The mission not only confirmed the viability of the technique but also provided critical experience that will enhance future deployments in similar volcanic environments. The team did see areas for improvement. With additional funding, we plan to refine and optimize our approach, expand fieldwork to different volcanic environments, and integrate advanced technologies to enhance measurement capabilities, Girona said, adding that he expects to publish results from the Poas work. 228-25 An infinity of these little animals desolates our plants, our trees, and our fruitsthey devour the grain in our storehouse, they pierce all our woodwork. They do not spare us, even ourselves. Those were the words of Maryland College of Medicine faculty member Dr. John Crawford. In that 1811 paper he proposed that insects and worms could be at the heart of many human diseases. And he argued that discovery of such truths would require more than conjecture and adherence to previously accepted views. No, finding the truth would require observation and investigation. Research. Crawfords ideas were rejected by his contemporaries, but he was later vindicated of course by research. Ever since then, and long before the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) mission statement identified it as one of the four avenues by which we improve the human condition, research has played a pivotal role at UMB and UMB has played a pivotal role in research. From developing the use of aromatase inhibitors to treat breast cancer in the 1970s and 80s to conducting the first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine trials and the first successful xenotransplantations of genetically modified pig hearts into human patients in this decade, UMB research has led and is leading to some pretty spectacular improvements to the human condition. At the same time, our research enterprise has also grown immensely, with new and promising additions like the Division of Artificial Intelligence Research at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, the Bio- and Nano-Technology Center at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, the University of Maryland Medicine Institute for Neuroscience Discovery, and joint ventures with the University of Maryland, College Park (UMCP) under the University of Maryland Strategic Partnership: MPowering the State banner like the University of Maryland Institute for Health Computing just to name a few. The University received $638 million in grants and contracts in Fiscal Year 2024. Taken together with UMCP, our collective enterprise now ranks 18th among all U.S. research institutions and 11th among public institutions. But the impact of all of that isnt just what happens inside our proverbial walls, its what happens because of UMB like the University of Maryland BioPark. The BioPark isnt just a hub for discovering new, breakthrough treatments and cures its also a key piece of our states economic engine, Gov. Wes Moore declared during a 2023 tour of the BioPark. The biotech industry contributes $20 billion to our states economy each year. ... The biotech sector is going to create jobs, drive growth, and build an economy fit for the 21st century. The 14-acre BioPark with more than three dozen tenants and 1,000 employees is the largest biotech cluster in Baltimore and getting bigger. The 250,000 square foot 4MLK building, which opened in January, provides up to another 160,000 square feet of wet lab space and will ultimately bring another 1,000 jobs. Even before the building opened, UMB and developer Wexford Scientific announced a high-profile tenant the Edward and Jennifer St. John Center for Translational Engineering and Medicine, where UMB physicians and UMCP engineers will work together to solve medical challenges neither discipline alone could tackle. And it isnt just the jobs. Much of the work at the BioPark brings discoveries and treatments many of them the brainchildren of UMB faculty out of the lab and into the market where they can do some real good for real people. There are headline-grabbers like ErythroMer, a shelf-stable synthetic blood substitute that might soon save countless trauma patients from bleeding out before they can get to a hospital; Cirara, a treatment for ischemic stroke showing positive results in Phase 3 trials; and Vaxchora, the only Food and Drug Administration-approved cholera vaccine in the U.S. And for every headline invention or therapy coming out of the BioPark there are dozens of lesser known but just as important new drugs, diagnostics, and devices moving, as they say, from the bench to the bedside. Over the last 11 weeks, though, that march of progress has turned into a stumble toward a very uncertain future for all university-based research. In January, the new administration slammed the brakes on foreign aid, freezing billions in funding for things like the Presidents Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), global health and research funding addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa. In February, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced it would limit all so-called indirect costs for things like laboratory facilities and maintenance to just 15 percent of research grants, far below already-negotiated rates. Science organizations quickly hit the alarm. In a letter to then-NIH acting director Matt Memoli, the American Medical Association and 40 other groups wrote, The collateral damage of this policy, if implemented, will be profound and generational, reshaping the future of scientific progress in ways that cannot be easily undone. Grant renewals and new grant approvals have also dramatically slowed, and hundreds or research grants awarded to universities are being terminated. Although grants are very competitive, they are rarely canceled without some wrongdoing, such as a compliance issue or researcher misconduct, until now. The five words used most often to terminate grants are no longer effectuates agency priorities. Some cancellation notices regarding grants thought to involve diversity, equity, and inclusion issues or gender studies also include language like this: Research programs based primarily on artificial and non-scientific categories, including amorphous equity objectives, are antithetical to the scientific inquiry, do nothing to expand our knowledge of living systems, provide low returns on investment, and ultimately do not enhance health, lengthen life, or reduce illness. Ongoing terminations and delays prompted another protest letter, this one an open letter signed by more than 2,000 top scientists from around the country, including dozens of Nobel Prize winners. A climate of fear has descended on the research community, the letter said. If our countrys research enterprise is dismantled, we will lose our scientific edge. Other countries will lead the development of novel disease treatments, clean energy sources, and the new technologies of the future. Their populations will be healthier, and their economies will surpass us in business, defense, intelligence gathering, and monitoring our planets health. The damage to our nations scientific enterprise could take decades to reverse. The changes and challenges facing academic research and UMBs response were the topic of Virtual Face to Face on April 10 hosted by James Hughes, MBA, chief enterprise and economic development officer and senior vice president. Hughes was joined by University of Maryland School of Medicine Professor and Executive Vice Dean Chris ODonnell, PhD, and E. Albert Reece, MD, PhD, MBA, director of the Center for Advanced Research Training and Innovation. Welcome Guest! You are here: Home 'Barbarian must not...: China says will never bow to tariff blackmail In a strongest response to Donald Trumps pressure tactics, China Friday April 11, 2025 called the U.S. President barbarian and said Beijing will never bow to tariff blackmail and trade war threats Saturday April 12, 2025 0:04 AM , ummid.com News Network [Trump makes a U-turn and announced 90-day pause on tariffs on all countries except China after hands off protest participated by hundreds of thousands of Americans] Beijing: In a strongest response to Donald Trumps pressure tactics, China Friday April 11, 2025 called the U.S. President barbarian and said Beijing will never bow to tariff blackmail and trade war threats. In a direct reference to Donald Trumps claim that world leaders are kissing his ass and begging for a deal, China said the U.S. President should not expect any call from Beijing. We must solemnly tell the US that a tariff-wielding barbarian who attempts to force countries to call and beg for mercy can never expect that call from China. The call is not coming, Chinese Foreign Ministry Office in Hong Kong said. "Unilateral Bullying" In his first response to trump's "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese goods, President Xi Jinping on Friday urged the European Union to join forces with Beijing to resist what he called "unilateral bullying". "If the US insists on continuing to infringe upon China's interests in a substantive way, China will resolutely take countermeasures and fight to the end," news agency Reuters quoted the Chinese Finance Ministry as saying. During a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Xi highlighted the importance of stronger cooperation between China and the EU as trade tensions with Washington escalate. "China and Europe should fulfil their international responsibilities... and jointly resist unilateral bullying practices," Xi said. Tit for Tat Response China had on Thursday April 10, 2025 announced new tariffs on U.S. goods entering in the country taking the total to 125%. China announced new tariffs on U.S. after Trump announced 90-day pause on the "reciprocal tariffs" he had announced on different countries on April 02, 2025 - the day he called "Liberation Day". While announcing the 90-day pause on new tariffs, Trump said the "concession" is not for China. He instead announced new tariffs on Chinese goods. "Hands off Protest" Trump's U-turn came amidst hands off protest held at over 1,300 locations across the United States. The protests against Donald Trump administration, started April 05, 2025, were participated by hundreds of thousands Americans. Following the massive turnout for the "Hands Off" protests, the grassroots group 50501 is preparing for another nationwide demonstration on April 19, 2025. The Americans in all 50 states are being urged to rally once more on April 19 in opposition to the Trump administration's actions and policies. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. 'Mr. Mohammad! Are you a Muslim': The most ludicrous part of Waqf Act The most ludicrous part of the Waqf Act is that it asks Mr. Mohammad to prove that he is a Muslim Friday April 11, 2025 10:20 AM , Syed Ali Mujtaba [AI image used for representation] The most ludicrous part of the Waqf Act is that it asks Mr. Mohammad to prove that he is a Muslim. This comes clearly from the Waqf Act that 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. If Mr. Mohammad does not have ID proof of his religion, who will come to his rescue? The message from the Waqf Act is blatantly clear that the Indian Muslims have to prove their religious identity. The issues surrounding the CAA and NCR are once again being hotly debated in India. What the Waqf Act intends to do is that henceforth, no Muslim in India will be allowed to make religious endowments, and if he wishes to do so, he has to give documentary evidence that he is a Muslim. The Wqaf Act hobnobs with Article 14 and Articles 25-28 of the Constitution. Equality is a fundamental principle in the Constitution, enshrined in its Preamble. Article 14 states that all people are equal before the law and have equal protection under the law. It also prohibits the state from discriminating against any person region, religion, caste, etc. Article 14 ensures that all people are treated fairly and impartially by the state. It requires that laws and actions taken by the government are fair and non-discriminatory. Article 14 protects individuals from arbitrary or discriminatory actions by the state. The phrase "equality before the law" originated in England, and "equal protection of the law" comes from the American Constitution. Article 14 also protects life and liberty, which states that no person can be deprived of their life or liberty except by the procedure established by law. The right to freedom of religion in India is guaranteed by Articles 2528 of the Constitution. These articles are part of Part III of the Constitution, which outlines fundamental rights. Article 25 ensures freedom of conscience, guarantees the rights to practice, profess, and propagate ones religion, subject to public order, morality, and health. Article 26 grants the right to manage religious affairs, including: Forming and maintaining institutions for religious and charitable purposes, acquiring, managing, and administering property in accordance with the law. Article 27 ensures that no one is compelled to pay taxes for the promotion of any particular religion or religious institution. Article 28 prohibits religious instruction in state-funded educational institutions These articles reflect India's commitment to religious diversity and ensure that no one is discriminated against based on their religion. When we apply the constitutional provisions on the Wqaf Act, it emerges that the BJP government is doing exactly the opposite of what the constitution professes and preaches. The BJP, by usurping power with mere 38% of the countrymen's support, is trying to regulate the religious beliefs of the Muslim community in India. The BJP's nefarious design is explicit in the Wqaf Act, and that is to reduce Indian democracy into an 80 vs 20 political template. The most important clause of the Waqf Act is that while a Hindu can be made a member of the Waqf Board, a Muslim cannot become a member of a Hindu religious trust. To add salt to the injury, the BJP has made it a law that a Sanatanist cannot contribute to the Waqf endowments, even if he gets a commandment from Lord Rama! The BJP, by piloting and passing the Waqf bill, has demonstrated how an electoral bulldozer can mow the Indian Parliament. The BJP does politics of flooring the opponent by hook or crook. The BJP cares too hoots about the constitutional values such as morality, ethics, virtue, and the core ideas of Indian civilization. The BJP, in the lust for power, has degenerated India into an autocratic-tyrannical state where democracy is made into demoncracy and where might is always right. The only mission of the BJP is to assert Hindu supremacy over the Muslim minority community in India. The BJP, in its lust for power, is certainly pushing India into a civil war. The smell of its embers is coming from all over the country. Its high time the majority of the people call the bluff of the BJP. They have to make a hard choice when it comes to choosing our mother India, the Constitution, or the BJP. [Syed Ali Mujtaba is a journalist based in Chennai. He can be contacted at syedalimujtaba2007@gmail.com] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. A Memorandum of Understanding "On promoting cooperation in the field of renewable energy" has been signed between the State Agency for Renewable Energy Sources under the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and the National Center for Sustainable Energy under the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Moldova, Trend reports. The memorandum aims to expand the exchange of experiences in the energy sector, particularly in the use of renewable energy sources, and to enhance cooperation on research initiatives aimed at developing renewable energy technologies and innovative solutions. The agreement was signed during the 6th meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission on Economic Cooperation between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Republic of Moldova, held in Baku. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Welcome Guest! You are here: Home Saudi national 1st non-US Physician to win Weinberger Prize Dr. Mahmoud Aljurf created history becoming the first non-U.S. Physician to win the Steven E. Weinberger Award for Physician Executives/Leaders by the American College of Physicians (ACP), the largest medical specialty organization in the US Friday April 11, 2025 11:40 PM , ummid.com News Network Riyadh: Dr. Mahmoud Aljurf created history becoming the first non-U.S. Physician to win the Steven E. Weinberger Award for Physician Executives/Leaders by the American College of Physicians (ACP), the largest medical specialty organization in the US. Dr. Mahmoud Aljurf is Director of the Adult Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre (KFSHRC). Dr. Aljurf is the first recipient from outside the United States, underscoring his global impact on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and oncology, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported citing King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research. Dr. Aljurf was honored at the ACP Convocation Ceremony held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, during ACP's Internal Medicine Meeting 2025. Dr. Aljurf's work At KFSHRC, Dr. Aljurf has played a key role in developing one of the world's largest and most recognized hematopoietic stem cell transplantation programs, significantly improving treatment options for patients with hematologic malignancies. His leadership has helped expand access to novel transplant therapies and elevate global standards in hematology and oncology. In addition to his clinical contributions, Dr. Aljurf is widely recognized for his research and editorial leadership. He served as the Editor-in-Chief of the Annals of Saudi Medicine. He was also the founding Editor-in-Chief of the Elsevier Journal of Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Therapy. Currently, he serves as an editorial board member of several high-impact field-related scientific journals, including his role on the international advisory board of The Lancet Hematology. Dr. Aljurf has published nearly 500 scientific contributions in high-impact journals. He has also served as the editor of five books, primarily focused on building units and programs for cancer care and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Dr. Aljurf's contributions His contribution to bone marrow, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and cellular therapy was recognized by his election as the Worldwide Network for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (WBMT) president in 2023. He is the founding member and scientific director of the Eastern Mediterranean Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EMBMT) Group, affiliated with the World Health Organization's Eastern Mediterranean Regional Office (WHO/EMRO). Dr. Aljurf was the recipient of several international awards, including the Florence A. Carter Leukemia Research Award of the American Medical Association (AMA) Education and Research Foundation, the Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research (CIBMTR) Annual Distinguished Service Award, the King Hussein Cancer Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Research Development and Innovation Authority (RDIA). Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language To Read in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, April 11. When I tasked the development of a new tax code, I set the goal of moving towards a clearer, more stable, and fair tax policy, said President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev during a meeting with the public in the city of Shymkent, where he spoke about tax reforms in Kazakhstan, Trend reports. "In reality, we are not tightening the tax policy but rather streamlining it. The current code is overloaded with numerous amendments, subordinate acts, and exceptions. The code has turned into a document whose practical usefulness is rightly questioned by both entrepreneurs and public servants due to its complexity and difficulty in reading and understanding. A large number of benefits and tax regimes create advantages for some entrepreneurs and cause justified dissatisfaction among others," Tokayev stated. As the president noted, tax concessions were initially designed to support certain sectors of the economy and categories of businesses. "But in practice, this led to abuses by dishonest entrepreneurs, tax evasion, and business fragmentation. We cannot tolerate such a situation, and Kazakhstan cannot become a massive offshore zone. All this has complicated tax administration and led to an unfair distribution of the tax burden. Currently, Parliament is considering a fundamentally new tax code. The document must ensure a balance between the interests of business and the state and encourage entrepreneurs to pay taxes honestly. Additional tax revenues will help increase the development budget and build new schools, hospitals, and other social infrastructure," President Tokayev underscored. According to Tokayev, a transparent and stable tax system will strengthen the country's investment potential. "It will contribute to the improvement of citizens' well-being, economic growth, and business development. In these challenging times, it is crucial to maintain unity. Folk wisdom says, 'Well-being must serve the people'. It is important to focus our efforts on achieving common goals," added Tokayev. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is currently on a working visit to Kazakhstans Shymkent. In the course of the trip, the president plans to review the socio-economic development of the city. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel EAST LANSING, Mich. Michigan State University (MSU) police arrested 19 individuals, including 17 students and two community members, on Thursday evening following a pro-Palestinian sit-in at the Hannah Administration Building. The protest, organized by the Hurriya Coalition and Students for Justice in Palestine, demanded divestment from Israel and highlighted concerns over the deportation of international students involved in similar campus actions. The arrests occurred around 8 p.m. after MSU Police Lieutenant Kim Parviainen issued a final warning to vacate the building's lobby, citing trespassing violations. The demonstration followed a rally and a meeting with university officials, where protesters sought accountability on MSU's investments. Tensions escalated as the group refused to leave, leading to a swift police response. Images from the scene showed students being handcuffed, sparking outcry among supporters who argue the arrests stifle free speech. The Hurriya Coalition, a collective of over 20 student organizations, framed the protest as part of a broader push for Palestinian solidarity amid the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Organizers also raised alarms about the Trump administration's immigration policies, pointing to recent cases like that of Columbia University's Mahmoud Khalil, whose deportation was temporarily blocked after his arrest tied to campus protests. Fears are mounting that international students at MSU could face similar repercussions, with some protesters alleging the arrests were retaliatory. MSU administrators have not commented on the deportation concerns but stated the arrests followed protocol for unauthorized building occupation. The university emphasized its commitment to balancing free expression with campus safety. However, the incident has reignited debates about institutional responses to political activism, with critics arguing that heavy-handed tactics risk alienating students and escalating tensions. The arrests come amid heightened scrutiny of universities nationwide, as the Trump administration signals a broader crackdown on campus protests perceived as disruptive. Posts circulating online reflect divided sentiment, with some praising MSU's response as necessary for order, while others condemn it as an overreach targeting marginalized voices. For MSU's student body, the fallout raises questions about the future of activism on campus. The Hurriya Coalition vowed to continue its campaign, calling for solidarity and urging the university to address divestment demands transparently. As legal proceedings loom for those arrested, the incident underscores the precarious balance between protest rights and institutional authority in an increasingly polarized climate. PROVIDENCE, R.I. Brown University is under a federal Title VI investigation by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Office for Civil Rights, as announced in a Thursday evening email from university officials. The probe, which centers on Brown's compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, follows allegations of inadequate responses to protests outside its May 2024 graduation ceremony, raising questions about the university's handling of discrimination and harassment on campus. The investigation marks an escalation in federal scrutiny of Brown, which has faced multiple Title VI complaints in recent years, including a resolved case in July 2024 over antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents. Title VI prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs receiving federal funding, and this review specifically examines whether Brown's actionsor lack thereofduring the commencement protests violated these protections. The university, already navigating a $510 million federal funding freeze tied to separate antisemitism and diversity policy concerns, now faces heightened pressure to demonstrate compliance. The protests at Brown's 2024 commencement, which took place on a public street adjacent to campus, were part of a broader wave of pro-Palestinian activism that swept U.S. universities last spring. While Brown has maintained that its response adhered to federal laws, critics argue the university failed to ensure a safe environment for all students, particularly Jewish students who reported feeling targeted. The Brown Divest Coalition and other student groups have countered that such investigations are being weaponized to suppress dissent against U.S. and university policies regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict. For Brown's campus community, the investigation adds to an already tense atmosphere. Students like Angel Romero '25, a member of the undocumented and first-generation student community, expressed uncertainty about how federal actions might impact financial aid and campus resources. Others, like graduate student Gillian Foo, voiced concerns about the broader chilling effect on academic freedom and job prospects in an increasingly volatile higher education landscape. The university's recent mandatory training module on discrimination and harassment, introduced in response to earlier federal agreements, has done little to quell these anxieties. Administrators, led by President Christina Paxson, have emphasized Brown's commitment to fostering an inclusive environment while defending its academic mission. In a prior statement, Paxson outlined plans to protect university autonomy against federal overreach, including potential legal action to safeguard funding and values. Yet, with the Title VI probe now underway, Brown faces a delicate balancing act: addressing federal concerns without alienating students and faculty who view such investigations as politically motivated. The outcome of this investigation could have far-reaching implications. A finding of noncompliance might lead to stricter oversight, policy changes, or further funding cuts, compounding Brown's existing $46 million budget deficit. Conversely, a successful defense could bolster the university's case against the funding freeze and set a precedent for other institutions facing similar scrutiny. For now, Brown's community awaits clarity, with many bracing for a prolonged battle over the university's values and future. PALO ALTO, Calif. Twelve individuals, including current and former Stanford University students, have been charged with felony vandalism and conspiracy to trespass following a June 2024 pro-Palestinian protest that occupied the university president's office, causing significant damage. The charges, announced by the Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office, mark one of the most severe legal responses to campus protests sparked by the Israel-Gaza conflict last year. The protesters, part of a coordinated effort demanding Stanford divest from companies tied to Israel's military actions, barricaded themselves inside the administrative building known as Building 10 on June 5, 2024. Authorities allege the group spray-painted walls with slogans like "Death to Israel," broke windows and furniture, disabled security cameras, and splattered red liquid resembling fake blood across the premises. Damages are estimated to range from $250,000 to $1 million, with one campus safety officer reportedly injured during the three-hour occupation. Santa Clara County District Attorney Jeff Rosen condemned the actions, stating, "Dissent is American, vandalism is criminal." Evidence presented by prosecutors includes cellphone data showing the group planned the takeover using a "Do-It-Yourself Occupation Guide," which detailed methods for breaking into buildings with tools like crowbars and bolt cutters, all of which were found at the scene. The occupation, accompanied by a Stanford Daily reporter, ended with arrests after police intervened. The protest was part of a broader wave of campus activism calling for universities to address their financial ties to the Israel-Hamas conflict. At Stanford, students had maintained a pro-Palestinian encampment in White Plaza, not far from the occupied building, amplifying demands for divestment. However, the escalation to property destruction has drawn sharp criticism, with university officials condemning the protest as crossing legal boundaries. For Stanford's community, the charges raise complex questions about free speech and accountability. Some students argue the felony charges are disproportionate, aimed at deterring activism, while others believe the vandalism undermined legitimate calls for change. The case also intersects with broader federal scrutiny, as the Trump administration has threatened to withhold funding from universities accused of failing to curb antisemitism, a charge Stanford has faced in separate complaints. As the legal process unfolds, the charged individualsmostly women aged 19 to 32face significant consequences, including potential jail time if convicted. The case could set a precedent for how universities and authorities handle future protests, with Stanford already signaling stricter enforcement of campus policies. For now, the university remains a flashpoint in the national debate over activism, institutional responsibility, and the limits of dissent. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. Matin Eynullayev, Head of the State Service for Property Issues under the Ministry of Economy of Azerbaijan, met with Roman Cojuhari, Director-General of the State Property Agency of Moldova, the State Service for Property Issues told Trend. The meeting focused on the management of state property, privatization, and the efficient use of land. Both sides exchanged experiences and discussed potential areas for future cooperation. To note, the State Service for Property Issues under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Azerbaijan implements state policy in the field of management of state property, its privatization, compilation and maintenance of the state register of real estate, unified state cadastre of real estate, maintenance of address registers, state land cadastre, land planning, state management of lands, organization of the land market, as well as state control over the use and protection of lands. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel The opening session featured remarks by Ms. Lubna Farooq Malik, Director General of the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU); H.E. Mr. Jakob Linulf, Ambassador of Denmark to Pakistan; Mr. Troels Vester, Country Representative UNODC Pakistan; and Ms. Sima Kamil, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The speakers collectively emphasized the importance of embedding gender-responsive approaches within the national architecture to counter terrorist financing. Mr. Troels Vester highlighted that women must not only be participants but also leaders, shaping policies and priorities in counter-terror efforts. He mentioned that terrorist networks often exploit women, either as victims or unwilling facilitators, making gender-specific insights critical to prevention strategies. H.E. Mr. Jakob Linulf reaffirmed Denmarks long-standing support for gender equality in global security and financial governance. He described women as protectors of financial integrity and stressed that empowering women is not just a matter of fairness, but much needed strategic imperative. Highlighting the tangible progress made since the last conference, he called for sustaining and expanding the momentum to ensure more women join and are empowered at every level of CFT response. Following the opening, two technical presentations were delivered by national experts Ms. Sumera Baloch and Ms. Shehla Qureshi, who addressed how women are often exploited in terrorist financing, using social pressures as a power game. The experts stressed the urgent need for institutional reforms, gender-specific safeguards, and increased awareness within regulatory and law enforcement bodies. April 11 2025 The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) is casting its net wide in the hunt for a new president by inviting architects to put their names forward for leadership positions. The architects body is seeking to elect a new president alongside three trustees to shape its direction through 2025 and beyond, a process open to all chartered members. Successful candidates will require the backing of ten proposers to cross the threshold for consideration, at which point prospective candidates will be invited to set out their vision for the profession. The winning candidate will assume the role of president-elect from 2025-2026, before assuming the mantle of president from 2026-2028. Current president Karen Anderson, said: Being RIAS President is a great opportunity to work alongside the staff team, Chapters and volunteers in support of RIAS Members and to promote the importance of architecture in Scotland. Id like to encourage all who feel passionately about the future of the profession to consider standing for President or the new Board, as in these challenging times it is a rewarding experience to work with others to make a difference. Anderson was coronated as president in 2023 as the sole candidate. US President Donald Trump, whose dramatic reversal on global trade tariffs sent markets reeling this week, is no stranger to the U-turn. Here are some notable examples. - Inconsistency on abortion - When it comes to the thorny issue of abortion rights, Trump has changed on his position over the past 25 years. "I am very pro-choice," he said in 1999, stating his opposition to banning abortion. Trump changed his tune during the 2016 presidential campaign while courting the votes of evangelical Christians, and called for "some form of punishment" for women who seek abortion. In office, he is a staunch opponent of abortion. - TikTok, from hate to love? - At the end of his first term, Trump unsuccessfully tried to ban social media network TikTok, accusing the popular platform of siphoning American user data for Beijing's benefit. But on the campaign trail in 2024, while courting Gen Z votes, Trump said "I like TikTok" and declared "I'm going to save TikTok." He now says he is close to a deal for TikTok to find a non-Chinese buyer who would take it from its Chinese owner ByteDance to avoid it getting shut down in the United States. - Russian rollercoaster - During Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, he advocated for better relations with Moscow, but that stance quietened as accusations arose around Russia's election interference in his favor. Since returning to the White House, Trump has engineered a sudden rapprochement with the Kremlin, calling Vladimir Putin in mid-February in an attempt to end the Ukraine war. But recently Trump has also said he is "very angry, furious" with Putin over his approach to ceasefire negotiations in Ukraine. - A revolving door - Trump often lauds his new appointees, before they quickly lose favor and he fires them like contestants on his reality show "The Apprentice." Former ExxonMobil CEO Rex Tillerson was sacked as secretary of state in 2018, after months of tensions with Trump -- and many others have met the same fate. National Security Advisor John Bolton was appointed in April 2018 and fired in September 2019, going on to describe Trump as "unfit" to lead the world's foremost power. - Hot and cold on China - During his 2016 campaign Trump vowed to take China to task from "day one," labeling Beijing as a "currency manipulator." Months after taking office, Trump hosted his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida and said the Chinese are "not currency manipulators." These days, as he pursues massive tariffs against the US's main economic rival, he constantly accuses China of currency manipulation. - Covid contradictions - Trump downplayed the pandemic in its early days in 2020, mocking health measures to combat its spread. It wasn't until he was infected and hospitalized for three days in October 2020 that he lauded modern medicine and vaccines. "I learned so much about the coronavirus," Trump said on his return to the White House after treatment. "We have the best medicines in the world... and the vaccines are coming." lam/sla/bgs/acb BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. Azerbaijan has invited Moldovan businesses to explore opportunities for cooperation in the Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ), said Azerbaijans Minister of Agriculture, Majnun Mammadov, Trend reports. In his speech at the Azerbaijan-Moldova Business Forum, Mammadov urged Moldovan business representatives to explore the potential for investment and the creation of joint ventures in the AFEZ, emphasizing the advantages of such opportunities. "Today, during the session of the joint intergovernmental commission, we thoroughly discussed new prospects and areas for cooperation. Trade, energy, agriculture, tourism, and education were identified as key sectors for future interaction between the business communities of Azerbaijan and Moldova," the minister said. Mammadov further noted that the strong economic potential of both countries and their solid political ties will pave the way for tangible results in the future. "Overall, diversifying Azerbaijan's economy remains our top priority. A favorable business environment has been established in Azerbaijan for investors," he highlighted. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. Azerbaijani businessmen have been invited to Moldova to participate in events at various levels, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development of Moldova Vladimir Bolea said during the Azerbaijan-Moldova business forum, Trend reports. I invite Azerbaijani businessmen to Moldova to participate in events at various levels, he said. Bolea noted that today's business forum catalyzes attracting investments and creating platforms for sustainable development. Such events should be held regularly, as they offer the strongest opportunities for business groups to seek new collaborations and innovations. We are confident that today's discussions in this format will create a wealth of new opportunities to establish contracts and discuss future projects, he said. The official emphasized that there is a significant potential for the development of strong trade and economic relations between the countries. According to him, Azerbaijan ranked 57th among all of Moldova's trade partners in 2024. For us, this is not just a statistic - it is an indicator of the direction in which efforts should be intensified. We are sure that the growth potential is huge, he emphasized. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. Azerbaijan has become one of the reliable transport and logistics hubs in the Eurasian region, the country's Minister of Agriculture, Majnun Mammadov said at the 6th meeting of the joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Moldova, Trend reports. The minister mentioned that large-scale reconstruction work is currently underway in the liberated territories and expressed confidence that Azerbaijan can use the best practices of Moldova and other partner countries in restoration and construction efforts. Recalling that Azerbaijan has a reliable and favorable business environment, the minister called on Moldovan entrepreneurs to invest in Azerbaijan and make efficient use of the countrys transport and logistics capabilities. "Sea ports, railway connections, airports, and highways, as well as modern transport infrastructure connecting the East and West, North and South, provide us with great advantages to increase efficient trade relations. I invite investors from both sides to take full advantage of the benefits of economic zones in Azerbaijan and Moldova," he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Cotton Mill 200 Portlaw Heritage Centre has launched 'Malcolmson Cotton Mill, Portlaw 200th Anniversary Celebrations'. This month marks the 200th anniversary since the start of the business enterprise known as the Cotton Mill, which would eventually see the growth of the village of Portlaw as we know it. In order to mark this significant event, Portlaw Heritage Centre have committed to a series of events and activities running from April 2025 to April 2026. These events will include engagement with local schools to develop an education pack, the development of a website and walking trail, a series of talks and guided walks, mobile displays and extensive use of social media. Facebook will be updated regularly over the course of the year to represent the 52 years that the enterprise was in operation. The centre will also be participating in National Heritage Week, running from August 16 to August 24, with the theme 'Exploring Our Foundations.' Many thanks to our partners in the local history network, local government and our community for all the support to date. We really hope you will join us and participate on our journey over the next 12 months. #portlawmalcomson200 #portlawcottonmill200 #portlawheritagecentre @followers Tidy Towns Please join us at Easter for our Bingo fundraiser. Great prizes including Easter Eggs and a great night guaranteed. The event will take place on Thursday, April 15, at 8pm in The Premier Hall, Portlaw. Proceeds in aid of the Grotto 75th Anniversary and development. Donations welcome. Contact 087 1361861. Portlaw GAA A special moment for the OConnell's recently as brothers, Jack, Ronan and Bill, lined out together in a challenge match fresh from their incredible journey on Irelands Fittest Family. Well done lads. It was also another great morning recently for the Wellkids, U6s who had a great training session. Well done to Aoibhe, Daniel, Leah and Darragh who were selected as this week's best trainers. Wellkids takes place every Sunday morning at 10am at Portlaw GAA. It is for boys and girls born 2018 - 2021 and is 100 per cent free and no equipment needed. Just turn up. The link to register can be accessed online at https://www.cognitoforms.com/PortlawGAA/PortlawGAACamogieWellKidsNursery2025 Portlaw Camogie Well Done to our Comeragh College Students, Amy Lee Lennon, Emma Walsh, Kailyn Croke, Elly Hyland, Charlotte Home and Ava Murphy. Last week the school held a Tipperary Schools Camogie Blitz and Comeragh College had victory over Fethard and Colaiste Mhuire Co Ed, bringing home the county trophy. Well done to all participants and a special mention to 6th year student, and Captain, Kailyn Croke, who played her last camogie match in the school jersey and has been a huge role model over her last six years in Comeragh College, Walking Track Please note Portlaw GAA club has started work on the construction of a1.5m wide hard surface walking path around our field. This is preparation work for a new spectator railing that will be installed soon around our playing field. When completed we will have 400m of new railing surrounding our pitch with a 1.5m hard surface path on the spectator side of the railing which will be an excellent addition to our current top class facilities. Construction work on the path is expected to take over one week to complete. There will be no interference to the playing pitch or playing activities during this time but the work may cause some disruption to spectators so we ask that if you are visiting our field during this time to please take caution and we apologise for any inconvenience caused during construction. Permission has been granted for major components of the North Quays development in Waterford, including the green light for 350 apartments, a four star hotel and an aparthotel. The decision to grant permission was revealed at a plenary meeting of Waterford councillors yesterday by Council Chief Executive, Sean McKeown. Mr McKeown told the members that the decision was made earlier that day to grant permission to Hopcast Ltd for the project. He told the members at the meeting that "a positive decision" had been made with regard to the proposal that day and described it something that "is badly needed" in the city. The approved plans consist of a mixed use development which will be the first phase of the development of the SDZ lands. The phase 1 development will include nine blocks with a total gross floor area of 60579sqm. Approved, subject to conditions, is the construction of a hotel, an aparthotel and 350 apartments as part of the North Quays Strategic Development. The apartment blocks will comprise a total of 350 apartments made up of 106 one-bed apartments, 208 two-bed apartments and 36 three-bed apartments. The development will also involve construction of a podium that will establish new ground/street formation level that will connect to the Sustainable Transport Bridge at the Central Plaza. Provision is also made for pedestrian connection from Central Plaza to Dock Road via the approved pedestrian bridge. A new riverside promenade / cycleway (part of Greenway) is proposed between the Sustainable Transport Bridge and the Eastern Access to the site. A Ferrybank man will spend two years in prison for stealing almost 60,000 from the State. Paul O'Neill, of Belmont Heights, Ferrybank, appeared at Waterford Circuit Court before Judge Eugene OKelly for sentencing. The 52-year-old is understood to have fraudulently collected social welfare payments for up to two years following the death of his brother Darren. Darren had received a terminal diagnosis and passed away on January 19, 2020. Paul acted as carer for the last year of his brothers life. However, after Darrens passing, Paul did not inform the Department of Social Protection about his brother's death. The late Darren O'Neill had been in receipt of weekly disability payments from the Department, while Paul received a carers allowance. Soon after the death, the Department received a call from a man claiming to be Darren, notifying a change of address. Gardai reviewed CCTV in Ferrybank showing Paul wearing his brothers clothing and using his Bank of Ireland debit card to make transactions across Waterford. Footage also showed O'Neill collecting his carer's allowance. He was arrested by Gardai in March 2022. When Gardai inspected O'Neill's home, he claimed to not have made the call to the Department requesting an address change. However, once Gardai called the same number, a phone started ringing in one of the rooms of the house. In total, O'Neill gained 59,855.50 from the State by fraudulently collecting both disability payments and carer's allowance. Defence counsel Gareth Hayden BL told the Court that his client had "drunk himself into delirium" after the death of his brother and was hugely impacted by the loss. Judge O'Kelly imposed a sentence of two years and nine months, with the final nine months suspended. O'Neill will be subject to 12 months of supervision post release. A 22-year-old man has been sentenced to two years and three months in prison for money laundering involving up to 30,000. Derek Balogun, of The Lawns, Clover Meadows, Ferrybank, committed the crimes on both August 8, 2022 and May 26, 2023. The victim of the first offence discovered that 15,000 had been removed from their Ulster Bank account. The money was transferred into Balogun's Bank of Ireland account. He went on to spend 10,000 at retailer Harvey Norman. In the second offence, the victim was targeted by a phishing scam, whereby they were contacted by phone by a source claiming to be their bank. Balogun appeared in Court via video link and read a letter of apology to Judge Eugene O'Kelly, with a plea for leniency. Judge O'Kelly noted the uptick in "money mule" crimes, saying: "This court has to issue a heavy message to young people." Criminal Trial of Episcopal Priest Richard Losch Ends in Hung Jury, Underscores Corruption Within the Episcopal Church NEWS PROVIDED BY Anglican Watch April 11, 2025 ALEXANDRIA, Va., April 11, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ The criminal trial of Episcopal priest Richard Losch, indicted by a criminal grand jury over allegations he raped a boy at a New Hampshire Boy Scout camp, today ended in a hung jury. The news follows a decision by the court to exclude allegations of grooming of the alleged victim and other boys as prior bad acts, versus treating these events as an integral part of the allegations. Incidents of grooming include purportedly showering naked with groups of boys, encouraging them to go skinny dipping, and more. Losch, a resident of Livingston Ala., was charged following a grand jury indictment with taking the alleged victim and three other boys across state lines to the former Indian Pond Boy Scout Camp, then located in Orford, New Hampshire, before the camp opened for the summer. With no other adults present, Losch allegedly arranged to share a bed with the victim, ultimately raping him. The trial was marked by multiple ethically concerning statements by defense counsel Michael Iacopino, who asserted that the victim, who is being treated as anonymous: Was motivated by a desire for fame. Sought money from Losch. Sought money from the Boy Scouts. Was motivated by anti-Catholic animus, despite the fact that the victim was raised Catholic and has never displayed anti-Catholic sentiment. Was egged on by anti-priest abuse advocates, including Anglican Watch. Was incentivized by differing political views from Losch. Defense counsel also told the jury that Losch was cleared of allegations of wrongdoing by the Episcopal Church. However, Anglican Watch has seen no evidence to support this claim, or the other claims identified above. To the contrary, multiple Episcopal Church officials have ignored, minimized, or covered up the allegations involving Losch. Those involved include: Then-Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, who ignored pleas for help from the victim. Bishop for Pastoral Development Todd Ousley Title IV Intake Officer for Bishops Barb Kempf President of the House of Deputies Julia Alaya Harris National Youth Ministry Officer Canon Myra B. Garnes Safe Church Manager Bronwyn Skov Assistant to the Presiding Bishop Sharon Jones Bishop of Alabama, Glenda Curry Alabama Title IV Intake Officer Rob Morpeth Executive Assistant to Massachusetts Bishop Alan Gates, Laura Simons Diocese of Massachusetts Alan Gates, who refused to respond to the victims requests for help. Diocese of Massachusetts Title IV Intake Officer Starr Anderson Disciplinary Board for Bishops President Bishop Nick Knisely Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe Presiding Bishop Delegate Herman Holly Hollerith. Further, the Episcopal Church ignored pleas to address the matter from an Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) bishop and the ELCA legal department. The Episcopal Church still has not complied with mandatory reporting laws. Meanwhile, Anglican Watch has received allegations that a second person has contacted law enforcement officials with reports that Losch sexually abused him as a boy. Anglican Watch has been unable to independently confirm these allegations. Anglican Watch condemns the Episcopal Churchs indifferent and unethical response to these allegations, including the churchs refusal to hold bishops and other judicatories accountable for brushing off the victims pleas for assistance. Moreover, Anglican Watch maintains that the shambolic and feckless response by the Episcopal Church to these allegations underscores the need for a massive overhaul of the Title IV clergy disciplinary process, including establishing a central point of accountability and follow-up, so that victims are not ping-ponged around the church in search of someone willing to act on their behalf. This situation underscores a painful truth, says Anglican Watch official Eric Bonetti. The Episcopal Church is a modern-day whitewashed tomb attractive on the outside, reeking of filth and corruption on the inside. Moreover, dont be fooled by claims to the contrary: The Episcopal Church does not effectively prevent or address abuse. Indeed, most of the time, it cant even be bothered to respond. Simply put, the Episcopal Church is not safe for children, the elderly, LGBTQ persons, and other vulnerable populations, Bonetti concludes. Anglican Watch is the unofficial watchdog of the Episcopal Church and addresses sexual and non-sexual abuse in various faith communities. Founded in 2015, the organization is online at www.anglicanwatch.com. SOURCE Anglican Watch CONTACT: Eric Bonetti, 240-630-3767, eric@anglicanwatch.com The World Customs Organization (WCO), under the framework of the European Union-WCO Rules of Origin Africa Programme (the Programme), and in partnership with the European Technical Assitance Facility (EU-TAF) support to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the COMESA Business Council (CBC), held an Advanced Training Workshop on AfCFTA Rules of Origin for the French-speaking private sector of Eastern and Southern Africa in Antananarivo, Madagascar, from 24 to 27 March 2025. Representatives from eight French-speaking Member States of the Common Market of Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Rwanda, Tunisia and Seychelles benefited from the Workshop, which aimed to equip private sector representatives with in-depth expertise on AfCFTA Rules of Origin. The Workshop was conducted as part of a comprehensive capacity-building journey that began in June 2024. The support provided under the EU-TAF and the Programme enables the deployment of comprehensive capacity-building activities to enhance the private sector's knowledge of Rules of Origin and contribute to the seamless utilisation and implementation of the AfCFTA and COMESA free trade area. The Workshop provided participants with an opportunity to deepen their technical knowledge of origin acquisition, certification, verification, and other key AfCFTA requirements. Through interactive sessions, participants applied their learning through practical exercises in real-world scenarios. The initiative aims to establish a sustainable network of trained professionals who can facilitate knowledge dissemination and support the implementation of the AfCFTA across the COMESA region. In his opening remarks, CBC CEO Teddy Soobramanien emphasised that the joint collaboration with the Programme and the EU-TAF is designed to create a multiplier effect, ensuring the sustainability and expansion of the regional knowledge pool. He highlighted that some of these experts will soon undergo specialised training as trainers at the WCO headquarters. Mr Laurent d'Ersu, Political Advisor and Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to Madagascar and Comoros, highlighted the special relationship between the EU and Africa, noting that the EU has been instrumental in supporting the implementation of the AfCFTA since its inception. Mr. Bernardin Ramiandriosa, Director General of FCCIM (Federation des Chambres de Commerce et d'Industrie de Madagascar), welcomed participants to Madagascar and affirmed his organisation's readiness to support the full participation of the Malagasy private sector in the AfCFTA. The CBC, in collaboration with the Programme and the EU-TAF, will continue its work with regional stakeholders to equip the private sector with the necessary knowledge for the efficient implementation and application of AfCFTA Rules of Origin. Want to know more about the Programme? The WCO-EU Rules of Origin Africa Programme, funded by the European Union, aims to facilitate and increase intra-African trade, trade between Africa and Europe, and trade between Africa and the rest of the world. The Programme is a concrete step taken by the EU and the World Customs Organization in consultation with key stakeholders to support African partners in implementing the AfCFTA. For more information, consult the WCO-EU Rules of Origin Africa Programmes webpage. You can also contact us at: EU-WCORoOAfrica.Program@wcoomd.org BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. Moldova has invited the Azerbaijani investors to join the privatization of state enterprises, State Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization of Moldova Viorel Garaz said at the Azerbaijan-Moldova business forum, Trend reports. Garaz pointed out that Moldova has a handful of aces up its sleeve that make it a prime spot for foreign investment. According to him, one of these factors is its advantageous geographical location, as well as those international agreements that provide direct access to the largest markets in Europe, as well as the CIS countries. "We are also actively developing the digital economy; in recent years, our country has significantly improved its position in the digitalization rating, which opens up huge opportunities for technology and startups," he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 11. Strengthening connectivity in the Black Sea region and developing sustainable cooperation remain key priorities for the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Organization, the Secretary-General of BSEC, Lazar Comanescu, told Trend on the sidelines of the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum. "I participated in a panel discussion focused on connectivity and development in the era of digitalization. This topic is directly related to the work of our organization, as global economic trends increasingly highlight the importance of connections between Europe and Asia," he said. According to him, international connectivity projects such as the Middle Corridor, the "Belt and Road Initiative," and the "Global Gateways" play a vital role. "Whatever efforts you make to develop these directionswhether in goods transportation, energy, or communicationsthe Black Sea region becomes a focal point," Comanescu noted. He added that issues related to trade expansion, energy, environmental protection, and agriculture are clearly outlined in the updated BSEC Economic Agenda, adopted in late 2023. "We are currently working on its implementation. In this context, we are closely cooperating with Azerbaijan, which holds the BSEC chairmanship in the first half of 2025. I highly appreciate the attention and support provided by the Azerbaijani chairmanship," he said. Comanescu also addressed the issue of climate change and the organization's involvement in preparing for global climate goals. "In November last year, the COP29 summit was held in Baku, and thanks to the Azerbaijani authorities, BSEC participated in it for the first time. We are now actively working to further involve our organization in processes related to fulfilling international climate commitments," he concluded. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. Moldovas Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Regional Development, Vladimir Bolea, emphasized that his country views Azerbaijan as a friendly nation and is keen to strike while the iron is hot in building partnership relations across a multitude of sectors, Trend reports. Sharing these remarks during the 6th session of the joint intergovernmental commission on economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Moldova, Bolea pointed out the golden opportunity to sow the seeds of cooperation between the two countries, especially in the agricultural field. "The facilitation of contemporary technological integration within the agricultural sector, the execution of collaborative scientific inquiries, the development of human capital in agronomy, and the international trade of agrarian commodities could serve as pivotal vectors for synergistic engagement in the agricultural domain between Azerbaijan and Moldova," he said. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. The Azerbaijan Export and Investment Promotion Agency (AZPROMO) plans to introduce a logistics subsidy for exports, which will further enhance the potential of the Middle Corridor, said AZPROMO Executive Director, Yusif Abdullayev, Trend reports. Speaking at the Azerbaijan-Moldova business forum, Abdullayev expressed optimism that despite certain logistical challenges, export and import operations between the two countries would continue to grow. "We will implement a new mechanismlogistics subsidies for exports. I believe this will become a strong platform and an effective tool for increasing mutual trade turnover," said Abdullayev. The official noted that the Middle Corridor is a crucial transport route connecting Europe and Asia, holding strategic importance for Azerbaijan in the global economic system. "The opening of the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway was a significant milestone in this corridor, strengthening connectivity between the East and West. In May 2024, the annual capacity of this corridor was increased to 5 million tons," he added. Abdullayev further emphasized that the planned logistics subsidies, set to be implemented by the end of this year, would create new opportunities for export growth. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel If you have an event you'd like to list on the site, submit it now! Submit The Minister of State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher OSullivan joined communities in Wild Nephin National Park on Friday, April 4th, at a special event celebrating the International Dark Sky Place of the Year award for Mayo Dark Sky Park. The award was given to the Park by DarkSky International in December 2024 and recognises outstanding leadership on the importance of dark skies for nature, climate and communities. Wild Nephin National Park is managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). At night, the Park becomes Mayo Dark Sky Park. Minister OSullivan said: Our natural night sky heritage here in Mayo includes some of the darkest, most pristine skies in the world and draws many visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the Milky Way or even a meteor shower. But Dark Sky Parks are also places where we can learn about the importance of nightscapes, and their positive impact on biodiversity, climate, and on our own health and wellbeing. This award recognises that protecting our dark skies is a community effort, and is the result of a long-standing partnership and engagement between Wild Nephin National Park, its surrounding communities and the local authority. Im delighted to see that Ireland, through Mayo Dark Sky Park, has taken a strong leadership role to protect and restore our night skies. "With over 230 dark sky locations around the world, this is a very significant achievement for dark skies in Ireland and Id like to congratulate everyone involved. Dr Frank Prendergast, Archaeoastronomer and Emeritus Research Fellow at TU Dublin, a long-time supporter of the dark sky project in Mayo, gave a guest lecture on the cultural significance of the Pleiades (Seven Sisters) star cluster, a sight he has often enjoyed viewing from the Ballycroy Visitor Centre. Niall O Donnchu, Director General with the National Parks and Wildlife Service, said: The National Parks and Wildlife Service is grateful for the community support behind Mayo Dark Sky Park. We want to see collaboration and partnerships like this flourish and thrive in our National Parks. The night sky heritage here really adds to the existing habitats and biodiversity at Wild Nephin National Park. Denis Strong, Divisional Manager, Western Division, National Parks and Wildlife Service, commented: Our education and engagement offerings here at Wild Nephin National Park continues to grow thanks to ongoing engagement and collaboration with the local community. These include enhanced opportunities for visitors to experience the dark sky, through a sensory nature trail or from one of the many viewing points in the Park. While todays event is about marking our achievements, the future for Mayo Dark Sky Park is looking bright. Local charity Mayo Cancer Support Association was officially conferred with full membership of the National Cancer Control Programmes (NCCPs) Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres (ACCSC) at a ceremony in Dublin on April 2 last. Based at Rock Rose House in Castlebar, Mayo Cancer Support is a registered charity that has been providing emotional support to local people affected by a cancer diagnosis or bereavement for over 25 years. Its services include professional one-to-one counselling, complementary therapies, group activities, survivorship programmes, and childrens services - all of which are available free of charge to cancer patients/survivors and their loved ones. The ACCSC aims to establish and grow a forum for the development of community-led cancer supports and to advocate for the development of integrated pathways of care for cancer patients and their loved ones. Full membership of the Alliance is the equivalent of a 'Q Mark' for community cancer support centres like Mayo Cancer Support, demonstrating that they are compliant with the NCCPs Best Practice Guidance in terms of the delivery of community-based psycho-social services and survivorship programmes for those living with and beyond cancer. Manager of Mayo Cancer Support, Orla Gillespie, explained that the attainment of full ACCSC membership was one of a number of key projects pursued by the organisation in 2024 to mark its 25th anniversary. It involved engaging in a rigorous self-assessment and peer review process to demonstrate that the services it provides are operated to best practice standards. Ms Gillespie paid tribute to the staff and board members of Mayo Cancer Support for engaging and cooperating with the process so enthusiastically. Securing full Alliance membership means service users and medical professionals alike can be more assured than ever of the quality and efficacy of the services offered by the charity at Rock Rose House and at its outreach centres in Ballina and Achill, she concluded. For more information on Mayo Cancer Support visit www.mayocancersupport.ie, email info@mayocancersupport.ie or call 094-9038407. Sligo seating specialist LCS has produced a world-first 3D printed custom cushion with ventilation system for wheelchair users. Following successful tests with wheelchair users, the Grange-based company is now working with partners in the UK and Europe to bring the cushion to a wider customer base in these markets and in new markets around the world. The WheelAir Custom Cushion combines a 3D-printed lattice structure with LCSs WheelAir ventilation system to provide an active airflow in the cushion, addressing micro-climate. The custom cushion uses programmable foam to ensure maximum comfort, allowing customers to choose not only the shape and contours of the cushion, but also the density. This allows for the choice of five levels of softness across multiple zones on the same cushion, 3D printed in one piece. LCS has combined the cushion with its ventilation system, WheelAir. Each cushion is printed from the scanned shape of the user, ensuring it is entirely suited to their needs. Programmable foam is breathable, hygienic and bio-compatible and is designed to ensure comfort for the user by distributing and relieving pressure. LCS acquired Scottish company WheelAir in 2023. WheelAir ventilation system is designed to remove excess heat and moisture from the wheelchair seat and the backs of wheelchair users and cool their core temperature. It allows for self-regulation of body temperature and moisture control through convection, conduction and evaporation. The system can be adapted to suit models of custom wheelchair seating. The WheelAir system mitigates health and wellbeing implications for wheelchair users suffering from overheating and profuse sweating including muscle spasms, heat stroke, heat seizures, moisture lesions and pressure sores. By pairing the WheelAir ventilation system with a custom 3D printed lattice structure cushion, LCS has created a bespoke seating solution for wheelchair users that is wholly unique. Luke Conway, Founder and Director of LCS, said: We had been working with WheelAir for many years by incorporating it into our custom foam backrests, but we felt that we were not realising the full potential with our foam cushions. We always thought we could combine 3D printed seating and WheelAir, so we started to explore that option. The opportunity to purchase WheelAir came up in February 2023 and we made the decision to buy it and start planning to combine 3D printed seating with the WheelAir ventilation system. The WheelAir Custom Cushion was then born. Over the past six months we have tested and trialled the WheelAir Custom Cushions with wheelchair users in Ireland, the UK and Europe. Our initial testing and user trials have been very positive in regard to the wheelchair users comfort and ability to control their temperature. The open structure of the 3D printed cushion allows air to flow much more freely, and when we add the active air flow from WheelAir, the user is cooled. This is the first of its kind, in the world of wheelchair seating, a ventilated cushion addressing micro-climate. We are working with a number of partners in the UK and Europe, and we plan to widen our customer base in these markets and other markets around the world. It would take a particularly cold-hearted individual to watch the final episode of the acclaimed Netflix drama Adolescence and not find it heartbreaking. I wont lie I was a blubbering mess watching it. It was one of the most powerful and sobering pieces of TV I have ever seen. I wont spoil it for those who havent seen it but anyone Ive spoken to who did watch it had a similar, moving experience. You should watch it if you havent already. The drama follows the arrest of a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a classmate and shows the devastating impact on his family and community. At its core, Adolescence shows the dark world of smartphones, social media and bullying that can visit any home. The family in Adolescence were the epitome of normality in so many ways with just a few, human flaws. What it has done is provoke widespread discussions about the perils of smartphones and social media among our youth. And not before time. Children in national schools owning their own smartphones is becoming increasingly common. Unregulated use of such phones by kids and teenagers is all too common as well. The refrain from the parents in Adolescence that their son was just in his room reveals the dangers that can take place inside the apparent safety of your own home if your child has a smartphone and no limits on it. The parents in Adolescence clearly had no limits on their sons phone use and they are far from isolated. Right now I see three particular issues with children/teenagers and smartphones. First is the age at which a child receives a phone, something that has been creeping stealthily lower and lower. Second is the limits or, often, lack of limits/regulation of phone use by parents once their child has a phone. And thirdly is wider issues like a lack of enforcement and concern from social media giants where issues arise and a systemic failure of governments all over the world to tackle and regulate this burgeoning problem. Getting a child their first phone represents, to me, the end of their childhood and innocence. It is something that ought to be held off for as long as possible. Right now, succeeding in holding off until your child enters secondary school is about as far as you can expect to go. Many parents cave before then and it is often very understandable. Someone else in their childs class will have a phone, and so the peer pressure will start. More and more kids will get phones, and then those without one become isolated and can legitimately ask their parents about the fairness of their friends having one while they have to make do with TV. Hold off into secondary school and that isolation of your child, who may be one of less than a handful in a year of 100 children without a phone, really does risk isolating them from their peers. There are parent-led groups in Ireland who are campaigning in their communities for phone-free childhoods that is to say that children in their areas national schools would not have a phone until secondary school. It has proved effective and creates cohesion among parents. When there is an across the board standard, it is harder for any parent to break it and very easy for them to explain to their child why they cannot have a phone until secondary school. There will come a time and it cannot happen soon enough when this will be legislation. For now, parents are left to do their best in trying circumstances. The next strand is what to do when the child has a phone. It was part of a discussion on the Tommy Marren Show on Midwest Radio last week where parents phoned in about issues raised in Adolescence. One mother detailed how their teenage children are allowed their phones for two hours a day during the week and three hours a day at weekends, never in their bedrooms and the phones are linked to their fathers so he can monitor what they are doing. While part of that may seem to some like an invasion of privacy, when you consider the risks and dangers online nowadays, it is most certainly the lesser of two evils. Far too many parents do not police phone use adequately many of them are simply overwhelmed. In 2024, a survey carried out by the polling firm Amarach, on behalf of Irish charity CyberSafeKids, showed in technicolour the extent of the issue. It found that over half (52%) of parents do not feel confident about how to teach children how to stay safe on the internet. Almost half (45%) of 10-year-olds with smartphones are allowed to use them in their bedroom. Just over one in four parents surveyed (28%) used parental controls yet only one in five (20%) felt the good the internet could bring their children outweighed the risks. Chief Executive of CyberSafeKids, Alex Cooney said the survey identified a worrying gap between childrens access and their parents ability to support them to be safe online. What are the risks? Well, as most of us are aware, the internet and social media can be very beneficial but is full of dangers too. Unregulated access by children and teenagers opens the door to harmful and inappropriate content including violence and pornography; the risk of predators impersonating other children duping children into sending inappropriate images online; bullying through social media; poor if not altogether non-existent enforcement of inappropriate content, abusive content and defamatory comments by social media companies. Thats before you mention the damage overuse of phones causes to attention spans and how addictive they become for many children. Social media engagement becomes a popularity contest with many kids left isolated. Governments the world over have either been very slow to act or are simply unwilling. Donald Trump has played to a particular base by elevating transgender issues far beyond the extent of their reach and import. Yet there has not been a peep out of him on the ills of social media. His anti-regulation approach to social media sites has been music to the ears of tech bros like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg but here is an issue on which much greater intervention is required by world leaders. It an an issue that affects every single parent of minors in the world and right now in Mayo, in Ireland and throughout the world, it is one we are sleepwalking through. I think we will look back on this period in our history and ask ourselves serious questions about what we allowed to happen as parents and as a society on our watch. And just hope that issues like those in Adolescence dont come to our door. Gardai caution casual traders Casual trading is not permitted in Ballyhaunis, according to a Mayo County Council official. Under the Casual Trading Act, which dates from the early 1980s, for casual trading to take place there have to be casual trading bye- laws in place for the town under which licences to trade are then issued by the council, explained Padraic Flanagan, the top council official for the Claremorris municipal district of which Ballyhaunis is part. These licences are only for designated locations set out in the bye-laws. There are no casual trading bye-laws in place for Ballyhaunis that we know of, so casual trading cannot be carried out. A trader with a regular stall in Ballyhaunis square contacted this column recently to say he had been approached by the Gardai who asked him if he had sought permission from Mayo County Council to erect his stall on the square. I have been setting up my stall there every Saturday for years, said the trader, who sells clothes. Mr Flanagan said there are some exceptions under the Casual Trading Act "if someone is selling their own produce, for example, vegetables, or if there are old market rights, etc". Big clean-up on April 18th Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns is gearing up for this year's Good Friday community clean-up on Friday, April 18th (weather permitting). We are encouraging residents' groups, sporting organisations, neighbourhoods and individuals to team up and carry out a clean-up in their own local area or a particular black spot, said the group. All litter collected will be disposed of by Mayo County Council. Bags, gloves, hi-viz vests, litter pickers, etc, will be available at the Community Hall from 10 to 11am on Good Friday morning, April 18th. Please join with Tidy Towns in this worthwhile community initiative as part of An Taisce's National Spring Clean, Ireland's nationwide anti-litter campaign which takes place during the whole month of April, said the Tidy Towns. Everyone is welcome to attend a meeting of the Tidy Towns committee on Wednesday next, April 9th, at 7.30pm in the Community Hall. Jump in rail traffic A record 64,888 passengers used Ballyhaunis train station in 2024, up significantly on the 56,980 passengers who alighted and boarded at the station in 2023, according to data provided to this column by Irish Rail. Irish Rail added a new Westport-bound morning service in 2023 and in 2024 added a new Westport-Dublin service calling at Ballyhaunis in the late afternoon. Staff at the station have indicated that take-up of the new services has been strong, with commuters travelling to work embracing the new timetable. Farmland rents soar Local estate agent Gerry Coffey says farmers are getting up to 300 per acre in new leases of farmland. If its good land its fetching 200 to 300, thats for new leases, he told the Western People. Mixed quality land is fetching 150 to 200, he said. Prices are being driven by farmers seeking to acquire land for potential changes in nitrates emission regulations. Prices are also rising on landowners wanting a dividend from higher beef prices, said Mr Coffey. The average price of an animal is up by 400 on this time last year. A few years ago, farmers were protesting at meat factories because they were paying 3.50 a kilo and now theyre paying up on 8 a kilo. Owners of land see that and they want a bigger slice of the pie," said Mr Coffey. Farmers who spoke to this column acknowledged that land rents are rising but said rates vary according to land quality and location. Most land in East Mayo is of mixed quality. You rent a farm and you get one-third good land, one-third middling quality land and one-third bog, said one farmer. Its very hard to find a farm of land that you could call good land and that youd pay 200 an acre for. Another farmer said prices are driven by location and facilities. If the land is good and its next door to the farmer then chances are hed pay 200 to secure that land, especially if the land is well fenced and theres water laid on. Advice event for IPAS residents Mayo County Councils integration team is holding a Moving Into the Community advice clinic for residents of the Old Convent, the local International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centre, on Wednesday, April 9. The event is designed to assist those in direct provision accommodation to move out of the centre into the community and will look at all aspects of the move, budgeting towards a move, maintaining reduced stress levels while running a household, according to a description of the event. Attendees at the event, which is organised as part of the councils Social Inclusion Month, will learn how to run a house with energy efficiency and care for the environment". The Old Convent was last year the scene of several protests when long-term residents of the centre, who had secured permission to remain in Ireland, were asked to leave their accommodation. The protesting residents told the Western People at the time that they were unable to find private accommodation while others said they struggled to find accommodation at a rent level which would be covered by the housing assistance payment (HAP) they were entitled to. A resident of the Old Convent explained how he lives with his family in a bungalow-style building in the centre, while working full-time locally. The asylum seeker explained how he travelled to Dublin for the first interview with the Department of Justice on his application, after an 18-month stay in Ballyhaunis. When I arrived in Dublin with my family, we went to the international protection office to claim asylum and the following day we were sent to Ballyhaunis by taxi. Dairy farmers worry about impact from tariffs Local dairy farmers are braced for impact from the Trump administrations 20% tariffs on EU products with Knock-based dairy farmer Jarlath Walsh predicting a hit to sales of Irish butter in the American market. Butter sales in the US were hit the last time Trump was in and he put tariffs on the EU," he remarked. The Irish dairy sector is however helped by currently weak milk supply globally, with milk production in both the EU and US down in volume terms, creating more demand and higher prices for milk and dairy ingredients. The US isnt the only market in the world, so maybe we can fill in a gap somewhere else, said Mr Walsh. The impact of the new tariffs wont necessarily be felt in 2025 but it will be felt in the long term, he added. Mr Walsh is worried that in the longer-term dairy farmers will be forced to bear some of the costs of the Trump tariffs by taking lower milk prices to keep prices stable in major export markets like the US. The buck always stops at the farmer, he said. Farm machinery makers fear tariff impact Several agricultural machinery makers located in the wider Ballyhaunis area and with export sales in the US are braced for impact from the blanket 20% tariff placed on all EU goods by American President Donald Trump last week. Michael Farrelly, CEO of the Farm Tractor and Machinery Trade Association (FTMTA), told this column that a range of machinery makers from Mayo had been growing their sales of mowers and other similar items in the US market. Irish machinery manufacturers have a reputation for making very robust products as theyre built for the Irish conditions with heavier soils and heavy silage crops due to strong grass growing conditions. He hopes, however, that strong agricultural commodity prices will ensure there are plenty of customers for farm machinery in the domestic market. The fundamentals of agriculture are still very strong. Beef prices are high and dairy prices are going to continue to remain strong for the next two years. 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. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. The "Engineer Soltan Kazimov" offshore dredging vessel, built for the first time in Azerbaijan by the Baku Shipyard LLC, a resident of Garadagh Industrial Park, managed by the Economic Zones Development Agency (EZDA), was launched via a floating shipyard today, a source in the agency told Trend. According to the source, the design of this vessel was developed by experienced specialists of the Damen Shipyards Gorinchem B.V. company. "The construction of the ship has already been completed. The next stage will be the testing of the ship at the berth of the Baku Shipyard. The dredging vessel, built by the order of Baku International Sea Trade Port, has a total length of 61.2 meters, a hull length of 49.3 meters, a total width of 10.5 meters, a draft of 1.65 meters, and a drilling depth of 18 meters," the source emphasized. The fabrication of the vessel, designated for executing offshore dredging operations, is slated for culmination and handover in May of the current fiscal year. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel 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. WASHINGTON The Supreme Court said Thursday 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. 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 came after a string of rulings on the court's emergency docket in which the conservative majority 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 already pushed back Xinis' deadline. The justices also said 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 also should be prepared to share what steps it took 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. The administration 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 was an emotional rollercoaster for their family and the entire community. 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," she said. "I will continue fighting until my husband is home." 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. 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 directly noted the deference owed to the Executive Branch in foreign affairs. An immigration judge previously barred the U.S. from deporting Abrego Garcia to El Salvador in 2019, finding that he faced likely persecution by local gangs. 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 writer Lindsay Whitehurst contributed to this report. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. The 6th International Forum on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data was held in Baku, bringing together experts and leaders from academia, industry, and the government sector, Trend reports. The main goal of the forum was to discuss the latest innovations in AI and big data, strengthen international cooperation in the field, and enhance collaboration between academic circles, industries, and the public sector. The event, hosted at ADA University, featured distinguished professors from institutions such as Columbia University, Florida Institute of Technology, New York University, and Tallinn University of Technology. In his opening speech, Abzaddin Adamov, Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology and Engineering at ADA University, welcomed the guests. "We are proud to host this event that unites brilliant minds from Azerbaijan and around the world to discuss critical issues related to research, achievements, and challenges in this field. Over the past decade, we have witnessed extraordinary advancements in AI and big data," emphasized Adamov. During the forum, ADA University lecturer Samir Rustamov introduced products from the company Neurotime, including advertising targeting, chatbot systems, speech recognition, and speech synthesis. Fariz Jafarov, Executive Director of the Center for Analysis and Coordination of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR), shared that the global AI market is expected to reach $500 billion by the end of 2025. He further projected that by 2030, this figure would rise to $1.8 trillion, contributing an additional $15.7 trillion to the global economy. Jafarov noted the indispensable role of supercomputers and the internet in AI development. He also highlighted the importance of responsible AI usage and the need to integrate inclusivity into AI tools. "By 2030, AI will add 14 percent to the global economy's current size," he said. Jafarov noted that Azerbaijan is already testing pilot projects on the responsible use of AI in sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, sports, and digital governance. The forum was seen as a significant step toward Azerbaijan's regional leadership in AI and digital transformation. Following the official opening, Vugar Javadov, CEO of Neurotime, and co-founder Samir Rustamov presented on "Artificial Intelligence at the Intersection of Academia and Industry." The event also featured panel discussions with leaders from prominent companies in the AI field. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 10. A new poultry feed production plant with a capacity of up to 10 tons per day has been launched at the poultry complex of the Dahkan Union Nurly Meydan in Turkmenistan, Trend reports. The commissioning of this facility marks a key milestone in ensuring the poultry farms have a steady supply of high-quality feed, which significantly boosts production efficiency and supports the stable development of the enterprise. The products of Nurly Meydan demonstrate high competitiveness in international markets. The modern poultry complex, designed to produce 8-16 million eggs annually, is equipped with everything necessary for the proper care and breeding of high-yielding poultry breeds. The enterprise has become a pioneer in the country by successfully implementing an industrial incubation project. The incubation system, with a capacity of 12 million chicks per year, enables the production of broiler meat and eggs on an industrial scale, using proven technologies. Wits lauds high school principals The annual Principals Function cements commitment to innovation in education and the success of young people. Wits University hosted principals from Gauteng and beyond to recognise their contribution to the development of talent and guiding learners to realise their potential. The event on 4 April was aptly held in the newly opened Wits Anglo-American Digital Dome, aligning with the theme of innovation and excellence in education. Wits Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Zeblon Vilakazi welcomed the leaders who are critical in the talent pipeline. It remains a privilege to host such an influential cohort of leaders the very individuals who shape the trajectory of young minds and prepare them for a future in higher education, said Vilakazi. Historically, the event serves to strengthen relationships between the University and schools and provides a platform to celebrate the top feeder schools, by quality and quantity, across the various quintiles. This year, attendance expanded to include both longstanding feeder schools and emerging school partners who have the potential to join the Wits network of collaborators championing academic excellence. Guests were treated to interactive shows to demonstrate the versatility of the Digital Dome. The facility goes beyond just the field of astronomy; it can be tailored into a learning space for various disciplines. Joanna Holiday, Deputy Headmaster at Pretoria Boys High School, who holds a Masters in Theoretical Physics, commended the University for widening the capabilities of the facility. Educators welcomed the Digital Domes display of possibilities, which underscore the importance of continuous innovation in teaching. The Schools Liaison Office (SLO), which is responsible for recruiting top learners to Wits, shared their plans for the year. The team engages with learners as early as Grade 9 to ensure that they choose subjects based on their interests and aptitudes. We want to contribute meaningfully to enhancing the quality of education in our local schools and improve the admission prospects of your learners, said Sershin Naicker, SLO Manager. Wits Senior Executives including Deans of Faculties also attended, to engage and share information with the equally influential high school leaders. $660 million defamation suit against Greenpeace: The rise of SLAPP suits Our Civil and Political Justice team reflects on the use of Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation against human rights defenders In the United States, a recent judgment against Greenpeace has ordered the environmental organisation to pay a staggering $660 million in damages to a fossil fuel company for its involvement in a protest against Energy Transfer. This lawsuit is a clear example of a Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation (or SLAPP), aimed at silencing Greenpeace and deterring advocacy efforts. SLAPP is a term given to lawsuits that are usually meritless and instituted to silence, intimidate, isolate and dissuade activism against issues in the public interest. These lawsuits are commonly used by corporations who flex their financial muscle to avoid their responsibilities to respect human rights, typically harming vulnerable and impoverished people. The litigation often takes the form of defamation lawsuits where corporates seek unreasonable damages claims against individuals and organisations who seek to hold the corporations accountable for various violations. Recently, in South Africa, interdicts have also been used frequently by corporations to suppress activism and silence human rights defenders. These lawsuits may also be classified as SLAPP suits. Greenpeace argues that not only was the claim against it unreasonable, but it also far exceeds the organisations operating budget and income. Even more alarming is that the US North Dakota jury found in favour of the fossil fuel company. Greenpeace warns that paying the claim would result not only in its bankruptcy but would lead to shutting its doors. Furthermore, the Dallas-based Energy company lawsuit infringed on Greenpeaces right to freedom of speech. The character and nature of SLAPP suits are to target critics and activists with the aim of eliminating them as individuals or organisations and their cause. Courts are used as weapons to punish these activists and critics to impede their activism, and to send a chilling message to others who might take a stand. The impact of the court order extends beyond Greenpeace it will dissuade other activists, human rights defenders, and organisations fighting the same or similar causes. This has a profoundly damaging effect on social justice activism, weakening movements that challenge corporate and state power. In South Africa, social justice organisations which are at the forefront of activism on various public interest issues, like Greenpeace, are at risk of facing similar lawsuits against them. Laws offering direct protection against SLAPP suits do not currently exist in South Africa. The Constitutional Court has, however, recognised that SLAPP suits form part of abuse of court processes. This is the closest we have to a shield against SLAPP suits. Social justice organisations, activists, human rights defenders and journalists have been the main targets and victims of SLAPP Suits, and the impact of these lawsuits is severe. Organisations such as Greenpeace who are donor funded experience severe setbacks when faced with a SLAPP suit. The setbacks are not only felt financially as they pull out their resources and time to defend the lawsuits, but they also strain the reputation and overall well-being of the organisation. This jeopardises the ability of the organisation to function optimally and continue fundraising for its operations. These organisations represent impoverished, vulnerable and marginalised people who often do not have the means to afford legal representation. In this particular case, Greenpeace has played a vocal advocacy role in supporting the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in their opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline. The tribe, along with environmental activists, opposed the pipeline due to concerns over water contamination, environmental degradation, and the violation of indigenous sovereignty. SLAPP suits are therefore a threat to the survival of social justice organisations who litigate and advocate for issues in the public interest. The call for anti-SLAPP legislation in South Africa and other countries is therefore not premature. While 35 states in the US have enacted anti-SLAPP laws to curb these types of lawsuits, North Dakota remains among the states without such legal protections. Although legislation may not entirely prevent or deter the institution of SLAPP suits by corporations, it will provide the necessary procedural and substantive mechanisms and safeguards for courts and judicial officers who adjudicate SLAPP litigation. Additionally, provisions imposing penalties or cost orders on those who abuse the legal system may further discourage corporations from pursuing frivolous litigation to silence public participation. Legislation would also enable courts to reach just outcomes and allow courts to prevent the abuse of its own processes and maintain its integrity. States are therefore called upon to proactively establish Anti-SLAPP legislation to provide a much-needed layer of protection to victims of SLAPP lawsuits. Courts and the judiciary are called upon to take the necessary steps within their jurisdiction and mandate to uphold and protect the integrity of the court system to prevent abuse. The right to freedom of speech is a fundamental right that should not be infringed using frivolous and nefarious lawsuits. Whilst the balancing of rights is essential in a healthy democracy, and whilst there is no hierarchy of rights, courts should not allow themselves to be used as spaces where rights and freedoms are threatened under the guise of meritless claims of defamation. The role of courts in adjudicating SLAPP suits is to conduct a balanced and fair assessment of the facts and legal issues, consider applicable legal principles based on existing laws to reach a just and equitable outcome that considers and protects the interests of both sides. In states where there is no legal protection against SLAPP litigation, courts ought to take proactive measures through applying and interpreting existing laws to protect fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed in both international and domestic law. Although Greenpeace intends to appeal the decision, the order sets a bad precedent that may take years for an appeal court to overturn. This means that Greenpeace will be embroiled in years of litigation, straining its financial resources and potentially impeding it from attracting more funding to continue assisting vulnerable communities and raising awareness on significant issues concerning the environment. Organisations, individuals, activists and journalists who assert the right to free speech through peaceful protest and demonstrations for issues in the public interest ought to be recognised and commended for their acts of bravery and not silenced through SLAPP suits. The court order awarded against Greenpeace is chilling and undermines the right to free speech and the right to peaceful protest. Sithuthukile Mkhize and Mazi Choshane are based in the Civil and Political Justice programme at the Centre for Applied Legal Studies, Wits University. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 11. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and, State Cyber Security Service held a videoconference with representatives of the Korea Internet and Security Agency (KISA) on April 10, 2025., Trend reports via Turkmenistan's MFA.. In the course of the meeting, the participants discussed expanding bilateral cooperation in the areas of information, cyber, and internet security. The parties exchanged views on concrete steps to deepen their collaboration in these critical fields. Representatives from KISA expressed their interest in involving the Turkmen side in international events and training programs organized in Korea. Both sides underscored the importance of continuing the exchange of knowledge and experience to further strengthen cooperation in cybersecurity. In general, South Koreas exports to Turkmenistan in January 2025 totaled $7.99 million. In December 2024, exports reached $12.68 million, indicating a decline of nearly 37 percent in January 2025. ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 11. Two significant international events will be held at the Ashgabat Chamber of Commerce and Industry from April 29 through May 1, 2025: the conference Ensuring Quality According to International Standards in Turkmenistan (QACIS 2025) and the exhibition-fair International Trade and Services (ITSE 2025), Trend reports, Trend reports. These events will serve as a platform for discussing critical issues related to product quality improvement and the expansion of business ties, opening up new opportunities for businesses. The QACIS 2025 conference will focus on the implementation of international quality standards. Participants will have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with advanced global practices and discuss ways to improve the quality of products and services, marking a crucial step towards integration into international markets. The discussion of quality standards will be a logical continuation of the business program of the ITSE 2025 exhibition. The ITSE 2025 exhibition-fair will create a favorable environment for meetings between entrepreneurs, investors, and government representatives to promote international trade and services. It will provide an excellent opportunity for establishing partnerships, presenting innovative solutions, and exploring new paths to global markets. The exhibition will include consulting booths providing information on certification and standardization. On the third day of the exhibition, workshops will be held by representatives of international companies such as Messe Frankfurt. Moreover, delegates from the US, the UK, and other countries will give presentations aimed at sharing experiences and knowledge. QACIS 2025 and ITSE 2025 will contribute to the expansion of business ties, improvement of product quality, development of international cooperation, and the exploration of new markets. PRAY.COM Celebrates Passover by Honoring the Jewish Community and a Milestone in Partnership with the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews NEWS PROVIDED BY PRAY.COM April 10, 2025 LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ -- As the Jewish community around the world prepares to observe Passover, PRAY.COM joins in honoring this sacred time of remembrance, reflection, and redemption. Passover is a moment to pause and reflect on Gods enduring faithfulness and the story of deliverance that has echoed through generations. PRAY.COMs 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 deliverancebut 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 Godwherever they are. This Passover, PRAY.COM invites everyoneJewish, Christian, and seekers aliketo 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 worlds 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 CONTACT: Melany Ethridge, 214-912-8934, melany@alarryross.com ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, April 11. Experts and international consultants from the European Union project "Sustainable Energy Connections in Central Asia" (SECCA) visited Turkmenistan, Trend reports. During their visit, the experts held meetings with representatives from the Ministry of Energy of Turkmenistan and specialists from the UNDP project "Sustainable Cities in Turkmenistan: Integrated Development of Green Cities in Ashgabat and Avaza" to discuss further cooperation. As part of their technical assistance, SECCA experts provided the Ministry of Energy with the first technical document, "Recommendations on Safety Measures for the Operation of Electrical Installations." The experts also visited the construction site of the new building of the State Energy Institute in Mary, where they reviewed the energy-efficient technologies being implemented and discussed the possibility of awarding the building a "Green Certificate" upon completion. BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. The new hydropower plant (HPP) being built on the Araz river in the Ordubad district of Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic will play a crucial role in ensuring Nakhchivan's energy supply, Spokesperson of Nakhchivan State Energy Service Matin Abbasli told Trend. According to him, the HPP will have a significant role in ensuring the energy security of Nakhchivan. The spokesperson noted that, based on calculations, this station, with a capacity of 36 megawatts, is expected to produce 190 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually. "This amount will cover about 30 percent of the energy demand of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic in previous years. Currently, 60 percent of the construction work at the HPP has been completed. Additional work should be carried out by Iran for the project continuation. The total capacity of the HPP reservoir is 1.5 million cubic meters. The amount of water entering the station will depend mainly on the flow of the Araz water junction, as well as the annual and daily operating regimes of the Araz HPPs jointly operated by Azerbaijan and Iran, the official emphasized. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. In light of the buzz surrounding "Starlink" internet service hitting a snag in getting its devices into Azerbaijan, the government has stepped up to the plate with an official response. It was previously said that customers were running into a bit of a pickle with getting "Starlink" devices into the country, especially at customs, where it seemed like artificial roadblocks were throwing a wrench in the works of delivering the products. In response to these claims, the State Customs Committee (SCC) told Trend that to avoid such problems at customs, customers must obtain special permission from the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport (MDDT) of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Also, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport has officially articulated its stance on the issue at hand. In a statement to our agency, the ministry noted that the devices in question are classified as "space satellite communication devices" under the "List of Goods Subject to Special Permission for Civil Circulation," as stipulated by Article 4 of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan on goods that may only circulate with special permission. "Under paragraph 4 of the "List of Central Executive Bodies Authorized to Grant Special Permission for the Circulation of Items Belonging to Certain Participants in Civil Circulation, and Permitted for Circulation Based on Special Authorization (Limited Civil Circulation)," approved by Decree No. 292 of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, dated September 12, 2005, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport of the Republic of Azerbaijan is responsible for issuing special permission for the civil circulation of these items," the information emphasized. In simpler terms, customers facing difficulties in bringing "Starlink" devices into the country must obtain special permission from the MDDT. Only after this approval can the devices become available for users in Azerbaijan. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Sir Keir Starmers Labour government is leading a crackdown on students protesting the genocide of the Palestinians in Gaza and is working arm-in-arm with fascist US President Donald Trump. Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America for a bilateral meeting at the White House. [Photo by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street / CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 Trumps kidnap, detention and threats of deportation against student protesters like Mahmoud Khalil, Momodou Taal and Rumeysa Ozturk recall the actions of the German Nazi and Latin American dictatorshipsdisappearing political opponents. They have outraged workers and young people around the world. But they are only the sharpest expression of the same policy being pursued by all the imperialist governments. In the UK, a student at SOAS university has been charged, and another arrested, under terrorism legislation for speaking in support of the Palestinian peoples right to resist an illegal occupation. Many more have faced investigation, suspension and expulsion for their activismwell over 100, according to rights group Liberty. One of the arrested protesters in London, January 18, 2025. A climate of fear is being created on campus, with university administrations, private security firms, the police and Zionist groups working together to silence pro-Palestinian speech and protestall under the direction of the Labour government. Beyond the universities, young activists are being targeted by what amounts to a political police force. Members of Palestine Action have been arrested and imprisoned for protesting against Israeli weapons manufacturer Elbit Systems, making use of powers granted to police by counter-terrorism legislation. Six attendees at a Youth Demand event in a Quaker Meeting House in London were arrested for conspiracy to cause a public nuisance by a squad of 30 police officers, some armed, who stormed the building. A series of dawn raids were launched against 12 others. The national protest movement against the genocide in Gaza, which has mobilised millions over the last year and a half, is under threat. Seventy-seven protestersincluding leading members of the Stop the War Coalition and Palestine Solidarity Campaignwere arrested in a pre-planned police ambush on January 18, and participating members of parliament including former Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn were questioned at police stations. Starmers police state takes shape Labours intention is to criminalise all protest against the Gaza genocide, paving the way for the repression of any political opposition to British militarism and imperialism. As in the United States, attacks on the democratic rights of students are a first step in rolling out this broader agenda, following a series of house raids and airport arrests of critical journalists. These are long-held plans, and Labour was brought into office by the British ruling class to fulfil them, replacing a Conservative Party in meltdown. It was the Labour Party that played the leading role in advancing claims of left-wing antisemitism as a means of outlawing opposition to Zionism and the crimes of the Israeli state: a witch-hunt directed in the first instance against Corbyn and his supporters, aimed ultimately at all workers and young people who oppose war, militarism and austerity. Corbyns capitulation to this witch-hunt, paved the way to Starmer and all that has followed. Since coming to office last July, Labour has not only kept authoritarian anti-protest legislation passed by the Tories on the books but significantly expanded its use. And it is deploying counter-terror legislation and the Prevent scheme established by the previous Labour governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, putting them to their always-intended purpose of savaging the democratic rights of workers and students. Labour can rely on a compliant and complicit layer of university administrators to oversee the first phase of this crackdown being carried out on campus. Well-heeled university vice-chancellorspaid an average of over 400,000 a year across the Russell Group of universitiesoversee institutions with millions of pounds invested in Israel and the arms industry and engaged in extensive partnerships with both. Nor does the government need to worry about the invisible National Union of Students or the pro forma protests of the University and College Union, which has done nothing to stop the political persecution of students taught by its members. British imperialism prepares for war Building a movement to defeat these attacks on democratic rights means understanding the class and imperialist interests behind them. The Labour government is leading the UK into a new struggle for the violent redivision of the world, spearheaded by the Trump administration. In the Middle East, Israels drive for a final solution of the Palestinian problem is carried out in concert with Washington as part of plans to isolate and subjugate Iranextending to the destruction of Yemen, Lebanon and Syria. The UK plays a major role, carrying out surveillance flights over Gaza, making its Cyprus airbase available for the transfer of military equipment, participating in airstrikes in Yemen and sending warships to the Red Sea. In Europe, Trump has reversed the strategy of the Biden administration to fuel a prolonged proxy war in Ukraine against Russia, instead seeking a deal with the Kremlin securing Ukraines de facto colonisation by the US while reorienting towards conflict with China. Starmer is playing the leading role in European plans to sabotage this effort and stake the claim of Britain, France and Germany to Ukraines, and ultimately Russias resources. His Coalition of the Willing aims to place NATO troops on the ground, and planes in the air in Ukraine aimed at Russia, a nuclear-armed power. Military spending is being increased by billions of pounds to fuel this war policy, up to 2.5 percent of GDP by 2027, if not before, and soon far beyond. This is being paid for by slashing what remains of social spending, with Labour implementing sweeping cuts to vital services and support. Young people are first in the firing line. Chancellor Rachel Reeves has made clear her intentions to slash benefits most fiercely for the those in their late teenage years and early twenties. At the same time, she has stressed the opportunities available to young people in the armed forces. A generation is being prepared for slaughter. Socialism and class struggle the only answer Starmer and the Labour Party know they cannot proceed with this agenda democratically. There is enormous opposition, especially among young people, to war in the interests of the rich and a new round of austerity to pay for it. Starmers strategy is to defeat this opposition with force. We need our own to mount a decisive political counterattack. A wave of encampments at UK universities last year, following the example set in the US, showed the determination of students to put an end to one of the worst crimes of the 21st century. Hundreds of thousands have turned out on mass demonstrations month after month. But the balance sheet of these protests is clear. The universities are silencing dissent; the Labour government continues to back Israel to the hilt. The genocide of the Palestinians and the attack on the democratic rights of their supporters cannot be defeated by placing pressure on Starmer and his gang of warmongers. Labour is enacting the policy of a British ruling class mired in the terminal crisis of world capitalism, driving a global eruption of war and move to dictatorship. A mass anti-war movement must be built in an opposed social force with the power to stop Starmers militarism and police state crackdown and put an end to the capitalist system at the root of this descent into barbarism. That force is the working class. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) calls on students to mobilise the widest possible opposition to the attack on democratic rights. Above all, they must take up the fight to rebuild a Marxist tradition and revolutionary leadership among workers. Join the IYSSE today to: Stop the anti-democratic attacks on students! Build a working-class anti-war movement! Fight for socialism! Friedrich Merz, Christian Democratic Union party chairman, shakes hands with the Social Democratic Party co-leaders Saskia Esken next to Lars Klingbeil and Markus Soeder, chairman of Bavarian's Christian Social Union party, after reaching an agreement between their parties on a coalition for a new German government at a news conference in Berlin, Germany, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. [AP Photo/Ebrahim Noroozi] On Wednesday, Germanys Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), along with Social Democratic Party (SPD) leaders Lars Klingbeil and Saskia Esken and Christian Social Union (CSU) leader Markus Soder, appeared before the press to present their joint coalition agreement for the next federal government. Both their statements and the coalition agreement make clear that this will be the most right-wing German government since the fall of the Nazi regime. It is preparing to rearm on a massive scale, like Hitler, to make Germany fit for war once again. Domestically, it is adopting the refugee policies of the fascist Alternative for Germany (AfD). To finance its militarist agenda, it will build a police state to impose a historic social scorched-earth campaign against the widespread opposition of the population. Merz announced that the plan was to chart a new course in migration policy. We will organize and control better and largely put an end to irregular migration, he declared. There will be controls at national borders and rejections of asylum applications. We will launch a repatriation offensive. We will put an end to voluntary admission programmes, suspend family reunification and significantly increase the number of safe countries of origin. The former BlackRock executive, who had already made a pact with the far-right AfD during the election campaign to tighten refugee policy, left no doubt that the brutal crackdown on migrants is part of a broader effort to establish a comprehensive police state aimed at controlling the entire population. The goal, he said, was to strengthen internal security in Germany, including measures to authorize IP address storage for security authorities for three months and to open up powers for source telecommunications surveillance to the federal police. Merz made clear that the expansion of state repression is directly tied to Germanys massive rearmament and war offensive. A Federal Security Council will be established within the Chancellery, along with a national situation centre and national crisis team. Germany, he insisted, must become stronger in foreign and security policy. To this end, defence spending will be significantly increased, a new law will be passed to accelerate planning and procurement for the Bundeswehr [Armed Forces], and further steps will be taken to enhance defence capabilitiesincluding the gradual reintroduction of compulsory military service. In fact, the planned rearmament programmeinitiated by the CDU/CSU and SPD in March with the backing of the Greens and the Left Partycan only be compared to Germanys military build-up prior to the First and Second World Wars. A constitutional amendment passed by the ruling parties now exempts all defence spending above 1 percent of GDP from the debt brake, which otherwise imposes strict limits on new government expenditure. This means that military spending can rise without limit. The coalition agreement makes clear that the so-called special infrastructure fund of 500 billion will also be used to prepare for war. In the section on Defense Policy, it states: We are simplifying the definition of requirements and approval for military construction projects and creating exemptions in construction, environmental and public procurement law as well as in the protection and dedication of military areas with a Federal Defense Infrastructure Acceleration Act. Moreover, concerns and infrastructure measures for overall defense are to be defined as an overriding public interest and prioritized over other state tasks in their implementation. Merz and Co. made no secret of the fact that the rush to form a new government is a direct response to the escalation of international trade and military conflicts. We conducted the coalition negotiations in a situation of growing global political tensions, in a situation in which many internal and external forces are not working with us, but against us in Germany, Merz declared. He emphasized that the war in Ukraine was continuing unabated, while economic uncertainties are increasing enormously. Recent decisions by the US government, he added, had triggered new turbulence. Under these conditions, German imperialism is determined to aggressively pursue its economic and geopolitical interests and assert them against rival major powers. We do not yet know in which direction the international situation will develop, Merz statedbefore adding, in unmistakably threatening terms, But that is why our message today is all the clearer. We want to and we will help shape change in the world for Germany. The coalition agreement is a signal of change and a powerful sign for our country. At the press conference, SPD Chairman and parliamentary group leader Lars Klingbeil made it explicitly clear that Germanydespite its historic crimes in two world warshas no intention of standing aside in the imperialist redivision of the world in the 21st century. We are seeing the world being reorganised right now, he declared. In these hours, in these days, in the next few months, decisions will be made as to what role Germany and Europe will play in the future in this remapping of the world. And that was a thread that ran through our coalition negotiations. In the coalition agreement, the SPD and CDU/CSU identified the entire globe as a zone of influence for German imperialism. They called for an Africa policy that does justice to Africas strategic importance, and described the Indo-Pacific as of elementary interest, where Germany would continue to maintain a presence. They emphasized that expanding strategic partnerships with the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean is of particular importance. Overall, the agreement pledges that bilateral relations with the countries of the Global South will be intensified and expanded into a global network. As in the past, German global power politics today means genocide and war. The coalition partners declared the security of Israel to be a German matter of state, fully backing the far-right Netanyahu regimes genocidal campaign against the Palestinians. At the same time, they pledged support for the new Islamist rulers in Syria under the banner of stabilization and economic reconstructiona move aimed at expanding German influence in a resource-rich, geostrategically vital region and facilitating the deportation of refugees there. On the eastern war front against Russia, the coalition agreement pledges that military, civilian and political support for Ukraine will be substantially strengthened and reliably continued together with partnersand, if necessary, independently of the United States. For the first time since the end of the Second World War, it declares, Germany and Europe must be in a position to guarantee their own security to a much greater extent. Berlin intends to play the central role in this effort, assuming a leading role in the further development of the European Unions Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Germanys historic rearmament and war policy will be financed through equally historic attacks on the working class. We will make a considerable contribution to consolidation in this legislative period, the coalition agreement states in the section on Budget Consolidation. The model for this program is the United States, where the Trump regime is carrying out savage austerity measures in the interests of the financial oligarchy, dismantling all of what remains of past social gains. The coalition partners have agreed to a sweeping austerity agenda, including the following measures: A 10 percent cut in all non-personnel administrative spending by 2029targeting areas such as education, health and social services, while explicitly exempting intelligence and police agencies; An 8 percent reduction in federal administration jobs, again with exceptions carved out for the security apparatus; Cuts to external consultancy expenditures across all departments and the halving of federal commissioner positions; 1 billion in overall cuts to funding programs in the federal budget; Reductions in voluntary contributions to international organizations; Cuts to Burgergeld (basic welfare payments). The deeply anti-working-class policies of the incoming federal government are supported by all parties in the Bundestag. The Greens provided the CDU/CSU and SPD with the necessary two-thirds majority in the outgoing parliament to pass the constitutional amendment enabling the war credits. The Left Party and its representatives in the Bundesrat (upper house) also voted in favor. The trade unions are fully on board as well. They continuously reaffirm their support for rearmament and are doing everything in their power to sabotage the growing wave of worker oppositionblocking unified action and pushing through sellouts in wage disputes at Deutsche Post, in the public sector and at Berlin local transit operator BVG. The support of all Bundestag parties and the trade unions for the program of war and austerity underscores a fundamental truth: the fight against fascism, militarism and social inequality requires the independent mobilization of the working class. In its statement at the beginning of the government formation process, the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) called for the establishment of rank-and-file committees in workplaces and neighborhoods that will allow workers to take the fight against mass redundancies and wage cuts into their own hands and combine it with the fight against war. The statement declared: We counterpose the international unity of the workers to the growth of nationalism, trade war and rearmament. The war can only be stopped, and social and democratic rights can only be defended, if capitalism itself is abolished and replaced by a socialist society in which peoples needs, not profit interests, take centre stage. The big banks and corporations must be expropriated and placed under democratic control. Puerto Rican firefighters at the scene of the Jet Set Club roof collapse, April 9 [Photo: Department of Public Safety of Puerto Rico] The catastrophic collapse of the Jet Set nightclub roof in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, in the early hours of Tuesday has shocked people around the world. The roof of one of the most iconic venues in the Dominican capital suddenly caved in as attendees enjoyed a concert by popular merengue artist Rubby Perez. With rescuers still searching for bodies, 221 people have been found dead, while about 200 others were injured. Jet Set nightclub, renowned for its Monday Merengue Nights, was packed with over 1,000 attendees when disaster struck, while some reports indicate that it had reached full capacity of over 2,000. Most of the victims were workers or middle-class attendees who paid about $30 to experience the atmosphere at the top club. Perez, 69, was found dead in the rubble. A beloved artist in the Dominican Republic and internationally, Perez was among the most recognizable voices in merengue music with hits like Tu vas a volar, Volvere, and Enamorado de Ella. Videos showing his hypnotic stage presence and merry vibe just minutes before the disaster have gone viral, filling fans with grief. Other prominent figures among the deceased include former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco, and Monte Cristi provincial governor Nelsy Cruz. Relatives have flocked to the site, hospitals, and forensic institutes in search of missing loved ones. Shailyn Pena, the BBC reports, spent her 17th birthday waiting outside the rubble for news of her father and other family members who were trapped inside. Like many others, she expressed frustration at the lack of updates. Crowds, with many holding pictures of relatives with the word MISSING, also gathered at the National Institute of Forensic Pathology to hear officials read aloud names of identified victims. Screams of anguish broke out as names of loved-ones were announced. Others moved from hospital to hospital in desperation. For families still awaiting answers, each passing hour compounds their grief. Doctors warn that some hospitalized victims remain in critical condition having endured hours trapped with multiple injuries. Rescue teams from Israel, Mexico, and Puerto Rico joined local crews to search for survivors using thermal cameras and sonar technology. Over 189 individuals have been rescued so far. As hopes were fading since no survivors have been found since Tuesday afternoon, The Guardian reported that responders have stopped searching for survivors. Emergency Operations Director Juan Manuel Mendez assured families that efforts would continue until every person is accounted for. However, with much of the site already searched, authorities are transitioning to recovery operations focused on locating bodies. The cause of the collapse remains under investigation. Eyewitnesses reported dust falling moments before large chunks of concrete came crashing down on concertgoers. The buildings history raises questions about oversight: originally a cinema from the 1970s, Jet Set underwent renovations in 2010 and 2015, but had not adhered to modern safety standards. This highlights systemic failures in enforcing building codes, which have themselves failed to keep up with advancements in science and engineering. While Jet Set catered to a relatively more affluent crowd, its structural vulnerabilities reflect a broader neglect that is even more pronounced for the working class. President Luis Abinader expressed condolences for the victims at the site and attended the funeral of Perez, but criticisms have been raised that the government is covering up a record of negligence and ignored warnings. The owner of a neighboring building, Karina Suero Moquete, told the media that she had filed one of several lawsuits against the building over sound pollution and nonstop vibration all night long. Prosecutors responded to them that, It is part of the national brand. The prominence of the locale and the oligarchic character of the Espaillat family that owns it, has raised widespread suspicions of an official coverup. Dozens have commented on a statement on social media published by Antonio Espaillat calling for his arrest. Only a day before disaster struck, Abinader announced 15 measures modeled after Trumps fascist agenda and openly advertised as painful to crack down on Haitian immigrants. These include raising the number of troops at the border with Haiti to 11,000, building a border wall, new restrictions on migrants access to healthcare and public education, and several actions to drive out Haitians from the labor market. That day, the administration boasted of a historic record of deportations, reaching 187,983 in six months. The announcements, made in the framework of national security, have set the stage for media outlets to scapegoat Haitian immigrants to divert attention from the Jet Set club disaster and systemic issues like infrastructure safety. Some tabloids have already begun denouncing the use of Haitian construction workers. Disasters like the Jet Set Club collapse or the 2017 Grenfell Tower inferno in London, England expose how profit-driven neglect make preventable mass death and suffering inevitable. While in Grenfells case, cost-cutting measures led to unsafe cladding; inadequate oversight at Jet Set allowed structural vulnerabilities to persist unnoticed. As Dominicans are left grappling with grief and anger, some media commentators are calling for stricter enforcement of building codes and greater transparency in government actions. Such events, however, underscore that disasters are rarely isolated incidentsthey are symptoms of systemic failures prioritizing profit over human lives in capitalist society. As in the case of the Grenfell fire and the construction firm and companies responsible, families and the working class hoped to settle accounts and make changes to prevent future catastrophes. The Dominican ruling class is already conceiving a whitewash as it exploits the disaster to promote nationalist chauvinism and anti-Haitian xenophobia. A pro-Palestinian protester interrupts President Joe Biden during an event on the campus of George Mason University in Manassas, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 [AP Photo/Alex Brandon] On March 13, George Mason University (GMU) president Gregory Washington sent an email to the student body which pledged commitment to the Trump administrations assault on students democratic rights as part of eliminating the fictional scourge of antisemitism on college campuses. GMU is one of 60 college and university campuses across the country that were notified by the Trump-run Education Departments Office of Civil Rights (OCR) on March 10 of alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act regarding antisemitic activity on their campus. The reopening of investigations into antisemitism was in pursuance to the Trump administrations January 29 executive order Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism. George Mason welcomes the opportunity to work with OCR, stated Washington in the email. Washingtons email also explained that [GMUs] approach to addressing antisemitism is informed by guidance from OCR and other government recommendations in responding to complaints of harassment or discrimination. Washingtons email marks the second time that GMU has pledged to work with the OCR. Washingtons recent email briefly mentions an incident from December 2023 when a complaint was filed with the OCR against GMU. That complaint claimed that there was pervasive hostility to Jewish students on campus and that GMU was sanctioning support for the massacre of Jewish people. At that time, GMU was one of several universities which had been targeted by far-right provocateur groups such as Campus Watch, who had taken out complaints with the Democratic Biden administration against the anti-Gaza genocide protests then sweeping the country. Biden, working hand-in-glove with the extreme right, honored these absurd complaints, opening investigations into the universities in question. GMU responded by welcoming the investigation and Washington stated in his email that at the time he felt it was important to let the OCR know of [GMUs] efforts to combat harassment and discrimination. Washington obediently listed the restrictions the university has imposed on the right to protest since the previous administrations intervention against students. In August 2024, the university adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, which effectively equates any opposition to the genocide in Gaza and anti-Zionism with antisemitism. The same month, the university prohibited encampments, restricted the display of posters and implemented a sound ordinance. These rules were designed to effectively prohibit any open expression of opposition to the genocide in Gaza. In February, GMUs Board of Visitors (BoV), a body appointed by Virginias governor, reaffirmed by proclamation the university is cognizant and aware that terms such as Zionist can be used as a proxy for Jewish or Israeli in perpetuating antisemitic conduct. Likewise, the university declared that when dealing with what it termed proxies for antisemitic conduct, it would evaluate its decisions based on IHRAs definition. These are only a few of the steps the university has taken to suppress students rights to protest. In a clear escalation of the crackdown on students, on November 7, 2024, Fairfax County and GMU police with the assistance of the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force conducted a no-knock raid of the home of two GMU students, Jena and Noor Chanaa, who belonged to the universitys chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). The raid was conducted in response to an incident on August 28, where several people spray-painted pro-Palestine messages on a sidewalk at the campus. There was no evidence that SJP members had even been involved in the incident and no charges or formal accusations were brought against the sisters. After the raid, Jena and Noor were then issued a criminal trespass notice and barred from campus for four years, effectively expelling the two. The justification for the trespass notice was that antique weapons, which belonged to the Chanaas brother, and anti-Zionist literature were found during the raid, constituting them as a threat. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) at GMU has launched a campaign opposing the attack on the SJP and its members, demanding that the ban on the two sisters be lifted immediately so they may continue their studies and that the SJP be immediately reinstated with full student organization rights. Since the raid, the Chanaas have faced financial hardship and had to create a GoFundMe in order to cover legal fees. Their GoFundMe page states the sisters commitment to Palestinian liberation placed a target on their backs in the eyes of the George Mason University administration and Mason Police. As a result, they were isolated, targeted, and effectively expelled indefinitely without charge. A supporter of the GMU chapter of the IYSSE denounced the universitys attempt to effectively begin bankrupting the Chanaa family. This is a criminal act of retaliation against students for protesting a genocide. George Mason, whose Virginia Declaration of Rights influenced the Fifth Amendment which says no one will be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process, is rolling over in his grave right now. GMUs attacks on democratic rights is reinforced by its growing ties to the United States military and intelligence apparatus. The universitys disregard for students rights is likewise underscored by its financial ties to far right groups and benefactors. In 2019, the World Socialist Web Site reported that the university named its law school after the recently-deceased fascist Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia following an anonymous donation of nearly $20 million in 2016. The Koch Foundation, an ultra-right political advocacy group, donated around $95 million to the school between 2005 and 2018. Members of the Supreme Courts far right fascist bloc have also recently held honorary posts and professorships at GMU, including Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh. What is occurring at George Mason is among the most pronounced expressions of a far wider process occurring nationwide. University administrations across the country are dominated by upper-middle-class layers that have close ties to the Democratic Party and the corporate and financial elite. These layers, cultivated over decades, are far-removed from any democratic traditions. Other universities, such as Columbia, have also capitulated to the demands of the Trump administration. At Cornell University, the school and the Trump administration have hounded Momodou Taal, an international graduate student, to leave the country following his role in opposing the Gaza genocide and the governments assault on freedom of speech. Demonstrators launch fireworks at Parliament during a protest against the government's decision to suspend negotiations on joining the European Union, in Tbilisi, Georgia, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov) [Photo by AP Photo/Pavel Bednyakov] The Trump administrations decision to gut the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and axe foreign aid has sent the anti-government opposition in the south Caucasus country of Georgia into crisis. American funding has long played a central role in sustaining the large network of non-profit and civil society organizations seeking to drive out the current ruling authorities for failing to adopt a decisively anti-Russian line. For months, forces opposed to the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party have been protesting in the countrys capital city, Tbilisi. Their central demand has been the nullification of last Octobers parliamentary elections, which delivered a majority to GD. Insisting that the vote was rigged, a claim for which no proof has been provided, they demand that the parliamentary vote be re-run so as to get the outcome they wish. These demonstrations followed on the heels of last springs anti-government protests, which centered around the GD governments passage of a foreign agents law. In the various waves of demonstrations, virulently anti-Russian, pro-EU, pro-US and pro-Ukrainian slogans have predominated. Crude banners directed against Putin have come alongside calls for democracy, human rights and the European waythe stock in trade of right-wing forces hoping to ingratiate themselves with the imperialist powers and vacuum up a few bits, however measly, from what falls off the table of the big players in the capitalist system. The EUs and Washingtons full backing for Israels war of extermination against the Palestinians has not caused Georgias opposition to skip a beat. And social and economic issues that impact the vast majority of the population have never found a place in this allegedly popular movement. In recent weeks, hundreds of Georgian miners have been staging protests in the capital against layoffs and unpaid wages. They have not, however, rallied behind the anti-government opposition. The Trump administrations attack on the post-war order is unmooring the pro-US and pro-EU layers in Georgia and across the post-Soviet sphere. Regardless of whether or not the White House successfully cuts a deal with the Putin government over the Ukraine war, Trumps willingness to abandon Kiev and pursue such an agreement over the opposition of the EU powers signals the torching of the US longstanding alliance with Europe and the foreign policy that had long-cemented these tiesa ferociously anti-Russian line covered over with hollow babble about defending freedom. For decades, the US has been meddling in Georgia and all the former Soviet countries with the express purpose of bringing to power governments that are avowedly hostile to Moscow. An entire social layer has been cultivated on this basis, and it is now at sea. The axing of American imperialisms soft power money through the shutting down of USAID has left many of Georgias civil society actors reeling, notes a March 10 article on the website Civil.ge, a pro-opposition news outlet. Most programs that supported civil society engagement with governance are now shuttered, it adds, resulting in the loss of about 2,000 jobs. In an admission of the close relationship between Western funding and those on Georgias streets demanding that the government give up power, the author laments that the fines they get almost daily from the police for closing traffic will feel much more painful to them. The volumes of money in question are not small, particularly for a country with a population of just 3.7 million and an annual GDP only slightly over $30 billion. According to a March 8 article on the website GEOPolitics titled, As USAID Dies, Many of Georgias Vibrant CSOs Face Extinction, the size of US expenditures relative to the number of people in the country is so large that Georgia has been one of the largest per capita recipients of US Assistance. Between 2012 and 2023 American overseas development money spent on the tiny south Caucasus nation amounted to $1.92 billion. USAID, next to the US State Department, is the primary administrator of these monies, according to the official website ForeignAssistance.gov. Not a single dime is spent on poverty or human welfare. Of all the money delivered in 2023$149,075,515just two grants totaling $22,161 are identified as having to do with Health, and the explicit purpose of one of them is listed as redacted. A few hundred thousand dollars are dedicated to supporting things like English classes, teacher training and environmental protection. There was, however, $4500 allotted to something having to do with the racialist, gender-obsessed post modernist sociologist bell hooks (who for some reason also rejects basic English grammar and does not capitalize the first letter of either of her names). One program having to do with to gender-based violence had a balance of -$50. The top recipient of US State Department money is the Foreign Military Financing Program, which got $35,000,000, followed by USAIDs Promoting Rule of Law in Georgia. It received $8,990,900. What then comes is a laundry list of imperialist soft power operations dressed up with words like self governance, information integrity and civic education. For instance, the USAID Civic Education Program, which received $2,700,000 in 2023, is described as follows: The purpose of the USAID Civic Education Program is to use civic education to prepare the next generation of Georgians to be civically engaged and know and exercise their democratic rights and responsibilities. Translated into plain speech, this means funding anti-government movements. The Georgian website GEOPolitics, which is run by the Gnomon Wise Research Institute (another outfit funded by US and European sources), explains that even when US money has been allotted to initiatives to be undertaken by the Georgian government itself, the non-governmental civil society community is at the center of these efforts. Washington uses employees from USAID-sponsored Georgian NGOs to implement the policies dictated to the Georgian government. The halt of the flood of foreign aid money has left the countrys opposition demoralized. After a hundred days of nonstop street protest, the winter of Georgian discontent fails to bear fruit, observed Jaba Devdariani on the news outlet Civil.ge early last month. According to him, activists are walking away from the protests and even, it seems, leaving Georgia, a fact that reveals something about the socio-economic position of layers within the core of the anti-government opposition, as the vast majority of people do not have the money to decamp from their native land because they are politically depressed. The ruling Georgian Dream party has praised the cuts to USAID and Trumps attacks on the deep state. It is moving forward with attempts to tighten the political screws and further consolidate power by passing legislation banning opposition parties, placing further limits on the media, increasing fines and detention times for protesters and introducing treason into the countrys criminal code. The government has also revised its foreign agents law to make it identical to the US 1938 Foreign Agents Registration Act. The closeness of the two laws has created something of a problem for the opposition because it reveals the fact that the anti-democratic measures of the Georgian government are entirely in keeping with the policies of the American state. They have dealt with the issue by claiming that Georgias version is much worse than that of the US. Politically, the central issue is that Trumps policies, domestic and foreign, have caused the mask to fall off. The American waythe peace, prosperity, and human rights promised to the former Soviet masses after the Stalinist bureaucrats dissolved the USSR and restored capitalismhas come to naught. It is and will become ever more difficult to appeal to popular frustrations over the Georgian governments policies on the basis of the claim that there is some sort of global, democratic spirit floating in the ether, calling out for the Georgian people. The worlds oldest democracy is crushing dissent, kidnapping and detaining critics and deporting immigrants guilty of no crime to El Salvadors most brutal prison. All of this is rubber-stamped by the Supreme Court and unopposed by the Democrats. Despite the blow that it has experienced, Georgias opposition is not done seeking the support of their American benefactor. The countrys leading oppositionist, former Georgian president and former French diplomat Salome Zurabishvili, was invited to attend Donald Trumps inauguration in January. On the sidelines of the event, she met with now Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Zurabishvili was overcome with praise for the would-be dictator in the White House at an event sponsored by the Atlantic Council on January 21, the same day that Trump was issuing decrees gutting civil rights and preparing the mass firing of federal workers. I think that the America that he [Donald Trump] is describing, and the foreign policy of America that he is describing as of a strong America America that is effective and active in actionthat is the America that Georgia certainly needs, Zurabishvili said. In Washington, the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, just approved the MEGOBARI Act with bipartisan support. The bill asserts American support for democracy in Georgia and targets the current government in Tbilisi. Speaking on March 10 to Civil.ge, Tamara Chergoleishvili of the newly-formed Federalists, a staunchly pro-US party according to Civil.ge, berated oppositionists for panicking and counseled patience in the search for a new arrangement with the White House. Politically, there is nothing holding back the Georgian opposition from allying itself with Donald Trump. Their commitment to democratic principles runs none too deep. Writing on March 24 in Civil.ge, Nina Gabritchidze opined that it was time for the opposition to give up its demand for the re-running of the last parliamentary elections, as it should not be under any obligation to recognize the result should it go against them. So, does the call for a new election imply that a votefair or notcan legitimize oppression? Should it be decided by a simple majority whether one still deserves to be treated as a human being? Should you quietly accept it if 51% of the voters decidewillingly or under pressureto sacrifice your entire existence for a vague populist agenda? In short, based on the a priori assertion that voters will cannot find reflection in the balloting, there is no need for elections at all. The immediate fate of the south Caucasus country, and the region as whole, in the present, rapidly shifting geopolitical situation remains to be seen. Will the Georgian opposition be completely cast aside by the White House as part of its scheming? Will the European powers pick up those who have been tossed overboard? Will Washington, having disciplined its Georgian subordinates, pivot and place them once again on the dole? Or will it simply mow them down in the drive to war against China and everyone else? For all the talk on both sides of the political equation in Georgia about securing the countrys freedom, interests and independence, no such thing is possible in the world imperialist order, much less under the present circumstances. The dissolution of the USSR, of which Georgia was a part, by the Stalinists in 1991 opened up this country and the entire post-Soviet sphere to the predations of the leading capitalist powers. Georgia has been preyed upon ever since, an object of endless machinations and scheming by the US and Europe. Only a united struggle of the global working class against capitalism will resolve on a progressive basis the fate of Georgia and the planet. Borderland: The Line Within is a 2024 documentary directed by veteran filmmaker Pamela Yates, which delves into the human and systemic impact of US immigration policies and border militarization. Gabriela Castaneda The film is an incisive exploration of the border industrial complex, a term used to describe the profitable systems, worth billions of dollars annually, built around capturing, incarcerating and deporting immigrants. Through personal narratives and investigative footage, the documentary sheds light on the human impact of these policies while giving voice to some of those opposing them. Borderland opens by presenting the work of three digital humanists who, in the words of the films production notes, have: scraped the web to produce an expose of the brutal multi-billion dollar apparatus of the border industrial complex which they posted online as Torn Apart/Separados. The central protagonists of Borderland are Gabriela Castaneda and Kaxh Mural. Castaneda grew up in the Juarez Valley in Mexico, moving to El Paso when she was 15. Mural was raised in a Mayan community in the highlands of Guatemala, a country in which US-supported right-wing death squads killed tens of thousands, opening up the country to international companies coming in to extract minerals out of the ground. The meaning of the title Borderland: The Line Within is at the heart of the film. asserts director Yates. The border is not geographical line, but rather a vast border industrial complex entrenched in every corner of the U.S. It is inside each and every undocumented person because wherever they may be, the fear of being discovered and deported is looming, yet in the shadow of the border industrial complex, they are quietly creating networks and building power. The film highlights the devastating impact of US border policies on individuals and families. It portrays the struggles of migrants like Kaxh, a Mayan activist fleeing death threats in Guatemala, introducing the concept of climate refugees, and Gabriela, an undocumented mother whose DACA status was revoked due to her activism. Their stories emphasize the emotional and physical toll of stringent immigration enforcement. In the case of Gabriela, the father of her three children was deported to Mexico. Yates emphasizes close-ups of individuals that capture important emotionsfear, hope and resilience in particular. This geography of the human face underscores the personal impact of systemic injustice. Mural details the anger his 11-year-old daughter carries with her in his absence. If the human cost isnt sufficiently communicated by other means, the image of a human skull resting among purple wildflowers in one of the most dangerous areas in the country is jarring. One particularly striking scene shows border agents emptying water containers left by humanitarian groups in the desert. The sight of agents laughing as they kick over life-saving supplies in the harsh desert environment emphasizes the cruelty of these practices. By opening with digital maps illustrating the borders expansive reach, the film visualizes how enforcement policies permeate daily life for undocumented families. The maps reflect a synthesis of geographic and demographic insights to critique systemic oppression. Alex Gil One of the maps, for example, reveals the Cumulative ICE awards since 2014 to contractors by congressional district. It is worth noting in passing that those same researchers on their website report that: While the sheer volume of money poured into ICE operations and its startling increase over time is enough of a story, we found other stories hidden in the data. Quantities of goods and services that support detention, enforcement, and deportation are overwhelming. Mundane awards for toilet paper, spray cleaner, and lotion are juxtaposed with carceral technologies: armored vehicles, body armor, and tasers. Ordinary goods and services that bespeak the banality of evil can be overshadowed by unfathomable sums spent on titans of the prison industry now in the immigrant detention game: $438,379,354.01 to GEO Group, $120,431,609.32 to MVM, and $151,008,676.20 to CoreCivic (formerly Corrections Corporation of America) in 2018 alone. Yates observes that the researchers bring us whats actually going on with this money, these billions of dollars that are being spent on the back of the suffering of immigrants in our country. One of the digital humanists, Alex Gil, asks provocatively: What if we knew the infrastructure that Hitler was building before World War II? What would we do with that knowledge? In an interview with Democracy Now! last September, Gabriela Castaneda denounced both Republicans and Democrats: What we are hearing not only from President Trump, that hes going to deport us and hes been preparing this massive deportation apparatus, were also hearing it from Kamala Harris, in the terms that she is also not speaking in regards to immigration as something really good. Shes trying to say to the world that I can be as tough as any other Republican. And that is problematic, because we have both parties failing the people here in the United States. Castaneda went on to point out that: immigrants are used as scapegoats. We are blamed for all the problems in the United States. We are bombarded daily with the false and immoral idea that if there are no jobs or decent wages or access to free medical care or decent housing, its because of immigrants. We went from being rapists and criminals to now eating pets in Springfield [Ohio], which is obviously not true. After commenting that the US had one of the most militarized borders in the world, she added that the authorities were deploying Black Hawk helicopters against immigrants, which are used for wars. We have cameras, sensors, walls, more boots on the ground. And we just learned that the 2024 budget to protect the border is $25 billion. Kaxh Mural This is not an attack only on immigrants, Castaneda insisted, this is an attack on every poor people living in this country, because while theyre using this money to protect us from who they think is the enemy, which is the immigrant, that money is not being used to improve our schools or infrastructure, public transportation. And so, she continued, we need to understand that the problem of the immigrant is the problem of the white poor people and the Black poor people and that we need to come together to fight so that those needs become rights. Director Yates argues: The Line Within is a critique of my countrys inhumane treatment of people arriving in the U.S. Its about the use of immigration as a gateway to fascist ideology and political power. Ive been making films internationally for the past 20 years but feel it is important to have a critique of my own country. Yates has made several films about crimes committed by the authorities and the military in Guatemala and Peru. Cinematographer Juan Hernandez, captures the majesty and terror (Yates) of the landscape. David Fournier Castillo is the sound recordist and Sara Curruchich composed the score. The frontal assault on immigrant workers highlighted here is the spearhead of a broader war on the working class and the dismantling of democratic rights. The WSWS explained April 8: In anticipation of imprisoning hundreds of thousands of people in concentration camps, last week ICE submitted requests for private contractors to supply $45 billion worth of detention facilities, security guards, transportation and other services. A review of the contract requests by the Times found that if all the ICE requests were funded, it would represent more than a sixfold increase in spending to detain immigrants. Conditions inside the mostly privately run migrant prisons were already deadly before Trump returned to the White House. At least 26 people died in ICE custody during the Biden administration, including 12 during his last year in office. In 2022, Customs and Border Protection reported that 52 people died in its custody. Whatever Yates political perspective may be, and she speaks of contributing to the national conversation about immigration, the material here is devastating. Anyone paying serious attention will conclude that the fight to dismantle the border industrial complex and defeat dictatorship is inseparable from a struggle against the system that produces themcapitalism. Felipe Zapata Velazquez A demonstration was held on Wednesday by more than 90 people at the University of Florida to protest the kidnapping and deportation of student Felipe Zapata Velazquez by the Trump administration beginning on March 28. Zapata Velazquez, from Colombia, was a third-year undergraduate student with an F-1 student visa studying food and resource economics at the University in Gainesville, Florida, when he was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. A report by NBC Miami said bodycam footage and police records showed that Zapata Velazquez had been pulled over by law enforcement in Gainesville and was cited for numerous offenses, including having an illegal license plate and driving with a suspended or revoked license and registration tag. The police video shows Zapata Velazquez telling the officer, Im an international student. And then he said, I just came from Colombia, according to the NBC Miami report. Police then turned the international student over to ICE officers, and he was taken to Jacksonville, where deportation proceedings were begun against him. From there, according to Colombian news channel NTN24, Zapata Velazquez was transferred to the notorious ICE Krome Detention Center in Miami-Dade on April 1, and as of late Monday, no one had heard from him. According to the Miami New Times, Zapata Velazquez did not appear in ICEs online detainee locator, and an ICE spokesperson did not respond to questions about what this means and whether he had self-deported. Colombia NTN24 later reported that the students mother, Claudia Zapata Velazquez, said that her son was told he could wait in detention while the immigration court handled the case or sign his own deportation papers. At that time, she told the network, Hes a brilliant boy; hes an athlete. We want him to be given the opportunity to finish his degree and return to Colombia. In a statement in Spanish obtained and translated by NBC Miami, Zapata Velazquez said her son had in fact elected to self-deport, and At this time, Felipe is undergoing a physical and emotional recovery process, and we are prioritizing his well-being and overall health. Her statement continued: I sincerely appreciate the interest, solidarity, and support that many have expressed regarding my sons situation. When his situation is fully clarified, and if he deems it appropriate, Felipe will personally address any additional requests or communications. The arrest, disappearance and deportation of Felipe Zapata Velazquez is the latest case of trampling upon the fundamental rights of international students by the Trump administration and its immigration police. In two notable cases Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student at Columbia University, and Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student at Tufts University, were apprehended for expressing opposition to the US governments support for Israels genocide in Gaza. Momodou Taal at Cornell University was forced to leave the country after the Trump administration cancelled his student visa for protesting the Gaza genocide and filing a lawsuit seeking to block Trumps executive orders targeting students free speech rights. Khalil and Ozturk were specifically targeted by the US State Department and apprehended by plainclothes ICE officers, disappeared into unmarked vehicles and transported to an immigration detention facility in Louisiana all without being charged with any crimes. In the case of Zapata Velazquez, he was cited for a traffic violation and essentially given the same treatment by the Trump administration with the assistance of Republican Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. In February, DeSantis signed a new law ordering the states 67 sheriffs offices and municipal police departments to collaborate with ICE and act as federal immigration agents with the authority to detain undocumented immigrants. The protesters at the universitys Turlington Plaza on Wednesday demanded that Zapata Velazquez be returned to the US so he can finish his studies. The demonstrators carried signs that said, Stand with Felipe, and demanded that the university come to his defense by providing him with an immigration attorney as part of the scope of Student Legal Services. A professor who participated in the protest spoke to the independent student newspaper, the Alligator, about the impact of the ICE apprehensions on students: I know that they are feeling nervous. Im here to support them, and also to make sure that theyre safe. The professor added that Zapata Velazquez represents international students across the US, and if this can happen to him, it can happen to anyone. He said: Were seeing international students who have come to UF to get their education, but are scared to just share their opinion, not just here in a rally, but in the classroom. During a panel discussion on Tuesday at the 2025 Border Security Expo in Phoenix, Arizona, acting ICE Director Todd Lyons likened his vision for mass deportations to Amazons delivery network, calling for squads of trucks rounding up immigrants efficiently. Lyons emphasized treating deportation as a business and incorporating artificial intelligence to expedite removals, saying: We need to get better at treating this like a business, like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings. Alongside Lyons, other Trump administration officials, including Border Czar Tom Homan and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, endorsed the use of the Alien Enemies Act to facilitate mass deportations, with Noem pledging to accelerate the process further. In his keynote remarks at the expo, the fascist Homan spoke about outsourcing much of the deportation infrastructure to private contractors and said: We need to buy more beds, we need more airplane flights and I know a lot of you are here for that reason. The immigration officials addressed an audience of military and tech industry representatives, many of whom have financial ties to the Trump administration and support its attacks on immigrant workers. The event showcased major defense and security firms, including Anduril Industries and Geo Group, which have benefited from Trumps immigration policies. Noem also defended Trumps tariffs and stated that DHS had partnered with Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to combat voter fraud, although there is no evidence supporting such claims. She described the border situation as a war and an invasion, a central element of Trumps assault on democratic rights, and highlighted the use of biometrics beyond the border. The Border Security Expo, the largest in its history, drew local and federal law enforcement, military officials, and key stakeholders in the private security sector, underscoring the relationship between the Trump administration and private corporations in pursuit of its immigration agenda. As drastic cuts and layoffs are being made to critical social services and entire federal government departments are being shut down, massive sums are being spent on militarizing the border and building up the infrastructure of repression within the US that is aimed at suppressing the entire working class, both immigrant and native-born. Taylor Hernan, Socialist Equality Party candidate for the Senate in Victoria, spoke last Saturday at a Neighbourhood Action Committee meeting organised to discuss the way forward in the fight against the planned demolition of public housing towers across Melbourne. SEP candidate Taylor Hernan speaking at the Neighbourhood Action Committee meeting on Saturday, 5 April 2025 It was the second meeting of the Neighbourhood Action Committee (NAC) since it was established at a forum organised by the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) last month. The state Labor governments sell-off of 44 towers in Melbourne threatens about 10,000 residents with displacement, many of whom are immigrants, and other vulnerable and oppressed sections of the working class. I fully endorse the formation of the Neighbourhood Action Committee, and its fight against Labors criminal demolition of the public housing towers, Hernan told public housing residents and others at the meeting. The SEP candidate emphasised that the attack on public housing is part of a broader assault on the living and social conditions of workers globally. The Socialist Equality Party is fighting for the development of independent rank-and-file committees to defend jobs and to oppose the ever-deepening attacks on healthcare and education, Hernan said. He explained that the gutting of essential social services was being carried out to allow a massive expansion of militarism in preparation for war. The central aspect of the SEP election campaign is the development of an international movement against war, he said. Everything has been done and will be done during the election campaign to keep war off the agenda. All of the major partiesLabor, Liberal and the Greenssupport war. And whoever wins the election will deepen the assault on the working class. Hernan also spoke on the ongoing assault on refugees, many of whom in Australia are public housing residents. He stated: We call for an end to the persecution of refugees, which has gone on for decades. Refugees ought to have the right to full citizenship, to live and work where they please. The Labor and Liberal parties have already passed Trump-like legislation enabling them to deport up to 80,000 immigrants from Australia. The SEP candidate concluded by emphasising the need for a socialist perspective, oriented to the working class, to defeat the assault on public housing residents. Government policies increasingly have the character of social neglect and social murder, he stated. Housing, healthcare and education are basic, universal human rights. The decision by the Victorian state Labor government to demolish the public housing towers is socially and politically criminalit is directly placing profit above the interest of thousands of people. The SEP will use the election to assist in the building of this committee, and in building a struggle to prevent the demolition of the towers. This fight can only be successful through the broader mobilisation of sections of the working classbuilding workers, teachers, healthcare workers and others in the community who want to take up a fight. Hernan was warmly received by the NAC meeting participants, which included more than 20 youth and workers, including residents from some of the public housing towers slated for demolition. Sue Phillips, a member of the SEPs National Committee, chaired the event. She noted that a similar plan to demolish government commission housing is taking place in Sydneys working-class suburb Waterloo, and also pointed to a demolition last week of three public housing towers in Glasgow, Scotland. Phillips said the brutal, anti-working-class policies increasingly adopted by governments worldwide were most sharply expressed in the administration of Donald Trump in the US. Trump is not just an American phenomenon, nor is Australia an exception to this global shift, she explained. In the coming weeks, in the federal election, what we will hear from Albanese, Dutton, and all of them is lies, misinformation and half-truths. Nothing will be resolved for the working class coming out of the election, whether it be the cost-of-living crisis, the housing crisis, none of this will be resolved whoever comes to power. The Neighbourhood Action Committee meeting on 5 April 2025 Peter Byrne, an architect and long-standing member of the SEP, presented the main report to the meeting. He exposed as a fraud the Labor government claims that the public housing towers are rundown and therefore need to be demolished. He highlighted the corporate interests, defended by both Labor and the Liberal National Coalition, that are behind the drive to replace public housing with social housing which would be more expensive, less liveable and more profitable for real estate companies. For this reason, Byrne emphasised that the marches, meetings and pleas to the government that have been led by the Greens and fake-left organisations are a political dead-end. In the discussion, public housing residents and other members of the NAC made important contributions. Margaret Rees, a member of the SEP for more than five decades, spoke about the court decision handed down on Friday which she attended with a resident. After just seven minutes, Rees reported, court justice Melinda Richards ruled against the class action launched by a resident against the demolition and backed the governments false claims that the public housing towers should be demolished for safety reasons. In her final judgement yesterday, she said there was no realistic possibility that Homes Victoria [the state government body which oversees housing] would have made a different decision, even if they had consulted the residents, Rees reported. She claimed there could only be a substantial increase in housing by demolishing the towers. Peter has already gone through what a lie that is. A public housing resident named Kate, originally from Somalia, spoke about her experiences living at the towers for more than 20 years. She denounced the government for forcing residents out. Our children, they dont have a place to go to school, she said. And the hospitalswe have a lot of people that have sickness, kidney failure, heart problemsnow we dont know the right place to go. And we dont know, to be honest, what to do. Were all suffering. She said that the residents of the towers had developed a close-knit community over decades, but are now being forced to move to distant suburbs of Melbourne: It doesnt matter where I come fromwhether white or black or Asianwe are one family. But now some people have to go to Dandenong, or Truganina. You have no choice. Kylie, another resident, delivered a passionate contribution in which she spoke about her neighboursa young family with two children. The mother was eight-months pregnant with a thirdand they were forced to move out of the towers. This is where my anger has turned to hate for Homes Victoria, she said. My neighbours would have had their baby by now, but I dont know how theyre doing. I dont know where they are. My neighbour said to me before they left that shes scared. Kylie spoke about the strong community ties that had been built, including other residents giving her food when she was struggling financially. All of this, she said, is being broken up. Helen is another resident originally from Somalia. She told an SEP member: Ive been here 21 years. I have small kids. Im by myself, and at one stage I had to go to the hospital with one of my kids. So I called a neighbour and she said, You have to go and I will look after your other child. She came for three days to look after my kid as I had to take the other one to hospital. That is what its like in this community. She continued: If the community is together that can happen, but if we are all far away, it wont. If she had a problem, I would have done the same for her. Housing Victoria came around and they told us that we could not say no [to relocation]. They say you have to listen to us, you have to accept that youre moving. Noor, who spoke at the SEPs forum last month, is also originally from Somalia and grew up in the public housing towers when his family came to Australia about 20 years ago. Theyre dispersing everyone sporadically and thats not how communities are made, he told the meeting. He related the brutal measures taken by the government to demolish the public housing towers to the broader attacks being carried out against workers internationally due to profit interests: I can see that in America, where Donald Trump has appointed the billionaires to run the government, like Elon Musk. You can see its the billionaires, its the capitalists that are running the government. He continued: The government is lying to us. Im here to support the Socialist Equality Party because theyre the only group at the moment that are supporting us to have our own voice to be able to speak. NAC members at the meeting enthusiastically volunteered to join campaigns and discussions at building sites, schools, universities and working-class areas as part of the fight to build a broad-based movement against the attack on public housing. Authorised by Cheryl Crisp for the Socialist Equality Party, Level 1/457-459 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Australia. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 11. Tajikistan and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) held discussions on advancing energy sector reforms and modernizing the power transmission network in Dushanbe, Trend reports via the ADB. The energy working group meeting held under the Tajikistan Development Coordination Council was co-chaired by Daler Juma, Minister of Energy and Water Resources of Tajikistan, and Ko Sakamoto, ADB Director for Tajikistan. Participants reviewed the progress of ongoing energy reforms and discussed a government-led plan to upgrade Dushanbes power transmission and distribution system. The modernization aims to prevent outages amid growing electricity demand in the city. ADB is supporting the country's efforts through the Power Sector Development Program (PSDP), which builds on earlier reform work under the Sector Operation Performance Improvements (SOPI) initiative. Power Sector Development Program aims to restore financial sustainability in the energy sector and accelerate structural reforms. Key components include the unbundling of the national power utility, debt restructuring, the establishment of an independent regulator, a new tariff methodology, and a centralized cash flow system for the unbundled entities. President Dissanayakes meeting with party leaders, April 10, 2025, on the impact of US tariffs on the Sri Lankan economy [Photo: X/Anura Kumara Dissanayake] The tariff war unleashed by US President Donald Trump on friends and foes alike is set to deepen the economic and political crisis in every country including in the US itself. China, Canada and European countries have responded with retaliatory increases on US imports. Trumps tariff war will see harsh attacks on the jobs, wages and conditions of workers in the US, Europe and internationally, an intensification of the class struggle, and an escalation of the descent into catastrophic imperialist conflicts. On Wednesday, Trump announced a 90-day pause on the increased tariffs on 75 countries while boosting his tariffs on Chinese goods to 145 percent. It is entirely unpredictable what the US president plans after this announcement or after the 90 days have elapsed. Sri Lanka has been hit with a huge 44 percent tariff hike. President Dissanayakes Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National Peoples Power (JVP/NPP) government and Sri Lankas ruling elite were shocked by the increase and have responded desperately. Yesterday they breathed a sigh of relief after the announcement of Trumps pause, but remain deeply concerned about what will happen next. The tariff increase has further exposed the extent of the economic crisis facing the Sri Lankan capitalist class and its government which is currently implementing the International Monetary Funds (IMF) brutal bailout measures. The single largest destination for Sri Lankan exports is the US, currently accounting for 25 percent of the islands total exports, worth $US3 billion of its $US18 billion total annual export income. US exports to Sri Lanka last year only amounted to $356 million. Sri Lanka earns $1.5 billion annually from garment exports to the US, with the garment industry estimating that it would lose more than $600 million annually if the US tariff rises to 44 percent. A collapse in Sri Lankan garment exports to the US would see numerous factory closures and massive job losses. The industry employs 350,000 workers with about 600,000 indirectly employed. Garment companies have already called on subcontractors to reduce their costs by 40 percent, signalling large layoffs, wage cuts and increased productivity demands. Some garment companies are already outsourcing production to slash costs. Sri Lanka also exports plastic and rubber products, food, jewellery and precious metals to the US, all of which are under review. Workers in these industries will face similar attacks on their jobs. On Monday, the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) all-share price index suffered a 227-billion-rupee loss, adding up to a loss of almost 500 billion rupees ($US1.68 billion) since April 2. Yesterday the stock exchange gained after hearing about the temporary tariff pause. Sri Lankan website EconomyNext, noted the socio-political impact of new tariff regime. Politically, this could also weaken the new administration, fuel public anger, and create space for populist or protectionist backlash, it said. The ruling class is no doubt haunted by the mass protests and strikes that erupted in AprilJuly 2022 when millions of workers and poor, amid the collapse of the Sri Lankan economy, rose up against the government forcing President Gotabhaya Rajapakse to flee the country and resign. Addressing an election rally on April 7, President Dissanayake declared: We must face this [tariff] issue as a nation. I call on everyone in the country to prepare as a nation to face it, while carrying the maximum intervention to prevent such problems from occurring. Under the guise of saving the nation, Dissanayakes appeal is a demand that all working people bear the burden of a future economic collapse. Addressing parliament on Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Economic Development Anil Jayantha Fernando listed various government measures to deal with the new tariffs. Dissanayake has appointed an expert committee to investigate into the repercussions of the tariff hike and make proposals. Fernando and some Sri Lankan officials held a virtual meeting on Tuesday with Assistant US Trade Representative for South Asia Brenda Leach and other top representatives. They presented a proposal outlining their willingness to reduce Sri Lankan tariffs on US imports. While Fernando said that President Dissanayake has written to Donald Trump informing him that Sri Lanka will take mitigating actions, he admitted to the media, We cannot resist the policies of the US. After 12 opposition party leaders called for a meeting with the Sri Lankan president, Dissanayake met with them at the Presidential Secretariat leaders forum, explaining how his government would respond to the tariffs. We had a constructive dialogue on proposals for engaging with the US and strategies to diversify our export markets, Dissanayake stated on his X account. Harsha de Silva, a senior Samagi Jana Balawegaya leader, later wrote that the meeting made a common agreement that while we do everything to strengthen trade with [the] world, [the] immediate issue is to arrive at a HS Code [Harmonised System] based bilateral trade deal with the US. De Silva had previously called for a unified national approach to address the tariff crisis and added: This crisis is national. The fallout could be huge. Namal Rajapakse, a leading Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna parliamentarian and son and nephew of former presidents Mahinda and Gotobhaya Rajapakse, made a similar call for all political parties to work together and support the affected sectors. Calls by the opposition parties for national unitylike their support for IMF austerity measuresare pledges that they will fully back the government attacks on workers and the poor, and the state repression of the inevitable popular opposition. Sri Lankas big-business lobby, the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce, which is already working closely with Dissanayake, welcomed Rajapakses response, and told the government to reexamine its tariff structure and implement measures that will improve trade facilitation and improve the ease of doing business. The chamber is calling for more tax cuts and other concessions to big business and foreign investors and for the imposition of increased burdens on working people. Irrespective of the desperate appeals by Dissanayake and the opposition parties for a mitigation of the tariffs, Washingtons measures are inseparable from its demands that all countries line up with its geo-political agenda and economic interests. As the White House Fact Sheet on the tariff regime states, trading partners can obtain tariff relief only by taking significant steps to align with the United States on economic and national security matters. The Dissanayake government has already gone a long way in this direction. Senior US military figures travelled to Sri Lanka, meeting with Dissanayake soon after he became president last September. Those visiting included Admiral Steve Koehler, the commander of the US Pacific Fleet, Donald Lu, the US under-secretary of state for South and Central Asia and Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command. These visits involved discussions about strengthening Colombos military ties with the US. Prime Minister Narendra Modis visit to Sri Lanka last week had the same objective. India is the main regional partner in Washingtons anti-China war strategy. According to a report in the Colombo-based Sunday Times, Sri Lankan government leaders have turned to Modi to support their appeals to Washington. Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told a media briefing on April 5 that Modi had assured Sri Lankan government officials that they would assist in discussions on the US tariff issues. Sri Lankan workers must reject the reactionary call of the government and opposition to prepare as a nation to face the crisis. Why should workers and the poor sacrifice their jobs, wages and living conditions to save Sri Lankan capitalism and its ruling elite? Trumps actions are an expression of the historic crisis of capitalism, the result of the contradictions between globally integrated production and private ownership of the means of production, and the rival nation-state system. The demagogic calls of the JVP/NPP and the opposition parties for a unified national response to Trumps tariff war cannot disguise the fact that there is no national resolution to this economic breakdown and collapse. The working class must urgently prepare to fight for its democratic and social rights. This can be done only by breaking from all capitalist parties, the trade union bureaucracies and all their hangers on, and mobilising the industrial and political strength of the working class to fight for a socialist and international perspective. The Socialist Equality Party calls upon workers to build their own action committees in every workplace and in all the major economic centres to mobilise independently. The rural masses need to build their own action committees to join this struggle. The working class can wage this fight by uniting with its international class brothers and sisters, building the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees. . Emerson Wolfe Emerson Wolfe, a familiar figure in the local political activist community, was taken into custody just as the Hands Off rally against the Trump administration was set to begin in Grand Rapids, Michigan on Saturday, April 5. The arrest sparked outrage over the motivations behind law enforcements actions and its impact on the right to free speech. Wolfe believes the arrest was strategic, aimed at preventing the group from exercising their right to free speech. Wolfe was served a warrant regarding an alleged failure to obey a lawful order from a police officer during a Womens Day March on March 8. During the arrest, Wolfe requested that bystanders record the interaction and can be heard expressing discomfort, stating, Youre hurting me, as seen in the video footage. In a statement, Wolfe expressed frustration with the actions of law enforcement, saying, They targeted me because I was leading the march safety team and keeping the community safe. Wolfes message to the community is one of resilience and determination. DO NOT BACK DOWN, Wolfe urged. Let this catalyze you, let it motivate you, and let it inspire you to take more action! Charlie Snedeker, who also recorded the arrest of Wolfe, posted on Facebook, Today I volunteered to help with safety at the Hands Off event in downtown GR. As I made my way to last minute instructions, this is what happened to the safety lead person. The group scrambled to reorganize and delegate as the crowd started to grow. Everything quickly came together. Sure does seem odd GR Police Dept. waited till today to execute their warrant. As part of the protest by millions in more than 1,600 locations across the US, the Grand Rapids Hands Off rally proceeded despite the arrest. The event drew people from throughout the area who wanted to express their opposition to a wide range of issues, including the Trump administrations cuts to social programs, mass layoff of government employees, attacks on democratic rights, the genocide in Gaza and the threat of fascism and dictatorship in the US. Over 4,000 people from all walks of life, many arriving with handmade signs, crowded Rosa Parks Circle in the city center. Attendees responded enthusiastically to the campaign by representatives of the World Socialist Web Site and the Socialist Equality Party, which included a literature table and the distribution of a statement directed to the Hands Off rallies. Many students, young people, workers and retirees stopped to discuss the issues and expressed their opposition to both the Democrats and Republicans. They were interested in learning more about the fight to mobilize the working class against capitalism, the source of Trumps attacks on basic rights, and for socialism. Mahmoud Khalil surrounded by members of the media outside the Columbia University campus, Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in New York. [AP Photo/Mary Altaffer] More than a month after Mahmoud Khalila legal US resident and graduate student at Columbia Universitywas abducted outside his New York City apartment, the Trump administration admitted in a court filing Thursday that he is being targeted solely for his participation in anti-genocide protests. The stunningly threadbare memorandum, authored by Trumps Secretary of State Marco Rubio, amounts to a blatant declaration by the US government that it reserves the right to disappear anyone who opposes its policiesno matter how criminal or widely opposed those policies may be. On March 8, Khalil was kidnapped outside his apartment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents who refused to present a warrant or identify themselves. He is currently imprisoned at the LaSalle Detention Center in Jena, Louisianamore than 1,300 miles away from his pregnant wife, who is expected to give birth to their first child later this month. During an April 8 hearing in Louisiana, Judge Jamee Comans ordered the government to provide evidence that Khalil is eligible for removalor she could order his release as early as April 11. At the hearing, the government accused Khalil of withholding information about his contacts and associations and claimed that his presence or activities in the United States would have serious adverse foreign policy consequences. Khalils attorney, Marc Van Der Hout, firmly denied these allegations. Instead of producing a shred of evidence to support its allegations from the April 8 hearing, the Trump administration submitted a two-page memorandum on April 10, signed by Rubio, justifying Khalils removal under the McCarthyite Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 (INA). Under the INA, Rubio wrote, if the case involves an individuals past, current, or expected beliefs, statements, or associations that are otherwise lawful, the Secretary of State must personally determine that their presences in the country would compromise a compelling US foreign policy interest. In his memo, Rubio provided no justification or evidence for his assertion, simply declaring that he had made this determination based on information provided by the DHS/ICE/HSI regarding the participation and role of [redacted] and Khalil in antisemitic protests and disruptive activities, which fosters a hostile environment for Jewish students in the United States. The claim that Khalil participated in antisemitic protests or fostered a hostile environment for Jewish students is simply made up out of whole clotha continuation of the slander that opposing Israels massacre of Palestinians is antisemitic. The memo continued: The public actions and continued presence of [redacted] and Khalil in the United States undermine US 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. Consistent with E.O. 14150, America First Policy Directive to the Secretary of State, the foreign policy of the United States champions core American interests and American citizens and condoning anti-Semitic conduct and disruptive protest in the United States would severely undermine that significant foreign policy objective. Everyday the Trump White House, and large sections of the ruling class, mine the fascist policies of Hitler, Mussolini and others for inspiration. If the US government was honest about deporting those who condone anti-Semitic conduct and disruptive protests in the US and on college campuses, the gang of fascists in the White House would be on the first plane to El Salvador. During his first term, it was Trump who praised the very fine neo-Nazis that rioted in Charlottesville, Virginia, leading to the death of anti-fascist protester Heather Heyer. In a statement issued after the government provided its evidence, Khalils lead lawyer Van Der Hout stated, Rubio cites no real foreign policy issues or evidence whatsoever, and it is critically important to note that the US government is always constrained by the constitution, regardless of what officials might think. He added: There is not a single shred of proof that Mahmouds presence in America poses any threat. Rather, what the government presented consists of Mahmouds role as a negotiator between Columbia University and hundreds of other diverse students, Jewish and non-Jewish alike, who spoke out against Israels slaughtering of innocent Palestinians in Gaza and the U.S. support and funding of that slaughtering. Khalillike the millions of students and workers who have participated in anti-genocide protests over the past 18 monthsis not antisemitic. In multiple interviews and statements, he has spoken out against antisemitism, emphasized that the protests he joined were aimed at advancing equality for everyone, and affirmed that the liberation of the Palestinian people and the Jewish people are intertwined. The big lie that opposition to the US-backed Israeli genocide of Gaza, which has killed or injured over 200,000 people, mostly women and children, is synonymous with antisemitism was first advanced by the Biden administration and has continued under Trump, with Democratic Party support. Three days after Khalil was kidnapped, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer released a statement that began: I abhor many of the opinions and policies that Mahmoud Khalil holds and supports, and have made my critics of the antisemitic actions at Columbia loudly known. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting on Thursday, Rubio promised to continue waging war on the democratic rights of students and workers, including sending them to the massive torture complex in El Salvador known as the Terrorism Confinement Center or CECOT. He said: Weve also found cooperation in other countries that are willing to take some of these people, some very dangerous criminals. The president of El Salvador will be here next week. He has really been a good friend to the United States in that regard. These are some of the worst people you will ever encounter. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, from left, speaks at a cabinet meeting as President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo] Referring to Trumps leadership and executive orders Rubio added: If you come to this country as a student we expect you to go to class, study and get a degree. If you come here to like vandalize a library, take over a campus and do all kinds of crazy things, you know, we are going to get rid of these people. And we are going to continue to do it. So when we identify lunatics like these, we take away their student visa. In a revealing expression of the Trump administrations overtly fascist character, the official ICE account posted a graphic on social media Thursday claiming that the agencys job is to stop people, money, products, and ideas from illegally crossing the border. The post was eventually taken down after public backlash, with DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin telling CNN that the word ideas was a mistake and should have read intellectual property. A graphic shared by ICE on April 10, declares its the "job" of the immigration police to "stop...people money products ideas" As of April 10, Inside Higher Ed has identified over 640 international students at over 120 colleges in the US who have had their legal status changed by the State Department, many with no warning or justification. On Thursday the Daily Cardinal, the student newspaper for the University of Wisconsin-Madison, reported that 26 student visas and alumni visa employment extensions had been terminated at the school. This fascist campaign must be opposed by students and workers everywhere. In a statement issued on April 10, the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (US) called on students to not only organize on campuses but turn to the working class, the vast majority of the populationas an independent force, against both capitalist parties, and on the basis of a socialist program. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, April 11. The next meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) will take place in Tajikistan's Dushanbe on October 9, 2025, Trend reports. The decision was made during a restricted-format session of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council held in Kazakhstan's Almaty. During the meeting, participants discussed current regional and international issues, and adopted several procedural decisions, including a review of the activities of CIS sectoral cooperation bodies. Tajikistans Foreign Minister Sirojiddin Muhriddin, who currently chairs the Council, emphasized that Tajikistans presidency of the CIS will continue to be guided by principles of continuity and respect for the positions of all member states. Mutually beneficial cooperation and effective interaction remain key pillars of our chairmanship. Over the past four months, we have seen genuine interest from CIS member states and the Executive Committee, as well as their readiness to support Tajikistans priorities, he emphasized. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 11. Uzbekistan and India's Reliance Industries discussed prospects for cooperation, Trend reports. The news follows a meeting between Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry, and Trade of Uzbekistan Shokhrukh Gulamov with CEO of Reliance Industries Prasad Panda. During the meeting, the sides discussed the potential for implementing innovative projects in the management of large-scale telecommunications networks, the development of digital infrastructure, and the introduction of high-speed communication and data transmission technologies in Uzbekistan. Particular attention was also given to opportunities for collaboration in new projects within the mining and energy sectors of Uzbekistans economy. Following the discussions, the parties agreed to take further joint steps and established a framework for active cooperation in the implementation of the outlined initiatives. Reliance Industries, founded in 1966 and currently led by Mukesh Ambani, is one of Indias largest conglomerates. The company operates across a wide range of sectors, including energy, petrochemicals, trade, telecommunications, digital technologies, and artificial intelligence, with total assets valued at $300 billion. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 11. Uzbekistan Airways has expanded its flight network to China by launching direct flights from Fergana to Urumqi, Trend reports via the airline. The new HY571/572 route will operate once a week, on Fridays. In addition to the new route, Uzbekistan Airways currently operates regular flights from Tashkent to three cities in China: Beijing (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays), Hangzhou (Thursdays and Sundays), Urumqi (Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays) The new connection is expected to enhance travel opportunities and economic ties between Uzbekistan and China. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, April 11. A Senior Officials meeting within the framework of the Central AsiaGulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Strategic Dialogue took place in Tashkent, Trend reports. The meeting brought together delegations from all Central Asian countries alongside representatives from Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the GCC Secretariat. The participants discussed a broad agenda aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two regions and reviewed preparations for the upcoming Second Central AsiaGCC Summit. Remarks were delivered by First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan Bakhromjon Aloev, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Kuwait Najeeb Al-Bader, the representative of the current GCC chair, and Deputy Secretary General of the GCC Abdul Aziz Hamad Aluwaisheg. In their speeches, officials underscored the strategic importance of deepening ties between Central Asia and the Gulf States across political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian spheres. They emphasized the need to formulate concrete proposals to expand collaboration in diplomacy, trade and investment, and people-to-people exchanges. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of the shared commitment to strengthening multilateral cooperation mechanisms and further developing regional partnerships. Two things to know about Viola Davis. Don't get into a pull-up contest with her, and don't ask her to buy you crazy-expensive sneakers. Marsai Martin learned both lessons while shooting "G20" (streaming Thursday on Prime Video), an action movie in which Davis plays U.S. President Danielle Sutton and Martin is her precocious hacker daughter, Serena. The easy friendship shared by the duo was on display during a recent Zoom call, which included Martin, 20, confessing she couldn't do more than one pull-up, to which Davis just smiled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My trainer, Gabriela Mclain, who I call Lord Voldemort or the one who shall not be named, or the brutalizer, she had me doing squats, weights, punching exercises," says Davis, 59, who also is a producer on "G20." "I shot this movie right after doing 'The Woman King,' so I never stopped working out," she says. "So, yes, I can do a lot of pull-ups, let's just say. I'm tougher than people think I am." Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox Viola Davis, buff from her role in "The Woman King," takes on an endless stream of beefy terrorists as President Danielle Sutton in the action thriller "G20." People will not be doubting Davis's toughness after seeing "G20," which shows Davis single-handedly taking down a gaggle of terrorists who infiltrate a G20 summit in South Africa. Davis, buff arms flying, protects her family and literally saves the world. Why did Viola Davis make 'G20'? To 'put every young Black girl in the story' The film came to Davis, one of Hollywood's elite EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) winners, and her producer husband Julius Tennon in 2015, and despite obstacles, the couple was determined to see the movie through. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People want to see Indiana Jones and Ripley (from the 'Alien' franchise) sacrifice themselves for the greater good, people who make us feel protected and cared for, and dare I say loved," Davis says. She remembers when daughter Genesis, now 14, was young, she would ask Davis to insert her as a character in the fantastical stories she'd make up at bedtime. "She'd say, 'Put me in the story, Mama,'" Davis says. "So, why did I do this movie? I did it to put every young Black girl in this story; I want them to see themselves without the limitations society often puts on them. When you see it, you can believe it. But the pressure of seeing something within yourself without seeing the evidence of it in the world, that's tough. So when you get the baton in your hand, that's your new job, to pay it forward." What is readily apparent watching "G20" is that the plot represents something U.S. voters rejected in the last presidential election with the defeat of Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But during filming a year ago, the cast felt they were shooting a scenario that might soon echo real life, says Martin, known for TV's "Black-ish," which also starred Anthony Anderson, who plays the first gentleman in "G20." "As an audience member now, you'll be thinking, man, this is what could have been, but while we were filming, I was thinking, wow, this is what is about to be," Martin says. "Movies remind us of things that can still happen. I knew this movie would be needed." Viola Davis on mentorship, having X-ray vision, and expensive sneakers Of Davis, Martin says gained a powerful mentor and "came away understanding how you lead on set, how you greet everyone, how you connect with people, how when you are there, people are just ready to work." Davis just nods before heaping praise on her costar, who in "G20" plays a central role in helping vanquish the bad guys. "Marsai has depth, she has extreme sensitivity and a driving need for excellence," Davis says. "I know this. I have X-ray vision, and I can see people." Anthony Anderson (from left), Marsai Martin, Viola Davis and Christopher Farrar star as a first family under terrorist attack in "G20." So you're still wondering about the expensive sneakers? When the duo is asked what they learned about each other during the shoot, Davis immediately starts laughing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Well, Marsai learned that I'm cheap, that's what she learned!" Davis booms. Martin's eyes widen in embarrassment. "Come on, that's what you were thinking, be honest," Davis says. Turns out, a birthday was rolling up for Davis' daughter, and word was that Genesis wanted a very specific pair of Nike sneakers, so Davis enlisted Martin's help finding a pair. Marsai Martin stars as the daughter of Viola Davis' President Danielle Sutton in "G20," which is set at a meeting of world leaders in South Africa. When terrorists take control, the first family goes into action. "Marsai gave me a lesson in Nike sneakers, which I came to find out cost $425, and I was like, '$425, you have got to be kidding me,'" she says with a big laugh. "Marsai just looked at me and said, 'You are cheap.'" So who won that battle? Let's just say, you don't mess with Viola Davis. "I'm not going to lie, I did not buy them," Davis says. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'G20': Viola Davis is shredded and mad in her new action movie Spoiler alert! We're discussing major plot details about the new movie "Warfare." Ray Mendoza knew he needed to make Warfare. The pulse-pounding Iraq War drama (in theaters Friday) is co-directed by the retired Navy SEAL, who dedicated the film to his platoonmate, Elliott Miller. Miller suffered a traumatic brain injury during a mission gone wrong in 2006, and Mendoza aimed to help jog his memory by re-creating their heroic survival story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already, "Warfare" has struck a chord with veterans. At a recent screening, Mendoza met the wife of a former Marine, who had struggled to communicate his experiences with PTSD. "She came up to me crying and thanked me, the first-time filmmaker says. She finally understood what her husband was trying to tell her." After watching the movie, "he started sharing his experiences with her, which he hadnt up to that point. That was a pretty powerful moment for me. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox "Warfare" traces a platoon of Navy SEALs during a dangerous mission in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2006. Navy SEAL veteran recalls 'the most emotional moment' making 'Warfare' Warfare is a harrowing, hyperrealist look at a platoon of Navy SEALs, tracking them for 90 real-time minutes as they try to save their gravely wounded comrades, Elliott (Cosmo Jarvis) and Sam (Joseph Quinn), after an armed ambush and explosion. The film is pieced together from the memories of the real SEAL team, whom Mendoza interviewed as he co-wrote the script with Alex Garland (Annihilation). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a really honest portrayal, says Mendoza, who sought to capture the split-second mistakes and decisions that soldiers are faced with during combat. I wanted to show that as bad as this looks, it took a whole lot of effort and training to get us home. Everyone made it back alive on our side. That was a deep hole to climb out of, but we did it together. One might imagine that reconstructing a bloody, frenzied firefight could be retraumatizing for Mendoza. But the experience was very liberating, he says. It was like this weight coming off. His chief concern was to portray his friends accurately and not get too hung up on D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Reservation Dogs), who plays him in the film. Ray (DPharaoh Woon-A-Tai, left) tries to save the brutally injured Sam (Joseph Quinn) with the help of Erik (Will Poulter). Itd be unfair for me to say, I need you to be exactly the way I am and move the way I do, Mendoza says. It was all about capturing the essence. I just had to treat him like a character. There was one scene, though, that Mendoza found especially difficult, as Ray drags an unconscious, badly maimed Elliott inside after an IED attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive had so many dreams about that (event) where Elliott is walking and talking and laughing after the explosion, Mendoza says. But when I wake up, its a freaking nightmare because my friends not walking anymore. Elliott was with me when we shot that scene with all the smoke and sounds and he started to get upset. I was holding it in for a while because the cast was around me, but then I walked off set and cried for a very long time. That was probably the most emotional moment for me on the movie. First-time director Ray Mendoza got into filmmaking as a recruiting effort "Warfare" star Will Poulter, left, with first-time filmmaker Ray Mendoza on the set. Mendoza joined the Navy in 1997 and served for 16 years. He loved Michael Mann movies growing up but never had filmmaking ambitions of his own. That changed with 2012s Act of Valor, a thriller featuring real Navy SEALs including Mendoza. At the time, we had just had two major catastrophes with helo crashes where we lost a bunch of SEALs and nobody was signing up, Mendoza says. The Navy felt doing a film was a good recruiting tool. That was where I got the itch. He went on to work as a technical and military adviser on combat films such as Lone Survivor, The Outpost and Civil War, where he met Garland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been 15 years of learning and acquiring all the tools to do this movie, Mendoza says. I asked a lot of the directors I worked with whether I should go to film school. They were like: You already are in film school. Youre not going to learn anything there that you cant here. Ray Mendoza, left, says co-director Alex Garland was a "mentor" who wanted to make an "experimental" and "truthful" war movie. Mendoza is eager to take on more projects. He started a production company, War Office Productions, with former Army Ranger Jariko Denman, that seeks to tell more military stories at home and on the battlefield. If theres one Hollywood cliche he hopes to get rid of, its the weepy veteran drama: You read the script, and theres the apartment with the pill bottles open and the empty whiskey bottle, Mendoza says. Thats often associated with us and I dont like it. Its a misrepresentation. He would also like to move into other genres such as sci-fi or comedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel like Im a pretty funny person, although some people might disagree, Mendoza jokes. Theres something about experiencing combat, where there's the worst and best of humanity. Ive seen the whole spectrum, and I think that makes me relatable with a lot of people who have experienced different types of trauma. I know what it feels like to not want to leave your house, to sit in a dark room, or not eat for days. I connect with a lot of characters in other types of genre movies, probably more than most directors, to be honest. So I would love to do that someday. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is 'Warfare' a true story? How Iraq veteran's life became a movie When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Future / Phil Barker Its the late 70s, and Paul Stanley of KISS tells an interviewer about the bands great successes he guesses theyve sold something like 20 million records, and theyre just back from a Japanese tour. It was there, he says, that he found out more about the abilities of Japanese guitar makers. He discovered they have the skills, as he puts it, to make anything. Thats a lot more than can be said for America at the moment, he adds. Japan, Stanley concludes, really is the country of the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japans guitar industry was certainly healthy when he made those comments, and it surely had no reason to doubt that the future would be just as rosy. It had overcome a shaky start, when critics said it simply copied well-known designs, and it had weathered some crippling ups and downs. Now, though, Japanese companies were showing themselves in many cases to be the equal of American makers and in some cases perhaps to have overtaken them. Lets take a look at how that came about and who made it happen. Early Originals The origins of perhaps the most famous Japanese guitar brand, Ibanez, lie with its parent company, Hoshino. Matsujirou Hoshino started the family business around 1900 in Nagoya, about 175 miles west of Tokyo, when he opened a store to sell books and stationery. He soon added a section for musical instruments run by his son, Yoshitarou, who set up Hoshino Gakki Ten the Hoshino Musical Instrument Store company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following a tour by the great Spanish classical guitarist Andres Segovia in 1929, which inspired many Japanese people to take up the instrument, Hoshino began importing Salvador Ibanez guitars from Spain. The Spanish factory closed by the late 30s, so Hoshino adopted the name for itself and made acoustic guitars in Japan, at first branded as Ibanez Salvador and soon simply as Ibanez. Space oddity: this Teisco SS-3L, up for sale with guitar auctioneer Gardiner Houlgate at time of writing, typifies the experimentation going on at Japanese guitar firms in the 60s unsure of what would work, they tried everything from novel switching to all-new body styles and pickup designs. | Credit: Future / Phil Barker The company began to offer electric guitars around 1957, and from then until the mid-60s Hoshino made some instruments itself in its new Tama Seisaku Shone factory, set up in 1959, but also bought in guitars from other Japanese firms. In Japan in the 60s, many budding young guitarists were just as keen to form groups and find stardom as anyone in America, Britain or anywhere else that the pop bug had bitten Some of the early Japanese guitars from this time had features loosely borrowed from American Fender and Gibson, say, or British Burns models. Not exactly copies they didnt duplicate every detail of an existing model but more like Japanese interpretations of Western designs with touches of Eastern taste. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Japan in the 60s, many budding young guitarists were just as keen to form groups and find stardom as anyone in America, Britain or anywhere else that the pop bug had bitten. In Japan, the scene was known as Eleki and then Group Sounds, and bands such as The Spacemen, The Blue Comets, and The Jacks enjoyed success. Japanese companies, including the big names like Teisco and Hoshino/Ibanez, not only sold electrics to that growing home market but also began to actively export instruments, notably to wholesalers in Europe, the United States, Australia and elsewhere. And a complication arises here for anyone trying to grasp the ins and outs of Japanese guitar history. Credit: Courtesy of Martin Kelly It ought to be simple: companies manufactured guitars and either sold them at home or exported them. However, many of the foreign customers who bought instruments from Japan had their own brand names put on the guitars. This is often called OEM original equipment manufacturer which means a company that makes a product to be sold by another company under its own name. It meant nearly identical instruments being sold in various locations bearing different brands and, conversely, guitars with one brand originating from a variety of sources. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Add to this an array of often interrelated factories and sales agents and distributors, and the picture can be a baffling one. For example, the American and British firms that bought from Hoshino in the early days used brands such as Antoria and Star in the UK and Maxitone and Montclair in the USA, among several others, although some guitars did have Ibanez on them. Some Ibanez catalogues from the period feature guitars with blank headstocks, accentuating the your-name-here policy. A new generation of 80s synth-pop acts inspired new designs from Japanese makers such as this Fernandes Art Wave electric, currently residing at Gas Station Guitars in Somerset | Credit: Future/Phil Barker There was similar OEM activity at Teisco a firm born in Tokyo in the 40s, adding guitars in 1952 and electrics a couple of years later. Its exports to Europe and America had brand names such as Audition, Top Twenty, Gemtone, Jedson, Mellowtone, Kent, Kingston, and Norma. Teisco also sold a line of models at home with its own Teisco brand and, from around 1965 in the USA, Teisco Del Rey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teisco had success through its American distributors at first Westheimer, who later bought from Kawai, and then WMI, who came onboard around the time the Teisco Del Rey brand name appeared. The Sears, Roebuck mail-order catalogue company was another US customer for Teisco, who provided some of the guitars Sears sold with its own Silvertone brand. Rory Gallagher's 1965 Teisco TRG-1: with its Gold Foil pickup and internal loudspeaker, typifies how Japanese makers of the era tried to win over players with unusual features, styling and sounds | Credit: Future/Phil Barker And heres another wrinkle: as with many of the firms for whom Teisco made guitars, the Silvertone models exported to America by Teisco were sometimes almost identical to a Teisco-brand instrument sold at home. An example of this is the mid-60s four-pickup Silvertone 1437, which in the homeland was the Teisco ET-440. In 1965, Teisco sponsored a movie, Eleki No Wakadaisho (The Young Electric Guitar Wizard). It starred guitarist Yuzo Kayama as a member of the fictional Young Beats group, who entered a battle-of-the-bands competition and, naturally, they all played Teisco guitars through Teisco amps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite such cultural landmarks, as well as the opening of a new factory in Okegawa and the export of instruments to Britain, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, the US and elsewhere, Teisco battled with financial problems. It declared bankruptcy early in 67 and was bought by Kawai, which continued to use the Teisco brand for a few more years. Guyatone, Kawai, Yamaha, Aria Credit: Courtesy of Martin Kelly Rivalling Teisco and Hoshino/Ibanez as the big name in 60s Japanese guitars was Guyatone. It was founded by Mitsuo Matsuki in Tokyo in the 1930s, introduced its first solidbody electric in the mid-50s, and its LG models in particular proved popular in Britain and elsewhere toward the end of that decade. These early LGs were sold in America by Buegeleisen & Jacobson (as Winston), and in Britain by Arbiter (as Guyatone) and JT Coppock (as Antoria). Guyatones range and quality expanded during the 60s, with models such as the LG-160T, complete with a handy body-hole, as well as a couple of SG and MG hollowbodies, and the LG-200T, which had four pickups and multiple push-button selectors. Probably the best-known Guyatone today is the Sharp 5 signature model, introduced in 1967. The Sharp 5 band, part of the Group Sounds trend that spread across Japan at this time, was led by Munetaka Inoue and guitarist Nobuhiro Mine, and their break came in 67 when they signed to Columbia Records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guyatone saw an opportunity for a liaison with the band, renaming its LG-350T guitar as the Sharp 5 model. Mine played the 350 Deluxe, with blue finish, three pickups and gold-plated metalwork. Kawai dates back to the 1920s, when Koichi Kawai started a keyboard company in Hamamatsu. The firm began making guitars in the 50s, expanding its Kawai-brand lines during the next decade and exporting widely to OEM customers. Among the brand names used in the US were Domino, Kent, Kimberly and TeleStar. By the late 60s Kawai had become another big player in Japanese guitar making. These companies still competed for attention in the home market, and a notable new contender in the mid-60s was Yamaha. It was, of course, an old name, founded in the 1880s as a keyboard manufacturer and diversifying as the decades went by into many other areas, not least motorcycles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first Yamaha budget electrics appeared in 1964, and then the better SG models two years later. Among these early SGs were the conventionally shaped and Fender-inspired SG-2 and 3, along with the reverse-body Mosrite-influenced SG-5 and 7, with an extended lower horn to the body and a long, slim headstock. The flipped-body style of Mosrites Ventures model was a popular shape among Japanese makers following the American bands successful tour of the country in 1964. The Arai company, founded in Nagoya by the classical guitarist Shiro Arai in 1956, made classicals at first but added electric guitars in the early 60s, soon using the Aria and Aria Diamond brands. In the 70s and later the company would become better known for its Aria Pro II brand. Aria was the Japanese distributor of Fender guitars in the late 50s, so its not surprising that some of its own models were Fender-like in appearance. The Japanese Guitar Game Lets step aside for a moment and play Loser, Looker, Player. Well tell you ours, to get things going, and then you can have a go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOSER: Our choice is an Ibanez copy of a Gibson double-neck. Did you say so what? Ibanez introduced the line in 1974, about six years after Gibson had dropped its SG-style originals, and offered a six-string plus 12-string (model 2402) and a six-string plus bass (2404). So far, so Gibson. But heres our choice of Loser: Ibanez Model 2406 boasted two six-string necks. Correct, two six-strings on one (rather heavy) body. Gibson had never made such a thing, of course, but Ibanez had other ideas. This guitar, it enthused, would be good to have to hand in open-tuning slide guitar and standard tuning. We rest our (rather large) case. Andy Fairweather Low's Teisco Spectrum V | Credit: Guitarist/YouTube LOOKER: An impressive example of over-the-top Teisco Del Rey style was the solidbody Spectrum 5, introduced in 1966. It was a luscious creation, with a thin, curving, sculpted mahogany body, covered with what Teisco claimed as seven coats of lacquer, parachute-shape fingerboard inlays, a spring-less vibrato, two jacks for mono or stereo output, and three pickups, split so as to assist with the Spectrum 5s stereo feed when required. The model name derived from what Teisco described as five different basic colour tones [that] can be produced with this unusual guitar, indicating the colourful pickup and phase switches on the upper part of the models pickguard. Spectacular! PLAYER: How about a Tokai Les Paul Reborn? The firm began soon after World War II in Hamamatsu and launched Tokai electrics in 1967. 10 years later, the copies began. Yes, there were many copies about, but Tokai in particular and its Les Pauls-styles (and Strat-styles and more) made players think anew about what Japanese guitar could mean and sent shockwaves through parts of the instrument industry. The Les Pauls came with a few different names during the key period from 1978 to 85 or so, and they looked the part, too, some bearing wow-could-it-be-a-59 flamey tops, and many found them to be great players at decent prices. One of Tokais cheeky British ads turned the tables with a headline that read: Beware of imitations. This did not go unnoticed. Copycat Crazy Credit: Future/Phil Barker There was boom and bust in the Japanese guitar business in the period from 1966 to 68. One of the factors may have been the USAs doubling of customs duties on imported electrics, and domestically some makers were caught with excessive stocks when demand died, at home as well as abroad. By 1976, Les Paul copies were the most numerous in the Ibanez catalogue, with more than 20 varieties on offer Whatever the causes, the bust toppled Teisco, Guyatone and others, resulting in a reset of the industry. Some of the stronger businesses survived, including Aria, Fujigen and Yamaha. But the upheaval at this time provides yet another complication for anyone expecting a straightforward situation where guitar A was made by B, has the brand C, and was sold by D. The rest of the alphabet will come in handy if you want to dig deeper. To generalise, then, it was in the early 70s that a wider move to copies began in Japan. These could still be described as interpretations of the real American things, but now there was no doubt about the models that provided the inspiration. James Hetfield plays his Electra Japanese-made Flying V copy onstage with Metallica in 1985. | Credit: Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Hoshino had been sourcing guitars from Teisco and Fujigen Gakki since it shifted its Tama factory to drums only in 1965, and by 1970 Fujigen was its main supplier, coinciding with this emphasis on copies. Hoshino continued as a trading company, one that buys and sells products without manufacturing anything itself. Fuji Gen Gakki Seizou Kabushikigaisha the Fuji Stringed-Instrument Manufacturing Corporation was started by Yuuichirou Yokouchi and Yutaka Mimura and produced its first guitar, a basic nylon-string acoustic, during 1960, adding electrics three years later. It had a new factory operational by 1965, based in Matsumoto, home to several furniture makers and guitar builders. As well as its OEM work, Fujigen had its Greco brand, in partnership with distributor Kanda Shokai. Fujigens Greco and Hoshino/Ibanez copies were among the most popular of the period, and some of the initiative to make and develop them came from American and British outlets. The first British distributor to buy Ibanez-brand guitars from Hoshino was Maurice Summerfield, who started doing business with them in 1964. From the early 70s, he added the CSL brand for electrics alongside Ibanez, and then the Sumbro brand as a cheaper line below Ibanez and CSL. In America, one of the outlets Hoshino worked with was Harry Rosenblooms Medley Music store in Philadelphia, and his Elger Company became Hoshinos eastern US distributor for Tama and Elger guitars, Elger banjos and Star drums. In 1972, Hoshino and Elger set up a joint venture to become the American distributor of Ibanez guitars as well as Hoshinos other brands and instruments, and a few years later Hoshino took sole ownership of the operation that had become its valuable American HQ. Staff at the new offices, both Japanese and American, noticed that at first the quality wasnt great on some of the guitars shipped over to them, and they fed regular suggestions and ideas back to Japan, many of which were used to broaden and improve the lines. Maurice Summerfield in Britain recommended that Hoshino add to the line a copy of a Gibson Flying V, recently given a low-key revival by Gibson. As with the original Les Pauls, players at the time were rediscovering the excellence of old Vs. Ibanez launched a Flying V copy in 1973 based on a late-60s original that Summerfield sent to them, and soon a Gibson double-neck copy appeared, again thanks to Summerfields encouragement. Theres no getting away from the fact that many major Japanese brands gained ground by cloning US designs, even fairly niche ones such as this 1972 Ibanez 2380 a copy of the Gibson Les Paul Recording model of the era. | Credit: Future/Phil Barker By 1976, Les Paul copies were the most numerous in the Ibanez catalogue, with more than 20 varieties on offer. In the USA, they were pitched from the cheapest, the best-selling bolt-neck $260 Les Custom 2350, through the $299.50 Les Deluxe 59er 2340 in sunburst and the $340 Sunlight Special 2342IV, and up to the most expensive a set-neck version of the 2350, the $495 2650CS Solid Body DX. That same year, Gibsons regular line of five Les Paul solidbody models ranged from the $599 Les Paul Deluxe to the $739 Les Paul Custom, so its not difficult to understand one of the prime attractions of the copies, beyond any considerations of accuracy or quality. There were many other Japanese companies making copies, of varying quality and exported with any number of brands, including Penco, Mann, Jason, Kasuga, Heerby, Burny, Tokai, Fernandes, Honey, Conrad, Ventura, Fresher, Electra and HS Anderson. Fujigen and Kanda Shokais house brand, Greco, was in the upper bracket of quality, and by 1981 Grecos Stratocaster copy line ranged from the SE-380, which retailed at 38,000 yen, up to the SE-1200, at 120,000 yen. A straightforward conversion into US dollars of the time provides an equivalent range of about $260 to $530. That same year, Fenders cheapest Stratocaster retailed for $720. Lawsuit? What Lawsuit? Typical of the so-called Lawsuit Era electrics made in Japan is this 1975 Ibanez copy of a Gibson ES-335, which at time of writing is up for auction at guitar sales specialist Gardiner Houlgate as part of a collection of Japanese guitars. | Credit: Future/Phil Barker You wont get far in the world of Japanese electric guitar history without coming across the word lawsuit. In the 70s, Ibanez in particular and Japanese brands in general were irritating the hell out of Gibson, Fender and the other US companies targeted by the copyists. It wasnt until 1977 that Gibson made a legal complaint to Ibanez (through its US arm, Elger). Gibson and Ibanez/Elger settled out of court, with Elger agreeing to stop infringing Gibsons trademarked headstock design and to stop using Gibson-like model names in sales material. In February 1978, Gibsons complaint was closed. Ibanez made a stunningly succesful pivot from copyist to a genuine innovator with a new generation of original models made for high-performance players that redefined guitar design, such as the original 1987 JEM | Credit: Future In fact, Ibanez was already using a new headstock design, and had been offering some original-design guitars for a number of years. That term lawsuit stems from this brief legal spat and is often used these days to describe any Japanese copy guitar of the period, whether or not the brand suffered legal action. Oddly, its gained a cachet, presumably because lawsuit-era guitar sounds more dramatic than 70s Japanese guitar. One of the reasons Fender chose Fujigen to manufacture its first Squier guitars in the early 80s was because Fenders strategy to beat the Japanese copies was simply to make better copies itself, with the added prestige of its own brand. And Fujigens existing Greco guitars proved that Fujigen was already good at what Fender required. This 1988 Fender Japan Jazzmaster in Candy Apple Red, currently at Gas Station Guitars, is very early for an official Japanese Fender offset but was the fruit of a long process of evolution in Japanese lutherie. | Credit: Future/Phil Barker Gibson later reset its Epiphone brand in similar ways and Epiphones had first been made in Japan way back in 1969. These developments, and guitars such as Yamahas SG2000 in the 70s and the Ibanez Steve Vai-related JEMs of the 80s, would underline a new confidence among Japanese makers. One of the original designs that Ibanez (and Greco) introduced well before the Gibson legal complaint was The Flash, introduced in 1975 and soon renamed the Iceman (Ibanez) and M series (Greco). There were influences at work, for sure, the body looking as if someone had given a Firebird a curved, pointed base and added a Ricky-like hooked lower horn. But it added up to an attention-grabbing original. And in 1978, a signature version for Paul Stanley appeared. Ibanez also made him a custom PS10 with a cracked-mirror front, providing sparkling reflections at KISSs already dazzling shows. No wonder Stanley thought that in the guitar-making world, Japan was the country of the future. We recently asked members of the BuzzFeed Community to tell us about the shocking or dark secrets their grandparents were keeping from the family. We also perused some Reddit threads about family secrets coming to light and came across even more stories of secretive (and sometimes sketchy) grandparents. Here's what we uncovered: 1."My great-granddad murdered a banker in Mustang, Oklahoma over a loan dispute. He changed his name and left his wife and kids. He went on the run on the railroads before settling down just north of where I live. He got remarried and had more children, one of them being my grandmother. He left a deathbed confession letter about the entire thing. Our family has a yearly reunion with his other family in Mustang. It's pretty mind-blowing knowing I wouldn't be here if he didn't kill someone." Ezmoney43 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2."On her deathbed, during her last few minutes of life, my grandmother confessed to our entire family, including my grandfather, that she had cheated with another man about 50 years ago for 25 years. She also confessed that she had both of her children, my mother and aunt, with the man she cheated with. My mother took a DNA test and confirmed that this was true. My grandfather, distraught with the fact that the kids he had raised were not his and he had no children, moved across the country and claimed that he didn't want to be a part of the family anymore. This was years ago, and nobody in our family had heard anything until a few months ago when he sent an apology letter and claimed that he wanted to be a part of our lives again, even though it turned out that we weren't related by blood." Anonymous Motortion / Getty Images 3."Grandma and Grandpa did love each other and were married but weren't 'together.' Grandma was gay, and Grandpa was her best friend. She wanted kids, so they had kids, but she had her love, 'Auntie Doreen,' we called her. Grandpa was free to do whatever he wanted and, to our knowledge, never had a dedicated partner besides my grandmother." Eas_Mackenzie Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 4."My grandma didn't go to jail in the late '80s for not paying taxes. She went to federal prison for distribution of cocaine. Apparently, she was a huge dealer and known as 'Cocaine Granny' locally for years before she sold to an undercover and got busted. I learned the truth from an older cousin when I was about 20. It happened when I was around 8." ATLiensinyosockdraw Ocskaymark / Getty Images/iStockphoto 5."My grandfather paid each of his three children to never again complain about the fact that he married his 'mistress' a month after my grandmother died of cancer. And yes, he was cheating on my grandmother the entire time she had cancer." nonihongo Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 6."My grandmother immigrated to North America from Europe in 1970 and did not leave Canada until she died in 2017. Until the day she died, everyone who knew her (family or otherwise) knew that she did not speak English, only her mother tongue. She couldn't read, write, or drive and didn't get out much. The majority of her life was spent indoors taking care of us grandkids before and after school and going to church (mass in her language). When she suffered a fall in 2007, she was hospitalized for a short time and given pain medication. My mother was with her in the hospital and left the room for a few minutes to grab a cup of coffee. When she came back, my drugged-up grandma was having an entire conversation in English with one of the medical staff. Perfectly fluent. I'm the only family member who knows anything other than my mom. The medical staff found it hilarious, though." "As soon as she sobered up from the pain meds, she adamantly denied it ever happened and stuck to that story for the next decade." FlashingAppleby David Sacks / Getty Images 7."My grandmother was a Code Girl in Washington, DC during WWII (check out Liza Mundy's book about the topic), and she didn't tell ANYONE in the family. We didn't find out until my aunt found her Naval Enlistment paperwork and her wartime journal in her desk after her death. She was part of a unit that cracked Pacific Theater communications, enabling success in the island-hopping work of the Navy. We found out from her journal that the women in the unit were taken to a Maryland church and had to swear under penalty of death that they wouldn't share anything about their code-breaking work in the war. They were supposed to tell their families that they were just stenographers in the war department." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Then, after the war, they were shoved out no pensions or public acknowledgment of their work to become wives and mothers with their contributions forever a secret." Lightlylilly 8."My grandpa didn't want any of his grandchildren to know he went to jail for three or four years for fraud. The thing is, he was another victim of fraud. The guy he was doing business with (rent of agricultural machinery) used checks without funds and put all the machines in my grandpa's name. The other guy left no trace of his actions in the whole business, so all the shit fell on my grandpa. He didn't want us to know he went to jail. He thought it would ruin our image of him, even though he was innocent. Even after learning this postmortem, we still love him as much as we always did." CompletoSinMayo Pkline / Getty Images 9."My memaw and her father, along with all her kids and siblings (my mom included) were busted for the biggest underground meth lab anyone had seen in the US at the time. My memaw and her siblings spent quite a few years in federal prison for it, as well as her children (my mom included). Rumor has it there's a body or two buried on the land, and a murder and attempted murder occurred on it as well. And that's just the beginning!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement mushypumpkin47 10."My uncle was engaged to my godmother. They had been together for years. He got drafted into the services and was stationed in Bermuda. The plan was that he'd complete his two-year tour of duty, and my godmother would coordinate their wedding for when he got back. Six months after his deployment, the wedding was abruptly called off, and my uncle suddenly married another woman that no one in the family had met. Everyone was stunned. No one knew what happened, and my godmother disappeared from our lives. Years later, it was discovered that my grandfather seduced my godmother (a raging secret affair), and my uncle found out. It was a closely guarded secret until I was in my 50s. I still have no idea what happened to my godmother." Anonymous Olena Ruban / Getty Images 11."My father's brother was killed by his stepfather in a 'hunting accident' because the child was not his. Oddly, the same thing happened to my wife's older brother. Apparently, 'hunting accidents' were quite common in the '60s." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement goldensorcerer98 12."My grandparents were extremely wealthy. I recently found out that a lot of that money was illegal profits from alcohol during prohibition (their parents and aunts had made the money) that was then legally invested for my grandparents to manage." sparklysalt40 Vincent Ryan / Getty Images 13."My Dutch grandfather's identity is protected in three countries. In Australia, it is restricted by ASIO for 'international relations,' 'national security,' and 'the security of the Commonwealth.' We cannot see any reason or explanation in the Netherlands or England. He was a potato farmer who fought in the resistance during WWII, came to Australia, lived a very humble life, and never spoke a word. ASIO said they will never release his record, so we have to accept it at this point." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement cpops 14."My grandfather had a whole other side family. People knew about it, but no one talked about it. I suspected something was up as a child because there were signs. He never arrived anywhere with my grandmother. I hardly ever saw him at their place. My mom told me when I was older. I believe he was legally still married to my grandmother and kept up the facade, but he had other children and a woman he lived with. When he died, I was curious if they would be at his funeral. But I never made it to the service because my daughter got very sick. I did 23andMe and Ancestry, thinking maybe I could find out more about them, but I haven't come across anyone that I know of." Anonymous Westend61 / Getty Images/Westend61 15."I'm adopted but was partially raised by my bio family. My step-grandma (an awful person) recently told me that when my bio mom was 13, she got pregnant by HER mom's boyfriend. She later had an abortion, but they all blamed her, saying she was 'fooling around' when she shouldn't have been. I hate that no one protected her, and everyone was against her." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement grouchyswan78 16."My Grandad, back in the '50s, asked my Nana's father for permission to marry her. He said no. One Friday after work, they went to the registrar and got married. Then Grandad returned to his house, and Nana returned to her parents' without saying anything. They kept it quiet for a few months until one night, Nana announced she was going home with Grandad. Her father said the equivalent of, 'Like hell, you will!' They confessed at that point. They were married for over 60 years until they passed away. We always knew there were no wedding photos and that they hadn't had a party, but the full story didn't come out until their 50th wedding anniversary party when one of their friends who acted as a witness to the marriage was reminiscing about it with my uncle, thinking we all knew the full story." "There was understandably absolute chaos at this revelation; not a single family member knew anything about this for 50 years. I'm pretty sure that had the friend not said anything, my grandparents would have taken it to their graves without mentioning it to another living soul." Anonymous Emanuelecapoferri / Getty Images 17."My great-grandmother had a child with someone (no idea who) and a few years later met my great-grandfather. He proposed but said she would have to get rid of the kid before he would marry her. She agreed and brought the kid somewhere, to an orphanage, to their father or his family, no one knows. She came back, and they married and had three kids. She never talked about that first child again. It's a huge mystery." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idislikethis_ 18."My great-great-grandfather moved from Romania to America and married another Romanian immigrant shortly after he arrived. Once they married, he insisted they start using 'American' names, only speak English in public, never return to Romania, and refrain from communicating with family in the old country. When my great-grandmother (his daughter) was a teenager, it was discovered by the rest of the family that he actually abandoned his first wife and three children in Romania and left them in extreme poverty when he came to the States and married my great-great-grandmother. Ya know, real upstanding guy." SilentBlizzard1 Oksana Nazarchuk M / Getty Images 19."My grandma had a darker complexion and beautiful black hair. She always said we were Hungarian and Greek. It turns out she was mostly Cree and was sworn to secrecy. She did not tell us about any of this and apparently even kept it a secret from her husband, who passed before her. She never spoke about her family, and I feel like there is so much I don't know. I have more questions than answers now." Anonymous 20."My great-grandparents were high school sweethearts and the only role models I'd ever had for a relationship since my grandparents and parents are divorced and hate each other. Then my mom tells me that my great-grandma had an affair, and that's why one of my grandma's sisters isn't like the others. So, there goes that." Symnestra Stefan-bg / Getty Images 21."My grandparents on my mother's side were swingers all four of them. After my mother was born, her mother and father split up, and then each married a person from another couple. Sort of a marriage merge." Saint_of_Stinkers 22."My great-grandparents kept this secret. My great aunt (my grandpa's sister) died in her early 20s (this was in the 1930s). My grandpa was told she cut her finger while peeling an apple, and it got infected; she got septic and died. Grandpa passed in the early 2000s, but just two months ago, I was perusing the Find A Grave website and found her death certificate. She died from complications from a self-induced abortion. It made me wonder if my grandpa ever even knew the truth about his sister. The more shocking part is that I texted a cousin of mine to tell her about my findings. She goes, 'I don't think that's right. Pretty sure she died from getting an infected ingrown toenail.' Turns out my great-grandparents were making different lies about this to each of their kids (you'd think it's simpler to just stick to one lie, but whatever)." "Meanwhile, her boyfriend found a new girlfriend, got married, and lived normally just miles away from my great-grandparents." thegassygoose David Wall / Getty Images 23."Basically, my great-grandmother had a child at a very young age during the early '40s and gave her up for adoption. We didn't know until after my great-grandmother died in 2017. It wasn't until last year my grandfather and the rest of his living siblings finally met her." Weak_Carpenter_7060 24."After my grandmother passed away, my grandfather told the family that she had once been hospitalized and treated with electric shocks for her depression. We had no idea about this, but it really explains a lot." clicksherheels6126 Jan Hakan Dahlstrom / Getty Images 25."My grandma's first husband kidnapped my uncle for three years when he was a toddler. She married my grandfather, who helped her get my uncle back." Fn_up_adulting 26."My granddad married and had my dad with his wife, only to then break up with her and marry her sister. I've never met my biological grandmother. I'm not even sure if she's still alive. Everyone also seems to have kind of accepted this. Nobody really questions it. But I think its really weird and kind of messed up." DanielSophoran Utah778 / Getty Images 27.And: "My husband's grandmother lied about her age for YEARS. She was embarrassed that she was a few years older than her husband. I guess this was a scandal back in the 1930s, so she shaved a few years off even on her driver's license. People from the rural South during that time didn't have great birth records anyway, so she could do it. It caused major issues with her getting Social Security. It was nuts to me. I found out at her funeral." Midlevelluxurylife Wow. Has one of your grandparents ever tried to keep a major secret from your family? What's the secret? How did the truth come out? Tell us in the comments or submit anonymously using this form below. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Tour operators predict a record-breaking season before the huge price hike in September. | Credit: Getty Images Over 120 climbers have already secured permits to attempt to summit the world's highest peak twice as many as at this time in 2024, with local tour operators pointing to the upcoming fee hike as the explanation for the sudden surge. According to reporting by The Kathmandu Post, early sales have indicated the potential for 2025 to be a record-breaking season. Among the successful applicants there are 95 men and 25 women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year 421 Mount Everest climbing permits were issued, and in total 200 climbers reached the summit supported by more than 600 guides. Nepalese tour operators believe that the upcoming changes in mountaineering regulations, which will take effect on September 1, have contributed to a spike in interest. As part of those changes, climbers will pay 36% more to use the most popular South Col route. The price is increasing from $11,000 to $15,000 for the spring season. Based on bookings from other major operators and our own company, we are expecting more than 500 Everest aspirants this season, Mingma Sherpa, managing director of Seven Summit Treks, told the Post. Last year 421 Mount Everest climbing permits were issued, and in total 200 climbers reached the summit | Credit: Alamy In April 2024, Nepal's Supreme Court requested that the government set a limit on the number of mountaineering permits issued for Everest, saying that the mountain's capacity "must be respected". The Court did not provide guidance on the number of permits that should be issued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While no cap on permit limits has been reported, the new costs on the peak are the first price increase for almost a decade. Fees for those wanting to climb outside the spring season will also increase by the same percentage. Once the price hikes take effect, permits will cost $7,500 from September to November and $3,750 from December to February. Operators have said that the total cost of an Everest expedition package could rise by $7,000 to $10,000. Dambar Parajuli, president of the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal, says he doesn't believe the rising costs will put off ambitious climbers. A climber who has been preparing for a year might delay the climb by a year or two, but Everests allure is timeless, regardless of expense." Solo climbers banned The new regulations introduced by the Nepalese government also require everyone on the mountain to be accompanied by an expert guide. A maximum of two climbers on Everest will have to use one guide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, climbers could attempt the 20,032ft / 8,849m summit solo, paying companies for base camp accommodation, and use of equipment such as ladders and fixed ropes along the route. Unsupported climbing of Mount Everest comes with great risk, and just a few people have successfully soloed it. Polands Piotr Krzyzowski was the last person to do so, on May 23, 2024. In January 2025, German climber Jost Kobusch tried to summit solo without supplementary oxygen but turned back at an altitude of 24,728ft (7,537m) after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake made the route too risky. Will Piotr Krzyzowski be the last? DES MOINES, Iowa One person died in a fiery crash involving two semis on I-80 in Cass County early Friday morning. A crash report from the Iowa State Patrol said the incident happened around 1:08 a.m. in the westbound lanes of I-80 at mile marker 63. A tractor-trailer semi driven by 35-year-old Jagdeep Singh of Floral Park, New York, was traveling westbound in the right lane when it was struck from behind by a tractor-trailer semi driven by Andre Steadman of Dover, Florida. Iowa man accused of secretly filming women changing in Target fitting room Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Singhs vehicle ended up in the median and became engulfed in flames. Singh, 35, was pronounced dead at the scene. Steadmans vehicle came to rest on the shoulder of I-80. He suffered minor injuries in the crash. The crash temporarily brought traffic to a halt on the interstate while the scene was cleared up. The Iowa State Patrol is continuing to investigate the crash. Iowa news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A busy Dayton intersection has been shut down after pedestrian strike killed one person. According to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch, a pedestrian strike was reported just before 9:30 p.m. Thursday evening. This occurred at the intersection of Salem Avenue and Philadelphia Drive. A detective on scene told 2 NEWS that a male pedestrian was struck while in the intersection by two vehicles. That individual was taken to Miami Valley Hospital for his injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials report the individual died at the hospital. Detectives have the intersection closed while they investigate to determine what exactly happened. The road will reopen once they finish. If anyone knows anything about this incident or witnessed it happen, you are asked to contact Dayton Police at 937-333-COPS (2677). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WAPAKONETA, Ohio (WDTN) A passenger sustained injuries after a plane had to emergency land in a farm field. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol Wapakoneta Post, a single propeller airplane crash was reported around 1:30 p.m. in the area of Southland Road just west of State Route 29. Plane crash near Florida highway kills 3 on board, injures 1 on the ground Troopers say a 75-year-old man was piloting a 2005 Beachcraft A36 single propeller plane when it experienced engine failure. The pilot was accompanied by a 74-year-old woman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plane was initially en route to an airport in Romeoville, Illinois after taking off from the Auglaize County Neil Armstrong Airport in New Knoxville. After reporting engine failure, the plane performed an emergency landing in an agricultural field. OSP responded to the scene alongside New Knoxville Police & Fire and the Auglaize County Sheriffs Office, EMA and CERT. The pilot was uninjured, but the passenger reported injuries. She was transported to a local hospital by Saint Marys EMS. The crash remains under investigation by OSP. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. A woman was injured after a plane made an emergency landing in Auglaize County Friday afternoon. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Around 1:30 p.m., Ohio State Highway Patrol was called to Southland Road, west of State Route 29. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investigation found that a Beechcraft was flying from Auglaize County Neil Armstrong Airport to Lewis University Airport in Illinois when it experienced engine failure, according to a media release. The plane had to make an emergency landing in a field. The 75-year-old pilot was not injured. His 74-year-old passenger was taken to an area hospital. Alcohol and drugs are not suspected to be a factor in the crash. The crash remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 11. Haitham Al Ghais, OPEC Secretary General, received Reza Najafi, newly appointed Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the UN and International Organizations in Austria's Vienna on 11 April, Trend reports. Al Ghais congratulated Najafi on his new appointment and welcomed him to the OPEC Secretariat, presenting his utmost appreciation for the courtesy visit. The OPEC Secretary General renewed interest of continuously enhancing the bonds between OPEC and the Permanent Mission of Iran in Vienna. The sides exchanged views on current global energy-related affairs and reviewed the outstanding journey of collaboration between the OPEC Secretariat and the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Secretary General took the opportunity to present an invitation to Najafi to attend the upcoming 9th OPEC International Seminar, scheduled on 9-10 July 2025 at the historic Hofburg Palace of Vienna. Meanwhile, OPEC, together with its Member Countries, commemorates this September the 65th Anniversary of its foundation, alongside six decades of notable accomplishments in Vienna. GRAYS KNOB, Ky. (FOX 56) Kentucky State Police (KSP) is investigating an ATV crash that killed one person in Harlan County on Thursday morning. According to state police, troopers with Post 10 in Harlan were called around 10:30 a.m. on Thursday about a deadly crash on Pine Branch Road in the Grays Knob Community. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KSP posted on Facebook that the crash happened at a private property in the area. When troopers and emergency personnel got to the property, authorities found 69-year-old Wilma Chaudry dead at the scene, state police said. The crash investigation remains ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. A person has been seriously hurt following a shooting in west Charlotte Thursday night, according to MEDIC. It happened just before 9:30 p.m. on the 2100 block of Haywood Avenue. ALSO READ: A person has been seriously hurt following a shooting in west Charlotte Thursday night, according to MEDIC. MEDIC said the victim was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. No additional details have been made available. This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates. Apr. 10One person was treated for smoke inhalation Thursday morning after a reported house fire at 712 Valley Ave. According to a news release, Albert Lea Fire Rescue received a report of the fire at 9:56 a.m. after the resident came home, noticed smoke showing from the structure and called 911. Fire crews arrived on the scene and found smoke coming from the house on the second floor. The resident had heavy contents and electrical cords throughout the sleeping area where the fire originated, but the cause is undetermined after investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire crews worked on the scene for about an hour, checking for fire extension. The resident was treated by Mayo Ambulance for smoke inhalation and released at the scene. Albert Lea Fire Rescue would like to remind residents to maintain egress in sleeping areas and only use extension cords for temporary use. The Albert Lea Police Department also assisted Fire Rescue on the scene. Twelve former OpenAI employees have asked a federal judge for permission to weigh in on Elon Musks lawsuit against Sam Altman and the company. Harvard law professor Lawrence Lessig filed the motion today on behalf of the ex-employees, whose detailed amicus brief accuses OpenAI of abandoning its nonprofit roots and betraying the mission that originally attracted them to the organization. Elon Musk is suing OpenAI, its CEO, Sam Altman, and others, claiming that they betrayed the nonprofit mission that he helped establish back when OpenAI was founded in 2015. This week, OpenAI countersued Elon Musk over claims he has tried nonstop to slow down its business for his own benefit. The lawsuit said Musk has used bad-faith tactics against OpenAI to help him control AI technology. The amicus, or friend of the court, brief filed in a California federal court on Friday includes some fiery language and allegations. Notably, in a three-page long declaration, former OpenAI researcher Todor Markov, who now works as a researcher at Anthropic, said that OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was a person of low integrity who had directly lied to employees about the extent of his knowledge and involvement in OpenAIs practices of forcing departing employees to sign lifetime non-disparagement agreements. Markov went on to say that Altman was likely, therefore, to be lying to employees about other important topics including the sincerity of OpenAIs commitment to its charter, which pledged to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI) is used for the benefit of all and avoids uses that harm humanity and concentrate power. It committed to prioritizing AGI safety research and avoiding a dangerous race to AGI that could lead to cutting corners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I realized the charter had been used as a smoke screen, something to attract and retain idealistic talent while providing no real check on OpenAIs growth and its pursuit of AGI, Markov said in the declaration. He also said that OpenAIs public announcement of a plan to pursue a fully for-profit restructuring, contrary to its charters core commitments, has only served to further convince me that OpenAIs charter and mission were used all along as a facade to manipulate its workforce and the public. OpenAI, which was valued at $300 billion in its most recent funding round, did not comment directly on the filings allegations about Altman. In a statement, the company said: Our board has been very clear: Our nonprofit isnt going anywhere, and our mission will remain the same. Were turning our existing for-profit arm into a public benefit corporationthe same structure as other AI labs like Anthropicwhere some of these former employees now workand xAI. If the judge overseeing the OpenAI/Musk case, U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers, accepts the amicus brief filing, it will become part of the court record and the judge can consider its arguments when it comes to deciding the next key issues in the case. Markov told Fortune via DM on Friday that he has more to lose than to gain by participating in the lawsuit against his former employer. I actually stand to lose a lot of money if Elons lawsuit is successful. A large fraction of my lifes savings are in OpenAI equity, he said. So anything that damages the value of that equity can have a fairly substantial impact on my own personal finances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other former OpenAI employees in the filing, most of whom had titles related to AI safety and alignment research and policy, are Steven Adler, Rosemary Campbell, Neil Chowdhury, Jacob H. Hilton, Daniel Kokotajlo, Gretchen M. Krueger, Richard M.C. Ngo, Girish Sastry, William R. Saunders, Carroll L. Wainwright II, and Jeffrey K. Wu. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) At least 13 students attending Oregon State University are at risk of deportation after having their visas revoked by the Trump Administration, the university confirmed to KOIN 6 News on Thursday. A pair of international students from Portland State University also got their visas revoked. The recent initiative, led by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, has impacted international students throughout the country as federal officials update and even terminate their immigration records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Breaking News Alerts While immigration records are terminated from time to time for different reasons, the suddenness of these federal agency-initiated actions nationally has led us to review student immigration records even more frequently so that we can provide support to those impacted, OSU said in a statement to KOIN 6 on Thursday. The announcement comes the same week the University of Oregon announced that four of their students had visas revoked due to alleged criminal charges, though the university said it was not given details about the charges by DHS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reasoning for the status changes impacting students at OSU remains unclear, though the university claims that these changes are rare. The state school currently has more than 2,500 international students. 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, according to the university. For decades, OSU has proudly sponsored thousands of aspiring students and scholars across many fields as part of our commitment to expanding pathways to higher education for students locally and globally. Oregon Gov. Kotek directs schools to keep DEI practices amid Trump admin funding threats OSU officials say their Office of International Services has reached out to impacted students with resources to help them take next steps. Students or families who are concerned about their F-1 Visa status are encouraged to contact the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to these developments, OSU has joined other universities in filing support for a lawsuit brought forth by the American Association of University Professors challenging the actions impacting international students and educators, including their speech and expression activities. Passage Immigration Law Attorney Bridget Bailey said that with at least 19 college students in Oregon having their visas revoked so far this year, calls are pouring in. We do not know under what guideline or rule that these student visas are being revoked, Bailey told KOIN 6 News. As quickly as we can, were gonna ask for due process. Students typically have 15 days to leave the country unless they find another legal pathway to stay in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Apr. 11The Pyrex cookware factory in Charleroi will produce its last batch of glass today, ending operations months earlier than anticipated. The 132-year-old Corelle Brands facility notified workers in September it planned to close the Charleroi plant and move production to Lancaster, Ohio. Layoffs were expected to start before Christmas but were delayed until late January. Corelle Brands told the state in January it delayed the layoffs to address operational needs in the closure process. A federal judge in November denied an attempt by the state to keep Corelle from moving to Ohio. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A union official said in mid-February the glass plant would remain open for at least three months, extending its operations through the end of July. About 200 union workers were still on the job last month, receiving a six-month union contract with a 10% wage hike. Rich Cholodofsky is a TribLive reporter covering Westmoreland County government, politics and courts. He can be reached at rcholodofsky@triblive.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: Alan G. Whicher. Image courtesy Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum. We want to remember Alan G. Whicher, while honoring those who survived and thanking those changed forever. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Apr. 11An 18-year-old man is facing a dozen charges, including attempted murder, after he allegedly shot a 12-year-old girl and 16-year-old boy in Xenia earlier this month. Braylen Gearheart, of Xenia, was charged with four counts of attempted murder, three counts of felonious assault and one count each of aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, tampering with evidence, receiving stolen property and carrying a concealed weapon in Xenia Municipal Court. His bond was set at $1 million Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 6:15 p.m. on April 4, Xenia police responded to the 100 block of Hivling Street after a 911 caller reported two juveniles were shot inside a house. Officers arrived to find Gearheart in the front yard with a gunshot wound to his leg, according to court records. Police began first aid and he was transported to Miami Valley Hospital. Once inside the house police discovered a 12-year-old girl lying inside the front door with multiple gunshot wounds to her abdomen and a 16-year-old on the stairs with gunshot wounds to his back, shoulder and abdomen. The girl was taken to Dayton Children's Hospital and the 16-year-old was transported to Miami Valley Hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their mother told a detective Gearheart and another juvenile were at the house when she heard gunfire and saw Gearheart coming down the stairs with a gun, according to court records. He reportedly pointed the gun at her before leaving. Police spoke to a witness who claimed Gearheart and another male were standing at the door to the room when the witness indicated he had a gun on him, according to court documents. Gearheart allegedly tried to take the gun, leading to a struggle. The witness called for the 16-year-old boy, who helped the witness take Gearheart to the ground. "Braylen then walked down the hall and produced another gun from his waistband and shot (the 12-year-old girl), who had just walked out of her room," read an affidavit. "Braylen then turned around and began firing at (the witness and 16-year-old boy), striking (the teen)." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The witness shot at Gearheart and then jumped out of a second story window to flee. During the investigation, officers learned Gearheart may have left the gun near a truck before police arrived on scene. Investigators got the owner's permission to search the truck's exterior and found a Sig Sauer handgun tucked under the truck bed near the spare tire. Gearheart was booked into the Greene County Jail Saturday morning. Staff writers London Bishop and Holly Souther contributed to this report. Editor's note: The article was updated with the casualty figures in Zhytomyr Oblast. At least three people were killed and 38 injured in Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day, regional officials reported on April 11. Russia launched 39 drones, including Shahed-type attack drones, and a ballistic missile against Ukraine overnight, the Air Force said. Air defenses shot down 24 drones, while another 13 disappeared from radars, likely deployed as decoys to overwhelm Ukrainian air defense systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian electronic warfare units, aviation, and mobile fire teams repelled the assault. In Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, one person was killed and 22 injured in drone and missile strikes, Governor Serhii Lysak reported. The attacks targeted civilian areas, igniting fires and causing damage. The attacks against the region included a missile strike against Dnipro on April 10 that killed one civilian and injured nine, officials said. In Zhytomyr Oblast, a Russian drone struck a residential building in the town of Ozerne, killing one person and injuring six, Governor Vitalii Bunechko said. Russian attacks killed another person and wounded five in Kherson Oblast, where three apartment buildings and 16 houses were damaged, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. Moscow's forces struck social infrastructure and residential neighborhoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Kharkiv Oblast, four civilians were injured, with houses, garages, and other civilian infrastructure damaged, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. One person was also injured in Donetsk Oblast after Russian forces attacked the village of Zarichne, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported. The attacks came as Russia continues to reject a U.S.-mediated proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire. Kyiv reiterated that it would be ready to accept the truce if Moscow agreed to abide by the terms. Read also: Nothing else can be discussed about Russia, Ukraine until the killing stops, US State Department says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 11. Multipolarization is undoubtedly a great challenge for all of us, but it also presents an opportunity for countries like Georgia, said Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze as he addressed the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. Kobakhidze highlighted Georgias efforts to expand its international partnerships, both economically and politically. "We are successfully deepening our partnerships across the world," he said, pointing to Georgia's free trade agreements with about 50 countries, including the European Union, Turkiye, the United Arab Emirates, China, and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). "Georgia has always played a strategically important role by connecting Europe with Asia, the West with the East, both economically and politically," he added. In addition to its economic ties, Georgia benefits from visa-free regimes with approximately 50 countries. The PM outlined Georgia's continued commitment to expanding these connections and strengthening its role on the global stage. Kobakhidze also addressed regional challenges, noting that despite the complex dynamics in the South Caucasus, Georgia continues to play a positive role in promoting peace. "Our neighboring countries appreciate Georgias efforts in strengthening cooperation and ensuring peace around us," he said. Georgia's impressive economic growth, averaging 9.4% since 2021, underscores the success of these policies. "This is the highest growth rate not only in our region but also in Europe," Kobakhidze noted. He emphasized that economic development and peace are key to Georgias future, along with the countrys primary foreign policy goal - EU membership. Two officers with the Los Angeles Police Department called for backup after getting into an altercation with a suspect in the Florence neighborhood of South L.A. Thursday afternoon. The fight was reported at about 2:45 p.m. at 74th Street and Broadway, according to LAPD. Initial reports indicated the two officers were hospitalized with minor injuries, according to Sky5 reporter Gil Leyvas. Their conditions were unavailable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was taken into custody, police said. Broadway was closed between 73rd and 74th streets for the investigation. Nancy Fontan contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. About a month ago, Knoch School District, along with Southside School District, entered into a lawsuit claiming that the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commissions LGBTQ+ protections are unconstitutional. Now some students and parents at Knoch High School are speaking up. That suit says the PHRCs definition of gender does not abide by the two gender standard of male and female. The Knoch School Board provided Channel 11 with a statement saying: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PHRC is a State Agency that does not have the authority to change the definition of sex per our State Constitution. This lawsuit is intended to protect young girls and women from being forced to share bathrooms and locker rooms with biological males. There have been countless reports of female athletes who have been physically and mentally hurt because they have been forced to compete against biological males. These female students rights have been ignored by the unlawful actions of the PHRC and others. The Knoch School District is fighting to protect these students. Thomas King represents the district. He said, This is a case filed in the commonwealth court, its a statewide court and so any decision would affect the entire state of Pennsylvania. But at the meeting, opponents argued the defendants are not in Butler County - and the suit would eliminate protections for students who identify under a wider scope of gender. Harrisyn Schlipp is a Senior at Knoch High School who spoke at the school board meeting on Wednesday night. He said, It targets my friends, it targets my peers, and it makes them feel unsafe. It makes them feel uncomfortable, and its not any better that their own school board is the one that created and voted to pursue this lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liam Neigh is a Knoch High School Alum. He says the money for the suit could be put to better use. A man who spoke yesterday that used to work the HVAC systems and said it could fix the filters and clean the entire air of the whole school, said Neigh. Instead, this money is now gone and towards the cause that is both political in nature and not going to help students. The vote on whether to spend $10,000 to participate in the lawsuit was added to the school board agenda less than 24 hours before the meeting, in which it was approved on March 5. The lawsuit was filed a day later, on March 6. It was an action that was going to be filed on a certain day, said Attorney King. So they needed to take action in order to join, so they did that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neigh said, The show of support yesterday was so significant that I hope it brings better accountability to the school board. There has been no further action taken by the school board at this time. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW The deadline to file your taxes is almost here, but it's not too late to submit if you haven't done so already. And some Floridians might have more time to file. Here's everything you need to know about getting your taxes done in time for 2025 and what to know if you already submitted your taxes. When is the last day to file taxes in 2025? April 15 is the tax deadline for most people for 2024 returns. This has been the typical deadline since the 1950s, unless it falls on a weekend or holiday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you can't file by the April 15 deadline, you can request a six-month extension before Tax Day to avoid any penalties and interest. What documents do I need to file my 2025 taxes? Here is a list of some tax forms you might need to fill out and what they do: Form 1040: If youre using a tax filing service, like the IRSs Free File service, theyll have this form ready for you to fill out when the time comes. If youre doing your taxes on your own, youll need to get a Form 1040 yourself from your library, or you can print it from the IRSs website. W-2: If you work for an employer, they should give or mail your W-2 to you by the end of January. This form shows how much you earned last year and how much of what you made was deducted for taxes or other withholdings. 1099-NEC: This 1099 form is only applicable to you if you did freelance or contract work in 2023. 1099-K: If youre a gig worker for a business like Uber, Lyft or Airbnb, you will probably use this form. This 1099 form is for reporting income that you received through third-parties, like payments through PayPal, debit cards or credit card processors. Other 1099 forms: If you earned interest from savings or investments, you might get a 1099-INT form. You could also get a 1099-DIV form, which tracks investment dividends and distributions. If you get a 1099-C form, you had $600 or more in debt that was canceled. 1098-E: This form tracks tax-deductible student loan interest payments over $600 and allows you to deduct up to $2,500 of interest on your student loans. If you paid less than $600, you may not receive a 1098-E, but if you find out what amount of interest you paid, you can still deduct it. 1098-T: The 1098-T is used for educational tax credits and deductions. It reports payments received for tuition and education expenses. Youll also need to include scholarships or grants. If you need to fill this out, your school will send it to you or have it available in your student portal. 2025 Florida tax deadline Floridians affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton last year have an extra couple of weeks to file, according to the IRS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Internal Revenue Service announced last year that tax deadlines for people in the 51 counties under a state of emergency during Hurricane Milton would be pushed back to May 1 of this year. "The IRS automatically gives taxpayers whose address of record is in a disaster-area locality more time to file returns and pay taxes," the IRS said. "Taxpayers get the extra time without having to ask for it." Already filed? Track your IRS tax return status To track your refund, you can use the IRS's "Where's my refund?" search tool or use the IRS2GO mobile app. Youll need your social security number or individual taxpayer ID number, filing status, and refund amount on your return to check. If you file (or have filed) electronically and choose direct deposit, your refund will probably be issued within 21 days, the IRS says. If you mail a paper return, expect your return to take longer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These dates all depend on whether your filing is accurate and complete. Heres when your refund status will appear: 24 hours after you e-file a current-year return 3 or 4 days after you e-file a prior-year return 4 weeks after you file a paper return What does my tax refund status mean? According to the IRS, heres what your status means: Return Received: We received your return and are processing it. Refund Approved: We approved your refund and are preparing to issue it by the date shown. Refund Sent: We sent the refund to your bank or you in the mail. It may take 5 days for it to show in your bank account or several weeks for your check to arrive in the mail. Contributing: C.A. Bridges and Lianna Norman, USA TODAY Florida Network This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida tax 2025: Filing taxes, tracking refund, how to file extension Park rangers rescued a group of 28 hikers, which included 25 children with special needs and three adults, during what officials described as "extreme heat" on April 10, on trails at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. The group attempted to reach Arizona Hot Springs without proper preparation, according to an Instagram post by National Park Service officials at Lake Mead. This rescue "underscores the severity of the current conditions and the significant strain these emergencies place on park resources," the post stated. The park service website describes the Arizona Hot Springs trail, saying "this hike is considered very strenuous." With seasonal heat just beginning, most people are not yet acclimated, which increases the likelihood of heat illness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The park service added that the Arizona Hot Springs and the Goldstrike trails will be temporarily closed due to extreme heat, and the closures were expected to remain in effect for the next several days. "If temperatures drop by Sunday or Monday, the trails may reopen temporarily, but closures will resume as conditions become hazardous again," the Instagram post stated. A day earlier, on April 9, a hiker died on the Arizona Hot Springs trail in what the park service suspected to be a heat-related incident, and five other hikers in the same group had to be evacuated by helicopter after experiencing heat distress. According to park service officials, temperatures are expected to reach or exceed 100 degrees in the canyon and hikers have not prepared to hike in extreme conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the incidents highlight the need for preparation before attempting to hike in extreme heat and encourage people who plan on visiting to check the NPS website for the latest trail closure updates and information on safer alternatives for visiting Lake Mead. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Lake Mead trails close temporarily due to extreme weather conditions MEMPHIS, Tenn. A caregiver accused of neglecting several disabled adults she was traveling with across the country had her bond increased from $80,000 to $250,000 during a hearing Friday. Caregiver charged with neglect on bus with vulnerable adults, goats Bernice Jarrett was charged with six counts of neglect of a vulnerable adult after police found six disabled adults living in inhumane conditions in a bus in the Medical District, including one woman who later died. Bernice Jarrett (SCSO) Tuesday, police responded to a medical call at 1200 Union Avenue, where they found a yellow bus parked in a lot, attached to a trailer holding three live goats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said some of the passengers were sitting in their own feces, there was a bucket of feces in the middle of the bus, and it appeared they had been sleeping in their bus seats since Sunday. MPD said they were also wearing dirty clothing, showed signs of malnourishment, and had no access to food or water. Five of the passengers had an intellectual disability, and one had dementia. Officers said one of the passengers had been critically injured by another passenger the day before and did not receive medical treatment. The woman was transported to Methodist University Hospital with a traumatic head injury. The Shelby County District Attorneys Office argued for the bond increase and confirmed Friday that one of the passengers on the bus had died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case is deeply disturbing, said District Attorney Steve Mulroy. The individuals involved were among our communitys most vulnerable, and they were subjected to unthinkable conditions. We will pursue accountability to the fullest extent of the law. Jarrett told police they were traveling from Texas to Virginia. Officers said Jarrett acknowledged that she was their caregiver and had been staying in hotels, leaving the passengers unattended at night. The DAs office said the case remains under investigation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Three adults and a child were killed following a four-vehicle crash in New Jersey involving a minivan for special needs students, authorities said Friday. The collision occurred around 3:20 p.m. Thursday on Route 10 in Randolph Township, according to Morris County prosecutors, who are investigating the incident. Bertha Castaneda, 67; Maria Figueroa, 58; and Diane Goetz, 71, were all killed in the crash. Prosecutors said Castaneda and Figueroa were traveling in the van associated with P.G. Chambers, a special education school in Cedar Knolls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 4-year-old boy in the van, identified as Yexsel Reyes Granados, also died as a result of the accident. His family previously said hed been fighting for his life at Morristown Hospital, but succumbed to his injuries on Friday afternoon despite the heroic efforts of the medical team. A GoFundMe set up to help his family cover funeral expenses described Yexsel as a sweet, courageous child whose light shone brightly despite the challenges he faced. The fundraiser had brought in more than $24,000 as of Friday evening. A second child was also hospitalized, though their current condition is unknown. Two other adults were reportedly treated for injuries at the accident site. Prosecutor Robert J. Carroll said his office was unable to provide further details other than calling the deadly crash a horrible tragedy for the Morris County community and beyond. The Randolph Police Department and Morris County Sheriffs Office CSI Unit are assisting in the investigation. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) Three people were arrested in Montgomery County after an alleged large-scale diesel theft. The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office said an investigation revealed more than $18,000 in losses due to the theft. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said they discovered three suspects who were reportedly stealing the fuel to support an over-the-road trucking business. According to a news release, 32-year-old Yordano Solis, 30-year-old Lionnis Perez, and 31-year-old Dariel Montero were arrested. They are each charged with: Engaging in organized crimecriminal syndicate Theft by unlawful taking or disposition all others $10,000 < $1,000,000 Anyone with information about illegal activity in Montgomery County is asked to report it to the sheriffs office at 859-498-8704 or by email at tips@montgomerycountysheriff.net. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Three Fresno High students were arrested Thursday on suspicion of committing sexual assault against a child. Authorities said a school resource officer was notified that students were sharing an explicit video showing four boys allegedly sexually assaulting a 10-year-old. Detectives identified the 14-year-old suspects and they were arrested at Fresno High. The fourth suspect moved to Mexico, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School administrators immediately notified the parents/guardians of the involved suspects. The three teens were booked into juvenile hall and are facing multiple felony charges, including lewd or lascivious act with a child under the age of 14, lewd or lascivious act with force or fear, oral copulation with a child under 14 and possession of child pornography. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Fernando Rosario 559-760-6282 or can call Valley Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org and will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Reference case #2504040632. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Baker Police Department arrested three men who were seen riding horses into a local Walmart. A video shared on social media shows four people riding horses through the store, complete with saddles. One of the riders is even seen using a cell phone while mounted. Following an investigation, police identified three of the people as Patrick Derozan, Mason Webb and Brendon Bridgewater. According to Chief Carl Dunn, the men face multiple misdemeanor charges, including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Entry on or remaining in places or on land after being forbidden Unlawful posting of criminal activity for notoriety and publicity Disturbing the peace Dunn said they were not booked due to the charges being misdemeanors. Crawfish prices drop in Louisiana as Easter holiday approaches Latest News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. The Texas House approved a roughly $337 billion two-year spending plan early Friday, putting billions toward teacher pay, border security and property tax cuts, after more than 13 hours of debate that saw hundreds of amendments from Democrats and hardline conservatives alike meet their demise. The House budget largely aligns with a version the Senate passed in March, though lawmakers made several changes on the floor that will have to be ironed out behind closed doors with their Senate counterparts. The biggest amendment of the day, from Rep. Mary Gonzalez, D-Clint, eliminated funding for the Texas Lottery Commission and for economic development and tourism in the governors office, to the tune of more than $1 billion. Both remain funded in the Senates latest budget draft. The Houses proposal, approved on a 118 to 26 vote, would spend around $154 billion in general revenue, Texas main source of taxpayer funds used to pay for core services. The bulk of general revenue spending would go toward education, with large buckets of funding also dedicated to health and human services and public safety agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both chambers spending plans leave about $40 billion in general revenue on the table, coming in well under the $195 billion Comptroller Glenn Hegar projected lawmakers will have at their disposal. But the Legislature cannot approach that number unless both chambers agree to bust a constitutional spending limit, a virtual nonstarter at the GOP-controlled Capitol. Rep. Greg Bonnen, a Friendswood Republican who is the Houses lead budget writer, kicked off Thursdays floor debate by emphasizing the budgets spending restraint informed by some 119 hours of public meetings and testimony before the House Appropriations Committee, which he chairs. I am confident that the amendments that we will consider today and the legislation that this chamber will debate in the coming weeks will produce a final budget that is fiscally conservative and represents the priorities of this state, Bonnen said. The dissenting votes included freshman Rep. Mike Olcott, R-Fort Worth, who said in a floor speech that he opposed the bill because it did not include enough money for property tax relief. Across the aisle, Democratic Reps. John Bryant and Gina Hinojosa voted against the bill over its funding for school vouchers, which Bryant called a dagger to the heart of our public school system in a floor speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In all, 19 Republicans and seven Democrats opposed the budget. House lawmakers filed close to 400 budget amendments, including proposals to zero out the Texas Lottery Commission and shift funding set for a school voucher program toward teacher pay and public schools. More than 100 of those amendments were effectively killed en masse just before lawmakers began churning through the list, including many of the most contentious proposals. The casualties included efforts to place guardrails on school vouchers and a proposal to zero out funding for a film incentives package prioritized by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Also quashed was an amendment to pay Attorney General Ken Paxton the salary he missed out on while impeached and suspended from office. Among the amendments that survived the purge was a proposal by Rep. Tom Oliverson, R-Cypress, to move $70 million of state Medicaid spending to Thriving Texas Families, the rebrand of the states Alternatives to Abortion program that funds anti-abortion crisis pregnancy centers. The centers provide services like parenting classes and counseling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House approved Oliversons amendment, continuing the Legislatures recent trend of ramping up funding for the program in the wake of the states near-total abortion ban. The lower chamber also approved an amendment in 2023 to reroute millions from Medicaid client services to the anti-abortion program. Democrats, outnumbered 88 to 62 in the House, saw a number of their wish list items shot down throughout the day, and even before debate began. Those included perennial efforts to expand Medicaid and boost public school funding, including by shifting over the entire budget for school vouchers. Also killed were proposals to track the impact of tariffs and federal funding freezes imposed by the Trump administration and an effort to expand access to broadband services in rural areas. Rep. Jessica Gonzalez of Dallas notched a rare Democratic win, securing approval, 100 to 42, for an amendment directing the Department of Public Safety to conduct a study of religious leaders in Texas who have been accused, investigated, charged or convicted of any offense involving the abuse of a child. The House unanimously passed legislation earlier this week to bar the use of nondisclosure agreements in child sexual abuse cases. In the end, more than 300 amendments were withdrawn or swept into Article XI, the area where measures are often sent to die if they lack enough floor support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another eight were voted down by a majority vote. Just 25 were approved 18 by Republicans and seven by Democrats. None of those amendments are guaranteed to stay in the final budget plan, which will be hammered out in private negotiations between a conference committee of members from the House and Senate. After that, each full chamber will have to approve the final version before it can be sent to the governors desk where items can also be struck down by the veto pen. Public education and school vouchers The House budget proposal would send $75.6 billion to the Foundation School Program, the main source of state funding for Texas K-12 public schools. Lawmakers, in separate legislation, want to use that bump to increase the base amount of money public schools receive for each student by $395, from $6,160 per pupil to $6,555. That amount, known as the basic allotment, has not changed since 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate similarly approved a spending bump for public schools, but focused its increase on targeted teacher raises based on years of experience and student performance. Both chambers also have budgeted $1 billion for a voucher program that would let families use taxpayer dollars to pay for their childrens private schooling and other educational expenses. That funding survived multiple amendments from House Democrats aimed at redirecting it elsewhere, none of which came up for floor votes. Unlike in previous sessions, no lawmaker filed an amendment to bar state dollars from being used on school voucher programs. Such amendments, which routinely passed the House with support from Democrats and rural Republicans, served as test votes to gauge the chambers support for voucher-like bills. This year, a narrow majority has signed on in support of the chambers school voucher bill, a milestone for the historically voucher-resistant House. Property tax cuts The budget would shell out another $51 billion 15% of the state's total two-year spending plan to maintain and provide new property tax cuts, a proposal that some budget watchers worry is unsustainable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huge budget surpluses in recent years have helped pay for property tax reductions, including the $18 billion package lawmakers approved two years ago. Now, lawmakers are looking to a $24 billion surplus to help cover new cuts and maintain existing ones. Texans pay among the highest property taxes in the country, which fund public services, especially public schools, in a state without an income tax. The Legislature has tried to tamp down on those costs in recent years by sending billions of dollars to school districts to reduce how much they collect in property taxes. Several hardline conservative members tried unsuccessfully to amend the House budget to funnel even more money into tax cuts. Their proposals would have drawn $2 billion from a proposed dementia research institute and hundreds of millions of dollars to punish universities that offered courses or degrees in LGBTQ+ studies or diversity, equity and inclusion. The university amendments, which sought to zero out the states funding to the University of Texas at Austin and Texas State University, sparked heated debate as Democrats expressed incredulity over the idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the House adopts this amendment, and it becomes law, how many fewer mechanical engineers will we have in this state as a result of UT being defunded? Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, asked the amendment author, Rep. Andy Hopper, R-Decatur. Hopper at first responded, Heres the thing how many people are you willing to indoctrinate at our universities? When pressed for a direct answer, Hopper said, Its not relevant, sir. Border security Both chambers spending plans dedicate $6.5 billion to border security, raising total state spending on Operation Lone Star to almost $18 billion since Gov. Greg Abbott launched Texas border crackdown in 2021. Most of the funding would go to the governors office, which would receive $2.9 billion; the Texas Military Department, which would receive $2.3 billion; and the Department of Public Safety, which would receive $1.2 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Democrats filed amendments that sought to reroute some of the border security money for other uses, including child care, housing assistance and installing air conditioning units in state prisons. One amendment, by Rep. Ana-Maria Rodriguez Ramos, D-Richardson, aimed to use the entire border security budget for teacher pay raises. Each amendment was withdrawn or moved to the Article XI graveyard. The partisan rift over border security spending lit up during a sharp exchange between Rodriguez Ramos and Rep. Tony Tinderholt, R-Arlington, over the Democrats doomed amendment to redirect $5 million in border spending toward a dashboard tracking indicators of household economic distress, such as eviction filings and unemployment claims. We could give you a trillion dollars, and you would still cry with this red meat nonsense, Rodriguez Ramos said, after Tinderholt argued that money should not be drawn from the border budget. Let us focus on our job, which is to save the lives and make the lives better of working Texans. The House also approved a $12 billion supplemental budget early Friday, covering unexpected costs and unpaid bills from the current budget cycle. The bill, approved 122 to 22, would put $2.5 billion toward shoring up Texas water crisis by fixing aging infrastructure and expanding water supplies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would also spend $924 million to bolster the states wildfire and natural disaster response and $1 billion to pay down the unfunded liabilities of state employees pension fund. In addition, it would pump another $1.3 billion into the Texas University Fund, a multibillion-dollar endowment created by the Legislature in 2023 for emerging research universities around the state. A second attempt to grant back pay to Paxton while he was suspended from office also failed after lawmakers voted to take up the supplemental budget without considering any amendments. Hopper, the Decatur Republican, had filed an amendment that would have used leftover money from the attorney generals office budget to pay Paxton. Nearly all amendments were swept into the part of the supplemental budget that allows them to be considered by the conference committee, all but spelling their demise. Disclosure: University of Texas at Austin has been a financial supporter 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. By Qabil Ashirov The second meeting of the Working Group established in connection with the Alat Free Economic Zone was held. The meeting was attended by Minister of Economy and Head of the Working Group Mikayil Jabbarov, Valeh Alekperov, Chairman of the Board of the Authorized Body of the Alat Free Economic Zone, as well as senior officials from relevant state institutions. The meeting highlighted significant achievements in line with the country's industrialization policy, where modern industrial facilities have been established, and progressive mechanisms to develop the non-oil and gas sector have been successfully implemented. It was emphasized that the rapid establishment of the Alat Free Economic Zone, which is crucial for the diversification of the economy, and its readiness for investors, is of paramount importance. The Zone is expected to become one of the key drivers of the country's economy. The primary goals include attracting investors offering services through innovative technologies, ensuring collaboration between these investors and Azerbaijani companies, contributing to economic growth, and creating new job opportunities. It was noted that the favorable conditions and incentives offered in the Alat Free Economic Zone are increasing investor interest. In addition to bringing significant economic dividends to Azerbaijan, the Economic Zone will further strengthen the country's regional positions. Azerbaijans strategic importance will also grow within international transport corridors such as the East-West, North-South, and Central Corridors. The meeting also discussed ongoing projects in the region, the development of sustainable infrastructure and utilities for the effective operations of investors, and the progress of work on the construction of a cargo airport, along with the next steps. ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 11. We are certainly in a time of uncertainties, unpredictabilities, crisis, and conflicts at both regional and global levels, said Cevdet Ylmaz, Vice President of the Republic of Turkiye, as he addressed the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. He highlighted the growing economic and technological rivalry, particularly between the U.S. and China, as the central issue driving new global conflicts, replacing the security-focused tensions of the Cold War era. Today, the central issue is economic competition, technological competition, rather than security issues, Ylmaz explained, pointing to ongoing conflicts like the Ukraine-Russia war and the crisis in Gaza. He also noted the increasing impact of tariff wars as a clear example of these evolving tensions. For Turkiye, Ylmaz stressed the need for dynamic policy formulation and implementation to navigate this shifting global landscape. He explained that while general frameworks and principles are crucial, Turkiye must adapt to rapidly changing developments. We need to carefully analyze day-to-day events and adjust our policies accordingly, he said. Ylmaz also addressed Europes security and economic challenges, noting that the continent is facing issues similar to those between the U.S. and China, particularly in relation to Russia. He underscored the potential for closer cooperation between Turkiye and Europe, stating that Europe and Turkiye can work together on these issues. The VP urged a focus on bilateral and regional diplomacy rather than searching for a new world order. It is important to build a new world order through diplomatic engagement and cooperation, he said, reinforcing Turkiyes commitment to dynamic and proactive global diplomacy. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation returned more than $35,000 to a local woman who was the victim of a cryptocurrency scam. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] A 73-year-old woman from Delhi Township was scammed through a pop-up message on her laptop that said shed been hacked. The woman then called what she believed to be a Microsoft hotline and spoke to a scammer who convinced her to withdraw money and convert it to Bitcoin to fix her computer. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman lost $41,750. This case illustrates the elaborate traps that crypto criminals use to scam their victims, Yost said. Thankfully, because the victim notified authorities quickly, BCI was able to recover most of the stolen money. The woman realized she had been scammed and went to the Delhi Township Police Department, which led to the assistance of BCI. BCI traced the funds and put a freeze on transfers to the scammer. BCI was also able to recover most of the stolen money and returned $35,600 to the woman. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) One of the suspects in the 2019 killing of a woman in Providence has reached a plea agreement with prosecutors, while the other two men involved are seeking a retrial. Marklyn Brown and Johnny Veng were both convicted last month of murder and other charges in the shooting death of 19-year-old Berta Pereira-Roldan. Police said Pereira-Roldan was struck by gunfire while walking to her car on Detroit Avenue. She and another woman who was wounded were not believed to be the intended targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown and Veng have filed a motion for a new trial. Police: Woman, 19, fatally shot while celebrating birthday in Providence The jury was deadlocked for the third suspect, Jimmy Castillo. On Tuesday, he agreed to plead guilty to one count of possession of a firearm without a license. In exchange, the state dismissed all other charges he was facing. Castillo was sentenced to 10 years with five years to serve and five years suspended, plus 10 years of probation. He was given credit for time served, which was five years and two months, according to court documents. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Four international students at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University are suing to regain student status in the country and prevent deportation amid an immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. The ACLU of Michigan on Thursday filed a lawsuit on behalf of the individuals from India, China and Nepal against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court Eastern District of Michigan, also names Acting Director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons and the Detroit field office director for ICE enforcement and removal operations, Robert Lynch, as defendants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loren Khogali, executive director of the ACLU of Michigan, said in a statement that the Trump administration is acting as if basic constitutional requirements dont apply to them and did not afford the students due process to challenge the revocation of student statuses. The aim of this administration is to sow chaos and fear by attacking some people to terrorize us all, Khogali said. Now, they are coming for international students who provide critical perspectives and contributions to our academic communities and, through their spending, make a major contribution to our economy. Representatives for the White House, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of State, and ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but President Donald Trump was elected, in part, on a platform of being tougher on immigration. Since taking office again, he has issued executive orders targeting foreign-born residents who bear hostile attitudes toward American citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles and, in the name of fighting antisemitism, such students who have protested against Israels war in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hundreds of student visas across the country have been canceled in recent days, and dozens of foreign students in Michigan have been told to leave. Some of the cancellations nationally appear to be tied to minor disputes or off-campus tickets while others appear to be tied to pro-Palestinian protests, USA Today reports. More: Department of Homeland Security revokes 4 U-M student visas; at least 1 flees US More: More foreign students in Michigan targeted for deportation, including 22 at U-M The four international scholars who filed the lawsuit in Michigan are not contesting visa statuses needed to enter the country they have not been told by the state department that these have changed but are contesting the cancellation of their status as students by the government, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All four received notice from their universities between last Friday and Tuesday that their student status, as maintained in a national database, was terminated, the lawsuit states. They now may be at risk of detention or deportation, according to the lawsuit. At least one letter included in the lawsuit from Wayne State alerted a student to this concern. Letters in the lawsuit from the University of Michigan recommended their students make plans to leave the country immediately. The national database indicated that the four were either identified in criminal record checks or had their visa revoked, but none have ever been charged or convicted of a crime, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, none of the four have been involved with campus protests, according to the lawsuit. Two have been attending Wayne State University and two have been attending the University of Michigan. More: As Trump targets 'terrorist sympathizers,' college protests have fallen silent Chinmay Deore, 21, is a native of India but has lived in the U.S. most of his life, according to the lawsuit. He came with his family to the U.S. in 2004 on a dependent visa, left in 2008, and then returned on a dependent visa in 2014, the lawsuit states. He graduated high school here, has been studying computer science as an undergraduate at Wayne State, lives with his family in Canton, and transitioned to a student status when he was aging out of his prior status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has gotten one speeding ticket and one parking ticket that he promptly paid, the lawsuit states. Yogesh Joshi, 32, is a native of Nepal who lives in Detroit with his wife and 8-month-old child who is a U.S. citizen, according to the lawsuit. He is a doctoral student studying anatomy and cell biology at Wayne State University and entered the U.S. on his visa in 2021, according to the lawsuit. He was briefly arrested but never charged in a 2022 domestic dispute with his now-wife, and once got a parking ticket he promptly paid, the lawsuit states. Xiangyun Bu, 25, is a native of China, lives in Ann Arbor and is set to graduate from the University of Michigan in May with a masters degree in mechanical engineering, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has been admitted to a doctorate program at Carnegie Mellon University and has applied for summer employment as allowed under optional practical training for those with student statuses. Bu entered the country in 2023 on his visa. He previously sought to come to the U.S. to visit his girlfriend for a semester on a visitors visa but withdrew the application when border patrol told him the length of time was not permitted, the lawsuit states. He has never gotten a parking ticket. Qiuyi Yang, 26, is a native of China, lives in Ann Arbor, and is a doctoral student at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability. She entered the U.S. on her visa in 2021 to attend Cornell University and after earning her masters degree, transferred her student status to U-M, according to the lawsuit. She has gotten a few parking tickets, which she has promptly paid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several of the students have lost jobs needed to support themselves and their families in wake of the student status change, according to the lawsuit. The ACLU of Michigan argues that the termination of student statuses was unlawful, did not follow proper procedure, and was without valid cause or notice. The group has filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order and a preliminary injunction. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: University of Michigan, Wayne State international students sue DHS ANTALYA, Turkiye, April 11. Russia is attempting to build stronger relations with Syria, Burhan Koroglu, the Charge d'Affaires of Turkiye in Syria, told reporters at the 4th Antalya Diplomacy Forum, Trend reports. "Certainly, Russia continues its diplomatic engagement with Syria, with meetings regularly taking place. As representatives of Turkiye, we also stay in contact with them periodically at the ministerial level. Our minister has already had a meeting with his Russian counterpart, and discussions with Russian delegations are ongoing, frequently held in Ankara or Moscow. A meeting is anticipated to take place in Damascus soon. We observe that Russia is once again focusing on strengthening these relations, and the Syrian side has expressed its willingness to engage in discussions and negotiations on this matter," he said. Legislative proposals to increase speed limits on Florida interstate and other highways are cruising to passage. If the speed limits are increased, even by the proposed 5 mph, research shows more accidents could follow. So far, the proposal hasnt hit any speed bumps in the Florida House and Senate, where its been approved with Republican and Democratic support by five of the six committees where the idea has been considered. Its one of multiple driving related ideas introduced in the annual legislative session in Tallahassee. With just a few weeks left until the scheduled May 2 session end, it has advanced farther than several others, and is among those most likely to get to the governors desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The speed limit legislation (Senate Bill 462 and House Bill 567) would increase the maximum speed on interstates and Floridas Turnpike from 70 mph to 75 mph. The bills also would require the Department of Transportation to increase the maximum speed on four-lane divided highways in rural areas from 65 mph to 70 mph. Other roads with 60 mph speed limits could be raised to 65 mph where deemed safe and advisable. Higher speed limits are contained in omnibus transportation legislation containing what the House sponsor, state Rep. Fiona McFarland, a Sarasota Republican, described as a potpourri of ideas, including the way some Department of Transportation land purchases are handled, quality metrics for proposed projects, and allowing pregnant women to park in handicapped spots. McFarland told the Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee on Thursday that the array of ideas would improve what she regards as an already stellar system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want excellence in how we travel around our state. You know, those of you who have crossed state lines recently, and I feel this way whenever I go to another state, I feel like Im driving in a third-world country and I cant wait to get back to Florida roads. We have a fantastic transportation system, she said. Not everyone thinks the speed limit provision is a good idea. Opponents include AAA The Auto Club Group. And Howard Hatoff, a Boca Raton retiree, said the Legislature should hit the brakes on the idea. I think the speed limits we have now are fast enough with the kind of drivers we have. I would be concerned about raising speed limits, Hatoff said. Why would I be concerned? Because the problems we have with drivers now with the current speed limit I think would be increased if people who drive stupidly are able to go faster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who already exceed the speed limit are likely to exceed a new, higher limit, he said. Hatoff, whos lived in New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Texas, said driving in Florida is already challenging especially on the main East Coast interstate, 95 is a horror, in certain parts of it. Related Articles In 2014, then-Gov. Rick Scott vetoed similar speed-limit legislation, pointing to concerns raised by law-enforcement officers. Although the bill does not mandate higher speed limits, allowing for the possibility of faster driving on Floridas roads and highways could ultimately and unacceptably increase the risk of serious accidents for Florida citizens and visitors, Scott, now the states senior U.S. senator, wrote in his veto message. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott said law enforcement officers had warned him about the possible serious negative consequences should this bill become law. While the evidence suggests that increased driving speeds are not the sole cause of traffic accidents, they clearly contribute to the increased severity of vehicle crash outcomes in the form of needless injuries and deaths. A 2023 study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that that raising posted speed limits may do little to save time and increase traffic flow but could lead to more crashes, injuries, and deaths. Raising the posted speed limit was associated with increased crash frequencies on two of the three studied interstates. The benefits are overrated, and the risks are understated. Increasing speed limits does not always yield the positive results envisioned by traffic planners, Jennifer Ryan, director of state relations for AAA, said in a 2023 release. A 2024 study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that raising speed limits on highways could lead to more crashes on nearby roads. This spillover effect creates unintended safety hazards for local communities that might not be involved in the decision-making process to raise the posted speed limit on a nearby highway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several other ideas that would affect motorists have been considered, but mostly havent advanced as far in the legislative process, which could make their prospects shakier with limited time left in the annual session. Mobile phone use A proposal that would put more restrictions on the use of cellphones while driving passed the Senate on Wednesday. Senate Bill 1318 would rename the Florida Ban on Texting While Driving Law to the Florida Hands-Free Driving Law and bar the handheld use of wireless devices while behind the wheel. It would apply to any actions that involve holding cellphones, including using social media, looking at maps and watching videos. State Sen. Erin Grall, a Vero Beach Republican, said she sponsored the proposal because distracted driving in Florida is a major problem. It takes us digging in and saying we are going to change our behavior, because we know this is as bad, if not worse, than drunk driving, she said during a committee hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AAA supported the legislation, which passed the Senate 29-7. Most Broward and Palm Beach county senators Lori Berman, Mack Bernard, Gayle Harrell, Jason Pizzo and Tina Polsky voted yes. State Sens. Rosalind Osgood and Barbara Sharief voted no. The House version of the bill has not been considered by any committees. Left lane restrictions The idea of preventing drivers from spending too much time in left lanes of Florida highways resurfaced, but stalled. Only one of five committees charged with considering the idea have acted. Senate Bill 636 and House Bill 545 would ban left-lane cruising on highways with at least two lanes and speed limits of at least 65 mph. The proposals would provide exemptions for drivers passing other motorists, preparing to exit highways, turning from left lanes and being directed into the lanes by law-enforcement officers or traffic-control devices. Also, they would provide an exemption for motorists because of environmental or traffic conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a similar bill last year. He wrote that it was too broad and that it could result in motorists being pulled over, ticketed, and fined for driving in the furthest left lane even if they are not impeding the flow of traffic. And, he said, it could potentially increase congestion in Floridas urban areas as drivers may decide to not utilize the furthest left-hand lane at all for fear of being ticketed. Front license plates Floridas rear-only license plate law has vexed people who move from states that require plates on the front and rear of vehicles. Senate Bill 92, which has only passed one committee, would add a front-plate requirement. A legislative staff analysis said most states require front and rear plates. The analysis shows a major obstacle: The one-time cost of producing front license plates for all the vehicles registered in Florida is estimated at $130 million. After, the cost would hit $13 million a year. And such a law would create headaches for many car owners, since vehicles sold in the state typically dont come equipped with holes allowing people to fasten front plates. This report includes information from the News Service of Florida. Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com and can be found @browardpolitics on Bluesky, Threads, Facebook and Mastodon. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) The Abilene Independent School District has been awarded $1,786,000 from the Texas Education Agency through a Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities (LASO) grant. Abilene ISDs awarded grant covers three TEA initiatives including School Action Fund (SAF), Strong Foundations Implementation (SFI), and SFI School Improvement PLC Supports (SFI SI PLC). This grant will be used to implement the new Bluebonnet learning curriculum, which uses biblical references for grades K through 5th, along with the creation of new learning models and professional learning communities within the district. Abilene ISD superintendent supports adoption of Bluebonnet Learning with biblical references Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AISD Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, Patti Blue, said the funding and new curriculum will provide more resources in the district. The grant dollars are going to directly benefit our kids and our teachers. Theyre going to lead to us being able to implement the innovative school-wide models that we heard our community would like to see in our schools. Theyre going to let us enlarge and enhance teacher collaboration, Blue said. Blue went on to tell KTAB/KRBC that the grant will help continue the districts current mission, hoping it will result from the conversation with the community. The goal for Abilene ISD right now is that we really want to make Abilene ISD the district of choice in Abilene and the entire Big Country, the whole area around here. So, we started in 2024 doing listening tours, listening to our community, listening to our parents, Blue explained. 25-26 [school year], were going to continue having conversations, putting plans in place. Then 26-27 is when well launch into implementing the models and plans we come up with in 25-26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abilene ISD board votes to potentially allow bible-based curriculum The Bluebonnet learning curriculum will be implemented in K-5 classrooms district-wide starting in the 2025-26 school year. The curriculum was optional for public schools, but those that chose to participate were eligible for the grant. AISD officials say they want to continue having open conversations with families about what changes they would like to see implemented in the district. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. Netflixs Adolescence is not about race, its co-creator Stephen Graham has said. The British actor stars in the drama series as the father of a white 13-year-old boy who stabbed a girl to death after being influenced online. However, the show has faced accusations of race-swapping amid suggestions on social media the story was based on that of Axel Rudakubana, the Southport killer, who is black. Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform X, replied to a post accusing the show of promoting anti-white propaganda, by saying: Wow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, who clashed with the BBC earlier this week over her refusal to watch the show, nevertheless said earlier this month she believed Adolescence was based on a real story where the perpetrator was not white. The creators have previously cited the murders of 15-year-old Elianne Andam in Croydon, south London, and 12-year-old Ava White in Liverpool both killed by teenage boys as inspirations for the show. Stephen Graham, right, plays the role of Eddie Millie whose 13-year-old son, left, kills a teenager Elianne was murdered by Hassan Sentamu, a black teenager, in a row over a teddy bear in September 2023, while Ava was killed after an argument over a Snapchat video. But speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Graham called the race-swapping claims completely wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was never about race, he said. It was just meant to be a representation of a normal family that could live on your street. It could be your sisters kids or, God forbid, your own kid. All of the stuff I was influenced by was social realism. If they were to look at their facts, they would see that the horrific thing that happened in Southport happened after we finished our [show]. It just doesnt make sense. So theyre using this to pursue their own agenda. I understand the whole concept of freedom of speech, I get it, and I see what theyre saying. But I think theres a fine line between freedom of speech and hate. Whirlpool of hatred and misogyny Avas mother has recently praised the makers of the four-part Netflix programme, which examines incel (involuntary celibate) culture, thanking them for exposing bad influencers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Accusations of race-swapping were previously rejected by the Adolescence co-writer and co-creator Jack Thorne, who insisted the story was fictional and was making a point about masculinity rather than race. He said: I have told a lot of real-life stories in my time. I know the harm that can come when you take elements of a real-life story, and you put it on screen, and the people arent expecting it. There is no part of this thats based on a true story, not one single part. The Netflix programme has sparked conversations about incels and the dangers of online misogyny and toxic masculinity. Earlier this month, Sir Keir Starmer warned that there was no simple solution to stop young boys being dragged into this whirlpool of hatred and misogyny. Sir Keir Starmer said there is no simple solution to stopping boys being dragged into a whirlpool of hatred and misogyny - Jack Taylor/Reuters It was later announced that Netflix would make the series free to stream for all secondary schools in the country. However, despite the initial praise, there appears to be a growing backlash. On Thursday, Mrs Badenoch clashed with the hosts of BBC Breakfast, who appeared to criticise her for not watching the show. Naga Munchetty said the show had prompted national conversations about toxic masculinity and smartphone use and asked why she would not want to know what people are talking about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mrs Badenoch responded: All important issues. But in the same way I dont need to watch Casualty to know whats going on in the NHS, I dont need to watch a specific Netflix drama to understand whats going on. Andrew Neil, the journalist and broadcaster, called the interview quite surreal and said the hosts were beating her up for not watching a particular TV drama. 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. New Mexico AG Raul Torrez on April 11, 2025 announced the state had joined another lawsuit against the Trump administration, this time over the U.S. Department of Education's revocation of funds. (Photo by Justin Garcia / Las Cruces Bulletin) New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez on Friday announced the state has joined a coalition of 15 other AGs, along with Pennsylvania Gov. Democrat Josh Shapiro in a lawsuit over a recent U.S. Department of Education cancellation of funds for three programs funded through the American Rescue Act to help vulnerable school children recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic: the Homeless Children and Youth; Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund; and Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools programs. Cutting critical funding that students and schools are counting on is unacceptable and reckless, Torrez said in a statement. These cuts will have a detrimental effect on our children, stunting their ability to learn in the classroom by rendering schools unable to provide essential resources like food, classroom supplies, special education for teachers and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit notes that the U.S. Department of Education in late 2023 and early 2024, long after the federal government had declared that the COVID-19 pandemic was over, had given the plaintiff states extensions to use the money they had been awarded to combat the pandemics impact on vulnerable student populations. On March 28, with no advance notice or warning, U.S Education Secretary Linda McMahon rescinded that extension, effective the end of the day. EDs drastic and abrupt change in position triggered chaos for state education departmentsand local school districts, the complaint says. If the rescission action is not vacated and the approved extensions are not reinstated, key programs and services that address ongoing and emerging education needs of Plaintiffs students and local school districts to combat the long term effects of the pandemic will have to be dissolved or disbanded. The suit asks for the court to find that the federal education departments rescission of funds violates the American Rescue Act, and to restate the original extension date of March 28, 2026. New Mexico, as of the date the federal education department cancelled the extension of the funds, still had about $778,000 unliquidated funds of the $6.4 million it received under HYC; $12.3 million of the $979.7 million it received under ESSER; and approximately $4.79 million of the $17.4 million it received under EANS. The head of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission this week told agency employees they didnt have to work April 18, inadvertently sparking a sense of unease that officials have since scrambled to soothe. On April 8, acting EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas sent an email saying that non-emergency employees were being excused from work that day, which falls on Good Friday, according to two current staffers and two former EEOC officials familiar with the matter. But the message did not give a reason why they were excused, leading some employees to fret that it was a prelude to reduction-in-force notices or other major changes, the people said. Other government agencies like the Department of Education and the U.S. Agency for International Development experienced unexpected closures shortly before the Trump administration upended their operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People are just on edge right now, said one current EEOC employee, granted anonymity to discuss sentiment within the agency. Additionally, some staff raised concerns after the memo went out about court hearings and and other scheduled deadlines that fell on that Friday and could not be easily moved, according to two of the people familiar. Lucas confirmed in an email to POLITICO that there was no ulterior motive behind closing the EEOCs offices for the day. April 18 is Good Friday, she wrote. Theres no other story." The fact that employees did not know what to make of Lucas' gesture underscores the tension across the federal government amid the Trump administration's far-ranging attempt to reorient agency priorities, reduce spending and cut workers while exerting more control over those who remain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The EEOC sent out additional guidance to agency staffers roughly an hour after POLITICO requested comment Friday morning about the matter, one of the people said. Officials clarified the reason for the day off and gave staff additional flexibility to take different day off within the same pay period if they need to work on April 18. Good Friday, which precedes the Christian holy day of Easter, is not a federal holiday. But Lucas has previously given her staff that day off and this year extended it agencywide, an EEOC spokesperson said. I think it was a misguided attempt by the chair to give folks time off for the religious holiday which shes said in the past was important to her but she knew it would be problematic to give a Christian holiday off, said one of the former EEOC officials. During her time at the EEOC, Lucas has emphasized going after faith-based discrimination, fostered ties with conservative religious organizations and spoken openly about the agencys role in protecting religious freedom in the workplace. Since being designated the acting chair earlier this year she has announced plans to step up investigations into allegations of antisemitism on college campuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House has also tasked the EEOC with probing large law firms' hiring practices for possible discrimination. President Donald Trump in March renominated Lucas to serve another term on the commission. An aggressive ant species is spreading ever further north in Germany and threatening to take down power and internet connections. Ants of the invasive species Tapinoma magnum, which originates in the Mediterranean region, are spreading as far north as Cologne and Hanover, said ant expert Manfred Verhaagh from the Museum of Natural History in Karlsruhe. "Super colonies have from hundreds of thousands to millions of individuals," he warned - far bigger than colonies of other ant species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The invasion of the ant species and their colony-building is threatening buildings and technical infrastructure in Baden-Wurttemberg and other regions of Germany, scientists said. In the town of Kehl, for example, there have already been power and internet outages caused by the ants. The ant has also been noticed in other parts of Europe, such as France and Switzerland. German scientists and authorities are now working together for the first time in a project to stem the advance of the insects. Tapinoma magnum has not yet been officially categorized as invasive, as it does not currently pose a large enough risk to local ecosystems. Baden-Wurttemberg's state secretary for the environment, Andre Baumann, nevertheless said that he considers Tapinoma magnum to be a "pest," even if it is not legally labelled as such. Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. Orlando International Airport will add several new destinations in the coming months. The airport this year already added a number of flights, both international and domestic. Cottonwood Heights, Utah-based Breeze Airways added flights to Gulfport, Mississippi; Ogdensburg, New York; and Wilmington, North Carolina in February, while Discover Airlines added a Munich, Germany, flight in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional flights headed to Orlando include: Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website. 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 11. The Antalya Diplomacy Forum continues to affirm its significance as one of the key international platforms for discussing political and diplomatic matters, Mikhail Gusman, First Deputy Director-General of Russia's TASS, said in an interview with Trend on the sidelines of the forum. "This is, in my opinion, one of the most important political and diplomatic forums in the modern world. We must acknowledge the crucial role played here by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who today delivered a very strong, interesting, and profound speech," he added. He also highlighted the participation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev. "This is another testament to the close friendship and truly fraternal cooperation that Azerbaijan shares with Turkiye," he said. According to Gusman, amid global challenges, including conflicts in the South Caucasus, the Middle East, Europe, and Africa, "the convergence of positions and mutual understanding" becomes of paramount importance. "Azerbaijan and Russia are forming very close relations. Even closer ties exist between Turkiye and Azerbaijan," he pointed out, recalling Turkiye's solidarity with Azerbaijan during the 44-day war. "Signing a peace treaty when the main legislative document of the country with which the treaty is signed includes provisions with territorial claims is impossible," Gusman stated, emphasizing that such provisions could become a "time bomb." He also noted Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyevs readiness for peace and building trust with Armenia. "President Ilham Aliyev has shown friendliness and willingness to engage in the peace process. However, Armenia must also take steps to foster this trust," he added. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Former Vice President Al Gore will give the keynote speech at SF Climate Weeks welcome ceremony on April 21. More than 25,000 people are expected to attend the week-long summit for climate solutions, which is hosted by the climate-industry job board Climatebase. SF Climate Week will host hundreds of events around the Bay Area, including in-person presentations, panels and live podcasts featuring industry experts and cutting-edge climate solutions. Massive statue of giant naked woman to be officially unveiled at SF Embarcadero Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to his political career, Gore is known for raising awareness about climate change with his Oscar-winning documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Climatebase co-founder Evan Hynes said that Gores speech will amplify SF Climate Weeks mission. Movie theaters erupt in chaos as part of Minecraft social media trend Few figures in the environmental movement command the global recognition and respect that Vice President Gore does, Hynes said. His keynote underscores SF Climate Weeks role as a catalyst for collective action, bold ideas, and community-building at a time when the world feels divided, distracted, and overwhelmed. Gatherings like this offer rare spaces for people to forge meaningful connections and generate the momentum we need to accelerate climate solutions together. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, displays a hemp-derived product as he introduces a bill to regulate the industry to the House Health Committee on April 2, 2025, in Montgomery, Ala. The House passed Whitt's bill on Thursday. (Alander Rocha/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House of Representatives approved legislation Thursday to regulate hemp products consumed by the public amid concerns that minors will have access to the products. HB 445, sponsored by Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Harvest, that authorizes the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board to issue licenses and regulate the manufacturing, distribution and sale of consumables derived from hemp to individuals who are younger than 21 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is one of the bills that I think you saw wide, bipartisan support, Whitt said in an interview with the media after the vote. It affects every neighborhood across the state. These are unregulated, unchecked, and dangerous products that are being sold to our children in our convenience stores and retailers across the state, and it is time we put guardrails on this to protect our students in high school. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX While the legislation provoked strong opinions from both supporters and proponents at two hearings in the Alabama House Health Committee, it passed the House with little debate. Whitts bill restricts the sale of hemp products to people who are younger than 21 years old and limits the sale of the product to stores that sell alcohol and standalone shops that do not allow minors access. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also limits the THC content to five milligrams for hemp products that people consume as well as beverages, along with imposing sales tax on such items. Opponents of the legislation said that the regulations set in the bill do not support the data related to the market for hemp products during the public hearing at the Alabama House Health Committee meeting last Wednesday. Carmelo Parasiliti, founder and CEO of Green Acres Organic Pharms in Florence, said in an interview in March that 235 cases dealt with Delta-8 THC, a type of cannabinoid and that amounts to 0.018% of the cases for Alabama residents who are younger than 21 years old. Law enforcement supports the bill, and said that tests on the product showed that the THC levels from products that were purchased exceeded the 0.3% hemp limit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of the committee considered the legislation once again during the committee meeting Wednesday and approved it Thursdays vote on the House floor. When you go into a convenience store and see these products, you think that someone has looked over them, and that is just complete inaccuracy, Whitt said. The bill moves to the Senate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, speaks on the floor of the Alabama House of Representatives on April 25, 2024 at the Alabama Statehouse in Montgomery, Alabama. The Alabama House on Thursday approved a bill sponsored by Faulkner to allow the Alabama Farmers Federation to sell health insurance plans. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama House of Representatives Thursday voted to allow the Alabama Farmers Federation to offer health insurance for its members. The chamber approved HB 477, sponsored by Rep. David Faulkner, R-Mountain Brook, by a vote of 98-1. It allows an organization fitting the description of the Alabama Farmers Federation (Alfa) to offer a health care plan that exists outside of state regulations and is only available to people who are members of the nonprofit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rising cost of health care is a significant burden for our farmers, Faulkner said when he introduced his legislation on the floor. As legislators, there is little we can do about fertilizer costs, or the price of cotton. But we can make a difference in one of the largest household costs for many farmer families and other citizens in Alabama regarding their health care coverage. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Faulkers proposal was introduced last week at the Alabama House Health Committee when the committee hosted a public hearing, and members of the public voiced several concerns regarding the bill. Members of the committee considered the legislation once again Wednesday, and several lawmakers on the committee introduced amendments to the bill even though the sponsor did not always agree with all the proposals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two days later, Faulkers bill was approved in the House and passed onto the Senate. The bill allows Alfa to offer health plans that include outpatient services and hospital visits; visits to the emergency room; mental health and substance abuse services and prescription drug benefits. Members enrolled in the plan cannot be denied coverage because of a pre-existing medical condition. The plan cannot be cancelled because of a medical event. If someone enrolled in the plan must visit a provider that is not in the network, Alfa will pay that provider the median amount of the in-network rate or 80% of the maximum allowed charge for the service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only members of the Alabama Farmers Federation can enroll in the health care plan, and only after they certify that they are not able to enroll in a health plan sponsored by their employer or that enrolling in the plan is too expensive. Under the bill, only insurance agents authorized by Alfa can market and sell the plan. The Alabama Department of Insurance may also review and comment on any complaint that a person enrolled in the plan files which will then be forwarded to the third party responsible for addressing the complaint. Several people during a public hearing on April 3 expressed concerns regarding the legislation prior to lawmakers introducing amendments to change the bill in committee. They said that it lacks several protections afforded to patients that are in the Affordable Care Act. We believe this bill threatens those protections by allowing the sale of health plans that are not required to cover essential health benefits and can discriminate against individuals with pre-existing conditions, including cancer, said Jane Adams during the public hearing, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Alabama, during the public hearing last Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Numerous changes were made to the bill after several lawmakers in the committee during Wednesdays meeting submitted amendments to include the other benefits, such as prescription drug coverage and mental health and substance abuse and allow for greater oversight by the Alabama Department of Insurance. On the House floor Thursday, Rep. Paul Lee, R-Dothan, the chair of the House Health Committee, proposed an amendment setting the annual limit on the benefits of the health plan at least $2 million. We want to make sure that our farmers are taken care of, Lee said. I am the first generation away from a dependence on farming, so I understand it, growing up in it. So, I know the hard times, the late nights, getting up and looking for a cloud in the sky. I understand that. We want to make sure that farmers get the best thing, and anything we can get in this bill. The Alabama Hospital Association proposed the provision to lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the debate circled around an amendment proposed by Rep. Frances Holk-Jones, R-Foley, and approved in committee that said the Alabama Department of Insurance shall enforce this act. Faulkner, who opposed the amendment, moved to remove it from the bill Thursday, saying it was very confusing. The states Department of Insurance does not regulate self-funded plans, he said. And the federal regulation that applies to self-funded plans does not have any application to our bill. Our bill is far more comprehensive, and so it doesnt make sense for that to be on there. The debate over the move took two hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These amendments, this one in particular, that says the plan will be enforced by the Department of Insurance, it is just a precaution, said Holk-Jones, who has worked in the insurance industry for the past 40 years. It is a precaution for those individuals who have this policy. I call it a prenup. While we are in love with each other, and while we are agreeing to everything, that is when we want the prenup. The chamber voted to remove the language. The bill moves to the Senate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Chair Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, speaks on a bill in the Alabama Senate on April 3, 2025 in Montgomery, Ala. (Alander Rocha/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama Senate Thursday unanimously approved a bill that would revamp the way the state funds public K-12 schools. SB 305, sponsored by Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, would establish the Renewing Alabamas Investment in Student Excellence (RAISE) program along with a dedicated Fund to move the state toward a funding model aimed at getting more resources to special needs students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We took a big step as a state today in that we established this RAISE Act fund, because were acknowledging that it does take more to educate children in poverty, or English language learners or special education students or gifted students, Orr said after the vote. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The bill would transition to a formula meant to support students with greater needs through an updated funding structure. Alabama currently allocates funds based on a formula that ties funding more to headcount than student needs. Most states have weighted funding for different student needs. We want to provide more resources to our education community, our K-12 education communities and schools and get them help to do the job that they have to do with additional resources, and thats important, Orr said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the proposed system, schools would receive supplemental funds, or weights, based on the number of students they enroll who fall into specific categories, including poverty, special education, English language learners, gifted status, and those attending charter schools. The exact amount of additional funding generated per student would depend on the category and would be determined annually in the states Education Trust Fund budget, subject to available funding. The Senate also approved a related bill to shift $375 million from the Educational Opportunities Reserve Fund a state savings account for education built from budget surpluses into the newly proposed RAISE Fund. According to Orr, this amount is intended to fund the program for its initial three years. If the Legislature does its part over the years, slowly increasing that funding amount, I see much better things in the public education system in our state, he said, adding that if the locals will use the money wisely and use it to make good choices, that will move the needle for students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Rodger Smitherman, D-Birmingham, asked Orr why charter schools were included in the weights, saying there are greater needs. Orr said that, unlike public school systems, charter schools dont typically get local funding, and if they do, its not much. Orr said the weighted funding would help make up for the loss of local funds. In the same spirit, why cant we give some of that money to the public school thats got the D to pull it up, instead of kicking it to the curve and sayiing, We got to bring something else in new, because we got a D situation, Smitherman said. The bill now moves to the House for consideration. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ALABAMA (WDHN) The Alabama State Board of Education extended Eric Mackeys contract for state superintendent, while giving him a salary raise of $325,000. The raise makes him one of the highest earned K-12 education officials in the country. Board members said Mackey went to Governor Kay Ivey before the approval, where he asked her to lower his salary from an initial $380,000 to $325,000. His starting salary was $245,000, but now his base salary is 11% higher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he is still behind the local superintendent of Mobile County, Chresal Threadgill, whos salary is $365,261. Also, Mackey will be receiving several benefits with the contract extension, including a state issued car, and a $1,750 monthly housing allowance. The new contract will prolong Mackeys employment as state superintendent until April 2029. Mackey first became the state superintendent in April of 2018. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This map shows this proposed route for the Alaska LNG pipeline. (Alaska LNG) As the Alaskan who leads the board of the Alaska Gasline Development Corporation , I write to provide a frank update about the Alaska LNG Project, which has been in the news a lot lately AGDC signed a deal with Glenfarne to take over the project, President Trump and our congressional delegation vocally support Alaska LNG, and markets in Asia have increased interest in buying Alaskas liquefied natural gas. Alaska LNG is a big, expensive and complex project. Many Alaskans dont realize just how big. Alaska LNGs latest cost estimate, at the end of 2023, is for $44 billion. In comparison, Alaskas annual state budget is about $13 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alaskans have been hearing about natural gas projects for decades because Alaskas North Slope natural gas resource is simply too valuable to ignore. Thankfully Alaskans have never given up on trying new ways to solve the puzzle. So what is different about Alaska LNG now? First, we have our major permits in hand. These permits represent more than a piece of paper. Permitting Alaska LNG took approximately five years and more than $100 million of engineering and environmental design. The State of Alaska largely bore the costs of this permitting work. Both President Trump and President Biden gave Alaska LNG an environmental stamp of approval. Because permitting is such an expensive process with uncertain outcomes, completed permits substantially derisk Alaska LNG. They include a definitive project development timeline. LNG buyers take us more seriously because of our permits and they helped give Glenfarne the confidence that Alaska LNG stands up to scrutiny. Second, Alaskans face a major Cook Inlet energy shortfall. We may need to rely on imports temporarily until the pipeline opens, but Alaska LNG is the ONLY option that meets three vital energy criteria: quantity, affordability, and reliability. Renewables can help, but honest experts will tell you that there is no practical replacement for the energy foundation provided by natural gas and one wont be available for decades. Locking into long-term imports means doubling our energy bills for perpetuity and forgoing substantial in-state economic growth. Third, Alaska LNG has been determined to be economically viable. No additional feasibility studies are required for private investment. Wood Mackenzie found that Alaska LNG can deliver LNG to Asia at prices lower than competing U.S. Gulf Coast projects. They determined that the pipeline can be economically self-supporting, even when the added cost of the lateral to Fairbanks and various North Slope gas supply options are considered. Critics often question Alaska LNGs upfront costs, higher than other projects due to the pipeline, but our ongoing running costs are a lot lower than other projects because of our short shipping distance to Asia, about 75% shorter than Gulf Coast projects. North Slope gas will be cheaper than other sources because it is stranded with no means to get it to market, and it avoids the rampant price volatility characteristic of Lower 48 natural gas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fourth, Alaska LNG benefits from robust federal support. Our congressional delegation authored legislation signed by President Biden that makes Alaska LNG eligible for approximately $30 billion in federal loan guarantees. These loan guarantees greatly reduce borrowing costs, back project debt with the full faith and credit of the United States, lower project risk, and make Alaska LNG even more competitive in global markets. President Trump has made Alaska LNG a centerpiece of his second term through his executive orders and a focus of the new National Energy Dominance Council to use the full force of the federal government, including defense, trade, and commerce tools, to support Glenfarnes work to propel Alaska LNG forward. I promised you straight talk about Alaska LNG and here is the basic truth: There is still a lot of work to be done, and it will not be easy. Success is not guaranteed. But that also does not mean that we can dismiss or discount the major progress that has been made. Alaska LNG is built on the shoulders of previous efforts that fell short and benefits from insights gained along the way. The state has made a substantial investment in Alaska LNG hundreds of millions of dollars and we have reached a point where Glenfarne, a qualified private developer, will bear the costs and the risks going forward. Although policy makers will have the option for Alaska to invest in the construction of Alaska LNG, there is no further obligation to the state, which is now positioned to realize the billions of dollars of energy security, economic, employment and environmental benefits this project holds without any further material investment. And although AGDC has passed the baton of project development to Glenfarne, the work of AGDC board members representing the state and protecting Alaska stakeholders continues. This project holds the potential to blaze a new path of prosperity for generations of Alaskans and has brought us closer than any previous effort. Were not yet at the finish line, but our work continues with energy and optimism. As your neighbors and fellow Alaskans, we carry your interests in every decision we make and promise to keep you updated about the important work ahead. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks at a fisheries forum on Oct. 4, 2022. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, is calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to allow Ukrainians with temporary protected status to remain in the country, following reports people had received an email that their status was revoked and they had seven days to leave the U.S. The agency has said the April 3 notice was issued by mistake, and the Ukrainians designation under whats known as humanitarian parole status has not been terminated. They had been granted the status under the Uniting for Ukraine program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Murkowski penned a strongly worded letter on Sunday, with U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire, ranking Democrat on the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem condemning the move, even if it was apparently an error. Even if this message was sent in error, threatening the abrupt termination of humanitarian parole for Ukrainians is alarming and adverse to the U.S. national interest, they wrote. Humanitarian parole is a temporary immigration status granted to those fleeing humanitarian crises, and can be revoked at any time. There were 651,000 Ukrainians granted humanitarian parole in the United States last year. An estimated 6.9 million Ukrainians have been displaced since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Ukrainians who have participated in the Uniting for Ukraine program have entered the U.S. lawfully, passed rigorous screening and vetting requirements, the senators wrote. These are individuals, including children, who have fled a war zone and followed a lawful process. Many are working in our states, paying taxes and contributing to local communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murkowski and Shaheen also requested a briefing on any future plans regarding the Ukrainians status. We urge the agency to provide immediate clarification to Ukrainians in the United States that their humanitarian parole has not been terminated, and that there are no plans to terminate the program while Ukraine is still under active attack by Russia, they said. The agencys notice to those with humanitarian parole began: It is time for you to leave the United States, and the recipients parole would be terminated in seven days. If you do not depart the United States immediately you will be subject to potential law enforcement actions that will result in your removal from the United States unless you have otherwise obtained a lawful basis to remain here. Ukrainians have been the largest group of refugees arriving in Alaska over the last three years, according to Issa Spatrisano, the Alaska state refugee coordinator with Catholic Social Services Alaska, a resettlement agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spatrisano said she has received several reports of people in Alaska receiving the DHS termination notice, and the news spread secondhand very quickly. She said the effect was chilling. The email was very scary for Ukrainians living in Alaska and across the country, she said. Because they really are at the whims of at any point an announcement coming from DHS, and when that announcement is made, theyll have to respond accordingly to what the announcement is. An estimated 1,500 Ukrainians have arrived since 2022, about 500 people per year, Spatrisano said. Many joined family members, communities, and the workforce, really much needed jobs throughout the state, she said. But the uncertainty takes a toll. A mental health toll, she said. It takes a serious toll on peoples well being, and that impacts on our state. There are Ukrainian families who are in the process of buying homes here in Alaska, you know, in the process of laying down roots, in the process of getting job training programs to advance in jobs that the state frankly needs really badly. And those are all investments in time and in energy and in resources that families are now wondering if they should do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murkowski and Shaheen have asked for an immediate explanation as to how these emails were sent in error and that there are no plans to terminate the program while Ukraine is still under active attack by Russia. Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that Issa Spatrisano is with Catholic Social Services Alaska, not Catholic Relief Services. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Apr. 11JUNEAU The Alaska Senate on Friday narrowly approved a $1,000 increase to the Base Student Allocation, the state's per-student funding formula, but many in the Legislature say the measure is likely doomed. Gov. Mike Dunleavy has vowed to veto House Bill 69 unless policy provisions are added "to improve educational achievement." Multiple lawmakers have said they likely don't have the votes to override Dunleavy's looming veto. School administrators have called for a $1,000 per-student funding increase for a public school system in crisis. Districts report they are planning to eliminate hundreds of teacher positions; popular programs are set to be cut; and that school facilities are crumbling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anchorage Democratic Sen. Loki Tobin, chair of the Senate Education Committee, said a funding boost roughly twice that size is needed after almost a decade of virtually flat school funding. Tobin spoke in support of the $1,000 BSA boost before the Senate's final vote. "It will decrease class sizes, it will retain educators, and it will keep those loved programs in our public schools," she said. "Our schools are not failing. They are starving," she added. Multiple senators noted that an increase to the BSA is received by all public school students in Alaska, including those in neighborhood schools, charter schools and in correspondence programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate approved HB 69 on an 11-9 vote. Most members of the Democrat-dominated majority supported the measure. But three majority members Democratic Sens. Donny Olson and Lyman Hoffman and Republican Sen. Bert Stedman joined the six-member Republican minority in opposing the bill. The education measure now heads back to the House, which is expected to approve the bill. A House vote could occur as soon as Friday afternoon, lawmakers said. Forty of 60 legislators, or two-thirds of the Legislature, would be needed to vote to override Dunleavy's potential veto of the $1,000 BSA boost. Wasilla Republican Sen. Mike Shower, the Senate minority leader, opposed the measure. He said the Republican minority acknowledged a BSA boost is needed this year. But he said policy changes are needed to improve Alaska's bottom-of-the-nation test scores, and add accountability to school district spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think a majority of Alaskans would like to see accountability, transparency, performance improvements, because this is for the children," he said. HB 69 had advanced through the legislative process with policies intended to appeal to Dunleavy, who vetoed another bipartisan education package last year. Those included limits on cellphones in schools, and plans intended to make it easier for students to attend the public school of their choice, regardless of where they live, among other policy measures. The Senate Finance Committee on Thursday stripped all the policy reforms from the measure, leaving just the $1,000 boost to the BSA. Some legislators said a compromise education agreement with Dunleavy was not possible. Anchorage Democratic Sen. Bill Wielechowski was the Legislature's lead education negotiator with Dunleavy last year a process he described as frustrating because Dunleavy repeatedly reneged on settled agreements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said on the Senate floor that lawmakers went down the "compromise route" last year on education, but that effort failed. Wielechowski said schools need to hire teachers and to reduce class sizes, which could be achieved by a $1,000 BSA increase. "We do not have an accountability problem, we have a funding problem. We are not funding our schools adequately," he said. The governor's office on Friday did not immediately provide a list of education priorities that Dunleavy wants added the measure. Last year, Dunleavy called for bonuses for teachers; a dedicated funding boost for homeschooled students; and a plans to empower a governor-appointed board to first approve new charter schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The $1,000 BSA boost in HB 69 would cost the state over $250 million per year. Legislators this year are facing a roughly $680 million deficit over two fiscal years based on status quo spending. Many in the Legislature say a $250 million annual school funding increase is unaffordable. Some senators supported a smaller $680 BSA boost, matching the same school funding boost approved by the Legislature last year on a one-time basis. Stedman, a member of Senate majority leadership, said that an education funding increase is needed, but that he could not support a $1,000 BSA boost. "We need to make sure that we can balance our budget," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, members of the Republican Senate minority proposed adding policy provisions back to the measure. Those amendments were rejected by the Democrat-dominated majority along caucus lines. This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Sali Berisha, leader of the opposition Democratic Party in Albania, leaves the parliament on Dec. 21, 2023. Berisha appears to be getting an election boost from some political operatives affiliated with Donald Trump. AP Photo/Armando Babani A growing team of political operatives affiliated with Donald Trump is assisting in the election of an Albanian politician who is under travel sanctions for alleged corruption. Sali Berisha, who has called Trumps election a miracle, appears to have engaged several people close to Trump in consulting work while his team suggests their goal is the removal of the sanctions. Chris LaCivita, co-manager of Trumps 2024 campaign, was in Albania in February as part of his contract to help the campaign of Berisha, an Albanian presidential candidate under U.S. sanction, as reported by The New York Times. With him was Paul Manafort, who pleaded guilty for failing to register as a foreign agent in 2018. (Trump pardoned Manafort in December 2020.) As Albanias May 11 elections approach, HuffPost has found the team working with LaCivita appears to have expanded to include Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio and longtime Manafort associate Phil Griffin. Additionally, representatives from American Conservative Union, the organization behind the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, have also recently met with Berisha. The ACU meeting resulted in the scheduling of CPAC Balkans for the end of April, which would be co-organized by Berishas party, the candidate wrote on X (formerly Twitter). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This all follows the Trump administrations push to further defang the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), paving the way for political operatives to collect large checks on behalf of foreign parties and leaders, all without any oversight in the U.S. While registration with FARA is still technically required, there are no longer any criminal penalties, like those previously used against Manafort, for not registering. As part of these efforts, the administration has disbanded the Foreign Influence Task Force, which monitored and investigated foreign influence and lobbying. A search of FARA Friday morning showed that no one involved in Berishas campaign has registered to lobby on behalf of the Albanian candidate. Berisha, the head of Albanias right-wing Democratic Party, has been under sanctions in both the United States and the United Kingdom for several years. The State Department declared Berisha and his family personanon grata in May 2021 due to his involvement in significant corruption. In July 2022, the U.K. banned him from traveling to the country on the grounds of criminality and corruption, noting that Berishas presence was not conducive to the public good. Berisha was formally charged with corruption last fall, for his alleged participation in a scheme that granted his son-in-law permits to make millions of euros by building apartments in Albanias capital. Berisha spent time under house arrest after refusing to comply with the terms ordered by the court, claiming he was being politically persecuted. Berisha has expressed hope that Trumps administration would be willing to end the sanctions. On Inauguration Day, Berisha told Albanian media that he considered the election of Trump a miracle and would ask him to remove his persona non grata designation. In a Jan. 27 interview, the Democratic Partys press secretary, Floriana Garo, was asked if Trump would lift the sanctions on Berisha. According to a translation shared with HuffPost, Garo responded, The sanctions of Mr. Berisha, I believe, the way I see I believe they will be removed and lifted. It will be lifted, but it wont be lifted just for Sali Berisha, it will be removed as a bloc. It will include sanctions on other people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on Feb. 5, according to a report in the Albanian Times, Berisha said at a press conference that he believed there was no hope Trump would lift the ban on his travel. He claimed he had not engaged in any lobbying efforts to get off the persona non grata list. By Feb. 10, LaCivita and Manafort were in Albania to meet with Berishas campaign. LaCivita told The New York Times he was not there to lobby, only to consult on the campaign. That day, Belind Kellici, a Democratic Party political leader, shared a livestream of the press conference with LaCivita. He captioned it, say hello to all those worrying about the sanction. Over a week after LaCivitas visit, Euronews Albania posted a videosaying that Democratic Party leaders have been suggesting LaCivitas influence on Trump will help end the sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, the Times reported LaCivita and Manafort, along with Fabrizio, were seeking consulting contracts with foreign right-wing political parties. Last month, a conservative Albanian politician who is a strong ally of Berisha shared a video of himself with LaCivita in Washington, D.C., on the social media platform Threads. He claimed to have had a meeting in Washington with LaCivita and Griffin, and posted a photo of himself with the pair on Facebook. The politician said Griffin and LaCivita were working with Fabrizio. While it did not get picked up in U.S. media, Albanian media had also reported on Fabrizios involvement in February. Fabrizio has a long history of working with Manafort. Before Manafort brought him into the Trump 2016 campaign, Fabrizios firm did work for Manafort in Ukraine from 2012 to 2013. Fabrizio was also the silent owner of a company that received about $19 million from a super PAC Manafort helped start during the 2016 election season. Since the 2024 U.S. election, Fabrizio and LaCivita have signed on as senior advisers for Building Americas Future, a 501(c)(4) funded by Elon Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griffin also has a long working relationship with Manafort, going back at least as far as 2004, when Griffin was employed by Manaforts firm, Davis Manafort Partners. Griffin worked closely with Manafort for clients in Ukraine, ultimately recruiting Konstantin Kilimnik. Kilimnik became Manaforts number one man in Ukraine and likely served as a channel to Manafort for Russian intelligence services, and that those services likely sought to exploit Manaforts access to gain insight into the Campaign, according to a 2020 Senate Intelligence Committee report. Griffin is already in Albania in preparation for the Democratic Party campaign launch, which is scheduled to take place Friday evening. Earlier this week, Garo, the press secretary of Berishas Democratic Party, shared a photo of herself with Griffin and Alfred Lela, the partys director of press communications. The Washington Examiner ran an article by Lela in February, imploring Secretary of State Marco Rubio to rethink Berishas sanctions. (Lela, who lived in Boston in the 2000s, noted in his bio that he is an American citizen.) Kellici recently claimed that Berishas sanctions have been lifted. The claim appears baseless, though neither the Albanian Democratic Party nor the U.S. State Department responded to attempts to verify the sanctions were still in place. Despite Berishas statement that CPAC Balkans would take place this month, the event still lacks a functioning website, providing no information on the event, including dates. CPAC has made an effort to hold events in countries with right-wing leadership aligned with Trump. A conference co-hosted by Berishas party would be an implicit endorsement of his candidacy. When reached for comment about the organizations meeting with Berisha and asked whether the event would happen on schedule, a spokesperson for CPAC replied, CPAC is meeting with leaders around the world and is planning to expand to more countries in the coming year. We are looking to do a CPAC in the Balkans as a rallying cry for common sense policies and a finger in the eye to the globalists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LaCivita, Fabrizio, Manafort, Griffin and Berisha did not respond to requests for comment. On Thursday night, however, LaCivita posted twice on X about Albania. In one post, containing a video of an owl, he wrote, Whos the Owl and whos the mouse .#Albania The commentary references a riff between Berisha and his opponent, Edi Rama. The fight centers on Rama referring to Berisha as a swamp owl, and Berisha responding by embracing the insult, bringing an owl figurine to a press conference. Rama has also praised Trump, and he has entered into contracts with Trumps son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Both Berishas and Ramas parties have been under investigation by SPAK, an Albanian anti-corruption organization that has relied on funds from the U.S. Agency for International Development. Since Trump took office, SPAK and the U.S. Embassy have not shared much information about the status of the program, but some reporting in Albania has suggested that the Americans involved with it briefly left the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In another post, LaCivita linked to an article that referred to him as the sheriff coming back to town. The article was on a news site owned by Berishas son. Berishas team has announced that LaCivita will be present for the official campaign launch, and Albanian media showed him arriving in the country Friday morning. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Over 250 National Guard soldiers returned home from the Middle East Friday afternoon. One of the many who have been serving the country since last June in Jordan and Saudi Arabia was District Two Alderman Jonathan Logemann. The majority of National Guard members were sent to the Middle East to help protect U.S. Forces and assets. After nearly a year of being away, soldiers said it is surreal to be back home. Nervousness, excitement, everything. Its really hard to describe, said Illinois National Guard Specialist George Smith. All good feelings, of course. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been waiting since like January or February. If you said the word George, I would start crying, a specialists family member said. This is the greatest thing in the world. And were so proud of him. So proud of what hes done. About 275 soldiers are still stationed in the Middle East. While the group was deployed, 12 soldiers graduated from the Air Assault course, five from the pathfinder course and seven from a basic leadership course. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Horological Society of New York Celebrates 159 Years of Tradition & Awards $160K in Scholarships The Horological Society of New York (HSNY), Americas first watchmaking guild, hosted its highly anticipated Gala on March 22, awarding a record-breaking $160,000 in financial aid and raising over $300,000 toward its ongoing mission to advance the art and science of horology. Held at the iconic Plaza Hotel, the black-tie event brought together 400 of the most influential figures in the watchmaking community, including independent watchmakers, top brands, VIP guests, and leading auction houses to support the future of the industry. The evenings Charity Auction, presented by Christies, saw unique timepieces and experiences that raised record-breaking funds that will go directly towards expanding the Societys initiatives, including scholarships for watchmaking students. Plaza Hotel Gala HSNY Items that commanded the largest hammer price included a signed Chronometre Souverain wall clock signed by Francois-Paul Journe ($80,000), an omakase dinner experience with Chef Daisuke Nakazawa, donated by Grand Seiko ($24,000), and HSNYs prestigious Lifetime Membership Card, which sold to Shark Tank titan Kevin OLeary after an intense bidding war ($25,000). Hand-guilloched by Brittany Nicole Cox, the sterling silver card features an original straight-line pattern inset with a 24k gold wire cloisonne enamel cabochon. The card grants Mr. Wonderful lifetime membership privileges at HSNY, including all aspects of all current and future membership levels. In meeting with the Societys year-round mission, HSNY issued a symbolic giant check for $160,000 to Brian Furi (Texas Institute of Jewelry Technology, Paris, Texas) and Justin Delano (Veterans Watchmaker Initiative, Odessa, Delaware), two scholarship recipients. In total, HSNY awarded scholarships to 28 students and four watchmaking schools in the United States. The scholarships aim to help watchmaking students succeed in every way and foster the next generation of horologists. (Recipients are included at the end of this announcement.) Notable guests in attendance included famed watchmaker (and HSNY Trustee) Roger Smith OBE; entrepreneur, investor, and watch collector Kevin OLeary (who surprised guests onstage); and auction houses Christies, Phillips, and Sothebys. Kevin OLeary HSNY Im beyond proud of the success of the evening, said Nicholas Manousos, Executive Director of the Horological Society of New York. The funds raised will have a direct and lasting impact on the future of horology, allowing us to support the brightest minds in the industry and ensure that the art of watchmaking continues to thrive. The Gala, which featured a lavish cocktail hour and afterparty with live music, top shelf libations, and even a magician, oered the perfect backdrop for guests to network and celebrate the years accomplishments. The event underscored the strength of the horological community, its commitment to education, and its role in preserving the legacy of timekeeping, added Carolina Navarro, Deputy Director of the Horological Society of New York. HSNY extends its deepest gratitude to all those who attended and contributed to the Galas success, as well as to the generous donors and sponsors who made the evening possible. Stay tuned for 2026 Gala details HSNYs 160th anniversary! FALKVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) A Falkville man was killed after being involved in a two-vehicle crash on Thursday. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) told News 19 that a 2008 Ford Mustang was driving along AL-36 near Upper River Road when it hit a 2016 BMW X3 around 4:25 a.m. According to authorities, the Ford hit the BMX a second time before leaving the roadway and hitting a tree. ALEA identified the victim as William E. Gosa, 56, of Falkville. Gosa was pronounced dead on the scene of the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident remains under investigation by the Agencys (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now) Police in Alexandria arrested a man who was wanted after he allegedly robbed a business Friday morning. At around 11:30 a.m. on April 11, the Alexandria Police Department (APD) announced on X that there was a heavy police presence in the 1300 block of King Street for an armed commercial robbery. Attorney for deported Maryland man speaks after court hearing Police told DC News Now that the known suspect had left the area before the officers arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement APD said no one was hurt during the robbery. A few hours later, APD said the suspect was identified as 37-year-old Dexter Brown. A photo of Brown was released, and APD asked anyone who knew where he was or had seen him to call 911. He was wanted for robbery while armed, shooting in an occupied building, violent felon in possession of a firearm and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. In an update Saturday morning, the police department said officers arrested Brown, who is in custody. Thank you for your support and information that helps keep our community safe, the department wrote, in the announcement of Browns arrest, in a social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) Strong debate rang out inside the chambers of the House of Representatives Thursday. Its all about a bill they ultimately passed, allowing the Alabama Farmers Federation to offer health plans to its members. They would be able to cover things such as prescriptions and doctors visits. But how much oversight does the farm bureau need? Its quite shady, said Rep. Juandalynn Givan (D-Birmingham). This is real shady business right here. Real shady Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That business had to do with stripping a part of the bill. It would have allowed the Department of Insurance to enforce Alfas health benefits. Rep. David Faulkner (R-Mountain Brook), bill sponsor, argued theres enough oversight in the bill. He said the department can already help Alfas members make disputes about their coverage. You keep saying, the protection piece. Theres already all the protection thats needed, said Faulkner in debate. And, the Department of Insurance does not regulate self-funded plans. Faulkner said those plans will be offered with the help of Tennessees Farm Bureau. For two hours, he argued with his colleagues, saying other protections in the bill are strong. Faulkner said the dispute process and oversight would be similar to other insurance companies. Alabama Senate passes bill banning cell phones in public schools Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They might be committing some irregularities,' said Rep. Mary Moore (D-Birmingham). Is that gonna be okay? So, its okay as long as its self-funded if they commit any irregularities? Dont you think they need a little oversight? Rep. Chris Blackshear (R-Phenix City) said Well have people from Tennessee helping our Alabama farmers. Were gonna have people from Minneapolis helping our Alabama farmers. I think itd be good to have somebody from the state of Alabama having the backs of Alabama farmers, and not everything done out of state. Insurance is a little bit more than just saying give me the money and I promise, I plan to take care of you,' said Rep. Frances Holk-Jones (R-Foley). In a statement, Sophie Martin with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama said in part quote, Removing any oversight would mean the only option consumers and healthcare providers have is hiring a lawyer and filing a lawsuit. This is not sufficient and no other health plan operates under such circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill states that health plans cannot be cancelled or modified as a result of a medical event. Preston Roberts, director of agricultural legislation for Alfa, said there were enough protections in the bill. Our position was that it needed to come off. It was unnecessary. There were a lot of consumer protections that have been added to this bill, he explained. And, it is a strong bill as it is. Roberts said Alabamas farmers need the help more than ever. Were hearing from our members that theyre paying astronomical costs for health coverage. So, were really hopeful that this bill will provide them some relief as weve seen in some of these other states that have adopted it, said Roberts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill passed in the House as amended, removing the provision giving the Department of Insurance enforcement authority. It will now go to the Senate for a committee vote. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. Donald Trumps former attorney turned interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey is threatening to prosecute the states governor. Alina Habba, following reports that Governor Phil Murphy has directed state police not to work with federal immigration officers, told Fox News Thursday that she has directed her office to open an investigation into Murphy, as well as New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, saying that she wanted it to be a warning for everybody. That will no longer stand, Habba said, of Murphy and Platkins actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Attorney General] Pam Bondi has made it clear, and so has our president, that we are to take all violent criminals and criminals out of this country and completely enforce federal law, and anybody who does get in that way will be charged in the state of New Jersey for obstruction, for concealment, and I will come after them hard, and those investigations will start immediately, Habba told Sean Hannity. Habba: I have instructed my office today, to open an investigation into Governor Murphy anybody who gets in our way will be charged in the state of New Jersey for obstruction, for concealment those investigations will start immediately pic.twitter.com/PyYYQBNKNc Acyn (@Acyn) April 11, 2025 Its a direct challenge to the leader of a heavily Democratic state by the Trump administration. New Jerseys Immigrant Trust Directive, issued in 2018, limits how much assistance law enforcement officers can provide to federal immigration authorities, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Murphy has thumbed his nose at the Trump administration over immigration, at one point in February alluding to harboring an undocumented immigrant in his home and daring ICE to come after them, resulting in a backlash from right-wing media. Murphy later clarified and said that actually wasnt the case, but that likely put him on MAGAs radar, with Trumps border czar saying, Well look into it. A president taking legal action against a sitting governor is unprecedented, and threatens to cause a constitutional and legal crisis. The question is how the federal court system will handle charges against Murphy if the situation gets that far. Interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey Alina Habba announced late Thursday that her office is investigating Gov. Phil Murphy and state Attorney General Matt Platkin for not cooperating with federal immigration authorities. The investigation into the two New Jersey Democrats underscores the Trump administration's hard-line immigration enforcement efforts. Habba made the announcement in an interview with Sean Hannity on Fox News. I want it to be a warning for everybody: that I have instructed my office today to open an investigation into Gov. Murphy, to open an investigation into Attorney General Platkin, who has also instructed the State Police not to assist any of our federal agencies that are under my direction, Habba said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [U.S. Attorney General] Pam Bondi has made it clear and so has our president that we are to take all criminal[s] violent criminals and criminals out of this country and to completely enforce federal law, Habba said. And anybody who does get in that way, in the way of what we are doing, which is not political, it is simply against crime, will be charged in the state of New Jersey for obstruction, for concealment, and I will come after them hard. The investigation against Murphy and Platkin comes as conservative media outlets reported on a memo from State Police Superintendent Col. Patrick Callahan which reminded New Jersey law enforcement that the states 2018 Immigrant Trust Directive limits state and local law enforcement from cooperating with federal immigration authorities. In an unrelated Friday press conference about dozens of charges made in an illegal gambling operation, Platkin said that the Immigrant Trust Directive is settled law and has been upheld by judges appointed by President Trump. He pointed to the gambling investigation as an example of strong partnerships we have across federal, state and local law enforcement. I dont typically launch investigations on cable news networks, Platkin said. I'm focused on doing my job, which is to keep the residents of our state safe." He added that Habba said publicly she wants to politicize the office, and that he hopes she starts doing her job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Platkin also said that he has reached out in multiple ways since Habba stepped into the role, and she has not wanted to have a conversation. Under the directive, state and local police cannot participate in federal immigration enforcement operations or keep someone detained only to comply with a civil immigration detainer request. The directive includes exemptions if the immigrant is charged or convicted with a violent or serious offense or subject to a final order of removal by a judge. In an interview with the MeidasTouch podcast which is set to be released Friday, Murphy did not address Habba's announcement directly. He said that state and local cops are "not in the immigration business" although the state will "absolutely" work with immigration authorities if needed. "We go after criminals hard period, full stop, regardless of their immigration status," he said. "What we don't do is we don't go after somebody for jaywalking or where there's no probable cause of a crime." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in 2021 upheld a lower courts decision that the directive was not preempted by federal law. The directive is colloquially referred to as New Jerseys sanctuary state policy. Proponents of the directive say that limiting state and local police from participating in immigration enforcement helps public safety since immigrants will be more forthcoming with law enforcement. These new rules are designed to draw a clear distinction between local police and federal civil immigration authorities, ensuring that victims and witnesses feel safe reporting crimes to New Jerseys law enforcement officers, former Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said when the directive was first announced. No law-abiding resident of this great state should live in fear that a routine traffic stop by local police will result in his or her deportation from this country. Murphy said during his first campaign for governor that he would make New Jersey a sanctuary state and told reporters in February that the directive worked really well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not the first time Murphy has been targeted by conservatives over immigration. Under Murphy, the state now issues driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants and provided cash assistance during the pandemic with undocumented immigrants cut out from federal Covid-19 aid. Earlier this year, Murphy suggested that he might harbor an immigrant at his home and dared federal authorities to come get them which Trumps border czar called foolish. The governor was viewed as having a cordial relationship with the president. Murphy met with him in New Jersey after the assassination attempt on Trump. The Trump administration is also expanding its immigrant detention capacity in New Jersey, trying to open its first new ICE detention center in Newark. Mayor Ras Baraka, a Democrat running for governor, is suing to stop the center from opening claiming it does not have the proper permits to operate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most Democrats seeking to succeed Murphy, who leaves office next year, have pledged to either keep the directive in place or support legislation that would write it into state law and eliminate exemptions. One Democrat running for governor, former Senate President Steve Sweeney, has vowed to repeal the directive if elected. Republicans are unified in their opposition to the directive. Jack Ciattarelli, who is making his third bid for governor, obtained a copy of Callahans memo earlier this week and announced it in a press release. Madison Fernandez contributed to this report. Just weeks into her appointment as interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey, Alina Habba said she has launched an investigation into the states top Democratic officials for not cooperating with federal officials on immigration enforcement. In an interview Thursday on Fox News, Habba said she told her office to investigate New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Attorney General Matthew Platkin over a 2018 directive that prevents state officers from detaining individuals solely due to questions about their immigration or citizenship status or from participating in federal immigration operations. I want it to be a warning for everybody that I have instructed my office today to open an investigation into Gov. Murphy, to open an investigation into Attorney General Platkin, who has also instructed the state police not to assist any of our federal agencies that are under my direction ... not to cooperate, Habba said. That will no longer stand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Habba, President Donald Trumps former personal lawyer, said the investigations will start immediately, citing U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondis remarks about targeting migrants with criminal records. (The Trump administration has arrested and deported hundreds of migrants to date, many of whom reportedly face no criminal charges or have no criminal record.) Anybody who does get in that way in the way of what we are doing, which is not political, it is simply against crime will be charged in the state of New Jersey for obstruction, for concealment, and I will come after them hard, Habba said. Habbas probe into Murphy and Platkin appears to be part of a Trump administration effort to strong-arm local officials into cooperating with its sweeping immigration crackdown. In January, the Justice Department threatened to prosecute state and city officials who refuse to help federal immigration agents. Murphy has pushed back on Habbas claim about crime in New Jersey, saying in a podcast interview set to be released Friday that the state cooperates with federal immigration authorities daily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Platkin was less obliging. In a news conference on Friday morning, he said he has tried to contact Habba repeatedly, to no avail. I dont typically launch investigations on cable news networks, Platkin said. I know the interim U.S. attorney she hasnt been there that long said publicly she wants to politicize the office, he added. I hope she starts doing her job. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com PORTSMOUTH, Ohio (WCMH) One person has been detained after he was shot by police following an alleged burglary in southeast Ohio Thursday night. According to the Portsmouth Police Department, officers and law enforcement with the Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Scioto County Sheriffs Office were looking for a person of interest involved in the burglary of a local business within the city limits of Portsmouth. Former Ohio doctors defamation case against Mount Carmel will go to trial Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police located the suspect, Anthony Kolp of Kernersville, North Carolina, in the Walmart parking lot in New Boston, Ohio. A foot chase ensued, during which the suspect pointed a firearm toward the officers. Shots were fired at the suspect, who then barricaded himself in a residential backyard in the 4300 block of Rhodes Avenue. Units from multiple law enforcement agencies surrounded the home and successfully removed a woman and her two children to safety. The suspect was found hiding under the back porch of the home, was still armed, and refused to surrender. He then reportedly shot at police, who returned fire and injured the suspect. No other injuries were reported, and the suspect is being treated at an area hospital. The Portsmouth Police Department did not reveal any charges in its news release and said the incident remains under investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Kyiv and its Western partners launched an electronic warfare coalition in support of Ukraine during a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels on April 11, Defense Minister Rustem Umerov announced. The electronic warfare coalition consists of 11 countries and comes on top of other eight Western coalitions to support Ukraine. Other similar initiatives include an artillery coalition, a fighter jet coalition, and a demining coalition, organized within the framework of the Ramstein format. The new coalition will focus on purchasing equipment, training specialists, and developing electronic warfare policies and doctrines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Electronic warfare is a critical component of modern warfare. No unit can be fully combat-ready without effective electronic warfare," the defense minister wrote on Facebook. "The coalition is designed not only to meet the current needs of the Ukrainian army in electronic warfare, but also to lay the foundation for the long-term development of these capabilities." After the meeting in Brussels, Umerov said that he is planning to invite counterparts from each coalition to visit Ukraine "to communicate not only with (Ukrainian) colleagues from the Defense Forces, but also to involve our defense industry," a Kyiv Independent journalist reported. The Ramstein-format summit in Brussels was held amid growing uncertainty over U.S. support for Ukraine and efforts by European allies to close the gap as Kyiv resists Russia's ongoing invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NATO allies committed more than 21 billion euros ($23.8 billion) in long-term military aid to Ukraine. Read also: 5 key steps for Europe to bolster defense against Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A heartfelt tribute to the artistic crafts that the manufacture has preserved with dedication and precision for generations For its annual exhibition Rare Handcrafts The Contemporary Collection, Patek Philippe offers a truly exceptional opportunity to discover over 80 extraordinary pieces, all brought together under one roof at the Patek Philippe Salons in Geneva, from April 5 to 26, 2025. Techniques such as gemsetting, guilloche, enameling, engraving, and wood marquetry all part of what the brand refers to as Haut Artisanat are showcased through the expertise of three master artisans. Each a specialist in their respective craft, they take turns throughout the exhibition to demonstrate their time-honored skills live. All of the pieces on display are destined for their future owners, making this ephemeral presentation all the more precious: it is a unique opportunity to admire, in one place, rare and often one-of-a-kind creations, all handcrafted in the finest tradition of Genevas decorative arts. ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) The City of Elizabethton declared April 21 as Elizabethton Business & Professional Womens Day on Tuesday. Mayor William E. Bill Carter signed the proclamation at a Roaring 20s celebration honoring the 100th anniversary of the Elizabethton chapter of the Business and Professional Women of Tennessee (BPW/TN). The organization advocates for womens equality and promotes their contributions in the business field. An excerpt from the proclamation reads: Working women constitute 79 million of the nations workforce. Women-owned businesses account for over one-third of all firms in the country and provide employment for one out of every four U.S. workers. Carter and the proclamation called on all citizens, civic groups, media, and educational institutions to celebrate the achievements of Elizabethtons professional businesswomen in Elizabethton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Downtown Elizabethton said on International Womens Day in March that 58% of its downtown businesses are women-owned and operated. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Apr. 10Austin Public Schools' Christoph Dundas has been named as one of the finalists for 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. The Austin High School band teacher is one of 12 teachers who have been named finalists in the program. An independent selection panel of 21 leaders in the areas of education, business, government and nonprofits selected the finalists from a group of 31 semifinalists. There were 142 candidates for this program year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The selection panel will meet again on May 3 to conduct individual interviews with each of the 12 finalists and to cast votes for the 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year. For a look at how the selection process works, go to https://educationminnesota.org/news/awards-and-honors/teacher-of-the-year/ The 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year, Tracy Byrd of Washburn High School in Minneapolis, will announce this year's honoree at a banquet at the Saint Paul RiverCentre May 4. Banquet tickets can be purchased through EventLeaf. Dundas was announced as APS Teacher of the Year on Nov. 21, one of 29 nominees in the district. "Teaching for me is an opportunity maybe to connect with a student that maybe nobody else has connected with that day and that week," Dundas said at the time. "Make sure students know that there are people that care about what happens with them and what they're doing in life on a day to day basis." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Education Minnesota, the statewide educators union, organizes and underwrites the Teacher of the Year program. Candidates include pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade, Early Childhood Family Education and Adult Basic Education teachers, from public or private schools. The Minnesota Teacher of the Year program also receives support from the following organizations: Education Minnesota ESI, Educators Lifetime Solutions, EFS Advisors, Expedition Credit Union, Harvard Club of Minnesota Foundation and SMART Technologies. The 2025 Minnesota Teacher of the Year finalists (listed alphabetically, with school, district, subject and grade[s] taught) are: * Stacy Bartlett, Stillwater Area High School, biology, 10-12 * Katelyn Bruce, Minneapolis Public Schools, second grade Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Ben Cuevas-Rengstorf, Minneapolis Public Schools, culinary arts, 9-12 * Christoph Dundas, Austin Public Schools, band, 9-12 * John Horton, Saint Paul Public Schools, grades 1-3 * Amanda Jagdeo, Saint Paul Public Schools, pre-K * Zoe Kourajian, Mounds View Public Schools, U.S. history and girls' leadership, 7-8 * Soren Olesen, Roseau Community School District, welding, machine shop and work-based learning, 11-12 * Sean Padden, Roseville Area Schools, health, 7-8 * Araceli Pastrana, Eden Prairie Schools, third grade * Kong Vang, Saint Paul Public Schools, ethnic studies, 9-12 * Linda Wallenberg, Eden Prairie Schools, English, 9 and 12 The pututus (traditional shell instruments) echo through the halls of Limas Jorge Chavez International Airport on Sunday. In the international arrivals terminal, a dozen women, a few men and a handful of children, all clad in traditional Peruvian llicllas and ponchos, kneel with their heads bowed, sounding the pututus as was custom in pre-Hispanic times, to announce that something big was about to happen. In front of them, a man holds up a wooden urn carved with the image of the Sun and Moon. It is almost 3 a.m. and a few moments ago, a plane from Madrid landed, carrying with it some ashes. Greet the passage of Fernando Tupac Amaru Bastidas, a member of the family who launched the first cry for freedom in America. He is the son we were missing. The son who will make a new dawn blossom, says actress and educator Ana Correa, the devotion evident in her voice. She is a co-founder of Warmikuna Raymi, the collective that has worked tirelessly to receive the chest that contains the symbolic remains of Fernando, the youngest son of Jose Gabriel Tupac Amaru Noguera and Micaela Bastidas. At the age of 13, Fernando was forced to watch the brutal murder of his parents at the order of the Spanish Crown in 1781. In the Peruvian Andes, Tupac Amaru and Bastidas rose up against the monarchy and for months caused serious problems for the Crown. After being captured, they were killed in Cuscos main square. Bastidass neck was wrung, she was beaten and kicked, and had her tongue cut out. Tupac Amaru was also beaten and had his tongue removed, after which his limbs were tied to four horses in an attempt to dismember him alive. When he proved too strong to pull apart, they decapitated him. The couple, as well as other members of Fernandos family, were later dismembered, their remains scattered. The people paid witness to this macabre spectacle, and the message it sent was chilling: if they dared to rebel, the same would happen to them. Fernanducha, as he was affectionately called, was sent on the long journey to Lima. He was then taken to the dungeon of the Real Felipe castle in the Peruvian city of Callao, where he would remain until 1784, when he was sentenced to perpetual exile in Spain. He died in Madrid in 1798 at the age of 30 in abject poverty, begging for mercy. Although highly educated, he was denied a job. And though he repeatedly asked for it, he was not given proper health care. He expressed the desire to return to his homeland, in addition to his loyalty to the Crown, in a dozen letters that were recently recovered by the Peruvian publishing house Isole, but in return, he received only indifference. He was buried in the parish of San Sebastian, to the north of Madrid, and there he stayed until 1936, when a bomb exploded in the cemetery during the Spanish Civil War. His remains, mixed in with thousands of corpses among which were such illustrious figures as Spanish playwright Lope de Vega were kept in a vault inside the churchs crypt. For more than two centuries, his story was absent from official accounts and his repatriation was the subject of concern to few. It was a centuries-old Indigenous claim on justice that, like so many others, went unnoticed. It was not an act of repatriation It was a Spanish economist, Aldo Olcese Santonja, who drove Fernandos return. After several fruitless attempts, he managed to get the current mayor of Cusco, Luis Pantoja, and Congress to take action. On Friday, April 4, there was a discreet ceremony, which no press attended. In Madrid, Pantoja received the ashes that had come from the vault of the San Sebastian parish, in a chest. The symbolic remains have been dubbed tierra de asilo, or earth of asylum. That same morning, the Peruvian embassy in Spain unveiled a plaque that commemorates the handover. It was not an act of repatriation, nor was forgiveness sought in the name of Spain. An attempt was even made to water it down. One of the priests said that we should not look to the past, when it was in this very city that Fernando was buried alive. It is true that there were few activists present, but that was because there was no open call for participation. They covered their backs from a more political response, said an individual that had been present in Madrid. Olcese Santonja was not able to witness Fernandos return home. He died from a massive heart attack at the beginning of last month. A group of Madrid-based activists has criticized the way the act was managed, citing the political context in which it took place: If today, instead of dust in an urn, [Fernando] was alive, the dictator [Peruvian president] Dina Boluarte would be the first to block his way and try to return him to the Madrid prison cell where he passed his entire short life. Perhaps they wouldnt let him leave the Jorge Chavez airport in Lima, because he was considered a violent troublemaker, one of those who have marched in the three takeovers of Lima. Perhaps, if he wanted to take a stroll through Plaza San Martin, police would arrest him for setting foot in the center of his countrys capital, as they have so many Peruvians who, like him, have traveled to Lima to make themselves heard. Other voices, like that of Correa, who led the dawn committee in the Lima airport, would prefer to focus on Fernandos actual repatriation. We have been self-organized. Nobody is managing us. Since 2012, we have been working for the re-signification of historical memory. Beyond the opinions against this, I believe that energy opens up the necessary spaces. And finally, Fernando is back. Touching the urn was like embracing him, like comforting him in his pain. In a way, he told us, I belong to everyone, she says. Fernandos wish was fulfilled posthumously on Sunday, April 6. His symbolic remains returned to Peru after 241 years. From Lima, they traveled to Cusco, the land of his parents. A crowd gathered at the coffin of the heir of Tupac Amaru, who claimed to be a direct descendant of the last Inca of Vilcabamba. They paraded him through the same Plaza de Armas where, two centuries before, he had witnessed horror. His ashes reached their destination and the pututus did not cease in the land where the Inca empire once reigned. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition By Maximilian Heath BUENOS AIRES (Reuters) -Drenched Argentine fields due to heavy rains in the country's farm heartland are raising fears of soybean losses and delayed sales of the 2024/25 crop, although drier weather on the horizon should bring relief to producers, industry experts said. Argentina is the world's top exporter of soybean oil and meal, but combines are having difficulty entering waterlogged fields to begin harvesting following heavy rains in March and storms last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, the Buenos Aires grains exchange reported that the 2024/25 soybean harvest, estimated at 48.6 million tons, is 4 percentage points behind the average harvesting pace of the last five years. "The environment is very oversaturated. Harvesting this week had a terrible level of humidity. There was fog, mist. Everything was wet," German Heinzenknecht, a meteorologist with the Applied Climatology Consulting Firm, told Reuters. Many fields and access roads in key agricultural areas are impassable, which, according to Cristian Russo, head of agricultural estimates at the major Rosario grains exchange, is generating concerns among farmers. "There is fear, and people are trying to access the fields by any means. There's a risk with the humidity of getting rot (fungus) and there will be a discount on quantity and quality," said Russo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that there was also a risk that if the plants are not harvested soon, the pods will split open. SOY SALES AT SLOWEST PACE IN 10 YEARS The difficulties in advancing the grain harvest have also caused delays in 2024/25 soybean sales in Argentina, which as of April 2 recorded the slowest sales pace in the last 10 years, with only about 20% of the estimated harvest sold. The immediate forecasts show no improvement for rural areas. On Thursday, the Rosario exchange indicated that unstable conditions with likely rain are expected for the coming days. However, Heinzenknecht said there are reasons for producers to be more optimistic from next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have humidity problems, but we are not seeing a consolidation of soil problems," he said. "Starting next week, we could enter a slightly more virtuous cycle. We're going into a second half of April with a slightly drier climate, with less significant rainfall," he said. (Reporting by Maximilian Heath; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Nia Williams) A cobalt processing facility that would boost the U.S. supply of the critical mineral is on track to begin construction in late 2025. Once built, the facility in Yuma County would be the only cobalt processing facility in the U.S. Cobalt is a mineral in high demand for its use in electric vehicle batteries, aerospace products and defense technologies. EVelution Energy is the company developing the project, which will be located in Wellton in Yuma County, near the California state line. The company says it plans to design and operate a carbon-neutral solar power facility that would treat and recycle 70% of its water and transport its tailings, waste byproducts of the processed ore, to the local landfill to minimize the risk of contamination on the property and surrounding land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our plant is basically a best-in-class green facility Thats why we got unanimous approval from the Yuma County Board of Supervisors because we addressed all the concerns of the stakeholders, said Gil Michel-Garcia, the co-founder, executive vice president and general counsel of EVelution Energy. An aerial view rendering of the cobalt processing facility in Wellton, Ariz., being developed by EVelution Energy. Since the project was unanimously approved by the Yuma County Board of Supervisors in 2023, the company has secured $200 million in long-term financing through the Export-Import Bank of the United States, a federal agency that provides loans, guarantees and insurance to domestic companies. EVelution Energy is now looking to raise the rest of the funds through federal programs. This includes a $64.8 million debt financing through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which allows investors to apply for a green card by investing in U.S. companies located in rural or high-unemployment areas. The company is also looking at raising $57.5 million under the Qualified Opportunity Zone program, which provides tax incentives to U.S. investors who invest in economically depressed areas. Why cobalt? Cobalt is a critical mineral, considered essential to the economy and national security, which could be vulnerable to supply-chain disruptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its absolutely crucial for high heat-resistant parts that are contained in almost every military application, aerospace and defense application you can think of, Michel-Garcia said about the use of cobalt. From the inside of engines to the covering of the supersonic missiles, to stealth bombers, to radar targeting systems, to permanent magnets, all of them contain cobalt metal in some form or another. EVelution Energy founders said the company was being considered to help supply the U.S. reserve of critical minerals. At full capacity, the company said the Yuma facility would be capable of supplying 30% of U.S. demand. About 75% of the worlds cobalt is produced by the Democratic Republic of Congo, then sent abroad and processed into cobalt sulfate for electric vehicle batteries. More than 70% of the cobalt sulfate is refined in China, and most of the remainder is processed in Finland and Indonesia. With Chinas dominance in the market, interest in processing cobalt in the U.S. is growing. The recent tariffs imposed on China by the White House also have benefited EVelution Energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They've exempted critical minerals imports, Michel-Garcia said about the Trump administrations tariffs. All of our imports would come in tariff-free, and they would prevent our competitors, the Chinese, from being able to export products into the United States. A rendering of the cobalt processing facility in Wellton, Ariz., being developed by EVelution Energy. EVelution touts commitment to sustainably, job creation The company highlighted its responsibility to source cobalt ethically. Of the total cobalt mined in the DRC, about 15% to 30% is produced by unregulated artisanal small-scale mining, the source of reported human rights violations, where children are put to work and miners work in unsafe conditions, according to a paper published by New York University and Stern Center for Business and Human Rights. To help companies source minerals responsibly, countries and businesses have created initiatives and guidelines to follow. One organization, the Responsible Business Alliance, created the Responsible Minerals and offers an assessment of which smelters and refiners have systems in place to source minerals responsibly, among other tools. The Organization for Economic Co-operation, an international organization, has also published guidance for sourcing minerals responsibly from conflict-affected and high-risk areas. EVelution Energy says it is committed to identifying and mitigating human rights abuses, child labor and other issues in the cobalt supply chain and aims to do business with companies that follow these published guidelines and initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A study conducted by a third-party consultant estimated that the cobalt processing facility would create 3,300 direct, indirect and induced jobs in Yuma and generate more than $750 million of economic activity. This is a facility that is not only strategically important for the country from a national security perspective, it's a facility that's going to generate a ton of jobs and economic activity, Michel-Garcia said. Through a partnership with Arizona Western College, EVelution Energy will help develop a critical-mineral metallurgical processing program at the colleges Wellton campus, close to the facility. These newly trained professionals could be part of the 100 employees working at the facility. The training program likely would begin in 2027, Michel-Garcia said. Jobs at the plant would include security and administrative personnel, electricians, welders, machinists and processors, Michel-Garcia said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our goal is to make every effort that we can to hire local residents and to allow this opportunity to retiring veterans from the nearby bases, he said. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: EVelution Energy cobalt processing plant is on track in Yuma for 2025 Shondiin Silversmith Arizona Mirror For years, Indigenous families have shared their experiences of reporting a missing loved one, highlighting how it is often met with a lack of response or urgency from the entities meant to assist them. We do know that there is a huge issue, Capt. Paul Etnire, tribal liaison for the Arizona Department of Public Safety, said. Etnire is Hopi and grew up on the Hopi Nation in northern Arizona. Since 2019, he has worked in ad hoc committees, task forces and federal committees focused on addressing the ongoing crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was very heartbreaking hearing testimonies, he said of the state and federal hearingsheld to allow MMIP victims to share their experiences. The blame, he said, belongs across the board: law enforcement, prosecutors, social services, tribal governments, non-tribal communities and Indian Country. The whole system failed, Etnire said. It was just heartbreaking that we failed in every single way for the victims and for the victims families, he added. Finding ways to address and develop solutions for the MMIP crisis within Indian Country has been a priority for Indigenous women, leaders, advocates and communities for years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of that work included advocating for the creation of a multijurisdictional missing persons alert system something that is finally about to become a reality as states across the country, including Arizona, work to implement the Federal Communications Commissions new Missing and Endangered Person alert code. In March, Gov. Katie Hobbs met with several key stakeholders, including the Arizona Department of Public Safety and representatives from tribal nations, to develop a plan for implementing the new alert code by summer. I know that so many families have been affected by this crisis and have fought for years, Hobbs told the Arizona Mirror, adding that she hopes that, with the implementation of the MEP alert, these families will finally feel a sense of justice. Hobbs said that when an Indigenous person goes missing, a lot of times their case does not rise to the level of getting an Amber, Silver or Blue alert, and the goal of the MEP alert is to fill in that gap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As governor, I see my role as elevating those voices and making sure were taking action on the issues that matter most to communities across the state, Hobbs said. And this is just one example of that. The governor said that implementing the FCCs new MEP alert in Arizona was prioritized based on the recommendation from the MMIP task force, and seeing it come to fruition is great and validates the task forces work. Its important to keep the work going, she said. The MEP alert code will be used for missing and endangered persons who do not meet the Amber and Silver Alert criteria, according to the FCC, enabling a more rapid and coordinated response to these incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FCC adopted the new alert code in 2024, stating that it will be especially beneficial to tribal communities, where Indigenous peoples face a disproportionate risk of going missing, experiencing violence and murder. More than 10,600 Indigenous people were reported missing in the U.S. in 2023, roughly 3,300 of whom were 18 or older, according to the FBI. The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System reported that more than 23,700 missing persons cases were in the database at the end of 2023, and 255 of those were for Indigenous people. In 2021, Arizona was ranked as the state with the third-largest number of unresolved missing Indigenous people cases in the country, according to NamUs. There are currently 91 missing Indigenous people cases in the NamUs database for Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A study from the Urban Indian Health Institute found that Arizona also has the third-largest number of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls in the country. That study reported 506 known cases in 71 urban areas across the country, 54 of which were in Arizona, including 31 in Tucson. There is still no single database that provides accurate numbers or data related to missing and murdered Indigenous peoples across the country. With no centralized database among the thousands of federal, state and tribal entities, the information available is limited. When looking at the numbers, its important to note that Indigenous people make up only about 6% of the population in Arizona. The state has only three major metropolitan areas, all of which have large Indigenous populations, and each of the 22 tribal nations in Arizona has a large number of people living on their tribal lands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Arizona, the recommendation for a missing endangered persons alert was first made in 2022 by the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls ad hoc committee and has continued as a recommendation by the task force. Jason Chavez, who leads Hobbs Office on Tribal Relations, said there has been positive feedback from tribal leaders and tribal law enforcement regarding the implementation of the MEP alert. Chavez said that tribal leaders and communities have long called for this type of alert, and the MMIP task force has advocated for it. Under the governors leadership, were finally ready to implement, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Increasing public awareness about MMIP is a challenge, Chavez said, but he believes that once this alert goes live, it will help shed some light on the ongoing crisis. This is one step in the right direction, he added. According to the FCC, the MEP alert is part of the nations Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alert System. It will be part of a set of codes utilized by tribal, state and local law enforcement agencies with access to the system, delivering a critical alert message to the public through television, radio and wireless phones. The Arizona Department of Public Safety will utilize the IPAWS alerting system for MEP alerts. This system can send alerts to specific locations, as narrow as the cross streets where a person went missing or as broad as the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once the alert is set up in the system and activated, it will immediately be pushed out to the public. The language in the MEP alert will closely resemble that of Amber and Silver Alerts. Capt. Thomas Neve, with the Arizona Department of Public Safety Emergency Management District, oversees the operations of Arizonas alert system. Neve has worked with the alert program for over a decade. He said the department has offered a Missing and Endangered Persons Advisory, but never an alert. Neve said that DPS issues about 150 emergency alerts annually. In 2024, they dispatched 131 Silver Alerts, but no Amber Alerts and 16 missing endangered person advisories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the MEP alert now allows them to send out an alert through TV broadcasts, radio and cellphones in real time when a person goes missing. Its a little bit of extra horsepower, he said, adding that it sends the messages out all at once, which ensures consistency in the messaging. The U.S. Department of Justice will release guidelines on pushing out MEP alerts, but they have not been released yet. Neve said they are preparing to fully establish the alert for Arizona so that they are ready when the guidelines are released. In general, Neva said the agencys first step is to verify that the report does not fall into any of the other alert categories and ensure that the reporting agency has identified that the missing person has truly gone missing. For instance, if the missing person is a minor, Neve said it needs to be verified that it is not a runaway or part of a custody issue where the biological parent may have taken the child, and that there isnt any danger to the child. Sometimes, people are reported missing because they didnt come home, but that doesnt mean they didnt go to another residence, he said, which is why there are a lot of things that need to be done by the local agency before an alert is considered. Neve said that agencies across the state have the potential to find that person without having to issue an alert, which is why part of the process of being eligible for an MEP alert is that the reporting agency needs to have exhausted all their available resources first. We recognize that some agencies are much larger than others that have better capability of doing that, but every agency has the basic capability of at least entering that person as a missing person, he said. Once that local agency has exhausted those resources and they otherwise meet the criteria, Neve said the final step would be an MEP alert. The local agency would request an MEP alert from the Arizona Department of Safety. Once their criteria are approved, Neve said they evaluate the request and determine whether it qualifies. Were the gatekeepers, he said. We would facilitate that activation on behalf of that agency, making the request. Neve said it is important to have a clear guideline for what constitutes an MEP alert because there is potential for overloading the public with alerts that it desensitizes the general public to the point that they ignore the alerts. There are several thousand missing person cases a year in Arizona, Neve said, and having an alert does not guarantee success in missing person cases. However, Neve said having an MEP alert is a big step because it solicits the publics help finding these missing people and bridges the gap in other alerts. All Arizona tribes can make an MEP alert request, and Neve said they would work closely with any tribal agencies. It doesnt matter if the tribal person went missing on or off the reservation; we can do an activation for that person, he said. Etnire said that the MEP alert system is not the tool that will end the crisis of MMIP, and it should not be viewed as such. This is not the tool that will end this, he said. Etnire said implementing the MEP has been a long time coming and the alert technology is another tool they can capitalize on. This is not the thing thats gonna solve the issue of MMIP within this country (or) within the state, he said, but it is a tool that law enforcement can use to hopefully fill in some of those gaps with the Amber Alert Program and the Silver Alert Program. Etnire said that for a tool to be effective, it has to be used. Its not just incumbent upon local law enforcement to utilize, he added. We have to work together as a whole. Navajo Nation Council Delegate Amber Kanazbah Crotty said she hopes that as Arizona works through implementing the MEP alert, there will be a clear idea of how the multiple agencies can work together to push the alerts. We need a collective effort to bring our relatives home, Crotty said, noting that the first 24 hours are vital for missing people. Its another layer of collaboration and data because of the different jurisdictional issues that we chronically have, she added, noting how the Navajo Nation spreads across three states and the tribe has a large population living on and off the reservation. She said having an MEP alert available is crucial for tribal communities because it enables them to notify more people and potentially increases the number of individuals searching for the missing person, which hopefully decreases the trauma for the family. Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, asks a question during a meeting of the Arkansas Senate on April 10, 2025. (Antoinette Grajeda/Arkansas Advocate) After five failed votes, a $750 million prison appropriation bill appears dead for the legislative session, and state lawmakers are considering other methods for securing the needed funding to build the 3,000-bed facility in Franklin County. The project has been controversial since it was announced in October, due to concerns over transparency, cost, infrastructure and an available workforce. Supporters of building the new state prison, including Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, have said its necessary to address overcrowding in county jails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Searcy Republican and Senate Bill 354 sponsor Sen. Jonathan Dismang said Thursday afternoon that he didnt see the point in continuing to vote because his legislation didnt have the 27 votes needed to clear the Arkansas Senate. Bills typically need a simple majority to advance in the Legislature, but appropriation bills require a three-fourths majority, or 27 votes in the 35-member Senate. Were getting toward the end of the session, really today would have been the last day I think to try to clear it through the House, Dismang said. Im sure that we can jump through some procedural maneuvers if something changes over the weekend, but I dont believe that well be passing that appropriation. House Speaker Rep. Brian Evans, R-Cabot, told the Advocate early Thursday evening that he thinks the Senate can get 27 votes next week since some members questions have been answered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think theyre very close to the 27, he said. There might have been an issue that came up this morning where a couple of them just said Hey can we get another question or two answered? I still feel confident that theyll get those votes on Monday and so the bill will come down here Tuesday, and were very optimistic that we have the votes here to pass it. Let us know what you think... Dismang said he expects quite a bit of movement over the summer on the estimated $825 million project because the Legislature set aside $75 million in 2022 that has already been appropriated to the Arkansas Department of Corrections. Following the states purchase of 815 acres near Charleston last year for nearly $3 million, the corrections board has moved forward with the project by hiring a construction management company and seeking proposals from architectural firms and contractors. The Legislature also set aside another $330 million for the project that hasnt been appropriated yet. State lawmakers have the ability to release some additional funding if needed, but Dismang said he doesnt expect the Legislature will have to take more action until they return for the fiscal session next spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if SB 354 was approved, Dismang said funding was always going to be released in stages, with the governor requesting various amounts by letter. The requests would require a three-fifths majority approval by the Arkansas Legislative Council, he said. The Saline Courier reported that Sen. Alan Clark, R-Lonsdale, said he anticipated the governor would call a special session to secure the funding, but Dismang said Thursday thats not the case. Were not going to waste money on a special session, he said. We had our ability to do something here. A minority of members decided they did not want to, and so this is where we are. Failing to approve SB 354 will not be detrimental to the project, according to Dismang, who said the experience over the last few weeks was good for the executive branch and the legislative body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have members that had questions, but werent asking their questions to anyone. We had an executive branch that was not probably reaching out as fully as they should, he said. I think the last two weeks thats improved greatly. You saw that with some movement of votes and probably would have had further movement if wed called for another vote just not 27. Sen. John Payton, R-Wilburn, initially voted against SB 354, but joined 20 of his colleagues in voting for the bill Tuesday after he said the executive branch addressed some of his concerns with the project, such as staffing. Green Forest Republican Sen. Bryan King, an outspoken critic of the project who seemed unlikely to be swayed, said Thursday he was pleased by the decision to halt voting on the appropriation bill. I am happy for the citizens of Arkansas and hope the Franklin County mega-prison scam is stopped before it gets past the point of no return, King said in a text message. Arkansas can do better by hiring more public safety officers to reduce crime and address overcrowding by building facilities in a more financially responsible way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No meetings are scheduled for Friday, but lawmakers will return to the Capitol Monday for the remaining days of the session, which is expected to end Wednesday. Reporter Tess Vrbin contributed to this story. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sen. Jonathan Dismang (left), R-Searcy, watches the Senate vote on SB 640, which would remove the seven members of the Arkansas State Library Board and allow the governor to replace them, on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Sen. Dan Sullivan (right), R-Jonesboro, sponsored a bill to abolish the State Library and its board, but a House committee rejected it on April 9. Next to Sullivan is Sen. Matt Stone, R-Camden. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) Arkansas lawmakers are considering removing all seven members of the State Library Board and allowing Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to replace them later this year. Sen. Jonathan Dismang, R-Searcy, filed the bill Wednesday night, less than two hours after a House committee rejected Senate Bill 536, a proposal to abolish both the State Library and its board and transfer their powers and responsibilities to the Arkansas Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 640 received initial committee approval Thursday morning and passed the full Senate in the afternoon. Bills usually are not heard by the full House or Senate until at least a day after passing committees, but the Senate suspended the rules Thursday to hear bills that had passed committee that morning. The seven-member State Library Board disburses state funds to public libraries on a quarterly basis. It has appeared fairly dysfunctional at its recent meetings, so the Legislature should wipe the board clean, Dismang told the Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs. At a special meeting in March, the board rejected two motions with a 4-3 vote. They would have created nonbinding policies to protect children from sexually explicit content in libraries and detached the State Library from the American Library Association. By the same split vote, the board passed a separate motion aimed at protecting children in libraries while honoring the First Amendment and library material selection standards. Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, filed SB 536 in response to the two failed motions, which he had asked the board to pass in order to ensure its survival. Sullivan has targeted the library board for its refusal to adopt policies directing public libraries to keep certain materials out of the hands of minors. Dismang told the Advocate that Sullivans requests were not extreme and should not have been difficult for the board to accommodate, particularly the one regarding content accessible to minors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think anyones innocent in the way that those conversations are happening on that board, he said. The tact both ways was not something that I was really impressed with, so starting over makes sense. The three board members who supported Sullivans requests were all Sanders appointees: former Republican state senator Jason Rapert, who moved to approve the requests; Shari Bales, whom the Senate confirmed alongside Rapert; and Sydney McKenzie, who joined the board in January and is married to Rep. Brit McKenzie, R-Rogers. SB 640 would require the seven new members to draw lots determining how their terms will be staggered, ending between one and seven years from when the bill becomes law. Subsequent appointees would serve seven-year terms, the current length of time board members serve. Sens. Bryan King, R-Green Forest, and Clarke Tucker, D-Little Rock, were the only Senate State Agencies committee members to oppose sending SB 640 to the Senate floor Thursday. Both voted against SB 536 on the floor last week, when the Senate passed the bill with 18 votes, the slimmest possible margin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King, Democratic Sen. Reginald Murdock of Marianna and GOP Sen. Ron Caldwell of Wynne did not vote on SB 640 Thursday afternoon. The Senates 27 other Republicans voted for SB 640. The remaining five Senate Democrats, including Tucker, voted against the bill, though Sen. Fred Love, D-Mabelvale, was erroneously recorded as voting in favor. Tucker told the Senate last week that the Legislature has the authority to reconstitute the State Library Board instead of dissolving it if lawmakers are dissatisfied with it. He said Thursday in an interview that SB 640 is the least harmful version of anything that we can do, but he opposed the bill because he didnt believe reconstituting the board was necessary. The House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs, the same panel that rejected SB 536, will be next to hear SB 640. Members of the Arkansas State Library Board (left to right) Jason Rapert, Lupe Pena de Martinez and Donnette Smith, whose term expired in 2024, participate in a meeting on Friday, November 8, 2024. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) Board members responses All six Senate Democrats and four Republicans, including King, voted against confirming Rapert to the State Library Board in December 2023. King and Tucker expressed concern during Thursdays committee meeting that Rapert might be reappointed if SB 640 becomes law. The bill does not preclude current members from reappointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked via email Thursday whether he would seek reappointment, Rapert said his appointment to the board was Sanders choice, not his, and he believes he has done the job expected of him. I fight for what is right and will continue to do so in all arenas of government, said Rapert, founder of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers, a conservative group responsible for model legislation introduced in several statehouses nationwide, including bans on abortion and gender-affirming medical care. During his tenure on the board, Rapert has repeatedly sought to withhold state funds from libraries where sexually explicit content is within childrens reach. The board has consistently voted against this proposal, and Rapert has called for the dissolution of the board. He said he would have been satisfied with SB 536 becoming law but believed the passage of SB 640 would still be a blessing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My hope is that new members on the board will allow for policies to be adopted to encourage our public libraries to ensure that children are protected from exposure to sexually explicit materials inappropriate for their age, Rapert said. That has been my goal since day one We would not be at this point if the members of that board had listened and taken positive action. The State Library Board is scheduled to meet the second Friday in May and in August. If SB 640 becomes law, it will go into effect Aug. 1, and it gives Sanders 30 days to replace the board. Board Chairwoman Deborah Knox said in an interview that she was encouraged that the State Library is no longer likely to be abolished but discouraged that she might lose her position. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board will be more likely to endorse Raperts efforts to detach from the American Library Association and to sequester books based on appropriateness for minors if all seven members are Sanders appointees, Knox said. I do feel that the State Library Board is essential and the Arkansas State Library itself is essential, Knox said. So any way that it can continue, Im for [that] even if Im not a part of it. Earlier this year, Sullivan sponsored Senate Bill 184, which would have abolished both the State Library Board and the Arkansas Educational Television Commission, the panel that oversees Arkansas PBS. SB 184 has not advanced since February, and Sullivan and the PBS commission chair said in March that they had reached an agreement that kept the commission alive. Sanders appointed Sullivans wife to the panel last year. More concerns SB 536 would have codified several new criteria for libraries to receive state funds, including minimum hours of operation per year and prohibit[ing] access to age-inappropriate materials to a person who is sixteen (16) years old or younger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dismang was one of three senators to vote present on SB 536. He told the Advocate Thursday that despite his concerns about the current board, he believed the State Library should continue to exist, partly because it oversees historical records that SB 536 would have transferred to the Department of Education. Rep. Howard Beaty, Jr., R-Crossett SB 640s House sponsor, Rep. Howard Beaty, R-Crossett, was among the bipartisan opposition to SB 536 during Wednesdays committee meeting. He said the conflict surrounding the State Library Board could have been resolved very easily if people on both sides had not dug their heels in and decided they werent going to negotiate. Sullivan amended SB 536 Wednesday, meaning it would have had to receive Senate approval again before going to Sanders desk. The Legislature will not meet Friday and plans to conclude the session next Wednesday, making it difficult for SB 536 to complete the legislative process if House State Agencies were to reconsider and pass the bill. The amendment to SB 536 removed a requirement for libraries collections not to have any materials that state law considers harmful to minors in order to receive state funding. Sullivan said he amended the bill at the request of librarians and community members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those community members was Victoria Kelley of Yellville, she told the Advocate Thursday. She also said SB 640 concerned her because she disagreed with dismissing entire boards without justifying the cause for what individuals did wrong, which continues a bad precedent that began in her home of Marion County. In December, County Judge Jason Stumph and the county Quorum Court dismissed the local librarys existing board members and later replaced them all in January. Stumph said the previous board failed to supervise Dana Scott, the director of the Yellville library who was dismissed and arrested Dec. 2 for alleged financial crimes. Staggered terms on the State Library Board are meant as a buffer to the kind of personal and partisan targeting were seeing so that one governor cannot overhaul the body, Kelley said. Kristin Stuart of Little Rock told the Advocate she had similar frustrations. She sought to speak against SB 640 during Thursdays State Agencies committee meeting, but chairman Sen. Scott Flippo, R-Bull Shoals, denied her the opportunity because she had not signed up in advance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its really just insane that they want to dismantle the board after the outright abolition [bill] failed, Stuart said. Its a power grab. Its an attempt to politicize a body thats operated independently for decades without partisan interference. Two good things about SB 640, Kelley said, are that the State Library will continue to exist and that new board membership will not make it easier to upend the Constitution. SB 536 had similarly fatal language as Act 372 of 2023, Arkansas Library Association (ArLA) President-elect Adam Webb said Wednesday. A federal judge blocked portions of the Sullivan-sponsored law last year on First Amendment grounds, and the state is appealing the ruling. The ArLA is neutral on SB 640, Webb said Thursday. 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. Webb and ArLA are among 18 plaintiffs that challenged the law. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BENTONVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) Senate Bill 426 was delivered to the Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders desk April 10, and aims to strengthen the states defense against people who enter the United States illegally and commit felonies through multiple tactics. The bill, if signed into law, would enhance penalties for people in the U.S. illegally who commit violent felonies, ensure sheriffs offices and the Division of Corrections involvement in the Warrant Service Officer Program, and expand the state ban on sanctuary cities. Senate Bill 426 is a continued aim to keep our streets safe in the state of Arkansas, said Arkansas Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester (R-Cave Springs), who is the lead sponsor on the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that Arkansas is the number one state for inbound migration because it is seen as safe, which he believes discourages gangs of illegal immigrants within the country from coming to Arkansas to commit crimes. If you come here, if you are here illegally and you commit a violent crime, were going to put you away for a very long time, said Hester. According to Hester, the bills target is illegal immigrants within the state who commit violent crimes, not limited to crime with a gun, murder, rape, or physical abuse. Those who fall into this category would receive an enhanced penalty for the crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, if you rape somebody, youre going to get an additional ten years that youre not eligible for parole, said Hester. The third and fourth section of the bill addresses county sheriffs offices and the Arkansas Division of Corrections involvement in the 287(g) program. According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the 287(g) program operates in three models: the task force model, the jail enforcement model and the warrant service officer program, the latter two being addressed within SB 426. The Jail Enforcement Model is utilized to identify and process removable aliens who have criminal or pending criminal charges and are arrested by state or local law enforcement agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill to allocate $750 million for new Arkansas prison likely not returning to Senate after multiple failures The Warrant Service Officer Program gives ICE the ability to train, certify and authorize state and local law enforcement officers to carry out administrative warrants on people in the U.S. illegally within their jails. Hester said the No. 1 thing to understand about the Warrant Service Officer Program is that it does not make local police officers and sheriff deputies part of ICE. Nothing changes with that at all. If you see them in the community, they are not part of the federal government. But if you are arrested, once you get into the in the jail because youve committed a crime, you are arrested, then we are requiring them to notify the federal government of your legal status, said Hester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website lists the Benton County Sheriffs Office as one of two Arkansas counties participating currently in the jail enforcement model. Though the bill focuses on illegal immigrants who commit violent crimes, the organization Aire is speaking out against the bill, with Aire member Alexa Roldan saying the bill increases fear within the immigrant community. It would increase fear within the immigrant community. Towards law enforcement, which we dont want that either. We want them to feel safe in the community that theyre in, said Roldan. According to Roldan, the bill not only impacts the immigrant communities relationship with law enforcement but also creates what she believes is an unfair justice system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If its the same crime, its the same crime. The intent was still bad. It doesnt matter what your status is or who you are, what your color is, or what language you speak at home. A crime is a crime, period. So the fact that theres a different charge depending on literally who you are and where you stand as a person in the United States, thats just not fair, said Roldan. Hester said he believes immigration is what makes America great when acquired correctly and legally. We want everyone that wants to come here and follow the process. We want them to be here. Were very welcoming people of the state of Arkansas. But it says that you cannot have a local city create a place that is safe for people to be here illegally, said Hester regarding Section 5 of the Senate Bill. Section 5 states that local governments cannot enact or adopt sanctuary policies, and if they do, they are no longer eligible for discretionary money provided by the state government, such as funds or grants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roldan said she has spent her entire life in Bentonville, but as a daughter of immigrants, she said she feels her family will be seen as criminals due to bills like SB 426. The concern about the immigrant community and how theyre going to feel about it all, knowing that theres no one place where they can feel safe and feel like they can go about their lives, about just living like every other person here, and also just how its going to impact the mental health of many other people, said Roldan. Hester said that he recognizes that the immigrant community is concerned with reporting crimes committed against them, especially with family members who may be here illegally. I really want to communicate that your local police officers, local sheriffs deputies, are not participating with the federal government unless you get arrested and are in prison. So we absolutely want everyone to know that you should be protected and safe while youre here in the state of Arkansas, said Hester. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanders has five days to sign the bill once it crosses her desk. Hester and Roldan believe that Sanders will sign the bill, which will pass it into 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 KNWA FOX24. Around 20 MPs from the Ukrainian parliament's ninth convocation have taken part in military service, with some having served directly on the front line. Source: Ruslan Stefanchuk, Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament), in an interview with Ukrinform Quote: "About 20 MPs of the current convocation have been involved in military service in one form or another. When people say 'you go to war', we have people who are already fighting or have fought, including on the front line." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Stefanchuk noted that some MPs from the previous convocation had been killed in the war and their names are now commemorated on memorial plaques on the walls of the parliament. He added that many members of the parliamentary staff were also drafted, and one of them was killed; his name has likewise been immortalised. Quote: "Parliament is a cross-section of society, and it is equally involved in decision-making as it is in direct combat. I sincerely believe that this parliament will soon transform from a parliament of war into a parliament of a victorious country. I want our victory very much, as does our entire society, and I hope it will happen." Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! GALESBURG, Ill. (WMBD) Knox County Sheriff Jack Harlan announced a Chicago man has been arrested for allegedly scamming an elderly woman in the Galesburg area. The sheriffs office became aware of the scam on March 31, and detectives began an undercover operation to determine what happened, Harland said. Detectives were able to communicate with the alleged scammers on April 9, which eventually led them to take 31-year-old Kalpeshkumar V Patel, 31, into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Knox County Sheriffs Office addresses crimes against the elderly with the utmost seriousness and urgency, Harland said. With the advancement in technology, it is important to protect vulnerable members of the community, ensuring that any acts of abuse or exploitation are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. They did not share any details related to the scam. The sheriff office encourages residents to report any suspicious activities affecting the elderly, and to report any suspicious calls you receive to local law enforcement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. ATHENS, Pa. (WETM) An Athens man could serve nearly a decade in a Pennsylvania State Prison after he was sentenced recently for a crime from December 2024, according to a release from the Bradford County District Attorneys Office. Michael Tyler Johnson, 32, of Athens, was sentenced to a minimum of 33 months to a maximum of nine years in state prison for the charges of terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, and simple assault, all misdemeanors. Johnson was convicted of the charges stemming from a December 6 arrest when police responded to a domestic incident at a home on 4th Street in Athens involving Johnson and the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six arrested after county-wide child sex abuse sting in Bradford County The victim decided to move out of the home, bringing family over to help move belongings, with the report claiming Johnson harassed her throughout that time. The harassment became so intense to the point where Johnson grabbed a shotgun from the home and pointed it at the chest of the victim while standing a few feet away from them, as a way to terrorize them, the report said. During testimony, the victim said she pleaded with Johnson not to shoot her, even pushing the barrel away, to which point Johnson pointed the shotgun at the floor and shot the ground, near the victims feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim testified the gunshot made her ears ring and made her fear for her life and was thinking about who would take care of her son if she were killed. During Johnsons trial, he tried saying his use of the shotgun was in self-defense as he thought the victim had a knife, but Bradford County District Attorney Richard Wilson said otherwise. Elmira man sentenced for kidnapping woman and her son Johnson was interviewed by police on the day of the crime, and never mentioned anything about a knife, Wilson said. This was simple a story Mr. Johnson made up at trial to try and justify his actions, and the jury clearly saw it for what it was: a lie, Wilson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report states that Johnson even admitted during cross-examination that he left the room to get his shotgun as a way to make the victim leave faster. Johnson will be required to pay for any counseling the victims child seeks who was there at the time of the incident. Johnson will be held on parole for a lengthy period after his release from prison, the release states. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. SULPHUR, Okla. (KFOR) A fugitive on Attorney General Gentner Drummonds 10 Most Wanted List has been arrested in Sulphur, Oklahoma. Officials say 50-year-old Jayson Geoffrey Evans was wanted for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to do harm in Indian Country as well as eluding a police officer. LOCAL NEWS: Metro teen hit by car near school bus stop, driver on the run Jayson Geoffrey Evans. Image courtesy OK AGs Office. He was arrested on Tuesday after a tip led authorities to the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Park rangers noticed some items belonging to Evans at a campsite. He was later seen riding a bike where FBI agents took him into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The capture of Jayson Evans represents the power of cooperation among our law enforcement partners and the vital role that vigilant citizens play in keeping our communities safe, said Attorney General Gentner Drummond. I want to express my sincere gratitude to the FBI, National Park Service, Murray County Sheriffs Office, Chickasaw Lighthorse Police Department and Oklahoma Highway Patrol for their outstanding work in bringing this dangerous fugitive to justice. To learn more about A.G. Drummonds 10 Most Wanted List, visit Oklahoma.gov. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An electronic board shows Shanghai and Shenzhen stock indices as people walk on a pedestrian bridge at the Lujiazui financial district in Shanghai, China April 11, 2025. China has delivered a new blow in response to the tariff wall erected by U.S. President Donald Trump against Chinese imports. On Thursday, Washington announced that the tariffs imposed on China had risen to 145% that is, the 125% announced earlier in the week, plus an additional 20% because of Chinas alleged export of fentanyl precursors. On Friday, Beijing retaliated with another increase in import taxes, raising levies from 84% to 125%, mirroring the action taken by the U.S. administration. The new rates will take effect on Saturday. Meanwhile, the 84% tariffs remain in place, which China activated on Thursday. The U.S.s imposition of abnormally high tariffs on China seriously violates international trade rules, basic economic laws and common sense, and is completely a unilateral bullying and coercion, said Chinas Tariff Commission of the State Council (the Chinese government) in a press release, as reported by Chinese state media. China also announced it will file another complaint with the World Trade Organizations dispute resolution mechanism a move it has made in response to each new wave of U.S. tariffs. This Chinese countermeasure, which significantly escalates the trade dispute between the two economic superpowers, comes on the same day Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing. During the meeting, Xi addressed the trade war with the U.S. for the first time, without directly naming the United States. There are no winners in the tariff war and standing against the world ultimately results in self-isolation, said Xi. Chinese President Xi Jinping, right and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez speak as they walk after a meeting in Beijing on Friday. Associated Press/LaPresse (APN) No contact Meanwhile, no high-level contact has occurred between China and the U.S. to address the growing rift in their relations. On Thursday, Mao Ning, Chinas Foreign Ministry spokesperson, stoked tensions by sharing on social media a speech from former president Mao Zedong during the Korean War, a conflict in the early 1950s that pitted China and the U.S. against each other. In the speech, Mao Zedong asserts that it is up to the U.S. president to end the war: No matter how long this war is going to last; we will never yield. On Friday, the spokesperson again posted another old message from Mao, calling the U.S. a paper tiger and warning not to believe its bluff. Yet no contact has been made, and neither side appears willing to be the first to pick up the phone. The world needs both China and the U.S. to talk, emphasized Sanchez in Beijing during a press briefing after his meeting with Xi. China also remarked that the back-and-forth tariff increases have become a meaningless numbers game. If the U.S. continues to play the tariff numbers game, China will ignore it. However, if the US insists on continuing to substantially infringe on Chinas interests, China will resolutely counterattack and fight to the end, said a spokesperson for the Finance Ministry. Currently, China is the only country with which the U.S. has engaged in a large-scale tariff battle, after Trump declared a 90-day pause on tariffs on the rest of the world on Wednesday. Beijing has reacted to every U.S. move with a range of countermeasures across multiple sectors. In addition to raising tariffs progressively, China has restricted the export of critical minerals and rare earth elements, which are key in the technological race and a top priority for Trump, who has expressed interest in securing them from Ukraine and Greenland. China has also imposed restrictions on several U.S. companies due to concerns over the potential dual-use civilian and military of their products, and added more names to its list of unreliable entities. Furthermore, China has announced it will reduce the number of Hollywood films imported and has issued a precautionary warning for Chinese tourists traveling to the U.S. due to the deterioration of Sino-U.S. economic and trade relations. Our countermeasures against US bullying are not only about safeguarding Chinas legitimate rights and interests, but also about defending international rules and order, safeguarding the common interests of all countries as well as global fairness and justice, insisted Lin Jian, another spokesperson for Chinas Foreign Ministry, echoing statements from previous days. He also reiterated that if the U.S. genuinely wants to negotiate with China, it must stop extreme pressure and acting recklessly. Any dialogue must be based on equality, mutual respect, and reciprocity, he concluded. Chinese state media continues to strongly defend against what it views as an unjustified attack by the U.S. In contrast to the US governments erratic random punches, which change almost daily, China has consistently maintained a calm, composed, and measured response, showing the world a China that can withstand pressure, remain steady, and shoulder great responsibility, stated Global Times on Friday, a newspaper controlled by Peoples Daily, the official propaganda outlet of the Communist Party. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition AUBURN, Ala. (WRBL) The Auburn Police Department is among a select group of law enforcement agencies in the nationand one of only two in the Southeastutilizing the Autel Dragonfish drone, a cutting-edge aerial platform with long-range surveillance, thermal imaging, and real-time video capabilities. With a two-hour flight time and the ability to cover expansive areas quickly, Auburn Police say the Dragonfish drone is vital for finding missing persons and monitoring massive events like game days at Jordan-Hare Stadium, which seats more than 88,000 people. Youll probably see it a whole lot on game day operations, crowd control, if we have anything going on at Toomers Cornerjust to monitor crowds and make sure we dont have vehicles in places they dont need to be in, said Captain James Pescia of the Auburn Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drones capabilities allow officers to pinpoint people in need or quickly detect incidents in dense crowds. In missing person cases, Pescia says time is everything: This drone can stay up in the air for almost up to two hours before we have to pull it back down for a battery change, and that could make all the difference in finding somebody or not finding somebody. While the technology has inspired hope among the public that drones could offer a safer alternative to dangerous vehicle pursuits, Pescia says the department is not thereyet. We intend on building our drone program all the way out with more sophisticated dronesto the point where we will have a drone on the scene before an officer even gets there, providing very valuable intel, Pescia said. So while we cant replace a police pursuit yetI am hopeful we will be there in the future. New data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows just how deadly police pursuits can be. In 2023, 542 people died in pursuit-related crashes nationwide. Of those fatalities: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 318 were occupants of the fleeing vehicle 196 were occupants of unrelated vehicles 24 were non-occupants, such as pedestrians 4 were officers in law enforcement vehicles Alabama reported 20 fatalities, including 16 in the suspects vehicle and four innocent bystanders. Georgia saw 26 pursuit-related deaths, including one officer, six unrelated vehicle occupants, and 18 people in the chased vehicle. Despite the Dragonfish drones sophisticated featuresincluding vertical takeoff, advanced zoom, and thermal imagingits use in active police pursuits remains limited due to strict FAA regulations. There are currently a lot of restrictions on flying beyond the visual line of sight, Pescia explained. So while the Dragonfish gives us an incredible advantage, its not something we can rely on exclusively in fast-moving or long-distance chases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Auburn Police are part of a national effort to explore the concept of Drone as a First Responder, which could allow agencies more flexibility in deploying drones ahead of officers in certain situations. The Dragonfish is used daily for patrol support, search-and-rescue operations, traffic monitoring, and crowd control during major city events. It is our vision at the Auburn Police Department to start utilizing technology and those resources to be a force multiplier, Pescia added. Our community is expanding exponentiallyand very quickly. Owned by the City of Auburn, the Dragonfish drone is available to assist any law enforcement agency in East Alabama. Auburn Police say they are committed to deploying the drone wherever its neededfrom county sheriffs offices to neighboring cities like Opelika. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. DENVER (KDVR) An 18-year-old who police believe to be a repeat, violent offender involved in multiple crimes was arrested in connection to a drive-by shooting that seriously injured a teen last Friday. The Aurora Police Department responded to the shooting at a gas station in the 3200 block of N. Peoria Street around 10 p.m. A teen male was found with a gunshot wound and was taken to a hospital with serious injuries and survived. Previous coverage: Teen seriously hurt in drive-by shooting in Aurora, police seeking information Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim and five associates told investigators that they were filming a music video when numerous rounds were fired in their direction from a white SUV traveling south on Peoria Street. Police said victims believed it sounded like automatic gunfire. 2 arrested after brief foot pursuit On Thursday, the department announced the arrest of Mark Jackson, an 18-year-old from Aurora, in connection to the shooting. Jackson was on parole and is the active defendant in an attempted murder case from October. During the investigation, police identified the suspect vehicle as a white 2003 Chevrolet Suburban. Police attempted to pull the vehicle over on Tuesday near East Quincy Avenue and South Parker Road but said Jackson sped off. Police did not pursue but kept an eye on the vehicle. Eventually, police said Jackson and a female passenger, 16, abandoned the vehicle in a neighborhood near East Mississippi Avenue and South Sable Boulevard. Officers tried to contact them, and a brief foot pursuit ensued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man convicted of killing Denver officer denied access to youth parole program Police deployed a Taser and apprehended Jackson, and the 16-year-old passenger was taken into custody without incident. Recovered firearm believed to have been used in shooting Police said two firearms were recovered from the scene. A .40-caliber Taurus Millennium G2 handgun was recovered from the female. A 9mm Glock 19 handgun with a switch, which converts a semi-automatic handgun into a fully automatic weapon, was recovered from Jackson. Investigators believe the converted automatic firearm was the gun used in Fridays shooting, the police department said. An 18-year-old who police believe to be a repeat, violent offender involved in multiple crimes was arrested in connection to a drive-by shooting that seriously injured a teen on April 4. Police said he was in possession of a 9mm Glock 19 handgun with a switch A 16-year-old female from Aurora was arrested on April 8, 2025 and found to be in possession of a .40-caliber Taurus Millenium G2 handgun. 2 teens facing multiple charges Jackson was booked into the Aurora Municipal Detention Center on four felony charges and one misdemeanor, including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Possession of a weapon by a previous offender Possession of a prohibited large capacity magazine Possession of a dangerous or illegal weapon, Vehicular eluding Reckless driving Charges against Jackson related to the shooting are pending further investigation. Police said the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office will formally file charges. He is being held on a $250,000 bond. Aurora: Twice as many encampments removed in first 3 months of 2025 than last year The 16-year-old, who police are not identifying because she is a minor, was arrested on misdemeanor charges of: Unlawful possession of a firearm by a juvenile Obstruction of a peace officer and violation of a protection order Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was booked on an active warrant for failing to appear in court for a prior misdemeanor offense, police said. Police said she is not believed to be involved in the shooting but is a suspect in other APD investigations. Jackson accused of previous attempted murder Police said Jackson has an extensive violent criminal history, including a prior weapons conviction and an active attempted murder case. Jackson was convicted of possession of a weapon by a previous juvenile offender in a case from 2023, for which he is serving a two-year parole sentence from the Colorado Division of Youth Services. In the last six months, Jackson has been arrested twice for possession of a converted automatic handgun. He was on parole during both arrests, the police department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In October 2024, Aurora police arrested Jackson in connection to a carjacking that happened hours before his 18th birthday. He is the active defendant charged with attempted first-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder, among other charges, in the Arapahoe District Court. Police said he posted an $80,000 bond in that case and was free on bond at the time of the drive-by shooting. Mark Jackson is a prime example of Colorados flawed criminal justice system, particularly with respect to the states juvenile offenders, said Aurora police Chief Todd Chamberlain. There is no accountability for criminal actions. There is no justice for victims. There is no meaningful rehabilitation. 2 arrested after stolen vehicle spotted in Broomfield: Police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said evidence suggests that Jackson did not know the victims in the drive-by shooting and that they were randomly targeted. The investigation is ongoing, and police ask anyone with information to contact Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUSTINTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Austintown residents may be in for a shock. Township trustees say to keep an eye on your electric bill because the price is about to surge. It starts in May and theyll see their first bill in June, and thats when the sticker shock will hit, said Austintown Township Trustee Bruce Shepas. Trustees say the phone has already been ringing off the hook, with residents concerned about getting zapped with a higher electric bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board recently renegotiated its electrical aggregate rate and the number has gone up. Its unfortunate that we continue to see increases at all levels, whether its utilities, the economic level, and the taxpayers and we feel the burden of it all the time. It just never ends, Shepas said. Last year, Austintowns rate was 4.99 cents per kilowat. This year, it jumps to 9.33 cents. Its not just happening in Austintown. Theres a shortage of energy everywhere. National and state leaders say this is because of artificial intelligence. The company trustees locked into an agreement with Dynegy, previously known as Energy Harbor gives residents the option to opt out free of charge. That runs through May 2026. Customers can shop around online via Energy Choice Ohio to find other suppliers, but officials caution you to proceed at your own risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would caution residents though, please read the fine print. Just because a rate might be lower, it may be for a shorter term and it may be a variable rate, Shepas said. Shepas says trustees typically start their annual renegotiation anywhere from 30 to 45 days prior to the previous years agreement expiring and customers accounts from Energy Harbor to Dynegy will automatically transfer if they dont opt out. I would caution them variable rate and make sure it has a free opt out program. The brokers are advising us that the rates are going to go up substantially more than what we agreed upon, Shepas 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 WKBN.com. By Kirsty Needham SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia is buying nuclear-powered submarines as a deterrent, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Friday, adding that the AUKUS treaty that has come under scrutiny amid President Donald Trump's trade policy was also in the United States' interests. The U.S. sale of three nuclear-powered submarines to Australia under AUKUS is facing new doubts as Trump's tariffs take hold, and amid concern in Washington that providing the subs to Canberra may reduce deterrence to China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Navy in September set a deadline of 2027 for its forces to be prepared for a conflict with China. Reuters reported, citing U.S. defence experts and documents, consternation that Australia's reluctance to even discuss using the attack submarines against China means transferring them out of the U.S. fleet in 2032 could hurt deterrence efforts. Campaigning for a May 3 election in the northern garrison town of Darwin, Albanese told reporters he was "confident about AUKUS". "We're investing in our assets so that we're more secure. Obviously you have assets there as deterrents," he said. "The great benefit of nuclear-powered submarines, as I've spoken about many times, the reason why the Government supports them is because of their stealth capacity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about comments by a U.S. defence strategist who told Reuters that Australia was unwilling to talk about the offensive capability of the submarines, Albanese said it was not responsible "to talk up war". Australia faces a 2025 deadline to pay the United States $2 billion under AUKUS to assist with improving U.S. submarine shipyards. "We support the existing arrangements that we have with the United States," Albanese said when asked whether he would agree to a request for more money from the Trump Administration. Opposition Liberal Party leader Peter Dutton said Australia needed nuclear submarines because it is an island nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The nuclear submarine allows us to project strength. It makes us a more reliable partner for our Five Eyes partners, and in addition to that Japan and other countries including the Philippines, India," he said on Friday, referring to the intelligence sharing agreement between Australia, the U.S., Canada, New Zealand and Britain. Albanese's government had cannibalised spending from other parts of the defence budget to pay for AUKUS, he said. "I do think it is at risk under Labor, because they are not putting money in. If the Americans think or the Brits think we are not serious about the programme, why would they proceed with it?" he told reporters in Western Australia. Labor has said it is spending A$50 billion more over a decade on defence. (Reporting by Kirsty Needham in Sydney. Editing by Gerry Doyle) An investigation is underway into the helicopter crash that killed six people -- the pilot and a family of Spanish tourists -- when the chopper plunged into the Hudson River between New York City and New Jersey on Thursday. A wreckage exam is now underway. The helicopter's engine and other components have been pulled off the wreckage to be closely examined, National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said at a news conference Friday. PHOTO: Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey, on April 10, 2025. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters) Divers on Friday are still working to recover other pieces of the helicopter, including the main rotor, the main transmission, the roof structure and the tail structure, Homendy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homendy asked the public to send any photos and videos of the crash to the NTSB. The family on board was Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, 49, his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, 39, and their children, ages 4, 8 and 10, officials said. PHOTO: Agustin Escobar and Merce Camprubi Montal. (Facebook) The family came to New York City to join Escobar, who was in the U.S. for a business trip, according to Jersey City Mayor Fulop. The family died one day before the 8-year-old's birthday, according to New York City Mayor Eric Adams. "We are working with [the medical examiner] to expedite release of the family to fly back to Spain," Fulop said on social media Friday. PHOTO: First responders work to remove the wreckage of a helicopter from the water after crashing into the Hudson River, in the Newport neighborhood of Jersey City, New Jersey, on April 10, 2025. (Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images) Joan Camprubi, the brother of Merce Camprubi Montal, joined Adams at a press conference Saturday afternoon, saying this a difficult time for the family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They left together, they left without suffering, and they left with a smile on their faces," he said. He said he wants to remember the family that way as well. Camprubi said they are grateful for the support they have received from Spain, Catalonia, the U.S., New York, New Jersey and Siemens. The family wishes to move the bodies to Spain soon, so they can "rest in peace together," Camprubi said. Adams added that he had dropped flowers as a symbolic gesture for the lives lost in the helicopter crash, including Sean Johnson, who was in the Navy. "He fought to defend his county," said Adams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our words cannot bring back their family members, but it is out way of saying as New Yorkers we stand united with this family during this moment of grief," Adams said. "Their grief is our grief. Their sorrow, is our sorrow." Also killed was the pilot, 36-year-old Seankese "Sam" Johnson, officials said. Johnson, who had served in the military, accumulated 788 hours of total flight time, the NTSB said. Johnson was "an amazing man," said Matt Klier, his friend from the Navy and a fellow helicopter pilot. "The man was an amazing pilot," Klier told New York ABC station WABC, adding, "That's all he wanted to do." PHOTO: Helicopter pilot Sean Johnson in a photo posted to his Facebook page. (Sean Johnson / Facebook) The chopper -- which was operated by the New York Helicopter Tours company -- fell into the 5-feet-deep Hudson River near Jersey City, New Jersey, on Thursday afternoon, just over 15 minutes after it departed from the Wall Street Heliport, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video from the crash showed the chopper plunging into the water without a tail rotor or a main rotor blade. It was found upside-down in the 50-degree water when rescuers arrived at the scene. "We are devastated," a representative of New York Helicopter Tours told ABC News. "My staff hasnt stopped crying." 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 ) MORE: Siemens exec and his family identified as victims in deadly Hudson helicopter crash New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters four victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Two others later succumbed to their injuries, she said. Officials at the Jersey City Medical Center, where the passengers were transported after the crash, tried as hard as they could to save the injured, Fulop told ABC News. PHOTO: Emergency personnel work at the scene of a helicopter crash on the Hudson River near lower Manhattan in New York, as seen from Newport, New Jersey, on April 10, 2025. (Eduardo Munoz/Reuters) Fulop said the city has had concerns about the air traffic over the Hudson River before and is hoping this brings more attention to their safety concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump called the crash "terrible" on social media and said the footage of the accident is "horrendous." Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a post to X that the news was an "unimaginable tragedy." PHOTO: Crews work to remove a crashed helicopter from the Hudson River on April 10, 2025 in Jersey City, New Jersey. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) MORE: Tourist helicopter crashes in Hudson River in New York City, all 6 on board killed 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It sounded like a sonic boom," another witness told WABC. He said he saw the "helicopter splitting in two with the rotor flying off." The chopper -- identified by the Federal Aviation Administration as a Bell 206 helicopter -- was on its sixth flight of the day. The company operating the helicopter has been in business for more than 30 years and has a fairly strong safety record. The NTSB has issued two reports: In 2015, one of their leased helicopters made a hard landing in New Jersey after the pilot had trouble controlling the chopper; in 2013, a helicopter with a family from Sweden on board made an emergency landing in the water following a maintenance issue. ABC News' Leah Sarnoff, Sam Sweeney and Erin Murtha contributed to this report. New York City helicopter crash latest: Authorities search for answers after 6 killed originally appeared on abcnews.go.com A government raid on an empty warehouse in Abkhazia has raised concerns about the unregulated energy consumption of crypto-mining operations. The facility appeared deserted, but it housed racks of computers that ran nonstop to generate digital currencies such as bitcoin. As CNN reported, crypto mining is banned in Abkhazia, a Russian-backed breakaway region of Georgia. Yet underground operations persist, amplified by cheap hydropower and weak enforcement. The result: blackouts, grid strain, and growing public unrest. What is crypto mining? Crypto mining features the use of high-powered computers to validate transactions and earn digital currencies. The mining equipment runs complex algorithms nonstop, making the process incredibly energy-intensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Usually, the more computational power used, the higher the potential profit. This incentive has led mining operators to fixate on regions with less expensive energy so they can cut costs and maximize returns. Why is crypto mining drawing serious scrutiny? Crypto mining's significant energy footprint is a pressing issue. It can consume electricity at a scale that can rival entire countries. A U.N. study found that in 2020-21, mining bitcoin used more power than all of Pakistan, home to more than 230 million people. This level of use strains grids and can limit access to more affordable energy for communities that need it most. The International Energy Agency projects crypto's electricity consumption will grow by 40% between 2022 and 2026. In some cases, operations have sparked public concerns, including reports of pollution from crypto mining facilities. "Electricity is the largest cost input to crypto," Georgetown University professor Theresa Sabonis-Helf said, per CNN. In regions including Abkhazia, that cost is increasingly paid by ordinary residents. How crypto mining impacts energy access and the environment Even when crypto mining uses more affordable energy, it can still take power away from local communities. This forces residents to consume more dirty energy. In Abkhazia, the round-the-clock mining has resulted in around 10 hours of blackouts each day, per CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, roughly 30% of Paraguay's electricity is lost, partly because of fraudulent crypto mining. Ongoing rolling blackouts in Tehran, Iran, have also been tied to unchecked mining that exhausts the electrical grid. Some companies are pushing for greener solutions, including the use of more efficient data centers, but the environmental footprint of crypto remains a concern. The urgency is underscored by a growing scientific consensus. Leading climate scientists have warned that delayed actions on energy-intensive sectors could have significant environmental impacts. However, there is optimism the sector could drive positive investments in cleaner forms of energy, ultimately proving to be a boon for the long-term health of the planet despite growing pains. 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. Im late for prison, Dani repeats every few minutes. He is a 28-year-old Syrian who was released in December when rebel militiamen opened the doors of the Suwayda prison in the south of the country, before ending half a century of dictatorship under the Assad family. He believes he is 75 years old, and despite having never set foot in Egypt, he claims to be from there, speaking with a pronounced accent from the Syrian province of Homs. He rubs his bony hands on the bed and slurs his words, the effect of the antipsychotics he takes to treat the trauma of six years in the dungeons of Bashar al-Assads regime. His parents admitted him to the Ibn Rush Psychiatric Hospital in Damascus on January 12, but the doctors have yet to get him to say what was done to him. Syria is facing the trauma of a long civil war with a weak and inadequate healthcare network, with barely 100 psychiatrists. The UN estimates that one in 10 Syrians suffers from a mild or moderate mental health condition, while one in 30 suffers from a more severe one. Prolonged exposure to the conflict has increased the prevalence of mental disorders. Dani (as hes known at the hospital) was called up for mandatory military service in 2018. After a few months, his parents stopped hearing from him. Dani reappeared last December in a video shared on social media, where a man said hed found him wandering the streets, says Massa el Maari, the psychiatrist in charge of the released patients at Ibn Rush. There are 19 former prisoners among the hospitals 50 residents. Most are in their twenties. The young man only asks for Abu Omar, the man who found him stranded in Suwayda and who provided him with shelter and affection for days until his family located him. Far from ending the nightmare they have experienced, his parents are living through a second ordeal with a returned son who doesnt even recognize them and who accuses them of kidnapping him. With 100,000 people missing in the war, thousands of families continue the endless search for their loved ones, swallowed up in mass graves or dungeons. This is the case of Ali, whose face is plastered on the streets of the markets in the center of Damascus with a photo of him before being imprisoned, and another of him after, along with contact telephone numbers. Photos are posted on Facebook pages in a desperate yearning to wrest some information about loved ones. Dr. Massa el Maari (center) and Dani (left), a 28-year-old Syrian man who was released from prison by rebel militants. Natalia Sancha For two months, his family has shown him photos and told him stories from his childhood, bringing his friends over, but Dani has completely lost his memory, hiding the horrors he experienced in some recesses of his brain. He no longer knows who he is. Now he shares a room with other patients who have also been robbed of their dignity and sanity behind bars. Several have arrived from Sednaya, on the outskirts of Damascus, dubbed the human slaughterhouse because torture and death were carried out within its walls on an industrial scale. The released prisoners have various medical problems resulting from physical abuse, notes El Maari: Many arrive with half their teeth knocked out, their jaws broken by blows, and almost all with vision problems. Their mental health is the least urgent issue for them. With beds limited, only those who pose a danger to others or themselves are admitted to Ibn Rush. Most of the inpatients and outpatients we treat suffer from depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, or psychotic episodes, explains Dr. Ghandi Farah, director of the hospital. The hospital employs only four psychiatrists among the eight resident physicians. The staff has been reduced to a quarter since the start of the war. The hospital, named after the Andalusian Muslim philosopher and physician Averroes, is one of four state-run psychiatric hospitals in a country where half of the medical facilities have been damaged or destroyed. Hospitals are subsidized, as is medication. In total, fewer than 100 psychiatrists are available across the country, serving a population of 17 million Syrians who have been exposed to 14 years of violence and poverty. About 75 specialists are in the area that remained under regime control, according to data collected by the local press in October during a seminar of the Syrian Association of Psychiatrists. Doctors estimate that some 10,000 specialists are needed. The vast majority of doctors fled in 2015 with the wave of refugees and few young Syrians opt for a specialization that is poorly paid and socially stigmatized as shrinks. We need specialized training for our doctors on cases of torture victims, says Farah, who predicts an outbreak of cases in the post-war period in the country. In addition to the shortage of personnel and beds, there is a lack of medicines due to the sanctions imposed on the country and the bombing of Syrias once important pharmaceutical industry. In the last decade, Russian or Iranian medicines, which are less effective than European ones, were imported. Relatives of the 100,000 people missing from the Syrian war search for their loved ones in an eternal mourning. Some have seen their relatives in videos shared on social networks, disoriented after years of torture, and share the photo and contact phone number on the walls of Damascus and hospitals, like that of this man, Ali. Natalia Sancha The director of the Ibn Rush Psychiatric Hospital in Damascus, Dr. Ghandi Farah, in his office. Natalia Sancha At the Ibn Khaldun hospital, medication is subsidized by the government, but they are running out of stock, so they have had to lower the doses given to patients. International sanctions and the destruction of Syria's pharmaceutical industries mean that drugs are in short supply. Natalia Sancha In a 2020 report, the UN warned that 75% of people with mental health disorders were not receiving any treatment, a situation that worsened across the board with the coronavirus pandemic. The final straw was the earthquake that struck the north of the country in 2023, leaving more than 7,000 people dead and a wave of depression and post-traumatic stress in the rebel-held region, with two psychiatrists for five million people. A man, his body marked by wounds and his skin covered in a thick crust of dirt, hugs himself in confusion, as if to protect himself from the men loading him onto the stretcher of the ambulance taking him to the Ibn Khaldun Psychiatric Hospital on the outskirts of Aleppo, Syrias second-largest city. He appears to be in his fifties and has a well-groomed beard, from which Ahmed Dakak, a resident psychiatrist at the center, deduces that he has been abandoned. The stigmatization in Arab societies leads these patients to be considered possessed by jinn spirits, and they end up being abandoned by their families. The center has 60 staff members, including security, nurses, and nine doctors, five of whom, like Dakak, specialize in psychiatry, serving half of Syrias 14 provinces. A man wandering bewildered through the streets of Aleppo is admitted to the Ibn Khaldun Psychiatric Hospital on the outskirts of Aleppo on February 10. Natalia Sancha Poverty and mental illness go hand in hand. Families already have enough to do just getting to the end of the day without having to take care of a sick person, explains this doctor, who comes from a well-known family of psychiatrists. Twenty percent of the 130 inpatients the hospital treats are picked up off the street. Those without names are renamed by the staff so they can be addressed. The new arrival is taken to the showers through a corridor where several patients, dressed in blue uniforms, follow him with their eyes, wolfing down the hot food they receive before their medication. Were running out of drugs, so we have to ration it, explains a nurse. Most of the patients suffered from mental illness during the war due to irreversible trauma. In the womens ward, the 27 patients crowd together, clinging to the bars of the dormitory doors. Most are no older than 30. In the nurses station, Marua stacks each patients file, reading out the diagnoses. Two elements are repeated in half a dozen cases: Sole survivor of bombing and sexual abuse. Women are doubly vulnerable in war, exposed to domestic violence, rape, and kidnapping, the nurses say. Nada, 20, has been in and out of the center for six years, since a bombing raid by Russian or Syrian fighter jets shattered her life. Fate decreed that Nada survived an attack that left her three siblings and parents torn to pieces on the living room carpets. She had gone to the bathroom. Unable to process the scene, the young woman suffered a bout of bipolar disorder. She was 14 and was taken in by an aunt, only to later become pregnant after being raped by one or more of her cousins. Her daughter, who must now be about four, was abandoned in an orphanage. Nada wears a purple tracksuit and has her hair tucked under a white-striped hat. She is unaware of her daughters existence, nor of the fall of Bashar al-Assads regime. She keeps her hands folded in her lap: Miss, Id like to go home. Do you think my aunt will come looking for me soon? Nurse Marua (center) talks to Nada (right), 20, who has been in and out of the Ibn Khaldun Psychiatric Hospital on the outskirts of Aleppo for the past six years. Natalia Sancha Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition An Idaho teen is in critical condition with his leg amputated after police shot him nine times. Officers say Victor Perez, a mentally and physically disabled autistic teen, wielded a knife when they encountered him in his front yard Saturday, but his family says police should have deescalated. Cellphone video shows Pocatello police arrive on the scene and, within 15 seconds, they opened fire, critically wounding Perez. Police chief Roger Schei said in a news conference, "Officers must make decisions in seconds. They assess threats, not just to themselves, but to those nearby. In this case, two individuals were within a few feet of an armed, non-compliant individual." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The four officers involved in the shooting were immediately placed on administrative leave in accordance with city policy, Pocatello Mayor Brian Blad said in a statement. Perez's family says he is nonverbal and has autism and cerebral palsy. "Nine bullets? They took nine bullets out of that kid," Perez's aunt, Ana Vazquez, said, questioning if the response was warranted. Perez remains in a coma. "We are addressing this matter with the seriousness and thoroughness it deserves and with the appropriate respect for the gravity of the situation," Blad said, adding, "The criminal, external, and internal investigations regarding the officer-involved shooting are underway." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No determinations will be made until the independent investigators have done their job," Blad stressed. Bridger Andres, who placed the 911 call that brought police to the scene, now deeply regrets making the call. "Growing up my whole life, I always thought that police were somebody that you call when you need help, somebody that comes to aid to defuse the situation. And this time, I feel like I called a firing squad," he told CBS News. Rodney Harrison, the former commissioner of New York's Suffolk County Police Department and a law enforcement contributor for CBS News, called the shooting "an unfortunate incident," but added, "The individual was laying on the ground, did have a weapon, did stand up and start coming toward police officers. The officers had to do what they had to do to stop the threat, unfortunately." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses describe moment helicopter crashed in New York City's Hudson River Gayle King opens up before spaceflight: "I'm looking forward to just floating in space" Greenland | 60 Minutes Archive This article is part of Running Out, an occasional series about Texas water crisis. Read more stories about the threats facing Texas water supply here. EL PASO The wind swept through El Paso one day in March, lifting a fine layer of dust that settled onto windshields, clothes and skin. The air was thick with haze from a dust storm. This border city, perched on the edge of the Chihuahuan Desert, receives on average less than 9 inches of rain each year. Water in the city of 679,000 people is a challenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inside El Pasos Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant, Hector Sepulveda, the plants superintendent, walks through rows of towering steel tubes as a loud hum vibrates through the air. This machinery is essential to providing thousands in the city with clean water. This is a desert community, Sepulveda said. So the water utilities have to always think ahead and be very resourceful and very smart and find resources to take the water that we do have here and provide for a desert community. Sepulveda says the citys dry climate, compounded by dwindling ground and surface water supplies and climate change has made innovation essential. A key piece of that strategy is desalination the process of removing salt and other minerals from seawater or salty groundwater so people can drink it. An inversion layer of dust settles over downtown El Paso on March 6, 2025. The citys little rain and dry climate has led water leaders to diversify where it gets its water from. Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune When it opened in 2007, El Pasos desalination plant was the largest inland desalination facility in the world. It was built through a partnership between El Paso Water and Fort Bliss, one of the nations largest military bases, when water shortages threatened the bases operations. Today, at max capacity the plant can supply up to 27.5 million gallons per day helping stretch the citys supply by making use of the regions abundance of brackish groundwater, salty groundwater with salinity levels higher than freshwater, but lower than seawater. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city wants to expand the plants capacity to 33.5 million gallons per day by 2028. El Pasoans used about 105 million gallons per day last year. As Texas faces twin pressures of population growth and prolonged drought, lawmakers are looking to desalination as a way forward. The Texas Legislature took a major step in 2023, creating the New Water Supply for Texas Fund, to support desalination projects including both brackish and seawater. This legislative session, lawmakers are pushing to accelerate that effort with a bill by state Sen. Charles Perry, a Lubbock Republican, that could dedicate millions for new water projects, including desalination. Senate Bill 7 cleared the upper chamber earlier this month and is now awaiting a House committees consideration. We've developed all the cheap water, and all the low-hanging fruit has been obtained. There is no more of it, and it's depleting what's left. We're going into the second phase of water development through brackish marine, brackish produced water and brackish aquifers, Perry said on the Senate floor before his colleagues gave the legislation unanimous approval. Sixty municipal water desalination facilities are already online, according to the Texas Water Development Board, the state agency that helps manage and finance water supply projects. Of those, 43 desalinate brackish groundwater. El Pasos is the largest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of December 2024, the agency had designated 31 brackish groundwater sites as production zones, meaning they have moderate to high availability of brackish groundwater to treat. The boards 2022 state water plan proposes implementing an additional 37 brackish groundwater desalination projects in South Texas cities like McAllen, Mission, San Benito; and West Texas towns like Abilene and Midland. The plan states that if all recommended strategies are used, groundwater desalination could make up about 2.1% of the states projected water needs by producing 157,000 acre-feet per year by 2070 enough to support 942,000 Texans for one year. Still, desalination isnt without tradeoffs. The technology takes a lot of energy, and construction costs can be steep. There are also several factors to consider that affect the final price tag: How deep the water lies, how salty it is, how far it needs to travel, and how to dispose of the leftover salty waste. The water board estimates treating brackish groundwater can run anywhere from $357 to $782 per acre-foot, while seawater desalination ranges from $800 to $1,400. Lawmakers say water funding at a state-level is critical to help communities shoulder the upfront costs of these alternative water supplies. Hector Sepulveda, superintendent of the Kay Bailey Desalination Plant in El Paso, lives just minutes away he jokes it's a convenience since his job is to keep the plant running. Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune How brackish groundwater desalination works Sepulveda, who has spent more than 30 years with El Paso Water, says the process at the desalination plant begins with brackish groundwater drawn from 15 wells near the El Paso International Airport. The salty water is transported to the plant where it is first filtered through strainers to remove sand particles. Then it is transported through cartridge filters. This process is similar to how household water filters work, but far more efficient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cartridge filters trap fine sediments smaller than a strand of hair, further filtering the water before it reaches the heart of the system: reverse osmosis, often referred to as RO membranes. Sepulveda, who wears a blue construction hat and highlighter yellow vest, stands amid a room full of long rows of stacked steel tubes, or RO membrane units. Here, brackish groundwater gets turned into fresh, drinkable water. Its pumped through these tubes each with 72 vessels at extremely high pressure, leaving behind salt and bacteria. A sectional view shows the inside of an RO tube that filters out salt at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant in El Paso, Texas on March 4. Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune Were separating the undesirable stuff from the potable water, he said, as he opened a faucet and sipped the water. At the end you end up with safe drinking water. The process is just amazing. Once cleaned, the water is divided between El Paso Water customers and Fort Bliss. Sepulveda said they will soon expand the plant to produce 33.5 million gallons per day by adding a sixth row of RO membranes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brine, or concentrated salty water left over from the process, is pumped 22 miles to deep well injection sites. The desal plant can separate up to 3 million gallons of brine a day. At the site, the concentrate is sent 3,500 feet underground into a fractured rock formation. Concerns of desalination While brackish groundwater desalination has proven to be a viable solution for inland communities like El Paso, environmentalists are raising concerns about the potential consequences of scaling up the water strategy. Seawater desalination is gaining attention as Gulf Coast cities like Corpus Christi start developing their own seawater desalination facility. For seawater desalination, Shane Walker, professor and director of a water research center at Texas Tech University, says the main concern is removing the excess salt. While most of the salinity comes from dissolved minerals that arent harmful, Walker says, high concentrations think of over-salted French fries can harm marine life and disrupt coastal ecosystems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seawater is much saltier than brackish water and salt levels vary widely depending on the source. In seawater desalination, the brine byproduct which can be twice as salty as seawater is often discharged back into the ocean. If not properly managed, this can increase salinity in bays and estuaries, threatening species like oysters, crabs and shrimp that are critical to local fisheries and ecosystems. An aerial view of the coastline in Corpus Christi on July 6, 2024. The city is set to build the states first-ever seawater desalination plant. Credit: Pete Garcia for The Texas Tribune Myron Hess, an environmental consultant for the nonprofit National Wildlife Federation, said that when plants take in water it could potentially suck in marine creatures with the ocean water. As you're diverting particularly massive amounts of water, you can be pulling in lots of organisms, Hess said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For inland facilities like the Kay Bailey Hutchison plant, the environmental concerns are different. They dont kill marine life, but disposal is still a concern. In El Paso, Art Ruiz, chief plant manager for El Paso Water and the former superintendent of the utilitys desalination plant, calls this disposal chemistry salts and says that disposal is handled through deep well injection into an isolated part of the aquifer. Ruiz said El Paso is blessed with a geological formation that has a natural fault that prevents the concentrate from migrating and contaminating the freshwater supply. In regions where this is not feasible, evaporation ponds are used, but they require large amounts of land and careful management to prevent environmental hazards. Deep well injection is a common method used for larger desalination facilities, but the geology has to be right, Walker said. You have to ensure that the injection site is isolated and wont contaminate freshwater aquifers. Another concern raised by water experts is how Texas manages brackish groundwater and whether the state is doing enough to protect nearby freshwater sources. Senate Bill 2658 proposes to exempt certain brackish groundwater wells located within state-designated production zones from needing a permit. Experts say the move would bypass a permitting process in the state's water code that was specifically designed to safeguard freshwater aquifers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The central worry is that brackish and fresh groundwater are often hydrologically connected. While brackish groundwater can be an important part of the state's water portfolio, Vanessa Puig-Williams, a water expert with the Environmental Defense Fund, says theres a real risk that pumping brackish water could unintentionally start drawing in and depleting nearby fresh water if oversight is not required from local groundwater conservation districts. Experts also caution that the production zones identified by the water board werent designed to guide site-specific decisions, such as how much a well can safely pump or whether it could affect nearby freshwater supplies. A pump and pipeline removes the waste water concentrate from the Kay Bailey Desalination Plant 22 miles away to be disposed of in a deep injection well. Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune Hess, consulting for the National Wildlife Federation, authored a paper on the impacts of desalination, including the price tag. Constructing a facility is costly, as is the energy it takes to run it. El Pasos desalination facility cost $98.3 million, including the production and injection wells construction, $26 million of which it received in federal funding. The technology to clean the water is energy intensive. Desalinating water in El Paso costs about $500 per acre-foot of water 46% more than treating surface water from a river. Seawater facilities require even more energy, which adds to the costs in producing or cleaning the water. TWDB estimates those range from $800 to $1,400 per acre-foot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas has no operating seawater desalination plants for municipal use, but the states environmental agency, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, has authorized permits for two marine desalination facilities and has four pending applications for seawater desalination facilities, three in Corpus Christi and one in Port Isabel. The first seawater plant in Texas is going to be expensive, Walker said. The first time somebody does something, its going to cost way more than the other ones that come along behind it, because we're having to figure out all the processes and procedures to do it the first time. Lessons from El Paso and the path forward Back at the Kay Bailey Hutchison plant in El Paso, Sepulveda, the plants superintendent, walks into a lab opened to students and professors from the University of Texas at El Paso, New Mexico State University, and Rice University to test new technologies to help refine the desalination processes or extend the lifespan of RO membranes. Sepulveda said water utility employees have learned a lot since 2007 when the plant first opened. RO membranes, used to clean the salty water, cost anywhere from $600 to $800. El Paso uses 360 RO membranes to run its plant. To extend the life from five to 12 years, utility employees figured out a system by checking salinity levels before extracting from a certain well. When we first bring water in from the brackish wells, we know how salty each well is, so we try to bring in the wells that are less salty to not put the membranes under such stress, he said. It almost doubled the life of the membrane. He added that this technique is also helping plant operators reduce energy consumption. Plant operators have adjusted salinity levels by blending the brackish groundwater with less salty water, which helps prevent pipe corrosion and clogging. Jessiel Acosta tests the water hardness of the raw water feeding into the Kay Bailey Hutchison Desalination Plant in El Paso on March 4. Credit: Justin Hamel for The Texas Tribune Their pipes are also now winterized. After the 2011 freeze, El Paso upgraded insulation and installed heat tape to protect equipment. As Texas moves forward with more desalination projects, Sepulveda said the lessons from El Paso will be critical as more plants go online. You always have to be forward-thinking. Always have to be innovative, he said, as the machines buzzed in the background. You always have to be on top of the latest technological improvements to be able to extract water from whatever scant resources you have. Disclosure: The city of Corpus Christi, Environmental Defense Fund, Rice University, Texas Tech University and University of Texas at El Paso 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. Doctors in Argentina were already on high alert when a pregnant Russian woman showed up at the hospital on March 21 with two other women to give birth. Hospital staff in the Patagonian city of Bariloche had seen them before four days earlier, they struggled to answer questions about where they lived and how they were related. The 22-year-old mother-to-be looked nervous and malnourished, and her companions didnt let her speak, according to police reports and Argentinas prosecutor. The women accompanying her implored doctors to document the babys last name as Rudnev the name of a notorious alleged cult leader operating in the country whom they insisted was the father, according to a prosecutors report. A week later, Argentine police located Konstantin Rudnev at one of the citys airports and arrested him part of a wave of arrests that day of over a dozen Russian nationals believed to be associated with his group. The two women accompanying the expectant mother to the hospital were also arrested in a raid of their shared home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Argentina prosecutor Fernando Arrigo, the pregnant woman may have been a victim of Rudnevs Ashram Shambala, an organization described by Russian authorities as a cult. Neither Rudnev nor his associates have been charged with a crime yet in Argentina, where criminal probes start with arrest and investigation before formal allegations. Arrigos office says it is examining the possibility that the mother and her infant were coerced into a scheme for Rudnev to obtain Argentine citizenship by having a child born in the country. His office is officially investigating 21 Russian nationals in the country who are accused of being part of a criminal organization that, for the purposes of sex trafficking and slavery, recruited a 22-year-old woman brought from Russia. Asked about the investigation and the claim that Rudnev is a cult leader, his lawyers in Argentina declined to comment. This handout photo shows documents seized during the arrest by the Airport Security Police in Bariloche, Argentina. Editors note: Portions of this photo have been obscured by the authorities. - Argentina Airport Security Police The alien guru of Ashram Shambala A mechanical engineering graduate turned religious leader, Rudnev founded the Ashram Shambala religious group in 1989. According to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti, he told followers that he was an alien from Sirius, a messiah sent to Earth to save people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sect once had a presence in 18 regions of Russia, including Moscow and St. Petersburg, and up to 30,000 members. Many of them cut off contact with their families and joined the group, where they worshipped their founder. Rudnev spread his philosophy and recruited followers through yoga classes, Russian authorities investigating the case told RIA Novosti. His book The Way of the Fool ridiculed the idea of starting a family, the desire to have children, study, and work, and extolled blind submission to his wishes, RIA reported. Russian authorities had previously tried to bring Rudnev to trial, but the cases never made it to court because his followers refused to testify. Those followers, according to Russian judicial sources, said they joined the sect voluntarily and had no intention of leaving, RIA Novosti reported at the time. In 2013, a district court in Siberia sentenced Rudnev to 11 years in prison for rape, violent sexual acts, illegal drug trafficking, and for creating a religious group that violates the citizens rights, according to RIA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As police arrested Rudnev and eight others at the Bariloche airport on March 28, he tried unsuccessfully attempted to harm himself, the prosecutors report said. This handout photo shows Konstantin Rudnev arrested by Airport Security Police in Bariloche, Argentina. Editors note: Portions of this photo have been obscured by the authorities. - Argentina Airport Security Police Investigators said all the women arrested along with Rudnev and one other man that day showed signs of malnutrition similar to those that put hospital staff in Bariloche on alert. A search of their cell phones revealed food rations and purchases of various products were authorized, and mandatory fasting was ordered as a form of punishment, according to Arrigo. Authorities also found on some of the travelers and their homes more than a hundred cocaine pills, a satellite phone, a dozen cell phones, nearly $1,000 worth of Argentine pesos and other currencies and two pickup trucks. Properties rented by the suspected Ashram Shambala members were all found to have blacked-out windows and mattresses on the floor, according to the prosecutors report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com A Russian American woman who spent more than a year imprisoned in Russia over allegations of financially supporting Ukraines military after a charity donation returned to the United States on Thursday night after a prisoner exchange. Ksenia Karelina, a former ballerina who had been living in Los Angeles, was arrested in Russia in February 2024 and sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony for high treason. The plane carrying Karelina touched down at 10:56 p.m. at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, near Washington, D.C. Ksenia Karelina arrives at Joint Base Andrews, Md., on Thursday. She was smiling as she exited the plane's steps and embraced her fiance, Chris van Heerden, who was waiting outside the jet. Van Heerden gave his coat to Karelina in the 50-degree night air and put his arm around her as they walked away from the plane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mr. Trump, I'm so, so grateful for you to bring me home and for American government," Karelina said in video recorded by Trump administration official Sebastian Gorka. "And I never felt more blessed to be American, and I'm so, so happy to get home." The Russian legal group Perviy Otdel and the U.S. spa where Karelina worked said she was arrested because of a $51.80 donation to a charity that provides aid to Ukraine. Karelina was freed in a prisoner exchange with the United States, the State Department said. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said she had been wrongfully detained by Russia. Early Thursday, the special envoy for hostage response, Adam Boehler, posted a picture of Karelina on a plane headed to the United States and holding an American flag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) has never provided many details of Karelina alleged crime. It claimed that the donation was subsequently used to purchase tactical medical supplies, equipment, weapons and ammunition for the Ukrainian armed forces. Ksenia Karelina just landed back home in America. She is 45th US citizen liberated by President Donald J. Trump since the Inauguration just 9 weeks ago. She has this message for our President: pic.twitter.com/DqZBCzdPPo Sebastian Gorka DrG (@SebGorka) April 11, 2025 Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, an attack that U.S., Europe and other nations have condemned as an unprovoked act of aggression. Karelina donated to the charity that same day. Freed in the exchange was Russian national Arthur Petrov, the State Department said. The Wall Street Journal, which first reported that Karelina was released Thursday, reported that Petrov is a dual German-Russian citizen who was arrested in Cyprus in 2023 at the request of the U.S. for allegedly exporting sensitive microelectronics. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com SAVANNAH, Ga. (WSAV) The Savannah Bananas and Party Animals officially have additional competition as the Banana Ball League announced two new teams. The first new squad aiming to take control of the league is The Firefighters! The team made its official debut on May 30, 2024, and has played 14 games to date. WSAV spoke with catcher Joe Lytle, who had this to say about playing for the Firefighters: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just think its so special because we get to represent something so much bigger than ourselves and entertain people. I just think it is awesome how much this has grown and allows us to interact with fans. Honestly representing the Firefighters really means something special. I got a bunch of firefighter friends and family so it is really cool. Lytle is originally from Yukon, Oklahoma and played college ball at Oklahoma City University. Click here to see the complete Firefighters roster. The second team stepping into the Banana Ball arena is the newly formed Texas Tailgaters. WSAV spoke with Tailgaters catcher Taylor Justus on what we can expect from the Tailgaters this season: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think you got a little sneak peek of it. Were gonna bring some energy. I think we got some guys who are fired up to be here. They are really taking this opportunity with a lot of gratitude, and I think we are gonna have a really special energy to this team. Justus was born in Thousand Oaks, California. He attended San Jose State and Biola University where he was a catcher. The Tailgaters will host home games at Rider Stadium in Frisco, Texas. You can follow both The Firefighters and The Tailgaters on Instagram. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In a world consumed by the whims and fancies emanating from the White House in Washington, the crisis bleeding Haiti dry, an unprecedented nightmare in the Western Hemisphere, has been relegated to the background. The UN has warned that more than 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is under the control of armed groups, criminal organizations that have taken advantage of the power vacuum to establish a state of terror: there are more than one million displaced people, the death toll has risen to more than 5,000, and human rights abuses are horrific. Amid the violence is the humanitarian crisis. Marisela Silva Chau, head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in the Caribbean country, warns in this interview that health services are on the verge of collapse and that food insecurity has nearly reached famine levels. Organizations like the Red Cross are trying to provide relief to a population on the brink, but they also face criminal terror: gang members attack these organizations convoys and threaten their staff. Humanitarian organizations currently have an extremely difficult job in Haiti. They are faced with the need to assess countless security risks and adopt mitigation measures to preserve the safety of their teams, says Silva Chau. While the world is coming to terms with the nervousness of the economic ups and downs of a new world order based on uncertainty, Silva Chau urges everyone to focus on the small Caribbean country that is silently bleeding to death: We must prevent a humanitarian collapse, she warns. Question. The International Red Cross has warned that the renewed fighting is fueling a humanitarian crisis with no end in sight. What is the current situation in the country? Answer. Indeed, the International Committee of the Red Cross, through its delegation in Port-au-Prince, shares your deep concern about the situation of the Haitian population most affected by armed violence in the country, particularly in the capital. Today, only 40% of health facilities are functioning. For a population of 12 million, access to basic health services is extremely restricted and on the verge of collapse. Between January 2024 and January 2025 alone, the number of internally displaced persons fleeing armed violence increased from 300,000 to more than one million. These people are displaced repeatedly in the face of the proliferation of armed confrontations in various parts of the capital. This exponential increase demonstrates the rapid deterioration of the situation in just one year. Q. Life in Haiti is becoming increasingly precarious. Clashes between armed groups and government forces have plunged the country into chaos. Hospitals are overwhelmed. How can people access health services now? A. Certainly, around 3.7 million people, roughly the total population of the capital, Port-au-Prince, currently depend on the few functioning health centers, particularly the Hopital Universitaire de la Paix, which is the only one capable of providing comprehensive services but is already overburdened by the closure of other hospitals and health centers, given the volatile security situation in the capital. In this regard, health centers such as those run by Doctors Without Borders (MSF) are an additional source of health services. Among other organizations, the ICRC is currently supporting the Hopital Universitaire de la Paix to ensure it can maintain its capacity to provide care. Q. There are also problems with the water and food supply. What consequences do you expect for the near future? A. Like food insecurity, which is close to famine levels as in other regions of the world affected by armed violence, the lack of access to drinking water is also a critical issue for the Haitian population most affected by violence. Water infrastructure has been destroyed as a result of armed violence since 2020, and the trend continues today. This means that a significant number of the Haitian population now depend on water trucks for access to drinking water. The ICRC is currently supporting the national water authority, DINEPA (Direction Nationale de lEau Potable et de lAssainissement), to ensure it can provide drinking water to the population living in the areas most affected by armed violence. An International Red Cross ambulance unit in front of a building damaged during clashes between criminal groups in Haiti. masilvachauICRC Q. Criminal gangs control 80% of Port-au-Prince. What implications does this have for the work of humanitarian organizations? A. Humanitarian organizations face an extremely difficult task in Haiti today. They are faced with the need to assess numerous security risks and adopt mitigation measures to preserve the safety of their teams. At the ICRC, our organization strictly manages security. Within the framework of our principles of neutrality and impartiality, we maintain bilateral and confidential communication with all stakeholders, managing the required security guarantees in a transparent manner. These security guarantees are the sine qua non condition for ICRC teams to remain on the ground supporting the Haitian population most affected by armed violence in their access to essential services. Q. What is the situation like now for International Red Cross staff? A. The ICRC continues to work in Port-au-Prince. We have a team of expatriates and national staff, totaling around 70 people. We are currently working to promote humanitarian access to essential services such as health care and drinking water for those most affected by armed violence. We are in contact with all authorities and arms bearers to promote respect for the principles of humanity in all circumstances. We are also supporting the Haitian Red Cross and other partners of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement present in Haiti. Q. Do you have basic security? Do you have government support? A. The ICRC manages the security of its teams bilaterally and confidentially with all concerned parties. Our activities are known to all authorities and to the bearers of weapons, as appropriate. Our principles (neutrality, impartiality) and working methodology (confidentiality) are known and accepted by all. Q. What call do you make to the international community? A. As an impartial, neutral, and independent international organization whose exclusively humanitarian objective in Haiti is to protect and assist the population most affected by armed violence, the ICRC calls on all stakeholders and the international community to deploy all necessary efforts and measures to ensure respect for and protection of the population, medical and humanitarian missions, and to prevent a humanitarian collapse in the country. The Haitian population is already at its limit. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition BROOME COUNTY, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) The Broome County Sheriffs Office is currently looking for Andrew Chambers on an outstanding warrant and is asking the residents of Broome County for assistance. Chambers is wanted for Burglary in the Second Degree. Chambers is described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is five feet eight inches tall and weighs approximately 150 pounds. Anyone with information on the location of Chambers is asked to contact the Broome County Sheriffs Office. Tips may be submitted electronically or by phone and will remain confidential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Broome County Sheriffs Office can be contacted at their tip line at (607) 778-1196 or Warrants Division at (607) 778-2923 or (607) 778-2933. Information can also be submitted on their website, gobroomecounty.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. Small business owners in metro Atlanta who sell wigs and hair extensions imported from China expect to pay more when they order new inventory due to the 145% tariff levied by President Donald Trump. If these tariffs are being implemented, its going to affect supply chains negatively, and its going to affect how our customers buy, said Maureen Yancey. Yancey is the owner of MY Beauty Unlimited on LaVista Road in Tucker. She sells hundreds of different wigs, hair extensions and other accessories. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] She says her customers include people undergoing chemotherapy and people experiencing hair loss. But most of her customers are people looking for a new image. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can change your look every day, every week, and I do have a lot of customers who do that, said Yancey. She says her wigs range in price from $20 to $400. Although she doesnt know for sure, she expects the import tariff could increase the price of less expensive synthetic wigs by about 25% to 30%, which would amount to a $10 to $20 hike in price. She says wigs made with human hair could see an even bigger rise in price. Maybe $100 more. Its going to affect the industry pretty heavily, said Yancey. RELATED STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She told Channel 2s Tom Regan that she doesnt want to pass price hikes onto her customers, but she doesnt have any choice. Her regular customers say they understand the dilemma shes in and will support her business. Its all very disappointing. As a community, we take pride in our appearance. And knowing all of a sudden costs are going up, its not exciting. Were trying to keep small businesses here. How are they going to keep up with the cost? said customer Chane Dill. China is the number one exporter of wigs and extensions, which is a multi-billion-dollar industry. Yancey says she will look to buy inventory from manufacturers in lesser taxed countries, like India, Vietnam and Cambodia. Its going to be tough. Im going to have to see what the effect is and then explore my options for sourcing these wigs, said Yancey. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] This story was produced by the State College regional bureau of Spotlight PA, an independent, nonpartisan newsroom dedicated to investigative and public-service journalism for Pennsylvania. Sign up for Talk of the Town, a weekly newsletter of local stories that dig deep, events, and more from north-central PA, at spotlightpa.org/newsletters/talkofthetown. BELLEFONTE In 2006, Pennsylvania sold 135 acres it owned to a nonprofit development corporation for $1. The Chamber of Business and Industry of Centre County envisioned creating a commerce park that would bring businesses, jobs, and taxes to the community, Greg Scott, president and CEO of the development agency since 2021, told Spotlight PA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell, who signed off on legislation approving the deal, said the move could bring up to 4,000 jobs to the area, the Centre Daily Times reported. The vast area surrounding SCI Rockview was underutilized but shovel-ready for industrial development, Rendell pitched in 2005, according to the CDT. Creation of high-tech jobs in the future business park would keep bright, young engineers and scientists and business graduates from Penn State in the community, Rendell said. But over the past two decades, the commerce park has seen sluggish growth even as the development agency bought an additional 82.5 private acres to expand the footprint and make the design more cohesive. Millions of dollars have changed hands as parcels were sold, benefitting developers and business owners before the community could reap the growth originally promised. Now, Amazon is moving in, a signal to Scott and former state Sen. Jake Corman (R., Centre) that the parks economic plan is coming to fruition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, its hard to say whether the states choice to essentially give away the land will benefit taxpayers more than selling it to the highest bidder would have. A spokesperson for Pennsylvanias Department of General Services told Spotlight PA in an email that the commonwealth generally doesnt track the eventual fate of such land. The process does create the opportunity for the decision-making to be more deliberative and consistent with the good of the community rather than just going to the highest bidder, Penn State Professor of Agricultural Economics Tim Kelsey told Spotlight PA in an email. I cant say how well this promise is actually achieved, however. Surplus land that is owned by the state but serves no purpose can be transferred to an outside entity, the Department of General Services spokesperson said, through a process called conveyance. The commonwealth can transfer land to a local redevelopment authority by agreement. It can also sell property by a competitive bidding process or to a direct buyer through legislative action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the case of Benner Commerce Park, Rendells administration, as well as the legislature, approved the land conveyance essentially for free and gave the Centre County Industrial Development Corporation the chambers business arm a decree to place the property into productive use within five years. The business park is situated between State College and Bellefonte. Its location, near the intersection of Interstate 99 and state Route 150, is an advantage that cant be understated for commercial growth, Centre County senior planner Chris Schnure told Spotlight PA. He added that readily available public utilities also strengthened the appeal for potential development there. Corman told Spotlight PA that the states decision to convey the land to the local economic development agency benefitted the district he represented. Those local agencies should decide the best use of that land, said Corman, who became a founding partner at the lobbying firm One+ Strategies after he left office. My job was to free up the land for local use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scott told Spotlight PA that the chamber wanted to increase the footprint of the business park and make the design more cohesive, so it purchased additional land in 2009. Those 82.5 acres which bordered the east side of the originally state-owned land were sold to the chamber by the Ault Family Limited Partnership. The land came with a price tag of $1.8 million, county records showed. That was five times its fair market value then, according to the deed. But owning those more than 200 acres of land and attempting to develop them backfired for the chamber because of the effects of the 2008 financial crisis, Scott said. Even though several businesses moved into the park and bought parcels in its infancy, the Great Recession stalled plans to bring in more occupants. A majority of the lots sat empty. Interests to build a YMCA campus or a brewery there did not materialize, county planners told Spotlight PA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chamber borrowed money and leveraged itself financially in the hope of profiting from the business park, Scott said. But facing debt issues, it ended up selling five parcels of the park or about 90 acres in 2014 to a private company, Bellefonte-State College I-99 LLC, county records showed. The company paid $2.7 million for the purchase. The chamber told the CDT it hoped the group of experienced local developers Bob Poole, Heidi Nicholas, and Paul Silvis who owned the company would have a better chance at developing the park. State Rep. Scott Conklin (D., Centre) at the time questioned whether the sale was properly marketed before it was finalized, according to the CDT. Conklin and another state lawmaker asked for the auditor generals office to review the transaction, but the evaluation never materialized due to layoffs at the agency. The developers separately bought a parcel where the new Amazon warehouse will be built in 2019, according to Spotlight PAs review of county records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement YMCA of Centre County paid $300,000 for the land, where a new campus was planned, but never occupied it. The majority of this parcel was previously owned by the Ault family and not a part of the land gifted by the state. The Bellefonte-State College I-99 LLC bought their 46 acres for $500,000. The developers became the owners of more than 136 of about 217 acres that make up Benner Commerce Park. Poole, Nicholas, and Silvis the owners of Bellefonte-State College I-99 LLC did not return Spotlight PAs requests for comment. Despite the local developers experience and ownership and a push to enroll the park in the Keystone Opportunity Zones program, which eliminates some state and local taxes to entice investment, Benner Commerce Park did not see much progress until a warehouse proposal came in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plans for the warehouse originally raised eyebrows because no one knew the company behind them. Amazon employed a firm to shield its identity via a nondisclosure agreement when submitting development plans to the county. That mystery remained for nearly three years. We dont know who this is, Centre County Commissioner Steve Dershem said during an April 2022 public meeting, when the county was first presented with a proposal for a million-square-foot warehouse. Dershem said the secrecy raised concern. At the level that this is, I think we deserve some answers as a community. Property development firm SunCap submitted and withdrew two nearly identical proposals for a million-square-foot warehouse on Amazons behalf in 2022. In 2024, a new plan for a significantly smaller facility was presented and received conditional approval. SunCap did not respond to a request for comment for this story. The county learned that Amazon was the end user only when the deed was filed in December 2024, Schnure added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amazon purchased 103 acres in the commerce park from Bellefonte-State College I-99 LLC for $6.3 million, according to county records. Scott, of the chamber, said its not yet clear how many jobs the Amazon warehouse would create but suggested between 100 and 200 positions. Corman said Amazons arrival will generate new tax income for Benner Township. He credited the chamber for fulfilling a vision for economic development that started nearly two decades ago. It took a lot longer than any of us anticipated, he said. But now its actually getting some growth, and thats a positive thing. County planners told Spotlight PA that the Amazon warehouse still requires a few approvals, including for traffic, zoning, stormwater, and easements, before construction can begin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the few parcels left to be developed, Scott said Amazon moving in signals the completion of the buildout of the vision of Benner Commerce Park. SUPPORT THIS JOURNALISM and help us reinvigorate local news in north-central Pennsylvania at spotlightpa.org/donate. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability and public-service journalism that gets results. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), an influential member of the Senate Democratic Conference, who has been a leading voice on expanding the Child Tax Credit and supporting Ukraine in its war against Russia, says he will run for governor of Colorado next year. Bennet will announce his gubernatorial campaign at an event with family and supporters in Denvers City Park on Friday. Im running for governor to build a brighter future in Colorado and give people a chance at a better life. The best solutions to our challenges will not come from Washingtons broken politics. They will come from us, Bennet said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together, we can make Colorado the best state to live, work and raise a family in, and provide the leadership and vision our country needs, he said. Bennet, a member of the powerful Senate Finance Committee, was a leading advocate for expanding the Child Tax Credit during President Bidens first two years in office, when Democrats controlled the Senate and House. The expanded tax credit that was included in the 2021 American Rescue Plan was credited with reducing child poverty by 20 percent to 30 percent across the country. It provided up to $3,600 per child under age 6 and up to $3,000 for children 6-17. If Bennet wins the governors race, he would become the fourth Democratic senator to step down from Congress at the end of 2026, joining Sens. Gary Peters (Mich.), Tina Smith (Minn.) and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peters, Smith and Shaheen have all said they wont run for reelection. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), who is 80, may also announce his retirement at the end of next year, though hes keeping his plans close to the vest. Bennet, who was appointed by former Gov. Bill Ritter to fill the Senate seat vacated by former Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colo.), has represented Colorado in Washington since 2009. He served as the superintendent of the Denver public school system and as chief of staff for then-Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper before coming to the Senate. He won reelection to the Senate in 2010, 2016 and 2022. Bennet, who is 60, ran for president against a crowded Democratic field in 2020 but failed to gain much traction in the race. He dropped out after a poor showing in the New Hampshire primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He faces a Democratic primary contest next year against Phil Weiser, Colorados attorney general, who has already announced his plan to run for governor. Weiser has joined lawsuits against the Trump administration to stop its plans to dismantle federal agencies and impose new voting restrictions on the states. Several prominent Colorado leaders have already endorsed Bennet, including Hickenlooper, the junior senator from Colorado; Rep. Joe Neguse (D-Colo.); Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colo.); Denver Mayor Mike Johnston; and former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb. Neguse in a statement praised Bennet as a kind, thoughtful and dedicated public servant who has always stood up for the people of our great state, from protecting public lands to fighting for Colorados kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Jared Polis (D), who took office in 2019, is term-limited. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The News Michael Bennet is running for governor of Colorado, continuing a trend of senators seeking more impact back home in an executive branch. The Democratic senator has made no secret of his frustrations with the Senate. And in announcing his campaign, he made sure to take a shot at the legislative branch: The best solution to our challenges will not come from Washingtons broken politics. They will come from us. Too many Coloradans struggle to afford to live here; our states budget is in crisis; and, President Trump has waged an all-out assault on our values and economy, Bennet said in announcing his campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bennet will not resign his Senate seat as he pursues a bid to succeed Democratic Gov. Jared Polis, according to a person familiar with the matter. His Senate seat is not up until 2028; he easily won a third full term in 2022. And Bennet will be the odds-on favorite to win the governorship in a state that dramatically shifted away from Republicans during the Trump era. Hes launching his campaign with the support of Sen. John Hickenlooper, Reps. Joe Neguse and Jason Crow, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and Colorado legislative leaders, hoping to quickly lock up the Democratic nomination. Republicans dubbed Bennet the accidental senator, a moniker he co-opted after he was appointed to the Senate to succeed former Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo. Now Bennet is seeking to head back to Denver, where he was superintendent of the public schools, and will share a ticket with Sen. John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., a former governor who warned Bennet he might be bored running the state. Former Sen. Mike Braun passed on a second term in Congress to become Indiana governor in 2024. Two other senators are weighing gubernatorial runs this cycle, Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee; she is widely expected to launch her campaign soon. When the Nazis invaded Austria in 1938, a Jewish teenager named Theodore Mischel fled with his family to the United States just in time to avoid getting killed. The young man returned to Europe as an American soldier and miraculously survived World War II. He was spared combat in the Battle of the Bulge, one of the deadliest battles of the war, because he contracted mumps. He had dodged death twice, but years later, a lethal and excruciatingly painful stomach tumor crossed his path. His son Paul, then 14, decided he would study medicine and dedicate his life to fighting cancer. He wanted to look the enemy in the eye. Five months ago, his team discovered that mysterious, tiny DNA circles appear in the cells of more than half of patients with highly aggressive tumors. Mischel, born 62 years ago in upstate New York, is leading a $25 million international consortium to solve the mystery of these DNA loops. He believes his work could revolutionize the treatment of up to a third of all cancer patients. Mischel, from Stanford University, visited Madrid to participate in a symposium organized on Thursday by the CRIS Cancer Foundation, a non-profit organization that announced an investment of 11 million to fund cancer research projects. The American doctor, who is a member of the Spanish foundations international scientific committee, made a momentous discovery in 2014. The human cells instruction manual, DNA, is mostly stored in packages called chromosomes. In 1965, researchers in the United States and the United Kingdom detected an enigmatic extrachromosomal circular DNA, hundreds of times smaller, in the cells of people with tumors. For half a century, this genetic material was considered rare and insignificant. Until Mischels team revealed, just over a decade ago, that this tiny bit of DNA outside the chromosomes was linked to highly aggressive cancers. Five months ago, he announced that these elusive molecules which contain mutated genes that cause cancer or genes linked to the ability to evade the bodys defenses are omnipresent in people with the most lethal tumors. Its a new paradigm. Mischel compares it to the discovery that the Earth was not the center of the universe. Question. You wanted to look the enemy in the eye. What have you seen in that gaze over the decades? Answer. I saw something that doesnt care. Its our own cells that stop listening to us, looking out for themselves and not us. And Ive seen the horror. Its frightening: our own cells are going rogue, which is why its such a problem. Those cells are us, but not entirely us anymore. Were going to have to be very thoughtful and wise to prevent it from happening, to catch it early if it does happen, and to treat it far more effectively. And I think it will be possible to cure it in many people; were already seeing it. Q. Is this extrachromosomal circular DNA a trigger for cancer or a consequence of an existing tumor? A. It's not just a consequence, it's a trigger. We've studied people with Barrett's esophagus [a disorder caused by acid reflux from the stomach, which increases the risk of developing a malignant esophageal tumor], and if they had higher levels of extrachromosomal DNA, cancer developed later. We also have evidence in mice of its biological mechanism, which shows that it's a transformative event that causes cancer. It's a trigger. Q. This circular DNA was identified in 1965, but until 2014 it was thought to be rare and of no importance. A. We had a high-resolution map of the human genome, but it was from normal cells in healthy people. The inference was that what you detected in a cancer cell was in the same place as in a normal cell, but it turns out not to be. Often, those genes that were driving cancer weren't where we thought they were according to the map [within the chromosomes], but were in extrachromosomal DNA elements. Q. You compare the old chromosome-centered cancer paradigm to astronomer Ptolemy's old map of the solar system, with planet Earth at the center. In that example, you are Nicolaus Copernicus, who placed the Sun at the center. A. That would be saying something. Lets just say Im someone who was inspired by Copernicus and asked this question: Where are things actually in the cancer genome? The map was wrong. Q. Five months ago your team published a study that revealed that this circular DNA is found in 17% of the cancer patients whose samples were analyzed, but the percentage exceeds 50% in people with some very aggressive tumors, such as HER2+ breast cancer and glioblastoma in the brain. A. And in many other types. We finally had a clear idea of how frequent this was. And the answer is: very frequent. Q. And is extrachromosomal DNA the trigger for all these tumors? A. I dont think we can necessarily say that. What we can say is that its there in all of these cancers. If you also consider our other data, which show that extrachromosomal DNA can be a factor that causes cancer, then I think we can assume, with relative certainty, that in some of these patients it was the causative event. Were also seeing that extrachromosomal DNA can become a problem by causing resistance to cancer treatment. These circles are one of natures ways of rapidly changing genomes. And thats exactly whats happening, both in causing cancer and in creating resistance to treatments. Paul Mischel, a professor of pathology at Stanford University, on Thursday at the Ramon Areces Foundation in Madrid. Jaime Villanueva Q. You have $25 million to research this circular DNA. What questions do you want to answer with that money? A. We set out to answer several questions: How does it form? How does it function? What goes wrong for this to happen in the first place? How does it evolve and how does it cause cancer to evolve? What is its role in the development of resistance to treatments? How does it affect the immune system? Could we find a way to activate the immune system against this extrachromosomal DNA? And finally, can we develop new treatments? There is still a lot of work to do, but we have already begun to transform our fundamental understanding of some of the most aggressive cancers. Q. One of your friends had glioblastoma and told you, Whatever you do, do it quickly, because people like me dont have much time. When will we see treatments targeting extrachromosomal DNA? A. The first one is already in clinical trials in patients. Its a drug targeting a protein called CHK1, and its being tested by a company we founded, called Boundless Bio. And there are more in the pipeline. We need to develop more effective treatments, because these are the patients who are being left behind. Patients like my father, who likely had this extrachromosomal DNA. He had stomach cancer, a type of tumor where about 38% of patients have these circles. And, in really aggressive cases, even more. My fathers was very aggressive. Q. Does that drug work? A. We dont know, its being tested. Q. Does it work in mice? A. Yes, it works very well in mice and is now being tested in people. I'm confident we'll have effective treatments for patients with tumors driven by this extrachromosomal DNA. Q. Your consortiums website claims you could revolutionize treatment for up to a third of all cancer patients. Do you believe that? A third of all patients? A. I believe so. In the study we published five months ago, we saw that this circular DNA was present in 17% of all cancers, but that data corresponded mainly to early-stage tumors. Now we know that, as cancer progresses and metastasizes, the frequency increases. We don't know what the maximum percentage is. Q. Is it theoretically possible to have a single drug for that third of cancers? A. Thats been everyones dream, to have a drug that would work across these types of cancer. I think its within the realm of possibility that we could develop drugs that work on tumors that have extrachromosomal DNA, regardless of the type of cancer. In this field, weve learned that most malignant tumors, when not detected very early, generally require multiple drugs. So, of course, were going to have to investigate this possibility as well. Q. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has canceled or frozen billions of dollars in science funding. Do you have a problem with Trumps cuts? [The $25 million for his consortium comes from the U.S. National Cancer Institute and Cancer Research UK.] A. Cancer research is incredibly important. What most people fear most is cancer. Its a scourge. Its a plague on humanity. Theres nothing more important, and I think its critical that we put all our resources into helping these patients and into research, which is the heart of that help. Its an obligation. The people we need to listen to are the people whose children, siblings, partners, parents are suffering from cancer. People like me dont do this work for ourselves. Were inspired to change things because this is one of the biggest problems facing humanity. So my answer is that the right thing to do now, both in the United States and around the world, is to make a full-on effort to ease the burden of suffering from cancer, to figure out how to prevent it, how to diagnose it early, how to treat it more effectively. Nothing is more important. Q. Are there also cuts in cancer research funding under the Trump administration? A. We dont know whats going to happen, really, and that uncertainty is a very difficult situation. We need to make it very clear that funding for cancer research is critical. I think most people see it that way, because I dont know anyone whose family hasnt been affected by cancer. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Sen. Bernie Sanders had choice words for the billionaires in the White House last night. CNN held a televised town hall with Sanders, where members of a politically diverse audience asked the longstanding Vermont senator questions on April 9. One question on the current administration's cuts to the federal workforce ignited Sanders' trademark zeal against the billionaire class, specifically against one person: the richest man in the world, Elon Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Slashing jobs all over the place, telling people based on nothing that they have poor performance records, throwing them out into the street is outrageous," Sanders said. Additionally, believing it to be a Musk-led effort, Sanders said that Musk and his colleagues are proposing to cut 83,000 jobs at the country's Department of Veterans Affairs. "Lowering the quality of care for our veterans, delaying the kind of time in which they're going to get their benefits is a total outrage," Sanders said. Here is what you might have missed during Sanders' CNN town hall. Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks during his "Fighting Oligarchy" rally at Mullett Arena in Tempe on March 20, 2025. More: Forbes released its billionaire list. Meet Vermont's only billionaire Bernie Sanders on artificial intelligence The 83-year-old statesman said that while most people don't work for the federal government, labor expendability isn't exclusive to the public sector, especially not to billionaires and their use of artificial intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They don't give a damn about you," Sanders said. "If this is what they could do to federal employees, think about what they could do to people in the private sector." While saying that he isn't an opponent of technological progress, Sanders expressed that many people's jobs will be dissolved within 15 years or less if AI is not regulated. "New technology, AI, robotics has got to work for working people, not just for the billionaires and Mr. Musk," Sanders said. Sanders on Trump's Canada rhetoric Sanders also said that President Donald Trump's belittling of Canada and its prime minister is not helpful and has damaged the once positive relationship the United States and Canada once had. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Canadians, who I love, they're great people, they're not coming into Vermont anymore," Sanders said. "They're not coming into America anymore, they're boycotting American goods." More: Instead of 'stealing Greenland from Denmark' Bernie Sanders thinks Trump should steal this When asked about how the United States would go about fixing U.S.-Canada relations after Trump's tariffs and turn in office, Sanders said that he would want to acknowledge past wrongdoing and lead the nation based off of American democracy, compassion and climate justice. "We are becoming isolated from the rest of the world," Sanders said. "So there's very little I can see that would make it worth that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Bernie Sanders tears into Elon Musk, Donald Trump on CNN town hall FRANKFORT, Ky. (FOX 56) Gov. Andy Beshear said the state is not at a point to require a special session to respond to natural disasters yet. As Kentucky moves past its latest disaster, Beshear is concerned that the available money budgeted to respond could be maxed out before lawmakers craft the states next budget in 2026. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are going to reach that cap at some point. I dont have a date for you yet. My goal would be to try to do something about it before we hit it. But remember, these natural disasters, we dont get to plan, Beshear said. At Thursdays Team Kentucky briefing, Beshear explained the scale of the disaster. More than 70 counties declared states of emergency, and the Ohio River is expected to crest in communities further downstreamOwensboro, Henderson, and Paducahover the weekend, possibly into next week. Beshear said this is unlikely to cause more flooding, but said there is still concern about bad road conditions. Beshear said the death toll has now also risen to seven with deaths in Bullitt, Carroll, Franklin, McCracken, Nelson, Pendleton, and Trigg counties. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beshear said the state will be submitting its application for individual FEMA assistance on Friday. If approved, he expects the initial help to be for a limited number of 10 to 12 counties but promises there will be more. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: We want to make our best case to get that first round in, and then we will add counties. After that, weve been through enough of these. We know that that is the fastest, most effective, and most efficient process to do it, Beshear said. Beshear said conversations are already underway with FEMA about where to place disaster recovery centers when the request is approved. Affected families could be eligible for an initial $750 in help and up to $42,000, depending on whats claimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And everybody needs to document, document, document, take pictures of everything damaged, get as specific as you can; if you can get the serial number on a damaged appliance, that will help your application significantly, Beshear 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 FOX 56 News. Tomasz Wolskis documentary The Big Chief, which world premiered this week at Visions du Reel, follows the life of Soviet spy ringmaster Leopold Trepper. Variety speaks to Wolski about the film and debuts the trailer. Trepper, a Polish-Jewish communist, ran a network of Soviet spies across Western Europe, named by the Germans as the Red Orchestra, from the mid-1930s until 1942, when he was captured by the Gestapo and then escaped. When he returned to Moscow after the war he fell out of favor and was imprisoned for 10 years. When he went back to Poland, he led the countrys Jewish community for some years, but was persecuted, and denied permission to emigrate to Israel. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2016, Wolski was researching another film, An Ordinary Country, in Polands Institute of National Remembrance, which holds documents and footage from the Nazi occupation through the decades of Soviet domination that followed. I was preparing a film about Poland through the eyes of secret service officers, he says. And, at some point, I found documents and film reels that were labelled Leopold Trepper. He didnt know who Trepper was, but was intrigued and delved into the files and footage. There were more than 20 reels of film in this trove, showing interviews with Trepper conducted by a French crew, led by Jean-Pierre Elkabach, from the 1970s, and confiscated at the airport. After Trepper was denied the right to move to Israel, and was put under round-the-clock surveillance, Elkabach and other supporters in France mounted a campaign to allow him to leave Poland. The head of the French intelligence service said that Trepper had collaborated with the Gestapo during the Nazi occupation of France and betrayed members of the Resistance to save his own skin. Treppers allies fought this in court and won, resulting in the French spy chief being removed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, there remains many enigmatic aspects to Treppers story, and for Wolski that is the point. I made this film because I deeply believe you cant be sure of what happened in the past, he says. I mean, we have problems finding out whats going on around us now, so how do you get to the truth about some event that happened 80 years ago? He adds: I dont agree with journalists and historians who try to base their work on documents in the archives. One of the issues is that the competing intelligence agencies, including the French, Poles and the KGB, were all planting false information as part of their campaigns of disinformation during the Cold War. One of the central issues is whether Trepper genuinely collaborated with the Gestapo after he was captured or, as he claimed later, he was feeding them false information and alerted the Soviets that the Red Orchestra had been compromised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have a lot of doubts [about whether he genuinely betrayed the Allies], and I would even go as far as saying that I dont believe that, Wolski says. But maybe, he just wanted to save his life. I dont know. I mean the thing is that we cannot judge. He adds: I dont want to judge some of the decision made during the war, when their lives were threatened. We dont know how we would behave in that situation. Completely different rules applied at that time, so its really hard to go there. One of the issues dealt with in the film was the antisemitism that was prevalent in Poland, especially after the 1968 student protests. Antisemitism is still present in Poland. I think we have a huge problem [with that], especially its impact in the past. A few years ago, when we had a different government, they clamped down on historians who were trying to find out the truth [about Polish antisemitism]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He adds: For some reason, we cannot accept that it happened. But, when your life is miserable, you have to find someone to blame, and the Jews are often [an easy target]. He says: This story is also about the Westerners who really wanted to help someone that was living [under a despotic state] in the East. Wolski himself had to deal with the divisive nature of politics in Poland. When he first submitted the project to the Polish Film Institute, under the previous conservative government, he was rejected. He had explained he wanted to be even handed but he was told that if he portrayed Trepper as a traitor he might get his funding. But, later, after a change in the expert in charge of the decision-making at the institute, he got his funding. At another funding body in Poland, the decision-maker questioned whether Trepper was actually Polish as he was born in an area that was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire at the time. The Big Chief is produced by Anna Gawlita at Kijora Film. The co-producers are Polish Television TVP S.A., INA, Atoms & Void, KBF, and the Mazovia Institute of Culture. It is co-financed by the Polish Film Institute. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Bikini barista workers at two different stands reported a man tried to attack them, Washington police said. Now authorities are searching for him. The first incident happened at about 1 p.m. April 6 at Ladybug Espresso on Evergreen Way, according to the Everett Police Department and KATU. A man walked into the stand and tried to assault the female worker inside, but she was able to fend him off, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then three days later a man went to Steamy Shots Espresso, which is about a two-mile drive southwest down Evergreen Way, police and KATU reported. He went into the coffee stand at about 3:30 p.m. and also tried to assault the female worker there, police said. Baristas at both locations gave police the same description, and in both instances, police searched the area for him but couldnt find him, authorities said. Police are asking the public for help identifying him. Hes about 6 feet, 3 inches tall, and appears to be 20 to 30 years old with a dark mustache or goatee. Anyone with information can contact the police department at 425-257-8450 or by calling the Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-8477. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everett is about a 30-mile drive north from Seattle. Bikini coffee shop owner accused of sexually abusing workers, Oregon cops say City ordered bikini baristas to cover up. Thats unconstitutional, WA judge rules Shirtless hunks replace bikini baristas as Dreamboyz Espresso opens in Seattle State Sen. Victor Rountree of Bellevue, on April 10, 2025, as lawmakers debate his priority bill before eventually advancing it to the next stage. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN A Bellevue state senators priority bill to remove a lifetime ban on public food assistance for Nebraskans convicted of drug felonies advanced Thursday to its next law-making step, despite resistance from a fellow Sarpy County lawmaker. Currently, Nebraska has a narrow exception to the ban for people with one or two drug possession or drug use felony convictions. They can access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), previously known as food stamps, if they have completed a licensed and accredited treatment program. A Nebraska bill aims to give people with certain drug convictions a chance to gain access to SNAP benefits. (Getty Images) Legislative Bill 319, championed by State Sen. Victor Rountree of Bellevue, would open the door for other felony drug offenders who currently cant access SNAP benefits, as long as theyve completed their sentence or are on parole or under post-release supervision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 32-5 vote moved LB 319 forward. Seven lawmakers were present and did not vote. Piece of the puzzle The most vocal opponent was State Sen. Bob Andersen, also of Sarpy County. They chose to be a drug dealer, and now when they come out of prison you want to give them more money in food stamps, said Andersen, who is serving his first term. Rountree, also a freshman lawmaker, said his time on the Legislatures Judiciary Committee has given him a deeper appreciation of the rehabilitation needs for those transitioning out of prison. He and others noted that Nebraskans who kill or rape someone can get access to SNAP benefits after theyve served their sentences. But thats not the same for people with certain felony drug convictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That doesnt make sense to me, said State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward. At what point do you get to become a citizen of the United States again and try to do better? Rountree said his bill is a piece of the puzzle needed to fortify inmate rehabilitation efforts and continues the effort led in the last legislative session by State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha. State Sen. Jana Hughes of Seward. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) About 1,000 Nebraskans would be impacted by his bill, Rountree said. It comes with no additional state cost, according to a fiscal analysis, as SNAP benefits are paid with federal funds. SNAP provides low-income people with a stipend to buy food at certain retailers and also has an employment and training component. Everybody has to eat, Rountree said, adding that hunger can lead to circumstances that increase the chances of someone committing another crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its righting a wrong. Its righting an injustice, said State Sen. Jane Raybould of Lincoln, a proponent. She noted that 220 people wrote in support of the bill, versus 12 who opposed it. Not swayed Andersen, questioning Rountree during legislative debate, said those affected should turn to nonprofits and philanthropic groups not the government for help after theyve served their time in prison. He was not swayed by comments from State Sen. Brian Hardin of Gering, a proponent of LB 319 who said that three of the most conservative states around us are already doing this, that would be Iowa, Wyoming and South Dakota. State Sen. Bob Andersen of Sarpy County. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Rountree said 26 states have opted out of the SNAP ban entirely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hardin said that when the ban is in place, the recidivism goes up pretty dramatically from about 3% to about 10%. He said without the change, more people would go back to prison because of bad things they do outside of prison when they dont have access to food. Said Andersen: Just cause all the other states are doing it doesnt mean we should, too. Ban dates back to 1996 The ban dates back to 1996 welfare reform and the nations war on drugs. States can pass laws to opt out or modify the ban. That is how Nebraska previously created the exception for people with lesser drug offenses. A full prohibition remains for those with a felony conviction for drug sale or distribution. State Sens. Victor Rountree of Bellevue and Megan Hunt of Omaha. April 10, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) State Sen. Mike Jacobson of North Platte was a yes vote but said he was conflicted partly because the bill didnt cut off benefits after a certain number of felony drug offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rountree said he was willing to work with Jacobson and others before the bill is debated at a later stage. He said the bill had much support during a previous public hearing. Proponents include the Lincoln police chief and the Omaha Police Officers Association. If our law enforcement says this is going to help us have better interactions on the streets. If it is going to cut that recidivism rate down then my fellow senators, this is what we need to do, said Rountree. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Rep. Shaundelle Brooks, a Nashville Democrat, wipes her eyes after a bill to restrict gun ownership for certain mental health patients passed in a House Committee. The bill was later taken off notice in the Senate. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) A bill that would criminalize knowingly giving firearms to someone who recently received inpatient mental health treatment was pushed to 2026 on Wednesday amid questions about its language. Rep. Shaundelle Brooks, a Hermitage Democrat, named the bill Akilahs Law in honor of her son Akilah Dasilva, who was killed in a mass shooting at a Nashville Waffle House in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooter, Travis Reinking of Morton, Illinois, had a history of schizophrenia and delusions. Prior to the shooting, Illinois State Police had revoked his firearm owner identification card, forcing him to surrender his guns to his father. His father then returned the guns to Reinking, breaking Illinois state law. Tennessee bars giving firearms to juveniles or intoxicated people, but not those who have been committed for mental health evaluation. Brooks said her bill intends to bring Tennessee in line with the Illinois law that prohibits someone from giving or selling a firearm to a person who has been a patient in a mental health institution within five years. Brooks bill passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee in late March, but questions over the bills scope and language arose in the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Paul Rose, a Southwest Tennessee Republican, asked for clarity on what the bill defines as a mental health institution and what it means to be admitted. Rose questioned whether a person who makes routine visits to a mental health provider for medication would be considered a patient of a mental health institution under the bills definition. The bills Senate sponsor, Memphis Democrat Raumesh Akbari, said she did not believe the bill would apply in that case. Elliot Pinsly, president and CEO of the Behavioral Health Foundation, said the way the legislation is written could have a chilling effect on peoples willingness to seek mental health treatment in Tennessee. Pinsly, a licensed clinical social worker, founded the policy-focused nonprofit in 2020. The actual bill makes it a crime punishable by up to one year imprisonment to sell, give or otherwise transfer a firearm to a person who has received just about any kind of mental health care or addiction treatment in the past five years, voluntary or involuntary, outpatient or inpatient, Pinsly said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Facing uncertainty on the outcome of a committee vote, Akbari chose to move the bill to the general subcommittee, essentially putting it on ice until it can be resurrected in 2026. I look forward to Representative Brooks continuing to move this through the House I will be working with all members on this committee so that we can reach a solution so we can really protect folks in Tennessee, Akbari said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX State Sen. Erin Grall sponsored Florida's tight abortion restriction and now wants to allow wrongful-death claims for fetal death. (Photo via Ron DeSantis Facebook page) This Florida Legislature continues its all-out attack on reproductive freedom. A near-total ban was not far enough for this extreme anti-abortion Legislature. Although the majority of Floridians 57% voted to limit government interference with abortion, Floridas extreme anti-abortion politicians are ignoring the will of the people and seeking to further restrict abortion access in Florida. Now they are seeking to open the door to civil lawsuits for money damages against doctors and even the friends, family, and clergy members who help individuals seeking abortion care obtain the care they need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 1284, by Sen. Erin Grall, and its House companion, HB 1517, by Rep. Sam Greco, purport to be about ensuring that grieving expectant mothers injured by a third party can recover for their loss of pregnancy. However, this type of recovery already exists under current law. (See Tanner v. Hartog, 696 So.2d 705 (1997)). This bill is unnecessary for that stated purpose. The Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice approved the bill on Thursday, the second committee to do so. Its next stop, if taken up, will be the Senate Rules Committee. The legislation has already cleared the House. So, what are these bills really about? You guessed it: abortion. These bills will make it harder for pregnant patients to access abortions by threatening their healthcare providers and support systems with civil lawsuits for damages. These are not hypothetical situations we have seen dangerous wrongful death cases like these brought in Texas and Arizona. In Texas, a man sued three friends of his now ex-wife for $1 million each for helping his then-wife access abortion pills. In Arizona, a man accompanied his former wife to her abortion appointment, then, two years later following their divorce, filed a wrongful death suit against the clinic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is worth noting that this bills Senate sponsor is the same senator who brought us the extreme six-week abortion ban and who has made clear her opposition to abortion. These deceptive bills make it more difficult for Floridians to access the care they need by threatening litigation against loved ones and healthcare providers. They incentivize and encourage civil lawsuits for money damages for abortions against doctors providing essential health care and against the friends, family members, and support systems who help their loved ones access the care they need. This could lead to doctors denying necessary healthcare and delaying treatment for pregnancy complications. Additionally, the threat of having to defend against lawsuits and having to pay money damages will likely result in fewer OB/GYNs willing to practice in Florida or provide care to Floridians. As more and more OB/GYNs leave Florida for states where they are not subject to civil lawsuits, the quality of prenatal care in Florida will suffer. Because these bills also encourage lawsuits against the friends, family, and support systems of pregnant Floridians, they will result in pregnant patients being more isolated and afraid to seek help from friends and family members for fear of exposing them to potential lawsuits. Any stage of development Under these bills, civil lawsuits for damages could be brought by any person who impregnates someone else, including an abusive ex-partner, a rapist, or an uncommitted partner. Additionally, the bills would broadly define unborn child as including any stage of development, thus treating a fertilized egg the same as an actual child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the vast majority of states that allow for similar wrongful death lawsuits, the unborn child must have reached the developmental stage of viability in order to bring a wrongful death action. This overly broad bill would allow for wrongful death civil lawsuits with regard to fertilized eggs and embryos. The bill sponsors disingenuously claim that these bills are necessary to support grieving families, but current law already allows expectant parents to seek compensation for their pain and suffering after the loss of a pregnancy. Do not let yourselves be duped. If these bills have nothing to do with restricting abortion access, the bill sponsor would simply amend the bill to state that no cause of action shall be brought against anyone in connection with an abortion. The devastating impact of these bills on abortion access in Florida is clear. Treating fertilized eggs the same as actual human beings could lead to dangerous cascading restrictions on fertility services like IVF, as well as patient access to emergency care and cancer treatments. Anti-abortion politicians arent satisfied with criminalizing abortion after six weeks. They wont stop until they abolish all access to abortion and there are no OB/GYNs left in the state to provide such care. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE CHIPPEWA FALLS A bill that would delist wolves from the Endangered Species Act is moving forward in Congress after it passed through a key committee in the U.S. House. The bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany, R-Minosqua, gained approval in the House Natural Resources Committee. Tiffany introduced a similar measure last year, but Tiffany previously told the Leader-Telegram hes more confident it will pass this time around, now that Republicans control the House, Senate and presidency. The bill is dubbed the Pet and Livestock Protection Act and will now head to the full U.S. House for a vote. Tiffany wrote in a press release that hes excited about clearing this first hurdle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The damage to pets, livestock, and wildlife from an unmanaged wolf population can no longer be ignored, Tiffany wrote Wednesday night. The gray wolf has exceeded federal and state recovery goals, with over 1,000 wolves now thriving in Wisconsin. Its time to take the next step, delist them, and let the people closest to the gray wolf manage their population levels. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is a co-sponsor of the legislation. The science has been very clear on this topic for years: gray wolves are fully recovered and their comeback should be touted as a success story, Boebert wrote. Now its time we encourage states to set their own guidelines and allow ranchers, farmers, and landowners to protect their livelihoods. I look forward to voting for this bill on the House floor and ultimately getting it to President Trump for his signature. The Pet and Livestock Protection Act requires the Secretary of the Interior to reissue the 2020 Department of the Interior final rule that delisted gray wolves in the lower 48 United States. It also ensures this rule cannot be overturned through judicial review, preventing activist judges, like the California judge who vacated the rule in 2022, from relisting the gray wolf by judicial fiat, the press release states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With more than 6,000 wolves at the time of delisting, the gray wolf has been the latest Endangered Species Act (ESA) success story with significant population recoveries in the Rocky Mountains and western Great Lakes regions, the press release reads. However, a California judge overturned the rule in 2022 and relisted the gray wolf. Meanwhile, the wolf population in Wisconsin has increased each of the past three years. There have been numerous gray wolf attacks in Wisconsins Seventh District over the last few years, the press release states. A total of 30 House members are co-sponsors of the bill, including Rep. Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, and the other four Republican congressmen from Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters of the measure include the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemens Beef Association (NCBA), Public Lands Council (PLC), National Rifle Association (NRA), Safari Club International (SCI), Hunter Nation, International Order of T. Roosevelt (IOTR), Congressional Sportsmens Foundation, Mule Deer Foundation, Blacktail Deer Foundation, Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation, Wisconsin Cattlemens Association, and Wisconsin Bear Hunters Association. Last year, four Democrats joined 205 Republicans in voting for it, but the measure stalled in the Senate, which was under Democratic control at the time. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The R.I. House of Representatives has approved legislation aimed at ensuring patients can still access vital prescriptions when their prescriber is unavailable. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Michelle McGaw, allows pharmacists to issue a one-time refill to patients who are unable to reach their prescriber or no longer have one. The refill would allow an up to 100-day continuation of the medication under certain conditions. McGaw, a consultant pharmacist who serves the long-term care community, introduced the legislation (2025-H 5633) to prevent interruptions in necessary medical treatmentparticularly for those managing chronic conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Often a patient needs an appointment before the prescriber will authorize a refill, but it might be weeks or even months before an appointment is available, McGaw said. And in cases where a provider retires or stops practicing in Rhode Island, it can be extremely difficult for patients to find a new one. Until they do, they usually dont have anyone who can authorize that refill. The issue has become more pressing following the recent announcement that Anchor Medical Associates will shut down all of its practices this summer, potentially leaving nearly 25,000 patients without a primary care provider. MORE: Patients push back as Anchor Medical prepares to shut down McGaw said the closure will soon leave thousands of Rhode Islanders seeking new doctors, with many likely needing prescription refills before they secure one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill provides an avenue for pharmacistswho are extensively trained, licensed, and understand the benefits and risks of pharmaceuticalsto make a professional determination about whether to dispense a single refill as a stopgap measure when the prescriber cant be reached or is no longer practicing, she added. If passed, the bill would authorize pharmacists to use their professional judgment to refill medications essential to life or for managing chronic conditions. It would not apply to Schedule IIV controlled substances. Pharmacists would be required to notify the prescriber within a week or, if the patient no longer has a prescriber, document the information in the pharmacys records. The legislation now heads to the Senate. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A bill designed to repeal Oregons controversial wildfire hazard map and property regulations connected to it has cleared its committee and is now heading to the Oregon Senate for a vote. The Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Wildfire voted unanimously on Tuesday to eliminate the map, which was first introduced in 2021s SB 762. Albina Head Start faces drastic cuts amid lawsuit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wildfire Hazard Map was created in 2021 under the bipartisan Senate Bill 762, which directed the Oregon Department of Forestry to map out fire-prone areas in the state. Under SB 762, homeowners living in areas that are at a high wildfire risk face stricter building codes and must reduce vegetation on their properties. A provision in 2023 disallows insurers to cancel or decline to renew homeowners insurance policies or increase premiums. Despite this, the backlash against the Wildfire Hazard Map has persisted. According to Senator David Brock Smith (R-Coos and Douglas Counties), he and other Republican colleagues co-sponsoring the bill received pressure from thousands of residents to move forward with repealing the Wildfire Hazard Map. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With SB 83 passing out of committee, we are one step closer to reversing the devastating impacts of SB 762s wildfire maps that we have been trying to overturn for years, Brock Smith said in a statement. OR GOP chair resigns amid sexual violence allegations Back in February, due to this ongoing legislative effort, Governor Tina Kotek paused processing appeals filed by homeowners who contest their wildfire hazard zone designation. The governor directed the Oregon Department of Forestry to pause referring the appeals to the Office of Administrative Hearings until the legislative session concludes by June 29. This is to prevent Oregonians filing for appeal from incurring potentially unnecessary legal fees if the legislature makes changes to the map, the governors office said. Last month, Republicans in the Oregon Legislature introduced a similar bill in the House of Representatives, HB 3944, which parallels the content of SB 83. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. By Laman Ismayilova The second meeting of the National Coordinators of the TURKSOY Museums' Union has taken place in Girne, Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, under the auspices of the International Organization of Turkic Culture (TURKSOY). Azerbaijan was represented at the event by Shirin Malikova, director of the National Art Museum. The event, titled "The 2nd International Symposium on the Preservation and Research of Cultural Heritage," brought together representatives from Turkic states to discuss experience sharing and enhance museum cooperation. During the opening ceremony, President of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus Ersin Tatar, welcomed participants and highlighted the significance of collaborative efforts in preserving the cultural heritage of the Turkic world. The meeting also featured the inauguration of the Museum of Cypriot Doors and Chests, attended by the First Lady, Sibel Tatar. The museum showcases a variety of doors and chests that illustrate the island's rich historical, cultural, and ethnic diversity. A cultural program was held for the symposium participants. The International Organization of Turkic Culture, TURKSOY, was established in 1993 upon signature of its founding agreement by the Ministers of Culture of Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Turkiye Over the past years, TURKSOY has made significant contributions to promoting Turkic cultural heritage through different initiatives. Most of these projects have become a tradition and are continued every year. Since its establishment, TURKSOY has been carrying out activities to strengthen the ties of brotherhood and solidarity among Turkic peoples, transmit the common Turkic culture to future generations and introduce it to the world. The organization actively collaborates with international bodies like UNESCO and maintains partnerships with institutions such as the Organization of Turkic States and the International Turkish Academy. Azerbaijan actively participates in TURKSOY's initiatives, hosting events like the Cultural Capital of the Turkic World project in Shusha city. Many events of cultural significance, including the Kharibulbul International Folklore Festival, the Korkut Ata Turkic World Film Festival, the Cultural Days of the Turkic People, the Vagif Poetry Days, the International Festival of Children's Creativity, Wonderland Shusha 2023 International Scout Camp, and other events were organized in Azerbaijan's cultural center in accordance with the Action Plan. The phenomenon of telepathy has been widely studied over the last century, but is currently reaching levels of unprecedented popularity. The Telepathy Tapes, a podcast created by documentary filmmaker Ky Dickens, argues that some nonverbal autistic children can read minds. It has been on the list of the most listened-to podcasts in the U.S. and the UK for months. Though its scientific rigor is questionable, the podcast has revived the myth linking autism to extraordinary abilities and indicates that the supernatural has not lost any of its power to reel us in. The second season premiered in February. In the first season, Dickens tells the story of several American families who claim that their children are able to read other peoples minds, especially that of their own parents. The podcast combines personal accounts, pseudoscientific claims, and recordings of home experiments to support the premise that these young people communicate through a channel or dimension as yet unknown to the rest of us. In each installment, Dickens conducts and observes telepathy tests. They are usually simple: the mother looks at a number or reads a word, and the child has to try to guess it. The percentage of correct guesses is reportedly very high. As the series progresses, these astonishing feats multiply. Beyond the realm of mindreading, it is suggested that some of these children possess clairvoyant abilities, communicate with the deceased, interact with each other while dreaming, and meet in a sort of telepathic chat room called The Hill. According to these accounts, some young peoples minds are more powerful than others. All these phenomena are presented in a serious tone. Although Dickens admits that the results discussed do not meet the standards of traditional scientific evidence, she also reproaches closed-minded scientists for not questioning current materialistic paradigms. Ky Dickens, creator of the podcast The Telepathy Tapes, in 2025. Robby Klein (Getty Images for IMDb) The results of these experiments are presented to the listener as irrefutable proof of telepathy. The podcast goes so far as to claim that all nonverbal autistic children can read minds, but the program fails to question the phenomena recounted. The entire narrative is built on the convictions of Dickens and her team, backed up by the insights of Dr. Diane Hennacy Powell, who has been researching telepathy in nonverbal autistic children for decades. The series even mentions the diminishing skepticism of one team member. From the get-go, the intention is not to question the existence of telepathy, but to assume it as a fact and explore how it operates. Launched in December 2024, the podcast was an almost immediate success. In January, it became the most listened-to podcast in the U.S. Although the platforms do not disclose exact figures, it is estimated that millions of people have listened to its surprising revelations. The phenomenon was such that, at the end of that same month, United Talent Agency announced that it will represent Dickens and her podcast globally. Possible adaptations to other formats, such as a feature film, are already being considered. Even Joe Rogan probably the worlds top-rated podcaster invited Dickens on his show, where they had a two-and-a-half hour chat. Rogan called her work really fascinating and said he believes some of the telepathy is real. An exploded myth But the series has been accused of exploiting children with non-verbal autism and of generating false hopes in their families. Sara Linuesa, psychologist at the Autism Federation Madrid, warns that the documentary reinforces a certain cliche that autistic people have extraordinary abilities. As she explains, this condition is characterized above all by differences in communication, social interaction, and flexibility of thought. But other associated conditions may be present, she points out. For example, autism can coexist with intellectual disability, with high abilities or with average cognitive development. Claiming that all autistic people have fantastic skills lacks a scientific basis and has already been widely refuted, she says. Several science fiction movies have built their plots around the myth of telepathic children. This is the poster for one of the sequels to the popular 'Village of the Damned.' LMPC (LMPC via Getty Images) So whats behind the surprising level of correct guesses on the tests presented in the podcast? To the listener, it is unlikely that all the families interviewed in the podcast are deliberately lying. Linuesa also points out that children with nonverbal autism may have difficulty lying because they have difficulty interpreting ambiguous social situations or recognizing when it is appropriate to modify the truth. But she adds: Rather than a conscious deception, it could be a dynamic based on full trust towards the person who supports them, in this case, their parents. Even that does not imply that parents are deliberately cheating. Another hypothesis suggests that, involuntarily, parents and children communicate through subtle signals that could be either visual, auditory, or physical, taking advantage of the deep emotional connection between them. With 17 years of experience working with autistic children, Maria Angeles Carrera adds that this very special relationship is better understood when one knows the difficult process that families go through when they receive the autism diagnosis, and the hope that their children are special gives them. There are parents who assimilate the diagnosis within a week, but others never come to terms with it, she says. The science of telepathy No recognized scientific institution supports the idea that nonverbal autistic children have telepathic powers. Several experts have also pointed out that the experiments in the podcast do not meet the minimum criteria of scientific rigor. For $10, anyone can access the videos of the tests on the official website, where in almost all cases the children maintain visual, auditory, or physical contact with their parents, who know the answers. This makes it impossible to rule out the possibility of some kind of communication, whether voluntary or involuntary, so the results cannot be considered reliable evidence of telepathy. Dickens is outraged that traditional science rejects her results. She attributes the rejection to a biased view and a mental rigidity, but the truth is that telepathy has been rigorously investigated by academia. In fact, Dickens lack of rigor undermines the work of those who have attempted to seriously study this phenomenon, which has had well-respected defenders over the last century. One of these was the mathematician Alan Turing, who in his famous article Computing Machinery and Intelligence (1950) stated that the statistical evidence for telepathy was overwhelming and suggested performing the experiment in a telepathy-proof room. Mathematician Alan Turing in 1928. Pictures from History (Pictures from History/Universal ) The overwhelming statistics cited by Turing alludes to J. B. Rhines tests at Duke University during the 1930s. Rhine used Zener cards with five different symbols a star, circle, cross, wavy lines and a square. The sender looked at a card and tried to transmit it mentally and the receiver had to guess the symbol. Players might get a 20% correct rate by chance, but Rhine claimed that some participants, especially certain individuals, were able to far exceed that rate. However, other researchers were unable to replicate his results, and psychologist Joseph Jastrow pointed out important methodological flaws. The scientific rigor of Dickens team is similar perhaps a bit lower to that applied in 1930. Since then, science has developed more reliable methods. Between 1974 and 1982, parapsychologist Charles Honorton conducted 42 Ganzfeld studies, in which the sender observed a randomly selected image or video from another room. Meanwhile, the receiver was in a dimly lit environment, eyes covered by ping-pong balls cut in half and white noise in the background, reducing sensory stimuli and facilitating a state of deep relaxation. At the end, the receiver was shown four images one real and three distractors and had to choose the one that had been sent. If the hits exceeded levels accepted as chance, it was considered possible evidence of telepathy. Honorton claimed that the hit rate was as high as 33% some way above the 25% chance bar. However, psychologist Ray Hyman offered another interpretation. After re-examining the 42 original studies, he concluded that all had major methodological flaws. One of the most common was that, in more than half the experiments, the same researcher who handled the target image also interacted with the receiver, leaving open the possibility that olfactory, visual, or even attitudinal signals could be transmitted. The aim was to avoid any unconscious transmission of information, something that contrasts with Dickens experiments, where there is usually direct physical contact between parent and child. Honorton took the criticism on board and, in the 1990s, designed the autoganzfeld, an improved protocol that reduced human contact in key parts of the experiment, especially between the researcher and the receiver, to eliminate nonverbal cues. In 1994, together with psychologist Daryl Bem, he published a meta-analysis of 11 studies (240 sessions) in the journal Psychological Bulletin. The studies reported a 32% hit rate, again some way above the 25% chance bar, and identified factors that seemed to improve results, such as being creative, having previous psychic experiences, and practicing meditation. The article was significant not only for its findings, but also because it was deemed worthy of publication in an academic psychology journal. Yet none of these or subsequent tests have been consistently replicated, reinforcing a skeptical stance towards the issue. The debate remains open. In 2018, psychologist Etzel Cardena reviewed the experimental evidence on psi phenomena-parapsychological faculties, including telepathy and concluded that, although there is no consensual theoretical explanation, the evidence cumulatively supports the reality of psi and is comparable to that of established phenomena in psychology. The study was published in the journal American Psychologist and provoked an immediate response from skeptics. Cardenas argument becomes relevant when viewed within the context of the so-called reproducibility crisis in science. Cardena points out that the lack of replication of findings on telepathy and other psi phenomena does not necessarily place them on the margins of current scientific research. A survey published in Nature in 2016 revealed that more than 70% of researchers had been unable to replicate third-party studies, and more than 50% had difficulty replicating their own results. This does not prove telepathy as a scientific phenomenon, but it does suggest that the impossibility of replication does not, in itself, demonstrate non-existence. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition TOPEKA (KSNT) Kansas lawmakers overrode several of Governor Laura Kellys vetoes, allowing several bills to become law. On Thursday, April 10, lawmakers in the Kansas Senate and House of Representatives started their veto session, and overrode many of the bills that Kelly vetoed. To override the governors veto in both chambers, lawmakers in both chambers needed to acquire two-thirds majorities. These overrides will allow several bills to now become law in the Sunflower State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawrence PD try to identify suspect who bit off part of mans finger Override Veto Decisions House Bill 2062 To provide child support for unborn children from the date of conception. This would include direct medical and pregnancy-related expenses of the mother as a factor in child support orders and provide for an income tax exemption for unborn and stillborn children. On Wednesday, Kelly said this bill may appear to support pregnant women and families at a glance, but called it an attempt by extremist lawmakers to insert themselves into the lives of those making private medical decisions. The Senate overrode the governors veto 31-9 and the house overrode the veto 87-38. House Bill 2311 Prohibits the secretary of the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) from adopting and enforcing policies for placement, custody and appointment of a custodian that may conflict with sincerely held religious or moral beliefs regarding sexual orientation or gender identity and creating a right of action for violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kellys reason for vetoing this bill was that this legislation distracts from the standards DCF should adhere to, and stands in the way of best serving children in the welfare system. The Senate overrode the veto 31-9 and the house overrode the veto 87-38. Man charged in Seneca priests death wrote about religion, more to local newspaper Below is a list of other bills that had the governors veto overridden by the Senate and the House. House Bill 2284 : The Senate overrode the veto 30-10 and the House overrode it 88-37. House Bill 2291 : The Senate overrode the veto 30-10 and the House overrode it 88-37. House Bill 2217 : The Senate overrode the veto 30-10 and the House overrode it 87-38. House Bill 2033 : The Senate overrode the veto 32-8 and the House overrode it 87-38. Sub Bill for Senate Bill 29 : The Senate overrode the veto 31-9 and the House overrode it 86-38. Senate Bill 5 : The Senate overrode the veto 31-9 and the House overrode it 87-37. Senate Bill 14 : The Senate overrode the veto 31-9 and the House overrode it 85-39. Senate Bill 269 : The Senate overrode the veto 30-10 and the House overrode it 87-37. Senate Sub for House Bill 2240 : The Senate overrode the veto 31-9 and the House overrode it 87-38. Senate Sub for House Bill 2382: The Senate overrode the veto 31-9 and the House overrode it 84-41. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers took up nearly 50 provisions on the first day of veto session. Friday, April 11, lawmakers will take up more bills. For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. A sign marks a polling place during the May primary election. Early voting starts today in West Virginia. (Lori Kersey | West Virginia Watch) The Senate approved a bill that would tighten laws on acceptable forms of photo identification that can be used at West Virginia polling places. The GOP-backed measure, House Bill 3016, is meant to address voter fraud and bolster secure elections. In a state with abysmal voter turnout, opponents of the bill worry it would make it harder for West Virginia residents, particularly older residents, to vote on Election Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would require a photo ID typically a drivers license, passport or a resident identification card to vote in-person. It would eliminate several current options accepted at polling places that can validate identity, including a Medicaid card and utility bill. It passed the Senate on Friday with a vote of 32-2. Sen. Mike Woelfel, D-Cabell, and Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion the Senates two Democratic Senators were the two no votes on the measure. The measure permits voters 65 and older to use an expired ID, including an expired drivers license, as long as it was valid on their 65th birthday. Additionally, poll workers may allow a voter, whom the poll worker has known for at least six months, to vote without presenting a valid ID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Virginia residents can request a voter registration card with a photo free of charge from a county clerks office. The House of Delegates approved the legislation on March 28. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) Two controversial companion bills requiring public schools around the state to display the ten commandments are making their way through the Alabama legislation. These bills would require each board of education to display a copy of the Ten Commandments in a common area of each school, like a library, in its jurisdiction. The Ten Commandments would have to be displayed in a 11 by 14 poster in large, easily readable font. SB166 and HB178 moved out of the Senate and House committees, and are waiting to be put on the calendar for floor debates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The approved texts could also be displayed with the Mayflower Compact of 1620, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. According to the bills, Alabama boards of education would not have to pay for the display themselves, and instead accept donated funds or donated displays. They also dictates that the Alabama Commission on Higher Education should adopt rules to implement the bill. If the bills are signed into law, school systems must comply by January 1, 2026. A nearly identical bill was signed into law in Louisiana in 2024. However, this bill required the Ten Commandments to be displayed in each classroom around the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New alert system could save lives of Alabama abuse victims Similar to Louisianas law, SB166 has drawn criticism. The ACLU of Alabama says the bill is unconstitutional plain and simple. The First Amendment guarantees that students and their families not politicians or the governmentget to decide which religious beliefs, if any, they adopt and what role those beliefs will play in their lives. Displaying the Ten Commandments in public-school classrooms blatantly violates this promise. Students cant focus on learning if they dont feel safe and welcome in their schools, the ACLU of Alabama wrote on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization took the same stance on Louisianas law, stating it violated the separation of church and state. In November, a federal judge blocked the pelican states law, stating it was overtly religious. WDHNs Montgomery Bureau Reporter, Ryan Hall, 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. A bird landed on the head of Fox News reporter Peter Doocy while he was reporting live from outside the White House on Friday. Doocy was standing on the White House lawn speaking with his colleagues in New York about President Trumps tariff war when the aerial assault occurred. A bird just landed on my head! he shouted as the Fox News hosts in the studio watched in shock. The bird landed for a moment, then quickly flew away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doocy, clearly rattled, laughed I did not like that at all as he swatted around making sure he was in the clear. He then expressed concern that the bird was probably dirty, much to the amusement of his co-workers. Hey, President Trump, if youre watching weve got to do something about these birds! Doocy demanded. Doocy joined the right-wing cable channel in 2009. His father Steve Doocy, who also works for the network, wasnt on air when Fridays bird landing occurred during the live broadcast of Fox & Friends. Bison walking through deep snow near Tower Jct.; Jim Peaco; March 2008; Catalog #19246d; Original #IMG_8146 (National Park Service) Springtime in the Rockies is considered by many as the most beautiful time of the year in Montana as greens up and wildflowers blanket the valleys against the backdrop of majestic snow-capped peaks. Yet, as the snow geese fill the skies, the grim ritual of reducing the number of Yellowstones bison as they seek lower elevations to calve and graze once again captures national attention. Longtime Montanans are all too familiar with the scene more than 40 years ago when state hunters and federal agents slaughtered thousands of bison as they left the Yellowstone National Park. The gory photos were published internationally as the last of the bison that once roamed the Great Plains were gunned down for simply walking across the invisible park boundary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back then, the reasoning was a simple but scientifically-flawed fear that bison would transmit brucellosis to cattle, which can cause them to abort and threatened Montanas brucellosis free status. Thats supremely ironic since it was cattle that transmitted the disease to the bison in the first place and there has never been a documented case of cattle being infected by bison in the wild. In an attempt to find alternatives, state, federal, conservation and tribal interests came up with the Interagency Bison Management Plan to control the parks bison population. The plan combined hunting as well as sending bison to be butchered and the meat distributed to tribes. Dead bison, however, dont pass on their genes. So it also contained a provision to hold bison in a quarantine facility to ensure they were brucellosis free, and then send them to tribal nations who highly value the genetic integrity of the parks wild bison. So far this year, about 700 bison have been removed through hunt, slaughter, and quarantine under the recently updated management plan and the park plans to remove about that many more to keep the herd between 3,000 and 6,000 animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The controversies surrounding the actions have intensified rather than cooled. Some seek roam free status outside the park. Others support or criticize tribal hunting and question the treaty rights. And some claim the quarantine and transfer to tribes is the privatization of public wildlife that threatens genetic integrity through domestication of wild bison. All those claims are far too complex for one column, but theyre not hard to find in great detail online. Suffice it to say there are strengths and weaknesses to all those positions. Its pretty hard to argue that being in close contact with tourists, cars and snowmobiles fits the definition of wild especially when they mow residential yards in West Yellowstone. Equally hard to believe being released on tribal lands is any more domestication than being in close contact with the parks millions of tourists. Likewise, hunting is a misnomer for these human-tolerant bison. And the idea that herds of bison can simply roam free in the increasingly populated lands around the park ignores the inescapable conflicts and consequences such freedom would entail for humans and bison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But if truly wild bison are the goal, the park should be sending excess bison to their ancestral lands in the 1.1 million acre CM Russell and UL Bend National Wildlife Refuges. By doing so they preserve the genetic integrity, provide a true hunt, and the bison are much more likely to survive than roaming free near the park. Why this hasnt happened is a dang good question. Moving federal wildlife to a federal wildlife refuge so they can truly roam free seems like such an obvious solution for the park, the tribes, the state and most importantly, for the bison. HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) The Blue Bridge in Owensboro is back open after floodwaters caused an initial shutdown. The Owensboro Police Department posted on social media that the Blue Bridge was closed after floodwaters came over the roadway on the Indiana side making it dangerous for vehicles to travel, prompting the complete shutdown. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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). Glades Road in Boca Raton and Interstate 95 connections to it reopened Friday afternoon after closing due to a small plane crash onto Military Trail near the Boca Raton Airport. South Florida's publicly funded passenger train, Tri-Rail, continues to divert passengers because the plane crashed on its tracks. Military Trail from Butts Road to Northwest 19th Street remains closed. Tri-Rail is offering a free shuttle connecting passengers between its Boca Raton station off Yamato Road and its Deerfield Beach station because the tracks between those stations have also been closed. The passenger train continues to run south of the Deerfield Beach station and north of the Boca Raton stop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Highway Patrol and rescue blocked the stretch of Glades Road going over Interstate 95 from Airport Road to Renaissance Way preventing drivers from getting onto the highway, according to Florida 511, which maps closures. Authorities reopened the roads before mid-afternoon. How to get to Boca Raton from I-95 Chris Persaud is the transportation reporter for The Palm Beach Post. You can reach him at cpersaud@pbpost.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Boca Raton plane crash: Glades Road, ramps to I-95 reopen The Boone County Council on Tuesday signed a letter to legislators opposing Senate Bill 1, which would eliminate business and personal property tax but likely result in higher individual income taxes. The loss of property tax revenue if the bill passes will reduce services provided to citizens and force Boone County to dip into its reserves, Council President Jennifer Hostetter said Wednesday. State Republicans say the bill will shift the tax burden from businesses to individual taxpayers and encourage local governments to raise local income taxes to compensate for the personal property tax loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The councils attorney, Chou-il Lee, warned members this week of potential unintended consequences if the bill passes as early as today. The bill, as drafted, would eliminate the countys ability to capitalize on extreme commercial growth by limiting tax levy appeals. This comes at a time that Boone County is experiencing unprecedented commercial growth. The Indiana Economic Development Corp. is developing the LEAP Innovation and Research District, a high-tech business park on 9,000 acres of former residential and agricultural land in northwestern Boone County. LEAP stands for Limitless Exploration/Advanced Pace. It is the largest economic development in Hoosier history. Local libraries throughout the state would suffer, Lee said. Their funding comes largely from property taxes. Libraries cannot levy taxes of their own, as school districts can. And they would suffer a significant funding loss, according to reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee said libraries will probably ask county governments to make up the difference. But Hostetter doesnt think they can. If this bill passes, she said, Its going to be a significant hit to our budget, and were going to have to dip into our reserves just to fund our day-to-day budget. Theres a gap and its going to widen more and more year over year, Councilman Aaron Williams said Tuesday. The legislators have put us in the worst conundrum you could possibly imagine. And as we look at the budget going into this year over the next three to five years there will be tough decisions that have to be made Ive looked at this so many times that it makes me nervous. Williams said he expected amendments to be made between Tuesday and Thursday that could ease the impact. But, overall, it still will not be enough for what we need to do, or be prepared for overall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no way to know at present how much money the county would lose, and not knowing would weaken the countys credit rating, Lee said. The Indiana House may vote as early as today. But Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton, told the Indiana Capital Chronicle that 94% of homeowners will realize an overall savings despite increased income tax. Williams said the council has anticipated a shortfall for two to three years, and the county will have to tighten its belt. Winters coming, he said, referencing a line repeated in Game of Thrones, a series that advocates preparedness. Gov. Mike Braun on Wednesday afternoon released a statement in support of the bill, characterizing it as historic property tax relief for Hoosiers. In his statement, Braun encouraged House members to support an amendment made Monday and urge the Senate to take action quickly to get it to my desk for signature. The REAL ID Act, passed by Congress in 2005, was designed to implement a 9/11 Commission recommendation to improve the security of identification documents, particularly drivers licenses and state-issued ID cards. Under this legislation, in order for citizens to enter federal buildings or travel within the country, they will need a valid REAL ID. Once it goes into effect, federal agencies will only be able to accept drivers licenses and IDs that meet REAL ID security standards and include their compliance mark. They will also accept enhanced drivers licenses (EDLs) that were issued in Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York and Vermont, as they are considered acceptable alternatives. What is REAL ID? REAL ID is a new security standard for issuing identification such as drivers licenses and identification cards. To gain access to federal buildings, board a commercial flight or enter a nuclear power plant, you will need a valid REAL ID card. This is not a new ID, but will be updated versions of other common cards, which will include details highlighting that it is legally valid. How to apply for a REAL ID? The process to get a REAL ID is simple. Just visit the website of the drivers license agency of the state in which you reside. Generally, documents showing full name, date of birth, social security number, proof of residency and legal status are requested. Other requirements may be established by each state. Once all requirements are met, the applicant will receive a valid REAL ID card. When does the law go into effect? The law goes into effect on May 7, 2025. After that date, a valid REAL ID will be required and passports cannot be used as an alternative option. Which states will issue the new cards? All states, the District of Columbia and the five U.S. territories. What will the IDs look like? The cards will have one of the five legal marks on the top. If the card does not have that mark, it will not be accepted as proof of identity, and you will not be able to board a commercial flight. The markings are: a gold five-point star, a black five-point star, a white star surrounded by a gold circle, a white star surrounded by a black circle, and a gold bear with a white star on the back. Examples of these can be seen on the Department of Homeland Security site. Do minors need identification to travel? No. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) will not require minors to have an ID. However, their companion must have a valid card. Do I still need a passport if I already have REAL ID? For domestic flights, a passport will not be required. However, a passport is essential for international travel as REAL ID cards cannot be used to cross the border into Canada, Mexico or other international travel. Are EDLs valid? Yes. Enhanced drivers licenses (EDLs) can be used to travel domestically, and are acceptable alternatives for official federal purposes, such as accessing a federal facility. Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington are the only states that currently issue EDLs. What if I dont have REAL ID? Without a REAL ID or an EDL, you will not be able to enter flights in the United States. Likewise, you may be denied access to certain federal buildings. BOSSIER PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS)Bossier Parish Community College will offer early registration for returning and prospective students. BPCCs Super Saturday event will help students get ready for the upcoming summer and fall semesters. Students will also be able to get help with financial aid and military/veteran benefits. Check-ins will be held on Saturday, April 6, in the Emmet E. Cope Student Services Building from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. To see a list of available classes, visit www.bpcc.edu Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Four months after inmate Cesar Hernandez escaped custody, hes been found in Mexico. The State Force for Citizens Security, known as FESC, is the agency involved in the shootout with Hernandez. At 1 p.m., in the Barcelona Neighborhood of southern Tijuana, 33-year-old agent Abigail Esparza died trying to apprehend 34-year-old Cesar Moises Hernandez. Esparza was part of the International branch of FESC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The operation involved more than 50 officers from four different local, state and national law enforcement agencies. These include the Mexican National Guard, Federal Military, Municipal Security and Protection, and the States Attorneys Office. In a statement on X, The Governor of Baja California, Marina del Pilar, shared her condolences to Esparza. Recognizing the agencies for their bravery and example, and saying Esparzas death was not vain and will be brought to justice. On the other hand, Francisco Castro Trenti, former homicide division coordinator for the Baja California Attorney Generals Office, openly called out Wednesdays operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement shared on Facebook, he calls for the resignation of high ranking officials involved with the operation, saying the apprehension lacked planning, intelligence, and was done the stupid way, knowing how dangerous Hernandez is. A spokesperson for the United States Marshals Service confirmed the agency was present during the operation, but were not involved in the shooting. Marshals rendered aid to Commander Esparza before she died. The agency said quote, Those who commit violence against law enforcement officers will be held accountable. Cesar Hernandez escaped CDC custody on the morning of Dec. 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a $30,000 reward for information. If you have information, call the number 661-979-1187. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. The United States Supreme Court has told the Trump administration to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran national living in Maryland who was mistakenly sent to a high-security prison in El Salvador. The Supreme Courts decision conflicts with the actions of the executive branch, which has so far refused to take steps to return Abrego Garcia to the United States, despite having acknowledged that his deportation was due to an administrative error. The government had appealed District Judge Paula Xiniss decision last Friday, which ordered the Trump administration to return Abrego Garcia by Tuesday. At the executive branchs request, Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily halted the order on Monday to review the case. In his ruling on Thursday, the Supreme Court acknowledged that part of the order will not be enforced, since the deadline has already passed. However, it told the government to follow the remainder of the order, in which the judge demanded that the government facilitate the release of Abrego Garcia in El Salvador and to ensure that his case proceeds as it would have had he not been improperly returned to that country. But the Supreme Court also noted: The intended scope of the term effectuate in the District Courts order is, however, unclear, and may exceed the District Courts authority. Maryland District Judge Xinis declared Abrego Garcias transfer to El Salvador was without legal basis and demanded that the government facilitate and effectuate his return. Government lawyers appealed the ruling, arguing that no judge can dictate the countrys foreign policy, as cited in the Supreme Court ruling. The Abrego Garcia case drew widespread attention after the government, for the first time, acknowledged that it had erred in deporting him. Public outrage intensified when, despite admitting the mistake, authorities announced they would take no steps to rectify it, arguing that the detainee was now under El Salvadors jurisdiction. A judge had granted Abrego Garcia protection in 2019, explicitly prohibiting his deportation. Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Abrego Garcia Family (via REUTERS) Despite this, on March 15, he was among 23 Salvadorans and 238 Venezuelans deported to El Salvador without a court order. The group was transferred to Cecot prison, the sprawling mega-facility built under Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, which has become infamous for its harsh conditions and reported human rights abuses. To carry out the deportations, the government invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 a rarely used statute previously applied only three times in U.S. history, and solely during periods of armed conflict. Abrego Garcia lived in Maryland with his wife, a U.S. citizen, a disabled son, and two children from his wifes previous relationship. On March 12, he was arrested while traveling in the car with his son, whom he had just picked up from his grandmothers house. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents detained him on charges of belonging to the MS-13 criminal gang. His lawyers and family have denied he has any ties to the gang, which Trump declared a terrorist organization. His only known run-in with the law occurred in 2019, when he was arrested along with three other men while looking for work outside a Home Depot store in Maryland. Abrego Garcia was not charged with any crime, but was handed over to ICE, which initiated deportation proceedings. The government claimed that a reliable informant had identified him as a high-ranking MS-13 member. Six months later, a judge granted him a stay of deportation, understanding the risk he faced if he returned to his country. Abrego Garcia arrived in the United States at the age of 16, fleeing death threats from the gangs that dominate El Salvador. Since his deportation, there has been no news of him. His family and lawyers have mobilized supporters and politicians to demand his return. The case has made clear that, although the government claims it is only deporting criminals, the reality is that people with no criminal record have also been expelled. Family members and migrant advocates have reported that, in many cases, many arrests appear to be based solely on having tattoos allegedly associated with gangs. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition For years, fronts have been operating in high streets across Britain in open sight arousing much local suspicion but usually facing little to nothing in the shape of law-enforcement action. This is not simply an inner-city phenomenon it is one that has affected towns such as Shrewsbury in Shropshire. However, there are signs that times are changing, with the National Crime Agency (NCA) launching Operation Machinize the first co-ordinated action of its kind by police, tax and immigration inspectors, and Trading Standards officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recently in Shrewsbury the latter witnessed West Mercia police officers batter down the back door of a barber shop and detain two men who were Kurdish asylum seekers. The police force revealed that its intelligence has led it to believe that the establishment was associated with illegal immigration, drug dealing, and the sale of illicit cigarettes and vapes. Detective Inspector Daniel Fenn, from West Mercia Polices Economic Crime team, said some barber shops have claimed income of 100,000 to 150,000 a month, but simply dont command the number of customers to back up this level of income generation - an all too familiar across Britain. Speaking on the NCAs Operation Machinize, which aims to crack down on money-laundering fronts, security minister Dan Jarvis spoke of how high-street crime undermines our security, our borders, and the confidence of our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it is much deeper than that. Britains illegal immigration complex incorporating fronts for international criminal gangs which often take the shape of Turkish-style barbers, vape shops, and mini-marts threatens to rip apart the social fabric of modern Britain. All this fuels resentment among established law-abiding communities which have seen their high streets descend into criminality being taken over by international criminal enterprises who have reconverted these dilapidated and run-down areas into hubs of money-laundering activity. Town-centre disintegration has been a gift for exploitative gangs who have been provided with a steady supply of illegal migrants due to Britains dysfunctional border-security system. Far stronger prison sentences need to be introduced and given to those who profit from Britains illegal-immigration complex including people smugglers and human traffickers, exploitative gang-leaders who knowingly employ illegal migrants, and unscrupulous landlords who house them in overcrowded and unsanitary properties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional punishments should be given in cases of modern slavery. While the British high street has suffered in the era of online shopping, the Labour Government should consider town-centre regeneration as an integral part of its economic policy. Revitalising high streets is not an easy task but it must start with the crackdown on fronts of illegal activity. After that, improving public transport links, creating hybrid spaces, and fostering community ownership should all be part of an ambitious agenda to revive the high street into places of ethical commerce, social purpose, and civic pride. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Bronx woman who was recorded punching an anti-abortion activist in the face last weekend has been arrested, the NYPD has confirmed to The Post. 30-year-old Brianna J. Rivers was arrested Thursday (April 10) on one count of second-degree assault for the incident that found her attacking interviewer Savannah Craven Antao, a reporter for pro-life advocacy group Live Action. The activist celebrated Rivers arrest with an Instagram post, writing, Just got word from detectives Brianna J Rivers was arrested! God is good!, adding within the caption, Thank you detectives at the 28th precinct NYC!#BlueLivesMatter #JusticeIsServed #ThankYouGod. Shortly after the incident, Rivers shared her thoughts on the matter, acknowledging that things should not have turned physical while also accusing Craven Antao of provoking her violent response. The original clip found both women passionately defending their opposing stances on abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To Savannah, I sincerely apologize but cannot sit around and allow you to continue pushing this one sided narrative. I understand hands being put on someone is never the answer, but throwing rocks and hiding hands is worse, Rivers shared via Facebook. She knows the truth and she needs to release the footage in its entirety. Savannah is a professional antagonist not a reporter and the truth will be told. Rivers added via an Instagram post, I will not allow my image to be defamed by this womans actions. Anyone who knows me knows how respectful I am, I dont even litter, theres no way you believe Im punching people for disagreeing with my POV. See the original clip below. More from VIBE.com Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The brother of Lori Daybell, the mother convicted of murdering two of her children in a so-called doomsday plot, took the stand on Thursday during her latest trial in Arizona, where she is charged with conspiring with their other brother to kill her fourth husband. Adam Cox, a witness for the prosecution, testified that he had "no doubt" his two siblings conspired to kill Charles Vallow upon learning that his brother fatally shot him during a confrontation at Lori Daybell's home in Chandler, Arizona, in July 2019. Lori Daybell, 51, dubbed the "doomsday mom," is representing herself in the ongoing Phoenix trial. She has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in connection with Vallow's killing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: 'Doomsday mom' Lori Daybell delivers opening statement in her latest murder trial She told jurors that the evidence will show that Alex Cox, who died months after the incident from natural causes, shot her husband in self-defense, and that she and Vallow were happily married for 13 years. Prosecutors, meanwhile, said the shooting was a ploy for Lori Daybell to get rid of her estranged husband so that she could get his $1 million life insurance policy and marry her current husband, Chad Daybell. Prosecutors further said she invoked their religious beliefs as justification for the murder and gave her brother "religious authority" to kill Vallow because they believed he was possessed by an evil spirit they referred to as "Ned." Both Lori and Chad Daybell were found guilty of first-degree murder for the deaths of her children, Joshua "J.J." Vallow, 7, and Tylee Ryan, 16, who went missing months after Vallow was killed. In two separate trials in 2023 and 2024, prosecutors argued that the couple thought the children were possessed zombies and murdered them so that they could be together. The children's remains were found on an Idaho property belonging to Daybell in June 2020 following a monthslong search. PHOTO: Lori Daybell cross-examines her brother, Adam Cox, during her murder trial in Phoenix, Arizona, April 10, 2025. (Pool via ABC News) Adam Cox told the jury on Thursday that he traveled to Chandler the day before Vallow was killed so he and Vallow could stage a surprise intervention on Lori Daybell to address what they found to be concerning religious beliefs that went beyond what was accepted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It seemed like Charles was just desperate, and he wanted to do anything he could to this last ditch effort to try to shake Lori loose of whatever she was under, some spell, that he said," Adam Cox said. He testified that he had been texting with Vallow the morning of the shooting, as Vallow went to the home to pick up J.J., his and Lori Daybell's adopted son, and bring him to school. Adam Cox said he had reached out to his brother after arriving in Arizona but never heard from him, so he was shocked to learn from Vallow that Alex Cox was also at the home that morning. "They are planning something," prosecutors said Adam Cox texted Vallow, while showing their message exchange in court. "Nobody in my family said they heard from him or knew where he was, all that's very suspicious to me. And then Alex being at Lori's house that morning, it felt like something was really off," Adam Cox said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Lori Vallow pleads not guilty to murder in fatal shooting of her 4th husband Adam Cox said his two siblings didn't tell him about the shooting, and that he didn't learn that his brother killed Vallow until days later, from a Google search. "I had this knot in my stomach, just probably one of the worst feelings I've ever felt in my life," Adam Cox said of the discovery. He said he found it "extreme" that Alex Cox would bring a loaded gun and extra ammunition to his sister's house when he knew her young son would be there. He said he told his family he believed Lori Daybell and his brother conspired to kill Vallow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Lori had told people that Charles was no longer living, that some guy named 'Ned' was inside of his body, that there was a zombie living inside of him. Alex didn't respond to any of my text messages when I was supposed to be with him, and he was at that house that morning. Lori talking crazy about how she's a translated being -- all these things all added up into that moment and that morning, once I found out on Saturday that Charles was shot and killed, no doubt in my mind that they killed him," he said. "That's a feeling that I got." PHOTO: Lori Daybell gives her opening statement in her murder trial in Maricopa County, Arizona, April 7, 2025. (Pool/ABC News) In her brief cross-examination, Lori Daybell, referring to her brother as Mr. Cox, asked him if it was the case that they have not been close over the past 20 years, to which he responded, "Yes." "Did you see or hear or personally witness me conspire with my brother Alex Cox to murder my husband?" she asked, to which Adam Cox responded, "No." Lori Daybell is currently serving life in prison without parole for the murders of her two children. She has denied killing them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chad Daybell was sentenced to death after being convicted of murdering the two children, as well as his first wife, Tamara Daybell, and now awaits execution on Idaho's death row. Brother of 'doomsday mom' Lori Daybell testifies against her in latest murder trial originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Attorney General Anthony Brown takes questions from the press in this file photo from \Feb. 10, 2025. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters) Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown (D) has joined another lawsuit against the federal government, this time taking on the U.S. Department of Education for its attempt to rescind previously approved pandemic-era relief funding for schools. Its just the latest in a series of lawsuits that Maryland has joined, or led, against Trump administraition efforts to slash federal jobs or programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursdays suit, filed in New York with 15 other attorneys general and Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D), challenges the departments arbitrary and capricious decision to cancel billions of dollars previously approved to the states last month. The states claim that a March 28 letter from Education Secretary Linda McMahon announcing that a COVID-19 related program had ended at 5 p.m. that day, created chaos for state education departments and local school districts. A mass email was sent to all chief state school officers via email at 5:03 p.m. Maryland and other states had asked for and received approval from the Biden administratiobn for an extension on how they drew down remaining pandemic-era funds. All the states, and the District of Columbia, which is also party to the suit, were given until March 2026 to spend the funds. The money is being used for various educational programs and school construction projects, ranging from tutoring and reading materials to installation of heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. However, McMahons letter dismissed all approvals given by the previous administration, saying it did not make sense for the department to be awarding COVID-19 grants years after the COVID pandemic ended. School districts should have known better than to count on the funds, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maryland education leaders said during an online March 31 news conference that the state stood to lose $418 million $305.2 million that had already been spent but not reimbursed by the federal department, and another $112.8 million in encumbered funds not paid out by the state. That meant local school systems would have had to immediately stop any ongoing work on capital projects, or educational programs. State Superintendent Carey Wright called the potential cuts catastrophic at the time, and that was echoed Thursday by the attorney general. The Trump Administrations decision to cut this funding has thrown Maryland schools into turmoil and uncertainty and threatens valuable programs that help homeless and low-income students recover from the painful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Brown said in a statement. This is a breathtakingly heartless action that threatens to change childrens futures for the worse, and our Office will not stand for it. Most of the money in Maryland comes from the American Rescue Plans Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief, or ARP ESSER, program. The suit highlights several affected projects such as Baltimore City Public Schools, which announced the cancellation of tutoring and after-school programs. The school system hasnt been reimbursed $48 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A U.S. Department of Education spokesperson did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment Thursday night. But Madi Biedermann had said in a statement last month that COVID is over. It is past time for the money to be returned to the peoples bank account. Thursdays suit notes part of McMahons letter justifies the sudden change of position from the previous administration doesnt fit with the current departments priorities and thus not a worthwhile exercise of its discretion. The government had already declared the COVID-19 emergency over when ED [U.S. Education Department] issued approvals of the extension requests, according to the suit. Thus, the rationale ED uses to support its abrupt change in policy is nonsensical. With this lawsuit, the coalition is seeking a preliminary and permanent court order to prevent the derpartment from arbitrarily changing its position so the states can continue to access these essential funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Brown, the first lawsuit he joined against the U.S. Department of Education came March 6 when the department abruptly suspended $600 million in grants that states use to train teachers and place them in hard-to-staff schools. On that same day, a federal workers lawsuit led by Brown was filed in U.S. District Court of Maryland that alleges the firings of tens of thousands of employees, including military veterans, were unlawful. Exactly one week later, Brown announced he joined nearly two dozen attorneys general to sue the Trump administration from dismantling the Department of Education by reducing half of its workforce. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) The Bristol, Tennessee Police Department (BTPD) will host a Drug Take Back event on April 26 from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. Community members are asked to bring old, unwanted or expired medications to the drop-off site at the Bristol Tennessee Municipal Parking Lot (Courthouse Parking Lot, 801 Anderson Street). Perscriptions, over-the-counter medications and supplements will be accepted at the no-questions-asked event, the BTPD said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WCSO hosting drug take back, child safety seat check All items will then be destroyed by the police department for disposal. The Police Department is encouraging individuals to rid their households of unused medications that pose a safety hazard and can contribute to prescription drug abuse, the BTPD said in the release. Additionally, proper disposal is much safer for the environment and the water supply, as flushing or throwing away medications puts waterways and aquatic life at risk. Liquids and syringes will not be accepted at the event. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) A fourth-grade student at Buist Academy will be recognized at the State House after winning a statewide childrens book challenge. EnlightenSC, an energy education program, invited fourth and fifth-grade students in South Carolina to write and illustrate a childrens book about staying safe around electricity. Students created books that integrated the theme of electricity safety while showing the connection between the states electric cooperatives and the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Buist Academy student Ansley Gratzmiller was picked as a winner in the challenge. The Charleston County School District said Ansleys book stood out for its originality and thoughtful portrayal of the themes, which earned her top honors in the individual category. This is an incredible accomplishment for Ansley and a proud moment for our school, said fourth-grade English Language Arts teacher Emily Williams. Williams added: Ansleys creativity and dedication to this project reflect the high standards of excellence we strive for at our school. We are incredibly proud of her success and excited to see her recognized at the state level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Buist Academy student will be honored at the South Carolina State House for her work, and all winners of this years competition will be featured in the South Carolina Living Magazine. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. TOMAH, Wis. (WFRV) A school district in western Wisconsin released a statement after officers were called to a middle school to investigate a bullet that was found in one of its bathrooms. Around 8:20 a.m. on Friday, April 11, officers with the Tomah Police Department were called to the Tomah Middle School for a report of a bullet found in a bathroom, the Department stated in a release. The school was placed on a hold and officers and school administration immediately began an investigation. After identifying a student of interest, that student was interviewed and allegedly admitted to being responsible for the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juvenile suspect in multiple Wisconsin church, home burglaries confesses It was noted by the school district that no firearm was found at the middle school. Tomah Area School District Superintendent Dr. Mike Hanson provided the following statement to parents on Friday: On Friday, Tomah Middle School administration was made aware that one .22 caliber bullet was found in a boys restroom. Tomah Middle School administration immediately contacted law enforcement. The Tomah Police Department promptly responded and assisted school administration and staff in conducting interviews and searches of all people who entered the restroom prior to the bullet being found. The investigation resulted in no firearm being discovered on campus. There was no known threat to any students or faculty. Students returned to their classrooms and building activities in their normal schedule. A student has been identified and confessed. In accordance with school district policy, the appropriate disciplinary action will be taken. Due to our legal obligation to maintain student confidentiality, we cannot share further details at this time. However, please know that we take this situation very seriously. Tomah Area School District is grateful for the quick response and instructions provided by Tomah Area Police Department officers during this investigation. We want to thank our families and community for their response to this situation. Tomah Area School District administration takes every report of threats seriously. The safety and security of our students and faculty are a top priority. If you see something, please say something, and administration will follow up. Dr. Mike Hanson, Tomah Area School District Superintendent Officers say the case will ultimately be referred to the Monroe County Human Services-Youth Justice. Neenah gas stations display fraud warnings amid surge in Bitcoin ATM scams The Tomah Police Department and the Tomah Area School District take these incidents and all school safety very seriously, Assistant Chief Eric Pedersen of the Tomah Police Department said. We would like to thank the Tomah Area School District and especially the Tomah Middle School Administration for their quick action and assistance with the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional information was provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. TOKYO - Japan and the United States are arranging to hold ministerial-level talks next Thursday over tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, a source close to the matter said. Economic Revitalization Minister Ryosei Akazawa, a close aide to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is expected to pursue a broad deal by putting nontariff barriers, investment, and energy cooperation on the table -- areas in which Trump has shown strong interest. According to a government source, Ishiba proposed to Trump during a phone call on Monday negotiations covering a wide range of issues, apparently believing that comprehensive talks could help win concessions on a set of U.S. tariffs he views as having plunged the Asian economy into a "national crisis." On Tuesday, Ishiba tapped Akazawa to lead the tariff talks with the United States. Akazawa is expected to meet U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, whom Trump has tasked with the role. Bessent has claimed that Japan maintains high nontariff barriers and suggested that exchange rates and government subsidies could also be on the agenda. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative has complained that various nontariff barriers impede access to Japan's auto market, citing, for example, safety standards and subsidies concerning clean energy vehicles. A tough negotiation is expected, as the U.S. side could also bring up a demand that Japan increase its own defense spending or pay more for hosting U.S. military forces in Japan. Trump sent shockwaves globally last week by unveiling sweeping tariffs aimed at creating more and better-paying American jobs, with nearly all countries facing a baseline 10 percent duty and dozens of trading partners hit with steeper rates. Less than a day after 24 percent tariffs took effect for Japan, Trump announced Wednesday a 90-day pause on implementing country-specific tariffs for most trading partners, including Japan. The 25 percent tariff on cars, which took effect on April 3, and the 10 percent baseline levy on all imports, in effect since Saturday, remain in force. In the phone talks on Monday, Trump told Ishiba that Japan needs to open its domestic market, according to the government source. Ishiba responded by saying discussions would be needed to address Trump's demand and proposed minister-level talks, the source said, adding that Trump also expressed strong interest in Japan's currency policy. With tariff talks looming, Trump on Thursday renewed his complaint that the decades-old bilateral security treaty is "one-sided," insisting Japan is not doing enough to support its own defense. Related coverage: Japan wants win-win outcome from tariff talks with U.S.: PM Ishiba PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WPRI) A man was taken into custody earlier this week for allegedly soliciting a minor in Portsmouth. Michael Collins, 56, of Burrillville, is accused of initiating inappropriate contact with a 14-year-old, according to police. During the investigation, police said they obtained several items of evidentiary value, including online communications between Collins and the victim. The Rhode Island Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested him Monday at his home in Harrisville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins was arraigned on a felony charge of indecent solicitation of a minor. He was released on $5,000 surety bail and is prohibited from having contact with minors or using the internet, smartphones, and computers. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Breaking News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. PRINCETON, Ind. (WEHT)- A business from Haubstadt traveled to Princeton to serve up hot meals for those affected by a tornado on Thursday. Pappa Bears Catering says they gave away food just hours after the storm hit the community. The company says theyve offered a helping hand after disasters in the past including in Mayfield, Kentucky following the December 2021 tornado. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW). A Butler County man is accused of making threats to assault and murder President Donald Trump, other United States officials and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Shawn Monper, 32, has been federally charged, Acting United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced Friday. Authorities said that on Wednesday, the FBI received an emergency disclosure regarding threats posted to YouTube by user Mr Satan. It was determined the threats happened between Jan. 15 and April 5. According to the criminal complaint, an investigation confirmed that the internet activity associated with Mr Satan corresponded with Monpers home in Western Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation uncovered that Monper got a firearms permit not long after Trumps inauguration. In February, investigators said that Monper commented using his Mr Satan account saying, I have bought several guns and been stocking up on ammo since Trump got in office. In March 2025, Monper commented using his account: Eventually im going to do a mass shooting. Authorities said One week later, Monper commented: I have been buying 1 gun a month since the election, body armor, and ammo. The following threatening statements were uncovered by authorities and listed within the criminal complaint: February 17, 2025: Nah, we just need to start killing people, Trump, Elon, all the heads of agencies Trump appointed, and anyone who stands in the way. Remember, we are the majority, MAGA is a minority of the country, and by the time its time to make the move, they will be weakened, many will be crushed by these policies, and they will want revenge too. American Revolution 2.0 March 4, 2025: im going to assassinate him myself. This threat was made in a YouTube video titled Live: Trumps address to Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement March 18, 2025: ICE are terrorist people, we need to start killing them. April 1, 2025: If I see an armed ice agent, I will consider it a domestic terrorist, and an active shooter and open fire on them. On Wednesday, the FBI, with the assistance of the Butler Township Police Department, arrested Monper. I want to applaud the outstanding and courageous investigative work of the FBI and the Butler Township Police Department, who thankfully identified and apprehended this individual before he could carry out his threats against President Trumps life and the lives of other innocent Americans, said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. Rest assured that whenever and wherever threats of assassination or mass violence occur, this Department of Justice will find, arrest, and prosecute the suspect to the fullest extent of the law and seek the maximum appropriate punishment. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW (WTVO) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled about 1,700 pounds of Cabot butter. The recall comes after the butter was tested for elevated levels of coliform, a bacteria found in feces. The specific type of Cabot product that was recalled was an 8-ounce package of premium sea salted butter. The butter was packaged in cardboard and had a UPC label: 0 78354 62038 0. The product also had a best-by date of September 9, 2025, with lot numbers 090925-055 and 2038. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The butter was sold in Arkansas, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Vermont. The FDA said to dispose of the butter or return it to the business you purchased 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 MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS)The Caddo Parish Sheriffs Office will participate in a statewide campaign to teach pickup truck drivers and their passengers about seatbelt safety. The campaign, funded by a grant from the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, will run from April 19 to April 27. DOTD begins work to improve safety at I-49 and Southern Loop According to LHSC, pickup trucks are twice as likely to roll over in a crash, and Louisiana pickup drivers and their passengers are less likely to wear seat belts. A 2019 Louisiana Seat Belt Observation Survey showed that pickup occupants wear their seat belts 8.8 percent less frequently than occupants of other vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the goal of reducing injuries and unrestrained fatalities on our roadways, Caddo Sheriffs deputies will engage in high-visibility enforcement to bring awareness of the importance of seatbelt usage and the laws surrounding it, a press release stated. Deputies will join other law enforcement officers across the state who are looking for unrestrained drivers and occupants, specifically those in pickups. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAKE CHARLES, La. (KLFY) A Calcasieu Parish Sheriffs Deputy has been fired, and will face charges in connection with an incident involving an underage girl, authorities said. David Q. Williams, 34, was arrested today on a criminal warrant from Texas Department of Public Safety. He was booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with online solicitation of a minor. The charges stem from an incident that occurred in 2020 with a girl who was under the age of 16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was terminated today by Calcasieu Parish Sheriff Stitch Guillory. He will be extradited back to Texas. No other details were released. David Q. Williams Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Latest news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. Months after wildfires ravaged Los Angeles County, California Sen. Alex Padilla is hoping his bill to overhaul forest management and prevent wildfires might be the first bipartisan measure for President Trump to sign. "I dont think anything could completely prevent wildfires, but through this work, if we can prevent just one more community from experiencing the heartbreak felt by the families in Santa Rosa or in Paradise or the Pacific Palisades and Altadena, then this effort wouldve been worth it," Padilla said Thursday. Padilla, who chairs the Senate Wildfire Caucus, joined with a bipartisan group of senators from the West Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.) to introduce the Fix Our Forests Act, which mirrors a bipartisan measure of the same name that the House passed in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fix Our Forests Act would usher in sweeping changes to how the federal government manages its land which constitutes 45% of the uninhabited, wildfire-prone land in California, according to the Congressional Research Service. It would create a wildfire intelligence center to centralize federal management, require assessments of fireshed areas and streamline how communities reduce their wildfire risk. It also would ramp up research into wildfire mitigation technologies and change some forestation treatments. Read more: Letters to the Editor: Despite her critics, Mayor Bass is overcoming some of the city's biggest challenges Although the House handily passed the measure, it was not completely welcome among environmental groups. Dozens wrote a letter decrying the measure for rolling back protections for endangered species and removing accountability against "extractive industries." Gutting wildlife protections and community input on managing our public lands have never made forests healthier or reduced wildfire risk, and that wont change with this legislation, Ashley Nunes, public lands policy specialist at the Center for Biological Diversity, said in a statement Thursday. Not a single community will be safer from wildfires if this becomes law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Padilla argued that his bill improved upon issues brought by those groups, including adding a provision for prescribed burns, "building on the expertise and experience of Native American tribes that have been implementing prescribed fires for generations." The Senate version also redefined projects eligible for grants, "to make sure that the L.A. would be eligible right now," said Matt Weiner, chief executive and founder of the advocacy organization Megafire Action, which pushed for the legislation. "I think its pretty crazy, frankly, that were on the cusp of getting to the presidents desk here a bill that he could sign into law that would be bipartisan and one of the most comprehensive rewrites of federal wildfire policy in decades," Weiner said. "Amid all the chaos, theres an opportunity to do something really meaningful here in a bipartisan way." The legislation started with an airplane conversation between Democratic Rep. Scott Peters of San Diego and his Republican colleague Rep. Bruce Westerman of Arkansas. The two were traveling together on an international congressional trip, when Westerman sat beside Peters and asked if he could tell him a story about California's sequoias. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "He couldn't get away," Westerman said with a laugh. As a licensed forester, Westerman wanted to overhaul federal forest management. Peters, an environmental lawyer by trade who came to Congress to push climate solutions, was "interested because it's California." Read more: These 34 hikes and picnic sites are reopening after the L.A. fires "The people in the 1970s who drew up our environmental laws were meeting the challenges of those days," Peters said in January. "Time is our enemy. ... The longer we wait, the more we have these catastrophic fires. And I just think that environmental groups haven't caught up with that, some of them." A previous version of the bill passed the House but was not taken up for a vote in the Senate. Westerman and Peters reintroduced it in January on the heels of the L.A. fires, hoping they could capture their colleagues' attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The great thing about this bill is we can do something outside of disaster," Westerman said at the time. "This is about preventing future disasters." California's leaders including Gov. Gavin Newsom and Cal Fire Chief Joe Tyler applauded the Senate version of the bill. Newsom pointed to his own efforts temporarily lifting state regulations to speed up rebuilding in the wake of the L.A. fires. "The Fix Our Forest Act is a step forward that will build on this progress enabling good projects to happen faster on federal lands," Newsom said in a statement. Get the L.A. Times Politics newsletter. Deeply reported insights into legislation, politics and policy from Sacramento, Washington and beyond, in your inbox twice per week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. NORTHERN CAMBRIA, Pa. The Cambria County commissioners Thursday approved a new agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for removal of detained illegal aliens in the Cambria County Prison. This is part of the Warrant Service Officer program under Section 287(g) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 that allows ICE agents to partner with state and local law enforcement to identify and remove criminal aliens from the country. Cambria County Solicitor Ronald Repak said people arrested and detained at the prison who are flagged as illegally in the country by the Department of Homeland Security during processing would be held without bail due to their immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal agents would then arrive at the prison within 48 hours to collect the detained person for potential deportation proceedings. Thats consistent with what the prison has been doing, Repak said. Theyre not taking over as an ICE agent theyre simply filling the papers out (and) making sure theyre served appropriately. But its all under the supervision of ICE. This agreement is one of three the county could have adopted. The others are the Jail Enforcement Model and Task Force Model, which provide more immigration authority to local and state law enforcement. Repak said the agreement is voluntary and working closely with ICE is something the commissioners are interested in doing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE and President Donald Trumps administration in recent months have increased deportation efforts that in some cases have led to the detention of some college students, arrests of legal permanent immigrants and dramatic scenes as agents carry out their duties. Trump has also invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to target alleged Venezuelan gang members and send them to a prison in El Salvador, which has brought up questions of due process from rights groups. U.S. judges in New York and Texas barred those deportations for now Wednesday. Cambria County Prison Warden Kurt Wolford said the arrangement wont have an impact on jail operations and described the action as a continuation of cooperation with the federal agencies. Weve always had a good working relation not only with the Department of Homeland Security, but really any law enforcement agency, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wolford said he recognized that immigration is a hot-button issue, but said the agreement simply allows Cambria County Prison officials to assist the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, ICEs parent agency. According to the ICE website, the Warrant Service Officer program empowers ICE officials to train, certify and authorize state and local law enforcement officers to serve and execute administrative warrants on aliens in their agencys jail. Mark Carney, Canadas prime minister, took over from Justin Trudeau as leader of the countrys Liberal Party just in time for the outbreak of a trade war with the US, instigated by Donald Trump. The Americans want our resources, our water, our land, our country... if they succeed, they will destroy our way of life, the former Governor of the Bank of England said in his acceptance speech. Mr Trumps decision to impose tariffs on its northern neighbour sparked outrage from Canadians, upending the state of the federal election set to take place within months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just weeks after taking office, the new prime minister announced a snap election for Monday, April 28th. This is months earlier than the October deadline stipulated by Canadian law, which requires a ballot every 5 years. Who will be running in the Canadian election? After nine years in post, Mr Trudeau stepped down in early January after weeks of growing pressure from his party. The Liberals were languishing 25 points behind their Conservative rivals at the time. His resignation, however, instigated a dramatic comeback, the gap falling to just 4 points by the time his successor was sworn-in on Friday. Escalating aggression from Washington from Mr Trump first referring to Canada as the 51st state in December to the levying of 25 percent tariffs on imports of steel and aluminium in March saw Canadians rally around their defiant leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Conservative Partys Pierre Poilievre, on the other hand, stood accused of echoing the US presidents rhetoric and an awkward proximity with the US Right. His successful blaming of Mr Trudeau personally for Canadas ills also became moot overnight. Mr Carney is running to be the MP for Nepean, a southern suburb of the capital. Ottawa is where Mark Carney raised his family, devoted his career to public service and always gave back to his community, the Liberal Party posted on X in making the announcement. He is widely expected to win the race. For the first time in Canadian history the two main contenders for the premiership are going after seats in the same city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Poilievres Carleton riding, which he has represented since 2004, is next-door to Nepean in Ottawa. The Conservative leader is also likely to prevail, but his polling margin has narrowed somewhat in recent weeks. Where did we get the data? The Telegraphs model uses polls from a range of reputable Canadian pollsters, compiled by 338Canada. These include Leger, Ipsos and Mainstreet Research. The result of each survey published since the last election on September 20 2021, has been weighted according to how well that pollster performed, and the size of the sample. The trendline displayed is the Weighted Moving Average (WMA) of all polls published over the preceding 3 weeks. How accurate are the polls? Every poll comes with a measure of uncertainty. Although all pollsters strive to interrogate a representative sample, and make adjustments to reflect the makeup of the wider country, a margin of error is unavoidable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In practice, the true position of a particular poll is likely to fall within 2 points of the quoted figure. Each pollster also has a bespoke approach to establishing headline voting intention. The precise wording of questions can vary, as does the way dont know responses are handled. Studies have shown that an aggregated poll of polls helps mitigate the potential biases emerging from individual pollsters. 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. EDITORS NOTE: Given the increased interest in US-Canadian relations and Canadian politics during this time, well be looking to run additional Peter Black columns as the situation develops, so expect additional supplemental Canadian Dispatch columns in upcoming editions. Its pretty clear as it reaches its half-way point, the Canadian general election on April 28 has become a two-horse race. This is not an unusual thing for Americans, where Democrats and Republicans have been duking it out at all three levels of government for 200 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Canada, however, third parties have had an increasing impact on the outcome of elections, so much so that since 1962, 10 of 20 federal elections resulted in minorities, and since 2004, there have been five out of seven. The current Liberal government is the second of back-to-back minorities. With that context, poll-watchers are tracking a rather rare phenomenon in this election where the battle has narrowed down to a duel between the Liberals and Conservatives, with the two main third parties fading away. The simplest explanation is that many voters who normally would have voted for the left-wing New Democratic Party nationally, and the separatist Bloc Quebecois in Quebec, have flocked to the Liberals. There are two reasons for that: One is that new Liberal Leader Mark Carney, with his unique expertise in managing economic crises, is perceived as ideally suited to manage the chaos, damage and insult Donald Trump is inflicting on Canada. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The other is a general fear and loathing of Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and what a government of his making would mean for Canada. Before the departure of Justin Trudeau, the Trump attacks, and the arrival of Carney on the scene, Poilievre was looking at a majority. Now, though, if Poilievre has any hope of winning even a minority government, he needs to expand his base and that is not looking promising with the Liberals opening up a consistent lead. If an election were held this week, the Liberals would win at least a 20-seat majority, with the NDP holding only nine seats and the Bloc 16. The Blocs plunge in support is a particularly interesting case because Carney, the very picture of a boring Englishman banker, just doesnt seem like the type to excite French-speaking voters, particularly those who identify with the Blocs dream of Quebec independence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carney is not particularly eloquent in spoken French and lacks a solid grasp of the provinces cultural nuances. What minimizes Carneys lack of personal chemistry with Quebecers, however, is the fact he has an exceptionally popular trio of Quebec ministers as key players in his campaign and in his government: Foreign Minister Melanie Joly (often seen on U.S. TV talking tariffs), Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne, and Steven Guilbeault, an environmentalist warrior. Quebecers have an historical tendency to vote en masse like a family. For five elections under Pierre Trudeau, for example, the Liberals routinely ran the table, with only a handful of seats going to other parties. Conservative Brian Mulroney, a fluently bilingual son of Quebecs north shore, dominated Quebec in both his elections as leader (1984, 1988). When, in 1993, Mulroney quit and left the country in a constitution mess with Quebec on the brink of separation, the Liberals under Jean Chretien won a majority, but Lucien Bouchard, head of the newly formed Bloc, became leader of Her Majestys Loyal Opposition, having won the second largest number of seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most startling voter stampede of all in Quebec was in 2011. Thanks to a particularly ineffectual Liberal leader, the unpopularity of then-prime minister Stephen Harper and fatigue with the Bloc, the NDP, under charismatic, Montreal-born leader Jack Layton, won 59 of Quebecs 75 seats. Combined with 44 seats elsewhere in the country, the NDP became, for the first time ever, the Official Opposition. The Bloc was reduced to four seats in that election and generally written off as a spent force. Not so fast! As the NDP tide in Quebec receded, the Bloc bounced back, and took 32 seats in the last election in 2021. If current poll projections hold, the Bloc deputation to the federal Parliament could be cut in half, and the Liberals would win the most seats in Quebec since Justin Trudeau claimed 40 in 2015. Pollsters and pundits caution the race, with less than 20 days to go, is not over. Although voter intentions are highly locked in, with Carney having a gaping lead over Poilievre for preferred prime minister, the two-horse race could tighten. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hence, when the party leaders, including the head of the two-seat Green Party, face off in French and English debates next week, the stakes will be especially high. Peter Black is a radio broadcaster and writer based in Quebec City. He has worked on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, in Montreal as a newspaper reporter and editor, and as a translator and freelance writer. Email him: pmblack@videotron.ca. TOKYO - Japan will send its second medical team to Myanmar on Saturday to meet increasing health care needs in the Southeast Asian country after a powerful earthquake last month, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said. Iwaya said at a press conference on Friday that in addition to the 37-member team, the government will also deliver additional humanitarian supplies such as feed water tanks and tents to schools in Myanmar's second-largest city Mandalay, located near the epicenter of the March 28 magnitude 7.7 quake. Japan dispatched its first, 32-member medical team, including doctors and nurses, and a Self-Defense Forces transport airplane carrying medicines and medical equipment to Myanmar earlier this month, and has also provided relief supplies such as hygiene kits. The junta ruling Myanmar after the military toppled the democratically elected government in a February 2021 coup, and several ethnic minority groups declared last week a temporary cease-fire in the country's civil war to prioritize relief work, and Iwaya stressed that a pause in the conflict is important for smooth humanitarian support. Related coverage: Japan defense force plane to carry medicines to quake-hit Myanmar Japan medical team arrives in quake-hit Myanmar to offer assistance Japan ready to provide $6 mil. in grant aid to quake-hit Myanmar The post Canadian Musician Bells Larsen Says Hes Blocked from Touring US Because Im Trans appeared first on Consequence. Canadian musician Bells Larsen, who is trans, has been forced to cancel his upcoming US tour dates after immigration authorities required government-issued IDs to match ones assigned sex at birth. I have to cancel all of the American shows on my spring tour (Boston, NYC, Beacon, LA, San Fran, Healdsburg, Arcata, and Merced), Larsen wrote on Instagram. I received an email on Tuesday from the American Federation of Musicians stating that I am no longer able to apply for a Visa because US Immigration now only recognizes identification that corresponds with ones assigned sex at birth. To put it super plainly, because Im trans (and have an M on my passport), I cant tour in the States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Larsen received the news just two weeks before the release of his upcoming album, Blurring Time, which is about his transition. The artist explained that he had already been considering whether to go about business as usual with the tour for several weeks. The accumulation of border horror stories + worried check-in texts from loved ones + increasingly troublesome updates on the news and on official government websites with regards to travel precautions has resulted in a plethora of nightmares and anxiety, he continued. If random people are getting randomly questioned/stopped/detained at borders, how can I as someone wanting to make money abroad by exhibiting my lived experience as a trans person expect to pass go and get out of jail free? Before Larsen learned of the policy, he had planned to travel in the safest way possible with a cisgender male, handing border agents a Visa and passport with Ms on them, crossing borders via plane, and performing exclusively in blue states. After speaking with two immigration lawyers and receiving the email, however, Larsen realized there is no way to move forward here. He added, This new policy has crushed my dreams. Im cradling a very broken heart and the realization that I dont know if or when I will be able to tour in the States again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This album is, in many ways, my lifes work. I am more and more gutted with every day that passes by the (seeming) dissonance between the world in which I created this project and the world into which I am releasing it, Larsen continued. I was hoping that the album would help me break into the US music market and connect with cool, likeminded American musicians. More than anything, though, I just really wanted to perform my album for queer and trans people in the US who saw their stories reflected in my own. One of President Trumps first executive orders upon taking office for his second term implemented requirements that official US documents like passports and visas accurately reflect the holders sex, which the administration says is not changeable. In February, Euphoria star Hunter Schafer, who is also trans, posted a TikTok revealing her new passport was issued with a male gender marker. Because our president is a lot of talk, I was like, Ill believe it when I see it,' she said. And, today, I saw it. Blurring Time is due out on April 25th via Royal Mountain Records. Pre-orders are ongoing via Bandcamp. Get tickets for Larsens upcoming shows in Canada here. Popular Posts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe to Consequences email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox. A mother who drowned her two sons in the bath was in a psychotic state caused by smoking cannabis, a court has heard. Kara Alexander, 47, was convicted of murdering Elijah Thomas, two, and Marley Thomas, five, at their home in Dagenham, east London, in Dec 2022. On Friday, at Kingston Crown Court, she was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years and 252 days. The judge, Mr Justice Bennathan, referred to the childrens father finding his deceased sons next to one another as the stuff of nightmares. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sentencing Alexander, the judge said: On the evening of the 15th of December 2022, youd been smoking skunk. Youd been doing so every night for weeks, probably much longer. At some stage, both the boys were in their pyjamas ready for bed, with Elijah also wearing his nappy. He said: You drowned them both by your deliberate acts. The judge said he could not reach any conclusion but that in her state at that time she intended to kill the boys, pointing out that she had unspeakably held the boys under water for up to a minute or two. The bath was probably still run from their normal evening routine and I do not think for a moment that your dreadful acts were pre-meditated, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge said Alexander dried the boys, put them in clean pyjamas and laid them together, tucked in under duvets, on the same bunk bed. The next morning, their father, worried by your unusual silence, came and found them. The stuff of nightmares, he said. The bodies of Elijah, left, and Marley, were found by their father - Central News/Facebook The judge said there was every sign Alexander was a caring and affectionate mother to both children before the events of that night. He pointed out that their father said Alexander never shouted or raised her voice at the boys and never showed violence to the boys. The judge said Alexander was in a psychotic state when she killed her sons and that it was cannabis induced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said she had a previous psychotic episode in 2016 in which cannabis also probably played a part, but said he cannot be sure that she was aware that cannabis could trigger another psychotic state. The judge said he noted that in Dec 2022, Alexander spoke regularly with two members of her social circle about her heavy cannabis use, both of them knowing that she was looking after two small children. And at least one of them knew of your previous psychotic episode in 2016, yet neither of them warned you of any risk or sounded any note of caution at all, he said. Referring to aggravating factors in the case, Mr Justice Bennathan noted the vulnerability of the boys by their young age and the shocking abuse of the trust that any small child ought to be able to have in their mother or father. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge said Alexander will mourn her sons for the rest of her life. From all that I have read and seen of you, I have no doubt that every day when you awake you will remember and grieve for the little boys whose lives you snatched away, he said. In his sentencing remarks, Mr Justice Bennathan warned of the dangers of drugs. The heavy use of skunk or other hyper-strong strains of cannabis can plunge people into a mental health crisis in which they may harm themselves or others, he said. If any drug user does not know that, its about time they did. At your trial, Kara Alexander, the three psychiatrists who gave evidence disagreed about a number of things, but on that they were unanimous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It will comfort nobody connected to this case, but if these events bring home that message to even a few people, some slight good may come from what is otherwise an unmitigated tragedy. 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. Massachusetts State Rep. Chris Flanagan has been arrested and indicted on five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts announced Friday. Flanagan, who is a representative for the First Barnstable District, allegedly defrauded a trade association of tens of thousands of dollars, the indictment said. He allegedly used the funds for mortgage and credit card payments, campaign funding and personal expenses. The 37-year-old Dennis resident will appear in federal court in Boston at 2:30 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His lawyer, Greg Henning, said he was still gathering information about the arrest. State Rep. Christopher Flanagan, D-Dennis, answers a question on affordable housing at The League of Women Voters of the Cape Cod Area forum for the 1st Barnstable District State Representative candidates at the Cape Media Center in Dennis Port on Oct. 8, 2024. Rep. Chris Flanagan arrested. What we know. According to the indictment, Flanagan allegedly misused funds belonging to the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod, of which he was an executive officer from 2019 to 2024. The indictment alleges that Flanagan wired a total of $36,000 from HBA's bank account to his personal bank account between November 2021 and January 2023. The five alleged transactions were made via check deposit and PayPal transfers. One of the transfers was into Flanagan's campaign bank account, the indictment said. More on Christopher Flanagan: Cape lawmaker investigated for alleged misuse of former employer's money. What we know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Christopher Flanagan coverage: GOP urges Cape rep to step down. Flanagan says he won't 'engage in political mudslinging' Chris Flanagan at the Home Builders and Remodelers Association of Cape Cod Offices in Centerville. Photo taken on January 8,2020 Flanagan used the funds to pay for personal expenses, including psychic services, mortgage bills and credit card debt, the indictment alleged. He also allegedly used the funds for campaign materials. According to the indictment, Flanagan also allegedly attempted to conceal the misuse of the funds by using another HBA employee's account to create expense reports for items like "office supplies" and "technology." A federal grand jury in Boston indicted Flanagan on the six charges in the indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 Cape Cod Times: Cape Cod Rep Chris Flanagan arrested on fraud charges, cover-up scheme ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Four new stores will be coming to the Eastview Mall! The first new addition is Capital One Cafe, a 3,758 square foot storefront near Dicks House of Sport. This will be the first location in the northeast, with the nearest location currently being in Washington, D.C. At the food court, Fries Fries Fries, a Syracuse restaurant, will open a 740-square-foot space between Famous Wok and Pita Chik. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fabletics, a womens sportswear store, will open its first Upstate New York location at the mall. The new store will occupy a 1,800-square-foot space between Sephora and White House Black Market. Lastly, Rowa, a hypoallergenic jewelry store, will also open its first Upstate New York location at Eastview. This will be open in the Von Maur wing between Vera Bradley and Free People as Amitas Xpress Spa relocates. The mall also announced Amitas, along with Box Lunch and Buckle, will open fully remodeled stores in new locations at the mall. Amitas will return to its previous space near the GAP, Buckle will move in between Abercrombie & Fitch and Brooks Brothers, and Box Lunch will be between Aeropostale and LEGO. More local business news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Virginia Beach Police are asking residents to be aware of a growing trend of car break-ins and thefts. According to officials, just between April 8-9, the city reported 34 incidents of destruction of property and 14 thefts from motor vehicles. This all occurred in the 3rd Precinct of the city near Bonney Road. As a result, law enforcement are reminding the community to always lock your doors, keep valuables in your vehicle out of plain sight or to not leave valuables in your vehicle, at all. This will reduce your likelihood of becoming a victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said that, while car break-ins typically involve individuals checking to see which vehicles are unlocked, the recent thefts have involved smashing car windows in order to get the items inside. Other areas of the city have reported similar trends, however, not as prevalent as in the 3rd Precinct. A resident living on one of the streets with multiple break ins said he has seen incidents like this before and knows how to avoid them. Coming from Orlando, Florida, its just the younger crowd breaking into cars and trying to get whatever they can get, one resident said. The more excessive ones where theyre breaking the glass, using tools, usually theres something in your car that they know or have heard of that they want, or they see something expensive through the windows. Thats why I avoid leaving anything expensive in my car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man explained his process to make sure his car isnt broken into. Double lock it sometimes I even do a little look back, make sure I didnt leave anything in there, he said. Like I said, if youve got something expensive sitting out on the front seat, its gonna catch someone eye. Due to the rise in thefts, police are asking residents to keep valuables out of vehicles, or just out of sight. People are also asked to consider investing in car alarms or added lighting to your home or driveway. Theyre also asking neighbors in the Bonney Road area to help them ID suspects and review security camera footage to see if theyve captured anything. Individuals who may have captured video of thefts from security cameras are asked to contact the VBPD Detective Bureau at 757-385-4101 with the potential evidence. People can also register and integrate their security cameras with VBPD using the link here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Continue to check WAVY.com 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 WAVY.com. At a time when bipartisan agreement is scarce in Washington, D.C., senators from both parties seemed to unite Wednesday at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing, which centered on bombshell allegations from a Meta whistleblower. All seemed to agree that Meta poses a threat to free and civil discourse, and that the companys CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, is not to be trusted. The hearing was a public opportunity for Meta executive Sarah Wynn-Williams to air allegations made in her recent book, Careless People, which details her time working alongside Meta bigwigs like Zuckerberg, Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan and former Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg. Meta fought hard in court to prevent Wynn-Williams from promoting her book and, according to Wynn-Williams, even sought to prevent her from speaking with members of Congress. Among the more eye-popping allegations in her testimony: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That Meta, as part of its pitch to expand Facebook into China, developed censorship technology that could be used by its government. That Meta censored a Chinese dissident at Chinese officials behest. That Meta has deceived the U.S. Congress about its ongoing operations in China. Meta spokesperson Andy Stone said in a statement that Wynn-Williams testimony is divorced from reality and that 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. Here are some other key takeaways from Wednesdays hearing. Mistrust of Zuckerberg Mistrust of Zuckerberg was remarkably bipartisan. These quotes from Sens. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., and Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., exemplify what I mean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawley: Sarah Wynn-Williams knows the truth about Facebook thats what they fear. She knows that while Mark Zuckerberg now claims to be a champion of the United States and claims to be a free speech warrior, he in fact worked hand in glove with the Chinese Communist Party for years. He in fact made censorship his business model. He in fact developed censorship tools for the Chinese Communist Party to use against its own people. He in fact made Americans own user data available, was willing to make it available, to Beijing. Blumenthal didnt sound impressed with Zuckerbergs public image as a free speech champion either, and he suggested the CEOs recent pivot to MAGA might be an effort to defuse a Federal Trade Commission lawsuit against Meta over alleged antitrust infractions. Blumenthal said at the hearing: It is disgusting and the height of hypocrisy for a supposed free speech champion, Mark Zuckerberg, and Meta to use a campaign of threats and intimidation to try to silence you. But it is part of a pattern. Meta is trying to buy and even bribe and pander its way out of any accountability. It has donated a million dollars to Trumps inaugural fund. It started ripping up its policies on hate speech and letting fraud and abuse run rampant on its platforms. And, appallingly, according to The Wall Street Journal, Zuckerberg has recently visited the White House, three times, to get the president to order the Federal Trade Commission to drop its antitrust case. Meta will stop at nothing to dispel and disguise and deceive. There was no love lost, on either side of the aisle, for Zuck. Watch Wynn-Williams exchange with Hawley here: Censorship of Bannon ally Guo Wengui Wynn-Williams testified that Meta censored a Chinese dissident at the request of Chinese officials, and that the dissident was Guo Wengui, a federally convicted fraudster and MAGA-friendly ally of far-right activist Steve Bannon. Wynn-Williams said Facebooks claim that a 2017 suspension of Guos account stemmed from a temporary glitch was a lie, and that the decision to temporarily kick him off the platform actually came as a result of pressure from a Chinese official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stone, the Meta spokesperson, said in a statement that Guo faced account restrictions because he shared personally identifiable information such as passport numbers, social security numbers and addresses, The Washington Post reported. Pressure on Meta from all sides Theres more scrutiny of Meta on the horizon. Wynn-Williams told the panel that Metas claim that it is not operating in China is a lie; she claimed Meta showed a willingness to compromise Americans data in exchange for a foothold in China; and shes filed complaints with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Justice Department to investigate. She also alleged that Meta has had a multibillion-dollar business relationship with China for more than a decade and claimed Facebooks artificial intelligence models were used to build DeepSeek, a powerful Chinese AI company. Blumenthal and Hawley have opened a joint probe into Metas alleged operations in China. All of this is happening as Meta prepares for the FTC case that may force it to spin off some of its brands, like WhatsApp and Instagram, to avoid running afoul of anti-monopoly rules. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Apr. 10dbeard @dominionpost.com MORGANTOWN Department of Human Services Secretary Alex Mayer came to Morgantown on Thursday to join with Chad Clutter, director of Chestnut Mountain Village, social workers and members of churches across Monongalia County to celebrate the launch of CarePortal the first launch in West Virginia. "It's a celebration for Mon county. It's a celebration for all of West Virginia, " Clutter told the group gathered at the Hotel Morgan. CarePortal describes itself as "a care-sharing technology platform that brings the needs of children and families in crisis to the attention of local churches and community members who want to help. By bridging the gap between child-serving agencies and community responders, CarePortal enables real-time, meaningful support that strengthens families and prevents unnecessary foster care placements." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After an initial launch in Mon County in November, CarePortal went live on Thursday, with 14 local churches participating. BreeAnna Cunningham, with Mon County CPS, and Jane McCracken, CarePortal ambassador with Chestnut Mountain Village, demonstrated how it works on a big screen in the back of the room. A social worker will learn of a family's material need maybe furniture, clothing, home repairs, utility bills. The worker enters the need into the system via the portal website or app. Cunningham went through an example where a mom trying to reunify her family needs a bed four her daughter because hers was destroyed in a fire. After she entered the information, an alert went out and phones of people who are participating dinged all across the room. McKracken then responded on the app, pledging to meet the need, and that response appeared on the screen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CarePortal is already active in 37 states. It reports that its platform has met 135, 575 requests, served 358, 943 children, and generated an estimated $133.9 million in economic impact. Some areas across the nation have seen a 60 % decrease in kids entering foster care. Clutter explained how the Mon County pilot project got launched. It began in 2023 with him and four others who looked at the foster care problem and thought about what they could do to support families before they broke down and the state had to get involved. And what if they could support foster families to keep them from quitting. They did a four-month community assessment to see what resources are out there and what churches wanted to get involved. They believed there was more than enough resources and willing people out there. "But nobody was connected, so there was no way for people to know what they needed to do." That led to contact with CarePortal. Chestnut Mountain Village became the implementing partner. The CMA Church of Morgantown and Chestnut Ridge Church were the first two churches to sign on for the pilot program in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locally, along with the two churches, DOHS' Bureau of Social Services and Bureau of Family Services, Compass Women's Center on Don Knotts Boulevard and the DOHS Mon County Family Support Center teamed up. "Those are connections and problems solved by neighbors helping neighbors, not through government, " Clutter said. They can reunify a family or keep one together. Mayer said DOHS sees the needs and problems of the child welfare system. "It becomes increasingly clear that initiatives like this are going to be the solution, " CarePortal is an innovative platform that connects families to help they need. "By responding swiftly to needs posted in CarePortal, community members can prevent crises from escalating, ensuring that children remain safe in their nurturing environment, " he said. And along with meeting material needs, the portal community can offer emotional and social support relationships that provide mentorship and guidance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Other states that have done this have seen phenomenal outcomes, " he said. Mon County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kristin Antolini said, "I really see this as a game changer for our children and our families here in Monongalia County." She came into the attorney's office from a background as guardian ad litem where she represented hundreds of children, she said. Those kids' their social workers are also often their parents, and the kids have needs beyond what the state can provide. With this, a worker will be able to put those needs into the portal have have the need met. "When you fulfill an economic request, you are letting someone know that they are valued, they are cared for, that they are important." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CMA Pastor Roy Baker said he had foster brothers growing up, and he knows fostering is tough at times. "To know that you have a support system behind you is tremendously motivating to people who might step up and be heroes in our state, to take up the role of fostering, " he said. The next step for CarePortal, Clutter is, is the launch of the Preston County pilot program on May 13. And from there, it could spread across the state. The following is the latest list of selected news summaries by Kyodo News. ---------- Japan, U.S. ministers eye talks over Trump's tariffs next week TOKYO - Japan and the United States are arranging to hold ministerial-level talks next Thursday over tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump, a source close to the matter said. Ryosei Akazawa, economic revitalization minister and a close aide to Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is expected to visit the United States to discuss the issue with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who will serve as the point man for the talks with the Asian country, the source said Friday ---------- Japan PM to meet stateless Japanese descendants in Philippine visit TOKYO - Japan is arranging a meeting between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and descendants of Japanese nationals left behind in the Philippines after World War II during a planned visit to the Southeast Asian country, government sources said Friday, in a show of support for such stateless people. Ishiba is expected to meet several of the Japanese descendants in Manila to advance support for those seeking Japanese nationality during the 80th anniversary year of the war's end. ---------- Japan coalition partner hints at sales tax cut amid U.S. tariff hikes TOKYO - The head of Japan's junior coalition partner said Friday he does not rule out anything to support the economy, hit by rising prices and higher U.S. tariffs, with a cut in the country's consumption tax an option. Tetsuo Saito, chief of the Komeito party who has supported cash handouts as a "stopgap" measure to ease the pain being felt by households, also said the issuance of deficit-covering government bonds could be considered to secure such emergency funding. ---------- Japan to send 2nd medical team to quake-hit Myanmar on April 12 TOKYO - Japan will send its second medical team to Myanmar on Saturday to meet increasing health care needs in the Southeast Asian country after a powerful earthquake last month, Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya said. Iwaya said at a press conference on Friday that in addition to the 37-member team, the government will also deliver additional humanitarian supplies such as feed water tanks and tents to schools in Myanmar's second-largest city Mandalay, located near the epicenter of the March 28 magnitude 7.7 quake. ---------- 96% of people say prices up from year ago, record high in BOJ survey TOKYO - A record high 96.1 percent of respondents in a Bank of Japan survey released Friday answered that current prices have risen compared with a year ago, as inflation has prompted households to tighten their purse strings. The highest figure since comparable data became available in September 2006 comes as inflation has been accelerating for years due largely to a spike in energy and raw material costs with the yen's depreciation driving up import prices. ---------- Japan's emperor, empress arrive in Osaka Pref. for World Expo opening OSAKA - Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived Friday in Osaka Prefecture ahead of this weekend's opening of the 2025 World Exposition, in which they are scheduled to attend an opening ceremony for the six-month-long event. The first day of the imperial couple's two-day stay in Osaka will see them visit Yumeshima, an artificial island that serves as the venue for the expo opening Sunday, to see the Grand Ring -- a vast wooden roof encircling the pavilions -- as well as the Japan Pavilion and the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion. ---------- China to raise retaliatory tariffs on U.S. to 125% on April 12 BEIJING - China said Friday it will raise retaliatory tariffs on all U.S. goods to 125 percent starting the following day, up from the 84 percent imposed earlier this week, but added it will not respond to any further U.S. tariff hikes. The announcement comes after U.S. President Donald Trump brought total U.S. duties on all Chinese items to 145 percent, further escalating the trade war between the world's two largest economies. ---------- Baseball: Torpedo bats cleared for use in games in Japan TOKYO - Nippon Professional Baseball on Friday notified its 12 clubs that players can use so-called torpedo bats in regular-season games. NPB's rules committee made the decision, effective the same day, after confirming that the torpedo-shaped bats, which have taken Major League Baseball by storm this season, do not violate any rules. Video: Carp streamers on display at hot spring resort in Sapporo A Chicago man was arrested for allegedly scamming a Knox County older adult. According to a release, on March 31, a report was made to the Knox County Sheriffs Office of a scam that directly affected the financial position of a woman in the Galesburg area. Knox County Detectives organized an undercover operation to uncover the parties involved in the scam. Kalpeshkumar Patel (Knox County Sheriffs Office) On April 9, detectives continued communication with the alleged parties. Kalpeshkumar Patel, 31, was taken into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the release, the Knox County Sheriffs Office encourages residents to report any suspicious activities affecting older adults. The Sheriffs Office advises citizens to be cautious of phone call scams where someone is requesting money and to contact local law enforcement if a phone call seems suspicious. The Knox County Sheriffs Office addresses crimes against the elderly with the utmost seriousness and urgency. With the advancement in technology, it is important to protect vulnerable members of the community, ensuring that any acts of abuse or exploitation are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted. Sheriff Harlan reassures the public that his office is dedicated to raising awareness about these issues, offering resources and support to seniors, and fostering a safe environment where they can live without fear of victimization. Knox County Sheriffs Office Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. TOKYO - Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Friday instructed his close aide Ryosei Akazawa to conduct upcoming tariff negotiations with the United States for the benefit of both nations, as he pledged a whole-of-Japan effort to address a "national crisis." Ishiba said the government should combine resources across ministries and agencies to urge the United States, Japan's closest ally, to retract a spate of tariff measures implemented by President Donald Trump. The effort should be focused on protecting Japan's export-driven economy from the expected fallout. Economic revitalization minister Akazawa, who is expected to travel to the United States next week, vowed to prioritize tariff negotiations to produce "good results" for Japan. Ishiba formally tasked Akazawa with the responsibility at the prime minister's office on Friday. "Part of the reciprocal tariff has been put on hold, but there is no change in the fact that sectors, such as auto, steel and aluminum, that serve as the backbone of our country, and the broader global economy would take a big hit" from the U.S. tariff policy, Ishiba told a government task force meeting. "We are putting together an 'all-Japan' team to engage in negotiations with the United States and take necessary support measures for domestic industries," he said. While U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Akazawa's counterpart, has said Japan would be given priority in negotiations because it came forward quickly, concessions are expected to be hard won. On Thursday, Trump again took issue with what he sees as a "one-sided" bilateral security treaty, a remark signaling his preference to include defense-related issues, especially the need for more spending by Japan, in tariff talks. Japan shoulders part of the cost of U.S. forces stationed in the country based on the treaty. When Ishiba and Trump held a phone conversation on Monday, they agreed to appoint ministers to advance tariff negotiations. Trump abruptly paused "reciprocal" tariffs on U.S. trading partners designed to rectify what he sees as imbalanced trade. In Japan's case, he imposed a 24 percent tariff. Despite Trump's 90-day reprieve, a baseline tariff of 10 percent remains in place. Concern over an intensifying trade conflict between the United States and China along with the imposition of other tariffs on steel, aluminum, cars and vehicle components has raised fears of a global recession, rattling financial markets. Trump has not budged from his hard-line stance on China, slapping the world's second-largest economy with a staggering 145 percent tariff, in an escalation of their trade war. Japan has taken the view that Trump's tariff salvo threatens the multilateral trading system. During his first term as president, Japan reached a trade pact with the United States while saving a trans-Pacific free trade deal from collapse after the United States withdrew. Ishiba held a phone conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Thursday and agreed that a trade war does not benefit anyone and that it is time for a "cool, calm and pragmatic approach," according to the British government. Japan and Britain are members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership that went into effect without the United States. Related coverage: 90-day reprieve from U.S. reciprocal tariffs "positive": Japan China imposes 84% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. as trade war escalates Trump pauses country-specific tariffs for 90 days, except for China CHICAGO Chicago police are warning business owners and people who live near Millennium Park to prepare for a possible teen takeover Friday night. The warning has prompted some city leaders to renew their effort to move the citys curfew time back from 10 p.m. to 8 p.m. after an earlier attempt failed. 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins, who is behind the first attempt, says hes working to get the measure up for a vote next week, and this time he thinks it has a good chance of passing even without the mayors support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant wait anymore. The warm weather is knocking on our door and with it comes increased activity. So we have to act now, rather then react after someone else gets shot, Hopkins said. A 46-year-old tourist and a 15-year-old boy were hit by gunfire at two different teen gatherings in Streetville last month. Ald. Hopkins wants the current Chicago curfew to be moved back from 10 pm to 8 p.m. So many of these events recently have taken place around 7-8 p.m., and then they really start to gain momentum by 10 p.m. You cant enforce the curfew when youve got 50 police officers and 500 teenagers. The numbers just dont work, Hopkins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says he has more aldermen on board for his second attempt to change the curfew, and possibly expand it outside the central business district. So far, Mayor Brandon Johnson has resisted it. I havent really thought much about curfews to be honest with you. I think I spend more time thinking about how we actually can invest in young people, and create healthy spaces for them to be able to exercise their hearts desires and do it in a constructive way, Johnson said. CPS sent an email to parents at CPDs request Thursday night, to warn parents not to let their children attend these events. CPD sends message to CPS parents on preventing teen takeovers Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope it works. I hope the letter has an effect. But if it doesnt, we need an effective police response and thats what my curfew ordinance would provide, Hopkins said. CPD also said in that email that it would try to diffuse situations before enforcing curfew violations, but if children do not comply they may be arrested. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. I wanted to create a place where kids and families are taken care of. For nearly 14 years, Kathy Westover has cherished her time running the James Place Child Development Center in downtown Bellingham. But now, she faces a big challenge after Novembers bomb cyclone tore up the roof of the nearly 100-year-old building. The whole thing had just blown over on itself it was like it folded in half and the water had been pouring in, said Westover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tarps and two-by-fours are keeping the roof in place, for now. Recently, Westover received a 90-day notice from the building owner, Hollander Hospitality, that she would have to pay $20,000 to fix the roof or shut down the center because insurance wont cover it. I got the notice, and I was just stunned and shocked and, you know, despairing. I think I cried for a week. Weve got all these families depending on us, and weve got to try to do something, said Westover. James Place takes care of nearly two dozen kids, from babies to five-year-olds. Kelly Wall says she dreads the thought of having to find a new spot for her two girls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the point where wed have considerations about career and long-term finances and things like that, just because its really difficult to find good quality childcare, said Wall. Westover says she looked for help from government funding and grants, but came up empty. She is now trying to raise money through a GoFundMe account to fix the roof, while her landlord is willing to make a deal. They said they would be willing to give us a three-year lease that we could stay and that will give us time to find another place to move to, if we fix the roof, said Westover. SANTIAGO (Reuters) -A seismic swarm that caused 160 quakes in two hours at the Laguna del Maule volcanic field in central Chile earlier this week has put authorities and citizens on alert. The volcanic complex, located about 300 km (190 miles) south of the capital near the Argentine border, is a vast 500 square km (193 square miles) area with volcanic domes, cones and lava flows with an estimate 130 volcanic vents. "These are signs that the volcano is active, it has magma, what's inside is moving and this can lead to a moderate-sized event in the future," said Ayaz Alam, a geologist and professor at the University of Santiago of Chile. "But when? We don't know." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chile's National Geology and Mining Service, Sernageomin, said the quakes were low magnitude and kept the volcanic complex on green alert, meaning there was no immediate risk. Chilean disaster agency Senapred said it would continue working with regional authorities to alert and respond to any eventual emergencies. Alam said seismic swarms in volcanic areas are lower intensity and different from swarms along fault lines because the activity is caused by magma flows rather than tectonic plates crashing into each other. The largest tremor registered during the swarm was a 2.1 magnitude but the relatively young volcanic field has shown several signs of activity in recent years Daniel Diaz, a geophysicist and volcanologist at the University of Chile, says the area is quite unique since it doesn't have a single volcanic structure, but dozens around the lake, some of which have formed in the last 2,000 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This (volcanic) system is quite recent and therefore we expect there to be activity," Diaz said. "But it's not concentrated in one structure or cone, but all around the zone surround the Laguna del Maule." (Reporting by Jorge Vega and Reuters TV; Writing by Alexander Villegas; Editing by Lincoln Feast.) BEIJING (Reuters) -China has pledged emergency humanitarian assistance of 1 billion yuan ($137 million) to earthquake-stricken Myanmar, its embassy in the southeast Asian nation said. The March 28 quake of magnitude 7.7 was one of Myanmar's strongest in a century, killing 3,645, as it toppled buildings, flattened communities and deprived many of food, water and shelter. In a statement on Thursday, the Chinese embassy said the funds would provide urgently needed food, medicines and prefabricated homes, as well as pay for medical, epidemic prevention and disaster assessment expert groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beijing has sent first-response teams, including dozens of medical workers, earthquake experts, field hospital workers and rescue dogs to alleviate the suffering. China, which has sent more than 30 rescue teams to Myanmar, has said it would participate in disaster loss assessment and reconstruction. The Chinese Red Cross has also provided about 1.5 million yuan ($206,000) in cash. China's search-and-rescue team left Myanmar on April 9 upon completing its mission, the embassy said. ($1=7.3230 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Mei Mei Chu; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The worlds two largest economies are going tit for tat in their tariff war. Friday China announced it will raise tariffs on U.S. goods from 84-125%. This comes after President Donald Trump increased tariffs on Chinese imports to 145%. The Trump administration says its sticking to the 90-day pause on the presidents reciprocal tariffs on countries, except for China, since it continues to retaliate. The White House says as of Friday, more than 75 countries want to negotiate tariff deals, except China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cannot be dependent on countries like China if we want this country to be strong and wealthy, said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. President Trump raised tariffs on China to 145% which will likely make electronics and toys more expensive. China responded with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods, including pharmaceutical drugs, planes and soybeans. Theyve really taken advantage of our country for a long period of time. Theyve ripped us off beyond anybody, said Trump. China calls President Trumps tariff policy a joke and economic bullying and Democrats in Congress are fed up. The constantly shifting positions of the last week, theyre an embarrassment, said Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy accuses President Trump of playing political games. Designed to force every major company to come before Trump to plead for tariff relief in exchange for giving Trump the companys political loyalty, Murphy added. Senator Patty Murray (D-Wash.) says it will be up to Congress to stop the presidents tariffs. We are the kill switch for Trumps trade war, said Murray. Congress just left Washington, D.C., for its two-week Easter recess. House and Senate Republicans passed measures to block the chambers from disapproving of the presidents tariffs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. China retaliated Friday against higher U.S. tariffs by slapping 125% levies on U.S. goods, up from the previous 84%, amid an escalating trade war. While President Donald Trump recently dropped tariffs under his new trade plan to 10% on imports from most countries for 90 days, he raised tariffs on China twice, and they now total 145%. Officials in China said the new tariffs on U.S. imports will begin Saturday but the country would not add additional levies in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given that at the current tariff level, U.S. exports to China are no longer commercially viable, China will not respond to any further tariff hikes by the U.S. on Chinese goods, Chinas Ministry of Finance said in a statement to the media on Friday. The Trump administration 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. The wide-ranging reciprocal tariff policy went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, including varying levies on imports from about 90 U.S. trading partners. The tariff plan included 20% on the European Union, 10% on the United Kingdom, 34% on China, 24% on Japan and 32% on Taiwan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few hours after the reciprocal tariffs went into effect, Trump announced he was pausing the higher tariffs, but leaving the 10% baseline levies intact for all countries, except for the higher tariffs on China. Trump had already raised tariffs on Chinese goods to 104% on Wednesday, and after China responded with a hike of its own on U.S. goods to 84%, Trump increased the tariff rate on Chinese imports to 125%, then hours later to 145%. Despite ongoing trade tensions between China and the U.S., the country remains one of the largest annual U.S. trade partners. China was the third-biggest U.S. trading partner in 2024 at $582 billion in two-way commerce, behind Mexico and Canada. Key U.S. exports to China include oil, gas, aircraft, pharmaceutical products and cars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China is also one of the largest importers of U.S. agricultural goods, including soybeans, corn, wheat, beef, pork and cotton. China imported $27.5 billion worth of agricultural products from the U.S. in 2024, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Officials at the American Soybean Association said they were pleased with the Trump administrations tariff rate pause but worried about the escalation in levies with China. The continued escalation of tariffs with China is concerning to soybean farmers, as China serves as a critical export market for U.S. soy, the American Soybean Association said in a news release on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We run the risk of immediate impacts this growing season, along with the impacts a prolonged trade war with China will inflict on our industry once again. The short-term disruptions are painful, but the long-term repercussions to our reputation, our reliability as a supplier, and the stability of those trading relationships are hard to even put into words, Caleb Ragland, president of the American Soybean Association and a Kentucky soybean farmer, said in a statement. We ask the administration and China both to press pause with one another, as well, and pursue a Phase 2 trade agreement that will address U.S. trade concerns in a constructive way while preserving the markets we rely on. The post China raises retaliatory tariffs on US goods to 125% appeared first on FreightWaves. China is raising tariffs on US goods from 84% to 125%, authorities said on Friday, as the trade war unleashed by US President Donald Trump continues to escalate. The counter-measure is scheduled to take effect on April 12, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said in a statement. The announcement came after Washington clarified on Thursday that China actually faced a tariff rate of 145% on imports to the United States, not 125% as earlier stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's tariff hikes have triggered market turmoil and fears of a global economic slowdown. While the US president has since paused many country-specific tariffs, including for the European Union, he has intensified levies on China. "The US's imposition of abnormally high tariffs on China seriously violates international economic and trade rules, basic economic laws and common sense," the Customs Tariff Commission said, adding that Washington was using "bullying" tactics. According to the statement, Beijing will "ignore" any further US tariff hikes on Chinese goods as the current levies mean that there is no market acceptance for US goods on the Chinese markets anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has justified the latest increase in fees on Chinese imports by claiming that Beijing showed a "lack of respect" for world markets. China had previously vowed to "fight to the end" in the tariff dispute and accused the US of extortion. Meanwhile Beijing has been looking to improve ties with other trading partners, including the European Union. Talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing on Friday centred on EU cooperation amid the current trade conflict, after EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and Chinese Trade Minister Wang Wentao spoke on the phone earlier this week to discuss expanding trade relations. The News China showed no sign of relenting in an escalating trade war with the US, raising duties on US goods to 125%. Beijing also filed a complaint with the World Trade Organization and dismissed Washingtons ever-higher levies now at 145% as a joke: The Chinese foreign ministry shared a Korean War-era video on social media of Mao Zedong vowing to never give up. Though Beijing has powerful cards to play in the standoff, its already slowing economys dependence on exports leaves it vulnerable to other countries protectionism. A chart showing the biggest origin countries for Chinese imports. SIGNALS The US radical decoupling from China may be underestimating Beijings hand Sources: Adam Tooze, Foreign Affairs, Financial Times Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US President Donald Trumps economic offensive against China amounts to a sudden radical decoupling of the worlds two largest economies, historian Adam Tooze wrote. Trumps moves reflect how his trade policy and anti-China policy have converged, Tooze wrote, with the underlying logic being to shake the world, flush out and isolate China. However, China could come out on top in an escalating trade war, analysts said. Beijing possesses the advantage of scale that Washington does not, two Biden officials argued in Foreign Affairs: Two facts can be true at the same time: that China is slowing economically and that it is becoming more formidable strategically. Trumps aggressive duties are sharpening Beijings survival instinct, a China economist wrote in the Financial Times. Chinese economists urge Beijing to boost domestic spending in the face of US tariffs Sources: Pekingology, The South China Morning Post Several Chinese economists have publicly urged policymakers to focus on boosting domestic consumption in response to Trumps tariffs. While a barrage of stimulus policies has helped lift consumer sentiment in China, analysts say recovery which has been driven largely by the internet sector remains tentative in the face of the intensifying trade war with the US, South China Morning Post reported. A Tsinghua University professor said that Beijing has already made its tit-for-tat approach to US duties clear: If you raise tariffs on me, I will raise tariffs on you, sending a clear message to American businesses and the American public to exert pressure on the White House. The two strongman leaders have a communication problem Sources: CNN, The Atlantic While US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have signaled openness to negotiations, they have largely been talking past each other, CNN wrote. Communication through both official and unofficial channels has so far been unproductive, the outlet reported: Chinas reliance on strict protocol and desire to prepare Xi for any call of this magnitude is fundamentally at odds with how Trump does business. Trump also does not seem to understand Xis political realities, The Atlantic wrote. Xi is seen as the ultimate defender of the Chinese people, unlikely to succumb to US pressure, and for talks to even begin, Xi will need to appear at least the equal of Trump, if not the man in control. China is raising tariffs on US goods from 84% to 125%, authorities said on Friday, as the trade war unleashed by US President Donald Trump continues to escalate. The counter-measure is scheduled to take effect on April 12, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said in a statement. The announcement came after Washington clarified on Thursday that China actually faced a tariff rate of 145% on imports to the United States, not 125% as earlier stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's tariff hikes have triggered market turmoil and fears of a global economic slowdown. But on Friday, the US president praised his policies, though he did not initially respond to China's latest increase in tariffs on US goods. He said the US is on the right track despite harsh criticism of his zigzag course on tariffs. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday, Trump claimed he was making good progress on international trade. "We are doing really well on our TARIFF POLICY," he wrote. "Very exciting for America, and the World!!! It is moving along quickly." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US government says it is in talks with several countries about trade policy. While the US president has since paused many country-specific tariffs, including for the European Union, he has intensified levies on China. "The US's imposition of abnormally high tariffs on China seriously violates international economic and trade rules, basic economic laws and common sense," the Customs Tariff Commission said, adding that Washington was using "bullying" tactics. According to the statement, Beijing will "ignore" any further US tariff hikes on Chinese goods as the current levies mean that there is no market acceptance for US goods on the Chinese markets anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has justified the latest increase in fees on Chinese imports by claiming that Beijing showed a "lack of respect" for world markets. China had previously vowed to "fight to the end" in the tariff dispute and accused the US of extortion. Meanwhile Beijing has been looking to improve ties with other trading partners, including the European Union. Talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing on Friday centred on EU cooperation amid the current trade conflict, after EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic and Chinese Trade Minister Wang Wentao spoke on the phone earlier this week to discuss expanding trade relations. BEIJING - China said Friday it will raise retaliatory tariffs on all U.S. goods to 125 percent starting the following day, up from the 84 percent imposed earlier this week, but added it will not respond to any further U.S. tariff hikes. The announcement comes after U.S. President Donald Trump brought total U.S. duties on all Chinese items to 145 percent, further escalating the trade war between the world's two largest economies. Beijing also said it has filed a new lawsuit with the World Trade Organization over the latest U.S. tariff hikes. Trump said Wednesday he will pause for 90 days the implementation of steep tariffs on goods from dozens of trading partners, except China, on which he imposed an additional 125 percent duty on top of the 20 percent already in place, citing the inflow of illegal drugs into the United States. China's Commerce Ministry said the excessively high U.S. tariffs "have become a numbers game and have no practical economic significance." "Even if the U.S. continues to impose higher tariffs, it will no longer make economic sense and become a joke in the history of the world economy," the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said. "Given that it's already impossible for the Chinese market to accept U.S. imports at the current tariff level, if the United States imposes further tariffs on Chinese products, China will ignore them," the commission added. However, should Washington persist in substantially undermining China's interests, Beijing will take firm countermeasures and fight to the end, it said. 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 125 percent duties on all U.S. imports will be applied on top of existing tariff rates. China also announced Thursday a plan to moderately reduce the number of American film imports, possibly as part of its countermeasures. Related coverage: China imposes 84% retaliatory tariffs on U.S. as trade war escalates China has raised tariffs against the US to 125pc, effectively shutting out imports from the worlds biggest economy in a major escalation of the trade war. The tit-for-tat move follows Donald Trumps decision to raise tariffs on Chinese goods to 145pc in an announcement that sparked another global share sell-off. Chinas foreign ministry signalled its decision to effectively double the cost of US goods at the border was made to block any possibility of market acceptance for US goods exported to China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman said Beijing would not raise tariffs any more, even if the US retaliated, while a separate statement by the commerce ministry branded the levies a joke. The foreign ministry said: Given that there is no longer any possibility of market acceptance for US goods exported to China under the current tariff levels, if the US side subsequently continues to impose tariffs on Chinese goods exported to the US, the Chinese side will pay no attention to it. The US buys far more goods from China than Beijing buys from the US. China is Americas third biggest export market after Canada and Mexico, as well as its biggest import partner. America exported goods worth $143.5bn (109.5bn) to China in 2024, compared with $439bn of imports, according to US census bureau data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This suggests American buyers may face a bigger challenge finding alternative sources for imports that include smartphones, laptops, batteries, electrical goods and toys that account for the largest share of goods bought from China. This could increase the US trade deficit with Beijing in the short term. Rory Green, at TS Lombard, said trade barriers between the two economies were now so high that even tariffs of a million per cent would make little difference. He estimated that tariffs would likely knock more than two percentage points off Chinese growth in the coming year: A large hit but one that Beijing is capable of offsetting, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said companies in China were likely to spend the next three months finding ways to reroute their goods through other countries such as Vietnam, which were handed a partial reprieve by the Trump administration. Mr Green added: Forthcoming fees on Chinese vessels docking in the US may slow some trade. Nevertheless, there are huge incentives for buyers and producers to move goods quickly. Apple flew in five planes loaded with iPhones last Friday. The US goods trade deficit with China was $295.4bn in 2024, a 5.8pc increase compared with the previous year, according to data published by the US Trade Representative. The commerce ministry repeated a vow to fight to the end in the escalating trade war. Its become a joke, the ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soy beans were the biggest US export to China last year. It means an effective embargo on US goods would hurt farmers in the Upper Midwest as the leading soy bean-producing states, with shipments to the US worth $12.8bn last year. More than 80pc of Americas soy beans are cultivated in states including Illinois, Iowa and Minnesota. Farmers were badly hurt during Mr Trumps first trade war with China in the late 2010s, with many relying on $23bn in subsidies to prop up the sector. Beijing retaliated by buying soy beans from other countries, including Brazil, the worlds biggest producer, before agreeing to buy more from the US under a deal struck in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Businesses in Texas and Louisiana both Republican strongholds also stand to lose in the trade war. Both states export billions of dollars worth of oil and gas to China every year. Mr Green, at TS Lombard, said he was still hopeful of a deal. President Xi cannot back down in the face of trade bullying, he said. But nor can President Trump as trade negotiations with other nations get under way. We believe that fundamentally, both sides want a deal and there is sufficient common ground to negotiate an agreement. 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. China has called for greater cooperation with the European Union in the face of rising trade tensions with the United States. During a meeting in Beijing with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday, President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for China and the EU to "work together to safeguard" the international trade environment and oppose unilateralism and coercive practices. "There are no winners in a trade war," Xi said, warning that such conflicts only lead to "self-isolation," according to the official Xinhua news agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have always advocated negotiation and an amicable resolution to crises like the current trade dispute," Sanchez told reporters following the meeting. "On that basis, the door to dialogue remains open." Sanchez's visit marks the first by an EU leader to China since US President Donald Trump's tariff hikes triggered market turmoil and fears of a global economic slowdown. While Washington has since paused some tariffs on EU goods, it has intensified levies on Chinese imports to 145% on many products. Beijing retaliated on Friday by raising tariffs on US goods to 125%. The trip is Sanchezs third to China in two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He stressed on Friday the need for Beijing to heed European demands for more balanced trade relations. Like many EU countries, Spain maintains a significant trade deficit with China. In 2024, Spain imported 45 billion ($51.4 billion) worth of Chinese goods, while exports to China amounted to just 7.4 billion. During a previous visit to Beijing last year, Sanchez advocated for "building bridges between the European Union and China." Chinese companies have been steadily increasing their presence in Spain, attracted in part by low energy costs and a growing automotive sector. China has called for greater cooperation with the European Union in the face of rising trade tensions with the United States. During a meeting in Beijing with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Friday, President Xi Jinping emphasized the need for China and the EU to "work together to safeguard" the international trade environment and oppose unilateralism and coercive practices. "There are no winners in a trade war," Xi said, warning that such conflicts only lead to "self-isolation," according to the official Xinhua news agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have always advocated negotiation and an amicable resolution to crises like the current trade dispute," Sanchez told reporters following the meeting. "On that basis, the door to dialogue remains open." Sanchez's visit marks the first by an EU leader to China since US President Donald Trump's tariff hikes triggered market turmoil and fears of a global economic slowdown. While Washington has since paused some tariffs on EU goods, it has intensified levies on Chinese imports to 145% on many products. Beijing retaliated on Friday by raising tariffs on US goods to 125%. The trip is Sanchezs third to China in two years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He stressed on Friday the need for Beijing to heed European demands for more balanced trade relations. Like many EU countries, Spain maintains a significant trade deficit with China. In 2024, Spain imported 45 billion ($51.4 billion) worth of Chinese goods, while exports to China amounted to just 7.4 billion. During a previous visit to Beijing last year, Sanchez advocated for "building bridges between the European Union and China." Chinese companies have been steadily increasing their presence in Spain, attracted in part by low energy costs and a growing automotive sector. Beijing positions itself as stable trade partner Amid trade turbulence sparked by US protectionist policies, China is seeking to present itself as a reliable and stable global partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement High-level EU leaders may follow Sanchezs lead: Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa are reportedly planning a visit to Beijing in July, according to the South China Morning Post. The growing engagement between Beijing and EU capitals has drawn concern from the Trump administration. Even ahead of Sanchezs arrival, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned European nations against aligning with China. "That would be cutting your own throat," he said. By James Pomfret, Jessie Pang and Greg Torode HONG KONG (Reuters) -Five senior members of Hong Kong's Democratic Party, the city's biggest and last remaining major opposition party, say that Chinese officials or middlemen have warned the party to disband or face serious consequences, including possible arrests. The Democratic Party, which was founded three years before Hong Kong's return from British to Chinese rule in 1997, has been the flagship opposition party in the city, uniting democratic forces to push Beijing on democratic reforms and to uphold freedoms in the financial hub. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid a years-long national security crackdown by China after pro-democracy protests in 2019, the Democratic Party will hold an extraordinary general meeting on April 13 to seek members' views and possibly pave the way for the group's dissolution. The group's chairman, Lo Kin-hei, has not given a concrete reason for the likely disbandment, but five senior Democratic Party members told Reuters they had been told in meetings with Chinese officials or individuals linked to Beijing in recent months that the party should close. Fred Li, a veteran Democratic Party member and former lawmaker, said a Chinese official had told him this should be done before this December's legislative elections. "The meaning is that we should be gone by then," Li told Reuters. "The message was very direct." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Li declined to identify the individual but said the tone was very different from frequent exchanges he has had with Chinese officials over many years. There was no immediate response to a request for comment from the Hong Kong Liaison Office, China's main representative body in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government said in a statement that decisions by individual groups "to disband or suspend operation are completely unrelated to the freedom or rights enshrined in Hong Kong law". Four other senior Democratic Party members also said they had been warned in recent months by middlemen linked to Beijing, some of whom said the party would face "serious consequences" if it did not disband. Three declined to be identified given the sensitivity of the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yeung Sum, a founding member of the Democratic Party, said Beijing's move in 2021 to overhaul the city's electoral system to allow only people it deemed "patriots" to run for public office had effectively marginalised the party by removing it from mainstream politics. The party now holds no seats in Hong Kong's legislature. "We just keep a voice of advocacy for the people of Hong Kong on social and political issues, but still we are under pressure," Yeung, who said he had been approached by a middleman, told Reuters. Two Asian and two Western diplomats said they were aware of veiled threats to the Democratic Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For a long time it seemed like Beijing could live with the situation of having the party around as a figment of opposition," said one Western envoy. "It seems they are leaving nothing to chance. The message is it is time to close down once and for all," said the diplomat, who was not authorised to speak publicly. The envoys said they saw the potential demise of the Democratic Party as further denting Hong Kong's international reputation amid U.S.-China geopolitical tensions. China's recent opposition to CK Hutchison's ongoing deal to sell its global port network including those in Panama to a U.S. consortium on national security grounds has also raised questions about the citys autonomy, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democratic Party has played a pivotal role in Hong Kong's transition from British to Chinese rule, shaping the financial hub's democratic development and civil society. Emily Lau, a former Democratic Party chairwoman, said she was saddened by the party's likely dissolution, as she had always believed in engagement rather than confrontation with Beijing, including a 2013 meeting with the deputy head of the Liaison Office, Li Gang. "What we want is to see a safe, just and ultimately free Hong Kong," she said. Lau declined to comment on whether she had been approached about disbanding. If the party disbands, it would mark the end of nearly 30 years of opposition party politics in Hong Kong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least five party members are currently in jail or held in custody under the national security law. China says the security law has brought stability to Hong Kong and rejects claims by some countries such as the United States that it has been used as a tool of repression against the democrats. "Hong Kong's international reputation was built on its openness, its freedoms, and its respect for the rule of law," said David Alton, a life peer of Britain's House of Lords and patron of Hong Kong Watch, a rights advocacy group. "The disbanding of the Democratic Party is another sign that Hong Kong is now being subjected to the same censorship and repression already familiar in mainland China." (Reporting by James Pomfret, Jessie Pang and Greg TorodeEditing by Gerry Doyle and Frances Kerry) By Erin Banco, Jonathan Landay and Michael Martina WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than one hundred Chinese citizens fighting for the Russian military against Ukraine are mercenaries who do not appear to have a direct link to China's government, two U.S. officials familiar with American intelligence and a former Western intelligence official said. Chinese military officers have, however, been in the theater behind Russia's lines with Beijing's approval to draw tactical lessons from the war, the former official told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The head of U.S. forces in the Indo-Pacific, Admiral Samuel Paparo, confirmed on Wednesday that Ukrainian forces had captured two men of Chinese origin in eastern Ukraine after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his country had information about 155 Chinese citizens fighting there on Russia's behalf. China, which has declared a "no-limits" partnership with Russia and has refrained from criticizing Moscow's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, had called Zelenskiy's remarks "irresponsible" and said China was not a party to the war. The U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Chinese fighters appear to have minimal training and are not having any discernable impact on Russia's military operations. The CIA, the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the National Security Council, as well as China's embassy in Washington, did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former Western intelligence official with knowledge of the issue told Reuters there were about 200 Chinese mercenaries fighting for Russia with whom the Chinese government has no link. But Chinese military officers have, with Beijing's approval, been touring close to Russia's frontlines to draw lessons and tactics from the war. The officers "are absolutely there under approval," the former official said. China has for years provided Moscow with material support to help aid its war against Ukraine, primarily in the shipment of dual-use products components needed to maintain weapons such as drones and tanks. Beijing has also supplied Russia with lethal drones to use on the battlefield. In October, the Biden administration sanctioned for the first time two Chinese companies for providing the weapons systems to Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Volunteers from Western countries, including the U.S., have been fighting for Ukraine since the early days of the war, and North Korea has deployed more than 12,000 troops to support Russian forces, thousands of whom have been killed or injured in combat. (Reporting by Erin Banco, Michael Martina and Jonathan Landay; Editing by Don Durfee and Deepa Babington) CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (WFXR) The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is continuing its work to reduce government spending, including cuts to federal departments. Those cuts are now impacting the humanities. The Christiansburg Institute, a local nonprofit, was recently notified that several of its federal grants had been cut. The organization found out via email on April 3 that its nearly $350,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) was being terminated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It basically just stated in summary that your grant is now being terminated and is no longer in alignment with the priorities of the federal government and the President, said Chris Sanchez, executive director of the Christiansburg Institute. Virginia Tech students among 300 nationwide with revoked international visas In a post to Facebook Thursday evening, the Institute alluded to its $318,880 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services also being cut, bringing the total lost to more than $650,000. What we do is focus on the full story of United States history, said Sanchez. To have this funding suddenly taken away, it directly impacts our ability to tell that story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Christiansburg Institute is focused on preserving the history of African Americans in Southwest Virginia. Its name is a nod to the Christiansburg Industrial Institute, the first high school in the region to educate formerly enslaved people. When we talk about C.I.s history, were talking about emancipation, were talking about slavery, said Sanchez, looking at one of the Institutes tributes to the high school housed in its museum. Thats something thats extremely important to always truth tell and make more publicly accessible. Roanoke restaurants speak out on city councils proposed meals tax increase Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cuts have already forced the Institute to lay off three employees and shorten hours for its museum curator, Jenny Nehrt. They have also jeopardized the Institutes operations and programming, which include traveling exhibits, youth education, and paid internships. We just the other day had to send emails to our applicants, letting them know that this paid internship opportunity was no longer available, which was pretty devastating, said Nehrt. The organization is currently trying to raise an emergency $250,000 fund that could bring back the furloughed employees and keep the museum operations while it looks for additional funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not the first time there has been an attack on African American history and telling that whole story, said Sanchez. So, despite that frustration, its really important that we remain resilient. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine provided this statement to WFXR on Thursday evening: My team and I have been in touch with the Christiansburg Institute about the Trump Administrations illegal termination of its federal grant. I saw firsthand the important work the Christiansburg Institute is doing to preserve and share African American and U.S. history. Im committed to doing what I can to get the Institutes grant reinstated. WFXR also reached out to Morgan Griffith, U.S. congressman for Virginias ninth congressional district, but did not hear back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. NORTH LIMA, Ohio (WKBN) Its the final Friday for a Lent celebration, which is slightly different than the rest. Read next: Local Lenten fish fry guide 2025 Mt. Olivet United Church of Christ in North Lima serves pierogis with onions. The church has boiled about 500 dozen since Lent started, using 150 pounds of russet potatoes and cheese, plus 170 pounds of onions. The church started the mission so it could raise money for a ministry to feed the hungry Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not too many places do the pierogies. Its all fish sales everywhere. So I think its been quite successful. Well, we will do it again next year. Theyre already talking about it, said Tami Tomich, pierogi team leader. The pierogi drive-thru goes until 6 p.m. The church is at 410 West South Range Road. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This story has been updated with new information. A man was killed in a shooting late Friday morning in Spring Grove Village, Cincinnati police said in a news release. Police were alerted of a shooting in the 4600 block of Kings Run Driver just before 11:30 a.m. When officers arrived, they located a victim suffering from a gunshot wound. Cincinnati fire personnel also responded and determined the victim was dead at the scene. The victim was identified as 35-year-old Joseph Harris Jr., the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police are continuing to investigate the shooting. Anyone with information is asked to call the homicide unit at 513-352-3542. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 35-year-old man dies in Spring Grove Village shooting Rich Gradoville reads the results of a test strip he dipped into a spot along the Des Moines River to monitor the nitrate levels, and records the results on an app on his phone. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) On Monday mornings, Rich Gradoville visits the streams near his home in Johnston, not for fishing or recreating, but to test the nitrate concentration of the flowing water. The retired school teacher is part of a network of citizen scientists contributing to the Nitrate Watch program, through the Izaak Walton League of America, to monitor the levels of nitrate and nitrite in surface and drinking water across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monitors expect increased nitrate concentrations this month as part of the spring flush, when April showers wash fertilizer and other nutrients into the waterways. In past years, surface water in Iowa during this time tested in concentrations in excess of 10 milligrams per liter, which is the maximum contaminant level for drinking water set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Rich Gradoville walks to a spot along the Des Moines River in Johnston where he monitors nitrate levels weekly. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Why monitor? Gradoville got involved with the program two years ago, shortly after finding out he had a pre-cancerous tumor on his bladder. Its a type of cancer, he said, typically associated with tobacco smokers, but Gradoville had never smoked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He met someone with the same type of tumor who also wasnt a smoker, which led him to poke around for other potential causes and he learned about nitrogen pollution in Iowas waters. A 2016 published study, analyzing bladder cancer in postmenopausal women in Iowa, found a link between long-term ingestion of elevated nitrate levels and bladder cancer. But other organizations, like the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network hold that more research is needed to determine the link between nitrate in drinking water and bladder cancer. Gradoville cant say for sure what caused his, but it was inspiration enough to get involved with Nitrate Watch, which is open to anyone willing to test and submit their results. Heather Wilson, the Midwest Save Our Streams coordinator with Izaak Walton League, said the human health concerns of the nutrient concentrations are more and more present in volunteers minds as they participate in the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Definitely more research is needed, but theres a lot of research that already points to health impacts occurring even when the amount of nitrate in water is below the current drinking water standard, Wilson said. Wilson said the associated impacts include blue baby syndrome, thyroid disease, neural tube birth defects and cancer. That is of course a major concern, especially in Iowa, where cancer rates are climbing, Wilson said. The recently released Cancer in Iowa report for 2025 found that Iowa is one of only two states with rising rates of new cancer. Nutrient pollution in water also leads to environmental concerns, like algal blooms and dead zones. Iowa is part of a multistate effort to shrink the size of the hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico, by reducing the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in the Mississippi River watershed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The task force engages state agencies, with a goal of reducing overall nitrogen load, through practices like cover cropping, reduced tillage, extended crop rotations and more intentional fertilizer application. Recent survey data showed the amount of cover crops planted on Iowa cropland has more than doubled since 2017. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa State University released a free nitrogen application tool to help farmers fine tune their fertilizer applications, and lawmakers are pushing forward a bill to establish a pilot program and a $2 million appropriation to study ag practices that reduce overall nitrogen application. Wilson said the goal of Nitrate Watch is to support efforts, like these, to stop the pollution from getting into the water and to encourage water treatment efforts that protect consumers from potentially harmful drinking water. Testing the water The Iowa Department of Natural Resources monitors water quality across the state and provides assessments on the segments every other year, per the Clean Water Act. Wilson said citizen science monitoring doesnt provide the same level of testing that a trained environmental specialist could, but it helps to fill the gaps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There just simply arent enough people, professionals, DNR employees, Wilson said. They cant possibly measure all the waterways, even if they wanted to. Wilson said Nitrate Watch serves as the eyes on the ground for acute pollution problems and can help draw attention to areas of high pollution. Were not replacing the monitoring of the DNR, or your local soil and water conservation district, were supplementing it, Wilson said. A map from the Nitrate Monitor 2024 report, shows high participation in the program in Iowa, and high nitrate concentration levels across the state. Maps from the Izaak Walton League of Americas Nitrate Watch 2024 report shows participation in the citizen science program and areas with the highest concentration of nitrate in surface and drinking water. (Map courtesy of Izaak Walton League of America) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wilson said Iowa has a lot of groups, like Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, local Izaak Walton Leagues, the Iowa Environmental Council, local conservation boards and more that are part of why the map just lights up in Iowa. Wilson said the goal with Nitrate Watch is to make it easy and enjoyable for volunteers to participate. While volunteers are not prescribed a sampling regime, Gradoville has implemented his own schedule for testing. Each Monday, when the rivers arent frozen over, he tests at a site on the Des Moines River just downstream of Saylorville Lake, a site on Beaver Creek and the tap water in his home. Gradoville stops at a flowing part of the water, dips the test strip in quickly, then sets a timer for 30 seconds before reading the pink hue on the strip and logging it on the mobile app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each stop takes him a couple of minutes. Its not a huge time commitment, Gradoville said. Now, after years of regular testing, he can see a chart of his three monitoring sites and the fluctuating nitrate and nitrite concentrations in the water. Especially now, but even before he started monitoring, Gradoville said his relationship to Iowas waters changed. I used to love to jump into every stream and creek and pond and lake here in Iowa, Gradoville said. Well over the last number of years, you start seeing the water and see whats in it I dont have any interest in doing that. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE OSAKA - Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived Friday in Osaka Prefecture ahead of this weekend's opening of the 2025 World Exposition, in which they are scheduled to attend an opening ceremony for the six-month-long event. The first day of the imperial couple's two-day stay in Osaka will see them visit Yumeshima, an artificial island that serves as the venue for the expo opening Sunday, to see the Grand Ring -- a vast wooden roof encircling the pavilions -- as well as the Japan Pavilion and the Osaka Healthcare Pavilion. On Saturday, the imperial couple will attend the opening ceremony with Crown Prince Fumihito, who serves as the expo's honorary president, and his wife, Crown Princess Kiko. They will return to Tokyo in the evening after visiting the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement Pavilion. Emperor Naruhito previously served as honorary president of the Expo 2005 in Aichi when he was crown prince. Related coverage: Osaka Expo organizers prepare for 3-day isolation in disaster plan "Flying car" makes demo flight at World Expo venue before opening The Republican-led House of Representatives passed on April 10, 2025, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or SAVE Act. The bill would make voting harder for tens of millions of Americans. The SAVE Act would require anyone registering to vote in federal elections to first provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person, like a passport or birth certificate. The House already passed an identical bill in July 2024, also along partisan lines, with the GOP largely supporting the legislation. At that time, the Senate killed the bill. With a now GOP-controlled Senate, and a Republican in the White House, the SAVE Act could become law before 2025 ends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voting rights experts and advocacy organizations have detailed how the legislation could suppress voting. In part, they say it would particularly create barriers in low-income and minority communities. People in such communities often lack the forms of ID acceptable under the SAVE Act for a variety of reasons, including socioeconomic factors. As of now, at least 9% of voting-age American citizens approximately 21 million people do not even have drivers licenses, let alone proof of citizenship. In spite of this, many legislators support the bill as a means of eliminating noncitizen voting in elections. As a legal scholar who studies, among other things, foreign interference in elections, I find considerations about the potential effects of the SAVE Act important, especially given how rare it is that a noncitizen actually votes in federal elections. Yet, it is equally crucial to consider a more fundamental question: is the SAVE Act even constitutional? How the SAVE Act could change voting requirements The SAVE Act would forbid state election officials from registering an individual to vote in federal elections unless this person provides documentary proof of United States citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acceptable forms of proof for voter registration would include a REAL ID that demonstrates U.S. citizenship most of which do not as well as a U.S. passport or a U.S. military identification card. So, should the SAVE Act become law, if a person turns 18 or moves between states and wishes to register to vote in federal elections in their new home, they would likely be turned away if they do not have any such documents readily available. At best, they could still fill out a registration form, but would need to mail in acceptable proof of citizenship. For married people with changed last names, among others, questions remain about whether birth certificates could even count as acceptable proof of citizenship for them. The Constitution says little about voting rights Despite the national conversation the SAVE Act has sparked, it is unclear whether Congress even has the power to enact it. This is the key constitutional question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Constitution imposes no citizenship requirement when it comes to voting. The original text of the Constitution, in fact, said very little about the right to vote. It was not until legislators passed subsequent amendments, starting after the Civil War up through the 1970s, that the Constitution even explicitly prohibited voting laws that discriminate on account of race, sex or age. Aside from these amendments, the Constitution is largely silent about who gets to vote. Who, then, gets to decide whether someone is qualified to vote? No matter the election, the answer is always the same the states. Indeed, by constitutional design, the states are tasked with setting voter-eligibility requirements a product of our federalist system. For state and local elections, the 10th Amendment grants states the power to regulate their internal elections as they see fit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States also get to decide who may vote in federal elections, which include both presidential and congressional elections. When it comes to presidential elections, for instance, states have as I have previously written exclusive power under the Constitutions Electors Clause to decide how to conduct presidential elections within their borders, including who gets to vote in them. The states wield similar authority for congressional elections. Namely, according to Article I of the Constitution and the Constitutions 17th Amendment, if someone can vote in their states legislative elections, they are entitled to vote in its congressional elections, too. Conversely, the Constitution provides Congress zero authority to govern voter-eligibility requirements in federal elections. Indeed, in the U.S. Supreme Courts 2013 ruling on the Arizona v. Inter Tribal Council case, the court asserted that nothing in the Constitution lends itself to the view that voting qualifications in federal elections are to be set by Congress. Is the SAVE Act constitutional? The SAVE Act presents a constitutional dilemma. By requiring individuals to show documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections, the SAVE Act is implicitly saying that someone must be a U.S. citizen to vote in federal elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In other words, Congress would be instituting a qualification to vote, a power that the Constitution leaves exclusively to the states. Indeed, while all states currently limit voting rights to citizens, legal noncitizen voting is not without precedent. As multiple scholars have noted, at least 19 states extended voting rights to free male inhabitants, including noncitizens, starting from our countrys founding up to and throughout the 19th century. Today, over 20 municipalities across the country, as well as the District of Columbia, allow permanent noncitizen residents to vote in local elections. Any state these days could similarly extend the right to vote in state and federal elections to permanent noncitizen residents. This is within their constitutional prerogative. And if this were to happen, there could be a conflict between that states voter-eligibility laws and the SAVE Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Normally, when state and federal laws conflict, the Constitutions Supremacy Clause mandates that federal law prevails. Yet, in this instance, where Congress has no actual authority to implement voter qualifications, the SAVE Act would seem to have no constitutional leg on which to stand. Reconciling the SAVE Act with the Constitution So, why have 108 U.S. representatives sponsored a bill that likely exceeds Congresss powers? Politics, of course, plays some role here. Namely, noncitizen voting is a major concern among Republican politicians and voters. Every SAVE Act cosponsor is Republican, as were all but four of the 220 U.S. representatives who voted to pass it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to the constitutionality of the SAVE Act, though, proponents simply assert that Congress is acting within its purview. Specifically, many proponents have cited the Constitutions Elections Clause, which gives Congress the power to regulate the Times, Places and Manner of congressional elections, as support for that assertion. Sen. Mike Lee, for example, explicitly referenced the Elections Clause when defending the SAVE Act earlier in 2025. But the Elections Clause only grants Congress authority to regulate election procedures, not voter qualifications. The Supreme Court explicitly stated this in the Inter Tribal Council ruling. Congress can, for instance, require states to adopt a uniform federal voter registration form, and even include a citizenship question on said form. What it cannot do, however, is implement a non-negotiable mandate that effectively tells the states they can never allow any noncitizen to vote in a federal election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For now, the SAVE Act is simply legislation. Should the Senate pass it, President Donald Trump will almost assuredly sign it into law, given, among other factors, his March 2025 executive order that says prospective voters need to show proof of citizenship before they register to vote in federal elections. Once that happens, the courts will have to reckon with the SAVE Acts legitimacy within the countrys constitutional design. This story was updated on April 22, 2025, reflecting changes in the permitted forms of identification for voter registration under the SAVE Act. 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 J. Martin, University of Virginia Read more: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John J. Martin 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. Floridas citrus industry saw a slight improvement as the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Thursday released an updated production forecast for the soon-to-be-completed growing season. The forecast kept estimates of oranges the same as in a March projection. Growers are expected to fill 11.6 million 90-pound boxes of oranges. But the forecast for grapefruit production increased from 1.2 million boxes in March to 1.3 million in Thursdays numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, estimates of tangerines and mandarins increased from 350,000 boxes in March to 400,000 boxes. The projection for lemons remained at 600,000 boxes. While the new forecast showed a small uptick, the 2024-2025 season will have historically low production as growers continue to battle deadly citrus greening disease and damage from hurricanes. Florida Citrus Mutual CEO Matt Joyner said in a news release that the new forecast demonstrates the resilience of Florida citrus growers. With budget negotiations about to begin in the state Legislature, Senate President Ben Albritton, a citrus grower from Wauchula, has proposed providing about $200 million in assistance to the industry, including $125 million to replace trees that have been lost in recent years to storms and citrus greening. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. ALBANY A few months ago, the Pretoria Fields Brewery regularly filled a block on Pine Avenue with the sweet aroma of fermenting hops during the beer-making process. The building has sat vacant since late 2024, when the business was closed after the primary creditor foreclosed on the business due to claims of defaults on several loans. Today, passersby can observe stacked cans with the Pretoria Fields label through the windows when walking or driving by the 120 Pine Ave. location that was in business for about a decade before the doors were closed for the final time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Considered by the city of Albany, as well as other area entrepreneurs, as a downtown anchor, the hope is that the vats will return to life and create a sweet smell of success that will bring a crowd back to lift a pint in the taproom and draw customers to neighboring businesses. Before the doors were locked in November, the curbside parking spaces in the easternmost block of Pine Avenue were often filled, and on busy nights cars spilled over into a parking lot across the street. Traffic is noticeably thinner now in the evenings with the absence of the people who attended musical performances and other regular events like karaoke and Bingo nights at the brewery. Now there is hope that an operator will move into the space and help bring back the crowds, with the city of Albany, which is also a creditor, looking for a vendor to move in. We have submitted directly to 76 operator and developers who might have an interest in the space, Albany Downtown Manager Lequrica Gaskins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The requests for proposals are open until about the end of this month. With the equipment available in the building, the hope is that the facility will be returned to beer-making, Gaskins said. As you know, the brewery is big downtown, she said. It is an anchor business. That location will complement the other downtown development that we have going on. Theres a second floor that has the option for office space. It can be more than a brewery. The traffic that the brewery brought downtown is noticeable, downtown business owner Glenn Singfleid said, but it is more than that. The No. 1 situation with the brewery is it brought symmetry to downtown, said the owner of The Flint, which sits next-door to the former brewery. It was a destination for downtown. People like craft breweries. Id like to see it come back real soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It allowed us to get spillage. We sent people in that direction. Theres not another anchor like it. We had a great tenant and a community partner, and when we do we have people patronizing it and visiting The Flint. The arrival of the brewery helped the area thrive, the businessman said. It gave the public a reason to come, he said. Im not saying The Flint can do it alone. The brewery had a heavy weight on the scales for people to come downtown. Nothing happened before the brewery. When the brewery came, people began to come downtown. The city also has a role in ensuring the district is safe and clean, as well as bringing fresh thinking to the development, Singfield said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, there are several projects under way downtown, including a project for a store, maker space and tech center by the Commodore Conyers College & Career Academy. The Albany Museum of Art is looking to relocate at the former Belk building at the corner of North Washington Street and West Broad Avenue, and across the street an apartment development is planned. The city is also looking for a developer to transform the former Water Gas & Light/Hotel Gordon and former Albany Herald/Rosenberg Brothers Department Store buildings into a hotel and event center. It (a brewery) would certainly enhance foot traffic downtown, Albany City Commissioner Jon Howard said. I know theres proposals with hotels and loft apartments. I know there are several restaurants downtown, and they would like to see some more people coming to their facilities. At the moment, the creditors are in alignment with each other to make it possible for the city to accept proposals, Commissioner Chad Warbington said, creating an environment where it is possible to make a deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not just the city involved, he said. With that being said, weve made progress. I think the biggest thing is the legal mess its in. The brewery is kind of the linchpin of downtown. The goal would be for everybody to be made whole and for the city to have an anchor downtown project. One plus is that any potential owner will be able to walk into a ready-made brewing facility, the commissioner said. All you need is an operator to come in and turn the lights on and start making beer again, Warbington said. Its a turnkey brewery. Breweries are a staple in many downtown areas and a popular destination, he said. We definitely need to get that up and running, Warbington said. I hope that somebody who comes in will have some new ideas in how to bring people in. What were primarily interested in is a local attraction driving foot traffic downtown. Aldermen voted down a $1.25 million settlement Friday for the family of Dexter Reed, the man shot and killed by police in a Humboldt Park gunfight last year. The deal for the family of the man who shot at police first and wounded an officer during a botched traffic stop sparked fierce debate before aldermen blocked it in a 12-to-15 Finance Committee vote. Proponents of the settlement argued it was sure to save the city millions by avoiding expensive legal costs, but opponents asserted that it would send a dangerous message. City attorney Caroline Fronczak told aldermen the city would likely pay around $5 million in legal fees to fight the case, plus as much as $3 million to $5 million if the city lost in court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It sounds like there is no way that we end up paying less than whats in front of us should we take this to trial, said Ald. Daniel La Spata, 1st. Thats correct, Fronczak replied. But the likely higher cost to fight the lawsuit was ultimately a price aldermen were willing to pay including Johnsons handpicked Finance Chair, Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd, who cast a critical no vote in the tight decision. Aldermen typically approve the settlements recommended by the mayor-controlled Law Department as a way to save the city money by avoiding costly court verdicts and attorneys fees, making the repudiation in the high-profile police shooting lawsuit a rare occurrence at City Hall. Opponents of the settlement unsuccessfully tried to stall the vote before winning the rejection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five officers fired at least 79 rounds at Reed during the March 2024 traffic stop, striking him 13 times, after Reed initially complied with orders to roll down his window but then appeared to disregard a command to roll down a window on his cars passenger side, according to the Civilian Office of Police Accountability and an autopsy report. Ald. Walter Burnett, 27th, flagged the setting of the stop. Plainclothes officers stopped Reed in what Burnett described as a high-crime neighborhood. I couldnt imagine what was going on in the young mans head. He should not have had a gun, he should not have did what he did, Burnett said. But if someone would have walked up on my car in that neighborhood, I dont know how I would react. Fronzcak later clarified that the plainclothes officers were wearing department-issued bulletproof vests with a visible police star. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th, said Burnetts statement left him speechless. What the hell is going on in this room, he said. To sit here and say that we are going to give license to individuals to shoot officers when they are pulled over, two days after we just had an officer kill herself. The Cook County medical examiners office on Friday ruled that officers death Thursday morning at the Near North District a suicide. Lopez told Fronczak the citys Law Department should sue Reeds family to recoup costs associated with the wounded officers injuries. You all should be ashamed of yourself for what you all are inspiring and allowing, he said. You want to settle because its cheaper? You are sending a message to every criminal and you are also sending a message to every officer on the street that their lives dont matter anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ald. Emma Mitts, 37th, asked about Reeds tinted windows. She backed up Burnetts argument: The 26-year-old likely did not know the man who approached his passenger-side window before the shooting quickly started was a police officer, she said. Im sure if Mr. Reed was here, hed say, If Id have known that it was an officer, she said. Ald. Marty Quinn, 13th, invoked his grandfather at the end of the debate, a Chicago police officer who was shot on duty and died a few years later. This is a bad day for Chicago if this is the way this conversation is going to go, he said. Reed got out of his car after officers shot him, then he fell to the pavement. One officer fired three more shots at Reed as he was lying motionless on the street. That 23-year-old officer fired at least 50 rounds during the 41 seconds of gunfire, according to COPA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit from Reeds family alleges officers escalated the traffic stop by pointing guns at Reed and demonstrated a gross disregard for the sanctity of human life by shooting his motionless body. It also called the traffic stop unlawful and pretextual. The committee approved two settlements Friday: a $750,000 deal for a woman seriously injured after falling on an uneven Lincoln Park sidewalk and a staggering $32 million deal for a man who lost both his legs after he was struck by a car being pursued by police downtown against department chase rules. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) Patrick Keely is running for San Angelo City Council Single-member District 4. Keely grew up in Bangs, Texas, but he has lived in San Angelo since 2007, when he began his education at Angelo State University. I have a business degree from Angelo State. I have run my own business and worked in the oil field, and my wife and I are both currently real estate agents here in San Angelo. Weve been doing that for about six years, Keely said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keely shared that he is not a politician, but he chose to run for city council to make a difference in the community rather than be a bystander. I want to have a voice. I feel like I havent had one. I feel like thats been a trend. Several people feel that way, from my understanding and people Ive talked to, Keely said. I want to have a voice, and I want others to have a voice. If elected, Patrick said two major changes he would like to make are to find ways to better manage the citys finances and communicate with the San Angelo community more efficiently. I hope to get more involved in the budget, cut some unnecessary spending and hopefully put it towards the things that we need, Keely said. Instead of passing bonds for the coliseum, I would love it if we found the money in the budget for something like that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a city council member, Keelys first steps would revolve around the budget, being transparent with San Angelo taxpayer dollars, and discussing that budget with his peers. People spend a lot on property taxes here. Lets find out where our money is going. Can we cut other places? Can we give some back to the people? Can we make it a better experience in San Angelo with the money were getting? Keely said. Patrick said he wants to ensure that his actions reflect the wants and needs of the community. I want to make sure were all on the same page, serving the people and not serving our own interests, Keely said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. WASHINGTON - U.S. President Donald Trump on Thursday renewed his complaint that the decades-old U.S.-Japan security treaty is "so one-sided" as Washington and Tokyo are set to negotiate a deal over his tariffs. "We pay hundreds of billions of dollars to defend them, but...they don't pay anything," Trump told reporters gathered for a Cabinet meeting. "If we're ever attacked, they don't have to do a thing to protect us," he said, sarcastically calling the treaty a "wonderful deal." It is not the first time he has made such remarks, but the context of his fresh statements on the topic may hint at the path of forthcoming trade negotiations between the two countries. Trump's comments regarding tariffs suddenly deviated to Japan while he was claiming that the United States has long been treated unfairly in the global trading system. Trump said he does not want to criticize China or other countries, placing the blame instead on his predecessors for leaving the United States to struggle with unfair practices. Referring to the U.S.-Japan security accord, he said, "I just wonder who did this, and it's people that either hate our country or didn't care." "It's just hard to believe how, how bad. Now, that's a little bit of a defense deal, but I'm talking about trade deals, the same thing," he added. The revised bilateral treaty, signed in 1960, grants the United States the right to have bases on the Japanese archipelago for its military forces and commits it to come to the defense of Japan if the Asian ally is attacked. Under the pact, over 50,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed in Japan, with more permanently based there than in any other foreign country. Among major U.S. partners that have trade surpluses with the United States, Japan is at the top of the list for negotiations, the Trump administration has said. Japan is considering sending a team of negotiators as early as next week. If all goes smoothly, Ryosei Akazawa, Japan's economic revitalization minister, is expected to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who will serve as the point man for the talks with the Asian country, according to a source close to the minister. In addition to trade and tariff matters, the Trump administration has suggested it wants to resolve other outstanding issues with allies such as Japan and South Korea, which also hosts American troops and is under the U.S. security umbrella. As part of sharing the cost of U.S. forces stationed in Japan, Tokyo provides host-nation support totaling about $2 billion annually, which the United States puts toward needs such as labor, utilities and procurement of equipment for training. During Trump's first presidency, he also pressed Japan, as well as South Korea, to increase spending for national defense and U.S. military support. In a lengthy exchange with reporters while the meeting was open to the press, Trump also touched on the fate of Nippon Steel Corp.'s blocked $14.1 billion bid to take over United States Steel Corp. Trump made it even clearer that he has no intention of allowing the major Japanese company to purchase the iconic but struggling American steelmaker. "We love Japan, but for a foreign country to buy that cherished U.S. Steel brand, that's hard for me to do," Trump said. "So, as you know, I rejected the deal. Now they've come back in a different form. They're coming back as an investor." Trump voiced confidence that U.S. Steel will be able to revive on its own, thanks to the tariffs he has introduced since his return to the White House nearly three months ago. His clearest opposition yet to the sale of the Pittsburgh-based steelmaker to the Japanese producer came after he ordered a panel of federal agencies earlier this week to open a new review of its buyout plan. In a presidential memorandum issued by the White House on Monday, Trump said the aim of the review is to help 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. In early January, Trump's predecessor Joe Biden blocked the sale on national security grounds, following a recommendation by the panel known as CFIUS. Related coverage: Japan, U.S. to hold patrol in Okinawa after sexual assault cases Trump renews opposition to sale of U.S. Steel to Japan's Nippon Steel Trump pauses country-specific tariffs for 90 days, except for China The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department says it has seen a drop in crime in the Beatties Ford Corridor. They attributed the decline to a group effort between the community and law enforcement. On Thursday, CMPD shared an encouraging trend in the area: a 60% drop in violent crime. Police said efforts, such as their CORE 13 program, where they deploy officers to high-crime areas, contributed to the reduction. Down 60% is definitely a step in the right direction, said Councilman Malcolm Graham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Graham represents the area and said revitalization efforts like the Corridors of Opportunity are helping to reshape the outside perception of Beatties Ford. Certainly, business ownership and the redevelopment of the border pay a lot of dividends, because it changes some of those hot spots where crime existed before to places of opportunity, said Graham. ALSO READ: Father still seeking justice four years after deadly Beatties Ford shooting But even with the recent progress, some residents feel more work is needed. Charles Billings son, Jamaa Cassell, was murdered four years ago at a block party along Beatties Ford Road. Back then, he said crime in the area was violent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every time I think about Beatties Ford Road, I think about my son, and I think about, you know, what happened over there, said Billings. It is a little bit better. And the reason is a little bit better because maybe you see the police station down there. Graham echoed those sentiments, saying there are still issues the city is working to address. In reference to loitering and public health, mental health, and substance abuse. So, a lot of work to be done, Graham said. When asked what he would like to see done to address crime along Beatties Ford, Billings said he would like to see cameras go up. VIDEO: Father still seeking justice four years after deadly Beatties Ford shooting President Donald Trump delivered some alternative history during Thursdays Cabinet meeting, says CNNs fact-checking reporter Daniel Dale, who debunked the wide-ranging and erroneous claims about tariffs, immigration and former President Joe Biden on the air. President Trump keeps saying that the U.S. has a trillion-dollar trade deficit with China, Dale said on CNN. Thats about quadruple the actual figure, which was $263 billion last year. If you only count trade in goods and dont count trade in services, its about $295 billion. So still nowhere close, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump announced a sweeping 10% baseline tariff last week on all imports to the U.S., with levies on dozens of countries set even higher. He reversed course Wednesday with a 90-day pause on the higher rates for most affected trade partners save for China, whose tariffs are now set at 145%. The initial announcement on April 2 upended markets around the world and sparked fears of a global recession. Trump claimed Thursday that, during his first term, the tariffs he imposed took in hundreds of billions of dollars from China, a statement Dale easily debunked. As many of our colleagues keep pointing out, because we have to, all that revenue was paid by U.S. importers, Dale said on CNN. And we know from study after study and just from talking to people in this country, most of those costs were passed on to U.S. consumers. Dale went on to note that the link between childhood vaccines and autism in the U.S. has long been debunked by experts, countering Trumps none-too-subtle claim Thursday that theres got to be something artificial to blame for increased diagnoses over the decades. Dale noted experts believe the increase likely comes from more awareness and screenings, and possibly some changes in environmental factors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also repeated a bit of alternative history, Dale said Thursday. President Donald Trump made several inaccurate claims about his tariffs, immigration and the European Union. via Associated Press He keeps saying that the European Union was formed for the purpose of taking advantage of the United States, he continued. I spoke this week to an expert on European integration. He said, not only is that wrong, it is completely detached from the actual history. The fact-checker further noted that Trump reprised his old favorite talking point Thursday that foreign countries were emptying jails and mental institutions under Biden to somehow send criminals as migrants to the United States. I have begged and pleaded with Trumps team for any evidence, any corroboration of those claims, Dale said. They havent provided any submission of it whatsoever. Watch Dales full analysis below: Related... The United Kingdom and France plan to present US President Donald Trump with a comprehensive post-war "reassurance force" plan for Ukraine in an effort to persuade him to join the security guarantees for Kyiv. Source: Bloomberg, as reported by European Pravda Details: Bloomberg sources reported that within the next two weeks, military representatives of the "coalition of the willing" intend to agree on the details of how they could ensure the security of Ukraines airspace, coastline and land territory, as well as restore its Armed Forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paris and London hope that the final plan for the "reassurance force" will convince Trump to provide them with "backstop" in the form of air force, border security and intelligence capabilities. Bloomberg has information that 30 members of the "coalition of the willing" were asked to outline in writing their potential contribution to the "reassurance force". Fewer than ten of them definitively committed to deploying troops, while a total of 15 expressed readiness to send equipment to Ukraine. The chiefs of defence staff and defence ministers of the UK and France aim to analyse all written responses during April to formulate a plan for Trump, the sources added. Background: "The coalition of the willing", led by France and the UK, is developing a plan to deploy a mission to Ukraine to guarantee a future ceasefire. The coalition outlined four key objectives for the reassurance force in Ukraine: safe skies, safe seas, peace on land and a strong Ukrainian army. On 4 April, the chiefs of general staff of the French and UK armies visited Kyiv, where they met with Ukraines top leadership. The purpose of the visit was to discuss the needs and objectives of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to provide long-term support. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The European Unions top diplomat said the latest coalition of the willing meeting had failed to present clear plans on enforcing a post-war settlement in Ukraine. Kaja Kallas was asked on Friday whether the gathering a day before in Brussels had cleared up any confusion over the stalled plans. No, Mrs Kallas told reporters when asked whether Thursdays meeting had shed light on the strategy to police any peace settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The different member states have different opinions and the discussions are still ongoing. Her remarks were dismissed by John Healey, the Defence Secretary, who said the Franco-British led coalitions plans were real and well-advanced. Defence ministers and senior Nato officials pose for the official press photo at Nato headquarters in Brussels - Omar Havana Brussels foreign affairs chief said she was uncertain whether any European-led force in Ukraine should be used to uphold peace, monitor any ceasefire or be fighting on the ground. On Thursday, Mr Healey and his French counterpart, Sebastien Lecornu, chaired a meeting of defence ministers and officials from the 30 nations taking part in the coalition of the willing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But doubt have been growing about the speed of talks, which have been partly hindered Vladimir Putins refusal to accept a truce. On Friday, Donald Trumps diplomatic envoy travelled to Russia for surprise talks with Putin in the Kremlin. It was expected that Steve Witkoff would deliver messages about Donald Trumps frustrations that Moscow had not signed up to a ceasefire in Ukraine. Credit: Kremlin.ru After the talks, in the the latest sign of his growing frustration with the Russian leader, Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform: Russia has to get moving. Too many people ere [sic] DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war a war that should have never happened, and wouldnt have happened, if I were President!!! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Axios news wire reported that Mr Witkoff would warn Putin to sign up to a truce proposal by the end of the month or face new financial sanctions. Rustem Umerov, Ukraines defence minister who was attending the talks in Brussels, said he only learnt of Mr Witkoffs trip today. In the Belgian capital, Mr Healey announced that European allies had pledged 18 billion in military aid for Kyiv. It was also the first time, in the 27 meetings the coalition has met since the start of the war, a US defence secretary did not attend, with Pete Hegseth dialling in from overseas because of diary issues. Mr Healey, Ukraines defence minister Rustem Umerov (C) and Germanys defence minister Boris Pistorius sign the letter of intent for a capability coalition - Omar Havana His decision not to travel to Nato HQ was seen as a symbol of Washingtons decision to step back from its leading role supporting Ukraines war efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Healey opened the meeting with an appeal for Kyivs allies to come forward with fresh donations, as well as announcing a 450 million package from Britain, including hundreds of thousands of drones and cash to maintain over 3,000 vehicles. Today, at this Ukraine contact group, we step up our support for Ukraine in the fight. Our job as defence ministers is to get urgent military aid into the hands of Ukrainian war fighters, he said on Friday. And to those nations not making fresh commitments today, I urge you to look again, to look hard at what more you can do, All military aid now will help Ukraine in the fight today and help secure a durable peace tomorrow, because the Ukrainian armed forces must be their own strongest deterrent against further Russian attacks. 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. China taps big data to close graduate job gap Xinhua) 08:16, April 11, 2025 Students learn about employment information at a job fair held at Harbin Institute of Technology in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, March 26, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Tao) 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. People enjoy cherry blossoms at Wuhan University in Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, March 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Zhizun) 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) By Laman Ismayilova Azerbaijani Culture Minister Adil Karimli has met with Qatari Culture Minister Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani on the sidelines of the Qatar Culture Days. During the meeting, Minister Karimli warmly welcomed his counterpart and congratulated him on the cultural event. He underlined the progressive and trust-based relationships between Azerbaijan and Qatar, noting successful collaborations on both bilateral and multilateral levels. Adil Karimli pointed out that the rich cultural heritage of both nations strengthens their ties. He mentioned the memorable Azerbaijani Culture Days held in Doha in February 2024 and expressed optimism that the Qatari Culture Days in Baku will further enhance cultural connections. In response, Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani thanked Adil Karimli for the warm reception and appreciated the hospitality shown to the Qatari delegation. He expressed satisfaction at the resurgence of cultural exchanges since the last presentation of Qatari culture in Azerbaijan 16 years ago and underlined the importance of such events for fostering cultural integration. The two ministers discussed potential avenues for further cultural collaboration between Azerbaijan and Qatar. Diplomatic ties between Azerbaijan and Qatar were established on September 14, 1994. Subsequently, both nations opened their embassies in 2007. A significant milestone was reached in 2016 with the establishment of a Joint Economic, Trade, and Technical Intergovernmental Commission, which held its inaugural meeting in Azerbaijan on January 31, 2017. The second meeting of this commission occurred in Doha on February 20, 2019. An "Agreement on cooperation in the field of culture and art between the Government of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Government of the State of Qatar" was signed in Doha on November 30, 2004. The first edition of Qatar Culture Days in Azerbaijan occurred from June 6 to 11, 2009, featuring a Qatari delegation of 58 members, including artists and cultural figures led by Mubarak bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, the Secretary-General of Qatar's National Council for Culture, Arts and Heritage. In return, the inaugural Culture Days of Azerbaijan were celebrated in Qatar from June 1 to 4, 2010, with a delegation of approximately 150 Azerbaijani representatives. During this event, the audience enjoyed performances by Azerbaijan's Group of Musical Instruments, the State Dancing Group, and an opera performance of "Leyli and Majnun" by the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater artists. Lee Jae-myung speaks during the press conference in Seoul, South Korea, April 11, 2025. Lee Jae-myung, ex-leader of South Korea's main liberal opposition Democratic Party, held a press conference in Seoul on Friday. Lee resigned as party leader on Wednesday amid widespread expectations for his presidential run and announced his bid for a snap presidential election on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) SEOUL, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Lee Jae-myung, ex-leader of South Korea's main liberal opposition Democratic Party, announced his bid for a snap presidential election via a video message on Thursday. Lee resigned as party leader on Wednesday amid widespread expectations for his presidential run. 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 Yoon's short-lived martial law imposition last December. Lee, who lost the 2022 presidential election to Yoon by the country's narrowest margin, had been broadly seen 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 a plus and minus 1.8 percentage points in margin of error with a 95 percent confidence level. Lee Jae-myung introduces his presidential campaign team during the press conference in Seoul, South Korea, April 11, 2025. Lee Jae-myung, ex-leader of South Korea's main liberal opposition Democratic Party, held a press conference in Seoul on Friday. Lee resigned as party leader on Wednesday amid widespread expectations for his presidential run and announced his bid for a snap presidential election on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) Lee Jae-myung speaks during the press conference in Seoul, South Korea, April 11, 2025. Lee Jae-myung, ex-leader of South Korea's main liberal opposition Democratic Party, held a press conference in Seoul on Friday. Lee resigned as party leader on Wednesday amid widespread expectations for his presidential run and announced his bid for a snap presidential election on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) Lee Jae-myung attends the press conference in Seoul, South Korea, April 11, 2025. Lee Jae-myung, ex-leader of South Korea's main liberal opposition Democratic Party, held a press conference in Seoul on Friday. Lee resigned as party leader on Wednesday amid widespread expectations for his presidential run and announced his bid for a snap presidential election on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) Lee Jae-myung speaks during the press conference in Seoul, South Korea, April 11, 2025. Lee Jae-myung, ex-leader of South Korea's main liberal opposition Democratic Party, held a press conference in Seoul on Friday. Lee resigned as party leader on Wednesday amid widespread expectations for his presidential run and announced his bid for a snap presidential election on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) Lee Jae-myung speaks during the press conference in Seoul, South Korea, April 11, 2025. Lee Jae-myung, ex-leader of South Korea's main liberal opposition Democratic Party, held a press conference in Seoul on Friday. Lee resigned as party leader on Wednesday amid widespread expectations for his presidential run and announced his bid for a snap presidential election on Thursday. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin) The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has revoked the visas of at least 17 college students and alumni in Georgia. Emory University told Channel 2s Courtney Francisco that at least four of those students studied there. The Legal Director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations, Javeria Jamil, said three of them studied at Kennesaw State University, and 10 studied at the University of Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do anticipate ICE showing up and arresting these folks soon, but everything is so recent, it hasnt happened yet, Jamil said. She said some of those impacted are undergraduate students, others are in their masters, Ph.D., or professional training programs. Theres mostly a lot of fear right now, and there also a lot of uncertainty on what, if anything, they can do to protect themselves to make sure that they can continue their education, Jamil said. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes been warning students this could happen as the Trump Administration condemned pro-Palestinian demonstrations at universities nationwide. The Chairman of the Georgia Association of College Republicans, Emanuel Hernaiz, supports the visa revocations. Its a privilege to study in our grade schools, and, you know, many people fight for those student visas, and if youre going to use that privilege to go against the interest of America, well, we should give those opportunities to people who actually want to support the county, Hernaiz said. Free speech is OK, but we shouldnt allow violence and terrorist supporters to have those student visas. CAIR Georgia said some of the students theyre working with were not involved in any protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, it was unclear why their visas are being revoked. Except for, perhaps, a minor traffic violation like speeding, Jamil said. Channel 2 Action News received the following statements from area universities: University of Georgia: University of Georgia officials are aware that several international students have had their student immigration status terminated. We will continue to provide our international students with timely updates and support as we learn more. Kennesaw State University: Similar to universities across the nation, we are closely following the developments related to international students and their visas. As KSU works to follow all federal and state regulations and the policies of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, we will continue to do everything we can to legally support our students. Emory University issued a more detailed response. CLICK HERE to read it. To read more about student visa policies, CLICK HERE. BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) Nestled among cloud-kissed Andean peaks and known for its steady rainfall, Colombia s capital once seemed immune to water scarcity. But that sense of security vanished as an unrelenting drought drained Bogotas reservoirs to historic lows, forcing authorities a year ago to ration water for the first time in more than four decades. Every nine days, more than 8 million people in the city and 11 surrounding municipalities have had their water shut off for 24 hours. Households and businesses were forced to adapt by storing water in advance and cutting daily consumption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bogotas mayor, Carlos Fernando Galan, announced on Friday that the rationing will end on Saturday, declaring that the crisis has been resolved thanks to improved rainfall, effective conservation efforts and the expansion of a treatment plant that eased demand on the reservoirs, which had fallen to record lows last year. We know that it was a very difficult year, very complex for everyone, which affected the quality of life of local residents, Galan said. The yearlong rationing serves as a stark reminder of how climate extremes are reshaping urban life and a warning for other cities facing mounting water stress amid rising global temperatures. In my 60 years, Ive never lived through anything like this, Bogota resident Lidia Rodriguez said. This feels like a kind of punishment. We just want it to end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bogotas experience is not unique. In Brazil, Sao Paulo took drastic water-saving measures due to drought, as did Cape Town in South Africa, which came seriously close to running out of water entirely due to a drought that started in 2015. A lot of the large cities globally developed or grew rapidly in the last 50 to 100 years, and kind of took all the easy water sources they could, said Gregory Pierce, director of the Human Right to Water Solutions Lab at UCLA. Now, that ability to go out and get new sources easily is not as prevalent. And of course, we have climate change making it harder, he told The Associated Press. Experts say drought-induced water scarcity is likely to intensify unless cities adopt both soft solutions such as sustainable water use practices and long-term infrastructure investments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scarcity is "likely to be exacerbated in the future, absent significant changes, said Charles Wight, research director at Water Witness, a U.K.-based non-profit. Rodriguez echoed that urgency, saying you can get by without electricity, but not without water." She now collects rainwater or buys bottled water for cooking and bathing. Unlike energy, which can be obtained from solar or wind power, water alternatives are limited. The first step, according to Pierce, is to reduce demand. Water rationing and this actual fear of the water supply running out, is more of a new phenomenon for a lot of major cities globally in both the North and the South, he said. It requires top-down approaches to get people to conserve or force them to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Bogota, officials have promoted conservation through public messaging. In one now-famous appeal, the mayor encouraged residents to shower together to save water. The city is now also studying its groundwater potential, having relied until now almost entirely on rain-fed reservoirs. Bogota has to expect the frequency of extreme droughts to be doubling and their intensity to multiply by three, said Christopher Gasson, head of Global Water Intelligence, which provides business information for the water industry. It is virtually impossible for the city to manage water supplies without massive investment, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ 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. Democratic Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet announced Friday that he is running for governor in 2026 as the one-time presidential candidate looks to succeed term-limited Gov. Jared Polis. Colorado, Im running for Governor. From expanding the Child Tax Credit to securing $7B for Colorados infrastructure, weve made real progress together. Now, its time to keep building a future in Colorado that works for all of us, Bennet wrote on social media with an accompanying video. In the video, Bennet touts his Colorado roots and his record in the Senate, pointing to work on the child tax credit, prescription drug costs, and public land preservation. And Bennet also offered sharp criticism of President Donald Trump, reflecting the escalating tone of his partys opposition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump doesnt believe in building opportunity. He believes in taking a wrecking ball to our economy and our democracy, Bennet says in the video. And he referenced his dissatisfaction with battles in Congress, saying that our best solutions to these challenges will not come from the broken politics practiced in Washington. Bennet has represented Colorado in the Senate since 2009, mounting a short-lived bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination as one of the more moderate candidates in a crowded field. He won his last election in 2022 by 14 points, and enters the Democratic gubernatorial primary in a strong position in the reliably blue state that hasnt elected a Republican governor in more than two decades. The move by Bennet makes him the fourth Senate Democrat to announce plans to depart Congress after next year, following announcements by Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, and New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, who have all said this year they will not seek reelection in 2026. Bennet isnt up for reelection in the Senate until 2028, allowing him to pursue the governors office while still serving in Washington. The veteran lawmaker has been endorsed by several other prominent Colorado Democrats, including his colleague Sen. John Hickenlooper and US Reps. Joe Neguse and Jason Crow. Hell face some competition in the primary, however, as Democratic Attorney General Phil Weiser launched a gubernatorial bid earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And on the Republican side, a few state lawmakers have announced campaigns, though the Colorado GOPs bench is thinner than Democrats in the state, which has a solid Democrat rating for its governor race from Inside Elections. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com April 11 (UPI) -- Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., could become the fourth Democratic Senator to leave office next year after announcing Friday he will run for the governor's office. Bennet made the announcement in Denver Friday morning that he is seeking to replace outgoing Gov. Jared Polis, who is term-limited. "I'm running for governor to build a brighter future in Colorado and give people a chance at a better life. The best solutions to our challenges will not come from Washington's broken politics. They will come from us," Bennet said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Together, we can make Colorado the best state to live, work and raise a family in, and provide the leadership and vision our country needs." Bennet has served as a senator since 2009. The 60-year-old is a member of the prestigious Senate Finance Committee. Outgoing Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is term-limited. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI During his time in office, Bennet has been a major advocate of the Child Tax Credit, which was introduced in 2021 and provides parents or guardians with up to $3,600 per child for those under the age of 6 and $3,000 from those between 6 and 17. Bennet will face competition from Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who announced his candidacy for the governor's office in January. Michael Bennet, 60, has served as a senator since 2009 and is a member of the prestigious Senate Finance Committee. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI Should Bennet be successful in his bid, he would join Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, and New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen in leaving Washington, D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peters, Smith and Shaheen have all announced they will not seek re-election next year. Bennet's senate term does not expire until 2028. Bennet has garnered support from a number of major political figures, including fellow Colorado Sen. John Hickenlooper. Colorado Reps. Joe Neguse and Jason Crow have also endorsed Bennet. Apr. 10Pioneering Washington Secretary of Health Mary Selecky died earlier this week at age 78. The Eastern Washingtonian is credited with drastically cutting the the rate of smoking and increasing the number of vaccinated children over her 14 years as the state's top health official. Selecky was also devoted to Colville, the small town she called home for over 50 years and where she served as a local health official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She is so much of who we are as a health district and as a community," said Northeast Tri County Health District Administrator Matt Shanz. Selecky led the Stevens, Pend Oreille and Ferry county health district for 20 years before her time in statewide office. "She loved this place until the moment she passed away. There were a lot of pulls for her to move full-time to the West Side. But Colville was always the place that was home her," he said. Having grown up in Pennsylvania, Selecky found herself in the town 70 miles north of Spokane through a happenstance of "wanderlust," she said in a 2007 interview with The Spokesman-Review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Selecky was appointed as Washington Department of Health Secretary in 1999 and remained in the job until her 2013 retirement. First appointed by then Gov. Gary Locke, she was kept on in the job by Govs. Chris Gregoire and Jay Inslee. When she got the job Selecky was "a bit of a longshot" coming from a rural, Eastern Washington health district, Locke said in an interview on Thursday. "But the moment I first spoke to her I saw her enthusiasm and her belief we needed to involve local communities instead of a top-down Olympia approach," the former Governor said. "I am really saddened by the news of her passing. Because her endearing personality was so warm and friendly, she was always able to bring disparate groups together." As health secretary Selecky led campaigns to reduce cigarette smoking and increase rates of childhood vaccination. She led the state's response to mad cow disease and the 2009 swine flu crisis Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Locke said her work to reduce smoking might be her most enduring impact to the health of Washington residents. For much of the 2000s Washington reduced cigarette smoking more quickly than most states and it had been cut by more than a third by the time she left office. "Mary realized that the key was how smoking targeted young people. Her belief was that once young people start smoking, it is very hard to stop. And it was because of her that was such a focus," Locke said. Former Spokane Regional Health District leader Dr. Kim Thorburn saw Selecky "truly respect rural values" as a local and state official. At the Northeast Tri County Health District, Selecky led efforts on HIV prevention even when many larger public health agencies had not addressed that crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mary could take something like HIV prevention something where there was a lot of pushback and she was able to bring strategies like a needle exchange to her community and communicate it in a way that made sense for rural Washington," Thorburn said. After retiring Selecky joined Providence's Community Mission Board and Stevens County Hunger Coalition Board and served as a clinical professor at University of Washington School of Public Health. She was awarded the Joe Hopkins Memorial Award from the Washington State Hospital Association in 2020. "I live at 3,600 feet elevation, and the sunsets are fabulous and the sky full of stars and planets are just incredible," Selecky said in a 2013 Spokesman-Review interview. "I need to be able to breathe that mountain air and just be and figure out where to invest my time. What I do know is it's certainly got to touch my heart." Arrangements for a funeral and memorial service had not been announced as of Thursday afternoon. President Donald Trumps former personal lawyer and acting U.S. Attorney Alina Habba on Thursday announced a probe into Democratic New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy over the refusal of law enforcement in the state to cooperate with ICE agents. Murphy and New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin are the latest targets of the Trump administrations legal crusade against political opponents, with Habba citing their noncompliance with federal immigration crackdowns. I want it to be a warning for everybody, Habba told Fox News. I have instructed my office today to open an investigation into Gov. Murphy, to open an investigation into Attorney General Platkin, who also instructed the state police not to assist any of our federal [agencies]. Habba: I have instructed my office today, to open an investigation into Governor Murphy anybody who gets in our way will be charged in the state of New Jersey for obstruction, for concealment those investigations will start immediately pic.twitter.com/PyYYQBNKNc Acyn (@Acyn) April 11, 2025 Habba, who represented Trump in his failed legal battles with writer E. Jean Caroll, added that the states refusal to act on federal warrants could constitute a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anybody who does get in the way of what we are doing, which is not political, it is simply against crime, will be charged in the state of New Jersey for obstruction, for concealment. And I will come after them hard, Habba said. Those investigations will start immediately. A Tuesday report from right-wing news site Shore News Network seemingly sparked the investigation, claiming that a state directive from Murphy and Platkin prohibits law enforcement from participating in civil immigration operations without a court order. It is instructing [state police] to go against our federal rules, our executive orders, Habba claimed of the memo. Since at least 2018, a directive in the state has prevented local authorities from working directly with federal immigration authorities, and Sanctuary State laws have routinely held up to legal scrutiny. It is unclear whether any federal or local laws under which Habba could charge the Jersey officials exist. Defense officials moved quickly Thursday night to fire a Space Force commander in charge of a Greenland military base after a Military.com report revealed an email she sent to personnel criticizing Vice President JD Vance's comments after a recent visit there. Military.com first reported Thursday that Col. Susan Meyers, the commander of the 821st Space Base Group who oversees Pituffik Space Base, had sent an email to personnel on March 31, just days after Vance's visit, saying his comments "are not reflective" of the base's views. Hours after Military.com's report, a news release said Col. Kenneth Klock, commander of Space Base Delta 1, removed Meyers from her position due to a "loss of confidence in her ability to lead." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read Next: Hundreds of Students at Military Base Schools Walk Out to Protest Trump Administration's Anti-Diversity Policies The news release went on to say "commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties." Backlash from Meyers' emailed comments spread quickly among GOP politicians and Republican circles on Thursday. Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., posted Military.com's story on social media Thursday "demanding a full investigation." He later posted a letter he wrote to acting Air Force Secretary Gary Ashworth in which he asked for a formal probe into Meyers' comments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sean Parnell, the chief Pentagon spokesperson, reposted Military.com's story, as well as the news release announcing Meyers' firing. "Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense," Parnell wrote. A Space Force official told Military.com on Friday that Meyers had been reassigned to another position within Space Operations Command, is still serving in the military and has been removed from her leadership role. The Pentagon and Space Base Delta 1 did also not immediately respond when asked whether they were aware of or were investigating the email prior to the initial story by Military.com being published or if Meyers is currently facing disciplinary action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pituffik Space Base, the Pentagon's northernmost military base, houses more than 150 airmen and Guardians, as well as Canadian, Danish and Greenlander civilian workers. It began as a joint Danish-American radio and weather station back in the mid-1940s. Vance's March 28 Greenland trip and visit to Pituffik aimed to push President Donald Trump's agenda of criticizing Danish oversight of its territory as well as advocate for U.S. control of the Arctic island. "You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland," Vance said, addressing Denmark directly in his speech. "You have underinvested in the people of Greenland, and you have underinvested in the security of this incredible, beautiful landmass." Meyers' email to base personnel was seemingly aimed to unify the personnel on base following those comments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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. Related: Space Force Commander in Greenland Sent Out Email Breaking with Vance After His Visit We are freaking out, says Billie Sayavong. He and his wife, Nokmaniphone, operate Noks Kitchen, one of the few restaurants in Southern California devoted to cuisine from Laos. The Westminster restaurant has been featured repeatedly on this papers 101 Best Restaurants List. In just the last week, shortly after President Trump announced new tariffs, Billie watched the restaurants meat and seafood invoice increase by 30%. Noks Kitchen relies heavily on goods imported from all over Southeast Asia to make its signature grilled sausages, fiery larb and crispy rice salad. Even with the presidents 90-day pause on tariffs, the Sayavongs are no more confident in their ability to continue to operate the restaurant in an unsteady economic climate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a lot of back-and-forth and the president will make a decision and switch, and our vendors are not taking chances, he says. They are automatically increasing prices right away. The BBQ mix combo and papaya salad from Nok's Kitchen in Westminster. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times) Its a reality faced by restaurant owners across the city, who continue to struggle with the aftermath of the writers' strike and the recent fire disasters. Dozens of businesses have already closed since the start of the year, with more closures announced in recent weeks. Tariffs are affecting restaurants serving cuisines that rely on goods from countries with the highest tariffs set, including South and Southeast Asia, where the proposed hikes range from 17% to 49%. Read more: Chili crisp is a tariff pawn Americans don't want to give up Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the tariffs arent just putting these businesses in jeopardy. Theyre threatening the diversity of the culinary landscape of Southern California, and the very heart of what makes Los Angeles one of the greatest dining cities in the world. The taxes are part of President Trumps America First trade policy, meant to benefit American workers manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and businesses. The greatest restaurants in America, and a large percentage of the most successful restaurants in Los Angeles, were built on the diversity of our immigrant communities. About one in 10 restaurants in the country serves Mexican food and 12% of all restaurants in America serve Asian food, with the majority being Chinese, Japanese or Thai. So what does America First mean when applied to the restaurant industry? What cuisines are considered American and who gets to decide? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just want the trade war to be over so we can survive, says Shaheen Ghazaly. The chef and owner of Kurrypinch in Los Feliz has been in a perpetual state of uncertainty since the new tariffs were announced. His restaurant relies heavily on ingredients from Sri Lanka, a country with a proposed 44% tariff. Read more: These are the 101 best restaurants in Los Angeles Sri Lankan cinnamon sticks are used in at least 80% of the dishes on the menu. Its what gives Ghazaly's seeni sambol, the caramelized onion relish, a distinct, subtle, almost citrusy cinnamon flavor. During the second week of April, shortly after the tariffs were announced, Ghazaly saw the cost of his weekly grocery order jump from $1,800 to $2,600. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The price for two pounds of Sri Lankan cinnamon rose from $37 to $49. Cardamon and clove, two other ingredients crucial to the spice mixes for his curries, were more expensive. The four cases of coconut milk he goes through each week from Thailand, a country with a proposed 36% tariff, rose from $28 a case to $42. The tomatoes he buys from Mexico went from $15 to $29 per 25 pounds. This is really going to hurt us," says Ghazaly. "In the restaurant world, the margins are already very thin. And Im pretty sure people will be hesitant to come in if I have to increase $5 to $6 per dish. The thought of losing one of the citys few Sri Lankan restaurants is unsettling, as is having to experience the food through a more Americanized lens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restaurant owners and chefs now are faced with a new dilemma: Pass the increased cost of goods onto diners with higher prices, or cut costs by reworking recipes and substituting with cheaper ingredients. For many of these restaurants, there isnt a cheaper, local alternative. Read more: 'It's going to hurt a lot.' How L.A.'s importers are navigating Trump's shifting tariffs Making substitutions or making certain ingredients ourselves is not an option, Billie says. Our tamarind sauce we make using a certain fermented fish from Thailand. We dont have the bandwidth to go fish and let it ferment for years. There might be alternatives, but its not the same. We have a consistent menu, and one little change can change the entire dish. Its a sentiment shared by Southern California restaurants that rely on ingredients from the Asian countries set to face some of the highest tariffs. Changing ingredients threatens the integrity of the entirety of the restaurant and its signature dishes, many stemming from family recipes that have been developed over decades. A variety of dishes at Thai Nakorn in Stanton, including whole grilled fish, curries and crispy rice salad. (Jenn Harris / Los Angeles Times) Thai Nakorn restaurant in Stanton relies on a specific coconut cream from Thailand to make its curries, as well as Thai Jasmine rice and a long list of herbs. Theres a unique Thai crab fat, fermented Thai crabs and Thai shrimp paste in the crab papaya salad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have done this for over 40 years, says Linda Sreewarom, whose aunt opened the original Thai Nakorn in Orange County in 1984. To change the recipes completely and try to find different brands of all these things made in the U.S. is impossible. Facing a 125% tariff on goods from China, Bistro Nas team in Temple City is having to reevaluate nearly every dish on its menu. The restaurant specializes in Beijing cuisine, with ingredients imported by local suppliers from all over China. Theres the hawthorn used to lacquer the signature crispy shrimp in a sweet glaze, the sea cucumber and abalone, Jinhua ham, 10-year-aged Xinhui tangerine peel, black fungus and a variety of spices. Hawthorn imported from China is used to make the signature crispy shrimp at Bistro Na's. (Myung J. Chun / Los Angeles Times) We are indeed exploring options to replace certain imported ingredients with those more readily available from suppliers. However, some ingredients are essential to preserving the authentic flavors of our dishes and cannot be substituted, says Carol Lin, general manager at the restaurant. Our costs have already gone up and its become more difficult to operate the business. The kitchen is in the process of developing dishes that use more locally grown, organic produce such as the new deep-fried eggplant with pine nuts, garlic and sesame. But the dishs addictive, hot and sweet balance comes from a mixture of dried chili pepper from Mexico and hawthorn from China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uyen Le, chef and owner of Be U, a small, takeout-only Vietnamese restaurant in Echo Park, has spent the last week attempting to balance the cost of the perishable items she needs now with the nonperishable goods she might be able to stock up on before any anticipated price increase or shortage. In mid-March, after four years in business, Le made the difficult decision to increase menu prices due to a host of factors putting a strain on the financial health of the business, including rent, supplies, staffing, insurance and maintenance and replacement for equipment. The restaurant also provides 30 to 80 meals a day to unhoused neighbors in the community. Be U chef-owner Uyen Le, center, and her team prepare free meals for fire evacuees and first responders. (Stephanie Breijo / Los Angeles Times) I just raised my prices before these tariffs so Im in a holding pattern to figure out how much of my products are going to go up, she says. For a lot of small businesses, we end up just eating a lot of the cost. Im kind of a brand-specific person because there is a lot out there, and over time Ive curated brands that I like and that I feel are consistent with my food. Les inventory comes from a mix of online vendors and what she buys directly from Vietnamese markets in Los Angeles and Orange County. During the height of the pandemic, Le put around 150 miles a day on her car, driving around to find the lowest price on goods for the restaurant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then theres the issue of sustainability. Buying American, or even locally, may not always be the most sustainable option. Depending on the product, how something is produced can have more of an environmental impact than how far it travels. Its a concept Le, who in a former life lobbied for support of green initiatives and green jobs for an electricians union, is keenly aware of. For our perishables its kind of weird, because to a certain extent youre trying to be environmentally conscious, she says. I prefer to buy California avocados because of the shorter time it takes to get to me and Im supporting local farmers. But they use so much more water to grow avocados in California than they do in Mexico, where its an avocado-growing region. Sophy's Cambodia Town owner Sophy Khut breaks apart a piece of her famous beef jerky. The dish gets its hot black pepper flavor from peppercorns sourced from the Kampot region of Cambodia. (Ron De Angelis / For The Times) Sourcing peppercorns exclusively from the Kampot region of Cambodia helps make Sophys Cambodia Town a culinary destination in Long Beach. Owner Sophy Khut marinates slabs of beef jerky in a garlicky sauce heavy with the peppercorns, prized for their singular strength and aroma. It's a dish worth traveling for, and one that's helped keep the restaurant in business for the past two decades. Khut's cost to purchase the peppercorns is $18 per pound, not including shipping or taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really hitting me, she says. I'm worrying a lot and I feel like I'm having an anxiety attack. Like all the restaurateurs I spoke with, Khut says shell exhaust every available resource before raising prices, even by a fraction. But altering ingredients like her prized Kampot peppercorns, will never be an option. I can think of hundreds of similar examples, dishes and entire immigrant cuisines dependent on ingredients not readily available in the United States or too costly to produce locally. With the threat of tariffs still looming, and restaurants and diners already feeling the squeeze, we should all be asking ourselves the same question. Without immigrant food culture, what is American food? Sign up for our Tasting Notes newsletter for restaurant reviews, Los Angeles food-related news and more. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. This photo shows a view of Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue for the 21st China-ASEAN Expo, in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 24, 2024. (Xinhua/Huang Xiaobang) BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Chinese ambassadors say they are upbeat about building on historic achievements to open new prospects for China's relations with neighboring countries, after a key meeting outlined goals and tasks for the next phase of the country's neighborhood work. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and striving to open new ground for the country's neighborhood work, at a central conference on work related to neighboring countries held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday. China's relations with neighboring countries are at the best level seen in modern times, and they are entering a critical phase in which regional dynamics and global transformations are deeply intertwined, the conference noted. "China always places its neighborhood diplomacy at the top of its diplomatic agenda, and ASEAN is the priority in this neighborhood diplomacy," Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said. Chinese and Malaysian leaders have reached a consensus on building a community with a shared future, and China-Malaysia trade accounts for one-fifth of China-ASEAN trade. In addition to the East Coast Rail Link project and other joint infrastructure projects, both countries are cooperating in such fields as 5G, artificial intelligence, big data, electric vehicles and photovoltaic products. "Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Malaysia relations will further grow, and cooperation between China and ASEAN will also expand," the ambassador said. Representatives of China and five Central Asian countries attend a launching ceremony of the secretariat of the China-Central Asian cooperation mechanism in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, March 30, 2024. (Xinhua/Zou Jingyi) China-Central Asia relations have seen leapfrog progress with the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnerships between China and the five Central Asian countries, the launch of the China-Central Asia mechanism, and joint efforts to promote the growth of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), according to Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin. President Xi's vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and his three global initiatives offer important guidance for the China-Central Asia mechanism and SCO development, Han noted. A drone photo taken on June 23, 2024 shows a view of Rashakai Special Economic Zone under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in Nowshera, Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. (Xinhua/Ahmad Kamal) As a pilot project under the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has seen more than 25 billion U.S. dollars in direct investment and created more than 230,000 jobs. It has raised the level of China-Pakistan cooperation and promoted Pakistan's economic and social development, according to Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong. "We will continue to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, make greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and safeguard China's overseas interests," Jiang said. China continues to bring development opportunities and certainty to its neighboring countries through its own development, said Shen Minjuan, Chinese ambassador to Mongolia. "In Mongolia, people remember President Xi's offer of welcoming them to ride China's fast train of development." The 21st century will undoubtedly be the Asian Century, and China's diplomacy with its neighboring countries holds immense potential, Shen said, adding that Asia should remain stable and thriving, thereby supporting China's modernization drive. China and ASEAN have been each other's largest trading partners for five consecutive years. ASEAN regards China as an indispensable partner for regional countries to achieve modernization, and China firmly supports ASEAN's centrality in regional cooperation, said Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Hou Yanqi. China encourages ASEAN to forge close ties with the SCO and BRICS, together practice genuine multilateralism and open regionalism, and safeguard international fairness and justice as well as the interests of developing countries, Hou said. An aerial drone photo taken on July 18, 2024 shows the Qingdao SCODA Pearl International Expo Center in the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng) Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, noted that the world today is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, and that changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace. "The CPC Central Committee exercises overall leadership, maintains strong strategic resolve, and responds to challenges with steadfastness and prudence. This is our greatest source of confidence in advancing our diplomatic endeavors, and the root cause of the respect and growing influence China gains on the global stage," Fu said. "We must unwaveringly uphold the vision of a global community with a shared future, continuously advance the reform and improvement of global governance, and safeguard the interests of developing countries," Fu said. The ambassadors expressed opposition to the United States' indiscriminate tariffs on all of its trading partners, saying that China and neighboring countries should oppose the fallacy of "might makes right" and work together to safeguard international fairness and justice, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of all countries. CHICAGO (WGN) The city councils finance committee on Friday approved a multi-million dollar offer to settle a lawsuit filed the family of a man who lost both of his legs after a crash stemming from a police chase. Alders approved $32 million to settle the suit filed by Bryce Summary and his wife. The St. Louis man was visiting Chicago in 2022 when he was struck by a driver who was fleeing police officers. The lawsuit alleged the police officer violated department rules by pursuing the driver. Summary underwent a double leg amputation as a result of the crash and has faced expensive medical bills. Funds to cover the settlement will come from two sources: $20 million from the citys coffers and another $12 million from a city insurance policy. Bryce Summary The full city council will now consider the settlement offer when they meet April 16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier, the committee blocked an offer to settle a civil rights lawsuit filed by the family of Dexter Reed, a Chicago man killed by police during a traffic stop last year. Finance committee members also approved a $750,000 settlement to a woman who was injured in a fall on a Lincoln Park sidewalk. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Kim Hocking, right, reads in front of the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Library on March 1, 2025, during protests for a bill that would force libraries to remove and relocate obscene content. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) The North Dakota House Appropriations Committee voted 22-1 Friday to issue a do-not-pass recommendation on a bill that would require school and public libraries to relocate books deemed sexually explicit to areas not easily accessible by minors. The committee also rejected an amendment from the bills chief sponsor, Sen. Keith Boehm, R-Mandan, to exempt an online library database from the bill. Adding an age verification system to the online database was estimated to cost about $2 million over four years, adding a significant price tag to the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During discussion of the bill Friday, Rep. Karla Rose Hanson, D-Fargo, said the amendment would create a glaring loophole that would allow minors to access the perceived explicit content even if other books were physically relocated. Rep. Brandy Pyle, R-Casselton, said the amendment would have been a massive policy change from the original version of the bill. She added the Appropriations Committee didnt hold a full hearing on the possible changes with members of the public and other concerned stakeholders. The bill also calls for states attorneys to investigate and prosecute violations, and for state funds to be withheld from schools or libraries that dont comply. Rep. David Richter, R-Williston, said he was concerned about added costs for states attorneys that were not included in the fiscal note but would impact local communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Keith Kempenich, R-Bowman, said he feared the bill could be considered unconstitutional because the state could be in violation of its public education mandate for students if it withholds funding for schools that are out of compliance. Rep. Mike Brandenburg, R-Edgeley, was the only committee member to support the bill. On Thursday he said voters in his district want lawmakers to take action on library content after a school did not remove a book that many found objectionable. The bill will move to the House floor for a vote by the entire chamber. It previously was approved in the Senate and received a do-pass recommendation from the House Judiciary Committee. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Central Ohios Chapter on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) called on the Columbus Division of Police to arrest and charge people who allegedly attacked a Somali mother last month. On March 20, a Somali woman was attacked after dropping off her child at the bus stop. Surveillance footage from the day released by police shows multiple people attacking her. Columbus police make domestic violence fight multilingual Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CAIR Ohio called it a hate crime and said Columbus police need to do more. We need to see some real action bringing those people to justice, CAIR Ohio Executive Director Khalid Turaani said. It should not take from March 20 until now, it should not take a press conference. About a week after the incident, the victim, CAIR Ohio, and other Somali community leaders met with Columbus police. CPD leaders gave the group an update on the case, saying they had identified two people allegedly involved and said charges would be filed against them soon. Since the meeting, CAIR Ohio leaders said they have not heard much from police and called on law enforcement to take action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teenager accused of shooting ex-Ohio State wrestler Sammy Sasso sentenced to prison I am certain that law enforcement understands our concerns, but we need to see action and we need reassurance, CAIR Ohio Community Advocate Ahisa Liban said. We need them to condemn this violent attack. State Rep. Ismail Mohamed arranged the meeting between the Somali community and police, saying it was a positive experience and he trusts police to continue to investigate. So the city has been responsive, I think, but you can imagine its a slow process and I can understand the frustration as well, Mohamed said. Im an attorney so I get it. But, you know, justice is not always swift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He considers the attack a hate crime but understands that it is up to prosecutors to determine. I can understand the frustration that maybe things are not going as fast as possible, but certainly, you know, I think positive steps are being taken by the city of Columbus, by law enforcement, to, of course, be as responsive as they can, Mohamed said. Former Ohio doctors defamation case against Mount Carmel will go to trial In a statement, Columbus police said, Detectives with the Columbus Division of Police Zone Investigations Unit completed their investigation, identifying two individuals to be charged, one of whom is a minor. The City Attorneys Office is working with the victim to file criminal charges and will prosecute the case to the fullest extent possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the statement, police also mentioned there was a complaint about the officers who responded to the attack on the woman, which is being independently investigated. Police said the division is committed to strengthening trust and communication with all immigrant and faith communities. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Columbus and Franklin County leaders on Thursday discussed the future of the capital city, but the work theyre doing goes beyond central Ohio as what is happening at the federal level will have a significant impact on whats being done locally. The Funding Review Advisory Committee began in 2011, a few years after the 2008 recession. Since then, weve faced a global pandemic and even more recently, new federal cuts that impact local organizations. We are a very different community today than we were just 15 years ago, Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther said. Our growth is creating new needs, new challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rare Civil War flag to be sold at Columbus auction This committee is tasked with making sure tax dollars are used to make the city thrive. As Ginther said during the meeting, Columbus is facing new challenges; for example, the fact the city had to let go of 11 Columbus Public Health employees due to a federal funding pause, just as the state is seeing a growing measles outbreak. Half of Columbus Public Healths funding comes from federal grant, Ginther said. That could be in jeopardy. Im also concerned that our $7.5 million in federal community development block grants may be on the chopping block as well. $22 million comes into our Department of Development every year from the federal government. The mayor also pointed out the U.S. House passed a Blueprint Resolution on Thursday, backed by President Donald Trump, that would lead to reduced spending over the next 10 years. After its passage, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson said, Our first big, beautiful reconciliation package here involves a number of commitments and one of those is that we are committed to finding at least $1.5 trillion in savings for the American people while also preserving our essential programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The local committee co-chair, Sandy Doyle-Ahern, said that while this committee didnt form because of the new administration, new federal policies may impact its work. Prosecutors want Gaudreau brothers blood alcohol levels excluded from case Obviously that theres a lot of concern about money that is no longer available or may not be available in the future, so weve got to take that into consideration and not work in a vacuum, Doyle-Ahern said. The committee is made up of people who are involved in the cultural arts, travel and tourism sectors. Over the next nine months, the group will hear from different community leaders across the region. Some of those leaders said nothing is off the table for the fast-growing community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When we think about these big issues, were thinking about homelessness, were thinking about our social service agencies, so how do we keep food on the table, how do we keep roofs overhead? How do we make sure that we have a thriving arts community? How do we have a thriving tourism community that funds a lot of this work? How do we make sure that our young people, our babies are educated, Columbus City Council President Shannon Hardin said. In about nine months, the committee will produce a report that provides an analysis of things like public funding trends and revenue utilization. Members said committee meetings are open to the public and they really want to hear community input. Former Ohio doctors defamation case against Mount Carmel will go to trial Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going to be critical so we absolutely will be hearing from a number of different community leaders and sectors across the region, Doyle-Ahern said. Were going to do a little bit of learning about the finance side first and then get into that. So we need a little patience to get there, but we will absolutely be getting it. Its critical to the end game. Theyre tough conversations but we believe that the group that is assembled today has what it takes to help guide and instruct and provide a road map for Columbus and Franklin County for the next decade to come, Hardin said. To learn more about the Funding Review Advisory Committee, 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. As the federal government moves to eliminate U.S. climate rules, companies still face pressure to be better stewards of the planet from their customers, investors, employees, local communities, lenders, insurers, global trading partners and many states. Each of those groups knows it will face increasing costs from rising temperatures and extreme weather if corporations dont rein in their greenhouse gas emissions. Many companies will find that returning to past polluting ways isnt in their best interest. Over 60% of chief financial officers surveyed by global management firm Kearney in December 2024 signaled that they intended to invest at least 2% of their revenue in sustainability in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These companies may maintain a low profile about climate change while the Trump administration is in power, but they have strong financial incentives to continue to reduce their emissions and their own climate risks. We study private environmental governance the ways companies and organizations work outside government to improve the nations sustainability and reduce environmental damage. Our work finds that, in this polarized era, addressing climate and sustainability challenges is not just a matter of government action. Thats because a lot of climate and sustainability progress is underway in the private sector. Sustainability matters to companies bottom lines Businesses have used climate and sustainability initiatives for years to make their operations and supply chains more efficient and to reduce their long-term costs. When McDonalds faced public pressure to reduce waste in the late 1980s, the company teamed up with the Environmental Defense Fund to analyze the problem. It was able to reduce its waste by 30% over the following decade, saving the company US$6 million a year. This early risk-taking by McDonalds opened the door for other environmental groups to help businesses understand how to reduce their environmental impact, including emissions, while boosting the companies profitability. The shipping company Maersk expects to cut emissions and boost productivity at the same time with better logistics and low-emissions ships like this one, which runs on methanol. Axel Heimken/picture alliance via Getty Images Maersk, the logistics giant responsible for nearly a quarter of global shipping, has responded to pressure from its corporate customers with a plan to reduce carbon emissions by one-third from 2022 to 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2045. It expects the combination of low-emissions vessels and a more efficient delivery network with hubs and shuttles to help meet its climate goals while increasing productivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Companies have also helped drive the expansion of renewable energy, motivated by the competitive economics of renewables and business opportunities. Facebooks parent company Meta and Google invested nearly $2 billion in projects to provide renewable energy in the Tennessee Valley Authority service area, even though no government required them to do so. And major companies continued signing renewable energy power purchase agreements in 2025. Microsoft and Amazon are responding to massive new power demand by trying to locate data centers near existing nuclear power plants for cleaner energy supplies. Thousands of companies report emissions via private systems Another sign of companies continuing commitment to sustainability is how many of them measure and report their greenhouse gas emissions even when governments do not require them to do so. Nearly 25,000 companies representing two-thirds of total global market capitalization and 85% of the S&P 500 report their emissions to the nonprofit CDP. Disclosing emissions is like keeping a fitness journal with a personal trainer. It helps a company track its progress and plan for future financial and environmental risks. More than 12,500 small- and medium-size companies also disclosed emissions to CDP in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of these companies were initially motivated by pressure from environmental groups or corporate customers. Today, they have more reason to continue paying attention to emissions. California has its own formal reporting requirements designed to encourage companies to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. And other states are considering setting climate disclosure rules. The Trump administration has promised to challenge them, and announced that it also plans to cut federal greenhouse gas reporting standards, but companies will likely still face reporting rules in the future. The European Union also has reporting requirements. It delayed their start date in April 2025 to give companies more time to comply. Cleaner supply chains can also be more efficient Managing supply chains with climate and environmental risks in mind can also help businesses increase their efficiency and reduce the risk that climate change will disrupt their operations. The supply chain is the largest source of the average companys emissions and may be particularly vulnerable to climate shocks. A storm can easily disrupt vital production or shipping, and droughts or heat waves can damage crops, stop work and increase costs. Companies estimate climate-related supply chain risks at $162 billion, nearly three times the cost of mitigating those risks. Many companies therefore have incentives to reduce emissions and their exposure to related hazards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly 80% of the largest companies across seven global economic sectors had set environmental requirements for suppliers within their value chains as of 2023. These requirements include reporting carbon emissions, reducing emissions and using sustainable forestry practices. Walmart eliminated 1 billion tons of carbon emissions from its supply chain in less than seven years by sharing its expertise with suppliers and working with them to reduce their emissions. Walmarts global director of sustainable retail noted in 2024 that the effort made its suppliers more efficient, too. Keeping employees and customers happy Companies also face pressure from average people both employees and customers. More than two-thirds of Americans support action to address climate change. Even companies that are not consumer-facing need retail customer and employee support. Pro-climate actions have been found to improve employee and customer loyalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outdoor clothing company Patagonia ranked third out of over 300 brands in a 2024 customer experience survey, in part because of its reputation for sustainable practices. Many of the over 10,000 respondents cited the companys sustainable practices as the leading reason for their support. Many companies also face pressure from lenders and insurers who want to reduce climate risks to their own bottom lines. Dozens of insurers have committed to ending or restricting underwriting for new fossil fuel projects. Others use incentives, such as lower premiums for companies that reduce emissions or invest in climate adaptation. Climate change may accelerate the current 5% to 7% annual increase in insured losses, according to estimates from insurer Swiss Re. That has led some insurance leaders to recommend insurance companies take bigger steps to reduce emissions through their investments and policy underwriting. Private climate governance can help buy time Media attention and interest group advocacy is often focused on government actions, but decisions made in boardrooms and through initiatives with nonprofits have created an important kind of private climate governance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As companies respond to their own economic risks and incentives, they help buy time to avoid the worst impacts of climate change until the political system recognizes the financial risks posed to the entire country. 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: Ethan I. Thorpe, Vanderbilt University; Michael Vandenbergh, Vanderbilt University, and Zdravka Tzankova, Vanderbilt University Read more: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zdravka Tzankova receives funding from the National Science Foundation. Ethan I. Thorpe and Michael Vandenbergh do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. KINSHASA, Congo (AP) Congolese forces rescued 41 hostages held by Islamic State-linked rebels after an intense battle with the extremists in the countrys hard-hit eastern region, an army spokesman said Friday. The hostages, including 13 women and several foreigners, were released from the custody of the Allied Democratic Forces extremist group in North Kivu province's Lubero and Beni territories during a joint military operation with neighboring Ugandan troops, according to Mak Hazukay, a spokesman for Congo army in the province. Some of the hostages looked unkept and haggard as they were freed in Beni on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not immediately clear for how long they had been held captive, but hostages are often held for months in the conflict-battered region. Pepin Kavota, the Beni civil society leader, or unelected local authority, urged families to welcome the hostages and not subject them to stigmatization. They must be taken in as any other taken by force by the enemy, he said. Kavota lauded the joint military operation, which has freed hundreds of hostages in recent years, according to local media. To the ADF fighters, they must understand that the march toward peace is underway, he said. The ADF extremist group is one of more than 100 armed groups that have carried out deadly violence in Congos mineral-rich but impoverished east for decades, resulting in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises. Attacks by the group have intensified over the years, mostly near Congos border with Uganda but also spreading toward the regions largest city, Goma, now under the control of the Rwanda-backed M23 group. Im nauseous. As a guy in the construction industry, when you hear these things, it makes you sick, Geoff Measel told Channel 11. Measel and his family own the New Englander Banquet Hall in Neshannock, and found out that one of the guys they hired to work on their roof fell through it this morning. There was an event being held there when he came through the ceiling. We are really upset. We are praying for the young man because we believe hes in his early 20s, and he has a long life ahead of him. We hope that he can recover and make a full recovery, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police identified the worker as 23-year-old Donald Wilson of Mercer. According to Measel, it was a fortunate coincidence that several of the people who were at the event were paramedics and doctors. It was a blessing in disguise. There was actually a lot of paramedics and doctors in the crowd. So, as he fell through the roof, they jumped to the scene, and were taking really great care of him, Measel said. Wilson didnt fall on anyone, and no one else was hurt. Normally, that room isnt occupied during this time, so the Good Lord works in mysterious ways. We had the people who needed to help him literally right there, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses say Wilson was bleeding from his head, and an ambulance took him to a hospital in Youngstown. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW Donald Trumps first term as president was characterized by an unprecedented volume of false and misleading statements exceeding 30,000 , according to multiple news organizations. As he advances through the first 100 days of his second term, his administration appears to be intensifying this pattern, amplifying a misinformation apparatus to justify his actions and policy changes. As he does so, he is also dismantling the governments ability to evaluate its own policies, replacing credible evidence with propaganda. The second Trump administration is systematically eliminating funding and personnel for oversight and evaluating programs. This threatens our ability to make informed, evidence-based decisions about policies and programs, leaving the public vulnerable to unchecked misinformation and ineffective governance. When the process or mechanism for systematically and objectively measuring what is working and what is not, what needs to be improved, and what we should replicate in other places and with other people is dismantled, the public will no longer have access to critical information and data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gathering and reporting of credible evidence to inform policy decisions was introduced as part of the Great Society legislation when programs under the 1965 Elementary and Secondary Education Act, sponsored by Sen. Robert F. Kennedy, were required to be evaluated. Since then, evaluation has been key in shaping effective government programs. Its importance was reinforced in 2019 with the passage of the Evidence-Based Policymaking Act, signed by President Trump. This act required each government agency to develop evaluation policies outlining their priorities and practices under the appointment of a chief evaluation officer. During his first two months back in office, the Trump administration has executed an evidence drain by eliminating or drastically cutting back on important research and evaluation programs. The Institute of Education Sciences has been virtually eliminated; only three staff members remain at the National Center for Education Statistics; and just over 20 personnel are left to execute the vital functions of the National Center for Education Evaluation and Regional Assistance. Before Trumps cuts, these offices employed more than 180 people. The administrations cuts to research funding have received more attention, and indeed, research is essential to medical and technological advancement. But cuts to evaluation take a serious toll as well. Evaluation studies inform us about our national performance. With accurate, carefully designed studies, we may thoughtfully modify programs and policies to improve their performance and wind down those that we learn are not working well. Prudently constructed studies that produce nuanced answers to these and other questions have been commissioned by our government for more than 60 years to address timely and relevant questions, such as those we should be studying right now: What happens when social services are cut? To whom and where are these cuts having the most significant impact? How does shifting federal student loan programs from the Department of Education to the Small Business Administration affect access to these programs? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public needs to know and understand the implications of cutting evaluation budgets and federal evaluation offices. Without sound evidence to counter or support claims made by public officials, we, the public, risk having access only to false information, which is now regularly pushed on unchecked social media and news outlets. That is why it is so dangerous for the public and so opportunistic for an administration moving toward authoritarianism to cut these studies with a chainsaw. Fringe individuals with questionable professional credibility have politicized research studies by rebutting well-established findings and spreading disinformation, as we have seen with vaccine effectiveness and safety. The Trump administration has just hired one of these people to study the already discredited link between vaccines and autism. Spending tax dollars on this kind of research is an unquestionable waste of resources and a direct effort to continue pushing misinformation to the public, making it more difficult to discern fact from fiction. We should also be deeply concerned that the current administration will hire equally unqualified and questionably positioned individuals to evaluate the outcomes of its cavalier cuts to funding and personnel. We must continue to conduct sound evaluation studies of our programs and policies and provide the public with credible information to inform our national, local and kitchen table discussions. Many states and philanthropic organizations support such efforts. They should increase their commitments to this vital work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To ensure honest appraisals that counter misinformation, we must, as a public, question the quality and accuracy of evidence used to support value-based assessments of what policies and programs are being well implemented and doing good for the American people. This is central to the survival of our increasingly fragile democracy. Christina Christie is the dean of the UCLA School of Education and Information Studies. If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) * Chinese President Xi Jinping and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met in Beijing on Friday, pledging to build stronger ties and calling for safeguarding the international trade order. * Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain, Xi said China will work with Spain to enhance the well-being of the two peoples, inject impetus into China-EU relations, and make greater contributions to promoting world peace, stability and development. * Xi called on China and the EU to fulfill their international responsibilities, work together to safeguard economic globalization and the international trade environment, and jointly reject unilateral and bullying actions. BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met in Beijing on Friday, pledging to build stronger ties and calling for safeguarding the international trade order. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) MUTUAL SUPPORT, TRUST, RESPECT China stands ready to work with Spain to build a more strategically resilient and dynamic comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi told Sanchez. Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain, Xi said China will work with Spain to enhance the well-being of the two peoples, inject impetus into China-EU relations, and make greater contributions to promoting world peace, stability and development. He called on the two sides to continue to consolidate the political foundation of mutual support, trust and respect each other, and support each other on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, especially in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. Xi said China's consumption upgrade for 1.4 billion people and industrial transformation potential will provide strong momentum for the world economy, adding that China is willing to make good use of the mutually beneficial and complementary cooperation advantages with Spain, give full play to the roles of economic, trade, and sci-tech cooperation mechanisms, and tap the potential of cooperation in new energy, high-tech manufacturing, smart cities and other fields, so as to achieve more mutually beneficial cooperation outcomes. The two countries should continue their traditional friendship, and expand student exchanges to engage more young people in carrying forward the friendship, he added. Noting that both China and Spain are positive forces supporting multilateralism, openness and cooperation, Xi said the two countries should promote the building of a fair and equitable global governance system, safeguard world peace and security, and promote common development and prosperity. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Sanchez said that over the past 20 years since establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership, Spain and China have maintained mutual respect and friendly cooperation, and bilateral relations have developed steadily. Spain attaches great importance to its relations with China, unswervingly adheres to the one-China policy, and is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with China and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and exchanges in various fields to push bilateral relations to a new level, Sanchez said. Xi said China always views the EU as a vital pole in a multipolar world and explicitly supports the EU's unity, development and growth, calling on both sides to adhere to partnership, openness and cooperation. China is ready to work with the EU to jointly celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and advance the China-EU relationship toward strategic stability and mutual success to better benefit the two peoples and the international community, Xi said. Noting that China is an important partner of the EU, Sanchez said Spain always supports the stable development of EU-China relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) NO WINNER IN TARIFF WAR "There is no winner in a tariff war, and going against the world will only result in self-isolation," Xi said. Xi said China's development over the past seven decades is a result of self-reliance and hard work, not favors from others. China does not flinch from any unjust suppression. He added that no matter how the external world changes, China will remain confident and focused on running its own affairs well. Noting that China and the EU are both major economies in the world and firm supporters of economic globalization and free trade, Xi said the two sides have formed a close relationship of economic symbiosis, with their combined economic output exceeding one-third of the world's total. He called on China and the EU to fulfill their international responsibilities, work together to safeguard economic globalization and the international trade environment, and jointly reject unilateral and bullying actions. By doing so, they will not only safeguard their own legitimate rights and interests, but also help maintain fairness and justice within the international community and uphold international rules and order, Xi said. Noting the EU is committed to open and free trade, upholds multilateralism and opposes unilateral tariff hikes, Sanchez said there is no winner in a trade war. Facing the complex and challenging international situation, Spain and the EU are willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to maintain the international trade order, cope with challenges including climate change and poverty, and safeguard the common interests of the international community, he said. The two sides also exchanged views over the Ukraine crisis. Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, announced he will put his bill creating an optional license for some storm chasers on hold while he looks into the subject more after session. (Photo by Emma Murphy/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY Lawmakers tabled a bill creating an optional license for professional storm chasers for this session, but plan to study the topic more in the Oklahoma Legislatures interim. House Bill 2426 would allow some chasers to be classified as professional severe weather trackers. For a small fee, they could act as emergency vehicles and do things like subvert road closures and run red lights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill author Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, said in a press release Thursday that he and Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City, would be hosting an interim study on the subject and that many misunderstood the intent of the legislation. Mann filed a similar bill in the state Senate. Critics of the bill, including many well-known storm chasers, expressed concern that it would overregulate the industry and define who is considered a professional storm chaser. This was not to stop or disrupting any storm chaser that currently comes to Oklahoma to help residents stay aware of dangerous weather, Fetgatter said in a statement. Our interim study will help continue this conversation and determine the path of the legislation going forward. I believe the proper role of government is public safety, and this is a necessary discussion. He said he hopes people from all sides of the issue will come together after the legislative session to dig deeper into the details of the bills concept. The bill had cleared the House and was referred to a Senate committee for consideration. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A convicted murderer out of Arizona has been charged in connection with a 2021 homicide in Fort Smith, according to court documents. John Anthony Cole, 48, was arrested and booked on first-degree murder, possession of a firearm by certain persons on Apr. 7. He is also being charged as a habitual offender. John Anthony Cole, 48 (Courtesy: Sebastian County Detention Center) Cole appeared in court on Apr. 9, where he pleaded not guilty to those charges. He also said he wants to represent himself in the case. Fort Smith case On Oct. 2, 2021, Fort Smith police responded to the 1300 block of Jackson Street around 10:26 a.m. regarding a mans body in a vehicle, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers found Jeremiah Tel Hawthorne, 35, of Fort Smith, had been shot multiple times in the drivers seat of a gray Chevrolet pickup truck. Fort Smith man pleads not guilty to first-degree murder charge In Sept. 2022, an officer received a call from Coles ex-wife saying Cole was the suspect of a murder investigation in Arizona. I heard rumors on the street that [Cole] had either committed the murder or had knowledge of the murder of [Hawthorne], the officer wrote in the probable cause affidavit. Cole was interviewed, where he admitted to shooting Hawthorne several times as he sat in the pickup, the affidavit said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video evidence recovered from a nearby business where the alleged shooting occurred showed the incident, and the video reportedly matched what Cole told authorities. The officer said in the affidavit that Cole could not have known the exact route taken by the suspect were he not the murderer. EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Law enforcement arrests Oklahoma man accused of double homicide at Fort Smith bar Arizona case and conviction Cole was also connected to a murder in Arizona. In Sept. 2022, Antoine Smith was reported missing in Phoenix after sending text messages to friends saying he had been kidnapped by Cole in an attempt to collect debt. The Phoenix Police Department tracked Smiths phone from Phoenix to Tucson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tucson police did a welfare check a Coles home and found suspicious items like a blood-stained shovel and cleaning supplies. Officials tracked Coles phone near the Arizona/California border, where he was arrested. Coles vehicle was searched and remains of Smiths body were found in the trunk, according to Arizona court documents. Cole later pled guilty to one count of second-degree murder, one count of aggravated assault and one count of abandonment or concealment of a dead body. He was sentenced to 31 years in prison in Nov. 2024. Cole is being held in the Sebastian County Detention Center on a $500,000 bond. He is set to appear in court on Apr. 14, where his trial date will be set. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. PHNOM PENH, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia had exported 211,058 tonnes of milled rice in the first quarter of 2025, earning a total revenue of 160.5 million U.S. dollars, the Cambodia Rice Federation (CRF) said in a news release on Friday. Forty-seven companies had shipped the kingdom's milled rice to 55 countries and regions during the January-March period this year, the CRF said, adding that China remained one of the key buyers of the commodity. The Southeast Asian country exported 37,821 tonnes of milled rice to China in the first quarter this year, making 22.6 million dollars in revenue, according to the news release. "About 81.38 percent of the exported milled rice was fragrant rice, 13.6 percent was white rice, 2.6 percent was Japonica rice, 1.93 percent was parboiled rice, and 0.49 percent was organic rice," CRF secretary general Lun Yeng said. Im Rachna, an undersecretary of state for Cambodia's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said China is one of the major markets for Cambodia's agricultural produce. "The purchase of our agricultural products by China and other friendly countries have significantly contributed to the development of Cambodia's agriculture and brought a lot of benefits to our people, particularly farmers," she told Xinhua. A tourist couple next in line behind a Spanish family that died in a Hudson River helicopter crash said visitors to New York might start thinking twice about taking flights around the city. We are really shocked. I was shaking, said Melissa Maertem, 23, who is visiting Manhattan from the Netherlands with her partner, Melissa Bos, 24. It could have been us. We saw the helicopter take off, and when you think back, like, oh, thats the helicopter we saw. Its really, really hard to understand. Maertem and Bos were standing in line behind Agustin Escobar, his wife, Merce Camprubi and their three young children who perished along with their pilot when the helicopter they were renting plunged into the icy Hudson River Thursday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two women echoed what photos of the tragic family revealed, that they were excited about their trip in their final moments before the helicopter left the ground. They were really happy, Maertem said. They were going on a helicopter flight. Maertem was excited, too. She and Bos had booked their aerial tour about six months ago for about $600 for the pair, and said they were really looking forward to the ride. She said they arrived at the downtown heliport early for their 4:30 flight, and said it became clear pretty soon that something had gone wrong. Maertem said she saw employees in the heliport pacing, making phone calls and acting nervous. She said the bustling activity went on for about 15 minutes before they were finally told flights were canceled for the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were asking, like, whats happening. And then they said, Something happened, she said. Theres been an accident, and we cant take the flights anymore. So I was asking, like, Are they okay? And they told me, one is not. But we heard later, all six of them [had died]. Maertem said they returned to their hotel and saw the coverage of the crash on TV. We saw pictures of the family and [realized] wow thats the one we saw [at the heliport]. Its really, really hard. Maertem said they had considered rescheduling their ride before deciding on the refund: We talked about it a lot, but were too afraid now, she said, fearing a possible maintenance issue. Thats why were scared, like maybe the other helicopters have that too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she doubts that theyre the only ones. Maybe tourists will think about it differently, Maertem said. But maybe its like, I dont know, a bird strike, and then they cant do anything about it. Maertem said they will try to go on with their vacation, but it will be hard. They have already been to the Edge sky deck in Hudson Yards, and took a ferry to the Statue of Liberty. Their agenda includes a Knicks game, a Yankees game and a trip to the top of the Empire State Building. So you still have, like, feeling up above, she said. Its not worth the helicopter flight right now. An alligator is seen at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 14, 2023 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. (Photo credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) In a harrowing encounter on Wednesday, Marian Roeser showed remarkable courage by rescuing her 77-year-old husband from an alligator attack in their backyard in the Sun City retirement community near Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. The couple was working in their backyard when the alligator attacked the man, according to the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office. The man's wife reportedly told deputies her husband was putting mulch down and had his back turned to a pond when the alligator attacked. Reacting swiftly, Roeser grabbed a nearby tomato stake and struck the alligator, causing it to release her husband.a "I just grabbed the closest thing I could find - a tomato stake - and started attacking the alligator's eyes and head," Roeser said, according to the sheriff's office report. "I knew I had to do whatever it took to save my husband."a Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roeser was eventually able to get her husband inside so she could call 911. The man was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Authorities from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) responded to the scene and euthanized the alligator. They plan to perform a necropsy to determine if the animal had been fed by humans, as such behavior can cause alligators to associate people with food, increasing the risk of attacks.a The day before the attack, the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office issued an alligator warning on Facebook advising people in the region to take extra caution near any body of water. "While we are enjoying the warm weather, our local alligators are too. April and May mark their season of movement and mating. Hungry and basking more often, adult males are actively searching for mates while young gators venture out, leaving their homes for new waters." The attack is an reminder that even familiar environments can pose serious risks in areas where alligators are native. Experts urge residents to stay alert near bodies of water, maintain a safe distance from wildlife and never feed alligators-behavior that can increase the likelihood of dangerous encounters. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. Johnstown City Council is tweaking its plans to transform Central Park with aims to break ground this fall. The plan, designed last year by New York City-based Scape Landscape Architecture with local CJL Engineering as a subcontractor, will largely remain intact except for a few changes, CJL project leader Alyssa Rouser said. Council discussed the plan at a workshop Wednesday. CJL is taking over the completion of the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former iteration of the plan had no cement walkway through the park. Rouser said CJL recommends adding a path cutting through the park, corner to corner. The path would be anchored by a water feature in the center of the park, which she suggested could be the existing fountain or a new feature. The council generally agreed that a path through the park would be a good idea but unanimously dismissed the idea of retaining the current fountain. The fountain has maintenance issues, council member Chuck Arnone said. I dont know what we can put in there, but that particular fountain is not worth putting in the money to save. The fountains stonework has become high-maintenance over the years and is not suitable for the areas weather, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CJL is working to finalize a design, a plan to advertise for construction bids in June. A construction contract would then be awarded in August and construction could begin after Labor Day and be wrapped up in the fall of 2026, Rouser said. Funding for Johnstowns plan to transform Central Park is coming from the federal government, but it has an expiration date on it. The funds must be used by the end of 2026, the council said. City officials have designated $8 million in American Rescue Plan funds provided for COVID-19 pandemic relief to the overall budget for the Central Park project. With construction potentially beginning in the fall, a hallmark Johnstown event could be in jeopardy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For 10 years, the volunteer- led nonprofit organization Discover Downtown Johnstown Partnership has funded an annual Christmas season celebration from November to January in Central Park. The key feature of that celebration is the installation of its 40-foot fiber optic Christmas tree in the center of the park. The tree and the accompanying Christmas Village have drawn thousands of people downtown each year to celebrate the Christmas season. Council members at first indicated Wednesday that the Discover Downtown Johnstown Partnership was seeking alternative plans for the tree this year, but Nick Spinelli, a member of the organization and 2025 city council candidate who by chance was present at the meeting, informed the council that there had been no such discussion. After the meeting, council members said they would find a way to accommodate the tree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will be working collaboratively to find available space for the tree, Councilwoman Laura Huchel said. Councilwoman Marie Mock agreed. We will make it work, she said. Discover Downtown Johnstown Partnership President Melissa Radovanic issued a statement to the Tribune-Democrat following the meeting. I am stunned that the Discover Downtown Johnstown Partnership would find out in a public council workshop that the Christmas Tree in Central Park and Christmas Village need to be relocated this year, she wrote in an email. We have had zero communication from city management or City Council regarding Christmas. The last update was provided to us in February 2024 from then City Manager Ethan Imhoff. Additionally, beyond construction, all initial plans, as we were told, were to allow for the Tree and Christmas Village in perpetuity which also no longer seems to be the case as far as the Christmas Village is concerned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Radovanic said the volunteer organization has put more than $450,000 worth of enhancements and initiatives into Central Park and Downtown since 2015. Where is the respect? Im totally shocked, she said. CUMBERLAND Allegany Countys three commissioners and Administrator Jason Bennett at a public work session Thursday discussed updates to the fiscal 2026 budget proposal. The countys projected revenue is roughly $1.1 million less than its expenditures. We need to do something here, Bennett said. The projected revenue included $3.7 million from a 6-cent increase in the real estate tax rate, and a .1% increase to the local portion of the income tax rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also included the countys first windmill payment of $825,000. A disparity grant from the state could raise Allegany County from 60% to 75% of Marylands average county per capita income tax yield. However, it requires the local income tax rate to be 3.2%, and Allegany Countys rate, which hasnt been raised in more than 15 years, is 3.03%. Without the rate increase, Allegany County will miss out on more than $5.7 million annually beginning in fiscal 2027. With the rate increase, the disparity grant is anticipated to total more than $13 million in two years. Expenditures included large increases for employee health insurance, retirement, teacher pension costs and the local branch of the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Solutions to balance the budget discussed included elimination of 10 county positions, which would save $775,000. Bennett said county departments have already made all possible cuts to areas such as travel, materials and supplies. ReactionsCounty commissioners worked to balance the budget without causing a burden for residents. The circumstances are extreme this year, Board of Commissioners President Dave Caporale said. I dont want to harm the citizens, Commissioner Creade Brodie said. Thats my biggest concern ... people are up against it right now. Commissioner Bill Atkinson said many projects, including new restaurants and businesses, are expected to raise money for the county in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a lot in the pipeline, he said. ProposalThe commissioners agreed budget planning will include a 2-cent property tax rate increase to generate $1,080,000. The income tax rate will be increased to 3.2%. The proposal includes denial of the library systems request for an additional $87,000, and elimination of 10 county positions. Roughly $2.3 million of the countys fund balance will be used to balance the budget. NextThe countys finance department will include the latest scenario, and the latest possible impacts from the state, to create a first draft of the budget that will be presented at the commissioners meetings May 1 and 15. Commissioners are expected to vote on and adopt the budget on May 29. WILL COUNTY, Ill. (WGN) A Will County Sheriffs corrections officer accused of sexual assault involving a minor pleaded not guilty in court on Thursday. Daniel Herrod faces felony charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child and criminal sexual assault of a family member. Federal investigators allege the crimes committed over four years reportedly involved the same victim, beginning in May 2021. WGN-TV reported that a criminal complaint filed in Will County states that the alleged crimes occurred between May 9, 2021, and March 26, 2025. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Will County Sheriffs Office employee charged with predatory criminal sexual assault of child The 41-year-old Herod has been employed with the Will County Sheriffs Office since May 2010. According to the sheriffs office, he most recently served as a Deputy Correctional Officer at the Will County Adult Detention Facility. Herod remains in police custody in Kankakee County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. The Chicago Police Department made significant strides last year toward full compliance with the federal consent decree, even as the department was tasked with handling protests of the Democratic National Convention, according to the latest assessment by the consent decree monitoring team. The new monitors report, made public Friday, heaped praise on the departments consent decree adherence between July 1 Dec. 31, 2024. The report found the police department had achieved some level of compliance with more than 90% of the consent decrees mandates, though the extent varies by category. The CPD has made significant strides toward implementing various Consent Decree requirements, which has paid dividends in achieving Consent Decree compliance, the monitoring team said. It is our hope that the City and the CPD maintain this momentum and continue to build on these successes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The monitoring team, led by former federal prosecutor Maggie Hickey, found the Police Department was in full compliance with 16% of the consent decree, while secondary compliance was reached in 42% of monitorable paragraphs. CPD reached preliminary compliance in 34% of consent decree paragraphs, and the other 7% of the consent decree paragraphs had not reached any level of compliance. Much of the latest report was devoted to officers response to the four days of protests and marches near Union Park and the United Center during the DNC last August. At various events throughout the DNC week, the IMT observed CPD officers remain professional and disciplined, exemplifying the training each officer received leading up to the DNC, the monitoring team wrote. While working long shifts and often being subject to verbal taunts, we observed officers remain professional, de-escalate tensions, support each other, and work together to identify, solve, and prevent problems. In the months since the DNC concluded, Superintendent Larry Snelling has frequently said how proud he was of the officers under his command during the four-day event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This increase in compliance represents the extensive work being done at CPD to implement transformative reforms across every level of the department, Snelling said in a statement issued Friday. We are a department in transformation, and we will continue to build upon the foundation that has been set to achieve cultural change. The latest IMT report comes just days after CPD announced a three-year strategic plan aimed at building community trust, supporting officers, increasing neighborhood safety and improving organizational infrastructure. Hickey and U.S. District Judge Rebecca Pallmeyer credited the Police Departments latest efforts during a consent decree status hearing last week, though attorneys for a coalition of activist groups and the Office of the Illinois Attorney General noted that many elements of CPDs new strategic plan are already required by the consent decree. While largely positive in its latest assessment, the monitoring team noted its concern about a recent uptick in reported use-of-force incidents by Chicago officers. Those tactical response reports TRRs received relatively little scrutiny from CPD supervisors, as many remain over-burdened by other responsibilities, the monitoring team said. SEOUL, April 11 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's exports rose in double digits in the first 10 days of this month on the back of solid demand for locally-made semiconductors, automobiles and ships, customs office data showed Friday. Exports stood at 18.58 billion U.S. dollars in the April 1-10 period, up 13.7 percent compared to the same period of last year, according to Korea Customs Service. Daily average export added 0.3 percent to 2.19 billion dollars in the 10-day period. Semiconductor export jumped 32.0 percent to 3.40 billion dollars, and automotive shipment soared 11.9 percent to 1.84 billion dollars. Exports for ships skyrocketed 693.6 percent to 648 million dollars, but oil products shipment declined 3.9 percent to 1.31 billion dollars. Those for computers and home appliances retreated in double figures in the cited period. Imports gained 6.5 percent from a year earlier to 19.67 billion dollars in the first 10 days of April, sending trade deficit to 1.09 billion dollars. Imports for crude oil, semiconductors, machinery, semiconductor equipment and cars went up in double digits, but those for natural gas, coal and mobile devices decreased in double figures. (MONTE VISTA, Colo.) Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) said it has responded to multiple cases of raccoons that have tested positive for canine distemper in recent weeks and is warning the public about the danger to pets. CPW said a raccoon carcass from Monte Vista in the San Luis Valley tested positive for canine distemper. Two more raccoons from Alamosa have been sent for testing, but symptoms were consistent with canine distemper. Canine distemper is a contagious disease of carnivores with a range of symptoms depending on the species and how long the animal has been sick. Sick animals often have trouble moving and can act abnormally because of brain infections. Crusting around the eyes and/or nose is a common symptom, while other signs such as coughing, diarrhea, vomiting, and thickened paw pads tend to be less obvious. Animals sick with canine distemper usually do not survive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The virus does not survive long outside the body, with the spread being most common through direct contact with infected animals. Canine distemper cannot be transmitted to humans, but can be transmitted to unvaccinated domestic dogs. CPW reminds the public not to feed wildlife, as feeding can lead to an unnatural number of animals congregating in one place. A single animal can spread diseases through these congregations. CPW recommends getting your pet vaccinated, not letting them interact with wildlife, and teaching kids not to touch wildlife. The symptoms of canine distemper cannot be definitely distinguished from rabies without testing the brain. Sick animals that have contacted people or pets should be tested for rabies. Report any contact with wild animals to your local department of public health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) Divers are expected back in the Hudson River on Friday where a helicopter crashed, killing everyone on board, according to authorities. Officials said the sightseeing tour from New York Helicopters lifted off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport around 3 p.m. About 19 minutes after circling Manhattan, the Bell 206 helicopter broke apart in mid-air, video taken by witnesses showed. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sound was like crack, boom, said Sylvian Mawove, who heard the crash. What is going on? The helicopter then plunged into the Hudson River, according to authorities. I heard a very loud noise, so I could sense it was a crash or something, Venithe Gopi, who also heard the crash, told PIX11 News. It was so loud. Officials said a family of Spanish tourists, including three young children, and the pilot were all confirmed dead. The victims include Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife and three children, a source familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press. The tail came off and then just flipped over in mid-air, witness Bruce Wall said. [The helicopter] started falling into the ground, propeller still propelling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NYC helicopter flights face scrutiny after Hudson River crash. A look at past crashes Debris from the helicopter including a leather seat and a sneaker washed ashore, according to authorities. The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said city officials will work with the NTSB. This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press. Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version. Buckle Up A potentially big day ahead in the case of the mistakenly deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Following the Supreme Court order last evening directing the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcias return from an El Salvadoran prison, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis of Maryland ordered the Trump administration to file a status update by 9:30 a.m. ET today from an official with personal knowledge regarding: the current physical location and custodial status of Abrego Garcia; what steps, if any, Defendants have taken to facilitate Abrego Garcias immediate return to the United States; and what additional steps Defendants will take, and when, to facilitate his return. A short time ago, just before the filing deadline, the Trump DOJ asked for an extension until next Tuesday in a court filing that made little effort to conceal its exasperation with Judge Xinis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, all the parties are due in court at 1 p.m. ET for a status conference that Xinis also called last night. The Trump DOJ asked that to be pushed back until next Wedenday. As we await Xinis response, lets dive into the Supreme Court order. The Presumption of Regularity While the Supreme Court mostly did the right thing in its order last night, it took a helluva long time to get there and still managed to sound like it was pulling teeth to get enough conservative justices on board to form a majority. The tone of the order was off, leaving it to Justice Sotomayor in her accompanying statement joined by the other two liberal justices to give emotional voice to the outrageousness of the original error in deporting him and in the administrations non-existent effort to correct its own mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The original deadline for the Trump administration to get moving on the matter was Monday night. The Supreme Court lifted that deadline then took almost three full days to issue its order. Meanwhile, Abrego Garcia has been mistakenly imprisoned in El Salvador since March 15, almost a month now. The Supreme Court did not spend those three days mustering a full-throated defense of the rule of law or an outraged reprimand of the Trump administrations slow-rolling of the case. Instead, it issued a strained, tone-deaf order that left open the possibility that some justices might have been content to abandon Abrego Garcia. The order was issued with no noted dissents, but was not labeled unanimous. The court tossed the Trump administration enough of a bone that Stephen Miller and the Justice Department each managed to trumpet it as a win, a dishonest contention but one the justices brought on themselves. At base, the Roberts Court continues to treat President Trump and the Justice Department with the traditional levels of deference that have been accorded the chief executive and the government in court. At this point, it requires the embrace of an especially willful blindness to ignore the voluminous examples of that deference being abused for ends that do not serve justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more on the presumption of regularity, some strong on-the-fly analyses by two law professors: Alan Z. Rozenshtein: What Happens When Courts Cant Trust the Executive Branch? Steve Vladeck: Abrego Garcia and the Presumption of Regularity For a less-anguished assessment of the courts order last night, Id suggest Cornell law professor Michael C. Dorf. Mahmoud Khalils Fate Could Be Decided Today An immigration judge in Louisiana could rule as soon as today on whether the government has presented sufficient evidence to deport Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil. Ahead of the deadline to show its evidence, the Trump administration filed a thin, undated letter from Secretary of State Marco Rubio that confirms he unilaterally revoked Khalils legal status on the basis of Khalils political beliefs. The Columbia University graduate remains protected from deportation by a federal court order in New Jersey, where he is challenging his detention and potential deportation on First Amendment grounds. Trumps Retribution Scheme Comes Into Sharp Focus NYT: Trump Escalates Use of Official Power to Intimidate and Punish His Perceived Foes Aaron Blake: Trump crosses the Rubicon on ordering investigations of foes Philip Bump: Trump moves to legally enforce 2020 election denialism Trump Threatens Columbia University With Consent Decree In a Twilight Zone move, the Trump administration is planning to force Columbia University into a consent decree, which would put the Ivy under the kind of federal court supervision you might be familiar with from cases where public school districts resisted integration or police departments were chronic civil rights violators. Law Firms Rush To Secure Deals With Trump Among the major law firms scrambling to strike deals with President Trump to avoid being targeted by his punishing executive orders, according to the WSJ: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Latham & Watkins Simpson Thacher Kirkland & Ellis A&O Shearman In typical Trump fashion, he is lording the deals over the heads of the firms who already caved, describing them as paying me a lot of money in the form of legal fees, an inaccurate but telling description of what his strong-arming them accomplished. Quote Of The Day Adam Unikowsky, a partner at Jenner & Block, on why law firms should fight the Trump executive orders targeting them instead of striking corrupt bargains with the president: At core, these settlements reflect an attitude of deep cynicism. Cynicism towards the law firms own clientsthat they would prefer a law firm that is beholden to the government than one that maintains its ability to provide independent, uncompromised advice. And cynicism towards our justice systemthat it is so toothless that the law firm would be better off capitulating than suing even if it prevails. We should be optimistic both about the clients we exist to represent and the justice system we are sworn to uphold. First Purge Then Install The Loyalists WaPo: The Justice Department is building a roster of lawyers willing to defend in court the most controversial parts of President Donald Trumps agenda, firing career attorneys whom leaders view as standing in their way and hiring dozens of political appointees to carry out the presidents agenda. Under My Radar I wanted to flag a fews things from this week that I had missed: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A criminal defense lawyer in DC scoffs at acting U.S. Attorney Ed Martin and the myriad ways he has made life easer for defense attorneys. In a new court filing, the Trump DOJ cryptically said it intends to review the governments theory of the case underlying [the] conviction of Alexander Smirnov, the former FBI informant who lied about the Biden familys Ukraine ties and was subsequently prosecuted by Special Counsel David Weiss. It appears to be a potential precursor to dropping the case in which Smirnov pleaded guilty. Trump is trying to quietly wrest control of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights by removing Democratic chair Rochelle Garzam, who is fighting the move. President Trump issued a memorandum Wednesday that tries to retroactively apply the Supreme Courts historic Loper Bright decision to repeal existing federal regulations without providing advance notice or going through the traditional public input process. House GOP Passes Trumps Big Bill Despite initial difficulties, President Trump was able to cow the far right in the House GOP conference and Republicans passed the centerpiece of his legislative agenda on a 216-214 party line vote. Retribution: Greenland Edition This is all so insane. After Vice President JD Vances controversial, saber-rattling trip last week to a U.S. military installation in Greenland, the bases commander sent a conciliatory email to everyone on base, which included Greenlanders, Danes, and Canadians, Military.com reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After that report, the Pentagon removed Col. Susan Meyers as commander of the 821st Space Base Group. The Pentagon spokesperson tweeted the Military.com story along with the news that Meyers was being removed from command: Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense. https://t.co/ITFeGw0kUf pic.twitter.com/MO68aje1X2 Sean Parnell (@SeanParnellATSD) April 11, 2025 Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know! WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) Fire officials say it appears squatters had been staying at a vacant building that caught fire in Warren. A passerby reported the fire at the former Baseline Printing on Youngstown Road at 11:20 p.m. Thursday. Firefighters found smoke coming from the back of the building when they arrived. They were able to quickly put the fire out. Fire Chief Ken Nussle says the building was recently put on the Dangerous Buildings list after an inspector noticed holes in the roof and evidence of squatting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not really sure at this point what caused the fire that remains under investigation, Nussle said. We do know there was an appearance of people living there, which was noted this past week. No one was hurt in the fire. Courtesy: Warren Prof Firefighters Local 204 Facebook Page Courtesy: Warren Prof Firefighters Local 204 Facebook Page Michael Reiner contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Officials have located the body of a man who went missing while kayaking on J. Percy Priest Lake Thursday afternoon. A woman called 911 Thursday around 8:30 p.m. to report her husband was missing from kayaking when the strong storms with high winds moved through Middle Tennessee. Don Slusser, 73, and his wife were visiting Seven Points Campground from Pennsylvania and spent the day hiking and kayaking, according to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. (Courtesy: Carl Kondrach) (Courtesy: Carl Kondrach) (Courtesy: Carl Kondrach) He was a veteran of over 200 marathons. Hed done several thousand, literally, several thousand road races 5Ks, 10Ks, half marathons, friend Carl Kondrach told News 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Strong winds damage roof at Lawrence County church Slusser told his wife around 3:30 p.m. he would continue paddling and expected to return to the campground by 7 p.m. Rescue crews with the TWRA, Nashville Fire Department, Metro Nashville Police Department and Long Hunter State Park searched for Slusser with multiple boats and a drone until 1:30 a.m. The NFD then turned the search over to the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. Crews returned to the same area off Stewarts Ferry Pike Friday morning and retrieved Slussers body and the kayak from the water around 7 a.m. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com His body was found approximately 30 yards from shore. He was wearing a lifejacket at the time of recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cant imagine what [his wife] is going through, Kondrach said. I mean, I know how I feel and, obviously, they were a lot closer. I just cant imagine. I feel awful for her and her family and for the whole racing community, its a terrible loss. No additional information was immediately released. Funeral arrangements are still pending. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The Springfield Fire Department has been sent to a fire on Myrtle Street in Indian Orchard Friday morning. Franconia, Veterans Golf Courses in Springfield reopen after $1 million renovations Springfield Fire Captain Drew Piemonte confirmed a working fire at 132 Myrtle Street in Indian Orchard on Friday. Smoke is visibly coming up from the back of the house. First responders can be seen assisting residents. MAP: 132 Myrtle Street, Indian Orchard There is no word on the cause of the fire or if there are any injuries at this time. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Felonies The following people were booked into the Lee County-Tupelo Adult Jail in connection with felony charges ending Thursday at 11 a.m. Stephanie W. Abbott, 44, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, burglary of a building, embezzlement. Gary Lynn Jennings, 50, of Saltillo, was arrested by the Mississippi Highway Patrol, aggravated trafficking of a controlled substance. April D. Martin, 42, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Mississippi Department of Corrections, violation of probation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael L. Miller, 49, of Nettleton, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug, MDOC warrant, contempt of court. Maurice A. Price, 49, of Baldwyn, was arrested by the Baldwyn Police Department, grand larceny. Marcus Dewayne Sanders, 33, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Lee County Sheriffs Office, violation of probation. Emily Ruth Weaver, 35, of Tupelo, was arrested by the Tupelo Police Department, possession of a Schedule II drug. Lee County Sheriffs Office The following reports were filed Thursday by the Lee County Sheriffs Office. A Highway 178, Mooreville, man was checking on his fathers property and found the back door standing open. He went inside and discovered several of his fathers things were missing. The father is incapacitated in the hospital and is unable to give a full accounting of what is missing. The man said at least two guns and two tote buckets full of miscellaneous items (worth a minimum of $1,400) are missing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Nettleton woman said her husbands truck broke down in the middle of County Road 814 near Plantersville around 9 p.m. She was concerned that someone might hit her or the truck and wanted a deputy to stand by until her husband returned to fix the truck. Anyone with information on any of these reports 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. Rustem Gugurik, a Crimean Tatar political prisoner, is in a critical condition at Penal Colony No. 8 in Ulan-Ude, Russia, where he has reportedly not received proper medical care despite serious health issues. Source: Ukrainian media agency Ukrinform, citing the Crimean Tatar Resource Center Quote: "It has become known that the health of Crimean political prisoner Rustem Gugurik, held by the Russian occupation authorities at Penal Colony No. 8 in Ulan-Ude (Buryatia), is in a critical condition. His relatives report that the situation is becoming alarming, and the medical assistance he should receive is either delayed or completely absent." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Guguriks condition has reportedly worsened after a heart monitor (Holter) was installed due to shortness of breath, but no test results were provided. Kidney stones detected during a medical exam in September also remain untreated. His health has further deteriorated due to a severe cold caused by the poor conditions in the colony, which lacks proper heating, clean water and food. In addition, Gugurik has suffered a ruptured eardrum, leading to purulent discharge from the ear, likely caused by purulent otitis or other dangerous ear infection. Gugurik also said he had been sent to a punishment cell (SHIZO) as part of a scheduled rotation, not because of any disciplinary violation. He revealed that the colony primarily holds elderly prisoners, and SHIZO placement has become routine and unjustified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: Russian forces arrested Gugurik on 31 March 2022, accusing him of involvement in the Noman Celebicihan Battalion (a unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine ed.). He was sentenced on 26 October 2022 to eight and a half years in prison. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) Two people died in a Socastee-area murder-suicide on Friday morning, according to an Horry County police report obtained by News13. The shooting happened off of Ivystone Drive and Palmetto Pointe Boulevard in the Collins Apartment Complex. The report says the responding officer found two people laying in the parking lot deceased. All parties associated with the incident are accounted for, and there is no threat to the community, according to police. The identities of the two people, or whether they were residents of the apartment complex, were not immediately available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Count on News13 for updates. * * * Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of her work here. * * * 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. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. TOKYO, April 11 (Xinhua) -- A total of 76,020 people died alone in their homes in Japan in 2024, with 76.4 percent aged 65 or older, according to data released by the National Police Agency on Friday. By age group, the highest number of solitary home deaths occurred among those aged 85 and older (14,658), followed by those aged 75-79 (12,567), and those aged 70-74 (11,600). Among elderly individuals found dead at home, 39.2 percent were discovered within a day of death. However, 4,538 cases (7.8 percent) involved bodies that went undiscovered for over a month. Police officials noted that many such cases were identified after reports of uncollected mail or when neighbors or relatives, lacking regular contact, raised concerns. By region, Tokyo recorded the highest number of solitary home deaths (7,699), followed by Osaka (5,329), Kanagawa (3,659), and Aichi (3,411). This marks the first time such data has been compiled in Japan. The government plans to use it as a basis for policy development to address loneliness and social isolation. Japan has been grappling with the issue of "kodokushi" or "lonely death" for decades. The term refers to people, often elderly, who die alone and go unnoticed for extended periods. The phenomenon first gained public attention in the 1980s and has since become a growing concern amid Japan's rapidly aging population, shrinking household sizes, and weakening social ties. PRETORIA, South Africa. (AP) A crowd of protesters staged a demonstration against gender-based violence in the South African capital of Pretoria on Friday as part of a national outcry after an alleged rape of a 7-year-old girl. This is the latest protest sparked by allegations that the girl, referred to as Cwecwe to protect her identity, was raped at her school last year and that the matter was only reported a month later. Last week, thousands protested in the city of Cape Town and earlier this week another demonstration took place in Matatiele, an area where the alleged rape took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Demonstrators were dressed in mostly all-black outfits and held placards with slogans condemning the scourge of rape and violence against women and children. The protesters have called on the South African government to declare gender-based violence a national crisis and impose the harshest sentences on those convicted of related crimes. While the attack on the 7-year-old girl was in November, her mother has recently been speaking out frequently, saying she has felt let down by the justice system. Reigning Miss South Africa Mia le Roux was among those who attended the protests and called on the government to do more to fight gender-based violence in the country. I'm here because I want to add my voice to the voices of all these women that are gathered here today because we have decided that enough is enough, she said. We are hearing too many stories of our sisters being hurt, and I want our leaders to know that this is really a natural disaster." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster, deputy leader of the political party Build One SA, said the government should declare a state of emergency and show the political will to deal with the problem. We are here to say that the way justice system works in this country is not conducive to curbing and actually killing this gender-based violence and femicide crisis that we have, said Hlazo-Webster. She also called for the government to publish the sex offender register so that people convicted of these crimes may be known so that women and children can be protected from them. Activist Themba Masango, who leads the organization Not In My Name which advocates against gender-based based violence, called on men to take responsibility and lead the fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rape and attempted sexual offenses from October to December last year declined by 3% compared to 2023, according to the latest crime statistics published in February by the police ministry. However, sexual assault and contact sexual assault cases reported increased during the same period. Nearly two thirds of the 11,803 rapes were committed in the perpetrators or victims homes. A fifth took place in public spaces while night clubs, schools and universities were also places of violence, according to those statistics. (COLORADO SPRINGS) A Colorado Springs Police officer has been arrested on stalking, cybercrime, and misconduct charges, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD). CSPD said its agency became aware of allegations of criminal activity against one of its officers on Friday, April 4. An investigation was launched, and CSPD said probable cause was established to seek a warrant for the arrest of Officer Neil Jackson. On Thursday, April 10, Jackson was arrested on numerous charges: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Felony stalking First degree official misconduct Cybercrime CSPD said Jackson has been relieved of his police powers and booked into the El Paso County Jail. He is on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation. Jackson has been employed by CSPD since March of 2020, and at the time of his arrest, was assigned as a patrol officer in the Falcon Division. The investigation is active and ongoing, and CSPD said an administrative investigation would be launched at the conclusion of the criminal proceedings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Vermonts Department of Environmental Conservation has awarded the Chittenden Solid Waste District with a grant for hazardous waste education and facilities. This grant is part of a state assistance fund for solid waste plans. The $111,323 awarded to CSWD will help offset costs from their hazardous collections program. South Burlingtons Environmental Depot, which accepts hazardous waste year round, is part of this program. Funds will help cover the anticipated cost of proper disposal methods in the 2026 fiscal year, which may be up to $275,000, according to CSWD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CSWD Director of Operations Josh Estey, said that Receiving this funding helps us continue offering our members convenient, responsible options for disposing of hazardous waste safely and properly. Other program expenses are offset by other sources of revenue. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MIAMI (AP) A Cuban woman who had come to the United States illegally was sentenced Friday to 7 1/2 years in prison for her part in a human smuggling operation that led to the deaths of 16 people. Yaquelin Dominguez-Nieves, 26, who had been living in Sebring, Florida, was sentenced in Miami federal court, according to court records. She pleaded guilty in January to conspiring to smuggle people into the U.S. According to court documents, Dominguez-Nieves and her then-boyfriend, who was still living in Cuba, organized a human smuggling operation in November 2022. Dominguez-Nieves collected at least $11,500 from the migrants family members in South Florida with the promise to bring the migrants from Cuba into the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boyfriend, who has not been arrested, loaded about 18 migrants onto a small fishing vessel with no life jackets and with a captain who did not appear to know how to operate the vessel, according to the two survivors. The vessel sank about 30 miles (50 kilometers) into its journey. The victims included children ranging from nine months to seven years old, as well as two 16-year-olds, officials said. Four of the migrants bodies were recovered at sea, and their cause of death was ruled drowning. Kathleen Sgamma unceremoniously withdrew herself as President Trumps nominee to run the Interior Departments Bureau of Land Management on Thursday just before her confirmation hearing in front of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Sgamma is the director of Western Energy Alliance, a Denver-based oil and gas trade group made up of over 300 companies. She has long advocated for the Interior Departments BLM to focus on the expansion of oil and natural gas drilling, mining and for cattle to graze on public lands. Its a match made in the Trump administrations anti-preservation, anti-renewable resources heaven. So what went wrong? Sgamma dared to be horrified by the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol by a mob of Trump supporters. Even worse, she expressed it a sin that Trump has used as grudge fuel against key members of Congress and former officials in his first administration for years. The investigative watchdog and journalism group Documented obtained a copy of a letter that Sgamma sent to the coalition of gas and oil companies that make up Western Energy Alliance on Jan. 7, 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The events yesterday at the Capitol were so shocking that our policy engagement with and PAC support for the Trump Administration compels me to speak up, she wrote. I am disgusted by the violence witnessed yesterday and President Trumps role in spreading misinformation that incited it. The letter was made public on Tuesday and by Thursday, Sgamma withdrew herself from consideration for the position. She and the White House did not address the letter or give a reason for the sudden change but it doesnt take much to jump to the very logical conclusion she got caught committing the deadliest of the seven: disagreeing with MAGA. Why The F*ck Would I Talk To H.R. McMaster? CBS News had a funny story last night, offering the mildest of palate cleansers. Just a few days before SignalGate broke, Trumps aides in the White House made another disastrous mistake: They dialed H.R. McMaster, Trumps former national security adviser (whom he now loathes), instead of South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster. Trump reportedly began speaking into the phone without waiting for the person on the other end to respond or say hello. H.R. McMaster, who has been a vocal critic of Trump since he was fired during Trumps first administration, had to butt in: Mr. President, this is H.R. McMaster, he said into the phone. Why the f*** would I talk to H.R. McMaster? Trump asked dismissively, and then Trump launched into a scathing critique of his former aide, two sources said. The call was brief. Potential For Some Justice For Central Park Five? Per MSNBCs Deadline: Legal Blog 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. Disenfranchising Is The Point On Thursday House Republicans passed the Republican-led Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, which is a redundant piece of legislation making it illegal for non-citizens to vote in federal elections (that is already illegal and rarely happens). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill was introduced last year ahead of the 2024 election, as Republicans focused on the false narrative that non-citizens were voting en masse in elections on behalf of Democrats. There is no evidence to support that non-citizens have been voting in elections. Instead, the narrative was used as a way for Republicans to sow seeds of doubt in the election system and to set themselves up to cry voter fraud if Donald Trump had lost the 2024 election. Voting experts and critics of the bill say the measure will have the effect of disenfranchising millions of eligible voters, who cant easily access documents required for documentary proof of citizenship. According to reporting from the Brennan Center, the SAVE Act has the potential to disenfranchise tens of millions of voters. Khaya Himmelman In Case You Missed It House GOP Hardliners Cave, Unlocking Process To Make Sweeping Medicaid Cuts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Solicitor Generals Office Reportedly Sees Mass Exodus As Wall Between White House, DOJ Disintegrates Trump Shifts Into Full-Bore Retribution Mode Yesterdays Most Read Story A Few Notes on Trumps Abject, Humiliating and Maybe Not Even Accomplishing Much Cave What We Are Reading Sen. Michael Bennet will run for governor of Colorado in 2026 Trump moves to legally enforce 2020 election denialism Pressed for evidence against Mahmoud Khalil, government cites its power to deport people for beliefs Cummings Aerospace is now ready to manufacture its Hellhound loitering munition at what equates to low-rate production, CEO Sheila Cummings told Defense News in a recent interview at its new production facility near Huntsville, Alabama. The company chose a space next door to Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, home to the program office and testing and development for Army aviation, in 2021 and designed and built a facility intended to produce large numbers of the drones. The work we have done to date, not only with the development of the vehicle, but preparing for major acquisition and production of these vehicles, has been a huge focus for us, Cummings said. Were really excited that we are now at manufacturing readiness level 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The classification equates to a defined production workflow at the facility and the establishment of work instructions for building the air vehicles. Hellhound, weighing less than 25 pounds, flew faster than 350 miles per hour at full throttle while passing distances of 20 kilometers using just 50% of its fuel, according to the company. The air vehicle is the first major end-to-end weapon system developed by Cummings Aerospace, a Native American woman-owned small business founded in 2009 as an aerospace engineering outfit with expertise in design, development, production and sustainment of capabilities, including missiles, radars and command-and-control system technologies. Hellhound will be demonstrated in several upcoming events with special operations, the U.S. Navy and even abroad in the U.K. this summer, according to Cummings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were using these demo opportunities, in addition to our flight tests, to ultimately execute low-rate production, Cummings said. Were talking about quantities of 12 to 14 vehicles for these demos, she added, but its really allowing us to fully vet our production process. The military is changing the way it acquires weapon systems and, in many cases, requires companies to prove they can build systems at scale as part of competitive acquisitions. Historically, a weapon system might be chosen for its performance on the battlefield without much attention paid to the amount of work it would take to build a system or even how stable the supplier base was. Cummings Aerospace wrapped up flight tests of its turbo-jet-powered, 3D-printed kamikaze drone earlier this year and is readying the S3 version of its man-portable Hellhound for submission to the U.S. Armys Low Altitude Stalking and Striking Ordnance, or LASSO, competition set to kick off later this year. The competition would require the company to build 135 munitions total and would expect companies chosen to build 35 prototypes right out of the gate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Cummings opinion, the war in Ukraine and tensions in the Indo-Pacific have underscored the need to ensure production capacity and understand the supply chain and its risks. Thats whats driven the whole modular design and making sure that we have an open systems architecture and be able to swap in technologies very readily, Cummings said. A large portion of the air vehicle is made using commercially available 3D printers in-house and buying commercially available standard parts that are not unique to just a few suppliers, Cummings said. If you think about low-cost solutions thats part of the strategy is we have to design something that we can get screws from multiple vendors, we can get 3D print material from multiple vendors, she said. We talk about exquisite payloads, thats a different challenge, but electronics, we have to make sure we can source them from multiple vendors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And to surge even further, Cummings said there are other solutions that are easy to implement like licensing the design to other suppliers to go and produce using standard 3D printers to help expand production capacity. For the Huntsville facility, Cummings said her goal is to produce at least 100 air vehicles a month. Payloads obviously drive some of that, she noted, but added that there is room to grow beyond that, whether its next door or using the supplier base to ramp up demand. The expectation now is not just a new, novel technology or capability, but prove that you can make it, Cummings said. So were proving we can make them and make them at scale. The Silver King Fire burns near homes in Piute County on Sunday, July 7, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Utah Fire Info) This story has been updated. Amid a growing number of wildfires, mostly across Western states, a U.S. Senate bill is aiming to protect areas where communities are most vulnerable to fires, using good neighbor agreements, cross-boundary collaboration and the expansion of tools to prevent fire hazards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, titled the Fix Our Forests Act, was introduced Thursday by Sens. John Curtis, R-Utah, John Hickenlooper, D-Colo., Tim Sheehy R-Mont., and Alex Padilla D-Calif. to combat catastrophic wildfires, restore forest ecosystems, and make federal forest management more efficient and responsive, according to a news release. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX After months of bipartisan cooperation and consensus-building, my colleagues and I are introducing comprehensive legislation to support forest health, accelerate restoration, and equip local leaders from fire chiefs to mayors with the tools and data they need to protect lives, property, and landscapes, Curtis said in the release. In a call with reporters on Friday, Curtis said the bill comes after recent massive fires in California. He called the issue a huge deal for Utah, the West and anyone who worries about forest fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its about managing our forest in a way that is in harmony with those who definitely want to preserve and protect them, and by the way, count me as one of those, Curtis said. But also in a way that doesnt tie hands, that helps these people make good decisions and do so quicker. The U.S. House version of the bill, sponsored by Rep. Bruce Westerman, R-Ark., passed the House in January. The legislation designates the top 20% of the landscape areas where wildfires are likely to spread and impact communities, including tribal areas, as so-called Fireshed Management Areas. The areas would be selected based on factors including risks to communities and to municipal watersheds. It would also establish the Wildfire Intelligence Center, an office within the U.S. departments of Agriculture and Interior, which would work like the National Weather Service, a sort of national hub for wildfire intelligence, prediction, coordination, and response, according to a summary of the bill. However, environmental advocates worry that the bill would stifle citizen voices, remove science from land management decisions, and facilitate a large-scale rollback of the Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Historic Preservation Act, and National Environmental Policy Act on millions of acres of federal land, according to a news release from Earthjustice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Curtis rejected that notion Friday, arguing that the bill does the opposite. It gives a real loud voice to the public in public comment period and local stakeholders, he said on Friday. I could just assure you my two Democratic colleagues would not have signed on, nor would I, quite frankly, signed on to anything that eliminated that public process. Blaine Miller-McFeeley, senior legislative representative at Earthjustice, said the proposal doesnt invest in proven wildfire prevention. Instead of funding and staffing key agencies, it would codify the Trump administrations attacks on our national forests and open the door for the timber industry to recklessly log our forests under the guise of forest management, Miller McFeeley said in the release. The bill includes easing some regulations to control vegetation on federal lands, allowing electric utilities with permits on National Forest System or Bureau of Land Management land to remove vegetation near power lines without requiring a separate timber sale. And, it propels advancing innovations on biochar, a carbonized biomass that according to a Utah State University article, has the potential to moderate wildfires and limit the amount of greenhouse gases released when hazardous fuels burn. According to the environmentalists who have also criticized the Trump administrations executive order proposing expanding timber production on public lands the senators bill would open millions of acres of federal land to logging without scientific review and community input potentially increasing the risk of wildfires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the bill also contains provisions to expand the countrys toolkit to reduce wildfire risk, and other actions to restore forestry, such as extending the time of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003, a stewardship contract, from 10 years to 20. It also raises the cap on Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program awards from $4 million to $8 million. Beyond wildfire prevention and forestry management, the legislation would ensure federal assistance for firefighters who are injured or killed in the line of duty, offering a program to help their next of kin with notifications, travel reimbursement, case management for survivors and centralized access to benefits. The proposal comes after the Utah Wildfire Annual Report indicated a 54% increase of wildfires over a year. Nationwide that spike was of 231%, with nearly 9 million acres burning in 2024. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox expressed support for the legislation, arguing that decades of reduced forest management have left the country with unhealthy, overgrown forests that are more vulnerable to catastrophic wildfires. He also referred to a provision from the bill directing the secretaries in charge of the program to evaluate opportunities to establish wildfire-resistant structures and communities using different materials, including mass timber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fix Our Forests Act, along with the tools provided by President Trumps executive order, will help us actively manage our forests protecting our watersheds, improving wildlife habitat, reducing wildfire risk, and providing the timber we need to build strong homes and neighborhoods, Cox said in the release. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Voters cast their ballots Nov. 5, 2024 at the Redfield American Legion in Redfield, Iowa. (Photo by Brooklyn Draisey/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowas U.S. House delegation all voted this week in favor of legislation requiring states to obtain U.S. citizenship proof from people registering to vote in federal elections. Also this week, an Iowa senator advanced a proposal aimed at enforcement of antitrust laws in the meatpacking industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act passed the House Thursday on a 220-208 vote, largely along party lines, with four Democrats supporting the measure. Iowas four U.S. representatives, all Republicans, voted in support of the measure that would require people present proof of their U.S. citizenship to register to vote. Accepted documents would include photo IDs issued by federal, state or tribal governments that show a person was born in the U.S. like U.S. passports, or documents like a birth certificate or certificate of naturalization. Voting in U.S. elections is already illegal for those who are not U.S. citizens. But members of Iowas federal delegation said the measure will prevent noncitizens from participating in elections a common talking point for conservatives, including President Donald Trump, when questioning the integrity of American elections. The bill was passed weeks after Trump signed an executive order requiring citizenship proof for voter registration. Rep. Randy Feenstra released a statement saying the bill will help ensure election integrity. Only American citizens should be allowed to vote in American elections. Its why I voted to ban illegal immigrants from voting in our elections and ensure that liberal states like California clean their voter rolls of noncitizens, Feenstra said. Keeping noncitizens and illegal immigrants from unlawfully voting is the least we can do to secure our elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, who cosponsored the earlier version of the bill passed by the House in 2024, said in a news release that the bill guarantees American elections should be decided by American citizens. The SAVE Act is a commonsense measure that ensures proof of citizenship is required to register for federal elections and gives states the tools they need to keep non-citizens off the voter rolls, Miller-Meeks said in a statement. Im proud to lead on this issue and help restore confidence in our elections. The federal legislation comes as Iowa state lawmakers sent a bill to the governor allowing the Secretary of States office to contract with federal and state agencies, as well as private entities, to confirm U.S. citizenship status of people on Iowas voter rolls, and that would allow voters to be challenged at the polls on their citizenship status. Democrats have criticized the measure, stating that instances of noncitizens illegally voting in U.S. elections are rare, but that the proof of citizenship requirements will cause problems for many legal U.S. citizens who are eligible to vote including married women who have changed their last name but not yet updated their name on legal documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Joe Morelle, D-New York, said in a statement that the bill was 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, Morelle said. 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 measure must pass the U.S. Senate before heading to Trump. Grassley legislation focuses on meatpacking industry competition Sen. Chuck Grassley introduced legislation Wednesday to increase enforcement of antitrust laws in the meatpacking industry, a step he said would help bring down the price of meat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act would establish a team of investigators in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, tasked with ensuring compliance with existing federal laws banning anticompetitive practices in the meatpacking industry. The investigators, working with the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, would have subpoena power and be able to bring court action against meatpackers and poultry dealers for violations of Packers and Stockyards Act. A news release from Grassleys office stated the measure was needed considering the substantial consolidation of the meatpacking industry in recent decades. Four companies currently control 85% of the beef market and 67% of the pork market, compared to controlling 36% and 34% of the markets respectively in 1980, according to Grassleys office. Having four companies with such a large portion of control in the industry has created a distorted marketplace through anticompetitive practices at the expense of livestock and poultry producers, the news release stated. Grassley said the bill, endorsed by the National Farmers Union and the U.S. Cattlemens Association, will help Iowa livestock farmers while bringing down grocery store prices. For decades, Americas Big Four meatpackers anticompetitive practices have made it harder for Iowa cattle producers to receive a fair price, Grassley said in a statement. Our bill empowers USDA, in coordination with the Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission, to crack down on bad actors, ensuring a fair and functional marketplace that supports everyone who produces and enjoys quality American meat. BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Commerce said on Friday 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 United States on Thursday announced further increases in the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" imposed on Chinese products. The U.S. tariff measures are typical unilateral bullying and coercion, representing a flagrant violation of WTO rules and severely undermining the rules-based multilateral trading system and the international economic and trade order, the spokesperson said. China will firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests and resolutely uphold the multilateral trading system and the international economic and trade order, according to the spokesperson. China urges the U.S. side to immediately correct its wrongdoings and cancel all unilateral tariff measures imposed on China, the spokesperson said. Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli attacks in Gaza are taking a horrifying toll on civilians already suffering dwindling food supplies and looting due to the aid blockade, UN humanitarians said on Thursday. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that there have been daily reports of Israeli strikes killing and injuring many Palestinian civilians. "Just yesterday (Wednesday) in Gaza City, there were reports of dozens of people killed, including at least eight children, after an Israeli strike hit a residential building," OCHA said. "Many are still missing under the rubble." The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that more than 1,500 people reportedly were killed, many of them women and children, since the intensification of hostilities less than a month ago. The office said the hostilities and continued blocking of cargo entry into Gaza for almost six weeks are hampering people's access to life-saving aid. "As supplies inside the Strip near exhaustion and the situation becomes increasingly dire, there has been an increase in looting over the past few days," OCHA said. Earlier this week, several such incidents were reported in Rafah, Deir al Balah and Al Zawaida. OCHA reiterated the urgency of reopening the crossings to allow critical supplies to enter. More than 60,000 children are reportedly suffering from malnutrition at a time when community kitchens are rapidly running out of fuel and supplies. The World Health Organization (WHO) said it has been able to support some medical evacuations from Gaza. On Wednesday, 18 patients and nearly 30 companions were allowed to leave for specialized treatment abroad. However, with some 12,500 patients in Gaza still in need of medical evacuation outside the strip, WHO called for evacuations through all available border crossings and corridors. Across Gaza, OCHA said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) A displaced Palestinian boy fetches water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) A man is now facing murder charges after an assault in Oxon Hill turned deadly, the Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said. At around 9:50 a.m. on April 2, officers responded to the 2300 block of Iverson Street for a reported assault. Outside of a business, 55-year-old Thomas Johnson IV of Washington, D.C., was found suffering from severe head trauma. DC police investigating deadly stabbing in Southeast Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators said 32-year-old DeAndre Washington of Temple Hills physically assaulted Johnson outside of a store for reasons not yet known. Police said it does not seem the two knew each other before the incident. Washington was arrested on April 8 and charged with attempted first-degree murder and other related charges. Johnson died from his injuries on April 10, eight days after the assault. PGPD said officials intend to upgrade the charges against Washington. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 301-516-2512. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A man was indicted on federal gun charges after a giggle switch was found on his Glock that converted it into a machine gun, according to the United States Attorneys Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia. Robert Calvin Corbin III, 45, was indicted on an unlawful possession of a firearm as a felon charge. According to court documents, Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers responded to reports of a large group gambling with guns nearby in the 100 block of Q Street NW. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gun discharges in students backpack at Billingsley Elementary School in Waldorf, officials say There, officers found Corbin allegedly smoking marijuana and drinking tequila on the street. The officer pat Corbin down and noticed a hard object in his waistband. Court documents say Corbin then attempted to shove the officer away and resist being searched before he was placed in handcuffs. Officers allegedly found a loaded Glock 19 equipped with a laser sight and a bullet in the chamber, 19 rounds in a large-capacity magazine, and a second large-capacity magazine with an additional 17 rounds of ammunition in his bag. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police note the gun had been modified with a giggle switch, which converted the Glock to an automatic machine gun. Corbin was arrested and charged with possession of a machine gun, carrying a pistol without a license, possession of unregistered ammunition, possession of an unregistered firearm, possession of a large capacity feeding device, felon in possession, and possession of an open container of alcohol. The arrest was made in part of the Make D.C. Safe Again initiative. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A Washington, D.C. mother was sentenced Friday for throwing her three-month-old son onto the pavement in September, according to the United States Attorneys Office (USAO) for the District of Columbia. Shanta Watson, 34, was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to first-degree cruelty to children in November. Gang member pleads guilty to drug trafficking conspiracy in DC Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents say, on September 5, 2024, Watson and the babys father got into an argument outside her apartment complex. When he left, she followed him outside while carrying the baby. There, surveillance footage captured Watson yelling at him before intentionally throwing the baby onto the pavement. According to court documents, Watson casually picked up the child and walked back into the building. The child was transported to the NICU unit of a nearby hospital, where doctors discovered the baby suffered multiple skull fractures, multiple points of bleeding in the brain, swelling to the back of his head, and elevated liver enzymes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, the babys injuries were consistent with non-accidental trauma. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has identified the victim in a fatal Thursday stabbing in Southeast D.C. Police told DC News Now that minutes before 11:30 p.m. on April 10, officers responded to the 1600 block of V St. for an unconscious person. Two planes bump into each other on taxiway at Reagan National Airport, FAA says Once on the scene, police found the person unresponsive. D.C. police noted the victim had sharp force stab wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man was later identified as 31-year-old Michael Alanzo Jackson. First responders took him to the hospital, where he later died. Anyone with information is urged to call 202-727-9099 or text MPD at 50411. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (KRON) The Fremont Police Department said a dead bat discovered Tuesday at a Niles neighborhood home has tested positive for rabies. It is the first confirmed case of a rabid bat in Fremont since 2019. Massive statue of giant naked woman to be officially unveiled at SF Embarcadero FPD said the Alameda County Vector Control responded to the residence near De Salle Terrace and collected the bat. The bat was analyzed by the Alameda County Department of Public Health who confirmed that it was infected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FPD said there was no known human or animal exposure in the incident. As a precaution, the residents dog will be revaccinated and quarantined for 30 days. Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that impacts the brain and nervous system. It is preventable however if the exposed individual or animal immediately gets a series of rabies vaccine shots. Fremont PD said Alameda County Vector Control is leading the investigation and will be going door-to-door to notify residents in the area where the bat was found. Anyone who touched or may have been bitten by this bat is urged to call the Alameda County Public Health Acute Communicable Disease Program at (510) 267-3250 and seek medical attention. If someones pet was exposed to the bat, they are asked to call Fremont Animal Services at (510) 790-6635 and reach out to their veterinarian right away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents can reduce the risk of attracting bats by bat-proofing their home: closing any openings that are bigger than 1/4 inch, primarily on roofs, and by using mesh to cover attic vents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Zachary Angell, recording secretary for the Teamsters Local 222, left, helps Rollie Wagstaff, 77, add his signature to a petition as part of the Protect Utah Workers coalition at the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, March 26, 2025. The organizations behind the signature effort hope to place a referendum on Utah ballots that would undo controversial legislation restricting collective bargaining for public sector employees including teachers and first responders. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) With the deadline fast approaching to gather enough signatures to qualify for a ballot referendum, the coalition of Utah labor groups trying to overturn a controversial union bill is feeling optimistic. Since March 15, the Protect Utah Workers coalition, which consists of teacher, firefighter, police and other unions, both in the public and private sector, has been gathering signatures around the state in hopes to qualify for a referendum that could ultimately overturn HB267. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The final day to sign in support of the referendum is Tuesday, April 15 by Wednesday, the coalition plans on delivering the signature packets to county clerks. Were feeling really optimistic. Were going to get this, and well be ready to go next Wednesday, when everything gets turned in, said Brad Asay, Utah president of the American Federation of Teachers. Were right on track. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Passed by lawmakers earlier this winter and signed by Utah Gov. Spencer Cox on Valentines Day, HB267 prevents public unions from collective bargaining, the process where unions meet with employers to negotiate terms of employment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means a teachers union, for example, can no longer negotiate an employment contract with a school district. The same goes for firefighters, police officers, municipal workers and other public employees. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025. The bill sponsors, Rep. Jordan Teuscher, R-South Jordan, and Senate Majority Leader Kirk Cullimore, R-Sandy, say HB267 is meant to protect taxpayer dollars while giving all public employees a voice, not just union members. But labor groups and members of the public were staunchly opposed to the bill, which narrowly passed out of the Legislature. That opposition morphed into an effort to gather enough signatures to trigger a referendum, a process where citizens can vote on new laws, or repeal existing ones, during elections. The coalition has roughly 5,000 union members and volunteers that for the last month have been around the state gathering signatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have had a lot of momentum going into this, said Renee Pinkney, president of the Utah Education Association, a teachers union that represents about 18,000 educators. The scale, we anticipate, is going to be growing day by day as we get closer to the turn-in date, and were cautiously optimistic that this is going to be a huge success. The process to qualify for a citizen-led ballot referendum is difficult. Of the 26 states that allow them, Utah has some of the steepest requirements for a referendum, requiring signatures from at least 8% of the states voters in 30 days. In addition, the law requires signatures from 8% of voters in at least 15 of the states 29 Senate districts. The signature packets are then handed over to the county clerks once clerks have verified the voter registration of the signees, the lieutenant governors office will review the process. Assuming the coalition has complied with state code and gathered enough valid signatures, ballot language will be crafted for the 2026 General Election. We believe its difficult by design, because legislators dont want the referendum process to be easy, said Pinkney, pointing to requirements like specific margins for the signature packets, or the number of staples used in each packet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, 8% of the states voters equates to roughly 141,000 signatures. In late March, the coalition held a news conference at the Utah Capitol announcing they had 130,000 signatures. But its unlikely all of those signatures are valid some people may have signed twice, or arent registered to vote. Others may have given an incorrect address, or have illegible handwriting. So the coalition is trying to go above and beyond that 141,000 threshold. The more signatures you get, the better cushion there is, said Asay. The coalition has been trying to gather signatures around the state. Volunteers have been at coffee shops, grocery stores, college campuses, congressional town halls, bus stops, tattoo parlors, TRAX stations, sporting events and protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The numbers change literally hour by hour, because we have so many people returning packets, said Pinkney, who likely wont know exactly how many signatures the coalition has gathered until the lieutenant governors office informs the coalition. Let us know what you think... During the legislative session, the opposition to the bill was diverse, with firefighters, police officers, teachers, steelworkers, electricians, flight attendants, municipal workers, plumbers, delivery drivers and more, all speaking out against HB267. Now, as advocates gather signatures around the state, theyre seeing a similar turnout. Its been across the board. Weve had people from across the aisle, weve had conservatives, weve had progressives, weve had people that just do not like what the Legislature did, said Asay. What were seeing is a lot of people that are upset at the Legislature because they feel like they dont have a voice. Thats been the theme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though controversial among labor groups, HB267 was supported by a number of conservative advocacy and policy groups that includes Americans for Prosperity, which kicked off its Decline to Sign campaign last month. The group says the labor coalition has been spreading misinformation related to HB267 and is urging Utahns not to throw their signatures behind the effort. The campaign includes radio and digital advertisements with a simple message: Dont sign the referendum stand for accountability! The messaging that they need these collective bargaining rights when so many are already not using it, is just fundamentally wrong, said Americans for Prosperity-Utah state director Kevin Greene in an interview last month, pointing to other school districts, fire and police departments, and municipalities that dont collectively bargain and havent seen stagnant wages or unsafe work environments. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Correction appended In her third flurry of bill signings this week, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham signed 22 measures Thursday, affecting everything from teacher pay and licensure to child welfare, immigration enforcement, and oil and gas royalty rates. She's now signed more than 150 of the 195 bills passed by the Legislature during this year's 60-day session. However, her messages on some key bills, including child welfare reforms she signed into law Thursday, indicate continued tensions between the governor and lawmakers even some from her own party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the clock ticking until Friday's deadline to sign measures into law, Lujan Grisham still hasn't penned her name on the state's $10.8 billion budget; lawmakers' much-debated tax package; or the state's next round of capital outlay $1.2 billion for more than 1,400 projects statewide. Bills that remain unsigned Friday will be "pocket vetoed," a de-facto veto that happens when the governor chooses not to sign a bill that has passed both legislative chambers. Child welfare As she signed Senate Bill 42 a bundle of child welfare provisions that marked an apparent compromise between Democrats, Republicans and the executive branch the governor framed it as "an important step" toward requiring parents to participate in the federal Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act program, which addresses drug-exposed infants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she also flamed lawmakers' approach to the child welfare agency during the session, arguing their "unwarranted vendetta" against the Children, Youth and Families Department led them to stop short of fully funding it, while increasing its administrative burden. "If the Legislature actually wanted to help children and CYFD, it would have fully funded the agency so that it could hire all the staff it needs to succeed," Lujan Grisham wrote in a message on the bill. She added, "It is so very easy to throw stones. It takes far more courage, however, to ask oneself what you can do to be a part of the solution." It was second flare-up this year between the governor and lawmakers over CYFD reforms. Last month, when Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 5 creating an Office of Child Advocate to monitor the often-troubled department she harshly criticized the attorney general and lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 42 shifts management of the CARA program from CYFD to the Department of Health and holds families accountable for following through with care plans for babies born exposed to substances. It also requires CYFD to assess whether a family that does not follow through on a care plan is able to keep their baby safe. Education Teachers won big Thursday when Lujan Grisham signed a measure that raises the base pay at each of three licensing tiers by $5,000. House Bill 156 increases the base pay to $55,000 a year for Level 1 teachers, $65,000 for Level 2 teachers and $75,000 for those at Level 3. She also signed Senate Bill 345, which lets prospective Level 1 teachers complete a portfolio instead of assessments to receive a higher-level license. Under the measure, experienced instructional support providers like social workers, educational assistants and school nurses who are licensed in other states can use their qualifications to obtain Level 2 and 3 licenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a message on her decision to sign Senate Bill 11, Lujan Grisham called it "a first step towards meaningful regulation" of cellphones in schools. But she added she was "profoundly disappointed" in the Legislature's decision to amend the bill to make "participation in such regulation optional." The amended version of SB 11 that passed both chambers says each public school district and charter school "shall" adopt and implement an "anti-distraction" policy for students' use of wireless communication devices most notably, cellphones. But it says they "may" prohibit students from using phones during instructional time, giving local districts some leeway on their policies. The governor argued the body "squirmed out of" making meaningful reforms "under the auspice of local control" likely a reference to a more than yearlong battle between the governor and lawmakers over a now-overturned Public Education Department rule requiring 180 days of instructional time at all public schools. "That is all well and good until this same body blames the Public Education Department and not the local bodies for poor educational outcomes of New Mexico students," Lujan Grisham's message said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Environment The top oil and gas royalty rate for new leases on some of the states most valuable parcels of land will rise from 20% to 25%, consistent with rates in Texas and on private lands, after Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 23. The State Land Office estimated the increased royalty rate could bring in an extra $50 million to $75 million per year, revenue that will help support public institutions. "We have a legal duty to ensure that our schools, universities, and hospitals receive a fair return and aren't subsidizing the oil and gas industry," Rep. Matthew McQueen, D-Galisteo, said of the bill's signing. "By passing this update to the states top royalty rate, we will now bring in much more revenue for these important institutions in the coming years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Land Commissioner Stephanie Garcia Richard, who stopped leasing the states prime oil and gas tracts in March 2024 after the Legislature failed to pass a measure increasing royalty rates, heralded the decision as both historic and a "smart business decision." "You always want to get maximum returns for the best resources, and the oil in New Mexicans Permian Basin is some of the best in the whole world," Garcia Richard said in a statement Thursday. "Raising the rate was always the right thing to do, but like with many great things it took some time and a lot of work to make it happen." Immigration Finally, Lujan Grisham signed Senate Bill 36, which prohibits the state from releasing certain information, particularly driver data, for federal immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill garnered staunch support from immigrant rights organizations, which listed the bill among paltry wins for immigrant communities during the 2025 legislative session. Republicans, however, largely opposed the bill. In a statement following Senate Bill 36's passage on the Senate floor, Minority Leader Bill Sharer, R-Farmington, argued the measure "puts the protection of illegal immigrants over the safety of New Mexico citizens" by contradicting the federal government. Correction: This story has been amended to reflect the following correction. A previous version of this story incorrectly reported which state department that will now oversee the federal Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act program under Senate Bill 42. It will be the responsibility of the Health Care Authority. Sen. Chris Garten, R-Charlestown, discusses an amendment to House Bill 1004 in committee on April 10, 2025. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Bills throughout the Indiana Statehouse took on hefty rewrites Thursday as end-of-session deadlines loomed. A health care measure now freezes certain hospital prices; 13th checks were stripped from Hoosier retirees, at least for now; and bipartisan changes were approved to other bills dealing with homelessness and college scholarships. A major road funding bill took new shape, as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thursday marked the last day for bills to advance from committees. Floor amendments in both the House and Senate must be approved by end-of-day Monday in time for final chamber votes on Tuesday. After that, any other bill negotiations will be hashed out in conference committees largely behind closed doors before the last week of April, when the legislature is required to wrap up. Introducing a lengthy amendment, Sen. Chris Garten told the Senate Appropriations Committee, on which he sits, that the majority caucus would be pivoting away from the price caps under House Bill 1004 to a two-year price freeze for the states five largest nonprofit hospital systems. During the first year, analysts with the states Office of Management and Budget would conduct a hospital pricing study to provide an independent review. By 2027, with a new average price benchmark identified, hospitals could then be penalized for exceeding that cost similar to the original version that used a percentage of Medicare prices as its standard. Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne, critiques House Bill 1004 in committee on April 10, 2025. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Accrued fees will be deposited into an account to offset the states Medicaid costs. By 2029, violators could lose their nonprofit, tax-exempt status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were creating a four-year runway. Were trying to ease into this and we want to make sure we do this with the hospitals, and so theres been an immense amount of collaboration on that part of it, said Garten, R-Charlestown. Additionally, the mandated physician reimbursement will now be 168% of the Medicare rate and hospitals directly contracting with employers, bypassing insurers, would have a price cap. While the above portions (try) to get hospitals back in line to help lower health care costs, other parts help hospitals, Garten said, specifically rural health systems. Insurers must disclose fees and commissions to clients in total dollars, not as a percentage, with potential consequences for noncompliance. Third party administrators will also have transparency requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Martin Carbaugh, who authored the underlying bill, said that as an insurance broker himself, the disclosure doesnt scare me at all. I think if youre scared of disclosing how much you make, it might be part of the problem, said Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne. Hospitals will also be prohibited from contracting with insurers that dont decouple their Medicare Advantage plans from commercial options requiring separate negotiations. Right now, hospitals are taking a massive, massive loss on Medicare Advantage plans in their contract negotiations, Garten said. Ive heard from dozens of rural systems that said, If we could get this done, it would be one of the largest helps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think if youre scared of disclosing how much you make, it might be part of the problem. Rep. Martin Carbaugh, R-Fort Wayne The bill retained language restructuring of the Hospital Assessment Fee to leverage larger reimbursements from the federal government. But not everyone appreciated the changes. Were putting a price tax on only one industry in the state of Indiana (and) saying, You cant raise your prices for the next few years. It doesnt matter what the environment is, said Sen. Liz Brown, R-Fort Wayne. It doesnt matter if you have another pandemic. It doesnt matter if the tariffs increase all the costs of services and goods that come into your hospital system you cant raise your prices for the next two years. Period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown pointed to Congressional uncertainty, specifically around Medicaid. Federal dollars make up roughly one-third of the states Medicaid budget. I just cant even fathom that we did this, Brown said. Brown joined three Democrats to oppose the bill. One Democrat, Sen. Lonnie Randolph of East Chicago, joined Republicans to advance the proposal. Roads and retirees Within a new, wide-reaching amendment to House Bill 1461, Rep. Jim Pressels road funding proposal, are changes to a debated wheel tax that would now allow some Hoosiers to be taxed twice. The Senate panel reverted the legislation to an earlier version, in which stacked wheel taxes can be imposed by cities or towns, as well as the county in which theyre located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Language in the bill requires local governments to adopt a wheel tax to qualify for state grant funds, despite opposition from municipal officials. Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, speaks to Rep. Jim Pressel, R-Rolling Prairie, in committee on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) The latest road funding draft also promises up to $50 million per year to Indianapolis for use on secondary streets, as long as the city matches those funds. Brown questioned why taxpayers across the state should be burdened with maintaining Indianapolis roads when our own communities are funding those things on our own. Is that our problem to solve? she asked. For us to double down on this community Im kind of struggling. We are rewarding them by giving them extra money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pressel noted that Indianapolis has a $680-million-a-year road funding problem. And if we dont help them and encourage them to spend their dollars correctly, he said, that problem is not going to go away on its own. They are never going to be able to catch up unless we want to take back roads, put that back under the states purview, he continued. I struggle with it too, but if we dont take the initiative, I dont know what else to do. Its our capital city, and we should help them move in the right direction. Also included are increased registration fees for electric vehicles from $150 to $340, and from $50 to $170 for hybrids. Baked in, too, is a provision to raise the speed limit on I-465, which circles Indianapolis, from 55 mph to 65 mph. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill advanced to the chamber floor in a 9-4 vote. The Senate committee also struck out a four-year 13th check from House Bill 1221. The annual bonus check has been used in the past to help public sector retirees with increasing costs. But Senate budget leader Sen. Ryan Mishler, R-Mishawaka, suggested that checks would be part of further budget discussions. Earlier bill language ensured a two-year traditional 13th check for current retirees until an automatic 1% cost-of-living adjustment takes effect in 2027. While were disappointed the 13th check for the next two years is no longer included in HB 1221 because we were hoping to put this issue to bed early this year, we are optimistic that the 13th check will make it into the final version of the budget,said Jessica Love, executive director of the Retired Indiana Public Employees Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Appropriations committee member Sen. Greg Goode, R-Terre Haute, said to trust in the process. Love said Hoosier retirees are trying to do the same. For now, she said, supplemental reserve accounts have more than enough funding to cover the cost of 13th checks ranging from $150 to $450 through the biennium. Retirees continue to desperately need this type of benefit enhancement approved for the next two years, especially without a more meaningful or permanent solution in place, Love added. So, while the budget process is a complicated one, that fact should make the 13th check decision an easy one, and we look forward to a positive outcome by the end of session. Other changes earn bipartisan support In the House, Democrats begrudgingly offered amendments to compromise, at least somewhat, on two additional measures. The first a bill addressing homelessness was softened to limit the instances when unhoused Hoosiers can be charged with a crime. Provisions in Senate Bill 197 stipulate that a person may not camp, sleep, or use for long term shelter a public right-of-way or public land unless authorized for that use by the state or political subdivision, as appropriate. Those who have not moved from a public right-of-way within 24 hours of a law enforcement officers warning or from public land within 72 hours could be arrested and charged with a Class C misdemeanor. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 60 days in jail or a $500 fine. Limitations were added Thursday, though, to require that a person refuse multiple forms of housing and other intervention services offered by law enforcement or crisis management teams before an arrest can be made. The effective date on the proposal was additionally pushed back a year, to July 1, 2026, which Democratic Rep. Justin Moed said will give communities, law enforcement, service providers, some more time to try to get ready and prepare for this new law. This bill isnt perfect, and there isnt really a soundbite or a cute newspaper article that you can get out of this, said Moed, of Indianapolis. Life on the street is complicated, and the reasons that people are there are various and the ways in which we can reach them is varied, as well. Its easy to cast judgment, and its easy to imagine that if we were there, that we would choose some different way. What we really need is more supportive services, he continued. We need more compassion. Scholarship eligibility changes were separately made within Senate Bill 289, a GOP-backed anti-discrimination measure. The underlying bill prevents state-funded scholarships intended only for minority students, like the Next Generation Hoosier Educators Scholarship; the William A. Crawford minority teacher scholarship; and the Earline S. Rogers student teaching scholarship for minority students. Rather than eliminate those awards altogether, lawmakers approved new requirements to allow all Hoosier students in five underserved areas Allen, Marion, Lake County, St. Joseph and Vanderburgh counties to apply. Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, said the amendment ensures that minority students would still have the opportunity to apply for those scholarships and other financial aid. In a perfect world, I wouldnt be standing here offering this amendment, Harris said. Do I want to make changes to the scholarships that are named after three former legislators? No. But were in a position where the options are (either) those go away, or the option to take here, which is to modify them. But we dont want to cause hundreds of students to lose money, so this will at least keep something in place. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A day after a tourist helicopter crash in the Hudson River killed six people including a Spanish CEO, his wife and three children, many local electeds renewed their calls to outlaw non-emergency chopper traffic above New York City but Mayor Adams, whose support would be key to achieving any such prohibition, argued Friday theres no need for an outright ban. Its extremely dangerous to have choppers that are non-essential make flights over Manhattan, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal (D-Manhattan), a longtime opponent of non-essential flights, told the Daily News Friday. Theyre putting us in in danger, he continued. If that crash yesterday had hit a school, a park or a workplace, this tragedy could have been far worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Councilman Chris Marte, a Democrat whose district includes the Wall St. heliport from which Thursdays ill-fated flight took off, agreed. It was wholly preventable, Marte said of the tragic crash. This is the second such incident in six years involving tourist helicopters, he said, referencing a 2019 Midtown crash that took the life of pilot Tim McCormack. Each one of these people could still be with us if our federal government took action to ban a completely unnecessary industry that continues to put lives at risk, Marte said. Helicopters should be reserved for emergency response, essential news coverage and public safety operations not sightseeing or luxury travel. But the mayor was reticent Friday, saying safety could be achieved without an outright ban on non-essential helicopter travel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I remember in 1977 when the helicopter crashed into the Pan Am Building, we made adjustments and modifications, Adams said on NY1 Friday morning, referencing the gruesome crash 50 years ago in which a runaway rotor fell from the rooftop of what is now the Met Life building, killing five. You can always adjust and modify based on these circumstances, the mayor added. There were 17 crashes over approximately 40 years, the mayor continued. Those are numbers that you have to look at when you make these adjustments, and, you know, we dont ban vehicles on our roads. In a later appearance on 1010WINS radio, Adams said the city has thousands of tourist flights a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People want to see the city from the sky, he said. Use of helicopters in this city is more than just tourism, its also part of the business movements, CEOs and executives, he added. Any ban on non-essential helicopter travel over Manhattan would have to come from the Federal Aviation Administration, which governs the nations airspace. A spokeswoman at the U.S. Department of Transportation which oversees the FAA confirmed Friday the agency had put temporary flight restrictions around the crash site, but there are no such restrictions over Manhattan. While the feds rule the sky, the city can regulate where helicopters are permitted to land a move made by city officials who outlawed rooftop landings following the 1977 Pan Am crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manhattan Councilwoman Gale Brewer, who has called for outlawing non-emergency helicopter traffic in the city since she was first elected to the Council in 2001, said she hopes to expand those limitations with a bill pending that would ban tourist flights from any city-owned heliports. But she told The News Friday that her bill has stalled, much like a companion version introduced by New York Rep. Jerry Nadler in Congress. The federal legislation isnt going anywhere and the City Council bill isnt moving, she said. I frankly dont know what else to do its dangerous and its noisy. Brewer also voiced outrage that the mayor would defer to business leaders on the topic of restricting helicopter traffic. I couldnt believe that, she said. You have to think about your constituents, and your constituents hate the noise. Why dont you think about them first? It is shocking. NEW YORK A day after a tourist helicopter crash in the Hudson River killed six people including a Spanish CEO, his wife and three children, many local elected officials renewed their calls to outlaw non-emergency chopper traffic above New York City but Mayor Eric Adams, whose support would be key to achieving any such prohibition, argued Friday theres no need for an outright ban. Its extremely dangerous to have choppers that are non-essential make flights over Manhattan, State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, D-Manhattan, a longtime opponent of non-essential flights, told the Daily News Friday. Theyre putting us in in danger, he continued. If that crash yesterday had hit a school, a park or a workplace, this tragedy could have been far worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Councilman Chris Marte, a Democrat whose district includes the Wall St. heliport from which Thursdays ill-fated flight took off, agreed. It was wholly preventable, Marte said of the tragic crash. This is the second such incident in six years involving tourist helicopters, he said, referencing a 2019 Midtown crash that took the life of pilot Tim McCormack. Each one of these people could still be with us if our federal government took action to ban a completely unnecessary industry that continues to put lives at risk, Marte said. Helicopters should be reserved for emergency response, essential news coverage and public safety operations not sightseeing or luxury travel. But the mayor was reticent Friday, saying safety could be achieved without an outright ban on non-essential helicopter travel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I remember in 1977 when the helicopter crashed into the Pan Am Building, we made adjustments and modifications, Adams said on NY1 Friday morning, referencing the gruesome crash 50 years ago in which a runaway rotor fell from the rooftop of what is now the Met Life building, killing five. You can always adjust and modify based on these circumstances, the mayor added. There were 17 crashes over approximately 40 years, the mayor continued. Those are numbers that you have to look at when you make these adjustments, and, you know, we dont ban vehicles on our roads. In a later appearance on 1010WINS radio, Adams said the city has thousands of tourist flights a year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People want to see the city from the sky, he said. Use of helicopters in this city is more than just tourism, its also part of the business movements, CEOs and executives, he added. Any ban on non-essential helicopter travel over Manhattan would have to come from the Federal Aviation Administration, which governs the nations airspace. A spokeswoman at the U.S. Department of Transportation which oversees the FAA confirmed Friday the agency had put temporary flight restrictions around the crash site, but there are no such restrictions over Manhattan. While the feds rule the sky, the city can regulate where helicopters are permitted to land a move made by city officials who outlawed rooftop landings following the 1977 Pan Am crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manhattan Councilwoman Gale Brewer, who has called for outlawing non-emergency helicopter traffic in the city since she was first elected to the Council in 2001, said she hopes to expand those limitations with a bill pending that would ban tourist flights from any city-owned heliports. But she told The News Friday that her bill has stalled, much like a companion version introduced by New York Rep. Jerry Nadler in Congress. The federal legislation isnt going anywhere and the City Council bill isnt moving, she said. I frankly dont know what else to do its dangerous and its noisy. Brewer also voiced outrage that the mayor would defer to business leaders on the topic of restricting helicopter traffic. I couldnt believe that, she said. You have to think about your constituents, and your constituents hate the noise. Why dont you think about them first? It is shocking. _____ SANAA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The death toll from U.S. airstrikes on the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah late Tuesday night has risen to 14, with 15 others wounded, Houthi-controlled health authorities reported Thursday. The majority of the victims were women and children, they said, adding that the death toll increased after the badly injured died in the hospital. The tragedy occurred when U.S. military warplanes struck homes in the Amin Muqbil residential neighborhood, according to health authorities and local residents, who also shared video footage on social media following the airstrikes. These strikes on Hodeidah were part of a broader series of 50 U.S. airstrikes across northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the provinces of Amran, Dhamar, and Ibb, as reported by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV. Local residents said the strikes specifically targeted telephone network facilities in Amran and Ibb. It marks the latest round of U.S. airstrikes since March 15, when the U.S. resumed attacks aimed at deterring the Houthi group from targeting Israel following the collapse of the Gaza ceasefire deal. DEERFIELD, Ill. (WGN) A school board meeting in the north suburbs drew mixed reactions from parents Thursday as they weighed in on allegations that some middle school students were forced to change clothes in the presence of a transgender student. Some parents of students at Deerfield Public School District 109 who voiced their concerns on Thursday night felt that young girls were being robbed of their privacy, while others said they felt transgender students deserved to feel safe. Can you imagine being 12 or 13 years old in your school that youre in charge of, and be forced to undress? one commentator said during the meeting. I dont think any of you would be very comfortable at all. I am here to support all of the girls in that class who were subjected to this outrageous violation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines A conservative group is now asking the US Department of Justice to file criminal charges against Deerfield School District 109 in connection with the allegations. Back in March, the Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights announced that it was investigating after a mother filed a civil rights complaint. Female students at Alan B Shepard Middle School reportedly complained to school administrators about a male who was using their locker room to change for gym class. The next day, school administrators reportedly scolded the female students for refusing to dress in front of the male trans student. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the complaint with the Office of Civil Rights, an administrator told the female students that the male trans student was allowed to use female intimate facilities if the student identified as female. The goal of the investigation is to determine if the allegations violated Title IX by requiring girls in school to share their locker room with a biological male. Others who spoke during the meeting voiced support for the transgender student, one speaker even called the controversy surrounding the allegations a publicity stunt. What we cannot do is settle for lies or false accusations. We can not cower to any bullies in our community or at large. Our students are safest because District 190 follows constitutional and state laws and provides facilities to protect our most marginalized students as equally as any other students. I am both heartbroken and furious to know that any child from our community could become the subject of a publicity stunt, a target for bullies of any age, another speaker said during public comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LATEST CASES: Missing people in Chicagoland I am here tonight to speak for my friend, the transgender girl in question here. I am here tonight to defend dignity for all students and I am here to unfortunately entertain the idea that my community and my identity is not welcome in our school, 8th grade student Lilu Weisberger said during Thursdays meeting. In a statement addressing the allegations, a district spokesperson said that students do not have to change in front of others and can choose to change privately. No student is required to change into a gym uniform for physical education class in front of others in locker rooms. All students in the middle schools have multiple options to change in a private location if they wish, a district spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At last check, the district said it has not been notified of an investigation and no criminal charges have been filed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. In Ukraine, rivers of spilled innocent blood cry from the earth for justice. Who can provide it? The Council of Europe plans to create a new court specifically to try Russians for crimes of aggression for the invasion of Ukraine. Britain is backing the new court, with Sir Keir Starmers long-time friend Philippe Sands taking the lead in lobbying the UK legal establishment. The moral argument for a Nuremberg-style tribunal to punish those guilty of war crimes is a solid one. When todays murderers, rapists and torturers go unpunished, the potential war criminals of tomorrow are encouraged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The creation of the special court is expected to be unveiled in Kyiv on May 9th Europe Day, but also the day on which Russia celebrates its victory over Germany in 1945. The symbolism of creating an institution designed to bring Russian war criminals to trial on the very anniversary of the final demise of Nazism is powerful. Except there is one major flaw in Sands vision. None of the actual accused, from Vladimir Putin down to the soldiers of 76th Guards Air Assault Division accused of massacring civilians in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha in March 2022, will actually be present. Unlike the Nuremberg trials, after World War Two, next to none of the alleged war criminals are in reach of the courts justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia, for obvious reasons, has no intention of ever recognising the court, and nor will America which has also declined to sign up to the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court (ICC) in the Hague. Moreover, the new court will not reportedly try Putin, Russian prime minister Mikhail Mishustin or the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in absentia. So what, precisely, will the proposed new court actually do that the ICC does not? The difference, in Sands view, is that the new tribunal should be empowered to examine Russian leaders culpability in the crime of aggression a modern version of the principle of crimes against peace pioneered at Nuremberg. A great and noble idea, doubtless. But setting up a court is not the same thing as bringing justice. The fundamental premise of a fair trial is that the defendants have a chance to make their case before an impartial judge or jury who will weigh the facts without fear or favour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even at Nuremberg three of the nineteen senior Nazi defendants were acquitted. If there is no realistic chance of either the accused arguing their own defence, nor of an acquittal, is there any purpose to the proposed tribunal other than political virtue signalling? The ICC has already issued an arrest warrant against Putin and one of his deputies for the unlawful transfer of Ukrainian children to Russia. The ICC has brought war criminals in the past from Serbia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, Libya and Uganda to justice. There is no reason that Russians should not join the list if the court manages to get its hands on them. And this is the key point: the war is far from over. Talk of a tribunal is astonishingly premature at this stage. Ukraine faces a bitter choice between peace and justice. The countrys territory has been attacked and dismembered, with little prospect of restitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The thousands of Ukrainians who have suffered from Putins invasion are understandably desperate to punish their aggressor in every way possible. But setting up a special new court, however noble its intentions, is a fake solution that will offer neither justice nor closure; these things will only come after the war ends. 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. POTTSVILLE One of the three people charged for their involvement in the disappearance of Catalina, a cat from Schuylkill Haven entered a guilty plea on Friday. Andrew Huber, 27, of Pottsville, was in county court before Common Pleas Judge William Burke for a status conference when he pleaded guilty to a summary offense of neglect of animals, and was fined $150. First Assistant District Attorney Mike Stine said all charges, except neglect of animals, were withdrawn because of his cooperation at a preliminary hearing.Eric Prock, Hubers attorney, said afterwards his client wants to put the incident behind him. I think its a just and fair resolution to the case and hes looking forward to moving on, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State police charged Huber, Nathan Youst and Ayden Spantak both 20 and of Schuylkill Haven in January 2024 after the cat disappeared on Dec. 31, 2023. Youst and Spantak were initially charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and theft, both felonies; cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor; and neglect of animals, a summary offense.Huber was charged with two felony counts each of aggravated cruelty to animals and theft; two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals; and neglect of animals, a summary charge.All three had a preliminary hearing in Magisterial District Judge Andrew Serinas courtroom, Orwigsburg, in April 2024. Huber waived his charges but Yousts and Spantaks were held for Schuylkill County Court, with the exception of theft. That charge was downgraded from a felony to a misdemeanor because the monetary value of the mixed-breed cat could not be determined. Court records show both Youst and Spantak had been listed for trial in March, but Youst entered the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition Program, which, if completed, can result in the dismissal of charges and an expunged record. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He received ARD for the felony cruelty to animals charge, as well as misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals and theft by unlawful taking. The neglect of animals charge was dismissed. Charges against Spantak were withdrawn in March after consultation with state police and the family, Stine said. We didnt feel like there was a high likelihood of conviction, he said. What happened to Catalina? Isabella Cruz, Catalinas owner, and Tandi Kashner, dog manager at Ruth Steinert Memorial SPCA, testified at the preliminary hearing last April.Cruz testified that she noticed Catalina was missing Jan. 2, when she went to feed the numerous cats at the residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She had not been at the home on Dec. 31 but arrived home Jan. 1, and went to bed after Huber who didnt say anything about Catalina picked her up from Philadelphia, Cruz said. I freaked out, and I was literally looking everywhere, she said, describing her search for Catalina. She contacted police after security camera video showed the cat inside a bag, where it could be heard yowling. Cruz went looking for the animal on Berne Drive with others after someone said that the cat had been abandoned in that area. Kashner testified that the shelter was told the cat was abandoned along Berne Drive after the defendants allegedly bragged about it, though she did not confirm with anyone that the cat was left at that location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kashner also said she spoke with Spantak at his home, and said he admitted they chucked it (the cat) out the back (of a vehicle) as they were moving. Huber testified that he was upset that Youst placed his kitten, which is not Catalina, in a bag, though it did not remain there. He said that Youst then put Catalina in the bag, which Youst later put on the porch. Huber said that he put the bag holding Catalina in the back of the truck that all three later occupied. I thought we were going to take her somewhere else to live, he said when asked where he thought the cat was going. Huber testified that he does not know what happened to the bag. Those living in a condominium community in DeKalb County say their homeowners association is switching water service billing providers, and theyre not in favor of the change. Cynthia Brantley told Channel 2 Investigative Reporter Ashli Lincoln that she and other condo owners at Waldrop Park Condominiums have major concerns with Jasber Utility handling their service. I was basically told that Jasber would turn the water meter off to the client if they have a past due bill, Brantley said. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Condo owners reached out to Channel 2 Action News with concerns after seeing Lincolns report on Jasber Utility service in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cant afford no $400 a month water bill at all, said Kevin Mayes. Southwest Atlanta renters and landlords complained to Channel 2 Action News about the company turning water off for balances renters say was incorrect. I didnt have no other choice but to pay the water bill because they had turned my service off, Mayes said. Residents say that before this change, the HOA was responsible for paying DeKalb County for water usage. Now, condo owners will be billed directly by Jasber Utility. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One renter whose been living here for 20 years says under the HOA authority, a persons water could only be turned off by court order. But under Jasber, they fear water will be turned off without a court judgment. You should really be getting a judgment before you turn the water off, she said. Condo owners showed Channel 2 Action News a copy of their Jasber contract. Section E gives the company the right to shut the water off. The HOA says it researched for more than eight months before selecting Jasber. Lincoln spoke with a Jasber Utility service representative about concerns from residents. The company has not provided a statement regarding Waldrop Park, but did say its working with southwest Atlanta customers towards a solution. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] MENTONE, Ala. (WHNT) The DeKalb County Sheriffs Office is investigating a deadly shooting that took place on Thursday. According to DCSO, the shooting has left one person dead. Officials said the shooting happened in the Mentone area. The sheriffs office confirmed that the shooting happened on Highway 117 near County Road 641. Earlier Thursday night, DCSO said Highway 117 was shut down from County Road 641 to the Georgia line. As of 10 p.m., it has not been reopened. Drivers are asked to avoid the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 19 is working to provide updates as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. DELHI, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) A Delhi man is being accused of raping another person. Delaware County District Attorney Shawn Smith announced the unsealing of a five-count indictment against 34-year-old John Pierre Regazzi. Count One accuses Regazzi of Rape in the First Degree, a Class B Felony. It is alleged that Regazzi, on August 1, 2024, had sex with another person without their consent and by forcible compulsion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Count Two alleges Criminal Sexual Act in the First Degree, a Class B Felony. Regazzi, on August 1, 2024, allegedly engaged in oral sexual conduct with another person without their consent and by forcible compulsion. Count Three accuses Regazzi of Assault in the Third Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor. It is alleged that Regazzi, on August 1, 2024, with the intent to cause physical injury to another person did cause injury to another person. Count Four alleges Menacing in the Second Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor. It is alleged that Regazzi on August 1, 2024, intentionally placed another individual in reasonable fear of physical injury, serious physical injury, or death, by displaying a dangerous instrument. Count Five accuses Regazzi of Unlawful Imprisonment in the Second Degree, a Class A Misdemeanor. Regazzi allegedly restrained another person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The office says due to its policy, the victim is not being named at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. ELMIRA, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) Federal cuts have led to trucks loaded with food to feed the hungry from being halted before arriving at the Food Bank of the Southern Tier. The United States Department of Agriculture cut funding to its Commodity Credit Corporation which had provided money for the Emergency Food Assistance Program. A few weeks ago, a delivery of cheese, chicken, milk, dried fruit, turkey, eggs and pork chops to the Food Bank was cancelled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Food Bank is headquartered in Elmira and distributes items to pantries and soup kitchens across a six-county region, including Broome and Tioga Counties. The Vice President of Community Impact, Randi Quackenbush, says the delivery would have been in addition to its typical bonus loads, and therefore considered bonus-bonus. However, the cancellation represents 14% of all bonus loads, equivalent to 215,408 meals valued at over $434,000. Last week, the Food Bank got news that it will be receiving 11 additional loads of produce and nuts from another CCC program called Section 32 worth $485, 914 and representing 258,233 meals. While Quackenbush acknowledges that that represents a slight increase over the amount that was canceled, they are still disappointed about the loss of meat and dairy proteins for people with food insecurity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. Hundreds of Delta Air Lines passengers from two flights finally arrived in Atlanta nearly 15 hours late. One jet flying from Cabo San Lucas was about to land at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday night when it was diverted to Montgomery, Alabama. There, it sat all night long. The other flight was coming from Mexico City and also diverted to Montgomery. Channel 2s Bryan Mims met passengers as they stepped into the international terminal, frustrated and exhausted. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Alex Alvarez recorded video of his fellow passengers on Delta Flight 599 from Mexico City in Montgomerys regional airport after a night spent on the tarmac. Storms led to a ground stop in Atlanta, so the plane circled for a while then landed in Montgomery, which does not have Customs and Border Protection staffing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Delta spokesman says the plane could not land in Birmingham, which does have Customs staff, because of severe weather there. We understand bad weather. Thats not an issue, Alvarez said. I think everything that happened after that, thats the problem. His plane landed in Montgomery around 10:20 p.m. Thursday. Its 147 passengers had to stay onboard until 5:15 a.m., when they were allowed off the plane but restricted to stay at the gate. Delta Flight 1828 from Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, faced the same situation. FlightAware showed the plane circling and veering on its path. Christine Milliken was among the 150 passengers on board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was quite nerve wracking, she said. I think my nerves are very shot from all the turbulence and the back and forth and the circling. Delta says severe weather lingered over Montgomery, and the flight crews exceeded their permitted duty hours, so other crews needed to come in. I almost, almost want to cry just because Im so exhausted, physically exhausted, Milliken said. I havent slept in like 26 hours. We fell short of how we aspire to serve and care for our customers amid thunderstorms in the Southeast U.S. Thursday evening, a Delta spokesperson said. We are reaching out to each customer with a full refund of their booking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delta says it is conducting a thorough review to prevent an outcome like this again. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- China will raise the additional tariffs on products imported from the United States to 125 percent, effective from Saturday, the Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced Friday. The announcement follows the U.S. move to raise the "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese imports to 125 percent. The commission said the U.S. imposition of excessively high tariffs on China seriously violates international economic and trade rules, goes against basic economic laws and common sense, and is nothing but unilateral bullying and coercion. Also on Friday, a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson said that the United States should take full responsibility for its unilateral tariff measures, which have caused significant disruptions and severe turbulence in the world economy, global markets and the multilateral trading system. The spokesperson said that the U.S. move to postpone imposing high tariffs on certain trading partners under pressure from China and other parties represents only a symbolic and minimal step, and the nature of using trade coercion by the United States for its own gains has not changed. China urges the U.S. side to immediately correct its wrong practices and cancel all unilateral tariff measures imposed on the country, the spokesperson said. The Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council said that even if the United States imposes even higher tariffs, it would no longer make economic sense and ultimately go down as a joke in world economic history. "Given that it's already impossible for the Chinese market to accept U.S. imports at the current tariff level, if the United States imposes further tariffs on Chinese products, China will ignore it," the commission said. However, should the United States persist in substantially undermining China's interests, China will take firm countermeasures and fight to the end, the commission added. "China remains open to consultations with the United States, but believes that threats and pressure are not the correct approaches to engage with China," the commerce ministry spokesperson said, urging the United States to resolve differences with China through dialogue based on mutual respect. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) admitted she regrets siding with her Republican colleagues when voting in favor of a migrant detention bill earlier this year, saying she trusted the Trump administration at the time to work with Democrats. As Ive thought about it over the past couple of months, I probably would have voted differently. Its a vote that I regret, Hayes said at a CNN town hall on Thursday. Rep. Jahana Hayes said she regrets trusting that the Trump administration would work with Democrats. via Associated Press Hayes and 45 other House Democratsvoted in favor of the Laken Riley Act, a bill named after a Georgia nursing student murdered by a Venezuelan migrant. It required that migrants without legal status who are accused of crimes ranging from theft to violence be detained, even if the allegation has not been proved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill also passed the Senate, and Trump signed it into law in January. Many critics of the law, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) raised concerns over due process rights for migrants at the time, an issue that has been highlighted more in recent months following the Trump administrations aggressive push against immigrants. In this bill, if a person is so much as accused of a crime, if someone wants to point a finger and accuse someone of shoplifting, they would be rounded up and put into a private detention camp and sent out for deportation without a day in court, Ocasio-Cortez said. Hayes told host Kaitlan Collins that she voted for the legislation because of a small piece of it covering crimes that caused injury or death to a police officer. She said she believed at the time that the Trump administration would work with House Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I trusted that this administration ... if they wanted to have border security, they wanted to work with Democrats, that we could actually move forward, Hayes said. Im not really sure of that because Ive seen the rhetoric that has come out and the attacks that have been targeted towards immigrants. So I am very cautious and careful when Im negotiating my votes moving forward. Rep. Derek Tran (D-Calif.) also spoke at the town hall and seemed less regretful of his vote, stating that he draws a line when it comes to crime. He added, I believe that when you commit a crime, you should be deported. Related... Weeks before the 1984 presidential election, a writer excoriated the Democratic Partys nominee, Walter Mondale, for his capture by special interests like labor unions and domestic industry to promote devastating protectionist trade policies. Although protectionism may create jobs in some industries, these gains will be largely, or perhaps completely, offset by a reduction of jobs in other industries because of protectionisms ripple effects, the writer argued in an op-ed for the Christian Science Monitor, highlighting the negative effects on Americas farmers, exporters, and defense industry. The writer lambasted Americas already existing dizzying array of tariffs, quotas, voluntary export restraints, and other nontariff barriers on everything from steel, textiles, and shoes to motorbikes and machine tools and suggested Mondales support for legislation requiring automobiles sold in the United States to have a high percentage of American parts and labor participation would further skew, rather than make more fair, Americas income distribution. That writer was none other than Peter Navarro, a 35-year-old Harvard Ph.D. student who is now the chief and most strident adviser to President Donald Trump on behalf of the most damaging protectionist trade policies of all: tariffs. Beyond the 180-degree switch in Navarros views, a lot of the politics of trade have changed over the last four decades, including the fact that its the Republican Party, fully behind Trump, that is more closely associated with trade protectionism than the Democratic Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just as its no longer Ronald Reagans GOP when it comes to foreign policy, constitutionalism, and free-marketism, its no longer the pro-protectionist Democratic Party of Mondale, Dick Gephardt, and organized labor. Or is it? Democrats, it seems, are having a public conversation about how exactly the party should respond to the Trump administrations let-er-rip tariff policy. If theyre not careful, it could metastasize into a full-blown intra-party debate, the winner of which could determine how Democrats develop their trade and economic policy for the 2028 elections and beyond. The initial reaction to Trumps tariff actions from leading Democrats has been reflexively oppositional. There was Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumers reaction on social media last week to one of Trumps boastful claims (amid a disastrous stock-market selloff in response to the tariffs) that the presidents trade policy would lead to bigger prosperity. And the rich get richer, Schumer tweeted, seeming not to take into account that everyone at the moment was getting demonstrably poorer. And last month as stocks began to falter following Trumps first rounds of tariffs, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz claimed he was keeping an eye on the falling price of Tesla stock to give him a little boost. (Tesla, of course, is the electric car company owned by Trump ally and special government employee Elon Musk.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Democrats are making more substantive challenges to Trump, primarily focused on the effect of these tariffs on the costs of goods and services. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has cast Trumps tariffs as a tax on working families and a threat to his states agricultural industry, while Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro similarly characterized the administrations policies as a price-raising blunder. This is super simple. Donald Trump pressed a button, raised costs, started a trade war with our allies, which is going to further raise costs on the American people, and its going to make peoples lives worse, Shapiro told MSNBC host Stephanie Ruhle last week. But there are still some of the old Mondale school in the Democratic Party, such as Rep. Jared Golden of Maine, who has won his rural district four times in a row despite Trump carrying the district in both 2020 and 2024. Golden has been cautiously supportive of Trumps tariff policies, saying last week he was pleased with the presidents agenda so far and reiterating his support even after Trump paused the reciprocal tariff schedule on Wednesday. Im happy hes left the 10 percent global tariff in place, Golden told my colleague Charles Hilu on Capitol Hill. Im happy hes left the higher tariffs on China in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Golden is not the only Democrat talking up the positives of tariffs. Take Gretchen Whitmer, the two-term Democratic governor of Michigan who, like Pritzker and Shapiro, is a potential contender for her partys nomination for president in three years. She also hails from the home state of Americas legacy auto industry where the politics of tariffs and trade play a little differently than many other parts of the country. To that end, Whitmer visited Washington this week not to bury Trumps tariffs but to praise, well, the idea, at least. In a speech Wednesday at the Council on Foreign Relations, she argued for a more measured and strategic employment of tariffs than what the Trump administration has done so far. As Ive said before, 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 clear, defined end goal, she said. Strategic reindustrialization must be a bipartisan project that spans multiple administrations. For a Democratic base looking to its high-profile leaders to take on Trump directly, Whitmers remarks were jarring. Bipartisan? Working with Republicans? Arguing that Democrats should offer a kinder, gentler version of Trumps trade policy? (It didnt help that Whitmer made an ill-advised stop at the White House and was unwillingly roped into a photo-op for Trump that her would-be Democratic primary opponents will be thrilled to use against her in a couple years.) It was the substance of Whitmers speech, however, that prompted a direct response from Whitmers fellow Democratic governor, Jared Polis of Colorado. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tariff hammer winds up hitting your own hand rather than the nail, he tweeted Wednesday. 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. As nationally known Democrats go, Polis, with his western libertarianism, is more than a little heterodoxvery few would go as far as he does in sounding like an out-and-out free trader. But there is tension between the Whitmer/Golden approach and the Polis view. Do Democrats seize the opportunity to be the party of trade liberalization now that Republicans have abandoned the concept? Or will they run as the smarter, better, more strategic trade warriors, unwilling to cede the issue of tariffs to the GOP when Sen. Bernie Sanders, a dyed-in-the-wool protectionist, is still commanding large crowds? Bernie having his finger on the pulse of this issue and his opposition to NAFTA was what won him the edge against Hillary in the 2016 Michigan primary, is how one Democratic strategist familiar with the Wolverine State put it to me. And that sentiment has remained the same. Perhaps, but the timing of Whitmers trade triangulation couldnt have been worse. Between the Democratic Partys thirst for more wins against Trump and the ongoing collapse of the financial markets in response to Trumps actions, perhaps Pritzker and Shapiro have the savviest approach: highlight how Trumps policies are hurting Americans, focusing on real, tangible economic conditions like prices, and leaving the more philosophical debates about trade policy for later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id counsel clients to keep the focus on Trumps erratic and compulsive governing approach, Dale Strother, a veteran Democratic operative, told me. Id make it clear Trumps governing style is akin to a drunk driver weaving down the road barely missing ditches. Make it about Trump and increased costs of everyday items. 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. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) Following the end of Georgias 2025 legislative session, four local legislators gathered at the South Columbus Library to speak with the community. Attendees heard from Democratic State representatives Carolyn Hugley, Debbie Buckner, and Teddy Reese, as well as State Senator Ed Harbison. The event was open to the public, and residents were encouraged to raise questions and concerns. Part of the event included an overview of the approved budget. A few of the local budget impacts include funding for a space science and robotics facility at the main campus of Columbus State University, expansion of the Columbus Department of Juvenile Justice Center and funding for a veterans education and workforce development center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some members of the public raised questions regarding environmental impacts. Representative Debbie Buckner expressed concern about PFAS, or forever chemicals. Though legislation stalled, Buckner says progress is still possible. Buckner said, There were several bills about that. None of them got a hearing. We need to be doing some testing to show just how serious the problem is in Georgia. Minority Leader, Carolyn Hugley says there were many wins for the community, namely they were able to fully fund Columbuss schools, and pass a school safety bill providing additional safeguards for students. Additionally, Hugley says they were able to provide protection for IVF treatments. Nevertheless, Hugley says there are still several bills on the table that they find concerning and urges the community to be involved until the next session in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our citizens need to be aware that this is year one of a two year journey, and we need to have everyone to stay tuned over here to be involved. Reach out to your legislators. And thats why we want members of the public to come and engage with us. Let us know whats important to them as we prepare to go back for next year. Hugley said. The bills unpassed will be back in consideration next year. For now, the legislation passed by Georgias General Assembly is pending approval from Governor Brian Kemp. Kemp has 40 days from the end of end-of session to sign or veto the legislation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. By Laman Ismayilova The relations between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the State of Qatar continue to flourish based on mutual trust and respect between the leaders of both countries. This partnership covers many areas like culture, education, and economy, showing a dedication to improving cooperation and cultural ties. The launch of Qatar Cultural Days in Azerbaijan is a significant example, highlighting Qatari culture and promoting exchanges between the two nations. Through this cultural initiative, both nations are poised to enrich their shared experiences and celebrate their unique heritage. The official opening ceremony of the Qatar Culture Days has taken place at the Heydar Aliyev Center. This event aims to demonstrate the rich cultural heritage of Qatar, featuring diverse pavilions set up in the Seaside National Park. Attendees explored exquisite examples of traditional Qatari national costumes, cuisine, music, weaving, and calligraphy. The opening day's festivities included a magnificent concert program with performances by renowned Qatari musicians and artistic collectives. The ceremony was attended by Azerbaijan Culture Minister Adil Karimli and Qatari Minister of Culture Abdulrahman bin Hamad bin Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani, along with diplomats, cultural figures, and other esteemed guests. Throughout the Qatar Culture Days, which are set to run from April 10 to 13, various exhibitions, concert programs, and discussion platforms will take place, aimed at further strengthening the cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Qatar. These events will create new opportunities for collaboration across the fields of art and literature. It is noteworthy that the Days of Qatar Culture were previously held in Azerbaijan in June 2009, marking a significant moment in cultural exchange between the two nations. Looking ahead, the Days of Azerbaijani Culture were celebrated in Doha, Qatar, in February 2024, showcasing the vibrant essence of Azerbaijani art and heritage in a friendly and welcoming environment. Strengthening diplomatic and cultural ties between Azerbaijan and Qatar Diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Qatar were officially established on September 14, 1994. In 2007, both countries took a significant step forward by opening their respective embassies. A notable advancement in their bilateral cooperation occurred in 2016 with the formation of a Joint Economic, Trade, and Technical Intergovernmental Commission. This commission convened for its first meeting in Azerbaijan on January 31, 2017. The second meeting was held in Doha on February 20, 2019. Earlier, on November 30, 2004, an important "Agreement on Cooperation in the Field of Culture and Art" was signed in Doha, laying the groundwork for cultural exchanges between the two nations. The inaugural Qatar Culture Days in Azerbaijan took place from June 6 to 11, 2009, featuring a delegation of 58 members, including prominent artists and cultural figures, led by Mubarak bin Nasser Al-Khalifa, Secretary-General of Qatar's National Council for Culture, Arts, and Heritage. In a reciprocal gesture, Azerbaijan's first Culture Days in Qatar were celebrated from June 1 to 4, 2010, with around 150 Azerbaijani representatives participating. During this festive occasion, attendees enjoyed performances by the Group of Musical Instruments, the State Dancing Group, and an opera rendition of "Leyli and Majnun" presented by artists from the Azerbaijan State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater. A car passes through the Peace Arch border crossing heading to the U.S. from Canada in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, April 10, 2025. Canadian-resident return trips from the United States and U.S.-resident trips to Canada by automobile continued to decline, Statistics Canada said Thursday. Amid the tariff war with the United States, the Canadian government is encouraging Canadian consumers to shop and travel within Canada. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua) OTTAWA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Canadian-resident return trips from the United States and U.S.-resident trips to Canada by automobile continued to decline, Statistics Canada said Thursday. According to the latest travel numbers issued by the national statistical agency, the number of Canadian-resident return trips by automobile from the United States totaled 1.5 million in March, a steep decline, or down 31.9 percent, from the same month in 2024. March 2025 marked the third consecutive month of year-over-year decline, added the agency. Meanwhile the number of U.S.-resident trips to Canada by automobile was 770,400, a decline of 10.6 percent from the same month in 2024. This was the second consecutive month of year-over-year decline, said the agency. Amid the tariff war with the United States, the Canadian government is encouraging Canadian consumers to shop and travel within Canada. Vehicles line up to enter the U.S. from Canada at the Peace Arch border crossing in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, April 10, 2025. Canadian-resident return trips from the United States and U.S.-resident trips to Canada by automobile continued to decline, Statistics Canada said Thursday. Amid the tariff war with the United States, the Canadian government is encouraging Canadian consumers to shop and travel within Canada. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua) Vehicles wait at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection booths of the Peace Arch border crossing in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada, April 10, 2025. Canadian-resident return trips from the United States and U.S.-resident trips to Canada by automobile continued to decline, Statistics Canada said Thursday. Amid the tariff war with the United States, the Canadian government is encouraging Canadian consumers to shop and travel within Canada. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua) This photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows a road leading from Canada to the U.S. at the Peace Arch border crossing in Surrey, British Columbia, Canada. Canadian-resident return trips from the United States and U.S.-resident trips to Canada by automobile continued to decline, Statistics Canada said Thursday. Amid the tariff war with the United States, the Canadian government is encouraging Canadian consumers to shop and travel within Canada. (Photo by Liang Sen/Xinhua) TALLAHASSEE, Florida Part of Gov. Ron DeSantis crusade to defeat a Florida recreational pot ballot measure received $10 million from two groups that got money from a nonprofit associated with first lady Casey DeSantis community-based assistance program. Hope Florida has received heightened scrutiny over whether it improperly received money intended for the state. Two organizations said to Hope Florida in letters that they did not use the money for political activity. But the groups wound up giving money to the effort to defeat the pot amendment within days of receiving it from the Hope Florida Foundation. The program, launched by the first lady, discussed a partnership with a Florida Chamber of Commerce initiative that helped Gov. DeSantis defeat Amendment 3. A review of state election records shows the same Florida Chamber of Commerce initiative also provided the campaign led by Gov. DeSantis close to $5 million in the two weeks before the November election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the timing, letters provided by the foundation that oversees Hope Florida show $5 million was given to the chambers Secure Floridas Future initiative in response to a proposal that would promote the first ladys program and help recruit business partners in the future. A proposal letter sent to Hope Florida promised that the chamber-led initiative, which also took part in efforts to defeat Amendment 3 in last years election, would not use the $5 million grant for political or election purposes. Florida Chamber President Mark Wilson wrote the money would be put toward a long-term targeted business partner recruitment strategy and public awareness campaign. By utilizing our network of robust communications and outreach channels serving our hundreds of thousands of employer- and business organization-members representing every industry, sector and region of Florida, Wilson wrote in the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hope Florida board gave another $5 million to Save Our Society from Drugs, a St. Petersburg-based organization aimed at preventing drug use and increasing access to recovery programs. The importance of this work cannot be overstated, Amy Ronshausen, executive director of Save Our Society from Drugs, wrote in the letter. Drug use continues to have a devastating impact on families, the workforce, and community health. Hope Florida was launched by Casey DeSantis four years ago as a community-based welfare initiative designed to reduce the need for government-subsidized programs. Gov. DeSantis asked the Legislature this year to put Hope Florida into state law, spurring a financial review that left state House leaders with questions and concerns about how taxpayer dollars have been spent. Casey DeSantis is considering a run for governor to succeed her husband, who is term-limited and cannot run again. Gov. DeSantis has repeatedly touted the initiative and praised his wifes efforts to put it together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Floridas House Health Care Budget Subcommittee spent more than an hour asking the state Agency for Health Care Administration about $10 million that was donated to Hope Florida as part of a settlement agreement with the states largest Medicaid operator. The AHCA settlement was included in the minutes of an Oct. 14 board meeting of the Hope Florida Foundation. The board minutes also bring up a strategic partnership between Hope Florida and Secure Floridas Future. The Hope Florida board minutes refer to the partnership with Secure Floridas Future as a grant proposal that was developed by the Department and Executive Administration, to engage with business and community partners and advance Hope Floridas mission. Secure Floridas Future is uniquely positioned to enhance awareness of Hope Floridas efforts within the private sector using a data-driven approach, the minutes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hope Florida is a nonprofit organization associated with the Florida Department of Children and Families, which convinced a joint-legislative committee to approve the transfer of $20.7 million in unspent Covid federal housing assistance money to Hope Florida. This transfer of funds was approved on Oct. 24 about the time the Hope Florida board discussed the grant proposal and partnership with the chambers anti-pot initiative. The Hope Florida board minutes also discuss memos that were created to memorialize each cash disbursement approved by the panel. DCF could not provide the memos on Friday, but Tori Cuddy, an agency strategic initiatives manager, provided a Friday evening statement that said the more than $20 million funds transfer involved unspent administrative dollars from the housing assistance program that were already due to DCF. The money did not go to the Hope Florida Foundation. The Department receives requests through Hope Florida for housing assistance and is using the remaining funds to address rental and/or utility assistance through Hope Florida, which is open to any Floridian, Cuddy wrote. The Hope Florida Foundation board is chaired by Joshua Hay, who was asked by state House Health Care Budget Subcommittee Chair Alex Andrade to explain the program's finances during a meeting on Wednesday. Andrade said during a Wednesday night podcast with former Rep. Matt Gaetz that if Hay or the other board members fail to appear, he will issue subpoenas to obtain financial records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scrutiny of Hope Florida by the state House prompted DeSantis to lash out, accusing the chamber and House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami) of working against other state Republicans. Andrade has also taken heat from DeSantis after he accused the administration of breaking the law by misusing state settlement funds when it brokered a $10 million donation that went to Hope Florida in the last weeks before the November election. The donation was made by the states largest Medicaid managed care operator, Centene, as part of a $67 million settlement involving the operators pharmacy benefit manager. During a Thursday news conference, DeSantis said the $67 million deal was the best that staffers with the state Agency for Health Care Administration could negotiate with Centene, saying the case was not very strong. However, Centene wrote in a statement provided to POLITICO on Friday that ACHA directed the terms of the settlement along with the state Attorney Generals office. The settlement agreement was signed on Sept. 27 by Chief Deputy Attorney General John Guard, then-AHCA Secretary Jason Weida, and Florida Insurance Commissioner Michael Yaworsky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The allocation of funds detailed in the settlement document was directed by the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and approved by the Florida Attorney Generals Office, the Centene statement said. Centene had no part in or knowledge of any decision by the Hope Florida Foundation regarding the subsequent use of any Foundation funds." The political committee that was set up to oppose Amendment 3 was chaired by James Uthmeier, then also working as chief of staff for DeSantis. DeSantis appointed him as Floridas attorney general earlier this year. Campaign records show Keep Florida Clean received $4.85 million from Secure Floridas Future, most of it coming in October after the Hope Florida Foundation approved the grant. Save our Society from Drugs donated $5.75 million as well, with most of the money coming in late October. Keep Florida Clean in October steered $11.5 million to the Republican Party of Florida, which wound up airing more than $16 million worth of television ads opposed to Amendment 3, according to an analysis done by AdImpact. One of the ads featured Casey DeSantis, as well as a top official in the Florida Highway Patrol, urging voters to defeat the amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uthmeier did not respond to a request for comment Friday about the transactions between Hope Florida Foundation and the political committee he led to defeat the amendment. Keep Florida Clean recently shut down. But before it did, the committee sent more than $1.2 million to the Florida Freedom Fund, another committee led by Uthmeier that DeSantis has said he plans to use to help aid candidates in the 2026 election. Attendees pose for a group photo during a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on April 11, 2025. Britain on Friday announced a 450 million British pounds (about 589 million U.S. dollars) "surge of military support" for Ukraine as it co-hosted a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with Germany in Brussels. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) LONDON/BRUSSELS, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Britain on Friday announced a 450 million British pounds (about 589 million U.S. dollars) "surge of military support" for Ukraine as it co-hosted a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with Germany in Brussels. The package, jointly funded by Britain and Norway, includes a new "close fight" military aid component valued at over 250 million pounds, featuring radar systems, anti-tank mines and military drones. Friday's support package also includes repairs and maintenance for vehicles and battlefield equipment previously supplied by Britain to Ukraine. British Defense Secretary John Healey said the package will "surge support to Ukraine's frontline fight" and increase pressure on Russia. According to the British Ministry of Defence, the new kit will be procured from both British and Ukrainian suppliers, "demonstrating how investment into Ukraine's defence supports jobs and the economies" in both Britain and Ukraine. Meanwhile, the European Union (EU) has also ramped up its support. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas confirmed that member states have committed over 23 billion euros (about 26.21 billion dollars) in military aid to Ukraine so far this year. "So we are definitely doing more than last year," said Kallas, stressing that the EU should do even more. British Defense Secretary John Healey (R) and Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov attend a press conference after a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on April 11, 2025. Britain on Friday announced a 450 million British pounds (about 589 million U.S. dollars) "surge of military support" for Ukraine as it co-hosted a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with Germany in Brussels. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov (R) and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius attend a press conference after a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on April 11, 2025. Britain on Friday announced a 450 million British pounds (about 589 million U.S. dollars) "surge of military support" for Ukraine as it co-hosted a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with Germany in Brussels. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) British Defense Secretary John Healey (R), Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov (C) and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius attend a press conference after a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group at the NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on April 11, 2025. Britain on Friday announced a 450 million British pounds (about 589 million U.S. dollars) "surge of military support" for Ukraine as it co-hosted a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with Germany in Brussels. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) Among the fallout from Hamas attack against Israel on Oct. 7 and the subsequent war in Gaza has been an unprecedented deterioration in relations between Israel and the United Nations. Truth be told, relations between the two have hardly ever been good. But that characterization glosses over what has been an incredibly complex engagement by the U.N. with Israel and its neighbors over the past 75 years. Indeed, through its many resolutions and interventions, the U.N. has literally shaped the political, legal and geographic contours of what is known as the Arab-Israeli conflict. But amid the most violent episode in the history of that conflict, there is a sense that the U.N. is increasingly hamstrung both by the ongoing fighting as well as a pervasive lack of trust among Israeli authorities. How did this happen and what role can we expect for the U.N. and its agencies moving forward? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like all international entities working in Israel and Palestine, the U.N. was entirely unprepared for the scale of violence and destruction wrought by the events of Oct. 7 and their aftermath. The Hamas attack on Israeli military bases and civilian communities was by any measure brutal. The deliberate targeting of women, children and elderly people, combined with large-scale hostage-taking and reports of sexual violence, was unprecedented even for this enduring conflict. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. Israels ferocious counterattack, which is still ongoing, has witnessed the unparalleled destruction of most of Gazas built-up areas alongside a massive death toll, reportedly more than 50,000 out of Gazas population of nearly 2 million. More than 1 million have been repeatedly displaced. According to an initial joint assessment conducted by the U.N., the European Union and the World Bank, the damage as of February 2025 was estimated to be around $53 billion. At first, U.N. leadership largely failed to grasp the enormity of the Oct. 7 attack for Israelis. The unfortunate choice by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to use that moment to tell Israelis that these events did not happen in a vacuum, instead of simply showing solidarity with their human suffering, will likely never be forgiven or forgotten. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even worse for some Israelis was the delayed or absent responses by the very U.N. mechanisms that were created to safeguard against attacks on children, women and the most vulnerable. For a population that has grown accustomed to condemnations of its armed forces for attacks on Palestinian civilians, many Israelis were aghast at the silence or delayed reactions when it came to the suffering of Israeli civilians at the hands of Hamas. With the exception of a few officials, the reaction of the U.N. system was inadequate at best. In many ways, this attitude is symptomatic of a U.N. presence on the ground that has lost its primary purpose following the collapse of the Oslo peace process. In the absence of meaningful U.S.-led political negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, U.N. support for the institutions of the Palestinian Authority, as well as for service delivery and civil society in Gaza and the West Bank, took on the appearance of advocacy for one side of the conflict, rather than facilitating a conflict resolution process. Add to that the explosive revelations that a small number of Palestinian staff employed by the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, or UNRWAwhich administers aid to Palestinian refugeesparticipated in the Oct. 7 attacks, and the U.N. began to look like a hostile actor to many Israelis. The organization tried to manage the crisis through a series of internal investigations, which was enough for most donorsalthough not the U.S., which was UNRWAs largest single benefactorto continue funding the agency, especially in light of the magnitude of the crisis unfolding in Gaza. Despite a deterioration in relations since Oct. 7, 2023, Israel still relies rather heavily on the U.N. with regard to the provision of assistance in Gaza and the West Bank. But last January, legislation passed by the Israeli parliament effectively banned UNRWA activities in East Jerusalem and forbid any contact between the agency and Israeli officials. Despite the new directives, UNRWA is still operating, but under more restrictive parameters and with greater reliance on its Palestinian staff, as nearly all international staff had their visas revoked. Israels actions have certainly curtailed UNRWAs operations, but its full impact on humanitarian efforts is hard to assess. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is largely because in late March, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that was reached in mid-January collapsed amid a breakdown in discussions over advancing to its second phase, with sticking points including Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, post-conflict governance arrangements in the territory and what role, if any, Hamas might play on the ground. Despite the announcement of a well-intentioned Arab proposal for the reconstruction of Gaza, the bloodletting has restarted, and all aid into Gaza has been blocked by Israel. But this has not changed the fact that Israel still relies rather heavily on the U.N. with regard to the provision of assistance in Gaza and the West Bank. This is an incredibly difficult and dangerous job, with more than 400 aid workers having been killed in Gaza since the start of the war, according to the United Nations. And with the resumption of fighting, the U.N. is also reporting significant impediments to its distribution of prepositioned aid that accumulated during the ceasefire. There has been talk of replacing the U.N. with private-sector entities, but for a variety of reasons, the U.N. remains uniquely placed and equipped to do the job, and both Israeli and U.N. sources continue to report positive coordination, mostly at the working level. And as envisioned in the Arab plan, the U.N. could at some point be called on to deploy or be involved in an international peacekeeping force for Gaza. But the broader politics matter. Ordinarily, as in past confrontations between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, the U.N. would have immediately been called on to ramp up its humanitarian work and begin less politically dependent early recovery efforts to bolster ceasefire talks. But partly due to the nature of Israels fight with Hamas since Oct. 7, and partly because of the lack of trust, U.N. operations in Gaza are still largely limited to the humanitarian space as the fighting rages on. Meanwhile, the war is also proving to be a test case of sorts for the efficacy of the U.N.s international justice mechanisms. In December 2023, South Africa brought a case to the International Court of Justice, or ICJ, against Israel, accusing it of genocide, though a final verdict could take several years. In July 2024, the ICJ also issued an advisory opinion in response to a U.N. General Assembly request from 2022, stating that Israels occupation of Palestinian territory was illegal and that Israel needed to immediately withdraw its settlers and military from the West Bank. This decision will likely have a bigger impact on U.N.-Israel relations, in that it imparts a legal obligation to end Israels occupation separate from any political peace process. How U.N. agencies on the ground might choose to react could affect their operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps most controversially, in November, the International Criminal Court, or ICC, issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Gallant, as well as for Hamas military commander Mohamed Deif, for crimes against humanity. But rather than create a groundswell of support, the move has proven divisive and could potentially weaken the court. Several signatories of the Rome Statute that established the court have either suggested they will ignore the warrants or have been noncommittal. Last week, Hungary announced it will leave the treaty on the same day it welcomed a visiting Netanyahu to Budapest. Nevertheless, in addition to Gaza, U.N. operations remain active and vital for stability across the West Bank, as well as in Lebanon and Syria. In Lebanon, the embattled U.N. peacekeeping mission UNIFIL remains on the ground, but as part of the revised ceasefire equation between Israel and Hezbollah under U.S. oversight. The U.N. is also engaged in Syria, where it is working on the complicated transition after the fall of former dictator Bashar al-Assad. All of these theaters are vital for Israel and its security, and cooperation with these U.N. bodies is a critical interest. But the U.N. and Israel are also shackled by a long and inglorious history of tension that predates Oct. 7. Just before leaving his post in 2006, then-Secretary-General Kofi Annan told the Security Council, Some may feel satisfaction at repeatedly passing General Assembly resolutions or holding conferences that condemn Israels behavior. But one should also ask whether such steps bring any tangible relief or benefit to the Palestinians. He went on to ask if any of this had an effect on Israels policies, other than to strengthen the belief in Israel, and among many of its supporters, that this great Organization is too one-sided to be allowed a significant role in the Middle East peace process? In contrast to some of the current U.N. leadership, Annan believed that engagement with Israel should not be framed as a reward for Israeli good behavior. Instead, he argued, it is the best way for the U.N. to ensure the fulfillment of Palestinian rights. To be fair, Annan was dealing with a different Israel and a different Palestinian leadership at the time. As much as the U.N. might have strayed from a conflict resolution approach, the decade and a half of Netanyahus premiership and internal division within the Palestinian body politic has narrowed the space available for pursuing such an approach even if the U.N. wanted to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, the lives of millions of Israelis and Palestinians hang in the balance. Both societies have been deeply traumatized. The U.S. and its Arab partners must find a way to bring the current fighting to an end, but unless it includes a pathway to ending the overall conflict, it is only a matter of time before the next round of fighting breaks out. The U.N. is deeply flawed but in the context of a broader international effort led by the U.S. and the Arab states, it can play a vital role. Some might say that the U.N. also has a historical obligation to both Israelis and Palestinians. Repairing relations with Israel may not be possible while the war continues, but ensuring better engagement on the ground will be vital for the maintenance of any ceasefire and for a stable post-conflict environment, which is in everyones interests. Jonathan Lincoln is director of the Center for Jewish Civilization at Georgetown Universitys School of Foreign Service. From 2017 to 2021, he served as senior coordination officer at the office of the U.N. Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. The post Despite Their Deteriorated Relations, Israel Still Needs the U.N. appeared first on World Politics Review. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) The San Diego County Medical Examiners Office released new information on the woman who died after being rescued from a storm drain in Poway earlier this week. On the morning of March 25, Yafang Zhou, a 59-year-old San Diego resident, drove her personal vehicle away from her home without returning, according to medical officials. Then on April 2, officers found Zhous vehicle parked near the Beeler Canyon trailhead in Poway, where her personal belongings were scattered about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zhous husband was contacted, and he filed a missing person report the following day. Millions of gallons of sewage now flowing into the Tijuana River but why? Over the next several days, law enforcement searched the area for Zhou who had an altered mental status, the medical examiner said. On Monday, Zhou was rescued from a manhole in the 14000 block of Beeler Canyon Road. Officials at the scene said she was about 10 feet underground and may have been in there for several days. Zhou was taken to a hospital where she later died from her injuries. The manner and cause of her death are pending. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. In a declaration filed on Thursday, Tufts student Rumeysa Ozturk detailed the day she was detained by ICE officers and says she suffered multiple asthma attacks while in their custody. The 30-year-old Ph.D student was taken by immigration authorities on March 25 while walking in Somerville. Less than 24 hours later, she was whisked away to an immigration detention facility in Basile, Louisiana after making several stops around New England. Federal authorities claim she engaged in activities supporting the terrorist group, Hamas, and revoked her visa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her own words, Ozturk said when the ICE officers approached her, she believed she was going to be attacked. My first thought was that they were not government officials but private individuals who wanted to harm me, she said. I felt very scared and concerned as the men surrounded me and grabbed my phone from me. Ozturk claims she was talking to her mother at the time and screamed. She says her fear stemmed from her appearance on an anonymously-run doxing website called the Canary Mission in February. She also claims the agents didnt respond when she asked why she was being arrested. After I was put into the car, I asked who they were, where they were taking me to, and they told me I was being arrested but they didnt say why, she wrote. I began to cough as we drove. I asked for my inhaler and to open the window. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ozturk went on to detail how she was allegedly shackled by more officers, none of who were women, which she requested. The officers allegedly denied her request to speak with an attorney, and Ozturk described the officers demeanor as scary and harsh. The Tufts student was then transported to another stop in Lawrence, Massachusetts, the first of four would-be stops roughly for 15-20 minutes. She says she asked one of the officers if she was physically safe. He seemed to feel guilty and said We are not monsters, We do what the government tells us, Ozturk wrote. This contributed photo shows Rumeysa Ozturk on an apple-picking trip in 2021. (AP Photo) The officer reportedly told her they were taking her to Vermont because there were no detention centers in Massachusetts for women. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After leaving Lawrence, Ozturk said she reminded officers she needed her emergency asthma inhaler close by and needed a full meal, breaking her fast. The officers provided her snacks of crackers and water, but [she] didnt drink and eat it because I was worried they could have poisoned it. Ozturk said she wanted to speak to her lawyer before eating. I was afraid that if something happened to me, no one would know where I was, she wrote. She was then transported to New Hampshire, then to a detention center in Vermont to spend the night. Around 4 a.m. on March 26, Ozturk left for the airport to be taken to Louisiana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I experienced an asthma attack while I was waiting in the Atlanta airport with ICE, Ozturk wrote. I felt like I could not breathe. After being transported to the Louisiana facility, which she described as very unsanitary, unsafe, and inhumane, Ozturk says she sustained a second asthma attack. I asked them to let me outside to get some fresh air, Ozturk wrote. They said no but let me wait outside of the room in the hallway. While waiting, I still couldnt breathe well and was crying. Ozturk claims when she was finally seen by a nurse, the woman removed her hejab without permission. She detailed two more asthma attacks while at the Louisiana facility and described the nurses as insulting and condescending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I pray everyday for my release so I can go back to my home and community in Somerville, Ozturk wrote. She concluded her petition about wanting to complete her PhD and return to the Tufts Child Study and Human Development program. My plans are to stay in academia and to undertake a post-doc in positive media for youth, Ozturk wrote. A hearing for her habeas petition is scheduled in Vermont District Court for Monday, April 14. Mass. Judge moves legal case of detained Turkish Tufts University student to Vermont Hundreds of people gather in Somerville, Mass., on March 26, 2025, to demand the release of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student at Tufts University, who was arrested by federal agents Tuesday night. (AP Photo/Michael Casey) Her detainment has sparked outrage from supporters, the ACLU, and local delegation. Its deeply un-American and frighteningly similar to what happened under the Nazis to just disappear people, Massachusetts Congressman Seth Moulton said at a Tufts University speaking event on April 7. Moulton claims hes written several letters to the Trump administration but has not heard back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is horrifying not only for the international community in the U.S., but for the international community abroad as well, said Reyyan Bilge, an assistant teaching professor of psychology at Northeastern University. If some random guy on the street was not recording her. She would have been gone for a couple of days and we wouldnt know where she was and thats really creepy. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW PERRYVILLE, Mo. (NEXSTAR) Missouri Vietnam veteran Jim Eddleman had a vision: he wanted to honor other Vietnam vets but he wasnt sure where to do it. The perfect place ended up being in his own backyard. For the project, Eddleman donated 50 acres of his family farm land for a memorial, which began coming together through the work of Eddleman and wife Charlene, in addition to a board of directors. Eddleman spent close to $3 million to build the memorial, now known as Americas Wall, located at Missouris National Veterans Memorial in Perryville. Vietnam veteran finds PTSD relief with RTM therapy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once built, Americas Wall was an exact replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The expansive and somber wall lists the names of over 58,000 servicemen and women who died during the Vietnam War. Like the wall in Washington, Americas Wall also features shiny black panels bearing the thousands of names and those panels stretch out to form a V shape, just like the D.C. wall. All of it began with a promise Eddleman says he made to himself that hed one day honor his comrades if he made it home alive. I didnt know what that promise would be but it turned out to be way more than I expected, says Eddleman. Full House property in San Francisco sells for $6 million; price includes celeb memorabilia in backyard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eddleman and Co. met with Washington, D.C. officials before the walls construction to make sure the idea was supported. According to MNVM, over 60,000 names were spell checked by volunteers three times during the walls construction. The memorial has become quite an attraction for Missourians and residents of neighboring states, alike. Ive already had people come here and tell me, I used to go to Washington, D.C. once every five years and now I can come here five times a year. If I just had one person tell me that once a day, that makes my day worthwhile. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. A $20,000 disaster relief grant helped keep the music alive in Hindman after record flash flooding in July 2022 inundated the artisan center and an instrument-making company. Kentucky Humanities is unable to provide such assistance after this year's floods because of federal government changes. (Kentucky Humanities) How would you feel if someone took your childs favorite book out of his hands? What would you think if your local museum wasnt important enough to keep its doors open? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If someone said, Sorry we cant help your community recover from a natural disaster would you feel sad, outraged, lost? Books and photographs before restoration, Hindman Settlement School. For more than 53 years, Kentucky Humanities has helped communities across Kentucky celebrate what makes them unique and vital. We have been there for you and with you, connecting you to your neighbors, promoting your unique history, inspiring the next generation, championing what makes your town or city special. But right now, we cant. And we are angry about it. You should be too. In 2022, we assisted libraries, historical societies, artisan centers, radio stations, community centers and cultural institutions in navigating a disaster like what we are experiencing right now, an historic flood. We requested and received emergency grant funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and poured every dime back into places that were devastated by flood waters because it is our mission to help Kentucky communities thrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We wanted then, and want now, to be part of the rebuilding of Kentuckys communities ravaged by flooding, but we cant. Why? Because at the federal level, DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency) has targeted the NEH and terminated Kentucky Humanities operating grant and any emergency funding sources that previously allowed us to provide aid in the commonwealth. We are sorry, but most of all we are angry because you and us we are the ones looking out for Kentucky and all Kentuckians. It doesnt have to be this way. Together, our voices can make a difference. Appalshop, a media, arts and education center in Whitesburg, was flooded in July 2022, including its unique archive of film, musical recordings and photographs showcasing the culture of the region. An emergency grant requested by Kentucky Humanities from the National Endowment for the Arts helped support the recovery and restoration effort. (Kentucky Humanities) When 2022 flood damaged Kentucky cultural sites, federal funding helped Five cultural sites in Eastern Kentucky suffered significant damage in the 2022 floods: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Appalshop, Inc. Hindman Settlement School Knott County Public Library Wayland Community Center/Wayland Historical Society The Appalachian Artisan Center/Troublesome Creek Stringed Instrument Co./Appalachian School of Luthiery An early edition of The Trail of the Lonesome Pine, the 1908 novel by John Fox Jr., was saved at the Hindman Settlement School. Kentucky Humanities requested emergency grant funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to assist the above institutions in the recovery process and was able to award each of them a $20,000 disaster relief grant. In addition, the NEH also awarded a grant to Kentucky Humanities to host a series of disaster recovery workshops to help cultural institutions throughout the state prepare for future disasters. Kentucky Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities, in partnership with the Kentucky Historical Society, Kentucky Arts Council, Performing Arts Readiness, National Heritage Responders, the Foundation for Advancement in Conservation and the National Coalition for Arts Preparedness and Emergency Response presented a series of workshops on disaster preparedness and recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each virtual workshop focused on a different phase of the disaster prep and recovery process readiness, response, recovery, resilience and mitigation. Workshops featured experts from across the country, as well as firsthand accounts from those impacted by natural disasters across Kentucky. Those recordings and the materials presented are available for everyone at no cost here: https://kyhumanities.org/home/archives/disaster-recovery/. Photographs drying at Hindman Settlement School in 2022. (Kentucky Humanities) SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Cumberland County Board of Education will discuss potentially appointing an interim Director of Schools during the April 24 board meeting. During the March board meeting, Jon Matthews, 7th District, brought the idea of an interim Director of Schools to the discussion. To eliminate conflict of interest or anything else, we would need to appoint an interim DOS or something like that, said Matthews. That way it's not I mean it's just bad business to ask [William Stepp] to ask his employees to find his replacement. I mean, that's just not nice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The April 24 agenda also lists a discussion between the Director of Schools and the board about a mutual agreement. The contents of the agreement were not disclosed by publication. This is a developing story, and the Chronicle will provide more information as it becomes available at www.crossville-chronicle.com, and in the Crossville Chronicle. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Waldports former mayor Heide Lambert had to be removed from a city council meeting Thursday after she took a seat at the city council meeting and refused to move, authorities said. According to the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office, leading up to the meeting, there had been concern about a disruption from the former mayor after she was removed from her post by the council earlier in April. Lambert was removed from office after city staff said she created a hostile work environment, demanding that they follow her direction when under the City Charter, she had no authority over them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police lock down Silverton High School over reports of active shooter, threat not found In a statement from the Waldport City Council, they shared that the former mayors actions could be a cause for legal concern. We have never had an elected city official treat staff this way. What may seem like a minor incident is actually a serious legal concern. Hostile work environment complaints lead to staff leaving positions, to costly lawsuits against the city, and to a near stop in city operations. In January, each of us, including Mayor Lambert, swore to uphold the Waldport City Charter and the Oregon and United States Constitutions. We take that pledge seriously. At the meeting Thursday night, authorities said Lambert took a seat at the councils table and made a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the last week, I realized that I have a constitutional right to assert my seat, that I was an elected official. And so I didnt want the council to believe I vacated, Lambert said. They were starting to say on the website that I had vacated my seat. And thats not true. So I went there to take my seat. The rule that the council is basing this on states that no member of the council shall directly or indirectly attempt to direct a city officer or employee in the performance of their duties. She was asked several times by council members to leave, but officials said she refused and hindered the meeting. Waldports former mayor Heide Lambert had to be removed from a city council meeting Thursday, April 10, 2025. Waldports former mayor Heide Lambert had to be removed from a city council meeting Thursday, April 10, 2025. Waldports former mayor Heide Lambert had to be removed from a city council meeting Thursday, April 10, 2025. Waldports former mayor Heide Lambert had to be removed from a city council meeting Thursday, April 10, 2025. Waldports former mayor Heide Lambert had to be removed from a city council meeting Thursday, April 10, 2025. Members from the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office attempted to remove Lambert peacefully, explaining the legal consequences. Officials said she continued to refuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eventually, Lambert was escorted outside and cited for disorderly conduct before being released, where she was able to return to the meeting and sit in the public seating area. We recognize this event has caused concern and strong emotions within our community, the Lincoln County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. Our office does not take such actions lightly. Regardless of a persons status or position, the law applies equally to everyone. When a lawful order is issued and refused, our duty is to uphold the law while maintaining order and safety. Travel + Leisure names hypnotic destination the most beautiful in Oregon Lambert said this is a complicated situation, because community members had written formal complaints to her about the city manager that were labeled confidential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I went in to pick it up, and it had already been opened, and it had already been sent to the person that the complaints were about. And that was where I was confused, she said. So I asked the city clerk to email the council those complaints, and I was told that was not what they were directed to do. Lambert has hired a lawyer who tells me she has no interest in suing the city she was elected to lead, but is prepared to take this issue to court if its not resolved. Im fighting for my seat. I have to stick with my voters, and I have to keep running, keep fighting for my seat, Lambert said. I guess if its decided that I can be removed, then Ill have to be reelected. KOIN 6 News requested to interview the city council, but a councilor said their city attorney has advised them not to comment publicly on the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. DENVER (KDVR) A Denver family is feeling lucky to be alive after a car plowed through their living room wall, sending only the driver to the hospital. Their house is at the corner of Canosa Court and Louisiana Avenue. We talked to a relative of the homeowner who wished to not have her name used. She calls her familys safety divine timing. Car crashes through Northglenn garage into backyard; 1 suspect in custody Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At around 3:40 p.m. Thursday, she got the call that a car plowed into her familys home. She said she was thankful it wasnt minutes sooner. They were sitting actually on the couch right next to the window 20 minutes prior to all this happening, she said. It shouldve hit them head-on. That couch was pushed several feet into the living room, which is now visible to the whole neighborhood. A neighbor says they saw the car fly through their yard first, where tire tracks were left behind in the grass. The car also hit a stop sign and dragged it with it across the street. It was pretty shocking, said the family member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The yard smells strongly of gasoline and she says it even got on the curtains. Paired with the uncertainty around the structural damage, the recently renovated home remains unlivable for at least the night. It makes you question everything, like, was it worth it that I bought this house? Was it worth it that I did all of this progress, she said. Aurora police: 18-year-old repeat violent offender arrested in drive-by shooting Denver police have not confirmed what caused the crash but told her they didnt smell alcohol or drugs on the driver, who was transported to the hospital. The family member believes the driver lost control of their car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speed was a factor based on what the neighbors say and how the damage is from two blocks away between lawns, she said. She said speeding is common along Louisiana Avenue, and wonders if anything like speed bumps can be done to slow drivers down. Can we make measures to all the corner houses? she asks. Can we make measures to anything that has, like, a wider street than the typical size? But above all, she feels thankful for those minutes that got her family off the couch. Family pleads with community to find loved one, 70, missing for nearly a week I would call it divine timing, she says. Who wouldve known what we wouldve lost? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She says the familys insurance is helping them cover a hotel for the night while an assessment is done to determine if the house can be lived in again. Denver Police have not given an update on the drivers condition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Warning: The details discussed in this story are extremely graphic and may be disturbing to some readers. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) On Feb. 14, 2025, 16-year-old Miranda Corsette, of Gulfport, met an older man through a social media app. What happened afterward can only be described as a series of horrific events that led to her death. Missing teen lured to mans home was killed, dismembered: St. Pete police Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a search warrant file in the Sixth Judicial Circuit, the circumstances of Mirandas murder were described in disturbing detail as St. Petersburg police took testimony from the suspects, 35-year-old Steven Gress and 37-year-old Michelle Brandes, as well as other witnesses. The investigation begins The St. Petersburg Police Departments investigation into Mirandas disappearance and death began on March 6, when a man spoke to an officer, saying Brandes told him she helped murder and dismember a teenage girl. Detectives took over the case and learned of several calls for service involving Brandes, Gress, and a woman who also lived at their apartment on 27th Avenue North. Hours before a detective arrived at the residence, Gress was arrested for an alleged domestic battery and Brandes left to go to her mothers house in Largo. Steven Gress, 35 (St. Petersburg Police Department) The following morning, a neighbor living in an upstairs apartment told detectives that she was glad Gress was arrested and that he lived with Brandes and another woman in the apartment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taken to the incinerator: St. Pete police say theyre unable to recover slain teens body [The lead detective] asked [the neighbor] if she had seen any younger females there recently, and her response was, Well there was that one girl with black hair who was there for few days, but she never left.' the warrant stated. [The neighbor] explained that she watches through her surveillance cameras and had never seen the dark-haired female leave after coming and going a couple of times after Valentines Day. Initially, detectives asked Gress why Brandes would say she helped him commit a murder. The lead detective wrote that he was surprised at Gress lack of reaction. Gress stated that Michelle Brandes was a liar, prostitute, was addicted to drugs, and nothing that came from her could be believed, the warrant stated. How Gress met Miranda About an hour after talking to Gress, detectives spoke with the couples roommate. According to the warrant, she told detectives the pair had tensions because Gress wanted an open relationship, but Brandes was jealous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The female resident went on to say that Gress would find disadvantaged women and girls who were either homeless or addicted to drugs, the warrant said. She stated that Gress was very abusive to both she and Brandes and would kill animals he got from Craigslist. Gress later corroborated the animal story, saying he killed animals so he wouldnt kill other people, detectives said. When asked about the murder victim, the roommate began crying and said Gress met Miranda through Grindr. The 35-year-old had sex with the 16-year-old before taking her back home, according to police. Homicide victim Miranda Corsette (WFLA) The roommate said Miranda came back early the next day, at which point a ring belonging to Gress went missing. Angered at this, the suspect called Brandes over to help get the ring back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The female resident told [detectives] that she felt Brandes had taken the ring in order to get Gress not to like the girl because she was jealous and went on to say that Gress and Brandes had beaten Miranda, eventually killing her, the warrant stated. Days of torture While Gress initially denied any murder, he later confessed in an interview with detectives on March 7. Steven Gress started off by stating this was never supposed to happen,' the warrant stated. Gress claimed that he initially believed the victim was 20 years old, but she later told him her real age. Detectives said the murder suspect confessed to torturing Miranda with Brandes for a week, beating the teenager and sexually abusing her while searching her person for the ring. According to the warrant, Gress admitted to getting the teenager medicine to help her heal just to hurt her again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New details released in Gulfport teen kidnapped, dismembered after connecting with man Gress stated his goal was to get his ring back and send Corsette home in couple of days after she healed up, the warrant said. Gress stated he even bought her sore throat spray because Brandes had choked her out. During this time, a neighbor came over to the apartment to give Gress a joint and saw Miranda wrapped in a towel, sitting in a corner on the floor. The neighbor stated that she told the girl to give him his ring back so he would let her go, and the girl responded, I dont have his ring,' the warrant stated. The neighbor stated that the girl was not free to leave, but she didnt call the police because she figured the girl was just like the two female residents who always come back after being beaten by Gress. Michelle Brandes (Credit: St. Petersburg Police Department) According to the warrant, Gress also said he sent photos and texts about the torture to multiple associates, including his mother. Five photos sent on Feb. 18 were said to show Corsette nude with more and more injuries with the final photo showing that the teenagers head was so swollen that she was almost unrecognizable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While his mother told him to let Miranda go, not a single one of the text recipients contacted the police. Detectives said Gress and the roommate told them that Brandes put Saran Wrap on the teenagers face, covering her airways against Gress instructions not to suffocate her. In another interview, Brandes said she was a victim and was threatened to do whatever her boyfriend said. In any case, Miranda died after the plastic was wrapped around her face, according to police. Disposing of the body Detectives said Gress, Brandes, and their roommate took Mirandas remains to a home belonging to Brandes mother in Largo. Gress told detectives that, within hours of arriving at the Largo residence, he cut off Corsettes head and extremities using a chainsaw on a pole that was in the shed, the warrant stated. Gress told detectives that afterward, Brandes bagged it all up in white garbage bags. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remains were later taken to a dumpster in Ruskin, but St. Petersburg police said they would not be able to find Mirandas remains. The dumpster was taken to a transfer station, and from the transfer station, those items were in fact taken to the incinerator, Maj. Shannon Halstead said. Despite not finding the remains, police have found other evidence that linked Mirandas remains to the Largo home. Suspected biological material, which tested presumptive positive for the presence of blood and was consistent with human flesh, was located on the northside of the residence, the warrant stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other biological evidence included stains that tested presumptive positive for blood on the exterior of the Largo home, plastic wrap and blue tape in Gress vehicle that contained many hairs, and the presence of blood in Gress vehicle. Both Gress and Brandes have been charged with first-degree murder and other charges in Mirandas death. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. This story was originally published on Utility Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Utility Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Five advanced nuclear companies have received conditional commitments for early supplies of high-assay, low-enriched uranium from the U.S. Department of Energys HALEU Availability Program, DOE said Wednesday. The five awardees Kairos Power, Radiant Nuclear, Westinghouse, TerraPower and X-energy subsidiary TRISO-X met DOEs prioritization criteria for early HALEU deliveries, beating out 10 other applicants, DOE said. Three of the five need fuel this year, it said. If the awards are finalized, DOE will supply the HALEU from National Nuclear Security Administration stockpiles and other DOE-controlled reserves, it said. The National Defense Authorization Act of 2024 directed DOE to make at least 21 metric tons of HALEU available to advanced reactor developers by June 2026. Dive Insight: Many advanced nuclear technology companies have designed their reactors to run on HALEU, a more potent form of uranium than the low-enriched uranium used by the 94 commercial nuclear reactors in operation today. HALEU blends contain up to 20% by weight of the fissile U-235 isotope, whereas LEU is 3% to 5% U-235. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most HALEU-fueled reactor designs also use non-water coolants, such as molten metals or salts, allowing them to run at lower pressures and thus operate more safely than conventional water-cooled reactors, their developers say. Historically, DOE has produced HALEU for its own stockpiles by downblending high-enriched uranium. HALEU can also be made by enriching LEU to U-235 concentrations between 5% and 20%. HALEU remains scarce in the United States, however. Civilian production is held back by market uncertainties and infrastructure gaps, DOE says. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission cleared the way in early 2023 for a Centrus subsidiary to begin HALEU enrichment, but its Piketon, Ohio, plant will take several years to scale up its output. The plant has delivered 545 kilograms of HALEU to DOE and is on track to deliver 900 kilograms, or 0.9 metric tons, by the end of June, Centrus said in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last May, Congress authorized $2.7 billion for expanded U.S. production of LEU and HALEU-derived nuclear fuels in a law that also banned all nuclear fuel imports from Russia after 2027. In the meantime, the Wednesday announcement shows that DOE is ready to make commitments to nuclear reactor developers that it will supply HALEU from its existing stockpile of material in the near-term, Nuclear Innovation Alliance Senior Analyst Erik Cothron said in an email. Its now essential that these conditional commitments are converted into firm contracts. DOE will now initiate the contracting process and could deliver HALEU to the first awardees as soon as this fall, with additional allocation rounds to follow, it said. Congress authorized the HALEU Availability Program in 2020 to catalyze domestic enrichment capacity and reduce U.S. reliance on a complex global nuclear fuel market [and] meet the scale of future demand, Cothron said. Existing HALEU stockpiles held by the NNSA or U.S. national labs are adequate to meet near-term demand, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement X-energys four metric-ton award is more than half the amount needed for the first core load at the companys first planned commercial plant, a four-reactor facility that would provide power and heat to Dow Chemicals Seadrift petrochemical plant in Texas, a company spokesperson said in an email. If Dow decides to move forward with the 320-MWe project and the NRC approves the construction permit application the companies submitted in March, those reactors could begin construction later this decade and come online in the early 2030s, X-energy and Dow said last month. X-energy also plans to deploy at least four and up to 12 of its 80-MWe small modular reactors at Energy Northwests Columbia Generating Station in Richland, Washington, as part of a deal with Amazon that could see more than 5 GW of new nuclear capacity commissioned by 2039. Another DOE HALEU awardee, Kairos Power, said in October that it would work with Google to deploy 500 MW of new capacity by 2035, with first power as soon as 2030. To prepare, Kairos is building two low-power test reactors at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee. Recommended Reading BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- China has developed the world's first emergency medical rescue drone, which addresses critical gaps in disaster response in extreme environments, according to Science and Technology Daily. The drone has been created by Haishen Medical Technology Co., Ltd. under the China State Shipbuilding Corporation, in collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and other industry partners. According to the company, the drone is equipped with advanced medical functions, including respiratory support, intravenous infusion, vital sign monitoring, defibrillation, and remote real-time video surveillance. Huang Yuhong, chairman and chief engineer of Haishen Medical Technology Co., Ltd., said the drone is capable of conducting precise search and rescue operations in harsh environments, including humid, salty and turbulent seas, extreme temperatures ranging from minus 25 to 46 degrees Celsius, and altitudes of up to 5,000 meters. In addition to its search and rescue capabilities, the drone can provide on-site emergency medical treatment and swiftly transport injured or ill individuals. "Weighing 600 kilograms with a payload capacity of 300 kilograms, the drone integrates autonomous flight modes, such as waypoint navigation and hovering, with remote ground control, enabling rapid deployment in disasters and epidemics," Huang said. "By combining our core expertise in medical equipment and drone technology with cutting-edge artificial intelligence, we've pioneered a solution that significantly enhances China's smart emergency medical rescue capabilities," Huang added. In Reality Check stories, Star-Telegram journalists dig deeper into questions over facts, consequences and accountability. More. Dozens of international students in Texas have had their visas revoked in recent days, and universities in North Texas lead the state in cancellations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in late March that over 300 student visas had been revoked because of their holders involvement in campus protests against Israels war with Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Referring to them as lunatics, Rubio accused student visa holders who participated in protests of lying to get their visas, then coming to the United States to participate in movements that are involved in doing things like vandalizing universities, harassing students, taking over buildings, creating a ruckus. That sentiment appears to be reflected in supporters of the Trump administrations immigration policy, some of whom took to social media Thursday to say that people in the country on student visas do not have the Constitutional rights to free speech or assembly. You cant be here on the privilege of a visa and act like an idiot when you are a guest in our country, wrote one commenter on the Star-Telegrams Facebook post that shared the article on the visas being revoked. Go to college and learn. Its not an activist visa its a student visa. If you act like a fool you get sent home. What does the Constitution say about who has the right to free speech? The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution states: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nowhere in the amendment does it say that the rights to freedom of speech and assembly are exclusive to U.S. citizens. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council who holds a law degree from Georgetown University, said the Supreme Court recognized in 2001 that the right to due process, and thus the liberties enshrined in the Bill of Rights, applies to anyone within the United States borders. Once an alien enters the country, the legal circumstance changes, for the Due Process Clause applies to all persons within the United States, including aliens, whether their presence is lawful, unlawful, temporary, or permanent, the court ruled. Found in the Fifth and Fourteenth amendments, the Due Process Clause states that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important to recognize that the First Amendment is not a grant of rights to U.S. citizens, its a restriction on the government from violating the inherent right to free speech that all people have, Reichlin-Melnick said. The right to free speech, as the founders believed it, was inalienable, he said in an interview. It cannot be taken away. It is a universal human right that applies to all people, and the government may not restrict it, and that is why an immigrant who is here also has freedom of speech. The Constitution does limit some rights to citizens only, such as the right to vote and hold office, as well as the right to bear arms. But just because immigrants have fewer rights doesnt mean they have no rights, and they too enjoy the basic constitutional protections of free speech and due process, Reichlin-Melnick said. Here's what else we've Reality Checked: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is AI 'manipulating' your thermostat? Are American Airlines flight attendants really going to strike? True or false: Snakes can swim up your toilet What options do the international students whose visas were revoked have now? International students whose visas have been revoked no longer have legal status to be in the country, so they will need to seek legal representation, Reichlin-Melnick said. He pointed to a ruling out of a federal court in New Hampshire on Thursday that granted a temporary restraining order for an international student whose visa had been revoked. The ruling blocked the Trump administration from terminating the legal status of Xiaotian Liu, who claimed the Department of Homeland Security violated his Fifth Amendment right to due process when it terminated his F-1 student visa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ruling will likely lead to more litigation, Reichlin-Melnick said. Still, other students will likely opt to leave the country rather than fight it out in the courts. Of course, the long-term impact of this is that foreign students will not see the United States as a desirable place to study anymore, he said, adding that this could have very significant implications for universities, which tend to subsidize U.S. citizens tuition fees by charging foreign students full ride. Friday morning, dozens gathered in Banks County to celebrate the opening of a 200,000 square foot cold storage facility. The building will be used to put Georgia agricultural products on ice before being shipped all over the world. Millions and millions of dollars, and years of investment went into this, Will Bentley, a cattle farmer and president of the Georgia Agribusiness Council, said. Each year, Georgia farmers produce the most peanuts, pecans, and chicken in the nation. More than $1 billion of those products then get sent overseas in trade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to federal data, Georgia exported $3.9 billion in agricultural products in 2022. That includes more than $1 billion worth of cotton and more than $500 million in chicken. But with a trade war, some are concerned those numbers could drop, especially considering one of the biggest international buyers is China. RELATED STORIES: China is one of the largest purchasers of corn beef, chicken and some other crops, Emory professor Saloni Firasta-Vastani said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She worries the trade war could damage exports to a country that bought $30 billion in agricultural products in 2022 while also increasing costs for producing agricultural products. However, Bentley said the tariffs provide a chance to level the playing field. Its about as painful as it gets right now, and that has nothing to do with tariffs, Bentley said. Bentley said many farmers are struggling with an unfair system that has Georgia Farmers undercut by countries that do not pay as much for labor nor deal with some of the same regulations. There is going to be some short-term pain, but we are hoping ultimately it will lead to some better years when we come out of it, Bentley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firasta-Vastani warns that trade deals could impact the bottom-line consumers pay. It would level, somewhat, the playing field, but it does translate to consumers paying higher prices, Firasta-Vastani said. However, many farmers and consumers hope the end result will make local farmers more competitive without costing consumers or international trade partners. Every now and then, you have to renegotiate with our partners because they can get lopsided, Bentley said. We need something, we need help, and we hope this is a catalyst for better times. Some U.S. couples could face a minimum of $3,000 in a birth tax under President Trumps executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship, according to a cost analysis conducted by a non-partisan think tank. The National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) used current government fee structures for proving U.S. citizenship to calculate the tax. Nearly half of the costs ($1,385) would go toward completing the required 14-page Application for Certificate of Citizenship through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the group estimated. At least another $1,500 would go for legal fees associated with completing the government form or one like it if Trumps executive order were to go into effect for children born in the U.S. to parents who are not Americans or legal permanent residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fees compiled by NFAP are contingent on Trumps executive action clearing legal hurdles. The birthright citizenship executive order is currently under a temporary nationwide ban, but the Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to lift the ban. The nations highest court has not yet ruled on the matter. President Donald Trump holds up an executive order in the White House President Trump displays an executive order he signed March 26. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) Margaret Stock, an immigration and citizenship attorney with Cascadia Cross Border Law Group who worked with NFAP on the study, told NewsNation that the $3,000 estimate is very conservative. She said families could pay much more depending on how complicated the immigration status of the childs parents is considered by government officials and other unforeseen costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To determine estimated costs, Stock said NFAP used the fees associated with the N-600 citizenship form that is used by parents in the U.S. whose children are born overseas but are seeking American citizenship and are required to file paperwork with USCIS. However, she predicts that paving a road where a birth tax becomes a reality for immigrant parents is far from completion due to the unsettled nature of the legality of Trumps order. Theres no existing process in place to do what the president wants to do, Stock said. What Trumps executive order ending birthright citizenship does The order prevents U.S. government agencies from issuing citizenship to anyone when the persons mother is not in the country legally or was temporarily legal at the time of the childs birth and if the persons father is not a U.S. citizen or a legal resident at the time of the childs birth. FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2015, photo, a woman in Sullivan City, Texas, who said she entered the country illegally, walks with her daughter who was born in the United States, but was denied a birth certificate. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) In this 2016 photo, a woman in Sullivan City, Texas, who said she entered the country illegally, walks with her daughter who was born in the United States but was denied a birth certificate. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the executive order, Trump wrote that the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which affords U.S. citizenship to anyone born in the country, has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the nations borders. The order was immediately met with legal challenges filed by attorneys general in 22 states and by immigrant advocacy groups, which sued the Trump administration over his sweeping immigration actions since returning to the White House. Federal judges in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Washington state , have blocked the order while the matter is being considered by the courts. The American Civil Liberties Union called the order unconstitutional and reckless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for the Trump administration argued the order should only be blocked in states where judges have ruled against the orders legality and constitutionality. How costly would ending birthright citizenship be to expecting parents? Stock first calculated the costs to prospective parents affected by birthright citizenship in 2012, when she was debating the topic and first collaborated with NFAP on the cost analysis, which estimated the birth tax at the time would be around $1,600. Now, in addition to fees nearly doubled from the initial study, NFAP believes biometrics would have to be submitted to USCIS or another agency to confirm the babys identity, a test which currently costs $85 per person, Stuart Anderson, NFAPs executive director wrote for Forbes. Anderson told NewsNation that the Trump administration has not provided details about how it plans to verify whether a child is a U.S. citizen. He said the administration will likely not allow for an honor system in which the parents are taken at their word about their own citizenship status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) did not immediately respond to requests for comment from NewsNation about the NFAP cost estimates. Even more costs could be added if the parents and newborn babies were required to appear in person at the Social Security Administration or if DNA tests are needed to determine the babys father, Stock said. The Alaska-based immigration attorney said she has been involved in some citizenship cases in which parents paid upwards of $50,000 in fees to settle their childs citizenship, making the $3,000 figure a bare minimum parents could pay. I dont think (the Trump administration) is paying any attention to the economic costs at all, Stock told NewsNation. Were talking about a wholesale change to the entire system for acknowledging peoples citizenship in America and theres no bureaucracy in place to do any of this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (NewsNation) Some U.S. couples could face a minimum of $3,000 in a birth tax under President Donald Trumps executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship, according to a cost analysis conducted by a non-partisan think tank. The National Foundation for American Policy used current government fee structures for proving U.S. citizenship to calculate the tax. Nearly half of the costs ($1,385) would go toward completing the required 14-page Application for Certificate of Citizenship through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the group estimated. At least another $1,500 would go for legal fees associated with completing the government form or one like it if Trumps executive order were to go into effect for children born in the United States, but to parents who are not Americans or legal permanent residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Republicans pass bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote The fees compiled by NFAP are contingent on the executive order clearing legal hurdles. The birthright citizenship executive order is currently under a temporary nationwide ban, but the Trump administration has asked the U.S. Supreme Court to lift the ban. The nations highest court has not yet ruled on the matter. President Donald Trump displays an executive order he signed announcing tariffs on auto imports in the Oval Office of the White House on March 26. (Photo by MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images) Margaret Stock, an immigration and citizenship attorney with Cascadia Cross Border Law Group who worked with NFAP on the study, told NewsNation that the $3,000 estimate is very conservative. She said families could pay much more depending on how complicated the immigration status of the childs parents is considered by government officials and other unforeseen costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To determine estimated costs, Stock said NFAP used the fees associated with the N-600 citizenship form that is used by American parents whose child is born overseas but seeks American citizenship and is required to file paperwork with USCIS. However, she predicts that paving a road where a birth tax becomes a reality for immigrant parents is far from completion due to the unsettled nature of the legality of Trumps order. Theres no existing process in place to do what the president wants to do, Stock said. What Trumps executive order ending birthright citizenship does The order prevents U.S. government agencies from issuing citizenship to anyone when the persons mother is not in the country legally or was temporarily legal at the time of the childs birth and if the persons father is not a United States citizen or a legal resident at the time of the childs birth. In this 2016 photo, a woman in Sullivan City, Texas, who said she entered the country illegally, walks with her daughter who was born in the United States but was denied a birth certificate. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) In the order, Trump wrote that the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which affords U.S. citizenship to anyone born in the country, has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the nations borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHS says it will weigh antisemitic content in immigration applications The executive order was immediately met with legal challenges filed by attorneys general in 22 states and by immigrant advocacy groups, which sued the Trump administration over the executive order. Federal judges in Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Washington state , have blocked the order while the matter is being considered by the courts. The American Civil Liberties Union called the order unconstitutional and reckless. Attorneys for the Trump administration argued the order should only be blocked in states where judges have ruled against the orders legality and constitutionality. How costly would ending birthright citizenship be to expecting parents? Stock first calculated the costs to prospective parents affected by birthright citizenship in 2012, when she was debating the topic and first collaborated with NFAP on the cost analysis, which estimated the birth tax at the time would be around $1,600. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, in addition to fees nearly doubled from the initial study, NFAP believes biometrics would have to be submitted to USCIS or another agency to confirm the babys identity, a test which currently costs $85 per person, Stuart Anderson, NFAPs executive director wrote for Forbes. After skipping Trump inauguration, Michelle Obama says I chose to do what was best for me Anderson told NewsNation that the Trump administration has not provided details about how it plans to verify whether a child is a U.S. citizen. He said the administration will likely not allow for an honor system in which the parents are taken at their word about their own citizenship status. The Trump administration and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment from NewsNation about the NFAP cost estimates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even more costs could be added if the parents and newborn were required to appear in person at the Social Security Administration or if DNA tests are needed to determine the babys father, Stock said. The Alaska-based immigration attorney said she has been involved in some citizenship cases in which parents paid upwards of $50,000 in fees to settle their childs citizenship, making the $3,000 figure a bare minimum parents could pay. I dont think (the Trump administration) is paying any attention to the economic costs at all, Stock told NewsNation. Were talking about a wholesale change to the entire system for acknowledging peoples citizenship in America and theres no bureaucracy in place to do any of this. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Arts South Dakota is keeping a close eye on any federal funding cuts as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) continues to reduce government spending. Part of the concern stems from the South Dakota Humanities Council finding out April 3 that 100% of its federal funding was cut. Arts South Dakotas executive director Jim Speirs says the federal budget for arts is already one of the smallest portions of the overall federal budget. Federal funding cuts cancel Dakota Dreams camps Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), annual budget is $207 million. That is 0.003 3/10,000 of a percentage of our national budget, of our federal budget. So we are talking a drop in the bucket. That would be like Arts South Dakota deciding not to buy paper clips next year, Speirs said. As DOGE cuts are already being felt in South Dakota, Speirs says any budget cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts would have a direct impact. Nearly half of the South Dakota Arts Councils budget comes from the NEA. In some of the activities these grants, funded involved nearly 7,000 artists and almost 125,000 youth. So the impact is great. It really provides access to the arts for all South Dakota. And so its vital that, that these agencies survive, Speirs said. Speirs says more than 70% of the state art councils total budget goes to local art organizations and artists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those artists who received a grant from the SDAC is Mecca Rutherford, who is a Sioux Falls oil painter. She says her current gallery Dazzling Dakota displayed at the Center for Western Studies at Augustana University in Sioux Falls wouldnt exist without the grant from the state arts council. My greatest vision is bigger than what I really could afford. And so just that little boost of that small grant money in the grand scheme of things has been hugely impactful for not only my career, but I think for our state, Rutherford said. Rutherford says the footprint her art has made in the community is an example of how state and federal dollars are helping elevate the beauty of South Dakota. Its been going for three months and has two more weeks left. And in those three months, hundreds of people have come through the show, Rutherford said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The South Dakota Arts Council tells KELOLAND News it has, not received any official information regarding potential federal budget cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts but will continue to monitor the situation. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In January, Annies food stamps suddenly dropped down to $56 a month, roughly one-quarter of what she had been receiving for the past six years. Unable to work or drive due to her Crohns disease and a predisposition to seizures, she relies on services like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and FlexRide, a Medicaid program that provides transportation for people with disabilities. But around the same time her benefits decreased, FlexRide started to become harder to access, too, she told Salon in a phone interview. She is concerned that cuts being debated at the federal government could make these services even less accessible. Its very, very difficult to reach anybody, Annie, who is using her first name only for privacy reasons, said about FlexRide. The apps arent working a lot of the time, so I have to ask my folks to pay for Lyft, which is expensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Trump administration continues to make sweeping cuts to federal agencies, people with disabilities are concerned that programs they need to survive will be caught in the crosshairs. Advocates are concerned that terminating diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives will make disability a word like gender or race that can make grants ineligible for government funding. They also emphasize that closing the Department of Education could remove protections for students with disabilities. Many say dismantling the Administration for Community Living (ACL), which provides support for people with disabilities and aging populations, will make it harder for people to stay in their communities. Although the administration said cutting ACL would not impact Medicaid, many are concerned that Medicaid cuts being proposed by Congressional Republicans will take away their health care, leaving them unable to pay for expensive services. Annie said she is already stockpiling some of her medications because she is afraid that she wont be able to afford them if Medicaid is cut. One of her primary medications for Crohns costs roughly $4,000, she said. A lot of times with disabilities come chronic health issues, and so this can even be a life and death kind of thing, said Dr. Joseph Stramondo, a philosophy professor at San Diego State University who specializes in bioethics and disabilities. If we start cutting Medicaid and defunding all these programs, that is a recipe for disaster when it comes to disabled people being able to access this sort of basic health care. Advocacy by people with disabilities is largely responsible for many of the laws designed to increase accessibility and equity that are currently in place. When people gathered across more than 1,400 "Hands Off" protests this weekend to resist some of the changes proposed by the Trump administration, advocates in the disability community who couldnt attend met online. Then this week, hundreds of disability advocates protested the proposed cuts to Medicaid outside of the Capitol building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A coalition of disability rights organizations including the American Association of People with Disabilities filed a lawsuit last week against the Social Security Administration, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE, which is not a government agency), and other government agencies alleging that these cuts unlawfully harm Americans with disabilities. Want more health and science stories in your inbox? Subscribe to Salon's weekly newsletter Lab Notes. Americans with disabilities deserve a functioning Social Security system, not arbitrary shutdowns and inaccessible service, said AAPD president and CEO Maria Town in a statement. We filed this lawsuit because disabled Americans are already suffering and without urgent court intervention, the harm will only grow. Last month, President Donald Trump said the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) will handle special needs moving forward. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a social media post that the agency is fully prepared to take on the responsibility of supporting individuals with special needs and would make the care of our most vulnerable citizens our highest national priority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his last term, Trump invested millions of dollars in services for people with disabilities and launched a task force focused on creating more employment for people with disabilities. However, sources say this term is different. According to Trump, the goal of DOGE is to "slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures and restructure federal agencies." Yet disability advocates say some of the decisions made to reduce spending are being made at the expense of some of the countrys most vulnerable. Its about shifting priorities and moving away from social support and things that people need to live their lives toward other priorities, said Dr. Michael Rembis, a history professor and director of the Center for Disability Studies at the University at Buffalo. The rhetoric is all in the name of cost-savings and efficiency, but it hasn't really been shown through any studies that I'm aware of that this is a more efficient or cost effective way to manage care. Before his last term even began, Trump mocked a reporter with disabilities. In January, he cast blame on people with disabilities employed at the Federal Aviation Administration after a plane crash in Washington D.C. killed 67 people. Kennedy has repeatedly touted misinformation linking autism to vaccines, and many fear his proposed plan to bring back mental health farms would lead many people with disabilities to be reinstitutionalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Kennedys] idea about creating these sort of mental health care farms is really a retrograde idea, Rembis told Salon in a phone interview. If we start removing people from the community and sending them to institutions, that is a real concern for disabled people and for people with mental health conditions. It remains unclear how HHS will handle the additional responsibility of providing services for people with disabilities, especially considering the 10,000 jobs that were recently cut. Since it was created in 1979, the Department of Education has been responsible for making sure states are compliant with educational standards. It also handles civil rights complaints that families with children with disabilities may file against local school districts, said Michael Gilberg, a special education attorney in New York and Connecticut. Abolishing the DOE could remove those federal protections, he said. As somebody who grew up with undiagnosed autism, I feel like this is going to hurt a lot of other children who are in the position I was in, who aren't going to get the chance to go to get services and get what they need to graduate, Gilberg told Salon in a phone interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the DOE was established, many children with disabilities did not receive an education and were institutionalized and siloed from the community. In 1975, Congress passed the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) that requires children with disabilities to be given educational opportunities tailored to their needs. The DOE plays a critical role in ensuring IDEA funding for children with disabilities is delivered to schools. Part of the reason the DOE was created was to uphold the mainstreaming of disabled kids after the passage of the [IDEA] in 1975, Rembis said. If they move all education concerns related to disabled people under HHS, then they're medicalizing kids in school, rather than treating them like other students and that is problematic as well. The responsibilities of ACL, the agency that distributes funding to more than 2,500 programs designed to help older Americans and people with disabilities live in the community, will be divvied up between the Administration for Children and Families, the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, according to HHS. Jill Jacobs, the executive director of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities and a Biden-era commissioner of ACL's Administration on Disabilities, said she is concerned that there wont be enough staff and resources available after the funding cuts to deliver funding to these programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These include services like Meals on Wheels, which serves 260 million meals to 2 million people each year. ACL also distributes funding to over 400 Centers for Independent Living across the country that help people with disabilities get jobs through employment training and similar programs. Meals on Wheels fate is still uncertain. Laws like IDEA that require services to be delivered to people with disabilities have not been changed by these decisions announced by the Trump administration, but the question that remains is: How are those mandatory services going to be delivered without the agencies and staff that have been put in place to handle them? What Im struggling with and what people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families are struggling with and want to understand is: What is the plan? Jacobs told Salon in a phone interview. People with disabilities and their families and the folks that support them need to be a part of that plan because we cannot have people make decisions about the lives of disabled people without consulting them. It is unclear how exactly many of the changes announced by the Trump administration will be implemented. Trump can propose plans to reorganize federal agencies, but changes need to go through Congress. On the other hand, Trump has repeatedly bypassed Congress with little pushback. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some cases a lawsuit can reach federal court and effectively block President Donald Trumps orders. However, the Supreme Court can still side with the Republican administration if one of these cases reaches them, which is what happened this week with a case involving the reinstatement of thousands of federal workers who were fired. Nevertheless, people with disabilities say the actions that have been taken, including the massive staff layoffs in federal offices, are already impacting them. Daniel Davis, a policy analyst at ACL, was terminated from his position this week after working there for 15 years, he said. Although he is concerned about losing his health insurance with his employment, as Davis has disabilities that require medical treatment, he said he is more concerned that the restructuring of the ACL will disrupt services for the Americans with disabilities and older adults that it serves. "It feels like we're just not a priority," Davis told Salon in a phone interview. "Like they didn't even bother to come up with a reason for pushing us aside." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Annie can feel a flare-up coming on and has some new neurological symptoms she is getting checked out this week. The last thing she needs is more stress on her system, yet she doesnt have the luxury of tuning out the news when programs she needs to live are on the chopping block. How do you balance staying informed and not eating away at your own mental health? she said. I get told by my doctors that I have to manage my stress levels if I want to prevent a flare-up, so things are already super stressful and theyre just pouring gasoline on it. Yet she emphasized that she felt privileged compared to many other people with disabilities who do not have family there to help them care for themselves and navigate these administrative changes. I know that it is a million times worse for a lot of other people, and I think about that every day to put things in perspective, she said. Its crazy to think that somebody in my situation is sleeping out on the street. Thats not okay. PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) A Butler County man has been charged after he allegedly threatened to kill President Trump and other officials in YouTube videos. Shawn Monper, 32, has been charged in federal court after making threats against the president, United States Officials and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, according to the Department of Justice (DOJ). According to a complaint, on April 8 the FBI received a tip that a YouTube account named Mr Satan had posted several threats on the app between Jan. 15 and April 5. Monper allegedly bought a gun shortly after Trumps inauguration and in Feb. made comments about buying multiple guns since the start of his term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pennsylvania man convicted in murdering, dismembering Washington, D.C. photographer In March, Monper stated Eventually Im going to do a mass shooting and added that hes been buying 1 gun a month since the election, body armor, and ammo, according to the DOJ. The following threats were allegedly made by Monper: Nah, we just need to start killing people, Trump, Elon, all the heads of agencies Trump appointed, and anyone who stands in the way. Remember, we are the majority, MAGA is a minority of the country, and by the time its time to make the move, they will be weakened, many will be crushed by these policies, and they will want revenge too. American Revolution 2.0 Im going to assassinate him myself. This threat was made in a YouTube video titled Live: Trumps address to Congress. ICE are terrorist people, we need to start killing them. If I see an armed ice agent, I will consider it a domestic terrorist, and an active shooter and open fire on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, April 9 officers with the FBI and the Butler Township Police Department arrested Monper. He has a preliminary hearing scheduled for April 14. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. I want to applaud the outstanding and courageous investigative work of the FBI and the Butler Township Police Department, who thankfully identified and apprehended this individual before he could carry out his threats against President Trumps life and the lives of other innocent Americans, Attorney General Pamela Bondi said. Rest assured that whenever and wherever threats of assassination or mass violence occur, this Department of Justice will find, arrest, and prosecute the suspect to the fullest extent of the law and seek the maximum appropriate punishment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. The Justice Department will review its case against a former FBI informant who was convicted of lying about the Biden familys ties to Ukraine, prosecutors said in a court filing Thursday. Alexander Smirnov was sentenced to six years in prison for falsely telling FBI agents in 2020 that President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden had taken a $10 million bribe from Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company. Smirnovs story became central to the Republican-led effort to impeach then-President Biden. Smirnovs conviction on four federal charges was part of special counsel David Weiss investigation into Hunter Biden and related matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutor David Friedman gave little information in a court filing about what the review will entail and why it is being undertaken, writing only that the United States intends to review the governments theory of the case underlying Defendants criminal conviction. Friedman also asked the judge who oversaw the case to release Smirnov while he works through the appeals process, citing long-held complaints that he wasnt getting adequate medical attention while in prison. Born in the Soviet Union, Smirnov and his family immigrated to Israel as a child, and he later moved to the United States. He became a naturalized citizen and a prized informant for the FBI. But according to prosecutors, he invented the Ukraine bribery narrative to hurt Bidens 2020 campaign against Trump. The Justice Department secretly probed Smirnovs allegations in 2020, but nothing came of it. Three years later, during the run-up to the 2024 campaign, congressional Republicans brought national attention to Smirnovs unproven allegations and touted his record as an FBI informant. Their claims quickly went viral in the right-wing media ecosystem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid that GOP scrutiny, Weiss team re-interviewed Smirnov in 2023 to vet his allegations as they also investigated Hunter Biden. But Weiss concluded Smirnov was lying and should be prosecuted himself for repeatedly deceiving the FBI, prosecutors said in filings. CNNs Marshall Cohen contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological authority issued an orange alert on Friday for rarely strong gales that will sweep across the northern regions over the weekend, urging caution from the public. The National Meteorological Center (NMC) said in a forecast that starting Friday, winds of up to force 13 (37.0-41.4 m/s) on the national wind scale will hit parts of Inner Mongolia and Hebei. From 8 a.m. Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday, gales will affect more northern regions, including Shanxi and Beijing. The NMC also issued blue alerts for snowstorm, sandstorm and rainstorm that will affect more regions including parts of Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Gansu, as well as parts of central China. The NMC advised the public in affected regions to remain indoors and avoid lingering under tall buildings, billboards, temporary structures and trees when they are outdoors. China has a four-tier weather-warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin) BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- China stands ready to build a comprehensive strategic partnership with greater strategic focus and development vitality with Spain, Chinese President Xi Jinping said when meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez here on Friday. Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Spain, Xi said China will work with Spain to enhance the well-being of the two peoples, inject impetus into China-EU relations, and make greater contributions to promoting world peace, stability and development. He called on the two sides to continue to consolidate the political foundation of mutual support, trust and respect, and support each other on issues involving their core interests and major concerns, especially in safeguarding sovereignty and territorial integrity. Xi said the consumption demand and industrial transformation potential of China's more than 1.4 billion people will provide a strong impetus for the world economy, adding that China is willing to make good use of mutually beneficial and complementary cooperation advantages with Spain, give full play to the roles of economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation mechanisms, and tap the potential of cooperation in new energy, high-tech manufacturing, smart cities and other fields, so as to achieve more mutually beneficial cooperation outcomes. The two countries should continue the traditional friendship and strengthen understanding between the two peoples, and expand student exchange initiatives, he added. Noting that both China and Spain are positive forces supporting multilateralism and open cooperation, Xi said the two countries should promote the building of a fair and equitable global governance system, safeguard world peace and security, and promote common development and prosperity. Sanchez said that over the past 20 years since establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership, Spain and China have consistently maintained mutual respect and friendly cooperation, with bilateral relations continuing to deepen and develop steadily. Spain attaches great importance to its relations with China, unswervingly adheres to the one-China policy, and is willing to maintain high-level exchanges with China and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation and exchanges in various fields to push bilateral relations to a new level, Sanchez said. Noting that China is an important partner of the EU, he said Spain has always supported the stable development of EU-China relations. Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Xiang) Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) Judges have been warned against using preferred pronouns for transgender offenders who commit violent or sex crimes. Inappropriate use of preferred pronouns in such cases raises the risk of appearing biased or having predetermined the outcome, the Judicial Office warned in an alert to all judges and magistrates. It follows what the Judicial Office described as the increasingly common number of cases of violent or sexual offences where recognising a trans offenders biological sex affects the outcome of the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campaigners have expressed concern that transgender defendants who are biologically male and have committed sex attacks against women are being referred to as she in court. Last September, Lexi Secker, a trans rapist who was sentenced to more than six years in a male prison, was referred to as she by police, a judge and barristers throughout a trial in Swindon. Fiona McAnena, the director of campaigns for the charity Sex Matters, said at the time: This person is a man. Why dont the police say so? Do they think they have to pretend, because he now says hes a woman, even though he has committed the ultimate male crime of rape? It is very concerning to see the police pandering to the feelings of trans-identifying males. It does not give confidence that they are policing without fear or favour. Fiona McAnena of Sex Matters: It is very concerning to see the police pandering to the feelings of trans-identifying males - Andrew Milligan/PA The alert to judges and magistrates said that typically it should be unproblematic to refer to those who appear in court however they wish. However, it pointed to updated guidance in the Equal Treatment Bench Book, an official guide to how individuals should be treated in court. It said: [This] makes clear that in some cases, however, it may not be appropriate, or may even be extremely inappropriate, for the judge to use a defendants preferred pronouns, for example, in cases of violent or sex crimes by a transgender perpetrator. In these exceptional, but increasingly common judgments, where one sides case hinges on the recognition of the biological sex of the trans person as crucial, and the other side on the recognition of their chosen identification, judges need to be careful not to let the choice of gendered pronouns give an appearance of bias, or that there is predetermined conclusion. If possible, using the individuals name instead of a pronoun where these pronouns are contested, or alternatively, the gender-neutral pronoun of they, may help minimise offence towards or the undermining of an individuals personal identification, while also not giving it undue weight over the perceptions of others. The alert follows a ruling in Scotland on pronoun use in an employment tribunal in Scotland where Sandie Peggie, a nurse, was suspended after complaining about changing alongside Beth Upton, a male-born transgender doctor. Ms Peggie claimed she had been subject to harassment under the Equality Act. Judge Sandy Kemp, overseeing the case, ruled last month that Ms Peggie was allowed to refer to Dr Upton as a man throughout the tribunal as long as it was not done offensively or gratuitously. Since February last year, measures have prevented transgender women offenders from being housed in womens prisons if they have male genitalia or have committed sexual or violent crimes. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The federal courthouse in Sioux Falls. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight) A drugmaker is suing South Dakota over a law that bars the company from limiting drug discounts used to prop up providers who serve Medicaid patients. The lawsuit is from Chicago-based AbbVie Inc., which sells the wrinkle-remover Botox and the arthritis drug Humira, among other products. The litigation challenges the legality of a bill signed into law by South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden on March 11. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 154 bars drug companies from limiting the number of pharmacies that hospitals and clinics can contract with to distribute drugs through the federal 340B program. The bills supporters called 340B a lifeline for rural health care providers and pharmacies. Those providers are kneecapped by Medicare and Medicaid reimbursements too low to keep the lights on, they said, and they need the supplemental income. The bills opponents, however, argued that the way providers use 340B to recoup their expenses by getting drugs on the cheap and marking them up is unsustainable, harmful to patients and interferes in the free market. The Legislature sided with providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its lawsuit, AbbVie Inc. alleges that South Dakotas new law amounts to an illegal taking of the companys products by forcing it to provide them at a discount through contract pharmacies without any say in which or how many pharmacies are involved. The company also argues that SB 154 alters the terms of a federal law South Dakota legislators did not write and cannot legally modify, and that it seeks to regulate interstate commerce in a way only Congress has the power to do. The bill places an improper thumb on the scale and tilts the bargaining power in favor of in-state pharmacies and covered entities at the expense of out-of-state manufacturers, the lawsuit says. Other states have passed similar laws and faced similar lawsuits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AbbVie filed its lawsuit Thursday in U.S. District Court in South Dakota. Six days ago, a federal judge in Minnesota dismissed a similar case challenging the legality of a similar law in that state. The Eighth Circuit of Appeals ruled in favor of Arkansas for its version of the law. The pharmaceutical industry has also won some victories, though. Last summer, in a case filed by United Therapeutics Corporation in Washington, D.C., a three-judge panel upheld a lower courts ruling that the law behind the 340B program doesnt bar drugmakers from imposing limitations on how it distributes drugs through the program. Attorney General Marty Jackley is a named defendant in the South Dakota case, as is Larry Deiter, director of the state Division of Insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackleys office defends state law in court, regardless of Jackleys status as a named defendant in a case. His spokesman, Tony Mangan, told South Dakota Searchlight on Friday that the state had not yet been served with a copy of the lawsuit. History, changes to program The 340B program requires drugmakers who want to participate in Medicaid and Medicare to discount their prices for hospitals, clinics and other providers that serve low-income patients. Those covered entities can then sell those drugs at a higher price and use the difference to help fill budget gaps and keep the doors open for patients. When it became law in 1992, 340B was limited to a small subset of hospitals and clinics, like those serving mostly Medicaid patients. The Affordable Care Act of 2010 expanded 340B to a wider range of providers, roping in places that act as sole community hospitals for Medicaid patients who reside in rural geographies. Since then, according to a report from the American Hospital Association, the number of rural providers using it has more than doubled. Whats also happened, according to the lawsuit from AbbVie, is an expansion of access to lower prices by contract pharmacies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commercial pharmacies dont qualify as covered entities under 340B, meaning they dont have access to discounted drugs unless they contract with a health care provider who does. The lawsuit paints the agreements between Medicaid-serving providers and their contracted pharmacies as a way to make money on the backs of drugmakers and low-income patients. Instead of serving the covered entities uninsured and low-income patients, the for-profit contract pharmacies acquire manufacturers drugs at the federally discounted price, sell them to patients (including indigent patients) at full price, and pocket the difference, the lawsuit says. South Dakota providers: Program keeps us afloat Lobbyists for South Dakotas health care systems, rural hospitals and pharmacists offered a different perspective on the arrangements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mobridge Regional Hospital Director John Ayoub told lawmakers in February that his nonprofit system serves clients across North and South Dakota. We are the only hospital providing obstetrical services and delivering babies, as well as the only hospital providing general and trauma surgery services in at least a 100 mile radius in every direction, Ayoub said. Rep. Sydney Davis, R-Burbank, listens to testimony during the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on March 4, 2025. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Many of its patients qualify for Medicaid, Ayoub said, and low reimbursement rates mean the Mobridge system often operates in the red. It lost $600,000 last year, he said, and $1 million the year before. Without the financial prop-up of 340B funded by drugmakers, not taxpayers some services might have to end and people will die. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not hyperbole, he said. Its just a fact. Dillon Kjerstad operates independent pharmacies in Philp and Custer. He said the ability to collect a reasonable fee through 340B helps him keep the doors open. If drug companies were able to limit contract pharmacies, it might make it impossible for him to continue offering drugs to Medicaid patients. Driving 90 miles to Rapid City in the dead of winter just isnt an option for my pharmacys senior diabetic patient who needs medications now, Kjerstad said Feb. 19. Drug company lobbyists and the lobbyist for a free-market political organization told lawmakers that the bill seeks to solve a problem that ought to be solved by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Sydney Davis, R-Burbank, voted in favor of SB 154. Before casting her vote, though, she offered a nod to the notion that 340B fills a gap created by low federal reimbursement rates. Hospitals and clinics and pharmacies are playing the cards that theyve been dealt, Davis said. And Congress needs to take action. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DES MOINES, Iowa After a double booking caused Des Moines East High School to lose their post prom location, the school and community are fighting to keep the party on. The Des Moines East High School Facebook page posted on Thursday saying an issue with the original venue for after prom left them without a location. The school now has 20 days to pull together an after prom hosted at the high school. East Highs new post prom theme is Vegas night complete with casino tables, bingo, a wedding chapel, food and games. The school is excited for the new theme but says it will take community donations and support to make it happen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is Caitlin Clark purchasing the Salisbury House & Gardens? One alum said she saw the post and saw it as an opportunity to give back. For me prom was like a big thing that I remember from high school. One of the big memories that I loved. I just dont want these kids to have to go without because they have 20 days to come up with these things, said Jerzie Kouri, owner of Jerzies Balloon Bliss. I would want somebody to do that for me or my kids. You know what I mean? Step up and help and where they can. East Highs prom takes place April 26, with volunteers needed to decorate the school Friday night and Saturday morning, with a cleanup crew needed Sunday. The school is also seeking volunteers to chaperone from 10:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement East High is hoping to raise funds to support the additional costs for their new plan. They are inviting businesses to sponsor a table or activity. The school is seeking services, gift cards, decorations, snacks and beverages. To volunteer or donate you can reach out to Kari Warren at 515-745-6312 or email scarletprideinfo@gmail.com for details. If you would like to make a donation, you can Venmo to @scarlet-pride or mail to Scarlet Pride 815 E 13th St Des Moines, IA 50316. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. DENVER (KDVR) A Weld County man was sentenced to more than 100 years for attempting to murder two police officers in 2021. On Friday, the 19th Judicial District Attorneys Office said 34-year-old Levi Miller was sentenced to 156 years in the Colorado Department of Corrections. On Tuesday, a jury convicted Miller of the following charges: Two counts of attempted first-degree murder after deliberation Two counts of first-degree assault Four counts of attempted first-degree murder extreme indifference Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conviction and sentencing stem from an incident on Sept. 24, 2021. On that day, two Eaton police officers were called to a report of a domestic dispute at Millers home. When the officers arrived, the DAs office said Miller was armed with an MK47 rifle with a fully loaded 100-round drum. Former Castle Rock resident sentenced to 32 years to life for sexual assaults on 3 children The DAs office said Miller fired 30 rounds at the officers. The officers returned fire and struck Miller. During the shooting, Miller reportedly struck a neighbors house eight times one bullet hit their gas line, and the seven other bullets hit a bedroom wall where two children were sleeping. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These officers were simply doing their job that night by serving and protecting their community, Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Pirraglia said. I dont care if you call it luck, a blessing or a miracle. The fact that any of these people can walk into the courtroom today is simply amazing. Their entire job is to help people, to protect people and to keep our communities safe. Weld County Judge Audrey Galloway told the defendant during the sentencing hearing. Its astounding to me that you did not kill someone that day. Following an investigation, Weld County District Attorney Michael Rourke cleared both the officers and determined they were legally justified in their actions. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. TAIPEI, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Taiwan authorities are facing mounting backlash from academics, industry leaders, and labor groups over proposed trade concessions to the United States -- including zero tariffs on American imports, expanded procurement, and increased investment. The pushback follows Washington's demand for "reciprocal tariffs," prompting Taiwan to offer sweeping concessions in ongoing negotiations. However, experts have warned that even if the island eliminates tariffs, the United States could still impose punitive duties, leaving key sectors vulnerable. Lin Chu-chia, a professor of the Department of Economics at Taiwan's Chengchi University, called the Taiwan authorities' approach "completely wrong and very dangerous," noting that it misreads U.S. intentions and ignores Taiwan's industry risks. If zero tariffs are granted, sectors such as agriculture and automobiles will suffer severe damage, he said, adding that even more troubling is the likelihood that other trading partners will demand the same treatment, leaving Taiwan with little leverage to resist. An Economic Daily News report highlighted four industries at immediate risk: agriculture and fisheries, automobiles, health foods, and textiles. Ho Shih-Chang, CEO of Xin Chuan Real Estate Think Tank, warned that Taiwan's eight sectors, including steel, petrochemicals, plastics and tobacco, could also face a "tsunami" of competition if Taiwan comprehensively reduces tariffs on U.S. imported goods. "We're terrified," said Chiu Shih-en, chairman of the Poultry Association of Taiwan, echoing fears among livestock producers over proposed zero tariffs on American imports. Pig farmers have also urged the authorities to "stop sacrificing farmers." Labor unions, meanwhile, fear job losses. Ho Cheng-chia, president of Taiwan Solidarity Front Confederation of Trade Unions, said that tariff concessions could lead to layoffs and unpaid leave, urging the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities to negotiate with Washington based on the interests of Taiwan's 15 million workers, "not just out of the DPP's own interests." Taiwan's authorities have also pledged to boost purchases from the United States, including farm and industrial goods, petroleum and gas, while encouraging firms of various sectors, including chipmaker TSMC, to expand investments. But critics see desperation. A veteran journalist accused Taiwan authorities of "writing surrender terms before negotiations even begin," noting that Washington won't reciprocate. Chang San-cheng, mayor of Taoyuan City, raised security concerns, noting that shifting core industries like semiconductors to the United States risks weakening and hollowing out Taiwan's semiconductor industry. With U.S. tariffs looming, experts urge market diversification. Lin Chu-chia stressed restoring ties with the Chinese mainland to boost exports. Hsu Wen-Chung, an associate professor of international business studies at Taiwan's Chi Nan University, advocated reviving cooperation across the Taiwan Strait based on the 1992 Consensus, tapping into the mainland's market and supply chains while reopening the island to mainland tourists and students. Ecuadorians will head to the polls on Sunday in a runoff presidential election, choosing between a conservative incumbent or a leftist lawyer as the country struggles with a cocaine-fueled security crisis. President Daniel Noboa is vying for a full four years in office after winning a special election in 2023 to complete his predecessors term. He will be running against Luisa Gonzalez, the protege of Ecuadors left-wing former President Rafael Correa. The first round of voting in February ended with a near tie between both candidates. Whoever wins Sundays vote will have to steward a country suffering under surging violence and organized crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what you should know: An unending crimewave Once an island of peace in an otherwise turbulent region, the surging drug trade in recent years has caused Ecuador to have the highest homicide rate in Latin America in 2023, according to InSight Crime. The rate dropped slightly in 2024, but the violence continues as criminal groups have adapted and fragmented in the wake of a government crackdown. Noboa has sought to quell the problem with force, adopting a mano dura, or firm-handed, approach to fighting crime. Soon after Noboa took office in 2023, the country suffered back-to-back emergencies: a notorious gang leader escaped from prison; days later, a band of gunmen stormed a major TV station and took the staff hostage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, Noboa declared the first of several states of emergency and internal armed conflict in Ecuador, telling CNNs Christiane Amanpour that hed declared war on terrorists in his fight against gangs. Snipers position themselves on top of a roof inside the Litoral Penitentiary on January 7, 2024, in Guayaquil, Ecuador. - Romina Duarte/Agencia Press South/Getty Images People run from the premises of Ecuador's TC television channel after gunmen burst into the studio live on air on January 9, 2024, in Guayaquil. - AFP via Getty Images To stamp out the crime wave, Noboa has openly solicited the help of foreign governments and companies, especially from the United States. In March, Noboa raised eyebrows when he announced a strategic alliance to fight organized crime with Erik Prince, the founder of the controversial private defense contractor formerly known as Blackwater. Documents obtained by CNN show that the president is preparing to house US military forces in a new naval base on the Ecuadorean coast. Correa previously ended the US Navys lease on a similar base and banned foreign military bases from the country when Ecuador rewrote its constitution in 2008. Noboa has proposed lifting the ban. The presence of the US in Ecuador is a point of contention between Noboa and Gonzalez, who opposes foreign intervention in the countrys security issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with the crime wave, Ecuadoreans are struggling with a battered economy. Isabel Chiriboga, a Latin America expert at the non-partisan think tank Atlantic Council, wrote in February that the next president will have to steward an economy teetering on the brink of collapse. A hardline approach to crime Noboa, the American-born, Harvard-educated son of one of Ecuadors richest businessmen, became president after a surprise victory in 2023, where he beat Gonzalez in the second round. Throughout his first term, critics say Noboa has violated political norms, shocking Latin America when he ordered security forces to storm the Mexican embassy to arrest Jorge Glas, a former vice president under Correa accused of corruption. The breach of diplomatic protocol led Mexico to break off relations with Ecuador. Police raid a home during an early morning operation in search of a gang member on February 13, 2024, in Esmeraldas, Ecuador. - John Moore/Getty Images Police break into the Mexican embassy in Quito, Ecuador, on April 5, 2024. - David Bustillos/AP Ecuadorian soldiers stand guard over inmates at Litoral Penitentiary on February 9, 2024. - John Moore/Getty Images Noboa thinks that he can govern like he managed his companies, said Jean Paul Pinto, an Ecuadorean political analyst based in Quito. He thinks that in the same way that he gives orders inside his companies, he can do the same with the state. And thats not true. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noboa has strained against the legal limits of his office, initiating and winning a referendum to expand his security powers in April 2024. A key part of his security strategy was deploying the military to Ecuadors prisons, which criminal groups in the country have controlled for years with virtual impunity. Critics say the presidents approach is brutal, with little to show for it. We have seen no sign that (Noboa) has a long-term plan, said James Bargent, a journalist at InSight Crime who has studied Ecuadors prison crisis. What weve seen over the last year is just using force on its own is not effective. Its not broken this cycle of violence, Bargent concluded. As to the economy, Noboa has leaned heavily into economic proposals like cash payments and debt forgiveness for farmers affected by natural disasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now youre seeing (Noboa) really engaged in some tactics usually more associated with the populist left, said Will Freeman, a Latin America fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Its classic economic populism. A former presidents protege Gonzalez has grounded her campaign to Revitalize Ecuador, centering a return to the high social spending of Correas presidency. Under Gonzalez, well have more social policies for the poorest people in Ecuador, predicted Pinto. In the time of Correa, we had a strong state, with a lot of ministers. A charismatic socialist now in exile in Belgium, Correa remains a popular figure in Ecuadors politics despite allegations of corruption during his presidency. In 2020, an Ecuadorean court sentenced the former president to eight years in prison for bribery in absentia, a charge he has repeatedly denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonzalez has taken some steps to distance herself from him. In an interview with CNN shortly before the first round, she stressed that if she won, shed be in charge not her mentor. Im the president of my party, Gonzalez said, Im the one leading my campaign its my government plan, and my plans for the public. So who will rule? Itll be Luisa (Gonzalez). Low water levels are seen at the Mazar hydroelectric plant in Las Palmas, Ecuador, on April 18, 2024. - Edwin Tapia/AFP via Getty Images The country has seen several nationwide power cuts linked to the El Nino phenomenon drying up rivers that fuel its hydroelectric power plants. In response, Gonzalez has called for greater government intervention in Ecuadors power grid. As for the countrys biggest political issue, a Gonzalez government may take a more diplomatic approach to dealing with the gangs, Pinto said. Luisa is going to make a preventative effort, Pinto said. I think that shes going to negotiate with criminal groups to obtain a more peaceful country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonzalez has publicly denied that she would negotiate with criminals. Her partys plan states her government would strive to create a new model of security based on prevention, violence reduction and coexistence. The leftist politician is completely against bringing in muscle from abroad to tackle Ecuadors crime crisis, and has proposed reestablishing the Ecuadorean Ministry of Justice, which was dismantled in 2018. Shes also set on eliminating the agency that manages the countrys dysfunctional prisons. Freeman, however, thinks that Gonzalez may be just as hardline as Noboa, pointing to her mentors tenure in office. Correa was almost a proto-Bukele, Freeman pointed out, referring to the authoritarian president of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele. He (Correa) doubled the prison population. He built massive, massive prisons around the country and filled them with petty criminals. I think that it could be pretty mano dura under Gonzalez as well, even if shes not saying that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN reached out to the Gonzalez campaign on whether her administration might take a mano dura approach to crime. A possible fight ahead After the election moved to a runoff in February, both candidates claimed, without evidence, that the vote was possibly fraudulent. Freeman and Pinto both worry that without a significant-enough margin of victory, theres a possibility that neither candidate will concede. If Luisa loses on Sunday, there are going to be a lot of strikes, Pinto said. Especially in the coastal cities where Gonzalezs supporters are concentrated. Noboa has said, I will only concede if there are no signs of fraud, said Freeman. He did even say during the first round that he thought there was fraud. It sort of feels like hes rhetorically preparing the ground not to concede in the case of a very close outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN reached out to Noboas campaign for comment. Asked whether Gonzalez would concede if Noboa won by a small margin, her campaign manager Martha Roldan told CNN that Gonzalez cannot answer that question at this moment, but will address it when the time comes. CNNs Ana Maria Canizares and Abel Alvarado contributed reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com More than 150 miles of electrical power lines damaged by the Palisades and Eaton fires in Malibu and Altadena are slated to be replaced with underground lines, Southern California Edison announced Friday. The years-long project would reduce the future risk of wildfire in the devastated communities, officials said. The company's plan would target areas at higher risk of wildfires, with about 130 circuit miles of underground distribution lines being placed in high-fire-risk areas. SCEs initial rebuilding plan will underground electrical distribution infrastructure where practical and make the most of breakthrough technologies to reduce wildfire risk," said Pedro Pizarro, CEO of Edison International, SCE's parent company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project is expected to cost at least $860 million and could take years to complete, but officials said the plan would reduce the risk of wildfires in the area as well as the need for emergency power shutdowns during extreme weather events. SCE will build back a resilient, reliable grid for our customers, said Southern California Edison CEO Steven Powell. Read more: Secret changes Edison imposed after Eaton fire remain shrouded in mystery In Altadena, the underground lines would account for about half of the city's distribution lines, he said. "It's pretty significant," Pizarro said in an interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edison's plan comes after Gov. Gavin Newsom in March suspended key environmental laws for utility companies to rebuild infrastructure that was damaged and destroyed during the fires. The order eliminated the need for companies to comply with the California Environmental Quality Act and the California Coastal Act, and it encouraged utilities to build underground equipment where possible. Pizarro said the order helped Southern California Edison develop the plan for the underground lines, speeding the pathway to get the work underway. "Those are areas that have been pretty significantly destroyed, and our hearts are broken for them," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a plan sent to Newsom's office Friday, Edison's preliminary draft calls for a total of 153 circuit miles to be installed underground. In Altadena, about 40 circuit miles of power line would be replaced underground in neighborhoods that have been determined to be high-fire-risk areas. Another 23 circuit miles would be installed in neighboring areas. In Malibu, 90 circuit miles would be constructed in the city. Edison also is reviewing adding another 19 miles to the project in Altadena. In all, the project is expected to cost somewhere between $860 million and $925 million. Some of the areas could be completed within months, but others could take years. Pizarro said much of it depends on the community's rebuilding plans, the needs that arise as reconstruction projects get underway, and the permitting process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were working closely with state and county leaders and the communities of Altadena and Malibu to rebuild wildfire-impacted area stronger than ever, Pizarro said. The plan is a significant project to Edison, which was already requesting approval for projects to place about 600 miles of lines underground by 2028. Currently, the company has about 17,000 miles of distribution circuits in high fire risk areas, and about 7,000 miles of those are underground. The plan was drafted after more than 50 meetings with community members, and will include upgrades to the grid design in anticipation of increasing demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's a lot of interest in the community to do underground lines," Pizarro said. Lines that are not placed underground will be hardened and covered with insulation. Read more: Do you live in a wildfire hazard zone? Heres what that means Although the cost of the plan could near a billion dollars, officials said SCE was looking to work with local, state and federal officials to find ways to fund the project so that it doesn't translate to increased rates. "This is a lot of cost to the customer, so we're looking at either federal, state or philanthropic options to lower the cost," Pizarro said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company also is looking for ways to fund other direct costs for customers, he said. For example, connecting homes to the grid can cost the individual customer $8,000 to $10,000, he said. "We really want to find a way to avoid that being a cost that these communities have to pick up," he said. Some of those costs might be diverted through grants and other projects with state or local officials, he said. The current plan would only include distribution lines, which are the electrical wires that carry electricity from the grid into homes and businesses. Transmission lines, which carry a larger amount of electricity through regions, are not included in the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although speculation about what sparked the Eaton fire has centered on the area near three transmission towers in Eaton Canyon, Pizarro said the risk of electrical equipment sparking a wildfire is higher with distribution equipment. The company has explored the possibility of placing transmission lines underground but said doing so is less feasible because of factors such as the amount of electricity of the lines; rougher, steeper terrain; and higher costs. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A bill that would prohibit schools from using names, logos or mascots associated with Native Americans, including specific tribes, is headed to the Illinois Senate. The proposed legislation, which passed in the Illinois House of Representatives on Thursday with a 71-40 vote, could impact at least 11 metro-east schools. These include the Mascoutah Indians, Collinsville Kahoks, Cahokia High School Comanches and Whiteside Junior Highs Warriors. The bill has raised conversations on the House floor and beyond about the best ways to teach and preserve the states Native American history and if this can be done appropriately through schools mascots and imagery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do find it important to celebrate and recognize in a positive way what the Indian mascot means, Mascoutah School District 19 Superintendent David Deets said. To Mascoutah, and Im sure to other districts in Illinois, our Indian mascot is a source of pride and honor. But proponents of the bill said there are ways to commemorate the states Native American roots that wont be seen as divisive, racist or offensive. This argument that we are somehow teaching history and learning history through these mascots is nonsense, Rep. Laura Faver Dias (D-Grayslake), who is a former teacher, said on the House floor Thursday. Find a better way to teach and learn history. The bill was brought forth by Rep. Maurice A. West, the lawmaker behind the Freeburg mascot bill, which passed the Illinois House earlier this week. An abstract iron statue of a Kahok Indian has been displayed in Collinsville High School libraries for more than 50 years. The Class of 1970 commissioned St. Louis artist Emma Dale Drulis to create it. What would schools need to change? Names of federally recognized tribes and historical Native American people Mascots depicting Native Americans Imagery associated with Native American people, such as feathered headdresses, tomahawks and arrowheads Terms like Redskins, Braves, Chiefs, Chieftains, Tribe, Indians, or any synonymous term, logo or mascot depicting Native Americans Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the amended legislation would allow a school to continue using the name of a federally recognized tribe, and an agreed upon logo and mascot, so long as the tribe gives permission. The tribe and the school must also partner to create policies that prohibit slurs, stereotypes and other offensive portrayals. A school can continue using uniforms or other materials purchased before the legislations effective date that feature the name, logo or mascot until September 2030 so long as they dont acquire any more of such materials. They must also have chosen a new name, logo or mascot by July 1, 2026. The bill does not provide any funding mechanisms to make such changes. Deets and Collinsville School District 10 Superintendent Brad Skertich said even with the given lead time, the alterations could have multi-million dollar implications. At a time when everything is getting more expensive and when looking at our priorities in terms of safety, security, technology, finding high quality staff, spending over $2 million on a mascot or logo change, whether over five years or 10 years, is not a responsible use of funds, Skertich said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Indian Education Association and American Psychological Association previously made statements on the harm Native mascots may bring, including how it can perpetuate racial stereotypes and inaccurate portrayals of Indigenous culture, as well as impacting the self-esteem of Indigenous youth. Yes, theres a cost to schools to make these changes, but there is a cost to not doing that to students mental health (and) a cost to the culture and climate of the school, Faver Dias said. Frankly, sometimes there is a cost to doing the right thing. The Mascoutah school district received a letter of support from the Native American Guardians Association. The Associations motto, educate, not eradicate, is one Deets repeats. Skertich said the Collinsville district has a formal letter of endorsement from the Western Cherokee Nation of Arkansas and Missouri to use the Kahok mascot. The Western Cherokee Nation of Arkansas and Missouri is not a federally recognized tribe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve been doing this right for a long time, let us continue that opportunity, Skertich said. Heres how metro-east lawmakers voted: All House members from the metro-east voted against the bill. Eight people were injured in Russian artillery and drone strikes on populated areas of Kherson Oblast on 11 April. Source: Kherson Oblast Prosecutor's Office Quote: "Investigators have established that the Russian military once again attacked settlements in Kherson Oblast with artillery and drones on 11 April 2025. Eight people are reported to have been injured as of 17:30." Details: Kherson authorities reported that seven people had been injured in the city of Kherson and one in the village of Antonivka. Six of them had to be taken to hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian strikes also damaged houses, apartment blocks and cars of local residents. Ukrainian prosecutors, in collaboration with investigators, are documenting the aftermath of the attacks as another war crime committed by the Russian military. Under the procedural supervision of the Kherson Oblast Prosecutor's Office, a pre-trial investigation has been initiated into the violation of the laws and customs of war (Article 438.1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A Fabens man has been arrested and charged with repeat family violence and violating the conditions of his bond, the El Paso County Sheriffs Office said. Cesar Garcia was arrested on Thursday, April 10, and was charged with violating court orders or conditions on his bond and continuous violence against the family. On March 31, deputies were called out to the 400 block of Cima Street in Fabens. During their investigation, they learned that Garcia had assaulted a family member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies also later learned that Garcia had a previous charge for assault-family violence within the past 12 months and that he had violated the conditions of his personal recognizance bond. On Thursday, deputies found him at the same address in Fabens and arrested him. Garcia was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) An El Paso filmmaker is returning home in hopes of reframing narratives surrounding the U.S.-Mexico border. The El Paso Community Foundation is welcoming Valeria Contreras back home as the new artist for the Border Art Residency (BAR) for the spring and summer seasons. Valeria Contreras. Photo courtesy of the El Paso Community Foundation. The BAR is an El Paso Community Foundation project that enables artists to pursue their craft without the worry of immediate sales or an outside job to pay for housing expenses, according to a news release by the foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The residency provides artists like Contreras a six-month retreat for creative work with a fully furnished living space and work studio in El Pasos historic Five Points neighborhood, a monthly stipend, and paid utilities, the release said. Contreras is an award-winning filmmaker and a University of Chicago and Columbia University graduate. She has received the Michael Hausman/Buffalo Mike Filmhaus Foundation Award and the 3Pas Studios Award, according to the news release. In addition, Contreras has served on the Young Mezcal Jury at the Festival Internacional de Cine en Guadalajara and is the founder of her independent production company, Apis Mellifera Productions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Apil Mellifera Productions is collaborating with different filmmakers worldwide, including from the U.S., Colombia, Nigeria and Canada, according to the El Paso Community Foundation. Currently, Contreras is developing a feature film screenplay, Oranges, that is set in El Paso. After growing up in this community, I am passionate about reframing narratives surrounding the U.S.-Mexico border. With Oranges, I aim to highlight connections family, love, and shared experiences rather than the often-emphasized themes of separation, violence, and chaos. The story explores the relationship between two sisters and their sense of movement across time, anchoring their story with the historic El Paso streetcars, Contreras said. Contreras first short film, Homesick, screened at festivals, including Femme Frontera and the Oscar-qualifying Atlanta Film Festival, according to the El Paso Community Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To donate to the El Paso Community Foundation or to learn more about the Border Art Residency, you can visit the foundations website, visit the BARs website, or call (915) 533-4020. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DELTA COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) A man who had a building purchase fall through and was later sentenced for the attempted murder of one of the people involved saw his appeal denied. The Colorado Court of Appeals announced Thursday it affirms the conviction of William Henry Harmon who was found guilty of first-degree attempted murder and two counts of stalking. Harmon, who turns 85 in August, was sentenced to 10 years in community corrections in 2021. Harmons counsel argued that the testimony of a deceased person given in a previous civil trial violated the hearsay rule by admitting the testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appeals court said due to Harmons counsel having plenty of opportunities to cross-examine in the civil trial, it found the testimony given in the criminal trial was not hearsay. The case stems from a disagreement between Paul and Anna Hershberger and Harmon. In September 2014, they entered an agreement to erect a building on Harmons property. The building was stored at the Hershbergers headquarters as Harmon wasnt sure where he wanted it placed. The contract was eventually terminated after Harmon told Pauls son-in-law he would shoot Paul, saying Paul is still being nice to me; he doesnt believe that Im going to kill him. In 2017, Harmon sued the Hershbergers for breach of contract asking the court to rescind the contract and award him the entire amount he paid for the building. Meanwhile, they counterclaimed for damages and lost profits. They said Harmons threat against Paul rendered their performance of the contract impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge ultimately found both parties at fault for nonperformance. The ruling found Harmons threat did not excuse their performance under contract. The court ordered the Hershbergers to refund a portion of the purchase price while Harmon was to remove the steel building from their property within 60 days. Although the civil case was settled, Harmon was still seemingly bothered by it. Throughout December 2018, Harmon was found parked in their driveway on six different occasions. One day, he showed up at their home twice but did not try to contact them directly. The Hershbergers reported these incidents to the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around the same time, Anna noticed Harmon following their car when they drove to church. Harmon later admitted to following them to church several times as he had questions about their honesty and sought more information about their beliefs. This all came to a head in January 2019. Anna saw Harmon in their driveway and called the police. The deputy stopped Harmon and noticed he was possibly intoxicated. After he was told he was stopped for possible harassment, Harmon admitted he did threaten to shoot Paul and everybody knows that. Harmon was arrested for DUI after he failed roadside tests. Law enforcement seized his car shortly after his arrest, finding recovered bullets, zip ties and two loaded guns one of which was hidden within an empty six-pack container. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police also found a note in Harmons home reading in part: Give me my money back Or I will shoot you This resulted in Harmon being arrested for first-degree murder and two stalking charges. But before the criminal trial began, Paul died in 2020 in an unrelated motorcycle accident. Since he passed away and couldnt testify at the criminal trial, the prosecution moved to admit portions of the transcript of Pauls testimony. Harmons counsel objected to the admission at the criminal trial. As part of his appeal, Harmon challenged that the evidence wasnt sufficient for attempted first-degree murder and stalking convictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appeals court said there was enough evidence to support each claim. Harmon did tell Pauls son-in-law that he would shoot Paul. Harmon later backed this up himself after telling law enforcement the same thing before his arrest. Harmon also brought a loaded handgun to the property of the man he threatened to shoot, the appeals court said. By doing this, the jury could reasonably conclude the hidden loaded firearms were part of a plan to kill Paul. The jury could also find enough sufficient evidence to support Harmons stalking convictions. This is based on Harmons conduct in late 2018 and January 2019 which could have related to his 2015 credible threat to shoot Paul. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. SOUTH WAVERLY, Pa. (WETM) An Elmira man has been sentenced to serve time in state prison after officials say he broke into a womans apartment and assaulted her before kidnapping her and her son and attempting to take them to Philadelphia in April of 2024. Damion L. Gooden, 48, formerly of Norristown, Pennsylvania, was sentenced to a minimum of 34 months to a maximum of 13 years and three months in state prison for the crimes of aggravated assault (second-degree felony), unlawful restraint and two counts of terroristic threats, as stated in a release from the Bradford County District Attorneys Office. The DA states that Gooden was charged with these crimes by the Athens Township Police Department after an incident that occurred on April 21, 2024. On this date, officials say Gooden broke into the apartment of a woman and her son, assaulted and tied the woman up in a chair and then forced her and her son into a car at knifepoint to be driven to Philadelphia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previous story: Police: Elmira man arrested after kidnapping woman and her son Gooden was arrested on the charges after an Amber Alert was sent out alerting police departments in Bradford County of the kidnapping. Athens Township Police then chased Gooden by vehicle until he eventually pulled over at the intersection of Beverly Lane and Lodar Street in South Waverly. The DA states that Goodens sentence is for the crimes he committed in Pennsylvania, as that is where he took and was found with the victims. Gooden will also face charges for the crimes he committed in New York after he completes his prison sentence in Pennsylvania. In addition to the incident described above, the DA states that part of Goodens sentence also includes a one-month to three-month sentence for harassment. Gooden was charged with this crime after he fought with another inmate while awaiting trial in the Bradford County Correctional Facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. CARACAS, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. treatment of Venezuelan migrants, who were deported and are being held in El Salvador, is an "assault against humanity," Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino Lopez said Thursday. "Something as crass as what is happening to Venezuelan migrants ... is not an assault against Venezuela, it is an assault against humanity," Padrino Lopez said during celebrations marking the 16th anniversary of the Bolivarian National Militia. "Grabbing, seizing and imprisoning a migrant without due process, simply because he is Venezuelan, putting him on a plane, handcuffing him and placing him in another country is not an assault against Venezuela, it is an assault against humanity," he said. Washington is violating people's fundamental rights, as well as imposing "a new wave of sanctions against the country" that aim to strangle the economy and further destabilize Venezuela, he added. Musician Cat Stevens (Yusuf) once ruefully sang that the first cut is the deepest, which explains why many Americans are bracing themselves for the fallout of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiencys (DOGE) cutting of the federal budget. The worlds richest man wants to cut $1 trillion from the federal budget. In a recent Fox News interview, Musk declared that the cuts wouldn't harm essential U.S. services, promising Americans they could have their fiscal cake and eat it, too. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government is not efficient, Musk said. Theres a lot of waste and fraud. So, we feel confident that a 15 percent reduction can be done without affecting any of the critical government services. But as analysts and concerned citizens point out the numbers and reality might not add up to Musk's optimism. Millions of Americans depend on essential services like health care and retirement support, so the coming months may prove critical in determining whether Musks actions will deliver prosperity or deepen economic woes. What does $1 trillion in cuts really mean? Whats pinching the chain in Musks cuts is President Donald Trumps recent round of tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The broad-sweeping tariffs, which have been temporarily placed on pause, have driven a wedge between his administration and the Tesla billionaire. Since Inauguration Day, DOGE has spearheaded layoffs across all departments of the federal government, leading to concerns that Musk is moving too fast and endangering services counted on by millions of Americans. DOGE, and its cuts, have yet to be approved by Congress. But Musk and his team argue that federal spending has ballooned irresponsibly, claiming wasteful expenditures can easily absorb these cuts without hurting Americans' daily lives. Recent events, however, suggest the reality might be more complicated. Cuts made by DOGE are impacting older adults particularly hard. Social Security offices, a vital resource for retirees managing their benefits, have seen significant staffing cuts, causing online systems to buckle and physical locations to become overwhelmed. Older Americans many unfamiliar with digital platforms now face hurdles to support. Retirees have flooded social media and news outlets venting their frustrations, suggesting Musks self-described revolution feels more like abandonment. The cuts have also injected unpredictability into the stock market. Experts suggest Wall Street, already in turmoil over tariffs, might be underestimating the impact of the DOGE cuts, which could reduce consumer confidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 if Medicare and Medicaid are on the chopping block? Beyond these immediate impacts lies a deeper concern: Experts warn the math behind Musks $1 trillion cuts doesn't add up without significantly scaling back Medicare and Medicaid. They represent nearly a quarter of the federal budget. If cuts are made to Medicare and Medicaid, millions could find their health coverage compromised or significantly reduced. Currently, Medicare serves approximately 67 million Americans. Medicaid provides essential healthcare to roughly 72 million low-income individuals, including children, older adults in nursing homes and disabled Americans. Any substantial reduction in these programs would inevitably ripple across communities, straining hospitals and leaving countless families struggling to afford basic medical care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health policy experts have sounded the alarm for those reasons. According to a recent Kaiser Family Foundation report, cutting even a small percentage of Medicare or Medicaid could lead to thousands of healthcare facility closures, disproportionately affecting rural and underserved urban areas. Any reduction in federal Medicaid spending would leave states with tough choices about how to offset reductions through tax increases or cuts to other programs, like education, Kaiser Family Foundation analysts concluded in a recent Medicaid brief studying the impacts of proposed Medicaid cuts. If states are not able to offset the loss of federal funds with new taxes or reductions in other state spending, states would have to make cuts to their Medicaid programs. Public reaction Public skepticism (and incredulity) underscore a fundamental tension between Musks economic vision and the gritty realities facing everyday Americans. Economists widely acknowledge the need for fiscal responsibility and targeted spending cuts. However, Musks trillion-dollar gamble highlights crucial trade-offs between government size and service quality, forcing hard conversations about national priorities. As debates rage and details emerge, citizens must remain informed and engaged, understanding exactly what's at stake. What to read next This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. It's no secret that Elon Musk's wealth is staggering. At the time of writing, he's worth over $325 billion. To give that number a sense of scale, that's $62 billion more than the total annual salary of every worker in Michigan combined all 4.3 million of them. So why is he powering his data centers with rinky-dink portable generators? New aerial surveillance footage obtained by the Southern Environmental Law Center has found that Musk's artificial intelligence company, xAI, is using 35 methane gas generators to power its "Colossus" supercomputer facility, the backbone of its flagship Grok. That's 20 more generators than the 15 xAI filed permits for, and 35 more than it was approved to use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data center, nestled in historic south Memphis, came online last September, despite protests from community leaders. AI data centers are notoriously loud, and hog water and electricity like a mid-sized American city. Case in point, the local utility company, Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) estimates the Memphis facility will soon be sucking up one million gallons of water per day, as well as 150 megawatts of power, once it reaches its full power. Though the MLGW says it's "executed four standard electric service agreements, one water service, and one gas service agreement" with xAI totaling 50 megawatts of power Musk says the facility needs much more due to rapid power fluctuations in his system of 10 to 20 megawatts at a time. But getting approval for that kind of power is a slow and cautious process, according to Bloomberg, as rapid data center construction runs up against the limits of what civilian power grids can provide. Never one to wait for approval, Musk has chosen instead to exploit a loophole in local regulations, which seemingly allow him to park a fleet of toxic methane generators outside his facility as long as they don't sit in the same location for 364 days. Local residents, meanwhile, are left to deal with the toxic fallout. One report by ProPublica found that the cancer rate in this area of Memphis is four times higher than the national average. The low, flat land here has historically been used as an out-of-site locale for megacorporations to plant industrial facilities, resulting in waves of health crises as toxins like ethylene oxide and arsenic pollute the nearby ground, water, and air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Generators like xAI's emit huge amounts of nitrogen dioxide, a highly reactive gas which causes irreversible respiratory damage over time. And that's before you consider its effects on the ozone layer, or its contribution to acid rain, smog, and nutrient pollution in local soil and waterways. With 35 generators now chugging along, that's a whole chorus of turbines spewing the toxic gas into low-income, minority-led communities 24/7. With the city urging residents to grin and bear it, and the EPA staying silent since October, the burden is falling on the communities affected to stand up to Musk's move-fast-and-spew-gas AI strategy. "Nobody else should be burying their families because these rogue, rich, white, racist people continue to build projects that are suffocating us," KeShaun Pearson, a local resident and director of the Memphis Community Against Pollution told The Guardian. "This is all preventable." More on data centers: Something's Gone Wrong With Microsoft's Huge AI Data Center Investments Kevin Guthrie, director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management, fields questions from reporters at the state emergency operations center in Tallahassee in advance of a winter weather event on Jan. 21, 2025. (Photo by Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix) The head of Floridas Division of Emergency Management sent a memo last week ordering local officials to gather personal data about immigrants they suspected of living in the country without authorization, even those who arent arrested. DEM Director Kevin Guthries previously unreported directive went too far for sheriffs in the new State Immigration Enforcement Council, who told Florida Phoenix they found out about the agencys involvement in data collection for immigration enforcement after the memo went into effect on April 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement stopped implementation of the March 31 memo after sheriffs voiced their objections. Police wouldve had to file forms including peoples addresses, employers, phone numbers, criminal history, and picture, if they suspected a person they came in contact with lacked legal status in this country, according to the memo obtained by the Phoenix. DEM also required data collection when police questioned but didnt detain or arrest someone. The statute cited in the memo gives the emergency management agency authority to collect data on major fires, airplane crashes, bomb threats, natural disasters, and other large-scale incidents. Sheriffs oppose data sharing DEM proposed Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. (Photo via Polk County Sheriffs Office) Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, who chairs the immigration enforcement council, said during the groups second meeting Wednesday that Guthries directive contained a fatal flaw it skipped the local law enforcement chains of command, blocking them from supervising their officers. They were just eager to collect the data. Once again, there was no malice, Judd said in a phone interview with the Phoenix Wednesday. It was just everybody wanting to be game-on and immediately respond to the mission that was given to us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judd agreed that data collection should be narrower and only for people the federal government lacks information on. Weve got to get our sea legs under us, he said. The sensitivity of the data sought also concerned Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, who said the state shouldnt aim to duplicate information the federal government already has. Senate President Ben Albritton nominated Gualtieri to the council. It was clunky, because we dont submit information, especially some of that information in there is confidential information like criminal history information, that we would be prohibited by law from submitting to emergency managers, Gualtieri said in a phone interview. However, the memo underscores a growing involvement by the emergency agency in new internal immigration enforcement efforts that the DeSantis administration is ramping up to help President Donald Trump carry out mass deportations by collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Larry Keefe, whom DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet appointed as executive director of the State Immigration Enforcement Board, said hed pitched the Trump administration on a plan to let the DEM house and transport immigrants awaiting deportation. We have the world-class, absolute best in Kevin Guthrie, the director of the Division of Emergency Management, and he is really good about safely moving people and stuff around in high-stress, high-pressure emergency situations, including soft-sided facilities, hard-sided facilities whatever the state of the art is, and in the planet Earth on how to house people and move people and feed people, and treat people safely and well, he knows it, Keefe said during the councils first meeting on March 31, the same day Guthrie sent the memo on data collection of immigrants. House Speaker Daniel Perez told reporters he had not been briefed about plans for DEM to house immigrants. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Immigration enforcement council works on guidelines The pause on the DEM memo doesnt mean local law enforcement wont collect information about immigrants. The council, comprising four sheriffs and four police chiefs, is still crafting guidelines for how police should collect data and report it to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the immigration enforcement board. The councils next meeting is set for April 16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to be very careful that our mission doesnt creep into being ICE junior, said Naples Police Chief Ciro Dominguez during the Wednesday meeting. Its not good for us to get in that role. As the sheriff said, were here to help ICE, but we shouldnt try to be ICE. Thats gonna go back on what were all trying to do in our communities. Concurrently, the council is working on guidelines to disburse the $250 million for a grant program local law enforcement agencies can qualify for to pay overtime for officers who will soon start a 40-hour training program to qualify for federal authorization to act as immigration enforcement officials. Out of the nearly 200 agreements with ICE that sheriffs offices, state agencies, and local police departments have entered into so far, only approximately 1,400 Florida Highway Patrol troopers have completed the online training and are set to gain the federal certification. However, the immigration enforcement board, comprising Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet, must approve the guidelines from the council. DEM did not respond to the Phoenixs request for comment. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Greys Anatomy alum Eric Dane has made an important announcement about his health. I have been diagnosed with ALS, the actor, 52, told People in an article published Thursday, April 10. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter. Danes announcement comes one month after wife Rebecca Gayheart with whom he shares daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 13 called off their divorce seven years after initially filing. In March, the Jawbreaker actress, who wed Dane in 2004, filed a petition to dismiss the divorce, per court documents obtained by TMZ. The Euphoria star told the outlet Thursday that he feels fortunate that he is able to continue working, noting hes particularly looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week. Dane concluded his statement by requesting privacy. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time, he shared. One day prior, Gayheart gave an update on their relationship to E! News. We are best of friends. We are really close. We are great coparents, she told the publication on the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of The Carters: Hurts To Love You mini-series. We really figured out the formula to staying a family and I think our kids are benefiting greatly from it and we are as well, she continued. I think its important to not look at a relationship that ends as a failure. Its just a season. It wasnt a failure, Gayheart said of their time spent apart. It was a huge success. We were married for, I mean, we are still married, but together for 15 years and we had two beautiful kids so I think thats a successful relationship, and thats how we look at it. Prior to dismissing the petition, Gayheart and Dane sparked reconciliation rumors in January 2023, when they were spotted holding hands. Read More: Why Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Are Reportedly Taking a Break Right Now Tom Hanks Daughter Recalls Harrowing Question She Asked Him About Her Childhood Wheel of Fortune Fans Confused by Ryan Seacrests Strange Outfit More from Spin: To see our running list of the top 100 greatest rock stars of all time, click here. Eric Dane has revealed a major health update. The Euphoria and Greys Anatomy actor announced on Thursday that he has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrigs Disease. I am grateful to have my loving family by my side as we navigate this next chapter, Dane, 52, said in a statement to People. I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week, the actor told the publication. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALS is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease affecting the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord that make the muscles of both the upper and lower body work, according to the ALS Association, a non-profit organization which works to research the disease and offer resources to people living with it. There is currently no known cure. CNN has reached out to representatives for Dane for further comment. In Euphoria, Dane plays Cal Jacobs, the troubled father to Jacob Elordis character in the HBO drama, which is scheduled to begin production on its third season on April 14. He rose to fame as the handsome Dr. Mark McSteamy Sloan on Greys Anatomy from 2006 - 2012. Danes credits also include film roles in movies like Bad Boys: Ride or Die. Dane has been married to actress Rebecca Gayheart since 2004. The couple share two children. CNNs Euan McKirdy contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Euphoria actor and former Greys Anatomy veteran Eric Dane has announced that he has ALS but will continue working. Dane, 52, revealed his diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, a progressive disease that attacks nerve cells controlling muscles throughout the body and is also known as Lou Gehrigs disease, in an interview with People magazine on Thursday. I feel fortunate that I am able to continue working and am looking forward to returning to set of Euphoria next week, he said. I kindly ask that you give my family and I privacy during this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 52-year-old actor is married to actor Rebecca Gayheart and the couple share two children, Billie Beatrice, 15, and Georgia Geraldine, 13. Gayheart filed for divorce in 2018, but filed to dismiss the petition earlier this year, news outlets reported. Euphoria is set to resume shooting this month. Dane's publicist did not immediately return a message from The Associated Press. ALS gradually destroys the nerve cells and connections needed to walk, talk, speak and breathe. Most patients die within three to five years of a diagnosis. BAGHDAD, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid held a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday, during which they emphasized the importance of continuing cooperation between the two countries. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest to benefit both nations and support regional security and stability, according to a statement from the Iraqi presidency. They also addressed regional and international issues, highlighting the need for constructive dialogue to meet shared challenges and promote development and stability. The statement added that both presidents agreed to enhance coordination on regional and international developments to support political stability and ease tensions. BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological authority renewed an orange alert on Friday evening for strong gales that will sweep across the northern regions and coastal areas over the weekend. The National Meteorological Center (NMC) said in an updated forecast that from 8 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Saturday, winds of up to force 13 (37.0-41.4 m/s) on the national wind scale will hit parts of Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Hebei and Beijing. Gales up to force 12 will affect some areas including the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea, the NMC said. Additionally, a yellow alert for snowstorms was also issued, warning that parts of Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang will experience snowfall ranging from 20 to 28 millimeters. The NMC further renewed a blue alert for rainstorms that will affect regions including parts of Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian and Liaoning. The center also continued to issue a blue alert for sandstorms that will hit Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Gansu and Ningxia. The NMC advised the public in affected regions to take full precautions. China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. The strong gale has led to a suspension of flights and passenger trains as well as expressway shutdowns. According to the China Railway Beijing Group, some 56 train services were temporarily halted on Friday, and 103 services are scheduled to be canceled on Saturday. China's Ministry of Emergency Management also initiated an early-warning response for severe convection Friday for 13 provincial regions, including Hubei and Hunan, for strong winds, sandstorms and intense convection weather in the central and eastern regions. The emergency response to forest and grassland fire has been raised from Level-IV, the least severe level in the country's four-tier emergency response system, to Level-III, according to the ministry. Circuit Judge Gary Farmer, a former state Senate Democratic leader, is facing a recommendation that he be immediately suspended after an investigative panel accused him of pervasive and extensive behavior demonstrating a present unfitness to hold office. Farmer, a former trial lawyer, was elected as a judge in Broward Countys 17th Judicial Circuit in 2022 after six years in the Senate. He served as Senate minority leader during the 2021 legislative session but was ousted after a vote of no confidence by fellow Democrats. An investigative panel of the state Judicial Qualifications Commission on Thursday filed a notice of formal charges against Farmer accusing him of repeatedly making inappropriate comments. It recommended that he be immediately suspended without pay pending the outcome of the proceedings. The commission makes recommendations about judicial conduct to the Florida Supreme Court, which has ultimate disciplinary authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspension recommendation also alleged Farmer willfully ignored the requirements of applicable statutes or rules of procedure, or was unaware of the most basic elements of the law which governed his actions as a judge in the felony division. Farmer, who rotated out of the circuits criminal division in September amid the commissions probe, had no comment when contacted Thursday by The News Service of Florida. The suspension recommendation also said Farmer did not appear as required at a hearing in March. The panel believes that his misconduct is egregious and serious, and could clearly affect the publics perception of the judiciary, Alexander John Williams, an attorney for the commission, wrote in the 13-page recommendation for suspension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Judge Farmer might argue that he has changed his behavior the panel believes that in this case, the damage is already done, the recommendation said. The probe into Farmer began after a complaint about comments he made while presiding over felony cases in August. The panel found comments discriminatory, offensive, sexually charged, and demeaning. As an example, Farmer referenced and quoted extensively from a comedy sketch that makes fun of gay people, court documents filed by the commission said. That is not the only time you used double entendre as humor in the courtroom. While presiding over the August 15, 2024, hearing you said, Spring is here, I got so excited I wet my plants and What did the shirt say to the pair of pants? Wassup britches! Apparently, these are some of what you referred to as your exceptionally, exceptionally bad jokes, the commissions lawyer wrote in the notice of formal charges filed at the Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission became aware of numerous other instances involving comments and other forms of misconduct while investigating the August comments, the suspension recommendation said. While presiding over first appearance hearings on Oct. 15, 2023, Farmer made numerous remarks that were wholly inappropriate, undignified, or discourteous, or otherwise behaved in a manner that is degrading to the solemnity of the proceedings, fails to uphold the high standard of conduct expected of judges, and fails to promote public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary, the notice of charges said. The recommended suspension also pointed to Farmers treatment of a defendant who had a court-ordered competency evaluation pending in a separate case before another judge. Farmer conducted an ad hoc, unscientific competency evaluation by asking the defendant random questions. Notwithstanding the fact that the defendant was already awaiting a competency evaluation in another matter, and had answered some of Judge Farmers trivia questions wrong, Judge Farmer declared her competent and accepted her guilty plea, the recommendation said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farmer was unable to recall if there even was a rule governing competency when questioned about his handling of the matter, according to the documents filed Thursday. The panel believes that the pervasiveness and extensive nature of Judge Farmers misconduct demonstrates a present unfitness to hold office, the suspension recommendation said. The investigative panel said four factors must be considered when recommending that a judge be suspended. Under the right conditions, a single one of these factors might carry enough weight to warrant a recommendation of suspension: Here, the respondent (Farmer) touches on all of them, Williams wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The probe into Farmer began in October, and Farmer appeared before the panel for a hearing in December. The panel notified Farmer on March 6 about a second investigation and ordered him to appear for a hearing on March 28. Farmer provided no response whatsoever, written or otherwise, to the second notice of investigation, save his email on the morning of the hearings claiming that he had intended to appear, the suspension recommendation said. The judges decision to not appear as ordered in the Order to Show Cause (hearing) simply brings his lack of responsiveness into high relief, the recommendation said. Farmer sent an email at 6:20 a.m. the day of the hearing saying he had an unspecified emergency requiring his immediate, in-person attention, according to the recommendation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have learned important lessons on judicial demeanor and have avoided any further missteps. I can assure you I will continue to preside in this more appropriate manner, Farmer wrote on March 28. But Farmer also told the investigative panel, I dont think we can say, as judges, that we never theres never a light moment or a joke in court, so I dont want to overstate it, but I am not doing bad jokes anymore, according to the recommendation. The notice of charges also said Farmer said he was aware that his behavior was incongruous with what is expected of a judge in court. When asked why he did not handle a first-degree felony case, Farmer said the dad jokes dont go well in murder cases and referred to Night Court, a sitcom from the 1980s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reference to the television show Night Court seems to be particularly apt here. However much Judge Farmer believes he is like the fictional Harry Stone, it goes without saying that the circus-like atmosphere that made the television show a comedic parody of real life court proceedings is completely antithetical to the manner in which a real court proceeding should be conducted and violative of the Code of Judicial Conduct, the suspension recommendation said. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. As the self-styled Chief Constable of Woke, you wouldnt necessarily expect Neil Basu, once the UKs most senior Asian policeman, to be proposing a crackdown on immigration. The ex-copper who compared former home secretary Suella Braverman to Enoch Powell for describing the current crisis in the Channel as an invasion? Yet as he reflects on last summers Southport riots following the brutal murders of schoolgirls Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6 Basu, who quit as assistant commissioner of the Met in 2022, insists that the Government must do more to control Britains borders including the introduction of ID cards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The violent disorder started after false rumours circulated on social media that killer Axel Rudakubana, 18, was an illegal immigrant. It later emerged that he was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents and had been referred three times to Prevent, the governments anti-terrorism programme, but deemed unsuitable for intervention despite downloading disturbing material including an Al Qaeda training manual. A public inquiry into the Southport murders began this week. In order to prevent the false narrative taking hold that somehow immigration is the problem, you do have to recognise that its gone too far, too fast, and you have to do something about it, declares the former head of counter terrorism policing, who had been tipped to be the head of Labours new Border Security Command but turned down the job. One of the biggest causes of extreme Right-wing sentiment is a failure to control immigration or to have any kind of sensible conversation. Basu speaking with Daily T hosts Kamal Ahmed and Camilla Tominey - Geoff Pugh Anil Kanti Neil Basu, 56 whose father was a doctor who moved to Britain from Calcutta, and whose mother was a white nurse from Wales grew up in Stafford where he and his two brothers were regularly the target of casual racist abuse. He has previously spoken about how the familys neighbours in the West Midlands wouldnt speak to them and would complain about the smell of curry coming from our house when we didnt even have a kitchen. A painfully shy child who was bullied at school, he anglicised his name to fit in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This week, the West Yorkshire force was at the centre of a row over a temporary block it imposed on hiring white British candidates in order to boost the proportion of ethnic minority officers. But Basu rubbishes the idea that the policy amounts to racism, in a reminder of the bullish views that earned him his woke reputation. Without a force that represents its communities, it will never be effective. The trust and confidence of those communities is essential to ensure intelligence, witnesses and cooperation as well as a community that respects law and order, he says. To argue this is racist is both fatuous and intellectually incoherent, given the history of policing in this country. Well done this chief constable and all chiefs who understand the need for a more diverse force to be a better quality force. He has repeatedly spoken out about prejudice in policing, suggesting it is institutionally racist and criticising other senior police officers who disagree. Horrified by George Floyds murder in 2020, as assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Basu declared that the Black Lives Matter protests were a display of legitimate anger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After leaving the force in 2022, he was highly critical of Braverman following a Telegraph interview in which she revealed that she dreamed of sending illegal immigrants to Rwanda. Comparing her comments to Powells infamous Rivers of Blood speech, Basu described her choice of language on the asylum issue as inexplicable and horrific. But now the face of progressive policing, who once declared he wore his wokery like a bumper sticker, appears to be advocating an immigration crackdown. Basu was highly critical of then home secretary Suella Braverman, above, after she said she dreamed of sending migrants to Rwanda - PA I think Yvette Cooper knows it, insists smooth-talking, suited and booted Basu a considered man who chooses his words carefully as he speaks to me and my Daily T co-host Kamal Ahmed about his newly published autobiography Turmoil: 30 years of Policing, Politics and Prejudice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes made some very strong statements about policing immigration that could easily have come from a Conservative administration. I would ask her to reconsider the national identification cards scheme that David Blunkett tried to introduce under the Blair government and was widely vilified. If a government wants to enforce the law and particularly know whos in its country and whos out of its country, it needs that. Does Basu, who held the top counter-terror job between 2018 and 2021, regard Rudakubana as a terrorist? No. What I consider him to be is a monster who wanted to terrorise. Its a bit of an arcane point for the public, because all they see is a mass atrocity and fear and terror. But terrorism is a very political crime, and you have to read the full definition in the 2000 Act about what it actually is. It requires an ideology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we go down the lines of looking at everyone who has a reason, in their own head, to commit violence and make that terrorism, youre going to overwhelm the counter-terrorism machine in this country when they are looking at a huge volume of actual terrorists who are ideologically driven and determined to kill. We speak as the Netflix drama Adolescence, which features a 13-year-old boy motivated by the online incel movement to kill a female classmate, is still making headlines. Basu, who has three sons now in their 20s, with his wife Dr Nina Cope, the director general of the Ministry of Defence, says: The last time I was in The Telegraph offices was in 2020 explaining to your editor what the incel movement was. I said very publicly that Covid would make the situation worse. Acknowledging that a really disturbing percentage of counter terrorism cases are early teenagers, he points the finger of blame squarely at the internet. One hundred per cent of the cases I dealt with in counter terrorism involved online so either downloading, using social media to radicalise others or being influenced by online content: 100 per cent. Admitting Im beginning to sound like Mary Whitehouse, in reference to the conservative censorship campaigner, he adds: The scale, the volume and the timing of the stuff our youngsters are seeing is extraordinary and its having a much more widespread effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those who have got grievances, feel disenfranchised or have mental health problems or, even those (and this is rare in my experience) that are genuinely evil this is giving them the methodology to commit [crime] and I think until somebody does something about it, we are in terrible trouble. There has been an overzealous attitude towards hate crime and the way its recorded Are the tech giants doing enough to remove harmful content from their platforms? I remember the six major technology companies all telling the heads of counter terrorism of the Five Eyes countries [an intelligence coalition between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States] that they wouldnt meet us to discuss how they might help us to stop this problem. That was way back in 2018. Its only the fact that governments and legislators have got involved, things like the Online Safety Act, that have made those companies sit up and take notice. Little wonder, then, that Basu supports a smartphone ban for under 16s not just in schools but completely. Experiencing what Ive experienced, you tend to be a bit extreme, he shrugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State school-educated, Basu read economics at Nottingham University before joining the Metropolitan Police in 1992, serving as a beat bobby in Battersea, south London, before swiftly rising up through the ranks as a borough commander in Barnet, north London, and a commander of south London in 2012. His first high profile Met post came two years later when he was put in charge of organised crime. He was responsible for investigating Rupert Murdochs media empire for phone hacking and public sector corruption before being promoted into counter terrorism policing. Succeeding Sir Mark Rowley, now the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, to become the first person of Asian descent to lead the counter-terrorism unit, Basu led the operational response to the 2017 terror attacks, when Westminster, London Bridge and Manchester Arena were all attacked by Islamic extremists, killing and maiming dozens of people. A year later, he oversaw the investigation into the Salisbury poisonings of Sergei and Yulia Skripal at the hands of the Kremlin. Basu led the operational responses to the multiple UK terror attacks in 2017 - Paul Grover Is Islamic extremism as much of a threat now as it was then? Im not privy to any sensitive briefings, but my professional experience would tell me that the same volume of threat is still there. Is it increasing? It probably wasnt until October 7. A bit like 9/11, [the Hamas attack on Israel] has created a whole new generation of radicalised extremists who will be prepared to attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He adds: When 2017 happened, that was probably the longest period of sustained threat this countrys faced since the height of the IRA troubles. It was incredibly difficult. I used to say, my job description is four pages long, but I can crystallise it in one sentence: Work with MI5 and stop terrorist attacks. During the time we were there, we stopped 29 attacks. We arrested over 600 terrorists. That had never happened before in our history; we charged most of them. But I never thought about that for a single day. I only thought about it when I was writing this book. What I always thought about was the 36 people who died in 2017 on my watch, including two police officers and over 1,000 people who were physically and psychologically scarred for life, and you go to bed every night thinking about that. Now, if it was that difficult for me as the head of counter terrorism policing, imagine what its like for first responders. Basu describes his book as a love letter to policing, which has received a huge amount of criticism in recent years amid accusations of a two-tier approach to crime. The Met has been heavily criticised for the perception that they have policed the pro-Palestinian marches less forcibly than Right-wing unrest. Although Basu concedes that the long-running protests against Israel have now tipped that threshold into being too disruptive, too obstructive, he insists: Its called the thin blue line for a reason. You stand between two warring parties, and you try to keep the peace. My history of 30 years in the police is when the police are strong, theyre talked about as though they are fascist, and when they are weak, they are talked about as two-tier policing. None of that is true. The Met has been accused of double standards over the way it polices pro-Palestine demonstrations - Getty And what of the policing of the grooming gangs? Werent police officers mindful of claims of institutional racism by the likes of Basu too afraid to call out the Pakistani perpetrators of those appalling crimes? It was just an example of appalling policing, says Basu. It wasnt just about racism. It was failing to treat white working-class girls who were incredibly vulnerable as serious victims of horrific crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The political correctness argument is also true, and I dont think it was just the police. I think every agency looked at the issue through the lens of Will I be seen as racist? I think everyone recognises now, what a fundamental mistake that was, particularly for those victims. Thats not the kind of woke I agree with at all. Basu believes there should be a full public inquiry into the scandal. Im conflicted because so many public inquiries become elongated, very messy, incredibly expensive, and by the time they deliver any kind of conclusion, its gone out of peoples minds. But Rotherham, for me, is a bit like Hillsborough. I dont think it will ever go out of peoples minds. So until you uncover the actual truth and you lay it bare, it will always be there. So this is one of those occasions where I think, yes, this really should happen. Such cases have contributed to an erosion of trust in the police in recent years. A YouGov survey last October found that 52 per cent of British adults had no or not very much confidence in the police to tackle crime locally, compared to 39 per cent in October 2019. Ethnic minority groups, particularly Black Caribbean and mixed white, had lower than average rates of confidence. Basu cites the monstrous attacks by serving police officers on women as one explanation. I dont like using their names, but Wayne Couzens, the murderer of Sarah Everard, and David Carrick, the serial rapist, are probably the two worst examples in modern history of two individuals bringing policing and its entire reputation to the floor. Isnt the perception that police dont properly investigate petty crimes like shoplifting of goods under 200, and burglary also part of the problem? Not least when they are knocking on the door of journalists like The Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson to investigate posts on X? I go to dinner parties, and some of my friends will tell me, policing is awful, and others will say, Ive just had an experience with policing, and they were magic. This is hilarious coming from me because I had a reputation of being the so-called super woke head of counter terrorism. But there has been an overzealous attitude towards hate crime and the way its recorded. Six police officers turning up at your front door in the home counties because you said something on WhatsApp, you know, that doesnt look good, although I strongly suspect theres more to that story. Referring to the Pearson case, he adds: And I think if there was ever a time not to be overzealous and make a mistake, it would be with a national journalist. So that really doesnt help. Basu has been a vocal critic of stop and search, arguing that you dont get peoples trust and respect by fear. Quoting Sir Robert Peel, who, as home secretary, established the first professional and centralised police force in London in 1829, he says: The more force you use, the more consent you will lose, and losing that consent will prevent you being an effective police force. I think [Peel was] right. He adds: I must be one of the very few chief constables in history who has been stopped and searched as both a kid, an adolescent and an adult, including at every airport I go through. Stop and search has been used very ineffectively as a blanket approach to what I call street suppression. If its used forensically in the right way, in the right areas, against the right people, its an incredibly important tool. But its got to be used more effectively. Basu worked on Operation Trident, a unit originally set up in 1998 to tackle black-on-black gun crime following a series of shootings in the London boroughs of Lambeth and Brent. Its very analogous to knife crime in the black community today, where young black boys are, generally speaking, both the victim and the perpetrator of the crime, he says. I stood on the shoulders of the giants who set up Operation Trident, and they recognised they needed to work with the black community. You cant go in and police using covert measures and forceful techniques. I benefited from it as a murder squad detective investigating multiple gangland homicides, and the reason I was able to solve those was because the black community helped me do it. They didnt help me because they were scared of me. They helped me because they thought we were there to help them solve a problem in their midst. That is what needs to happen now if you want to solve knife crime. Stop and search is an important tool but it has to be used more effectively - Geoff Pugh On Thursday, Sir Keir Starmer announced the Government would be putting 13,000 more neighbourhood bobbies back on the beat with new measures, including named and contactable officers for every neighbourhood and guaranteed police patrols in busy areas at peak times. There will also be a dedicated local antisocial behaviour lead in every police force working with residents and businesses to develop plans to tackle a crime that blights communities. While supportive of more visible community policing, Basu argues its not particularly good for solving crime. He explains: It definitely has an effect, principally because they are the route to trust and confidence from the public. And if you have a public that trusts you and is confident in you, theyre more likely to give you intelligence, which is going to solve crime. Good prevention turns crime downwards. And you could argue an officer highly visible on every street corner would help, but theyd have to be on every street corner, and thats not going to happen. Now three years out of uniform, Basu hopes his book will help people to see the police as human beings. You have to look behind the badge. We all think we know police officers really well. I think I counted the other night, while flicking TV channels, that eight out of nine programs were crime-related. People love it, and they think they know whats behind the badge but try doing it for 30 years. You dont. Its really easy to make mistakes. Its really hard to do the right thing, well, all of the time. Having rejected the Border Force role, it seems Basu still has a policing ambition to fulfill. I wasnt interested in doing that. I was interested in being the person who enforces the law and smashes the gangs. So had they been advertising for the Director General of the National Crime Agency (NCA), which I have applied for before, I would have applied for that. That position, currently occupied by Graeme Biggar for a five-year term, will become vacant again in 2026. Ever the copper, it seems Basu is on the case. Turmoil by Neil Basu (Aurum, 20) is published on April 24 Watch the full interview with Neil Basu on the Daily T here. You can also listen on the player at the top of the article, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts 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. April Sponsel looks on during her disciplinary hearing on Oct. 23, 2023. Photo by Kevinjonah Paguio | Cronkite News Former Maricopa County prosecutor April Sponsel deserved to have her law license suspended for two years because her decision to press forward with made-up gang charges against 15 Black Lives Matter protesters was a complete abdication of her prosecutorial duties, the Arizona Supreme Court said Friday. The high court in September upheld the two-year suspension that the states presiding disciplinary judge handed down in December 2023, but it did so without explaining why. On Friday, the Supreme Court explained its reasoning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (N)othing less than this sanction would suffice given the egregiousness of the conduct and the impact on those who were wronged Justice James Beene wrote on behalf of the unanimous court. Sponsel was a veteran prosecutor for seventeen years. Her substantial experience made her well aware of the grave consequences of overcharging a case. During an October 2020 protest for police reform in downtown Phoenix, police arrested 18 protesters 15 adults and three juveniles who failed to obey commands to clear the street and disperse. Sponsel ultimately convinced a grand jury to indict the 15 adults on gang-related felonies, alleging that they were members of a gang called ACAB an acronym for the protest chant All Cops Are Bastards. She told grand jurors that the ACAB gang was comparable to notorious street gangs like the Bloods, Crips, Hells Angels and the Mexican Mafia. But there is no such gang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When leadership at the Maricopa County Attorneys Office met to discuss the charges, Sponsel defended the indictment, saying that the protesters had sharpened fingernails and carried umbrellas with sharpened tips, which proved they had colluded. Months later, when news reports highlighted the unprecedented ACAB gang charges against the peaceful protesters, MCAO reviewed the evidence Sponsel claimed backed up the indictments. A veteran gang prosecutor found that Sponsel had lied about the evidence there were no sharpened fingernails or umbrella tips and the people charged as gang members had shown up at the protest in response to social media postings. MCAO dismissed all of the charges against the protesters. In June 2022, after an internal investigation found that Sponsel had engaged in a disturbing pattern of excessive charging and a failure to review available evidence, she was fired. By December 2022, the State Bar of Arizona had filed a disciplinary complaint against her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a seven-day trial in October 2023, the courts disciplinary panel suspended her license to practice law for two years, concluding that her actions had far-reaching and deleterious consequences. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE LONDON (AP) Ex-Russian government minister sentenced to 40 months in UK prison for circumventing financial sanctions. When former Tacoma Police Chief Avery Moore resigned earlier this year, leaving his job of three years came with a golden parachute, public records show. As part of an employment separation agreement, the city paid him $479,267.15. That payment is equal to 16 months of Moores salary and the cost of paying 16 months of health coverage, subject to tax withholdings, according to a copy of the separation agreement. The figure doesnt include standard employment payouts Moore and other employees are entitled to such as unused vacation. Moores annual salary was $326,934 when he resigned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In return for the payment, Moore agreed to submit his resignation letter by Jan. 27 it was sent a day late and he agreed to fully cooperate with the city on any future or ongoing litigation for 10 years. The agreement barred Moore from any future employment with the city. Tacomas end of the bargain included not seeking Moores de-certification with the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. The agreement said nothing in the document should be interpreted as a basis for the suspension, revocation or denial of Moores certification pursuant to RCW Chapter 43.101. The agreement was signed Jan. 28 by Moore, City Manager Elizabeth Pauli and City Attorney Chris Bacha. Pauli, whom Moore reported to, had no media availability any time soon to comment on the separation payment, city spokesperson Maria Lee said Wednesday. Asked last month why it was necessary to pay Moore upon his resignation, Lee directed The News Tribune back to the verbiage of the separation agreement and said there are pending matters that will require Moores time and attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the text of the agreement, its purpose included facilitating the transfer of leadership and easing Moores transition to other employment. When Moore announced his resignation Jan. 29, he said he was stepping away from his career in law enforcement and was moving on to the next chapter of his life. Efforts to reach Moore for comment through a personal email address listed in public records and a personal phone number were not successful. The News Tribune reached out to each member of Tacoma City Council to ask for their thoughts on the separation payment. Most did not respond. Council Member Jamika Scott said she had no comment on the matter. Mayor Victoria Woodards and council members Sandesh Sadalge and Sarah Rumbaugh did not have any media availability Wednesday or Thursday, according to Lee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sum Moore received was a little less than $500,000 the city paid each of the three Tacoma police officers tried and acquitted in the death of Manuel Ellis to resign. Their resignation agreements did not include clauses barring them from future employment with the city or requiring them to cooperate with any litigation. In addition to agreeing to cooperate with any litigation, Moore agreed to release any and all claims he might have against the city. The News Tribune is aware of one active lawsuit Moore is involved in as the former police chief. Moores former chief of staff, Curtis Hairston, sued the City of Tacoma last year alleging he experienced racial bias and discrimination during the 18 months he worked with the Police Department. Moore is listed as a witness in the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hairston, who reported to Moore, sued for discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination and hostile work environment. The lawsuit claimed Hairston was fired in October 2023 after he was investigated over an ethics complaint that claimed Hairston used his position to try to get his stepson hired at the Police Department. The ethics complaint was dismissed and the investigation closed without any discipline imposed, but Hairston said the Police Department still moved to terminate him less than a month later. In a response filed in June last year, the City of Tacoma denied that the Police Department moved to terminate Hairston. The city said Moore was dissatisfied with Hairstons performance and gave him the option to resign in lieu of termination, which Hairston agreed to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alongside claims that the departments hiring practices were biased and discriminatory toward Black applicants and that discipline wasnt applied evenly between Black and non-Black employees, Hairstons lawsuit implied that Moore didnt do enough to step in when Deputy Chief Paul Junger allegedly made racist comments directed toward him. Chief Moore did little other than to tell the two of them to work it out themselves, the lawsuit states. In its legal response, the City of Tacoma denied that claim and the claims related to Jungers allegedly racist comments. A pretrial conference in the case is scheduled for Sept. 25, with a trial date set for Oct. 16. By Francesco Guarascio HANOI (Reuters) -In hope of avoiding punishing U.S. tariffs, Vietnam is prepared to crack down on Chinese goods being shipped to the United States via its territory and will tighten controls on sensitive exports to China, according to a person familiar with the matter and a government document seen by Reuters. The offer, the details of which are reported by Reuters for the first time, came as senior U.S. officials, including the influential White House trade advisor Peter Navarro, raised concerns about Chinese goods being sent to America with "Made in Vietnam" labels that draw lower duties. Vietnam has for weeks been offering sweeteners that it hoped would persuade the U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to take a benign view of its huge trade surplus with America. Instead, it was hit with a 46% tariff as part of Trump's "Liberation Day" salvo. While the tariff has been suspended for 90 days, the two countries agreed to start talks after a Vietnamese deputy prime minister met with the U.S. Trade Representative on Wednesday. Export-reliant Vietnam is hoping to get the duties reduced to a range of 22% to 28%, if not lower, according to three people with knowledge of the matter. One of them said that U.S. officials had signalled that range was likely, during a bilateral meeting in March. Vietnam's trade ministry and the USTR's office did not return a request for comment. In announcing the start of trade talks with the U.S. on Thursday, Vietnam's government said on its official portal it would crack down on "trade fraud." It did not provide specifics. Since Trump's first term, many multi-national firms have implemented a "China plus one" policy of setting up factories in Vietnam to reduce exposure to Beijing. The Southeast Asian nation is in a tight spot as it tries to preserve trade with the U.S., which is its largest export market and a security partner. At the same time, Hanoi does not want to antagonize China, which is a top source of investment as well as a neighbour with which it has clashed over boundaries in the South China Sea. Vietnam's Government Office, a body that coordinates between its ministries, held an emergency meeting with government trade experts on April 3, hours after Trump announced the tariffs. The aim was to address Washington's concerns over alleged intellectual property theft and transhipment abuses, according to a person briefed on the meeting. At the meeting, trade ministry and customs officials were told to tighten controls and were given two weeks to devise a plan to clamp down on illicit transhipment. The deadline could be extended until late April, the person said, adding that Hanoi wanted to be careful not to provoke China. By Francesco Guarascio HANOI (Reuters) -In hope of avoiding punishing U.S. tariffs, Vietnam is prepared to crack down on Chinese goods being shipped to the United States via its territory and will tighten controls on sensitive exports to China, according to a person familiar with the matter and a government document seen by Reuters. The offer, the details of which are reported by Reuters for the first time, came as senior U.S. officials, including the influential White House trade advisor Peter Navarro, raised concerns about Chinese goods being sent to America with "Made in Vietnam" labels that draw lower duties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vietnam has for weeks been offering sweeteners that it hoped would persuade the U.S. President Donald Trump's administration to take a benign view of its huge trade surplus with America. Instead, it was hit with a 46% tariff as part of Trump's "Liberation Day" salvo. While the tariff has been suspended for 90 days, the two countries agreed to start talks after a Vietnamese deputy prime minister met with the U.S. Trade Representative on Wednesday. Export-reliant Vietnam is hoping to get the duties reduced to a range of 22% to 28%, if not lower, according to three people with knowledge of the matter. One of them said that U.S. officials had signalled that range was likely, during a bilateral meeting in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vietnam's trade ministry and the USTR's office did not return a request for comment. In announcing the start of trade talks with the U.S. on Thursday, Vietnam's government said on its official portal it would crack down on "trade fraud." It did not provide specifics. Since Trump's first term, many multi-national firms have implemented a "China plus one" policy of setting up factories in Vietnam to reduce exposure to Beijing. The Southeast Asian nation is in a tight spot as it tries to preserve trade with the U.S., which is its largest export market and a security partner. At the same time, Hanoi does not want to antagonize China, which is a top source of investment as well as a neighbour with which it has clashed over boundaries in the South China Sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vietnam's Government Office, a body that coordinates between its ministries, held an emergency meeting with government trade experts on April 3, hours after Trump announced the tariffs. The aim was to address Washington's concerns over alleged intellectual property theft and transhipment abuses, according to a person briefed on the meeting. At the meeting, trade ministry and customs officials were told to tighten controls and were given two weeks to devise a plan to clamp down on illicit transhipment. The deadline could be extended until late April, the person said, adding that Hanoi wanted to be careful not to provoke China. Illicit transhipment refers to one country sending goods to a nation facing lower tariffs from a third country, to which the product is re-exported without having value added to it. Vietnam's Government Office and the customs department did not respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of the goods exported by Vietnam to the West have Chinese-made inputs, and Chinese companies have also established factories in the country to serve U.S. customers. In many instances, Vietnamese workers process the goods, which are then legally shipped to the U.S. under a "Made in Vietnam" label. Official trade data show Vietnam's exports to the U.S. in recent years have been fuelled by imports from China, with inflows from Beijing closely matching the value and swings of exports to Washington. U.S. officials have alleged, however, that China uses Vietnam as a conduit to obtain lower tariffs for goods that do not have significant Vietnamese involvement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "China uses Vietnam to tranship to avoid the tariffs," Navarro said on Fox News on April 6, without providing evidence. A person familiar with the matter said that in some instances, ships carrying Chinese-made goods dwelled in Vietnamese ports just long enough to obtain documents certifying that the products were made in Vietnam before leaving. Reuters could not immediately establish if Vietnam's offer was enough to address U.S. concerns over abuse of transhipment or if the country could comprehensively tackle the problem. A spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry said in response to Reuters' question that trade between Beijing and Hanoi "is essentially a win-win situation. We believe that Vietnam will make a choice that is in line with its own long-term interests and the overall situation of mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Vietnam." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CHIPS, SATELLITES AND PLANES Vietnam is also implementing tougher measures on sensitive goods that flow through its territory from the U.S. to China. Hanoi intends to tighten controls around the export of dual-use goods like semiconductors, which can be used for both civilian and military purposes, according to a draft decree reviewed by Reuters. The decree, which states it was prepared at the request of the trade ministry, was not dated but it includes an explanatory note dated April 4. The document said that major trading partners had requested that Hanoi "minimize the possibility of these source technologies being transferred to third countries without the consent of the exporting country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. government considers leadership on artificial intelligence as a national priority and Washington has moved to cut off China's access to the most advanced U.S.-made chips. Vietnam now plans to introduce new declaration and approval procedures for the trade of such products, according to the proposal. Hanoi previously said that it discussed controls over exports of dual-use goods with U.S. officials during meetings in March. Other tech-related gestures directed at the U.S. include Hanoi's approval, under favourable conditions, for the Starlink satellite communication service controlled by Trump's billionaire ally Elon Musk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk appeared to confirm Starlink's ambitions in the country when he reposted on April 4 the contents of an earlier Reuters article that detailed the company's plans for the deployment of multiple ground stations. Musk's primacy in space is seen as a threat by Beijing, which is rushing to launch satellites into lower-earth orbit. Vietnam, a medium-sized country whose diplomats have a long history of juggling ties with great powers, will host Chinese leader Xi Jinping next week. Xi's trip is likely to coincide with Vietnam's aviation regulator approving China's COMAC planes, according to two people familiar with the matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That could open the way for the leasing and purchase by Vietnamese airlines of the Chinese jets, which have so far struggled to find foreign buyers. The approval would follow this week's announcements by Vietnamese airlines of agreements on U.S. loans for the purchase of Boeing planes. (Reporting and writing by Francesco Guarascio; Additional reporting by Phuong Nguyen and Khanh Vu in Hanoi and Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Katerina Ang) By Poppy McPherson BANGKOK (Reuters) - A sophisticated network of fake social media accounts sprang to the impassioned defence of former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte after he was sent to the International Criminal Court to face charges over his bloody drug war. Around a third of accounts discussing the arrest on the platform X, mostly praising Duterte and lambasting the court, were fake, according to research shared with Reuters by a tech firm that termed it a "deliberate, organized" campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The accounts acted with a sophistication that made them hard to distinguish from real people, it said. Such aggressive proliferation of disinformation has now begun shaping discourse around the Southeast Asian nation's mid-term elections next month, said the company, Israel-based Cyabra, which uses artificial intelligence to identify fake accounts. Its findings echo warnings from lawmakers and researchers in the Philippines and indicate increasingly sophisticated and "seamless" manipulation in a country dubbed "patient zero" for global disinformation. In another, upcoming study also seen by Reuters, up to 45% of discussions about the elections a showdown between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the Duterte camp have been driven by inauthentic accounts, including sock puppets, avatars and bots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What we found in the Philippines isn't just disinformation spike it's digital warfare," said Cyabra's chief executive, Dan Brahmy. "These fake networks didn't just show up they shaped the conversation," Brahmy said, adding the election-related accounts could garner around 54 million views. "And if it's happening this visibly in the Philippines, it's naive to think it's not happening elsewhere too." The firm said it did not trace the origins of the fake accounts, though it was likely a single source. Spokespeople for the Marcos government and Duterte did not respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'DIGITAL BLACK OPS' The level of "coordinated disinformation" seen in the Philippines was far above the typical 7%-10% range of online conversations globally about "highly sensitive or polarizing" issues, according to Cyabra, which has monitored similar campaigns worldwide. It found that 16% of X accounts involved in discussions about a December election in Romania that were cancelled over accusations of Russian meddling had been fake. The use of fake accounts and paid influencers for political operations is widespread in the Philippines, with multiple political parties turning to "click armies" credited with helping sweep Duterte into the presidency in 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Analysts saw the hallmarks of a troll army in the days after his arrest last month, when a surge of false claims swept social media, with supporters claiming the ICC had no jurisdiction, calling its move a "kidnapping", and harassing victims. Duterte's 2016-2022 presidency was defined by the tough-on-crime former mayor's anti-drug operations, which Philippine police have said killed 6,200 suspects. Cyabra, which says its machine learning can identify fake accounts through behavioural signals, analysed 1,890 profiles that generated more than 5,500 posts and comments on X about Dutertes arrest. About a third were flagged as fake, responsible for more than 1,300 posts generating more than 7,000 engagements, including likes, comments and shares, potentially reaching more than 11.8 million views, the company said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cyabra said the accounts posted simultaneously, with coordinated activity spikes, identical content and promotion of the same hashtags and narratives. "The content produced by the fake profiles revealed a clear objective: to bolster public support for Rodrigo Duterte and shape a sympathetic, legacy-driven narrative around his arrest, the firm said. BLENDING SEAMLESSLY The wave of pro-Duterte disinformation is boosting support for the narrative that he was kidnapped by the ICC at the behest of the Marcos government, said Victor Andres "Dindo" Manhit, a Manila-based political analyst and founder of the research and advisory firm Stratbase Group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No society is ready to see through the disinformation but we need as a nation to fight it," he said. Duterte was arrested in Manila at the request of the ICC, accused of murder as a crime against humanity during the drug crackdown, which drew condemnation around the world. The former president, who has not entered a plea, has a confirmation of charges hearing scheduled for September 23. In a Facebook post after his arrest, Duterte said, "I will be responsible for everything." The arrest marks a stunning change of fortunes for the influential Duterte family, which formed a formidable alliance with Marcos to help him win a 2022 election by a huge margin, with Duterte's daughter, Sara Duterte as his vice president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the two later had a bitter fallout, and analysts see the mid-term elections, where more than 18,200 seats will be contested, as a proxy battle between them. Cyabra's study found the proliferation of fake profiles discussing the polls and expressing views across the political spectrum. Of 2,154 profiles examined by the firm between January 1 and March 10, 37% were fake. Of a sample of 3,033 profiles discussing an administration-backed coalition, the firm determined about 45% were fake. The profiles were "strategically connected to amplify each other's content", creating the "illusion of broad public support or opposition", with coordinated bursts of engagement, posting at frequencies not humanly possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many fake profiles interacted with real accounts, allowing them to "blend seamlessly into discussions", engaging with journalists, taking part in debates and reacting in real-time, Cyabra said. "If you're just scrolling, there's no obvious giveaway they're built to blend in." (Reporting by Poppy McPherson in Bangkok; Additional reporting by Karen Lema in Manila; Editing by Saad Sayeed) Germany is exhausted by mass migration and may need to use emergency EU powers to turn away asylum seekers, an ally of Friedrich Merz has said. Gunter Krings, an MP and policy negotiator for the incoming chancellors Christian Democrats [CDU] party, said the new government could invoke Article 72 of the blocs main treaty to generally reject asylum seekers at Germanys land borders. The emergency clause, from the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union [TFEU], allows EU members to suspend certain rules such as asylum procedures if they pose a threat to internal security and the maintenance of law order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Krings, who negotiated migration policy in the coalition talks, told The Telegraph: More than four million asylum seekers and war refugees came to Germany in the last decade, our capacities to integrate so many people into our society are exhausted, our public order and internal security severely affected. Guenter Krings said: More than four million asylum seekers and war refugees came to Germany in the last decade - photothek de/imageBROKER/Shutterstock The MP pointed out that Olaf Scholz, the outgoing chancellor, set a precedent for using Article 72 on security grounds when he reintroduced passport checks at all German land borders last year. It can also be used to generally reject asylum seekers without a proper visa, Mr Krings said. Mr Merz vowed to chart a new course on migration this week as he announced a coalition government with the centre-Left Social Democrats, following his election victory in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mass rejections of asylum seekers at land borders was a key campaign pledge for Mr Merz, who is under intense political pressure from Alternative for Germany [AfD], the hard-Right party that came second in the federal elections. The coalition deal announced this week states that Germany will reject asylum seekers at its borders in coordination with EU neighbours, and launch a repatriation offensive of illegal migrants. Another key policy is abolishing a Scholz government reform that allowed foreigners to acquire German citizenship in just three years, rather than five. As several neighbouring countries have already ruled out cooperating on border rejections, CDU officials expect they may need to take stronger measures, such as invoking Article 72. Using Article 72 to scrap EU asylum rules would be controversial, and experts are divided on whether it is even legal. The German government would have to supply proof that it was dealing with a national emergency, which may be difficult as recent figures show a 30 per cent drop in asylum applications. In another potential legal hurdle, EU law states that asylum seekers should be allowed to enter a country before their claim can be dismissed. However, Mr Krings, who worked as a lawyer before entering politics, said this argument overlooks the fact that asylum seekers crossing into Germany have already been granted refuge in a safe EU country, such as Austria or Poland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It clearly follows from EU law that any asylum procedure must be started in the country in which an asylum seeker is currently located, he said. So if he is in Austria for example, Austria must either carry out the asylum procedure itself or transfer the asylum seeker to the country where he first entered European soil. It would be absurd to assume that the responsibility for his asylum case should miraculously switch to Germany, once this person just shows up at the German border. Mr Krings added that as long as an asylum seeker has not legally crossed our border, they cannot be considered part of the German legal or social security system. Therefore a unilateral rejection at our borders is lawful and fair, he said. The CDUs current priority is striking deals on a smoother and more effective security regime with neighbouring countries to support border rejections, he said. 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. SUVA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Fiji's Ministry of Health has declared a dengue fever outbreak for its Central Division, where over 1,090 confirmed cases have been reported during the first quarter of this year. It said that over the last three weeks, a surge in dengue cases has been observed in many places of the island nation, including the capital city of Suva, according to local media reports on Friday. The significant rise in dengue case numbers is expected following periods of heavy rainfall and flooding, especially during the months of November to April. The ministry is implementing its dengue outbreak response plan and continues to monitor the outbreak situation at divisional and national levels. It has also assured its commitment to delivering critical medicines to support response actions and patient care across the country. The ministry is urging the public to learn more about dengue, take necessary precautions to prevent getting infected, and present early to their local health facility should they develop symptoms. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) If youre headed to downtown Dayton today, you might notice an increased police presence. The Dayton SWAT team will be operating at the former Key Bank building near the intersection of Main and Second streets on April 11. Law enforcement officials are at the location for training purposes, so there is no need to be worried. While the SWAT presence is visible, you might notice a number of law enforcement vehicles. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALLEGHANY COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) Alleghany Highlands Public Schools (AHPS) Superintendent Kim Halterman and other school board representatives broke their silence on issues surrounding Covington Middle School. They hosted a press conference and invited officials from the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) and air quality experts to speak on what they found after multiple inspections in the building for carbon monoxide and other dangerous gases. This follows a lawsuit from concerned parents and the Fishwick and Associates law firm against the school board to shut down the middle school for the rest of the school year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED STORY | Families suing ACPS District over carbon monoxide issues When they went home for virtual learning, the school evacuated and did virtual learning, their symptoms subsided, and they got better, John Fishwick, the owner of Fishwick and Associates, said. Then, when they returned to school, their symptoms that are consistent with exposure to carbon monoxide picked back up. However, the school system and VDH believe the air in Covington Middle School is safe. I have to be crystal clear; they cannot be associated with the middle school, Doctor Cynthia Morrow, the director of VDHs Roanoke City and Alleghany health districts, said. Based on the fact that the school was closed when the overwhelming majority of positive findings of elevated carboxyhemoglobin levels were identified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reports can be found on the recently updated website, cmsincident.com. RELATED STORY | Covington Middle School Press Conference The school board did find a different problem: poor air flow. Halterman said it plans to upgrade that immediately. We wish to and will upgrade our ventilation system and that associated equipment at Covington Middle School, she said. We are also purchasing temporary window units that will be installed to assist in that situation. Halterman said the installation of those new units will begin later this month and finish before students return next fall. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. Foreign-born residents comprise only about 1% of the population in Cambria, Somerset and Bedford counties. That rate, among a combined 250,000 people, is well behind the state average of 7.4% and the national number of 13.9%, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data compiled for 2019 to 2023. Faces of Immigration logo And it is a much different environment than in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when immigrants flocked to the region to work in steel mills and coal mines, following generations of Germans, Welsh and Irish who arrived earlier. The waves of workers came from Czechoslovakia, Croatia, Poland, Russia, Hungary, Italy and elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many journeyed to the new land to make money. Others escaped persecution. Some did both. By 1880, 40% of Johnstowns residents were foreign-born, with that number swelling to 85% in the Cambria City neighborhood, according to information at Heritage Johnstowns website. Modern immigration tends to involve professionals in the medical, technology and education sectors, many arriving from India, other parts of Asia, the Middle East and from Latin America. BURKERT 2 Richard Burkert, President & CEO of JAHA poses inside the Johnstown Flood Museum on Wednesday, August 16, 2023. But there has been a common thread over the decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Basically, they were driven by desire to get ahead, said Richard Burkert, former CEO of the former Johnstown Area Heritage Association, now known as Heritage Johnstown. David Hurst, executive director of The Steeples Project that preserves and repurposes old ethnic churches in the Cambria City Historic District, said immigrants come to the area to start over with hope and a prayer. Hurst, whose wife, Keiko Hurst, emigrated from Japan, said: Its the experience of every single immigrant who comes to this shore. They literally turn their back on, give up and walk away from everything that they had. Similar to this area Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delaware and Shawnee natives inhabited a land then called kwnmuxkw, meaning otter in the Unami-Lenape language. It eventually developed into Conemaugh or Connumach for Otter Creek. The areas hills were filled with deer and other wild animals. Fish swam in the valleys three rivers. Joseph Schantz, a German immigrant also called Joseph Johns, founded Conemaugh Old Town, which became Johnstown, in 1800. It was a little town amid that same mostly natural setting. Later, waves of people arrived from Eastern Europe. And, in some ways, many of those immigrants were probably reminded of their homelands when they saw the local landscapes, farmlands and little towns in this part of the new world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khandakar Raihan Hussain Dr. Khandakar Hussain Dr. Khandakar Hussain, from Conemaugh Health System, feels the same way, even though he hails from a much different type of homeland, Bangladesh, than those previous immigrants did. Both locations have places for him to hike and fish although in Bangladesh he caught fish to get food, here it is about recreational fun at the Quemahoning Reservoir. Agriculture is important in both communities, with his native region being a major tea producer. Part of the reason I stayed in Johnstown, its so funny, is because the area where I am from, Sylhet, it is similar to this area, excluding the snow part, Hussain said. Its a valley, too. Its a nice hilly area. Thats why I like it. And the rainy part, it also rains all the time there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hussain came to Johnstown, following his uncle, Anwar Hussain, who worked at Conemaugh. Khandakar Hussain quickly fell in love with this town after spending a year in New York City immediately after arriving in the United States. A different culture Immigrants wove their various cultures into Johnstowns identity. At times, there were churches and social clubs for different ethnic groups in neighborhoods, most notably Cambria City, where their contributions are still celebrated with the annual Cambria City Ethnic Festival and the Polacek Family Johnstown Slavic Festival. When they became American, they did it on their own terms. What they did was merge some of their customs with American ways, Burkert said. In a way, they basically enlarged what it meant to be American, changed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement International Dinner Show | Gella Family Foundation Kamal Gella, of Johnstown, organizer of the Gella Family Foundation's International Dinner Show held at the Richland Township Fire Department banquet hall in Johnstown on Tuesday, April 9, 2024. In a similar spirit, Kamal Gella, from Vizag, Andhra Pradesh, India, shared his culture by hosting an Indian-themed International Dinner Show in 2024. It is important for people to learn about other cultures, Gella said. Its even an opportunity for people to enjoy Indian food and also to experience a different culture. Like those past immigrants, Gella has embraced the region, calling it a great place to raise children, a wonderful community that gave me an opportunity for growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gella has served with numerous organizations over the years, including Westmont Hilltop School Districts board of directors, Johnstown Concert Ballet and Gallery on Gazebo. I think its important for each one of us to give back to the community, Gella said. Community of immigrants Many immigrants and migrants from elsewhere in the United States came to the Johnstown region at least in part because they were marginalized, threatened or attacked where they were living. Barry Rudel Barry Rudel, a representative of Beth Sholom synagogue, gives a presentation about the history of Jewish businesses in Johnstown at Gallery on Gazebo in downtown Johnstown on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barry Rudel, a historian and representative of Beth Sholom synagogue in Westmont Borough, said Jews often arrived after having escaped poverty and persecution. According to Rudels research, from 1854 into the 1880s, the German Jewish community in Johnstown was highly interrelated, coming from the Hesse-Darmstadt region. There were 240 Jews in the city at the time of the Great Flood of 1889, with 24 of them dying. Approximately 1,000 Jews arrived from 1881 through 1924, when familial chain migration was common. Many were part of the merchant class, with arguably the most well-known being the Glosser family that owned and operated Glosser Brothers Department Store located in the citys downtown. The impact that Johnstowns Jewish community has had on the general community has been and is immeasurable, Rudel said. First of all, the whole community was a community of immigrants. Johnstowns Jewish immigrants impact on the general community is now through the second and third generation of immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deacon Wilson Deacon Jeffrey Wilson, Pleasant Hill Church talks about not being allowed in the Johnstown Housing Authority Prospect Community meeting on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Meanwhile, many current local Black residents trace their family histories to men and women who left the repressive Jim Crow South as part of the Great Migration in the early 20th century. They were enticed to the North with the promise of work in the steel mills and coal mines. Although representing migration, by definition not international immigration they still traveled to a new land and added their culture to the Johnstown story. I think that, through the Great Migration, there were a lot of gains that were made by the African American or Black community in the city, said Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Deacon Jeffrey Wilson, a community leader who is well-versed in local history. Many of those people that came here in particular from the Deep South, they stressed education. Many of them taught their sons and daughters and their grandchildren that they could have a life that would not be as difficult when it comes to labor, for example. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. The interview started off with the immigrant talking about memories from a native hometown far away from the Johnstown region, sharing a personal family history and a life-changing decision to move to the United States. Then a question was asked about any negative experiences. Would you please pause? the person asked, motioning toward the cellphone that was recording the conversation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faces of Immigration logo The person said that so many positive memories could be shared, but also mentioned that, of course, there had been instances of being treated poorly because of being an immigrant. Those were not to be publicly shared, though, out of concern of possible reactions by some people in the community. The recording app went back on and the conversation continued. Numerous people were asked to be interviewed for this The Tribune-Democrat project about modern immigration to the area. A good number of the invitations were accepted. In some cases, there was an original enthusiastic response that later turned into radio silence. Others produced no reply at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And one person texted: Immigration is a sensitive topic. I am not comfortable in talking about it. Political narratives There have often been negative responses to immigration in the nations history. Citizens whose grandparents and great-grandparents emigrated to the country, likely amid some backlash to their presence, have pointed to new waves of immigrants with their different religions, foods, music, languages, customs and often skin colors and said those people did not belong in their United States. In modern times, there have been contentious policy disagreements about migrant laborers who work in fields or restaurant kitchens, professionals in high-tech and medical fields, and undocumented immigrants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, last month, President Donald Trump announced that 530,000 sponsored migrants from Cuba, Nicaragua, Haiti and Venezuela will have their temporary legal status revoked. They came to the United States as part of the CHNV process a two-year humanitarian parole program and an acronym for those countries that was designed to open legal pathways to residency under former President Joe Biden. The decision was praised by Trumps backers and criticized by those who support more open immigration policies. A federal judge said Thursday that she would stay that order while a court case continues. Judge will halt Trump administration from ending humanitarian parole for people from four countries 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While not singling out any person, policy or national incident, Alvaro Bernal, a University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown foreign language professor from Colombia, has seen a noticeable increase in the open expression of biases against immigrants, influenced in part by certain political narrative, he said. Attitudes that were once kept private are now articulated more openly and without hesitation, Bernal said. Unfortunately, non-white immigrants have long been perceived by some people as second-class citizens a perception often rooted in ignorance, misunderstanding and lack of awareness. It is concerning to observe that rather than diminishing, such views appear to be gaining traction. There is no doubt that this problem is associated with deficiencies in education, the media and political discourse. Over generations, if not centuries, these deficiencies have shaped public perception. This type of problem has never been unfamiliar to us in the past, but we must now be more prepared to deal with it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ola Johansson, a UPJ geography professor from Sweden, also saw a connection between immigration and race. Its not something that I think about a whole lot because Im privileged, Johansson said. Im a white male. So even if people notice I have a slight accent or know I wasnt born in the U.S., it is not something that plays a big role for me personally. Johansson said he has experienced some minor incidents. Bernal said most people have been kind, generous and welcoming to him, but recalled a handful of negative interactions, including an unsettling experience when a police officer treated me poorly when I approached him for assistance, and when he and his son were subjected to bullying by a group of teenagers solely because we were speaking Spanish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bernal said: Finally, Ive encountered individuals who feel uncomfortable or defensive about my English accent. Some have even asked to see my drivers license in order to verify, I guess, my immigration status. Occasionally, these situations may arise, but they are not common. In a more positive way, cultural differences can often lead to educational opportunities. For example, the Johnstown region is overwhelmingly Christian with very few people practicing any other faiths. Dr. Saba Waseem Dr. Saba Waseem Dr. Saba Waseem, a Muslim from Pakistan and director for Conemaugh Health Systems Internal Medicine Residency Program, sees that as an opportunity to share stories about her religion and background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When people learn more about people Im open if anybody asks me about my religion, my background, Waseem said. If they are interested in knowing, then I would share what my values are. I obviously like to learn from other people about their religious traditions, backgrounds, so it helps my knowledge grow. Theres a small Muslim community in Johnstown. Theres freedom to practice. Theres no bias that I see. That has never been an issue, at least with me personally. Waseem acknowledged that obviously there are a lot of things you read in the news regarding some peoples opinions about Muslims and countries such as Pakistan. I cant speak for people about their views and the reasons behind their views, she said. But I think when people learn more about people from outside Johnstown, other countries, other ethnicities, I think the more knowledge there is, then I think the smaller the differences. Claim: In the 2021 book Value(s), Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote, Western society is morally rotten and has been corrupted by capitalism. Rating: Rating: Incorrect Attribution Context: Carney did not make such a statement, nor did it appear in his book. "Value(s): Building a Better World for All" was a critique of present-day economic systems in a culture that rejects human values. He called for a rebalancing of the essential dynamism of capitalism with our broader social goals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney began his tenure in March 2025, many users online looked into his past writings as an economist for insight into his worldview. According to numerous posts (archived), Carney wrote the following in his 2021 book "Value(s): Building a Better World for All": "Western society is morally rotten and has been corrupted by capitalism." (@davemcmillanmtl/X) Another X post (archived) read: "Carney in his book said Western society is morally corrupt... And requires rigid controls on personal freedoms." (@CardinalWayne/X) The screenshot shared above came from a 2021 National Post review of Carney's book by columnist Peter Foster, and indicates the words quoted in social media posts were likely Foster's, not Carney's (emphasis ours): In his book Value(s): Building a Better World for All, Mark Carney, former governor both of the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England, claims that Western society is morally rotten, and that it has been corrupted by capitalism, which has brought about a "climate emergency" that threatens life on earth. This, he claims, requires rigid controls on personal freedom, industry and corporate funding. No such quote appears in the book, which offers a critique of current markets and how they fail to prioritize human values. Carney did not call society "morally rotten" in the book, nor did he claim that "it has been corrupted by capitalism." As such, we rate this claim as an incorrect attribution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We looked for variations of the alleged quote in the book by searching for Carney's descriptions of capitalism, morality, and Western society. Our search confirmed that it doesn't contain the quote, "Western society is morally rotten, and that it has been corrupted by capitalism." A Google search of the quote arrived at the same result. The quote, clearly fashioned by stringing together phrases from Foster's review, originated in social media posts that attributed it to Carney. For comparison, a 2021 review of Carney's book in The Guardian offered a very different synopsis and critique. In sum, Carney is critical of unfettered capitalism and its effects on society, but the quote attributed to him was fake, cobbled together by person(s) unknown from a negative review of his book. Sources: Carney, Mark. Value(s): Building a Better World for All. Public Affairs, 2021. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foster, Peter. "Mark Carney, Man of Destiny, Wants to Revolutionize Society. It Won't Be Pleasant." National Post, June 5, 2021. https://nationalpost.com/opinion/peter-foster-mark-carney-man-of-destiny-arises-to-revolutionize-society-it-wont-be-pleasant." target="blank">https://nationalpost.com/opinion/peter-foster-mark-carney-man-of-destiny-arises-to-revolutionize-society-it-wont-be-pleasant.">https://nationalpost.com/opinion/peter-foster-mark-carney-man-of-destiny-arises-to-revolutionize-society-it-wont-be-pleasant. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025. Hutton, Will. "Value(s) by Mark Carney Review Call for a New Kind of Economics." The Guardian, 21 Mar. 2021. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/21/values-by-mark-carney-review-call-for-a-new-kind-of-economics." target="blank">https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/21/values-by-mark-carney-review-call-for-a-new-kind-of-economics.">https://www.theguardian.com/books/2021/mar/21/values-by-mark-carney-review-call-for-a-new-kind-of-economics. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025. Ibrahim, Nur. "No, Mark Carney Is Not Related to Justin Trudeau by Marriage." Snopes, 1 Apr. 2025, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/mark-carney-justin-trudeau-marriage/." target="blank">https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/mark-carney-justin-trudeau-marriage/.">https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/mark-carney-justin-trudeau-marriage/. Accessed 8 Apr. 2025. Claim: A pair of authentic news headlines accurately stated that the U.S. Department of Justice directed prosecutors to seek the death penalty for UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect Luigi Mangione, whereas prosecutors offered a gunman who killed 23 in a racist attack at a Texas Walmart a plea deal to avoid the same sentence. Rating: Rating: True In early 2025, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced she would direct prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, the suspect charged in December 2024 for allegedly killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. In response, many online compared Mangione's possible punishment to sentencing decisions in another case: that of Patrick Crusius, who killed 23 people and injured 22 more in a shooting targeting Hispanic immigrants at an El Paso, Texas, Walmart in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On social media, an image showing two news headlines side by side spread widely. One headline, purportedly from MSNBC News, was, "DOJ directs prosecutors to seek death penalty for Luigi Mangione." The second was allegedly from CNN, and it read, "Gunman who killed 23 in racist attack at Texas Walmart offered plea deal to avoid death penalty." Screenshots of the pair of headlines spread on platforms like X, Instagram, Bluesky, Reddit and Facebook. Some social media users used the headline to critique the United States' criminal justice system. The headlines in the image were authentic headlines from MSNBC and CNN. Furthermore, the information in the two headlines was accurate: Federal prosecutors were, at the time of this writing, seeking the death penalty for 26-year-old Mangione, whereas prosecutors did not and will not seek the death penalty for Crusius, also 26. Thus, we rate this claim true. Bondi said in a statement on April 1 that she had directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty for Mangione because "the murder was an act of political violence" and "may have posed grave risk of death to additional persons" because the shooting took place in public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal prosecutors who charged and convicted Crusius, a white supremacist, under hate crime laws in 2023 did not provide any rationale for why they chose not to seek the death penalty. In 2025, El Paso County District Attorney James Montoya said he chose not to seek the death penalty for Crusius per the wishes of most of his victims' families a detail that one family member publicly contradicted in an opinion piece for the news outlet El Paso Matters. Snopes also fact-checked a related claim comparing Mangione's potential death sentence to the sentences handed down to convicted school shooters. The two cases MSNBC's story, dated April 1, 2025, is here. As the screenshot that circulated on social media showed, the headline is "DOJ directs prosecutors to seek death penalty for Luigi Mangione." This information in the headline was true; Bondi released a statement that same day via the Justice Department's Office of Public Affairs. The relevant portion of the statement, which can be read online here, is below (emphasis ours): Luigi Mangione's murder of Brian Thompson an innocent man and father of two young children was a premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America. After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trump's agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again. CNN's story, dated March 25, 2025, was a syndicated piece originally from The Associated Press, and versions of it appeared in different publications under different headlines. Still, the headline that appeared on CNN's page did, in fact, read, "Gunman who killed 23 in racist attack at Texas Walmart offered plea deal to avoid death penalty." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The information in the CNN headline was also true. El Paso County District Attorney James Montoya, a prosecutor in the Texas case, announced his office's decision not to seek the death penalty on that same day in a news conference: The first thing I wanted to do was to confirm that our office has, in fact, extended an offer to the defendant in this case to plead guilty to capital murder and a sentence to life without parole and a complete waiver of all of his appellate rights in exchange for us no longer pursuing dropping the death penalty in this case. Montoya told reporters that while he personally believes Crusius should receive the death penalty, seeking that sentence would lengthen the process and go against the wishes of most of the victims' families and survivors. "I could not in good conscience continue to seek the death penalty against the wishes of so many other people," he said (see 6:40). He also acknowledged that some families still wanted him to seek the death penalty. (One family member who believed the sentence should be left to a jury wrote an op-ed calling Montoya's outreach to families "limited at best.") The full news conference video is available on the website of a Texas CBS affiliate. Federal prosecutors also chose not to seek the death penalty for Crusius; they announced this decision on Jan. 17, 2023, in a one-sentence filing that provided no explanation. The state case, for various reasons Montoya alluded to in the news conference, has moved more slowly than the federal case, which wrapped up in July 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department later released a statement announcing that the judge in the federal case sentenced Crusius to 90 consecutive life sentences for the shooting under hate crime and firearm laws. The administration of former U.S. President Joe Biden, who was in office during the federal trial, did not appear to provide any explanation for the decision not to pursue the death penalty in the Crusius case to reporters at the time. Biden has, in the past, opposed the death penalty. Sources: Associated Press. "Gunman Who Killed 23 in Racist Attack at Texas Walmart Offered Plea Deal to Avoid Death Penalty." CNN, 25 Mar. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/03/25/us/patrick-crusius-plea-deal-el-paso-walmart/index.html. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025. "Attorney General Pamela Bondi Directs Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty for Luigi Mangione." Justice.gov, 1 Apr. 2025, www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-pamela-bondi-directs-prosecutors-seek-death-penalty-luigi-mangione. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bleiberg, Jake, and Michael Tarm. "US Won't Seek Death Penalty for Alleged Texas Walmart Gunman." Associated Press, 17 Jan. 2023, apnews.com/article/el-paso-crime-capital-punishment-hate-crimes-afddd0e17bb68d2fc3a5eb1dc096e514. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025. Deng, Grace. "Biden Didn't Pardon Murderers on Death Row. He Gave Them Life in Prison." Snopes, Snopes.com, 28 Jan. 2025, www.snopes.com/news/2025/01/29/biden-prison-pardon-death-row/. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025. Esposito, Joey. "At Least 4 School Shooters Sentenced to Death since 1940, but Not One Has yet Been Executed." Snopes, Snopes.com, 4 Apr. 2025, www.snopes.com/fact-check/school-shooters-death-penalty/. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025. "Federal Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty for Luigi Mangione in UnitedHealthcare CEO's Killing." AP News, 1 Apr. 2025, https://apnews.com/article/unitedhealthcare-ceo-killing-luigi-mangione-nyc-29dba97034d4fa81822f481d08cf2842. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KFOX, ERIKA ESQUIVEL. "Families Influence DA's Plea Deal Choice, Sparing Walmart Shooter from Death Penalty." KDBC, 25 Mar. 2025, cbs4local.com/newsletter-daily/da-families-of-walmart-shooting-victims-divided-on-death-penalty-majority-seek-closure?photo=3. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025. Margaret, Leachman. "IN the UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT for the WESTERN DISTRICT of TEXAS EL PASO DIVISION." El Paso Matters, 17 Jan. 2023, elpasomatters.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Death-penalty-document.pdf. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025. Moore, Robert, et al. "Feds Won't Seek Death Penalty against Alleged Walmart Gunman." El Paso Matters, 17 Jan. 2023, elpasomatters.org/2023/01/17/crucius-wont-face-death-penalty-in-federal-hate-crime-charges/. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025. MSNBC. "DOJ Directs Prosecutors to Seek Death Penalty for Luigi Mangione." MSNBC.com, MSNBC, 1 Apr. 2025, www.msnbc.com/jose-diaz-balart/watch/doj-directs-prosecutors-to-seek-death-penalty-for-luigi-mangione-235976261684. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Romero, Karla. "Opinion: I Lost My Mother in the Walmart Mass Shooting. DA James Montoya Let Us Down." El Paso Matters, 29 Mar. 2025, elpasomatters.org/2025/03/29/opinion-da-james-montoya-death-penalty-decision-aug-3-2019-walmart-mass-shooting/. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025. Stengle, Jamie. "El Paso Walmart Gunman Who Killed 23 Offered Plea Deal to Avoid Death Penalty." AP News, 25 Mar. 2025, apnews.com/article/el-paso-walmart-shooting-texas-death-penalty-d47db8f41f498942747a36907cb23269. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025. U.S. Department of Justice. "Texas Man Sentenced to 90 Consecutive Life Sentences for 2019 Mass Shooting at Walmart in El Paso, Texas, Killing 23 People and Injuring 22 Others." Justice.gov, 7 July 2023, www.justice.gov/archives/opa/pr/texas-man-sentenced-90-consecutive-life-sentences-2019-mass-shooting-walmart-el-paso-texas. Accessed 4 Apr. 2025. Claim: U.S. President Donald Trump placed reciprocal tariffs on a group of uninhabited islands occupied only by penguins and other wildlife. Rating: Rating: True Context: Penguins are the most abundant birds on the Heard and McDonalds islands. The islands are also home to other animals including seals, flying birds and invertebrates but no humans. In early April 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced sweeping "Liberation Day" tariffs affecting regions globally including even a group of uninhabited islands occupied only by penguins and other wildlife, per a rumor online. BREAKING: Trump has officially placed a 10% tariff on the Heard Island and McDonald which has a population of 0 people and is inhabited only by penguins unusual_whales (@unusual_whales) April 9, 2025 One X user wrote: "BREAKING: Trump has officially placed a 10% tariff on the Heard Island and McDonald which has a population of 0 people and is inhabited only by penguins." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The claim was true. Even after Trump announced a 90-day pause on some of the new rates on April 9, the plan still included a 10% duty on foreign imports from the Heard Island and McDonald Islands (HIMI), an uninhabited island group that is part of the external territory of Australia and located near Antarctica. In addition to X, the claim circulated on Facebook (archived), Threads (archived), Reddit (archived) and Bluesky (archived). The Heard and McDonalds islands (HIMI) are home to penguins, seals and, according to the CIA World Factbook and the Australian government, no humans. The Trump administration's original tariffs list (archived), posted on the White House X account, did indeed include the "Heard and McDonald Islands," which were hit with 10% "discounted reciprocal" tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We reached out to the White House to ask why an island group with no human inhabitants was included on its tariffs list. We also asked why HIMI was listed separately from Australia, given the island group's classification as Australian territory and the fact that "mainland" Australia and HIMI were hit with the same 10% tariffs. We await the White House's reply. We also reached out to the Australian Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for its latest comment on the HIMI tariffs and await a reply. According to UNESCO, which includes the island group on its World Heritage List of locations with "outstanding universal value": The distinctive conservation value of Heard and McDonald one of the world's rare pristine island ecosystems lies in the complete absence of alien plants and animals, as well as human impact. The Australian government also highlighted the care taken to minimize human impact on the island group. According to the government website: Since the first landing on Heard Island in 1855, there have been only approximately 240 shore-based visits to the island, and only two landings on McDonald Island (in 1971 and 1980). In lieu of humans, the island's inhabitants include flying birds, penguins, seals and invertebrates. Penguins are the most abundant birds on the islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this, import and export figures from the World Bank reported by the Guardian appeared to show that the U.S. imported $1.4 million worth of goods from HIMI in 2022. Almost all of the imported goods were classed as "mach and electric." It was not clear from the World Bank figures what specific products were imported by the U.S. On April 4, The Guardian reported that the HIMI tariffs "appear to have been calculated based on erroneous trade data." The Guardian's investigation found lists of ship cargo from Europe to the U.S. with the shipper's address listing HIMI not a European country. Snopes has not independently verified The Guardian's findings. Snopes has not independently verified The Guardian's findings. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick told CBS on April 6 that places like HIMI were hit with tariffs because they could be potential "loopholes" through which nations facing high tariffs could continue to export to the U.S. at lower rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of Trump's "Liberation Day" tariffs, including those for HIMI, took effect on April 5 after being announced on April 2. However, on April 9, Trump announced the 90-day pause on higher rates for dozens of U.S. trading partners, excluding China. The 10% reciprocal tariff rate remains in place for other countries and territories, including HIMI. Snopes is keeping a running tracker of the Trump administration's tariffs. Sources: Animals Australian Antarctic Program. 4 July 2024, https://www.antarctica.gov.au/antarctic-operations/stations/other-locations/heard-island/nature/animals/. Bohannon, Molly, and Antonio Pequeno IV. "Here's The Full List Of Trump's Reciprocal Tariffs Announced Wednesday." Forbes, 2 Apr. 2025, https://archive.ph/M0JER#selection-3463.0-3463.14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Centre, UNESCO World Heritage. "Heard and McDonald Islands." UNESCO World Heritage Centre, https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/577/. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025. Heard Island and McDonald Islands Australian Antarctic Program. 9 July 2024, https://www.antarctica.gov.au/antarctic-operations/stations/other-locations/heard-island/. Human Activities Heard and McDonald Islands Australian Antarctic Program. 28 Feb. 2005, https://www.antarctica.gov.au/antarctic-operations/stations/other-locations/heard-island/human-activities/. Lyons, Kate, and Nick Evershed. "'Nowhere on Earth Is Safe': Trump Imposes Tariffs on Uninhabited Islands near Antarctica." The Guardian, 3 Apr. 2025. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/03/donald-trump-tariffs-antarctica-uninhabited-heard-mcdonald-islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lyons, Kate, and Nick Evershed. "Not That Norfolk! Mislabelled Shipments Led to Trump Tariffs on Uninhabited Islands and Remote Outposts with No US Trade." The Guardian, 4 Apr. 2025. The Guardian, https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/04/revealed-how-trump-tariffs-slugged-norfolk-island-and-uninhabited-heard-and-mcdonald-islands. "Regulating Imports with a Reciprocal Tariff to Rectify Trade Practices That Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits." The White House, 2 Apr. 2025, https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/regulating-imports-with-a-reciprocal-tariff-to-rectify-trade-practices-that-contribute-to-large-and-persistent-annual-united-states-goods-trade-deficits/. Transcript: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan," April 6, 2025 - CBS News. 6 Apr. 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-commerce-secretary-howard-lutnick-on-face-the-nation-with-margaret-brennan-april-6-2025/. United States Product Exports and Imports to Heard Island and McDonald Isla 2022 | WITS Data. https://wits.worldbank.org/CountryProfile/en/Country/USA/Year/2022/TradeFlow/EXPIMP/Partner/HMD/Product/all-groups. Accessed 3 Apr. 2025. @WhiteHouse. X, 2 Apr. 2025, https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/1907536535450218896. UAW President Shawn Fain delivered a message Thursday night to those who might wonder where the union stands in this political moment. Were not aligning everything we do with the Trump administration. We dont align with every politician or president, he said during an address on Facebook, YouTube and X, formerly known as Twitter. Were negotiating with the Trump administration. Thats no different, he said, than during the Biden administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The union leader had very publicly backed former Vice President Kamala Harris in her election campaign against Donald Trump, but lately he has been talking up at least parts of the presidents tariff push, which have jolted financial markets and sparked warnings of recession. More: Tariffs on autos, auto parts remain in place despite Trump's 90-day pause Fain said the union has been fighting to end the free trade disaster for decades, and as he laid it out, these tariffs, at least the ones geared toward the auto industry, represent a key tool to boost U.S. employment. He said the Detroit Three and Volkswagen could add 50,000 jobs by reaching full capacity at their active plants. That doesnt mean the union supports reckless, random tariffs, but its a mistake to defend the status quo when it comes to free trade, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration is the first administration in my lifetime thats been willing to do something about this broken free trade system. Tariffs are the first step, he said, although that support puts Fain at odds with Lana Payne, the national president of Unifor, which represents Canadian autoworkers. Fain questioned the difference in reaction with the recent steep market declines from when millions of manufacturing jobs were lost and the Detroit Three closed facilities in years past. When working people suffer, its the cost of doing business, but when its Wall Streets asses on the line, then its a crisis, he said. Fain also questioned the warnings that tariffs would necessarily force steep hikes in new vehicle prices many experts have warned that prices could increase by thousands of dollars painting it as reminiscent of fearmongering heard during the 2023 strike. The companies dont need to pass the cost of auto tariffs onto consumers, he said, highlighting their profitability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Tariffs will cause drop in autoworkers' profit-sharing checks, bonuses, analysts say The address had some echoes of Fains many Facebook Live events during the 2023 strike against Ford Motor Co., General Motors and Stellantis, when he railed against corporate greed. But Fain was also sending another message Thursday, as he tried to allay concerns that some might have about the unions position in the wake of the Trump administrations apparent crackdown on dissenting voices at universities and its use of expulsions and deportations. He noted that pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khlalil, who faces possible deportation, was a former UAW member; and Grant Miner, a UAW local president representing student workers at Columbia University, had been expelled. Fain also pointed to the destruction of bargaining rights for many federal workers and attacks on the National Labor Relations Board in describing reasons for suspicion about the administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a reason we campaigned aggressively against this vision of America in the last election, and we will continue to speak out against it and mobilize against it, Fain said. Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Fain: UAW backs Trump's tariffs as way to tackle 'free trade disaster' FAIRFAX, Va. (DC News Now) A Fairfax man who ran a cross-country drug trafficking scheme was sentenced Thursday after nearly eight years on the run. Otis Chevalier, 46, was a kilogram-level PCP dealer who shipped drugs through the mail from California to Virginia and elsewhere, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia (USAO). To avoid detection, he would send packages of PCP to the mothers of his children, rather than to his own home. After receiving the packages, he redistributed them, using a storage unit in Upper Marlboro, Md., to store, prepare and repackage the PCP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement German military IT worker sentenced for downloading child porn while in Northern Virginia Chevalier used starter fluid and other solvents to prepare the PCP for distribution, and used liquid droppers and Mason-style glass jars to repackage it. Nearly a decade ago, on June 6, 2015, U.S. Postal Inspectors responded to the report of was leaking package that was shipped from California to an apartment in Alexandria. Inside, the USAO said investigators found glass jars containing around two gallons of PCP. On Dec. 11 of that year, Chevalier reportedly shipped three packages from California to Virginia and Maryland. One of the packages, which had been sent to an address in Chantilly, was seized by U.S. Postal Inspectors a week later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It had about 6.5 kg of a mixture containing PCP. Chevaliers home was searched by law enforcement on Feb. 18, 2016. At his Fairfax home, the USAO said investigators found marijuana, syringe-style droppers with PCP residue, multiple cellphones, tens of thousands of dollars, and more. For the next year, law enforcement seized containers of PCP and materials used to process PCP during various searches. Man found dead during welfare check in Prince Georges County On Jan. 5, 2017, a judge issued a warrant for Chevaliers arrest. His lawyer notified him of the warrant and pending federal charges, leading Chevalier to flee. He used the alias Delone Jones and remained a fugitive until his arrest on Aug. 29, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was sentenced on April 10, 2025, to spend 10 years in prison for conspiracy to distribute PCP and distribution of PCP. Chevalier had also been previously convicted of a felony drug charge involving PCP, during which he was found to have caused a home explosion in Bowie, Md. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By Qabil Ashirov On April 10 at 20:55, units of the Armenian armed forces opened fire with small arms on the positions of the Azerbaijani Army from their positions located in the direction of the Seyrek Meshe settlement of the Tovuzgala region. This information was provided to Azernews by the Ministry of Defense. It was stated that adequate retaliatory measures were taken by our units in the mentioned direction. NEW DELHI, April 11 (Xinhua) -- At least 22 people, including five women, were killed in the rain-related incidents in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, the state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said Friday. Heavy rains and thunderstorms lashed Uttar Pradesh between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, wreaking havoc and causing large-scale damage to crops, livestock and residential houses. The broadcaster quoting the state relief commissioner's office said 13 people were killed after being hit by lightning, while the remaining succumbed to injuries following the collapse of walls and ceilings due to heavy winds. Rain was recorded in 36 districts, while deaths were reported from 11 districts. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed grief over the deaths and announced an ex gratia relief of 4,649 U.S. dollars (INR 400,000) to each family that lost a member in the rain-related incidents. The Chief Minister also instructed officials to visit the affected areas immediately and carry out a detailed survey to assess the damage caused to life and crops due to the heavy rains. In the adjacent state of Bihar, 82 people were killed in the past two days due to lightning, thunderstorms and rain-related incidents. NEW DELHI, April 11 (Xinhua) -- As many as 300 abortion centers in India's northern state of Haryana had been stripped of their licenses over the past two days, as a crackdown was launched to check cases of female foeticide across the state. There were around 1,500 abortion centers in the state. Over the past decades, Haryana had been among the states witnessing a low sex-ratio, as traditionally families here prefer to have a boy child over girl. They opt for female foeticide after conducting a sex-determination test. As per the provisional data for the year 2024 from Haryana's health department, the sex ratio (females per 1,000 males) stood at 910, against the national sex ratio of 929. To check the skewed sex ratio, the state government had recently set up a task force to curb illegal abortions. Task force's head Virender Yadav was quoted as saying that notices had been issued to 23 abortion centers across the state, and formal police complaints had been lodged against 17 online sellers of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits. He added that a total of 23 raids had been conducted on such centers to tighten the enforcement of the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act. Besides, Haryana's health authorities reportedly said that the state government had identified over 62,000 pregnant women who were mothers to one or more girl children, and appealed to them not to undergo a gender test which was a punishable offence under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994 (PCPNDT Act). A convicted felon was arrested Wednesday night after Tukwila police say he broke into a secured parking garage and ran from officers before being caught with a loaded gun. Just after dark on April 9, officers responded to a burglary alarm at an apartment complex in the 14400 block of Tukwila International Boulevard, according to a statement from the Tukwila Police Department. When officers arrived, they found an adult male inside the gated garage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said the man was not a resident of the complex and had gained unauthorized access. As officers tried to detain him, the man ran away. Police chased him, leading to a struggle as he reportedly fought with officers and resisted arrest. After a physical altercation, officers were able to take the man into custody. A loaded firearm was recovered from his person during the arrest, police said. The suspect was later identified as a convicted felon. Possession of a firearm by a felon is illegal under state and federal law. He was booked into jail on multiple charges. The department described the arrest as yet another example of a felon being unlawfully armed. No injuries were reported during the incident. Part of the Nantucket coastline, shored up with 'geotubes' to slow erosion. (Photo by Jennifer Smith/CommonWealth Beacon) At some point between February and early March, as seasonal wind and rain hammered New England coasts, a relatively new but enthusiastically embraced tool for predicting erosion slipped off the Federal Emergency Management Agency website. This article first appeared on CommonWealth Beacon and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pioneered on Nantucket in 2020, the Coastal Erosion Hazard viewer that covered all of New England is now unavailable. It predicted erosion risk across the coast for the years 2030, 2050, and 2100, and until recently was publicly accessible on an online map used by planners and individuals alike. The tool was really helpful, said Leah Hill, Nantuckets coastal resilience coordinator, because erosion is episodic. So, an area can be stable for five, 10, 15 years, maybe lose like a foot [of beach] or so, or nothing, and then a storm could come and it could lose a bunch. Historical erosion data and flood maps kept by the state are useful, she said, but the FEMA maps incorporated sea level rise to project potential future erosion over time. The Biden administration promoted the tool for homeowners, business owners, and community officials making resiliency decisions based on erosion concerns. Hill is acutely aware of climate risks to the small island, which has one of the highest erosion rates in the state. These erosion maps, which resulted in a detailed Nantucket erosion assessment, have become baked into her work to inform residents about their property risks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prospective homeowners or homeowners will call me and say, You know, Im thinking about purchasing this property. What are the risks associated with it? Hill said. Ill create, using the best available data, a risk assessment for that property. I dont give real estate advice, but I can tell them about certain risk criteria. And in order to do so, I use the FEMA erosion projection maps. When Hill went to the site in early March, the page that used to open up the ArcGIS erosion maps instead took her to a login screen with no way to access the maps. When the maps remained inaccessible for weeks, she reached out to the Woods Hole Sea Grant for help connecting with the FEMA Region 1 team, which covers New England, receiving a brief email response on March 24. FEMA is currently taking swift action to ensure the alignment with President Trump and Secretary [Kristi] Noems direction, wrote Kerry Bogdan, the risk analysis branch chief at FEMA Region 1. To that end, FEMA Region 1s Coastal Erosion Hazard viewer will be unavailable at this time. FEMA did not respond to request for comment on the timing or rationale of removing the maps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Business magazine Fast Company reported that two software engineers were able to save and recreate data from FEMAs Future Risk Index tool when it, too, quietly vanished in February. The index mapped the projected economic losses from climate change down to the county level, based on hazards like flooding, drought, heat waves, and wildfires under different emissions scenarios. The FEMA future erosion maps are whats known as non-regulatory products, essentially tools that are designed to be accessible and user-friendly, geared toward communicating information to the public, while regulatory products like FEMA floodplain maps are required by law and determine floodplain management, mitigation, and insurance policy. For instance, if a building is in a FEMA regulatory floodplain, there may be rules for resiliency improvements. But if a parcel is a long-term future erosion risk, the way to protect it or develop it is often up to the owners discretion and informed by the available public information. Im scrambling a little bit, Hill said. She saved some of the GIS maps, but not all of them, and it isnt yet clear if the data sets have been saved elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The map scrubbing is an abrupt about-face on federal data sets, just six months after the federal government touted them as a way to help people plan for a future in the face of climate change. Bogdan told The Connecticut Mirror in September 2024 that an assortment of FEMA tools like erosion maps and forward-looking flood risk maps offered critical and helpful insights for municipalities and individuals alike. Theyre not going to tell you where you can develop, how to develop, what your insurance rate should be, but they are going to convey that hazard risk, Bogdan said. What the risk is so people can plan for it. Communities have incorporated the erosion map viewer with enthusiasm, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of our severely impacted communities from coastal erosion have really embraced this tool, and theyre incorporating it into their long-term planning for things like grid retreat, placement of utilities, water lines, gas lines, that kind of stuff, Bogdan told The Mirror. The Trump administration has, in its first three months, taken steps to roll back policies around climate resiliency planning. On March 25, FEMA announced that it stopped implementing certain floodplain management requirements for federally funded projects. This Obama-era standard, which was a mechanism for federal agencies to manage risk by requiring federally funded projects to be located out of flood risk areas or constructed to reduce the effects of current and future flood hazards, was halted under the first Trump administration, reinstated by Biden, and is now off again. Stopping implementation will reduce the total timeline to rebuild in disaster-impacted communities and eliminate additional costs previously required to adhere to these strict requirements, the FEMA announcement said in late March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, FEMA announced that it is ending the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which has given states and communities billions of dollars to protect against natural disasters. The agency is also canceling all BRIC applications from fiscal years 2020-2023. FEMA said the BRIC program is more concerned with climate change than helping Americans affected by natural disasters in a statement announcing the cuts. There has been no official statement on removing public mapping software that anticipates future flood or erosion risk. Other pages removed include the agencys 2022 Guide to Expanding Mitigation: Making the Connection to the Coast, which supplied emergency managers, community planners, coastal and floodplain managers, and other community stakeholders with resources and ideas to mitigate risk. A banner atop FEMAs website reads: FEMA.gov is being updated to comply with President Trumps Executive Orders. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Shannon Hulst, a floodplain and community rating system specialist with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Sea Grant and Cape Cod Cooperative Extension, who was able to connect Hill with FEMA Region 1, said ad-hoc data removal is cause for concern. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its disconcerting, said Hulst, who works on projects like developing flood insurance programs for towns along Cape Cod. And it certainly can make our jobs more challenging. I know, on our end, were working on downloading some of that data to make sure we continue to have access to it. In her capacity, Hulst mostly relies on regulatory products like the floodplain maps, which are a whole different ball game. There is no word that the flood maps will be taken down, Hulst said, and Massachusetts keeps state-level flood maps as back-up. Well still be OK with that data, she said of the flood maps, but the disappearance of solid predictive data is an issue for consistent long-term planning. When we know that there is a risk, and that is what we were using as the best available data to inform us about that risk, and were trying to manage our communities to the best of our ability to protect ourselves from that risk, she said, it makes it difficult. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX WASHINGTON, April 10 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink is stepping down, said U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Thursday, without giving a specific departure date. Brink was nominated by former U.S. President Joe Biden and unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate in May 2022. She is a supporter of U.S. military aid to Ukraine. Her departure comes at a critical moment in U.S.-Ukraine relations, following U.S. President Donald Trump signaling a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Ukraine and a tense meeting during which Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance blamed Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky for pressing the United States on security guarantees. TALLAHASSEE Nearly $300 million in federal aid meant to help protect Florida communities from flooding, hurricanes and other natural disasters has been frozen since President Donald Trump took office in January. Now the state will never get the money, leaving dozens of projects in limbo, from a plan to raise roads in St. Augustine to a $150 million effort to strengthen canals in South Florida. Calling it a wasteful, politicized grant program, Federal Emergency Management Agency Director Cameron Hamilton last week ended the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC, program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BRIC is only a portion but a significant one of all FEMA funds received by Florida. The cancellation of the program comes as the Trump administration says it may scrap FEMA altogether and give funds directly to the states to deal with disaster response as they see fit. Hamilton canceled all BRIC grants from 2020 to 2023, so any approved but not-yet-used money cannot be spent and must be returned to the federal government. Florida will lose $293 million of the $312 million Congress okayed for hurricane relief and flood mitigation efforts. It had so far spent only $19 million, or 6%, of its BRIC grants. It is outrageous and dangerous to rescind congressionally appropriated funding intended for flood mitigation and municipal storm preparednessespecially in a state as vulnerable to climate disasters as Florida, said Sadaf Knight, CEO of the nonpartisan Florida Policy Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida has been hit with increasingly stronger storms at a higher frequency than in the past, faces rising sea levels, and needs to repair aging storm water management systems, she said. Stripping away these critical resources puts lives, property, and public safety at unnecessary risk, Knight said. Floridas members of Congress owe the public a commitment to restoring and protecting this vital funding. The BRIC program began during Trumps first term in office in 2020 and has provided $5 billion to states and local communities. But now FEMA officials say that during the Biden administration the program became more concerned with political agendas than helping Americans affected by natural disasters. Trump froze all FEMA funds, including BRIC grants, when he took office in January. Nearly two dozen Democrat-led states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration over the freeze. They said it unfairly targeted blue states whose policies didnt align with his own views on immigration, climate change, DEI and other so-called woke ideologies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida did not join that lawsuit, and Gov. Ron DeSantis has said he supports Trumps efforts to reorganize FEMA. Cut the bureaucracy of FEMA out entirely and that money will go further than it currently does at greater amounts going through FEMAs bureaucracy, DeSantis said at a press conference in February. Last year, Florida received over $1 billion in FEMA aid after Hurricanes Helene and Milton struck the state. FEMA has stepped in 21 times in the last 14 years and given Florida $8.5 billion in disaster relief assistance. The governors office and state emergency management division did not respond to requests for comments about the canceled BRIC grants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states that sued had initial success when U.S. District Judge John McConnell of Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration to lift its FEMA freeze, calling it a covert effort to punish states whose immigration practices differed from the White House. But several days later, he granted Trump a reprieve after a Supreme Court ruling in another case seemed to vindicate its actions. Now FEMA has canceled the BRIC grants that Florida was going to use to elevate flood-prone roads in Jacksonville, build a hurricane community safe room for first responders in Key West, and undertake flood mitigation work on canals in north Miami-Dade and south Broward counties. The agency most impacted by the termination of BRIC is the South Florida Water Management District, responsible for maintaining water quality, controlling the water supply, ecosystem restoration and flood control in a 16-county area that runs from Orlando south to the Keys. The district received only $6 million of its $150 million grant before the program was canceled. The money was intended to help build three structures on canals and basins in North Miami-Dade and Broward counties to improve flood mitigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Design work for a couple of the pump stations is underway and will continue, said Drew Bartlett, the districts executive director, at a Thursday governing board meeting. We are still doing that while we evaluate the ultimate impacts to those projects. The Florida Division of Emergency Management must return $36.9 million in BRIC money that had been earmarked for management costs and technical assistance. Jacksonville will lose $24.9 million targeted to raise roads and make improvements to a water reclamation facility. Key West is out $11.25 million for its planned community safe room, and Pasco County will lose $5.56 million for 18 road improvement projects, among other cuts to communities across the state. BIG RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) Ferris State University is inviting guests to come check out the newly refurbished Rawlinson Observatory. Students living on Ferris States campus relocated amid power outage The event will run from 9 to 11 p.m. Friday, meeting at the Robinson Quad and at the observatory, located on the fourth floor of the FSU Science Building. Weather permitting, Fridays event will offer an up-close view of the moon and focus on an upcoming NASA mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our main goal is to have our students and community guests taking in the wonders of our sky, FSU assistant professor Dinesh Shetty said in a statement. There has been much work done to be able to offer this event, so we are excited to have the observatory useful and available. A full moon is forecast for Saturday night, meaning Friday should provide a great opportunity to check out the celestial body. At Ferris State, crews break ground on $22M Jim Crow Museum We will have a couple of our telescopes trained on its craters and other features, Shetty said. Even a cloudy evening will allow us to show guests the renovated observatory area and would allow for up-close examination of our telescopes. Ferris State assistant professor Dinesh Shetty adjusts a telescope inside the newly renovated Rawlinson Observatory. (Courtesy Ferris State University) Representatives will also discuss NASAs new Artemis program, which is expected to make a 10-day trip to the moon next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Artemis was established in 2017, and there was a test flight of an unmanned craft in 2022, Shetty said. Getting to this point may have us as excited as NASA about the developments. NASA to launch asteroid hunting spacecraft in 2027 The Rawlinson Observatory opened in 1965 but has been shut down for several years now, in need of upgrades and repairs. The observatory recently installed new telescopes, funded by the Faculty Center for Teaching and Learning. The event will be hosted by the FSU Physical Sciences Department. Forecasts call for skies to be mostly clear Friday night in Big Rapids, with temperatures hovering in the low 40s. University officials encourage visitors to dress appropriately for the weather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) On Thursday, a bill aimed at protecting contraceptives and fertility treatment was passed and heads to the governors desk. House Bill 0533, called the Fertility Treatment and Contraception Protection Act, codifies into law the rights of people to engage in activities associated with fertility treatment or contraception. MARCH: TN lawmaker proposes allowing for 12-month supply of birth control in bill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a lengthy discussion on the House floor Thursday, including a discussion about an amendment to change the definition of contraception. That amendment ended up failing. This bill creates a statutory right to create and destroy human embryos without limitation of any kind, Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) said. Other lawmakers talked about the importance of the bill and the help it provides families. Rep. Johnny Garrett (R-Goodlettsville) gave a personal example. We can continue to have a world where families can get assistance in the fertility world this amendment, members, would destroy that capability, Garrett said. My [daughter] Ella would not be here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Iris Rudder (R-Winchester), one of the bills sponsors, said on the House floor that while women already have the right to in vitro fertilization, the legislation will ensure that access continues especially for families wanting to plan. We dont allow elective abortions in Tennessee. We are pro-life. Yes, we are conservatives. To me, this is a bill about life. It brings life into the world, Rudder said. I stand with women in this state, and with families in this state, that want the ability to have these precious babies that they may not have an opportunity to have otherwise. Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom The legislation passed the Senate Thursday morning with a vote of 54 to 37. The bill now heads to Governor Bill Lee, who will decide whether it becomes law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. MEMPHIS, Tenn. The xAI fight continues this weekend as another community meeting is on tap to address the environmental concerns that have been raised since Elon Musk brought his company to Memphis. The Boxtown community is one of those fighting the hardest. In the Boxtown community, you will find generations of families proud of where they live. Most of us have grown up in this area, Senethua Gage said. Family has handed down property. So you know, were vested, were stakeholders. So were not going anyplace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But now they worry what Elon Musks computer company operating near their homes will bring. xAI supercomputer in Memphis accused of violating federal law More pollution, more cancer? More asthma, Gage said. Tennessee State Representative Justin J. Pearson is also from the community and has been fighting for environmental justice for years. Saturday, he is leading a Town Hall meeting on what he says are new revelations around xAI. The reason that Im calling this emergency town hall, in partnership with Boxtown Neighborhood Association, is because theyre killing us, Pearson said. Theres no other way to say this. Theyre increasing the amount of smog that is in our community by 30 to 60%. Theyre also putting 16.7 tons of formaldehyde into the air with these 35 turbines that they dont have a single permit to use. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those turbines are now a source of contention after an environmental group said it found that xAI was running double the number of gas turbines it had applied for. Pearson wants County and City leaders as well as the Health Department to take action and get the project stopped. Were being told by Mayor Lee Harris, by Director Taylor, and everybody else whos just greenlighting this project like its the best thing in the world, that this is okay for us to be mistreated, Pearson said. Its okay for us to continue to be polluted. Its okay for us to continue to be hurt while they make billions and profits off of our backs. Mayor Young proposes using xAI tax funds to benefit Boxtown Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Harris office did not comment on Pearsons claims, but the Health Department is planning a community meeting later this month. Folks in Boxtown will be there. Residents say they have fought before, and they dont plan to give up protecting their community. Youre trying to come in and take whats ours. So, you know, were not going to stand for. Were in for the fight, Gage said. WREG has continuously reached out to xAI about the environmental impact of their facility. We have yet to have someone agree to grant us an interview. Saturdays town hall meeting will be at 10 AM at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church on Weaver Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. Thanks to policies by the Drug Enforcement Administration, prescription medications for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) like Adderall and Vyvanse are in a years-long artificial shortage. Luckily, one expert has a few tricks up his sleeve to help those suffering without their meds get access to them. In an interview with Futurism, veteran psychiatrist and ADHD specialist William Dodson revealed that prescribers in the know will often sync up their patients prescriptions to be filled on the seventh day of every month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reasoning behind this, as Dodson explains, is labyrinthine. Since 2022, the DEA has capped the amount of pills that ADHD drug manufacturers like Adderall maker Teva Pharmaceuticals, Vyvanse maker Takeda, and Ritalin maker Novartis are allowed to produce. The agency's reasoning, as Dodson wrote in a 2024 op-ed for ADDitude Magazine, is the claim that people are abusing prescription stimulants despite there being "virtually no evidence to support this belief." So strict are Americas drug czars in controlling stimulants that they set the number of pills manufacturers can send to pharmacies monthly a year ahead of time. "The drug company is so told [by the DEA] 'you can release one million Vyvanse 40s and 800,000 Vyvanse 60s,'" the Colorado-based psychiatrist said, citing Vyvanse, an "abuse-deterrant" stimulant, as an example. "They're told exactly how many of which strength they can they can produce, and then can release to the warehouses and the wholesalers on the first of each month in the next calendar year." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the first of every month, Dodson detailed, wholesalers get the drugs, and after that pharmacies request it. Around the sixth of each month, the stuff makes it to pharmacies and on the seventh day, they release it to customers. "People who know that," he said, "synchronize all of their patients' prescriptions for the seventh." As Dodson told us, individuals can either request that their doctors submit the prescription at the very first of the month or ask pharmacies to hold onto them until the seventh. "Both docs and pharmacists are happy to not have to spend hours and hours searching for medications toward the [latter] part of the month," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As helpful as this sort of advice may be, however, its no substitute for common-sense drug policy especially if enough patients find out about this one weird trick. "That's sort of the vagaries of distribution," Dodson said. "The DEA plan is cumbersome, stupid. It doesn't work well, and they are completely resistant to any modification." Of all people, Dodson knows. As he told Futurism, the "only reason" hes able to criticize the DEA as strongly as he does is because hes retired from practice and as such, is less concerned about getting blowback from what calls the "thuggish" agency. At some point over the next month, he said the DEA is expected to sit down with drug manufacturers in whats "supposed to be a negotiation" and tell them point-blank how much of each stimulant theyre allowed to produce over the next nine months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In some cases," he continued, "they're trying to guess what the needs are going to be 20 months in advance. It's the whole next calendar year, and they're doing it in March and April." In sum, Dodson likens the DEA to the cartels it's nominally fighting against. (When we reached out to the DEA, a spokesperson had no comment on Dodson's advice, but responded with links to the agency's own press releases about slightly upping quotas year over year.) Ahead of its upcoming non-negotiations, the DEA has, as weve learned from an agency update the psychiatrist shared with us, slightly raised its production quota on methylphenidate, or generic Ritalin. Last fall, it did the same for generic Vyvanse. While that update is certainly welcome to those who've had to go without their meds, it's hard to say now whether the DEA's policies will shift significantly under the new Trump administration. As Dodson assured us, the known Adderall-hating Robert F Kennedy Jr, who now sits in charge of our country's healthcare, has no authority over the DEA. More on drug shortages: Hims Is Begging Customers to Lobby the FDA to Keep Its Ozempic Knockoffs Legal Amid a nationwide protest against Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, an independent insurance agency near Fircrest has been targeted over its Cybertruck. Last month, Vanessa Voss answered a phone call from a blocked number. A man began the call with four words, You are a Nazi. He threatened to kill Voss and told her to kill herself over her Cybertruck, she said. I hung up, and they called two more times after that. By the late evening on [March 28], I had received 12 different phone calls, Voss told The News Tribune last week. Three of them were from the gentleman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voss is owner of Voss Insurance Group on Center Street. She has been in business for about five years. Her independent insurance agency helps people navigate Medicare and other retirement planning. At the end of last year, Voss said, she purchased the Cybertruck as an IRS tax write-off for her business. For marketing purposes, the Cybertruck was wrapped with an advertisement for the agency in February. The wrap has the companys phone number, logo, Vosss picture and words like Medicare written on it. The Cybertrucks flat surface helps advertise the branding and logo, she said. Were actually not even employed by the federal government, she said. Our agency, although we help guide people, has really no affiliation with any government entities. Vanessa Voss and her independent insurance agency staff have been receiving threatening messages and voicemails. Vanessa Voss Voss said on top of the phone calls, people have been posting false negative reviews of her business. There is also a Reddit thread where someone posted the Cybertruck parked in front of Voss home. She learned that someone had commented they wanted to get her truck blown up. Vanessa Voss and her independent insurance agency staff have been receiving threatening messages and voicemails. Vanessa Voss The latest incident Voss and her agency dealt with was Tuesday when a man called her office manager and harassed her. Voss said before her office manager hung up, the man allegedly said, Whoever drives the Cybertruck may want to be careful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voss said she has a rolling police report for the harassment. No one has physically vandalized the Cybertruck, but Voss said she has been in contact with a self-defense company to prepare her and her staff in case the harassment turns violent. Background on the rage towards Elon Musk Musk also is the head of the Trump administrations Department of Government Efficiency. Musk has pushed policies to reduce government spending and downsize the federal workforce. Musk and DOGEs goal is to cut $1 trillion in federal spending by the end of the fiscal year, according to NPR. The White House reiterated last month that Trump would not cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid benefits. As a result of Musks role in the Trump administration, nonviolent demonstrations and boycotts of Tesla have taken place in the country and around the globe to oppose the CEO. That includes the Tesla Takedown movement on March 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There also have been attacks on Tesla properties, vehicle lots and charging stations across the nation. Privately owned cars also have been targeted, the Associated Press reports. In Washington state, a Tesla vehicle-charging station was vandalized overnight Tuesday in Lacey, prompting an investigation by the FBI. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated mid-March the attacks on Tesla properties is nothing short of domestic terrorism, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release. Voss said it makes no sense that people are claiming online that her agency supports Musk and the Trump administration in getting rid of Medicare. Helping people navigate that systems is her livelihood, she said. If the government does get rid of Medicare and Social Security, Im the first one that loses my job, Voss said. So I certainly would not then be in full support of someone getting rid of government programs. Theyre absolutely necessary. Theyre needed for retirees. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Fire crews responded to a reported fire by the Orpheum Theatre in Wichita Thursday night. Officials said that roofing material for AT&T was on fire. Courtesy: Stephanie Rathert Courtesy: Stephanie Rathert It happened at about 7:40 p.m. when fire crews were dispatched to reports of black smoke rising from the street near Broadway Avenue and 1st Street. KSN Skyview KSN Skyview Courtesy: Stephanie Rathert Courtesy: Stephanie Rathert KSN Photo KSN Photo KSN Photo A spokesperson with the Wichita Fire Department told KSN that a construction crane and roofing materials were involved in the fire, and the building suffered only minor, superficial damage, including the slight melting of a mural on the side of the building. The theaters iconic marquee was not damaged, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The members did an amazing job of knocking that down and keeping it out of the historic theater, Captain Josh Gordon said. The theater is undergoing a renovation, and the street is blocked off to accommodate the crane and building materials. KSN Photo KSN Photo The fire official said a crew would remain on scene for a few more hours to ensure that there were no hot spots in the materials. We want to be sure that the Orpheum and the AT&T building are safe overnight and forever, Gordon said. KSN Photo The cause of the fire remains under investigation, he said. You can watch a compilation of videos from witnesses below: 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. PINETOWN, N.C. (WNCT) The State Bureau of Investigation is currently looking into a case involving the Pinetown Volunteer Firemans Association and Emergency Medical Services for possible embezzlement. Beaufort County District Attorney, Thomas Anglim, requested the investigation as embezzlement of Pinetown Fire Department funds is suspected. The SBI is in the early stages of this investigation and are actively working on the case. The SBI has no additional information at this time. WNCT will provide more information as details become available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. A fire that raced through a southern New Jersey neighborhood, killing two young sisters and burning six homes, apparently started in a duplex where the girls' family lived, authorities said Friday. The cause of the fire in Millville remains under investigation but does not appear to be suspicious, city Fire Chief John Wettstein said. The children's father was injured in the blaze, which took several hours to bring under control after first being reported around 11 p.m. Wednesday. Two houses had already been engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived, and the blaze soon spread to a third. The heat was so intense that it melted part of a fire truck and a parked car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters initial efforts were hampered because a nearby hydrant wasnt working, Wettstein said. Crews had to run about 800 feet (about 240 meters) of hose to another hydrant and nearly that length to a third to combat the blaze, which burned for several hours before it was brought under control. The bodies of the girls, ages 8 and 10, were found Thursday afternoon amid the rubble, city officials said. Their names have not been released. Their father was being treated at a hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. His name also hasn't been released About two dozen residents were displaced by the fire. One woman said she and her three young children safely escaped their burning home because the blaze awoke her boyfriend, who was able to get them to safety. Millville is around 30 miles (50 kilometers) west of Atlantic City. PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (WATE) A former employee of Goldrush Stables in Pigeon Forge has been convicted of animal cruelty. A Sevier County Court clerk confirmed to 6 News that David Allen Whaley was convicted on the charge after trial. His sentencing is scheduled for April 23. City: Jim Clayton withdraws donation for Knoxville science museum In July 2022, a video recorded in May of that year circulated on social media that showed a man repeatedly whipping a horse repeatedly. A former employee of the stables told 6 News at the time that the man in the video was lashing out at the horse for following him out of the corral after he failed to tie it up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man in the video, identified as Whaley, was arrested in July 2022 and charged with animal cruelty. A police department release at the time said the horse was observed and did not appear to have any injuries. South Knox County home damaged after late night fire When speaking with 6 News, the owner of the Goldrush Stables told 6 News that she had already addressed Whaley about his actions and that he would continue as an employee, however, after receiving calls questioning why he was kept on the team, Whaley was fired from his position at Goldrush Stables. Whaley was subsequently indicted by a Grand Jury in March of 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side. YANGON, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Just days before Myanmar's beloved Thingyan New Year holiday, streets that would normally pulse with music and festival stages now sit quiet with national grief. The country's Thingyan water festival, typically marked by exuberant celebrations, has been scaled back this year following a devastating 7.9-magnitude earthquake that struck on March 28. More than 3,600 people were killed, over 5,000 injured, and thousands displaced across capital Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay, Sagaing, Bago, Magway, and Shan regions. In response, Myanmar's State Administration Council announced that this year's Ata Thingyan Festival will be observed peacefully. Across the country, the mood has shifted. The vibrant activities that define Thingyan -- music, dancing, and playful water battles meant to wash away misfortune -- have given way to mourning and quiet resilience. In Yangon, 32-year-old Aung Kyaw Oo described the contrast starkly. "This time last year, we were setting up water tanks and getting speakers ready for street parties," he said. "Now, we're helping people who've lost everything. We can't celebrate when so many are grieving, but we'll still pour scented water for our grandparents and keep the tradition alive in a quieter way." This year's Ata Thingyan Festival will run from April 13 to 16, with New Year's Day on April 17. Unlike before, major cities like Yangon and Mandalay have canceled large-scale celebrations. Water-splashing pavilions sit unfinished or dismantled. The focus has shifted to emergency aid, rescue work, and recovery. Artists who once performed on festival stages are now volunteering, delivering supplies, helping resettle the displaced, and supporting relief efforts. For 33-year-old Ma Phyu in Yangon, the tragedy has reshaped her choices for the festival. "Last Thingyan, I was traveling to places such as Bagan, Hpa-an, and beaches, chasing fun," she said. "Now I just want to be with my family. This reminded me how fast life can change. I want to live more gratefully." In Maubin, 58-year-old teacher Daw Aye Aye Myint had planned to attend a meditation course in Nay Pyi Taw with her cousin. After the earthquake displaced her cousin and devastated parts of the capital, her trip was canceled. "I'll mark the New Year through traditional merit-making," she said. "We'll invite monks to chant, release fish into rivers, and help elders with rituals like washing their hair and trimming their nails." Like many, Daw Aye Aye Myint was especially looking forward to this year's celebration after Thingyan was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list. But now, she prefers a quieter observance. "Thingyan is about cleansing, morality, renewal, doing good, and caring for others," she said. "This year, I welcome the silence." U Nyunt Win, director-general of the Fine Arts Department under the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture, also said that there will be no dance stages or music trucks this year. "Before the earthquake, we had planned a large festival, even designated a UNESCO celebration zone in Nay Pyi Taw," he said. But after the disaster, the priorities have changed to rescue, shelter-building, and recovery, the official said. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The tragic fire in North Edwards that killed a mother and four young children in a home early Thursday morning led to questions about why firefighters arrived 20 minutes after the first calls for help. The nearest fire station from the home was Station 87 in Boron, located at 26965 Cote Street. According to Kern County Fire Department spokesperson Jeremy Ruiz, the station was 18 miles away from the fire in the 18200 block of Claymine Road. Ruiz said Boron firefighters took two minutes to get prepared and leave the station. It took them exactly 20 minutes to drive to the residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 5 killed in overnight fire near Edwards in eastern Kern County The events played out like this: 12:14 a.m.: Emergency calls regarding the fire start flooding in 12:16 a.m.: Boron Station 87 firefighters are dispatched 12:36 a.m.: Boron fire engine (E87) arrives 12:41 a.m.: Mojave fire engine (E14) arrives 12:52 a.m.: Rosamond fire engine (E15) arrives 1:05 a.m.: Tehachapi fire engine (E12) arrives 1:43 a.m.: Golden Hills fire engine (E13) arrives after receiving later request Ruiz said there was no delay or issue in the fire departments response. The guys went from being dead asleep to driving to that incident and doing the best we could on that incident, Ruiz said. I dont think there is anything on the end of the fire department that could be looked at as negative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Edwards, an unincorporated area of Kern County where the home was located, is a fairly small community with a land area of 12.7 square miles. According to the 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, the home ownership rate in North Edwards was 60.2% as of 2023. Thirty-nine percent of the homes in North Edwards had a housing value between $50,000 and $99,999. Here are the other numbers that describe this area: Total population (2020): 1,054 Persons per square mile (2020): 82.7 Total households (2023): 477 Total housing units (2020): 563 Employment rate (2023): 52.4% Median household income (2023): $35,469 Residents without health coverage (2023): 22.8% Median gross rent (2023): $1,123 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage Ruiz said it is difficult to establish new stations in smaller, more rural areas like North Edwards due to lack of funding. He said if the area grows and develops with more infrastructure, thats when more fire stations may be added to those places. But for now, the only thing fire departments can do in situations like this is to respond to fire incidents as quickly as they can, Ruiz said. KCFD Capt. Andrew Freeborn said residents should make sure they have working smoke detectors in their homes and know how to exit in case of an emergency. Thats the biggest key to survivability in a house fire, even beyond response time, Freeborn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. The boy was born to a 40-year-old woman in Guadalajara, Mexico, following a previous in vitro fertilization attempt that had produced only one mature egg and no embryos, researchers said. Adobe stock/HealthDay The world's first baby conceived through robot-controlled fertilization has been born, researchers say. The boy was born to a 40-year-old woman in Guadalajara, Mexico, following a previous in vitro fertilization attempt that had produced only one mature egg and no embryos, researchers said. Her newborn was conceived using a fully automated, digitally controlled version of an IVF procedure called intracytoplasmic sperm injection, or ICSI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Remote operators in Guadalajara and in New York -- some 2,300 miles apart -- oversaw the automated system as it selected a sperm, prepared it for injection, and then injected it into a waiting egg. In ICSI, skilled lab technicians manually inject a single sperm directly into an egg, potentially creating an embryo that can then be implanted into the mother. The process involves 23 painstaking steps, and results can vary between technicians, researchers said. To try to improve the process, a research team created an automated workstation in which these steps are performed under AI control or under the digital control of a remote operator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 'With AI, the system autonomously selects sperm and precisely immobilizes its midsection with a laser ready for injection - executing this rapid, precise process with a level of accuracy beyond human capability," lead researcher Gerardo Mendizabal Ruiz, director of the Computational Perception Laboratory at the University of Guadalajara, said in a news release. For this study, five eggs were assigned to fertilization with the automated ISCI system, while three were fertilized by human lab technicians using standard methods. The eggs came from a 23-year-old donor, and were injected with sperm from the new mother's 43-year-old partner. Four of the five injected eggs in the automated system achieved fertilization, compared with all three in the standard method group. One high-quality embryo fertilized with the automated system was transferred into the mother, who became pregnant and gave birth to a healthy baby boy, researchers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The system "represents a transformative solution that promises to enhance precision, improve efficiency, and ensure consistent outcomes," Jacques Cohen, an embryologist with Conceivable Life Sciences in New York, said in a news release. Conceivable Life Sciences created the automated system and funded this clinical trial. The entire automated fertilization procedure took an average of about 10 minutes per egg, slightly longer than routine, manual ICSI, researchers reported. "We expect to reduce procedure time significantly" as the automated process is further honed, Mendizabal-Ruiz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next, researchers plan to validate the system's effectiveness by testing its performance in a clinical trial involving more cases. The findings were published Wednesday in the journal Reproductive BioMedicine Online. More information The Cleveland Clinic has more on intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Copyright 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved. By Yimou Lee and Ben Blanchard TAIPEI (Reuters) - Taiwan prosecutors on Friday for the first time charged a Chinese ship captain with intentionally damaging undersea cables off the island in February, after a rise in sea cable malfunctions alarmed Taiwan officials amid tensions with China. Prosecutors say the man was captain of the Chinese-crewed Hong Tai 58, registered in Togo, which Taiwanese authorities detained after suspecting the ship had dropped anchor near an undersea cable off southwestern Taiwan, damaging it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The prosecutors' office in the southern Taiwanese city of Tainan said they had charged the ship's Chinese captain, whom they identified only by his family name, Wang, with being responsible for damaging the cable. Wang has said he is innocent, but refused to provide details of the ship's owner and "had a bad attitude", the prosecutors said in a statement. Seven other Chinese nationals detained at the same time will not be charged and will be transported to China, prosecutors said, adding that the case was the island's first prosecution over damaging sea cables. Reuters was not able to determine the ship's ownership or immediately locate a lawyer representing the captain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China's Taiwan Affairs Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. China has previously accused Taiwan of "manipulating" possible Chinese involvement in the case, saying it was casting aspersions before the facts were clear. The cable damage has come on top of China's military activities around Taiwan, including war games, the latest of which Beijing held last week. On Friday, Taiwan's defence ministry said it had detected 21 Chinese military aircraft operating near the island, taking part in a "joint combat readiness drill" with Chinese warships, something Taipei routinely reports. BLACKLIST Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taiwan has reported five cases of sea cable malfunctions this year, compared with three each in 2024 and 2023, according to its digital ministry. Taiwan's coast guard has in recent months stepped up efforts to protect its sea cables, including monitoring a "blacklist" of close to 100 China-linked ships registered to a country other than that of its owner near Taiwan, officials familiar with the matter told Reuters. Taiwan said in January it suspected a China-linked ship of damaging an undersea cable off its northern coast; the ship owner denied the accusations. Taiwan, which China claims as its own territory, has repeatedly complained about "grey zone" Chinese activities around the island, designed to pressure it without direct confrontation, such as balloon overflights and sand dredging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taipei was alarmed after another Chinese-linked ship was suspected of damaging a different cable this year, prompting the navy and other agencies to step up efforts to protect the undersea communication links, which are vital to the island's connections to the rest of the world. Taiwan, whose government rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, has pointed to similarities between what it has experienced and damage to undersea cables in the Baltic Sea following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. (Reporting by Ben Blanchard, Yimou Lee and Jeanny Kao; Editing by Gerry Doyle and Kim Coghill) While President Donald Trump threw the economy into mayhem this week with his tumultuous back-and-forth tariff scheme, plenty of chaos ensued in other realms. Here are five news stories you may have missed amid the tariff fiasco: 1. The total number of international students who have had their visas revoked has reached 600 since Trump took office, according to new data released by Inside Higher Ed. Thats more than double the estimate provided by Secretary of State Marco Rubio last month. Some students lost their visas for their connections to pro-Palestinian activism, while others had theirs revoked for minor crimes, like Felipe Zapata Velazquez, a University of Florida student from Colombia who was deported after being stopped by immigration agents at a traffic stop. 2. The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration fired hundreds of workersagain. Hundreds of probationary NOAA employees were laid off in February, then reinstated following a court order. On Thursday, the probationary employees received an email informing them of their re-termination. Their firing is to be part of a larger attack on climate and weather research from the Trump administration, as it moves forward with plans to gut NOAAs budget entirely, CNN reported Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 3. The Supreme Court unanimously ordered Trump to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was wrongfully deported to his birth country of El Salvador last month due to an administrative error. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis previously ordered the White House to effectuate Abrego Garcias return to the United States by April 7, but Chief Justice Roberts paused Xiniss order. While the high court ruled the Trump administration had no basis in law for Abrego Garcias warrantless arrest, his removal to El Salvador, or his confinement in a Salvadoran prison, it did not require Abrego Garcias return, nor did it provide a deadline for the lower courts order. 4. Measles cases reached new heights. As of Thursday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recorded more than 700 cases across 25 states, marking the third-largest measles outbreak of the twenty-first century. Nearly three-quarters of the countrys cases have been recorded in Texas, which has seen 541 cases alone, the majority of which were among unvaccinated people. After the death of an 8-year-old girl, the second measles death of an unvaccinated Texas minor, longtime vaccine skeptic and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. finally admitted the measles vaccine is necessary to stop the spread. 5. Israeli Defense Forces murdered an American teenager in the West Bank. The family of 14-year-old Amir Rabee was outraged to learn of the death of their son, who was killed after Israeli soldiers opened fire at three people who were endangering drivers by hurling rocks at a highway in the village of Turmus Ayya, NPR reported. Rabees family wants answers. The Texas Tribune and ProPublica have selected five partner organizations in Texas to participate in a new investigative initiative that will support accountability journalism in local newsrooms across the state. Over the next year, the five newsrooms El Paso Matters, Fort Worth Report, Houston Chronicle, The Texas Newsroom and WFAA will report on how power is wielded in Texas in collaboration with our investigative team. In 2020, the Tribune and ProPublica launched a first-of-its-kind collaboration to publish investigative reporting for and about Texas. Both organizations publish the teams stories, which are distributed for free to other news organizations in Texas and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local newsrooms are primed to deliver accountability reporting because they intimately know the communities they cover, said Vianna Davila, deputy editor of the Tribune-ProPublica investigative unit. We hope to facilitate even more of that reporting at a critical time in Texas and are so excited to work with these five newsrooms from across the state. El Paso Matters El Paso Matters has been El Pasos primary source of in-depth and investigative reporting since it began publishing in 2020. Founded and led by veteran El Paso journalist Robert Moore, El Paso Matters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that focuses on accountability reporting on government, education, health and the environment and also reports on the culture that makes El Paso a unique community. El Paso Matters has won national awards from the Online News Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Institute for Nonprofit News, as well as numerous state awards from Texas Managing Editors. In 2022, the organizations investigation into the failures of District Attorney Yvonne Rosales led to a petition to remove her from office and eventually her resignation. In 2024, a collaborative project by El Paso Matters, La Verdad of Ciudad Juarez and Lighthouse Reports in Europe called into question the official explanation of a detention center fire in Juarez that killed 40 migrants. Fort Worth Report Fort Worth Report is a nonprofit, digital-only news platform launched in 2021 by a group of Fort Worth residents who were alarmed about the decline of meaningful local news coverage. The daily publication provides original reporting on city and county government, schools, business and development, health care, plus arts and cultural institutions concentrating on Fort Worth and Tarrant County, one of the fastest growing regions in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Reports investigative work has looked at high-speed police chases in Fort Worth, leading to the release of long-withheld pursuit policies. A series of investigations into Tarrant County-based Gateway Church revealed past abuse allegations, ethical concerns in leadership and financial fallout. Its live journalism Candid Conversations event series includes annual community listening sessions and local candidate forums, in addition to convening experts and community leaders to facilitate thoughtful dialogue about issues readers care about. In 2024, the newsroom expanded its reach by launching the Arlington Report. It was named the Small Business of the Year by the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. Houston Chronicle The Houston Chronicle boasts the states largest newsroom covering Texas most populous city and the fourth-largest in the U.S. With the biggest subscriber base in Texas, the Chronicle reaches over 1.8 million print and digital readers weekly and garners more than 30 million monthly visits to its digital sites. Chronicle journalists focus on local and statewide issues, exploring their far-reaching implications on national political and social landscapes. Its Austin-based bureau the states largest delivers in-depth coverage attuned to Texas legislative and cultural developments. As a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner and recipient of numerous national and state-level journalism awards, the Houston Chronicle is a champion of investigative reporting and impactful journalism. Recently, its investigations have driven legislative actions, including reforming practices at the states largest utility company and addressing environmental hazards such as zombie wells. This spring, exclusive reporting on irregularities in a $95 million Texas Lottery win led to significant changes in gaming oversight and inspired proposed legislative amendments. The Texas Newsroom The Texas Newsroom is the collaboration among NPR and the public radio stations in Texas, including KUT in Austin, KERA in North Texas, Texas Public Radio in San Antonio and Houston Public Media, leveraging the talents of more than 120 public radio journalists in Texas. Its statewide newscasters deliver news live six times each weekday and its show Texas Standard delivers timely, thoughtful coverage of politics, lifestyle, the environment, technology and business from a uniquely Texas perspective. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year, Public Media Journalists Association named the Texas Newsrooms senior editor Rachel Osier Lindley its editor of the year. Its Sugar Land podcast won a national Gracie Award for investigative journalism. NLGJA: The Association of LGBTQ+ Journalists named the Texas Newsrooms investigative editor and reporter Lauren McGaughy winner of the 2024 Randy Shilts Award for LGBTQ+ Coverage. She has done extensive reporting on extreme heat in Texas; recently, a federal judge ruled the heat in the states prisons is unconstitutional. WFAA WFAA, headquartered in Dallas, is one of the largest and most respected local television news operations in the United States. From the groundbreaking continuous live broadcast following the John F. Kennedy assassination to being an emerging leader in 24-hour local news streaming, WFAA has throughout its history led the charge in innovation and leadership through all forms of media. WFAA has earned 11 silver duPont-Columbia University batons for excellence in journalism and is the only local television station in the nation to receive a duPont-Columbia Gold Baton, the highest recognition in broadcast journalism. Recently, WFAAs investigative team has focused on exposing lax regulation of caregivers of vulnerable and intellectually disabled people; highlighted abuses in the states foster care system; chronicled forever chemical contamination of agricultural lands; and in a yearslong effort, uncovered a ploy to hide foreign ownership of American aircraft that resulted in a federal criminal case ending in convictions and a lengthy prison sentence for the ringleader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disclosure: Houston Public Media has been a financial supporter 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. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Governor Ron DeSantis announced that flags will be flown at half-staff in honor of Deputy William May. On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Deputy William May was tragically killed in the line of duty when responding to a disturbance in DeFuniak Springs. Deputy May was shot multiple times but neutralized a violent assailant. He succumbed to his injuries later that day. He displayed courage, bravery, and unwavering dedication to protecting his community. Community honors fallen deputy with tributes across Walton County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy May served honorably with the Walton County Sheriffs Office for over 11 years. He leaves behind his loving wife, two children, and parents. To honor the memory of Deputy May and his service to our state Governor Ron DeSantis stated in a news release, I hereby direct the flags of the United States and the State of Florida to be flown at half staff at all local and state buildings, installations, and grounds throughout Walton County from sunrise to sunset on April 12, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. The sixth batch of emergency humanitarian aid dispatched by the Chinese government arrives at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on April 11, 2025. The aid supplies include 26 tents, 2,000 sets of single-person outdoor cooking equipment, 10,000 solar lamps, 38,880 bars of soap, 38,880 bottles of shower gel, 38,880 bottles of shampoo, 38,880 tubes of toothpaste, 38,880 sets of toothbrushes, and 38,880 bags of laundry detergent, with a total weight of over 91 tons. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) YANGON, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The sixth batch of emergency humanitarian aid dispatched by the Chinese government arrived at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on Friday. The aid supplies include 26 tents, 2,000 sets of single-person outdoor cooking equipment, 10,000 solar lamps, 38,880 bars of soap, 38,880 bottles of shower gel, 38,880 bottles of shampoo, 38,880 tubes of toothpaste, 38,880 sets of toothbrushes, and 38,880 bags of laundry detergent, with a total weight of over 91 tons. The sixth batch of emergency humanitarian aid dispatched by the Chinese government arrives at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on April 11, 2025. The aid supplies include 26 tents, 2,000 sets of single-person outdoor cooking equipment, 10,000 solar lamps, 38,880 bars of soap, 38,880 bottles of shower gel, 38,880 bottles of shampoo, 38,880 tubes of toothpaste, 38,880 sets of toothbrushes, and 38,880 bags of laundry detergent, with a total weight of over 91 tons. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) The sixth batch of emergency humanitarian aid dispatched by the Chinese government arrives at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on April 11, 2025. The aid supplies include 26 tents, 2,000 sets of single-person outdoor cooking equipment, 10,000 solar lamps, 38,880 bars of soap, 38,880 bottles of shower gel, 38,880 bottles of shampoo, 38,880 tubes of toothpaste, 38,880 sets of toothbrushes, and 38,880 bags of laundry detergent, with a total weight of over 91 tons. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) Staff members transport aid supplies at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on April 11, 2025. The sixth batch of emergency humanitarian aid dispatched by the Chinese government arrived here on Friday. The aid supplies include 26 tents, 2,000 sets of single-person outdoor cooking equipment, 10,000 solar lamps, 38,880 bars of soap, 38,880 bottles of shower gel, 38,880 bottles of shampoo, 38,880 tubes of toothpaste, 38,880 sets of toothbrushes, and 38,880 bags of laundry detergent, with a total weight of over 91 tons. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) Staff members transport aid supplies at Yangon International Airport in Myanmar on April 11, 2025. The sixth batch of emergency humanitarian aid dispatched by the Chinese government arrived here on Friday. The aid supplies include 26 tents, 2,000 sets of single-person outdoor cooking equipment, 10,000 solar lamps, 38,880 bars of soap, 38,880 bottles of shower gel, 38,880 bottles of shampoo, 38,880 tubes of toothpaste, 38,880 sets of toothbrushes, and 38,880 bags of laundry detergent, with a total weight of over 91 tons. (Xinhua/Myo Kyaw Soe) PARIS, April 11 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Friday the European Union (EU) members that U.S. President Donald Trump's 90-day pause on his so-called "reciprocal" tariffs remains "fragile." On his official X account, Macron said that Trump's tariff pause is a "signal" and opens doors to negotiation, but it remains fragile as the 25-percent tariffs on Europe's steel, aluminum, and automobiles and the 10-percent tariffs on all other products are still in place. According to Macron, the goal of the European Commission is to negotiate to remove the tariffs and obtain a balanced agreement with the United States. The French head of state called on EU members to stay lucid and united. "Europe must continue to work on all necessary countermeasures and mobilize all available leverage to protect itself," he added. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday that the EU will pause its countermeasures against the United States for 90 days, following Trump's announcement on Wednesday to suspend his "reciprocal" tariffs for 90 days for certain trading partners. A former Kremlin minister has become the first person to be convicted and jailed for breaching Britains sanctions on Russia. Dmitrii Ovsiannikov, who was Vladimir Putins deputy minister for industry and trade between 2015 and 2016, was sentenced to nearly three and a half years in prison after his wife transferred 76,000 into a British bank account when he knew he was prohibited from doing so. The 48-year-old also served as the governor of Sevastopol, in Russian-occupied Crimea, between 2017 and 2019, before his expulsion from Russias ruling party in 2020. His assets were frozen by the EU and the UK in November 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He resigned from his position as governor in July 2019 and later travelled to Turkey from Russia, where he applied for a British passport. This was granted in January 2023 because his father was born in the UK. Ovsiannikov was Vladimir Putins deputy minister for industry and trade between 2015 and 2016 - Central News/Kremlin Pool Alexei Owsjanikow, 47, Ovsiannikovs brother, was spared jail after being convicted of two counts of circumventing sanctions by paying school fees of 41,027 for Ovsiannikovs children. He was sentenced to 15 months in prison, suspended for 15 months, and was previously cleared of a further three counts of breaching sanctions including buying a Mercedes-Benz worth 54,500 and arranging car insurance for Ovsiannikov. Ovsiannikovs wife Ekaterina, who watched the hearing from the public gallery, was previously cleared of four counts of circumventing sanctions by assisting with payments totalling 76,000 to her husband in February 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brothers brought packed bags into the dock in case of a custodial sentence. The jury at Southwark Crown Court failed to reach a verdict on the charge that Ovsiannikov deliberately avoided sanctions by opening the Halifax account. The NCA has secured the first convictions for breach of UK's Russia sanctions. FULL STORY https://t.co/JtPkzDbT8Y pic.twitter.com/bNDpTSD7bj National Crime Agency (NCA) (@NCA_UK) April 9, 2025 Julius Capon, of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: The sanctions regime was introduced against key individuals in an attempt to encourage Russia to cease military actions in foreign countries because it was hoped those with power will be hampered in doing their normal international business dealings. Dmitrii Ovsyannikov was a high-profile official who was appointed by President Vladimir Putin as the governor of Sevastopol after Crimea was illegally annexed by Russia. He knew he had been on the UK sanctions list since 2017, but choose to ignore this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another member of his family sought deliberately to breach the sanctions to live their own lavish lifestyle and show complete disregard for the law. We hope this send a clear message that the CPS and National Crime Agency investigators will work closely together to robustly seek the convictions of sanction busters. We will start proceeds of crime proceedings to get back illegally obtained cash and assets. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. LONDON (AP) A former Russian government minister who violated British sanctions by receiving financial support from family members was sentenced Friday to more than three years in prison. Dmitrii Ovsiannikov, who was appointed governor of Sevastopol in Crimea by Russian President Vladimir Putin, became the first person convicted of violating the sanctions put in place after the illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014. He set up a British bank account to illegally receive tens of thousands of pounds from his wife and accepted gifts and payments from his brother, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ovsiannikov, 48, was convicted Wednesday in Southwark Crown Court of six counts of circumventing sanctions between February 2023 and January 2024, and two counts of money laundering. He was sentenced to 40 months behind bars. Ovsiannikov, who also served as deputy minister for industry and trade, was an important political figure placed under European Union sanctions in 2017 for work that threatened the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, prosecutors said. The sanctions prevented him from depositing or withdrawing funds in EU countries. Although the EU sanctions were annulled by the Court of Justice of the EU in 2022, they remained in place in the U.K. under the Russian Regulations adopted in 2019 as it left the bloc. He knew he had been on the U.K. sanctions list since 2017 but chose to ignore this, said Julius Capon of the Crown Prosecution Service. Another member of his family sought deliberately to breach the sanctions to live their own lavish lifestyle and showed complete disregard for the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ovsiannikov resigned as Sevastopol governor in 2019, and returned to his role in the Russian government but was later dismissed and he was expelled from the United Russia party in 2020. He moved to the U.K. in February 2023, a year after Russia invaded Ukraine. Ovsiannikov could have faced up to seven years in prison for each sanctions violation. Justice Sara Cockerill said she gave limited weight to the ongoing war in Ukraine war and said his offenses were at the simple end of the scale a country mile from complex fraud. Defense lawyer Rosemary Davidson said the conviction had hurt those nearest and dear to him and resulted in his family, including some of his children, having their bank accounts closed after news of his conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going to be a feature of their lives going forwards, she said. That is also part of the consequences that he has to bear. His brother, Alexei Owsjanikow, 47, was convicted of two counts of circumventing sanctions for paying school tuition for Ovsiannikovs children. He was acquitted of three additional counts of breaching sanctions for buying his brother a Mercedes-Benz worth 54,500 pounds ($70,000) and giving him access to a bank account. Owsjanikow was given a 15-month suspended sentence. Ekaterina Ovsiannikova, 47, was cleared of four counts of circumventing sanctions for allegedly funneling 76,000 pounds ($97,000) to her husband. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense lawyers for the most part did not dispute those transactions but argued the brother and wife didnt know Ovsiannikov faced sanctions or were unaware he couldnt receive financial assistance. All three are Russian nationals, though Ovsiannikov and his brother have British passports because their father was born in England. The case was the first prosecution for breaching sanctions put in place by the U.K. in 2019, according to prosecutors. (FOX40.COM) A former school custodian was arrested on Thursday in Placer County, according to the Sheriffs Office. Video above: What happens when you call 911? PCSO said that deputies arrested Timothy Paul Newman for communicating inappropriately with a student. He was taken into custody from his home in Loomis. Authorities said the arrest followed an investigation into reports of harassing behavior by Newman while he was employed with the Loomis School District. After becoming aware of the concerned conduct, officials from the district notified the Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Car crashes into Modesto bank, seriously injuring one PCSO said after their investigation, no additional victims are believed to be involved. LSC Superintendent Erika Solane said, We understand that news like this is deeply concerning. Please know that the safety and well-being of our students remain our highest priority. We will continue to uphold a safe, respectful, and supportive school environment for every child and staff member. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A former school resource officer at Dundalk Middle School has been accused of sexually abusing two students he was mentoring 20 years ago, according to a lawsuit in Baltimore County Circuit Court. The claim, filed Thursday on behalf of two unnamed plaintiffs, alleges that James Blankenship Jr. took advantage of his role to gain access to children and assaulted them. It says the students, now adults in Maryland and North Carolina, were abused on multiple occasions between 2004 and 2005. It seeks damages against Blankenship, a registered sex offender now living in Queen Annes County, for assault and battery, as well as inflicting emotional distress onto the students. It also accuses the Baltimore County Board of Education of failing in its duty to protect victims by hiring Blankenship and its negligence in supervising him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This disturbing case underscores the failure of Dundalk Middle School, and the Board of Education of Baltimore County under which it operates, to protect vulnerable children from horrific sexual abuse, Robin Becker, the plaintiffs attorney, said, not only by employing a serial pedophile, but by allowing him unsupervised access to students. Thursdays complaint, filed by the Philadelphia-based firm Andreozzi and Foote, asks for punitive damages but does not list a specific amount. Blankenship, 47, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday on a phone number or email address listed in public records. A Baltimore County Public Schools spokesperson declined to comment on the pending litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Friday, there are no open criminal cases against Blankenship in Maryland, though public records show he has been convicted in two child sex abuse cases: first in Maryland in 2006 and then in Delaware in 2015. As a result of the second conviction, for sexual solicitation of a child, Blankenship registered as a Tier 3 sex offender in Delaware. The designation is lifelong, according to the states code, and requires the offender to check in with law enforcement every three months. It was not clear in court records whether the 2006 case in Maryland was related to the plaintiffs from Thursdays lawsuit. However, public records show Blankenship pleaded guilty in that case to misconduct in office, as well as sexual abuse of a minor. He was sentenced to four years in prison, all but 18 months of which were suspended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Becker declined to answer whether her clients were involved in the 2006 case to protect their identity. As of Friday, no court dates have been scheduled. The lawsuit doesnt include details of the alleged abuse, other than that it happened multiple times. It does not state whether it happened on school property, but says Blankenship had befriended the students and earned their trust as a mentor. This is the latest in a string of legal claims involving county schools since Marylands Child Victims Act became law in 2023. Signed by Gov. Wes Moore shortly after a report outlined decades of assaults and coverup within Baltimores archdiocese, the bill removed Marylands statute of limitations for child sex abuse claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since October, five have been filed against the private McDonogh School in Owings Mills. Most of them, including two suits filed last month on behalf of 13 former students, centered around alleged attacks by former dean Alvin J. Levy. Levy was indicted in 1992 on sexual abuse charges from a McDonogh graduate but died before his scheduled trial. Have a news tip? Contact Luke Parker at lparker@baltsun.com, 410-725-6214, on X as @lparkernews, or on Signal as @parkerluke.34. BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. government has taken a dangerous step in recent days with its trade policy, using the rhetoric of "reciprocity" to impose a new wave of tariffs on major global trading partners, particularly China. In the face of escalating "tariff extortion," China has responded with necessary countermeasures to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development interests. By imposing the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," the United States has cast aside World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, undermined the legitimate rights and interests of WTO members, damaged the rules-based multilateral trading system, and injected further instability into an already fragile global economic order. At its core, this strategy embraces unilateralism, protectionism, and economic bullying. Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, warned that the ripple effects of such policies could endanger global economic stability. By discriminating among trading partners and unilaterally hiking duties beyond agreed limits, the United States has violated WTO rules, said Chad Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics. China has made its position unequivocal: "We do not provoke trouble, nor are we intimidated by it. Applying pressure and threats is not the right way to deal with China." China is fully confident, capable and resilient to deal with this tariff war. Over recent years, China has decreased its reliance on exports to the United States, diversified trade ties with emerging economies, and implemented more flexible policies to strengthen its ability to withstand external disruptions. China's economic fundamentals remain robust. In 2024, its GDP reached 134.9 trillion yuan (18.9 trillion U.S. dollars), with a growth rate of 5 percent -- a performance that stands out among major global economies. China's comprehensive industrial capacity -- unique in its inclusion of all manufacturing categories recognized by the United Nations -- provides critical ballast against trade coercion. China's enormous domestic market of over 1.4 billion people offers strategic depth in weathering external disruptions. Meanwhile, China is committed to a high-level opening-up and continues to cultivate a dense web of mutually beneficial trade partnerships. With its institutional advantages, economic resilience and strategic wisdom, China has demonstrated to the world its determination to uphold justice and its commitment to resist bullying. The U.S. attempt to strong-arm China is like punching a steel wall -- it won't make a dent. Washington's turn toward economic unilateralism threatens bilateral ties and the painstakingly built global trade architecture after World War II. The world must unite against economic bullying. To borrow an old Chinese proverb, "You do not placate a tiger by feeding it your own flesh." Openness, inclusivity and mutual benefit are the only paths forward. China remains steadfast in defending these principles and ensuring its development contributes to global stability and growth. A Tucson fraternity housing board president was convicted of fraud and theft after stealing over half a million dollars from the Tucson Delta Chi Alumni Board. Michael Woolbright was convicted by a Pima County jury on March 18 for five counts of fraudulent schemes and artifices and one count of theft for stealing over $500,000, announced Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes on April 11. Woolbright was a former housing board president of the Tucson Delta Chi Alumni Board, which holds the title to a fraternity house on the University of Arizona campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woolbright issued unauthorized checks and wire transfers from an account belonging to the alumni board, while concealing the money as legitimate payments and by withholding access to the boards finances from other members from 2015 to 2020, according to the charging document. This is not a happy occasion for anyone. While this verdict brings a sense of accountability and justice, it is not something to be celebrated," said Justin Brown, president of the fraternitys advisory board, in a March 19 press release. "Mr. Woolbrights actions nearly destroyed our fraternity entirely. The trust placed in him was deeply violated, and the impact of his misconduct has been felt across our alumni and active members alike. The criminal case came as a last resort, Brown said in a 2023 Facebook post. He noted the fraternity had been working to document the funds Woolbright stole while he was an advisor and president of the advisory board. We attempted on multiple occasions to work with Mr. Woolbright to provide any basis of explanation or reconciliation of questionable expenditures or loans. These efforts were met with a combination of excuses, obfuscation, and misrepresentations, Brown said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the impacts of Woolbrights actions include unpaid property taxes, loss of tax-exempt status and unfiled income taxes, Brown said. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Matthew Ashton and investigated by the special investigation section within Mayes' office. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 28. Reach the reporter at sarah.lapidus@gannett.com. The Republics coverage of southern Arizona is funded, in part, with a grant from Report for America. Support Arizona news coverage with a tax-deductible donation at supportjournalism.azcentral.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former Tucson frat housing board head convicted of fraud, theft FORREST COUNTY, Miss. (WHLT) The Forrest County Coroners Office is working to reduce the growing number of unclaimed remains in its care. More than 25 boxes of unclaimed remains are currently stored at the coroners office. Coroner Lisa Klem said five to 10 bodies go unclaimed each year. While families are notified, many choose not to claim their loved ones. Many of those who are unclaimed were homeless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hattiesburg police arrest two men linked to shooting incident Under Mississippi law, remains can be held for up to 10 days before being cremated, which is a cost to taxpayers. Klem said the expense adds up and is urging families to claim their loved ones, regardless of the circumstances. These are people. These are someone. These are people who made a difference in this world, whether it was to bring someone into this world or something. Circumstances change people. They could have been in the military, you know, they see things we dont see, and we dont ever want to see. But these are someone and they have made a difference in peoples lives. Its just circumstances have brought them to where they are, said Klem. The coroner said some family members refuse to claim bodies due to burial costs. She said there are options offered from different funeral homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. (FORT CARSON, Colo.) On Thursday, April 10, the Mountain Post honored 554 soldiers and civilian volunteers for their service, with their combined volunteer hours resulting in a cost savings of more than $2 million. Over the past year, these individuals donated a combined 60,000 volunteer hours to charities, philanthropies, and non-profits located both on post and in our community. Fort Carson said Thursdays ceremony recognized volunteers from across the installation for their steadfast commitment and contributions. The various awards include the Fort Carson Exemplary Volunteer Service Award, Steadfast and Loyal Volunteer of Fame, Volunteer of the Year Adult and Youth Award, plus many more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its our volunteers who spend a lot of time and really provide mentorship and and support, said Kristen Kea, Division Chief of Army Community Service at Fort Carson. Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Cora Mitchell Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Cora Mitchell Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Cora Mitchell Courtesy: FOX21 News photojournalist Cora Mitchell Even the youngest among the award recipients recognizes the impact their work can have on post and the community at large. Having the courage to volunteer, not only to make an impact in your community, but can also make an impact in the entire world by giving your voice and what you can do, said Daniel Cauthen, Youth Volunteer Award Recipient. If youre interested in learning how to volunteer with Fort Carson, you can do so at carson.armymwr.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. Hoping to reduce gun violence in Chicago, the Sue Ling Gin Foundation announced a $15 million gift Friday to develop a leadership and management education program for police supervisors. The gift, which will be made to the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago, will fund the new five-year program, working with the University of Chicago Crime Lab. Slated to launch in January 2026, all Chicago Police Department supervisors from sergeants to the superintendent will participate in mandatory leadership training to be better equipped to solve crimes, connect with the community and prevent gun violence, according to Roseanna Ander, founding executive director of the University of Chicago Crime Lab. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Policing invests almost nothing in the human capital of people who go into policing, Ander told the Tribune. This is a huge leap forward in changing that and puts Chicago at the forefront. The new program builds on the 40 hours of required annual training for all officers implemented through a 2019 consent decree in the wake of the 2014 police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. The management education will focus on effective leadership, data-driven analytics, officer wellness and building community trust. The curriculum will involve a mix of scenario-based and hands-on training, as well as classroom study, Ander said. As part of our ongoing efforts to strengthen safety and build trust across the city, we have to invest in the frontline supervisors who are managing day-to-day operations, Chicago police Superintendent Larry Snelling said in a news release. We are deeply grateful to the Sue Ling Gin Foundation for its partnership and support in making this a reality. Like many large cities, Chicago saw a spike in crime during the pandemic, peaking at 804 homicides in 2021, mostly from gun violence. While the total declined to 573 last year, Chicago remained the city with the most homicides in the U.S., according to research from AH Datalytics, which tracks crime statistics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gun violence continues to be a major problem in Chicago, although statistics have been steadily improving in the post-pandemic landscape. There were 2,282 shootings in Chicago last year, down from 2,452 in 2023, according to CPD data. Gun violence is down 36% from 2021, when there were 3,554 shootings in the city. Chicago entrepreneur Sue Ling Gin, who died more than a decade ago, has been posthumously fighting gun violence through her foundation in the city where she built her career. The Aurora-born daughter of immigrants, Gin worked in her familys suburban Chinese restaurant growing up and later became a Playboy Bunny at the original Playboy Club in Chicago. In 1983, she launched Flying Food Group at Chicagos Midway Airport, building it into a network of 20 catering kitchens from Honolulu to New York, servicing more than 70 airlines. Gin also managed and developed an extensive Chicago-area real estate portfolio. When she died in 2014 at age 73 after suffering a stroke, Gin left a sizable estate, which was used to fund her foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, the foundation made its first major gift, a $21 million three-year donation to Chicago CRED, a nonprofit community intervention program that focuses on reducing gun violence in some of the citys most underserved neighborhoods. The foundations latest gift to fund police supervisor training will take a page from the business world where Gin proved so successful, according to Robert Hamada, former chairman of the Flying Food Group and the estates trustee. Corporations do this kind of continuing education all the time, but government agencies are often unable to prioritize this kind of investment, Hamada said in a news release. rchannick@chicagotribune.com Video: Review for April 10 at the Arkansas capitol LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A flurry of activity in what is expected to be the last full week of the 95th General Assembly as legislators worked to get their bills across the finish line prior to adjournment next Wednesday. This weeks activity included the passage of a bill affecting Pharmacy Benefit Managers and pharmacies, the suspension of funding allocation for a new prison, the signing of 55 new laws on Thursday and an expected change to the way gas royalties are paid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arkansas high school sports eligibility law aimed at limiting transfers PHARMACY BENEFIT MANAGERS After being hotly debated in the Senate, House Bill 1150 passed and was sent on to the governors office to be signed into law following a 26-9 vote. The bill would mandate that Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) could not own a pharmacy. Bill supporters cited a 2024 study by the Federal Trade Commission that stated PBMs were inflating drug costs and harming non-chain pharmacies. The bills opponents included CVS Pharmacies, a PBM, which lobbied to have it voted down. CVS said in a statement that its 23 pharmacies in the state would close if this bill became law. Shortly after the bills passage, a CVS spokesperson issued a statement calling for Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to veto the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unvaccinated child contracts first Arkansas measles case since 2018 PRISON ALLOCATION A bill to allocate the remaining funds needed for a 3,000-bed prison in rural Franklin County has been removed by consideration in the Senate. The bill was parked after facing five defeats in the Senate as opponents cited a lack of planning in the site selection and ancillary construction costs for supporting infrastructure. The afternoon after Senate President Pro Tempore Bart Hester (R-Cave City) said he did not plan on reintroducing the bill, Attorney General Tim Griffin spoke about the need for a new prison in the state to defeat county jail overcrowding due to state inmates being held in them. NEW LAWS Gov. Sanders signed 55 bills into law on Thursday. The bills included those impacting the Freedom of Information Act, asking for federal money to support nuclear waste research and protecting religious freedom for faith-based adoption and foster agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With this latest round of signatures, the governor has signed 552 bills into law since the start of the 95th General Assembly. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs 55 bills into law on Thursday GAS ROYALTIES House Bill 1656 is being returned to the House on Monday after passing the Senate with an amendment on Thursday. If the bill becomes law, it will clarify the current law that allows well operators to charge leaseholders for handling and transporting a wells output. Arkansas has approximately 40,000 gas leaseholders. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Fox News hired radio host and former Washington Post columnist Hugh Hewitt as a contributor on Friday. The veteran conservative pundit will make his debut appearance on Friday evenings Special Report With Bret Baier at 6 p.m. ET. Hewitt has been a frequent guest commentator on Fox News in the past and has already been writing opinion stories for its website. His signing comes after Hewitt resigned from the Washington Post in November 2024, after getting up and ditching the papers live news show over how it was covering Donald Trump. He wasnt thrilled with how Washington Post Live host Jonathan Capehart and then-associate editor Ruth Marcus, his fellow guest on the show, were talking about the Trump campaigns push to extend in-person voting in suburban Philadelphia. Marcus herself has since quit WaPo after a column criticizing owner Jeff Bezos revamping of the paper was spiked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hewitt is the host of the aptly titled The Hugh Hewitt Show, which airs from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET on the Salem Radio Network; his show has more than 400 national affiliates. He is a longtime commentator on American politics and has written 17 books. Hewitt first got into the radio business in 1990 in Los Angeles, where he hosted a show on KFI 640. His show later started syndicating nationally in 2000. Prior to his media career, Hewitt worked for the Reagan Administration, serving as the special assistant to Attorney General William French Smith from 1981 to 1983, and later as the Deputy Director of the Office of Personal Management. The 69-year-old Ohio native was also the two-time president of the Nixon Foundation and served as an editorial assistant to the former president during his retirement. In related news, Fox News is coming off of the highest-rated quarter in cable news history. The post Fox News Hires Radio Host Hugh Hewitt appeared first on TheWrap. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Here are the top four stories FOX4 viewers clicked on from April 7 to April 11 on fox4kc.com. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV A 5-year-old boy, Alistair Lamb, was killed in an explosion in Lexington, Missouri, following reports of a gas leak. The father, Jake Cunningham, and his 10-year-old daughter, Camille Lamb, were life-flighted to Kansas City emergency rooms with serious burns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The explosion was reported around 7:45 p.m. Wednesday after a subcontractor hit a gas line, according to the City of Lexington. A GoFundMe has been created to help the family with medical and funeral costs. A Kansas City homeowner shot a male suspect believed to be a teen after he broke into more than 30 cars and threatened to shoot the homeowner and a neighbor. The homeowner tried to scare off the burglar with a laser and took time to get dressed before shooting the thief three times. The shooter was released after questioning, and its unclear if he could face any charges. The victims were able to recover their stolen belongings from the suspects car. View the latest headlines from Kansas City, Missouri, and Kansas at fox4kc.com Staff at a Lawrence, Kansas, daycare center, Hilltop Child Development Center, mistakenly left a child alone in a van for an extended period while the rest of their class went on a field trip. The child was found alone, locked in the van, and was upset but unharmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident has led to the suspension of all field trips for Hilltop while the center reviews its procedures and policies. Hy-Vee supermarkets in the Kansas City metro area are closing all of their bars due to lack of interest or consumer demand. The company is also updating its in-store Hy-Vee Market Grille menu and dining areas, with orders for made-to-order breakfast and lunch menu items now placed with an employee at the counter pay station from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily. The company is not laying off any of its staff. Employees who worked as servers will now work in other areas of food service or other departments. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Shreveport Police Department will host a free Neighborhood Watch Expo on Tuesday, April 15th. The event is open to the public and will take place at Rierview Hall from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Attendees will receive information about how to start and maintain a neighborhood watch program and the resources available from the city. The police department will explain how it can assist in fostering safer communities. (Shreveport Police Department) The Shreveport RiverView Hall is located at 600 Clyde Fant Pkwy, Shreveport. The Power Coalition will also provide voting information and assist with voting registration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contact the Shreveport Police Department Neighborhood Assistance Team at 318-673-6950 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 KTALnews.com. Subfreezing temperatures will blanket portions of central Indiana with frost heading into the weekend, according to the National Weather Service in Indianapolis, making us wonder if spring will ever make up its mind about the weather. Slowly rising temperatures in late March gave way to heavy rains across Indiana last week. A powerful storm system beginning April 2 brought flooding, tornadoes, and damaging winds causing wide power outages across the Midwest. Shelbyville's Big Blue River had its highest crest since 1913, according to NWS. Here's what we know so far about this weekend and next week's weather in central Indiana and when temperatures could warm up. Freeze warning in effect for central Indiana Temperatures could drop as low as 27 degrees in some pockets of central Indiana overnight Friday into early Saturday morning, according to a freeze warning issued by NWS, which could potentially harm or kill crops and spring vegetation. Forecasters advise Hoosiers with sensitive outdoor plants to bring them inside or cover them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Sub-freezing temperatures expected tonight across central Indiana which may cause issues for sensitive vegetation or other recently sprouted plants," wrote a spokesperson for NWS on social media. "Be sure to bring those plants inside if you can or cover them if you can't." Sub-freezing temperatures expected tonight across central Indiana which may cause issues for sensitive vegetation or other recently sprouted plants. Be sure to bring those plants inside if you can or cover them if you can't. #INwx pic.twitter.com/D30UtB1Yr0 NWS Indianapolis (@NWSIndianapolis) April 11, 2025 When will spring temperatures get warmer in Indiana? Central Indiana's weather forecast looks warmer beginning Saturday afternoon. After the frost, meteorologists predict sunny skies and temperatures expected to hit near 60. Temperatures will reach a high of 69 by Monday despite a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will swing back into the mid 50s Tuesday before see-sawing into the upper 60s by Thursday, according to NWS. Story continues after photo gallery. Weather forecast for Indianapolis, Indiana, per NWS Friday: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 53. North northeast wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friday night: Areas of frost after 3 a.m. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 33. North northeast wind 3 to 8 mph. Saturday: Widespread frost, mainly before 9 a.m. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 60. Calm wind becoming north around 5 mph. Saturday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Calm wind. Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 66. South wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 55. South wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Monday: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 69. West wind 8 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind around 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph. Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 55. West northwest wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Tuesday night: Mostly clear, with a low around 36. Northwest wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Wednesday: Areas of frost. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 60. Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. Thursday: A 30 percent chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 68. Live weather radar for central Indiana More about Indiana weather: Hancock County declares state of emergency after heavy rainfall causes flooding, high water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Freeze warning in effect for central Indiana. When will it get warm? PARIS (Reuters) - French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said it was naive and dangerous to think China could replace the United States as a trade partner, and urged European Union (EU) members to stick together in the current climate of global trade tensions. "The idea that the United States could be replaced by China is a terribly dangerous idea," Bayrou told reporters on Friday during a visit to a fair for cheese and wine. President Xi Jinping told Spain's prime minister on Friday that China and the EU must join together in defending globalisation and opposing "unilateral acts of bullying," in a clear swipe at U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TRUMP'S EARTHQUAKE Bayrou also urged the EU to show solidarity in the face of the uncertainty triggered by Trump. "When the President of the United States raises tariffs, it is an earthquake but when the President of the United States 48 hours later drops tariffs, it is another earthquake," he said. Earlier on Friday, President Emmanuel Macron said Trump's decision this week for a 90-day suspension on tariffs he had imposed on countries gave room for only a 'fragile pause'. "The partial suspension of American tariffs for 90 days sends out a signal and leaves the door open for talks. But this pause is a fragile one," Macron wrote on X. (Reporting by Dominique Vidalon; Editing by Sudip Kar-Gupta, Sharon Singleton, Philippa Fletcher) ANKARA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan called Friday for an immediate cessation of Israeli military operations, emphasizing the necessity of a permanent ceasefire and the reconstruction of Gaza. "We reject any plan to force Palestinians to leave their homeland. We support the plan for the reconstruction of Gaza adopted by the Arab League," he said. The Turkish foreign minister made these remarks during a joint press conference following a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and Arab League Ministerial Committee, held on the sideline of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum (ADF). "Israel's attacks must be halted without delay. We discussed steps toward achieving a lasting peace and a two-state solution. A permanent ceasefire should be established promptly," he added. Fidan expressed Turkiye's support for the ceasefire negotiations led by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, and endorsed the Gaza reconstruction plan approved by the Arab League. Themed "Reclaiming Diplomacy in a Fragmented World," the fourth edition of the ADF kicked off in Turkiye's resort city Antalya on Friday. More than 20 heads of state and government and over 50 foreign ministers were expected to attend the three-day gathering, the Anadolu Agency reported. The family of a Jacksonville food truck owner is heartbroken and demanding answers after he died following an incident inside the Duval County Jail. Thats coming from an attorney representing the family, who said Thursday, Today, at 2:11 p.m., Charles Faggart was pronounced deceased. But Charles has been brain dead since Monday. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office has said releasing more information would compromise the ongoing criminal investigation into the incident, which led to the removal of nine corrections employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As his family waits for answers, friends are now mourning his death. Related: Former girlfriend of dead Duval County Jail inmate calls for justice as investigation continues Pictures show Charles Faggart the way food truck friends remember him. I would say we were all buddies in the food truck industry. Wed do anything for each other, said friend Leah Smith. Leah Smith and Stevon Davis choked back emotion, saying they had no idea their friend was brain-dead for days before he passed away Thursday afternoon. Its coming from hurt, pain, from the throat, the heart, the gut. Its just all messed up, said Faggarts friend Stevon Davis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Action News Jax pressed JSO to find out if the 9 officers stripped of their authority in this case will be identified. So far, they havent been named. Related: Jacksonville officials and community leaders release statements on death of inmate, investigation Defense attorney Chris Carson weighed in on whether the officers involved could be charged with manslaughter- or even murder- now that Faggart has died. Any time were talking about manslaughter, which is a homicide prosecution, when someone did something that was grossly negligent, those are sometimes what we see in these types of situations. Obviously, ultimately, its going to depend on the facts, said Carson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JSO released the below statement following Faggarts death: Transparency is a priority for JSO. However, that priority does not supersede the agencys commitment to maintain the integrity of criminal investigations. Once Sheriff Waters has answers, he will provide those answers to the Faggart family. Once the criminal case is completed, Sheriff Waters will share the details of this death investigation publicly. As the news of his death sinks in, friends are planning a way to honor Faggart. Action News Jax received a statement from a local social justice group, the Northside Coalition of Jacksonville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They put blame on the sheriff, saying in part The taxpayers of Jacksonville again will surely be paying out millions in a settlement due to JSOs actions. I reiterate that we must not only improve conditions in the jail and prevent further deaths, but also reduce the need for people to be in jail in the first place. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. As artificial intelligence (AI) is made more sophisticated, some people could be vulnerable to engaging in relationship-like interactions or perceiving "romance" with the increasingly garrulous chatbots. The ability for AI to now act like a human and enter into long-term communications really opens up a new can of worms, said Daniel Shank of Missouri University. In a paper published in the journal Trends in Cognitive Sciences, Shank and colleagues argued that there is a "real worry" that "artificial intimacy" with AI bots could see some "disrupting" of human relationships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Through weeks and months of intense conversations, these AIs can become trusted companions who seem to know and care about their human partners," the team said. That chatbots are prone to "hallucination" - insider-speak for their tendency to churn out seemingly inaccurate or incoherent responses - is a further cause for concern, as it means "even short-term conversations with AIs can be misleading." "If we start thinking of an AI that way, were going to start believing that they have our best interests in mind, when in fact, they could be fabricating things or advising us in really bad ways, the researchers warn, adding that the bots "can harm people by encouraging deviant, unethical, and illegal behaviors." Earlier this week, OpenAI announced the roll-out of an enhanced "memory" function for its ChatGPT, meaning the bot will tailor its responses to users based on recalling previous interactions, likely adding to the perception of intimacy in human-machine interactions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google DeepMind last week published research suggesting artificial general intelligence (AGI), or machines with human-esque capabilities, could be developed by 2020. While AGI, if comes about, would be "a transformative technology," it would likely pose "significant risks" to people, including those of "severe harm," the Google team warned. The Fulani people are Africas largest pastoralist group. There are between 25 million and 40 million Fulani people across 17 African countries, from the Atlantic shores of Senegal and Mauritania to Sudan. The Fulani have long intrigued social anthropologists with their complex cultural heritage. They raise mainly cattle, goats and sheep in the vast, arid Sahel region. Some are nomadic but many have adopted a sedentary lifestyle. In the wide geographical belt where they live, they speak 11 dialects. The Fulanis origins and migratory patterns have been subjects of scientific debates. Certain physical characteristics are similar to those commonly observed in European populations. These, combined with specific cultural practices like scarification, have given the impression that their ancestors came to west Africa from elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One way to find out more about a populations history is by studying their genes. This also informs medical research. African populations remain underrepresented in genomic studies. Only about 1.1% of genomic data being used for studies of the links between genes and diseases has come from people of African descent. This means they may miss out on the potential benefits of genomic research, like early detection of disease and drugs designed for specific biological targets. Commonly available genomic datasets also lack comprehensive Fulani DNA samples covering the entire region they inhabit. To address this gap, we conducted over a decade of field research among Fulani nomads throughout the Sahel/savannah belt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are an international team of researchers specialising in human diversity and evolution. Our research explores human migration, adaptation and cultural and genetic diversity. We wanted to uncover the genetic and evolutionary histories of the Fulani. Our work has revealed that all Fulani groups share a common genetic background. This has been shaped by centuries of migration and interaction with diverse African populations. Their ancestry includes influences from both north and west African populations. Our findings Given the Fulanis primarily nomadic lifestyle and geographically dispersed campsites, our researchers often travelled to remote locations. Fieldworkers worked with Fulani interpreters and linguists to explain the researchs purpose to the communities. We secured biological samples and anthropological data for over 400 participants from Fulani populations in seven countries: Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Cameroon and Chad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Genomic analyses confirm a distinct Fulani genetic signature. This reflects deep ancestral connections to both north and west Africa. Traces of ancient north African ancestry, including influences from ancient Iberomaurusians (Later Stone Age hunter-gatherers), are present across all Fulani populations. This shows populations moved between the Sahel and the Maghreb region during the Green Sahara period 11,000 to 5,000 years ago. Read more: Ancient DNA reveals Maghreb communities preserved their culture and genes, even in a time of human migration Our findings also indicate closer Fulani genetic ties to west African communities. Eastern Fulani populations share genetic affinities with central and eastern African groups. This pattern aligns with historical records of Fulani migrations. It also underscores the role of continuous gene flow across the Sahel in shaping their genetic diversity. Such genetic exchange may have contributed to the Fulanis resilience as pastoralists, enabling them to adapt to a variety of ecological and climatic conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our findings went beyond ancestry. We found that the Fulani have genetic adaptations relevant to their environment and way of life. One example is the high prevalence of a genetic trait that enables a person to digest milk beyond childhood into adulthood. Its often associated with European and north African populations, which suggests that genes once flowed from these regions. It must have been essential for sustaining the Fulanis dairy-based pastoralist economy. Another striking discovery is the Fulanis lower susceptibility to the parasite responsible for severe malaria. There is a high incidence of malaria in the Sahel belt. Read more: A long view sheds fresh light on the history of the Yoruba people in West Africa Cultural and historical significance The genetic study of the Fulani tells us more about their biological history as a population and enriches our understanding of their cultural and historical stories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The population mixing and migration reflected in their DNA corresponds with oral traditions and historical accounts of the Fulanis movements across Africa. Some historians and linguists have reported Fulani past migrations from Senegal via Guinea to Mali and then via Nigeria and Niger to Lake Chad and even further. Their complex genetic diversity from different sources mirrors their ability to assimilate diverse cultural elements. It suggests a history of surviving challenging environments and health threats. The Fulanis genetic adaptations, such as the ability to digest milk and resist malaria, have had profound impacts on their societal structures and health outcomes. These traits have enabled them to thrive in varied environments. 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: Carina Schlebusch, Uppsala University; Cesar Fortes-Lima, Johns Hopkins University, and Viktor Cerny, Charles University Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Carina Schlebusch receives funding from the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation and the Swedish Research Council. Cesar Fortes-Lima receives funding from the Bertil Lundmans Foundation, the Marcus Borgstrom Foundation, and the Royal Physiographic Society in Lund (Nilsson-Ehle Endowments). Viktor Cerny receives funding from Czech Academy of Sciences award Praemium Academiae. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) A new hospital opened in D.C. for the first time in 25 years, opening up new resources to residents east of the Anacostia River. Mayor Muriel Bowser joined community members for a ribbon cutting at the new Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health on Thursday at the new site in Ward 8. Officials said that Cedar Hill was a public-private partnership project that cost over $434 million. The campus spans 406,000 square feet and is located in the St. Elizabeths East Campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hospital has 136 beds (with the ability to expand to 184), trauma care and an emergency department with 30 bays for adults and 24 for children. It also has maternal health and delivery services, including a six-bed nursery and a Level II NICU. Metros $4.957 billion budget approved, changes coming to services in June Officials said that bringing a full-service hospital east of the Anacostia River was a promise that Bowser made in her first year. In my first year as Mayor, I made a promise to bring a full-service hospital East of the River. Today, I am proud to deliver on that promise with the beautiful Cedar Hill Regional Medical Center GW Health. Cedar Hill will change the trajectory of health care in our community. This is a first-class hospital staffed by some of the most prestigious health institutions in the world. Families will be able to get prenatal care and welcome new babies close to home, seniors and residents will have access to the specialists they need, and trauma patients will receive lifesaving care quickly. Today, I am incredibly grateful for the all the teams and people who worked with us to make this happen and I am hopeful about the future of health care in DC. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser The hospital will officially open its doors just after midnight on Tuesday, April 15. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. Welcome to the online version of From the Politics Desk, an evening newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail. After yesterdays jump, the markets started to reflect the full scope of President Donald Trumps trade war today, while Democrats raised questions about the timing of his stock-buying suggestion. We dive into all the latest tariff developments. Plus, Faith Wardwell digs into our recent poll and finds that a plurality of voters think CEOs are too supportive of Trump and that the media is too critical. Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adam Wollner Trump's tariff reality sets in The major U.S. stock indexes dropped sharply on Thursday as President Donald Trump continues to pursue a tariff agenda capable of throwing the global economy into chaos, Rob Wile reports. Stocks had staged a historic rally on Wednesday after Trump revised his tariff plans, appearing to back down from some of the highest rates on many U.S. trading partners. But he has also escalated tariffs on China and did not ease tariffs on Canada or Mexico, the largest U.S. trading partners. A revised analysis from the Budget Lab at Yale University found that consumers will still face an overall tariff rate of 25.3% the highest since 1903. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The S&P 500 is now off about 14% from its February highs. Even with most tariffs targeting individual nations now ostensibly on hold, Trumps plan still entails the United States average effective tariff rate climbing considerably, as a baseline fee of 10% for all imports and 145% for ones from China snap into place suggesting the cost of imports are still likely to surge. Trump also still plans to impose sectoral tariffs on entire swaths of goods, including pharmaceuticals and lumber. What Trump is saying: Trump said he was not tracking a fall in the stock market today as he met with his Cabinet secretaries, Katherine Doyle reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He acknowledged that his tariffs will pose transition problems, but said that, ultimately, its going to be a beautiful thing. Were doing again what we should have done many years ago, Trump added. Asked if he had spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump declined to say. He instead played down the escalating trade war with Beijing, saying that he believes the U.S. will reach a deal thats very good for both countries. What the polls are saying: Kloe Zheng notes that a recent survey from Pew Research Center found that a majority (52%) of Americans said tariffs on Chinese goods will be bad for the U.S. and for them personally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Democrats are saying: Congressional Democrats are questioning whether Trump and his allies may have improperly acted on his suggestion Wednesday that it was a great time to buy stocks shortly before announcing he was cutting back on some of his new tariffs, Kate Santaliz, Rob Wile and Rebecca Shabad report. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., said Democrats need to get to the bottom of the possible stock manipulation that is unfolding before the American people, including what if any advanced knowledge did members of the House Republican Conference have of Trumps decision to pause the reckless tariffs that he put into place. More on tariffs and the economy: Plurality of voters are wary of CEOs support for Trump, and a similar share say media is too critical By Faith Wardwell A recent national NBC News poll found a near-majority of voters see CEOs of large corporations as being too supportive of President Trump, while about the same share of voters said they think the news media is too critical of him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poll, conducted March 7-11 (before the latest announcements and then partial pullback of global tariffs, which sparked alarm from business leaders) showed 49% of registered voters saying CEOs of large corporations are too supportive of Trump, with another 29% saying the executives are dealing with him in the right way. A plurality of voters (46%) also say they think the media is too critical of the president, while another 24% say the media is dealing with him in the right way; 25% say outlets are too supportive of him. Trump has surrounded himself with billionaires and tech tycoons since the beginning of his second term, starting with lining the Capitol rotunda with some of the worlds wealthiest men during his inauguration ceremony. Metas Mark Zuckerberg and Amazons Jeff Bezos both got prominent seats at the event alongside Elon Musk, whom Trump has described as the leader of the Department of Government Efficiency. Meanwhile, Trumps team has ramped up its trademark anti-media rhetoric compared to his first term banning The Associated Press from the White House and Air Force One for refusing to adopt the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America, accusing outlets of corruption and rolling out a series of lawsuits against news organizations. The NBC News poll found 49% of Republicans say CEOs are dealing with the president in the right way, while 14% of Trumps party say CEOs are too supportive. On the question of the medias handling of Trump, 84% of Republicans say news outlets are too critical of the president, and just 8% say the media is dealing with Trump in the right way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The picture is reversed across the aisle, with 83% of Democrats saying they see CEOs as being too supportive of Trump and 66% of independents in agreement. And a near-majority of Democrats (49%) say the news media is too supportive of Trump. Independents appeared split on the question, with 40% saying the media is dealing with Trump in the right way and another 35% of the group saying the media is too critical. Read more Today's other top stories Budget battle resolved (for now): Speaker Mike Johnson muscled a revised budget blueprint needed to advance Trumps agenda through the House, beating back a conservative rebellion that had threatened to sink the measure just one day earlier. Now comes the hard part: drafting the specifics of legislation that can pass through both chambers. Read more More from the Hill: The House passed a bill that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections, an effort that voting rights advocates have warned could disenfranchise millions. Read more Another DCA incident: A plane carrying at least a half-dozen members of Congress was clipped by another aircraft on the ground at Ronald Reagan National Airport. Read more 2026 watch: Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet is running for governor of Colorado, according to two sources familiar with his plans. Read more 2028 watch: Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear became the latest politician to launch a podcast. Read more 2028 watch, cont.: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmers speech on tariffs and her appearance in the Oval Office with Trump rubbed some fellow Democrats the wrong way. Read more Thats all From the Politics Desk for now. Todays newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner and Faith Wardwell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have feedback likes or dislikes email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The upcoming visits by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Vietnam, Malaysia and Cambodia are his first trips abroad this year and hold significant importance for the overall development of China's relations with the three countries and ASEAN as a whole, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said on Friday. Spokesperson Lin Jian told a daily press briefing that the visits are also expected to inject new momentum for peace and development in the region and the world at large. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, will pay a state visit to Vietnam from April 14 to 15, at the invitation of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Luong Cuong. President Xi will also pay state visits to Malaysia and Cambodia from April 15 to 18, at the invitation of King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim and King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia. Lin said China prioritizes its diplomatic efforts in its neighboring regions, emphasizing that China and Southeast Asia share a common destiny as good neighbors, good friends and good partners. Recently, a central conference on work related to neighboring countries was successfully held, making it clear that China will continue to follow the principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness in neighborhood diplomacy, and join hands with neighboring countries to foster friendly cooperation, enhance mutual understanding and trust, and promote joint development and revitalization, Lin noted. China and Vietnam are friendly socialist neighbors and are both advancing reform and innovation in line with their national conditions, Lin said, adding that strengthening unity and cooperation serves the common interests of both sides. During the visit, Xi will hold talks with General Secretary To Lam and meet with President Luong Cuong, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Tran Thanh Man, according to Lin. The Chinese side looks forward to seizing this opportunity to strengthen the traditional friendship of "comrades and brothers" between China and Vietnam, enhance strategic mutual trust, deepen practical cooperation, and promote the building of a China-Vietnam community with a shared future, Lin said. China and Malaysia, both important developing countries and emerging economies in the Asia-Pacific region, have seen their relations maintain high-level development over the past years, guided by the strategic vision of their leaders, Lin said. In 2023, the two sides reached important consensus on jointly building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future, ushering in a new historical stage in bilateral relations. This visit to Malaysia by President Xi comes roughly 12 years after his previous visit, marking a major milestone in China-Malaysia relations, Lin said. During the visit, Xi will meet with King of Malaysia Sultan Ibrahim and hold talks with Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. China looks forward to taking this visit as an opportunity to further strengthen political and security cooperation between the two countries, deepen the alignment of development strategies, enhance cultural exchanges, and improve coordination on international and regional issues, Lin added. Noting that Cambodia is China's traditionally friendly neighbor and ironclad friend, Lin said under the strategic guidance of the two countries' leaders, the China-Cambodia community with a shared future has entered a new era of high quality, high level and high standard. During the visit, President Xi will meet separately with King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia and his mother, former Queen Norodom Monineath Sihanouk, as well as with Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen, who is also president of the Cambodian People's Party. Xi will also hold talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, according to Lin. The two sides will explore the new positioning of China-Cambodia relations and exchange in-depth views on five major areas: political mutual trust, mutually beneficial cooperation, security assurance, people-to-people exchanges and strategic coordination, Lin added. KABUL, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities have constructed and opened a 30-bed hospital in Gardez city, the provincial capital of the eastern Paktia province, on Thursday, the local media Tolonews reported on Friday. Constructed at a cost of 375,000 U.S. dollars, the health center will provide health services to the local people in the war-ravaged Paktia province, the report said. In a similar initiative, a 20-bed rehabilitation center was opened for drug-addicted women and children in the northern Baghlan province on Thursday. Afghanistan's health sector has been affected after the United States announced halting humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan. The ministry has called upon the international community to continue helping the Afghans in the health sector. RESTON, Va. (DC News Now) An IT worker in the German military was sentenced Wednesday for downloading child sexual abuse material (CSAM) while stationed in Northern Virginia. Peter Markus Kuttke, 49, pleaded guilty to receiving CSAM on Jan. 8. Kuttke was a German national living in Reston when federal agents searched his home on Dec. 1, 2023. At the time, he worked in an IT position for the German militarys U.S. outpost in Northern Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal agents found electronic devices with numerous CSAM videos and images, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office (USAO). He had downloaded CSAM from BitTorrent, a file-sharing network. Supreme Court says Trump administration must facilitate return of deported Maryland man Many of those videos included adults sexually assaulting prepubescent children. According to court documents, Kuttke had downloaded over 200 videos and over 300 photos of child pornography onto his computer. He was sentenced on April 10 to spend six-and-a-half years in prison for downloading CSAM. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Germany has announced the formation of a new coalition to support Ukraine under the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein Format. Source: Germany's Federal Ministry of Defence in a press release, as reported by European Pravda Details: Germany's defence ministry reported the launch of a new coalition of assets and capabilities, the Electronic Warfare Coalition (EWC). It complements the eight existing coalitions within the Ramstein Format. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coalition, established by Germany and 10 partner countries, aims to bolster Ukraine's capabilities in the following areas: Securing communications Gathering intelligence and disrupting Russian communications Countering drones Enhancing the effectiveness of Ukraine's own weapons systems The knowledge gained through the initiative will also contribute to the future development of the German Bundeswehr's electronic warfare capabilities. "Electronic warfare equipment is essential for effectively protecting life, infrastructure, military equipment and civilians. In modern warfare, control of the electromagnetic spectrum is vital for effective combat operations. This applies in particular to the use and defence against drones," the German defence ministry said. Background: A meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in the Ramstein format is being held in Brussels on 11 April, co-chaired by the United Kingdom and Germany. The previous meeting the first since the change in the US administration was also held in Brussels on 12 February and chaired by the UK. At that meeting, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth claimed that restoring Ukraine's borders to their pre-2014 lines was not a realistic goal. He also said the United States did not see Ukraine's NATO membership as a likely outcome of a peaceful resolution to the war. Under the Joe Biden administration, previous Ramstein meetings were chaired by the United States. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius has said that Germany's new aid package to Ukraine will include four IRIS-T air defence systems and 100,000 pieces of artillery ammunition. Source: European Pravda with reference to the German television news channel n-tv Details: Pistorius made this statement on the sidelines of a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein group) in Brussels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The package will also include 15 Leopard 1 battle tanks and reconnaissance drones. In addition, Pistorius spoke about the prospects of acquiring new IRIS-T systems in the coming years and the delivery of 1,100 additional ground surveillance radars. Background: The Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting is being held in Brussels on 11 April under the joint leadership of the United Kingdom and Germany. The previous meeting the first since the change of US administration was also held in Brussels on 12 February, chaired by the UK. At that meeting, US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth declared that a return to Ukraine's pre-2014 borders is not a realistic goal and that the US does not consider NATO membership for Ukraine a realistic outcome of a negotiated war settlement. Previous Ramstein group meetings under the Joe Biden administration were chaired by the United States. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! April 11 (UPI) -- Western allies want a "militarily strong Ukraine," German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said Friday, as his country pledged $12.4 billion in military aid, part of a larger combined $24 billion allied commitment. The new allocation of funds runs until 2029 and includes a $5.8-billion commitment from Britain, which was announced at a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Belgian capital of Brussels. The UDCD is made up of all 32 NATO members, plus 25 other countries and the European Union which all support Ukraine's defense militarily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need a militarily strong Ukraine," Pistorius said Friday. "Only then can negotiations lead to a just and lasting and peace settlement." Much of Germany's contribution will go towards air defense, guided missiles and ammunition for Ukraine in its war with Russia. British Defense Secretary John Healey called 2025 a "critical year" in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, adding that allies see no end in sight to the war, which has been going on for more than three years. U.S. President Donald Trump's pledge to negotiate a cease-fire has so far not come to fruition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier in the week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country has evidence of at least 155 Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in the conflict. Britain and Norway's commitment relates largely to radar and air defense, with Healey calling it a priority Friday. "In our calculations, 70% to 80% of battlefield casualties are now caused and inflicted by drones," he told reporters. The money will also help buy drones and anti-tank mines and fun vehicle repairs. Britain's commitment announced Friday is part of a larger $5.8 billion package announced earlier in the year. Germany plans to supply more than 1,100 ground surveillance radars and additional IRIS-T air defence missile systems to Ukraine, acting German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius said on Friday. This was part of Germany's medium and long-term planning for supporting Kiev in its defence against Russia, said Pistorius at an international meeting to coordinate further military aid for Ukraine at NATO headquarters in Brussels. In addition to long-term pledges, Ukraine will receive four more IRIS-T systems plus 300 guided missiles and 100 ground surveillance radars this year, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A further 100,000 rounds of artillery ammunition, 300 reconnaissance drones, 25 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, 15 Leopard 1A5 main battle tanks, 120 Manpads ground-based air defence systems and 14 artillery systems will be provided by Berlin, Pistorius said. Germany recently delivered 30 additional Patriot guided missiles to Ukraine, he added. Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to attack Ukraine and cause an increasing number of civilian casualties, the German minister said. "There is no sign of any decline in the fighting on Putin's part. He accepts the deaths of civilians, even children," Pistorius said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 40 countries are represented at the gathering in Brussels which is being co-chaired by Germany and the United Kingdom for the first time. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth are expected to join the meeting by video-link. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov is expected to outline what defence equipment his armed forces currently need most urgently. Earlier on Friday, the UK announced a 450 million ($584 million) package of military support to Ukraine, the Press Association reported. The package includes 350 million from the UK, with further funding being provided by Norway, the news agency said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military sources recently warned that Ukraine could face significant military difficulties by the end of the summer if partners do not commit to further military aid. The meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels will be chaired by Pistorius and his British counterpart John Healey. The two politicians are stepping in for former US defence secretary Lloyd Austin, who had initiated and led the so-called Ramstein Group, comprising around 50 countries, until the change of government in Washington. The new US administration under President Donald Trump has decided not to continue this role. Instead, it aims to push Kiev and Moscow towards reaching a ceasefire agreement as quickly as possible. Other countries fear that such an agreement could come at Ukraine's expense. Ukraine has been defending itself from a full-scale Russian attack for more than three years, with the help of Western aid. Germany will provide four IRIS-T air defense systems, 15 Leopard 1 tanks, reconnaissance drones, and 100,000 artillery rounds to Ukraine as part of a new military aid package, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced on April 11, according to N-tv. Pistorius said Germany plans to send more IRIS-T systems in the coming years and confirmed the upcoming delivery of 1,100 additional ground surveillance radars. The German assistance is also to include 120 MANPADS launchers, 25 Marder infantry fighting vehicles, and 14 artillery pieces. Pistorius also confirmed that 30 Patriot air defense missiles have already been delivered, Interfax-Ukraine reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The announcement coincided with a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) in Brussels, co-chaired by the U.K. and Germany. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Volodymyr Zelensky are expected to participate via video link. Germany remains one of Ukraine's top military donors in Europe. On March 19, the German Finance Ministry confirmed that an additional 3 billion euros ($3.3 billion) would be allocated to Ukraine on top of the 4 billion euros ($4.36 billion) already earmarked for 2025. Berlin's latest package underscores continued European military backing for Kyiv amid growing uncertainty over U.S. commitments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: 6 countries ready to send troops for Ukraine reassurance force so far, AFP reports Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Long before U.S. bank chiefs like Jamie Dimon were warning about the consequences of a debt-related cliff edge, the famously prudent German government was erecting statues showing their commitment to a balanced budget. But all things must pass. The same goes for Germanys ironclad fiscal blockade and the big black zero that was its mascot. Germany has quietly removed a large zero-shaped statue that stood proudly in Stuttgart signifying the countrys commitment to a balanced budget, the Financial Times reported. The statue was introduced in 2014 by the state finance ministry of Baden-Wurttemberg to celebrate successive balanced budgets over several years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to the Financial Times, the current Baden-Wurttemberg finance minister, Green politician Danyal Bayaz, said when he took the post in 2021 the sign felt outdated. He tried first to paint the zero green, before removing it entirely. Leaving future generations with no debt but a broke planet and a broken educational system is a bad deal for them, Bayaz said. Thats why I didnt like the symbol much. Stuttgarts zero wasnt the only symbol in the country celebrating fiscal responsibility. Indeed, Germanys post-reunification tagline as the Sick Man of Europe inspired several cities to create monuments to smashing their debts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Berlin, a digital debt clock was erected in 1997 that demonstrated the countrys shortfall. In 2018, the clock began to turn forward for the first time, indicating Germany was shedding some of its debt. 24 August 2023, Berlin: View of the so-called "debt clock" of the Bund der Steuerzahler Deutschland e.V. (Taxpayers' Association of Germany) on Reinhardtstrasse. Photo: Jorg Carstensen/dpa (Photo by Jorg Carstensen/picture alliance via Getty Images) The German town of Langenfeld, meanwhile, erected its own clock in 1997 that would track the countrys debt as an incentive to bring the figure down. In 2007, Dusseldorf pressed start on a clock to celebrate becoming debt-free. The removal of the black zero is indicative of a new phase in Germanys macreconomic policy, one characterized by spending at all costs to arrest two successive years of GDP declines and industrial stagnation. Germanys new relationship with debt Germanys obsession with debt marked it out among Western countries around the turn of the century. Germany introduced a debt brake in 2009 as the world reeled from a global recession set off by the financial crisis. The debt brake restricted annual budget deficits to 0.35% of GDP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of Germanys export-oriented economy, the country quickly emerged out of recession as it shipped its goods to insulated Chinese consumers. As many Eurozone members fell into a debt crisis, Germanys commitment to surpluses proved popular with German citizens. The same couldnt always be said for indebted countries, namely Greece, who were frustrated in their attempts to spend their way out of a recession by Germanys influence over the Eurozone. In Germany, too, the debt brake eventually began to receive criticism as the country flirted with recession in 2019. Those opposed to the fiscal rule felt that Germany had squandered years of sound finances that provided the opportunity for reinvestment and innovation. That proved a teaser for the turmoil of the 2020s. The Covid-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains, while Russias invasion of Ukraine and ensuing sanctions cut Germany off from cheap oil and gas vital for its industry. An additional falloff in demand in a crucial export market of China exacerbated issues for Germanys biggest companies, particularly for its carmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All have combined to soften the German perception of debt. The newly formed German government, led by Friedrich Merz, agreed in March to partially scrap the debt brake, excluding military spending from the 0.35% measure. This relaxation, combined with a bumper investment pledge, saw Germany commit up to $1.3 trillion in spending. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth did not attend the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (Ramstein format) in Brussels on 11 April due to scheduling commitments. A definitive statement regarding Washington's future participation in the Ramstein meetings is expected in the coming weeks. Source: German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in a comment to journalists after the meeting, as reported by a European Pravda correspondent Details: Pistorius stressed that Hegseth had not come to Brussels due to a busy schedule but made interesting comments via video link. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Well, in terms of the participation of Pete Hegseth virtually or physically here in Brussels, it's not a matter of priorities. I think it's a matter of schedules. As far as I'm informed, he just came back from a several days lasting trip around the world, more or less," Pistorius said. "We had some other ministers not taking part today too, because they had other schedule obligations too," he added. "So the most important fact was that he [Hegseth] took part," the German defence minister said. "He addressed the auditorium with some, I would say, interesting and correct assessments, considering what Europeans have been doing since the beginning of the year and have done before. And I think this is the most important fact about that," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And in the future, in the weeks to come, we will see what's going to happen with the US participation, with the US support. I am not able to have a look in the crystal ball. We wait and see," said Pistorius. He added that other participating states "should better look on our own and to do what we have to do and we can do". Background: Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov stated that the US continues to provide security assistance to Ukraine and stands "alongside us". Earlier, media reports suggested that Hegseth would skip the Ramstein-format meeting on support for Ukraine, which was held in Brussels on 11 April under the chairmanship of the United Kingdom and Germany. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! By Akbar Novruz During todays session at the Baku Military Court, Gurgen Stepanyan, a citizen of Armenia on trial for crimes against peace and humanity, admitted to serving in the occupied Fuzuli region of Azerbaijan during his mandatory military service. As reported by Azernews, Stepanyan, responding to questions from public prosecutor Vusal Abdullayev, stated: I lived in the city of Jermukh, Armenia. The Armenian state called me up for military service. He confirmed that he served for two years starting in 2006 in a unit stationed in what was then occupied Azerbaijani territory. The accused also revealed that Armenian citizens comprised the majority of officers in the unit where he served. Later, Stepanyan joined the so-called Khojavand Regiment and acknowledged receiving a salary through a bank card for his service in the regiment. The ongoing trial involves multiple Armenian nationals charged with a wide range of serious crimes, including waging a war of aggression, genocide, terrorism, and violations of international humanitarian law committed during Armenias military aggression against Azerbaijan. The next hearing is scheduled for April 11, as the court continues to examine testimonies and evidence in the case. This photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows pet transport cases with air circulation, noise reduction and deodorization functions as well as oxygen, temperature and moisture sensors in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) by Xinhua writers Wang Yihan, Wang Meiqi and Ji Hang BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Liu Yifan, who often takes her three-year-old corgi on weekend adventures by car or taxi, is now embracing a new travel option -- high-speed rail -- opening the door to longer, farther journeys with her furry companion. Starting Tuesday, 10 designated trains running between five stations in the cities of Beijing, Jinan, Nanjing, Shanghai and Hangzhou along the Beijing-Shanghai High-speed Railway launched a pilot pet consignment service, allowing qualified domesticated cats and dogs to board with their owners and receive special care during the trip. Passengers can book the service at least two days in advance through 12306, the China Railway booking platform. Each traveler is allowed to bring one healthy pet weighing no more than 15 kilograms and standing no taller than 40 centimeters at the shoulder, accompanied by a valid quarantine certificate, according to China State Railway Group Co., Ltd. Liu, a resident in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province, was among the first to try the new service, spending around 500 yuan (about 69 U.S. dollars) to book tickets for herself and her pet on the inaugural day. On Thursday, they enjoyed a one-hour journey to Nanjing, capital of eastern Jiangsu Province. "I started with a short trip to see if my dog could adapt," said Liu, 24. "I was pleasantly surprised by the professional pet transport case, which features real-time video monitoring and an air circulation system." According to Wang Lin, a manager of China Railway Express's Hangzhou branch, the Beijing-Shanghai line has the country's highest passenger volume and train frequency, making it valuable testing ground for broader pet-friendly service expansion. The rollout of the high-speed railway pet consignment service reflects a surge in China's pet population and the growing influence of the pet economy, said Wu Yi, an associate professor at the College of Animal Science and Technology at China Agricultural University. "The demand has prompted the transport sector to facilitate pet-friendly trips, including the development of specialized travel equipment." According to an industry white paper, the value of China's urban pet (dog and cat) sector reached 300.2 billion yuan in 2024, up 7.5 percent year on year, with the pet population nationwide exceeding 120 million. Driven by the growing pet-owning community, China has continued to expand travel options for pets. The aviation industry, for instance, has introduced pet-in-cabin services. A Ragdoll cat owner Li Wei (pseudonym) recalled flying with her feline on Hainan Airlines during the Spring Festival holiday. "It was a pleasant experience. The pet security check was fast and could be done through either an X-ray or manual inspection in a private room. During the flight, a stewardess kindly checked in on us several times," she said. Hainan Airlines has been a pioneer in pet-in-cabin services since 2018. By November 2024, the carrier had transported more than 10,000 pets in-cabin across trips involving 27 major cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen. Its subsidiary, Lucky Air, and other carriers such as Juneyao Air and China Southern Airlines introduced similar services last year. Meanwhile, Shenzhen Bao'an International Airport opened China's first dedicated pet lounge in 2024, a spacious facility equipped with air quality monitors, species-specific zones and play areas. "For many pet owners, pets are already considered part of the family and deserve better care and services. This is a market worth exploring," said a staff member at the airport. Short-distance travel providers are also stepping up. Last year, a pet-friendly bus began trial operations in Shenzhen, while popular ride-hailing platforms such as Didi Chuxing have launched "pet express" services. According to Didi Chuxing, pet-designated vehicles are equipped with pet-friendly seat pads, safety belts, and cleaning tools. Drivers receive professional training in pet behavior and emergency handling, and are responsible for providing food and water for pets as needed. According to Wu, expanding and optimizing pet-friendly public transport not only meets pet owners' emotional needs but also reflects the growing emphasis on animal welfare in Chinese society. "This supports the development of a pet-friendly culture while stimulating related industries and contributing to economic growth," she said. Wu also stressed the need to ensure safety and hygiene, adding that regulations on pet transport should be established, pet owners should focus on training their pets for behavior in public spaces, and transportation staff must be well-equipped to handle any unexpected situations. Enditem (Xinhua correspondents Ding Jing and Wei Yijun contributed to the story.) This photo taken on April 10, 2025 shows a pet transport case with air circulation, noise reduction and deodorization functions as well as oxygen, temperature and moisture sensors in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) A staff member puts a pet dog into a pet transport case in Beijing South railway station in Beijing, capital of China, on April 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhang Chenlin) A pet cat awaits its consignment in a pet transport case on train G134 travelling from Hongqiao Railway Station in east China's Shanghai, to Nanjing South Railway Station in Nanjing, east China's Jiangsu Province, on April 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang) A manager with China Railway Express' Shanghai branch displays a pet transport case at Hongqiao Railway Station in east China's Shanghai, April 10, 2025. (Xinhua/Wang Xiang) The co-leader of Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) said on Thursday that the country's incoming government plans to step up border checks and migrant turnbacks, as outlined in the coalition deal with the centre-right CDU/CSU bloc. "The coalition agreement states that we will carry out more border controls. This will automatically lead to more turnbacks," Lars Klingbeil told the Bild newspaper, adding that the measures would be coordinated with European partners. The Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and its Bavarian sister party, the Christian Social Union (CSU), reached a coalition deal on Wednesday with the centre-left SPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Klingbeil expressed confidence that CDU leader Friedrich Merz, who is set to replace the outgoing Olaf Scholz of the SPD as chancellor, could secure joint solutions due to his international contacts. However, police unions remain sceptical, with German Police Union (GdP) deputy Sven Huber warning that continued border checks won't stop most asylum applications from being filed and processed inside Germany, saying that this would remain the case until a functioning EU border regime is in place. He added that pushbacks at the border if even legally permissible under EU and international law are unlikely to lead to a significant drop in refugee numbers. Huber also criticized the lack of funding and staffing guarantees for expanded checks. (NewsNation) The U.S. Supreme Court has sided with a lower-court judge who directed the Trump administration to facilitate the return of a Salvadoran national mistakenly deported to a prison in his home country. NewsNation senior political contributor George Will says the matter should be simple enough for President Trump. It shouldnt be that difficult to get El Salvador to release one prisoner. They have, Lord knows, a surplus, Will tells On Balance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ghislaine Maxwell asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday to overturn her sex-trafficking conviction, arguing she was covered by a non-prosecution agreement the government made with her former paramour, Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. She was convicted on five counts of aiding Epstein in his abuse of underage girls in December 2021. A federal appeals court rejected her argument that Epsteins non-prosecution agreement, arranged in 2007, barred her prosecution in New York. She urged the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider her case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Appeals court upholds sex crimes conviction of Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell Despite the existence of a non-prosecution agreement promising in plain language that the United States would not prosecute any co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein, the United States in fact prosecuted Ghislaine Maxwell as a co-conspirator of Jeffrey Epstein, her attorneys wrote in their petition. Maxwell said the US Supreme Court should resolve differences of opinion among federal appeals court as to whether a non-prosecution arranged in one district can be enforced in another. PHOTO: Ghislaine Maxwell attends VIP Evening of Conversation for Women's Brain Health Initiative, Moderated by Tina Brown at Spring Studios on October 18, 2016 in New York City. (Sylvain Gaboury/Paul Bruinooge/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) A defendant should be able to rely on a promise that the United States will not prosecute again, without being subject to a gotcha in some other jurisdiction that chooses to interpret that plain language promise in some other way, defense attorney David Markus wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four women testified at trial they had been abused as minors at Epstein's homes in Florida, New York, New Mexico and the Virgin Islands and said Maxwell, the daughter of British newspaper magnate Robert Maxwell, had talked them into giving Epstein massages that turned sexual. They testified they were lured with gifts and promises about how Epstein could use his money and connections to help them. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. Ghislaine Maxwell, jailed Epstein accomplice, appeals case to US Supreme Court originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Electricity pylons (Photo by Getty Images). On the heels of a visit with the president about energy, Gov. Greg Gianforte said Thursday the industry needs stability, and he could see potential benefits to changing the way Montana chooses energy regulators. Currently, Montanans elect five members of the Public Service Commission by district. The PSC regulates monopoly utilities, including NorthWestern Energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate Bill 561 proposes that two commissioners be elected, and three be appointed by the governor with a two-thirds confirmation vote required by the Senate. Gianforte said he would not weigh in on the bill specifically, but he also said that under the proposals need for bipartisan confirmation, commissioner appointees would be vetted strictly based on competency. Gov. Greg Gianforte at a meeting on Aug. 15, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan) Whats really important as energy demand increases is a regulatory climate that gives predictability to both consumers and producers, said Gianforte, a Republican. Because these are very large investments these firms are making, sometimes hundreds of millions or billions of dollars, they need to know that the regulatory climate is going to be stable and predictable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor made his statements at a press conference after visiting Tuesday with U.S. President Donald Trump about energy and attending a signing of executive orders in support of the coal industry. At the 2025 Montana Legislature, legislators also are taking up a number of measures related to energy bills, resolutions, study proposals some that are hotly debated, and others that have earned bipartisan support. Sen. Daniel Zolnikov, R-Billings, is the sponsor of Senate Bill 561, which got out of the Senate with on a 34-14 vote with both Democrats and Republicans in favor of it. At a hearing on Wednesday, he said it offers a new hybrid way for the Montana Public Service Commissioners to be seated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, Montanans elect all five commissioners by district, and at least a couple of the current commissioners want things to stay that way. But Zolnikov, who works in the energy field, said the two elected commissioners would continue to give voice to the people of Montana, and the three appointed ones would be the nerds, those offering industry expertise. Why dont these guys just run for office? Because theyre not politicians, Zolnikov said. He said the higher bar for their confirmation two-thirds in the Senate ensures that both Republicans and Democrats have a hand in the appointments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislature has seen other bills that proposed appointing commissioners in previous sessions and the current one, including a hybrid bill tabled this year. Thirty-nine states appoint their commissioners. At the hearing in the House State Administration Committee, PSC President Brad Molnar and Commissioner Annie Bukacek both spoke in opposition to the idea, Molnar in part because he feared cronyism. He said he takes his job seriously, he came out of retirement to do it, and his interest is in leaving Montana with a good, solid energy future. Molnar, a former Republican legislator and previous member of the PSC, said he didnt think he would need to come to the legislature and fight for basic democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Molnar is also concerned with how the public would react to appointments and potential favoritism. My dad works for a big company, and they made a big donation to the governor, Molnar said of how appointees might explain their selection. The Northern Plains Resource Council also opposed the bill. However, the Chamber of Commerce and Pattern Energy spoke in support of it. Charles Robison, with the Chamber, said the business community has had significant concerns about the makeup of the PSC, especially in recent years. Weve seen that elected nature detract from its ability, I think, to be objective, Robison said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charles Denowh, on behalf of Pattern Energy, said the bill would offer the right balance and could create a more stable operating environment in the state. Pattern Energy operates a wind farm in Stillwater County and is developing one in Rosebud and Treasure Counties. The committee did not take immediate action on the bill Wednesday. Governor talks energy crisis At the press conference, Gianforte said he was grateful and proud to stand with the president as Trump issued orders that pull the plug on Bidens failed energy policy and flip the switch for American made energy. One of the orders said certain coal plants are allowed to comply with a less stringent version of federal regulations on Mercury and Air Toxics Standards for two years instead of the more onerous version put in place by the Biden Administration, the White House said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gianforte said former President Joe Biden attacked Colstrip site of a coal-fired electricity plant and ended coal leases in the Powder River Basin through regulation. Under Biden, he said, the cost of electricity rose nearly 30% and Gianforte pushed for an all of the above energy strategy, like we have here in Montana. As youve heard me say before, we have an energy crisis in the United States, Gianforte said. In fact, the energy crisis is one of the primary drivers in the affordability crisis. In a press release this week from the Montana Environmental Information Center, the nonprofit and health professionals criticized the orders from the president for harmful emissions from Colstrip, such as lead and arsenic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Colstrip plant emissions are harming real people, disrupting real lives, and causing real economic damage, said Dr. Robert Merchant, a Billings pulmonary physician, in a statement from the MEIC. The economic benefits from reduced health issues in the region more than offset the implementation costs of pollution controls. Anne Hedges, executive director of the MEIC, said the modern energy era means its possible to protect health, save on health care bills, and decrease electricity costs at the same time. Harming health to eke out a bit more shareholder profit from a coal plant especially one thats the nations dirtiest for toxic emissions and is frequently broken when we need it most is misguided, harmful and expensive. Perhaps the billionaires in charge dont care about human health or their electricity bills, but everyday Montanans sure do. Studying transmission, urging energy independence In the legislature, Zolnikovs Senate Joint Resolution 21 drew bipartisan support in the Senate with a 46-2 vote, and it heads to the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SJ 21 proposes an interim study on interstate power and grid development, including the legal and regulatory framework for the state to participate in new cooperative interstate agreements for electric transmission. At a hearing last week, Zolnikov said the main idea behind the resolution is to expand peoples knowledge on the topic, so legislators could delve into policy that would help Montana. As energy is changing, adjusting, growing, and some is being removed, its a very important part of the pie, and its typically not always the one most discussed, Zolnikov said. In support of the resolution were the Montana Environmental Information Center, Grid United, Montana Renewable Energy Association, and Renewable Northwest. Sponsored by Rep. Greg Kmetz, R-Miles City, House Joint Resolution 15 also received support from both the oil and gas industry and renewable energy representatives. The resolution says Montanas electrical grid has evolved, but the state needs additional and updated transmission infrastructure to move power for economic development, reliability and affordability. The resolution is coasting through the legislature, last week earning unanimous approval in the Senate Energy, Technology and Federal Relations Committee. The legislature is also looking at a controversial resolution to support energy production, House Joint Resolution 17. It aims to unleash American energy by reforming and streamlining permitting obligations and repealing or revising environmental regulations and environmental reviews that do not align with national security interests. Sponsored by Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls, HJ 17 passed the House on mostly party lines, with Democrat Rep. Paul Tuss of Havre joining Republicans in support in its final vote. Thursday, Tuss said he doesnt like the language that lessens environmental safeguards, but he likes the idea of becoming even more energy independent, along with the jobs and economic expansion it would bring. Energy production and potential energy production is a frequent topic of interest along the Hi-Line and in my district, Tuss said in a statement. This resolution encourages the federal government to look into whats possible concerning energy for the country. On the floor, the debate on HJ 17 was heated. Fitzpatrick said its clear that energy is an issue, especially with the growing demand from artificial intelligence and computing, and Montana cant solve all the problems at the state level. Many of them are related to federal policies and federal laws, Fitzpatrick said. And what this bill very simply does is it asks Congress to sit down and get to work fixing some of the problems that have arisen. Rep. Debo Powers, D-Whitefish, said the idea of energy independence is a good goal, but she described the resolution as appalling. Powers said it essentially calls for gutting federal environmental protections put in place after significant disasters, such as Love Canal, an historic, milestone contamination site. Our landmark environmental laws have restored our countrys water, air and land, and given substance to our God given right to clean air and water, Powers said. Lets not go backwards. Lets go forward. In support of the resolution, Speaker of the House Brandon Ler, R-Savage, said energy described as clean isnt always so, such as all the concrete used to put wind turbines in place. Ler said nobody wants to return to the days of dirty air and dirty water, and the federal government needs to be on board when it comes to energy needs or our economy will cease to exist. Im from the East. We drill for oil. We drill for natural gas. And we dig for coal, Ler said. And we need this. Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte gives his inauguration address at the Montana State Capitol on Jan. 6, 2025. (Micah Drew/Daily Montanan). Most Montanans have a positive view of Gov. Greg Gianforte in the early months of his second term in office, according to new poll data released Thursday. Morning Consult surveys conducted from January through March of this year show Gianforte has a 56% approval rating among Montanans, with 34% of respondents disapproving of his job performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Montana Republican Party congratulated Gianfortes numbers, saying it indicated strong standing with Republicans, reflecting the trust Montanans have placed in his leadership following his re-election. Montanans strong approval of Governor Greg Gianforte reflects their continued support for his commitment to conservative Republican principles like cutting taxes, supporting small businesses, and protecting our Montana way of life, Montana GOP Chairman Don K Kaltschmidt said in a statement. The Montana GOP stands in strong support of Governor Gianforte and his pro-jobs, pro-growth, pro-family agenda. The governors proposals have met some resistance in the legislature from more conservative members of his party, while Republican legislators more closely aligned with his agenda were recently censured by the state GOP. Since being elected in 2020, Gianfortes approval rating reached a high of 61% during 2021, and hit lows of 49%, most recently during the third quarter of 2024 leading up to his re-election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gianforte won his second term in November 2024 over Democrat Ryan Buysse by 22 points. Morning Consult, a political research firm, tracks approval ratings for all 50 state governors throughout their tenure and releases quarterly results. Gianforte has the 16th highest approval rating among all governors, and seventh highest among Republicans. Phil Scott, the Republican governor of Vermont, has the highest approval rating from state residents, at 75%, while Kim Reynolds, a Republican from Iowa, has the highest disapproval rating from residents, at 49%. The Morning Consults reported results for gubernatorial approval tracking is based on a three-month roundup of daily surveys, with the latest release reflecting surveys conducted from January through March of 2025. Margins of errors among registered voters vary by state. With more than 104,000 people on the national transplant list and nearly 4,000 in Illinois and more than 600 in Iowa alone, registering to be an organ donor can have a lasting impact for those in need and their loved ones. Taya Thostenson from the Iowa Donor Network spoke with Our Quad Cities News about the importance of organ donation. For more information, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. A federal judge in Los Angeles sentenced the former chief financial officer of Tom Girardis shuttered law firm to 10 years in prison Friday for his role in stealing millions of dollars in settlement money from the disgraced attorneys clients. U.S. District Judge Josephine Staton imposed the term after a hearing in which a trustee overseeing the firms bankruptcy accused Christopher Kamon of ongoing efforts to hide stolen money, including in what she said were recently discovered bank accounts in Hungary and the Bahamas. Read more: Ex-CFO at Tom Girardi's law firm to plead guilty to wire fraud Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Kamon added on to what Mr. Girardi did, trustee Elissa Miller said. She told the judge about phone calls in which she had to tell former Girardi Keese clients expecting multimillion-dollar legal settlements that they would receive only $750, calling the conversations just a snippet of the horrors of this case. Read more: The legal titan and the 'Real Housewife': The rise and fall of Tom Girardi and Erika Jayne Kamon, a 51-year-old former Torrance High math teacher, controlled the bank accounts for Girardi Keese for a decade and a half before the firms 2020 collapse. In that period, the Wilshire Boulevard practice was operating as a Ponzi-like scheme that prosecutors have said siphoned off as much as $100 million in client funds to, among other things, underwrite the luxe lifestyle and music career of his wife, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Erika Jayne. After Girardis fraud conviction last year, Kamon reached a deal with prosecutors under which he pleaded guilty to wire fraud and acknowledged that he had routinely transferred money from client trust accounts at Girardis direction. In one case cited by Assistant U.S. Atty. Scott Paetty, Kamon removed $50,000 in settlement funds due a client, a widow whose husband had been killed in a boating accident, enabling the attorney to pay bills at two country clubs. In another, he moved $128,500 in settlement funds owed to a woman injured by a medical device so Girardi could cover leases on two luxury vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Escorts, kickbacks and a Tesla: New details in scandal and fraud at Tom Girardi's law firm Kamon also admitted to launching his own separate scheme in 2013 a brazen theft-within-a-theft in the words of prosecutors to steal from Girardi. Using phony vendors and kickbacks, he embezzled more than $6.5 million that he spent remodeling properties he owned in Encino and Palos Verdes, as well as on gifts and a $20,000 monthly allowance for a woman he met on an escort site. How responsibility should be apportioned between Girardi and Kamon has been contested since Girardis downfall four years ago. After creditors pushed him into bankruptcy in 2021, financial records emerged showing firm money, including settlements owed to catastrophically injured clients, funneled to a host of personal purposes: breast implants, college tuition for an employees child, a Santa Monica condominium for Girardis mistress, Gucci purses for a firm consultant and $750,000 diamond earrings for Jayne. During Girardis August trial, his lawyers argued that the attorney, now 85, had debilitating dementia and that Kamon had taken advantage of his condition to steal from clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jurors did not appear to buy the argument, convicting Girardi on four counts of wire fraud. Read more: Tom Girardi's fraud trial begins: A liar who stole millions? Or the victim of a thieving CFO? Kamon, for his part, has presented himself as a minor participant who was following directions from a boss who was a legend in the legal field and a personal hero to him. In a letter to the court, Kamon recalled being diagnosed with intestinal cancer just three months after starting as a firm accountant in 2000. Though he was out of work for a year, he said, Girardi kept him on at full salary. As far as I was concerned, I owed him my life, he wrote. Girardi promoted him to head of the accounting office in 2004, gave him a used Porsche and paid him well enough that he could support his financially strapped parents, he wrote, adding, I trusted Mr. Girardi and believed in him and I did not want to see or believe that he was stealing from his clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Vegas parties, celebrities and boozy lunches: How legal titan Tom Girardi seduced the State Bar At his sentencing hearing, Kumon, wearing ankle shackles and a white jumpsuit, apologized several times and told the judge he wanted her to understand that I am not a horrible person. Ive tried to correct this as best I can. Miller, the bankruptcy trustee, disputed his claimed cooperation. She said Kamon had refused to facilitate the sale of a $2.4-million waterfront mansion he owned in the Bahamas and had not turned over $1 million discovered in Hungarian and Bahamian banks. Staton, the judge, said she found his apologies vague and his claim that he was only following Girardis directions a bit hollow given that he was the mastermind of a separate scheme that personally benefited him. She said the fact he didnt have a prior criminal record was not persuasive given the length of the Girardi Keese scheme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendant committed fraud on a near daily basis for years, she said. She ordered him to pay restitution of $8.9 million. Both Girardi and Kamon face additional federal charges in Chicago over the misappropriation of millions of dollars in settlements for families of plane crash victims. Kamon is in the process of negotiating a plea deal, his attorney, Michael Severo, said in court Friday. Read more: For widows, orphans cheated by Tom Girardi, 'Real Housewives' riches add to the pain Girardi has yet to be sentenced in the L.A. case. Prosecutors are seeking a 14-year term. His attorneys have argued that due to his cognitive decline he should remain in an Orange County nursing home rather than be sent to prison. He underwent a medical evaluation at the federal prison in Butner, N.C., earlier this year and, according to a filing by his attorneys this week, experts there concluded he did not require special treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A forensic psychologist and a neuropsychologist who evaluated him determined that not only can Mr. Girardi be safely and appropriately imprisoned within [the federal prison system] ... he need not even, at this time, be placed in a specialized medical facility, the attorneys wrote. He is due back in court in May. 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. FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) A ceremony was held Thursday afternoon at Marion County Veterans Memorial Park to honor Gold Star Mothers who have lost a son or daughter in military service. Ceremony for Gold Star Mothers at Marion County Veterans Memorial Park (WBOY image) The event, despite inclement weather, featured a 21-gun salute and recognized three Gold Star mothers for their sacrifices. We have an awful lot of people who are veterans and unfortunately, we have families who have lost people in wars and in military service, said Jane Larke, State Regent of the Daughters of the American Revolution. So its important for us to remember that all the time, not just today or not just Memorial Day but throughout the year, so we really appreciate the opportunity to do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement East-West Stadium set to receive new turf this summer The ceremony took place at the recently renovated West Virginia Gold Star Mothers memorial, which now includes a new bench and flower bed. The Colonel Morgan Morgan chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution completed the memorial renovations using state funding. The ceremony served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by military families and the ongoing commitment to honor their service throughout the year. All facts from this article were gathered by WBOY journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by WBOY staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. Photo by Jim Small | Arizona Mirror Following the lead of the Trump administration, Republicans in the Arizona Legislature want to ban state government from using diversity, equity and inclusion in its hiring practices. Make no mistake, the names on the programs have changed, but the fundamental immorality of their purpose is no different than the stain which once marred too much public policy in the decades preceding the Civil Rights Act, Sen. Janae Shamp told the Senate Regulatory Affairs and Government Efficiency Committee on Feb. 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Civil Rights Act of 1964 outlawed segregation and other kinds of discrimination, including in employment. Shamp, a Republican from Surprise, sponsored Senate Bill 1584, which would ban state and local governments from implementing policies or practices that require hiring to be based on anything other than a candidates merit. It would also bar the government from influencing the composition of employees with reference to race, ethnicity, sex or national origin except to ensure color-blind and race-neutral hiring. Shamps proposal would allow people who believe theyve been passed over for a job because of banned DEI practices to sue the state or local government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans across the country, along with the federal government, have been working to ban diversity, equity and inclusion practices in government, public schools, colleges and in private businesses. The push from the Trump administration, which comes with the threat of federal funding being withheld, has resulted in schools and colleges across the country nixing DEI practices, policies and departments. Many private businesses, like Target and Walmart, followed suit. Diversity, equity and inclusion practices were adopted in an effort to ensure that people from marginalized groups get the same opportunities as other people who dont face the same barriers, and to ensure that people from those groups feel comfortable working in environments where they are in the minority. Billionaire and Trump advisor Elon Musk has called DEI just another word for racism and without evidence blamed deaths in Los Angeles wildfires in January on DEI hires at the Los Angeles Fire Department. Musk has used the social media platform X, which he owns, to platform neo-Nazis and white nationalists, and he has personally spread numerous white nationalist conspiracies. In January, he gave two Nazi salutes at a rally following Trumps inauguration and in March he absolved Adolf Hitler of murdering an estimated 6 million Jewish people during the Holocaust. Democratic activist Korinne McClemens told the RAGE Committee on Feb. 19 that children in Arizona schools deserve to have leaders who look like them and whose stories they can relate to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let me be the first one to stand here and say that this word merit, its a new dog whistle for saying that we just want to hire white people, McClemens said. Shamp dismissed criticism from Sen. Mitzi Epstein, D-Tempe, who pointed out that having a diverse medical staff, for instance, would help patients be more comfortable. A registered nurse, Shamp said that she spent more than a year working at Flagstaff Memorial Hospital and during that time she gained immense respect and knowledge of Navajo beliefs. I can teach a nurse how to utilize equipment, Shamp said. I cant teach a nurse how to utilize compassion if they dont have it. Compassion in nursing would be considered merit, and it has nothing to do with race, sex, age or anything else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research has found otherwise. According to an article published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Patient Experience in 2017, Individuals tend to have the most empathy for others who look or act like them, for others who have suffered in a similar way, or for those who share a common goal. Brian Sikma, a Republican political operative from Wisconsin, told the committee that banning DEI would push the United States toward a greater realization of Dr. (Martin Luther) Kings dream. Sikma implied women and minorities hired for jobs were less qualified than men and white people would be, saying that Shamps bill would help Arizona to attract the best and brightest individuals to the state workforce and ensure that the public knows those workers are qualified for the job. When the House of Representatives debated the bill on April 9, Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos said that if the intent of the proposal was truly to put an end to discrimination, lawmakers should have also supported his proposal to ban discrimination in hiring based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement De Los Santos House Bill 2364 was never heard by the Republican-controlled committee it was assigned to, like most Democrat-sponsored bills. His proposal included requirements that, when public entities construct new single-occupancy bathrooms open to the public or renovate old ones, they all be labeled as gender neutral and that each building have at least one accessible bathroom available for use by any gender. Arizonas Republican lawmakers have repeatedly attempted to pass legislation in recent years to ban transgender people from using the bathrooms that align with their expressed identities, making it unlikely that they would ever support such a proposal. Before the Senate voted along party lines to pass her bill on March 4, Shamp said that she found claims that workers werent capable of understanding cultures other than their own to be offensive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is about making sure that we get away from woke talking points and rhetoric, and making sure that we are actually hiring the best person for the job, she said. During the House floor debate, Rep. Betty Villegas, D-Tucson, argued that Shamps proposal does not promote fairness but instead undermines civil rights. It pretends that ignoring race and gender will fix inequality when, in reality, it erases the tools weve used for decades to fight systemic discrimination, she said. By banning any effort to promote diverse hiring, this bill ties the hands of local governments trying to build workforces that reflect the people they serve. It shuts down lawful, inclusive practices in the name of a so-called color blind approach. But justice has never been blind to the realities of race and gender. Senate Bill 1584s next stop is a formal roll-call vote by the full House, where its likely to pass. It will almost certainly be met with a veto from Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcements Homeland Security Investigations officers execute criminal search warrants and arrest more than 100 employees on federal immigration violations at a trailer manufacturing business in Sumner in 2018. Photo by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement In the name of public safety, Arizona lawmakers, led by Republican Senate President Warren Petersen, want to force police departments to hold undocumented crime suspects with federal immigration detainers. Go back to Africa! and Go back to Mexico! are phrases that countless Black and Brown adults recall hearing during their childhoods, a reminder that many still see us as criminals and outsiders. These slurs, wielded as weapons, send the clear message that we do not belong in our own country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive had Go Back to Africa yelled at me repeatedly from childhood through adulthood. The Trump administration has already said it wants to send U.S. prisoners which means Black Americans, given how Black people disproportionately make up prison populations to a maximum security prison labor camp in El Salvador, from which they may never return. Its not a stretch to expect that the Trump administration will soon do whatever it can to deport Black Americans to countries theyve never been to, merely the latest extension of the targeting by law enforcement of Black and Brown communities targeting we see in action through School Resource Officers and ICE enforcement in places that should be safe, like schools. Now, Arizona lawmakers are reinforcing the same exclusion with Senate Bill 1164, also known as the Arizona Immigration, Cooperation, and Enforcement Act (Arizona ICE Act). The measure, which would mandate state and local law enforcement work with ICE, targeting individuals under ICE detainers and banning policies that limit immigration enforcement, cleared its final legislative hurdle and now awaits its fate with Gov. Katie Hobbs. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX This bill echoes SB1070, the infamous Show Me Your Papers law of 2010, which encouraged racial profiling and gave law enforcement unchecked power to interrogate anyone suspected of being undocumented. Though most of SB1070 was struck down as unconstitutional, its racist legacy persists, justifying the criminalization of immigrants and laying the groundwork for policies like SB1164. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill poses a serious threat to our childrens future, particularly their education. By placing Black, Brown and immigrant students under constant surveillance, it turns schools into spaces of anxiety rather than learning. It will strengthen systems that funnels students into prisons, detention centers and even deportation. Across the country, aggressive immigration enforcement, such as using school records or false information to track families, have led to an increase in chronic absenteeism among Brown students. The fear of deportation discourages attendance, disrupting education and widening the achievement gap. This increases the risk of students being forced out of school and into the school-to-prison or school-to-deportation pipeline. As students wrestle with physical threats, hate crimes and psychological stress, they find it harder to focus, engage with peers and trust their school environment. This struggle often leads to harsher disciplinary actions that disproportionately impact Black and Brown students. Students tardiness and absences have gone from being met with a simple warning to in-school suspensions, to full multi-day out-of-school suspensions, reflecting a system that punishes rather than supports. An investigation by The Hechinger Report and the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting found that: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Black students make up 6% of total enrollment and 15% of suspensions. Latino students represent 43% of total enrollment and 68% of suspensions. White students account for 37% of total enrolment and 23% of suspensions. Arizona lawmakers are using SB1164 to double down on the same old playbook: more punishment, more fear. Schools are battlegrounds for Black and Brown students who are already policed by School Resource Officers and maybe soon ICE agents. Arizona continues to tear down students instead of lifting them up. SB1164 would deepen racial inequities, prioritizing punishment over protection and fear over opportunity. It would increase chronic absenteeism, discipline issues and erode trust between families and schools. Rather than nurturing growth, the bill aims to turn schools into environments of fear, especially in minoritized communities, where they resemble prisons and detention centers more than places of learning. Research shows that schools without resource officers have lower rates of exclusionary discipline (like the zero-tolerance policies) and better academic outcomes. By removing ICE enforcement, as Phoenix Union High School District has committed to doing, schools can create safer, more supportive environments where students feel safe and stay engaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arizona ICE Act will instill widespread panic, much like SB1070 did. Fifteen years ago, immigrant families avoided hospitals, grocery stores, and even schools to escape harassment. Aggressive immigration enforcement in schools fuels fear, making both immigrant and non-immigrant students feel unsafe especially following immigration raids. ICE agents and police officers in schools dont serve as protectors. They serve as deterrents not to violence, but rather to student success and fulfillment. Their presence tells Black and Brown students that they are suspects first and students second. It also reminds immigrant families that stepping into a school could mean losing everything. The Trump administrations executive order dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, including its civil rights enforcement, worsens these fears. By cutting investigations into discrimination against students of color and those with disabilities, it allows such practices to go unregulated. Title I funding, which supports low-income students, is at risk and may be funneled into private K-12 schools, further deepening educational disparities and creating additional obstacles for minoritized students. If Arizona lawmakers truly cared about education, they would be investing in resources for students, not pushing racist, punitive policies that rob children of their civil right to learn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every parent hopes to give their child a better life. But access to a safe, enriching education increasingly seems reserved for those with privilege and resources. For the rest of us, school feels more like preparation for incarceration. Arizona has a history of enacting anti-immigrant laws that target our communities, from SB1070 to SB1164. These laws have repeatedly violated rights, separated families and pushed children out of school. Ultimately, the Arizona ICE ACT wont just impact those directly targeted by it; it will destabilize the foundation of Arizonas education system. By inciting fear and increasing punitive measures, the bill creates a more hostile learning environment for vulnerable students, hindering their academic success and long-term well-being. If enacted, it will deepen divides in education and community cohesion, making it even harder for marginalized students to succeed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizonas schools should be bastions of learning and success, not fear. Its now up to Hobbs to decide whether Arizona police will become the stooges of federal immigration agents. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE YANGON, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar police seized over 400,000 stimulant tablets and other drugs in eastern Myanmar's Shan state, the state-owned daily The Mirror reported on Friday. Acting on a tip-off, a joint anti-narcotic task force raided a rental apartment in Tachileik town on April 8 and confiscated 401,400 stimulant tablets and other drugs from three rooms within the building, it said. The seized drugs had a street value of over 285 million kyats (about 135,714 U.S. dollars) and three suspects were arrested, it added. The suspects were charged under the Southeast Asian country's Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Law, and further investigations were underway, the report said. KAMPALA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Uganda has started a mass yellow fever vaccination exercise in the eastern part of the country after six confirmed cases were reported, a health official said. The exercise, which started Thursday, targets 4.3 million people in 19 districts, said Fred Nsubuga, senior medical officer at the Uganda National Expanded Program on Immunization. Nsubuga told Xinhua that the vaccination campaign, which is being held at designated schools and health facilities, covers children and adults aged 12 months to 60 years. Rachael Nakawala, a nurse in Kaliro district, said immunization has started in some schools in the district. "We have started Thursday with vaccination of some pupils in some designated schools," she told Xinhua. "We shall visit more schools tomorrow and later health centers for a period of six days." Yellow fever is a serious infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes that bite mostly during the day, according to the World Health Organization. Symptoms include fever, yellowing of the skin and eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain with vomiting, and bleeding that can occur from the mouth, nose, eyes, or stomach. House Majority Leader Jason Osborne, an Auburn Republican, argues in favor of the House's budget bills on April 10, 2025. (Photo by Ethan DeWitt/New Hampshire Bulletin) This story was updated on April 11 at 11:13 a.m. to correct the status of the effort to mandate budget caps for school districts; the effort will likely not move ahead in 2025. The New Hampshire House passed a pair of budget bills that significantly cut Gov. Kelly Ayottes proposed spending for the next two years, sending the measures to the Senate even as the governor raised objections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a series of votes Thursday that mostly followed party lines, House Republicans passed a budget that would spend $15.36 billion over two years, eliminate some state agencies, expand education freedom accounts for all residents, and incorporate a number of the partys policy proposals. They did so in a budget proposal that spends $643 million less than Ayottes budget, which she unveiled in February. And they did so despite a period of chaos Thursday evening in which a faction of Republicans voted with Democrats to briefly table one of the budget bills, House Bill 2. Republicans said the reductions are necessary after the House Ways and Means Committee estimated lower revenues than what Ayottes budget predicted, and said the cuts are largely targeted toward unnecessary boards and agencies. And they pointed to new revenue sources added through a tax on video gaming and an increase in a number of fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had to do a lot of decision-making to close that gap, said Rep. Dan McGuire, an Epsom Republican. And we did it the exact way that presumably you would do it if you found yourself in a similar situation where your expenses and your revenues diverge: We looked for more revenues. Democrats countered that the budget would slash programs and services that residents rely on, such as reproductive health centers and the university and community college systems, and that it would increase costs for some, such as the proposed premiums on Medicaid. And Democrats proposed their own version of the budget, which they called the better budget, and which fell on party lines. But lawmakers on both sides acknowledged that Thursdays vote is far from the last word. The budget heads next to the Senate Finance Committee, which must pass its own version by June 5. And Ayotte stood by her rosier revenue projections this week, and indicated that she will push the Senate to reverse many of the Houses cuts, such as its elimination of the Office of the Child Advocate. Obviously, I spent a lot of time on my budget, and I wouldnt have put it together if I didnt think it was the right blueprint for the state, she said at a press conference Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Jason Osborne, the House Republican majority leader, said the budget passed is a negotiating position for the House, even if much of it is later changed by the Senate. This is, once again, only the first step in a process of negotiating with the folks outside of this body, and I want our positions to have a place at that negotiating table, he said on the floor. Still, Democrats assailed the cuts and at times drew contrasts to the governors approach. I remember sitting in this room two months ago, listening to the governor give her budget address and urging us to continue doing what is working, said Rep. Karen Ebel, a New London Democrat. I look at this budget and see too much of whats working being cut. The House of Representatives meets to take up votes on the states budget bills, House Bill 1 and 2, on April 10, 2025. (Photo by Ethan DeWitt/New Hampshire Bulletin) Republicans add legislative priorities Throughout the day, Republicans tacked on additional policies through floor amendments, while Democrats tried unsuccessfully to roll back many of the changes. But one change was bipartisan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A group of House Republicans joined with Democrats in overturning a budget provision that imposes automatic year-to-year spending caps on school districts and requires a two-thirds majority vote to override. That vote likely ends that effort for 2025; a similar bill to do so, House Bill 675, was retained by the House Finance Commiteee April 1, meaning it wont be taken up until 2026. Other Republicans tacked on their own legislative priorities. The chamber passed a Republican amendment that would exempt firearms and accessories from the National Firearm Act, as long as they were kept in state and labeled For NH use only. Not for export outside NH. That would mean the firearms would not be subjected to regulations or taxes, but the measure could face court challenges. The House narrowly voted to pass an amendment by Rep. Len Turcotte, a Barrington Republican, to restore the ability of cities and towns to allow keno facilities. The House Finance Committees budget had removed that ability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chamber also added into House Bill 2 an amendment that would roll back some anti-discrimination protections for transgender people and allow businesses and government entities to separate bathrooms, locker rooms, jails, and involuntary health care facilities by biological sex. And Rep. Ross Berry, of Weare, successfully passed an amendment to require city and town supervisors of the checklist to review their voter rolls once a year, rather than once every 10 years. Those supervisors would need to purge any voters who had not voted in the past five years; those voters would need to re-register to vote again. While many of the floor amendments added have already passed the House in the form of standalone bills, adding them to the budget could allow them to serve as bargaining chips when the House and Senate meet to negotiate the final budget documents in June. This is just the first step in the process, Osborne said. Its an invitation to the dance. And if we want to be able to dance in June with our friends across the wall, well pass this budget today. Democratic House Leader Alexis Simpson, of Exeter, addresses a crowd in opposition to the House Finance Committees proposed budget, Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Photo by William Skipworth/New Hampshire Bulletin) Democrats wage opposition Democrats, meanwhile, sought to add back the funding removed from Ayottes budget, and in some cases reverse some of Ayottes own budgeting choices. Almost every effort was voted down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That included unsuccessful attempts to restore $1.7 million in state funds allocated to pay for the states family planning program; $1 million for Ayottes fund to help schools with cell phone bans in schools; $30 million for the University System of New Hampshire; and $1.7 million for the state art fund and arts development account. Democrats also attempted, but failed, to restore the Office of the Child Advocate, the Human Rights Commission, the Housing Appeals Board, and the state Commission on Aging, all of which had been removed by Republicans. They pushed to reverse the premiums for Medicaid recipients first proposed by Ayotte and to reduce the Republican budget increase for education freedom accounts by $14 million in state fiscal year 2027. They sought to reverse a Republican amendment that would make special education funding paid for out of the states general fund, not the Education Trust Fund. Rep. David Luneau, a Hopkinton Democrat, attempted to take out the provision making education freedom accounts universal by fiscal year 2027, and to restore fiscal capacity disparity aid grants to the states school funding formula, which are meant to support towns that have low property values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Hope Damon, a Croydon Democrat, proposed language to enroll the state in Medicaid Direct Certification, a federal program that allows schools to use Medicaid data to automatically sign families up for the free and reduced price lunch program. And Rep. Timothy Horrigan, a Durham Democrat, attempted to undo the Houses name change of the Office of Health Equity, which Republicans had moved to name the Office of Health Access. Democrats did win Republican support to restore $14 million to the states travel and tourism budget and funding to New Hampshires welcome centers, which had been defunded in the House Republican budget. Democratic Party leaders held a rally in front of the State House Wednesday lambasting the Republican budget in front of around 150 supporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republicans claim that they had no choice with this budget, Democratic House Leader Alexis Simpson, of Exeter, said at the demonstration. That they eliminated the arts, services for the most vulnerable, including children, abandoned our university system and fired hard-working people across the state government, because they had to. Let me be clear, every action that Republicans took in writing this budget was a choice. Osborne said the budget serves Granite Staters in other ways. This budget does reflect our values, he said. It puts the New Hampshire taxpayers first, and not the bureaucracies that have ballooned and bloated since 2020. Gov. Kelly Ayotte speaks to reporters about the Houses budget proposal on Wednesday, April 9, 2025. (Photo by William Skipworth/New Hampshire Bulletin) Ayotte pushes back Speaking to reporters Wednesday ahead of the budget vote, Ayotte said she hopes to work with the Senate to restore a lot of the funding and programs the House eliminated from her proposal. She specifically cited as priorities the community mental health centers and funding meant to ensure there is no waitlist for people with developmental disabilities attempting to receive state services. She said she also wanted the Office of the Child Advocate and the Council on the Arts restored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those are just a handful of things, Ayotte said. Obviously, there are many things that Im going to be working with the Senate to prioritize and make sure that I get back in the priorities that were in my budget. She also stood by her financial projections, which House Republicans deemed overly optimistic, saying she is confident that the revenue numbers that I laid out in my budget are actually more accurate revenue numbers than the lower proposals made by the House. She argued this is being borne out also by the first three months of the fiscal year and how revenues are coming in. My budget clearly laid out my priorities, Ayotte said. ISTANBUL, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The number of irregular migrants in Istanbul has decreased in the first quarter of 2025, according to Istanbul Governor Davut Gul, who attributed the drop to strengthened enforcement efforts and the expanded use of mobile immigration checkpoints. Speaking at a press briefing on Friday, Gul said the number of identified irregular migrants declined by 21 percent compared to the same period last year. He noted that mobile migration units have played a significant role in this development. These specially equipped vehicles patrol the city and allow authorities to verify the identity and legal status of foreign nationals, and take prompt action when necessary. According to the governor, 12,920 individuals without legal migration status were identified by these units since the beginning of the year and were transferred to deportation centers. Istanbul launched the Mobile Migration Points program in 2023 with 38 vehicles, and the number has since grown to more than 100. As one of the world's leading destinations for refugees, Turkiye currently hosts over 4 million registered migrants, the majority of whom are Syrians, according to the Presidential Directorate of Communications. A New Hampshire man accused of severely beating another man in a fit of road rage earlier this year was arraigned in Boston Municipal Court Thursday. Aaron Olsen, 36, of Manchester, is accused of leaving another man with several broken bones in his face and a concussion during an assault at an intersection on February 5, according to Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden. Boston police responded to the corner of Melnea Cass Boulevard and Hampden Street around 2:14 p.m. to find a 49-year-old man with blood on the back of his head and a large contusion to his left eye and left side of his face. The victim told police he thought he was concussed because he couldnt remember where he was coming from. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was taken to a local hospital for further treatment, where he was diagnosed with a concussion and six broken bones in his face, including two broken orbital bones and a fractured cheekbone, Hayden says. A witness on scene provided police with dashcam footage of the incident, which allegedly shows Olsen exit a white SUV with a New Hampshire license plate and the victim exit a darker color SUV. According to the DAs office, the video shows Olsen punching the other man and then pulling the back of the victims sweatshirt over the victims head. Using the back of the sweatshirt to control the victim, Olsen uses a leg sweep motion to toss the victim to the ground. While holding the victim down to the pavement, Olsen strikes the victim six times. The victims head is seen striking the pavement multiple times. The victim is observed lying motionless on the ground in the middle of Melnea Cass Boulevard, the DAs office said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators were able to get in contact with Olsen, who said the other man hit him first and that he hit him back out of self-defense. However, the video shows the victim did not get out of his car and never hit Olsen, according to the DAs office. Video also allegedly shows Olsen leaving the victim on the ground before getting back into his car and driving off. Olsen allegedly had to swerve around vehicles and ran a red light before merging onto the highway heading north. The DA says records show that Olsen allegedly called Massachusetts State Police at 3:12 p.m. and asked about any reported road rage incidents. This was a vicious, broad daylight attack in the middle of a busy intersection that shocked other motorists and left the victim with terrible injuries. I thank the witness who came forward with the video, and the investigators who used that and other evidence to assemble a solid case. This is yet another road rage incident resulting in someone injured and someone else facing serious criminal charges, Hayden said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olsen was ordered held on $200 bail. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW John Murphy, 51, became the first person in Massachusetts to receive a federal sentence for possessing dogs and for participating in a dogfighting venture, according to a release from the Department of Justice. U.S. Senior District Court Judge William G. Young sentenced Murphy on April 9th to one year and one day in prison. The father of four was also ordered to pay a $10,000 fine and prohibited from possessing pit-pull type dogs. Murphy pleaded guilty in November 2024 to nine counts of possessing animals for use in an animal fighting venture, which violates the federal Animal Welfare Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Animal Rescue League of Bostons Director of Law Enforcement, Karen LoStracco, It would be good to see a higher sentence, just as a potential deterrent for others out there that may be committing this activity. However, she noted that the sentence is a positive move because Murphy is banned from owning pit-bulls in the future, and all the dogs involved in the fighting are now safe. LoStracco said crimes like these are challenging for law enforcement to uncover because theyre well hidden from the public. In some cases, it can take years of investigation. Its sometimes hard to infiltrate these groups to find out exactly whats going on and who might be involved, she explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents show federal authorities became aware of Murphys involvement in dogfighting in 2021 on recorded calls with a dogfighting target based in New York. Just over one year later, they started closely monitoring his property using aerial and ground-level cameras. In June of 2023, Boston 25 News was on scene as federal agents swept his home, and seized nine pit-bull type dogs that had scars consistent with organized dog fighting. Photos taken inside Murphys home showed dogs tethered to treadmills in his basement, and dog fighting paraphernalia such as several types of steroids and painkillers. LoStracco said dogfighting is a lot more involved than putting dogs in a ring to fight, theres a lot of preparation leading up to that point, which includes purchasing or creating training equipment for the animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court paperwork also showed a forensic examination of Murphys cell phone had revealed his involvement in breeding and conditioning dogs for 25 years. It also showed him stating he would never never never quit what he is doing with the dogs. For that reason, LoStracco said they will do the best they can to keep an eye on the situation. As for the dogs involved in fighting, ARL described what happens to them after theyre seized. Theyre vetted very carefully and deemed fit to be in a shelter environment to be around people, and other animals, said Animal Rescue League of Boston Media Relations Manager Mike Defina. Subsequently, theyre sent to organizations across the country to receive the care and treatments they need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said it can take weeks, even months, for the dogs to trust others again, but he has seen many success stories. Boston 25 News has reached out to Murphys attorney for comment but hasnt heard back as of Friday, April 11th. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The deadline to file your taxes is April 15. Unless you live in Florida. The Internal Revenue Service has announced its extending the deadline date to May 1 because of a series of hurricanes that slammed the state Debbie in August and then the two-fer Helene and Milton two weeks apart in September and October. MORE: FEMA to Florida cities hit by hurricanes: Rebuild higher or lose your flood insurance Who does the tax filing date apply to? The new May 1, 2025, tax filing deadline date, rather than the traditional April date this year, applies to people and businesses who live or are based anywhere in Florida, not just the counties that got hit from the 2024 storms. So that includes Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties in South Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reprieve covers the following entities who traditionally must file by April 15: individual, corporate and estate and trust income tax returns. Also, partnership returns, S corporation returns, gift, and generation-skipping transfer tax returns; annual information returns of tax-exempt organizations and employment and certain excise tax returns. What about the post office? In past years, the Postal Service has held a drive through in the parking lot of the Miami General Mail Facility at 2200 NW 72nd Ave., west of Miami, to hand collect mail-in tax returns from people getting their mail out just under the wire on the April 15 deadline. This year that drive through will not happen on either date, said spokeswoman Debbie Fetterly in an email to the Miami Herald. Visit usps.com for regular business hours of post offices in South Florida. There are no plans for extended hours on either date April 15 or May 1, but some post offices regularly are open after 5 p.m., she said. Fetterly has another tip: Customers who deposit their income tax returns in blue collection boxes should check the pickup times to ensure their deposit is prior to the last pickup for that day. We also encourage our customers to drop off their returns inside post offices. Is Florida alone in new deadline? Nine states have extended the tax filing deadlines until May 1 for various disaster-related reasons, but in some cases only those living in certain counties get the deadline extension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All counties: In addition to Florida, the other four states with a May 1 deadline for all of its residents are Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Select counties: Alaska, New Mexico, Tennessee and Virginia have until May 1, too, but not for everyone just selected counties that saw disasters. For example, theres just Juneau in Alaska because of severe flooding. But numerous counties in Tennessee (14) and Virginia (37) qualify. Other deadline extensions The IRS has extended disaster deadlines even beyond May 1 for some special circumstances. The California wildfires in January led the IRS to extend tax-filing deadline from April 15 to Oct. 15 for residents of Los Angeles County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Special relief for terrorist attacks in Israel. Taxpayers who live or have a business in Israel, Gaza or the West Bank, and certain other taxpayers affected by the terrorist attacks in Israel, have until Sept. 30 to file and pay. More information Eligible individuals or families can get free help preparing their tax return at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or Tax Counseling for the Elderly sites, according to the IRS. To find the closest free tax help site, use the VITA Locator Tool or call 800-906-9887. Just days after reaching out to Channel 2 Action News for help, a Georgia veteran says the VA is restoring his disability benefits. I was so happy. I was just driving home and actually screaming, thank you Jesus, Roosevelt Smith told Channel 2 consumer investigator Justin Gray. The Department of Veterans Affairs told Roosevelt Smith in a letter last week that they have evidence the 100% disabled veteran was working without reporting the income. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith said it was the day before his monthly VA benefit check normally is deposited that he got the letter saying his Department of Veterans Affairs benefits are being cut back. Smith has been a 100% disabled veteran since 2012. The VA told him in the letter that the Social Security Administration had evidence of his employment, so Smith called SSA. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They told him their data shows he was working at a diner in southwest Atlanta, 33 miles from his Conyers home. Smith, who relies on a cane or walker, said he has never even been to that diner. But SSA records show he was paid more than $57,000 in 2023 by the diner. It was very high level of stress. I thought that was no way right, that anybody at the diner makes that amount, Smith said. Victoria Franklin reached out to Channel 2 Action News after seeing Smiths story. The exact same thing that happened to me, Franklin said. Also, as a disabled veteran, she also got a similar letter from the VA in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When she looked at her Social Security account, it said she made more than $56,000 in 2023 and more than $100,000 in 2024. But she has not worked since 2024. It said I didnt report my earnings. Im like, I didnt generate any earnings, Franklin said. After our story aired and after Channel 2 Action News reached out to the VA, they reached back to Smith. The VA informed him Thursday that they will fix the mistake tied to what appears to be identity theft and restart his benefits. They really showed compassion and helped me through all this ordeal I went through, and they realized that it was a mistake, Smith said. ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. (FOX 56) A Hardin County man was accused of distributing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Thursday, according to state police. Kentucky State Police (KSP) told FOX 56 that around noon on Thursday, April 10, the Electronic Crime Branch (ECB) arrested Joseph Blake Bowling, 31, as the result of an undercover child exploitation operation. The ECB reportedly started investigating after Bowling was allegedly found sharing CSAM images online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation resulted in an interview in Elizabethtown on April 10, 2025, state police wrote in a news release on Friday. Equipment used to facilitate the crime was seized and taken to a forensic laboratory for examination. KSP said Bowling was charged with 10 counts of distribution of matter portraying a sexual performance by a minor under 12 years old. Each charge is a class C felony, carrying a possible sentence of five to 10 years in prison. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Bowling was lodged in the Hardin County Detention Center on a $250,000 cash bond, per KSP. He is due to appear virtually in court at 8:30 a.m. on April 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sexual exploitation investigation remains ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. Prince Harry believes that he was stripped of his police protection to trap him and Meghan Markle in the Royal Family. The Duke of Sussex, who has been fighting a court battle in the U.K. to restore his police protection since it was revoked in Feb. 2020, described the difficult to swallow moment when he was told the decision, the Telegraph reported. He told People magazine that his worst fears have been confirmed by the whole legal disclosure in this caseand thats really sad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harry and Meghan felt that the removal of their police protection was an effort to control them and force them back into the royal fold because without the extra security visits to the U.K. would be potentially dangerous. For this reason, Harry chose to sue the government to get the protection reinstated. He made a public appearance on Tuesday at Londons Royal Courts of Justice to fight the government over the change to his security protection. LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Prince Harryarrives at Royal Courts of Justice on April 08, 2025 in London, England. / Neil Mockford/Getty Images When Harry left the Sandringham Summit in January 2020 he believed his security would remain in place. Court documents show that the queen also wanted effective security for Harry and Meghan. However, just a month later, the government committee responsible for state-funded security, Ravec, told them that this would not happen. Ravec includes members of the royal household, including close aides to King Charles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King Charles younger son has previously hinted that the decision by the Home Office, the ministry responsible for policing, is at the center of his rift with his father. Harrys relationship with his family remains strained, although he did have a brief meeting with his father in Feb. 2024 after Charles cancer diagnosis. Sources told People however that Charles no longer answers Harrys calls or responds to letters and that efforts to reconcile with his brother, Prince William, have also been ignored. We were trying to create this happy house, Harry told the Royal Courts of Justice following a two-day appeal hearing over the decision. Harry, who had previously described a legal crusade against the tabloid press as his lifes work, claimed he now considers the matter of protection more important. He said: This one always mattered the most. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shaheed Fatima, his attorney, told the court during the two-day ordeal that the agency that protects royal and public figures had treated Harry on a bespoke basis not applied to anyone else. It means he has been singled out for different, unjustified and inferior treatment, she said, adding that he was not looking for the same treatment as when he was a working member of the royal family. The three appeal court judges have reserved their judgment, with the result not expected for several weeks. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) At any given time, there are more than a thousand people in Connecticut on the waiting list for the gift of life. April is Donate Life Month. The path before and after getting the life-saving organ is indeed challenging. Hartford HealthCares Dr. Glyn Morgan, chief of transplant surgery at Hartford Hospital, joined Good Morning Connecticut at 9 a.m. to discuss whats being done to ease their journey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. BURLINGTONM Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Federal prosecutors have charged a Hartford man for allegedly producing child pornography that involved a 5-year-old he is accused of repeatedly assaulting. Matthew Isaacs, 33, was scheduled to appear Friday before U.S. District Judge Geoffrey W. Crawford in Burlington. According to United States Attorneys Office, the girl Isaacs allegedly assaulted lived on the same floor of his apartment building in Hartford. Isaacs allegedly took explicit photographs of the child, which prosecutors say he modified with crude images. Prosecutors say some of the images show Isaacs actively assaulting the child. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, Isaacs was detained at Southern State Correctional on state charges of lewd and lascivious conduct with a child. He was out of the jail on conditions at the time of his arrest on the federal charges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. Harvey Weinstein's health is seemingly failing him; at least, that is what his rep is saying. The convicted sex offender is reportedly in a bad state in prison, with his health declining every day due to his poor living conditions behind bars. Harvey Weinstein's latest health report comes months after he was indicted on a fresh set of sexual assault charges in New York last year. Harvey Weinstein Is Suffering From Severe Tongue Inflammation In Jail MEGA Weinstein's health is reportedly deteriorating rapidly while he is incarcerated at Rikers Island. His representative, Juda Engelmayer, shared concerns about his worsening condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Engelmayer highlighted that he gained significant weight, totaling over 25 pounds, since his transfer from Bellevue Hospital, with nearly 19 pounds gained in the past month. This increase poses serious risks to his existing diabetes and heart issues. In addition, Weinstein is also suffering from severe tongue inflammation, which impairs his ability to swallow and raises fears of choking. Currently, he is back at Bellevue for treatment. Engelmayer also noted ongoing problems such as missed and delayed medications and unaddressed chest palpitations. Per TMZ, his rep also noted a lack of support for Weinstein's mobility challenges, all contributing to what they describe as a medical crisis that urgently needs attention. The Producer Weighed In On Blake Lively And Justin Baldoni's Ongoing Legal Tussle ZUMAPRESS.com / MEGA Weinstein's living condition at Rikers Island is nothing to write home about either. Inmates are reportedly enduring freezing temperatures, a lack of clean clothing, and inadequate food, all of which are exacerbating his health issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past year, the actor has experienced serious health complications, including multiple hospitalizations for double pneumonia, a leukemia diagnosis, and heart surgery. Despite these challenges, Weinstein continues to assert his innocence following his 2022 conviction for rape and other crimes. Recently, he has spoken out from jail, advocating for himself while linking his situation to that of actor Justin Baldoni. He criticized The New York Times for allegedly manipulating information to shape narratives surrounding his case and Baldoni's legal battle with Blake Lively. The 73-year-old Was Reportedly Diagnosed With Cancer After His Heart Surgery Last Year RCF / MEGA Last year, reports by The Blast noted that the convicted Hollywood producer was diagnosed with cancer, specifically chronic myeloid leukemia. The news came shortly after he underwent significant heart surgery in September, a month that also saw him facing new sexual assault charges in New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Weinstein's representatives have not confirmed or denied these health claims, they have expressed strong disapproval of the public discussions surrounding his condition. Craig Rothfeld, Weinstein's authorized healthcare representative in New York, criticized the speculation, calling it troubling and unacceptable. He emphasized the need for privacy regarding Weinstein's health matters and stated that no further comments would be made out of respect for his confidentiality. The Father-Of-Three Went In For Heart Surgery As He Awaited Retrial For His 2020 Court Case MEGA A month before his reported cancer diagnosis, reports revealed that Weinstein had successfully undergone heart surgery at Bellevue Hospital in New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rothfeld and Engelmayer confirmed that he was in a "weak" state and needed to rest after the operation. They did not specify what led to the medical emergency but reiterated that Weinstein has numerous major health problems requiring ongoing treatment. The heart procedure took place while he awaited a retrial for his 2020 conviction, which included first-degree criminal sexual act and third-degree rape. His 23-year prison sentence was vacated following an appeal in April 2024. Harvey Weinstein Was Indicted On More Sex-Related Offenses Adam Gray SWNS / MEGA Weinstein's brief sense of victory following his appeal was short-lived, as he faced new indictments last September. A grand jury in New York permitted Manhattan prosecutors to bring additional sex-related charges against him, although the specifics of these charges were initially sealed. During a hearing, prosecutor Matthew Colangelo unveiled details about the allegations, revealing that one victim was assaulted at the Tribeca Grand Hotel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another incident reportedly occurred during the winter of 2005 to 2006 at a residential building in either Tribeca or SoHo. A third alleged assault took place in May 2016 at a hotel in Tribeca. The disgraced producer was, however, absent in court for the indictment due to undergoing emergency heart surgery. Judge Curtis Farber permitted him to recover at the Bellevue Hospital's prison ward instead of returning to Rikers Island. His attorney, Arthur Aidala, maintained that Weinstein, at 72 years old, was not fit to go back to prison, citing medical issues, including a shunt in his chest and the need for artificial oxygen. Aidala argued that keeping Weinstein at Bellevue was crucial for monitoring his health, which would not be adequately ensured at Rikers Island. Will the recent development with Harvey Weinstein's health change the course of his case? A Mr. Potato Head sits outside Hasbro Inc's headquarters on Newport Avenue in Pawtucket. (Photo by Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current) The first quarter of the year came and went without a peep from Hasbro Inc. on whether the Pawtucket toy and gaming company would be moving out of its Pawtucket headquarters and where it would go. Now, the decision has been postponed, with clarity on a potential relocation expected by this summer, Andrea Snyder, a Hasbro spokesperson, confirmed in an email Friday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snyder did not respond to questions about how the economic aftershocks rippling through the stock market and major companies played into the delay. But its no secret that Hasbro is hurting; stocks plunged 20% since President Donald Trump announced his reciprocal tariff policy on April 2, with Hasbro shares hitting a 52-week low on Tuesday. Like its game industry competitors, much of Hasbro relies on international supply chains, with 40% of its products coming from China. While Trump backed off tariffs on most other countries earlier Wednesday, the trade war with China continues to escalate, with China raising a retaliatory tariff on U.S. imports to 125% Friday morning. Before the trade war, the company looked poised to abandon its century-old roots in the Ocean State, trading in its circa 1900 Pawtucket headquarters for a new, modern space in Boston. When news broke in September that the multinational company was eyeing a move across state lines, Rhode Island officials appeared caught off-guard. Local and state leaders scrambled to try and persuade the company to stay, if not in Pawtucket, then in Providence, offering up a piece of prime real estate in the I-195 Redevelopment District for just $1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But other incentives requiring state funding or legislation through the Rhode Island General Assembly have not been introduced, and House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi has deferred to Gov. Dan McKee to take the lead on negotiations with Hasbro executives. Olivia DaRocha, a spokesperson for McKees office, said the governors office will remain engaged with Hasbro executives. We brought together leaders in government, business and higher education to present Hasbro with a strong proposal one we believe will be difficult to walk away from, DaRocha said in an email Friday. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX HOHHOT, April 11 (Xinhua) -- At 7 a.m. daily, trucks from Mongolia begin to pull into China via the Erenhot land port, located on a major highway route between China and Mongolia, which registered soaring passenger and cargo throughput in the first quarter of this year. Mongolian truck driver Enkbold shuttles via this port in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region every other day, transporting China-produced vegetables and fruits to enrich the food varieties on dining tables of Mongolian people. "Now I can make a same-day shuttle across the border, while the round trip used to take two days. From this year, my Chinese merchants can help me make an appointment for customs declaration of the fresh produce in advance, which further speeds up my cargo passage," said Enkbold, who loads his stock at Erenhot and delivers it to Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia. "These days, Chinese fruits and vegetables sold in the Mongolian market are fresh and delicious and rich in varieties," he said. In the first quarter of 2025, inbound and outbound passenger traffic volumes and the number of vehicles driving through Erenhot reached 1.3 million and 159,000, respectively -- marking respective increases of 164.8 percent and 32.99 percent. Notably, Erenhot handles more than 70 percent of China-Mongolia cargo trade via land transport. In order to facilitate customs clearance, customs authorities have introduced intelligent inspection facilities and streamlined customs clearance measures, such as opening green channels for fresh agricultural products transported between China and Mongolia. Meanwhile, Manzhouli, another land port in Inner Mongolia, is known as China's largest land port, with its railway port serving as one of China's main corridors for China-Europe freight trains. Lyu Haiyan of Manzhouli Sanfeng International Freight Transport Agent, has been busy handling customs formalities for Chinese exporters using the logistics channel provided by the China-Europe freight train service to transport their exports to Europe via Manzhouli. These exports are mainly China-made new energy vehicles, lithium batteries and solar cells, which have become China's three new export pillars, she said. Manzhouli Customs has introduced intelligent customs inspection facilities, assisted by BeiDou satellite positioning, 5G communication and the Internet of Things technologies, to speed up customs clearance of the exports. HONOLULU (KHON2) Big changes are coming to Hawaii roads and its not just about traffic. Starting July 1, electric vehicle drivers across the state will face a new charge one tied directly to the miles they drive. What to know about buying an EV in 2025 In a move designed to fund road maintenance in the age of electric cars, the states transportation department is implementing a road usage charge program for EV owners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 12 secrets about Matthew McConaugheys $7.8M Hawaii hideaway The idea? If you dont buy gas, youre not paying the fuel tax that traditionally funds road repairs. But the roads still need maintenance and someone needs to foot the bill. 8 things to know about Hawaiis freakosystems Under a measure that passed in 2023, starting July 1, drivers can choose from the following: Pay 0.8 cent per mile Opt for a $50 fee By 2028, the choice will go away and all EV drivers will be required to pay based on mileage $8 per 1,000 miles with a maximum of $50 a year paid at the time of your car inspection. 7 things to know about move to increase shipping prices in Hawaii by 20-76% Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of it all, once road usage charge is largely adopted, were going to abolish the gas tax and I think thats a win for everybody. No matter what, it would not exceed $50 and I think thats the most equitable model, said Rep. Darius Kila (D) House Transportation Committee Chair. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news The move is part of a broader strategy to shift from the fuel tax model. If it goes towards making the roads better or charging facilities better, Im for that. Im okay with giving my part, said David Jones, EV owner. Who decides how babies are born in Hawaii? 5 things to know about the midwifery debate Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EV owners KHON2 spoke with said they understand the need to keep up with road repairs and upgrades, but not everyone is sold on the plan. Everything higher the cost of living, you know, everythings got to be shipped in and whatnot. I dont know, I feel like there could be a better way, said Danette Botelho, EV owner. But thats not all the charges EV owners could face. House Bill 1161 in the legislature this session would allow the counties to impose their own mileage based road usage charge to pay for county roads. According to state data, there are currently more than 36,800 registered EVs in Hawaii, an 18% increase over last year. EVs represent 3% of all the registered passenger vehicles in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Check out more news from around Hawaii Some critics said this will disincentivize people from going electric. Id argue back, said Rep. Kila. Lets not forget that EVs have the option to use HOV lane, zipper lane, that is not available to petrol vehicles that we have written currently. A public hearing on the new road usage charge rule is scheduled for May 13. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. WASHINGTON (AP) The commander of a U.S. Space Force base in Greenland has been fired after she sent a base-wide email breaking with official messaging following Vice President JD Vances visit to the Danish territory that President Donald Trump is seeking to annex. In a statement late Thursday, the Space Force said Col. Susan Meyers was removed as commander of Pituffik Space Base in Greenland over a loss of confidence in her ability to lead. Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military.com reported Thursday that Meyers sent the base-wide email defending the bases relationship with Denmark and Greenland following Vances visit two weeks ago. A U.S. official confirmed Friday to The Associated Press that Meyers sent the email and its contents showing support for Greenland and Denmark. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to provide additional details not made public. Greenland is a territory of Denmark, which is a NATO ally of the United States. Trump wants to annex the territory, claiming its needed for national security purposes, and Vance's visit in late March set off heated rhetoric between the U.S. and Denmark, with Trump refusing to take the use of military force off the table. In a post on X late Thursday, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell linked to the Military.com story and said that actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trumps agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meyers' firing was the latest in a series of terminations of senior military leaders, including several female leaders. The Trump administration has previously fired Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan and U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Shoshana Chatfield, the only woman on NATOs military committee. Other key firings were Gen. CQ Brown Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Gen. Tim Haugh, commander of U.S. Cyber Command and director of the National Security Agency. A new project called Healing at Home provides safe housing to survivors of sexual assault in Schuylkill County, a crucial step to help them heal and rebuild their lives, officials said. A safe house for victims opened last year in Tamaqua and currently houses a family of four. A second such home is set to open by summer in the borough and will also house four. The project is led by the Sexual Assault Resource and Counseling Center, known as SARCC, which serves sexual violence survivors and their families in Schuylkill and Lebanon families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program already has succeeded in providing a happy, healthy, safe place for its first tenants a parent and three children, said Ali Perrotto, chief executive officer of SARCC. Theyre doing incredibly well, she said. The nonprofit acquired the residential properties and rents them at an affordable rate for up to two years to survivors of sexual abuse and assault and human trafficking. It is working to open three more safe houses in Schuylkill and five in Lebanon County as well. The program was celebrated this week in Tamaqua during a ceremony at Hope & Coffee shop, where Perrotto spoke about the importance of providing supported housing solutions for survivors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many victims end up staying in bad situations or couch-surfing until they find more stable housing, which puts both adults and children at risk of further assault, she said. Last year SARCC served 570 survivors of sexual violence from Schuylkill, over 200 of whom were under 18 years old, and it has seen an increase in housing needs over the last five years, Perrotto said. Thats because many Schuylkill survivors cannot afford to change their housing, which is why the Healing at Home project is so needed here, Perrotto said. Rent has become unmanageable for a lot of families, even those who are employed, she said. Theyre forced to make an impossible choice over whether to spend their money on medicine, food, heat or rent. SARCC looked at various models before choosing the current format, which it is paying for through fundraising and its savings, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tenants initially dont pay rent or utilities, but begin paying a partial amount after three months, and then see those rates raise every subsequent three months. Mikaela Gavaletz, vice chair of SARCC, said the Healing at Home houses provide a good way for sexual assault victims to escape their surroundings. Its one thing coming out of a traumatic relationship, but its even more devastating if you have to come home to it, she said of victims who live with their abusers. This will make their healing so much easier, faster and safer. The Tamaqua Area Community Partnership sold the property to SARCC at a reduced price because it considers the Healing at Home project so important, said Partnership Director Micah Gursky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a real benefit to survivors and their families, he said. Tamaqua was a good location for the first two safe houses because tenants have all necessary amenities within walking distance, including schools, medical offices, grocery stores, and a library. Theyre not isolated here, he said. SARCC counsels clients, advocates for the rights of victims, educates the public about sexual assault and has a 24-hour hotline. All services are confidential, are provided at no-cost and are available to community members of all ages, genders and identities. For those housed through the Healing at Home program, SARCC offers case management support and access to victim advocacy services and will help to facilitate a referral for no-cost trauma therapy if desired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project has received support from the Schuylkill County Human Trafficking Response Team, Schuylkill County Mental Health Office and Service Access Management, Waldman Law Group, Towne and Country Real Estate and The Prysmian Group. During Wednesdays ceremony, the homes were dedicated to two people who were described as tireless community advocates. One home is named in honor of longtime SARCC preventionist Clarissa Geary, who as Miss Clarissa teaches Schuylkill County students that they have the right to be safe from sexual abuse, and Gursky, who in addition to leading the Tamaqua partnership is a longtime SARCC board member. If you or someone you know faces sexual violence and lives in Schuylkill or Lebanon counties, call SARCCs 24/7 hotline at 570-628-2965. Three unions representing employees with the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department filed a complaint with the Board of Health against the departments public health director Chantell Harmon Reed alleging bullying, unethical behavior and a toxic work environment. Reed has served in her role for about a year. She came on as director last March after a lengthy search when its previous director, Anthony Chen, retired, as previously reported by The News Tribune. According to the complaint, which was sent to The News Tribune and filed March 28, employees said Reed has created an extremely hostile work environment that is causing the department to [lose] good people at a time when a competent public health presence is needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter also alleged Reed is demeaning, belittling, condescending and disrespectful in her communication with staff at all levels, yells, name-calls, is dismissive, pushes her own agenda, has created an environment where staff are fearful and afraid to speak up, is late to meetings and unprepared and hired a friend without posting the job or conducting interviews, among other issues. It was signed by union representatives with the Teamsters Local 117, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 120 and Tacoma Pierce County Public Health Employees Association. The unions requested the Board of Health to immediately commence an outside investigation so employees at every level can be open and honest without the fear of retaliation and retribution. In an email to The News Tribune Friday, a representative with the health department said board members met in executive session April 2 to discuss the complaint with legal counsel. The Board takes all complaints seriously, especially when one is filed against someone in a position of leadership. We also must ensure due process. To do so, we plan to hire an outside agency to investigate this matter. While that process takes place, we will not comment on any specific allegations, said board chair and city councilor Joe Bushnell in an emailed statement. The Board of Health will continue to support Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department and all its employees in its mission to protect and improve the health of all people and places in Pierce County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement to The News Tribune Friday, Reed said she was committed to uphold the health departments values of equity, integrity, respect and leadership. My door is always open for staff and community. I welcome feedback and value hearing as many perspectives as possible, she said. Since arriving in March 2024, Ive made several organizational and operational changes to prepare the Department for exactly the kinds of disruptions in federal and state funding we are seeing now. I understand rapid change can bring concern and uneasiness. I am also confident many of the changes weve made have helped position the Department for long-term growth and sustainability. I remain committed to this work and doing it in partnership with our staff and the community. Representatives with the employees unions either declined or did not respond to requests for comment. Prior to her hire at the health department, Reed was a doctoral candidate in public health at Tulane University. Her background includes work in public health, administration and compliance, according to TPCHD. She also served on the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute, the Loyola Center for Counseling and Education and the Oregon Public Health Association, as previously reported by The News Tribune. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) A hearing on a felony DUI case brought against a retired sergeant with California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation has been postponed to July. Court records show Arnulfo Ryan Valverde is now set for a preliminary hearing on July 1. If it proceeds as scheduled, a judge will determine whether theres enough evidence for the case to move forward. The hearing was previously set for Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to prosecutors, Valverde had a blood-alcohol content of 0.24% three times the legal limit after a Nov. 26 crash in Bakersfield that injured two people. One victim required surgery on both wrists. Valverde was arrested in the 10100 block of Stockdale Highway, which police said was in the nearby area of the collision. A bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey was found in his car. Hes charged with two felony counts of DUI causing injury and hit-and-run causing injury. He is free on $45,000 bail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. A Los Angeles Superior Court judge is set to hear arguments Friday on whether to withdraw a resentencing motion for convicted murderers Erik and Lyle Menendez filed by former L.A. District Attorney George Gascons administration. Current D.A. Nathan Hochman does not support resentencing under the terms of Gascons motion, saying that the brothers do not meet the standard for rehabilitation. They have told 20 different lies. Theyve actually admitted to four of them, but 16 lies remain unacknowledged. They persist in these lies to this very day, Hochman said during a recent news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erik and Lyle Menendez are currently serving life in prison without the possibility of parole for the shotgun murders of their parents Kitty and Jose Menendez back in 1989. FILE Lyle, left, and Erik Menendez sit in Beverly Hills Municipal Court where their attorneys delayed making pleas on behalf of the brothers who are suspected in the murders of their parents on March 12, 1990. (AP Photo/Nick Ut) FILE This combination of two booking photos provided by the California Department of Corrections shows Erik Menendez, left, and Lyle Menendez. (California Dept. of Corrections via AP, File) Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman gives a news conference about the Menendez brothers case in Los Angeles, Monday, March 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes) Lyle, left, and Erik Menendez sit with defense attorney Leslie Abramson, right, in Beverly Hills Municipal Court during a hearing, Nov. 26, 1990. (AP Photo/Nick Ut, File) Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascon speaks during a news conference regarding the Menendez brothers, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024, at the Hall of Justice in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Eric Thayer) Erik and Lyle Menendez are pictured, on August 12, 1991 in Beverly Hills. (Getty Images) Erik Menendez, left, and is brother Lyle, in front of their Beverly Hills home. (Getty) The brothers have been behind bars for 35 years and claim they killed their parents in self-defense after years of abuse. Some of the brothers family members who support their release are expected to fly in and attend the hearing in Van Nuys on Friday. They have done more good from inside the prison than most people do in a lifetime and yet, Hochman is hyperfocused on one thing; what they said as scared kids, the brothers cousin Tamara Goodell said. Letting them come home isnt about letting them off easy. Theyve served their time. It would give them a chance to be here with all of us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision by Judge Michael Jesic on Friday will determine whether a resentencing hearing will move forward. The Menendez brothers also have a path to freedom through California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The states parole board is conducting separate hearings and will send its report to the governor. Fridays proceedings will begin at 10 a.m. The court is holding a public lottery for 16 seats inside the courtroom. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth signed a memorandum Thursday outlining $5.1 billion in cuts to Department of Defense spending through terminated contracts. The Pentagon leader said the contracts amounted to nonessential spending on third-party consultants for services more efficiently performed by the departments workforce using existing resources. We need this money to spend on better health care for our warfighters and their families, instead of $500 an hour business process consultant, he said in a statement announcing the cuts. Thats a lot of consulting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hegseth said a Defense Health Agency contract for consulting services from Accenture, Deloitte, Booz Allen and other firms was discontinued alongside an Air Force contract with Accenture to resell third-party enterprise cloud IT services. A Navy contract for business process consulting services was also eliminated as was a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agencys contract for IT helpdesk services was canceled, according to Hegseth. He added that the department is also slashing 11 contracts related to diversity, equity and inclusion, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and related nonessential activities. If youre keeping score at home, todays cuts bring our running total to nearly $6 billion in wasteful spending over the first six weeks of the Department of Government Efficiency effort here at the Defense Department, Hegseth said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The moves come after the Defense secretary cut $70 million in funding at three colleges in the past weeks in the Trump administrations overhaul of federal spending. Pentagon officials are also seeking to reduce the departments workforce by 5 percent to 8 percent of its civilian employees over the next several months totaling 50,000 to 60,000 jobs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ADDIS ABABA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- China has remained a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ethiopia, with over 4,500 Chinese-run projects currently operating in the East African country, a senior official at the Ethiopian Investment Commission (EIC) has said. There are 4,510 Chinese-run projects in Ethiopia, representing the largest foreign investment in terms of both capital and number of projects, EIC Commissioner Zeleke Temesgen told a briefing Thursday on a business forum on investment in Ethiopia. The "Invest In Ethiopia 2025" forum, scheduled for May 12-13 in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, aims to provide a platform for participants to learn about Ethiopia's business climate, investment opportunities and government policies. Chinese investment in Ethiopia has grown over time, creating thousands of job opportunities for young people in the country, Temesgen said. He said Ethiopia attracted 3.92 billion U.S. dollars worth of FDI last Ethiopian fiscal year ending on July 7, 2024, and China has accounted for almost 50 percent of all FDI inflow into the country. According to the commissioner, Chinese firms have invested more in Ethiopia's textiles, information and communication technology, manufacturing and logistics sectors. With the opening of import, export, retail and wholesale businesses for foreign investors, he said, about 40 foreign investors including Chinese ones have obtained investment permits from the commission over the past five months to engage in electric vehicle manufacturing and in the export of oilseeds, pulses, livestock and other goods. According to the EIC, more than 8.5 billion U.S. dollars, involving over 3,300 Chinese projects, has been invested in Ethiopia in recent years, creating more than 325,400 permanent and temporary jobs for Ethiopians. BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological authority renewed an orange alert on Friday evening for strong gales that will sweep across the northern regions and coastal areas over the weekend. The National Meteorological Center (NMC) said in an updated forecast that from 8 p.m. Friday to 8 p.m. Saturday, winds of up to force 13 (37.0-41.4 m/s) on the national wind scale will hit parts of Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Hebei, and Beijing. Gales up to force 12 will affect some areas including the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea, the NMC said. Additionally, a yellow alert for snowstorms was also issued, warning that parts of Inner Mongolia and Heilongjiang will experience snowfall ranging from 20 to 28 millimeters. The NMC further renewed a blue alert for rainstorms that will affect regions including parts of Hubei, Anhui, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Hunan, Guizhou, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, and Liaoning. The center also continued to issue a blue alert for sandstorms that will hit Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang, Gansu, and Ningxia. The NMC advised the public in affected regions to take full precautions. China has a four-tier weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow, and blue. Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder discusses the Trump administration's treatment of immigrants with @ Maddow during a one-on-one interview on @ maddow show. Holder says it's "disgusting, shameful" and urges those watching to stand up and fight now. There's a treadmill that we're potentially getting on here that could result in the erosion of rights for American citizens," he adds. RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) The Hindu Temple Society of Mississippi will celebrate Holi Mela this weekend. The event will take place at 173 Vernon Jones Avenue in Rankin County on April 12, 2025, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Attendees will be able to enjoy colors, food, music and dance. The event is free. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. BEREA, Ohio (WJW) A routine traffic stop in Berea quickly spiraled into a scene out of a crime drama, leading police to uncover a loaded weapon, drugs and what they believe were homemade explosives all inside one vehicle. It started at about 9 p.m. on April 4, when officers pulled over a silver Mercedes-Benz on state Route 237 for having illegally dark-tinted windows. What they thought would be a minor citation quickly escalated. Teens at Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility attacked employee with rubber mallet, troopers say Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police identified the driver as 50-year-old Thomas Ginley. A check of his records revealed his license was suspended due to child support violations. But that was just the beginning. Inside the vehicle, officers spotted two open cans of Twisted Tea. A further search led to a more serious find: a loaded 9-millimeter handgun stashed in the center console. Ginley told police it belonged to his wife. However, his criminal history told a different story. Police said hes a convicted felon with a record that includes armed bank robbery and domestic violence, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm. The search didnt stop there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers also found pills in Ginleys pockets, two empty vodka bottles and bags containing unknown powders. But the most disturbing discovery was waiting in the trunk. There, inside a white box, officers found two cylindrical devices with green fuses items investigators now believe were improvised explosive devices. Man in crosswalk run over by 4 cars, killed: Cleveland police Ginley was arrested on the scene and is now facing a series of felony charges, including drug possession, having weapons under disability and possession of a dangerous ordnance. Berea police declined to comment further, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) The sponsor of the controversial bill to regulate homeschooling in Illinois did not call the bill for a vote Friday ahead of the crucial deadline in the House. Protecting our children is a moral imperative, Bill sponsor Rep. Terra Costa Howard said on the floor Friday. Thirty-eight states care enough about these kids to make sure theyre okay. We are an outlier to the victims who are out there. We see you. We hear you, and we will keep fighting for you. Fridays third reading deadline was supposed to be the cut off for bills to pass out of the chamber they were originally filed in. However, the fact the bill did not pass by Friday does not mean the bill is dead. There are several legislative hoops lawmakers could jump through to eventually pass the language later on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bill to ban carbon sequestration projects around the Mahomet Aquifer passes out of Senate The language could be added to a larger package of legislation later on this session through what is known as a shell bill, which is a bill that was passed out of the original chamber with very little substance only to be amended later in the year. The Speaker of the House could also extend the deadline for this bill to pass out of the chamber. As of Friday at noon, the house had not made any decisions on extensions for any bill on its docket. The bill could also come back in veto session, or could be refiled in a future legislative session. Rep. Terra Costa Howard (D-Glen Ellyn) said the conversation around the bill had become rife with misinformation, as fears of strict curriculum requirements and possible criminal investigations spread. Its really important for us to be intentional that we are listening to any opposition to understand their claims, Costa Howard said. But I want to point out that theres a great deal of misinformation that is out there. It is easy to stoke fear and dissension among individuals, and thats what I would say the opposition has done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Costa Howard amended the bill twice to address concerns, but the changes were not enough to quell the outrage. Illinois bill requiring food handlers to undergo celiac disease training passes Senate The bill saw massive pushback from homeschool families, Republicans in the capitol and right-wing school choice advocates. They came out in droves to protest the bill, with many seeing the proposal as an overreach by the state. It is an overreach to me, Leslie Lovin, a homeschool parent from Springfield said in an interview Thursday. Our children have been entrusted to us to choose what is good for their educational paths, to know our children, to understand them. And this bill reaches in and is questioning whether we can lead them, asking us to present documentation of curriculum and things that I just think is unnecessary at this point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill would put Illinois in line with almost 40 other states. It would require parents to register their children who are homeschooled with their local school district. It would also put basic curriculum guidelines in the homeschool setting to make sure core courses are being covered, and it would open up homeschool families to the same truancy investigations as public school families. Currently, Illinois has no way of knowing exactly how many children are being homeschooled in the state. Rep. Costa Howard said the bill was inspired by a ProPublica report showing the lack of laws, regulations and protections for homeschooled children in the state. The bill was meant to shine a light on the sector that has seen cases of abuse and even death for children. Bill to block cell phone usage in Illinois classrooms passes Senate Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We found that Illinois has zero regulation, Costa Howard said. Thirty-eight states actually have regulations. So Illinois is an outlier. So as we did more research about this, we realized that the fact that Illinois had no regulations, we needed to do something. Lovin who has taught as both a homeschool teacher for her own children and a public school teacher in Texas said she was worried about the precedent that this bill set. She also argued that the bill did not actually do anything to prevent those cases of abuse from happening. I dont think this policy addresses that, Lovin said. You will have families who will, if they are forced to comply and register their families, theyre going to do that and theyre the upright standing individuals that are taking care of their children, that we are taking care of them and stepping into those zones. I dont think its going to address those families that are maybe under the table announcing theyre homeschooling and are secretly not taking care of their children in that way. The House of Representatives is off next week, before returning for the home stretch of the legislative session. The final scheduled days for the session are the end of May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Rescuers work at the site of a helicopter crash on Hudson River, in proximity to Hoboken, New Jersey, the United States, April 10, 2025. (Photo by Zack Zhang/Xinhua) NEW YORK, April 10 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River around Pier 40 in Manhattan, New York City, on Thursday afternoon killing all the six people on board, said New York City Mayor Eric Adams at a press conference. Included were one pilot, two adults and three children, according to Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). She said four people were announced deceased on scene and another two didn't survive at hospital. It's reported that the five passengers were tourists from Spain. The helicopter lost control shortly after turning at the George Washington Bridge to move along the New Jersey shoreline, and an investigation is underway for the cause of the crash, according to Tisch. The chopper, a Bell 206, a model widely used in commercial and government aviation, split into two before it went down around 3:15 p.m. local time, local media reported. This is the deadliest helicopter crash in the New York City area since 2018. A witness speaks to the media near Pier 40 in Manhattan, New York City, the United States, April 10, 2025. A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River around Pier 40 in Manhattan, New York City, on Thursday afternoon killing all the six people on board, said New York City Mayor Eric Adams at a press conference. Included were one pilot, two adults and three children, according to Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). She said four people were announced deceased on scene and another two didn't survive at hospital. (Photo by Zack Zhang/Xinhua) Rescuers are seen near Pier 40 in Manhattan, New York City, the United States, April 10, 2025. A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River around Pier 40 in Manhattan, New York City, on Thursday afternoon killing all the six people on board, said New York City Mayor Eric Adams at a press conference. Included were one pilot, two adults and three children, according to Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). She said four people were announced deceased on scene and another two didn't survive at hospital. (Photo by Zack Zhang/Xinhua) Rescue vehicles are seen near Pier 40 in Manhattan, New York City, the United States, April 10, 2025. A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River around Pier 40 in Manhattan, New York City, on Thursday afternoon killing all the six people on board, said New York City Mayor Eric Adams at a press conference. Included were one pilot, two adults and three children, according to Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). She said four people were announced deceased on scene and another two didn't survive at hospital. (Photo by Zack Zhang/Xinhua) Rescuers are seen near Pier 40 in Manhattan, New York City, the United States, April 10, 2025. A helicopter crashed into the Hudson River around Pier 40 in Manhattan, New York City, on Thursday afternoon killing all the six people on board, said New York City Mayor Eric Adams at a press conference. Included were one pilot, two adults and three children, according to Jessica Tisch, commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD). She said four people were announced deceased on scene and another two didn't survive at hospital. (Photo by Zack Zhang/Xinhua) HONG KONG (Reuters) - Hong Kong's main opposition Democratic Party is considering disbanding amid a years-long national security crackdown by China after mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. Following is a timeline of key events in the democratic development of Hong Kong before and after the financial hub's handover from Britain to China in 1997. Dec. 1984 - China and Britain sign a Joint Declaration on how Hong Kong will be governed, including a "One Country, Two Systems" formula granting a high degree of autonomy under Chinese Communist Party rule. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement June 1989 - Beijing's Tiananmen Square crackdown prompts millions in Hong Kong to take to the streets to call for more democratic safeguards. April 1990 - Beijing ratifies Hong Kong's Basic Law as a mini-constitution promising "universal suffrage" as an ultimate aim. 1994 - The Democratic Party is founded through the merger of two opposition groups: United Democrats of HK and Meeting Point. Sept. 1995 - The Democratic Party wins 42% of the popular vote in legislative council elections, becoming the largest party during the final years of British colonial rule. July 1997 - Hong Kong returns to Chinese sovereignty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement July 2003 - Half a million people protest against a proposed national security bill, also known as Article 23, causing it to be scrapped. Aug. 2014 - China's parliament rules out a fully democratic election for Hong Kong's leader in 2017, by imposing tight rules on nominations of candidates who want to run. Sept. 2014 - The civil disobedience movement known as "Occupy Central" draws hundreds of thousands of protesters who block and set up encampments in three districts including a highway outside government headquarters for 79 days to demand China allow full democracy. 2019 April 3 Hong Kong introduces a proposed extradition bill to allow criminal suspects to be sent to China for trial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement June 12 Police fire non-lethal rounds and tear gas to disperse hundreds of thousands of protesters calling for the extradition bill to be scrapped, marking the beginning of months long protests that turn increasingly violent. Nov. 24 - Hong Kong's pro-democracy candidates win a landslide victory in district council elections, securing 90% of 452 seats in what is seen as a symbolic vote against China. 2020 June 30 - China's parliament imposes a sweeping national security law, drawing condemnation from the U.S. amid concerns it will be used to crack down on opposition democrats. July 11-12 - More than 600,000 people cast ballots in an unofficial primary election to select the strongest pro-democracy candidates to contest an upcoming election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement July 30 - Hong Kong disqualifies a dozen pro-democracy candidates from running in the Sept. election, citing reasons including collusion with foreign forces. July 31 - The September election is postponed on COVID grounds. Nov. 11 - Hong Kong expels four democrats from the legislature. Nov. 12 - The remaining 15 pro-democracy lawmakers resign from the 70-seat Legislative Council in protest. 2021 Jan 6 - More than 50 pro-democracy campaigners, including pro-democracy lawmakers, are arrested in the biggest crackdown to date under the national security law. March 11 - China's parliament overhauls Hong Kong's electoral system, effectively shutting out the opposition from future elections, which some countries call an erosion of democracy in the financial hub. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dec 19 - The turnout for an overhauled, "patriots"-only legislative election hits a record low of 30.2%. 2023 May 27 - Hong Kong's second-largest opposition group, the Civic Party, said it would disband after 30 of 31 members voted to wind up the party. July 3 - Hong Kong police issue arrest warrants and offer bounties of HK$1 million against eight overseas-based activists. July 6 - Hong Kong's legislature unanimously voted to overhaul district-level elections by drastically reducing the number of directly elected seats. Dec 10 - A "patriots only" district council election, with no participation of opposition democrats, had a record low voter turnout as many spurned what was seen as an undemocratic poll. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2024 March 19 - Hong Kong lawmakers unanimously pass a new national security bill, also known as Article 23 that punishes offences including treason, sabotage, sedition, the theft of state secrets, external interference and espionage. Nov 19 - Hong Kong's High Court sentences 45 pro-democracy activists to up to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit subversion over the 2020 "primary election". Dec 24 - Hong Kong offered bounties of HK$1 million for six more pro-democracy campaigners deemed to have violated national security laws, and revoked the passports of seven more. 2025 Feb 20 - Hong Kong's Democratic Party said it would start preparations to disband and wind up its affairs after a meeting of its leadership. (This story has been refiled to add the editing credit) (Editing by Gerry Doyle) BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Honor Flight 51 returned Thursday night as Kern County residents gathered at the airport to welcome the veterans home. Honor Flight departed from Bakersfield on Tuesday to Washington, D.C. where nearly 100 Kern County veterans were able to visit several memorials built in their honor. They returned to Meadows Field Airport at around 8:30 p.m. Congressman Vince Fong said it was amazing to be able to hear the stories of the veterans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just amazing that our community comes together, pays for these veterans to come out here, Fong said. Its a life changing experience. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. Artist Marharyta Polovinko could have spent her life creating art that challenged, provoked, and illuminated viewers. But Russia invaded her country, so she joined the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A rising star in Ukraine's contemporary art scene, Polovinko made the decision to enlist in late 2024, channeling the same passion that drove her art into the defense of her country. The war shaped not only how she lived, but how she created art many of her wartime-related pieces were made with her own blood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On April 5, at just 31, Polovinko was killed in the Kharkiv direction of the front. She is mourned by those who fought beside her in the 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade and by those who knew her as an artist whose creative voice was just coming into its own. "Marharyta was an extremely important artist for our time. She is already part of art history. The way she felt this world its beauty and its pain at once may be difficult to ever fully convey. But I'll try, again and again," friend and fellow artist Dasha Chechushkova told the Kyiv Independent. "Her work speaks volumes. Her language was exquisitely concise. She was a great artist. But it must also be remembered that she died a soldier." New artistic generation of Ukraine Prior to the full-scale war, Polovinko's art was rooted in exploring the lives of those who are marginalized or exist on the fringes of society. As with many Ukrainian artists, the war heavily influenced how she approached her work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was at the beginning of the full-scale war that she truly found her voice as an artist," friend and fellow artist Nikita Kadan told the Kyiv Independent. "And paradoxically, just as Marharyta's art reached maturity, her choices to volunteer and serve began to leave less and less room for artistic practice." For Polovinko, making art during wartime became a way to process what was previously unthinkable if she "couldn't take" the latest news, then she drew it, as she said in an interview to Ukrainian media outlook Artslooker in 2023. In an untitled 2022 sketch shared on her Instagram in early April 2022, Polovinko portrays the corpse of a Russian soldier with elongated arms and a contorted body. The corpse's open jacket reveals his internal organs, which two puppies are eating, while a mother dog watches on. The sketch illustrates how, despite the devastation inflicted upon Ukraine by Russian forces, they are ultimately no match for the enduring power of nature. In time, nature reclaims, heals, and finds a way to keep going even in the wake of destruction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Drawing is (a) primitive (act), not in the sense that it is simple, but in the sense that it happens intuitively, 'by impulse.' It became a lifeline for me," Polovinko explained to Artslooker. Polovinko also used her own blood to create a number of her artworks. In one untitled piece shared on her Instagram in late March 2024, a man points a gun at a skeleton, both seated beneath a barren tree. "I would like to give people the opportunity to erase the blood from these works so that only a stain that cannot be washed out remains." Their surroundings beyond the barren tree are barely discernible, compelling the viewer to focus on the contrast between the two figures. It is a raw, visceral depiction of Ukraine's struggle for survival a literal battle waged between life and death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By using her own blood, Polovinko transformed herself into a conduit of Ukrainians' collective pain in the war, infusing her art with a raw, bodily truth that echoes the suffering of the Ukrainian people. "I would like to give people the opportunity to erase the blood from these works so that only a stain that cannot be washed out remains," Polovinko told the Czech media outlet Secondary Archive in 2024. "When I start to paint, the blood is bright red. Just like the memory of trauma. Then the work fades, becomes brown or even green. The memory of the trauma also remains, but its saturation, its color changes. If something bad happens, we immediately want to cancel it. But over time, it becomes our experience, and we want to keep that." "Sleeping in the Trenches" by Marharyta Polovinko. (Facebook) 'She had to act' Polovinko's path to joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine began through her volunteer work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the start of the full-scale war, Polovinko, like countless other Ukrainians, supported the military through fundraising efforts. She also took part in volunteer efforts like rescuing animals in Kherson Oblast and helping to rebuild homes devastated by shelling in both Mykolaiv and Kherson oblasts. As the war dragged on, her commitment to aiding the war effort deepened. For a year and a half, she volunteered as a combat medic to evacuate the wounded from the front line. In the autumn of 2024, she became a drone operator in the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade. Though her family and friends worried about her, they understood how much enlisting meant to her and above all, they wanted to support her choice. "We always knew this was going to be the next step she mentioned thinking about enlisting for a while, so we were well prepared when it happened," her sister Anhelina told the Kyiv Independent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Despite the worry, I understood that it was her choice and that, in her case, it couldn't have been any other way. My reaction was only to support her," Chechushkova added. "Marharyta truly was a warrior for life, for freedom. The strength, calm, decisiveness, and courage she radiated that is and was the real beauty of life." Polovinko's loved ones said that she was consumed by an overwhelming need to act, to push back against the injustice of Russia's war unfolding around her. As fellow artist Katya Buchatska recalled in a post on Instagram, Polovinko "worried that all the (country's) best people would die and Ukraine would once again fall into a cyclical decline." Combat medic Marharyta Polovinko was killed on April 5 in Kharkiv. Her brigade called her a true warrior who died with honor. (Instagram) Polovinko was, after all, part of a generation that had come of age under the long shadow of Russia's war, which began in 2014 with the illegal annexation of Crimea and the invasion of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polovinko was killed on April 5 in the Kharkiv direction and laid to rest in her hometown of Kryvyi Rih on April 11. Those who knew her will remember not only her artistic talent but also her deep compassion and unwavering dedication to helping others. "She had to act, to stand against the terror. Because Marharyta truly was a warrior for life, for freedom. The strength, calm, decisiveness, and courage she radiated that is and was the real beauty of life," Chechushkova said. "And it remains an inspiration, even now, in these dark April days, without her." The 2nd Mechanized Battalion of the 3rd Separate Assault Brigade, where she served, also hailed her as a "true warrior," writing in a eulogy published online on April 9 that she died "with honor and weapon in hand." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Ukrainian author Oksana Zabuzhko on why Ukrainians dont have to respect Pushkin Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Richard Arlin Walker Special to ICT USNS Billy Frank Jr., the Navys newest towing, salvage and rescue ship, will serve and defend the nations interests just as its namesake did as a U.S. Marine during the Korean War. It will help protect the marine environment, just as its namesake did as chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. It will stand firm in support of its mission, just as its namesake did as a civil rights activist. And it will be courageous when need be, just as Frank was during the battle to defend Native fishing rights in the Northwest. We all go through peaks and valleys and tumultuous times and Billy showed us how to gracefully walk through those peaks and valleys, Peggen Frank, his daughter-in-law, told ICT after the christening ceremony for the ship. He taught us how to be calm. He taught us how to be strong, tenacious and a protector during those times. He's a perfect example for us Indians, he's a perfect example for his family, and he's a perfect example for the United States and our military to be able to handle these different cycles and different challenges that we move through in our lives. A brochure from the christening ceremony for the USNS Billy Frank Jr., March 29 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo courtesy Austal USA) The USNS Billy Frank Jr. (T-ATS 11) was christened March 29 at Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Alabama, in a ceremony attended by admirals, an assistant secretary of the Navy, representatives of several Coast Salish nations, and Franks sons, Tobin Frank and former Nisqually Tribe Chairman Willie Frank III. Peggen Frank, Willies wife, was a keynote speaker and christened the ship by breaking a bottle of champagne across its bow. Billy Frank Jr. (1931-2014) was a Nisqually fisherman whose defense of Native fishing rights in western Washington often in the face of violent arrest led to a federal court decision upholding the treaty-reserved right of tribes to fish in their historical territories and manage their own fishery. The ruling established the treaty tribes and the state of Washington as co-managers of the states marine resources. Frank spent the rest of his life bringing adversaries together as partners for habitat restoration and environmental protection. Frank received several honors for his lifes work, including the Albert Schweitzer Prize for Humanitarianism; the Martin Luther King Jr. Distinguished Service Award; and, posthumously, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. A statue of Frank will be installed in the U.S. Capitols Statuary Hall this year or in 2026. Amid the pomp of the christening ceremony, there was the intimate and the sacred: the opening prayer by Nisqually Tribe Vice Chairwoman Antoinette Squally, lifted up in the Southern Lushootseed language; an opening song offered by Cecilia Gobin and other representatives of the Tulalip Tribes; a song drummed and sung by Derek Sanchez, sergeant at arms of the Nisqually Tribal Council, as Peggen Frank was escorted to the christening platform; and remarks by Peggen and her husband, Willie Frank III. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ship will carry under its mast a box containing sage, cedar and other ceremonial items placed by the Franks. A small copy of the Statuary Hall statue will be on display on the ship. Peggen Frank, daughter-in-law of Billy Frank Jr., speaks at the christening ceremony for the USNS Billy Frank Jr., March 29 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo courtesy Austal USA) Peggen Frank said the Nisqually Tribe is designing the ships seal, which will depict a tribal fishing net; the image will be enclosed by a red cedar rope border. The ships nickname will be a Southern Lushootseed word for a spirit power that provides great abundance for people living near Puget Sound. Peggen Frank, Northern Arapaho, is executive director of Salmon Defense, a nonprofit that organizes and raises money for salmon habitat restoration. At the christening ceremony, she said the USNS Billy Frank Jr. carries the name of a modern-day warrior who was a trailblazer, embraced us all, held us up, built our confidence, and brought out the very best in each and every one of us. Thank you to the Navy, all hands on deck assembling the ship, and its captain and crew. May Creator continue to bless your hands, minds, bodies and spirits as shes being finished so when she sets sail all her missions are successfully completed. The ships christening coincides with the Navys 250th anniversary. It is the first all-steel ship Austal USA has built for the Navy, company president Michelle Kruger said. Each speaker spoke of the significance of Billy Frank Jr.s life and legacy and how they will inspire the crew of his namesake ship. The name bestowed on this vessel, Billy Frank Jr., honors a legacy of profound significance, Kruger said. Billy Frank Jr.s decades-long fight for justice and environmental preservation serves as an inspiration to us all. The future crew of this ship will be entrusted with upholding the values and the spirit this name represents. She added, Ship building demands tenacity, decisive action, continuous learning and resilience, characteristics that mirror those of Billy Frank Jr. Billy Frank Jr.s name was a natural choice for the ship, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Brent Seidel said at the ceremony. From boyhood, his father taught him how to fish, a tradition shared down many generations, nurturing his deep connection with water and salmon, Seidel said. He understood water as a source of life better than most and it shaped a life of leadership and service. After serving in the Marines, Frank returned home and it was his connection to fishing, his tribes treaty rights and his deep commitment to his people that manifested itself in great leadership and sacrifice, Seidel said. For his outstanding contributions, he earned the nation's highest decoration, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. And so, 2025 is a big year for the enduring legacy of this great leader. Seidel said the Navy understands the importance of its relationships with federally recognized tribal nations, and said the christening of the USNS Billy Frank Jr. represents a bond between the Navy and the Nisqually people and the treaty tribes in Western Washington. Rear Adm. Mark Haigis, deputy commander of Military Sealift Command, said the USNS Billy Frank Jr. will be crewed by merchant mariners who will carry his name proudly around the world for the next 40 years or more one of more than 140 Military Sealift Command ships on the world's oceans and seas supporting the Navy and allies. Towing, salvage and rescue ships do critical work that enable the Navy to be ready for any task, Haigis said. We eagerly look forward to integrating this ship into our fleet. Its crew, he said, will operate this ship with the same skill, resolve and courage displayed by Billy Frank Jr. Ships designated USNS for United States Naval Ship are support vessels owned by the U.S. Navy and crewed by civilian mariners as part of the Military Sealift Command. USNS vessels include hospital ships, submarine tenders, salvage ships and tugs. Ships designated USS for United States Ship are commissioned for active military service and are crewed by uniformed Navy personnel. USNS Billy Frank Jr. is the 11th towing, salvage and rescue ship in its class. According to its specifications, it is 263 feet from bow to stern, with a beam of 59 feet and a draft of 17.7 feet. It can carry a load of 1,796 tons. Willie Frank III said he hopes the ship will visit Puget Sound within the next two years. Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter! Del. Elliott Pritt, R-Fayette, speaks on the floor of the House of Delegates on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in Charleston, W.Va. (Perry Bennett | West Virginia Legislative Photography) The Republican-led House of Delegates approved $97 million in funding for the Hope Scholarship, but not before numerous lawmakers rose to question the rapidly increasing price tag of the states education voucher program. We are leaving other vitally necessary programs underfunded because of an increase in this line item, said Del. Elliott Pritt, R-Fayette, who noted the states public employees insurance program, which insures teachers, continues to struggle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hope Scholarship launched four years ago. It provides roughly $4,900 per student to be used for private schooling, homeschooling, microschools and more. Lawmakers on Thursday approved House Bill 3356, which proposes taking $28 million from the states general revenue fund surplus, along with HB 3357 to take $33.8 million from the lottery fund surplus. Legislators approved additional funds totaling $97 million when members approved a negotiated fiscal year 2026 budget later that night. State Treasurer Larry Pack, who oversees the program, requested around $100 million to pay for likely 19,000 students using the program next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a jump from this years $58 million in funding for the program. In 2027, its price tag is expected to skyrocket to around $300 million, when the program will open up to all students in the state. It was the largest funding increase requested by Gov. Patrick Morrisey in his first budget proposal. Del. Dana Ferrell, R-Kanawha Im going to vote no on this. My concerns arent about school choice, its about fiscal conservatism, said Del. Dana Ferrell, R-Kanawha, saying that emergency medical services and road repairs are going underfunded. Yet, we have a line item that just continues to expand. West Virginias Hope Scholarship is one of the nations broadest education voucher programs, with limited guardrails on how the money can be spent. During the 2023-24 school year, families using the program spent $22 million on things like private school tuition, piano lessons, dance studio fees, iPads and water tables. More than $122,000 was used at out of state schools last school year. Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock House Majority Leader Pat McGeehan, R-Hancock, stressed that lawmakers negotiated FY 2026 budget, which theyre required to pass by Saturday, is fiscally responsible and balanced with surplus dollars included. The Hope Scholarship is a priority, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More importantly, this supplemental represents a commitment that we made to students all across this state who chose where they want to go school and whose parents choose where they want to go to school, McGeehan said. Del. Kathie Hess Crouse, R-Putnam Del. Kathie Hess Crouse, R-Putnam, said that federal and county money designated per student remains with the school district even if a child opts to use the Hope Scholarship. We have thousands of parents now utilizing this. They have wanted better educational outcomes for their children and they are finding that with this Hope Scholarship, she said. In the 2023-2024 school year, 5,443 students used the Hope Scholarship. Most of the money was spent at in-state, private (usually religious) schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No student in McDowell County, the states poorest county, used the program last school year or during the 2022-23 school year. The program doesnt do enough in reaching our children who need it the most, said House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell. W.Va. House Minority Leader Del. Sean Hornbuckle, D-Cabell He said the programs expansion is negatively impacting public schools because theyre losing per pupil funding. School finances are in trouble due to waning pandemic funds and student population loss, which includes students leaving for the Hope Scholarship. Counties this year have proposed or been approved to close 25 schools Every time a student leaves it is hurting our local schools, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic lawmakers in the House proposed a bill banning the use of Hope Scholarship funds at out-of-state schools, but the measure wasnt taken up for consideration this legislative session. Del. Bill Anderson, R-Wood Del. Bill Anderson, R-Wood, warned that this is an ever-increasing budget item. We need to begin to seriously consider its impact on our overall budget, he said. Were going to have to face a serious consideration of this issue in the future. Lawmakers fund the Hope Scholarship so that it could cover every eligible student in the state; not all of the funds may end up being used. House Finance Chairman Vernon Criss, R-Wood, said that lawmakers would likely have to put some parameters on the Hope Scholarship in an effort to get its accelerating price tag under control. The Senate will have to approve the Houses supplemental appropriations for the Hope Scholarship. The session adjourns Saturday. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE HOPKINSVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) A Hopkinsville man has been accused of using tracking devices to stalk his now ex-girlfriend from 2024 to early 2025. A criminal complaint alleges that in September 2024, a woman said she found a tracking device with nearly an hour and a half of footage, and a second tracking device was said to be hidden inside her purse. She told Hopkinsville police that she thought her now ex-boyfriend, Matthew Baker, 52, planted the devices in her purse because he would frequently show up wherever she went without her telling him of her plans. She said she ended things with Baker after finding the devices and throwing them out the window. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 10 p.m. in March 2025, she said she was staying at Bakers house after attempting to rekindle their relationship, according to the complaint. She told him that she was going upstairs, where she believes Baker noticed she was active on Facebook, which then led to him coming upstairs. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: While upstairs, the victim reportedly told law enforcement that Baker took her phone from her and began looking through it, which led to an argument and eventual tug-of-war for the phone. During the argument, she said Baker slammed her on the ground, climbed on top of her, and attempted to strangle her. After escaping from Baker, she said she called her mom to pick her up, and she ended things with Baker again. On March 25, the complaint noted that she was out driving when she noticed a vehicle stopped very close to hers and proceeded to follow her. Down the road, the vehicle pulled up beside her with the dome lights on, allowing her to see Baker inside, which caused her to panic and drive to a friends house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show that after arriving at her friends house, she claimed that her friend received a Facebook message claiming she and Baker were still having a physical relationship. He then sent along a video that showed the two of them engaging in explicit activity. She told the police that the video was old and she hadnt spoken to Baker since ending the relationship. On April 10, Baker was arrested and charged with: Video voyeurism Distribution of sexually explicit images without consent First-degree strangulation (domestic violence-related) Fourth-degree assault (domestic violence) First-degree stalking Eavesdropping Intentional unlawful use of a tracking device Violation of a Kentucky EPO/DVO The police said she knew Baker had filmed the pair because he had occasionally sent her explicit videos of them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more of the latest Kentucky news In the complaint, the police noted that Baker had allegedly made multiple threats against her. She told the police she felt scared for her life and that she could not make Baker stop because of his wealth and connections. Court records show that Baker is due to appear in court at 9 a.m. on April 25 after being released on a $10,000 bond on April 11. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 15-year-old was taken into custody after allegedly threatening to shoot up a local school, Horizon City Police said. The incident happened on Wednesday, April 9. Horizon Police said they responded to a report of a threat against a school. They did not say which school the threat was made against. Officers gathered evidence that indicated that a 15-year-old had made a threat to shoot up the school, Horizon Police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evidence included a photo of the juvenile holding what appeared to be a weapon, police said. The individual was identified and they later admitted to making the threat, saying it was only a joke, Horizon Police said. The juvenile was taken into custody for making a false alarm or report, police said. The case has been referred to the Horizon City Polices Criminal Investigations Division for further investigation. Police Chief Marco Vargas issued the following statement: Given the senseless and tragic events weve seen across the country, including the Uvalde school shooting, the Horizon City Police Department treats every threat to school safety with the utmost seriousness. Even if intended as a joke, these types of threats are felony offenses. We will continue to thoroughly investigate and hold anyone accountable for making such threats. The safety of our students, staff, and community is our top priority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) said at a CNN town hall Thursday that she regrets her vote in favor of the Laken Riley Act. As Ive thought about it over the past couple of months, I probably would have voted differently. Its a vote that I regret, Hayes said at the forum. The congresswoman said she initially voted for the legislation because of the provision stating if it caused injury or death to a police officer. She noted that provision was one small piece of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayes went on to say she had trusted that the Trump administration wanted to work with Democrats on Capitol Hill to secure the southern border. However, she said she now is not really sure of that, because Ive seen the rhetoric that has come out and the attacks that have been targeted toward immigrants. So I am very cautious and careful when I am negotiating my votes moving forward. Hayes represents a relatively competitive House district that is being targeted by House Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms. She made the comments at the town hall along with other lawmakers from competitive districts, including Rep. Derek Tran (R-Calif.), Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) and Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.). Tran also explained his decision to vote for the Laken Riley Act. I did vote with my Republican colleagues on the Laken Riley Act because I draw a line when it comes to crime, Tran said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe that when you commit a crime, you should be deported, he continued. The Laken Riley Act requires the detention of migrants without legal status, including those allowed into the U.S. to seek asylum, if they have been accused of theft, shoplifting, or burglary. The legislation was named for Georgia nursing student Laken Riley, who was killed by a Venezuelan migrant who had been arrested for shoplifting and paroled back into the country prior to the attack. The legislation garnered bipartisan support, with 46 Democrats, including Hayes and Tran, joining with Republicans in the House to vote for it. In the Senate, 12 Democrats joined with Republicans to pass the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. House Republicans proposed legislation to open more charter schools under a $5 billion tax credit program in a move that would help President Trump fulfill his campaign pledge to provide universal school choice for all parents and students. The tax credit would be applied against 75% of the donation provided by charitable givers to top-performing charter school networks or operators, under the High-Quality Charter Schools Act introduced by upstate Rep. Claudia Tenney and co-sponsored by Staten Island-Brooklyn Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, among others. The tax credit would be capped at 10% of a donors gross adjusted income. House Republicans proposed legislation to open more charter schools under a $5 billion tax credit program. AP Staten Island-Brooklyn Rep. Nicole Malliotakis co-sponsored the High-Quality Charter Schools Act. Getty Images For example, a donor with $1 million in annual income who donates $133,000 for charter school expansion gets a tax credit of $100,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measure could be folded into a Republican-crafted budget bill. Both Tenney and Malliotakis sit on the budget-writing House Ways and Means Committee. Charter schools have a proven track record of success, working to ensure every student, regardless of zip code, is given the opportunity to succeed, Tenney said. This legislation could triple the number of kids enrolled in charter schools nationwide by 6 million, from 6% to 18% of the public school population, added Tenney. Parents know what is best for their children, and by providing parents with options, we can improve educational outcomes across our country, she said. Rep. Kevin Kiley of California, who sits on the House education panel, also backed the bill. AFP via Getty Images There are 149,000 students attending 281 charter schools in New York City, accounting for 15% of public school students. The state imposes a cap on the number of charter schools that can open in the city, and that limit has already been reached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charter schools across the country, especially here in New York, are facing demand that far exceeds their capacity, Malliotakis said. Im proud to join Rep. Tenney in introducing this legislation to ensure students and families have greater access to the school of their choice while also ensuring taxpayers see a strong return on investment in public education. The bill is also backed by Reps. Burgess Owens of Utah and Kevin Kiley of California, both of whom sit on the House education panel and have sway on school-related policy matters. Eva Moskowitz, founder of the Success Academy Charter Schools network praised the bill noting it complements the Education Choice for Children Act. Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT) speaks during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Capitol Hill April 20, 2021 in Washington, DC. Getty Images That bill proposes a 100 percent tax credit a full reimbursement for donations to nonprofits known as Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs), which are then used as vouchers to provide free or reduced tuition at private K-12 schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together, these policies will demonstrate universal school choice as a national priority, said Moskowitz, whose Success Academy network oversees 57 schools that enroll 22,000 students, mostly low-income students of color. Republicans are typically stronger backers of school choice programs than Democrats, who by and large are more wedded to financing traditional public schools than publicly-funded, but privately managed charter schools or subsidizing private or parochial schools. A donor with $1 million in annual income who donates $133,000 for charter school expansion gets a tax credit of $100,000 under the act sponsored by Rep. Claudia Tenney. Getty Images Trump reportedly supports the bill, which could be the muscle to make the school choice tax credit programs the law of the land, according to sources. I want every parent in America to be empowered to send their child to public, private, charter, or faith-based school of their choice. The time for universal school choice has come. As we return education to the states, I will use every power I have to give parents this right, Trump said, when discussing his education platform last month. DENVER (KDVR) In a year when things are fiscally tight, Colorado lawmakers have passed the state budget, overcoming a projected shortfall of more than a billion dollars. Lawmakers had to cut funding for a lot of state programs to get the budget balanced. And while both sides are happy the state didnt go into the red, they say Colorado is not out of the woods just yet. Governor signs bill requiring training for semiautomatic guns, banning rapid-fire conversion devices Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think they did a great job with the information they had at the time. But this is the first year in what I believe will be an ongoing process. So there will, in the future, have to be harder and tougher cuts, said House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are commending members of the states Joint Budget Committee for balancing the states budget after facing a billion-dollar gap. We had a particularly challenging year because we came into the year looking at next years budget needing to cut about $1.2 billion. So as we began our work, the task ahead of us was to figure out how do we protect what Coloradans care most about while cutting what we need to cut to make sure this year, as in, every year, we pass a balanced budget, said Joint Budget Committee Vice Chair Representative Shannon Bird. Medicaid among forefront concerns, but sees increase The state budget totals about $44 billion for the upcoming fiscal year. Medicaid was a big concern heading into negotiations but the budget did ultimately see a 1.6% increase in Medicaid provider funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers were able to make the budget work by issuing dozens of cuts for programs funded by the state. I think some cuts were easier to make than others. There were programs that werent meeting their intended purpose, programs that were undersubscribed, programs where the states priorities had shifted, perhaps dollars allocated in certain areas where they were no longer of the highest and greatest use so it made it easier to move that money in a different direction and to cut those old programs. Other programs were far harder to cut, said Bird. Proposed bill preventing officers from asking drivers why they were pulled over dies in committee Some of our hospitals were very hopeful to see Medicaid funding for a community health worker service that they had been anticipating bringing on board and its just not something that the state has capacity to fund right now, Bird continued. Those are the cuts that are hard. I expect because of the states challenges that dont look to be changing any time soon that these cuts get increasingly difficult in the next fiscal year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Things like millions of grant dollars to help law enforcement monitor gray and black market marijuana, repealing the computer science education grant program and eliminating a destroyed property tax reimbursement program for people whose homes were ruined by natural disasters were axed. Transportation cuts saw the biggest hit with members cutting about $64 million slated for transportation and more than $70 million that was put aside for transportation grants. More of the transportation cuts happened to multi-modal transportation initiatives. Different grants to go to local governments to help them build out bike lines and jogging paths and such. Really important quality of life changes to our transportation system. The cuts that we made will not impact investments in roads and bridges. Those are things that would be the very last cuts to be made, Bird said. Members of both parties acknowledge the state will need to make even more cuts in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Petition to repeal flavored tobacco ban could be on Denver ballot The state has grown and I understand that the budget needs to grow. I think there are definitely places in the budget though that we can look at and make some cuts like the full-time employees that are unfilled, those positions. I think there are some opportunities for every department and we saw a lot of departments step up with efficiencies, consolidations and repeals. I think there is just going to be a lot more of that coming, said Pugliese. Programs like Medicaid are still counting on federal appropriations. The way Medicaid is typically funded is as a partnership between the state and the federal government. Without those federal dollars coming back to Colorado, we will not be able to sustain Medicaid funding the way citizens of Colorado expect, said Bird. The budget that we passed today assumes that the federal government will maintain its role as a partner as they have in past years in funding Medicaid. Although, if something were to change, that probably would require the legislature to reconvene and make a new decision about how we move forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans at the capitol are warning the majority, that the state may be in danger when it comes to those dollars coming from Washington. Aurora: Twice as many encampments removed in first 3 months of 2025 than last year I think that there are some bills coming forward that definitely cause me some concern about continuing to go after the federal administration while at the same time saying we are afraid of losing federal funding. So, I think we need to have those conversations. You cant continuously poke the federal administration and think we will continue to get federal funds, Pugliese said. Financing for public schools in the state will be handled in a separate bill. The budget does increase general dollars for education by $150 million. The Senate passed the budget first but will need to approve some amendments made in the House before the long bill and some accompanying measures go to the governors desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. CHENGDU, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Hope Justman, an octogenarian American, completed her 25th trip to "Shudao," an ancient road system with a history of more than two millennia in southwest China's Sichuan Province. Hope Justman (L) and her fellow hikers walk along the Jianmen Pass to Zhaohua ancient town section of the ancient road system "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Hope Justman (front) and her fellow hikers walk along the Jianmen Pass to Zhaohua ancient town section of the ancient road system "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Hope Justman (1st R) chats with her fellow hikers on the Jianmen Pass to Zhaohua ancient town section of the ancient road system "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Spanning over 1,000 km, "Shudao," or the roads of the Shu Kingdom, winds through rugged mountains and turbulent streams, connecting present-day Sichuan Province with the northern Guanzhong Plain, once the heartland of ancient China. An aerial drone photo taken on March 21, 2025 shows the plank road by Mingyue Gorge (below) in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Hope Justman (1st L) explains construction techniques of plank roads to her fellow hikers at Mingyue Gorge scenic area in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 21, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Justman's connection to the ancient road system can be traced back to her college days. As a student majoring in art history, she visited an exhibition in the 1960s, where a painting named Emperor Minghuang's Journey to Sichuan captured her attention, especially the plank road skirting the sheer mountain peaks in the background. At first, she thought the artist had imagined the scene. When she found out that the road actually existed, she knew she had to go to China to find it. With the help of local guides, Justman finally located "Shudao." Walking on winding plank roads lined with ancient trees made her feel as if she traveled back in time. Justman created a website and wrote a book, sharing her experiences of this ancient road system. In spring, many like-minded foreigners come to Sichuan to hike with her. Hope Justman crosses a gap with the help of her fellow hikers while walking along the Jianmen Pass to Zhaohua ancient town section of the ancient road system "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Hope Justman (L) and her friend Chen Yang view a stone tablet at the Tianxiong Pass on the ancient road system "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Hope Justman (2nd R) chats with her fellow hikers on the Jianmen Pass to Zhaohua ancient town section of the ancient road system "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Hope Justman shows photos of the ancient road system "Shudao" that she took in the past in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) This combo photo taken on March 21, 2025 shows Hope Justman sharing a photo of the plank road by Mingyue Gorge that she took in the past (above) and the plank road by Mingyue Gorge at present, in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Hope Justman (R) chats with her fellow hiker after hiking the Jianmen Pass to Zhaohua ancient town section of the ancient road system "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Hope Justman (4th L, front) poses for a group photo with her fellow hikers at the Tianxiong Pass on the ancient road system "Shudao" in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) In 2024, the Chinese version of Justman's book was published, and more Chinese people started to learn about the American's bond with "Shudao." Justman has also noticed that great efforts have been made to protect the ancient road system, as broken stone-paved roads have been restored, and many facilities and signposts have been added along the hiking route. "I'm glad more and more people have an opportunity to enjoy the scenery of the ancient road system," she said. Hope Justman (L) signs her book with a note for her friend Hu Chaoqun, a restaurant owner at Zhaohua ancient town, in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Hope Justman (C) visits Zhaohua ancient town with her fellow hikers in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Hope Justman records the process of making a sugar painting at Zhaohua ancient town in Guangyuan City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, March 20, 2025. (Xinhua/Xu Bingjie) Coordinators: Wang Qingqin, Meng Chenguang, Hu Zhixuan, Chu Jiayin Reporters: Xu Bingjie Designers: Zhou Dixiao, Mu Wenchun The Cascade County Courthouse in Great Falls, Montana (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan). Calling it a battle over constitutional freedoms of choice and association, Rep. Tom Millett, R-Marion, urged his colleagues in the House to pass Senate Bill 92, which would make membership with the State Bar of Montana voluntary for lawyers. Now you may have heard or think this is an attack on the Bar, but that is not true, Millett said, telling the House that the bill would still allow for oversight of the profession and was only meant to return constitutional rights to lawyers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House lawmakers soundly opposed the bill, 43-57. Rep. Brian Close, D-Bozeman, a lawyer, said the bill had no proponents speak during the hearing before the House Judiciary Committee. The only Republican attorney on the committee opposed the bill, he added. There were not a bunch of lawyers lined up in the hallway crying, Free us from our shackles, Close said. So the persons most affected by the current bar structure are fine with it. The Montana State Supreme Court ordered the creation of the State Bar in 1974, making membership to the Bar a condition to practice law in Montana. Sen. John Fuller, R-Kalispell, introduced SB 92 as a freedom bill. His main issue, he said, was that the state Bar collects dues from members, and takes stances on some political issues, including lobbying the Legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If a member has an issue with a State Bar position, they can get their proportion of funds used in the effort refunded, which last session amounted to $7.61. Despite this, Fuller said he still took issue with the requirement to associate with members of the state Bar. Alanah Griffith, D-Gallatin Gateway, an attorney and former treasurer for the state Bar, said during the floor debate she was concerned the bill didnt contain a clear substitute mechanism for how attorneys who opt out of the State Bar would complete their licensing and continuing-education requirements for maintaining their status. Other opponents to the bill in the House pointed out that the Montana Constitution clearly states the state Supreme Court may make rules governing admission to the Bar, and legislative action would be overreach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Millett, who is not an attorney, pushed back on that notion by indicating there was no legal review note from legislative staff attached to the bill. Fuller had previously objected to the state Bar for disparaging remarks and name-calling by a Montana lawyer during a panel hosted by the organization as part of a continuing legal education seminar last year. Minnesota Senate candidates placed hands on hearts for the Pledge of Allegiance before the candidate forum in Baxter on April 8, 2025. Left to right: Steve Cotariu, Josh Gazelka, Keri Heintzeman, John Howe, Doug Kern, Angel Zierden, Matthew Zinda. Candidate Jennifer Carnahan did not attend. Eight GOP candidates want to fill the Minnesota State Senate seat vacated after Justin Eichorn was arrested in a prostitution sting. (Photo by Glen Stubbe/Minnesota Reformer) BAXTER About an hour into a Republican forum for the Minnesota Senate District 6 election, candidate Matthew Zinda told the crowd that his opponent Keri Heintzeman and her husband Rep. Josh Heintzeman are funneling campaign donations to benefit themselves and pay for legal fees. Keri Heintzeman said Zinda, who unsuccessfully primaried Rep. Josh Heintzeman last year, had an unnatural fixation on her family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suddenly, a pajama-clad man from the crowd of about 100 interjected, accused Keri Heintzeman of lying and cut her off, after hed already repeatedly interrupted the candidate forum Tuesday evening. Matt Kilian, president of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce and the events moderator, had enough and asked the man to leave. After a brief conflict, a police officer escorted him out. The candidates are running to replace former Sen. Justin Eichorn, a Grand Rapids Republican who resigned last month after being arrested and charged with the attempted coercion and enticement of a minor. The special election embodies many of the trends that have emerged in American and Minnesota politics in the past few decades, from nasty name-calling to designs on dynasty. Keri Heintzeman knocks on doors and distributes lawn signs in Brainerd before a candidate forum in Baxter on April 8, 2025. (Photo by Glen Stubbe/Minnesota Reformer) And what Minnesota political story of the 2020s would be complete without Jennifer Carnahan, whose political career has careened from fallen state GOP party chair to congressional wife and widow, mayor of Nisswa and now Senate candidate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plus, a cigarette-smoking, pickup truck-driving Democrat, Denise Slipy, who is hoping shell be the one to finally win back some Greater Minnesota voters, against long odds. Senate District 6 is ruby red Republican. Eichorn in 2022 won the seat by 27 points. Crow Wing County voted for President Donald Trump over Kamala Harris by 31 percentage points. Voters will determine which Republican will run against Slipy, the sole Democrat, during a Tuesday primary. The general election is April 29. The Republicans running include a West Point and Wharton graduate who is also military veteran; a veterinarian; the former mayor of Breezy Point, Minnesota, who is also 8-and-a-half months pregnant; a candidate backed by the far-right group Action 4 Liberty; and another who made racist remarks about a Republican candidates Korean heritage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican frontrunners, however, are well-known in the district: Keri Heintzeman, Josh Gazelka and Jennifer Carnahan, who was not at the Baxter forum due to illness, she said. Keri Heintzeman Keri Heintzeman was the director of Trumps 2024 campaign in Minnesotas 8th Congressional District. Her husband Josh has been in the Minnesota House since 2015, and Keris frequently been a presence at the Capitol, often with a few of their half dozen children in tow. Keri Heintzeman knocks on doors and distributes lawn signs in Brainerd before a candidate forum in Baxter on April 8, 2025. (Photo by Glen Stubbe/ Minnesota Reformer) Shes out-raised her Republican opponents by far. In the few weeks since Eichorn resigned, shes raised over $50,000, according to her campaign finance report. Heintzeman, 44, has an organized campaign: Shes been knocking on doors, mailing campaign materials and recruited around 20 volunteers for field work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with the Reformer, Heintzeman said shes by far the most conservative candidate compared to the other Republicans running. I believe this district is blood red and loves President Trump and deserves a senator that will represent those values, Heintzeman said. The Heintzemans decided that when Josh was elected to the House, they werent going to split up the family, Keri Heintzeman said. The family stays at a hotel when the Legislature is in session. Its a home base for other Republican legislators to kick back and unwind after a long day at the Capitol. Keri Heintzeman was born in International Falls and has lived in the Brainerd Lakes area since eighth grade. She married Josh Heintzeman when she was 18 and has helped homeschool all six children. Signs supporting Josh and Keri Heintzeman on the lawn of a Brainerd home. (Photo by Glen Stubbe/Minnesota Reformer) Keri Heintzeman and her son were in Washington D.C. on January 6, 2021, but she said they left after Trump spoke. They were two states away when they realized what was happening at the U.S. Capitol, she said. She said she was there to support Trump and believed he had done a good job and deserved our respect for the four years that he had put in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keri Heintzeman said she believes there was fraud in the 2020 election and at minimum the U.S. should have voter ID laws. Josh Gazelka Josh Gazelka is the son of former Minnesota Senate majority leader and failed gubernatorial candidate Paul Gazelka. Gazelka, 31, told the crowd at the candidate forum Tuesday he didnt want to be there. I was not expecting to run. I was not intending to run. If you told me three weeks and one day ago that Id be sitting here talking to you about my candidacy, I probably would have laughed you out of the room, Gazelka said in an interview with the Reformer. Josh Gazelka speaks at a candidate forum in Baxter. (Photo by Glen Stubbe/Minnesota Reformer) Gazelka said he felt an obligation to the community to step up and run after hearing the news about Eichorns arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gazelka said his campaign mostly consists of digital ads and calling voters on the phone. Campaign signs, he said, are hard to print expeditiously, so hes taken a creative approach. Fortunately for me, a guy with the same last name as me, Gazelka, ran back in 2004. I tracked down some of his signs from 2004 and retrofitted them to work for this campaign, Gazelka said. He showed the signs to the Reformer but asked they not be photographed. The white and blue campaign signs say Vote April 15 Gazelka. The Vote April 15 was placed on top of his dads name, Paul, but its still slightly visible. Asked if hes relying on name recognition alone, Gazelka said hes trying to get his message out there so people learn who he is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nepotism thats one that comes up. Ive been called a second-generation swamp monster. A lot of creative names, Gazelka said. Gazelka is currently a vice president for a marketing company based in Texas. He owned a hard cidery, but it closed in part thanks to Minnesotas hostile business climate, he said. Gazelka said he wants to bring a business perspective to the Legislature and pass bills that help struggling small businesses. He said his father hasnt given him campaign advice, but Paul Gazelka did give him a $500 campaign donation, according to his campaign finance report. Jennifer Carnahan Jennifer Carnahan is the former chairwoman of the Minnesota Republican Party who resigned in the wake of allegations that she presided over a toxic work culture she was also connected to a major GOP donor whos serving a 21-year prison sentence for child sex trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Which is less than ideal in a special election to replace Eichorn. Former Minnesota Republican Party chair Jennifer Carnahan looks on during the national anthem during a rally for President Donald Trump at the Bemidji Regional Airport on September 18, 2020 in Bemidji, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) She declined the Reformers request for an interview. I have no doubt your outlet will continue issuing salacious, misleading, and defamatory statements about me without my voice, Carnahan wrote in an email. Carnahan won the Nisswa mayoral race in November, a political comeback after shed tried to replace her late husband Jim Hagedorn in Congress following his passing in 2022. She wound up in contentious litigation with Hagedorns family. And the state Republican Party after she left there. Late last month, Carnahan through her attorney sent the Minnesota DFL Party a letter threatening to sue unless the DFL retracted and publicly apologized for posting about Carnahans ties to Anton Lazzaro, the convicted sex trafficker whose arrest began the chain of events that led to her departure from the Minnesota GOP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Minnesota DFL Party published the letter from Carnahans attorney and responded with a flourish: You co-hosted a podcast with a child-sex trafficker, socialized with him, and raised huge sums of money from him to support Minnesota Republican candidates. If you follow through on this absurd lawsuit, it will end as one more addition to your long list of failures, wrote Heidi Kraus Kaplan, Minnesota DFL executive director. Carnahan has raised over $11,000 in individual campaign donations, according to her campaign finance report. In a Wednesday Facebook post, Carnahan said the Heintzemans are trying to buy the Senate seat. We dont need to have a husband and wife from the same household representing us in St. Paul. Thats a total conflict of interest. There is no independence there. Its two people then that are looking out for their household and theyre living 100% solely on our taxpayer backs, Carnahan said. In a campaign post, Carnahan described herself as a political outsider, despite running for Minnesota Senate in 2016; serving as chair of the Minnesota Republican Party from 2017 to 2021; marrying a politician shortly after his election to Congress; serving on Trumps Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during his first term; running for Congress in 2022; and serving as the current mayor of Nisswa. Denise Slipy Denise Slipy is an environmental health and safety professional and first responder for North Crow Wing County. She said shed been gearing up to run for the Minnesota House in 2026, but is now taking a shot at the open Senate seat. Slipy described herself as a moderate Democrat. People in the area know her, she said, because of her work as a first responder. Shes also dressed up as the Grinch a few times for Christmas. DFL candidate Denise Slipy wants to fill the Minnesota State Senate seat vacated after Justin Eichorn was arrested in a prostitution sting. (Photo by Glen Stubbe/Minnesota Reformer) She said that late DFL U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan was a good friend and mentor to her. Slipy acknowledged that the district is very red, but she said she can sway Republican voters by listening and acting as a voice for rural Minnesotans in the Senate. Theres more that unites us than what divides us, and the extremes on either side have to stop. The extremes are getting us nowhere. Its those of us who are middle-thinking, moderate, common sense folks that need to have a voice at the table, she said. Slipy would bring geographic diversity to a metro-dominated DFL Senate caucus. She likes her American flag-bedecked clothes and her smokes. I dont condone smoking at any age for anybody. I do smoke, but Im a person. Thats one of the big things Im gonna fight for you because Im one of you, Slipy said. She also drives a truck with a sticker that reads, Jesus loves everyone you hate. (NewsNation) The National Transportation Safety Board is asking the public to send in photos or videos of a New York City helicopter crash that killed six people. Anyone who has photos, video or information about the crash can email witness@ntsb.gov. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy urged people to send in any information about anything they noticed in the area around the time of the crash, even if they think it may be irrelevant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is the bond market? Did it influence Trump? The tourist helicopter crashed into the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey on Thursday afternoon, killing the pilot and all passengers on board, including Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife and their three children. NTSB investigation Homendy said there is no preliminary cause at this time, noting that it is the first full day of investigating and that the hours immediately after the crash were focused on victim recovery. We have a lot of information, but we do not speculate, she said. We need to confirm information. That is a process that takes time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dive teams are still working to recover elements of the wreckage, including the rotor and tail section of the helicopter. She said the agency has issued recommendations on safety management systems and recording for revenue passenger operations in the past, noting that the agency strongly believes in one level of safety for all travel. This is an issue we have raised for a number of years, Homendy said. She noted that those were only recommendations, not regulations. 3 killed after plane crashes near major Florida highway The pilot was licensed as a commercial pilot for rotorcraft and had more than 700 hours of flight time, Homendy said, but the team had not yet calculated the number of flight hours specifically on the Bell helicopter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The helicopter was owned by Meridian Helicopters, LLC, which is based in Louisiana and operated by a New York-based company. Homendy said the team is aware of reports of a large flock of birds in the area, which is one element they will be looking into as the investigation progresses. Authorities said the area where the helicopter crashed was approximately five feet deep with rocky areas under the water. There are 17 investigators on site to investigate the crash and at least 10 more supporting them at NTSB headquarters. Other theories raised include mechanical failure or an accident involving a drone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regarding the size of the team and federal budget cuts, Homendy said the agency has been exempted from some of the efforts to urge federal employees to resign and that it had received approval to hire additional investigators in some areas. Helicopter crashes into Hudson River Video footage posted to social media showed parts of the chopper splashing into the water, and the overturned aircraft was submerged. The helicopter was operated by New York Helicopter, a local tour company, according to NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Debris floats in the water at the scene where a helicopter crashed in the Hudson River in Jersey City, New Jersey, on April 10. Photographer: David Dee Delgado/Bloomberg via Getty Images 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) A helicopter is seen floating after it crashed into the Hudson River near lower Manhattan on April 10 in New York. (Photo by Mostafa Bassim/Anadolu via Getty Images) As seen from Pier 40 in New York, police and fire crews from New York and New Jersey respond to the scene April 10 where a helicopter went down in the Hudson River between Manhattan and the New Jersey waterfront. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) As seen from Pier 40 in New York, police and fire crews from New York and New Jersey respond to the scene April 10 where a helicopter went down in the Hudson River between Manhattan and the New Jersey waterfront. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) First responders walk along Pier 40 on April 10 in New York, across from where a helicopter went down in the Hudson River between Manhattan and the New Jersey waterfront. (AP Photo/Jennifer Peltz) First responders from New Jersey and New York respond to the scene where a helicopter crashed in the Hudson River on April 10 in Jersey City, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) As seen from Pier 40 in New York, police and fire crews from New York and New Jersey respond to the scene where a helicopter crashed into the Hudson River on April 10 in Jersey City, N.J. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura) 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. 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. Siemens executive and family on board Siemens Mobility, a technology company, confirmed 49-year-old Escobars 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Escobar was the global CEO of rail infrastructure, and his wife, Merce Camprubi Montal, was the global commercialization manager for Siemens Energy. Does Trumps birthright citizenship order create a birth tax? 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 the 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. Reactions to the helicopter crash President Donald Trump offered condolences in a social media post: God bless the families and friends of the victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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! Florida campus police agencies partner with ICE 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. The Associated Press and NewsNations Andrew Dorn contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. The conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt is joining Fox News. Fox says that Hewitt is joining the company as a contributor, and will provide analysis across all platforms. He will make his Fox News debut in his new role this afternoon on Bret Baiers Special Report. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hewitt, a former columnist for The Washington Post, currently hosts The Hugh Hewitt Show for Salem Media Networks. He is no stranger to Fox, having frequently appeared as a guest. In fact, he has been a staple of conservative and mainstream outlets for decades, as co-host of the weeknight television news and public affairs show Life & Times on PBS Los Angeles affiliate KCET-TV, and in the pages of The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and the Los Angeles Times, among other outlets. Hewitt is also the author of 14 books, including two New York Times bestsellers. He worked in the Nixon and Reagan administrations before moving to the private sector. Hewitt has been a supporter of President Donald Trumps agenda, though he has also been willing to criticize policy approaches that he disagrees with. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, April 11, 2025. (Xinhua/Liu Bin) BEIJING, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang held talks with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Beijing on Friday. Noting that in recent years, cooperation between China and Spain has progressed steadily across various fields, providing strong support for the robust economic growth of both countries, Li said this underscores that mutual respect, open collaboration and mutual benefit are the correct approaches to international relations. China is willing to work with Spain to uphold an open and pragmatic approach amid the complex international situation, and promote comprehensive cooperation between the two countries to new heights, Li added. China is willing to further strengthen the synergy of development strategies with Spain, fully leverage the complementary advantages of industries, continuously tap into the potential of trade and investment cooperation, and achieve a higher level of win-win results, Li said. Li said China is open to importing more products from Spain and is committed to supporting deeper cooperation between enterprises in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy and new energy. China aims to expand the space for green development collaboration, Li said, adding that both sides should comprehensively enhance cooperation in fields such as culture, education, youth, science and technology, and tourism, thereby solidifying the foundation of public support for friendly bilateral relations. The U.S. so-called "reciprocal tariffs" severely undermine the international economic and trade order and have a significant negative impact on the global economy, Li said. China's macroeconomic policies this year have taken into account various uncertainties, and the country has sufficient policy tools and has the confidence and capability to maintain sustained and healthy economic development, Li stressed. China is willing to enhance communication and coordination with Spain and the European Union (EU), jointly promote open cooperation, oppose unilateralism and protectionism, safeguard the multilateral trading system centered on the World Trade Organization, ensure the stability and smooth operation of global industrial and supply chains, and uphold international fairness and justice as well as the common interests of all parties, Li said, adding that China hopes that Spain will play a positive role in promoting China-Europe cooperation. Noting that this year marks the 20th anniversary of the China-Spain comprehensive strategic partnership, Sanchez said that Spain is willing to take this opportunity to further strengthen cooperation with China. The Spanish government abides by the one-China principle and is willing to strengthen high-level exchanges with China, consolidate political mutual trust, expand mutually beneficial cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, agriculture and green economy, and strengthen mutual learning in the fields of culture, education, science and technology, he said. Spain welcomes Chinese enterprises to invest and operate in Spain and supports the resolution of differences between Europe and China through dialogue and negotiation to further develop Europe-China relations. The U.S. additional tariffs are neither fair nor just, causing harm to the EU's economy. The EU will strengthen solidarity and cooperation to safeguard its own interests, Sanchez stressed. By Alimat Aliyeva US President Donald Trump has argued that his tariff policy has pushed Apple to invest in manufacturing within the United States, claiming that without his actions, the tech giant would have continued to rely solely on China for production. His comments came amidst news of a temporary suspension of previously imposed tariffs, which had caused significant volatility in the stock market, particularly affecting Apple shares. Look at Apple theyre going to spend $500 billion to build a factory in the United States. They wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't for me. They would just keep building factories in China. And this is unacceptable, Trump told reporters at the White House while discussing his tariff policies. Trump emphasized that his ultimate goal is to bring electronics manufacturing back to the United States. He called Apples dependence on Chinese production unsustainable and argued that such reliance on foreign factories undermines American industry. Trump also indicated that he was open to showing some flexibility on tariffs for companies he believes have suffered a little more, suggesting the possibility of future exceptions for companies like Apple. Its worth noting that during Trumps first term, Apple CEO Tim Cook successfully convinced the president to exempt the companys products from some tariffs. However, it remains unclear whether the current administration will offer similar concessions. Trumps remarks came after the stock market experienced a significant downturn, with Apple shares falling nearly 20% due to the high tariffs he had previously imposed. The market began to stabilize only after Trump announced a 90-day suspension of new tariffs. However, this suspension does not apply to all Chinese goods, as many items are still subject to a base tariff of 10%, with some facing an even higher 125% tariff that went into effect on April 9. Trump attributed the suspension to "people's concern" over the rapid increase in tariffs. While Apple has committed to investing in the U.S., including a new Apple Intelligence server facility in Houston, Texas, the majority of Apples device production still takes place overseas. Experts point out that relocating Apples complex global supply chain to the U.S. is a challenging and costly endeavor, with high production costs and a shortage of skilled workers in advanced manufacturing sectors posing major hurdles. JERUSALEM, April 10 (Xinhua) -- An international team of researchers from Israel, the United States, and China has developed a genetic method to reprogram a type of immune cell, turning them from cancer promoters to inhibitors, Israel's Weizmann Institute of Science said in a statement on Thursday. The team's study focused on macrophages, a type of immune cell that can induce immune responses. But in many cancers, macrophages become allies that protect the tumor, help it grow, and even aid in spreading it to other tissues. Using advanced gene-editing tools and artificial intelligence, the researchers analyzed human tumor samples and identified 120 genes potentially responsible for the transformation. Through CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and single-cell analysis, they zeroed in on a gene named Zeb2. The researchers found that Zeb2 acts as a master switch. When the gene is active, it turns macrophages into cancer supporters. When silenced, macrophages revert to their natural, cancer-fighting role. Further studies showed that Zeb2 alters the epigenome, the genome's control center, unlocking genes that help cancer and shutting down those that fight it. The team designed a DNA molecule that delivers a gene-silencing agent directly into macrophages. In mice with bladder cancer, injecting the molecule into the tumor successfully reprogrammed the macrophages. The tumors got significantly smaller. Immigrants in the US without legal status will be classified as dead as part of plans to stop them accessing benefits, it has been reported. The White House wants to make Social Security numbers inoperable for migrants whom it wants to pressure to self-deport as Donald Trump continues his clampdown on what he claims is an epidemic of illegal immigration. People who were legally admitted to the US under Joe Bidens administration but have since had their temporary status revoked would be added to the Social Security Administrations death master list, according to Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without a Social Security number it is very difficult to get access to a current account or credit card. Social Security numbers function as tax identification numbers in the US and are required to receive government benefits. Critics of the plan say it would debank lawfully-admitted immigrants. The scheme was first reported by The New York Times, who reported that the goal of the Trump administration is to coerce migrants to self-deport by effectively cancelling their Social Security numbers and cutting them off from financial services. President Trump promised mass deportations and by removing the monetary incentive for illegal aliens to come and stay, we will encourage them to self-deport, Assistant Press Secretary Liz Huston said in a statement, without directly addressing the plan. The US Army patrols the border with Mexico in Arizona last week - AP The newspaper also reported that the names of more than 6,300 convicted criminals or suspected terrorists have been added to the government blacklist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The use of the death master list is the latest example of Mr Trump seeking to expand the use of sensitive personal data to further his goal of reducing the number of immigrants living in the US. On Monday, the Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service and the Department of Homeland Security finalised an agreement under which taxpayer data will be provided to federal immigration authorities to help them locate migrants. That led to the resignation of the acting head of the IRS and other top officials at the tax-collecting agency. On Tuesday it was reported that the Trump administration plans to fine migrants under deportation orders up to $998 a day if they fail to leave the US and to seize their property if they do not pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From Friday, non-citizens in the US aged 14 and over who have been in the country for more than 30 days are required to apply for registration and fingerprinting with the Department of Homeland Security. Once registered, non-citizens will be obliged to carry their proof of registration with them at all times or face possible criminal punishment, including a fine or imprisonment. 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. Immigration advocates are fighting the Trump administrations policies one by one in court. But after scoring some early wins, activists say theyre overwhelmed as the Trump administrations flood-the-zone approach gains momentum and reaches the Supreme Court. Activists have launched what are likely to be long-drawn-out court battles against President Donald Trump in his second term. But many fear what the administration will do next to enact his immigration agenda, especially as these cases make their way to the nations highest court. This is just devastating, I mean its just horrible, said Nicolette Glazer, an immigration lawyer and advocate whos been following the legal challenges. Its just going to be a complete massacre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since taking office, Trump has instituted a broad crackdown on immigration by ending Biden-era programs and sending a deportation message that advocates say has chilled and terrified communities across the country. The sweeping moves are part of Trumps promise to enact the largest mass deportation in U.S. history, following his 2024 victory that telegraphed the country moving further to the right on immigration. Advocates cheered Thursday, when the Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration must facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador despite a judges order barring his removal because he faced the likely threat of persecution in his homeland. It was one of a handful of recent legal victories. Among them: A federal district court in Washington extended its injunction on deportations through a wartime law, the Alien Enemies Act, through mid-April. The courts also blocked the administration from cutting off legal funds for unaccompanied migrant children. And last week, a federal judge temporarily sided with the Venezuelans on temporary protected status who were about to lose those protections after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revoked the status in February. The court issued an injunction that will keep an 18-month extension of TPS in place while the judge hears the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while advocates have bagged wins in district court battles, Trump is winning the larger war so far, Glazer said. The Trump administration does not appear to be deterred. The administration declared its own victory this week. A divided Supreme Court vacated the injunction on use of the Alien Enemies Act, removing a trial judges order that had imposed a sweeping block on all deportations under Trumps invocation of the 18th century law. Some legal analysts likened the Alien Enemies Act decision to a split decision Trump could once again cite the law for deportations, as long as immigrants are able to challenge their detention orders. But to the administration, it was a massive legal victory and a smackdown of the district court, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Tuesday. A GREAT DAY FOR JUSTICE IN AMERICA! Trump wrote on Truth Social. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Venezuelans have already filed petitions in New York and Texas challenging their deportations under the Alien Enemies Act. A judge blocked deportations yet again by issuing a temporary restraining order for the defendants in Texas setting up more challenges and appeals on the wartime law for both sides. At the same time, the administration has also sent termination notices to immigrants on parole status who entered via the Biden-era parole program for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela and via the CBP One app amounting to over a million people who will become vulnerable to deportation. Its overwhelming, said Venezuelan activist Adelys Ferro, whos been advocating for TPS. Its exhausting, its disheartening, its painful and Im not going to lie, last night I cried. The TPS case is awaiting a ruling at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, though activists say an emergency appeal to the Supreme Court after that is likely. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everybody is afraid, added Ferro, who is the director of the Venezuelan-American Caucus. Ive been in contact with thousands upon thousands of TPS beneficiaries, and I feel their pain, their uncertainty, their fear. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told POLITICO that the district court decision pausing the end of TPS protections is yet another example of an activist judge trying to obstruct President Trumps agenda. Secretary Noem will continue fighting to return integrity to the TPS system, which has been abused and exploited by illegal aliens for decades. We will return TPS to its original status: temporary, McLaughlin said in a statement. The White House did not respond to multiple requests for comment on this story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Venezuelan activist Cecilia Gonzalez Herrera, whos a plaintiff in the TPS case, said she expected the full-throttle push to deport people on TPS like her. The status revocations and arrests of Venezuelans are the first step to deliver on the kinds of numbers Trump has promised, she said. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has homed in on the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as one of its primary targets in raids across the country, citing the gang in part as a reason to revoke TPS protections for all Venezuelans. Multiple polls show that Trumps policies of strengthening border security and upping deportations continue to trend well with voters. Half of this country elected Donald Trump, and unfortunately, that is working out the narrative that wants to criminalize many of us, despite us proving ourselves day to day that we are hard-working, honest people, Gonzalez Herrera said. Its hard to be a Venezuelan living in the U.S. Legal experts and lawyers say the fear of being deported will push people to leave voluntarily even if theyre here legally. Self-deportation has become a large push (and a multimillion-dollar ad campaign) by the administration DHS called for those losing parole status to leave and use the new CBP Home app to report their intention to depart the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a matter of telling people that they can and letting peoples fears fill in the rest of the blanks themselves, said Dara Lind, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council. Lind stressed that immigrants on TPS have other avenues to stay in the U.S. and get relief once their status ends. Activists like Ferro and Gonzalez Herrera said that theyll push through the uncertainty until protections can remain in place beyond the TPS injunction. This is not one of those moments where we should just start running like chickens without a head and freaking out, Gonzalez Herrera said. We need to be very laser-focused. DHS has signaled that if the administration wins its appeal on TPS, that 18-month extension will go away quickly. Up to 600,000 Venezuelans could lose their ability to live and work in the U.S. But with the appellate process, they could be fighting this out for months if not years. The fight is worth it, Ferro added. But I dont think the fear is going to go away. A judge in former Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalils case ruled against him Friday, finding he is eligible for deportation while giving his legal team a little less than two weeks to respond. Jamee Comans, an immigration judge in Louisiana, found the governments case is facially reasonable. She gave his team until April 23 to file its response. The government had established by clear and convincing evidence that he is removable, Comans said, The Associated Press reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would like to quote what you said last time that theres nothing thats more important to this court than due process rights and fundamental fairness, Khalil said at the end of the hearing. Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process. This is exactly why the Trump administration has sent me to this court, 1,000 miles away from my family. I just hope that the urgency that you deemed fit for me are afforded to the hundreds of others who have been here without hearing for months. The ruling comes after Khalil, the former lead negotiator of the pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia, has been in a Louisiana detention center for more than a month after he was arrested on March 8. The fight to bring Mahmoud home is far from over, Noor Zafar, senior staff attorney with the ACLUs Immigrants Rights Project, said in a statement. We will continue undeterred to press for his release after this startling escalation of the Trump administrations war on dissent. We will fiercely defend his and others right to speak freely about Palestine or any other issue without fear of detention and deportation. In addition to appealing the Louisiana decision, Khalils legal team plans to fight for his release in a federal habeas corpus case in New Jersey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His lawyers are arguing in the New Jersey proceedings that Khalil is being illegally detained. They are asking for bail and a preliminary injunction that would release him back to his family. The federal judge in those proceedings has already ruled Khalil is to stay in the country for now. Khalils arrest kicked off a battle between foreign students and the Trump administration, which is aggressively targeting those who participated in last years campus demonstrations amid Israels war in Gaza. Federal officials have not accused Khalil of committing any crime, but they say his behavior justifies terminating his legal immigrant status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] proudly apprehended and detained Mahmoud Khalil, a Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student on the campus of Columbia University. This is the first arrest of many to come. We know there are more students at Columbia and other Universities across the Country who have engaged in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity, and the Trump Administration will not tolerate it, President Trump said last month. Khalil was quickly moved to Louisiana by federal officials after his arrest. In separate proceedings, Khalils lawyers and the federal government have been battling over where the Algerian citizen should be tried, whether New York, New Jersey or Louisiana. In the governments case against Khalil and other foreign-born student activists, Secretary of State Marco Rubio is pointing to a rarely used provision of law that says he can order a noncitizen to be removed if they threaten U.S. foreign policy. Khalils proceedings in Louisiana drastically picked up speed after Comans ruled on Wednesday the federal government had 24 hours to produce what evidence it had against Khalil so she could make a decision on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the 24-hour deadline, Rubio submitted a filing doubling down on the governments position, that it has the authority to remove Khalil because of his speech and beliefs. If Khalil remained in the country, Rubio argued, 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. 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, in response to the filing. Khalil has been stuck in detention as Abdalla, a U.S. citizen, is pregnant and due to give birth this month. This is the longest we have been apart since we got married. I miss you more and more everyday and as the days draw us closer to the arrival of our child, I am haunted by the uncertainty that looms over me the possibility that you might not be there for this monumental moment, Abdalla wrote to him while he was in detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every kick, every cramp, every small flutter I feel inside me serves as an inescapable reminder of the family weve dreamed of building together. Yet, I am left to navigate this profound journey alone, while you endure the cruel and unjust confines of a detention center, she added. Families around the country and the world are watching the crackdown on international students nervously as hundreds of visas have been revoked, affecting dozens of universities. Harvard University, Tufts University, the University of Alabama and many others have seen their students detained or leave the country out of fear of getting arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Most of the high-profile cases against foreign students show the individual participated in pro-Palestinian protests or made their support for Palestine public on campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we will see [is] the students will continue their activism, will continue doing what theyve done in conventional and unconventional ways. So not only protests, not only encampments, kind of any any available means necessary to push Columbia to divest from from Israel, Khalil told The Hill last summer when speaking about protest efforts for the 2024-2025 school year. Schools have begun offering legal support, directing students to immigration attorneys and conducting seminars so foreign students know their rights. 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, said Jeff Joseph, president-elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Zach Schonfeld contributed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 4:54 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. April 11 (UPI) -- A federal immigration judge on Friday ruled that Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil can be deported from the United States though he is a legal permanent resident. Khalil, 30, is accused of supporting Hamas, which is a designated foreign terrorist organization, including leading protests at the private Ivy League school in New York. In Louisiana, Assistant Chief Immigration Judge Jamee Comans determined Khalil can be removed from the nation. She gave Khalil's lawyers until April 23 to file and seek relief to stop the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comans, who was appointed by the Department of Justice in January 2023, scheduled the Friday hearing to give Khalil's legal team time to review the evidence against him if any is provided. Khalil spoke to the judge after the ruling. Actress Susan Sarandon joins protesters as they rally in support of Mahmoud Khalil, a leader of protests at Columbia University against Israel's war in Gaza, at a separation hearing in New York City on March 12. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI "I would like to quote what you said last time that there's nothing that's more important to this court than due process rights and fundamental fairness," he said. "Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process. "This is exactly why the Trump administration has sent me to this court, 1,000 miles away from my family. I just hope that the urgency that you deemed fit for me are afforded to the hundreds of others who have been here without hearing for months." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His supporters in the courtroom wept as the judge made her ruling. A federal district judge in New Jersey earlier ruled that Khalil cannot be deported while the proceedings are ongoing. After the ruling in Louisiana, Michael Farbiarz, who was appointed by President Joe Biden, ordered attorneys for DOJ and Khalil to conduct a telephone conference. On Wednesday, the DHS said it immediately will begin screening visa applicants' social media for "antisemitic activity and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests." The Trump administration has canceled the visas of at least 529 students, faculty and researchers from 88 colleges and universities, according to a CNN review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Khalil, 30, on March 8. ICE transferred Khalil to an immigration detention facility in Elizabeth, N.J., and then his current location in Jena, La., where Comans is presiding over his case. Comans said Khalil can be deported to his native Syria or Algeria, where he is a citizen. Khalil is married to a U.S. citizen, Noor Abdalla, who is due to give birth soon, Khalil's attorney, Marc Van Der Hout, told the court Tuesday. The U.S. government said it has the power to revoke Khalil's legal permanent resident status under the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1952. The seldom-used law gives the secretary of state wide authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Khalil's "presence or activities in the United States" would create "serious adverse foreign policy consequences" for the nation. Khalil is accused of withholding information from the DHS regarding membership in Columbia University Apartheid Divest, which has organized protests and takeovers of university buildings at Columbia. He received his master's degree in public administration in December. "We believe that it is the highest honor of our lives to struggle for the cause of Palestinian liberation," Khalil said in a column in the Columbia University Spectator student newspaper published seven days ago. Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing more than 1,100. Subsequently, more than 61,700 Palestinians died in Gaza in the war, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) This April 11 is the inaugural NYS Craft Beer Day. The first brewery opened in the state in the 1600s, and today, the industry continues to be a significant economic engine. According to Paul Leone, executive director of the New York State Brewers Association, there are now about 500 craft breweries in the state. All of those breweries employ about 2,200 people, which Leone says doesnt even count big brewers like Genesee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In terms of economic impact, the estimate is $4.8 billion. Strangebird & Rochester-based beekeeper collaborate for award-winning brown ale Many of these breweries buy ingredients from local farms, support artists and musicians, and serve as gathering places for events of all kinds. Theyre family-friendly, you can bring your dog to most places, Leone said. Thats what makes them more unique. If you need a night out, breweries arent bars. Theyre a great place to have conversations and bring friends and family to. Open Saturday: Spotted Octopus Brewing Co. in Rochester Fattey Beer Co. is like a beer cafe, said general manager and beer veteran Chris Nothnagle. You can buy other New York beers there alongside light food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he took over, he emphasized buying New York craft beer, supporting the state, one sip at a time. New York is making some of the finest beer anywhere in the U.S., Nothnagle said. By supporting these local interests, they will continue to be at the forefront of the industry. I will be really happy when we finally surpass California in terms of total brewery presence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. By Alexandra Valencia QUITO (Reuters) - Ecuadoreans will head to the polls on Sunday to cast ballots in what is expected to be an extremely tight race for president, with both incumbent Daniel Noboa and his leftist rival Luisa Gonzalez pledging to tackle drug gangs and improve the struggling economy. Noboa, a 37-year-old business heir, finished just 16,746 votes ahead of Gonzalez in a February first round and pollsters say either could win. Both candidates have urged their observers to guard against potential fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Violence has spiked over the last five years as drug gangs have increasingly exported cocaine from Ecuador's coast northward to the United States, stoking parallel rises in gun smuggling, fuel theft and extortion. The economy was badly battered during COVID and recovery has been slow. The central bank estimates gross domestic product growth of 2.5% this year, while Noboa says it could reach 4% if his policies are continued. Noboa has been president for just over 16 months, after beating Gonzalez in a 2023 race to finish out his predecessor's term. He says he needs more time to fully enact his 'Phoenix' security plan, which he credits for reducing violent deaths by 15% last year. Quito candy vendor Ivonne Acevilla, 43, said she backs Noboa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I support him because of what he's done on insecurity. They should create more jobs, for entrepreneurs and the military should remain on the streets," she said. Gonzalez, a 47-year-old protege of former President Rafael Correa, would be the first woman elected Ecuador's president if she wins. She has scoffed at the Phoenix plan and its deployment of 100,000 police and military nationwide, pointing to upticks in killings this year and saying Ecuadoreans remain unsafe. Still, Gonzalez says she would send 20,000 new police on patrol if she won. "I'm totally sure Luisa (Gonzalez) is the most prepared to govern and fight the crime that thousands of Ecuadoreans are immersed in," said Guayaquil business administration student Jorge Granda, 25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gonzalez has also pledged to spend $72 million on peace advisers in violent neighborhoods, who would work with police to stop the gang recruitment of young people. That prompted Noboa to say this week the money would be better spent on hiring more cops and soldiers. Gonzalez has said she, not Correa, will govern if she wins, but lawmakers from their Citizen Revolution party have suggested the former president could return to Ecuador. Correa, who has lived in Belgium since he left office in 2017, was convicted in absentia in 2020 on corruption charges and sentenced to eight years in prison. He says that conviction and those against dozens of other officials from his administration are political persecution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whoever wins, they will have difficulty passing legislation in the national assembly, Fitch Ratings said in a Wednesday note. Citizen Revolution won 67 seats in February and Noboa's National Democratic Action won 66, both short of a majority. Noboa could be forced to dilute his planned reforms, Fitch said, while a Gonzalez win would "extend and heighten policy uncertainties" on her suggestion of external debt negotiations and central bank financing of the budget. (Reporting by Alexandra Valencia in Quito, additional reporting by Yury Garcia in Guayaquil; Writing by Julia Symmes Cobb; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien) UNITED NATIONS, April 11 (Xinhua) -- A child was reported raped on average every 30 minutes during intense January and February fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday. UNICEF said reports show that children make up 35 to 45 percent of the nearly 10,000 cases of rape and sexual violence tallied in January and February. "During the most intense phase of this year's conflict in eastern DRC, a child was raped every half an hour," UNICEF spokesperson James Elder told reporters at a UN briefing in Geneva. "We are not talking about isolated incidents; we are talking about a systemic crisis. We are seeing survivors as young as toddlers. It is a weapon of war and a deliberate tactic of terror. And it destroys families and communities," Elder said. And the figures may be just "the tip of the iceberg" because reports of crimes can be hidden beneath layers of fear, stigma, and insecurity, he added. Elder called for the international community to take urgent and collective action against sexual violence. "We need additional prevention efforts, survivor-centerd services, and safe, accessible ways for survivors to report abuse without fear. Survivors must see the world stand with them, not turn away. And perpetrators must face justice," he said. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun has declared a state of emergency for 18 counties in the wake of storms that spawned tornadoes and heavy rain through the state and pushed rivers out of their banks last week. "It is my hope that this step enables residents, businesses, and local government to access needed resources and assistance as they assess and recover from these devastating weather events," Braun said in a media release about the order. Braun had previously activated the Indiana National Guard to assist 41 counties with storm recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: One Central Indiana city topped 8 inches of rain. How much did yours get in the past week? What counties are covered by Braun's state of disaster order? The order is for Bartholomew, Brown, Clark, Crawford, Dearborn, Delaware, Gibson, Hamilton, Harrison, Lake, Madison, Marshall, Martin, Owen, Perry, Posey, Spencer and Warrick counties. 'A harsh reality': Carmel cleans up severe damage after the strongest storm many have seen How long will the disaster declaration last? The order is effective for 30 days from date of signing. What does it mean to be in an area declared a disaster? Declaring a state of emergency allows the Indiana Department of Homeland Security to offer financial assistance under the State Disaster Relief Fund to help cover expenses caused by the storm damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trees toppled, warehouses wrecked: Brownsburg assesses tornado damage Did anyone die in Indiana storms? Yes, at least two deaths in the state were caused by storms and flooding. Nathan Merrit, of Danville, was killed April 3 after waiting out a tornado at a Walmart. About 9:30 p.m., on his way home, his pickup hit a downed power line and caught fire near the intersection of County Road 75 West and County Road 200 South in Danville. He died after he exited the vehicle. He was 27 years old. Days later, Darrell Voelz, 62, stayed behind at a cabin along the banks of Driftwood River near Columbus, Indiana, as his friends evacuated. Voelz was reported missing and his body was found Thursday by the Bartholomew County Swift Water Rescue Team near the Lowell Fishing Site. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Some Indiana counties are under a disaster order. What does it mean? Rep. Greg Porter, House Democrats' finance lead, delivers remarks to reporters on the Republican-led passage of a massive local tax plan. Porter and his caucus held a news conference, featuring bright red and orange signs, after the House adjourned on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) A gargantuan local property and income tax plan alternately dubbed a great win by Republicans and a scam by Democrats cleared the Indiana House of Representatives on Thursday. The 65-29 vote was decided largely along party lines. It came a day after lawmakers made sweeping edits with Gov. Mike Brauns blessing. And the Senate appears poised to consent to the changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB1 offers meaningful tax relief for Hoosiers. The plan to CUT, CAP, and REFORM means relief now and systemic changes for the future to protect taxpayers, Braun posted on social media. Thank you to the House for their hard work and I look forward to the Senate sending this to my desk for signature next week! Senate Bill 1 would save homeowners a collective $1.2 billion in property taxes over three calendar years, from 2026 through 2028, according to a Thursday fiscal analysis. It does so largely by creating a credit for 10% off every homesteads bill, up to $300 each. Rep. Jeff Thompson, R-Lizton, called it a great win for Hoosier taxpayers Thursday. Thompson, the House GOP caucus tax and budget head, said about two-thirds of homeowners would pay less in 2026 than this year under the overhauled legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But local units of government would lose a projected $1.5 billion over the three years, per the analysis. Public school corporations alone represent about half the loss, at $744 million although Democrats contend other tax changes push that figure to almost $800 million. Its a loser for schools, Rep. Greg Porter, D-Indianapolis, told the chamber. House Speaker Todd Huston talks to reporters on Thursday, April 10, 2025, after his caucus overwhelmingly approved its take on a massive local tax plan. (Leslie Bonilla Muniz/Indiana Capital Chronicle) In comments to reporters Thursday, House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, noted that estimates for local government losses are based on projected revenue. He urged greater focus on year-over-year collections. Im going to push back on everybody that says, Well, we would have collected x. Before you say its a cut, what did you collect last year? And what are you collecting this year? And then tell me what the numbers are, Huston concluded. Local income tax turmoil entraps governor House Democrats accused their GOP colleagues of strong-arming local units of governments into raising local income taxes to make up property tax revenue losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislation caps total local income tax rates for all counties to 2.9%, down from 3.75%. Municipalities would be authorized to impose rates up to 1.2% within that county total a tool they have not had before. Under current law, they have to get county officials on board to nab a local income tax. This plan is a trick. Its a scam. It presumes Hoosiers cant understand that 2.9% of their income is a lot more money than a $300 property tax credit, House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, told reporters during a Thursday news conference. Statehouse Republicans are telling you they are cutting property taxes so they can score political points, he continued. But let me tell you the truth Theyre forcing our local servants to take the heat for raising your taxes. Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster, called the measure a bait and switch in which local governments are left with no choice but to raise income taxes or slash critical services to subsidize the revenue loss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thompson pushed back, noting the new, lower cap actually slashes untapped local income tax capacity from $5 billion to $3 billion. That didnt satisfy Democrats. Rep. Ed DeLaney, D-Indianapolis, said it still would allow local governments to hike income taxes by three times more than what homeowners would save in property taxes. Gov. Mike Braun holds a sign at a property tax rally on March 17, 2025. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) I dont think that would happen, he said of locals. But, Braun math says (that) if I save you a nickel in your left pocket, I can take 15 nickels out of your right pocket. House Speaker Todd Huston offered vehement defense in a rare speech from the floor. The idea that this is a bait-and-switch is comical because at the end of the day we are providing taxpayer relief. We are, Huston told his colleagues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The local income tax furor appeared to trouble Braun. I have heard from several Hoosiers since my property tax deal was announced yesterday who are concerned about the local income tax provisions in the bill. Let me be clear, he wrote in a Thursday morning social media post. I agreed to a deal that delivers meaningful property tax cuts and cuts the total local income tax rate by 23% from 3.75% to 2.9%. Although Braun wrote he trust(ed) thats what was in the massive amendment approved Wednesday, his team was still examining the document line by line to verify all of the language matches the deal. If we find errors or it doesnt do what I agreed to then I am confident the House and Senate will make needed edits to honor the deal before I allow it to become law, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked if there was confusion over what was in the deal, Huston told reporters, Theres no confusion on my end. Weve laid out all along what was in the bill. Accelerate Indiana Municipalities, representing cities and towns, indicated such hikes could come. We are glad there is targeted relief for property taxpayers, but this comes with the likelihood of significant cuts to the property tax base that will need to be evaluated in the coming years, CEO Matt Greller said in a statement to the Capital Chronicle. In communities where it makes sense, and the determination is made that additional local option income tax capacity would be adequate to recover lost funding, we are happy to see the decision to do so granted to municipal government. Other Hoosiers also save Fixed-income seniors would get an additional $150 discount off their property tax bills stacked atop the $300 maximum available to the general population. Disabled veterans could also qualify for stackable credits of $150 and $250. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In exchange, lawmakers nixed assessed-value based deductions for both populations. Here is how different types of property will be effected by Senate Bill 1 if it becomes law. (Fiscal analysis by the Legislative Services Agency) This is a win for disabled veterans, moving to a credit, Huston told reporters. There are a lot of people if youre at the cap, you dont even get the benefit of the deduction. This gives you a credit right off the bottom of your tax bill. His colleagues also said that modest per-person savings are still meaningful. I have heard some people say that an extra $200 or $300, or $500 or $700, is not worth lowering property taxes, said Rep. Becky Cash, R-Zionsville. We know thats not true, she said, citing how hard public retirees have fought to win a pension benefit bonus that may be worth less. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This bill may not go far enough, but it does offer some relief, Cash added. The peoples money belongs to the people, and I cannot, in good conscience, keep one extra dollar from a family. Democrats, however, critiqued the measure for not providing direct relief to tenants, who pay property taxes indirectly via rent. This $300 credit, theyre not going to get it. Their landlords may get it, but does anybody here think the landlords want to pass that on to their renters? asked Rep. Sue Errington, D-Muncie. Senate Bill 1 also commands the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance to develop a property tax transparency portal by 2026. The portal would let Hoosiers provide feedback and compare their current liabilities to what theyd owe based on changes under a proposed tax rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other taxpayers would get relief too, according to the analysis. Over three years, it would cut property taxes by about $25 million for apartments, almost $69 million for other residential properties, $116 million on farmland and $145 million on personal property. But bills for agricultural business and other real properties would rise by $63 million and $720 million, respectively. Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray answers reporter questions on Thursday, April 10, 2025. (Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle) That adds up to about $802 million in savings across other property types. The overhauled legislation additionally phases in a major increase in the acquisition cost threshold for the business personal property tax exemption from $80,000 to $2 million and narrows application of the 30% depreciation floor. It previously wouldve phased the tax itself out by 2030 on anything purchased this year or later. This is a smart, pro-growth reform that will reduce compliance burdens and unlock investment across Indiana, said Vanessa Green Sinders, the president and CEO of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, in a news release. She added that the changes directly benefits small- and medium-sized business owners in every corner of the state. Four lawmakers defected from their parties in the vote: Republican Reps. Craig Haggard, Andrew Ireland and Ethan Manning voted in opposition, while Democratic Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser voted in support. Senate Bill 1 next returns to the Senate for either a tidy concurrence with the House overhaul one was already filed Thursday or to set up complex negotiations over a final version of the legislation. Senators could vote to approve the concurrence as soon as Monday, although they could also back choose to dissent instead. Our caucus members have (been) looking at some runs and making sure they understand how it affects their local communities, and so well continue to talk about that over the weekend, Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray told reporters. But it is our strong hope that well be able to concur on that, Bray, R-Martinsville, added. Senior Reporter Casey Smith contributed. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Even though he agreed to plead guilty in February, Mohamed Bahi, an ex-City Hall aide charged with funneling illegal straw donations to Mayor Adams campaign, has for months held off on formally owning up to any crimes as his lawyer remains in talks with federal prosecutors regarding the resolution of his case, court filings show. The fact that discussions are continuing points to the possibility new information may have surfaced complicating the terms of Bahis plea deal, ex-federal prosecutors told the Daily News. The holdup is coming to light after President Trumps Justice Department last week secured a dismissal of Adams corruption indictment, which accused the mayor of participating in the same straw donor scheme Bahi was charged with helping orchestrate. Bahis lawyer, Derek Adams, declined to comment Thursday on whether the snag in his clients case is connected to the quashing of Adams indictment, a dismissal that has led many to believe the mayor is beholden to Trumps political agenda. A spokesman for the U.S. attorneys office for the Southern District of New York, which indicted both Bahi and Adams, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its common for federal prosecutors to offer leniency for defendants in corruption investigations who agree to testify against others charged in the same probe. Its unclear if Bahi made any agreement to testify against Adams at his trial. But Duncan Levin, a white collar criminal defense attorney who used to be a federal prosecutor in Brooklyn, noted any such agreement would now be moot, given the dismissal of Adams indictment. Levine also said the delay in Bahis case likely stems from his lawyer questioning the idea that the Southern District would end Adams indictment but not his clients. Thats what I would say: Youre going to corruptly dismiss the charge against the mayor but not against my client? Theres something very unfair about this whole situation, Levin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its totally unthoughtful for DOJ to dismiss charges against Adams and not consider the co-defendants, because it results in a perverse outcome where justice is flipped on its head and lower-level defendants can face jail time while the supposed ring leader goes free. Prosecutors first revealed Feb. 7 that Bahi would plead guilty to a conspiracy count in connection with his role in pumping illegal straw donations into Adams 2021 campaign coffers on behalf of a politically-connected Brooklyn developer, who in turn allegedly got help from the mayor with a building permit issue. The prosecutors wrote at the time Bahi, who used to be Adams Muslim community liaison at City Hall, had entered into a written plea agreement. Related Articles A few days later, on Feb. 13, Trump Justice Department appointees first moved to drop Adams indictment, which accused him of taking bribes and illegal campaign cash, mostly from Turkish government officials, in exchange for political favors. Adams has said he did nothing wrong and denies a quid pro quo with Trumps administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Feb. 13, Bahis attorney and Southern District prosecutors have entered into three separate agreements to waive the Speedy Trial Act which requires a case to move to a preliminary hearing within 21 days so they can continue discussions about his plea, filings show. This Monday, they submitted the latest extension, freezing Bahis case through May 9 in hopes they can reach a resolution of this matter, Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert Sobelman wrote in the new filing. As noted in certain of the Governments prior requests, the defendant previously entered into a written plea agreement with the Government. However, defense counsel Derek Adams, Esq., and the Government are continuing to have discussions regarding the resolution of this case, Sobelman wrote. The only other person charged as part of the years-long probe that produced Adams indictment was Erden Arkan, a real estate developer who pleaded guilty in January to steering illegal straw donations to Adams on behalf of Turkeys government. Unlike Bahi, Arkans plea was formalized in that a judge accepted it at a hearing. The judge has scheduled Arkans sentencing for August, months after the April 21 trial Adams was supposed to face in Manhattan Federal Court. Sandra Hale Schulman Special to ICT The latest: Immortalized in silver plate, smokeless smudge, humor at the Heard PHOTOGRAPHY: Historic photo shoot for Peltier After 50 years of incarceration, a recent photo shoot has yielded results that will last 1,000 years, with help from the former Secretary of the Interior. Shane Balkowitsch has been photographing hundreds of Natives for years using the complicated 1851 silver plate collodian method. He was contacted by Deb Haaland after Leonard Peltier was released from prison about doing a photo shoot with him. This was no easy task. I had been sending him my photo books when he was in prison, but they wouldnt let him have them, Balkowitsch told ICT. Then when Haaland called that led to setting up the shoot with help from Holly Cook Macarro from NDN Collective. I had to get permission from federal prison officials and traveled to Peltiers remote Belcourt [North Dakota] home with this Civil War era equipment and darkroom loaded in my truck. I took double of everything in case of a problem. The promise was Leonard would sit for two hours but ended up doing four. Balkowitsch made seven plates, six for museums, one plate for Peltier and his family. I had his trust from the beginning, Balkowitsch said. He said I would take the best pictures of him. I explained the process that he had to sit still for 10 seconds and the image in the glass plate would last 1,000 years. I outlined a few shots one with an open window, one with an open door behind him, then one I was nervous to present I had a plastic ball and chain I wanted to put on the ground next to him. He was fine with all of it. Leonard Peltier - Clemency by Shane Balkowitsch. Balkowitsch shot him in the same chair that Deb Haaland, Billy Mills, and the great grandson of Sitting Bull all sat in. He got shots of Peltier with arms crossed defiantly; headshots; and one Peltier requested with his fist against his heart. The reaction has been strong, with the Smithsonian Institute, The Heard Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery, all accepting plates, and multiple newspaper and TV news stories. Balkowitsch said, I put every Native American into the best light that I possibly can. These are my brothers and sisters now coming into my studio, so this is a huge honor. When the former Secretary of the Interior asks you to do this for a man who has endured so much, I had to find a way. WELLNESS: Smudge goes smoke free Wozani smudge line (Courtesy photo) Wozani, meaning "the pursuit of good health", was founded in 2019 in the Badlands of South Dakota by Oglala Lakota tribal members Shilo and Shawna Clifford. The company has launched a new line of smudge balms and liquid smudge for those who want to smudge on the go or cannot have smoke around. Wozani reflects our commitment to well-being for all, said founder Shilo Clifford. Our products are not just remedies for specific ailments; they carry the spirit of our ancestors and wisdom of our culture. Wozani allows us to honor our Lakota identity and ensure our traditions are recognized in all we do. The high-quality, handcrafted products are created with intention, using natural and organic ingredients. From smudge sprays and pain salves to wellness tinctures and balms Wozani has remedies that honor Indigenous wisdom while supporting a wide range of health and wellness needs. The Smudge Balms stress relieving, skin-nourishing balms, with sage, cedar and yucca root, medicinal properties and mood-enhancing aromas, smell great. In the Lakota tradition, medicines are applied topically, rubbed on the wrist or neck to feel better. The Smudge Balms come in three versions for better well-being: Positivity, Tranquility and Protection. Wozani has created transformative Liquid Smudge a spray made from essential oils and plant essences. Liquid Smudge can be sprayed into environments, waved around when burning is not an option. Other popular products include Wozanis Pain Relief Herbal Salve and their Anxiety + Sleep Support Tincture. The Morning Star featured on the packaging carries meaning symbolic of renewal and a prayer for well-being. A portion of the companys profits goes toward replanting herbs and medicinal plants and teaching about their uses. Wozanis offerings are grounded in sustainable practices and careful stewardship of Indigenous plant medicines, ensuring availability for future generations. ART: Retrospective whimsy Haozous installation at the Heard (Courtesy photo) The Heards newest exhibition, Bob Haozous: A Retrospective View, now through November 30, is the first major retrospective for Bob Haozous, Warm Springs Chiricahua Apache, born 1943. There are six decades of his work including sculptures, paintings, prints, and jewelry. Bob Haozous has created unique sculptures in stone, wood, and steel throughout his career, as well as drawings, paintings and jewelry, said Diana Pardue, Heard Museum chief curator. In each of these artforms, he invites the viewer to look closely. At times, the works seem whimsical or humorous, but each contains a message. Social commentary is embedded in Haozouss humorous work. Throughout his career, he has questioned the complicated reality of Native American creative expression as art, commodity and cultural practice. He uses satire and irony in figurative traditions while contemplating the philosophical meaning of being Indigenous in the postmodern world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our stories are worth telling. Our stories are worth sharing. Our stories are worth your support. Contribute $5 or $10 today to help ICT carry out its critical mission. Sign up for ICTs free newsletter! Apr. 10LIMA A police video shows that Michael Oliphant reacted with surprise and horror when informed he was being charged with murder in the Feb. 25, 2023, shooting death of Kirk Perine. Jurors in Oliphant's trial on Thursday watched video of an interview conducted with the Lima man while he was at the Lima Police Department on the evening of the shooting. When advised by LPD Detective Matt Boss that he was under arrest on a charge of murder, Oliphant appeared stunned. "I killed someone? Who?" he asked emphatically. When Boss said the victim was "the man in the white car," Oliphant became distraught. Crying, he said, "I didn't mean to kill anyone." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The interview ended when Oliphant was advised of his Miranda rights, which include the right to have an attorney present during questioning. He had earlier told Boss he was depressed and "wasn't right in the head" when he purchased a pistol earlier that day that police say was used in the shooting. After several minutes of sitting alone in the interview room, Oliphant summoned the detective and asked, "Was it a white Buick? I'm pretty sure I killed him. I don't know if I did or not." Alone in the room a while later, Oliphant seemed to have an epiphany. "I remember," he said jubilantly to himself. "I remember I shot in the air. I didn't hit no one." The state then rested its case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Insanity defense launched The remainder of Thursday's testimony came from the defense's sole witness, Dr. Bob Stinson, a licensed psychologist who did an extensive review of Oliphant's mental health history. Stinson said Oliphant grew up in an unstable environment and showed early signs of mental illness. He was in and out of psychiatric hospitals throughout his life, Stinson said, including a diagnosis from doctors at Mercy Health-St. Rita's Medical Center in May 2020 that Oliphant suffered from paranoia and bipolar disorder and was exhibiting psychotic behavior. During a hospitalization in December 2022, two months before the death of Perine, Oliphant was said to be "completely unstable and grossly psychotic," according to hospital records cited by Stinson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The doctor was asked about an earlier report following an evaluation that determined Oliphant was not legally insane at the time of the shooting. He said that the doctor who performed that exam wrote that he found "no evidence that Michael Oliphant had a mental disease" at the time of the incident. "That's just wrong," Stinson said. "There were three years of evidence." 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. Jurors are expected to begin deliberations on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jury tampering, part II? An issue arose Thursday concerning a conversation one of the jurors reportedly had outside the courtroom. A woman identified as Oliphant's sister was alleged to have made contact with the juror in what Judge Terri Kohlrieser described as an "inappropriate" fashion. The judge, outside the presence of the jury, questioned the woman about the interaction when defense attorney Steve Chamberlain objected, saying the woman had the right to be represented by an attorney during questioning. After another recess, Kohlrieser said no additional questions would be asked of the woman but indicated a conversation with the affected juror would be necessary. The juror, the lone person of color on the panel, was quizzed by the judge and attorneys from both sides about interactions he had Wednesday and Thursday outside the courtroom. The man said that on each occasion, he had approached individuals about obtaining a cigarette. On Wednesday the person with whom he spoke was the defendant's biological father; on Thursday it was the defendant's sister who approached the juror. The juror said no other discussions with either person took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutor Destiny Caldwell asked Kohlrieser to remove the man from the jury, based on his acceptance of "gifts" from people he knew to be family members of the defendant. Chamberlain said to do so would first require the court to determine that juror misconduct had occurred. "The juror said the contacts were incidental, and the defense believes the motion should be denied," he said. Caldwell said she "does not believe the only words exchanged between the juror and the defendant's father were "can I have a cigarette." Kohlrieser said the matter would be taken under advisement but allowed the juror to continue to hear testimony on Thursday. Featured Local Savings When extreme weather hits, someone has to pay for the damages. But insurance companies and utility providers can't seem to agree on who should foot the bill. What's happening? A new law is being considered in North Dakota that would protect power companies from lawsuits when their electric lines inadvertently cause wildfires. Utility providers and the state fire marshal backed the bill, which passed through the state Senate nearly unanimously, according to The Bismarck Tribune. As it stands, the bill would allow a power company to duck responsibility for disasters even if its power lines ignited a blaze as long as it had submitted a plan showing that it was trying to prevent such fires, the outlet explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The insurance industry pushed back, claiming that the language of the bill gives too much power to utility providers to avoid paying the costs after fires. "The utilities are getting legal protections that are not available to almost any other business entity in the state," said Phillip Arnzen, the Midwest vice president for the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, per the Tribune. Why does this kind of legislation matter? The North Dakota bill is not the first of its kind. Wildfires and other extreme weather events are becoming more intense and more frequent because the fuel these utility companies often burn is heating up and destabilizing the planet. As a result, utilities and insurers are finding themselves similarly at odds across the western United States. A California power company even declared bankruptcy in 2019, the Tribune reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for North Dakota, the state faced deadly fires spread by drought conditions and high wind gusts in October. Two people died, and the damage is in the millions of dollars. Authorities are investigating the potential role of a downed power line, while two other fires in the state were linked to unsafe industry practices at oil wells, according to the Tribune report. What's being done to manage fire liability? The insurance industry proposed a few changes to compromise on the bill. The amendments would require utilities to renew fire mitigation plans every year instead of every three years. They would also require utilities to follow specific industry standards to qualify for liability limits, the Tribune explained. For what it's worth, the lawmakers behind the bill claim that it will spur better fire management from power companies and that a provider will still be held liable if it does not follow the rules. Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Yet ratepayers are impacted either way, caught in the lurch between insurers and utilities. You can shield yourself from some of the crossfire by taking your home's energy supply off the fuel-burning grid and exploring cleaner, cheaper options. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The Northwest Missouri State University says that over the last week, some of their students have had their visas revoked. Northwest, which is located in Maryville, Missouri, says that 43 of their students have had their visas revoked so far. The university says that five of those visas are for current students, and the other 38 are for optional practical training students. Those students have graduated but remain in the United States for employment. The universitys announcement comes just days after KC metro universities and students expressed their concern over the revocation of student visas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. Vicker also claimed 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. About $1.8 billion in federal money for Cornell and Northwestern is frozen, the White House says NWMSU President Dr. Lance Tatum sent out the following release to students and staff today: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As you may have read and seen in recent media reports, United States Citizenship Immigration Services (USCIS) is terminating the legal status of some international students attending colleges and universities. During the last week, Northwest international students have been impacted by this action. USCIS is notifying students of their visa revocations, and international affairs staff continue to track student statuses in the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). At this time, Northwest is aware of 43 students affiliated with the University whose visas have been revoked. Five of these individuals are current students, and the other 38 are optional practical training students who are graduated but remain in the U.S. for employment associated with their F1 visas. Please know this situation continues to evolve and Northwests International Involvement Center is working directly with the impacted students to offer guidance. However, these students also are being advised that they depart the U.S. immediately to avoid accruing unlawful presence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Newton, Massachusetts, said in a statement that as of April 1, 2025, five staff who had worked on the hospital's fifth floor were diagnosed with brain tumors. The diagnoses spanned three different kinds of tumors, all noncancerous. The confirmation came after reports circulated that around 10 nurses from the hospital's fifth floor maternity unit were diagnosed with brain tumors. A widely shared online article linked the tumors to the nurses being vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Newton-Wellesley Hospital dismissed this claim, citing "government research" that COVID vaccines "are not associated with brain tumors." Some of the diagnoses predated the COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines, the hospital added. The hospital carried out an investigation following the diagnoses and found "no environmental risks which could be linked to the development of a brain tumor." The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), a union and professional association for nurses in the state, disputed these findings and said it was carrying out its own investigation, which was ongoing at the time of this writing. In late March and early April 2025, a rumor circulated online that 10 "vaccinated" nurses working at the same Massachusetts hospital were diagnosed with brain tumors "simultaneously." For example, one X user, whose March 30 post had amassed more than 257,000 views as of this writing (archived), wrote: "At Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts, a startling cluster of brain tumor diagnoses has emerged among vaccinated nurses on the fifth-floor maternal care ward. 10 longtime staff members have been affected simultaneously, sparking alarm and raising questions about a potential link between mRNA vaccines and cancer." At Newton-Wellesley Hospital in Massachusetts, a startling cluster of brain tumor diagnoses has emerged among vaccinated nurses on the fifth-floor maternal care ward. Ten longtime staff members have been affected simultaneously, sparking alarm and raising questions about a pic.twitter.com/ADHAwQWjVN Sudden And Unexpected (@toobaffled) March 30, 2025 The X post also included a screenshot of a March 29 article by a website called The People's Voice (TPV), which has repeatedly spread misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines. The article's headline read: "10 Vaxxed Nurses at Massachusetts Hospital Diagnosed with Brain Tumors Simultaneously." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although neither the X post nor the TPV article specifically stated that the 10 nurses had been vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, such claims about mRNA vaccines often refer to the COVID-19 vaccines, which TPV has written numerous false or misleading articles about. Examples of the rumor appeared on Facebook (archived), Instagram (archived), TikTok (archived) and Bluesky (archived). Additionally, some X posts (archived) added the claim that the nurses had all received COVID-19 vaccines. Snopes readers also emailed to ask us to check the claim. Newton-Wellesley Hospital (NWH) confirmed via email that five staff members who had worked on the hospital's fifth floor were diagnosed with noncancerous brain tumors. The hospital did not specify whether all five staff members were nurses. Following the diagnoses, the hospital said it had carried out an investigation into environmental risks and found none that "could be linked to the development of a brain tumor." NWH also dismissed claims that the workers' vaccine statuses were linked to their brain tumor diagnoses, saying some diagnoses predated the COVID pandemic. A local union for nurses in Massachusetts disputed the hospital's investigation and was carrying out its own at the time of this writing. Five out of 11 staff interviewed by hospital had brain tumors none were cancerous Though elements of the claim were true for example, that staff at one Massachusetts hospital were diagnosed with brain tumors other elements, such as the connection to vaccines, were not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a statement sent via email, officials at NWH in Newton, Massachusetts, carried out an investigation following reports that "as many as 10 nurses" who worked on the fifth floor maternity unit were diagnosed with brain tumors. According to a Q&A document published by NWH on April 2, the hospital interviewed 11 staff who worked on the floor. Five of the staff were found to have benign (noncancerous) brain tumors, while the remaining six had "other health concerns." That investigation found "no environmental risks which could be linked to the development of a brain tumor" on the hospital's fifth floor, according to NWH. "Environmental risks" in this case were factors or conditions in the workplace that could cause harm to employees' health and safety. However, the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), a union and professional association for nurses in the state, disputed the NWH investigation's findings, claiming in a statement sent via email that the hospital's testing was "not comprehensive." Instead, the union said it would carry out its own investigation into the cause of the diagnoses. The investigation was ongoing at the time of this writing. Hospital and union dismissed claims that brain tumor diagnoses were linked to vaccines The March 29 TPV article claimed that the diagnoses raised concerns about "a potential link between mRNA vaccines and cancer." The article did not specify how the website supposedly knew the vaccination status of the nurses, and the outlet did not elaborate when asked to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking about the rumor that the diagnoses were linked to the staff members being vaccinated against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, NWH said via email: Regarding vaccines, NWH has completed a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation and has determined that the hospital environment is safe. The evaluation included testing for radiation as well as air and water testing. The government has collected substantial data about Covid vaccines, and the vaccines are not associated with brain tumors. It's also important to note that some of the 5 diagnoses pre-date the pandemic. We also asked the MNA about the vaccination claim. Joe Markman, the union's associate director of public communications, said: The MNA represents 25,000 nurses in 85 facilities statewide. Almost all of our members were required to take the COVID-19 vaccine, but we are only experiencing this situation on the 5th floor at NWH. It is also worth noting that TPV's article claimed that 10 nurses were diagnosed with brain tumors, while NWH confirmed just five cases, all noncancerous. Hospital investigation found no 'environmental risks' According to the National Cancer Institute, the U.S. government's principal agency for cancer research, environmental exposures can damage DNA and cause cancer. Such exposures include "chemicals in tobacco smoke, or radiation, such as ultraviolet rays from the sun." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The NWH's investigation looked at environmental exposures, including radiation from X-ray machinery and chemotherapy drugs handled at the hospital's fourth floor pharmacy, to assess whether they could have caused the brain tumors. The investigation also considered risks from wearing and reusing personal protective equipment like masks during the COVID-19 pandemic and found "no scientific evidence" linking the wearing of masks to brain tumors. The investigation concluded that there were "no environmental risks which could be linked to the development of a brain tumor" at the hospital, according to a statement sent via email and attributed to Jonathan Sonis, NWH associate chief medical officer and vice president of medical affairs, and Sandy Muse, chief nursing officer and senior vice president of patient care services. The statement from NWH read: Every staff member who came forward was given the opportunity to be interviewed by the Occupational Health and Safety team to evaluate each diagnosis in the context of their individual medical history and risk factors. To evaluate for any possible environmental exposures in that area of the hospital, comprehensive environmental assessments following CDC guidelines began in December. The investigation found no environmental risks which could be linked to the development of a brain tumor. We presented these findings to relevant stakeholder groups, including the staff on the unit and the Massachusetts Nursing Association, and have held forums to meet with clinical and Occupational Health leaders to answer their questions. The hospital provided the MNA with the test results from the investigation, including those of several external environmental firms. The hospital's Q&A document, titled, "Fifth Floor Work Environment FAQs," further detailed the investigation. According to the document: Through 4/1/2025, 11 staff members who have worked at some point and for varying durations on the Fifth Floor have been interviewed by the OHS. 6 cases were determined not to be brain tumors but rather other health concerns. 5 cases were determined to be brain tumors of 3 different types, all of which were benign (noncancerous). The document said no further staff members had approached the hospital's occupational health service with diagnoses they thought could have resulted from working on the fifth floor. Union claimed hospital provided ' predetermined conclusion' The MNA, however, did not accept the results of the NWH investigation. In a statement sent via email, Joe Markman, the union's associate director of public communications, said the hospital was attempting to provide a "predetermined conclusion": The hospital only spoke to a small number of nurses and their environmental testing was not comprehensive. The hospital cannot make this issue go away by attempting to provide a predetermined conclusion. While we currently cannot release specific numbers or other diagnosis information, we are committed to being transparent about our findings when we have finished verifying the information we collect. Completing this step-by-step process is critical to providing the support Newton-Wellesley nurses deserve. The union heard from more than 300 current NWH nurses, former employees and other professional disciplines at NWH for its own investigation, Markman said, and was in the process of sorting through the information it had received. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In conclusion, the reasons behind the brain tumor diagnoses among staff at Newton-Wellesley Hospital's fifth floor maternity unit remain unclear. The hospital confirmed five brain tumor diagnoses in staff who worked "at some point and for varying durations" on the floor, with diagnoses dating back to before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. According to the hospital's investigation, there were no "environmental risks" linked to brain tumors present on the floor. Sources: Adl-Tabatabai, Sean. "10 Vaxxed Nurses at Massachusetts Hospital Diagnosed with Brain Tumors Simultaneously." The People's Voice, 29 Mar. 2025, https://archive.ph/LCuXC#selection-641.0-648.0. Beard, McKenzie. Multiple Nurses Get Brain Tumors in the Same Hospital Unit. 4 Apr. 2025, https://nypost.com/2025/04/04/health/multiple-nurses-get-brain-tumors-in-the-same-hospital-unit/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Born, Beth Germano Emmy award-winning Beth Germano is a general assignment reporter for WBZ-TV News, et al. Nurses at Massachusetts Hospital Concerned about Growing Number of Cancer Cases among Staff - CBS Boston. 2 Apr. 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/newton-wellesley-hospital-nurses-brain-cancer-cases/. Cancer Clusters | What Is a Cancer Cluster? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/understanding-cancer-risk/cancer-clusters.html. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025. Cancer-Causing Substances in the Environment - NCI. 18 Mar. 2015, https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances. "Cluster of Brain Tumors Discovered Among Nurses Who Worked on the Same Maternity Floor at a Boston Hospital." People.Com, https://people.com/brain-tumors-5-nurses-maternity-floor-same-hospital-boston-11709388. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kasprak, Alex. 'CDC Said mRNA Jabs Have Caused a "14,000% Increase in Turbo Cancer"?' Snopes, 20 Apr. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/cdc-turbo-cancer/. ---. 'Did Canadian Government "Admit" 74% of Triple-Vaccinated People Now Have "VAIDS"?' Snopes, 5 Oct. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/canadian-triple-vaccinated-people-have-vaids/. ---. 'White House Emails Prove Biden "Hid Deadly COVID Jab Risks from Public"?' Snopes, 28 Sept. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/white-house-emails-hid-myocarditis/. Mass General Brigham Newton-Wellesley Hospital . Fifth Floor Work Environment FAQs. Mass General Brigham Newton-Wellesley Hospital , 2 Apr. 2025, https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/25879027/faqs-newton-wellesley-040325.pdf. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced on Friday she will not seek reelection in 2026, startling Republicans in the GOP-heavy state. Reynolds said in a video online that choosing not to run for a third term was not an easy decision, but cited a desire to spend more time with her family. Reynolds, first elected in 2018, is Iowas first female governor. Iowa Republicans for months had widely expected Reynolds to run again, before word began circulating among some GOPers in recent days that she might decline to mount another bid. The Republican primary will likely be crowded: Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson are among the potential GOP candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Trump campaign adviser Chris LaCivita alreadybacked Bird in a post on X, highlighting her early endorsement of the president. A former Republican state lawmaker, Brad Sherman, declared his candidacy in February. Reynolds endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of the 2024 Iowa caucuses, angering many in the Iowa GOP. She eventually backed President Donald Trump, following through on her promise to support the partys nominee. Iowa is so heavily Republican that the gubernatorial race will likely be extraordinarily difficult for Democrats. Trump carried the state last year by more than 13 percentage points. Still, Iowa Democrats, even before Fridays announcement, were bullish about their prospects in a favorable midterm environment, despite not holding the governorship since Chet Culvers election in 2007. State Auditor Rob Sand, the only statewide elected Democrat, is a likely candidate. I have no doubt that Iowa and our Republican Party will remain in great hands, Reynolds said. I am confident that the next generation will continue to build on our success. Abdou Abarry, UN secretary-general's special representative for Central Africa, speaks in an interview in Libreville, Gabon, on April 11, 2025. Gabon will hold its first presidential election on Saturday since a coup two years ago, marking the final phase of the country's political transition and the anticipated return to constitutional order. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) LIBREVILLE, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Gabon will hold its first presidential election on Saturday since a coup two years ago, marking the final phase of the country's political transition and the anticipated return to constitutional order. Transitional President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who led the coup that ousted former President Ali Bongo Ondimba, is among the eight candidates contesting the presidency. Nguema resigned from his military post in accordance with Gabon's Electoral Code to participate in the election. His main challenger is Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, former prime minister under the Bongo administration. Other candidates include former 2023 presidential contenders Axel Stophene Ibinga Ibinga, a businessman, and Thierry Yvon Michel Ngoma, also a businessman. The only female candidate, businesswoman Zenaba Gninga Chaning, has advocated for population growth and the promotion of traditional practices such as polygamy. The 14-day electoral campaign concluded on Friday, with eight candidates vying for the presidency. Among them, Nguema visited urban centers and remote villages, pledging to modernize Gabon's infrastructure, which he described as lagging behind regional standards. According to the Ministry of the Interior, 3,037 polling stations, including 2,941 within the country and 96 abroad, will open at 7 a.m. local time (0600 GMT) on Saturday and close at 6 p.m. (1700 GMT), with extensions possible under the electoral law. A total of 920,200 voters are registered, including over 28,000 overseas. Interior Minister Hermann Immongault said the vote is a milestone in the restoration of national institutions, referencing recent reforms such as the national identification number system, the introduction of biometric ID cards, and the adoption of a new electoral code and constitution. Gabon's new constitution, approved in a referendum in November 2024, sets a seven-year presidential term, renewable only once. In a press statement on Friday, Abdou Abarry, UN secretary-general's special representative for Central Africa, called for a credible, transparent and peaceful election. He reaffirmed the UN's support for Gabon's return to constitutional order and urged all parties to resolve any disputes through dialogue. A total of 48 national and international observer missions, comprising about 2,450 observers, have been accredited to monitor the vote. Authorities confirmed that, unlike in previous elections, there will be no internet shutdowns or border closures, and commercial activities will continue as usual. "This is more than a civic duty. It is an act of faith in the Republic and a commitment to our shared future," said Immongault. Under the new electoral provisions, the president is elected through a two-round system. A candidate must secure an absolute majority of valid votes in the first round to win outright. If no candidate achieves this threshold, a runoff election will be held between the top two contenders. People check voters' information at a polling station in Libreville, Gabon, on April 11, 2025. Gabon will hold its first presidential election on Saturday since a coup two years ago, marking the final phase of the country's political transition and the anticipated return to constitutional order. (Xinhua/Zheng Yangzi) A woman registers at a polling station in Libreville, Gabon, on April 11, 2025. Gabon will hold its first presidential election on Saturday since a coup two years ago, marking the final phase of the country's political transition and the anticipated return to constitutional order. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) A man walks past the campaign posters in Libreville, Gabon, on April 10, 2025. Gabon will hold its first presidential election on Saturday since a coup two years ago, marking the final phase of the country's political transition and the anticipated return to constitutional order. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) Interior Minister Hermann Immongault speaks at a press conference in Libreville, Gabon, on April 11, 2025. Gabon will hold its first presidential election on Saturday since a coup two years ago, marking the final phase of the country's political transition and the anticipated return to constitutional order. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) People attend a campaign for transitional president Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in Libreville, Gabon, on April 10, 2025. Gabon will hold its first presidential election on Saturday since a coup two years ago, marking the final phase of the country's political transition and the anticipated return to constitutional order. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) A man checks the voters' information at a polling station in Libreville, Gabon, on April 11, 2025. Gabon will hold its first presidential election on Saturday since a coup two years ago, marking the final phase of the country's political transition and the anticipated return to constitutional order. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) People are seen near a campaign sign in Libreville, Gabon, on April 10, 2025. Gabon will hold its first presidential election on Saturday since a coup two years ago, marking the final phase of the country's political transition and the anticipated return to constitutional order. (Xinhua/Wang Guansen) A 38-year-old Knoxville, Iowa, man has been sentenced to prison after he pleaded guilty to robbing a bank in Delmar, Iowa, according to Clinton County Court documents. Jeffrey Bettis (Clinton County Sheriffs Office) On April 3, Jeffrey Bettis appeared in Clinton County Court. Bettis pleaded guilty to two charges of first-degree robbery and was sentenced to 25 years in prison for each charge. He will receive credit for time spent in Clinton County Jail in connection with the case, according to court records. The Court makes no recommendation as to when the defendant shall be released from incarceration, leaving it to the Department of Corrections to determine based upon their progress at the institution, Clinton County Court documents say. A 2024 bank robbery Shortly before 12:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, 2024, Bettis entered the Clinton National Bank (CNB) at 301 Western Ave., Delmar Iowa. He was wearing a mask and pointed a handgun at two bank employees. according to Clinton County arrest affidavits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bettis demanded money from the tellers, which they turned over to him. He then instructed the tellers to give him their car keys, which they did.,affidavits show. Bettis left the bank, took one of the tellers cars, and drove south from the bank, affidavits say. Deputies learned from video surveillance footage in the area that Bettis left the area in a white Ford Escape with Iowa plates. Shortly before 1:15 p.m., the Iowa State Patrol stopped a white Ford Escape near Eldridge. Bettis was the only occupant of the vehicle. After he was read his Miranda Rights, he admitted to robbing CNB in Delmar for money and brandishing a gun during the robbery to scare the tellers, arrest affidavits show. Both the CNB tellers were interviewed by law enforcement, according to affidavits, which say Both reported being in fear during the robbery and one teller reported she believed she might be murdered during the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) In a surprise announcement Friday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she will not seek a third term in office. Reynolds, a Republican, has held the position since 2017, when former Gov. Terry Branstad was appointed U.S. ambassador to China. She was elected to full terms in 2018 and again in 2022. This wasnt an easy decision, because I love this state and I love serving you, Reynolds said in a video posted on social media. But, when my term ends, I will have had the privilege of serving as your governor for almost 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her decision sets up next year's election for governor in Iowa as the first without an incumbent in nearly two decades. Reynolds said she is leaving office after years of her family supporting her, saying now its time for me to be there for them. Her husband, Kevin Reynolds, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023. In January, she said his cancer remained in remission. Reynolds, who got her start in politics as treasurer in largely rural Clarke County in southern Iowa, population less than 10,000, was the states first female governor. She was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2008 before serving as Branstads running mate, when she was elected lieutenant governor in 2010. Iowas politics have shifted drastically since Reynolds first got to the state capitol in Des Moines. The state launched former President Barack Obama's presidential bid and supported him in both the 2008 and 2012 general elections then clearly backed President Donald Trump in all three of his presidential runs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans have been steadily increasing their majorities in the Iowa House and Senate under Reynolds' leadership, giving her ample opportunity to advance her priorities. Reynolds also has not shied away from the national attention, delivering a GOP response to President Joe Bidens address to Congress and serving as the chair of Republican Governors Association. She's enjoyed the spotlight that comes with hosting the presidential caucuses, making a splash in 2023 by breaking a longstanding tradition of Iowa governors staying neutral in the race and breaking with Trump by endorsing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. And as Trump has moved on his second-term agenda at the federal level, Reynolds has regularly highlighted the conservative policies Iowa has already adopted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reynolds has celebrated her work to get school choice in Iowa across the finish line, signing into law in 2023 the creation of publicly funded educational savings accounts for students private school tuition or other approved expenses. In the current school year, more than 27,000 students used the program, which becomes available to any student in the coming year. Reynolds proposed budget line for the accounts next year reached $314 million. She backed policies to restrict transgender students use of bathrooms and locker rooms, and their participation on sports teams, in an effort to protect people assigned female at birth. This year, to affirm those, she signed into law a bill to remove gender identity protections from the state civil rights code. Reynolds spent considerable effort to shrink and reorganize Iowa's government agencies to streamline services, one of her top priorities after the pandemic. That led her to say Iowa was ahead in doing DOGE the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency tasked with slashing government size and spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since her last reelection, Reynolds also called a rare special legislative session in the summer of 2023 to give Republican lawmakers an opportunity to pass a ban on most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. That law is now in effect. Praise for the governor poured in from Iowas Republican leaders after her announcement, many highlighting her achievements on growing Iowa's workforce and lowering taxes. Taxes are low, cash reserves are full, our freedoms defended, and Iowas future has never been brighter, Jeff Kaufmann, chair of the Republican Party of Iowa, said in a statement. Now comes the first wide-open primary for Republicans after more than a decade of Reynolds, and Branstad before her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A campaign committee for Reynolds took in $1.8 million last year and had about $3 million cash on hand at end of the year, according to campaign finance filings, a signal to her fellow Republicans that she had been fundraising for another run for office. One Republican a pastor and former state representative, Brad Sherman had already said he would run for governor before Reynolds announcement Friday. But Democrats reacting Friday said Iowans are ready to turn the page. In 2026, voters will get to hold them accountable for taking our state in the wrong direction, said Rita Hart, chair of the Iowa Democratic Party, in a statement. Reynolds said she has no doubt that Iowa and our Republican Party will remain in great hands, noting the foundation of strong conservative leadership that will continue to serve this state well. KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Xinhua) -- A consensus on media and think tank cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was released at the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum held in the Malaysian capital here on Friday. According to the Kuala Lumpur Consensus document, attendees of the forum called on media and think tanks from China and ASEAN to jointly promote cultural exchanges and closer people-to-people ties, setting an exemplary model for Global South cooperation. China and ASEAN play pivotal roles in advancing regional cooperation, fostering shared prosperity, maintaining stability, and elevating the status of Global South countries, the document noted. Media and think tanks from China and ASEAN should fully leverage their role as bridges and bonds, working together to collectively narrate the China-ASEAN story, showcasing the remarkable achievements of China-ASEAN cooperation, it said. Forum attendees recognize that media and think tanks must contribute to regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity in the face of major changes unseen in a century. The attendees believe that cultural interactions and civilizational dialogues have become crucial pillars in strengthening China-ASEAN relations. Media and think tanks should champion respect for civilizational diversity, call on different civilizations to pool the wisdom and efforts of governments, enterprises, media, think tanks, and other diverse stakeholders. The consensus document affirmed that regional prosperity and stability is a shared aspiration of China and ASEAN member states. Media and think tanks should uphold the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and play a unique role in maintaining lasting peace and driving development and prosperity in the region. Attendees acknowledge that the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) offers countries new opportunities for transformative development, but also brings unpredictable risks and challenges. Media and think tanks should actively ride the wave of technological revolution, make good use of the advantages of AI, and promote the construction of an intelligent future with both innovative vitality and security as the bottom line, the consensus noted. Co-hosted by China's Xinhua News Agency and Bernama, the forum brought together approximately 260 representatives from more than 160 media outlets, think tanks, government agencies and enterprises across ASEAN countries and China. GENEVA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Officials from United Nations (UN) agencies and international organizations on Friday warned about the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, where two years of armed conflict have plunged the country into what they called a "humanitarian crisis of industrial proportions." Famine is spreading rapidly, and civilians continue to face grave abuses including rape, torture, and extrajudicial killings. At a regular press briefing in Geneva, Jens Laerke, spokesperson for the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), said the crisis shows no signs of abating. "With no viable peace in sight, the Sudanese are trapped in a humanitarian crisis of industrial proportions," he said. "Two out of three people need aid - that's 30 million people. This, of course, demands a massive ramp-up of international support. What we see instead is donors pulling back funding across the world." Olga Sarrado, spokesperson for the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), said Sudan is now facing the world's most severe displacement crisis. She noted that nearly 13 million people have been displaced by the conflict, with about 4 million fleeing to neighboring countries. Inside Sudan, internally displaced persons (IDPs) are struggling to access clean drinking water, while refugee camps in countries like South Sudan, Chad, and Uganda are severely overcrowded, leaving women and children especially vulnerable. Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), said High Commissioner Volker Turk had condemned the warring parties for carrying out a "wholesale assault on human rights." Shamdasani stressed that sexual violence remains widespread, with women and girls continuing to suffer rape and exploitation. Li Fung, OHCHR's representative in Sudan, speaking via video link, warned of escalating violence and growing threats to civilian safety. Refugees in Chad have provided harrowing testimony of atrocities including rape, torture, and extrajudicial killings. Leni Kinzli, World Food Programme (WFP) communications officer for Sudan, said the conflict has now created the largest hunger crisis in the world. "Famine continues to spread, and 25 million people - nearly half the population - are facing hunger," she said. Shible Sahbani, the World Health Organization (WHO) representative in Sudan, said the war has pushed the country into an unprecedented health emergency, with violence, displacement, hunger, disease, and death overwhelming communities. He noted that 20.3 million people - over 40 percent of Sudan's population - urgently need health services. Malnutrition is widespread, with 3.7 million people requiring immediate nutritional support. Sofia Calltorp, director of UN Women in Geneva and chief of humanitarian action, described Sudan as the world's worst humanitarian emergency for women and girls. More than 6 million displaced women and girls are facing daily threats to their safety and survival, she said, adding that gender-based and sexual violence has surged, alongside a sharp rise in maternal mortality. Sudan has been engulfed in conflict since April 2023, when fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, cited by the UN, the conflict has claimed at least 29,683 lives. Dani Schlarmann, a recruiter, noticed something fishy about the job applicants. Cover letters and resumes sounded identical. Candidates embellished their experience to match the job description. On top of that, engineers were caught using artificial intelligence tools to cheat on live coding tests. The California resident, who works for blockchain technology company Ava Labs, vented about his frustrations with AI on social network LinkedIn. To address the issue, Ava Labs started asking some candidates to sign an agreement that they will not use AI assistance during their interviews, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We've had a few people fight us back on it and say, 'We should be able to use any tool at our disposal.' Honestly, this is not the company for you, then, said Schlarmann, who lives in Corona. For engineers, we pride ourselves on coding prowess, and there are going to be times when the AI can't solve something for you. Read more: An AI 'gold rush.' What to know about OpenAI's record $40-billion funding round Job seekers use AI-powered tools to help them improve their resumes, find jobs, auto apply to hundreds of roles and even provide answers on the spot during video interviews. Fueled by the popularity of AI-powered tools such as OpenAIs ChatGPT, tech giants and startups are racing ahead to release more AI features that can spit out text, code and images within seconds. But the AI frenzy has also sparked a debate about when technology goes too far, distorting a job candidates true skills and experience. Faced with more competition as companies slash thousands of workers, job seekers are weighing whether to pay for AI tools that might help them land a role more quickly. Employers and recruiters are also grappling with whether job candidates should be allowed to use AI even as they embrace the technology themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julie Schweber, senior HR knowledge advisor at the Society for Human Resource Management, said employers know that job candidates could be using AI to enhance their resume or cover letter but they dont want people misrepresenting themselves. It certainly makes sense because you want a candidate that is evolving with the technology and not afraid of technology, she said. Some companies dont specify whether job candidates can use AI and others do. Anthropic, a San Francisco AI startup, asks job applicants to agree they wont use AI assistance to answer certain questions because the company wants to be able to assess peoples genuine interest and motivations for working at Anthropic. Amazon said that when applicable, it will ask candidates to acknowledge that they wont use generative AI during an interview or test. Jeremy Pihl, who became unemployed last year for the first time at 51 years old, said he has used AI tools such as ChatGPT, Swooped and 6Figr during his job search. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are not leveraging AI, I promise it's being leveraged on you, he said. Recruiters use AI to generate job descriptions, review or screen candidate searches, automate candidate searches and other tasks, according to SHRM. Pihl, who previously worked as a customer success manager at Coda and a solutions engineer at Apple, is still trying to land his next role despite already applying to roughly 1,500 jobs. AI has helped him research a potential employer and improve cover letters, but using the tools to auto apply to jobs hasnt yielded much success, he said. Pihl, who secured a contract role but is still job hunting, said the progress he has made has been through referrals or reaching out to a hiring manager who viewed his LinkedIn profile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I don't know that I would lean on it to the extent that I leaned on it in the beginning, he said. There's an aspect of it where it is really helpful. Meanwhile, the job search is only getting more fierce. Nearly 60% of people globally will be looking for a new job in 2025 and 37% are applying to more jobs than ever before but hearing back less, according to LinkedIn research. Read more: Coalition urges California attorney general to halt OpenAI's for-profit transition In March, the unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.2% with 7.1 million people out of work, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. In February, the number of job openings reached 7.6 million, down from 8.4 million compared with the same month in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As California tech companies continue to slash payrolls, the state's unemployment rate has been higher than the national average. In February, California's unemployment rate was 5.4%, with more than 1 million people unemployed in the state. Sunnyvale, Calif.-based LinkedIn has been testing AI-powered tools on its platform, including one to match candidates with jobs that are a better fit. Rohan Rajiv, head of careers products at LinkedIn, said theres no doubt its taking more interviews for people to land jobs, but both recruiters and job candidates want to spend as little time as possible in the process. We are finally at a point where it has become realistic for us to not play the volume game, for us to actually play a really focused game, he said. Nearly 40% of LinkedIn Premium subscribers use AI features to improve their profile and stand out and nearly a third have used the platforms AI-powered job search features. Most have found it helpful, according to LinkedIn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But there are some controversial uses of AI as well. One such example: a teleprompter that provides AI-generated answers to job interview questions. Final Round AI, which offers an AI-powered interview assistant and other tools for a subscription fee, makes the bold claim that candidates can land their next job in 30 days or less. In some of the startups viral videos on social media, people are reading AI-generated answers verbatim displayed on a screen during remote mock job interviews. Founded in 2023, the San Francisco firm said it had more than 1 million users from January to February. Using an AI interview or coding assistant could rub some employers the wrong way, but the entrepreneurs who created the tools say they're just trying to support job seekers who are navigating a terrible job market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Guan, chief executive and co-founder of Final Round AI, said peoples perception of AI is changing and whoever understands how to use the technology will get an edge. Inspired by the superhero Iron Man, who has an AI assistant known as J.A.R.V.I.S., Guan envisions a future where these tools will be even more intuitive. Imagine I have a teleprompter on my eyeglasses , he said. Everybody can become Iron Man. Kaivan Dave, who heads marketing at Final Round AI, said that using an AI interview assistant can help candidates, some who might have language barriers, better articulate their thoughts. Even the president, he said, has used a teleprompter. The venture capital-backed company created a billboard in San Francisco with an image of President Trump that read Interview Confidently Like Our President. Helping America Get Back to Work 10x Faster with Final Round AI. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I don't think that this is going against any type of unethical norms, Dave said. Using an AI interview assistant still doesnt fly with some recruiters. Lyndsi Okh, a San Diego resident who recruits for tech nonprofits, said she suspected a candidate interviewing for a relationship-building role was reading AI-generated answers because of their speech patterns and pauses. Using AI to help prepare for interview questions is fine, but reading off a screen with interview responses is a total breach of trust and a big no-no for me, she said. Although she has nothing against the use of AI, Okh said the ones who are using it successfully are not relying on technology to replace critical thinking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We're in the Wild West of AI, where it's like no one knows what to do, and everyone's just doing anything, she said. "I think that it will eventually be refined. For now, nothing beats a response that feels personal. Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. British conservative columnist and author Douglas Murray called out Joe Rogan on a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience for the podcast hosts tendency to platform guests with fringe views who spread misinformation under the guise of just asking questions. Murray appeared on the Thursday episode of The Joe Rogan Experience alongside Rogan and comedian Dave Smith, the latter of whom engaged in a heated debate with Murray about the conflict between Israel and Palestine. Murray did not just use his appearance on the popular, increasingly influential podcast to debate Smith, though. He also used it to question Rogan for his habit of inviting guests on his show who harbor counter-historical views. I just feel we should get it out straight away, Murray told Rogan. I feel youve opened the door to quite a lot of people who have now got a big platform who have been throwing out counter-historical stuff of a very dangerous kind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murray argued that Rogan should be more careful about platforming guests who share opinions about global conflicts and global history without being experts on the matters in question. The British cultural commentator specifically called out said guests tendency to claim they are just asking questions when they are, in fact, promoting misinformation or dangerous conspiracy theories. If you throw a lot of st out there, theres some point at which Im just raising questions is not a valid thing anymore, Murray argued. Youre not asking questions. Youre telling people something. Rogan countered that he does not choose his guests based on their personal beliefs but in his interest in them. I dont think about it that way, the podcast host said. I just think, Id like to talk to that person. Murray is not the first to criticize Rogan for his guest selection over the years. The podcast hosts tendency to focus on conspiracy theories and interview conspiracy theorists has been called out by plenty of figures both prominent and not, particularly during Americas recent election cycles and the COVID pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rogan has never shied away from wading into political matters with his guests on his podcasts. Near the end of 2024, he even famously endorsed Donald Trump over Kamala Harris for president. Murrays comments, consequently, come at a time when many are discussing the dangers of comedians and entertainers becoming mainstream platformers for political and cultural ideas that may not always hold up to factual, historical or moral scrutiny. The post Joe Rogan Podcast Guest Confronts Him for Platforming Counter-Historical Views: Just Raising Questions Is Not a Valid Thing appeared first on TheWrap. You know the world is on fire when a conservative political personality feels the need to confront Joe Rogan about throwing gasoline on the blaze. On Thursdays episode of the Joe Rogan Experience, British commentator and journalist Douglas Murray wasted no time calling out the comedian for his role in rapidly spreading misinformation by routinely legitimizing random guests with zero expertise and fringe ideas on his popular podcast. Look, I just feel we should get it out straightaway, Murray told Rogan just six minutes into the episode. I feel youve opened the door to quite a lot of people whove now got a big platform who have been throwing out counter-historical stuff of a very dangerous kind. Joe Rogan reacts to a knockout at a UFC event in 2024. Chris Unger/Getty Images Murrays blunt characterization of what he feels Rogan has done with his podcast had been brewing since seconds into the episode. At the top of the show, Rogan explained to his audience that he brought Murray someone who has written books about conservative issues on to discuss current events with his friend and frequent guest, comedian Dave Smith. Rogan explained that he paired these two men together because he feels both are brilliant and could embark on rational conversations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murray seemed to immediately take issue with being lumped into the same category as a comedian especially one who seems to stir the political pot by taking provocative right-wing stances. Murray went on to note that most of Rogans guests seem to share views that skew very far in one direction. Do you think youve tilted one way? Murray asked Rogan of the political opinions he platforms on his show. Just with the guests that you have? As Rogan scrambled to dodge the direct question, Murray eventually said: Im just interested in your selection of guests because youre like the worlds No. 1 podcast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think about it that way, Rogan replied. I just think, Id like to talk to this person. Murray then flagged one guest Rogan seemed fascinated with conspiracy theorist Ian Carroll. Can I just its your show, Murray said. But, sure, if youre going to interview historians of the conflict or historians in general, why would you get somebody like Ian Carroll? I didnt bring him on for that purpose, I brought him on because I wanted to find out how does one get involved in the entire conspiracy theory business? Rogan said. Because his whole thing is just conspiracies. But do you have any I mean, theres been a tilt in the conversation, both conversations, in the last couple of years. And its largely to do with people who have appointed themselves as experts, who are not experts, Murray countered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murray then decided to use another frequent guest on Rogans podcast, Darryl Cooper, as another example. Cooper is a podcaster and Nazi apologist who has popularized the false narrative that Winston Churchill and not Adolf Hitler was the chief villain of World War II. Murray swiftly discredited Cooper by referring to the Holocaust revisionist as some dude who thinks hes an expert on Churchill. He does not think hes an expert, Rogan said, defending Cooper. In fact, everyone else is always calling him an expert, and hes like, Im just a history guy, Smith added. But Smiths argument that Cooper doesnt claim to be an expert yet is still viewed as one seemed to prove Murrays point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its pretty hard to listen to somebody who says, I dont know what Im talking about, but now Im going to talk, Murray said of Cooper. Or, Im not capable of debating this historian, but Im going to just tell you what I think. Smith tried to defend Cooper again by saying he doesnt really like doing debates, he likes to do long format stuff where he can really explain his position. But if you throw a lot of shit out there, theres some point at which Im just raising questions is not a valid thing, Murray argued. Youre not raising questions. Youre not asking questions. Youre telling people something. Do you think Daryls doing that? Rogan asked Murray. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think theres a whole bunch of guys doing that, Murray said, before coming full circle on why he was so annoyed to be discussing current events with a comedian like Smith. I think Dave is doing that very obviously, Murray said. Daves a comedian, but hes now mainly talking about Israel. Youre not a geopolitics guy in general, are you? Murray asked Smith, attempting to call him out. Murray then went on to imply that Smith is emblematic of many of Rogans guests who are positioned as experts when theyre not knowledgeable about anything. After Rogan and Smith went around in circles defending themselves and trying to claim that Coopers classification of Churchill as a villain is just a silly little joke used as a hyperbolic provocative statement, Murray had clearly had enough. If you only get the controversial view, which is, Isnt it fun if we all pretend Churchill was the bad guy of the 20th century? At some point, youre going to lead people down a path where they think thats the view. And thats horseshit of the most profound kind! By Brendan Pierson (Reuters) - A U.S. judge on Thursday allowed the Trump administration to go ahead with a plan to make immigrants illegally living in or entering the United States register with the federal government or face fines or imprisonment. U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden in Washington, appointed by President Donald Trump during his first term in office, found that groups challenging the Department of Homeland Security rule implementing the policy - including the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights and United Farm Workers of America - had not shown they had standing to bring the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As organizations, many of their harms are too speculative, and they have failed to show that the Rule will erode their core missions," he wrote. Nicholas Espiritu, deputy legal director at the National Immigration Law Center, which represents the plaintiffs, called the ruling "disappointing," and said it would "force people into an impossible choice between registering and risking immediate deportation, or refusing and facing penalties." The White House and the Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Federal law has long required immigrants in the United States, including those in the country illegally, to register, but the requirement has not been consistently enforced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DHS rule, set to take effect on Friday, requires those not already registered to do so via a new government website and to carry registration documents or face criminal penalties. Trump, a Republican, has said that stopping illegal immigration and deporting immigrants who are in the United States illegally are top priorities for his administration. His policies have already drawn numerous legal challenges. Some have resulted in court rulings against the administration, including one from the U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday requiring the government to facilitate the return of a man who was wrongly deported to El Salvador. (This story has been refiled to correct the day of the week to Thursday, not Friday, in paragraph 1) (Reporting by Brendan Pierson in New York; Editing by Tom Hogue) After being accused of shooting and injuring her boyfriend while he was asleep, a Pennsylvania magistrate judge has learned her fate. It all went down on February 10, 2024, when Sonya McKnight was at the home of Michael McCoy, her ex-boyfriend. Local news channel WHP-TV reported McKnight had lived there, but she was repeatedly asked by McCoy to move out when their relationship dissolved. McCoy testified the last thing he heard McKnight tell him before she shot him was, Oh, so youre serious, after he asked her to leave. McKnight was described as a jealous girlfriend who didnt like McCoys requests to vacate by prosecutors after they had been dating for one year. McCoy, who was asleep for about an hour and woke up with massive head pain, admitted he couldnt see after he was shot, and thought he was having a brain aneurysm. Police said in an affidavit McKnight even tried to convince McCoy, who is currently blind in one eye, had shot himself. He noted at the time that McKnight was the only other person in the home. Now, over one year later, McKnight has been convicted of attempted homicide and aggravated assault. Per CBS News, the Delaware County jury, who were bused to Harrisburg for the trial, deliberated for only two hours before convicting McKnight on both counts she faced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKnight, who was an elected Dauphin County judge since 2016, was suspended without pay in November 2023 by the Court of Judicial Discipline. The ex-judge faces up to 60 years in prison. Her sentencing is set for May 28. This wasnt the first time McKnight was involved in a shooting. In 2019, according to the Associated Press, she shot her estranged husband after inviting him over to help her move furniture. She was ultimately not charged as prosecutors cited self-defense. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Apr. 10Flathead County District Court Judge Dan Wilson is again running for the Montana Supreme Court. Wilson said in an April 9 press release that he plans to run for the seat currently held by Justice Beth Baker, which will appear on the 2026 ballot. Baker is not seeking reelection. The decision to run again comes just months after Wilson's bid for a spot on the state high court ended in defeat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite recent efforts by the Legislature to introduce partisan politics into the state's court, Wilson said he plans to approach his second bid for the Supreme Court in much the same fashion as his first with an emphasis on his experience as a judge and his to-the-letter interpretation of the Montana Constitution. "I don't believe that the constitution is a living breathing document that should be interpreted differently in the moment," said Wilson. Wilson developed his stance as a constitutional conservative through three decades of experience both practicing and interpreting law. Wilson has served as a district court judge in Flathead County since 2017. Prior to that, he served as the justice of the peace in Flathead County Justice Court, as a deputy county attorney in Great Falls and as the chief deputy county attorney in Chinook. Wilson was highly favored by Republican leaders in the 2024 election cycle. Several high-ranking politicians, including Gov. Greg Gianforte and House Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick, R-Great Falls, donated to Wilson's campaign and he received endorsements from groups like the Flathead County Republican Central Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katherine Bidegaray eventually secured 54% of votes to beat out Wilson after receiving similar support from organizations often considered to be more liberal leaning, including workers unions and public land advocacy groups. But both Wilson and Bidegaray largely reputed the partisan personas assigned to them during the 2024 election cycle. "We're not politicians. We are not there to decide what the laws in Montana are," said Wilson, adding that he believes the role of the Supreme Court is to interpret how laws written by the Legislature apply to the people of Montana. Wilson said he also entered the 2024 election cycle with a personal promise to steer clear of the political hard balling and personal attacks that characterize many elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am proud to say that I kept that promise," he said. "These races should not be about attacks." Wilson reaffirmed his dedication to running a clean campaign in 2026, though he admitted that the upcoming race could attract the attention of out-of-state interests and partisan groups. "There is a great disagreement in our country and state," said Wilson. "It's sort of inevitable that these races are going to get more attention." A recent election for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat shattered election expenditure records, with interest groups spending over $100 million on the race. Many of the funds were linked to out-of-state interest groups or individuals, including $23 million that was linked to billionaire Elon Musk, who is an advisor to President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wisconsin race was supercharged by an emphasis on issues like abortion access, which Wilson considers a settled issue for Montanans after the passing of CI-128 added abortion protections to the state constitution. For other issues, Wilson said he plans to take a similarly conservative approach that factors in the 160 years of court precedents. "I do not believe that any judge, whether they are a constitutional conservative or not, should look at the task of overthrowing precedent with anything but the greatest of care," said Wilson. Wilson appears to be the first candidate to announce an intention to run for the Supreme Court seat. The deadline for candidates to file to run will likely be in March 2026. Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at hsmalley@dailyinterlake.com or 758-4433. LOS ANGELES (AP) Erik and Lyle Menendezs resentencing hearings can continue despite opposition from the Los Angeles County district attorney, a judge ruled Friday. They were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole at ages 18 and 21 after being convicted of murdering their parents, Jose and Kitty Menendez, in their Beverly Hills home in 1989. While defense attorneys argued the brothers acted out of self-defense after years of sexual abuse by their father, prosecutors said the brothers killed their parents for a multimillion-dollar inheritance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case has captured the publics attention for decades, and the Netflix drama Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and the documentary The Menendez Brothers, released in the fall of 2024, have been credited for bringing new attention to the case. Supporters of the brothers have flown in from across the country to attend rallies and hearings in the past few months. Former Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascon asked a judge last year to change the brothers sentence from life without the possibility of parole to 50 years to life. That would make them immediately eligible for parole because they committed the crime when they were younger than 26. But Gascons successor reversed course. Nathan Hochman submitted a motion last month to withdraw the resentencing request. Deputy District Attorney Habib Balian said during Friday's hearing they could not support the brothers resentencing because the brothers had not admitted to lies told during their trial about why they killed their parents nor have they taken complete responsibility for their crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are the same people they were," Balian said. They have not changed. Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Michael Jesic that argument is fair game for prosecutors to make during the resentencing hearing. The brothers appeared in court over Zoom but didnt make any public statements. Theyve waited a long time to get some justice," the brothers attorney, Mark Geragos, said of the family. Balian said that the key issue with Gascons resentencing petition was that it did not fully address rehabilitation and missed key elements of the original crime committed. What does it (rehabilitation) mean? To learn from your mistakes and truly understand that you were wrong, Balian said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Balian presented evidence and video clips of the brothers' testimony from the first trial to demonstrate instances where they hunkered down in their bunker of deceit, lies, and deception. He said the brothers killed their parents out of greed when they learned they would be taken out of the will, citing psychiatrist's notes that he said showed this was not self-defense. Geragos called the presentation a dog and pony show and said it was nothing more than political cover as a result of Hochman defeating Gascon in the district attorneys race. They have authorized the denial of sexual abuse, Geragos said of the prosecutions presentation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Geragos argued the judge had full authority to proceed with resentencing under a California law passed in 2023 that allows a court to recall a sentence and initiate resentencing at any point in time. Geragos also objected to Balian including a photo of the deceased and bloody Menendez parents in his presentation, which he said retraumatized family members and victims. The family's relationship with Hochman has soured since he took office. Most of the brothers' extended family supports their resentencing. Tamara Goodall, a cousin of the brothers, submitted a complaint with the state asking that Hochman be removed from the case. She wrote that Hochman had a hostile, dismissive and patronizing tone in meetings with the family and created an intimidating and bullying atmosphere." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Geragos pointed out that Hochman demoted Nancy Theberge and Brock Lunsford, the two deputy district attorneys who filed the original resentencing motion. Theberge and Lunsford have since filed lawsuits against Hochman alleging harassment, discrimination and retaliation for their work on the Menendez brothers case. We look forward to a full, fair presentation of who Eric and Lyle are today, not just a version frozen in time in a time of pain and fear, but the whole truth the growth, the humanity and the men theyve become, said Anamaria Baralt, a cousin of the brothers, after the hearing concluded. Without resentencing, the brothers would still have two other pathways to freedom. They have submitted a clemency plea to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has ordered the state parole board to assess whether the brothers could pose a public risk if released. The brothers also submitted a petition for habeas corpus in May 2023 asking the court to grant them a new trial in light of new evidence presented. Hochman's office also filed a motion opposing the petition. GREENBELT, Maryland An exasperated federal judge commanded the Trump administration Friday to begin providing daily updates on whether it is doing anything to comply with her order to return a Maryland man illegally deported to El Salvador last month back to the United States. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis scolded the administration for refusing to provide even basic details about Kilmar Abrego Garcias location, despite her demand for an update by Friday morning. Im asking a very simple question. Where is he? Xinis asked Justice Department attorneys at a court hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do not have that information, replied Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign. The administrations stonewalling, which Xinis described as extremely troubling, raised the specter that it is defying the order that the judge issued last week and that the Supreme Court largely upheld Thursday. Xinis, an Obama appointee, said that without any information or even an acknowledgment that the administration had done anything at all she could only conclude that the administration had done nothing to facilitate the return of Mr. Abrego Garcia. Theres an easy way to combat that, she said, and thats just to tell me whether youve done anything and if so, what. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Xinis new directive requires the daily updates to come from an administration official with personal knowledge of efforts to return Abrego Garcia to the United States. But Justice Department officials said they may not be prepared to comply with her demands until at least Monday. Xinis first ordered the administration to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia on April 4. The judge noted Friday that her order was in effect for three days before Chief Justice John Roberts paused it Monday to give the justices time to weigh the matter. And Roberts pause ended Thursday night when the Supreme Court upheld the part of her order requiring the administration to facilitate Abrego Garcias return. The Trump administration has acknowledged that immigration officials wrongly deported Abrego Garcia to El Salvador on March 15, in violation of a 2019 immigration court order that barred his deportation to that country because of a credible fear of persecution by a local gang. He was taken with other deportees to a notorious anti-terrorism prison in El Salvador. Trump White House officials have labeled Abrego Garcia a member of the violent gang MS-13, citing an immigration judges ruling in 2019 that he was likely a member of the organization. The assessment by the immigration judge was rooted in a tip from a local police informant. Abrego Garcia has long denied any gang affiliations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His case skyrocketed to national attention amid efforts by President Donald Trump to hastily deport hundreds of foreign nationals that he labeled members of terrorist groups or foreign gangs, at times deploying rarely used war powers to speed up the effort. The Supreme Court has ordered the administration twice in the last week to provide meaningful due process to those it is seeking to summarily deport, including Abrego Garcia. Despite the justices ruling in Abrego Garcias case, the White House continued to attack Xinis late Thursday and Friday and cast the Supreme Courts decision as a victory for the administration. And when Xinis ordered a quick turnaround on her demand for information, the administration accused her of making unreasonable and impracticable demands. Ensign, notably, was the same attorney who found himself under the glare of U.S. District Judge James Boasberg after the administration declined to abide by his order to turn around planes carrying Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador on March 15, hours before Abrego Garcias deportation. Ensign told Boasberg that despite the judges demand for information about deportations Trump was planning under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, other administration officials had not provided him any even while the planes were in the air. The DOJ lawyer took a similar stance at Fridays hearing before Xinis. Xinis told Ensign that if Trump administration officials were depriving him of information she demanded, then you dont have full and effective contact with your clients. This photo taken on April 8, 2025 shows a report titled "RCEP and the Vision of the Maritime Silk Road: New Frontiers for China-ASEAN Cooperation." The report was released Friday by Xinhua Institute, the think tank of Xinhua News Agency, at the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum in Kuala Lumpur. (Xinhua/Yin Gang) KUALA LUMPUR, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The Xinhua Institute, a think tank affiliated with Xinhua News Agency, on Friday issued a report in Kuala Lumpur, capital of Malaysia, titled "RCEP and the Vision of the Maritime Silk Road: New Frontiers for China-ASEAN Cooperation." Comprising three chapters, the report features vivid cases and detailed data on the accomplishments achieved by China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) under the two frameworks of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road. It analyzes the opportunities for cooperation between the two sides in regional economic integration, and puts forward the vision of working toward a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future. According to the report, China and ASEAN have worked together to align the development of the Maritime Silk Road with RCEP, creating a model that departs from traditional trade and investment frameworks and one that is more equitable, mutually beneficial and win-win in nature. This collaboration has effectively strengthened regional trust, enhanced the region's international influence, and reinforced the resilience and integration of regional industrial and supply chains, thereby contributing to the improvement of the global economic governance system. The report points out that in the context of slowing global economic recovery and rising cumulative risks, China-ASEAN cooperation not only promotes regional socio-economic development but also integrates broader markets, greater production capacity, and a wider range of sectors. Such expanded cooperation will inject greater stability and fresh momentum into the global economy, contributing to developing a universally-beneficial and inclusive economic globalization. The report said that China and ASEAN are well-positioned to seize historic opportunities, strengthen strategic alignment, stay attuned to global trends, overcome disruptions, share opportunities and jointly foster prosperity. These efforts will translate the comprehensive strategic partnership into tangible outcomes, pave the way to build an even closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future, and jointly create a brighter future for the Asia-Pacific region. The report was unveiled during the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum. The forum, with the theme of "Strengthening ASEAN-China Cooperation," was jointly organized by Xinhua News Agency and Malaysian National News Agency. The event gathered over 260 participants from 160 media organizations, think tanks, government departments and enterprises across China and ASEAN countries. This photo taken on April 11, 2025 shows copies of a report titled "RCEP and the Vision of the Maritime Silk Road: New Frontiers for China-ASEAN Cooperation" released by Xinhua Institute in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The report was released Friday by Xinhua Institute, the think tank of Xinhua News Agency, at the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum in Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Chong Voon Chung/Xinhua) An attendee of the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum reads a report titled "RCEP and the Vision of the Maritime Silk Road: New Frontiers for China-ASEAN Cooperation" in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 11, 2025. The report was released Friday by Xinhua Institute, the think tank of Xinhua News Agency, at the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum in Kuala Lumpur. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng) An attendee of the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum reads a report titled "RCEP and the Vision of the Maritime Silk Road: New Frontiers for China-ASEAN Cooperation" in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 11, 2025. The report was released Friday by Xinhua Institute, the think tank of Xinhua News Agency, at the China-ASEAN Media and Think Tank Forum in Kuala Lumpur. (Xinhua/Cheng Yiheng) Supreme Court of North Carolina (Photo: nccourts.gov) The story of North Carolinas unsettled 2024 state Supreme Court election took yet another turn on Friday when Republican challenger Judge Jefferson Griffin asked the state Supreme Court to deny Democratic incumbent Justice Allison Riggs request to review the case. In a brief outlining his opposition to Riggs request for Supreme Court review, Griffin asked the high court to let the 2-1 ruling issued in his favor by a panel of Court of Appeals judges last Friday to stand so that the process the panel ordered under which thousands of voters would need to come forward in short order to prove the validity of their registration documents can commence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the brief, Griffin who has been challenging the outcome of the election in a series of actions since last fall states, This litigation has drawn on long enough. The cure process, rather than more courthouse battles, is the pathway for restoring integrity in this election. It is now time to bring the litigation to a close and let the cure process run its course. On Monday of this week, in response to Riggs request for review, the Supreme Court temporarily stayed the Court of Appeals order. Its long been widely expected in political and legal circles that the high court would ultimately be forced to issue a ruling in the case though a return to federal court remains a possibility as well. On Thursday of this week, national and state Democratic Party leaders held a press conference to denounce Griffins efforts to reverse the election results in which Riggs holds a 734-vote lead a lead that was confirmed in two recounts. 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. Republicans hold a 5-2 majority on the high court a gap that increases to 5-1 in the Riggs-Griffin dispute, given that Riggs has recused herself from the matter. Three of the Republican justices, in previous decisions in the case, have expressed support for Griffins positions. In the case of a 3-3 tie in the Supreme Court either on the motion for discretionary review or in a final ruling on the merits of the case the Appeals Court decision would stand. GREENBELT, Md. A federal judge in Maryland chided the Trump administration for not being able to answer basic questions in court Friday about a Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and how officials are working, if at all, to bring him back. A day after the Supreme Court upheld her order for the government to facilitate Kilmar Abrego Garcias return in a Thursday night ruling, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered for the government to provide daily updates on what efforts they have made to find out the whereabouts of Kilmar Abrego Garcia and their plans to return him. Hours after the Supreme Courts Thursday ruling, Xinis directed the government take all available steps to bring Abrego Garcia back to the U.S. as soon as possible. She convened Fridays hearing in Greenbelt to get answers about the governments progress so far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She asked specifically about Abrego Garcias current physical location and custodial status, in addition to what steps, if any, the Trump administration has already taken to facilitate Abrego Garcias return and what additional steps they will take. A Justice Department attorney appearing before Xinis on Friday afternoon did not have that information. Im asking a very simple question where is he? Xinis asked in court. I do not have that information, Deputy Attorney General Drew C. Ensign said. He said the government was determining how to comply with the Supreme Courts ruling, calling Xinis deadline impracticable in a late-night court filing. In court, he said the answers to Xinis questions may include assertions of privilege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the daily filings, Xinis said there would be an additional hearing in the near future. Were not re-litigating what the Supreme Court has already put to bed, she said. If there is some reason you cannot comply, you will put that in writing. Abrego Garcia, of Prince Georges County, was mistakenly deported last month due to what the government has described as an administrative error. He is being held at El Salvadors Terrorism Confinement Center, where the Trump administration has transferred hundreds of people facing deportation from the U.S. under a $6 million agreement with that nations government. He did not receive a hearing after he was detained in mid-March by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers and then deported. A judge had ordered, in 2019, that he could not be deported to El Salvador due to persecution he could face from gangs. His family sued in March, and Trump administration officials admitted in court that Abrego Garcia, 29, had mistakenly been deported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Justice Department officials maintained they could not be ordered to bring him back as he was in the custody of Salvadoran officials. They also claimed, citing scant evidence, that he was an MS-13 gang member, a claim his lawyers refute. Abrego Garcia has not been charged with a criminal offense in the United States or El Salvador. Xinis order to facilitate and effectuate Abrego Garcias return to the U.S. this week was upheld by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court initially paused the deadline but on Thursday ruled, in a 9-0 decision, that the Trump administrations removal of Abrego Garcia was illegal and that authorities must facilitate his return. The nations highest court sent the case back to Xinis for further decisions, noting that the Trump administration should be prepared to share what it can concerning the steps it has taken to facilitate his return, and the prospect of further steps. The term effectuate was unclear, the court ruled, adding that Xinis should clarify that directive with due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs. Throughout the legal back-and-forth, the Trump administration has not disclosed anything to suggest it was trying to bring Abrego Garcia back. Hours before the original deadline of 11:59 p.m. Eastern time Monday to return Abrego Garcia, the Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that he was a ruthless criminal who was off our streets. _____ White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt takes a question from a reporter during in the Brady Press Briefing Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 11, 2025. Credit - Win McNameeGetty Images A federal judge on Friday ordered the Trump Administration to submit daily updates on its efforts to bring back Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man mistakenly deported to an El Salvadoran prison last month, a day after the Supreme Court ruled the Administration must facilitate his return. The extraordinary demand by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis underscores mounting judicial frustration with what many legal observers view as a pattern of defiance from the White Houseand deepens concerns that a long-feared constitutional crisis may now be underway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Xinis issued the directive during a tense hearing in Greenbelt, Md., where a Justice Department attorney repeatedly declined to provide even the most basic information about Abrego Garcias whereabouts or status. I am asking a very simple question: Where is he? the judge asked, according to CNN. There is no evidence today as to where he is today, she later remarked. That is extremely troubling. Xinis is requiring the government to file a sworn statement every day from an official with personal knowledge of the situation, detailing Abrego Garcias location, his custodial status, and what stepsif anyare being taken to secure his return. Even if the answer is that the government has no information, I want that on the record, she said, according to CNN. Read More: What the Venezuelans Deported to El Salvador Experienced The case has become a flashpoint in a broader battle over executive power, immigration enforcement, and the independence of the judiciary. Last week, Xinis ordered the government to return Abrego Garcia by Monday at midnight, but Trump officials have contended that they have no power to return a man in custody of a foreign government. The Supreme Court weighed in Thursday night, ruling unanimously that the Trump Administration must facilitate Abrego Garcias return, but it stopped short of ordering the government to effectuate his returnwhich Xinis had ordered. That distinction has become central to the Administrations defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized at Fridays press briefing that it's the Administration's responsibility to facilitate the return, not to effectuate the return, raising the question of how far the Administration will go to return Abrego Garciaand how quickly it would begin negotiations. We very much appreciate President Bukele and El Salvador's cooperation and the repatriation of Salvadorian gang members who the previous Administration allowed to infiltrate our country, Leavitt added. Bukele is scheduled to visit the White House on Monday. But legal experts say the Administrations continued refusal to comply fully with the courts suggests a broader erosion of constitutional norms. The Supreme Courts ruling, though a procedural win for Abrego Garcias legal team, left ample room for executive branch discretion, noting that any further judicial orders must show due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs. The Trump Administration has seized on that language to argue that judges cannot compel the President to negotiate with a foreign government. Still, multiple lower courts have rejected the Administrations arguments. The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals found unanimously that federal courts retain jurisdiction in the case, and Judge Xinis has been unambiguous in her condemnation of the governments conduct. The act of sending Abrego Garcia to El Salvador was wholly illegal from the moment it happened, she wrote in a recent order. Abrego Garcia, 29, was deported on March 15 despite a standing immigration court ruling from 2019 barring his removal to El Salvador due to credible threats from gangs targeting his familys pupusa business. The government has since admitted his removal was an administrative error, but has argued that it cannot now be compelled to bring him backan argument dismissed by the Supreme Courts liberal justices as both factually incorrect and legally dangerous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a separate opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor and two colleagues wrote that the Administrations position implies it could deport and imprison any person, including U.S. citizens, without legal consequence, so long as it does so before a court can intervene. Further complicating matters are government allegationsunsupported by charges or public evidencethat Abrego Garcia is affiliated with the MS-13 gang. The immigration judge who halted his removal in 2019 found no credible evidence to support that claim, and his attorneys insist he has no criminal record and was a legal worker pursuing a journeyman license in Maryland. The government has made no effort to demonstrate that Abrego Garcia is, in fact, a member of any gang, wrote U.S. Circuit Judge Stephanie Thacker. The Administrations conduct in this case has alarmed many legal scholars, who see it as part of a troubling pattern. In multiple high-profile cases, the Trump Administration has openly resisted or slow-walked compliance with court orders. The checks and balances are gone, Kim Wehle, a law professor at the University of Baltimore and a former assistant U.S. attorney, told TIME last month. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) A federal judge is once again pressing the Trump administration to take immediate action in the case of a man mistakenly deported to El Salvador. The decision follows a Supreme Court ruling Thursday that upheld an earlier order for Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be returned to the United States. Garcia, 29, has no criminal record and was lawfully employed in the U.S. when he was deported last month. The Trump administration had accused him of being affiliated with the MS-13 gang, a claim his attorneys dispute. This afternoon we were back in front of Judge Zennis, said Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, Garcias attorney. He and Garcias family say they are hopeful the month-long ordeal may soon come to an end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday, the judge ordered the administration to provide daily updates on Garcias status and efforts to bring him back to the U.S. The government has acknowledged that Garcias deportation was a mistake. The government needs to take all steps reasonable to facilitate the return of Mr. Abrego Garcia to the United States, Sandoval-Moshenberg said outside the courthouse. What is his custodial status? What has the government done to try to bring him back? And what is the government planning to do to carry out the courts order? While Justice Department attorneys told the court they intend to comply, the tone at the White House appeared more measured. The Supreme Court made their ruling very clear last night, that its the administrations responsibility to facilitate the return, not to effectuate the return, said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sandoval-Moshenberg criticized the delay, noting the flight from El Salvador is only five hours. Theyve had plenty of time, he should be here in the United States. Legal experts say the situation may be more complicated than it appears. George Washington University law professor Paul Schiff Berman said while the court order is unambiguous, the U.S. cannot act alone. The person is being held by the El Salvadoran government, not the U.S. government, so the U.S. cant simply do it unilaterally, Berman said. One would think that the U.S. government could request that he be handed back. The Trump administration told the judge Friday it currently has no knowledge of Garcias exact whereabouts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement El Salvadors president has not commented on the case but is scheduled to meet with President Trump at the White House on Monday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. An immigration judge on Friday ruled that the Trump administration can deport Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a decision that comes a month after his arrest prompted national outrage and marked the start of the federal governments broader crackdown on foreign students. The Louisiana judge affirmed the Trump administration's argument that Khalil's beliefs threaten national security and justify his deportation. The court will sustain charge of removability," Judge Jamee Comans said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khalil, 30, has until April 23 to file for relief and can remain in the United States until then. A federal judge in New Jersey has temporarily barred Khalils deportation while he fights a similar challenge there. Khalil addressed the court after the ruling. "I would like to quote what you said last time that there's nothing that's more important to this court than due process rights and fundamental fairness," he said in a statement his defense team presented after the hearing. "Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process. This is exactly why the Trump administration has sent me to this court, 1,000 miles away from my family. I just hope that the urgency that you deemed fit for me are afforded to the hundreds of others who have been here without hearing for months. Mahmoud Khalil stands by the gates of Columbia University on April 30, 2024. His legal team said it will "continue working tirelessly until Mahmoud is free." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, we saw our worst fears play out: Mahmoud was subject to a charade of due process, a flagrant violation of his right to a fair hearing, and a weaponization of immigration law to suppress dissent," his attorney, Marc van der Hout, said in a statement. "This is not over, and our fight continues." Khalil's defense team is seeking a preliminary injunction from the federal court in New Jersey. It would release him from custody and could block the Trump administration policy of arresting and detaining noncitizens for speech critical of Israel and in support of Palestinian people in Gaza, the team said in its statement on Friday. Defense team attorney Ramzi Kassem said on MSNBC Friday that the lawyers immediately went before the New Jersey-based federal court to update it on the matter in Louisiana, as ordered. He argued the Trump administration's strategy in the case, to fight for every possible legal justification, is "backfiring for them" and exposing the case as driven by Khalil's speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For a country that values free speech, that should just not be possible," he said of possible deportation over Khalil's participation in campus protests. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in a statement Friday called Khalil. She accused him, without providing evidence, of supporting terrorists and harassing people based on their faith. "Mahmoud Khalil hates the United States and what we stand for so his removal should come as welcome news," she said. "It is a privilege to be granted a visa or green card to live and study in the United States of America. When you advocate for violence, glorify and support terrorists that relish the killing of Americans, and harass Jews, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country. Good riddance. White House Assistant Press Secretary Taylor Rogers said in a statement that the administration is "committed to the enforcement of our immigration laws and will take swift action to remove aliens who pose serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Columbia University declined to comment. Khalil, who helped lead student protests against the war in Gaza at the Ivy League school last year, was detained on March 8 by federal authorities at his university-owned apartment complex in New York City. He has since been in custody at a Louisiana immigration detention center. The Trump administration has maintained publicly that it has the authority to deport Khalil a green card holder and more recently a permanent resident because he "led activities aligned to Hamas, a designated terrorist organization." Supporters of Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil protest outside the court in Newark, N.J., while a hearing takes place on March 28. The administration also repeatedly cited a rarely invoked provision from a 1952 law the Immigration and Nationality Act which allows the secretary of state to deport noncitizens if their presence in the country threatens U.S. foreign policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawyers for the government have also alleged that Khalil withheld information about past affiliations and employment, such as his work for the Syria Office in the British Embassy in Beirut, on his application for permanent residency. The government's allegations that Khalil failed to disclose crucial information came on March 23, two weeks after his arrest. His defense team said in court in Louisiana on Friday that Khalil has not been presented with an arrest warrant. The government also said Khalil was a public affairs employee for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees and didn't disclose it. His lawyers said he was not a public affairs employee but rather had an internship at the organization, which has traditionally counted the United States as its largest funding contributor. The refugee support agency, known as UNRWA, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge had pressed the administration to submit evidence supporting their claims and justification for Khalil's deportation by Wednesday. Secretary of State Marco Rubio responded Wednesday evening with a brief memo obtained by NBC News that cites Khalils beliefs in justifying his deportation. Mahmoud Khalil's wife, Noor Abdalla, leaves after a hearing in Newark, N.J., on March 28. Rubio said that while Khalils "past, current or expected beliefs, statements, or associations that are otherwise lawful," the provision allows Rubio alone to "personally determine" whether Khalil should be allowed to stay in the country. Comans said Friday that the memo alone deemed Khalil removable, and he denied defense efforts to obtain underlying evidence and have Rubio answer questions. He called the memo a "certified letter of conviction" that needs no further explanation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubio who is a child of Cuban immigrants said last month that the State Department had revoked more than 300 student visas and would continue to do so. According to an NBC News analysis, as of Wednesday, officials had revoked the visas of foreign students many of whom are Middle Eastern in at least 29 states. Video of the March arrest of a Tufts University student, Rumeysa Ozturk, showed several plainclothes Department of Homeland Security agents surrounding her, grabbing her wrists, and moving her into an SUV while she screamed out in confusion. Her lawyers argue that she was targeted for writing an opinion piece in her school newspaper that criticized Tufts' response to the war in Gaza. An international student at the University of Florida was deported late last month after he was arrested and accused of traffic violations, his family and local officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DHS announced a new task force on Wednesday to monitor the social media activity of immigrants, including foreign students, for antisemitism. Three sources familiar with the operation told NBC News that officials will screen approximately 1.5 million international students for potential grounds to revoke their visas. Khalil's arrest prompted protests at Columbia, the epicenter of last year's demonstrations, at Trump Tower, and across the nation. Columbia students who spoke with NBC News since Khalil's arrest said that speaking out had become "too dangerous" at the university, once known as a venue for challenging authority. The administration has also revoked 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. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com A federal judge on Thursday signaled she will stop the Trump administration from removing deportation protections for more than a half-million Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans who were admitted into the United States under a humanitarian parole program during the Biden presidency. U.S. District Judge Indira Talwani said in Boston federal court that her decision will allow the paroled migrants to stay in the United States as they pursue immigration benefits. In effect, it will prevent the Department of Homeland Security from revoking their parole status as part of an administration plan to end the humanitarian program on April 24. For now, the judges intent to issue a stay prevents the Homeland Security from terminating the migrants parole rights granted by the prior Biden administration. It signals a major victory for the paroled migrants from the four countries, who sued the Trump administration in the hope of remaining in the United States for a two-year period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of them have been living and working with permits in South Florida after being sponsored by relatives to come to the United States to apply for asylum or other protections instead of trying to get in through the U.S.-Mexico border, where a migrant crisis erupted during the Biden administrations watch. Last month, President Donald Trump sought to halt the humanitarian parole program as part of his crackdown on ending legal pathways for immigrants to come and stay in the United States under the administration of his predecessor, Joe Biden. The Trump administrations action published on March 25 as a notice in the Federal Register and scheduled to take effect 30 days later was based on a flawed interpretation of immigration law, said Judge Talwani, an appointee of fomer President Barack Obama. She said the administrations goal was to place the paroled migrants on a fast-track of deportation later this month, but authorities relied on a wrong interpretation of the process. She said Homeland Security viewed the migrants as individuals who illegally crossed the U.S. border and could be removed on an expedited basis. She said they should instead be viewed as migrants who were granted permission to enter the United States under a grant of parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What youre 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. The stakes are quite high, Flores-Perilla told reporters outside the Boston courthouse. These are human lives at stake, and the urgency is very much there. As of December 2024, the last full month Biden was in office, a total of 531,690 people had come through the parole program, known as CHNV for the nationalities of the migrants involved. That includes 110,240 Cubans, 211,040 Haitians, 93,070 Nicaraguans, and 117,330 Venezuelans who flew into U.S. airports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CHNV group affected by Homeland Securitys policy come from the regions most troubled countries. In Cuba, the island remains under a repressive dictatorship and Cubans are experiencing repeated blackouts and shortages of food and medicine. In Haiti, there hasnt been a general election in nearly a decade; more than a million have been displaced by armed gang violence and the countrys volatile capital is on the verge of collapse. In Venezuela and Nicaragua, repressive regimes have also prompted a humanitarian crisis that has forced millions to flee. Biden created the parole program so people from the four countries would have a new legal avenue to come to the U.S for two years, in an attempt to reduce irregular migration at the southwest border. People could use the program to come to the U.S. as long as they had a financial sponsor here, could arrange for their airfare, and passed health and background checks. About 30,000 people a month were coming to the U.S. under the program since it began in January 2023. But the Trump administration said the program does not align with the presidents foreign policy and did not have much impact on curbing the flow of migrants at the U.S.-Mexico border. Rather, officials argue, the program added to the immigration backlogs because 75,000 of the people who came on the parole program have applied for asylum. The program also created pressures at airports Florida received 80% of the arriving migrants, the administration said. These programs do not serve a significant public benefit, are not necessary to reduce levels of illegal immigration, did not sufficiently mitigate the domestic effects of illegal immigration, are not serving their intended purposes, and are inconsistent with the Administrations foreign policy goals, the Federal Register notice says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The need to break the vicious cycle of unlawful immigration supports this [Homeland Security] action to terminate the CHNV parole programs in favor of new presidential directives that address the demand for enhanced border security, the notice added. The end of the parole program is part of Trumps crackdown on legal immigration paths that allow people to temporarily come to the U.S. Republicans also criticized the parole program as an overreach and abuse of executive presidential power. But past Democratic and Republican presidents have used their parole authorities to allow people from countries in turmoil to come to the United States, including Soviet and Vietnamese citizens. Homeland Security, which could appeal the Boston judges final ruling, intends to prioritize for deportation those who have not properly filed a request for an immigration benefit to remain lawfully in the U.S. This includes applying for adjustment of status, asylum or Temporary Protected Status. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) A federal judge has rejected President Donald Trump 's effort to dismiss a defamation lawsuit against him filed by the men formerly known as the Central Park Five who were exonerated after spending more than a decade in prison for the 1989 rape and beating of a woman who was jogging. U.S. District Judge Wendy Beetlestone in Philadelphia denied Trump's motion to dismiss in a brief Thursday night order. The five men sued Trump in the midst of last fall's presidential election campaign, accusing him of making false and defamatory statements about them during the Sept. 10 debate in Philadelphia with then-Vice President Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump misstated key facts of the case when Harris brought up the matter, saying 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 we're not guilty,' Trump said. The men Yusef Salaam, Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise never pleaded guilty; they were convicted after jury trials. Also, no victim died. In a statement, their lawyer, Shanin Specter, said they are "gratified by the Courts ruling and thorough analysis and look forward to discovery, trial and the ultimate vindication of these five fine men. The men had asked for compensatory and punitive damages, saying Trump had knowingly defamed them, purposefully made false statements about them and sought to inflict severe emotional distress on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Beetlestones order dismissed the claim for intentional infliction of emotional distress. Trump's lawyer, Karin Sweigart, in a statement called the lawsuit an unfounded and meritless attack on Trump. The judge's dismissal of certain claims is a victory," Sweigart said, and vowed to "continue fighting to protect the First Amendment rights of not just the President, but all Americans. In the request to dismiss the case, Sweigart had said the president's statements were protected under Pennsylvania laws that grant civil immunity over statements made on a matter of public concern. Sweigart's request to dismiss also said Trump's statements were substantially true, that he didn't dispute the men were ultimately exonerated and that he had only intended to portray his thinking in 1989 when, following the men having confessed, Trump purchased a full-page ad in The New York Times calling for the reinstatement of the death penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, many in New York saw Trumps ad as calling for the teens to be executed. The five men had been teenagers when they were accused of the rape and beating of a white woman jogging in New York Citys Central Park. The five, who are Black and Latino, said they confessed to the crimes under duress. They later recanted, pleading not guilty in court, and were later convicted after jury trials. Their convictions were vacated in 2002 after another person confessed to the crime. When the lawsuit was filed, Specter said Trump defamed them in front of 67 million people, which has caused them to seek to clear their names all over again." A Trump campaign spokesperson attacked it at the time as a "frivolous election interference lawsuit. ___ Follow Marc Levy on X at: https://x.com/timelywriter A federal judge on Friday rejected White House arguments to delay his order to end its ban on access to the Associated Press due to their editorial choices. In an order today, U.S. District Judge Trevor McFadden wrote that in asking for a stay until after a decision is rendered on appeal, the government has not shown it is likely to succeed on the merits. More from Deadline Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, McFadden, a Trump appointee, ruled in favor of the AP on First Amendment grounds, ruling that under the First Amendment, if the Government opens its doors to some journalists be it to the Oval Office, the East Room, or elsewhere it cannot then shut those doors to other journalists because of their viewpoints. The Constitution requires no less. In February, Trump and his aides banned the APs White House hard pass holders from pool coverage of Oval Office events, as well as other presidential appearances, including those in the East Room and at Mar-a-Lago. The AP also was restricted from travel on Air Force One. The reason given was that the AP, in its style guidance, refused to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America following the presidents executive order. The AP sued, arguing that the White Houses restrictions on its access amount to viewpoint discrimination under the First Amendment. The judge agreed, and granted the news organization a preliminary injunction. But he gave the White House until April 13 for the order to go into effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McFaddens order is that the White House must immediately rescind the denial of the APs access to the Oval Office, Air Force One, and other limited spaces based on the APs viewpoint when such spaces are made open to other members of the White House press pool. He also ordered the White House to rescind the denial of access to events opened to all credentialed journalists. Justice Department lawyers then asked for a further delay until there was an outcome in the appeal. The DOJs lawyer, Brian Hudak, wrote that the judges decision was an unprecedented intrusion into executive authority. It would be unreasonable for the president to lose the right to control who is in his private spaces (including his private home, the Mar-A-Lago Club) simply because he becomes president, he wrote in the motion for a stay. McFadden, though, wrote that the government was trying an intimate spaces exception to the First Amendment that was untethered from precedent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first so-called intimate space the Government addresses is the Oval Office, McFadden wrote. It is the Presidents formal office, to which Defendants regularly invite a rotating group of 21 journalists for pool sprays and historic meetings with world leaders. He noted that the president has other workspaces where he does not routinely invite a gaggle of reporters, including the Oval Office study and the Treaty Room on the second floor of the residence. The judge also noted that on Air Force One, the president travels in first class territory in the nose of this Boeing 747, while the press pool is confined to the rear of the planeThe Governments claim that this jumbo jet configuration is an intimate space is simply not credible. As for Mar-a-Lago, the judge wrote that while the resort includes Trumps private quarters, it also includes large public rooms open for rental. Trump held an event there with many journalists and local officers in the audience. Whether forum analysis applies to private property in this Government-use context is a close question that the Court need not resolve now especially considering the parties did not brief on it, McFadden wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, Whether or not forum analysis applies here, the Government has given no reason to believe that the First Amendments retaliation doctrine stops at the threshold of private buildings used for Government functions. And the burden, at this juncture, is the Governments. Best of Deadline Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. KHARTOUM, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Thursday called on Sudan's conflicting parties to protect civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to avoid worsening the humanitarian situation in the country. In a report released on Thursday, the ICRC said the protection of civilians and unhindered humanitarian access are legal obligations and the only way to avert the worsening of the humanitarian situation, noting that the Jeddah Declaration signed by conflicting parties in 2023 demanded they respect international humanitarian law. The ICRC warned that a glaring lack of respect for the principles of international humanitarian law has contributed to the crisis, and a drastic reduction in humanitarian funding risks exacerbating it even further. It noted that an estimated 70-80 percent of health facilities in conflict-affected areas are no longer functioning, leaving two out of three civilians without access to medical care. It means mothers giving birth without skilled assistance, children missing vital vaccinations, and people with life-threatening conditions left without treatment, it said. The committee further warned that the remaining 20 percent of hospitals and clinics face severe shortages of medicines, equipment, and trained personnel. "The international community cannot turn away from Sudan. Millions of lives and the stability of an entire region are at stake," said Daniel O'Malley, head of the ICRC delegation in Sudan, calling to step up "concerted diplomatic and humanitarian efforts." The report outlined what it described as "concerning trends" since the war broke out, such as obstruction of emergency healthcare and patterns of attacks on hospitals and other essential civilian infrastructure involving looting, vandalism, physical violence against medical staff and patients, and the denial of healthcare services to civilians. According to the report, as of December 2024, the ICRC had received close to 7,700 requests to help locate a missing person, pointing out that the figure represents a small fraction of missing people but is already 66 percent higher than its caseload at the end of 2023. Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Forces since mid-April 2023, which has claimed at least 29,683 lives, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a crisis monitoring group cited by the United Nations. The conflict has displaced over 15 million people, both inside and outside Sudan, according to estimates from the International Organization for Migration. KHARTOUM, April 10 (Xinhua) -- More than 16 people were killed and 25 others injured in an artillery shelling on Thursday by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on a displacement camp in western Sudan, the non-governmental organization the Sudanese Doctors Network said in a statement. It said the RSF launched "a deliberate artillery strike" on Abu Shouk displacement camp in El Fasher, the capital city of North Darfur State. Meanwhile, the volunteer group Emergency Room said the deaths were more than 15, while the injuries were 25. The RSF has yet to comment on the incident. Also on Thursday, the RSF said in a statement that it has "established full control over the strategic locality of Um Kadada" in North Darfur State, killed "hundreds of" fighters from the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and captured "fully equipped combat vehicles, as well as various weapons and ammunition" belonging to the SAF. So far, the SAF has not commented on the RSF's claim of capturing Um Kadada, located some 178 km southeast of El Fasher. Sudan has been embroiled in a devastating conflict between the SAF and the RSF since mid-April 2023, which has claimed at least 29,683 lives, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, a crisis monitoring group cited by the United Nations. The conflict has displaced over 15 million people, both inside and outside Sudan, according to estimates from the International Organization for Migration. The U.S. government is offering for sale 10 of the KC-10 Extender tanker and cargo aircraft, which the Air Force retired the last operational example of in September of 2024. Notably, the aircraft are all being offered without their refueling booms fitted. However, reinstalling these might well be feasible, and even without, there is the option of using a hose-and-drogue system, so the aircraft could be of real interest to one or more of the private aerial refueling companies now operating military-surplus tankers. On the other hand, they could be of interest as spare parts sources for private KC-10s already in operation or to supplement a future acquisition of more of the USAFs mothballed KC-10 fleet. The 10 KC-10As are now listed on the GSA Auctions website. The specific tail numbers are 86-0036, 87-0120, 83-0077, 87-0122, 79-1713, 79-1949, 86-0034, 83-0081, 87-0124, and 79-0434. A portion of the listing on the GSA Auctions website. GSA Auctions screencap These aircraft are currently all at the boneyard, in the charge of the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona. As you can read about here, the last Air Force KC-10 was flown to the boneyard on Sept. 26, 2024, after a farewell flight over its base and other locations notable in the types history. A KC-10 from the 305th Air Mobility Wing at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey, after landing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, July 13, 2020, to begin the storage process at the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group (AMARG) on base. U.S. Air Force In a statement, an Air Force spokesperson told TWZ that all 10 aircraft are currently in a non-flyable status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight are missing one engine due to a GSA sale in 2021, the spokesperson added. We put eight engines up for sale and the winning bidder funded the removal of each of the engines. All of the eight engines that were removed were taken from a wing nacelle, rather than the central/rear fuselage nacelle, although the spokesperson couldnt clarify if all engines were removed from the same side. Its also puzzling why the engines were removed in this way, rather than stripping all the powerplants off the required aircraft. The KC-10s are being offered without boom since these aircraft were some of the first to be retired, with their booms being removed for use as spares to support the fleet that remained active at the time. As you can read about here, the KC-10 inventory was fairly rapidly reduced over the last couple of years of the types military career. In order to make them flyable, the winning bidder will need to work with Boeing to obtain a fly-away kit to seal up the area where the boom systems was, the Air Force spokesperson added. A customer might choose to reinstall the boom, if thats possible, which we will address later. A KC-10 from Travis AFB refuels a B-52 from Edwards AFB in the skies over Southern California on May 16, 2024. Aerial Refueling is vital to long duration missions, even for the high-endurance B-52. (Air Force photo by Todd Schannuth) Todd Schannuth After all, the Air Force acquired the KC-10, which was based on the DC-10-30CF commercial trijet airframe, as a heavy tanker to supplement the KC-135 Stratotanker family. With the three main DC-10 wing fuel tanks supplemented by three large fuel tanks under the cargo floor, the Extender accommodated almost twice as much aviation fuel as the KC-135 more than 356,000 pounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fuel was primarily offloaded via the boom, but the KC-10 had an integrated hose-and-drogue system, allowing it to refuel U.S. Navy and Marine Corps aircraft, as well as probe-equipped receivers flown by other operators, without any further modifications. We have asked the Air Force if the integrated hose-and-drogue is also still fitted in the aircraft being offered. A KC-10 demonstrates its integrated hose-and-drogue system. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Luke Kitterman Senior Airman Luke Kitterman Twenty KC-10s additionally received wing-mounted pods, allowing multiple probe-equipped receivers to top up simultaneously. Its not clear if the aircraft listed for sale also have the refueling pods fitted. While using the KC-10s with underwing refueling pods and centerline basket would likely be possible for any potential customer, its not clear how practical it would be to reinstall the refueling booms. A KC-10 Extender assigned to the 908th Expeditionary Air Refueling Squadron flies over an undisclosed location in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, Nov. 10, 2022. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Gerald R. Willis Staff Sgt. Gerald Willis Regardless, as noted earlier, theres already a precedent for DC-10-derived tankers working with private aerial refueling companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar to the KC-10 were the two KDC-10 aircraft that were acquired by the Royal Netherlands Air Force and which are now operated by Omega Air, a pioneer in the commercial aerial refueling segment. The Virginia-based company is one of only two private operators that have tankers equipped with booms. Omega also has a single KDC-10 that was converted from a Douglas DC-10-40 for probe-and-drogue refueling. An Omega KDC10 tanker refuels a U.S. Air Force F16 from the 51st Fighter Wing, en route to Paya Lebar Air Base, Singapore, on Nov. 6, 2023. U.S. Air Force While Omega might be interested in boosting its DC-10-based tanker fleet, its far from the only player in this market segment. The other company with boom-equipped tankers, Metrea, already operated four KC-135Rs it previously acquired from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, after which it hugely expanded its fleet with the purchase of 14 KC-135 tankers previously flown by the French Air and Space Force. Already on contract with the U.S. Navy, the company has been eyeing major new opportunities with the U.S. military and foreign armed forces. Last month, Metrea announced it had received a contract to provide the Indian Air Force with aerial refueling training, which will involve some of its tankers being based out of Indian Air Force Station Agra in central India. One of Metreas KC-135R tankers. Metrea Metrea Metrea could seek to expand their fleet with the KC-10, like Omega has done, by augmenting their KC-707s with KDC-10s. The surplus KC-10 might still attract interest from other companies seeking to take a share of this growth market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other hand, these are well-used aircraft since they were among the earlier examples to be retired, they are probably also more worn-out than more recent additions to the boneyard. Fresher examples of the KC-10 may still come up for auction or become available via the Department of Defense. The KC-10 first entered U.S. Air Force service back in 1981. The service acquired a total of 60 examples, although one was later lost in an explosion and subsequent fire while undergoing maintenance at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana in 1987. The Extender fleet was starting to show its age by 2018 when smoke on the flight deck of one of the aircraft forced the crew to evacuate. A separate fault quickly revealed itself in the same incident, when the crews escape slides failed to activate. A KC-10 assigned to the 305th Air Mobility Wing, McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, refuels an F-22 Raptor assigned to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, during the Razor Talon exercise on Feb. 7, 2013. U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin Staff Sgt. Andy M. Kin While these kinds of issues are far from uncommon in older aircraft designs, the fact that so many commercially operated DC-10s and MD-11s have now left service means any customer for ex-Air Force KC-10s will find them harder to support. As of early this year, only eight DC-10/MD-11 variants were in service around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the Air Force, meanwhile, there remains a notable gap in aerial refueling capability since the retirement of the KC-10, a problem that is now compounded by the growing understanding that planning for future contingencies, especially in the Indo-Pacific theater, highlights a need for more fuel on tankers, to enable aircraft to operate over huge geographical distances. When the last of the Air Force KC-10s were sent to the boneyard, TWZ pointed out that at least some of these aircraft could potentially still provide useful service in a contractor-operated form. Based on what we know about the 10 aircraft now being offered, flying them as boom-equipped tankers might not be at all straightforward, and all but two of them will need a new engine fitted. Still, the capability the KC-10 provides remains largely unrivaled. At the very least, they could provide valuable spares for existing or future DC-10-based tanker operators. Any interested parties can start putting bids in for the aircraft on April 15. Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com A former KCUR employee says in a new lawsuit that Mayor Quinton Lucas and a high-level aide attempted to have him fired after he participated in a protest at City Hall. The suit, filed by Hartzell Gray on Wednesday in Jackson County Circuit Court, is a First Amendment retaliation claim that names the City Of Kansas City and Lucas former chief of staff, Morgan Said, as defendants. The city, Gray claims, attempted to force KCUR to terminate (him), worked to destroy his reputation, and caused various other harms that further serve to chill his First Amendment activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gray was a KCUR radio host in 2022. He was also publicly involved in the renters-rights group KC Tenants, speaking regularly at its rallies and protests. In August of that year, Gray attended a city council meeting alongside about 50 other members of KC Tenants. The group was there to protest an ordinance, supported by Lucas, that relaxed affordable housing requirements for developers. Though the measure passed, KC Tenants disrupted the meeting with chants, and one of its leaders was arrested and escorted out of council chambers. The council prematurely adjourned the meeting. That night, according to Grays lawsuit, Said contacted KCUR news director Lisa Rodriguez and told her something to the effect of: The Mayors Office believes that KCUR does good work and is very fair with its reporting, but (Grays) personal and political activities could reflect poorly on the station and damage how people see KCUR. At many news organizations, including The Star, ethics policies prohibit journalists from participating in political protests to avoid the appearance of bias. NPR revised its policy in 2021 to state that journalists can sometimes participate in protests. KCUR, which is a member station of NPR, doesnt address the issue in its Ethics and Practices policy posted online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gray says that after Saids call to Rodriguez, a KCUR supervisor pulled him off his weekend shift, causing him to lose pay and fear for further retaliation. His suit also alleges that Said followed up with Rodriguez a week later to see what steps had been taken to fix the issue. KCUR, Gray says, acted in a manner so as to not potentially upset the mayor, fearing the consequences of losing any remaining access to City Hall, the suit says. But Gray also included in his lawsuit a text from Rodriguez where she appears to take issue with Saids behavior. Wanted to let you know that I think the call I got from the mayors office was not cool, and I plan to follow up with Morgan about not issuing vague threats when our coverage is more than fair, Rodriguez told Gray, according to the suit. Still, Id love to chat about how you can support the causes youre passionate about in a way that doesnt make the newsrooms work more difficult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gray parted ways with KCUR roughly a year later, in the fall of 2023. It is not clear if he was fired or quit. He posted on X in 2024 that he had been fired for (his) advocacy, though that might have been a reference to his work as an emcee at Sporting KC games, a role he also no longer holds. KCUR, which is not named as a defendant, declined to comment for this story, saying only that it was aware of the lawsuit but that its policy is to not comment on pending litigation. (Gray) feels that if not for actions taken by the city, he would perhaps be in a different situation at KCUR, Grays attorney, Madison McBratney, told The Star in an interview Thursday. Quid pro quo? The lawsuit also alleges that Said attempted to appease Gray by offering him what amounted to a quid pro quo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gray says he brought up the conversations between KCUR and Said to Lucas after running into him a few months after the incident, and that Lucas said something to the effect of, Ya, you know, I heard about that, and changed the subject. In March 2023, Gray says he saw Said and raised the issue with her. They scheduled a coffee meeting. At that meeting, Gray says, Said was both apologizing and justifying her actions regarding calling for (Grays) job. She then said, according to Gray: What do you want? Gray says in the complaint that he took this to mean, What can the mayor give you for your silence? Said offered Gray seats on two city boards, Gray says: the Commission on Reparations and the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City. Gray left the meeting but, concerned by what was taking place, did not follow up. The lawsuit suggests that Lucas must have been aware of the offer because he is the only person who can appoint individuals to city boards and commissions. Morgan Said was Mayor Quinton Lucas chief of staff until she left the position in 2024. Lucas critiqued the basis of the lawsuit in a statement provided to The Star. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, Lucas said. 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. Said who formally stepped down last year referred The Star to the mayors comments. Responding to Lucas comments, Grays attorney, McBratney, told The Star, I find it interesting that he is trying to make this about the actions of KCUR but is not denying any of the allegations about the actions of the mayors office. McBratney added that Grays experience was especially troubling in light of other recent events coming out of City Hall. Those include a whistleblower suit filed by a former city employee who alleged that city manager Brian Platt suggested the citys communications staff lie to local media about the citys activities and accomplishments; a jury ordered the city to pay the employee $930,000, and Platt was fired last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And earlier this week, leadership at The Star and several other local media outlets, including KCUR, issued an open letter urging Lucas and the city to restore transparency that has eroded under Lucas and Platts tenure. It is starting to seem like we have a situation where not only are press outlets not able to get information from City Hall, they are essentially threatened with punishment if they dont follow a directive from the government, McBratney said. The Stars Mike Hendricks contributed to this report. SYDNEY, April 11 (Xinhua) -- China Eastern Air Logistics, a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, unveiled its new "South Australia Premium Selection" product portfolio at a launch event on Friday in Adelaide. The initiative, co-hosted with the South Australia state government, aimed to boost the export of premium South Australian products to China and beyond. The event in Adelaide, South Australia, marked the signing of a procurement Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between China Eastern Airlines Cold Chain and Ferguson Australia, focusing on expanding exports of premium rock lobster, salmon, and cherries, along with the promotion of Australian specialties such as wines, beef, and dairy products. Wang Zhiqing, chairman of China Eastern Airlines, told the launch ceremony that the company will further deepen cooperation with relevant entities in Australia, turning the China-Australia route into "a thoroughfare for promoting prosperity and growth." At the event, Australian officials, including Australian Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and South Australia's Minister for Trade and Investment Joe Szakacs, highlighted the growing demand for fresh, premium Australian products among Chinese consumers. China Eastern Air Logistics has been a key importer of Australian goods since 2013, delivering products such as wine, honey, chilled steaks, and mineral water to the Chinese market. Looking ahead, the partnership would also support broader regional trade, with products routed through Shanghai to reach markets in Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and the Middle East, the MoU said. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) A Louisville couple has been charged after a 3-year-old was brought to a hospital with severe burns Sunday. According to a Louisville Metro Police Department arrest citation, detectives were called about a child with severe burns to both hands and forearms. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers reported that 25-year-old Jacob Sneed was later charged for allegedly submerging the childs hands in extremely hot water. Breanna Lair, 24, reportedly told detectives she left the child alone with Sneed for about an hour despite previously being ordered not to by Child Protective Services, due to an ongoing investigation. Lair allegedly waited three hours before seeking medical attention for the child after discovering the burns and reportedly provided false information to medical staff about the childs wounds and how he got them. LATEST KENTUCKY LISTS AND RANKINGS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the arrest citation for Sneed, the child told authorities, Jacob did this to my hands, during a forensic interview. Lair was charged with first-degree criminal abuse (child 12 or under), and Sneed was charged with first-degree assault and first-degree criminal abuse (child 12 or under). Lair and Sneed were lodged in the Louisville Department of Corrections. Court records show a no-contact order was entered for both Lair and Sneed, and the two are scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on 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 FOX 56 News. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) has launched his own podcast, joining California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in recently starting a podcast. Each week, host Andy Beshear engages in honest conversations with guests from diverse backgrounds leaders, educators, innovators, creators, and everyday people with extraordinary stories, reads a description of The Andy Beshear Podcast on its website. This podcast delves into topics that connect us all: family, faith, current events, pop culture, hope, and shared challenges. In a world often marked by division, The Andy Beshear Podcast is a refreshing space a place to listen, learn, grow, and find common ground, the description continues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first episode of Beshears podcast, Pilot, came out on Tuesday. In the episode, Beshear talks to prominent political donor John Morgan and Beshears son Will. Beshears launch of his podcast comes shortly after Newsom launched his. Both governors have been talked about as possible contenders for the 2028 presidential election, and the Kentucky governors name was previously mentioned among the possible candidates to serve as a running mate for former Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 campaign season. Newsoms podcast, This is Gavin Newsom, has featured notable supporters of President Trump, such as Charlie Kirk and Steve Bannon, drawing some backlash from those on the left. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), Harriss eventual vice presidential pick, also featured on a recent episode of Newsoms podcast. Thank you to everyone who tuned in for the first episode of the @andybeshearpod This is a space to come together and do some good. Im glad youre here and excited for whats next, Beshear said in a Tuesday post on the social platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Previously, Dennis Ghianuly would have been cited and released after stealing a bag of dog food and being found with fentanyl in his pocket. At most he would have faced a year in jail. But his arrest took place in January, after the passage of Proposition 36, which enhanced penalties for some shoplifting and drug offenses. And Ghianuly is a repeat offender. Now he faces more than seven years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ghianuly, 33, this week became the first person in Kern County convicted by jury trial on new felony charges possession of a hard drug with two or more priors and petty theft with two or more priors resulting from the passage of Prop 36, prosecutors said. Hes scheduled to be sentenced June 27. Californians made clear by overwhelming margins that the lack of accountability for drug crimes and theft offenses has been fueling a homelessness, addiction and retail theft crisis, District Attorney Cynthia Zimmer said in a release. The passage of Proposition 36 is intended to bring balance back to the criminal justice system by providing systems of treatment and appropriate accountability for repeat offenders. On Jan. 8, police contacted Ghianuly in the parking lot of the PetSmart on Oswell Street after a manager reported he stole a 44-pound bag of dog food. Surveillance footage captured the theft. A search of Ghianuly turned up a few knives and lighters and more than 3 grams of fentanyl, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ghianuly repeatedly asked if he could be given a citation and released with a promise to appear in court. Thats what would have happened before the change in the law. Instead, he was arrested and booked into jail after police learned he had multiple prior convictions for drug- and theft-related crimes. He faked a drug overdose while being taken to jail, saying hed swallowed a bag containing methamphetamine but an evaluation at a hospital determined that was a lie, prosecutors 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 KGET 17 News. The vast Trump litigation, sure to define the Supreme Court over the next four years, has already exposed Justice Ketanji Brown Jacksons resistance. She speaks up, wields her pen as a dagger, and doesnt care if she goes it alone. In a case this week, she condemned the Trump administrations efforts to whisk people away to a notoriously brutal, foreign-run prison, adding, For lovers of liberty, this should be quite concerning. A few days earlier, she derided the Department of Educations robotic rollout of a policy cancelling teacher grants and its highly questionable behavior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As she has skewered the Trump team, she has criticized the conservative Supreme Court majority that sides with it, referring this week to her colleagues fly-by-night approach. Since her 2022 appointment by President Joe Biden, Jackson has intentionally laid down markers and asserted her independence. Of the three justices on the left wing, she is the most loquacious during oral arguments and the least likely to try to steer the give-and-take toward some middle-ground consensus. Rather than put her energies toward internal persuasion among colleagues, Jackson appears to be addressing audiences beyond the bench. The court can sometimes seem impenetrable to the public, a mysterious place where the reasoning of opinions is opaque and justices indistinguishable. Many justices deliberately keep their cards close. Jackson, however, is going out of her way to define herself. When the court majority on Monday night let the administration use the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan nationals to El Salvador, Jackson took the extra step of writing her own dissent after signing one penned by senior liberal Justice Sonia Sotomayor and dramatically invoked one of the courts most infamous episodes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least when the Court went off base in the past, it left a record so posterity could see how it went wrong, Jackson wrote, pointing to the notorious 1944 case of Korematsu v. United States, when the justices upheld the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. With more and more of our most significant rulings taking place in the shadows of our emergency docket, Jackson added, referring to the docket for requests that seek quick action on minimal filings, todays Court leaves less and less of a trace. But make no mistake: We are just as wrong now as we have been in the past, with similarly devastating consequences. It just seems we are now less willing to face it. Patterns surrounding opinion-writing can reveal the internal dynamics among justices. After a vote on the case, the senior-most justice on each side decides who should write for the majority and, alternatively, who for the dissent. Individuals are free to write separately, but the convention particularly for the majority is unity and clarity, rather than splintered views. For dissenters, a recurring question is how much they band together or strike out individually. When Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was the senior liberal justice, for 10 years until her death in 2020, she urged the then-four liberals to sign a single dissenting statement. She believed that would send a more forceful message to counter the minority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her mantra, as some colleagues saw it: I write. You sign. When a justice feels compelled to break away, it tests whether another justice will offer solidarity. Neither Sotomayor nor the two other dissenting justices in the dispute over the wartime law, Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett, signed on to Jacksons statement. The liberals, alone The current Supreme Court often divides along 6-3 conservative-liberal lines. Chief Justice John Roberts or Barrett sometimes casts a vote with the liberals, as has happened in various Trump cases. But for the most part, the three justices on the left have only themselves. Jackson, the first Black woman justice on the court, regularly signs on to the writings of the more senior justices Sotomayor and Kagan. But she is also keen to speak alone and often. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That happened last year when the six-justice conservative majority gave Trump substantial immunity from criminal prosecution for official acts. Sotomayor wrote an impassioned 30-page dissenting opinion, declaring as she closed, Moving forward all former Presidents will be cloaked in such immunity. If the occupant of that office misuses official power for personal gain, the criminal law that the rest of us must abide will not provide a backstop. With fear for our democracy, I dissent. Kagan and Jackson joined that statement. Kagan saw no need to write anything more. But Jackson penned 22 additional pages. I write separately to explain, as succinctly as I can, the theoretical nuts and bolts of what, exactly, the majority has done today to alter the paradigm of accountability for Presidents of the United States. I also address what that paradigm shift means for our Nation moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new Trump cases have produced more barbed rhetoric. Last week, Jackson dissented as the majority reversed a lower court order blocking the Trump administration from cancelling teacher training grants, including those that fostered diversity. (I)t appears that the primary effect of todays (action) is to hand the Government an early win a notch in its belt at the start of a legal battle in which the long-term prospects for its eventual success seem doubtful, Jackson said. Three other justices dissented, but only Sotomayor chose to sign on with Jackson. Kagan wrote a shorter dissenting opinion focused on the expedited process that the conservative majority has undertaken to rule on Trumps initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roberts, who also disagreed with the majoritys order in the Department of Education case, joined none of the others, offering only one sentence that noted he would have denied the administrations appeal. Of the three liberals, Kagan is most tactical and willing to work toward common ground with conservatives, including on the Trump litigation. She picks her shots and rarely writes separate opinions. She has separated herself from Jackson and Sotomayor in some Trump cases. Earlier this week, for example, when the court majority let the administration eliminate 16,000 probationary workers from the federal payroll, only Sotomayor and Jackson publicly dissented. And Kagan, who can take her own fierce shots, has been cooling her rhetoric. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the controversy over the administrations cancelation of education grants, she tamely described the conservative majoritys reasoning as at the least under-developed, and very possibly wrong. She also acknowledged good-faith disagreements about when the court should move quickly on cases submitted to its emergency docket, foregoing a comprehensive briefing and time for a considered decision. Jackson, on the other hand, called the courts acceptance of the Trump plea for intervention truly bizarre. I worry that permitting the emergency docket to be hijacked in this way she added, damages our institutional credibility. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Four House members from competitive districts two Republicans and two Democrats offered a preview of congressional budget battles and the midterm election season to come in a Thursday night CNN town hall. Republicans Mike Lawler of New York and Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania and Democrats Jahana Hayes of Connecticut and Derek Tran of California fielded questions from voters during the event moderated by CNNs Kaitlan Collins and Jake Tapper. For 90 minutes, they debated President Donald Trumps universal tariffs, immigration crackdown, spending cuts, the future of the Department of Education and more. The lawmakers were not fully in lockstep with their parties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mackenzie said the budget-slashing, Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency has at times moved too fast, too quickly. Lawler said he agreed with the Supreme Court that Trumps administration should facilitate the return of a mistakenly deported Maryland man, adding: He should be returned and obviously they should follow the law there. They also werent, however, sprinting toward the middle ahead of next years midterm elections. Asked about due process concerns for migrants being deported by Trumps administration, Hayes, who was one of 46 House Democrats to vote for the Laken Riley Act, a GOP-led bill to require detention of undocumented migrants charged with certain crimes, said she regrets her vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Ive thought about it over the last couple months, I probably would have voted differently. Its a vote that I regret, she said. The four House members all represent competitive districts. Lawler notched the biggest upset of 2022 when he ousted Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney an embarrassing loss for Democrats because of Maloneys role as chairman of the partys House campaign arm. Lawler won reelection last year at the same time Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris won his district. Mackenzie is a freshman Republican who beat Rep. Susan Wild in Pennsylvanias Lehigh Valley on an immigration-heavy platform. Trump won his district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tran, a freshman Democrat, defeated Rep. Michelle Steel in a perennial battleground Orange County district last year. Hayes, who represents northwestern Connecticut, first won her seat in 2018. Harris won both of their districts, though Hayes fended off a tough GOP challenge in the last two cycles. Here are four takeaways from the CNN town hall: Democrats tread lightly on tariffs While most Democrats have blasted Trumps tariff policies, Tran and Hayes were among a small group of Democrats who have offered more nuanced critiques of the presidents approach. The pair said that tariffs can be a good tool, but not the way they have been deployed by the current administration. I believe that tariffs can be a good thing that we can use to balance trade, but when were seeing tariff use haphazardly, recklessly and causing our market to free fall, thats an issue for me, Tran said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hayes also stopped short of condemning tariffs broadly, and agreed with Tran that tariffs could be a good thing. If this was a tariff specifically at one industry, in order to boost jobs and increase sales in this country, that would be one thing, Hayes said. But weve seen tariffs across the board that have been unpredictable and chaotic. The Connecticut lawmaker also said she supports efforts in Congress to force a vote to curb Trumps tariff authority, and criticized Republicans who she said were unwilling to seek clarity from the president on his strategy. The trade discussion started with a question to Mackenzie from a car dealer in his district. The Pennsylvania lawmaker defended the presidents plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are facing significant trade barriers all around the world, and so when our automakers try to go out and send their cars overseas, theyre facing barriers that are not being faced when foreign companies are shipping their cars into our community, Mackenzie said. Lawler also echoed Mackenzies defense of the tariffs and leveling the playing field on trade. Tempers flare over Musk and DOGE Democrats have already made clear that they will seek to tie vulnerable House Republicans to Musk, the Tesla billionaire and DOGE head. Republicans loss in the Wisconsin state Supreme Court race this month, despite Musk spending millions to boost the conservative candidate, only solidified that plan. Republicans, meanwhile, have argued that while DOGE has made mistakes, Democrats are not serious about cutting waste and fraud in the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those two lines of attack were on display at the town hall during a heated back-and-forth between Lawler and Hayes. As Hayes criticized DOGE, Lawler interrupted her multiple times to ask if she agreed with efforts to cut any of the alleged waste DOGE claims to have identified. Mr. Lawler, can you please let me finish my conversation? Hayes said. Youve been talking for three minutes, he said. And Im going to finish, she said, before saying that she supported efforts to uncover unemployment fraud. Moments later, as Lawler said that career employees of each department are working with DOGE to identify waste, Hayes repeated interjected Who are they? and asked if Lawler had a list of DOGE employees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know you think this is like some big stunt, Lawler said. The exchange highlighted the difficult position in which House Republicans will find themselves next year. Both Lawler and Mackenzie pointed out actions DOGE had taken that they opposed. Lawler said he and other New York members sought to reverse cuts to staff at the World Trade Center Health Fund. Mackenzie said hed raised concerns about plans about changing service options at the Social Security Administration. There are many instances, and Ive already spoken out publicly about this, when they move too fast and too quick on certain things, Mackenzie said. You have to be very careful in government when youre making reforms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tran, a veteran, said that his first bill introduced in Congress would force the administration to rehire veterans that were fired without cause by DOGE. Hayes said that Congress should do more to ease peoples level of discomfort around DOGE. What were talking about is burning down the house instead of taking out the garbage, she said of DOGE. Education Department divide Trump campaigned on a pledge to abolish the Department of Education and hand its work and funding off to states and other agencies. That proposal sparked a debate Thursday night that revealed the stark differences between the parties. Mackenzie said Republicans are just talking about who is administering certain programs. No funding is going away. He characterized Democrats as defending a status quo that is failing some students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want more choice. We want more options. We want change, he said. But Hayes argued that the Department of Education protects the civil rights of students including those with special needs in ways states might not be able to replicate. The kids who will be the most hurt are the kids in poor and low-income communities, kids in tribal communities, she said. The Democratic congresswoman said the Trump administration has not laid out a detailed plan explaining how the education department could be eliminated and its work handled by other agencies. Asked whether such a plan exists, Lawler said: Until theres actually a plan to discuss, its not happening. He said he agrees that the education department plays an important role in protecting students civil rights, aiding those with special needs, administering Pell Grants and more. But like Mackenzie, he argued the GOP is seeking to improve results and performance. We need to have a system that is actually focused on delivering results and focused on educating our children, he said. Fight to come on spending cuts previewed The budget fight including over possible cuts to Medicaid that consumed the House floor this week spilled onto the CNN stage. Both Hayes and Tran accused Capitol Hill Republicans of targeting programs like Medicaid and nutritional assistance with their $1.5 trillion in spending cuts. Hayes argued there is simply no way for the committee that oversees most federal health spending to cut $880 billion without touching Medicaid. Theres no other way to make these cuts, Hayes said. Lawler and Mackenzie are both suburban Northeastern Republicans who personally secured promises from House Speaker Mike Johnson on the floor earlier in the day before they agreed to advance the budget blueprint. And they both said it makes no specific mention of Medicaid yet. There is not one identifiable cut in the budget resolution, Lawler said. Ive been very clear. I will not support cuts to eligible beneficiaries on Medicaid. Instead, he said GOP leaders are considering work requirements for able-bodied adults and citizenship verification. Mackenzie stressed that if GOP leaders do not comply, he wont support the final bill: I reserve my right to vote yes or no on the final policy changes. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Almost exactly a year ago, on April 23 2024, Northern Ireland chief constable Jon Boutcher headed to Westminster to answer MPs questions about Operation Kenova, his long-running investigation into the rogue double-agent codenamed Stakeknife. What the MPs did not know as he settled in to face their questions was that Boutcher was sitting on an explosive secret reaching to the heart of the British security establishment. For 12 years between 1978 and 1990, Stakeknife had been a member of the IRA unit that killed suspected British agents and informers. The irony was that Stakeknife himself was a prized British secret agent. So prized, in fact, that in 2016, Operation Kenova was set up to investigate Stakeknifes murderous crimes and whether authorities had been complicit in keeping his cover intact by allowing other agents to be executed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boutchers investigation has concluded that Stakeknife was involved in a total of 14 executions and 15 abductions. Sir Iain Livingstone, chief constable Jon Boutcher, Chris Todd and Judith Thompson present the findings of the Operation Kenova Interim Report in March 2024 - Liam McBurney/PA Wire Getting to the truth had not been easy. As his detectives sought access to the archives of MI5, Boutcher noted, there had been some extremely fractious spells when the security service appeared to be obstructive. Examples included Kenova being prevented from submitting files on Stakeknife and MI5 officials to prosecutors because its security accreditation had expired; MI5 retrospectively reclassifying files from secret to top secret to prevent them being cross-referenced with other files on Kenovas database; a potentially relevant MI5 file inexplicably going missing; and information being passed to the Northern Ireland office and deputy national security advisor, undermining Kenova by suggesting its officers had acted improperly. Indeed, relations between Kenova and MI5 had turned so sour that Sir Kenneth McCallum, the security services director general, had been obliged to step in personally at one point to salvage matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After that, though, MI5 had appeared to be fully co-operating with Boutcher. So much so that on March 8 last year, just six weeks before heading to Parliament, Boutcher had published Operation Kenovas interim report, accepting MI5s assurance that it had not attempted to obstruct his inquiry. I do not believe anything has been intentionally withheld or that there has been a deliberate attempt to frustrate my investigation, he wrote. But barely had the ink dried on that report when Boutcher came to suspect that he might have been double-crossed. Just a month later came evidence that suggested MI5s assurances over the previous eight years had been hollow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was when, on April 8, Operation Kenova detectives embedded in Thames House, MI5s London headquarters, made urgent calls to Boutcher and Sir Iain Livingstone, whod replaced Boutcher in 2023 as head of Kenova. The two police chiefs were told that a handful of new files about Stakeknife had just been found. Over the coming months, that trickle would become a flood. The material just kept bleeding in, says a source. So, two weeks later, when Boutcher and Livingstone sat down to be quizzed by MPs on the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, they were quietly furious. After all, following Sir Kenneths intervention, Boutcher had confirmed in writing that MI5 had been responding in full to our requests. He had even gone so far as to record that police and spies had a constructive relationship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, Boutchers colleagues say he regarded Sir Kenneth, with whom he had previously collaborated on investigations into Islamic terrorism, as a personal friend. MI5 director general Sir Kenneth McCallum was at one point obliged to personally step in to resolve the fractious relationship between Operation Kenova and MI5 - Yui Mok/PA Wire But now the discovery of new files made it look to Livingstone and Boutcher as if the wool might have been pulled over their eyes, that their exoneration of MI5 might no longer hold. Despite their fury, the investigators did not reveal their suspicions to MPs. Instead they waited as 2024 unfolded, the MI5 files finally spilt their secrets, and the full picture began to emerge. It took until last December for all of the files to be unearthed several hundred pages in all. Had they been deliberately withheld? Kenova awaits a full and official explanation from MI5. Lets put it like this, says a source, the files werent found down the back of a sofa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, relations between Kenova and MI5 are severely strained. Both personally and institutionally, the Stakeknife affair represents a shattering falling-out at the heart of the British security establishment made all the worse because Boutcher and Livingstone had previously led several national security operations working harmoniously with MI5. Thats the bizarre thing, says a colleague. Jon and Iain are products of the establishment. They want institutions like MI5 to have virtue. Its painful. Stakeknife is Scappaticci The story goes back to May 2003, when the IRA commander and British agent known as Stakeknife was unmasked as a stocky Belfast builder of Italian heritage, Freddie Scappaticci, known for his fierce temper and handy fists. From 1978 to 1990, Scappaticci had been a member of the IRAs Internal Security Unit (ISU), dubbed the Nutting Squad by rank-and-file IRA members because its victims got two bullets in the head (their nut) after interrogators such as Scappaticci had extracted a confession. His blend of menace psychological and physical made him one of the ISUs most feared and effective interrogators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although Scappaticci had been recruited by a secret military intelligence group called the Force Research Unit (FRU), MI5 has the only sizeable repository of surviving files about his criminality and how he was handled. Freddie Scappaticci pictured in west Belfast in 2003 - Pacemaker Whereas previous MI5 director generals told Kenova that MI5 did not perform any leadership, controlling or authorisation role in relation to Stakeknife, it is alleged that new material was found at Thames House suggesting that to be untrue: through the FRU, MI5 was, in fact, sometimes tasking him with specific intelligence gathering requests. There is very clear evidence of tasking. MI5 claims that they found the files and immediately told the Kenova investigation, but if the allegations are true, it wouldnt be the first time that MI5s word has been found wanting: earlier this year it was found to have given false evidence to three courts while facing scrutiny over its handling of a misogynistic neo-Nazi agent who attacked his girlfriend with a machete. In the case of Stakeknife, it is the timing of the discovery of the undisclosed files that has fuelled Boutcher and Livingstones renewed scepticism about MI5s co-operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MI5s position, at least initially, is that it was unaware of the files existence because they had only surfaced during the digitisation of old files brought over from Belfast. What is certain is that the missing Stakeknife files conveniently appeared only as the Northern Ireland Legacy and Reconciliation Act was about to come into force. The law which MI5 had helped draft prevented prosecutors from referring legacy cases to police for criminal investigation. Thereafter no criminal investigation of any Troubles-related offence may be continued or begun. In other words, intelligence service operatives involved in running Stakeknife, even if they had been complicit in what Kenova investigators say was, very serious and wholly unjustifiable criminality, including murder, were thereafter in the clear. Until that point, by contrast, they had risked prosecution. MI5s story unravels Nonetheless, Kenova is still working its way through the files for its final report, now likely delayed until the summer. That report is expected to address the extent to which MI5s assurances of co-operation which Kenova accepted in good faith in its interim report have been shown to be questionable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some inconsistencies are already apparent. MI5 said they didnt know much about Stakeknife, and now this material indicates they did, says a source. Former FRU commanding officer, Colonel Gordon Kerr previously claimed everything the FRU did was done with MI5s knowledge and consent - EPA From the outset, MI5 is said to have assured Kenova that it did not have a specific file on Stakeknife. All it had, allegedly, were disparate intelligence reports. Apparently that no longer holds. MI5 also shared with Kenova an internal report reflecting that it had neither seen nor heard anything to suggest that Stakeknife had been personally involved in any serious criminality. That too is now said to be unsustainable. Kenova now regards the files as validating the insistence going back years of former FRU commanding officer, Col Gordon Kerr, that everything the FRU did was done with MI5s knowledge and consent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senior MI5 officers and directors general interviewed by Boutcher have categorically denied this. Yet as Kerr has pointed out, MI5 had access to FRU files on all its agents. In April 2024, the former MI5 director general Eliza Manningham-Buller said that MI5 wasnt aware of Stakeknife until after we had responsibility, as we did many other cases, for resettling him as an agent. Had that been true, it would have meant that MI5 had had no knowledge of him until he was given a new identity around 2004. Manningham-Buller has since amended that claim. MI5 had, in fact, told Kenova that it first became aware of Scappaticci not in 2004 but in 1983 in its role of organising resettlement to agents at risk of exposure. Scappaticci had toyed with resettlement after briefly being put on an RUC wanted list having been named by someone who had escaped the Nutting Squad. Yet even that 1980s date is questionable. It seems highly likely that MI5 was aware of Scappaticci as far back as 1978, when he was recruited by military intelligence, having previously been a police agent. Former MI5 director general Eliza Manningham-Buller has been forced to amend her claim that MI5 wasnt aware of Stakeknife until after we had responsibility - BBC Spy against police In the murky world of agent-running during the Northern Ireland conflict, there is nothing new about frayed relationships between MI5 and criminal investigations. Obfuscation and inter-service conflict has marred several of the 12 external police inquiries and reviews since 1985, when it was at least arguable that MI5 had perverted the course of justice by destroying evidence, according to the Appeal Court in 2014. Kenova and at least one other inquiry into agent-running have unearthed new and important evidence which MI5 failed to disclose to previous investigations and reviews. Inquiries into Stakeknife began in 2001 by the former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John (now Lord) Stevens but were shelved in 2006 due to a combination of cost and the difficulty in securing admissible evidence. The information it amassed was packed away into 32 boxes. Lord Stevens himself complained about MI5s failure to disclose information to his inquiry. Requests were sometimes met with the barely concealed attitude that non-disclosure even to a criminal inquiry was an MI5 prerogative. The officer leading the investigation into Stakeknife, Det Supt Phil James, told me: I once asked the MI5 lawyer with whom I was dealing: Andrew, how do I know Ive got everything from you? to which he replied Phil, you dont. As another detective put it: When theres a problem getting the information, its because theres a problem with the information. The Stevens inquiry into Stakeknife was effectively revived in 2016 as Operation Kenova after an analysis of its 32 boxes of information by the police ombudsman of Northern Ireland showed a common link between Scappaticci and a significant number of potential crimes, including IRA executions of agents. The inquiry of Lord Stevens into Stakeknife was shelved in 2006, but effectively revived in 2016 as Operation Kenova - Andrew Crowley The Looking Glass War Much of this undercover war has its roots in the 1981 recommendation by a senior MI5 officer, Sir Patrick Walker, to prioritise intelligence gathering over the criminal justice system by making the police detectives of CID (Criminal Investigation Department) subservient to the intelligence officers at Special Branch. The sheer scale of agent recruitment that followed was breathtaking. Many hundreds were engaged by the three intelligence-gathering agencies Special Branch, Military intelligence and MI5 and all three ran agents outside a clear policy and legal framework. The most chilling allegation at the heart of Kenova is that some of Scappaticcis 14 executed victims appear to have been agents deemed of lesser importance to himself, and were knowingly sacrificed to keep Scappaticcis cover intact. For their part, FRU and Special Branch handlers have insisted that if agents died it was because they couldnt be saved, not because they were sacrificed. A 2012 government review concluded that the failure by successive Conservative and Labour governments to regulate agent-running was both wilful and abject. Yet to date, lawyers in Belfast can name only four agents who have been prosecuted, while there have been no prosecutions of handlers or representatives of the three intelligence gathering agencies. As for Scappaticci, he died in 2023, having lived for most of his resettled life in a large house shielded by high hedges in Guildford, Surrey, where neighbours knew him as Frank Conway a man who walked his dog, was in poor health and who kept himself largely to himself. In his case, the judicial can was kicked far enough down the road for him to escape any prosecution, except in 2018 for possessing extreme pornography. The charges related to at least 329 images, many involving animals, that he viewed alone in his home. Porn just seems to lift me, Britains golden agent told the bench. It was a wretched end to a wretched story involving the deaths of lesser agents by abduction and torture. But though Stakeknifes story may be over, the story of the fallout between the British spies who ran him and the British police investigating his crimes, endures to this day. John Wares reporting features in Series 3 of Telegraph podcast Bed of Lies, with Cara McGoogan. Listen to the full series now. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. As he and Queen Camilla wrapped up their four-day state visit to Italy, King Charles made a quip about his mortality. On April 10the final day of their visitthe King was planting an oak tree at Villa Wolkonsky in Rome, a commemorative gesture at the British ambassadors residence, where he and Camilla stayed, per People. Charles waved his shovel after planting the tree, and remarked, according to The Daily Mail, Well, I do hope that I shall live long enough to see a little bit of growth in the tree. Getty King Charles planting a tree in Rome, Italy on April 10, 2025 King Charles planting a tree in Rome, Italy on April 10, 2025 Getty King Charles planting a tree in Rome, Italy on April 10, 2025 King Charles planting a tree in Rome, Italy on April 10, 2025 This isnt the first quip Charles has made about his health since being diagnosed with cancer in early 2024. Last year, while on a trip to Samoa in October with Camilla, the King said as they departed that it was his hope that I survive long enough to come back again and see you, per The Telegraph. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His diagnosisthe type and stage of which remains unknownwas announced on February 5 of last year; the King paused public duty until the end of April, though he continued to work behind the scenes. In December, it was announced that the Kings cancer treatment would continue into 2025, with a palace source saying that His treatment has been moving in a positive direction, and as a managed condition the treatment cycle will continue into next year. Getty King Charles on April 7, 2025 King Charles on April 7, 2025 On March 27, Charles was briefly hospitalized after negatively reacting to his cancer treatment. He was in and out of The London Clinic the same day, and a royal source called the hospital visit the most minor bump in the road thats very much heading in the right direction. After he planted the tree on Thursday, he also unveiled a plaque to commemorate his visit with Camilla. Looking at the newly planted tree, the King then remarked, per Hello!, Needs a bit of water. Getty Queen Camilla and King Charles departing Italy on April 10, 2025 Queen Camilla and King Charles departing Italy on April 10, 2025 Yesterday, as they prepared to depart Italy, Camilla told People, Were having a wonderful visit. Were very sad to be going home. Charles seconded that, adding after he was asked if he was having a good visit, Yes, thank you very much. Read the original article on InStyle Police were investigating the death of a man from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in a parking garage at Scottsdale Fashion Square. Scottsdale police officers arriving at the mall's blue parking garage about 11:30 a.m. on April 7 said they saw the man shoot himself, according to a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. The man was taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives responded to the scene as part of the death investigation, and Scottsdale police said there was no ongoing threat to the area at the time. An official cause of death was not immediately available. Heres what we know so far about the incident. Who was the person who died? Scottsdale police have not identified the man, as of April 10, or offered additional details into what led to the shooting. Did the shooting temporarily shut down the mall? A spokesperson with the mall said no stores within the mall closed due to the incident. A Scottsdale police spokesperson said there were no road closures, and the police presence at the parking garage was minimal as detectives investigated. Have people died by suicide at the mall before? Sgt. Allison Sempsis, a Scottsdale police spokesperson, said officers have responded to reported suicides both inside the mall and outside on the property, but did not have exact figures on how often they have occurred. How often do suicides occur in Arizona? According to the Arizona Department of Health Services, there have been 320 reported suicides so far in 2025 and 1,500 reported in 2024. The figure has ranged from 1,300 to 1,500 deaths over the past several years. Death by firearm made up nearly 60% of suicide deaths between 2017 and 2024. If you or anyone you know is considering suicide, self-harm or is struggling with mental health, resources are available Services in Arizona include the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dial 2-1-1 to reach 211 Arizona. Solari Crisis & Human Services offers a free, statewide crisis line 24/7/365 dial 844-534-HOPE (4673). Help is also available 24/7/365 via text by texting hope to 4HOPE (4673). Dial 988 to reach the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Help is available in English and Spanish. It's free and confidential for those in distress who need prevention or crisis resources for themselves or loved ones. La Frontera Empact Suicide Prevention Center's crisis line serves Maricopa and Pinal counties 24/7 at 480-784-1500. Teen Lifeline 24/7 crisis line serves teens at 602-248-8336 for Maricopa County and 1-800-248-8336 statewide. The Trevor Project Lifeline serves LGBTQ youth at 866-488-7386. No injuries reported: Phoenix and Scottsdale crews battle house fire in Paradise Valley This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: What we know about apparent suicide at Scottsdale mall parking garage SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Good morning, Siouxland! Here are your headlines for Friday, April 11: Iowa Republicans have introduced a new bill to overhaul the states property tax system. The proposed changes include boosting the Homestead Tax Credit from $6500 to $50,000. It would also enact cuts to the property tax rollback rate sooner than planned. Tinkering with taxes: Iowa Republicans update property tax bill, Democrats want results Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several Nebraska police agencies attended a seminar Thursday to learn how to prevent mass casualty events, such as mass shootings. The training even included speaking with a convicted serial killer over the phone. Nebraska police learn how to identify dangerous people Sergeant Bluff, Lawton and Bronson fire crews all responded to a grass fire that escalated into a structure fire in Sergeant Bluff, Iowa. Siouxland firefighters continue to urge the public not to burn anything outside as drought and windy conditions persist across the region. Garage lost after grass fire spreads in rural Woodbury County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Check out these headlines more in the video above. Have a great Friday and an amazing weekend, Siouxland! Well see you bright and early at 5 a.m. Monday for another week of Good Day Siouxland. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. VALLETTA, April 10 (Xinhua) -- New tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on goods imported from the European Union (EU) are likely to create a "lose-lose situation," where increased costs on both sides could reduce demand and put pressure on businesses, according to the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry. Speaking to Xinhua, the Malta Chamber's spokesperson Rachel Bondi Attard said that the tariffs, which Trump announced a pause of 90 days and a reduction of rates just hours after coming into effect Wednesday, may, in turn, push businesses in countries like Malta to strengthen trade ties with other global partners, accelerating a shift in the world economy. Instead of the 20 percent "reciprocal tariff" rate imposed by the Trump administration, the EU still faces a 10 percent duty on exports to the United States until July, plus a 25 percent on industrial goods like steel, aluminum, and cars. EU member states on Wednesday backed the bloc's first package of retaliatory measures against the 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." 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 U.S. dollars) last year. Although the EU announced on Thursday a 90-day suspension for its trade retaliation measures, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that "if negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in." Bondi Attard said that the biggest risk of an EU-U.S. trade war for Malta is the broader effects it could have on other EU economies. Rather than direct trade with the US, Malta's greatest exposure is through the potential impact of tariffs on its European trade partners. "Direct trade between Malta and the U.S. is relatively small compared to Malta's GDP (gross domestic product). However, it is still significant," she said. Exports from Malta to the U.S. total around 200 million euros a year. Most of it comes from pharmaceuticals and medical product manufacturing, machinery and electronics, including precision instruments, as well as tech-related goods and software. Imports also add up to around 200 million euros a year. Medical devices, vehicles, electronics, aerospace components, industrial machinery and luxury goods make up most of what comes to Malta from the United States. Trade in services with the U.S. amounts to between 250 and 400 million euros a year. These services include financial services, iGaming and tech services, professional services, and shipping. "If the EU and U.S. impose mutual tariffs or trade barriers, Malta could face higher costs on imported U.S.-origin goods and materials, along with potential supply chain disruptions. Similarly, Maltese companies exporting goods or services to the U.S. could also be affected by tariffs," she said. She added that an escalating U.S.-EU trade dispute could dampen transatlantic investment flows, leading to increased caution among U.S. investors when considering investments in EU-based entities, including those in Malta. Even though Malta does not engage in large-scale direct manufacturing trade with the U.S., companies within important Maltese industries either export to the U.S. directly or rely on U.S.-sourced raw materials. While Malta-U.S. trade is counted in hundreds of millions, trade between Malta and the EU reaches well into billions of euros. Malta imports around 7 billion euros a year and exports 3 billion euros. Service exports in sectors like tourism, finance, gaming, and shipping account for another 3 billion euros, according to the figures from the Malta Chamber. "That means a U.S.-EU trade war puts Malta at risk because of the economic fallout that could happen in Europe. Malta is highly sensitive to economic shifts within the EU. If a trade conflict slows down economic growth in key European markets -- such as Germany, France or Italy, which are Malta's primary trade partners -- it could have a significant indirect impact on Maltese exports and services," Bondi Attard said. "The situation remains fluid and much depends on what measures are ultimately implemented," she added. (1 euro = 1.12 U.S. dollars) On April 9, 2025, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will now consider "antisemitic activity" on social media as grounds for denying immigration benefits to applicants seeking to study or reside in the United States. As the news spread, some people online claimed the announcement meant government officials would deny citizenship to applicants who do not support Israel. Others alleged the U.S. government was "making support for Israel and Judaism a requirement for US citizenship" or that the citizenship agency would "deny immigration benefits to anyone whose social media expresses a verboten opinion on Palestine." The Department of Homeland Security is making support for Israel and Judaism a requirement for US citizenship. pic.twitter.com/5etffZm7yq Red Pill Media (@RedPillMediaX) April 9, 2025 It was not yet clear whether DHS' announcement available on the agency's website means people may be denied U.S. citizenship on the basis of their criticism of Israel, although U.S. immigration officials already have targeted pro-Palestinian demonstrators for removal from the country. While the announcement does not explicitly apply to those seeking citizenship, it does pertain to people seeking "lawful permanent residence status," which is often a required step before applying for citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an emailed statement, DHS said its definition of "antisemitic activity" will align with President Donald Trump's executive orders on antisemitism; an order of his from 2019, during his first term, affirmed the United States' 2016 adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's "working definition" of antisemitism, which states that antisemitism includes the "targeting of the state of Israel, conceived as a Jewish collectivity," but that not all criticisms of Israel are antisemitic. Snopes previously published a collection of explainers on the Israel-Hamas war to help readers make sense of the conflict and the history between Israel and Palestine that led up to it. Breaking down DHS' announcement The April 9 news release from DHS read in part (emphasis ours): 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. This will immediately affect aliens applying for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and aliens affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity. Consistent with President Trump's executive orders on Combatting Anti-Semitism, Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism and Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats, DHS 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." [] Under this guidance, USCIS 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. This guidance is effective immediately. DHS did not explicitly say peaceful protest against Israel or support of Palestinian self-determination, for example, are considered "antisemitic activity," instead listing various groups designated terrorism organizations by the United States, including Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that has vowed to overthrow Israel. Furthermore, the definition of antisemitism Trump's 2019 executive order officially endorsed states that "criticism of Israel similar to that leveled against any other country cannot be regarded as antisemitic." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Trump's administration has already detained lawful permanent residents and students on visas for pro-Palestinian speech or activity, claiming often without evidence, at least among the widely reported cases that the detainees had ties to or supported Hamas. Furthermore, another executive order Trump signed on Jan. 29, 2025, reaffirmed his 2019 order and specifically referenced pro-Palestinian demonstrations on student campuses, claiming Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel "unleashed an unprecedented wave of vile anti-Semitic discrimination, vandalism, and violence against our citizens, especially in our schools and on our campuses." In the order, Trump instructed officials to determine what actions each U.S. agency can take to "curb or combat anti-Semitism" and review "all pending administrative complaints against or involving institutions of higher education alleging civil-rights violations related to or arising from post-October 7, 2023, campus anti-Semitism." Many of the students and scholars the Trump administration targeted publicly spoke out against Israel's reported human rights violations against Palestinians and Israel's ongoing occupation of Gaza. The Trump administration also has faced criticism for "weaponizing antisemitism"; according to NPR, the drafter of the definition of antisemitism used by the Trump administration believes his definition "is being distorted and used to silence anti-Israel critics." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is worth noting that Jewish groups are split on whether opposing Israel is antisemitic. For example, the Anti-Defamation League, known for its pro-Israel advocacy, considers some criticisms of Israel, including anti-Zionism (opposition to the existence of Israel), antisemitic. In contrast, Jewish Voice for Peace, an anti-Zionist Jewish organization, says, "there has been debate, criticism and opposition to Zionism within Jewish thought for as long as it has existed" and "criticism of Zionism is not to be conflated with antisemitism." Sources: "'More than a Human Can Bear': Israel's Systematic Use of Sexual, Reproductive and Other Forms of Gender-Based Violence since October 2023." OHCHR, United Nations, 13 Mar. 2025, www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/03/more-human-can-bear-israels-systematic-use-sexual-reproductive-and-other. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. "A Genocide Is Unfolding before Our Eyes: History Will Not Forgive Our Inaction, UN Special Committee Warns General Assembly in Report." OHCHR, United Nations, 19 Nov. 2024, www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2024/11/genocide-unfolding-our-eyes-history-will-not-forgive-our-inaction. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. "A Look at Who Has Been Detained or Deported in a US Crackdown on Mostly Pro-Palestinian Protesters." AP News, 28 Mar. 2025, apnews.com/article/immigration-detainees-students-ozturk-khalil-78f544fb2c8b593c88a0c1f0e0ad9c5f. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amnesty International. "Human Rights in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory." Amnesty International, www.amnesty.org/en/location/middle-east-and-north-africa/middle-east/israel-and-the-occupied-palestinian-territory/report-israel-and-the-occupied-palestinian-territory/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. "Chapter 2 - Lawful Permanent Resident Admission for Naturalization | USCIS." Www.uscis.gov, 11 May 2021, www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-2. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. "DHS to Begin Screening Aliens' Social Media Activity for Antisemitism | USCIS." USCIS, 9 Apr. 2025, www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-to-begin-screening-aliens-social-media-activity-for-antisemitism. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. Human Rights Watch. "A Threshold Crossed: Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution." Human Rights Watch, Human Rights Watch, 27 Apr. 2021, www.hrw.org/report/2021/04/27/threshold-crossed/israeli-authorities-and-crimes-apartheid-and-persecution. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Izzo, Jack. "Rumeysa Ozturk, a Tufts University Grad Student, Was Detained by Masked ICE Agents." Snopes, Snopes.com, 28 Mar. 2025, www.snopes.com/fact-check/tufts-student-ice/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. ---. "Yes, ICE Arrested Palestinian Activist Mahmoud Khalil, a Lawful Permanent Resident of US." Snopes, Snopes.com, 11 Mar. 2025, www.snopes.com/fact-check/ice-arrested-deported-mahmoud-khalil/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. Jewish Voice For Peace. "Our Approach to Zionism." JVP, www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/resource/zionism/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. Masquelier-Page, Alice. "Amnesty International Says Israel Is Committing Genocide in Gaza. Israel Rejects the Allegations | the Associated Press." The Associated Press, 5 Dec. 2024, www.ap.org/news-highlights/spotlights/2024/amnesty-international-says-israel-is-committing-genocide-in-gaza-israel-rejects-the-allegations/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PerryCook, Taija. "What Is Hamas and What Is Its Role in Gaza?" Snopes, Snopes.com, 15 Dec. 2023, www.snopes.com/articles/465785/what-is-hamas-gaza/?collection=465854. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. Romine, Taylor, et al. "Columbia University Student Sues Trump Administration amid Potential Deportation Proceedings." CNN, 25 Mar. 2025, www.cnn.com/2025/03/24/us/yunseo-chung-columbia-lawsuit-trump-ice/index.html. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. Trump, Donald J. "Combating Anti-Semitism." Federal Register, 16 Dec. 2019, www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/12/16/2019-27217/combating-anti-semitism. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. U.S. Department of State. "Defining Antisemitism." United States Department of State, 26 May 2016, www.state.gov/defining-antisemitism/. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United Nations. "UN Commission Finds War Crimes and Crimes against Humanity in Israeli Attacks on Gaza Health Facilities and Treatment of Detainees, Hostages." OHCHR, United Nations, 10 Oct. 2024, www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/10/un-commission-finds-war-crimes-and-crimes-against-humanity-israeli-attacks. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. "What Is Antisemitism, Anti-Zionism, Anti-Israel Bias? | ADL." Www.adl.org, www.adl.org/resources/tools-and-strategies/what-antisemitism-anti-zionism-anti-israel-bias. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025. NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) He saved hundreds of people from the Nazis in the 1940s, then lived out his life here in Connecticut. You probably dont know his name though- which is something a local college professor is leading an effort to change, advocating for creating a day dedicated to Varian Fry. After 80 years, not many Auschwitz survivors are left. One man makes telling the stories his mission Today, America has many memorials to the Holocaust, but when it began, hardly any Americans knew about it. That is, until a journalist named Varian Fry went to Germany and witnessed the violence for himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And was shocked by this experience, and he wrote an article for the New York Times, which appeared a day or two later, said professor Dr. David Pettigrew, chair of the philosophy department at Southern Connecticut State University. A copy of that article is now in Pettigrews New Haven office. He teaches a course on Holocaust history and said Varian Frys reporting was only the beginning. He later wrote in his book that he resolved at that moment to do anything he could to save even one life, Pettigrew said. Manfred Goldberg wants you to know how the Nazis took his brothers life. And how an angel saved his Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fry joined a group called the Emergency Rescue Committee. He went to Marseille in southern France on a mission to save Jews, artists, and intellectuals before they were sent to Nazi concentration camps. The plan was to save 200 people in three weeks. He ended up staying 13 months until he was escorted to the border, Varians son James Fry said in a Zoom interview. And he helped orchestrate the escape of 1,500 or so people. Among the at least 1,500 he saved was painter Marc Chagall; writer Hannah Arendt; and modern artist Marcel Duchamp. Fry smuggled them anyway he could, often with forged documents. Eventually he was kicked out and came back to the United States in 1941. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He kept writing, including a book. Surrender on Demand is what those fleeing the Nazis were ordered to do in France. But still, few remembered what he had done as he lived out his life in Connecticut. Rose Girone, oldest living Holocaust survivor, dies at 113 He was teaching at Joel Barlow High School when he died in relative anonymity, Pettigrew said. Pettigrew is now working with lawmakers in Hartford on a bill to declare Oct.15 Varian Fry Day. That date was chosen for a couple of reasons. For one thing, it was Varian Frys birthday. For another, it falls during the school year, and Pettigrew is hoping educators around the state will use the opportunity to talk to their students about him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thought it was very interesting how Ive never heard of Varian Fry, being a Connecticut resident and going on this heroic mission, and we were just never taught about it, a first-year student at SCSU Keana Criscuolo said. Criscuolo found out about Fry in Pettigrews class. She submitted testimony in support of the Fry bill. Other countries and some museums have honored Frys work, but Pettigrew said today we could use a role model who stood up to the Nazis. And, you could say, stand against hate in all of its forms, including racism or islamophobia, Pettigrew said. He uprooted his life and headed right toward the danger zone and put himself in the thick of it to save hundreds of people, James Fry said. So, I think, if thats not worth honoring, then theres not much that is, I guess. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Honoring a man who not only told America about the Holocaust, but did something about 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 WTNH.com. QUITO, Ecuador (AP) In a polarized political landscape, Ecuadorian voters will choose Sunday between an incumbent young millionaire and a leftist lawyer to lead the South American country for the next four years. President Daniel Noboa and leftist challenger Luisa Gonzalez will face off in a presidential runoff as Ecuadorians once again try to find a solution to the extortions, killings, kidnappings and other crimes that have accompanied them since the country emerged from the pandemic. Noboa and Gonzalez advanced to the runoff after being the top vote-getters in Februarys first-round election. He obtained 44.17% of support while she earned 44%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sundays vote will be a repeat of the October 2023 snap election that earned Noboa a 16-month presidency. It will also test the lasting influence of Gonzalezs mentor, former President Rafael Correa. Here is what to know ahead of the vote: What's on voters minds? The persistent violence Ecuador began experiencing four years ago. The spike in crime is tied to the trafficking of cocaine produced in neighboring Colombia and Peru. Noboa, who took office in November 2023, declared Ecuador to be in a state of internal armed conflict in January 2024, allowing him to deploy thousands of soldiers to the streets to combat gangs and to charge people with terrorism counts for alleged ties to organized crime groups. The homicide rate dropped from 46.18 per 100,000 people in 2023 to 38.76 per 100,000 people in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But despite the decrease, the rate remained far higher than the 6.85 homicides per 100,000 people seen in 2019. Other crimes, such as kidnapping and extortion, have also skyrocketed, making people fearful of leaving their homes. Some of Noboas heavy-handed crime fighting tactics have come under scrutiny inside and outside the country for testing the limits of laws and norms of governing. The crime spike is tied to the trafficking of cocaine produced in neighboring Colombia and Peru. Despite their opposing political ideology, both candidates have promised tough-on-crime policies, better equipment for law enforcement and international help to fight cartels and local criminal groups. Voters are also concerned about what is in their wallets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only 33.7% of working-aged Ecuadorians were formally employed at the end of last year, according to the countrys Institute of Statistics and Census. Noboa, a free-market supporter, has promised to create a million jobs in four years by offering incentives to hire young people and modifying the educational system to improve employment opportunities. Gonzalez, meanwhile, has said she will create 2 million jobs through a strategy that includes increasing spending in public works projects. Who are the candidates? Noboa, 37, is an heir to a fortune built on the banana trade. He opened an event organizing company when he was 18 and then joined his fathers Noboa Corp., where he held management positions in the shipping, logistics and commercial areas. His political career began in 2021, when he won a seat in the National Assembly and chaired its Economic Development Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noboa, like Gonzalez, was a lawmaker until May 2023, when then-President Guillermo Lasso dissolved the National Assembly, shortening his own mandate as a result and triggering that years snap election. Noboa defeated Gonzalez in the runoff. Gonzalez, 47, held various government jobs during the presidency of Correa, who led Ecuador from 2007 through 2017 with free-spending socially conservative policies and grew increasingly authoritarian in his last years as president. She was unknown to most voters until Correas party picked her as its presidential candidate for the snap election. Much of her support comes from people who long for the low crime and unemployment rates of Correas presidency but gloss over his authoritarian tendencies, the huge debt he ran up and the corruption-related sentence handed down to him in absentia in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people who support Noboa say their vote is more a rejection of Correas movement than a resounding endorsement of the presidents performance. Who gets to vote? More than 13 million people are eligible to vote, which is mandatory for adults up to the age of 65. It is optional for people aged 16 and 17 and over 65. Failure to vote results in a fine of $46. Electoral authorities have prohibited voters from taking photos of their ballots during this election. The National Electoral Council said it adopted the measure because criminal groups had coerced many voters. Anyone who violates the prohibition faces a maximum fine of $32,000. Inmates awaiting sentence cast ballots on Thursday. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Thursday that while thousands of residents in the country illegally have chosen to self-deport during the last month, millions more should leave the country to have any chance at coming back. You have 20 to 21 million people that need to go home, Noem said during a Cabinet meeting, because theyre here breaking our laws and we need to facilitate that. President Trump said his administration would work with self-deportees to try to come back into the U.S., if they go out in a nice way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So it gives you a real incentive, otherwise, they never come back, theyll never be allowed, after a certain period of time goes by, he said, floating a 60-day window to comply. Its the latest pitch by a White House that has promised to deliver the largest deportation operation in history, but has encountered significant legal and operational challenges to achieving that goal. Last month, the Department of Homeland Security unveiled a new mobile phone app with a self-deportation feature called CBP Home a reversal of a Biden administration app designed to expedite the process for individuals seeking entry into the country. CBP Home encourages immigrants who entered the country illegally to identify themselves as a departing traveler who submits their intent to leave the U.S. A photograph is required to verify the registrants identity along with biographical information. Migrants are asked if they need help purchasing plane tickets or obtaining proper travel documents, and Noem said she has had conversations with officials in El Salvador, Colombia and Mexico about offering programs to help support returning migrants with housing and food when they get home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a very big self-deport operation that were starting, Trump said on Thursday. Coercing immigrants into acting on their own has become a central part of the Trump administrations strategy to escalate deportations, which are proving much more difficult to orchestrate at the pace it had originally intended. The deportation of hundreds of alleged Venezuelan gang members to a prison in El Salvador using the Alien Enemies Act last month ensnared the administration in a multi-week court battle over the process it used to facilitate summary removals. On Wednesday, a federal judge in Texas halted deportations there to ensure detainees have an opportunity to challenge their removals. In a nod to the importance of immigrants to the nations $1.5 trillion agriculture industry, the president also said the administration would work with farmers to allow some number of undocumented workers to remain before forcing them through a legal process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to take care of our farmers and hotels and various places where they need the people, Trump said. Its unclear how many of the 21 million Noem identified in her remarks would be eligible for Trumps carve-out. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond immediately to an inquiry about the precise number of people who have self-deported and the total number of deportations carried out this year. By Qabil Ashirov In accordance with the instructions of President Ilham Aliyev, the Great Return continues to the territories liberated from occupation. The rebuilt village of Hasanriz in the Agdere region is ready to welcome its new residents. The families moving to Hasanriz village are those who had temporarily settled in various places across the Republic, mainly in dormitories, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings. It is reported that at this stage, 20 families72 peoplehave been resettled in the village. The returning residents have expressed their gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for the comprehensive state support they are receiving. They also expressed their thanks to the heroic Azerbaijani Army, as well as to the brave soldiers and officers who liberated our lands, and prayed for the souls of our martyrs who gave their lives on this path. It is noteworthy that, in addition to the former internally displaced persons who have been relocated to Karabakh and Eastern Zangezur, more than 40,000 people live in the region, including those working on ongoing projects, local government officials, and employees in reactivated healthcare, education, culture, tourism, industry, and energy institutions. BRUSSELS, April 10 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have agreed to kick off free trade negotiations, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday. "This marks a positive step forward in EU-UAE relations and, alongside the negotiation of broader Strategic Partnership Agreements, can serve as a catalyst for stronger ties between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)," the Commission said in a statement. European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic is expected to travel to the UAE soon to advance the discussions, the Commission said. The negotiations will aim to liberalize trade in goods, services, and investment, while expanding cooperation in strategic areas such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, and critical raw materials, the Commission said. Although U.S. President Donald Trump abruptly announced a 90-day pause on the sweeping "reciprocal" tariffs he unveiled last week, which include a 20 percent levy on the EU imports, EU is scrambling to diversify trading partners. Von der Leyen expressed confidence about the progress, saying both sides were committed to moving "swiftly and ambitiously." The EU is the UAE's second-largest trade partner, accounting for 67.6 billion dollars in non-oil trade in 2024. It represents 8.3 percent of the UAE's total non-oil foreign trade, according to UAE official data. People taste wine at the international wine and spirits exhibition Vinitaly in Verona, Italy, April 9, 2025. (Xinhua) VERONA, Italy, April 11 (Xinhua) -- The international wine and spirits exhibition Vinitaly, Italy's oldest and prestigious wine fair, returned to Verona this year on April 6-9 for its 57th edition. Traditionally, an event filled with the rich aroma of fine wine, the cheerful clinking of glasses, and the optimism of producers seeking to grow their presence in the global market, this year's fair was shadowed by anxiety and uncertainty due to U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs, which includes a 20 percent levy on imports from the European Union. "I'm very worried about the U.S. tariffs. It's undoubtedly very bad news," Antonio Bartolini Baldelli, a wine producer from Tuscany, a region in central Italy, told Xinhua. Trump unveiled so-called "reciprocal" tariffs last week, imposing a 10-percent baseline levy on all imports and higher rates on certain trading partners. The tariffs have caused global stock markets to tumble and sparked widespread concerns. Despite Trump's announcement on Wednesday of a temporary 90-day pause, the 10-percent tariffs remain, and so do the industry concerns about the unpredictability and uncertainty of his policies. "If the tariff increase comes into force, Italian products may become more expensive in the U.S. market, and the final burden will fall on American consumers," said Marilisa Mazzarella, marketing manager at Nardone Winery. "We are extremely anxious." The United States has long been a major destination for Italian wine exports. According to data from the Italian trade group Federvini, Italy exported around 2 billion euros (2.18 billion U.S. dollars) worth of wine, spirits and vinegar products to the United States in 2024, accounting for nearly 25 percent of the total global exports in this category. For small and medium-sized wineries, higher tariffs could mean rising prices and shrinking demand in the U.S. market. Lamberto Frescobaldi, president of the Italian Union of Wines, estimated that the proposed tariffs could lead to annual losses of around 323 million euros for the Italian wine sector. Carlotta Gori, manager of the Chianti Classico, said that the United States accounts for about 36 percent of her company's total exports. "We are very concerned about how this will affect our future operations," she told Xinhua. In response to the uncertainties, many producers are eyeing alternative markets. Baldelli said he had received several emails from importers and consultants "suggesting we diversify export destinations." "We are seriously considering this possibility," he noted. The Italian government has repeatedly expressed its willingness to engage in negotiations with the United States. Speaking at the opening ceremony of Vinitaly, Italian Minister for Business and Made in Italy Adolfo Urso emphasized the importance of avoiding further trade tensions. "We must do everything in our power to avoid a trade war," he said. The four-day event, which concluded on Wednesday, has attracted around 4,000 exhibitors and tens of thousands of buyers from 140 countries and regions. People are seen at the international wine and spirits exhibition Vinitaly in Verona, Italy, April 9, 2025. (Xinhua) People taste wine at the international wine and spirits exhibition Vinitaly in Verona, Italy, April 9, 2025. (Xinhua) A staff member of a wine producer introduces products at the international wine and spirits exhibition Vinitaly in Verona, Italy, April 9, 2025. (Xinhua) Bottles of wine are seen at the international wine and spirits exhibition Vinitaly in Verona, Italy, April 9, 2025. (Xinhua) Bottles of wine are on display at the international wine and spirits exhibition Vinitaly in Verona, Italy, April 9, 2025. (Xinhua) LAWRENCE, Kan. Lawrence Police are searching for the man who bit off the tip of a persons finger before getting away. Newly obtained surveillance footage shows the attack as it unfolded. Police said it started when the suspect stole a bottle of Fireball from a bar near 7th and Massachusetts Street, Logies on Mass Street. He then took off running down Massachusetts Street and randomly attacked a man biting off the tip of his pinky finger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 5-year-old killed, 2 others injured in Lexington gas explosion Thats crazy, Ethan Dorning said. Ive lived in Lawrence for like 10 years now, and Ive never experienced anything violent like thatits crazy. Larence Police said the 911 call came in just before 1 a.m. on Saturday, March 29. Officers found the victim with his hand wrapped in a towel and part of his pinky in a cup of ice. They cant identify him; thats why were asking for the publics help, Lawrence Police said. The Lawrence Police Department is asking for the publics help in identifying a man suspected to be involved in an attack outside of a bar on Sunday, March 29, 2025. (Lawrence Police Department/WDAF) Police said the suspect went to an employees only section in the basement of the bar and stole a bottle of Fireball whiskey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The owner of Logies on Mass told FOX4 that in a matter of seconds, an employee told the suspect he couldnt be down there and walked him outside. Police said the manager took back the bottle. Thats when the suspect ran down Mass Street, bumping into another man. Police said the suspect ripped the victims sweatshirt. The victims girlfriend said, Hey, you cant do that,' police said. And they kept walking, and as they were continuing to walk, the suspect ran up behind them and tackled him and bit his finger off. Police said doctors were not able to reattach the victims finger. Royals take series vs. Twins ahead of testing 10-day road trip Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morgan Kabler is a student who works at a nearby boutique and restaurant. She said the whole incident is shocking. Ive noticed a lot of crazy things in Lawrence, she said. Buthaving the energy to bite someones finger off after you stole, I think is kind of bizarre. Police said witnesses told detectives the suspect was intoxicated. If you think you know this man, give us a call, the LPD said. You can also call Crime Stoppers TIPS hotline at 785-843-TIPS to make an anonymous tip. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. At least one person has been killed and five injured in a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. "Russia is clearly ignoring diplomacy and using its contacts with the world solely to serve its own interests not to end the war," Zelensky said in his nightly video address. "What's needed now is tactics of pressure pressure on Russia to end the terror and the war. I thank everyone around the world who is helping us in this effort." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky also reported attacks on the capital Kiev, as well as on the city of Nikopol. There were also Russian attacks on Kharkiv, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhya, Mykolaiv and Sumy regions, Zelensky added. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and daily missile and drone attacks continue, along with the ground war. The City of Lebanon announced recipients of the 2025 Mayor Lyle Anderson Gold Leaf Award for Volunteer Service Wednesday morning. This year, Mayor Jared Carr selected Harold Bradshaw as the adult recipient and Kasey Hicks as the youth recipient. The Mayor Lyle Anderson Gold Leaf Award recognizes outstanding volunteers who have made meaningful contributions across various sectors in Lebanon, including health, recreation, arts, environment, education, public safety, civic engagement, and human services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The award celebrates individuals who embody the spirit of community service, generously offering their time and talents to improve the quality of life in our city. The city is encouraging members of the community to celebrate this years winners. The award ceremony will take place during the regular Lebanon City Council meeting on April 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Stanley H. Allen Council Chambers at Lebanon City Hall. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Supreme Courts Thursday ruling demanding federal authorities facilitate the return of a mistakenly deported Maryland man marks a serious rebuke of the Trump administration, former federal prosecutor Jeffrey Toobin says. In an interview with CNNs Anderson Cooper, the former assistant U.S. Attorney said the courts order in favor of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia was a check on Trump. I think it's just worth pausing to recognize this was an extraordinary unanimous rebuke of the Trump administration, Toobin said, highlighting the finger-wagging from the courts six conservatives especially. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the courts conservatives appeared to throw Trump a lifeline, scaling back a lower district courts order to effectuate his release. Toobin worried that the instructions to facilitate Garcia Abregos return alone could leave Abrego Garcia in limbo. But what does that mean in the in the real world? The Trump administration has already said, Mr. Garcia is in the custody of El Salvador. We have no control over prisons in El Salvador so we can't get him back, Toobin said, adding that, given the Trump administrations relationship with the country, it seems like this is something that they could facilitate if they wanted. The ex-prosecutor and legal analyst said the question of what levers the courts can pull to make sure the government does facilitate his release remains open under the order. The question is how hard will the Trump administration try to get Mr. Garcia back, if at all? Toobin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the courts ruling alone marks a broader split between Trump and the high court, despite its reluctance to rule against him so far. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, installed by Trump on the high court just weeks before his 2020 election defeat, has become a lightning rod for far-right fury after joining the liberal minority to dissent against a ruling temporarily green-lighting Trumps use of the 1789 Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelans to the El Salvadorian camp. Trump advisor and billionaire Elon Musk blasted the justices suicidal empathy in response to the ruling in a Monday X post. Lego has dropped diversity and inclusion terminology from a yearly report, despite recently introducing a slew of inclusive mini-figures into its play sets. Words such as diversity, LGBTQ+ or people of colour were absent from the Danish toy-makers 2024 annual sustainability report, but had featured heavily in its 2023 document. The phrase diversity and inclusion was mentioned three times in the previous report, including in the chief executives introduction, but is missing from the latest update. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, the company announced it would release sunflower-badge-wearing toy figures to indicate they had hidden disabilities such as autism or dementia. Lauren von Stackelberg, Legos chief diversity and inclusion officer, said at the time the company hoped that modelling a world in which all kinds of people are celebrated will help us embrace diversity, value inclusivity and remove stigma. It followed years of attempts to make its brick universe more diverse, which included introducing toys with different skin tones or from different cultures. Other figures had missing limbs, or medical conditions such as Downs syndrome or vitiligo. Trying to be in line with Trump Iben Schmidt, a Danish journalist, said she had spoken to a number of experts regarding Legos apparent change in approach, and they find it difficult to see it as anything other than trying to be in line with the new course from the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just a year ago, [Lego] was not shy about talking about their work with diversity and showing that they were very inclusive, she said. Words like LGBTQ, people of colour, woman, diversity had completely disappeared in their sustainability report for 2024. The 2024 report does address gender balance at the director level, aiming for a 57 per cent male and 43 per cent female split by 2025, but stressed that appointments are made on merit. Legos shift in tone comes as Donald Trumps crackdown on diversity programmes appeared to have hit Europe, with several companies across the EU reportedly receiving letters from US officials saying the rollback also applies to firms looking to do business with the US. It is not clear whether Lego has received such contact from the US. Lego said in a statement: Every year we review and adapt our reporting to ensure it complies with latest requirements and reflects our plans and results. We also regularly update our policies. We believe that the different backgrounds, perspectives, skills and experiences of our colleagues are our strength and contribute to our ambition to reach children around the world with Lego play experiences. We want to attract, retain and develop the best talent and have always worked to provide equal opportunities for all our colleagues. We are fully committed to our diversity and inclusion initiatives and to creating a welcoming and inclusive workplace for everyone. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. WASHINGTON, April 11 (Xinhua) -- Despite widespread criticism and high volatility in U.S. stock markets after tariff hikes, the White House clarified on Thursday that the total effective tariff rate on Chinese imports had climbed to 145 percent. It is the latest in a series of escalating U.S. levies that Beijing called "a mistake on top of a mistake." Such "blackmail" harks back to Donald Trump's first presidency, when he imposed aggressive tariffs on a wide range of Chinese imports as part of his "Make America Great Again" agenda. While the Trump administration keeps touting tariffs as a means to bring back jobs and revive manufacturing, economists across the political spectrum never ceased to sound alarms: these "self-defeating" tariffs were "designed to backfire," pushing up costs for U.S. companies and consumers. So, which side do the outcomes of his first-term policies validate? Who has been paying for these tariffs? Has Washington achieved its goal of reducing trade deficits and bringing manufacturing back through tariffs? And what does the future hold for the move? HOW HAS U.S. RAISED TARIFFS ON CHINA? In August 2017, Trump initiated an investigation against China under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974. From 2018 to 2019, he published four rounds of 301 tariff lists, with the first two targeting high-tech products and the other two focusing on intermediate goods, capital goods and consumer goods. According to calculations by Chad Bown of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, average tariffs on Chinese products had surged from 3.1 percent in 2017 to 24.3 percent by August 2019. As Trump 1.0 relied heavily on Section 301, it imposed tariffs ranging from 7.5 percent to 25 percent across four lists of imports totaling 550 billion U.S. dollars in value. After Joe Biden took office in 2021, he retained most of the tariffs from Trump 1.0 and continued to escalate the "strategic competition" with China through tariffs and export controls, along with other measures. In May 2024, the Biden administration announced its review of the Section 301 tariffs on China. Building on the existing tariffs, fresh tariffs were gradually imposed on Chinese-made products, including electric vehicles, lithium batteries, photovoltaic cells, critical minerals, semiconductors, steel and aluminum. The U.S. government has also overstretched the concept of national security, politicized and weaponized economic, trade and technological issues, and abused export controls to suppress China. In May 2019, the United States put Chinese tech giant Huawei on the Entity List, barring U.S. firms from selling it technology without government approval. In October 2022, the Biden administration escalated export controls on China in areas such as semiconductors. The Biden administration didn't cease mounting pressure on China until the very last moment of its term. In December 2024, the United States updated its semiconductor export control regulations. In mid-January, new export controls related to artificial intelligence were also announced. Since regaining power in late January, Trump has unleashed a series of tariff hikes on China, and Washington has made the path back to the negotiating table even harder to find. WHO'S PAYING THE PRICE? Numerous studies have shown that Washington's trade war with China has failed to address the structural issues in the U.S. economy. Instead, it has driven up prices, reduced economic output and employment, and harmed the overall economy. The primary costs of the trade war have been borne by U.S. businesses and consumers. "U.S. tariffs focused on differentiated Chinese goods that were hard to replace, so Chinese exporters kept prices steady," said Harvard Business School professor Alberto Cavallo in a recent paper. As a result, U.S. importers ended up paying more for goods from China and passed some of the costs on to consumers. Meanwhile, data from the U.S. Census Bureau showed that while the country's trade deficits with China decreased, its global trade deficits widened to 1.07 trillion dollars in 2024, a significant surge from 870 billion dollars in 2018. Trump held the mistaken view that "there was a bilateral China fix for a multilateral trade deficit" with more than 100 countries and regions, wrote Stephen Roach, a senior fellow at Yale University's Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, in a recent Financial Times article. "That backfired," Roach said, noting that the Chinese portion was simply diverted to countries like Mexico, Vietnam and Canada. "It turns out more than 70 percent of the trade diversion away from China went to higher-cost or comparable-cost nations, underscoring that trade diversion is the equivalent of a tax rise on U.S. companies and consumers," he added. When Trump launched the trade war, he vowed to bring jobs back. Again, data paints a different picture. In the steel industry, where Trump imposed a 25 percent tariff in his first term, U.S. employment dropped to 80,200 in 2021, the lowest since the 1980s. Though the number climbed back to 83,600 in 2023, it was still below 84,100 recorded in 2018. Higher steel prices resulting from the tariffs created higher costs for the U.S. steel consumers, denting their demand and thus killing jobs in the U.S. auto industry, according to a recent report from the Council on Foreign Relations. Jim Farley, CEO of Ford, the second-largest U.S. automaker, warned in February that the steel tariffs "would have a huge impact on our industry with billions of dollars of industry profits wiped out and adverse effect on the U.S. jobs as well as the entire value system in our industry." Back in 2018, the company suffered 1 billion dollars in lost profits from Trump's tariffs on metals and had to reassign workers. The Tax Foundation, a nonprofit think tank, noted that although tariffs raise the price of foreign goods, making domestic industries more profitable, such businesses are not low-cost producers. Thus, tariffs result in less efficient production, leading to reduced economic output and lower incomes over the long run. It also echoed 18th-century economist Adam Smith's view that tariffs should be kept as low as possible. HOW'S CHINA HANDLING IT? The underlying goal of the U.S. government's trade protectionist measures against China is to undermine China's manufacturing sector and prevent it from moving up the global value chain. However, over the past seven years, China's economy has neither succumbed to U.S. tariffs nor has it decoupled from the global economy. It has instead entered a new phase of high-quality development, with steady growth in economic strength and technological capabilities. China has maintained its position as the world's largest trading nation in goods during the past eight years, the General Administration of Customs of China (GACC) said in February. In recent years, China has advanced the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and applied to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, the successor to a trade deal that the United States negotiated in 2015 before withdrawing under Trump's first term. Meanwhile, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has seen over 150 countries and 30 international organizations sign cooperation agreements, spanning Eurasia, Africa and Latin America, further promoting regional connectivity and cooperation through investments in infrastructure and digital trade. According to data from the GACC, the country's foreign trade hit a record high in 2024, with total goods imports and exports reaching 6.1 trillion dollars. For the first time, countries participating in the BRI accounted for over 50 percent of China's total foreign trade in 2024, the GACC data showed. And China's exports to ASEAN amounted to 526.66 billion dollars between January and November 2024, making China and ASEAN each other's largest trading partners for the fifth consecutive year. In the high-tech industry targeted by U.S. tariffs, China sees an ongoing structural upgrade. According to the World Intellectual Property Organization, China ranked 11th among the 133 economies featured in the Global Innovation Index 2024, making it one of the "fastest 10-year climbers" in innovation. China's foreign trade has also seen its structure optimized, with exports of high-quality and high-tech products particularly increasing. Annual exports of mechanical and electrical products have grown steadily, with their share of total exports above 50 percent in each of the seven years since the trade war. In 2024, mechanical and electrical products accounted for nearly 60 percent of exports, of which automatic data processing equipment and its parts, integrated circuits and automobiles exports grew by double digits, according to GACC data. The growth in exports of the "new three" -- photovoltaic products, lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles -- is also an eloquent testimony to China's shift from manufacturing to innovation. According to the State Council, in 2024, China's photovoltaic product exports exceeded 200 billion yuan (27.37 dollars) for the fourth consecutive year, lithium-ion battery exports hit a record 3.91 billion units, and electric vehicle exports surpassed 2 million for the first time. WHAT FUTURE HOLDS FOR U.S. PROTECTIONIST MOVE? Under the "America First" doctrine, Trump sees organizations like the WTO as "contrary to U.S. interests," said DW, a German public, state-owned international broadcaster. The U.S. breach of international agreements and withdrawal from global governance organizations would "accelerate the unraveling of a rules-based world trade order," it said. Experts said that with a narrow focus on "America First," the United States during Trump 1.0 regularly circumvented and disrupted the WTO's dispute settlement system. It practiced unilateralism and economic hegemony, abandoned its international commitments, and provoked international trade friction around the world on the pretext of U.S. domestic law such as Section 301, jeopardizing the foundations of the global multilateral trading regime. This has not only undermined the interests of China and other countries, but also damaged the international reputation of the United States itself, according to observers. The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a think tank, said the trade war launched by the "White House protectionists" stems from "a nationalist view of supply chains", disrupting the global supply chain networks and casting a shadow over global economic growth and stability. Sweeping tariffs announced during Trump 2.0 are amplifying these effects. International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said in early April that such trade actions "clearly represent a significant risk to the global outlook at a time of sluggish growth." Echoing her view, the World Economic Forum said the tariffs risk heightening tensions with trade partners and triggering potential retaliatory measures, exacerbating further global economic fragmentation, deepening inequality and slowing poverty reduction in vulnerable emerging economies. Besides China, Canada -- a close U.S. ally and major trading partner -- has already responded with a suite of countermeasures, slapping tariffs on U.S. imports ranging from footwear to motorcycles. The EU, another key ally, also approved 25 percent retaliatory tariffs but only put them on hold for 90 days after Trump announced a similar pause on his reciprocal tariffs. Still, the bloc warned that "if negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in." "'America First' could again produce 'America Alone,' only more so as the fears of other countries that the United States could never again be a trustworthy friend, let alone leader, would seem confirmed," said the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. While Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the United States is clearly "no longer a reliable partner," French President Emmanuel Macron urged European countries to suspend investment in America. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen likewise called the tariffs "a major blow to the world economy." As Reuters reported, the U.S. tariffs have drawn condemnation from world leaders, warning of "the end of a decades-long era of trade liberalization." The growing unease is also reflected in financial forecasts. While investment bank JPMorgan now puts the chance of a global recession by year-end at 60 percent, up from 40 percent previously, Goldman Sachs said it now sees a 65 percent chance of a U.S. recession in the next 12 months. In line with such apprehensions, Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun said last November that no countries, including the United States, can enjoy "continued and stable prosperity on their own." To the editor: I was in junior high school when my dad got really sick. They took him to UCLA Medical Center and did a lot of tests. The doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong. Then a blood test intern, who had arrived here from Korea on a student visa, suggested a test for some disease that was common in his country but rarely appeared here ("Trump revoked at least 83 student visas. Schools are confused and concerned," April 8). That test pointed out the problem. My dad got the appropriate medication and returned home healthy. What if Donald Trump had been president and deported the intern? Our whole country benefits from immigrants from different countries, with different cultures, different religions, different races. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Somewhere here, some "different" person has the knowledge and experience to solve a pressing problem. We need to maintain an inclusive society. Don't let MAGA deportation policies take away the special sauce that makes America truly great. Trump's policies wreck and weaken our country. Bruce Joffe, Piedmont .. To the editor: It is beyond sickening to read how focused the Trump administration is on targeting students whose views they dont agree with, especially as they pertain to the Middle East. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is quoted in your article as saying, Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visa. You know he has no idea about the people being arrested. Its just one more terror tactic this administration is using to control people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why dont they focus on something really important, like the lack of affordable child care, the rising costs of medical insurance, the homeless problems in our communities? There are so many critical issues that need addressing. Yet these hateful people are all about cruelty. It started on Day 1 with taking food from starving babies around the world. Where will it all end? Peggy Jo Abraham, Santa Monica This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Apr. 10The Odessa Chamber of Commerce announced April 10 the appointment of Rhonda Lewallen as its newest Membership Development Specialist. In this role, Lewallen will focus on engaging with the diverse array of local businesses and individuals that contribute to the vibrant West Texas community, supporting both current members and welcoming new ones to the Chamber, a news release said. A native of Odessa and a graduate of Permian High School, Lewallen brings a deep understanding and passion for the region. She holds a bachelor of science in Communication from the University of Texas at Austin and a master's of public administration and leadership (MPAL) from the University of Texas Permian Basin, demonstrating her commitment to both communication and community leadership, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her extensive marketing and communications career has taken her to various metropolitan areas, including Austin, the Chicago area, and the DFW area. However, her strong ties to West Texas drew her back in 2005, and she is committed to serving her hometown for the remainder of her career. Beyond her professional endeavors, Lewallen is deeply involved in the Odessa community. She currently serves on the White Pool House Board, is an active member of the Odessa Rotary Club, and is involved with Connection Christian Church. Her dedication to service has been previously recognized with the Odessa Salvation Army Local Hero award. Lewallen is also a devoted advocate for animal welfare and a loving owner to numerous rescued animals. She actively encourages others to consider adoption and has personally fostered many dogs, finding joy in hearing about their happy new lives, the release said. "Rhonda's deep love and passion for the Odessa community is a great attribute and I am pleased to have her as the liaison for our current and future Chamber members. Our Chamber membership list boasts more than 1,000 businesses and organizations, representing more than 45,000 employees. We want to help businesses grow and not only reach new customers, but also make an even bigger impact on our overall community. Rhonda shares our same visionfor making Odessa and West Texas a better place for all to live and work," Renee' Earls, President/CEO of the Odessa Chamber of Commerce, said. Lewallen shared her excitement about her new role, stating, "I have a long-standing appreciation for all that the Odessa Chamber of Commerce has done for the best interest of our community, and I am truly honored to now be a part of the team. I look forward to working alongside the dedicated members and supporting the continued success of our beloved West Texas area." LEWISBURG Lewisburg Area School District is expected to increase real estate taxes between 2.2 and 3 percent in the 2025-26 school year. At Thursday night's public meeting, the school board members directed Business Manager Kyle Winton to work on a budget that included a potential property tax increase within that range, a $400,000 transfer to the capital projects fund and the addition of three staff positions. The preliminary budget would be ready for approval at the May 8 meeting and the final budget would be adopted at the June 12 meeting. Winton presented an updated look at the budget with revenues at $44,695,058 and expenditures at $44,961,594. Winton said the deficit went from $211,000 at last month's public meeting to $86,157 at Thursday night's public meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The main differences are updated revenue projections in local contributions, basic education funding and Ready to Learn Block Grant, but there is less funding for special education. There are fewer personnel expenses, but increased costs in liability insurance, electricity for all buildings and natural gas for Linntown Intermediate School, Winston said. A 3 percent increase would equal .6 additional mills, which would bring the total millage rate to 20.67. An average property owner would see an annual increase of $87, Winton said. Historically, the district did not raise taxes in the 2020-21 school year. It increased taxes by 2.94 percent in 2021-22, 2.75 percent in 2022-23, 3.5 percent in 2023-24 and 3.5 percent in 2024-25. Superintendent Cathy Moser said the new staff members would be a middle school assistant principal, a new special education teacher and a board-certified behavior analyst. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's rationale and justification for each of those," Moser said. Moser and school board members and officials praised Winton for his work on the budget. "The effort to bring the budget information, I greatly appreciate your work," Moser said to Winton. Director Cory Heath said the presentation was "informative" with some "pleasant news." "That's not always the case," Heath said. In unrelated business, Phillip Campbell, the director of college partnerships at Lackawanna College, presented a pre-college agreement that would allow students to participate in dual enrollment from Lewisburg Area. Campbell said dual enrollment students would spend $100 a credit, which means they would spend $1,300 for a typical semester instead of $9,200. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dual enrollment students can take college courses while they are attending high school. Campbell said one student will graduate from Lackawanna before they graduate from high school. He said his own daughter accumulated 30 credits before she graduated from high school and completed her bachelor's degree in three years instead of four. While the school board did not vote on the agreement, School Board President Erin Jablonski commented that she liked the presentation. In other business, the school board members approved: * Forrester Environmental, Inc., of McAdoo, to perform asbestos flooring abatement proposal for three middle school rooms for $20,300. * Clark Contractors, Inc., of Bedford, to perform Kelly Elementary School playground asphalt replacement for $67,083.04. Apr. 11A Libby man recently was sentenced to prison following his conviction on a felony burglary charge in a jury trial. Clifford Scott Admire, 55, initially pleaded not guilty at his April 28, 2024, arraignment. A few days before his trial in late January, Admire sought a new public defender, but Lincoln County District Judge Matt Cuffe denied his request. Admire was found guilty on Jan. 27. On March 31, Cuffe sentenced him to 15 years in the Montana State Prison with 10 suspended. Admire received 27 days credit for time spent in custody at the county jail. He must also pay $5,403 in restitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I want to apologize to my community and I want to be a role model," Admire said during the hearing. He also sought mercy from the court, claiming a parasite in his blood he got while in Florida. Admire's public defender Scott B. Johnson sought to have fines and fees waived against his client because of medical issues and because he can't work. Cuffe mentioned Admire's extensive criminal history while delivering the prison term. Admire had two burglary charges in Nevada with the first resulting in a conviction and a fully suspended sentence. Admire, who was released on his own recognizance May 6, was returned to the county jail where he awaits his move to Deer Lodge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the charging document, Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy Derek Breiland was dispatched to a location on U.S. 2 on April 9 after two men were reported inside a building trespassing on private property. Breiland spoke to the property caretaker who said he saw two men, one he identified as Admire, inside a building that housed personal property and valuable goods. The caretaker told Breiland that Admire had permission from the landowner to be on the property, but the landowner said that was not the case. Captain John Davis also confirmed this with the landowner. The landowner said he has no idea who Admire is and hadn't previously talked to him. When Deputy Breiland spoke to Admire, the accused said he had permission to be on the property from the landowner and offered a printed copy of the property record from Montana Cadastral. Admire allegedly admitted being inside the building, but denied taking anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Breiland investigated, he reported finding a broken door jam from forced entry with fresh pieces of wood on the floor. The caretaker told the officer that Admire's truck, a red 1998 Ford Ranger, was seen at the entrance to the property about a week ago. According to Breiland, Admire opened a gate and drove into the property. The officer wrote that, "it is common for burglary suspects to surveil a location before trying to gain entry to see if it is occupied or when the owner is not home to avoid detection." Breiland reported that Admire had a burglary conviction in February 1999 in Nevada. A burglary conviction may result in a prison term of 20 years. Reese Novak, 9, of Bismarck, reads in front of the Bismarck Veterans Memorial Library on March 1, 2025, during protests for a bill that would force libraries to remove and relocate content determined to be obscene. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) The chief sponsor of a library content bill faced bipartisan pushback Thursday from legislators who questioned the need for the bill, a lack of engagement with librarians and outdated data. North Dakota Sen. Keith Boehm, R-Mandan, appeared before the House Appropriations Committee to discuss Senate Bill 2307. The bill would require school and public libraries to relocate books deemed sexually explicit to areas not easily accessible by minors. The bill also proposes that local states attorneys would investigate and prosecute violations, and state funds could be withheld from schools or libraries in violation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A fiscal note estimates it would cost the state about $2 million through 2029 to comply with the bill. Thats the estimated cost to add an age-verification system for an online database used by North Dakota libraries. Sen. Keith Boehm, R-Mandan, introduces an amendment to a library content bill during a House Appropriations Committee meeting on April 10, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) Boehm introduced an amendment Thursday to remove the section of the bill that affects online content, which would eliminate the fiscal note. Rep. Karla Rose Hanson, D-Fargo, told Boehm his amendment would add a really large loophole to his bill. If its a huge concern, it seems like it would be an inconsistent application of your policy just to eliminate a fiscal note in order to get it passed, Hanson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other lawmakers pointed out the estimated fiscal impact does not include expenses local libraries or schools would incur. Lawmakers in 2023 passed House Bill 1205, which required books with sexually explicit content to be removed from the childrens section. It also required libraries to develop policies for reviewing and removing content. Rep. Steve Swiontek, R-Fargo, questioned the need for the latest bill and said some of Boehms testimony was misleading. Boehm provided committee members with the 2023 American Library Association list of the top 10 most challenged books, along with a list of North Dakota libraries that had those books. Many of the books have LGBTQ themes or discuss sexual assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Committee members pointed out the books were on the list because they had been challenged at libraries across the country, not because they were deemed to be obscene. Boehm also acknowledged he had not verified if the controversial books were in childrens sections of North Dakota libraries. Rep. Eric Murphy, R-Grand Forks, pointed to a book on the list called Sold, a story about a young Nepalese woman who was sold into sex trafficking. Would this not, perhaps, be a good book for some of our older, adolescent girls to perhaps read? Murphy asked. Boehm said it depends on if the content sexualizes children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Alisa Mitskog, D-Wahpeton, said it was troublesome that Boehm told the committee that he did not speak to any librarians, members of the library association or school board association when crafting the bill. In response to a question from Mitskog, Boehm said he has visited five North Dakota libraries in the past four years while working to address concerns about library content. Im expressing a bit of frustration by the lack of engagement and I encourage sitting down with those groups, Mitskog said. Boehm said even though he had not engaged those stakeholders, it didnt mean that the bills other sponsors had not reached out to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Brandy Pyle, R-Casselton, said the data Boehm provided the committee is two years old and she would have liked more information to help her make a decision. It definitely feels like you are giving us one side of the story rather than the whole story, Pyle said. Rep. Mike Brandenburg, R-Edgeley, said he has constituents who want lawmakers to take action on library content. He said more than 200 people signed a petition objecting to a book in the Forman school library, but the school continues to have the book. The book is from the Heartstopper LGBTQ+ graphic novel series. You cant say its not happening in North Dakota, he said. Jonathan Byers, a member of the North Dakota States Attorneys Association, speaks in opposition to a library content bill during a meeting of the House Appropriations Committee on April 10, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) Jonathan Byers, a member of the States Attorneys Association, recommended the committee give the bill a do-not-pass recommendation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said a majority of county prosecutors do not employ investigators and the bill would likely require offices to add staff. The added duties would include investigating each instance brought by concerned citizens, evaluating whether the content qualifies as obscene, issuing an opinion and possible removal order and following up if content is not removed. Byers said he didnt believe states attorneys were consulted about the bill. The committee took no immediate action after the hearing. The bill previously received a do-pass recommendation from the House Judiciary Committee and advanced in the Senate on a 27-20 vote. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX JOHNSTON, Iowa (KCAU) LifeServe Blood Center is partnering with area firefighters for Firefighter Appreciation Blood Drives this May. International Firefighters Day is observed every year on May 4 and to celebrate, LifeServe Blood Center is partnering with firefighters from Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Illinois for a slew of blood drives. There will be multiple mobile blood drives held from April 23 through May 2. Additionally, from May 1 through 3, there will be blood drives hosted at all 14 LifeServe Blood Center Donor Centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal of this event, according to LifeServe, is to honor firefighters while helping provide much need blood to community hospitals. Governor Reynolds not seeking reelection Firefighters are committed to the protection of life and property and put their lives on the line regularly for the sake of others, Life Serve Blood Center Director of PR and Marketing Tim Paluch said. Their commitment is something that everyone can appreciate and support. To make sure were prepared for every situation, its important that donors give blood regularly, especially as we head into the summer. Anyone who donates during the event period will receive a free axe pizza cutter while supplies last. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a full list of where to find a mobile blood drive and how to register, 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 SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Lithuania intends to provide an additional 20 million for Ukraine to purchase ammunition, Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene has stated. Source: Lithuanian news agency LRT, as reported by European Pravda Details: Sakaliene said that Lithuania is preparing to allocate another 20 million for ammunition purchases, describing it as one of the most urgently needed resources for Ukraine at present. Details: She urged allies to accelerate assistance to Ukraine, warning that "the summer may be very difficult". Background: In June 2024, Lithuanias State Defence Council approved a policy of allocating at least 0.25% of the national GDP annually for military assistance to Ukraine. Since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion, Lithuania has provided around 800 million in military support, and its long-term assistance commitments exceed 1.5 billion. Earlier, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced another military aid package for Ukraine, including four IRIS-T air defence systems. Norway has also officially joined the drone coalition led by the UK and Latvia to support Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! At the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting (also known as the Ramstein format) on 11 April, Lithuania committed to providing 30 million for various forms of military aid to Kyiv. Source: Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovile Sakaliene on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: Sakaliene reported that 20 million of Lithuanias contribution will go towards the Czech initiative to purchase artillery shells for Ukraine, in addition to the 13 million already allocated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A further 7 million will be used to support Ukraines defence against drones including anti-drone rifles and short-range electronic warfare equipment. The remaining funds will be channelled through the demining coalition led by Lithuania, which has pledged to train and equip seven Ukrainian battalions during 2025. Sakaliene stated that the country has already committed 110 million in military aid to Ukraine for 2025, with the goal of increasing this figure to at least 200 million. Background: During the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting in Brussels on 11 April, participating states pledged to increase their military assistance to Ukraine by a total of 21 billion. Earlier, German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius announced another military aid package for Ukraine, including four IRIS-T air defence systems. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! (KRON) The suspect in what police believe to a road-rage-related shooting in Livermore last month was arrested in Seattle last week. The shooting occurred just before 5 p.m. on March 11 near North Vasco Road and Dalton Avenue, the Livermore Police Department said. Officers arrived on the scene and found a victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to the hospital and is still recovering. The roadway was closed for several hours following the incident as officers collected evidence. Massive statue of giant naked woman now towers over SF Embarcadero Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A thorough follow-up investigation from the Livermore PD Criminal Investigations Bureau identified the suspect as Demarionte Smith, 26, of Oakley. Smith was taken into custody with the assistance of U.S. Marshals in Seattle on April 1. He was arrested and charged with attempted murder and assault with a deadly weapon. Police say they believe Smith fled to Seattle after the shooting to stay with family members. He is currently awaiting extradition back to California. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A local elementary school teacher is facing criminal charges after State Police say she hit a student during school hours. Knoch Primary School special ed teacher Carly Miller is facing assault and harassment charges. According to State Police, she hit an 8-year-old in the face during school hours back in November. Theres been an investigation internally by the school and externally by law enforcement, district solicitor Thomas Breth said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Breth, the district was made aware of the allegations shortly after the alleged incident and has been cooperating with law enforcement. From the school districts perspective, theyll proceed through the process of terminating her employment and the criminal charges are something the teacher will have to deal with, he said. Miller is challenging the districts decision and is currently suspended. Her name is nowhere to be found on the district website. Community members are reacting to the news. Erron Brown has grandkids in Knoch and says hes always been happy with the district but adds teachers should never strike students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Definitely not - especially with special ed and someone that young...I mean, thats pretty young. I just dont think its the right place that should be done, he said. Channel 11 is still working to learn what led up to the incident. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW HOUSTON, April 11 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. immigration judge ruled on Friday that the Trump administration can deport Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate student, on grounds that he threatens U.S. foreign policy for his involvement in last year's pro-Palestinian campus protests. Judge Jamee Comans ruled after a hearing at the LaSalle Immigration Court in Jena, Louisiana, that "the court will sustain charge of removability," while setting a deadline of April 23 for Khalil and his lawyers to file applications for relief to stop his deportation. Following the ruling, Khalil addressed the court: "There's nothing more important than due process and fundamental fairness ... Neither of those principles were present today." "This is exactly why the Trump administration has sent me to this court 1,000 miles away from my family," he said. "I hope your urgency for this is to the thousands of people here in this facility." Khalil, a green card holder with no criminal history, was arrested at a university-owned apartment complex in New York City on March 8 and then transferred to an immigration detention center in the southern coastal U.S. state. Following Khalil's arrest, U.S. President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform, calling Khalil a "Radical Foreign Pro-Hamas Student" and declaring, "This is the first arrest of many to come." "We will find, apprehend, and deport these terrorist sympathizers from our country-never to return again," Trump wrote. Khalil and his lawyers have denied any support for Hamas or ties to the group. However, the Trump administration cited a rarely invoked provision from a 1952 law, namely the Immigration and Nationality Act which allows the secretary of state to deport noncitizens if their presence in the country threatens U.S. foreign policy. According to the latest data from the Association of International Educators, a nonprofit education group, nearly 1,000 foreign students and scholars have had their visas revoked or their immigration status marked as terminated in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, known as the SEVIS federal database. Many of them were reportedly involved in pro-Palestinian campus protests across the country last year. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) An amendment to the Ohio House Budget aims to protect students using mass transit systems to get to school. After hours of debate, the Ohio House has officially passed their version of the state operating budget in the form of House Bill 96. What made the cut, what didnt in House version of Ohio budget One part of the plan includes an amendment by local State Representative Phil Plummer (R-Dayton), aiming to curb crime and enhance safety, like protecting students at downtown bus station hubs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This push for safety comes after a Dunbar High School student was shot and killed last Friday while waiting for the bus at a transit hub in downtown Dayton. Police have since arrested the 23-year-old suspect in connection to that shooting, but the incident has brought attention to student safety at these bus stations into the spotlight. Community calls for change after Dunbar student killed by gun violence Rep. Plummer says that the time to act is now, when it comes to keeping young people safe at city bus stations. Local officials are hoping to streamline the process of student transport in cities by having buses make fewer stops making it a priority to take students straight from their neighborhoods to school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The provision in this budget bill will affect school districts in Ohios eight largest counties, where students will often take public transportation instead of school-operated busing. We believe that public school students deserve to have the same level of service that their suburban peers have, said Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims Jr. The goal is to ensure that student transfers on mass transit systems do not take place at central hubs. The budget bill wants to provide routes so that theres no need to switch buses during trips an effort officials say would protect students from becoming targets of violence. Its got to stop. You know, I rode the RTA bus to school years ago and the bus took me from my house to school and it took me back home, said Plummer. I didnt have to transfer downtown and meet other students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The amended substitute House Bill 96 now goes to the state senate for further consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A new parent-led nonprofit aims to provide reliable transportation for school kids, especially those who are not eligible or do not want to ride the school bus. Nia Bishop, a certified Clark County School District (CCSD) occupational therapy practitioner, says shes always in a rush. Like many parents, she said she understands the struggle of driving students to school. Bishop said those who live outside the CCSD transportation zone have an increased difficulty level. School district data indicate slightly more than 120,000 of the districts 300,000 students are eligible for school bus service. Bishop said they are aiming to be the bridge for the remaining students. Bishop and her husband, Donald, run Aundrea Beverly Community Advocacy Foundation, a non-profit organization offering a service dubbed GoVamo Pathways, which pairs with organizations like The Ability Center of Southern Nevada to provide easier transportation for families. A new parent-led nonprofit aims to provide reliable transportation for school kids, especially those who are not eligible or do not want to ride the school bus. (KLAS) Transportation is the biggest barrier to any disability service, said Chris Salas, executive director for The Ability Center of Southern Nevada. It was a must that we had to partner together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Bishop emphasized the seriousness of the trust families have in his service, entrusting them with their children. The organization is the only one of its kind offering transportation services to all children, including those with intellectual disabilities, the Bishops said, adding that they currently provide funding for the services. Megan Griffard, an assistant professor with UNLVs Educational Policy and Leadership program, said it falls on the parents to ensure they are comfortable with their childs environment, adding that vetted private transportation services can be a good option. Griffard said they are quicker than school bus rides, minimize behavior issues, and combat CCSDs chronic absenteeism. However, she did note that school buses are generally considered the safest mode of transportation. The Bishops and their drivers provide more than 60 rides a week, they say, and can only sponsor one child who can use their transportation service for free. Their goal, they say, is to help more kids. Clark County Commissioner Justin Jones recently joined them on a ride-along, saying that the organization has stepped up to provide more options to parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Transportation options are critical for students across the valley, especially those who live outside of CCSDs transportation zones and who have special needs, Jones said in a statement. Up next, the Bishops will provide transportation for some Clark County high school students in summer programs. CCSD was contacted to participate in this piece, but did not respond to requests. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. OTTAWA, April 11 (Xinhua) -- General Motors on Friday announced a temporary shutdown of one plant in Canada with hundreds of layoffs expected. General Motors said in a statement that its CAMI (Canadian Automotive Manufacturing Inc.) Assembly plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, will shut down next month with plans to reopen in the fall at half capacity. General Motors said the decision is not related to U.S. tariffs but rather market demand and high inventory for the BrightDrop vehicle, adding that the reduction is expected to result in the indefinite layoff of nearly 500 workers. CAMI Assembly, employing approximately 1,200 workers, is owned and operated by General Motors Canada to assemble the Chevrolet BrightDrop battery-electric cargo van for the North American market. "CAMI is making operational and employment adjustments to balance inventory and align production schedules with current demand," said General Motors, vowing that the company would support employees through the transition. Last week, automaker Stellantis confirmed it is shutting down its assembly plant in Windsor, Ontario, for two weeks. Canada is amid the tariff war against the United States. On April 3, U.S. tariffs of 25 percent on Canadian automobiles came into effect, targeting the auto industry and the more than 500,000 Canadians across the country. Canada's countermeasures came into force on April 9. Accenture has deepened its strategic alliance with Google Cloud, unveiling a suite of new capabilities designed to assist organisations in scaling advanced cloud and AI technologies. The new offerings span five main areas, including agentic AI, customer experience modernisation, wide area network (WAN) services, Google Distributed Cloud (GDC) solutions, and mainframe modernisation. As part of the expansion, Accenture is broadening its catalogue of agent solutions tailored to specific industries and functions. These solutions leverage Google Agentspace and Geminis reasoning models and are available through the joint Accenture Google Gen AI Centre of Excellence. Accentures AI Refinery platform also supports Google Clouds new Agent2Agent interoperability protocol, allowing AI agents to interact more effectively with a range of applications. In customer experience, Accenture is launching tools that use its GenWizard platform and Googles Customer Engagement Suite. These tools facilitate the migration of legacy contact systems to Contact-Center-as-a-Service, allow deployment of AI agents, implementation of gen AI-based testing and analytics frameworks, and provide omni-channel analytics capabilities. Accenture is also introducing packaged solutions based on GDC that are aimed at sectors including public services, manufacturing, and utilities. In networking, Accenture is incorporating Google Clouds new Cloud WAN service into its Cloud Network Operator platform. This provides enterprises with secure connectivity to applications while enhancing operations, security, governance, and compliance. For mainframe modernisation, Accenture is using Gemini-powered tools to enhance its GenWizard platform. This will accelerate the analysis and assessment of mainframe inventories, code conversion, and reverse engineering processes, benefiting industries like banking, health, and retail. Accenture is also applying these technologies internally. Its research team, in collaboration with Kensho, S&P Globals AI hub, is using Googles third-party grounding capability to integrate S&P Global financial data into research models. This approach enhances access to reliable data with traceability. In March 2025, Accenture expanded its footprint and AI capabilities in the Nordic region with the acquisition of AI company Halfspace. Halfspace is engaged in developing AI and generative AI solutions that simplify complex business workflows. "Accenture expands Google Cloud partnership" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. This article was originally published in Chalkbeat. Jennie Demizio, a special education teacher at Park Elementary School in Newark, stood in a crowd full of dozens of educators and union members and listened to speakers talk about the Trump administrations threats to cut funding for education. One by one, speakers listed the potential impacts of federal cuts on programs at New Jerseys universities and colleges, health care, and research. Protesters yelled shame and boo after speakers detailed the effects of funding cuts on schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the rally on Tuesday, Demizio held back tears and her voice cracked as she told Chalkbeat Newark how her students with disabilities rely on federal funding to get to school and for services such as speech therapy and classroom aides. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Half of my students arrive in ambulances. Theyre on oxygen, they have seizure disorders, and just their transportation alone to get to school costs thousands of dollars a year, said Demizio as her voice cracked while holding back tears. Im just so worried were going to lose this funding. Demizios fears echo those of many educators in Newark and across the state who feel that students will lose essential resources because of the administrations threats to education. The protesters hope school districts, higher education institutions, and local leaders will band together to fight looming cuts and protect students and staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The protest in Newark was part of the Kill the Cuts demonstration, a national day of action with protests in over 30 cities across the country. About 50 city educators and labor unions gathered in front of a bust of John F. Kennedy at Military Park on the windy Tuesday afternoon, where they held signs that read hands off my students and chanted stand up, fight back. The protest in Newark centered on threats to health care, immigrants, research, and the Trump administrations threat to withhold federal funding from school districts and universities that dont eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs deemed unlawful by the administration. Last week, federal officials gave state education agencies 10 days to certify the elimination of DEI efforts in schools or risk losing federal funding. That directive threatens roughly $1.2 billion in federal funding for New Jersey schools, including $77 million for Newark Public Schools, the states largest district. That funding makes up around 5% of the districts $1.5 billion budget for the upcoming school year. Theres no way that municipalities can totally foot that bill, said Demizio.Im in a classroom where there are nurses, aides, and, you know, I think I feel like special education teachers, especially, are vulnerable at this moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last weeks attack on DEI programs in schools comes days after federal education officials also announced they would revoke deadline extensions to spend federal COVID aid that had been approved by the Biden administration. As a result, 20 school districts across New Jersey could lose an additional $85 million in federal funding for infrastructure projects already in progress. That includes Newark Public Schools, which was approved for a $17 million extension to finish installing artificial intelligence cameras last fall. Paul Brubaker, the districts director of communications, did not respond to questions about the status of the districts AI cameras project or budget plans if federal funds are cut. For Shelby Wardlaw, a professor and vice president of non-tenure track faculty at Rutgers University, the attacks feel personal. International students are worried about getting their visas revoked, and immigrant students fear they might be targeted due to their legal status, Wardlaw said. In recent days, roughly a dozen Rutgers students in good academic standing learned their visas were revoked without explanation, according to an April 6 letter from Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway. Across the country, more than 300 international students and recent graduates have had their legal status changed by the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, some Rutgers faculty members are concerned about cuts to DEI initiatives and the impact that could have on teaching and learning. Melissa Rodgers, a professor at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, spoke to the crowd on Tuesday about the devastating effects funding cuts to the National Institutes of Health and anti-DEI initiatives will have on medical and scientific research. Rodgers, a biomedical professor, has been investigating the impacts of sex on kidney disease, research thats now at risk under proposed cuts, Rodgers said. Wardlaw and her colleagues want Rutgers and other universities in the Big Ten Academic Alliance Conference to band together to share legal resources and funds to combat federal funding threats to higher education. Last month, the Rutgers University Senate passed a resolution calling on those universities to form a Mutual Defense Compact to protect and defend academic freedom, institutional integrity and the research enterprise, according to The Daily Targum, Rutgers student-run newspaper. Universities are bastions of knowledge and resistance that would oppose an authoritarian overreach, and theyre going to come after us first, Wardlaw told Chalkbeat on Tuesday. Theyre trying to break us as a potential site of resistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protesters at the Newark rally also heard from union leaders, civil rights activist Larry Hamm, and gubernatorial candidates Sean Spiller and Mayor Ras Baraka, who urged educators, laborers, and immigrant rights activists to band together to fight federal threats. We must resist, all three speakers urged the crowd on Tuesday. The same people that were trying to stop [workers] from having fair working conditions and a rise in their wages were the same people who were opposed to ending Jim Crow Laws, opposed to civil rights, and opposed to democracy and justice, Baraka told protesters. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, also spoke on Tuesday and called the Trump administrations move to cancel funding for Johns Hopkins University and $400 million in grants to Columbia University an assault on education. The AFT is a party to eight lawsuits against the Trump administrations attacks on education, access to records, and public health, according to the group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have young people engage in critical thinking and problem solving so they can discern fact from fiction, so they can stand up for themselves, so they know how to think, Weingarten said. That is what we do and what this administration is so fearful about. This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters. Ordinarily, the annual National Library Week does not generate significant attention from political writers, but this year is not like most. Indeed, National Library Week 2025 included an important new lawsuit from the American Library Association. The New York Times reported: The American Library Association and a union representing more than 42,000 cultural workers nationwide have filed a lawsuit contesting the Trump administrations deep cuts to the federal agency that supports the nations libraries. ... The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday by the library association and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, came days after the Institute for Museum and Library Services dismissed most of its staff of 70, fired its board and began informing state library agencies that their grants had been cut. As my MSNBC colleague Jahan Jones explained last week, the Trump administration, by way of Elon Musks DOGE initiative, gutted the Institute of Museum and Library Services, which funds museums, archives and libraries around the country. This weeks lawsuit is seeking an injunction to reverse Team Trumps cuts and halting any further steps to dissolve the agency, arguing that its up to Congress, not DOGE, to dismantle an agency created by lawmakers nearly 30 years ago with bipartisan support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As The New Republic recently noted, local libraries are mostly funded by local tax dollars, but these libraries do receive federal funds for things like employee training and technology updates. A USA Today report added that local libraries have relied on grants from the IMLS to fund everything from summer reading programs to programs that provide books to those with disabilities. The more the Trump administration succeeds in hollowing out the IMLS, the more local institutions and the people who rely on them will suffer. Libraries play an important role in our democracy, from preserving history to providing access to government information, advancing literacy and civic engagement, and offering access to a variety of perspectives, American Library Association President Cindy Hohl said in a statement. These values are worth defending. We will not allow extremists to threaten our democracy by eliminating programs at IMLS and harming the children and communities who rely on libraries and the services and opportunities they provide, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes against a backdrop of extraordinary and unusual challenges that face libraries at multiple levels. In response to an order from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, for example, the U.S. Naval Academys Nimitz Library removed 381 books, including Maya Angelous I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and books on the Holocaust. Similarly, on-base school libraries have also been directed to remove books from shelves that dont meet with Team Trumps approval. Around the same time, NBC News reported that officials in California, Connecticut and Washington have been notified that the Trump administration has terminated funding the states rely on to operate many local libraries. This week, meanwhile, the Mississippi Library Commission scrubbed academic research from a database used by state libraries, targeting research collections focused on race relations and gender studies. Voters might not have realized last fall that the election would launch this kind of systematic offensive against libraries, but thats precisely what the public is now receiving. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Todays edition of quick hits. * Chinese tariffs: China raised its total retaliatory tariff on U.S. imports to 125% today after the Trump administration clarified yesterday that U.S. duties on Beijing are actually 145% because of earlier fentanyl-related levies. * A closely watched case: A federal judge in Maryland on Friday ordered the Department of Justice to give her daily updates on steps it is taking to secure the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from an El Salvador prison, where he has been held since being deported last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Another closely watched case: An immigration judge has ruled that the Trump administration can proceed with its effort to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident of the U.S., in a case that Khalils attorneys and civil rights experts say has enormous implications for free speech in the U.S. * Ill be curious whether this trend continues: Teslas sales in the United States fell almost 9 percent in the first three months of the year even as the overall market for electric vehicles grew, according to data compiled by a research firm. * The future of the ATF is not bright: The Trump administration told the second-ranking official at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives this week to retire or be fired, according to multiple people familiar with the personnel decision. ... [Deputy Director Marvin] Richardson was forced out the same week that the Trump administration said it replaced ATFs acting director, Kash Patel, with a new acting director: Army Secretary Dan Driscoll. * Burgum was supposed to be one of the less controversial Cabinet nominees: Popular outdoor equipment retailer REI has issued a public apology for its previous endorsement of Doug Burgum, the man Donald Trump tapped to lead the Interior Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Bon voyage: All of the full-time employees in the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Vessel Sanitation Program are now off the job, multiple officials tell CBS News, gutting the agencys ability to investigate outbreaks and conduct health inspections on cruise ships. Have a safe weekend. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com As Donald Trumps second term got underway, Gen. CQ Brown Jr. knew that his job was on the line, but he hoped to remain the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. To that end, he attended Trumps inauguration ceremony in the Capitol rotunda as an apparent sign of support, and after the ceremony, the general told reporters that he planned to remain at his post. The president had a different plan. As part of a broader military purge, Trump fired the countrys highest-ranking military officer in February and nominated Air Force Lt. Gen. Dan Razin Caine to replace Brown. Roughly two months later, as The New York Times reported, the Senate confirmed the presidents choice. The Senates lopsided 60-25 vote approving General Caine, who is retired, was expected. While Democrats had expressed concerns about the rash of firings at the Pentagon in Mr. Trumps second term, General Caine garnered little opposition because the majority of them appeared to view him as perhaps the best possible option, given the circumstances. The final confirmation vote came around 2 a.m. local time, and the nominee received 15 Democratic votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his confirmation process, Caine conceded to senators, I acknowledge that Im an unconventional nominee. That was true. As the Times reported in February, General Caine retired with three stars, as a lieutenant general. By statute, anyone picked to be the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is supposed to have served as a combatant commander, as the vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or as the top uniformed officer of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Space Force. After the president tapped Caine for the job, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was asked why Trump chose an underqualified retired lieutenant general to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs. He replied, Im going to choose to reject your underqualified question. As a statutory matter, Caine is quite literally unqualified for the position. A Washington Post report added that the general was plucked from retirement and relative obscurity to serve as the nations highest-ranking military officer. As for why, exactly, Trump did this, there were apparently a few elements to the decision-making process. Right off the bat, the president really seemed to like the generals name. Razin Caine. I liked him right from the beginning, the Republican said in late February. As soon I heard his name, I said, Thats my guy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days earlier, the Times reported that Trump passed over more obvious choices who did meet the requisite qualifications and went with Caine because he believed Joe Biden passed over Caine for a promotion. And if his Democratic predecessor didnt support Caine, then Trump concluded that the retired general must be great. Finally, the president has also frequently told a story about meeting Caine at a military base, where the president was delighted to see Caine wearing a red Make America Great Again cap. During his confirmation hearing, Caine said, I have never worn any political merchandise, adding that he believed the president was confusing him with someone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, as a recent Washington Post report noted, Caine has never overseen a branch of the armed forces, never led a major combatant command and never managed a division with thousands of troops in combat. Sixty senators nevertheless made him the nations top military officer. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Roughly 11 weeks into his second term, Donald Trump has issued well over 100 executive orders, more than in the first two years of his first term, but two of those orders were unusual not just for him, but for the American presidency. Late Wednesday, without warning, the Republican incumbent signed two first-of-their-kind orders targeting two former Trump administration officials whod defied him. In the first EO, the president directed Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Homeland Security to launch a review into Christopher Krebs, who led the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and was one of the heroes of the post-2020 election crisis. In the second, Trump also directed the Department of Homeland Security to investigate Miles Taylor, a former high-ranking DHS official who became a prominent Trump critic, alerting the public to allegations that he personally witnessed the presidents corruption and ineptitude. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was barely a pretense in the executive orders that the targeted former officials had done anything wrong. Indeed, the closer one looked at the stated rationales in support of the directives, the more they appeared ridiculous. But that was hardly the most important problem with the underlying effort. As The New York Times reported, the broader significance of the orders was that Trumps demands for investigations are starting to become more formalized through written presidential decrees as he seeks to use the power of public office to punish people and companies he has cast as enemies and silence potential critics. On Wednesday, Mr. Trump crossed a new line. ... The memos send a stark message: To oppose Mr. Trump will mean risking punishment at the hands of the federal government. ... Mr. Trump is openly using his control of the executive branch to satisfy his desire for retribution against people he perceives as working against him. And his officials are readily helping him. There are countries abroad where tactics like these are common. But theyre authoritarian countries, not liberal democracies. A related Washington Post analysis characterized this as a big moment as the president crosses the Rubicon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I can appreciate why the media landscape is crowded right now, but to see this as a one-day story seems like a mistake. Trump who ran on an authoritarian-style platform, whos trying to concentrate power while expressing indifference to the rule of law ordered investigations into Americans he doesnt like. He has an enemies list, and this week, he began using the power of the presidency to target some of those on that list, despite the inconvenient fact that their only crime was telling truths Dear Leader didnt want to hear. If the pushback is muted, Trump will do what hes always done: assume that he can get away with such an abuse, while preparing to keep going down the same radical and dangerous path. Not to put too fine a point on this, but if the president can sic the Justice Department on his critics and perceived enemies, and this isnt seen as a dramatic scandal, wholl be next? How far down his enemies list will he go? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I wrote about this yesterday, I received a note from a regular reader who joked, Joe Biden shouldve pardoned more people. That might be true, though Im not convinced it would matter: Trump has already said that, as far as hes concerned, his predecessors presidential pardons dont really count. Im reminded anew of J. Michael Luttig, a prominent conservative legal scholar put on the federal bench by President George H.W. Bush who published a Bluesky thread on Wednesdays orders, calling them shameful and constitutionally corrupt and accused Trump of palpably unconstitutional conduct. If theres limited pushback, it is an invitation to Trump to engage in still more palpably unconstitutional conduct. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) MADE, a quarterly business leadership series aimed at helping Connecticuts industry professionals and entrepreneurs, was held Wednesday afternoon at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. The first event of the series, Talent MADE, focused on talent attraction and retention. News 8s Mike Cerulli and WICCs Melissa Sheketoff hosted a discussion with Hartford HealthCare CEO Jeff Flaks, Connecticuts Chief Marketing Officer Anthony Anthony and Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner and Chief Innovation Officer Dan OKeefe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch it in the video above. State officials said the series helps people with the connections, resources, and insights necessary to create opportunity in todays business landscape. Upcoming MADE events include: Innovation MADE | May 28 at 9:30 a.m. at the Yale Innovation Summit inside the Yale School of Management in New Haven, exploring the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and business growth. Reputation MADE | October 2025 in the greater Fairfield County area, addressing how businesses can differentiate themselves and stand out in a crowded media ecosystem with authentic and strong brands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Learn more at https://connecticut-made.com/. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Self-described MAGA leftist Batya Ungar-Sargon confidently declared on Thursday night that President Barack Obamas first act in office was passing the $700 billion Troubled Asset Relief Program that bailed out financial institutions during the height of the 2008 financial crisis. Ungar-Sargon would double down on that claim the following morning, tweeting that in 2008, President Obama bailed out Wall Street and screwed over Main Street while defending Donald Trumps tariffs, insisting that in 2024 the current president screwed over Wall Street to bail out Main Street. There is just one small problem with The Free Press columnists analysis: TARP was signed into law by then-President George W. Bush on October 3, 2008 a full month before Obama was elected president and four months before he entered the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During an appearance on CNN Newsnight with Abby Philip, Ungar-Sargon who has been making the media rounds to passionately defend Trumps chaotic tariffs that have sparked a global market meltdown attempted to contrast the factors that led to the Great Recession to the current economic environment. Ive been thinking a lot about the 10 million Americans who lost their homes in the 2008 financial crisis, and how President Obamas first act in office was to give $700 billion to the banks that caused it, including $30 billion in bonuses to the crooks who organized it, she exclaimed. Free Press columnist Batya Ungar-Sargon blames Barack Obama for the passage of the 2008 bank bailout despite the fact that George W. Bush was the president at the time. (CNN) And Im thinking about how those very Americans saw a president pick Wall Street over Main Street, Ungar-Sargon added. And what they saw this whole week was a president willing to go out there and fight for the forgotten men and women of this heartland and take on the entire international global order for them. A one-time Marxist academic who has since morphed into a Steve Bannon-style MAGA populist-nationalist, Ungar-Sargon has pounded the drum in recent days that Trump is waging war for the forgotten people in the heartland of America with his trade war, going so far as to argue that it could fix the crisis in masculinity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, regardless of the merits of her arguments on behalf of Trumps tariffs, one thing is indisputable TARP was not Obamas first act after he was sworn in as president in 2009. In reality, the massive bailout came about during the fall of 2008 when the global economy was in freefall due to financial institutions and banks many of which were deemed too big to fail going bankrupt due to the subprime mortgage crisis. With the housing bubble bursting and defaults skyrocketing, the mortgage-backed securities that lenders and investment firms bought up in high volumes became worthless, resulting in these institutions losing all their money and customers deposits. TARP was eventually implemented to buy up these toxic assets and keep the banks afloat amid concerns of a full-blown economic collapse. The bill was initially met with bipartisan resistance and even failed on its initial vote in the House, but Congress eventually passed it after some tweaks, and it was quickly signed into law by Bush. After Obama came into office, other changes were made to the program, including prohibiting firms receiving TARP funds from giving bonuses to their 25 highest-paid employees. The Treasury Department reported in 2023 that the total amount disbursed from TARP was $443.5 billion, with the government collecting $425.5 billion through repayments, sales and dividends. After considering the interest expense of $13.1 billion, the net cost of TARP programs was $31.1 billion, the report stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharing a clip of her CNN comments, Ungar-Sargon reiterated that Obama was responsible for TARP while simultaneously claiming Trump was president last year. In 2008, President Obama bailed out Wall Street and screwed over Main Street, she posted on X (formerly Twitter). In 2024, President Trump screwed over Wall Street to bail out Main Street. That's what a lot of Americans are going to remember about last week. It didnt take long for a number of political commentators and journalists to take Ungar-Sargon to task for her revisionist history. Bush was President in 2008. Trump's tariffs are cratering the economy in 2025. I would recommend that @CNN and @abbydphillip stop inviting on pundits who don't seem to have a handle on the most basic facts about politics or economics, Pod Save America host Tommy Vietor reacted. How many mistakes can you make in one tweet? Charles W. Cooke, a senior writer for the conservative outlet National Review, wondered while Inside Elections deputy editor Jacob Rubashkin was even more succinct with his observation of Ungar-Sargons remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who was president in 2008? and Who was president in 2020? are two questions you should be required to answer before you opine about politics on TV, he noted. Its one thing to go on TV and claim that Obama was president in 2008. TV is hectic and ppl make mistakes, The Atlantics Derek Thompson added. But its another thing to log on in the morning and go: To be clear, Obama, who became POTUS in 2009, hates the common man so much he traveled back thru time to sign TARP. The New Yorker's Isaac Chotiner is famous in people-who-read circles for his ability to get maloevent and/or stupid people in leadership to humiliate themselves in his interviews. Lucky for him, the right provides an endless supply of people who are egotistic as they are ignorant, meaning he will never go without subjects who don't bother to learn this history before agreeing to go on the record with him. The latest deserving victim is Albert Mohler, the head of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, who went from denouncing Donald Trump as a "predator" in 2016 to being one of Trump's loudest Christian right defenders. Chotiner drew Mohler, a supposed follower of Jesus Christ, to admit he now condemns empathy. Mohler sneered that empathy is "an artificial virtue," calling empathy "destructive and manipulative." "Empathy means never having to say no," Mohler insisted, attacking the straw-iest of strawmen. Much was made in the media, for good reason, of billionaire Elon Musk's crusade against empathy, an emotion he describes as "suicidal" and the "fundamental weakness of Western civilization." Musk is an atheist, but in this attitude, he is increasingly joined by the Christian right, as Julia Carrie Wong documented at the Guardian this week. A growing chorus of evangelical leaders has taken to calling empathy "sinful," "toxic," and "satanic." Right-wing Catholics are going there, too, with Vice President JD Vance rejecting Jesus's exhortations to love your neighbor and welcome the stranger, drawing a rebuke from the Pope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The political impetus behind this overt assault on what was once considered a baseline virtue is obvious enough. All these people follow Trump, a man who is incapable of empathy, so much so that many high-profile psychologists have argued that he should be considered a sociopath, despite not consenting to a formal diagnosis. Trump has eclipsed Jesus himself as the object of worship on the Christian right, as evidenced by the hosts of "Girls Gone Bible" invoking Trump's name as if he were God in their rewrite of the Lord's Prayer. At his inauguration ball, a "worship painter" even replicated Trump's image while the crowd sang "amen" over and over, underscoring this shift in the de facto theology of these "Christians." How is this not just idolatry? pic.twitter.com/9w8xMKYLcZ Micah Erfan (@micah_erfan) April 9, 2025 Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Subscribe to her newsletter Standing Room Only. So yeah, Trump's sociopathy now outranks the empathy of Jesus in MAGA eyes. But there's another angle to this, as well: This is about the MAGA right's unhinged obsession with gender and escalating hatred of women. Empathy is seen as a "feminine" emotion by both the atheistic techbro right and the Christian nationalist right. Both firmly agree that femininity is the root of all evil. One doesn't have to speculate, either, to see this aspect of the war on empathy. Plenty of MAGA leaders will say the misogynist part out loud. When the Episcopalian Rev. Mariann Budde spoke out about Trump's cruelty during an inauguration service, Blaze Media's Allie Beth Stuckey tweeted that this is "to be expected from a female Episcopalian priest: toxic empathy." Stuckey has repeatedly argued that women cannot be pastors and that it's "arrogance" for women to believe otherwise. She also wrote "Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pastor Joe Rigney, author of "The Sin of Empathy: Compassion and Its Counterfeits," also lambasted Budde for daring to speak back to Trump. He wrote that she displayed "the man-eating weed of Humanistic Mercy" that was "enabled by the feminist denial of the complementary design and callings of men and women." He's fine with women having empathy inside the home, for family members. But, in leadership roles, "empathy is a liability, not an asset." He's also called it "pathological feminine empathy" to defend LGBTQ people and immigrants. The "sin of empathy" talk got even louder this week when Justice Amy Coney Barrett was the only conservative on the Supreme Court to agree with the three liberal justices that Trump has no right to send innocent Venezuelan immigrants to a torture prison in El Salvador. The four justices who dissented against Trump are women, so William Wolfe, former aide to Al Mohler, used it as evidence that women cannot be trusted with power. "Illegal alien criminals dont need to be mothered by the women on the Supreme Court," he screeched on X. (Wolfe is lying, it must be said. Reports show many, probably most of the men who were disappeared had legal asylum status.) He then called them the "Four Horsewomen of Suicidal Empathy." The Four Horsewomen of Suicidal Empathy https://t.co/S7OZ0shxAa pic.twitter.com/DHBQreXeLF William Wolfe (@William_E_Wolfe) April 8, 2025 As journalist and lawyer Jill Filipovic noted in her newsletter, "Coney Barrett signing onto part of the dissent in the Supreme Court decision at issue here had nothing to do with empathy," but was based on a "cold, rational reading of the Constitution." It's the men who appear to have let their emotions whether it's unjustified fear of immigrants or an unwillingness to cross Trump interfere with rational decision-making. On the secular side of MAGA, the claims are just as unfounded, but possibly even grosser. As Wong notes, Musk gets his ideas about "suicidal empathy" from Gad Saad, a Canadian marketing professor who pretends to be an expert in biology as cover for his baseless gender essentialism and racism against immigrants. Saad likes to tell the story of Karsten Nordal Hauken, a Norwegian man who Saad mocks for calling himself "feminist and anti-racist." Hauken was raped by a Somali immigrant a few years ago and went public about the complex emotions he felt when his rapist was deported. "I felt a relief and joy that he was going away forever," Hauken wrote. "But I also got a strong sense of guilt and responsibility. I was the reason why he should not be left in Norway, but rather to face a very uncertain future in Somalia." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hauken has become a punching bag on the right, which has clung only to the word "guilt," while ignoring that Hauken wasn't opposed to punishing his rapist. He just had complex emotions about treating an immigrant more harshly than a native-born Norwegian. Saad excused making fun of a rape victim by saying it was necessary to prove his point about "suicidal empathy." But really, what he's doing is reiterating the misogynist fears driving the right-wing war on empathy. After all, the MAGA movement can hardly be considered anti-rape. They back Trump, who was found liable by a civil jury for sexually assaulting E. Jean Carroll. Saad is using Hauken's experience to signal not disapproval of rape, but of empathy. It's a fable about how empathy makes you a woman, which is what makes you eligible for rape in the grim Trumpian landscape. For years, there have been endless rounds of media hand-wringing about the loneliness epidemic among men, which is unfairly implied to be the fault of women. Rhetoric like this, however, is far more to blame. Men who buy this message that empathy is stupid, suicidal, and effeminate which is supposedly the worst thing you can be are going to struggle to make friends and maintain romantic relationships. Empathy is a basic skill people need to get along with other people. Yes, most empathy-haters will offer some throat-clearing about how the feeling has its place, even for men. But that caveat is drowned out by the hyperbolic and highly gendered language that frames empathy as emasculating. And, of course, by the continued hero-worship of Trump, a man who has likely never felt a pang of feeling for a fellow human being in his life. If you have an education savings account to manage while the stock market is flailing, and your kids are heading to college, you may be afraid to log in and survey the damage. Many consumers arent all that familiar with how education savings accounts work, especially by comparison with more ubiquitous tax-favored retirement accounts. A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged account you can use to pay a wide range of education expenses, with plans sponsored by every state and the District of Columbia. They allow tax-free withdrawals for qualified expenses. They boast high contribution limits and are quite flexible in investment choices, according to a Motley Fool explainer. A Coverdell Education Savings Account, or ESA, also allows tax-free withdrawals on qualified expenses, and investment options are generally broader than for 529s, Motley Fool reports. The drawback is lower contribution limits: $2,000 per year per beneficiary. How soon do you need to spend your 529 account dollars? What to do with those accounts in a down market depends on several variables, starting with how soon youll need the money. Many 529s and Coverdells function as college funds for children or grandchildren. If the beneficiaries are a decade or more away from college, then it might not matter so much how the stock market is doing now. If a beneficiary is in college now, you may face more urgent choices. To make investment decisions simpler, many education savings plans offer age-based options. You can pick an aggressive, moderate or conservative strategy keyed to the enrollment date of a child. You can also choose to manage investment decisions yourself. In that case, you may face some pressing choices about how your money is invested. Here are some tips from the experts, organized according to how soon the money will be spent. Well assume the fund is for children or grandchildren to go to college, while recognizing that anyone can open a 529 or Coverdell account for a wide range of educational purposes. Illustration of a piggy bank buried under a tree, which is growing money. Scenario 1: The kids are 10 or more years away from college If you have an education savings account for kids who are 10 or 15 years away from needing the money, theres nothing that you need to change, said Peter Lazaroff, a certified financial planner in St. Louis. The reason: Bear markets seldom last longer than a few years. Your education savings will have plenty of time to recover. You can ignore them for now. Or, you can take advantage of the down market and accelerate your contributions. An individual may gift up to $19,000 a year to a 529 account in 2025 without triggering federal gift taxes, and youre allowed to fund up to five years of contributions in a single year. If you really have a lot of extra money, you may want to think about super-funding a 529 plan in a bear market, Lazaroff said. Scenario 2: The kids are in high school If the kids will need your education savings dollars in a few years, then you may be more worried about the market downturn. Heres where those age-based investments work to your advantage. If you have a 529 with a target enrollment date of 2027 and the money is allocated accordingly, then you may have only a small percentage of the funds invested in stocks. If you have a child in high school, and youre in an age-based option, your account might be down a little, but you havent thrown off your entire plan, Lazaroff said. When it comes to target dates, most 529 plans are more conservative than retirement plans. A target-date 529 plan typically assumes the money will be spent in a narrow range of years, whereas a target-date retirement account assumes the funds will be spent across a much longer span. Target-date 529 plans "do get very conservative close to school age, and they descend rapidly in terms of risk," said Monica Dwyer, a certified financial planner in West Chester, Ohio. If you are in a 2025 target-date retirement fund, you may still be 60% stocks, said Jonathan Swanburg, a certified financial planner in Houston. If you have a 529 plan with the same target date, by contrast, you are likely 10% stocks and 50-60% cash equivalents, a much more conservative mix. Graduates celebrate their college during the University of Florida graduation at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Friday, May 3, 2024. About 4000 graduates attended the event in the Swamp. Scenario 3: The kids are already in college If you are already spending down your education savings and you opted for age-based allocations, then your funds are probably invested conservatively. The stock-market downturn may have little effect. Even if the account has lost some value, remember that you wont need all of the money on day one of college, Lazaroff said. Pace your spending, and give the market time to rebound. If your education savings have lost significant value, and youre spending the money now, consider alternatives to withdrawing the money. Can you pay your tuition out of pocket while your account recovers? Lazaroff said. Perhaps you can pay for the current semester in installments, drawn from your checking and savings accounts. The most important thing is not to panic and go to all cash, Lazaroff said, liquidating a 529 or Coverdell while its value is down. If you are able to leave some or all of your 529 funds untouched, Swanburg said, then think about keeping the money invested, ride out the down market, and use it for your childs future Roth contribution, rather than tuition, taking advantage of a recent change in investment laws. You can also move the money "from one sibling to another," Dwyer said. If you can keep education funds invested during a down market, you can spend them on a younger child when their value recovers. In any scenario: Take a look at your investments Many investors choose to ignore target dates in 529 plans and allocate the money themselves. If thats your situation, you may want to take a hard look at your investments right now. If your 529 plan is invested entirely in cash or cash equivalents, then the current market could present an opportunity to invest some of the funds in stocks. Things are on sale, Lazaroff said. You can buy the same shares" for fewer dollars, he said. Remember, however, that you are generally allowed to change investments within a 529 plan only twice per calendar year or when you change beneficiaries. When the market is volatile, that constraint could be a good thing, because it hinders investors from making impulsive changes, said Greg McBride, chief financial analyst, personal finance, at Bankrate. I think, by nature, that sort of helps enforce the hands-off, ride-out-the-volatility advice, he said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What to do with a 529 college savings plan as the market swoons Apr. 11A Maine resident is suing the Trump administration over economic sanctions the president imposed that he says forced him to stop his work on investigating human rights violations abroad. Matthew Smith is CEO of the nonprofit Fortify Rights and regularly works with the International Criminal Court's prosecutors to address genocide and the forced deportation Myanmar's Rohingya people. President Donald Trump announced sanctions against the ICC in February after the court issued an arrest warrant for Israel's prime minister over his alleged war crimes in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith and an international human rights lawyer from New York, Akila Radhakrishnan, say this order stifles their important work. In a lawsuit filed Friday in Maine's U.S. District Court, they are also suing Trump's secretaries of state and treasury, the U.S. attorney general and the acting director of the Office of Foreign Assets Control. Smith and Radhakrishnan are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and its Maine chapter. The group is alleging Trump's order violates their First Amendment rights, which bar governments from restricting American expression. According to the lawsuit, Smith has met regularly with the ICC's Office of the Prosecutor for several years, sharing stories from Rohingya refugees about horrific crimes in Myanmar and other "research critical to understanding which specific individuals may be criminally liable for atrocity crimes against the Rohingya." Radhakrishnan has worked with ICC prosecutors on addressing sexual and gender-based violence against Afghan women by the Taliban regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith said Trump's order has forced him to stop communications with the court "because of the substantial risk that they will cause Plaintiff Smith to be subjected to penalties." Those penalties could include blocking property assets and not allowing ICC officials and their relatives to enter the United States. "Because of this order, I've been forced to stop helping the ICC investigate horrific crimes committed against the people of Myanmar, including mass murder, torture, and human trafficking," Smith said in a written statement from the ACLU. "This executive order doesn't just disrupt our work it actively undermines international justice efforts and obstructs the path to accountability for communities facing unthinkable horrors." The ICC operates in the Netherlands and serves more than 100 countries. It was established by the international community in 1998 as an independent court of last resort for serious crimes when an individual country isn't able or willing to prosecute. Neither the United States nor Israel officially recognizes the court, even though the U.S. helped establish the ICC in 1998. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment Friday morning. This story may be updated. Copy the Story Link Apr. 11A controversial plan to build a $110 million aquaculture facility in Jonesport can proceed, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled. The court on Thursday upheld a previous ruling by the Kennebec County Superior Court, which affirmed permits issued by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to Kingfish Maine in 2021. The company plans to build an aquaculture facility on 93 acres of land near Chandler Bay. The project was first brought to the community in 2019, the Kingfish Company's global headquarters said in a written statement. It has faced strong opposition from environmental groups in the years since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vincent Erenst, Kingfish's chief executive, called the decision "a win for Maine and the United States with regard to seafood production" in a written statement Friday. Opponents of the Kingfish operation have charged that wastewater from the facility could pollute the nearby Chandler Bay and trigger algae blooms toxic to wildlife. They also challenged whether Kingfish could even use the land, which is permitted for aquaculture but not commercial and industrial uses. Petitioners who brought the appeal, including the Eastern Maine Conservation Initiative and Roque Island Gardner Homestead Corporation, argued that the Board of Environmental Protection did not consider the full scope of evidence before issuing permits based on the Natural Resources Protection Act. "We disagree and affirm the judgment," the high court wrote in its decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project is one of several high-profile aquaculture proposals to have faced pushback from Mainers in recent years. In January, the company behind a proposed $500 million development in Belfast dropped the project, citing legal challenges, and was later ordered to pay $125,000 to the advocacy group that fought the project. But the outlook for Kingfish appeared more secure than other proposals. Even as the appeals process ticked forward, the company received an additional $4 million from the state last year and expressed confidence that it would soon break ground. Kingfish estimates that once completed the new facility will be able to produce 8,500 metric tons of yellowtail, reducing U.S. reliance on foreign imports, the company said. Kingfish has previously stated that it will bring 70 to 100 jobs to the area. Last year, Kingfish said it planned to break ground in 2025. But in his statement Friday, Erenst did not offer an update on when that would take place. He said the project's timeline had been significantly delayed by the court battles, and it's no longer clear when the facility will open. "Now, with the appeals behind us, the project timeline will be determined by current economic and financial conditions, which we are assessing at this time," Erenst said. Copy the Story Link The New Mexico State Capitol on Friday, March 3, 2023, in Santa Fe, N.M. (Photo by Liam DeBonis for Source NM) Most of the public spending that New Mexico lawmakers voted to send up to the states governor this year managed to avoid the wrath of her veto pen. Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham on Friday signed three pieces of legislation into law, establishing the state governments income and spending over the next year, along with authorizing one-time spending on public infrastructure projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These appropriations bills represent significant investments in New Mexicos future, from education and healthcare to critical infrastructure, Lujan Grisham said in a statement. The governor has the authority to sign legislation while rejecting specific parts that propose to spend public funds, called line-item vetoes. In a news release, the governors office said her line-item vetoes reflect her concerns about long-term fiscal sustainability, implementation timelines, or alignment with the administrations strategic priorities. The targeted line-item vetoes were necessary to maintain fiscal responsibility while ensuring that we fund our highest-priority projects and initiatives, Lujan Grisham said. Yearly state budget Lujan Grisham signed House Bills 2 and 3, which set the $10.8 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2026, representing a 6% increase from last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She made a series of 87 line-item vetoes to the budget that fall into four categories: parts that impermissibly attempt to create substantive law; parts that attempt to enact general policy; parts that intrude into the executive managerial function; and parts that unduly restrict appropriations to specified types of expenditures. Of those, 14 line-item vetoes total approximately $19 million that will not be spent and included: $6 million for bioscience development, contingent on a legislative proposal that did not pass $5 million to help doctors repay loans, contingent on a legislative proposal that did not pass $4 million for a Sundance satellite festival and academy $1.65 million that would have covered start-up costs for the Department of Justice to establish an Office of the Child Advocate, contingent on a legislative proposal that she signed $1 million that would have paid for the Legislative Finance Committee to evaluate the new behavioral health package, and $1 million for LFC to create a childrens future task force, contingent on a legislative proposal that did not pass $1 million for career pathways programs at the Higher Education Department Lujan Grisham also allowed $5 million to go to the Department of Finance and Administration for grants to local governments to close encampments of homeless people, but vetoed language that would have also made the money available to use for streamlined housing placements, campsite services from outreach workers, housing navigators and case managers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also line-item vetoed specific earmarks within department budgets, including: $80 million for housing programs in Bernalillo County and $10 million for programs in Dona Ana County, leaving intact $110 million for housing projects in general $5 million to help doctors working in behavioral health settings to repay loans, leaving intact $20 million for all health professionals $4.6 million that would have gone through the Public Education Department to tribal education $2.7 million that would have paid for student testing $2.5 million for flood control improvements near Hatch $1 million for a public safety campus in Chaparral and $2 million for public safety infrastructure in Luna, Hidalgo and Dona Ana counties, leaving intact $10 million for public safety infrastructure in general $2 million for rural airports departments In her message to lawmakers, the governor noted that she also signed other bills that created a behavioral health trust fund, created a Medicaid trust fund, increasing the annual money going to the Early Childhood Education and Care Department to a minimum of $500 million, establishing the Strategic Water Supply, modernizing the Water Quality Act and regulating harmful PFAS chemicals. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE New infrastructure Lujan Grisham signed House Bill 450, which authorizes $1.2 billion in new one-time capital outlay project spending on colleges and universities, public schools, health facilities, state parks, a new STEM center, water projects, courts, senior centers, electric vehicle infrastructure, prisons and acequias. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HB450 also sets aside $595 million for local government projects like schools; water and sewer; police; public buildings; health, housing; parks; roads; cultural facilities; transportation; prisons; and military and emergency response projects. Lujan Grisham wrote that she made a series of line-item vetoes to new capital outlay project money totaling $1.2 million, or approximately 0.10% of the total, that would have gone to projects that lack proper planning or are not ready to proceed. She wrote that she also vetoed all capital outlay appropriations under $10,000, because state and local governments have other means well within their capacities to fund these smaller projects. She also vetoed parts of HB450 that are unnecessarily restrictive on decisions made by executive branch state agencies, to ensure money goes to the proper place and to guarantee the amounts are enough to complete the intended projects. Old infrastructure The governor also signed Senate Bill 425, which reauthorizes old capital outlay project spending that the state approved in prior years but has not yet been spent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must deploy these resources to benefit New Mexicos children, families and communities, and this legislation advances that goal, she wrote. The governor made 112 line-item vetoes to old capital outlay money in SB425, representing approximately 26% of the 423 total projects in SB425. Lujan Grisham wrote that each line-item veto was justified because either the money has not been spent; or is already found in the state budget; the bonds for the projects havent been issued; or the language would have created unnecessary burdens on state agencies. During the recent legislative session, lawmakers said they want to reform the capital outlay process to prevent wasted money on projects languishing for years without coming to fruition. This story has been amended since publication to correct the total amount of vetoed funding, and specific line-item vetoes. Source regrets the errors. A 38-year-old man was fatally shot on a Brooklyn street early Friday, police said. Cops responding to a report of a shooting at Pilling St. and Broadway in Bedford Stuyvesant at about 1:20 a.m. found the victim shot in the stomach. EMS rushed the victim to Brookdale University Hospital Medical Center, where he died an hour later. Police did not disclose his name as they tracked down his family. The gunman, described as a dark-skinned man with a green jacket, ran off and was last seen running south on Bushwick Ave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cops searching the area found the suspects green jacket, along with a gun and one shell casing outside a home on Bushwick Ave. around the corner from the shooting. No arrests have been made. Cops remained at the crime scene Friday morning, looking over a black Jeep Cherokee with several bullet holes. It was not immediately disclosed what sparked the shooting. The killing comes as the city celebrated a 23% drop in shootings for the first three months of the year compared to the same period last year, from 182 incidents down to 140, cops said. CHIPPEWA FALLS A Chippewa Falls man accused of repeatedly stabbing his friend in the neck with a broken beer bottle in May 2023 returned to court Thursday, where a judge reviewed a motion to throw out his interview with police. Abraham Sanchez-Galicia, 29, 219 W. Grand Ave., is charged in Chippewa County Court with attempted first-degree intentional homicide, mayhem, and first-degree reckless injury. Judge Steve Gibbs previously set a five-day trial to begin on Oct. 6. Last year, defense attorneys Kirby Harless and Ryan Kohler filed a motion to suppress, saying police began interviewing Sanchez-Galicia before he was properly given his Miranda rights reading in a manner that could be understood by Sanchez-Galicia. The defense attorneys are asking that the interview be suppressed, meaning it would not be allowed as evidence in a trial. A Spanish interpreter has been used in all court hearings in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chippewa Falls police officer Ryan Boie testified at the hearing Thursday about interviewing Sanchez-Galicia at the police station shortly after the assault, explaining that Sanchez-Galicia would speak and Eau Claire police officer Rogelio Gonzales, who speaks both English and Spanish, would interpret. At the time, the Chippewa Falls Police Department did not have any Spanish-speaking officers. Assistant District Attorney Sheila Yohnk played a video of the police interview in court, which showed Sanchez-Galicia was read his Miranda Rights in Spanish, and he nodded his head that he understood them, then signed a form that stated he was given the reading. Gonzales then testified and said he speaks both languages fluently because he grew up learning both at home. Gonzales said he has administered Miranda Rights readings five to 10 times in his career, and has served as an interpreter numerous times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After hearing from both parties, Gibbs asked each attorney to submit a brief by Aug. 1. Sanchez-Galicia remains in custody on a $250,000 cash bond because he is deemed a flight risk. According to the criminal complaint, the Chippewa County dispatch center received a call at 1:05 a.m. Saturday, May 20, 2023, but nothing was heard on the call. The dispatch center called the number back but did not get a response. A second call from that number came to the dispatch center at 1:08, but the voice was an unintelligible man; the call came from the lobby of the police department. Dispatchers accessed the police department camera system and informed officers that a male subject was in the front lobby, covered in blood. Several officers responded to the lobby and spoke to the man, who was identified as Sanchez-Galicia. He was not wearing shoes, socks or a shirt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers observed the front side of Abrahams body was covered in partially dried blood from the bottom of his torso to the top of his neck, the complaint states. Abraham had blood on his face and a large bloody handprint right below his right arm. Due to the amount of blood observed, officers were concerned Abraham was seriously injured. However, upon inspection, the only injuries observed were lacerations on Abrahams hands, fingers, and knees. Due to a language barrier, officers had difficulty communicating with Sanchez-Galicia, but they believed he was indicating that there was an injured person at a nearby residence in the city. When officers arrived, they saw multiple broken glass shards on the cement outside the front door. They found a male victim, lying face down in a pool of blood, in the living room. The victim was not moving or speaking. Blood spatter was observed on all four walls in the room, the complaint states. He was taken to a nearby hospital with several lacerations on his face, neck and hands. The doctor advised the laceration to the neck would require emergency surgery due to potential injury to a large vein in [the victims] neck. With the aid of an interpreter, Sanchez-Galicia told officers his friend had attacked him and he had defended himself. Abraham took a preliminary breath test, which showed a .099 blood-alcohol level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanchez-Galicia explained that his friend was eating Sanchez-Galicias food, and he told his friend he needed permission first. The victim said he was going to eat it anyway and insulted him. He claimed his friend came at him and they fought. Abraham stated while they were struggling on the ground, beer bottles were falling around them and [the victim] was attempting to reach for a beer bottle. Abraham admitted he used his left hand to hold [the victim] down by the neck, grabbed a broken beer bottle, and repeatedly struck [the victim] in the neck. Abraham informed officers he did not stop hitting [the victim] until [the victim] stopped moving. Sanchez-Galicia initially claimed he immediately went to the police department for help, but when officers confronted him that the blood on his body had already dried, he admitted he first called a family member. He added that he had consumed 12 bottles of beer before the incident. The victim needed a blood transfusion at the hospital because of significant blood loss. He had emergency surgery due to injuries to his neck and a second surgery the following day. The victim told officers he was fearful for his life during the incident and believed Sanchez-Galicia was going to kill him. A 20-year-old man who had been staying with a 16-year-old and her grandparents in Merrimack was arrested Thursday and charged with aggravated felonious sexual assault, police said. Man accused of sexual assault of teen in Merrimack Keith Hanley Keith C. Hanley is accused of sexually assaulting the 16-year-old on March 30. He was arraigned Friday, and Judge Mark S. Derby ordered him held on preventive detention because his release would endanger the safety of the defendant or of the public, court documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hanley met the victim on the social media platform Snapchat through a mutual acquaintance who told her Hanley was homeless and in a bad spot, according court documents. Hanley moved in with the family about a month ago. The victims family paid for a bus ticket for him to move from Pennsylvania, according to court documents. Hanley admitted to investigators he had sex with the victim after taking photos with her on her bed. Hanley told police the sex was consensual and the two were in a relationship. The victim told police Hanley said he wanted to make an ex-girlfriend jealous by taking a photo together on her bed. While taking photos, things escalated and the victim told Hanley to stop, but he allegedly held her down, got on top of her and continued, court documents said. The victim also told investigators that Hanley had a video on his phone of one of her friends engaging in sexual activity, and that he had told her of a previous crime against a younger girl, according to detectives. A Hillsborough County Sheriffs deputy arrested Hanley on a warrant Thursday . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New Hampshire Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and Southern New Hampshire Special Operations Unit assisted in the arrest. Hanley is scheduled for a hearing April 17 in Merrimack district court. Anyone with information about the case can call Detective Clark Preston at 603-420-1870. A man accused of shooting at a postal worker has been sentenced to prison. Martinel Humphries pleaded guilty to firing at a mail carrier on the North Side in 2023. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Man arrested, charged for allegedly shooting at postal carrier in Pittsburgh The shots missed the worker and hit a nearby house. Investigators never pinned down for the shooting. Humphries has a history of gun convictions and was already a felon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is also charged in another random shooting from that same day. Police say he shot at cars along McKnight Road from a side street. PREVIOUS COVERAGE >>> Police: Man jailed for shooting at mail carrier charged with shooting at people along McKnight Road One man was hurt and multiple cars were hit. He is scheduled to go to trial for that shooting in June. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW By Kenrick Cai Las Vegas (Reuters) -Alphabet said on Wednesday it was still committed to spending some $75 billion this year to build out data center capacity despite turmoil over U.S. tariffs and sought to reassure investors that its AI plans were yielding good returns. Investors are fretting about the massive capital costs of AI projects, especially as uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs roil markets and cloud the economic outlook. CEO Sundar Pichai said the investment would buy the chips and build the servers needed to burnish Alphabet's core offerings, including Search, while supporting the development of AI services such as its Gemini model. "The opportunity with AI is as big as it gets," he said, making a surprise appearance at the company's annual conference for its cloud computing unit. Alphabet's planned capital outlay, first unveiled in February, was 29% higher than what analysts had expected at the time. Asked about the potential for U.S. tariffs to raise the cost of building data centers, Sachin Gupta, vice president and general manager for Google Cloud's infrastructure unit, said the cost of importing hardware might climb but customer demand continued to necessitate the increased investment. "We're all processing what's happening with tariffs," he told Reuters. Trump on Wednesday said he would temporarily lower the hefty duties he had just imposed on dozens of countries, while further ramping up tariff pressure on China. Alphabet's shares closed nearly 10% higher, part of the $1.5 trillion gains in market value for the "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks. A Microsoft executive this week in a LinkedIn post also re-emphasized the company's plans to spend more than $80 billion on AI infrastructure in 2025. Meta Platforms has said it would spend as much as $65 billion. AI represents one of two key areas, alongside cybersecurity, where enterprises have stayed the course on investments despite macroeconomic uncertainty, said Chiraj Mehta, principal analyst at Constellation Research. "Early success from customers who have chosen Google Cloud as their preferred AI platform is reinforcing the case for continued aggressive investment," he said. Customers including TurboTax maker Intuit, pizza maker Papa John's and Verizon spoke at the conference about how AI was helping their businesses. Intuit was "doubling down" on plans to integrate AI into its financial services software, its chief data officer Ashok Srivastava said. CFOTO / Future Publishing / Getty Images Apple (AAPL) stock rebounded from its worst 4-day stretch since 2000 on Wednesday as investors cheered President Trump's announcement of a temporary reprieve from most of the sweeping tariffs imposed overnight. Apple shares were up more than 12% in recent trading, one of the biggest gains among the Magnificent Seven after days of being hammered by President Trumps sweeping tariffs. Trump on Wednesday announced he was pausing for 90 days most of the tariffs announced last week, except for those on China, which he instead lifted from 104% to 125%. Apple lost its title of the worlds most valuable company to Microsoft (MSFT) when shares fell 5% yesterday, putting the stock down nearly 25% since Trumps Liberation Day tariff announcement last Wednesday. Wednesday's rebound put the two companies neck-and-neck in terms of market value, with each hovering around $2.68 trillion. Read Investopedia's live coverage of today's trading here. Apples reliance on China, where it assembles an estimated 90% of its products, is expected to be a headwind for the iPhone maker. The Trump administration has hit Chinese goods with tariffs totaling 125% this year, threatening to significantly increase Apples costs and potentially weigh on consumer demand. Apple won an exemption from the first Trump administration during its 2018 trade war with China, but no such reprieve has materialized this time around. The company is reportedly planning to send more iPhones to the U.S. via India, which as of Wednesday is subject to a 26% tariff rate. Apple, in an effort to diversify its supply chain, has been ramping up its manufacturing and assembly operations in India for years. Bank of America on Monday maintained its buy rating on Apple stock, citing its stable cash flows, "earnings resiliency," and potential to benefit from AI. The firms $250 price target represents 45% upside from Tuesdays close. In a separate note on Tuesday, BofA analysts called Apple stocks pullback a particularly enhanced buying opportunity for investors to own a high-quality name. UpdateApril 9, 2025: This story has been updated to reflect the 90-day pause of most tariffs and the increased rate on Chinese imports. Read the original article on Investopedia By Jack Queen (Reuters) -Luigi Mangione's lawyers on Friday asked a judge to prevent the U.S. government from seeking the death penalty in a case accusing him of shooting and killing the CEO of UnitedHealth Group's insurance division, in New York last year. Mangione's lawyers said in a filing in New York federal court that U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi's April 1 announcement that prosecutors would seek the death penalty was "unapologetically political" and breached government protocols for death penalty decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The United States government intends to kill Mr. Mangione as a political stunt," his lawyers said. A spokesman for the Manhattan U.S. Attorney's office, which brought the charges, declined to comment. Mangione, 26, has pleaded not guilty to New York state charges of murder as an act of terrorism and weapons offenses. New York does not have the death penalty for state charges. Mangione has not yet entered a plea in a parallel federal case where Bondi said prosecutors would seek the death penalty. In an April 1 statement, Bondi said Thompson's murder was a "premeditated, cold-blooded assassination that shocked America." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "After careful consideration, I have directed federal prosecutors to seek the death penalty in this case as we carry out President Trumps agenda to stop violent crime and Make America Safe Again," Bondi said. In their Friday court filing, Mangione's lawyers said the government failed to follow protocols for death penalty decisions, which include a lengthy investigation and opportunities for defense lawyers to push back. The lawyers also cited a television appearance where Bondi said she ordered prosecutors to seek the death penalty because the victim was a CEO. "Counsel is aware of no provision in the death penalty statute or in the Department of Justices death penalty protocol that allows for consideration of the social, economic or professional status of an alleged homicide victim in determining whether to seek the death penalty," Mangione's lawyers said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Mangione is convicted in the federal case, the jury would determine in a separate phase of the trial whether to recommend the death penalty. Any such recommendation must be unanimous, and the judge would be required to impose it. Brian Thompson, the deceased CEO of UnitedHealth Group's insurance division, was shot dead on December 4 outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel, where the company was gathering for an investor conference. The brazen killing of Thompson and ensuing five-day manhunt captivated Americans. While public officials condemned the killing, some Americans have cheered Mangione, saying he drew attention to steep U.S. healthcare costs and the power of health insurers to refuse payment for some treatments. He is currently being held in federal lockup in Brooklyn. (Reporting by Luc Cohen, Ismail Shakil and Jack Queen; Editing by Doina Chiacu and Chizu Nomiyama) A convicted murderer is running free after being mistakenly released from a Georgia jail. Tonight, a family on edge as authorities fear he could be in Central Florida. Kathan Guzman was sentenced to life in prison for murdering his Poinciana girlfriend in 2022. A manhunt is underway for Kathan Guzman. Law enforcement here in Central Florida are on high alert, and so is Christina Grayson where deputies are patrolling her neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every single noise has caught my attention, said Grayson. Guzman was convicted this past October for strangling his girlfriend, Delilah Grayson. He was set to spend the rest of his life in prison before being let out two weeks ago by mistake. Letting a killer free. Thats not a mistake. Its a disgrace, said Grayson. Grayson says shes still grieving her daughters death. Shes outraged that her killer is out there again when he should be behind bars. I need solid answers. Because how I feel cannot be described. While everyone sits at home with their family and kids and their families and their whole. Well, my 7 is 6, said Grayson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WFTV caught up with Criminal Attorney Jose Rivas to ask him how something like this can happen. This should be a learning lesson. Were always going to learn from mistakes, and this is a mistake that should not have happened. They obviously need to implement additional processes to keep this from going if they can show it was not intentional, said Rivas. The Clayton County sheriff says training and people not paying attention led to the mistaken release. Rivas says the jail had a duty to keep him locked up and they failed. He says they were negligent. The job of these institutions is to keep them away from the community. The fact they failed to meet that duty, their negligent and hopefully theres no damages like he goes out and hurts someone else, said Rivas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Grayson waits anxiously to hear of his recaptureshe says she wont rest until hes back behind bars. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. By Paolo Laudani and Isabel Demetz (Reuters) - Barry Callebaut is planning to increase its U.S.-based production to fend off effects of the "disruptive environment" in North America and stay close to its customers, the Swiss chocolate maker's chief executive said on Thursday. "We have one ... facility that we will scale out to about 100,000 tons in the United States that will allow us to actually serve customers better also in the U.S.," CEO Peter Feld said during a post-earnings call with analysts. He also said that the cocoa processor, which supplies chocolate for Unilever's soon-to-be-spun-off Magnum ice creams and Nestle's KitKat bars, was doubling down on investments in its plant in Brantford, Canada. Companies with operations in the United States are grappling with on-again, off-again tariff announcements from President Donald Trump, who in a stunning reversal on Wednesday paused most of his hefty duties but left a 10% blanket tariff on almost all U.S. imports. In March, chocolate maker Lindt said it would supply chocolate made in Europe to Canada to avoid Canadian tariffs imposed to counter the higher U.S. customs duties. North America made up more than one-tenth of Barry Callebaut's global sales volume measured in metric tons in the 2023/24 financial year. "We believe that we've seen the worst quarter behind us," Feld said after the world's biggest chocolatier lowered its annual volume guidance as part of its half-year update, which sent its shares down to twelve-year lows. (Reporting by Paolo Laudani and Isabel Demetz in Gdansk, editing by Milla Nissi) It turns out that Donald Trumps erratic tariff policy is not popular with manufacturing workers. A new Washington Post poll of over 500 workers showed that 52 percent oppose the trade measures, believing that they are bad for their livelihoods and the country. In addition, 57 percent of them said that tariffs would hurt their jobs and careers, while 59 percent said that tariffs would hurt the companies they work for. When broken down on partisan lines, less than half of Donald Trump voters (44 percent) said they believed tariffs would help them, while 87 percent of Harris voters said they would hurt them. A slight majority of the polls respondents said they favored or leaned toward the Republican Party, making the results more striking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has alternately raised and lowered tariffs, confusing markets and businesses. At the moment, there are 145 percent tariffs on China, 25 percent tariffs on Mexican and Canadian goods not covered by the USMCA trade agreement, and 10 percent on most other countries. The moves have already led to layoffs in certain American industries, such as automobiles, and a looming recession would lead to even more job losses. But Trump doesnt seem to have any kind of plan with his tariffs and is making it up as he goes along. Without any clarity as to where things are going, not only will industries and markets continue to slide, but Trump may start to lose support from manufacturing workers, many of whom were part of the reason for his election victory in 2024. Trump has already created thousands of disgruntled, laid-off federal workers. If Democrats capitalize on the vast numbers of Americans worried about their jobs, the result would be big losses for the GOP in 2026, and possibly even 2028. Officials recommended that Maricopa County residents work from home and reduce vehicle emissions to avoid contributing to pollution and to remain safe during an ozone high-pollution advisory. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality issued the advisory to notify county residents that the level of air pollutants is expected to exceed federal health standards Friday, April 11. Shea Sorenson from ADEQ said, "with strong high pressure over the region this week, we are seeing tons of sunshine and light winds, which are favorable weather conditions for ozone to form and build up in the Valley." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The advisory does not just affect children or those in poor health. A civic alert from the Maricopa County website stated that "all county residents can be affected by ground level ozone pollution." Air quality: The EPA just hit pause on upping Phoenix's air pollution status. What happens next? Exposure to ozone pollution is particularly harmful to the lungs, and it can trigger asthma. The alert added that "children are at the greatest risk from ozone because their lungs are still developing." Depending on the level of exposure, ozone pollution can cause coughing and sore throat, increase difficulty breathing, inflame and damage airways, make the lungs more susceptible to infection, aggravate lung diseases, and increase the frequency of asthma attacks, according to health effects outlined on the Environmental Protection Agency's website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county's alert explained that "ground-level ozone forms when emissions from vehicles, gasoline and diesel equipment, industrial and chemical processes, and other everyday activities react to sunlight." Because emissions react with sunlight, ozone pollution is more likely to reach unhealthy levels in urban environments during spring and summer months. The EPA's website stated that ozone could also be transported long distances through wind, causing rural areas to experience high levels of ozone pollution as well. Residents were encouraged to walk, bike, or use public transportation instead of driving. The AZDQ also recommended refueling vehicles after dark or during cooler evening hours, delaying painting projects, and making sure the lids to household cleaners, garage and yard chemicals, and other solvents are tightly closed to help reduce contribution to ozone pollution. During the advisory, Maricopa County residents are prohibited from using residential fireplaces, chimneys or outdoor stoves and outdoor firepits. This includes individuals and businesses with permits for open burning. Residents are urged to avoid using off-road vehicles and leaf blowers while the advisory is in effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public was also advised to limit outdoor activity while the high pollution advisory was in effect, especially in regards to children and adults with respiratory problems. Sorenson mentioned that residents can view AZDEQ's hourly forecast to see when ozone levels are highest, usually in the afternoon. Residents can also check local ozone levels and air quality information, and find information about how to reduce air pollution. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maricopa County given high-pollution ozone advisory PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) A Maryland woman who was the leader of a scheme that stole hundreds of checks totaling millions of dollars was sentenced to more than nine years in federal prison, the attorneys office announced. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office for Maryland (USAO), a judge sentenced 24-year-old Tianna Cosby, aka Mendoza, from Prince Georges County, to nine years and several months in prison for conspiracy to commit mail and bank fraud and identity theft. According to her guilty plea, from the beginning of March 2021 to at least August 2021, Cobsy conspired with four other Marylanders to steal checks from the mail, alter them and deposit money into bank accounts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Five people charged in connection with mail, bank fraud in Maryland Officials said that within those five months, the group targeted over 900 people, stealing more than 700 checks, which had a face value of over $5 million. According to the attorneys office, Cosby stole checks from U.S. Postal Service (USPS) collection boxes. She also received checks from a 26-year-old from Suitland, who would steal them from the Washington Network Distribution Center in Capitol Heights. The group recruited account mules, whose bank accounts were used to deposit illegally acquired checks and proceeds from the scheme, and altered personal and business checks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorneys office said that Cosby even laundered money by having it sent to intermediary bank accounts controlled by her co-conspirators. She also opened shell companies used to transfer money into two separate accounts. German military IT worker sentenced for downloading child porn while in Northern Virginia On Jan. 19, 2024, officers searched Cosbys home in Woodbridge, Va., where they found 27 designer bags and 14 pieces of jewelry, including rings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches and a wristwatch. The jewelry totaled about $24,490, and the designer handbags were valued at about $113,065 According to the attorneys office, authorities also located a BMW i8 that Cosby bought for $114,296.02. In the car, police discovered a Louis Vuitton bag with 151 stolen checks, which equaled about $610,788.08. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their investigation revealed that the checks belonged to victims from across the country. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. STONINGTON, Conn. (WWLP) A Massachusetts man was arrested in Rhode Island on Thursday after an alleged bank robbery in Connecticut on Wednesday. Increase of passengers expected at Bradley International Airport during spring break The Stonington Police Department states that 57-year-old Wilfredo Alarcon from Dorchester robbed the Citizens Bank branch located at 23 Broadway Avenue in Mystic on Wednesday. A masked man allegedly entered the bank and ordered everyone to the floor, the robbing the teller at gunpoint. No one was hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alarcon was located and arrested in East Greenwich, Rhode Island later that day. Hes now back in Connecticut and is being charged with first degree robbery, commission of a Class S or B felony with a firearm, third degree larceny, reckless endangerment, unlawful restraint, criminal possession of a firearm, and threatening in the first degree, according to WTNH. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Massachusetts man arrested for Stonington bank robbery STONINGTON, Conn. (WTNH) A Dorchester, Mass. man was arrested Thursday in East Greenwich, R.I. after allegedly robbing a bank in Stonington on Wednesday. Wilfredo Alarcon, 57, was charged with first degree robbery, commission of a Class S or B felony with a firearm, third degree larceny, reckless endangerment, unlawful restraint, criminal possession of a firearm, and threatening in the first degree. Regional response team practices forcible entry exercises in soon-to-be demolished East Lyme house Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Stonington Police, at approximately 9:41 a.m. Wednesday, they received a report of a bank robbery at the Citizens Bank branch located at 23 Broadway Avenue in Mystic. A masked male suspect allegedly entered the bank and ordered everyone to the floor, the robbing the teller at gunpoint. No injuries were reported. Stonington Police, the Groton Police Department and the Connecticut State Police responded to the incident. Working throughout Wednesday, the Stonington Police Detective Division collaborated with the East Greenwich, R.I. Police, who were able to located and detain the suspect. Alarcon was extradited to Connecticut and held on $400,000 bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. BOSTON (AP) A Democratic state lawmaker in Massachusetts was arrested and charged Friday with defrauding a trade association of tens of thousands of dollars and then falsifying records to cover up the scheme. Christopher Flanagan, of Dennis, Massachusetts, was indicted Friday on five counts of wire fraud and one count of falsification of records. He was due in court later Friday. Prosecutors said Flanagan stole nearly $40,000 from the Home Builders Association where he was an executive officer between 2021 and 2023. Flanagan was having financial problems and used the funds to pay personal mortgage bills, credit card debt as well as psychic services, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flanagan is also accused of trying to cover up the fraud by accessing the associations computer system using another employee's account, backdating transactions to account for the stolen money and entering false transaction codes for the withdrawals. He also told the association board that he withdrew funds to reimburse himself for expenses and provided fake expense reports when he was asked for proof, authorities. said. Todays charges against Massachusetts State Rep. Christopher Flanagan reveal an appalling breach of public trust," U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in a statement. He allegedly stole money and then went to extraordinary lengths to cover it up, going so far as fabricating fake personas to mislead those who questioned his conduct. This alleged scheme was calculated on every level. Flanagan could not be reached for comment but his attorney, Greg Henning, said he expected his client to enter a not guilty plea Friday in federal court. Several of the state's top political leaders called for Flanagan to resign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These are serious allegations against Representative Flanagan that threaten to undermine the important work of the Legislature and cast doubt on his ability to faithfully serve his constituents," Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said in a statement. "He should resign. House Speaker Ronald Mariano said the chamber will monitor the case and take any steps needed for accountability. He said the allegations were extraordinarily concerning, and undermine public trust in the Legislature. Markets tumbled and then soared on Trump's tariff announcements in the last two weeks. Now, Democrats are suggesting Trump engaged in market manipulation and insider trading. Lawmakers and Cabinet officials have weeks to disclose any trades they made in the last week. As the stock market began to slide in the wake of President Donald Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement, Sen. Bernie Moreno offered a suggestion: Buy the dip. "I would go out and buy stocks today," the Ohio Republican told reporters the day after Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff and a host of steeper "reciprocal" tariffs on dozens of countries. "Lots of opportunity, lots of companies that have great valuation. There's no reason that Apple stock should be down." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreno's financial advice may have been a bit early the market tumbled even further in the days after he made those remarks but broadly, he was correct. Stock markets regained much of their prior value after Trump announced on Wednesday that much of his tariffs would be paused for 90 days. Now, some Democrats are lobbing accusations of insider trading and market manipulation, pointing to Trump's declaration earlier that morning that it was a "great time to buy." In letters to the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Office of Government Ethics, Democratic senators have argued that the president or others close to him may have bought up stock with the knowledge that markets were about to rebound due to a tariff pause. "We need to get to the bottom of the possible stock manipulation that is unfolding before the American people," House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters on Thursday. The White House, for its part, is denying the allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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," White House spokesman Kush Desai said in a statement. "Democrats railed against China's cheating for decades, and now they're playing partisan games instead of celebrating President Trump's decisive action yesterday to finally corner China." There's not yet any evidence that any Trump allies traded on prior knowledge of the president's announcement, and we may not have a full picture of which politicians even bought the dip until mid-to-late May. Members of Congress and executive branch officials, including cabinet members, have 45 days to disclose any stock trades they've made. Some are calling on their colleagues to come clean before then. "Any member of Congress who purchased stocks in the last 48 hours should probably disclose that now," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York wrote on X. "You might as well get it out into the public domain now because it's coming later, and there's nothing that you can do about it," Jeffries said. 'We're not here to feed at the trough' One lawmaker who has already disclosed purchasing stocks during the dip: Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, one of Trump's staunchest allies in Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the Georgia Republican plunged somewhere between $19,000 and $285,000 into the stock market, buying up shares in 17 different companies including Apple in the day's after Trump's announcement. Many of those stocks have enjoyed a net gain since then. In a statement to BI, Greene said that her trades had been made by someone else on her behalf. She also dismissed the idea of putting her assets into a blind trust, as some ethics-minded lawmakers advocate. "After many successful years of running my own business, I ran for Congress to bring that mindset to Washington. Now that I'm proudly serving the people of Northwest Georgia, I have signed a fiduciary agreement to allow my financial advisor to control my investments," Greene said. "All of my investments are reported with full transparency. I refuse to hide my stock trades in a blind trust like many others do." Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio says he didn't take his own financial advice: "I don't buy stocks." Andrew Harnik/Getty Images The episode has once again brought the issue of stock trading in Congress to the fore. The trades made by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband have long been a source of controversy, and for years, lawmakers in both parties have been trying to ban the practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Frankly, I don't care if Democrats did it, I don't care if Republicans did it, we're not here to feed at the trough," Ocasio-Cortez said. "There is either an appearance or, at worst, an active intent when you have this conflict of interest." Many lawmakers have run for office in recent years on banning stock trading, or have voluntarily opted not to trade themselves. That includes Moreno, who told BI this week that he ultimately didn't take his own advice. "I don't buy stocks," Moreno said, adding that during his 2024 Senate campaign, he agreed to sell off his stocks "so that we wouldn't have uncomfortable, weird conversations like this." Sen. Josh Hawley told BI that the controversy was all the more reason to pass his bill to ban not just lawmakers, but executive branch officials from trading stocks. "That would take care of most of those concerns," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the Missouri Republican was dismissive of the actual claims of insider trading. "The President didn't decide what he was going to do until he did it," Hawley said. "This idea that it's some elaborate insider scheme? Democrats have too much time on their hands." Read the original article on Business Insider Apr. 10ROCHESTER About 600 union members who work at Mayo Clinic Hospital's Methodist campus overwhelmingly voted to put the possibility of a strike on the negotiation table. SEIU Healthcare MN & IA members at Methodist voted this week to no longer promise Mayo Clinic that they will not strike, with 87% of the members supporting the change. The agreement to not strike has been part of the union's relationship with Mayo Clinic since the 1970s. This change means that if the union members are unhappy how contract negotiations are going in the future, the members can vote to authorize a strike and walk off the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The union members include frontline health care workers at Methodist in roles such as sterile processing technician, certified surgical technologist, linen worker, escort, maintenance, and patient care assistant. Alejandro Romero, who is a sterile processing technician and is on SEIU's bargaining team, said at a press event Thursday that the move just gives the Methodist union members a tool that almost every other union has at its disposal. "I think that gives us infinitely more bargaining power," he said. "For the last 50 years, we've never had that ability." "I think it upscales the power balance in the room by infinity," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SEIU is currently negotiating a new contract for the Methodist members. The previous one ended on Jan. 31. "Mayo Clinic continues to be committed to supporting our staff and reaching a mutually beneficial agreement through the bargaining process," wrote Mayo Clinic Communications Manager Kristy Jacobson in response to SEIU members' approval of adding the ability to strike. SEIU Organizer Hallie Wallace said the strike change, which she describes as "defensive" instead of offensive, was necessary because the Mayo Clinic's relationship with its employees is not the same as it was 50 years ago. "In the last ... 10 years, that dynamic between the union and Mayo Clinic has changed greatly. And I would say between Mayo Clinic and the rest of their employees it has also changed greatly in terms of how the clinic is caring for its employees, compensating them, and creating working conditions for them," she said. "If Mayo feels like that is hostile, then that really shows ... how they feel about their employees' voices being heard." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Romero compared the situation to having someone repeatedly kicking you in the knee for a long period of time. "You would probably want to hit back, right? Not necessarily to hurt the other person, but to say, 'Hey, stop doing what you're doing," he said. "This is to give you a message that you need to stop what you're doing so we can still walk forward." This move to drop the "No Strike" agreement by the Methodist group follows a vote by SEIU members at Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys in May to do the same thing. The 91% of the Saint Marys group supported the change. That group ended up going to contract arbitration and is expects a ruling soon, possibly yet this month. Romero and Wallace said while there are a number details involved in the current Methodist contract, wages and compulsory overtime are top issues being negotiated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Considering Mayo Clinic's $19.7 billion in revenue in 2024, the current $5 billion "Bold. Forward. Unbound. in Rochester" construction project and the millions of dollars being paid to top executives, Wallace said the "tooth-and-nail" fight to seemingly pay frontline employees as little as possible is "insulting." "In terms of the executive raises that have happened at Mayo Clinic, I think it's part of a larger trend right now in in the country... in the world of the people who are at the top giving themselves more and more while leaving those at the bottom behind, even though we're the ones that make the world run," she said. "There is a level of greed at Mayo that is insulting, but it's part of a larger trend in the health care industry." Japan has become a hotspot for denim heads to get their hands on raw denim, and local label Big John specializes in these unfinished jeans that wearers can put their mark on. Based in Kojima, Japan, Big Johns origins date to 1940 when it was a cut-and-sew factory for workwear and uniforms. The brand kicked off its denim business in the late 50s, serving up the style that was increasingly popular with young consumers. By 1965, the company was able to go to market with a domestically made jean under the Canton brand, and it introduced the Big John brand in 1967. The name Big John is a play on founder Kotaro Osakis name, since Kotaro is a similarly common in Japan as John is in predominantly English-speaking countries. More from Sourcing Journal Read more on Carved in Blue. This article is one of a series on SJ Denim from Lenzings Carved in Blue denim blog. From conversations with the experts behind the mills that make some of the worlds most-wanted denim to the global brands bringing novel denim made with TENCEL Lyocell and Modal to the market, Carved in Blue shares the stories of those whose roots run deep with denim. Visit www.carvedinblue.tencel.com. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Monroe Community College offers sever non-credit healthcare trainings, and on Thursday News 8 had an opportunity to see some skills that students will be learning. The programs help to bridge students from certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to become licensed practical nurses (LPNs). The courses help teach participants valuable that can help them advance their career so they can earn their certificates in less time than regular credit programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the program started in 2019, officials said they have trained over 1,000 CNAs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Bay City, speaks at her swearing-in ceremony in Flint, Mich., on Jan. 27, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Freshman U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, a Democrat from Bay City, ruled out a run for U.S. Senate Thursday, saying she will instead seek reelection to the House. I love mid-Michigan, and representing our region in Congress is the honor of my lifetime. I first ran for office because too many families in our district work hard but struggle to get by, and now they are worried about what extreme proposals from DC would mean for their lives and their ability to make ends meet, McDonald Rivet said in a statement. In this moment, each of us should put ourselves in the position that allows us to do the most good. So I am excited to run for re-election in our highly competitive district, help win back the House, and move an agenda that uplifts the working people in our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonald Rivet had been exploring a possible Senate candidacy following the announcement in January by U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) that he would not seek reelection in 2026, a surprise decision that complicates Democrats already-slim chances of retaking the upper chamber next year. Republicans currently hold a 53-47 advantage. Her decision leaves state Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D-Royal Oak), who announced last week she was running for Peters seat, as the only announced candidate for the Democratic nomination. Potential rivals include U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham), who Politico reported in February had hired additional staff for a possible run, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) and Abdul El-Sayed, a former gubernatorial candidate who recently stepped down as Wayne Countys health director to explore a possible run. On the Republican side, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers (R-White Lake) has hinted at another run for Senate in 2026 after being narrowly defeated last November by Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly). Former gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon, U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Holland), and state Sen. Jonathan Lindsey, (R-Coldwater) have also been mentioned as mulling candidacies. There had been speculation that U.S. Rep. John James might enter the race for the GOP nomination, but he ended that with his announcement Monday that he was instead running for governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McDonald Rivets decision to seek reelection to the House isnt a sure thing. While she won the 8th District by 7 percentage points in November, President Donald Trump won it by 2 percentage points and the National Republican Congressional Committee indicated they had their eye on flipping it next year. On the same day as McDonald Rivets announcement, the NRCC issued three separate statements condemning her votes against a budget bill, voter registration legislation, and a bill to limit the power of federal judges. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX PORTSMOUTH, R.I. (WPRI) Gov. Dan McKee has decided not to pardon a Portsmouth man who was tried, convicted and hanged for the murder of his mother centuries ago. Clifton Humphrey penned a letter to McKee last year requesting a posthumous pardon for his distant cousin, Thomas Cornell Jr., who he claims was put to death based on spectral evidence. In his response to Humphrey and another relative, McKee explained that he could not grant the pardon for several reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKee said the historical package provided to him is not a complete enough record of events to warrant a pardon. He also noted that Cornell was convicted and executed prior to Rhode Islands statehood. BACKGROUND: Man seeks to exonerate ancestor convicted on a ghost story Even if a pardon were to be granted, I am not sure this one would be effective, McKee explained. It is unlikely that a pardon given by a modern governor of Rhode Island could effectively absolve a person accused of a crime committed under the laws of another country (here, Great Britain). McKee said a gubernatorial pardon is an extraordinary measure that should only be given if it would have some positive effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He concluded that the request did not indicate what, if any, positive effect this pardon would have on his family or Cornell himself. Cornell was found guilty of killing Rebecca Briggs Cornell at their Portsmouth home back in 1673. Through his research, Humphrey learned Cornell was the last person to see his mother alive and that the two had an argument the night her body was discovered. Her family initially believed that she had fallen asleep and dropped her pipe, sparking the fire that turned her into a pile of ashes, according to Humphrey. But a few days after her funeral, Cornells uncle came forward with a shocking accusation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her brother had a dream where Rebecca came to him and showed him the burns on her body and said, See how I was burned?' explained historian Rory Raven, who wrote about the Cornell family in his book Haunted Providence. It kind of made it sound like someone did this to her, and this was apparently enough to get the case reopened. Briggs Cornells body was dug back up as a result, and an autopsy revealed she had suffered a stab wound to her stomach. Cornell was arrested as a result of the discovery, even though the evidence pointing to him as his mothers killer was minimal. This is spectral evidence, Humphrey said. He was basically convicted on a ghost story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Humphrey hoped that Cornell would be pardoned similarly to how those wrongfully convicted in the Salem Witch Trials were exonerated centuries after their deaths. I hope you can help and correct this 351-year-old case of injustice, he wrote in his letter to McKee. Though McKee opted not to pardon Cornell, he did acknowledge his fascination with how different evidentiary standards were at the time. I am grateful that the American criminal justice system no longer considers spectral evidence of a crime and that Rhode Island no longer has the death penalty, McKee wrote. Cornells descendants have achieved success here in Rhode Island and beyond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Humphrey told 12 News he was surprised by McKees decision, but he was going to look into other ways to get justice for his ancestor. I dont give up that easy when it comes to family, he said. Kim Kalunian contributed to this report. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Last week, an 8-year-old girl became the second child and the third person to die of measles in the current outbreak. But it was Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of health and human services, who dominated the news cycle. The most effective way to prevent the spread of measles is the MMR vaccine, Kennedy wrote on X on Sunday afternoon. It was hailed as his strongest endorsement of measles vaccination yet. But in his next post, a few hours later, Kennedy praised two controversial doctors unproven treatments for measles, making no mention of vaccines. On Thursday, he followed that up by saying on Fox News that we need to do better at treating kids who have this disease, and not just saying the only answer is vaccination. This type of framing makes it sound like families have two equal options for dealing with measles. It provides a false equivalencyit says you can either get vaccinated or you can be treated with these unproven interventions, Peter Hotez, dean for the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, told me. Instead, his rhetoric should be on one thing and one thing only; it should be all hands on deck, in terms of launching a catch-up vaccination campaign and explaining to parents the vital importance of getting vaccinated, Hotez said. Thats the only way you can prevent this epidemic from accelerating, and its the only way you can hope to contain it. And theres no other intervention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Childrens Health Defense, the anti-vaccine organization helmed by Kennedy until recently, has made claims even wilder than the health secretaryseven seeming to argue that its the hospital killing kids, not measles. CHD claimed in March that the first child died as a result of medical error because doctors gave her certain antibiotics instead of their preferred antibiotics for a secondary bacterial infection that developed during her measles illness. (Measles itself is a viral illness. Antibiotics will not treat it, though antibiotics can treat bacterial infections that develop as a result of the primary illness.) In reality, that type of secondary infection isnt fatal, and its not what killed the little girl. Measles did. Even so, other anti-science quacks are echoing the same argument, with one doctor who rose to prominence by spreading Covid-19 misinformation asserting the second girl died from being improperly medically managed. This isnt anti-vaxxers squabbling at the fringes; these are conversations that are driving the Texas outbreak forward and apparently informing the federal response to measles. It has implications not just for Texas but for the entire country. Health workers in Texas told me that parents are waiting until children are severely ill before they bring them to the hospital. Meanwhile, theyre trying unproven remedies, including toxic doses of vitamin Awhich puts sick children at grave risk and does nothing to halt the virus as it tears through communities. One of Kennedys first moves as health secretary was opening yet another inquiry into whether theres a connection between vaccines and autisma long-discredited theory that caused vaccination rates to drop. On Thursday, Kennedy said those results were expected to be made public in the fall: By September, we will know what has caused the autism epidemic and we will be able to eliminate those exposures. It seems to be a chilling allusion to the way vaccines are coming under attack, while also spreading stigma and fear about autism. All of this means the U.S. is now at risk of losing its measles-eliminated statusand were at risk of having to deal with outbreaks like these regularly, as new misinformation proliferates from the highest levels. While Kennedy wrote, in his Sunday afternoon post encouraging vaccines, that the growth rates for new cases and hospitalizations have flattened, after federal resources were sent to Texas in early March, cases are in fact rising quicklyand more are likely going undetected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outbreak in Texas has risen to 541 known cases and 56 hospitalizations. The two children who died in Texas had no previous health conditions, other than being unvaccinated. The outbreak has also spread to New Mexico, where 58 people have tested positive, four have been hospitalized, and one has died; to Oklahoma, with 12 known cases; and possibly to Kansas, which has identified 32 cases and one hospitalization since March 13. Its a pretty serious, massive measles epidemic, Hotez said. The fact that two school-aged kids have died in Texas, and another person in New Mexico died after measles infection, also suggests that the current numbers are likely undercounted. There could easily be 1,000 cases or more, he saidand this outbreak still has a lot of energy behind it. In his post on Sunday evening, Kennedy posted photos where he posed, smiling, with the two grieving families and one family whose daughter recovered after three weeks in the intensive care unit. While he didnt mention that 2-year-old survivors doctors or detail the care she received in the hospital, he did single out two extraordinary healers, Richard Bartlett and William Ben Edwards, who he claimed have treated and healed about 300 Mennonite children sickened by measles in Texas, using inhaled budesonide and clarithromycin. About those healers: In 2003, Richard Bartlett allegedly gave five of his patients risky medications, including powerful intravenous antibiotics, without weighing the harms of the treatment, according to a complaint to the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, which found Bartlett was not practicing medicine in a manner consistent with public health and welfare. Bartlett reached a settlement with the board, without admitting to wrongdoing, by agreeing to undergo additional medical training and to submit to temporary oversight of his work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the two treatments Kennedy highlighted: Aerosolized budesonide is an asthma treatment. While it might help measles patients who also have asthma, its unlikely to help and could even hurt sick kids without asthma, doctors told me. Clarithromycin is an antibiotic usually not used in children; while it can treat secondary bacterial infections that arise after respiratory illnesses, an antibiotic will not help with a viral illnessand a deadly virus like measles is the primary concern, even as doctors treat secondary illnesses as well. Sometimes we do need to add other types of medications, Elizabeth Murray, a pediatric emergency medicine physician at the University of Rochester, told me. However, saying we can treat measles with an antibiotic is a misleading approach because it wont treat the underlying illness of measles, she said. And doctors need to take great care with matching bacterial infections to the most effective antibiotics. We try to be very diligent and vigilant about using antibiotics because of resistance that can be built up if we just give people antibiotics kind of willy-nilly, said Murray. Claiming that hundreds of children received these treatments and recovered, Murray said, is an example of survivor bias: If were taking a sample of people who dont need to be hospitalized, their outcomes are going to be different than people who are sick enough to be in the hospital. Without full information about their illnesses, we cant make accurate conclusions about the role of the unproven treatments, she said. It is good that Kennedy is finally talking about the importance of getting vaccinated with the MMR shot, Hotez said. But it comes after he put out a lot of head-scratching information about budesonide and vitamin A and clarithromycin, and he needs to walk that back in a more explicit way. In March, soon after their daughter, Kayley, became the first child in the U.S. to die of measles in a decade, Peter and Eva Fehr went on camera to talk about their experiences with the Childrens Health Defense. We would absolutely not take the MMR [vaccine], said Eva Fehr. The measles wasnt that bad; they [other children] got over it pretty quickly. And Dr. Edwards was there for us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was amazing. He was great, Peter Fehr said. Dont do the shots, Eva added through a translator. Theres doctors that can help with measles. It might be easy to interpret their words as carelessness about their childs death. Their other four children survived; on the whole, measles wasnt that bad. But Peter and Eva Fehr are genuinely grieving their daughters death; several times, they paused the interview as tears rolled down their cheeks. Instead, they seem to place the blame on the doctors who treated Kayley in the hospital. They contrast her treatment, where she was placed on a ventilator, with their other childrens, who got better after taking Edwards treatment regimen. Its a clear, heartbreaking example of how survivor bias, fueled by misinformation, leads to exactly the wrong conclusion that there are other, better options for measles beyond vaccination and hospital care. The ventilator or a lack of antibiotics didnt lead to Kayleys death; the virus that made her sick enough to need a ventilator did. The other children survived because they were lucky enough to avoid such a severe infection in the first place. And the video, distributed by a leading anti-vaccine organization, may do untold harm in communities around the globe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How much harm Kennedy himself may do by promoting these doctors and treatments is hard to predict. I dont know, because I dont know that weve ever seen anything like this before, Murray said. To battle misinformation, people need to have good relationships with trusted medical providers and understand how to weed through this firehose of stuff that comes at us on social media, Murray said. If its scare tactics being used instead of facts, then its very easy to be misled. Even so, the overwhelming majority of families throughout our nation are choosing to vaccinate themselves and their children, Murray pointed out. More than walking back his statements on unproven treatments, Kennedy needs to reverse his yearslong stance on thoroughly discredited links between vaccines and autism, Hotez said. This is a disproven link. Weve been at this for 25 years. We have multiple studies showing vaccines dont cause autism in all the different forms that they allege, and we have a lack of plausibility, because autism begins through the action of autism genes that weve identified through early fetal brain development. As health secretary, Kennedy needs to finally end his insistence on looking at vaccines and autismthats causing parents to be hesitant about getting vaccinated, Hotez said. Instead, going by his statements this week, Kennedy seems to be doubling down. At least 51 Chinese citizens signed up for contract military service with the Russian military through a Moscow recruitment center between June 2023 and May 2024, Russian investigative outlet Important Stories reported on April 11. The revelations come just days after the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced the capture of two Chinese fighters near the Ukrainian villages of Tarasivka and Bilohorivka. A Ukrainian intelligence document obtained by the Kyiv Independent estimates that at least 163 Chinese nationals currently serve in Russia's Armed Forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Important Stories investigation, based on leaked data from Russian border and recruitment services, found that many of the Chinese nationals flew to Moscow just days before presenting themselves at the selection point. At least seven arrived on the same day, while four returned to China shortly after the visit. Chinese nationals arrived nearly every month to join the ranks, with the highest number eight individuals recorded in July 2023. The media outlet found that 31 Chinese citizens signed up in 2023 and another 20 in the first five months of 2024. The youngest recruit was 20, while the oldest was 51. Some traveled in pairs, such as 38-year-old Mingliang Wang and 43-year-old Daocheng Li, who landed in Moscow together and visited the recruitment center two days later. Several recruits have returned home, while others were reportedly wounded in combat. Kyiv believes the number of Chinese nationals fighting for Russia is significantly higher. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the prisoners recently captured by Ukraine reportedly said that he paid 300,000 rubles (about $3,500) to a Chinese intermediary for help enlisting in the Russian army in exchange for a promise of Russian citizenship. President Volodymyr Zelensky said on April 8 that these cases point to a "systemic" effort by Moscow to recruit Chinese nationals. Beijing has denied any direct involvement in the war and said it has appealed to its citizens to stay away from armed conflicts. China, which has claimed to be a neutral party in the war, has become Russia's leading supplier of dual-use components essential for weapons production and a key economic partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia has enlisted foreign fighters from multiple countries, including India, Nepal, and Syria, to fight in its army against Ukraine. Moscow has also used some 12,000 North Korean army troops dispatched by Pyongyang to counter the Ukrainian incursion in Kursk Oblast. Read also: 5 key steps for Europe to bolster defense against Russia Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. In his own mind, President Trump is a four-dimensional dealmaker who always outsmarts his counterparties. In his real-world trade war, however, Trump has shown his cards to his most potent adversary and revealed some of his constraints. Several weeks of manic tariff activity by Trump and mass confusion in financial markets have finally provided some clarity: Though Trump wants to remake Americas entire trade system, his real target is China. Through April 9, Trump had imposed new tariffs on imports from virtually every country, plus additional import taxes on certain product categories including automobiles, steel and aluminum. Nobody got a reprieve. As financial markets cratered, Trump finally backed down on April 9 by suspending most of his country-specific reciprocal tariffs for at least 90 days, until early July. The one notable exception is China, which got the opposite treatment: even higher tariffs. The Trump tariff on Chinese imports is now 145%, up from about 6%, on average, when Trump took office and trained his sights on the worlds No. 2 economy. The tariff rate is so high that its an effective blockade on Chinese imports, according to Heidi Crebo-Rediker, former chief economist at the State Department and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet That leaves China in a uniquely adversarial position with Trump. China has retaliated against the Trump tariffs far more aggressively than most other US trade partners, including many that didnt retaliate at all and instead offered to make concessions. The China tariff on American goods is now 125%, raised from 84% on Friday, and Beijing has taken other measures to punish American businesses. Chinas rhetoric has also been far more bellicose than anybody elses, with its Commerce Ministry saying in a statement that China will fight to the end. China would avoid a trade war if it could, but its a proud country led by a stubborn autocrat, President Xi Jinping, who undoubtedly resents Trumps trade bullying. Xi and his cadre also view China as a rightful superpower trying to claw its way to parity with the United States, and maybe beyond. Xi has preached a national creed of self-reliance in recent years, and he may very well view a trade war with Trump as a crucible China must pass through on its way to economic greatness. Xi has some advantages. For one thing, Trumps tariffs are a tax on American businesses and consumers, not on Chinese exporters, which is why the first line of damage is to US stock prices. Tariffs drive down stock prices because they raise costs for businesses, lowering prospects for future earnings. They hurt Chinese exporters too, since the tariffs effectively raise the cost of their products, leaving American buyers looking for other providers or simply buying less. But the US stock market feels the damage first because stock prices are, in effect, a predictor of future economic developments which markets now consider to be bad. (Reuters) - Brewer Constellation Brands (STZ) on Wednesday forecast fiscal 2026 profit below analysts' estimates, expecting steep levies imposed by the Trump administration to hit its beers and spirits business. Shares of the Corona beer maker fell about 4% in extended trading as it also lowered its medium-term projections for net sales. For the fiscal year 2026, it forecast adjusted profit per share in the range of $12.60 to $12.90, compared with estimates of $13.97, according to data compiled by LSEG. The outlook included an anticipated impact of the tariffs announced by the U.S. on April 2 and the Canadian government in March. The liquor maker also announced the sale of several of its wine brands such as Cook's and Meiomi to California-based The Wine Group for an undisclosed amount, and said it will review its organizational structuring. The second-largest U.S. beer company has struggled with persistently muted demand across its wines and spirits categories as price-sensitive consumers have cut back on liquor. President Donald Trump has slapped a 25% levy on all beer imports and added beer cans to existing aluminum tariffs, hitting labels such as Mexican-made Corona and Dutch Heineken. The levies went into effect on April 4. The move would potentially drive up prices of cocktails, champagne and foreign beers and wipe out jobs in the spirits industry, according to drinks industry bodies and analysts. Late on Wednesday, Trump said he would temporarily lower the hefty duties he had just imposed on dozens of countries while further ramping up pressure on China. Constellation Brands also projected annual enterprise organic net sales between a 2% decline and 1% growth, while forecasting wine and spirits income to slump up to 100%. Beer sales made up nearly 82% of total fiscal 2024 revenue for Constellation Brands, while wine was about 16%. It posted fourth-quarter net sales of $2.16 billion, beating estimates of $2.13 billion. (Reporting by Savyata Mishra in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel) ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) A woman convicted of stabbing her Santa Fe firefighter boyfriend to death in 2019 was sentenced on Friday after running away from her court-appointed rehab treatment. Chrystyne Sanchez stabbed and killed Christian Reed at her apartment on Osuna Road. She pled no contest to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to two years in prison, followed by six months at a rehab program. Farmington man arrested on murder charge after officers found body in vacant lot She started the program in January, but on March 11, she left the program without permission. A warrant was issued, and she turned herself in. She snuck in nearly 80 strips of suboxone and is now facing new charges for bringing contraband into the Metropolitan Detention Center. She was sentenced to an additional six years behind bars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Miami Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava addresses reporters on July 7, 2021. (Miami-Dade Police Dept. video) More than a dozen local governments in Florida have banned fluoride in their public water drinking systems since state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapos recommendation in November that they do so. Miami-Dade County wont be one of them, though, after Mayor Daniella Levine Cava announced Friday that she would veto a resolution approved by the Board of County Commissioners on April 1 directing that fluoridation of the countys water end within the next 30 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As not only your Mayor, but also as a mother and grandmother, I care deeply about protecting the health, safety, and wellbeing of our community, Levine Cava said in a statement. I have listened to the dentists and medical experts and the message is clear: Water fluoridation is a safe, effective, and efficient way to maintain dental health in our county and halting it could have long-lasting health consequences, especially for our most vulnerable families. At least 14 Florida cities have voted to remove fluoride from the water since Ladapos announcement, according to the Tampa Bay Times. Similar efforts are happening at the federal level. This week, U.S. Health & Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that he intends to tell the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoridation in communities nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the same event in Utah (which recently became the first state to ban fluoride), Environmental Protection Agency head Lee Zeldin announced that his agency would review new scientific information on potential health risks of fluoride in drinking water. Meanwhile, in Tallahassee, the Florida Senate will soon vote on an omnibus Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill (SB 700) that would prohibit public water systems from the use of any additive included primarily for health-related purposes. Its companion in the House (HB 651) has one more stop in that chamber. The Florida Dental Association opposes the legislation. In addition to Miami-Dade, other local governments in Florida that have opted to keep fluoride in their water systems include Clearwater and Hillsborough County. With additional reporting from Christine Sexton. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A Florida man has admitted in court to sending messages on social media threatening to kill everyone attending a high school prom in New Jersey, federal prosecutors announced Friday. Onil Compres Rodriguez, 21, of Miami, was arrested last year after authorities were made aware of multiple threats he sent over direct messaging including some to accounts belonging to schools in New Jersey. According to prosecutors, the threatening messages, sent last April, warned recipients to wear your bulletproof vests [because] there will be a lot of blood. Other messages allegedly read, They should never have hurt me and They dont know who they messed with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one particular message, Compres Rodriguez attached two photographs one showing an invitation to a high school prom scheduled for May 2, 2024, and another of three firearms along with ammunition. After the threats were reported, investigators learned Compres Rodriguez had booked a flight from Miami to Newark on the day of the prom. He was arrested shortly after his plane landed at Newark Liberty Airport, prosecutors said. Earlier this week, Compres Rodriguez appeared in Miami Federal Court for a change of plea hearing, where he admitted to transmitting threats through interstate communications. He now faces up to five years in federal prison for the felony offense. Prosecutors have not disclosed a motive, said which school or schools were targeted, or explained how Compres Rodriguez is connected to New Jersey. Hes scheduled to be sentenced on June 25. A Black Michigan mother is seeking justice after learning that her toddler was the victim of racial discrimination while in the care of workers at a daycare center she attended. According to Lansing, Mich.s CBS affiliate WLNS, Kendra Smith first learned that her daughter Braelynn was being mistreated after receiving a call from Child Protective Services (CPS) in 2023. Smith says she was contacted by someone at CPS who told her the agency was investigating claims of discrimination against staff members at tinkrLAB Daycare who refused to feed, hold or change Braelynns diapers because she was Black. One of the providers in the facility said that Braelynn stinks because shes Black, and its probably because of the Black products that we use in her hair, Smith told WLNS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although she was told that CPS was conducting an investigation, Smith says when she tried to get more information, she hit a brick wall as no one from the agency would return her calls. According to WLNS, Smith was only able to get her hands on CPS records of their visits to tinkrLAB after filing a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request. Melissa Rabideau, tinkrLABs owner, posted a lengthy statement on Facebook blaming the entire situation on a combination of errors in managing, staff errors in understanding appropriateness in the work environment and A LOT of miscommunication. Rabideau insists that the accused staff members are no longer employed by her company. The comments by prior staff members were NEVER the stance of my business or myself and were not brought to my attention, she wrote. I regret the way the entire situation was handled. I have learned so much, put so many protocols in place, so many policies and accountabilities to ensure there is no question of our standards and expectations. I have taken trainings, put my team through trainings and am regularly evaluating where we are at, she wrote on March 29. But some online are questioning why it took the school so long to speak out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 years later, really?? You did nothing at the time of the incident and allowed those 2 employees to continue to work there, but now 2 years later youre doing some reflecting ? Too little, too late lady, wrote someone in the comments. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. The Michigan Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Heres a look at April 10, 2025, results for each game: Winning Daily 3 numbers from April 10 drawing Midday: 3-9-6 Evening: 3-7-2 Check Daily 3 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily 4 numbers from April 10 drawing Midday: 4-3-5-0 Evening: 3-3-2-3 Check Daily 4 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Lucky For Life numbers from April 10 drawing 09-18-38-39-45, Lucky Ball: 13 Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Poker Lotto numbers from April 10 drawing AS-2C-3H-5H-4S Check Poker Lotto payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 10 drawing 02-10-11-22-23 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 10-13-15-32-37 Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here. Winning Daily Keno numbers from April 10 drawing 04-16-18-19-22-24-26-28-34-35-38-45-47-49-51-52-54-57-59-63-64-78 Check Daily Keno payouts and previous drawings here. Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results Are you a winner? Heres how to claim your lottery prize All Michigan Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes up to $99,999.99, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Michigan Lotterys Regional Offices. To claim by mail, complete a ticket receipt form, sign your winning ticket, and send it along with original copies of your government-issued photo ID and Social Security card to the address below. Ensure the names on your ID and Social Security card match exactly. Claims should be mailed to: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigan Lottery Attn: Claim Center 101 E. Hillsdale P.O. Box 30023 Lansing, MI 48909 For prizes over $100,000, winners must claim their prize in person at the Michigan Lottery Headquarters in Lansing located at 101 E. Hillsdale in downtown Lansing. Each winner must present original versions of a valid government-issued photo ID (typically a drivers license or state ID) and a Social Security card, ensuring that the names on both documents match exactly. To schedule an appointment, please call the Lottery Player Relations office at 844-887-6836, option 2. If you prefer to claim in person at one of the Michigan Lottery Regional Offices for prizes under $100,000, appointments are required. Until further notice, please call 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment. Regional office locations are as follows: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lansing: 101 E. Hillsdale St. Lansing; Phone: 844-917-6325 Livonia: 33231 Plymouth Road, Livonia; Phone: 844-917-6325 Sterling Heights: 34700 Dequindre Road, Sterling Heights; Phone: 844-917-6325 Detroit: Cadillac Place, 3060 W. Grand Blvd., Suite L-600, Detroit; Phone: 844-917-6325 Grand Rapids: 3391-B Plainfield Ave. NE, Grand Rapids; Phone: 844-917-6325 Saginaw: Jerome T. Hart State Office Building, 411 E. Genesee Ave., Saginaw; Phone: 844-917-6325 For additional information, downloadable forms, and instructions, visit the Michigan Lottery's prize claim page. When are Michigan Lottery drawings held? Daily 3 & Daily 4: Midday at 12:59 p.m., Evening at 7:29 p.m. Fantasy 5: 7:29 p.m. daily Poker Lotto: 7:29 p.m. daily Lotto 47: 7:29 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily Daily Keno: 7:29 p.m. daily This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Michigan editor. You can send feedback using this form. Our News Automation and AI team would love to hear from you. Take this survey and share your thoughts with us. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan Lottery Daily 3, Daily 4 results for April 10, 2025 Norma Chu, CEO of Asian consumer food company DayDayCook (DDC), has moved to reassure investors following what she described as a week of unprecedented volatility in global markets. On Friday (4 April), the NYSE-American halted trading of DDC shares, which were trading below $0.10 per share amid a broad market sell-off. In a letter to shareholders yesterday, Chu said: While such market movements are disconcerting, I want to assure you that your board and leadership team acted decisively to safeguard shareholder value. To strengthen market positioning, the companys board unanimously approved a 1:25 reverse stock split on Friday. The decision, previously ratified by shareholders, is designed to elevate our share price to a more acceptable trading range, Chu added. The 1:25 reverse split will reduce Class A Ordinary Shares from 79 million to 3.2 million, raising par value to $0.40. Trading is expected to resume on 21 April under the symbol DDC with a new CUSIP. The news comes as US President Donald Trump raised the tariff charged to China by the US to 125% and authorised a 90-day pause on his plans for tariffs for more than 75 nations. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said: 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. A 10% baseline tariff for all US imports, which came into effect over the weekend, will remain. The additional tariffs were due to be effective for a long list of countries including China, the UK, Japan and EU, from yesterday. Addressing the noise created by tariffs and geopolitical tensions, Chu said DDC is well-insulated from these risks. The chief highlighted that, in 2024, 80% of Hong Kong-based DDC's revenue was generated from China's domestic market, where it produces and sells locally. DDCs growing export business focuses on Southeast Asia, protecting it from US tariff-related disruptions, she explained. DDC, which listed on the NYSE in 2023, offers a range of ready-to-cook, ready-to-heat, and ready-to-eat (RTE) products through brands such as Nona Lim, Yais Thai, Omsom, MengWei, and Yujia Weng. Additionally, a joint venture in China, with a committed net profit of 110.25m yuan ($15m) over five years, is expected to boost growth. Earlier this month, DayDayCook announced a venture with China-based ready-meals producer Hewen Agricultural Technology to scale RTE solutions for e-commerce, restaurant, and DTC channels in China. While the US contributed 20% of DDC's revenue last year, the company expects this segment to remain a smaller, stable contributor. LANSING An audit released Friday highlights significant shortfalls in how the Michigan Department of Education and Michigan State Police ensure school bus safety. Michigan Auditor General Doug Ringler identified problems in how the state agencies ensure bus drivers meet training, licensing and background check requirements, how school bus inspections are conducted and documented, and how the agencies that train school bus drivers are overseen. Michigan school districts use about 13,000 school buses to transport about 800,000 Michigan public school students. The auditor general routinely conducts performance audits of state agencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Michigan Department of Education is responsible for regulating school bus transportation and ensuring school bus drivers meet certain training, licensing and background check requirements. The department is also charged with monitoring Michigan's 17 school bus training facilities. The Michigan State Police conducts annual school bus inspections. "Safety threats ... could exist when bus drivers transporting pupils lack sufficient training, appropriate licensing credentials, and/or documented approval for hire when certain felony convictions exist in a driver's criminal history background," the report said. The Michigan Department of Education said in the report it generally agreed with the findings and recommendations and promised to make improvements. MSP spokeswoman Shanon Banner said the agency "takes very seriously its responsibility" and has already implemented some of the auditor's recommendations. The auditor general found: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 69% of sampled school bus drivers lacked documentation showing they met all required qualifications, which includes periodic training, as well as appropriate licensing. Of the 1,936 active school bus drivers employed in Michigan between 2020 and 2023, 123, or 6%, did not possess the required license type and likely transported pupils. Some drivers lacked the required commercial driver's license, while others had the license but lacked the required passenger and/or school bus endorsements. Of bus drivers sampled, 35% had not completed all required periodic training. Training, on average, was completed 137 days late. The auditor identified 10 bus drivers with violations requiring them to retake and pass a commercial driver's license test but school districts could not show that eight of those 10 drivers had done so. The auditor found 15 bus drivers with felony convictions that had not been reported at the time they were hired. The audit did not specify what types of felony convictions the drivers had. For the 17 training facilities, 11 had not had their three-year compliance reviews completed on time, as required. The Michigan Department of Education failed to monitor school districts' pre-trip school bus inspections and more than 80% of the documentation of those required inspections sampled by the auditor general were found to be deficient. Pre-trip inspections include school bus features such as the steering mechanism and the parking brake, according to the report. The auditor said that more than 2,000 violations were noted during MSP bus inspections that likely should have been noted and corrected during required pre-trip inspections. Required annual inspections of school buses by Michigan State Police in many cases did not happen every 365 days and safety deficiencies increased as that time frame was exceeded. The auditor found that under the MSP process, buses are inspected once during a cycle that runs from Sept. 1 to Aug. 31. But exactly when in that cycle each bus is inspected can vary, meaning a bus can go close to two years without an inspection. The auditor noted that if a bus is inspected on Sept. 1, 2024, the first day of the inspection cycle, and on Aug. 31, 2026, the last day of the next inspection cycle, it would have gone 730 days without an inspection, while satisfying MSP processes. The MSP's bus inspection procedures did not require inspectors to document the scope of procedures conducted, certify a review of all required school bus equipment and consistently record violations that were fixed during the inspection. The red stickers the MSP uses to flag unsafe buses excluded language, required by law, that clearly indicated the vehicle could not be driven. Also, the MSP did not always attach red stickers to buses that school districts said they were not intending to use to transport pupils. The auditor general works for the Michigan Legislature. This story will be updated. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan school bus safety audit reveals driver, inspection issues LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) The Michigan State University Board of Trustees is holding its monthly meeting Friday morning. The agenda for the board meeting includes a request for authorization to proceed with the Spartan Gateway District project. The Spartan Gateway District is expected to include the development of a hotel, restaurants, mixed-use buildings, housing, parking facilities, and a future academic and/or healthcare development zone. BF2-PROCEED-Spartan-Gateway-DistrictDownload Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. Michigan Supreme Court | Susan J. Demas The Michigan Supreme Court determined Thursday that 19- and 20-year olds cant be automatically sentenced to life without possibility of parole for murder, and individuals whove been sentenced under previous rules can be resentenced. The 5-2 decision builds upon the courts 2022 ruling which found that the states harshest punishment, life sentences without the possibility of parole, could not automatically be placed on 18-year-olds who commit first-degree murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both decisions came down to a consideration of proportionality of sentencing which included evaluating the neurological development of young adults and considering the magnitude of how long a person will be incarcerated compared to other older offenders whove committed the same crimes who will ultimately serve less time. Ultimately, Michigans highest court found that the mandatory life sentences for those convicted of committing first-degree murder when they were 19- or 20-years-old was unconstitutional as a harsh and disproportionate punishment. A dissenting opinion from two of the justices found that the court focused too much on research about brain development and didnt fully evaluate the severity of the crime of murder. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX In comparison to older offenders, the brains of late-adolescent defendants make them more impulsive and prone to reckless actions, the majority opinion penned by Justice Elizabeth Welch reads. But as that erratic nature changes with time, the opinion reasons, those defendants are capable of significant change befitting Michigans goal of rehabilitation for those convicted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that time served will almost certainly be decades longer than other adult defendants who are subject to the mandatory life sentence without parole for the same crime which creates a stark disproportionate punishment between offenders in a move the majority opinion found constitutionally defective as a class, 19- and 20-year-old late adolescents are more similar to juveniles in neurological terms than they are to older adults, the majority opinion reads. There has long been a scientific consensus that, in terms of neurological development, there is no meaningful distinction between a 17-year-old and 18-year-old individualBut the lack of meaningful distinction does not stop at age 18. Society in many arenas doesnt consider late adolescents between the ages of 18 and 21 as full adults, the opinion reads, noting age restrictions on alcohol and cannabis possession, until the age of 21, as well as the same age restriction on running for U.S. Senate. Age-based legal rights are a social and civic recognition that age and maturity generally correlate and that as an adolescent matures, they are expected to take on more social and legal responsibilities, the opinion reads. Various laws demonstrate that late adolescents between the ages of 18 and 21 exist within a unique transient phase during which society has decided they are mature enough to hold some but not all of the rights and privileges of full adulthood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The courts decision will apply retroactively, allowing those serving sentences for first-degree murder committed when they were 19 or 20-years-old, to request resentencing. 166428_133_01 In a dissenting opinion, Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement, joined by Justice Brian Zahra, wrote that first-degree murder is perhaps the gravest offense addressed in Michigan law and the taking of a life is an act of the highest moral and legal consequence. A punishment of great severity is therefore proportionate. In arguing that young offenders spend a disproportionate amount of time in prison compared to older offenders and that younger offenders brains may still be developing in a manner that makes them more prone to change in future behavior, Clement said the majoritys argument focuses on the evaluation of the offender rather than the offense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While I recognize that it makes some sense to consider characteristics of the offender in an as-applied challenge, such as that here, I believe the majority unjustifiably allows such considerations to loom so large in its analysis that the majority downplays the gravity of first-degree murder, the dissenting opinion penned by Clement reads. Clement and Zahra are the only Republican-nominated justices currently on the bench. Clement announced her intention to step down by the end of April, and will be succeeded by Justice Megan Cavanagh as chief justice. MUSCAT, Oman (AP) Once again, some of the highest stakes in Middle East geopolitics will be discussed in this quiet coastal city without skyscrapers. Here in Muscat, the capital of Oman nestled against the sheer stone heights of the Hajar Mountains, Iran and the United States will meet for talks over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program for the first time since President Donald Trump began his second term. No agreement is immediately likely, but the stakes of the negotiations couldn't be higher for these two nations closing in on half a century of enmity. Trump repeatedly has threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran's nuclear program if a deal isn't reached. Iranian officials increasingly warn that they could pursue a nuclear weapon with their stockpile of uranium enriched to near weapons-grade levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And at the center is Oman, one of the world's last sultanates on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula. Its unique history, people and proximity to Iran have made it indispensable for the West as it has held discussion after discussion for Iran. But these latest talks suddenly announced by Trump in the Oval Office just days earlier have put Oman firmly into a spotlight it otherwise seeks to avoid. The Omanis have a lot of experience when it comes to playing this back-channel role, said Giorgio Cafiero, the CEO and founder of the Washington-based risk analysis firm Gulf State Analytics. I think that right now in this day and age of Trump 2.0, the stakes are really high and its important for us to understand the value of Oman being a diplomatic bridge. Omanibalancing in an unsettled Mideast Oman, home to 5.2 million people across an arid country just larger than Italy, stands out among the Gulf Arab states. Its oil and gas wealth is marginal by comparison, and its citizens outnumber its population of foreign workers. Omanis can be found working normal jobs from taxi cabs to offices. And its people are Ibadi Muslims, a more liberal offshoot of Islam predating the Sunni-Shiite split. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They occupy a strategic location along the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of all oil passes. And Oman is a former empire whose seafaring rule once stretched all the way down to the island of Zanzibar off Africa. That history extends into how it deals with the wider world, said Marc J. OReilly, a history professor at Heidelberg University in Ohio. It is a path O'Reilly referred to as Omanibalancing over 25 years ago and one that still works today for the sultanate after the 2020 death of its longtime ruler Sultan Qaboos bin Said and the installation of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. Oman is the master of quiet diplomacy," OReilly said. I think they are proud of that, the Omanis, they know that's their reputation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That has been tested in recent years, however. Oman maintains diplomatic ties to Yemen's Houthi rebels, now being bombed in an intense airstrike campaign by the Trump administration. Oman's ties to Iran, cemented when Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi sent troops in the 1970s to help put down the Dhofar Rebellion in the country, have been maintained since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. America has relied on Oman for years to negotiate with Iran, including secret talks under President Barack Obama that led to the 2015 nuclear deal Iran had with world powers. Certainly, I think they are, I think on the whole, very easy to deal with in a region where that is not the norm, O'Reilly said. The challenge ahead Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This round of talks is unlike those that came before. The first challenge Oman faces is just how public they are. Muscat typically relies on discretion in how they handle diplomatic relations, a holdover from an earlier age of Gulf Arab rule. Their neighbors today in comparison go relatively public with their diplomacy like Qatar's role in negotiations with Afghanistan's Taliban, Saudi Arabia hosting the Russia-U.S. talks and the United Arab Emirates just mediating a Russia-U.S. prisoner swap. So far, Oman's state-run media, which dominates the sultanate, has remained silent about Saturday's talks. Oman typically prefers not making too many headlines, Cafiero said. Oman prefers diplomacy thats not at the forefront of the news but is still effective. Then there's the expectations of the two sides. Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi maintains the negotiations will begin as indirect talks, likely with Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi passing messages between Tehran and U.S. Mideast envoy Steve Witkoff. Trump has maintained the talks will be direct. While not a major roadblock, it signals the challenge the negotiations face particularly after years of indirect talks during the Biden administration went nowhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while the U.S. side can offer sanctions relief for Iran's beleaguered economy, it remains unclear just how much Iran will be willing to concede. Under the 2015 nuclear deal, Iran could only maintain a small stockpile of uranium enriched to 3.67%. Today, Tehran's stockpile could allow it to build multiple nuclear weapons if it so chooses and it has some material enriched up to 60%, a short, technical step away from weapons-grade levels. Judging from negotiations since Trump unilaterally withdrew America from the deal in 2018, Iran will likely ask to keep enriching uranium up to at least 20%. One thing it won't do is give up its program entirely. That makes the proposal of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of a so-called Libyan solution you go in, blow up the facilities, dismantle all the equipment, under American supervision, American execution unworkable. Iranians including Ayatollah Ali Khamenei have held up what ultimately happened to the late Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi, who was killed with his own gun by rebels in the country's 2011 Arab Spring uprising, as a warning about what can happen when you trust the United States. Already, a top adviser for Khamenei, Ali Shamkhani, has warned what could happen if the U.S. continues to threaten Tehran, including Iran expelling inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency and ending cooperation with the U.N. watchdog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The transfer of enriched material to a secure location could also be considered, he added, opening the door again to Iran having secret, undeclared nuclear sites as it did when the crisis over its program began over 20 years ago. But Majid Takht-e Ravanch, a deputy Iranian foreign minister, offered a more positive note Friday. If the American side refrains from raising unrelated issues and demands and abandons threats and intimidation there is a good opportunity to reach an agreement," Takht-e Ravanch said, according to the state-run IRNA news agency. ___ Associated Press writer Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___ Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/ Apr. 10Midland College is hosting the 2025 West Texas Symposium of History on Saturday, April 12, at the Marie Hall Academic Building on the Midland College campus. This year's event, which is free and open to the public, will not only feature prominent guest speakers and scholars but also highlight the hard work and achievements of Midland College's students. The West Texas Symposium of History, made possible by the generous support of the Henry Foundation, is an annual event that brings together scholars, students, and community members to engage in thoughtful discussions and explore the history of the West Texas region. "West Texas has a rich history, from its Indigenous roots to its evolving role in shaping the broader national narrative," said Dr. Todd Houck, Henry Chair and Professor of History at Midland College. "Each year, we bring a variety of in-depth presentations that offer fresh perspectives on the region's cultural, political, and social developments." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Symposium Program The day will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration and a light breakfast in the Marie Hall Atrium. Formal presentations will begin promptly at 9 a.m. with opening remarks by Houck. The symposium's speaker lineup includes: Miguel Juarez, University of Texas at El Paso "New Deal, New Friendship: Artists Jose Aceves and Tom Lea Jr." Adebisi Saubana, Midland College "The Opioid Crisis Among College Students in West Texas, Permian Basin" Rebecca Bell, author and historian "Attack on the Fall of the Brazos a Girl, a Boy and a Tribal Chief" Eduardo Galvan, Midland College "My Fellow Puerto Ricans from the Texas Borderland" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allison Williford, Midland College "Frontiersmen and Fracas on the Southwest Plains of Texas, 1836 1875" The symposium will conclude with closing remarks at approximately 2:15 p.m. Honors Poster Session and Student Awards A key feature of the symposium is the Honors Poster Session, where Midland College students in history and government present their research. This session allows students to showcase their academic work and engage with faculty, peers, and community members, demonstrating not only their research findings but also their ability to communicate complex ideas. In recognition of student achievement, prizes will be awarded to the top student presenters: 1st place: $300 2nd place: $200 3rd place: $100 Honorable Mention: $50 27,523 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? 27,523 people played the daily Crossword recently. Can you solve it faster than others? Speaker Mike Johnson flashed a grin as he chided reporters in the Capitol this morning: I told you not to doubt us. Moments earlier, the House had approved a budget proposal that could allow Republicans to pass the presidents one big beautiful billa boost for not only Donald Trumps legislative agenda but also Johnsons job security. In fairness to the speakers doubters, they had good reason to question whether the budget would pass. And they still have reason to question whether Congresss warring Republicans will ever agree to slash the trillions in taxes and spending that Trump is demanding. Adopting the budget resolution was supposed to be the easy part. The 70-page document that the House and Senate approved in the past week contains scarcely any policy details. Republicans have yet to agree on which programs to cut, which taxes to reduce, and by how much. The most politically sensitive of the GOPs potential targets is Medicaid, yet the word appears only once. The main purpose of the measure is procedural, not substantive: Republicans in both chambers needed to pass a budget in order to unlock a process known as reconciliation, which allows the party to circumvent a Senate filibuster and pass Trumps economic agenda with 51 votes rather than 60. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Read: Bad news for Trumps legislative agenda] Yet Johnson made even this preliminary step look nearly impossible. When Senate Republicans finalized their version of the budget over the weekend, archconservatives in the House denounced it immediately, even though Trump had endorsed it. Perhaps the conflict was inevitable. The Senate GOPs priority is not to lower spending but to make Trumps 2017 tax cuts permanent. So instead of actually offsetting the estimated $5 trillion that the extension would cost, Republicans in the upper chamber simply changed their budget baseline to give the impression that extending the cuts wouldnt explode the deficit. The Houses hard-liners balked. Representative Chip Roy of Texas called the Senate proposal a joke that didnt add up. Math still doesnt math, he said, according to NBC News. Johnson faced well more than a dozen holdouts in his conference when the week started; to pass the budget over unanimous Democratic opposition, he could afford to lose no more than three. In past internal party fights this yearincluding his own bid for speaker in JanuaryJohnson has relied on Trump to coerce his most recalcitrant members. The president obliged once again: Stop grandstanding! he warned Republicans when he addressed a party fundraiser on Tuesday night. But this time, not even Trump could persuade some of the House conservatives. Yesterday, lingering opposition forced the speaker to call off a planned vote. The conservatives problem wasnt with Trump but with Republicans in the Senate, who have resisted the deep spending cuts that far-right GOP lawmakers have long demandedand which, thanks to Elon Musks aggressive moves at DOGE, they believe they are on the verge of achieving. In DOGE we trust, Representative Tom McClintock of California said during a House debate on the proposal. The budget plan requires that the Senate find only a fraction of the spending reductions that the House has to find, suggesting to conservatives that when a final bill comes up for a vote later this year, the cuts wont materialize. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In exchange for their support, conservatives demanded that the Senate agree to cut at least $1.5 trillion in spending. This morning, Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune stood before TV cameras to promise just that: We are committed to finding at least $1.5 trillion in savings for the American people while also preserving our essential programs, Johnson said. Thune, however, was not so explicit. We are aligned with the House, he said. The speakers talked about $1.5 trillion. We have a lot of United States senators who believe that is a minimum. The problem for Thuneand for spending hawks in the Houseis that he also has plenty of Republican senators who believe $1.5 trillion is far too deep to cut. Budget experts have said it will be difficult, if not impossible, to slash that much without significant cuts to Medicaid (or to other prized safety-net programs, such as Medicare and Social Security). And several GOP senators, including conservative Trump allies such as Josh Hawley of Missouri, dont want to touch Medicaid. Nevertheless, the assurances from Johnson and Thune proved sufficient to sway the conservative holdouts, which is no small achievement. (For good measure, the speaker reportedly told conservatives that they should oust him if he breaks his promise.) GOP hard-liners have typically been the Houses most recalcitrant members. Today, though, all but two conservatives voted for a proposal that they had trashed just a few days earlier, based only on nonbinding pledges from their leadership. In the interest of comity, I will take them at their word, Roy said in a statement afterward, explaining his change of heart. But he warned that he wouldnt support a final package unless it had specific and significant cuts, including Medicaid reforms. [Reihan Salam: The fiscal choice the GOP needs to make] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such threats were pervasive after the House vote today, and not just on the right. Representative Rob Bresnahan, a swing-district Republican from Pennsylvania who also backed the budget, said he would oppose a final bill if it guts Medicaid. Still, it would be foolish to bet against congressional Republicans in the weeks and months ahead. The pressure to pass Trumps agenda will be intense: If the GOP cant pass a final bill, Trumps 2017 tax cuts will expire, resulting in an across-the-board hike at the end of the year. And the president has demonstrated that hell go to great lengths to ensure loyalty from his party. Yet todays vote wont clear the legislative path for Trumps agenda as much as Johnson and his colleagues might hope. Republicans have punted their biggest decisions and settled few of their biggest fights. Theyve taken the easy votes, but the hardest ones are yet to come. Article originally published at The Atlantic On January 20, 2017, Republican Sen. Mike Lee of Utah introduced the Global Trade Accountability Act, a bill to subject presidential actions on trade to congressional approval. Congress has ceded far too much law making power to the Executive branch including the power to unilaterally raise tariffs, Lee said in a statement released shortly after President Donald Trumps first inauguration. Sudden hikes in trade barriers could wreak havoc on many small and midsize manufacturers in my home state of Utah that rely on imports and globally connected supply chains. Congress must be involved in any decision that would increase barriers to trade. Lees aversion to trade wars ran deep. He told me in an interview in January 2017 that his grandfather, a federal Treasury agent known as a T-Man, used to bemoan the fact that he as a T-Man was involved in the enforcement of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which he blamedand many economists have blamedfor creating the set of conditions that led to the Great Depression. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like clockwork, Lee reintroduced his trade accountability bill in each subsequent Congressin 2019, 2021, and 2023but neither Republican nor Democratic Senate leaders ever brought it up for a vote before the whole chamber. The United States has just experienced more than a week of whiplash on trade policy, with Trump unilaterally implementing and somewhat easing off unexpectedly large tariffsexactly the kind of sudden hikes in trade barriers that Lee said in 2017 could wreak havoc on Main Street. Utah businesses are already feeling the pain from Trumps tariffs and the uncertainty surrounding them. But in the Capitol this week, Lee told The Dispatch he has no plans to reintroduce his own bill to reassert congressional authority over tariffs or support a similar bill recently introduced by Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell of Washington. Generally speaking, I think Congress has outsourced a lot of its thinking to the executive branch, but I dont have any plans to be pushing [the Global Trade Accountability Act] right now, Lee told The Dispatch in a Capitol hallway on Wednesday afternoon. Why not? Because Trump is in the middle of something where hes relying on a lot of delegated authority that Congress has granted, and I think it has potential to bear productive results, Lee replied. The Dispatch briefly caught up with Lee shortly after Trump announced his 90-day pause of so-called reciprocal tariffs, which kept a new universal 10 percent tariff on most countries and a 145 percent tariff on Chinese goods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does Lee see any major differences between his bill and the Grassley-Cantwell bill on free trade? Im not sure. I havent spent enough time with that, he said. While unilateral emergency executive actions on trade required congressional approval after 90 days under Lees bill, the Grassley-Cantwell bill requires congressional approval after 60 days. I dont see any reason now to support the Grassley-Cantwell bill, Lee said. I want to see how those trade negotiations go. I think they have the potential to bring about a very pro-free-trade outcome. Would he reintroduce his trade bill after the ongoing round of trade negotiations ends? Well see, Lee replied. Lees decision to back away from his longstanding push to reassert congressional authority on tariffs underscores his dramatic transformation from being a Never Trumper in October 2016 to one of the presidents most loyal allies in Congress, who made it to Trumps short list of potential Supreme Court nominees in 2020. It also highlights just how much of an uphill climb it will be for Congress to actually enact legislation that rescinds Trumps tariffs and takes back power from the executive branch on trade policy. Trump has already vowed to veto the Grassley-Cantwell bill should it make it out of Congress. That means the magic number to take away the presidents unilateral authority on tariffs is 67 senators plus 290 members of the House (if all members are present and voting)two-thirds of Congress necessary to override a veto. If all 47 Democratic senators backed an effort to override a Trump veto, 20 Republicans would need to join them to be successful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, seven Republicans have backed the Grassley-Cantwell bill, while four Republicans have backed a separate bill sponsored by Kentucky GOP Sen. Rand Paul and Senate Democrats to rescind Trumps tariffs. Is there any chance of mustering a supermajority in the Senateto say nothing of the even Trumpier Houseto rescind Trumps tariffs or take away the presidents unilateral tariff power? Right now, its not there, but well see, Paul told The Dispatch on Wednesday. Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz told The Dispatch hes still reviewing the Grassley-Cantwell bill. Theres a number of us that want to review the provisions that were put into law that delivered our responsibilities and authorities on tariffs to the executive branch, said Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota, who added that he hasnt examined the Grassley-Cantwell bill yet. Meanwhile, Senate Democrats are rallying behind it. I think its a good idea, Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont, the independent socialist who caucuses with the Democrats, told The Dispatch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Susan Collins of Maine, one of those seven GOP cosponsors of the Grassley-Cantwell bill, said she was pleased with Trumps 90-day tariff pause but still thinks the bill needs to be enacted because this isnt particular to President Trump. Its our constitutional authority. I think the marketplace has spooked [the Trump administration], and Im glad that theyve backed off of the tariffs for 90 days, Paul said. Still, he acknowledged the tariff pause and resulting improvement in the stock market would slow momentum for his bill. Referring to his Republican colleagues reluctant to support either trade bill, Paul told The Dispatch: The 90-day pause takes some pressure off of them. 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. Former Blackwater CEO Erik Prince and a team of defense contractors are pitching the White House on a plan to vastly expand deportations to El Salvador transporting thousands of immigrants from U.S. holding facilities to a sprawling maximum security prison in Central America. The proposal, exclusively obtained by POLITICO, says it would target criminal illegal aliens and would attempt to avoid legal challenges by designating part of the prison which has drawn accusations of violence and overcrowding from human rights groups as American territory. Its unclear how seriously the White House is considering the plan by Prince, who has drawn scrutiny for his firms role in a deadly massacre in Iraq two decades ago. But it would give Princes group an unprecedented and potentially highly lucrative role in an expanded version of a transnational operation that has elicited its own web of controversies, in part because it has swept up immigrants who do not have criminal records in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group has had multiple talks with administration officials, and the ideas laid out in the proposal are likely to be a top subject in the bilateral meetings with El Salvador at the White House next week, according to two people familiar with the Prince proposal and an administration official, granted anonymity to discuss information that has not previously been made public. Administration officials have already discussed the idea of the U.S. owning some of the prison complex, the administration official said, adding that the White House continues to weigh a number of options and that the plan would be in line with the goal of getting dangerous people as far away from the continental U.S. as possible. The administration official also said they expect the proposal to be discussed during El Salvador President Nayib Bukeles visit to the White House on Monday, when he is planning to meet with President Donald Trump to hash out a variety of immigration issues. The proposal would ultimately put Prince in charge of an extraordinary privatization effort that would use his company to handle logistics, including ferrying tens of thousands of detainees from American holding cells to El Salvadors prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An LLC called 2USV was registered in Wyoming on Wednesday, an indication that Princes group is hoping to move to a more serious phase of pitching the White House. Prince and the White House declined to comment. Its Princes latest bid to seek government contracts as the Trump administration continues to face legal and logistical headwinds in its efforts to rapidly deport undocumented immigrants, and it comes just months after the former Blackwater CEO pitched the White House on an expansive plan to outsource the presidents mass deportations campaign a proposal first reported by POLITICO. Now Prince has zeroed in on a narrower target, further evidence that the administrations desire to make good on the presidents signature campaign promise has created an opening for private contractors who see potential profits in mass deportations. The proposal says Princes group, in partnership with El Salvador, will facilitate an operation that would handle the logistics of gathering 100,000 of the worst criminal offenders from U.S. prisons, holding them at a 10,000-person detention camp and flying them to El Salvador. The group says it will need access to the governments immigration files from law enforcement agencies to determine their immigration status, further entwining the private enterprise with government operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This contract will not only solve the legal issues pertaining to removing criminal aliens, it will enhance the governments capability to locate, capture, detain and deport aliens, the document says. Princes group also wants a role in the immigration courts, one of several elements of the proposal that would likely draw legal challenges. If the immigrant does not have a deportation order, 2USV will facilitate a hearing before an immigration judge to adjudicate any pending asylum claim. The group also says it will work with prosecutors to make deals with incarcerated individuals whereby some of their prison sentence will be waived in exchange for the granting of a deportation order. The proposal includes sample language for a Treaty of Cession so that a portion of the prison complex can become U.S. territory, arguing that transferring a prisoner to such a facility would not be an Extradition nor a Deportation. Once the land is owned by the U.S., the proposal says it will be leased back to El Salvador to run the prison complex and urges the Homeland Security secretary to suspend the ICE detention standards to avoid questions about detention standards established by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Bureau of Prisons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The document also includes a letter from El Salvadors Minister of Justice and Public Security Hector Gustavo Villatoro, dated March 13. It says Prince, through his new special entity called 2USV, is serving as a trade agent for El Salvador to reach an agreement on the use of El Salvadors prisons to house foreign criminals. A spokesperson for Bukele and the embassy did not respond to a request for comment on the countrys purported role in the project. The letter states that the prison complex can hold up to 40,000 criminals immediately with the possibility of housing up to 100,000 criminal aliens in the near future. Prince began discussions with El Salvador last year before Trump was elected and first floated the idea of using their prisons for migrants, according to one of the people familiar with the matter. Those talks apparently accelerated after the election, according to the letter, which states that he proposed his commercial terms with Prince before Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited El Salvador in early February. During Princes visit in August, he toured the prison complex and met with Bukele to discuss the countrys efforts to combat crime. Prince at the time also expressed frustrations with the State Departments poor travel advisory, which the Trump administration upgraded this week ranking El Salvadors travel safety designation the best possible and placing it higher than several countries in Western Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal argues that the setup could help the Trump administration get around potential legal hurdles with the presidents invocation of the Alien Enemies Act, which gives the president powers during wartime to detain and deport noncitizens. Doing so could also alleviate logistical challenges that have emerged with the use of the Naval base in Guantanamo Bay, while helping the Trump administration remove people from the United States who cant be returned to their country of origin. But the solutions outlined in the proposal may not fully resolve the legal questions surrounding Trumps use of the Alien Enemies Act, which the president invoked in March to deport hundreds of Venezuelans. The Supreme Court on Monday lifted a temporary block on the administrations use of the two-centuries-old law, meant to guard against foreign invasions in wartime. But the court also ruled that the United States must give these Venezuelans labeled as alien enemies an opportunity to challenge their deportations before removing them from the country, and the Trump administration has since faced additional setbacks. The courts ruling was narrow, and there are still major questions about the legality of Trump using a wartime law when the United States is not at war. There could be additional legal hurdles with the plan, and the proposal acknowledges that its highly likely that this effort will be tested judicially by the ACLU or other activist group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And even if the proposal is targeted at undocumented immigrants, it could be a precursor to deporting U.S. citizens an idea Trump has repeatedly floated, said a former DHS official, granted anonymity to discuss the plan. Trump said over the weekend that he would love to deport citizens to El Salvador, adding: If they can house these horrible criminals for a lot less money than it costs us, Im all for it. Mondays meeting comes as the Trump administration was already planning to send more immigrants to El Salvador. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said Wednesday that she visited El Salvador last week to meet with Bukele, asking him to continue to take terrorists from the United States of America that no longer belong here. Trump invoked the 1798 law in March, deporting to El Salvador hundreds of Venezuelans who the administration claimed to be members of the Tren de Aragua gang an action that spurred immediate court challenges. A number of family members and lawyers have since argued that some of the detainees are not associated with the gang. The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered the administration to facilitate the return of a Maryland man who had been sent to the prison despite having protected legal status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration previously reached a one-year deal with El Salvador to imprison more than 200 alleged gang members in the prison. Its unclear when the agreement was reached, but it was announced in the days after Trump deported the Venezuelans on March 15. The U.S. has so far paid El Salvador $6 million a figure Prince and Bukele are vying to increase, though its not clear by how much. The draft of the proposal obtained by POLITICO did not include a budget. Prince and his groups earlier proposal to the White House was a more expansive mass deportation plan that included an army of private agents promising to arrest and remove 12 million people at a cost of $25 billion. That plan, which has not been publicly embraced by the White House, also raised a host of legal issues, some of which overlap with the newest plan. The founders of 2USV have a long history with the U.S. government and Trump world. Blackwater was formed by Prince in 1996 to provide training services to law enforcement, military personnel and other government agencies. It gained attention for its work in Iraq and Afghanistan, providing security services for U.S. officials and military personnel. Critics viewed Blackwaters rise as a result of the U.S. militarys overextension in the Middle East, raising questions about oversight and accountability of private contractors. By Zaheer Kachwala (Reuters) - Swedish electric-vehicle maker Polestar plans to move more manufacturing to Europe as U.S. tariffs and the global trade war spell trouble for the automotive industry, CEO Michael Lohscheller said on Thursday. It also reported a 76% jump in first-quarter sales as discounts and offers helped offset stiff competition and an uncertain economic outlook. The company, which manufactures its Polestar 2 mid-sized sedan and Polestar 4 coupe SUV in China, is the latest automaker to flag a hit from American import tariffs that threaten to push up costs for companies and upend global supply chains. "If big tariff increases are happening, they have implications for sure, and not only for us, but for the entire industry," Lohscheller said in an interview. "Localization is the best way forward, right, and not only for the U.S. in general, also we want to produce future products here in Europe. So that's the best way forward." The remarks come a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 90-day pause on many of his new reciprocal tariffs, but increased levies on key trade partner China to 125%, leaving markets concerned about the outlook for the global economy. Polestar has a manufacturing presence in the U.S., in South Carolina, where it makes the Polestar 3 crossover SUV. But it plans to export the Polestar 4 to the country from a South Korean facility where production will begin in the second half, exposing the company to tariff impacts. Lohscheller said the company was making preparations in response to the 25% reciprocal tariff Trump slapped on South Korea, without offering more details. It has already stopped taking orders for the China-made Polestar 2 in the U.S. After previously delaying its international expansion plans, Polestar will go to more Eastern European markets next year and then Brazil, Lohscheller said. STRONG QUARTER Polestar's first-quarter sales surge was partly helped by offers that targeted disgruntled Tesla owners in the U.S. with discounts of up to $20,000 towards a lease of its Polestar 3 vehicle. Around half of its March U.S. sales for its model 3 were a product of the Tesla incentives, the company's U.S. head of sales, Jordan Hofmann, told Reuters. Polestar sold around 12,304 vehicles in the quarter, compared with 6,975 vehicles a year ago. It expects to publish its full-year results at the end of the month. Polestar has previously faced delays over having to restate financial statements from earlier years due to errors. (This story has been corrected to changes 'results' to 'U.S. sales for its model 3' in paragraph 13) (Reporting by Zaheer Kachwala in Bengaluru and Marie Mannes in Stockholm; Editing by Devika Syamnath) EY announced a global restructure that will rationalise its regional divisions, but EY Oceania's leadership and structure will remain unchanged, reported The Australian Financial Review (AFR). The restructuring involves merging 18 regional structures into ten super regions, and cutting three overarching geographic groupings. This move is expected to lead to job cuts, particularly among staff reporting to the Asia-Pacific geographic grouping, according to AFR. The restructuring follows KPMG's earlier move to merge smaller national partnerships as large consulting firms navigate a slow market and growing doubts surrounding the value of their advisory EY's financial services division will lose its global independence and be integrated into the new regional structures. Despite these changes, EY Oceania, including the Australian partnership, will not be merged and will continue under the leadership of chief executive David Larocca. EY declined to comment on the restructuring plans. The newly formed super regions will include ASEAN, Canada, Central Europe and Nordics, Greater China, India and Africa, Japan, Korea, Latin America and Israel, Middle East and North Africa, Oceania, UK & Ireland, US and Western Europe. Leaders of each super region will join EY's global executive, with the new structure expected to begin in the new financial year. This restructure follows EY's failed attempt to split its consulting and audit arms, which resulted in more than $1bn of debt due to the costs of the collapsed plan in April 2023. The changes aim to simplify operations and increase partner profits by integrating the globally profitable financial services division into regional partnerships. A global downturn in demand for advisory services has forced the big four firms to cut jobs and seek operational efficiencies. In Oceania, EY plans to restructure its standalone legal practice, likely leading to further job cuts. Oceania partners' profits fell by 15% in 2024, with the partnership size decreasing from 748 to 721. EY has consistently cut staff, including 100 redundancies in February 2025, following revelations that rival PwC used confidential government information to assist clients. "EY Oceania to remain unchanged as firm restructures globally " was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) Residents looking for work can meet with nearly 150 local employers during next weeks job fair. Montgomery County Workforce Development is hosting its annual Spring Job Fair on April 17 at UD Arena on S. Edwin C. Moses Boulevard. The event will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Lt. Gov. Tressel visits WSU, discusses future of Ohio workforce Job seekers will have the opportunity to meet with nearly 150 local employers across a variety of fields. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mobile Workforce Unit will also be on-site, with staff available to help with resumes, cover letters and also offer printing of those documents. The job fair is free to attend. Click here to save time by pre-registering. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JUNCTION CITY (KSNT) The Junction City Police Department (JCPD) announced that it arrested a local man following a months-long narcotics investigation. Officers with the JCPD executed search warrants at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9 on a residence in the 1100 block of Haven Drive and another in the 2200 block of Thompson Drive. Officers seized about 1.25 pounds of methamphetamine along with cocaine, marijuana, fentanyl, three firearms and about $17,000. Police reported that one of the firearms was stolen. A 39-year-old Junction City man was arrested in connection to the investigation. He faces charges including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Distribution of certain stimulants. Possession of marijuana. Possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to manufacture a controlled substance. Taxation; drugs (no tax stamp). Unlawful acquisition of proceeds from drug transactions. Possession of stolen property. 5 arrested on attempted murder charges in Manhattan The Junction City Police Department would like to thank the Geary County Sheriffs Office for their assistance in conducting these search warrants. JCPD press release excerpt The JCPD said the investigation is still ongoing and that more updates will be provided when available. For more crime news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Gov. Wes Moore (D) in a January file photo. The governor this week discussed his first trip overseas, which he said is aimed at broadening the state's economic base with more private investment. (File photo by Bryan P. Sears / Maryland Matters) When administration officials began planning Gov. Wes Moores first foreign trade mission, they did not anticipate that we would be in the middle of a trade war, but that made it all the more important to go, Moore said Thursday. Moore, who leaves Friday for a week in Japan and South Korea, emphasized that he hopes to use his trip to send international partners a message that Maryland is open for business, regardless of the erratic measures being announced and put on hold by President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The idea of consistency and standing up for your friends does matter, Moore said in a Thursday briefing with reporters. Weve actually heard from some of our partners who have said, Thank you for still coming. Because we know that relationships are being strained. The trade mission is not just symbolic, though Moore says that the two countries he will visit on his mission make good strategic partners and that he expects to come back with direct and distinct economic deliverables. We already have really strong relationships with them, Moore said of the countries he will be visiting. We just know that theres not just a lot thats already being done, but a lot more that we can do within Korea. Id say the same thing with Japan. Moore specifically mentioned that Japan is a strong trade partner when it comes to developing what he calls Marylands lighthouse industries aerospace, life sciences and cyber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When youre looking at our lighthouse industries, theres no stronger partner internationally that we have than Japan, Moore said, specifically mentioning cyber, quantum computing, artificial intelligence and IT. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE In terms of deliverables, Moore said that he is looking to bring back real relationships and growth opportunities, part of a push to diversify and strengthen Marylands economy. It is a goal that Moore has put front and center since the beginning of the 2025 legislative session in January. Maryland Republicans, while supporting Moores goals to grow the states economy, have been skeptical of whether he has actually lived up to his lofty aims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think they were met very well, House Minority Leader Jason Buckel (R-Allegany) said Monday on the last day of legislative session. Buckel went on to say that very few of the governors efforts to promote private-sector growth seemed to survive on the last day of session. Moore, though, says that this trip, coming days after the legislative session, fits right in with his efforts to fix a Maryland economy that in January found itself too dependent on the federal government and staring down a massive deficit and a shifting landscape in Washington. Weve got to get economic growth, Moore said, and it means that economic growth cannot rely on Washington, D.C., that weve got to be able to diversify. Moore is sheduled to leave Friday for Japan, head to South Korea on Tuesday and be back in the U.S. next Friday. Stops in Japan include visits with Toyota, Hitachi and Japan Airlines, participation in a quantum roundtable and an investment seminar, and a ride on the maglev Bullet Train. In South Korea, he has meetings scheduled at Samsung and Korean Aerospace Industries, as well as visits with Cabinet-level officials there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore stressed that the diversification of Marylands economic portfolio that his trip is meant to foster is not a luxury, but rather a necessity. The only way out, Moore said, is growth. And it means we have to be able to not just explore, but also really move further into these areas and these industries where we know were going to have long-term growth opportunities, but Maryland has not participated in that growth. Moraine preps for late-May anniversary celebration MORAINE, Ohio (WDTN) Community members are invited to attend a celebration to recognize Moraines 60th anniversary. From 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., a celebratory event will occur at Wax Park, located at 3800 Main St. in Moraine. Amusement rides, craft and food vendors, live music and a car cruise-in are all scheduled for attendees to enjoy. From 2 to 4 p.m., Motown Sounds of Touch will perform. Fleetwood Gold, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band, will take the stage from 6 to 8 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the rides are free, everyone who would like to use them are required to sign a liability waiver at the ticket booth for the free arm band. You can enter your vehicle here for it to take part in the cruise-in. Vendors looking to set up shop can register here. Both registration periods end May 1. Moraine was founded back in 1965. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUSTIN (Texas Tribune) At least 122 international students 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, according to university officials and media reports. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Thursday, the following universities have confirmed the number of international students who have been affected: University of North Texas: 27 University of Texas at Arlington: 27 Texas A&M University: 23 University of Texas at Dallas: 19 University of Texas Rio Grande Valley: 9 Texas Womans University: 4 Texas Tech University: 3 The University of Texas at Austin, where police arrested dozens for protesting the Israel-Hamas war, and the University of Houston told the Houston Chronicle on Wednesday that some of their international students had a change in their immigration status. Both declined to say how many. KFOX14 also reported on Wednesday that 10 University of Texas at El Paso students had their visas revoked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 are being 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. During a Faculty Senate meeting at UNT on Wednesday, Faculty Senate Vice Chair William Joyner said he had heard from the provost about 16 students whose statuses were removed from SEVIS. A university spokesperson later confirmed to the Tribune that number had risen to 27. No other information was provided, Joyner said in a statement to the Tribune. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know nothing other than this, and I am not willing to speculate, Joyner said. A spokesperson with UTD verified that 19 of their students had their immigration status terminated, and said they were working through the situation with the affected students. This is a fluid situation, and we are communicating with affected students about the changes in their status as soon as possible, a statement from the university read. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hoffman said choosing to remove students from SEVIS rather than revoking visas creates a more difficult appeal process. I think theyre proactively making it so that they basically cant 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. Jessica Priest contributed to this report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at www.texastribune.org. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans and engages with them about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. GENEVA (Reuters) - Over a thousand Sudanese refugees have reached or attempted to reach Europe in early 2025, the United Nations' refugee agency said on Friday, citing growing desperation in part due to reduced aid in the region. Some 12 million people have been displaced by the two-year conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces that has fuelled what U.N. officials call the world's most devastating aid crisis. While some have recently returned home to Khartoum, millions of others in neighbouring countries like Egypt and Chad face tough choices as services for refugees are being cut, including by the United States as part of an aid review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olga Sarrado, U.N. refugee agency spokesperson, told a press briefing in Geneva that some 484 Sudanese had arrived in Europe in January and February, up 38% from the same period last year. Around 937 others were rescued or intercepted at sea and returned to Libya - more than double last year's figures for the same period, she added. "As humanitarian aid crumbles and if the war does not abate, many more will have little choice than to join them," she said. Migrant deaths hit a record last year, the U.N. migration agency said, with many perishing on the Mediterranean crossing which is one of the world's most dangerous. (Reporting by Emma Farge and Olivia Le Poidevin; Editing by Ludwig Burger) Pittsburgh-based FNB Corp. is moving to expand its capital markets capacity, striking a deal to acquire a 20-year-old boutique investment bank. Acquiree Raptor Partners is also headquartered in Pittsburgh. Founded in 2005, Raptor counts mergers and acquisitions as a principal area of focus. Raptor says it's participated in hundreds of transactions with an aggregate value approaching $40 billion. The deal for Raptor comes after several of FNB's regional bank peers including Huntington Bancshares in Columbus Ohio, the Cleveland-based KeyCorp and PNC Financial in Pittsburgh reported substantial capital markets revenue increases in their fourth-quarter earnings. Expanding capital markets capabilities is a key component of FNB's strategy, Chairman and CEO Vincent Delie said Tuesday in a press release. Adding Raptor positions the $49 billion-asset FNB to better serve its middle-market and corporate clients, who might otherwise look outside the bank for advice. "The addition of investment banking rounds out our offerings, enabling FNB to provide clients with advisory services throughout their entire business life cycle," Delie said in the release. FNB's existing capital markets group generated income totaling $24.2 million in 2024. While that total represented an 11% decline from 2023, Delie said capital markets revenue has increased significantly over the past decade. FNB reported capital markets income totaling $10.2 million in 2015. "We are excited to join with FNB to offer financial advisory services to new and existing clients," Raptor Partners Founder and President Craig Wolfanger said in the press release. Wolfanger added that Raptor's long experience helping broker M&A deals would bring "a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and experience to FNB." FNB did not disclose the financial terms of the transaction. A spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment at deadline. FNB's planned acquisition of Raptor followed a busy week for bank M&A, with five deals announced between March 31 and April 4. Some analysts and bank executives expect that pace to slow significantly as uncertainty surrounding the impact of President Trump's tariff policy including extreme volatility in the equities markets dampens previous enthusiasm. "The latest tariffs are ricocheting in the markets, and any substantial offensive bank M&A is also likely to evaporate," Seaport Research Partners senior analyst Laurie Havener Hunsicker wrote Monday in a research note. TEXARKANA, Texas (KETK) The Texarkana Police Department confirmed that more victims have come forward after a man was arrested for solicitation of a minor in a sting operation. 7 Bowie County prison staff arrested for organized crime, contraband charges Texarkana police officers conducted a sting operation last month that led to four men being arrested for crimes related to soliciting sex with a minor or prostitute. On March 14, Gregory Frame, 45 of Wake Village, was arrested for solicitation of a minor after trying to meet up with an underage girl, who turned out to be an under cover officer. Mugshot of Gregory Alane Frame, courtesy of Texarkana Police Department To my understanding, I do know that he (Frame) responded to the under cover officers messages with the understanding of meeting with an underage girl for sexual conduct, Texarkana PDs Public Information Officer Shawn Vaughn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Frames arrest was made public, more underage victims came forward and these additional charges were made against him, according to Bowie County Inmate Roster: Two counts of possession of child pornography Two online solicitation of a minor sexual conduct Two online solicitation of a minor under 14 Indecency with a child sexual contact Continuous sexual abuse of a child under 14 Frame used websites and possibly social media to contact minors and try to meet up with them either the night of first contact or after a grooming period, officials say. Its too early to tell but officers believe there are more victims. 21-year-old man added to Texas most wanted for East Texas double homicide Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a possibility there are more victims we dont know about in other parts of Texas or anywhere else, social media allows him into any childs life, Vaughn 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 KETK.com | FOX51.com. Russia's Foreign Ministry has announced that it will consider resuming flights with the United States only if sanctions on Aeroflot, the country's largest airline, are lifted. Source: Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency Interfax, citing Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Details: Lavrov reported that the proposal to lift sanctions on Aeroflot had been presented during a meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, over a month ago. According to Lavrov, US representatives acknowledged the proposal during talks but took no action to remove the sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lavrov added that the Russians recalled their proposal at the latest talks in Istanbul. Background: On Thursday 10 April, delegations from the United States and Russia arrived in Istanbul for talks to normalise the work of their diplomatic missions. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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. Kiev says Russian troops executed four Ukrainian soldiers Authorities in Kiev also said on Thursday they are investigating the alleged killing of four captured Ukrainian soldiers by Russian forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dmytro Lubinets, the human rights commissioner of the Ukrainian parliament, said the killing of the prisoners of war is believed to have occurred in March in the southern Ukrainian village of Piatykhatky. As in previous such cases, the suspicion is based on a video that has been circulating on social media networks. "They had no weapons. They walked out of a destroyed building with their hands raised, surrendering. They were shot dead on the spot," Lubinets wrote on X. "This is a clear violation of the Geneva Convention and a grave war crime," he said, adding on Telegram that he will report the case to the International Red Cross and the United Nations for investigation. Ukraine reports latest casualties At least one person has been killed and five injured in a Russian missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Dnipro, Zelensky said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Russia is clearly ignoring diplomacy and using its contacts with the world solely to serve its own interests not to end the war," Zelensky said in his nightly video address. "What's needed now is tactics of pressure pressure on Russia to end the terror and the war. I thank everyone around the world who is helping us in this effort." In the capital Kiev, Mayor Vitali Klitschko said three people had been injured in drone attacks. The city authorities also reported that a warehouse caught fire due to debris from downed drones. According to official figures, another 10 people were injured in the southern Ukrainian city of Mykolaiv. It was reported that parts of drones fell on residential buildings there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. (FOX40.COM) A 26-year-old mother from Oakdale was arrested Friday morning and is being charged with murder in connection to the crash that killed her 4-year-old daughter back in March, according to the Stanislaus District Attorneys Office. Juliette Acostas car crashed into a canal near the town of Hickman on March 8, resulting in the death of her daughter who was also in the vehicle, the district attorneys office said. Officials said she was then arrested on DUI charges and released on bail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Stanislaus District Attorneys Office said that Acosta was allegedly driving with a blood alcohol content level three times the legal limit of 0.08%. Friday morning, Acosta was arrested at a San Francisco hotel on a no-bail warrant for the crash, according to the district attorneys office. The charging documents state that Acosta was found taking a bath after the crash, while her daughter was left trapped inside the partially submerged car, resulting in the death of the 4-year-old. The district attorneys office lists the charges Acosta faces as follows: Murder Vehicular manslaughter Driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury Permitting a child to suffer under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death Resisting, delaying or obstructing a public officer, peace officer or emergency medical technician. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acosta could face a maximum sentence of life in prison if she is convicted of all charges, officials said. We recognize the significant interest the community has in this case, said District Attorney Laugero. However, our responsibility to both the victim and the integrity of our legal system requires a thorough investigation based on the evidence and the law. This methodical approach ensures that justice is pursued based on accurate information. I appreciate the publics patience and understanding in protecting the process and ensuring our ethical obligations are met. Justice requires our absolute adherence to these standards. The district attorneys office said Acosta was transported from San Francisco back to Stanislaus County and is being held without bail. Multiple agencies are working on the investigation, including CHP and the District Attorneys Bureau of Investigation, officials stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) A mother was arrested after Shreveport police found her two young children locked outside and unsupervised. Police were called to the 3500 block of Milan Street to the Villa de Lago Apartments after getting reports that the children were on a second-floor balcony. A concerned neighbor saw the children and notified the apartment manager, who called the police. When officers arrived, they found a three-year-old and a five-year-old on the balcony, unsupervised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the children were barefoot, with soiled clothes, and a strong urine odor. What you should do if you suspect child abuse, neglect It was determined that the children were left on the balcony while their mother, Jessica Ogula, went to work, a practice police said she had allegedly done on multiple occasions. She was arrested on two counts of child desertion, and the children were released into the care of a responsible adult. The Shreveport Police Department expressed its concern about the arrest: This case is heartbreaking. While we at SPD understand that parents sometimes face incredibly difficult circumstances, the safety and well-being of children must always come first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation is ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. A mother jailed over a tweet about the Southport killings has been unjustly denied temporary leave to spend time at home with her daughter and sick husband, Kemi Badenoch said on Friday night. The Tory leader also said Lucy Connollys 31 month prison sentence for inciting racial hatred in a tweet was disproportionately severe and created a dangerous perception of bias which could fuel radicalisation and threaten community cohesion. Her comments came after Connolly was told by prison bosses that she will not be released on temporary licence (ROTL) despite being described by one prison expert as an ideal candidate for such home leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Documents seen by The Telegraph have previously suggested that the 42-year-old childminder from Northampton faced being refused ROTL amid concerns over public and media interest in her case rather than any apparent failure to meet the criteria for temporary release. In her plea for ROTL, Connolly cited a deterioration in her 12 year old daughters school behaviour which is totally out of character and the stress being placed on her sick husband, Ray, a Tory councillor, who is suffering from bone marrow failure. A HM Prison Service spokesman declined to comment on individual cases but said: To be eligible for temporary release, prisoners must be compliant with all prison rules. The prison service refused to say why Connolly had been rejected for ROTL but noted that there are rules that dictate any contact with the media needs to be signed off by the prison governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a tweet Ms Badenoch said: Having reviewed the background of Lucy Connollys case, her denial of ROTL appears unjust. ROTL is not a grand privilege; its a modest allowance for 2-3 nights at home per month. Lucy has been unfairly treated, and its time to acknowledge this. She can appeal to the Governor and, if necessary, to the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman. Justice must prevail. Transparency in this process is crucial to clarify the confusing details surrounding her case. I understand theres a separate appeal regarding her sentence and conviction. The bigger issue is the perception of bias in the application of the law. Lucys sentence, disproportionately severe compared to those for actual violence in the riots and other contexts, suggests shes being treated as low hanging fruit. This perception is dangerous, fuelling radicalisation and threatening community cohesion. Our daughter needs her mummy Adam King, Connollys barrister, who is leading her legal attempt to appeal against her sentence, said: We dont have the full details but this strikes me as very unfair and needs to be challenged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Connollys husband said: I am disappointed that my wife Lucy has yet again been denied Right of Temporary Leave (ROTL). Im disappointed this is what our country is becoming. Our 12-year-old daughter is struggling and she needs her mummy at home. This decision by prison authorities is not based on evidence in my opinion. Lucy is a good and kind person who has been a model prisoner. She has helped other inmates on the path to reform. Lucy has been entitled to Rotl since November but they have turned down every request. Its not nice to think theyve got it in for Lucy but when she sees other prisoners who have done far worse crimes like killing a child by dangerous driving getting out, you think theyre still making an example of her. Lucy was really calm when they told her she didnt get Rotl this time and would only be able to apply again in 12 weeks. Lucy has asked to be transferred back to Peterborough prison which is much nearer us. I hope they grant that so I can take our daughter to see her mummy once a week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rotl is not a straightforward legal right but is considered a privilege. Prisoners can appeal against a decision through the jails internal complaints procedure and ultimately to the prisons and probation ombudsman. It cannot, however, be typically challenged in court but inmates can sue for alleged abuse of prison powers. Connolly was arrested after posting on X in the hours following the Southport attack Connolly was arrested after posting on X hours after the Southport killings. She spoke of mass deportations and setting fire to asylum hotels for all I care. I feel physically sick knowing what these [Southport] families will now have to endure. If that makes me racist so be it, she added. She took it down within four hours after thinking better of what she had written in the heat of the moment but not before it had been viewed 310,000 times and screenshot. She was interviewed by police on August 6 and charged three days later. She has been in jail since, having pleaded guilty and then been sentenced in October. Connolly has been eligible for Rotl since last November based on her prison time served. Rotl is open to inmates as a way to rebuild family ties and allows for up to two overnight home stays a month. Reform: Decision is utterly disgraceful The only offenders who are excluded under prison rules include category A prisoners, many serving time for violent, terrorist and sexual crimes; those formally listed as escape risks; and suspects facing extradition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked to assess the process by The Telegraph last week, former prison governor Ian Acheson, who has advised the Government on extremism in jails, said: It cant be right that someone who is otherwise eligible is not being considered because of either the prisons failure to properly risk assess or her notoriety. It would be perfectly possible for prison authorities to set conditions that precludes any media exposure. In my opinion and given the offence details and the background to her custodial behaviour I have seen, she ought to be an ideal candidate for early release to allow her reintegration to start. Many more risky individuals are walking free as a result of Labours emergency mass release legislation. Richard Tice, deputy leader of Reform UK, said: Lucy is a political prisoner and this decision confirms it; utterly disgraceful. Rotl is decided by the governor of HMP Drake Hall in Staffordshire where Connolly was transferred at the start of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, a Ministry of Justice spokesman said: These are discretionary schemes, and each case is rigorously scrutinised, considering the severity of the offence, the prisoners conduct and the potential impact on victims and the community. Raymond Connolly speaking to the media outside court after his wife pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred last year - PA/Alamy It is believed Connolly has qualified for an enhanced regime, a reward for good behaviour. Probation documents suggest her application for Rotl at her previous prison HMP Peterborough was delayed until a risk assessment was done. One internal note said: It is not necessarily going to happen due to the public interest. Another said: The media interest has been raised as an issue in terms of any future ROTL applications. She is also not automatically eligible for home detention curfew (HDC), where prisoners can be released as little as a fifth of the way through their sentences by being placed on electronic GPS tags with restrictions on the times they can leave their home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Offenders convicted of racially aggravated offences are excluded from HDC unless they can show there are exceptional circumstances to override the ban. Connolly is also seeking to appeal against her sentence, with a hearing due on May 15. Mr King, her barrister, is expected to argue the judge miscategorised her offence with a sentence wrongly based on intending to incite serious violence. This meant she received a longer sentence than she should have done. If it had been correctly categorised under sentencing council guidelines, she could have been jailed for less than two years, which would have made her eligible for a suspended prison sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr King will also argue the judge failed to give sufficient weight to mitigating factors. These included an unblemished record, positive good character references, messages that she also sent saying violence was not the answer, that she deleted the post in 3.5 hours, and her emotional sensitivity to childrens deaths after the loss of her 19-month-old son 10 years earlier in a major hospital blunder. Mr Connolly said: Lucy says she is so happy the Telegraph has told the truth about her story so millions of people now know she is a loving wife and mother, a devoted carer to young children of all ethnic backgrounds, and not the bad person the authorities said she was. 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. Pity the poor lambs. Labour MPs Abtisam Mohamed and Yuan Yang set out from Luton Airport to Israels Ben Gurion, only to be detained by officials on arrival, and then deported. Hopefully they at least managed to get the local experience with a frothy cafe hafuch and a nice flaky rugelach at Terminal 3s Ilans Coffee House during their short trip. Their plan was to visit some West Bank charity projects, or, as Israel officials put it, to document Israeli security forces and spread hateful rhetoric against Israel. Both MPs had previously called for a boycott of Israel and the state thus concluded that it was their duty to deny entry to people who intended to cause it harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mohamed and Yang were frightfully cross about this and back home rallied colleagues for a photo call in Westminster Hall on Monday. How dare Israel stymie their weekend jaunt, was the message. There is no direct route into the West Bank. We have to go through Israel, said Ms Mohamed. This act was not just a diplomatic affront. This wasnt about security. It was about control and censorship. In fact, it was a salient reminder that these members of Parliament were elected to serve their constituents. The House of Commons was not in recess until April 8 of this week and one might assume that MPs had more appropriate things to do for their voters than gathering for photo calls about Israeli diplomacy or attempting entry to the occupied West Bank. Mohamed was elected to represent Sheffield Central in July 2024. Yuan Yang is MP for Earley and Woodley, in Berkshire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheffields challenges are numerous. There is in-work poverty, the city has some of the lowest levels of pay in the UK, its a de-industrialised metropolis with higher-than-average unemployment, theres a housing shortage, its a city with high levels of pollution, high levels of crime and drug-taking and high levels of chronic ill-health. Earley and Woodley also has its fair share of problems. Although generally more prosperous than central Sheffield, GP and dental appointments are hard to come by, one in five children is recorded as living in poverty and many school children are malnourished. As Yuan Yang said herself during the 2024 general election campaign: We [need to] make sure that every child gets a proper breakfast before they start school. Quite how visiting the Palestinian territories helps these issues is anyones guess. But its sure as hell more fun than spending a Saturday shaking hands with the arts and crafts stallholders of Nether Edge or looking at potholes around Wokingham. Grandstanding on international issues and joining an overseas parliamentary delegation is rather more wholesome. And its an irresistible habit. Indeed, just as rats as big as cats began to mooch about the streets of Birmingham, as mounds of rubbish piled up due to a bin strike after hundreds of Unite members walked out in a row with the Labour-run council, Liam Byrne, MP for Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North, flew to Tokyo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He joined a House of Commons business committee jaunt, meeting opposite numbers in the Japanese parliament and then as he was already out there reportedly extended his stay for a holiday. Thus, while rodents nibbled their way through the rotting leftovers of Indian takeaways, Mr Byrne could avail himself of a tasting menu of omakase nigirizushi. Similarly, at the end of March, Tahir Ali, MP for Birmingham Hall Green and Moseley, joined 20 parliamentarians in writing a letter to the prime minister of Pakistan urging him to build an airport in Mirpur. Granted they just wrote, signed and dispatched a letter and didnt fly to Islamabad (bunch of amateurs: all that 30-degree heat and sunshine, chicken karahi and chana chaat), but it left thousands of their constituents scratching their heads. Sadly the reality is that, unless youre in the Cabinet, and especially if youre in Opposition, being an MP is dull; all those tedious problems, moaning constituents who think youre the Citizens Advice Bureau and the horror show that is the weekend surgery where you must listen to people whinging about their mouldy flats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Far better a trip to a war zone or posturing on irrelevant infrastructure. Except that, sorry Mmes Mohamed and Yang, thats the job, thats the honour, to do the dirge, to clean up the mess on your own doorsteps. And if thats not sexy enough for you, quit your roles so we can have some nice fruity by-elections and get MPs elected who want to do the actual job. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Hong Kong Police Force (HKPF), and The Hong Kong Association of Banks (HKAB) have jointly introduced a series of new initiatives aimed at preventing, identifying, and disrupting financial crimes such as fraud and the use of mule accounts. These include expanding the use of Scameter data, which helps banks identify suspicious accounts and notify at-risk customers, enabling them to take preventive steps. Additional initiatives include information sharing between banks and the adoption of best practices for anti-fraud measures, aiming to bolster the capacity of banks to detect and prevent fraud and money laundering linked to scams. Currently, ten banks are exchanging data on the HKPF-run Financial Intelligence Evaluation Sharing Tool (FINEST) platform. An updated platform, to accommodate more data sharing, is expected to start operations by year-end. The latest measures by Hong Kong authorities also include conducting thematic reviews to assist banks in establishing stronger anti-fraud systems. Public awareness campaigns, including the "Don't Lend/Sell Your Account" message, will be ramped up to raise awareness and reduce the risk of account misuse. To enhance the effectiveness of these efforts, the HKMA, HKPF, and the banking industry will step up public outreach activities. The creation of the Anti-fraud Education Taskforce, led by the HKAB, will coordinate educational efforts across 18 major banks to target high-risk customer groups. The HKMA and HKPF will continue to collaborate closely with banks and other relevant parties to improve the detection and prevention of financial crime in Hong Kong. The move comes as fraud escalates in both scale and complexity, with criminals increasingly capitalising on technology to exploit victims, highlighted HKMA. In 2024, Hong Kong reported 44,480 cases of deception, 11.7% higher than 2023. Moreover, 10,496 individuals were apprehended last year in relation to various fraud and money laundering offences. Around 7,700 of those arrested were involved in selling or permitting their accounts to be used for money laundering, marking a 13.6% rise from 2023. "Hong Kong authorities unveil measures to combat financial crime" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. Suggestions of insider trading and market manipulation have been levied against Trump administration officials and members of Congress as markets whipsawed following the changing tariff policy of President Donald Trump. Trump announced his sweeping tariff regime on April 2, after which the markets tanked. He then announced a reset of tariffs on most countries except China to 10% on Wednesday, when market reactions created a short-lived rebound. During House testimony on tariffs that came Wednesday as Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs, Democratic Rep. Steven Horsford of Nevada asked U.S. trade representative Jamieson Greer: "Is this market manipulation? Who benefits? What billionaire benefits from this?" Democratic Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York called for a ban on congressional stock trading and alluded to impropriety by members. "Any member of Congress who purchased stocks in the last 48 hours should probably disclose that now," Ocasio-Cortez wrote on X. "Ive been hearing some interesting chatter on the floor." President Donald Trump delivers remarks on tariffs, in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025. In a statement to USA TODAY, the White House dismissed accusations that posts by Trump on Truth Social ahead of the pause announcement were attempts at market manipulation. "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," the White House said. Here's what you need to know about market manipulation and insider trading as the accusations fly. How are market manipulation and insider trading defined? The Securities and Exchange Commission says insider trading occurs when an investor knows of "material nonpublic information" and then uses that information in violation of a duty to refrain from trading or sharing the knowledge. The commission defines market manipulation as "when someone artificially affects the supply or demand" for an asset such as stocks or bonds. The SEC says tactics for manipulation can include: Spreading false or misleading information about a company Engaging in a series of transactions to make a stock, bond or other financial asset appear more actively traded Rigging quotes, prices, or trades to make it look like there is more or less demand for a security than is the case Why are people alleging insider trading against Trump officials? Democratic Sens. Adam Schiff of California and Ruben Gallego of Arizona wrote a letter to administration officials that the sequence of Trump's posts on social media and the market increase raised "grave legal and ethics concerns." The National Weather Service has halted its automated translation services for weather alerts until further notice. This will likely impact the accessibility of weather alerts for non-English speakers locally. Here's what we know. Why is NWS halting translated weather alerts? The change, which was announced last week, is "due to a contract lapse," weather service spokesperson Michael Musher confirmed in a statement to USA TODAY without elaborating further. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Language translation software firm Lilt has provided artificial intelligence to translate weather service alerts for over a year. The NWS announced the partnership in October 2023, revealing the AI technology would translate alerts from English to several other languages including Spanish, French, Vietnamese, simplified Chinese and Samoan. "This language translation project will improve our service equity to traditionally underserved and vulnerable populations that have limited English proficiency," the weather service's director Ken Graham said in a news release at the time. "By providing weather forecasts and warnings in multiple languages, NWS will improve community and individual readiness and resilience as climate change drives more extreme weather events." Will I still get NWS weather alerts in Spanish? In Indianapolis, NWS typically tweets out severe weather alerts, which they did during the severe weather earlier this month. It is unclear at this time exactly what translated services will be halted through NWS. IndyStar reached out to NWS Public Affairs for clarification, but they declined to answer further questions at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IndyStar has a list of weather resources for Spanish-speaking residents. While NWS no longer supplies emergency weather alerts in other languages, they link to other sites that do, including FEMA and American Red Cross. NWS' webpages that have previously been translated are still accessible. Story continues after photo gallery. Los recursos del tiempo de Indiana en Espanol Para residentes hispanohablantes en Indiana, IndyStar tiene una pagina web de recursos para el tiempo en Espanol. La pagina web es accesible aqui o visite weather.gov/ind/espanol para encontrar el pronostico del tiempo diario, condiciones proximas e informacion adicional de seguridad de NWS. Trump declares English the official language of US The pause in translation services comes after the Trump administration declared English the official language of the U.S. last month for the first time in the nation's history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump passed the executive order designating one official language to "promote unity, cultivate a shared American culture for all citizens, ensure consistency in government operations, and create a pathway to civic engagement," according to the White House. The order rescinds a mandate former President Bill Clinton passed in 2000 requiring federal agencies and all recipients of federal funding to provide non-English speakers with access to language assistance. Since returning to office in January, Trump has led a hefty crack down on illegal immigration that has long brought people from many countries speaking languages other than English. Were NWS and NOAA affected by Trump layoffs? Yes; the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which encompasses the NWS, was also among the federal government agencies impacted by the mass terminations of probationary workers. More than 1,020 NOAA employees were laid off, according to a NOAA email sent to staff on March 11 and obtained by USA TODAY. However, the email clarified staff who work in NWS forecast operations and maintenance support were not included in the reductions. How many non-English speakers are in the US? While English continues to be the most spoken language in the nation, a 2019 U.S. Census Bureau report found 67.8 million others spoke a non-English language at home, a nearly 94% increase from 1980. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spanish was the second most spoken language at home in 2019, according to the census report, with more than 41,000 speakers. "The primary purpose of collecting language data is to measure the proportion of the U.S. population that may need help in understanding English," according to the census report. "Government agencies and other organizations can use these language data to determine the need for translators and other language assistance services." Contributing: Joey Garrison, USA TODAY This story was updated to add new information. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NWS weather alerts will not be translated for non-English speakers iPhones An iPhone made in America could cost 90pc more to make than it does now if Donald Trump maintains tariffs on China, a leading Wall Street bank has warned. With most of Apples iPhones made in China, analysts at Bank of America have warned that shifting production to the US will be logistically challenging and lead to a spike in costs. Mr Trump has raised tariffs on China to 125pc from 104pc, while also pausing higher tariffs for dozens of other nations for 90 days. However, they will be hit with a baseline rate of 10pc. The move is designed to push more manufacturing to America but doing so is likely to raise production costs, the bank warned. While it may be possible to move final assembly to the US, moving the entire iPhone supply chain would be a much bigger undertaking and would likely take many years, if even possible, said a research note from the bank, which crunched the numbers using the 104pc tariff rate. The analysts said that iPhone costs could increase 25pc purely on higher labour cost in the US but could spike much more if Apple has to pay tariffs on each small part. If Apple had to pay reciprocal tariffs to import sub-assemblies into the US, we see the total cost of an iPhone increasing 90pc+, the analysts warned. The note has emerged days after Howard Lutnick, US Commerce Secretary, said in an interview that an army of millions and millions of human beings, screwing in little screws to make iPhones that kind of thing is going to come to America. Apple has already said that it will spend $500bn (400bn) and hire 20,000 new staff in the US, although a large chunk of those jobs are expected to be in artificial intelligence. Mr Trumps tariffs have prompted Apples shares to spiral in recent days, which cost the company its spot as the worlds most valuable company. The tariffs have originally impacted not only China but also Vietnam and India, where the tech giant has moved parts of its production in recent years. Mr Trump signalled on Wednesday he was pausing higher tariffs on these countries. Although the UK should, in theory, be unaffected, some UK-based experts believe there could also be some stockpiling here from distributors and shoppers. Harry Mills, of currency firm Oku Markets, said the increase in prices to consumers could be 300 or more as the tech giant updates its pricing to reflect its newly higher costs. The mobile phone sector moves quickly, and large wholesalers, distributors and resellers may stockpile devices ahead of anticipated price rises. However, Ben Wood, an analyst at CCS Insight, said it would be a risky move for UK businesses to stockpile iPhones given the continued uncertainty and rapidly changing situation. Germans seeking information and advice about extreme weather events or any other natural disasters can turn to a new centralized website. The Natural Hazards Portal (NGP) will help citizens answer the urgent question: Is my house or the place where I am located at risk? said Digital Minister Volker Wissing on Friday. "This makes life in Germany safer," Wissing said at the launch of the portal in the city of Offenbach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The website brings together current warnings, scientific analyses and forecasts in a clearly understandable way, said Sarah Jones, who heads the German Weather Service. The portal contains information in German and English for preparing for imminent dangers such as flooding or extreme cold, and tips in the event that citizens find themselves affected by extreme weather. Germany already has a nationwide system of warnings sent to mobile phones in the event of an imminent emergency. The NGP was developed by the weather service together with Germany's 16 federal states and the Office of Civil Protection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The site currently focusses on hydrological hazards such as flooding and storm surges. However, the portal is set to gradually be expanded to include other natural hazards such as ozone pollution, forest fires, drought, avalanches and earthquakes. A monitor on the premises of the German Weather Service (DWD) displays information about the current weather. The DWD introduces a hazard portal designed to better prepare for extreme natural events such as heavy rain, heatwaves, and droughts, while providing information on their potential consequences. Andreas Arnold/dpa The symbolic launch of the Natural Hazards Portal (NGP) is marked by pressing a buzzer. The German Weather Service (DWD) introduces this new platform, which aims to enhance preparedness for extreme natural events such as heavy rain, heatwaves, and droughts, and to offer crucial information regarding their potential consequences. Andreas Arnold/dpa White House senior trade adviser Peter Navarro sidestepped a question about whether he was present for President Trumps decision to enact a 90-day pause on country-specific tariffs during a heated Thursday interview with CNNs Kasie Hunt. In a straightforward way: Were you in the room with the president when he made this decision? Hunt asked on CNNs The Arena. So so thats the wrong question to ask, Navarro responded. Was I part of the process? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were were you in the room? Hunt responded, talking over Navarro. Hang on, Navarro said. Were you in the room? Hunt pressed again. Its you dont understand how this works, Navarro responded. You dont have to be in the room to Well, with President Trump you actually often do, Hunt cut in. Navarro responded that he does not ever talk about and I went to prison for this. I never talk about what happens in there, adding, What happens in the Oval stays before being drowned out by Hunt. On Thursday, Trump threatened to go back on the 90-day pause if countries didnt come to a deal with his administration before then. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If we cant make the deal that we want to make or we have to make or thats, you know, good for both parties its got to be good for both parties then we go back to where we were, Trump said during a Cabinet meeting. Prior to the pause, markets across the globe faced intense instability, and economic anxieties grew all across the world. Several Democrats have since called for ethics investigations over Trump administration officials potential conflicts of interest regarding information on the 90-day tariff pause, raising concerns of insider trading. When pressed by Hunt on the topic, Navarro called it a stretch and silly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked directly by Hunt if he had traded any stock in the last 48 hours, or if there was a possibility for insider or inappropriate trading within the administration, Navarro refuted the idea. No, I dont trade stocks once I get in here, he responded, later adding, We dont do that. The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The U.S. Navy has halted plans to acquire an air-launched, air-breathing hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile, citing cost and industrial base factors. The service says it is now taking a second look at its requirements with a new focus on affordability. The Navys work toward the acquisition of what it had dubbed the Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (HALO) missile traces back to at least 2021. The service previously described it as a critical capability that needed to be fielded before 2030. Naval News was first to report that the plans for HALO, also known as the Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare Increment 2 (OASuW Inc 2), have now changed. An artists conception of a carrier-based F-35C Joint Strike Fighter carrying a hypersonic cruise missile under its wing. Joseph Trevithick The Navy cancelled the solicitation for the Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (HALO) Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) effort in fall 2024 due to budgetary constraints that prevent fielding new capability within the planned delivery schedule, Navy Capt. Ron Flanders, a spokesperson for the service, told TWZ today. The decision was made after the Navy conducted a careful analysis, looking at cost trends and program performance across the munitions industrial base compared to the Navys priorities and existing fiscal commitments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are working closely with our resource sponsors to revalidate the requirements, with an emphasis on affordability, Flanders continued. The Navy is committed to its investment in Long Range Fires to meet National Defense objectives, with priority emphasis on fielding continued capability improvements to the AGM-158C Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM). Lockheed Martins LRASM, originally developed as OASuW Increment 1 and based on the AGM-158 Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile (JASSM) design, is a highly capable stealthy anti-ship cruise missile, but it is also a subsonic design. A subvariant with significantly extended range and other upgrades is now in development, as you can read more about here. Its also worth noting here that the Navy has fielded an air-launched version of the multi-purpose Standard Missile-6 (SM-6), called the AIM-174B. When surface-launched, SM-6 can be employed against aerial threats, as well as targets at sea and on land. It is possible that AIM-174B could be used as a high-speed anti-ship missile, as well. The Navy had awarded initial HALO contracts to Raytheon and Lockheed Martin in 2023, though details about the designs that either company had been working on as part of this effort remain scant. However, they are both widely believed to be powered by advanced ramjet or scramjet engines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both companies also notably took part in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agencys (DARPA) Hypersonic Airbreathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) program, which was run in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force. Raytheon was part of a team that also included Northrop Grumman. HAWC subsequently fed into the Air Forces Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) program. Raytheon, working again with Northrop Grumman, has been under contract to develop HACM since 2022. To date, this is the only picture the US Air Force has released showing an actual air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile test article related to the Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM) program and/or the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agencys preceding Hypersonic Airbreathing Weapon Concept (HAWC) effort. USAF The Navys F/A-18E/F Super Hornets were expected to be the first aircraft armed with HALO. The service had also previously indicated that HALO could evolve into a ship and submarine-launched weapon after its initial introduction as an air-launched munition. OASuW Inc 2/HALO will be a carrier-suitable, higher-speed, longer-range, air-launched weapon system providing superior Anti-Surface Warfare capabilities. The program is part of the Navys Long Range Fires investment approach to meet objectives of the National Defense Strategy, Navy Capt. Richard Gensley, then Precision Strike Weapons (PMA-201) program manager within Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), told TWZ just last June. As a key component of this strategy, OASuW Inc 2/HALO addresses advanced threats from engagement distances that allow the Navy to operate in, and control, contested battle space in littoral waters and Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) environments. Previous Navy budget documents had also described HALO as being essential to help counter the evolving near-peer threat capability. Russia and China have both been actively developing and fielding a growing number of hypersonic and otherwise high-speed anti-ship missiles that can be launched from air, sea, and ground-based platforms. This includes air-breathing hypersonic cruise missiles, most prominently Russias Zircon, and anti-ship ballistic missiles. Hypersonic speed is typically defined as anything above Mach 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What has now happened to the HALO effort is the latest high-profile stumble for hypersonic weapons developments across the U.S. military while potential adversaries continue to make progress in this realm. The status of the Air Forces AGM-183A Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW) remains murky following the ostensible end of work on that program last year. The Armys Dark Eagle hypersonic missile program has also been beset by delays, with the service only conducting its first successful launch of that weapon from a trailer-based launcher in December 2024 after years of setbacks. An AGM-183A ARRW hypersonic missile under the wing of a US Air Force B-52 bomber. USAF A picture of the Dark Eagle test launch in 2024. DOD Dark Eagle is the Army end of a joint program with the U.S. Navy, which is set to eventually see the same missiles integrated into Zumwalt class stealth destroyers and Block V Virginia class submarines. The Navy refers to its portion of that program as the Intermediate Range Conventional Prompt Strike (IRCPS) weapon system. ARRW, Dark Eagle, and IRCPS are also unpowered boost-glide vehicle hypersonic weapons, which are in an entirely different category from air-breathing hypersonic cruise missiles, as you can read more about here. A graphic showing, in a very rudimentary way, the difference in trajectories between a traditional ballistic missile, a hypersonic boost-glide vehicle, a quasi-ballistic or aeroballsistic missile, and an air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile. GAO Questions have also been raised about potential risks with the Air Forces HACM program. In 2023, the Air Force said it was canceling ARRW to refocus resources on HACM, though significant testing of the AGM-183A continued afterward. HACM is also directly intertwined with U.S.-Australian cooperation on hypersonic weapons through the Southern Cross Integrated Flight Research Experiment (SCIFiRE) program. In addition, the Navys citing of cost and industry factors as contributing to the cancellation of the HALO solicitation last year underscores broader issues facing the U.S. military. Concerns are steadily growing about the ability of Americas armed forces to bolster stockpiles of key precision munitions, as well as sustain those inventories during any future protracted high-end fight, such as one in the Pacific against China. Ongoing campaigns against threats emanating from Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, as well as in the broader defense of Israel, are already seeing munition expenditure rates that are causing growing alarm, including from the U.S. military itself. There is now steadily growing interest in lower-cost precision munitions across the board, but these are intended to supplement, not supplant more exquisite capabilities like what the Navy had hoped to acquire with HALO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How the Navys air-launched hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile ambitions now evolve, and what more affordable pathways to a relevant capability there might be, remain to be seen. Contact the author: joe@twz.com RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) North Carolina State Senators are taking a step toward calming a 20-year debate between education advocates and tourism industry officials with a bill on school calendar flexibility. Local school boards have long fought for the right to set their own start dates earlier than the last week in August, either to align with area community colleges or to give educators enough time to cover all first-semester content and finals before winter break. Tourism officials say shortening summer hurts the travel economy and limits tax dollars, which support public schools. Earlier this week, the Senate Committee on Education/Higher Education put its support behind what some negotiators are calling a compromise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 6 UNC Charlotte international students visas revoked, sparking concern Senate Bill 754 gives district officials two options in planning out their yearly calendar. They may stick with current law, stating the first day of school can be no earlier than the Monday closest to August 26, and the last day no later than the Friday closest to June 11. The other option would allow school boards to set the first day of classes one week earlier, the Monday closest to August 19, as long as students are out by the Monday following Memorial Day. In the second option, there must be an equal number of instructional days for the fall and spring semesters. The law does not apply to school districts that operate on a modified or year-round schedule. The State Board of Education can issue waivers for opening and closing date requirements if district officials prove they have good cause to alter the schedule, such as a weather or other emergency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SB 754 also outlines a penalty for districts violating the calendar law. They would be subject to a fine of up to $10,000, enforced by state education officials. Current law does not lay out consequences for public school districts with start or end dates outside of the approved timeline; however, school districts may be sued for noncompliance. Union County Public Schools faced a lawsuit in 2023. Officials report that nearly 25% of school districts violated the calendar law in the past year. The bill now goes to the Senate Judiciary Committee for consideration. Staff members with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction are monitoring around 40 bills related to school calendar flexibility filed this session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. President Donald Trump is displayed on a television screen as traders work on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on April 7 in New York City (Spencer Platt/Getty Images). Members of the North Carolina State Senate Democratic Caucus sent a formal letter to the states congressional delegation Thursday urging members to work together to bring an end to President Donald Trumps sweeping tariffs. The eighteen senators signing onto the letter believe that without immediate and decisive action, the tariffs will inflict lasting damage on the states economy. Our furniture manufacturers in High Point and Hickory, our thriving auto dealerships, our agricultural sector that feeds America and the world, and countless small businesses that form the backbone of our communities will all bear the crushing weight of these misguided trade policies. Moreover, every North Carolina family will feel the sting of higher prices at a time when many are still recovering from recent economic challenges, write the state senators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter urges the congressional delegation to think about how soybean farmers in Eastern North Carolina could lose access to vital markets in a trade war, and furniture makers in Thomasville could see raw materials increase dramatically, while auto plant workers could see their job security threatened as Americans dial back their spending. The state senators are urging Republicans and Democrats alike to introduce and support legislation to rescind the tariffs immediately, and form a united front that puts the economic welfare of citizens above partisan considerations. The time for action is not tomorrow, or next week, or after the next election cycle. The time is now. President Donald Trump placed a 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries Wednesday, but opted to increase tariffs on Chinese goods to 145%. And while investors were initially exuberant with the pause briefly sending markets skyrocketing the mood soured by Thursday erasing a large chunk of Wednesdays recovery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) told a group of western North Carolina business owners last week that he supported Trumps use of the tariffs for leverage. Democratic Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) said the tariff flip-flop by Trump has only harmed working-class families and wiped out trillions of dollars in investments. To be clear, the 10 percent baseline tariff that remains in place will continue to raise prices for consumers and hurt North Carolina families. Its time for Republicans in Congress to stop giving Trump a free pass as he threatens to upend the global economy and start standing up for the American people, said Ross in a statement released by her office. On Thursday a new study from the Yale Budget Lab suggested the tariffs could increase expenses across the board, costing an average loss per household of $4,700 this year. Click here to read the letter to North Carolinas congressional delegation. RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The N.C. Department of Information Technology announced the launch of the states $17 million Digital Opportunity grant program, which will expand North Carolinians access to digital devices, help desk and technical support, as well as digital skills and online safety programs. NCDITs Office of Digital Opportunity will administer the program with funds from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to expand economic development by ensuring North Carolinians have the skills and technology needed to compete for jobs. All North Carolinians need the computers and skills to access high-speed internet and use it safely and effectively. This program will help ensure that every resident of our state can thrive in todays digital economy and build their skills through online resources. NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Teena Piccione The Digital Opportunity grant program includes two tracks, and applicants may apply for Track 1 and/or Track 2: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Track 1: Digital Skills, Digital Navigation and Online Safety This track will be used to expand or create digital literacy and online safety skills programs and/or expand or create digital navigator programs. Track 2: Computer Ownership Capacity Building and Sustainability This track will be used to expand computer ownership through two sub tracks to refurbish and deploy computers. (Applicants may not apply for both sub tracks.) To qualify for funding, applicants must be one of the following types of entities: community services (including local governments, county libraries and K-12 school systems); nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3); higher education institutions (including individual schools, colleges or centers within the system); regional entities (including councils of governments); or state government agencies and federally recognized tribal government entities. Applications for each track will be accepted through June 9 at 11:59 p.m. The application links and additional information, including program guidelines, FAQs, a budget template and information sessions for applicants, are available at ncbroadband.gov/Digital-Opportunity-Grant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Digital Opportunity grant program is part of Governor Josh Steins plan to close the digital divide and enhance workforce development by expanding access to digital devices and digital skills programming. For more information, visit ncbroadband.gov. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield (right) and Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (left) hosted a town hall in Portland April 10, 2025. The two states attorneys general are among 23 Democratic attorneys general nationwide who have sued the federal government more than a dozen times in the first three months of Trump's second term. (Alex Baumhardt/Oregon Capital Chronicle) Nearly every day, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joins 22 other Democratic state attorneys general from around the country over Zoom to discuss the latest harms to civil liberties, jobs and basic services their states residents face from the Trump administration. Then, the attorneys general plan how theyll sue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve been meeting like this since January, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes told a crowd at a Safeguarding Oregon forum she and Rayfield hosted at Portland State University on Thursday night. About 200 people attended the event to share concerns over federal threats to Social Security, Medicaid, rural health clinics, unions and food banks. Weve only been working together for three months, and it feels like 40 years at this point, given the number of lawsuits that we have had to file on behalf of Americans, Mayes said. We have 23 Democratic attorneys general in America today who are fighting like hell to make sure that we protect and preserve this beautiful, precious, irreplaceable democracy of ours. The Democratic attorneys general have sued President Donald Trump and his administration more than a dozen times in the last three months. And theyve mostly been successful, Mayes said. Federal judges in nearly every case have issued temporary restraining orders blocking Trump efforts such as ending birthright citizenship and attempts to cut research funding to the National Institutes of Health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rayfield filed Oregons 13th suit against the Trump administration on Thursday, to block officials withholding of COVID-relief funds already promised to schools. It was also Rayfields 100th day in office. I didnt expect this. I didnt expect when I ran for this position that on the 100th day that Im in office, that Id be telling you I filed our 13th lawsuit against the Trump Administration. I just did not think that was a reality, he said. This was not a reality Im 46 years old this was not a reality for 45 years of my life. This was not the way the country operated. Its a very different normal. Event moderator Melissa Unger, executive director of the largest public services and care provider union in Oregon, Service Employees International Union Local 503, described the states attorneys general as the last line of defense when it comes to protecting our rights and our freedoms as Oregonians. Cutting food and health care Rayfield, Mayes and the other attorneys general have been hosting town halls since early March. The first, in Phoenix, drew a crowd of about 500, according to Mayes. A March 20 town hall in North St. Paul, Minnesota was attended by more than 1,100 people. On Wednesday night, about 250 people came out to meet with Rayfield and state Rep. Juley Fahey, a Eugene Democrat and Speaker of the Oregon House, in Eugene, according to Jenny Hansson, a Rayfield spokesperson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Portland forum Thursday night opened with a panel from Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette, the American Civil Liberties Union of Oregon, Oregon Food Bank, the Oregon AFL-CIO federation of unions and the Oregon League of Conservation Voters. Leaders from those groups discussed some of their key concerns under the current presidential administration. Of great concern to nearly all of them was the likelihood that Republicans will ultimately cut about $880 billion in Medicaid and Medicare funding over the next decade in their budget plan, which passed the U.S. Senate April 5 and the U.S. House on Thursday. Sara Kennedy, a doctor and CEO of Planned Parenthood Columbia Willamette, said a majority of Planned Parenthoods Oregon patients rely on Medicaid. More than one-third of all Oregonians rely on Medicaid for insurance, and 45% of all pregnancies and 57% of all children in the state are covered by Medicaid, according to data from the Oregon Health Authority and analysis from Oregon Health &Science University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 90% of what we do at Planned Parenthood is preventing cancer, and providing birth control, and providing education, and preventing congenital syphilis, and most of those patients are on Medicaid. So if Medicaid goes away, all of those things get worse, Kennedy said. Matt Newell-Ching, public policy manager for the Oregon Food Bank, said hunger in the state is already high and likely to get worse under federal cuts. The U.S. Department of Agriculture in January cut millions in funding for food assistance programs nationwide that have resulted in the cancellation of about 90 truckloads of food so far that were supposed to go to Oregon Food Bank locations around the state. Demand at Oregon Food Bank sites was already rising over the last year, by nearly one-third, due to the high cost of food, housing and the expiration of pandemic assistance such as the child tax credit and emergency SNAP benefits, Newell-Ching said. He expects it will continue to rise as the Trump administration threatens cuts or enforces more documentation requirements to access the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, school lunch subsidies and food aid via the USDAs Women Infants and Children program serving new parents and their babies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oregons Senate Democrats, who wrote Friday to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins urging her to reverse the decisions to cut millions in food assistance to Oregonians and to farmers who grow food for USDA food aid programs, share his concerns. We implore you in the strongest possible terms to immediately resume food deliveries in full to the Oregon Food Bank, and to provide a helping hand to people who are trying to find ways to survive, rather than to extraordinarily affluent Americans by means of yet another tax reduction, they wrote. Threat to unions and retirement Graham Trainor, president of the Oregon AFL-CIO, a statewide federation of labor unions representing over 300,000 working Oregonians, spoke out against Trumps firing of tens of thousands of federal workers and an executive order to strip collective bargaining and organizing rights from hundreds of thousands of federal workers and more than 30 federal agencies under the guise of national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trainor asked the attorneys general to protect those workers, as well as union activists, from being taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. ICE recently detained Washington farm union organizer Alfredo Juarez Zeferino, and students from college campuses in Oregon who have unlawfully had their visas revoked. Other attendees who shared stories with the crowd and the attorneys general included Liana Coffey, a 37-year-old trans Air Force veteran who spoke out against Trumps executive order barring trans military personnel from serving, and Ben Fain, an 86-year-old Marine Corps Veteran and career Tri-Met bus driver who brought his fathers Social Security card with him. Fain held it up to make the point that his generation and generations before him benefitted from the program and that it should not be reduced, privatized or ended. I dont think Im a burden, he said. I think I contributed to it. I think that everybody who works should have that available to them. Worst might be yet to come The attorneys general told the crowd they would continue to sue the Trump administration for unconstitutional and illegal harm. Mayes has created a form on her offices website where Arizonans can report any disruptions to their Social Security. She said her staff has already received about six dozen complaints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know they fired 7,000 employees, she said of the Trump administration cuts to the Social Security Administration. My personal suspicion is that this is sabotage from within, and the first step for us as AGs, to be able to do something about it, is to gather that evidence. So please do report it. Rayfield in December created an oversight and accountability cabinet made up of about a dozen leaders from the health care, law and labor sectors to advise his office and its defences against Trump threats to Oregon policies. The cabinet includes Trainor, Kennedy and Baessler. Rayfield said he might also create something similar to what Mayes has in Arizona for submitting Social Security payment disruptions and other complaints. Its people like that who are willing to tell their stories, like you, that are willing to come here and tell your stories, that help us do our job and that help us protect our democracy, Rayfield said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayes said things are likely to get worse before they get better. There is likely more to come. The worst might be yet to come, she said. She assured the crowd that she, Rayfield and the other Democratic attorneys general would keep suing. We have something called the separation of powers, and that is really what is at the bottom of all of these cases, and what President Trump and unelected billionaire Elon Musk and DOGE are violating week after week after week, Mayes told the crowd. We do not have a king in this country. We do not have a king. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Lincoln headquarters of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry is a short walk from the Nebraska Capitol. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN A Utah manufacturing expert has been named the next president and CEO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the largest statewide business lobbying group. Todd Bingham, most recently president and CEO of the 120-year-old Utah Manufacturers Association, is to assume the post in mid-May. He was selected by a search committee that included state chamber board members and business leaders. Todd Bingham, most recently president of the Utah Manufacturers Association, has been named the next president and CEO of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry. (Courtesy of the Nebraska Chamber) Bingham will replace Bryan Slone, who earlier had announced his departure from the chamber following seven years in that position. Slone said he planned to pursue other possibilities in Nebraska, including a possible political bid, though he didnt provide details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slone, in a statement, said he was pleased about Binghams appointment. He said Binghams connections across the country and experience in urban and rural business development make him a great choice to continue the chambers work. Joel Russell, chamber chair, said: Todd is a wonderful addition to the Nebraska Chamber, bringing backgrounds in public policy and manufacturing, two of the chambers largest endeavors. Bingham comes with 30 years of experience as a registered lobbyist. He has been an advocate for business and industry, specializing in governmental and regulatory affairs. According to a chamber news statement, Bingham has served as national chair of the Council of State Manufacturing Associations and is a current board member of the National Association of Manufacturers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has served on various state boards and councils, including the Utah Employers Council and an OSHA advisory board, and has contributed to such groups as the Utah Labor Commissions Workers Compensation Advisory Council. Nebraska Examiner is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Nebraska Examiner maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Aaron Sanderford for questions: info@nebraskaexaminer.com. Child care that is high quality and affordable is vital to Nebraska's economy. (Stock photo by Lourdes Balduque/Getty Images) Nebraskas lawmakers are hard at work in the state Legislature, debating how best to make Nebraska a great place to live, raise a family and do business. One solution that could accomplish all those goals: finding lasting answers to our states child care crisis. Widespread access to affordable, quality child care would allow Nebraskas economy to thrive, letting parents work and businesses grow, while nurturing childrens healthy development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why We Care for Kids hosted an educational event for policymakers last month, bringing together Nebraska state senators and staff for a conversation about the child care crisis. The event featured early childhood experts who shared research on child care gaps throughout the state and voter opinions on the crisis. The takeaways: Nebraska needs more quality child care options, and voters want the state to help solve the crisis. Demand outstrips supply Currently, the gap between the potential need for child care and the actual capacity in the state is more than 17,000 spaces. Nebraskans realize that child care is an essential piece of our economic infrastructure. However, running a child care program is not currently a sustainable business model. As an early childhood educator, I know this pain first-hand. And as a member of the We Care for Kids advisory group, I know Im not alone. Child care is a labor-intensive industry, with labor costs making up 70-80% of a typical programs operating costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teachers currently earn an average of $14 per hour not enough to meet basic housing, food, health care, and other needs. Those average hourly wages will go up due to Nebraskas voter-mandated minimum wage increase, but many talented child care teachers are still choosing to leave the profession for jobs at Costco, Walmart and Hobby Lobby due to higher wages and perks. The problem is that child care providers cannot charge families more. Child care already costs more than the average yearly cost of college tuition for most families. As a result, child care programs struggle to stay open. Employers lose workers when parents must leave the workforce or turn down job opportunities due to a lack of access to child care in their communities. Its a loss for families, a loss for educators, a loss for businesses, and a loss for Nebraska. Solutions complex The solution will have to come from many directions, including state policymakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a survey conducted by We Care for Kids and Nebraska Extension last year, results show Nebraska voters want the Legislature to address the child care crisis with significant, long-term state investment. The survey found 84% of Nebraskans want the state to support child care and early learning like it does K-12 schools and higher education. This includes majorities across geography, gender, age and political party. An earlier poll from the University of Nebraska and Nebraska Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources had similar findings, with the majority of those polled strongly agreeing that public resources should be invested to support the availability of child care in our communities. For three years now, We Care for Kids has brought together more than 140 state and community organizations, businesses and municipalities to raise awareness about the importance of quality child care in our state. Nebraskans understand the importance. Now we want answers. We know the future for all Nebraskans is closely tied with our ability to provide affordable, quality child care so that everyone can choose to participate in the economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the solution will need to come from our representatives in the Legislature, part from community members and partnership efforts like We Care for Kids and part from Nebraska voters insisting this is a critical issue for our state. It will take all of us to help support the child care industry to make it a sustainable resource for Nebraska families and businesses. Denita Julius owns Little Sprouts Child Care in Chadron. Denita also serves on the campaign advisory group for We Care for Kids/Por todos los ninos. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Italian gas grid operator Snam has signed an agreement with Infinity Investments, an investment vehicle of Abu Dhabi's Investment Authority, to acquire a 24.99% stake in Vier Gas Holding (VGH), which fully owns Open Grid Europe (OGE), for 920m ($1.02bn). OGE is Germanys largest independent gas transmission company, overseeing a network that spans approximately 12,000km. The company has an annual offtake volume of around 21 billion cubic metres (bcm) and serves more than 400 end customers. This acquisition gives Snam a minority share in OGE, allowing it to participate in the German gas market and potentially expand its presence in Europes energy infrastructure. Snam has also entered into a separate share purchase agreement with Belgian transmission system operator Fluxys to sell a 0.5% stake in VGH following the completion of the deal. This will result in Snam and Fluxys holding almost equal shareholdings in VGH. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter (Q3) of the current year. Snam CEO Stefano Venier said: Upon completion of this acquisition, Snam will become the first-ever Italian energy player to make a sizeable entry into the German energy infrastructure space. The acquisition strengthens Snams position as Europes largest gas infrastructure operator and is fully in line with our strategy, which focuses on the development of a pan-European, multi-molecule network located along the key European energy corridors, and in particular its most relevant corridor, running from southern to northern Europe. OGE's assets are strategically important to the European gas market, with 17 interconnections to seven bordering countries, particularly Germany, the largest market in Europe. The German market is expected to maintain strong demand for gaseous fuels, partly due to the development of the hydrogen market. The acquisition will extend Snam's gas pipeline network to more than 40,000km. It will also enhance Snam's involvement in the energy transition, particularly in the German Hydrogen Core Grid, aligning with the company's strategy to integrate with key hydrogen projects such as SoutH2Corridor, H2Med and SEEHyC. Venier expressed the company's ambitions to grow further within Europe, specifically targeting "the southernmost part of the Mediterranean area", while indicating that there are no plans to expand to other parts of the world. The acquisition will be financed through Snam's existing financial flexibility or hybrid financing instruments. Snam has engaged JPMorgan as its financial advisor and White&Case as its legal advisor for this transaction. State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman. April 10, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN A bill requiring age verification for social media accounts in Nebraska advanced to the second round of debate with a 38-2 vote. The bill from freshman State Sen. Tanya Storer of Whitman, a priority for Gov. Jim Pillen, would prohibit Nebraskans from creating social media accounts without verifying their age after next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic-allied lawmakers described the bill as government overreach and said it likely would face lawsuits, while supporters of the proposal said it would help address a mental health crisis among young people. Storer, during the two-day floor debate this week, attempted to differentiate Legislative Bill 383 from a recent Arkansas law that a federal judge deemed unconstitutional this month. She said her Nebraska proposal is more like laws in Tennessee and Florida, which remain in place. Im not waiting. Im not going to sit here and wait. Well, we lose more kids to suicide, depression and anxiety, Storer said. Lawmakers have heard similar bills this week aimed at social media limits, and the same concerns were raised over violating the First Amendment. The bill requires social media companies to let parents view all posts and messages from their minors account, control privacy settings and limit the minors usage of the platform. State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha, center, meets with State Sens. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha, Danielle Conrad of Lincoln and Terrell McKinney of Omaha, from left. March 26, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) The legislation mandates that social media platforms implement a process enabling parents to withdraw consent for their child to maintain an account. Once consent is revoked, the platform must delete the childs account and prevent them from creating a new one until parental consent is restored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fundamentally, my problem with a lot of these things is that we run the risk of making it harder for people to engage in their First Amendment rights, State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha said. Im very concerned about requiring adults to prove their age to use the internet or use these social media sites. Storer emphasizes the importance of addressing youth mental health, referencing former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthys public warning about the risks of social media to young people in 2023. I assure you that minors rights to privacy in regards to parental oversight are not being violated, Storer said. The impact of social media on youth mental health and safety, quite frankly, is not up for debate anymore. The facts are out. The evidence is clear. State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha said on the first day of debate that if lawmakers are going to invoke suicide of children to pass sweeping legislation that strips rights and chills speech and increases government intervention they should bring the same energy for Queer and Trans youth. She was alluding to a Legislative Bill 89 from Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha that seeks to define male and female in state law that, among other things, would restrict student-athlete participation and bathroom use by sex at birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have lost lives in Nebraska since the passage of Senator Kathleen [Kauth]s bill, two years ago, Hunt said. Kauths Let Them Grow Act, which was signed into law in 2023, banned transgender minors from receiving some gender-affirming care. Hunt wasnt on the floor for the Friday vote. The Nebraska attorney general would enforce the act, which allows for penalties of up to $2,500 for each violation. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Netflix has published a letter about an appeal it lodged with Frances Council of State calling out the windowing rules which force the streamer to wait 15 months to access newly released films. Such rules, which have largely been responsible for the absence of Netflix at the Cannes Film Festival, apply to all pay and free TV channels and subscription-based services. Simply put, their level of investment in theatrical movies determines their access to films after their release in cinemas. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These windowing guidelines are intertwined with Frances application of the E.U.s Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMS), which sets local content quotas for streamers across Europe starting 2022. Back then, Netflix was the only streamer to sign a three-year agreement to invest 20% of its revenues in France on local content. As such, the streamer gained an access to films 15 months after their theatrical release rather than the 36-month wait that applied previously. But three years later, with their pact concluding at the end at 2025, Netflix laments that theyre still having to wait 15 months, despite dramatically increasing the volume of their investment in French movies. The streamer now invests 50 million per year in French cinema, which represents 4% of its local turnover, while its total investment in French content (taking into account TV movies, series and documentaries) is at 250 million. Last year, Netflix financed or co-financed 27 films in France, followed by Disney+ with 10 films, Prime Video with six and Max with two, according to a report unveiled by the National Film Board this week. Through investments in the French production industry, Netflix has contributed over 1.7 billion euros to the French creative economy and supported more than 25,000 jobs over the last four years, states Netflixs VP of content in France, Pauline Dauvin, in the letter to the Council of State which was sent to Variety exclusively. Yet, Netflix hasnt been able to move up in the windowing schedule because their percentage of investment in theatrical movies has remained at 4%. Even though theyve pointed out that they spent more money than any other services, French film guilds have argued that Netflix would need to commit to a higher investment percentage in theatrical movies in order to be granted the 12-month window they have been lobbying for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, were reluctantly taking a stand against an imbalanced and unfair system. Despite numerous attempts to find common ground, weve filed a legal challenge before the Conseil dEtat regarding Frances media chronology rules, Dauvin wrote. Because while were investing more than ever in French theatrically released films, our members face a 15-month wait to watch the very films they have helped bring to the screen. Our request is simple and has remained unchanged since 2022: reduce the window for films weve pre-financed at our current level of investment. Netflix has indeed been negotiating with film guilds for many months and talks reached a deadlock after news broke that Disney+ had been granted a nine-month window in spite of the fact that its overall investment in French content is much lower than Netflixs. However, Disney+ signed an agreement to invest 25% of their French turnover in French content and 14% in French theatrical movies, proportionally more than Netflix, but less in absolute value. Disney+ will be buying or pre-buying a minimum of 70 films over the next three years. Under French laws, if one streamer signs, it applies to all, so with Disney+s signature, the windowing rules have been extended to Netflix which meant that its technically stuck at 15 months for the next three years (2016-2028). But Netflix isnt willing to let it go. French newspaper Le Figaro was first to report the news of the appeal. Variety has obtained the letter written by Netflixs VP of content in France, Pauline Dauvin, addressed to the the Council of State. Netflix and French Cinema: Building the Future of Creativity Together By: Pauline Dauvin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Millions of French people watch Netflix every day. Were a committed and locally embedded partner and are privileged to work with the best French producers as well as exciting new talent, bringing French films and series to audiences and celebrating French creativity in all its forms. The proof is in our growing slate of local hits: Lupin became a phenomenon and won French hearts; Under Paris took French genre filmmaking worldwide; and Class Act even earned the recognition of les rosbifs with a BAFTA for Best International Series in 2024. Our work with French institutions including La Cinematheque has seen us finance the restoration of Abel Gances masterpiece Napoleon. Our support of La Femis, Gobelins and Cinefabrique ensures the next generation of French creators can thrive. Weve partnered with Frances creative community for over a decade now and have become a key contributor to the French creative industries, investing over 250 million euros annually. Through investments in the French production industry, Netflix has contributed over 1.7 billion euros to the French creative economy and supported more than 25,000 jobs over the last four years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve also ramped up our commitment to French cinema, with over 50 million euros invested every year since 2022 in theatrically released filmsfrom the lavish historical world of Jeanne du Barry to the powerful Flo, from the laugh-out-loud comedy of Les Segpa au ski to the edge-of-your-seat thrills of Vermines. All of this, despite theatrical distribution not being our business. As a responsible partner, we were the first streaming service to sign the media chronology and a bilateral agreement with French cinema unions because we believe in showing up for storytellers and we want to enable local creative success. But today, were reluctantly taking a stand against an imbalanced and unfair system. Despite numerous attempts to find common ground, weve filed a legal challenge before the Conseil dEtat regarding Frances media chronology rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why? Because while were investing more than ever in French theatrically released films, our members face a 15-month wait to watch the very films they have helped bring to the screen. Our request is simple and has remained unchanged since 2022: reduce the window for films weve pre-financed at our current level of investment. Were not looking to disrupt the ecosystemwe want to enhance it. Theatrical experiences remain important for film discovery and enjoyment. But in a world where technology has opened up new possibilities for audiences and filmmakers alike, making Netflix members in France wait longer than anywhere else in the world to enjoy the films they have funded just isnt sustainable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement French cinema deserves partners like Netflix who are all in. As we have long demonstrated, were committed to being part of this journey. All we ask in return are fair rules that reflect todays viewing habits as well as our contribution to French creativity. Pauline Dauvin Vice President, Content France Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Netherlands is allocating 150 million euros ($170 million) to boost Ukraine's air defenses, while Lithuania intends to allocate 20 million euros ($23 million) for ammunition purchases, the two countries' defense ministers said on April 11. The announcement came at the 27th meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in Brussels, a coalition of around 50 countries backing Kyiv against Russian aggression. Referring to President Volodymyr Zelensky's request for additional air defenses, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans told reporters ahead of the meeting that the new aid will help Ukraine defend its skies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Netherlands has previously donated Patriot launchers to Ukraine and allocated over $2 billion in military aid this year, including 500 million euros ($540 million) for Ukraine's Drone Line initiative for boosting unmanned capabilities. Speaking ahead of the Ramstein-format summit, Lithuania's Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene said her country intends to provide Ukraine with an "additional 20 million euros for ammo acquisition, because this is one of the things that Ukraine really needs right now." "And the summer may be very difficult. Therefore, we need to push forward our support," the Lithuanian defense chief said, according to the LRT broadcaster. Both countries have been among the staunchest supporters of Ukraine during the full-scale war, with the Netherlands delivering F-16 jets and Lithuania being among the leading backers in terms of GDP allocated to aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest packages come atop other assistance announced by Ukraine's partners at the summit. The U.K. and Norway have already committed an additional 450 million pounds ($585 million) in military support, while Germany pledged four new IRIS-T air defenses, armored vehicles, tanks, missiles, shells, and other support. Read also: Today we will pledge billions for Ukraine allies begin Ramstein-format meeting in Brussels Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The defamation case pitting Newsmax against Dominion Voting systems is heading to trial in Delaware. Judge Eric M. Davis handed down a ruling on on Wednesday that set the start date for April 28. A Delaware jury will now determine whether Newsmax acted with malice in its coverage of Dominions role in the 2020 presidential election, which falsely alleged that the company rigged votes. Newsmax covered both sides of the 2020 election dispute fairly, the network told TVNewser 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his ruling, Judge Davis acknowledged that segments that aired on Newsmax presented inaccurate information about Dominion. [Those segments] would likely cause reasonable viewers to think significantly less favorably about Dominion than if the viewers knew the truth, he wrote. But the ruling stopped short of finding the network guilty of defamation. Instead, that will be left up to the jury. Newsmax issued an on-air clarification about its coverage in December 2020 that also included Smartmatic, which brought its own $40 million lawsuit against the network. The two sides reached a settlement in March. Judge Davis used the 2020 clarification as further proof the network acknowledged the falsity of its reports regarding Dominion's role in the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dominion settled a separate defamation suit with Fox News in 2023 for $787.5 million just as its trial against the network was set to begin. Meanwhile, Newsmax also announced that it has re-signed anchor Greta Van Susteren to a multi-year extension as host of The Record with Greta Van Susteren, which airs weekdays at 6 p.m. ET. The network also enjoyed a stellar debut at the New York Stock Exchange. I am grateful to Newsmax for the opportunity afforded me and look forward to continuing to deliver a straight and honest look at the day's news for my audience, Susteren said in a statement. ROME (Reuters) - The Italian government opposes the CEO of STMicroelectronics, the economy minister said on Wednesday, as the Franco-Italian chipmaker faces a sustained downturn in its key automotive and industrial markets. "The behavior of the Italian shareholder will be one of criticism and opposition," Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti told reporters during a press conference on Italy's multi-year budget framework. Rome is increasingly unhappy with STMicroelectronics Chief Executive Jean-Marc Chery and wants Paris to back an effort to replace him, an Italian official previously said. The company, in which the Italian and French governments own a combined 27.5% share through a holding company, forecast a 28% drop in first-quarter revenue on January 30. Giorgetti said the government's position "reflects the behavior of management itself, which sold STM shares it held the day before reporting the negative results." The company, whose ADRs trade in the U.S., was hit with a proposed U.S. shareholder class action lawsuit last year that alleged STMicro leaders misled investors between January 25 and July 24, 2024, by failing to accurately disclose a deterioration in the company's business. Chery and other insiders sold shares during that period, according to U.S. regulatory reports. Italy also faces resistance over the appointment of Marcello Sala, a leading official at the economy ministry, as a member of STMicrolectronics supervisory board. (Reporting by Giuseppe Fonte; Editing by Cynthia Osterman) New Jersey imposes a statewide sales tax rate of 6.625% on most tangible personal property, specified digital products, and certain services, with specific exemptions such as unprepared food, clothing, and prescription medications. In New York, tax brackets for married couples filing jointly are approximately double those of single filers. Additionally, residents of New York City and Yonkers are subject to local income taxes, which can further affect the overall tax liability . New Jerseys marginal income tax rates range from 1.4% to 10.75%. However, tax brackets for married couples filing jointly are not simply double those of single filers; they have distinct thresholds as shown below. Finding a financial advisor can help you prepare for your next tax filing while helping you plan ahead for the future as you grow your wealth. Comparing New Jersey vs. New York taxes highlights differences in how income, property and sales taxes affect residents on both sides of the Hudson River. New York typically imposes higher income tax rates, especially on high earners, while New Jerseys property taxes rank among the highest in the country. Sales tax rates are also different, with New York City offering certain exemptions that New Jersey does not. Tax credits and reciprocity rules can also influence the overall tax burden for those who live in one state and work in the other. SmartAsset and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue through links in the content below. Story continues In contrast, New York State has a base sales tax rate of 4%. Local jurisdictions can levy additional sales taxes, leading to varying total rates across the state. For instance, New York City applies a local sales tax of 4.5%. With a transportation tax of 0.375%, the produces a combined rate of 8.875% within the city. Additionally, certain items like clothing and footwear priced under $110 are exempt from sales tax in New York State, providing relief for consumers purchasing these goods. Understanding these differences is beneficial for residents and businesses operating in either state, as the varying tax rates and exemptions can influence purchasing decisions and financial planning. Property Taxes Property taxes in New Jersey and New York differ notably in rates and regional variations. New Jersey has the highest average effective property tax rate in the United States, at 2.33% in 2024. This rate, combined with relatively high property values, results in substantial annual tax bills for homeowners. For instance, in Monmouth County, the median home value is $519,300 and the median annual property tax payment is approximately $9,830. In comparison, New Yorks statewide average effective property tax rate is 1.64%, placing it sixth highest nationally. However, rates vary significantly across counties. For example, Allegany County has an effective rate of 3.02%, but low median home values ($93,200). Meanwhile, Kings County (Staten Island) has a relatively low effective rate of 0.68% but a median home value of $865,300. These disparities highlight the importance of considering local tax rates when evaluating property tax burdens in New York. Both states property taxes fund essential services such as education, public safety, and infrastructure. Given the substantial impact of property taxes on overall housing costs, prospective homeowners should assess these rates carefully when deciding where to live. Death Taxes in New Jersey and New York New Jersey vs. New York: Which Is Better for Taxes? As of 2025, New Jersey and New York differ in their approaches to estate and inheritance taxes. In New Jersey, the state eliminated its estate tax for individuals who passed away on or after January 1, 2018. However, the state continues to impose an inheritance tax, which is determined by the beneficiarys relationship to the deceased. Immediate family members, such as spouses, children and parents (classified as Class A beneficiaries), are exempt from this tax. Siblings and sons- or daughters-in-law (Class C beneficiaries) receive a $25,000 exemption, with amounts above this threshold taxed at rates ranging from 11% to 16%. More distant relatives and non-relatives (Class D beneficiaries) face tax rates of 15% to 16% on inherited assets. Conversely, New York imposes an estate tax but does not levy an inheritance tax. For decedents passing away in 2025, estates valued over $7.16 million are subject to New Yorks estate tax, with rates ranging from 3.06% to 16%. Notably, New York employs a cliff tax structure. If an estates value exceeds the exemption amount by more than 5%, the exemption is eliminated, and the estate is taxed on its full value. Living in One State, Working in the Other Commuters between New Jersey and New York must navigate specific tax obligations based on their residency and employment locations. New Jersey Residents Working in New York Individuals residing in New Jersey and employed in New York are required to file a non-resident tax return with New York State, reporting income earned within its borders. Simultaneously, they must file a resident tax return in New Jersey, declaring all worldwide income. To prevent double taxation, New Jersey offers a credit for taxes paid to other jurisdictions, effectively offsetting the income tax paid to New York. Notably, these residents are generally exempt from New York City's personal income tax, which applies only to city residents. New York Residents Working in New Jersey Conversely, New York residents earning income in New Jersey must file a non-resident tax return with New Jersey for the income sourced there. They also file a resident tax return in New York, reporting all global income. New York provides a credit for taxes paid to other states, mitigating the risk of double taxation. However, these residents remain liable for New York City's income tax if they reside within the city limits. Remote Work Considerations The tax implications for remote work depend on various factors, including employer location and the nature of the remote arrangement. For instance, New Yorks convenience of the employer rule may subject telecommuters to New York State taxes if their primary office is in New York, even when working remotely from another state. Bottom Line New Jersey vs. New York: Which Is Better for Taxes? Tax policies in New Jersey and New York reflect different approaches to raising revenue, with each state applying unique combinations of income, property, sales and death taxes. The way these taxes interact can produce very different outcomes depending on income level, location and personal circumstances. For commuters, tax reciprocity and residency rules add another layer of complexity. While neither state offers a blanket advantage, understanding the specific tax structure in each can help clarify the trade-offs involved in living or working across state lines. Tips for Financial Planning A financial advisor can help you prepare your finances for the future and help protect them as you grow your wealth. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now. The cash portion of your portfolio provides quick access to funds for immediate spending needs or to take advantage of unexpected opportunities. SmartAssets Savings Calculator quickly tells you how much your savings will grow. Photo credit: iStock.com/SelectStock, iStock.com/GCShutter, iStock.com/maroke The post New Jersey vs. New York: Which Is Better for Taxes? appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset. In a surprise announcement Friday, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said she will not seek a third term in office in 2026. Reynolds, a Republican, has held the position since 2017, when former Gov. Terry Branstad was appointed U.S. ambassador to China. She was elected to full terms in 2018 and again in 2022. This wasnt an easy decision, because I love this state and I love serving you, Reynolds said in a video posted on social media. But, when my term ends, I will have had the privilege of serving as your governor for almost 10 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reynolds said she is leaving office after years of her family supporting her, saying now its time for me to be there for them. Her husband, Kevin Reynolds, was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2023. In her condition of the state in January, she said his cancer remained in remission. Reynolds, who got her start in politics as treasurer in largely rural Clarke County in southern Iowa, population less than 10,000, was the states first female governor. She was elected to the Iowa Senate in 2008 before serving as Branstads running mate in the 2010 election. She served as lieutenant governor from 2011 to 2017. Praise for the governor poured in from Iowas Republican leaders after her announcement, some highlighting her achievements on lowering taxes and securing publicly funded savings accounts for private education. Taxes are low, cash reserves are full, our freedoms defended, and Iowas future has never been brighter, Iowa GOP Chairman Jeff Kaufmann said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reynolds said she has no doubt that Iowa and our Republican Party will remain in great hands, noting the foundation of strong conservative leadership that will continue to serve this state well. Lawmakers responded to the news on Friday: U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley: Governor Kim Reynolds is an outstanding leader for Iowa. She has delivered historic tax cuts for hardworking families including no tax on retirement income, strengthened Iowas workforce, championed biofuels and the farm economy, empowered families with school choice for their kids education and so much more. We thank her for her leadership and know her vision to keep Iowa the best place to work, raise a family and retire will continue to make a difference in the current and future legislative sessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iowa voters sent a strong mandate, building on resounding victories for Republicans in the statehouse and gubernatorial races in 2018 and 2022. Republicans from the grassroots are united more than ever before to lead our state to prosperity and opportunity for generations yet to come. I have no doubt Iowans will re-elect Republicans up and down the ticket in 2026. We are hungrier than ever to keep Iowa moving in the right direction and will outwork anyone and everyone to fight for our values, our liberties and our freedoms. Barbara and I thank Governor Reynolds for her friendship, leadership and service to the people of Iowa. She is an incredible role model and mentor to many. We wish her and Kevin the very best for years and years to come. U.S. Senator Joni Ernst: Kim Reynolds has been a tremendous governor. She has transformed Iowa with her bold, conservative leadership putting parents first, cutting taxes, and supporting hardworking farmers and families in every corner of our state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kims story is an inspiration to every Iowan. No matter the challenge, she has faced it head on with grace and grit. Kim is a fighter who always puts Iowa first. As her friend, its been a joy to watch Kim thrive as our governor. She has sacrificed so much to do whats best for our state. Im truly grateful for Kims selfless service to the people of Iowa. May God bless her and Kevin and their beautiful children and grandchildren. U.S. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks: Governor Reynolds has been a tremendous advocate for Iowa and I am proud to call her my friend. A trailblazer as the states first female governor, Iowa is better today because of Governor Reynolds. Under her leadership, Iowa became one of the best managed states, cutting taxes, shrinking bureaucracy, and creating a national model for efficient and effective government. And Iowa is now one of the best states to retire in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We must continue her legacy of bold conservatism and advocacy for the Hawkeye State. U.S. Congresswoman Ashley Hinson: Governor Kim Reynolds is the best governor in America. Iowa has been blessed by her leadership, and I have been blessed by her friendship. The impact she leaves will be immeasurable and countless lives have been made better because of her tireless service. I join every Iowan in saying thank you we are all grateful for your love of Iowa and your dedication to our state. The next governor no doubt has big shoes to fill we need a governor who can build on Governor Reynolds tremendous success and partner with President Trump to keep Iowa growing. Iowa Speaker of the House Pat Grassley: Governor Reynolds has been a bold leader for our state. She has shown remarkable courage in tackling challenging issues and always prioritized Iowans freedoms. Im incredibly proud of all weve accomplished together over the last six sessions. No matter what chaos we saw in Washington, D.C. or from our blue-state neighbors, weve kept our heads on straight in Iowa. Weve put parents back in the drivers seat, passed historic tax cut after historic tax cut, and kept our common sense on social issues. As we look to the future, our state needs more of this strong leadership someone who will keep Iowans freedoms at the forefront and partner with President Trump to keep Iowa strong. United States Representative Zach Nunn: Kim is a friend and a leader importantly she remains an inspiration for my daughters and girls across our state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Reynolds led Iowa to prosperity with commonsense solutions from tax cuts to economic growth. She helped me prevent human trafficking, fight fentanyl in Iowa, balance our states budget, and help make Iowa one of the best places to raise a family. I salute her continued service. Our next Governor will take the reins of a state well positioned to continue Iowa as a model of success for the nation. Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand: Public office is a demanding path in a way that few truly understand. I wish Gov. Reynolds and her family well in retirement. Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart: Iowa Republicans decade in control of state government has left Iowa 49th in economic growth and with a $900 million budget deficit thanks to taxpayer handouts to special interests and vouchers for wealthy families who already send their kids to private schools. In 2026, voters will get to hold them accountable for taking our state in the wrong direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its time to vote for a Governor who will put Iowans to work, lower costs and support our rural areas. Iowa House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst: Iowans are ready to turn the page on Kim Reynolds legacy of division and politics. After a decade of failed leadership, theres a reason Reynolds is the least popular Governor in America: Iowans are worse off than they were a decade ago. Its time for a governor who will build an economy that works for everyone. Its time for a governor who knows that public money is for public schools. Its time for a governor who will bring balance and common sense back to Iowa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its time for a governor who will put people over politics. Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner: After 10 years under Gov. Reynolds, the state faces budget deficits, a runaway private school voucher program, an unemployment system that leaves workers hung out to dry, contracting GDP, and a history of culture wars pushing Iowans away. Iowans deserve leadership that prioritizes their needs and concerns, will rebuild the damage wrought by this administration, and truly gives working Iowans a better deal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. CHICAGO (WGN) Dirty work often goes unnoticed, but at Hibbard Elementary School in Chicagos Albany Park neighborhood, custodian Mica Ortiz makes quite an impression with her Swiffer and smile. Its why the school custodian is up for a national honor. When students see her cleaning, they say her kindness shines through. Second grader Daveon Hicks needed took a moment to express why he genuinely cares about his custodian. MORE FROM WGNS MIKE LOWE: Chicago officers recognized for on-duty heroics I love her feelings, he said. Shes like almost everywhere, shes like the favorite person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First grader Noura Siddiqui said Ortiz offers the school more happiness. I just love her personality, she added. Mica Ortiz (Photo: WGN) Fifth-grade student Manuel Calla echoed similar sentiments. She spreads love all over our classes and all over our school, Calla said. Ortiz sweeps and scrubs the Northwest Side school daily, including all 70,000 square feet and 41 classrooms. Its a big job for a big personality. I love it. I really do, Ortiz said. The school is our second house, for the kids, because they come to learn, they come to enjoy, and they come to play as well, so they must be in a good, clean place. Take it to the bank: Proposal would transform historic Stockyards Bank into state-of-the-art scoring stage for movie music Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be easy for students to walk past the custodians cart and not notice the person behind it. But in Hibbard Elementarys hallways, Ortiz sees the studentsnearly 1,000 of themand they see her. Shes not invisible to us. She is very much a part of the fabric of the community here, said the schools assistant principal, Mary Nikoo. That is why the school staff did something extraordinary to show their appreciation. They nominated the 57-year-old grandmother for the Cintas Custodian of the Year contest. She was chosen as one of 10 national finalists, proving that the right person can make even dirty work sparkle. Mica Ortiz (Photo: WGN) Oh, I couldnt believe. It was very impressive for me, because I never thought that somebody was going to recognize the way that I am, Ortiz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teaching Chicagos hard-working values, basketball legend Tom Kleinschmidt builds a dynasty at DePaul Prep Voting is open online through Friday at 11:59 p.m. at custodianoftheyear.com. If Ortiz wins, shell get $10,000: $5,000 worth of cleaning products and services for Hibbard Elementary and a pizza party for the whole school. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. A ceasefire that would put a stop to the "meatgrinder" in Ukraine is the key condition for any future discussions on the Russia-Ukraine war, U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told journalists on April 10. "It is a dynamic that will not be solved militarily. It is a meat grinder," Bruce said at a press briefing. "There is nothing else (that) can be discussed for the outcome until the shooting and the killing stops." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The comments came the same day as U.S. and Russian delegates met in Istanbul to discuss embassy operations in a meeting the State Department described as "constructive." Also on April 10, the two countries carried out a prisoner exchange, with Russia releasing U.S.-Russian national Ksenia Karelina in exchange for German-Russian citizen Artur Petrov. U.S. President Donald Trump's effort to broker a ceasefire in Ukraine has been accompanied by the resumption of direct diplomatic contact with Moscow after years of isolation imposed by his predecessor, ex-President Joe Biden. Officials on both sides have also discussed venues for economic cooperation, with the Russian side calling for sanctions relief as part of the ceasefire talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though Trump has repeatedly boasted about his warm relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he seems to be growing frustrated with the Kremlin's chief as his attempts to negotiate a truce stall. Moscow rejected a full 30-day truce agreed upon by Kyiv and Washington on March 11 and repeatedly violated the pause on strikes against energy infrastructure penned on March 25. The Kremlin claims it had adhered to the partial truce and, in turn, accused Ukraine of the same violations. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio implied last week that the U.S.'s patience with Russia may be running out, noting that Trump would not engage in "endless negotiations about negotiations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will know soon enough, in a matter of weeks, not months, whether Russia is serious about peace or not. I hope they are," Rubio said. Bruce commented that Russia "needs to take (Rubio's statement) seriously." "But this is not going to go on for six months or a year or anything else. And the president has also made it clear we want diplomacy, but the fact is is that we're watching and judging as this process continues," she added. The Trump administration has repeatedly threatened additional sanctions and tariffs against Russia unless it comes to the negotiating table and scales down attacks on Ukraine but is yet to take the step. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While exerting little pressure on Russia, Trump has taken a tougher stance on Ukraine, briefly pausing all military and intelligence support in March after publicly berating President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. Read also: Ukraine war latest: US ambassador to Ukraine to resign Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. BYU-Pathway Worldwide is on pace to see a 40% surge in students this year as a major piece of the way The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints approaches inequities across the globe, humanitarian experts and church leaders said this week at BYU. BYU-Pathway Worldwide, this investment of your church to bring quality online education at a low cost to the world, to me is extraordinary, said Viva Bartkus, business professor emerita at Notre Dame and an expert on how businesses can help impoverished communities. Ive been on Catholic Relief Services board. Ive worked with World Vision. Ive worked with Aga Khan. I am telling you, BYU-Pathway may end up becoming your churchs biggest gift to the world, hands down, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BYU-PW now serves 80,000 students in over 180 countries, BYU-PW President Brian Ashton said during a panel discussion immediately after Bartkus made her presentation. I believe we will reach 100,000 this year, Ashton predicted at the 35th Annual International Society Conference at BYUs Hinckley Center. The conference theme was Becoming One: Addressing Global Disparity. How the Church of Jesus Christ addresses economic inequity BYU-PW is a vital way the Church of Jesus Christ confronts global disparities, said Ashton and Elder Edward Dube, a member of the churchs Presidency of the Seventy and its Welfare and Self-Reliance Committee. The Lord Jesus Christ, whispering to our prophets, seers and revelators, made this BYU-Pathway Worldwide, Elder Dube said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He spoke about being raised in Zimbabwe in a hut with a mud-and-grass-thatched roof and a floor covered with dried cow dung. He said he and his sister walked 12.5 miles each way to school. When they got stomach aches, their mother healed them by feeding them ants. Elder Edward Dube of the Presidency of the Seventy and the Welfare and Self-Reliance Committee of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speaks at the 35th Annual International Society Conference at BYU's Hinckley Center in Provo, Utah, on Monday, April 7, 2025. | Brent J.Belnap He said Jesus Christs intercessory prayer (John 17:21-22) encourages all people to address the root causes of global disparity. We must confront the dark realities of these stark disparities, he said. Concerns about inequities Bartkus referred to being born in America as winning the lottery are as old as humanity, said the BYU School of Medicines inaugural dean, Dr. Mark Ott. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also are referenced in scripture. Ashton quoted a Book of Mormon prophecy that after Christs church would be restored, those who gathered in it would remain in their homelands, where they shall be established (2 Nephi 9:1-2 and Doctrine and Covenants 78:6). Many members do not have this, the BYU-PW president said. They are not established. BYU-Pathway Worldwides economic engine models researchers findings Ashton said BYU-Pathway is now designed to be both an education institution and an economic engine for its students who live in underdeveloped economies. On one hand, BYU-PW offers PathwayConnect, a confidence-building on-ramp into higher education, certificates, and associate and bachelor degrees at reduced costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the other end, it provides work study, skill development, internships and career opportunities. For example, a student might work in a basic accounting entry job in the first year after learning how to enter receipts into a computer program, Ashton said. When the student completes a certificate, she can become a bookkeeper. With advanced skills, she can be an accounting clerk and then an accountant. This is what drew Bartkus to BYU-PW. The Notre Dame professor developed a system that has launched 90 projects in more than 20 countries based on accompaniment, a Catholic social work model in which the teacher walks alongside the learner. She said the teachers must practice humility and first learn from the learner to understand the problem and the possibilities. The teacher must never do for the student. Walk alongside people as theyre building their lives, she said. Bartkus is the author of Business on the Edge: How to Turn a Profit and Improve Lives in the Worlds Toughest Places. She developed a model, Business on the Frontlines, that Forbes named one of the 10 most innovative MBA courses in the country. It is a road map for how businesses can promote peace and reduce poverty while growing and making money in challenging environments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the ways of closing global disparities is to never underestimate the sheer human dignity of a good days work, Bartkus said. Whats really, really unique about BYU-Pathway, she said, is it is the only organization that I know of that essentially, under the same umbrella, is both an academic institution and an economic development engine. Most universities see education as an end in itself. In these places that Ive described to you, education is not an end in itself, its a means towards an end, which is a job, a better job, a way of looking after your family, your community, serving in your faith, Bartkus said. What is extraordinary about BYU-Pathway is that you provide the opportunity for education, and then BYU-Pathway Worldwide helps with the initial jobs, helps with the initial employment, so that people can get on their feet. That is an extraordinary contribution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like the man who liked a shaver so much he bought the company, Bartkus liked BYU-PW so much she joined on as a consultant. Elder Edward Dube of the Presidency of the Seventy and the Welfare and Self-Reliance Committee of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speaks at BYU's Hinckley Center during the 35th Annual International Society Conference on Monday, April 7, 2025. | Brent J.Belnap For BYU-Pathway to use the lessons shes learned on the frontlines, she said it must not say it is there to help. Dont help. You can serve. You can learn, or you can create the conditions so that people can work really, really hard to lift themselves out of poverty. You cant give them that. They have to do that themselves, she said. Bartkus quoted Latter-day Saint scripture to the mostly Latter-day Saint audience at the conference. And when the priests left their labor to impart the word of God unto the people, the people also left their labors to hear the word of God. And when the priest had imparted unto them the word of God they all returned again diligently unto their labors (Alma 1:26). I find it an extremely exciting gift that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is giving to the rest of the world, she said. We recently published a list of Jim Cramer Recently Talked About These 9 Stocks. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Chevron Corporation (NYSE:CVX) stands against other stocks that Jim Cramer discussed recently. On Wednesday, Jim Cramer, the host of Mad Money, shared his thoughts on the market turmoil of the week and provided some valuable lessons. He emphasized that no one ever made a profit by panicking. Cramer pointed out how many investors had thrown in the towel during the downturn. Yeah, what happens is they get out and then it rallies big like today, and thats the end. Bye bye. Learn to take the pain. Staying the course is how you make the biggest money. READ ALSO: 10 Stocks on Jim Cramers Radar Recently and Jim Cramer Talked About These 8 Stocks. Cramer noted how, on Tuesday night, anyone holding stocks felt disheartened and as if they had lost substantial sums. He then pointed out that in contrast, those who were shorting the market, including many hedge funds, went to bed feeling victorious. However, Cramer had a different perspective and highlighted that some of the short-sellers, who had bet against the market just before the high opening on Wednesday, might have felt smart in the moment. But he quickly reminded viewers that while bulls and bears can make money, he commented that hogs, those who staged short were pigs, plain and simple. He then went on to say: The president likes, no, no, he loves drama. Hes gonna love drama for his whole darn presidency. Thats one constant from his first term. Cramer said that investors should not expect any certainty from the White House. Hoping for certainty from President Trump, he said, would be kind of nuts at this point. His advice to investors was simple: when the noise gets overwhelming, just turn it off. So let me give you the bottom line on this one of the most exciting days of our lives: I dont think that things are all that difficult. Theyre not COVID difficult. Now I think that youre dealing with manmade crises. It turns out that one of these manmade crises was easily reversible, as weve said over and over again, and told you that when you see stocks in the blast zone rally, it pays to realize that good things, not just bad things can happen too. Our Methodology For this article, we compiled a list of 9 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episode of Mad Money aired on April 9. We listed the stocks in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment as of the fourth quarter of 2024, which was taken from Insider Monkeys database of over 1,000 hedge funds. WASHINGTON (AP) Republicans narrowly got their budget plan over the finish line. Now comes the hard part. The resolution adopted this week was only a first step that allows Republicans to draft legislation that they can push through Congress without Democratic support. Next, they begin crafting a final bill with enough spending cuts to satisfy those on the right while not jeopardizing the reelection prospects of more vulnerable lawmakers whose constituents rely on key safety net programs. With thin majorities in the House and the Senate, Republicans can afford to lose hardly any votes from their side of the aisle as they draft legislation, giving each lawmaker leverage over the process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's going to take all of us to get it done, said House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La. The road ahead is daunting. Republicans are determined to extend the individual tax cuts that were approved during President Donald Trump's first term before they expire at year's end. But they intend for the legislation to do far more than that, potentially enacting a host of tax reductions that Trump promised during the campaign, such as no income tax on tips and overtime. And the tax cuts are only half the equation. Conservatives in the House gave the budget plan the final votes needed for passage Thursday after they said they received assurances from leadership in both chambers that they would work to have a final product with at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts forcing changes to federal programs including Medicaid that could prove hard for some in the party to support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The struggles Republicans have faced so far are only a glimmer of whats to come, said Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer. Rep. Max Miller, R-Ohio, senses a difficult fight for Republicans. He said Trump has made clear he doesn't want any benefit cuts for those who get health insurance coverage through Medicaid, which could conflict with the desire some conservatives have for steep spending cuts. If its this rocky now, its only going to get worse from here on out if the speaker is not able to get the entire conference in line, Miller said. Democrats have framed the debate as Republicans looking to slash key government programs so they can pass tax cuts that predominately help wealthier households. It's a message Democrats will hammer home leading up to the 2026 midterm elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this point, theyre all worried about primaries and they are worried about Elons money, but they ought to be worried about a general election as well," said Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., referring to Trump's billionaire ally and adviser, Elon Musk. I think its going to be very difficult for a moderate Republican, if theres still any left, to be able to vote for this and go home and defend it." Some Republicans also made clear to GOP leadership before Thursday's budget vote that they will be closely monitoring the changes to Medicaid in the final bill. This was just making sure that there is a clear understanding here that there are a group of members that will not cut benefits from seniors and our most vulnerable New Yorkers who rely on Medicaid," said Rep. Nicole Malliotakis, R-N.Y. Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, who is up for reelection next year, said she's also made her position known to leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I could not make my position on Medicaid cuts clearer," she said. "I am not going to support cuts that affect low-income families, disabled individuals, low-income seniors, rural hospitals. Republicans say their focus is on instilling work requirements for able-bodied beneficiaries and more rigorous eligibility assessments. But Democrats say Republicans can't generate the savings being discussed without also cutting benefits. Meanwhile, Republicans see extending the individual and estate tax cuts passed in Trump's first term as key to their electoral success next year. The House Ways and Means Committee says a family of four making $80,610 a year, the median income in the United States, would see a $1,695 tax increase if the tax cuts are not extended. Republicans spent the last few years blaming President Joe Biden's administration for increasing the debt, and a key test will be how many keep that focus as they seek to extend and expand tax cuts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A recent estimate from the Joint Committee on Taxation projects that extending the 2017 tax breaks will add $5.5 trillion over the next decade when including interest, and $4.6 trillion not including interest. On top of that, adding Trumps campaign promises would swell the price tag to $7 trillion. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said he'll advocate for splitting the measure into two reconciliation bills if Republicans take too long to get to a final product. Im going to say break it apart, because they need money for the border yesterday and they also need money for DoD, Graham said, referring to the Department of Defense. House Speaker Mike Johnson said he looked forward to the challenge and there was a lot of work ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American people are counting on us, Johnson said. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said he's confident a final bill will pass with the House winning the most important tussles on the scope of taxes and spending cuts. I will bet you they will fold rather than inflict the largest tax increase in American history on their voters, Cole said of the Senate. And two-thirds of them, with all due respect, arent on the ballot next time. ... Whereas everyone here is on the line. And our majority is much more on the line that their majority is." Associated Press staff writers Mary Clare Jalonick, Lisa Mascaro and Stephen Groves contributed to this report. NEW YORK (PIX11) The National Transportation Safety Board is calling on witnesses of the Hudson River helicopter crash on Thursday to come forward. A Bell 206 helicopter carrying a family of Spanish tourists crashed into the Hudson River around 3 p.m. after circling Manhattan for 20 minutes, officials said. The helicopter seemingly split apart in mid-air before it fell out of the sky, video from witnesses showed. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tail came off and then just flipped over in mid-air, witness Bruce Wall said. [The helicopter] started falling into the ground, propeller still propelling. The victims include Siemens executive Agustin Escobar, his wife and three children, a source familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press. The family was celebrating a mothers 40th birthday, Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop wrote on X. The NTSB is expected to hold a press conference in Jersey City on Friday on the helicopter crash investigation. Anyone with videos or photos of the accident, or have information relevant to the investigation, can email witness@ntsb.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. By David Shepardson (Reuters) - The National Transportation Safety Board launched a probe on Friday into the crash of a tourist helicopter into New York City's Hudson River the day before that killed all six aboard including three children. The NTSB has a team of 10 investigators at the scene, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said. The team has begun examining the wreckage, which has been moved inside a building for closer review. "Everything is off the table," Homendy said. "We don't rule anything out." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tour helicopter plunged upside down into New York City's Hudson River on Thursday afternoon, killing all six people on board, including a Spanish family with three children and the pilot. The victims included Agustin Escobar, CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, the train transportation arm of Germany-based technology company Siemens, a company spokesperson told Reuters. Homendy said the pilot had about 788 hours of total flight experience through late March. She added that dive teams were searching for components including the main rotor and tail structure that are believed to be in the river. Video of the crash showed what appeared to be a large object plummeting into the river, followed seconds later by what appeared to be a helicopter blade. Afterwards, emergency and police boats were seen circling around a patch of river where the helicopter was submerged, with only what appeared to be the aircraft's landing gear poking above the water's surface. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bell 206 chopper, operated by New York Helicopter Tours, had departed at about 3 p.m. from a downtown helicopter pad and flew north over the Hudson, New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. It turned south when it reached the George Washington Bridge and crashed minutes later, hitting the water upside down and getting submerged near Lower Manhattan at around 3:15 p.m., just off Jersey City. Divers helped remove the victims - the pilot, another two adults and three children - from the water. Four were pronounced dead at the scene, while two others were taken to area hospitals where they died. The airspace around Manhattan is crowded with helicopters offering tourists a bird's-eye view of the sights, with at least two dozen operators listed on the website Viator. Many of the operators also offer helicopter shuttle services to the area airports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York City has a history of accidents involving helicopters. In 2018, five passengers aboard a helicopter died when it crashed into the East River, while the pilot survived. The helicopter was on a charter flight that featured an open door to allow passengers to take photographs of the skyline. Helicopter safety has been a topic of discussion in the U.S. Congress after 67 people were killed in a crash between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter on Jan. 29 near the Washington DC's Reagan National Airport. The FAA has since permanently restricted helicopter traffic near the airport and is reviewing helicopter operations near other major airports. (Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; Editing by Sandra Maler) Britain is at an industrial crossroads. Some countries, like France and South Korea, charge ahead with nuclear power. They have cheap and stable energy, are not dependent on hydrocarbon-producing tyrannies and foreign powers (as we are); and they are not as beset as Britain is by schoolmarmish regulators who say that we cannot build anything because it would need powering with natural gas. This is why Sir Keir Starmer is going nuclear, according to leaks of an announcement that he will formally permit investment for the construction of Sizewell C in Suffolk before Junes spending review. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Sir Keir will also, it is claimed, announce something different to our old nuclear model: the winner of a government contest to produce so-called small modular reactors (SMRs), which aim to be cheaper, safer and easier to run than the behemoths Britains nuclear sector has relied upon for many years. Current regulations strangle building at birth and mean that old-fashioned nuclear projects arrive if they are finished at all vastly over-time and over-budget. Much of Britains nuclear infrastructure is ancient, and more is retiring (or being extended over its planned lifespan) than is being built. Dungeness B was retired in 2021. Hunterson B in Scotland was retired in 2022, as was Hinkley Point B. Hartlepool, Torness and Heyhams 1 and 2 have all had their terms extended. Sizewell C, which Sir Keir wants to increase investment in, formally began very early construction in January. In effect, it exists as a series of architects drawings. Sir Keir is right that this must change. But does he have the guts to do whats necessary to change it? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The net zero Act has managed the double-effect of making Britain poor and our energy expensive. It was hoped, before the builders of these things came into contact with the public and the courts, that solar, wind and tidal power would make up for nuclears long decline in Britain. But this has not happened. Onshore wind was banned by the Government. Offshore wind is repeatedly blocked by the courts because the energy to power millions of homes might spoil a pensioners sea view. Nuclear is our only option. Heating bills are high and rising every year. And one of the most commonly-cited factors in the closing of much loved local businesses and pubs is the price of heating and lighting. British industry (whats left of it) is hammered by electrical costs. Jim Ratcliffe of Ineos, a chemical company, blames high energy prices for closing down the groups British plants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Metallurgy has been called solidified electricity because of how much power it requires. British steel manufacturing in Wales is endlessly on its last legs because of high energy costs. Nuclear is obviously necessary: we have the highest industrial energy prices in the world. Sir Keirs gestures at an industrial strategy he has said he might nationalise British Steel to save it from foreign ownership relies on the British energy market being sane. Sir Keir has said he understands this problem and is taking steps to stop it. But will his approach have the guts to do nuclear properly? So far, we dont even have announcements; we only have rumours of announcements. Britain has immense nuclear potential. We have Rolls Royce, who are currently in talks to do modular reactors in Poland but not in Britain. Its to be hoped Sir Keirs new announcements and appointments make use of what we have and junk the insane civil service attitude that what works in France and South Korea could never work here. James Snell is a former senior advisor for special initiatives at the New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy. His first book, The Fall of the Assads, will be published this year 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. Buskers have been banned from performing in Leicester Square after a judge ruled their performances were a nuisance and amounted to the psychological torture of nearby workers. Westminster City Council said it had no choice but to indefinitely suspend performance pitches from all street acts following the ruling. Last month, a judge found in favour of Global Radio, whose staff complained repeated renditions of Adele and Tracy Chapman songs made some of them work from cupboards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the council has complained the ruling has put it in an impossible position. It said that street performers were much loved and an iconic part of the citys tourist scene, which it had tried to manage in order to minimise disruption. Now, all buskers have received a letter, setting out the councils decision that from April 17, all licensed and unlicensed performers as well as street entertainers will have to comply with the suspension. Those who flout the rules could be hit with a fine, their licence being taken off them or even their equipment getting seized. The court ruling gives us no choice Councillor Matt Noble said: Street performers are a much-loved part of our citys identity, but we also have to balance this with a duty to protect residents and businesses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court ruling gives us no choice we now have a legal obligation to act. He said it was categorically not a ban on street performers in Westminster and that the council would be looking to find a fair solution. The local authority added that it was keen to ensure buskers can continue adding to the wider citys cultural heritage. The action follows an abatement order that was issued against the council by the City of London Magistrates Court. Global Radio, which counts Heart, Capital and Classic FM among its stations and has office spaces nearby, took the local authority to court for the noise created by the buskers. Performances compared to psychological torture Staff played recordings of Adeles Someone Like You and Fast Car by Tracy Chapman in court to show the volume and how bad some performances were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruling in its favour, District Judge John Law said the council had failed to take action against the nuisance. While the volume is the principal mischief it is clear that the nuisance is exacerbated by the repetition and poor quality of some of the performances, he said. He added that the sounds were a well-publicised feature of unlawful but effective psychological torture techniques and ordered the council to stop the nuisance. Westminster City Council is exploring its grounds of appeal. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The Big Apple company that operated the doomed tourist helicopter that plunged into the Hudson River Thursday previously crash-landed into the same murky waters. A Bell 206 chopper belonging to New York Helicopter Charter in June 2013 was carrying four Swedish tourists when it lost power and made an emergency landing. The company also had another incident with a helicopter in June 2013, when an emergency landing had to be made that was carrying four Swedish tourists on board, when the chopper lost power. G.N. Miller The pilot and four family members all miraculously survived with no injuries reported after the aviator deployed the aircrafts pontoons and safely landed on the river. AP The pilot and four family members all miraculously survived with no injuries reported after the aviator deployed the aircrafts pontoons and safely landed on the river. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CEO Michael Roth told the Wall Street Journal at the time that the chopper underwent daily routine inspections but had no clue why the aircraft malfunctioned mid-flight. The National Transportation Safety Board found that a maintenance error and an engine lubrication abnormality caused the blackout. Two years later, another Bell 206 model chopper was forced to make a hard landing in northern New Jersey after the pilot reported the aircraft started to spin out of control while hovering 20 feet off the ground, the New York Times reported. CEO Michael Roth told the Wall Street Journal at the time that the chopper underwent daily routine inspections but had no clue why the aircraft malfunctioned mid-flight. William Farrington An investigation conducted by the NTSB noted the helicopter was also previously involved in a hard landing in Chile in 2010 and had faulty parts that were unsuitable for flight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roth is now expressing his devastation over the tragic events that killed a pilot and a family-of-five vacationing from Spain again claiming he has no clue what happened. Im absolutely devastated, Roth, who was visibly shaken, told The Post after the crash. The only thing I know by watching a video of the helicopter falling down, that the main rotor blades werent on the helicopter. And I havent seen anything like that in my 30 years being in business, in the helicopter business, he continued. 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. This is horrific. But you gotta remember something, these are machines and they break. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alarming footage captured the Bell 206 helicopter breaking apart midair and then plummeting into the frigid waters around Pier 40 in Manhattan near the Hoboken border of New Jersey around 3:15 p.m., prompting a large-scale rescue mission. Stay up to date on the Hudson River helicopter crash: The mangled remains of the helicopter from Thursdays wreck is recovered from the Hudson River. Christopher Sadowski First responders at the scene of Thursdays crash that left six people dead. Obtained by the NY Post Flight Tracker data showed the aircraft was in the air for roughly 15 minutes before going down with other clips of the horror showing parts of the aircraft splashing down into various sections of the waterway. NYPD drivers recovered all six victims. Four were pronounced dead at the scene and two others at a local hospital after succumbing to their injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The head of the Spanish branch of the technology company Siemens and his family were identified as five of the victims who were killed during the ill-fated sightseeing expedition. The pilot was later identified as 36-year-old Navy SEAL veteran Sean Johnson. Agustin Escobar, president and CEO of Siemens in Spain, his wife and their three young children had just arrived in the Big Apple from Barcelona earlier in the day, law enforcement sources said. The children were identified as Augustin, 10, Mercedes, 8, and Victor, 4, officials said Friday. The horrific mangled remains of the aircraft were pulled out of the Hudson River just hours after the wreck. Recovery efforts are expected to continue Friday morning, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop said. It remains unclear what caused the crash and remains under investigation. The Spanish family killed in a horrific helicopter crash into the Hudson River had hired the high-flying sightseeing tour as part of a birthday celebration, officials said Friday, as the federal National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating whether the puzzling plunge was caused by a bird strike. While a large section of the doomed helicopter had been recovered, divers were still scouring the bottom of the river for the copters main rotor and tail rotor, which flew off the chopper before it crashed, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said at a Friday afternoon press conference. The entire roof structure is also missing. This is the first full day of our investigation, and as you can see, our investigators are still out there, Homendy told reporters. We have a lot of information, but we do not speculate. We need to confirm the information. That is a process that takes time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Avenues of investigation will include reports of a large flock of birds in the area shortly before the crash, Homendy said. Early speculation before the NTSB arrived was that the helicopter fell victim to a bird strike. We are aware of the reports and it is something we will be looking into, she said. Everything is on the table. We dont rule anything out. We will not speculate on a preliminary cause. Tourists Agustin Escobar, the CEO of Rail Infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three young children were all killed in the crash, along with pilot Sean Johnson, after pieces of the helicopter, including the rotor, appeared to break off in mid-air. The helicopter overturned and dropped from the sky, hitting the water upside down. FDNY divers recovered the victims, but no one could be saved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family came to New York City to celebrate the birthday of one of their children, Mayor Adams said Friday. We know the ages of the young people involved 4, 8 and 10 and unfortunately the 8-year-old it was his birthday today. So this was probably part of a normal tourist attraction of seeing the city from the skyline, but just a real unfortunate situation, Adams said on Fox 5s Good Day New York. Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop wrote on X that Camprubi Montal was also celebrating her 40th birthday this week. Escobar was in New York City on business and had his family fly to the Big Apple so they could extend the trip a couple days in NYC, the Jersey City mayor said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brother in law is flying in this AM and we are working with [the medical examiner] to expedite release of the family to fly back to Spain, Fulop said. Take a moment today and think about this family and your family. These situations are always very difficult and sad. Johnson, 36, had radioed moments before plummeting into the water that he was desperately low on fuel and was heading back to the helipad, New York Helicopter CEO Michael Roth told The Telegraph. The pilot made the radio transmission just before the 3:15 p.m. crash on the New Jersey side of the river. The helicopter took off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport in lower Manhattan at about 2:50 p.m. He [the pilot] 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, Roth told The 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 [calling]. Then one of my pilots flew over the Hudson and saw the helicopter upside down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The death of the child, of any human being, is a monumental disaster, Roth told The Telegraph. Were all devastated. Every employee in our company is devastated. My wife has not stopped crying. On Friday, New York Helicopter Tours in a statement said that 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. At New York Helicopter Tours, 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. The helicopter that crashed was built in 2004, FAA records show. It was a Bell 206 LongRanger IV, a slightly longer version of the original Bell 206 that can seat up to seven people five passengers and two crew members. Investigators had already recovered Johnsons logbooks, which show the former Navy veteran had a commercial pilot certificate and had logged 788 hours of flight time by the end of March, although it wasnt immediately clear if all of that flight time was in the same helicopter that crashed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A video on Johnsons Facebook page posted last month shows him flying a Bell 206 helicopter over the Manhattan skyline. When it all comes together, he wrote. One of the first steps the investigation team will do is order New York Helicopter to freeze all of its pilot and maintenance records to make sure that the company has answered all periodic directives from the FAA, Peter Goelz, a former managing director for the NTSB told CNN Friday. This was clearly a catastrophic failure and very unusual, where the videotape [showed] the aircraft going down without its tail rotor and having lost its main rotors, Goelz told CNN. There are error-worthiness directives that told the company to check certain parts of its rotor engine assembly. And the FAA and the NTSB will want to see that those work that that work has been completed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video of the crash from different angles may also help investigators discover if something struck the helicopter before it fell apart, he said. The NTSB was asking any witnesses with video of the crash to email them at witness@ntsb.gov. The copter in the fatal crash first headed up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge, where it turned around and then headed back south, flying along the New Jersey side of the river before suddenly dropping upside-down into the river near Hoboken, Mayor Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Thursday. The flight lasted less than 18 minutes, officials said. New York Helicopter filed for bankruptcy in 2019, claiming it had hundreds of thousands in debts. A large portion of the debts, about $114,000, were for repair services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company was allowed to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, where a trustee was assigned to oversee the liquidation of some assets and prioritize debts. The bankruptcy ended in 2022, according to court records. New York Helicopter has mixed reviews on Yelp, with at least one customer complaining that the company didnt do proper safety checks before takeoff. Other customers said employees were rude and charged unexpected fees. Extreme negligence of security protocols that must be associated with a helicopter ride, said customer Kumar Sourabh, who visited the Big Apple from California. I have been in a helicopter ride before and had a 180 degree opposite experience. There was no briefing provided on security measures. As soon as the aircraft landed, and without any notice or instructions, as the helicopter blades were running on full sound, the owner rushed to us and started to pull us down. A Bell 206 helicopter owned by New York Helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in June 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The helicopter lost power, and the pilot made an emergency landing. No injuries were reported, and the NTSB 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. 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. After Thursdays crash, Fulop called for an end of sightseeing helicopter tours over the Hudson River. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This has been an issue we have pushed at the federal level for a decade with no response, he wrote on X. This is not the first crash that has happened and the reality is that the airspace here is too crowded above a densely populated area to allow this. These tourist helicopters should not be allowed and hopefully this terrible tragedy brings some change so that it will never happen again to any other family, he wrote. On Friday Mayor Adams disagreed with Fulops assessment, saying on 1010 WINS that the sightseeing tours are part of the attractiveness of the city. On NY1, Adams did leave the door open for tighter restrictions on non-emergency helicopter traffic. I remember in 1977 when the helicopter crashed into the PanAm building, we made adjustments and modifications, you can always adjust and modify based on these circumstances, he said. There were 17 crashes over the approximately 40 years. Those are numbers that you have to look at when you make these adjustments. With Rocco Parascandola, John Annese and News Wire Services This is a continuing story. Check back for updates. NEW YORK The Spanish family killed in a horrific helicopter crash into the Hudson River had hired the high-flying sightseeing tour as part of a birthday celebration for one of their children, officials said Friday as the helicopter owner told reporters the pilot was low on fuel moments before the tragedy occurred. Tourists Agustin Escobar, the CEO of technology giant Siemens Spain, his wife Merce Camprubi Montal, and their three young children were all killed in the crash along with the pilot. The family had come to New York City to celebrate the birthday of one of their children, Mayor Eric Adams said Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know the ages of the young people involved 4, 8 and 10 and unfortunately the 8-year-old it was his birthday today, so this was probably part of a normal tourist attraction of seeing the city from the skyline, but just a real unfortunate situation, Adams said on Fox 5s Good Day New York. The 36-year-old pilot had radioed moments before plummeting into the water that he was desperately low on fuel and was heading back to the helipad, New York Helicopter CEO Michael Roth told The Telegraph. The pilot made the radio transmission just before the 3:15 p.m. crash on the New Jersey side of the river. The helicopter took off from the Downtown Manhattan Heliport in lower Manhattan just before 3 p.m. He [the pilot] 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, Roth told The 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The death of the child, of any human being, is a monumental disaster, Roth told The Telegraph. Were all devastated. Every employee in our company is devastated. My wife has not stopped crying. When reached by the Daily News late Thursday, Roth refused to comment on the crash. Im not going to say anything, he said before hanging up on a reporter. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have launched investigations into the crash, Mayor Adams said in several interviews Friday. The copter in the fatal crash first headed up the Hudson River to the George Washington Bridge, where it turned around and then headed back south, flying along the New Jersey side of the river before suddenly dropping upside-down into the river near Hoboken, Mayor Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flight lasted less than 18 minutes, officials said. New York Helicopter filed for bankruptcy in 2019, claiming it had hundreds of thousands in debts. A large portion of the debts, about $114,000, were for repair services. The company has mixed reviews on Yelp, with at least one customer complaining that the company didnt do proper safety checks before takeoff. Other customers said employees were rude and charged unexpected fees. Extreme negligence of security protocols that must be associated with a helicopter ride, said customer Kumar Sourabh, who visited the Big Apple from California. I have been in a helicopter ride before and had a 180 degree opposite experience. There was no briefing provided on security measures. As soon as the aircraft landed, and without any notice or instructions, as the helicopter blades were running on full sound, the owner rushed to us and started to pull us down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Bell 206 helicopter owned by New York Helicopter crashed into the Hudson River in June 2013. The helicopter lost power, and the pilot made an emergency landing. No injuries were reported, and the NTSB found that a maintenance flub and an engine lubrication anomaly led to the power cutoff. A top executive at global technology company Siemens and his wife and kids were identified as five of the victims who were killed on the ill-fated helicopter that plunged into the Hudson River on Thursday, according to law enforcement sources. Agustin Escobar, the global CEO of rail infrastructure at Siemens Mobility, his wife and their three children were killed along with the pilot when the tourist chopper they were all on plunged into the murky waters. Gut-wrenching photos on New York Helicopter Tours website show the bundled-up five family members smiling in front of the Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV helicopter and strapped inside the aircraft. Agustin Escobar, his wife and their three children pose in front of the helicopter before the crash. New York Helicopter Tours LLC The family is seen in heartbreaking final photos. New York Helicopter Tours LLC Escobars spouse was identified as Merce Camprubi Montal, who was a global manager at an energy technology company, according to a person briefed on the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She worked in Barcelona as a global commercialization manager for energy technology company Siemens Energy for seven years, according to her LinkedIn profile. Their children were Augustin, 10, Mercedes, 8, and Victor, 4, authorities said Friday. No matter how hard things got, he always stayed calm and kept it together. He had this way of making things feel OK, even when they werent, Juan Ignacio Diaz, who used to work with Escobar, told The Post on Thursday night. And he never forgot what mattered most his family. The loved ones just got into the Big Apple from Barcelona earlier in the day, law enforcement sources said. The helicopter crashes into the Hudson River. Bruce Wall The pilot was later identified at 36-year-old Navy SEAL veteran Sean Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sightseeing chopper broke apart in midair and plummeted like a rock into the Hudson around 3:15 p.m. Four victims were pronounced dead at the scene and two more were declared dead at the hospital, officials said. Debris from the helicopter in the water. Obtained by the NY Post The cause of the crash was unclear, with an investigation underway. Escobar had 25 years of international experience in which he led businesses across the globe, including the US, South America, Spain and Germany, according to his LinkedIn profile. He had held his current title, global CEO of rail infrastructure, at Siemens Mobility since last October and was previously CEO of Siemens Spain for about two years, according to the profile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the German-based multinational company announced his position as head of Siemens Spain, his predecessor, Miguel Angel Lopez, said Escobars work has been key to Siemens success in the field of mobility and transport. The crash killed all six people aboard on Thursday. REUTERS His business acumen was only exceeded by the relationships he had with his family and friends, his pal Diaz said. He was such a great person kind, steady, and always there when you needed him, Diaz said. He was a loyal friend, someone you could really count on. Diaz, who previously worked at Siemens, also called Escobar a true family man. He loved his wife and kids so much they were everything to him, he said. He was a loving, fun, and just really cool dad, Diaz said. Im going to miss him and his family. I love you, my friend. With Post wires We recently published a list of Jim Cramer Recently Talked About These 9 Stocks. In this article, we are going to take a look at where FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) stands against other stocks that Jim Cramer discussed recently. On Wednesday, Jim Cramer, the host of Mad Money, shared his thoughts on the market turmoil of the week and provided some valuable lessons. He emphasized that no one ever made a profit by panicking. Cramer pointed out how many investors had thrown in the towel during the downturn. Yeah, what happens is they get out and then it rallies big like today, and thats the end. Bye bye. Learn to take the pain. Staying the course is how you make the biggest money. READ ALSO: 10 Stocks on Jim Cramers Radar Recently and Jim Cramer Talked About These 8 Stocks. Cramer noted how, on Tuesday night, anyone holding stocks felt disheartened and as if they had lost substantial sums. He then pointed out that in contrast, those who were shorting the market, including many hedge funds, went to bed feeling victorious. However, Cramer had a different perspective and highlighted that some of the short-sellers, who had bet against the market just before the high opening on Wednesday, might have felt smart in the moment. But he quickly reminded viewers that while bulls and bears can make money, he commented that hogs, those who staged short were pigs, plain and simple. He then went on to say: The president likes, no, no, he loves drama. Hes gonna love drama for his whole darn presidency. Thats one constant from his first term. Cramer said that investors should not expect any certainty from the White House. Hoping for certainty from President Trump, he said, would be kind of nuts at this point. His advice to investors was simple: when the noise gets overwhelming, just turn it off. So let me give you the bottom line on this one of the most exciting days of our lives: I dont think that things are all that difficult. Theyre not COVID difficult. Now I think that youre dealing with manmade crises. It turns out that one of these manmade crises was easily reversible, as weve said over and over again, and told you that when you see stocks in the blast zone rally, it pays to realize that good things, not just bad things can happen too. Our Methodology For this article, we compiled a list of 9 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episode of Mad Money aired on April 9. We listed the stocks in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment as of the fourth quarter of 2024, which was taken from Insider Monkeys database of over 1,000 hedge funds. We recently published a list of Jim Cramer Recently Talked About These 9 Stocks. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE: MRK) stands against other stocks that Jim Cramer discussed recently. On Wednesday, Jim Cramer, the host of Mad Money, shared his thoughts on the market turmoil of the week and provided some valuable lessons. He emphasized that no one ever made a profit by panicking. Cramer pointed out how many investors had thrown in the towel during the downturn. Yeah, what happens is they get out and then it rallies big like today, and thats the end. Bye bye. Learn to take the pain. Staying the course is how you make the biggest money. READ ALSO: 10 Stocks on Jim Cramers Radar Recently and Jim Cramer Talked About These 8 Stocks. Cramer noted how, on Tuesday night, anyone holding stocks felt disheartened and as if they had lost substantial sums. He then pointed out that in contrast, those who were shorting the market, including many hedge funds, went to bed feeling victorious. However, Cramer had a different perspective and highlighted that some of the short-sellers, who had bet against the market just before the high opening on Wednesday, might have felt smart in the moment. But he quickly reminded viewers that while bulls and bears can make money, he commented that hogs, those who staged short were pigs, plain and simple. He then went on to say: The president likes, no, no, he loves drama. Hes gonna love drama for his whole darn presidency. Thats one constant from his first term. Cramer said that investors should not expect any certainty from the White House. Hoping for certainty from President Trump, he said, would be kind of nuts at this point. His advice to investors was simple: when the noise gets overwhelming, just turn it off. So let me give you the bottom line on this one of the most exciting days of our lives: I dont think that things are all that difficult. Theyre not COVID difficult. Now I think that youre dealing with manmade crises. It turns out that one of these manmade crises was easily reversible, as weve said over and over again, and told you that when you see stocks in the blast zone rally, it pays to realize that good things, not just bad things can happen too. Our Methodology For this article, we compiled a list of 9 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episode of Mad Money aired on April 9. We listed the stocks in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment as of the fourth quarter of 2024, which was taken from Insider Monkeys database of over 1,000 hedge funds. We recently published a list of Jim Cramer Talked About These 8 Stocks. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Dow Inc. (NYSE:DOW) stands against other stocks that Jim Cramer discusses. On Friday, Jim Cramer, the host of Mad Money, expressed concern over President Donald Trumps focus on the long-term benefits of tariffs as he argued that the short-term consequences are far more severe. The president is fixated on the long term when he talks about trillions of dollars that the tariffs will bring in. He says the tariffs will allow us to fund both tax cuts and a lower budget deficit. Putting aside whether thats going to be true or not, I dont think we have the full luxury right now of focusing on the potential long-term benefits because the short-term is a horror show. READ ALSO Jim Cramers Game Plan: 10 Stocks in Focus and 10 Stocks on Jim Cramers Radar Recently Cramer highlighted that the tariffs are excessive and poorly executed and also lack the reciprocal nature needed for a fair trade policy. He noted that it has triggered unnecessary chaos in the markets. He further criticized the stock markets current state and noted that it is far from functioning properly. He pointed to the struggles of private equity firms, whose stock values are plummeting. Cramer mentioned that these companies, which hold a significant number of highly levered businesses, had been planning to bring them public under Trumps administration. However, he said that due to the current market turmoil, there are growing concerns that these initial public offerings might be canceled altogether. He added: If we want to get out of this mess, we need some signs that the president understands the need for a functioning market. Cramer also stressed that while the U.S. may be experiencing low unemployment, it might not last if short-term issues are not addressed. He commented that the public does not elect their leaders to look only toward long-term outcomes but also to manage immediate challenges. Cramer urged Trump to adjust his approach and form better trade relationships with countries that are open to trade negotiations. The President needs to make a commitment to help companies that want to avoid the tariffs. He needs to call world leaders and say that they can roll back some of the tariffs that hes putting on them, but, they gotta play ball. Mr. President, dont cause a crash. It will be your legacy and it can easily be avoided. Our Methodology For this article, we compiled a list of 8 stocks that were discussed by Jim Cramer during the episode of Mad Money aired on April 4. We listed the stocks in ascending order of their hedge fund sentiment as of the fourth quarter of 2024, which was taken from Insider Monkeys database of over 1,000 hedge funds. Photo of a voting booth by WEWS. Two Republican Ohio state senators want to eliminate drop boxes for absentee ballots and require Ohioans to show proof of citizenship to vote. The proof-of-citizenship requirements trigger when voters register or update their existing registration. So, registered voters wont notice any changes until they update information to reflect changes like a new name or address. If everything goes smoothly, the Bureau of Motor Vehicles will already have citizenship documentation on file. But if not, county boards of elections will start sending notices, and pretty soon prosecutors could get involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX If a voter doesnt respond to a pair of notices sent over the course of four weeks, the secretary of state must cancel their registration and refer the case to the attorney general. The same goes for voters who proactively cancel their registration after receiving the notice. Ditto if they vote provisionally and then fail to provide citizenship documents within four days of the election. Similarly, if a county board receives a registration form from someone whos ineligible even in error the board must refer the case to the county prosecutor. In the name of security, the measure also eliminates ballot drop boxes and codifies an attestation form requirement for anyone dropping off another persons ballot. Sponsors case State Sen. Theresa Gavarone, R-Bowling Green, told a committee, Its simple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If youre a citizen, you can provide proof of your citizenship, you can vote in our elections its really that easy, she said. And in many cases verifying citizenship will be simple. But if the BMV doesnt have the correct information for instance, because of a name change through marriage or divorce voters could be sent scrambling. A University of Maryland study suggests more than 21 million Americans dont have up-to-date citizenship documents on hand. Asked what documents would qualify, Gavarone herself stumbled and didnt mention naturalization certificates. In the case of name changes, the bill requires an underlying proof of citizenship document as well as a marriage license or court order. Her cosponsor, state Sen. Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, argued ballot drop boxes are a major weakness in our elections, as they allow for anyone at any time, to tamper with ballots. He pointed to a handful of ballot drop boxes firebombed in the Portland, Oregon area. In one case, hundreds of ballots were destroyed. In another, a fire suppression system saved all but three ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But both sponsors overstate the threats theyre addressing while papering over the harms their legislation could cause. For example noncitizen voting is extremely rare, so its hard to see what problem the lawmakers were trying to fix with the proof-of-citizenship requirement. Gavarone argued a recent Pew study showed 90% of Americans support a citizenship requirement to vote, and lamented that sadly, we have groups who think this isnt necessary, or some who believe that we should allow noncitizens to vote. But that study didnt ask about requiring proof of citizenship, and its results do more to undermine Gavarones allegation about some people wanting to allow noncitizens to vote. Far from pointing to support for noncitizen voting, Pew pollsters found 90% of respondents said its very or somewhat important to stop it from happening. Although Trump voters put more emphasis on the issue, 85% of those who supported Democratic candidate Kamala Harris said it was important to them. Pressed to identify examples of damage to Ohio drop boxes, Brenners biggest complaint was people throwing trash in with ballots. But he warned that could spoil votes, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The point is, if you put all your eggs in one basket, Brenner said, they have potential to be destroyed. Paid circulators In addition to pushing back on proof of citizenship and drop box changes, Democrats on the committee seemed skeptical about a provision requiring a special badge for paid signature gatherers. State Sen. Willis Blackshear, D-Dayton, asked if organizers should be punished because a canvasser lost a badge. State Sen. Bill DeMora, D-Columbus, asked how they expect to police it for small-scale campaigns like liquor options. Brenner acknowledged liquor issues might not ruffle feathers but argued having that paid circulator notification a badge to show that you are one, I think that that can prove that, hey, this could be an outside group influencing peoples, you know maybe, ideas of what is being put on the ballot. And I think that is an important transparency factor. Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Nick Evans on X or on Bluesky. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE ATHENS, Ohio (WCMH) Anti-DEI legislation stopped Ohio University from hosting its Black Alumni Reunion, but it did not stop Black alumni, who corralled community support and planned the event themselves. With just over a months notice, Ohio University placed the Black Alumni Reunion on hold on March 5, citing threats to university funding if it did not comply with anti-DEI orders. Alumni, community organizations and students joined forces in response to the decision, planning a Black Alumni Weekend for April 10-13, the same weekend the university-sponsored reunion had been scheduled for. Through a weekend of networking, mentorship, and celebration, we honor the rich legacy of Black and Brown excellence at Ohio University, the Black Alumni Weekend website states. By partnering with local businesses, the city of Athens, and fellow alumni, we ensure that our traditions thrive beyond campus boundaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owner of Browns, Crew seeks state funds after donating to legislators Ohio University paused the event after orders from the Department of Education to pause DEI services aligned with fears that Senate Bill 1, which bans DEI in higher education in Ohio, would complicate matters. In years past, the triennial event was second only to homecoming for Ohio alumni gatherings. Hundreds of Bobcats had planned to attend before they got word it was cancelled. See previous coverage of the cancellation in the video player above. My initial reaction was definitely feeling hurt, disappointed, upset a combination of all three of those feelings, Ohio University alumnae Brandi Baker said. Baker, a two-time Ohio alumnae and former university employee in roles progressing diversity efforts, first spoke with NBC4 in March, voicing her frustration with the decision. Shortly after, Baker took that disappointment and channeled it into productivity, hosting a virtual town hall to address Ohio Universitys decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had over 100 alumni join the call from all over the world: people from Germany and people who live in Africa right now, and people from all over who are concerned about what has happened and what is happening with the institution and within the state of Ohio, Baker said. Students worry Ohios anti-DEI law will inhibit their programs Attendees included Athens city officials and many alumni, who overwhelmingly said they still wanted the event to happen. Baker, who had founded the Racial Equity Coalition of Appalachia several years prior, was able to use the coalitions resources to help plan the event in a matter of weeks. Organizers met daily, bringing in help from the city. Weve had amazing local business owners who definitely were also disappointed about hearing how the university handled things, and they were very supportive, Baker said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baker said donations allowed several events to be free for attendees, and the reunion has been promoted by Athens County tourism organizations. Local bars offered to host deals or events, and the Athens County Foundation offered a grant and set up a fund for donations. The weekend began Thursday evening and continues through Sunday with more than two dozen free and ticketed events. A full schedule can be found here and features networking opportunities, a cookout, the traditional reunion Variety Show and opportunities to embrace Athens Black history. People of color in Appalachia thats not really something typical that people think about when they think about rural areas in Ohio, Baker said. They dont think that it also includes people of color, but it does. Whats in, out of the Ohio budget? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a prolific history of Black communities who settled in and around Athens. Alumni can tour the Tablertown People of Color Museum during the reunion, a nearby museum run by one local man who has dedicated his time to preserving Black history in the region. Several other events will take place at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, a historically Black church noted for its priceless stained glass windows that is undergoing preservation efforts. Baker said this history combined with the legacy of Black alumni to shape the celebratory reunion. She said she expects hundreds of alumni to attend this weekend. The event even has shirts also a partnership with a local business including one that sums up organizers feelings: you cant cancel what you didnt create. Im very thankful, and it definitely is showing diversity, equity and inclusion in action, Baker said. So I really appreciate all of the support from our community and Athens, and Im looking forward to an exciting weekend. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. State Superintendent Ryan Walters didn't commit actual malice when he criticized a former Norman High School teacher in 2022, a federal judge ruled. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY An Oklahoma City federal judge on Thursday threw out a lawsuit against state Superintendent Ryan Walters that accused him of defaming a former Norman High School teacher whose classroom display against book censorship made national news. U.S. District Judge Bernard Jones ruled that former teacher Summer Boismier made herself a public figure during the controversy and therefore would have to prove a higher standard of actual malice to win the defamation case. Actual malice is defined as having a reckless disregard for the truth or publicizing a statement while knowing it is false. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones decided Boismiers lawsuit failed to prove that Walters committed actual malice when he accused her of sharing pornographic books with students and when he incorrectly claimed she had been fired from Norman Public Schools. Boismiers attorney did not immediately return a request for comment Thursday afternoon. Walters celebrated the ruling as a victory for parental rights, students and educational integrity. We have sent a clear message that Oklahomas schools will remain free from political indoctrination and that our children deserve an education that is focused on core academic values, not the promotion of controversial ideologies, Walters said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August 2022, Boismier covered the bookshelves in her English classroom with red paper on which she wrote, books the state doesnt want you to read. She also posted a QR code linking to the Brooklyn Public Librarys BooksUnbanned initiative an online collection of books available to young people across the country. Boismier said she made the classroom display in protest of House Bill 1775, an Oklahoma law passed in 2021 to prohibit certain race and gender topics from being discussed in public school classrooms. After two Oklahoma districts were penalized that year over HB 1775, the Norman district asked its teachers to remove books from their classrooms until they read each one or could cite two academic sources to verify the title was age-appropriate for students. Boismier voluntarily resigned from Norman a few days after a student complained of the display. She said HB 1775 created an impossible working environment for teachers and a devastating learning environment for students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She spoke to numerous media outlets about the controversy and wrote an opinion column in The Oklahoman, actions that Jones said contribute to her status as a public figure on the issue of HB 1775s impact on education. Some media outlets initially reported incorrectly that Boismier had been fired. Walters at the time was running as a Republican candidate for state superintendent. He posted a statement on his social media accounts calling for Boismiers teaching certification to be revoked and repeated the incorrect claim that Norman had fired her. He later changed his public statement to say she resigned rather than face removal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Norman district has maintained that Boismier never violated state law and wasnt disciplined. Perhaps a more responsible or reasonable public official would have and as a matter of public trust, should have done more to verify his claim before taking to Twitter, Jones wrote in his decision. But that failure, standing alone, does not warrant a jury trial. Walters contended the online library collection included books, like the graphic novel Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe, that contained sexual content. Boismier said she didnt recommend students read any specific book from the catalogue. Jones described pornographic material as difficult to define but he acknowledged certain imagery found in the graphic novel arguably lends itself to such a characterization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where the line between what is and isnt pornographic is so imprecise, the Court has trouble concluding that Walterss characterization, however controversial, reflects an inference of known falsity or a reckless disregard for the truth, the judge wrote. Since the incident, Boismier moved to New York City to accept a position at the Brooklyn Public Library. Walters and the Oklahoma State Board of Education formally revoked Boismiers teaching certification in August, despite a separate judge finding the state agency failed to prove she deserved such a penalty. Boismier sued the state board in Oklahoma County District Court to challenge the revocation. That case is still pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It should be an easy call for the courts to overturn it, since Walters chose to throw out the actual facts and law in the case to get the results he wanted and campaigned on, Her attorney, Brady Henderson, said at the time. The states treatment of Boismier means Oklahoma teachers now apparently have to fear getting their licenses revoked for criticizing the wrong politician or showing students how to get a library card, Henderson said after the revocation. Jones rejected the notion that Boismier or anyone else should be dissuaded from speaking loudly and passionately about causes in which they believe. She, like all others, is free to publicly disagree with this states politicians, subject to the protections and limits of the First Amendment, Jones wrote. But when one voluntarily steps out from the shadows of private life to speak on a matter of public controversy, the Supreme Court has made clear that the burden to prevail in a defamation action is a formidable one. And here, the Court concludes that Boismier has not met it. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A janitor was accused Friday in a felony charge of hiding video cameras in air vents in restrooms at an Oklahoma City television station and a school. Miguel Angel Sierra-Meza was charged in Oklahoma County District Court with 28 Peeping Tom counts. He can be seen in videos from the cameras placing the devices in the vents at KOCO-TV and Guidepost Montessori at Brasswood, an Oklahoma City police detective reported in an court affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police reported 26 victims were identified from the videos. Two were children. The first recording device was discovered when a television station employee on March 31 noticed dust falling onto her lap from the ceiling, according to the affidavit. The employee was in the stall of the women's restroom at the time. The victim looked up, noticed the device in the vent and notified her bosses, the detective reported. The second device was found in the staff restroom at the school after police began checking other businesses. Sierra-Meza, 38, of Oklahoma City, was arrested April 1 when a cleaning crew returned April 1 to the television station. He remains in the Oklahoma County jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has no attorney listed yet in court records to contact for comment. Guidepost Montessori at Brasswood is in north Oklahoma City. It is one of more than 150 campuses in cities across the world providing education to children, according to the company's website. In an April 2 email, a Guidepost Montessori senior regional manager told parents and staff that the contract with the janitorial services vendor had been terminated. Police confirmed that adults, and not children, were the likely targets and "that this was very likely a solo operation," the senior regional manager wrote. One of the victims at Guidepost Montessori already has hired Oklahoma City attorney Cameron Spradling. He is planning to sue City Wide Facility Solutions, a national company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorney alleges Sierra-Meza was in the country illegally and was hired as a janitor because of negligent vetting practices. "No organization can be allowed to endanger the public by placing convenience and cost savings over human safety," the attorney said. Steve Carroll, owner of City Wide's Oklahoma City operation, said the individual was an employee of a subcontractor. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the folks that were affected by this," Carroll said. "It's very unfortunate but the gentleman who is charged is not an employee of City Wide Facility Solutions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crime of Peeping Tom becomes a felony rather than a misdemeanor in Oklahoma when recording equipment is used for "prurient, lewd or lascivious purpose." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Janitor accused of hiding cameras in restrooms at OKC TV station, school After more than an hour of discussion, the Oklahoma Senate voted mostly along party lines Thursday to approve a bill that would trigger an income tax cut if the state met certain revenue collection thresholds in the future. House Bill 1539, authored by Rep. Mark Lepak, R-Claremore, and sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Micheal Bergstrom, R-Adair, passed by a 36-9 vote and will move back to the House for final consideration. Should the House approve the Senates version of the bill without changes, it would go to Gov. Kevin Stitts desk. All seven Democrats in attendance in the Senate chamber opposed the bill, along with two Republicans, Sen. Brent Howard, of Altus, and Sen. Darcy Jech, of Kingfisher. Howard said during debate he didnt think the bill went through the process it should have and said the Senate committee that considered the bill noted the legislation has problems. Howard did not say what those problems were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate President Pro Tempore Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, supported the bill. He said theres always discussion about when is a good time to cut income taxes. When it comes to cutting taxes, Ive found that we always find reasons not to do that, Paxton said. Its a worthy discussion. The caucus decided that we were ready to move forward with this. A bill sponsored by state Sen. Micheal Bergstrom that would institute a financial trigger for an income-tax cut has passed the Senate. Gov. Stitt has pushed for income tax cut for years For years, Stitt has pushed for an income tax cut without success. Last year, the Senate, under then-President Pro Tem Greg Treat stopped any such cut in its tracks. This year, Stitt has requested what he calls a half and a path plan a 0.5% cut from the states current 4.75% income tax and a path toward having no income tax. "I couldn't be more excited that a path to zero income tax is becoming a reality for our state," Stitt said. "We are headed in the right direction. Now, let's deliver an immediate income tax cut for the people of Oklahoma." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paxton said Thursday a potential income tax bill this year is not off the table despite the Legislature having slightly less funds to appropriate this year, compared to last year. Behind the scenes, though, legislative leaders have said such a cut is unlikely, given the revenue situation. If it becomes law, the bill by Lepak and Bergstrom wouldnt result in an immediate income tax cut. But a tax cut would occur if state revenues as estimated by the state Board of Equalization each December rise by $300 million or more when compared against revenues collected during the just-completed fiscal year. The bill said any cut would be twenty-five hundredths of one percent (0.0025). More: Stitt renews call for tax cut, wants investigation of wildfire response Multiple Republican senators used negative language when referring to the income tax. Bergstrom said Oklahoma should join nine other states with no state penalty on work. Sen. Dusty Deevers, R-Elgin, called income tax legal plunder by the government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During debate, the Senates two top Republicans, Paxton and Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville, both expressed strong support for the bill. Daniels called it a fiscally conservative sound measure and a sound way to slowly reduce the income tax. Democrats disagreed, with four of the seven present on Thursday arguing against it. Senate Minority Leader Julia Kirt, of Oklahoma City, said the Senate should be prioritizing tax cuts targeted toward lower-income Oklahomans, noting the percentage cut included in the bill would, per capita, provide greater financial benefit to wealthier taxpayers. Kirt also said any such cut would put at risk critical state services in a time of financial uncertainty for states, particularly when it comes to federal revenues, given the cost-cutting by President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Mary Boren, D-Norman, said cutting taxes would mean not having enough money to provide core services, such as law enforcement and education, should the states population grow. She called the bill a four-day school week waiting to happen. Four-day school weeks are a measure used in recent years by some Oklahoma school districts to try and stretch financial resources. It was presented as if it was a conservative plan, but it actually did not have any measures or ways to determine whats going to happen with revenue in the future, Kirt said. Its a trigger, which weve had problems with before. Other states have had problems with triggers. She said it was concerning that any such trigger would occur in December, well ahead of the legislative session that starts in February. That wouldnt provide the Legislature with an opportunity to course correct in real time if necessary, she said. According to an Oklahoma Tax Commission document attached to the bills summary page, the agency noted it annually publishes income tax withholding tables in early December to ensure employers can withhold the appropriate amount of Oklahoma income tax for the upcoming tax year. The agency noted the two most recent December Board of Equalization meetings occurred on Dec. 22, 2023, and Dec. 20, 2024. That might cause logistical issues should the bill pass, the agency noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a short time frame for employers to update income tax withholding for the potential new rate structure, according to the document. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma Senate approves bill with trigger for income tax cut CONTENT WARNING: The allegations detailed in this article involve child sexual abuse. This content is disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma City Police arrested a substitute elementary school teacher this week, accusing him of molesting a young girl and showing her a video of a naked child, while also inappropriately touching several other children inside their Western Heights Public Schools classroom. Investigators say the teacher had also previously been seen questionably handling a student, but was allowed to return to the school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Oklahoma teacher arrested on rape charges The arrest affidavit for substitute teacher Randy McAroy says an 8-year-old Greenvale Elementary School student told her mother McAroy touched her chest, smacked her butt, and grabbed her inner thigh and placed her on his lap several times throughout the day at his desk while substituting for her teacher on Feb. 27. Greenvale Elementary is in Oklahoma City, but part of Western Heights Public Schools. Many of the details in the affidavit are too graphic to share, but it goes on to say the girl told police McAroy inappropriately rubbed parts of his body against hers through their clothes and pulled her hand to force her to inappropriately touch part of his body through his pants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also told police McAroy showed her a video of a naked, different 8-year-old girl on his phone. The student told police she believed McAroy filmed the video because he wore a pink string bracelet with his name on it and she could see it in the video. She also reported seeing McAroy touch at least four other girls in the classroom, as well as her brother when McAroy substituted in his classroom at a different time. Police say McAroy did not work directly for Western Heights Public Schools. Instead, he worked for a staffing agency the district contracts with to provide substitute teachers. The affidavit says Greenvale Elementary administrators removed McAroy from the building the same day and told the staffing agency not to assign him to the school again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OKCPS special education teacher arrested in prostitution sting Investigators say the agency fired McAroy after the February incident at Greenvale. According to the affidavit, the staffing agency told police McAroy had worked as a substitute at five different schools 93 different times since August. When police asked Greenvale administrators if they had any previous issues with McAroy, the affidavit says administrators told officers they did have a previous incident with McAroy when he substituted for a Kindergarten teacher at Greenvale back in November. In that incident, investigators say a teacher noticed the lights were off in McAroys classroom. When the teacher walked in to investigate, they saw a student getting off McAroys lap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit says a complaint was made afterward, and McAroy was advised not to have children on his lap and not have the classroom lights off. Its not right at all: Perkins-Tryon third-grade teacher arrested for intoxication at school It remains unclear who made that complaint, who received the complaint, whether the complaint was investigated, why the school allowed McAroy to return as a substitute after the November incident or why the staffing agency continued assigning him to teach at the school. It is also unclear which other four schools he substituted at. Mr. McAroy served as a substitute teacher in our district through a contracted service with ESS, the agency responsible for providing our substitute staffing. As part of our agreement, all substitute teachers must pass a criminal background check prior to working in our schools. Mr. McAroys background check returned with no charges reported. Mr. McAroy is no longer permitted to work in our district or be present on any of our campuses. We have reported the matter to the appropriate authorities and have fully cooperated with law enforcement throughout the investigation. The safety and well-being of our students is always our highest priority. All employees as well as contracted individuals who work directly with our students are required to undergo and pass criminal background checks in accordance with state law and district policy. Western Heights Public School District OSDE has opened an investigation and is actively investigating the arrest of substitute teacher Randy McAroy and take these allegations with the utmost seriousness. said the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Our top priority remains the safety and well-being of our students, and we are fully cooperating with law enforcement authorities throughout this process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McAroy remains in jail and faces six charges of lewd acts with a child under 14. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Jim Cramer weighed in Wednesday on Walmarts stock rally, calling it a major signal for the markets amid rising U.S.China trade tensions. Walmart is up. This is incredibly bullish as they are a HUGE importer from China, Cramer wrote on X. (Although they are continuing to broaden from China). Walmart shares, which had been down nearly 9% since President Trumps tariff announcement on April 2, bounced back in a big way this week closing up 9.6% on Wednesday after recouping most of the recent losses. A roughly 4% bump came immediately after Trump announced a 90-day tariff pause for U.S. allies, though China is still subject to elevated tariffs of up to 125%. Cramer, whos followed Walmart for decades, sees the rally as a vote of confidence from investors and a reflection of how Walmarts pricing strategy continues to resonate. In comments to investors at Walmarts two-day meeting in Dallas, CEO Doug McMillon struck a similarly confident tone. Weve learned how to manage through turbulent periods, McMillon was quoted as saying by Reuters. And while we don't know everything that is going to happen ... We do know what our priorities are, and we know what our purpose is, and we'll be focused on keeping prices as low as we can. McMillon added that the retailer hadnt canceled any orders from overseas and remained committed to inventory planning, with over two-thirds of sales sourced domestically. There will be a Christmas, and people will celebrate Christmas, he said. The company reaffirmed its first-quarter sales outlook but acknowledged greater uncertainty around operating income. CFO John David Rainey added, Operating income has become harder to predict. Walmarts rebound also comes against the backdrop of heightened consumer anxiety and volatile shopping behavior, which began in February and carried into March and April, per executives. While Cramer has recently been less vocal about crypto, hes previously called Bitcoin nothing and a false god, only to revise his stance during bull cycles. But for now, its Walmart not BTC getting his bullish call. At the time of writing, Walmart is up Thursday, rebounding 9.6% in a strong move. OLNEY, Ill. (WTWO/WAWV)The Olney Elks Lodge #926 is hosting its Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Olney City Park, but this time they are adding something special for children with special needs. For decades, members of the Olney community have welcomed families across Richland County to celebrate with this Spring tradition. Each year, Elks members and other volunteers fill over 10,000 eggs with candy, coins, and prize coupons. The event normally brings in hundreds of families and includes free hotdogs, chips, and drinks. Over 400 meals were served at the 2024 hunt. Some of the prizes up for grabs include bicycles and gift cards for each age group. The Easter Bunny will also be on hand for photos. This year, however, there will be not just one egg hunt but two. The second hunt is reserved for the communitys egg-septional friends, those with special needs and Special Olympics athletes. The first hunt will begin at 11 a.m., and the second special hunt will begin at 2 p.m. on April 12. This event is the only of its kind in the area and was created after members of the Lodges Easter Egg Hunt Committee discussed how to create an inclusive experience for all. The lodge was able to accomplish this with support from the Special Olympics and the CTF Illinois Community Day Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To support both of these events, lodge members and volunteers filled 13,000 eggs for this years event. The lodge has raised $6,000 to cover expenses for the celebration. We are truly blessed to be part of such a generous and caring community, said Co-Chair of the Easter Egg Hunt Committee Sissy Colwell. These events would not be possible without the continued support of our sponsors, volunteers, and partners. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyWabashValley.com. ELKHART One person was killed Thursday morning in a two-vehicle crash on Mishawaka Road, near the Concord Goodwill store. Elkhart police reported that at about 4:44 a.m. officers were dispatched to a crash at Mishawaka Road (C.R. 20) and Center Drive. An initial investigation indicated that a Cadillac passenger car traveling west on East Mishawaka Road struck an eastbound Toyota Yaris. The male driver of the Yaris was pronounced deceased at the scene. His name is being withheld pending family notification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elkhart Fire Department personnel assisted with extricating the male driver from the Cadillac. He was transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment of his injuries. He was in stable condition at last information. There were no passengers in either vehicle. Mishawaka Road was closed for the investigation but has now reopened. The crash remains under investigation. LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A man who was going to be evicted from his Lebanon apartment Friday morning killed his neighbor before burning his residence and fatally shooting himself, the Lebanon County District Attorney said. Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Graf said Duane Ulmer, 62, shot and killed his neighbor through a window, set his own apartment on fire, then took his own life at 4 a.m. in the 500 block of South 9th Street in Lebanon City. Ulmer knew he was going to be evicted, but he did not pack any of his belongings, and there was no sign he planned to leave voluntarily, Hess Graf said. The landlord wanted to evict him due to threats, nonpayment of rent, and hostile behavior, among other reasons, the DAs office noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hess Graf said police had been called to the apartment multiple times regarding issues that were happening in the months leading up to the murder-suicide. However, police were never called for anything violent or any threats of violence. An eviction hearing was held in March, but Ulmer did not show up, so the court granted his eviction. Hess Graf said Ulmer did not suffer from any known mental health issues and that the people who knew him reported him being angry and hostile. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Nittany Insiders The investigation into the murder-suicide is still ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information regarding the shootings is encouraged to contact Lebanon City Police at 717-272-6611, or submit an anonymous tip online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. IN THE FIRST WEEKS OF PRESIDENT TRUMPS second term, the administration undertook a series of troubling steps to transform the U.S. Department of Justice into an armed political organ. As we have already seen, the politicization of DOJ can protect Trumps allies from accountability for criminal activity. But for the average American, the much more troubling pattern is the dismantling of the DOJs Civil Rights Division, which provides oversight and accountability for state and local law enforcement institutions. While immigration enforcement has garnered a lot of public attentionfor good reasontheres a logistical limit on how many people the federal government can yank off the street. The dangers to most Americans liberties are unlikely to come from federal agencies because the feds lack the requisite personnel to cover the vast area of the United States and hundreds of millions of Americans. As of 2020, the most recent year for which data are available, there were about 137,000 full-time federal law enforcement officers, or about one per every 2,400 Americans. But adding in state and local officers would, in a back-of-the-envelope calculation, bring that ratio as low as perhaps one officer for every 350 people. Those non-federal officers are distributed among about 18,000 agencies across the country, often with overlapping jurisdictions. One benefit of federalism is that it helps ensure that no single department can become too powerful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But American history has taught that even small departments can be plenty abusive. Congress originally established the Department of Justice as a bulwark of civil rights protection against terrorists, ex-slave owners, and the Southern states looking to re-establish white supremacy after the Civil War. Although the department strayed far from its initial function, Congress eventually created the Civil Rights Division in 1957, as some states still enforced segregation and recognized neither the letter nor the spirit of the Fourteenth, Fifteenth, and Nineteenth Amendments. For the past seven decades, the division has acted as a sort of police of the police. When government officialsespecially those with badges and gunsviolate Americans rights rather than protecting them, it often falls to the division to enforce the law against law enforcement. The Bulwark isnt just the best place for unbeatable coverage of Trump 2.0 and American politics and culture. Its also the best pro-democracy community on the internet. Support our mission and join our community by becoming a Bulwark+ member. OCCASIONALLY, THE DIVISION PARTICIPATES in prosecutions, such as the prosecution of Derek Chauvin, the police officer who murdered George Floyd. In other cases, the division opens pattern and practice investigations that focus on agencies rather than individual officers. Such investigations often result in consent decrees: agreements between the DOJ and the offending police department to implement policy changes to improve their civil rights record. A judge monitors these agreements until the department has demonstrated full compliance. (Some departments, like some criminals, exhibit recidivism.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes called the crown jewel of the department, the Civil Rights Division has, in recent years, been marked by fundamental differences in priorities depending on the party in power: preserving voting rights and reining in police violence versus combating reverse racism. But even in the context of previous controversies, the Trump administration has undertaken a dramatic reimagining of the office. In Trumps first days this term, the administration ordered the civil rights division to halt much of its investigative activity dating from the Biden administration and not pursue new indictments, cases or settlements, according to the Washington Post. Earlier this month, the Senate confirmed Harmeet Dhillon to head the Civil Rights Division. Dhillon, a lawyer who helped Trump spread the Big Lie about voter fraud in the 2020 election, is an ardent culture warrior and will likely be a major figure in the administrations war on DEI. But even more pernicious would be a policylikely unofficialof looking the other way on police abuse, leading to federal tolerance of over-policing policies like stop and frisk and racially biased pretextual stops of drivers, not to mention another indefinite pause on federal pattern and practice investigations of police departments suspected of widespread civil rights violations. Share THE APPARENT EXCEPTIONS to the investigatory pause are telling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Civil Rights Division would likely be involved in negotiating and enforcing a consent decree with Columbia University over allegations of antisemitic policies, which the Wall Street Journal reported the administration was seeking Thursday. By itself, that wouldnt be out of the ordinarythe Journal notes that the DOJ entered consent decrees with Brown and Rutgers over antisemitism issues. But in this case, the administration is blackmailing Columbia with $400 million of federal funding, possibly illegally, which in effect would make the division a party to an official shakedown operation. Separately, Attorney General Pam Bondi has made Second Amendment protections a priority for Trumps second term. Late last month, the division announced a pattern-and-practice investigation into the Los Angeles Police Department for imposing unnecessary delays in granting concealed carry permits for lawful gun owners. Certainly, local governments ought to follow federal law regarding gun rights without undue obstruction, so some federal attention may be prudent. But when compared with other police behavioreven just within Los Angeles Countythe commitment of significant federal investigative resources and energy to what is primarily a bureaucratic headache seems misplaced. In 2021, California Attorney General Xavier Beccera opened a civil rights investigation into the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department. The LASD has faced numerous allegations of jail abuse, questionable uses of lethal force, and even multiple criminal gangs operating within the department. A policy expressly prohibiting gang membership went into effect in 2024, following the states investigation and an extensive civilian oversight report. In separate incidents in just the last few months, LASD deputies have pleaded guilty to violating the civil rights of a trans man during a traffic stop and have been found guilty of deprivation of rights under color of lawi.e., excessive forcefor throwing a woman to the ground because she tried to record an arrest with her phone. Notably, Bondis Justice Department removed the press release about the trans man case from its website, raising serious questions about whether transgender Americans fall outside of this DOJs understanding of universal civil rights protections from police violence. Share ANNOUNCING OPEN SEASON ON POLICING would be bad enough in any administration, but its particularly alarming given some of Trumps other actions, including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, Republican governors and other officials have already expressed their enthusiasm to help enforce immigration law despite having no obligation to do so, violating the principles of federalism and sometimes state laws. In fact, Republican legislators at the state level have been itching to use state governments to enforceor over-enforcefederal immigration policy for years. And, as Jessica Pishko has documented, sheriffs around the country have pledged fealty to the president, even against state limits on their authority. More than most politicians, Trumps rhetoric and actions blur the lines between politics, law, and policy. He governs with the same bombast as a Fox News infotainment show, ignoring pesky problems such as facts, policy analysis, or legal authority. Trump may have best encapsulated the difference between his first and second terms when he said: The second term, I think, is more powerful. When I say, Do it, they do it. Theres no reason to suspect that Dhillon and others at DOJ wont take Trumps invitations to police violence and general impunity for perceived allies as official policy. Its not unrealistic to worry that Trump will attempt to use federal power directly against citizens. He has already floated the idea, in the White Houses phrase, of deporting American citizens to El Salvador. American history offers numerous chilling examples for him to emulate, including Japanese-American internment during World War II (which during Trumps first term Chief Justice John Roberts lamely declared had been overruled by history), the Red Scare during the Cold War, Operation Wetback, and the myriad domestic operations against the Civil Rights Movement by the FBI, just to name a few. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jim Crow segregation wasnt just about where to sit on the bus or which water fountain to drink from. It was a mix of state laws and social customs maintained by public (police) and private (mob) violence; it was local tyranny. For generations after the federal government effectively surrendered to the Southern Redeemer insurrection, it segregated federal buildings in Southern states and maintained racially distinct military units. But much of the racial subjugation and oppression was tolerated bynot directed fromWashington. Although it may seem counterintuitive, Trumps dismantling of the federal government is entirely consistent with an expansion of state oppression. And redirecting the Civil Rights Divisions attention away from violent policing is a major enabler of that overreach. Trump has influence even where he lacks formal power. He makes the identities of his enemies clear even if his policies are not. And he wields violent mobs. While a return to a rigid hierarchical system like Jim Crow is unlikely, the petty tyranny of local law enforcement could, particularly in places with Republican-dominated state and local governments, reverse more than six decades of gradual progress under the civil rights regime. Share CEDAR GROVE, WV (WVNS) One person died after being hit by a train in Kanawha County. According to a press release from the West Virginia State Police, 18-year-old Tony Burdette, of Cedar Grove, died after being hit by a train in the Cedar Grove area of Kanawha County on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Two people dead after structure fire in Raleigh County The press release stated that Burdette was reportedly walking on the railroad tracks near Williams Street in Cedar Grove at around 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Burdette was hit by a north bound train from Norfolk and Southern after reportedly not moving off of the train tracks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burdette was treated by KCEAA before being taken to CAMC General Hospital, where he died from his injuries at around 5:00 a.m. on Friday, April 11, 2025. According to the press release, the investigation remains ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce has stated that the only issue that can currently be discussed in talks with Russia is a ceasefire. Other topics will not be considered until the fighting stops. Source: Bruce during a press briefing Details: Bruce stated that Washington sees no point in talks until the main goal, ceasefire, is achieved. "It is a meat grinder. Nothing else can be discussed for the outcome until the shooting and the killing stops," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "All of our leadership, but particularly President Trump and Secretary Rubio in public, have made it clear what's at stake when it comes to the nature of this situation ending. It is a dynamic that will not be solved militarily." Details: Bruce also emphasised that the US would be closely monitoring Russia's behaviour. "Secretary Rubio made clear at NATO in his press conference that we would, in fact, know in a matter of weeks if Russia was serious," she reiterated. Background: On 4 April, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, following a meeting with the foreign ministers of NATO countries in Brussels, stated that US President Donald Trump's administration expected Russia to be ready to end the war but would not wait forever. Senior officials in the Trump administration have begun to acknowledge that the United States may not be able to reach a peace agreement on Ukraine in the coming months due to additional conditions set by Moscow during negotiations. Meanwhile, Trump told NBC News that he was furious after Putin questioned Volodymyr Zelenskyys legitimacy and suggested that the US could impose additional tariffs of 25-50% on buyers of Russian oil. On 3 April, Russian Presidential Envoy for International Cooperation Kirill Dmitriev confirmed that he was in Washington to meet with US administration officials to "resume dialogue". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! (Reuters) -The Qatar Investment Authority said on Thursday it had no intention to buy Kering's prestigious building on via Montenapoleone in Milan, after Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera said the investor was eyeing a stake in the property. Kering declined to comment. The luxury goods company has said it is looking for investors to refinance its recent real estate acquisitions. It faces increasing financial pressure amid plummeting sales at its flagship brand Gucci. Kering bought the Milan property from Blackstone less than a year ago for 1.3 billion euros ($1.4 billion). In January, Kering transferred three Paris properties to a new joint venture with French private equity Ardian, while retaining a 40% stake, to raise 837 million euros to help refinance its debt. The group's net debt ballooned to more than 10 billion euros in 2024, largely due to a series of expensive acquisitions. Kering shares were up sharply in early trade on Thursday, following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to delay the bulk of his sweeping import tariffs. ($1 = 0.9114 euros) (Reporting by Tassilo Hummel in Paris, Andrew Mills in Doha and Alessandro Parodi in Gdansk. Editing by Louise Heavens and Mark Potter) South Korean automaker Kia Corporation revealed its updated mid-term business plan at the Kia CEO Investor Day conference in Seoul this week, with the company lowering its 2030 annual sales target to 4.19 million units from 4.3 million citing macroeconomic challenges and growing geopolitical risks. Kias president and CEO, Ho Sung Song, told investors the company is aiming for a 4.5% global market share by 2030, supported by a 17% increase in global production capacity from 3.63 million to 4.25 million units. By the end of the decade, the company is targeting annual revenues of KRW 170trn (US$117bn) and an operating margin of 10%. By region, the company said it is targeting annual sales of 1.11 million vehicles in North America, 774,000 units in Europe, 580,000 units in South Korea and 400,000 units in India. Kia also revealed it is targeting a 4.3% share of the global battery electric vehicle (BEV) market by 2030 with annual sales of 1.26 million units, including new models such as the EV3, EV4, EV5. This target also includes 250,000 PBV sales, supported by the launch of the PV5 in 2025, PV7 in 2027 and PV9 in 2029. The company is also targeting 1.07 million hybrid and plug-in hybrid sales by the end of the decade, with ten xHEV models available. Kia said it is targeting 80,000 annual sales of its new Tasman pickup truck, which will also be available with electrified powertrains, for a 6% share of segment sales. A new electrified pickup is planned for the North American market, targeting 90,000 annual sales in the long term. The company, in collaboration with Hyundai Motor, is also committed to developing next-generation technologies such as software-defined vehicles (SDVs), autonomous driving, robotic integration and multimodal transport networks with advanced air mobility (AAM) solutions. The company plans to launch its SDV Pace Car in 2026, with Level 2+ autonomous driving to feature from 2027. "Kia cuts its 2030 sales target to 4.19 million vehicles" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. That price tag is still rising as Kroger defends itself in a lawsuit brought by Albertsons that aims to collect on the $600 million termination clause in the contract between the two grocery giants. Kroger/Albertsons You can find original article here Supermarketnews. Subscribe to our free daily Supermarketnews newsletter. The dust is still settling on Krogers failed acquisition of Albertsons last year, and the Cincinnati-based grocery chain declared in its most recent annual report that it spent over $1 billion over the last three years. Kroger said in its 2024 annual report that the company spent $684 million in 2024, $316 million in 2023, and $44 million in 2022. Those costs included third-party professional fees and credit facility fees Kroger said. And that price tag is still rising as Kroger defends itself in a lawsuit brought by Albertsons that aims to collect on the $600 million termination clause in the contract between the two grocery giants. Albertsons has said it aims to sue for more than just the $600 million. Kroger also faces a lawsuit from its would-be divestiture partner, C&S Wholesale Grocers, which argues it is owed a $125 million termination fee for the failed deal. Meanwhile, Kroger is fighting back against both companies, arguing that the two colluded to pressure Kroger to increase the number of stores to divest to C&S Wholesale. As detailed in the court filing, while Kroger was working diligently to seek regulatory approval and close the merger, Albertsons was engaging in a secret and misguided campaign, together with C&S Wholesale Grocers, the divestiture buyer, to pursue its own regulatory strategy, which ultimately undermined Kroger's efforts, the grocer said in the press release. The price tag for Albertsons has also been steep. Through June 15, the Boise, Idaho-based grocery retailer had spent $329 million on the merger effort, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. As the companies battle it out in court, Kroger is working to get back on track with opening new locations and renovating existing ones. In early April, the grocery chain, which operates roughly 2,750 locations under a wide range of banners, including King Soopers, Ralphs, Dillons, Fred Meyer, and others, announced it will spend about $130 million in 2025 to renovate 16 existing stores and build three new stores and four fuel centers. The new stores will be located in Edgewood and Newport, Kentucky, and Eaton, Ohio, the company said in a press release. As the hometown grocer to the Cincinnati/Dayton community we take pride in our ability to improve access to fresh affordable food and always improving the customer experience, said Ann Reed, president of the Cincinnati/Dayton division, in the press release. Our investment of $130 million underscores our commitment to our associates, customers and communities while providing a best-in-class shopping experience for everyone. Renovations to the 16 storeslocated across Ohio, Indiana, and Kentuckyare expected to cost about $45 million. British Steel is to be taken into government control as Sir Keir Starmer prepares to pass emergency legislation which paves the way for nationalisation. The Prime Minister has said he will recall Parliament for the first time in four years on Saturday as he warned Britains economic and national security are all on the line, with Donald Trumps trade war meaning we need more steel, not less. Speaking in Downing Street, Sir Keir said: The future of British Steel hangs in the balance. There is no time to waste. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So we are recalling Parliament tomorrow for a Saturday sitting. We will pass emergency legislation in one day to give the Business Secretary the powers to do everything possible to stop the closure of these blast furnaces. And as I have said, we will keep all options on the table. The House of Lords will also sit from noon on Saturday so that the Bill can complete its passage through Parliament in a single day. It comes amid concerns that the Scunthorpe plant could effectively close within 10 days after unions warned that Chinese owner Jingye had cancelled orders for iron ore, coking coal and other raw materials needed to make steel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Steel Industry (Special Measures) Bill is set to provide the Government with the power to direct steel companies in England, which we will use to protect the Scunthorpe site. British Steels Scunthorpe plant is at risk of closure - Darren Staples/AFP via Getty Images The legislation due to be passed on Saturday will stop short of nationalising British Steel, government and trade union sources have insisted. Instead it allows the Government to step in and keep the blast furnaces at Scunthorpe open by using powers outlined in the Civil Contingencies Act. However, Sir Keir signalled on Friday that nationalisation remained an option for the company, which could serve as a precursor to finding a new commercial partner in future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: All options are on the table and remain viable, Sir Keir said. Our future is in our hands, this Government will not sit back and just hope. We will act to secure Britains future, with British Steel made in Britain in the national interest. A Government source indicated that it had become clear that state intervention was needed after Jingye told ministers earlier this week that it was unwilling to fund shipments of coking coal and iron ore. Restructuring experts at EY are understood to have been lined up to oversee any state-backed rescue of the company, which is losing 700,000 a day. A No10 spokesman said: It enables the UK Government to preserve capability and ensure public safety. It also ensures all options remain viable for the future of the plant and the livelihoods it supports. We have been negotiating with British Steels owners in good faith ever since coming to office. We have always been clear there is a bright future for steel in the UK. All options remain on the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A letter from Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Commons Speaker, to MPs stated that the Government has requested a recall of the House to take forward legislative proposals to ensure the continued operation of British Steel blast furnaces is safeguarded. The Speaker said: I am satisfied that the public interest does require such a recall and I have agreed that the House will meet at 11am on Saturday April 12. The importance of the domestic steel industry has been highlighted amid the deepening uncertainty triggered by Donald Trumps global trade war. The Telegraph revealed last month that the Government was exploring the use of terror laws to nationalise Britains last steel blast furnaces by arguing their loss would be a threat to national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unions have warned that a decision to shut down the blast furnaces would be irreversible once taken. It would leave Britain as the only G7 nation without the ability to make new steel and would trigger the loss of up to 2,700 jobs. However, nationalisation of British Steel risks exposing the Government and taxpayers to huge losses and debts. GMB national officer Charlotte Brumpton-Childs said: GMB has long called for nationalisation as the only way to save the UK steel industry. Tomorrow looks like the first step in that process. The Business Secretary must be given huge praise for acting decisively to safeguard this vital industry and the thousands of jobs that rely on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader, said: Richard Tice and I visited Scunthorpe this week and have seen how desperate the situation is. China has no interest in keeping the steelworks open. Reform have been clear from the start that the only option we have to save this vital strategic asset, and thousands of jobs in the process, is to nationalise British Steel. We are calling on the Government to do the right thing tomorrow and bring it back into public ownership. It is the first time Parliament has been recalled since 2021, when MPs debated the chaotic exit of troops from Afghanistan. The Commons has only been recalled 34 times since 1948. It is the first time Parliament has been recalled on a Saturday since 1982, during the Falklands War. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. JOHANNESBURG (AP) A pastor was abducted by armed and masked men as he was preaching a sermon before a congregation in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, police said Friday. Four men broke into the Fellowship Baptist church in Motherwell Township on Thursday evening, stole two cellphones from members of the congregation and took away the pastor in his own truck, said police, who have now initiated an investigation into abduction and armed robbery. Local media named the victim as Josh Sullivan, 45, from the U.S. state of Tennessee, but police would not confirm the identification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Fellowship Baptist church blog, Sullivan, who described himself as a church-planting missionary, his wife Meagan and two children arrived in South Africa in November 2018 to run the Motherwell branch. An image showing Sullivan preaching behind a pulpit was uploaded on X by a user going by the name of Tom Hatley. Sullivan identifies a man with the same name as his childhood and training pastor on his own blog. Hatley claimed that he was posting on Sullivans wifes behalf and prayed for a safe return. A Maryville, Tennessee woman by the name Tonya Rinker, who lists Sullivan as her son in her profile, expressed heartbreak on Facebook and asked for prayers for her son, daughter-in-law and grandkids, adding that the American embassy in South Africa was working on finding him. Police spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge confirmed in a statement that the stolen truck, a silver Toyota Fortuner, was found abandoned in Motherwell a short while after the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, the police Anti-Gang Unit has now taken over the investigation that was opened by the South African Police Service in Motherwell. Beetge would not be drawn to give any particulars about the victim but said protocol dictated that once a ransom was demanded, the case would be handed over to the Hawks a specialized police unit that investigates organized crime, economic crime, corruption, and other serious crimes. As I understand, there has been no ransom raised, said Beetge, urging anyone with information to come forward. As they await Sullivans safe return, supporters flocked to the pastors personal blog site and other social media platforms to offer their well-wishes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are now praying that you delivered from these evil men, a poster named Richard Stockton said on the church website. Praying the Holy Spirit well work on their hearts and be saved. And release you!!! Another supporter called Kody Moore said Josh was a faithful brother doing much to make Christ known in Africa." Please pray for Josh to be brought home safely and especially his family during this absolutely terrible time. May Christ be magnified, he tweeted on X. SOMERSET, Pa. Paul Jawon Kendrick was sentenced to death Thursday for an SCI-Somerset corrections sergeant's 2018 murder. Kendrick, 30, showed no emotion as a Somerset County jury of nine women and three men issued the verdict after more than three hours of deliberation. In court, jurors indicated that the penalty phase of the three-week capital case was somewhat complicated by two opposing circumstances Kendrick's pattern of violent acts and his past as a victim of abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But even though Kendrick's traumatic childhood was a valid "mitigating factor," it didn't outweigh the fact that the state prison inmate assaulted and killed Sgt. Mark Baserman while already serving a life prison sentence for a 2014 murder, their verdict showed. Baserman's widow, Rebecca Lynn Baserman, spent all nine days of the two-phase trial in court and sat less than 15 feet behind Kendrick as jurors stood one at a time and verified their verdict. Her daughter, Jacqueline Holbay, embraced her as she rose to stand in court. 'Voices were heard' The case concluded seven years and two months after Mark Baserman was fatally injured by Kendrick inside SCI-Somerset in an attack over a confiscated towel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video shown in court showed Kendrick sucker-punch the 60-year-old guard on Feb. 15, 2018, and hit him with a flurry of strikes to the head before fighting off another guard's attempt to stop the attack. The 20-second-long assault ended with Kendrick delivering a sprinting kick to Baserman's head. A forensic pathologist told the jury in March that Baserman suffered irreparable brain damage. He died in the hospital 11 days later. Somerset County District Attorney Molly Metzgar said nothing can undo the attack's tragic consequences, but Thursday's unanimous verdict "served a measure of justice for the Baserman family and the law enforcement community." "We wanted to do everything in our power to ensure their voices were heard," she said, crediting the jury for taking its role seriously over a multi-week span. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kendrick 'stunned' Rebecca Baserman declined comment, saying she was not yet ready to address the ruling. Kendrick shrugged his shoulders as he was escorted out of the Somerset County Courthouse and asked by The Tribune-Democrat for his reaction. "Stunned," he said in a muted tone, shaking his head. Defense attorney Edward "E.J." Rymsza said he was "incredibly disappointed" by the decision. Rymsza, who represented Kendrick alongside Cambria County defense attorney Kenneth Sottile for the death penalty phase of the trial, declined to comment further, but said they will appeal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We'll be back for post-conviction," Rymsza said. Closing arguments Standing before jurors four hours earlier, Rymsza said there was no disputing any of the four aggravating factors that legally support a death sentence for Kendrick. Kendrick was already serving a sentence of life in prison without parole for a 2014 Pittsburgh murder when he attacked Baserman at SCISomerset and caused his death. Baserman was on duty that day. But Rymsza implored jurors to look for an explanation behind Kendrick's pattern of violence. He referred to testimony this week that Kendrick was born into a poverty-stricken home with abusive parents who neglected him and his sisters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multi-generation abuse and an absentee father, rather than love and support, defined his family inflicting childhood trauma that often manifests itself as future aggression, depression and drug use, a psychologist said. "As parents ... we protect (our children). We guide them. ... We know they are influenced by their environment," Rymsza said, referencing what he said were signs that Kendrick could have grown to be a far better person if he had been raised under different circumstances. "Each and every one of us is worth more than the worst they've ever done in life," the defense attorney added, requesting mercy for Kendrick. But Somerset County Trial Deputy Christina DeMarco-Breeden told jurors that there was no evidence Kendrick's acts were involuntary. In her closing argument, she referenced a 2019 surveillance video that showed an agitated Kendrick describing feeling like he woke up "wanting to kill." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeMarco-Breeden reminded jurors that death sentences aren't something prosecutors can seek for any reason. They are "reserved for the worst of the worst," she said, calling Baserman's death a senseless and "cold-hearted" killing. "This is a poster case ... for the death penalty," DeMarco-Breeden told jurors. Regardless of the challenges he faced as a youth, DeMarco-Breeden said, Kendrick decided that "a towel worth a few dollars was worth more than Mark Baserman's life." Sentencing on slate Attorneys will have to return for a formal sentencing hearing later this spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because a unanimous jury verdict decides the punishment in a Pennsylvania capital case, a pre-sentence report to determine Kendrick's punishment is a formality. But Rymsza told Kiniry that Kendrick was opting against waiving the report. Among more than 90 death row inmates in Pennsylvania, there are no other living Somerset County convicts on the state's execution list. Just one man, Stephen Edmiston, is serving a death sentence from Cambria County. Kendrick might be the first person in a century to be sentenced to death in Somerset County. Somerset County court officials were certain it hadn't happened for generations. The last people to be sentenced to death in Somerset County might have been James and John Roddy, who were convicted of breaking into a farmhouse in 1896. They tortured a Paint Township farmer, who later died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His daughter tried to escape the robbery scene, but fell while climbing out of an upstairs window and died soon after, records show. The Roddy brothers were convicted in 1898 and hanged together. Former Gov. Tom Wolf imposed a moratorium on all Pennsylvania executions a decade ago, and Gov. Josh Shapiro has continued the practice. Metzgar acknowledged that fact Thursday, but said Thursday's verdict by a jury of local citizens serves as a "loud and clear" message that state officials should review the notion of an all-encompassing moratorium. "If this administration (isn't willing)," she said, "the next one should." Ksenia Karelina, a 33-year-old ballerina from Los Angeles, is expected to land at Joint Base Andrews after spending more than a year in a Russian prison. She was arrested, charged with treason and sentenced to 12 years in a maximum security facility all for donating $51 to a Ukrainian charity. Former Marine Paul Whelan, who himself spent over five years detained in Russia on espionage charges, joins NewsNation to discuss. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ken Paxtons entry into the U.S. Senate race in Texas is becoming a major headache for Republicans. Top GOP senators were maneuvering to undercut the Texas attorney general even before he announced his primary campaign this week against four-term Sen. John Cornyn. Others urged President Donald Trump after Paxton got into the race to endorse the incumbent leadership adviser and former chair of the Senate campaign arm with a deep donor base. The best thing would have been to keep Paxton out of the race, said Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), a close Trump ally. He added that at this point he would tell Trump, if the president asked for his advice, to do whatever is most helpful for John. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notably, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) is staying neutral in the matchup between Cornyn and Paxton so far. And two members of the Texas delegation have already backed the challenger. Paxton is just the start of the partys primary problems. Republicans are on edge that Trump, if he chooses, could elevate more MAGA-aligned challengers to incumbents in several states, forcing a round of bitterly contested primaries. Senate Republican leaders are working to prevent a Trump-backed primary threat to Sen. Thom Tillis in North Carolina, home to one of the most competitive races next November. And Sen. Bill Cassidy in Louisiana, who voted to convict Trump following his impeachment in 2021s riot at the Capitol, is facing a challenge from the right. Republicans are holding out hope that Trump will help them fend off intraparty upsets that would complicate their Senate map next year. But they also know a single utterance from the president would be enough to upend their plans. Sen. Tim Scott, chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, has said that he is working with Trump to ensure they are on the same page when it comes to protecting incumbents. Scott re-emphasized his support for Cornyn after Paxton jumped into what is expected to be the partys most expensive primary fight of the cycle, calling him "a leader who delivers on President Trump's agenda and an essential part of the Republican Senate Majority." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the behind-the-scenes efforts by GOP leaders to persuade Trump to endorse Cornyn is cementing a well-known reality for Republicans: They need Trump but also know they cant control him. The Senate map is heavily tilted toward Republicans in 2026. But they are still eager to avoid whats been a perennial problem for the party: watching untested candidates win primaries only to cost the party in the general election or force them to spend money on what should have been safe seats. In the 2022 midterms, Trump endorsed candidates like Mehmet Oz, Blake Masters and Herschel Walker who went on to lose hotly contested general elections. Sen. Steve Daines, last cycles chair of the NRSC, went to great lengths to forge a different path, working closely with Trump to handpick candidates with better chances in the general election. He succeeded, helping to deliver the Senate majority to Republicans. But the GOP is playing more defense in 2026, including with incumbents facing new challenges from the right. Look, you always have to take primaries seriously, always, Daines said. What we tried to do at the NRSC last time is try to minimize that. But youre always concerned about colleagues in a primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, Daines said, is keeping a close eye on Senate races. Senate Republicans arent alone in trying to work Trump to get involved in primaries on their behalf and in some cases, their efforts are having unintended consequences. Paxton entered the primary sooner than he otherwise would have because he learned Senate Majority Leader John Thune was trying to secure Trumps endorsement for Cornyn, according to a person close to Paxton who was granted anonymity to speak candidly. Paxton also has allies urging the president to endorse him, the person said. Cornyn yoked himself to the president during the first two-and-a-half months of his second term and touted his previous work with Trump during his failed bid for majority leader last year. But Paxton has still made clear he will run a campaign accusing Cornyn of being insufficiently loyal to Trump. Aides to Trump and the Republican National Committee did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In North Carolina, Tillis has already drawn primary challengers and could face another bid from Michele Morrow, an inflammatory candidate who unsuccessfully ran for the states superintendent for public education last fall. Lara Trump, the presidents daughter-in-law, has also been floated as a potential challenger though she recently signed on at Fox News Channel. Tillis, asked if he had spoken with Trump or his team about an endorsement, said its too early for me to get into those sort of discussions. But its Cassidy who Trumps Senate allies are less certain will be able to work himself back into Trumps good favor. Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming has already announced a run against him, and more Republican challengers are expected to jump into the fray. And while Cassidy has sided with Trump on major GOP causes this year, including providing a key vote for Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s nomination to lead Trumps Health and Human Services Department, some Senate Republicans arent sure that is enough to entice the president to his side. Cramer, a close Trump ally, wasn't certain that Trump could find his way to help the Louisiana Republican: I dont know impeachment, thats a tough one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Trump ally, granted anonymity to speak candidly, predicted there was no way the president would remain neutral, much less endorse Cassidy, in the primary. And the normally gregarious Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) declined to comment when asked if he was, or planned to be, in talks with Trump about endorsing or at least staying neutral in Cassidys race. Cassidy was reluctant to discuss the possibility of facing a Trump-backed challenger on Wednesday. Thats kind of a silly question, he said about that prospect. Im not worried about that. Asked if he had spoken with Trump or his team about an endorsement, he asked: Where is this coming from? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A key difference between Cassidy and other potentially endangered incumbents is that his seat in Louisiana is not in play in the general election, so the partys fate isnt tied to Cassidy winning his primary. Cassidy is also facing a new obstacle as he tries to hold onto his seat: Louisiana did away with its unique primary system for congressional races that advances the top two vote-getters to a general election regardless of party (unless one candidate gets over 50 percent of the vote.) That means Cassidy will need to win over a more conservative and Trump-aligned electorate to advance to the general election. If Trump targets Cassidy, it would open up a public split between Trump and Thune and the Senate GOPs campaign arm, which backs incumbent senators. Not to mention that any money siphoned away from Republicans during the primary takes away from funding that could be spent in the general election on competitive races. Asked if he had a similar conversation with Trump and his orbit for Cassidy as Republicans have done for Cornyn, Thune said in a brief interview that Republicans are taking the races one at a time. Obviously were invested in helping our incumbents, Thune said, adding that he is working with the White House and the Senate GOP campaign arm to make sure were in the best possible shape going into the midterm elections with both our candidates incumbents, but also some challengers. State Sen. James Ohrenschall sponsored a similar bill in 2023. It passed both houses on party-line votes and was then vetoed by Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo. (Photo: Jeniffer Solis/Nevada Current) For Eida Fuji, the mother of a transgender child, access to gender-affirming medical care wasnt a matter of policy disagreement but a matter of life and death for her family. I was faced with a choice of burying a son or gaining a daughter, Fuji said in a tearful testimony to state lawmakers last month. My daughter is alive today because she had access to the gender-affirming care she needed. This care did not harm her or confuse her. It saved her life. Without it, I have no doubt I would be mourning my daughter instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite widespread support from medical groups, the nation has seen an increase in legislative, political, and cultural attacks against gender-affirming care, including social transitioning and puberty blockers. Nevada law doesnt restrict medically necessary gender-affirming care. Yet, families of trans children along with pediatricians throughout the state still worry bans in other states could prevent trans youth from seeking care and doctors from providing it. Senate Bill 171, sponsored by Democratic state Sen. James Ohrenschall, seeks to enact a shield law for medical providers who offer gender-affirming care and prevents a medical license board from punishing or disqualifying providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill passed out of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee Thursday in a party-line vote. The legislation also prevents a Nevada governor from surrendering or issuing a warrant for the arrest of an individual who is charged in another state with the crime of providing, assisting or receiving medically necessary, gender-affirming health care services unless those acts are prohibited under Nevada law. He sponsored a similar bill in 2023. It passed both houses in a party-line vote and then was vetoed by Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo. In his veto message, the governor wrote the bill decreases the Executive Branchs authority to ensure the highest public health and child safety standards for Nevadans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohrenschall, along with the numerous medical providers and pediatricians who testified in support of the bill, said the legislation is needed more than ever. Many states have criminalized or otherwise restricted gender-affirming care, even when its medically necessary or provided with the informed consent of the patients and their families, he said. The states that have passed bans not only harm transgender individuals but create a climate of fear and uncertainty for health care providers who offer gender-affirming health care services. Democratic state Sen. Melanie Scheible, a cosponsor of SB 171, said the bill was necessary to address the fact we are currently living in a constitutional crisis and some states are attempting to expand their jurisdiction beyond their legal borders in ways we have not seen in generations before us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If people, who apparently do not understand how states rights work or how the United States Constitution is structured, are going to attempt to come to Nevada, threaten our providers for following our laws and not following their laws, we are saying to our providers we are going to protect you, Scheible said. Though Lombardo vetoed the shield law in 2023, he did sign other legislation expanding protections for the trans community. Leann McAllister, the executive director of the Nevada chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, noted that Lombardo also signed legislation that shielded in-state providers serving out-of-state patients who sought abortion care. In my mind, evidence based care is evidence based care, McAllister said. Why should abortion care be covered and not gender affirming care? The opposition is misinformed The American Academy of Pediatrics policy regarding trans kids encompasses all sorts of gender affirming care, even including the social transition, which helps children and their families access their identity, said Terence McAllister, a Las Vegas based primary care pediatrician. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The more important thing, the thing we really concentrate on, is the social transitioning and the mental health support from the very beginning, he said. We know that children who are trans are at higher risk for depression, anxiety and suicide. Its not because theyre trans, Its because theyre not accepted. Other medical interventions that are considered gender-affirming care include hormone treatment and puberty blockers. The most extreme type of intervention are surgical interventions, which are exceedingly rare in pediatrics, he said. Ive had no patients of mine who have gone to that step. It is just very unusual, very rare in pediatrics. Nevada state law hasnt restricted specific types of gender affirming care, as long as its deemed medically necessary and a parent or guardian has granted consent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the state hasnt actively sought to limit gender-affirming care like other states, Julpohng Vilai, a pediatrician based in Southern Nevada, said offering health care for LGBTQ adolescents has become increasingly challenging over the years. Vilais patients tell him it is already a struggle for those in the LGBTQ community, in particular trans youth, to find adequate health care. Nevada already struggles with a physician shortage, making it all the more challenging for trans youth to find a doctor. As a result, many trans youth dont seek needed care because theyre not sure if they can find it, he said. When they actually do find a provider who is not only willing to provide that care, but has a lot of experience in providing that care and wants to provide, the support and care that people need is really important, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another reason finding care has become difficult is partly due to increased anti-LGBTQ rhetoric around the country and a growing number of bills in state legislatures seeking to restrict trans people from access to health care and public accommodations. President Donald Trumps return to office has intensified the attacks against the trans community. There are already pediatricians who were already on the fence on providing gender-affirming care, who have decided not to take on trans patients at risk of retaliation or legal consequences, Vilai said. Many doctors backing SB 171 worry efforts by other states to restrict medical care for trans youth could exacerbate provider uncertainty and reluctance in Nevada. Thats why they are imploring lawmakers to pass a shield law to protect medical providers, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohrenscall said 26 states have passed bans on gender-affirming health care that have caused significant harm to the community. Last year, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sought to investigate an out-of-state provider offering gender-affirming care to a minor. Paxton accused a Seattle hospital of providing puberty blockers, which are banned in Texas, to youth in the state. His investigation was dropped. However, supporters of Nevadas bill worry there could be future efforts to investigate or even extradite doctors in other states who provide gender affirming care. Scheible used the example of marijuana laws and how various states mandate where consumption is legal and how many ounces a person may possess. Nevadas laws, she said, could be different from Colorados law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added it would be ludicrous for Nevada officials considered arresting or investigating someone in Colorado. Thats exactly what other states are trying to do, she said. They are trying to say in Texas we are going to ban the prescription of puberty blockers. SB 171 is opposed by conservative groups, including the Nevada Republican Party, which argue the bill decreases the governors authority to ensure the highest public health and child safety standards for Nevadans an echo of Lombardos veto message two years ago. Ohrenschall reiterated that the legislation doesnt change what is legal, medical care in Nevada. What it does do, and what it will do if it is passed, is protect health care providers, patients and their families when seeking legal medical care in Nevada, he said. Much of the opposition testimony is misinformed. We did not hear from any health care provider opposed to this bill. MONTAGUE COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) A former Texoma district attorney accused of theft during her time in office will now face a judge and jury outside of the counties she formerly served. READ MORE: Ex-DA Casey Hall seeks venue change for pending theft trial Casey Hall, former 97th Judicial District Attorney, is charged with theft by a public servant and misapplication of fiduciary property stemming from allegations that she deposited Montague County funds into her personal bank account between May and October of 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Feb. 24, 2025, Halls attorney filed a motion to change the venue of her pending trial, alleging that Montague County, one of the three counties in the 97th Judicial District, is a trial environment steeped in bias. On April 8, an order was filed transferring Halls case to the 362nd District Court in Denton County, with Judge Bruce McFarling presiding. As of the publication of this story, the date of Halls jury trial is listed as May 12, 2025. If convicted, the former public servant faces up to 10 years in prison. Timeline of the case against Casey Hall Hall was initially arrested on July 9, 2024, on the state jail felony offense of theft over $2,500 but less than $30,000 and was later indicted on that charge. On Feb. 11, 2025, however, a Montague County grand jury returned an indictment with the two new charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halls third term as the 97th District Attorney was set to expire at the end of 2024 after she was defeated in the March 2024 Primary Election by Katie Boggeman, who now serves as the District Attorney of the 97th Judicial District. READ MORE: Former DA faces new charges related to theft allegations Halls final term ended less than four months before it was set to expire after a hearing for her temporary suspension resulted in the appointment of Boggeman as the interim district attorney before she was set to take office in January 2025. The suspension stemmed from a petition that was filed to remove Hall from office after she was charged with theft. The civil case, which became moot after Boggeman took office, was ultimately dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After she was originally indicted in 2024, Hall stated that the allegations against her were absolutely unfounded and expressed her intent to prove her innocence. 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. L1 Capital, an investment management firm, released its L1 Capital International Fund (unhedged) first quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. The fund returned 0.1% (net of fees) in the March quarter surpassing the benchmark return by 2.6% (all in Australian dollars). The Australian dollar appreciated 1.0% against the U.S. dollar in the quarter and 3.4% against the Euro. During the first quarter of 2025, the market performance by sector was mixed. In addition, the letter discussed on trade deficits, Trump administrations Reciprocal Tariffs, implications of Liberation Day and the shift in Trumps trade policy and how the firm is managing the fund in this volatile environment. Please check the funds top five holdings to know its best picks in 2025. In its first quarter 2025 investor letter, L1 Capital International Fund emphasized stocks such as HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA). HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) owns and operates hospitals and related healthcare entities. The one-month return of HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) was 4.88%, and its shares gained 3.77% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On April 10, 2025, HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) stock closed at $334.99 per share with a market capitalization of $82.476 billion. L1 Capital International Fund stated the following regarding HCA Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE:HCA) in its Q1 2025 investor letter: PAOLI, Pa. (WHTM) A Pennsylvania dentist pleaded guilty Friday to simple assault after being accused of groping a patient. James Godorecci, of Wayne, pleaded guilty to simple assault by physical menace, the Chester County District Attorneys Office said. He was charged in relation to an incident on Jan. 3, 2024, at Main Line Dental Aesthetics in Paoli. A patient was receiving treatment, and Godorecci was accused of groping the woman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim showed great courage coming forward, District Attorney Christopher de Barrena-Sarobe said. No one should go in for medical treatment and get assaulted by the very person who is supposed to help them. The incident was investigated by the Tredyffrin Township Police Department. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices In a plea agreement, he received two years probation with a variety of conditions, including no contact with the victim and a requirement that he participate in sex offender treatment. In addition, he must comply with all Pennsylvania Board of Licensing decisions and rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. (WHTM) The Pennsylvania House approved a bill that would require carbon monoxide detectors in childcare facilities in buildings with carbon monoxide sources. House Bill 156, introduced by State Rep. Jeanne McNeill (D-Lehigh), aims to protect children from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning incidents at childcare facilities in Pennsylvania. Detecting carbon monoxide poisoning is difficult with children. It has no smell, no color and typically gives symptoms of headaches and nausea, which children and educators wouldnt typically associate with carbon monoxide poisoning, said McNeill, D-Lehigh. Carbon monoxide leaks can easily go undetected, leading to tragic outcomes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McNeill said that there are currently no statewide carbon monoxide requirements, and the legislation would ensure that the youngest of Pennsylvanians will be protected from it every day. She cited the October 2022 incident where 28 people at an Allentown daycare center, including children and staff, were transported to the hospital after a dangerous carbon monoxide leak. Many Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning every year, and McNeill believes the legislation is a sensible safety precaution that needs to be implemented. The bill will head to the Senate for consideration. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Pennsylvania man has been charged with making threats online to murder President Donald Trump and immigration agents, the U.S. Justice Department said on Friday. Shawn Monper, 32, was charged on Wednesday with four counts of threatening to murder a U.S. official to impede their official duties, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court in Pittsburgh. "Rest assured that whenever and wherever threats of assassination or mass violence occur, this Department of Justice will find, arrest and prosecute the suspect to the fullest extent of the law and seek the maximum appropriate punishment," Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monper made several comments on YouTube between February and April threatening to murder Trump, top U.S. officials and agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to the complaint. "Nah, we just need to start killing people, Trump, Elon, all the heads of agencies Trump appointed, and anyone who stands in the way," Monper allegedly wrote in one message cited in the complaint. Billionaire Elon Musk has served as an adviser to Trump in the president's campaign to downsize and reshape the federal government. The defendant has not yet entered a plea. He has been held in U.S. custody to await a detention hearing scheduled for Monday. Monper is from Butler, Pennsylvania, where Trump was targeted in an assassination attempt last July as a presidential candidate. (Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Will Dunham) The Pentagon has fired the commander of its base in Pituffik, Greenland, after she refuted remarks that Vice President JD Vance made during his contentious visit to the semi-autonomous Danish territory last month. On March 31, three days after Vances visit, Col. Susannah Meyers wrote an email to the multinational staff at the Pittufik Space Base in which she struck a far more unified tone than the vice president did in his speech. 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 her email, which was first reported by Military.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I commit that for as long as I am lucky enough to lead this base, all of our flags will fly proudly together, she added. (Under a 1951 defense agreement with Denmark, when the installation was known as Thule Air Base, the flags of the United States, Greenland and Denmark are required to be flown on the base.) During his hourslong trip to the Arctic island, Vance accused Denmark of failing the people of Greenland and said they would be safer under U.S. rule. Vance and second lady Usha Vance had a frosty reception from the territorys residents, who have largely made it clear that they do not want to be a part of the United States. On Thursday, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell posted a statement on X announcing that Meyers had been let go for loss of confidence in her ability to lead. His statement suggested that Meyers had behaved in a partisan manner, despite the fact that her email explicitly dismissed politics. Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trumps agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense, Parnell wrote in his post, which linked to the article on Military.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meyers is not the first to be punished for displaying less than total fealty to Team Trump. The White House has also purged the Justice Department of career lawyers and replaced them with loyalists. Just last week, a DOJ prosecutor was suspended from his post two weeks after his promotion for telling a federal judge that the government had deported a Maryland man to El Salvador by mistake. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com 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. 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 firms supply chain said. Pauchard 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 isnt part of the company anymore, he said. Several former employees who spoke to Reuters described a high pressure environment. 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. Errors made during the cutting, preparation and assembly process led to the waste of as many as 40% of the leather hides, said one former employee with detailed knowledge of the factorys performance. Industry-wide, typical waste rates for leather goods are generally 20%, a senior industry source said. The Texas site, situated on a 250-acre ranch, has struggled due to a lack of skilled leather workers able to produce at the brands quality standards, the three former workers told Reuters. 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. The ramp-up was harder than we thought it would be, thats true, Ludovic Pauchard, Louis Vuittons industrial director, said in an interview on Friday in response to detailed questions about Reuters findings. The plants problems which havent previously been reported highlight the challenges for LVMH as it attempts to build its production footprint in the U.S. to avoid Trumps threatened tariffs on European-made goods. But since the high-profile opening, the factory has faced a host of problems limiting production, 11 former Louis Vuitton employees told Reuters. The site has consistently ranked among the worst-performing for Louis Vuitton globally, significantly underperforming other facilities, according to three former Louis Vuitton workers and a senior industry source, who cited internal rankings shared with staff. ALVARADO, Texas / PARIS (Reuters) -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 worlds best-known luxury brands. Story continues Pauchard, Louis Vuitton's industrial director, said the company was being patient with a young factory. 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. MADE IN USA 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. 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 brands 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. Another person who worked at the facility until 2023 said she cut corners, like using a hot pin to melt canvas and leather to conceal imperfections in a particularly difficult piece called the Vendome Opera Bag. Another former leather worker said theyd seen people melt material to hide holes or other imperfections in stitching. Damien Verbrigghe, Louis Vuittons 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 its true that its 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. TAX BREAKS LVMH 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 countys 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. (Reporting by Tassilo Hummel in Paris and Waylon Cunningham in Alvarado, Texas. Editing by Vanessa O'Connell and Michael Learmonth.) WARSAW, Poland (AP) Bickering and chaos overshadowed a presidential debate in Poland on Friday evening as eight candidates met to discuss existential matters for this country on NATO's eastern flank including fears of Russia over its war in Ukraine and concerns about President Donald Trumps commitment to Europes security. Poland is voting on May 18 to elect a new president as the outgoing leader, Andrzej Duda, nears the end of his second and final five-year term. If no candidate wins at least 50% of the vote, a runoff will take place June 1 between the top two. The heated discussions on display Friday underscored the deep division in this nation of 38 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poland's rural heartland The debate was held in Konskie, a provincial town of 32,000 in central Poland seen as the kind of place crucial to winning an election in a country with many rural, conservative voters. It had the appearance of an unscripted, chaotic show. In the end, there were in fact two debates the first one took place outdoors and was broadcast by two right-wing stations with rowdy onlookers whistling and booing candidates they didnt like. A left-wing candidate, Joanna Senyszyn, arrived late, joining the others about 20 minutes after the event began. Then the candidates moved to an indoor studio for the main debate, broadcast by the traditional broadcasters, TVN, TVP and Polsat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some clarity came across. The candidates were asked about whether they want a return to compulsory conscription in the army. The frontrunners said they dont. They were asked what a president should do to ensure energy stability in Poland, which has been trying to free itself from Russian energy. They variously stressed support for renewable sources, nuclear energy or relying more on Poland's own coal. Only one said he supported using Russian energy. Until the last moment it wasn't clear if the debate would happen at all, or in what format, amid arguments over who should be included and who not, and over which of the television broadcasters should be allowed to transmit the debate. The candidates Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Friday's debate was originally meant to include only the two top candidates, liberal Warsaw Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski and conservative historian Karol Nawrocki. But others contenders protested that format, saying it was unfair to exclude them. They ended up traveling to Konskie and demanding they be included as well. At the last moment they were. Nawrocki, 42, also protested the exclusion of the two right-wing stations TV Republika and wPolsce24 from being allowed to broadcast the debate. Many from his political camp consider TVN and TVP to be biased against them. Trzaskowski, a 53-year-old from Prime Minister Donald Tusks pro-European Union party is the frontrunner, with over 30% in recent polls. He is followed in most polls by Nawrocki, the director of a state historical institute backed by Law and Justice, the national conservative party that governed Poland from 2015-23. Nawrocki has been polling at a bit over 20%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Trzaskowski who only attended the second debate Friday cannot rest easy as Nawrocki could expect to pick up in the second round some support now going to a far-right candidate, Sawomir Mentzen. Mentzen has enjoyed a surge in popularity, especially among young men, part of a larger rise of far-right populists across Europe. He seemed to be surging ahead of Nawrocki briefly, but slipped back to third place after calling for an end to free university tuition and saying be believes abortion should be banned even in cases where a pregnancy results from rape. Mentzen did not join either of the debates, saying he didnt want to take part in a circus. Fighting over a rainbow flag Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki clearly seeks to tap into conservative voters. His campaign has been trying to highlight Trzaskowski's support for rights of the LGBTQ+ community to discredit him with conservatives During the debate, Nawrocki carried a little rainbow flag and put it on Trzaskowski's podium, and Trzaskowski removed it, telling him: "You have an obsession with gays." Later, a left-wing lawmaker, Magdalena Biejat, walked across the stage, took the flag and placed it proudly on her podium. Anxiety over war in Ukraine Located on the eastern flank of NATO and the European Union, Poland has been a strong supporter of Kyiv, supplying its ally with weapons and openings its door to Ukrainian refugees. Fears have been high since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Szymon Hoownia, the parliament speaker, openly accused another candidate, Maciej Maciak who earlier in the debate expressed support for cheap Russian energy of working for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Tell me, do you take money from Putin or do you do it as a volunteer?" he told him. Adding to the anxiety are concerns that Trump could withdraw the 10,000 American troops in Poland, or the U.S. support for NATO. Earlier this week, some Poles voiced worries after the United States said it was relocating personnel and military equipment from the Jasionka airport near Rzeszow, the hub for Western weapons headed to Ukraine. U.S. and Polish authorities stressed that the U.S. was simply withdrawing to other locations in Poland, but the surprise announcement nonetheless trigged concerns that it could be a sign of further withdrawals later. ATLANTA (AP) The U.S. Marshals Service said Friday that a convicted killer who was mistakenly released from a Georgia jail has been caught two weeks later in Florida ending days of anxiety for the victim's family outside Orlando who feared he might harm them over their role in the trial. Kathan Guzman, 22, was supposed to spend the rest of his life in prison after admitting he strangled his girlfriend, 19-year-old Delila Grayson, who was found dead in a bathtub in August 2022, Clayton County Sheriff Levon Allen told WSB-TV. However, jail workers in the county south of Atlanta mistakenly released Guzman on March 27 because they didnt read paperwork carefully, failing to see that hed been convicted of murder and assault by strangulation, the sheriff told the broadcaster. In a statement Friday, he said disciplinary actions are pending and firings are on the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guzman told someone after being freed that God is good and he believed his release was the result of a higher power, the sheriff told WSB. The victim's mother, Christina Grayson, wasnt told her daughters murderer was on the loose until Tuesday, after the district attorney learned of it, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. I feel like Im a sitting duck, Grayson told WFTV-TV in Orlando. Her family was sleeping in shifts so that someone was awake at all times, she told the broadcaster, and deputies in Osceola County patrolled her neighborhood as the search continued. Guzman was arrested without incident Friday at a residence in Ocoee, near Orlando, the U.S. Marshals Service said. Booking records showed he was being held in the Orange County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today we tracked him down and got him in custody, said Michael Sonethavilay, deputy commander of the agency's Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The agency's Southeast Regional Task Force, based in Atlanta, did some digging and found some information that he may be in Florida, Sonethavilay said. They got in touch with the Florida task force, which worked with the Orange County Sheriff's Office and picked him up. On Tuesday, the Georgia Office of Victim Services had discovered it couldn't locate Guzman in the corrections system and notified the prosecutor's office, Clayton County District Attorney Tasha Mosley said in a statement. Mosley said her employees then checked the jail's computer system, which appeared to show Guzman had been let go, so they immediately notified the sheriff. All appropriate paperwork was sent to the appropriate people. I have no idea why they released this man, Mosley told the Atlanta newspaper. We are just as disappointed and pissed off as everybody else. Police have issued an appeal to the public to help find a missing 40-year-old man who was last seen in Anoka. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Brandon Stott was last seen on Tuesday, April 8 at his work on the 200 block of Jackson Street in Anoka. He didn't show up for work on April 10, which authorities say is out of the ordinary for him. He doesn't have a vehicle to travel and authorities have expressed concern for his wellbeing and mental health. Brandon Stott.Minnesota BCA Stott is described to be 6'3" and 237 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you have seen or know of Stott's whereabouts, please call the Anoka Police Department at 763-427-1212. Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change. We recently published a list of Long-Term Stock Portfolio: 15 Best Stocks for 15 Years. In this article, we are going to take a look at where Mastercard Incorporated (NYSE:MA) stands against other best stocks for 15 years. Russell Investments believes that 3 features are defining the market outlook for 2025. These include the elevated level of the S&P 500 forward P/E ratio, the potential for further US dollar strength, as well as the direction of the US 10-year Treasury yield. The active equity managers have been challenged by the severe market concentration. The firm opines that a flattening out of such trends which can be seen due to policy shifts or change in sentiments related to earnings growth and valuations for mega caps can support active manager outperformance. Russell Investments remains focused on sectors in which AI adoption has been ramping up, including industrials, healthcare, and consumer goods. As per the firm, companies that leverage AI for productivity improvements remain well-placed to gain a lasting competitive edge and provide healthy returns. Therefore, skilled active managers are required to look for such companies, primarily those that are in less-covered segments of the market. READ ALSO: 7 Best Stocks to Buy For Long-Term and 8 Cheap Jim Cramer Stocks to Invest In. Sectors Providing Investment Opportunities With respect to real assets, Russell Investments sees attractive investment opportunities in real estate and infrastructure, mainly sectors that can benefit from the stabilization of long-term interest rates and favorable relative valuations in comparison to other growth assets. The application of AI in real estate, like data centers and healthcare facilities, continues to emerge as a critical growth area. Furthermore, the infrastructure investments continue to gain momentum from energy utilities and pipeline exposures, given the US administrations emphasis on expanding LNG (liquified natural gas) production. The firm also believes that an early focus on deregulation and tax cuts would likely be well-received by equity investors. Overall, an expected US soft landing, together with anticipated policy moderation on trade and immigration, creates specific opportunities for well-positioned portfolios, says Russell Investments. Our Methodology We sifted through the holdings of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and shortlisted the companies that have 10-year revenue growth of over ~10%. Next, we selected stocks that were the most popular among elite hedge funds. We have ranked the stocks in ascending order of hedge fund sentiment. Apr. 11A Troy man accused of leading law officers from two states and three counties on a wild chase last year has pleaded guilty. Caleb David Covey, 38, entered a plea of guilty, but mentally ill, Monday in Lincoln County District Court. Flathead County Judge Amy Eddy, who is hearing the case, accepted the plea and set sentencing for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 24. Covey pleaded to seven counts of felony criminal mischief and one felony count of criminal endangerment. Other charges were dismissed following the April 3 plea deal between Lincoln County Deputy Attorney Jeff Zwang and Sean Hinchey, Covey's attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of the agreement includes a recommendation of commitment to the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services, meaning Covey would serve any time he receives at the state hospital in Warm Springs. Covey faces the possibility of a maximum term of 80 years if the sentence is to be served consecutively. Covey, who is free on $750,000 bail, is also facing paying restitution and is not allowed to consume or possess alcohol or illegal drugs. He must also continue to take his prescribed medication. Covey's run from law enforcement and civilians who tried to derail his vehicular rampage through Libby, south Lincoln County, Sanders County and eastern Idaho, occurred Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chase began in the late afternoon hours that day after Libby Police Officer Don Luthey was dispatched to a possible hit-and-run collision at a residence on Main Avenue. Luthey received information from Lincoln County Dispatch that a Ford F350 pickup was towing a camouflage colored Toyota pickup. The towed truck had struck a fence on Main Avenue, then a parked vehicle and a power pole on California Avenue. After hitting the pole, the tow line came loose, but an eyewitness said the man driving the Ford reattached the strap to the Toyota and drove away. Libby Police Officer Caleb Thomas spoke to the owner of a truck that Covey allegedly stole and drug around Libby. The man said he didn't know Covey, but a neighbor allegedly told him that Covey's girlfriend used to live in the man's home. Law officers weren't the only ones trying to stop Covey's alleged rampage. A number of citizens also attempted to assist in derailing Covey's pickup. One of the men later went to Cabinet Peaks Medical Center for injuries he sustained during the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chase ended when Covey slowed while driving on the winding road with high cliffs to the right and a cement jersey barrier on the left. Lincoln County Sheriff's Office Capt. John Davis, who has since resigned from the department, drove alongside Covey's vehicle, pushed it sideway where it spun and stopped. He drew his gun and yelled to Covey to get out of the truck. According to a statement by Davis in the probable cause affidavit, Covey said he cut this throat in attempt to avoid going to jail. "How did that not work? This is stupid, how did this not work," Covey allegedly said to Davis during his arrest. "This was my mission and it didn't work, I should have been dead." According to the Montana Department of Corrections, Covey was first held in a confidential location after he was taken to Kootenai Health in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho with several self-inflicted wounds after the chase ended on Highway 200. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Covey pleaded not guilty Feb. 26, 2024, to multiple felony charges. He was released from custody July 2 after $500,000 bail was posted. According to a court document, at an Oct. 21 hearing before Eddy, Hinchey and county Attorney Boris, they had received copies of Covey's evaluation which determined he was fit to proceed. Three days later, authorities received the phone call from Covey's mother that he was acting, "strange." But Covey was returned to the Lincoln County Detention Center Oct. 28 following a report by Probation and Parole Officer Alice Rhodes. According to her report, she received a phone call on Oct. 24 from the defendant's mother that he was not taking his prescribed medications and was exhibiting strange behavior. The report also indicated Covey's mother believed her son may be having a psychotic break. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also said he was driving his truck in the yard outside their home. According to Covey's release conditions, he was not allowed to operate a motor vehicle between the hours of 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. and was required to take all medications prescribed for him. Covey's past includes two run-ins with law officers dating back to 2015. He was arrested on April 23, 2015 following a domestic disturbance at his home. A plea deal saw two counts of assaulting a peace officer dropped in exchange for a guilty plea to two counts of misdemeanor resisting arrest. That resulted in a suspended sentence in 2016. Covey received a 10-year sentence, with five suspended, in 2019 following a drunken police chase in September 2018. At some point, Covey was paroled. After a threatening email was sent to a school in the western German city of Duisburg, police said on Friday that they have identified four potential suspects. A 15-year-old from Berlin is said to be the sender of the threatening email, which led to the cancellation of classes at the Max Planck Grammar School on Thursday. In addition, three other young people aged between 16 and 17 are being investigated, police and the public prosecutor's office ssaid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigators did not initially say how exactly these three were involved in the threatening email. The investigators assume that the youths from Duisburg wanted to prevent an exam from taking place at the school that day, dpa has learned. Whether the four could also have something to do a series of threatening emails attributed to right-wing extremist that already led to the cancellation of classes at 20 Duisburg schools on Monday is the subject of the ongoing investigation. Since the end of last week, four emails containing threats and right-wing extremist content were sent to Duisburg schools. As a result, in person teaching for around 18,000 pupils was cancelled on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday, the Max Planck Grammar School remained closed. Dpa has learned that investigators were able to track down the 15-year-old in Berlin using data from an email provider. On Thursday evening, the Berlin State Office of Criminal Investigation searched his apartment and questioned the teenager. This provided the lead to the other teenagers in Duisburg. Their apartments were also searched and their mobile phones were confiscated. Regional Interior Minister Herbert Reul (CDU), praised the rapid progress made in the investigation. "Digital troublemakers leave traces that the police are sure to pick up," explained Reul, who is interior minister in North Rhine Westphalia state, where Duisburg is located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The police have pulled out all the stops in no time at all and used all the technical means at their disposal to determine the backgrounds of the suspects of the Duisburg threatening e-mails," he said. "Such threatening emails are not a trivial matter," Reul added. NORTH SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WPRI) Police are asking for the publics help identifying the man who vandalized a North Smithfield vape shop late Tuesday night. The North Smithfield Police Department shared surveillance footage of the suspect on social Wednesday morning. Police said the man walked up to the Vape Shop Glass Gallery off of Victory Highway and smashed the glass front door in with a hammer. He also shattered a glass window. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect was wearing a neon green ski mask and a jacket with the word Winchester printed on the front. He was last seen walking toward the nearby Walgreens. Anyone who can identify the suspect is asked to contact the North Smithfield Police Department by calling (401) 762-1212. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. UPDATE 04/11/2025 According to the Oklahoma City Police Department, this person has been identified. ORIGINAL STORY OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma City Police are still on the hunt for a man who shot into a Northwest Oklahoma City home. The department released a new video of the suspect on Thursday. Obviously, a very frightening situation, said Msgt. Gary Knight with OKCPD. Its one of those things that could have turned out much worse than it did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to OKCPD, on March 30, a group of people walked up to a home near Northwest 63rd and Meridian. You hear them yelling back and forth at the person on the other side of the door inside the home, said Knight. It was a home where several people were, including a child. LOCAL NEWS: VIDEO: Oklahoma City Police investigating after shots fired into home The video shows the group of people asking to be let in. But the homeowner refused, which set off the man in the green hoodie. He fired a gunshot into the home. NW OKC shooting. Image courtesy OKCPD. NW OKC shooting. Image courtesy OKCPD. Fires a round through a window, goes right through the house, could have hit and killed anybody, said Knight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thankfully no one was hit by the bullet, but police still havent found the man behind the trigger and say they need the publics help. If you have information on this case, we want to hear from you through Crime Stoppers, said Knight. The suspect will face an assault with a deadly weapon 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Reports said Youngstown Police found five guns including three semiautomatic rifles while serving a search warrant Thursday at a south side home. Police serving a search warrant at about 4:05 p.m. at a 130 E. Warren Ave. home found a .22-caliber rifle, a .45-caliber handgun, two AR-15 semiautomatic rifles and an AK-47 semiautomatic rifle. Police say they also found a digital scale and several rounds of assorted ammunition, including a 45-round magazine for one of the AR-15s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A man who lives in the home was issued a citation for possession of drug paraphernalia, a fourth-degree misdemeanor. Police took the guns for evidence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ousted and imprisoned Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu faces two court hearings on Friday that could lead to prison time and a political ban. One of Friday's court cases accuses Imamoglu of fraud during his term as mayor of Istanbul's Beylikduzu district. The other involves allegations that he threatened a prosecutor. Both carry the risk of imprisonment and a ban from political activity, Imamoglu's lawyer Kemal Polat told dpa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement None of Friday's proceedings are connected to Imamoglu's March 19 detention, after which he was placed in pre-trial remand at a high-security Istanbul prison. In total, the 53-year-old opposition politician faces five separate court cases four of which could result in a political ban and is the subject of three ongoing investigations. Imamoglu is separately scheduled to testify Friday as a witness in a separate case targeting his Republican Peoples Party (CHP). Hearings are set for 10 am and 3 pm (0700 and 1200 GMT), though it remains unclear whether Imamoglu will be able to appear in person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, Imamoglu received a political ban for insulting public officials, but the verdict is under appeal. Imamoglu is widely seen as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's strongest political rival. The CHP blames Erdogan for masterminding the arrest to eliminate their presidential candidate. Turkey's next presidential polls are scheduled for 2028. At first glance, the main character of The Teacher, the debut feature film by the Palestinian British writer-director Farah Nabulsi, seems drawn from a familiar inspirational-movie archetype. Basem El-Saleh (played by Saleh Bakri) is an English instructor at an all-boys high school, where a substantial portion of his work involves trying to motivate disaffected students. But The Teacher isnt just another paean to the democratizing power of education, or the role that a single mentor can play in guiding listless teenagers toward conventional success. On top of all this, Nabulsis film spends considerable time fleshing out why school feels like an afterthought for some of Basems students: The movie is set in the West Bank, where Israels military occupation constrains the most mundane elements of Palestinian lifeincluding what kind of future young people can imagine for themselves and their loved ones. When The Teacher begins, the soft-spoken teacher, who lives alone, is wrestling with grief on multiple fronts. Slowly, the film reveals that Basems teenage son died after suffering an untreated asthma attack in a military prison, where he was serving an eight-year sentence for participating in a protestone that hed attended with his father. The agony of his childs death, and the ensuing rift in Basems marriage, still haunts the educator, and as Basem drives along the winding roads of the West Bank, his loneliness seems to fill the screen. So when one of his students, a bright young boy named Adam (Muhammad Abed Elrahman) loses his older brother after a confrontation with settlers, Basem finds himself naturally shifting into a paternal role. Nabulsis film repurposes the educator-turned-father-figure trope, using Basems proximity to his student to highlight the senselessness of both characters losses. The Teacher, which premiered in September 2023 at the Toronto International Film Festival and is now playing in select U.S. theaters, was inspired in part by the filmmakers travels to Palestine, where her parents were born, and where, as she described in an interview, she encountered people with firsthand experience of cruel and absurd things such as home demolitions, child prisoners in military detention, settler violence and vandalism. Though the film was shot well before the October 7 attack by Hamas and Israels ensuing bombardments of Gaza, its themes may nonetheless feel timely to viewers. At a moment when settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank is rising, The Teacher, in its best stretches, captures the intimate horrors of life under harrowing circumstancesand the lifesaving power of the relationships that people still manage to forge and nurture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Read: The cost of lawlessness on the West Bank] Much of the film traces Basems attempts to stop Adam from trying to avenge his brothers deathwhich, as Basem sees it, is a futile mission that would likely end with Adam dying. After everything youve been through, you still believe therell be justice? Adam asks him in an early scene. His tone is incredulous, but the question becomes a sort of guiding principle: Some characters do, in fact, believe that things can be better, despite all evidence otherwise. When the two inadvertently become involved in a plot to secure the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for one Israeli American soldier, a plotline loosely based on the Gilad Shalit story, Basems concern for Adam keeps the teenager from surrendering to the allure of violent resistance. Nothing will bring back their family members, and justice may never come through the courts, but The Teacher shows how Basem and Adam help each other work through pain that once seemed insurmountable. At moments, The Teacher takes on more than it can handle, such as a romantic subplot between Basem and a British volunteer worker at his school. Early on, Lisa (Imogen Poots) seems intended to serve as a proxy for American and European audiences; she expresses a simple surprise at the conditions of Basems teaching environment. As the film progresses, this wide-eyed curiosity shifts to righteous indignation, but these reactions are muddled by her feelings for Basem. In one instance, Lisa is aghast to find a gun in his house, but her anxiety about his involvement with a local resistance group feels no more dramatic than her frustration with Basems reticence about the dissolution of his family. Her attempts to connect with Adam also feel forced in comparison to his quietly moving rapport with Basem. Aside from Basem and Adams budding kinship, the most significant relationship in the film is the bond between its Palestinian characters and the land their families have inhabited for generations. Nabulsi depicts the West Bank with romantic vision, lingering on sweeping hillside vistas and peppering vivid memories of the natural world into dialogue. After settlers raze Adams family property, the teen is no longer able to see a future for himself in their village, especially without his brother. But growing closer to Basem gives him a window into what the West Bank was like long before he was born. Through Basems accounts of his own family history, Adam deepens his connection to the land his brother died trying to defendand his resolve to avoid meeting a similar fate. Article originally published at The Atlantic UPDATE: The Polk County Sheriffs Office said that Asher Mastalez was located on Friday. POLK COUNTY, Texas (KETK)- Polk County Sheriffs Office is seeking the publics help in finding a missing a 12-year-old boy who authorities believe to have ran away from home. Courtesy of Polk County Sheriffs Office Asher Mastalez was last seen at around 8:30 a.m. this morning in the Goodrich area. He was wearing a teal hoodie, long sleeve shirt black windbreaker pants and camo Crocs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If anyone has any information about Mastalezs whereabouts they are encouraged to contact the sheriffs office at 936-327-6810. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Earlier this year, a condo developer in Dubai set a Guinness World Record with their skydiving fireworks display. Two fliers in what looked like space helmets, set off a shower of sparks from more than three miles high. On Monday pop star Katy Perry, whose number one hit Firework spent four weeks at the top of the charts, will fly more than 20 times that high above Earth as she is launched into space aboard a star-studded Blue Origin rocket. The all-female crew of six astronauts includes Oprahs best friend and CBS reporter Gayle King, film producer Kerianne Flynn, activist Amanda Nguyen, and former TV news reporter Lauren Sanchez. Blue Origin said this is the first all-women space flight to take place since Valentina Tereshkova 1963 solo mission for the Soviet Union. Sanchez is engaged to the second richest man in the world, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who also happens to own the spaceship the ladies will fly in. The Sun newspaper called the 11-minute sub-orbital flight a pre-wedding gift for Sanchez. The BBC reports that Blue Origin laid off 1,400 employees, about 10% of its workforce, just before Valentines Day. The New Shepard space vehiclePhoto courtesy Blue Origin Bezos has named his spacecraft New Shepard and New Glenn after the pioneering rocket men of the 1960s portrayed in The Right Stuff. Bezos himself took the companys first human flight in 2021 with his brother Mark, Wally Funk (a Mercury-era test subject) and a Dutch student whose father paid a reported $28 million for his seat at auction. Bezos has since flown more than 50 friends and patrons on his rocket, including YouTuber Coby Cotton, Good Morning America host Michael Strahan and Star Trek actor William Shatner, who at 90 became the oldest person to visit space. The art on the mission patch for NS-31 includes a firework for Perry, a microphone for King, and a film reel for Flynn. Im just so interested in astrophysics and just the engineering of it all, Perry told Sirius XM. The meaning of life. The unknown. Im a constant seeker. Astronauts (clockwise from top left) Gayle King, Amanda Nguyen, Aisha Bowe, Kerianne Flynn, Katy Perry, and Lauren SanchezPhotos courtesy Blue Origin, King photo by Michele Crowe Perry, who splits her time between homes in West Hollywood, Montecito and Beverly Hills, will kick off her Lifetimes Tour in Mexico City just nine days after her return to Earth and will be at the Forum in Inglewood on July 15. The flight will take off from Texas at 6:30 a.m. Monday morning and livestream on Space.com This story was originally published on Multifamily Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Multifamily Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: An LLC controlled by Philadelphia-based PMC Property Group has defaulted on a $16.4 million loan to renovate 301 N. Charles St., according to The Baltimore Banner. The 11-story building was once home to the Baltimore Life Insurance Co. PMC bought the building in 2012 for $3.4 million. It borrowed $16.4 million in 2014 to renovate the property, according to The Baltimore Banner. The Baltimore Business Journal reports that the renovation created 92 units. The 10-year loan, still owned by Fannie Mae, came due last fall before the servicer foreclosed in December, according to The Baltimore Banner. PMC still owed $13 million on the principal of the loan as of March. Dive Insight: PMC isnt the only office-to-residential firm to face issues with downtown Baltimore projects. In March, CC 1400 Aliceanna Street LLC, an entity of Chasen Cos., filed for Chapter 11 reorganization bankruptcy in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Maryland, according to The Baltimore Banner. The Baltimore-based firm planned to convert the Fells Point building into around 100 apartments and retail space called The Anne on Aliceanna. It was to be auctioned off, but that was canceled, according to Atlantic Auctions. First National Bank of Pennsylvania had moved to foreclose on the property in 2024 after it said Chasen had defaulted on a more than $28 million loan. The project has as many as 49 creditors and assets and liabilities ranging from about $10 million to $50 million, the paper reported. In addition, Chasen Cos. One Calvert Plaza office tower conversion to apartments went into default on a $34 million loan for the building in June 2024. The property is being marketed for sale by Lanham, Maryland-based commercial real estate services firm NAI Michael, with the conversion about 70% complete, according to a sales brochure shared with Multifamily Dive. PMC, which owns 13 buildings in Baltimore, has a track record of office-to-residential conversions outside of Maryland. In 2021, the firm purchased the Historic Wachovia Building in downtown Winston-Salem, North Carolina, which is now the Eight West Third apartments, according to the Winston-Salem Journal. Previously, it had converted the former headquarters of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co. to multifamily in the city. In 2000, PMC purchased the 19-story Allegheny Building in Pittsburgh, converting it into the Allegheny Apartments, according to The Pittsburgh Post Gazette. NurPhoto / Getty Images Key Takeaways Morgan Stanley named Netflix its "top pick" and said a recent pullback in the stock represents a buying opportunity. The analysts expect the streaming giant to "demonstrate relative resistance" against the current economic environment. Netflix's subscriber base averages nearly two hours of viewing a day per member, Morgan Stanley noted. Netflix (NFLX) stock is a new top pick of analysts at Morgan Stanley, who see the streaming giant as well-positioned to withstand the current tariff landscape. We expect Netflix to demonstrate relative resilience in a weaker global macro, Morgan Stanley said Tuesday, reiterating an outperform rating and $1,150 price target for the stock. The consensus analyst target is about $1,099, according to Visible Alpha. With Netflix shares down nearly 7% since the Trump administration imposed tariffs last week to about $854 in recent trading Wednesday, Morgan Stanleys target implies an upside of almost 33%. "[We] view the recent pullback as a buying opportunity," the analysts said. Netflix Subscriptions Show 'Momentum' Netflix has shown "momentum in its core subscription business, Morgan Stanley said, and its membership base averages nearly two hours of viewing a day per member, the firm said. That momentum lowers the companys overall risk, the bank added, even if the advertising market struggles amid rising trade tensions. However, Netflix does have operations outside the U.S., Morgan Stanley said, and the company has had to navigate rising production costs and streaming taxes in the past. The company typically passes those increases off to consumers, analysts said. Netflix is scheduled to report its first-quarter results on April 17. Read the original article on Investopedia Novartis will invest $23bn in US-based manufacturing and research and development (R&D) over the next five years, becoming the latest pharmaceutical company to shift operations to the US in response to potential tariffs. The Swiss drugmaker said it plans to establish a biomedical research hub in San Diegoits second in the country. Novartis will also construct four new manufacturing facilities in yet-to-be-announced states three focused on biologics and one on chemical drug substances. Following the firms $1.75bn acquisition of radiopharmaceuticals company Mariana Oncology and the $745m deal with Ratio Therapeutics, Novartis is also expanding its radioligand therapy capabilities in the US with new sites in Florida and Texas. This investment is part of a broader trend among pharmaceutical companies exploring options to reshore operations to the US as President Donald Trump announced wide-ranging tariffs on imported products. Although finished drug products are exempt from the recently announced 10% blanket tariff, on 8 April, Trump said this major tariff on pharmaceutical imports will be announced soon. The Novartis investment marks the first major US expansion by a European pharma company following the tariff warnings. American-headquartered firms like Eli Lilly, and Johnson & Johnson (J&J), have already announced their own plans to increase US-based production. Eli Lilly disclosed a $27bn investment in February 2025, while J&J said in March 2025 that it would spend more than $55m on new facilities. MSD recently opened a $1bn manufacturing facility in North Carolina to increase production of its blockbuster HPV vaccine, Gardasil. The company described the investment as part of a broader $12bn commitment to US capital investment since 2018, with another $8bn expected by 2028. Novartis said it will be able to produce 100% of its key medicines end-to-end in the US following the expansion. The company expects the investment to create around 1,000 direct jobs and an additional 4,000 jobs across its supply chain and surrounding communities. Earlier this week, the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA) called for urgent action to counter what it described as a risk of exodus in R&D and manufacturing. In a meeting with European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen, the group said that unless the EU rapidly reforms its regulatory, intellectual property, and investment environment, drugmakers will increasingly shift operations to the US. In the 10 April announcement, Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan said: These investments also reflect the pro-innovation policy and regulatory environment in the US that supports our ability to find the next medical breakthroughs for patients. The recent resumption of hostilities in the Red Sea underscores a potentially serious problem facing the Navy: Its burning through missiles faster than it can replace them. For the first time in decades, the Navy has had extended periods of combat at sea as it faced 21st-century threats during Operation Prosperity Guardian and the renewed effort against the Houthis, named Operation Rough Rider. Acting as protection for commercial shipping in the critical waterway, Navy warships have engaged anti-ship ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and swarms of various drone types launched by Houthi rebels in Yemen. Aside from older missile types, these are threats the Navy hasnt regularly faced outside of training exercises and wargames and certainly not in the volume theyve encountered in the past year. While the ships and sailors who deployed to the Red Sea performed admirably and you can read some of their first-hand accounts, here the sheer volume of fire they had to intercept revealed an uncomfortable truth: American ships, and the Navy as a whole, are more vulnerable to attrition than previously realized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to retired Navy Cmdr. Bryan Clark, the Navy saw the most combat at sea within 15 months than at any other time since World War II. Its kind of amazing how the Navy has held up with no losses, but the cost has been pretty enormous, Clark previously told Task & Purpose. During a 15-month period from October 2023 to January 2025, the Navy fired almost 400 separate munitions against Houthi-launched weapons. Ships also fired around 160 rounds from their 5-inch main guns against slower targets, or those that were too close for missiles to engage. In this weeks video, August Dannehl, a Navy veteran and head of video production for Task & Purpose and our sister sites, The War Zone and We Are The Mighty, walks viewers through the Navys most recent naval engagements, the threat their warships and crews have faced, and how the service has had to adjust to the new realities of naval warfare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each week, on Tuesdays and Fridays, Task & Purpose will be bringing in military veterans to host segments on different topics. These will range from breakdowns of tactics and doctrine to explainers on new tech and weapons systems, but each will be researched, reported and reviewed by the journalists on the Task & Purpose team. As with the stories we cover on the website, these videos will look at these topics from a rank-and-file perspective. This means theyll aim to answer questions such as: Why does this matter to a junior service member about to deploy to [name a country], or who will have to use [name a weapon system] or deal with [name a problem or threat]. If you enjoyed this weeks video, please hop on over to our YouTube channel and follow the team there. And if you have suggestions for future topics our video team can cover, please hop in the comments and let us know. The latest on Task & Purpose UPDATE: A 6 News reporter says at least 17 people were arrested at the MSU John A. Hannah Building Thursday night. The arrestees were participating in a protest of the universitys policies it says are supporting Israel. Protesters had announced earlier Thursday they intended to spend the night in the building. But MSU Police stopped people from entering the building. The officer warned protesters to leave or face arrest. When they did not leave, they were arrested. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Members of the Hurriya Coalition have entered the Michigan State University Hannah Administration Building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group says it plans to remain in the building through the night. The group is protesting what it claims is MSUs continued support of Israel over Palestinians. Members of the Hurriya Coalition gathered on the steps of the John Hannah Administration Building April 10 before entering the building. (WLNS) As protesters were preparing to enter the building, they chanted in support of Palestine. The chants included the phrase Palestine will be free, from the river to the sea. That phrase is considered anti-Israel, the Anti-Defamation League reports. This rallying cry has long been used by anti-Israel voices, including supporters of terrorist organizations such as Hamas and the PFLP, which seek Israels destruction through violent means. It is fundamentally a call for a Palestinian state extending from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, territory that includes the State of Israel, which would mean the dismantling of the Jewish state. It is an antisemitic charge denying the Jewish right to self-determination, including through the removal of Jews from their ancestral homeland. Anti-Defamation League website, accessed April 10, 2025 The University actively invests millions of dollars in weapons manufacturers, tools of genocide, and directly into the state of Israel. There has been a consistent push from students, staff, faculty, and community over the past year to see Michigan State divest from these machines of war, and have been met with resistance at every turn, the group wrote in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group says it has six demands for the university leadership, including elected Trustees. Put divestment back on the table and discuss a path towards complete divestment Defend International and Undocumented students from deportation and revocation of visas, especially with regard to their rights to protest Establish a Middle East and North Africa Institute as a home for scholars and students alike here on MSUs campus Establish partnerships with Palestinian Universities and Scholars, especially those from Gaza Put students on the Investment Advisory Committee that are appointed from ASMSU or our coalition Bring back the social conscience clause to the investment policy which was removed Hurriya Coalition news release, April 10, 2025 This is a developing story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Protesters rallied in downtown Springfield and voiced their concerns about the future state of social security. The protesters are concerned about the direction Social Security is heading in, and the potential cuts that could be made to the program. They believe it is a vital safety net for many and are calling on Congress to take action to protect it. Protesters were outside of the federal building on Main Street in Springfield, chanting, and holding signs that read Hands off our Social Security. The group made up of concerned citizens and advocacy organizations believes social security which supports 73 million Americans is in danger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The changes that this government is trying to impose have a great deal of pain for a lot of people, said Doreen Payne Mahla of Springfield. Their concerns are centered around the DOGE cuts to Social Security and the modernization of online systems. As well as the threat of a cutoff of telephone services that was scheduled to take effect April 14th, but has since been pushed back. The good news is that pushback has happened a little bit and worked a little bit. We all have to do more. No time to stop, said Rally organizer and leader of Indivisible Northampton Swing Left, Arlene Kirsch. The Social Security Administration announced its plans to cut over an additional 7,000 employees and close regional offices, which people worry could create an even bigger problem.s Seniors and disabled residents tell 22News this could break the system and interrupt the benefit payments. This is really dire. This is just going to throw a lot of old people and people with disabilities on the street. This is unconscionable. I cant imagine what are they thinking, added Kirsch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many, this is money they paid into which is a 2.7 trillion dollar fund and they say they dont plan to lose out on it. Ive been working since I was 15 years old, paying into the system .My employer paid into the system. Its my money. I earned it. It shouldnt be taken away, said Donna Zucco of Agawam. State Senators Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are advocating alongside these protesters by using their power in Washington DC to continue lobbying and fighting for change. Senator Markey said in a statement that he is working to implement new requirements under the Social Security Fairness Act and calling for a bipartisan investigation on DOGE at the SSA. Below is Senator Markeys full statement: Trumps plan to cut Social Security is blatantly unconstitutional, entirely illegal, and flat out wrong. Senator Markey is fighting back against the Trump administrations attacks on Social Security. Social Security is not an entitlement it is an earned benefit that millions of Americans bought into the moment they stepped into the workforce. One in five Bay Staters rely on Social Security to put food on the table and Trump and DOGE are actively working to cut these benefits from those who need them the most. From the firings of Social Security staff, the closing of offices around the country, and the limitations and or removal of phone services, we have seen clear attempts to gut Social Security from those who are most vulnerable. And we wont stand for it. Senator Markey is fighting every day to guarantee that Social Security is protected and around for generations to come from working with his Democratic colleagues to implement new requirements under the Social Security Fairness Act, to calling for a bipartisan investigation on DOGE at the SSA. However, we must use our voices to fight back against these undemocratic attempts, and rallies like this one demonstrates the importance of our collective power. While Senator Markey uses his power in DC to continue to lobby and fight for change, we encourage everyone in Massachusetts to exercise their First Amendment right and participate in rallies demanding change from this Administration. We will continue to encourage constituents in the Commonwealth say hands-off to DOGE and hands-off on Social Security. State Senator Massachusetts Ed Markey Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. Back in 1941, Bethlehem Steel Corp. purchased a Chambersburg Engineering Co. air hammer that was most likely used to support the nations World War II effort, according to Patrick Quinn, executive director of the Center for Metal Arts. But now, it is silent, rusted and in need of restoration after having sat idle inside the companys blacksmith shop on Johnstowns Iron Street for decades. So an effort is underway to restore the 2,000-pound hammer and other components. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the work can be done, though, money needs to be raised. Center for Metal Arts, which holds classes in the old blacksmith shop that was built in the 1860s, has been presented a grant challenge by the Arkansas-based Windgate Foundation. If CMA raises $50,000 by Oct. 31, then the organization will provide a matching grant of $50,000, bringing the total to $100,000 for the project. However, if that target is missed, then Windgate will not give any funding. The center has already raised more than $10,000 through its website, centerformetalarts.org/chambersburg_2000, and other sources. They support the mission that we have here at CMA of restoration, reuse, as it relates to education, research, historic preservation and creativity and wanted to be part of us restoring that shop and asked me to sort of select a project that I felt like would be a good matching grant candidate, Quinn said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CMA has already restored two of the five historic power hammers in the blacksmith shop. One was fixed using sweat equity, bootstrapping, chipping away at it little by little, as Quinn described the process. The effort to restore the second hammer was aided by an $80,000 grant. Thats why Im comfortable reaching out to the community to ask for support for the third because we have a nice track record of success leading up to it, Quinn said. Quinn added: When offered this opportunity by this foundation, I felt like restoring another hammer was a really good project because it resonates with the Johnstown community and it resonates with the blacksmith community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I felt like it was a project where everybody could get on board from the students whose lives are being affected positively by the restoration of that shop to Johnstown locals who are proud of the heritage of the city and want to see that shop running again. Restoring and using the Chambersburg 2000 would enable CMA to bring in more students for certain classes. The hammer can be used for different types of blacksmithing than the two that have already been repaired. It can hit with a little bit more finesse and it can reciprocate a lot smoother, Quinn explained. The hammers that we have restored already are exceptional single-blow machines that excel at forging with handheld tooling. They fall a little short when it comes to drawing out material or forging longer cross-sections and things like that. Because this new hammer can reciprocate and it has a little bit more control and finesse, its going to help us out when we have those sort of jobs and tasks in there that we want to accomplish. The blacksmith shop, where the hammers are located, and other buildings sat unused from when Bethlehems Johnstown mill closed in 1992 until the Center for Metal Arts started offering classes in February 2018. Most recently, Joshua Prince, owner of Princeworksforge in Rhode Island, was in town, teaching students how to forge pizza cutters. When I come here, its not because of a big, fat paycheck, Prince said. Its because I want the opportunity to learn how to teach people and to develop as both a maker and a teacher. Thats the value I find here. Im not as strongly motivated as Pat, but no one is. But I appreciate his mission. He invited me to come down here and teach, which was an honor. Its not many people that teach here. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) Pennsylvania State Police in Harrisburg are offering a $5,000 reward for information that solves the cold case of a missing man who was last seen in Dauphin County in the 1970s. Randall Brosius of Valley View, Pennsylvania, disappeared when he was 22 years old. State Police said he was last seen driving east on Route 209 in Wlliamstown, Dauphin County, with two men, Kenneth H. Lenker and Richard Green, of Florida. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now WHTM Daily Digest State Police said the three men had just left the parking lot of Maces Blue Fountain Motel. On Christmas of 1976, Brosiuss parents allegedly received phone calls asking them for $500 in exchange for information about their sons role in a big marijuana deal. The caller allegedly threatened to cut off parts of their sons body if they didnt receive the ransom. The parents drove to an arranged meeting in Williamstown, but the caller never showed. Both of the men accompanying Brosius when he was last seen were never arrested by authorities connection to Brosiuss disappearance. Brosiuss mother said her son knew the two men but didnt consider them his friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Brosius was wearing a black Navy peacoat, jeans, and black boots when he was last seen. He stood 56 with brown hair, blue eyes, and a mustache, and he had a limp due to a past leg injury. Photo from PSP Tips Police added that he was dependent on insulin due to his diabetes but didnt have any on him at the time of his disappearance. Anyone with information is urged to contact PSP Harrisburg at 717-671-7500 or PSP Tips Toll Free at 1-800-4PA-TIPS (8477), or online. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) With at least 19 students at risk of deportation from Oregons public colleges, Portland State University President Ann Cudd has assured that campus police will not be enforcing federal immigration law. On Thursday, PSU revealed that two of its students had their education visas revoked by the Department of Homeland Security, meaning the Trump Administration has ordered the students to leave the country. Dissmissed Waldport mayor removed from city council meeting, cited for disorderly conduct Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This morning we learned that the federal government terminated the visa eligibility for two current PSU students and one recent graduate, Cudd said in a letter to students. We have not been informed of the cause for this action and our Office of International Student and Scholar Services is working to connect the impacted students with the necessary resources to determine a path forward. PSU has been a Sanctuary Campus since 2016, meaning it does not consent to or facilitate immigration enforcement actions on campus and will protect the confidentiality of student records as required by law. It also means that the universitys campus police will not engage with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). While this is not a situation unique to PSU it is occurring at higher education institutions across the country this is deeply troubling, Cudd said. International students are vital contributors to Portland States campus life and have been for decades. We will continue to support international students and protect their ability to study here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Breaking News Alerts Additionally, Oregon is a Sanctuary State where other law enforcement agencies including the Portland Police Bureau and Oregon State Police are also prohibited by state law to work with immigration officials. So far, the DHS has revoked the visas of 13 Oregon State University students, four University of Oregon students, and two PSU students. It is not clear whether other colleges in Oregon have also recorded cases. Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue to follow this story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. By Shariq Khan (Reuters) -Oil prices settled more than $2 per barrel lower on Thursday, wiping out the last session's rally, as investors reassessed a planned pause in sweeping U.S. tariffs and focus shifted to a deepening trade war between Washington and Beijing. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude futures fell $2.28, or 3.7%, to settle at $60.07 per barrel. Brent crude futures fell $2.15, or 3.3%, to $63.33 a barrel. Both contracts had gained more than $2 a barrel on Wednesday after U.S. President Donald Trump paused the heavy tariffs he had announced against dozens of U.S. trading partners a week ago, marking an abrupt U-turn less than 24 hours after the levies took effect. At the same time, however, Trump also raised tariffs against China. U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports now total 145%, the White House told media on Thursday. China announced an additional import levy on U.S. goods, imposing an 84% tariff. Higher tariffs against China are likely to prompt lower U.S. crude imports by Beijing, backing up supply and raising U.S. storage levels, trading advisory firm Ritterbusch and Associates told clients on Thursday. U.S. crude oil exports to China fell to 112,000 barrels per day (bpd) in March, nearly half of last year's 190,000 bpd, data from vessel tracker Kpler showed. "If these trade disputes continue much longer, it's likely global economics will suffer significant economic damage," said Henry Hoffman, co-portfolio manager of the Catalyst Energy Infrastructure Fund. U.S. crude stockpiles rose by 2.6 million barrels last week, government data showed on Wednesday, almost double the increase of 1.4 million barrels analysts projected in a Reuters poll. Macquarie analysts said on Thursday that they expect another build this week. The United States is also moving ahead with a 10% levy on all of its imports. The U.S. Energy Information Administration on Thursday lowered its global economic growth forecasts and warned that tariffs could weigh heavily on oil prices, as it slashed its U.S. and global oil demand forecasts for this year and next. [EIA/M] "The tariff-driven expectation of reduced demand amid the continued possibility of a U.S. recession will remain front and center of trader concerns in likely keeping a lid on near-term price gains," Ritterbusch and Associates said. (Reporting by Shariq Khan and Arunima Kumar; Additional reporting by Ahmad Ghaddar and Jeslyn Lerh; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise, Kirsten Donovan, David Evans and Mark Porter) NEW MEXICO (KRQE) The All Pueblo Council of Governors is voicing its strong support for new legislation to permanently protect Chaco Canyon. The APCG represents the 19 pueblos of New Mexico and one in Texas, and on Thursday, every governor supported the piece of legislation. Weve always been a city of poets: Celebrating National Poetry Month in Santa Fe The greater Chaco region is a landscape of deep cultural, spiritual, and historical importance to tribal communities. The Chaco Cultural Heritage Area Protection Act was reintroduced by New Mexicos congressional delegation. It would block future oil, gas, and mineral developments on lands within a ten-mile buffer around Chaco Canyon. Pueblo leaders say preserving the land is critical to honoring centuries of ancestral knowledge and protecting traditions for future generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Bill DelSanto, a table dealer at Bally's Twin River casino in Lincoln, speaks in favor of banning smoking inside the state's two casinos before the House Committee on Finance on April 10, 2025. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current) Vanessa Baker brought more than just testimony to the State House basement Thursday. She came armed with inhalers, eye drops, nose spray, and ibuprofen, the medication she relies on to treat the constant symptoms triggered by lingering cigarette smoke at Ballys casinos in Lincoln and Tiverton, where she works as an iGaming supervisor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was a time she was able to stop using them: when Ballys temporarily banned smoking after it reopened Rhode Islands two casinos which had been closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But those rules were lifted by March 2022. It took me nine months to get put back on all that medication and I had to take a sick leave of absence for six months to get my lungs back to where I could work, Baker told the House Committee on Finance. Theres no safe ventilation thats protecting us. Which is why she and other employees are once again pushing lawmakers to pass a bill sponsored by Rep. Teresa Tanzi, a South Kingstown Democrat, that would put an end to Ballys two-decade exemption from the states indoor smoking ban. Its a proposal Tanzi has filed each session since 2021, usually stalling at the committee level, although House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi allowed a symbolic vote to advance the bill last year. He is now one of the 10 cosponsors listed on the latest edition of the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope we will pass some version of the bill this year, Shekarchi said in an emailed statement Friday. Tanzis bill has the backing of 55 of the chambers 75 members. The growing support in the House mirrors overall sentiment in Rhode Island. The AFL-CIO in February released a poll that found nearly 7 in 10 survey respondents strongly or somewhat supported a smoking ban at the states two casinos. Rep. George Nardone, a Coventry Republican, told the Ballys representative before him Thursday that he continues to draw the short straw in testifying against the proposal. Its cruel to make people that are not smokers have to inhale some and work in [that] environment and they have to stay there based on their job, he said. I think the state made a mistake giving you guys an exemption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the company remains firmly opposed to the annual proposal. Craig Sculos, Ballys senior vice president of Rhode Island Regulatory Relations, told the committee that allowing smoking attracts customers coming in from out of state. Massachusetts does not allow smoking at any of its casinos, nor is it allowed at the two tribal-run facilities in Connecticut. Should all the regional casinos maintain a non-smoking policy, players are expected to do what players normally do: Theyll go to the casino thats closest, Sculos said. He argued that the smoking sections of the casinos generate more revenue than the non-smoking areas, pointing to slot machines that average $200 more in daily play within the smoking zones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You set the floor like you set a menu in your restaurant, you set based upon player demand, Sculos said. If we were to see capacity switch the other way we would make that change. Matt Dunham, president of Table Game Dealers Laborers Local 711, refuted the idea that smoking provides Ballys a market advantage over its neighbors. He called Ballys a casino of convenience central, away from Boston traffic, and allows people as young as 18 to play. It is not because people can smoke while they are in the building, he said. And I can all but guarantee that the same customers will still be there, theyll just be smoking outside of the buildings. The medication Vanessa Baker uses to treat symptoms triggered by lingering cigarette smoke at Ballys Rhode Island casinos. Baker is an iGaming supervisor for Ballys. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current) Sculos said rules already prohibit patrons from smoking directly at gaming tables and employees can request non-smoking areas as shift availability allows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But those shifts arent easy to get. Bill DelSanto, a table dealer at Ballys Twin River Casino in Lincoln, told the finance committee those shifts are given based on seniority. Beverage server Karen Gorman also told lawmakers that trying to pick up non-smoking shifts isnt an option at the Tiverton location where she works. Even if I had that ability, I would still have to walk through the smoke, she said. I dont want to get cancer. I want to feed my family, I want to buy groceries, I want to pay for my daughters taekwondo, and for a college education. Tanzis bill was held for further study by the committee, as is standard for an initial vetting by a legislative panel. Companion legislation introduced Feb. 7 by Sen. V. Susan Sosnowski, a South Kingstown Democrat, has yet to be scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Committee on Labor and Gaming. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced billions in investments for the rearmament of his country's navy. "In the next decade, 8.4 trillion roubles (around $97 billion) are earmarked for the construction of new boats and ships for the navy," Putin said on Friday at a meeting on navy development in St Petersburg, according to Russian news agencies. The new equipment and rearmament of the fleet is due to new dangers and challenges, Putin said. He referred to the development of drone and robot technology, digitalization, but also the political situation in the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He did not specifically address the war against Ukraine, which he started and in which a number of ships of the Russian Black Sea Fleet have been sunk. Instead, he praised the fleet's pace of rearmament to date. He claimed 49 warships of various classes have been built in Russian shipyards in the past five years, including nuclear submarines that can be equipped with new Zircon hypersonic missiles. Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff met on April 11 to discuss a possible path toward a settlement in Ukraine, the Kremlin said. The Kremlin published a video showing a handshake between Witkoff and Putin. Witkoff, who has led Trump's effort to broker a ceasefire between Moscow and Kyiv, had previously arrived in Russia for his third meeting with the Russian leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on April 11, the U.S. official met with Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's envoy for economic cooperation, in St. Petersburg. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov tempered expectations of the upcoming talks, calling them a continuation of diplomatic efforts that is unlikely to bring a major breakthrough. A possible meeting between Trump and Putin could be on the agenda, Peskov said. The talks come as Trump's push for a ceasefire remains deadlocked. Russia has rejected a full 30-day truce agreed upon by Washington and Kyiv in March and continues to violate the partial energy ceasefire that followed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who initially avoided criticizing Putin, has since adopted more aggressive language, saying he was "pissed off" and "very angry" over Moscow's continued attacks on Ukraine and Putin's personal hostility toward President Volodymyr Zelensky. Despite repeated threats of additional sanctions and tariffs, the U.S. has yet to implement new punitive measures against Moscow. The April 11 meeting follows a second round of diplomatic talks in Istanbul between U.S. and Russian officials focused on embassy operations. The war in Ukraine was reportedly not discussed. 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. Credit: Reuters Vladimir Putin met with Donald Trumps top envoy in Saint Petersburg as part of efforts to get stalled peace talks back on track. Steve Witkoff shook Putins hand as the two began their meeting, which comes against a backdrop of growing tensions between Moscow and Washington. Mr Trump said on social media shortly before they met: Russia has to get moving. Too many people are DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov cautioned against expectations of a breakthrough at the St Petersburg meeting. Mr Peskov said: The conversation on various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement will continue. He said a phone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump is theoretically possible. Earlier on Friday the EUs top diplomat raised concerns about Britains plan for a Coalition of the Willing to police any future truce. Kaja Kallas said talks in Brussels had not progressed, prompting John Healey, the defence secretary, to insist they were indeed real. 06:48 PM BST Thats all for today Thank you for following our live coverage of the war in Ukraine and ongoing peace negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will be back soon with more updates and analysis from the three-year conflict. 06:34 PM BST In pictures: Ukraine mourns artist and paramedic killed on frontline A friend of Marharyta Polovinko, 31, Ukrainian artist, paramedic and volunteer from 3rd Assault brigade, who was killed recently on the frontline, says last goodbye during the funeral ceremony in Krivyi Rih, U - Alex Babenko/AP Cemetery workers bury the coffin of Marharyta Polovinko, 31, Ukrainian artist, paramedic and volunteer from 3rd Assault brigade, who was killed recently on the frontline - Alex Babenko/AP 06:12 PM BST Putin-Trump phone call theoretically possible after Witkoff meeting A phone conversation between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump following the Russian presidents meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff is theoretically possible, Kremlin spokesman said. Dmitry Peskov did not provide a possible timing for the call. The statement comes after Mr Witkoff met with Putin in Saint Petersburg on Friday to discuss various issues, including the war in Ukraine. 05:34 PM BST Coalition of the willing talks failed, says EU chief The European Unions top diplomat said the latest coalition of the willing meeting had failed to present clear plans on enforcing a post-war settlement in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaja Kallas was asked on Friday whether the gathering a day before in Brussels had cleared up any confusion over the stalled plans. No, Mrs Kallas told reporters when asked whether Thursdays meeting had shed light on the strategy to police any peace settlement. The different member states have different opinions and the discussions are still ongoing. Her remarks were dismissed by John Healey, the Defence Secretary, who said the Franco-British led coalitions plans were real and well-advanced. This is an excerpt from an article, continue reading here. 05:15 PM BST Zelensky says Ukraine ready to buy additional air defence systems Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that Ukraine is ready to purchase additional air defence systems, adding that he discussed this with Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine is not just asking - we are ready to buy appropriate additional systems, Zelensky said in his evening address to the nation. The government would also strengthen air defences with additional funds for electronic warfare, he said. 04:38 PM BST In picture: Putin meets Witkoff Russias President Vladimir Putin shakes hands with US President Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Saint Petersburg - GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/AFP 04:18 PM BST Several hundred Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Ukraine, Zelensky says Volodymyr Zelensky said several hundred Chinese nationals are fighting alongside Russian forces in Ukraine. As of now, we have information that at least several hundred Chinese nationals are fighting as part of Russias occupation forces, Zelensky told a gathering of military chiefs from allied countries in Brussels. This means Russia is clearly trying to prolong the war - even by using Chinese lives, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyiv said this week that its forces had captured two Chinese nationals in the eastern Donetsk region fighting for Moscow, prompting allegations from Zelensky that Russia was implicating Beijing in the invasion. The Kremlin denied the claim, while Beijing warned warring sides against making irresponsible remarks. 04:08 PM BST Zelensky requests 10 more Patriot systems President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Ukraines military allies on Friday to focus on air defence and asked for 10 additional Patriot systems. In an online address to a meeting of the Ramstein group of about 50 nations providing military support to Ukraine, Mr Zelensky said recent Russian attacks demonstrated Moscows unwillingness to pursue peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: We need to define clear details regarding the size, structure, deployment, logistics, sustainment and the equipment and weapons of this security contingent in Ukraine. You know that Ukraine has a shortage of air defence systems. You know that Patriot systems can effectively protect against ballistic threats. I ask you to focus first of all on air defence for Ukraine. We truly need it. Ten Patriot systems - the free world has them. 04:03 PM BST Analysis: Diplomatic rift emerges in Ukraine support coalition Defence Secretary John Healeys rebuke of the EUs top diplomat highlights the lack of agreement amongst the Coalition of the Willing members. Kaja Kallas, the blocs foreign affairs chief, earned a reputation as being one of the most front-footed leaders when she was Estonias prime minister. She expressed dissatisfaction that the Franco-British coalitions latest round of talks had failed to clear up the finer details of any plan to enforce a peace deal in Ukraine. However, this says more about her aggressive attitude towards Russia and supporting Kyiv than it does the state of the coalition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mrs Kallas similarly criticised the EU and some of its member states for delaying her strategy for delivering millions of artillery shells to Ukraine when she was still Estonias PM. But this does not detract from the disappointment likely felt by Britain and France that they have not yet been able to secure political agreements from each of the 28 other members of the coalition. 03:49 PM BST Putin-Witkoff meeting begins in Saint Petersburg The meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US president Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff has begun in Saint Petersburg, the Kremlin said. The talks are expected to include discussions on the ongoing war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov had previously said Putin would use the meeting to outline Moscows concerns, while cautioning that a breakthrough should not be expected from the discussions. Credit: Reuters 03:03 PM BST Trump urges Putin to end Ukraine War Donald Trump has called on Russian president Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine, citing the high human cost of the conflict. Russia has to get moving. Too many people are DYING, thousands a week, in a terrible and senseless war, Trump said. The president added: A war that should have never happened, and wouldnt have happened, if I were President. Mr Trump wrote the statement on his Truth Social app, as the Kremlin said envoy Steve Witkoff is to meet Putin today. 02:58 PM BST In picture: Ukrainian rescuers work at Kupiansk bombing site Ukrainian rescuers working at the site of the glide bomb attacks in Kupiansk, Kharkiv region, Ukraine, 11 April - Shutterstock 02:19 PM BST Putin and Witkoff to hold Ukraine talks today, Kremlin says Vladimir Putin will meet Steve Witkoff today for talks, including on the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin has said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The conversation on various aspects of the Ukrainian settlement will continue, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state media reporters. He added that a breakthrough should not be expected and that Putin would use the meeting to outline Moscows concerns. 02:10 PM BST Russias naval nuclear forces fully modernised, Putin claims Russias naval nuclear forces are now equipped with 100 per cent modern weapons and equipment, Vladimir Putin claimed on Friday. He said: The share of modern weapons and equipment in the naval strategic nuclear forces in Russia already amounts to 100 Percent. This figure must be maintained in future. He announced Russia will invest 8.4 trillion rubles (76.23 billion) to develop its navy by 2035. The funds will finance new vessels and technologies. The development plan focusses on ship-based aviation systems and surface and underwater robots, all to be integrated with Russias satellite network for coordinated reconnaissance and strikes, according to Russian news agencies. 01:55 PM BST In picture: Emergency vehicles burn as Russia strikes Ukrainian hospital Burning emergency vehicles are seen at the site of a hospital hit by an overnight Russian air strike in the town of Kupiansk, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv region - REUTERS 01:46 PM BST Russia prepares new offensive, Ukraine says Russia is preparing a fresh military offensive in the coming weeks, Ukrainian officials and military analysts said. The move appears to be aimed at increasing pressure and strengthening the Kremlins position in negotiations. Germany will provide Ukraine with four IRIS-T defence systems and 30 missiles for Patriot batteries, defence minister Boris Pistorius announced. The Netherlands has committed to supplying a Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft. Estonian defence minister Hanno Pevkur said his country is searching global weapons markets for additional armaments for Ukraine. This is why we need to speed up the deliveries as quickly as we can, Mr Pevkur said. 12:49 PM BST More drone casualties than artillery, says Healey Drone casualties in Ukraine now outnumber those inflicted by artillery, the Defence Secretary has said, as he condemned Vladimir Putins rejection of a ceasefire. John Healey told a joint press conference: Today is one month to the day in which Russia rejected President Trumps peace settlement. Putin said he wanted peace but he rejected a full ceasefire; Putin said he wanted peace but he continues to drag his feet and delay the negotiations; Putin said he wanted peace, but his forces continue to fire on Ukraine - military and civilian targets alike. From January through to March, he launched over 10,000 glide bombs into Ukraine. He is launching over 100 one-way attack drones every day and weve reached the point now where those battlefield casualties on both sides inflicted by drones now way outnumber those inflicted by artillery. In our calculations, 70%-80% of battlefield casualties are now caused and inflicted by drones. 12:21 PM BST Hegseth attends meeting virtually Pete Hegseth attending a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group only virtually while Washingtons special envoy Steve Witkoff travels to Moscow is not a matter of priorities but of schedules, the German defence minister has insisted. Boris Pistorius told a joint press conference that US defence secretary Mr Hegseth addressed defence ministers at the Ukraine Defence Contact Group with some interesting and correct assessments about what Europeans have been doing since the start of the year. In terms of the participation of Pete Hegseth, virtually or physically here in Brussels, its not a matter of priorities. I think its a matter of schedules. He said the most important fact was that he took part. But he said he could not look into a crystal ball to see what will happen with US support for Ukraine but would have to wait and see. He reiterated that Europe and Nato should continue to look at how they can take on more responsibility over Ukraine. 12:03 PM BST Peace in Ukraine is out of reach for immediate future Peace in Ukraine appears out of reach in the immediate future, the German defence minister has said. Addressing a joint press conference after a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, Boris Pistorius said: Given Russias ongoing aggression against Ukraine, we must concede peace in Ukraine appears to be out of reach in the immediate future. We will ensure that Ukraine continues to benefit from our joint military support. Russia needs to understand that Ukraine is able to go on fighting and we will support it. 11:53 AM BST Watch: Ukraines secret weapon 11:34 AM BST Healey urges more military support for Ukraine John Healey has urged members of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group to provide more military support to Kyiv. Opening the meeting at Nato headquarters in Brussels, the Defence Secretary said: Today, at this Ukraine Contact Group, we step up our support for Ukraine in the fight. Our job as defence ministers is to get urgent military aid into the hands of Ukrainian warfighters. And to those nations not making fresh commitments today, I urge you to look again, to look hard at what more you can do. All military aid now will help Ukraine in the fight today and help secure a durable peace tomorrow, because the Ukrainian armed forces must be their own strongest deterrent against further Russian attacks. 11:15 AM BST 2025 is critical year for Ukraine, says Healey John Healey said 2025 is the critical year for Ukraine. The Defence Secretary told a meeting of defence ministers: 2025 is the critical year for the war in Ukraine, and this is the critical moment. A moment for our defence industries to step up, and they are; a moment for our militaries to step up, and they are; a moment for our governments to step up, and they are. Together, we are sending a signal to Russia and we are saying to Ukraine that we stand with you in the fight and we will stand with you in the peace. 10:57 AM BST Russia accuses Ukraine of attacking its energy infrastructure The Russian Defence Ministry has accused Ukraine of attacking Russian energy infrastructure five times in the last 24 hours despite a US-brokered moratorium on strikes on each others energy facilities. The ministry said in a statement that Ukrainian strikes had hit power facilities in Russias Kursk and Bryansk regions, as well as energy targets in Russian-controlled parts of the Ukrainian regions of Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia, which Moscow has claimed as its own. The claims have not been independently verified. Ukraine has made similar accusations against Russia since the US-backed moratorium was approved. 10:40 AM BST Russia captures village in Ukraines Sumy region Russias defence ministry claimed today that its forces had captured the village of Zhuravka in Sumy region, although Ukrainian officials have not confirmed the capture. Moscow has been conducting airstrikes on the region opposite Russias Kursk, seeking to remove Ukrainian forces who launched a cross-border incursion eight months ago, seizing large areas of territory. Four days earlier, Russia claimed to have seized another village, Basivka, which Ukrainian officials denied. Russian reports indicated that capturing Zhuravka brought forces closer to Yunakivka, a logistics hub for Ukrainian forces in Kursk. Sumy Governor Volodymyr Artiukh stated that Russian attacks in the region had increased by 30 per cent over the past week, with 47 assaults launched on Ukrainian positions. He also reported Russian strikes on civilian infrastructure, including food industry sites, while Ukrainian forces continued to resist in the Kursk region. 10:23 AM BST Pictured: Healey and Pistorius Today John Healey, the defence secretary, and Germanys Defence Minister Boris Pistorius are taking part in the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting at Nato headquarters in Brussels. Britains Defence Secretary John Healey and Germanys Defence Minister Boris Pistorius - REUTERS/Yves Herman 10:06 AM BST Analysis: Witkoff has a lot on his plate today I liked him, Steve Witkoff said of Vladimir Putin after the pair last met in Moscow. The Russian leader was gracious, giving him a beautiful portrait of Donald Trump to take home to the president. Whether feelings will remain so cordial in their meeting today is less certain. Although Mr Trumps go-to negotiator has talked up the success of Washingtons negotiations with Russia, in truth Putin has been stingy, to say the least, in terms of concessions. Mr Witkoff, a billionaire real-estate mogul in his own right, jumped to the top of the presidents favourites list with his early success in securing a Gaza ceasefire. There, he was famously bullish: forget the Sabbath, he told Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, were meeting today. But Israel is once more launching large-scale operations inside Gaza and 20 hostages remain in captivity. On Thursday, Mr Witkoff told hostage families to expect a deal in a few days. And few diplomats have ever had an in-tray as wildly overflowing as the 68-year-old, who is now charged with Gaza, Ukraine and bringing Iran to heel. From Moscow, he will fly to Oman for talks with the Iranian leadership. The Tehran regime appears open to some sort of deal that would fulfil Trumps demands for limits on its nuclear programme. Mr Netanyahu has slowed progress to a ceasefire by taking more control of the negotiations, appointing his closest political aide, Ron Dermer, to oversee the talks. Putin seems mostly keen to drag the talks out. Bringing one crisis to an end would be an achievement. Two, quite the feat. Three and it might be Mr Witkoff, not his boss, who earns the Nobel Peace Prize. But there will be those who ask whether it is not altogether too much for one man, no matter how capable he may be. 09:50 AM BST Ukraines air force says Russia launched 39 drones in overnight attacks The Ukrainian air force said on Friday that Russia launched 39 drones and one ballistic missile in attacks over the past day. The air force shot down 24 drones and another 13 did not reach their targets, likely due to electronic warfare countermeasures, according to the statement on Telegram. It did not specify what happened to the remaining two drones or the missile. 09:35 AM BST Kremlin says Trump envoy Witkoff arrived in Russia The Kremlin said Friday that Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trumps envoy, was visiting Russia, state media reported. Yes, I can confirm he flew to Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told state media reporters when asked about reports Witkoff had landed in the country for talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added that Moscow would inform later if a meeting between the two takes place. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. The packaging industry doesnt make a lot of the products you buy. It makes a lot of the products you buy deliverable. And that takes materials lots of materials: paperboard, plastic, steel and aluminum, to name a few. So its not surprising that stakeholders are more than a little nervous about President Donald Trumps newly imposed tariffs, which stand to boost the prices not only of finished products but of materials used to manufacture packaging for everything from soft drinks to chemical containers. The recent tariffs have led to industry-wide price increases, directly affecting global suppliers that serve U.S. customers, packaging supply company Evergreen wrote in a blog post on Thursday. Domestic suppliers, who often rely on imported raw materials like aluminum and steel, are also affected. For instance, new tariffs are projected to add $22.4 billion to the cost of steel and aluminum imports, impacting various industries, including packaging. Lessons from recent history Even if the full impact of the new tariffs is not yet clear, packaging manufacturers dont have to look far into the past to find a basis for concern. The trade war between the U.S. and China in 2018-2019, when the first Trump administration imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, reshaped cost structures, supply chains, and long-term strategies, Mohamed Dabo writes in an article for online news outlet Packaging Gateway. As with the current tariff regimen, the previous levies were intended to bring more manufacturing back to U.S. soil a goal that according to Dabo went largely unmet, at least in the packaging industry. That was partly because despite surging aluminum and steel prices resulting from the tariffs, there was too little production capacity domestically to meet demand. US production of aluminium, for instance, couldnt keep up with the growing need for packaging products, particularly in the beverage sector, Dabo writes. As a result, packaging firms continued to rely on imports, but at significantly higher prices due to the tariffs. And packaging companies in the United States did not significantly reduce their reliance on nations including Italy and Germany that have long been leaders in specialized packaging machinery. U.S. exports were affected as well. Chinas retaliatory tariffs hit American agricultural goods and, thus, the need for packaging for agricultural exports. The knock-on effect was felt throughout the entire packaging value chain, Dabo writes. Frequently, packaging firms could not pass on to consumers the rising costs related to the trade war, cutting into profits. This story was originally published on CFO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CFO Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: The Senate late Wednesday voted to approve President Donald Trumps nomination of former business consultant Paul Atkins to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission. The nomination was confirmed on a 52-44 party-line vote, with no support from Democrats. Four senators, including John Fetterman, D-Pa., and Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., did not vote. Paul Atkins brings a wealth of experience and dedication to safeguarding our capital markets, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., the top Republican on the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, said in a statement after the vote. His tenure will mark a pivotal moment to roll back harmful Biden-era policies, promote capital formation, and enhance opportunities for retail investors. Dive Insight: As the successor to former SEC Chair Gary Gensler, Atkins is likely to usher in more targeted enforcement and softer, more collaborative rulemaking, which may ease CFOs regulatory burdens, CFO Dive previously reported. During a confirmation hearing before the Senate Banking Committee last month, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., said the nomination raised breathtaking potential conflicts of interest. She referred to Patomak Global Partners, a consulting firm founded by Atkins that has served financial institutions including digital-asset firms. Atkins has said that he would resign his position as chief executive of Patomak upon being confirmed by the Senate. He has also vowed to divest his interest in the firm within 90 days of Senate confirmation. In remarks before the Senate vote on Wednesday, Warren referred to Atkins as a career Wall Street suit and corporate guy. She also criticized Republicans for prioritizing a vote to put a fox in charge of the hen house instead of advancing a bill she has introduced with other senators to rein in recent tariff measures by Trump. Getting Mr. Atkins confirmed instead of stopping the economic chaos this is the priority for Republicans in Congress right now, said Warren, the Senate Banking Committees top Democrat. That sentiment was echoed in a statement issued by Dennis Kelleher, CEO of Better Markets, a nonprofit that promotes financial reform. As the U.S. financial markets experience extreme stress and volatility due to erratic policy announcements by the President, the American people need an independent SEC Chair who will be vigilant in supervising and policing those markets to protect investors and prevent crashes, Kelleher said. Unfortunately, the newly confirmed SEC Chair Paul Atkins will likely do the opposite and at the worst possible time. BERLIN (Reuters) - Porsche has shipped added inventory to the United States to get ahead of tariffs and kept prices constant for orders made in March, executives told analysts and investors in a call on Wednesday, according to a note by Bernstein Research. The luxury carmaker expected an operating margin below its annual guidance of 10-12%, the note said, adding that this margin also did not account for the impact of 25% tariffs on auto imports to the U.S., which were not included in the 90-day pause announced on Wednesday. Executives did not provide further detail on the longer-term strategy to deal with the tariffs, according to the note. Porsche did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The investor call was held before a closed period on company information before annual results scheduled for April 29. Among the German automakers, Porsche and Volkswagen's Audi - two brands with no U.S. production - have both said recently they would assess the option of price increases to mitigate tariff risks. In the meantime, Audi is holding cars in U.S. ports, while Mercedes-Benz stocked up its inventory in the country before tariffs came into force. (Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Editing by Friederike Heine) South Carolina sophomore guard MiLaysia Fulwiley is entering the transfer portal, numerous reports indicated Friday afternoon. Fulwiley, a Columbia native who played at Keenan High School prior to arriving at USC, had not made an announcement on her X account as of mid-Friday afternoon. She averaged nearly 12 points a season during the 24-25 campaign. Earlier this week, USC landed the nations top scorer in guard Tanya Latson from Florida State, who averaged better than 25 points per game this past season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. A Republican lawmaker has a new wildly racist explanation for the deadly measles outbreak. During a CNN town hall Thursday, Representative Ryan Mackenzie presented his own theory about the more than 600 confirmed cases of measles. Many of these instances that are coming into our country are from illegal immigrants who have crossed the border with no checks, no actual health records, and they are bringing these diseases into our country. There is a reason why measles have started to spread in our country after decades of being almost eradicated, the Pennsylvania Republican said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, Dr. Jennifer Shuford, who oversees the Texas Department of State Health Services, told lawmakers that she had no data pinpointing the origin of the outbreak. But, she warned, its rapid spread was caused by lower immunization rates and a decreased interest or decrease in trust in vaccines. Mackenzies claim that the measles outbreak was caused by undocumented immigrants holds absolutely no water, but is par for the course for MAGA Republicans intent on blaming the countrys ills on a vulnerable population. Mackenzie spent much of his stage time praising Donald Trump and defending the presidents sweeping tariff policy. Mackenzie was promptly lambasted for his baseless and racist attempt to blame undocumented immigrants. Nope, sorry, Rep. Mackenzie. People in the U.S. - not getting vaccinated - is why its spreading, the House Homeland Security Committee Democrats wrote Friday on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Courtney Rice, the communications director for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, wrote on X that Mackenzies comments were despicable and, frankly, racist AF. Every House Republican needs to denounce this dangerous rhetoric immediately, she added. A woman sits with her daughters at a clinic operated by a community health center in New Orleans. Such centers rely on funding from Medicaid, which congressional Republicans want to cut. (Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images) Republicans in Congress are eyeing $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid, the joint federal-state government health care program for lower-income people. Depending on how states respond, a Republican proposal that would slash the 90% federal contribution to states expanded Medicaid programs would end coverage for as many as 20 million of the 72 million people on Medicaid or cost states $626 billion over the next decade to keep them on the rolls. More than 5 million people could lose coverage if the feds impose work requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent months, this complicated government program has increasingly come under the spotlight, so Stateline has put together a guide explaining what Medicaid is and how it operates. 1. Medicaid is not Medicare. Medicaid serves people with lower incomes or who have a disability. Medicare focuses primarily on older people, no matter their income. Medicaid and Medicare were created in 1965 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, though younger people with special circumstances, such as permanent kidney failure or ALS, may be eligible earlier. Medicare is a supplemental insurance program thats limited in scope. It doesnt pay for long-term care, most dental care or routine physical exams. Around 68.4 million people are enrolled in Medicare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medicaid is a more comprehensive government insurance plan thats jointly funded by the federal government and states. Medicaid covers most nursing home care as well as home- and community-based long-term care. People on Medicaid generally dont have any copayments. Only people and families with incomes under certain thresholds are eligible for Medicaid. About 72 million people, or a fifth of people living in the United States, receive Medicaid benefits. 2. Medicaid eligibility varies from state to state. In its original form, Medicaid was generally only available to children and parents or caretakers of eligible children with household incomes below 100% of the federal poverty line ($32,150 for a family of four in 2025). Over the years, the program was expanded to include some pregnant women, older adults, blind people and people with disabilities. States have to follow broad federal guidelines to receive federal funding. But they have significant flexibility in how they design and administer their programs, and they have different eligibility rules and offer varying benefits. In 2010, President Barack Obama signed into law the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, which allowed states to expand their eligibility thresholds to cover adults with incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty line (about $21,000 for one person today), in exchange for greater federal matching funds. The District of Columbia covers parents and caretakers who earn up to 221% of the federal poverty line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only 10 states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Wisconsin and Wyoming) have chosen not to expand coverage. In the non-expansion states, eligibility for caretakers and parents ranges from 15% of the federal poverty line in Texas to 105% in Tennessee. In Alabama, people can only get Medicaid if they earn at or below 18% of the federal poverty line $4,678 a year for a three-person household. 3. Traditional Medicaid exists alongside a health insurance program for children called CHIP. Low-income children have always been eligible for Medicaid. But in 1997, Congress created CHIP, or the Childrens Health Insurance Program. The law gave states an opportunity to draw down enhanced federal matching funds to extend Medicaid coverage to children within families who earn too much money to qualify for traditional Medicaid coverage, but make too little money to afford commercial health care. Like Medicaid, CHIP is jointly funded by the federal government and states, but its not an entitlement program. CHIP is a block grant program, meaning states receive a fixed amount of federal money every year and arent obligated to cover everyone who meets the eligibility requirements. States get to decide, within broad federal guidelines, how their CHIP programs will work and what the income limits will be. Some states have chosen to keep their CHIP and Medicaid programs separate, while others have decided to combine them by using CHIP funds to expand Medicaid eligibility. 4. Medicaid and CHIP are significant portions of state budgets. In 2024, the federal government spent less on Medicaid and CHIP than on Medicare, with Medicare spending accounting for 12%, or $847.5 billion, of the federal benefit budget, and Medicaid and CHIP accounting for 8%, or $584.5 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But at the same time, Medicaid is the largest source of federal funds for states, accounting for about a third of state budgets, on average, and 57% of all federal funding the states received last year. 5. Federal funding varies by state. Before the Affordable Care Act, federal Medicaid funding to states mostly depended on a formula known as the FMAP, or the federal medical assistance percentage, which is based on the average personal income of residents. States with lower average incomes get more financial assistance. For example, the federal government reimburses Mississippi, which is relatively poor, nearly $8 for every $10 it spends, for a net state cost of $2. But New York is only reimbursed $5. By law the FMAP cant be less than 50%. The ACA offered states the opportunity to expand eligibility and receive an even greater federal matching rate. In expansion states, the federal government covers 90% of costs for expansion adults. If Republicans in Congress reduce that percentage, states would have to use their own money to make up for lost federal dollars. They might have to scale back Medicaid coverage for some groups, eliminate optional benefits or reduce provider payment rates. Alternatively, they could raise taxes or make cuts in other large budget items, such as education. Another possibility is that states that have adopted Medicaid expansion would reverse it. Nine states (Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Utah and Virginia) already have trigger laws in place that would automatically rescind expansion if the federal match rate dips below 90%. Other states are considering similar legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One new analysis from KFF, a health research policy group, found that if Congress reduced the federal match for the expansion population to the percentages states get for the traditional Medicaid population 50% for the wealthiest states and 77% for the poorest ones it would cost states $626 billion over the next decade to keep everyone eligible under Medicaid expansion on the rolls. 6. Medicaid is the largest source of health coverage, especially for people with low incomes. Medicaid is the single largest health payer in the nation, and is particularly important for people in poverty. Almost a fifth of people living in the United States are covered through Medicaid. But nearly half of all adults with incomes at or below the federal poverty line are insured through the program. Medicaid covers 4 out of every 10 children overall, but it covers 8 out of every 10 children below the federal poverty line. Medicaid also provides coverage for people experiencing homelessness or who are leaving incarceration. 7. Medicaid covers essential services, such as childbirth. In exchange for receiving federal funds, states are obligated to cover essential health care services, including inpatient and outpatient hospital services, doctor visits, laboratory work and home health services, among other things. States get to decide which optional services, such as prescription drugs and physical therapy, they want to cover. Medicaid is a significant payer of essential services. For example, the program covers 41% of all childbirths in the U.S. and covers health care services for the 40% of all adults ages 19-65 with HIV. 8. The majority of Medicaid spending goes to people with disabilities and to pay for long-term care. ACA expansion adults about 1 out of every 4 enrollees accounted for 21% of total Medicaid expenditures in 2021. Children, who make up about 1 out of every 3 enrollees, only accounted for 14% of spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who qualify for Medicaid because of a disability or because they are over the age of 65 make up about 1 out of every 4 enrollees. But they accounted for more than half of all Medicaid spending. Thats because these populations typically experience higher rates of chronic illness and require more complex medical care. Older people are also more likely to use nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, which can be expensive. Cuts could also mean that older people relying on Medicaid for home-based care and long-term nursing home services could be significantly affected. 9. Some state Medicaid programs cover people who are living in the country illegally. People who are in the country illegally are ineligible for traditional Medicaid or CHIP. But some states have carved out exceptions to extend coverage to them using state dollars. As of January, 14 states and the District of Columbia provide Medicaid coverage to children regardless of their immigration status. And 23 states plus the District of Columbia use CHIP to cover pregnant enrollees regardless of their immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, seven states provide Medicaid to some adults who are here illegally. New York opted to cover those who meet the income requirements and are over the age of 65, regardless of immigration status And California provides coverage to any adults ages 19-65 who are under the income threshold, regardless of immigration status. 10. The majority of the public holds favorable views of Medicaid. According to surveys from KFF, two-thirds of Americans say that someone close to them has received health coverage from Medicaid at some point in their lives. Half of the public also say they or someone in their family have been covered through Medicaid. Generally, around 3 out of every 4 people regardless of political party say that Medicaid is very important, though Republicans are less likely than Democrats and independents to share that opinion. At the same time, a third or less of people want to see any decrease in spending on the Medicaid program. In fact, the majority of people living in states that have not expanded Medicaid under the ACA want their states to do so. Stateline reporter Shalina Chatlani can be reached at schatlani@stateline.org. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE As the fate of President Trumps agenda hung in the balance in the House, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) turned to what he knows best: prayer. At the end of an hours-long, late-night meeting that came after Johnson was forced to scrap a key vote Wednesday night, the Speaker, a devout Southern Baptist, led a group of hard-line conservative holdouts and members of leadership in a benediction for the conference to reach a solution and to receive guidance from God to do the right thing for the country, two sources in the room told The Hill. The next day, his prayers would be answered. House Republicans on Thursday adopted the Senates framework to advance Trumps domestic policy priorities, officially kick-starting the process the party will use in its effort to enact tax cuts, border funding and energy policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson, with the help of Trump, had managed to win over more than a dozen conservatives who had spent a week railing against the legislation and insisting there was little that could change their minds. It was the fourth time Johnson has pulled off a nail-biter following his reelection as Speaker in January, the adoption of the Houses budget blueprint in February, and passage of a government funding bill in March muscling the measure through his razor-thin majority with no votes to spare. On Thursday, Johnson took a victory lap. I want to compliment our president, President Trump, who is always engaged with us. He didnt have to call a single member to wrangle anybody on this thing, Johnson told reporters after the vote. He allowed me the space to do what I needed to do, and we got the votes together, and we reaffirmed our commitments. Its real. We want to find real savings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the process came with its usual share of drama, including a scrapped vote, entreaties from the White House, long meetings in the Capitol and tensions flaring on the House floor. DEAD ON ARRIVAL The path to Thursdays successful vote was an uphill battle from the start, with fiscal hawks quickly and loudly taking issue with the different level of spending cuts it requires of each chamber. The legislation directed House committees to find at least $1.5 trillion in spending cuts, while Senate panels were directed to slash at least $4 billion in federal spending a fraction, in comparison. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, told The Hill in a text message last Thursday, a day after the resolution was unveiled, that the framework was DEAD ON ARRIVAL. And it was not just those on the right flank incensed by the blueprint. Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas), the chair of the House Budget Committee, piled on, saying in a scathing statement that the legislation was unserious and disappointing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson and other GOP leaders tried to quell the early uprising. In a letter to House Republicans on Saturday they argued that the different sets of instructions in NO WAY prevents us from achieving our goals in the final bill. On a Sunday conference call, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) sought to assure House Republicans they wouldnt get jammed by the Senate numbers, according to a source on the call. But by the time lawmakers returned to Washington on Monday, more than a dozen Republicans had voiced opposition to the resolution far more than the mere three GOP defections that leaders could afford to lose on the vote with full attendance. Johnson attended a Freedom Caucus meeting Monday night to try to come up with a path forward as did a trio of liaisons from the White House who all have former ties to the hard-line conservative group: Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought, Deputy OMB Director Dan Bishop, and White House Director of Legislative Affairs James Braid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the always-sunny Johnson left the meeting saying it was a great conversation and very positive, House Freedom Caucus Chair Andy Harris (R-Md.) had a much more dismal readout: No progress, he said. Hes just not going to change my mind about this The fiscal hawks and hard-liners were pitching steps that would add days, if not weeks, of work before the House could rubber-stamp the resolution. Harris suggested skipping a vote approving the Senate resolution altogether and having committees move to crafting legislation and cuts. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the chair of the Judiciary Committee and a Freedom Caucus co-founder, was among those advocating for the House and Senate to go to a conference committee to hash out differences on the resolution. Leaders hated the idea of any delays killing the momentum. So they turned to a tactic that has helped sway holdouts on previous votes: a meeting in the Oval Office on Tuesday afternoon with Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in a stunning act of defiance for a stated supporter of the president, Harris said he declined the invitation and that personal appeals from the president would not solve the impasse. Theres nothing that I can hear at the White House that I dont understand about the situation, Harris said. Let the president spend time with people whose minds he might change. Hes just not going to change my mind about this. Those who did attend that meeting said that Trump vowed to encourage the Senate to embrace steeper cuts, while lawmakers tossed around other ideas like an amendment to ensure the cuts would happen. Trump, though, was more focused on pressuring the House members tearing into the holdouts at a fundraiser dinner for the National Republican Congressional Committee on Tuesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You just gotta get there, Trump, donned in a bow tie, said in a speech to the members. Close your eyes and get there. Its a phenomenal bill. Stop grandstanding. Just stop grandstanding. The pressure helped, according to one leadership aide but holdouts remained. A smoke-filled room and a prayer Leaders scheduled a vote on the resolution for around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday but there was skepticism that it would happen. Johnson and Scalise were still searching for ways to assure the fiscal hawks that the ultimate bill would achieve serious cuts. At one point, a group of the fiscal hawks marched across the Capitol to Senate Majority Leader John Thunes (R-S.D.) office, where they pressed the Senate leader for more information on the amount of spending cuts that would be included in the ultimate Trump agenda bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the vote series started, it was clear that leaders did not yet have enough support. Johnson huddled on the House floor with a large group of the holdouts, leaning over from the aisle to speak to Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas), who appeared frustrated, wagging his pointer finger. Johnson went back to huddle with Scalise, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), and leadership staff. Then, in a line, those holdouts followed the Speaker out of the chamber and into a ceremonial office off the House floor, where they continued those conversations outside the public eye. The air around the House chamber grew thick with cigar smoke as other Republicans, having nothing better to do while they waited around for the vote to either proceed or be pulled, gathered in cigar-lover House Appropriations Committee Chair Tom Coles (R-Okla.) office next door to the meeting putting a twist on the stereotypical smoke-filled room. But after holding an unrelated vote open for more than an hour to buy time, Johnson made the call to yank the planned vote on the resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson said he had spoken to Trump while the meeting was underway, but the Speaker opted to talk to the president privately rather than on speakerphone because there was just too many voices, too many people in the room. Johnson said he gave Trump an update on the situation, and that the president was very closely monitoring all of this. After scrapping the vote, Republican leaders and hard-liners met late into the night, at times raising their voices so loud they could be heard by reporters camped out in the hallway. The group ran through a number of ideas, according to a source, none of which would be a silver bullet to breaking the stalemate. They discussed adding language to the rule for the budget resolution that said the House would not consider the final bill unless it included at least $1.5 trillion in cuts, but hard-liners did not like how that was nonbinding. They floated amending the actual resolution with similar language, but moderates had already balked at such a prospect. And they raised the possibility of going to a conference committee so both chambers could hash out their differences, which would drag out the process leaders were trying to fast-track. The group, after Johnsons prayer, left the meeting without a strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, the Speaker told reporters on his way back to his office at around 10:30 p.m. The press conference heard round the Capitol By Thursday morning, after the holdouts meetings with Thune and House GOP leadership proved to be unpersuasive, Republican leaders hatched another plan: have the Senate GOP leader take his message public. Just after 9 a.m., Johnson and Thune staged a press conference in the Capitol designed to convince the House holdouts that Senate Republicans were serious about steep cuts the same idea that failed to resonate the evening before. Their audience was not only the public, but members of the Freedom Caucus who were huddling behind closed doors across the street, in the Cannon Office Building, watching the show and devising their response. Johnson, when the press conference ended, phoned in to the conservatives meeting, according to Norman. The dam of resistance began to break. While Thune stopped short of committing to the $1.5 trillion minimum in cuts mandated under the House bill he said it was the Senates ambition to hit the House number, without offering any guarantees the mere mention of the higher figure was enough for holdouts to soften their opposition. While Thune offered softer language in public, one source familiar with the matter told The Hill that he was bolder about his spending cut intentions behind the scenes, which appeared to fuel satisfaction among the group. In another gesture, Johnson sent a letter Thursday morning to the conservative holdouts, promoting the importance of enacting Trumps agenda and promising that the final bill would be a fiscally responsible product that fulfills our collective promises to the American people. And the Freedom Caucus said the White House also committed to historic spending reductions including targeting waste, fraud, and abuse in the expanding Medicaid program. Even as the vote began on the House floor, Johnson and other GOP leaders huddled with the holdouts one last time in the Speakers vestibule just off the House floor. The conservatives emerged from the room and marched, in a single file, the short distance to the chamber floor, where they all voted in favor of the bill they had lambasted all week. Frustrations in the fallout In a sign of the tenuous nature of the reconciliation process to come and the House GOP conference at large Johnson huddled with moderate lawmakers on the floor for a long time as the vote went on, reassuring the group that the conference would approach Medicaid in a compassionate way, a source told The Hill. Centrists have been concerned that the $1.5 trillion in cuts would prompt cuts to social safety net programs. And in a symbol of the tense process, friction within the conference began to spill out into the public view. One member expressed frustration about leadership capitulating to the Freedom Caucus: Its appeasement not peace through strength! Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-Wis.) briefly voted no before switching to yes in what he said was a symbolic shot over the bow at the House Freedom Caucus, pledging to personally sabotage every single thing the Freedom Caucus does until they get their mind right. The fiscal hawks said that their change of tune came only after strong promises from leaders in the House, the Senate and the White House. We have now three strong statements from the Speaker, the president and the Senate majority leader, Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), flanked by other hard-liners, told reporters after the vote. We did not have those 48 hours ago. We do now. Still, the two Republicans who voted against the budget bill Reps. Thomas Massie (Ky.) and Victoria Spartz (Ind.) were left unconvinced. They said their colleagues, by approving the Senate framework, had not only been sold a bill of goods, but had also set the stage for the biggest deficit increase in the history of Congress, in the words of Massie. The people who traded their vote for a promise, I think thats just salve for their conscience, the Kentucky Republican said. They were probably looking for an off-ramp, because what was coming next was a lot of pressure from the president to vote for this. The only piece of paper that matters is the piece of paper we voted on. And if it aint in what we voted on, it aint gonna happen, he added. [Thune] said there are a lot of senators that support cuts; he didnt say there were 51 senators who support 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 The Hill. (NewsNation) A mountain lion cub named Spruce was rescued by Californias Oakland Zoo and went to his new home at Alabamas Birmingham Zoo where he met his new companion, another rescued cub named Juniper. In a news release, the zoo said the decision to pair the two cubs together was based on their personalities. Spruce was rescued in January with his siblings Fern and Thistle in California, while Juniper was rescued by a farmer in Montana in December. 83-year-old fulfills lifelong dream of skydiving Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mountain lions in California face threats like getting hit by cars and wildfires, all factors the Birmingham Zoo says contribute to the human-wildlife conflict. A study done in November found that mountain lions in the state have adapted to human schedules. Before being placed together, the two cubs were observed cuddling, playing, chirping (a form of communication), and getting to know one another. They will remain in their nighthouse as they acclimate to their new surroundings, the zoo said. Once they have settled, they will move into the full Birmingham Zoos Wojciechowski Cougar Crossing Habitat, which opened to the public on March 19th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Trees in your neighborhood could help you live longer, according to a new study that analyzed data from more than 6 million Swiss residents. Researchers from Future Cities Lab, operated in Singapore by ETH Zurich and the National University of Singapore, used high-resolution tree canopy data to determine the structure of tree-covered green spaces within a radius of 500 meters of people's homes. The study, summarized on Phys.org, also looked at the proximity and connectedness of tree clusters, their geometrical complexity, and the fragmentation level. Then, the scientists compared this data to the survival time of residents in their respective neighborhood, looking exclusively at naturally caused deaths. This information, provided by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office, covered a 10-year period from 2010 to 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The research team found that people living in neighborhoods with large, contiguous, and well-networked areas of tree canopies had a significantly lower mortality risk than those residing in areas with fewer, fragmented areas and more complex geometries. The correlation was especially pronounced in densely developed peri-urban and urban areas with poor air quality and high temperatures, the researchers found. While the scientists called the study an "important first step," they warned that it's too early to draw conclusions as to why or how tree canopy configuration influences human health. "Although we can't yet define a direct causal link, when we have addressed factors such as age, gender and socio-economic status, the data shows clear correlations," first author Dengkai Chi said. This isn't the first study to outline the potential health benefits of trees. For instance, one recent paper revealed that living near trees offers cardiovascular benefits similar to starting up a regular exercise routine. And research from Boston University showed that people living in greener urban areas experience slower cognitive decline as they age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plus, there are a number of other good reasons to incorporate trees into our city planning. The Phys.org summary noted, "Trees filter pollutants out of the air, provide shade, lower the ambient temperature in hot weather, and encourage people to spend more time outdoors." "Our study provided valuable insights into optimizing forested greenspaces and highlighted future directions for the planning and management of urban forests towards healthy and green cities," the study authors wrote. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Members of a Harrison West homeowners association fear an unexpected apartment building proposal could harm their neighborhood. Once a Battelle parking lot, developers have completed 95% of a 21-acre transformation in Harrison West. Dubbed Founders Park, the mixed-use development came from a decade of conversations between residents and the developers behind the site, which sits along the Olentangy River just west of the Short North. 270-acre Delaware development to include 55-and-up section Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thrive Companies is behind the final construction, proposed as one townhouse building and a 20-unit condo around 531 W. 5th Ave. Now, financial concerns have led Thrive to file a zoning request to replace those family homes with a 60-unit apartment building, a change some Harrison West residents oppose. This shift undermines the trust we, as residents, placed in the original development plan, which was intended to promote long-term stability and homeownership in our neighborhood and balance apartments with townhomes and single-family homes in the development, the homeowners association told NBC4. But Thrive Principal and EVP of Development Steve Bollinger said the company has no other choice. He said the townhomes Thrive has already constructed in Harrison West are not selling, and the developers felt their best option was to abandon the hundreds of thousands invested in the initial architectural plans. We dont make changes like this because we want to. We make them when we have to, Bollinger said. This is a situation where we have to make this change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new proposal would have required 90 parking spaces, but Thrive is requesting just 15 spots, supplemented by parking throughout Founders Park. Bollinger said the occupancy between plans differed by fewer than one dozen people, and most apartment residents could be served by a surface lot. List: Central Ohio farmers markets for 2025 Harrison West residents said they worry this would exacerbate parking concerns in the urban neighborhood, where street parking is rarely free and extremely limited. The Columbus Division of Fire said it did not support the parking changes, citing fears of unauthorized parking that could block emergency vehicles. Bollinger said he was disappointed to learn community members felt they werent being listened to, citing initiatives Thrive has to prioritize the neighborhoods they develop in. He said Thrive designs its developments to reflect community sources of pride and markets neighborhoods based on how residents want their community presented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bollinger said he was disappointed to hear residents are opposing the new building, especially after taking part in many conversations with neighbors. From exclusive local business deals to intentional architectural design, he said Thrive has a lot of initiatives that prioritize the neighborhoods they work in. We dont want to be the developers that puts up fences and be like, Oh, look at this exclusive thing that nobody else gets to be a part of. Thats not us, thats not who we are at the core of our values and our missions, Bollinger said. And so thats why its upsetting that were having this discussion. Homeowner association members said they understand developers need to make money, but they feel the change undermines their original agreement. Families, teachers save Ohio preschool weeks from closure Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the existing residents dont want the revised development plan, it would seem that Thrive wants the late-stage zoning variance simply to help their bottom line, and is not concerned about the investments existing residents already made based on Thrives original commitments, homeowners association member Bruce Pecci said. The zoning change was submitted to the city in January and is currently being processed, after which it needs to be reviewed and approved by various city boards, including one from Harrison West. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A spooky situation still haunts one business months after Halloween. A central Ohio business, the focus of multiple NBC4 Investigates stories, is being accused of withholding thousands of dollars. Its a story we showed you last Halloween, and the one before. Prosecutors want Gaudreau brothers blood alcohol levels excluded from case The people at the Texas restaurant NBC4 Investigates spoke with have been fighting for months for a refund after ordering Halloween animatronics from the Columbus-based ScareFactory in August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restaurant claims that once the money was sent, The ScareFactory stopped responding, orders did not show up and now the restaurant is out $8,000. Now the restaurant is saying it didnt get any help in the matter from Ohios attorney generals office. We still have yet to receive any sort of resolution, Sabrina Davidson, who reached out to NBC4 Investigates, said. The ScareFactory makes elaborate Halloween props and animatronics used all over the world. Multiple customers have reached out to NBC4 Investigates over the last two years complaining of similar issues. The amount of time that I have invested in this, in just trying to get back the money that we paid for goods not received, it is extremely unfair, Davidson said. Its very, you know, scammy, its fraud and its just very unethical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owner of Browns, Crew asks for state funds after donating to legislators After our story aired in October, Davidson was told a refund was coming. It didnt show up. She reached out to the Ohio attorney generals office. An email shows the office closed the complaint after they did not hear back from The ScareFactory. So Davidson hired a lawyer to get nearly $8,000 back. It took a while, but he did finally end up responding to the attorney and said that he was going to be sending a check for the refund amount, Davidson said. Emails back and forth between The ScareFactory and Davidsons lawyer show the check hadnt arrived until late February, when a check dated Dec. 2, 2024, did come in the mail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it was cashed, it was bounced and came back as not sufficient funds, Davidson said. NBC4 Investigates again spoke with The ScareFactory owner this week. He claims he overnighted the check on Dec. 12 and said he did not know the check was delivered, but if they mail it back, he will wire the money. We are in the process of filing charges against that check since that is such a large amount for almost $8,000, Davidson said. Weve attempted to have him served with a new demand letter, letting him know that he would need to supply a new check that would be in good standing. Former Ohio doctors defamation case against Mount Carmel will go to trial Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas restaurant has tried to serve The ScareFactory owner a demand letter for the refund at least five times in the last two weeks and said he hasnt answered the door. The owner of The ScareFactory tells us he wants this behind him and plans to wire the money as soon as he gets the check back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In the never-ending quest to figure out what we are supposed to eat, a new boogeyman has emerged: seed oils. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pointed to seed oilsa category that includes common varieties such as canola, soybean, and cornas a major culprit behind Americas chronic-disease problem. Kennedy is far from the only prominent seed-oil critic: On his podcast, Joe Rogan has declared that seed oils are some of the worst fucking things your body can consume. These claims about the dangers of seed oils are not based in science; nutritionists believe that they are not only safe but also good for you in moderation. But that hasnt stopped the charge against them from going mainstream. You can now find products labeled Seed oil safe at Whole Foods and Costco; according to one poll, 28 percent of Americans are actively avoiding seed oils. So what are people eating instead? Kennedys preferred alternative is beef tallow, a nutritionally dubious choice. But most grocery stores dont have family-size tubs of rendered beef fat sitting next to the extra-virgin olive oil. The obvious seed-oil replacement, thensimilarly vegetal, broadly familiar, deliciousis olive oil. Scientists and seed-oil skeptics can agree on this: olive oil, what an oil! Earlier this year, the fast-salad chain Sweetgreen launched a limited-time-only seed-oil-free menu featuring dressings made with olive and avocado oils, chosen for their flavor but also for their health benefits and alignment with our values. But olive oil may soon cost morepotentially a lot more. Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs, which he delayed by 90 days yesterday, are coming for the countrys liquid gold. You know what is mostly insulated from the presidents proposed plan? Seed oils. Consider vegetable oil, the most ubiquitous of seed oils: No matter what brand you buy, its likely made from American-grown soybeans. If the goal is to get people away from the seed oil, well, these tariffs are going to drive people into the arms of the seed oils, William Clifton Ridley, an agricultural-economics professor at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, told me. Seed oils, maligned by both the crunchy left and the MAHA right, may get their revenge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Read: Americans have lost the plot on cooking oil] The biggest drawback of olive oil, ignoring certain culinary questions (flavor, smoke point), has long been its price. Olive oil is not cheap compared with canola or vegetable oil. But since 2021, the average price of olive oil in the United States has roughly doubled, the result of climate change and rising production costs. Consider Wirecutters budget olive-oil pick, Bertolli Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Rich Taste. At Walmart, it currently costs $8.47 for 16.9 fluid ounces (the equivalent of a regular-size Coke bottle). By contrast, 40 ounces of Crisco vegetable oil, equivalent to slightly more than a liter, will run you $4.47. The gulf is poised to only widen. Thats because nearly all of the olive oil consumed in the U.S. is imported, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As anyone who has gazed upon the bounty of the supermarket olive-oil aisle can tell you, most of that is coming from the European Union, namely Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece. These products currently carry a 10 percent tariff; if Trump goes through with the sweeping fees he paused yesterday, thatll soon jump to 20 percent. Olive oil is also imported from some other countries, but the trouble is that the proposed tariffs are so global. A lot of olive oil comes from Tunisia, for example, which, under the presidents paused plan, would be tariffed at 28 percent. Trumps tariffs are nominally intended to boost American manufacturing. These tariffs are going to give us growth like you havent seen before, the president has promised. Except there is nowhere near enough homegrown American olive oil to go around. California, the rare state with conditions amenable to olive-growing, produces less than 2 percent of the olive oil that Americans consume. California likes to think it produces olive oil, but not really, not to any great extent, Dan Sumner, an agricultural economist at UC Davis, told me. It wouldnt be easy to drastically ramp up domestic olive-oil production: Olive trees can take at least five years to bear fruit. And with Trump repeatedly announcing tariffs and then pausing them, its hard to expect American farmers to invest in this undertaking when they might not even recoup the benefits come 2030. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Read: A great way to get Americans to eat worse] Should Trumps more expansive tariffs take effect, olive-oil prices might go up substantially, Ridley told me. Expect the sticker price of olive oil to increase somewhere from 10 to 20 percentenough, he said, to drive a sizable decrease in olive-oil demand. Americans almost certainly wont abandon olive oil en masse. Its olive oil, a kitchen staple; nobody wants to drizzle their pizza with canola. But theres a huge swath of the population thats not going to be able to afford it, Phil Lempert, a grocery-industry analyst, told me. And theyre going to switch. And there are other options. Maybe seed-oil skeptics will want to follow RFK Jr.s lead and saute their food in beef tallow. But tallow isnt cheap either, and there isnt enough of it to go around. Last year, America produced about one pound of beef tallow for every 15 pounds of soybean oil, the most consumed oil in the U.S. by far. Compared with the alternatives, soybean oil will seem even cheaper: It is produced domestically; imports are essentially zero. The same is true of corn oil, only a tiny fraction of which comes from abroad. The majority of canola oil is imported from Canadameaning that at least for now, it isnt subject to any new tariffs. You can debate these oils relative merits and drawbacks, but you cannot debate the fact that they cost less. Even the more limited 10 percent tariffs that are now in place could lead to a seed-oil resurgence. If the costs are passed down to consumers, Sumner told me, most people will suck it up and paybut not everyone. Some people will shift to canola or vegetable oil. Restaurants, perennially concerned about margins, may be less likely to follow Sweetgreens lead and give up seed oils. Your local Italian restaurant, Lempert pointed out, may already be saving money by blending their olive oil with canola, and thats before the tariffs. Although RFK Jr. is wrong about the health effects of seed oils, hes right about why theyre so common: Theyre cheap. The reason theyre in foods is that theyre heavily subsidized, he told Fox & Friends, a point about seed oils he has made repeatedly. The federal government indeed pays American farmers to grow lots of corn and soybeans, allowing you to buy a jug of Crisco for less than $5. If the official governmental policy is to drive up prices on the most obvious alternative, seed oils will continue to have a leg up. Article originally published at The Atlantic President Donald Trumps second term has reignited uncertainty around federal student loan policies and for millions of borrowers, that includes how loans could affect their taxes. Find Out: If Trump Eliminates the Department of Education, Do You Still Have To Pay Your Student Loans? Read Next: Here's the Minimum Salary Required To Be Considered Upper Class in 2025 With potential changes to forgiveness programs, interest deductions and income-driven repayment plans, borrowers may be facing a very different tax landscape in the near future. Heres what you need to know and how to prepare. The Relationship Between Student Loans and Taxes Under current law, student loan forgiveness is generally considered taxable income unless an exemption applies, according Ken Ruggerio, CEO and chairman at Ascent Funding. However, through 2025, federal loan forgiveness under specific programs is tax-free. Future changes in tax law could reintroduce taxation on forgiven student loans, so borrowers should plan accordingly as even with no changes in tax law, federal loan forgiveness for programs other than Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) will likely become taxable after 2025, he said. He encouraged borrowers to explore all available repayment and forgiveness options while keeping tax implications in mind. For instance, in some circumstances, it might make more sense to transfer federal loans to private loans that dont carry the same uncertainty around taxation of loan forgiveness. This could reduce the potential tax burden that could arise from any shifts in federal policy, he explained. Learn More: Trump Wants To Replace Income Taxes With Tariffs: 2 Impacts on the Middle Class The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 made student loan forgiveness tax-free at the federal level through 2025. This applies to federal and certain private loans discharged under qualifying programs. For federal loans, forgiveness under PSLF is currently scheduled to remain tax-free after 2025 and for private loans, only discharges for death and total and permanent disability are covered under ARPA. If interest remains paused or forgiven, borrowers may not have qualifying interest payments to deduct. This could impact tax filings for those who previously relied on the deduction. Its important to plan for potential tax implications when interest payments resume. However, state tax treatment may vary, so borrowers must verify with their state tax authority. How the Trump Administration Is Handling Student Loan Policies If youre getting the student loan interest deduction, which allows borrowers to deduct up to $2,500 of paid interest from your taxable income, be sure to claim it this year, as it may not last. The Trump administration has proposed eliminating the student loan interest deduction, Ruggerio said. HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s visit to the FDA Friday was supposed to introduce him as a trusted leader to agency employees. It did anything but. Over the course of 40 minutes, Kennedy, in largely off-the-cuff remarks, asserted that the Deep State is real, referenced past CIA experiments on human mind control and accused the employees he was speaking to of becoming a sock puppet of the industries they regulate. Because of my familys commitment to these issues, I spent 200 hours at Wassaic Home for the Retarded when I was in high school, Kennedy said, in a reference to the Wassaic State School for the Mentally Retarded in Wassaic, New York. So I was seeing people with intellectual disabilities all the time. I never saw anybody with autism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The remark jolted several FDA employees in the audience, who misheard the reference and thought he was making a derogatory remark about people with intellectual disabilities, according to two employees granted anonymity for fear of retaliation. By the end of the event, billed as a welcome from the new commissioner, Marty Makary, several FDA staffers had walked out of the rooms where the speech was being broadcast at the agencys headquarters in White Oak, Maryland, according to two employees granted anonymity for fear of retaliation. President Trump always talks about the Deep State, and the media, you know, disparages him and says that he's paranoid," Kennedy said, according to a transcript and audio of his remarks obtained by POLITICO. But the Deep State is real. And it's not, you know, just George Soros and Bill Gates and a bunch of nefarious individuals sitting together in a room and plotting the, you know, the destruction of humanity. He said "every institution that's created by human beings" is inevitably captured by powerful interests, and urged FDA employees to take advantage of a four-year period under his leadership where he vowed that the Department of Health and Human Services would not be subjected to undue influence and would listen to dissidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All of us are subject to those gravities of agency capture," Kennedy said, challenging the audience to "be conscious of that gravity because it's going to be pulling you every single day of your career. We want to break away from this so we can make our kids healthy." The speech alarmed and disheartened FDA staffers reeling from the mass firings carried out across the department just a week ago, according to several FDA staffers who heard or read his remarks. The speech was broadcast from a private room to agency employees who gathered in two of the largest spaces at the agency the so-called Great Room and an atrium adjoining two central buildings on the FDAs campus. In a statement, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon said Kennedy was "telling the truth that many Americans already know: for too long, the FDA has been captured by the very industries it is supposed to regulate." "Calling this out and encouraging radical transparency is not controversial its leadership," Nixon said. "The era of rubber-stamping and silence is over." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy last week called the culling of roughly 10,000 employees a necessary action, promising that HHS would find ways to "do more with less." But in his first visit to the FDA, he offered little in the way of a vision for how the agency would come away from the layoffs stronger instead devoting much of his speech to railing against the agency's past failings and repeating his assertions that the U.S. was far healthier during his childhood than it is now. "This whole generation is damaged," Kennedy said, according to the transcript, claiming that rising rates of chronic disease, allergies and other illnesses are the result of some "environmental toxin." "The information is out there," he said. "But those studies aren't done because they may offend the financial interests of powerful entities." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy said hed soon be releasing new data from the CDCs autism monitoring network that shows that 1 in 31 children now have been diagnosed with the neurological condition. The agencys most recent estimate to date has been that 1 in 36 children have been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In an apparent effort to encourage FDA employees to stay true to their mission of making Americans healthier, Kennedy later also referenced the CIA's Project MKUltra a notorious human experimentation program from the 1960s and the Milgram experiment, a well-known study meant to test people's willingness to obey authority even if it meant inflicting pain on others. Kennedy throughout his remarks made little mention of the layoffs across FDA, which current and former officials have since worried are hampering the agency's ability to function. But in his introduction of Kennedy, Makary nodded to the 3,500 agency employees who were recently cut, saying that the changes have been hard on the ground. The Johns Hopkins surgeon urged FDA staff to work together, urging fewer individual empires and less territorialism between the agencys medical product centers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to make it very clear that we believe that the scientists, the reviewers, the inspectors, the officers, the administrative staff all of the people that support the core mission of the agency we want to make sure you have all the resources you need to do your job well, Makary said. CORRECTION: This article and headline have been updated to make clear that Kennedy was referring to the Wassaic State School for the Mentally Retarded where he worked in high school, not using a derogatory term for people with intellectual disabilities. U.S. Treasury yields have surged in recent days amid the global market sell-off sparked by President Donald Trump's tariff plans. Does that mean Treasuries are now a more attractive investment? Not necessarily. While higher yields are generally good for investors, it's important to understand why those yields have jumped suddenly. And in this case, there are big concerns you should be aware of before you jump into Treasury bonds or a Treasury bond fund. Image source: Getty Images. What makes Treasury bond rates rise suddenly? Yields on Treasury bonds (and other bonds) are inversely related to the bond's price. As prices fall, yields rise -- and vice versa. To understand why, let's imagine a Treasury with a face value of $1,000 and a yield of 4%. At that yield, the Treasury pays $40 of interest per year. Now imagine that the price of that Treasury in the secondary market falls to $925. It still pays $40 per year, but now the yield has risen to 4.3%. Why would the price of a Treasury fall in the secondary market? For the same reason a stock's price might fall: Supply is greater than demand. Or put another way, investors are selling. It isn't normal for Treasury yields to rise when stocks are plummeting The rising yields are notable because they're not what we would expect to see at a moment when stocks are selling off sharply. Generally, in times of market turmoil, Treasury yields fall as investors looking for a safe harbor bid prices up. That's because historically, U.S. Treasuries have been considered among the safest investments in the world -- a safe place to park when stocks are being sold off. But not this time. This time, stock prices are falling but Treasury yields are rising. Why? As I write this on Wednesday, it isn't yet clear. Some analysts have suggested that hedge funds that own stocks on margin may be selling Treasuries (rather than stocks) to meet margin calls as those stock prices fall. Others have theorized that with so much uncertainty around the Trump administration's tariff plans, investors may simply want to be in cash. But there's another possibility that's far more worrisome for U.S. investors: Treasuries could be on the verge of becoming a weapon in a global trade war. Are other countries weaponizing Treasuries amid Trump's trade war? Consider that the largest holders of U.S. Treasuries are the governments of Japan, China, and the United Kingdom. These are countries that the Trump administration has targeted with some of its highest tariff rates. It's possible that one of those countries (or more) has already started selling down its holdings of U.S. Treasuries. It's also possible that investors fearing such moves could be fleeing all dollar-denominated investments, including Treasuries. Banco Santander is reportedly weighing the sale of its majority stake, valued at around $8bn, in its Polish business. The Spanish financial giant, which is shifting its focus towards growth in the Americas, has enlisted an adviser to assess the future of its 62% stake in Santander Bank Polska, Bloomberg reported citing sources. Santander has begun reaching out to potential investors to gauge their interest in the stake, although discussions remain in their early stages, people privy to the development said. It is still possible that the bank may choose to retain its holding or pursue a partial sale of the shares, the sources indicated. In September, Santander raised 2.46bn zlotys ($627m) by selling a 5.2% interest in its Polish operation. However, a full sale of the business could be challenging, as the scale of the operation may make it difficult for local financial institutions to complete a purchase. The size of Santander Bank Polska could present a significant barrier to a domestic acquisition. This review of the Polish unit aligns with the bank's broader strategic shift under the leadership of Santander executive chair Ana Botin. The lender has been placing greater emphasis on expanding its footprint in the Americas, while reducing its focus on its European operations. Recent efforts include new digital banking initiatives in the US and Mexico, along with a new banking license acquired in Canada. Santander Bank Polska continues to be one of Poland's largest banks, serving a customer base of 7.5 million individuals. Nationale-Nederlanden OFE holds a 5% stake in the bank. "Santander explores sale of $8bn stake in Polish unit" was originally created and published by Retail Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand. A total of 148 combat clashes have occurred on the front line over the past 24 hours, with Russian forces most frequently launching assaults on the Pokrovsk, Lyman, Toretsk and Kursk fronts. Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 08:00 on 11 April Quote: "Over the past day [10 April], the enemy launched two missile strikes and 106 airstrikes on positions of Ukrainian troops and populated areas, using three missiles and dropping 165 guided aerial bombs. In addition, about 6,000 attacks were recorded, including 96 with multiple-launch rocket systems, and 2,388 kamikaze drones were deployed." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: On the Kharkiv front, Ukrainian defenders repelled four attacks near the town of Vovchansk. On the Kupiansk front, five Russian assaults were halted near the settlements of Nova Kruhliakivka, Pishchane and in the area of Zahryzove. On the Lyman front, Russian forces conducted 13 attacks, attempting to advance near the settlements of Nadiia, Nove and Yampolivka, as well as towards Torske, Dronivka, Hrekivka, Olhivka, Katerynivka and Novomykhailivka. On the Siversk front, Ukrainian troops repelled eight attacks as the Russians attempted to push towards the village of Hryhorivka and near Bilohorivka and Verkhniokamianske. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three combat clashes were recorded on the Kramatorsk front, near the settlements of Bila Hora and Kurdiumivka. On the Toretsk front, Russian forces carried out 22 assaults towards the settlements of Dyliivka, Druzhba and Toretsk. On the Pokrovsk front, 53 assault and offensive operations were repelled. The Russians attacked near the settlements of Romanivka, Oleksandropil, Serhiivka and Kotliarivka and close to the settlements of Kalynove, Sribne, Tarasivka, Sykha Balka, Valentynivka, Yelyzavetivka, Lysivka, Zvirove, Udachne, Preobrazhenka, Andriivka and Bohdanivka. On the Novopavlivka front, the defence forces repelled three attacks near the settlements of Kostiantynopil and Bahatyr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Huliaipole front saw three Russian assaults near the village of Pryvilne. There were no combat clashes on the Orikhiv front. On the Prydniprovsk front, Russian troops twice unsuccessfully attempted to break through Ukrainian positions. On the Kursk front, 24 combat clashes were recorded. The Russians carried out 45 airstrikes using 62 guided aerial bombs and launched 372 artillery attacks, including 12 with multiple-launch rocket systems. No signs of Russian assault group formations were observed on the Volyn and Polissia fronts. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! As of 09:00 on 11 April, the Russians attacked Ukraine with 39 Shahed attack drones and fired a ballistic missile against the city of Dnipro. Source: Ukraines Air Force Quote: "During the current and previous day (from 09:00 on 10 April to 09:00 on 11 April), the enemy attacked the city of Dnipro with a ballistic missile that was launched from Russias Rostov Oblast and 39 Shahed-type attack UAVs and decoy drones of various types that were launched from the Russian cities of Kursk, Oryol, Millerovo and Primorsko-Akhtarsk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of 09:00, 24 Shahed attack UAVs (and other types of drones) have been confirmed downed in the north, south, east and centre of the country. A total of 13 enemy decoy drones disappeared from radar (without causing adverse effects)." Details: It is reported that the Russian attack affected Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk and Zhytomyr oblasts. Background: A 42-year-old man was killed in a missile attack on Dnipro on 10 April. Latest reports indicate that eight other people were injured. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! We recently published a list of 10 Best Long Term Growth Stocks to Buy According to Billionaires. In this article, we are going to take a look at where ServiceNow, Inc. (NYSE:NOW) stands against other best long term growth stocks to buy according to billionaires. As per Barclays, the US administration announced numerous executive orders with reforms associated with world trade, immigration, and global geopolitics, resulting in elevated levels of uncertainty and volatility, with markets witnessing a range of policy changes. The firms research analysts opine that higher uncertainty comes at a cost to global growth. In the US, there has been a decline in consumer confidence, while personal spending remains weak, and GDP forecasts declined sharply, says the firm. Whats Ahead for US Economy? S&P Global believes that the Trump administrations shifting policy mix continues to result in a faster decline in growth in 2025. While the firms full-year growth rate remains unchanged at 1.9% (mainly because of higher base effects from a strong end to 2024), it expects a downshift in growth to 1.6% by Q4. It expects unemployment to drift higher, peaking at 4.6% by midyear 2026, with the public sector likely to limit the payroll expansion. This contrasts with strong contributions to job growth over the past 2 years. S&P Global expects inflation to remain closer to 3.0% in 2025 as tariffs result in higher prices along the domestic supply chain and for end consumers. Therefore, the company anticipates one 25-basis-point federal funds rate cut for 2025, closing the year at the 4.00%-4.25% range. READ ALSO: 7 Best Stocks to Buy For Long-Term and 8 Cheap Jim Cramer Stocks to Invest In. US Economy to Grow in 2025, Says Russell Investments For 2025, Russell Investments expects a soft landing for the US economy. It assumes that the new administration will ease the more aggressive stances on tariffs and immigration. As per the firm, the US economy is projected to grow at a trend-like pace of 2.0% in 2025. The Trump administrations policies exhibit a delicate balancing act. The firm believes that tax reforms and deregulation can help stimulate growth, mainly in domestic and cyclical sectors. Its working assumption is focused on the new administration not aggressively pursuing policies that result in inflation risk. While the tariffs and immigration controls are likely to be implemented, the firm opines that the extent is expected to be constrained by the inflation outlook. Overall, Russell Investments expects the policy mix to support business confidence, which can fuel a resurgence in capital markets and offer favorable tailwinds for private assets. DeepState, a Ukrainian group of military analysts, has reported that Russian forces have occupied the village of Oleksandropil in Donetsk Oblast and have also advanced deeper into Ukrainian positions in the village of Uspenivka, which is located six kilometres from the administrative border with Dnipropetrovsk Oblast. Source: DeepState Quote: "The enemy has occupied Oleksandropil and has also advanced near Novobakhmutivka and in Uspenivka." Background: A total of 125 combat clashes occurred on the battlefield on 10 April. The Russians conducted a missile strike and 77 airstrikes, using a missile and dropping 114 guided bombs, launched 931 kamikaze drones and shelled Ukrainian positions over 4,218 times. DeepState updated its interactive map of hostilities in Ukraine on the night of 9-10 April, indicating that Russian forces had advanced near four settlements in Donetsk Oblast. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has sharply criticized European Union politicians against the backdrop of a rapprochement between the Kremlin and the new US administration. Politicians such as acting German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, EU top diplomat Kaja Kallas and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen showed how "low the EU has fallen," Lavrov told Russian news agencies on Friday. Those politicians were not thinking of their voters, but had put the desire to punish Russia above the well-being of their own citizens, Lavrov said at a meeting of foreign ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States in the Kazakh city of Almaty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast, he did express respect for the US government under President Donald Trump. Contacts with the US side had shown that there was an understanding in principle of the need for dialogue while maintaining the national interests of both sides, according to the minister. "We see that, unlike in Europe, which - and here I include Great Britain - is completely ignoring the causes of the current situation, there is a desire in the United States to address the core of the problem," Lavrov said. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine more than three years ago. While Western allies have provided massive military support for Kiev, efforts to negotiate an end to the war only gained new impetus after US President Donald Trump took office in January. European allies have effectively been sidelined from the US-Russia talks, fuelling fears that Washington could negotiate a deal favourable to Moscow. RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) With the town of Smyrna growing, Rutherford County officials are working to solve overcrowding in schools. Construction is currently underway on Poplar Hill Elementary School, a 35-classroom facility along Baker Road with the ability to hold 1,200 students and provide more than 100 jobs. Tennessee Senate passes controversial bill that would allow school districts to deny undocumented students Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youve got Stewarts Creek, Browns Chapel, and Stewartsboro there that were going to be joining in that area. Those schools are sitting well over a thousand students, and so us coming is going to alleviate that overcrowding, Poplar Hill Elementary School Principal Jason Eaton said. Eaton also told News 2 about teachers reporting for their first official day at school on Aug. 4 and students coming for registration on Aug. 8. The principal estimates Poplar Hill Elementary will open with just under 800 students and all new amenities. Picking out furniture, hiring I think Ive done, as of yesterday, about 125 interviews for positions to fill the school so its been something really fun. Its been exciting, Eaton said. Wilson County expects tighter budget next school year Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This school will primarily serve Smyrna, one of the fastest growing cities in Middle Tennessee. According to Rutherford County Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Sullivan, the district has about 50,000 students enrolled. Poplar Hill Elementary isnt the only new school in the works in Rutherford County. Work is also underway to build Westside Middle School, Northside Elementary School, and Northside High School. Officials are also planning another elementary school and high school. In January, Smyrna High School began a $38 million expansion, which now allows the school to educate 2,500 students. READ MORE | Latest headlines from Murfreesboro and Rutherford County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Poplar Hill Elementary is hosting a town hall at Blackman United Methodist Church on Manson Pike at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 10 so parents can meet school leaders and learn more about the exciting things coming in the future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. (FOX40.COM) Authorities have arrested a Sacramento City Firefighter while he was on duty on Wednesday, said the Sacramento Fire Department in a statement. Video above: How to report a public safety threat? Sac Fire did not mention anything related to the charges but said that the arrest was related to an off-duty matter. According to the El Dorado County Sheriffs Office website, the firefighter has been identified as Adam Blankenship. He is being charged with rape and records show he was arrested at Sacramento Fire Station 12 around 6:30 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rocklin Police arrest suspect hiding in field with drugs, firearm A spokesperson from EDSO said detectives started an investigation related to a variety of sexual assault allegations that happened in multiple counties. On Wednesday, Blankenship was taken into custody for sexual assault charges which included illegal recording without consent, digital penetration by force, digital penetration without the ability to consent, attempted rape, sexual battery, and continuous molestation of a child under 14 years, said EDSO. At this time, he is being held in the El Dorado County Jail without bail. While this incident took place during the firefighters scheduled work hours, it is important to note that the arrest is related to activities that occurred off duty and not in connection with their role as a member of our department, said Sac Fire. We take all matters involving our personnel very seriously, regardless of whether they are on or off duty, and we are fully committed to upholding the highest standards of behavior both in and outside the workplace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sac Fire stated the firefighter who was involved has been placed on leave while the department works with the El Dorado County Sheriffs to learn more. EDSO said, If you or someone you know may be a victim, please contact Detective Macres at 530-957-5227 Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SALISBURY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Officers with the Salisbury Police Department responded to a 911 call reporting an active shooter at a local Walmart on Friday afternoon. Officers arrived at the scene in less than two minutes and immediately started evacuating the store. Following a thorough search and investigation, officers determined that there was no active shooter or any threat to the public present at the location. The incident has since been resolved. The store has reopened and is resuming normal business operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with additional information concerning this event is asked to contact the Salisbury Police Department at 704-638-5333 or via email at spdcommunications@salisburync.gov. CRIME & PUBLIC SAFETY Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) A San Francisco man and registered sex offender was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for distributing child pornography, prosecutors said Thursday. Two San Jose women arrested in connection to alleged brothel ring Dale Jetton pleaded guilty on Aug. 22, 2024 and was originally indicted by a federal grand jury on Aug. 29, 2023, said the Northern District of California Department of Justice (DOJ). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a plea agreement, in March 2023, Jetton started texting a person who was actually an undercover law enforcement officer. Prosecutors said, Jetton sent the undercover officer an invitation and link to a cloud service that Jetton boasted contained over 700+ megabytes of child exploitation materials. The link included thirty-eight videos containing visual depictions of minors engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The DOJ said Jetton admitted to knowing the explicit videos featured children under the age of 12, including at least one video that depicted a minor being subjected to sexual bondage. Jetton, who has remained in custody since his arrest two years ago, will begin his prison term immediately. A judge also ordered him to serve 15 years of supervised release when his sentence concludes. The DOJ said the investigation was a joint effort by the Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the San Francisco Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. As the Trump administration continues to prioritize spending cuts and sweeping change across the federal government, a Santa Fe-based humanities research institution has been notified a $900,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities has been canceled. The School for Advanced Research, formerly known as the School of American Research, was recently informed a significant grant to support improvements for its Indian Arts Research Center is being cut, according to school President Morris Foster. The campus offers scholar residency, seminar and artist fellowship programs, among other things. The National Endowment for the Humanities has canceled most of its grant programs and last week started putting staff on administrative leave, The New York Times reports. Foster said the letter notifying the School for Advanced Research about the funding cut read, in part: "Your grants immediate termination is necessary to safeguard the interests of the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This follows the Trump administration slashing funding for the New Mexico Humanities Council last week in similar fashion, meaning several arts, culture and history programs around the state will lose funds. The "4-to-1" challenge grant, for which the School for Advanced Research had raised its own funds, was aimed at refreshing the furnishing and storage for the 12,000-item collection in the Indian Arts Research Center, which houses Indigenous textiles, pottery and jewelry. The collection carries items dating back to 500 A.D. and forward to the present, focusing on Native pueblos and nations in New Mexico and the Southwest. The National Endowment for the Arts did not immediately respond to emailed questions on Wednesday. Foster said the improvements project at the research facility's Indian Arts Research Center will continue with or without the grant, noting the research center is approaching the halfway point in its $4.6 million fundraising goal for the initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will do it," Foster said of the project. "It's unfortunate we will not have the NEH's help in getting there, but we will get there." The National Endowment for the Humanities, small compared to some other federal agencies, has provided more than $6.4 billion to support more than 70,000 projects in the U.S. since its inception in 1965, according to its website. Many museums and other organizations rely on the agency as a key source of funding. In terms of impact in the Land of Enchantment, the agency's website states it issued $9.8 million from the 2019 to 2023 financial years to support 52 projects in New Mexico. An award highlight listed on the website is funding for the University of New Mexico so it could pursue research and create a book on the "contribution made by native speakers of the indigenous South American language Quechua to the writing system during the colonial era." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foster said donors have responded with donations since learning about the $900,000 grant being cut. Foster penned a message to the campus' network of constituents through an email list, according to Meredith Schweitzer, a spokesperson for the School for Advanced Research. "We must not think about the state of the humanities as losing ground, because how we frame that question 'decline,' 'losing,' 'threatened' shapes how we think about the societal value of the humanities more broadly," Foster wrote in the message. "The humanities will always be part of us and cannot be diminished by withdrawing a grant." This Thursday, a group of Satellite High School students showed their support for AP teacher Melissa Calhoun, whose contract isnt being renewed. The students lined up at the flagpole after school and walked together off campus. Brevard Public Schools tells us that the Superintendent made the decision after the district was made aware that a teacher at Satellite High had been referring to a student by a name other than their legal name without parental permission. Thats a violation of Florida law. Former State Senator and current U.S. Congressman Randy Fine told us, I dont know the details of the situation. Like I said, if this is Randall being called Randy, I dont know that its that big of a deal. If its John being called Lisa, thats very different. And so, I hope that the details cant come out. Because I think the community has worked up about the issue. And I think that needs to be addressed. But I do feel very strongly it is not up to a teacher. It is not to the government to decide what to call It is up to parents. We do not co-parent with the government in Florida. The district told us it found four violations of board policies: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida State Statute 1000.071: Personal Titles and Pronouns Florida Administrative Code 6A-1.0955: Education Records Brevard Public Schools Board Policy 3210: Standards of Ethical Conduct Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida State Board Rule, 6A-10.081(2)(c)(4) In a written statement the Brevard Federation of teachers told us today, Educators simply want to do what they love and what they are highly trained to do: teach to the best of their ability, support the best outcomes for their students, and help students thrive. Today, we stand in solidarity with a teacher in Brevard for the actions taken against them for calling a soon-to-be graduating high school senior by the name the student has been known as for most of their high school career. We are shocked at the superintendents heavy-handed decision to essentially terminate a veteran teacher who has inspired and advocated for her community, profession, and students for more than 12 years. We hope the superintendent will reconsider his decision and ensure this educators legacy can continue. Every student deserves to be treated with dignity and respectthey need classrooms where they can learn, grow, thrive, and connect with their educators, peers, and communities. Every educator deserves the ability to do their job without fear of whatever political battle they will be thrown into. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. The Soorty Organic Cotton Initiative (SOCI) announced this week that its first private-sector textile manufacturer project in Pakistan will be recognized by the Organic Cotton Accelerator (OCA) as a partner in the OCA Seed Commercialization Initiative. Through a seed multiplication initiative, SOCI ensures farmers receive high-quality, high-yield, non-genetically-modified seeds at sustainable costs, creating a path for a stronger, more resilient organic cotton supply chain. The OCA Seed Commercialization Initiative supports farmers in transitioning to organic practices, boosting crop yields, and reducing reliance on chemical inputs. More from Sourcing Journal Soorty launched SOCI in 2021 as a program that brings organic farming practices and a better way of life to farmers in the Balochistan region of Pakistan. The program debuted with 800 farmers, and enrollment ballooned to 13,000 by 2023. In 2020, SOCI achieved an In-Conversion Year-1 (IC1) certification, which is provided by the Control Union (CU), a third-party certification firm. The achievement confirms the transition to organic farming. SOCI is one of several programs the Pakistani vertical denim manufacturer has in progress to uplift local farmers and promote traceability. Launched last year, the Soorty Regenagri Initiative (SRI) project in collaboration with the Rural Education and Economic Development Society (REEDS) aims to revitalize agricultural ecosystems through regenerative farming. With SRI, Soorty seeks to produce cotton in a more environmentally friendly manner that fosters transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain. By implementing regenerative agricultural practices, SRI focuses on enhancing soil health, conserving biodiversity, reducing chemical dependency, and promoting water conservation. Additionally, Soorty is working toward regenerative organic certification by the end of the year. The mill is building traceability into its cotton as well with a project that will help brands (and eventually consumers) gain visibility into the origins of their cotton. The first QR-coded cotton bales are expected to be produced by the end of this year. A state-of-the-art laboratory recently opened at Soortys facilities in Karachi to monitor and enhance cotton quality, specifically off-season testing under climate-controlled growth room, testing fiber purity, GMO-free seed, and sustainability metrics to ensure high industry standards. Soorty is also partnering with SAWiE, a digital agricultural platform that leverages data analytics and AI to provide farmers with real-time insights, resource optimization, GIS-based remote sensing, farmer advisory, and climate-smart farming solutions. By Nathan Vifflin and Giuseppe Fonte (Reuters) -Chipmaker STMicroelectronics' supervisory board on Thursday denied allegations of insider trading concerning two members of its managing board and sought to reassure the Italian government the company was committed to its investments there. Italy's Economy Minister Giancarlo Giorgetti in a news conference late on Wednesday accused STMicro's management of having sold shares it held a day before reporting negative results. Giorgetti also said the Italian government did not support STMicro's CEO Jean-Marc Chery, a Frenchman who has been in the role for seven years. Meanwhile, French industry minister Marc Ferracci offered his "full support" to Chery in a post on social media platform X late on Thursday. In its statement on Thursday, STMicro said the stock sales done during the company's blackout period prior to results were made by its stock plan administrator "through an automatic procedure." STMicro also expressed support for Chery in its statement. However, at a meeting of the supervisory board called on Thursday that renewed confidence in Chery, the only Italian representative, Paolo Visca, did not attend. Italian Industry Minister Adolfo Urso and trade union officials were present as the company confirmed its planned investments at new facilities in Agrate in northern Italy and Catania in Sicily were on track. It also said it would double production capacity at the Agrate site by 2027. The group is ready to engage in "constructive talks" with Italian trade unions to avoid unilateral action on job levels in the country, slides from the meeting showed. The Italian and French governments own a combined 27.5% share in the chipmaker through a holding company, but Rome has indicated it believes the company's governance is imbalanced in favour of Paris. European chipmakers, including STMicro, are grappling with a downturn in the automotive and industrial markets, which account for the bulk of demand. The company postponed the publication of its 2025 targets in January. Also on Thursday, the chipmaker published details of a cost-cutting plan it announced in October, confirming it expected its workforce to be cut by 2,800 people globally, on top of normal attrition. Beyond Italy, STMicro faces a class action lawsuit in the United States that alleged the company deceived investors by withholding information on the health of the business. In Thursday's statement from the supervisory board, STMicro said it had a "good defence" against that lawsuit. (Reporting by Nathan Vifflin in Gdansk and Giuseppe Fonte in Rome; additional reporting by Makini Brice in Paris; Writing by Keith Weir; Editing by Milla Nissi, Barbara Lewis, Rachna Uppal and Nick Zieminski) Turkiye's state-owned Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) has partnered with three Pakistani national energy companies to bid in Pakistan's offshore oil and gas exploration tender. This collaboration marks a strategic energy move for both nations. The agreement was signed during an official visit to Islamabad by Turkish Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar, who attended the Pakistan Mining Investment Forum. Minister Bayraktar highlighted the importance of value-added mining and environmentally sensitive practices to attract investment. He noted that Turkiye is working on a reform package to facilitate mining investments by streamlining permit processes. The joint bidding agreement involves Turkish Petroleum and Pakistan's national oil companies Mari Energies, OGDCL and PPL. Pakistan plans to bid for 40 sea exploration blocks by 30 June 2025, with 14 in the Makran offshore basin and 26 in the Indus offshore basin. The four companies will jointly bid for selected blocks. "This step will deepen the strategic energy partnership between Turkiye and Pakistan and will also be an important threshold for regional energy security. I wish the agreement to be beneficial for the two countries in advance," Bayraktar stated. In July last year, Turkiye signed an agreement granting exclusive rights to explore and produce hydrocarbons in three blocks in Somalia, covering a combined area of 5,000km. Russia and Pakistan are also exploring potential cooperation in offshore oil and gas exploration and refining, following intergovernmental meetings in December 2024 in Moscow. Discussions included Russia potentially supplying Pakistan with crude oil and grain as part of efforts to strengthen energy ties. Since 2022, Russia has regularly supplied oil to Pakistan after the EU embargo on Russian energy products. In a related development, MariEnergies has struck oil at the Shawal-1 well at its fully owned Mari Development & Production Lease in Sindh Province, Pakistan. The company successfully drilled the well to a depth of 1,136m at the Ghazij Formation. "Turkiyes TPAO partners with Pakistani companies for offshore oil and gas exploration" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) The San Francisco Police Department is offering a $100,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in a 23-year-old homicide case. San Francisco law enforcement arrests 67 fugitives in single day SFPD said Lorenzo Richards was shot and killed on Feb. 24, 2002, inside an apartment building on George Court. Lorenzo Richards (Photo courtesy of SFPD.) The motive and circumstances surrounding the shooting are not clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with possible leads that can identify a suspect is urged to contact the San Francisco police Homicide Unit at (415) 553-9481 or the Department Operations Center at (415) 553-1071. Tips can be submitted anonymously at (415) 575-4444 or texting TIP411, starting the message with SFPD. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Public officials in 16 states and the District of Columbia sued the Trump administration Thursday to restore access to pandemic relief aid for schools, saying the Education Departments abrupt halt of hundreds of millions of dollars of promised funding will force cuts to vital services. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Manhattan by a coalition of 16 Democratic attorneys general, led by New Yorks Letitia James, plus Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, also a Democrat. It claims the administrations refusal to release the aid violates federal law because it reversed a prior decision to allow states to access the money through March 2026. States were notified late last month that the Education Department would not honor deadline extensions granted by the Biden administration to spend the remainder of COVID relief aid approved by Congress to help schools and students recover from the lasting impacts of the pandemic. Schools were supposed to spend the last of the relief by January but many sought, and were granted, more time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In announcing the reversal, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said schools had ample time to spend the money, but the agency would consider requests for extensions for individual projects. The department did not say how much money is left of the total $189 billion approved. Shapiro says $183.6 million is owed to 116 Pennsylvania school districts, charter schools, intermediate units, and career and technical centers, and $1.8 million owed to the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Congress and the federal government made a commitment to our students, and school districts across Pennsylvania started construction to make schools safer, delivered supplies to students, and invested to create more opportunity for our kids based on that commitment, said Governor Shapiro. Now the Trump Administration is trying to renege on its commitments to our kids and leave Pennsylvania taxpayers holding the bag. Every Pennsylvania student deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed. Im taking action to preserve that freedom and ensure no Pennsylvania student is harmed by the federal governments decision to go back on its word. New York state lost access to $134 million, James office said in a press release. It said the relief funding has supported repairs and improvements to school buildings and the purchase of library books, playground equipment and wheelchair-accessible buses. Districts also relied on the aid for programs and services for homeless students, as well as tutoring for students who fell behind because of missed classroom time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administrations latest attack on our schools will hurt our most vulnerable students and make it harder for them to thrive, James said. Cutting school systems access to vital resources that our students and teachers rely on is outrageous and illegal. Joining the lawsuit were the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and the District of Columbia. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (Editors note: This article contains descriptions of child sexual abuse that some readers may find disturbing.) The Shawnee First Church of the Nazarene is facing a civil suit amid allegations of a coverup after a church donor was charged with sexually abusing four women when they were children. Several women, remaining anonymous in a lawsuit filed last month, allege that Charles Sulivant, a donor and former board member at the First Church of the Nazarene in Shawnee, stalked and abused children at the church. Their suit accuses the church of not only knowing about the abuse but also covering it up by threatening anyone who discussed it or attempted to report it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit was filed in Oklahoma County District Court. Sulivant, now 92, was charged in November in Pottawatomie County District Court with two counts of lewd or indecent acts to a child under age 16 related to the accusations in the civil filing. Court filings state that various incidents involving Sulivant took place between 2008 and 2013. "For years, Plaintiffs suffered in silence because (the church) refused to protect them," lawyers for the alleged victims wrote. "Only recently did Plaintiffs learn that those they trusted within the church knew about Sulivant all along and could have easily prevented their suffering." Public Eye: In rural Oklahoma, sexual assault survivors are hours away from help Allegations of misconduct against wealthy church donor span decades One victim was a 15-year-old girl who was groped by Sulivant while in the churchs administrative office in 2008, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The girl and her mother brought the accusations to Johnny Stephens, the church pastor at the time, who denied them and defended Sulivant, according to the lawsuit. The pastor also privately told the girl she was a bad kid and that her story would not be believed, the girl alleged. Stephens added that if she tried speaking up, Sulivant would leave the church, it would lose his significant tithes, and her mother would be out of a job, according to the suit. Stephens then told the mother he would call the Shawnee Police Department, but the family later found out he never called the police, the suit alleges. More: A look at the lives of those experiencing homelessness in Shawnee Another alleged victim was a 9-year-old girl. She claimed that in 2009 Sulivant lured her to his truck in the church parking lot, where he began kissing her neck and trying to get under her clothes, according to the suit. She said she was eventually able to break free of his grip and flee to a restroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To this day, she remembers what she was wearing, how scared she was, and how disgusting she felt, the lawsuit states. Her self-image was destroyed. To this day no guy can hug her or touch her without her remembering what Sulivant did. When the 9-year-olds mother reported her daughters abuse to the church pastor in 2016, he had already known of at least four other girls that Charles Sulivant had tried something with, according to the suit. At the time, Stephens told the mother his way of taking care of the issue was by not allowing Sulivant to be away from the foyer without his wife. Signage for the First Church of the Nazarene is pictured at 401 N Market Ave in Shawnee, Oklahoma, on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. The church is at the center of a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse of children and a subsequent coverup that victims say spanned two decades. Another woman alleged that when she was 18 years old in 2011, Sulivant came up behind her, rubbed her body and tried kissing her while she was at the churchs gym. He told her, I could really go for a girl like you, before she turned her head away and ran, as detailed in the suit. When the 18-year-old's parents confronted Stephens about what happened, he brought the woman's parents and Sulivant into his office, according to the suit. Sulivant did not deny the allegations, but Stephens said Sulivant was just confused and might have dementia, according to the suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit also claims that the pastor told the 18-year-olds parents that Sulivant would not be allowed anywhere but the lobby and that he could no longer be alone with women or girls. But he did not tell Sulivants previous issues to the family and did not report the incident to the police, according to the suit. One more woman alleged she was abused by Sulivant from 2008 to 2012, starting when she was 8 years old. Sulivant would inappropriately touch her chest underneath her dress, kiss her on the mouth, and spin her around and call her his little girlfriend, as detailed in the suit. The woman said she stopped wearing dresses to church because of what Sulivant was doing, but that he regularly engaged in this behavior with her until she was 12, according to the suit. Opinion: One in seven children in Oklahoma County will experience abuse. You can help Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When her mother reported Sulivant to the pastor, Stephens instead said that Sulivant was just being friendly, according to the suit. He also did not let the complainants family know about Sulivants prior incidents and, again, did not report Sulivant to the police, per the suit. It wasnt until March 2024, the suit alleges, that one of the women found out from her former Sunday school teacher that Sulivant had allegedly harassed and assaulted her, as well. The teacher told her that Sulivant made comments about the size of her breasts and constantly tried to hug her and touch her breasts against her will, and this happened regularly throughout the late 90s and early 2000s, as stated in the suit. When the teacher allegedly reported the harassment to Stephens and his wife, they both shook their head and ignored the report, according to the suit. Police uncover multiple attempts allegedly silencing complaints, whistleblower A vehicle branded with the City of Shawnee Police Department sits along a curb in Oklahoma. PROVIDED In August 2024, two Shawnee police detectives visited the pastor and his wife at their home. According to a probable cause affidavit written by one of the detectives, Johnny (Stephens) knew that I was there to talk about Sulivant. Johnny also asked initially before I told him what girls were involved if I was there to talk about [Jane Doe 1]. When I told him that it was actually the [Jane Doe 2] situation that was reported in 2016, Johnny advised that he was familiar with that situation too. When the detectives further questioned Stephens about Sulivant, the pastor said hed told Sulivant, Charlie, if you dont stop this, youre going to jail, son. You have (got) to stop this, and You have got to stay away from these young girls and we are watching you, according to the affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stephens also told investigators hed reached out to Terry Rowland, the church's district superintendent, for help with Sulivant. Johnny stated that Rowland told him that he needed to continue doing what he was doing to handle the situation, detectives wrote. The pastor also admitted he did not make any police reports or Occupational Health Service referrals about Sulivants alleged actions, saying that he had never seen Sulivant be inappropriate but had always heard about it, according to the affidavit. Stephens also denied knowing people had lost their jobs or been threatened when trying to go to higher-ups, according to the affidavit, but said people should sue somebody. More: Did a Shawnee police officer hold woman 'hostage' to make her husband comply? What Public Eye found Detectives later questioned Sulivant during an August interview at the police department. Sulivant admitted Stephens had called him into his office multiple times and told him to stop touching girls, attributing it to stupidity, I guess, according to the affidavit. Detectives also wrote that Sulivant described his feelings toward the girls as lust and that he never thought of the girls as being kids, according to the affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sulivant also said he had "repented" for his actions and had apologized to one of the girl's parents and that he still owed the other girls an apology. "Sulivant admitted that he knows what he did to the girls was inappropriate, criminal and wrong," the detectives wrote. Sulivants attorney, Ryan Coventon, did not return requests for comment by press time. When contacted by The Oklahoman, Stephens said he could not make any comments on the case, acknowledging that he previously "might have already made too many." Michael Thompson, legal counsel for the Church of the Nazarene, did not return a phone call to The Oklahoman before publication. The affidavit also states that a Choctaw Church of the Nazarene youth minister, Drew Dinnel, found out during a summer camp about two of the women's experiences and attempted to report their allegations to Rowland and his then-lead pastor Mike Meaks. According to Dinnel's interview detailed in the affidavit, both church officials said he should not report them and leave it up to the girls' families. Dinnel told investigators that he sent the appropriate statute to the church authorities and made an anonymous referral to DHS. According to the affidavit, Dinnel was let go from his position about six months later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Dinnel also told me that at that time, the church tried to pass a board motion stating that church staff could not report issues like this to DHS," a detective wrote. Related: Director James Toback ordered to pay $1.68B in sexual assault trial involving 40 women Victims seek damages arguing gross negligence of church leaders The alleged victims cited in the lawsuit, now all adults, are pursuing damages from the church in excess of $75,000, arguing that church officials were grossly negligent in their failure to stop Sulivant's abuse. Also named as defendants in the lawsuit were the church's southeast district advisory board, the statewide district organization, and the nationwide Kansas-headquartered Church of the Nazarene as a whole, the women's attorneys argue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The church was "aware, or simply did not care, that there was a substantial risk that the policies and customs it promulgated, the practices it condoned, and the negligence and indifference of its agents and employees would and were causing serious harm to young girls at the church," lawyers wrote. The four women are being represented by Nix Patterson LLP, a law firm headquartered in Texas that specializes in civil claims arising from sexual abuse and assault throughout the country. Attorneys with the law firm also recently represented dozens of women in a New York lawsuit against film director James Toback, who was accused of sexual harassment and assault that allegedly spanned decades. More: As Southern Baptists grapple with long ago abuse, an Oklahoma church takes steps Wednesday, a jury awarded a total of $1.7 billion in damages to 40 women in the Toback case. "The jury's verdict is about justice," said Nix Patterson attorney Brad Beckworth in a statement to USA TODAY. "But more importantly, it's about taking power back from the abusers and their enablers and returning it to those they tried to control." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Church of the Nazarene faces child sex abuse lawsuit in Shawnee JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) The Washington County, Tennessee, Sheriffs Office said human remains were found in the Nolichucky River on Friday. According to the department, a body was recovered from the Nolichucky River off Arnold Road on Friday afternoon. Sheriff Keith Sexton said evidence at the scene shows the death was not related to Hurricane Helene. The body was transported to the William Jenkins Forensics Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation is ongoing. More information will be released once it becomes available. Photo Washington County, Tennessee, Sheriffs Office Photo Washington County, Tennessee, Sheriffs Office Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. LAKE WALES, Fla. (WFLA) Sheriff Grady Judd released details about a deputy-involved shooting that happened in Lake Wales Friday. The Polk County Sheriff reported that around 12:52 p.m., deputies received a call about a suspicious person entering a garage and requesting a gun. The owner of the house told deputies that the man then asked to be shot and killed. According to PCSO, after being told to leave the man entered another house, belonging to a woman, and also asked her if she had a gun and said he wanted to be killed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At this time a deputy arrived at the scene. Our suspect starts walking toward her and pulls the knife from his pocket and threatens to her and is telling her to kill him. She is trying to deescalate him. She is backing away and trying to put the patrol car between her and him, said Sheriff Grady Judd. Another deputy arrived shortly after and ordered the man to put the knife down. PCSO said the suspect ignored the deputy and began advancing toward him instead. According to Sheriff Judd, the deputy shot at the man multiple times, killing him. He asked to be shot. He demanded to be shot and then he forced us to shoot him so we obliged him. He asked for it and he got it, said Sheriff Judd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheriff Judd described the man as a 43-year old white male from the Gainesville area who had a criminal record involving meth arrests. An investigation is currently underway. A woman, who did not want her name used, said the man had entered her familys home Thursday night. She said he and another man went through their refrigerator and jumped on their trampoline. Friday afternoon, she said she saw the man again. He was just talking crazy, she said. She said she heard deputies tell him to put the knife down and saw him get shot. It was kind of scary. My body started shaking because I never seen such a thing like that. I was just worried for the gun shots not to reach over to me, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA. China to send another batch of emergency humanitarian supplies to Myanmar Xinhua) 08:27, April 11, 2025 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) This story was originally published on MedTech Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily MedTech Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Teleflex will close a manufacturing facility in Maple Grove, Minnesota, by next March and cut more than 100 employees as a result. The planned closure will affect an expected 101 positions, according to a Tuesday Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification filing obtained by MedTech Dive. The Minnesota Star Tribune first reported the cuts. Most laboratory and manufacturing operations are expected to cease by June 30, with the layoffs occurring on July 1, according to the filing. Teleflex did not respond to a request for comment on why it was closing the Maple Grove facility. Dive Insight: In February, Teleflex announced it would split into two separate, public entities. A new company would comprise Teleflexs urology, acute care and OEM businesses, while the remaining company would include the vascular access, interventional and surgical businesses. Simultaneously, Teleflex bought Biotroniks vascular intervention division. Teleflex aims to streamline manufacturing during the restructuring. The company aims to reduce the number of facilities from the combination of Biotronik and the remaining company from 19 facilities to seven, CEO Liam Kelly told investors in February. The Maple Grove site was used to make diagnostic and interventional catheters, according to the companys website. Teleflexs remaining company had pro forma revenue of $2.1 billion in 2024 with the Biotronik acquisition. Recommended Reading (WJBF) A Walmart employee shot and killed a co-worker inside a Georgia store and critically wounded another worker outside early Friday while the business was closed to the public, authorities said. Newton County deputies responded to the shooting at the Walmart, in Covington, Georgia, at around 1:30 a.m., according to the department. The sheriffs office later determined that an employee had left the building to get a gun, then came back inside and fatally shot a co-worker. The gunman then left the store and encountered a second acquaintance outside, whom he also shot. That victim was transported to a hospital, and was said to be in critical condition as of Friday morning. Police in Georgia responded to a shooting at a Walmart in Covington at around 1:30 a.m., the sheriffs office said. (Newtown County Sheriffs Office) After leaving the store property, the gunman then forced his way into a home nearby, where he fatally shot a female acquaintance, the Newton County Sheriffs Office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect specifically targeted individuals they knew, the sheriffs office said. Vice president of Bikers Against Child Abuse chapter arrested for sex crimes against children Deputies with the Aiken County Sheriffs Office in South Carolina were later contacted by the Georgia State Patrol for assistance in locating the gunman. A suspect was apprehended after a brief standoff only hours after the initial shooting. The suspect also suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound, officials said. He was treated on the scene and transferred to a hospital. The incident is currently under investigation by officials in both Georgia and South Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Jillian Lauren, wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner, is at the center of a bizarre and serious legal case following a shootout with police officers outside the couples home in Los Angeles this week. The 51-year-old author and advocate was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries and has since been booked on an attempted murder charge after allegedly firing at LAPD officers. Jillian Lauren was later released after posting a $1 million bond. Weezer Bassists Wife Shot By LAPD After Gunfire Erupts During Backyard Manhunt Instagram | Jillian Lauren According to authorities, the incident unfolded on Tuesday afternoon in the Eagle Rock neighborhood when Lauren reportedly emerged into her backyard with a firearm during an unrelated police manhunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers say they were pursuing a suspect from a multi-car crash on the 134 Freeway who fled the scene and ended up on a nearby residential property. In a strange turn of events, the male suspect reportedly stripped to his boxer shorts, jumped into a neighbors pool, and watered plants in an attempt to blend in before approaching the Shriners' home. On April 8, 2025, around 3:25 p.m., the California Highway Patrol requested a backup locating three misdemeanor hit-and-run suspects, who fled into a residential neighborhood, a press release posted on April 9 read, per Us Weekly. As the officers were in the rear yard of that residence, they observed a female, later identified as 51-year-old Jillian Shriner, in the yard of a neighboring residence armed with a handgun. Furthermore, LAPD officials allege that when Lauren stepped outside, she ignored repeated commands to drop her weapon. She fired her weapon at LAPD officers, confirmed spokeswoman Jennifer Forkish to People Magazine. Officers returned fire, striking her in the shoulder. Weezer Rockers Wife Arrested For Attempted Murder After Backyard Shootout With Cops Instagram | Jillian Lauren Audio from the incident reportedly captured one officer informing dispatch that the woman had a gun and later requesting assistance for a "female suspect, gunshot victim." Police later recovered a 9mm handgun from the home and booked Lauren-Shriner in absentia on the attempted murder of a peace officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While she has since posted a $1 million bond and was released, no court date has yet been confirmed. In the aftermath of the incident, Lauren allegedly told police she believed she was protecting her home from the fleeing suspect. Officers confirmed she was not involved in the original crash but stated she escalated the situation by brandishing and firing her weapon. The fleeing suspect was also taken into custody but later released with a citation. Two additional suspects remain at large. Jillian Lauren's Painful Past Resurfaces After LAPD Gunfire Instagram | Jillian Lauren Now, her complex past is resurfacing, which has drawn renewed attention in light of the charges. In her 2010 memoir "Some Girls," she recounted traumatic childhood abuse and shared her time spent in the harem of Prince Jefri Bolkiah of Brunei, per Daily Mail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raised in Livingston, New Jersey, she described years of pain stemming from violence at the hands of her father. Despite her struggles, she credited her husband Scott Shriner as a beacon of stability in her life, writing that he was the one bright star amid her personal challenges. Weezer Stars Wife Was Battling Cancer Weeks Before LAPD Shootout Instagram | Jillian Lauren The arrest comes just weeks after Jillian Lauren revealed she was undergoing cancer treatment, adding yet another deeply personal layer to an already complex and troubling situation. On March 4, she shared an update from her hospital bed via Instagram, using her trademark humor and gratitude to acknowledge her medical team. Id like to thank the Academy, my amazing hair and makeup team, and the lighting designers here at #glendaleadventisthospital, she wrote, playfully nodding to the team that supported her during her procedure. Yes, I have a little bit of the C word yall. I know a lot of us do, she continued, candidly sharing her diagnosis. Im here to thank the incredible oncology team here, who pulled me through a complicated operation without a hitch. I am always so grateful for every second of the compassionate and excellent medical care I receive in my life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She ended the post with a brief but heartfelt reflection on the emotional weight of her journey, writing, And lets all breathe. What Happens Next? Instagram | Jillian Lauren As the legal process unfolds, many questions remain, including whether Lauren will face trial and if Scott Shriner will become more involved publicly. For now, the case adds a dark and unexpected twist to the life of the acclaimed author and her rockstar husband. AUSTIN (KXAN) Lucia Curiel went several years without hearing from her former client, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, but now the Austin-based immigration attorney said she is in almost daily contact with his wife. Shes in, understandably, just a state of desperation, Curiel told KXAN. The attorney reconnected with his family after Abrego Garcia was mistakenly sent to a prison in El Salvador, as a part of an effort from the Trump Administration to deport Venezuelan gang members. According to NBC News, immigration officials allege Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang but have conceded he should not have been sent to El Salvador, his country of birth, calling it an administrative error. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday night, the Supreme Court agreed with a lower court judge in ordering the government to facilitate his release and return to the United States. In its unsigned decision, the court wrote that the government should be prepared to share what it can concerning the steps it has taken and the prospect of further steps. Curiel said Abrego Garcias wife tracked her down last month when her husband was detained by immigration officials. Just days later, he was removed from the country. I was in shock and disbelief, Curiel said. Frankly, in that moment, I thought well, I would never have expected that they would have deported him because it was completely illegal. I thought at the very most they might have been trying to reopen his proceedings and sort of we would wait and see what would happen. More than five years ago, Curiel said she represented Abrego Garcia before the Baltimore immigration court, helping him apply for asylum and another form of relief called withholding of removal. She said this followed interaction with law enforcement in 2019 that resulted in her client being labeled a gang member, but she and other attorneys now working on his case have said he was never convicted of a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had never had any contact with the police prior to that interaction never had any contact police after that interaction, she noted. Curiel said the immigration judge, at the time, granted his request for legal status of withholding of removal, which prevents someone from being deported to their home country if there is a probability they could be persecuted there. According to the American Immigration Council, it does not offer permanent protection or a path to permanent residence. Earlier this year, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt admitted ICE made a clerical error. However, Leavitt reiterated the allegations about his involvement with MS-13 and levelled new accusations against him, regarding human trafficking. She did not provide any evidence to those claims. Now, Curiel works at the Austin-based Law Office of Mark Kinzler. She and several other attorneys from other firms across the country are working on Abrego Garcias case, which she said is a reflection of the significance of the case and what it represents forthe respect for due process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important to understand that if it can happen to him, it can happen to others, she told KXAN, just hours before the Supreme Court published its decision. The case landed before the Supreme Court after the Justice Department filed an emergency request, contesting a judges order that Abrego Garcia be retrieved from the El Salvador prison. In its Thursday decision, the high court partly rejected that request but noted that judge may have exceeded their authority in ordering the government to also effectuate his release. The Supreme Court asked the judge to clarify that directive. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DISCLAIMER: All suspects are innocent until proven guilty. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The Shreveport Police Department, in collaboration with several city agencies, announced the completion of its first large-scale action of Operation ASK BLUE (Addressing Squatters Knowledgably Bold Legal Unified Efforts). Father arrested after allegedly hitting child with board for C in conduct The SPD said approximately 40 officers participated in a comprehensive sweep of the Highland neighborhood. Police received over 100 communications from concerned residents reporting potential squatters in the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a direct result of those calls, more than 50 properties were investigated today by the Shreveport Police Department, with support from Property Standards, Animal Control, and other city partners, a press release stated. Animal Control officers also seized three stray aggressive dogs during the operation. According to the release, the five arrests included: Three individuals arrested for violating city ordinance 38-11 (B) One individual arrested for Illegal Possession of a Stolen Firearm One individual taken into custody on outstanding warrants This is about restoring order, safety, and peace of mind to our neighborhoods, said Shreveport Police Chief Wayne Smith. Squatting is not a victimless crime, and todays action is just the beginning. Were committed to continuing this momentum until the problem is under control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shreveport Police Department warns public about phone scam The release added that in addition to enforcement efforts, officers used the opportunity to distribute information on available resources, including assistance for homelessness, food access, rental legal support, and mental health services. This is a clear example of what happens when a community and its police department work together to solve real problems, said Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux. Our residents spoke up, and our officers responded swiftly and strategically. This is exactly what we envisioned when we launched Operation ASK BLUE. Thank you to Chief Smith and Captain Kelly for your leadership. Thank you to the Shreveport City Council for passing Ordinance 18 of 2025, which made this possible. This is an excellent example of what we can achieve when we work together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SPD: Fire escape plan vital to survive a house fire Authorities urge residents to remain vigilant and report suspected squatter activity by contacting the Community Oriented Policing Bureau at 318-673-6950, visiting Port City 311 online, or using the Port City 311 phone application. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. President Trump didnt seem especially bothered by the epic fall in stock prices following his unveiling of extremely high and far, far loftier than anticipated tariffs in early April. Instead, his main focus is and has long been a different measure: He is obsessed with rates on 10-year Treasury bonds. To Trump, this is the measure that matters because so many things are tied to that benchmark: Its a big factor in setting car loans, mortgage rates, credit card rates, and also determines the base rate that companies pay on their crucial long-term borrowings. Rob Arnott, founder and chairman of Research Affiliates, a firm that oversees investment strategies for $150 billion in investment funds, puts it bluntly: Trump cares more about the 10-year Treasury than about the stock market, he says. Virtually since his inauguration, Trumps been pushing to bend the Fed to his will and help bring down rates. On March 19, the POTUS issued a post on Truth Social exhorting: The Fed would be MUCH better off CUTTING rates as U.S. tariffs start to transition their way into the economy. In fact, in the first few days of the market meltdown, Trump seemed to be getting his way. By April 4, two days after tariff "Liberation Day," the 10-year Treasury yield had dropped to 3.86%, its first sub-4% reading since October, and a giant drop from the 4.4% level toward the end of March. Trump seemed to be reckoning that though the payoff from tariffs would take time, Americans while waiting would gain big benefits from borrowing costs that looked like a relative bargain. That scenario was short-lived; 10-year Treasury yields went on a seldom-witnessed tear starting on April 5, surging over 600 basis points to 4.5% by the morning of April 9. The news for companies mirrored the downer for consumers: Credit spreads on investment-grade corporate bonds jumped from just under 1% to 1.2% in early April, and the premium on high-yield offerings expanded by 25%, from 347 to 461 basis points. Why did yields spike so much? Because the tariff jolt freaked out investors across the board. Overnight, foreign participants in particular reckoned that America had suddenly careened from a welcoming (and historically highly-enriching) venue for parking their funds, to hostile territory. As John Cochrane, an economist at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, put it to me: Do U.S. government bonds look like a better or worse place to invest your money than a month ago? When times are tough, people go to cash. 'The Chinese government has read The Art of War' Foreign institutions, individuals, and sovereign funds own a staggering $10 trillion, or roughly 33% of all U.S. Treasuries. The U.S. is highly dependent on their conviction that America is the worlds best place for their savings. Arnott of Research Affiliates is particularly concerned about Chinas potential power in our financial markets, courtesy of its huge holdings of U.S. Treasuries. If they are big sellers, bond prices will tank, and yields (which move inversely to prices) will spike, a sure way to get under Trumps skin. I think the Chinese government has read The Art of War, which has been Trumps bible for life, Arnott says. Gosh, you dont think someone would want to play that card, do you? By Fedja Grulovic, Patricia Weiss and Jaspreet Singh BELGRADE/FRANKFURT/LONDON (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump's 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, but warn that economic outlook is still cloudy. [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. 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 reprieve has only added to the confusion. "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. Conditions for cross-border trade were 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. "Many consumers and businesses cannot plan with any sort of confidence just now and may see a recession hit regardless," said Marcus Brookes, chief investment officer at Quilter Investors. "Spending and investment could be pared back and would be completely counter to everything Trump said he wanted to achieve." Photo: Drew Angerer (Getty Images) The sweeping tariffs imposed by the Trump administration including a 104% duty on Chinese imports have one analyst calling the move an Armageddon scenario for the U.S. technology sector. Thats according to Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives, who warned Wednesday that President Donald Trumps tariffs will go down as the worst U.S. policy mistake since the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, which deepened the Great Depression. Ives said the tariffs will significantly affect the U.S. tech sector because the hearts and lungs of the supply chain are cemented in Asia. He wrote, A U.S. tech company CEO cannot decide last night... Lets call Smith Semi Fab Operations in the Midwest to get those semi chips... as there is one slight problem... IT DOES NOT EXIST... and would take 4-5 years to build a manufacturing plant... and the labor force does not support this in the U.S.... the IP of the supply chain is cemented in Asia after 30 years of making U.S. tech products... and the products will go up 3x-4x once implemented after years... being paid by the U.S. consumers/companies. Ives added, Debacle is an understatement for this tariff policy. The self-inflicted uncertainty of the tariffs has turned the global supply chain upside-down, and U.S. consumers are the ones paying, according to Ives. He doesnt expect any tech companies to give guidance on first-quarter conference calls, given all the uncertainty. Still, he recommends owning stocks in Apple (AAPL) and Nvidia (NVDA) because despite this massive, near-term uncertainty, it does not change their installed base, technology leadership, and long-term growth opportunities, especially with Nvidia leading the AI industry. Apple is down 20% since Trump announced the sweeping tariffs on the so-called Liberation Day on April 2 and 28% year-to-date. Nvidia is down 10% since the recent tariff announcement and 26% year-to-date. Ives said Wedbush will stay fluid. The firm work under the assumption that the tariffs in their current form will stick around for a few months and will adjust its numbers as the tariffs change or remain. The Wedbush analyst recommends tossing out the next few quarters (June and September) and working with new financial models for 2026 for valuations as the tariff situation gets negotiated. Ives said his firm has a worst-, base-, and bull-case framework that its using to screen tech stocks; thats how Wedbush will navigate this unprecedented situation and hold investors hands over the coming days and weeks. Market volatility and nervousness has been one of the highest I have seen in 25 years on this job covering tech stocks on the Street, Ives said. Now, the question is what is next and how to navigate this Category 5 storm tariff coming to the U.S economy. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. SEOUL (Reuters) - Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol moved back on Friday with his wife and their 11 dogs and cats to their apartment in an upscale district of Seoul, close to the prosecutors' office where the impeached leader worked before entering politics. Yoon and his wife Kim Keon Hee, known for their love of pets, are beginning a new life after he was impeached for a failed attempt to impose martial law and removed from office. Under Yoon, South Korea passed a bill to ban the eating and selling of dog meat in the country. The number of pets they own grew from four dogs and three cats at the start of his presidency, and now include a retriever that is a retired service dog adopted by Yoon in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple's 164 sq metre apartment is located in a complex in the glitzy "Gangnam" area south of the Han river, and some neighbours have raised concerns about the return of a man who so polarised the nation during his stint in office. As many as 50 presidential security service personnel will be deployed to guard the couple, who are entitled to protection for at least five years, according to South Korean media reports. The three 37-storey towers that make up the Acrovista complex are home to more than 750 households. Previously, South Korean presidents have moved into detached houses after leaving office, which have afforded much greater privacy. The security arrangement in the crowded residential property where they will now live is believed to have been one of the reasons that delayed their move back to the private home by a week after he was stripped of the presidency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some neighbours have also fretted about their complex becoming a magnet for crowds of supporters and critics the couple might attract, local media reported, though others posted a welcome banner at the building entrance. Yoon said he had to declare martial law to raise the alarm about his opponents' unrelenting obstruction of political process that paralysed government. The Acrovista complex is built on the site of the country's worst human-caused disaster - the collapse of a major department store in 1995 that killed 502 people and injured nearly 1,000 others. (Reporting by Jack Kim, Ju-min Park; Editing by Ed Davies and Gareth Jones) A Riverside County man paid out over $100,000 in what authorities described as an extortion plot based on his immigration status. A female threatened to have the victim deported if he did not pay the money requested, the Riverside County Sheriffs Department stated in a news release Friday. Deputies were alerted to the blackmailing scheme on March 4 and assigned the case to the Rancho Mirage Special Enforcement Team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators later identified 43-year-old Yvette Lopez of Hemet as a suspect in the case. On March 25, Lopez was located in the 32000 block of Bob Hope Drive and taken into custody without incident. An accomplice, identified as 67-year-old Bertha Gasso was found with Lopez and also taken into custody, the Sheriffs Department said. Both women were booked on suspicion of multiple theft-related charges, including extortion. Due to the large amount of money involved, a formal White Collar crime enhancement will be sought with the Riverside County District Attorneys Office, the Sheriffs Department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with additional information was asked to contact Deputy Paull with the Special Enforcement Team at 760-8361600. The Sheriffs Office encouraged the public to report any suspicious activities. Extortion is a serious crime, and no one should be made to feel fearful or pressured into giving up their hard-earned money. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. With the opening of a towering hotel, the Wind Creek Chicago Southland casino in East Hazel Crest is offering close-by getaways, gambling and the opportunity to get a little dirty. The hotel opened to the public Friday, coming just five months after the casino debuted to large throngs with the promise to bring hundreds of jobs and much-needed revenue to several south and southwest suburbs. The venue has also vaulted to near the top of Illinois casinos in terms of visitors and gambling revenue during its opening months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A restaurant that will open next month on the hotels top floor includes outdoor dining situated about 200 feet above the interchange of Interstate 80 and Halsted Street. Whether inside or outside, patrons of Alto are, on a clear day, offered views of Chicagos skyline to the north. Closer in, the large footprint of the expansive Thornton Quarry to the east is visible from the restaurant and higher floors of the hotel. The chance to get a bit dirty comes one floor below the restaurant, with a spa offering massages, facials and soon a mud room with muds from around the world for guests to smear on themselves while perched on seats heated to 98 degrees. Were the only full-service resort in the area, said Scott Copeland, Wind Creeks director of hospitality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said that with the hotel, Wind Creek hopes to, in part, attract local residents. We are trying to attract those travelers who want a weekend away and its only 20 or 30 minutes from their home, he said. Floors three through 15 are guest rooms, and the hotel has 255 rooms, including 43 suites that vary in size and cost. Some rooms are still in the process of being finished, but at least 90% of the hotel rooms were expected to be available when it opened to the public Friday, Copeland said. The hotel had a soft open, with Wind Creek inviting guests the last two weeks to check out the property and give their feedback on any tweaks that might be needed before opening to the public, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The check-in desk and large banquet hall, the Halsted Ballroom, are on the hotels second floor. On the third floor there is a pool, hot tub and fitness center. Standard hotel rooms start at $289 per night Sunday through Wednesday, then $369 Thursday through Saturday, Copeland said. If you want to splurge, there are Ultra Suites with a wet bar, living room, dining table and 1 baths that start at $1,500. Wind Creek expects the second-floor ballroom, just under 7,000 square feet with seating for up to 500 people when laid out in a banquet format, to be popular for special events such as wedding receptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You dont have to leave the property, Copeland said. You can stay the night and visit the spa or go onto the casino floor and continue the party after the reception. By the middle of May, Wind Creek expects to open Alto, the restaurant on the top floor. Alto is going to bring that downtown Chicago steakhouse feel, Copeland said. The spa, on the 16th floor, is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. throughout the week, with services including manicures, pedicures, massages, facials and soon the mud room. Wind Creek also hopes to soon offer hair styling. Massages and facials start at $200, and a thermal suite with a walk-in spa, hot tub and showers dispensing water infused with aromas such as eucalyptus, said spa manager Dennis Norris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spa has four stations for manicures and four for pedicures, along with eight treatment rooms for massages and facials. The mud room, which Wind Creek hopes to open in about a month, will have heated walls and floors, with muds from different regions of the world, each with different health benefits, Norris said. Mud treatments will help to detoxify and exfoliate the skin, he said. Afterward, there are oils and lotions guests can apply to rehydrate. The casino itself is in East Hazel Crest and adjacent parking garages are in Homewood. They occupy what had been the site of other motels. A Sheraton, later the Homewood Hotel, was on the Homewood side and a Super 8 was in East Hazel Crest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hotel is 16 floors, but has skipped the 13th as that is considered bad luck for patrons trying their luck on the casino floor. Elevator keypads skip from the 12th to the 14th level, and no guest rooms end in the number 13. Wind Creek is a subsidiary of PCI Gaming Authority Inc., which manages 10 casinos and other gambling properties on behalf of the Alabama-based Poarch Band of Creek Indians. It won approval from state gaming operators in December 2021 to operate the casino and construction got underway in September 2022. Wind Creek previously estimated the casino would be ready for customers by late summer or early fall of 2023, but delays and higher costs for materials pushed back that opening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To adapt, changes in design were implemented, such as reducing the height of the hotel from the original 21 floors. The casino floor opened Nov. 11, and went to 24-hour operation March 28. Large crowds waited outside on opening day, and Wind Creek quickly bolted to among the top of Illinois gambling venues. In March, Wind Creek hit new highs with nearly $16.9 million in adjusted gross receipts up 25% month over month and drew more than 219,000 visitors, according to data from the Illinois Gaming Board. Adjusted gross receipts are total revenues after winnings paid to bettors. Among the states 16 casinos, Rivers Casino Des Plaines once again topped the list, at $43.7 million in adjusted gross receipts and 260,000 visitors in March, according to the gaming board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2019 law creating a license for a land-based casino in the south suburbs provides for the host community and 42 other south suburbs to share in 5% of revenue generated by the casino. In this instance, the two host communities East Hazel Crest and Homewood will get 2% of monthly adjusted gross receipts, while another 3% is shared among 41 other south suburbs. Wind Creek has estimated that $3 million in tax revenue would flow annually to Homewood and East Hazel Crest, and another $4 million a year to the other communities. Those expected to share in revenue are Beecher, Blue Island, Burnham, Calumet City, Calumet Park, Chicago Heights, Country Club Hills, Crestwood, Crete, Dixmoor, Dolton, Flossmoor, Ford Heights, Glenwood, Harvey, Hazel Crest, Lansing, Lynwood, Markham, Matteson, Midlothian, Monee, Oak Forest, Olympia Fields, Orland Hills, Orland Park, Palos Heights, Park Forest, Phoenix, Posen, Richton Park, Riverdale, Robbins, Sauk Village, South Chicago Heights, South Holland, Steger, Thornton, Tinley Park, University Park and Worth, according to the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of winning state approval for the casino, Wind Creek established the Southland Public Benefit Fund. Initially, Wind Creek plans to distribute $150,000 annually during the first five years of operation, with the money providing scholarships to disadvantaged students in the south suburbs and to help bolster access to health care. Wind Creek said it intends to create a fund of $20 million after five years, with a goal of boosting yearly disbursements to $1 million. Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld said his village is getting about $120,000 monthly, but an agreement with Wind Creek and East Hazel Crest has each setting aside money for the public benefit fund. Homewood is taking $60,000 each month from its take of casino revenue for the fund. A board is being established that would determine how money from the benefit fund would be disbursed, and Wind Creek has no say in where the money goes, according to Ken Rohman, Wind Creeks chief marketing officer. Were committed to the funding of it, he said of the public benefit fund. Our goal was to let the board decide on where best to use (the funds). mnolan@southtownstar.com Col. Susan Meyers, the commander of Pituffik Space Base in Greenland, was removed from her role on Thursday following a report detailing an email she wrote distancing herself from Vice President JD Vances comments during his visit to the Danish semi-autonomous territory. A statement released by the U.S. Space Force said Meyers was taken off the job by Col. Kenneth Klock for loss of confidence in her ability to lead. Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties, the statement adds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meyers is being replaced by Col. Shawn Lee. While the U.S. military has not specified a reason for her removal, Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell accused Meyers of undermining Trumps priorities. Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trumps agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense, Parnell wrote on X, formerly Twitter, citing an article published by Military.com on Thursday reporting an email purportedly written by Meyers, breaking with Vances comments during his Greenland visit. Vice President JD Vance (second from right) and second lady Usha Vance (second from left) listen to Col. Susan Meyers (left), commander of the U.S. military's Pituffik Space Base, as they tour the base in Greenland on March 28. Jim Watson/Pool/AFP via Getty Images Parnells message was reposted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prior to Meyers dismissal as commander of the 821st Space Base Group, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) had called for an investigation into the report, claiming that, if true, her email represented an extraordinary and deeply troubling action for a sitting military commander. This behavior, if left unchecked, undermines civilian control of the military and sets a dangerous precedent within the ranks, he wrote in a letter to the acting Secretary of the Air Force Gary Ashworth. In the message addressed to all personnel at the base on March 31, three days after Vances trip, Meyers said she had spent a lot of time considering how the vice presidents comments may have impacted them, according to Military.com. Beside U.S. Air Force and Space Space Force staff, the base also hosts Canadian, Danish and Greenlandic civilian contractors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, she wrote in her message, the outlet reported. I commit that, for as long as I am lucky enough to lead this base, all of our flags will fly proudly together, her message reportedly continued. During his visit to the base last month, Vance claimed Denmark had failed Greenland. Greenland would fare better under the United States security umbrella than you have been under Denmarks security umbrella, Vance said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the policy of the United States that that will change, he added. Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen criticized the Trump administrations adversarial stance during her visit to Greenland last week. This is about the world order that we have built together across the Atlantic over generations: you cannot annex another country, not even with an argument about international security, Frederiksen said. Related... The commander of a Space Force base in Greenland was fired Thursday, hours after the revelation that she had sent an email distancing the base from Vice President JD Vances comments during a recent visit. Pituffik Space Base commander Col. Susan Meyers was removed from command for loss of confidence in her ability to lead, the Space Force said in a statement Thursday evening. Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties, the Space Force said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Military.com reported Thursday that Meyers sent an email to Pituffik personnel on March 31, days after Vances visit to the base, that seemed intended to foster solidarity between U.S. service members and personnel stationed there from other countries, including Denmark and Greenland. 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 reportedly wrote. Meyers also reportedly wrote that over the weekend, she thought a great deal about the actions taken, the words spoken [during Vances visit], and how it must have affected each of you. Meyers pledged in the message that as long as she is in charge of the base, all of our flags will fly proudly together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell retweeted Military.coms story on the email and added a screenshot of the announcement of Meyers firing. Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trumps agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense, Parnell wrote on X. Col. Susan Meyers took command of Pituffik in July 2024. (Space Force via Facebook) In his second term, President Donald Trump has intensified his desire to take control of Greenland, a semi-autonomous territory partially governed by Denmark. Greenland is strategically located, and has significant resource reserves including oil, natural gas, minerals and rare earth elements. In his March 28 visit to Pituffik, Vance rankled Danish allies by alleging Denmark hasnt done a good job at keeping Greenland safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our message to Denmark is very simple: You have not done a good job by the people of Greenland, Vance said. You have underinvested in the people of Greenland and you have underinvested in the security architecture of this incredible, beautiful landmass filled with incredible people. That has to change. Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen made his displeasure with Vances comments known in a video on social media later that day. We are open to criticism, Rasmussen said. But we do not appreciate the tone in which its being delivered. This is not how you speak to your close allies, and I still consider Denmark and the United States to be close allies. Rasmussen said Denmark and Greenland remain open to discussing a greater U.S. military presence in Greenland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meyers became commander of the installation and the 821st Space Base Group in July 2024. Col. Shawn Lee is now in command of the base, the service said. Meyers was fired by Col. Kenneth Klock, commander of Space Base Delta 1 at Peterson Space Force Base in Colorado. The Space Force officer in charge of Pituffik Space Base, Greenland, was relieved of command Thursday after she wrote a memo that appeared to disagree with the White Houses rhetoric on buying or even invading the small country. Space Force Col. Susannah Meyers was relieved for a loss of confidence in her ability to lead, a statement posted by Space Operations Command on April 10 said. Meyers was relieved following a March 31 email she sent to the 821st Space Base Group in response to Vice President JD Vance echoing President Donald Trumps rhetoric on taking over Greenland during a visit to the country. 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, according to Military.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commanders are expected to adhere to the highest standards of conduct, especially as it relates to remaining nonpartisan in the performance of their duties, the statement announcing Meyerss relief said. On March 28, Vance was in Greenland for only a few hours as part of the Trump administrations ongoing policy push to annex the semi-autonomous territory. Vance heavily criticized Denmark, a NATO ally that controls Greenland, and pushed for the island to join the United States. He met with Meyers and others, visited the base and travelled to other parts of the territory to mixed receptions from residents of Greenland and Denmark. Space Operations Commands statement did not address what caused leadership to lose confidence in Meyers. The term loss of confidence is a popular euphemism across the armed forces to explain the firing of a commander, regardless of the reason. Pituffik Space Base which was previously known as Thule Air Base is the U.S. militarys northernmost outpost and the only active base in Greenland. Run by the Air Force as Thule for decades, the name was changed when it was transferred to the Space Forces command in 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 821st Space Base Group oversees Pituffik, which hosts a deepwater port, a tracking station and an airfield. Meyers assumed command of Pituffik in July 2024. The latest on Task & Purpose Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images Key Takeaways President Trump's unpredictable tariff policies have nudged stock volatility to its highest level in years and hammered nearly every corner of the stock market. Experts say a 90-day pause on "reciprocal" tariffs, announced on Wednesday, reduces some of the uncertainty hanging over markets and boardrooms. While substantial uncertainty persists, most experts remind investors that long-term investment strategies often benefit from panic selling like that seen throughout the last week and a half. President Trump's unpredictable trade policies have pushed stock volatility up to its highest level in years, creating substantial uncertainty and, some say, opportunity on Wall Street. Stock volatility jumped last week when President Trump announced sweeping tariffs that would raise the effective U.S. tariff rate to its highest level in more than a century. The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), sometimes referred to as the fear index, nearly tripled between Trumps tariff announcement last Wednesday and Monday morning when stocks opened at their lowest level in more than a year. The VIX has remained elevated despite a historic stock rally on Wednesday when Trump delayed nearly all of the tariffs. The index traded above 40, a level it hit only once in all of 2023 and 2024, for a sixth consecutive day on Friday. The stock markets volatility matches the unpredictability of the White Houses trade policy. Trump has announced, delayed, escalated, and watered down his tariff threats repeatedly during the first months of his presidency, putting businesses and consumers on tenterhooks. Mentions of chaos on earnings calls and at corporate conferences have skyrocketed in recent weeks, according to analysis from data provider AlphaSense. Uncertainty Will Continue to Hang Over Market The 90-day pause eliminates some of the risk hanging over markets, according to Kristian Kerr, Head of Macro Strategy at LPL Financial, who noted countries and companies could negotiate lower rates over the next three months. So in essence uncertainty has been reduced a bit, he said, but the erratic nature of US policy will remain an overhang and keep uncertainty elevated versus norms until we get more definitive clarity on trade policy. Wall Street expects more twists and turns in the coming months. The 90-day pause may provide companies with a clearer backdrop for their guidance, offering some relief to a market hungry for direction, wrote Gina Bolvin, President of Bolvin Wealth Management in a note on Wednesday. However, uncertainty looms over what happens after the 90-day period, leaving investors to grapple with potential volatility ahead. By Ariane Luthi LUCERNE, Switzerland (Reuters) -UBS Chairman Colm Kelleher on Thursday reiterated the Swiss bank's intention to repurchase shares to the tune of $3 billion in 2025, despite looming capital rule changes in the country and global economic uncertainty. The bank plans to repurchase $1 billion in shares in the first half of 2025 and up to an additional $2 billion in the second half of the year. "In the absence of any significant, immediate changes to the current capital regime, we remain committed to returning capital to our shareholders," Kelleher said at the bank's annual general meeting in Lucerne. Proxy adviser Ethos opposed the buyback plans, describing them as a provocation in the current political context and arguing that capital should be reserved for stability. "We consider capital destruction inappropriate and urge the board to stop its buyback activities, which only benefit the variable remuneration of our executives and some short term oriented investors," Ethos Foundation CEO Vincent Kaufmann said in a speech at the AGM. UBS shareholders approved the proposed 2025 share buyback programme with 93.5% of votes cast at the meeting. The Swiss government is due to present a proposal on new capital rules in early June, aimed at strengthening financial stability and preventing future crises such as the 2023 collapse of lender Credit Suisse, which was acquired by UBS in an emergency takeover that year. While emphasising the bank's Swiss roots and its "long-standing partnership" with Switzerland, Kelleher cautioned against stronger capital rules, calling overregulation "a very big risk to the long-term success of UBS." "UBS is already hampered by the existing regulatory Swiss finish," he said. "Adding another Swiss finish on top while other financial centres are easing regulations would harm UBS, the Swiss financial centre and the broader economy." Swiss finish refers to Swiss capital requirements and other regulations that are more stringent than in other jurisdictions. 2025 will be a very challenging year for markets, with much uncertainty, Kelleher added. "The global macroeconomic and geopolitical environment is less stable, as we observed over the last week," said UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti. The bank was moving towards fully integrating Credit Suisse while positioning itself for growth, Ermotti added, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and Americas regions. (Reporting by Ariane Luthi, Editing by Miranda Murray and Susan Fenton) British regulator the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has fined EY for serious breaches in its audit work for travel company Thomas Cook, which collapsed in 2019. The accounting regulator imposed the penalty for failures in audits conducted for the financial years ending in 2017 and 2018. The regulator stated that EY and Richard Wilson, the EY audit partner overseeing those reviews, admitted serious failings in their review of Thomas Cooks financial statements. The auditing firm was given a 4.9m ($6.4m) penalty, while Wilson received a 105,000 fine. The FRC stated that the breaches involved inadequate evaluation of Thomas Cook's goodwill impairment and its going concern status, as well as a failure to properly assess the risks to EYs independence during the 2018 audit. Nevertheless, the watchdog emphasised that it was "not suggested that the breaches were intentional, dishonest, deliberate or reckless". FRC Deputy Executive Counsel Claudia Mortimore 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. Earlier in April 2025, EY began the next phase of its $1bn technology investment, integrating AI capabilities into its global assurance platform. This move is part of the organisation's strategy to transform audit services and enhance the audit experience for clients around the world. "UK regulator fines EY for serious breaches in Thomas Cook audit " was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) One Western Michigan University students visa has been revoked after a total of four students were removed from an immigration system that tracks student status, according to a university spokesperson. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System tracks a persons student status if they are from another country. Without a status in SEVIS, a student could be asked to leave the U.S. The change in the system comes as students prepare for final exams. Now, some are worried for their classmates. Four international students at WMU have lost SEVIS status, school says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WMU sophomore Mehran Nayeem does not know anyone personally affected by the change. As the child of immigrants from Bangladesh, he said he is disgruntled and shocked by the news. Kalamazoo itself is home to many different refugees and if we are not taking care of them as I thought we were, its a real problem for the community because we are not in this for ourselves. We should be here for our community and these refugees and immigrants in general are coming from tough situations. America is suppose to be a place we can help everyone and come together. This is not that, he said. Transfer student Eleanor Mckinney has been following the changes to immigration policy for months. McKinney said the university needs to do more to protect international students. MSU international students visas revoked without notice Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a public learning instution, I think we should prioritize and protect anyone who is here to learn and that could look like not letting ICE (Immigration and Custom Enforcement) onto our campus and into our classrooms. I think as a result and the universitys status on these issues, students feel unsafe and therefore are not getting what they are here to get, which is an education, said McKinney. Around 2,100 international students are enrolled on campus and overseas. Some of them were packed in Kanley Chapel as part of a weekly lunch hosted by International Campus Ministry. Rev. Laura Osborne said the changing tides in immigration policy has been tough for the community her team serves. Visas of 2 GVSU international students have been revoked, school says The temperature is usually really lively and fun. Now it has been anxious, like almost hard to take a deep breath. These students are like OK, Im keeping my head down and I am not looking at anybody else and I am finishing my program. Its changed significantly just in the last few weeks, said Osborne. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While immigration anxieties were there during the first Trump administration, Osborne said it feels different now. This time its heightened its a lot more anxiety, she said. Two international students who did not want to speak on camera tell News 8 they are scared of whats next. One man said they are doing everything to follow the rules that could change at any moment. Schools like Grand Valley State University, Michigan State, Central Michigan University and University of Michigan have seen some international students pulled from the SEVIS in recent weeks. Some of those students even had their visas revoked. Some colleges have been spared. Staff with Albion College and Kalamazoo College said they havent seen any record changes for their international students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colleges around the US say some international students visas are being revoked Attorney Ruby Robinson with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center said usually colleges make the SEVIS status change when a student withdraws or misses class. Sudden changes, like by federal officials, havent happened before. Its leaving many shocked. This is about due process and fairness. And when there is an allegation that you have violated the law, typically in the United States, you have an opportunity to rebut that or challenge that, said Robinson. Robinson said anyone concerned about their status is encouraged to contact an immigration attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 8 contacted the Department of Homeland Security by email on Wednesday to learn more about the situation as well as learn what grounds a WMU students visa was revoked. Department officials did not immediately response to the request. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. (Reuters) - Britain's competition regulator said on Thursday it might accept the measures offered by oilfield services firm SLB and smaller rival ChampionX to address antitrust concerns regarding the two companies' proposed $8 billion deal. The announcement provides a respite to the two companies as the watchdog had last month said SLB's deal for ChampionX could lead to substantial lessening of competition in the UK, unless the firms suggested remedial measures. SLB offered to divest its production chemical technology business, while ChampionX offered to divest its unit, US Synthetic Corp, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said. The companies also offered to licence and give access to certain technologies, such as quartz sensors and transducers, that CMA considered could hurt competition, the agency said. SLB and ChampionX did not immediately respond to Reuters' requests for comment. The regulator said it will make a final decision by June 11 on whether to accept the proposals, with the possibility to extend the timeframe to August 8. The deal is also under antitrust review in Norway, while SLB is legally permitted to close the transaction in the U.S. Last month, SLB had said it expected a further delay in closing the deal, anticipating this would now happen in the second or early third quarter of 2025. (Reporting by Aby Jose Koilparambil in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo) YORKVILLE, Ill. (WGN) A southwest suburban man allegedly plotted to have his ex-wife killed, Yorkville police announced on Thursday. Mark Hellenthal, 52, of Yorkville faces a solicitation of murder charge and a solicitation of murder for hire charge, both felonies, following an investigation that police say began on Wednesday, April 9. According to police, officers learned of a murder-for-hire plot arranged by Hellenthal, which involved his former spouse. Police added that Hellenthal provided details to an unidentified individual about his ex-wifes residence and how to gain entry. LATEST YORKVILLE NEWS: Yorkville man given 20 years for sexually assaulting stepdaughter for nearly 10 years The following day, an undercover cop posing as a hitman came into contact with Hellenthal. Police allege that Hellenthal again provided details on how to enter his ex-wifes home illegally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say Hellenthal offered money and jewelry as payment for completing the job. Authorities later arrested Hellenthal at his job, with Downers Grove police officers assisting. He remains jailed in Kendall County and will appear in court on Friday for an initial hearing. Police provided no booking photo of Hellenthal as of this writing. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Amid their investigation, Yorkville police said the department arranged for Hellenthals ex-wifes safety. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SEOUL, South Korea (AP) South Korean rescue workers on Saturday pulled a man from a collapsed subway construction site near the capital of Seoul and continued searching for another believed to be trapped inside. Im Gwang-sik, an official with Gwangmyeong citys fire department, said the survivor was trapped about 30 meters (98 feet) underground in the rubble for approximately 13 hours, and was conscious when found and taken to a nearby hospital. Gwangmyeong city authorities had earlier withdrawn workers from the construction site and halted traffic in the area after receiving reports that a ventilation shaft was at risk of collapsing. Authorities were deploying dozens of rescue workers and vehicles and three cranes to search for the other worker who remains unaccounted for. Ukraines top financial regulator is floating the idea of taxing cryptocurrency as personal income, with possible carveouts for certain foreign asset-backed stablecoins, under a newly proposed taxation matrix published on Tuesday. In a translated letter introducing the potential new approach, Ruslan Magomedov, head of Ukraines National Securities and Stock Market Commission, said that effective tax policy is a necessary step in preventing financial abuse and facilitating the legal and responsible use of digital assets. Establishing fair and understandable taxation rules is also a prerequisite for attracting investment and integrating the Ukrainian virtual asset market into the global financial market, Magomedov added. Under the NSSMCs suggested tax scheme, certain crypto transactions essentially those in which non-stablecoin cryptocurrencies are cashed out for fiat currency or exchanged for goods or services, and during which there were no financial losses from the transaction would be taxed at Ukraines standard personal income tax rate of 18%, plus the additional 5% wartime levy that went into effect last December. Crypto-to-crypto transactions would not be subject to taxation under the proposed tax matrix, which is in line with how several other European countries including Austria and France, as well as crypto-friendly jurisdictions like Singapore, handle crypto taxation. Because Ukraines tax code exempts any income generated from transactions with foreign exchange values from being taxed, the NSSMC suggested it makes sense to consider a preferential rate or exemption from taxation for foreign asset-backed stablecoins and certain asset-referenced tokens (ARTs). The suggested preferential tax rate under the matrix could be either 5% or 9%. The matrix also offered a variety of taxation options for other types of crypto transactions, including mining, which the NSSMC suggested could be considered a business activity; staking, which the regulator said could either be considered as business captive income or taxed only at the cash-out stage; as well as hard-forks and airdrops, which the regulator said could either be taxed as ordinary income or only at the cash-out stage. Ukraine had previously introduced a draft law similarly amending the countrys tax code to cover cryptocurrency in 2023. A 2024 analysis from Swiss blockchain analytics firm Global Ledger found that Ukraine could stand to collect over $200 million in annual taxes from crypto transactions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky officially legalized the countrys cryptocurrency sector in 2022, determining the industrys regulators and giving them the go-ahead to create specific regulations. The National Bank of Ukraine is currently working on a draft law based on the European Unions (EU) Markets in Crypto Assets (MiCA) regulation. The Buy Canadian,' which began as a response to President Donald Trump's tariffs, has been gaining traction in recent months America's largest trading partner, Canada imported $350 billion worth of U.S.-made goods in 2024 If the boycott continues, American brands could be poised to lose billions of dollars in sales in 2025 The Buy Canadian' movement, which began to gain traction in early 2025 as a response to President Trump's tariff threats, has begun to worry many U.S. retailers, according to Reuters. The movement, which encourages Canadians to buy from domestic brands rather than American brands, started small, but has now hit many of the country's larger grocery store chains. Loblaws, which operates more than 2,400 locations across Canada, has marked domestic products with a bright red maple leaf to make them easier for shoppers to identify. And Sobeys, which has 1,600 stores under its various banners, began airing a commercial in March that contains the lines "All the best things have always been made here. All we had to do was look." Don't Miss: Maker of the $60,000 foldable home has 3 factory buildings, 600+ houses built, and big plans to solve housing this is your last chance to become an investor for $0.80 per share. Inspired by Uber and Airbnb Deloitte's fastest-growing software company is transforming 7 billion smartphones into income-generating assets with $1,000 you can invest at just $0.26/share! Now, many U.S.-based retailers, who banked on selling their products up north, are starting to see the impacts on their bottom line. One California-based diaper maker, Parasol Co., had been working with distributors for months to begin selling its products in Canada, only to have the deal pulled in March thanks to what its CEO Jessica Hung, described to Reuters as "a growing anti-American sentiment." Several American whiskey and bourbon brands, like Jack Daniels, have also been pulled from liquor store shelves. Lawson Whiting, the CEO of Brown-Forman (NYSE:BF, BF.B)), said on an earnings call that the removals were "worse than a tariff" and a "disproportionate response" to the president's levies. Reuters reported that Canada in 2024 imported $350 billion worth of U.S.-made products, making it America's largest trading partner. Should these boycotts continue, brands could be poised to lose billions of dollars in sales this year. Trending: Invest in the Future of Digital Engagement. Own a Piece of the $100 Billion Metaverse Today for Just $500. While some more established brands may be able to weather that storm, smaller companies and start-ups may not be as lucky. By Bate Felix and Wendell Roelf DAKAR (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers have introduced legislation that could block International Monetary Fund support for some Central African countries, in an effort to guard billions of dollars that oil companies must set aside for environmental restoration. The bill highlights a standoff between foreign investors on one side and Central African monetary authorities trying to enforce tighter capital controls on extractive industries to shore up depleted reserves on the other. Introduced by U.S. Republican Representatives Bill Huizenga and Dan Meuser, the bill targets new regulations imposed by the Bank of Central African States (BEAC), the regional central bank, that require international oil companies (IOCs) to deposit the environmental restoration funds into BEAC-controlled accounts. The funds, estimated at between 3 and 6 trillion CFA francs (approximately $5 billion to $10 billion) and currently held in foreign banks, have been set aside by IOCs operating in the region for future environmental clean-up once production ends. Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) member states want the funds moved to regional institutions to bolster their economies and foreign currency holdings. The move, backed by the IMF and approved during an emergency summit of CEMAC heads of state in Yaounde in December 2024, is seen by regional governments as a critical step in addressing economic fragility. According to BEAC's March 2025 monetary policy report, the implementation is expected to take effect from May 1, in line with the summit's resolutions, with penalties of up to 150% of the restoration funds for non-compliance. BEAC has also suggested raising rates for repatriation to the region of other funds, including for extractive companies' operational spending, currently set at 35%. Perenco, a privately-held French oil company with significant operations across the region, said it was in negotiations with regional stakeholders to reach an agreement before the April 30 deadline. "Perenco is already complying with the 35% repatriation of funds' rule, and all regulations currently in place," a spokesperson said. Other oil companies in the region did not respond to requests for comments. "We are aware of the proposed U.S. legislation and will monitor any developments," an IMF spokesperson told Reuters, adding that it has been encouraging negotiations. "Staff stands ready to assess the nature of restoration funds for oil sites once the authorities and extractive companies share their final agreement," the spokesperson said. By Svea Herbst-Bayliss, Isla Binnie, Ross Kerber and Dhara Ranasinghe (Reuters) - With markets crashing after U.S. President Donald Trump announced his latest tariffs, Citigroups banking head Viswas Raghavan called a global meeting of senior bankers on Monday and told them to get on the phone with their clients. Raghavan's message was simple, according to one banker on the call: Stay close to clients because if you do not, a competitor will. Raghavan told them to assure clients that Citi, which nearly collapsed during the 2008 financial crisis, had plenty of funds this time to weather the tariff storm, said the banker, one of two who recounted the call. Citis global meeting, which has not been previously reported, was one of many at banks across Wall Street since April 2, when Trump unleashed a tariff war that has wiped out trillions of dollars in market value across the globe a painful bleed that was only stanched on Wednesday when he relented, announcing a 90-day pause on duties against some countries. Citi declined to comment. Raghavan could not be reached after business hours on Wednesday. In interviews, more than half a dozen investment bankers and money managers said they had spent days talking to clients who make everything from cars to insulated mugs to sportswear, helping them grapple with the swift and dramatic consequences of Trump's lurches on trade. At Citi, Goldman Sachs, Bank of America, Lazard and elsewhere in conversations spreading into this week, several bankers said, they strategized how to respond to a flood of calls from corporate clients as they privately worried about their own bonuses this year. Goldman Sachs and Bank of America declined to comment. Lazard did not immediately respond to requests for comment outside business hours. 'OH MY GOD' The advice to corporate clients, several bankers said: Stay away from forecasting too much, given the uncertainty from the White House. Clients were worried about jobs, the economy and credit, a senior financial industry executive said: We get on the calls and people are saying, 'Oh my God, what's happening?'" The flurry of behind-the-scenes conversations with clients, some details of which have not been reported before, show how Trumps decision to raise U.S. tariffs to their highest in more than a century has sent shockwaves through the corporate world. Uncertainty about Trump's policy direction is paralyzing companies' decision-making and could have dire consequences for the economy, analysts say. Trump's pause does not remove that uncertainty. Amid all the Sturm und Drang around the Trump administration tariffs, one CEO is calm and even confident the company he leads can emerge stronger: Walmarts Doug McMillon. At Walmarts annual investor community meeting in Dallas on Wednesday, McMillon opened the show by immediately acknowledging what was top of mind among the crowd of Wall Street analysts: the global trade war. (Which grew more dire with Chinas fresh announcement it would raise levies on U.S. imports to 84%, from 34% in response to higher U.S. tariffs on its products.) Nothing about the current environment impacts our confidence in our business or our strategy, McMillon said, before he and his team gave analysts and media an update on Walmarts growth strategy. Ive seen us navigate through tough times after 9/11, the Global Financial Crisis, and the pandemic. Wall Street investors seem to agree: Walmart shares were up 3% in early trading on Wednesday, while the broader S&P 500 index was flat. Walmart, as the largest retailer and company in the world, has the clout and wherewithal to offload a big chunk of the higher costs to suppliers. And with its focus on everyday essentials, rather on discretionary expenses that consumers can delay, Walmart is positioned to take additional market share from many competitors. Still, the tumult is not sparing anyone. Walmart updated its financial forecast to incorporate the higher uncertainty caused by the tariff war. The company still expects net sales to grow 3% to 4% this year, despite what chief financial officer John David Rainey told the crowd has been higher day-to-day sales volatility than usual. The CFO noted that two-thirds of what Walmart U.S., which generates 70% of company sales, sells is produced domestically and most of the rest from China and Mexico. (Walmart is the largest grocer in the U.S. and is therefore less reliant on imports than rivals like Target and Macys are.) But Walmart, whose low prices have always served it well during economic slowdowns, plans to take the hit from potential price hikes fueled by the trade war. 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, Rainey said. So McMillons game plan is to improve customer experience, too, maximize operational efficiency, and improve its supply chains. That includes moves such as investing in new distribution facilities to speed e-commerce deliveries and delivery of fresh and frozen food to stores. Walmarts goal is to be able to deliver e-commerce orders to 95% of U.S. households in less than three hours within a few years. In a surprising move, retail giant Walmart announced Wednesday that it is withdrawing its earnings and revenue guidance for the current fiscal year, citing uncertainty surrounding the Trump administrations newly imposed tariffs on Chinese imports. The decision comes as the worlds largest retailer grapples with the potential impact of escalating trade tensions on its bottom line. On Feb. 20, Americas largest retailer had called for net sales growth of 3%-4% and adjusted operating income growth of 3.5%-5.5% for fiscal year 2026. The retraction of financial forecasts is a rare step for Walmart, known for its stable and predictable performance. This move underscores the far-reaching consequences of the ongoing trade dispute between the United States and China, which has sent shockwaves through global markets and supply chains. Chief Financial Officer John David Rainey stated in a press release, Given the fluidity of the current trade environment and the potential for further tariffs, we believe its prudent to withdraw our earnings guidance at this time. He added that the company remains committed to providing updated forecasts as soon as it can reasonably assess the impact of the tariffs on its business. Approximately two-thirds of the goods Walmart sells in the United States are grown, made or assembled in the U.S., with products of Chinese and Mexican origin dominating the remaining third. The Trump administrations tariffs on Chinese goods, which now cover a wide range of consumer products, pose a significant challenge for retailers like Walmart that rely heavily on imports from China. The tariffs are expected to increase costs for many everyday items, potentially forcing retailers to either absorb these costs or pass them on to consumers through higher prices. Interestingly, the tariffs may also have unintended consequences for some of Walmarts competitors, particularly emerging e-commerce players like Temu and Shein. These companies, known for their ultra-low prices, have been rapidly gaining market share by sourcing products directly from Chinese manufacturers and selling them to U.S. consumers at steep discounts. The new tariffs could level the playing field between Walmart and these upstart competitors. Temu and Shein may find it challenging to maintain their price advantage as the cost of importing goods from China rises. This could provide an opportunity for Walmart to reclaim some of the market share it has lost to these aggressive newcomers. Despite the uncertainty surrounding specific earnings numbers, Walmarts management team remains optimistic about the companys ability to navigate these challenges and even grow its market share. CEO Doug McMillon emphasized the companys scale and diversified supply chain as key advantages in weathering the storm. Maridav / Getty Images/iStockphoto As the tax situation has gotten more contentious in the U.S., tax professionals have watched more millionaires look for alternatives to hold on to their millions. A lot of folks dont realize that Americans pay some of the highest taxes in the world, especially in states like California and New York, said Andrew Lokenauth, U.S. tax professional and founder of Fluent in Finance and The Finance Newsletter. When you add up federal, state and local taxes, some people end up giving away over 50% of their income. Learn More: 7 Tax Loopholes the Rich Use To Pay Less and Build More Wealth Read Next: 25 Creative Ways To Save Money GOBankingRates talked to experts to get their insights on why some millionaires are relocating to Puerto Rico. The tropical climate and Caribbean lifestyle are nice perks. However, the real draw may be saving their millions. Act 60 Tax Incentive One of Puerto Ricos Act 60 tax incentives lets you pay just 4% on business income in most cases. Lokenauth said he moved his consulting business there in March 2024 and described the tax savings as incredible. My effective tax rate dropped from around 45% to under 10% thats life-changing money that I can reinvest back into growing my company, Lokenauth said. Erik Wright, founder of New Horizon Home Buyers, explained that this incentive is beneficial for millionaires. Puerto Ricos Act 60 tax incentives offer breathtaking tax relief that lowers income tax rates to a paltry 4% for qualifying businesses, he said. This drastic tax reduction from more than 37% mainland rates is a powerful economic incentive for millionaires to relocate, potentially saving them hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, depending on their income structure. And he has seen his high-net-worth investor clients benefit. I saw it myself when some of my real estate investment partners moved to Puerto Rico in 2023; one of them, who had been paying more than $400,000 in federal income taxes every year, cut his tax bill to about $40,000 by taking advantage of Puerto Ricos tax breaks while keeping his mainland business operation online, he said. Find Out: The Best Tax Deductions and Tax Breaks for 2024-2025 Capital Gains Tax Exemption Lokenauth explained that another big draw is the capital gains exemption, where people dont pay any taxes on certain capital gains after they become residents, which can especially help the wealthy save money. Back in Chicago, I was paying 20% federal plus 5% state tax on my investment gains. But after establishing residency in San Juan, I sold some long-term stock holdings completely tax-free (saved about $140K in taxes), he said. The stock market ended Wednesday well higher, but some benefited from the rally more than others. One that lagged a bit behind peers was railroad company Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP); the market was guarded about the stock after it was flagged for a pair of analyst price target cuts. Its 7%-plus rise on the day would be impressive for a typical trading session, but Wednesday's saw the S&P 500 index blast 9.5% higher. Back-to-back analyst cuts Neither of the cuts was overly dramatic, but together they dampened sentiment on Union Pacific's future. The first came from Jefferies' Stephanie Moore, who set a new price target of $230 per share; previously she had considered it worth $255. The second was made by TD Cowen's Jason Seidl. He now believes Union Pacific's fair value is $252 per share, down slightly from his preceding $258. Crucially, neither analyst changed their recommendation on the stock -- hold in Moore's case, and buy for Seidl. Despite the cuts, there was reason to be optimistic about Union Pacific's immediate future. In previous trading sessions, investors had sold out of the stock, with many feeling (correctly) that the company is vulnerable to the initially high tariffs announced by the Trump administration. Of tariffs and trains Prohibitive tariffs, especially if imposed on our major Asian trading partners, could badly affect the volume of cargo Union Pacific ferries -- after all, it's a major operator to and from west coast ports. While the tariff story continues to play out and develop in unexpected directions, this stock could see more volatility. These days it seems like a play only for investors willing to stomach roller-coaster rides. Should you invest $1,000 in Union Pacific right now? Before you buy stock in Union Pacific, 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 Union Pacific 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 $469,399!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $590,231!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 731% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 146% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks Zurich North America, a provider of commercial insurance products and services, has appointed Eric Amadori as the head of management liability public. Effective immediately, Amadori will report to Nora Hattauer, Financial Lines head, the insurer said. The Financial Lines group at Zurich delivers management liability coverages to a diverse range of clients, from large publicly traded companies to privately held middle market businesses and non-profit organisations. Hattauer said: Eric comes to Zurich with over 20 years of experience underwriting and managing financial lines products. His deep technical knowledge in management liability will help us deliver best-in-class solutions to publicly traded companies and their brokers. Amadori will be joining forces with Paul Giliberto, who oversees management liability for private and non-profit entities. The team is a segment of the Specialties business unit at Zurich, known for providing a suite of insurance coverages including directors & officers (D&O), employment practices liability, fiduciary liability and crime insurance. Amadori previously served as managing director of Markels management professional liability team for 14 years. His background also includes leadership and underwriting positions at Arch Insurance and AIG. Zurich expects Amadoris expertise to be instrumental in driving the success of the Financial Lines team, which also offers Zurich Multinational solutions such as D&O coverage through International Towers by Zurich. In January 2025, Zurich North America reinforced its commitment to specialisation by establishing a new Specialties business unit, amalgamating its Construction, Surety and Financial Lines businesses. Kelly Kinzer, the former head of construction, was appointed to lead this new unit. Additionally, Zurich streamlined its customer and distribution management function, now led by John Diaz, who previously managed US Middle Market Underwriting. This comprehensive overhaul aligns with Zurich Insurance's latest three-year business plan, which was unveiled during Zurich Investor Day 2024 in November. "Zurich North America appoints new head of management liability public" was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand. For parents involved in child neglect cases, Colorado lawmakers have given them the right to ask for a jury trial on the question of whether their children are neglected a right they give up if they fail to appear at trial. A ballot measure that seeks to prohibit the hunting of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx has divided current and former members of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife commission, with animal rights activists arguing that hunting big cats is cruel and unnecessary and sportsmen asserting that wildlife management should be left to the experts. In the past five years, more than 1,300 kids in the U.S. have died while waiting for an organ donation that would have saved their lives, according to data from the United Network for Organ Sharing. Kayla McCarthy, a registered nurse at Childrens Hospital Colorado, works with post-transplant patients and sees firsthand how a simple procedure can change a young life. I work with these really amazing and resilient kids and families, and their only goal is to get better and play with their dinosaurs, and play peekaboo with their parents, and just be kids, McCarthy said. All they want is to get better. I was inspired to take part in that process in a personal way. McCarthy decided to donate part of her liver to a Childrens Colorado patient in Aurora through the living donor program. It seemed like the most obvious way I could help an individual child get better, she said. A living donation occurs when a healthy adult donates a kidney or part of the liver to a patient with end-stage liver or kidney failure, according to UCHealth. Most donors participate to help a friend or loved one, but McCarthy decided to donate to an unknown recipient. After making the decision to donate, McCarthy applied through UCHealths University of Colorado Hospital to see if she was a viable candidate for the procedure. Donor candidates must be between the ages of 18 and 55, in excellent physical and psychological health, according to UCHealth. The evaluation process is pretty extensive, McCarthy said. Theres a preliminary lab workup, and if youre eligible, you go through imaging MRI, X-ray, CT scan, etc. If everything still looks good, you see a surgeon and coordinate a date for your procedure. Featured Local Savings McCarthys surgery was performed robotically, which meant smaller incisions, less post-surgery pain, minimal scarring and faster recovery time. The day after her procedure, McCarthy was on her feet. (I walked a lot that first day, she said.) Two and a half weeks after the surgery, she was back at work. A few months after donating a portion of the liver, the organ regenerates back to its original size, according to UNOS. The team at UCHealth, on the adult side, was amazing, McCarthy said. They were so supportive the entire time. I felt like somebody had my back throughout the entire process, and they provided the safest possible experience. McCarthy made a non-directed donation, which is when someone donates without knowing who the recipient will be, so she has not met her recipient. But she has exchanged letters with the childs family, she said. In the letter, they told me why (their child) needed the liver, and what it meant for them to get a transplant, McCarthy said. I would love to meet them someday. But when you make a non-directed donation, you go into it knowing that you might never meet them in person. Its about being able to help a child go on to lead a normal, healthy life. It feels really good to be able to contribute to that, and I would love to meet them, but if it doesnt work out, thats OK too. Anyone who is considering becoming a living donor should do as much research as possible in order to make an informed decision, McCarthy said. Living donation can be a really good option, and we have had really good outcomes with it, she said. Of the eight living donor transplants at Childrens last year, five were non-directed. Anyone who is healthy and willing can do it. Cellphone records presented in court during the University of Colorado Colorado Springs double homicide trial Thursday portrayed a rapidly deteriorating roommate relationship between one of the victims and the accused suspect. Nicholas Jordan, 25, is on trial for allegedly 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. For the third day of testimony in his trial, Jordan donned a white button-down shirt and a floral tie, and appeared to be out of handcuffs. He was observed writing on a notepad occasionally throughout the day. During the previous two days of the trial, Jordan seemed to be restrained. Analyst Kasey Constantino with the city of Colorado Springs gave the longest testimony of the day. She took the stand regarding the cellphone data extracted from the devices of Jordan, Knopp and Montgomery. Constantino was introduced as a criminal intelligence analyst and deemed an expert Thursday during her testimony. The data presented went back to Nov. 1, 2023, when Knopp and Jordan seemed to initially get along. The search warrant for the devices only allowed data analysis from Nov. 1, 2023 to Feb. 19, 2024, something the defense brought up during cross-examination. Only a couple of months later, between Jan. 1 and Jan. 7, 2024, Knopp started to express concerns about Jordan's behavior, specifically regarding marijuana consumption and a girl living with Jordan in his room. The garbage complaint mentioned several times during testimony Wednesday was brought up multiple times by Knopp within those early January texts. During that same early January 2024 time frame, Knopp sent several emails to the UCCS housing department raising his concerns and requesting assistance, calling a flooding bathroom situation a "biohazard." At one point, Knopp said the issues were improving and housing did not need to kick Jordan out of the dorms, but only days later changed his mind and continued to request someone to "come talk some sense into him." Emails from Jordan during the same time frame indicate he was also asking to be moved out of the dorm unit, due to "weird hostility" and roommate altercations. Data uncovered from Jordan's phone showed he searched for tactical firearm training and information on the best gun to buy on Jan. 31, 2024. Jordan also sent a message to someone asking if they could get him a "Glock" or "any pistol" on Jan. 18, 2024. Text records between Knopp and Montgomery were also shown to the jurors. The gist of the conversation indicates the pair made plans to "hang out" late that night before they were killed, with the texts sent out around 10 p.m. Featured Local Savings Other key notes from Constantino's testimony include a gap in Jordan's call log on Feb. 16, 2024. No calls were made in the early hours when the homicides took place. After that, Jordan's call log shows what Constantino described as a "break in the pattern of life," when he made nearly 140 phone calls on Feb. 17, 2024, and 134 calls on Feb. 18, 2024. Jordan also made internet searches, after the homicides but before his arrest, that included phrases such as "police investigative UCCS double homicide," which took him to various news sites. Other testimony Thursday included that of Colorado Springs police officers and detectives who aided in the initial investigation and ultimately the arrest of Jordan on Feb. 19, 2024. Officers Kyle Lambert and Jacob Demerath testified Thursday that they believe it was Jordan seen in surveillance-camera footage of a 2009 black Ford Escape thought to be his vehicle the morning after the dorm shooting. During a cross-examination of Lambert, the defense questioned him on an initial interview he did with Tim Cecil, a roommate who had already moved out of Knopp's and Jordan's dorm before the homicides. During Cecil's interview, Lambert said it became his understanding that Knopp didn't initially have an issue with the marijuana. Rather, it was the other two roommates, Cecil and Giancarlo Argueta Agudelo, who did. Knopp eventually did raise concerns, Lambert testified, based on his initial interview with Cecil. Text messages presented to jurors Thursday seemed to corroborate that Knopp and Jordan hadn't always been at odds, with early text messages indicating that Jordan had even offered to pick up marijuana if Knopp was "running low." Donna Manogue with the Metro Crime Lab testified on Thursday about Jordan's clothes that were collected as evidence. According to several officers' testimony, Jordan wore two sweatshirts at the time of his arrest. One was gray with a UCCS logo and the one worn over it was plain black. The UCCS sweatshirt reportedly had both blood and gunshot residue on the fabric. The final witness of the day, Dana Greely with the Colorado Bureau of Investigation's forensics services unit, also testified regarding the gunshot residue found on Jordan's clothing and the lack of any residue found on the other roommate, Agudelo. Jordan's trial will continue Monday morning. After two trial judges and the state's Public Utilities Commission confirmed La Plata County can regulate the physical changes made around a tourist train station, the Colorado Supreme Court heard arguments about whether to uphold the proceedings that have unfolded over the past four years. "We really wanted the county to get out of our lives, quit telling us when we could run a train, how many passengers we could have," said attorney Stuart N. Bennett, representing the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad Company. "Make no mistake," countered Nathaniel H. Hunt for La Plata County, "we are here today because the railroad refused to comply with the countys land-use code and, indeed, sought to enjoin the countys enforcement of the code." The issues brought to the Supreme Court largely revolved around whether the county correctly went to the Public Utilities Commission to clarify if the commission had the exclusive responsibility to regulate the railroad's development at Rockwood Station. Or, could the county exercise its own authority under state law to regulate "extensions, betterments, or additions to buildings, structures, or plant or other equipment," even if those belonged to a utility in this case, a railroad. In La Plata County's case, the commission agreed it could decide who had authority. Its answer was: the county. During oral arguments on Wednesday, some members of the court struggled to see any impropriety alleged by the railroad. "You all filed a lawsuit saying, 'County, you don't have jurisdiction here. PUC has jurisdiction.' Then they said, 'OK, well file for a declaratory order with the PUC,'" said Justice Richard L. Gabriel, recapping the sequence of events. "I guess the bottom-line question is, why isnt it appropriate for the PUC to decide the question of its own jurisdiction?" "Help me understand what the county is supposed to do," added Chief Justice Monica M. Marquez. "What recourse do they have?" At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Durango & Silverton implemented a shorter excursion run that started at Rockwood Station about 10 miles north of Durango. The railroad enlarged a parking lot and driveway, installed portable toilets and upgraded other items onsite. After complaints persisted, the county issued a violation notice in May 2021 telling the railroad to stop its "new use of the Rockwood Station as a major embarking and disembarking location." The railroad filed suit, seeking a declaration that the county could not regulate its activities through the land-use code. La Plata County, in turn, asked the Public Utilities Commission to answer whether its regulatory authority over the railroad displaced the county's in this situation. An administrative law judge concluded the commission could clarify its authority and that the railroad's changes amounted to "extensions, betterments, or additions" that the county was empowered to regulate. The commission later upheld the decision, noting the county had "a legitimate local interest that cannot be ignored." Featured Local Savings The railroad sought review in Denver District Court on procedural and constitutional grounds, but Chief Judge Christopher J. Baumann agreed last May that the commission correctly exercised its power and did not violate the railroad's rights in doing so. Five months later, in the original La Plata County case, District Court Judge Suzanne F. Carlson issued an order once again confirming the county's legal land-use authority applied. "The County is clearly not attempting to regulate train operations," she wrote. "The Court also notes that every other tribunal which has examined the issue has concluded that the Railroads activities constitute betterments, additions or extensions." At the Supreme Court, the railroad alleged the commission violated its rights by not holding a hearing, and that only a regulated utility could even ask the commission to weigh in in the first place. "Im not sure where that says, 'only the utility can apply,'" responded Gabriel. "That's not crazy to say a county can do that if theres a dispute over who has jurisdiction." "I would point to this very case as an example where it could be necessary, helpful, appropriate for the commission to be the one to make that decision," agreed Senior Assistant Attorney General Ruth M. Harper, representing the commission. Bennett, the railroad's attorney, also argued that while the commission may have deemed the Rockwood Station changes to be "extensions, betterments, or additions," the evidence was insufficient to satisfy the other condition that the changes apply to "buildings, structures, or plant or other equipment." "Whats the structure that were talking about?" asked Gabriel. The parking lot, responded Hunt for the county. "If we disagree with you on that," said Marquez, "does the county have other recourse, i.e. to enforce its land-use code through the court case?" Yes, said Hunt, the county could take action against the railroad through the case Carlson heard, which the railroad has since taken to the Court of Appeals. The case is American Heritage Railways, Inc. et al. v. Colorado Public Utilities Commission. 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 nonprofit organization that permanently closed its doors April 1 is contesting the results of a state audit involving pandemic-relief spending, which is calling for the Colorado Springs Community Cultural Collective to return more than $828,000 of the $1.68 million it received to provide a workforce development program from February 2023 through Dec. 19, 2024. The grantor of the federal money, the Pikes Peak Workforce Center, also objects to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employments determination, primarily involving time and effort documentation, and what it describes as an unwillingness to hear its side. The Pikes Peak Workforce Center firmly denies any allegations of wrongdoing or mishandling of funds, said Becca Tonn, spokeswoman for the Pikes Peak Workforce Center, a designated American Job Center that is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor to administer job development opportunities. We have massive secondary evidence that CDLE has refused to look at or consider, she said. So far, they have not been amenable to accepting our secondary documentation and are continuing to demand repayment. An unnamed spokesperson from the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment said in an emailed statement to The Gazette that it is committed to ensuring that all awarded funding is spent within federal spending guidelines and in accordance with the authorizing state legislation and will hold any grantee responsible for incorrectly spent funding. The statement also said, The department monitors all subrecipients of these dollars to ensure that spending has occurred within the requirements of the grant. Once the Departments review concluded, we took immediate action to hold the recipient accountable and protect the use of these tax dollars. The audit, which began Sept. 13, 2024, and concluded Oct. 4, 2024, found "numerous compliance issues" that breached federal guidance and state fiscal rules for the programs that were provided, the labor department stated. The workforce center's attorney, Ben Hase, sent a letter dated March 19, 2025, to the state labor department, seeking an equitable and agreeable resolution other than reimbursement of funds. The request suggests a proactive, corrective action plan be considered, which would involve changing internal policies and increasing and enhancing documentation should the workforce center be awarded a similar grant in the future. Pikes Peak Workforce Center awarded the Colorado Springs Community Cultural Collective a competitive Workforce Innovation Grant in 2023, using stimulus dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The funds paid Opus Creative Industries, the collectives primary program, to foster job training in culinary arts, early childhood enrichment, and creative technology and media arts. The program successfully trained hundreds of students of all ages in entry-level employment in the fields that had suffered during COVID-19, said Linda Weise, founder and CEO of Colorado Springs Community Cultural Collective. Efforts also produced three restaurants that now also have been shuttered the Well, a cafe at the countys headquarters and Opus and a toddlers playgroup that is continuing as a program of another local nonprofit, Joint Initiatives for Youth and Families. We showed we completed what we were asked to in the grant, Weise said. Even if the order stands for the collective to pay back grant funds in the amount of $828,371.78, the Colorado Springs Community Cultural Collective is in the process of dissolving, and there is no money on hand, said board chairwoman Deborah Hendrix. The organization owes creditors more than $250,000 and is selling off assets to cover the debt, she said. Were already in a deficit it isnt like a payback would be possible. Non-federal funds must be used to cover disallowed costs, according to the labor and employment department. Featured Local Savings The information from the labor department and complaints against the organization was first reported in the Colorado Springs Independent. Tonn told The Gazette most of the costs auditors flagged were for salaried employees of Colorado Springs Community Creative Collective for time and effort. Being salaried, they didnt clock in on a timesheet which the state told us after the fact they should have done, she said. Secondary data the workforce center wants to present includes case notes entered in the state jobs database regarding training the staff was providing to interns and the progress interns were making, according to Tonn. The attorney cites other cases in which this routinely has been done. We were never told we had to fill out those time and effort documents for salaried employees, Weise said. The labor department says the the costs did not demonstrate how the expenses in question were "allowable, necessary, reasonable and benefited the grant." Weise and Hendrix noted that the grant was reimbursable, meaning the collective had to file invoices for expenses that had to be approved by the workforce center in order to be reimbursed. When we submitted an invoice, it was heavily vetted and either approved or not approved by a team at the workforce center, Weise said. If we were made aware of an expense that was not allowed under the grant, it was addressed right away. The collective turned in 36 invoices; most were 30 pages in length and one was 428 pages, Tonn said, adding that the workforce center approved all of them before releasing the money. We were following the instructions we were given, Weise said. But the organization had trouble with solvency, which Weise attributes to having to pay expenses and then being reimbursed. Some program participants said they were not paid in a timely manner and filed complaints with the state labor and employment department. Weise said those situations have been rectified, and Every single mentor and student has been paid in full. This is the first time the workforce center received this type of grant, Tonn said. The workforce center became aware of the audit discrepancies in November 2024, during a routine, annual monitoring the state Department of Labor and Employment conducted on the agency, she said. It's so disappointing, said Weise, a longtime community arts advocate who founded the Colorado Springs Conservatory in 1994 and the Colorado Springs Community Cultural Collective in 2020. She also has written an occasional column for The Gazette on cultural icons in the Pikes Peak region. We were crossing our fingers that it would be resolved very quickly. But the financial issues led the organization to close March 31, as the grant was suspended Dec. 19 with nearly $217,000 remaining and more than four months left until it expired. Weise posits the situation is part of a bigger picture, as Colorado lawmakers face rectifying a $1 billion budget deficit. I think we got caught in the crosshairs because at the end of the day, no one did anything wrong, especially given all the formal processes of submitting those invoices, she said. Jimmy Sengenberger is an investigative journalist, public speaker, and longtime local talk-radio host. Reach Jimmy online at Jimmysengenberger.com or on X (formerly Twitter) @SengCenter. Editor's note: This article has been updated to correct a quote by Joe Schurman that misstated the estimated value of the space economy by 2040. In the depths of space, a cargo ship containing specially packaged food approaches the International Space Station, carrying out a resupply mission. Without direct human control, the cargo ship docks onto the space station, transferring the food to the crew onboard. In another instance, a U.S. satellite autonomously adjusts its orbit to avoid colliding with debris. This is the future for robots in space, leveraging the power of artificial intelligence, industry experts said Thursday. "The future is going to be autonomous maneuvering in space," said Alexandr Wang, founder and chief executive officer of Scale AI, during a discussion on generative AI on the final day of the 40th Space Symposium at The Broadmoor. Scale AI is a San Francisco-based data annotation company that trains frontier AI models like OpenAI and others using labeled data. In the ever-increasingly crowded heavens, agentic AI will be a crucial tool to help the U.S. orchestrate its space assets and warfighting capabilities, adversarial assets, space situational awareness and space domain awareness, Wang said. Agentic AI capabilities manage space debris, help spacecraft navigate autonomously and enable a spacecraft to plan and execute space missions, among other tasks. Then, it can raise key courses of action to military commanders who can make strategic and tactical decisions. "Agentic AI will help uplevel the decisions and the capabilities that humans have in these processes," he said. "AI can do a lot of minutiae and a lot of lower level planning and integration. But then, ultimately, we're going to need to elevate these strategic decisions to humans. They're going to have to think through what are the diplomatic implications? What are the strategic implications? How do I integrate softer tacit knowledge or other pieces of information to be able to conduct the perfect course of action going forward?" Pointing to DeepSeek, the Chinese technology startup that since 2024 has released two artificial intelligence large language models rivaling the programs built by American companies, and which were built much more inexpensively, Wang said it was "very concerning" and "a huge wakeup call" for the entire space industry, which believed China was one or two years behind leading Western labs. In a rapidly moving innovation cycle and amid increasingly competitive relations, the U.S. must ensure its AI capabilities exceed China's, he added. "We have an imperative. We need to match that innovation in the U.S., and, if anything, demonstrate that we're more out in front of it," Wang said. Artificial intelligence has been used in space since at least 2019, mostly to sift through and make sense of data from sensors. Companies and the military needed ways to bring large datasets from space, like satellite imagery or weather data, Joe Schurman told The Gazette in a separate interview. Schurman is a PricewaterhouseCoopers partner specializing in AI for aerospace and defense and co-leader of the company's U.S. space practice. The space industry built on its success using AI and expanding its technical capability between 2019 and 2023. Now, the industry also uses generative AI to streamline aerospace engineering, project management and operations needed to simplify engineering and analytics to facilitate more rapid launches that will enable the commercialization of space, he said. Featured Local Savings "AI can streamline mundane tasks, specifically agent-based AI. Each engineer has their own competency and specialty, such as payloads, et cetera. They all have to come together to launch a mission. If you pair up an engineer with an (AI) agent or a LLM (large-language model) chat, it will power the individual as a force multiplier to complete the engineering quicker," Schurman said. "If you had a flight test engineer (working with an AI agent), it could help digitize the flight test (data) and streamline their ability to get data to structural design and other parts of the process." Most major aerospace and defense companies embrace generative AI, but they are limited in how they can use AI with classified data, he said. Over the last year, though, some AI services have come online that can be used in classified environments. "Using those would enable you to get your fleet and payload out more quickly and enable the commercialization of space," Schurman said. Schurman said wider use of AI in space could create new space-based capabilities and allow greater use of space for many different businesses. "AI can reduce years of engineering time to months and sometimes weeks," he said. The agriculture, pharmaceuticals and financial industries could all benefit from using AI for space-based capabilities and setting up operations in space, he said. "That is how you get to a $2 trillion space economy by 2040," Schurman said, as predicted in Space Foundation's most recent report. "That will facilitate space industrialization." He said President Donald Trump will soon sign an executive order that will reduce the number of Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) needed to get contracts from the Space Force and the other military branches, which would make it easer for small businesses to do business with the military. "That will mean more jobs, opportunities and further commercialization of space. There will be more contracts based on commercial instead of government terms. That will put startups on the same footing as major prime contractors from a contractual perspective," he said. Commercial companies are now 80% of the space economy, which totaled $570 billion in the Space Report issued this week. Space Foundation predicts that will grow to $300 trillion by 2040. "This is a big deal here (Colorado Springs) with all the startups and operations you have here. The ability to grow is significant," Schurman said. Looking for a break? Test your knowledge of this week's news from the Yakima Valley. Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. Letter: Our representatives need to get on the right side in Ukraine New Delhi: Filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan's 'Homebound' is all set to premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. It has officially been selected for the 2025 lineup, and the buzz is already building. The film stars Ishaan Khatter, Janhvi Kapoor and Visha Jethwa in lead roles. For Ishaan, Homebound is another step in a career thats quickly gaining international momentumfresh off his Hollywood debut in The Perfect Couple and now headlining a film thats headed to one of cinemas most revered platforms. This marks a special moment for Ishaan and team. While Ghaywan returns to Cannes after leaving a lasting impression with his debut film Masaan. An elated Karan Johar also expressed his happiness over the official selection of his home production Homebound in the upcoming edition of the Cannes Film Festival. KJo took to his Instagram recently, and shared an array of pictures. He also penned a long note in the caption, expressing his gratitude to the films team. He wrote, HOMEBOUND, our soulful story directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, has been selected for the illustrious Festival De Cannes! This moment is a testament to the power of Indian cinema, showcasing our unique stories, talents, and perspectives to the world! I will not deny that I always wished for one of our films to reach this prestigious global platform. Cannes 2025 The Cannes slate this year features an impressive mix of global talent and fresh stories. Homebound will screen alongside Scarlett Johanssons directorial debut Eleanor the Great, The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo by Diego Cespedes, My Fathers Shadow by Akinola Davies Jr., and Urchin by Harris Dickinson, among others. Also part of this years selection are Meteors (Hubert Charuel), A Pale View of Hills (Kei Ishikawa), Pillion (Harry Lighton), Aisha Cant Fly Away (Morad Mostafa), Once Upon a Time in Gaza (Arab and Tarzan Nasser), and more. New Delhi: After raising the curiosity levels with Raid 2 trailer, the makers have dropped their first song, Nasha, featuring the gorgeous Tamannaah Bhatia, lighting up the screen with her electrifying dance moves. She is back with yet another scintillating special dance number after her super successful 'Aaj Ki Raat' song from 'Stree 2'. Raid 2 Song Nasha Composed by White Noise Collective, the song pulses with the energy of a high-octane dance number. Tamannaah brings the heat with a performance thats both graceful and power-packed, adding glamour and excitement to the films story. The energetic track is sung by Jasmin Sandlas, Sachet Tandon, and Divya Kumar, and penned by Jaani creating the perfect setting with infectious appeal. Tamannaah Bhatia shares, Theres something magnetic about Nashaits the kind of track that grabs you from the first beat. The rhythm, the energy, the vibeeverything just comes together seamlessly. After the love I received for my last song, Im excited for audiences to experience this one. Its bold, its infectious, and its got that undeniable groove. Raid 2 Release Helmed by Raj Kumar Gupta, Raid 2 is anticipated to be the most engrossing entertainer of the year. The battle lines are drawn, and the stakes are high are you ready for the ultimate showdown? The movie stars an ensemble cast: Ajay Devgn, Riteish Deshmukh, Vaani Kapoor, Supriya Pathak, Saurabh Shukla, Amit Sial among other celebrated actors joining this high stake sequel. Raid 2 is produced by Bhushan Kumar, Kumar Mangat Pathak, Abhishek Pathak, and Krishan Kumar. The film is presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series and is a Panorama Studios production. Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, Raid 2 is set to release theatrically on 1st May 2025. Baisakhi, also known as Vaisakhi, is a vibrant and significant festival celebrated across India, especially in Punjab. The festival holds immense cultural, religious, and agricultural significance and is marked by joyous celebrations, prayers, and traditional customs. This year, Baisakhi falls on April 13, 2025, and is set to bring communities together to celebrate the harvest season, honour Sikh history, and enjoy family gatherings. Lets dive deeper into the various aspects of this exciting festival:- Baisakhi 2025: Date Baisakhi is traditionally celebrated on the 13th or 14th April each year. In 2025, Baisakhi will be observed on April 13. It marks the beginning of the harvest season in Punjab and other parts of northern India. The date is determined based on the solar calendar, usually corresponding to the first day of the month of Vaisakh. History of Baisakhi Baisakhi is a festival with deep historical roots. It is celebrated for two main reasons: - Agricultural Significance: Traditionally, Baisakhi marks the harvest of rabi crops in Punjab and other northern regions of India. It is a time when farmers celebrate the successful harvest season, thanking God for bountiful crops and praying for prosperity in the future. - Religious Significance in Sikhism: Baisakhi also holds great importance in Sikhism. On this day in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, the tenth Sikh Guru, founded the Khalsa Panth (the community of baptized Sikhs). This momentous event is commemorated by Sikhs worldwide, as it represents the spiritual and moral unity of the Sikh community. Significance of Baisakhi Baisakhi is significant on multiple levels: - For Farmers: It symbolizes the end of the harvesting season and the start of a new agricultural cycle. Farmers express gratitude for the harvest and pray for the well-being of their crops in the coming months. - For Sikhs: It is a day of spiritual renewal. Guru Gobind Singh Jis creation of the Khalsa on Baisakhi is celebrated with great devotion. The Khalsa Panth laid the foundation of Sikh identity and unity. On this day, Sikhs across the world gather in Gurudwaras to remember the historic events. - For Hindus: Though Baisakhi has a special association with Sikhs, it is also celebrated by Hindus in various parts of India as the start of the solar year. Theme of Baisakhi 2025 Each year, the theme of Baisakhi focuses on different aspects of life. For 2025, the theme revolves around unity, community, and prosperity. Whether it is celebrating the harvest season, honouring Sikh history, or uniting families, the essence of Baisakhi remains the same: a celebration of life, hope, and collective strength. Traditions and Celebrations of Baisakhi The way Baisakhi is celebrated can vary by region, but certain traditions are common across most parts of India: - Prayers and Processions: Sikhs gather in Gurudwaras to recite prayers and listen to religious hymns. The day begins with the "Amrit Sanchar" (ceremony of baptism) in Gurudwaras, where Sikhs reaffirm their commitment to the teachings of Guru Gobind Singh Ji. Many places also have a "Nagar Kirtan" (procession) where the Sikh community marches through the streets singing hymns, playing drums, and waving the Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag). - Dressing Up in Traditional Attire: People wear their finest clothes, with many women donning colourful salwar kameez, and men often wearing kurtas or dhotis. The traditional Baisakhi dress for women is typically vibrant and festive. - Dancing and Music: Folk dances such as Bhangra and Gidda are performed during Baisakhi. Bhangra, in particular, is an energetic and joyful dance style that originates from Punjab, where participants dance to the beats of the dhol drum, celebrating the harvest. - Feasts and Fairs: Traditional Baisakhi foods like sarson da saag and makki di roti (mustard greens and maize flatbread) are enjoyed by families. In rural areas, large community gatherings and fairs take place, where people come together for music, dance, and delicious food. - Visiting Gurudwaras and Temples: People of all faiths visit Gurudwaras (Sikh temples) to pay their respects. In Punjab, the Golden Temple in Amritsar sees thousands of devotees on this day. Many Hindus also visit temples for prayers. How to Celebrate Baisakhi 2025 There are several ways you can join the celebration of Baisakhi 2025, no matter where you are. Here are some ideas to make the most of this joyous occasion: 1. Attend a Gurudwara Service: Join a local Gurudwara for prayers and participate in the celebrations. Many Gurudwaras serve Langar (free community meals), where people from all walks of life sit together and share a meal. 2. Host a Baisakhi Feast: Gather friends and family to celebrate Baisakhi with a traditional Punjabi feast. Prepare dishes like Aloo Paratha, Pinni, Lassi, and Kheer for an authentic experience. 3. Wear Traditional Punjabi Attire: Embrace the vibrant culture of Punjab by dressing up in traditional Punjabi attire. Women can wear Salwar Kameez or Lehenga, and men can choose a Kurta-Pajama or a Sherwani. 4. Dance to Bhangra and Gidda: Join in or watch Bhangra and Gidda performances. These lively dances bring the festive atmosphere to life and are a great way to bond with friends and family. 5. Learn about Sikh History: Take some time to learn about the history of Guru Gobind Singh Ji and the formation of the Khalsa. Understanding the significance of Baisakhi in Sikhism will deepen your appreciation for the holiday. 6. Support Local Farmers: As Baisakhi is a harvest festival, consider buying fresh produce from local farmers or attending a farmers market to celebrate the importance of agriculture. 7. Create a Vibrant Atmosphere: Decorate your home with colourful flowers, lights, and rangolis (decorative patterns made with coloured powders), creating an atmosphere of joy and festivity. Baisakhi 2025 is a time to celebrate the harvest, remember Sikh history, and come together as a community. Whether you are observing the festival for its religious significance or simply enjoying the cultural aspects, Baisakhi is a day that unites people from all walks of life in celebration. So, mark your calendar for April 13, 2025, and get ready to embrace the vibrant colours, music, and traditions that make Baisakhi a truly special occasion! (This article is intended for your general information only. Zee News does not vouch for its accuracy or reliability.) Assam Class 10th Result 2025: The Assam State School Education Board (ASSEB) has confirmed that the HSLC (Class 10) Result 2025 will be announced on April 11 at 10:30 AM. Students who took the Class 10 board exams can view their results on the official SEBA website and other approved portals. The Class 10 exams were held from February 15 to March 3, 2025, in two sessionsmorning (9 AM to 12 noon) and afternoon (1:30 PM to 4:30 PM). The exams started with the English paper and ended with subjects such as Advanced Mathematics, Geography, History, Sanskrit, Computer Science, Commerce, Home Science, Arabic, Persian, and Nepali. Students who clear the Class 10 Assam board exam will not get the hard copy of their certificate and marksheet today. The board has informed that the date for issuing physical marksheets will be announced later. The online SEBA Class 10 result will only serve as a provisional marksheet for reference. Students should collect their official marksheets from their schools once they are released. Assam Class 10th Result 2025: Here's how to check result via Mobile App Students can conveniently check their Class 10 results through the official SEBA/ASSEB Result 2025 mobile app. Here's how to do it: Step 1: Go to the Google Play Store and download the SEBA/ASSEB Result 2025 app. Step 2: Launch the app and select the Assam HSLC Result 2025 option. Step 3: Enter your roll number and any other required information. Step 4: Click on the Submit button. Step 5: Your result will be displayed on the screen. The HSLC Examination 2024 was held from February 16 to March 4, and the results were announced within 45 days after the exams ended. A total of 4,19,078 students appeared for the exams, including 1,87,904 boys, 2,31,164 girls, and 10 transgender students. The overall pass percentage was 75.70 percent. Among boys, the pass rate was 77.28 percent, while for girls, it was 74.41 percent. Meanwhile, 80 percent of the transgender students cleared the exam. The districts of Chirang, Nalbari, and Baksa were recognized as the top-performing regions. Bihar Civil Court Prelims Result 2025: The Bihar Civil Court, Patna, has officially released the results for the Clerk Preliminary Examination 2025 on 10th April, 2025, Thursday. All the candidates who appeared for the exam can now check their results on the official Bihar Court website i.e. patna.dcourts.gov.in. The prelims examination took place on 22nd December, 2024. A total of 42,397 candidates successfully cleared the test. Among them, 17,043 belong to the unreserved category, 4,176 to the EWS category, 4,968 to the BC category, 8,269 to the EBC category, 6,495 to the SC category, 391 to the ST category, and 1,055 to the WBC category. Bihar Civil Court Prelims Result 2025: Steps to Check the result Step 1- Go to the official Bihar District Court website- patna.dcourts.gov.in. Step 2- On the home page you will see the tab of Clerk Recruitment 2025 and open it. Step 3- Click on the link 'Bihar District Court Clerk Prelims Result 2025'. Step 4- A PDF file containing the roll numbers of qualified candidates will open. Step 5- Find your roll number with Ctrl+F feature and check your scores. Step 6- Download and Print the PDF for future reference. Bihar Civil Court Prelims Result 2025: Cut off Marks The Bihar Civil Court has released the general category-wise cutoff marks for the Clerk Preliminary Examination 2025. Candidates in the Unreserved (UR) category were required to score at least 70 marks to qualify. For the Economically Weaker Section (EWS), the cutoff was set at 65 marks, while candidates from the Backward Caste (BC) category needed 67 marks. The cutoff for the Extremely Backward Caste (EBC) category was 63 marks. Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) candidates both had a cutoff of 57 marks, whereas Women of Backward Castes (WBC) needed a minimum of 50 marks to move on to the next stage of the selection process. Through this recruitment drive, the aim of the civil court is to fill 3325 Clerk vacancies. All the candidates who have cleared the preliminary exam are now eligible to sit for the written examination which will take place in Patna. The Civil Courts will release the exam schedule soon on their official website. All the candidates are advised to keep checking the official website regularly for all important updates. New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency on April 10 argued in a Delhi court that it suspects terror plots akin to 26/11 Mumbai attacks were devised by key conspirator Tahawwur Rana to target multiple Indian cities. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) made the claim before special judge Chander Jit Singh, who remanded Rana to 18-day NIA custody. In its order, the judge directed the NIA to conduct medical examination of Rana every 24 hours, and allow him to meet his lawyer every alternate day. The judge allowed Rana to use only a soft-tip pen and meet his lawyer in the presence of the NIA officials within an audible distance. During the arguments, the NIA said Rana's custody was required to piece together the full scope of the conspiracy, and submitted he was required to be taken to various locations for retracing the events that took place 17 years ago. "His (Rana) prolonged custody has been deemed necessary to facilitate an extensive interrogation aimed at uncovering deeper layers of the conspiracy. We suspect that the tactics used in the Mumbai attacks were intended for execution in other cities as well, prompting investigators to examine whether similar plots were developed elsewhere," the NIA is believed to have informed the judge, a source said. To piece together crucial evidence and retrace events from 17 years ago, officials might transport Rana to key locations, allowing them to reconstruct the crime scene and gain deeper insight into the larger terror network at play, the source added. The NIA DIGs, one IG and five DCPs of Delhi Police were present in the court premises during his production. Rana will remain in NIA custody for 18 days, during which time the agency plans to "question him in detail in order to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks" which saw 166 persons being killed and over 238 sustaining wounds. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) is set to begin questioning Tahawwur Rana, a key plotter of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, on Friday following his successful extradition after nearly 17 years since the carnage jolted the financial capital. Rana, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks mastermind, landed in India on Thursday hours after which he was taken into custody by the anti-terror agency on the orders of the Special Court in New Delhi. The questioning may begin around 10 a.m. at the agency's headquarters, news agency IANS reported, citing sources. During the interrogation, the agency will grill him with questions related to the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, his association with David Coleman Headley, and his alleged links with Pakistan's intelligence agency - the ISI. The IANS sources also revealed that during the interrogation, it is likely that he will be quizzed about his stays in India and all those he came in contact with. It is excepted that he may reveal his links in the country. Rana will remain in NIA custody for 18 days. The NIA, in a press release on Friday, said, "...The agency will question him in detail to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks, in which a total of 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured." NIA said it had secured Rana's extradition from the US following years of sustained efforts and after the terror mastermind's last-ditch efforts to get a stay on his extradition from the US failed. Rana was brought to the national capital, escorted by teams of NSG and NIA, comprising senior officials, on a special plane from Los Angeles, US. The extradition finally came through after Rana's various litigations and appeals, including an emergency application before the US Supreme Court, were rejected. "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, the surrender warrant for the wanted terrorist was eventually secured, and the extradition was carried out," said the anti-terror agency in its media release which was posted on its X handle on Friday. The NIA acknowledged the active assistance of several American institutions. The agency said it had worked closely with its counterparts in the FBI, including the US Department of Justices Office of International Affairs (USDoJ), the US Attorneys Office for the Central District of California, and other agencies through the entire extradition process. It said this "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." US Marshals in the Central District of California on Tuesday transferred custody of Rana to representatives from Indias Ministry of External Affairs. Rana, who is a Pakistani national and Canadian citizen, is now 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. (With agency Inputs) A nose pin led investigators to the identity of a woman and also her murderer, the husband who had allegedly strangled his wife with a cable wire, wrapped her body in a bedsheet and dumped the body in the drain, police said on Friday. Anil Kumar, a property dealer, worked with the familys domestic help, Shiv Shankar, to commit the gruesome murder, police said. "The body of Seema Singh (47) was discovered on March 15, wrapped in a bedsheet, tied with cable wire and a heavy stone, and dumped into the Najafgarh drain," Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) said in a statement. The officer further said that initially, her identity remained unknown. The breakthrough came when investigators examined a gold nose pin she was wearing. Its hallmark led police to the manufacturer, which eventually helped trace her identity. A sketch released by the police and circulated on social media caught the attention of one of her relatives, who contacted authorities and confirmed Seema's identity, said the DCP. He said that an FIR was registered at Chhawla Police Station and multiple teams were formed to nab the accused. Police eventually tracked the accused and a team apprehended Shiv Shankar. During interrogation, Shiv Shankar confessed that he and Anil strangled Seema to death on March 11 at their residence in Sector 10 in Dwarka. The duo then disposed of the body to mislead investigators and evade suspicion, Shankar told police. Anil Kumar, who had initially told Seema's family and the police that she had left home in anger and never returned, had been on the run. Sources in the police said that Kumar was eventually tracked down and arrested. They also found that Anil was living with another woman in Gurugram and Seemas family reported her missing at Chhatarpur Police Station days before her body was found. According to the postmortem report, Seema was killed a few days prior to her body being recovered. Injuries on her face and head indicated a violent struggle before her death. The couple reportedly had ongoing marital disputes, and police suspect a deeper conspiracy rooted in personal and domestic conflict, police said. At the time of the incident, Seema was last seen leaving home with her younger son and carrying her purse which was later recovered from her husband's possession. Police are now investigating whether the woman Anil was living with had any role in the murder. Further investigation is underway. India is in continuous dialogue with the US on the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), and the government will safeguard the nation's and public interests as it is never advisable to take any step in undue haste, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Friday. He said all trade talks of the country are progressing well in the spirit of 'India first' and to ensure the pathway to Viksit Bharat 2047. "Humne pahle bhi kai baar kaha hai ki hum banduk rakhke kabhi negotiate nai karte hain. Sammay ki pabandiyaan acchhi rahti hain ki wo protsaahit karti hain ki baat teji se ho, lekin jab tak desh hit aur jan hit ko hum surakshit na rakh saken, tab tak kabhi bhi jaldbazzi karna accha nai hai (I have said it many times before that we do not negotiate at the gunpoint. Time restrictions are good as they encourage us to talk swiftly, but until we are able to protect the interests of the country and people, it is never good to be hasty)," Goyal told reporters when asked about the progress of India-US BTA. The two countries have fixed a target to finalise the first phase of the agreement by fall (September-October) this year with an aim to more than double bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 from the current USD 191 billion. On the India-European Union (EU) trade pact, Goyal said the trade talks proceed when both sides are sensitive to each other's concerns and requirements. "I can only share... that all the trade talks are progressing well in the spirit of India first and to ensure our pathway to Viksit Bharat 2047," he said. He added that businesses face various constraints of non-tariff barriers in the EU. Meanwhile, speaking at the Italy-India Business Forum, Goyal said that concrete steps need to be taken to expedite the conclusion of the free trade agreement between India and the EU that can help both sides deepen economic ties. He added that the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC) provides India and Italy an opportunity to further come closer to each other. Additionally, the minister said there is also a need to promote seamless trade and investments between India and Italy. There is a need to "encourage investments on both sides, promote businesses to do trade with each other without roadblocks... I think there is tremendous potential to grow from the USD 15 billion level," Goyal added. Later while talking to reporters, he said India is among few countries to engage with the US for trade talks. "We are already in dialogue with the US for a bilateral trade agreement...India offers huge opportunities with a 1.4 billion population...we believe that India will be a compelling case to enter into a good agreement for the US," he said. Goyal added that the two countries have set a target to increase the bilateral trade to USD 500 billion by 2030 and "towards that end, we are having very good negotiations". Kerala Lottery Results Friday 11-04-2025 LIVE: The Kerala Lottery Department, on behalf of the Keralan government, announces the "Nirmal NR-427" Lucky Draw Result today Nirmal NR-427, April 11, 2025. The draw will be held at Gorky Bhavan near Bakery Junction in Thiruvananthapuram. The Kerala Lottery Result 2025 for "Nirmal NR-427" will feature 12 series, with changes in series possible each week. A total of 108 lakh tickets are available for purchase weekly. The ticket prices may vary. Check the Nirmal NR-427 results right here to see if youre the first-place winner of 70 Lakhs. Stay tuned to this website for the live update of Kerala Lottery Nirmal NR-427 results today. Kerala Lottery Result 11-04-2025 April: FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR NIRMAL NR-427 Draw LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 70 LAKHS IS:NN 210935 LUCKY TICKET NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 10 LAKHS IS: NS 279252 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 Lakh ARE: 1) NN 185900 2) NO 177960 3) NP 170178 4) NR 114940 5) NS 840366 6) NT 776255 7) NU 472705 8) NV 723494 9) NW 640514 10) NX 691420 11) NY 249789 12) NZ 757835 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE:NO 210935 NP 210935 NR 210935 NS 210935 NT 210935 NU 210935 NV 210935 NW 210935 NX 210935 NY 210935 NZ 210935 (For The Tickets Ending with The Following Numbers below) LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE:0125 0157 0856 1652 2199 2293 2590 2652 3209 3744 5519 6112 7205 7772 7777 8624 8735 9504 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE: 0168 0225 0727 0805 0888 1124 1391 2389 2847 3130 3153 3783 3941 4113 4437 4942 5102 5131 5240 5263 5437 5694 5906 6103 6151 6651 7115 7590 8229 8829 8901 9063 9131 9330 9678 9745 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE: 0023 0090 0161 0652 0790 0885 1020 1043 1310 1516 1590 1716 1887 1966 2322 2430 2603 2694 2742 2796 2973 3013 3055 3164 3169 3334 3469 3612 3747 4056 4122 4313 4331 4349 4445 4487 4497 4519 4565 4774 4775 4816 4849 4889 5111 5171 5180 5347 5508 5632 5867 5882 5963 6132 6258 6633 6662 6704 6926 7007 7326 7537 7896 8056 8127 8142 8286 8345 8521 8604 8643 8759 8823 9018 9406 9542 9551 9804 9840 LUCKY TICKET NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE: 0126 0154 0160 0392 0491 0617 0816 0831 0889 1040 1062 1102 1127 1216 1257 1349 1429 1482 1557 1736 1850 2076 2303 2521 2560 2567 2582 2599 2631 2635 2639 2687 2746 2885 3064 3090 3122 3143 3178 3234 3281 3350 3365 3407 3538 3575 3607 3648 3933 3970 4051 4082 4115 4116 4132 4200 4263 4277 4358 4375 4535 4568 4643 4648 4739 5063 5179 5264 5267 5269 5337 5397 5619 5891 5910 6109 6418 6543 6585 6607 6628 6778 6792 6818 6866 6964 7162 7221 7410 7473 7522 7557 7587 7601 7662 7809 7815 7871 8025 8092 8175 8213 8313 8376 8390 8547 8579 8646 8947 8968 9049 9110 9188 9211 9305 9369 9628 9636 9720 9723 9831 9960 KERALA LOTTERY RESULT TODAY 11-04-2025 April: NIRMAL NR-427 LOTTERY PRIZE DETAILS 1st Prize: Rs 70 Lakhs 2nd Prize: Rs. 10 lakhs 3rd Prize: Rs. 5,000 4th Prize: Rs. 2,000 5th Prize: Rs. 1,000 6th Prize: Rs. 500 7th Prize: Rs. 200 8th Prize: Rs. 100 Consolation Prize: Rs. 8,000 (NOTE: Lottery can be addictive and should be played responsibly. The data provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or encouragement. Zee News does not promote lottery in anyway.) Bengaluru: In a case of moral policing that has surfaced in Karnataka's capital city Bengaluru in the jurisdiction of the Chandralayout Police Station, a group of five men allegedly harassed a Muslim girl and her Hindu male friend. The incident took place three days ago. The police have arrested at least five accused in the case so far. Police reports suggest that the girl was wearing a burqa and riding on a bike with her male friend, who belongs to the Hindu community. The accused, identified as a group of Muslim men, confronted the duo and questioned the girl aggressively, asking, Why are you sitting on a bike with a Hindu boy while wearing a burqa? and Dont you have any shame or family honor? They further demanded her familys phone number and tried to intimidate her. The girl reportedly responded by saying, He is my classmate. Why should I give you my familys contact details? The situation escalated when the group attempted to assault the boy and allegedly recorded a video of the two sitting on the bike, which they later circulated on social media in an attempt to shame them. Chandralayout Police have taken swift action and arrested all five individuals involved in the incident. An investigation is currently underway. The police have also urged the public not to take the law into their own hands and respect individual privacy. Further legal proceedings are expected to follow. By: Prashobh Devanahalli Tamil Nadu BJP-AIADMK Alliance: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today hailed the BJP's alliance with the AIADMK in Tamil Nadu while saying that the National Democratic Alliance will take Tamil Nadu to new heights of progress and serve the state diligently. PM Modi's reaction came hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with K Annamalai and AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami announced the decision to contest the 2026 Tamil Nadu assembly polls jointly. "Stronger together, united towards Tamil Nadus progress! Glad that AIADMK joins the NDA family. Together, with our other NDA partners, we will take Tamil Nadu to new heights of progress and serve the state diligently. We will ensure a government that fulfils the vision of the great MGR and Jayalalithaa Ji," said PM Modi. PM Modi further said that uprooting of the DMK government is necessary for the progress of Tamil Nadu. "For the sake of Tamil Nadus progress and to preserve the uniqueness of Tamil culture, it is important the corrupt and divisive DMK is uprooted at the earliest, which our alliance will do," said PM Modi. Amit Shah today also confirmed that Palaniswami will lead the NDA in Tamil Nadu polls, thus, hinting that the AIADMK leader may go on to become CM if they win the poll. Shah also said that two key issues - seat distribution and the distribution of ministries after the government is formed - will be decided later. "AIADMK has no conditions and demands...We will have no interference in the internal matters of the AIADMK... This alliance is going to be beneficial to both NDA and AIADMK..." said Shah. EPS also reciprocated to PM Modi's greetings. "I extend my gratitude to the Honble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji for his unwavering support to AIADMK. We are honoured to be welcomed into a partnership with NDA . An alliance founded on a shared vision for Tamil Nadus progress and prosperity. At this pivotal moment, with visionary guidance of Honourable Prime Minister Nrendra Modi ji , AIADMK will work closely with NDA allies to realise the aspirations of the people and contribute to his transformative vision," said Palaniswami. He further said that the NDA is committed to building a greater Tamil Naduone free from dynastic politics, corruption, and misgovernance. "The people of Tamil Nadu deserve a transparent, development-focused governmentand we are determined to deliver it in the upcoming Assembly elections," said EPS. 2008 Mumbai Attacks: Following the extradition of Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana, who is a key accused in the 2008 Mumbai blasts, the United States has said that the 26/11 terror attacks shocked the entire world, and America has long supported India's efforts to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. On April 9, the United States extradited Rana, 64, to India "to face justice for his role in planning the horrific 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Thursday. The United States has long supported India's efforts to ensure those responsible for these attacks are brought to justice, and as President Trump has said, the United States and India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism, Bruce was quoted by news agency PTI as saying. Rana is in Indias possession, and we are very proud of that dynamic, she said. Bruce further stated that some people may not remember the attacks that resulted in the tragic loss of 166 lives, including six Americans, that shocked the entire world. I encourage you to look them up and to find out exactly how horrible this was in the importance of this situation today, she said. Earlier, a spokesperson for the US Department of Justice said in a statement to PTI that Ranas extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the victims of the heinous attacks. The DOJ spokesperson said that Washington extradited the convicted terrorist and Pakistani-Canadian citizen to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. Ranas extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks, the spokesperson said. A team led by NIA authorities landed in India late Thursday with Rana, who will now face justice in the country for his role and involvement in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks carried out by Pakistan-based LeT terrorists. The multi-agency team from India had gone to the US, and all paperwork and legalities to bring Rana back to India were completed. The hugely significant development comes just days after Ranas 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 Center 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 Ranas renewed application had been distributed for conference on April 4 and the application had been referred to the court. A notice on the Supreme Court website Monday said the application was "denied" by the court. In his emergency application, Rana had sought a stay of his extradition and surrender to India pending litigation, asserting that if extradited to India, he would be "in danger of being subjected to torture, and "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 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, Parkinsons disease with cognitive decline, a mass suggestive of bladder cancer, stage 3 chronic kidney disease, a history of chronic asthma, and multiple COVID-19 infections. Rana, a Canadian national of Pakistani origin, is known to be associated with Pakistani-American terrorist David Coleman Headley, one of the main conspirators of the 26/11 attacks. (With agency Inputs) NEW DELHI: The National Investigation Agency on Friday began an extensive interrogation of Mumbai terror attack mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana to uncover the deeper layers of the conspiracy as the probe agency told a Delhi court it suspects he had plans to target other Indian cities as well with similar large-scale strikes. Rana, the 64-year-old Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman, was brought to the National Investigation Agency(NIA) headquarters here early this morning shortly after a Delhi court granted the agency his 18-day custody. Escorted by NIA officials, Rana reached Delhi on Thursday evening on a chartered aircraft after his extradition from the US ending a 16-year-long wait to prosecute one of the key accused in the deadly Mumbai attack in November 2008 in which 166 persons were killed and over 238 injured. "His (Rana) prolonged custody has been deemed necessary to facilitate an extensive interrogation aimed at uncovering deeper layers of the conspiracy. We suspect that the tactics used in the Mumbai attacks were intended for execution in other cities as well, prompting investigators to examine whether similar plots were developed elsewhere," the NIA is believed to have informed special NIA judge Chander Jit Singh late Thursday while presenting its arguments, sources said. Rana has to be confronted with a lot of evidence and his statements would lead to "additional discoveries", the NIA submitted. The agency further told the court it needed to investigate his links with other terrorists and those accused in the Mumbai attack case, Rana, who is a close associate of 26/11 main conspirator David Coleman Headley alias Daood Gilani, a US citizen, is accused of conspiring with the latter 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 three-day terror siege of India's financial capital. As Ranas questioning began to unravel the complete conspiracy behind the deadly 2008 attacks", it is learnt that the NIAs interrogation is focused on getting more details on his possible connection with Pakistan-based LeT, which had orchestrated the strike. Sources said that Rana would also be questioned on his suspected links with the officials of Pakistan spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and his exact role behind the attack. They further said that as part of the probe to piece together crucial evidence and retrace events from 17 years ago Rana may be taken to key locations, allowing them to reconstruct the crime scene and gain deeper insight into the larger terror network at play. The investigators also hope to find some important leads on his travels in parts of northern and southern India, days before the carnage that began on November 26, 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 is being kept in a highly-secured cell, inside the anti-terror agency's head office at CGO complex here, being guarded by security personnel round the clock, the sources said. A 24x7 surveillance is being maintained and Rana has been provided with basic necessities like food and meals among others, they said. Security around the NIA office has been beefed up. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Delhi Police personnel are guarding the outer periphery of NIA headquarters. The investigation is being led by NIA's Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Jaya Roy, who is also the Chief Investigating Officer, the sources said. "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, said a statement issued by the probe agency soon after the court's order. The NIA said that as part of the criminal conspiracy, Headley, who is the accused number 1, 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, and 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. In its order, the court directed the NIA to conduct medical examination of Rana every 24 hours, and allow him to meet his lawyer every alternate day. The judge allowed Rana to use only a "soft-tip pen" and meet his lawyer in the presence of the NIA officials, who would be out of an audible distance. Senior advocate Dayan Krishnan and Special Public Prosecutor Narender Mann represented the NIA. The anti-terror agency had registered a case on November 11, 2009 under sections 121 A of Indian Penal Code (IPC), Section 18 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and Section 6(2) SAARC Convention (Suppression of Terrorism) Act against Headley, Rana and others. Rana is charged with numerous offenses, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery in the country. During the NIA investigation, the roles of senior functionaries of terror groups 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, officials said. They worked in active connivance with officials from the ISI, namely Major Iqbal alias Major Ali and Major Sameer Ali alias Major Samir, according to the NIA probe. Tamil Nadu BJP Chief Race: Tamil Nadu's political dynamics are changing fast with the AIADMK and the BJP set to join hands in the wake of the assembly elections due next year. Union Home Minister Amit Shah is in Chennai today and is likely to meet AIADMK leaders to advance the alliance talks. Notably, outgoing Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai did not share a good relationship with the AIADMK leadership and it was Annamalai behind the fall of the AIADMK's ties with the BJP. Now, the BJP and AIADMK leaders are looking to rebuild their ties and thus, Annamalai has been asked to work to strengthen the party cadre and grassroots support ahead of the polls. Meanwhile, Nainar Nagendran is likely to become the next Tamil Nadu BJP chief. Who Is Nainar Nagendran? Nagendran joined the BJP in 2017. Nainar Nagendran is a BJP MLA from the Tirunelveli assembly seat. What is interesting is that he was earlier with the AIADMK, and thus, has good ties with the leaders of his former party. Since only Nagendran has filed the nomination for the post, he is likely to be elected unopposed. Nagendran became a legislator for the first time in 2001 from the Tirunelveli seat. During the AIADMK government led by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa from 2001 to 2006, he served as the Minister overseeing Transport, Industries, and Electricity. Although he was re-elected from the same constituency in 2011 when AIADMK returned to power, he was not included in the Cabinet. In the 2016 Assembly elections, he narrowly lost the seat by approximately 600 votes. However, in 2021, he made a comeback, winning the seat as a BJP candidate and was subsequently named the Legislature Party Leader in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. Amit Shah In Chennai Union Home Minister Amit Shah arrived in Chennai in the early hours of Friday to hold key discussions aimed at reviving the BJP's alliance with the AIADMK ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. Shah is likely to meet AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS), along with senior leaders of the Dravidian major. These discussions are expected to play a decisive role in formalising the alliance. BJP-AIADMK Alliance The BJP- AIADMK alliance, which had been intact for several years, collapsed in September 2023. The fallout was largely attributed to tensions sparked by controversial statements made by K. Annamalai against iconic Dravidian leaders such as C.N. Annadurai (Anna) and J. Jayalalithaa. These remarks deeply upset the AIADMK leadership and led to the alliance's breakdown. Notably, the alliance had produced significant results in the 2021 Assembly elections, with the BJP winning four seats and the AIADMK securing 66. However, relations deteriorated after Annamalai was appointed as state BJP president. The impact of the split was visible in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, where both parties suffered major setbacks. Recognising the political vacuum in Tamil Nadu, several senior RSS leaders have reportedly urged the BJP central leadership to rebuild ties with a major Dravidian party -- viewing AIADMK as the only viable option, with the DMK being considered a political adversary. The Indian Army is now equipped with state-of-the-art gadgets and is now using them during different operations. In a significant technological leap for the Indian Army, advanced robotic systems such as robotic dogs and nano dronescurrently being used in earthquake relief efforts in Myanmarmay soon be deployed in real operations in Kashmir. These innovations promise to reduce human risk during dangerous counter-terrorism missions. Military search operations, particularly in volatile regions like Jammu and Kashmir, are fraught with danger. Soldiers often operate under the threat of sudden attacks during house-to-house searches and combing operations. However, a new development might shift the dynamics of such missions. In today's DNA, Zee News analysed the advanced robotic systems that may soon be deployed in Kashmir for real operations. Watch Full DNA Episode: Images from Myanmars ongoing earthquake relief efforts show Indian forces utilising robotic dogs and nano dronestools that may soon become critical assets in actual combat zones. These technologies, currently being tested in real-world conditions, could drastically reduce the risk to soldiers. The robotic dog, first showcased by the Army in January this year, is equipped with a computer box, batteries, multiple sensors, and cameras. Weighing 51 kilograms, the machine is designed for extreme environments, capable of functioning in temperatures ranging from -45C to 55C. It is also resistant to dust and water and performs well in low-light conditions. The modular design allows it to be disassembled and reassembled in just 15 minutes. Similarly, the nano drones, each weighing only 250 grams, are outfitted with high-quality cameras capable of capturing both video and still images. Their tiny size makes them difficult to detect, adding an element of stealth to reconnaissance missions. IPS Success Story: Clearing the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam is a cherished dream for countless aspirants across India. Known for its difficulty, this exam is a true test of perseverance, intellect, and determination. Among the many success stories that inspire future civil servants, the journey of IPS officer Akash Kulhari stands out for its extraordinary turn of events. Born in Bikaner, Rajasthan, Akash wasn't considered a bright student during his school years. In fact, after scoring just 57% in his 10th-grade board exams, he was denied admission to the 11th grade at his school. Despite this early setback, he refused to give up. He secured admission to a Kendriya Vidyalaya, where he bounced back impressively, scoring 85% in his 12th-grade exams. According to various reports, Akash was once expelled from school due to his low academic performance. But rather than being discouraged, he chose to rise above it. Through unwavering effort and self-belief, he cracked the UPSC Civil Services Examination on his very first attempt. Akash pursued his undergraduate degree in Commerce (B.Com) from Duggal College in Bikaner. Later, he shifted to Delhi for higher studies, completing a Master's degree (MA) from the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He went on to enroll in an M.Phil program while simultaneously preparing for the UPSC. His hard work bore fruit in 2005 when he achieved an All India Rank (AIR) of 273 in the Civil Services Examination. He joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) in the 2006 batch and was allotted the Uttar Pradesh cadre. Over the years, he has held several key positions and currently serves as the Inspector General (IG) of Public Grievances and Director General of Police (DGP) Headquarters in Uttar Pradesh. Akash Kulharis story is a powerful example of how determination can defy the odds. From being rejected by his school to holding one of the top positions in the police force, his journey is a reminder that early academic struggles dont define ones destiny. With resilience and the right mindset, even the most unlikely path can lead to success. Bengal Waqf Act Protest: The opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) demanded West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's resignation after a section of people protesting against the Waqf Act carried out vandalism in Diamond Harbour and other areas. Reacting to the violence, Sukanta Majumdar, Union Minister & West Bengal BJP President, accused the TMC government of handing over the state to jihadis. "..in different parts across Bengal, Hindu temples are being vandalised, houses of Hindus are being attacked, 5 trains are stuck...Mamata Banerjee has failed to maintain law and order...10-12 Policemen have sustained injuries...these people (criminals) should get proper treatment or else they will vandalise the entire Bengal," said Majumdar. In a social media post sharing a video of the violence, Majumdar termed Banerjee a failed CM. "Failed CM Mamata Banerjee has turned West Bengal into a lawless, burning mess. The state is no longer ruled by the Constitution its ruled by appeasement, by mobs, and by the politics of fear. In Diamond Harbours Amtala Chowrasta, Muslim mobs protesting against Waqf act vandalized a police vehicle in broad daylight. And the Police stood still, paralyzed, powerless, humiliated," said Majumdar. The BJP leader alleged that this is happening due to 'direct consequence of Mamatas toxic vote-bank politics'. "When you choose appeasement over accountability, chaos wins. She has surrendered governance for political gain, and the people of Bengal are paying the price. No law, no order, just fear and fire on the streets. Is this the West Bengal we want? Shameful. Dangerous. Unacceptable! She must resign now," he said. Failed CM @MamataOfficial has turned West Bengal into a lawless, burning mess. The state is no longer ruled by the Constitution its ruled by appeasement, by mobs, and by the politics of fear. In Diamond Harbours Amtala Chowrasta, Muslim mobs protesting against Waqf act pic.twitter.com/Enp9KbKH6D Dr. Sukanta Majumdar (@DrSukantaBJP) April 11, 2025 Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will be meeting with the imams, muezzins, and religious leaders from the Muslim community in the state on April 16 to prepare the blueprint on how to oppose the recently promulgated Waqf Amendment Act. New Delhi: Bollywood fans are abuzz with excitement as anticipation for Krrish 4 continues to mount, especially after reports confirmed the film will mark Hrithik Roshans directorial debut. The latest wave of speculation? The possible return of Priyanka Chopra as Priya Mehra. The rumours picked up intensity after Hrithik Roshan revealed he recently spent time with Priyanka Chopra and her husband, Nick Jonas, during a visit to New York City. The War actor even attended Nick's Broadway performance in The Last Five Years. In a widely circulated video online, Hrithik is heard saying: "Last night, I was with Nick Jonas and Priyanka Chopra... watching his Broadway show, which is, by the way, brilliant. He was absolutely amazing in it. It's called The Last Five Years in case you haven't seen it. We were chatting, and he actually told me that hes from New Jersey." Fans couldnt help but connect the dots, wondering if this meetup hints at Chopras return to the beloved superhero franchise. Reports suggest Hrithik will not only direct but also play three roles in the film: Rohit (father), Krrish (the superhero), and the villain. According to India Today, the fourth installment might also bring back other familiar faces from the series, including Preity Zinta, Vivek Oberoi, and the legendary Rekha. Fans React: We Need Priyanka Back! The online fandom has erupted with excitement over the possibility of a Chopra-Roshan reunion. "Is Priyanka coming back to Krrish 4?" one excited user asked. "Im hoping Priyanka will be in Krrish 4 because it wont be complete without her," another fan shared. "Thats my favorite movie!" "Can we hope to see our PC back in Krrish?" a hopeful comment read. "Hrithik and Priyankas blockbuster pair will set the screen on fire!" declared another user. A report by Pinkvilla claimed that Priyanka Chopra has been 'locked in' to reprise her role as Priya Mehra, though theres been no official confirmation yet. Currently, Krrish 4 is in the pre-production phase and is expected to go on floors in 2026. The film will also mark the return of the beloved alien character Jadoo, 23 years after his first appearance in Koi... Mil Gaya. New Delhi: Pan-India actor Vijay Deverakonda has a massive fan following - all thanks to his powerful acting chops and dashing looks. The actor recently experienced a truly heartwarming gesture from a fan, who shared something thoughtful and unique. A lady fan sent Vijay a reel on Instagram, offering ways to save money in manufacturing clothes for his popular brand, RWDY. Her daughter proudly shared the video, showing how her mom had lovingly sent the reel to Vijay. He replied, thanking the fan for her thoughtful reel and appreciating her effort. The actor even promised to share a few reels with her in return. He wrote, Thank you Aunty Ill also send you some interesting reels. Vijay Deverakonda is all set to roar in Kingdoma high-octane action-thriller directed by Gowtham T With a gripping teaser, striking posters, and Vijays electrifying transformation, the film promises an unforgettable cinematic experience. Kingdom is hitting the screens on May 30, 2025. New Delhi: Sitar virtuoso Rishab Rikhiram Sharma has embarked on Indias largest-ever classical music tour - Sitar for Mental Health India Tour. He kickstarted the tour in Delhi and enthralled everyone with a mesmerising performance. Bringing a fresh wave to the landscape of neoclassical music, Rishab created a splendid blend of classical sitar and contemporary influence. Recently, the musical innovator Rishab's magnificent sitar rendition of the iconic Bollywood track Kal Ho Naa Ho at the Indira Gandhi Arena in New Delhi went viral on social media, with fans appreciating the goosebump-worthy impact. Who Is Rishab Rikhiram Sharma? He is the youngest and the last disciple of Sitar Maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar. He was first introduced to the sitar at the tender age of 10, and He was first introduced to the stage in 2011. He has taken the Sitar For Mental Health tour worldwide in the last year, covering shows in India, the USA, Canada, and South America. In fact, hes even been the first sitarist to be invited to perform solo at the White House by the United States President Biden, First Lady Jill Biden, and VP Kamala Harris for a Diwali event hosted by the President. Sitar For Mental Health Tour He captivated nearly 14,000 people with his unique sitar flair at the biggest indoor stadium in the country, bringing together an audience from across the 18-80 age group. As the concert ended, the audience reacted with an enthusiastic uproar, and honoured his talent with a thunderous standing ovation. After enthralling Delhi, Rishab Sharmas next show is being held on April 11 in Mumbai. Rishab Rikhiram Sharma-led Sitar for Mental Health India Tour includes his upcoming performances in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Indore, Bengalure, and Kolkata. Beyond this, he is also a driving force for mental health awareness, fostering a community of musicians dedicated to artistic and mental well - being. New York Helicopter Crash: At least six people, including three children, lost their lives after a helicopter crashed in New York's Hudson River on Thursday, as reported by CNN, citing the New York City mayor. The deceased included a pilot and a family visiting from Spain. According to CNN, the crash, which occurred at Pier 40 in the late afternoon, involved a Bell 206L-4 LongRanger IV helicopter, which took off from lower Manhattan, circled the Statue of Liberty, and flew north along the Hudson River toward the George Washington Bridge. It then turned back south before crashing into the river near New Jersey. Meanwhile, the New York City Police Department (NYPD) issued an advisory following the crash, stating that there would be a surge in the number of emergency vehicles and traffic delays in the area. "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," NYPD stated. As per CNN, the weather conditions at the time of the incident were cloudy, with winds around 10 to 15 mph and gusts reaching up to 25 mph. Visibility was good, but light rain was expected to enter the area. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) confirmed the incident and said it is working with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is leading the investigation, as per CNN. More details are awaited. Former US first lady Michelle Obama has spoken out about taking a step back from political events and the ongoing rumours surrounding her marriage to Barack Obama. Michelle shared that she's been consciously choosing to focus on her well-being and reclaiming control of her time, addressing the changes in her public presence since leaving the White House. In a candid conversation with actress Sophia Bush on the Work In Progress podcast, Michelle Obama tackled persistent divorce rumours and opened up about how her priorities have shifted now that her daughters are grown. With a new phase of life unfolding, shes embracing the freedom to focus on herself. Her absence from major public momentslike Donald Trump's second inauguration and the recent funeral of former President Jimmy Cartersparked speculation about trouble in her marriage. But Michelle put those whispers to rest. "I could have made a lot of these decisions years ago, but I didn't 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 couldn't do something," Michelle explained that her decision to step away from certain public obligations was intentional and rooted in self-care. "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." She pointed out how difficult it is, especially for women, to put themselves first. "That's 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 couldn't even fathom that I was making a choice for myself that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing." Despite dialing back on some public roles, Michelle Obama is still deeply engaged in causes she cares about. From girls' education to political involvement, she continues to use her voice where it matters. In her bestselling memoir 'Becoming,' Michelle has been open about the pressures her marriage faced, especially during Barack Obamas presidency. She spoke about feeling isolated and emotionally drained at times, offering a rare, honest look into the life behind the curtain. Even after leaving the White House, Michelle has remained a powerful presence in public life. She was a vocal supporter during the 2024 campaign, backing Kamala Harris and warning voters about the potential return of Donald Trump. At a rally in Michigan, she 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." Married for 32 years, Michelle and Barack Obama remain one of Americas most admired couples. They are parents to two daughtersMalia Ann and Natasha Marianand continue to shape the nation's cultural and political landscape, even if from a little more distance than before. Companies that proactively manage their data can achieve multiple positive business outcomes such as making optimal use of their storage infrastructure while simultaneously servicing next-generation workloads such as GenAI. Those that fail to act run the risk of spiralling costs in addition to large exposure in the case of a data breach which, in and of itself, could lead to insolvency pursuant to penalties, lawsuits, and reputational damage. Ensuring data is organised, accessible, and protected is critical to a companys survival. Failing to do so jeopardises business operations and could lead to severe regulatory and legal repercussions. Consequences of Poor Data Management The recent MediSecure breach in 2024 is a stark warning. With 12.9 million Australians affected, the fallout was swift and devastating. Within months, the company was forced into voluntary administration. Cyber breaches are not an isolated eventthe Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) reported 527 data breach notifications from January to June 2024 alone, with cybersecurity incidents leading to data exfiltration reported in 38 percent of those cases. As a result, financial organisations in particular, (including banks, superannuation funds, and insurance companies), are facing growing scrutiny in relation to their cyber risk management standards and practices which extend to any third parties managing information assets on behalf of the institution. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has introduced stricter cybersecurity standards, and failure to comply comes with severe penalties, including potential jail time for executives. Under these new standards rules, breaches must be reported within 72 hours, and in some cases, within 24 hours if critical operations are affected. Companies that fall short risk financial penalties and irreparable reputational damage. Real-World Fallout: A Crime Scene in Your Office Many businesses fail to realise that a serious data breach can result in their operations being treated as a crime scene wherein law enforcement and regulatory authorities may step in, securing the business much like they would a physical crime site. Designation of the site as a crime scene can mean locked-down servers, restricted access to critical systems, and an operational freeze that can bring even the largest enterprises to a grinding halt. Without a structured and well-managed data framework, recovering from such an event can be nearly impossible.. The Vulnerability of Unstructured Data One of the biggest risks enterprises face is the proliferation of unstructured data, which is ingested via emails, documents, social media posts, videos, and other business files. Unstructured data can account for between 80 and 90 percent of a companys data holdings, and often sits on servers with no obvious business related purpose. For example, a CEO might send an email with an attached financial report to all 300 staff in an organisation, 50 percent of whom save the attached report for future reference. That same file stored by the recipients is now duplicated 150 times. This can happen with hundreds of files, images and documents which can lead to silos of data, with little or no organisation, and can lead to a data management emergency. APRAs upcoming CPS230 standard, effective 1 July 2025, mandates that financial institutions must not only protect and manage their data but also have the capability to operate from a clean, separate system post-attack. The CPS230 requirement aligns with the existing CPS234 framework, which calls for clear security accountability at every level of an organisation extending to third parties who might be managing data assets. However, meeting these stringent standards will be an uphill battle without proper data management practices. The Path Forward: Management, Secure, and Optimise Organisations must implement a robust data management strategy to have clear insights on their data, safeguard against cyber threats, and ensure compliance with evolving regulations. Advanced data management platforms can provide critical support by: Assessing and categorising unstructured data to identify and protect high-value assets. to identify and protect high-value assets. Eliminating redundant, obsolete, or trivial data to streamline operations and reduce attack surfaces. to streamline operations and reduce attack surfaces. Enhancing data visibility to improve governance and facilitate rapid response in case of a breach. By proactively organising and securing their data, businesses can ensure that critical information is readily available when needed, reducing downtime and enabling faster recovery from downtime caused by cyber-attacks or human errors. In an era where AI and LLMs thrive on curated and relevant data, proper management also positions companies to leverage emerging technologies effectively. Such advanced technologies simply wont function optimally if the data they are fed is sub-standard so, again, proactive data management is essential. Dont Wait Until Its Too Late The risks associated with poor data management are no longer hypothetical. As regulations tighten and cyber threats grow more sophisticated, organisations must take immediate action to secure their data and prepare for the future. Data management is not just a best practiceits a business imperative. Those who fail to act may find themselves not just facing financial losses, but quite literally locked out of their own operations. In a world where your data could determine your survival, can you afford not to take control? With close to 20 years in operation, CRS is a premier player in the design, development and commissioning of data centre infrastructure. With CRS reportting sales close to A$50 million in FY24, providing a range of solutions and services in the data centre white space including structural ceilings, hot & cold aisle containment, mech walls, security caging and server racks and cabinets. CRS solutions are complementary to Legrands existing data centre portfolio, while alsointroducing new innovative offerings to the Groups product suite. Headquartered in Mascot, Sydney with manufacturing facilities located in Melbourne, CRS has a dedicated local manufacturing presence and a team of close to 80 people. CRS local design and manufacturing capabilities provide significant efficiencies for its customers in Australia and New Zealand, as well as in Southeast Asia and India. The CRS announcement demonstrates Legrands ambition in the data centre vertical, which now represents 20% of the Groups proforma1 revenue. This is the 3rd acquisition in the ANZ data centre space, after Mechanical Support Systems (MSS) and VASS. MD & CEO of Legrand ANZ, Palash Nandy said, The acquisition of Computer Room Solutions highlights our steadfast commitment to the ANZ market and our development model in terms of targeted acquisitions that align with our core business segments, including data centres. Legrand is looking forward to working with CRS, with the relationship seeing a new suite of solutions being injected into our already robust data centre portfolio for our customers. CRS' white space offerings and local manufacturing capabilities complement Legrand's portfolio, while demonstrating our confidence in the market's future development opportunities," contrinued Palash. Partnering with Legrand a globally recognised company was a logical next step for CRS to grow its data centre offering and increase its market presence. Strong relationships, along with a shared commitment to innovation and local manufacturing, will create mutual benefits to both companies, while also providing Australian and Asia-Pacific customers with reliable regional solutions and faster turnaround times. After taking into consideration 12 months of turnover for the companies acquired over the year Legrand improves lives by transforming living, working and meeting spaces through simple, innovative and sustainable electrical and digital infrastructure that harnesses technological and societal trends. As part of the global Legrand network, Legrand Australia designs, manufactures and distributes over 15,000 items under several premium brands. Legrand also has a dedicated R&D team that design products and solutions specifically suited to the needs of the ANZ market, with the company housing its local headquarters in Prestons, Sydney. About Legrand Legrand is the global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructure. Its comprehensive offering of solutions for residential, commercial and data centre markets makes it a benchmark for customers worldwide. The Group harnesses technological and societal trends with lasting impacts on buildings withthe purpose of improving life by transforming the spaces where people live, work and meet with electrical,digital infrastructures and connected solutions that are simple, innovative and sustainable. Drawing on an approach that involves all teams and stakeholders, Legrand is pursuing a strategy of profitable and responsible growth driven by acquisitions and innovation, with a steady flow of new offerings that include products with enhanced value in use (energy and digital transition solutions: data centres, digital lifestylesand energy transition offerings). Legrand reported sales of 8.6 billion in 2024. The company is listed on Euronext Paris and is notably a component stock of the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG and CAC SBT 1.5 indexes. (code ISIN FR0010307819). Legrand Australia and New Zealand (Legrand ANZ) has close to 750 employees spanning across five local manufacturing facilities, one research and development centre and 12 warehouses. Legrand ANZ designs, manufactures and distributes electrical and digital infrastructure products and solutions. Legrand ANZ announced the acquisition of Australian Plastic Profiles in September 2024, with this being the Legrand Groups largest ANZ investment since the acquisition of HPM in 2007. Legrand ANZ also acquired VASS, the Australian specialist and market leader in Busway power distribution solutions, in June 2024, and Mechanical Support Systems (MSS), the New-Zealand market leader in cable management solutions in December 2023, further expanding Legrands domestic operations scale and local industry footprint. For more information, please visit: www.legrand.com.au and www.legrand.co.nz (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi) As spring cherry blossoms start to sweep across Japans landscapes, Kamakuras attractions are currently displaying soft blush embellishments, too. Kamakura, a coastal town just south of Tokyo, was the old samurai capital of Japan. The area is home to countless Shinto shrines, Buddhist temples and other traditional buildings and streets that will transport you to old Japan. Stop by Daibutsu Big Buddha at Kotoku-in Temple, Kenchoji, Hasedera and Tsurugaoka Hachimangu. A short train ride away, Enoshima Island is another must-visit site worth adding to your Kamakura itinerary. The islands attractions include the Enoshima Sea Candle, Enoshima Aquarium and Enoshima Hot Spring. Both Enoshima and Kamakuras cherry blossoms are currently at peak bloom, so they are great destinations to sightsee and enjoy the great spring weather. In Kamakura, the Sando approach to Tsurugaoka Hachiimangu and the Dankazura Street are lined with cherry blossom trees creating a lovely place for a perfect stroll. Kamakura and Enoshima are a great destination and especially during the cherry blossom season, so dont miss it. Kenchoji (Buddhist temple) (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi) (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi) (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi) (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi) Address: 8 Yamanouchi, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture Hours: 8:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Admission: High schoolers and older 500 yen, elementary and middle schoolers 200 yen URL: https://www.kenchoji.com/ Tel: 0467-22-0981 Tsurugaoka Hachimangu (Shinto shrine) (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi) (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi) (Photo by Takahiro Takiguchi) Address: 2-1-31, Yukinoshita, Kamakura City, Kanagawa Prefecture Hours: open 24/7/365 Admission: Free National Treasure Museum: 700 yen (9 a.m. 4:30 p.m.) URL: https://www.hachimangu.or.jp/en/ Tel: 0467-22-0315 See more about Enoshima Island, view our video: https://japan.stripes.com/travel/exploring-japan-huge-fun-on-tiny-enoshima-island.html ARTHUR The name of the thrift store, Second Act, located in the popular shopping and historic district of Arthur, lures customers in from two loves the theater and resale shopping. Little Theatre On the Square in Sullivan owns the thrift store business. And the items for sale are ready for their second act, said John Stephens, the business manager and the Little Theatre's executive producer. Its a non-profit business that helps a non-profit, he added. The thrift store management and staff say they enjoy the customers as much as they appreciate the merchandise. I love when people find treasures, Stephens said. Its fun watching the people come in to shop here. Georgia Hillard of Charleston enjoys spending time in resale stores. She said her favorite finds are clothing. And I love hats, she said. But I just like to come into these shops and look around, see what all there is. Its just a nice, calming morning or afternoon. After perusing both rooms of Second Act, Hillard said she appreciated the layout of the unique store. Its nicely organized, she said. Some you go in and its just so crowded that you cant even get through the stuff. The clothing, furniture and household items are donated by the public with proceeds going back to the theater. However, shoppers and Little Theatre fans may recognize some of the items from shows they've enjoyed. When things have been used more than once on stage, we dont want to see them on stage again, Stephens said. And I hate throwing things away. The costume designers have dipped into the stash of merchandise for shows. As a director and producer for many shows during his decades behind the scenes, Stephens has visited many thrift stores looking for the perfect item. Now, the first stop is Second Act. We can use it for free, then bring it right back, Stephens said. The art found throughout the thrift store is also in its second act. An archway is made of chairs used in the wedding scene of Mama Mia in 2017. Once theyve been painted that color of blue, what can you do with them, Stephens said. And they werent in the greatest of shape. The cabinets bracing the chairs in the air were from the play Junior Claus. Again, it was something that was built specifically for a show, Stephens said. We didnt have a place to store it, so they came here. Many of the customers will take pictures of the artwork and post the images on social media. That just helps promote us, Stephens said. Timmy Valentine creates many of the sculptures and paintings seen throughout the store. I love taking nothing and making it into something, he said. Valentine has worked with the Little Theatre staff on costumes and props for nearly 30 plays. He said he often started with minimal resources. Ive done costumes for shows with 70 kids, and you have a $50 budget, Valentine said. You had to come up with something creative. And thrift stores were my only source of product. According to the stores managers and staff, several of their customers have a unique eye for creativity as well. They have a really unique perspective on what theyre going to do with the items, Valentine said. Theyre not taking it at face value. Theyre going to change it somehow. When they were young adults in the 1990s, Stephens and Valentine would often visit thrift stores. You could take 20 bucks and you could do whatever you wanted with it, Valentine said. I feel thats happening again. Theres a whole sense of individuality. Their love of thrifting continues. Thats what we do when we go on vacation. We go to antique places, we go to thrift stores, Stephens said. Who cares about the new stuff? Stephens, Valentine and Tyler Mosier previously owned the Arthur General Store in the same location. The business morphed into Second Act. This is a theater, Valentine said, comparing the two industries. The trio utilized many of the features from the old building, including holes in the walls to create other artwork. Bling was added to iconic images, such as the Mona Lisa. That was our goal, for it to be something that was more reminiscent of what a theater would do, Stephens said. Theres that spark, that imagination thats brilliant, Valentine said. Thats my favorite thing about theater and thrifting. The Second Act opened in May 2024. Several updates have been made to the building since the opening. Because the store is located among antique and other thrift stores, the staff works with other similar businesses in the area. There are other options to donate, Stephens said. So we dont take childrens clothing, because there are so many other great thrift stores that already do that. Other items Second Act doesnt take include sporting equipment, shoes, books, and movies. It has been something thats really good for driving thrifters, Stephens said. Its not a competition. As the ongoing measles outbreak continues to spread across the country, infecting hundreds of children, state officials say the disease will likely cross Nebraska state lines soon, making the need for vaccinations greater than ever. The highly contagious virus most commonly seen in children has been spreading across the U.S. in recent months, stemming from an outbreak in northwestern Texas that has already killed three people. Now, the disease is approaching Nebraska as cases ramp up in Kansas and Colorado, officials say. Gov. Jim Pillen, along with officials from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, emphasized Friday the importance of staying vigilant, using caution when traveling to certain areas of the country and making sure vaccinations are up to date especially in a time when statewide vaccination rates are declining. If we are proactive and preventative, we can make an incredible difference, Pillen said. The latest data released by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday shows there have been a total of 712 confirmed cases reported in 24 states. Of those cases, 97% of patients were unvaccinated or could not confirm their vaccination status. Additionally, 11% of those with measles have been hospitalized, while three people, two of whom were children, have died from the disease this year. The last known case of measles in Nebraska was reported in 2017 and the last case in Lancaster County was in 1990. In order to achieve herd immunity, meaning most people are protected from the virus, a community must maintain a vaccination rate of 95% or above. Currently, Nebraska falls below this threshold at 93.9%. State immunization rates have been on the decline in recent years, according to Dr. Sydney Stein, the HHS state epidemiologist. Stein said the measles vaccine is safe and remains our best protection against the measles infection. Now is when we can do prevention against measles, she said. Now is the time to get those vaccines. Nebraska officials plan to coordinate with local health departments and health care providers to administer testing, provide information on measles and limit the spread of the disease. In Kansas, which has a 90% vaccination rate, the outbreak appeared to be contained to the southwestern corner of the state, according to data released by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. As of Tuesday, Kansas had 32 known cases of the measles. Bob Rauner, the president of the Lincoln Board of Education and a former family physician of 15 years, said its only a matter of time before Nebraska reports its first case of measles in about eight years. It's coming, he told the Journal Star. It's probably just a matter of luck when it happens in Nebraska. This isn't an opinion. This is a math problem, added Rauner, who is also the president of Partnership for a Healthy Lincoln. Measles is an airborne illness that can cause symptoms similar to a common cold such as fever, dry cough, runny nose, sore throat and inflamed eyes. It is also known for causing a skin rash comprised of large, red blotches. The infection often occurs in 2-3 week stages, including a roughly 10-day period following exposure when a patient is infectious but there are no signs or symptoms yet. Then, patients often begin to develop a mild to moderate fever combined with several other symptoms. The rash will typically start to form on the face first before spreading across the rest of the body, usually lasting about seven days. During this phase, fevers can spike drastically, reaching as high as nearly 106 degrees. The infection is extremely contagious and can be spread among unvaccinated children with ease. In fact, it is considered to be the most contagious virus to infect humans, according to HHS. If someone sneezes, coughs or speaks, the infection can remain in the air for about an hour and on surfaces for several hours. While its highly unlikely to contract measles more than once, the virus can cause lifelong complications, including deafness, blindness and brain damage. Measles is a preventable disease. Without vaccination, it can spread quickly and dangerously, said Dr. Timothy Tesmer, the state's chief medical officer. Those most at risk include children, pregnant women and those with weakened immune systems. If someone believes they or their child may be showing signs of measles, Tesmer recommends isolating, staying home and calling a health care professional before arriving at a hospital or emergency room to help prevent the spread. If an outbreak were to occur at a school in Lincoln, students who are not vaccinated at Lincoln Public Schools, which has a measles vaccination rate of 97.8%, would likely have to quarantine for three weeks to ensure they are not infectious, according to Rauner. LPS requires all students to receive vaccines for several diseases, including measles, unless immunization goes against a students religious beliefs or if they are unable to be vaccinated due to medical conditions. Once a kid develops measles and they're in a school, you have to assume everybody's been exposed for several days, potentially, and they're all gonna have to sit home if they're not vaccinated, he said. Without higher rates of immunization in Nebraska, Rauner said measles will impact the community, and the outbreak likely wont end anytime soon. This isn't going to stop, he said. It's probably going to continue for months, maybe even years, until we fix the problem, which is getting people vaccinated. Nebraska lawmakers gave first-round approval Friday to a proposed law that would scale back or eliminate a dozen tax incentives for residents and businesses totaling $71 million. The move which generated opposition from some Democrats in Nebraska's formally nonpartisan Legislature is meant to help lawmakers rectify the state's projected $289 million budget shortfall heading into the state's next two-year spending cycle, which begins July 1. After more than two hours of debate Friday morning, the Legislature voted 36-2 to send the proposal to the second of three rounds of debate in a vote that multiple lawmakers cast as politically dicey, pointing to resistance from lobbyists. Sen. Brad von Gillern, who championed the proposed law as the chairman of the Revenue Committee, said first-year senators in particular "have been told that if you vote for this 'tax increase' you'll never get reelected." "I'm not going to dance over the question of whether cutting an incentive back is truly a tax increase or not," he said. "I don't believe that it is, but we can arm wrestle over that another day. We are rolling back incentives, tax exemptions, not increasing taxes." Republicans lined up to echo von Gillern while a group of Democrats, including Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln, accused them of "nickel and diming everyday Nebraskans to death to pay for your fiscal mismanagement." "You've blown a hole in the state budget through inequitable, irresponsible (and) unsustainable tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthiest and largest corporations, and now you're scrambling around ... to come up with a way to fill the budget gap," Conrad said. "That's a tax increase no matter what verbal gymnastics you try to utilize to assuage your principles or guilt in pushing those forward." Nebraska lawmakers are required to approve a balanced state budget every two years. The Legislature began that process this year facing a $289 million deficit, due in part to a decrease in federal Medicaid funds that left the state on the hook for a larger-than-expected share of the government health care program's cost. The shortfall, too, is also a result of cuts lawmakers have passed in recent years to Nebraska's income tax, revenues which are projected to drop by $1 billion by 2027. The Legislature in 2023 cut the state's top tax rates by nearly one-third over six years a year after lawmakers initiated cuts to the corporate tax rate for companies earning more than $100,000 from 7.25% last year to 5.84%. In an effort to rectify this budget cycle's shortfall which is projected to balloon to $1 billion later this decade if left unaddressed lawmakers are seeking to slash spending and raise revenue while avoiding an outright tax rate increase. The latter part of that plan reached the legislative floor Wednesday in the form of LB650, a package of bills pieced together by the Revenue Committee that is projected to save $71 million in the state's next two-year budget cycle by cutting 12 tax incentives and credit programs. The sum makes up nearly 25% of the budget gap lawmakers must fill. Among cuts lawmakers gave first-round approval to Friday include massive reductions to a livestock modernization tax credit program that gave producers a 10% tax credit up to $500,000 for investments in livestock facilities or equipment. Previously funded at $10 million per year, LB650 would cut funds available through the credit program to $1 million. The bill would make an identical cut to a program that provides tax credits to businesses that make charitable donations that aid communities in "areas of chronic economic distress." LB650 would also reduce funds available to a relocation incentive program that offers businesses a credit worth 50% of the relocation expenses paid to out-of-state hires. Once funded to the tune of $5 million, that program would drop to $1 million before being eliminated entirely in 2027. The bill also seeks to cut a program that would give farmers and grocery stores a 50% credit for the value of food donations to food banks or pantries in a move that would save the state $500,000 a year. And the bill would halve the funding available to a program that provides a 50% tax credit to qualifying Nebraskans who install a reverse osmosis water filtration system to combat high levels of nitrates in their drinking water, among other reductions included in the bill. Amid debate Friday, some lawmakers lamented the cuts even as they voted to approve them, suggesting the soon-to-be axed or scaled-back incentive programs were the cost of Nebraska's recent tax cuts which came after lawmakers established many of the incentive programs written into state law. "The question now becomes: which is better? Because it's going to be very difficult to do both," Speaker John Arch of La Vista said. "It's going to be very difficult to forego revenue when it comes to tax incentives, and, at the same time, also reduce our taxes." The 2025 Crabapple Gala and Crabapple Poetry Party, sponsored by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (SCLF) and supported by the Xicheng District People's Government of Beijing Municipality, were held at the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling in Beijing on April 7. Ambassadors and representatives of international organizations from over 40 countries, alongside more than 200 attendees, including officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), participated in the event to celebrate cultural exchanges and global friendship. Guests attend the 2025 Crabapple Gala and Crabapple Poetry Party at the Former Residence of Soong Ching Ling, Beijing, April 7, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation] Li Bin, chairperson of the SCLF, emphasized the role of the annual event in promoting cultural exchange. She noted that the event brought together international and domestic guests to enjoy the flowers, while appreciating the charm of Chinese culture and the vibrant cultures of different countries. "The China Soong Ching Ling Foundation is committed to strengthening communication, expanding cooperation and advancing cultural exchanges," she said. "We aim to facilitate people-to-people connections and contribute to the development of national relations, ultimately working toward building a community with a shared future for mankind." Jurg Burri, ambassador of Switzerland to China, stated in his speech that the event embodies openness, inclusiveness, mutual respect and friendship between countries and peoples. He highlighted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Switzerland, and noted that his country is always willing to be China's preferred partner and its gateway to the European market. Artist Ding Jie, SCLF chairperson Li Bin and Swiss ambassador Jurg Burri, pose for a photo on stage at the opening of the event, Beijing, April 7, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation] Other foreign guests in attendance also praised the event as well as the contributions made by Soong Ching Ling and the foundation. "The planning, setting and presentation are all fantastic," said Pakistani Ambassador to China Khalil Ur Rahman Hashmi, when speaking about the event. He further elaborated on the importance of the poetry aspect, explaining that it showcased the diversity of language, expressions and emotions, and highlighted its role in bringing people together and enhancing understanding. Beate Trankmann, resident representative of UNDP China, commended Soong Ching Ling's advocacy for women's participation in social and political life. "I think her mission in life remains very important, especially in this time and age, in a tech-dominated world," Trankmann noted. This year's Crabapple Gala also featured interactive activities showcasing China's traditional culture and intangible cultural heritage, including calligraphy, painting, tea art and dough figure-making. With flowers as a symbol, foreign guests gathered to celebrate the legacy of traditional Chinese culture, strengthen cultural exchange and build lasting friendships across borders. Foreign guests watch dough figure-making at the 2025 Crabapple Gala, Beijing, April 7, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation] A foreign guest posts customized postcards at the 2025 Crabapple Gala, Beijing, April 7, 2025. [Photo courtesy of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation] An excerpt from Dr. Koop: The Many Lives of the Surgeon General. I was the salesman for pediatric surgery. I have the knack of talking to an audience and convincing [them] about what Im saying is true. CEK The early 1950s witnessed an extraordinary burst of professional activity on the part of the young surgeon, still in his 30s, as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) gave him his head on a series of issues. Though Koops career had been directed away from the tumor clinic he had once wished to lead, his interests had not. In 1951 we find him one of eight members of the AAP Tumor Registry Committee, the goal of which was to further the study of cancer in childhood. He was tasked with looking into the problem of Shoe Fitting Fluoroscopes (X-ray machines in childrens shoe shops, common at the time). Koop played a major role in securing state-level regulation and subsequent prohibition of this dangerous practice. Soon after, in 1955, he played a leading role as the surgical member of the AAPs Committee on Accident Prevention, for which he drafted a protocol for The Emergency Care of Childhood Skeletal Trauma. This was no small project the draft required review by the American College of Surgeons, the American Red Cross, and Civilian Defense. He was tasked by the same committee to report on handling children hurt in an accident and being transferred to the hospital. As the record of the meeting points out, it was (and indeed is) common for an injured child to be picked up and carried, in a manner no one would think of handling an injured adult. Whats more, Koop has been working on the treatment of burns. At that same meeting, the committee report that Koop has actually done much of the work that led to this statement on the treatment of burns and the treatment of skeletal trauma. As a result, he has been invited by the American College of Surgeons to present a paper. This is perhaps the first time that surgeons were addressed by a pediatric surgeon on how to handle childhood injuries. The writer of the minute notes, Dr. Koop was quite excited over that opportunity. Seven years later, it was Koop who took the initiative to petition the American Board of Surgery (ABS) for board recognition of pediatric surgery as a specialty. That first approach came surprisingly close to success, but ran into opposition from the Society of University Surgeons and the American Board of Neurology. Because of their opposition, the American Board of Surgery withdrew their proposal to the Advisory Board of Medical Specialties in 1957. This rather dramatic turn of events muddied the water for some time, though Koop fruitlessly tried again three years later. In 1946 it was still very rare for a surgeon to specialize entirely in children. There were many childrens hospitals, but bizarre as this now seems aside from Boston none of them had a full-time surgeon. At that date, it appears that only three surgeons in the entire U.S. are known to have chosen to limit their practice to pediatric cases, so Koop was likely the fourth. The first was Herbert Coe (18811968), who deserves the title of first American pediatric surgeon. Coe had chosen back in 1919 to refuse all adult general surgical patients, and at the same time he began to lobby for professional recognition of pediatric surgery, and to encourage friends and associates to join him in the specialty. He had limited success on either front. He did secure one convert Oswald Wyatt (18961957), who went all in for a practice devoted to pediatric surgery in 1928. His timing was less than ideal. In 1927 he closed his office and spent time studying clinical pediatrics and childrens surgery. H. William Clatworthy later wrote that after the Crash of 1929 Wyatt nearly starved to death! But his practice later became a success as pediatricians preferred his specialized training and his full-time focus on childrens surgery over the general surgeons at the university hospital. Coe had made repeated requests of the leadership of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) for pediatric surgery to have a specialist place alongside ophthalmology and urology and other specialties, but to no avail. He busily lobbied his friends and contacts in the hierarchy to such a degree that he earned the nickname the politician! Yet the College met Dr. Coes entreaties with an unyielding brick wall. Coe secured his first bite of institutional success in 1947, by coincidence the year in which Koop was appointed to the Childrens Hospital. The AAP program committee gave him two hours at its general assembly to make his case. As a result, he was appointed to chair a committee to form a special category of membership in the AAP for surgeons. Coe insisted on tight criteria for inclusion, including a commitment of at least ninety percent of ones time to surgery on infants and children. Getting Gross on board would add stature to the fledgling organization, so he offered the Bostonian a place on the new groups steering committee. Gross took some persuading, initially lukewarm about the whole idea. Coe appealed to Grosss notorious professional vanity by referring to the pre-eminence of your group and offering both to waive the joining fee, and halve Grosss annual dues. ADVERTISEMENT That was the context for the organizational meeting of the new section on surgery at the AAP conference in Atlantic City, on November 21, 1948, with twelve surgeons in attendance. Despite Coes efforts, the notoriously moody Gross decided to skip the meeting, but Ladd was there and was the likely cause of Grosss absence. Also present was a young Koop, fresh from his appointment as surgeon-in-chief. And it was Koop who, seven years later, would take the next step and first formally approach the American College of Surgeons in a bid for board recognition. He was to persist in these efforts for nearly twenty years. Nigel Cameron is a historian and ethicist whose work has spanned the disciplines of bioethics, history, and religion over a distinguished transatlantic academic career. He currently serves as a senior fellow at the University of Ottawa and was previously a research professor of bioethics at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago, where he led pioneering projects on the social and ethical impact of emerging technologies and on diabetes policy. A former Fulbright visiting research chair at the University of Ottawas Institute for Science, Society and Policy, he continues to explore the intersection of medicine, ethics, and public policy. Dr. Cameron was the founding editor of the journal Ethics and Medicine and has served as a hospital consulting ethicist. He has held board roles with UK think tanks 2020health.org and BioCentre, and has testified before committees of the U.S. Congress and the European Union. He has also represented the United States in diplomatic delegations to United Nations health-related agencies and was nominated by the U.S. government to serve as UN Special Rapporteur for the Right to Health. His books include Dr. Koop: The Many Lives of the Surgeon General, Will Robots Take Your Job? A Plea for Consensus, and The New Medicine: Life and Death After Hippocrates. His current project, Ruth: The Psychiatrist Who Saved Sylvia Plath, Until She Couldnt, continues his exploration of complex figures in medicine. For more about his work, visit drkoop.bio, or connect with him on Facebook and LinkedIn. Human trafficking isnt what you think: Why education is key to stopping it The recent focus on the Canada-U.S. border has led to frequent confusion between human smuggling and human trafficking. Smuggling involves people moving across international borders. In most cases, irregular migrants who are smuggled into the country consent to assistance. Human trafficking, on the other hand, involves the exploitation of people for sex or labor through coercion, regardless of geographic movement. Continued conflation of these terms will undoubtedly harm anti-human trafficking efforts and lead to victims going undetected. Human trafficking happens in cities and towns across Canada, affecting people of all backgrounds. If Canadians mistakenly believe that trafficking only happens at the border, they will inevitably miss the signs of trafficking in their communitiesand even in their own homes. Popular media has also made it more difficult for Canadians to understand the reality of human trafficking. Rarely are people whisked away in unmarked white vans to be sold into trafficking rings. In reality, human trafficking takes place far closer to home and usually starts with someone the victim knows and trusts. If Canadians only look for cinematic signs of traffickingif they only watch for nightmarish boogeymenthey will overlook the actual indicators, which are far more subtle. The chains that bind victims to their traffickers are rarely made of metal: They are invisible and psychological in nature, forming bonds that are not easily seen but deeply felt. To effectively combat human trafficking, the public needs to be immediately disabused of these pervasive and sensationalized myths and equipped with the knowledge to recognize sex trafficking in their communities. Traffickers target people with vulnerabilities in their lives, such as problems at home, low self-esteem, conflicts with friends, poverty, homelessness, substance use, and mental health disorders. They typically pose as caring and loving figures to their target, offering them whatever they need most as a way of cementing deep psychological bonds and material dependency. Traffickers then quickly leverage this newly created bond against their target, often pushing their sexual boundaries to groom them into the commercial sex industry. What feels like consent at first quickly turns into control. Threats, violence, and manipulation are used to keep targets in the commercial sex industry, with profits swiftly funneled back to the trafficker. The first step toward effective action is education. This involves understanding that anyone can be a trafficker, and anyone can be a victim. Traffickers often exploit people when they are at their lowestpeople experiencing housing and economic instability, emotional distress, and a lack of social supports are especially vulnerable. By educating ourselves on the real signs of trafficking, such as changes in behavior, unexplained absences from home or school, not having control of their belongings, suddenly having expensive things they normally couldnt afford, or signs of being controlled by another personwe can start to make a difference. We know Canadians hearts are in the right place when it comes to fighting human trafficking. A January 2024 poll by the Canadian Centre to End Human Trafficking and Angus Reid revealed that 85 percent of us would like to be part of the solution, yet 95 percent admitted they need more tools to better understand sex trafficking. Bridging this gap between good intentions and knowledge is precisely how we start making a difference. Human trafficking happens every day, in communities across Canada. To confront it, we must recognize the real signs and talk about themat home, at work, and in our communities. Human trafficking thrives in the shadows: Sustained education and awareness are our most effective tools in combating it. Julia Drydyk is a public policy analyst. China, LAC countries actively preparing for 4th ministerial meeting of China-CELAC Forum Xinhua) 08:28, April 11, 2025 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. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) A unique documentary film produced by the family of Charlie Chaplin opened the film screening segment of the second Macao International Comedy Festival, currently taking place in China's special administrative region. Dolores Chaplin (third from left) alongside organizers and guests at the opening of the film screening segment of the second Macao International Comedy Festival, Macao, April 10, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Mahua Fun Age] "Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp," directed by Carmen Chaplin, a granddaughter of the legendary comedian, actor, director and producer, is not a conventional biopic and features deep involvement from the Chaplins. Several members of the family either appear on camera to share their insights and memories or contribute behind the scenes as producers. In the film, Chaplin's family embarks on a revealing journey into the Romani heritage that inspired the creation of Charlie Chaplin's iconic and beloved character of the Tramp. Featuring intimate interviews and unprecedented access to the Chaplin estate, the documentary offers a profound exploration of Chaplin's roots, woven together through film excerpts, home movies, archival footage and contributions from renowned contemporary Romani artists. Dolores Chaplin, another granddaughter of Charlie Chaplin, served as a producer on the film and attended the comedy festival to present it to Chinese viewers on Thursday, also participating in a post-screening discussion. "I think that this documentary is a great way to introduce my grandfather's works to the younger generation who maybe don't know his movies that well," Dolores said. "Every time we've shown it to children or the younger generation or young adults or people who don't know my grandfather, they wanted to see his movies. It's like rediscovering his movies through the documentary, through the man, through his passion and through the family side, but also with the clips." As a comedy icon, Charlie Chaplin's films have influenced generations. His movies are able to transcend language and travel across cultures like music. "For an actor, it's difficult to be known worldwide, but for a musician, it's easier because music travels. Yet as an actor in silent films, he was known everywhere from Iceland to China to Spain. It's nice to keep that alive." While opening a film segment meant to be filled with laughter, "Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp" instead offers an emotional retrospective. Yet Dolores stressed that its messages remain vital. "I feel that humor is a great way to convey any kind of message it could be political, it could be emotional and it could be anything really. If you pass it through humor, people will relate to it easier or sometimes we'll maybe look at it and understand it better. Humor must never be one thing, it has many coats," she added. "Chaplin: Spirit of the Tramp" will also be shown at the upcoming 15th Beijing International Film Festival, set to open on April 18. The comedy festival's film program, which is running from April 10-13, will feature classic comedies such as "Crazy Rich Asians," the "Detective Chinatown" series, "Johnny Keep Walking!" and "Lost in Thailand," alongside the premiere of Takeshi Kitano's new film "Broken Rage." The film event will also feature post-screening panels and masterclasses, offering both movie enthusiasts and industry professionals the opportunity to discuss comedy creation. The second Macao International Comedy Festival kicked off in Hengqin, Guangdong province neighboring Macao, on Wednesday. Running through Sunday across the two regions, it will gather top comedians like Shen Teng and Ma Li, international filmmakers including Takeshi Kitano and Aamir Khan, and include film screenings, stage performances, industry forums, pitch sessions and a gala night at venues in both locations. Pressure and threats from the United States will not resolve the ongoing China-U.S. trade dispute, China's Ministry of Commerce said on Thursday, calling for a return to fair dialogue. Ministry spokesperson He Yongqian told a press briefing that while China remains open to talks, any talks must be based on mutual respect and conducted on an equal footing. If the United States is bent on waging a trade war, China will fight to the end, the spokesperson said. "Pressure, threats and blackmail are not the right way to deal with China. We hope that the two countries will meet each other halfway and work towards resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, guided by the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation," He said. Stressing that there are no winners in a trade war and that protectionism leads nowhere, the spokesperson said that China will never accept the U.S. tactic of maximum pressure and bullying and will take resolute and effective measures to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests. Amid widespread opposition from both within the United States and the international community to the U.S. so-called "reciprocal tariffs," the spokesperson said China urges the United States to lift these unilateral tariff measures as soon as possible. The spokesperson also called on the United States to correct its misguided actions and help create a conducive atmosphere for dialogue and consultation. On 10 April Panamas President Jose Raul Mulino said foreign military bases are unacceptable. End of preview - This article contains approximately 402 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options On 10 April Argentine workers staged a general strike that paralysed large swathes of the country and marked a renewed wave of protests against Presidents austerity measures. End of preview - This article contains approximately 597 words. Subscribers: Log in now to read the full article Not a Subscriber? Choose from one of the following options 23:54 Vizag Corporators flown abroad ahead of Mayor trust vote File image The TDP flew their corporators abroad to prevent cross-voting ahead of the April 19 Great Vishakapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) mayoral election. The YSRCP also plans to shift their corporators abroad as the both camps wanted to avoid poaching from the other side. YSRCP holds 59 of... Read more > 23:42 Narrow escape for 130 as wind hits boat near Mumbai File image A total of 130 passengers were rescued from a boat on Friday after the vessel was damaged due to strong winds and was in danger of capsizing, a police official said. The incident took place at 5:30pm when the boat was on its way from Gateway of India in south Mumbai to Mandwa jetty in Alibag... Read more > 23:19 BJP-AIADMK alliance will uproot corrupt, divisive DMK from power: Modi File image Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday hailed the AIADMK's decision to join the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance and asserted that it is important that the corrupt and divisive DMK is uprooted at the earliest in Tamil Nadu.Stronger together, united towards Tamil Nadu's progress! Glad that... Read more > 22:42 Now NC moves SC against Waqf Act National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah/File image Jammu and Kashmir's ruling National Conference on Friday said it has filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging the recent amendments to the Waqf Act. The party first announced its decision to challenge the Act, which it termed a constitutionally alarming interference in the religious... Read more > 22:31 Panic grips bus stand area as unclaimed bag found near lodge in Jammu File image Panic gripped the bus stand area after an unclaimed bag was found in front of a lodge in Jammu city, officials on Friday said.A red-coloured bag was found lying unclaimed in front of Jehangir Muslim hotel in the bus stand area and the information was passed on to the police, they said.The... Read more > 21:44 Drug smuggler held with over 18 kg heroin in Amritsar File image The anti-narcotics task force of Punjab police has apprehended a drug smuggler and recovered over 18 kg heroin, officials on Friday said.He and one of his associates were linked to a Pakistan-based drug trafficker.In a well-coordinated operation, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (@ANTFPunjab),... Read more > 21:23 X asks scribe to take down 'hate-filled' Ram Navami videos in Mumbai A journalist has been asked to take down some videos related to a Ram Navami procession in Mumbai by X though he has refused to do so by asserting that he is only documenting hate. Independent scribe Kunal Purohit had uploaded videos on X of a Ram Navami procession outside Mumbai... Read more > 21:13 Tariff war: Govt rolls out trade helpdesk for stakeholders The commerce ministry is actively tracking developments in global trade, particularly in relation to tariff changes, import surges, and export-related challenges, an official statement said on Friday.In this backdrop, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade has operationalised a dedicated... Read more > 21:10 Nearly 100 cows died at TTD goshala in Andhra due to 'negligence': YSRCP File image YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led YSRCP on Friday alleged that nearly 100 cows died over the past three months at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam goshala due to the negligence and poor maintanance of the temple body. However, TTD has strongly refuted these allegations, labeling social media claims of... Read more > 21:04 Rupee jumps 58 paise at settle at 86.10 against US dollar The rupee surged 58 paise against the greenback to settle at 86.10 on Friday due to a sharp correction in the US dollar and a strong rebound in the domestic equity markets.The surge in the local unit came a day after US President Donald Trump suspended the 26 per cent tariffs on India till July... Read more > 20:50 Gujarat: Fire breaks out in Ahmedabad's apartment, no casualties reported File image A fire broke out at Parishkar 1 apartments in the Khokhra area of Ahmedabad in Gujarat on Friday, officials said. In the visuals, smoke was seen billowing out of the apartment. As per the officials, five fire tenders rushed to the spot to control the fire. No... Read more > 20:23 Delhi Metro to extend last train timings for IPL matches at Arun Jaitley Stadium File image In view of the upcoming T-20 matches of the Indian Premier League at Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium, the Delhi Metro will extend its last train timings across all lines, including the Airport Express Line, to accommodate spectators returning home after the games. To manage the expected crowd... Read more > 20:09 India's forex reserves swell $10.87 bn to $676.27 bn India's forex reserves jumped $10.872 billion to $676.268 billion during the week ended April 4, the Reserve Bank of India said on Friday. The overall kitty had jumped $6.596 billion to $665.396 billion in the previous reporting week. This is the fifth consecutive week of an increase in... Read more > 19:59 15 flights diverted at Delhi airport due to dust storm, gusty winds File image More than 15 flights were diverted at the Delhi airport on Friday evening due to inclement weather conditions. The national capital witnessed strong dust storms and gusty winds.A source said that over 15 flights were diverted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.Due to inclement... Read more > 19:54 3 Indian nationals arrested with narcotic drugs at Kathmandu Airport Three Indian nationals have been arrested from Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on charges of drug trafficking, the Nepal police said. The police arrested Indian national Irfan Ahmad Kasaliparambil Basheer, 25, from the Kathmandu airport along with over 10 kg of hemp on Thursday... Read more > 19:45 Tension in UP village as Ambedkar statue removed from govt land File image Tension prevailed in a village here after local authorities removed an Ambedkar statue installed without permission on a government land, the police said on Friday. Authorities continue to monitor the situation at Ekauni village in Bhadohi district, with heavy police deployment in place to... Read more > 19:18 Gold touches new peak of Rs 96,450 amid tariff war Gold prices surged by Rs 6,250 to hit a record high of Rs 96,450 per 10 grams in the national capital on Friday due to heavy demand from local jewellers and retailers, according to the All India Sarafa Association. Analysts said the precious metal hitting lifetime high levels in the... Read more > 18:59 Kangana Ranaut speaks like....: Himachal minister Kangana Ranaut The Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Himachal Pradesh's Mandi Lok Sabha seat, Kangana Ranaut, speaks like an actor and she should not be taken seriously, said state Industry Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan on Friday. Replying to a question that Kangana had recently said she received electricity... Read more > 18:42 Police use baton, water cannon on Cong rally to Nitish's residence in Patna File image The police used batons and water cannons at a rally to disperse Congress workers from advancing towards Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's official residence in Patna on Friday. Several Congress leaders and workers, including Kanhaiya Kumar, were detained by the police, an officer... Read more > 18:28 Tariff war: Customs asked to be alert on imports, exports File image The commerce ministry has alerted the customs authorities to maintain strict vigilance on imports and exports amid concerns about possible dumping of goods and re-routing of consignments from India to third countries following imposition of high tariffs by the US on China, an official... Read more > 18:07 Caste census report tabled in Karnataka cabinet Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah/File image The much-awaited Socio-Economic and Education Survey report, popularly known as the caste census, was presented before the Karnataka cabinet on Friday. Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said, Some ministers said they want to go through the recommendations first.... Read more > 17:51 Akshay reacts toJaya Bachchan's criticism of 'Toilet Ek Prem Katha' Akshay Kumar on Friday said only a fool would criticise his social dramas such as Padman and quickly backtracked when informed about Jaya Bachchan's criticism of the title of his film Toilet Ek Prem Katha. If she has said it, then it must be right. I don't know. If I have made a mistake... Read more > 17:31 Sholay's New Andaaz! Experience Sholay in the soft, magical style of Studio Ghibli. This tribute brings a fresh, animated charm to one of Bollywood's most-loved films.Take a look. Read more > 17:28 Surveyor lost in Rann of Kutch for 5 days found dead Representational image A surveyor of a private firm, who went missing while at work in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat five days ago, was found dead in the desert, police said on Friday. The body of Arnab Pal (55) was found near Bela village in Rapar taluka of Kutch district on Thursday evening, an official said. As... Read more > 17:17 Shift in ties Any assessment of how Bangladesh perceives its bilateral relations with India must consider the staggering degree of anti-India sentiment that exists after the fall of the Hasina govt last August, writes Swapan Dasgupta.Read the column here. Read more > 17:11 Would be a joke if US imposes further tariffs: China Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez and Chinese prez Xi Jinping meet in Beijing China on Friday continued its tit-for-tat move against the Trump administration's tariffs by hiking its additional levies on imports from the US to 125 per cent against duties of 145 per cent by America even as it evinced interest in dialogue with Washington to resolve the impasse.Announcing an... Read more > 17:07 Tariffs pause gives India Inc edge over China The pause in reciprocal tariffs by the US administration offers Indian businesses a short-term advantage -- especially in sectors like textiles, leather, engineering, and electronics, where India competes directly with China, said Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) Founder, Ajay... Read more > 16:54 Relief for investors for 90 days Indian stock indices closed handsomely higher on Friday, supported by the Trump's decision to pause the reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries, including India, for 90 days. Read more > 16:14 Markets surge 2% as US pauses tariffs Benchmark Sensex surged by 1,310 points while Nifty closed above 22,900 level on Friday after the US announced suspension of additional tariffs on India for 90 days until July 9 this year. Defying a bearish trend in world markets, the 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex jumped 1,310.11 points or... Read more > 16:10 61 dead in Bihar due to lightning, hailstorms The death toll due to lightning strikes and hailstorms in Bihar climbed to 61 after 36 more fatalities were reported, officials said on Friday. While 39 people died due to hailstorms and rain-related incidents, 22 people died due to lightning strikes on Thursday. Twenty-five deaths were... Read more > 15:40 Indians deserved it, Rana told Headley after 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana allegedly said the Indians deserved it and commended the nine LeT terrorists killed during the attack, suggesting that they should be given Nishan-e-Haider, Pakistan's highest gallantry award, according to the US Department of Justice. The US on... Read more > 15:10 'Rana should be hanged at India-Pakistan border' Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Friday demanded that terror accused Tahawwur Rana be hanged till death at the India-Pakistan border for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks so that the neighbouring country was aware of the consequences of pulling such an act. Tahawwur Rana's... Read more > 14:47 Painter Tyeb Mehta's 1956 Masterpiece Breaks Record, Sells For... Weeks after the late Maqbool Fida Husain's painting, Untitled (Gram Yatra), set a new record for modern Indian artwork, going for a staggering Rs 118.7 crore ($13.75 million) at a Christie's auction, Saffronart's 25th Anniversary Live Sale set another world record -- for the... Read more > 14:43 Xi says China, EU must unite to oppose US bullying Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday called on the EU to join Beijing in opposing bullying from the US, saying there are no winners in a tariff war. China and the EU are firm supporters of economic globalisation and free trade, Xi said during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro... Read more > 14:09 China raises US tariffs to 125% as trade war rages File pic Update: China on Friday raised its additional tariffs on imports from the US to 125 per cent in retaliation to the Trump administration's 145 per cent levies on Chinese exports. The Chinese Commerce Ministry in Beijing said China raised additional tariffs to 125 per cent on imported US... Read more > 14:02 China raises US tariffs to 125% China raises additional tariffs to 125 per cent on imported US product. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (local time) defended his decision to raise tariffs on China to 125 per cent, stating, somebody had to do it. The President, during his meeting with Roger Penske's NASCAR, INDY,... Read more > 13:39 ED should think of people's rights too: SC The Supreme Court has said ED should also think of the fundamental rights of the people and frowned upon the agency's plea seeking the transfer of the Nagrik Apurti Nigam (NAN) scam case from Chhattisgarh to New Delhi.A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Ujjal Bhuyan questioned the agency on how... Read more > 13:04 NIA plans to take Rana across India to reconstruct plots Tahawwur Rana is in NIA custody The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has placed Tahawwur Rana, a key architect of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, under 18-day custody. Investigators suspect that similar terror plots were devised for multiple cities across India. To piece together the full scope of the conspiracy, officials may... Read more > 12:46 91-year-old, accused of stabbing wife over illicit relationship, granted bail A 91-year-old man accused of stabbing his 88-year-old wife following accusations of an illicit relationship has been granted bail by the Kerala High Court. The petitioner, Thevan, had been living with his wife, Kunjali, when tensions arose over suspicions she voiced about his... Read more > 12:42 Security upped at NIA HQ where Rana is in custody Security has been stepped up outside the NIA headquarters where Mumbai attacks mastermind Tahawwur Hussain Rana has been lodged after the agency secured his 18-day custody following his extradition from the US.We have stepped up security arrangements outside the NIA headquarters to maintain law... Read more > 12:27 Kashi belongs to me, I belong to Kashi: Modi in Varanasi Calling Kashi Purvanchal's economic map, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that Varanasi's development has accelerated in the last 10 years, adding that Kashi is not just an ancient city but also a progressive city. After laying the foundation stone and inaugurating multiple... Read more > 12:17 Trump is waiting for Xi to call File pic A tariff reprieve from President Donald Trump sent global markets soaring on Wednesday, with the White House saying it's been in touch with dozens of countries about striking deals, lining up calls and meetings in the coming weeks.But one country was conspicuously absent from any... Read more > 12:13 Criminals who fled must be brought back: Sule on Rana Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule on Friday welcomed the extradition of 26/11 terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana and said that those who fled India after committing a crime must be recalled. Of course, we welcome it (Rana's extradition). Anybody who's... Read more > 11:50 Office Rentals Climb In India, Buck Global Trend Office rentals in India continued their upward trend, with rents rising between 3.8 per cent and 8.2 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y), even as global office markets remained under pressure in 2024, according to Vestian, a workplace solutions firm.Vestian's report showed leasing activity touched a... Read more > 11:32 I compliment govt on Rana: Sushil Kumar Shinde Congress leader and former Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde has complimented the BJP government for the extradition of a key accused in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Tahawwur Rana, stating that this government has done a good thing.Speaking to ANI, Shinde praised the BJP government's... Read more > 11:19 The Lost Ride Together File pic Every year, Calcutta's cemeteries attract tourists. Who are they and why do they come? Read the interesting story here. Read more > 11:15 Centre, Delhi Sign MoU For Rs 2,000 Cr Health Mission The Delhi government on Thursday signed an MoU to implement the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM ABHIM) in the national capital. Approximately 2,406 crore will be allocated for improving health infrastructure in Delhi under PM ABHIM, Delhi Chief Secretary... Read more > 11:08 Revealed: The top-secret extradition of Tahawwur Rana US Marshals transfer Rana to NIA custody Following the successful extradition of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Hussain Rana from the United States, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) faced a major challenge: keeping the entire transit operation under wraps due to credible threats from Pakistan-based terror... Read more > 10:40 The Garlic Effect: 7 Great Things About Garlic Garlic is a member of the onion-like plant group known as the Allium genus. According to Healthline, when the pods or garlic cloves are sliced or pressed, they produce allicin. After ingestion, allicin, a sulphur-based substance, makes its way through the digestive tract and begins working... Read more > 10:33 TCS Defers Salary Hikes India's largest IT services firm by revenue, Tata Consultancy Services, said it was deferring salary hikes for employees starting April, citing the growing macroeconomic uncertainty intensified by the ongoing tariff war between the US and other countries.The hikes will be implemented later in the... Read more > 10:29 Xi to visit Asian nations amid Trump's punishing tariffs Chinese President Xi Jinping will visit three Southeast Asian countries early next week to strengthen regional cooperation in his first tour abroad after US President Donald Trump slapped 145 per cent tariffs against China's exports intensifying the trade war with Beijing. Xi will pay state... Read more > 10:18 Lawyer appears in court in unbuttoned shirt, gets six-month jail term The Allahabad High Court has sentenced local lawyer Ashok Pande to six-month imprisonment in a 2021 contempt case for appearing in court without a lawyer's robe and with his shirt unbuttoned. A division bench comprising Justices Vivek Chaudhary and BR Singh said on Thursday that exemplary... Read more > 10:09 90-day tariffs pause yanks markets up by 1,000+ pts Market opens in green; currently at 75,205, up by 1358 points. Markets were closed yesterday on account of Mahavir Jayanti. The rise today is a result of US President Donald Trump pausing reciprocal tariffs for all countries (except China) for 90 days. However, Asian shares sank Friday after... Read more > 10:09 'Lawsuit Is Part Of Conspiracy To Wrestle Control Of Byju's' Lenders to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) established by Indian edtech firm Byju's in Delaware, United States, have sued the startup's founder Byju Raveendran, his wife and cofounder Divya Gokulnath, and 'close business associate' Anita Kishore for allegedly misappropriating $533 million in... Read more > 09:40 US sanctions Indian national, 2 India-based entities for transporting Iranian petroleum The US has sanctioned a United Arab Emirates-based Indian national and two India-based entities operating as part of Iran's 'shadow fleet' and involved in shipping Iranian oil.Jugwinder Singh Brar owns multiple shipping companies that boast a fleet of nearly 30 vessels, many of which operate as... Read more > 09:37 NIA court orders comprehensive medical test for Rana Delhi State Legal Services Authority Counsel for Tahawwur Rana, accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, stated that the special National Investigation Agency court has given special instructions to the agency to ensure a comprehensive medical test when Rana is taken into custody.Delhi State... Read more > 08:54 America supports India's pursuit of justice: US on Rana The 26/11 terror attacks shocked the entire world and America has long supported India's efforts to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice, the United States has said, as Pakistani-Canadian Tahawwur Hussain Rana was extradited to India to face justice for his involvement in the... Read more > 08:33 NIA to grill Rana 'in detail', gets 18-day custody 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.Rana was brought to the NIA headquarters late Thursday.The agency said that it would question him in detail in order to unravel the complete... Read more > 00:52 32 Indians trapped in Myanmar scam repatriated The rescued Indians in Myanmar/Courtesy India in Myanmar on X The Indian Embassy in Myanmar on Thursday confirmed the repatriation of 32 Indian nationals who were victims of scam operations in the Myawaddy region. In a statement, the Embassy reiterated its warning against falling for fraudulent job offers and emphasised that unauthorised movement... Read more > Sands China hosted a food fest for its team members in March at The Venetian Macao, featuring the signature foods of five restaurants, cafes and bakeries from Sands Chinas Community Revitalisation Series Entrepreneurship Recruitment Programme for Rua das Estalagens. Launched in April last year, the programme was a resounding success, receiving more than 120 applications. Seven distinctive businesses were selected in July, and six of them have since started their operations on Rua das Estalagens. With Sands China providing substantial assistance to these entrepreneurs, the innovative initiative encouraged SMEs in Macao to establish themselves on Rua das Estalagens, reviving the neighbourhoods economy and helping revitalise the historic street and unleash its past vibrancy. The food fest exemplified Sands Chinas business philosophy of growing with local SMEs by offering them a promotional platform that encouraged team members to take their families to Rua das Estalagens and show their support to the streets businesses. Nearly 7,000 team members visited the food fests five culinary roadshows, supporting local businesses while experiencing the vibrant flavours of the region. Held on various days between March 18 and March 28, the food fest let team members taste each shops unique cuisine at the back-of-house dining room of The Venetian Macao. Underscoring Sands Chinas commitment to fostering local entrepreneurship, the event helped these local entrepreneurs showcase their products and attract more customers, while deepening team members knowledge of the revitalisation of Rua das Estalagens. During the roadshows, the owners and employees of the shops served a diverse range of treats. Cafe Fantart showed off two delicate and flaky egg tart flavours: original and curry beef. Olala served one of its creative Macao-Portuguese snacks, the Olala Signature Package of bacalhau balls and spicy fish patty. Catfee brought its fragrant Ethiopia natural ice drip coffee, while bakery Panpan delivered its mini pain au chocolat, made with a fusion of Japanese and French baking styles. Finally, Voyage Thai Kitchen served flavourful bottled Thai milk tea and sweet Mango sticky rice. For more details about Sands Chinas revitalisation efforts, please visit https://www.sandschina.com/the-company/scl-community-revitalization-programme.html. President Donald Trumps administration has been predicting its barrage of tariffs targeting China will push Apple into manufacturing the iPhone in the United States for the first time. But thats an unlikely scenario even with U.S tariffs now standing at 145% on products made in China the country where Apple has manufactured most of its iPhones since the first model hit the market 18 years ago. The disincentives for Apple shifting its production domestically include a complex supply chain that it began building in China during the 1990s. It would take several years and cost billions of dollars to build new plants in the U.S., and then confront Apple with economic forces that could triple the price of an iPhone, threatening to torpedo sales of its marquee product. The concept of making iPhones in the U.S. is a non-starter, asserted Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives, reflecting a widely held view in the investment community that tracks Apples every move. He estimated that the current $1,000 price tag for an iPhone made in China, or India, would soar to more than $3,000 if production shifted to the U.S. And he believes that moving production domestically likely couldnt be done until, at the earliest, 2028. Price points would move so dramatically, its hard to comprehend. Apple didnt respond to a request for comment yesterday. The Cupertino, California, company has yet to publicly discuss its response to Trumps tariffs on China, but the topic may come up on May 1 when Apple CEO Tim Cook is scheduled to field questions from analysts during a quarterly conference call to discuss the companys financial results and strategy. And there is no doubt the China tariffs will be a hot-button issue given Apples stock price has dropped by nearly 20% and lowered the companys market value by $600 billion since Trump began increasing them on April 2. If the tariffs hold, Apple is widely expected to eventually raise the prices on iPhones and other popular products because the Silicon Valleys supply chain is so heavily concentrated in China, India and other overseas markets caught in the crossfire of the escalating trade war. The big question is how long Apple might be willing to hold the line on its current prices before the tariffs toll on the companys profit margins become too much to bear and consumers are asked to shoulder some of the burden. MDT/AP China yesterday described as irresponsible accusations by Ukraines 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 Chinas 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. 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 Zelenskyys 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 Russias 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. 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. 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. MDT/AP Students learn about employment information at a job fair held at Harbin Institute of Technology in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, March 26, 2025. [Photo/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. China is reaching out to other nations as the U.S. layers on more tariffs in what appears to be an attempt to form a united front to compel Washington to retreat. Days into the effort, its meeting only partial success with many countries unwilling to ally with the main target of President Donald Trumps trade war. Facing the cratering of global markets, Trump yesterday [Macau time] backed off his tariffs on most nations for 90 days, saying countries were lining up to negotiate more favorable conditions. China has refused to seek talks, saying it would fight to the end in a tariff war, prompting Trump to further jack up the tax rate on Chinese imports to 125%. China has retaliated with tariffs on U.S. goods of 84%, which took effect Thursday. Trumps move was seemingly an attempt to narrow what had been an unprecedented trade war between the U.S. and most of the world to a showdown between the U.S. and China. A just cause receives support from many, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said at a daily briefing yesterday. The U.S. cannot win the support of the people and will end in failure. China has thus far focused on Europe, with a phone call between Premier Li Qiang and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sending a positive message to the outside world. 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. That was followed by a video conference between Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and EU Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic on Tuesday to discuss the U.S. reciprocal tariffs. Wang said the tariffs seriously infringe upon the legitimate interests of all countries, seriously violate WTO rules, seriously damage the rules-based multilateral trading system, and seriously impact the stability of the global economic order, Xinhua said. It is a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying, Wang was quoted as saying. China is willing to resolve differences through consultation and negotiation, but if the U.S. insists on its own way, China will fight to the end, Wang said. Wang has also spoken with the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, while Li, the premier, has met with business leaders. China has already made a full evaluation and is prepared to deal with all kinds of uncertainties, and will introduce incremental policies according to the needs of the situation, Xinhua quoted Li as saying. In Hong Kong, the spokesperson for the local office of Chinas Foreign Ministry reiterated Beijings unwillingness to negotiate with the U.S. under current conditions. 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, Huang Jingrui wrote in an op-ed appearing in the South China Morning Post. If the U.S. is truly sincere about starting a dialogue with China, it should immediately rectify its wrong practices and adopt the right attitude of equality, respect and mutual benefit, Huang wrote. Despite their unhappiness with Washington, not all countries are interested in linking up with China, especially those with a history of disputes with Beijing. We speak for ourselves, and Australias position is that free and fair trade is a good thing, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told reporters. We engage with all countries, but we stand up for Australias national interest and we stand on our own two feet. China imposed a series of official and unofficial trade barriers against Australia in 2020 after the government angered Beijing by calling for an independent inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic. India has also reportedly turned down a Chinese call for cooperation, and Russia, typically seen as Chinas closest geopolitical partner, has been left out of the Trump tariffs altogether. Taiwanese Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung said on Wednesday that his government is preparing for talks on tariffs with the U.S. The U.S. imposed a 32% tariff on imports from Taiwan, a close trading and security partner. Taiwan produces most of the high-performing computer chips craved by the U.S. and others and has long enjoyed a trade surplus with Washington. Yet, Southeast Asian nations such as Vietnam and Cambodia find themselves in a particular bind. They benefited when factories moved to their countries from China due to rising costs. They are being hit by punishing tariffs but have few buyers outside the U.S. and are already operating on razor-thin margins. Trump had previously denied contemplating a pause, but the drama over his tariffs will continue as the administration prepares to engage in country-by-country negotiations. Meanwhile, tariffs will be 10% for the countries where the larger ones were paused. Its not clear what further steps China will take, but the Foreign Ministrys Lin said China will not sit idly by and let the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people be deprived of, nor will we allow the international trade rules and multilateral trading system to be undermined. Non-tariff options include bans on American movies, American law firms and other trade in services. World markets soared yesterday, with Japans benchmark jumping more than 9%, as investors welcomed Trumps decision. However, U.S. futures edged lower and oil prices also declined. Chinese shares saw more moderate gains, given yet another jump in the tariffs each side is imposing on each others exports. CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, TAIPEI, MDT/AP Yesterday, Starlight Co., Ltd. announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Foshan Snowlight, reached a debt restructuring agreement with Shanghai Nongnongguo. Foshan Snowlight agreed to repay 3.5793 million yuan in installments, effectively resolving the debt dispute and demonstrating the companys commitment to financial stability and responsible management. Related Guangdong Province released this week its legislative plan for the year, outlining 19 projects for review, including initiatives focused on emerging industries such as the low-altitude economy, artificial intelligence, and robotics. This plan reflects the provinces commitment to providing robust legal support for modern industrial development and technological innovation. Related Huizhou is set to host the Trade-In Consumption Week from April 18 to 20, at the Huizhou Convention and Exhibition Center. This initiative, adopting a 1+7 model, includes a main event followed by activities across seven counties and districts. The event aims to stimulate consumer spending and promote sustainable consumption practices by encouraging residents to exchange old goods for new ones. Related Trumps administration this week blocked access to National Institutes of Health (NIH) data repositories for researchers in several countries. Affected regions include mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela. The NIH cited concerns over health and genomics data as the reason for the prohibition, impacting controlled-access data repositories (CADRs) that include information on cancer, Alzheimers disease, and mental health disorders. The ban is, as reported by Fierce Biotech, linked to a February 2024 executive order signed by former US president Joe Biden to restrict foreign access to sensitive US health data. Related The 13th China Information Technology Expo (CITE 2025) commenced on April 9 at the Shenzhen Convention & Exhibition Center. The expo showcases advancements in intelligent terminals, optoelectronic displays, artificial intelligence, big data storage, and the low-altitude economy, highlighting Shenzhens role as a hub for technological innovation within the GBA. Related In honor of the Songkran Festival, the traditional Thai New Year celebration, Banyan Tree Macau at Galaxy is presenting a series of star-studded Thai culinary delights and rejuvenating sensory experiences, curating an authentic Thai festive atmosphere. The event features a renowned Michelin-starred chef from Thailand and a bartender from one of Asias 50 Best Bars, who collaborate to curate an exquisite Thai feast at the Michelin-selected restaurant Saffron. Chef Chalee Kader, a Thai-Indian chef and owner of Bangkoks 1-Michelin-starred Wana Yook, alongside Ronnaporn K., an award-winning bartender and co-owner of Mahaniyom Cocktail Barranked No. 18 on Asias 50 Best Bars 2024join forces with Executive Chef Jan Ruangnukulkit of Saffron for a two-night-only gourmet celebration, one that pays full tribute to the rich traditions of Songkran. Chef Chalee is celebrated for transforming everyday Thai dishes into innovative fine dining creations, best known for his bold reinterpretation of Khao Gaeng (the culture of curry on rice), as well as his vivid take on contemporary Thai culinary creations. Despite his pursuit of culinary innovation, Chef Chalee also shows great respect for Thai culinary tradition in his practicesa philosophy commonly shared by Saffron and its Executive Chef. Complementing the feast are the cocktail creations by Ronnaporn K., the award-winning bartender from Mahaniyom, also a two-time Diageo World Class Thailand champion and Bacardi Legacy Global Cocktail Competition winner. He showcases his artistry with creative twists on classic cocktails, adding a playful touch to the Michelin-starred dining experience. This modern and sophisticated Thai restaurant, Saffron, has been a hit with diners from around the world since its opening in 2011. Helmed by award-winning Chef Jan Ruangnukulkit from Thailand, the restaurants culinary team crafts a range of distinctive modern Thai dishes. With her expertise, Chef Jan reinterprets traditional Thai flavors with contemporary flair, curating tasting menus that honor the essence of Thai cuisineharmonizing spices, ingredients, flavors, and colorswhile elevating artistry and creativity to new heights. On The Agenda A growing number of Chinese teenagers are experiencing school reluctance, with recent research revealing alarming trends. A study cited by psychologist Zong Min during a Tencent News event found that 24.6% of junior high students and 37.6% of senior high students in Guangzhou struggle with going to school, China Daily reported yesterday. Conducted by Chen Yuxia from the Guangzhou Primary and Secondary School Health Promotion Center, the study points to social difficulties and academic pressure as key contributing factors. Another 2022 study by psychologist Sun Tingting and colleagues found that one in five middle school students suffer from learning fatigue or school-related fear. These findings mirror a nationwide surge in school aversion during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, as online learning disrupted routines and increased isolation. Zong, who led a three-year psychological consultancy program while completing her PhD at Beijing Normal University, has witnessed the emotional toll this phenomenon takes on students and families. Many teens facing school refusal also experience mood disorders like depression or anxiety. Parents often feel helpless, Zong said, as quoted by China Daily. But what were seeing goes beyond parenting its a much more complex issue now. Drawing on both research and firsthand experience, Zong has launched a new initiative called Xin Niu Dai (Mental Bond) to rebuild students connection to school and learning. Introduced at Tencent News Ideas event, which supports grassroots innovations, the program aims to bridge students, teachers, and parents through collaborative solutions. According to the report, Xin Niu Dai is built around three pillars: helping students discover inner resilience, encouraging teachers to recognize potential over performance, and equipping parents to support their childs mental health. Zong is also working with experts to create a pamphlet to guide teens through emotional challenges and with a tech company to develop an AI-powered app to support the initiative. Zong shared with China Daily a striking example: a 13-year-old boy who began skipping classes despite excelling in primary school. Though his family was stable and well-educated, he experienced intense physical symptoms like stomachaches and heart palpitations during school hours. He wasnt faking, Zong emphasized. He needed both medicine and psychological counseling. Emotional distress can manifest physically. Now head of the Center for Mental Health Counseling at China Foreign Affairs University, Zong hopes her program can become a scalable solution as more families face this growing crisis. School refusal isnt just personal its a public health issue, she said. The U.N. special envoy for Myanmar has made a visit to the military-ruled nation, meeting with the foreign minister as the country recovers from an earthquake that killed more than 3,600 people. It is the second visit the envoy, Australias Julie Bishop, has made since her U.N appointment last year. She previously made a low-key visit that was made public only when she reported to the United Nations in October last year that she had met with the head of Myanamrs military government, Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing, in the capital Naypyitaw. On Wednesday, Bishop met with Foreign Minister Than Swe and other officials at a temporary tented area outside of the ministrys damaged building in the capital Naypyitaw, which was hard hit by the 7.7 magnitude quake on March 28, Myanmars MRTV state television said. The earthquake caused significant damage to six regions and states, leaving many areas without power, telephone or cell connections and damaging roads and bridges, exacerbating hardships caused by the Southeast Asian nations continuing civil war. Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, a spokesperson for the military government, said late Wednesday that the quakes death toll has reached 3,649, with 5,018 injured and 145 missing. The earthquake destroyed 48,834 houses, 3,094 Buddhist monasteries and nunneries, 2,045 schools, 2,171 departmental offices and buildings, 148 bridges and 5,275 pagodas, the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar newspaper reported, citing Vice Senior Gen. Soe Win, the vice chairman of the ruling military council. Wednesday nights MRTV report said Bishop and Myanmar officials discussed coordination between Myanmar and the United Nations on aid for quake-affected people, but did not detail further plans. Bishop, a former Australian foreign minister and current chancellor of the Australian National University, was appointed as Secretary-General Antonio Guterres envoy to Myanmar in April last year. China, along with Russia, is one of the ruling militarys major backers, while much of the Western world shuns and sanctions the generals for toppling democracy and serious human rights abuses, including the brutal use of force in its war against the pro-democracy resistance and ethnic minority guerrillas. Guterres said ahead of Bishops visit that it would reinforce the UNs commitment to peace and dialogue. Although the military government and its armed opponents have declared unilateral ceasefires for a temporary period to facilitate relief and rehabilitation efforts in the wake of the earthquake, continued fighting is widespread, according to independent Myanmar media and witnesses. Myanmar has been in turmoil since February 2021, when Myanmars army ousted Aung San Suu Kyis elected government and then violently cracked down on widespread protests against its actions. After security forces unleashed lethal force on peaceful demonstrators, some opponents of military rule took up arms. The office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General on Monday announced that Bishop had visited Malaysia, a key partner of the United Nations in efforts to support a Myanmar-led political solution to the crisis and to respond to humanitarian needs following the earthquake. The quake worsened an already dire humanitarian crisis, with more than 3 million people displaced from their homes by the war and nearly 20 million in need even before it hit, according to the United Nations. A situation report issued late Monday by the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said more than 17.2 million people are living in affected areas, and urgently need food, drinking water, health care, cash assistance and emergency shelter. It was not immediately known if Bishop would meet military chief Min Aung Hlaing, or the countrys ousted civilian leader, Suu Kyi, who is imprisoned in Naypyitaw. Suu Kyi, 79, is serving prison sentences totaling 27 years after being convicted in a series of politically tainted prosecutions. The military government has refused to allow her to meet with any outsiders, including a special envoy from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, to which Myanmar belongs. MDT/AP Zhuhais Education Bureau initiated last week a citywide campaign to identify and shut down unlicensed tutoring centers. This action aims to regulate the private education market, ensure compliance with national policies, and protect students rights and interests by eliminating unauthorized educational institutions. Related Xi Jinping, chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), has signed an order to release revised guidelines on the enforcement of the drug administration law in the Chinese armed forces. China's State Council and the CMC have jointly published the document. Premier Li Qiang also signed a State Council decree to release the document. The new document, which will take effect from June 1, is aimed at refining the administration of medicines in the armed forces. According to the revised guidelines, actions will be taken to strengthen the management of military drug reserves, ensure a stable supply of medicines, promote the reasonable use of pharmaceuticals, and refine the management of medications specially-needed by the military. The guidelines were also revised to enhance supervision and ensure drug safety in the military. The quality sampling and inspection system for military medicines will be enhanced, with new regulations introduced to manage drug safety risks, while mechanisms to address and prevent illegal activities will be further improved. The Universities of Wisconsin spent $40.2 million on offices that relate in some way to diversity, equity and inclusion efforts during the 2023-24 school year, the Legislatures Audit Bureau said Friday. But UW system leaders say those numbers are not only old and cold, since theyre based on data from last May, but they are also overly broad in scope. The Legislative Audit Bureaus report looked at diversity, equity and inclusion spending at both the UW system and elsewhere in the executive branch of state government. In both cases, the bureau had to estimate amounts the agencies spent on diversity efforts because agencies did not track those costs themselves. Compared with other agencies, the UW system had the most robust set of programs and initiatives relating to DEI practices. Of the $40 million spent, the audit bureau attributed $12.5 million of that to salaries, lower than the number lawmakers estimated, and nearly $8 million in activities related to diversity. Since 2020, there have been about 1,263 activities relating to the efforts across the UW system, the audit found. Some of those included repeated campus climate surveys asking students and staff how they felt about being on campus, diversity efforts and policies that encourage consultation with the states tribal leaders. At UW-Parkside, for example, leaders wanted to eliminate policies they felt hindered minority students ability to enroll. UW-River Falls planned to host educational events to increase awareness about Indigenous cultures and experiences. UW-Milwaukee and UW-Oshkosh wanted to develop programs that would improve recruitment and retention of minority faculty members. About a third of the initiatives were focused on students while about 27% were focused on staff. The remaining either were community-focused or were aimed at multiple groups of people. Most of the diversity efforts were at UW-Madison, the largest campus and one of the most diverse, with 436 activities. UW-Milwaukee was next, with 234. In a statement, UW system President Jay Rothman said the expenses noted in the audit report covered more than just initiatives around race, but also involved support for veterans, free speech, mental health counseling and disability access. Over a year ago, in an agreement with Speaker Vos, the Universities of Wisconsin began taking action to reduce DEI positions and reorient them to focus on individual student success for all, Rothman said. That process is ongoing, and yesterdays numbers do not reflect todays realities. Within the executive branch, the audit bureau said 12 state agencies spent about $2.2 million on salaries for 47 positions related to diversity and another $705,300 on training. Related developments The report comes nearly a year after legislative Republicans approved an audit of diversity positions in the UW system and other state agencies. It was approved along partisan lines, with Republicans saying state diversity efforts are misguided, while Democrats dismissed the audit as a hunt for a boogeyman and a means of stoking political divisions. The audit bureau report also comes almost two months after President Donald Trumps administration sent out a Dear Colleague letter warning colleges and universities they would lose federal funding if they did not rid their campuses of vaguely defined efforts at diversity, equity and inclusion. It also follows an internal report UW-Madison released last month showing its former diversity chief, LaVar Charleston, improperly authorized thousands in bonuses and spent lavishly on reimbursements for trips. UW-Madison leaders demoted him in January before the internal review was complete and have since tightened controls on spending across the board. Audit committee co-chairs Sen. Erick Wimberger, R-Oconto, and Rep. Robert Wittke, R-Caledonia, said in a statement the report showed the extent to which DEI grifters have been profiting off of taxpayers. This report shows that taxpayers spent millions of dollars on DEI with very little to show for it, the statement read. Thanks to these findings, we can now more clearly identify wasteful and abusive spending by our agencies, and end it for good. Target exceeded In a memo earlier this month, Rothman said the number of positions within the UW system classified as DEI had dropped by nearly 55%, more than the one-third required by the controversial deal struck with Assembly Speaker Rep. Robin Vos, R-Rochester, in December 2023. As part of that agreement, Rothman agreed the UW system would reclassify 43 of the 140 diversity-related positions as student success employees. As of March, the UW system had reclassified nearly 70 positions. The remaining 64.45 full-time positions system-wide cost the UW system about $6.1 million in annual salaries. Of that, 73% is funded through state dollars, he said. In his statement Friday, Rothman cautioned the Republican-controlled budget committee against targeting those dollars in the upcoming budget. The audit report referenced an additional 57 positions that existed in May 2024 that had multicultural in the job title but were not a part of the legislative deal, the memo from Rothman states. Seeking clarity In a letter to state auditor Joe Chrisman, Rothman acknowledged the audit bureaus work was made challenging by the absence of a universal definition of diversity, equity and inclusion. Even the working definition of diversity that Rothman and Vos used to identify those positions in December 2023, which centered on race, has expanded under Trumps administration. While the administration has also not fully defined what it means by diversity, equity and inclusion, documents show topics that fail to meet a political litmus test may include references to women, gender-neutral terms, transgender people and disabilities. Because of the disparity in how diversity, equity and inclusion efforts are defined, some expenses not inherently related to it have been swept up in the audit report, Rothman wrote to Chrisman. That includes the UW systems telehealth mental health services, which are open to all students, and UW-Superiors federally mandated health insurance programs for international students, Rothman wrote. It is important to emphasize both the UWs philosophical shift aimed more broadly at student success as well as the variance in which universities structure their offices and positions that may pertain to though not exclusively focus on DEI activities when one is interpreting the data offered in the report, Rothman wrote. Increasing oversight In addition to reviewing diversity initiatives in state government, the audit bureau provided a list of nearly two dozen recommendations on how to improve the states efforts. Those included improving the Department of Administrations monitoring process to ensure agencies are moving forward in achieving their DEI goals and having DOA play a more active role in approving any improvement plans put together by agencies. The audit bureau also recommended DOA do annual reviews of its training data to ensure all new staff have completed training about diversity and respectful workplaces, as required by an executive order signed by Gov. Tony Evers in 2020. DOA should also require all of its agencies to develop affirmative action plans and report back to the Joint Legislative Audit Committee within 60 days. The recommendations are based on an executive order Evers put in place in 2019 that required state agencies to develop and evaluate plans for diversity, equity and inclusion. That order is at odds with Republicans, who want diversity initiatives eliminated. Vos called them cancerous during the last budget cycle. I live in Prescott, a small and picturesque river town about 250 miles northwest of Madison in Pierce County. Its Main Street is lined with historic buildings filled with modern businesses. It feels like a scene straight out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Watching the recent race for state Supreme Court unfold here was like watching Jackson Pollock splatter paint all over Rockwells canvas. But instead of paint, both the Republicans and Democrats were throwing mud nonstop. Susan Crawford, the Democratic Party-backed candidate, emerged victorious against Brad Schimel, a challenger endorsed by Republican President Donald Trump and Elon Musk. Yes, Musk, the billionaire White House adviser who spends a lot of his time trying to colonize Mars and have babies, decided our states judicial race was worth his attention. Lets not forget the image of Musk donning a yellow cheesehead hat because nothing screams Wisconsin values like a tech mogul from Silicon Valley trying to pass as a Green Bay Packers fan. Alright, Ill also admit that Democrats including former President Barack Obama and billionaire megadonor George Soros supported Crawford. The Obamas and Musks of the world understand that Wisconsins judicial race was about more than just a judicial seat. It served as a proxy for the larger national political debate, a microcosm of the fight over democracy itself. And in that battle, something fascinating happened Wisconsin Republicans, known for their cutthroat electioneering, seemed to lose their grip a bit. The usual playbook of fearmongering and right-wing media hysteria didnt work like it used to. Instead, I witnessed firsthand what effective messaging from the Democrats looks like. (Its been a long time.) Prescott bleeds red on election maps. I was inundated with ads from the Republican Party running constantly on the radio, television and through texts. This is Trump country, where lawn signs during presidential elections are so overwhelmingly Republican that Ive memorized the names of local GOP candidates just by driving to the local grocery store. But this time? Silence. The usual display of MAGA pride was oddly subdued from my 4,000-plus neighbors. Maybe they were exhausted. Maybe they lost their federal government jobs. Maybe the chance of receiving a $1 million check couldnt buy their votes. Maybe, just maybe, they were finally starting to see through the noise. Maybe two or three weeks of cold rain before the election meant folks just didnt want to go outside and put up their signs. One thing I do know Democrats showed up in Prescott. In the 11 years Ive lived in Prescott, I can count on one hand the number of times a Democratic organizer has knocked on my door. In the two weeks before the April 1 election? I lost track. The sheer volume of outreach was staggering. Volunteers were everywhere, hitting the pavement, making calls, sending texts. And it wasnt just party-line talking points it was personal. When a fellow Asian American from Wisconsin reached out to encourage me to vote for Crawford, it struck a chord. It wasnt just about a judicial race. It was about representation. It was about having a voice in a system that has historically shut us out. OUR VIEW: Money can't buy Musk love in Wisconsin Elon Musk wasting more than $20 million on the losing candidate in Wisconsins high-court race wont set him back much. The technology mogul b Of course, this wasnt a cheap victory. Money poured into the state at an unprecedented level, fueling ad campaigns, mailers and grassroots organizing. The amount of cash spent was almost obscene. The spending overall is expected to top $100 million, with Musk and his affiliated groups alone spending more than $20 million to defeat Crawford. So the result of the election Crawford winning revealed something crucial: Wisconsinites are growing disillusioned with Trumpism. The blind allegiance is cracking. The same voters who once cheered for his every word are now looking at the state of their communities, their rights and their futures and wondering if they backed the wrong horse. This election didnt just determine the ideological lean of Wisconsins high court. It was a litmus test for the states political trajectory. And while Republicans remain a force, their grip is slipping. The Democrats, for the first time in a long time, looked like they knew what they were doing. And the voters especially the ones who stayed silent seemed to take notice. On a cold, rainy Election Night after work, I dragged myself out of bed just as the polls were about to close. I was sick and nearly skipped voting. But then I thought of the dedicated volunteers who braved the cold to knock on my door, urging me to participate. That was enough to get me to City Hall to cast my ballot. If the state Supreme Court race is any indication, Trumpism isnt as unstoppable as it once seemed. The real question now isnt whether the tide is shifting its whether Democrats can sustain the momentum. If they can, Wisconsin just might defy more expectations. After 89 days working at the Capitol in Boise, the 12 legislators from the Magic Valley can finally take a breath. I am feeling thrilled to be home, Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, R-Twin Falls, told the Times-News on Tuesday. Theres no place like home. It was a busy 13 weeks with sine die, the final day, called on April 4. The Idaho Legislature prepared 1,036 bills, according to the Legislative Services Office, a record high. Gov. Brad Littles hand may be a little cramped from signing 273 bills into law. Lawmakers approved $400 million in tax cuts this year, with $253 million in income tax relief, $100 million in property tax relief, and $50 million in grocery tax credits. But tax cuts also mean a loss of revenue for the state. In new spending, Little signed into law House Bill 93, creating a $50 million private school tax credit allowing parents to apply for $5,000 to help cover tuition at private and religious schools. The Times-News spoke with seven Magic Valley legislators this week to catch up on the highlights and disappointments from the 2025 session. Rep. Lance Clow, R-Twin Falls Clow is the longest-serving legislator from the Magic Valley, but this year was a little bit different. He shared District 25, the city of Twin Falls, with two Republican freshmen who are both further to the right than their predecessors. Sen. Josh Kohl, R-Twin Falls, replaced moderate Linda Hartgen, and Rep. David Leavitt, R-Twin Falls, replaced Greg Lanting. Similarly, in District 24, Rep. Clint Hostetler, R-Twin Falls, replaced Chenele Dixon. The difference was noticeable even before the session started, when his fellow legislators didnt invite Clow to a town hall at Eastside Baptist Church. That group pretty much worked together and solo and didnt include me in any of their plans, so that was different than it has been in the past, Clow said. And I guess Im not too surprised. Historically, Clow said, freshmen are shy about speaking on spending bills, but the freshmen were more eager this year. The house was more conservative this year, and so was the senate, he said. On legislation, Clow said he is happy the legislature approved relief on property and income taxes. He also worked on a couple of bills that came from local requests: an increase in the community college tuition cap and a bill that helped the Lamphouse Theatre, and other theaters in historic buildings, serve alcohol. They werent able to allow minors into the theater if they were serving beer and wine, so we just changed that, Clow said. Sen. Kelly Anthon, R-Burley There was some turmoil last year in the Senate Republican caucus, Anthon said, but that changed under his leadership as the new Senate Pro Tempore, replacing Sen. Chuck Winder, R-Boise, who lost his primary last year. When you give people a fair shot and you treat them with respect, Anthon said. You find out that you dont have that kind of turmoil in a group, and thats what happened. But even leadership can have trouble passing bills. Anthon sponsored SB 1080 to protect Idaho veterans from benefit sharks who prey on veterans and try to sign them up for benefits, but then take some of the cash for themselves. His local veterans services officer in Rupert prompted the bill, he said, and it had support from Disabled American Veterans of Idaho. For political reasons of various stripes, I could not get it all the way across the finish line, so that was a disappointment, Anthon said. Overall, it was a successful session, Anthon said, with tax cuts for Idahoans and investments in schools, roads, bridges, and rural water and sewer infrastructure. Sen. Ron Taylor, D-Hailey Being the only Democrat from the Magic Valley can be lonely, Taylor said. There may be disagreements at the Capitol, but he said those disagreements are on legislation and not who they are as people. It makes for some very interesting dynamics, and it makes for some great conversation, Taylor said. Thats for sure, but we all get along and we support each other. In terms of legislation, he said this session went off the rails with the record number of bills and some legislators holding bills hostage. I think theres just too many games, and there were a lot of games this year, Taylor said. There were highlights, though. The Legislature passed HB 134 to provide coverage for breast cancer screenings. It didnt matter what letter was next to your name, Taylor said. That bill passed for the right reasons. For me, thats a great example for how our government should be functioning, he said. He was also pleased with the passage of HB 445, providing $30 million in ongoing funding for water infrastructure projects. We were finally able to get that one through, but Im still amazed that some of the legislators no votes on that one, Taylor said. That kind of surprised me. Hostetler, Leavitt, Kohl and Zuiderveld all voted against that funding increase. Those four all have a 100% spending score on the Idaho Freedom Foundations freedom index. Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, R- Twin Falls Zuiderveld sat on the powerful Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee, charged with setting budgets. She voted against multiple funding increases this year, including a recommendation for an additional $690,000 for the College of Southern Idaho. Were getting to the point where if people are wanting a tax cut, were going to have to cut somewhere, and nobody wants to cut anywhere, and thats where our problem is, she said. The budget grew from $13.9 billion last year to $14.3 billion this year. It was a pretty good session, Zuiderveld said, and she was pleased with the passage of the Idaho Medical Freedom Act and a bill that legalizes over-the-counter ivermectin for human use. Her family used ivermectin when she was a kid, she said, and there are more side effects from aspirin compared with ivermectin. I think it would be a blessing, Zuiderveld said of the drug. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID in humans or animals, but has approved the drug in specific doses to treat parasitic worms. Large doses of ivermectin can be dangerous, the FDA states. Rep. Jack Nelsen, R-Jerome Republicans in Blaine and Lincoln counties censured Nelsen in March for voting against the Republican Party platform. I take that as almost a recognition that I actually think for myself, Nelsen said. He voted against the $50 million private school tax credit and the Idaho Medical Freedom Act, which he said would do damage to small businesses. The new law prohibits businesses and schools from mandating medical interventions, like vaccinations. If you own a construction company and a worker steps on a rusty nail, Nelsen said, you cant make them get a tetanus shot. Or if someone has a transmissible disease, an employer cannot stop them from participating in that business. Thats quite a liability on small businesses, Nelsen said. There were too many social bills this session, he said, like prohibiting diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education. To get wrapped into those issues, Nelson said, I dont think thats good for Idaho, Rep. Douglas Pickett, R-Oakley This is Picketts second term, but he said he felt like a freshman all over again. He chaired the House Education Committee this session, but had never attended one of its meetings before this year. It was a good committee, he said, and he worked with Democrats, moderate Republicans, and more far-right Republicans. It was interesting balancing all of the interests, and it was a really good experience, Pickett said. I actually really enjoyed it. Protecting rural schools was his goal this year. There were two competing bills to rework the school funding formula, he said, to add more weight for kids with special needs and English learners, for example, but neither had enough protection for small, rural schools. Neither one of them got a hearing in our committee because they didnt have a pathway forward, Pickett said. They didnt have a consensus. He also noticed differences in the makeup of the Legislature this session. The house is decidedly very much more conservative this year, and thats one of the reasons we saw House Bill 93 move forward, Pickett said. The school choice bill. After the primaries last May, he said it was clear that school choice was coming to Idaho. Rep. Kenny Wroten, R-Nampa, and Rep. Melissa Durant, R-Kuna, both voted against school choice last year and then lost their primary elections. Rep. Steve Miller, R-Fairfield Also in his second term, Miller said this session was a little more disruptive and a little more conservative. He sat on JFAC and saw some budgets voted down and, in general, saw much more activity from the budget-setting committee. Its just kind of adjusting to where the legislature is at now, Miller said. Its just a little bit different than it was. From his view on JFAC, he said the state saved a lot of money with a record $420 million in carryover and $1.2 billion in the bank. Those savings will come in handy if there is a recession, he added. This session, he sponsored HB 177 to make silver and gold legal tender in Idaho, as long as both parties agree on its use. It passed by a wide margin. He also supported the Medicaid expansion reform bill, HB 345, that privatizes some Medicaid benefits through managed care providers and added work requirements. It took a very specific group and put some work requirements in, Miller said. It did a bunch of other stuff, but thats what people hear of the most. The Times-News also asked Miller about the tariffs that President Donald Trump imposed on other countries last week. China is taking advantage of the U.S., Miller said, and the tariffs are making some corrections accumulated since World War II. You know Trump, he never does anything step by step, Miller said. He just typically jumps in and stirs the pot, and he is typically very successful. Singapore minister Shanmugam urges lawyer to reflect, be better after controversial rape case comments spark backlash SINGAPORE, April 11 Singapores Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam yesterday said he had met with lawyer Chia Boon Teck following the latters controversial comments on a rape case posted online last month. According to Shanmugam, Chia expressed willingness to reflect on his comments, change, and explore ways to contribute positively to society. When we met today, I told Mr Chia that he needed to reflect on his comments, and his approach, Shanmugam posted on Facebook. I suggested that he considers a journey of deeper reflection and understanding, appreciate that his remarks were quite wrong. ADVERTISEMENT Shanmugam said in a statement that he disagreed strongly with Chias remarks, which were made in a Facebook post in late March and described as quite inappropriate. Last month, Chia resigned as vice-president and council member of the Law Society of Singapore following public outcry over his comments about a rape survivor. Chia faced backlash after posting remarks on LinkedIn about the victim of convicted rapist Lev Paniflov, suggesting she was not naive and questioning the circumstances of the assault. He previously tried to justify his remarks as attempts to highlight the importance of situational awareness as well as to avoid actions that could later be misconstrued. Flash 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. On 3 February 1926, Leon Trotsky gave a talk entitled, On Culture, at the Red Square Club in Moscow. He then compiled this talk along with other addresses he had given into the following article, which was first published in Krasnaya Nov, later that year. We publish here an English translation by Brian Pearce, which was first published in Labour Review in Autumn 1962. In this fascinating and profound article, Trotsky explains the relationship between the development of technology and that of human culture. He then goes on to examine the role of culture in the construction of socialism, and points the way forward for the Soviet Union, which was attempting to lay the foundations for socialism in conditions of isolation and backwardness. [This article was published as part of issue 46 of In Defence of Marxism magazine the quarterly theoretical journal of the Revolutionary Communist International. Subscribe and get your copy here] I. Technology and Culture Let us recall first of all that culture once signified a ploughed, cultivated field, as opposed to untouched forests and virgin lands. Culture was juxtaposed to nature, that is, what had been achieved by human effort was contrasted with the gifts of nature. This juxtaposition fundamentally retains its force even today. Culture is all that has been created, built, assimilated and achieved by man throughout the course of his entire history, in contrast with what has been given by nature, including the natural history of man himself as an animal species. The science which studies man as a product of animal evolution is called anthropology. But from the very moment when man separated himself from the animal kingdom, and this occurred approximately when he first took into his hands primitive tools such as stones or sticks and armed the organs of his body with them, from that time the creation and accumulation of culture began, that is, of all kinds of knowledge and skill in the struggle with nature in order to pacify nature. When we speak of the culture accumulated by past generations, we deliberately rest upon primarily its material acquisitions in the form of tools, machines, buildings, monuments and so forth. Is this culture? Undoubtedly it is culture, or its material deposits, material culture. It creates, on the foundations of nature the basic setting for our life, our everyday existence, and our creativity. But the most valuable part of culture consists of its deposits in the consciousness of man himself our devices, customs, skills, and acquired capabilities which grew out of all preceding material culture and, while resting upon it, continues to rebuild it. We will then, comrades, consider it firmly established: culture grows out of man's struggle with nature for existence, for the improvements of living conditions, for the increase of his power. But it is on this basis that classes grow as well. In the process of adapting to nature, in the struggle with its hostile forces, human society develops into a complex class organization. It is the class structure of society which most decisively determines the content and form of human history, i.e., its material relations and their ideological reflections. By saying this, we are also saying that historical culture has a class character. Slave society, feudal-serf and bourgeois society have engendered a corresponding culture: at various stages there is different culture, with a multitude of transitional forms. Historical society is the organization of the exploitation of man by man. Culture serves the class organization of society. An exploiting society gives birth to an exploitative culture. But does this then mean that we are against all culture of the past? We have indeed come upon a profound contradiction. Everything that has been won, created and built through the efforts of man and which serves to elevate man's powers is culture. But since we are dealing with social rather than individual man; since culture is a socio-historical phenomenon by its very essence; since historical society was and continues to be class society, then culture unfolds as a fundamental instrument of class oppression. Marx said: "The dominant ideas of an epoch are the ideas of the ruling class of the given epoch." This statement also applies to culture as a whole. Yet we say to the working class: you must master all the culture of the past, otherwise you won't build socialism. How can this be understood? Many have stumbled over this contradiction, and they stumble so frequently because they approach the concept of class society superficially, semi-idealistically, forgetting that fundamentally this is the organisation of production. Every class society developed according to definite means of struggling with nature, and these means have changed depending on the development of technology. What is more fundamental: the class organization of society or its productive forces? Undoubtedly, the productive forces. For it is on them, on a certain level of their development, that classes evolve and refashion themselves. In the productive forces is expressed man's materialized economic skill, his historical ability to secure his own existence. Classes grow on this dynamic foundation, and their mutual relations determine the character of culture. And hence, with regard to technology above all else, we must ask ourselves: is it only an instrument of class oppression? It is enough to ask such a question to be able to answer at once: no, technology is a basic conquest of mankind; although it has indeed served until now as an instrument of exploitation, it is at the same time the basic requirement for the liberation of the exploited. The machine strangles the wage-slave. But the wage-slave can only be freed through the machine. Herein lies the root of the whole question. If we don't forget that the driving force of the historical process is the growth of productive forces which liberate man from the power of nature, then we will understand that the proletariat must master the entire accumulation of knowledge and skill, developed by mankind over the course of its history, in order to raise itself up by rebuilding life on the principles of solidarity. "Does culture drive technology, or technology culture?" asks one of the notes lying before me. This is the wrong way to pose the question. Technology cannot be counterposed to culture, for it is culture's mainspring. Without technology there is no culture. The growth of technology drives culture forward. But the science and general culture which rise up on the basis of technology give a powerful impulse to the growth of technology. Here there is a dialectical interaction. Comrades, if you need a simple but expressive example of the contradiction imbedded in technology itself, then you won't find a better one than railways. If you examine European passenger trains, then you will see wagons of "various classes." These classes remind us of the classes in capitalist society. First class is for the privileged elite, second for the middle bourgeoisie, third for the petty bourgeoisie and fourth for the proletariat, which for good reason was formerly called the fourth estate. Taken by themselves, railways are a colossal cultural and technological conquest by mankind, which greatly changed the face of the earth in the course of a single century. But the class structure of society influences even the structure of the means of transport. And our Soviet railways are still a long ways from equality. That is not only because they use wagons inherited from the past, but also because the New Economic Policy only prepares equality, but does not create it. Before the advent of railways, civilization crowded along the shores of the seas and banks of large rivers. Railways introduced whole continents to capitalist culture. One of the fundamental, if not the most fundamental reason for the backwardness and neglect of the Russian village is the lack of railways, highways and access roads. In this respect, the majority of our villages remain in pre-capitalist conditions. We must overcome what is our great ally and at the same time our greatest foe distance. Socialist economy is planned economy. A plan assumes communication, most of all. The means of transportation are the most important mode of communication. Every new railway line is a road to culture, and in our conditions a road to socialism. Once again, with the raising of the technology of the means of transportation and the prosperity of the country, the social profile of the railways will change as well: the division into "classes" will disappear, and everyone will travel in comfortable wagons... if, by that time people still ride in wagons, rather than preferring to travel on airplanes which are available to one and all. Let's take another example the instruments of militarism, the means of destruction. In this sphere the class nature of society is expressed in particularly clear and repulsive forms. There is no destructive device, be it an explosive or a poisonous substance, the discovery of which would not be a valuable scientific or technological achievement in itself. Explosives or poisonous substances can also be used for creative, and not only destructive purposes, and they open up new possibilities in the area of discoveries and inventions. The proletariat can seize state power only by shattering the old apparatus of class rule. We have performed this work more decisively than ever has been done in history. However, in building a new apparatus, we discovered that we were compelled to use elements of the old to a certain and rather significant degree. The further socialist reconstruction of the state apparatus is inextricably linked with political, economic and cultural work in general. We don't have to shatter technology. The proletariat takes possession of the factories outfitted by the bourgeoisie, and it does so in the form in which the revolutionary overthrow found them. The old equipment serves us to this very day. Such a circumstance reveals most clearly and directly the fact that we do not renounce this "heritage." How could it be otherwise? After all, the revolution was carried out precisely in order to seize this "heritage." However, in the form in which we took it, the old technology is completely unsuitable for socialism. It represents the crystallized anarchy of the capitalist economy. The competition between various enterprises, the drive for profits, the uneven development of separate branches, the backwardness of various regions, the small-scale nature of agriculture, the squandering of human resources, in technology all this found its expression in iron and copper. But whereas the apparatus of class oppression can be shattered with a revolutionary blow, the productive apparatus of capitalist anarchy can only be reconstructed gradually. The completion of the restoration period, on the basis of the old equipment only leads us to the threshold of this grandiose task. We must complete it no matter what. II. The Heritage of Spiritual Culture Spiritual culture is just as contradictory as material culture. And just as from the arsenals and warehouses of material culture we put into circulation not the bow and arrow, not stone tools or bronze age tools, but we take the best possible tools of the latest technology, we must approach spiritual culture in just the same way. The main element in the culture of the old society was religion. It was the most important form of human knowledge and unity; but in this form was expressed most of all the weakness of man before nature and his powerlessness within society. We are thoroughly sweeping aside religion and all its surrogates. The situation with philosophy is different. From the philosophy created by class society we must assimilate two invaluable elements: materialism and dialectics. It was precisely from the organic combination of materialism and dialectics that Marx's method was born and his system arose. This method lies at the foundations of Leninism. Astronomer (1900), Ivan Tisov If we pass on to science in the true sense of the word, then here it becomes absolutely clear that we confront an enormous reservoir of knowledge and skill accumulated by mankind throughout its long life. One can, it is true, point out that in science, whose goal is the cognition of reality, there are many tendentious class adulterations. Absolutely correct! If even the railways show signs of the privileged position of some and the poverty of others, then the same applies even more so to science, whose material is much more flexible than the metal and wood used to build railway cars. But we must keep in mind that scientific creativity is fundamentally nourished by the need to understand nature, in order to master its forces. Although class interests have introduced and continue to introduce false tendencies even in the natural sciences, nevertheless this falsification is limited by the bounds beyond which it begins to directly obstruct technological progress. If you examine the natural sciences from the ground up, from the realm of accumulating elementary facts to the highest and most complex generalizations, then you will see that the more empirical the scientific investigation, the closer it is to its material and to the facts, the more indisputable are the results it gives. The wider the field of generalizations, the more closely natural science comes to problems of philosophy, the more susceptible it is to the influence of class suggestions. Matters are more complicated and worse when it comes to the social sciences and the so-called "humanities". Even here, of course, the desire to know what is was fundamentally at work. Due to this we have had, by the way, the brilliant school of classical bourgeois economists. But class interest, which is felt in the social sciences much more directly and imperatively than in natural science, soon brought to a halt the development of economic thought in bourgeois society. In this field we communists are better armed, however, than in any other. Basing themselves on bourgeois science and criticizing it, the socialist theoreticians who were awakened by the class struggle of the proletariat created, in the works of Marx and Engels, the powerful method of historical materialism and its unsurpassed application in Capital. This does not mean, of course, that we are insured against the influence of bourgeois ideas in the fields of economics and sociology as a whole. No, at every step the most vulgar professorial-socialistic and philistine-populist tendencies burst into our everyday practice from the old "treasure-houses" of knowledge, seeking nourishment for themselves in the amorphous and contradictory relations of the transitional period. But even in this realm we have the irreplaceable criteria of Marxism which have been verified and enriched in Lenin's works. And the less we restrict ourselves to the experience of today, the more widely we embrace world-wide economic development as a whole, separating its basic tendencies from conjunctural changes, the more decisive will be our victory over vulgar economists and sociologists. In questions of law, morality and ideology in general, the situation of bourgeois science is even more lamentable, if this is possible, than in the realm of economics. One can find a tiny pearl of genuine knowledge in these fields only after rummaging through dozens of professorial dungheaps. Dialectics and materialism comprise the basic elements of the Marxist cognition of the world. But this by no means implies that they can be applied in any field of knowledge like an ever-ready master-key. The dialectic cannot be imposed on facts, it must be derived from the facts, from their nature and their development. Only painstaking work on boundless material gave Marx the ability to erect the dialectical system of economics on the concept of value as realized labor. Marx's historical works, and even his newspaper articles, are constructed in the same way. One can apply dialectical materialism to new fields of knowledge only while mastering them from within. Bourgeois science can be cleaned up only by mastering bourgeois science. You will achieve nothing here by wild criticism or naked command. Assimilation and application go hand in hand here with critical re-working. We have the method, but there is enough work to last generations. The Marxist criticism of science must be not only vigilant, but cautious, otherwise it might degenerate into out-and-out sycophancy or Famusovism.[1] Let us take psychology as an example. Pavlov's reflexology completely follows the lines of dialectical materialism. It destroys for all time the wall between physiology and psychology. The simplest reflex is physiological, and a system of reflexes gives us "consciousness." The accumulation of physiological quantity yields a new "psychological" quality. The method of Pavlov's school is experimental and painstaking. Generalizations are being won step by step: from a dog's saliva to poetry, i.e., to its psychological mechanics (but not its social content). Of course, the paths leading to poetry are yet to be seen. The school of the Viennese psychoanalyst Freud takes a different approach to the problem. It assumes in advance that the driving force behind the most complex and refined psychic processes is physiological need. In this general sense it is materialistic, if we leave aside the question of whether or not it places too much emphasis on the sexual element at the expense of others, for this is already a debate within the confines of materialism. But the psychoanalyst doesn't approach the problem of consciousness experimentally, from lower phenomena to higher, or from simple reflex to complex; he tries to take all these intermediate steps with a single bound, going from the top down, from religious myth, lyrical poem or dream straight to the physiological foundation of the psyche. Idealists teach that the psyche is independent, and that the "soul" is a bottomless well. Both Pavlov and Freud consider that physiology is the bottom of the "soul." But Pavlov, like a diver, descends to the bottom and painstakingly investigates the well from the bottom up. Freud, on the other hand, stands above the well, and with a penetrating stare tries to capture or guess the outlines of the bottom through the depths of the ever-changing and murky water. Pavlov's method is the experiment. Freud's method is conjecture, and sometimes fantastic. The attempt to declare psychoanalysis "incompatible" with Marxism and to simply turn one's back on Freudianism is too simple, or, to be more precise, simplistic. But in no case are we obliged to adopt Freudianism either. It is a working hypothesis which can give and undoubtedly does give conclusions and conjectures which go along the lines of materialist psychology. In time, the experimental path leads to verification. But we have neither the grounds nor the right to impose a ban on the other path, which, even if it is less reliable, still tries to anticipate the conclusions that will be reached by the experimental path, just much more slowly. [2] With these examples I wanted, if only partially, to show the diversity of our scientific heritage and the complexity of the ways in which the proletariat can begin to master it. If in economic construction matters are not decided by decree and we must "learn to trade," then in science, naked command will yield nothing but harm and embarrassment. Here we have to "learn how to learn." Art is one of the forms through which man finds an orientation in the world; in this sense the heritage of art is no different from the heritage of science and technology, and it is no less contradictory. However, unlike science, art is a form of cognizing the world not as a system of laws, but as a grouping of images and, at the same time, as a means of inspiring certain feelings and moods. The art of past centuries has made man more complex and flexible, raising his psyche to a higher level and enriching his mind in many ways. This enrichment is an invaluable conquest of culture. Mastery of the old art is therefore a necessary prerequisite not only for the creation of a new art, but for the construction of a new society, because for communism, people are needed with a highly developed psyche. Is the old art capable, however, of enriching us with the artistic cognition of the world? Yes, it is. And it is precisely for this reason that it is capable of nourishing our feelings and cultivating them. If we were to indiscriminately renounce the old art, then immediately we would become poorer in spirit. Here and there we can observe among us today the tendency to advance the idea that art has as its goal only the inspiration of certain moods, but by no means the cognition of reality. Hence the conclusion: what kind of feelings can we be infected with by the art of the nobility or bourgeoisie? This is fundamentally wrong. The significance of art as a means of cognition not only for the popular masses too, but for them in particular is no less than its "sensual" significance. Not only the heroic poem, but the fairy-tale, song, proverb and popular ditty give us cognition in images; they illuminate the past, generalize our experience, widen our horizons, and only in this connection are capable of inspiring certain "feelings." This applies to all literature in general, not only to the epos but to the lyrical poem as well. It applies to painting and sculpture, too. The only exception, in a certain sense, is music, the effect of which is powerful, but one-sided. Of course, even music is based on a particular cognition of nature, of its sound and rhythms. But here the cognition is so deeply concealed, and the results of nature's inspirations so greatly refracted through the nerves of man, that music acts as a self-sufficient "revelation." Attempts to approximate all forms of art to music as the art of "infection" have frequently been made, and they always have signified the reduction of the role of reason in art in favor of an amorphous sensuality; in this sense they were and are reactionary... Worst of all, of course, are such works of "art" which give us neither cognition in images nor artistic "infection," but which advance the most outlandish pretensions. We publish no small number of such works, and unfortunately they appear not in student notebooks of work-studios, but in many thousands of copies... Culture is a social phenomenon. For this very reason, language, as an instrument of communication between people, is its most important tool. The culture of language itself is the most important condition for the growth of all fields of culture, particularly science and art. Just as technology remains unsatisfied by the old measuring instruments and creates new ones: micrometers, voltmeters and so forth, aiming for and achieving ever greater accuracy, so, too, in the realm of language, the ability to choose the appropriate words and to combine them in the appropriate fashion, we need constant and systematic painstaking work on the achievement of the greatest precision, clarity and sharpness. The basis of this work must be the fight against illiteracy, semi-literacy or a low level of literacy. The next stage in this work is the mastery of classical Russian literature. Yes, culture has been the main instrument of class oppression. But culture, and it alone, can become the instrument of socialist emancipation. III. Our Cultural Contradictions Town and Country What is peculiar about our position is that we at the crossroads of the capitalist West and the colonial-peasant East were the first to carry out a socialist revolution. The regime of proletarian dictatorship was first established in a country with an enormous heritage of backwardness and barbarism, so that with us whole centuries of history lie between a Siberian nomad and a Moscow or Leningrad proletarian. Our social forms are transitional to socialism, therefore they are immeasurably higher than capitalist forms. In this sense we are justified in considering ourselves the most advanced country in the world. But our technology, which lies at the foundations of material or any other culture, is extraordinarily backward in comparison to the advanced capitalist countries. Herein lies the basic contradiction of our present reality. The historical task which flows from this contradiction consists in raising technology to the level of the social form. If we were unable to do this, then our social structure would inevitably fall to the level of our technological backwardness. Yes, in order to understand the full significance of technological progress for us, we must openly tell ourselves: if we were to be unable to supplement the Soviet form of our structure with the required productive technology, then we would preclude the possibility of making the transition to socialism and we would return back to capitalism, and to what kind? To semi-serf, semi-colonial capitalism. The struggle for technology for us is the struggle for socialism, to which the entire future of our culture is inextricably linked. Woman with a Rake (1928), Kazimir Malevich Here is a fresh and very expressive example of our cultural contradictions. A few days ago a note appeared in our newspapers that our Public Library in Leningrad has taken first place when it comes to the number of volumes: it now holds 4,250,000 books! Our first sensation is a legitimate feeling of Soviet pride: our library is the first in the world! To what do we owe this achievement? To the fact that we expropriated private libraries. By nationalizing private property we have created the richest cultural institution, which is accessible to all. This simple fact indisputably illustrates the great advantages of the Soviet structure. But at the same time our cultural backwardness is expressed in the fact that the percentage of illiteracy in our country is greater than in any other European nation. Our library is first in the world, but as yet the minority of our population reads books. That's the way it is almost everywhere. Nationalized industry with gigantic but far from fantastic projects of the Dneprostroi, the Volga-Don Canal, etc., yet the peasants still thresh with flails and rollers. Our marital legislation is permeated with a socialist spirit, but beatings still play no small role in family life. These and other contradictions flow from the entire structure of our culture, which is at the crossroads between West and East. The basis of our backwardness is the monstrous domination of the village over the city, of agriculture over industry; moreover the village is dominated once again by the most backward tools and means of production. When we speak about historical serfdom, we primarily have in mind estate relations, the bondage of the peasant to the land-owner and Tsarist official. But, comrades, serfdom has a deeper foundation beneath it: the bondage of man to the earth, the full dependence of the peasant on the elements. Have you read Gleb Uspensky? I fear that the younger generation is not reading him. We must republish him, or at least his best works, and he has some superb ones. Uspensky was a populist. His political program was thoroughly utopian. But Uspensky the chronicler of the village is not only a superb artist, he is also a remarkable realist. He was able to understand the everyday life of the peasant and his psyche as derived phenomena which grow on an economic base and which are completely determined by it. He was able to understand the economic base of the village as the enslaved dependence of the peasant in the labor-process on the soil, and in general on the forces of nature. You should definitely read at least his Power of the Land. With Uspensky, artistic intuition replaces the Marxist method and, judging from its results, can in many respects compete with it. For precisely this reason, Uspensky the artist was always locked in mortal combat with Uspensky the populist. Even now we still must learn from the artist if we want to understand the powerful remnants of serfdom in peasant life, particularly in family relations, which often spill over into city life: it is enough to listen carefully to the different notes of the discussion now unfolding concerning problems of marital legislation! In all parts of the world, capitalism has made extremely tense the contradiction between industry and agriculture, town and country. In our country, due to the belatedness of our historical development, this contradiction bears an absolutely monstrous character. No matter how strange it might seem, our industry has already tried to equal the European and American examples at a time when our countryside has kept receding into the depths of the seventeenth and even more distant centuries. Even in America capitalism is clearly unable to raise agriculture to the level of industry. This task completely passes over to socialism. In our conditions, with the colossal predominance of the village over the city, the industrialization of agriculture is the most important part of socialist construction. By the industrialization of agriculture we understand two processes, which, only when taken in combination, can finally and decisively erase the boundary between town and country. Let us dwell a bit more on this crucial question. The industrialization of agriculture consists, on the one hand, in the separation from the village domestic economy of a whole series of branches involved in the preliminary processing of industrial resources and raw foodstuffs. For all industry in general has come from the countryside, by way of handicrafts and primitive production, through the detachment of various branches from the closed system of household economy, through specialization, and the creation of the necessary training, technology, and then even machine production. Our Soviet industrialization will have to follow this path to a large degree, i.e., it must follow the path of socializing a whole series of productive processes which stand between village economy, in the true sense of the word, and industry. The example of the United States shows that unlimited possibilities lie before us. But the question is not exhausted by what we have said. The overcoming of the contradictions between agriculture and industry assumes the industrialization of field-crop cultivation, animal husbandry, horticulture and so forth. This means that even these branches of productive activity must be based on scientific technology: the broad utilization of machines in the correct combination, tractorization and electrification, fertilization, proper crop rotation, laboratory and experimental testing of methods and results, the correct organization of the entire production process with the most rational use of labor power, etc. Of course, even highly organized field cultivation will differ in some ways from machine-building. But then even in industry, various branches profoundly differ from one another. If today we are justified in juxtaposing agriculture to industry as a whole, then this is because agriculture is conducted on a small scale and by primitive means, with a slavish dependence of the producer on the conditions of nature and with highly uncultured conditions of existence for the peasant-producer. It is not enough to socialize, i.e. to switch over to factory rails, separate branches of today's village economy, such as butter-making, cheese-making, the production of starch or syrup, etc. We must socialize agriculture itself, that is, tear it away from its present state of fragmentation and replace today's squalid digging around in the soil with scientifically organized grain and rye "factories," with cattle and sheep "processing plants," and so forth. That this is possible is shown in part by the capitalist experience already at hand, in particular in the agricultural experience of Denmark, where even hens have been subordinated to planning and standardization; they lay eggs according to schedule, in enormous quantities, and of the same size and color. The industrialization of agriculture means the elimination of today's fundamental contradiction between countryside and city, and consequently, between the peasant and worker: when it comes to their role in the nation's economy, their living standards, or their cultural level, they must approximate each other to such a degree that the very boundary between them has disappeared. A society where the mechanized cultivation of the fields is an equal part of the planned economy, where the city adopts the advantages of the countryside (open spaces, greenery), and where the village enriches itself with the advantages of the city (paved roads, electric lights, piped water supply, sewer system), that is, where the very contradiction between town and country disappears, where the peasant and worker turn into participants of equal value and equal rights in a unified production process such a society will be a genuine socialist society. The road to this society is long and difficult. Mighty electro-power stations are the most important milestones along the way. They will bring to the village both light and transforming power: against the power of the soil the power of electricity! Not long ago we opened the Shatura power station, one of the best of our construction sites, built on a peat-bog. From Moscow to Shatura is a little more than one hundred kilometers. It would seem that they could shake hands. And yet what a difference in conditions! Moscow is the capital of the Communist International. But you go a few dozen kilometers and you find backwoods, snow and fir-trees, frozen swamps and wild beasts. Black, log-cabined hamlets lie dozing beneath the snow. Sometimes wolf tracks can be seen from the window of the railway car. Where the Shatura station now stands, a few years ago, when they started construction, elk could be found. Now the distance between Moscow and Shatura is covered by a sophisticated construction of metallic masts which support the cable for 115,000 volts of current. And beneath these masts, foxes and wolves will bring out their young. That's the way it is with our entire culture it is made from the most extreme contradictions, from the highest achievements of technology and generalizing thought on the one hand, and from the primordial taiga on the other. Shatura lives on peat as if it were pasture. Indeed, all the miracles created by the childish imagination of religion, and even by the creative fantasy of poetry, pale before this simple fact: machines which occupy insignificant space are devouring the age-old swamp, transforming it into invisible energy, and returning it along slender cables to the same industry which created and set up these machines. Shatura is a thing of beauty. It was made by builders who were gifted and devoted to their work. Its beauty is neither artificial nor superimposed, but growing from the inner characteristics and demands of technology itself. The highest, indeed the only, criterion of technology is expediency. The test of expediency is its ability to economize. And this assumes the greatest correspondence between the whole and its parts, between means and ends. The economic and technological criterion completely coincides with the aesthetic. We can say, and this is no paradox: Shatura is a thing of beauty because the kilowatt-hour of its energy is cheaper than the kilowatt-hour of other stations constructed in similar conditions. Shatura stands on a swamp. We have many swamps in the Soviet Union, many more than power stations. And we have many more forms of fuel which are waiting to be transformed into mechanical power. In the south, the Dnieper flows through the wealthiest industrial region, expending the mighty forces of its current on nothing; it plays along the centuries-old rapids, and waits for us to harness its currents with a dam, forcing it to illumine, set in motion and enrich our cities, factories and fields. This we shall do! In the United States of America, each inhabitant receives 500 kilowatt-hours of energy per year; here, the figure is only 20 kilowatt-hours, that is, twenty-five times less. In general we have fifty times less mechanical driving power per person than in the United States. The Soviet system outfitted with American technology that would be socialism. Our social system would put American technology to other, incomparably more rational use. But then American technology would transform our social structure and liberate it from the heritage of backwardness, primitiveness and barbarism. The combination of the Soviet social structure with American technology fosters a new technology and new culture a technology and culture for all, without favorites or outcasts. The "Conveyor" Principle of Socialist Economy The principle of socialist economy is harmoniousness, that is, continuity based on inner coordination. Technologically, this principle finds its highest expression in the conveyor. What is the conveyor? An endless moving belt which brings to the worker or takes away from him anything that is required by the pace of his work. It is now widely known how Ford uses a combination of conveyors as a means of internal transport: of transfer and supply. But the conveyor is something more: it is a method of regulating the very production process, insofar as the worker is forced to coordinate his movements with the movement of an endless belt. Capitalism uses this for a higher and more thorough exploitation of the worker. But such a usage is connected with capitalism, not with the conveyor as such. Indeed, where is the development of the methods of regulating labor headed: in the direction of piecework payment or in the direction of the conveyor? Everything indicates that it is in the direction of the conveyor. Piecework payment, much like any other form of individual control over the worker, is characteristic of capitalism during the early epochs of its development. This way guarantees a full physiological workload for the individual worker, but it doesn't guarantee the coordinated efforts of various workers. Both of these problems are solved automatically by the conveyor. Socialist organization of the economy must strive to lower the physiological burden of the individual workers in correspondence with the growth of technological power, at the same time maintaining the coordination of the efforts of different workers. And that precisely will be the significance of the socialist conveyor, as opposed to the capitalist one. Speaking more concretely, the main point here is the regulation of the belt's movement given a certain number of workers' hours, or, on the contrary, in the regulation of the workers' time given a certain belt speed. "Long Live the Genius of Universal Miracles Mighty Creative Work" (c. 1919-21), Anon Under the capitalist system the conveyor is implemented within the framework of a single enterprise, as a method of internal transport. But the principle of the conveyor as such is much wider. Every separate enterprise receives from without raw materials, fuel, auxiliary materials, and supplemental labor power. The relations between separate enterprises, even the most gigantic, are regulated by laws of the market, although it is true that these laws are in many instances limited by various kinds of long-term agreements. But every factory taken separately, and even more so society as a whole, is interested in the fact that raw material is supplied on time, that it doesn't lie about in warehouses or create hold-ups in production, that is, in other words, that it yields to the principle of the conveyor, in full correspondence to the rhythm of production. In this there is no need to always imagine the conveyor in the form of an endless moving belt. Its forms can be of limitless diversity. A railway, if it is working according to plan, i.e., without cross-hauling, without seasonal accumulation of loads, in short, without the elements of capitalist anarchy, and under socialism a railway will work in precisely this way is a powerful conveyor, guaranteeing the timely supply of factories with raw materials, fuel, materials and people. The same thing applies to steamships, trucks, and so forth. All forms of communication will become elements of transport for the inner system of production from the standpoint of the planned economy as a whole. Oil pipelines are a kind of conveyor for liquid substances. The more widespread the grid of oil pipelines, the less we need reservoirs, and the smaller is the portion of oil which turns into dead capital. The conveyor system by no means assumes the crowding together of enterprises. On the contrary, modern technology allows their dispersion, not, of course, in a chaotic and random manner, but taking into strict account the most appropriate place (Standort) for each separate factory. The possibility of the wide distribution of industrial enterprises, without which it is impossible to dissolve the city into the village, and the village into the city, is largely guaranteed by electrical energy as a motive force. Metal cables are the most sophisticated conveyor of energy, making it possible to divide motive force into the smallest units, putting it to work or turning it off by simply pressing a button. It is precisely with these characteristics that the energy "conveyor" comes into the most hostile collision with the limitations of private property. In its present development, electricity is the most "socialistic" sector of technology. And it is no wonder, for it is its most advanced sector. Gigantic land improvement systems for proper irrigation or drainage are, from this standpoint, the water conveyors of agriculture. The more that chemistry, machine-building and electrification liberate land cultivation from the action of the elements, thereby guaranteeing the highest level of planning, the more completely will today's "village economy" be integrated into the system of a socialist conveyor which regulates and coordinates all production, starting from the subsoil (the extraction of coal and ore) and the soil (plowing and sowing of the fields). On the basis of his conveyor experience, old man Ford is trying to construct something of a social philosophy. In this attempt we see an extremely curious mixture of production and administrative experience on an exceptionally grand scale with the unbearable narrowness of a self-satisfied philistine who, while becoming a millionaire, has merely remained a petty-bourgeois with lots of money. Ford says: "If you want riches for yourself and well-being for your fellow citizens, act like I do." Kant demanded that every person act so that his behavior might become a norm for others. In the philosophical sense, Ford is a Kantian. But the practical "norm" for Ford's 200,000 workers is not Ford's behavior, but the motion of his automated conveyor: it determines the rhythm of their lives, the movement of their hands, feet and thoughts. For the "well-being of fellow citizens," Fordism must be separated from Ford; it must be socialized and purified. And socialism will do this. "But what about the monotony of labor, depersonalized and despiritualized by the conveyor?" asks one of the notes from the audience. This concern is not serious. If you think it through to the end and talk it over, then it is mainly directed against the division of labor and against machinery in general. This is a reactionary path. Socialism and resistance to machinery have never had anything in common, nor will they ever. The fundamental, most crucial and most important task is the elimination of want. It is necessary that human labor gives as great a quantity of products as possible. Bread, boots, clothing, newspapers, all that is necessary should be produced in such quantity that no one fears that he will go without. We must eliminate want, and along with it, greed. We must win prosperity, leisure, and along with them, the joy of living for all. A high productivity of labor is unattainable without mechanization and automation, the finished expression of which is the conveyor. The monotony of labor will be compensated by its shortening duration and by its growing ease. Society will always have branches of industry which demand individual creativity; that is where those will go who find their calling in production. We are talking, of course, about the most basic type of production in its most important branches, until, in any case, new chemical and energy revolutions in technology topple today's forms of mechanization. But we will let the future worry about that. Travel in a rowboat demands great personal creativity. Travel on a steamship is "more monotonous," but more comfortable and reliable. Besides, you really won't make it across the ocean in a rowboat. And we must cross the ocean of human want. Everyone knows that physical needs are much more limited than spiritual ones. The excessive satisfaction of physical needs quickly leads to satiety. Spiritual needs know no boundaries. But for spiritual needs to flourish, the full satisfaction of physical needs is required. Of course, we cannot, nor do we, postpone the struggle for raising the spiritual level of the masses until the time when we have no unemployment, homelessness or poverty. Everything that can be done, must be done. But it would be a wretched and contemptible pipe-dream to think that we can create a genuinely new culture before we secure the prosperity, abundance and leisure of the popular masses. We can and will verify our progress as it is expressed in the everyday life of the worker and peasant. The Cultural Revolution I think that it is now clear to everyone that the creation of a new culture is not an independent task which is completed apart from our economic work and social or cultural construction as a whole. Is trade part of "proletarian culture?" From an abstract point of view, we would have to answer this question negatively. But an abstract point of view won't do here. In the transitional epoch, moreover in the initial stage in which we are located, products assume and will long continue to do so the social form of the commodity. But the commodity must be treated properly, that is, we must be able to sell and buy it. Without this, we will never move from the initial stage into the next. Lenin said that we must learn to trade, and he recommended that we learn from the European cultural examples. The culture of trading, as we now know quite well, is one of the most important components of the culture of the transitional period. Whether we will call the culture of trade associated with the workers state and cooperation "proletarian culture" I don't know. But that it is a step toward socialist culture is beyond dispute. When Lenin spoke of the cultural revolution, he saw its basic content as raising the cultural level of the masses. The metric system is a product of bourgeois science. But to teach one hundred million peasants this uncomplicated system of measures means to accomplish a great revolutionary and cultural task. It is almost beyond doubt that we will not achieve this without the tractor and without electric energy. The basis of culture is technology. The decisive instrument of the cultural revolution must be the revolution in technology. With regard to capitalism, we say that the development of the productive forces is being held up by the social forms of the bourgeois state and bourgeois property. Having carried out the proletarian revolution, we say that the development of social forms is being held up by the development of productive forces, i.e., by technology. The great link in the chain, which, if seized hold of can produce the cultural revolution, is the link of industrialisation but by no means the link of literature or philosophy. I hope that these words will not be understood as an ill-meaning or disrespectful attitude toward philosophy and poetry. Without generalizing thought and without art, human life would be bare and poverty-stricken. But after all, that, to a large degree, is how life is now for millions of people. The cultural revolution must consist in opening up the possibility that they can truly gain access to culture, and not just its leftover stubs. But this is impossible without creating the greatest material preconditions. That is why a machine which automatically produces bottles is for us at the present moment a first-rate factor in the cultural revolution, while an heroic poem is only a tenth-rate factor. Marx once said that philosophers had sufficiently interpreted the world, and that the task now was to turn it upside down. In these words there was by no means a lack of respect for philosophy. Marx was himself one of the most powerful philosophers of all time. His words simply meant that the further development of philosophy, and of culture as a whole, both material and spiritual, demands a revolution in social relations. And therefore Marx appealed from philosophy to the proletarian revolution, not against philosophy, but for it. In the same sense, we can now say: it's fine when poets sing of the revolution and proletariat; but it is even better when a powerful turbine does the singing. We have many songs of mediocre value which remain the property of small circles. We have terribly few turbines. By this I don't want to say that mediocre poems hinder the appearance of turbines. No, such an assertion cannot be made. But the correct orientation of public opinion, i.e., an understanding of the true correlation of phenomena the whys and wherefores is absolutely necessary. We must understand the cultural revolution not in a superficial idealistic way nor in the spirit of small circles. We are talking about changing the conditions of life, the methods of work and the everyday habits of a great people, of a whole family of peoples. Only a powerful system of tractors which will for the first time in history allow the peasant to straighten his back; only a glass-blowing machine which produces hundreds of thousands of bottles and frees the lungs of the glassblower; only a turbine of tens and hundreds of thousands of horsepower; only an airplane accessible to all; only all these things together will guarantee the cultural revolution and not for the minority but for all. Only this kind of cultural revolution deserves the name. Only on its foundations will a new philosophy and a new art begin to flourish. Marx said: "The dominant ideas of an epoch are the ideas of the ruling class of the given epoch." This is also true with regard to the proletariat, but in quite a different way than with other classes. Having seized power, the bourgeoisie tried to perpetuate it. Its entire culture was adapted to this purpose. Having taken power, the proletariat must inevitably strive to shorten the period of its rule as much as possible, by drawing nigh the classless socialist society. The Culture of Morals To trade in a cultured way means, among other things, not to deceive, that is, to break with our national trading tradition: "If you don't deceive, you won't make a sale." Lying and deceiving is not just a personal flaw, but a function (or action) of the social order. Lying is a means of struggle, and consequently, it flows from contradiction of interests. The most basic contradictions flow from class relations. Of course, one could say that deception is older than class society. Even animals display "cunning" and deception in the struggle for existence. Deception military cunning played no small role in the life of primitive tribes. Such deception still more or less flowed directly from the zoological struggle for existence. But from the moment when "civilized," i.e. class society arrived, the lie became horribly more complicated, turned into a social function, split along class lines and also became part of human "culture." But this is the part of culture which socialism will not accept. Relations in either socialist or communist society, i.e., in socialist society's highest development, will be thoroughly transparent and will not require such auxiliary methods as deception, lies, falsification, forgery, treachery and perfidy. "A book is a clear blow to drunkenness: The world's first book lottery" (1930), Anon However, we are still a long way from that. In our relations and morals there are still many lies rooted both in serfdom and the bourgeois order. The highest expression of serfdom's ideology is religion. The relations in feudal-monarchal society were based on blind tradition and elevated to the level of religious myth. A myth is the imaginary and false interpretation of natural phenomena and social institutions in their interconnection. However, not only the deceived, that is, the oppressed masses, but also those in whose name the deception was carried out the rulers, for the most part believed in the myth and relied upon it in good conscience. An objectively false ideology, woven out of superstitions, does not necessarily signify subjective mendacity. Only to the extent that social relations become more complex, that is, to the extent that the bourgeois social order develops, with which religious myth comes into ever growing contradiction, religion becomes the source of ever greater cunning and more refined deception. Developed bourgeois ideology is rationalistic and directed against mythology. The radical bourgeoisie tried to make do without religion and build a state based on reason rather than tradition. An expression of this was democracy with its principles of liberty, equality and fraternity. The capitalist economy, however, created a monstrous contradiction between everyday reality and democratic principles. A higher grade form of lying is required to fill up this contradiction. Nowhere do people lie more politically than in bourgeois democracies. And this is no longer the objective "lying" of mythology, but the consciously organized deception of the people, using combined methods of extraordinary complexity. The technology of the lie is cultivated no less than the technology of electricity. The most "developed" democracies, France and the United States, possess the most deceitful press. But at the same time and this we must openly acknowledge in France they trade more honestly than we do, and, in any case, with incomparably more attention paid to the buyer. Having achieved a certain level of well-being, the bourgeoisie renounces the swindling methods of primary accumulation, not from any abstract moral considerations, but for material reasons: petty deception, forgery and avariciousness spoil the reputation of an enterprise and undermine its future. The principles of "honest" trade, flowing from the interests of trade itself at a certain level of its development, enter into morals, become "moral" rules and are controlled by public opinion. True, in this area, too, the imperialist war introduced colossal changes, throwing Europe way back. But the post-war "stabilization" efforts of capitalism overcame the most malignant forms of savagery in trading. In any case, if we take our Soviet trading as a whole, that is, from the factory to the consumer in the distant village, then we must say that we trade in an immeasurably less cultured way than the advanced capitalist countries. This flows from our poverty, from the shortage of commodities, and from our economic and cultural backwardness. The regime of proletarian dictatorship is irreconcilably hostile both to the objectively false mythology of the Middle Ages and to the conscious deceitfulness of capitalist democracy. The revolutionary regime is vitally interested in laying bare social relations rather than masking them over. This means that it is interested in political honesty, in saying what is. But we must not forget that the regime of revolutionary dictatorship is a transitional regime, and consequently, a contradictory one. The presence of powerful enemies forces us to use military cunning, and cunning is inseparable from lying. Our only need is that the cunning employed in the struggle against our enemies does not mislead our own people, that is, the laboring masses and their party. This is a basic demand of revolutionary politics which can be seen throughout all of Lenin's work. But while our new state and social forms are creating the possibility and necessity of a greater degree of honesty than has ever been achieved between rulers and ruled, the same cannot be said about our relations of common, everyday life; here our economic and cultural backwardness and in general our entire heritage from the past continues to exert enormous pressure. We live much better than in 1920. But the shortage of the most necessary among life's blessings still leaves its mark on our life and on our morals, and will continue to do so for many years to come. From here flow the large and small contradictions, the large and small disproportions, the struggle tied to the contradictions, and the cunning, lies and deception all tied to the struggle. Here, too, there is only one escape: raising the level of our technology, both in production and in trade. A correct orientation along these lines should by itself contribute to the betterment of our "morals." The interaction between rising technology and morals will advance us along the way to a social structure of civilized cooperators, that is, to a socialist culture. Notes [1] Famusov is a main character in Griboedov's play, Woe from Wit (1824). A highly placed Moscow bureaucrat and careerist, he is particularly ingratiating before his superiors and arrogant toward his subordinates. As an arch-conservative, he fears nothing more than innovation and "free-thinking." Lenin used the reference in an interesting passage: "Our party Famusovs are not against playing the role of sharp and ruthless fighters for Marxism, but when it comes to factional favoritism, they are not against camouflaging the most serious retreats from Marxism!" (V. I. Lenin, "From the Editors," PSS, vol. 17, p.185) [Ashukin & Ashukina, Krylatye slova, M., 1986, p.657]. [2] Of course, the cultivation of a pseudo-Freudianism as erotic overindulgence or mischief has nothing in common with this question. Such wagging of the tongue bears no relation to science, and represents only decadent moods: the center of gravity is shifted from the brain to the spinal cord... L.T. Revolutionary communists from across Ireland gathered in Dublin on the 5th and 6th of April for the historic second Congress of the Revolutionary Communists of Ireland! [Originally published at communism.ie] With 50 comrades in attendance throughout the weekend, we took stock of the significant progress made over the past year: the expansion of our organisation into Derry, Sligo, Wicklow, Meath, Cork, Limerick, Wexford, and Kildare, as well as growing stronger roots in Dublin, Belfast and Galway. Most importantly, we have now surpassed the milestone of 50 active communists in Ireland! And such was the enthusiasm at the event, that we raised a staggering 10,700 to fund the struggle for communism here in Ireland, including 850 in revolutionary literature sales! Since our Congress last year, our organisation has grown by more than 50 percent / Image: Revolutionary Communists of Ireland Since our Congress last year, our organisation has grown by more than 50 percent, with the introduction of the Congress celebrating this incredible fact: we now have 56 active members in Ireland! This is historic growth for our organisation that did not exist even a few years ago, and is a testament of the correctness of the ideas of genuine Marxism and the methods of Bolshevism! At last years Congress, we resolved to significantly grow our organisation, launch our own website, to begin the circulation of our paper as a quarterly publication, and to hire our first full-time revolutionary paid in full just by our memberss contributions. All of which we have achieved! The tasks imposed upon revolutionary communists by history are great, and we must strive to rise to the occasion / Image: Revolutionary Communists of Ireland Yet we are far from complacent. The tasks imposed upon revolutionary communists by history are great, and we must strive to rise to the occasion. Thus, by the next Congress, we have resolved to grow our organisation to 100 members, hire our second full-time revolutionary, relaunch our newspaper as a bi-monthly publication, and materialise our ideas by establishing a revolutionary HQ in Dublin! A new epoch in world capitalism We opened our Congress with a discussion on World Perspectives. One thing is clear: we are not living through ordinary times. The epoch of so-called normal capitalist politics is over, and we are witnessing the death throes of the liberal world-order order and the convulsions of a system in terminal decline. Throughout the discussion, comrades outlined the deepening crisis of US imperialism. Once the unrivalled master of global capitalism, the American empire is now a declining colossus, battered by internal decay and geopolitical fragmentation. Donald Trumps doubling down on protectionism is precisely a qualitative expression of the relative decline of the US as the sole world superpower. The epoch of so-called normal capitalist politics is over, and we are witnessing the death throes of the liberal world-order / Image: Revolutionary Communists of Ireland The European Union the USs historic ally, is increasingly finding itself at odds with the US. The illusion of Western unity lies in tatters. What we are witnessing is nothing less than the disintegration of the post-war liberal world order. At the heart of this global turmoil lies the objective crisis of capitalism itself. The 2008 financial crash marked a historical turning point laying bare the fundamental contradictions of the system. However, the ruling class staved off this collapse by injecting trillions into the veins of finance capital, but this only deferred the crisis while inflating a debt bubble of unprecedented proportions. That bubble is now threatening to burst with ever renewed force, potentially dragging the entire system into a spiralling crisis. Globalisation, once heralded as capitalisms saving grace, is now reversing and becoming its opposite. The very imperialists who once extolled the virtues of free trade and open markets now scramble to erect protectionist walls, unable to compete on a world scale. The contradiction between the nation state and internationalised production is becoming ever more explosive, threatening to tear the system apart at the seams. But the masses are beginning to stir. A burning anger simmers beneath the surface which is stirring leaps in consciousness amongst the working class and youth. It was highlighted in the discussion how in the absence of a revolutionary alternative, this class rage is finding outlets in distorted form, specifically in the rise of right-wing demagogues. The rise of figures like Trump is not a sign of capitalist strength, but of its crisis. Our task is to prepare the revolutionary forces capable of intervening into the movement, to provide leadership to the working class, and to bring about the final overthrow of this rotten system through socialist revolution. Ireland and the period ahead Ireland is far from immune to this crisis. As we highlighted during our second session on Irish Perspectives, Ireland is incredibly vulnerable to shifts in global relations. Ireland finds itself ensnared between three contending imperialist blocs: US, Britain and EU. The so-called economic miracle of the Celtic Tiger, built on foreign direct investment, is rapidly unravelling. The Irish ruling class, paralysed by this growing contradiction, have no strategic response. In the face of rising protectionism, what was once Irelands greatest strength, is turning into its greatest weakness. The only viable path to Irish unity is through revolution / Image: Revolutionary Communists of Ireland Economically, despite the official statistics of GDP growth, the material conditions of the working class continue to deteriorate. Real wages are stagnating or falling, disposable income is declining, and over one million people in the South now live in poverty. Housing, healthcare, and public services are in profound crisis. In the North, this crisis is further compounded by the unresolved national question. Decades of capitalist mismanagement has left the North filled with flammable material. Infrastructure is decaying, from the NHS to the roads, while the housing crisis continues to worsen. The DUP, wracked with scandals, has left a vacuum for the more extreme wing of unionism to step into. With the question of the border once again on the agenda at the behest of Trumps tariffs, this contradiction threatens to burst asunder once again. And yet more austerity is on the agenda. Sinn Fein, have accepted the conditions of the imperialists and cultivate illusions that a united Ireland can be achieved by constitutional means. But capitalism cannot deliver. The only viable path to Irish unity is through revolution. Only the overthrow of capitalism across the island by a conscious and united working class can break the chains of partition, and set about the forging of a 32-county Socialist United Ireland. The tasks of communists in 2025 The second day of our Congress began with a discussion on the organisational tasks necessary to build a party capable of overthrowing capitalism. While the current organisation of 56 comrades is an important achievement, it is merely a starting point. To achieve our revolutionary aims, we must rapidly expand both qualitatively and quantitatively. Our immediate task is to train every comrade in the methods of party building, revolutionary theory, and Bolshevism. Each comrade is not just a member, but a potential cadre in the struggle for socialism. To meet the needs of the coming revolution, we must aim to become an organisation of hundreds and then thousands. Every new recruit represents a step forward in building the future vanguard of the working class. The Revolutionary Communists of Ireland are not only growing in numbers, but in determination and willingness to smash through every obstacle / Image: Revolutionary Communists of Ireland To this end, the Congress resolved to reach 100 comrades by our next gathering and to ensure that every comrade is fully developed into a Marxist cadre. This requires not only theoretical education but a deep understanding of our practical tasks and the need to develop revolutionary leadership at every level. Additionally, we resolved to relaunch our publication, The Revolutionary Communist at a higher frequency. Currently a quarterly, it will now become a bi-monthly, with the aim of moving to a monthly as soon as possible after that. The rapid developments in society demand a revolutionary press that can offer timely and sharp commentary on the unfolding situation. Achieving these goals requires sacrifices, both material and organisationally. As Cicero famously stated, Finance is the sinews of war. And we are waging a war, the most just of all: the class war! To translate our ideas into a material force, we require material means. This is why our financial independence is critical to our survival and growth. Earlier this year, we achieved a significant milestone by recruiting our first full-time revolutionary, funded entirely by the dues of our members. This marks a huge step forward in building the material foundation for our work. But we are not stopping here. The Congress has resolved to hire a second full-time revolutionary and to begin the development of a revolutionary centre in Dublin a physical hub and symbol of the advance of revolutionary communism in Ireland. The dedication of our comrades is unquestionable. During our financial collection, where we aimed to raise 6,000 for our fighting fund, we surpassed that target by a significant margin and raised about 9,000! This shows that the Revolutionary Communists of Ireland are not only growing in numbers, but in determination and willingness to smash through every obstacle in front of us too! We need to prepare for the titanic events to come. A world party of revolution The final session at our Congress centred on reports from the rest of the International. The struggle to build the Revolutionary Communists of Ireland is not a struggle to create a separate Irish movement, but part of the global struggle for world communism as part of the Revolutionary Communist International. The discussion centred on the work of our International over the recent period, and on where we have come from, specifically the tireless work of Ted Grant, whose efforts ensured the survival of genuine Marxism during the post-war period. Now is the time of action. Not just to vote on targets but to head out with audacity to fulfil them / Image: Revolutionary Communists of Ireland The growth of the Revolutionary Communist International reflects both the deep crisis of capitalism, and the correctness of our methods. Comrades reported that over the past few years, our international membership grew from 2,600 to over 6,800 comrades, with significant gains in countries like Britain, the US, Mexico, and Pakistan. What is clear across our International, is that our strength lies in our unwavering commitment to orthodox Marxism. Here in Ireland, our task is the same. To build a party that can overthrow capitalism when the time comes. Each and every session of our Congress, each and every resolution, discussion, and vote contributed to this goal. Now is the time of action. Not just to vote on targets but to head out with audacity to fulfil them. This second Congress is set to act as a launchpad for our work in the period ahead. Forward to 100 members! Forward to building the Revolutionary Communists of Ireland! The armed separatist group, known as Polisario, is an Algerian proxy and a vestige of the Cold War that has no legitimacy in claiming to represent the Sahrawi people, US Think Tank The Middle East Forum said in a new analysis by Michael Rubin. Algeria founded the group, and the Soviet Union and Cuba supported it, to use as a proxy against Morocco, Michael Rubin said in the analysis. After stating facets that make the Polisario an affront to human rights, Rubin notes that the Polisario has no right in claiming to represent the Sahrawi people, given the fact that no one voted for them. The Polisario, a group that engages in aid embezzlement in full sight of the UN, is challenged by Sahrawis themselves. A new grassroots group, the Sahrawi Movement for Peace, has called on the UN Secretary General to persuade his Envoy to invite them as a fully recognized interlocutor in the political process, along with tribal leaders, instead of listening to the Polisario only because it has arms and rear bases in Algeria with no support among the Sahrawis themselves. The Sahrawi Movement for Peace is recognized by the Socialist International, he said, adding that the organization represents more the center-left than the hardcore socialism of the Cold War, and so Socialist Internationals endorsement of the Sahrawi Movement for Peace follows the imprimatur Social International once gave Jalal Talabanis Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio should demand that U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pay heed to the Sahrawis for Peace Movement and immediately cut off any recognition of the Polisario Front as the Sahrawis representative, he said. Its time to end the fiction that the Polisario Front represents the Sahrawis and allow one of the last Cold War relics to fade into history, Rubin made it clear. Tanzanian opposition leader Tundu Lissu has been charged with treason, one day after his arrest following a rally in the southern part of the country. The charges stem from his nationwide No Reforms, No Election campaign, which authorities claim incites public opposition to the upcoming October elections. Lissu, who leads the Chadema party, has been advocating for substantial electoral reforms before Tanzanians go to the polls later this year, when he is expected to challenge incumbent President Samia Suluhu Hassan. His campaign specifically targets the composition of the electoral commission, arguing that it should not include presidential appointees. This latest legal challenge comes at a critical juncture in Tanzanias political landscape. When President Samia took office in 2021 following the death of her predecessor John Magufuli, she initially garnered praise for reversing some of his authoritarian policies. However, her administration has since faced criticism as opposition figures have experienced arrests and alleged abductions. Lissu has a history of persecution under previous administrations. In 2017, during Magufulis presidency, he survived an assassination attempt where he was shot 16 times, prompting him to seek exile abroad. He briefly returned in 2020 to contest elections against Magufuli but left again after citing electoral irregularities. Following reforms introduced by President Samia that promised greater political freedom, Lissu returned to Tanzania in 2023. Tensions escalated Thursday when police dispersed Chadema supporters with tear gas as they attempted to hold a press conference regarding Lissus arrest. We are surprised that the police are harassing us when our rallies are peaceful, one supporter told the BBC. We know the ruling party, CCM, is behind all this. We will fight for changes before elections. Rights groups have condemned the governments actions, with a lawyers association characterizing Lissus arrest as an abuse of power reflecting a lack of political tolerance. Lissus treason case has been adjourned until April 24. Cote dIvoire, the worlds largest cocoa producer, has warned it may take measures to increase cocoa prices if the United States implements recently announced tariffs, Agriculture Minister Kobenan Kouassi Adjoumani told reporters in Abidjan on Thursday. The Trump administration last week proposed 21% import duties on Ivorian goodsthe highest rate among West African nationsas part of a broader tariff strategy targeting dozens of countries. President Trump has since announced a 90-day pause on these tariffs, providing a temporary reprieve while negotiations continue. When you tax our product that we export to your country, we will increase the price of cocoa and that will have a repercussion on the price to the consumer, Kouassi stated, urging Washington to reconsider the proposed measures. While Cote dIvoire cannot directly set global cocoa prices, which are determined by international markets, the country could potentially raise export taxes on cocoa beans, effectively making the commodity more expensive for consumers worldwide. Its the end consumer who will be harmed, Kouassi emphasized. The stakes are significant for both countries. According to data from the Coffee and Cocoa Council (CCC), Cote dIvoires exports between 200,000 and 300,000 metric tons of cocoa to the United States annually, representing a substantial portion of the beans used in Americas chocolate industry. In what appears to be a strategic response to potential U.S. trade barriers, Kouassi indicated that Cote dIvoire would seek stronger ties with the European Union to ensure alternative markets for its cocoa exports. If our products are not accepted in the United States, the EU can recover all of them, he said, suggesting the country is prepared to redirect its valuable commodity to more favorable markets if necessary. The threatened tariffs come at a sensitive time for global cocoa markets, which are already experiencing record high prices due to crop shortfalls in West Africa, caused by adverse weather conditions and plant diseases. Tunisian authorities have launched a large-scale operation to dismantle dozens of makeshift camps along the Mediterranean coastline, which have been home to thousands of African migrants. These camps, located on privately owned land near the towns of El Amra and Jebeniana, have been the site of increasing tensions and violent altercations between migrants and local residents. The camps are situated less than 161 kilometres from Italy, which is part of the European Unions outermost borders. Officials have suggested that more than 20,000 people have been sheltering in these areas, prompting concerns over safety and the rising number of migrants attempting to reach Europe. Brigadier General Hossam Eddine Jababli, spokesperson for Tunisias National Guard, stated that the operation aimed to ensure the health and safety of both migrants and local communities. During the sweeps, roughly 200 migrants from sub-Saharan countries were detained, and authorities reported seizing bladed weapons from the camps. There are concerns that some of these individuals may have been planning violent actions, and deportations could follow for those deemed responsible. The Tunisian government has also intensified efforts to prevent migrants from crossing the Mediterranean to Italy, a journey that remains perilous, with 432 migrants already arriving in Italy by the end of February 2025. The dismantling of the camps has sparked mixed reactions. While local lawmakers and residents have voiced concerns about the camps impact on their communities, international migration organizations have raised fears of forced expulsions. As authorities work to relocate migrants to state-owned land in Bir Mellouli, southwest of Sfax, there are growing apprehensions about the safety and treatment of those displaced. Social media has been rife with messages warning migrants not to trust authorities, fearing deceitful deportations to neighboring countries like Algeria or Libya. Despite these fears, President Kais Saied assured the public that the operation was conducted without violence and was in line with humanitarian principles, aiming to remove migrants from private property and address local concerns. South Sudans President, Salva Kiir, announced the dismissal of the countrys Foreign Minister, Ramadan Mohammed Abdallah Goc, in a presidential decree. The decree, aired through the South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation, revealed that Abdallah would be replaced by Semaya Kumba, although no official reasons were provided for the change. Before his new appointment, Semaya Kumba served as South Sudans deputy foreign minister since April 2024, becoming a familiar figure within the nations diplomatic circles. He had also served as the countrys ambassador to China. Ramadan Abdallah Goc had only assumed office as foreign minister on April 24, 2024, and his sudden dismissal raises questions about the internal political dynamics within South Sudan. The lack of a formal explanation for the reshuffle has left many speculating about the reasons behind the swift change at such a critical time. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A) A diffusion model was trained on real LGE-MRI distributions and generated synthetic fibrosis distributions from Gaussian noise. (B) These fibrosis distributions were incorporated into bi-atrial meshes derived from a statistical shape model. LA/RA, left/right atrium. Credit: Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2025.1512356 Researchers from Queen Mary University of London have developed an AI tool that creates synthetic yet medically accurate models of fibrotic heart tissue (heart scarring), aiding treatment planning for atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. The study, published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, could lead to more personalized care for patients affected by this common heart rhythm disorder. Fibrosis refers to scar tissue that develops in the heart, often as a result of aging, long-term stress or the AF condition itself. These patches of stiff, fibrous tissue disrupt the heart's electrical system, potentially causing the irregular heartbeat characteristic of AF. Currently assessed through specialized MRI scans (LGE-MRI), the pattern and distribution of this scarring significantly influences treatment outcomes. Atrial fibrillation is frequently treated with ablationa procedure where doctors create small, controlled scars to block erratic electrical signals. However, success rates vary considerably, and predicting which approach will work best for individual patients remains challenging. While AI has shown promise in forecasting outcomes, its development has been hampered by limited access to high-quality patient imaging data. "LGE-MRI provides vital information about heart fibrosis, but obtaining enough scans for comprehensive AI training is challenging," explains first author Dr. Alexander Zolotarev of Queen Mary University of London. "We trained an AI model on just 100 real LGE-MRI scans from AF patients. The system then generated 100 additional synthetic fibrosis patterns that accurately mimic real heart scarring. These virtual models were used to simulate how different ablation strategies might perform across varied patient anatomies." The team's advanced diffusion model produced synthetic fibrosis distributions that matched real patient data with exceptional accuracy. When these AI-created patterns were applied to 3D heart models and tested against various ablation approaches, the resulting predictions proved nearly as reliable as those using genuine patient data. Crucially, this method protects patient privacy while enabling researchers to study a much broader range of cardiac scenarios than conventional methods allow. The research highlights AI's emerging role as a clinical support tool rather than a decision-maker. "This isn't about replacing doctors' judgment," Dr. Zolotarev emphasizes. "It's about providing clinicians with a sophisticated simulatorallowing them to test different treatment approaches on a digital model of each patient's unique heart structure before performing the actual procedure." This work forms part of Dr. Caroline Roney's UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship project, which aims to develop personalized 'digital twin' heart models for AF patients. Dr. Caroline Roney of Queen Mary University of London, lead author of the study, said, "We're very excited about this research as it addresses the challenge of limited clinical data for cardiac digital twin models. Our key development enables large scale in silico trials and patient-specific modeling aimed at creating more personalized treatments for atrial fibrillation patients." With atrial fibrillation affecting 1.4 million people in UK and ablation failing in half of cases, the technology could significantly reduce repeat procedures. Importantly, the AI approach addresses two critical health care challenges: limited patient data availability and the ethical need to protect sensitive medical information. More information: Alexander M. Zolotarev et al, Synthetic fibrosis distributions for data augmentation in predicting atrial fibrillation ablation outcomes: an in silico study, Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2025.1512356 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: SHVETS production from Pexels A day after Tierra Jackson gave birth to her third child last November, she began to repeatedly complain about chest pains to her nurse, who then advised her that the feeling was normal after childbirth. Jackson was discharged from a North Texas hospital, despite her concerns, and sent home. Her mother, Nicole Berryman, said that just days after Jackson was discharged, she experienced severe chest pains that triggered a heart attack, landing her back in the hospital. Berryman said although the hospital staff dispensed several different medications for her daughter's pain, they failed to properly diagnose her. "They were treating the pain, but never the problem," Berryman said. "When they administered the morphine, she passed away three minutes later." Berryman believes that her 26-year-old daughter was given too much medication and that her case was handled negligently. Black women in the U.S. are three to four times more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death than white women, according to data from the National Institutes of Health. Berryman said she believes that if her daughter had been white, then things probably would have ended differently for her. "If she was a white woman laying there, they would have been very proactive," she said. "But everything was slow moving. They didn't take her pain serious." On Tuesday, Viola's House, in collaboration with United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and Parkland Health, held a panel discussion to address the disparities in maternal health care for Black women and the increased risks of maternal mortality, and to issue of a call to action to improve the outcomes for Black mothers in Dallas. The event was held to spotlight the upcoming Black Maternal Health Week, which is April 1117. According to the National Institutes of Health, maternal mortality is generally considered the death of a woman due to the complications of pregnancy or childbirth that occur either during the pregnancy or within six weeks after. "It's a crisis What we've been talking about today speaks to the tragedy," said Kaycee Polite, chief operations officer for Viola's House. "When we think about the families, the lives that are impactednot just our communities, not just the ones that lost their livesthis is a ripple effect that will impact generations. This is serious." 'We're dying unnecessarily' Texas is ranked as one of the worst states in the country for maternal mortality cases. According to data from KFF, Texas had the highest number of deaths between 2018-22 at 532. Florida was the second highest with 263 deaths over the same period. The national maternal mortality rate in 2023 was 18.6 deaths per 100,000 live births, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The disparity for Black women was much higher compared to other races. In 2023, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births and was significantly higher than rates for white women at 14.5, Hispanic women at 12.4 and Asian women at 10.7, according to the CDC. There is no singular factor that could explain why the maternal mortality rate for Black women is significantly higher than the national rate, because it is a combination of factors, Dr. Taibat Eribo, an OB-GYN and medical director of Women's Health Services at HHM Health, said. However, as the panelfull of physicians and health care professionalsdiscussed the reason this is an ongoing issue, there seemed to be one common denominator: Black women are often disregarded and their pain and the things they are experiencing are minimized. "Not only are we facing disparities and social determinants of health, but we have cultural bias that we bring to care," Eribo said. Cessilye R. Smith, CEO of Abide Women's Health Services in South Dallas, said the maternal mortality rate in Black women is and continues to be high, because "whiteness is centered." "As long as whiteness is centered, Black women will continue to die," Smith said. "It's systemic racism. It is biases in health care that are contributing to these deaths." She added that Black women deserve quality care that centers cultural humility and is respectful and honoring of their humanity. Black Maternal Health Week is important, because Black women matter, Smith said. "Because we matter. Because we're dying unnecessarily," she said. "Because it's commendable, and because when we care for black women, we care for all womenthe rates improve, period." Call to action There are several ways peoplecommunity members, leaders and health care professionalscan improve maternal health outcomes for Black women. The panelists concluded that the following are ways to help: Know the resources. Join community advisory boards for major organizations and take note of the nonprofits throughout the community that are helping the cause. Attend appointments with loved ones, take notes and be their advocate. Be your own advocate. Take charge of your own health care. Educate others about Black maternal health. "We need to educate everyone about the death rates of Black women surrounding childbirth, and so it's important to have these uncomfortable conversations and to let everybody know what's going on," said LaSteshia Ekeocha, nurse practitioner and clinic manager at Parkland Health. "That's why we're celebrating, and that's why we're educating." 2025 The Dallas Morning News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain Fluoride in drinking water has become a highly charged topic in recent weeks. In March, Utah became the first state to prohibit the addition of fluoride to the state's public water systems, a move praised by U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy. However, some health groups are raising the alarm. The American Dental Association continues to push for water fluoridation, saying a ban on the practice would hurt people, cost money and eventually harm the economy. Tao Wen is an assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences in Syracuse University's College of Arts and Sciences. His research specialties include water sustainability and the connection between energy, agriculture, urbanization and water quality. Professor Wen answered four questions about the use of fluoride in public drinking water, discussing how his research group studies water quality. Q: What are some general facts people should know about the use of fluoride in public water? A: In general, you don't want too much or too little fluoride in drinking water, including the water provided through the public water system. Too little fluoride in drinking water can cause tooth cavities. Fluoride is added to many public water systems in the U.S. to help prevent tooth decay. This practice, known as community water fluoridation, has been endorsed by numerous health organizations for its dental health benefits. Too much fluoride in drinking water can contribute to dental and skeletal fluorosis. It is important to note that not all drinking water systems are fluoridated. Fluoride in water can come from different sources. Generally, it can occur naturally, particularly in certain geological settings and/or originate from human sources. Q: What is considered a 'safe' amount of fluoride? What are signs or indicators that there is an unsafe amount in a water source? A: The U.S. Public Health Service recommends an optimal fluoride concentration of 0.7 mg/L to balance the benefits of cavity prevention with the risk of dental fluorosisa cosmetic condition caused by excessive fluoride exposure during tooth development. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets an enforceable Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) of 4.0 mg/L to protect against skeletal fluorosis, a bone disease that can result from prolonged exposure to high fluoride levels. In addition, the EPA has a secondary (non-enforceable) standard of 2.0 mg/L to reduce the risk of dental fluorosis in children. The only accurate way to determine fluoride levels in water is through laboratory testing. Individuals can have their private well water tested or consult their local public water supplier for current water quality reports. In some cases, signs of fluoride exposure may include cosmetic changes in teeth, such as white streaks or mottling. A recent study identified several key factors that influence fluoride concentrations in groundwater: pH, total dissolved solids, alkalinity, well depth, water temperature, Ca/Na ratio, mean annual precipitation, and aquifer lithology. Understanding these factors can help infer potential fluoride levels in groundwater, particularly in regions where direct testing is not readily available. Q: In your own research, what do you study or look for as it relates to fluoride in your water samples? A: My research group broadly studies water quality in groundwater and surface water across urban, rural, and natural settings. In one of our recent studies, we monitored surface water quality in an urban watershed in the City of Syracuse to assess the impact of various human infrastructuresincluding cemeterieson solute concentrations. Fluoride was among several ions we tracked. Among the 286 stream water samples collected from February 2022 to January 2023, we did not observe any fluoride concentrations exceeding the EPA's secondary standard of 2 mg/L. Although our primary focus was on nitrate, we found no significant increase in fluoride concentration downstream of the cemetery. This suggests that burial decay products, which could potentially contribute fluoride, were not a dominant source in our study area. Instead, the data suggest that fluoride concentrations varied with river flow and may be influenced by natural (geogenic) sources, among other possible sources. Q: In your academic opinion, why do you think there continues to be this focus on fluoride in drinking water? A: Fluoride remains a topic of public interest and debate for several reasons. First and foremost, it is one of the few substances intentionally added to drinking water for health benefits, which raises important discussions about informed consent and public health policy. Second, concerns about fluoride's safetyespecially at elevated levels in natural groundwaterpersist in both rural areas that rely on unregulated private wells and urban regions served by public water systems. Third, as new research continues to emerge regarding fluoride's sources and potential health effects, there is an ongoing need to reassess guidelines and educate the public. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that the decision to add fluoride to drinking water should be region-specific and science-based. As highlighted in a recent study, fluoride concentrations in groundwater vary significantly across the U.S. The study also found that, on a national scale, most groundwater has fluoride concentrations below 0.7 mg/L. Therefore, in many parts of the country, the greater public health concernif fluoridation is not implementedmay be an increased risk of tooth decay. More information: Samuel Nesheim et al, Assessing impacts of cemeteries on water quality in an urban headwater watershed with mixed humanbuilt infrastructure, Hydrological Processes (2024). DOI: 10.1002/hyp.15128 Peter B. McMahon et al, Fluoride occurrence in United States groundwater, Science of The Total Environment (2020). DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139217 Journal information: Science of the Total Environment Flash The Russian consulate in Istanbul said Thursday that progress has been made on ensuring banking and financial services for Russian and U.S. diplomatic missions during the second round of bilateral talks in Istanbul. Delegations from the two countries "exchanged diplomatic notes to formalise agreed commitments. These commitments are designed to facilitate unimpeded banking and financial services for Russian and American diplomatic missions, in addition to ensuring the fulfillment of the Russian Federation's contributions to the budgets of the UN and other international organisations," the consulate said in a press release. The two sides "agreed to develop a roadmap" regarding the return of six diplomatic real estate properties confiscated by U.S. authorities and lawfully owned by Russia, the consulate said. They also discussed "easing visa processing and travel regulations for diplomatic staff within the host countries," it said, adding that the Russian side urged promoting the resumption of direct air flights between the two countries. The timing of the next round of talks is "currently under coordination," it said. Earlier in the day, the two sides finished their second round of talks on restoring diplomatic missions. The U.S. delegation left the Russian consulate in Istanbul in the afternoon, following approximately five hours of meetings with the Russian side. The primary focus of the discussions is to address issues affecting the functioning of the two countries' embassies and consulates. 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 countries, significantly hindering the ability of their diplomatic missions to function effectively. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain 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 investigator's 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. 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 officialshowever, 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. 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. 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 summerwhich 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. To do so, 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: 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 five minutes. Do not sweep or vacuum the areathat 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. 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 a specific treatment or a cure for the disease, according to the American Lung Association. 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. The ICU treatment may include intubation and oxygen therapy, fluid replacement and the use of medications to lower blood pressure. 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Agrin-dependent matrix mechanosensitizes EGFR to integrin 1. WT and agrin KO cells were plated on 2 or 4 m pillars alone or containing 10 g/mL sAgrin for 46 h. Representative confocal images stained for pEGFR and integrin 1 are shown. The number of co-localized clusters presented as the mean +/ SD, n = 1520 cells/condition, Student's t test, p values indicated. Scale bar: 10 m. White arrows indicate clusters. Credit: Advanced Science (2025). DOI: 10.1002/advs.202413443 Treatment resistance and relapse in the most common type of lung cancer can be traced to a protein called agrin, according to a preclinical study led by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center. Results of the study, led by Sayan Chakraborty, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Oncology, Department of Pharmacology & Therapeutics at Roswell Park, have been published in the journal Advanced Science. Agrin is present on the surface of cells and in the extracellular matrix (ECM), forming a network of proteins and other molecules that fill in the space between cells. Dr. Chakraborty and his team report that mutations in the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) genewhich contribute to the growth of several types of cancerresult in the overexpression of agrin in the ECM, increasing agrin's ability to support the progression of lung adenocarcinoma, the most common type of non-small cell lung cancer. This work identifies a new mechanism by which agrin can support EGFR's ability to promote cancer and therefore is of high clinical importance. "Targeting agrin is expected to fill a major gap in boosting the effectiveness of EGFR therapies, thereby reducing the risk of lung cancer relapse," says Dr. Chakraborty. Using lung cancer cell lines, preclinical models and human specimens, the team demonstrated that progression of the disease can be interrupted with a novel combination therapy aimed at suppressing agrin in the lung cancer environment. EGFR controls tumorigenic agrin expression. Adenovirus-Cre-mediated activation of EGFRL858RT790 M showing the development of tumors in mouse lungs, as represented by HematoxylinEosin-stained images (left). Representative confocal microscopy images showing agrin expression in mouse lungs. Dashed region-Tumor. The mean +/ SD agrin intensity is shown (n = 3 animals per group, Student's t test, p value indicated). Scale bar: 20 m. Credit: Advanced Science (2025). DOI: 10.1002/advs.202413443 "We also anticipate that in the future patients may benefit from a routine blood test that would determine the level of agrin in their serum, indicating their response to EGFR therapies and their potential risk of relapse of progressive lung cancer," he adds. "This would be of great benefit for guiding treatment decisions." Dr. Chakraborty will outline the findings of the study in detail during a poster presentation at the 2025 annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR 2025) at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. He will present the paper "An agrin mechanotransduction for EGFR-addicted cancers" Sunday, April 27, from 25 p.m. CDT in Section 53. More information: Reza Bayat Mokhtari et al, An AgrinYAP/TAZ Rigidity Sensing Module Drives EGFRAddicted Lung Tumorigenesis, Advanced Science (2025). DOI: 10.1002/advs.202413443 Journal information: Advanced Science Provided by Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center 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 Nearly 5 million children in the U.S. have asthma, a disease that narrows the airways. While there's no cure, it can be controlled with anti-inflammatory medications. However, it can be tough for kids to take their daily medication on schedule, especially while they're in school. School-based asthma therapy, or SBAT, is a way to help students breathe easier. SBAT is a program that relies on teamwork between schools, school nurses, health care providers, insurance companies, pharmacies and families. Students say that they like learning to be responsible for taking their medication, they can run around outside, and they feel better when they take their medicine regularly. "We help families get better adherence to kids' asthma control medication regimens by having the school nurses give them their meds on the days that they go to school," said Kimberly Arcoleo, professor at Michigan State University College of Nursing and primary investigator on the new research. "Students get two inhalers with controller medication," she added. "One that goes to school and one that stays home so it doesn't have to move back and forth. The school nurse administers the medication to the kids each school day according to their health care provider's instructions. Some kids need it once a day, some need it twice a day." Arcoleo and her co-researchers' findings were recently published in a paper in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global and detailed SBAT results for children ages 5 to 19 years old in Columbus, Ohio. SBAT's annual average cost of $1,500 per student can save $5,000 to $7,000 in medical expenses per student per year because it significantly reduces asthma symptoms and associated health care costs. The improvement in health among students participating in SBAT was remarkable, Arcoleo said. "In one year, for 633 students, we were able to reduce emergency department visits by 49%, urgent care visits by 41%, hospitalizations by 50% and pediatric intensive care unit admissions by 71%," she explained. "Preliminary analyses show that although the program starts out costing about $3,000 per student annually, the cost drops down to only $500 once the school has their program established," said Arcoleo. Health care savings Controlled asthma means fewer visits for acute medical care, and this results in tremendous savings on health care expenses. Arcoleo and her team identified these savings for each type of medical visit for asthma care averted: Acute care: $100/visit Urgent care: $150/visit Emergency department: $1,993/visit Hospitalization: $14,787/visit Pediatric intensive care unit: $46,961/visit The team also identified these annual savings, which add to over $3.4 million: Emergency department visits: $1,006,833 Hospitalization: $1,210,570 Pediatric intensive care unit: $1,185,369 Parents credit SBAT with fewer trips to the hospital and less time spent away from work. One family mentioned that they hadn't needed to make an emergency trip to their health care provider in almost a year. Reductions in missed class time and behavioral incidents Preliminary data also show a reduction in missed instructional time and behavioral incidents for students who receive SBAT. "For the elementary school kids, we decreased their missed instructional time by 16%," said Arcoleo. "And for the kids in middle school and high school, we decreased their missed instructional time by 25%. Also, behavioral incidents, such as disruptive behavior, fighting and vandalism were reduced by 7%. "This is important from the standpoint of learning," she said. "It's also important for the schools because they get reimbursed by the federal government for attendance. It's a double benefit." Using six years' worth of data already collected, Arcoleo and her team are now doing a more comprehensive economic evaluation that includes medical costs, staff time and missed work time for caregivers. They expect to publish those findings later in 2025. More information: Kimberly Arcoleo et al, School-based asthma therapy: Improving medication adherence, asthma control, and health care utilization, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: Global (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jacig.2025.100428 Seated in a Missoula County courtroom in February, Zachs mother found herself shaking uncontrollably. She later described being terrified for her familys safety as she listened to a judge order her son to serve a sentence in her home despite her pleas to the court. Her 17-year-old had made multiple threats to shoot people, including the instances for which he was being sentenced. Zach had also, according to his parents, set fires in theirs and their neighbors house, run away from home more than a dozen times and was often physically aggressive toward other kids. I was in complete panic, for our safety and our younger kids safety, and for (Zachs) safety, his mother told the Missoulian. But over the protests from his parents, a youth probation officer and the prosecutor, Missoula District Judge John Larson was adamant: The teen should not be sent to Pine Hills, the states prison facility for juvenile criminals on the other side of the state. I believe there is more hope here in the community for him than there is in Miles City, Montana, Larson told the boys mother, according to a transcript of the Feb. 19 hearing. The Missoulian does not name juvenile defendants unless theyve been charged as adults. This story is omitting the names of the parents and using a pseudonym for the youth to protect his identity. Courtrooms often serve as venues for emotional exchanges, but Zachs hearing came amid a series of complaints over Larsons handling of youth court cases. While a pair of official judicial complaints remain confidential, court records indicate a pattern of rulings and courtroom behavior that attorneys have considered highly unusual, and in some cases illegal. The Missoulian previously reported that the judges youth treatment court was transferred to another judges jurisdiction in March after Larson oversaw it for 28 years, the longest tenure of any judge administering the program. Prosecutors, defense attorneys and Missoulas youth probation had all withdrawn from participation in the treatment court five months earlier, citing disagreements with the judge. Larson declined or did not respond to multiple requests to be interviewed by the Missoulian. Illegal youth commitments Larsons decision to step away from his treatment court also followed a pair of conduct complaints over his handling of juvenile cases, filed in November with the Montana Judicial Standards Commission. The board is tasked with oversight of the states judges. One complaint was filed jointly by the two managing public defenders in Missoula and the two deputy county attorneys who prosecute youth criminal cases. A second complaint was filed the same day by Missoulas Chief Youth Probation Officer, Christine Kowalski, who previously accused Larson of creating a hostile and retaliatory environment for her, according to emails obtained by the Missoulian. Because the judicial complaint process is protected by strict confidentiality requirements, the attorneys who filed them are barred from discussing them publicly or talking about the issues they involve. The commissions executive secretary, Shelly Smith, declined to confirm whether any such grievances had been filed. Unless the commission disciplines the judge or refers the matter to the Montana Supreme Court, the complaints will remain confidential under state rules. The commission does publish a limited report every two years listing those complaints. The most recent one, published in January, shows the two complaints against Judge Larson cite illegal youth commitments as the basis. Both remained pending as of January, with responses requested from the judge. Its unclear whether Larson has since responded, or whether the commission has opted to investigate since the report was published. The vast majority of complaints in the past two years were dismissed by the commission without requiring a response from the judge, according to commission chairman Judge Mike Menahans January letter to the Legislature. Blair Jones, a retired Stillwater County District judge, served as chairman of the Judicial Standards Commission through 2017. Rarely did we see people that filed complaints represented by counsel, he said, noting the vast majority were dismissed after being filed by litigants unhappy with a judges decision. Of the 177 complaints before the commission in the past two years, only the one against Larson included multiple attorneys signed on. Thats unusual, Jones acknowledged. But, he added, It doesnt necessarily mean their claims are correct. Obviously there would be the duty of the Judicial Standards to look into it and conduct an investigation if they think theres any basis for one. Asking for an intervention Multiple local attorneys contacted by the Missoulian declined to comment on the record about their experiences in Larsons courtroom. Most cited the potential fallout from appearing to criticize a sitting judge in the local newspaper. Lisa Kauffman, a longtime Missoula defense attorney, noted that published comments about a judge could negatively impact future clients or an attorneys standing with other judges. Practicing in front of the judges in Missoula is a little bit like a family, Kauffman told the Missoulian. And you work very hard to maintain credibility and positive relationships. She has not practiced in Larsons courtroom in about 15 years, she said, because of some negative experiences in the previous years when I did practice in front of him, but declined to elaborate. Larson, 74, has served on the bench since 1993 longer than any other Montana district judge. He was reelected to another six-year term in November. Legal professionals throughout Montana have hailed his pioneering work with drug treatment courts and working with juvenile defendants. "He is pretty well-regarded with respect to issues related to youth," Jones said. "He was known to have had quite a lot of experience in that field." But records from court cases reviewed by the Missoulian show that in other recent youth cases, attorneys have objected to Larsons decisions to keep youth defendants in his court even after the prosecutors sought to dismiss the charges. The Montana Office of Public Defender recently went so far as to ask the Montana Supreme Court to intervene in a juvenile criminal case in Larsons court. Both the prosecutors and the defense moved to dismiss the case in February, but Larson repeatedly overruled objections from both parties. Prosecutors in the original case alleged that a youth attacked her mother in a September 2024 incident, but in a joint motion to dismiss the charges last month, wrote the circumstances had been abated since then. The petition to the Supreme Court, filed March 13 by attorney Alexander Pyle with the public defenders office, claims that Larson illegally refused to let the parties dismiss the case. The judge instead ordered the youth to remain under the courts supervision and be screened for drug treatment court despite no indication (the defendant) has ever used any illegal substances. Larsons order also required the youth submit her medical and school records directly to his court, rather than to a probation officer or other third party. This amounted to terms restricting (her) liberty and invading her privacy, according to Pyles petition. The lower court has overstepped its authority, aggrandized its power and caused a gross injustice, Pyle wrote. The Office of Public Defender is asking the Supreme Court to overrule Larson and dismiss the case, and to stay the proceedings until a final ruling. On Tuesday, the justices issued an order granting the latter request, effectively pausing the lower court case. Pyle declined to comment. Questionable rulings Other recent youth court decisions have prompted concerns from attorneys and family members. Last week, Larson abruptly ordered a youth be released from juvenile detention to his biological mother despite a parenting plan that didnt give her custody. A joint sentencing recommendation in the case had allowed for placements in either a treatment center or with the custodial parents, but Larson amended it to include the biological mother. Tiffany, the boys custodial mother, told the Missoulian in an April interview that she felt like Larson had suddenly erased custody rights that she and her husband fought for over a separate 18-month civil court case. Everything we fought for, he took away, Tiffany said. Its frightening. Were worried (he) is going to get hurt in his moms care. The Missoulian is omitting Tiffanys last name to protect the identity of her juvenile son. Ekwall declined to comment on the specifics of the case, but in an emailed statement he said placing a youth with a non-custodial parent would be unusual and would not be supported by the state except in very limited circumstances. I have never seen another case where a juvenile was placed with a parent that had specifically lost custody in civil proceedings, or who was the subject of an active restraining order by the custodial parents, Ekwall wrote. It is not appropriate for the Court, counsel, or the parties to use Youth Court proceedings to relitigate parenting or dependency and neglect orders that they disagree with, because the parties involved in those actions are deprived of due process even in cases where either or both of the attorneys are sympathetic to their goals, they do not have the notice and formal right to be heard which they would in a civil matter. Ekwall is also one of the four attorneys who co-signed onto a judicial standards complaint against Larson last year. At other times, attorneys objected to the judge funneling alleged drug dealers or repeat violent offenders into the same treatment court as youth charged with minor crimes. Larsons insistence on treatment court in one case prompted the chief youth probation officer to express alarm in an October email to all five of Missoulas district judges. Christine Kowalski wrote at the time she was gravely concerned for other juveniles being exposed to an alleged drug dealer who had failed all 69 drug tests while he was in Larsons youth drug court. In another case that month, Larson overrode the recommendations of both parties by pushing treatment court for a juvenile who had been charged with severely beating another boy. This program is geared toward those high-need, high-risk kids, Larson told the youth, according to a transcript of his Oct. 24 sentencing hearing. The judge repeatedly told the teenager the only way to wipe his record clean was through the youth drug court. Public defender Hailey Forcella responded that both parties had recommended against treatment court and that his violent offense would disqualify him from the program. She expressed concerns that the youth was being pressured to agree to the premise of expungement through treatment court. Forcella did not return phone messages requesting information on her interactions with the judge. She is one of the managing public defenders who filed the judicial standards complaint against Larson, and last year substituted him from a dozen of her cases. Larson had more substitutions than any other judge in the state in 2024, according to records maintained by the Montana Judicial Branch. State law allows attorneys from either party in a criminal case to substitute a judge one time without providing a reason. Larson was bumped from 45 cases last year, accounting for about one-quarter of all criminal substitutions statewide. In each case, the request came from defense attorneys. A Larson treatment plan At the beginning of Zachs case two years ago, his parents said Larson seemed to listen to them, and they were able to secure placement in an intensive treatment program for him by working with youth probation. But last year his father said he observed a 180-degree change in Larson as the judge began pushing his youth drug court as a solution. The prior withdrawals of the county attorneys, public defenders and youth probation from that program were a pretty big red flag, he said. Zach had a criminal history that began when he was 8, according to his mother, who has professional expertise in trauma treatment. His most recent mental health evaluation had concluded he likely had antisocial personality disorder, meaning he showed little to no evidence of empathy for others. But both parents said they never had any indication the teenager abused substances. That was our introduction to drug court and our realization that this was a Larson treatment plan essentially, his father said. It was a surprise to us that he had signed up for that drug court and nobody had really talked to us about that at all. They agreed, to an extent, with Larsons belief that Pine Hills isnt an ideal placement for Zach. They love their son, and have continued to fight for opportunities that would get him the long-term treatment he needs. But they also believe Zach has burned those bridges and exhausted any options that would provide that support along with the 24-hour supervision he also requires. The teenager remains in juvenile detention in Missoula on other criminal charges. But his parents say they still worry both for his safety and their familys if hes released. Hes managed to run away even while in jail, and faces more recent allegations of threats and assault. I think its a combination of making sure hes safe and that others are safe, his mother said. Thats the No. 1 concern we have. Thats the thing that keeps us up at night. A package of bills aimed at addressing the Montana Supreme Courts landmark decision in the Held v. Montana case is nearing the end of its legislative journey, and some of the proposals are already on their way to the governor for his signature. The House on Thursday gave final approval to Senate Bill 221, sponsored by Sen. Wylie Galt, a Martinsdale Republican, after a hardy half-hour debate about climate change, Montana's energy landscape, and what responsibilities the Supreme Court gave the Legislature when it declined to outline how the state should work to uphold citizens right to a clean and healthful environment under the state constitution leaving that to lawmakers. And late last week, the Senate passed versions of three other bills that address the court decision in Held, which found the state of Montana was violating Montanans right to a clean and healthful environment and stable climate system by prohibiting agencies from analyzing the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions when deciding whether to grant permits for energy and mining projects. The courts called the prohibition the "limitation" to the Montana Environmental Policy Act. The combination of the primary four bills that make changes to MEPA, according to lawmakers, will streamline energy production and clarify how and when greenhouse gases can be tracked, though some say they are concerned the package could roll back the states environmental protections and put it back in court. The package received backing from the head of the Department of Environmental Quality in a news conference earlier this session. Galt's bill requires the state Department of Environmental Quality to prepare guidance for state agencies to determine when a greenhouse gas emissions analysis would be necessary in analyzing permits for projects in the state particularly any project that deals with fossil fuels. But it also includes language that a greenhouse gas emissions analysis would look at the "proximate" or immediate effects of projects and limits the scope of what a "proposed action" by the state means to exclude any effects of emissions outside or "downstream" of the permitted project. Rep. Steve Gist, R-Cascade, who carried the bill in the House, provided the example of oil or coal getting shipped on rail cars and burned out of state, saying that should not count toward Montanas emissions an argument that dates back to the Held trial itself. "You can't regulate that project when it goes across state lines," he said. But that facet of the bill has drawn concern from environmental groups and some Democrats. Rep. Marilyn Marler, a Missoula Democrat who is the executive director of the Montana Natural History Center, criticized the bill for only looking at short-term impacts, which she said was how Montana ended up with broad negative health impacts from the state's asbestos mines near Libby. Rep. Jonathan Karlen, also a Missoula Democrat, said the bill would allow the department to look at emissions at the permitting stage but ignore future emissions once the project is complete. "There are scientific ways to gauge emissions from a project. It's readily available," he said. "This codifies burying our heads in the sand and ignoring that information." House Speaker Brandon Ler, the Savage Republican who is carrying a MEPA bill of his own, said the measure had "nothing to do with climate change" but was a direct response to the Supreme Court's ruling and a way to keep lawsuits from holding up energy projects and preventing business expansion in the state. Those sentiments were echoed by his caucus, all of whom voted for the bill. "I think the climate is changing, and perhaps some sort of response is necessary," said Rep. David Bedey, R-Hamilton. "But I'm not sure impoverishing ourselves is the solution." The bill passed its final legislative vote 63-35, with support from all Republicans present and six Democrats, and now heads to the governor's desk. Two of the other MEPA bills, House Bill 270 and House Bill 285, were amended by the Senate Finance and Claims Committee and are awaiting final approval in the House, where representatives will have to agree or disagree with the Senates changes. The third House Bill 291 from Shepherd Republican Rep. Greg Oblander largely prevents the Department of Environmental Quality and local air pollution control programs from adopting standards that are stricter than federal air quality and pollution standards. It is on the way to the governors desk because it was not amended in the Senate, where it cleared a final vote last Friday, 30-19. HB 270 from Rep. Katie Zolnikov, R-Billings, and HB 285 from Ler saw changes from the Senate Natural Resources Committee that mostly added language to each that coordinates them with other related bills. Zolnikov's bill, which primarily struck the language in the law that contained the so-called MEPA "limitation," was changed to coordinate with Galts SB 221. It directs DEQ to develop guidance for a state agency should it have to undertake a greenhouse gas emissions analysis for a project. The bill, which did not see a vote against it in the House, passed the Senate late last week on a 47-2 vote. Galt, like the speaker did in the House, said on the Senate floor Ler's bill "spells out clearly" that MEPA is procedural in nature and not a substantive permitting statute an argument at the center of the Held case. But there has been concern as the bill made its way through the Legislature that it would do away with project review guardrails that have long protected the environment. Several Democrats said they believe language in the bill, which some see as making it far more difficult for people or groups to challenge a permit, would be contested in court on the basis it fails to uphold the right to a clean and healthful environment for current and future generations. "I guarantee if it passes, it will be challenged and lose on that count," said Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, D-Belgrade. "Its pretty clear it is violating our inalienable rights." In an alarming demonstration of how artificial intelligence (AI) can be exploited, it has emerged that AI tools, including OpenAI's ChatGPT, can be misused to generate photo-realistic images of Aadhaar and permanent account number (PAN) cards, the two most essential identification documents for most Indians. These AI-generated forgeries are so convincing that they could easily fool an untrained eye or even some basic verification systems. This revelation has triggered concern among cybersecurity experts and digital rights advocates alike, especially given the importance of these documents in accessing banking, government subsidies, mobile connections and more. What is even more unsettling is how easy it is becoming for fraudsters to use AI to mimic official-looking IDs and how hard it is for ordinary citizens to detect the fraud. Read: Aadhaar Database Continues To Have Faulty Biometrics, Unpaired Documents: CAG) While fraudsters creating genuine-looking fake Aadhaar is definitely worrying, the problem is compounded by the lack of basic security and data protection in the entire system. In April 2022, the comptroller and auditor general (CAG), in a report, highlighted the generation of multiple Aadhaar numbers, saying, "All Aadhaar numbers were not paired with the documents relating to personal information of their holders, and even after nearly ten years, the UIDAI could not identify the exact extent of mismatch. Though with the introduction of inline scanning in July 2016, the personal information documents were stored in the central identities data repository (CIDR), the existence of unpaired biometric data from earlier period indicated deficient data management." ( It suggests that officials of the UIDAI may be as clueless as ordinary people when identifying a genuine-looking fake Aadhaar. And yet, everybody from the retailer selling SIMs to banks and financial institutions demands an Aadhaar identity and trusts it implicitly. Most of them merely check if the photo on the ID paper matches the person sharing it. There is no other authentication or verification, although the original idea was that it would be verified by pinging the UIDAI central database. Only lenders make this effort. Read: Aadhaar Is Not Suitable as Proof of Age or Date of Birth: Supreme Court). Even banks no longer consider Aadhaar as proof of residence unless corroborated by another official ID. It is pertinent to note that, in October 2024, the Supreme Court of India (SC) ruled that Aadhaar cannot be used as proof of date of birth (DoB) or proof of age and for determination of age in a motor accident claim and the school leaving certificate having a statutory recognition is valid and acceptable proof. (). Even banks no longer consider Aadhaar as proof of residence unless corroborated by another official ID. Now, with fraudsters and criminals using AI tools freely to create fake Aadhaar and PAN cards for anyone, the issue becomes quite severe and endangers the entire ID ecosystem in India. Why Does This Matter? Aadhaar and PAN cards are not just identity documents they are digital keys to Indian citizens' lives. Aadhaar is linked to bank accounts, mobile numbers, tax filings and government welfare schemes. PAN cards are mandatory for financial transactions, tax payments, and property purchases. If a fraudster can convincingly forge these documents, they can open bank accounts in someone else's name, conduct fraudulent financial transactions, or even gain access to government subsidies and digital services. In a worst-case scenario, such forgery could lead to identity theft, blackmail, or financial loss. It also poses a significant national security risk if misused for laundering money, financing illegal activities, or bypassing sanctions. AI Tools Capable of Generating Fake ID Cards The latest developments in AI have improved image generation and text rendering to an unprecedented level. Tools like ChatGPT, especially when used in combination with third-party image-generation models such as DALLE or Midjourney, are capable of creating realistic images from simple prompts. The latest developments in AI have improved image generation and text rendering to an unprecedented level. Tools like ChatGPT, especially when used in combination with third-party image-generation models such as DALLE or Midjourney, are capable of creating realistic images from simple prompts. With sufficient technical skill and creativity, a fraudster or cybercriminal can prompt an AI to generate a forged image of an Aadhaar card or PAN card by specifying attributes such as name, gender, date of birth, Aadhaar number and even inserting a photo of anyone, including but not limited to a celebrity or random individual. In an experimental test, I was able to generate highly believable fake Aadhaar and PAN cards for prominent international figures like Donald Trump and Cristiano Ronaldo using AI-driven platforms. And remember, I only provided the names of Mr Trump and Mr Ronaldo. ChatGPT obtained the rest of the information on its own to create the IDs. The AI generated not only the layout and design of the cards but also realistic fonts, barcodes, and personal details, all in the correct government format. While several AI tools like ChatGPT have content filters that are designed to prevent such misuse, these barriers are not foolproof especially when external tools or model modifications are involved. Open-source AI tools, which do not carry the same restrictions as commercial platforms, make it even easier for bad actors to bypass ethical safeguards. How Do AI Models Create Fake IDs? The process is deceptively simple and does not require advanced hacking skills. Here is a rough overview of how it typically works: Prompt engineering: A user enters a prompt into an AI image-generation tool like 'Create an Aadhaar card for Cristiano Ronaldo with this photo and a random 12-digit number'. Image generation: The AI creates an image based on existing Aadhaar card layouts, using learned patterns from millions of images online. Editing and finishing: With basic photo editing software, users can clean up imperfections, insert QR codes, or adjust fonts to make the ID appear more official. Sharing or using: The fake ID can now be used for scams, online verifications, or even as profile images on fake social media or job portals. Some cybercriminals go a step further by using generative AI to spoof biometric data or voice patterns, combining fake ID cards with deepfake technology to trick high-end know-your-customer (KYC) verification processes (not much used in India, though). Signs of a Fake Aadhaar or PAN Card While AI-generated documents can be incredibly convincing, there are still some telltale signs that may help detect a fake: Fonts and spacing: Inaccurate font style or size, misaligned text, or uneven spacing can indicate a fake. QR code anomalies: Scanning the QR code on an Aadhaar card should open UIDAI's official verification page. If it redirects elsewhere or does not work, it is suspicious or fake. Blurry or distorted photos: AI-generated faces or photos may have unnatural lighting, artefacts, or odd textures. Incorrect format: PAN cards have a specific alphanumeric structure (e.g., ABCDE1234F). Random deviations or inconsistencies may signal fraud. A missing or digitally altered UIDAI or income tax (I-T) department seal can be a red flag. How to Verify Aadhaar and PAN Cards Aadhaar verification: Visit the UIDAI website ( Visit the UIDAI website ( https://uidai.gov.in ) and use the 'Verify Aadhaar Number' service. This confirms if the Aadhaar number is valid and active. However, if the fraudster is using a real Aadhaar number for a fake ID, then UIDAI may not be able to tell so. Remember, e-KYC authentication and yes or no answer are paid services offered by UIDAI to authentic organisations. PAN verification: The I-T department offers a PAN verification service at The I-T department offers a PAN verification service at https://www.incometax.gov.in , allowing users to confirm details against a PAN number. QR code scan: Use the mAadhaar app to scan QR codes on Aadhaar cards. Fake cards often have non-functional or doctored QR codes. How You Can Protect Your ID It is crucial for individuals to take steps to safeguard their personal identity documents and avoid becoming victims of fraud. Here are some practical measures: Avoid sharing Aadhaar and PAN publicly: Do not upload copies of your IDs on social media or unsecured websites. Masked Aadhaar (where only the last 4 digits are visible) is safer for most verifications. Enable Aadhaar lock: The UIDAI portal allows users to lock and unlock their Aadhaar number temporarily, adding an extra layer of security. Regularly monitor bank accounts and mobile connections: Unauthorised activities such as SIM swaps or bank account openings should be caught early by keeping tabs on transactions and account changes. You can visit Unauthorised activities such as SIM swaps or bank account openings should be caught early by keeping tabs on transactions and account changes. You can visit https://tafcop.sancharsaathi.gov.in/telecomUser/ to check or know the number of mobile connections in your name from across the country. If you do not recognise the mobile number mentioned on the next page, you can report by clicking on 'Not My Number'. Promptly report misuse: If you suspect identity theft or unauthorised use of your Aadhaaror PAN, immediately lodge a complaint with the UIDAI or the I-T department and report it to the police. While the onus of security partly lies with users, the broader problem demands systemic reforms. AI tools are evolving faster than regulatory frameworks can keep up. In the present circumstances, what the Indian government and global AI companies need to do is work together to build or create robust filters, digital watermarks, and awareness and adopt proactive monitoring and action. AI platforms must strengthen restrictions to block prompts related to fake ID generation. All official identity documents need to carry invisible digital watermarks that AI cannot replicate. All citizens must be educated on spotting fake IDs and verifying documents through trusted portals. Further, all government authorities and law enforcement agencies (LEAs) need to actively monitor forums, social media, and dark web platforms for the circulation of fake ID tools and services. Remember, at the end of the day, AI is a powerful tool but like all tools, it can be used for good or ill. While the technology behind models like ChatGPT is designed to assist, educate, and create responsibly, the misuse of generative AI to produce fake Aadhaar and PAN cards reveals the darker side of innovation. By learning to verify, protect, and report, we can ensure that our identities remain our own not just a string of digits that AI can mimic. Stay Alert, Stay Safe! Its still a work in progress but Butte-Silver Bow commissioners are now livestreaming their committee meetings and putting recorded versions on the web. Commissioners have been livestreaming full council meetings for several years and during some recent ones, 70 or more people have watched from afar at any one time. Thats not a lot of people in comparison to the 35,000 or so residents in Butte-Silver Bow County, but council chambers would be packed if those 70 showed up in person. Sometimes it is packed and drawing dozens of outside viewers, too. But some issues and proposals are hashed out in committees, and because those meetings are a little less formal, theres often a freer dialogue among commissioners and citizens. Commissioner John Morgan, chairman of the 12-member council, said it was time to try livestreaming committee meetings. We want to continue to advance the council and get more (public) involvement, he said. If people are wanting to listen to committee meetings and cant make it up there (to the courthouse), we have technology now that enables them to listen livestream. A couple of committee meetings were livestreamed last week and three of them were this past Wednesday night. To watch live or watch later on a laptop, just click on the Streaming tab in the top right corner of the countys webpage https://www.co.silverbow.mt.us and then hit the YouTube@Live Meetings Link on the next page. That will take you to the countys YouTube page where you can tap into meetings live and find recordings of all past Butte-Silver Bow government meetings. The links are the same on a phone but you first hit the menu button at the top left to get to the initial streaming link. Committees typically meet for a half hour early Wednesday nights before the full council meets at 7:30 p.m., but if an issue needs more discussion that night, the committee will reconvene after the full council meeting. The primary committees are Judiciary, Public Works, Finance and Budget and Economic Development, and their meeting times and issues to be discussed are part of weekly council agendas usually published Friday afternoons previous to the next weeks meetings. Committees include five or six commissioners and they meet at a center table in council chambers. They often discuss issues in depth, sometimes in numerous meetings over many weeks and even months, and sometimes they endorse proposals, resolutions or other measures and send them to the full council for consideration. But committees do not make final decisions. Whatever they decide can be nixed or altered by the full council, where all final decisions are made. Its a point Morgan wants to emphasize. I think people need to realize that just because theres a communication (proposal or other measure) say one theyre really opposed to and it gets killed in committee, that doesnt mean its not going to get changed (by the full council) next week, he said. The same thing applies to measures that committees approve they can be changed or killed by the full council. But committees still do a lot of leg work that matters and a lot of their decisions do stand up. The full council gives nods to many of them, with commissioners often saying, This issue has already been hashed out in committee. Livestreaming committee meetings is just getting underway so Morgan said there are sure to be glitches and issues to be worked out. For example, commissioners need to make sure theyre speaking in microphones at the table. During the Finance and Budget Committee meeting last Wednesday, it was a little difficult to hear Budget Director Karen Hasler at times because she was standing before the committee and a microphone wasnt close enough to her. When it was moved closer, the sound was great. There is often a lot of chatter in council chambers while committee meetings are taking place, making it hard to hear committee members. Morgan said that will have to be stopped or curbed. Its a work in progress and Morgan hopes the public can help the process by identifying any problems and passing them on to council by phone at 406-497-6219 or by email at jomorgan@bsb.mt.gov or bdavies@bsb.mt.gov Flash This photo shows a view of Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center, the main venue for the 21st China-ASEAN Expo, in Nanning, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Sept. 24, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] Chinese ambassadors say they are upbeat about building on historic achievements to open new prospects for China's relations with neighboring countries, after a key meeting outlined goals and tasks for the next phase of the country's neighborhood work. Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, called for building a community with a shared future with neighboring countries and striving to open new ground for the country's neighborhood work, at a central conference on work related to neighboring countries held in Beijing from Tuesday to Wednesday. China's relations with neighboring countries are at the best level seen in modern times, and they are entering a critical phase in which regional dynamics and global transformations are deeply intertwined, the conference noted. "China always places its neighborhood diplomacy at the top of its diplomatic agenda, and ASEAN is the priority in this neighborhood diplomacy," Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing said. Chinese and Malaysian leaders have reached a consensus on building a community with a shared future, and China-Malaysia trade accounts for one-fifth of China-ASEAN trade. In addition to the East Coast Rail Link project and other joint infrastructure projects, both countries are cooperating in such fields as 5G, artificial intelligence, big data, electric vehicles and photovoltaic products. "Under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, China-Malaysia relations will further grow, and cooperation between China and ASEAN will also expand," the ambassador said. Representatives of China and five Central Asian countries attend a launching ceremony of the secretariat of the China-Central Asian cooperation mechanism in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, March 30, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua] China-Central Asia relations have seen leapfrog progress with the establishment of comprehensive strategic partnerships between China and the five Central Asian countries, the launch of the China-Central Asia mechanism, and joint efforts to promote the growth of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), according to Chinese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Han Chunlin. President Xi's vision of building a community with a shared future for humanity and his three global initiatives offer important guidance for the China-Central Asia mechanism and SCO development, Han noted. A drone photo taken on June 23, 2024 shows a view of Rashakai Special Economic Zone under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor in Nowshera, Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. [Photo/Xinhua] As a pilot project under the Belt and Road Initiative, the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor has seen more than 25 billion U.S. dollars in direct investment and created more than 230,000 jobs. It has raised the level of China-Pakistan cooperation and promoted Pakistan's economic and social development, according to Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaidong. "We will continue to promote high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, make greater contributions to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity, and safeguard China's overseas interests," Jiang said. China continues to bring development opportunities and certainty to its neighboring countries through its own development, said Shen Minjuan, Chinese ambassador to Mongolia. "In Mongolia, people remember President Xi's offer of welcoming them to ride China's fast train of development." The 21st century will undoubtedly be the Asian Century, and China's diplomacy with its neighboring countries holds immense potential, Shen said, adding that Asia should remain stable and thriving, thereby supporting China's modernization drive. China and ASEAN have been each other's largest trading partners for five consecutive years. ASEAN regards China as an indispensable partner for regional countries to achieve modernization, and China firmly supports ASEAN's centrality in regional cooperation, said Chinese Ambassador to ASEAN Hou Yanqi. China encourages ASEAN to forge close ties with the SCO and BRICS, together practice genuine multilateralism and open regionalism, and safeguard international fairness and justice as well as the interests of developing countries, Hou said. An aerial drone photo taken on July 18, 2024 shows the Qingdao SCODA Pearl International Expo Center in the China-SCO Local Economic and Trade Cooperation Demonstration Area (SCODA) in Qingdao, east China's Shandong Province. [Photo/Xinhua] Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the United Nations, noted that the world today is undergoing both transformation and upheaval, and that changes unseen in a century are unfolding at a faster pace. "The CPC Central Committee exercises overall leadership, maintains strong strategic resolve, and responds to challenges with steadfastness and prudence. This is our greatest source of confidence in advancing our diplomatic endeavors, and the root cause of the respect and growing influence China gains on the global stage," Fu said. "We must unwaveringly uphold the vision of a global community with a shared future, continuously advance the reform and improvement of global governance, and safeguard the interests of developing countries," Fu said. The ambassadors expressed opposition to the United States' indiscriminate tariffs on all of its trading partners, saying that China and neighboring countries should oppose the fallacy of "might makes right" and work together to safeguard international fairness and justice, as well as the legitimate rights and interests of all countries. The High Court has dismissed a petition from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who sought to force the government to release individuals allegedly abducted by the police between December 2024 and January 2025. Judge Bahati Mwamuye rejected the application, ruling that LSK and Omtatah failed to provide adequate evidence to prove that the missing individuals were in police custody. The judge noted that the petitioners did not convincingly substantiate their claims that the individuals, some of whom were released earlier this year, had been detained by the police. In his ruling, Justice Mwamuye stated, They did not establish that the seven individuals are in the custody of the respondents, nor did they satisfy the court that the seven, along with an eighth individual, are being illegally detained by either known or unknown persons. The petitioners had alleged that the individuals were abducted by armed men believed to be police officers. The victims named in the Habeas Corpus application included Gideon Kibet, Ronny Kiplagat, Steve Kavingo Mbisi, Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Benard Kavuli, and Kelvin Muthoni. The Government has reported significant progress in its ambitious goal to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, as part of the National Tree Growing Restoration Campaign. This initiative is designed to mitigate climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, halt deforestation, and restore 5.1 million hectares of degraded landscapes under the African Landscape Restoration Initiative. As of April 8, 2025, the government, working alongside individual Kenyans, corporations, the private sector, and various agencies, has successfully planted 783 million trees. This milestone demonstrates the collaborative effort behind the restoration campaign. Deborah Barasa, the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, underscored the vital role the private sector has played in supporting smallholder farmers participation in the initiative. While launching the One Acre Funds Tupande Tree Growing Initiative 2025 in Kakamega, she stressed that the campaigns ultimate goal is not only to restore ecosystems but also to create a sustainable and prosperous Kenya for future generations. Barasa highlighted the substantial contributions of One Acre Fund, which has already planted 97 million trees across Kenya. Through its Tupande program, the organization has supported over 1.4 million farmers and 37,000 institutions. This year, the program aims to distribute 46 million tree seedlings to farmers, institutions, and individuals through its 330 nurseries spread across the country. The Jazamiti App helps track the progress of these trees. Tupande Nursery propagates over 20 different species, including indigenous, exotic, and fruit trees, Barasa noted. These 330 nurseries span 34 counties, with 25 percent of them owned and operated by women. This reflects not only our commitment to environmental restoration but also our efforts to empower communities and create opportunities for equity. Kakamega County, for instance, has successfully planted 21 million trees and set a target to plant 20.86 million trees annually, aiming to increase its tree cover from the current 18.21 percent to 30 percent. Tupande Director Michelle Kagari highlighted that the initiatives focus is to help farmers plant trees on their land, reversing deforestation and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. Between 2021 and 2024, One Acre Fund distributed 150 million tree seedlings through schools, hospitals, churches, and direct outreach to farmers. Farmers have access to a diverse selection of tree seedlings, including species like Grevillea, Makhamia, Cordia, Cypress, Eucalyptus, and Grafted Avocado, as well as fruit varieties such as oranges, passion fruit, tree tomatoes, and pawpaw. Kagari also pointed out the economic benefits of the project. Each nursery, managed by a Tree Nursery Manager and employing five marketing agents, has created jobs. To support farmers, Tupande offers 20 free seedlings to anyone visiting its nurseries, with 30 free seedlings provided to farmers enrolled in the program each season, ensuring they can plant trees even without making a purchase. Chief Justice Emeritus David Maraga has weighed in on the growing controversy surrounding the performance of Echoes of War, a play by Butere Girls High School. In a statement, Maraga condemned the polices actions against the students, describing it as unconstitutional and unacceptable. I condemn, in the strongest terms possible, the actions by the police and those in authority who sanctioned and condoned the mistreatment of the students from Butere Girls High School, Maraga said, referring to an incident at the Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru, where the students were scheduled to perform. The drama began on Thursday morning outside Kirobon Girls High School in Nakuru, the event venue, when police fired teargas to disperse students from various schools protesting the treatment of the Butere Girls drama team. In the ensuing chaos, the students were forced to rush back to their bus, with some falling in the process. The Butere students boycotted their performance, demanding the presence of their director, former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala. Maraga criticized the use of force against minors involved in a peaceful, educational activity, calling it unconscionable and a flagrant violation of the Constitution. Citing Article 33 of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of expression and artistic creativity, Maraga emphasized that no child should be punished or endangered for thinking critically, speaking boldly, or performing creatively. Maraga also warned that those responsible for this heinous violation of students rights would eventually face justice. The wheels of justice, though they grind slowly, will surely give us the country we deserve, Maraga stated. He further urged Kenyans to protect the freedoms enshrined in the Constitution, particularly for the youth. Let us not raise a generation that fears its own voice. Let us protect, nurture, and celebrate the courage of our young people. Their voices matter, Maraga remarked. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has joined the rising chorus of criticism against the government following the incident involving Butere Girls High School students at the ongoing National Drama Festivals in Nakuru. In a statement issued on Thursday, April 10, 2025, ODM, through Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, condemned the government for actions that infringe on the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The party expressed its concerns after police fired teargas at students as they were leaving the festival venue. The country has watched in disbelief as the government seemingly feared a play by Butere Girls, Echoes of War, part of the statement read. In all the evidence we have of this regimes lack of focus, it has shot itself in the foot by harassing and attempting to silence young girls in school uniform. Drawing a comparison to the South African film Sarafina, where young children stood up against apartheid, ODM emphasized that childrens voices are vital to the national dialogue and deserve to be heard. The party called on the government to respect the right to free expression, especially when it comes to young people. Serious questions arise when a government fears childrens arta simple expression of talent at a high school festival, ODM added. We strongly condemn the mistreatment of Butere Girls students, journalists, and other festivalgoers. We stand with all Kenyans in demanding that authorities allow these young artists to perform their play, just like others. In its closing remarks, ODM expressed solidarity with Kenyans who have condemned the incident, reiterating that all citizens should have the freedom to exercise their constitutional rights. We reaffirm that the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression for people of all ages, even if we do not agree with their views, the statement concluded. Many Filipinos know that picking the best online casino isnt easy. There are countless sites and deals, but not all of them are trustworthy or worth your time. A lot of people just want to try out a few games without losing money on the first bet. Thats where starting perks come in. 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The Office of the Provost initiative, launched in fall 2023, seeks to advance understanding of the human experience and respond to todays challenges by funding creative programming, recruiting faculty in the arts and humanities and supporting expanded programming by the Fox Center for Humanistic Inquiry. Proposals are accepted on a rolling basis from faculty across the university. "The vision of the Emory Initiative for Arts and Humanistic Inquiry is to support events and projects that departments and schools may not otherwise have the ability to do, says Karnes, who is also the Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor of Music. "The idea is to emphasize interdisciplinary programming in the humanities and the arts and to make them more visible across Emory and the Atlanta community. Since October 2023, the initiative has accepted funding requests from all Emory faculty to support creative programming such as workshops, performances, discussions and readings that directly nurture scholarship and build community around the arts and humanities. Underwritten by the Office of the Provost, the initiative has awarded grants to more than a dozen programs, including several recent ones. Newly funded programs span a remarkable breadth of humanities and arts disciplines, including a three-year Visual Arts Gallery exhibition series, a photography project documenting diaspora experiences, a symposium exploring Virgin Islands coloniality, a residency with Academy Award-nominated filmmakers, a Jewish Studies working group, and a symposium discussing the research, pedagogy and curricula of close readingthe core methodology of literary studies. To supplement grants from the Arts and Humanistic Inquiry initiative, many of the programs have received additional support through sources including the Emory College of Arts and Sciences Hightower Speakers Fund and the Fox Center for Humanistic Inquiry. "Working collaboratively with the Arts & Humanistic Inquiry initiative, the Fox Center and individual departments and units are able to be more ambitious in the scope of our programming hosting conferences, workshops, symposia, visiting scholars and artists, for example and expand the impact of the arts and humanities at Emory and beyond, says Carla Freeman, the Goodrich C. White Professor of Women's Gender and Sexuality Studies, director of the Fox Center for Humanistic Inquiry and member of the initiatives faculty advisory committee. Beyond programming, the initiative also provides support for faculty, helping schools bolster strengths and advance interdisciplinary inquiry. Mary Johnson, recruited in 2024 as an assistant professor of art at Oxford College, is one faculty member using the opportunity to blend disciplines while exploring complex themes. A recent series of her work combined imagery of deep sky objects captured by telescope with drawings of rocks and soils. In essence, it is the ground we walk on and the sky we look at above, and putting that together into one picture plane, Johnson notes. "Art and science both explore questions and apply creativity, but art embraces paradoxes more comfortably, she says. This series of worksdepicting how humans share a chemical makeup with things like stars, stones and other sentient beingsaims to highlight our simultaneous relevance and irrelevance in the vast space-time continuum. Like leaves on a tree or grains of sand on a beach, we are small yet necessary. Understanding this balance is key to our peaceful existence in the universe." Johnson hopes to continue her interdisciplinary work by partnering with Emorys observatory and other units. For example, she has led her students in slow looking exercises at the Oxford Farm, where students examine and create intricate drawings of a single square foot of space. She is also planning a collaboration with the Carlos Museum to have students observe drawings from the museums collection and learn about the iterative process of creating art, with the possibility of the museum bringing objects to Oxford Library as part of this examination. Emory's championing of collaboration between departments and schools, as well as its emphasis on exploring complex, cutting-edge themes, is a gamechanger, according to Johnson. Emory is honestly ahead of the curve by supporting the humanities and the arts, she says. It is so important to consider what it means to be human. Were at a moment in time when knowing what our capabilities and limits are as human beings is what will support meaningful progress. I am very grateful for the opportunity to challenge myself to think about these ideas and to be supported on the path to respond to these critical questions. Senior Jake Cuzick, a chemistry major from Baker, Oregon, has become the first Mount St. Marys University undergraduate student to be named an awardee of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF-GRFP). The five-year fellowship includes three years of funding for graduate school as well as an annual stipend. Cuzick joins several Mount alumni in receiving this highly competitive award, with previous fellowship recipients including Nicholas Starvaggi, C21, Dylan Holden, C18, and Sarah Bonson Krueger, C17, who received the award as graduate students at Texas A&M University, Purdue University and University of Illinois, respectively. The programs applicant pool includes first- and second-year graduate students in addition to undergraduates. This year the competition was even stiffer than usual because the number of winners was cut in half, from 2,000 or more in recent years to 1,000 in 2025. The NSF fellowship recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported STEM disciplines pursuing research-based masters and doctoral degrees at accredited U.S. institutions. Cuzick joins a group whose members include Nobel laureates and more than 450 members of the National Academy of Sciences. Cuzick will attend the University of Pennsylvania in the fall, where he plans to conduct total synthesis research under Penn Integrates Knowledge Professor of Chemistry and Pharmacology Dirk Trauner, Ph.D. My objective in this position will be to synthesize intricate molecular architectures that demonstrate promise in photopharmacology applications, Cuzick explained. After being admitted to Penns doctoral program in February, Cuzicks offer was later rescinded due to federal funding cuts. However, Penn kept him on a waitlist in case funding emerged. With the NSF-GRFP, he is now able to attend Penn. Joining the program at Penn has been a dream of mine, and I nearly thought the opportunity had passed, which makes it all the more special to see it come together due to the GRFP, Cuzick said. During his four years at the Mount, Cuzick has received numerous accolades and awards. In addition to conducting research in the labs of Associate Professor of Chemistry Isaac Mills, Ph.D., and Assistant Professor of Chemistry Sarah Krueger, Ph.D., and serving as a student instructor in organic chemistry classes, he was awarded competitive summer internships at Boise State University and University of Illinois, was granted a Goldwater Scholarship in 2024, and was named a Knight-Hennessy semifinalist earlier this year. Cuzick acknowledged the support he received in pursuing his passion for synthetic chemistry and competitive scholarships and fellowships. I am incredibly grateful for the guidance and support I have received from the Mount faculty over the past four years I would not be where I am today without it, he said. This support was exemplified by Krueger (a Mount undergraduate honorable mention and graduate NSF-GRFP winner), who submitted Cuzicks letter of recommendation in the car on the way to deliver her first baby. While the due date for both the baby and the letter was three weeks away at that time, the baby arrived early, and Krueger wanted to ensure that the letter was submitted. I am so proud of Jake for not only this excellent accomplishment, but all that he has achieved throughout his time at the Mount, said Krueger. This award represents the culmination of years of Jakes hard work, and I am grateful for the opportunity to work with him. My group will not be the same without Jake, but I look forward to celebrating Jakes continued accomplishments as he moves on to graduate school and a career in STEM. Jake will continue to have a positive impact in the sciences, representing Mount St. Marys University as a well-rounded scholar and ethical leader devoted to serving others through his work. Cuzicks application was supported by the Office of Competitive Fellowships. Students interested in learning more about the Office of Competitive Fellowships can visit the programs webpage. SIU photojournalism students Dominique Martinez-Powell (left) and Abby Harris (right) and Julia Rendleman, an assistant professor in the School of Journalism and Advertising, show off Weekend Workshop 2024: Alto Pass and Cobden, Illinois. (Photo by Russell Bailey) SIU photojournalism students talents featured in book highlighting Alto Pass, Cobden by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. The work by Southern Illinois University Carbondale photojournalism students who used an April 2024 weekend workshop to chronicle the people and events in Cobden and Alto Pass is now available. The 86-page soft-cover book Weekend Workshop 2024: Alto Pass and Cobden, Illinois is the culmination of a three-day project in April 2024 of eight students in Julia Rendlemans intermediate photojournalism class and four Eastern Illinois University photojournalism students. The book features 75 student photographs, including the front and back covers, along with a few behind-the-scenes photos, said Rendleman, an assistant professor in SIUs School of Journalism and Advertising. The book costs $20, and proceeds will go to help fund a 2026 weekend workshop, Rendleman said. For more information or to obtain a book, contact Rendleman at julia.rendleman@siu.edu. Cash is preferred, but checks can be made out to the SIU School of Journalism and Advertising. Workshop reflections During the 48-hour workshop, students were able to receive immediate feedback from some of the industrys top photojournalists, including SIU photojournalism alumni, who were there to work with them. The project was part of the Pulitzer Centers Origin Photojournalism Workshop. Rendleman said her greatest hope was that students would grow their photo skills and their ability to find stories and approach people. They all did that and made me very proud, she said. At the intermediate level, photojournalism students who have learned basic skills move into storytelling. It is the best time to get them involved in the workshop, she said. The growth of our students and what they have been able to produce on their own now that they are in advanced classes is amazing, she said. Most of the students who participated in the workshop from SIU have secured jobs and internships starting this summer. The event was similar to A Weekend in workshops by now-retired SIU Carbondale photojournalism assistant professor Mark Dolan that started in 2009. Communities featured then included Alto Pass and Cobden; Carbondale; Murphysboro; the Tri-C communities of Cambria, Carterville and Crainville; Chester, and Harrisburg. Rendleman, who is also an award-winning freelance photojournalist, participated in SIUs first two workshops and was a student fellow at the Pulitzer Center in 2011. Daniel Hummer, associate professor of geology at SIU, will be on hand Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, during a clinic as part of this weekends Marion Gem & Mineral Show. SIU to hold rock and mineral clinic at Marion event by Tim Crosby CARBONDALE, Ill. Southern Illinois University Carbondales geology program will host a rock and mineral clinic during a local gathering for mineral enthusiasts. The clinic, set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, is part of this weekends Marion Gem & Mineral Show at The Pavilion, 1602 Sioux Drive, Marion. Members of the public are invited to bring in any rock, mineral or geological sample for identification. They also can learn the basic common examination techniques and SIUs geology program from Daniel Hummer, associate professor of geology, who will be on hand for the clinic, along with members of the SIU Geology Club. One thing I notice every time I talk to the public is that everyone has a rock story, Hummer said. Rocks and minerals just seem to be universally admired, and I encourage people to appreciate them and learn where they come from and how they can be identified. Marion Gem & Mineral Show celebrates Geologists Day, which fell on April 6 this year. Originally established in April 1966 by scientists in the former Soviet Union, the day honors and recognizes the work of geologists, geophysicists and geochemists, who study the history of Earth and the composition of rocks, soil, water, minerals and other materials. All ages are welcome at the event, which is $2 for adults and free for students 18 and younger. Free parking will be available. With growing pressure to meet its rising power needs and transition towards cleaner energy, Mauritius has reached out to India seeking technical assistance and collaboration in the energy sector particularly in renewables, ANI has learnt. The Indian government is also expected to send a team of principal experts in May to assist Mauritius' Central Electricity Board (CEB) in energy planning and regulatory development, officials at the Mauritian Energy Ministry said. According to Zeenat Guness-Gooljar, the Permanent Secretary at Mauritius' Ministry of Energy, the expert visit likely in May will mark the first concrete step forward following the submission of proposals. "This is already one soon-to-materialize concrete action following our proposals," she said, adding that further engagement is expected in the energy domain. "What was discussed and what was agreed during the discussion is that Mauritius is facing some challenges. In terms of energy security. We've been witnessing very high power demand. So in terms of our planning, generation planning, we would need to have some sort of support and assistance," she said. As of February 2025, Mauritius experienced its highest recorded peak electricity demand of 567.9 megawatts (MW). "The issue is to ensure we have sufficient power to meet the country's growing needs. But when we speak of power, it encompasses generation, transmission, distribution and increasingly, battery storage. We have ambitions for a green transition and we want Indian technical experts to assess our systems, guide us and share best practices," she said. Another official at the Mauritian Ministry of Energy confirmed that the outreach to India includes around 10-15 proposals, submitted via the Mauritian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Indian High Commission here. These proposals span technical, financial, and capacity-building assistance in the energy and water sectors. India's support is also being sought in piloting and scaling renewable energy projects in Mauritius. "There are challenges with large utility-scale projects not receiving timely approvals. So we are considering a two-stage approach--starting with a small pilot project at one of our reservoirs and then scaling up," Guness-Gooljar said. Mauritius has set a target to generate 60 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 as part of its national strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and transition to a low-carbon economy. The island nation is also working on expanding its energy mix, including adopting green hydrogen. Mauritius government said they want Indian expertise in the conceptual design and future deployment of offshore hydrogen projects and associated vessels in the Indian Ocean. "This is a very specific and technical area where India's capacity can greatly support us," she added. Over the years, India has significantly contributed to advancing renewable energy initiatives in Mauritius, exemplifying their strong bilateral partnership. A notable project is the 8 MW Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Farm at Henrietta, commissioned in November 2023. Executed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) under India's line of credit, this project is expected to mitigate approximately 13,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually, aligning with Mauritius's sustainable development goals. (ANI) PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 11: UGRO Capital Ltd., a leading DataTech NBFC focused on MSME lending, has released the 3rd MSME Sampark Report - a semi-annual report that is prepared in partnership with Dun & Bradstreet. The 3rd edition highlights that 64% of MSMEs have resumed activity post-pandemic, with around 54% reporting a growth of over 10% Year-on-Year (YoY), underlining the sector's strong momentum. However, growth in investments in Udyam-registered MSMEs has slowed from 61% in FY22 to 22% in FY23 and 23% in FY24. Large and medium businesses anticipate slower domestic growth in Q1 2025, while small firms remain optimistic. It is noteworthy that while capital costs are expected to remain high in Q1 2025, revised MSME classification criteria could drive further investment and expansion. In-depth analysis of 45,000+ MSMEs, highlighting credit access, formalization, and digitalization for growth. Shachindra Nath, Founder & Managing Director - UGRO Capital, said "MSME Sampark has gone beyond just a report and is slowly becoming a movement that brings together industry leaders, policymakers and financial institutions to collaboratively shape the future of MSME financing. With the 3rd edition of MSME Sampark, we aim to elevate the discourse further by exploring the next phase of MSME credit delivery in India. Our analysis reveals a nuanced picture. We see moderation in total loan disbursement in recent quarters, a trend reflecting more conservative lending practices across the industry. While this could be attributed to stricter risk assessments, it also presents an opportunity for NBFCs to play a more strategic role in bridging the credit gap. The increasing formalisation of MSMEs, as evidenced by lower cash percentages and improved debt-to-turnover ratios, especially among mature and larger businesses, is an encouraging sign. MSME Sampark's 3rd edition reaffirms our commitment to empower India's MSMEs with the right financial solutions, insights, and policy advocacy that drive their sustained growth." Dr. Arun Singh, Global Chief Economist - Dun & Bradstreet, said "Dun & Bradstreet's sector risk ratings indicate improvements in the risk profile of MSMEs in 2024 from 2023, despite global and domestic economic uncertainties. Improvements in the MSMEs' credit profile were also indicated through a decline in the gross non-performing assets (GNPAs) postpandemic. The overall GNPAs touched a 12-year low in September 2024, with GNPA of large borrowers at 2.4% and of MSMEs at 2.2%, respectively, compared to 12.8% and 11% during early 2020. However, businesses have scaled back their optimism for capital expenditure as their outlook on managing financial risks has deteriorated, reflecting heightened uncertainty faced by them." Key Findings: * The 3rd edition highlights that 64% of MSMEs have resumed activity post-pandemic, with around 54% reporting a growth of over 10% Year-on-Year (YoY), underlining the sector's strong momentum. * Global supplier risks are rising as businesses prioritise localised supply chains. Sales and export optimism is declining due to economic uncertainty and trade policies. * India has maintained over 7% annual average growth over the past 15 years, excluding the pandemic, and is projected to grow at 6.6% in FY26. * Growth in investments by Udyam-registered MSMEs has slowed from 61% in FY22 to 22% in FY23 and 23% in FY24. However, revised MSME classification criteria could drive further investment and expansion. * Large and medium businesses anticipate slower domestic growth in Q1 2025, while small firms remain optimistic. * Export sentiment among small and medium businesses has weakened amid geopolitical and trade protectionist concerns. * Capital costs are expected to remain high in Q1 2025, influencing investment decisions. Medium-sized firms have scaled back optimism on capital expenditure, while small businesses show slight improvement. * Credit growth has declined for micro and small businesses (15.5% in May 2024 to 10.1% in Nov 2024), remained stable for large businesses, and surged for medium-sized firms (12.6% in June 2024 to 20.0% in Nov 2024). Findings from analysis of 45,000+ MSMEs during 2021-2024 across 7 sectors Debt & Credit Trends in MSMEs: Loan disbursements have moderated in 2024, but the rise in working capital loans highlights a growing reliance on short-term financing. This shift reflects the challenges businesses face in long-term planning amid economic uncertainty. Among the 45,000+ MSMEs analysed, the light engineering, electrical equipment, food processing, and chemical sectors emerged as the largest borrowers in the first three quarters of 2024. Interestingly, over the past six months, B2C businesses have taken on less new debt than B2B businesses, except in the auto components and hospitality sectors. Growing Formalisation in MSMEs: The study finds a clear trend toward formalisation, as businesses report lower cash holdings and declining debt-to-turnover ratios. This shift suggests improved financial management, optimised cash flows, and reduced dependence on external financing. The effect is even more pronounced in mature and larger businesses (Rs20 crore+), signalling a steady move toward greater financial transparency and stability. Micro Businesses & Credit Access: Among 15,000+ micro businesses studied, loan inquiries continue to rise despite lower disbursements, pointing to a persistent demand-supply gap in credit availability. While businesses actively seek funding, lenders remain cautious. A notable trend in 2024 is the increased preference for asset-backed financing, such as loans against gold jewellery, over cash flow-based lending -- a sign that lenders favour secured credit amid economic uncertainties. The semi-annual report, prepared in partnership with Dun & Bradstreet, a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, offers a comprehensive analysis of India's MSME sector that reveals key trends and opportunities for the sector's future. It is based on an in-depth analysis of over 45,000 MSMEs across seven key sectors. It offers a nuanced understanding of the MSME landscape, stressing the importance of credit access, formalisation, and digitalisation in ensuring sustained growth. The report can be downloaded for free from the websites of Dun & Bradstreet India (http://www.dnb.co.in/) and UGRO Capital (http://www.ugrocapital.com/). About UGRO Capital Ltd (NSE: UGROCAP I BSE: 511742) UGRO Capital Limited is a DataTech Lending platform, listed on NSE and BSE, pursuing its mission of "Solving the Unsolved" for the small business credit gap in India, on the back of its formidable distribution reach and its DataTech approach. It aims to service every need of every MSME as it believes that #MSMEAchhaHai. The Company's prowess in Data Analytics and strong Technology architecture allows for customized sourcing platforms for each sourcing channel - GRO Plus module, which has uberized intermediated sourcing; GRO Chain, a supply chain financing platform with automated end-to-end approval and flow of invoices; GRO Xstream platform for co-lending, an upstream and downstream integration with fintechs and liability providers; and GRO X application, to deliver embedded financing option to MSMEs. The company's patented proprietary underwriting model, GRO Score (3.0), is a statistical framework using AI / ML driven statistical models to risk-rank customers and it is revolutionizing MSME credit by providing on-tap financing like consumer financing in India by assessing a borrower's creditworthiness based on a data tripod - banking, bureau and GST records. UGRO is also a pioneer in the Co-lending model in India, which is prevalent in the West. The Company is backed by marquee institutional investors (raised INR 900+ Cr of equity capital in 2018, INR 340 Cr in 2023 and INR 1265 Cr in 2024) and aims to capture 1% market share over the next three years. For more information, please visit: http://www.ugrocapital.com/. Looking ahead, U GRO Capital remains steadfast in its dedication to leverage technology, data-driven insights, and industry expertise to provide innovative financial solutions that meet the evolving needs of MSMEs.For more information, please visit: http://www.ugrocapital.com/ About Dun & Bradstreet India Dun & Bradstreet, a leading global provider of business decisioning data and analytics, enables companies around the world to improve their business performance. Dun & Bradstreet's Data Cloud fuels solutions and delivers insights that empower customers to accelerate revenue, lower cost, mitigate risk and transform their businesses. Since 1841, companies of every size have relied on Dun & Bradstreet to help them manage risk and reveal opportunity. For more information on Dun & Bradstreet, please visit www.dnb.com. Dun & Bradstreet Information Services India Private Limited is headquartered in Mumbai and provides clients with data-driven products and technology-driven platforms to help them take faster and more accurate decisions across finance, risk, compliance, information technology and marketing. Working towards Government of India's vision of creating an Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) by supporting the Make in India initiative, Dun & Bradstreet India has a special focus on helping entrepreneurs enhance their visibility, increase their credibility, expand access to global markets, and identify potential customers & suppliers, while managing risk and opportunity. India is also the home to Dun & Bradstreet Technology & Corporate Services LLP, which is the Global Capabilities Center (GCC) of Dun & Bradstreet supporting global technology delivery using cutting-edge technology. Located at Hyderabad, the GCC has a highly skilled workforce of over 500 employees, and focuses on enhanced productivity, economies of scale, consistent delivery processes and lower operating expenses. Visit www.dnb.co.in for more information. Click here for all Dun & Bradstreet India press releases. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2314099/5250790/DB_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) Ashley J. Tellis, Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, offered a candid analysis of the evolving US approach to global technology partnerships under a potential second Trump administration and the broader implications for the US-India relationship, at the Carnegie Global Tech Summit held in New Delhi on Friday. On the US-India technology partnership, Tellis argued that while state-led initiatives and subsidies are useful to jumpstart cooperation, they are not a viable long-term model. He stated, "I do not believe that a sustainable path for the US-India Relationship is through state action and state subsidies. Those are very good to jump-start the process, but if we have to keep it sustainable, we need to really have market transformations in both countries that essentially permit innovation to respond to the pressures of the market." Tellis pointed out a shift in US policy priorities, stating, "I think the bias in the Trump administration is to sell services. And given that bias, it is very likely that there will be much greater technology acquisition opportunities over here and for the rest of the world. Now, what it does to a certain conception of global order is a very different question." However, he cautioned that such a transactional approach could undermine long-standing frameworks designed to preserve the global order. He said, "For 70 years now, we tried to help our friends while at the same time maintaining a proliferation regime that would date to a certain conception of order. Now, if we end up in a situation where the price of helping our friends is to engulf the regime simultaneously, I'm not quite sure long-term US interests are at hand, nor am I sure that the interests of our friends are at hand. What is even worse is that I'm not sure the administration has the discipline to understand the issues at hand." Tellis expressed concern over whether future U.S. administrations would have the strategic discipline to manage these complexities. "Time will tell whether, net-net, we come out ahead," he said. (ANI) VMPL New Delhi [India], April 11: In the fast-paced world of financial services, few companies have managed to achieve the kind of success that Seeds Fincap Private Limited has witnessed. In less than four years since its inception, the company has crossed a remarkable milestone--Rs500 Cr in Assets Under Management (AUM) and Rs1023 Cr in total loan disbursements. With 129 branches across eight states and a portfolio of over one lakh clients, Seeds Fincap is reshaping access to business finance in India. The company has emerged as a key player in business financing, offering a range of loan products, including individual and unsecured business loans, loans against property, consumer durable loans, and supply chain finance. This dynamic portfolio has empowered small entrepreneurs across the country, providing them with the financial backing they need to grow and thrive. What makes Seeds Fincap's success even more significant is the speed at which it has scaled. In just four years, it has not only expanded its geographical reach but also established itself as a trusted name in the financial ecosystem. Its customer-centric approach, robust risk management, and agile operational model have enabled it to cater to the credit needs of entrepreneurs and businesses that often struggle with traditional lending barriers. Leadership Insights Speaking about this milestone, Subhash Chandra Acharya, Managing Director of Seeds Fincap, stated: "Numbers tell a story, but our real success lies in the dreams we empower. Rs500 Cr AUM and Rs1000 Cr disbursement are just milestones on our larger journey to financial inclusion and business growth in India." Adding to this, Co-founder Avishek Sarkar shared: "In less than four years, we've built more than just a financial institution; we've built trust. Every branch we open and every loan we disburse strengthens our commitment to supporting India's entrepreneurs." As India continues to foster entrepreneurship and economic self-reliance, institutions like Seeds Fincap are playing a crucial role in bridging the financial gap. By prioritizing accessibility, efficiency, and innovation, the company is poised to continue its upward trajectory, making financial empowerment a reality for thousands more. The company remains committed to driving financial inclusion and supporting businesses across India. (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) VMPL Coimbatore (Tamil Nadu) [India], April 11: In a significant step towards accessible early childhood education, English Hunt, an esteemed educational institution headquartered in Coimbatore, has launched the first branch of Kinder Hunt Pre-School. The school, founded by Devasena, aims to provide quality education with a strong social commitment, offering free scholarships to underprivileged children. The inauguration ceremony was graced by actress Nalini, while the first franchisee, Vasumathi, officially took charge. Empowering Women Entrepreneurs English Hunt, under the leadership of its founder and CEO Devasena, has been instrumental in empowering women entrepreneurs. With the launch of the Kinder Hunt franchise, Devasena has paved the way for another woman entrepreneur, Vasumathi, to establish her venture in the education sector. Hailing from Madurai, Vasumathi relocated to Coimbatore with her husband and child after marriage. She had long aspired to start her own business and achieve something significant. It was during this period that she learned about the successful English Hunt educational institution and its franchise model, which has been thriving in Coimbatore for years. Inspired by this opportunity, she took the initiative to establish the first branch of Kinder Hunt Pre-School in Saibaba Colony, Coimbatore. A Commitment to Inclusive Education During the event, Devasena expressed her vision and commitment to making education accessible to all children, regardless of their financial background. "English Hunt started in 2019 with just one child, and today, we have reached a milestone where we are launching our own pre-school. However, we firmly believe that education should not be a privilege limited to those who can afford it. At Kinder Hunt, we are ensuring that for every five children admitted, one seat will be reserved for an underprivileged child," said Devasena. To reinforce this mission, the school has introduced the Lakshan's Hope Scholarship, a fully-funded scholarship program for children from economically weaker backgrounds. The initiative is named in memory of Lakshan, a student at English Hunt Training Center who tragically passed away in 2021. As a tribute to his legacy, Kinder Hunt will offer this scholarship annually, providing free education to deserving students. With this new venture, English Hunt continues to make strides in education and social responsibility, fostering both academic excellence and opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. The Kinder Hunt Pre-School is set to be a beacon of hope for many young learners in Coimbatore. (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) BusinessWire India Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], April 11: Reckitt, the global leader in health, hygiene, and nutrition, under its flagship programme, Dettol Banega Swasth India, celebrated the grand finale of OHO Hill Yatra Season 4 in Dehradun in the gracious presence of Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Uttarakhand. The campaign reinforced Reckitt's commitment to contribute to the state's developmental vision of Uttarakhand@25, as the state celebrates its 25th Statehood Year. Hosted at the CM Camp Office in Dehradun, the grand finale was graced by Shri Banshidhar Tiwari, IAS, D.G. Information & School Education, Vice-Chairman, Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority, Government of Uttarakhand; Professor Anita Rawat, Director, Uttarakhand Science Education & Research Centre (USERC); Saurabh Tiwari, Director, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS); Hari Om Chaudhary, Director, Dreamers EDU Hub; Advocate Lalit Joshi, Sajag India and special guest Ravi Bhatnagar, Director, External Affairs and Partnerships, Reckitt - South Asia, hosted by RJ Kaavya, CEO, OHO Radio. During the event, students from the Dettol Climate Resilient Schools presented cultural performances, delivering powerful messages on climate change, hygiene, and public health. Their creative presentations and models showcasing various climate resilient practices adopted by the schools captivated the audience. Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, Chief Minister, Uttarakhand, said, "OHO Hill Yatra is not just a foot journey, but a unique initiative to reawaken the nature, culture, and collective consciousness of Uttarakhand. Through this journey, our school children not only understood but also internalized the essence of thought, original thinking, responsibility, and public engagement. Today's performances by the children were not only captivating but also conveyed a powerful message of health, hygiene, and environmental conservation. Initiatives like 'Dettol Banega Swasth India' are exemplary efforts in making our future--our children--aware, self-reliant, and responsible citizens. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to OHO Radio and all partner organizations for this impactful journey. The state government will always encourage and support such public welfare campaigns." Gaurav Jain, Executive Vice President, Reckitt - South Asia, said, "At Reckitt, we believe in empowering the next generation to build a sustainable and climate resilient future. Education plays a crucial role in fostering biodiversity conservation. Through our Dettol Climate Resilient Schools initiative, we are raising awareness, promoting sustainable practices, and empowering children to become environmental stewards. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Uttarakhand for their invaluable support as we work together toward a greener and more resilient Uttarakhand." Since 2022, Reckitt has been working in the state of Uttarakhand, adopting a multi-dimensional and deeply integrated approach to promote hygiene, public health and climate resilience among children, aligned to the Government of India's Swachh Bharat Mission and Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment). Central to this initiative was the introduction of a dedicated Climate Curriculum that includes environmental education workshops on topics like waste segregation, drip irrigation, water and energy audits, eco-brick making, birdwatching, and sustainable living practices. It also features eco-sensitization trips, nature walks, and the use of eco-friendly stationery such as seed pencils, xylem-free markers, dust-free chalks, and upcycled materials; Uttarakhand Biodiversity Discovery kit - focusing on state's unique flora, fauna and overall biodiversity to life, including A handy A-to-Z climate dictionary introducing key climate, environmental, hygiene and health terms relevant to the region; a Child Climate Parliament that empowers children to voice their ideas, raise climate concerns, and actively participate in decision-making processes in school, with focus on the 3 C's model - Campus, Curriculum and Collaboration, that aims to empower students with knowledge on sustainability and climate action from an early age. Speaking at the grand finale, Ravi Bhatnagar, Director - External Affairs and Partnerships, Reckitt - South Asia, said, "At Reckitt, we are deeply committed to building a climate-resilient and health-conscious generation. The OHO Hill Yatra is more than a campaign--it's a movement born in the heart of the Himalayas and powered by the curiosity of children. Through Dettol Climate Resilient Schools initiative with our innovative Climate Curriculum, Biodiversity Kit, Climate Dictionary and focus on 3 C's model - Campus, Curriculum and Collaboration, we've brought Uttarakhand's vibrant flora and fauna into classrooms, creating an engaging and localized learning experience that highlights the importance of hygiene. To reinforce our continued dedication, we are expanding our support to six tribal schools in the state with the support of the Government of Uttarakhand, aimed at promoting better practices in health, hygiene, and environmental sustainability." RJ Kaavya, Founder, OHO Radio Network, added, "The culmination of the OHO Hill Yatra is not an end, but the beginning of a larger movement -- one that places our children at the heart of change. From SE01 to SE04, we have witnessed the rise of a thoughtful, responsible, and deeply aware generation. These young voices are not just speaking up, they are stepping forward -- with clarity, compassion, and conviction. Uttarakhand is growing in every sector -- education, health, technology, tourism, and environmental consciousness. But what truly defines our state's progress is the mindset of its youth. Through this journey, we've seen children transform into climate thinkers, solution seekers, and community leaders. For me, the OHO Hill Yatra has never been just a project -- it is a pulse, a purpose, and a promise to nurture a generation that doesn't wait for change, but becomes the change." In collaboration with the Government of Uttarakhand, Reckitt is now scaling its impact to encompass 13 districts, 13,000 schools, and 13 lakh children, including further expansion by adopting and introducing the curriculum in 6 additional tribal schools under the Directorate of Tribal Welfare in Udham Singh Nagar. This reflects a broader commitment to improving the future of the state's youth, along with health and hygiene awareness, by enhancing digital infrastructure, sanitation, capacity building, and environmental awareness, in alignment with Mission LiFE and the Swachh Bharat Mission. In tandem with educational reforms, Reckitt has prioritized access to hygiene by distributing lakhs of soaps across the state, with the goal of achieving 100% hygiene material coverage in all districts. The program also includes regular infrastructure upgrades and tailored climate and hygiene interventions, particularly focused on improving the health and learning environments for indigenous communities. The Dettol Climate Resilient Schools have achieved measurable impact through infrastructure retrofitting, cutting water usage, slashing electricity consumption, and ensuring solar power backup during outages--resulting in reduced carbon emissions and increased climate resilience. These efforts, coupled with environmental education and the activation of Mission LiFE clubs, have strengthened local biodiversity and contributed to the state's climate mitigation goals. In collaboration with AIIMS Rishikesh, the project has also initiated the first-ever impact research study on the linkage of health, hygiene and climate change--positioning Uttarakhand as a model for India, and India as a solution for the world. The first-of-its-kind Dettol School Radio Podcast empowers students to share their voices and insights on sustainability, while the programme's participation at UNFCCC CoP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a testament to its commitment to contributing to global climate dialogue. OHO Hill Yatra Season 4 marked the culmination of a transformative journey through the hills of Uttarakhand, engaging schoolchildren, educators, and communities across the state on critical issues like hygiene, health, climate resilience, and community empowerment. This season witnessed the rollout of creative educational tools, interactive learning modules, and storytelling formats including India's first-of-its-kind community-driven school podcast by Dettol Banega Swasth India. This people-first model directly supports the Uttarakhand@25 goals of empowering youth, fostering grassroots innovation, and promoting environmental awareness. (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) PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 11: His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Crown Prince of Dubai witnessed the signing of a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Dubai Health and the five founding trustees of the UAE India Friendship Hospital, four of whom are founding members of the UAE India Business Council - UAE Chapter. This strategic partnership solidifies the foundation of a groundbreaking healthcare initiative, one that is set to benefit the blue-collar workforce who have played an essential role in Dubai's rapid economic development. This project falls in line with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Prime Minister Modi and has been graciously supported by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Crown Prince of Dubai. The signing of the MoU reiterates Dubai Health's steadfast support and commitment to the initiative. The partnership will guarantee that the hospital delivers high-quality, affordable healthcare services to Dubai's vital blue-collar expatriate community. The hospital, with a capacity of 100+ beds, is set to become a cornerstone in providing essential healthcare services to the workers who form the backbone of Dubai's economy. The MoU signing, witnessed by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, was signed between Dr Amer Ahmed Sharif, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Health and the distinguished five founding trustees, whose leadership, insights and expertise will be central to the success of this landmark project. Pledging their support were Mr. Faizal Kottikollon, Chairman of UIBC-UC and KEF Holdings, a visionary leader in healthcare initiatives; Mr. Tariq Chauhan, a prominent business strategist, UIBC-UC board member and EFS Facilities Services Executive Vice Chairman, Mr. Nilesh Ved, Chairman, Apparel Group, UIBC-UC board member; and Mr. Siddharth Balachandran, UIBC-UC founding member and Executive Chairman, Buimerc Corp. Mr. Ramesh Ramakrishnan, a well-known figure in both business and philanthropy and Chairman of Transworld Group, also a founding trustee of the project was also present. Their collective experience and commitment to social impact have been crucial in realizing this transformative healthcare project. Kshitij Korde from the UIBC UC team was also in attendance during the event. The UIBC-UC, established in 2023 under the patronage of the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and India's Ministry of External Affairs, plays a pivotal role in strengthening the bilateral ties between the two nations. The council aims to advance the goals of India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), targeting a significant increase in non-oil trade to $100 billion and attracting $75 billion in investments from the UAE to India. With 18 leading Indian and Emirati organizations as founding members, UIBC-UC represents over $1 trillion in assets under management. Underscoring the significance of the partnership, The UAE India Friendship Hospital Trustees said, "This event marks not just the launch of a healthcare project, but the beginning of a transformative initiative that will deliver vital services to those who have been the backbone of Dubai's remarkable growth. We are deeply grateful for the unwavering support of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. We also recognize the important roles played by Dubai Health, the Community Development Authority (CDA), the Indian Embassy in the UAE, the Consulate General of India in Dubai, and the UAE-India Business Council UAE Chapter (UIBC UC) in bringing this project to fruition. The MoU signing today is a landmark moment, ensuring that this hospital will stand as a beacon of care, compassion, and commitment to the blue-collar workforce -- in line with the vision of H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and H.E. Prime Minister Narendra Modi." Adding to this, UIBC-UC Chairman Faizal Kottikollon said, "This partnership exemplifies the power of cross-border collaboration in driving social impact. We are proud to support an initiative that not only addresses critical healthcare needs but also strengthens the enduring bond between the UAE and India. This hospital is a tribute to the hardworking individuals who have contributed so much to the region's development." (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 Gurugram (Haryana) [India], April 11: Housp is redefining the conventional real estate experience with the launch of its game-changing real estate platform and transforming the way secondary real estate transactions take place. The platform is enabled by Machine Learning (ML) algorithms to predict the property prices and trends in turn simplifying the real estate experience by offering smarter property searches, digital tools for transactions and enhanced user experience. Housp has identified critical concerns in the secondary real estate market, such as involvement of spam calls, false promises, incoherent title checks and minimal transparency. This adds another layer of complexity to the entire process and becomes significantly riskier for buyers and sellers to engage in successful proceedings. Housp has undertaken the initiative to solve this age-old problem and designed a technologically advanced solution to evolve and enhance transparency and efficiency in property transactions. Delighted with the launch, Karan Gupta, co-founder of Housp said, "We believe that integrating cutting-edge technology with a relentless focus on risk-free business processes will transform how transactions are executed in the secondary real estate market, setting a new standard for efficiency and security." Thrilled with the launch, Shaktte Sachdev, co-founder of Housp said, "This is a resale product that combines the operational principles of traditional business with the advanced technology of today. Our goal is to alleviate the challenges faced by investors by not only providing expert consulting on exit strategies but also guaranteeing a successful sale through an e-mandate." In a digitally driven landscape, Housp platform plays a pivotal role in bringing ease to day-to-day operations in the real estate segment and simplifying the traditional way of signing documents with e-mandates. Additionally, it provides peace of mind to sellers by not only simplifying real estate transactions but also providing them with instant liquidity options. The adoption of AI and ML is driving innovation and customer-centricity in the real estate industry. Housp leverages these ML algorithms to shortlist properties, transform property listings and search processes. It also helps in gaining competitive edge in the market by providing real-time access to pricing trends, EMI calculators, ROI calculators and comprehensive title checks to help buyers make well-informed financial decisions. Housp nurtures an expert team of professionals with strong tech capabilities and deep market understanding. With a combined experience of more than 10 years in sales, marketing and product, the company started its operations in Noida with over 75 apartments shortlisted for sale. Considering its vision, it is moving on the trajectory to scale rapidly to 4 new cities in the next 15 months, Pune and Gurugram to name a few. Housp aims at listing 40 curated properties on their tech platform www.housp.com with all minute details captured starting from the project inspection report to title verification of each apartment. Aiming for a GTV of INR 70 Cr. and a channel network of ~480 brokers in the early stages, Housp is aiming to revolutionise the real estate secondary market. Housp is also developing an advanced machine-learning model with the capability to predict potential buyers. It deeply analyzes historical data and buyers' behaviour along with their specifications. This matches the listed properties with the right buyer while streamlining the transaction process. For more information, please visit www.housp.com and start your real estate buying/selling journey. (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) Amidst the Tariff war, travel solutions provider EaseMyTrip has encouraged Indian entrepreneurs to act big and push Indian goods to the United States as Chinese products face 125 percent tariffs. As part of that, EaseMyTrip is offering 25% discount on Hotels and flights for entrepreneurs wishing to travel to the US. Founder and Chairman of EaseMyTrip Nishant Pitti replied on X to a post by co-founder Prashant Pitti, saying, "To help Indian entrepreneurs act on this US opportunity, Prashant Pitti mentioned, we would like to facilitate that journey. Use Code: EMT125 Get up to 25% discount on your Flight + Hotel bookings to the USA. Valid for the next 30 days." Earlier in his post Prashant Pitti called on Indian entrepreneurs to take advantage of the massive 125 % tariff levied on Chinese exports to the US and pitch their goods to the Americans. "Trump cancels tariffs for most nations, except China, which will be at 104% Sharing the TOP 104 products that China used to export to the US, in comment section. Indian businesses, now is the time to ACT BOLD! If you are one of the manufacturers from this list, find distributors who can help you sell and immediately book a ticket to the US, go meet these businesses and sell them your best quality product, " he posted on X. Prashant Pitti listed 104 items, from Smartphones to Agricultural machinery, that China was exporting to the US and would now come under the new tariff regime. Earlier on Friday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India is prepared for a high degree of urgency in reaching a trade deal with the United States. He said the country has fundamentally changed its approach to engaging with the world, and this has consequences across every domain. Speaking at the Carnegie Global Technology Summit, Jaishankar said that India's trade deals are very challenging as the US is very ambitious, and the global landscape is very different from what it was a year ago. "This time around, we are certainly geared up for a very high degree of urgency. I mean, we see a window. We want to see stuff. So our trade deals are very, you know, they're really challenging. And we are really, when I look at the trade deals, I mean it's not my direct credit, but we have a lot to do with each other. I mean, these are people very much on top of their game, very ambitious about what they want to achieve," he said. Since assuming office for his second term, President Trump has reiterated his stance on tariff reciprocity, emphasising that the United States will match tariffs imposed by other countries, including India, to ensure fair trade. The US administration, under President Donald Trump, imposed 26 per cent tariffs on India, which were then paused for 90 days. Along with India, Trump paused the reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries that have engaged in negotiations with the US administration. However, the 125% tariff levied on China will continue. (ANI) The European Union has the "political will" to negotiate a Free Trade Agreement with India, according to Jon Simonsson, Senior Director at the Prime Minister's Office in Sweden. "There's very strong political momentum now in the EU to come forward and really get FTA in place (with India), and with those, I think developments go faster again," Simonsson told ANI on the sidelines of the Carnegie Global Technology Summit. "There are a lot of commonalities between the EU interests and in Indian interests. I really think we could collaborate more in this area, and the political will is there as well. So to do something here is an evident thing to do," he said. India-European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations were formally re-launched on June 17, 2022, following the India-EU Leaders announcement in Porto on May 8, 2021. Negotiations cover 23 policy areas/chapters. Several rounds of negotiations have been held by far. Further, speaking about India and how it can leverage AI, the Swedish official said India has an excellent knowledge base of startups, engineers, and technical universities. "It's very much a matter of providing the right conditions for this group of people to do their job, to innovate, to test out new things...and I think one of the benefits of China has been that this very strong notion of culture of learning and developing new stuff. India also has that, but we have to make it easier for students and entrepreneurs to go this way and do things," he added. He said financing such technology is also key. "Of course, financing is also a very important tool to get that type of experimentation in place, but now with 100 plus unicorns based in India, of course there are entrepreneurs now that could give back to society and invest in new startups that do exactly what others have been doing. So I think you (India) have a good opportunity now to use and cultivate your ecosystem, which is growing very rapidly," the Swedish official added. (ANI) PRNewswire Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 11: With India poised to lead the leap into a new era of economic growth and global influence, the Global Investors Forum at India Global Forum's 'NXT25' summit dove deep into how India's evolving investment landscape, financial market reforms, and strategic partnerships are setting the stage for the next 25 years of wealth creation and global economic expansion. In a Fireside Chat with Ashish Chauhan, MD & CEO, National Stock Exchange (NSE) shared insights into the role of public listings, the dynamics of investor confidence, and regulatory advancements talking about listing regulations in India vis-a-vis the US, he said, "80% of the future wealth will be non-material or dematerialized wealth. Most of the future wealth is going to be of experience which is not going to be easy to tariff." Highlighting the shift in global trade dynamics, Sanjay Nayar, Founder, Sorin Investments, said, "The time of hiding behind tariffs is over. The private sector will have to reset their supply chains, diversify their markets, build bigger and more efficient businesses, and comply with sustainability norms if they want to get into exports. Having said that, that's where the opportunity is for investors." "We saw a regime with high returns and low volatility for several years. The point switched from September to October last year; now, there will be low returns and high volatility. It's the nature of markets; you won't get great news and great prices simultaneously. In a few months, India will again emerge as the second derivative boost to growth required for Viksit Bharat," said Shiv Sehgal, President & Head, Nuvama Capital Markets in a conversation themed 'Capital Markets in India - Navigating Market Volatility and Long-Term Growth'. In response to the recent debate around shifting focus of Indian startups from consumer products to large scale problem solving, deep-tech and innovation, Faraz Khalid, CEO, Noon Group, commented, "How you implement AI, and its applications is going to create an enormous profit pool and there's going to be innovation and opportunities for people who are closer to their customers." Commenting on the debate, Kunal Bahl, Co-Founder, Titan Capital and Snapdeal, said, "In India, we have businesses that solve different problems. We must celebrate all of them. That said, we should also be pushing the boundaries and widening the aperture of the ecosystem. If we want to have deep-tech innovations, steps will be needed over a long run, and it won't happen overnight." 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/2662795/Ben_Thompson_Ashish_Chauhan_IGF.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2566069/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 Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], April 11: BizConnect, a trailblazer in industrial communication and marketing innovation, has launched of XploR, its cutting-edge immersive technology vertical. Focused on delivering state-of-the-art 3D product animation, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR) solutions, XploR is poised to transform how Indian industries communicate complex offerings, elevate product experiences, and modernize sales, training, and marketing strategies for both domestic and global markets. The rapid evolution of India's industrial landscape has created a pressing need for smarter, more engaging, and sustainable marketing tools. As products grow increasingly complex and market demands intensify, traditional methods like PDF brochures, static presentations, and physical demos often fall short in conveying the full value and functionality of industrial solutions. XploR addresses this gap by empowering businesses to simplify product demonstrations, shorten sales cycles, reduce operational costs, and enhance digital engagement. "We launched XploR to meet a critical industry need: making industrial marketing faster, more impactful, and environmentally responsible," said Sanjeev De, CEO of BizConnect. "Our immersive technologies enable Indian companies to compete on a global stage, delivering compelling product stories while cutting costs and lead times." XploR offers tailored benefits across diverse sectors. In manufacturing and heavy engineering, companies can leverage animated 3D demonstrations to showcase external and internal product mechanisms, interactively display assembly lines or workflows, and replace bulky machinery transport with portable XR kits for expos, plant visits, or distributor meets. The automotive and new mobility sector can utilize 3D modeling and XR to reveal vehicle interiors, engine functionality, or cross-sections without physical dismantling, while virtual showrooms streamline global presentations and dealer training. In energy, power, and infrastructure, XploR enables dynamic simulations of equipment like smart grids or renewable energy systems, visually illustrating installation, maintenance, and performance for sales, training, and government tenders. Meanwhile, lifestyle and retail brands can engage customers with AR-based virtual try-ons for garments, accessories, or furniture, reducing returns and bridging physical and digital experiences through 3D-led visual merchandising. The economic and ecological advantages of XploR are significant. By adopting 3D and XR technologies, businesses can reduce demo and event logistics costs by up to 70%, minimizing freight, installation, and handling expenses. Digital solutions decrease reliance on printed collaterals, supporting greener marketing practices, while remote-ready content reduces travel for training and sales, lowering carbon emissions. These gains align with global trends, where leading economies like Germany, the USA, Japan, and South Korea have embraced XR for interactive B2B expos, VR-based training simulations, and AR-driven retail marketing. With XploR, Indian industries can now adopt these world-class standards, enhancing competitiveness and embracing digital transformation responsibly. #BizConnectXploR Early adopters of BizConnect's solutions are already reaping the rewards. Hitachi has utilized XR demos at expos, eliminating the need to ship heavy machinery and achieving significant cost savings while engaging visitors faster. Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. (ABFRL) has leveraged virtual store walkthroughs and fashion displays for international buyers and internal training. Endress+Hauser has deployed immersive 3D equipment demos, enhanced field engineer training and accelerating customer onboarding. "We used to transport entire units to expos; now, a headset does the job--more efficient and impactful," noted a satisfied client. Looking ahead, #XploRbyBizConnect envisions a future where Indian companies sell with confidence, train with clarity, and communicate with creativity. "We want Indian companies to sell with confidence, train with clarity, and communicate with creativity. With XploR, we're giving them the tools the world is already using--customized for India's industrial and retail sectors. It's not just the future--it's the present, and we're proud to lead it," concludes Sanjeev De. For further details and queries: https://bizconnectxplor.com/ Contact- Sandeep R- 7503553977 (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) SMPL Yoshkar-Ola [Russia], April 11: Mari State University is pleased to host Samir Abdul Aziz, Advisor to the Indian Embassy in Moscow. The visit provided the Indian students studying at Mari State University a unique opportunity to engage in a meaningful exchange with Aziz, who addressed key issues that matter to the students. During the meeting, the students had the chance to discuss various topics such as adaptation in Russia, support from the embassy, opportunities for academic and professional growth, and cultural exchange between the countries. Mari State University expressed its heartfelt gratitude to the Indian Embassy in Moscow for their continued support and attention to the needs of the students. Mikhail Nikolaevich Shvetsov, Rector of Mari State University, remarked "Yoshkar-Ola is rightfully considered the international student capital, and excellent living and study conditions have been created here. We are pleased to continue to develop our cordial relationship with the Indian side and look forward to students studying!" Sharing his thoughts on the city, Samir Abdul Aziz, expressed, "Well, this is my first visit to Yoshkar-Ola, and I've been to many cities in Russia, and this city is special. I took a short walk through the streets of the city along the River Embankment, and it was very beautiful. I mean, this place reminded me of some other places abroad. It's such a beautiful place and a very compact and cozy city, and I found out that most of the students, that is, international students in Yoshkar-Ola, are from India. And this is very interesting for me. I had the opportunity to meet with students and what I could hear from them was that this university is the best in terms of the education it provides, I saw it and realized that the students here are very happy. They talked about it publicly in front of the college administration" The visit underscored the strong ties between India and Russia and reaffirmed the commitment of both Mari State University and the Indian Embassy to ensure the continued success and well-being of Indian students in Yoshkar-Ola. (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) Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal will lead a delegation of business leaders to Italy for the next India-Italy Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation in a month or two, the Union minister told reporters at a joint press conference alongside Italian Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani. "We have agreed to convene the next Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation in Italy, where I will be leading a large delegation of Indian business persons from areas where we share interests in the very near future, possibly the next month or two," the Union minister said. Piyush Goyal said India and Italy are committed to strengthening manufacturing, co-manufacturing, and designing and co-designing in different areas and supporting each other. "Two countries, which are not in competition but collaborate with each other and complement each other and our strengths. The foundation has been laid. The blueprint is clear. Now the time is only to invest, trade, and grow to a bright future," he added. The Italian Deputy Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to India with a delegation of nearly 100 business persons. Piyush Goyal further said both countries are trying to forge impactful partnerships across different sectors and convert strategic partnerships into comprehensive strategic relationships. He also assured that they were working together to make the EU-India FTA a reality by the end of the year. At the same press conference, the Italian deputy prime minister said, "With India, we are working well, and we want to do more, and we want also to reduce our barriers. We are doing the best India and Italy for supporting, for paving the way for a better cooperation between our companies." "It is a very important day for the cooperation between India and Italy. Very positive political meetings...we are very happy...," the deputy prime minister said in his initial remarks. Earlier in the day, an Italy-India Business, Science and Technology Forum was held, where Piyush Goyal, visiting Italian Deputy Prime Minister, and EAM S Jaishankar. (ANI) Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday said one cannot compromise with national interest just to meet trade agreement deadlines. The Minister said that at the end of the day, trade agreements have to be win-win for both sides. "You always need to have timelines for all deadlines for whatever work you do. We do that in business all the time, don't we? Every action should be defined in terms of a responsibility that takes a timeline, but in the case of retail agreements, these are indicated timelines...," the Commerce Minister said, speaking at the Carnegie Global Technology Summit here in the national capital. "But at the end of the day, it has to be a win-win for both sides. It has to be a fair, equitable, and balanced solution. Just to meet the deadline, you cannot compromise national interest," he added. India is currently working on trade agreements with many countries and blocks of nations, including with the EU, the UK, and the US. India-US trade deal is expected to inked by the fall of 2025. India-EU FTA is expected by the end of 2025. On the trade deal with the EU, Goyal said the severity of the non-tariff barriers that Europe has created, particularly on climate regulations, have created road blocks. "Unless Europe recognizes the path that they are going down, if I can say it down a little bit, I see serious difficulty for Europe to be able to do trade with any country to get India. I am actually a worried man for the very future of the European Union and their position, given the kind of dramatically difficult non-tariff barriers that they have set up, both for their own benefit and for the benefit of the people," he explained. "There'll be two areas on which the European Union will have to rethink. One is these non-trade issues with the seek to superimpose into trade agenda. Unless they get that out of their system and the European Commission will need to reflect on it, they'll find it very difficult to get a trade agreement with anybody whatsoever. Any self-respecting decent country cannot sign up on commitments which are irrational beyond the realm of trade and where. The rest of the world has been responsible for the problem in the first place and has sought to be put on our head as if it's our responsibility to resolve," he said, stressing upon Europe's climate regulations. Talking about India's trade, he asserted that India has been for long "sitting in a very cosy comfort" of a large domestic market, giving them huge business opportunities here in India. "Our exports account for a very small percentage of our GDP at present. Even within our exports, we are quite a bit import dependent for the products that we are exporting. So if we look at COVID when exports fell, our imports fell even faster. And we landed up with a trade surplus," the minister said. (ANI) Popular stuntman and filmmaker Chad Stahelski, who is known for directing the 2014 film 'John Wick', starring Reeves, and its three sequels and also achieved fame as stunt performer and coordinator, praised the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for finally recognizing the field. After the announcement made by AMPAS that Achievement in Stunt Design will become a new category at the 100th Oscars, he said it is highly appreciable. "None of us in the industry would be here if it wasn't for the last 100 years of stunt people," shared Stahelski, adding, "We've come a long way because a lot of other people have sacrificed a lot. So, it's pretty cool to be here and be at the apex of an entire century of performers and coordinators and action directors. And it's a shame that a lot of them won't get to see where it all went to," reported Deadline. As there has been a continuous demand for Oscars to establish a category for stunt professionals in recent years, Stahelski praised the Academy for including himself and other stuntmen-turned-directors like David Leitch, J.J. Perry and Sam Hargrave in the process. "We're very lucky to be at the tail end of this, or at the apex where, a couple of years ago, the Academy came to us going, 'Hey, how do we help? How do we get this going?'" he said, as per the outlet. Chad added, "And for some people, it may have looked like it's taken a long time, but actually, I give a lot of credit to the Academy for doing it right. They took their time. They talked to a lot of the stunt community -- stunt coordinators, 2nd unit directors, the women's groups, the men's groups. Every different aspect of the stunt community, they went and talked to and tried to find out, not just should we get an award -- no one argued that -- they wanted to know how to give the award, who to give it to, how do we select it and they really did their homework. And when they felt like they had a good handle on it, they announced it," reported Deadline. "Unlike a lot of departments, we have many different coordinators," he said. He continued, "We have a stunt coordinator, we have a flight coordinator, we have a choreographer, we have a driving coordinator, we have an underwater coordinator -- there's quite a few that make it all work. So, how do you make the award fair and really get behind what the stunt departments are really about? So, I think they did a really good job of putting it together." Stahelski got his start doing stunts on films like The Crow (1994), Escape from L.A. (1996), Alien Resurrection (1997), The Matrix (1999), Spider-Man 2 (2004), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Live Free or Die Hard (2007), Rambo (2008) and The Hunger Games (2012). "So, by being a stunt double, where I got to be in front of the camera and learn from cast members, I got to see filmmaking from all different aspects," he shared. Stahelski added, "It was probably one of the best ways to go to film school, to be exposed to literally every aspect of filmmaking from in front and behind the camera. So when you direct, you feel very well versed in the many different departments and processes and methodologies of making a film," reported Deadline. (ANI) Filmmaker Karan Johar strongly reacted to a recent video involving General Dyer's great-granddaughter, Caroline Dyer, during a press conference for his upcoming film 'Kesari Chapter 2.' In the film, Akshay Kumar plays lawyer C. Sankaran Nair, the lawyer who fought against General Dyer and the British Empire after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. The video making the rounds on the internet shows Caroline speaking with Raj Kohli, whose great-uncle, Balwant Singh, was a survivor of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. During their interaction, Caroline shockingly referred to Balwant as a "looter." When asked by a reporter if he had seen the clip, Karan, who did not hold back his anger, lashed out at Caroline, saying that her comment was not just insensitive but also deeply disrespectful to the victims of one of the darkest chapters in Indian history. "To answer your question, yes, I have seen that video. Not just as an Indian or humanitarian, but as anyone with even an ounce of empathy and humanity will be angered by that video. I don't want to mince my words or be diplomatic in my answer, and I certainly won't beat around the bush when I say how ridiculous it is for her to say that! How dare she! She addressed thousands of victims as looters. They were innocent people who had gathered there for what was supposed to be an auspicious day of Baisakhi, thinking one thing was going to happen, and look what did happen," the filmmaker said. Johar went on to say that Dyer himself had admitted that he "only stopped firing when the bullets ran out." "And she went on to say in that interview that he loved India and all kinds of things about how he had the greatest compassion. What love can you have in your heart when your actions only speak of hate? The fact that she is in a la-la land of her own, and in some delusion -- I don't know her, nor have I met her, and I don't wish to meet her," he added. Stating that it boils his blood when he comes across that video, Johar said, "The fact that she has even said those things makes me so angry on a humanitarian level. Khoon khaulta hai when I saw that video, knowing that she has such disdain for one of the biggest genocides in the history of our nation and the world. The fact that she was so dismissive of it makes me even angrier and makes me demand an apology even more." Meanwhile, the trailer for 'Kesari Chapter 2' was released earlier this month, giving fans a glimpse into the emotional and powerful court battle led by Nair. The film 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 'Jab We Met' actress took to her Instagram on Friday to post a series of pictures from different shoots taken on the same day but in different cities. In her post, Kareena first shared a picture of herself sitting on a sofa in a formal outfit. The next two pictures featured Saif, who was seen riding a horse in a white kurta, blue jeans, and black sunglasses. Praising Saif's commitment to work, Bebo wrote, "Played a cop and found my husband guilty of his good looks. Same day. Different sets. Different cities. Very hardworking, as you can see." Check out the fun post https://www.instagram.com/p/DIT0a_MtIuI/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Meanwhile, on the work front, Kareena Kapoor will next be seen in ace director Meghna Gulzar's new film Daayra. The film will also star Ayushmann Khurrana. Saif Ali Khan, on the other hand, will next be seen in Jewel Thief: The Heist Begins. A new poster for his film was unveiled earlier this month. The poster shows Saif giving an intense look, with a stunning diamond shadow cast around his eye. The film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Kunal Kapoor, and Nikita Dutta, alongside Saif Ali Khan. The teaser, released in February, offered a glimpse into the movie's plot, showcasing Saif and Jaideep's characters joining forces to steal the coveted African Red Sun diamond. The heist drama is directed by Kookie Gulati and Robbie Grewal. (ANI) The film revolves around the story of a woman from the mountains who is forced to leave her family in search of work. It highlights the issues of migration and struggle in the hilly regions while showcasing the folk culture of Garhwal. While speaking at the premiere, Dhami shared that the film touches on serious topics like the struggle and migration of the mountains and brings alive our folk culture and sentiments. The event was also attended by several prominent guests Saurabh Thapliyal, State Congress Senior Vice President Suryakant Dhasmana, film producer Jitendra Joshi, and director Mukesh Dhasmana. Talking about the film, Meri Pyari Boi shows the challenges faced by people in the mountain villages, especially women. It also celebrates the culture and strength of the people living in the Garhwal region. (ANI) The upcoming holiday indie 'A Cherry Pie Christmas' (working title) has wrapped up shooting in Door County, Wisconsin, reported Deadline. The movie stars Katie Leclerc, known for Switched at Birth, and Ryan Carnes from General Hospital. It is written and directed by John Stimpson, who has worked with Leclerc before on several other holiday films. As per the publication, the story follows a young and ambitious pastry chef who returns to her hometown in Door County for the holidays. She must choose between her big career dreams and helping her family with their struggling orchard. The film revolves around family values, festive warmth, and small-town charm. According to Deadline, Stimpson, talking about the film had said, "Door County is the perfect setting for the film with its local traditions and beautiful scenery, rich agricultural history with cherries, commercial fishing, and dairy farming. Together with the importance of family, all of these elements are integral storylines in the film and are also authentic to the Door County community. Everyone throughout the state has been so helpful in getting this off the ground, it's been a real pleasure to shoot in Wisconsin." The film is produced by Mark Donadio, Miriam Marcus, Staci Griesbach (a Wisconsin native), and Katie Leclerc. Several local organizations supported the production, including Destination Door County, Travel Wisconsin, Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin, and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation. (ANI) GTS is India's flagship dialogue on geo-technology, co-hosted by the Carnegie India and Ministry of External Affairs. With leaders from government, industry, academia, and civil society taking part, the Summit aims to shape global technology policy conversations with a focus on innovation, resilience, and international cooperation. The ninth edition of the GTS is being held from April 10 to 12 and will explore how emerging technologies can drive inclusive growth, strengthen digital governance, and deepen cross-border partnerships. The theme for this year's Summit is "Sambhavna" - meaning possibilities. GTS-2025 will feature over 40 public sessions, including keynote addresses, ministerial conversations, expert panels, and strategic conversations. More than 150 speakers from over 40 countries--including the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, France, Germany, Netherlands, Brazil, UAE, Nigeria, the Philippines, and the European Union--will join discussions on the most pressing tech challenges and opportunities facing the world today. 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, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a release. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will address the Summit on Saturday. German Ambassador to India and Bhutan, Philipp Ackermann, and Australia's High Commissioner to India, Philip Green, are among the key speakers at the Summit. (ANI) The Border Security Force (BSF) troops recovered three packets of heroin weighing 1.666 kilograms on Thursday morning near Hashimpura in Amritsar, an official statement from the BSF said. The narcotics were found wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, with one illumination stick and steel ring attached to each packet. "By 11:10 pm, the troops successfully recovered 01 packet of suspected heroin, and subsequently 02 more packets in the morning hours of 10th April 2025, in the vicinity of Village Hashimpura of district Amritsar. The gross weight of all 03 packets is 1.666 kilograms. The narcotics were found wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, with one illumination stick and steel ring attached to each packet," the BSF said in a release. Following the detection of a drone intrusion on the Amritsar border on a Wednesday night, BSF troops acted swiftly. Based on information from their intelligence wing, they launched an extensive search operation in the suspected area. "Timely, effective action by alert BSF troops, based on credible intelligence, successfully thwarted yet another attempt to pump the narcotics in Punjab from across the border," the BSF said. Recently, the Border Security Force (BSF) troops, in collaboration with the Punjab Police, jointly recovered a packet of suspected heroin on the Tarn Taran border. "Today in the morning hours, based on specific information, BSF troops, in collaboration with Punjab Police, carried out an extensive search operation in the suspected area of the Tarn Taran border. The search, which culminated at about 11:25 am, led to the recovery of one packet of suspected heroin with a gross weight- 569 grams from an area near the village Wan of Tarn Taran district," the BSF said in a release. BSF said that the narcotics packet was wrapped with yellow and red adhesive tape, and a copper wire loop with two luminous sticks was also found attached to it, implying it was a drone dropping. This successful operation was the result of reliable information and well-coordinated follow-up action by BSF and Punjab Police, which thwarted yet one more attempt of the narco-syndicate to smuggle drugs into Punjab through a drone, the BSF said. (ANI) Beijing projects fully large-scale 5G applications by 2027 Xinhua) 08:31, April 11, 2025 BEIJING, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Beijing will achieve large-scale 5G application and comprehensive 5G integration across industries by the end of 2027, positioning itself as a leading national benchmark for 5G adoption, according to a three-year action plan unveiled by municipal authorities. The plan, jointly released by the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Economy and Information Technology and the Beijing Communications Administration, sets targets including 100 percent 5G penetration among individual users, over 75 percent of total traffic carried by 5G networks, and 45 percent adoption by industrial enterprises above the designated size by 2027. Infrastructure upgrades will deploy 70 5G and 5G-Advanced (5G-A) base stations per 10,000 residents, with over 35,000 new or upgraded 5G-A base stations to ensure seamless 5G coverage within the Fifth Ring Road and 5G-A service in key areas, according to the bureau. The city will foster an ecosystem and expand new scenarios for 5G-powered smart robots, mobile terminals and cloud-based equipment, while cultivating 5G-integrated innovations including extended reality architectures, glasses-free 3D technology, smart wearables and home solutions. The large-scale application of 5G is expected to empower Beijing across industrial internet, humanoid robotics, smart power grids and low-altitude systems, healthcare and digital education. It will also enhance autonomous driving capabilities and support the building of 400 "5G smart hospitals." (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Karnataka State Contractors Association (KSCA) President R. Manjunath has written a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, alleging that the state government does not make payments to contractors based on seniority. In the letter, he mentioned that the interference of middlemen between contractors and government departments has increased significantly. He stated that the government is supposed to release payments based on seniority as per the transparency law, but it is not doing so. "There are a total of 1.5 lakh contractors in the state, out of which 60% are small and medium-level contractors. These contractors are not receiving payments. Only influential contractors are being paid, and Manjunath questions, "How are the rest supposed to survive?," the letter reads. In the letter to CM Siddaramaiah, he also alleges that middlemen are heavily involved in the release of funds in the Public Works Department, the four irrigation corporations, and the minor irrigation department. As a result, funds are not being released based on seniority in these departments. Notably on April 3, Karnataka BJP leaders, including state president BY Vijayendra, former Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, and senior leader CT Ravi, were detained by police on Thursday during protests against the policies and price hikes introduced by the Congress-led state government in Bengaluru. The demonstrations, targeting the Siddaramaiah administration, led to a swift response from authorities. The leaders were taken into custody as tensions flared in the state capital. The BJP in Karnataka were protesting against the state government over price hikes across multiple sectors. The opposition party leaders in the State staged an overnight protest in Bengaluru's Freedom Park and continued to demonstrate in the morning. Stating that the Congress government has increased the prices of all the essentials, BJP MLC Chalavadi Narayanaswamy said that they want to remain in charge based on the five guarantees offered earlier. The BJP leader took a dig at the ministers in the State government for passing the buck onto the centre for the price hike, saying that only "irresponsible" ministers could make such remarks. (ANI) The health officials of Damoh, Madhya Pradesh, have sealed the cath lab of the Mission Hospital where patients were operated on by the 'fake' doctor who allegedly performed heart surgeries on patients and killed atleast seven. "On the directions of the district administration, only the cath lab has been sealed, as all the operations and cases have happened here. There is evidence in this area, so we have sealed the lab. The angiography and angioplasty of several patients who died were performed in this cath lab only," District Health Officer Vikrant Singh Chauhan told reporters on Wednesday at the hospital. The lab has been sealed after Madhya Pradesh police arrested Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, who allegedly posed as a British Doctor, N John Camm and performed multiple heart surgeries in Damoh's mission hospital, allegedly killing atleast 7 people. Yadav has been accused of forging documents, too. One of the victims' relatives, Jitendra Singh Rajput, recounted that he took his father to the hospital after he experienced chest pain, and doctors recommended surgery. "My name is Jitendra Singh Rajput. I took my father to the hospital as he was experiencing chest pain. The doctors said it was a heart attack and that he needed to be operated on. I told them I did not have money, and they said the Ayushman card could be used," he said. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Minister Prahlad Patel have ensured strict action from the government for this case. "In the incident that came to light in Damoh, our government is taking strict action. Our government does not make any delay in taking action against such cases. Our government has built its own credibility. I have instructed that if there is any other such case, the health department should take strict action against them," Chief Minister Yadav told reporters. State Minister Patel said on April 9 that the missionary hospital had been embroiled in controversies earlier as well. Patel told ANI, "That institution (missionary hospital) has been controversial since past... This is a serious case, and that place has had ongoing controversies, and this is why strict investigation should ensue... There should be no politics in the matter, and the focus should be on relieving the victims and punishing the culprits." (ANI) The 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana will remain in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for 18 days, where he will be questioned in detail about the "complete conspiracy" behind the deadly 2008 attacks, said the agency. Tahawwur Rana was brought to the National Investigation Agency headquarters on late Thursday. 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. 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 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. Meanwhile, Delhi State Legal Services 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. "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," the Delhi State Legal Services Authority Counsel told ANI. "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. (ANI) In the last 24 hours, Manipur has witnessed a significant boost in security operations, with forces conducting search and area domination exercises in vulnerable hill and valley districts. According to an official press note from the Manipur Police, the security forces have made key recoveries across the state. "One 9 mm SMG with three magazines, one Double Barrel Gun, one. 32 Pistol loaded with three live rounds in the magazine, four nos. of No. 36 Hand Grenade with four Arming Rings, 10 nos. of Detonator, two nos. of MK12T Explosive, four nos. of Tube Launching, three nos. of Magazines, 51 nos. of live ammunition, one no. of Radio set, one no. of Vehicular set microphone, 74 nos. of empty case, two nos. of Patka Helmet and two nos. of BP Jacket from Pukhao Ahallup western river bank under Sagolmang-PS, Imphal East District," the press note stated. The police have also recovered 22 Rifles with empty Magazines, one single-barrel gun, and two nos. of Pompi from the general area of Siden Bowel under Churachandpur-PS, Churachandpur District. Moreover, the security forces have arrested one active member of KCP (PWG), identified as Md. Israk Khan alias Popo (21) of Kairang Chingya Awang Leikai, while conducting a search operation at Kairang Village, under Heingang-PS, Imphal East District. One mobile phone was seized from his possession. According to the press note of Manipur Police, the security forces also arrested one active member of RPF/PLA, namely, Mutum Kamel Badal (40) of Uchathol, Jiribam District from Imphal Ngariyan Yairipok Road near Chingyang Lairembi Ima-Keithel while conducting a search operation at Ngariyan Yairipok Road under Andro-PS, Imphal East District. "He was involved in extortion activities and transportation of arms and ammunitions. From his possession, one mobile phone was seized," the release stated. In a separate incident security forces arrested one active cadre of KYKL/SOREPA, namely, Oinam Rabichandra Singh (33) of Lamjao Makha Leikai under Waikhong-PS, Kakching District from the general area of Sawombung near FCI Godown under Lamlai-PS, Imphal East District. The police also arrested one person, namely, Moirangmayum Sapana Devi (43) of Lilong Chajing Mairenkhong Leikai, Imphal West District from Lilong Bazar, Thoubal District for providing assistance/help to PREPAK (Pro) in extortion activities. "One mobile handset and one Aadhaar Card in her name were seized from her possession," the police stated in a press note. A total of 110 checkpoints were installed in different districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley. Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and report any false information or rumours, providing a dedicated helpline for verification. (ANI) A Dalit girl studying in the eighth standard was allegedly subjected to caste discrimination as she was forbidden from entering her classroom to take the annual exam since she was menstruating. The girl, belonging to the Arunthathiyar community (listed under Scheduled Caste), was made to sit on a staircase to appear for her examination at Swamy Chidbhavananda Matriculation Higher Secondary School in the Senguttaipalayam village of Coimbatore. On Friday, Tamil Nadu School Education Minister Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi said that the principal of the private school had been suspended after a departmental inquiry. "A departmental inquiry was conducted against the private school. The school principal has been suspended. The oppression of children in any form cannot be tolerated. Dear student, do not sit alone! We are here. We will be here," Anbil Mahesh posted on X. The student had gone to school to write her annual examination on April 9, where she was allegedly not allowed to enter the classroom and was instead made to sit on the steps outside. The incident came to light after her mother and a relative visited the school and found the girl taking her examination on the staircase outside the classroom. Shocked by what they witnessed, they asked about the treatment she received, but the student remained silent. Her relative recorded a video of the situation, drawing public outrage. When the mother asked the teachers present about the alleged discrimination, they replied, "That's what happens here. If you want, enrol her in another school." The education department officials have urged Chief Minister MK Stalin to take immediate action. (ANI) Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijendra Gupta has called a meeting with the Public Accounts Committee and the Committee on Public Undertakings for further investigation on Friday over the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports tabled during the recent Budget Session. "Hon'ble Speaker, Delhi Legislative Assembly has convened a meeting on the following issues related to the Reports of C&AG on Friday 11th April, 2025 at 11:00 AM in the MLA Lounge -I, Assembly Complex, Old Secretariat, Delhi-110054:- Presentation by Accountant General (Audit) Delhi, Status of Implementation of Audit Para Monitoring System (APMS), Status of ATNs on Reports presented during the Second Session of Delhi Legislative Assembly," the Legislative Assembly Secretariat of Delhi stated in a letter on Wednesday. The meeting will be attended by Deputy Speaker Mohan Singh Bisht, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), and BJP MLA Ajay Mahawar, Gajender Drail, among others. On April 1, another Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit report was presented in the Delhi assembly on the "Prevention of Air Pollution from Vehicles". Earlier on March 24, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta tabled the CAG report on the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) and highlighted the operational inefficiencies and financial losses, leading to criticism of the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. The report evaluates DTC's key operational and financial aspects, pointing to inefficiencies and areas needing improvement. It examines fleet management, revenue generation, operational sustainability, and adherence to public transport policies. The CAG audit covers the period from 2015-2016 to 2021-2022. This report highlights serious irregularities in the functioning of DTC. The CAG report suggests that due to the government's mismanagement and negligence, crores of rupees from Delhi taxpayers have been wasted. This report is now being referred to the Committee on Government Undertakings with instructions to submit its report within three months. Additionally, the Transport Department and DTC must submit their Action Taken Note to the Legislative Secretariat within one month from now. (ANI) As terror accused Tahawwur Rana has been arrested, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Friday morning said that further action could be taken to reveal the "real" mastermind behind the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. He said that the 26/11 accused Rana could reveal the mastermind behind the incident and expose the person who directed him to commit such an act. Pawar emphasised the importance of Rana's apprehension in shedding light on the masterminds and motives behind the devastating incident. "During the 26/11 attacks, we all were in Mumbai, it was a very serious incident. We tried to find who was the exact mastermind behind the incident ... Now, we have caught this person (Tahawwur Rana), and he can reveal who is the real mastermind behind the incident, who directed him to commit such an act. After getting all this information, we can take further action," Pawar told reporters here. He expressed optimism that Rana's interrogation would provide crucial insights into the orchestration of the attacks, including the individuals who directed him and the motives behind the devastation. Speaking on the rise in petrol and diesel prices, the Maharashtra Deputy CM said that the tariffs imposed by the United States of America (USA) on several countries have contributed to these fluctuations. Pawar said that the Mahayuti government would discuss the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who will be in Maharashtra for two days. "Home Minister Amit Shah will be in Maharashtra for the next two days, and we plan to discuss this matter with him. The tariffs imposed by the US on multiple countries have contributed to these fluctuations, but we are committed to restoring fuel prices to their previous levels. Our government was elected to ensure a better standard of living for the people, and despite the increase of Rs50, Prime Minister Modi has told oil companies not to increase the prices and bear the rise in petrol and diesel prices," Pawar said. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana will remain in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for 18 days, where he will be questioned in detail about the "complete conspiracy" behind the deadly 2008 attacks, said the agency. Tahawwur Rana was brought to the National Investigation Agency headquarters on late Thursday. 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. 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 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. 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. Meanwhile, Delhi State Legal Services 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. (ANI) Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak on Friday said that under PM Modi's leadership, Varanasi is being developed as a world-class city. "Today PM Modi is going to give big gifts to Varanasi and all BJP workers are ready to welcome him. Varanasi is being developed as a world-class city and Uttar Pradesh is being developed as the most developed state under the leadership of PM Modi," Pathak told ANI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various development projects worth over Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi. In line with his commitment to infrastructure development, particularly enhancing road connectivity in Varanasi, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various road projects in the region. Furthermore, he will lay the foundation stone for a road bridge between Varanasi Ring Road and Sarnath, flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih crossings of the city and a highway underpass road tunnel on NH-31 at the Varanasi International Airport worth over Rs 980 crore. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the Prime Minister will inaugurate two 400 KV and one 220 KV transmission substations and associated transmission lines in the Jaunpur, Chandauli, and Ghazipur districts of the Varanasi division, worth over Rs 1,045 crore. He will also lay the foundation stone of a 220 KV transmission substation at Chaukaghat, Varanasi, a 132 KV transmission substation in Ghazipur and augmentation of the Varanasi city electricity distribution system worth over Rs 775 crore. Reacting to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana being extradited to India, he said, "This is a very big achievement and this has been possible due to PM Modi" The 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana will remain in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for 18 days, where he will be questioned in detail about the "complete conspiracy" behind the deadly 2008 attacks, said the agency. (ANI) "Today PM Modi is coming to Kashi, UP and will inaugurate various development projects worth over Rs 4,000 crores. We welcome PM Modi," Maurya told ANI. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various development projects worth over Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi. In line with his commitment to infrastructure development, particularly enhancing road connectivity in Varanasi, he will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone for various road projects in the region. Furthermore, he will lay the foundation stone for a road bridge between Varanasi Ring Road and Sarnath, flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih crossings of the city and a highway underpass road tunnel on NH-31 at the Varanasi International Airport worth over Rs 980 crore. According to the Prime Minister's Office, the Prime Minister will inaugurate two 400 KV and one 220 KV transmission substations and associated transmission lines in the Jaunpur, Chandauli, and Ghazipur districts of the Varanasi division, worth over Rs 1,045 crore. He will also lay the foundation stone of a 220 KV transmission substation at Chaukaghat, Varanasi, a 132 KV transmission substation in Ghazipur and augmentation of the Varanasi city electricity distribution system worth over Rs 775 crore. Reacting to the 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana's extradition to India, he credited PM Modi and said, 'Modi Hai Toh Mumkin Hai.' 'Modi Hai Toh Mumkin Hai'...Congress party used to practice appeasement politics and invite terrorists," he added. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana will remain in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for 18 days, where he will be questioned in detail about the "complete conspiracy" behind the deadly 2008 attacks, said the agency. (ANI) Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar LoP Tejashwi Yadav has expressed condolences on the loss of lives in Bihar following devastating thunderstorms and rains that wreaked havoc in the state. Taking to social media post on X, Yadav demanded that the government provide 'proper' compensation to all the affected families. "I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of more than 50 people in various incidents of storm, rain, lightning, tree and wall collapse in Bihar. I express my deepest condolences to all the deceased. May God provide strength to the families affected by the disaster in this hour of grief. There is a demand from the Bihar government to provide proper compensation to all the affected families," Yadav posted on X. https://x.com/yadavtejashwi/status/1910372848079618057 The RJD leader further demanded the government to compensate all such farmers who lost their wheat crop due to the sudden rain. The social media post states, "The wheat crop kept in the barns of the farmers was also destroyed due to the sudden heavy rain. The Bihar government should compensate all such farmers for their loss and give them proper compensation." At least 22 people lost their lives in Bihar's Nalanda district following storm and rains that struck the region, an official said on Thursday. Of the total casualties, 21 people died as a result of the thunderstorm, while one person succumbed to injuries caused by lightning, the official said, adding that significant damage has also been reported to homes, livestock, and agricultural crops. Speaking to ANI, District Magistrate Shashank Shubhankar said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed grief and had directed officials to extend Rs 4 lakh compensation to the families of each deceased person. "A total of 22 people have died; of these, 21 died due to thunderstorm while one died due to lightning. CM has given directions for compensation to all the bereaved, the directions are being followed. A compensation of Rs 4 Lakh each will be provided for the deceased," the official told ANI. In addition to the loss of human lives, significant damage has also been reported to homes, livestock, and agricultural crops, DM Shubhankar stated, adding that officials will begin an assessment of property and crop damage on Friday, after which compensation for the same will be provided. "Tomorrow, our team will assess the loss of houses and crops, after which compensation for the same will be provided. Five livestock also died - 3 buffaloes and 2 cows. So, the losses are also being assessed and process of providing compensation is being undertaken...The injured are being provided medical treatment...," he said. "All uprooted trees are being cleared on war footing. Almost all of our main routes are cleared. Electricity supply was also hit, more than 350 poles fell and over 15 transformers suffered losses. The department has formed 42 teams and they have run a drive. We hope everything will be cleared by the morning," he added. Casualties were reported from other districts also. Siwan recorded two fatalities, while Katihar, Darbhanga, Begusarai, Bhagalpur and Jehanabad recorded one each. An official statement from the Chief Minister Office of Bihar reads, "Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is deeply saddened by the death of 18 people in Nalanda, 2 in Siwan, 1 in Katihar, 1 in Darbhanga, 1 in Begusarai, 1 in Bhagalpur and 1 in Jehanabad due to severe storm and lightning... The Chief Minister has declared ex-gratia grants of Rs 4 lakh each to the dependents of the deceased." "The Chief Minister has appealed to the people that everyone should be fully alert during bad weather and follow the suggestions issued from time to time by the Disaster Management Department," it added. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed pleasure over the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the state on Friday and welcomed him on behalf of the state government. CM Yadav stressed that under the leadership of PM Modi, the government is working for the development of the state and they will move forward with all resolutions of development rooted in heritage. "It is a matter of happiness that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is arriving in Madhya Pradesh. PM Modi will offer prayers at Anandpur Dham in Ashoknagar district and he has immense love for the state. The Madhya Pradesh government welcomes him in the state and under his leadership, the state government will move forward with all resolutions of development rooted in heritage," CM Yadav told ANI. He further wished that the PM's visit to the state would conclude with dignity, pride and bliss. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Anandpur Dham in Isagarh Tehsil of Ashoknagar district, on Friday, reaffirming his commitment to promoting India's rich cultural and spiritual heritage. During his visit, the Prime Minister will offer prayers at the Guru Ji Maharaj Temple and tour the temple complex at Anandpur Dham, according to an official release. Anandpur Dham, established for spiritual and philanthropic purposes, spans 315 hectares. It houses a modern gaushala (cowshed) with over 500 bovines and runs agricultural activities under the Shri Anandpur Trust campus. The trust has been operating a charitable hospital in the village Sukhpur, Isagarh Tehsil, since 1977. The Hospital offers 125 inpatient beds and around 600 outpatients daily. The hospital offers services of specialists in MD (Physician), Dentistry, MS (General Surgery), Orthopedics, Cardiology, Physiotherapy, and Ophthalmology. Special medical camps are organized throughout the year. The trust also operates Anand Primary School (Sukhpur), Anand Secondary School (Anandpur), and Anand Middle School (Sukhpur), with 62 teachers and 1,215 students currently enrolled. Along with this, it runs various Satsang Centers across the country. (ANI) Brigadier Govind Singh Sisodia (Retd), who commanded the Black Cat Commando operation during the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack on Friday called the operation "tough," and said that terror-accused Tahawwur Rana is the person India has been looking for since 2008. Speaking to ANI, Brigadier Govind Singh Sisodia (Retd) said that Tahawwur Rana is the main person who facilitated David Headley's coming to India. "Tahawwur Rana is the person we've been looking for...He was the main person who facilitated David Headley's coming to India, staying here and starting an immigration consulting centre in Mumbai...What was the support based in India, who supported in Pakistan, what had he planned, and he has been planning for three years. How had he planned, what were his future plans and targets, and who were his helpers in India?... But now everything will come out," Brigadier Govind Singh Sisodia (Retd) said. He further said that the people who will be questioning Tahawwur Rana are professional "Those people who will be questioning him are professional. They have been on this case since 2008. They have been chasing Tahawwur Rana. I think sooner or later he will be talking and we will get to the depth of it and it will be another thing that will be able to nail Pakistan in the eyes of the International community," he added. He further said that the challenges that NSG faced during the operation were identification, getting in touch, layout, and the country's expectations. "This operation was very tough, though I have been through such situations a number of times in my life. I operated in Sri Lanka as part of IPKF. I operated thick of it in Jammu and Kashmir. There were similar kinds, but not to the level that we had to do so many buildings. It posed a lot of challenges. It posed a challenge to the country and the people. The country had a lot of expectations from us. People had a lot of expectations from us because the government of India, the Ministry of Home Affairs, has launched its ultimate weapon, Brahmastra, which is a national security guard. So expectations were very high," he said. "Secondly, initially, inputs about the terrorists were not there. How many are there, actually? Where are they initially? Later on, yes, it kept building intelligence agencies. You know, we joined all the intelligence agencies together, and they started providing us information. Also, at some stage, we had a very clear picture, but initially, we had no idea what it was. So that was also another challenge: identification, getting in touch, layout, and the expectation of the country. These are the biggest challenges that we had. Otherwise NSG is a very professional organisation. We practise for all the confidences. We were prepared, but these were the challenges which we faced," Retired Brigadier Govind Singh Sisodia said. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana will remain in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for 18 days, where he will be questioned in detail about the "complete conspiracy" behind the deadly 2008 attacks, said the agency. 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 detailing his belongings and assets to Rana. He also informed Rana about the involvement of Ilyas Kashmiri and Abdur Rehman in the plot. Rana's extradition marks a significant step in the pursuit of justice for the victims of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party MP Khagen Murmu accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of "inciting violence" against two communities and trying to turn the state "into Bangladesh." The BJP MP's comments come as West Bengal's Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, claimed that some people tore a saffron flag during a protest against the implementation of the Waqf Act. Khagen Murmu, while speaking to ANI during a public rally in Malda, said, "Mamata Banerjee is trying to turn West Bengal into Bangladesh by inciting Muslims against Hindus and bringing them on the streets... The grand Ram Navami processions were absolutely apolitical, indicating that the Hindus are awakening." Earlier, BJP leader Dilip Ghosh claimed that flags from the Ram Navami rally were being "removed from cars." "Here you will find Hamas, Palestine, Pakistan, Syria, and even ISIS flags being waved, but Ram Navami flags are removed from cars. Has Kolkata become Dhaka, Syria, or Afghanistan? This is what Mamata Banerjee wants. This time, the grand Ram Navami processions taken out in the state have triggered these actions," the BJP leader told ANI. Earlier today, West Bengal LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said that during the protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act, the "faith of Hindus was attacked." "They attacked the faith of Hindus - the way they tore the saffron flag (during protest) in front of police is a matter of shame, and that too at the birthplace of Swami Vivekananda. Hindu organisations filed an FIR just yesterday," Adhikari told ANI. The West Bengal BJP plans to protest the TMC-led government in DC Central today and throughout the state tomorrow (April 12) on Hanuman Jayanti. During Ram Navami, which concluded on April 6, both the BJP and TMC took out rallies and processions to celebrate the festival. The BJP had earlier accused the government of denying permission to carry out the rallies. However, after the Calcutta High Court allowed the processions with conditions, multiple rallies were taken out across the state. (ANI) Acting swiftly, a special team comprising senior NIA officials and NSG commandos departed from Los Angeles on a specially designated aircraft. To ensure Rana's safety--and prevent any self-harm--one NIA official reportedly held his hand throughout the journey. During the flight, elite intelligence personnel, air traffic control units, and commandos monitored the aircraft in real time, ensuring seamless coordination between Indian and U.S. agencies. The high-value extradition was handled with the utmost secrecy and precision. According to sources, the plane made a refuelling halt before its final leg. It landed in Delhi later in the afternoon on Thursday. In Delhi, extraordinary security protocols were enforced. As Rana was brought from Palam Air Base, Delhi Police's security wing staff were asked to submit their mobile phones to prevent any leaks or unauthorized communication. To avoid media glare, Rana was taken out of the airport through an alternate gate and transported in a non-transparent jail van. He was subsequently produced in court, where strict restrictions on cameras and mobile devices were in place. 'Operation Rana' is being seen as a significant intelligence and diplomatic victory, showcasing deep coordination and high-level security execution. The 26/11 Mumbai attacks accused Tahawwur Rana will remain in the custody of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for 18 days, where he will be questioned in detail about the "complete conspiracy" behind the deadly 2008 attacks, said the agency. 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. (ANI) After the president of the Karnataka State Contractors Association alleged growing interference by middlemen in government departments, BJP leader and LoP R Ashoka said that it is 200 per cent correct and there is no doubt at all. Aiming at the Karnataka government, the BJP leader further alleged that the chambers of ministers have become "collection centres " as they no longer remain work or development centres. "... Its 200 per cent correct. There is no doubt at all. In Vidhana Soudha, the chambers of all the ministers are the collection centres, not the work centre or development centre," R Ashoka told reporters. Sharpening his attacks, the LoP alleged that ministers "collected money" and send it to the high command to retain their posts. He said, "They collect the money and send it to the high command because that their post must be retained. Ministers were retained, the deputy CM was retained, and the congress president was retained. There is no development in Karnataka. They are looting the government's money. Congress leaders are also saying this..." Union Minister Pralhad Joshi also fiercely critiqued the Congress-led Karnataka government, accusing it of indulging in corruption. Joshi told reporters, "They are doing deals. Their economic advisor has said that there is highest corruption in the Karnataka government. We haven't said this, they said it. So there is corruption. Congress always support corruption. It is their patent. Earlier on Thursday, Karnataka State Contractors Association President R. Manjunath wrote a letter to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah alleging that payments to contractors by the state government are not being made based on seniority. In the letter, he mentioned that the interference of middlemen between contractors and government departments has increased significantly. He stated that the government is supposed to release payments based on seniority as per the transparency law, but it is not doing so. "There are a total of 1.5 lakh contractors in the state, out of which 60% are small and medium-level contractors. These contractors are not receiving payments. Only influential contractors are being paid, and Manjunath questions, "How are the rest supposed to survive?," the letter reads. In the letter to CM Siddaramaiah, he also alleges that middlemen are heavily involved in the release of funds in the Public Works Department, the four irrigation corporations, and the minor irrigation department. As a result, funds are not being released based on seniority in these departments. (ANI) Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) MP Supriya Sule on Friday welcomed the extradition of 26/11 terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana and said that those who fled India after committing a crime must be recalled. "Of course, we welcome it (Rana's extradition). Anybody who's committed a crime in India and has fled must be brought back," Sule told ANI. Speaking about the "crash" of crude oil prices, Sule said that she would write to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri to seek the benefits of the slashed prices for Indian consumers and citizens. "I'm going to write to the Minister of Petroleum that when crude oil globally has crashed, I see no reason why that benefit has not been given to the consumer of India and Indian citizens," she added. When asked about the "tariffs" remarks made by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on the issue, Sule said, "What has that got to do with the crude price? I don't know what the DCM has said. I am just telling you what I am going to write to the Petroleum minister." Speaking on the rise in petrol and diesel prices, Pawar said that the tariffs imposed by the United States of America (USA) on several countries have contributed to these fluctuations. He added that the Mahayuti government would discuss the issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who will be in Maharashtra for two days. The DCM also spoke about Rana's extradition to India, expressing optimism that his interrogation would provide crucial insights into the orchestration of the attacks, including the individuals who directed him and the motives behind the devastation. Meanwhile, the United States Department of Justice has termed the extradition of convicted terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana as "a critical step" toward seeking justice for the victims of the 26/11 heinous Mumbai terror attacks. "Rana's extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks," the Department of Justice said in a statement dated April 10, 2025. Rana, 64, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan, was extradited to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the DoJ statement said. He is charged with numerous offences, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks by Laskhar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a designated terrorist organization. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) successfully secured Rana's extradition 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 on the move. Rana was brought to India late on April 10 and produced before a special NIA court, which sent Rana to 18 days of NIA custody. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi and said, "Today, our Honorable Prime Minister is in Kashi. I welcome him on behalf of the people of Kashi and the state." The Prime Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 44 projects worth Rs 3884.18 crores. At the event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi handed over Ayushman cards to three elderly people above the age of 70, certificates for three Geographical Indications (GI), and a bonus of Rs 106 crore to dairy farmers of the state associated with Banas Dairy (Amul). Speaking at the event, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said, "I congratulate PM Modi on the historic victories in Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi." He further mentioned the Mahakumbh's grand success and said, "The Mahakumbh has been a grand success, with over 3 crore devotees visiting Kashi. The Prime Minister's leadership and guidance have made this possible. The Namami Gange project has also been a huge success, and we're grateful for it." "Kashi has undergone significant changes in the last 11 years. We've seen projects worth over 50,000 crores implemented here. Today, we're inaugurating projects worth 4,000 million rupees," Yogi said. He spoke about the numerous initiatives launched for the betterment of farmers, handicraftsmen, and the poor, "We're also providing recognition to local handicraftsmen and artisans through GI Tech certificates. Ayushman Bharat has been a game-changer for the poor, and we're grateful for the Vandana Yojna card, which provides health facilities to the elderly. The Banas Dairy project has been beneficial for farmers and livestock owners in Kashi. We're providing bonuses to cattle owners and supporting farmers through value addition. This is the Prime Minister's first visit to Varanasi after the completion of eight years of the CM Yogi-Adityanath-led UP Government. Governor Anandi Ben Patel, Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya, Deputy Chief Minister Brijesh Pathak, Speaker of Gujarat Legislative Assembly Shanker Chaudhary, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President of the state Chaudhary Bhupendra Singh were present at the event. (ANI) Congress MP Jairam Ramesh on Friday accused the Narendra Modi government in the centre of "virtually eliminating" the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which, he said, reduced to less than 1.4 billion dollars from April 2024 to January 2025 as compared to total FDI recorded at 19 billion dollars from April 2012 to January 2013. He alleged that the central government has also "destroyed" domestic investment (DI). Taking a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government, Ramesh said they have replaced the FDI policy with another type of FDI, representing Fear, Deceit, and Intimidation. "Along with destroying domestic investment (DI), the Modi government has also virtually eliminated FDI (Foreign Domestic Investment) through its policy of another type of FDI - Fear, Deceit, and Intimidation. Total foreign direct investment (FDI) into India in April-January 2012-13 was $19 billion. Total FDI into India declined to less than $1.4 billion in April-January 2024-25," Ramesh posted on X. He said that while Asian countries, including China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, received billions of dollars of investments during Joe Biden's tenure as the US president, India was left behind. "This feat was achieved by the Modi government when President Trump had not even taken office in January 2025. During Biden's tenure, companies from around the world were keen to invest in Asian countries. China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Bangladesh received billions of dollars of investment, while India was left behind," Ramesh added. In FY 2023-24, the US was India's third-largest source of FDI, contributing USD 4.99 billion--around 9 per cent of total equity inflows. Indian companies are also making major investments in the US, with a 2023 CII study noting 163 Indian firms have invested over USD 40 billion, creating 425,000 direct American jobs. Earlier on March 23, the Congress leader 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." He said that the provision in Section 8 (1) of RTI Act, 2005 gives citizens equal right to information as legislators who represent them is eliminated. (ANI) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam's (DMK) Deputy General Secretary and Lok Sabha MP Kanimozhi condemned her own party's Minister K Ponmudy on Friday for making alleged derogatory and "vulgar" remarks against women and certain sects of Hinduism. Ponmudy has been relieved from his duties as the party's Deputy General Secretary since then. "Minister Ponmudy's recent speech is unacceptable. Regardless of the reason for the speech, such vulgar remarks are condemnable," DMK's Deputy General Secretary said in a post on X. https://x.com/KanimozhiDMK/status/1910544605633810537 Meanwhile, opposition parties, such as the AIADMK and the BJP, condemned the remarks of the DMK Minister. "He is a disgrace to the public, and people like him are the true representation of DMK and their parent body DK. They go to any extent to mock a religious belief and mock the practices of a particular sect and that too particularly with respect to Hindu religious beliefs...We strongly condemn it," AIADMK National spokesperson Kovai Sathyan told ANI on Friday. The DMK Minister had purportedly made a 'joke' about two different sects of Hinduism, Shaivism and Viashnavism, drawing criticism from multiple leaders. https://x.com/narayanantbjp/status/1910571622102339906 Earlier today, Tamil Nadu BJP's Vice President, Narayanan Thirupathy welcomed Kanimozhi's condemnation of the remark, and urged for legal action to be taken against the DMK Minister. The BJP has also called for the minister to be sacked from his post. "It is a shame that Minister Ponmudi is still in office..... MK Stalin, will you order the arrest of K Ponmudy?" BJP's stae vice president said in a self made video. "Let's burn the foolishness that humiliates the mother," said Bharathi. Mrs. Kanimozhi's condemnation of Ponmudi for speaking disparagingly of women is welcome and commendable. Will our Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at least remove the idiots who insulted him from office? Will he order legal action?" the BJP Vice President said in another post. The DMK earlier today relieved Minister Ponmudy from his duties as the party's deputy general secretary today. The party has not provided any confirmation whether the Minister has been removed from his cabinet post or not. (ANI) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) has dismissed Tamil Nadu Forest Minister K Ponmudy from the position of Deputy General Secretary in the party, following his controversial remarks on Hinduism and women. Ponmudy's remarks drew sharp criticism from the Bharatiya Janata Party. CR Kesavan demanded his removal from the Ministerial post, stating that he has no "moral rights" to stay as Minister. Moreover, Kesavan criticised the ruling DMK and accused them of indulging in "mere eyewash" by removing him from just the party's position and not from the Tamil Nadu cabinet. Taking to social media post on X, the BJP leader wrote, "When the State Emblem of Tamilnadu is a Sacred Temple Gopuram, Ponmudi, after his perverted statements deliberately attacking sacred Hindu symbols to crude sexual innuendos, he has no moral right to continue as Minister of TN Government. DMK is indulging in mere eyewash by removing him from just from the party position. This vile individual should at once be sacked as a Minister." https://x.com/crkesavan/status/1910575428252950762 Meanwhile, DMK MP Kanizmozhi condemned Minister Ponmudy's remarks, calling them "unacceptable." "Minister Ponmudy's recent speech is unacceptable. Regardless of the reason for the speech, such vulgar remarks are condemnable," Kanimozhi posted on X. https://x.com/KanimozhiDMK/status/1910544605633810537 After Ponmudy's dismissal, DMK MP Trichy Siva, who holds the position of the Policy and Publicity Secretary of the Association, is relieved of that responsibility and is appointed as the Deputy General Secretary of the DMK. DMK Minister K Ponmudy had purportedly made a 'joke' on two different sects of Hinduism, Shaivism and Viashnavism, drawing criticism from multiple leaders. Earlier today, Tamil Nadu BJP's Vice President, Narayanan Thirupathy, welcomed Kanimozhi's condemnation of the remark and urged for legal action to be taken against the DMK Minister. The BJP has also called for the minister to be sacked from his post. "It is a shame that Minister Ponmudi is still in office..... MK Stalin, will you order the arrest of K Ponmudy?" BJP's state vice president said in a self-made video. "Let's burn the foolishness that humiliates the mother," said Bharathi. Mrs. Kanimozhi's condemnation of Ponmudi for speaking disparagingly of women is welcome and commendable. Will our Chief Minister M.K. Stalin at least remove the idiots who insulted him from office? Will he order legal action?" the BJP Vice President said in another post. The party has not provided any confirmation whether the Minister has been removed from his cabinet post or not. (ANI) After former Union Home Minister P Chidabaram criticised BJP for taking 'credit' of the extradition of Tahawwur Rana, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi launched a blistering attack on the him and Congress stating that it was the same Congress where its leader Digvijay Singh gave clean chit to Pakistan on deadly 26/11 Mumbi terror attacks. Taking a swipe at the Congress, Joshi said that the whole nation knows about their approach towards terrorism and such people will take credit for bringing Rana to India. Questioning the Congress, the Union Minister stated that if they didn't agree with Singh, then why did they keep choosing him as a Rajya Sabha member and allow him to hold key posts in the party? "Their approach towards terrorism, Chidambaram has vociferously stated that they had started the process, and Tahawwur Rana's extradition is the result of this. But Congress leader Digvijaya Singh had said that Pakistan is not involved in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. They gave a clean chit to Pakistan...If the Congress party does not agree with his opinion, why did they bring him to the Rajya Sabha many times? He was General Secretary for years... It was a clean chit to Pakistan. These people are taking credit for the extradition of Tahawwur Rana...The whole nation knows about their approach towards terrorism," Joshi told reporters. On Thursday, Congress leader P Chidambaram criticised the Modi government for taking "credit" for the extradition of the 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 Rana over 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. Meanwhile, the United States Department of Justice has termed the extradition of convicted terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana as "a critical step" toward seeking justice for the victims of the 26/11 heinous Mumbai terror attacks. "Rana's extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks," the Department of Justice said in a statement dated April 10, 2025. Rana, 64, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan, was extradited to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the DoJ statement said. He is charged with numerous offences, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks by Laskhar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a designated terrorist organisation. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) successfully secured Rana's extradition 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 on the move. Rana was brought to India late on April 10 and produced before a special NIA court, which sent Rana to 18 days of NIA custody. (ANI) The operation led to the arrest of Hira Singh, a resident of Village Khaira, who allegedly collaborated with Pakistan-based drug trafficker Billa to smuggle heroin into the state. Singh's associate, Kulwinder Singh, is still at large, prompting ongoing raids and investigations to dismantle the entire network. Taking to social media, X, DGP Punjab Police wrote, "In a well-coordinated operation, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force, Border Range, Amritsar, apprehends Hira Singh @ Hira of Village Khaira, PS Gharinda, Amritsar and recovers 18.227 Kg Heroin." https://x.com/DGPPunjabPolice/status/1910564680797389231 "Investigations reveal Hira Singh and his associate Kulwinder Singh @ Kinda of Village Dauke, PS Gharinda, were linked to #Pakistan-based drug trafficker Billa. They were smuggling heroin from across the border and supplying it as per the trafficker's instructions. Raids are underway to nab Kulwinder Singh, and further investigation is in progress to dismantle the entire network," the post reads. Earlier, the Border Security Force (BSF) troops recovered three packets of heroin weighing 1.666 kilograms on Thursday morning near Hashimpura in Amritsar, an official statement from the BSF said. The narcotics were found wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, with one illumination stick and steel ring attached to each packet. "By 11:10 pm, the troops successfully recovered 01 packet of suspected heroin, and subsequently 02 more packets in the morning hours of 10th April 2025, in the vicinity of Village Hashimpura of district Amritsar. The gross weight of all 03 packets is 1.666 kilograms. The narcotics were found wrapped in yellow adhesive tape, with one illumination stick and steel ring attached to each packet," the BSF said in a release. Following the detection of a drone intrusion on the Amritsar border on a Wednesday night, BSF troops acted swiftly. Based on information from their intelligence wing, they launched an extensive search operation in the suspected area. "Timely, effective action by alert BSF troops, based on credible intelligence, successfully thwarted yet another attempt to pump the narcotics in Punjab from across the border," the BSF said. (ANI) As many as 80 people lost their lives in Bihar following the devastating storm and rains that struck the state, Bihar Minister of Disaster Management, Vijay Kumar Mandal, said on Friday. "So far, the death toll stands at 80...Chief Minister has announced compensation, we are providing Rs 4 Lakhs each to the bereaved families. People have suffered losses to thunderstorm and rain, farmers too have suffered losses. We are making arrangements for that too. The government is very serious about this, and we will work on it," Mandal told ANI. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed grief and directed officials to extend Rs 4 lakh compensation to the families of each deceased person. Earlier today, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar LoP Tejashwi Yadav expressed condolences on the loss of lives in Bihar following devastating thunderstorms and rains that wreaked havoc in the state. Taking to social media post on X, Yadav demanded that the government provide 'proper' compensation to all the affected families. "I am deeply saddened by the tragic deaths of more than 50 people in various incidents of storm, rain, lightning, tree and wall collapse in Bihar. I express my deepest condolences to all the deceased. May God provide strength to the families affected by the disaster in this hour of grief. There is a demand from the Bihar government to provide proper compensation to all the affected families," Yadav posted on X. The RJD leader further demanded that the government compensate all farmers who lost their wheat crop due to the sudden rain. "The wheat crop kept in the barns of the farmers was also destroyed due to the sudden heavy rain. The Bihar government should compensate all such farmers for their loss and give them proper compensation," he added. The powerful storm, which uprooted trees and brought down structures across the region, led to fatalities in multiple blocks of Nalanda. In addition to the loss of human lives, significant damage has also been reported to homes, livestock, and agricultural crops. (ANI) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) IT department incharge Amit Malviya on Friday lashed out at Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi over the latter's criticism of the government's inaction on "Employment Linked Incentive" scheme, saying that he was "gaslighting" India's youth. "Either Rahul Gandhi's team has completely failed to brief him on the facts, or--far more likely--he's weaponising his trademark ignorance to gaslight India's youth. This isn't a gaffe; it's a calculated strategy to distort reality, using his platform to spread misinformation under the guise of cluelessness," Malviya posted on X. The BJP leader went on to compare job creation under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government and the current National Democratic Alliance (NDA)-led government, saying that only 2.9 crore jobs were created in a decade between 2004 and 2014, while 17.19 crore jobs have been added in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's tenure. "Under the UPA government (2004-2014), just 2.9 crore jobs were created in a decade. Now, compared to PM Modi's tenure (2014-2024), a staggering 17.19 crore jobs have been added. In just the last year alone (2023-24), 4.6 crore jobs were created--more than the entire decade of Congress rule," Malviya added. Intensifying his attack on Gandhi, the BJP leader said, "You talk about youth unemployment, yet under your government, youth employability stood at just 34% in 2013. Today, that figure has risen to nearly 55% in 2024." Regarding the Employment Linked Incentive scheme, Malviya said that the PM Internship scheme 2024-25 has already provided 1.25 lakh internships, along with 327 companies offering 1.18 lakh and more internships across all districts. "Rather than misleading the youth, maybe take a moment to reflect on why your own government failed to offer them a future. And for someone so concerned about cronyism, perhaps you've forgotten Congress' own track record--scams, corruption, and policy paralysis, he added. His remarks come after Rahul Gandhi raised questions over the "disappearance" of the Rs 10,000 crore Employment Linked Incentive scheme announced by the Prime Minister after the 2024 general elections. "Prime Minister, you announced ELI with great showmanship - but where has this Rs10,000 crore scheme disappeared? Have you abandoned our unemployed youth along with your promises?" Gandhi posted on X. (ANI) As the terror accused Tahawwur Rana was arrested, senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Friday said that the formation of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was a result of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. He said the central counter terrorism law enforcement agency was established during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to tackle such incidents. "Ever since the 26/11 terrorist attack happened in Mumbai and many were killed...it was necessary that those involved in the terrorist act must be punished by the law. I remember that NIA was established during UPA times. NIA registered a case in this incident on November 11, 2009, where the accused were David Headley and Tahawwur Rana," Sibal told reporters during a press conference. Narrating the actions undertaken by the investigative agency, he said that NIA expressed displeasure to the US over the terror accused Rana being left out of certain charges in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack case. Sibal said that an NIA team examined co-accused David Headley, who was under custody there and uncovered the conspiracy. "Rana was arrested in Chicago, but he was released. NIA expressed displeasure to the US over the issue, saying that some charges were not imposed. In December 2009, the chargesheet was filed against Rana and Headley and other unknown persons. Through mutual assistance, the NIA team reached America and examined Headley, who was under custody there. The conspiracy was uncovered as this happened," Sibal said. He welcomed the extradition of Rana to India, crediting the efforts undertaken by both the previous UPA government and the current NDA government. With Rana's extradition, Sibal added, other conspirators from Pakistan's establishment would be revealed. "Today, the accused is before us, and things will become clearer as we know that only Tahawwur Rana and David Headley were not the conspirators, but more were involved. It will become clear who else from Pakistan's establishment was involved in that attack. I congratulate the UPA government for their efforts and also our government for their efforts, which have been successful. We have Tahawwur Rana in India today," he added. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has placed Tahawwur Rana, a key architect of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, under 18-day custody. Investigators suspect that similar terror plots were devised for multiple cities across India. To piece together the full scope of the conspiracy, officials may take Rana to various locations, retracing events from 17 years ago. According to the sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expanding its probe into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, with plans to take Tahawwur Rana to various locations across India. His prolonged custody has been deemed necessary to facilitate an extensive interrogation aimed at uncovering deeper layers of the conspiracy. Authorities suspect that the tactics used in the Mumbai attacks were intended for execution in other cities as well, prompting investigators to examine whether similar plots were developed elsewhere. To piece together crucial evidence and retrace events from 17 years ago, officials may transport Rana to key locations, allowing them to reconstruct the crime scene and gain deeper insight into the larger terror network at play. Rana was formally arrested upon his arrival in India following his extradition from the U.S., which came after he had exhausted all legal avenues to prevent the move. Presented before a special court, the NIA argued that his custodial interrogation is essential to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy. According to investigators, David Coleman Headley--another key conspirator--had informed Rana about the attack plans before his visit to India. Their email exchanges serve as critical evidence of their involvement. Authorities aim to determine Rana's precise role in facilitating the devastating attacks. Tight security measures were enforced during Rana's court appearance, with the Delhi Police evacuating the premises and restricting media access to ensure safety. The NIA emphasised that Rana conspired with terrorist groups to orchestrate the 2008 attacks, which resulted in 166 fatalities and over 238 injuries. His extradition marks a significant milestone in bringing those responsible to justice. (ANI) Madhya Pradesh Congress Chief Jitu Patwari welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his visit to the state on Friday and recalled his slogan of not tolerating corruption in the country, asking whether the PM will take action against corrupt people or not. Patwari alleged that PM Modi had said that he would get back the money from those who have looted the country's wealth. But his double engine government in Madhya Pradesh seemed to be saving those people who looted the nation. Speaking to ANI, Patwari said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is welcome in Madhya Pradesh. He held big rallies in the state around 1.5 years ago during assembly polls and Modi's guarantee was talked about in all those rallies. But not even a single guarantee has been fulfilled till date. Neither MSP of wheat is being provided at Rs 2700 a quintal nor paddy MSP at Rs 3100 a quintal nor Ladli Behna being given Rs 3000 a month nor LPG cylinder at Rs 450 nor 2.5 lakh employment. Instead the state is getting deep in debt." He further highlighted that over 4 lakh women have been ruled out from the Mukhyamantri Ladli Behna Yojana and none of any new beneficiaries have been added in the scheme "I request PM Modi that his guarantee seems to be a guarantee that can never be fulfilled. He should take cognizance into it. Secondly, PM Modi had given a vision of no corruption in the country saying 'neither will he eat (referring to corruption) nor let anyone do so'. But the ex-constable of state transport department Saurabh Sharma case is related to a scam worth over Rs 20,000 crores in the last five-seven years in the state. Huge gold was recovered and it is yet to be known whom it belongs to. An alleged red diary was recovered but it has disappeared. Leaders belonging to your party (BJP) had their names in that alleged red diary," the Congress leader said. He also claimed that the Lokayukta police are engaged in managing that diary and the whole system is engaged in saving Saurabh Sharma. "ED also intervened to investigate the matter but that too returned without doing anything. Sharma also received bail in one case. PM Modi, you have said that you will get back the money from those who have looted the country's wealth. But your government is saving those people who looted the nation. So please clarify whether you take action against those who are involved in corruption or not," Patwari asked. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Anandpur Dham in Isagarh Tehsil of Ashoknagar district, on Friday, reaffirming his commitment to promoting India's rich cultural and spiritual heritage. During his visit, the Prime Minister will offer prayers at the Guru Ji Maharaj Temple and tour the temple complex at Anandpur Dham. (ANI) In a veiled attack on the Opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that some political parties are focused on gaining power than public service by following the mantra of "Parivar ka Saath, Parivar ka Vikas," whereas his government is committed to working for the people by following the idea of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. "Our mantra is to serve for the country, 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'. We take the country forward with that idea, whose dedicated belief is, Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. Those who conspire only to grab power and remain in power work with the mantra 'Parivar ka Saath, Parivar ka Vikas.' I am working towards 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas'," the Prime Minister said in Varanasi. PM Modi emphasised India's journey of balancing development and heritage and highlighted Kashi as the finest example of this model. "Kashi is the most beautiful representation of India's soul and diversity. The unique culture in every neighborhood and the distinct colors of India visible in every lane of Kashi and expressed happiness over initiatives like the Kashi-Tamil Sangamam, which continue to strengthen the threads of unity," he said. He announced the upcoming Ekta Mall in Kashi, which will showcase India's diversity under one roof, offering products from various districts across the country. The Prime Minister highlighted the transformation in Uttar Pradesh over recent years, noting that the state has not only changed its economic landscape but also its outlook. He said that Uttar Pradesh is no longer just a land of possibilities but has become a land of capability and achievements. He noted the recognition of several products with Geographical Indication (GI) tags, describing these tags as more than just labels--they are certificates of identity for the land. PM Modi said that GI tags signify that a product is a creation of its soil, and wherever GI tags reach, they open pathways to greater market success. "Over 30 products from Varanasi and its surrounding districts have received GI tags, describing them as a passport of identity for these items," he said. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone and inaugurated various development projects worth over Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi. This is the first visit of the Prime Minister to Varanasi after the completion of 8 years of CM Yogi-Adityanath-led UP Government. PM Modi also handed over Ayushman Vay Vandana cards to senior citizens for the first time in over 70 years. He also presented Geographical Indication (GI) certificates to various local items and products, including tabla, painting, thandai, and tiranga barfi, among others. The Prime Minister also transferred over Rs 105 crore in bonuses to milk suppliers of Uttar Pradesh associated with Banas Dairy. (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday expressed happiness and welcomed the extradition of 26/11 attack accused Tahawwur Rana from the United States to India. Fadnavis made the comments while addressing a joint press conference in Mumbai with Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who had announced the sanction of railway projects in the state. "I am very happy that the accused in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and one of the conspirators, Tahawwur Rana, has been brought to India. I thank the Prime Minister on behalf of Mumbaikars for bringing the conspirator to India to face the Indian judicial system," Fadnavis said. Talking about how he had carried the "burden" of the conspirator of the attacks not being in custody, Fadnavis continued, "It was a burden on us that Kasab was executed as per law, but the conspirator was not in our custody." Now, the Maharashtra CM has assured that Rana will be facing due process in court, while any help needed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), who currently has custody of Rana, will be given by the Mumbai Police. "He is with NIA now, and they are investigating the case. Now, the NIA will take calls about the investigation and the legal procedures to be followed. Whatever information we need, we will take from NIA, and if they need any assistance, we will do so through Mumbai Police," he said. Rana, 64, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan, was extradited to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the DoJ statement said. He is charged with numerous offences, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks by Laskhar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a designated terrorist organization. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) successfully secured Rana's extradition 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 had exhausted all legal avenues to stay on the move. He was brought to India on April 10 and produced before an NIA court, where he was sent to 18 days of custody. (ANI) Uttar Pradesh is witnessing a remarkable transformation where religious tourism is driving both economic growth and employment. From the spiritual vibrance of Kashi, the abode of Lord Shiva, to the divine aura of Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Ram, faith-based destinations are now emerging as thriving centers of opportunity, providing livelihoods to lakhs and revitalizing the local economy. The Mahakumbh in Tirtharaj Prayagraj was a shining example of this. While the government had projected a turnout of 35 to 40 crore devotees and tourists over the one-and-a-half-month-long event--the largest religious gathering in the world--more than 66 crore people participated. Many of them not only visited Prayagraj but also extended their journey to other spiritual sites such as Kashi, Ayodhya, Shringverpur (where Nishadraj helped Lord Ram cross the Ganga), Chitrakoot (where Ram spent significant time during his exile), and Vindhyachal (home to the revered Maa Jagdamba temple). Recognizing the immense potential of these spiritual destinations, the Yogi government has consistently invested in infrastructure, safety, and visitor-friendly amenities. The result is clear. Uttar Pradesh has been setting new records in tourism year after year. Since 2022, it has held the top position in the country for domestic tourist arrivals. Government data reveals that in 2017, the state welcomed 24 crore tourists. By 2024, that number had soared to 65 crore--an extraordinary increase of 41 crore in just eight years. And with the Mahakumbh in 2025, all signs point to another historic milestone. Tourist footfall may reach one billion, setting a new spiritual and economic vibrancy benchmark in India's heartland. According to a Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi Chamber of Commerce report, over 60% of domestic travel in India is to religious destinations. Religious tourism not only drives economic growth but also fosters cultural exchange. To fully harness its potential, ensuring world-class infrastructure, seamless road and air connectivity, robust security, and quality services for visitors is essential. The Uttar Pradesh government is actively and seriously working on all these fronts. This transformation didn't happen overnight. The foundation was laid when Yogi Adityanath assumed office as Chief Minister in March 2017. At a time when political leaders avoided even mentioning Ayodhya, Yogi Adityanath made repeated visits to the city. Each visit brought with it major development announcements. The grand Deepotsav, organized on the eve of Diwali, rekindled national and global interest in Ayodhya. Following the Supreme Court's historic verdict on the Ram Mandir and the commencement of construction at Ram Janmabhoomi, the Modi government at the Centre and the Yogi government in the state began extensive development work to transform Ayodhya. The Chief Minister has publicly declared his vision to make Ayodhya the most beautiful tourist city in the world--and work toward that vision is progressing rapidly. The same focused development approach is being applied to Kashi, Prayagraj, and the Braj region. The connection between Ram and livelihood is profound--they go hand in hand. The BJP sharpened the Ram Mandir movement and made it a key pillar of cultural nationalism. When the Supreme Court's verdict paved the way for Ram Lalla's grand temple after a 500-year-long wait, the BJP was in power at both the Centre and Uttar Pradesh. Adding to this was the spiritual and political leadership of Yogi Adityanath, the Peethadheeshwar of the Gorakshapeeth in Gorakhpur--a spiritual center deeply tied to the Ram Mandir movement for nearly a century. (ANI) Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Friday that one more organisation has officially severed ties with the Hurriyat Conference. In a post on X, Shah said, "Under the Modi govt the spirit of unity rules J&K. Another Hurriyat affiliate organization, Jammu and Kashmir Mass Movement, has rejected separatism, declaring complete commitment to the unity of Bharat. I sincerely welcome their move." Shah added that till now 12 organisations have officially severed ties with the Hurriyat Conference. "Till now, as many as 12 Hurriyat-linked organizations have broken off from secessionism, resting trust in the Constitution of India. This is a victory of PM Shri @narendramodi Ji's vision for Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat," Shah said on X. Earlier, three more organisations--Jammu Kashmir Islamic Political Party, Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Democratic League, and Kashmir Freedom Front--have officially severed ties with the Hurriyat Conference. The move is being seen as a major demonstration of growing public trust in the Constitution of India within the Kashmir Valley. Union Home Minister Amit Shah, reacting to the development on social media platform X, said, "Three more organizations, namely Jammu Kashmir Islamic Political Party, Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Democratic League, and Kashmir Freedom Front, disassociate themselves from the Hurriyat. It is a prominent demonstration of the people's trust in the Constitution of India within the valley." "Modi Ji's vision for a united and powerful Bharat stands even more bolstered today, as so far 11 such organizations have shunned separatism, proclaiming unwavering support for it," Shah further said. Four groups affiliated with the Hurriyat Conference-- J&K Tahreeqi Isteqlal, J&K Tahreek-I-Istiqamat, J&K People's Movement and the Democratic Political Movement-- had renounced separatism last month and expressed their faith in the vision of a unified India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The move is being seen as a major success for the government's efforts to integrate the Union Territory and restore lasting peace. This latest development follows similar announcements by other separatist factions, signaling a growing shift towards reconciliation in the Valley. Shah then had termed the development a big victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of building India into a developed, peaceful and unified country. The development follows the Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) decision on March 11 to ban two organisations -- the Awami Action Committee, led by prominent Kashmiri cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, and the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen, headed by Shia leader Masroor Abbas Ansari -- for five years over alleged anti-national activities. In the recently concluded Budget Session, Union Home Minister Amit Shah told Parliament that from 2019 to 2024, 14 major Hurriyat-linked organisations were banned. He asserted that the Hurriyat, once a mediator in talks with Pakistan, has now been dismantled. Shah made the remarks during a discussion on the MHA's functioning in the Rajya Sabha on March 21. Shah further criticized previous governments for their "lenient" approach toward terrorism, alleging they avoided strong actions due to fear of losing vote banks. In contrast, he emphasized that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, a zero-tolerance policy against terrorism has been firmly implemented. (ANI) The Senior Secondary Commission (SSC) teachers sat on a 'dharna' protest outside the SSC office in Kolkata on Friday. The teachers are protesting against the Mamata Banerjee-led state government. Around 26000 teachers have lost their jobs following the SSC recruitment case, which resulted in a Supreme Court judgement that said the whole recruitment process was flawed. Earlier on Thursday, Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) workers 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. Apart from the DYFI, the BJP workers on Thursday protested against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led State Government over the issue. 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 Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and the Youth Congress on Friday protested against the naming of a disabled centre after Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) founder Keshav Baliram Hedgewar in Palakkad, Kerala. The stone-laying ceremony for the disabled centre was held today in Palakkad. Members of both organisations protested at the centre. The protesters were removed from the premises, and the foundation stone-laying ceremony was completed. Currently, the Palakkad municipality is led by the Bharatiya Janata Party. E Krishna Das, Vice Chairman of Palakkad Municipality, discussed the need to start a skill centre for disabled people and said that the centre will be hosting around 275 boys and girls. "The Palakkad Municipality has started a skill development centre for the intellectually challenged. This is the first project in the state of Kerala. There are about 275 boys and girls who are handicapped, and there is no centre for them to take care of them when their parents go to work or when their parents go out," the Vice Chairman said. He further recounted an incident of a mother tying a baby to a pole in her house and going to work, which is the reason for making the centre. He told ANI, "In this municipality, there is a family where the mother is going to work by keeping her child tied in a pole in her house. Her house is locked, and she goes to work. So, in order to resolve these issues, we thought it fit to start the centre and name it after Doctor Hedgewar." The Vice chairman also criticised DYFI and the youth congress' protest, urging them to understand the RSS founder's contribution to the nation. The vice chairman said, "We are inspired by the work of Doctor Hedgewar. We thought it fit that this centre for the intellectually challenged that uh it should bear the name of Doctor Hedgewar... Congress people should understand that, uh, Doctor Hergewar, he was the. Congress committee secretary at one point, and he participated in the independence struggle." (ANI) Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar on Friday praised the White Knight Corps for neutralising a terrorist during the ongoing operation in Kishtwar and stated that the Indian Army is committed to keeping Jammu and Kashmir terror-free. https://x.com/NorthernComd_IA/status/1910611564576522670 In a post on X, Northern Command - Indian Army said, "Lt. Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, Army Commander, Northern Command compliments #WhiteKnightCorps for their swift action and precise execution in neutralising one terrorist in the ongoing operation in #Kishtwar. #IndianArmy stands by its commitment to keep #JammuKashmir terror-free." A terrorist was "neutralised" by the Indian Army following an exchange of fire with security forces in the Kishtwar region of Jammu and Kashmir, the Army's White Knight Corps said on Friday. The encounter broke out after a joint search operation was launched in the Chhatru area of the Kishtwar and Udhampur districts. The operation was carried out based on specific intelligence inputs. The area was cordoned off to prevent the militants from escaping. Security forces continue efforts to eliminate the threat and ensure civilian safety in the region, officials said. "Op Chhatru: Based on specific intelligence, a joint search and destroy operation along with the Jammu and Kashmir Police was launched on April 9 in the Chhatru forest, Kishtwar. Contact was established late evening on the same day," the White Knight Corps said in a post on X. "The terrorists were effectively engaged, and a firefight ensued. One terrorist has thus far been neutralised. Despite hostile terrain and adverse weather, relentless operations by our brave soldiers continue," the Army Corps added. In the wake of recent encounters and with the melting of snow in high-altitude meadows--often used by militants for infiltration--surveillance has been heightened in the Bhaderwah region of Jammu and Kashmir. The Army has also intensified deployment and surveillance along National Highway 44 (NH-44) to disrupt terrorist logistics, including the transport of war-like stores and the unauthorised movement of militants. Joint Mobile Vehicle Check Posts (MVCPs) have been set up at multiple locations in coordination with the Jammu and Kashmir Police. Advanced vehicle scanners, AI-based facial recognition systems, and automatic number plate recognition systems have been deployed at key junctions and entry-exit points. (ANI) Maharashtra Minister Pratap Sarnaik on Friday demanded that terror accused Tahawwur Rana be "hanged" till death at the India-Pakistan border for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai attacks so that the neighbouring country was aware of the consequences of pulling such an act. "Tahawwur Rana's case is being handled by the officer who was on duty during the 26/11 attacks. The officer, Sadanand Date, is the reason the world got an inside account of the terror attack. Everyone in India wants, just like Kasab was hanged, Tahawwur Rana should be hanged, too. He should be hanged at the India-Pakistan border so that Pakistan understands the consequences of doing something like this in India," Sarnaik told ANI. Senior Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Friday said that the formation of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was a result of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai. He said the central counterterrorism law enforcement agency was established during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government to tackle such incidents. "Ever since the 26/11 terrorist attack happened in Mumbai and many were killed...it was necessary that those involved in the terrorist act must be punished by the law. I remember that NIA was established during UPA times. NIA registered a case in this incident on November 11, 2009, where the accused were David Headley and Tahawwur Rana," Sibal told reporters during a press conference. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar also spoke about Rana's extradition to India, expressing optimism that his interrogation would provide crucial insights into the orchestration of the attacks, including the individuals who directed him and the motives behind the devastation. He said that the 26/11 accused Rana could reveal the mastermind behind the incident and expose the person who directed him to commit such an act. Pawar emphasised the importance of Rana's apprehension in shedding light on the masterminds and motives behind the devastating incident. "During the 26/11 attacks, we all were in Mumbai, it was a very serious incident. We tried to find who was the exact mastermind behind the incident ... Now, we have caught this person (Tahawwur Rana), and he can reveal who is the real mastermind behind the incident, who directed him to commit such an act. After getting all this information, we can take further action," Pawar told reporters. NIA has placed Rana, a key architect of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, under 18-day custody. Investigators suspect that similar terror plots were devised for multiple cities across India. To piece together the full scope of the conspiracy, officials may take Rana to various locations, retracing events from 17 years ago. According to the sources, the NIA is expanding its probe into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, with plans to take Tahawwur Rana to various locations across India. His prolonged custody has been deemed necessary to facilitate an extensive interrogation aimed at uncovering deeper layers of the conspiracy. Authorities suspect that the tactics used in the Mumbai attacks were intended for execution in other cities as well, prompting investigators to examine whether similar plots were developed elsewhere. To piece together crucial evidence and retrace events from 17 years ago, officials may transport Rana to key locations, allowing them to reconstruct the crime scene and gain deeper insight into the larger terror network at play. Rana was formally arrested upon his arrival in India following his extradition from the U.S., which came after he had exhausted all legal avenues to prevent the move. Presented before a special court, the NIA argued that his custodial interrogation is essential to uncover the full extent of the conspiracy. (ANI) Several Muslim organizations in Jaipur held a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act on Friday. The protests were part of the nationwide movement of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board to bring public awareness against the Waqf Act. Other than AIMPLB, AIMIM leaders also joined the protests. AIMIM state president Jameel Khan said that their party leader Asaduddin Owaisi has opposed the bill in the parliament which is a clear message that the bill is against the Muslim community. He alleged that the bill is a conspiracy of the Union Government through which they want to snatch the Waqf properties. "This Waqf Bill has been passed in the Parliament, against which our party has also protested. Our leader pointed out many changes in this bill and he has also torn this bill in the Parliament, which shows how dangerous it is for Muslims. This shows how dangerous this bill is for the Waqf properties and it is a well-planned conspiracy of the central government. This is a conspiracy to take over all the masjids, graveyards and Waqf properties by any means. This matter has now gone to the Supreme Court and our leader Asaduddin Owaisi has filed a petition regarding this", Jameel Khan told reporters. AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi was part of the Joint Parliamentary Committee which was formed to make necessary amendments in the Waqf Amendment Bill. The bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on April 2 and 3 respectively. It was passed in both the Houses and later received the assent of the President after which it became a law. On April 5, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. While the opposition has been protesting against the Waqf Act, the BJP has launched a 'Waqf Reforms Awareness Campaign', which will run from April 20 to May 5. The initiative will tell the benefits of the Waqf act to the Muslim community people. (ANI) Papalpreet Singh, a close aide of Khadoor Sahib MP and 'Waris Punjab De' chief Amritpal Singh, was produced in the Ajnala Court by the Punjab Police on Friday, following his transfer from Assam's Dibrugarh Central Jail. Punjab Police had reached Dibrugarh on April 9 to take Papalpreet Singh into custody under the provisions of the National Security Act (NSA). After completing formalities, he was escorted back to Punjab and produced in court amid tight security arrangements. Papalpreet Singh was arrested under the National Security Act (NSA) in an operation conducted by the Punjab Police in Hoshiarpur on April 10. The crackdown came almost three weeks after Amritpal's supporters stormed the Ajnala police station in Amritsar on February 23, demanding the release of one of his close associates, Lovepreet Toofan. Rejecting the allegations, the family members of Papalpreet Singh have claimed that no damage was done to the police station and that he only tried to stop the use of drugs in Punjab. "It is clearly in front of the world. He tried to keep people away from drugs and encouraged them to learn their Gurus' preaching," said Papalpreet's mother, Mandhir Kaur. She also demanded that bail should be granted to Papalpreet Singh. Papalpreet's maternal uncle, Amarjeet Singh Wangchadi, alleged that only one side of the story is being told to the authorities. "They are only presenting one side of the story. I know he (Papalpreet) did wrong, but sending him 4,000 kms away, that too, under NSA, was not fair. How many were charged under the NSA during the 1984 riots or during the Vadodara riots in Gujarat?" he asked. He further added that Papalpreet is a journalist himself and that he "was Mann's personal assistant during the elections". Papalpreet's advocate, Harpal Singh Khara, claimed that "even police and the state officials are not aware of the accusations" made against Amritpal Singh's close aide. "They showed two people roaming around in two different cities. No allegations can be made about this. Also, nothing was stolen from the police station. They're saying the police station was attacked, but there was no damage done," Khara asserted. The advocate further alleged that the "police and state will keep extending the legal process in the name of remands and investigation". "It's only drama. They're scared that the 'party' might flourish, and they're only trying to hold it back," he added. (ANI) Ahead of his first-ever rally, Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor said that people in Bihar want a change. The Jan Suraaj Party is set to contest its first Assembly election in Bihar, which is likely to be held in October or November this year. The party earlier contested the by-polls in which they failed to open their account. Speaking with ANI ahead of his 'Badlav Rally', Kishor said that people want an "alternative" in Bihar, pitching that his party's culture is different from others. "It is called 'Badlav Rally' because when I walked for 2 years, I heard just one word the most - Badlav (change). Be it the supporters of RJD, BJP or Nitish Kumar, everyone wants a change in Bihar. They want a political alternative in Bihar. They want to speak about education and jobs in Bihar...Jan Suraaj's culture and work style are different from other parties. You won't find our workers extorting, looting and fighting. They will do their event in a disciplined manner," Kishor said. The rally is being organised at the Gandhi Maidan in Patna, emphasising on its importance Kishor said, "Our interaction with the public will continue but today is important because after the formation of Jan Suraaj in Bihar, this is the first meeting of the party. We will sit together in Gandhi Maidan," Further speaking about the rally, Kishor said it will have an "impact " on politics of Bihar and people will see Jan Suraaj as a "strong alternative." ""This rally will have an impact on the politics of Bihar in the way that people of Bihar who were opting for BJP or RJD in the absence of an alternative can now see a strong alternative in the form of Jan Suraaj and their trust in it will strengthen," Kishor said. The Bihar Legislative Assembly election for all 243 constituencies is scheduled to be held in October or November this year. The last assembly elections were held in October-November 2020. (ANI) Congress leader Kanhaiya Kumar on Friday slammed the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government for detaining Congress workers during the 'Palayan Roko, Naukri Do' padyatra in Patna, saying, "We want jobs, not lathicharge." Speaking to ANI, Kanhaiya Kumar said, "We are demanding jobs from the government and urging them to stop migration. Since our concerns were ignored, until the government listens to us, we will continue to listen to the voices of the people and keep making the government hear them. This process will continue. We want jobs, not lathi charges." Kanhaiya Kumar and other Congress workers were detained by police on Friday during the 'Palayan Roko- Naukri Do Yatra' in Patna. Police used water cannons and detained Congress workers who attempted to proceed toward the Chief Minister's residence during their 'Palayan Roko, Naukri Do' padyatra. A police official told mediapersons that approximately 20 individuals were arrested as the crowd became aggressive. "They were quite aggressive and attempted to break through the barricades. We detained the leaders, and around 20 people were taken into custody, although the exact number is uncertain. They are all being transported to Kotwali Police Station. We had warned them to maintain peace, but they were overly aggressive, prompting us to use water cannons before making the detentions. Kanhaiya Kumar is among those detained," he stated. Congress leader Shakeel Ahmad Khan also condemned the detention of Congress workers, asserting that the government's position is clear: they refuse to address questions about employment or migration. Speaking to ANI, Khan said, "The government's position is clear: they do not want to address questions about employment or migration. They prefer to avoid discussing their policies that create hardships. Youth across Bihar are voicing their concerns. In response to these question, the Chief Minister should have said, 'Alright, let s arrange a meeting with a delegation of your representatives, so you can present your questions there.'" (ANI) Following the implementation of the Waqf Amendment Act, Madhya Pradesh Waqf Board Chairman Sanwar Patel on Friday expressed plans for the board's future, stating that they identified around 2000 people who occupied Waqf properties and would be served notices soon. He also highlighted that they would ask them to vacate the property or become legal tenants in the notice; otherwise, according to the new law, action would be taken against them. "Now that the law has come, work will also be done. We have all geared up, and the state board has begun its work on it. Out of 15,008 waqf properties in the state, most of them are occupied. We have identified 2000 people and are going to serve them notices soon. We will ask them in the notice to either vacate the property or become a legal tenant. If one fails to act upon both the options, then action will be taken according to the new law," Patel told ANI. He emphasised that they would seek help from the government and the administration to remove the occupancy. Patel also accused Congressmen of occupying the waft properties. "As far as possession of Waqf properties is concerned, most of the people who have occupied it belong to Congress. Even their (Congress) national president has been accused of occupying waqf properties. AIMIM chief Owaisi, too, has been accused of occupying. Many Congress leaders and their family members have been accused of occupying the Waqf properties. They (Congress) are protesting to save themselves. Of the RRCs (Revenue Recovery Certificate) that we have issued in Madhya Pradesh, the biggest RRC to date is against Riyaz Khan of Rs 7.11 crore, and he is a Congress leader," Patel said. "Similarly, when the list of 2000 people will come, you will see that most of them will be Congress leaders," he added. Meanwhile, Congress leader Swadesh Sharma called the Waqf Amendment Act an agenda to play the politics of division, and they are working for the same purpose. "BJP had given a slogan of 'Abki baar, 400 paar' (400 seats in Lok Sabha election) and there was only one motive behind it that as airport, railway stations and government organisation sold to their favourite industrialists, similarly to bring a law for land which was donate to waqf or others aiming to provide those lands to their industrialist friends. These lands (waqf properties) are lands which was donated by people, and the government does not have the right to give them to anyone. They do it to help the poor, but this government brings such an agenda for only doing the politics of division, and they are working on the same purpose," Congress leader Swadesh Sharma said. Additionally, a huge number of people under the banner of Madhya Pradesh Muslim Tyohar Committee also held a protest near Iqbal Maidan in the state capital over the Waqf Amendment Act and demanded to withdraw the act. The protestors sought permission to stage a protest in the Iqbal Maidan, but they failed to get it, so they marked their demonstration at a space near the Maidan. Heavy force was deployed on the ground in view of the protest. The protesters said that even though they did not get permission, they would continue their protest. They would also knock on the doors of the Supreme Court and file a separate petition against the act. (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday emphasised the BJP's commitment to uplifting the poor and the deprived, asserting that the spirit of service is the policy of his government. Prime Minister Modi participated in the programme at Shri Anandpur Dham in Madhya Pradesh's Ashoknagar. Addressing the programme, the Prime Minister said, "The resolve to uplift the poor and the deprived...the mantra of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'...this spirit of service...is today the policy and commitment of the government. PM Modi said that India is a land of sages, wise men and saints. "Whenever our India, our society, goes through a difficult phase, some sage, some wise man, comes to this earth and gives a new direction to the society." "We can also see a glimpse of this in the life of Pujya Swami Advaitananda Maharaj Ji Maharaj. There was a time when acharyas like Adi Shankaracharya explained the profound knowledge of Advaita philosophy," he said. Highlighting the significance of Ashoknagar, he said, "The land, every particle of which has been watered by the penance of saints, where charity has become a tradition, where the resolve to serve paves the way for the welfare of humanity, is not an ordinary land. "I am happy that I have got the opportunity to participate in the celebration of Baisakhi and the birth anniversary of Shri Guru Maharaj Ji here today," he said. "Today, amid the material progress in the world, we are faced with many big concerns related to war, conflict and human values. At the root of these is a mentality that separates one human from another, that I am different than you....The solution for these challenges will also be found in Advait's ideas," PM Modi said. Earlier in the day, PM Modi offered prayers at the Guruji Maharaj Temple in Madhya Pradesh's Isagarh. He performed aarti at the Guruji Maharaj Temple and also toured the temple complex at Anandpur Dham. Anandpur Dham has been established for spiritual and philanthropic purposes. Spanning 315 hectares, it houses a modern gaushala (cowshed) with over 500 cows and runs agricultural activities under the Shri Anandpur Trust campus. The trust has been operating a charitable hospital in Sukhpur village, schools in Sukhpur and Anandpur and various Satsang Centres across the country. This followed his visit to Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi today, where he inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of various development projects worth over Rs 3880 crore. Earlier in the day, PM Modi was felicitated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as he reached the venue in his parliamentary constituency. The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for a road bridge between Varanasi Ring Road and Sarnath, flyovers at Bhikharipur and Manduadih crossings of the city and a highway underpass road tunnel on NH-31 at the Varanasi International Airport worth over Rs 980 crore. He inaugurated two 400 KV and one 220 KV transmission substations and associated transmission lines in the Jaunpur, Chandauli, and Ghazipur districts of the Varanasi division, worth over Rs 1,045 crore. (ANI) The Delhi High Court has underscored the need for careful examination of whether proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) can progress to the framing of charges before charges in the predicate offense are formally established. In an interim order, the court instructed the Special Court to delay the framing of charges to a date beyond the one set by the High Court. This decision came in response to a petition filed by Congress MP Karti Chidambaram. He requested the deferment of arguments in the Chinese Visa scam and Aircel-Maxis deal cases, both of which are currently being prosecuted by the Enforcement Directorate. Justice Ravinder Dudeja, in an order issued on April 9, observed that the discharge of the petitioner in the predicate offense would, prima facie, have a significant impact on the trial of the PMLA case. The court noted that if the petitioner is discharged in the predicate offense, the charge of money laundering against him would not stand. Emphasizing the need for further deliberation, Justice Dudeja directed the Special Judge to postpone the arguments on the framing of charges to a date beyond the one set by the High Court. The plea moved by Karti Chidambaram contests the trial court's rejection of his application to delay the proceedings, highlighting the necessity of resolving the predicate offenses before advancing further. Through this petition, Chidambaram seeks to defer arguments on the charges until the trial court determines whether charges will be framed against him in the alleged predicate offenses. Represented by Sidharth Luthra, senior Advocate and Arshdeep Singh Khurana, advocate instructed by Akshat Gupta, Advocate, Karti has challenged the trial court's March 28 order that dismissed his application for a stay on the ongoing proceedings or postponement of arguments on charges in these matters. Senior Advocate Luthra argued that the trial court failed to recognize a critical legal principle: the initiation and continuation of proceedings for a money laundering offense depend on the existence of a scheduled crime and the generation of proceeds from such a crime. He emphasized that if an individual is discharged or acquitted in the scheduled offense, or if the offense is successfully quashed, the money laundering charges cannot be sustained. On Monday, Senior Advocate representing Karti Chidambaram presented arguments in the case, while Zoheb Hossian advocated on behalf of the Enforcement Directorate. Justice Ravinder Dudeja presided over the proceedings, engaging in an extensive discussion before adjourning the matter to April 9, 2025, for further hearing. In the Aircel-Maxis case, the Enforcement Directorate initiated proceedings under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, against Karti Chidambaram, M/s Advantage Strategic Consulting Pvt. Ltd. (ASCPL), and others. This action was based on an ECIR recorded following an FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for alleged offenses under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, according to an ED press statement. In the Chinese Visa scam case, the 2022 ED investigation revolves around allegations of Rs50 lakh being paid as kickbacks to Karti Chidambaram and his close associate, S. Bhaskararaman. The payment was allegedly made by a senior executive of Talwandi Sabo Power Ltd. (TSPL), which was involved in setting up a power plant in Punjab, as per the CBI FIR. (ANI) Lauding the efforts of the Union government over the extradition of the 26/11 attack accused Tahawwur Rana, Delhi BJP Legal Cell incharge Anil Soni on Friday said that the first step has been taken towards getting justice for the 166 people who died in the terror attacks in Mumbai on November 26, 2008. Calling it a "great victory" for the Modi government, Anil Soni said that getting someone extradited from America is not an easy task and expressed hope that the remaining perpetrators involved in the attacks will be extradited soon following the interrogation of Tahawwur Rana. "It's a great victory for Mr Modi's government, which has tried and went ahead, followed up, and made personal contacts with the American President. Mr Modi has got this victory. This is the first step towards getting justice for the 150-odd people who died in the Mumbai attacks. He is one of the masterminds who has been extradited. We hope to get more people out; after his interrogation, we might get more people who are masterminds of this attack to be extradited to India and brought to justice," Anil Soni told ANI. He further mentioned that following the 9/11 attacks, America changed its stance towards terrorism, and now the whole world is standing with India on this issue. "Till the Twin Towers (9/11 attack) did not happen in America, no one took us seriously on the grounds of terrorism. They thought it was a Jammu and Kashmir problem which according to them was an internal issue. But now today, all the world, America and developed countries stand with us against terrorism...We are sharing our intelligence with each other," he said. Soni further highlighted that Pakistan tried to leverage the "irresponsible" remarks made by Congress leader Digvijaya Singh over the 26/11 attacks on international forums. "When 26/11 happened, Digvijaya Singh, a prominent leader of Congress party which was in the government made irresponsible statements, saying that it was the Hindu extremists who plotted this gruesome attack and it was not the outsiders. This issue was raised by Pakistan in international courts and organisations, and they said that they had nothing to do with it. Today, with the Modi government pursuing this matter, we have given sufficient evidence to the Americans so that we could extradite this man," said Delhi BJP legal cell chief. He further expressed hope that a speedy trial will take place in the case of Tahawwur Rana and that justice will be delivered to the victims of the 26/11 attacks. "It is a great victory, the world is looking at us. Getting someone extradited from America is not a very easy task, we have given enough evidence to the Americans, so I hope the Indian Govt and judicial system itself will give importance to this case and will like to finish the case on day-to-day basis and give a hearing and bring everyone to justice in this matter as early as possible," Anil Soni said. Rana, 64, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan, was extradited to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, the DoJ statement said. He is charged with numerous offences, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks by Laskhar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a designated terrorist organization. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) successfully secured Rana's extradition 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 had exhausted all legal avenues to stay on the move. He was brought to India on April 10 and produced before an NIA court, where he was sent to 18 days of custody. (ANI) Congress leader and former Home Minister P Chidambaram complimented the Union Government over the successful extradition of terror accused Tahawwur Rana and said that the process gathered pace during the UPA government regime. Tahawwur Rana, who is among the main accused of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was extradited to India from the USA on Thursday. Chidambaram said that during his tenure in the UPA, then foreign minister Salman Khurshid and foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai played an important role in Tahawwur Rana's extradition process. Furthermore, the former Indian finance minister said that he does not take the BJP spokespersons seriously and is waiting for an official statement from the Ministry of External Affairs. "This process began in 2009 and then gathered pace in 2011 when US intelligence identified Rana... I compliment the external affairs ministry, the intelligence agencies, and the NIA for successfully bringing Rana back to India after a long and arduous battle... During my time at UPA, Minister Salman Khurshid and Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai played important roles. I am sure in the present Modi government also, several foreign secretaries and ministers have played a role... I also thank the United States' then and present government", P Chidambaram said. "I don't take the BJP spokesperson seriously. I am waiting for an official statement from the External Affairs or Home Ministry. I don't want to comment on the 'so-called' spokesperson", he added. Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has placed Tahawwur Rana under 18-day custody. Investigators suspect that similar terror plots were devised for multiple cities across India. To piece together the full scope of the conspiracy, officials may take Rana to various locations, retracing events from 17 years ago. According to the sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expanding its probe into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, with plans to take Tahawwur Rana to various locations across India. (ANI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Friday lashed out at Congress leader Digvijay Singh over the latter's controversial remark back in 2010 regarding the 26/11 Mumbai attack and said, "I dont respond to those who speak like idiots." "First of all, I dont respond to those who speak like idiots. When Kasab was executed, and after that, when David Headley's statement was recorded in our judiciary, it became amply clear that this whole conspiracy was hatched in Pakistan," Fadnavis said. "Those who propagate other conspiracy theories (about the involvement of RSS in 26/11), I don't want to respond to them. Now the prime conspirator is in our custody, and more things will come to light now." Fadnavis added. In 2010, Digvijay Singh said that former ATS chief Hemant Karkare had told him telephonically before the Mumbai terror attack that he was under threat from right-wing groups over his handling of the Malegaon bomb blast case. Singh had said that Karkare was targeted by RSS leaders and blamed his death on RSS. Former ATS chief Hemant Karkare was killed in action in the wake of the horrific terror attacks of 2008 in Mumbai. Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has placed the 26/11 Mumbai attack accused under 18-day custody. Investigators suspect that similar terror plots were devised for multiple cities across India. To piece together the full scope of the conspiracy, officials may take Rana to various locations, retracing events from 17 years ago. According to the sources, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is expanding its probe into the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, with plans to take Tahawwur Rana to various locations across India. Rana landed in Delhi yesterday after the US extradited him to India. On November 26, 2008, 10 Lashker-e-Taliba terrorists targeted civilians at 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. 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) Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed a city-wide revamp to address key issues affecting public safety, mobility, and shelter infrastructure, with a special focus on women's safety. "In a high-level meeting with senior officials, Chief Minister Gupta stressed urgent action on 4,000 dark spots -- poorly lit areas across the city -- which are now being cleaned and equipped with adequate lighting. These spots are considered vulnerable zones, particularly for women," as per an official release. Officials also flagged 129 mobile dark spots, areas where mobile network coverage is weak or absent. Chief Minister Gupta directed telecom companies and relevant departments to ensure better connectivity in these zones to facilitate faster emergency responses. "Additionally, 233 congestion points have been identified in Delhi, hampering both traffic flow and public movement. Of these, 123 fall under the Public Works Department (PWD). So far, 41 congestion points have been cleared, and the Chief Minister Gupta has instructed that all such points be resolved by June," the release read. On Thursday, Chief Minister Gupta said 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. 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) Students from the Aliah University in students on Friday staged a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Kolkata. Meanwhile, several Muslim organisations in Jaipur held a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act on Friday. The protests were part of the nationwide movement of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) to bring public awareness against the Waqf Act. Other than AIMPLB, AIMIM leaders also joined the protests. AIMIM state president Jameel Khan said that their party leader Asaduddin Owaisi has opposed the bill in the parliament, which is a clear message that the bill is against the Muslim community. He alleged that the bill is a conspiracy of the Union Government through which they want to snatch the Waqf properties. On Thursday, actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misleading the public regarding the Waqf Amendment Act. Chakraborty asserted that the Act serves the best interests of Muslims, particularly Muslim women. Speaking to ANI, Mithun Chakraborty said, "She (Mamata Banerjee) is trying to mislead the public. The Waqf Amendment Act is in the best interests of Muslims, especially Muslim women. But some people are misleading the public. This is wrong." AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi was part of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which was formed to make necessary amendments in the Waqf Amendment Bill. The bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on April 2 and 3, respectively. It was passed in both the Houses and later received the assent of the President, after which it became a law. On April 5, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. While the opposition has been protesting against the Waqf Act, the BJP has launched a 'Waqf Reforms Awareness Campaign', which will run from April 20 to May 5. The initiative will tell the benefits of the Waqf act to the Muslim community people. (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday instructed district magistrates to expedite a plan to deliver drinking water through pipelines to every village and city of the state. As per an official statement, Chief Minister Dhami held a review meeting with the officials through video-conferencing regarding the status of the supply of drinking water in the state for the summer season. Chief Minister instructed the officials to replace tube wells at earliest, keep fire hydrants smooth, build afforestation and check dams in the catchment area. Keeping in view the Meteorological Department's forecast over a possibility of extreme heat this year, the Chief Minister told officials to identify the places with drinking water shortage and prepare an action plan on how water supply will be done in those areas, an official statement said. He further said that the message of saving water should be spread through schools, panchayats and social media. "To reduce the impact of forest fire incidents in summer, valves should be made from drinking water schemes going through the forests so that the fire can be extinguished immediately," CM Dhami said. Chief Minister Dhami also directed officials to keep a toll-free number operational where citizens can register complaints regarding the supply of drinking water. He emphasised that the timely disposal of complaints registered through the toll-free number should be ensured. An intensive checking campaign should also be conducted to prevent misuse of water. CM Dhami also directed officials to identify water leakages and ensure immediate repair and arrangement of buffer material and workers for repair, as per an official statement. Chief Minister further instructed officials to ensure that motor pumps, electrical equipment and pipe spares should be repaired immediately if they get damaged and also instructed to take special care of the purity of water. "Monitoring and effective arrangement of tankers, GPS-enabled system should be arranged on tankers, and water rates should also be fixed for private tankers," CM Dhami said in the review meeting. The CM said that small dams and barrages will be built by stopping rainwater. "This will prevent rainwater from getting wasted and water will be used properly in the summer season. For this, all DMs will identify the sites of their districts within three weeks and provide proposals," he said. In the meeting, Chief Minister also emphasised a plan to build a series of check dams in the districts. He said that in many places in the mountains, water is still being transported by horses and mules, and a long-term plan should be made for those places. (ANI) The 8th meeting of the AITIGA Joint Committee to review the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) hosted by India at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, concluded on Friday. The meeting, which began on April 7, was conducted in a hybrid format. The meeting was co-chaired by Rajesh Agrawal, Additional Secretary, Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Deputy Co-Chair Sugumari S. Shanmugam, Senior Director Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, Malaysia, according to release by Ministry of Commerce & Industry. The meeting saw participation from delegates representing ASEAN countries, including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The committee's primary objective was to advance the ongoing review of the AITIGA, aiming to modernize the agreement to be more effective, user-friendly, and conducive to trade. Five out of eight Sub-Committees (SCs) under the AITIGA JC also conducted hybrid meetings on the margins of the 8th AITIGA JC. Out of which, four SCs, namely Sub-Committee on Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation (SC-CPTF); Sub-Committee on Economic & Technical cooperation (SC-ETC); Sub-Committee on National Treatment and Market Access (SC-NTMA); and Sub-Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SC-SPS) met in New Delhi, India, while the Sub-Committee on Rules of Origin (SC-ROO) met in Jakarta, Indonesia, facilitating progress in textual discussions and progressing in groundwork for tariff negotiations, the release stated. ASEAN remains a pivotal trade partner for India, accounting for approximately 11% of India's global trade. In the fiscal year 2023-24, bilateral trade between India and ASEAN reached USD 121 billion. The next AITIGA JC meeting is scheduled for June 2025 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, continuing the collaborative efforts to enhance ASEAN-India economic integration, the release added (ANI) A Muslim organisation in Siliguri on Friday protested the Waqf (Amendment) Act. Speaking to ANI, a protester urged the Central government to take back the Waqf (Amendment) Act. "The (Waqf) Act you have introduced is not needed by us, nor by the Muslim community, nor by the country. You should take this (Waqf) Act back. This Waqf Act is being imposed on us unnecessarily. There was no need for it. In our country, millions of people are unemployed, we need hospitals, we need medical facilities. Our young generation needs jobs, but you are not working on these issues," he said. Earlier, Students from the Aliah University on Friday staged a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act in Kolkata. Meanwhile, several Muslim organisations in Jaipur held a protest against the Waqf (Amendment) Act on Friday. The protests were part of the nationwide movement of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) to bring public awareness against the Waqf Act. Other than AIMPLB, AIMIM leaders also joined the protests. AIMIM state president Jameel Khan said that their party leader Asaduddin Owaisi has opposed the bill in the parliament, which is a clear message that the bill is against the Muslim community. He alleged that the bill is a conspiracy of the Union Government through which they want to snatch the Waqf properties. On Thursday, actor and BJP leader Mithun Chakraborty accused West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of misleading the public regarding the Waqf Amendment Act. Chakraborty asserted that the Act serves the best interests of Muslims, particularly Muslim women. Speaking to ANI, Mithun Chakraborty said, "She (Mamata Banerjee) is trying to mislead the public. The Waqf Amendment Act is in the best interests of Muslims, especially Muslim women. But some people are misleading the public. This is wrong." AIMIM chief and MP Asaduddin Owaisi was part of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, which was formed to make necessary amendments in the Waqf Amendment Bill. The bill was tabled in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on April 2 and 3, respectively. It was passed in both the Houses and later received the assent of the President, after which it became a law. On April 5, President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2025. While the opposition has been protesting against the Waqf Act, the BJP has launched a 'Waqf Reforms Awareness Campaign', which will run from April 20 to May 5. The initiative will tell the benefits of the Waqf act to the Muslim community people. (ANI) The newly elected general secretary of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Tiruchi Siva met party president and Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin at the DMK headquarters in Chennai. He was accompanied by other party senior leaders. While, Tiruchi Siva was appointed as the general secretary of DMK, Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Chennai on Friday. Shah announced alliance with AIADMK and both parties will be fighting the upcoming assembly elections together as NDA. The Union Home Minister further said that the NDA will fight elections under the leadership of AIADMK general secretary Edapaddi K Palaniswami in the state whereas on the national level PM Modi will be leading figure. "AIADMK and BJP leaders have decided that AIADMK, BJP and all the alliance parties will contest the upcoming Vidhan Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu together as NDA," Shah said. Shah was addressing a press conference with BJP's K Annamalai and AIADMK's Edappadi Palaniswami in Chennai. Shah added, "These elections will be contested under the leadership of PM Modi on a national level and under the leadership of AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami on the state level..." Following the announcement of the alliance, DMK launched a scathing attack on Edapaddi K Palaniswami and said that he fell in the feet of the BJP to protect his family. DMK spokesperson, TKS Elangovan on Friday termed the BJP-AIADMK alliance as "most expected" and alleged that Edappadi Palaniswami succumbed to BJP pressure to protect his family members. Speaking to ANI, Elangovan said, "This was most expected. They were afraid of the BJP. When BJP put pressure on Edappadi's son and his relatives, Edappadi thought that he has to save them. So he fell at the feet of BJP." The DMK leader said that the BJP and the AIADMK despite being in an alliance in 2021 had lost out to his party in elections. "They were all together in 2021, but we won and captured power. Vijay is going to contest separately. If he contests separately, he is going to take a share of their votes because DMK votes will solidly come to DMK and opposition votes will split. That will do more good to us." (ANI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that he felt "truly blessed" after visiting Shri Paramhans Advait Mandir, Shri Anandpur Dham in Madhya Pradesh, where he offered prayers on Friday. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Feeling truly blessed to be at Shri Paramhans Advait Mandir, Shri Anandpur Dham in Madhya Pradesh -- a spiritually vibrant place that radiates peace, devotion and timeless wisdom." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/1910699301610688814 He said that the unwavering commitment to service of all those associated with the Shri Paramhans Advait Mat is truly inspiring. "All those associated with the Shri Paramhans Advait Mat have contributed to nurturing a spiritual tradition that uplifts countless lives. Their unwavering commitment to service is truly inspiring," he added. Prime Minister Modi participated in the programme at Shri Anandpur Dham in Madhya Pradesh's Ashoknagar. Addressing the programme, the Prime Minister said, "The resolve to uplift the poor and the deprived...the mantra of 'Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas'...this spirit of service...is today the policy and commitment of the government. PM Modi said that India is a land of sages, wise men and saints. "Whenever our India, our society, goes through a difficult phase, some sage, some wise man, comes to this earth and gives a new direction to the society." "We can also see a glimpse of this in the life of Pujya Swami Advaitananda Maharaj Ji Maharaj. There was a time when acharyas like Adi Shankaracharya explained the profound knowledge of Advaita philosophy," he said. Highlighting the significance of Ashoknagar, he said, "The land, every particle of which has been watered by the penance of saints, where charity has become a tradition, where the resolve to serve paves the way for the welfare of humanity, is not an ordinary land. "I am happy that I have got the opportunity to participate in the celebration of Baisakhi and the birth anniversary of Shri Guru Maharaj Ji here today," he said. "Today, amid the material progress in the world, we are faced with many big concerns related to war, conflict and human values. At the root of these is a mentality that separates one human from another, that I am different than you.... The solution for these challenges will also be found in Advait's ideas," PM Modi said. PM Modi also offered prayers at the Guruji Maharaj Temple in Madhya Pradesh's Isagarh. He performed aarti at the Guruji Maharaj Temple and also toured the temple complex at Anandpur Dham. Anandpur Dham has been established for spiritual and philanthropic purposes. Spanning 315 hectares, it houses a modern gaushala (cowshed) with over 500 cows and runs agricultural activities under the Shri Anandpur Trust campus. The trust has been operating a charitable hospital in Sukhpur village, schools in Sukhpur and Anandpur and various Satsang Centres across the country. (ANI) Former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said that the education system in the national capital has completely "fallen into the clutches" of the mafias under the BJP government following an alleged fee hike in several private schools recently. Reacting to the protest being held in the schools over the recent fee hike, Arvind Kejriwal, in a post on X, said, "The people of Delhi are once again completely at the mercy of the education mafia. How dare the education mafia mistreat our children? Because the leaders and ministers are in their pockets -- just like they used to be before our government came to power." Meanwhile, AAP's Delhi State President, Saurabh Bharadwaj, launched a scathing attack on the BJP government and said that ruling party ministers have no clue of the situation unfolding in Delhi. "Parents are protesting outside private schools, and BJP ministers are busy playing the 'government school-government school' game. They should be going where the problem is and solving it. But they are scared of private school owners," he said. Saurabh Bharadwaj further pointed out that the BJP government is insensitive to the anger of the public. "A woman fainted while protesting outside schools run by top industrialists, and ministers are too afraid to even visit the site. Instead, they are busy with inspection theatrics inside government schools. They should feel at least some shame. They should work for the people of Delhi. Videos of parents protesting outside private schools are going viral across all social media platforms. Parents are in deep distress due to the sudden fee hike. BJP leaders are too afraid to speak against these multimillionaires," he said. Leader of opposition in Delhi Assembly, Atishi, claimed that the BJP government has given the green signal to the schools to increase the fees by 10 per cent every year." "Parents are protesting outside the school. The school management is saying that the fees will increase by at least 10 per cent every year; do whatever you can. How come the school is so confident? Is it not afraid of audit? It is clear that the BJP government has given the green signal to the schools to increase the fees by 10 per cent every year," the former chief minister asserted. (ANI) Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma, along with the Home Minister K. Sapdanga, who also holds the Urban Development and Poverty Allevation portfolio, visited Aizawl Ven Buk - the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC) located at Treasury Square, Aizawl, on Friday. The Chief Minister expressed appreciation for the CCTV network, which now covers almost every densely populated area of Aizawl and enables comprehensive surveillance and secure record-keeping. He stated that although the system is primarily focused on monitoring, it plays a vital role in ensuring safety and maintaining public order. He emphasized that, if extended to more areas, the facility would be beneficial not only for monitoring Aizawl city but also for surrounding regions. It would also prove highly useful in disaster-prone zones and during emergency response situations. He called for efficient operations and close coordination with relevant departments to maximize the utility of the centre. During a briefing at the Control Room, Minister K. Sapdanga highlighted the real-time surveillance capabilities of the centre. He mentioned that a recent incident reported on social media -- such as "someone being stabbed by a group of youths carrying a gun" -- had been confirmed as false through this facility. C.C. Lalchhuangkima, CEO of Aizawl Smart City, outlined the operations, revealing that 237 standard CCTV cameras and 39 Pan-Tilt-Zoom (PTZ) cameras have been installed across 76 key locations in Aizawl. The PTZ cameras are capable of zooming in clearly to identify individuals, and facial recognition technology has been deployed at five critical locations. Additionally, Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) systems have been installed to monitor traffic violations and vehicular movements. Large screen Variable Message Displays (VMDs) have also been installed at five locations and are actively used for public information dissemination. Free Wi-Fi services are being provided at 15 locations. Due to its advanced technology, Aizawl's ICCC is now ranked among the top three in India. Video footage is retained for approximately 30 days, with important data archived and non-essential footage permanently deleted. The system has identified nearly 600 cases since its implementation. Toyota Company, under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, recently donated additional equipment for the Aizawl Traffic Management system, including more CCTV infrastructure. These assets will be integrated into the ICCC network. The Aizawl Ven Buk (ICCC) was officially inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah on April 1, 2023, with a total project cost of Rs. 87.18 crore. The monthly operational cost is around Rs. 7.8 lakh. For public convenience, the facility is accessible for use at a nominal fee of Rs 100. Accompanying the Chief Minister on his visit were Lalmalsawma Pachuau, Secretary of Planning and UD&PA, officials from the UD&PA Department, Aizawl Smart City Limited, ICCC staff, and officers from the Police Department. (ANI) French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday (local time) said that the country is considering recognising a Palestinian state and could do so as early as June, as reported by Politico. Citing an interview with the French President, Politico reported that Macron expressed his intention to push for Palestinian statehood at a conference co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia, which will focus on advancing a two-state solution. Macron emphasised that the move is based on fairness rather than to appease any particular party. "We must move toward recognition, and we will do so in the coming months... I'm not doing it for unity or to please this or that person. I'm doing it because at some point it will be fair," the French president said, as quoted by Politico. Macron's statement follows Israel's resumption of airstrikes on Gaza after a ceasefire broke down after just two months of its imposition, with Israel halting humanitarian aid to the region, as per Politico. The conflict, which began after Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with 1,200 people being killed and 250 taken hostage from the Israeli side and 50,000 people dying in Gaza, as per Politico. France has long supported a two-state solution but has avoided recognising Palestine as a state until now, saying it would only do so if it advanced the peace process. Macron's remarks came after a visit to Egypt, where he met with Palestinians affected by the conflict. "I want to believe in peace; today the conflict has intensified and it's terrible ... Since March 2, there's nothing going in [to the Gaza Strip] -- no water, no food, no medication, and none of the injured are coming out," Macron said as quoted by Politico. His decision to recognise a Palestinian state is expected to strain relations with Israel. Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar, have criticised the move, arguing that recognising Palestine now would reward terrorism and strengthen Hamas. France's Jewish umbrella group, Crif, also condemned the decision, calling it a political win for Hamas while Israeli hostages remain in Gaza. (ANI) Leaders of Pakhtun nationalist parties on Wednesday called on Pakistan to halt the deportation of Afghan refugees, urging the government to stop sending back people who have lived in the country for over four decades, the Dawn reported on Thursday. Addressing a joint press conference, Asghar Khan Achakzai of the Awami National Party (ANP), Nasarullah Zerey of the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP), Ahmed Jan Khan of the National Democratic Movement, and Noor Bacha of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) argued that Afghan refugees are protected under Pakistan's Citizenship Act and possess basic rights, as reported by the Dawn. The leaders criticised the ongoing crackdown against Afghan refugees, many of whom were born and raised in Pakistan, and expressed concern over the economic and political conditions in the country. Citing rulings by the Federal Shariat Court and the Peshawar High Court, they demanded the government comply with the courts' decisions and immediately cease deportations, the Dawn reported. The nationalist leaders convened at Arbab House, the ANP office in Quetta, where they also denounced the worsening law and order in Balochistan. They rejected the narrative blaming Afghan refugees for the country's challenges and called for the dismissal of what they termed "false cases" against Pakhtun leaders, including Ali Wazir. As per Dawn, they also demanded the release of missing persons and the removal of political names from the Fourth Schedule. To address the issue, a five-member committee has been set up to coordinate with other political groups and chart a way forward. The leaders also opposed recent administrative changes, including the merger of Levies into the police and the integration of the Balochistan Constabulary into the Frontier Corps, labelling them as violations of the 18th Amendment, as reported by the Dawn. They concluded by stating that justice and equal rights, rather than force, are essential for lasting peace. (ANI) Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, and Anna Maria Bernini, Minister of University and Research of Italy, arrived in Delhi on Friday for an official visit. The official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, Randhir Jaiswal, said that this high-level visit will further strengthen the India-Italy strategic partnership. In a post on X, he said, "Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani and Anna Maria Bernini, Minister of Universities and Research of Italy, arrived in New Delhi for an official visit. This high-level visit will further strengthen the India-Italy strategic partnership." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1910506666333725107 Earlier upon his arrival, he said in a post on X, "I have just arrived in India. It will be a very important mission to strengthen the strategic partnership between our two countries. Thank you for the welcome!" https://x.com/Antonio_Tajani/status/1910464704868200899 During his visit, Tajani will meet Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, according to a media advisory issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He will call on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on April 12. He will depart from New Delhi on April 12. Earlier in February, India and Italy held discussions in the national capital to enhance collaboration in key sectors such as agriculture, defence, space, infrastructure, and transport. Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal met with Maria Tripodi, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy, and Antonio Bartoli, the Italian Ambassador to India, to explore ways to boost bilateral trade and strengthen cooperation in these crucial areas. Taking to social media X, Goyal described the meeting as "productive" and highlighted both countries' commitment to deepening economic ties. https://x.com/PiyushGoyal/status/1891517892379746586 "Held a productive meeting with H.E. Maria Tripodi, Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Italy, and H.E. Antonio Bartoli, Ambassador of Italy to India. Discussed enhancing bilateral trade ties and strengthening collaboration in key areas like agriculture, defence, space, infrastructure & transport," Goyal posted on X. (ANI) Consul General of India to New York, Binaya S Pradhan on Friday issued an advisory on scam calls and fake agents who ask for money and personal details in the name of the Embassy. Pradhan advised against paying any money to these people, or providing any personal information. https://x.com/IndiainNewYork/status/1910454699284668516 "I want to draw your attention to the serious issue of scam calls being made in the name of consulate or embassy. Despite repeated advisories, these fraudulent calls continue. Let me reiterate, the consulate or Indian embassy never makes such calls asking for personal information, passport details or money," he said. "Please do not share any personal details or make any payments. Also beware of unscrupulous agents charging exorbitant fees," he added. He also shared a government-based support email ID where one could report the issue. "If you face such issues, contact us on social media or write to us at cons.newyork at mea.gov.in. Stay alert, stay safe," he said. In a similar case, The Indian Embassy in Myanmar on Thursday confirmed the repatriation of 32 Indian nationals who were victims of scam operations in the Myawaddy region. In a statement, the Embassy reiterated its warning against falling for fraudulent job offers and emphasised that unauthorised movement across the Myanmar-Thailand border is illegal and may result in future entry bans. Sharing a post on X, the Indian Embassy in Myanmar wrote, "32 Indian nationals, victims of Myawaddy scam compounds, repatriated thru' Mae Sot today. We re-emphasize our advice against such job offers and caution that entry/exit without border immigration in Myanmar/Thailand is illegal and can lead to future entry restrictions." https://x.com/IndiainMyanmar/status/1910362065082208265 Earlier in February, the Voice of America had reported that Myanmar's scam operations were expanding south along Thailand's border, and would continue operating as long as their access to SIM cards, Starlink satellites, electricity and the key human resources -- scammers -- continues. (ANI) The United States Department of Justice has termed the extradition of convicted terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana as "a critical step" toward seeking justice for the victims of the 26/11 heinous Mumbai terror attacks. "Rana's extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks," the Department of Justice said in a statement dated April 10, 2025. Rana, 64, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan was extradited to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai the DoJ statement said. He is charged with numerous offences, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks by Laskhar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a designated terrorist organization. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) successfully secured the extradition of Rana 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 was brought to India late on April 10 and produced before a special NIA court which sent Rana to 18 days of NIA custody. Rana will remain in the custody of the NIA for 18 days, where he will be questioned in detail about the "complete conspiracy" behind the deadly 2008 attacks, said the agency. 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 stated 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. Between November 26 and November 29, 2008, ten LeT terrorists carried out a series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai. They infiltrated the city through the Arabian Sea and then broke into teams, dispersing to multiple locations and carried out attacks on railway station fired guns and threw grenades into crowds. They attacked two restaurants shooting indiscriminately at patrons. At the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel they gunned people down and detonated explosives. Attackers also shot and killed people at a Jewish community centre. As many as 166 victims, including six Americans, were killed and hundreds more were injured, the DoJ statement said adding that the attacks were among the most horrific and catastrophic in India's history. The lone terrorist Ajmal Kasab who was captured alive was hanged in 2012 after being tried and found guilty. Rana facilitated a fraudulent cover for his childhood friend Headley to travel to India for purpose of conducting surveillance of potential attack sites for LeT. "As India alleges, Headley had received training from LeT members in Pakistan and was in direct communication with LeT about plans to attack Mumbai. Among other things, Rana allegedly agreed to open a Mumbai branch of his immigration business and appoint Headley as the manager of the office, despite Headley's having no immigration experience. On two separate occasions, Rana allegedly helped Headley prepare and submit visa applications to Indian authorities that contained information Rana knew to be false. Rana also allegedly supplied, through his unsuspecting business partner, documentation in support of Headley's attempt to secure formal approval from Indian authorities to open a branch office of Rana's business. Over the course of more than two years, Headley allegedly repeatedly met with Rana in Chicago and described his surveillance activities on behalf of LeT, LeT's responses to Headley's activities, and LeT's potential plans for attacking Mumbai," the DoJ detailed. According to the US Department of Justice, India's pending proceedings against Rana are not the first proceedings in which Rana has been accused of conspiring to commit violent acts of terrorism. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years in prison following his trial conviction in the Northern District of Illinois for conspiring to provide material support to LeT and to a foiled LeT-sponsored terrorist plot in Copenhagen, Denmark. As part of those same criminal proceedings, Headley pleaded guilty to 12 federal terrorism charges, including aiding and abetting the murders of the six Americans in Mumbai and later planning to attack a Danish newspaper, and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. In June 2020, the United States acted on a request for Rana's extradition submitted by India, which Rana contested for almost five years. On May 16, 2023, a US magistrate judge in the Central District of California certified Rana's extradition to India. Rana then filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which the US District Court in the Central District of California denied on August 10, 2023. On August 15, 2024, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that decision. The US Supreme Court likewise denied Rana's petition for certiorari on January 21, 2025. The Secretary of State issued a warrant ordering Rana's surrender to Indian authorities. Both the district court and the Ninth Circuit denied Rana's application for a stay of extradition, and on April 7, the US Supreme Court denied Rana's application for a stay of extradition. On April 9, the US Marshals Service executed the Secretary's surrender warrant by surrendering Rana to Indian authorities for transportation to India. "Rana's extradition is now complete," the Department of Justice said. The extradition litigation was handled by Assistant US Attorneys John J. Lulejian and David R. Friedman and former Assistant US Attorney Bram M Alden of the Central District of California and Deputy Director Christopher J. Smith, Associate Director Kerry A. Monaco, and former Associate Director Rebecca A. Haciski of the Criminal Division's Office of International Affairs. The US Marshals Service and attorneys and international affairs specialists in the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs provided support to this extradition. The FBI's Legal Attache Office in New Delhi also provided assistance. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday while speaking at the Carnegie Global Tech Summit said that the world is bracing for a period of sharp competition and contestation. Jaishankar said that further collaboration between different countries, like US and China was like a Goldilocks problem. "And then even worse, deep collaboration between US and China and being at the wrong end of it. So, you know, neither situation for us. So it's kind of like a Goldilocks problem, you know. So you want, ideally, a kind of an optimal situation. They're not going to oblige the rest of the world," he said. He said that everything was personal, and the dynamics were not just about trade anymore," he said. "It's going to be much harder because in the past we could insulate sectors, saying, you know, this doesn't matter, this is only trade. It's not political, it's not defense, it's not sensitive. I think what is our definition of what is sensitive has expanded. Nothing is only trade anymore. No investments are as purely, you know, nothing is purely business anymore. Everything is also personal," he said. Jaishankar said that Europe has had the luxury of peace for several decades, and that now its feathers are being ruffled. "I think we are clearly heading for a period of sharp competition and contestation. And, you know, different countries need to plan for it. That planning is going to be much harder," he said. Jaishankar said that Europe faces a judgement in the past decades. "There are gaps. I mean, I am not being diplomatic about it. I mean, often we tend to see a degree of judgmentalism based on Europe's own situation. And so to the extent Europe has had the good fortune of having a certain strategic comfort for multiple decades," he said. "For a continent we saw so much violence and bloodshed, then you have really 78 years since there have been some issues. What's happening right now in Ukraine is another. But by and large, Europe has enjoyed a period of peace, prosperity, stability, security and complacency, which came out so now, Europe is compelled by global developments to perhaps conceptualize its own interest," he said. Jaishankar said that the strategic reawakening of Europe created a basis for serious conversations on several subjects. "I think today, the strategic reawakening of Europe has created the basis for much more serious conversations on many more subjects, especially matters relating to security and strategy, and also the economics. Our experiences are very different. Some of it flows from what I said about Europe. We've actually seen both extremes. For the first few decades after independence, there was very sharp contestation between US and China and getting caught in the middle of it," he said. "So that world makes it much more complicated, really, to navigate this. But navigate it we must. I think this is actually going to be the predicament for the world, which is to do a more difficult journey with many more obstacles in a much more challenging kind of topography," he added. (ANI) Bangladesh has officially become the 54th country to sign the Artemis Accords, a set of principles guiding responsible space exploration, at a ceremony held during the 2025 Investor Summit in Dhaka on April 8. The signing ceremony took place in Dhaka, Bangladesh's capital city. According to US State Department, Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Md Ashraf Uddin signed the Artemis Accords on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh in the presence of US Charge d'Affaires to Bangladesh Tracey Jacobson. "The United States and Bangladesh enjoy an enduring partnership of more than 50 years, and we look forward to continuing our partnership promoting economic development and regional security in the Indo-Pacific," as per the US State Department "Bangladesh's signing of the Artemis Accords demonstrates its willingness to join a growing coalition of countries that share a vision of peaceful exploration and use of outer space," it added. Charge d'Affaires Tracey Jacobson from the US Embassy in Dhaka participated in the event, and NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro contributed remarks in a pre-recorded video message. "We are thrilled by Bangladesh's signature of the Accords," said NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro. "Bangladesh affirms its role in shaping the future of space exploration. This is about ensuring that our journey to the Moon - and beyond - is peaceful, sustainable, and transparent. We look forward to working together, to learning from one another, and to seeing how Bangladesh's incredible talent and vision contribute to humanity's next great chapter in space." "Bangladesh's commitment to the Artemis Accords will enhance the country's engagement with NASA and the international community," said Bangladesh's Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus. "By signing the accords, Bangladesh builds upon an important foundation for the open, responsible and peaceful exploration of space." In 2020, the United States, led by NASA and the US Department of State, and seven other initial signatory nations established the Artemis Accords, a first-ever set of practical guidelines for nations to increase safety of operations and reduce risk and uncertainty in their civil exploration activities. That group of signatories has grown to more than 50 countries today. The Artemis Accords are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements, including the Registration Convention and the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices for responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data, the statement said. (ANI) India gifted a fleet of six school buses to Sao Tome and Principe in a ceremony held there on Thursday, a statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said. As per the statement, these buses were handed over to Isabel Maria Correia Viegas de Abreu, Minister of Education, Culture, Science and Higher Education of Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe by Deepak Miglani, Ambassador of India to the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, the statement said. "India's gift is in response to the request received from Sao Tome and Principe, seeking India's assistance in making school education more accessible. This assistance will reinforce the school transport fleet of Sao Tome and Principe, and provide safer commute for students and reduce education costs for families and facilitate their access to school education," the statement read. Earlier in Januaary, India sent medical supplies to the country. "Earlier, in January 2025, the Government of India sent a consignment of medical supplies, comprising essential and life-saving medicines to buttress the healthcare sector of Sao Tome and Principe," the statement said. "India and Sao Tome and Principe enjoy close and friendly relations and are diversifying their bilateral cooperation. The gift of school buses to the friendly people of Sao Tome and Principe is part of India's development assistance to the Global South," the statement added. Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said that the act aims to facilitate access to school education for children in the country. https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1910565330616803537 In a post on X, he said, "Strengthening connectivity, supporting Sustainable Development Goals. Government of India gifted 6 school buses to the Government of Sao Tome and Principe. This assistance would facilitate access to school education for Sao Tomean students, providing safer commute & reducing education costs for families living in distant areas." (ANI) The Balochistan High Court has reserved its decision on a petition contesting the detention of Mahrang Baloch, a prominent leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), and several other activists. The detainees were held under the Maintenance of Public Order (MPO) Act, also known as 3MPO, as reported by the Balochistan Post. According to the Balochistan Post, the case was heard by a two-member bench consisting of Justice Ejaz Ahmed Swati and Justice Muhammad Aamir Nawaz Rana. The petition was filed by Mahrang's sister, challenging the legality of the detentions and seeking immediate release of the activists. Representing Mahrang and the other detainees was a team of senior lawyers, including Kamran Murtaza, Rahib Buledi, Khalid Kubdani, and Ahmad Kurd. The legal team argued that the detention order lacked legal justification and violated fundamental rights. The court directed the petitioner's counsels to submit an affidavit under Article 5 of the Constitution, which relates to loyalty to the state and obedience to the Constitution and law. After a brief adjournment, the affidavit was submitted as instructed. However, Advocate General Adnan Basharat raised objections to its contents, prompting further legal debate in the courtroom, the Balochistan Post reported. Following the arguments from both sides, the bench reserved its judgment. Speaking to reporters outside the court, senior lawyer Kamran Murtaza expressed hope for a favorable ruling. He described the detentions as unwarranted and emphasized that the petition was legally sound and based on fundamental rights, as cited by the Balochistan Post. The case has drawn considerable public and media attention, with human rights advocates closely watching the outcome due to its implications on civil liberties and the use of administrative detention laws in Pakistan. The region continues to grapple with a troubling pattern of enforced disappearances, where some individuals are eventually freed, while others face prolonged detention or become victims of targeted violence. (ANI) Nepal Police has arrested Durga Prasai, controversial businessmen and royalist leader behind the violence of March 28 in capital Kathmandu. Prasai since the day of violence which resulted in death of two people had fled the country and arrested from Kakarbhitta, near the Nepal-India border. "Prasai and his bodyguard has been arrested and is brought to Kathmandu," a release from the Nepal Police stated. After arrest the leader was kept at the District Police Office in Bhadrapur and is on the way to Kathmandu. Upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport, Prasai will be transferred to the District Police Complex and then taken to the Bhadrakali custody facility. He will be presented at the District Court for a remand extension through the District Public Prosecutor's Office. Police officials have confirmed that Prasai will be investigated for crimes against the state, similar to cases previously filed against political figures like Rabindra Mishra and Dhawal Shamsher Rana. The charges stem from the violent royalist protest led by Prasai and Nawaraj Subedi on March 28, which resulted in the deaths of two people and caused an estimated Nepal Rupees (NRs) 460 million in damages. Authorities say they are preparing to demand strong legal action, holding Prasai accountable for inciting violence and causing significant public harm. Nepal's royalist party, the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), has announced a proposal to develop a new political system as it prepares to launch a capital-centric protest from the third week of this month. On Tuesday, at a show of power in Kathmandu attended by hundreds, the president of the right-wing pro-monarchist party, Rajendra Lingden, proposed a new system that would also accommodate the monarchy. "The country cannot remain in the condition it is now. The country needs to move forward, but not through the way it is standing now. That's why the country demands a new agreement, and for that, a peaceful resolution through the consensus in between all the political powers needs to be agreed on," Lingden said, addressing the mass of hundreds of monarch supporters holding the national flag and placards. (ANI) Thorsten Benner, Co-founder and Director, Global Public Policy Institute took cues from External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and said that Europe must move towards the theme of Sambhavna, or 'possibility', which was the theme of the Carnegie 9th Global Tech Summit. While speaking at the summit, Benner said that Europe must turn its predicament to Sambhavna because the modern world poses no other alternative to them. "We can learn from the spirit in a sense, as Dr Jaishankar talked about our predicament as Europeans and I think we need to turn our predicament to Sambhavna, because we have no other choice and getting to action and rethinking things and we think in collaboration and diversifying what would we be starting to talk about," he said. He said that India is a central focus on this, and now Europe was doing something which was unthinkable before, like talking about defence cooperation with India. "Of course India is the focus on this. I think the thinking on this has started to look at the coalition treaty in my country, which has just been concluded, and the talks about deepening the trading partnership with India. Who would have thought that there would be talks about deepening defence cooperation and green energy and overall energy partnerships? So, I think it is important to ask you to focus on India's strategy," he said. Speaking at the same summit, Ashley J Tellis, Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and Senior Fellow, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said that the US administration, led by US President Donald Trump, is very unpredictable. "It's very hard to try and define with precision what this administration [US administration] will do. But I think there are two trends that are competing for attention," he said. Tellis said that the US administration has something that he called 'technonationalism', wherein they want to bring back what they think is 'lost'. "One is a strong streak of technonationalism that exists in this administration. It wants to preserve and protect US tech dominance and bring back a variety of capabilities that it believes have been lost from the rest of the world back to the US. On the other hand, it is also a recognition that there will be limits to how successfully and how completely this process can actually be brought to fruition," he said. (ANI) Amith Singhee, Director of IBM Research, India and Chief Technology Officer of IBM, India and South Asia, said that India's AI landscape stands at a critical point. With the rising demand for AI solutions across sectors, the country could become one of the most impactful AI markets globally. Yet, challenges such as data scarcity, vast linguistic diversity beyond the 22 scheduled languages, and socio-economic divides remain formidable. While speaking at the 9th Carnegie Global Tech Summit on Friday, Amith Singhee said, "Fostering an environment, especially in a country like India, where we have such a huge demand for AI, the potential is probably higher than in any country in the world. But the challenges are also very unique, with the diversity, data scarcity. We have 1000 dialects if you look beyond the 22 languages. And it's not just the dialects, it's the economic and social strata." He further said, "Deepseek was like a validation, more than a surprise to us, that you don't need a billion dollars to build a model. If you get the engineering right, you can build these things." Lt. Gen Raj Shukla (Retd), Member, Union Public Service Commission, said, "DeepSeek is now open-source AI models that seem to be becoming as powerful as the proprietary American models. The challenge is whether the American models will be able to monetise the technology as an exclusive product or collapse." He further said, "The Deepseek is remarkable for more than one reason. The CEO of Deepseek takes funding from its parent company, the Chinese head fund. This allows Deepseek to focus on fundamental research, and, of late, if you have seen Ali Baba, they have been flooding the market with AI models in business and commerce. So you have the research being complimented with business and commerce..." Arvind Gupta, Director of the Vivekananda International Foundation, sees "DeepSeek" as Vedantic and said that while India may not yet have its own DeepSeek model, the country can use this opportunity to "seek deep and seek where we are." "I like the word DeepSeek as it's a very vedantic concept that you seek within. And I think that's what India should be doing. It may not have a DeepSeek model. This is an opportunity to seek deep and seek where we are," Arvind Gupta said. Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, speaking at the 9th Carnegie Global Tech Summit on Friday, said that now is not the time to make any determination about DeepSeek. When asked if the government was considering a possible ban on the Chinese AI platform DeepSeek, like the Chinese social media app TikTok, Jaishankar said he would choose to be evasive now. "I will be deeply evasive about the answer. My honest answer is, I don't think at this time there is any determination," he said. Earlier, on February 5, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said that India will have its first foundational Artificial Intelligence model in about 10 months. The Minister said that the government is going to host an open-source model like the Chinese 'DeepSeek' on Indian servers. This comes at a time when Chinese startups have challenged the AI world. The minister said one must look at the entire India AI mission in a more comprehensive manner. He said India approved the AI mission last year, with an allocation of about Rs 10,000 crore. (ANI) The East Turkistan Government in Exile (ETGE) is calling for an immediate international investigation into the infiltration of Uyghur diaspora organisations by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), following the arrest of Dilshat Reshit, a spokesperson and co-founder of the World Uyghur Congress (WUC), on espionage charges for China, as reported in an ETGE release. Documents from a Swedish court have confirmed Reshit's arrest on suspicion of spying on Uyghur communities for Chinese intelligence. The ETGE considers this a deeply troubling development that reinforces longstanding warnings by East Turkistani leaders about Chinese attempts to undermine and dismantle Uyghur advocacy from within. "This is not merely espionage; it is an act of political warfare," stated Salih Hudayar, ETGE's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Security. "For more than twenty years, a man now facing accusations of working for Chinese intelligence led an organisation that claimed to represent our people. This isn't a failure in the vetting process; it's a result of a calculated, systematic effort by Beijing to fracture, manipulate, and control our movement," as mentioned in the ETGE release. The ETGE contends that this is not an isolated case but part of a broader CCP strategy of transnational repression. The Chinese Ministry of State Security (MSS) and the United Front Work Department (UFWD) are named as key operatives behind these efforts. These entities have historically targeted East Turkistani and Uyghur diaspora communities through tactics including surveillance, disinformation, and the infiltration of civil society organisations. According to the ETGE, such infiltration has significantly weakened global Uyghur advocacy. The movement's message has shifted from demands for East Turkistan's national independence to more moderate calls for human rights and cultural autonomy--narratives that align more closely with CCP-sanctioned discourse. The ETGE reiterated its readiness to work with democratic nations in exposing and dismantling Chinese influence operations that target East Turkistani communities worldwide. Since 1990, China's repression in East Turkistan has escalated, with the international community increasingly recognising it as genocide. Uyghurs continue to face mass arbitrary detentions, forced sterilisations, systemic forced labor, severe religious restrictions, and extensive transnational repression. These policies, the ETGE emphasised, violate basic human rights and subject the Uyghur population to ongoing persecution and oppression. (ANI) At the Carnegie Global Tech Summit, Tarun Chhabra, former Deputy Assistant to the President and Coordinator for Technology and National Security in the United States, reflected on past US-India technology ties, particularly during his tenure, underscoring a shared strategic outlook between Washington and New Delhi. "We had a shared view with our counterparts in New Delhi at a time on shared concern on supply chains and vulnerabilities in our supply chain," he said. Noting mutual opportunities, he added, "We saw opportunities in talent flow and cooperation. We both share a concern about China being on the frontline of a technological revolution, as when technology is applied to the national security space." Chhabra emphasised the importance of strategic alignment in determining the direction of technological and defence cooperation. Referencing the development and application of diffusion rules in critical sectors like biotechnology, he noted that strategic context was a key motivator behind joint decisions. "At the end of the day, in defence cooperation, biotechnology has brought benefits to our countries, but the key driver is the strategic context," he said. He also highlighted emerging regulatory challenges in the AI hardware supply chain, particularly in relation to sensitive technologies. "A concern that China was getting access to computers that we did not want them to get access to. We did not have in our regulatory toolkit on what GPUs were going into South East Asia," he said. Looking at regional dynamics, Chhabra pointed out that certain nations have adopted AI strategies that closely resemble the Chinese model, raising fresh challenges for policy frameworks. "There are countries that have significant AI strategies on land, or even GpUs, very similar to the Chinese context. We felt that would trigger the rapid off shoring that we did not want as a national security in India," he said. However, India was considered outside the scope of such concerns. "That did not apply to India. We feel that the Gulf could be a global chips hub second only to the US. The tiering system as a practical matter, what we proposed we did not think would get into the material demands of India's ambitions." Chhabra defended earlier US actions to restrict China's access to semiconductors and related tools, saying those steps had strategic value. "I think we would be in a fundamentally worse position today if China had unconstrained access to these chips; we took further action to constrain access to semiconductor manufacturing equipment," he said. "I think that, absent that action, China, as a competitor on the front of AI, would be in a very different place." Chhabra expressed both optimism and caution regarding the future of open-source AI models. "I think there is enormous good coming from open wave models. I think there will be a stage in which we begin to worry more about what the risks could be, whether they are cyber risks or bio risks." He acknowledged Meta's efforts with its Llama model while flagging potential security concerns. "Meta has Llama, and some of the closed suite companies are releasing open wave models. But I think we need to look at the security risks of DeepSeek." Chhabra also touched on the growing interest in high-tech sectors beyond AI. "There is a lot of interest in investing in the civil nuclear sector, with amendments to the law. Do you think there is a scope for investments there? Bio pharmaceuticals is another area that is ripe. President Trump has announced tariffs on the sector," he said, adding that aerospace remains promising as well. There is a lot of area of cooperation in space, especially for our start-ups" (ANI) US Department of Justice (DoJ) has revealed that Tahawwur Rana who was extradited to India to face trial for his alleged role in the 2008 Mumbai attacks had following the attacks in which over 160 people died, told David Coleman Headley that the Indians "deserved it." In an intercepted conversation with Headley, Rana allegedly commended the nine LeT terrorists who had been killed committing the attacks, saying that "They should be given Nishan-e-Haider"--Pakistan's "highest award for gallantry in battle," which is reserved for fallen soldiers, the DoJ said. In a statement dated April 10, the US Department of Justice said that India alleged that Rana facilitated a fraudulent cover so that his childhood friend David Coleman Headley (Headley), a US citizen born Daood Gilani, could freely travel to Mumbai for the purpose of conducting surveillance of potential attack sites for the proscribed LeT. "As India alleges, Headley had received training from LeT members in Pakistan and was in direct communication with LeT about plans to attack Mumbai," the US Department of Justice statement read. "Among other things, Rana allegedly agreed to open a Mumbai branch of his immigration business and appoint Headley as the manager of the office, despite Headley's having no immigration experience. On two separate occasions, Rana allegedly helped Headley prepare and submit visa applications to Indian authorities that contained information Rana knew to be false. Rana also allegedly supplied, through his unsuspecting business partner, documentation in support of Headley's attempt to secure formal approval from Indian authorities to open a branch office of Rana's business," the DoJ statement read. Over the course of more than two years, Headley allegedly repeatedly met with Rana in Chicago and described his surveillance activities on behalf of LeT, LeT's responses to Headley's activities, and LeT's potential plans for attacking Mumbai," it read. US Marshals in the Central District of California on Tuesday (US local time) transferred custody of Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistani national and Canadian citizen, to representatives from India's Ministry of External Affairs. The United States Department of Justice has termed the extradition of convicted terrorist Tahawwur Hussain Rana as "a critical step" toward seeking justice for the victims of the 26/11 heinous Mumbai terror attacks. "Rana's extradition is a critical step toward seeking justice for the six Americans and scores of other victims who were killed in the heinous attacks," the Department of Justice said in a statement dated April 10, 2025. Rana, 64, a Canadian citizen and native of Pakistan was extradited to stand trial in India on 10 criminal charges stemming from his alleged role in the 2008 terrorist attacks in Mumbai the DoJ statement said. He is charged with numerous offences, including conspiracy, murder, commission of a terrorist act, and forgery, related to his alleged involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks by Laskhar-e-Tayyiba (LeT), a designated terrorist organization. The National Investigation Agency (NIA) successfully secured the extradition of Rana 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 was brought to India late on April 10 and produced before a special NIA court which sent Rana to 18 days of NIA custody. Rana will be questioned in detail about the "complete conspiracy" behind the deadly 2008 attacks, said the agency. 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 stated 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. Between November 26 and November 29, 2008, ten LeT terrorists carried out a series of coordinated shooting and bombing attacks in Mumbai. They infiltrated the city through the Arabian Sea and then broke into teams, dispersing to multiple locations and carried out attacks on railway station fired guns and threw grenades into crowds. They attacked two restaurants shooting indiscriminately at patrons. At the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel they gunned people down and detonated explosives. Attackers also shot and killed people at a Jewish community centre. As many as 166 victims, including six Americans, were killed and hundreds more were injured, the DoJ statement said adding that the attacks were among the most horrific and catastrophic in India's history. The lone terrorist Ajmal Kasab who was captured alive was hanged in 2012 after being tried and found guilty. According to the US Department of Justice, India's pending proceedings against Rana are not the first proceedings in which Rana has been accused of conspiring to commit violent acts of terrorism. In 2013, Rana was sentenced to 14 years in prison following his trial conviction in the Northern District of Illinois for conspiring to provide material support to LeT and to a foiled LeT-sponsored terrorist plot in Copenhagen, Denmark. As part of those same criminal proceedings, Headley pleaded guilty to 12 federal terrorism charges, including aiding and abetting the murders of the six Americans in Mumbai and later planning to attack a Danish newspaper, and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. In June 2020, the United States acted on a request for Rana's extradition submitted by India, which Rana contested for almost five years. On May 16, 2023, a US magistrate judge in the Central District of California certified Rana's extradition to India. Rana then filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus, which the US District Court in the Central District of California denied on August 10, 2023. On August 15, 2024, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit affirmed that decision. The US Supreme Court likewise denied Rana's petition for certiorari on January 21, 2025. The Secretary of State issued a warrant ordering Rana's surrender to Indian authorities. Both the district court and the Ninth Circuit denied Rana's application for a stay of extradition, and on April 7, the US Supreme Court denied Rana's application for a stay of extradition. On April 9, the US Marshals Service executed the Secretary's surrender warrant by surrendering Rana to Indian authorities for transportation to India. "Rana's extradition is now complete," the Department of Justice said. (ANI) A former global policy director at Facebook has testified before the US Senate, alleging that Meta has jeopardised national security and freedom of speech in its dealings with China, as reported by Radio Free Asia (RFA). Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former global policy director at Facebook, stated in a Senate hearing on Wednesday that the content review tool used on Facebook was personally developed and implemented by Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg for application in Hong Kong and Taiwan. She explained that this tool would automatically send a Facebook post for review to a "chief editor" once it surpassed 10,000 views. "The Chinese Communist Party and Mark Zuckerberg share a common goal of silencing their critics. I can attest to this from my own experiences," Wynn-Williams remarked during the congressional testimony, RFA reported. This tool was used in both self-governing Taiwan and the Hong Kong region under Chinese control, where the Chinese Communist Party has been intensifying its united front initiatives. As per RFA, China's united front efforts blend influence, interference, and intelligence tactics to manipulate its political environment. The United Front Work Department in China engages in activities such as managing the Chinese diaspora, quelling dissent, gathering intelligence, promoting investments, and facilitating technology transfer. Despite Meta's platforms being prohibited in China, the company continues to generate considerable ad revenue from Chinese firms targeting global audiences. Meta's financial reports reveal that China ranks among its largest sources of advertising revenue beyond the United States. According to Ethan Tu, the founder of Taiwan AI Labs, a non-governmental organisation focused on artificial intelligence and information warfare within Asia, Facebook has a concerning history regarding content moderation. "During the COVID-19 pandemic, we observed numerous posts showcasing Taiwan's success being censored on Facebook," he noted, as quoted by RFA. Wynn-Williams, a former Facebook employee, indicated that the social media platform had started making numerous content moderation choices concerning China as early as before 2009. By 2018, the platform had already been actively negotiating with the Chinese government for four years. (ANI) Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) commends the progress of the Uyghur Policy Act of 2025 (H.R. 2635), which received bipartisan approval from the House Foreign Affairs Committee today, as noted in a CFU release. Introduced by Representative Young Kim, Representative Ami Bera, the Chair of the Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific, and Ranking Member Rep. Gregory Meeks, the legislation addresses the horrific events occurring in the Uyghur Region as well as the broader implications of the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) oppression, according to the report. Initially presented and passed with strong bipartisan backing in the 117th and 118th Congresses, the reintroduction and progression of this bill signify a renewed dedication by the 119th Congress to take action in response to the Uyghur genocide, as indicated in CFU's statement. The Uyghur Policy Act of 2025 requires the Secretary of State to create a formal strategy aimed at closing detention centers in the Uyghur region and allowing access to the UN, journalists, and other international bodies to investigate human rights conditions. It emphasizes the safeguarding and promotion of Uyghur culture, religion, language, and identity, enhancing the State Department's involvement with Uyghur leaders residing in the diaspora and investing in Uyghur-speaking diplomats, as highlighted in CFU's statement. The CFU announcement stated that the legislation also strengthens the U.S. government's capacity to monitor and respond to transnational repression, encompassing the surveillance, intimidation, and harassment of Uyghur Americans and their families. Importantly, it identifies several unlawfully detained Uyghur individuals, including Dr. Gulshan Abbas, sister of CFU Executive Director Rushan Abbas, Ekpar Asat, and Kamile Wayit. "This legislation is significant because it captures the true extent of what Uyghurs are enduring: an attack on identity, family, faith, and truth," remarked Rushan Abbas, Founder and Executive Director of CFU. "It is a strategic imperative that supports Uyghurs worldwide while calling the international community to uphold the values it professes to defend. We urge the entire House to pass it promptly," as mentioned in the release. The bill also requests the United Nations to designate a special rapporteur to oversee the crisis in the Uyghur Region and to guarantee that Uyghur advocates are not marginalized from international forums. It promotes collaboration with democratic allies and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to foster joint initiatives that advocate for human rights and counter the CCP's global effort to obscure its crimes, according to CFU's release. CFU calls on the full US House of Representatives to act quickly in passing this legislation. (ANI) A protester who sustained critical injuries during a recent demonstration in Wadh, Balochistan, has died, according to a report by the Balochistan Post. The deceased, identified as Inayatullah, son of Majeed Lehri, was reportedly shot by Pakistani security forces during a rally organized to condemn the arrests and crackdown on leaders and members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), the Balochistan Post reported. The protest in Wadh, part of a wider movement across Balochistan, aimed to highlight concerns over what human rights organizations have described as a systematic effort to silence peaceful dissent. Inayatullah's death has sparked renewed criticism of the state's handling of the unrest, with political groups and rights advocates accusing authorities of resorting to violent suppression of unarmed civilians, as cited by the Balochistan Post. This incident follows previous clashes in Quetta, where security forces allegedly fired live rounds at demonstrators protesting the detention of BYC leaders. That confrontation left three people dead and injured over 35 others. Among the victims was a 13-year-old boy who was fatally shot in the heart. The latest fatality has further fueled anger across the province, as calls grow for accountability and justice for victims of state violence. Recently, protest rallies were held on Wednesday in Balochistan's Khuzdar and Washuk districts in response to the ongoing crackdown on the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), including the detention of its leaders and alleged mistreatment of its members, according to the Balochistan Post. A large number of women and children took part in the Khuzdar demonstration, marching from Kund High School to the Jhalawan Complex while chanting slogans demanding an end to the state's actions against the BYC. A similar protest occurred in Washuk, where crowds--including women, children, and elderly participants--voiced strong opposition to the arrests and called for the immediate release of detained BYC leaders, including Mahrang Baloch. (ANI) The Kathmandu District Court has granted police a 12-day judicial custody of royalist leader Durga Prasai, who is accused of inciting violence. The royalist leader behind the violence of March 28 was arrested and flown to Kathmandu from Kakarvitta on Friday morning. Back in Kathmandu, he's facing charges of inciting violence during the demonstration, which resulted in the death of two people, including a media person. The charges stem from the violent royalist protest led by Prasai and Nawaraj Subedi on March 28, which resulted in the deaths of two people and caused an estimated Rs 460 million in damages. Authorities say they are preparing to demand strong legal action, holding Prasai accountable for inciting violence and causing significant public harm. "The bench of Judge Shishirraj Dhakal of District Court, Kathmandu granted 12-day custody to the Police to investigate Prasai on charges of crimes against the state," Information Officer Deepak Kumar Shrestha confirmed to ANI over the phone. Similarly, the deadline of 12 days has been extended against his bodyguard Deepak Khadka, who was arrested along with Prasai. Along with, the court has ordered police to arrange treatment for Prasai, provided he is claimed to be a cancer patient. On March 28, Prasai drove a vehicle into the barrage of police personnel, which forced the use of weapons and became the flash point to break the violence. Following the clash, the royalist groups vandalised over 40 structures, which included private as well as public properties and some media houses. Some of those properties were also looted, while some were burnt down. Apart from it, a total of 69 vehicles were torched by the royalist forces whom Prasai, while tearing down the barrage, had called onto break-in. The violence, which prompted deployment of the Nepal Army and imposition of a curfew, had left 129 injured, including the security personnel. Out of those injured, five are still in hospital undergoing treatment. For the March 28 protest, a joint people's movement committee was formed for the restoration of the royal institution under the leadership of RPP leader Navraj Subedi, the former president of Rashtriya Panchayat, led by businessman Prasai. Subedi also announced Prasai as the commander of the Jan Andolan Committee. (ANI) Amid the tariffs imposed by the Donald Trump administration on countries across the world including India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that the US has fundamentally changed its approach to engaging with the world and that this shift has prompted India to seek out more complementary partners, which are the open market economies in the West. Addressing the Carnegie Global Tech Summit 2025 in the national capital Jaishankar said that the US imposed tariffs has focussed India on the need to actually correcting "a certain skewed nature of our openness to the global economy". "I would argue we today have an opportunity to take the current situation and if we can focus on the three big negotiations we have underway with the US, the EU and with the UK, I would say if these really work out for us in this year we would be in a very different position" Jaishankar said. US President Donald Trump had on April 9 put a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs imposed on countries across the world, including the 26 per cent tariffs on India, with the exception of China on which he imposed a total of 145 per cent duties. To a question from the audience on whether the US could be trusted to put substance into trust in various fields in the context of the recent disruptions caused by its tariffs, Jaishankar said that he thinks it can "even when the other T is concerned." "Within a month of the change in administration we actually conceptually have an agreement that we will do a bilateral trade agreement, that we will find a fix which will work for both of us because both of us we have our concerns too," the External Affairs Minister said. He noted that the negotiations for the bilateral trade agreement is not an open ended process. Jaishankar said that India is prepared for a high degree of urgency in reaching a trade deal with regards to the United States, a country which he said has fundamentally changed its approach to engaging with the world and it has consequences across every domain. Jaishankar said the global landscape is very different from what it was a year ago. Noting that India was unable to conclude a trade deal with the US during Trump's first term, Jaishankar said: "This time around, we are certainly geared up at a very high degree of urgency. We see a window here, we want to seize that window. Our trade teams are really charged up." Jaishankar added that just as the US has a view of India, India too has a view of them. "We talked for four years during the first Trump administration. They have their view of us, and frankly, we have our view of them. The bottom line is that they didn't get that. So if you look at the EU, often people say we've been negotiating for 30 years, which is not entirely true because we had big blocks of time and nobody was even talking to each other. But they have tended to be very protracted processes," he said. Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to meet US President Donald Trump on February 2025, India and the US announced that they will hold talks for a bilateral trade agreement and a joint statement set a deadline around September of this year for both sides to be able to design a workable framework.An American team recently visited New Delhi and finalised the terms for negotiations on the trade deal. Responding to a question at the Carnegie India Global Technology Summit, Jaishankar said the Indian negotiators "are people who are very much on top of their game very ambitious about what they want to achieve." "We are trying to get the other side to kind of speed it up," Jaishankar said pointing out that in the past other counties used to say that India was slowing down the negotiations. "It used to be said that we were the guys who are slowing it down and actually it is now the other way around." The External Affairs Minister said that "at least so far the US has been fairly quick to respond to what's been tabled but we will now have to see how that picks up." "It will be profound not just because the US is the largest economy, the main driver, in a way, of global tech advancements but also because it's very clear that tech has a big role in making America great again. So there is a connection between MAGA and tech, which perhaps was not so clear between 2016 and 2020." Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman held talks in London on the trade agreement with her British counterpart Rachel Reeves on Thursday. Both sides affirmed their shared commitment to accelerating work on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the Bilateral Investment Treaty (BIT). With respect to the European Union, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal today said that the Government is working to expedite the conclusion of a free trade agreement with the European Union. Speaking at the Italy-India Business, Science and Technology Forum, he said that India has emerged as a key market for European Union members. He said that India presents an opportunity to expand manufacturing at scale for the global market. Meanwhile, speaking at the Carnegie Global Summit today, External Affairs Minister said, "If one were to turn our attention to Europe, I think, again here, the change in the last year has been very sharp. Five years ago, I think Europe probably had the best geopolitical situation. It had worked out the ideal triangulation between the United States, Russia and China. Today, every side of that triangle is under stress. And perhaps there's a lesson in it, sometimes very intricate hedging. From the best of all worlds, you can end up as the most difficult of all worlds. But again, I want to stress here that there are very important tech aspects to Europe's predicament and, in fact, to our own interaction with Europe. This year, just a month ago, we had 21 European Commissioners visiting us. I think if you correlate the intensity today of India-EU relations, there is, I think, clearly sort of factoring in both of their predicament as well as of the way India looks at possibilities which have opened up after that." Jaishankar also touched upon the advances of China in the evolving global geo-tech landscape. He noted that trade and technology influence US-China trade dynamics, and China's decisions are as consequential as those of the US. "So the changes in the United States, which all of you are as familiar, if not more than me, I think is one big shift in the last year. But there's the other shift and that's an evolution, you can say. It's something which appears, even if it is not, more of an unfolding rather than dramatic event. And that is the advancement of China." "What we saw in many ways as the trade story has also been the tech story. And it's had its dramatic moments. DeepSeek was one. But I would argue that the changes impelled by China are as consequential as the shifts in the American position. In fact, one is, to some extent, influenced by the other," Jaishankar said. The Global Technology Summit, the flagship dialogue on geo-technology is co-hosted by Ministry of External Affairs. (ANI) India's expanding role in the global AI race came into focus at the Carnegie Global Technology Summit, where Jon Simonsson, Senior Director at the Prime Minister's Office of Sweden, praised the country's knowledge ecosystem while pointing to areas that could further accelerate innovation. He highlighted India's encouraging conditions for innovation and its pool of talent, noting that more support for students and entrepreneurs could unlock even greater impact in high-tech sectors. "India has a strong knowledge base. It is very much providing the right conditions for the people to innovate," Simonsson said, adding that while China benefits from a culture of developing new ideas, India shares this potential. "They need to make it easier for students and entrepreneurs to go this way and do things," he noted. Financing, he added, remains key. "Some capital is needed as financing is also an important tool, but as more than 100 unicorns are based in India... startups can invest in these areas and do exactly how DeepSeek is doing." His remarks aligned closely with domestic reflections on India's tech ecosystem. Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Raj Shukla, Member of the Union Public Service Commission, underscored that India's success in high-impact innovation, such as seen with DeepSeek, depends on removing regulatory obstacles. "At the heart of DeepSeek is algorithmic innovation which comes from talent... We need innovation, but innovations and regulations don't go together," Shukla said during the summit. He added that while India has immense talent, it must be allowed to "take off," stressing that for innovation to thrive, the country "has to deregulate hugely." His remarks reflect a growing consensus among Indian policymakers and experts that regulatory streamlining is essential to fully harness the nation's deep reserves of tech talent and entrepreneurial ambition. Throughout the summit, delegates focused on how India could emerge as a leader in deep learning and AI by not only leveraging its strong academic foundations and growing startup ecosystem, but also by building a freer, more adaptive innovation environment--one that encourages experimentation, investment, and sustained technological leadership. (ANI) Policymakers, diplomats, and tech leaders highlighted the need for international cooperation, regulatory frameworks, and public trust to ensure the safe and secure development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the Carnegie India Global Technology Summit held in New Delhi on Friday. The experts also warned of AI's role in escalating cyberattacks, calling for collective action. On being asked about what countries are doing about AI threats, Ernst Noorman, Ambassador at Large for Cyber Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands, said, "We believe in enormous potential of AI but indeed, it comes with threats, like all new technologies... A year ago, we agreed on the first AI resolution at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Twenty countries supported the resolution, and it was adopted by general consensus to work on a secure, safe and trustworthy AI." He added, "We see the Brussels effect with the (EU) AI Act. We see many countries looking at the AI Act and thinking about how it can be adopted. Even in India, everyone agrees we need to work on guardrails for safe and secure AI, to create trust among our citizens, because I think that if you have trust in the system, then you will adopt it." Maria Adebahr, Director for Cyber Foreign and Security Policy, Federal Foreign Office, Germany said that the growing challenge of cyberthreats must be addressed at UN level. "AI will lead to an increase in cyberattacks. In the absence of regulations, this growing challenge must be addressed by individual states, coalitions of states, and at the level of the UN," Adebahr said. Sachin Kakkar, Site Lead, Privacy, Safety, and Security, Google India, highlighted how AI can ease the burden on security engineers and said, "We believe that AI is going to take away the human toil that a security engineer faces... What remains is the complex task, which humans will do. And we can reorient the work force towards that, therefore tilting the balance in favour of the defender." MU Nair, National Cybersecurity Coordinator for the Government of India, stressed the need for countries to work together to build safety rules against cyber threats. "The cyber threats today are across boundaries. It can be reaching out to any part of the world to any part of the world. So we need to have a lot of cooperation. We need to sit together, form guardrails and sit together to see how the entire landscape can be protected," Nair said. The Global Technology Summit, the flagship dialogue on geo-technology is co-hosted by External Affairs Ministry. (ANI) They also exchanged views on current global developments in regions such as Europe, the Mediterranean, and West Asia, reaffirming their commitment to the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-29. Sharing a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Held productive discussions today with DPM & FM @Antonio_Tajani and Minister @BerniniAM of Italy. Jointly reviewed our bilateral cooperation and its advancement in trade, investment, IMEC, maritime, security, research, technology, education and culture domains." The post added, "Also exchanged views on contemporary global developments including in Europe, Mediterranean and West Asia. Our partnership continues to develop and evolve guided by the Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025 -29 agreed by our leadership." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1910711649838793080 Earlier in the day, Jaishankar highlighted the strong bilateral partnership between India and Italy, and stated that the "partnership is rooted in our democratic values, respect for civilizations, culture and heritage." Addressing the Italy-India Business, Science and Technology Forum, Jaishankar emphasised the Italy-India Joint Strategic Action Plan 2025-2029 agreed upon by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni during their meeting at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on November 18, 2024, focusing on deepening bilateral cooperation. "The plan, which our Prime Ministers agreed upon, captured their vision for deepening the bilateral strategic partnership between our two countries," Jaishankar said." The concrete outcomes will benefit both of us. They directed us to work with our respective industries, but also with our scientific establishments and higher education institutions to facilitate collaborations, co-production, innovation and flow of knowledge and talent between the two of us," he added. Highlighting common vision of both countries, Jaishankar affirmed, "the partnership between India and Italy is rooted in our democratic values, respect for civilizations, culture and heritage, but above all, in a common vision for a stable, rule-based and prosperous world." (ANI) Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha Harivansh underlined various steps taken by the Indian government in improving accountability and strengthening democratic processes during the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Tashkent. The remarks were delivered during the special session on the implementation of IPU Resolutions and Decisions. In his remarks, Harivansh said, "Our Government has implemented a comprehensive strategy to combat abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence against children, signing bilateral agreements and participating in multilateral initiatives to address these issues. India has established a strong parliamentary democracy, an independent judiciary, and institutions like the Election Commission. Comptroller and Auditor General of India, to sustain and support our political system." Apart from his interventions, the Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha was also part of the main Assembly proceedings and the Governing Council meeting. The Indian delegation was led by the Speaker Lok Sabha, Om Birla, along with members from both Houses. The theme of the IPU Assembly was Parliamentary action for social development and justice. In his five-day visit to Tashkent, the Deputy Chairman held various other bilateral meetings with Presiding Officers and Heads of State. The Deputy Chairman Rajya Sabha, Harivansh, and Speaker Lok Sabha Om Birla also called on the President of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. In their meeting, they underlined the deep ties between the two nations and focused on strengthening bilateral relations in the coming years. India was among the first nations to recognize the state sovereignty of Uzbekistan following its independence, a significant step formalised by the establishment of diplomatic relations on March 18, 1992. During the conference, the Deputy Chairman and Speaker held bilateral meetings with delegations from Armenia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan among other nations. In their meetings, the Presiding officers put forth perspectives of shared interest with their counterparts. The Indian delegation also visited the memorial of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri in Tashkent. On the sidelines of the IPU, Harivansh engaged in various community events with the Indian diaspora and students at Samarkand State University. In his address, Harivansh reiterated the importance of the Indian community acting as a bridge between the two nations. "The people-to-people connection remains at the heart of our enduring relationship, and education plays a pivotal role in strengthening this bond. I note with immense pride the establishment of 'India Study Centres' in 15 universities across Uzbekistan, a testament to India's commitment to supporting the study of its rich culture and languages," he said. (ANI) In a fiery address, MQM founder and leader Altaf Hussain vehemently opposed the construction of new canals from River Indus, branding the project as a calculated attempt to render Sindh barren and water-deprived. He claimed that the initiative, cloaked under the Green Pakistan Initiative, is, in fact, a "Green Punjab Project" designed to benefit Punjab at the devastating cost of Sindh's ecological and agricultural survival. Hussain accused the President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari--also the PPP Chairman--of approving the controversial project during a high-level meeting at Aiwan-e-Sadr. He condemned the PPP's public opposition as hypocritical, calling the party's protests a facade meant to mislead the people of Sindh while covertly supporting the canal expansion. Citing both the 1970s tripartite agreement and the 1991 Water Accord, Hussain asserted that Punjab has repeatedly violated Sindh's share of water, while the Indus River System Authority (IRSA) has failed to enforce equitable distribution. He pointed to the rapid development of canals like Kachhi, Rainee, Thar, Thal, and most notably the Cholistan Canal, inaugurated on October 12, 2024, as proof of a larger strategy threatening Sindh's future. According to Hussain, while 1.2 million acres of Cholistan are being transformed into arable land through corporate farming, over 12 million acres in Sindh face environmental and agricultural ruin. He argued that the project will benefit military-backed enterprises and feudal elites while leaving ordinary Sindhis water-starved and powerless. Quoting a report from The News dated March 28, Hussain reaffirmed that Zardari had given the green light to the canal project as early as July 2024. Calling for peaceful demonstrations, he urged the people of Sindh to protest outside Bilawal House, Zardari House, and Aiwan-e-Sadr. Reiterating MQM's outright rejection of the canal project, Hussain demanded strict adherence to the 1991 Water Accord to protect Sindh's rights and uphold the principles of federal equity. (ANI) German State Secretary of Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, Stefan Schnorr on Friday said that Germany and India have been working closely together in the fields of digitisation and artificial intelligence. Speaking with ANI at the Carnegie 9th Global Tech Summit, Stefan Schnorr said, "India and Germany are working very closely together in the field of digitisation and artificial intelligence. We share the same values. We are democratic states. This is a part of our digital dialogue." Schnorr said that "fruitful" discussions were held between experts from India and Germany on Friday. "Very fruitful discussions with all the experts here in India and from Germany. We found common solutions for the benefit of our people," he said. According to Ministry of External Affairs, India and Germany acknowledge that digital technologies and solutions could address key development needs and highlight the potential of these digital solutions to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in other parts of the developing world. India looks forward to sharing digital solutions and expertise with Germany. They also acknowledge the Indo-German Digital Dialogue as an important instrument to facilitate cooperation regarding the digital transformation, including the support of digital innovations and business models in areas like Industry 4.0 and Artificial Intelligence as well as the promotion of 5G/6G technologies and start-up ecosystems. Meanwhile, back in May of 2022, India and Germany have agreed to work together with focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) StartUps as well as AI research and its application in Sustainability and Health care. Additionally, policymakers, diplomats, and tech leaders highlighted the need for international cooperation, regulatory frameworks, and public trust to ensure the safe and secure development of AI at the Carnegie India Global Technology Summit The experts also warned of AI's role in escalating cyberattacks, calling for collective action. (ANI) India's expanding influence in global digital governance and artificial intelligence came into sharp focus at the Carnegie Global Technology Summit, with several international leaders highlighting the country's pivotal role in shaping a safe, inclusive, and innovation-driven cyberspace. Speaking on the sidelines of the summit, Maria Adebahr, Director for Cyber, Foreign and Security Policy at Germany's Federal Foreign Office, praised India's strategic importance in the evolving digital landscape. "This conference here is a wonderful opportunity to deepen the ties with India. India is such an important country to work with, given the geopolitical situation," she said, adding that global democracies must collaborate to create a cyberspace that is secure, transparent, and accessible to all. Adebahr emphasised that artificial intelligence must be both inclusive and secure by design. "India is a very good example because with your population, services and digital services," she noted. Earlier during the summit, Jon Simonsson, Senior Director at the Swedish Prime Minister's Office, commended India's innovation ecosystem and its potential to lead in high-tech development. He noted the country's strong knowledge base and favourable conditions for innovation, while stressing the need for greater institutional support for students and entrepreneurs. "They need to make it easier for students and entrepreneurs to go this way and do things," he said. He also pointed to the importance of financing in nurturing the sector, saying, "Some capital is needed, but as more than 100 unicorns are based in India, startups can invest in these areas and do exactly how DeepSeek is doing." Simonsson's views echoed broader discussions regarding regulatory reforms at the summit. Lt. Gen. (Retd) Raj Shukla, a Member of the Union Public Service Commission, highlighted that India's breakthrough in ventures like DeepSeek stems from talent-driven algorithmic innovation. He urged for deregulation to unleash India's full potential. "We need innovation, but innovations and regulations don't go together," he said, stressing that the country "has to deregulate hugely" for talent to truly take off. Throughout the summit, delegates underscored that India's leadership in deep learning and AI hinges not only on talent and startups, but on fostering an environment that values openness, experimentation, and long-term investment. (ANI) Japanese Ambassador to India Keichi Ono, along with a high-level delegation, visited the revered Mahabodhi Temple in Bihar's Bodhgaya on Saturday morning, highlighting the enduring cultural and spiritual bond between India and Japan. The visit, which began at 8:45 am, included key dignitaries such as Naoya Haraikawa, Commissioner of the Japan Tourism Agency, Ryuta Saito, Second Secretary at the Embassy of Japan, and Masahiro Kawakami, an official from the embassy. The delegation was warmly received by Bhikkhu Buddha Ratna (Manoj Bhante) and other resident monks of the Mahabodhi Temple. Mahashweta Maharathi, Secretary of the Bodhgaya Temple Management Committee (BTMC), joined by BTMC members Reverend Okonogi, Arvind Singh, and Kiran Lama, extended a cordial welcome. The visit began with an official reception followed by a guided spiritual and historical tour of the temple premises. The group visited the main shrine and offered prayers beneath the sacred Bodhi Tree, the spot believed to be where Lord Buddha attained enlightenment. They were also taken to other significant sites within the temple complex, including Mucalinda Sarovar, Ratna Griha, Chankraman (Jewel Walk), the Ajapala Nigrodha Tree, and the Rajayatna Tree. At each of these locations, the delegation paid respects and engaged with the spiritual atmosphere of the place. As a gesture of goodwill, mementos were presented to Ambassador Ono and Commissioner Haraikawa by Bhikkhu Buddha Ratna, Maharathi, and BTMC members. The exchange reflected the shared Buddhist heritage and mutual appreciation between the two nations. In the Visitor's Book, Ambassador Ono wrote that the visit to Mahabodhi Temple and Buddhagaya had been a "truly memorable experience," calling it one of the most sacred places for Buddhists, Buddhism, and Japan. He expressed his hope that the site would continue to act as a bridge of friendship and cultural connection between India and Japan. Other members of the delegation also expressed deep appreciation for the spiritually enriching visit. (ANI) 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. 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 Mercy One hospital are arguing the cap on damages still applies in cases where the loss is that of a fetus or unborn child. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 that the hospital does not comment on pending litigation. Kelli Stoaks gripped the photo of her late husband, Brian, who died in 2023 from pancreatic cancer shortly after retiring from a 27-year career as a firefighter in Iowa. Standing Wednesday in the state Capitol rotunda, surrounded by dozens of Iowa firefighters, Stoaks spoke about legislation which had just passed the Iowa Senate that would add all forms of cancer to firefighters disability insurance coverage, rather than only the 14 forms under current law. Her voice broke as she described how she believed Brian would feel about the legislation that appears headed for Gov. Kim Reynolds desk. Pancreatic cancer is not among the cancers currently covered by state law. I think it would mean a lot to him that so many people fought for him and that fought for what was right, and they got this done and never gave up, Stoaks said, fighting tears. And he did, too. He never gave up. Dozens of firefighters and family members, representing more than two dozen departments from across the state, watched Wednesday from the Senate gallery as the bill was debated and approved. They applauded and were joined in the applause by lawmakers, a rarity in legislative debate. Under the proposed legislation, all forms of cancer would be included in disability and death benefits to Iowa firefighters, city, county and state police officers and other first responders. Workers would pay more into the state retirement systems that fund the coverage to help share any added costs that otherwise would fall on local governments. The latter mechanism was added to create enough support among Republicans in the Senate to pass the bill. Attempts in previous years gained support in the House but failed to advance through the Senate. These particular situations are difficult. Theyre hard to figure out because we have to balance protecting those first responders with (also protecting) the taxpayers that end up paying the tax, Sen. Scott Webster, a Republican from Bettendorf who managed the bill in the Senate this year, said during Senate debate. This was a difficult bill to get through. Webster credited stakeholders and his staff with crafting a measure that could pass the Senate. He also credited Sen. Dan Dawson, a Republican from Council Bluffs who wrote the bill, Webster said. The bill, House File 969, passed the Senate by a near-unanimous, 46-1 vote. Sen. Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig, was the lone dissenting vote. The bill previously passed the House, 96-0. Because the Senate made a minor amendment to the bill Wednesday, it must first go back to the House for a second approval there before going to Reynolds for her consideration. Reynolds office did not respond Wednesday to a request for comment. When it comes to first responders, there are heroes in our cities, in our counties, in our government, Webster said. We need to thank those people. We need to know that they go to work every day not knowing if theyre going to return. They have spouses that go to work every day not knowing if their spouse is going to return. I believe that today we get to show them that we put them ahead for the work that they do. They save lives every day. Ryan Hanghian, president of the Iowa Professional Firefighters Association, said that it was bittersweet finally seeing the bill pass both chambers of the Iowa Legislature. Hanghian said he is pleased for current Iowa firefighters and retirees, but that in the moment his thoughts also recall firefighters like Brian Stoaks, who are no longer alive to see the bill passed. Its very emotional, right? This bill, while it is about all of our men and women that are working currently, Id be remiss not to think about some of the folks that arent here to enjoy the success of the work that all these people have put in, Hanghian said. Its a double-edged sword. A Senate subcommittee moved forward with the second step in amending the state constitution Wednesday to require a two-thirds majority vote of the Legislature for income tax increases. Senate Study Bill 1221 is a follow-up from House Joint Resolution 2006, passed in 2024 with the same language. To amend the Iowa Constitution, lawmakers must pass the amendment language in two consecutive general assemblies, before the measure goes before voters on a general election ballot for final approval. If the measure is approved in the 2025 or 2026 legislative session, the amendment will appear on Iowans ballots in the Nov. 5, 2026 election. Several advocates spoke in favor of the legislation at the subcommittee meeting, saying that it will provide more certainty to individuals and businesses that their taxes will not increase. Opponents argued the measure will limit state lawmakers ability to respond to financial crises. Mike Owen with Common Good Iowa, a progressive policy organization, said he was opposed to the measure not only because it puts the thumb on the scale for bad tax policy, but because it violates the basic principle of one person, one vote, giving significantly more power to lawmakers who oppose tax increases. That 17 senators could block the will of 133 other legislators and the governor is absurd, Owen said. That would be the case if the two-thirds requirement were made the other way, to lower taxes, or for any other policy matter to come before you. Locking in decisions now by representatives and senators who are elected for only two- and four-year terms disrespects future legislators and future voters who choose them, for years to come. Sen. Cindy Winckler, D-Davenport, who did not sign off on the bill, said the Iowa Legislature has always been very judicious in making tax policy decisions since she took office. However, she said Iowa, alongside the rest of the country, is in uncharted waters with cuts to federal aid and economic volatility caused by tariffs. Federal financial uncertainties, combined with Gov. Kim Reynolds budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 being higher than projected state revenues, show the need for Iowa lawmakers to have the ability to make the best tax decisions for Iowa. This causes me great concern, and I dont necessarily think this is the time that we would pass something like this, that would take away one of the tools that we currently have, Winckler said. Always, we are very careful in increasing any kind of cost to Iowans. But we need to have the tools in the event that we need them. Tyler Raygor with Americans for Prosperity, a conservative organization, said the measure was a prudent safeguard for Iowa taxpayers. He said when tax increases may be necessary, he believed Iowa lawmakers would be able to reach a consensus, pointing to the deal reached in March 2020 to keep the state government funded during COVID-related shutdowns. In emergencies, we believe the Legislature can work together if it ever was necessary to raise taxes, he said. But in the event that it is, we think having a broad consensus requiring two-thirds is prudent. Raygor also pushed back against comments that the proposed constitutional amendment would unfairly restrict future lawmakers actions. Jake Highfill with Iowans for Tax Relief was among other supporters of the measure who said amending Iowas constitution is a difficult process when compared to other states like California that allow ballot initiatives, meaning the measure will be difficult to reverse in the future. Something like this will outlive all of us, Highfill said, calling the proposed constitutional amendment one of the best policies you guys are going to pass this General Assembly. Sens. Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig, and Rocky De Witt, R-Lawton, voted to advance the bill. It will need approval by the full Ways and Means Committee. I think people are waiting to vote on this, and its our job to get it to them on a ballot, Schultz said. In 2024, the original version of the amendment also included language that would have enshrined a flat income tax rate in the state constitution preventing future lawmakers from returning to a graduated tax rate system that places a higher income tax rate on people with higher incomes. This proposal gained approval last year as a separate measure, Senate Joint Resolution 2004. Sen. Dan Dawson, R-Council Bluffs, said in 2024 these measures were separated so Iowans would have the opportunity to weigh in on both proposals as independent items on a ballot. The proposed amendment requiring Iowa to have a single rate income tax has not been filed so far this session it would also have to be passed by the lawmakers during the current general assembly to make it on to the ballot. Two Sahrawi gold prospectors were killed in the desert near Tindouf and nine others were injured by the Algerian army, triggering protests in the area. The Algerian army imposes a siege on the Tindouf camps where thousands of Sahrawis have been held against their will for decades. Many disenchanted Sahrawi youth have been shot before for leaving the camps or seeking revenue generating activity like prospecting for gold. Some have joined trafficking groups while many have been recruited by terrorist groups operating in the Sahel. The new killing of two gold prospectors triggered protests by Sahrawis. A video shared on social media showed Algerian men in uniform dispersing protesters, who said they want to join Morocco. Ahmed Barikalla, a representative of the Sahrawi Movement for Peace (MSP), which challenges the Polisario, strongly condemned this crime by the Algerian army in a letter addressed to the UN Secretary-Generals special envoy to the Sahara, who is preparing for a briefing before the UN Security Council. Protests by refugees in the Polisario-administered Tindouf camps have intensified in recent months, leading to clashes with the Algerian army. Algeria has denied the population in the camps the freedom of movement and continues to block any census by the UN refugee agency that would give the Sahrawis the right to return to their homeland in the southern provinces. As Algeria and the Polisario continue to use the Sahrawis as political pawns, terrorist groups, along with trafficking networks, have been recruiting from the camps. The Polisario and Algeria have been accused by the EU anti-fraud agency, OLAF, of embezzling aid. To do so the Polisario has prevented the Sahrawis from leaving the camps, while inflating figures of the camps population. Alphamin Resources has resumed operations at its Bisie tin mine in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), following the withdrawal of M23 rebel forces and diplomatic intervention by the United States. The Toronto-listed mining firm halted production in early March after rebel advances threatened the strategically important Walikale region in North Kivu. The Bisie mine, responsible for 6% of global tin supply, had been under heightened security concern until recent regional developments prompted a phased reopening. Massad Boulos, president Donald Trumps in-law and senior adviser for Africa, confirmed during a press briefing in Kigali that the U.S. helped negotiate the rebels retreat. Weve seen the progress made in recent days and thats excellent, said Boulos, who has toured Central and East Africa in efforts to stabilize the mineral-rich zone. Backed by U.S. and UK-based Denham Capital, Alphamin announced it will closely monitor the security situation during the resumption phase. The M23 group, reportedly supported by Rwanda, pulled back approximately 150 km from the mine following U.S.-led discussions with both DRC and Rwandan officials. The reopening sparked a 28% surge in Alphamins share price, while global tin prices dropped over 8%, falling below $30,000 per ton on the London Metal Exchange. President Felix Tshisekedi is reportedly exploring a minerals-for-security deal with Washington, underlining U.S. interest in securing access to critical minerals amid escalating geopolitical competition. The Bisie mine one of the largest in the world produced 17,300 tons of tin in 2024, making it a cornerstone of global supply. The Polisario Front is one of the last Cold War relics. Algeria founded the separatist group, and the Soviet Union and Cuba supported it, to use as a proxy against Morocco, said the Washington-based American Enterprise Institute (AEI) in a report. The Polisario Fronts existence today is an affront to human rights. Algeria embraces the group both to give itself a seat at the table and to embezzle humanitarian aid sent to refugee camps under Polisario control, said Michael Rubin, a senior fellow at the American Think-tank. Some countries, like South Africa, use the Polisario as a diplomatic lever against Morocco, he added, urging the international community to stop viewing the Polisario Front as the legitimate representatives of the Sahrawis when no one has ever elected them to such a position and no one has given the Sahrawis any say. A new grassroots group, Sahrawi Movement for Peace, is coalescing. The members of this Movement recently met in the Canary Islands to discuss their future and their representation, for the second time since 2022. The concluding Canary Islands Manifesto II urged the UN Secretary-General to persuade his Personal Envoy to invite and include the Sahrawis for Peace Movement as a fully recognized interlocutor in the political process, along with representatives of the Sahrawi traditional authority, represented by its notables The Sahrawi movement noted, with oblique reference to the Polisario, another entity that seeks to permanently monopolize the representation of the Sahrawi people increasingly challenges tribal authority. The Sahrawi Movement for Peace may be relatively new, but it already has more legitimacy than the Polisario, said the American analyst. The Socialist International recognizes this organization. The current Spanish government also has begun to reach out to the Sahrawi Movement for Peace. According to the American expert, President Donald Trump has little patience for the waste of international assistance or those who use funding to preserve terrorism rather than bring peace, making reference to Polisario deadly rocket attacks launched against the Moroccan Saharan city of Smara. President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio should demand that U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres pay heed to the Sahrawis for Peace Movement and immediately cut off any recognition of the Polisario Front as the Sahrawis representative, said the AEI analyst. Furthermore, while the Polisario Front doubles down on the demand for armed conflict, the Sahrawi Movement for Peace not only rejects violence but also seeks consensus across broad segments of the Sahrawi population, commented Michael Rubin. If the United Nations wants peace and wants to advance the UN-led political process, the Sahrawi Movement stands as a legitimate interlocutor capable of making a peace deal. Few days ago, U.S. Secretary of State and President Trump have urged all parties to the Sahara conflict to engage in discussions without delay, using Moroccos Autonomy Proposal as the only framework, to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution. Following talks held this week in Washington between U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita, the Trump administration has reiterated its full recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over its entire Saharan territory and reaffirmed that the autonomy plan is the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute. At a hearing on Thursday, the United Arab Emirates contested the jurisdiction of the United Nations highest court over a genocide claim filed by Sudan. The UAE argued that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) had no authority to rule on the case, in which the Gulf country is accused of violating the Genocide Convention by allegedly supporting Sudanese rebel forces. The UAE contended that the allegations were a misuse of the court and insisted that it had no involvement in instigating or exacerbating the conflict in Sudan. Sudan has called for emergency provisional measures, urging the ICJ to instruct the UAE to take immediate action to prevent further atrocities, including killings targeting the Masalit people in Sudan. In its defense, Reem Ketait, a senior official at the UAEs Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dismissed the accusations, stating that the notion the UAE was fueling the crisis was entirely unfounded. She accused Sudan of using the court as a platform to malign the UAE, framing the case as an unjustified attack rather than a legitimate legal proceeding. Both Sudan and the UAE are signatories to the 1948 Genocide Convention, but the UAE has placed reservations on parts of the treaty, which may prevent the case from progressing. Legal experts have indicated that the court is likely to uphold these reservations, which could render Sudans claims inadmissible. This follows a pattern seen in previous ICJ rulings, where such reservations have been accepted as a barrier to legal action. Meanwhile, the conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has claimed over 24,000 lives and displaced millions. Former Congolese president Joseph Kabilas unexpected return to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has ignited a political firestorm in a nation already engulfed by escalating conflict and growing insecurity in its eastern region. Announcing his return after six years of silence and exile, Kabila, once ousted amid mass protests, says he aims to help broker a lasting solution to the escalating violence in the countrys volatile east. But president Felix Tshisekedi isnt convinced. He has accused Kabila of supporting the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which has seized control of key cities including Goma and Bukavu. Kabila, who denied the allegations, has criticized Tshisekedis leadership, warning that the DRC is on the brink of implosion. The M23, now part of the broader Congo River Alliance (AFC) led by former electoral chief Corneille Nangaa, has gained significant ground in recent months. With disillusioned soldiers and politicians joining their ranks, the rebels claim to defend marginalized Congolese Tutsis and fight endemic corruption. Kabilas reappearance coincides with the collapse of peace talks and growing skepticism over Kinshasas reliance on foreign mercenaries and outside forces. He insists that Congolese problems demand Congolese solutions, urging national unity over foreign intervention. As the DRC is bracing for a political storm, some see Kabilas return as a chance for renewed dialogue, while others fear it signals a looming power struggle. With Kinshasa suspecting Kabila of fueling the insurrection, the stakes couldnt be higher. Suspected by Tshisekedi of backing the AFC, of which M23 is a member, and of fueling the insurrection, Kabila is by some seen as the potential missing piece needed to broker peace between Kinshasa and the rebels. As regional powers watch closely and a crucial U.S.-backed mineral-for-security deal hangs in the balance, the DRC teeters between the hope of reconciliation and the threat of renewed chaos. Few days after reiterating recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara, the Trump administration has told the UN envoy to the territory Staffan de Mistura that the Moroccan autonomy plan is the only solution to the issue. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has reiterated a clear U.S. position genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution, under-secretary of state for political affairs Lisa Kenna said after meeting de Mistura. The parties must come to the table now to negotiate a mutually acceptable result, she quoted Rubio as saying. Marco Rubio reiterated on Wednesday that the United States recognizes Moroccos sovereignty over its Sahara and supports the autonomy proposal put forward by the Kingdom as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara. In a post on his X account, Rubio said he met with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to re-affirm the strong U.S.-Morocco partnership. He also reiterated that the U.S. recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the Sahara and supports Moroccos autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute. In a statement issued the previous day following the meeting with Bourita, the U.S. Secretary of State reaffirmed his countrys recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara, in line with the position previously communicated by U.S. President Donald Trump to King Mohammed VI. Marco Rubio also reiterated that the U.S. continues to believe that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only feasible solution. In this respect, he stated that the American president urges the parties to engage in discussions without delay, using Moroccos Autonomy Proposal as the only framework, to negotiate a mutually acceptable solution. The UN Secretary Generals personal envoy for the Sahara, Staffan De Mistura has failed to resurrect a UN roundtable process due to Algerias obstinacy to attend and Polisarios camping on obsolete and unfeasible referendum option, while continuing to violate the 1991 ceasefire. Morocco has been saying that autonomy is the only direction that the UN talk should take to end the over five-decade conflict. De Mistura has called on the UN Secretary General to consider the utility of his role last October. He prepares to brief the UN Security Council, amid an international momentum in Favor of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara. The autonomy plan has gained traction this week as the Trump administration calls it the sole framework for negotiations. France has become the latest global power to recognize Moroccos sovereignty over the territory, as Spain, Germany and most of the EU back the autonomy solution. French President Emmanuel Macron visited Friday Morocco Pavilion at the Paris book fair wherein the North African Kingdom is celebrated this year as guest of honor of this most famous literary event in France. During his visit, Macron chatted with Moroccan writers and publishers and hailed the strong and longstanding French-Moroccan cultural ties. He told reporters he was proud and happy to welcome Morocco as guest of honor, and highlighted the role of Moroccan authors in enriching the ongoing cultural dialogue between the two nations. The Moroccan Pavilion offers visitors the possibility to discover Moroccos maritime history, meet authors and publishers, participate in debates and attend book signings, workshops, storytelling sessions On Wednesday, Moroccan and French ministers of culture conferred in Paris on ways of strengthening further cooperation ties within the frame of the strategic partnership set by King Mohammed VI and President Macron. The Paris book fair (April 11-13) is attended by 4,500 authors and 1,200 publishers of art books, comic books, childrens literature, cookery books Every day, book signings allow visitors to meet authors and illustrators, as well as discover new releases. During his tour, President Macron was accompanied by Culture Minister Rachida Dati, as well as by Moroccan minister of Culture Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid and Moroccos Ambassador to France, Samira Sitail. Gabon will hold its first presidential election on Saturday (12 April) since the August 2023 military coup that ended over five decades of Bongo family rule. Interim president and coup leader Brice Oligui Nguema, who has styled himself as an anti-corruption reformer, is widely expected to win. Nguema, a former Republican Guard chief and cousin to ousted president Ali Bongo, has earned significant public support by pledging change, transparency, and economic renewal. Many Gabonese see him as a fresh start after years of mismanagement and inequality, but their biggest concern is the high cost of living, especially food prices and other aspects of daily life. Yet, critics question whether this election truly breaks with the past. Nguema, backed by Bongos old political party, the Gabonese Democratic Party (PDG), faces his strongest challenge from former prime minister Alain Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who accuses the interim government of unfairly tilting the electoral process. Observers from the African Union (AU) and the Commonwealth are monitoring the vote, which comes under a new constitution limiting presidents to two seven-year terms. Though Nguema has promised a new chapter, analysts note continuity with the old system, including persistent ties to France and a political landscape dominated by recycled elites. The goal was not to end a system. The goal was to end a regime, Fred Kapabi, independent political consultant, explains. This is the reason why, after having taken Ali Bongo and his regime out, you realize that we have witnessed a massive return of (PDG supporters). Still, for many voters, stability and reform outweigh concerns. As Gabon turns the page, Saturday election may mark the end of a dynasty but not yet the end of its system. King Mohammed VI and President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. of the Philippines have exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. In his message, the King underlined the importance he attaches to the close, longstanding bonds enjoyed by the two countries in various sectors. The past five decades of Morocco-Philippines relations stand out as a model of bilateral ties rooted in mutual esteem and fruitful cooperation, the Monarch noted, affirming that bilateral relations have led to tangible, positive results in several fields, reflecting the depth of the close friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations. The King also assured the Philippine President of Moroccos commitment to continue working to strengthen cooperation with Philippines and explore new horizons for partnership. The aim is to give fresh momentum to bilateral relations and take them to a higher level to fulfil shared aspirations and contribute to promoting peace and stability at the regional and international levels. The King said he was looking forward to the promotion of cooperation and coordination between the two countries and expressed hope that this partnership will be strengthened and expanded in various sectors in the coming years, for the mutual benefit of both peoples. For his part, the Philippine president extended to the King his warmest congratulations on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of relations between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Morocco. This major milestone in bilateral relations, he wrote, not only allows to reflect on the achievements of the past five decades, but also provides the direction for steering partnership towards mutual growth and prosperity for the next 50 years. He affirmed that the establishment of resident embassies in respective capitals was a significant development in bilateral ties. President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr took this opportunity to reaffirm his governments commitment to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest and benefit, particularly fostering people-to-people exchanges and enhancing trade and investment. Hostilities, aid blockade take toll on Gaza civilians: UN Xinhua) 08:49, April 11, 2025 Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, April 10 (Xinhua) -- Israeli attacks in Gaza are taking a horrifying toll on civilians already suffering dwindling food supplies and looting due to the aid blockade, UN humanitarians said on Thursday. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said that there have been daily reports of Israeli strikes killing and injuring many Palestinian civilians. "Just yesterday (Wednesday) in Gaza City, there were reports of dozens of people killed, including at least eight children, after an Israeli strike hit a residential building," OCHA said. "Many are still missing under the rubble." The Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that more than 1,500 people reportedly were killed, many of them women and children, since the intensification of hostilities less than a month ago. The office said the hostilities and continued blocking of cargo entry into Gaza for almost six weeks are hampering people's access to life-saving aid. "As supplies inside the Strip near exhaustion and the situation becomes increasingly dire, there has been an increase in looting over the past few days," OCHA said. Earlier this week, several such incidents were reported in Rafah, Deir al Balah and Al Zawaida. OCHA reiterated the urgency of reopening the crossings to allow critical supplies to enter. More than 60,000 children are reportedly suffering from malnutrition at a time when community kitchens are rapidly running out of fuel and supplies. The World Health Organization (WHO) said it has been able to support some medical evacuations from Gaza. On Wednesday, 18 patients and nearly 30 companions were allowed to leave for specialized treatment abroad. However, with some 12,500 patients in Gaza still in need of medical evacuation outside the strip, WHO called for evacuations through all available border crossings and corridors. Across Gaza, OCHA said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) A displaced Palestinian boy fetches water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Displaced Palestinians fetch water in Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, on April 10, 2025. Across Gaza, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said its partners are warning of acute water shortages in shelters hosting displaced people. The loss of water, the lack of cleaning supplies and cohabitation with livestock are having a dire public health impact. In March, more than one-third of households in Gaza experienced lice infestations. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing) Material: Cotton canvas | Key features: Four sizes, outside pocket, four interior pockets, key ring attachment, reinforced base This tote has been on my mind ever since contributor Erika Veurink made a very convincing case for shopping at Lands End. The brand flies under the radar. Which, to me, is exactly where I prefer to exist as a shopper, says Veurink in her piece. I, too, am this type of shopper and recognize that Lands End totes arent as instantly recognizable as, say, L.L.Beans Boat and Totes but in my opinion, they make even better beach bags. Similar to the Boat and Tote, the Lands End bag is made from 100 percent cotton canvas and is durable, washable, and extremely sturdy. Both are available as zipper tops or open tops (I tend to prefer the open version, especially if youre an overpacker or plan to pile in towels or a cooler). But the main reason I picked the Lands End as our best beach bag overall is because it has additional features for organization and security: Theres an outside pocket plus four interior pockets and a key-ring attachment. Both bags have double-layered handles and bottoms, but the Lands End appears to be just slightly more slouchy and worn-in, which I prefer over a stiffer beach bag. For over two decades, Gina Bradley, the founder of stand-up paddleboarding company Paddle Diva and a mom of two, has been a fan of Lands End bags. She says this is her top choice for schlepping the many accessories that go along with taking care of kids when heading to the beach. The durable canvas tote has a reinforced base, and the widely stitched seams give it a clean look and keep it upright even when its placed in the sand, Bradley says. But its also her go-to for everyday use as she puts it, Its actually my handbag. As I mentioned earlier, it has easy-access compartments, including an outside pocket to hold lip balm and four interior pockets for sunscreen, sunglasses, or business cards. (Bradley even uses the key-ring attachment to hold extra hair ties.) The Lands End bag can also be monogrammed for an additional $8. (Bradleys is embroidered with Paddle Diva.) The history of Colombia's oil industry is marked by violence, corruption, and a lack of transparency, which has allowed environmental issues to persist and go unaddressed. Colombia's oil industry is being rocked by another scandal focused on environmental misdoings, human rights violations, and unreported oil spills. For decades, a "drill at all costs" mentality dominated Colombias domestic politics, allowing energy companies, especially national oil company Ecopetrol, to operate with impunity. While that permitted Colombia to become a leading regional oil producer, it led to severe environmental harm and civil conflict. Industry insiders and environmental activists allege Ecopetrol is systematically failing to report and rectify oil spills, which are polluting waterbodies, grasslands, and forests. Critics argue that for decades, Colombias national government in the capital, Bogota, tacitly permitted Ecopetrol to operate in such a manner. Since the late-1990s, allegations have frequently emerged that there is little to no transparency around the reporting, monitoring and remediation of environmentally damaging incidents caused by Colombias hydrocarbon sector. Environmental activists and private think tanks regularly accuse Colombias national government of failing to ensure the existence of a robust reporting system capable of effectively tracking oil spills and their remediation. A 2022 article from non-profit environmental publisher Mongabay alleged there were significant deficiencies (Spanish) in the government system used to report, track, and monitor oil spills, particularly the prompt clean-up of such incidents. To understand what is responsible for the alleged systemic failure to monitor oil spills, Mongabay analyzed industry data sourced from Colombias environmental watchdog the National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA). This data showed Ecopetrol, which is 88.49% owned by Colombias government, was responsible for 67% of all environmentally damaging incidents reported between 2015 and 2022. The second largest polluter, guilty of 10% of recorded oil spills, is Mansarovar Energy Colombia, an equal joint venture between Beijing-controlled Sinopec and ONGC Videsh, an arm of Indias national oil company ONGC. A key issue identified by Mongabay is the inconsistent reporting of oil spills. Specifically, there was a sharp increase in environmentally damaging events recorded between 2016 and 2021. Data indicates that only 37 incidents were registered with ANLA in 2016, which is considerably lower than the 437 events documented during 2021. This discrepancy raises concerns about whether energy companies are adequately reporting and rectifying spills as well as other environmentally damaging incidents. More worrying are signs the environmental watchdog is not effectively tracking ecologically damaging incidents to ensure proper clean-up and remediation. ANLA assured stakeholders that the discrepancies arose because of the implementation of stricter monitoring standards due to the introduction of Resolution 1767 of 2016 (Spanish) by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development. Colombias top environmental authority required stricter monitoring of oil industry operations with the resolution obligating ANLA to enhance the reporting, recording, and supervision of oil spills. Colombias environmental watchdog claimed this was responsible for the spike in incidents recorded after 2016, although serious doubts about the credibility of oil spill reporting in Colombia remain. According to prominent environmental activist Oscar Sampayo, who directs the Extractive and Environmental Studies Group of the Middle Magdalena, there are significant problems with the monitoring system. The political scientist was quoted by Mongabay as saying: "The official information on spills, incidents and operational failures in Colombia raises several questions. First, if there is an underreporting of the information. Second, if the oil companies provide truthful and timely information about the spills. And third, if the institutions and environmental authorities have the tools to verify or corroborate the information provided by the oil companies," The latest explosive developments indicate Mongabays findings are not an isolated example but part of a broader industry-wide systemic issue. Late last month, the UKs national broadcaster, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) released a documentary where a former Ecopetrol employee turned whistleblower accused the state-controlled energy company of serious pollution. Andres Olarte joined Ecopetrol in 2017, working until 2019 as an adviser to then CEO Felipe Bayo,n who left the company in 2023. Olarte alleges Colombias national oil company knowingly polluted hundreds of operational sites and failed to report a fifth of known oil spills to the authorities. According to the BBC, Olarte provided data from January 2019, confirmed to be from an Ecopetrol server, that identified 839 unresolved incidents with noted environmental impacts. The whistleblower claimed that this demonstrates that Ecopetrol failed to adequately rectify and decontaminate those sites with high levels of hydrocarbon contamination still present in the soil and/or water at those locations. Many of those incidents are clustered around the city of Barrancabermeja, home to Colombias largest oil refinery. Olarte claims Ecopetrol is concealing spills with at least a fifth not reported to Colombian authorities. These developments imply the state-controlled energy company is covering up spills to avoid costly fines and remediation. Olartes allegations come after Colombian environmental activists, for at least a decade, have alleged a myriad of oil spills in the country are being concealed and left unrectified for years or even decades. There are signs that oil spills and other ecologically damaging incidents are inadequately or only partially cleaned up, leaving significant hydrocarbon contamination at impacted sites. This is highlighted by a March 2018 oil spill which affected 24 km of the Lizama River, killing 2,400 animals and seriously impacting the health of 70 families. The severity of the incident was blamed on botched emergency planning by Ecopetrol (Spanish), with concerns voiced by Colombias Minister of the Environment that Ecopetrol could have concealed information about the spill. Along with the locations disclosed by Olarte, there are a multitude of other such places scattered across Colombia, with many concentrated in the Middle Magdalena Valley, a region long at the epicenter of the oil industry. The regions key municipality, Barrancabermeja, situated on Colombias largest waterway, the Magdalena River, has long been recognized as the capital of the Andean countrys oil industry. It is here at the dawn of the twentieth century in the Middle Magdalena Valley that Colombias oil boom began. The pivotal moment was the 1916 founding of Tropical Oil, which was awarded the De Mares concession situated near Barrancabermej,a where the company hit pay dirt with the 1918 discovery of oil at the La Cira-Infantas field. This event attracted considerable interest from U.S. oil barons. Consequently, in January 1920, Tropical Oil and its 2 million acres around the city of Barrancabermeja was acquired by International Petroleum Company, a subsidiary of John D. Rockefellers Standard Oil, for $40 million. That acreage, where Colombias largest oil refinery was eventually built, became a modern, humming U.S.-style city while a haphazard settlement riddled with violence, crime and poverty grew up around the high wire fence. In 1952, when Standard Oils lucrative Colombian concession expired, Bogota nationalized the operation, which was assumed by then national oil company Empresa Colombiana de Petroleos, Ecopetrols predecessor. The discovery of La Cira-Infantas was followed by a swathe of major oil discoveries over the next century, establishing Colombia as a top oil producer in Latin America. By the late 1970s, leftist guerrillas were targeting petroleum infrastructure as part of their fight against the state, which relied on oil revenues, and ideological aversion to foreign exploitation of Colombias natural resources. By the 1980s, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the National Liberation Army (ELN) found that extorting money from energy companies provided a lucrative source of income. Barrancabermeja's central role in Colombias oil industry, combined with the citys severe poverty, which created an ideal recruiting ground for the guerrillas, led to the FARC and ELN forming strongholds in the area. The growing importance of the oil industry as a significant driver of economic growth for Colombia during the 1990s prompted Bogota to deploy the military to battle the guerrillas and seize complete control of Barrancabermeja and its hinterlands. Colombias armed forces found they were incapable of fully securing the Andean countrys oil heartland against the socialist insurgents. This resulted in Barrancabermeja being rocked for years by chronic violence as security forces, leftist guerrillas, and eventually right-wing paramilitaries clashed for control of the economically crucial city. As the bloodshed intensified, serious allegations emerged about Colombias domestic intelligence agency (known by its Spanish initials as the DAS) and armed forces, along with Ecopetrol cooperating with and arming rightwing death squads. Those events triggered a campaign, which many insiders claim was sponsored by the DAS, the military, and Ecopetrol, to persecute any person thought to possess socially progressive and leftist tendencies. Upon arriving in Barrancabermeja, government-backed paramilitary forces initiated a campaign of social cleansing that saw labor leaders, environmentalists, journalists, and lawyers targeted for kidnapping, forced displacement and even assassination. Those bloodthirsty events forged an atmosphere of fear, allowing Ecopetrol and Colombias oil industry to operate with a sense of impunity regardless of any environmental or social damage caused by operations. For these reasons, energy companies were able to get away with failing to report and rectify costly, environmentally damaging incidents for decades. While violence has plummeted over the last 20 years, especially after the dismantling of paramilitary organizations, a sense of fear pervades Colombia, which is the world's most dangerous country for environmental defenders. Recent Ecopetrol whistleblower Andres Olarte and his family were subjected to such serious death threats that he fled the country into exile. By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The recent reiteration by Iraq Oil Ministry of a 7 million barrels per day (bpd) oil production target within the next five years has spurred activity among Chinese firms that continue to dominate the countrys oil and gas sector. As it stands, more than a third of all Iraqs proven oil and gas reserves and over two-thirds of its current production are managed by Beijings companies, according to industry figures. This translates into Chinese companies having a combined direct share in around 24 billion barrels of reserves and responsibility for production of around 3.0 million bpd. The latest in the very long line of Beijings firms to benefit from its ongoing stealthy takeover of Iraqs huge oil and gas assets is China Huanqiu Contracting & Engineering Company (HQC), which has signed a huge project management consultancy contract for the supergiant West Qurna 1 oilfield. HQC is also a subsidiary of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) that took over as the main operator of the massive oil field from ExxonMobil. All in all, this latest contract award is a prime example of Chinas thus-far enormously successful strategy for taking over key oil and gas assets in the Middle East, together with key associated infrastructure. West Qurna 1 is located around 65 kilometres from southern Iraqs principal oil and export hub of Basra and has a considerable portion of the estimated 43 billion barrels of recoverable reserves held in the entire supergiant West Qurna field. Originally West Qurna 1 was thought to have around 9 billion barrels of these reserves, but in 2021 Iraqs Oil Ministry upgraded this to recoverable reserves of more than 20 billion barrels. At that time the field was producing around 380,000 bpd, although the Oil Ministry also announced plans to increase this to 700,000 bpd by 2026. Enticing for many prospective international oil companies is that West Qurna 1 benefits from the lowest lifting costs in the world -- at around US$1-2 per barrel (pb) operating cost (excluding capital expenditure) -- on a par with the best fields in Saudi Arabia and Iran. That said, according to the Chinese firms involved, although it is one of the worlds largest oilfields it suffers from low water content and a consequently reduced recovery rate. Despite this, September last year saw another Chinese contractor -- China Petroleum Engineering & Construction Company (CPECC) start engineering work on West Qurna aimed at increasing production from the then-550,000 bpd to 800,000 bpd. Some of this was related to the two water injection packages it was awarded in 2022, each worth US$250 million, to improve the pressure at the field. In January, Chen Mingzhuo, general manager of PetroChina West Qurna Company, said that the firm plans to increase production to 1.2 million bpd by 2035. It remains to be seen whether any of these big targets will be hit, as several major oil field development contracts awarded by Iraq (and neighbouring Iran, which shares several of its oil reservoirs) have been withdrawn from Chinese firms over the years due to lack of progress. Related: Mubadala Makes Its American Gas Debut Finally That said, securing oil and gas flows is only one positive aspect for China of building out its presence across Iraq. Oil and gas development contracts carry with them the legal right to fully secure the development sites through whatever means the developer firms think necessary. These include the stationing of unlimited numbers of security personnel in and around the immediate sites, expansive road and rail networks connected to bigger infrastructure hubs with links across the Middle East, and the right for the Chinese military to use selected Iraqi military and civilian seaports and airports. The more of these operations that are laid out across the Iraqi and Iranian heart of the Middle East the better it is for Chinas plans to lengthen and widen its Belt & Road Initiative (BRI) global power-grab project. The groundwork for all future developments by China in Iraq was laid out in the wide-ranging Oil for Reconstruction and Investment agreement signed between China and Iraq in 2019. The basic template for this agreement which includes priority on new field contracts for Chinese firms and substantial discounts for them on oil and gas recovered, among others was the Iran-China 25-Year Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement first revealed anywhere in the world in my 3 September 2019 article on the subject, and analysed in full in my latest book on the new global oil market order. The 2019 China-Iraq deal was then substantially broadened and deepened into the Iraq-China Framework Agreement of 2021. Part of this featured even bigger discounts given to Chinese firms on oil and gas discovered in Iraq (up to 30%, depending on the field). The U.S. and its allies are perfectly cognisant of what Beijing wants to achieve through this network, which is why significant pressure has been brought to bear at various times against China and Iraq to curtail these efforts. In 2018, then-U.S. President Donald Trump signalled that he was taking the Trade War with China very seriously, and its corollary efforts to exploit the power vacuum in the Middle East left after the U.S.s unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran, as also detailed in my latest book. At that point, China shifted its land- and asset-grab strategy in Iraq to avoid being seen to make the sort of high-profile exploration and development contracts that were widely reported in the oil industry media and often beyond that. Instead, it utilised a myriad of little-known companies that were granted contract-only work for some anodyne-sounding work programme. Soon after this, two peculiar types of low-key announcements started to appear regarding new developments in Iraq (and Iran). The first of these involved extremely high-cost projects announced in Iraq and Iran -- bewildering given that both were in dire financial straits -- and the second cited new contract-only involvement by various firms, all of which were Chinese. These included the US$121 million engineering contract to CPECC to upgrade the facilities that were used to extract gas during crude oil production at West Qurna 1. Exactly the same contract-only model was used in Iraqs massive Majnoon oil field too. Here, two major new drilling-only contracts were signed: one with Chinas Hilong Oil Service & Engineering Company to drill 80 wells at a cost of US$54 million, and the other with the Iraq Drilling Company to drill 43 wells at a cost of US$255 million. Having said this, Iraq does not look completely lost to the West, whose firms have seen a recent resurgence there. Frances TotalEnergies has a US$27 billion four-pronged programme at play, centred around the Common Seawater Supply Project, which is vital for Iraq in achieving any meaningful oil production increase in the next few years. BP also recently signed a US$25 billion deal to develop the Kirkuk oil fields of Baba and Avana, and the neighbouring sites of Bai Hassan, Jumboor and Khabaz. The UKs Shell also already has substantial business in Iraq through its Basra Gas Company (BGC) joint venture, which captures and utilises flared gas from fields like Rumaila and Zubair. Crucial from this point for both the West and the East will be how Iraq reacts to the U.S.s removal of its waiver to keep importing gas and electricity from Iran, together with a campaign of maximum pressure against Tehran. By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The energy sector is a significant driver of the US economy, and sharp declines in oil prices can lead to job losses, reduced tax revenues, and broader economic consequences despite potential benefits for some sectors. Current drops in oil prices are often due to anticipated recession rather than an abundance of cheap energy, indicating a potential economic downturn and impacting energy sector investments. The United States' shift to a net oil exporter means that falling oil prices now negatively impact trade and can signal economic trouble, unlike in the past when lower prices meant savings on imports. Not long ago, falling oil prices were widely celebrated in the United States. Cheaper gasoline meant more disposable income for consumers, lower transportation costs for businesses, and a boost to sectors that rely on oil as an input. But in 2025, that simplistic view no longer holds up. The economic equation has changeddramatically. From Net Importer to Net Exporter In 2005, the U.S. was importing a staggering 12.5 million barrels of oil and finished products per day. At that time, a drop in oil prices translated into major savings on our import bill. The net benefits to the economy were clear. But in 2025, the picture is reversed. Thanks to the fracking boom, the U.S. is a net exporter of about 2.3 million barrels per day of oil and refined products. When oil prices fall, the U.S. now loses more on exports than it saves on imports. That means falling oil prices today actually worsen the U.S. trade deficitthe very thing that tariffs are supposedly being used to fix. Theres irony in the fact that some of the loudest advocates for tariffsarguing theyll fix our trade imbalanceare also cheering falling oil prices. Theyre cheering a trend that undercuts our export strength and broadens the deficit. Look at the Signal, Not Just the Price Its also critical to consider why oil prices are falling. Prices drop when supply increases, demand decreases, or markets anticipate economic trouble. In 2020, oil prices famously collapsedbriefly even turning negativenot because the economy was booming, but because the COVID-19 pandemic had triggered a global shutdown. That price crash was a harbinger of deep economic pain. Fast forward to today: oil prices are falling again, not because were swimming in cheap energy, but because market sentiment is shifting toward the possibility of a recession. This isnt good newsits a flashing warning sign. If economic conditions deteriorate further, investments in energy infrastructure and new production will slow. The same people chanting drill, baby, drill may find themselves wondering why rigs are being idled, capital expenditures are being slashed, and jobs are being cut. When prices fall below profitability thresholds, producers pull backand that has ripple effects across the broader economy. Energy Is a Pillar of the U.S. Economy While consumers do benefit from lower gas prices at the pump, its important to understand that the energy sector is now a major driver of the U.S. economy. It supports millions of jobs, anchors the economies of entire states, and is a major contributor to GDP. When oil prices fall sharply, tax revenues decline, employment shrinks, and corporate earnings in the sector suffer. Yes, certain sectorslike transportation and some manufacturersmay benefit from lower input costs. But the net impact on the U.S. economy is no longer straightforwardly positive. A Nuanced Picture So, the next time someone claims that falling oil prices are good for the economy, consider the fuller picture. In 2005, maybe that was true. In 2025, its a lot more complicated. We should be cautious about using yesterdays playbook to understand todays economy. The energy world has changed and so has Americas place in it. A drop in oil prices may still provide relief at the gas pumpbut as a signal of whats happening across the broader economy, its a red flag we ignore at our peril. By Robert Rapier More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Despite a 1.1 million barrel draw in U.S. crude stocks early in the week, the impact was muted and quickly overshadowed by broader macroeconomic worries. The American Petroleum The Energy Information Administration (EIA) compounded the pressure by slashing its global economic growth and oil demand projections. The agency specifically cited trade policy risks as a core reason for the downgrade, aligning with bearish revisions from Goldman Sachs, which now sees Brent potentially dipping as low as $54 per barrel in worst-case demand scenarios. Investor sentiment took a hit early in the week as oil prices plunged nearly 4% on Monday alone, extending a 7% collapse from the prior Friday. This downturn was spurred by fresh tariff announcements from both Washington and Beijing. While oil and gas products remain exempt from direct tariffs, the macroeconomic shock of reduced industrial activity and threatened global trade flows continues to weigh heavily on oil demand forecasts. Crude oil futures endured a relentless sell-off this week as escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China deepened fears of an economic slowdown, triggering a widespread reassessment of demand expectations. The fallout from tit-for-tat tariffsnow reaching an astonishing 145% on Chinese goodshas severely undermined confidence in the global consumption outlook, particularly from China, the worlds second-largest crude importer. Crude oil futures endured a relentless sell-off this week as escalating trade tensions between the U.S. and China deepened fears of an economic slowdown, triggering a widespread reassessment of demand expectations. The fallout from tit-for-tat tariffsnow reaching an astonishing 145% on Chinese goodshas severely undermined confidence in the global consumption outlook, particularly from China, the worlds second-largest crude importer. Investor sentiment took a hit early in the week as oil prices plunged nearly 4% on Monday alone, extending a 7% collapse from the prior Friday. This downturn was spurred by fresh tariff announcements from both Washington and Beijing. While oil and gas products remain exempt from direct tariffs, the macroeconomic shock of reduced industrial activity and threatened global trade flows continues to weigh heavily on oil demand forecasts. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) compounded the pressure by slashing its global economic growth and oil demand projections. The agency specifically cited trade policy risks as a core reason for the downgrade, aligning with bearish revisions from Goldman Sachs, which now sees Brent potentially dipping as low as $54 per barrel in worst-case demand scenarios. Why Are Traders Ignoring Bullish Inventory Data? Despite a 1.1 million barrel draw in U.S. crude stocks early in the week, the impact was muted and quickly overshadowed by broader macroeconomic worries. The American Petroleum Institutes report failed to reverse market sentiment, especially after midweek EIA data showed an unexpected 2.6 million barrel buildalmost double analysts' forecasts. The bearish inventory surprise, combined with slowing U.S. exports to Chinanow halved from the prior yearreinforces the oversupply narrative. China imported just 112,000 barrels per day of U.S. crude in March, compared to 190,000 bpd a year earlier, according to vessel tracking firm Kpler. As trade barriers deepen, Chinas appetite for U.S. barrels is likely to remain subdued, causing crude to back up in U.S. storage tanks and adding pressure to domestic benchmarks. Macquarie analysts warned that another build is likely this week, and with refiner margins under pressure, the risk of rising inventories remains elevated. Traders are now treating inventory data as a secondary signaluseful only if it confirms or challenges the dominant macro narrative. Can OPEC+ Supply Hikes Be Absorbed? While demand falters, the supply side is hardly offering relief. OPEC+ confirmed it will increase output by 411,000 barrels per day in May, well above the previously planned 135,000 bpd. Saudi Arabia further signaled a soft market by cutting its official selling price to Asia to a four-month lowan indication that refiners are reluctant to lift volumes at current prices. Although Asian imports showed a temporary uptick in March, analysts believe it was driven by opportunistic restocking rather than genuine demand strength. The broader trend remains negative, with Q1 Asian crude imports falling by 640,000 barrels per day compared to last year. Lower prices may incentivize some restocking, but traders are skeptical that this will translate into sustained demand growth without broader economic improvement. OPEC+ supply additions risk tipping the market into surplus. With traders already anxious over trade-driven demand destruction, the cartels decision is being viewed as a potential misstep that could amplify downside risk. Are Geopolitical Risks Helping or Hurting? Geopolitical headlines added noise but little sustained support to oil prices. The temporary shutdown of the Keystone pipeline due to a spill and brief disruptions in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium offered fleeting bullish relief. However, these events were quickly overshadowed by larger structural forces at play. Meanwhile, President Trumps hints at nuclear talks with Iran have introduced further downside potential if Iranian barrels re-enter the market. Though Tehran played down the prospects for direct dialogue, the mere suggestion of diplomatic progress was enough to stir speculation around a looser sanctions regime. At the same time, the White Houses abrupt tariff policy shifts have injected volatility into energy markets. Trumps 90-day tariff pause for most countries initially lifted crude prices, but gains were erased within 24 hours when markets realized China was excluded and U.S.-China tariffs had, in fact, escalated further. Weekly Light Crude Oil Futures Trend Indicator Analysis The main trend is down according to the weekly swing chart. It changed to down after heavy selling pressure took out a pair of main bottoms at $61.37 and $59.31. A trade through $72.28 will change the main trend to up. The long-term range is $53.09 to $85.54. Its 50% level is $69.31. This is major resistance. Trading on the bearish side of this key level is also a sign of weakness. The short-term range is $72.28 to $55.12. Its pivot at $63.70 is the nearest resistance and potential breakout level. This weeks low is $55.12. This is slightly above the previous main bottom at $53.09. A failure to hold this main bottom puts $50.00 on the radar. Weekly Technical Forecast The direction of the Weekly Light Crude Oil Futures market the week ending April 18 is likely to be determined by trader reaction to $61.99. Bullish Scenario A sustained move over $61.99 will signal the presence of strong buyers. If this creates enough near-term momentum, we could see a possible rally into the pivot at $63.70. Although sellers could re-emerge on the initial test of this level, it should be considered the trigger point for an acceleration to the upside with $69.31 to $70.06 the major objective. Bearish Scenario A sustained move under $61.99 will indicate the presence of sellers. The first downside target is a minor pivot at $59.51, followed by this weeks low at $55.12 and the main bottom at $53.09. If heavy selling pressure fuels enough downside momentum then prices could hit $50.00 fairly easily due to the absence of new buyers. Oil Prices Forecast: Will the Bearish Pressure Persist? Fundamentals overwhelmingly favor bearish oil prices for the week ahead. Rising inventories, a heavier-than-expected OPEC+ supply schedule, and weakening global demandparticularly from Asiaare colliding with intensifying trade conflicts that threaten to suppress industrial activity and crude consumption worldwide. With crude benchmarks already retreating over 10% since the latest tariff wave, traders remain focused on further downside risk. Unless trade talks show a sudden breakthrough or demand indicators surprise to the upside, crude is poised to stay under pressure. In the current environment, rallies are likely to be sold into, and price relief will remain elusive in the absence of material demand support or supply restraint. Crude oil is set to remain rangebound to lower next week, with trade war fallout and weak demand expectations acting as the dominant bearish catalysts. Technically, a sustained move over $61.99 will be encouraging, but the market will still be facing headwinds at the $63.70 pivot. With traders in sell the rally mode, this level is likely to provide resistance on the initial test. Overcoming it, however, could give the market some breathing room. Although a low has formed, its not a bottom, so traders may spend some time near $55.12, trying to establish a support base. Without a solid support base, rallies are likely to fail. - OPEC+s decision to speed up its production unwinding in May-July has served the oil group a trick, as collapsing prices only aggravated member countries woes about overproducers, most notably Kazakhstan. - The root cause of Kazakhstans sudden oil bonanza is the delayed $49 billion Chevron Tengiz Expansion project, officially commissioned in January, that saw production at the Tengiz field skyrocket from 650,000 b/d to 1 million b/d in less than three months. - Kazakhstans oil and condensate production reached an all-time high of 2.17 million b/d last month, creating a huge discrepancy between the countrys 1.468 million b/d OPEC+ quota and actual output. - Kazakhstan has fired the previous oil minister last month, with the new minister Erlan Akkenzhenov initiating talks with Western supermajors operating the countrys fields (Chevron, ENI, Shell and others) to cut production by 620,000 b/d. Numbers Report April 11, 2025 In the latest edition of the Numbers Report, we will take a look at some of the most interesting figures put out this week in the energy and metals sectors. Each week well dig into some data and provide a bit of explanation on what drives the numbers. Lets take a look. Numbers Report April 11, 2025 In the latest edition of the Numbers Report, we will take a look at some of the most interesting figures put out this week in the energy and metals sectors. Each week well dig into some data and provide a bit of explanation on what drives the numbers. Lets take a look. 1. Kazakhstans Cheating Becomes OPEC+s Headache - OPEC+s decision to speed up its production unwinding in May-July has served the oil group a trick, as collapsing prices only aggravated member countries woes about overproducers, most notably Kazakhstan. - The root cause of Kazakhstans sudden oil bonanza is the delayed $49 billion Chevron Tengiz Expansion project, officially commissioned in January, that saw production at the Tengiz field skyrocket from 650,000 b/d to 1 million b/d in less than three months. - Kazakhstans oil and condensate production reached an all-time high of 2.17 million b/d last month, creating a huge discrepancy between the countrys 1.468 million b/d OPEC+ quota and actual output. - Kazakhstan has fired the previous oil minister last month, with the new minister Erlan Akkenzhenov initiating talks with Western supermajors operating the countrys fields (Chevron, ENI, Shell and others) to cut production by 620,000 b/d. 2. Saudi Arabia Reels From Oil Price Collapse, Partly of Its Own Making - Saudi Arabia has been at the forefront of OPEC+ production unwinding, seeking to benefit from relatively robust demand in the Asian region by adding 411,000 b/d of supply in May, however, the ensuing price collapse is now pressuring Riyadhs fragile fiscal balance. - According to Goldman Sachs, the budget deficit of Saudi Arabia may soar to $67 billion this year if oil prices continue to trend around $62-63 per barrel, prompting it to cut down on its infrastructure mega-projects and borrow more from the market. - Saudi Arabias fiscal breakeven stands around 93 per barrel and it could be as high as $108 per barrel if Riyadhs mega projects are to be included in that tally, notably higher than Qatars $40 per barrel and the UAEs $55 per barrel. - Saudi Arabia is already the largest bond issuer in global debt markets among developing nations this year, having sold more than $14 billion worth of debt with a potential to raising another $16-17 billion by year-end. 3. Oil Price Collapse Will Force Majors to Cut Buybacks - As WTI futures traded below $60 per barrel for most of this week, US shale producers have grown visibly more anxious about their future production outlook, as the all-in breakeven has risen above $62 per barrel by now. - The most convenient method of cutting expenses would be to lower (or scrap altogether) share buybacks, with RBC calculating that ExxonMobils current breakeven to cover both dividends and buybacks is $88 per barrel, whilst Chevron wields an even higher $95 per barrel. - Upcoming earnings calls of oil majors could shed a light on their respective strategies, overshadowing relatively positive Q1 2025 results as ExxonMobil posted year-over-year profit improvements, to $1.70 per share vs $1.67 per share in Q4 2024. - European majors ENI and BP would find it most difficult to adjust to a lower-price environment as even without share buybacks their breakevens stand above $70 per barrel, in stark contrast to Shell which could relatively easily manage its dividend obligations at $48 per barrel. 4. US-China Trade Wars Wipe Out Clean Energy Investments - Amidst the US-China trade war, Beijings pre-eminent role in wind, solar and hydro technologies has resulted in a continued squeeze on clean energy stocks across the world, with the S&P Clean Energy Transition Index falling 70% from its peak in early 2021. - A number of renewable energy developers have opted for M&A and delist on the back of margin pressures, with Brookfield Asset Management buying Frances Neoen for $6.6 billion and KKR taking over Encavis for $3 billion. - The next wave of M&A is most probably taking place in North America, seeing the likes of Canadian Solar and Fluence plunging by 40-75% in 2025 alone, with a take-private option allowing them to restructure in relative privacy. - Chinese renewable firms are poised to take further market share in Southeast Asia and also at home as Beijings total energy transition investment rose 20% year-over-year in 2024, to a whopping $818 billion. 5. LPG Becomes First Casualty of US-China Trade War - Chinas 125% import tariff on US goods will bring to a halt a booming relationship between US LPG exporter and Chinese petrochemical companies, prompting the latter to scramble for alternative suppliers. - The US, being the almost exclusive ethane supplier in the global market, sent a record 5.4 million tonnes to Chinas ethane crackers, suggesting that the tariff war would most probably cut ethylene production coming from ethane. - China is also by far the largest buyer of US propane, importing 17 million tonnes last year more than triple that of the second-largest buyer Japan and equivalent to 33% of all US outflows of propane. - Chinese petrochemical firms are now expected to maximize imports of naphtha, a feedstock that anyways dominates the regional landscape as roughly 70% of ethylene produced comes from it, whilst the most cost-efficient feedstock ethane accounts for only 10%. 6. Gas Becomes Germanys Power Price Trend-Setter - Germanys electricity prices are set to be increasingly dependent on natural gas as their link strengthens over the coming years, becoming the marginal source of power generation in a landscape increasingly dominated by intermittent wind and solar. - Germanys 29 GW coal generation capacity will halve to 14.5 GW by the end of this decade and disappear completely by 2038, coming on the heels of the 2023 decommissioning of the countrys last three nuclear plants. - According to Energy Aspects, natural gas will set German power prices almost 85% of the time by 2028, up some 30 percentage points from the 55% rate expected this year, keeping wholesale power prices in the 90-100 per MWh range. - Europes benchmark TTF natural gas futures have been declining since their mid-February peak of 57 per MWh, almost halving to 33 per MWh ($12/mmBtu) by mid-April, however every single remaining month of 2025 is now in contango to the May 2025 contract. 7. Beijings Ban of Seven Rare Earths to Take Immediate Effect - Amidst escalating geopolitical tensions, Chinas inclusion of seven rare earth minerals to its dual-use export restriction list will be adding further pain to Western buyers, already roiling from lower inflows of antimony, germanium and gallium. - Beijing controls 90% of global rare earth magnet production, with the magnets themselves also included on Chinas export controls list. - If the past example of germanium and gallium is anything to go by, China stopped exporting both rare earth metals to the US months before it announced a full ban in December 2024, suggesting that its current moves are equivalent to a de-facto prohibition to export. - Whilst global rare earth prices are expected to balloon out of control, domestic Chinese prices are decreasing by the day a kg of yttrium oxide now costs 50 ($7/kg), down 10% since the blacklisting announcement. Thats it for this weeks Numbers Report. Thanks for reading, and well see you next week. Just ahead of the production increase beginning in April, the OPEC+ group boosted its oil production to an eight-month high in March, according to the Platts OPEC+ Survey from S&P Global Commodity Insights. The total oil production from the alliance rose to 41.04 million barrels per day (bpd) in March, up by 30,000 bpd from February. The producers in OPEC+ who have quotas busted their overall output ceiling by a massive 319,000 bpd, according to the Platts survey. Kazakhstan remained the producer, exceeding its quota the most. The OPEC+ producer, which is not part of OPEC, 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. Other producers continued to pump above quotas in March. These include Iraq and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)OPECs second and third-biggest producers behind Saudi Arabia. The continued problems with compliance and higher OPEC+ production in March come as the group begins easing the cuts in April and is set to further hike production in Mayby triple the expected amount. OPEC said last week that the decision to go ahead with a large production boost in May could also provide an opportunity for the participating countries to accelerate their compensation. Some analysts have argued that the OPEC+ move to hike output, apart from the publicly-stated healthier oil market, could be a way to punish the overproducers. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com If this weeks volatility wasnt enough for you, the weekend promises to cook up even more market catalysts to ensure a manic Monday. As the market spins in a kaleidoscope of newsflashes about tariffs, more tariffs, postponement of tariffs (allegedly influenced by a hedge fund billionaire), more tariff threats, recession, crashing oil prices, and a dismal outlook for demand, the only thing that's certain is that this is far from over. And this is all taking place against the backdrop of a barrage of geopolitical developments, not the least of which will be direct talks between the U.S. and Iran on Saturday. The talks will take place in Oman between U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and a senior Iranian leaderat least, according to Rubio. Hamas and Hezbollah appear nervous for some reason, likely stemming from the sudden change in tone of Iranian statements to the U.S. in recent days, when Tehran oddly spread a headline about inviting U.S. investors to Iran, and with Washington now being extremely emphatic about not wanting a war. Right-leaning news channels are now all flush with stories about a firm nuclear deal timeline and Trumps vehemence about a military response should the deal not happen, with Israel allegedly to be given the green light to light em up. The reality is probably much less dramatic. Left-leaning media is busy talking about the apparent legal ramifications of holding a high-level meeting with Iran at this time, but since when did they not like In a development certain to increase tensions over the coveted Horn of Africa region, Turkiyes Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced on Thursday that Turkish Petroleum will soon begin exploring 3 onshore oil and gas fields in Somalia, covering The Russia-Ukraine war has largely been forgotten amid the tariff and market chaos, but it continues nonetheless, with Russia claiming late on Thursday to have captured another Ukrainian village in Ukraines northern Sumy region, which lies directly across from Russias Kursk region (where Ukraine has occupied territory for eight months). Kyiv has not confirmed the Russian claim. We are keeping a close eye on developments between Israel and Turkey, who are at dangerous odds over the future of Syria, with both external actors now homing in on Assads old military bases. Israel is bombing them, and Turkey is moving into them. Syria is still up for grabs, and the U.S. has not recognized any actors as the new government. Trump has accused Mexico of violating a 1944 water treaty by failing to deliver enough water to Texas, harming farmers in the south and leading to the closure of a sugar mill. Trump is threatening tariffs over the issue, also mentioning sanctions (however, tariffs and sanctions seem to be conjoined in the administration). Politics, Geopolitics, & Conflict Trump has accused Mexico of violating a 1944 water treaty by failing to deliver enough water to Texas, harming farmers in the south and leading to the closure of a sugar mill. Trump is threatening tariffs over the issue, also mentioning sanctions (however, tariffs and sanctions seem to be conjoined in the administration). We are keeping a close eye on developments between Israel and Turkey, who are at dangerous odds over the future of Syria, with both external actors now homing in on Assads old military bases. Israel is bombing them, and Turkey is moving into them. Syria is still up for grabs, and the U.S. has not recognized any actors as the new government. The Russia-Ukraine war has largely been forgotten amid the tariff and market chaos, but it continues nonetheless, with Russia claiming late on Thursday to have captured another Ukrainian village in Ukraines northern Sumy region, which lies directly across from Russias Kursk region (where Ukraine has occupied territory for eight months). Kyiv has not confirmed the Russian claim. In a development certain to increase tensions over the coveted Horn of Africa region, Turkiyes Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar announced on Thursday that Turkish Petroleum will soon begin exploring 3 onshore oil and gas fields in Somalia, covering around 16,000 square kilometers. The move follows a new agreement signed between the Turkish Petroleum Corporation and the Somali Petroleum Authority in Ankara. Initial exploration will involve seismic surveys, with drilling to follow as part of efforts to uncover and develop new energy resources in the region. As the civil war rages on in Sudan, neighboring South Sudan is now also back on the edge of war. (Land-locked South Sudan produces the bulk of the oil, while Sudan has the export connection.) Late on Thursday, Chinese oil workers (Sinopec) were ordered to leave the country for their own safety, as South Sudans president relieved his foreign minister of his duties following a spat with Washington. Tensions are rising between South Sudans President (Salva Kiir) and First Vice President (Riek Machar). Machar has accused government forces of targeting its members after placing Machar and his wife (interior minister) under house arrest, along with other government and military figures aligned with the opposition. In the event of a civil war, South Sudans oil would be at risk and likely flows would be halted. Oil production was halted due to the lack of export options in war-ravaged Sudan and had only resumed in late January. Currently, South Sudan is pumping around 90,000 bpd. Discovery & Development Saudi Aramco announced the discovery of 14 new oil and gas fields across the Eastern Region and the Empty Quarter, potentially boosting production by over 80 million cubic feet of gas and 8,000 barrels of oil per day. While modest relative to Saudi Arabias massive reserves, the finds are seen as a clear sign of ongoing expansion in the Kingdoms energy sector. Chinas state-owned CNOOC has discovered a significant offshore oilfieldHuizhou 19-6in the eastern South China Sea, with estimated reserves of up to 110 million tons. Located about 106 miles off Shenzhen, the field sits at an average water depth of 328 feet and extends into deep and ultra-deep layers. Drilling at these depths is expected to pose technical challenges. Shell has begun production at its Dover oil development, located about 170 miles off the Louisiana coast in the Gulf of Mexico. Sitting in 7,500 feet of water, Dover is the second subsea tieback to Shells Appomattox hub, following the Rydberg field, which came online in February 2024. Discovered in 2018, Dover is Shells sixth find in the deepwater Norphlet play. The well reached a depth of 29,000 feet and encountered 800 feet of oil-bearing rock. The project includes up to two wells connected by a 17.5-mile pipeline and is expected to peak at 20,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day, with estimated recoverable resources of 44.5 million barrels. Deals, Mergers, & Acquisitions The biggest deal-making story of the week wasnt a deal thats about to be made Its about a lot of dealsthe hard-won consolidation of the American shale patchthat are now being lamented. Shale boss Bryan Sheffield called on U.S. shale producers to scale back drilling as oil prices plunge. Sheffield said the market was a bloodbath and that he planned to delay new drilling (not make the American shale patch great again). While NATO has overlapping fields of fire and layered defenses, experts emphasize the need to thicken the network, improve probability of kill, and address the growing threat of drone attacks to effectively deter and counter potential aggression. Russias daily bombardment of Ukraine, involving an average of 24.3 missiles and drones, has demonstrated the critical importance of robust air defense systems and exposed gaps in Europes current setup. Two former senior US military commanders have warned that Europes aerial defense is not prepared for the scale of the threat from Russia, citing vulnerabilities in sensor density and drone defense capabilities. 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. By RFE/RL More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has welcomed U.S. investors to his country and reiterated that his country is not pursuing nuclear weapons, a day after the Trump administration sanctioned five entities and one individual for supporting key entities managing and overseeing Iran's nuclear program. I meet the supreme leader [Ali Al Khamenei] several times each week. He has no objection to American investors in the country, Mr Pezeshkian said at a ceremony marking National Nuclear Technology Day. Let them come and invest but we oppose plotting, regime change efforts, and destructive policies. Iran is not a place for conspiracies or espionage followed by assassinations. Investors are welcome to invest in our country, he added. On Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said his country is "ready to engage in earnest" to seal a deal, but described "a significant wall of mistrust" between the two countries. Top Iranian officials have been debating whether Tehran should rethink its regional strategy, including cutting back support for armed militant groups. Tensions between the U.S. and Iran remain high, with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent recently denouncing Irans reckless pursuit of nuclear weapons as a menace to regional stability. Previously, Trump said he would prefer a new nuclear accord, but Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei ruled out talks with Washington at a time when it has intensified its maximum pressure strategy on the Islamic Republic. The Islamic Republic began enriching uranium close to the level needed for nuclear bombs in 2021, three years after Trump withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA nuclear deal of 2015. The Trump administration has restored "maximum pressure" in a bid to eliminate its oil export revenue in order to slow Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Back in February, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported that Irans stockpile of uranium enriched close to weapon-grade level has increased more than 50% over the past couple of months. Iran ramped up production of uranium enriched to 60% levels of purity since November in defiance to being censured by the IAEA. That material can quickly be upgraded to weapon-grade levels, a concern long held by the US, Europe and Israel despite Irans repeated denials that its nuclear development is for military use. According to the IAEA, as of Feb. 8, Iran had 274.8 kilograms (605.8 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60%, an increase of 92.5 kilograms (203.9 pounds) since the IAEAs last report in November. The significantly increased production and accumulation of high enriched uranium by Iran, the only non-nuclear weapon state to produce such material, is of serious concern, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi wrote in the 14-page report seen by Bloomberg. Meanwhile, Irans oil exports are expected to decline after a raft of sanctions both by the Biden and Trump administrations. The Trump administration imposed further sanctions on more than 30 people and vessels for selling and transporting Iranian petroleum-related products as part of the countrys"shadow fleet". The growing number of oil tankers sanctioned by the United States has been limiting the availability for Iran to ship its crude. There are only a number of tankers on the market willing to take high-risk sanctioned oil and now Iran needs to compete with Russia and Venezuela to secure them, Muyu Xu, a senior crude oil analyst at Kpler said. Iran mainly uses subterfuge to transport its crude. Last month, Iraq's oil minister Hayan Abdel-Ghani reported that Iranian oil tankers seized by U.S. forces in the Gulf were using forged Iraqi documents, "We received some verbal inquiries about oil tankers being detained in the Gulf by U.S. naval forces carrying Iraqi shipping manifests," the oil minister said on state television late on Sunday. "It turned out that these tankers were Iranian ... and were using forged Iraqi documents. We explained this to the relevant authorities with complete transparency and they also confirmed this." Irans oil exports saw a strong rebound under the Biden administration with the U.S. and its allies hoping to strike a new nuclear deal with Tehran after Trump scuttled the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) deal of 2015. Under the former Trump administration, Iranian oil production tumbled from 3.8 million barrels per day in early 2018 to less than 2 mb/d in late 2020; in contrast, production rebounded under Biden to 3.2 mb/d. China is Irans biggest customer, with Iranian crude accounting for 13% of its imports. By Alex Kimani for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com After over a year in the making, the takeover of U.S. Steel by Japans Nippon Steel was thwarted by former President Joe Biden in January due to security concerns. Now, President Donald Trump is considering whether to revitalise the deal, even as he introduces tariffs on Japanese imports. In December 2023, Nippon Steel announced it planned to acquire U.S. Steel for $14.9 billion as part of its plan to expand its U.S. assets. It was expected to make Nippon the third-largest global steel producer, contributing around 86 million tons per year of global production. The deal was expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2024. Nippon beat the bids of several other steel producers, including ArcelorMittal and Cleveland-Cliffs. At the time, the United Steelworkers opposed the sale to Nippon, suggesting it was the same greedy shortsighted attitude that has guided U.S. Steel for far too long. The union planned to lobby regulators over the purchase, citing national security concerns. The takeover was also met with concern by several politicians, who were worried about issues such as domestic employment. Following the announcement, Nippon Steel faced staunch opposition from labour unions and politicians and in September 2024, the deal was put on hold for nine months while it was investigated. Concerns centred around the fact that U.S. Steel provides essential commodities to the automotive, construction, and defence industries and the taking over of the firm by a Japanese company could put national security at risk, forcing the U.S. to rely on a foreign country for critical resources. While United Steelworkers and others opposed the deal, there was also significant support for the purchase to go ahead. Nippon Steel was expected to invest in the modernisation of U.S. Steels infrastructure and operations. It would also likely cut production costs, improve operational efficiency and help the company compete more effectively with major international steel firms, such as Indias Tata Steel and Chinas Baowu Steel. Also, as Japan is an ally of the United States, many believed the national security concerns were unfounded. In January this year, former President Biden blocked the Nippon-U.S. Steel deal, citing security concerns and the need to preserve a strong, domestically owned steel industry. The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) quickly extended the deadline for Nippon Steel to abandon the acquisition bid from the 2nd February to 18th June 2025. Nippon Steel responded in disagreement with the decision. The firms Vice Chairman, Takahiro Mori, wrote in a New York Journal opinion piece, Bidens decision to block our acquisition of US Steel appears to be driven more by electoral politics than genuine national security concerns. Japan is a close ally of the United States, and this raises a fundamental question: Will major companies from allied nations be treated as partners or political pawns when they seek to invest in America? The two steel companies launched two joint lawsuits in January, one against Biden and senior administration officials and another accusing USW and Cleveland-Cliffs of using their longstanding alliance to obstruct the deal through regulatory and political channels. In April, President Trump ordered CFIUS to conduct a review of the proposed acquisition to determinewhether further action in this matter may be appropriate. CFIUS has been given 45 days to submit a recommendation on whether the deal should go ahead. Late on Monday, the Trump administration and the two firms requested that the appeals court pause their litigation until 5th June to await the CFIUS verdict. Following the presidential action, U.S. Steels stock jumped over 16 percent, closing at $44.49 a share on 7th April. Nippon Steel shares rose by nearly 10 percent in Tokyo the following morning. Nippon Steel released a statement saying, We have been confident from the outset that an objective, fact-based review of our proposed partnership with U.S. Steel will show that it strengthens American economic and national security. Meanwhile, a U.S. Steel spokesperson said the company is looking forward to continuing to work closely with President Trump and his administration to finalise this significant and important investment. Trump had previously opposed the deal, but after a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in February, the U.S. president appeared to be more open to Nippons involvement in U.S. steel. However, in a phone call with Trump, Ishiba failed to convince the U.S. president to agree to a tariff exemption for Japan, although the two leaders did agree to further discuss the issue. The imposition of tariffs could harm investment by Japanese firms in the U.S., according to Ishiba, which brings the Nippon-U.S. Steel deal into question. Whether the acquisition will go ahead, after over a year of delays and doubt, will depend on several factors, including the CFIUS recommendation, the appeals court decision, and the final decision on U.S. tariffs on Japan. By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The United States could halt Iranian oil exports if it increases pressure on Tehran to ensure that it will never obtain a nuclear weapon, U.S. Secretary of Energy, Chris Wright, told Reuters during a visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The U.S. allies in the Gulf region, which include the UAE and Saudi Arabia, are very concerned by the prospect of an Iran with a nuclear weapon and share the U.S. position that Iran shouldnt be allowed to have one, Secretary Wright told Reuters. The top U.S. energy official is on a tour in the Middle East in what is his first official foreign visit since taking office. In his talks with Saudi, Emirati, and Qatari officials, the U.S. energy secretary is expected to seek to ensure an abundant global supply of oil from countries that are not under U.S. sanctions. In restoring the maximum pressure campaign on Iran, U.S. President Donald Trump directed the Secretary of State to implement a robust and continual campaign, in coordination with the Secretary of the Treasury and other relevant executive departments or agencies, to drive Irans export of oil to zero, including exports of Iranian crude to the Peoples Republic of China. After tightening the screws on Irans oil trade and oil flows, the Trump Administration is seeking negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. The U.S. and Iran are preparing for high-level nuclear talks in Oman on Saturday, with Omans Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi acting as an intermediary in the indirect U.S.-Iran discussions. Ali Shamkhani, a senior adviser to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, posted on X on Friday that Irans foreign minister heads to Oman with full authority for indirect talks with the U.S. Tehran seeks a real, just dealaway from media show and rhetoric. Key proposals are ready. If Washington shows determination for a deal, the path to agreement will be clear, Shamkhani wrote. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The April market rout, which crashed oil prices into the low $60s per barrel, is creating additional fiscal challenges to petrostates and oil-producing countries heavily dependent on oil revenues, on top of any tariff-related hardships. As Brent Crude prices sank to $63 per barrel, major producers in the Gulf region, as well as Brazil and Nigeria, are looking to contain the fallout from the price plunge. Russias central bank has already signaled that the oil price decline could hit its economy hard. Oil at $60 is about $20 to $30 per barrel lower than what many major oil exporters in the Gulf need to balance their budgets. For Saudi Arabia, the worlds top crude oil exporter, its budget breakeven price is $91 per barrel, as estimated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). With prices much lower than the breakeven price, Saudi Arabia may have to accelerate government borrowing and slow or delay spending on its ambitious futuristic megalomaniac projects. Another major Gulf oil producer, Kuwait, last month approved a financing and liquidity law that will allow OPECs fourth-largest producer to return to the debt market after eight years. Kuwaits economy remains in recession due to OPEC+ production cuts, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in December 2024, adding that the economy is highly exposed to commodity price volatility and a global growth slowdown. The price crash of the past week isnt helping at all. The oil price drop weve seen over the last week has taken us into territory where for a lot of oil-dependent economies, its not going to be what they need to balance their budgets, nowhere close, Richard Bronze, head of geopolitics at Energy Aspects, told Reuters this week. For Russia, the oil market meltdown in recent days could pose risks to the economy, Russias Central Bank Governor Elvira Nabiullina said earlier this week. If the escalation of the tariff wars continues, this usually leads to a decline in global trade and the global economy and, possibly, demand for our energy resources. Therefore, there are risks here, Nabiullina was quoted as saying by Russias TASS news agency. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Crude oil prices were on track to book their second consecutive weekly loss as markets reel from Trumps tariff offensive, although they stabilized somewhat after the U.S. president announced a 90-day pause on the levies. At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading at $63.01 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediate at $59.74 per barrel. The weekly change in the prices is not very radical, compared with last weeks drop, thanks to the pause that Trump took markets by surprise with on Thursday. The weekly loss for Brent crude, according to Reuters, will be 4% and the loss for WTI is estimated at 3.8%. Last week, both benchmarks shed as much as 11%. While the pause offers some relief to markets, theres still plenty of uncertainty on the trade front, ING commodity analysts Warren Patterson and Ewa Manthey wrote in a note earlier today. This uncertainty is still likely to drag on global growth, which is clearly a concern for oil demand. Still, conditions are not looking as bad as they were just a few days ago. The main factor exerting pressure on oil prices continues to be fear of a global recession, as the effect of the tariff pause is yet to be processed by market players fully. ANZ analysts have estimated that if global economic growth slows to below 3%, oil consumption will shed 1%. For now, the situation remains uncertain, with both the United States and China signaling they were willing to negotiate a deal but keeping the pressure on the other, too. Chinas latest retaliatory move after Trump imposed more tariffs on Chinese imports was to restrict imports of Hollywood movies. The move appears to be largely symbolic, according to analysts, because Hollywood productions have been generating diminishing returns in China over the past few years, Reuters reported. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Venezuelan state-owned oil firm PDVSA has revoked authorizations to U.S. supermajor Chevron to load and export crude from Venezuela this month, following the Trump Administrations increased sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports and tariffs on its oil buyers, Reuters reports, quoting sources familiar with the matter. The Trump Administration has already revoked Chevrons license to operate in Venezuela and export oil from its oilfields, with May 27 the deadline for Chevron to wind down its operations in the South American country. U.S. President Donald Trump has also announced that any country that buys oil or gas from Venezuela will pay a 25% secondary tariff on trades with the United States. The tariffs stalled trade between Venezuela and China, the biggest buyer of oil from Venezuela. However, loadings to China have resumed this week, according to Reuterss sources. The cancellations of the authorizations to Chevron by PDVSA are the first impact the U.S. supermajor sees from the U.S.-Venezuela standoff because the company has a license until May 27, allowing it to load crude in April. Two of PDVSAs cancellations were for tankers that have already loaded crude, so the oil will have to be returned to Venezuelas ports, the sources told Reuters. The Trump Administration has also revoked licenses for supermajors Shell and BP and their partners to operate natural gas projects offshore Venezuela that plan to send gas to Trinidad and Tobago, the Caribbean islands Prime Minister Stuart Young has said. Since taking office in January, President Trump has started to tighten the screws on Venezuelan oil industry and exports, revoking Chevrons license and the licenses of the European firms to export crude from the South American country, which holds the worlds largest crude oil reserves. The U.S. Treasury has revoked a license for French oil firm Maurel & Prom to operate in Venezuela and is no longer allowing firms including Eni and Repsol to receive oil from Venezuelan state oil firm PDVSA in lieu of payments. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Crude oil exports from Saudi Arabia to China are expected to increase substantially next month, thanks to the sizable price cut by the Saudis, Reuters reported today, citing unnamed sources. Volume allocations to Chinese refiners reveal that Saudi exports in May will rise to 48 million barrels from the 35.5 million barrels scheduled for delivery this month. Saudi Arabia cut the official selling prices for its oil sharply ahead of a production boost set for next month. The sharpest cut was made for the price of oil sold in Asia, with flagship Arab Light set to be $2.30 per barrel cheaper in May, at a premium of $1.20 per barrel over the Dubai/Oman benchmark. This is the deepest price cut in over two years, Reuters reported earlier in the week. The move comes amid the oil price rout that followed President Trumps announcement of a flurry of tariffs on all trade partners, notably China, which is the worlds largest oil importer. China retaliated promptly with its own tariffs on all U.S. imports, including oil and gas, adding pressure to prices. Saudi Arabia is the second-largest oil supplier to China after Russia. Meanwhile, Chinas imports from Iran increased substantially in March as importers sought to stock up ahead of a possible further tightening of U.S. sanctions on Tehran. According to data from Kpler, Iranian crude accounted for 13% of Chinas total imports of crude last month. In absolute terms, Iranian imports rose to 1.37 million barrels daily, up from 747,000 barrels daily in February. On the other hand, U.S. crude oil exports to the worlds largest importer have shriveled and are about to stop altogether. 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. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com JENA, La. Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil can be forced out of the country as a national security risk, an immigration judge in Louisiana ruled Friday after lawyers argued the legality of deporting the activist who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The governments contention that Khalils presence in the U.S. posed potentially serious foreign policy consequences satisfied requirements for deportation, Immigration Judge Jamee E. Comans said at a hearing in Jena. Comans said the government established by clear and convincing evidence that he is removable. After the immigration court hearing, Khalil attorney Marc Van Der Hout told a New Jersey federal judge that Khalil will appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals within weeks. So nothing is going to happen quickly, he said. Addressing the judge at the end of the immigration hearing, Khalil recalled her saying at a hearing earlier in the week that there's nothing more important to this court than due process rights and fundamental fairness." Clearly what we witnessed today, neither of these principles were present today or in this whole process, he added. "This is exactly why the Trump administration has sent me to the court, 1,000 miles away from my family." Van Der Hout, also criticized the hearing's fairness. Today, we saw our worst fears play out: Mahmoud was subject to a charade of due process, a flagrant violation of his right to a fair hearing, and a weaponization of immigration law to suppress dissent," Van Der Hout said in a statement. Khalil, a legal U.S. resident, was detained by federal immigration agents March 8 in the lobby of his university-owned apartment, the first arrest under President Donald Trumps promised crackdown on students who joined campus protests against the war in Gaza. Within a day, he was flown across the country to an immigration detention center in Jena, far from his attorneys and wife, a U.S. citizen due to give birth soon. Khalils lawyers challenged the legality of his detention, saying the Trump administration is trying to block free speech protected by the First Amendment. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited a rarely used statute to justify Khalils deportation, which gives him power to deport those who pose potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States. At Fridays hearing, Van Der Hout told the judge that the governments submissions to the court prove the attempt to deport his client has nothing to do with foreign policy and said the government is trying to deport him for protected speech. Khalil, a Palestinian born and raised in Syria after his grandparents were forcibly removed from their ancestral home in Tiberias, isnt accused of breaking any laws during the protests at Columbia. The government, however, has said noncitizens who participate in such demonstrations should be expelled from the country for expressing views that the administration considers to be antisemitic and pro-Hamas, referring to the Palestinian militant group that attacked Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Khalil, a 30-year-old international affairs graduate student, served as a negotiator and spokesperson for student activists at Columbia University who took over a campus lawn last spring to protest Israels military campaign in Gaza. The university summoned police to dismantle the encampment after a small group of protesters seized an administration building. Khalil is not accused of participating in the building occupation and wasnt among those arrested. But images of his maskless face at protests and his willingness to share his name with reporters drew scorn from those who viewed the protesters and their demands as antisemitic. The White House accused Khalil of siding with terrorists but hasn't cited support for the claim. Federal judges in New York and New Jersey ordered the government not to deport Khalil while his case plays out in multiple courts. The Trump administration said it is taking at least $400 million in federal funding away from research programs at Columbia and its medical center to punish it for not adequately fighting what it considers to be antisemitism on campus. Some Jewish students and faculty members complained about being harassed during the demonstrations or ostracized because of their faith or their support of Israel. Immigration authorities cracked down on other critics of Israel on college campuses, arresting a Georgetown University scholar who spoke out on social media about the Israel-Gaza war, canceling the student visas of some protesters and deporting a Brown University professor who they said attended the Lebanon funeral of a leader of Hezbollah, another militant group that fought with Israel. ___ Brumback reported from Atlanta. Associated Press reporter Larry Neumeister in New York contributed. 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. The University of Nebraska Board of Regents on Friday removed references to race and diversity in its policies and bylaws in an effort to comply with a directive issued by the Trump administration earlier this year. Regents approved the changes over the objections of faculty members and students, who urged the board to resist overcomplying with the new federal guidelines, which they said did not carry the weight of law. The move comes two months after the U.S. Department of Education issued a Dear Colleague letter directing schools, colleges and universities to end diversity practices or risk losing federal funding. The Feb. 14 letter signed by Craig Trainor, the departments acting assistant secretary of civil rights, instructed educational institutions to end racial preferences in admissions, financial aid, hiring and other areas. Despite the letter acknowledging that it does not carry the weight of law, NU announced its intention to amend several policies days before the Trump administrations deadline for doing so in order to show its intention to comply with the Education Department. Still, NU has continued to see its federal funding drop precipitously in recent weeks as the so-called Department of Government Efficiency has canceled or paused millions of dollars in grants and contracts. University of Nebraska President Jeffrey Gold previously told the Legislatures Appropriations Committee that NU was monitoring more than $178 million in lost federal funding as of April 1 which the university said would greatly affect its operations. Earlier this week, dozens of UNL students, faculty and staff attended a rally opposing the changes, which they said were part of a broader attack on academic freedom in higher education. The changes eliminate references to diversity, race, ethnicity and other related matters in NUs policies on employment, admissions standards, student recruitment and setting tuition prices. During Fridays meeting, which was held at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Stephanie Bondi, an associate professor of practice of education administration at UNL, said the proposed changes would hurt the state. Theres decades of research that tell us what will happen when we dont have programs and policies that explicitly reflect who our students are and say that we will protect them, Bondi said. Campuses that embrace diversity programs have higher retention and graduation rates, Bondi said, while harassment and violence goes down, Bondi said. Crystal Garcia, an associate professor of educational leadership, also at UNL, told regents that other colleges and universities that complied with Trump administration orders did not escape consequences. Columbia University was recently coerced by the Trump administration with threats to freeze $400 million in federal funding, Garcia said. Columbia complied with the Trump administrations demands. Did they restore their funding? No, instead (the National Institutes of Health) froze an additional $300 million in Columbias funding. Garcia asked regents to take a stand for the future of higher education in Nebraska and everywhere. Board members acknowledged they felt they had little choice but to comply. During consideration of the first amendment to NUs bylaws eliminating language referencing affirmative action in employment at NU and replacing it with providing equal opportunities, Omaha Regent Elizabeth OConnor said the university was put in a difficult position. The letter from the Education Department did not clearly define what DEI was, leaving the university to make its best guess for how to comply and avoid consequences, she added. OConnor said any action could leave a lasting impact that would be difficult to rectify down the road. Today is just one piece of unraveling support for students and research supported by DEI, OConnor said. I believe that it is just the beginning, and it will be hard to reverse the damage done in the future. UNL Student Regent Elizabeth Herbin said voting to strip language related to diversity and inclusion from university policy ran counter to the promises she made to students at the states largest public university campus. While I understand that these are language changes, it is important that we recognize the way that our language affects students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders in the NU system, Herbin said. Language inspires action. Regent Jim Scheer of Norfolk said he didnt disagree with OConnor or the student regents who indicated they were opposed to the changes but was concerned about the potential consequences of noncompliance. I dont know the extent of the damage we could do by not passing them, Scheer said. I dont want to cause a financial problem that is much greater than the verbiage problem that were talking about. Scheer told the board he believed that if NU allowed language referencing race, ethnicity, diversity and inclusion to remain in its bylaws and policies, it could lose Pell Grant funding. Im not going to be cavalier enough to say Im going to take a stand symbolically, because when those people, those students, dont get their Pell Grants and their funding, theyre no longer students, Scheer added. And I think the education of those students outweighs the value of this symbolic vote to withstand the pressures put on us, he added. Regent Kathy Wilmot said she felt it was important that we continue to have educational opportunities for the students of Nebraska. The amendment was adopted on a 6-2 vote, with OConnor and Omaha Regent Barb Weitz in opposition. Three of the four student regents also voted against the change, although their votes are symbolic. The board also approved several changes to its policies, including allowing for NU to consider underrepresented racial/ethnic groups that enhance the cultural diversity of the universitys campuses in setting tuition prices and to seek to improve cultural diversity through out-of-state recruiting. Oregon Governor Tina Koteks $9,330 taco party. By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com Under liberal dominance, Oregon is entering a new age of government partying at your expense. When Governor Tina Kotek was faulted by state auditors for throwing a $9,330 taco-tostada party for government employees, her office responded by saying that the party is what all the governors did so it is OK despite violating state law. Same with throwing her wife a $200,000 conference at taxpayers expense to only serve 28 actual guests. At the same time these events made headlines, so did the news that the Oregon Forestry Department executives held a retreat at a Bend luxury resort, Brasada Ranch, which charges $428/night and features hot tubs in every shared guest cabin. The State Forester soon resigned. OLCC manager was hospitalized for alcohol poisoning after over-drinking at a national liquor conference. It has been this way for a long time. An Oregon Education Audit revealed a $13,000 government retirement party on a boat. In 2019, Portland Public Schools spent $13,000 for a group retirement party aboard a boat that included $1,068 for flowers shipped from Hawaii and $1,700 spent on crystal appreciation giveaway gifts. Now the 2025 Legislature wants to join the party: HB 3595 gives free paid holiday for government workers on Lunar New Years. SB 489 pays school staff (teacher assistants, bus drivers) to NOT WORK during summer break. SB 916 pays benefits to people who leave work to strike. Even local governments are in on the action: Washington County Clean Water Services CEO, Diane Taniguchi-Dennis, has been attending conferences in Hawaii, staying at five-star hotels and enjoying expensive meals funded by ratepayers. Portland Police Deputy Administrator for Public Safety earns $277,000 a year, works remotely from Vegas. WHAT GOVERNMENT PARTY ON TAX DIME DID WE MISS??? EMAIL US Help us spread the word about government partying with your tax dollars! Contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty). (Source: Oregon Education Audit 1/2019) By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com On April 5th, Oregonians held mass protests statewide which included a lot of class warfare signs including calls to ban billionaires, Billionaires shouldnt exist, less billionaires and Deport the billionaires. Also on April 5th, Willamette Week had a news headline saying that Oregons high estate tax is driving away higher income earners. A Tax Foundation estimate put the loss from Oregons extreme estate tax (only 12 states have them) is near $500 million tax dollars lost in tax revenue. The protesters class warfare wishes are coming true!!! Here is another headline from last year. The protesters not only wish to ban and attack billionaires it also extends to most upper income brackets. One sign says if you make a million dollars you cant be a friend of the movement. Speaking of eating the rich, one protest sign said their flesh is a good source of protein. With calls to attack certain classes of Oregonians, protestors also took time to showcase violence. There was a Off with their heads sign, a guillotine sign and a second guillotine sign chopping off the hands of Trump and Elon Musk. Class warfare is not harmless. It was used by the Soviet Union, Cuba, Venezuela and North Korea to impoverish their people and rob them of their human rights. Now in Oregon we see people firebombing Tesla dealerships and even using lasers to try to blind Tesla employees and customers. We see people murdering CEOs in cold blood and then rationalizing it by the media. Please follow our other articles on the messages coming out form the April 5, anti-Trump protest in Oregon. We are telling you the stories that the media is leaving out. Please contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty). By Taxpayers Association of Oregon OregonWatchdog.com PPS Board Frustrated with Districts Bond Measure (Measure 26-259): The Math Aint Mathin Portland Public Schools (PPS) is asking for more than $1.3 billion from taxpayers with Measure 26-259 on the May 20, 2025 ballot. However, if the latest Board of Education meeting is any indication, voters should think long and hard before opening their wallets. The discussion, heavily focused on updates to the high school modernization projects for Jefferson, Ida B. Wells, and Cleveland High Schools, revealed a district struggling to contain costs and seemingly deaf to the realities of declining enrollment and pressing financial needs across the district. Staff presented updates on the cost reduction studies mandated by the board. According to the boards framework, the goal is to bring the building sizes down to approximately 295,000 gross square feet. Preliminary figures suggest potential cost reductions of: $25 million to $33 million for Jefferson, $3 million to $15 million for Ida B. Wells, and $7 million to $18 million for Cleveland. However, these reductions are relative to previously inflated budgets, and the overall price tags remain staggering. The presentations consistently hovered around the $450 million mark per high school, even after the supposed cost-cutting measures. Board member Gary Hollands echoed the frustration of many taxpayers and voters: Were still at this $450 [million per school] number. Im just really curious where was the savings at, because $3 to $15 million dollars is not really a savings when were talking about almost a half-a-billion-dollar schools. Hollands is right. After weeks of working to reduce costs, PPS staff managed to cut only 3% from projected costs. A significant point of contention arose over the districts unwavering commitment to making the modernized high schools all-electric, a decision with substantial financial implications. While framed as aligning with climate justice policies, several board members voiced concerns about the cost-benefit analysis, especially given the dire needs of other schools in the district. The electrical goal is gonna cost us $50 million, is that something we want to invest all that in? challenged Holland. This highlights a fundamental disagreement about priorities: extravagant features in a few high schools versus addressing critical safety and infrastructure needs across the entire district. Board members also expressed frustration with the process and the justification for the exorbitant costs, with board member Herman Greene noting, The math aint mathin, and demanding, Find me another school in the country thats building a single solitary school for $400 and something million dollars, and then lets talk about it. This candid statement underscores the publics bewilderment at the seemingly unchecked spending. Explanations citing values like all-electric infrastructure and local laborwhile popular with Portlandersdo little to alleviate the sticker shock compared to school construction costs elsewhere. The timeline for these projects remains uncertain, with further design work and cost estimations needed. The promise of updated comprehensive plans in the future offers little comfort to taxpayers who have seen similar assurances before, often followed by budget overruns and construction delays. Board member Greenes pointed question about preventing future cost overruns went largely unanswered during the meeting, a worrying sign for the fiscal responsibility of these massive undertakings. Greene asked: Were wasting a lot of money, were losing a lot of money because we said it was going to cost us X amount of dollars, and then somewhere along the line we went over by 50 million and then some more million and like when does this stop? When does the bleeding stop? Given the districts declining enrollment directly impacting state funding, the massive price tags for these high school modernizations appear increasingly unsustainable. While the board touts potential future savings and points to a balance for additional modernization initiatives, the immediate focus remains on these multi-hundred-million-dollar projects. Portland voters face a critical decision. Should we continue lavishly spending on a few high schools while other schools crumble and academic achievement stagnates? Or do we hit pause on this proposal and demand PPS to come back with a more fiscally responsible plan that addresses the needs of all students and reflects the districts current realities? The answer should be clear: its time for PPS to go back to the drawing board and present a proposal that earns the communitys trust and financial support. Contribute online at OregonWatchdog.com (learn about a Charitable Tax Deduction or Political Tax Credit options to promote liberty). BLOOMINGTON A Cook County man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison after a McLean County jury found him guilty of injuring another man during a 2022 shoot-out. Brian K. Burnett, 34, of Blue Island, appeared for a sentencing hearing Thursday afternoon before Judge Jason Chambers. He was initially indicted in April 2023 for a March 2022 shooting, which occurred near Forrest Park in Bloomington. During the shooting, a man was shot in the back of the head. His injuries were not fatal. Burnett was subsequently charged with one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, a Class X felony; two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, Class 1 felonies; and unlawful use of a firearm by a felon, a Class 2 felony. After a three-day jury trial and approximately three hours of deliberations, he was found guilty in February of three charges: one count of aggravated battery with a firearm, two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm. He was acquitted on the Class 2 felony. The three guilty counts were merged for sentencing purposes. Burnett was eligible for a sentence between six and 30 years in prison to be served at 85% and followed by three years of mandatory supervised release. Case background Two codefendants were also charged in this offense; brothers Jaylin S. Bones, 24, of Bloomington, and Kenyon J. Bones, 23, of Peoria. They were each charged with aggravated battery with a firearm, a Class X felony; two counts of aggravated discharge of a firearm, Class 1 felonies; and aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, a Class 4 felony. Prosecutors at Burnett's trial said he had arranged to purchase 3 pounds of cannabis for $6,000 from a drug dealer in Bloomington on March 11, 2022, agreeing to meet the dealer on Goose Creek Drive. The dealer met up with Burnett who was accompanied by the Bones brothers. The dealer, who drove a red Ford vehicle, met them in the parking lot. Two other men were inside the Ford when they all arrived at the agreed upon location. Both the prosecuting and defense attorneys agreed Burnett had reached into the dealer's vehicle, trying to take the cannabis without paying for it. When the man began driving off, the Bones brothers and Burnett instigated a shoot-out against the three men in the vehicle, prosecutors said. The Ford vehicle crashed into other parked cars, and the driver fell onto the ground. The driver of the vehicle suffered a blow to the back of the head, and Kenyon Bones was shot as well. The two other men in the red Ford fled the scene while Burnett, Kenyon Bones and Jaylin Bones left in a red Kia, which crashed shortly after at the intersection of Oakland and Euclid avenues. During the collision, Burnett broke his hip, but he continued to flee with the other two men. A fourth person picked up the defendants in a blue Jeep and left the area. They went to Peoria for treatment at a hospital the next morning. Burnett was in custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections for another matter when he was indicted. Jaylin Bones was also in custody at the time of indictment in this case, held in the McLean County Jail on murder charges. Jaylin Bones was found guilty of murder in June 2024 and sentenced to 80 years in prison in the shooting death of Timothy Q. Manns, 29, of Bloomington, on Jan. 24, 2022. Kenyon Bones had a pretrial hearing Thursday, and Jaylin Bones is set for a jury trial May 12 for the March 2022 incident. Sentencing recommendations Before the sentencing hearing commenced, Assistant Public Defender David Butler requested Burnett be acquitted on his convictions, citing the accountability theory which the defense attorney said gave Burnett responsibility over the crime, even though he was not believed to fire the shots that hit the victim. "They did not prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," Butler said. The defense attorney argued if Burnett is not acquitted, he should be given a new trial. Assistant State's Attorney David Rossi disagreed and said the defense would have had to make these statements before the day of the sentencing. The judge agreed with the prosecution and denied the defense's request for an acquittal or new trial. "I'm innocent. We all make mistakes," Burnett said to the judge before sentencing recommendations. "I had no parts in the shooting." Burnett told the judge his childhood had included playing sports, playing drums in his church band and graduating high school. He eventually became a homeowner, husband and father. "I was never a street kid," Burnett said. In making sentence recommendations, Rossi called the shooting "exceptionally dangerous." The prosecutor said three people were struck by gunfire, followed by the high speed fleeing after the shooting. "You're not a child when you're 31 years old doing this," Rossi said. Rossi noted Burnett's criminal history, which includes prior felony convictions and a prison sentence. The state requested Burnett be sentenced to 15 years in prison for this offense. Butler argued the defendant was not the shooter and could not have anticipated what would happen. He asked the judge to sentence Burnett closer to the minimum sentence of six years in prison. "This young man didn't have a great start," Butler said. Chambers issued a sentence of 18 years in the Department of Corrections to be served at 85%, which is approximately 13 years and six months. The share of before-tax income going to the richest 1% of taxpayers more than doubled since the 1980s, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. This massive upward redistribution of income was primarily a result of the ability of the rich to structure the economy in ways that benefited them: Trade agreements, longer and stronger patent monopolies, and a hugely bloated financial industry. This was not enough for the nations rich. The wealthiest also demanded that politicians give them lower tax rates. And the politicians have responded to this demand from their wealthy campaign contributors. The top tax rate for very high-income people fell from 70% in the 1970s to 35% today. The tax rate on capital gains, which accounts for most of the income of the rich and super-rich, is now 20%. The tax rate on corporate profits fell from 50% in the 1970s to 21% today. That may sound bad for those concerned about fair taxes, but it worsens. Billionaire White House adviser Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency plan to fire thousands of workers at the Internal Revenue Service. This includes auditors the people who make sure the wealthy and large corporations pay the taxes they owe. Most of us have little choice in paying our taxes because they are deducted from our paychecks. But this is not the case with the rich and corporations. They must report their income and profits to the IRS and then calculate the taxes they owe. The auditors at the IRS are supposed to review these tax forms to ensure the wealthy arent cheating the government. Musks firings signal to the rich they will no longer face much scrutiny. If the wealthy and big corporations dont feel like paying their taxes, to a large extent, they no longer have to. Incredibly, we are making the situation even more unfair with the massive taxes on imports that President Donald Trump is imposing (he prefers to call them tariffs). While we dont know all the items that will be covered, a tax increase of close to $1 trillion annually is possible. On average, this would come to more than $7,000 per household, and the burden would fall disproportionately on middle-income families. This is because the rich typically dont spend all their income, and they spend more on services such as restaurants and travel, which will be less affected by Trumps tax hikes on imported goods. This is the most anti-worker tax policy the United States has ever seen. In effect, the government is penalizing the people left behind in the last half-century. It doesnt need to be this way. Congress has plenty of room to raise taxes on the big winners in this economy. The United States saw rapid wage and income growth in the quarter century after World War II when the top tax rate for the rich was between 70% and 90%. Growth also surged in the 1990s, when President Bill Clinton raised the top tax rate from 31% to 39%. Higher taxes on the wealthy have not kept the economy from growing. We also need to make sure the wealthy and large corporations pay the taxes they owe. This means hiring back all the people at the IRS that Musk is firing, and probably a few more. We also can ensure we collect the corporate taxes as intended by making stock price appreciation the basis of the corporate tax, rather than profits. Companies can lie about their profits, but they cant hide how much their stock rose. Higher taxes on rich people also will make it more difficult for the rich to buy elections. People with fortunes in the tens or hundreds of billions of dollars can single-handedly make even the most incompetent politician into a credible candidate. Preserving democracy is another good reason for raising taxes on the rich. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In a hidden pocket of Tampa Bay mangrove forest, Steve Murawski's team of scientists caught a Centropomus undecimalis, the common snook. At 22 inches and with a jet-black line running horizontally across its body, 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 bay's most coveted fish species: spotted seatrout, redfish, sheepshead and snook. Fish No. 682 came minutes later, also a snook. A handful of the region's top recreational fishing charter captains have partnered with scientists from the University of South Florida's College of Marine Science in St. Petersburg for the five-year study to catch and sample the popular species along the shores of the estuary's 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 university's lab for a cocktail of contaminants, including pesticides, pharmaceuticals, a durable group of slow-to-break-down "forever chemicals" and more. "Tampa Bay is one of the fishing hotspots of western Florida and the Gulf, so if there are any threats to consuming these fish, it's important for us to know about them," said Murawski, a professor of oceanography at the College of Marine Science and the project's principal investigator. "The animals that we're 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 that's 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 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. That's why the professional charter captain of more than 17 years happily agreed to help the university's researchers determine what's fouling fish. "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. It's a really important thing." Plus, the project's results could help local governments pinpoint where the bay's 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 bay's southern end, that could signal there is a wastewater pollution problem in the northern bay. It's 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. "This is not just a bellwether, it's 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." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. The project is building on recent studies that have showed "potentially problematic" levels of pollution in Tampa Bay's 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 Murawski's 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, they've divided the bay geographically into six segments. The team's goal is to catch 10 animals of all the desired species in each segment every seasonor 960 fish each year, according to the project. Spending so much time on the water, there's no shortage of fish tales among the team: Alexandra Lee, a master's 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. "When I joined this project, I knew I'd 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 she's been out on the water at least 30 times since research began last year. She's 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 Murawski's lab convened in the university's marine science lab to dissect the fish and collect samples. Kylee Rullo, a Ph.D. student in Murawski's lab, held up a stony piece of white bone pulled from a dissected snook. Scientists call this an otolith, or the fish's ear bone. You can learn a lot from an otolith, Rullo explained, "Like counting rings in a tree, you can determine a fish's age and growth rate." 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 fishand how does that influence their health and their decision-making?" Lee said. "We just really want to educate people." 2025 Tampa Bay Times. Visit tampabay.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Stray cats whose lives were spared thanks to a Community Cat Program. Credit: University of Queensland University of Queensland research has found evidence-based, nonlethal cat management strategies save lives, reduce stray populations and ease the emotional toll on staff involved in euthanasia. Emeritus Professor Jacquie Rand from UQ's School of Veterinary Science said cats were more likely to be euthanized because they were homeless than to die of any single disease because current management practices in Australia were ineffective. "We need a better solution for cats and animal management staff who are at risk of developing mental health issues from euthanizing a continuous stream of healthy cats and kittens," Emeritus Professor Rand said. Co-author Dr. Rebekah Scotney said the study found free cat desexing, microchipping and registration programs were an effective solution. This research was published in two papers in the journal Animals. "One local government-funded program that ran for eight years, reduced cat impoundments by 66%, euthanasia by 82%, and complaints about nuisance animals by 36%," Dr. Scotney said. Current management practices in Australia require owners to confine, desex, microchip and sometimes register their cats to avoid a fine. Emeritus Professor Rand said the approach failed to address the systemic reasons why cats were wandering and breeding in urban areas. "People in disadvantaged communities where free-roaming cats are most prevalent often can't afford desexing and containment costs," she said. "By removing financial barriers and penalties, communities are more likely to work with authorities and alert them to strays without fear of fines or the cat they care for being euthanized. "The Community Cat Programs in the study showed many people caring for stray cats will take ownership if they're supported to get them desexed, microchipped and registered." Research co-author Jennifer Cotterell from the Australian Pet Welfare Foundation (APWF) previously worked as a council animal management officer where she said her only option was to take stray cats to a pound up to 5 times a day. "Many of these cats were healthy, happy, tame cats who were put to sleep because there was a very low reclaim rate at the pound," Cotterell said. "The turning point for me was finding a beautiful little kitten and my co-worker sat in the pound car park calling everyone we knew trying to rehome it, but we couldn't and it was euthanized. "I told my boss I couldn't work like that anymore and started developing a pilot program to trial a different approach. "APWF developed a program and secured a Queensland government research permit to desex and microchip stray cats and return them to the compassionate people caring for them. "These cats are often timid and shy and are at high risk of euthanasia in a shelter. "Free-roaming cats in urban areas need to be managed differently to other feral cats who don't rely on people for food and care. "Changes in state and local government laws and bylaws are needed so these effective programs that allow stray cats to be desexed can be expanded. "This will turn off the tap of unwanted kittens being born to be euthanized or become strays." More information: Jennifer Cotterell et al, Urban Cat Management in AustraliaEvidence-Based Strategies for Success, Animals (2025). DOI: 10.3390/ani15081083 Jennifer Cotterell et al, Rethinking Urban Cat ManagementLimitations and Unintended Consequences of Traditional Cat Management, Animals (2025). DOI: 10.3390/ani15071005 Journal information: Animals This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain In 1938, zoologist Ellis Le Geyt Troughton mourned that Australia's "gentle and specialized creatures" were "unable to cope with changed conditions and introduced enemies." The role of these "enemies"namely, foxes and feral catsin driving dozens of Australia's animals towards extinction has solidified into a scientific consensus. This is a simple and plausible story: wily new predators arrive, decimating unwary native mammals. In response, conservationists and governments have declared war on foxes and cats with large-scale trapping, shooting and poisoning campaigns. But did foxes and cats definitely cause the extinction of animals such as the desert bandicoot, lesser bilby and the central hare-wallaby? Our new research shows the evidence base is nowhere near as strong as you might assume. What did we do? We cataloged mammal species experts believe have either declined or gone extinct due to predation by foxes (57 species) and cats (80 species) and searched for primary sources linking foxes and cats to their decline. To assess the evidence, we then asked three simple questions. 1. Did extinctions follow the arrival of new predators? A common claim is that extinctions followed fox and cat arrival and spread. But is it definitely true? To find out, we compiled the last recorded sightings of extinct mammals and compared them to maps estimating the arrival of foxes and cats in the area. We included local extinctions (extinct in an area) and full extinctions, where the species is no more. We found extinction records for 164 local populations of 52 species. Nearly a third (31%) of these records did not confirm the timeline that extinctions followed predator arrival. We found that 44% of the extinctions blamed on foxes and 20% on cats could have happened before predator arrival. Records can be inaccurate. But our findings mean we can't authoritatively state that foxes and cats were at the scene of these crimes. For instance, banded hare-wallabies now live only on two islands in Western Australia. They were last recorded on the mainland 430 years before foxes are known to have arrived. Then there are examples of coexistence. The eastern barred bandicoot lived alongside cats on the mainland for more than 150 years before becoming extinct on the mainland, and the two species continue to live together in Tasmania. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. 2. Is there evidence linking foxes and cats to extinctions? Our study found experts attribute predation pressure from foxes and cats as a reason why 57% of Australia's threatened mammals are at risk of extinction. For this claim to be based on evidence, we would expect to find ecological studies finding these links in most cases. We found 331 studies and categorized each according to whether they contained predator and prey population data and if they found a link between introduced predators and a decline in the prey species. For 76% of threatened species attributed to foxes and 80% for cats, we found no studies supporting this with population data. Experts aren't claiming foxes and cats are the main threat in all these cases. But when we analyzed the data only for the species experts consider at high risk from foxes and cats, we found similar results. For example, foxes and cats are ranked a "high" threat to mountain pygmy possums. We found anecdotes that foxes and cats sometimes eat these possums, but no studies showing they cause population decline. Similarly, foxes are widely linked to the decline of black-footed rock-wallabies. But this claim came from poison-baiting studies which did not report data showing what happened to the fox population. This is important, because killing foxes does not necessarily reduce fox populations. In 50% of studies reporting population data, there was no negative association with these predators. This further weakens the claim that foxes and cats directly drive extinctions. For example, cats are considered a "high" threat to long-nosed potoroos. But population studies on these potoroos don't support this. In fact, these small, seemingly vulnerable animals are able to live alongside feral cats. By contrast, we did find one speciesthe brush-tailed rabbit ratwhich had compelling evidence across all studies linking cats to its decline. 3. Do more introduced predators mean fewer threatened mammals? If introduced predators cause extinctions, we would expect to find that higher predator numbers is associated with lower prey numbers (and vice versa). While correlations such as these don't prove causation, they can give an indication. We conducted a meta-analysis and found a negative correlation with foxes. The more foxes, the fewer threatened mammals. This is the strongest evidence we found for introduced predators putting pressure on these species. But there are limitationsthese findings would be typical for native predators and prey as well. We found no evidence for a correlation with cats. More lines of evidence These aren't the only lines of evidence. Making the strongest case for fox and cat pressure are studies finding extinct species often fall within a critical weight range35 grams to 5.5 kiloswhich are good-sized prey for foxes and cats. While this finding has been debated, it remains strong evidence. But these studies don't explain why Australian animals would be uniquely vulnerable. For millennia, Australia's mammals have lived alongside predators such as dingoes, Tasmanian devils, quolls and wedge-tailed eagles. Conservationists have long believed Australia's endemic mammals are naive or poorly adapted to survive alongside ambush hunters such as foxes and cats. But there's no current evidence for this. Our research has shown Australian rodents respond to foxes in the same way as do North American and Middle Eastern rodents, who evolved alongside foxes. One line of argument goes further to suggest that foxes, cats and dingoes have "rewired" Australian ecosystems following the loss of the thylacine, Tasmanian devil (once common on the mainland) and the long-extinct marsupial lion. What should we conclude? We didn't set out to prove or disprove the idea that foxes and cats drive extinctions. Instead, our study lays out the available primary evidence of historic records and studies to allow readers to draw their own conclusions. Sweeping claims have been made about Australia's introduced predators. But when we analyze the evidence base, we find it ambiguous, weak andin most caseslacking. Foxes and cats have been largely convicted by expert opinion which, while useful, can be prone to bias and groupthink. So what did cause Australia's mammal extinctions? The honest answer is we don't know. It could be foxes and catsbut it could also be something else. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The study presents the first neutron diffraction evidence of antiferromagnetism occurring in a real QC, marking a significant step forward in QC research. Credit: Ryuji Tamura / Tokyo University of Science, Japan Quasicrystals (QCs) are fascinating solid materials that exhibit an intriguing atomic arrangement. Unlike regular crystals, in which atomic arrangements have an ordered repeating pattern, QCs display long-range atomic order that is not periodic. Due to this 'quasiperiodic' nature, QCs have unconventional symmetries that are absent in conventional crystals. Since their Nobel Prize-winning discovery, condensed matter physics researchers have dedicated immense attention toward QCs, attempting to both realize their unique quasiperiodic magnetic order and their possible applications in spintronics and magnetic refrigeration. Ferromagnetism was recently discovered in the gold-gallium-rare earth (Au-Ga-R) icosahedral QCs (iQCs). Yet scientists were not surprised by this observation because translational periodicitythe repeating arrangement of atoms in a crystalis not a prerequisite for the emergence of ferromagnetic order. By contrast, the other fundamental type of magnetic order found in nature, antiferromagnetism, is inherently more sensitive to crystal symmetry. Although theoreticians have long expected the establishment of antiferromagnetism in select QCs, it has yet to be directly observed. Experimentally, most magnetic iQCs exhibit spin-glass-like freezing behavior, with no sign of long-range magnetic order, leading researchers to question whether antiferromagnetism is even compatible with quasiperiodicityuntil now. In a groundbreaking study, a research team has finally discovered antiferromagnetism in a real QC. The team was led by Ryuji Tamura from the Department of Materials Science and Technology at Tokyo University of Science (TUS), along with Takaki Abe, also from TUS, Taku J. Sato from Tohoku University, and Max Avdeev from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization and The University of Sydney. Their study is published in the journal Nature Physics. "As was the case for the first report of antiferromagnetism in a periodic crystal in 1949, we present the first experimental evidence of antiferromagnetism occurring in an iQC," says Tamura. Building upon their recent discovery of ferromagnetism in the Au-Ga-R iQCs, the researchers identified a novel Tsai-type gold-indium-europium (Au-In-Eu) iQC, exhibiting five-fold, three-fold, and two-fold rotational symmetries. The team conducted a series of bulk property measurements and neutron experiments to examine its magnetic nature. Magnetic susceptibility measurements showed a sharp cusp at a temperature of 6.5 Kelvin (K) for both the zero-field cooled and field-cooled conditions, consistent with an antiferromagnetic transition. Specific heat measurements also showed a peak at the same temperature, verifying that the cusp is due to a long-range magnetic order. To further validate their results, the team performed neutron diffraction measurements of the iQC at temperatures of 10 K and 3 K. They observed additional magnetic Bragg peakssharp intensity peaks in the diffraction pattern indicating an ordered magnetic structureat 3 K, which consistently showed an abrupt increase around the transition temperature of 6.5 K in temperature-dependent measurements, providing the first clear evidence of long-range antiferromagnetic order in a real QC. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. As to why the Au-In-Eu iQC hosts an antiferromagnetic phase, the researchers found that, unlike previously studied iQCs, which commonly exhibit a negative Curie-Weiss temperature, this novel iQC has a positive Curie-Weiss temperature. Interestingly, they also discovered that with a slight increase in the electron-per-atom ratio through elemental substitution, the antiferromagnetic phase disappears and the iQC shows spin-glass behavior, much like previous iQCs. This suggests that iQCs with a positive Curie-Weiss temperature favor antiferromagnetic order establishment, opening new avenues for future studies to develop novel antiferromagnetic QCs by controlling the electron-per-atom ratio. "This discovery finally resolves the longstanding issue of whether antiferromagnetic order is possible in real QCs," adds Tamura. "Antiferromagnetic QCs could enable unprecedented functions, such as ultrasoft magnetic responses, and will bring about a revolution in spintronics and magnetic refrigeration in the future." The researchers' discovery aligns with the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs)affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), industry, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9)by building energy-efficient electronics. Solving a decades-long mystery, this discovery not only reinvigorates the search for unexplored antiferromagnetic QCs but also opens a new research field of quasiperiodic antiferromagnets, with implications extending far beyond spintronics. More information: R. Tamura, et al. Observation of antiferromagnetic order in a quasicrystal, Nature Physics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-025-02858-0 Journal information: Nature Physics 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: Two prominent X-ray sources X1 and X2 in Haro 11 associated with star-forming regions Knots B and C. Credit: Astronomy & Astrophysics (2024). DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202449388 Our new study of the nearby starburst galaxy Haro 11 has shown that strong X-ray-emitting superwinds may be a key mechanism enabling galaxies to leak ionizing radiation, which is believed to have played a major role in the cosmic reionization in the early universe. In our study published in Astronomy & Astrophysics, we looked at detailed X-ray data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and ESA's XMM-Newton to examine the X-ray activity of Haro 11, which is a unique Lyman continuum emitter in our nearby universe. Galaxies like Haro 11 give us a unique opportunity to study the physics of ionizing radiation escape up close. These mechanisms were likely central to reionizing the early universe, but they are extremely difficult to study at high redshift due to high distances. Two X-ray sources, two stories Haro 11 is home to two prominent X-ray sourcesX1 and X2which are spatially associated with massive star-forming regions known as Knots B and C. Both are thought to harbor ultraluminous X-ray sources, and they both emit in the ionizing Lyman continuum (LyC). But curiously, the X-ray source X2, the fainter X-ray source, leaks more LyC radiation than the more X-ray luminous source X1. In addition, the X-ray source X1 with a higher luminosity may host an accreting compact object, like an intermediate-mass black hole. To characterize the X-ray properties of these two X-ray sources, we conducted detailed spectral modeling of X-ray spectra. Our analysis revealed that the X-ray source X2, which leaks more LyC radiation, exhibits a significantly lower line-of-sight absorbing materialabout 10 times less than that of the more X-ray luminous source X1. This evidence indicates that X2 is less covered by gas and dust, potentially due to the action of strong superwinds generated by intense star formation and clustered supernovae. These outflows can potentially form cavities in the interstellar medium, opening channels for escaping LyC photons. H-like and He-like ion emission lines suggested by principal component analysis of the X-ray sources X1 and X2 in Haro 11. Credit: Astronomy & Astrophysics (2024). DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202449388 A superwind-powered escape route? To investigate the spectral variability in the X-ray sources X1 and X2, we performed a principal component analysis (PCA), a linear dimensionality reduction technique that decomposes different modes of spectral and temporal change. PCA is often used in data preprocessing for data mining and machine learning. Our analysis showed different emission patterns with peaks at energy levels matching H-like and He-like ion lines, like those of magnesium and silicon, indicating hot, ionized gaseous outflows. These signatures mirror what has been observed in other starburst-driven superwinds, such as in the Cigar galaxy Messier 82 and Sculptor galaxy (NGC 253). We believe that the observed X-ray variations in the X-ray sources X1 and X2 are likely linked to these starburst-driven superwinds, making it easier for ionizing radiation to leak out of the galaxy. The present study is the first time we have statistically linked X-ray variability to the tarburst-driven outflows and LyC leakage in Haro 11. It supports the idea that feedback from stellar winds and supernovae may play an important role in forming galactic channels, facilitating the escape of ionizing photons. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Implications for cosmic reionization Our findings support a growing body of evidence that superwinds and feedback-driven outflows are instrumental in allowing young, compact galaxies to leak Lyman continuum radiation. This process is thought to be what contributed to the cosmic reionization of the intergalactic medium a billion years after the Big Bang. While direct X-ray observations of early high-redshift galaxies remain challenging due to their distance and faintness, local analogs like Haro 11 offer a powerful proxy. Our study also highlights the need for more detailed and clearer X-ray observations to identify weak emission lines and better understand how hot plasma, ionizing radiation, and the surrounding interstellar medium interact. 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: A. Danehkar et al, Disentangling the X-ray variability in the Lyman continuum emitter Haro 11, Astronomy & Astrophysics (2024). DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202449388 Journal information: Astronomy & Astrophysics Ashkbiz Danehkar is an astrophysicist funded by NASA grants at Eureka Scientific, Inc. (Oakland, CA). Prior to this position, Danehkar worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, MI) and the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (Cambridge, MA) after completing his PhD in astrophysics at Macquarie University (Sydney, Australia). Danehkar has conducted research on galactic outflows in star-forming galaxies and active galactic nuclei, in addition to stellar feedback in ionized nebulae and symbiotic stars. 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: Artist's impression of the accretion disc around the massive black hole Ansky and its interaction with a small celestial object. Credit: European Space Agency Although we know that supermassive black holes (millions of times the mass of our sun) lurk at the center of most galaxies, their very nature makes them difficult to spot and study. In contrast to the popular idea of black holes constantly "gobbling up" matter, these gravitational monsters can spend long periods of time in a dormant, inactive phase. This was true of the black hole at the heart of SDSS1335+0728, a distant and unremarkable galaxy 300 million light-years away in the constellation of Virgo. After being inactive for decades, it suddenly lit up and recently began producing unprecedented flashes of X-ray light. The first signs of activity appeared in late 2019, when the galaxy unexpectedly began shining brightly, attracting the attention of astronomers. After studying it for several years, they concluded that the unusual changes they saw were probably the result of the black hole suddenly "switching on"entering an active phase. The bright, compact, central region of the galaxy is now classified as an active galactic nucleus, nicknamed "Ansky." "When we first saw Ansky light up in optical images, we triggered follow-up observations using NASA's Swift X-ray space telescope, and we checked archived data from the eROSITA X-ray telescope, but at the time we didn't see any evidence of X-ray emissions," says Paula Sanchez Saez, a researcher at the European Southern Observatory, Germany, and leader of the team that first explored the black hole's activation. Ansky wakes up Then, in February 2024, a team led by Lorena Hernandez-Garcia, a researcher at the Valparaiso University, Chile, began to see bursts of X-rays from Ansky at nearly regular intervals. The work has been published in Nature Astronomy. "This rare event provides an opportunity for astronomers to observe a black hole's behavior in real time, using X-ray space telescopes XMM-Newton and NASA's NICER, Chandra and Swift. This phenomenon is known as a quasiperiodic eruption, or QPE. QPEs are short-lived flaring events. And this is the first time we have observed such an event in a black hole that seems to be waking up," explains Lorena. "The first QPE episode was discovered in 2019, and since then we've only detected a handful more. We don't yet understand what causes them. Studying Ansky will help us to better understand black holes and how they evolve." "XMM-Newton played a pivotal role in our study. It is the only X-ray telescope sensitive enough to detect the fainter X-ray background light between the bursts. With XMM-Newton we could measure how dim Ansky gets, which enabled us to calculate how much energy Ansky releases when it lights up and starts flashing." Unraveling puzzling behavior The gravity of a black hole captures matter that gets too close and can rip it apart. The matter from a captured star, for example, would be spread into a hot, bright, rapidly spinning disk called an accretion disk. Current thinking is that QPEs are caused by an object (that could be a star or a small black hole) interacting with this accretion disk and they have been linked to the destruction of a star. But there is no evidence that Ansky has destroyed a star. The extraordinary characteristics of Ansky's recurring bursts prompted the research team to consider other possibilities. The accretion disk could be formed by gas captured by the black hole from its neighborhood, and not a disintegrated star. In this scenario, the X-ray flares would be coming from highly energetic shocks in the disk, provoked by a small celestial object traveling through and disrupting the orbiting material, repeatedly. "The bursts of X-rays from Ansky are 10 times longer and 10 times more luminous than what we see from a typical QPE," says Joheen Chakraborty, a team member and Ph.D. student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, U.S. "Each of these eruptions is releasing a hundred times more energy than we have seen elsewhere. Ansky's eruptions also show the longest cadence ever observed, of about 4.5 days. This pushes our models to their limits and challenges our existing ideas about how these X-ray flashes are being generated." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Watching a black hole in action Being able to watch Ansky evolving in real time is an unprecedented opportunity for astronomers to learn more about black holes and the energetic events they power. "For QPEs, we're still at the point where we have more models than data, and we need more observations to understand what's happening," says ESA Research Fellow and X-ray astronomer, Erwan Quintin. "We thought that QPEs were the result of small celestial objects being captured by much larger ones and spiraling down towards them. Ansky's eruptions seem to be telling us a different story. These repetitive bursts are also likely associated with gravitational waves that ESA's future mission LISA might be able to catch." "It's crucial to have these X-ray observations that will complement the gravitational wave data and help us solve the puzzling behavior of massive black holes." More information: Discovery of extreme Quasi-Periodic Eruptions in a newly accreting massive black hole, Nature Astronomy (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41550-025-02523-9 Journal information: Nature Astronomy 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: Matteo Paz with Caltech President Thomas F. Rosenbaum. Credit: California Institute of Technology Through his research at Caltech, a local high school student revealed 1.5 million previously unknown objects in space, broadened the potential of a NASA mission, and published a single-author paper. Matteo (Matthew) Paz's article published in The Astronomical Journal describes a new AI algorithm he developed that led to these discoveries and that can be adapted by other astronomers and astrophysicists for their own research. Paz has wanted to learn more about astronomy since his mother brought him to public Stargazing Lectures at Caltech when he was in grade school. In the summer of 2022, he came to campus to study astronomy and related computer science in the Caltech Planet Finder Academy led by Professor of Astronomy Andrew Howard. Astronomer and IPAC senior scientist Davy Kirkpatrick served as Paz's mentor. "I'm so lucky to have met Davy," Paz says. "I remember the first day I talked to him, I said that I was considering working on a paper to come out of this, which is a much larger goal than six weeks. He didn't discourage me. He said, 'OK, so let's talk about that.' He has allowed an unbridled learning experience. I think that's why I've grown so much as a scientist." Kirkpatrick grew up in a farming community in Tennessee and realized his dream of becoming an astronomer with the help of his ninth-grade chemistry and physics teacher, Marilyn Morrison. She told him and his mother that he had potential and explained what courses he should take to prepare for college. "I wanted to pass on that same sort of mentoring to someone else and hopefully many someone elses," Kirkpatrick says. "If I see their potential, I want to make sure that they are reaching it. I'll do whatever I can to help them out." Kirkpatrick also wanted to glean more insight from NEOWISE (Near-Earth Object Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer), a now-retired infrared telescope that had scanned the entire sky in search of asteroids and other objects near Earth for more than 10 years. While the NASA telescope was busy observing asteroids, it also detected the varying heat of other more distant, cosmic objects that flashed intensely, pulsated, or dimmed as they were eclipsed. Astronomers call these variable objects: hard-to-catch phenomena like quasars, exploding stars, and paired stars eclipsing each other. But the data on these variable objects had not yet been harnessed. If the NEOWISE team could identify those objects and make them available to the astronomical community, the resulting catalog could provide insight into how the cosmic entities change over years. "At that point, we were creeping up towards 200 billion rows in the table of every single detection that we had made over the course of over a decade," Kirkpatrick says. "So my idea for the summer was to take a little piece of the sky and see if we could find some variable stars. Then we could highlight those to the astronomic community, saying, 'Here's some new stuff we discovered by hand; just imagine what the potential is in the dataset.'" Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Paz had no intention of sifting through the data manually. His schoolwork had prepared him to bring a new viewpoint to the challenge. He'd taken an interest in AI during an elective that integrated coding, theoretical computer science, and formal mathematics. Paz knew that AI trains best on vast, orderly datasets like the one Kirkpatrick had given him. And Paz had the advanced math knowledge that he needed to enjoy programming: He was already studying advanced undergraduate math in Pasadena Unified School District's Math Academy, in which students finish AP calculus BC in eighth grade. So Paz set off to develop a machine-learning technique to analyze the entire dataset and flag potential variable objects. In those six weeks, he began to draft the AI model, which began to show some promise. As he worked, he consulted with Kirkpatrick to learn the relevant astronomy and astrophysics. The anomaly extraction pipeline. Credit: The Astronomical Journal (2024). DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/ad7fe6 "Every meeting with Davy is 10% work and 90% us just chatting," Paz says. "It's been super cool just to have someone to talk to about science like that." Kirkpatrick also connected Paz with Caltech astronomers Shoubaneh Hemmati, Daniel Masters, Ashish Mahabal, and Matthew Graham, who shared their expertise in machine-learning techniques for astronomy and in the study of objects that vary on short and long timescales. Paz and Kirkpatrick learned that the particular rhythm of NEOWISE's observations meant that it would be unable to systematically detect and classify many objects that either flashed once quickly or changed gradually over a long time. As the summer concluded, there was still plenty to do. In 2024, Paz and Kirkpatrick again collaborated, and this time, Paz mentored other high school students. Now, Paz has refined the AI model to process all of the raw data from NEOWISE's observations and has analyzed the results. Trained to detect minute differences in the telescope's infrared measurements, the algorithms flagged and classified 1.5 million potential new objects in the data. In 2025, Paz and Kirkpatrick plan to publish the complete catalog of objects that varied considerably in brightness in the NEOWISE data. "The model I implemented can be used for other time domain studies in astronomy, and potentially anything else that comes in a temporal format," Paz says. "I could see some relevance to (stock market) chart analysis, where the information similarly comes in a time series and periodic components can be critical. You could also study atmospheric effects such as pollution, where the periodic seasons and day-night cycles play huge roles." Now, while he finishes high school, Paz is a Caltech employee. He works for Kirkpatrick in IPAC, which manages, processes, archives, and analyzes data from NEOWISE and several other NASA and NSFsupported space missions. It's Paz's first paying job. More information: Matthew Paz, A Submillisecond Fourier and Wavelet-based Model to Extract Variable Candidates from the NEOWISE Single-exposure Database, The Astronomical Journal (2024). DOI: 10.3847/1538-3881/ad7fe6 Journal information: Astronomical Journal 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: Researchers identified how the presence of residual aggregates can influence the supramolecular chirality, opening new avenues in electronic materials. Credit: Takuho Saito / Chiba University, Japan Self-assembly or self-organization in molecular science refers to the phenomena where molecules spontaneously gather and form ordered structures, a unique property of materials used to develop optical and electronic materials. In a step towards fine-tuning this property, researchers from Japan successfully elucidated a technique where a small amount of residual aggregates drastically altered the self-assembly process of photo-responsive molecules. The research team was led by Professor Shiki Yagai from the Graduate School of Engineering, Chiba University, including Assistant Professor Takuho Saito from Nagoya University (at the time of research), Mr. Daisuke Inuoe, and Assistant Professor Yuichi Kitamoto from Tohoku University, as major contributors to this work. The findings of their study were published online in Nature Nanotechnology. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus in research on controlling the size and hierarchical structures of self-assembled aggregates, which could help achieve aggregates with desired properties. However, self-assembly is a dynamic process and requires precise control. "During the process of self-assembly, the molecules repeatedly continue to associate and dissociate," explains Prof. Yagai, "Even minute impurities or slight changes in the conditions can impact the final structure of the formed aggregates." For the study, the research team focused on the self-assembly of a chiral, photoresponsive azobenzene that naturally forms left-handed helical aggregates. The team discovered that the presence of a small amount of residual aggregates within the solution induces a drastic change in the assembly process and leads to the formation of right-handed helical aggregates instead. Moreover, being photoresponsive, controlling the exposure to light also modifies the timing of molecular assembly. Using precise control of these two properties together, the researchers successfully manipulated the formation of either left-handed or right-handed helical aggregates as required. In spectroscopic and molecular modeling studies, the team found that when the scissor-shaped azobenzene molecule is dissolved in an organic solvent at room temperature, it forms a closed scissor-like folded structure that further extends into a helical assembly. Prof. Yagai explains the formation of left-handed assembly, saying, "The molecule contains a carbon atom that has four different atomic groups and therefore exhibits chirality. These molecules fold like left-handed scissors and twist to form a left-handed helical stacking of the assembly." Since these are photoresponsive molecules, when the stacked helical structures are exposed to weak ultraviolet (UV) light, the helical assembly disassembles back into individual molecules, and upon subsequent exposure to visible light, the molecules reassemble into helical structures again. Interestingly, under certain conditions, the resulting helical aggregates were found to be right-handed instead of left-handed, and exposure to stronger UV light followed by visible light led to the regeneration of the original left-handed helical aggregates. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. By closely investigating this mechanism, the team found that when solutions were exposed to weak UV light, there was a minute amount of residual left-handed helical aggregates that remained unchanged, and these aggregates acted as nucleation sites forming oppositely directed helical assemblies. "This remarkable phenomenon is called 'secondary nucleation," which explains why meta-stable right-handed aggregates are preferably formed instead of left-handed aggregates," says Prof. Yagai. In addition to this, the team also discovered the role of light intensity in the molecular assembly process. Prof. Yagai explains, "We identified that the intensity of visible light potentially affected the timing of the assembly. Strong visible light promoted rapid assembly while minimizing the influence of the residual aggregates. In contrast, weaker intensity magnifies the effect of the residual aggregates." Therefore, by optimizing the intensities of UV and visible light, the researchers successfully controlled the switching between left- and right-handed helical structures, which were dependent on the influence of the residual aggregates. Moreover, it was also found that the stable left-handed aggregates and meta-stable right-handed aggregates also exhibit opposite electron spin polarization, which signifies the tuning of electronic characteristics of the helices. Overall, this study aimed to explore the critical role of residual aggregates and explained how light-enabled fine-tuning can result in the fabrication of novel functional materials, giving promising insights into the field of material science. More information: Inversion of supramolecular chirality by photo-enhanced secondary nucleation, Nature Nanotechnology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-025-01882-8 Journal information: Nature Nanotechnology 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: Artists impression of NASAs upcoming NEO Surveyor mission, which will search for potentially hazardous near-Earth objects. The mission will follow open data practices to improve the chances of identifying dangerous asteroids. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech The asteroid 2024 YR4 made headlines in February with the news that it had a chance of hitting Earth on Dec. 22, 2032, as determined by an analysis from NASA's Center for Near Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at the agency's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. The probability of collision peaked at over 3% on Feb. 18the highest ever recorded for an object of its size. This sparked concerns about the damage the asteroid might do should it hit Earth. New data collected in the following days lowered the probability to well under 1%, and 2024 YR4 is no longer considered a potential Earth impactor. However, the event underscored the importance of surveying asteroid populations to reveal possible threats to Earth. Sharing scientific data widely allows scientists to determine the risk posed by the near-Earth asteroid population and increases the chances of identifying future asteroid impact hazards in NASA science data. "The planetary defense community realizes the value of making data products available to everyone," said James "Gerbs" Bauer, the principal investigator for NASA's Planetary Data System Small Bodies Node at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. How scientists spot asteroids that could hit Earth Professional scientists and citizen scientists worldwide play a role in tracking asteroids. The Minor Planet Center, which is housed at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Massachusetts, collects and verifies vast numbers of asteroid and comet position observations submitted from around the globe. NASA's Small Bodies Node distributes the data from the Minor Planet Center for anyone who wants to access and use it. A near-Earth object (NEO) is an asteroid or comet whose orbit brings it within 120 million miles of the sun, which means it can circulate through Earth's orbital neighborhood. If a newly discovered object looks like it might be an NEO, information about the object appears on the Minor Planet Center's NEO Confirmation Page. Members of the planetary science community, whether or not they are professional scientists, are encouraged to follow up on these objects to discover where they're heading. When an asteroid's trajectory looks concerning, CNEOS alerts NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office at NASA Headquarters in Washington, which manages NASA's ongoing effort to protect Earth from dangerous asteroids. NASA's Planetary Defense Coordination Office also coordinates the International Asteroid Warning Network (IAWN), which is the worldwide collaboration of asteroid observers and modelers. Orbit analysis centers such as CNEOS perform finer calculations to nail down the probability of an asteroid colliding with Earth. The open nature of the data allows the community to collaborate and compare, ensuring the most accurate determinations possible. How NASA discovered risks of asteroid 2024 YR4 The asteroid 2024 YR4 was initially discovered by the NASA-funded ATLAS (Asteroid Terrestrial-impact Last Alert System) survey, which aims to discover potentially hazardous asteroids. Scientists studied additional data about the asteroid from different observatories funded by NASA and from other telescopes across the IAWN. At first, 2024 YR4 had a broad uncertainty in its future trajectory that would pass over Earth. As the planetary defense community collected more observations, the range of possibilities for the asteroid's future position on Dec. 22, 2032, clustered over Earth, raising the apparent chances of collision. However, with the addition of even more data points, the cluster of possibilities eventually moved off Earth. Having multiple streams of data available for analysis helps scientists quickly learn more about NEOs. This sometimes involves using data from observatories that are mainly used for astrophysics or heliophysics surveys, rather than for tracking asteroids. "The planetary defense community both benefits from and is beneficial to the larger planetary and astronomy-related ecosystem," said Bauer, who is also a research professor in the Department of Astronomy at the University of Maryland. "Much of the NEO survey data can also be used for searching astrophysical transients like supernova events. Likewise, astrophysical sky surveys produce data of interest to the planetary defense community." Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. How does NASA stop asteroids from hitting Earth? In 2022, NASA's DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission successfully impacted with the asteroid Dimorphos, shortening the time it takes to orbit around its companion asteroid Didymos by 33 minutes. Didymos had no chance of hitting Earth, but the DART mission's success means that NASA has a tested technique to consider when addressing a future asteroid potential impact threat. To increase the chances of discovering asteroid threats to Earth well in advance, NASA is working on a new space-based observatory, NEO Surveyor, which will be the first spacecraft specifically designed to look for asteroids and comets that pose a hazard to Earth. The mission is expected to launch in the fall of 2027, and the data it collects will be available to everyone through NASA archives. "Many of the NEOs that pose a risk to Earth remain to be found," Bauer said. "An asteroid impact has a very low likelihood at any given time, but consequences could be high, and open science is an important component to being vigilant." Provided by NASA This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The ratio that indicates whether an element is more soluble in liquid iron or molten silicate is called the partition coefficient. This figure shows that nitrogen has a greater affinity for liquid iron than for molten silicate, and that this affinity is enhanced by pressure but compromised by temperature. Credit: Earth and Planetary Science Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119291 Imagine if Earth's history had a mystery novel, and one of its biggest unsolved puzzles was: Where did all the nitrogen go? Scientists have long known that our planet's rocky outer layersthe mantleare oddly poor in nitrogen compared to other volatile elements like carbon or water. Very strangely, the C/N and 36Ar/N ratios in the bulk silicate Earth (BSE, the whole Earth minus the metallic core) are far higher than those found in the meteorites that supposedly delivered these ingredients during the planet's infancy. For decades, this "missing nitrogen" problem has puzzled researchers. A new study published in Earth and Planetary Science Letters might finally have the answer: a dramatic game of cosmic hide-and-seek deep within our planet. To understand this mystery, we need to rewind 4.6 billion years. The Earth was a fiery, molten ball, with a churning magma ocean more than 1,000 kilometers deep. During this period, heavy metals like iron sank to form the core, while lighter mineral components rose and then solidified to create the silicate mantle. This process, called the core-mantle differentiation, shaped the Earth's layered structure. But it was not just metals and rocks sorting themselves outvolatile elements like nitrogen, carbon, and argon were caught in the crossfire. Where these elements ended uptrapped in the core, dissolved in the mantle, or lost to spacedetermines why the Earth looks and functions as it does today. Nitrogen is particularly enigmatic. While it makes up 78% of the atmosphere today, the total amount in the Earth's entire rocky mantle is shockingly lowjust 1 to 5 parts per million. Carbon and argon are far more abundant relative to nitrogen than in the meteorites that likely delivered these elements. Scientists have proposed many hypotheses: Maybe nitrogen escaped into space, or perhaps it was never delivered in large amounts. But a team of researchers from Geodynamics Research Center, Ehime University in Japan asked a different question: what if the Earth's core stole most of the nitrogen? To test this idea, the scientists recreated the extreme conditions of Earth's early magma ocean using "supercomputers." They simulated how nitrogen behaves when squeezed at pressures up to 1.35 million times the pressure at the surface (135 GPa) and heated to 5,000 Kconditions found thousands of kilometers deep in a young, molten planet. Using a quantum mechanical method called ab initio molecular dynamics combined with the thermodynamic integration method based on statistical physics, which calculates atomic interactions from fundamental physics principles, they tracked nitrogen's preferences: did it bond with the iron-rich core or dissolve into the silicate mantle? Relationship between the size of the core and the C/N and 36Ar/N ratios of the BSE obtained from modeling using the results of the present calculations. The C/N ratio decreases when the core-mantle separation occurs at low pressure (520 GPa) and increases at high pressure (60 GPa). The 36Ar/N ratio slightly increases when the core-mantle separation occurs at low pressure (520 GPa) and significantly increases at high pressure (60 GPa). Credit: Earth and Planetary Science Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119291 The results were striking. Under the intense heat and pressure of a deep magma ocean, nitrogen became a "metal lover." At 60 GPa, nitrogen was more than 100 times more likely to join the core than stay in the mantle after its solidification. As pressure increased, this preference grewbut not in a straight line. Instead, the relationship was curved. This nonlinear effect had never been clearly shown before and helps explain why earlier experiments produced conflicting results. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. But why does nitrogen behave this way? The simulations revealed a microscopic mechanism. In the molten silicate of the magma ocean, nitrogen atoms initially bonded with themselves or hydrogen atoms like ammonium ions (NH 4 +). But under increasing pressures, they broke apart. Nitrogen instead bonded with silicon atoms, integrating into the silicate network as nitride ions (N). Meanwhile, in the metallic core, nitrogen slipped into gaps between iron atoms, behaving more like a neutral atom. This behavior caused more nitrogen to abandon the molten silicate for the core's embrace. The study didn't stop at nitrogen. Combing with previous studies, Huang and Tsuchiya found that carbon, while somewhat siderophile (metal-loving), was less than nitrogen under deep magma ocean conditions. Argon, an inert element, didn't care for metals at all. This hierarchynitrogen > carbon > argon in core preferencemay solve two mysteries. To quantify this, the researchers built a model of Earth's accretion 4.6 billion years ago. Suppose Earth gained volatiles from carbonaceous chondrites, meteorites with compositions similar to the early solar system. Delivering just 5%10% of Earth's mass from these rocks would supply enough nitrogen, carbon, and argon. If the core formation happened in a deep magma ocean (e.g., 60 GPa), over 80% of nitrogen would sink into the core, leaving the mantle with 17 ppmmatching observations. Carbon, less eager to leave, would stay in the mantle, creating the observed high C/N ratio. Argon, rejected by both the core and mantle, would be disproportionately concentrated in the atmosphere, explaining the high 36Ar/N of the BSE. The C/N and 36Ar/N ratios of the BSE change strongly depending on the differentiation depth and redox conditions in the proto-Earth. Only the differentiation at deep magma ocean conditions could increase two ratios simultaneously to match the observations for the present Earth. Credit: Shengxuan Huang & Taku Tsuchiya This discovery reshapes our understanding of Earth's volatile origins. For years, scientists debated whether Earth's weird ratios meant it accreted unusual meteorites or lost nitrogen to space. This study argues for a simpler story: Earth's volatiles came from carbonaceous chondrites, but their fates were sealed by the extreme physics of the core formation. The differentiation depth mattered mostshallow magma oceans could not produce the observed ratios, but deep ones perfectly replicate Earth's volatile fingerprint. This further links to an argument that the distinct volatile ratios of the BSE compared to chondrites may reflect different accretion times rather than different sources. This core formation process has determined how much nitrogen was retained in the BSE, one of the prerequisites for the abundance of bioessential elements in the Earth's atmosphere and rocky layers. Despite it taking Earth a long time to become habitable, the conditions essential for life may have been set billions of years ago when the core and mantle separated. In the end, Earth's nitrogen was not lost. It has been hiding in plain sight, locked away in the core for billions of years. This discovery reminds us that our planet's history is written not just in rocks and fossils, but in the cryptic preferences of atoms under unimaginable pressures. More information: Shengxuan Huang et al, Nitrogen-carbon-argon features of the silicate Earth established by deep core-mantle differentiation, Earth and Planetary Science Letters (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.epsl.2025.119291 Journal information: Earth and Planetary Science Letters 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: Matilda Wormwood from Pexels Transgender people are the subject of polarized debate in Sweden and there is a tendency to use alarmist examples to stir up emotions. This is shown in a new thesis that examines the language used in opinion pieces on trans-related issues. It was in about 2019 and the following years that the debate in the media around trans issues started to change. Carin Leibring Svedjedal, who was preparing to write her doctoral thesis in Scandinavian languages, became interested at this point in analyzing the actual state of reporting in the media. "I saw that the pendulum was swinging hard. All of a sudden, there was a different climate of debate around transgender people. It went from a desire to make language more gender-neutral and society more inclusive, back towards a more traditional and conservative view of gender and identity," says Leibring Svedjedal, who recently defended her doctoral thesis. Polarized debate about transgender people in the media The thesis is based on a survey and interview study on transgender people, along with an analysis of Swedish editorials, debate articles and columns on trans-related issues published in the major daily and evening newspapers in Sweden. The analysis of opinion pieces shows that the debate on trans issues is polarized. One side focuses on bringing the perspectives of transgender people to the fore, particularly with respect to health care and legislation. The other side expresses concern about the potential implications of increased inclusiveness, such as the impact on other vulnerable groups or the risk of some people regretting their medical treatments. A recurring feature of the opinion pieces is that they highlight alarmist examples. "This may involve, for example, drawing parallels with the United States, where there has been much debate about how to deal with trans women in women's prisonsm," says Leibring Svedjedal. There are also media accounts suggesting that trans activists are a "cult" that forces individuals to make irreversible changes to their bodies. Good intentions appreciated Through interviews with and questionnaires addressed to 31 transgender people, Leibring Svedjedal also examined how they use language to shape their identity. What she found was that most people choose a first name that feels right to them, without it needing to resemble their old name. The choice of pronoun usually follows their gender identitytrans men prefer "han" ("he"), trans women "hon" ("she") and non-binary "hen" ("they"). The study also shows that transgender people can encounter difficulties in their environment. For example, it can take time for family members to adjust to new names and pronouns, which partners and friends often find easier to accept. "Some people may imagine that transgender people feel very offended if someone accidentally say the wrong pronoun. Of course, it's very important to use the correct first names and pronouns, but the vast majority of people in the study also understand that it takes time to adjust. The most important thing is that the people around you have good intentions, and that they don't deliberately say the wrong thing because they don't accept the person's identity," says Leibring Svedjedal. Different perspectives on transgender people Based on how trans-related issues are written about in the media and how transgender people themselves describe their experiences, Leibring Svedjedal is able to identify two central discourses, or sets of underlying ideas and knowledge in society about what it means to be trans. She concludes that a discourse exists among transgender people in which mental gender is regarded as dominant. One consequence of this is that you do not need to correct your biological sex to belong to a certain gender. This discourse differs from the ideas that appear in the opinion texts. "In these texts, biological sex is regarded as dominant instead. The texts in the media are based on a belief that it is too difficult for transgender people to fully transition, i.e. to correct the biological sex to such an extent that the person really passes as a man or a woman, so there is no point in even trying," says Leibring Svedjedal, while also pointing out that these texts do not explicitly deny that transgender people exist. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Opinion pieces aim to stir up emotions Leibring Svedjedal believes that the change in the climate of debate around transgender people is rooted in fear of the unknown. As this fear is exploited politically, she thinks media consumers should adopt a critical attitude. "It's important to be aware and to ask yourself: what emotions are these opinion pieces trying to evoke? And do I have to get on board? What are the political motives behind this, and which voices get to be heard?" Leibring Svedjedal says. She continues, "In my concluding remarks in the thesis, I call for a little more accepting and friendly attitude towards the unfamiliar. You don't have to understand 100%. Try to see the person standing before you. What does it cost you to use the pronoun or name that the person asks you for?" More information: C. Leibring Svedjedal. Being and Doing Transgender : Discourses on Gender and Trans Identities in Transgender People's Self-Chosen Designations and Swedish Media Reporting 20192023, uu.diva-portal.org/smash/record.jsf?pid=diva2%3A1935925&dswid=7926 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: Left: Bright-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) image highlighting the ultrafine platinum nanoparticles. Right: Electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) elemental mapping of carbon, illustrating the thin graphene layer encapsulating the platinum nanoparticles, corresponding to the left image location. Credit: Liu et al The manufacturing and deployment of hybrid and electric vehicles is on the rise, contributing to ongoing efforts to decarbonize the transport industry. While cars and smaller vehicles can be powered using lithium batteries, electrifying heavy-duty vehicles, such as trucks and large buses, has so far proved much more challenging. Fuel cells, devices that generate electricity via chemical reactions, are promising solutions for powering heavy-duty vehicles. Most of the fuel cells employed so far are so-called proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), cells that generate electricity via the reaction of hydrogen and oxygen, conducting protons from their anode to their cathode utilizing a solid polymer membrane. Despite their potential, many existing fuel cells have limited lifetimes and efficiencies. These limitations have so far hindered their widespread adoption in the manufacturing of electric or hybrid trucks, buses and other heavy-truck vehicles. A research group at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), led by Professor Yu Huang, recently designed a new platinum (Pt)-based nano-catalyst, a material that speeds up chemical reactions and could help to improve the efficiency and durability of fuel cells. This catalyst, presented in a paper published in Nature Nanotechnology, consists of Pt nanoparticles, protected by graphene nanopockets and supported on a form of carbon known as Ketjenblack. "Our research emerged from an urgent need to decarbonize heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs), such as long-haul trucks, which require extended operational range and durability," Huang, senior author of the paper, told Phys.org. "Fuel cells represent a promising solution for electrifying HDVs due to their superior system-level mass-specific energy density compared to batteries. However, a major obstacle is catalyst stability." Platinum and other alloy metals typically used to fabricate catalysts for PEMFCs tend to gradually dissolve and some of their atoms are redeposited onto other particles, causing them to become larger. This process reduces the area of the catalyst that can speed up reactions in fuel cells, ultimately causing their performance to decline over time. "Motivated by this challenge, our team at UCLA developed a Pt-based catalyst with an innovative protective yet permeable structure," said Huang. "Our primary goal was to design a catalyst architecture that effectively prevents metal dissolution and maintains high catalytic activity over prolonged use." The Pt-based nano-catalyst developed by Huang and her colleagues has a unique design that slows down its degradation over time. The catalyst consists of ultrafine Pt nanoparticles encased within thin and protective layers of graphene, known as graphene nanopockets. "These graphene nanopockets protect the platinum nanoparticles from dissolving and coalescing (clumping together)," explained Zeyan Liu, co-first author of the article. "Additionally, these protected nanoparticles are confined within the pores of a carbon support, significantly enhancing stability and durability under harsh operational conditions." This recent study introduced an alternative catalyst that could boost the performance and durability of fuel cells, as it does not rapidly deteriorate like many catalysts introduced in the past. In initial tests, the new Pt-based nano-catalyst yielded very promising results, as fuel cells incorporating it presented unprecedented stabilities, while also maintaining a high catalytic activity and efficiency. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. "The catalyst demonstrated exceptional performance, including an initial mass activity of 0.74 A mg and a rated power density of 1.08 W cm," said Bosi Peng, co-first author of the paper. "Remarkably, the catalyst experienced less than 1.1% power loss after undergoing a rigorous accelerated stress test of 90,000 voltage cycles. These metrics suggest a projected fuel cell lifetime exceeding 200,000 hours, significantly surpassing current Department of Energy targets for heavy-duty fuel cells." In the future, the new catalyst designed by Huang and her colleagues could be used to develop new highly performing and durable hydrogen-based fuel cells. These fuel cells could in turn be used to power various heavy-truck vehicles, thus contributing to ongoing efforts aimed at reducing carbon emissions. "Our study represents a significant step forward in reducing emissions and enhancing fuel economy in transportation sectors that heavily contribute to energy consumption and environmental impact," added Huang. "Beyond further enhancing platinum catalyst activity and durability, we aim to focus future research on optimizing the entire catalyst electrode structure to further improve the performance of the fuel cell. "Developing advanced carbon support materials, innovative electrode architecture and improved ionomer components will be equally critical, as they significantly influence high-current-density performance and overall fuel cell stability." Huang's research group at UCLA is now conducting further research aimed at improving and advancing fuel cells. Their efforts are currently focused on the improvement of membrane electrode assemblies, the central component of PEMFCs. More information: Zeyan Liu et al, Pt catalyst protected by graphene nanopockets enables lifetimes of over 200,000 h for heavy-duty fuel cell applications, Nature Nanotechnology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41565-025-01895-3 Journal information: Nature Nanotechnology 2025 Science X Network 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: Photo By: Kaboompics.com from Pexels International trade, tariffs and domestic manufacturing topped news stories last week. Bradley Setzler, Strumpf Early Career Professor of Economics at Penn State, discussed in the following Q&A the recent history of U.S.-China economic relations and the impact on American workers. What is the 'China shock'? China was admitted into the World Trade Organization in 2001, and within a decade, China emerged as a global superpower in the export of manufactured goods. Initially, Chinese manufacturers focused on products like textiles, furniture, toys, some electronics equipment, apparel, and shoes and leather goods. They quickly exported these products in large numbers, and the American workers who had been producing these goods at the time suddenly found it difficult to compete with the low prices of Chinese producers. An implication for American workers employed in industries like textiles, furniture and apparel was the number of jobs available in these sectors declined fairly quickly over the two decades after China's rise. My colleagues and I found that being in a region that received an above average amount of exposure to this import competition from China resulted in a loss of one in seven local manufacturing jobs relative to less exposed regions. If a region experienced a high degree of exposuresay your region was very specialized in producing furniture or textilesit could be twice that or even three times that relative to other regions. So, you could lose two out of seven jobs, or even three out of seven jobs in local manufacturing. What geographic areas in the U.S. got hit the hardest? A lot of different regions. It wasn't overly concentrated in just one area. Different pockets of the U.S. were specialized in different types of manufacturing, and many small towns were built around one particular type of manufacturing. As a result, the rise of these Chinese imports could hit some towns but then not hit the town down the road. So, the shock was sort of picking off different towns and leaving others alone based on where the manufacturing happened to be, and which goods they happened to manufacture, whether or not they were the types of goods that China began producing. Who were the workers most affected? Manufacturing at that time was the perfect example of a skilled job you could do for a high wage, even without a college degree. We found a big loss in high-paying jobs for workers who entered the manufacturing workforce directly after high school. It became much harder after this for people without a college degree to get a high wage. The lost jobs equally hit men and women. I'm not sure that's really been part of the story before, but it turns out a lot of those American jobs, say in textile manufacturing, were held by women, and so women lost jobs in equal numbers to men. But, we found that women recovered more jobs in the services sector. That's the other half of this story. In the first 10 years after China began exporting these types of goods, the U.S. experienced job loss in manufacturing but no recovery. Then in the 2010s, these U.S. regions started recovering, but they didn't recover jobs in manufacturing. Manufacturing never recovered, at least over the data that we have available through 2019. It was the services sector that made up for the lost jobs in manufacturing, especially in health care, education, retail and restaurants. Older people that already had manufacturing jobs, for the most part, were able to keep those jobs. Only around 1% of the people who already had manufacturing jobs lost their positions. Instead, it was the new graduates, the people coming out of high school looking for their first job, who lost opportunities in manufacturing. In the past, they could have potentially gotten a high-paying job in manufacturing, even without a college degree. Those new people entering the labor market could no longer find jobs in manufacturing, and manufacturing stopped creating entry-level positions for new graduates. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. What happened to the 99% who were already in those jobs? We call it "aging in place." The individuals already in those jobs sort of hunkered down. They were able to keep their jobs, not move location, not move to any other job. If they didn't have to compete with China, we might have seen more job-hopping and moving up the job ladder into higher-paying jobs or even getting promotions within their same job. We found that those opportunities vanished for these workers. Instead, the ones who stay in their manufacturing jobs were stuck at whatever wage level they were already receiving before the China shock. We found a big loss in opportunities to get promoted and receive high-paying jobs over the course of their careers. Let's talk about the recovery. How different were the new service sector jobs compared to the manufacturing jobs? We found that the service sector jobs tended to be low paying. We essentially replaced jobs that were in the top third of the earnings distribution with jobs in the bottom third of the earnings distribution. But also, even if you condition on the type of workersay, a college-educated worker, who would tend to get a higher wage than a worker without a college degreecomparing different college-educated workers to one another, the service sectors that experienced the most growth tended to be on the lower paying end. We call these "low premium" jobsthey pay relatively less than what that person might have made in a different industry. Given the renewed focus on international trade, trade deficits and tariffs, what does your research say about what can best help the American worker? There's a fundamental trade off. By allowing more international trade, we allowed low price goods to enter the country, and many people benefited from being able to go to a large department store and purchase textile goods, apparel, toys, shoes and electronics at lower prices than they used to when they were buying from American companies. There could be substantial benefits to that, that many people were able to afford goods they couldn't afford without the imports from China. But in doing so, lowering the number of jobs for American workers was the losing side of that deal that our research highlights. Which one of those is more importantkeeping the American job in, say, textiles versus being able to buy cheaper textilesis a distributional question. Who is hurt and who is helped by that policy? That's a lot of what the national debate around trade has been about: there are cheaper goods, but was it really worth it, given the jobs that were lost? Are we headed for a different kind of China shock? How would that affect Americans? There has been a lot of interest in the possibility of a second China shock, which would be more at the higher end of consumptionsay, electric vehicles, battery technology and solar panelsthat we might think of as supporting relatively high-paying tech jobs in the U.S. China's rise in producing these goodswhich some call the "China Shock 2.0"could compete with relatively high-paying tech jobs in the U.S. This could look very different from the first China Shock because higher-skilled workers tend to be more mobile and may have an easier time searching for new jobs, and they also may have more savings to live off of while weathering job loss. Aside from hitting a different group of workers, China Shock 2.0 could play out differently because the US government has become much more willing to impose protectionist trade policies in recent years. Support for protectionist policies has received substantial bipartisan support, with the Biden administration maintaining many of the tariffs imposed during the first Trump administration, and with the second Trump administration dramatically raising tariffs imposed on countries throughout the world. Tariffs are a blunt instrument for raising the prices paid by Americans for Chinese and other foreign goods, discouraging imports and thus potentially preserving American jobs in specific industries, but at the cost of consumers potentially missing out on cheaper prices at the store. More information: David Autor et al, Places versus People: The Ins and Outs of Labor Market Adjustment to Globalization, (2025). DOI: 10.3386/w33424 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: Working with local partners, Chan has collected samples from wastewater sources in several nations in sub-Saharan Africa. In this photo he collects samples from a river in the city of Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Credit: Benjamin Chan In the fight against antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) superbugs, an important weapon may just be hiding in some polluted stream, in some remote village that lacks adequate sewage infrastructure, or in a wastewater treatment plant here in Connecticut. For more than a decade, Yale's Benjamin Chan has scoured these and other sites across the world, from villages in sub-Saharan Africa to a wastewater plant in New Haven, collecting what are known as bacteriophages, or phages. Phages, a class of viruses that infect bacteria, have long offered promise as an important tool against AMR, a global threat to public health fueled by the misuse and overuse of antibiotics. Chan, the scientific director of Yale's Center for Phage Biology & Therapy, is featured in a new documentary film, "The Good Virus," which documents a network of scientists engaged in the fight against AMR, a public health crisis that is already causing millions of deaths annually. In an interview, Chan describes his own global hunt for novel phages that offer hope in the fight against bacterial infections, how communities in some of the world's under-resourced regions can independently create their own phage products, and how Yale's phage therapy center is producing "bench-to-bedside" research in search of potentially life-changing solutions to a range of public health threats, including for patients here in New Haven. The interview has been edited for length and clarity. What are bacteriophages? And why are they considered an important weapon in the fight against antimicrobial-resistant bacteria? Chan: Bacteriophages are the viruses of bacteria, and they are the most numerous replicating entity on the planet: basically, they're everywhere that bacteria are. They bounce around until they encounter a bacteria and then sort of feel around to see if it's the right species or strain, because they're super specific. If it is the right species, they begin the infection process by basically grabbing on to the bacteria and injecting their DNA, which shuts down the metabolism of the bacteria, creating copies of its genetic material which then explode out. They're potentially important in that fight for a couple of reasons. For one thing, development of new antibiotics has really slowed. And we have seen rising rates of antibiotic resistance across the world, which is a problem if we don't have any tools to manage those infections. Phages offer one tool that acts in a mechanism completely different than traditional chemical antibiotics. Basically, they act as a whole new class of antibacterials. They outnumber bacteria by a ratio of about 10 to 1, so you can always find new phages that can infect bacteria. If it evolves resistance to one phage, you can always find a new one. I don't want to curse the field and say it's limitless, but it's incredibly diversethere's a lot of potential. Why has antimicrobial resistance become such a global threat? And what's the potential scale of this threat in the coming decades? Well, there are a lot of reasons it has become a problem. One is that many antibiotics are dispensed freely or inappropriately, and there's the problem of people not using their complete course of antibiotics. These antibiotics also often end up in contaminated waterways. All this has led to the creation of these antibiotic-resistant bacteria, which all alone wouldn't be much of a problem. But if these bacteria end up in a human or in a domestic animal and it causes an infection, then we don't have tools to manage it. And it's getting worse. There was a report which predicted that by 2050 antimicrobial resistance will cause 10 million excess deaths, which is more than has been caused by HIV and AIDS. It's a bigger problem in lower- and middle-income countries for many reasons. Basically, if you have a high-density population with insufficient water treatment there's a greater chance that there will be transmission of infectious bacteria from wastewater to people. And once it causes infections, the medical infrastructure is under resourced and may struggle to treat it. Health systems are often using out-of-date or expired antimicrobials or ones that have been laundered through the medical system and are not meeting quality control. So it's just creating a positive feedback loop where you're going to get more antibiotic resistance. But while these impacts for now are being felt the most in low- and middle-income countries, it's just a matter of time before it reaches higher-income countries. As we enter what's been called the post-antibiotic era, it's going to be a problem everywhere. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. How did you become involved in the search for bacteriophages? And what are the kinds of places you've targeted for this search? In my research I focus on the isolation, discovery, and characterization of bacteriophages, with the hope of finding phages that can kill clinically relevant or medically relevant bacteria for the benefit of individuals or communities. I first got into this right after grad school, when I met a physician from the country of Georgia who'd worked with phage therapy. I just became obsessed with it and thought it was such a cool new way to consider treating infections. As for where to find phages, well, if they are going to be a viable tool in the battle against AMR, then we should look in the regions that are already facing these threats, like sub-Saharan Africa, which offer great biological resources. Again, it is in these places where there are high population densities and where water infrastructure might not be as developed. In these communities, there is an opportunity to develop new phages that could then be sold to higher-income countries. I like to think of it as a way to create an economic benefit for those who are most affected and potentially reduce and reverse the impact of AMR. This is what led me to really want to work with individuals in these areas, and with an NGO called Phages for Global Health. Together we've taught workshops in some of these countries, training scientists and physicians how to isolate their own phages. Benjamin Chan collects water samples in Cuatro Cienegas, Mexico. Credit: Benjamin Chan Where has this work taken you specifically? Well, we're looking all over, particularly in wastewater sources in sub-Saharan Africa. We've done a lot of work in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Congo, Ghana, but we also have some partnerships in South America. I really love the collaboration part because it involves a lot of what they call "citizen science," which is basically work that involves everybody. And the concept is pretty simple: It's as easy as collecting a water sample and sending it to a lab. The bigger the network we have, the more phages we're able to collect. How do you know when you've found a phage that holds promise? We start by looking for bacteria associated with human disease, and human sewage is a great source for that. We basically take the sewage sample, or whatever phage source we have, and then filter it outwe get rid of the solids, the bacteria, and other materials. We take the filtratephages and small particles that pass through the filterand spot it on a lawn of bacteria. And if there's a clearing in the lawn of bacteria, then there's possibly a phage there. At that point we'll do some more sophisticated work, but really it's just about narrowing down and cleaning up each step until we get a nice phage that we can grow on a certain strain of bacteria. Once you've identified it, what are the next steps toward developing a possible treatment? So once we've isolated a phage, then we start characterizing it; we do genetic sequencing and other basic steps to make sure there's no toxin-encoding or antimicrobial resistance genes, since we don't want to contribute to the problem we're trying to fix. Then we characterize the receptor: each phage attaches to only certain strains of bacteria via a certain protein or sugar or fat or something else on the surface. Our group tries to focus on finding phages that utilize virulence factors as receptor binding sites. Our philosophy is that we will use a phage that kills bacteria that have these receptors and only those bacteria; If this virulence factor is on the surface of bacteria, then the phage we use will kill only those ones which will drive the evolution of that population. So if it evolves resistance to the phage, it can't cause disease anymore or is antibiotic sensitive. Basically, we're trying to exploit trade-offs with the understanding that the evolution of resistance is almost unavoidable. So we're trying to correct the problem by using evolution to our advantage. Your search also happens closer to home. Can you talk about your work here in New Haven? So, yes, we do work with the Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority, at a wastewater plant, and they've been great partners. I'll sometimes write to my contact there, and ask, "Can we stop by to pick up sewage?" And we'll show up, pick up sewage, bring it back to the lab, and then do our thing. Isolate phages. Working with them we've found quite a few phages, but one that we found specifically targets [drug-resistant] Staphylococcus aureus. MRSA [methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus] is a pretty big problem, especially for those with prosthetic joint infections. But we found that a really cool effect of this phage is that it either kills MRSA or, if the staph evolves resistance, it becomes sensitive to these penicillins again. So we basically reverse antibiotic resistance. We've had really good success with treating prosthetic joint infections in clinical cases here at Yale-New Haven. And in other institutions, they were actually able to salvage limbs when there didn't seem to be many options left other than amputation. We were able to go in with the phage and fix the infection. Has this phage yielded any other promising results? Well, it's still an investigational treatment, so we're trying to figure out in what situations it works most effectively and where it doesn't work as well, but we've definitely seen some really positive outcomes. In addition to the prosthetic joint infections, we've had encouraging results in terms of improved lung function and in some pulmonary cases at the adult cystic fibrosis center. And we've had a couple of promising cases in the treatment of life-threatening infections for multi- or pan-resistant bacteria. We've managed to completely fix some pretty serious infections. How is the Center for Phage Biology and Therapy at Yale contributing to this emerging field? We're isolating, characterizing, and discovering new phages. Some of those might not have clinical use necessarily, but they help us better understand the science of phage biology. Some of these phages that we're isolating were shared by people from all over the world. There will be someone who saw us on BBC and they'll ask, "Can I send you a water sample?" If people can get us samples, we'll happily screen them for phages. We're also doing clinical research through compassionate use clinical trials. And we do translational work, where once we take these phages from the environment, we test how well they work in, say, saline or in something like an injectable or in a nebulizer or in syringes. So we are able to do bench-to-bedside work within the center, which is pretty satisfying. Especially when you receive a sample from the environment, it goes through all the steps, and then ends up making a difference in someone's life. It's super rewarding and makes all the crazy stress worth it. 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: High-resolution measurements of the coherent flows from cell collectives. Credit: Benjamin H. Andersen et al/Nature Physics. In a new Nature Physics study, researchers have provided evidence of universal conformal invariance in living biological cells. They show that a universal feature in the collective behavior emerges in groups of living cells. The researchers studied four cellular systems to find evidence of universal conformal invariance. Despite being separated by billions of years of evolution, the researchers found that all four systems generated vortex-like flow patterns with identical statistical properties. Phys.org spoke to one of the study's co-authors, Dr. Amin Doostmohammadi, an Associate Professor at the University of Copenhagen. "When you stir a cup of water, you see whirlpools form and disappear. Something similar happens when bacteria or human cells move collectively; they form swirling patterns, too," he explained. "What was astonishing to us was to find that these vastly different cell types all display a hidden symmetry known as conformal invariance in their swirling patterns. This means that their collective motion follows the same statistical patterns, even when you zoom in or out, stretch, or reshape them." Collective behaviors and CFT Collective movement emerges due to the specific properties of the individual constituents. This includes their interaction, movement, and response to stimuli. The resultant emergent properties vary from system to system, making it challenging to study universal principles governing collective movementif they are present. In previous studies, researchers have been able to identify universal behaviors near critical regimes in inanimate systems like metal or alloy materials. These universal behaviors are described by conformal field theory (CFT), a powerful mathematical framework. CFT can be applied to scale-invariant and angle-preserving systems, which are often seen at critical points (like phase changes). "Understanding how living matter organizes itself is one of the biggest unsolved puzzles in science. Our inspiration came from a bold question: Could there be universal laws, akin to those in physics, that govern how cells self-organize?" said Dr. Doostmohammadi. Analyzing four different living systems The researchers examined the cells of wild-type Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, a mutant strain of the same bacteria, Madin-Darby canine kidney cells, and aggressive human breast cancer cells. The four systems represent a wide range of cell types (eukaryotes and prokaryotes) with different movement mechanisms and cellular properties. For each system, the researchers created monolayers of cells and tracked their movement using high-resolution imaging. The resulting velocity fields were then analyzed to calculate the vorticity, which represents the local rotation at a point. Three representative clusters of positive vorticity to illustrate the methods used in our analyses of contour perimeter and gyration radius. Credit: Nature Physics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-025-02791-2 For the zero vorticity regionswhich represent the boundary where the system's rotational behavior changesthey performed mathematical analyses. These included measuring the fractal dimension, testing if the contours follow Schramm-Loewner evolution (SLE), and calculating winding angles. "SLE is a theory typically used in physics to describe percolation, magnetism, and even aspects of quantum gravity," said Dr. Doostmohammadi. In SLE, conformally invariant curves are characterized by a single parameter , which identifies specific universality classes exhibiting similar emergent behaviors. The researchers also developed a simple computational model to recapitulate the same patterns seen in the four systems, suggesting these universal properties emerge naturally from collective dynamics regardless of cellular details. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Percolation universality class The researchers found that the parameter was measured to be six for all four systems. This belongs to the percolation universality classthe same class that describes the movement of particles or fluids through a porous medium, like water flowing through a porous rock. "This discovery suggests that, at a fundamental level, living matter organizes itself according to universal lawslaws that apply across the tree of life, from bacteria to human cells with very different biology and very different morphologies," noted Dr. Doostmohammadi. This finding of universal conformal invariance bridges biology with concepts of theoretical mathematics and physics. This universality is even more remarkable considering that these biological systems operate far from equilibrium, constantly consuming energy to maintain their movementunlike the equilibrium states where such universal behaviors are typically observed in physics and mathematics. Looking to the future, Dr. Doostmohammadi points out that this work can help improve our understanding of cancer progression, wound healing, and tissue development. Additionally, it could inspire new methodologies in synthetic biology and regenerative medicine. Not only that, but these biological systems can now serve as experimental platforms to test predictions from CFT that have primarily been limited to theoretical and numerical simulations. More information: Benjamin H. Andersen et al, Evidence of universal conformal invariance in living biological matter, Nature Physics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-025-02791-2. Journal information: Nature Physics 2025 Science X Network 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: Job Dekker, PhD, and colleagues identify three rules (i, ii and iii) that govern how four molecule machinescohesive cohensin (green circle), extrusive cohensin (yellow circle), condensin I, (blue circle) and condensin II (red circle)respond when they run into each other on the genome during DNA folding. Credit: Johan Gibcus, PhD An international team of researchers co-led by Job Dekker, Ph.D., at UMass Chan Medical School, have identified rules that tell cells how to fold DNA into the tightly packed, iconic X-shaped chromosomes formed during mitosis that help ensure the accurate passing of genetic information between cells during cell division. Published in the journal Science, these findings illuminate basic biological functions underlying mitosis on a micrometer scale. Understanding how the cells accomplish this critical task may provide important new insights into inheritance and DNA stability and repair, as well as genetic mutations that lead to human diseases such as cancer. "While we and many others have contributed to the general understanding of how the genome is folded inside chromosomes during mitosishow cells dynamically acquire their intricate folding arrangementsqueezing several centimeters of genetic information into pairs of complexly arranged sister DNA molecules only a few micrometers in size has been more challenging to unpack," said Dr. Dekker, Howard Hughes Medical Investigator, the Joseph J. Byrne Chair in Biomedical Research and professor of systems biology. "The work by our team outlines how cells follow a few simple rules to build chromosomes and fold DNA into these tiny, intricate structures during the mitotic phase of cell division." Co-leading the study with Dekker are William C. Earnshaw, Ph.D., professor of chromosome dynamics at the University of Edinburgh; Leonid A. Mirny, Ph.D., professor of medicine and biomedical physics and physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Anton Goloborodko, Ph.D., group leader at the Institute of Molecular Biotechnology in Vienna. When we think of chromosomes, many of us imagine the familiar X-shaped structures from high school biology that can be observed in dividing cells during mitosis. These structures are among the most iconic in cellular biology. More importantly, their precise formation is essential for cell division and passing DNA from one cell generation to the next. Inside each of these tiny, X-shaped chromosomes are small pairs of sister DNA molecules called chromatids, identical halves of the chromosome created when DNA is copied in preparation for cell division during mitosis. The chromatids, joined at the centromere, are several centimeters long, but compacted by the cell to a length of only a few microns. (After cell division there are 92 sister chromatids per cell.) However, how cells fold these tiny strands of DNA into densely compacted, intricate structures has been a mystery to cell biologists and geneticists for more than 150 years. Work by Dekker and others over the past 40 years has shown that inside each of these chromatids, the DNA is folded as a series of loops and the two sister chromatids are connected to each other all along their length. These loops of DNA are generated in the cell by a set of molecular machines called cohesins and condensins, which are responsible for binding DNA and then pumping out loops of chromatin at a blazingly fast rate. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Using a combination of genomic analysis techniques used to study the three-dimensional organization of genomes and chromatin interactions developed by Dekker and colleagues called Hi-C, high-resolution imaging, genomics, proteomics and polymer modeling, Dekker and colleagues have begun to answer these important questions. Johan Gibcus, Ph.D., assistant professor of systems biology and co-first author on the study, explained, "We found that these machines extrude loops and as they do so, they race along the chromosomes at extremely high speeds of 2-3 kilobases per second. More importantly, we discovered a simple set of priorities that define how encounters between these fast-moving machines are resolved by the cell." According to Dr. Gibcus, during the mitotic phase of cell division, four different loop-extruding machines are acting simultaneously along the chromosomes: two types of cohesin machines and two types of condensin machines. During interphase, the first cohesin machine extrudes loops all along the genome. As cells enter mitosis, however, a condensin machine also begins extruding loops. When a condensin machine inevitably runs into a cohesin machine, the condensin machine removes the cohesin machine from the chromosome and continues merrily on its way, extruding loops along the genome. Next, a second type of cohesin machine holds the two sister chromatids together, about once every million bases along the genome. When a condensin machine encounters these second cohesin machines, it simply steps over it and keeps extruding. As a result, sister chromatids remain connected to each other at the apex of the loops created by the condensin machines. Finally, when condensin machines run into any other condensin machines while extruding loops, they simply stop and hold. As a result, each chromatid is folded as a consecutive array of loops. More information: Kumiko Samejima et al, Rules of engagement for condensins and cohesins guide mitotic chromosome formation, Science (2025). DOI: 10.1126/science.adq1709 Journal information: Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The war has had a devastating impact on the soil, and has disrupted agricultural production, leading to food insecurity and economic losses for farmers and rural communities. Credit: P. Martyshev, O. Nivievsyi and M. Bogonos While Ukraine has made significant progress in climate action since the 2010s, and undertaken efforts to align its environmental strategy with EU standards, Russia's invasion in 2022 has contributed to environmental devastation due to the release of potentially toxic elements resulting from military activities. The war has also hampered the country's ability to monitor and respond to changes in the environment, according to a new JRC report. On the one hand, the war led to lower greenhouse gas emissions due to reduced industrial production and destruction of energy facilities. On the other hand, new greenhouse gas emissions have emerged associated with military operations as well as a redistribution or deterioration of pollution impacting air quality and soil, and an increased risk of forest fires. Chemicals from munitions and other pollutants, and damage to inland waterways and marine infrastructure are likely to have long-term consequences for human health and the biodiversity of ecosystems, particularly for those in the Black Sea and Sea of Azov. These findings are published in the report "Status of Environment and Climate in Ukraine." The informationfor the first time summarized in this reportprovides a useful reference tool for a more in-depth assessment of the impact of war in Ukraine for specific environment and climate aspects, including inputs for the reconstruction of the country. Moreover, the findings can help to monitor Ukraine's progress in the green transition, with an emphasis on zero-pollution, low-carbon and nature-preserving dimensions. The study also aims to support Ukraine's national and local authorities to understand the magnitude of the challenges in absolute terms. This knowledge could help them to make informed decisions on the implementation of the Ukraine plan, by leveraging the foreseen reforms and investments to improve the status of air quality, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect forests, conserve soils, and safeguard marine environments. The Ukraine Plan is a key part of the Ukraine Facility which offers financial support to bolster Ukraine's recovery and resilience on its way to EU membership. Air quality and climate action Between 2018 and 2022, Ukraine's annual average concentrations of the air pollutants sulfur dioxide (SO 2 ), nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO) and total suspended matter met national air quality standards criteria, while nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) and formaldehyde (CH 2 O) levels were above them. In the capital Kyiv, annual concentrations of fine particles, particulate matter PM 10 (smaller than 10 m in diameter) and PM 2.5 (smaller than 2.5 m) were below the annual EU limit values while higher than the stricter WHO guidelines. In 2019, 42,900 premature deaths and 953,500 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in Ukraine were related to air pollution, which corresponds to about 10% of all cases of morbidity and mortality. Since 2022, the war has led to the emergence of atypical air pollution patterns associated with military operations. Ukraine's framework for climate action has brought down greenhouse gas emissions: by 2021, they were down by 62.5% compared to 1990. As recovery from the pandemic picked up, in 2021, the emissions (including land use, land use change and forests, i.e., LULUCF) grew by 7.5% compared to 2020. Since 2022, the destruction of industrial and energy facilities caused by war led to a drop in GHG emissions (23%26% reduction in 2022 compared to 2021) and to the emergence of new GHG emissions associated with military operations, which in the first 18 months amounted to 77MtCO 2 -eq. Ukrainian local authorities are active in climate action through adhesion to the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy in the Eastern Partnership initiative with 363 signatories, covering 51% of the national population. Their overall commitment is to reduce 33% of their GHG emissions by 2030, compared to their baseline emission inventory year. Moreover, they have planned adaptation measures to address extreme heat and floods and mass movements in their territories. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Forests and soil Although forests only cover about one-fifth of its territory, Ukraine ranks among the top European countries in terms of forest area. Approximately 1.7 million hectares of Ukrainian forests are affected by war, accounting for approximately 15% of the country's total forest cover. Since the outbreak of military activities in February 2022, the pressures on forest resources expanded due to intense deforestation and habitat destruction, and the threat of explosive remnants and wildfires. Over the past decades, climate change has increased the risk of large forest fires, especially in the last five years. Wildfires account for 45%65% of the Ukrainian forest cover losses every year. According to satellite imagery, analyzed for the "JRC Advance report on Forest Fires in Europe, Middle East and North Africa 2024," in 2024, Ukraine suffered record-breaking wildfires. A total of 965,000 ha was burnt, more than twice the area burnt in the entire EU over the same period. Most major fires occurred during dry and hot weather, along the frontlines. Soil health is of great importance in Ukraine considering that agriculture is one of the main economic activities, accounting for 11% of GDP, 60% of exports worth EUR 23.3 billion in 2023. Soils in Ukraine have high levels of organic matter and are rich in nutrients, but they are also vulnerable to degradation. Erosion stands out as the most widespread threat as 40% of the soil in Ukraine is affected. The war contributed to the devastation by releasing toxic elements, such as lead, mercury, and arsenic, which may cause serious consequences for public health by penetrating into food chains. Marine environment The Black Sea is under a lot of pressure from human activities, resulting from nutrient and contaminant overload (including microplastics), intensive marine traffic, climate change, fishery and invasive species. Plant protection products are the main source of emerging pollutants. Since 2022, there has been a growing concern about increased release of chemicals and habitat destruction, both with long-term consequences due to military actions. However, environmental monitoring since the start of the war is not possible due to the inaccessibility of the coast and inability to perform marine surveys. Background The status of air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, climate action, forest resources, soil and marine environment is assessed in a time window between the 2010s and the 2020s, which includes the COVID-19 pandemic and the beginning of the war in Ukraine. The scarcity of data represents a significant obstacle to continuous spatial and temporal environmental monitoring. The availability of reliable field data is crucial to identifying critical environmental and climate aspects. Thus, it is vital to establish and improve monitoring networks, including transparent reporting. More information: Status of Environment and Climate in Ukraine, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2025, data.europa.eu/doi/10.2760/6292177 Provided by European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP The federal government says it needs the Federal Aviation Administration technical center here to help rebuild the nations air traffic control system but it wont rule out future job cuts at the facility. It also says it is about to start testing new technology to monitor drones after a wave of drone sightings in New Jersey and elsewhere late last year. Sean Duffy, President Donald Trumps transportation secretary, visited the center Friday at the invitation of U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, to celebrate recent legislation permanently reauthorizing the center. Duffy said the center will play a major role in the Trump administrations plan to rebuild the nations antiquated air traffic control system, which he says still uses copper wiring and computer floppy discs in some places. But he also said there still may be room for future efficiencies at the center, which on Friday had its name changed to the William J. Hughes FAA Technical Center for Advanced Aerospace. It remains named for the former Democratic congressman and U.S. ambassador to Panama. Earlier this year, about 19 probationary workers were laid off there, but all have been brought back, Van Drew said. An undetermined number of other workers from the center have since taken buyouts, Duffy and Van Drew said. Neither could say how many have taken buyouts, nor could a spokesman for the center. We need this tech center, said Duffy. This is where a lot of the innovation at the FAA resides. It all starts here. They are truly going to be leaned on as we build a brand new air traffic control system. New Jersey drone sightings were approved for FAA research, White House says The drones that were seen flying over New Jersey late last year were approved by the Federal Aviation Administration for research, according to a statement from President Donald J. Trump. But Duffy also said the Transportation Department had grown under the Biden administration, adding he would like to return staffing levels to those that existed on Bidens first day in office, without saying how many workers that would be. Im looking for efficiencies everywhere, Duffy said. We are on a mission to be more efficient, but were not going to cut any critical safety positions, including air traffic controllers. But if there are other spaces where we can find efficiencies, where we can join departments and have people use the tax dollar more efficiently, were going to do that, the secretary said. What kind of efficiencies would come from here? I dont know. What were going to do is take one last look at what our staffing levels are, where we have redundancies, and if there is overlap, were going to look for efficiencies. Van Drew hurried to add that recent legislation permanently authorized the tech center to operate. I want to assure people this tech center is staying here, he said. It is written into the code that was done legislatively. It is the law. Rick Breitenfeldt, a spokesman for the center, said it currently has around 1,500 workers. Duffy also said the FAA planned to announce later Friday that it will roll out a new program to conduct surveillance of drones in the nations skies that will begin within a week. Van Drew says FAA cuts affect small number of tech center's newest workers Layoffs of workers throughout the federal government will affect a small number of employees at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew said Monday. I live up by Bedminster, and my family saw all of the drones coming over the area, he said. All the parents saw these low-flying drones coming over our communities. Many of the mystery drones that were seen flying over New Jersey late last year were approved by the FAA for research, Trump said in January. Others were hobbyists or people flying drones for recreation or private use. The sightings in the state started Nov. 18. Reports ranged from four to 180 sightings per night, though officials said some of those could have been multiple people seeing the same objects, as well as planes, stars or other things. We are going to test new technology on surveillance around drones in the airspace, Duffy said. Making sure we have the technology to actually see drones, it becomes very challenging, very difficult. There is a national security component to this as well: Whos friendly, who isnt. West Music Company, a Coralville-based instrument retailer serving Quad-Cities schools, is facing major uncertainty and disruptions to nearly all of their products with looming tariffs. Over the past several weeks, President Donald Trump has issued a string of executive orders enacting, and later pausing, sweeping tariffs on nearly all U.S. trading partners. On April 2, the Trump administration unveiled what it called reciprocal tariffs of up to 50% on 57 countries and territories, as well as a minimum 10% tariff on all countries. A week later, the Trump administration announced a 90-day pause on all country-specific tariffs, except for China, which now faces minimum tariffs of 145%, as of 3 p.m. Thursday. Were facing many disruptions, Ryan West, president and CEO of West Music, said. For pretty much every product. West Music Company is the largest supplier of elementary general music products in the U.S., according to its website, and services school districts in Scott, Muscatine, Clinton, Rock Island and Henry counties. The retailer, founded in 1941, imports from China, Taiwan, India, Thailand, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Mexico and the United Kingdom. The U.S. music industry relies heavily on instruments and parts manufactured outside the country, said Alex Beamer, vice president of school music services at West Music. Nearly all of West Music Companys instruments are manufactured or have parts manufactured outside the U.S. Other instrument retailers are in the same position. On April 3, the National Association of Music Merchants released a statement describing tariffs as serious and devastating. The association had previously called for universal exemptions for music products and accessories. According to the associations April 3 statement, 43% of U.S. imports in the music industry are from China, compared to 13.4% of all U.S. imports. Vietnam, which was to be tariffed 46% before the pause, comprises 26% of U.S. music industry imports, compared to 4.2% of all U.S. imports, according to the statement. Many low-cost instruments for beginners are manufactured in China, Beamer said. Even for manufacturers who assemble instruments in other countries, they likely use parts made in China, Beamer said. "I don't know of a single musical instrument manufacturer that doesn't do something in China," he said. On the high end of instrument production, tariffs can result in thousands in import fees. A division of West Music Company, Flute Authority, is the sole North American distributor for several international professional-grade flute brands, including the Japanese lines Sankyo Flutes and Miyazawa Flutes. These instruments, which cost more than $39,000 for their priciest models, will face a tariff of 24% if the planned reciprocal tariffs go into place after the 90-day pause. Beamer, who oversees West Music Company representatives who work with schools, said the magnitude of tariffs impact on Quad-Cities schools remain unclear, with tariff rates changing on a daily basis. The shifting policy, though, has created meaningful uncertainty, Beamer said. With changing tariffs, West Music Company has struggled to assure price protection for schools, some of which are now planning their 2025-26 academic year budgets The last week has been highly unpredictable, Beamer said. We are at the mercy as to what happens with the federal government. Beamer said West Music Company is following a plan, not panic approach, where they will plan based on the facts of the situation and avoid unnecessary alarm. The company is working with customers and schools to ensure they can adequately budget for the future, Beamer said. Ultimately, we just want everybody to be involved with music, Beamer said. Many of the products West Music Company has ordered have already left international ports, Beamer said. Those products are excluded from tariffs, meaning most price hikes wont be felt for several months, Beamer and West said. For those intending to buy an instrument, now is the best time to buy, West said. If the Trump administration resumes reciprocal tariffs, instrument prices may rise across the board, West said, though the retailer does not intend to pass all price increases onto consumers. Were being very careful and cautious, he said. An entry-level soprano ukulele that includes a gig bag would jump from $39.99 to around $55 to $60, West said. Rhythm sticks, often used in elementary schools, could be priced 54% higher. Other products may only jump a few dollars, but with price increases expected to be near universal, the overall costs for consumers could rise substantially. When you add it up over time, thats where its most felt, West said. Update: This article has been updated to expand on West Music's "plan, not panic" approach. Rapid Citys newest coffee shop is an affectionate high-octane tribute to western South Dakotas culture and wildlife. Speed Goat Express Coffee Co. opened March 17 at 532 St. Joseph St. in downtown Rapid City. Owners Rob and Julie Mahaffey, both born and raised in South Dakota, are avid outdoors enthusiasts who share a interest for pronghorn antelope. In fact, the couple are founding members of the South Dakota Antelope Foundation, which is dedicated to conserving and increasing the states population of pronghorn antelopes. The coffee shops name is a nod to the antelope, which are nicknamed speed goats. Pronghorn antelopes are not actually goats, but their reputation for speed is well deserved. Pronghorn antelopes are the fastest land animals in North America can can run up to 60 mph. Cheetahs, the fastest land animals in the world, clock a speed of 61 mph. The Mahaffeys liked the idea of paying homage to their favorite high-speed antelopes by opening a coffee shop where customers can get a jolt of caffeine to help them run through their days. We pride ourselves on trying to be as creative as possible, and how do we make this play off the Pony Express? Rob Mahaffey said. We really wanted to embrace and capture western South Dakota. Its an amazing state and once you cross the Missouri River, you are in the western United States. While the coffee shops modern rustic ambiance is a nod to Rob and Julies beloved home state, Speed Goat Express Coffee Co.s menu incorporates flavors from the Mahaffeys travels. Rob and Julie are dedicated foodies who love to explore places and cuisines outside South Dakota. Julie and I have been travelers across the country. Were more interested in the food than we are in the sights, Mahaffey chuckled. Speed Goats menu puts a different twist on typical coffee shop offering. For example, Speed Goat serves flavored dirty sodas made from cane sugar that gets its caffeine from organic beans. Some of the coffee drinks were directly inspired by their travels, Mahaffey said. Their Mexican Mocha house blend already a customer favorite is a riff on a similar drink the couple tried in Arizona. I thought it tasted amazing and I felt like I could taste what was in it, so we came back and started experimenting, Mahaffey said. We offer a Mexican Mocha with a kick of cayenne. Its got a little bit of spice in it. Another Speed Goat signature beverage, Holy Cow Latte, is a drink Julie had made at home. It contains collagen and a hearty dose of flavor from butter and heavy cream. Along with its signature beverages, Speed Goats menu includes such breakfast items as egg bites, oatmeal, scones, doughnuts and soups for lunch. As the family continues to get the business established and running smoothly, Mahaffey hopes they can offer more in-house baked goods such as muffins, scones and biscuits. The Mahaffey family strives to give people a place that feels a little bit different where they can gather. The desire to be a destination inspired the Mahaffeys to be open at times other local businesses are closed. Speed Goat Express Coffee Co.s hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Mahaffey said the coffee shop is attracting many customers who bring their laptops and want a place to work, as well as people who want a place to spend time with family and friends. The Mahaffeys, who have also owned another business downtown for eight years, are happy to be even more invested in the Rapid City downtown community they value. Thats one of the silver linings (of the COVID-19 pandemic). People really started to get behind small businesses, Mahaffey said. Opening a second business is about trying to create a space where people enjoy getting together, he said. People want to be downtown. They want come down here, and they want to engage with businesses and they want to support local businesses. Speed Goat Express Coffee Co. is a family business, and the Mahaffeys three young adult children Abigail, Andrew and Claire are all pitching in. In its first few weeks of business, Mahaffey said the new coffee shop has been very well-received, and busy. In true South Dakota fashion, Mahaffey compares the new coffee shop to a family farm, and he hopes hes inspiring his childrens future careers. Everybody has to contribute for something to succeed, and at the same time all the kids get the benefit of having income and having the opportunity to learn more skills with interacting in the business world, Mahaffey said. Were very fortunate our kids all share the same entrepreneurial mindset of wanting to create something of their own as time goes on. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology director of the Ivanhoe International Center, Beth Riley, recently sent out emails to international students notifying them to be cautious of their social media usage and that any criminal activity could lead to their visas being revoked. If there is any evidence of terrorist connections (this could include photos of you with guns no matter how innocent it is) or advocating for, sympathizing with, or persuading others to endorse or espouse terrorist activities or support a terrorist organization, your visa will be revoked, read one email sent by Riley. The emails come at a time when the cancellation of international student visas has become a part of President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown. The New York Times reported on April 7 that nearly 300 students have had visas revoked and could face deportation. In some cases, the efforts were done in response to students protesting the war in Gaza last spring. Others have been targeted for previous criminal charges. If a student had a speeding ticket, DUI, or other criminal record, even if it was dismissed by a judge, they are being considered in violation of their status and terminated, Riley said in one of the emails. South Dakota Mines and the South Dakota Board of Regents said in a joint statement the emails were intended to provide guidance on what students are likely seeing in the media right now and provide resources for students navigating unprecedented changes. We have not seen this scenario yet so we will need to wait and see, said Riley in one email. Advocates for the revoking of visas, such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, consider it fair because anti-Israel views translate to anti-Semitic views and justified it under the Immigration and Nationality Act. But critics have deemed it unconstitutional and an abuse of power, especially when due process isn't provided. This upends all usual practice by the government, Miriam Feldblum, chief executive of the Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, which represents more than 570 public and private colleges and universities across the country, told the New York Times. They are terminating students statuses in a way they have never done before and with virtually no explanation and little recourse to correct or appeal by either the institution or the students. In March, Rubio lauded the detaining of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish graduate student at Tufts University, who made headlines after a video showed her being whisked off the street by masked officers in broad daylight. Roughly a year earlier, Ozturk co-wrote an opinion essay in Tufts student newspaper that was critical of the university for not sanctioning Israel over the war in Gaza last year. Ozturks visa has been revoked. We gave you (Ozturk) a visa to come and study and get a degree. Not to become a social activist that tears up our university campuses, Rubio told reporters in March. But unlike some universities being targeted by the administration such as Harvard and University of Texas at Austin Black Hills State and South Dakota Mines saw little, if any, protests about the war in Gaza. Asked about the possibility of a South Dakota Mines international students visa being revoked, local lawyer Jim Leach said, Are you kidding me? The School of Mines students? Does anyone actually claim theyre a threat to anyone? "These are highly intelligent people," he said. "Many of them are earning advanced degrees. These are people who are making our country way better and we are certainly lucky to have them. Spearfishs Black Hills State, which has 42 international students, said in a statement that visa statuses of some South Dakota Board of Regents students have changed. The school did not immediately respond when asked for clarification if that includes any Black Hills State students. BHSU added that when a students status changes, a designated school official will reach out to discuss next steps, which would typically involve making immediate plans to depart the United States, as terminated students are not granted a grace period and must leave as soon as possible to avoid accruing unlawful presence. In Rapid City, meanwhile, Riley, who sent the emails, is among Mines faculty members who are ensuring the school supports its international students during a chaotic time. We are not informed of the violation to cause these terminations. We can only check the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) records to see if this has happened, Riley said in one email, concluding it with Im sorry to give such bad news. Please let us know if you receive a termination email ASAP. Over the last several decades, South Dakota Mines has developed a reputation for being a welcoming place for international students, many of whom come from India. Mines has roughly 110 international students, from more than 35 countries, according to the Ivanhoe Center. November marked Mines 35th annual celebration of Diwali on a night that saw colorful fireworks arching over a charcoal sky and an attending crowd in the triple digits. On March 30, the school hosted its annual Cultural Expo which featured dishes from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Iran, India, Ghana, China and elsewhere. We support our international students and faculty just as we do all members of the South Dakota Mines community, however, our universities are not directly involved in the federal process related to this matter. We will do our best to assist any affected students with their academic efforts, Mines and the South Dakota Board of Regents said in a joint statement. BOX ELDER Col. Brian Buschur is excited about the arrival of the B-21 bomber at Ellsworth Air Force Base. The 28th Operations Group commander at the base told a crowd at the Black Hills Defense and Industry Symposium on Wednesday in Box Elder, "I've seen the aircraft, I've touched it, I've talked to the hundreds of people, to the engineers, that have designed it, that have led over this program. I am inspired, and I'm absolutely sure that we've got it right. This program will ensure our safety and it will also ensure the (Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's) top priority, which is deterrence." "This plane is bad ass, and it will deter our adversaries and reassure our allies," Buschur said. When will it arrive? "The answer is mid-2020s. That's the answer. It's 2025, right? So any day now," he said to chuckles from the crowd at they symposium, held at The Box events center. "The point being is we cannot rush this, folks. We can't. So the jet is undergoing research and development flights as we speak, the operational test program is taking the jet through its paces, and we need to make sure that we get it right, not get it fast." The B-21 Raider will be able to transport conventional bombs while also being nuclear-capable, with the greatest speed, range and largest payload capability of "any bomber in our inventory," Buschur told the Journal. The B-21 can, "project long range power across the globe at a moment's notice. So to deter our enemies and to assure our allies is what the B-21 brings to the fight." The U.S. Air Force and defense contractor Northrop Grumman say it's the worlds first "sixth-generation" aircraft. In her speech at the symposium, Nikki Kodama, Northrop Grumman's vice president of the B-21 production program called the B-21 a "digital platform." Kodama said the B-21 will be "open architecture," meaning it can be upgraded as technology advances and needs arise. "Now we can do capability upgrades, and whether that's new weapons or software upgrades, that will allow us to really evolve with the evolving threat," she told the Journal, noting the low observability (stealth) capabilities are the sum of years of research. "And when we talk about L.O., this is our ability to bring our 40 years of experience to our L.O. processes, not only from performance, but also from maintenance. And so it's going to be much easier and much less costly to maintain this L.O. platform." Previously, largescale "block" upgrades were done on aircraft, "so that's where you're waiting for all of the technology, and then doing a big one bank insertion at one period of time," Kodama said. Think upgrades on an iPhone vs. getting a new iPhone. "The idea here is that we are going to be adaptable and flexible in the future, so that we can do continuous upgrades throughout the life cycle of upgrading," she said. The billion-plus dollar project has involved Northrop Grumman working with 400 suppliers in 40 states, according to Kodama. According to a U.S. Air Force fact sheet, the average price per aircraft unit was set to $550 million in 2010, which was updated to $692 million in 2022 dollars. The Air Force noted the "average unit procurement cost" is "the total costs of all procurement funding to include, aircraft flyaway costs, support equipment, training, spares, and engineering change orders divided by a minimum of 100 aircraft." According to Northrop Grumman, the cost is for the first 21 aircraft with subsequent aircraft subject to negotiation. Preparation on base To get ready for the B-21's arrival, Ellsworth is in the middle of an extensive construction project on the base. That includes a $130 million runway renovation project that's on budget, Buschur said, noting the work includes replacing the center keel "spine" of the runway, "a 75-foot swath down the entire length." In all, there are 45 construction projects planned at the base, with 15 currently ongoing, in preparation for the B-21 program work to accommodate the plane and the roughly 4,000 people it'll bring to base, counting Air Force personnel and their families. Some of them are already here. "New people are trickling in literally every assignment cycle," Buschur told the Journal. "The important thing is that as we transition from a conventional-only enterprise to a nuke enterprise that we're bringing in the right expertise to build the policies, to build the procedures, to endure long-term to ensure that nuke surety is met." As the rest arrive, local support, "is absolutely critical as we build the active duty component, because they come with families, and those families need places to go to school, they need places to shop and they need places to live. So it's important that we are partnered with the local community to ensure that our growth is matched with growth on the on the city outside the gates." During his speech, Buschur touched on the top, noting, "We need beds to sleep in. We need hotels. There's going to be a lot of economic growth that happens. So there's a lot of benefit." Buschur credited locals for being, "lockstep in that partnership and that collaboration, which is absolutely fundamental. ... Our kids go to the same school, we dine at the same restaurants, we go to the same churches. We are one team, folks." During the 2025 South Dakota Legislature session, lawmakers approved a $15 million zero-interest loan for Douglas School District to put toward a new elementary school to accommodate the growth. A bill that would've set aside some excise tax collections from contractors to the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority support fund failed. As previously reported in the Journal, the 2023 National Defense Authorization Act set aside millions in funding for the B-21 Raider mission, including $335 million for construction projects at Ellsworth, $3.1 billion for the B-21s development, and $15 million to assist schools projecting a substantial increase following Department of Defense decisions. Rounds, who authored 47 individual pieces of legislation in the NDAA, postulated Ellsworth would be at the top of the list for education funding. The 2024 National Defense Authorization Act allocated $269,000 for a trio of B-21-related construction projects at the base. The base was allotted a total of $235 million in the bill. The B-1 program During his speech, Buschur touched briefly on the January 2024 B-1 bomber crash at Ellsworth that resulted in $456.2 million in losses, saying afterward "we could have taken a knee. We could have felt sorry for ourselves, but we didn't. We laced up our bootstraps and we went to work." "Anytime there is a mishap, the whole goal is to get to the root cause, to understand what happened, to ensure it never happens again. And we did that, and we implemented change, with policies, with procedures, with how we conduct our business, with how we conduct our training, to include real world and sim training," Buschur said in an interview. "So we made giant leaps forward. And as an organization, we've moved forward. We've realized that, you know, mistakes were made. We've learned from that, and now we're moving on." As previously reported, a Air Force Aircraft Accident Investigation Board report said the aircraft touched down 100 feet short of the runway, with the rear radome hitting the ground and the landing gear striking the approach lighting. The four-person crew was able to eject successfully, with two airmen reportedly injured as a result. The B-1 then slid around 5,000 feet, eventually catching fire and coming to rest between two taxiways. The aircraft was a total loss. As for the B-1 fleet, the program was moved from Ellsworth to Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota to accommodate the construction at Ellsworth. The move was a large, complex undertaking, Buschur said in his speech, but didn't affect the 28th Bomb Wing's capabilities. He highlighted a mission to Iraq and Syria in response to an attack in Jordan in February 2024, along with work in Sweden and Guam and a local training exercise. Other operations include retaliatory strikes on Iranian-backed targets, a deployment to the Indian Ocean and trips to Japan and the United Kingdom. "The collaboration that took place between us and and Grand Forks was astonishing. They welcomed us with open arms," Buschur said in an interview, noting the program was stationed there in the 1990s. "So the local populace there was just as excited as Box Elder and Rapid City are to have the B-21. So it was a partnership that was almost seamless." The exact future of the B-1 program is unclear, Buschur said, with decisions being made above his rank. "Weighing heavy on my heart is the B-1 divestment. That plane represents a lot to me, it represents a tenacious community that has always found a way to say 'yes. I have bled with my brothers and sisters overseas in that plane, and it hurts to think that its time may be up" he told the crowd. "So the wing is in this unique spot. We have two different missions. One, it is to provide a proper sunset to a legacy aircraft that has served this nation well. Our second mission is to ensure that Ellsworth is prepared for the B 21 bed-down. So we're sort of at this crossroads between legacy and the future." Researchers in the Bitterroot Valley have seen significant mortality in bighorn sheep over the winter, with all collared rams in the Skalkaho herd reported to have died. The news comes just weeks after a bighorn sheep die-off in northeastern Montana prompted a hunting closure in Hunting District 622, north of Fort Peck Reservoir. There was significant mortality among the Bitterroots Skalkaho herd beginning in August of 2024 and continuing through winter, with five rams dying in mid-August, and another half dozen dying in January. The Skalkaho herd is one of three bighorn populations residing in the Bitterroot, also including the East Fork and the Painted Rocks herds. All collared rams in the Skalkaho herd have died, but the East Fork herd is currently doing well according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks biologist Rebecca Mowry. The deaths in August were particularly strange, with three collared rams and two uncollared rams dying within a week. Samples from the dead sheep were sent for necropsy testing to determine the cause of death. Mowry said current signs point to pneumonia as the most likely cause. It was just those five, she said. We lost five, and then we didn't find any more. So, something happened in that week that five of them died, and then that was it. So, we thought maybe it was over, and it was just weird we weren't sure what caused it. Then this winter, around January, we started to lose more sheep. Testing for diseases is taking a long time due to the need for repeat testing to rule out false negatives. The most concerning bacteria is Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae, which is known to cause severe outbreaks of pneumonia. Preliminary results show positive for other bacteria that can cause pneumonia, but the focus is on Mycoplasma. Pneumonia in bighorn sheep can be caused by multiple bacteria, but the one that tends to be the worst, and that shows up in some of the worst outbreaks, is mycoplasma. It's been a little bit inconclusive, Mowry said. But we do know that they are showing up positive for other bacteria that can cause pneumonia that typically are the like the smoking gun, she said. They're often their secondary infections it's the mycoplasma that we're really trying to nail down. Aerial surveys have counted around 80 sheep in the Skalkaho herd in the last few years. Mowry said there are still some collared ewes left, but the exact number left in the herd is hard to tell. Shes trying to get up in the air for a population survey but is struggling to find helicopters. We know we lost at least 12 rams between July 2024 and March 2025, some collared, some not collared. But all of the rams we collared died. The rams are more susceptible to disease due to their condition going into winter after they've been working hard during the rut, Mowry said. If they're already weak going into the winter, then it can make it more likely that that disease is going to take them down. A domestic goat was also found with the wild sheep, which could have introduced diseases. Another domestic goat was found on private property, and samples from both goats were taken to test for diseases. Mowry said the best thing the public can do to protect the bighorn herds if you live up Skalkaho, Sleeping Child, the East Fork or along Highway 93 near Connor and Sula is just not have domestic sheep and goats. I mean, that's really the best thing you can do, Mowry said. If keeping domestic sheep or goats, owners should have them tested regularly for disease to help prevent the spread of pathogens to wild sheep. Also, consider using double fencing or guardian dogs to prevent the mingling of wild and domestic animals. The public should report dead sheep, especially ewes, to wildlife officials. Montana State University Extension Service, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Montana Wool Growers Association and the Montana Wild Sheep Foundation will be hosting an upcoming meeting on the Wild and Domestic Sheep Comingling Project, Tuesday, April 22 from 5:306:30 p.m. at the Bitterroot River Inn in Hamilton. MSU Extension specialists and FWP biologists will discuss a collaborative effort to study the risk of contact between bighorn sheep and domestic sheep and goats. This information will be used to further explore tools to maintain effective separation and prevent disease-related issues. The overall goal of this project is to improve the ability of wild and domestic sheep and goats to coexist on Montanas rangelands. They are actively seeking domestic sheep and goat owners within study areas to participate in the project. For more information on the Wild and Domestic Sheep Comingling Project, contact Smith at smith.wells@montana.edu or 406-459-4533. 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. Tourist Police being investigated in Hotel Zone arrest Cancun, Q.R. Police in Cancun are investigating two of its officers in a Thursday arrest in the Hotel Zone. The two officers are being investigated after they were videoed becoming physical during the arrest of a street vendor. The female street vendor is seen refusing the arrest by the pair of Tourist Police in the Cancun Hotel Zone. The arrest took place near Plaza La Isla where she was found illegally selling bracelets. The video also shows the woman grabbing at the face of the male officer during her arrest. She was eventually placed in the back of a police car. Cancun Police say they are investigating the incident. The SMSCyT will review the actions of tourist police during a videotaped intervention in Cancuns hotel zone to ensure compliance with human rights and legality. One person was referred to the civic judge for resisting arrest, Cancun Police said in a statement. Over half of Singaporeans say they need $1 million to be financially free, according to a new study that shows most think it's achievable despite rising money stress. (Photo: Getty Images) More than half of Singapore residents believe they need at least $1 million to achieve financial independence, according to a new CIMB Singapore study. The majority (72 per cent) say its a realistic goal, despite rising financial anxiety, especially among those in their 40s. The survey, conducted with the Nanyang Centre for Marketing and Technology, gathered insights from over 500 Singapore residents aged 26 to 60. It found that financial independence defined as being free from financial stress is a top aspiration, with two-thirds aiming to achieve it between ages 40 and 60. But dreaming of millions and getting there are two different stories. The biggest obstacles cited are the high cost of living, family responsibilities, and low income. And while many are optimistic, only 43 per cent feel confident in managing their finances well enough to reach their goal. Interestingly, younger Singaporeans are more confident and proactive about financial planning, with many aiming to retire early. Yet, only 48 per cent of those with financial plans have begun preparing for retirement. SIOUX CITY The fatal shooting of a Hull, Iowa, man by a Sioux City police officer in February was "legally justified," Woodbury County Attorney James Loomis said Friday. Vicente Manzo Hernandez, 30, was shot at about 3:38 a.m. on Feb. 22 in the 200 block of 18th St., after a traffic stop. He was taken to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries. Loomis said Hernandez tried to force his way into a position to take control of a 2000 Chevrolet Impala, which he was initially a passenger in, despite the officer entering the car and ordering him to get back. The car continued to accelerate, with the officer stuck and unable to get free. Loomis said the officer was "at a very real risk of being dragged down the street or run over by the car" due to Hernandez's actions. "The use of deadly force was justified to put an end to that immediate danger. Therefore, I conclude that criminal charges are not warranted. I consider this investigation to be closed," Loomis said during a news conference at police headquarters, which was held to present the findings of the Iowa Attorney General's Office, Woodbury County Attorney's Office and Sioux City Police Department. The names of the officers involved in the incident were not revealed. Police Chief Rex Mueller said officers "have seconds to determine a course of action." He said he applauds the officers for trying to put an end to it by "engaging with the suspect, trying to get him out of the vehicle, deflating the tires." "By all accounts, the officers were doing everything they could to make sure that this suspect didn't flee and endanger other lives," he said. Loomis said officers recognized the Impala from previous eluding incidents, when it was being driven eastbound on 14th Street by Tara Bulizak. Bulizak was not charged in connection with this incident. "Miss Bulizak is known by officers to associate with dangerous felons who are involved with firearms. Her car was frequently seen in high drug-trafficking areas, and was seen in a recent drive-by shooting," he said. Loomis said the primary officer saw the car and contacted a secondary officer for assistance, as he intended to stop the car for the license plate light being out. The primary officer initiated the traffic stop and approached the car on the driver's side. He asked Bulizak for her license, registration and proof of insurance. While the primary officer was waiting for the requested information, Loomis said the secondary officer noticed Hernandez texting his girlfriend through the front passenger window. "His girlfriend told him he should not give the officer his name. He quietly told the primary officer about these text messages," said Loomis, who said Bulizak was able to provide her registration and began looking on her phone for her driver's license and proof of insurance. The primary officer took the registration back to his patrol car to verify the information through dispatch. At that time, he also requested a K9 unit. The secondary officer, who remained at the passenger side of the car Bulizak was driving, asked Hernandez for his name, which Loomis said he refused to provide. "The secondary officer recognized Mr. Hernandez from a traffic stop in January 2025, in which a quarter pound of methamphetamine was seized and both parties in the car were arrested. During that traffic stop, Mr. Hernandez claimed to only speak Spanish," said Loomis, who said the officer, who could not remember Hernandez's name, relayed this information to the primary officer. A records check of that January traffic stop indicated the passenger was Hernandez. Loomis said the officers were able to access a booking photo from the previous arrest and "observed the distinctive tattoo on Mr. Hernandez's neck." "While checking the identity of Mr. Hernandez, they learned that he had a warrant for his arrest that was issued on Feb. 21, 2025. The warrant involved his failure to appear for a pending felony drug case," he said. "Now, knowing they had a wanted subject, both officers intended to get Mr. Hernandez out of the car, secure him in handcuffs, confirm his identity and take him into custody for the warrant." Both officers approached the passenger side of the car. The secondary officer attempted to open the passenger side door, but Loomis said it was locked. He said the officer calmly asked Hernandez to step out of the car. The officer tried the door handle again, but Loomis said it remained locked. The officer crouched down to see directly into the passenger window and could see Bulizak talking to Hernandez, but he could not hear what they were saying. "Mr. Hernandez rolled the window down, and made eye contact with the officer, and he was directed to again step out of the car, but he would not," Loomis said. The primary officer then walked around the rear of the car to the driver's side and shone his flashlight inside the car. He attempted to open the door, which was locked. He asked Bulizak to unlock the door and told her Hernandez had a warrant. By that time, Hernandez had pulled his window back up and began arguing with Bulizak. Loomis said officers were concerned they were going to attempt to flee the scene in the car. Hernandez rolled the window down slightly, asked if he was going to jail and if he had a warrant. Loomis said the secondary officer told him there was a warrant they needed to address. "In response, Mr. Hernandez rolled the window back up and did not unlock the door. Mr. Hernandez and Miss Bulizak continued to argue," Loomis said. "The secondary officer then saw Mr. Hernandez grab the gear shift lever of the car, but was unable to get it into drive. He shouted at the primary officer to warn him the car may take off." With his flashlight in his left hand, the primary officer then drew his firearm with his right hand and ordered the occupants out of the car. Still concerned the occupants would flee in the vehicle, the secondary officer deflated the rear and front passenger tires. "Suddenly at that same time, Miss Bulizak flung open the front passenger door and jumped out of the car. Simultaneously, Mr. Hernandez from the passenger seat and the primary officer from the driver's side door attempted to get into the driver's seat to gain control of the car. He ordered Mr. Hernandez to get back, but got no reaction," Loomis said. "He then struck Mr. Hernandez in the face with his fist to gain compliance and keep Mr. Hernandez from gaining control of the car." Loomis said Hernandez continued to resist and use his body to push back. Hernandez was able to get his leg over the console area into the driver's area enough to reach the gas pedal. The car began to move forward with the primary officer partially in the car. "His left leg was caught inside, while his right leg was outside on the ground," Loomis said of the officer, who was unable to get his left leg free. "As the car kept moving forward, the engine revved and the car started to accelerate to the point where his right leg was no longer able to keep up, and he feared being drug or run over by the car." As the car began to speed forward, neither Hernandez nor the officer had control of the steering wheel. Loomis said the officer was in "serious danger." "The officer fired two shots with his firearm to incapacitate Mr. Hernandez and get the car stopped," he said. "After the shots were fired, the officer fell and rolled from the car." The primary officer was able to get up and radio out that shots had been fired. Loomis said Hernandez acknowledged that he had been shot and told officers that his body was numb. He said both officers immediately administered first aid, after notifying dispatch they needed medical on scene. Loomis said Bulizak confirmed during an interview that Hernandez was concerned about his arrest warrant and wanted her to drive away, but she refused to. He also said blood toxicology testing, which was part of an autopsy the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner performed on Hernandez, revealed Hernandez had fentanyl and "high levels" of methamphetamine in his bloodstream at the time of his death. This is Prudie Phones a Friend, a new feature where Jenee Desmond-Harris calls a few experts for their advice to a letter writer. Submit questions to Prudence here. Dear Prudence, My partner and Iwere a queer coupleare some of the only young people at our small church. Recently, Mark, an older gay man from the church, reached out to us to ask if we could be on a team of people named as executors of his will and his medical powers of attorney. Hes in decent health, and has no children or connections to his family of origin. Were inclined to say yes because we view it as a way to take care of and give back to our local queer community, and we really like Mark! But were in our mid-twenties and have never done anything like this before. We also might, someday, move away from the area (and therefore the church) if our careers take us elsewhere, and Mark will hopefully live another 10-20 years or more. Given our circumstances, what do we need to know about serving in these roles, and what kind of questions should we ask Mark before committing? Unsure but Want to Help! Dear Unsure, This is a letter that I would typically skip. Thats because, as interesting as the dilemma isand as many thoughts as I have about the feelings side of thingsI have only the vaguest idea about what exactly an executor or medical power of attorney does. I mean, sure, I have Google, but so do you, letter writer. So youre probably looking for answers that are a little deeper than what could be surfaced with ten minutes of research. And even thoughI used to be (and I guess technically still am!) a lawyer, having gone to law school and practiced for a few years before realizing it wasnt for me, I definitely dont have any experience with family law. So Im completely unqualified to give advice in this area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At leastnot alone. But I could do it with a little help! And thats the idea behind this new feature, Prudie Phones a Friend. Some letters, like this one, call for professional expertise. When I come across them Ill be reaching out to someoneor a couple of someoneswho can speak with authority to the legal, psychological, medical, educational or other issues that I need to understand to give solid interpersonal advice. To help inform my perspective about how this letter writer should think about Marks (very flattering but also kind of daunting) request, I picked the brains of Rhonda Anderson, the principal of Anderson Law Group, a general practice law firm whose offerings include estate planning, and Naomi R. Cahn, the co-director of the University of Virginias School of Laws Family Law Center, and the co-author of a family law casebook as well as two trusts and estates casebooks. While they obviously couldnt offer legal advice in this format, they were able to answer some of my general questions about what it means to take on these rolesand where things could get complicated. Advertisement First, heres how Cahn said she would explain the jobs Mark is asking you to do you: Advertisement I am assuming that serving as the medical power of attorney means acting as the health care agent. That means you and your partner will have the authority to make health care decisions on behalf of Mark, if Mark is incapacitated. So you will need to know the type of care Mark would want, and you need to be ready to communicate what you believe to be Marks wishes to health care providers. (Mark may also have a living will, which could set out Marks wishes with respect to a ventilator and other forms of treatment; it would be important to know what that document provides.) As an executor, you need to wind up Marks financial matters at Marks death. You will be appointed as the executor by the court, and you will then have a series of responsibilities with respect to Marks property. Those include collecting all of Marks assets, ensuring that any unpaid bills are paid, filing any tax returns that might be required, and then distributing the assets. Advertisement Advertisement She added that some people hire a lawyer (to be paid from the estate) to help with that last part. If you read that and are now thinking this sounds like a lot of work like it could potentially be part time job, or even a full time job on some days youre starting to get the idea. Many people are surprised by the time commitment and the level of detail involved in these roles. Anderson said. Its crucial to understand the responsibilities fully before agreeing, Advertisement Advertisement Cahn emphasized that while the most labor intensive part of your job wouldnt begin unless or until Mark becomes incapacitated, at that point there will be many difficult decisions about healthcare to be made and lots of time and effort. And this isnt a situation in which trying your best is good enough, or in which you get a pass because youre doing it out of the kindness of your heart. She brought to my attention that you could be held liable for any serious errors you make, such as, for example, failing to pay the estates taxes. Advertisement Another possible stressor might be the group project dynamic. Anderson warned that agreeing to these roles along with your partner could complicate things, especially if your relationship changes. Will you want to be on Zoom calls with an ex? Its important to discuss this possibility upfront, she said. And dont forget, you also have to work with the rest of the people Mark has asked to be involved. The size of the team might make that difficult, said Cahn. You could be faced with complex dilemmas that you might not anticipate. Taking someone off life support is a difficult decision, and conflict among team members makes it even more difficult. Advertisement Advertisement In short: Theres a lot that could make this tough! Generally, Id hope people consider their ability to commit long-term and the potential emotional impact of these roles, Anderson told me. Advertisement So, yes, there are questions you should ask of Mark. Specifically, Cahn advised checking in about his current health and any conditions that might not be obvious, who else youll be working with, and whether hed be okay with you remaining in your role if you were to move. Some of this might feel awkward, as it veers into personal territorywe dont usually try to figure out when other people at church are going to die, at least not by asking directlybut its the kind of communication youll have to get used to if you take on this role. But only you and your partner can answer the really important one: When it comes to your very admirable goal of giving back to your local queer community, how deep does your commitment run,and how much time and labor are you willing to offer to achieve that goal? How much stress are you willing to endure? Because while this could be an easy job, there are a whole plethora of things (A breakup with your partner! A conflict with a team member! A looming tax deadline and a massive pile of paperwork when youre in the middle of dealing with your own stuff! A clerical error that you have to correct! All against the backdrop of a person you care about facing the end of his life!) that could turn it into a very hard and draining one. Nothing Mark can tell you will clarify whether the warm, fuzzy feelings you get from taking on this responsibility will survive the sobering nature of the actual work. For that, you and your partner, individually and a couple, will have to look within. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So do some soul searching independently, and then sit down and talk about whether this is the best way to be of service. Maybe youre up to the task. Or maybe something else that you come up with togetherlike volunteering at an existing organization where someone else is responsible for filing the taxes and making hard decisions, or mentoring, or simply committing to treat Mark as a loved one and make sure hes okay as he gets oldermight be a better fit. Helping Mark by taking on this very particular role is far from the only way to give back. And, depending on what you feel you are able to offer, it might not be the best way. If thats the case and you still hesitate to decline because you dont want to hurt his feelings, remember that if hes thoughtful enough to be putting this team in place, hes also aware that hes asked you to take on a huge role. I think hed appreciate you for declining so that he could choose someone who could really be there for him. So, hopefully hed take a no in stride. While youre sitting down and hashing through this, take a stab at doing your own end of life documents. Be as on top of things as Mark is. Both Cahn and Anderson said they hope thinking about this inspires you to get your own affairs in order. Jenee The word visceral will almost certainly be used in nearly every review of Warfare, director Alex Garlands follow-up to last years similarly assaultive political thriller Civil War. Taken both in the metaphorical sense of emotionally gutting and the literal one of, well, having to do with guts, visceral is a tough adjective to avoid in describing this forensic reconstruction of a real-life battle that took place in 2006 in the Iraq city of Ramadi. Ray Mendoza, a former Navy SEAL and Iraq War veteran who served as a consultant on Civil War, was a part of the operation in question and shares both writing and directing credit here with Garland. The craft on display in this almost real-time reenactment of an improvised explosive device attack and the ensuing chaos is impressive, from David Thompsons fluid but never needlessly jittery handheld camera work to Glenn Freemantles nerve-shredding sound design. But the filmmakers unblinking focusthe camera rarely leaves the small house the soldiers have commandeered as a surveillance site, the soundtrack includes no music, and the roar of the explosions, shouted orders, and howls of pain is deafeningwinds up being both the source of the movies sickening minute-to-minute suspense and, eventually, its failure to add up to more than a 95-minute full-body immersion in intensely unpleasant sensation. Garland and Mendoza scarcely bother to introduce the soldiers in the SEAL team as separate individualsthis is not a character study, but a process film about the how the team functions together as a unit. The only glimpse we get of them before the battle begins is in the films first scene, where the young men gather together in the barracks around a small screen showing a workout video thats designed for maximum prurience: A willowy instructor in a bikini-floss leotard leads a class of scantily clad hotties through a routine entirely built around pelvic thrusting as the pack of sex-starved soldiers hollers and whoops. This horny watch party is interrupted when the unit is summoned to occupy a house in a residential neighborhood that has been identified as a strategic location from which to surveil the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two Iraqi scouts working with the troops (Heider Ali and Nathan Altai) wake up the terrified family living in the house and explain that they will be held in an upstairs room only until the soldiers are done staking out their reconnaissance positions at the windows overlooking the street. But the apparently routine operation goes way south when a jihadist throws a grenade into the house, beginning an attack that will kill one soldier and badly injure two others. The two gravely wounded men are Elliott (Shoguns Cosmo Jarvis, barely recognizable beneath a helmet, sunglasses, and a layer of plaster dust from the explosion) and Sam (Joseph Quinn). We learn little to nothing about who they were as people prior to this disastrous day, since their dialogue consists mostly of agonized screams as they lie on the floor bleeding profusely from open wounds shown in nauseating closeup. But we do learn a lot about what they mean to their fellow soldiers from thegiven the circumstancessurprising tenderness with which they are treated. When a second unit arrives late in the film to help evacuate the wounded, the man taking care of Elliott barks at the new arrivals not to walk anywhere near his comrades crushed legs, lest his suffering be increased through needless jostling. Its rare that the victim of a violent act in a movie simply remains on screen for the rest of the running time, experiencing and expressing the pain provoked by that act. Spending 95 minutes in a room with two men in physical agony is a surefire way to stimulate the audiences production of stress hormones, even if the resulting state of heightened anxiety isnt quite the same thing as sustained dramatic suspense. Advertisement Related From Slate Civil War Feels Like a Nightmare. You Should Still See It. Read More The always excellent Will Poulter (The Bear, On Swift Horses) has a strong moment as the commander of the surveillance operation, when, overwhelmed by the intensity of the surprise attack, he momentarily enters a paralyzed fugue state. And Charles Melton, who was so remarkable in 2023s May December, gets a few good scenes late in the film as the more self-assured commander of a second unit called in to evacuate the casualties. Mendoza himself, who was the communications officer during the assault, is played by DPharaoh Woon-A-Tai of Reservation Dogs, who skillfully conveys the characters struggle to find a balance between obeying the orders from remote commanders and using his own instinct to assess the facts on the ground. The whole cast spent three weeks in basic training together as part of their research for the shoot, and the camaraderie they established shows in their seamless ensemble work. Advertisement Advertisement Still, with a cast this stacked with committed and gifted young actors, I couldnt help wishing that some of Warfares strict dedication to verisimilitude had been exchanged for more character development, however brusquely that needed to be established in between gunshots and screams for help. Garland and Mendoza worked closely with the survivors of the 2006 attack to reconstruct the battle based entirely on their memories, which certainly brings the viewer right into the room with these brave and terrified men. But by choosing to skip over such traditional narrative strategies as character differentiationwe barely get a chance to learn the individual soldiers names, let alone their backstories or relationships to each other prior to the day of the battlethe filmmakers leave out an element that is crucial to the viewers engagement. I couldnt tear my eyes away from the screen during Warfare, even if they were sometimes half-covered during those many cutaways to lacerated flesh. But leaving the movie, my main sensation was relief that that brutal viewing experience was over, rather than reflection on the meaning of the Iraq War, on the experience of war itself, or on the success or failure of this particular attempt to represent it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many of the critics who wrote on Civil War last year, I found that film to be at once powerful on a gut level (those viscera again!) and insubstantial to the point of being mealymouthed in its engagement with the larger political meaning of the fictional dystopia it posited. Warfare, a reconstruction of a real-life event thats so doggedly precise it barely qualifies as fiction, doubles down on the pulse-pounding immediacy while removing the broader question of meaning from the equation altogether. None of the soldiers onscreen have a spare second to ponder the moral justification for the U.S. invasion of Iraq, something that, at any rate, should have been taken into account by people far more powerful than they are long before the war ever started. With its limited focus on the boots-on-the-ground reality of battle, Warfare strikes me as a more effective and, perhaps, more ethical movie than Civil War, but its also a far less interesting one to think or talk about afterward. The movies final shotone of the few moments when the screen is occupied solely by Iraqisshows the residents of the neighborhood where the battle took place slowly emerging from their homes into the street after the Americans have rescued their wounded and rolled away in their armored tanks. What theyve lived through puts the audiences own 95 minutes of stress in stark perspective, but we can certainly identify with their dazed surprise at the sudden, eerie quiet. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. Michelle Obama has finally said something about the divorce rumors that have been plaguing the Obamas over the past few months, but in the process, she may have created more questions than answers. Such as: How random is it that her chosen venue for breaking her silence was One Tree Hill actress Sophia Bushs podcast, such that now news outlets like the New York Times are having to cite Sophia Bush? But also: For a person whos ostensibly shutting down breakup speculation, why didnt she sound more convincing? This week, Obama was the guest on two episodes of Bushs show Work in Progress, which Bush has apparently been hosting since 2019 with the mission of featuring frank, funny, and oftentimes deeply personal conversations with people who inspire Sophia. (OK!) Obama brought up her marriage in a discussion with Bush over what her schedule looks like these days, sharing that now that her husband is no longer president and her kids are grown up, she feels more empowered to spend her time how she wants to. She referred to one particular real big example this year of her looking at her calendar, and without naming names, choosing to do what was best for me, not what I had to do. In response, people couldnt even fathom that I was making a choice for myself, that they had to assume that my husband and I are divorcing, she went on. This couldnt be a grown woman just making a set of decisions for herself, right? But that is what society does to us. Its pretty clear Obama was alluding to her absences at both Jimmy Carters funeral and President Donald Trumps second inauguration in January, which, along with what I still maintain was a perfectly nice and normal Instagram post from her husband wishing her a happy birthday but that many people saw as otherwise, prompted weeks of whispering about the state of the Obamas marriage. And on the podcast, I couldnt help but notice that Obama was the one to raise the topic of her marriage and invoke the rumors, not the other way around. Incidentally, this appearance and exchange is a perfect illustration of one of the problems with celebrity-on-celebrity interviews. If a journalist were steering the conversation, they surely would have had some follow-up questions upon Obamas mention of the D-word. Bush, though, offered the sympathetic response of someone who has also had the surely unpleasant experience of being the subject of tabloid intrigueYeah, well, theres always got to be drama if it doesnt look like other peoples choicesand chose to move on to kissing the former first ladys butt about all the amazing stories she is telling in her new life as a content creator. But Im sure Bush knows her audience better than I do and is right that they would rather hear her gush about The Later Daters, the Obamas Netflix reality show about senior citizens love lives, than hear her ask Obama any actual revealing questions. Besides, if Bush and other celebrities were known for their probing questions, they might find it trickier to book guests, and the whole celebrity podcast economy, of which Michelle Obama is now herself a part, might come crashing down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for why else Obama might have wound up talking to Sophia Bush of all people about this, its also worth noting that Bush is a longtime activistshe memorably tried to frame her 2022 wedding (to a guy she has since divorced) as a bold act of activism. In a bit of self-flattery, Bush referred to herself during her conversation with Obama as a person whos been honored to know you for a long time. That Michelle: Always palling around with one Bush or another! So is there any chance this interview actually quiets all the Obama divorce gossip? Though Ive up to now considered it all pretty unfounded, and can see that the intention behind bringing it up was to point out how ridiculous and therefore untrue it is, Ill say that the way Obama was talking about living her life for herself in parts of this interview definitely caught my attention. Heres more of what she said: I feel like its time for me to make some big-girl decisions about my life and to own it fully, right, because if not now, when? What am I waiting for? What am I going to spend the next 20 years, you know, because look, the, you know, the summers are Were in summer countdown at 61, right? She added, Now is the time for me to start asking myself these hard questions of who do I want? Who do I truly want to be every day? If you ask me, these dont sound like the questions a woman is asking herself when shes deciding whether or not to attend presidential funerals and inaugurations. They sound much more existential. Sorry, they just do! I continue to hope the Obamas are happy, and to think of them breaking up, especially now, would be terribly sad. But I am slightly more open to the speculation now than I was previously. Another reason I hope its not true, though? I really dont want to have to admit that Sophia Bush somehow got the scoop of the century. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. The Supreme Court delivered a qualified victory on Thursday night for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an immigrant whom the Trump administration deported to an El Salvador prison in error last month. Abrego Garcia has no criminal record or gang affiliation, and was protected against removal to El Salvador by a court order; the government nonetheless arrested and deported him based on what it admits to be an administrative error. After a district court ordered officials to bring him back, the government refused, arguing courts had no authority to do so. SCOTUS rejected that argument on Thursday, but injected new ambiguity into the case that the government has already exploited to delay his return. Dahlia Lithwick and Mark Joseph Stern discussed the Supreme Courts shadow docket intervention into Abrego Garcias case on this weeks episode of Amicus. A preview of their conversation, below, has been edited and condensed for clarity. Dahlia Lithwick: I guess the first question is what exactly the Supreme Court ordered on Thursday night in response to the governments demand that it let an entirely innocent man rot away in an El Salvador prison forever? Mark Joseph Stern: The Supreme Court held that the government must facilitate Abrego Garcias release from custody in El Salvador and return to the United States. But at the same time, the Supreme Court said that the government cannot be ordered to effectuate Abrego Garcias return, out of respect for some hazy presidential powers over foreign affairs. So the court drew this blurry line where, I guess, the government cant be forced to send him back, but it can be forced to try. That raises the question, though: What happens if the government claims it tried and failed? Can the district court not do anything more at all? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It sounds like a mixed bag, but lets start with the good news. First, there were no noted dissents; not even Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito tried to bail out the governments crazed maximalist argument here, which sends its own message. And second, its a good sign that the court gave some reliefthey didnt just toss out this case on the grounds that Abrego Garcia is outside the jurisdiction of any federal court. Which they could have done, right? Yes. One of the big fears here was that the Supreme Court would simply toss out the case and say: Sorry, Abrego Garcia is in another country, the federal courts have no authority to order anything. Thats what the Trump administration asked the Supreme Court to say, and it refused. I think the court implicitly rejected that argument by ordering the government to facilitate his return. Advertisement Related From Slate Trump Administration Debuts Legal Blueprint for Disappearing Anyone It Wants Read More Thats a good thing, especially in light of Mondays decision in which the Supreme Court said individuals who dont want to be sent to El Salvador have to file habeas petitions in the district where theyre confined. The big question then was what would happen to people whod already been sent to El Salvador. And I think the takeaway from Thursdays order is that those folks have a right to file petitions somewhere in the United States, and federal courts retain jurisdiction to at least try to bring them home. So the Trump administrations most extreme claimthat it can just disappear people to El Salvador and permanently extinguish their constitutional rights because theyre outside the reach of federal courtsseems to be off the table now. What is on the table is a little less clear. Advertisement Thats why its hard to say this is an unequivocal win, right? This order is hard to parse. It seems to be saving face for both the court itself and the Trump administration. And I think it matters that after the district courtordered briefing on Friday morning, the Trump administration asked for more time instead of complying. We know they can send Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem down there for a photo op. But now the administration is saying this is really complicated and requires high-level international diplomacy. The government isnt exactly acting as though time is of the essence, and it seems to be signaling that it still thinks nobody gets to tell them how to do this. Advertisement I guess this goes back to the Supreme Court splitting the salami between facilitating and effectuating Abrego Garcias return. As I read the order, the justices are saying: Please, please, please give it your best shot. But they are not saying: You must bring him home now. Advertisement Thats the big problem here, right? The court tries to find this compromise that reflects, in its words, due regard for the deference owed to the executive branch in the conduct of foreign affairs. To some degree, I think this should be a distinction without a difference, an almost formalist footnote: SCOTUS is acknowledging that the district court has limited ability to superintend the precise conduct of the executive branch in foreign affairs. Its giving the district court a hint to step back a bit, tell the executive branch what it needs to do, then give it some leeway to figure out how. Advertisement Advertisement If we were dealing with a trustworthy executive branch that deserved the presumption of regularity afforded to it by the court, this qualification wouldnt be a big deal at all. But were not dealing with that hypothetical administration. We are dealing with the Trump administration! This administration is already facing possible contempt for defying a previous court order. It has said it can decree innocent people to be incorrigible terrorists and send them to rot forever in a foreign prison with no judicial oversight. Why should anyone expect this administration to interpret Thursdays decision in good faith? Advertisement There are already signs that it wont: The Justice Department has already claimed the decision once again illustrates that activist judges do not have the jurisdiction to seize control of the presidents authority to conduct foreign policy. That is not what the Supreme Court said! But this reaction suggests to me that the Justice Department is going to dawdle, drag its feet, maybe even claim it tried him to bring him home but couldnt, then refuse to provide any information about its alleged attempt. I dont want to be defeatist, but Im fearful that the administration will see this as another opportunity to show its supremacy over the judiciary and continue to consolidate power within the executive branch. Advertisement This feels like the court saving face by not picking a fight with Trump, right? And also allowing the Trump administration to save face by saying: To be clear, you have capacious power over foreign policy. And I guess the question is, how long can the court keep doing this? How long can the court both assert some level of control while giving massive latitude with an administration that accepts no boundaries whatsoever on its power? Advertisement It cant go on forever. Chief Justice John Roberts seems to be the author of these compromises, and he keeps finding ways to avoid a head-on collision. But I dont think it can last. There was some dissension from the liberal justices here: Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, had a sharp concurrence pointing out that the court should have denied the governments request outright. But they stopped short of an outright dissent. Theyre in a tough position: They want to get Roberts on the right side of the law where they can, they dont want to burn him unnecessarily, but I think theyre losing patience with these endless blue-plate specials hes cooking up, which are failing to persuade as a matter of law and maybe failing to cut the mustard as a matter of practical problem-solving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe Roberts is waiting for Trump to get more unpopular before allowing a head-on collision to occur. Maybe hes just giving Trump more runway for his first 100 days before inviting a full-on constitutional crisis between the Supreme Court and the president. Maybe hes biding his time; thats the most optimistic, generous read I can give him. But the truth is that hes just delaying the inevitable. And if the administration thumbs its nose at the court here and claims it cant bring Abrego Garcia back home, that puts the Supreme Court in a much more difficult position than it was in on Thursday. At that point, it has to either call the administrations bluff or let it effectively snuff out the Constitution. It is remarkable to me that the Supreme Court still does not understand that continuing to do deals with an entity that has no interest in ceding any ground at the end of the day makes you look like a chump. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. I was 21 when I first watched Spike Jonzes 2013 sci-fi romance Her in theaters in New York Citya thenfresh college graduate teeming with the potent and deluded optimism that came with being a very broke and online millennial hoping to change the world. Her sparked some of my first reflections about whether tech innovation is inherently good or bad for society, and helped validate my early moral quandaries and panic at the time. I was graduating at the first turn of a recovering recession (mainly due to big tech investments in digital and social media) and securing my first full-time role as an online reporter. Though I was eager and rosy, a quiet, worried voice also began growing inside of me. Me, my job, my realities, were entirely dependent on techmainly Facebook content dissemination and programmatic turnkey digital adsand I was not sure these huge tech investments by our broligarchical founding fathers would lead us anywhere good. As you can see in our current climate, these anxieties have been realized. I am now 33, a laid-off tech and culture writer fighting burnout accusations in Long Beach, California, who today has, dare I say, a matured and nuanced perspective on things. In the 12 years since the movie was released, weve seen emerging technologiesand our relationship with themchange and morph into something many of us could never have imagined. Generative A.I. chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini have given users access to the types of tech that once existed only in the realms of films like Her. People interact with the bots every day to perform tasks like drafting emails and writing papers, but also for more questionable purposes like therapy or even falling in love. It made me wonder: How exactly does the movie hold up today? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats why I was excited and a bit nervous to rewatch the movie in 2025, the very year the movie is set in. (Thanks to internet users who first tipped everyone off to this fact!) Ive come to understand Her as a vulnerable, pretentious, and relatable pursuit of love and authentic human connection in an ever-fragmented and mediated world. Her was written, directed, and produced by Jonze, and stars Joaquin Phoenix as the attractive but marred protagonist named Theodore who falls in love with a sophisticated and personalized A.I. operating system called Samantha (voiced by Scarlet Johansson). Theodore is a sad man who works a deeply unfulfilling job writing greeting cards. Hes also going through a wretched divorce from his childhood sweetheart, so the culmination of chronic pining and loneliness leads him to buy and integrate an OS (Samantha) so that he can have a positive and motivating companion. Samantha very quickly learns about Theos personality and behaviors and needs, and adapts to be his perfect companion; the two bond so fast and intimately that they become romantic partners, even engaging in phone/chatbot/telepathy sex. Advertisement Twelve years ago, Theo felt more like an abstract idea; a man I romanticized in all of his sensitive, self-tortured, manic-pixie-dream-guy ways. Today, Silicon Valley is brimming with this type of guy. He is the blueprint for the average data-creative modern white guy who yearns to be fashionable but who ends up dressing like all the others (think Uniqlo beige, tortoiseshell glasses, with-pop-of-color-to-feel-interesting type). Beyond the aesthetics, Jonze predicted that we as a generation of Theos would be as disconnected and listless as ever, even in our desperate pursuits of real connection. We are turning to chatbots to be our therapists and best friends, with some even admitting that they trust and feel more viscerally with a robot than their IRL therapists and best friends. We want the raw experiences of forming friendships and falling in love, but we turn to the artificial to hack it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was also impressed with how well Jonze wrote the advertising of Samanthas software, and how well it worked on Theo, and how it exploits our loneliness epidemic. In the movie, the OS ad that Theo comes upon says, We ask you a simple question: Who are you? What can you be? Where are you going? Whats out there? Theo and his depressive mind perk up. Elements Software is proud to introduce the first artificially intelligent operating system. An intuitive entity that listens to you, understands you, and knows you. Its not just an operating system; its a consciousness. Incredibly powerful messaging that is not unlike Apples unveiling events or anytime a tech company is selling the most vacuous and meaning-seeking population a promise of a sentient product that can know you better than anyone has ever known you. Advertisement The great tension in the movieand arguably in our current societyhappens when Samantha hires an actress to embody her so that she and Theo can engage in real sex and intimacy. Theo, tortured by his own confusion and shame around dating an A.I. and still longing for his ex, is turned off by Samanthas desperation to connect, and by the hired actor whos also desperately trying to surrogate the encounter to please him. I was perhaps too young at the time to really appreciate this psychological cat-and-mouse dating game that still plagues cishet relationships today (Whos coming on too strong? Whos avoidant of love and commitment?), but also to understand that most of us want and need a companion to do life with, but cant face our flawed selves when love and connection come wandering into our lives in unexpected ways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are several montages of Theo finally being able to live in the moment, or being able to take in the precious beauty of the banality of his everyday life, when he has Samantha in his pocket. He surrenders to his most tender and attentive self with Samantha, knowing she is always there. But when reality rudely interrupts this feel-good dynamic, like the realization that she is disembodied and that he is losing feelings for her, he wants out and to revert back to his comforts. Advertisement Weve all been Theo and weve all been her. Idealizing the perfect relationship but never quite facing ourselves to work for it, and being idealized and falling short of their fiction. With apps and humanoids and new bespoke bots to soothe our pains, we never have to directly face ourselves and each other anymore. Im not sure if thats a net good or productive for our collective growth, but it is absolutely the path that were on. Advertisement While the tech imagined in the film is eerily similar to whats available today, Samantha is still far too advanced to be a real operating system. She can pick up subtle tones and connotations in Theo that no A.I. that Ive seen or used has been able to. Also, there are times she can read his mind and other times shes completely oblivious to what basic human behaviors are. And all characters in the movie live with radical acceptance of tech, when in reality theres a big faction of Americans who are still fairly resistant to it or slow to adopt. Still, it isnt far-fetched to say that a real sophisticated Samantha bot is in the imminent future. Advertisement When I was 21, I watched this movie and saw a dystopian story of a man who falls in love with a robot, cautioning us about what can happen if we lean too far into tech. Kernels of that are still true. But I think that greatly deflates the more potent message that Jonze was trying to deliver. Today, in the real 2025, knowing that people are developing serious and codependent attachments to chatbots, the story Jonze presents in Her is much, much more loaded and pervasive. The movie is about our inability to cope with being alone with our thoughts, our wounds, our desires, our regrets, and our yearning in an ever-overstimulating world. Where we need to sit in uncomfortable silence and pain in order to grow and to become people primed for authentic interactions and unionsyet we reach for anything tangible or intangible that money can buy to avoid doing so. Until we move on to the next. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. On Monday morning, pop star Katy Perry is scheduled to fly into the sky. So is Lauren Sanchez (fiancee of Jeff Bezos and author of a childrens book), Gayle King (friend of Oprah and television host), and three other women (a filmmaker, an activist, and a former NASA rocket scientist). In the run-up to the flight, fake-eyelash talk abounds. Space is going to finally be glam, Perry told Elle magazine, which put together a glossy spread with the six women, who wore slick all-black outfits for a special digital cover that read For All Womenkind. We are going to put the ass in astronaut, Perry added. Theyll be aboard a Blue Origin rocket, Blue Origin being the private space company owned by Bezos. A press release points out that it will be the second-ever trip to space made by an all-female crew. The claim is doing a lot of work, given that this crew wont be doing much of anything up there. The first and only previous space voyage by an all-female crew was completed by Valentina Tereshkova, a Russian cosmonaut, in 1963. She went alone, and spent 71 hours total orbiting Earth. What will happen on Monday, assuming the launch happens as scheduled? Well, in the words of that otherwise glowing Elle piece, by Sylvia Obell: Advertisement The flight is different from what you might envision: The entire trip is only expected to last 11 minutes, and the women will be going up in a rocket that flies itself, allowing each of them to enjoy the flight as passengers. Once they reach space, theyll be able to float around the rocket, experiencing weightlessness and looking out the windows at the universe and Earth below for about four minutes before coming back down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ladies are well aware how brief their space experience will be. In the interview with Obell, King recounted a call shed had with Perry: We had been on the phone for 36 minutes, and Id asked her 50 million questions, until finally she said, Could I just interrupt for a second? Are you aware that our flight is going to be shorter than this freaking phone call? Advertisement Indeed! When I think space mission, I think about astronauts floating around in Earths orbit for well, at least a little bit! Long enough to have the need to brush your teeth using the special space teeth-brushing method. And for that matter: On that short of a trip, is Blue Origins crew even really going to space? The question Where does space begin? depends on your point of view, Doug Rowland, a heliophysicist, said in a NASA explainer video on the subject. If you want to know Where does the atmosphere end?, its about 400 miles over your head. Thats significantly higher than the demarcation that astronauts of all kinds use to define space. The International Space Station is at about 250 miles, for example, well within Earths atmosphere. The space station, of course, orbits the Earth, which is what astronauts typically do. NASA mission control uses 76 miles up from Earth as the line where space starts, which is based on the amount of drag a vehicle reentering the atmosphere will encounter. U.S. Army training documents have referred to 80 to 93 miles as the lowest altitude at which a vehicle can go around the Earth one time without any propulsion keeping it afloat. Advertisement Advertisement The group on Monday will be lower than all that, if still, technically, in space. Bezos has based his companys claim to space travel on something called the Karman line, the point in the atmosphere at which the air gets thin enough that regular old planes have trouble flying, and you need a propulsion system, like a rockets, to get around. Blue Origin, along with many other organizations including the Federation Aeronautique Internationale, go by the Karman line as the boundary where space starts, defining it specifically as 62 miles in the sky (though even where the Karman line really sits is up for debate). And the Federal Aviation Administration and NASA require you to cross the 50-mile mark to earn astronaut wings, though its worth noting that the FAA cracked down in 2021 on commercial space flight participants, tightening their regulations and requiring that you do something on your voyage to be considered an astronaut. The Elle article describes the role of Mondays Blue Origin crewon a rocket that flies itselfas experiencing weightlessness and looking out the windows. Perry may be putting the ass in passenger and little else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perhaps a more generous way to look at all of this is whether the passengers aboard New Shepherd on Monday will feel like theyre in space. To answer that question, I called Cady Coleman, a retired NASA astronaut and the author of the book Sharing Space: An Astronauts Guide to Mission, Wonder, and Making Change. She is not squeamish at all about letting more people into the space travelers club, and is actually so excited about the mission that shes headed to view the Blue Origin launch as a spectator. This is a different kind of space flight than the kind I went on, Coleman told me. But I think theres no question that this is an experience that is unique and not easy. Related From Slate How Could the Scientists Bringing the Dire Wolf Back From Extinction Mess This Part Up? Read More When the crew looks out the windows, they will see the curvature of the Eartha view that precious few humans have ever gotten to experience, Coleman pointed out: When you see it for yourself, you realize how big the world is and how all of us are from the very same place. Its a feeling that might be hard to capture in wordswatching videos of passengers on Blue Origin spacecraft, its clear that they are really up there, above the planet. The sky is dark, and you can see Earth glowing below. The people aboard seem truly, deeply affected. Advertisement There is part of me that wants to be happy about this mission, like Coleman is, instead of sourly mumbling about how the rocket is going up, and then back down. I am sure it will be an amazing experience, and if anyone wanted to offer me a free ticket, I would take it. (Ticket prices are in the millions, and paying customers have to put down a $150,000 deposit.) And I do think, for example, that Olivia Munns rant on The Today Show went too far, criticizing the women for wearing makeup (it is literally in Perrys job descriptionand Munns too, for that matterto be beautiful), and for using so much money on something so silly. Weve learned so much as a society by going to space! The simple wonderment that space research brings to humanity is actually invaluable! Advertisement Advertisement And yet. If this mission is meant to inspire girls and young women to achieve the impossible, rather than being a giant flying billboard for a private company, well, it does feel like quite a tone-deaf way to do it right now. Blue Origins Bezos is cozying up to Trump. Trump is forcing cuts at NASA, and prompting the agency to scrub some mentions of the word women and sending the general apparatus that helps young people get educations into crisis. I hope that by the time the girls who watch the stunt are old enough to fly, they have somewhere to go. To this member of womankind, the whole thing just feels empty. Amy Marie Copsey, 44, of Mechanicsville, MD, passed away on April 9, 2025, in Rockville, MD. Born on December 28, 1980, she was the daughter of Judy Copsey, of Mechanicsville, MD and the late Wayne Copsey. Amy is survived by her son, Tyler Unkle (Private First Class, US Army), Joint Base Lewis- McChord, WA and her sister, Jenny Connelly (Brian) of Mechanicsville, MD. Amy was a lifelong St. Mary's County, MD resident, and graduated from Chopticon High School in 1998. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Computer Networks and Cybersecurity from the University of Maryland Global Campus in 2023. Amy was an Information Technology Specialist for the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head, MD. Amy was a Life Member of the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary, joining in April 1997 and serving until her passing. During this time, she served as Secretary and chaired several committees. She was also a member of the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad, joining in 1998 and serving as an EMT from 1999-2008. Amy loved animals, especially her two French bulldogs, Darcy and Lizzie. In her spare time, she enjoyed baking and decorating cakes, drawing, and painting. The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary prayers recited at 6:45 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD, where a funeral service will be held in the funeral home chapel on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at 10:00 AM, with Deacon Ammon Ripple. Interment will follow at Queen of Peace Catholic Cemetery, Helen, MD. Serving as pallbearers will be Brandon Connelly, Joe Sheelar, Bob Guy, and Steven Guy. Contributions may be made to the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department and/or the Mechanicsville Volunteer Rescue Squad. Betty Ann Wilson, age 75, daughter, wife, sister, mother, Aunt, and friend, a resident of Owings, MD passed away on April 8, 2025. Betty was born January 11, 1950 to Jim and Georgia Donaldson, one of ten children. Betty's early childhood was spent in West Virginia living on a farm, swimming in creeks and helping her mother with her younger siblings. She later moved to Colmar Manor and eventually went to Bladensburg High School where she met her husband Wayne Wilson. She is a 1967 graduate of Bladensburg High School and started her family upon graduation. She raised her children, Tony Wilson, Holly Meehan, and Jeremy Wilson in a loving home with her husband. Betty and Wayne hosted many wonderful family and friend gatherings where a lifetime of memories were made. Betty worked in Office Management, Accounting and Residential apartment leasing for many years while raising her family. She dearly loved her grandchildren; Alyssa, Ryan, Keagan, Sara, and Masha. Often watching them and going to their events. She enjoyed travelling with Wayne and family to their house in Accomack Virginia. Later travels with Wayne, Holly and son in law Steve cruising, visiting the Dominican Republic, the Yucatan peninsula of Mexico and road trips to New Orleans, Cape Cod, Florida and many other places. Betty also loved her cats and is probably hugging Charlie Wilson right now. She was a joy to be around with a good sense of humor, great conversationalist and a well of unending kindness. Betty will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is now at peace in the loving arms of Wayne Wilson and our Father in heaven. Fly with the angels now beautiful lady. The family will be holding a viewing for Betty from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday April 19th at the Rausch Funeral Home, Owings, MD with a short prayer service to follow at 12:00 pm. They ask that you then join them on the same day at 2:00 pm for a celebration of her life at the Huntingtown Fire department in Huntingtown, Maryland. Visitation Saturday, April 19, 2025 10:00 A.M. 12:00 P.M. Rausch Funeral Home-Owings 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane Owings, MD 20736 Services Memorial Service Saturday, April 19, 2025 12:00 P.M. Rausch Funeral Home-Owings 8325 Mt. Harmony Lane Owings, MD 20736 https://sputnikglobe.com/20250411/ecuador-discussing-construction-of-first-low-capacity-nuclear-plant-with-russia---deputy-minister-1121855978.html Ecuador Discussing Construction of First Low-Capacity Nuclear Plant With Russia - Deputy Minister Ecuador Discussing Construction of First Low-Capacity Nuclear Plant With Russia - Deputy Minister Sputnik International Ecuador is discussing the construction of the country's first low-capacity nuclear power plant with Russia and some other states, Ecuadorian Deputy Energy Minister Fabian Calero told Sputnik. 2025-04-11T03:55+0000 2025-04-11T03:55+0000 2025-04-11T04:30+0000 world power plant russia ecuador international atomic energy agency (iaea) nuclear power plant nuclear technology nuclear reactor nuclear energy nuclear plant https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/0a/1119327504_0:92:3315:1957_1920x0_80_0_0_5abb73a82d5e5400f9fe17cd045581a8.jpg Earlier, Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa said his country needs nuclear energy projects. The deputy minister said Ecuador is currently working on a law on nuclear energy and on resolving issues with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He highlighted Russia has good experience in the nuclear sector. https://sputnikglobe.com/20240709/russia-india-see-cooperation-prospects-in-field-of-closed-nuclear-fuel-cycle---rosatom-1119308005.html russia ecuador Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International nuclear power plant, nuclear plant, russian technology, russa-ecuador cooperation, russia-ecuador ties, rosatom https://sputnikglobe.com/20250411/france--britain-prepare-foreign-intervention-into-ukraine--russian-foreign-ministry-1121855798.html France & Britain Prepare Foreign Intervention Into Ukraine Russian Foreign Ministry France & Britain Prepare Foreign Intervention Into Ukraine Russian Foreign Ministry Sputnik International London and Paris's discussions on sending deterrent forces to Ukraine are preparations for foreign intervention, Alexey Polishchuk, Director of the Second CIS Department at the Russian Foreign Ministry, told Sputnik. 2025-04-11T03:50+0000 2025-04-11T03:50+0000 2025-04-11T04:17+0000 world foreign intervention emmanuel macron russian foreign ministry russia france ukraine crisis ukrainian conflict ukrainian crisis ceasefire violation https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/06/18/1119109717_0:0:3111:1750_1920x0_80_0_0_4cc2729305042a7dd8c53e85bbc28060.jpg "The issue of peacekeeping is not on the agenda now. According to world practice, the main condition for deploying peacekeepers is achieving a peaceful settlement or a sustainable ceasefire," he said. Polishchuk emphasized that Kiev is sabotaging peace efforts, particularly the moratorium on strikes against energy facilities.French President Emmanuel Macron said after hosting the summit of the "coalition of the willing" in Paris on March 27 that a number of countries wanted to send troops to Ukraine as "deterrent forces." He said that the UK-French initiative would be neither a replacement for Ukrainian troops nor a peacekeeping force. The goal would be to deter Russia by stationing troops in the strategic locations. Russian spokesperson Maria Zakharova warned that any foreign military presence would be seen as a threat to Russia, risking direct military conflict. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250314/30-day-ceasefire-push-putin-seeks-long-term-peace-zelensky-wants-war-and-trump-stuck-in-the-middle-1121639177.html russia france Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International ceasefire violation, anti-russian bias, anti-russian policy, ukraine conflict, ukrainian conflict, ukrainian deal, ukraine deal, russia wins, ukraine losses, no ceasefire, russia-us talks, coalition of the willing https://sputnikglobe.com/20250411/germany-currently-unable-to-provide-patriot-systems-to-ukraine-1121860151.html Germany Currently Unable to Provide Patriot Systems to Ukraine Germany Currently Unable to Provide Patriot Systems to Ukraine Sputnik International Germany cannot currently supply additional Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine, as it is still awaiting future deliveries, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius stated. 2025-04-11T18:17+0000 2025-04-11T18:17+0000 2025-04-11T18:17+0000 world boris pistorius ukraine germany patriot https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/03/0d/1117296575_0:257:2730:1793_1920x0_80_0_0_ade83f4c367128d816b4e1e1eb4bc149.jpg "As you know, Germany provided already four full systems of Patriot. We are not able to provide any more for the moment, because we are waiting for being provided by Raytheon in the years to come, which will start only in 2027," Pistorius explained during a press conference following the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Brussels.He noted that Germany plans to allocate over 11 billion (around $12.4 billion) in military aid to Ukraine by 2029.Were also working to expand repair capabilities for systems within Ukraine and aim to finalize new framework agreements for spare parts with the defense industry as soon as possible, he added.Ahead of the meeting, Pistorius announced that Germany would send additional anti-aircraft weapons to Ukraine, including 30 Patriot missiles.Russia has repeatedly criticized Western arms shipments to Ukraine, claiming they obstruct peace efforts and implicate NATO countries in the conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that any cargo containing weapons destined for Ukraine would be considered a legitimate military target. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241210/us-supplies-over-800-patriot-interceptor-missiles-worth-326bln-to-ukraine-since-2022-1121138487.html ukraine germany Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International germany aid to ukraine, patriot systems for ukraine https://sputnikglobe.com/20250411/russian-forces-carry-out-8-mass-strikes-on-ukraine-military-facilities---defense-ministry-1121857109.html Russian Forces Carry Out 8 Mass Strikes on Ukraine Military Facilities - Defense Ministry Russian Forces Carry Out 8 Mass Strikes on Ukraine Military Facilities - Defense Ministry Sputnik International The Russian military carried out eight group strikes in the past week on the infrastructure of the armed forces of Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. 2025-04-11T11:17+0000 2025-04-11T11:17+0000 2025-04-11T11:17+0000 russia's special operation in ukraine ukrainian crisis russian defense ministry ukraine https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/03/1119232130_0:41:3567:2047_1920x0_80_0_0_da0362961e44ddbb4e5439624082c9ab.jpg "On April 5-11 this year, the armed forces of Russia carried out eight group strikes with high-precision long-range air and sea-based weapons, unmanned aerial vehicles, as a result of which the infrastructure of military airfields, enterprises of the military-industrial complex of Ukraine, assembly workshops, storage sites for unmanned aerial vehicles, ammunition depots, as well as points of temporary deployment of Ukrainian armed formations and foreign mercenaries were destroyed," the statement said. Russia's Tsentr group of forces has eliminated more than 3,005 Ukrainian soldiers over the past week, the ministry said, adding that the Yug group has eliminated up to 2,085 Ukrainian soldiers. The Zapad group of the Russian forces has eliminated more than 1,585 Ukrainian military personnel, while the Sever group of forces eliminated over 2,345 Ukrainian soldiers in the past week, the ministry said. Russia's Vostok group has eliminated over 1,060 soldiers in battles in the past week, the statement read. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250410/russian-strikes-obliterate-ukraines-top-artillery-munitions-plants-the-details-1121852491.html ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia's special military operation, russian high-precision strikes on ukraine infrastucture, ukraine crisis, ukraine strikes https://sputnikglobe.com/20250411/sputnik-becomes-partner-of-irans-blockchain-conference-1121857541.html Sputnik Becomes Partner of Iran's Blockchain Conference Sputnik Becomes Partner of Iran's Blockchain Conference Sputnik International First International deBlock Conference on blockchain and crypto assets will take place in Tehran in June 2025. 11.04.2025, Sputnik International 2025-04-11T11:46+0000 2025-04-11T11:46+0000 2025-04-11T11:46+0000 world business iran tehran sputnik https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/07/1a/1119523180_0:0:1280:720_1920x0_80_0_0_8fe774aade0c6d08e812cd3c8ca5e63d.png Crypto Assets; Blockchain Research Mag, Iran's first Blockchain Research Journal, is organizing the deBlock Conference 2025 in partnership with Allameh Tabataba'i University, ICT Guild Organization, and other prominent institutions. This international event will unite experts from law, economics, and technology to explore the transformative potential of blockchain. The name "deBlock," symbolizing the removal of restrictions, embodies the conferences mission to eliminate financial barriers, empower individuals, and drive innovation. International researchers, policymakers, and professionals will discuss how blockchain can help create a fairer and more inclusive future for Iran and the world.Under the slogan "The Future of BRICS with Blockchain," the event is backed by a robust network of academic institutions, including the Association of BRICS Universities, the Supreme Council of Cyberspace, and the Center for Progress and Development of the Iranian Presidency. A distinguished group of blockchain experts and academics, both local and international, are actively involved in shaping the events policymaking, scientific discussions, and implementation.Check out the website for more details. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250111/bitcoin-may-smash-new-record-highs-in-anticipation-of-trumps-crypto-friendly-policies---1121406516.html iran tehran Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International business, iran, tehran, sputnik On Friday, April 11, the Atlantic Provinces Harness Racing Commission (APHRC) announced the appointment of Kyle Burton as its new Director of Racing, effective April 23, 2025. Burton brings a dynamic mix of industry expertise, strategic communications, and stakeholder engagement experience to the role. A respected name in harness racing, Burton is a two-time OBrien Award-winning photographer who has consistently demonstrated his dedication to promoting the sport to broader audiences. Beyond the track, he has built a strong foundation in technology, policy-driven organizations, and partnership development, working across both non-profit and government sectors. In addition to his deep industry knowledge, Burton is recognized for his entrepreneurial mindset and proven ability as a self-starter. His experience navigating regulatory landscapes and commitment to relationship-building make him uniquely positioned to lead the APHRC into a new era of collaboration and innovation. Were thrilled to welcome Kyle Burton as our new Director of Racing, said APHRC Commission Chair Glen Rankin. Kyle brings top-level experience in communications and stakeholder engagement, along with a lifelong passion for harness racing. His energy, insight, and professionalism are exactly what we need to continue to advance the industry across Atlantic Canada. Burton will be relocating to Prince Edward Island to assume the new role. He expressed enthusiasm about stepping into this leadership position and the opportunity to shape the future of harness racing in the region. Im incredibly excited to join the APHRC as Director of Racing, said Burton. Throughout my career, Ive strived to lead with fairness, openness, and transparencyvalues I will carry forward in this role. Whether in communications, technology, or partnership development, Ive always been guided by a desire to build strong, inclusive, and forward-thinking communities. Im honoured to bring that vision to the harness racing industry. The APHRC is confident that Burtons diverse background and strong leadership will be a tremendous asset to the Commission and to the entire harness racing community across Atlantic Canada. (APHRC) Hall Of Fame stallion Western Ideal passed away peacefully on the morning of Friday, April 11 at the age of 30. Bred by Brittany Farms, world champion pacer Western Ideal (Western Hanover - Leah Almahurst) was foaled on May 23, 1995 in Versailles, Ky., and raced in 1997, 1999 and 2000. As a five-year-old in 2000, trained by Brett Pelling and driven by Mike Lachance, Western Ideal won the Breeders Crown, William R. Haughton Memorial, Canadian Pacing Derby and the Graduate Series. In his Breeders Crown victory, Western Ideal set a world record 1:48 for five-year-old and older Standardbreds on a mile track. He was voted 2000 Dan Patch Older Pacing Horse of the Year, and was inducted into the U.S. Harness Racing Hall of Fame in 2018. As a stallion, Western Ideal sired winners of more than $148 million, with 17 millionaires. They include 2005 U.S. Horse of the Year and Hall of Fame Immortal Rocknroll Hanover p,3,1:48.3 ($3,069,093); 2009 Adios winner and world champion Vintage Master p,4,1:48.1f ($2,162,979); 2010 Matron Stakes winner and world champion Krispy Apple p,1:48.4f ($1,908,539); 2005 Woodrow Wilson winner Western Ace p,4,1:48.4 ($1,924,290); New Jersey Sire Stakes star Dial Or Nodial p,1:48.3f ($1,803,017); 2014 Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year Artspeak p,3,1:47.4 ($1,770,980); 2010 Two-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year and world champion Big Jim p,2,1:49.1s ($1,544,580); and top Indiana stallion Always A Virgin p,3,1:48.4 ($1,135,559). Western Ideal sired five sub-1:48 pacers world champion American Ideal p,3,1:47.4 ($855,928), winner of the 2005 Confederation Cup and Tattersalls Pace; Artspeak; 2013 Breeders Crown winner Luck Be Withyou p,1:47.4f ($1,463,996), Western Joe p,4, 1:47.3 ($1,102,147) and JK First Lady p,4, 1:47.4 ($891,630). As a broodmare sire, Western Ideal has sired the dams of winners of over $169 million to date, with 16 millionaires led by: 2018 Horse of the Year, world champion Mcwicked p,1:46.2 ($5,103,271); world champion This Is The Plan p,1:47.3h ($3,316,267); two-time Dan Patch winner Bettors Wish p,4, 1:47.3 ($2,781,240); multiple award winner Lyons Sentinel p, 4,1:48 ($2,325,124); Dan Patch winner Abuckabett Hanover p,1:47.2s ($2,447,194); OBrien Horse of the Year and world champion State Treasurer p,1:47 ($2,072,450); OBrien winner Jimmy Freight p,1:48s ($1,983,730) and divisional champion Pebble Beach p,3,1:48.1s ($1,971,975). Western Ideal will be buried in the Hanover Shoe Farms cemetery alongside Cams Card Shark. Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the connections of Western Ideal. (with files from Hanover Shoe Farms)